The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[jenb1023]

Yeah, me too...And I am about ready to send some Margaritas to Lauren's teachers.

They do their Math so different now anyway...they don't even multiply "right"...so it is almost impossible to help them at all, because they just tell you that you aren't doing it right.

Lauren's teacher sent her home with homework to read the last 19 chapters of Pride and Prejudice and answer pages and pages worth of questions on Tuesday night and Wed night. Her school will let her "out" of some homework...but then it is all on the test...so Lauren wants to do it all.

Anyway...rant over.

Glad I am not the only one! Rant away! Poor Lauren - such a good kid trying to keep up with the work with all of the challenges she faces. They sure do not make it easy on her!

I have no idea how I was taught, but this is just the way I do additions in my head, so it sounds pretty good to me!

Feel like a trip to PA to explain it to me? We have Hersheypark here - rides and chocolate in one place!

He did. And his first day was met with varying success. One particular boy seemed to take him under his wing, but he was very frustrated at PE because he had never seen or heard of American football. Can you imagine him playing football (NOSoccer) with kids 2ce his height?? No wonder he was frustrated. But we did his homework last night, and although it took a while, he was able to do it- with a LOT Of help!

Yes, he was required to do it before I took the kids out for dinner. Mike is out of town for the week climbing VERY near Cynthia's gang on Mt. Baker, so we needed a night out. I think tonight, IF homework is done, we'll rent and watch Alice in Wonderland. I SOOOOOOOO wish I could have seen it in 3D!!! I digress... Since he doens't go until afternoon at this point, he also has the AMs to work on things.

He won't start his math or reading until a couple weeks from now, as we really want to ease him in. We'll see how it goes when we get there. So far everyone there seems to be on the same page with me. Time will tell...

I am glad to hear someone took him under his wing. I am sure this is all so crazy for Zach. I hope that they all stay on the same page as you since you know him best! Know that I am always thinking about you guys and your transition into this crazy, fast-paced American lifestyle.

 

[starnightstarsky2000]

Frist off to everyone having health problems and know that we are keeping you all in our prays.

Liesa,
LOL yes the card arrived Travis ALMOST didn't grab the mail in time as I reminded him as Patrick saw the mailman coming down the street that Patrick had to go and get something for me (i don't even remember what I told him had to go and get for me) but he did and Travis grabbed the mail and thank the Gods he did as there was your wonderful postcard. Which *I will stick into a plan birthday card envelope and stick it on top of his "clothes box present LOL". Am so glad to hear that the stamp guy made it before the plane could take off. Can't wait to hear more about the trip back to the States and then the much awaited Trip to the World of the Mouse!!

Mary,
Awww Buster and Lauren look so sweet together I just love kitties have 3 myself but I am sure before much longer another kitten will join our house as they tend to just "show up or follow us home "
Am sorry to hear that you were worry about everything before your trip I can soo relate to that and glad even though you were that it was still the BEST*TRIP*EVER*

 

[Poolrat]

Hi Friends,

I just got back from the hospital - my step-father went in to have his pacemaker battery changed. He had been out of breath the last few days but we thought it was because he needed the new battery. They were going to send him home today but he still was not breathing well and I insisted they bring in a pulmonary team. They discovered he has fluid on his lungs and said he has congestive heart failure. He has emphysema which doesn't help matters. I will know more tomorrow when I talk to the team, but I was given the news by a Resident who seemd to make things sound somewhat dire. But I know people can live with congestive heart failure, right? I'm sorry I'm writing a novel here but I've come home to an empty house and I'm ridden with fear. My mom just passed away in February and my father passed away last Easter. I just can't bear to lose someone else.

Could you please say a prayer that my father gets better? Thanks.

hugs and prayers for everyone.

 

[englishrose47]

Evening all !!Homework is an issue here too !!I am hiding upstairs as Judy is helping Kyle with his spelling and it is NOT going well !!! Last night it was Steph with the social and as I wasn;t home Judy finally gave up!!!Social is usually the subject I get to help with !!

Tracey I hope all is well with Dave !!

 

[All7OfUs]

We will be there, likely July/early Aug. I don't have dates yet. May hit the coat before or after. Oshkosh is THE show. Biggest Fly-In, in the world. Jeff has been once and will go again, but of course he is pretty much always up for any airshow!


Free is good. For me it's part of a gym membership. So..not free but all the classes are included, Zumba and other.

Some running people over is expected lol! Part of the fun. We've all done it, and will continue to. Glad you enjoyed it.


that all sounds really really encouraging!

GREAT!! In fact, if you're up for camping this summer, let us know! We have the means.

Well, I shouldn't say free... I still have to pay the "drop-in" fee, which is about $92 for 3 months for both of us. Which is a heck of a lot cheaper than the class fee. But, the high school track is truly free, but who can use it when it's 58 degrees and pouring?!

I did go out and buy a new workout gig. I guess if I'm going to run over people, I should do it in style.

I am SO glad you were able to get the highly coveted stamp!!

From the looks of things, we are suppose to get some nicer weather the next week... I don't know about you, but we have seen nothing but rain...

You have NO idea!

I sure hope so, ever since we've been back it's been rain, rain, rain. I'm sick of grey!

Hi Liesa,

I've finally caught up.

I am SO glad that you were able to get the stamp! I was on the edge of my seat trying to speed read this morning to find out before I left for work if you were able to get the stamp!

DId you bounceback??!! I see a new ticker- tocking away under your name there.

THat riveting, eh??

I am glad to hear someone took him under his wing. I am sure this is all so crazy for Zach. I hope that they all stay on the same page as you since you know him best! Know that I am always thinking about you guys and your transition into this crazy, fast-paced American lifestyle.

I also met a nice lady and her son today, by Providential appointment. He also has LARGE speech issues, and we both agreed it'd be good to get the boys together. Hooray!!

It IS crazy!! We had TKD, BAck to School Nite, and a bit of winter clothes shopping today. I think I spent more time in the car than I did in my bed last night. ON top of that, I somehow lost my debit card- thinking it may have actually been stolen- and spent a fair amount of time at the bank getting that taken care of.

Target declined my check (no debit card) and it turns out it was their mistake. Whatever- it all equaled massive amounts of my time standing in lines. I wanna go back to CamelandDonkeyVille!!!!!!!!!

Liesa,
LOL yes the card arrived Travis ALMOST didn't grab the mail in time as I reminded him as Patrick saw the mailman coming down the street that Patrick had to go and get something for me (i don't even remember what I told him had to go and get for me) but he did and Travis grabbed the mail and thank the Gods he did as there was your wonderful postcard. Which *I will stick into a plan birthday card envelope and stick it on top of his "clothes box present LOL". Am so glad to hear that the stamp guy made it before the plane could take off. Can't wait to hear more about the trip back to the States and then the much awaited Trip to the World of the Mouse!!


ER*

So glad it got there and was what you were looking for!! I had forgotten to get one at POP, where they probably would have had resort specific cards, but oh well- Emporium came through for me!!

Evening all !!Homework is an issue here too !!I am hiding upstairs as Judy is helping Kyle with his spelling and it is NOT going well !!! Last night it was Steph with the social and as I wasn;t home Judy finally gave up!!!Social is usually the subject I get to help with !!

Tracey I hope all is well with Dave !!

uh-oh- I'd hide too!!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

We booked next year when they came out with the free dining offer for the public. I'm glad that we did since we didn't have a bounce back flyer in our room for 2011.

 

[englishrose47]

Morning All !!!This morning I hid on the porch !!!Kyle was giving Judy a hard time about brushiung his teeth and Steph and I hid outside

Looong day ahead so will check in tonite !!!

 

[starnightstarsky2000]

I sure hope so, ever since we've been back it's been rain, rain, rain. I'm sick of grey!

LOL here in KS it has been hot hot hot and we were all praying for the rain that finally fell here last night just sent it on over





I also met a nice lady and her son today, by Providential appointment. He also has LARGE speech issues, and we both agreed it'd be good to get the boys together. Hooray!!

Its that great when you find someone else who you can relate with who children are also "blessed by the hand of God" as we call it in our house? As that way your child doesn't feel all alone and is able to relate to at least some of his peers.

It IS crazy!! We had TKD, BAck to School Nite, and a bit of winter clothes shopping today. I think I spent more time in the car than I did in my bed last night. ON top of that, I somehow lost my debit card- thinking it may have actually been stolen- and spent a fair amount of time at the bank getting that taken care of.

Ugh I am sorry I SO understand the school actives leaving no time for sleep

Target declined my check (no debit card) and it turns out it was their mistake. Whatever- it all equaled massive amounts of my time standing in lines. I wanna go back to CamelandDonkeyVille!!!!!!!!!

HUGS

So glad it got there and was what you were looking for!! I had forgotten to get one at POP, where they probably would have had resort specific cards, but oh well- Emporium came through for me!!

Yep and it is PERFECT you did a great job and thank you so much for doing that for us. No worries we will post the pics on my Pre-Trip Report of when he opens his presents and founds out that we are going to Disney World

uh-oh- I'd hide too!!

I'm with you and Liesa I would hide too!!!

 

[eandesmom]

GREAT!! In fact, if you're up for camping this summer, let us know! We have the means.

We are good on the camping gear too, it's a possibility. We have a Whistler wrench that may change things so it's all kind of fair game. I really need another full week of vacation days, I can't fit in all that I want to do!

Well, I shouldn't say free... I still have to pay the "drop-in" fee, which is about $92 for 3 months for both of us. Which is a heck of a lot cheaper than the class fee. But, the high school track is truly free, but who can use it when it's 58 degrees and pouring?!

ok confused here. You are buying 3 months worth versus a per-class fee? Is it at a gym? Would a full membership be less? that would give you access to a treadmill in the rain, weights and all those other goodies...and a pool if that's what you want too.

The challenge for me (and bearing in mind I don't run) is that if all I could do was run, or bike, if it was raining (and likely colder than 58) it just wouldn't happen. Heck I hate walking to my car in that.

We finally officially joined our new gym last night. I'm still mourning the loss of my old one (and it's better ventilated room) but this one does have some pro's...closer to work and next to a grocery store I love versus sucky Albertson's which I'll only go into on an emergency.

I did go out and buy a new workout gig. I guess if I'm going to run over people, I should do it in style.

LOL! I just got a few new things (fed ex says it's on the truck, whoo hoo, just in time for tomorrow's class), and need a couple more. Not so much to be in style but to stay in place and not have to hand wash things daily. I just can't maintain that. You know it's bad when you have to figure out a separate laundry schedule for your gym clothes so you have some.

Did I mention that the new gym seems a bazillion times hotter in the class room? I may lose weight just from sweat.

I wanna go back to CamelandDonkeyVille!!!!!!!!!

no you don't.

 

[JJ Tinker Wish]

Thanks Liesa for the "woohoo" and the reminder to check in with everyone--Rosie (I'm an A-plus speller if you get stuck!), Tracy (hoping all is well with your Step-Dad) ... Hello too to Jen'z and Glenn have I missed a game of let's find Judy?! I'm gonna hafta (THAT is NOT proper spellin' mind ya Rose!!) get My pal Pluto back to the boards and on the mission to help this Tinkerwish earn her ears!! Enjoy the weekend all and I'll be lurking .... bwahahahaha!! Sorry, moved by the upcoming merriment of Halloweeeeeeen! PS--somebody please 'splain to me how to get an emoticon on this here postin' stuff ...

 

[TrayRene]

Thank you so much to everyone sending my step-father and I prayers and good thoughts! It overwhelmed me and really helped me to get through the week - I sincerely mean it!

My step-father came home today. They have diagnosed him with Congestive Heart Failure. That along with his existing COPD really put him in a compromising situation this week. And as I said before, they were going to send him home until I demanded a pulmonary team look at him. And this is a very well respected teaching hospital!! His oxygen sats were much better today - I literally cried tears of joy - 96 with oxygen on, and 88-92 with it off - very acceptable with someone with COPD. The trick is going to be keeping it there. He has new medications and is on a low sodium diet. I spent a long time at the grocery store today - it's hard to find things that are low in sodium! I guess we need to take it day by day, but I will do everything I can to keep his lungs and heart healthy.

Again - thank you my friends for the prayers!! It helped get him home!

 

[marvali]

Thank you so much to everyone sending my step-father and I prayers and good thoughts! It overwhelmed me and really helped me to get through the week - I sincerely mean it!

My step-father came home today. They have diagnosed him with Congestive Heart Failure. That along with his existing COPD really put him in a compromising situation this week. And as I said before, they were going to send him home until I demanded a pulmonary team look at him. And this is a very well respected teaching hospital!! His oxygen sats were much better today - I literally cried tears of joy - 96 with oxygen on, and 88-92 with it off - very acceptable with someone with COPD. The trick is going to be keeping it there. He has new medications and is on a low sodium diet. I spent a long time at the grocery store today - it's hard to find things that are low in sodium! I guess we need to take it day by day, but I will do everything I can to keep his lungs and heart healthy.

Again - thank you my friends for the prayers!! It helped get him home!

Glad to hear he made it home Tracy! We will continue to remember him in our thoughts and prayers!!!

 

[maroo]

Glad I am not the only one! Rant away! Poor Lauren - such a good kid trying to keep up with the work with all of the challenges she faces. They sure do not make it easy on her!

Thankfully I missed the last day of the homework...she had senior pictures on Thursday night and did NO homework all night long!!!! Woo Hoo!

Mary,
Awww Buster and Lauren look so sweet together I just love kitties have 3 myself but I am sure before much longer another kitten will join our house as they tend to just "show up or follow us home "
Am sorry to hear that you were worry about everything before your trip I can soo relate to that and glad even though you were that it was still the BEST*TRIP*EVER*

It was an awesome trip!

I am allergic to cats...so I sorta hope this is the last one at their house for a while.

GREAT!! In fact, if you're up for camping this summer, let us know! We have the means.

Well, I shouldn't say free... I still have to pay the "drop-in" fee, which is about $92 for 3 months for both of us. Which is a heck of a lot cheaper than the class fee. But, the high school track is truly free, but who can use it when it's 58 degrees and pouring?!

I did go out and buy a new workout gig. I guess if I'm going to run over people, I should do it in style.



You have NO idea!

I sure hope so, ever since we've been back it's been rain, rain, rain. I'm sick of grey!





DId you bounceback??!! I see a new ticker- tocking away under your name there.

THat riveting, eh??



I also met a nice lady and her son today, by Providential appointment. He also has LARGE speech issues, and we both agreed it'd be good to get the boys together. Hooray!!

It IS crazy!! We had TKD, BAck to School Nite, and a bit of winter clothes shopping today. I think I spent more time in the car than I did in my bed last night. ON top of that, I somehow lost my debit card- thinking it may have actually been stolen- and spent a fair amount of time at the bank getting that taken care of.

Target declined my check (no debit card) and it turns out it was their mistake. Whatever- it all equaled massive amounts of my time standing in lines. I wanna go back to CamelandDonkeyVille!!!!!!!!!




So glad it got there and was what you were looking for!! I had forgotten to get one at POP, where they probably would have had resort specific cards, but oh well- Emporium came through for me!!




uh-oh- I'd hide too!!

Hi my friend! I miss you!!

You can send some of that rain to us...We have had ZERO rain this whole month...What is today...the 23rd or something. 23 days with ZERO rain. It is really humid, though.

Earlier today the 15 day forecast for Orlando was saying they would get up to 2 inches of rain in one day when I am going to be there...thankfully it has straightened back up and is only at half an inch.

The "Comfort level" temp for one of my days is 128 degrees.

Thanks Liesa for the "woohoo" and the reminder to check in with everyone--Rosie (I'm an A-plus speller if you get stuck!), Tracy (hoping all is well with your Step-Dad) ... Hello too to Jen'z and Glenn have I missed a game of let's find Judy?! I'm gonna hafta (THAT is NOT proper spellin' mind ya Rose!!) get My pal Pluto back to the boards and on the mission to help this Tinkerwish earn her ears!! Enjoy the weekend all and I'll be lurking .... bwahahahaha!! Sorry, moved by the upcoming merriment of Halloweeeeeeen! PS--somebody please 'splain to me how to get an emoticon on this here postin' stuff ...

Hello! I missed your introduction, I think...?? Did we meet when I was in PA??? Not this year...back in 09?

Thank you so much to everyone sending my step-father and I prayers and good thoughts! It overwhelmed me and really helped me to get through the week - I sincerely mean it!

My step-father came home today. They have diagnosed him with Congestive Heart Failure. That along with his existing COPD really put him in a compromising situation this week. And as I said before, they were going to send him home until I demanded a pulmonary team look at him. And this is a very well respected teaching hospital!! His oxygen sats were much better today - I literally cried tears of joy - 96 with oxygen on, and 88-92 with it off - very acceptable with someone with COPD. The trick is going to be keeping it there. He has new medications and is on a low sodium diet. I spent a long time at the grocery store today - it's hard to find things that are low in sodium! I guess we need to take it day by day, but I will do everything I can to keep his lungs and heart healthy.

Again - thank you my friends for the prayers!! It helped get him home!

Bless your heart! Still praying for you guys. He is lucky to have you there to help him shop and take care of him.

 

[englishrose47]

Thanks Liesa for the "woohoo" and the reminder to check in with everyone--Rosie (I'm an A-plus speller if you get stuck!), Tracy (hoping all is well with your Step-Dad) ... Hello too to Jen'z and Glenn have I missed a game of let's find Judy?! I'm gonna hafta (THAT is NOT proper spellin' mind ya Rose!!) get My pal Pluto back to the boards and on the mission to help this Tinkerwish earn her ears!! Enjoy the weekend all and I'll be lurking .... bwahahahaha!! Sorry, moved by the upcoming merriment of Halloweeeeeeen! PS--somebody please 'splain to me how to get an emoticon on this here postin' stuff ...

Hi JJ !!! If i knew what an emoticon was I would tell ya !!I think you mean the smilies as this ol' lady calls 'em !!! You get them automatically when you quote a reply or you can go advance and then get them afew to share !!!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Thank you so much to everyone sending my step-father and I prayers and good thoughts! It overwhelmed me and really helped me to get through the week - I sincerely mean it!

My step-father came home today. They have diagnosed him with Congestive Heart Failure. That along with his existing COPD really put him in a compromising situation this week. And as I said before, they were going to send him home until I demanded a pulmonary team look at him. And this is a very well respected teaching hospital!! His oxygen sats were much better today - I literally cried tears of joy - 96 with oxygen on, and 88-92 with it off - very acceptable with someone with COPD. The trick is going to be keeping it there. He has new medications and is on a low sodium diet. I spent a long time at the grocery store today - it's hard to find things that are low in sodium! I guess we need to take it day by day, but I will do everything I can to keep his lungs and heart healthy.

Again - thank you my friends for the prayers!! It helped get him home!

So glad to hear he is home and doing better !!I remember he got sick in Cape Cod too!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

We booked next year when they came out with the free dining offer for the public. I'm glad that we did since we didn't have a bounce back flyer in our room for 2011.

Good move! If you'd have waited, you'd have been aced out!

Morning All !!!This morning I hid on the porch !!!Kyle was giving Judy a hard time about brushiung his teeth and Steph and I hid outside

Looong day ahead so will check in tonite !!!

Judy needs to stick to her guns! No teeth brushing= a ton of money dished out sooner than later on dental bills.

How was your long day, Rosie?

We are good on the camping gear too, it's a possibility. We have a Whistler wrench that may change things so it's all kind of fair game. I really need another full week of vacation days, I can't fit in all that I want to do!

Skiing??

I know. The sad reality of working- not enough vacation to do all that one would like.

ok confused here. You are buying 3 months worth versus a per-class fee? Is it at a gym? Would a full membership be less? that would give you access to a treadmill in the rain, weights and all those other goodies...and a pool if that's what you want too.

No. Anything that's not a taught class is considered "drop in". Weight room, lap swimming, track running (indoor), treadmills, etc..are all in that category. So you can drop in as many times as you want for 3 months at the rate.

It's not a gym, but a Parks and Rec. District- which actually has pretty nice facilities. Just no jacuzzi.

The challenge for me (and bearing in mind I don't run) is that if all I could do was run, or bike, if it was raining (and likely colder than 58) it just wouldn't happen. Heck I hate walking to my car in that.

I am the same way. NOT going to happen. In fact, if it's not 75 or more, I ainta gonna do it. NO rain, no cold, and no wind. I am a wuss.

We finally officially joined our new gym last night. I'm still mourning the loss of my old one (and it's better ventilated room) but this one does have some pro's...closer to work and next to a grocery store I love versus sucky Albertson's which I'll only go into on an emergency.

Is this a subsidiary of AirSuckyTran??

LOL! I just got a few new things (fed ex says it's on the truck, whoo hoo, just in time for tomorrow's class), and need a couple more. Not so much to be in style but to stay in place and not have to hand wash things daily. I just can't maintain that. You know it's bad when you have to figure out a separate laundry schedule for your gym clothes so you have some.

Did I mention that the new gym seems a bazillion times hotter in the class room? I may lose weight just from sweat.

2 outfits is a good mix for me. One in the wash, one ready to go. One is dorkish; one not so much. Both cover me up, so I'm all good to go.

no you don't.

There are days I really wish I do. Where it's easy; my calendar was free, taxis were $1 to go anywhere, or I could walk. There weren't a thousand cheeses to choose from, so cooking was easy, I could go on and on, but lamenting won't do anyone any good- moving on.

Thanks Liesa for the "woohoo" and the reminder to check in with everyone--Rosie (I'm an A-plus speller if you get stuck!), Tracy (hoping all is well with your Step-Dad) ... Hello too to Jen'z and Glenn have I missed a game of let's find Judy?! I'm gonna hafta (THAT is NOT proper spellin' mind ya Rose!!) get My pal Pluto back to the boards and on the mission to help this Tinkerwish earn her ears!! Enjoy the weekend all and I'll be lurking .... bwahahahaha!! Sorry, moved by the upcoming merriment of Halloweeeeeeen! PS--somebody please 'splain to me how to get an emoticon on this here postin' stuff ...

YES! You need to get him back on here!! Soon, you will earn your ears, if you hang out with us much. We all like to talk - a lot. You do know the rule about lurking and spankings, right??

See all those cute little pix to the right of your typing?? just click on the one you want, and the code will be automagically inserted. It's as easy as that!

Thank you so much to everyone sending my step-father and I prayers and good thoughts! It overwhelmed me and really helped me to get through the week - I sincerely mean it!

My step-father came home today. They have diagnosed him with Congestive Heart Failure. That along with his existing COPD really put him in a compromising situation this week. And as I said before, they were going to send him home until I demanded a pulmonary team look at him. And this is a very well respected teaching hospital!! His oxygen sats were much better today - I literally cried tears of joy - 96 with oxygen on, and 88-92 with it off - very acceptable with someone with COPD. The trick is going to be keeping it there. He has new medications and is on a low sodium diet. I spent a long time at the grocery store today - it's hard to find things that are low in sodium! I guess we need to take it day by day, but I will do everything I can to keep his lungs and heart healthy.

Again - thank you my friends for the prayers!! It helped get him home!

This is GREAT news, Tracy!! He is a very lucky man to have you near him!! One day at a time; and if necessary, hour by hour.

Hi my friend! I miss you!!

You can send some of that rain to us...We have had ZERO rain this whole month...What is today...the 23rd or something. 23 days with ZERO rain. It is really humid, though.

Earlier today the 15 day forecast for Orlando was saying they would get up to 2 inches of rain in one day when I am going to be there...thankfully it has straightened back up and is only at half an inch.

The "Comfort level" temp for one of my days is 128 degrees.

No rain for 23 days?? Sounds like Kazakhstan!! We went all summer with none! At all. 128? That is frightening!

 

[eandesmom]

Skiing??

Tay is a BIG Baker fan. It's possible. Not probable, but possible.

I know. The sad reality of working- not enough vacation to do all that one would like.

Huge drag

No. Anything that's not a taught class is considered "drop in". Weight room, lap swimming, track running (indoor), treadmills, etc..are all in that category. So you can drop in as many times as you want for 3 months at the rate.

It's not a gym, but a Parks and Rec. District- which actually has pretty nice facilities. Just no jacuzzi.

ah. So the class is extra on top of that? Gotcha. We are paying more but it does include any classes. Probably works out the same.

2 outfits is a good mix for me. One in the wash, one ready to go. One is dorkish; one not so much. Both cover me up, so I'm all good to go.

Yeah, I wouldn't be able to get the 2nd outfit washed in time to use it for the next workout. Sad, but true.

There are days I really wish I do. Where it's easy; my calendar was free, taxis were $1 to go anywhere, or I could walk. There weren't a thousand cheeses to choose from, so cooking was easy, I could go on and on, but lamenting won't do anyone any good- moving on.

Sometimes its easier to see the blessings after things change. It WILL get easier.

Remember. It's only as difficult as you make it. Choosing to not let it be difficult, is easier said than done. But it is doable. Lifting you up my friend.

 

[All7OfUs]

Yes, "B" is for Beginnings- and this is part 3.

See that photo above?? Let's see who can identify where that letter "B" came from and "B" first to do so. This game will crop up once in a while during this TR, so "B" prepared to put your thinking caps on. I may mix up the rules to at any moment, just to shake things up. Now, onto the story....

Full of relief and gratitude, the plane set off. We were heading out to start life anew from a vastly, perhaps even incomprehensible, place to most of you. Let me share just a few more of those last minute pictures we took on our last day in the Middle of Nowhere. I think they highlight quite well, the totality of the changes our family has made in the last month.






The plane to the capital city, where we’d be spending the next 30 hours, was the first taste of “western-ish” culture we’d had in a long, long while. Very likely 50% or more of our passenger manifest had probably never flown, and even a few, I’d venture to guess, had never traveled outside of their home “state”. Imagine their confusion when told they could not smoke, must keep their seatbelts fastened, and that a life preserver was under their seats. Ummm…. Why? Do they work for sand? (Still pondering that, along with the other bewildered fellow passengers.)

Of course, with the panic that had just consumed our last hour, I didn’t have time to make my usual 3 trips to the bathroom. I was even prepared with my own TP this time- my last trip out, and I was finally, after 10 years of forgetting it, prepared for that all-important last trip to the Turkish squatty. And I didn’t have time. Which meant as soon as the props were spinning, I had to go. Bad. Even without 2 cups of coffee loaded up. Now, I’d have to be forced to wait until that bane of my travel experience, known as the seatbelt light, was off. Well, at least I’d have free TP, free soap, and a pristine sink to wash my hands in. And, I was going to be first in there- you can count on that! Because customer #2 gets fresh loogies, tinkled on seats, and risks the mortal danger of coming out with TP stuck to their shoe.

Ahhh, cruising altitude; business done, it was time to get our grub. And actually, it wasn’t too bad. We had the choice of lamb meatloaf in a brown gravy with mashed potatoes, or chicken breast with tomato sauce. Mike got the lamb, and the rest of us got the chicken. Remember that. It was tasty, and I ate all of mine. I never eat the Albeni Bar, though. (We’ve been on a lot of these cross-country flights, and the Albeni never changes.) Too sweet. So I threw it in my bag, knowing that in 10 hours I was probably going to throw it away. Usually happens with Lufthansa ham and cheese sandwiches too. I guess I’m an airline food leftovers optimist that is frustrated every time.


(Because that's what DISers do)


Anyone need a scented baby wipe?? How about a refreshing tower?



During lunch, we were entertained by this little “sweetie pie”. Don’t let his cute little face fool you- he’s really a thief disguised in a 2 and a half foot body.





His booty of choice? Other peoples’ lunch! I love progression of these photos! See, as a mother of 5, I knew exactly what was coming and had my camera ready.

The rest of the flight was rather uninteresting, except that in the in-flight magazine, I came across an article about Rotel!!! We had just talked about this on either my, Glenn’s or Magdalene’s threads (sorry, you 2, I seriously can’t remember where it popped up), and was so excited to see a write up about it! I wish I had taken a picture, but I was planning on taking a copy of the magazine, and then forgot. DANG! Anyway, if anyone is looking for an (frankly) odd way to travel across Europe, check out Rotel- the rolling hotel.

http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/26/rotel-a-traveling-hotel-on-wheels/


So, we landed and made contact with the lady who was supposed to meet us at the airport to collect about $1,700 from us for our shipping bill. In Kazakh currency, that equals about 6 inches of stacked cash. I was NOT liking the fact that we had to carry that much currency, but we made our connection with our creditor, and was relieved to know that we were not robbed, beaten, or murdered in the process. The very cool thing was that she asked us where we needed to go, and how we were going to get there. Miraculously, her husband agreed to take us the 1 hour drive to our friends’ house FOR FREE! I was estastic to have saved about $20 that day! I was also VERY happy to also find out later that he, being a body guard for an ultra-rich Kazakh businessman, was likely not going to get robbed, beaten or murdered taking the money home.

We did need another car for our trip across town, and this is what it looks like when men get together to figure out how to get 4 people and 5 boxes into a car. Only at my dinner table on Thanksgiving have I seen more consulting, gesticulating, ranting and re-arranging.





Finally, we were ending phase I of our long, long journey home. And for some of us, a long, long journey it would be indeed. Because it all goes downhill from here. Meantime, I’ll let you ponder just what I had to run out for during the day, just what had to be cleaned before we left, and how the kids did walking out the door at midnight for our 3AM flight.

Until then, Have a Magical Day!!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Liesa, I'm exhausted just reading about your journey so far.

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us. It's amazing sometimes how we forget how different life is outside of "home."

 

[JJ Tinker Wish]

Hi JJ !!! If i knew what an emoticon was I would tell ya !!I think you mean the smilies as this ol' lady calls 'em !!! You get them automatically when you quote a reply or you can go advance and then get them afew to share !!!!!

WOOOOOT Rosie (and Liesa) THANK YOU!! I'm gonna be an emoticon postin' fool!
Maroo--we haven't met though I am pleased to make your acquaintance!! I was at the Dismeet in DC at the end of Aug. this year and had the pleasure of spending the day with Liesa, Rosie, Tracy, Glenn and Judy and met the Jen'z for lunch, as well as the Kapell's.
I'm off to work now and then to the hospital to visit MY Dad--quadruple bypass surgery this week!! And Tracy I know how you feel--Dad goes for regular stress tests and recently had an exam. They said they would schedule him for a cath to check things out and SIX WEEKS LATER they discovered he was 100%, 80%, and 80% blocked in 3 of 4 arteries!! He was admitted immediately & wasn't allowed to shower as they were concerned about the hot and cold constricting of his blood vessels and arteries ... yet of course he was allowed to work 13 hour days standing on his feet until they figured this all out ... . Just glad for the gift of his having come through the surgery with flying colors and is already up walking and moving out of ICU today to a regular room.