The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 7

[Eeyorecln]

John just called. His car died in the middle of a major intersection and won't move. They can't push it as he is on a hill and it'll roll. So I just got the kids out of bed and we're on our way to pick him up. Fun, fun, fun!

I hope things improve the rest of the week for your family.

 

[Eeyorecln]

I found out late last week that I am changing jobs again, and with the new job I will be going to Colorado in a couple of weeks to train. Theresa, how far are you from Fort Collins?

Anyway as background to all of this, I feel a need to spill my story, feel free to ignore if needed. My work life over the last several months has been extremely stressful. DH and I both work for Kodak in Rochester, NY. Rochester is Kodak's headquarters. At it's peak, Kodak employed over 60,000 people in Rochester in the early 1980s. This year Kodak employment in Rochester is less than 14,000 and falling.

Last August, 2005 they announced that they would be closing down the traditional photographic paper manufacturing operations in Rochester, where both my DH and I work. Everyone was being laid off, but they would be keeping 2 machines running and transferring them to a new division. Anyone that wanted to continue employment with the new division had to apply for any jobs they were interested in. Fortunately for both of us, the 2 machines they were keeping were the 2 machines we worked for, and both of our jobs would be continued, but we had to apply for them, and if selected, interview for them.

We were both very fortunate, and secured our own positions. Over 80% of the people in our division weren't so lucky, and about 400 people in paper manufacturing were laid off at the end of October, 2005, including most of our friends. We went for about 2 months not knowing for sure if we would be employed, but ended up relieved to both have jobs, though sad for what this means to Kodak, and to US manufacturing in general. We have been through anywhere from 1 - 3 layoffs/year for the last 15 years or so, so it has been stressful for years, but this was even worse, with closing down our whole manufacturing area.

So a week later, after everyone who was laid off left the company, they called us all together and told us that the machine I had been supporting would now be shutting down at the end of March, 2006. They told us that they would let us know at the end of January if they had positions for us. So I had a total of 1 week feeling good about having a job before they put me into limbo again for another 3 months.

Because of the uncertainty, I had my resume up to date and out on Monster.com. I would occasionally get calls from recruiters, but was not actively pursuing any new jobs. Then in January I got a call from a recruiter regarding a job that sounded really good to me, and I decided to go on an interview, since Kodak wouldn't tell me if I definitely would have a job or not. Well, 3 days before I had the interview, Kodak informed me that they were going to keep me and move me into a new posiition. At that point I decided to go on the interview anyway, since I had already made the arrangements, including flying out to Madison Wisconsin later that week.

Well the good news is that the interview went great, and I got offered a really good job, with a huge increase in pay. So DH and I spent many hours discussing the pros and cons of moving to Madison, WI and me taking this job. All of our families were very supportive of us going, since they have seen all the stress we have gone through with Kodak. In the end, for a number of reasons, we decided to stay at Kodak in Rochester. Not so much because of Kodak, but because of family. So of course we have been waiting to see if we made the right choice.

There are no guarantee's, but last week another girl announced that she would be leaving to take a job with another company. They decided to offer me her job. It is a much more interesting and exciting job, and there is more job security with it, as long as Kodak doesn't decide to shut down completely of course. So for the short term anyway it seems like my decision to stay isn't so bad, and I'm glad that I was patient. I will be working longer hours through some big challenges in the next few months as we start up a new manufacturing machine, but it will be much more interesting than the last several months of downsizing and shutting down and laying off.

I just wanted to share that little piece of my life. Maybe I can look forward to a year of no threat of losing my job. We'll see.

I can't imagine how stressful all this job uncertainty was for you and DH. I hope that this year is more stable for your family's jobs.

 

[Eeyorecln]

Well DDAs....my junior year of college is OVERRRRRRR
I am so excited!

Of course, this means i will havemoe free time, although i start summer classes may 22--i just keep telling myself that its all soi graduate on time..they announced our graduation date--may 11, 2007..

So now hopefully ill be back here alot more..i have missed coming here!

Our family friend is not doing very good at all. They just found that her liver is surrounded my tumor and have said that they are now just tryingto keep her comfortable...so its been rough lately...and doesnt look like its getting any better

 

[Eeyorecln]

So if you can't tell by my awesome signature Kate made, Splash Mountain is one of my favorite rides. Song of the South, the movie it is based on has not been released on Video or DVD for many years. It was originally released in November of 1946, last time in the theatres was 1985.

Why am I wasting your time with these random facts, Saturday Night live had a Disney sketch and it was part of it. Check it out here

For more information on Song of the South and why it hasn't been released check this website.

I love Song of the South. I wish they would release it, I have been waiting patiently to see it again.

 

[Eeyorecln]

For those of you have seen Fantasmic at WDW and DL, is it the same or is it different? I am guessing it is different but have not seen the DL verision, so I am curious. Thank you in advance.

I have seen both and love the DL one. I think because they have the Columbia ship with the Peter Pan/Hook fight scene. And the end with the Mark Twain driven by the Steamboat Willie Mickey. Just so cool, my boys were enthralled. The only downside is there is no stadium you have to wait sit on the area surrounding the Rivers of America and it gets crowded in that whole area. But, we hardly noticed the crowds we were so into the show.

 

[rosiejo]

Denise - sorry to hear that you are now in limbo with Rees' treatment - I think a second opinion would put your minds at ease.

On the subject of changing resorts and saving a few $ have you thought of staying offsite? No flames anyone please

When we went as kids we always had a villa offsite - you can get one near to Disney. We stayed at the Villas of somerset last November (stayed there as kids too) we hired a car (which we kept and used even when we stayed at AKL) we would leave the villa around 8.15 in the morning and be at the parks within 30 minutes depending on the park. We always made it for rope drop.

I love villas because you can fix yourself cereal and toast for breakfast and then hit the parks quicker as you're not waiting around for table or counter service. Plus there's a washer / dryer so you can throw clothes in before you go out for the day. Plus everyone has there own space - get a three bed and the kids have their own rooms and then there's the lounge too so you don't all have to go to sleep at the same time.

We managed to return to the villa some afternoons for a nap or a swim no problem.

Here's a link to a three bed on the estate we stayed on: http://www.nearbydisney.com/villas.htm - their 3 bed is up in September for $106 per night inc tax (for all of you).

Of course now I've written all of this I remember that you got free dining... which might make it cheaper to stay onsite...

 

[rosiejo]

Hugh Jackman hey? Wolverine from Xmen- yes very cute!

I'm not a big Colin Firth fan although I do think he's quite tasty as Mr Darcy in Bridget Jones Diary... am I the only person who thinks it's great that that book is based on Pride and Prejudice and that Colin Firth plays Mr Darcy in both...

Oh and no offence caused by me - you just keep up the UK guys appreciation society

Good Evening DDA --​

This is my FFFFFAF (Fun Filled Facts For Friends and Family) for the night. Or maybe it's a PSA, except that it is REALLY not useful information at all. So maybe it's neither. Anyway....

Hugh Jackman (specifically as Curly in Oklahoma!, believe it or not) has just joined Colin Firth (specifically as Mark Darcy in the BBC mini-series of Pride and Prejudice) at the top of my list of "British Actors I On Whom I have a Completely Intractable Crush"




That's all, sorry for wasting your time. I'll go back and catch up now

ETA: I guess I should clarify that yes, I know Hugh Jackman was actually born in Australia. But his parents were British, I saw him in a London production, and I think he (maybe) lives there now? Either way, it was the shortest title I could come up with for my list No offense was intended to Clare, anyone who lived in the UK OR in Australia, etc. Please, just don't mind me

 

[rosiejo]

So I have a rather large bur up my ---- where the sun doesn’t shine. My day started fine, I got out of bed a bit late, posted a pic of Tyra the dog and off to school we went. No problem.

Then I got back home and started some embroidery and I got my thumb under the screw that holds the needle. That hurt like a banchie and I broke the skinny little needle. (&^(&^)%*&_+_%#$#!) Ok, it hurt I have a nice pretty indent in my thumb as well as skin missing, but I will be ok.

Off to sew down a few things and what does this not so smart female do? For the love of Pete! (side note… Why do we want Pete to love us? Or why do we love Pet? I don’t know any Pete, but for some reason I have a love for him. Anyone else have this question?) She put the SAME thumb under the ()*&%$@ screw of this )*&^*&$^^@ machine. Two different machines and I do the same &O^*&$$#! thing to the same thumb.

And the rest of the day I had dim-witted things happen left and right.

I want to drink heavily, but I have nothing in this dwelling.



Jo – nice to see you pop in now and again.



Lindsay – Sorry about your inter, but clad to hear it might work out ok after all.



Kate -For the love of Pete (again w/ the Pete thing) Nick can’t get a break. I will continue to keep him in my prayers. And your knee also.



Jennifer – You said I am a designer now (I put words in the pic of my dog) Then do I get the “Designers Only” coin, button, super secret hand shake?

your day got better.

Oh and over here we say "For Pete's sake!"

I found this nice little explanation on the net:

: : : : : : How did the saying "For Pete's Sake" come from?
: : : : : Biblical origins. Think of St Peter. Think of the omnipresent medieval church and think of hitting your thumb with a hammer. You can't swear, else the local priests will have you up before the Bishop and the Lord alone knows what the outcome of that will be, so you exclaim, in appropriate tone of voice, "For Saint Peter's sake" and carry on erecting the shelves. This phrase was amended to "For Pete's Sake" in later, less religiously oppressive, times.

 

[rosiejo]

Have you all seen the breaking news on Mission Space? I may actually be able to ride it now. I like that they aren't changing the ride for those that want to ride it in the original form but am thrilled that they are giving me a way to ride it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1102052

How cool is that! I've always avoided it as I know the spinning will make me green - but always wondered what the fuss was about Can't wait to ride it in November

 

[PNO4TE]

Dinner was a chocolate bar w/ peanutbutter. Don't tell Glynis... she might tell the others on the weight loss thread. I could get in BIG trouble you know.

OK, again... these items are missing in my NutriSystem shipments. Does anyone have their Customer Service number?

 

[PNO4TE]

I could go be grumpy with them if you'd like. It could be fun to let the grump get out.

One of my daughters (Kathrin, I think) had a movie that she absolutely loved when she was little. It was called "The Grump Gets Grumpier." Thanks for helping me remember that!

 

[PNO4TE]

Now there's a site I don't want to see.....

exactly how is a burr extraction done these days???


With that -- good night all. I still need my sleep. In a hotel room by myself - and I got NO sleep. Nite!

Glad to see you are back safe and sound, and in your own bed, Marti.

 

[PNO4TE]

Baloo-

Good to "see" you and if you need staples Paula(kc10family) is an expert stapler.

But do you really think she is willing to give that thing up???

 

[PNO4TE]

It is the first 2 letters of my first middle and last name. Hence why every other letter is capitalized.

Rebecca Ann St***t

Nobody ever gets it because I never go by Rebecca, anymore. Unless I am writing things not related to the internet. I had a friend in college named Renee' and everyone always thought my screenname was for Renee'. I had another friend who called me ReAnn, I should have picked that up and used it as my name, as then my name would not have been used by many.

BTW: I put the stars as I don't want my entire name out on the internet.

I did, I did

(In fact, I even made up a last name for you that begins with ST and is shared with an OLD football payer... OK, I know I am weird...)

 

[PNO4TE]

I want a salad, I don't even want the Thin Mints or shortbread. But I must resist as I just posted on the weight loss thread about how I must get my eating at any time under control. This is all due to me working crazy hours.

Becky - I posted a reply on that thread to try to help you sort this out.

And to all my DDA friends... I am officially over the -40 pound mark in my weight loss

 

[Blueeyes101817]

And to all my DDA friends... I am officially over the -40 pound mark in my weight loss

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pooh67_68]

Just caught up, so

for everyone.

No matter what is happening in your life, whether it be bad or good everyone can use a and some once in a while.

 

[yellowfish78]

And to all my DDA friends... I am officially over the -40
pound mark in my weight loss

Congrats!!!!

 

[tink2020]

I can't believe you posted this!!!! Hugh Jackman is my all time FAVORITE celebrity crush! After that episode of Friends where they choose 5 celebrities that are "freebies" I told Alan that Hugh Jackman was definitely at the top of that list for me. I love, Love, LOVE to see him in X-Men, Oklahoma, Kate and Leopold, etc. DH won't let me own any of his movies. I think he's a little jealous! I don't care! I'm not giving up my Hugh!!!

Oh snap! I forgot about Kate and Leopold. I need to watch that again.... I think I fell in love with him then, too!

Kyle just said - hey, if i were a woman i'd think he's hot, too (but not so much about Colin Firth I think that might be more of a Mark Darcy crush, and he played it so daggone well!)

 

[Tammi67]

Well DDAs....my junior year of college is OVERRRRRRR
I am so excited!

Of course, this means i will havemoe free time, although i start summer classes may 22--i just keep telling myself that its all soi graduate on time..they announced our graduation date--may 11, 2007..

So now hopefully ill be back here alot more..i have missed coming here!

Our family friend is not doing very good at all. They just found that her liver is surrounded my tumor and have said that they are now just tryingto keep her comfortable...so its been rough lately...and doesnt look like its getting any better

Wow Jen!!!

You are officially a SENIOR!

I'm so sorry about your friend. Here's some for her.