TKers Take the Fifth!

[Sukie]

Hi, Its me Sukie.

I feel like I haven't talked to all of you in ages. It has been so hectic around here. My mom is glad to be out of the hospital. Taking one day at a time. Her spirits are high and she says she has "things to do". After DH and I get back from the cruise, I have another week off and mom and I are going to do some "girlie" things.

Our flight is at 3:30 and arriving in Orlando at 6:40. Leaving to go to the airport in an hour or so. We are going to go to the mall and walk around a little bit. Might do a little shopping. DH now tells me he needs a new belt. How hard is it to find "plain" chocolate brown flip-flops that are comfortable? VERY.

I have been keeping up with the posting.

The New York City meet sound great. Just let me know.

I hope that all of you will enjoy the rest of your summer.

Chat later.

 

[Shmu]

SHHHHHHHHH

I'm sneaking on here during my computer class.

Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

Any news yet?

Oops Gotta go.....

 

[BKMETV]

Hi all:

We're having another beautiful day here...the rain just seems to miss us these past few days. My cousin, wife and DD18 months arrived safe and sound so I have lots of great Scottish goodies to eat. They are off to visit my brother today since we have plans...we are headed to a Margarita cocktail on the beach.

PIKE - Sorry to hear about DH's grandma Glad to here your Grandma is home.

WENDY - Culzean Castle is one of my favourite places...they do wonderful outdoor concerts in the gardens there. Glad your having such a good time.

MARIE - Hope your puppy is doing OK...love the pic of your DD.

DL55 - Sorry to hear about your ring.

Hi everyone else...

Where is that Kitty???

 

[DL55]

whgrn Still having fun.
Sukie have fun on your cruise.

If MagiKitty does well she may not be able to tell us. I'm sure they want us to watch the show to find out.

I have to start paying more attention to the tickers. Didn't realize that we have 3 TKers going later this year.

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

Hello all you Tkers!! Haven't been posting much, LITC-let has been messing with my tummy lots this week and I haven't been feeling too well. In fact right now I am trying to choke down some hamburger helper, which apparently the baby has decided "we" no longer really care for.

Pikester-sory to hear about Dh grandma. Hope you are all doing ok.

 

[D&DDisney]

Just finished moving Mom and now MIL and FIL are talking about moving/selling too. Don't think our backs will have time to recover. Yikes!

M&N, I just noticed your ticker! Looks like we will be arriving at WDW the same day! For some reason I thought you were going later in November. So Pikester will be there 11/29-12/6 and I will be there 12/2-12/16. Could there be a possible mini TKer meet on the horizon?
D&DDisney, You are arriving on the 16th, right. We will be leaving that day. So close! We may just end up passing each other in the airport.

We are scheduled to be at WDW Dec. 15th - 18th. Arriving late on 12/15. However, I have not been able to secure any good airfare, so not sure about the times yet.

Pikester, I don't wear a wedding ring and neither does DH. In fact, his is sitting on the desk right in front of me. I haven't worn mine since I had DD6. I need to get it resized but just never got around to it. I've actually seriously thought about getting one tattooed on my finger.

Oh, and I wanted to ask you about your suggestion a while back about having a tker meet in NYC. How possible would that be for you and Sukie? I'd love to do it. I haven't been to NYC since I was a kid and I know Curt wants to go there with the kids.

Now there's an idea for a tatoo - wedding ring. However could make a divorce more complicated.
I would love a TKer meet in NYC. Maybe over a long weekend some time. Let's think about that one!

I have to start paying more attention to the tickers. Didn't realize that we have 3 TKers going later this year.

Actually, there are 6 people hoping to head back to WDW before years end. Kitty and Shmu in late Sept.
M&N, Pikester (not sure of Sukie on this one) Marie - Late Nov early Dec.
Myself in mid Dec. for birthdays - free admission and dining for DH & Myself

 

[D&DDisney]

Hi LITC !

Don't work too hard choking down that Hamburger Helper. Just give the baby what he/she wants... Chocolate???? Ice Cream??? Chinese food maybe???

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

Hey D&D, I am actually thinking about going out in a little bit here for a hot fudge sundae!!! Not sure if baby is craving that or not, but I think I will enjoy it! LOL

 

[whgrn]

Well heck, I am ALL for a NYC meet! When are we talking about? Probably shouldn't be in the winter. I would say either fall or spring is best, and since lots of folks have WDW plans for fall, i vote for the Spring! March? April? May? Gives us all something to look forward to!

I ate haggis for dinner tonite and LOVED it. It was mixed with potatoes and that made it less peppery, which was always my problem with haggis in the past. my dad will be SO impressed!

The bathroom in my room here has HEATED floors!! That is gonna feel sooooo good when i get out of the shower in the AM!

Today's trip report to follow...

 

[whgrn]

Saturday August 1 Glasgow to Loch Lomond

After finally finishing the laundry around 11 pm, and with various items of clothing hanging from doorknobs, chairs, and cabinets to dry (since the dryer was useless), I actually got a decent nights sleep, waking around 8 to another decent day. I folded my laundry, at breakfast, and packed, with plenty of time to go exploring before I had to head out to the airport.

I caught the sightseeing bus just a couple blocks from the hotel. The driver, AJ, was very friendly. He saw my Johnston pin and proudly informed me that he is from Johnstone! He told me some things about the town, but I could barely understand a word he said. The tour was great--there is so much interesting architecture in Glasgow, and the guide, Claire, pointed out many places of interest. I took tons of pictures. At one point, we had to change buses, because the ticket machine on our bus had stopped working. Never a dull moment!

Following the tour, I stopped at the Post Office to get postcard stamps, and then headed to M&S to get lunch. I enjoyed my sandwich and lemonade while sitting out on the pedestrian mall. Then I returned to the hotel and picked up my suitcase, called a taxi, and it was off to the airport. I was due to meet the group at 2:30, and I got there at 1, so I had plenty of time to read.

About 2:00 I got up to walk around and stretch my legs, and noticed some people sitting there who had the same green luggage tags that I have. I had found my tour group! The 2 couples who were there were very nice--Frank and Keets are from Washington state, and Dick and Jennifer are from Mississippi. Jennifer has a Scotland folder too!! She says she learned about trip planning from going to Disney!

We drove out to the hotel, which is right on Loch Lomond. It is a huge, beautiful place, and looks like a castle (even more so than the castle I stayed at Thursday night). But it is not. It is a Baronial Manor House. Whatever, it is just gorgeous! As we pulled up we saw that there was a wedding party gathering for photos. They lined up all the guys, about 30 or 40 of them, on the steps for a photo, in their kilts! Their was one wee lad, about 4 years old, wearing a wee kilt and he was just so cute! A slightly older boy, maybe 8 or 9, was apparently wearing his grandfather’s kilt, which is 50 years old! It made a great picture, and Jennifer and I were there snapping away along with the wedding photographer.

After checking in, I went in search of my room. It is all the way down at the end of a very long and winding corridor. The room is huge and very nice. I unpacked what I need for the next 2 days, and then went down to meet the tour director, Karen, who is from Seattle. At 6:15 we all assembled in the lobby, and went out on the front steps for a group photo. Then there was a reception where we were all given name tags, unfortunately just for tonite. I will never remember all the names of everyone!

Dinner was at 7 in a private dining room. There are 40 of us on this tour, plus Karen, so I guess we warrant a separate area. Having been told that Monday night’s dinner will be salmon, I opted instead for the chicken tonite. It came with some sort of turnip thing, which I didn’t even taste, and a potato and haggis croquette, which I LOVED! The potato cut down the peppery flavor of the haggis and it really was delicious. Dessert was some sort of mousse-like thing that looked like a pretty little package. It tasted as good as it looked!

A lot of people in the group just arrived today, and are quite tired from the travel and the time change. I am glad I had a week to adjust before having to do the tour--we have to be up early tomorrow for breakfast at 7:00!!

 

[Pikester]

Good evening my TKer friends!

I am right this moment drinking a wonderful concoction know as a Ruby Relaxer. Man are my legs tinglely! (Is tinglely even a word?) Who cares! I'm feeling really good right now.

Sukie just checked in from her hotel in Orlando. They are spending one night and then taking a shuttle back to the airport to catch the cruise line shuttle. I think she said that they had to be there for around 11am tomorrow. She is suppose to call me from the ship before they leave port. Now that she is gone I can let everyone in on a secret.....I ordered my Mom and Dad a "Romance Package" for their trip. It includes a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries in their room on depature day, breakfast in bed one morning during their cruise, a tray of canapes one evening before dinner and a tray of petite fours after dinner and a silver framed 8"x10" keepsake portrait. I hope they like it!
Happy 35th Anniversay Mom and Dad! I love you! (Official anniversary was on June 29th)

Wendy, sounds like you are still having a great time! Too cool that you found a Disney person. Does she know about the DIS?

A spring NY trip sounds like fun! I asked DH if he cared if I went and he was like "I don't care if you go to NY. But, why would you take a bus(we have a bus company that goes from a town near us directly to NYC) when you could just drive. Driving would be faster." Me, drive? Yah right!

LITC: In honor of you having an ice cream I had a twist with chocolate jimmies(sprinkles) in a cone. It was very yummy!

D&D: Sukie is not going with us to Disney this time. We decided to do just our family of four this year since we have never done that before. Sukie does have plans to go back to WDW sometime though and bring my Dad along.

 

[BKMETV]

Hey Pike are you still here?

Not much new here. Had a great time at the Margarita party then back into town for the weekly Pipeband parade. Unfortunately the late nights have finally gotten to DD she is wailing away in her room...can't even reason with her so I'll left her to cry herself to sleep. Anyone want a daughter, she's going VERY cheap!!

 

[DL55]

I guess it would be easier to ask who is NOT going to Disney this year.
BKMETV I hope DD fell asleep quickly.

whgrn Funny to meet another Disney planner on your tour.
Pikester What a nice surprise for Sukie. I'm sure they will enjoy it.

 

[whgrn]

Pikester I LOVE what you did for Sukie and your dad! They will be so surprised. You are a good daughter!

Had a great day today. The 2 highlights were 1) talking to DD at camp, she is still having a blast. She went to the prom, wore her dress, and even danced! The world is coming to an end!! and 2) driving along the road we saw 2 cows mating!! Never saw that before, it was quite interesting.

Daily trip report on its way!!

Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty! Where's our Kitty?????

 

[whgrn]

Sunday August 2 Loch Lomond

I had a nice breakfast with a lively group--George, his mom, and his aunt. They were great fun. George’s wife had stayed in the room as she sprained her ankle the day they arrived, and was resting it. She is getting around pretty well with a cane, but doesn’t want to overdo it. They were telling me that they took her to the ER, and when George asked about paying the bill, they told him it was free, even to visitors! A nice perk of socialized medicine, I guess, but it seems unfair that the Scottish taxpayers should have to foot the bill for medical care for an American.

On the bus, I found that I have a double seat all to myself. Good and bag--good because I have lots of room, bad because I don’t have anyone there to talk to! But I did ok, chatting with the people in front and behind me, and across the aisle. Karen gave us a bunch of info about Scotland. I already knew a lot of it (I am up on my Scottish history!), but I did learn some interesting things. For instance, Scotland has a population of 5.1 million people, and 11.1 million sheep. (guess the Johnston’s have really reformed from our sheep-stealing days!). Glasgow is farther north than either Juneau, Alaska or Moscow. The Highlands get up to 150 inches of rain a year!

Our first stop was Stirling Castle, built in the 15th century. Having learned the history of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, and the battles of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn (both of which we won!), it was cool to see the place where it all happened. The castle was awesome! The great hall, which we were able to go into, and even take pictures, was just amazing. Huge and beautiful, with stained glass windows and 5 fireplaces! The views were just breathtaking, and I even had my picture taken sitting on a ledge overlooking the countryside below the castle.

From there we traveled to the Glenturret Distillery, where they make single malt whiskey and also some that is part of Famous Grouse Whiskey. It was really interesting seeing how whiskey is made. The place was much smaller than I imagined it would be, and it smelled heavenly! We had lunch in the restaurant there, complete with a tasting of 5 different kinds of whiskey made there. I passed on that part, but lunch was fabulous. The best salmon I think I ever ate, and for dessert there was strawberry syllabub, which was berries, whiskey infused cream, and crumbled meringue. It was out of this world!

After lunch we drove through the Trossachs. It is beautiful countryside, and there were lots of sheep and cows. We actually saw 2 cows making a baby cow! It was quite a sight! We arrived back at Loch Lomond, and took a boat trip around the Loch. We were able to see our hotel from the Loch, as well as several manor houses. I was glad I had brought my “weather bag”, with a sweater and my trench coat. I needed them both, along with my jacket! We were blessed with a mostly sunny day of about 65 degrees, but it got chilly out on the water.

We returned to the hotel around 6 and I went for a short walk. I actually found a cell phone signal (as Mom and Tracey know firsthand!), which has been hard to come by up here. I went up to the room to relax a bit and change for dinner, and then went down to the Cameron Grill to meet Dick and Jennifer for dinner. The meal was outstanding. We all ordered the starter of a goat cheese and bean ravioli (just one), and the rack of lamb. The ravioli was divine, and the lamb was just perfect. For dessert I went for a rhubarb dish that was a thick cream, stewed rhubarb, and then a crisp, granola type topping. Yummo! The great food was complimented by the wonderful company--they are just so nice. Jennifer was wearing black slacks and a black top, with a fancy scarf thingy. She said it is her only dinner outfit--she just has several different scarves. What a GREAT travel idea! I will have to remember it for my next trip.

 

[M&N]

Hello all. such a hot, wet, and humid weekend! I hope Racer didn't get flash flooded away...her area was in the warning!
I got hot at Hershey Park today and I didn't do anything but stand in line over an hour to get into the Bowser's Rock'N Roll Party. It was really good. Of course Bowser sings some---plus Sam the Sham (Wooly Bully and Little Red Riding Hood), Johnny Tillotson (Poetry in Motion--cannot think of others), The lead singer from the Shirelles (Will you still love me tomorrow, Tonight's the night, Soldier Boy) plus a 14yr old boy who sings doo wop songs. The show lasted over 2 hrs. I called Mom when Little Red Riding Hood was on---I loved that song!

sukie's just a cruisin along! Hope we get a trip report! Not all the 'details' are necessary!

Glad LITC-let is learning all the ways to enjoy chocolate! Ice cream is milk!

Here Kitty---Here Kitty! Just let us know that you made it safely home...and when the show's going to be on!

Glad our touring is going great. Has anyone on the tour met our flat selves yet?

My Orlando dates are 12/2-12/16. I really can't say when I'll be at a park except for the Candlelight Processional-hopefully on dec 3. My friend's very upset that we can't get reservations yet...it has to go with the 90 day out too! I'm tied to their schedule. He works at the outlet store so we do things when he has off. I'm sure I'll get to all but AK but don't know what days. Has any dates been coordinated yet with those who will be there? Maybe I can just take the dates you will be in a park and if I get to one that day I can call you? We'll figure something out when plans are more definite I hope.

I don't know if I got everything so I'll just give out an all around HI!!!

 

[racetrack18kb]

Evening everyone! It's been wonderful having Curt home for the past few days.

We ended up skipping going to the race which was good since it was rained out anyway. We ended up going to the local amusement park on Saturday night. DS, it turns out that his mom bought tickets to take him to see pro-wrestling so he got to do something that he likes anyway. But back to our lovely evening at the amusement park. Though we only live about 10 minutes from it, we hardly ever go. It's fairly cheap but that's not the problem. It is filled with rude and obnoxious people. NO parental supervision at all. DD6 and I almost got knocked over by teens carrying their friends around to throw them in the wave pool. While the employees watched them do it. Nice...

So we give up over there and head over the section of the park with the regular rides. Figured DD13 could take the little ones on some rides while Curt and I relaxed and watched them have fun. So DD13 gets in line to take the other girls on the scrambler. Yeah, the classic amusement park ride the scrambler. They are on the ride and the employees are doing the final safetly lap bar check. Next thing we know, the girls are getting off the ride. Apparently, DD13 isn't old enough to take the others on the ride. DD8 could have ridden by herself according to their signs and DD6 needed a responsible rider. No age listed on the ride sign at all. Just responsible. So the girls had to get off. So what should have been a nice relaxing night of us watching the girls have some fun, turned out way different. We won't be going back there anytime soon.

LITC, during my last pregnancy, I lived off of ice cream for a while. It was one of the only things I could keep down. And I found that foods that I always loved, made me sicker than anything. I couldn't even look at them. It will pass and it's all worth it in the end.

Ev, a margarita party sounds nice. I sure could go for one right about now.

Wendy, I was just saying that a spring meet would work for us. We had been hoping to move before them but things are moving slower than we hope with Curt's company. For us, the earlier in spring would be better. More of a chance that we will still be here.

Pikester, all I can say is YOU ROCK!!! That is such a wonderful surprise for Sukie and your dad. We are thinking of taking a cruise in 2011 which would be the year of our 10th anniversary. Maybe I'll have to hit you up for some ideas.

 

[M&N]

Bummer about the rides. I don't think it matters at Hershey...they just have to be the right height. I guess that'a what you get for cheap!

The price at Disney did go up. My friend is upset because of the 90 day out to make ressies for the Candlelight processional. We're going to eat in Germany again. It was good there.

I'm going to Reading to the Vanity Fair outlets so I guess I'll miss the race tomorrow. Do you know what time it'll start?

 

[racetrack18kb]

The race is suppose to start at 12. I don't know if we'll be home either. Might put our armor on and head down to Musikfest.

Actually, when I talked to the "ride manager", I brought up about Hershey. He gave the the song and dance that Hershey can do what they want since they are the only Hershey Park.

 

[M&N]

Does DH have off tomorrow too?
I don't get the guy's answer? Isn't that the only park there?
The show today was packed. I didn't go back to coasters but there did seem to be a lot of people there...a lot left when I did too.