TKers Take the Fifth!

[pepperw23]

Hi all. Sorry I have been away. Graduation week is always kind crazy. But I now have two high school graduates! It was really bitter sweet. My Mom got a little misty because my Dad was not there, but she did good, I was proud of her.

I guess you all heard I missed Racerchicky! Remember how excited I was all week? We went to Busch Gardens on Saturday and on the way home our car overheated...no biggie, I was going to put it in the shop...AGAIN and take DD's car. Well, I get a phone call from her around 11:00 and she was broke down!!! I wish I were kidding. I was really upset both about the cars and not getting to go down to meet up with Racerchicky. I am sure we will meet up eventually though.

Racer- I'm glad you guys liked the beach. It is a pretty laid back area. Not as much as it used to be, but it is still pretty calm compared to most places.

Livin- You look great in the pic with DH!!! You display that belly with pride.

The weather has been crazy. Kinda chilly now there is a real bad storm going on. I guess I better go break out the flashlights. We get some doozy's around here!

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

Nope, actually I was up toooooo late last night. I should make up for it tonight, but I still have lots to finish so it isn't look to good!

OK, it's a rock! Now I get it. I thought it was a dust cloud,

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

Hey Pepper! How are you. Sorry you missed your "date" to meet a TKer, I know how exciting that meeting can be!

And thanks for the compliment, that is so sweet.

Especially since TWO of my coworkers made comments about my size this week. They better watch. I wont be big and waddling forever!!!

 

[racetrack18kb]

Hey Pepper! How are you. Sorry you missed your "date" to meet a TKer, I know how exciting that meeting can be!

And thanks for the compliment, that is so sweet.

Especially since TWO of my coworkers made comments about my size this week. They better watch. I wont be big and waddling forever!!!

They better be very careful even right now. Pregnancy hormones can be wicked. Just ask my DH.

Hey pepper!!!! Our check engine light just came on tonight. I'm dreading taking it to the shop.

DH is going around telling everyone how clean and beautiful the beach is down there. The girls were disappointed that they couldn't hunt for seashells but then I reminded them that they could run around without stepping on anything sharp like the beaches back home. Hushed them right up.

 

[pepperw23]

Hey Pepper! How are you. Sorry you missed your "date" to meet a TKer, I know how exciting that meeting can be!

And thanks for the compliment, that is so sweet.

Especially since TWO of my coworkers made comments about my size this week. They better watch. I wont be big and waddling forever!!!

I would ignore the coworker comments. Remember, people make comments like that for one reason...to boost their own self esteem. You are beautiful so ya just gotta tell them to go to....oh wait, I forgot...family message board.

 

[pepperw23]

They better be very careful even right now. Pregnancy hormones can be wicked. Just ask my DH.

Hey pepper!!!! Our check engine light just came on tonight. I'm dreading taking it to the shop.

DH is going around telling everyone how clean and beautiful the beach is down there. The girls were disappointed that they couldn't hunt for seashells but then I reminded them that they could run around without stepping on anything sharp like the beaches back home. Hushed them right up.

It is clean because the "fun cops" don't' allow anything on the beach.

Next time you are down let me know and I will send you to the best spots for shells. They are not great ones, but they are shells at least.

 

[racetrack18kb]

Getting back to my mini trip report....

Our first night in Orlando, we went to the Nascar Sports Grill for dinner. The end of the race was on almost every tv there so it was perfect.

They had Dale Jr's car outside....boo, hiss!!!!

We also ate at Bubba Gump's. Very good but also very expensive. Of course, it didn't help that everyone had to get some pretty drink in a light up glass.

That's DS standing next to the giant basketball player outside of the NBA restaurant.

There was also a Hard Rock Cafe that we only got a chance to glance in.

All in all, City Walk was very nice. I really liked the fact that they plenty of stores that sold merchandise other than Universal things. I liked the variety of things there along with the variety of restaurants. DD13 even bought a dress and she wore it. Looked great too.

It wasn't very crowded compared to DTD. We were able to walk around without people constantly bumping into us. And when we did have dinner down there, there was no wait for a table. Even at normal dinner times.

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

I should just shoot something back like, well I am pregnant, what's your excuse?

 

[whgrn]

My Baby Sister Is Home!!!!!!!!

I am so darned excited! It was so wonderful to see her and the girls tonite. We had a nice dinner with Mom and Dad and just hung out awhile. We will go back down tomorrow as soon as the kids finish school at 12:30, and then Saturday everyone is coming here.

D&D I am soooo sorry about the job! I hate when things go that way--you get all psyched for something and then it falls apart on you.

Racetrack, you are so bad! You had me going there! Your RV sounds like a great compromise between camping and a hotel! Can't wait to check it out.

M&N I have to go to the eyedoctor tomorrow too--at 8:10 am. UGH. No sleeping in for me. So it is off to bed I go...

Pepper, LITC and Pikester!!

 

[racetrack18kb]

I'll take the "fun cops" over what we have found on the beaches here.

LITC, everytime you are "snarky", you can blame on the hormones. Really, that was my excuse for everything. Now it's just pms hormones but it doesn't work as well.

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

It's funny-you know how people like to use old wives tales to tell the sex of the baby, well one lady said--it's probably not a girl as you haven't been acting crazy!

 

[racetrack18kb]

I never heard that one before but it sure explains a lot with my pregnancies.

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

LOL, see it wasn't your fault at all!

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

As much as I dont want to I think I better sign off. My body is achy today from the extra weight. Think I am going to try and get a little extra rest.

 

[racetrack18kb]

Wendy, I'll add a few to Sis being home. I hope you all have a wonderful time while she is here.

 

[racetrack18kb]

Night LITC. Get some rest, the baby needs a healthy and well-rested mommy.

Catch ya later!!!!

 

[racetrack18kb]

Monday and Wednesday, we went to Universal Studios. It was our favorite of the 2 parks. Revenge of the Mummy was the only ride that the little ones couldn't go on. We did kid swap for that one and it was very easy. Easier than most of Disney child swaps.

On Monday, we were able to tour the entire park, ride everything but skipped all the shows. We left around 4pm to head back to the hotel. Since we didn't get there until after 9:30 am, I think that was a pretty good day. The front of the line access given with the hotels just cannot be beat. In fact, we got spoiled and even when the line said a 15 minute wait, we thought that was too long. Having FOTL really gave a chance to take out time and really enjoy the park.

The Simpson's Ride was really cool. We rode it a few times over the 2 days and it was just as fun the first time as the last.

DD and DS after the Simpson's ride.

The only ride that the little ones really did not like was Jaws. They did not like the shark and the fire was just too hot for them. Did get a nice pic of DS with the giant shark outside of the ride.

We got to meet Spongebob after the Jimmy Neutron ride. Universal's 3D and motion simulator rides are far better than Disney's.

And when Spongebob isn't there, you can still take your picture in Bikini Bottom.

On our second day at that park, we went to revisit some of the favorite rides. Men In Black is incredible. It really became a competition to see who could get the best score.

The Universal Horror Make-up Show was not what I expected it to be. I figured it would be kinda scary for DD7 since everything scares her. But she loved it. It was very, very funny with some adult humor thrown in.

DD6 with her favorite horror movie character

Most of our afternoon was spent in the Curious George Goes To Town section. It was like a waterpark for the kids. And in the back was a section where kids could shoot those little plastic balls (like from the ball pits) at each other. They didn't shoot hard so it was ok. Anyways, I swear my kids would have spent all day in this section if we let. And to make even easier to spend great deals of time there, they had giant misting fans set up around all the seating there for the parents.

It really is a nice park. And it was just so uncrowded that sometimes it felt like we were one of the only ones there.

 

[D&DDisney]

Wow! Had some big storms roll through here last night. Power was off all evening until 5am. At one point we heard the sirens and had to wake the kids to go down to the basement. Luckily, no damage or issues except the loss of power. Now the skies are threatening again and may have some more roll through later this afternoon. Thank goodness I just bought a bunch of batteries and we have the ol camping lantern.

Well, I have an update about going camping. I've decided to cancel our reservations for the campsite. You see, the more I think about it, the more I realized I just am not the camping type of person. I really, really tried to to convince myself that it would be ok but I can't.
Sorry everyone especially you D&D.
Now, for the rest of the news. We are still going camping but I was able to reserve a RV Park Trailer-unit. It sleeps 2 adults and 4 children. Has a kitchenette, grill, picnic table, extra chairs outside on the deck, ac, tv w/cable, and the very most important thing.....a bathroom and shower. I may have to make DH leave work early on Saturday just so we can enjoy more time at our luxurious accommodations.

I just couldn't resist.
Ok, sorry M&N.
It's the same campground. I just don't know how I missed that option before or I would have rented one of them in first place.

Wimp!!!
I'm a little confused though. Are you still at KOA? Don't recall seeing those as an option. It is very hard to rough it and stay in a tent. Guess that's why we're doing the cabin w/ AC and electric. Don't mind walking to the bathrooms/showers.

D&D: Keep those resumes flowing. Did they cut back the hours or just tell you incorrectly? Maybe they'll get more kids who need those services. My school district had no openings for anything next year---I guess maternity leaves but nothing even in maintenance. No one retired or quit.

They might be getting a grant for their program, but I can't rely on that. Private schools rarely get grants here. They told me it would be 2 days per week at first and I told her what my expectations were. Also said we could negotiate a fair rate (aka...I'd settle for a little less not a few thousand dollars less.) Now my job doesn't bring in big bucks for my family, but it is part of our salary non-the-less. We've cut costs/expenses to the bare bones already and there isn't much left to cut.
Plus, I dont' think they'd do this to other professionals. For instance, you hire a contractor to do work and use his/her talents for a job. You know the cost up front. Then, decide that you don't have enough money to pay the contractor, so you give him/her lesss. But, still want the same quality of work and expertise. That contractor would tell you to go jump in the lake.
I'm trying hard not to be petty about this but don't think I am being unreasonable to expect a FAIR wage.

Especially since TWO of my coworkers made comments about my size this week. They better watch. I wont be big and waddling forever!!!

You tell them girl! Tell them..."After 9 months I won't be big any more, but you'll still be stupid."

Pepper - sorry you didn't meet up with Racetrack. What a streak of bad luck.
Our van was having very similar issues. Broke down on many of our vacations and was beginning to make some very strange noises. Decided we couldn't risk it any longer and continue to sink money into this vehicle.

 

[D&DDisney]

okay...I just went back to the campground's website and see those "luxury units" you speak of.
Guess we know which site will be hosting the party.

 

[DL55]

Hey Pepper! How are you. Sorry you missed your "date" to meet a TKer, I know how exciting that meeting can be!

And thanks for the compliment, that is so sweet.

Especially since TWO of my coworkers made comments about my size this week. They better watch. I wont be big and waddling forever!!!

Some people talk before their brain is in gear. If it makes you feel any better, I was so large that my Dr did an ultrasound to check how many were in there (only 1).
pepperw23 Too bad you missed racetrack, but glad you still had a good time.

racetrack18kb love the TR..Now I'm thinking we'll have to go to US again next time.