The New Lizard Lounge

[ead79]

MinnieSummer, I am so sorry to hear about the things that have come your way! Your DD’s injury sounds very painful. I hope she is feeling much better now. I am glad that Pop took such great care of you. Disney service at its best!

I’m sorry that you still don’t have power. Goodness, that’s a long time to deal with that. Do any nearby cities have power where you could perhaps use a laudromat? I hope they are able to get the power restored soon.

Also, I used to work for a company that did mold studies. Once things are back up and running, please get your company to bring in a mold remediation company. With sitting water and carpet that smells, you almost assuredly have some pretty severe mold infestation. It can cause respiratory problems in some circumstances, so your company needs to take it seriously. Just covering up the problem won’t help in the long run. Though thank goodness for Febreeze in the short term!

 

[MinnieSummer]

Elisabeth: I had someone come out yesterday to suck out the water in the carpet and he sprayed something that is supposed to kill the mold and mildew. It actually smelled worse this morning than it did yesterday. Hopefully it will go away soon. The company will return after things settle down and clean the carpet and respray but they were squeezing us in to the other million or so calls they had to make. A temporary fix but better than nothing.

Yes, there are other areas that have power, and my friend who lives about a half hour away told me to come to her house to do laundry so I will probably do that this week end -- unless of course I can convince DH to let my DD and I go back to WDW this weekend. Sounds like a good excuse to me! LOL

 

[Nancyg56]

Oh, Minniesummer, will it never end? My DDIL called yesterday morning to tell me that she did not understand why she always felt like crying. I said, small wonder, with no hot bath, no lights, no real meals....the list just goes on and on. My DS works where there is a generator in Delray, so he is fine. Hot shower, hot meals, etc. He was taking Erica for a meal and a shower once in a while, but it still was not the same. Anyway, she called to say that the power came on last night...so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

How is your daughter doing? Hope that she is better now.

I don't know how you keep such a positive attitude, as I would be whining all the time. Hope that your power in in the works as we speak.

Our crop is almost all in. We were blessed because we had no mold on the leaves. Guess there is a bright side to having old sheds...they are not air tight! We have the peak left to take down, just waiting for a good damp so the leaves do not crumble. All in all, we are so lucky when we think of the others who have been affected so adversely. Thanks for thinking of me when you have so much going on in your own life.

 

[Angel16]

Hi! Just wanted to drop in and say. I am still alive! I really have been slammed at work. Plus, getting ready for my surgery. I am going to try writing a longer post either tonight or tomorrow.

Minniesummer- I am so sorry to read about all that has been going on with you and your family. I love your excuse to got back to WDW. Laundry! That is wonderful I hope your DH goes for it. Just think you will be in the happiest place on earth, doing housework and enjoying it!

To everyone I am sending pd and prayers. I have much news and that darn trip report to complete, so I will be back soon.

Have a good evening everyone.

Angel

 

[MinnieSummer]

WE HAVE ELECTRICITY!!!!
MY DD went back to school this morning too.

Of course that means all the time I spent convincing DH to let us go to WDW this weekend was for naught but he told me this morning we can go the weekend before Thanksgiving. That means three trips before the end of the year. I can't complain about that.

Of course when the power came on and I got a good look at my house I sat down and cried. No matter how much picking up you do, not running the vacuum for two weeks is just plain gross! I really want to get the house cleaned so I can (don't think I'm crazy) put up my Christmas Decorations. If I don't do it in the next week it won't get done and my DD wants to have her friends over the weekend after Thanksgiving to decorate the big tree in the Living Room (I put up four trees -- small house but I make room). Plus the In-Laws are coming for Thanksgiving. Not fun.

And I still have to get to PA for my Dad's appointment on December 2 with the Doctors to evaluate and decide his next step. I spoke with his oncologist on Monday and he is in shock at how well my father is doing. The MD thinks he may be able to go another two months before he starts back up with the chemo -- considering he originally said two months to live that's pretty incredible. But I think that considerring the chemo almost killed him it had to do some pretty drastic shrinking to the tumors. We'll know more after the cat scan and appt. in December.

I type too much sorry.

Nancy, I'm really glad your crops came in with no damage.

Angel, I'm waiting for your trip report. Give me my "I wish I was there" Fix of the Day.

PD and Hugs to everyone

MinnieSummer

 

[Nancyg56]

Minniesummer: :thewave: I can sympathize with the house thing. In 93 we lost power for 6 days, and I was amazed at the yuck that I could not see and clean. I cannot imagine how you have done it this long!

I am so glad that your Dad is doing so much better! You're right, for what he went thru with the chemo, it had to have helped! Letr us know how he is when you hear more. Prayers are still going his way.

You are way ahead of me in the decorating department. I want to decorate early this year, (day after Thanksgiving) because we need to have it all down before NYE. I usually leave it up until Little Christmas, and then take it down. We have never put christmas up early because I like fall decorations for Thanksgiving.

Thanks for the well wishes on our tobacco. With all that you needed to deal with, ours was small.

Angel: I also would love a "fix" as my trip seems eons away! Please indulge me...

 

[ead79]

Angel, count me in as another person looking forward to your report!

MinnieSummer, thank goodness you finally have power again! I won’t say a think about the Christmas decorations. I’m really in the holiday mood myself. I already bought Christmas paper towels at Publix. I’m thinking of asking DH if he thinks it’s a good idea to go ahead and put up the Christmas villages since they take a while. He’s probably going to think I’ve lost it! I also went out and bought myself a “Christmas Cookies” Yankee candle too.

My prayers are with your dad. I’m so glad to hear that he is doing so well. Thank God for all the things that science can’t explain—miracles!

Nancy, forgive my ignorance, but what is Little Christmas? I’ve never heard of it before.

 

[Nancyg56]

January 6th. It's a Catholic holy day ( my Mom will think I'm a heathen, but I have amnesia right now, and cannot remember which one it is) and if we did not get the tree down on NYD, we needed to leave it up until the 6th. Old habits die hard.

 

[MinnieSummer]

NANCY: I'm Catholic too -- even went to Catholic schools all the way through and the only thing I can think of is Three Kings Day. Anyway, I try to leave my decorations up till the weekend after New Years but my DH insists on taking down everything New Years Day. Kind of a lousy way to start the New Year.

I vowed that I would start the decorating this year on the day after Halloween. I'm a little bit behind but I did make a garland for over one window and my DD made an absolutely beautiful wreath for her room only since it's so nice I want to put it in the Living Room. I don't think she'll let me. I'm doing an "Everything Goes" theme in the Living Room this year so it shouldn't be too hard. The family room gets the jungle theme, the dining room gets the gold and silver, DD's room gets disney character and the other rooms get whatever is left. I have over 50 boxes of ornaments from doing so many themes over the years that's why this year is "Everything Goes" -- I can use everything.

I also have to plan the decoratons for the hotel room. I have a standard tree with Disney ornaments that I take but this year, since we're staying at BWI I want to add some blue things to it. The rooms are done in blues at BWI aren't they? Does anyone know?

 

[Steph H]

Hi, all! I've been missing you lately. My SIL comes back from Disney tomorrow with my brother and niece/nephew, and thinking of them is making me think of another trip. I can't believe I've been back less than a month and am "jonesing" for another trip. But I did want to add, now that she's there, I can spill the beans on a little surprise I gave her:

My SIL is a Disney NUT, and she's the one who introduced me to the DIS in the first place. She answered DOZENS of questions as I was planning my first trip, and even sent us chocolate truffles for our arrival day. So I surprised HER by buying her a Happiest Celebration on Earth photo album (the pretty gold one) and a HCE commemorative plate, plus Disney chocolates for my brother and Disney dollars for the kids. I wanted to have them sent to their cabin at Ft. Wilderness, but they weren't arriving until THREE WEEKS after I left. So, I spoke with Norma at the Sugar Loaf concierge, and she told me that would be NO problem. She took the bag of items and kept it in her manager's office, then gave me her email address to remind her a couple days before their arrival. When I emailed, she sent me a reply back the next morning that she'd had the GF runner take the bag over to Ft. Wilderness for them to place it in their room. My SIL called at 10:30 on the night they arrived to thank me PROFUSELY for the gifts, and tell me what a WONDERFUL job the FW staff had done--they took everything out of the bag, had it set up nicely on the beds, and even made them towel animals to surround the gifts! I was so tickled and thrilled! My SIL promised to send me pictures when they return.

Yay for concierge!!

MinnieSummer: Hooray for power!!! I'm so glad you're finally out of the dark. That must have been so very, very miserable. I'll continue to keep your dad in my thoughts and prayers.

Elizabeth: I LOVE Christmas villages!! How many do you have? I just have one, and it's a K-Mart version, but I have a LOT of buildings, and it has sentimental value (my DH bought it for me before we were married--it's a long story, but rather humorous).

Meanwhile, I plan to get my trip report up tonight, with or without all the pictures. I WILL get it done!!!!

Hugs to all!!

 

[MinnieSummer]

STEPH and ANGEL: I really hope that when I get to the office on Monday and log into the Lizard Lounge there are trip reports from both of you. I'm so looking forward to your reports. Of course I need to do a thorough one on my quick trip to do laundry. I really missed alot in my short (Nothing I post is ever short) post earlier. And now that I think of it I never did one on my AKL stay for DD's birthday -- OK nevermind I will wait patiently.

 

[Angel16]

Dropping in with good news - I received an e-mail this morning from DSIL who is in the Middle East with the Army as a military police. Here is the short note he sent:

“ Just a quick note to tell all that I am doing OK over here, and THANK You all for your prayers and good thoughts...I am working the Angels overtime for sure some days! There is many times over I can say that they have undoubtedly saved my life over here already...9 months to go. Keep up the good work!! Missing and loving you, Jeff

It is so wonderful to receive e-mail and phone calls and know at that moment he is fine. We are just praying for his safe return. And looking forward to celebrating together. On that note I need any suggestions and help you all can give me regarding a family cruise.

I plan on treating the whole family when our DSIL returns. I do not have a date and cannot be sure when, but I am thinking either late 2006 or early 2007. There will be 6 adults and 2 children. Both of our daughters and their husbands, our granddaughter who is 3 now, grandson who is almost 8 months old, my DH and myself. I really would like to do a Disney cruise, but they are expensive. So here are my questions:

Do you feel the Disney cruise is worth the cost?

Is there any other cruise line that would be good for the whole family?

Are there any secrets to getting a discount or lower price on a Disney Cruise?

What I am hoping to achieve is a wonderful family time together. My husband and myself have been richly blessed with two wonderful daughters and their husbands. Both of my DD’s live out of state and came out and helped me when my father died. My one daughter with the children is coming out in January after my surgery to help take care of me and make it easier on her dad, my DH. Our DSIL’s are so supportive and loving and I just want to thank them and show our appreciation. Thank you all in advance for your help.

Angel

 

[Nancyg56]

Angel, How wonderful to hear from your DSIL! Those email messages, however short are sure a lifeline to those at home. Thank God that he is okay, and that he has angels looking after him! I will keep him in my prayers, as I do for all of our service men and women who serve. I can't help you plan a cruise, but I do think that it is a wonderful idea! I confess that I watched the Travel Channel Disney cruise segment, and thought that it offered something for everyone. Then I read Timon's trip report in Attractions and Strategies, and was hooked! Whatever you decide to do, I know that your family will have a wonderful time.

My nephew is coming home from Camp Pendleton in December. He was supposed to be home for Christmas, but his dates changed. He is entitled to a 30 day vacation because he is going back to Iraq in Feb. This will be his 3rd time over there. I do not know how my sister copes. You sure do know how she feels. Right now she is sad because she already requested her vacation based on the first dates that he was given, and it is too late to change. She is a RRt in a childrens hospital, and holidays are prime time, so she is out of luck.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear that he is able to keep in touch, and that he is safe. back to you!

 

[Steph H]

Angel: I'm so glad to hear you've heard from your DSIL. So happy he's doing well. I'll keep him in my thoughts.

Ok, everyone, I've just decided to bite the bullet and give up on the pictures for now. Sorry--with this class and all the other things going on, I just don't have the time, and I don't want my report to languish for months, waiting for pictures!

Here's the report:

http://www.thehawkinsfamily.org/thf/2005_disney_trip_report.htm

You can see a few pictures on the page I created for my family:

http://www.thehawkinsfamily.org/THF/2005_pictures_disney.htm

And of course, there's still my Sugar Loaf report:

http://www.thehawkinsfamily.org/thf/sugar_loaf.htm

Sorry it only has a few pictures, but I hope you all enjoy the report, anyway! Thanks again to everyone here who helped me and made my trip even better!

 

[ead79]

Steph, I have the Christmas in the City village and most of the Disney village series from back in the early 1990’s. I also have a few pieces of the Dickens village that my aunt gave me when she moved to a smaller house. They are a lot of fun to collect!

Angel, it’s so nice to hear from people you love in Iraq. I’m glad your DSIL is doing well and is safe. I think it’s a wonderful idea to do a family cruise. I have never cruised before, so I’m not much help. I did read a recent article in the All Ears newsletter where Deb compared DCL, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. She prefers DCL and also liked Royal Caribbean. She wasn’t impressed with Carnival at all, though she’s sure the experience would differ from ship to ship.

 

[Angel16]

Hi everyone. Kind of lonely on this thread!

I have news and would appreciate any prayers and good wishes.

My DH purchased me a laptop to help me out during my upcoming surgery. I really like it. However, it is not even two weeks old and he had to take it in. I was getting the black screen of death. The experts said it was totally hardware. And they are replacing it and then putting it through a check-up.

I am having both of my knees replaced a month from today. I have researched and found an excellent surgeon who is doing the minimally invasive surgery, which means a 3-5 inch incision instead of the 10-12 inch one. They are placing the new "state of art" knee. I just that term funny referring to a knee. Anyway, the knee is tested to last over 30 years. It is a combination of metals and space age plastics.

It is a long story as to why I am having both knees done at the same time. But, it certainly will be nice to have a better quality of life and I am praying for much less pain then I have now. I have a very bad limp and take many different medications to just be able to function. I will be out of work for at least two months possibly three. We have a two-story home, so I will be living on the first floor with the computer being upstairs my DH thought a laptop and wi-fi was the way to go. I hope to be able to stay in contact with all of you here. Since I won't have a leg to stand on for a while I am sure I will be hanging out here on the DIS.

I go to the doctor later this week to have my work up started. I also have to go in and give blood so they have my blood for the surgery. That should be interesting. I have never had any surgery in my life or given blood. Geez, All these new experiences!

Hope everyone is doing well and healthy.

Angel

 

[ead79]

Angel, I'm sorry to hear that you have to have knee replacement surgery, but it sounds like it will make your life much more enjoyable since you won’t be in pain. My prayers are with you that the surgery is a complete success and that the recovery is speedy.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Hi everyone. Kind of lonely on this thread!

I have news and would appreciate any prayers and good wishes.

You've got it, Angel! Here's hoping that everything goes smoothly with your surgery and recuperation...

Don't have time to stop by much anymore. Truth be told our last December's trip is seeming SO far away from me right now. I'm glad we took the opportunity to travel when we could! I thought I was busy when my three kids were under 4, but nothing has prepared me for the frenetic pace of these teen years. Soccer and football cheering season has come to a close, so now it's on to cheer competitions, basketball season, Scout stuff, etc. Our DD14 has settled in wonderfully to her new school but we never did move, so the commuting logistics add yet another wrinkle.

Could use a little extra holiday cheer if anyone is willing to share... Hugs to all!

 

[MinnieSummer]

Angel: Making the decision to have both knees done at the same time is the right one. My mother had hers done one at a time and she regretted it. Going through a major surgery once is hard on anyone but doing it twice in a short period of time (a year in her case) was worse. Also, recovery is so much easier when your physical therapy is done together rather than one leg at a time. There is also the strength issue to consider. By having them done together, they will both gain strength evenly and make walking easier. Also, my mother was walking the day after her surgery and going up and down steps within two weeks. Prayers and pixie dust to you. You will be very happy when everything is done.

For those of you wishing for some holiday spirit, I've started putting up the Christmas decorations in my house, have Christmas music (Disney's of course) playing in my car, and am seriously getting the shopping done. Just listening to the music put me in the mood, the rest just kind of fell into place. I realized I have to get it done while I can as I just don't know when I'm going to be dashing up to PA for my parents.

Have fun everyone.

 

[Angel16]

Good Morning,

Thank you all for your kind messages and for the prayers. (Both here on the boards and through PM's)

I will post if you would like on the thread as things go along with my surgery. Let me now if you would like me to. I don't want to bore anybody. I meet with my new primary care MD tomorrow. My regular doctor is going out of town and they referred me to a new doctor in their practice. Not really happy about that, but the bottom line is my surgeon is the important one. If something does go wrong while I am in the hospital I will end up with who ever is on call in house. So I am not going to worry. Just going to leave it to the Lord, he is a great physician.

Minniesummer - Thank you for the good words about your mom's surgery. It is nice to get confirmation from people who have been through it or had family members who have. It helps me to feel that I am going to be fine and how worth while the pain and time off work will be. The reason I have had to wait so long for this surgery is I am too young for total knee replacement surgery. At least that is what they have been telling me for the last 8 years. But now with the new knees that last 30 years it is a go ahead.

Goofy's Muse - Good to see you Goofy’s Muse, you have been missed! My Christmas Cheer has been given a boost. DH and myself have wonderful friends that insist on decorating our house for Christmas. They want me to come home to Christmas. Right now I am working very long hours trying to get my staff ready for my extended leave. So decorating the house is not on my to-do list. Just getting the laundry done and paying the bills has become an issue. I have been getting up at 3:45 AM, leaving the house at 5 and working 13 hour days. Our friend’s gift of wanting to put up our tree and some decorations is really giving me Christmas cheer.

Lizards, I am setting out fresh hot pumpkin bread, with fresh whipped cream and butter. There is also a selection of finger sandwiches and large fresh fruit compote. I refilled the fruit bowl with selections from Whole Foods, so be sure to try the fruit.

Have a great day everyone!

Angel