October 20th 2007 Western Magic Part 3

[Karen Mouse]

Thank you! - I got to munch my nephew yesterday too Neil and I were fighting over who could hold him. He's a cutie too.

I am so excited. I just got back from doing a morning of shopping. I like to spend my days off going to thrift stores (just 2, Savers and Goodwill) to see what junk I can find. Well I went to Savers yesterday and found a nice shirt for Mackenzie for the cruise. No big deal, not that great of a day yesterday. But today I pulled up to Goodwill and realized that it was the 50% of everything sale today. I hate those days because you can never get a cart and it is always so busy. I told Mackenzie that she would have to walk next to me. We get in the door and what is there? A cart. We got there at 9:45 and we did not leave until 11:40. I walked out with 18 items for $27.00. I am so excited. I got Mackenzie 2 formal dresses, and everyday dress, an every day shirt, and a toy that kept her busy while I shopped. I got Kelsey a pair of pj pants, and a nice shirt for the cruise. Now the best part of it all. I can never find anything for boys in good condition at a thrift store. Well needless to say I think all of Kyle shirts are done for the cruise dinners. I got him 2 long sleeve button down shirts, a sweater and 2 nice long sleeve shirts, and 2 everyday shirts, a black pair of slacks and a kahki pair of slacks. Then I got one bag of stocking stuffers for x-mas. I was so excited that I had to come home and wake up Scott to show him all the stuff. I never have days like this.

Oh my goodness - thats some shop! - well done...I love days like that.

If I could ask all of you for another prayer I would highly appreciate it. My DH's bosses son was in a horrible car accident on Thursday night. We are not sure of all the details but he is on life support and had bleeding in his brain. They say the outlook is not very good. His name is Mike and he is 17 years old. The star of his HS football team, and a real girl magnet as he puts it.

For those of you who have talked with my DH this is the family that we do fantasy football with so he is not only DH's boss but a friend. We will be going to the hospital on Sunday to see him and find out more.

Thank you all
Carrie

Oh Carrie how awful. The family will be in my prayers. I hope things are a little more promising today.

Havenet read all the past posts for today, run out of time.

What a C*ap game, I was so sad to see Chelsea win.

Still at least we won the Premiere League..

Never mind Lindy Loo, at least you still get to play the great and mighty Birmingham city next season

 

[Karen Mouse]

I've just dispatched Neil into the garage and told him not to come out til its all packed - I might see him in a weeks time

I've just been through my shoe collection , even after throwing about 20 pairs away I still have about 60 pairs ...shhhh - dont tell Neil

 

[Karen Mouse]

Victoria and Nancy - how lovely to have a mini dis meet

And...I'm so jealous about this cedar point meet - I told Neil last night, and casually mentioned it was close to Chicago and Wisconsin and he reminded me we're moving house and will not be "USA"ing it next year

Oh well,....a girl can dream





Have many of you fine Americans been to Europe and made it to our fine shores? I usually think half of America is in Stratford on Avon (Shakespeare country) whenever I visit there. You sure do love our history. Us Brits are so used to it we take centuryies old buildings for granted, especially in our own home town.

 

[oybolshoi]

Have many of you fine Americans been to Europe and made it to our fine shores? I usually think half of America is in Stratford on Avon (Shakespeare country) whenever I visit there. You sure do love our history. Us Brits are so used to it we take centuryies old buildings for granted, especially in our own home town.

Haven't made it to Europe yet...but it's on the list. I can't speak for anyone else, but it's hard to justify that much $$$ for a one-week vacation, and one week isn't enough time for Europe anyway. Jay and I would want at least two weeks just for the British Isles (and I really think three is better just for some added flexibility) but in this fine country you run into some problems with that:

1) Americans as a rule don't get a lot of vacation (Jay and I both have 3 weeks, which is alot compared to what some folks get - he will hit 4 weeks next year).

2) Since many companies run on a shoestring staff (why hire three people to do the work of four when two people can do it?), allowing someone to take more than 2 weeks at one time becomes something of an issue.

3) Some companies and or management types are just jerks and won't approve extended vacation requests.


My manager is cool about my taking time off, but Jason works for a company that doesn't allow their employees to take any time off in November, December, or January. And his manager is a prick who doesn't like to approve anyone's vacation request and he complains when Jay (or anyone else) wants more than 1 week at a time. He's one of those "do as I say not as I do" managers because he's always taking time off.

Why does Jay stay there? Because the overall benefits (standard and fringe) are still better there than at almost any other company in this area that he could move to.

Also, keep in mind that many companies won't allow their employees to roll vacation time from one year to the next, so you can't accumulate extra time.

American workers really have crappy benefits compared with the rest of the world, but government (IMHO) is not about people any longer - it's about corporate interests and money.

Now that you know more than you ever wanted to about my opinions and our vacation scheduling abilities...I'm going to go get some laundry done. Why oh why am I up this early on a Sunday???

Have a good one!

By the way, did you know that in 5 days Jay and I will be in WDW? Is anyone looking for something that we might be able to procure and have sent to you? Let me know!

 

[JLDSMD]

And...I'm so jealous about this cedar point meet - I told Neil last night, and casually mentioned it was close to Chicago and Wisconsin and he reminded me we're moving house and will not be "USA"ing it next year

Oh well,....a girl can dream

Too bad the Neil will be missing the trip.

You and Ellis will have a great time.

 

[Karen Mouse]

Haven't made it to Europe yet...but it's on the list. I can't speak for anyone else, but it's hard to justify that much $$$ for a one-week vacation, and one week isn't enough time for Europe anyway. Jay and I would want at least two weeks just for the British Isles (and I really think three is better just for some added flexibility) but in this fine country you run into some problems with that:

1) Americans as a rule don't get a lot of vacation (Jay and I both have 3 weeks, which is alot compared to what some folks get - he will hit 4 weeks next year).

3 weeks for you is good?? - gosh that IS bad over here. UK people generally get 4, plus Bank holiday days, Neil is up to 5 1/2 weeks - he'll get about 7 weeks this year cos its his 20 year service award, so he gets 2 weeks off and £2000 holiday voucher (hence the cruise).

I (according to Neil of course) get 52 weeks off a year




Jeff - If only we could...we'll be there in spirit though - take loads of photos of Cedar Point and post them on here to show me.

 

[oybolshoi]

3 weeks for you is good?? - gosh that IS bad over here. UK people generally get 4, plus Bank holiday days, Neil is up to 5 1/2 weeks - he'll get about 7 weeks this year cos its his 20 year service award, so he gets 2 weeks off and £2000 holiday voucher (hence the cruise).

I (according to Neil of course) get 52 weeks off a year

A holiday voucher? I want in on this being British thing.

 

[cntkg1]

NEW YAHOO TABLE

As per Heather's request (and a good one at that), there is a new table on Yahoo to post important things all the KK's would like to read besides reading through 100 pages.

In Brenda's words...Go forth and post people.

 

[cntkg1]

Brenda, be sure to post your "news" from Tues and Wed. We are all looking forward to good news. I'm sure Heather will want to know too.

 

[oybolshoi]

Brenda, be sure to post your "news" from Tues and Wed. We are all looking forward to good news. I'm sure Heather will want to know too.

 

[JLDSMD]

3 weeks for you is good?? - gosh that IS bad over here. UK people generally get 4, plus Bank holiday days, Neil is up to 5 1/2 weeks - he'll get about 7 weeks this year cos its his 20 year service award, so he gets 2 weeks off and £2000 holiday voucher (hence the cruise).

I have 10 years in and get 4 weeks, plus 5 days to use any time plus 12 days (negotiated by me), one per month, plus 8 "hard" holidays (ones that the office is closed).

So in total, not counting "hard" holidays, I get 37 days or 7+ weeks. I will get 1 more week in 5 years. We are allowed to carry forward 2 weeks.

We also have 100% paid premiums for Health, Dental and Life insurance.

 

[JLDSMD]

A holiday voucher? I want in on this being British thing.

Is this like an annual bonus?

We have that, but it come in summer.

 

[JLDSMD]

NEW YAHOO TABLE

As per Heather's request (and a good one at that), there is a new table on Yahoo to post important things all the KK's would like to read besides reading through 100 pages.

In Brenda's words...Go forth and post people.

I get no respect.

Wasn't that my recommendation to Heather not being able to keep up while gone?

If I remember I put you and Karen on that task (me too I guess).

Just kidding. Now we just need to try to keep it up to date. Not to mention to add stuff from the past 8-12 months.

Just wish the stupid "search" worked on this board.

 

[JLDSMD]

FYI, we passed the Med Repo thread, but it looks like some of the old threads that were taken down (inactive) had people post to them because we are now in 11th place.

10th is 3,700 ahead of us and 9th is 5,300. Both I think we will be able to catch. Now if they go inactive for too long, we may jump over night in the rankings.

Now if we post to this thread once a week to keep it going after we sail, we could stay up on the list. Plus it would be a good place to stay in contact with our fellow cruisers.

 

[JLDSMD]

O.K. where did you guys go?

We're off to a Pancake Breakfast at the Merton Fire Department this morning and then to Lowe's to look at a couple of doors.

We might head from there to Red Robin for Suz' Birthday Burger (they give you a free one on your birthday).

Talk to you all (or as Paige says, y'all) later.

 

[MinnMick01]

Good morning everyone.

I was so depressed last night when I could not get on, those darn updates, I understand why they do them but still they kept me from talking to everybody. At least it is up and running now.

 

[MinnMick01]

Just an update on my mother. She is doing real well. On Friday she went to a movie. It was a 2 hour movie and then went home and took a 2 hour nap. So she feels she is not doing that good. But she does want to come it the youngest DD this week to go see a movie. Hmmm I don't think she is that up to it but I can not argue with her. Yesterday I took her on one quick errond and she was walking faster then me, and I walk pretty fast. Then she came ouside and sat for about 30 minutes in the heat while the rest of us were in the pool. She was busily taking pictures of all of us. I think she is getting better with each day.

 

[MinnMick01]

For anyone who is interested I have 2 really cute little girls dresses, size 5T, new without tags. I thought I would offer them to anyone on her that would want them for the cruise before I post them on ebay. Just let me know I can send pics.

 

[MinnMick01]

Thank you to everyone that was discussing Red Robin. DS picked it last night for his birthday dinner. I forgot how good they really are. I love the spinach and artichoke dip. Yum-o

 

[MinnMick01]

Since no one wants to come out and talk I guess I will get DD dressed for church. I have been up since 6:00 so I am ready to go now I just need to get everyone else ready.

Have a great day. I will check in after the hospital today.