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

[DisneyGirl4188]

Lyzziesmom, I can't believe the snake. I seriously would FREAK out; there would be no containing myself.

Love the pictures of Emma!

Ashley, I love the bedroom set; they had it in white with rainbow writing too. I wanted that, but I was afraid of the dirt.

I think you are wise to go to Universal. If you still need a Disney fix, you could always drive over to DTD.



My grandmother had her surgery yesterday and it went well. They expect a full recovery, but it will take 3-6 months.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Lyzziesmom- You and Emma are brave! I would have freaked out for 30 minutes and then calmed down enough to figure out what to do with it, I'm so glad it wasn't poisonous. Cute pics of Emma! BTW, I like your blouse!

Ashley- I love that headboard! Have fun at Universal!

Amber- I'm happy the surgery went well and I hope she makes a fast recovery.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Amber, I'm so glad your grandma's surgery went well! I hope she gets great care and has a speedy recovery.

I agree that Universal is a good choice, Ashley. I'm sure it will still be crowded but hopefully nowhere near as bad as WDW.

I am working on paperwork for unemployment today, and paying bills. Blecch.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Poop. I got another virus. It's actually a fake antivirus program that somehow installed itself on my computer and keeps popping up trying to get me to buy the "full program." It looks really real and if I didn't know better I would have thought it was my updated antivirus. It looks like it'll be time-consuming to remove unless I want to shell out bucks to buy other software since my antivirus doesn't seem to be able to do it. Poop.

If you see anything called Antivirus System Pro be warned that it is FAKE!

 

[hellokitty86]

If you see anything called Antivirus System Pro be warned that it is FAKE!

That stinks!!! Thanks for the heads up!

What's everyone's plans for this weekend?

Today is my Papa's birthday, he is 65, and we are going to Outback for dinner to celebrate. I got him a gift certificate for his favorite breakfast diner, he goes there everyday. Didn't know what else to get him?

Tomorrow Jeremiah has to get a haircut and I have to get my Dad a Father's Day gift. On Sunday we are having people come over for dinner to celebrate Father's Day, not sure what we are having though.

I don't know if I told you guys- my aunt Brooke who moved to Ohio last June is moving back this week. My other aunt Melanie is flying up today and they are driving down together. I've missed her so I'm happy she is moving home! They should get in on Tuesday I think.

 

[hellokitty86]

Amber, I'm so glad your Grandma's surgery went well!! I hope she has a speedy recovery!

 

[hellokitty86]

Ashley, I love the bedroom set; they had it in white with rainbow writing too. I wanted that, but I was afraid of the dirt.

That one was my favorite- I agree about the dirt though. I have a down comforter that is white and it is dingy looking! It's too comfortable to get rid of though!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Lyzziesmom, sorry about the virus.

Ashley, that's great your aunt is moving back!

Have you thought about getting a duvet cover? It's like a pillowcase for comforters.

 

[hellokitty86]

Have you thought about getting a duvet cover? It's like a pillowcase for comforters.

We actually got a really pretty one and had it over the down comforter- but it would get bunched up and it drove me crazy! I've heard there are some kind of holders that you can buy that holds the comforter in place but I haven't seen them. It wouldn't match my new bedroom set or curtains now anyways- so its just a very expensive throw blanket now. I just make the bed with my pretty 'show' comforter now and fold up the down comforter and put it in the closet, and at night I take the pretty show comforter off and make up the bed to sleep in (because it's too comfy to part with!! And the pretty 'show' comforter is kinda scratchy!)

No idea why I just told you all of this so the short answer to your question is: Yes I have a (very pretty!) duvet, I just don't use it.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Ashley, that sounds a lot of work just to go to sleep. By the time I was done with all that folding, getting, and replacing I'd be too awake to sleep!

Ugh, this computer is driving me nuts. I guess the free antivirus programs just aren't good enough anymore. Bummer.

 

[hellokitty86]

Ashley, that sounds a lot of work just to go to sleep. By the time I was done with all that folding, getting, and replacing I'd be too awake to sleep!

Having a husband does come in handy sometimes. I just have Jeremiah do it. Seems fair enough, I make the bed every day.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Yay! I think I fixed my virus!! I ended up just buying an antivirus/anti-spyware program. It seemed like a good place to throw my money.

 

[hellokitty86]

Yay! I think I fixed my virus!! I ended up just buying an antivirus/anti-spyware program. It seemed like a good place to throw my money.

Yay!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Is everyone's weekend off to a good start?

Emma and I went to the farmer's market this morning and had a great time! It's a little cloudy out so it's not so horribly hot. I bought a bunch of flowers and a green pepper plant from a vendor who is closing his greenhouse so everything was $1-$3. Now I'm thinking I should have bought even more. I still don't know much about plants so I just buy whatever is pretty and hope it doesn't die. So far I've had pretty good luck. It's a good thing I like the "wildflower" look and not very manicured gardens because I have a huge mishmash of different things all mixed together. One of my plants that I bought at the farmer's market last year came back and -surprise!- instead of one stalk, there are about 20! That thing spread around 1/2 of the circle where my flowers are and worked its way between other plants. Good thing it's pretty! Meanwhile the ones that I expected to spread and/or come back are nowhere to be seen.

We are going to a marble factory in a few minutes. I have always wanted to go, it looks really neat. Emma is being a big snot about it and just wants to stay home and play video games. I feel like one of those parents you always see at WDW: "We're going to go and you're going to like it! Now quit your whining and have FUN!" (Of course I'm not really saying that.)

Amber, how is your grandma feeling today?

 

[lyzziesmom]

I almost forgot my good news! I can't remember how much I posted about this because it's kind of embarassing, but I had applied for food stamps last month and was denied based on income. That didn't seem right so I kept bugging the SRS office about it. The woman finally got back to me (she was on vacation) and it turns out they had averaged my wages from the temp agency as if were permanent and added the unemployment payments on top of that, which together put me way over the limit. My caseworker emailed me the other day to say she was going to put the application in again with the corrected info. Today I got the letter that I qualified!

Hopefully I won't need it for very long, but this will be a huge help especially until the unemployment payments start up, and until I can find a "real" job. It's a huge weight off my shoulders. With the huge dental bill and other bills adding up, and no real income this month, things are getting quite tight and I hate to see my how fast my savings dwindle. It will be nice to buy the kids food they actually like and put my cash towards paying off bills.

I have a feeling that the unemployment error is related to this. Both offices had trouble with the temp agency -- SRS (food stamps) said I was still employed by the temp agency so they assumed I was still working there; unemployment was notified that I quit right around the time of the SRS application. I wonder if the SRS denial triggered the temp agency to report that I didn't work there, which made unemployment think I quit? It's all so confusing, and a huge case of one hand not knowing what the other is doing. As a result, I fell through the cracks and couldn't get any of the assistance that I should have been getting.

It's bad enough to need the assistance in the first place, but then to have to fight for it is so demeaning. The good thing is that it reminds me of why I'm in school, to get a better career so I can pull myself out of this slump.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Lyzziesmom, have fun at the marble factory!

Ashley, did you book Universal?

I wanted to stay overnight at WDW for my birthday, but they don't have any specials for the 17th (they have it for dates surrounding it and I will not pay $140 to stay at a value). I'm thinking about staying the 16th, but doubt we will.

I'm still trying to figure out our plans for Sept. I've never been for free dining and am afraid I won't get the meals/times I want. I don't want to eat too late because of Spencer.


My grandmother is doing fantastic! I haven't talked to her yet, but my mom said she is in great spirits (she has been really depressed since Jan. - when this all started happening). My mom didn't know exactly what they did during surgery, but the removed something from her hip and replaced it in her neck/back. Apparently, three pieces of cartilage had dislodged and were op top of one another.

She is now able to move her hands and make a fist (had not been able to do that at all), she can raise her arms above her head (couldn't do that without being in pain), and she is already moving around better. She will be staying in the hospital and doing the PT there instead of going into a nursing home.

Thank you all for your well wishes!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Lyzziesmom, that is great news! Try not to be embarrassed or feel bad about the assistance; it's there for a reason. There are TONS of people in the same situation right now and you are doing what you can to make life better for yourself and the kids.

 

[hellokitty86]

Lyzziesmom, that's great news! And you have absolutely nothing to be embarassed about. I'm so sorry you fell through the cracks though, I can't imagine how you've been feeling. Everybody goes through hard times at some point in their lives, we've all been there. Things will start looking up for you soon- I have no doubt!!!

Amber, that is terrific news about your Grandma!!! I'm so glad she is in good spirits!! Sorry about the rooms being expensive for your birthday. I wouldn't worry too about about the ADRs, just wait & see. I've seen alot of people posting that they got everything they wanted using the online system, and I ended up getting all the seatings I've wanted too!

Dinner was fun last night. I don't know if you guys remember but we went there for my Grandparents anniversary in December, and had a horrible waiter that drove me nuts. Well we had him again last night (just my luck). He was talking SO LOUD everytime he came to the table that I started feeling bad anxiety because he would startle me!! Actually the food wasn't even very good (my steak came out RAW) but it was still alot of fun! Go figure!

Sounds like everyone wants me to make spaghetti tomorrow (remember how everyone is coming over for dinner?) I am kind of boycotting that idea though, the recipe takes FOREVER and I'm not up to it! So we are trying to think of other dinner ideas.

 

[hellokitty86]

Ashley, did you book Universal?

Nope- not yet. Not sure what I'm waiting for.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Ashley, glad dinner was fun even if the food wasn't the best.

Have you decided what to make tomorrow? What about a roast? You could put in a crockpot or roaster and then walk away; it practically makes itself. (This from the girl that does not cook ever. I want to learn, but Mike is a FANTASTIC cook, so... )


I'm trying not to worry about ADR's, but I can't help it. I guess if we can't get our first choices, we'll be trying some new places.

We went Cody's Roadhouse for dinner tonight. It was SO GOOD. It was the second time we've been and both times the food has been great! It's a place that you can throw peanuts on the floor, so if Spencer makes a mess, it's hard to tell.