Team Focker Watch Chat - in the 11th Hour

[cmp1111]

I loved John Adams! I'm half-American and I am very into American history, well all history really. Definitely a great show and not boring at all. Also silly but the opening theme music made me love it even more.

Excellent!

CE - Your story is hilarious! My grandparents have an alarm system, I am always so careful when moving around their house at night as I am afraid I am going to trigger it somehow.

Oh, good. I find it really funny, but I'm never sure if it's the memory of the sleep deprivation that makes it so.

The cat hated me for years. (Not really. She actually liked me a lot, which was problematic as she was one of them that set off my allergies...)

Which brings to mind another sleep-deprived funny story in that house, although it's also kind of gross:

Fast forward to about 2005. D's mom turns 60 and throws a huge family party for herself, and the house is kind of full. We were in a room with the 2 year old twins, and Woody wasn't sleeping, so I got up in the middle of the night and went to the cushioned "pit" area in the main living area with him.

I was woken up when the household started to get up pretty early in the morning. At this point, the cat was 17 and had to be IV hydrated every day - it was a good long life, and truly, I liked her very much. But, when MIL got up that morning to go look for her in the basement (where she retreated - they'd gotten a yippy dog in the ensuing years...), she had passed on.

D's stepdad... I love him, but am glad I didn't have to grow up with him. He's pragmatic to the point where he seems very unemotional; though I know he cares about family intensely, he doesn't always know how to show it.

Anyway, I was half asleep in the pit when MIL came up, having found the cat, very upset.

D's stepdad wrapped his arms around her, hugged her tight, and said - and this is a direct quote - "Oh, honey. It's OK. I'll take care of her. It's trash day."





I did like the cat - I have to keep emphasizing this, because it sounds so mean, but I had to do my best at this point not to totally crack up.

She, of course, immediately nixed this idea, and called the vet, he eventually took the cat in, but still...

I think it was so sweet on the one hand that he was obviously trying his absolute best to help , and on the other, it was so funny that he was so bad at it.

I hope you don't all think I'm sick.

 

[cmp1111]

CE - loved your alarm story!

I do want our bedroom & bath, the kitchen, living room, guest bedroom and guest bathroom all on the main level with no stairs. My mom has trouble with steps and i can totally see her living with us within the next few years.

Anyway, i think we are going to start looking at land in august 2011 and start building in january 2012

Nice!

DH still wants to go snow skiing so that will probably be in Jan-Feb of next year.

I'll meet you in Maine on Feb. break!

 

[debraW76]

I need some help. I'm trying to find a good cake recipe for Omicron and Tau's birthday parties. I want a chocolate cake and a white cake. Does anyone have any recipes to share?

Also I have no idea how to do this party. It is such last minute and usually I let the kids pick out most everything. Since this is a surprise I have no idea what to do as a theme? I thought about generic 'happy birthday' stuff?

 

[askelton]

Angela I live north of Atlanta.

Love Atlanta!

I highly recommend renting John Adams on DVD-it's the HBO miniseries, and it's totally riveting, and really makes you appreciate our country (with apologies to our UK expats and Canucks)

Great show.

OK, my alarm story, or "Why I'll probably never get a house alarm."

My MIL did something like that when we were visiting friends. She got up at 4am, went out to smoke and set off the alarm. My friends DH is a police officer so thankfully he didn't shoot her. She was mortified but they didn't tell her they were putting on the alarm.

The house will be designed by DH (being the architect and all). It will have to have at least 6 bedrooms because I am adamant about the kids all having their own rooms. Big kitchen, big living room, dining room, and also a playroom/rec room. 4 bathrooms (minimum), swimming pool, laundry room with two sets of washer/dryers, lots of storage, library/office, ya know, everything. What can I say? I'm spoiled

Sounds awesome! I always look at the house plans in Southern Living and one from 10 years ago is still my favourite. Our house in Memphis had the laundry room upstairs, novel idea, huh? Right near the bedrooms. I hate having ours in the garage now. Some day they will be in my master closet. Along with a small door from the garage directly into the pantry for groceries.

D's stepdad wrapped his arms around her, hugged her tight, and said - and this is a direct quote - "Oh, honey. It's OK. I'll take care of her. It's trash day."

Exactly what I did!

I need some help. I'm trying to find a good cake recipe for Omicron and Tau's birthday parties. I want a chocolate cake and a white cake. Does anyone have any recipes to share?

This is a family favourite that we have been making for years, usually the only cake I make, and the one I did for Reid's b'day. I had my grandmother write the recipe in her handwriting and have it framed in my kitchen.

Waldorf Chocolate Cake​

Cream together:
¾ c butter
1 7/8 c brown sugar
3 eggs

Melt:
3 oz unsweet chocolate in
¾ c boiling water

Sift:
2 ¼ c sifted cake flour
1 1/2 t baking soda
3/4t baking powder
3/4t salt

Mix together:
¾ c buttermilk
1t vanilla

Alternatively add with dry ingredients.

Bake: 350 30-35 minutes; cupcakes 36, 400, 20 minutes.

Frosting:
3 squares unsweet chocolate
2t butter
2 ¾ c confection sugar
3 T cream (milk)
1/4 t salt
1t vanilla
1/4t almond extract

Melt butter and chocolate in a double boiler. Add to sugar & flavorings.

 

[askelton]

This is from Southern Living March 2009. I made it for our b'days and was quite pleased. I love almond extract, but not almonds, go figure, so I used that.

Basic Vanilla Cake Batter

Prep: 20 min. Add an additional 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract if you do not have almond extract.This recipe goes with Vanilla Petits Fours, Basic Layer Cake, Vanilla Cupcakes

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk

1. Beat sugar and butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until yellow disappears after each addition. Beat in vanilla and almond extracts.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl; add to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at medium-low speed just until blended after each addition. (Batter will be thick.) Use immediately.
Ultimate Vanilla Cake Batter: Substitute 2 tsp. vanilla bean paste for vanilla extract. Proceed with recipe as directed.
Chocolate Cake Batter: Reduce cake flour to 2 cups. Proceed with recipe as directed in Step 1. Whisk 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa into flour mixture in Step 2; proceed with recipe as directed. Beat 1/3 cup hot water into batter just until smooth.


Yield: Makes about 6 cups


Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Prep: 10 min. If you love lots of frosting, double the recipe.This recipe goes with Vanilla Petits Fours, Basic Layer Cake, Vanilla Cupcakes

1/2 cup butter, softened
​

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar
3 to 5 Tbsp. milk

1. Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with 3 Tbsp. milk, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating at low speed until blended and smooth after each addition. Beat in up to 2 Tbsp. additional milk for desired consistency.



Yield: Makes about 2 3/4 cups

 

[KatGarcia]

Let’s see where to begin.

I think your plans look great. You have plenty of time to check the ADRs again and see what you can change. I def missed your updates!

Isn't it funny how you find HIdden Mickey's where you least expect too?!

Is it wrong that I walk around all day wondering if there are any in the store I don't know about?

IKEA went well. I bought some things, really just minutia for the house nothing large. Had swedish meatballs with Gus and my friend. Drove home in huge traffic (at 1pm, where the heck are they all going?????) and then made 3 different dinners.

Now I have a hankering for those meatballs! YUM.

Kat - 50% off! That's awesome! Take care of yourself though. Even 50% off isn't worth disregarding your body.

Yea I am still assessing the damage my body is going through and how I will come out of this. But that darn discount....lol.

p.s. Kat- So glad you had a great 2 days of work!

Thanks! Are you done with Eclipse yet?

Why are you all not up at 6.30? No idea why I am either! A friend from HS is in town and I don't know if we're getting together today or tomorrow. I wanted to do it today but if it's tomorrow, maybe I can go back to sleep.

I was up, crazy enough.

So I was just researching WDW prices and it is $100 cheaper for us to stay concierge at AKL for a week vs the Poly and that was for the cheapest room at the Poly. I thought for sure the concierge would be more expensive. I really want to stay at the Poly but AKL concierge would allow us to book the Sunrise and Sunset safari not to mention Alek and Erich would enjoy the "free" food. Does anybody know if you can use AAA discounts on concierge rooms?

So because I am becoming unhealthily obsessed with pricing at WDW and how I can get half off...how much does AKL Concierge cost?

Not much going on. My muther goes to the Dr. this afternoon to get the results of her MRI. Let's hope it's not bad news.

How did it go?

Yep, Jordan's big b-day bash!

I am hoping to pop in there too, if not just for a couple of days to wish my friend Jordan a Happy Bday!

I need some help. I'm trying to find a good cake recipe for Omicron and Tau's birthday parties. I want a chocolate cake and a white cake. Does anyone have any recipes to share?

Also I have no idea how to do this party. It is such last minute and usually I let the kids pick out most everything. Since this is a surprise I have no idea what to do as a theme? I thought about generic 'happy birthday' stuff?

What about cupcakes? I have a few really good cupcake recipes I can give u if u need!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well day 3 is under my belt. I came home and passed out for 2 hours!

I was physically tired and just tired in general. Last night KC got home late and wouldn't just "wind down" in bed reading or playing DS- NO he had to be on the frikkin computer while I tried to sleep. I got up at 6:30am and made him get up early too (paybacks a you-know-what) and for to work at 9am.

I had a fine day, people are warming up to us new CMs so it has gotten a bit more fun. I don't see the light of day, or the indisde of the store ever tho. Just the dreary, HOT basement stock room.

My pants ripped a bit today and I lost the button on them too. Quality stuff. I have to take the 2nd pair she gave me in on the legs because I look like MC Hammer.

Anywho, KC is on his way home from work (late as usual) and I ahve to heat up dinner. I am looking forward to sleeping like the dead until i wake up tomorrow. I am craving that relaxing morning time with my coffee and tv.

PS I have yet to find a Disney enthusiast like me, mostly kids who just need a job.

 

[englishrose47]

I have a cople of Alarm tales too !!
First Alarm ( pun intended ) It was New Years Day ,the twins were babies and we were babysitting overnight as Judy went out for NY Eve !! My ex gets up EARLY and as the tewins were there went to smoke his pipe outside Well the alarm went off and woke the girls and if that wasn't enuff the alarm peopl called Judy at 6:30am after her NIGHT OUT as she was the first contact I don't think she was to happy!!

Second was when the drama happened next door with my neighbors ex who held her hostage , she got away and was rescued my the Fire ladder Well the SWAT team was all over my property , woke me up banging on the door for meto turn off my motion lights and I open the door and the alarm goes OFF!!The words the calledme can NOT be repeated !! I cn laugh now but it was not funny at the Time

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Well.... the dr. didn't go as planned.

THe good news is her tibia isn't broken as we thought.

The bad news is her meniscus is torn. Which means surgery. Soon.

They've sent in all the paperwork for the insurance approval, but the doc told us she probably wouldn't be scheduled for at least 4-5 weeks, which is good since we'll be in WDW in 4 weeks. Oy vey!

They gave her a shot of cortisone in her knee to help with the pain, but other than that, until she has the surgery there's nothing to be done. She told the doc about our trip and he told her to use her walker to and from the airplane and that the scooter is perfect for her use. She's in good spirits and just happy to have a prognosis and the green light to see Mickey in a few weeks.

 

[Miz Diz]

I should totally be in bed right now, but I was waiting on the laundry to dry and it finished, but I was catching up on this thread. I just read 20 pages back. You all have been chatty. Or, I haven't been online in a while.
I'm missing all of you!

I have my nephew for a week and a half. My sis and bil are in Austria. Nothing new here. We've been spending time at the pool. I am trying to be crafty and sewing. I made the kids some things for our Disney trip. You can see them on my fb photos of the trip. I just made Mr & Mrs T's kids all Mickey shirts. We are going to their house Sunday. I hope the kids like them.

Tomorrow we are going to Great Wolf Lodge. It was a last minute decision. We're just going for 1 night.

 

[debraW76]

Good morning!!!

Kat-yes please send the cupcake recipes too

Angela, thanks for the cake recipes.

Mz Diz - I really like the looks of TGWL. Please tell me how your stay goes.

T - for TE

Rosie for your alarm story

CE- the cat story

Morning hugs to everyone else.

I have so much to do today (cleaning, laundry, shopping, baking) so hopefully I will stay motivated. I've also been applying for jobs and looking at schools. But right now i am just enjoying my quiet time before anyone else gets up

 

[askelton]

PS I have yet to find a Disney enthusiast like me, mostly kids who just need a job.

Kids!

I have a cople of Alarm tales too !!

She's in good spirits and just happy to have a prognosis and the green light to see Mickey in a few weeks.

I hate to hear surgery but at least she's taking it well and you still get to come here!

I have my nephew for a week and a half. My sis and bil are in Austria.

For vacation? I'd love to go.

Tomorrow we are going to Great Wolf Lodge. It was a last minute decision. We're just going for 1 night.

Have a good time.

I've also been applying for jobs and looking at schools.

For you or the kids?




Thankfully my BIL said he'd go to the race with Mitch. I'm off the hook. Really I know I should go with him, but he made me see Water World, that terrible Kevin Costner movie, with him and I have a feeling the experience would be similar.

Men's semis at Wimbledon are this morning. Sorry Jo, I want our Andy to win.

 

[HomeschoolMama]

I'm off and running already this morning. Poor K probably thought a day off meant doing nothing, but nope. I'm hoping to clean today and get the laundry, etc. done today so we can just have fun the rest of the weekend. We still have so many projects around the house to do. Today's goal is to hang the t.v. on the wall and run the cables through the wall so I can hang my pictures.

Have a great holiday weekend, everyone!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I have a funny alarm story too

We bought this house back in October, and the house has an alarm system and the sellers had an alarm company. I assumed they had shut the service to the company off, since they had moved. This point will be important later .

So, I'm cooking a roast chicken and I'm trying this new recipe with honey and butter on the outside, but the problem is, the recipe says to cook the chicken first at 450 to sear in the juices then reduce the temp. And not to put the honey/butter mix on until after you reduce it.

So, the chicken catches on fire because both honey and butter have a very low smoke point. I put the fire out with a big bag of baking soda that I have on hand from Costco, but not before the house fills with smoke and the fire alarm goes off.

I have to tell you, this house has seriously the loudest fire alarm I have EVER heard. Our houses in this neighborhood are all very close together and they all have cedar shake roofs (except for a few with saltillo tile), so the builder took fire threats very, very seriously, and if your alarm goes off in your house, your neighbors can hear it.

I open all the doors, turn on the fans, and blow the smoke out, and don't think anything of it. I punch a few buttons on the alarm pad (the off button ) and the alarm goes off.

A few minutes later my older DD calls down from upstairs "Mommy, there are two HUGE firetrucks in front of our house!"

I'm like, oh SH**!!! And I open the front door before they bust it down. And I say to them "I lit a chicken on fire, but I put it out!" And they said "Your alarm company said you weren't responding to the fire alarm or the phone call."

And I say, I don't HAVE a fire alarm company! I told them when we bought the house I did not buy a service because the neighborhood is really safe, and frankly, we don't have a ton of stuff that we worry about being stolen.

He's like, well your service called us, and I'm like, I don't have a service.

And by now EVERY SINGLE NEIGHBOR is out on the street watching because a. Worried about a fire, b. VERY entertaining.

In fact, it was so entertaining that the bazillions of children who live in this neighborhood actually got on their bikes and followed the two ladder trucks to the house, and they're all hanging around watching, too

So, it turns out that the previous owners wanted to transfer the alarm contract to a new house which wasn't finished yet, so they "suspended" the contract, which in reality meant that the alarm company left everything active, but when they went to call the # associated with the contract it was disconnected (because the sellers had moved), so they had to call the fire dept.

It took weeks of arguing with the alarm company and contacting the sellers before we were assured that the company wouldn't call the fire dept again if I burned another chicken (which I'm now totally paranoid about setting off the alarm!)

I am now known as the lady who burns chickens in my neighborhood.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I'm off and running already this morning. Poor K probably thought a day off meant doing nothing, but nope. I'm hoping to clean today and get the laundry, etc. done today so we can just have fun the rest of the weekend. We still have so many projects around the house to do. Today's goal is to hang the t.v. on the wall and run the cables through the wall so I can hang my pictures.

Have a great holiday weekend, everyone!

We did that two months ago, I tell you, it was an all-day project

 

[englishrose47]

Morning All!!

Juice I love your alarm tale

Kat Take care of your back and tell me about AC !

To all who need hugs

Have a good day will check in later before I am of o work again for the secondtime !! This partime job has been full time this week I've racked up 32 hours !!!

 

[DisneyJo]

OK, my alarm story, or "Why I'll probably never get a house alarm."

Wow

I do want our bedroom & bath, the kitchen, living room, guest bedroom and guest bathroom all on the main level with no stairs. My mom has trouble with steps and i can totally see her living with us within the next few years.

Sounds beautiful and huge!!!

D's stepdad wrapped his arms around her, hugged her tight, and said - and this is a direct quote - "Oh, honey. It's OK. I'll take care of her. It's trash day."

OMG seriously

I need some help. I'm trying to find a good cake recipe for Omicron and Tau's birthday parties. I want a chocolate cake and a white cake. Does anyone have any recipes to share?

This is the recipe for typical English victoria sandwich (white cake) you'll need some scales though

4 eggs
8 ounces butter
8 ounces caster sugar (white sugar that is quite small granules)
8 ounces self raising flour (flour that has rising agent in it)

Just cream butter and sugar, then gradually add in eggs and flour, pour into 2 tins and bake until golden then fill with jam and butter cream and dust with icing sugar (powdered sugar)

I always look at the house plans in Southern Living and one from 10 years ago is still my favourite.

Whitney on the Moms Panel is pretty high up in Southern Loving at Home

PS I have yet to find a Disney enthusiast like me, mostly kids who just need a job.

Well they have a tough act to follow

I have a cople of Alarm tales too !!

These alarms sound more trouble than they're worth

The bad news is her meniscus is torn. Which means surgery. Soon.

I'm sorry T

I just made Mr & Mrs T's kids all Mickey shirts. We are going to their house Sunday. I hope the kids like them.

It's so nice that you get to meet up with David and family

I've also been applying for jobs and looking at schools.

Details please

Men's semis at Wimbledon are this morning. Sorry Jo, I want our Andy to win.

You got your wish It's been so many years since a Brit made it to the final we were all pinning our hopes on him!!!

Have a great holiday weekend, everyone!

You too!

I have a funny alarm story too

Yikes



Just went and walked 6 holes with Jess and she did so well, she got a par on a really difficult par 5 and then birdied a par 3 (she got a 2!) I'm so proud of her

 

[askelton]

Whitney on the Moms Panel is pretty high up in Southern Loving at Home

Love their stuff!

These alarms sound more trouble than they're worth

Not really and now that I have one, I'd never be without one. Especially with Mitch being gone with the army and the neighborhood association making us aware of the break-ins in the neighborhood. I'm glad we're told so we can watch for anything suspicious, but it still freaks me out.

You got your wish It's been so many years since a Brit made it to the final we were all pinning our hopes on him!!!

Yea, too bad. He just rubs me the wrong way for some reason.

Just went and walked 6 holes with Jess and she did so well, she got a par on a really difficult par 5 and then birdied a par 3 (she got a 2!) I'm so proud of her

Way to go!

My BIL just called to see if Reid could come swimming, but he's woken up in a bad mood, so I don't know if they are.

 

[englishrose47]

Well Am finally home for 2 days other than timesheets on Sunday!!

I swear I could work 16 plus hours a day on this second job right now , they are so short staffed due to hospitizations , new admissions that need 2 people transfers etc Cuz I have worked in every house in the agency I am way up there on the list of calls for HELP !! I figure if I work them now I can have all my spending money for Disney which of course being the OCD planner that I am I have all figured out . Tips, extra drinks, stuff for the kids and a couple of pins for me !!! I willf course be exhausted and need a vaction !! Hey How about Disney!!!!

 

[cmp1111]

I have a cople of Alarm tales too !!

Love it!

The bad news is her meniscus is torn. Which means surgery. Soon.

She's in good spirits and just happy to have a prognosis and the green light to see Mickey in a few weeks.

Oh, T. I'm sorry, but I'm so glad that she can still go. Give her a hug from me.

I'm missing all of you!

Miss you, too!

I just made Mr & Mrs T's kids all Mickey shirts. We are going to their house Sunday. I hope the kids like them.

So cool!

CE- the cat story

I'm sorry, it was just so darn funny to the sleep deprived mom.

Men's semis at Wimbledon are this morning. Sorry Jo, I want our Andy to win.

What happened? I was gone all day.

I have a funny alarm story too.

I am now known as the lady who burns chickens in my neighborhood.

Oh, no!

The firetrucks came to my house once, too. I answered the door, looking very confused, and they said, "Your alarm went off!" I said, "I don't have an alarm!"

Our little one block street ends in what looks like a dirt road to nowhere, which is actually the last house's private drive - they have a ton of land with a horse barn and what not. No one even knows there's a house down there, and it certainly doesn't seem like the address should be on OUR street - more like the cross street, if that makes sense. Their address is mine plus a "1" and it was their alarm, but I had to tell the firefighters how to get there. (The house was fine, btw, or this wouldn't be so funny.)

OMG seriously

He was trying his absolute best to be helpful.

Just went and walked 6 holes with Jess and she did so well, she got a par on a really difficult par 5 and then birdied a par 3 (she got a 2!) I'm so proud of her

Yay, Jess!

Yea, too bad. He just rubs me the wrong way for some reason.

Ah, I see. Thanks! Was it at least a good one?

I swear I could work 16 plus hours a day on this second job right now , they are so short staffed due to hospitizations , new admissions that need 2 people transfers etc Cuz I have worked in every house in the agency I am way up there on the list of calls for HELP !! I figure if I work them now I can have all my spending money for Disney which of course being the OCD planner that I am I have all figured out . Tips, extra drinks, stuff for the kids and a couple of pins for me !!! I willf course be exhausted and need a vaction !! Hey How about Disney!!!!

Sounds good, but be good to yourself, too.

***************************************************
D woke up this morning and decided that he was going to try for the boat for a while before the rain came back. I first opted out, thinking I'd go to the grocery store, oh, buy a present for the b-day party tomorrow , etc. But then I felt bad because they couldn't do as much if I didn't go - no tubing, harder to get packed up, etc. So I went.

We got poured on for a few minutes and saw some lightning again on the other end of the lake, started to head in, when it all blew away. That was good, but we'd more or less left it up to the kids if we'd go to the neighboring town's fireworks - they always do the 3rd. The girl twins go, and they wanted to leave the lake, NOW.

After a visit to the slowest Subway on the planet, we did get home in time to head over and meet up with our friends. The fireworks were nice - I need to steal some pictures from D's computer, and then I'll post a cool one. We got home at nearly 10:00 and we're both just tired. Our town has a pancake breakfast tomorrow morning, and since we're missing the parade and so forth to go to the b-day party, we think we might go. I have no interest. I still have to go out before the party for a present and some stuff for the "family friend" bbq after.

I hope you are all having a great start to the weekend. I will not be around tomorrow, so happy 4th! Even if it's only a Saturday for our foreign friends.

 

[cmp1111]

So, Buzz & Woody took their own cameras to the fireworks, and Buzz was trying to get a good picture, and D took this:

I just think it's cool!