WBRepo-Ship of Thieves-Remember the Magic Pt3

[JLSE50]

Ah, Indiana Dunes State Park....had an 'experience' there on Senior 'sneak-day'

Ian, Di and I drove from Chicago to Bloomington, IN quite a few times in the 70's. Some of her college friends were still there (or BACK there after a stint in the Army) for grad school. It's a easy drive straight down I65, just takes a while.

I actually had two kittens once that I named Remington and Rensselaer after two of the 'exits' on the highway!


KAYLEE SAYS HI TO EVERYONE AND THANKS FOR THE HUGS!

We had an hour non-stop talking visit poolside at the Biltmore http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/?WT/srch=1 resort. I got to meet her mom, who is a delight and MUST cruise with us!

Today we are going to see Aida at the Herberger Theater. This is the Elton John/Tim Rice one done by Valley Youth Theater. Can't wait!

catch up with you all later!

So glad you had a good time with Kaylee

"Senior sneak day" at the Dunes--OH Jackie

We travel 421, 43 and 65. The north end of 65 is in Gary and that is too far west.

We can almost put the car on automatic pilot as over the years we have done this route so often.

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Ah, Indiana Dunes State Park....had an 'experience' there on Senior 'sneak-day'
.....

Jackie: Did any of your family or friends go to Camp Goodfellow? That is where the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center is.

Ian: Kids from Chicago and Indiana go there for environmental education.

The site used to be the camp for children of US Steel emoyees. It is now part of the National Lake Shore.

Jan

 

[Jhalkias]

Hi everyone!
Pretty soon I'm going to a nearby town to finish my scuba refresher. Today I do the pool work; last Wed. I did the course work. I hope the trip still happens! I've been checking on Fay and so far it looks like it'll be past by Wed. (the day we arrive) but who knows? We knew it was a risk when we planned this trip for August but it was the only time my friend could go. Nothing to do but wait and see...

I had a very weird thing happen yesterday. I got an automated call from "Chase credit card security" saying that there was suspected fraudulent activity on my Disney Visa (they gave the last four numbers of the account) and I should "press 1" or call back to this 800 number for further information. That totally sounded like a scam to me! So I called the number on the back of the credit card to report it. But when I called that number, it patched me straight through to the fraud division! To make a very long story short, there *had* been a couple of fraudulent charges on that card--one to Bed Bath and Beyond for $11 and one to what sounded like a gas station for $111. They're taking them off and sending me a new card with a new account number so it was all OK---but the story doesn't stop there!

An hour or so later I get another call, this time from a real person who identified himself as being from Chase fraud division saying there had been suspected fraudulent activity on a different Chase Visa that I have. Sure enough, 2 charges to....Bed Bath and Beyond! So they closed that account and are sending me a new card for that one! Very spooky!

So far, no more calls. But isn't it weird that they would notify you with an automated call? I was totally suspicious and really rattled by the whole thing.

But other than that, things are fine with me. Still glued to the Olympics, gone to a couple of movies and now will be getting ready for my trip to FL (hopefully). Hi to everyone!

We are in DC, watching the Olympics and waiting for Kim to arrive. Really enjoyed watching Torres swim - even if she did get two silvers- she did GREAT for 41!

I quoted Cherie because when we were about an hour from here, Alex calls us (he went to Windsor Ontario with some friends for the weekend). He said he had good news and bad news. The good news was that he was $40 up at playing blackjack . . . the bad news was that his wallet was stolen and he cancelled all of his credit cards.

He notified Casino security, who pulled up the video. His wallet fell out of his back pocket, and some guy walked up behind him, scooped it up, and left. He only had $40 in his wallet - but lost his credit cards, debit card, and driver's license. Thankfully, he has his passport with him.

The Casino says they recognize the guy and will try to catch him next time he comes in.

What a low life.

On the other hand, when I went to the ATM this morning to get some $$, the screen asked me if I wanted another transaction when I pulled up. The person before me left their card in the machine.

I pulled back around, got the teller, and sent the card to her to keep through the tube in case the person comes back for it.

 

[HollyTyler]

We are in DC, watching the Olympics and waiting for Kim to arrive. Really enjoyed watching Torres swim - even if she did get two silvers- she did GREAT for 41!

I quoted Cherie because when we were about an hour from here, Alex calls us (he went to Windsor Ontario with some friends for the weekend). He said he had good news and bad news. The good news was that he was $40 up at playing blackjack . . . the bad news was that his wallet was stolen and he cancelled all of his credit cards.

He notified Casino security, who pulled up the video. His wallet fell out of his back pocket, and some guy walked up behind him, scooped it up, and left. He only had $40 in his wallet - but lost his credit cards, debit card, and driver's license. Thankfully, he has his passport with him.

The Casino says they recognize the guy and will try to catch him next time he comes in.

What a low life.

On the other hand, when I went to the ATM this morning to get some $$, the screen asked me if I wanted another transaction when I pulled up. The person before me left their card in the machine.

I pulled back around, got the teller, and sent the card to her to keep through the tube in case the person comes back for it.

Wow, that's crappy about Alex's wallet and I'm glad Alex was right on top of things by cancelling his credit cards right away. You're right, what a low life the other guy was.

Good thing the person using the ATM before you had YOU next in line and not a low life like the one who nabbed Alex's wallet. Scary.

 

[HollyTyler]

Well, I'm out of here. VERY sleepy. Gonna head off to read in bed until I fall asleep.

 

[HollyTyler]

Before I go, I have to share a letter my dad sent to Tyler this week. My dad and stepmom always give the grandkids $2 when they lose a tooth. They usually make their own card, but did it a little differently this time. Here's the letter:

Dear Tyler:

Grandma and I were out shopping at the mall when we ran into the Tooth Fairy. It was lunch time, so we asked the Tooth Fairy if she would like to have lunch with us. She said, "Sure, I'm starving". We went to Red Robin. She thanked us for the lunch and reminded us that we owed Tyler some money. Have a very good day!

Love Grandpa & Grammy Bea


Cute, huh?

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

HI Cheri:

I was thinking of you and your scuba love the other day. We took Molly to do the Underwater Explorers class at the Monterey Bay Aquriam. She loved it! And was a natural with the gear. My sister excitedly told her that you can now be certified at 10 Of course then she said your mom will never let it happen

I have to say after seeing how well she did in this class I would be open to having her ask about wanting to dive. Life is too short, grab hold and enjoy

Where is your trip? My sis is planning a dive trip to the far east, she is doing part of it on her own, Cambodia and Twiwan (sp) I never remember the actual spots she goes to, but everytime she talks about them I think of you and your love of diving.

Yes, you can get certified at 10 but I can't imagine a typical 10 year-old being able to grasp the course work you have to take, especially learning how to use the dive tables (even though most everyone dives with a computer these days, you still have to know how to calculate with them). Also, as my instructor said today as we were reviewing the skills of sharing air in an emergency, "I don't know if I'd want a 10 year-old buddy if something like this happened to me!" I can't imagine Dylan being able to handle a certification class (he's 10) but he also isn't interested in it, either. I think he doesn't feel ready himself! 12 or 13 seems like an appropriate age to me. Isn't Molly 12?

Your sis is going to some beautiful places! I've never been diving in the Pacific, except for Hawaii last summer, but the far east is supposed to be fantastic! I'm going to Key Largo to dive. I've been there a few times before. The diving is good there and it's inexpensive and easy to get to (plus it's in the US). We're going to dive Thurs--Sat., then Sun. go down to Key West just for fun and stay until Wed. a.m. We'll fly home Wed. afternoon.

After getting in the gear and doing a little diving in the pool today, I'm excited! Hopefully Fay won't throw a monkey wrench into things!

 

[JLSE50]

Cheri; I'm glad the credit card situation was handled so quickly!

Hoping the trip goes without a hitch!

Jan

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

He notified Casino security, who pulled up the video. His wallet fell out of his back pocket, and some guy walked up behind him, scooped it up, and left. He only had $40 in his wallet - but lost his credit cards, debit card, and driver's license. Thankfully, he has his passport with him.

The Casino says they recognize the guy and will try to catch him next time he comes in.

What a low life.

On the other hand, when I went to the ATM this morning to get some $$, the screen asked me if I wanted another transaction when I pulled up. The person before me left their card in the machine.

I pulled back around, got the teller, and sent the card to her to keep through the tube in case the person comes back for it.

"pulled up the video"...THAT'S high-tech! I wish I could rig a video cam on myself--I've lost so much stuff recently (phone, sunglasses, garage door opener)!

Well, all I can say is "What goes around, comes around"! I had the same experience as you, John, a few years ago. I drove up and someone's card was sticking out of the slot on the ATM and I also returned it to a teller.

What a pain for Alex! At least I still have credit cards I can use for my trip. Thank goodness he didn't lose his passport.

BTW, good to "see" you!

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

I had the same thing with my Chase Disney Credit Card. I called the Fraud dept and the charges they were questioning were mine.

Sounds like someone has stolen you identity...I woul dnot play around with this...not sure what to do, but I bet someone will tell you...maybe ocntact the credit companies and see if any credit cards have been opened in your name.

Lisa, after I read your post I went to the free credit report site and got my credit report to check it (hadn't done that in a year or two). It all looked OK, but it didn't show that those Chase accounts had been closed--it still listed them as open so it obviously isn't super-current. I guess the next thing I should do is go online to my other credit cards and see if there's any weird recent charges.

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

Cheri; I'm glad the credit card situation was handled so quickly!

Hoping ixiedust: the trip goes without a hitch!

Jan

Thanks!

 

[LuvBaloo]

Good evening everybody! Its been a good day here. We got the new tile laid in the entry and put the grout on. Looks like we weren't generous enough with the grout so we'll put another coat on tomorrow. I got all the trim primed, and I'll paint it tomorrow, and by the end of tomorrow we'll have a usuable front entrance again
I also dove back into webkinz today and bought a penguin and manatee to go with my polar bear and tiger snake. Although I'm scared of snakes, so I've told the kids its really a pretzel (they think I'm crazy)

Cherie - the whole credit card thing is weird, but at least they figured it out very quickly.

Deborah - Congrats on your small lottery win! Enjoy your wine, you deserve it after your crazy week!

Deb - That's fantastic that you've gone so long without cigarettes especially considering all the stress you've gone through. Good luck with the weight loss

Holly - Isn't it cool when kids start reading! Congrats to Tyler!

Time to get go check Webkinz out. Shaelyn told me she sent me present in there, so need to see what I got

 

[JLSE50]

Today is a very good day......my uncle is home from the hospital. YEAH! What a rough month July was......mom's birthday and anniversary of her death and her baby brother, my favorite uncle, ends up in ICU. He was at a doctor's appointment and walking up a curb with a walker.....the wheel slipped on the curb and he fell flat on his back. Initially they said he only broke a rib and put him in the hospital, but then he kept fading in and out of conscisousness and they put him in ICU. He had partially collapsed lungs, kidney failure and an infection. But he's home now and he's all better today. I'm so thankful.

I'm working on weight loss now. I have started my new diet food from bistromd.com and I really like it. The food is sooooooo much better and the company seems to be better at customer service. I only get the 5 day plan with snacks and then on weekends I'm on my own to slack a little, but still keep my calorie count. I think I can do it long term if I stick to this plan. Soon I'll start back at the treadmill and ballet barre again.

I still have not smoked a cigarette since New Years Eve 2008!!!! I'm so proud of myself for keeping my committment. That's because I knew I could call Angie anytime and gain her support to keep me strong. It made all the difference in going the distance. Thank you so much Angie. I miss you and hope that you're well on your way to hitting the road and enjoying retirement.

John still smokes everyday, but not nearly as much as he smoked before we quit. He started at about 2-3 a day four months ago and I'm not sure how many he's up to now, but it's not 3 packs a day like it used to be. He doesn't smoke in front of me. He keeps saying that he knows he has to quit again, he'll do it when he's ready. He didn't have Angie as his supporter and mentor to keep him honest.

I'm so happy to be past the one year date of mom's death. It's a great relief. I was so depressed and grieving. I couldn't even get motivated to get up to hit the bathroom if I needed it. I would lay around and sleep alot and not get up. It was horrible. But like Nan says, you cry your tears and then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again. I'm back to being busy and productive again. I have a lot of issues to deal with and many dilemmas to fix. It's good to be moving forward again instead of being stuck in one place.

OOOpppppsssssss.......long post......sorry, I stored it all up I guess!

Long posts are fine. You have stored up a lot and need to share. That is what the group can be good for.

Hang in there.
One day at a time--for everything--smoking, food, decisions, grieving, etc.

Some days it is "one minute at a time"

Glod your Uncle is better Does he live nearby?

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

You did all of that stuff in one day?! Wow! I assumed it was to be over the whole weekend. What a whirlwind! But hopefully you can both relax tomorrow.

.
Home now.

We'll check the mail, get showers and hit the hay.

Church in the morning and a Cardinals game on TV in the afternoon.

BUT

It's the last day of the State Fair, so we may go there for a while. Tom's Department has a booth and he likes to stop by and thank the volunteers.

When we were there last Sat for the 2+ mile walk for Women's Heart Health with the First Lady (that's her project), the Natural Resources building was packed so we did not go there even though we wanted to.

Tom will decide--I am OK with whatever he picks.

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Well, once again, when I picked Tyler up from his dad's, stepmom was out of sight. This makes 6 times now (twice a week, so three weeks) that I haven't seen her, or have only seen her stomping out of the room when I walk in. It makes me want to laugh more and more each time! I predict one more week of the cold shoulder before snapping out of it, because that's how long it lasted the last time. Dad, on the other hand, is nicer than ever. Smiles, laughs, lots of sharing info about Tyler, etc. I'm sure stepmom is just thrilled to hear our happy conversations in the other room.

OH.....GREAT NEWS! Tyler read his first book this weekend! He has the kindergarten through 2nd grade (I think) Hooked on Phonics at his dad's house and they started working on it about 1/2 way through kindergarten. Sometimes he brings it home to work on, but I think by that time he's ready for a break from it. Anyway, for the longest time, he couldn't even name all the letters on the letter flashcards. It was just about a month ago that he started being able to identify all letters, but still couldn't tell you what sound they made until just last week (well, most letters). This week, his dad said he read the first book in the set. He first thought Tyler may have just been memorizing the words, because of how well he did the first page, then his dad saw him stumble over a few words and listened as Tyler actually told him not to help him and then he was able to sound out the word himself.

This is truly amazing how quickly he's progressed in that area this month! And his OT has been having us practice writing for 5 minutes a day (because that's the limit of his frustration level before he wants to rip up the paper). It's tricky because his hand doesn't want to do what he knows it's supposed to. His dad said Tyler practiced for A HALF HOUR today, fully focused the whole time! I almost fell on the floor! With the help he'll be getting in special ed in 1st grade, I do believe he'll get caught up to grade level by the end of the school year!

GREAT NEWS!!

Glad I kept reading and did not go get ready for bed.

WoW

Tyler!! Go get 'em!!

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

We are in DC, watching the Olympics and waiting for Kim to arrive. Really enjoyed watching Torres swim - even if she did get two silvers- she did GREAT for 41!

I quoted Cherie because when we were about an hour from here, Alex calls us (he went to Windsor Ontario with some friends for the weekend). He said he had good news and bad news. The good news was that he was $40 up at playing blackjack . . . the bad news was that his wallet was stolen and he cancelled all of his credit cards.

He notified Casino security, who pulled up the video. His wallet fell out of his back pocket, and some guy walked up behind him, scooped it up, and left. He only had $40 in his wallet - but lost his credit cards, debit card, and driver's license. Thankfully, he has his passport with him.

The Casino says they recognize the guy and will try to catch him next time he comes in.

What a low life.

On the other hand, when I went to the ATM this morning to get some $$, the screen asked me if I wanted another transaction when I pulled up. The person before me left their card in the machine.

I pulled back around, got the teller, and sent the card to her to keep through the tube in case the person comes back for it.

What a great guy you are.

What a world we would have if everyone did as you and Cheri did. Alex would have been handed his wallet and not had the hassle of canceling the cards and worrying about his license. By the time that guy is back in the casino, who knows where Alex's license will be.

(Who is Kim?)

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Before I go, I have to share a letter my dad sent to Tyler this week. My dad and stepmom always give the grandkids $2 when they lose a tooth. They usually make their own card, but did it a little differently this time. Here's the letter:

Dear Tyler:

Grandma and I were out shopping at the mall when we ran into the Tooth Fairy. It was lunch time, so we asked the Tooth Fairy if she would like to have lunch with us. She said, "Sure, I'm starving". We went to Red Robin. She thanked us for the lunch and reminded us that we owed Tyler some money. Have a very good day!

Love Grandpa & Grammy Bea


Cute, huh?

Precious! just precious!

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Good evening everybody! Its been a good day here. We got the new tile laid in the entry and put the grout on. Looks like we weren't generous enough with the grout so we'll put another coat on tomorrow. I got all the trim primed, and I'll paint it tomorrow, and by the end of tomorrow we'll have a usuable front entrance again
I also dove back into webkinz today and bought a penguin and manatee to go with my polar bear and tiger snake. Although I'm scared of snakes, so I've told the kids its really a pretzel (they think I'm crazy)

Cherie - the whole credit card thing is weird, but at least they figured it out very quickly.

Deborah - Congrats on your small lottery win! Enjoy your wine, you deserve it after your crazy week!

Deb - That's fantastic that you've gone so long without cigarettes especially considering all the stress you've gone through. Good luck with the weight loss

Holly - Isn't it cool when kids start reading! Congrats to Tyler!

Time to get go check Webkinz out. Shaelyn told me she sent me present in there, so need to see what I got

It will be so nice to have the front entry done. It sounds lovely!

Have fun with the webkinz.

Jan

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Hi Deb!! Miss you

Bethany Beach was beautiful today...You would have loved it!!
Lisa

Hi Lisa......I'm back now.......I'm so glad you had a beautiful beach day. Hopefully, I'll get to do Bethany beach every weekend too in about 3 more years. Save me a spot on the sand when we get there!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Well Deb, I usually only drink beer on Friday nights because Saturday is the only day of the week I don't have to get up early. Even if I have only one, it affects me in the morning. So I'll have a glass of diet cherry pepsi and just pretend it's something else!

It sounds good to me!