The only way to have a friend is to be one." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[lyzziesmom]

Oh my gosh no, I was not brave at all! First I ran around the house talking to myself, then I tried to sic the cats on him to flush him out (they had no interest whatsoever, the useless dingdongs ) then I contemplated calling the police but chickened out because I would feel stupid. I ended up waking up Lyzzie at 2:30am just for moral support. The oven mitt was the last resort, he was really "playing possum" and not budging from under the cabinet and there was no way I could sleep knowing he was in the house.

Trying to shoo it out with the broom, I felt like something out of a Tom & Jerry cartoon.
(sorry so big, I don't have time to put it in Photobucket & resize it)

Bwaak bwaak! (<---- that's me making chicken noises)


Lyzzie kind of wanted to keep it. I imagine she was thinking something like this (NOT our possum):

Well I'm off to my interview, wish me luck! Then tonight Emma has a birthday party to go to, tomorrow she has her appointment at the audiologist & I have school, Weds. we drop off Lyzzie at the bus stop for camp (aaaack! haven't started packing yet!) and then I go to the dentist & have school. Somewhere in there I still have 4 1/2 chapters of law books to read and homework to do on 3 of them. Goodbye sleep! Maybe I need more possums (possi?) in the house to help keep me awake.

 

[lyzziesmom]

HOLY CRAP!! I just got a facebook message from Emma's dad. I have no idea what to make of this.

 

[hellokitty86]

HOLY CRAP!! I just got a facebook message from Emma's dad. I have no idea what to make of this.

Wow!! You haven't heard from him in a LONG time!!! Hopefully now you can start getting back some of that money that he owes you!! I wonder what his intentions are?

 

[hellokitty86]

Well Jeremiah came home tonight with some news- the week of July 1st he has to go to a couple different Whole Foods locations to do some work- Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando. I'm going with him, and guess where we will be that Friday?! Orlando!!!! So Jeremiah says we can make it a weekend trip to either Universal or Disney for the 4th of July weekend!!

Now I'm trying to decide which one I want to go to! Shockingly I think Disney would be cheaper by about $100ish. We are lucky that his job would be paying for the gas and tolls anyway. I got a rate at Pop for $99/night! So we would need 1 day tickets and food money on top of that. We would only go to a park 1 day- Saturday, at Magic Kingdom on the 4th of July and I'm a little scared about crowds. Sunday we would probably go to Downtown Disney and then drive home. I am considering getting the Quick Service Dining plan too- or just budgeting $200 for food.

Second option is to stay at a cheapo hotel near Universal for Friday night, and on Saturday move to the Royal Pacific hotel (pretty expensive for 2 nights). Benefit to that is, it's Jeremiah's favorite hotel in the whole world AND we would get front of the line ride access for 2 days (its good for check in and check out days). We would get a 2 park 2 day pass for about $15 more than a 1 day ticket to Disney (Florida Resident prices.) Go to Universal on Saturday and Islands of Adventure on Sunday, drive home afterwards. This option would be about $100 more but you do get 2 days in the parks. Food budget is still $200. Another option is to get a cheapo hotel 2 nights and just not get front of the line access. Still afraid of the crowds though!!

So which one should I do! I need help. Of course I want to go to Disney anytime I get the opportunity!, and its slightly cheaper, but I am going there in September. We love Universal too! Jeremiah thinks I would enjoy Disney more, but I'm just not sure!

I am so excited though!!

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Lyzziesmom- Eeek!!! That possum is creepy (and a little cute!). I also wonder what his intentions are. I hope he has a big, fat check waiting for you! I hope the interview went well!

Ashley- Tough decision! Well Disney is cheaper, but you are going in September. If you do decide to go with Universal, the front of the line access sounds good especially during the 4th.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Hey Everyone!

Lyzziesmom, how did the interview go?

Ashley, did you make a decision?


It is SO HOT! It's 90 in the shade! Spencer enjoys it though, because he can play in the water.

I spoke to my mom and it looks like my grandmother may have to go into a nursing home for 20 days. She is still in the hospital (her choice) because she is nervous about going home. She is having a really hard time moving around and lifting things. So, the doctor said she should go onto the nursing home so she can have intensive physical therapy and nursing care. My mom said it's completely up to her (my mom asked about having a nurse o to the house, but they couldn't start that until next week). My grandmother is scared to be home alone (my mom and stepdad are gone for about 6 hours a day). I'm suppose to call this evening and find out more.

 

[hellokitty86]

Hey guys!!!

Amber, I am so sorry about your Grandma. I've been thinking about her. Hopefully she will make a fast recovery and be home in no time!

Lyzziesmom, I'm wondering about your interview too! And did you ever reply to Emma's Dad's message?

Nicole- I want to see pics of the wedding! How did your make up turn out?

Lin- are you getting excited about your trip? It's just around the corner!

Ashley, did you make a decision?

No, not yet. I am a Libra, its kind of hard for me to make decisions! Of course I'm leaning towards Disney. We shall see!

 

[lyzziesmom]

I have been running around like a headless chicken this week! Lyzzie leaves for camp tomorrow and we've barely started packing, and I have school in 2 hours. My aunt is babysitting and just decided to come here instead of my parents' house, and the place is a wreck! I just barely finished my homework for tonight but I still have to read 3 chapters for tomorrow plus do a bunch of assignments for each chapter. Yikes!

Emma had her audiologist appointment today and passed with flying colors. She said it was really fun (they had her push buttons and play "games") and wants to fail more hearing tests so she can go back. Tomorrow after dropping Lyzzie off at the bus for camp, I go get my permanent crown and then homework homework homework! I'll be up most of tonight working on it too. The week flew by and I lost that whole day trying to de-virus my computer. Plus I'm a bit of a procrastinator, gotta work on that. Can I blame that on a Libra thing? (Ashley?)

The interview was a joke. They would not even interview me because I'm not available 24/7. Never mind the fact that the actual job has set shifts -- they can't guarantee which shift I'd be assigned and therefore wouldn't even bother. I spoke with 2 people and they were really donkey-ish about it. I asked why can't they just make sure I get assigned to the unit with the day shift? They suggested I maybe get a pharmacy tech certification instead so I can qualify for their day-shift only position (which pays less). I feel like I really dodged a bullet with that crappy job! I was very angry that they wasted so much of my time. My initial application clearly stated that I am working and going to school and yet they still went through with the whole assessment (3 hours last Thursday) and I had to scramble for a babysitter yesterday and waste 1/2 my day with that nonsense. To top it all off, there was another position that was open and I tried to apply for, but their application system had a glitch that kicked out anyone with an Associate's degree. I mentioned that I tried to apply for that job, and they said, "Oh yeah we knew about that glitch but those positions already have interviews scheduled so we can't consider you for that even though you'd be a great candidate for it. You can try again next year." NO THANK YOU!

I have not yet responded to Emma's dad. I don't want to say too much publicly, but would be happy to PM anyone who is interested in hearing any news on the situation. I don't want to annoy any of you who don't want updates so won't send random PM's about it.

Ashley, I haven't read your PM yet but will get to it soon. Didn't want you to think I'm ignoring you!

I'd better go work on my homework, get Lyzzie packed for camp, and feed the kids lunch -- it's all so overwhelming! I need a vacation!

 

[hellokitty86]

Lyzziesmom, so sorry to hear about your interview! I agree, its probably better that you aren't working there. Sounds like a bit of a pain!

So glad Emma passed her hearing test! Feel free to PM me about Emma's dad, I'm sorry if I said something I wasn't supposed to. Of course I care about you and your girls so I was just thinking about it!

It sounds like you are very busy! I hope Lyzzie has fun at camp!

P.S. Yes, you can blame being a procrastinator on being a Libra. That's what I do anyway.


And I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU again to Amber for helping me get my 'Ohana reservation. I didn't know we could now make ADRs online. (exciting!) For some reason the program wasn't bringing up 'Ohana for my computer and I was talking to Amber on Facebook, and she was able to pull it up on her computer. So now I have all ADRs for my trip. THANK YOU AMBER!!!

Lin, thanks for looking for me before! I have the reservation now!

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Amber- I'm sorry about your grandma. I hope she recovers and is out of there fast! It's tough seeing a grandparent in a nursing home. My grandpa was in a nursing home for 2 years until he passed away, it was very hard seeing him there when before he got really sick, he was so strong and independent.

Lyzziesmom- You sure are busy these past few days! That's great Emma passed her test! Yeah, that place might not be the best place to work. I hope Lyzzie has a great time at camp!

Ashley- Yay on getting the 'Ohana reservation! Actually I didn't take any pics! My makeup came out nice.

It must be wild animal week here on our thread, because I found a baby bird on the ground this morning! I called the SPCA and they said they would accept him and so I took him there and they said in about 4 weeks he will be released back into the wild!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Lyzziesmom, I am so sorry that you had to go through all that for the crappy job. I agree that you dodged a bullet big time!

That's great that Emma passed!

Feel free to PM me.


Ashley, no problem at all! I'm glad I was able to help.


Well, my grandmother will be going into a nursing home (more like a rehab center) for 20 days, but they said it may be less. She said that she worries about being home alone, so hopefully, this will help her and she gets better (there is a long list of issues with her).

 

[hellokitty86]

It must be wild animal week here on our thread, because I found a baby bird on the ground this morning! I called the SPCA and they said they would accept him and so I took him there and they said in about 4 weeks he will be released back into the wild!

How sweet! I'm so glad they are taking care of him! Did you get any pictures?


P.S. I just wanted to use this smiley, I've never seen it before!

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Here's a pic-

 

[hellokitty86]

Here's a pic-

How cute!!! I'm so glad you saved him. I wonder how old he was?

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Ashley- He was pretty cute for a bird! I hope he's doing well tonight. I wondered how old he was too.

Lyzziesmom- Please PM me too.

I might have a interview with JetBlue soon! I talked to someone and she said that the manager should be calling me to set up an interview! I am a little worried though, we all know how my interview with Delta turned out. But I would only have to lift 50lbs this time, not 70. I'm not sure how that will go, my luggage this weekend was only 30lbs and that was a little heavy for me. I'm a weakling! It's a seasonal position, so the longest I would be there is 9 months. I'm okay with it though, I just want to get my foot in the door.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Hi ladies! Class was interesting tonight, my instructor is new to teaching and she makes it interesting but tends to go waaay off topic - she reminds me a little bit of a new babysitter. The class is trying to convince her that everyone else gives open book tests and she is like, "Oh ok, if you say so we can try it." She goes very fast though and my hand is killing me from writing notes, I am so out of practice!

Lyzzie is all packed up and my dentist appointment was rescheduled for Thursday so hopefully I will have enough time tomorrow to get my homework done.

Nicole, that baby bird was cute. It looked very young! Do you know what kind of bird it was? What a sweet thing you did. Good luck on getting your interview.

Amber, I know it's hard to see your grandma lose her independence, but it really sounds like the nursing home/rehab center might be the best thing for her right now. At least it's only temporary and she seems to have a good attitude about it.

Ashley, have you made The Decision yet? I'm no help, I waffle on everything!

I will send a PM to you all in a day or two once things calm down and I get my thoughts straightened out. It's really not a big deal, I just know I'm pretty easy to find online and don't want to say much. It's easy to forget how public a place this is.

Hmmm I've alraedy taken my Ambien and the words are dancing so it must be bedtime.

 

[hellokitty86]

Nicole- that's great news about JetBlue! They are my favorite airline. Whenever I flew with them they had the nicest employees. They were always cheerful so maybe they are a good company to work for! Sending you pixie dust that the manager calls you.

Lyzziesmom, open book tests are a plus. I know just what you mean about your hand hurting! Whenever I would come back from summer vacation I would have the same thing!

So I felt a teensy bit left out since I haven't had any animal stories to share, so I thought I'd show you guys the lizard I saw in the backyard today. I've never seen one like it before! I've seen iguanas around and the little lizards, but nothing like this! It was huge! Here is a picture (it doesn't really do it justice!):

Nope, haven't made a decision yet! It's kind of annoying actually, because Jeremiah keeps pressuring me to just go to Disney, but I know he would enjoy Universal more. He's trying to justify it by saying it is slightly more (like $100) saying to him that's alot when its a last minute budget trip. I think he just doesn't want to ride the roller coasters by himself! And I think he just wants to do whatever would make me happier (I don't even know that answer )

I'll make a decision one of these days......

 

[lyzziesmom]

Ashley, does Universal still have the Express Pass that you can purchase as an add-on to your ticket? Have you looked into maybe buying that for a day or two and staying in a cheaper hotel? I have no idea if that would save some $$ but it's worth looking into. If you stay offsite (at either place, really - US or WDW) it can be a lot cheaper. I think Universal would be a fun break from Disney since you know you'll be back to WDW in a few months. Of course it would be hard to be so close to WDW and not go.

Funny -- we were talking in class today about how a paralegal has to play "devil's advocate" and argue for each side. I laughed because I do that with every little decision, even if it's just in my head!

 

[hellokitty86]

Ashley, does Universal still have the Express Pass that you can purchase as an add-on to your ticket?

I did look into the express ticket, but it looked to me like it was pretty expensive! I wonder if I looked at the wrong thing?

I actually got a pretty good rate for Disney- $99/night, which I thought was great for a holiday weekend! The plan with Universal would be- stay the first night at a cheap place near Universal, 2nd night at Royal Pacific to get FOTL access (plus its just fun!) It would be a pain to switch hotels. We are already going to be switching hotels alot (I think we are staying in 3 before that for Jeremiah's work trip!) I did consider staying at the cheap hotel both nights and not getting FOTL access for Universal. Just another option for me to choose from......

ETA, Just looked at Royal Pacific and they also charge $15/night to park! Just another thing to add into the budget. I wonder if it would still only be 1 day if we parked there early Saturday morning and stayed through Sunday afternoon?

Funny -- we were talking in class today about how a paralegal has to play "devil's advocate" and argue for each side. I laughed because I do that with every little decision, even if it's just in my head!

I do the same thing. Maybe I should become a paralegal!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Nicole, here's a TON of luck with JetBlu.

Lyzziesmom, glad your class went well. I know what you mean about your hand hurting. In 7th grade, my history teacher would write notes and photocopy them. He would then give them to use to write down (he never did tell us why he wouldn't just make more copies). Anyway, they were always PAGES (everyday too) and it SUCKED!

Ashley, I don't think I've seen a lizard like that. We have a ton of frogs right now. They are cute, but they hide in the laundry room (it's outside) and jump at you when you open the door. YUCK!

OK, you should go with Disney. There, the decision is made. of course, I have never been to Universal, so I can't compare it to WDW.


I made an ADR for LTT for my birthday lunch (can I say that I LOVE the booking online). Originally, I went with Tony's, but Mike thought LTT sounded better. He did say to pick whatever I wanted, but I figured since both sounded good, I would try Tony's later.