May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 2

[fourmcds]

kaylee, I love non tech people The wonder of it all. ok, that was a bit snotty of me huh? I'm a software nerd from the accounting perspective, that's how I learned it...

This is really easy peasy, many software products have codes that expire just built right into them.

very common in B2B software, now it is just being used for consumer products.

yup, I am a non techy for sure! Just seemed amazing to me that they can encode things like that...kind of scary too....starts to make you think what else do they put in the programs

 

[fourmcds]

John,

Glad and sad to hear that you are acting as President. I get why it's important to do these things, but after our longggggg year (actually 2+) with our charter school issues, Paul was on the board and leading the fight, I realized that his time was better spent right now on our family first. I hope you don't feel squeezed in the middle and have to sacifice your fmaily time for this board calling. Lately, I've been advocating to our friends, just say NO!!! to the volunteer stuff. Sounds not nice I understand, but I've watched so many of the same people do all the work around me and I'm just feeling tired of it and tired for them. ok vent over. and your school district/area is very lucky to have you

what was with AI to night?

Nan...I know what you mean. I was president of the PTA at my daughter's school for 2 years and treasurer for 1 (as well as chair of the levy/bond committee for a year). During that time, I rarely saw the kids...between work and meetings, I was gone all the time. It actually effected my business negatively so this year I left it all and my practice has grown significantly and the kids (and Scott) love having me home most nights. (what is even harder is watching the hard work I did fall apart with a horrible board this year and the fact that our levy issue is coming up for a vote next month and NO ONE in the area knows about it yet!)

 

[calmom]

Nan,

Sorry to hear about Paul and the loss of clients. Haven't talked about it for awhile, but as bad as it sometimes may be (and I had a terrible day today with some issues) for now I am sticking where I am. I just don't think I have the energy or drive right now with everything else to try going out on my own. Paul's experience makes me even more skittish.

I use attorneys at our office and HATE to make changes. I only recommend them when we have to due to lack of attention or performance. There are some areas where I have the general expertise, but not the specific, and it is then that I turn it over to someone who is actively practicing.

John,
Can I ask for your opinion - when you have an executive level position that needs to be laid off, is there an ideal amount of team that you can give? i.e. I had to lay off our HR generalist (we will be outsourcing, but haven't selected the company/consultant yet). It seemed to me this was a position that should have a transition and I gave her notice of the layoff, incentive to stay for transition, etc. One of the HR companies I am interviewing gave me a lecture about how you can never keep someone on after you give them notice of the lay-off. Any thoughts? Thanks! Lisa

 

[calmom]

Ok, I had a HORRIBLE day today (leaving on Th for a seminar in Tampa and was told today they don't have my registration and the seminar is sold out I think I have things figured out but I won't know for sure until tomorrow. Any pixie dust that it all works out will be greatly appreciated, otherwise it will be a vacation for me when I really can't afford one, don't need one and can't get the credit I needed to get. On a side note, I get to meet V on Friday night Girls night at a bar I think )....

but THANK YOU...John1 for the post about Bobby, gave me a great laugh when it was needed and
Nan, thank Paul for me...his post cracked me up, but more than that was his location he listed as "with Nan" thought that was so cute!

How did it turn out? I haven't caught up yet, so maybe I'll find out....the excitement of right clicking!!!

 

[been2marceline]

V and Deb - it has taken me a looooooooooooong time to be able to get to where I am today. I've been dealing w/ depression (like Carol) since I was 12yo, and have had a really bad year w/ that this year (worst year to date). Drs have been playing w/ different meds since March, and it appears I'm FINALLY on something that is working. It was so bad earlier this year that even the parks and scrapbooking didn't hold any joy for me and I couldn't do either one (I'm still struggling w/ the scrapbooking).

Until about 2-3 weeks ago everything was just too overwhelming...I'd have thoughts of what I wanted to do, but couldn't get any of it done. GP gave me a hard time (sort of) cuz I have the stationary bike in my living room facing the tv and yet I couldn't get on it....he did say that it's like a catch 22 as exercise would help the depression, but the depression wouldn't let me get on the bike.

I'm just glad that I'm able to tackle little things now....and if it wasn't for Will I can tell you the furniture would have stayed where it was!

Monica,

Just from your upbeat outlook on here and meeting you I would never have guessed that you were dealing with that.

So glad that you have found some helpful meds and that you are doing better!!

All our best to you!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

Sounds like Scott and I will get along just fine. Love that description BTW - Tetris Screen!

I'll do my MacWorld review later . . . - much later, busy evening tonight too.

I'm the OCD packer... big surprise there!!

DH gets it all in there... but...

Karen

 

[calmom]

Hi Folks, for all of you planning trips to DL, here is our visitors list of good restaurants.

Thanks for posting that! Lisa

 

[calmom]

Thanks Kelly, these are great tools to use....and I'll do anything as long as it helps. Right now I'm doing a small ziploc bag of cheerios, eating them one at a time and lots of water and cinnamon gum, sugarless of course. Everything helps.....that's what has kept me honest to date.

I'm a little bummed.....I got on the scale and learned that I gained 5 lbs in the past week and I've been doing the exact same diet. I've even started doing some exercises. I should have lost more, but instead gained. I think it's the metabolism changes from not smoking anymore. It's ok though because I read where the metabolism will readjust after a while, so I just have to give it some more time and continue with the diet and exercises. Eventually, it will even out and I should start losing again. It's a little discouraging though because I was doing so well with the weight loss.

V and Deb - it has taken me a looooooooooooong time to be able to get to where I am today. I've been dealing w/ depression (like Carol) since I was 12yo, and have had a really bad year w/ that this year (worst year to date). Drs have been playing w/ different meds since March, and it appears I'm FINALLY on something that is working. It was so bad earlier this year that even the parks and scrapbooking didn't hold any joy for me and I couldn't do either one (I'm still struggling w/ the scrapbooking).

Until about 2-3 weeks ago everything was just too overwhelming...I'd have thoughts of what I wanted to do, but couldn't get any of it done. GP gave me a hard time (sort of) cuz I have the stationary bike in my living room facing the tv and yet I couldn't get on it....he did say that it's like a catch 22 as exercise would help the depression, but the depression wouldn't let me get on the bike.

I'm just glad that I'm able to tackle little things now....and if it wasn't for Will I can tell you the furniture would have stayed where it was!

Wow, what a road. So glad you are feeling well. I know it can be very complicated finding the right medication to assist with this. You now have energy to do things that many of, not even having to deal with depression, have the energy to do. That is awesome! Lisa

 

[woody73]

yup, I am a non techy for sure! Just seemed amazing to me that they can encode things like that...kind of scary too....starts to make you think what else do they put in the programs

Plus, it's scary thinking about the amount of personal information that gets collected on the web.

Woody

 

[been2marceline]

Oh Holly, how scary! We know Tyler is not a freak....we know about the sweet kind caring considerate and loving person that he is. He just needs some medical attention right now for all the things that he does not have control of in his life. Thankfully he is beginning to get that attention now. You're doing all the right things to help him and it will payoff, just have to give it some time since it's so new for him still.

You are a remarkable person for dealing so well with it all. You could easily panic out, but you don't. You always have us here to vent with, anytime day or night. You know how I believe that things happen for a reason.....I think that you're not able to be in school this semester for a reason. Tyler needs you and you are now freed up to be able to focus on getting him the help that he needs. Tyler's father is the one in denial, but he seems to come around eventually.....just give him a little more time.

Just remember, Tyler is not the only kid this ever happened to.....the professionals see this kind of stuff everyday....they will fix it, just give them a chance.

Lots of Hugs and Pixie Dust to both you and Tyler!!!

Holly,

DITTO to everything Deb said!!!

(Why repeat it when she said exactly what I was thinking )

All our best!! Hang in there!!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

Carol and Monica....I don't see it as a downer......I see it as someplace where you can come and spill your beans and we're hear for you ready to lend an ear and a hug. That's very positive for both of you. We understand illness and how hard it is to fight the fight. We encourage you to continue talking about it to us who care about you and are very concerned about your health and happiness. It's not your fault, just like it's not Tyler's fault with his illness. It can get better and it will in time.....be patient and don't give up!

Lots and lots of hugs and pixie dust. We're family and we're here for each other in the best of times and the worst of times.

DITTO (again) to what Deb said!!

She does seem to pattern my thoughts, but says them before I do! (I know that makes sense to me... somehow!)

Anyway... we really ALL are here for you guys. Please feel that you can always find us here to listen and to comfort!

XO,

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

I look forward to hearing them.

OK...I broke down and did the right click thingie too!

And didn't it feel good!!!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

Tonight while Amy was at that cooking class (she really enjoyed it BTW) Sophia and I got dinner, went to Ballet, did homework, got a bath, and read two chapters of HP. Full night for me.

Tomorrow we have another levy meeting, and we are having it in our theater hoping for 1,000 concerned people to show up in support. We are pulling out all the stops this time.

The Board member next in line to be President asked me if I would do it again if she stepped aside (her parents are very ill). I agreed (I'm a sap) and now I am President of the Board again in what will probably be the most difficult year our school district has ever faced. Letters to the editor every day ridiculing the board for asking for more money and making cuts in bussing as we slash our budget.

When I agreed, I had forgotten that I had Union contracts to negotiate this year too . . .

So tomorrow night I have to speak, and have spent the day thinking about what to say when I preach to 1,000 members of the choir (supporters)

I now figure I can make it through the year only because of this cruise!

John,

It's hard to say "NO" when you care a lot. I can relate... I have "Volunteeritis as well.

Good luck with your speach! I know that your heart and conviction will win over any naysayers!!

Karen

 

[calmom]

Ok, this is like a full-time job trying to keep on top of our thread! I'm trying not to fall behind again but not sure I can keep up with these late night readings! Sorry about the multi-post - I'm quicker this way in reading...

That's willpower!

Last weekend, Mrs. Woody NEEDED to get a compact photo printer for this cruise. The printer is tiny -- smaller than a stack of five DVD cases -- and prints high quality 4x6 prints. Amazing.

Woody

I found your post so funny! Thanks.

I meant to post these last night, but son took a spill and sprained his ankle, got stuck in doctor's office.

Would someone please explain "fish extenders" and "gifting".

Thanks

I think someone answered - your wife can PM me if you are interested! You can always just get a fish extender and not gift...it isn't conditionally.

Son is in good shape, thank you. Glad to be aboard. We almost cancelled last month. With the houseing slow down, finances have been really tight. We are now looking at the different excursions. Excitement all around!

Are you in the housing industry? It sure has dipped hasn't it?

Hey all...

been off a few days... been a bit under the weather...

Did lose 7 1/2 lbs... but it was food poisoning

What a way to make my months goal...

Hope you are feeling better!

I thought about it, but I'm afraid of trying to figure out how to ship back! I'll be taking DCL transport to the airport after getting off the ship and therefore unable to stop somewhere to ship.

The joy of being able to drive back home...I don't envy you all that are flying. Our van will be packed!

Is John like Scott....when the car is done being packed it looks like a perfectly arranged tetris screen? He just packs the car so specifically, then I come and dump something in there and it just freaks him out! So, now I pack it all up and pile it outside the car and he packs it to his satisfaction

My DH too!

You would think so, wouldn't you? But in GE's (NBC's parent company) infinite wisdom they flew in staffers from the Burbank bureau instead of employing a freelancer who LIVES RIGHT HERE! You know how it is--staff salaries are out of one budget and freelancers are out of another--yada, yada,yada. In fact, DH did work a great deal before they announced the severe cutbacks and moratorium on hiring freelancers on Dec. 10. He spent a week on Obama's bus tour and came away very impressed. He spent lesser amounts of time with other candidates.

Honestly, it was nice to have him home more over Christmas, but DH was pretty ticked over the whole principle of the thing. No worries. He ends up with more work than he can handle most of the time anyway. When stuff like this happens, though, it always reminds him how tenuous his work situation really is, being strictly freelance with no contract, etc. Luckily, he also owns his own production company in Florida, so all is good.

Wow, I bet that was interesting with Obama - was he impressed with Obama?

HEY, I'm excited about that! I loved Knight Rider!

By the way....hello everybody! Had to do some running around after Tyler left this evening, and am now plunked down at the public library using their wireless internet. My poor laptop hasn't been used in so long, it's probably in shock!

Tyler came home from school with 9 complete sets of teeth (bitemarks) on his forearm yesterday. He did it to himself. The teachers were quite freaked out, as I am. He bit so hard, the toothmarks were quite deep. I mentioned a few episodes to the psychologist last week about him trying to hurt himself in the past, but this is the most severe. His dad has never seen him do anything to himself, so doesn't believe me, but at least now the teachers can back me up if necessary that it's really happening. Poor kid.....I just can't imagine that 1 hour a week of counseling will help him. I hope she'll decide to see him more times a week. The bite marks yesterday just about broke my heart (not to mention scared me).

I probably shouldn't say all this stuff here because I'm afraid you will all think he's a freak, but I just need to vent sometimes.

Yikes...hope he is doing better tomorrow. That must have hurt him a lot.

I would be willing to chip in on these too

Would you like to join the team? Just PM if you are interested! Lisa

Monica, this all sounds sooooo familiar. I have dealt with depression most of my life but nobody ever put a name to it, even the therapists I saw (so many years ago they probably didn't think it was an illness). Any way I had a lot of close deaths to deal with in the last several years and just kept plugging along. Last March I started having Panic Attacks for the first time and knew that it was time to do something.

Now I am seeing a therapist and trying to find the right dosage of meds. Like you, my favorite thing in the world, going to WDW didn't hold a lot of interest for me and we went twice in September.

I am also finding it difficult to do the little things but am getting better too and making myself do them. I find that when I do I end up feeling better.

Glad to know that there are others out there who understand what this is all about. Sometimes you feel kind of alone and foolish for feeling the way you do.

Any way, sorry about the downer but it is nice to be able to talk about it.

Carol

Sounds like you are still in the midst of it. Hang in there.

I'm searching for a new hat. One that isn't FELT!

Oh, trust me...the few fun stories I have cover 28 years...lots and lots of boring same-old, same-old in there.

Usually once I year I go to LA to meet with the salesforce we have over there, so I can pretty much pick when I go...and I usually work in a DCL visit.

Your old stories are our new stories!

I think the guy who's never kissed a girl is good.....

He was good I thought so too!

Not so much IP but contract negotiating more on business points direct with customers or to settle arguements. I'd feel better if my income was regular, but since I'm contract too it's up and down for both of us.

Yah, that must be stressful.

We also had them on the last cruise and they were lime green with the disney script on them. I was part of that and can get the info of where to order them. We ordered 70 and they were $4.00 each (actually a little less than that but we rounded up for ease of payment) They had the plastic tags with them also and I made up ones for the kids - we did not do the adults but that would cool to have that on them.

It was nice to be able to see a lime green lanyard and know instantly they were a diser!

Let me know if anyone wants me to help. We can probably just change the dates and it not be the whole set up charge as if we started from scratch - maybe??? I know the more we ordered the cheaper they would have gotten!

please PM me in addition to posting on the board if you want me to help with this as I miss alot of messages here.

Krisann

Sounds good!

OK I would be willing to put myself in charge of lanyards if nobody else is doing that yet. I can front the money to purchase them then either sell to you all at cost or do a donation type thing where people chip in til the balance is paid. So a few questions.

What colors would you all like it in?
What would be a good saying to have imprinted on it?
Would you all want a DIS "badge" too or just the lanyard?
I kind of like the idea of making badges complete with pictures. Would be cool imo. Could make them like the cast wears with dis name and our home location.
I could mail them out to you all from home if that would work for everyone. Someone had mentioned $5 but even custom ones with nice hardware is still under $5 each.
Any other suggestions?

You can either reply in the thread or by sending me a PM. I am off the boards to head out to do a little retail therapy and shall return to the dis sometime after 9:30 pm and read any suggestions.

Sounds good! Sounds like enough people are interested in helping and paying. Let me know if I can help out at all with arranging a team.

yep, same guy I've read most of her books (ecluding Mercy, Song of the Humpback Whale, and Harvesting the Heart) gotta say my two favorites were Keeping the Faith (the little girl is talking to God) and Salem Falls. She has a new book coming out on 3/4 "Change of Heart". Think that'll have to get read on the cruise!


btw- Today I learned how to properly wash my hands. Who knew I'd been doing it wrong all this time?

let's see...
1. turn on water, adjusting temp to warm.
2. rinse hands, add at least 1 tsp soap
3. scrub vigorously in circular motions, being sure to scrub the nails of each hand against the opposite palm.
4. keeping hands pointed down rinse throughly.
5. get a paper towel with your elbow and dry your hands.
6. using a DIFFERENT paper towel turn off the water (this is the part screwed up on, used the same wet towel)
7. Using yet ANOTHER paper towel open the bathroom door and go about your business.

This reminds me of nursing school so much...I remember when I had about 3 classes on the proper way to make a bed. Crazy, but actually I can make a bed pretty nicely nice!

Tonight while Amy was at that cooking class (she really enjoyed it BTW) Sophia and I got dinner, went to Ballet, did homework, got a bath, and read two chapters of HP. Full night for me.

Tomorrow we have another levy meeting, and we are having it in our theater hoping for 1,000 concerned people to show up in support. We are pulling out all the stops this time.

The Board member next in line to be President asked me if I would do it again if she stepped aside (her parents are very ill). I agreed (I'm a sap) and now I am President of the Board again in what will probably be the most difficult year our school district has ever faced. Letters to the editor every day ridiculing the board for asking for more money and making cuts in bussing as we slash our budget.

When I agreed, I had forgotten that I had Union contracts to negotiate this year too . . .

So tomorrow night I have to speak, and have spent the day thinking about what to say when I preach to 1,000 members of the choir (supporters)

I now figure I can make it through the year only because of this cruise!

Wow, I admire you for all that. I can barely seem to be able to make the PTA meetings let along be an officer. I am the room parent for my pre-K one and I completely forgot our meeting today. I'm a bad school parent.... I try to get involved, but just have the hardest time finding the time...Lisa

 

[granmaz]

HEY, I'm excited about that! I loved Knight Rider!

By the way....hello everybody! Had to do some running around after Tyler left this evening, and am now plunked down at the public library using their wireless internet. My poor laptop hasn't been used in so long, it's probably in shock!

Tyler came home from school with 9 complete sets of teeth (bitemarks) on his forearm yesterday. He did it to himself. The teachers were quite freaked out, as I am. He bit so hard, the toothmarks were quite deep. I mentioned a few episodes to the psychologist last week about him trying to hurt himself in the past, but this is the most severe. His dad has never seen him do anything to himself, so doesn't believe me, but at least now the teachers can back me up if necessary that it's really happening. Poor kid.....I just can't imagine that 1 hour a week of counseling will help him. I hope she'll decide to see him more times a week. The bite marks yesterday just about broke my heart (not to mention scared me).

I probably shouldn't say all this stuff here because I'm afraid you will all think he's a freak, but I just need to vent sometimes.

I'm glad you are on the road to helping Tyler. Don't worry about sharing here - it helps to have someone to share with and though we are all miles away, we care.

Monica, this all sounds sooooo familiar. I have dealt with depression most of my life but nobody ever put a name to it, even the therapists I saw (so many years ago they probably didn't think it was an illness). Any way I had a lot of close deaths to deal with in the last several years and just kept plugging along. Last March I started having Panic Attacks for the first time and knew that it was time to do something.

Now I am seeing a therapist and trying to find the right dosage of meds. Like you, my favorite thing in the world, going to WDW didn't hold a lot of interest for me and we went twice in September.

I am also finding it difficult to do the little things but am getting better too and making myself do them. I find that when I do I end up feeling better.

Glad to know that there are others out there who understand what this is all about. Sometimes you feel kind of alone and foolish for feeling the way you do.

Any way, sorry about the downer but it is nice to be able to talk about it.

Carol

Not a downer Carol, it is better to talk.

I'm searching for a new hat. One that isn't FELT!

I need one too, but I hate wearing them as my head always feels hot. This vacation though I think a sun hat will be a must.

 

[granmaz]

Can Tyler and I be stalkers too?

We want to stalk too. I guess we should start calling you the pied piper of acapulco.

OK I would be willing to put myself in charge of lanyards if nobody else is doing that yet. I can front the money to purchase them then either sell to you all at cost or do a donation type thing where people chip in til the balance is paid. So a few questions.

What colors would you all like it in?
What would be a good saying to have imprinted on it?
Would you all want a DIS "badge" too or just the lanyard?
I kind of like the idea of making badges complete with pictures. Would be cool imo. Could make them like the cast wears with dis name and our home location.
I could mail them out to you all from home if that would work for everyone. Someone had mentioned $5 but even custom ones with nice hardware is still under $5 each.
Any other suggestions?

You can either reply in the thread or by sending me a PM. I am off the boards to head out to do a little retail therapy and shall return to the dis sometime after 9:30 pm and read any suggestions.

Sounds good. Out lanyard organiser sadly cancelled!!!

Carol I have been dealing with depression and panic attacks for almost 21 years. It is a terrible thing to have to deal with and you sometimes do feel like you are the only one. Panic attacks are the worst as you just feel like you are having a heart attack, at least I do. When mine first started I would get so scared and of course that only made them worse. I look back and there is a whole year of my life that is a total blur due to depression and panic attacks. Jan and Feb are my worst months every years.

I think there are more people that suffer from this than we would believe. I have found that everyone has a story, nothing ever is what it seems.

I have suffered with depression but not panic attacks. They must be so scary.

I think we are all used to keeping, or trying to keep, our depression quiet because of other people's views of the illness.

 

[been2marceline]

Wow, Marilyn!

You are the Queen of the multi-quotes tonight, err this morning!!

No nead to keep things quiet here!! We all support one another!

Have a great day!

Karen

 

[gydell]

I think if we stay sober and stay with a buddy we will be fine. Simple safety rules that apply anywhere. So sad that we can't make our children remember these rules when they become young adults. I cannot even imagine how the parents are coping.

Natalie's mom got divorced and she is now with Jon Benet father. I can't imagine how you cope with losing a child and then getting no closure.

 

[lillygator]

Good thing V left before I started the tech talk.

Wait until she wakes up in the morning to that long post and it puts her back to sleep!

I had to laugh at the "some guys are into go-carts" comment.

Tonight while Amy was at that cooking class (she really enjoyed it BTW) Sophia and I got dinner, went to Ballet, did homework, got a bath, and read two chapters of HP. Full night for me.

Tomorrow we have another levy meeting, and we are having it in our theater hoping for 1,000 concerned people to show up in support. We are pulling out all the stops this time.

The Board member next in line to be President asked me if I would do it again if she stepped aside (her parents are very ill). I agreed (I'm a sap) and now I am President of the Board again in what will probably be the most difficult year our school district has ever faced. Letters to the editor every day ridiculing the board for asking for more money and making cuts in bussing as we slash our budget.

When I agreed, I had forgotten that I had Union contracts to negotiate this year too . . .

So tomorrow night I have to speak, and have spent the day thinking about what to say when I preach to 1,000 members of the choir (supporters)

I now figure I can make it through the year only because of this cruise!

She couldn't have asked a better person!

 

[lillygator]

front page of the paper....three more restaurants are closing. Left all the employees high and dry....Amscot won't even cash their paychecks. So sad.