The Unofficial Chatterbox Thread! Everyone is Welcome!

[XTinabell]

yeah Palm Desert is a long way off, bummer to be "close" but not close enough.

Though I wonder if there is an Amtrak that runs thru there and connect with the metrolink commuter train into Anaheim? Taking the bus from the train station to DL gate is easy peasy, just follow the cast members coming into work.

The Amtrak would be cheaper than flying, the metrolink is reasonable and allows for free transfer to bus.

------------------------
Hmmm $40 Amtrak : Palm Springs to LA Union Station to Anaheim...

but it takes 5hrs total

Depart 5 am, arrive Union station at 8:40 am (1 hr layover at Union Station in LA, which you could cut down by transfer to metrolink instead), arrive Anaheim at 10 AM

Would you have a day or two free to allow for travel?

Well dh said that he doesn't care how far it is we'll make it work I have no idea how, he thinks we'll take a week off and just go to disney and then to palm desert. I think he forgets I'll probably be in school at that time. Oh well, hopefully it will work out somehow or I'll just have to take multiple trips.

Going through a bit of a hard time right now. I think most of you know from my PM's and facebook.

As everyone else said, it will get better. Hang in there.

Yay Bernice!! Way to go!!! We have been walking around the park since it has been so nice lately.. Monday Frelan drove the Van around to meet us at the playground.. I had Vinny in the backpack carrier, Jazzy and Kaylee in the stroller. YIKES! I about died with all that extra weight!

Well... I met the boyfriend. Yuck. He is a drunk old man. I talked to my sister about him, and she got the same impression I did. Thank goodness it wasnt just me. We both got the feeling that A. he is just after my mom for her money.. B. he is trying to keep her from spending time with us. He kept pushing her to leave while they were here.. He did the same thing over at my sisters house. Worries me. But how do I say something to my mom without her freaking out?? I dont know. I think I just need to step back from the situation. I am getting pretty angry with my mom though. She had promised to help me out with some stuff before the trip.. Now she is to busy. Busy??? She has no idea what I am dealing with!! I am BUSY! She was like.. I know you can handle everything.. You always do, and do it well. I guess I have the ability to just take care of everyone without betting an eye, or breaking a sweat. I mean... Im glad she has the faith in me I guess... But I really could use some help!!

Ooh that's not good that you both got a bad impression about the boyfriend. Hopefully the relationship won't last and you won't worry for long.

 

[funnygarcia]

Well... I met the boyfriend. Yuck.

Eww, bummer. Something to consider...If it were you dating a person of this nature, would she say something to you? I know it's all sorts of weirdness to talk to family about relationships. I guess a "wait and see" approach? But yeah, odd and alarming.

Well, this one girl i know who recently turned trainer asked me to mentor her to become a new lead. I agreed and i started to talk to her.

Turns out, she was one of the original Freedom Writers from the actually class. I was surprised...

if you dont know Freedom Writers, watch the movie!!!

Off to look that up, I think it's cool that you are a mentor.

Well dh said that he doesn't care how far it is we'll make it work I have no idea how, he thinks we'll take a week off and just go to disney and then to palm desert. I think he forgets I'll probably be in school at that time. Oh well, hopefully it will work out somehow or I'll just have to take multiple trips..

Yeah! Hope it works out for you and your school schedule!!

 

[funnygarcia]

Went shopping with my sis and I kinda drooled over stuff at Old Navy. I didn't realize they do have my size in store (plus sizes are online only), I think I will have to roam the store on my own with the next big coupon. I did pick up LEGO Rock Band for xbox360, they had them 50% off and I used the 30% friends and family coupon... got it for $15 with tax, it's $30 for used at Game Stop. The boys happily played it when I got home.

E had his monthly appt, we brought up a question about something we noticed about a setting on the machine.. turned into a long conversation between the dialysis nurse, the nephrologist and E debating the significance of what we have experienced and adds another "hmm, that's weird" to ask the company. Kinda made my head spin. Yet it was cool to discuss the finer points of how exactly our machine works, to be part of the discussion vs "just do it this way because that is what is in your care plan".

E's work buddy is getting married soon, I have a dress but might return and buy something else. I need shoes, I hate shopping for shoes. I love looking at shoes, but I hate trying them on and the hunt to find comfy, affordable, pretty shoes makes me wanna have a tantrum in the aisles.

The bachelor party is this weekend, it's an all day - all night affair. But no strippers... hey now?? Can you even have a bachelor party without one? There has to be some unwritten man law regarding the necessity of half dressed women at bachelor party, right??

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Just sharing a pic I found that I took from our trip last month. I thought it was kinda funny. Still need to sort through more pics.

 

[funnygarcia]

E feels really glad that he won't be teaching full time next year, they just found out today that despite what the principal had previously believed... the school is being "fresh started" due to not meeting AYP for three years in a row.

This means the school could be closed, moving students to another school (doubtful as they just moved a bunch of school boundaries and closed a few schools to consolidate population).

School will close and be re-opened as a charter school (turned over to another company outside of district)..all new staff. Doubtful since charter schools are going thru a major overhaul in our state legislature and economy wise.. no one is opening a new school right now.

Principal and 50% of staff will be removed, new principal will handpick employees. Removed staff will have to reapply to be employed in district.

sooooooooooooooooo, yeah... good time to scoot out the door.
They have a meeting next week on the details, E wants to step up and say "I don't care what you do, but do I still get my .2 position next year?" smart aleck!

I feel bad for the teachers who will be wondering "what now???"
Landing a teaching position is very difficult in our area, we have an abundance of teachers in the metro area due to the number of colleges with quality teacher prep programs.

Rural schools are always looking for teachers, but not many want to relocate. Can't blame them, we wouldn't want to live in a small town or in the middle of no-where of cold and snow. Umm, no thanks!

 

[staley7580]

Eww, bummer. Something to consider...If it were you dating a person of this nature, would she say something to you? I know it's all sorts of weirdness to talk to family about relationships. I guess a "wait and see" approach? But yeah, odd and alarming.

She absolutely would say something. She would be horrid and mean about it.. Because thats how she is. I have dated some first rate losers, and she is always the first to point it out. I get that she is lonely.. But the guy has no job, she pays for everything.. He drinks ALL the time. He has filled her head with all these stories that I am almost 100% sure are lies. He is just slimy..



Thats crazy about E's school. I didnt know they could just shut down a school like that.

 

[funnygarcia]

Thats crazy about E's school. I didnt know they could just shut down a school like that.

It's part of not meeting No Child Left Behind testing. They are year 5 of not meeting AYP (adequate yearly progress) , I think I stated it wrong before... this is the final step where the district must do reorganization.

They "fresh started" two schools in the neighborhood just two years ago, the district closed several schools and more of the kids with the most special ed needs, most social stigma (poverty, homeless, mobile, race, single parent, etc) dumped into this school..... but no extra help given. In fact, there was concern from staff that the testing was misinterpreted by the district, comparing test scores to another school that is no where near the same demographic / student profile.

"fresh start" makes the district look good on paper, but doesn't solve the problem. Those schools that last were "fresh start" (fire half the team and principal, hand pick hire with new principal) have made some gains, but they too did not meet AYP.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

GOOD MORNING! HAPPY MONDAY!

DBF and I went camping this weekend. We just got an RV about 2 weeks ago (it's older-a 1999 31 foot Class A) and this was our first outing in it.

We got a free weekend stay at 1000 Trails as well as a $50 gift card for Camping World. All we had to do was listen to the 90 minute presentation which was actually only about 45 minutes becasue we let the lady know right away that we weren't planning on buying a membership that day.

We might actually buy into it later in the year when DBF goes back to work because it sounded lke a good deal. We would be able to stay for free at over 300 different 1000 Trails campgrounds with full hook-ups any day of the year.

I am used to tent camping so all weekend I kept telling DBF, "This isn't camping". It was nice having a microwave, stove, oven, TV, DVD player... I made DBF watch the movie RV (with Robin Williams) the first night we got there so he could see what not to do since this was the first time for either of us in an RV.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

I just wanted to share these pictures of my kitty Pearl. She was getting so matted and Petsmart wanted $75 to give her a lion cut so DBF and I tried to do it our selves. We did OK for the first time shaving a cat. At least all the mats are gone.

Before:

After:

And just because I like showing off my kitty's here is a picture of the brat cat AKA Diamond:

 

[funnygarcia]

Pearl looks pissed off, "I can't believe they did this to me!" and a bit embarrassed.
You are very brave, my cat won't even let me brush her out without getting into a tizzy with teeth and claws. Good thing she is a short hair.

That's so cool to have an RV, time for a road trip!
The movie was total silly slapstick, very fitting on the "how not to"

We tent camped at San Clemente, but they have some beautiful spots up to the cliff edge overlooking the ocean that are made for RV. A little chilly this time of year, but the park wouldn't be as crowded. I loved hearing the ocean waves crashing over and over as the tide changed in the middle of the night.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Pearl looks pissed off, "I can't believe they did this to me!" and a bit embarrassed.
You are very brave, my cat won't even let me brush her out without getting into a tizzy with teeth and claws. Good thing she is a short hair.

That's so cool to have an RV, time for a road trip!
The movie was total silly slapstick, very fitting on the "how not to"

We tent camped at San Clemente, but they have some beautiful spots up to the cliff edge overlooking the ocean that are made for RV. A little chilly this time of year, but the park wouldn't be as crowded. I loved hearing the ocean waves crashing over and over as the tide changed in the middle of the night.

Pearl went to Petsmart for a bath and brush and to get her underside shaved once before and the lady said she was fine with the clippers but didn't like the blow dryer (she bit the groomer when she tried to blow dry her ) She was very calm when we shaved her. I just held her head and petted her and DBF did the shaving.

Now Diamond on the other had won't even let us brush her with out a fight. Luckly her hair doesn't get matted at all.

We had fun camping. Mostly retired people, "full-timers" who just go from RV park to RV park. We met a few people who were there because they lost their house but actually said they enjoy the RV life, less cleaning, water and electricity paid for, a pool, spa and fitness room to use. I told DBF I could live like that.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

If any of you want to go on the 2011 Ladies Trip the dates are March 3-7, 2011!

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Hello,

I went to DL and DCA over the weekend and just park hopped. It was a spur of the moment trip for myself but my little sister asked me to join her. My little sister was there since Friday evening with her friend. Her friend was celebrating her b-day and invited her to stay at the GCH. They got early entry into the park on Saturday and they kept text messaging the whole weekend asking me questions. They did get to eat at Blue Bayou which is cool.

I did meet up with them yesterday and dropped my little sister off at home yesterday evening. We were walking towards the Hollywood Backlot to draw at Animation Academy when we saw a familiar person at an ODVC near the entrance of DCA. It was Albort! We stopped and said hi to him and then took off to go draw. We drew Jack Skellington. I must say that my Jack looked better than the first time I drew him but I still didn't like it and tossed the drawing in the recycle bin. My little sister draws very well and she was just showing off her art skills.

We did browse some stores and we were in the new shop on Main St (the one that sells Disney Couture and BTW Sarah- they sell Dooney and Bourke disney bags but only had 2 styles).

While in the shop, we were watching a CM do a water color sketch of Tinkerbell. My little sister loves art and was chatting with her for a bit. She asked the CM questions about the type of pain she was using and what style of sketching/painting she was doing. The CM was really friendly and nice. She said that for their watches, they take a watercolor sketch that they make and scan it and have it printed small so that it fits as a watch face. Interesting....never knew that.


I saw an adorable Disney Dooney and Bourke bag in that store but I can't afford it right now. It's the blue Mickey bag in the below pic I found. It's $175 plus tax!! I don't think my AP discount would take much off that price but it's just too much right now. It was really cute. Here are the purses I saw in the store (they only had these two) :

I'm happy to say that I was able to satisfy my long craving I had for a dole whip float! FYI- the CM wouldn't let us wait in the line that is inside the Tiki Room unless we were watching the show. He kicked a lot of people out and asked that we wait in the line that is in front of the dole whip stand. We waited in a bit of a long line but at least we got it and at least they had cherries.

I traded pins with two CM's....trying to remember what I got. I got a CM pin of Princess Aurora that says: "I get the point..." and I also got a CM pin of a silhouette of Tinkerbell.

I showed my sister's friend the "secret bathroom" and also Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I also showed them the Sleeping Beauty walkthrough. They didn't know that was there.

I think this trip helped cheer me up a bit and it was nice. I'm still going through a rough patch but I hope to oversome it soon. I'm trying to think of that phrase from Meet the Robinsons- "Keep Moving Forward" and trying to tell myself that I will be happier. You guys have been a great support group. I was told that it's normal the way I'm feeling and that the storm will pass. I just need time and it's not easy to just forget about it after 12 years.

I talked to Shawna- she did call me back when I was in DCA. She was leaving soon so I didn't get a chance to see her. It was nice to chat with her though for a bit. She got AP's again so hopefully I will get to hang with her next time she's at the park.

 

[funnygarcia]

We met a few people who were there because they lost their house but actually said they enjoy the RV life, less cleaning, water and electricity paid for, a pool, spa and fitness room to use. I told DBF I could live like that.

That's sad, but also kinda cool if you don't have little kids.
There is an older man that goes in his RV with his NxStage machine (same as E uses at home) visits dialysis centers all over the US to show others how easy it is to do home hemo. He posts videos on YouTube and even has his grandkids along in the summer. I think that is just so cool! But the thought of us driving one of those behemoths makes me feel anxious. Some are just as big as a semi. Now if we had a driver.... I would totally love it!

I think this trip helped cheer me up a bit and it was nice. I'm still going through a rough patch but I hope to overcome it soon.

I talked to Shawna- she did call me back when I was in DCA. She was leaving soon so I didn't get a chance to see her. It was nice to chat with her though for a bit. She got AP's again so hopefully I will get to hang with her next time she's at the park.

I'm glad things are a little better for you.. small steps over time right?
Cool, I hope you can meet up with Shawna sometime in the next year!

We hope to take the Mega bus to Chicago sometime this summer if they have the super cheap seats like they have done in the past. Museum touring is the plan, our MN Science Museum membership works at other museums too. Cheap trip!

We plan to give up our car in the next month. We technically can't afford it, our budget is soooooo pinched. We have good public transportation and can do zip car if we need a vehicle for those few times we would be beyond the bus lines.
And yes, I know how this sounds like such a weird thing to do.. but I also feel it's the right thing for ourselves and the "green" thing to do too.
I wish we could move to one of the areas with very frequent service (every 5 to 10 minutes weekdays until 2 am, Sunday service every half hour), but we hesitate because that would mean giving up the really good school district.
Justin needs to finish at his current school, Noah could care less where he is at this point (I think he feels a little overwhelmed with the size of the high school). I guess we will see how it goes next school year, if Noah ends up struggling through we do have options. Smaller school, virtual computer based, or charter school - opens up opportunity to move to more urban area.

 

[XTinabell]

Hello,

I went to DL and DCA over the weekend and just park hopped. It was a spur of the moment trip for myself but my little sister asked me to join her. My little sister was there since Friday evening with her friend. Her friend was celebrating her b-day and invited her to stay at the GCH. They got early entry into the park on Saturday and they kept text messaging the whole weekend asking me questions. They did get to eat at Blue Bayou which is cool.

I did meet up with them yesterday and dropped my little sister off at home yesterday evening. We were walking towards the Hollywood Backlot to draw at Animation Academy when we saw a familiar person at an ODVC near the entrance of DCA. It was Albort! We stopped and said hi to him and then took off to go draw. We drew Jack Skellington. I must say that my Jack looked better than the first time I drew him but I still didn't like it and tossed the drawing in the recycle bin. My little sister draws very well and she was just showing off her art skills.

We did browse some stores and we were in the new shop on Main St (the one that sells Disney Couture and BTW Sarah- they sell Dooney and Bourke disney bags but only had 2 styles).

While in the shop, we were watching a CM do a water color sketch of Tinkerbell. My little sister loves art and was chatting with her for a bit. She asked the CM questions about the type of pain she was using and what style of sketching/painting she was doing. The CM was really friendly and nice. She said that for their watches, they take a watercolor sketch that they make and scan it and have it printed small so that it fits as a watch face. Interesting....never knew that.


I saw an adorable Disney Dooney and Bourke bag in that store but I can't afford it right now. It's the blue Mickey bag in the below pic I found. It's $175 plus tax!! I don't think my AP discount would take much off that price but it's just too much right now. It was really cute. Here are the purses I saw in the store (they only had these two) :

I'm happy to say that I was able to satisfy my long craving I had for a dole whip float! FYI- the CM wouldn't let us wait in the line that is inside the Tiki Room unless we were watching the show. He kicked a lot of people out and asked that we wait in the line that is in front of the dole whip stand. We waited in a bit of a long line but at least we got it and at least they had cherries.

I traded pins with two CM's....trying to remember what I got. I got a CM pin of Princess Aurora that says: "I get the point..." and I also got a CM pin of a silhouette of Tinkerbell.

I showed my sister's friend the "secret bathroom" and also Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I also showed them the Sleeping Beauty walkthrough. They didn't know that was there.

I think this trip helped cheer me up a bit and it was nice. I'm still going through a rough patch but I hope to oversome it soon. I'm trying to think of that phrase from Meet the Robinsons- "Keep Moving Forward" and trying to tell myself that I will be happier. You guys have been a great support group. I was told that it's normal the way I'm feeling and that the storm will pass. I just need time and it's not easy to just forget about it after 12 years.

I talked to Shawna- she did call me back when I was in DCA. She was leaving soon so I didn't get a chance to see her. It was nice to chat with her though for a bit. She got AP's again so hopefully I will get to hang with her next time she's at the park.

Sounds like you had a great time! And yes it's so normal to feel the way you do and just keep moving forward you'll get to a much happier place.

 

[XTinabell]

Family drama!

My baby sister moved out last year and my mom is having a heck of a time letting her be an adult. She phones her every day to tell things like "brush your teeth, make your bed, get a job." Then she phones me and my other sister and tells us to call the little one and ask her the same questions.

Anyway, now my baby sister wants to take a year off school. She did one year of computer stuff only to find out it's not for her and now she's not sure what she wants, so she's thinking of taking a year off to work and think. I think that's a great idea.
My sister is a little immature probably because of the way my mom treats her so I think a year off might be good for her. My mom completely disagrees and says my sister CAN'T take a year off because it will promote laziness. Of course me and my other sister got dragged in the middle of this, I told my baby sister that she needs to be grown up about this and tell my mother that it's not her business anymore. But we'll see what happens I guess. I really can't imagine my mom rolling over and letting baby sister get her way.

I just wish I knew how to fix this.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

That's sad, but also kinda cool if you don't have little kids.
There is an older man that goes in his RV with his NxStage machine (same as E uses at home) visits dialysis centers all over the US to show others how easy it is to do home hemo. He posts videos on YouTube and even has his grandkids along in the summer. I think that is just so cool! But the thought of us driving one of those behemoths makes me feel anxious. Some are just as big as a semi. Now if we had a driver.... I would totally love it!

I told DBF I didn't want to learn to drive the RV.

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Family drama!

My baby sister moved out last year and my mom is having a heck of a time letting her be an adult. She phones her every day to tell things like "brush your teeth, make your bed, get a job." Then she phones me and my other sister and tells us to call the little one and ask her the same questions.

Anyway, now my baby sister wants to take a year off school. She did one year of computer stuff only to find out it's not for her and now she's not sure what she wants, so she's thinking of taking a year off to work and think. I think that's a great idea.
My sister is a little immature probably because of the way my mom treats her so I think a year off might be good for her. My mom completely disagrees and says my sister CAN'T take a year off because it will promote laziness. Of course me and my other sister got dragged in the middle of this, I told my baby sister that she needs to be grown up about this and tell my mother that it's not her business anymore. But we'll see what happens I guess. I really can't imagine my mom rolling over and letting baby sister get her way.

I just wish I knew how to fix this.

Aww...I'm sorry you got brought into the middle of that. I think your mom is still envisioning your sister as a small child because she is the youngest. She is probably having a hard time letting go and will always see her as a "baby." It sounds like because your mom is having a hard time letting go and is therefore becoming very smothering.

My grandma treats me like a little kid and it absolutely drives me crazy. I seriously want to scream sometimes. I have told her nicely on several occassions that I am not a little child and she needs to stop treating me like one but she still thinks I'm a little kid and it's really annoying.

 

[staley7580]

Ugh.. That sucks for everyone involved! My mom still tries to tell me what to do. Guess what?? Im married with four kids! I can handle myself thank you very much. I put the smack down though, and told my mom she needs to keep her mouth shut.


Pix... you are doing good. Of course it will take time.. But you are being strong, and doing what is best for yourself. Take care of YOU!!

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Pix... you are doing good. Of course it will take time.. But you are being strong, and doing what is best for yourself. Take care of YOU!!

Thanks Staley : I am getting better each day and I know I was told that I am a lot stronger than I was last summer. There is a part of me that is scared but at the same time which is worse...staying and being miserable or actually getting out of a bad situation and being happy? I'd rather choose happiness and the well-being of myself than being stuck and unhappy for the rest of my life. It's just not worth it.