May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 3

[ibouncetoo]

on a sad note, our local (Tampa area) meteorologist apparantly killed himself. He has been broadcasting for 13 years and was 39 years old. Everyone is shocked....he was always the one we watched during any evacuation or hurricane related issues. Although I didn't know him presonally, I felt as though I did, I mean, he was in "our home" daily. Prayers out to his family and friends...

Was this person on WTSP ? That's our sister station in Tampa/St Pete.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Holly, just noticed you go on your cruise the day before us. Wish ours was a 7 day one, but really am pleased to be doing a 4 day. Will be our first cruise.


Marilyn, I'm soooo excited for you about doing your first cruise...if you love World at all, doing the cruise brings you to an even higher level of loving the mouse. Before DCLing...we would take vacations at WDW and somewhere else and WDW and somewhere else....since DCL...we take vacations on DCL and DCL and DCL. I can NEVER get off the ship without knowing when I'm coming back and booking it before leaving....I've definitely got it bad....a real strong addiction to cruising on Mickey's ship. Wait until you see what happens to you.

Are you going straight home after the cruise as I think some others are down there at that time. You may know that, but this thread is too long to remember what has gone before now!!!

Edit here because my ticker is the day we arrive at WDW, 25th Nov, we don't cruise till 2nd Dec. You will be cruising from the 24th Nov. Silly me!

 

[granmaz]

Deb it would be lovely to think we might do more cruises. I rather think these two will be it, though you never know of course! I am just thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to go on these cruises. John never fancied cruising at all and has many plans for other places to visit. I am hoping he gets the bug though!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Many, many pages behind.

Been busy with some family obligations so have read a bit but have not been able to post. Back to reading. Hope to be caught up but may not post much.

Noel

Glad to know you're still with us, Noel. You are greatly and noticeably missed when we don't get your posts. At least we know you're ok and will join us when you can.

 

[Jhalkias]

Wow-that's very unusual for a priest to be asked to leave the church, at least for the Greek Orthodox. I remember growing up with Father Nick at our Church in Houston, TX. He was there from the time I was little and I ran into someone who went to church there in recent years and said he was still there! So usually they're at the church until they die or retire.

My mom experience the snobbery at our church, which was a congregation filled with wealthy people so there was no hope for her....divorced and a secretary with a meager salary. Certainly there were good people there but if she wanted to be involved, she was subtly pushed away. She got fed up. It was really hard for us to leave the church (but we didn't leave religion). Being Greek Orthodox is a religion but it's also a lot about being Greek, in an ethnic sense. So I do miss that and the traditions, but we're very happy at the church we're at and people from all walks of life are embrace. And I will say, from going to our current church, my children know much more about God than I never knew at their ages, so it's been good...but miss those traditions!

I do find it interesting the priest is divorced. I can't wait to share that one with my mom...she'll get a chuckle out of that. I guess things have changed! Yes, to be the head of a church you need to be a family man and need to embrace families. That's a huge part of what the church is all about!!!

We have had FIVE priests at this church since I was growing up! The "ruling class" is hard to satisfy. It is interesting that your mom and my family had similar experiences. I was asked several years ago to be on the parish council, and declined - even though my income may now be greater than some of those who my family was not good enough for in the past, those memories are hard to forget. The school board is bad enough politics for me - the church is WORSE!


As to the divorce, I was told that as long as he now remains celibate, and does not remarry, he can remain a priest. If he were ever to remarry, he could then not be a priest.

Glad you found somewhere you feel comfortable and happy. That is the most important thing - something we are still struggling with, and is further complicated because Amy was raised Lutheran. I really enjoy Orthodoxy and all that goes with it - I just want to go to church for worship and fellowship - not politics! To think, mom desperately wanted me to become a priest!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I remember the times my mom and I would drive home from church with the lit candle. I'd be so stressed that I'd set something on fire...she'd be driving so I'd be holding the candle and I was young. You know the whole, don't play with fire thing and then I'm holding a lit candle in a car! Phew! But you're right, it is truly a spiritual experience. I too, not knowing the words to what I was singing, found it all very peaceful!

Lisa, my mom and grandmother tell stories of riding the NYC subways with the candles lit after midnight mass. They lived in Brooklyn when my mom was very young, then Queens where she graduated HS, then they journeyed out to Long Island, where I was born, then my mom went to the East End of Long Island, where I was raised. Now I'm living in PA and retiring in DE. What a migration over three generations!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

My health is fine but have had some family issues related to inheritance etc. to deal with the lawyers and my surviving siblings etc. We had to deal with some issues regarding my deceased sister's surving son which were not properly handled in my father's trust. Resolution is not what we wanted but my father did not want to pay large legal fees so many of the contingencies that are in my DH and my personal trust were not covered in my father's trust.

Needless to say, it sure would have been less expensive in the long run if my father would have spent the money on the front end with my lawyer instead of the one he used really did not even want to administer the trust. My sister made eleven phone calls to her after my father's death which were not returned. Her only response was an acknowledgement of the transfer via letter from the new trust attorney of the transfer.

Lesson learned by my siblings is making a very basic trust with an attorney who makes basic trusts without considering ramfications has cost our family several hundred thousand dollars in legal and tax fees. Basic mistake the attorney made is not properly advising us to deal with the issues of money and property that my sisters minor son would inherit as a minor in the year before my fathers death.

On top of that stressful situation, I had to help my middle DD by taking care of her children while they deal with some medical issues related to her husband. With that and Easter this weekend, I may be on and off the computer through the weekend.

The family estate, the grandkids, the holiday...you have a lot going on right now in your life. Understandable that you have little DIS time available. Just know that we're all here for you whenever you can get away for a while. You may enjoy the distraction from your other realities!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

With Lamb it's Pinot, Pinot and Pinot!! Pinot Noir is really great with lamb, but it is not a very dry wine. You might try one of other Syrah that you ordered, the Petite Sirah or the O'Brien Merlot that you ordered.


We've decided to take the Stump Jump, which I think I am going to like, and we're taking the Petite Sirah. When in doubt, do both...I say.


Whites don't generally go that well with lamb, but it does depend on how it is being prepared.


With garlic and lemon, then making a gravy out of that...I'll just bring both wines and see which goes better after sampling each.

We are going up to Bodega on Friday and then we will pop back for Easter at my sister's house. It's only an hourish drive.

Karen

Family and time away is what it's all about! Do enjoy and bring plenty of wine!!!

 

[been2marceline]

Karen, we went straight off to the garden centre and aquarium shop. We are going to get a tropical aquarium soon which should be lovely and relaxing!!

I am glad you can get Benecol over there. I do actually eat their yogurts as I am not keen on the spread. I don't fancy the little drinks either. I usually eat my bread without, or we have low fat olive spread which has a nicer taste. I really need to lose some more weight which I had hoped to have done by now but.......!!!

Hope you have a great time at the Bodega Bay house. We will be gardening and painting.


Marilyn,

I didn't know that Benecol came in yogurt and drinks??

We actually use the Smart Balance now. It really tastes more like butter and has the same plant esters (sp?) that assist with cholesterol reduction.

We are huge fans of Aquariums!! Have talked about getting one, but I know that I would be in charge of keeping it clean, so it is on "hold" until I retire!

DH is already up at the house; cold and a bit foggy, but I love that, so it will be fine with me!! Working till around 3:30, then errands, packing the kid and the car and then we should be up there tonight. I'll probably be back on the DIS at my regular time late tonight (early tomorrow!).

Karen

 

[lillygator]

Was this person on WTSP ? That's our sister station in Tampa/St Pete.

no, WFLA. News Channel 8 ("8 on your Side")
http://tbo.com/news/metro/MGBID1D460F.html

 

[been2marceline]

Only 399 days!?!?!?!

This cruise will be here before you know it!

Going to brave Disneyland this weekend. It's the first weekend since my foot surgery that I will be able to go. I know it will be really crowded but I am going anyway!

Kim,

I have lots of issues with my feet and achilles tendons. We usually get one of the motorized wheelchairs for me to assist with getting around. I can usually walk the parks for a couple of days, then I need the cart for a day, etc. If I don't use them, I literally can't walk for weeks after.

Hopefully you won't need it, but they are at the Guest Services to the right as you go into Disneyland and to the left in Cal Adventure.

Snuggle Pooh bear for me!!

Enjoy!!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

Well, what a beautiful day it's been here in the UK!
Has it been lovely there too Maz? We too went off to the garden centre, bought some plants and have been in the garden all day, making the most of the sunshine. I planted some roses, violas and a couple of Hebe shrubs

Sounds lovely!!


mmmmmmm can I come to dinner too?

I'm sure that there will be plenty for you to join us, Mandy!! You should just about make it in time if you leave right now!!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

Mandy we have had a lovely day just pottering. It is cooling down a little now. We ended up going to 2 garden centres with fish, and had a lovely cappuccino and fresh made fruit scone just out of the oven!! No butter on mine though!

Sounds so yummy!!!! I love fresh scones!!!

Bought 2 conifers, and decided on the fish tank we want. Going to have Discus fish in the tank when we finally get it. Our son has discus so can help us as they can be a little temperamental.

They can be very temperamental, but I love discus too!! Send pictures when they are "up and running"!!

Karen
Hopefully there is something good on the tv tonight.[/QUOTE]

 

[been2marceline]

you all shouldn't put ideas in my head, lol

Make it BLUE!!!

Karen

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Deb,

We've done all of the above! We always color eggs, this year we will do them in Bodega which is fun as the counter is so big. We usually use the plastic eggs for the Easter egg hunts in the past, but all of the kids have gotten so big!

We also did the Easter egg fight a couple of years ago and it was a lot of fun!!

I still do Easter baskets for my family and close friends, usually See's candy and some sort of goody. I am doing some coffee mugs in a couple of my friends baskets and a cd and dvd for DD in hers. I often find cute "bunny" Jim Shore items for one of my dearest friends and for my sister.

I think that my sister is doing a crown rack of lamb or pork for dinner, not sure. We are bringing some fresh crab to do as appetizers in a cocktail. And of course, there will be wine!!!

Karen

WOW Karen, that's a lot to do for Easter. Your Easter is like my Christmas. We only do the eggs. We used to do baskets when the GSs and Nephews were little, but now all four are teens and we don't do it for them. Not sure if their parents are doing anything with them.

Now dinner is another story....that's always the way to celebrate in my family too...and there will always be wine!!! Enjoy your meal and your company. It sounds delicious and fun!

 

[lillygator]

I am so ready to get out of here today...well, any day really.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

You know for a couple of years there's been all this controversy over retailers going out of their way not to mention "Christmas" during the Christmas season? Everything is "Holiday" sales and "Holiday" trees and "Happy Holidays." Anyway, I saw a new one today: our local library is having a Spring egg hunt...not an Easter egg hunt. Oh, brother. Now I know that eggs don't really have a darn thing to do with the Christian Easter, but what is a spring egg hunt?

Are we supposed to change our money too? It says, "In God We Trust". I really dislike it when other people try to force their value systems on me. I say, live and let live. We could each have our own way and be different. I'll ignore yours and you ignore mine and we'll all get along. Otherwise, I get really riled up about others changing my rights.

 

[been2marceline]

WOW Karen, that's a lot to do for Easter. Your Easter is like my Christmas. We only do the eggs. We used to do baskets when the GSs and Nephews were little, but now all four are teens and we don't do it for them. Not sure if their parents are doing anything with them.

Now dinner is another story....that's always the way to celebrate in my family too...and there will always be wine!!! Enjoy your meal and your company. It sounds delicious and fun!

You too, Deb! I expect a full report on the wine pairings with dinner!!

Ok, back to work for a bit. Dang that job is getting in the way of the DIS!!

At least I'm the boss, so I don't have to worry about looking over my own shoulder!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

We have had FIVE priests at this church since I was growing up! The "ruling class" is hard to satisfy. It is interesting that your mom and my family had similar experiences. I was asked several years ago to be on the parish council, and declined - even though my income may now be greater than some of those who my family was not good enough for in the past, those memories are hard to forget. The school board is bad enough politics for me - the church is WORSE!


As to the divorce, I was told that as long as he now remains celibate, and does not remarry, he can remain a priest. If he were ever to remarry, he could then not be a priest.

Glad you found somewhere you feel comfortable and happy. That is the most important thing - something we are still struggling with, and is further complicated because Amy was raised Lutheran. I really enjoy Orthodoxy and all that goes with it - I just want to go to church for worship and fellowship - not politics! To think, mom desperately wanted me to become a priest!

John,

I was also raised Lutheran. My mom and dad were very involved with our congregation when I was younger. My mom did Sunday school there too. Then a new pastor came in and everything changed. Really ruined if for my folks. They never really found another church to get involved with after that.

Politics and snobbery are not what true worship are really about. It's such a shame that it is so prevalent.

Go with your heart. Everything else will follow!

Karen

 

[been2marceline]

Are we supposed to change our money too? It says, "In God We Trust". I really dislike it when other people try to force their value systems on me. I say, live and let live. We could each have our own way and be different. I'll ignore yours and you ignore mine and we'll all get along. Otherwise, I get really riled up about others changing my rights.

DITTO!!

Welcome to the soap box! There's plenty of room up here for both of us!!

Karen