Team Focker Watch, Part 12. Have we jumped the shark yet?

[DisneyJo]

The next two weeks are going to be hellish. It is mid-term which means I have two papers due this week and then next week I have a test in each class, one each today. Fun times! I'm not really worried though, I know my stuff.

Good luck Lessa and how great you're helping to plan your friends trip

That sounds like fun, but I didn't know we had plans. Seriously, have fun.

Awww you're my ABFF(American Best Friend)

It's still 180 days of school. They start after Labor Day and end near the end of June. I guess it's the way they break things up. In Buffalo, they had a 2-week break in March, I think. I think that would be hard on parents but easy in some other ways, like for vacations.

I think I would kill someone if my kids had the long summer breaks that you all do. 6 weeks in the summer is plenty

I booked our trip for Williamsburg. Can't wait. We are going August 16th - 19th. We would have stayed longer but they consider the weekend Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the price jumped to stay Thursday night. We are close enough that we can do something in the morning and leave in the afternoon and still be home at a decent time that evening.

Fantastic


I had a lovely time with my UKBFF last night, we chatted about everything and anything and it was lovely. However I woke up this morning so bunged up, my throat isn't as sore though but I did phone Mum to say we may not be going to hers tomorrow as we don't want to give our lurgy to them. She was fine about and, get this, says oh I'm out tomorrow night anyway why, when we only visit a few times a year and only stay with her once or twice, would she book to go out on our first night?!?!?

Anyway I'm sitting here eating my valentine lindt truffles hoping they'll make me better

 

[askelton]

I booked our trip for Williamsburg. Can't wait. We are going August 16th - 19th.

Fun! Where are you staying?

The weather has been beautiful! Low 80's yesterday and today, I'm loving it! I'm just finally getting to defrost!

So jealous!

Depending on which map you look at, we're in the 4-8 or 5-10 range.

Yes, that's a lot!

That's what we are supposed to get, well depending on who you listen too. Some are saying 2-4 ohers ar saying 3 -6, and others are saying 4- 8.

Oh, Janet.

Good thing I've got plenty of wine to go with my whine.

I am putting each one in an individual bag, so it will be east for transport for the kids.

You're so good.

Awww you're my ABFF(American Best Friend)

I had a lovely time with my UKBFF

Anyway I'm sitting here eating my valentine lindt truffles hoping they'll make me better

I'm sure chocolate makes everything better.



Mitch was going to work on the taxed this morning until he realized how long it may take. Now he's decided to do it later.

 

[Hedy]

Hello all! Best wishes for those of you with snow or other troubles.

 

[Flora]

I booked our trip for Williamsburg. Can't wait. We are going August 16th - 19th. We would have stayed longer but they consider the weekend Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the price jumped to stay Thursday night. We are close enough that we can do something in the morning and leave in the afternoon and still be home at a decent time that evening.

Awesome! Can't wait for the pics!

The weather has been beautiful! Low 80's yesterday and today, I'm loving it! I'm just finally getting to defrost!

@ DM... It is winter, isn't it?

La la la ... I can't hear you!

Awww you're my ABFF(American Best Friend)

That's it! Paul is back to being my UKBFF.

I think I would kill someone if my kids had the long summer breaks that you all do. 6 weeks in the summer is plenty

Tell us again how your school year goes ...

Anyway I'm sitting here eating my valentine lindt truffles hoping they'll make me better

Mmmm .... any extra dark ones for me?

Hello all! Best wishes for those of you with snow or other troubles.

Well, that sums up everyone! Thanks!

 

[Flora]

Good Tuesday Morning! It's going to be a "stay-in" day today. Getting my work done and some cleaning, maybe. Evan is practicing his bass. He's getting pretty good. Makes a mommy proud.

That's about it for today. Not much else to say, so I won't bore you all.

 

[cmp1111]

That's what we are supposed to get, well depending on who you listen too. Some are saying 2-4 ohers ar saying 3 -6, and others are saying 4- 8. None of these would be horrible normally but on top of the 40 something inches we have already it's a killer!

I know. And more on this to come, but there's no school.

Pshew! I wish! Cookie delivery is this week, so I'm in for another doosie. Good thing I've got plenty of wine to go with my whine.

I figured that might be the case.

Hmmm... I don't think I have that recipe. Care to share? We love your Chicken and Noodles and Italian beef.

Of course - coming up in the next post! It's a favorite, but it's not light.

Dinner's just about ready and then I've got work with Mads and her book report on Cheetah's. Did you know Cheetah's can't roar?

I did not!

I am putting each one in an individual bag, so it will be east for transport for the kids.

That's nice of you!

Awww you're my ABFF(American Best Friend)

I think I would kill someone if my kids had the long summer breaks that you all do. 6 weeks in the summer is plenty

See, I could deal with that if we had your other breaks and we were on more of a year-round mentality. I just hate when they say we're "off for the summer" and it turns out to be 8 weeks, you know?

I had a lovely time with my UKBFF last night, we chatted about everything and anything and it was lovely. However I woke up this morning so bunged up, my throat isn't as sore though but I did phone Mum to say we may not be going to hers tomorrow as we don't want to give our lurgy to them. She was fine about and, get this, says oh I'm out tomorrow night anyway why, when we only visit a few times a year and only stay with her once or twice, would she book to go out on our first night?!?!?

Family...

Mitch was going to work on the taxed this morning until he realized how long it may take. Now he's decided to do it later.

Sounds reasonable...

Hello all! Best wishes for those of you with snow or other troubles.

Thanks Heather! Looks like it's hitting down there first today...

Good Tuesday Morning! It's going to be a "stay-in" day today. Getting my work done and some cleaning, maybe. Evan is practicing his bass. He's getting pretty good. Makes a mommy proud.

That's about it for today. Not much else to say, so I won't bore you all.

Sounds like a nice day.

****************************************************
So, the phone rang at 5:30. No school. I'm sitting here at 10:30 and there's not one flake in the air or on the ground. They did originally say it would get worse in the afternoon, but then it was SUPPOSED to start around daybreak. Right now, it's looking like a really dumb decision to call school off. But, everyone here did - there's something like 380 closings on our local TV page.

D couldn't go back to sleep after the phone rang, so he's pretty grouchy. He's gone off to the gym and to do some work at Panera or somewhere. He did decide not to drive down to the office, in case the weather does actually show up this afternoon.

The kids are outside, I'm still in my PJ's. I did some work on the Book Fair - spring fair starts 4/8. With being gone all next week, I'm staring down the barrel of March, and I need to get moving. Too bad my co-chair's in India for 3 weeks.

Anyway...

Hope you're all having a happy Mardi Gras!

 

[cmp1111]

1 to 1 1/2 pound chicken breasts
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
8 oz. sour cream
2 T. poppyseeds
1 tube Ritz crackers, crushed
1/4 cup butter, melted

Cube the chicken and cook it up - I usually saute it, but it can be microwaved. Mix the soups, cooked chicken, poppyseeds and sour cream together. Put in a greased casserole (9x13 or 8x8). Top the mixture with the crushed crackers and melted butter.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve over egg noodles.

(I use light sour cream, the 98% fat free soups, and the no yolk egg noodles to try to save ourselves a little bit. )

 

[DisneyJo]

I'm sure chocolate makes everything better.

So what did you and Mitch do??

Hello all! Best wishes for those of you with snow or other troubles.

Hi Heather

Tell us again how your school year goes ...

We start early September have 1 week off end of October, 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week in Feb, 2 weeks at Easter, 1 week end of May then we finish school around the 20th July

See, I could deal with that if we had your other breaks and we were on more of a year-round mentality. I just hate when they say we're "off for the summer" and it turns out to be 8 weeks, you know?

True, I would hate the not knowing when you'd finish school because of snow days! So did it actually snow there????


We've just had our pancakes for Shrove Tuesday, we decided to eat them as our afternoon snack as I can never be bothered to cook them after our main evening meal


I'm still sneezing etc so even though the girls are packed I'm not sure we'll be going tomorrow

 

[tazdev3225]

Hi all. I have been lurking in the background but thought I would finally say Hi. I know some of you through trip reports and feel like I know others through their posts. I live in Philly but the opposite side of the city from Janet. I will be stopping in from time to time if you don't mind a newcomer.

 

[DisneyJo]

Hi all. I have been lurking in the background but thought I would finally say Hi. I know some of you through trip reports and feel like I know others through their posts. I live in Philly but the opposite side of the city from Janet. I will be stopping in from time to time if you don't mind a newcomer.

Hi and welcome, you probably know but I'm Jo from England, although there are many jokes that I'm lying as they don't believe my accent is real Tell us a bit about you and chime in regularly

 

[englishrose47]

1 to 1 1/2 pound chicken breasts
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
8 oz. sour cream
2 T. poppyseeds
1 tube Ritz crackers, crushed
1/4 cup butter, melted

Cube the chicken and cook it up - I usually saute it, but it can be microwaved. Mix the soups, cooked chicken, poppyseeds and sour cream together. Put in a greased casserole (9x13 or 8x8). Top the mixture with the crushed crackers and melted butter.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve over egg noodles.

(I use light sour cream, the 98% fat free soups, and the no yolk egg noodles to try to save ourselves a little bit. )

That sounds really good CE I think I know what Thursdays supper will be !!!

 

[cmp1111]

True, I would hate the not knowing when you'd finish school because of snow days! So did it actually snow there????

It's finally coming down, but it's just now starting to stick on the driveway, and still isn't on the road that has some leftover salt/sand mix.

I'm still sneezing etc so even though the girls are packed I'm not sure we'll be going tomorrow

I'm sure it will be OK either way. Feel better!

Hi all. I have been lurking in the background but thought I would finally say Hi. I know some of you through trip reports and feel like I know others through their posts. I live in Philly but the opposite side of the city from Janet. I will be stopping in from time to time if you don't mind a newcomer.

We love new people!

That sounds really good CE I think I know what Thursdays supper will be !!!

It's really, really good. My kids ask for it all the time.

 

[askelton]

So, the phone rang at 5:30. No school. I'm sitting here at 10:30 and there's not one flake in the air or on the ground.

I'd hate to waste a snow day like that too.

We've just had our pancakes for Shrove Tuesday, we decided to eat them as our afternoon snack as I can never be bothered to cook them after our main evening meal

Not cooking after dinner is a good idea.

Hi all.

Hi. Just chime in.




Mitch did get the taxes ready to mail along with his passport renewal. He has to have an official one as well as his civilian one, and of course the civilian expires soon. I know you're not supposed to use the official when you're on personal travel, but what a PITA. I do hope we get a nice amount back from our taxes. There are bills to pay. How exciting, right?


I have been talking to this lady on a military spouse board, which is so un-user friendly , but her hubby is stationed in Millington, where M is too. I'm not sure that they know each other, but how weird.

 

[cmp1111]

I'd hate to waste a snow day like that too.

Well, yeah. We'll have to make it up, so it stinks if it's not worth it, you know?

Not cooking after dinner is a good idea.

Mitch did get the taxes ready to mail along with his passport renewal. He has to have an official one as well as his civilian one, and of course the civilian expires soon. I know you're not supposed to use the official when you're on personal travel, but what a PITA. I do hope we get a nice amount back from our taxes. There are bills to pay. How exciting, right?

I actually like doing the taxes - of course, that could be because we always get money back. D has two passports, as sometimes one needs to be "sent out" to get visas for some of the places he flies. It's strange, but perfectly legal - but the "second one" is only good for something like 2 years. I think it would be hard to keep track of two.

************************************************************
Well, I arranged for a trial karate lesson for Buzz for this afternoon, totally forgetting about their tennis. Luckily, the tennis pro says to bring them tomorrow, and if the snow does get heavier, I'd rather be 5 minutes from home at the karate place, than 20 and at the gym, down the curvy, hilly road.

D is now all for them giving up the tennis, because he says they never want to just go play - which is somewhat true. I just think they've always enjoyed it, and it was the one thing they've stuck with time after time. Still, he's right - there's no point in lessons and lessons if they don't want to do it on their own, ever. Part of it is the difficulty in getting court time at a time when I want to take the kids, but... Sigh. I have been asking around to see if we could find a few more kids and do a semi-private lesson, rather than the big group- which I do think they're not getting much out of right now. And D mentioned that we should think of paying for things that they want to actually DO, rather than just worrying about an activity for an activity's sake. The tennis is pricey, and it's not that they wouldn't get exercise without it...

Sorry, I'm more thinking out loud than anything, but you guys are good for that...

Buzz wants to play a game of Spiderman Operation, so I'll BBL.

 

[jcc0621]

Awww you're my ABFF(American Best Friend)

Boy you opened a can of worms with this statement!

I had a lovely time with my UKBFF last night, we chatted about everything and anything and it was lovely. However I woke up this morning so bunged up, my throat isn't as sore though but I did phone Mum to say we may not be going to hers tomorrow as we don't want to give our lurgy to them. She was fine about and, get this, says oh I'm out tomorrow night anyway why, when we only visit a few times a year and only stay with her once or twice, would she book to go out on our first night?!?!?

Glad you had fun, but sorry you aren't feeling well.

Weird about your mom

Fun! Where are you staying?

It is called the Governor's Inn. It is thier "value" resort. Read reviews and it seems like the colonial version of Pop Century, which with kids is fine for us

So, the phone rang at 5:30. No school. I'm sitting here at 10:30 and there's not one flake in the air or on the ground. They did originally say it would get worse in the afternoon, but then it was SUPPOSED to start around daybreak. Right now, it's looking like a really dumb decision to call school off. But, everyone here did - there's something like 380 closings on our local TV page.

Did it start snowing yet?

We start early September have 1 week off end of October, 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week in Feb, 2 weeks at Easter, 1 week end of May then we finish school around the 20th July

I like this schedule

Hi all. I have been lurking in the background but thought I would finally say Hi. I know some of you through trip reports and feel like I know others through their posts. I live in Philly but the opposite side of the city from Janet. I will be stopping in from time to time if you don't mind a newcomer.

Hi Lorri Small world everyone, I work with Lorri's husband

There are bills to pay. How exciting, right?

That's what we used ours for too

Well, I arranged for a trial karate lesson for Buzz for this afternoon, totally forgetting about their tennis.

Oops!

And D mentioned that we should think of paying for things that they want to actually DO, rather than just worrying about an activity for an activity's sake. The tennis is pricey, and it's not that they wouldn't get exercise without it...

Sorry, I'm more thinking out loud than anything, but you guys are good for that... [/QUOTE]

Makes sense!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Good afternoon. Crazy busy day at work, after being out since last Wednesday there was a ton of stuff to catch up on. I have to leave in a bit to tak eJimmy to a doctor's appointment, so I didn't even get a whole day to catch up.

On the good news front we got Nada, nothing, squat in way of snow last night

Hope you are all having a great day

 

[DisneyJo]

I have been talking to this lady on a military spouse board, which is so un-user friendly , but her hubby is stationed in Millington, where M is too. I'm not sure that they know each other, but how weird.

Wow it is a small world

Still, he's right - there's no point in lessons and lessons if they don't want to do it on their own, ever.

Sounds great, kids go from one thing to another and if they're not actually playing?!?!? Could you pre-book a court every week in advance or something instead of their lesson?

Boy you opened a can of worms with this statement!

You're my ABFF too

I like this schedule

Is this what your year round schools do???

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Hi Fockers!

Sorry no quotes but I'm not feeling well and am just reading along for now. Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel better.

Lindsey was cancelled for today and luckily both of my classes were cancelled as well. My MA teacher is sick and I think my accounting teacher cancelled because my MA teacher did. The class is filled with nothing but MA students and most probably weren't going to show up, so I got a free day off!

Good thing for me, too!

I do need to go to the grocery store though. DR either has the chicken pox or he's allergic to the laundry detergent/fabric softner I used. I'm leaning towards the detergent so I'll try re-washing some of his clothes in All Free & Clear and see what happens. I wouldn't say his skin is that sensative but I think with this really cold weather we are having it's really messing with him. I'll need to get some kind of good lotion as well.

So, that's about it for me. Hope you're all having a good day!

 

[cmp1111]

Did it start snowing yet?

Yes, finally. Mind you, not until after school would have been out, but it did come down hard once it started, so the buses would have had some trouble getting the last of the kids home. Mine get home around 3:15, but they're 4th on the route - the kids at the end are a good half hour later, so...

I bet the superintendents are breathing big sighs of relief that it finally started, though.

I like this schedule

Me, too.

Hi Lorri Small world everyone, I work with Lorri's husband

Well, then, double-welcome!

Good afternoon. Crazy busy day at work, after being out since last Wednesday there was a ton of stuff to catch up on. I have to leave in a bit to tak eJimmy to a doctor's appointment, so I didn't even get a whole day to catch up.

On the good news front we got Nada, nothing, squat in way of snow last night

Sorry about work being crazy, but hooray for the snow!

Sounds great, kids go from one thing to another and if they're not actually playing?!?!? Could you pre-book a court every week in advance or something instead of their lesson?

Yep. D is on me about never booking (in the winter it's harder, we have 5 indoor and 6 outdoor courts, but of course we can't be outdoors now). You have to call 4 days ahead to pre-book, otherwise you take your chances when you show up. In the summer it's never an issue if you don't mind being outside (and we'd rather) but in the winter, they get booked really, really quickly. Anyway, if we do some more of that, it would be great, but the kids never seem to want to on the weekends, which is one of the reasons it's silly to keep paying for lessons.

Buzz loved the karate. Woody seems to have done well, but he's feeling torn. (and being cranky with it. ) It would actually work to move him to a Wed. tennis and still get Buzz to karate fine. So, we'll see. We do another intro on Thursday, then we can decide.

Is this what your year round schools do???

My aunt taught in a year-round in CA for years, but they more or less just took every 4th month off, and they rotated (the schools were too full.) So for her schedule and 1/4 of the kids, they'd have November, March and July off. Then they'd get the week or so around the holidays. Other kids and teachers would have Dec/Apr/Aug off, etc. etc.

Sorry no quotes but I'm not feeling well and am just reading along for now. Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel better.

Hope you feel better. Glad school was off for you, too!

I wouldn't say his skin is that sensative but I think with this really cold weather we are having it's really messing with him. I'll need to get some kind of good lotion as well.

It could be... Buzz has actually been diagnosed with basically 'seasonal' eczema. It never shows up in the summer, but the colder and drier it gets, the more it shows up. Good luck!

********************************************************
Yeah, so that went pretty well - I liked the sensei and the prices are reasonable. We ran into Buzz's best friend, too, which is always nice.

 

[KatGarcia]

Hey all. Too lazy to quote.

I am protesting today, trying to ignore its existence.

Yesterday I spent HOURS getting everything ready for the darn extermination and was really cranky. Then it dawned on me what was really bothering me- it feels like we are packing up to move, and we aren't. I hate this apartment. So We did everything we could do yesterday and the rest of the laundry will be done tonight.

The vacuum came, but it requires assembly so vacuuming will wait for KC to get home.

I literally have been laying in bed all day (minus a brief stint to the store) since its the only bug free area, we have it moved almost to the center of the room and its all been throughly checked out so i only feel comfortable there. 2 more days of this.

The realty company never returned my call about checking the neighboring apartments, so we are writing a letter and putting it under their doors tonight. I am fed up.

I have my census test tomorrow so hopefully that will pan out asap. I wanna go to Fl in June!

 

[Flora]

Hi all. I have been lurking in the background but thought I would finally say Hi. I know some of you through trip reports and feel like I know others through their posts. I live in Philly but the opposite side of the city from Janet. I will be stopping in from time to time if you don't mind a newcomer.

Welcome! Everyone is a newcomer at some point. I've been on hiatus for over a year or so and almost feel like a newcomer again. Glad to meet you, and I'll be driving by you come the end of June on our way to Ocean City MD.

You're my ABFF too