The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 9

[Tinkaroo]

Does anyone know how far in advance you can purchase airfare? Our trip is getting to the one year out mark and I want to start watching for reasonable airfare as early as possible. If we can't find inexpensive airfare we will end up driving, so starting early isn't a bad idea.

Deb

Depending on the airline, it is usually a bit less than a year. You could call your airline of choice, and ask them when the dates you're looking for will open up. The "slightly less than a year" seems to be true for the major airlines (American, Delta, Continental, etc.).

I know for some of the low-cost carriers (Southwest, AirTran, etc.), they have a bit different of a schedule. I know I'm waiting to see what Southwest's prices will be for December of this year right now - their schedule right now is only out through late October, and if memory serves, it was October last year before I was able to book airfare for early December through them.

 

[Steffy]

Jen, so glad Alex is doing better.

Deb, Camping was not like that when I went. Your trip looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing...

Amy, Matthew needs to stay put until Friday. Listen to Auntie Steffy now Matthew...

Hi Elin, great beach picture!

And at the risk of giving TMI, my colonoscopy came out just wonderful! I don't have to have it repeated until 2011!!!

 

[tmfranlk]

Quick update, since hanging out the computer is the last thing I should be doing right now.

Kevin got a guilty verdict in his trial but he still has plenty to do with the penalty phase this week, so he's still encouraging Matthew to stay put.

We closed on our old house this past Friday night!

Alyssa still hates swimming lessons, and since she got an ear infection, we ended up skipping quite a few classes last week. Her last session is Wednesday.

Julie and Dave are the best movers and packers (except when it comes to children's shoes).

Slowly, but surely, we are unpacking. I underestimated the cleanliness of the new house, so I'm spending a lot of time cleaning out cabinets and drawers and walls and floors, but it's all coming together.

Most of our baby stuff is still in our rented storage unit. I am encouraging Kevin, hourly, that we have to get this stuff out ASAP!

I am still 2-3 cm. dialated, so unless he changes his mind, Matthew will join us on Friday. My induction is scheduled to start at 7 a.m.

My sister is visiting us through the holiday and my mom is coming down Thursday night to stay through the end of next week.

I'm really, really sorry I can't get caught up on the thread right now. If there's something I absolutely should know about, please send me a PM!

You are all in my thoughts and prayers!
Amy

Sounds like things are going well overall. Congratulations to Kevin on a successful trial. If I don't catch up with you before then much and good wishes for Matthew's arrival on Friday. We can't wait to meet him!! Congrats on selling the house as well. What a relief that must be for you.

 

[Tinkaroo]

That's pretty late for them to start, eh? I sympathize totally with working today. I figured that since I could count the number of people in my train car during rush hour on my fingers was a sign that I shouldn't have to be going to work, but unfortunately my company didn't agree. I hope the new interns don't make the rest of the summer as bad as the first. We miss you around here! Congrats on your new tickers!!

I hear you on the lack of people at work today - I really did find it quite comical that we were even open when I looked at how many people actually came to the office. You could have heard a pin drop on the hallway where my office is!

It's actually not too late for interns to start here - in Texas, we do "split" summers - basically, our interns are only with us for 6-weeks at a time, but we do have 2 sessions. (On the east coast, they primarily just have one summer session for interns that is 10-12 weeks long.) So, we're in transition betweent the first half, and the second half, of interns.

 

[Tinkaroo]

And at the risk of giving TMI, my colonoscopy came out just wonderful! I don't have to have it repeated until 2011!!!

Congrats on a healthy test, Stephanie!!!

 

[ReAnSt]

It was. Mom and I split it since neither of us can eat much anymore. But it was yummy! They are also selling spotted dick, but I didn't have enough time to try it! That's on my list for my trip in August! Pal Mickey will be with me then, and I can't wait for him to see everything!

Ok, I am sure someone has asked by now. But what the heck is a spotted dick???

Almost as bad as slippery dick and sea p*ssy.

Slippery Dick is a type of fish

Sea p*ssy is also called a cake Urchin

Just some of the many things I learned from my High School Biology teacher on my Marine Biology trip to Jamaica in 11th grade.

Honestly though I learned a ton of stuff not only about Marine Biology and Jamaica but kindness, goodness sharing and so much else. Every year or other year this teacher takes a group of students down to Jamaica to learn about ecology, marine biology and about Jamaica. They stay at the Hofstra University Marine Lab in Jamaica. Each group of students has the opportunity to go to the St. Ann's Bay Infirmary which is right up the road from the marine lab.

This teacher has made the infirmary his pet project. The people who stay there are permananetly disabled, mentally retarted , etc. Most of them have been there for 20 years or more. Some of them are supporting families by making and selling necklaces, bracelets, belts etc. This facility had hardly anything when he started going there back in 1997.

Every time he goes each student may only take one bag for themself. Their other allowed bag is filled with stuff to be left at this facility. He has taken wheelchairs, clothing shoes, medical supplies, TV's, batteries, radios, basically anything and everything that anyone could possibly want or need has been taken down to this location.

Every year since I went I have given stuff to him to take with him to go back. It has had such an impact on my life. This past trip he was upset by the fact that he couldn't take as much stuff since the lowered suit case weight limits. It is so amazing what he has done. He has truly inspired me to give back to the world around me. He is one of the smartest and kindess people I know. He didn't finish his PH D because he didn't want to take time away from teaching his students and he didn't want to give up the income because he wanted to use it to help others instead of himself.

I basically left everything I took with me to Jamaica there for them to use shoes, clothing, leftover toiletries. I figured I could easily get more but they cannot. A pencil to the children there is like gold, they treasure it.

When I went to Nassau, Bahamas I handed out pencils to the school children I saw because I knew they could use them.

 

[ReAnSt]

Thanks. I can't believe that I am 9 pounds away from my goal! It's so close! Hooray!

Congratulations, that is so awesome. Keep up the great work.

 

[ReAnSt]

I found Mater

Denise I got three of them for you. Does anybody else want me to get them one as they seemed to have a bunch of them just let me know

 

[Steffy]

Okay, I have to get to bed. I can't find my pink tablet with the ADRs for December. I must still be groggy from the test. It is frustrating me and I'm getting irritable. Tomorrow is a better day and I can finally eat barbeque! YAY.


Nite all...

 

[Blueeyes101817]

hi everyone-just wanted to say hope you all have a great day tomorrow! im exhausted and headed to bed!

 

[Brendita]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAWN

 

[Glynis]

Ok, I am sure someone has asked by now. But what the heck is a spotted dick???

I'm sure that Clare will know for sure, but all I know from my visit to the Festival is that it is some type of steamed pudding. I'll try it in August and take a picture for you.

 

[Glynis]

Well, the fruit salad is ready, muffins and scones baked, all the fixin's for the BBQ packed in the cooler and the car is ready to go. I guess I'm ready for bed!

It's going to be a long, fun day tomorrow, and I don't know if I'll get a chance to get on the computer. So, in case I don't, "HAVE A GREAT 4TH OF JULY!"

 

[babytrees]

Deb,
If no one else has found one for you, I found Doc today. He's not in a bag because he was the display but he's in good condition.

Sorry Denise, no Maters.



Thank you for the birthday wishes. We just got home from seeing Cars again and I'm tired so I'm spending the rest of the evening in bed catching up on the thread from the last few days.

ETA: Oh my! I have 45 pages to respond to

I totally forgot Deb you wanted Doc!!! We have one in package still if you want it!!

 

[babytrees]

I was just about to post a request for Doc as I check our McDonalds today and they had all 3 Ramone's and Flo, but nothing else. I would love the whole set. Colby has been playing with them on his race car rug and we will put them on his shelf as part of the decor when not in use. Please PM me whatever I owe you. If anyone needs Ramone (any color) or Flo I'd be happy to run out tomorrow to get one.

Deb

Ohhhh!! My girls would love the Flo!!

We are trying to get as many of them as we can but since I can't seem to make myself go by a McDonald's very often I will be happy with what I can find.

 

[babytrees]

I figured out a drawback on my new camera....can't take pictures fast enough.....but I think it did an awesome job on the fireworks I was able to capture.....will post tomorrow night as it's almost midnight here and I need to go to bed shortly!!

 

[rosiejo]

Clare - you may have seen the response by now, but Christi tells me they are $25 each.

I did thanks... I'm still a bit torn.. although they do look much bigger than I thought they were.

Steffy - are they the same size as the $25 Mickey's that are stuffed already at the world?

 

[rosiejo]

Steffy,
Hmmm...Did you go to Park City Mall??? That is the closest BAB to me and most likely where I would go to stuff my Minnie and Mickey.

Now I wonder if I should have mine stuffed when they are bought as I don't want to upset any children that they can't buy one at the store myself. Although I would like to stuff them myself. What to do?? What to do?

Although since by the time I get them Pooh should be for sale perhaps it won't be such an issue or maybe it will be more of an issue.

I guess I must really think about this now. I can't believe I am agnoizing over whether or not I should stuff my own Minnie and Mickey BAB or have someone else stuff them for me.

This is just my HO - but surely you need to stuff it yourself otherwise you might as well just buy a plush from Disney

You know this could just be a VERY clever marketing ploy... people's friends buy the skins then they're shipped all over the world so that people in local BAB stores get jealous and have to book a trip to Disney

 

[rosiejo]

Clare,
I love how it is Fantasmic news and not fantastic news.

Just making sure it's a Disney kind of day... makes the PD even more powerful...

 

[rosiejo]

Becky,

Go ahead and stuff them yourself. The employees at Park City were wonderful. Couldn't have been nicer.

I think my DD just wanted me to feel guilty because I didn't give my bears to her kids! Hey, they are my bears!!!

But I thought they were mice...