The DDA Trouble Free Zone

[bengalbelle]

Well Ellen - the exact same reason you stated above is why we moved from Long Island to the Rochester area!! There is no preparing you for the expense... and we would have spent our whole lives trying to pay for a mortgage. What kind of money would our child have to make in order to live in his home town??? We are here a year now and happy as clams. This was out biggest life decision (other than getting married and having a child!) and one of our happiest. So - Jennifer - being happy with where you pick is a very important thing. It took me 42 years to figure that out!!

And if you want to read a story about our move that was in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, all you have to do is google Matthew Linetzky. What other 7 year old can google himself to find an article?????

I just Googled him!!! How cool! The picture of y'all is priceless. His face reminds me of a face Paul was making in a picture he posted before. I can't remember which one. A pirate picture, maybe?
Very cool!!!!!

 

[Steffy]

Whew! Just over 20 pages in 2 days... not too bad.

I'm here. I'm in a rotten mood. But I figure I better share my trip (and my news that is not all that great ) before I forget it all!

We started out driving to Long Island. Well, we stopped in PA but that was uneventful. Long Island is NOT what I expected. At the risk of coming across wrong, I'll leave it at a minimum, but I was quite surprised. I knew it was expensive, I was prepared for that. But I was NOT prepared for what you get for the amount of money you spend. I assumed the whole island (which is GIGANTIC, by the way!) would be beautiful new developments, and that's why it's expensive. Not so much. For $350,000 we could buy a 2 BR condo that's about 20 years old Kyle and I can't justify that when we can get a 3-5BR house with a big ol' yard for the same price in lots of other places... and still maybe not spend that much! So we aren't even going to rank it. That was pretty easy, and yet a very enjoyable few days. I will say this - I can understand why it is so desirable. To be so close to NYC yet so different, is quite nice.

From there we went to Delaware. This is where my good news comes in, believe it or not We almost cancelled the trip, because in our minds -- what the heck is in Delaware? Well, I'm in love with the area. NOWHERE have Kyle and I both been there for less than an evening and said "I could spend forever here". In stinkin' DELAWARE?! Really though. If you aren't familiar with northern Delaware, it's heaven in the US. Good schools, fairly low cost of living, 25 minutes from Philly (the area we were looking) and between 1-2 hours from the beach, the Poconos, DC, NYC, Baltimore, several major airports, etc. And Newark is just like Oxford (our straight-out-of-a-movie college town ). We assumed the program would be horrible (because that's how it's gone -- good area, bad program and vice versa). It was perfect. Kyle said, and I quote - "I haven't been to a program yet that answered all of my questions 100% how I want. It's like they were reading my mind"

I think Cincinnati will still probably rank #1. Mostly because of the Children's Hospital..... but it was the most AMAZING feeling to know there is in fact somewhere else we could end up that we love. We were getting quite nervous.... while several places are "fine", before Delaware I thought I was REALLY going to have to choke back some tears on Match Day if we didn't get Cincy. I'm pretty relieved, to say the least... espeically since UC grads have historically gotten their top 1st-3rd choices. Now we have 3 I could live with!





Really not that great a story, huh? I told you that you all were getting too exited

We finished up in Philadelphia (at another program) and Baltimore. Both were fantastic cities, but the programs were very ok. We got stranded in Baltimore an extra day, which made returning to school a little nerve wracking.

And now my Critical Care course is going to be the death of me.

And I've gained 5 pounds since I last checked, but that is an entirely different story that belongs (and is already posted) on the other thread.

Jennifer,

That's great news. I love Delaware. One my good friends lived there. I could make it to her house in an hour. We sometimes met in Philly for dinner. Being that close to Philly and yet having a small town feel is great. Great schools. So much to do. So close to everything. The good ole tri-state area.

 

[ReAnSt]

Yeah Kristine - we want pictures!!!!

Just saw your post -- do you have a headache from listening to the chatter for 4 hours??? I know I would! We'll give you a break on the pictures, for now.

We had a guy who came in to help with our inventory on Monday and once he started talking he never shut up. I now know his whole life story. I walked out of the store just to get away from his constant chatter. My manager and I both agreed that he talks too much for his own good.

Becky

 

[ReAnSt]

Do y'all think I could learn to knit mittens before February 18th ?

I think you will spend more money on the yarn to knit them than to have someone ship you some.

Becky

 

[bengalbelle]

Here's my do...

After a few glasses of wine...I'm getting used to it...

Kristine

PS...It's lighter that it looks in the pic...

I like it!

 

[tink2020]

I got twenty pages to catch up on. Hope I can through them before I decide to get to bed.

I found out why I was nauseous, stomach ache, had to pee quite often and my back hurts. Before anyone gets hopeful I am not pregnant. I have a UTI. The only reason this was figured out was because I had a physical and drug test yesterday for my new job. They said I had bacteria in my drug test sample and told me I should go to my doctor. So I go today and that is the verdict.

I probably never would have went had I not had the physical yesterday. I could attribute all of those symptoms to other things. nauseous/stomach ache-had cramps and the stomach bug is going around lots of people have the stomach bug. I have been drinking lots more trying to drink my water hence the need to pee more often. As for the backache- Also one of my normal PMS symptoms and also I have helped move some furniture and started hurting after that. Shows what I know.

Becky

Becky

Feel better soon!!

 

[bengalbelle]

I think you better perfect your mitten cookies before you start knitting mittens too! Have you made some practice cookies yet?

And, where's my PM about Lost?!! We have details to discuss!

Hope you're feeling better today!
Amy

I was just going to ask you about Lost. OMG, such a great episode. Probably my favorite ever!!!! For once I was competely engrossed in the story and NOT trying to figure out what was going to happen next.
I may have to watch it again in the morning before I PM you! OK I'll PM you now and watch it in the morning before you PM me back

I have not made any mitten cookies yet. Maybe this weekend if all goes well.

 

[tink2020]

LOL! I make banana bread every once in a while, but Alyssa usually eats all the bananas before they turn nice and black. The banana bread I referred to earlier was courtesy of my mom, a woman who is much more talented in the kitchen than I am.

Hope you have a better day tomorrow Jen!
Amy

My mom makes AMAZING banana bread..... but not very often! She gets in the mood and then goes to the store specifically for the almost-rotten bananas. I've never made it (and might not ever) becuase, as much as I love banana bread, the fruit itself makes me nauseous just looking at it! Trying to smash it while it was all black and stuff might really put me over the edge.

 

[bengalbelle]

You are not just a Queen, but you are a Diva too!!!

This is what I read, "I hate when I get massages...blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah"

Amy

LOL!!!
Kate I'm going to back you up here. I don't care for massages (I'm a weanie, they hurt too bad) but I'm the same way when I get a facial (my personal bliss ). Please don't talk to me just let me relax!

Only once was the girl chatty so I pretended to be asleep.

 

[ReAnSt]

Here's my do...

After a few glasses of wine...I'm getting used to it...

Kristine

PS...It's lighter that it looks in the pic...

Your hair looks great. It is different it will take time getting used to. I had 12 inches chopped off before Thanksgiving and sometimes I still feel like there needs to be more hair back there.

You didn't look like a Grandma before and now you absolutely positively do not look like a Grandma.

Becky

Becky

 

[bengalbelle]

I got twenty pages to catch up on. Hope I can through them before I decide to get to bed.

I found out why I was nauseous, stomach ache, had to pee quite often and my back hurts. Before anyone gets hopeful I am not pregnant. I have a UTI. The only reason this was figured out was because I had a physical and drug test yesterday for my new job. They said I had bacteria in my drug test sample and told me I should go to my doctor. So I go today and that is the verdict.

I probably never would have went had I not had the physical yesterday. I could attribute all of those symptoms to other things. nauseous/stomach ache-had cramps and the stomach bug is going around lots of people have the stomach bug. I have been drinking lots more trying to drink my water hence the need to pee more often. As for the backache- Also one of my normal PMS symptoms and also I have helped move some furniture and started hurting after that. Shows what I know.

Becky

Becky

Ouch! Feel better soon

 

[tink2020]

Jennifer,

I'm sorry your day has been stressful. As for the weight gain that happens. You weren't at home so you were eating out and probably not excercising. Just start fresh and new. Take it one meal at a time and one workout at a time. That is all you can do.

Sending and your way.

Becky

Thanks Becky (and Amy). I am driving myself NUTS! I hate when I get in these moods, and then the weight thing just put me over the edge I suppose. I have a long day tomorrow, too, but after that a four day weekend... which is good, because I REALLY need to get organized. I think once I get back in a routine and into the books, workouts, etc I will feel much better. My OCD personality doesn't do well without days planned to the minute!

 

[Steffy]

Well Ellen - the exact same reason you stated above is why we moved from Long Island to the Rochester area!! There is no preparing you for the expense... and we would have spent our whole lives trying to pay for a mortgage. What kind of money would our child have to make in order to live in his home town??? We are here a year now and happy as clams. This was out biggest life decision (other than getting married and having a child!) and one of our happiest. So - Jennifer - being happy with where you pick is a very important thing. It took me 42 years to figure that out!!

And if you want to read a story about our move that was in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, all you have to do is google Matthew Linetzky. What other 7 year old can google himself to find an article?????

That is so cute. Love the sandwich hug...

 

[ReAnSt]

Thanks for the kind words on my hair...I think Marci is right..it will take a couple of days to get used to.

Is there a way to easily keep track of who's going to the World and when? I can't keep track...but would like to know.

Kristine

What if we posted a thread with months and dates of people's trips and where they are going. Something like this

January
2-8: Midnite: WDW

February
22-30: Triplefigs: WDW

March
5-13: tink2020: DL
15-22:JuliaandNicksmom:WDW
June
2-14: ReAnStL

etc, etc.

BTW: I just picked out random Disnames and dates.

Becky

 

[bengalbelle]

I think you will spend more money on the yarn to knit them than to have someone ship you some.

Becky

OK I wasn't really serious about that . OK, well maybe a teeny bit serious. I'm a little desperate. No mittens to be found in South Louisiana. I've had some kind DDA'ers offer to look for me and if all else fails I found a pattern to make them out of fleece.

 

[tink2020]

LOL!!!
Kate I'm going to back you up here. I don't care for massages (I'm a weanie, they hurt too bad) but I'm the same way when I get a facial (my personal bliss ). Please don't talk to me just let me relax!

Only once was the girl chatty so I pretended to be asleep.

I can't imagine! I was spoiled rotten the year before my wedding with massages and facials..... {BTW, Kate -- where do you go? I can recommend a GREAT esthetician, etc if you get chatty ones again }

... but they were always HEAVENLY. "My" ladies didn't say a word, and I would have screamed if they did!

 

[Steffy]

The buffet is Hollywood & Vine. I heard they might make it into a character meal.

It used to be a character meal. Minnie was in her evening gown.....

 

[ReAnSt]

.
we really liked the room that my sisters had at POP just the right size ---what do you do in the room besides sleep and shower?

You forgot the third S, although you might only want to do that if you are trying for a souvenir.

Becky

 

[Steamboat Marti]

Marti, Thanks for the input, it sounds like $10 is the going rate so I took karebear's advice, and posted a request on the DVC rent/trade board, to see if I can find someone willing to rent what I need for the $10 price. It seems that is about what they are going for, and I have a little time. Hopefully I can, because I would love to stay at the Beach Club, and I don't think I would pay full disney price for a room. So if this works out, I will have a disney vacation next January. Now I just have to get in shape to actually do the 1/2 marathon. Hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew!

Hey Marti, I will be turning 43 on the 25th.... Just one day younger than you right?

Ellen

Wow Ellen - you're right - we're born a day apart!! How cool! I'll be in WDW this year for our birthdays so I won't be able to wish you a happy one.... so a little early.... Happy Birthday!!

 

[tink2020]

What if we posted a thread with months and dates of people's trips and where they are going. Something like this

January
2-8: Midnite: WDW

February
22-30: Triplefigs: WDW

March
5-13: tink2020: DL
15-22:JuliaandNicksmom:WDW
June
2-14: ReAnStL

etc, etc.

BTW: I just picked out random Disnames and dates.

Becky

I was all ready to post that I wasn't, unfortunately going to Disneyland in March.

Then I kept reading. Can it be true though? I'll go, who's paying?

ETA: I defintiely think that's a great idea, though Becky