Who here is not in the "clique" like me?

[DznyFan]

I fully concur with LindaKMonty on the cruising - it is awesome! We've only done 2, both Disney, but I am hooked. Definitely, positively try cruising.

YourMajesty - what great pictures - cute pair of boys you've got!
Pozey - Glad to hear the birthday party was good - with the exception of the bathroom incident. Ughhhhhh especially with the heat.

I can't believe what my thermometer in my car is reading - I think it reads a little high, but when I leave at 5:00 it is reading 111-113. of course that is right next to the highway and in the middle of all that construction and asphalt, so I shouldn't be surprised.

Originally Posted by ForTheLoveofDisney
By the way, what kind of work do my fellow Cliqueless Cliquers do? Just curious. Am I nosey or what?

I'm an admin assistant to a commercial property manager for a property management firm. (He leases, I do everything else regarding our office buildings/strip centers). Woohoo, isn't that exciting?

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

You didn't say what you did April.

I'm a stay at home wife. I always thought I wanted to be a wife and mother. That's it. Just a wife and a mom. But after 5 years of going from doctor to doctor because we weren't conceiving and about excruciating pain that I had during the month and EXTREMELY excruciating, doubling over, sometimes throwing up from the pain, pain I had during my periods AND being told it was in my head, every woman has some pain during their periods (trust me this wasn't some pain) and even being advised to go to a sex therapist because I complained of pain during intercourse I was FINALLY-FINALLY diagnosed with endometriosis. There are 4 stages to endo which gets progressively worse and by the time I had a doctor say it's endo and he did the laprascopic surgery to prove it he discovered that I had stage 3 endo (but he said it was more like 3.5). This is also why I had never been able to conceive and why I was in such TERRIBLE pain.

I just recently had surgery (8 weeks ago) again for my endo and I had to have my left tube and ovary removed. He did, however, give me a 65-70% chance of conceiving so we shall see.

Anyway (why do I always get so long winded?) as I said I always wanted to be a wife and a mother but here I am almost 9 years later and still no babies. We did try the adoption route and that went horribly wrong.
We're not ready to revisit that again! But, I'm trying to find out what my Plan B is. I never had one, you see. So, I'm thinking I want to go back to school for Industrial Engineering. But for the time being I am a stay at home wife or as I like to call it, Domestic Engineer.
I am the in-house accountant, chef, interior designer, curator of our memories in pictures (I like to scrapbook), party coordinator, travel agent and tour guide. . . you get the idea.

 

[lindakmonty]

April...I'm so sorry to hear the trauma you've been going through!!! I can't imagine how hard it must be. I miscarried a few times and had a rough spot trying to conceive but 18 months and I was able to conceive w/ds5. He is such a blessing in my life. I told my dh I would like to be a surrogate and he thinks I'm crazy. I couldn't just give that baby away...I told him he's wrong. There are couples that want a child so badly and knowing what my ds has brought into my life.... being able to make that possible for someone... would truly be priceless...ok, I've got to stop or I'm gonna have tears rolling down my cheeks at work AGAIN!!!! Here is a piece of heaven you can imagine you're laying in that hammock letting the nice warm breeze blow over you and you can see the Disney Magic docked beside you....

 

[Cyndirella]

Hi everyone!

April - So you are sharing your day with a doxie? Aren't they so sweet and funny?

Linda - You are really making me want to go on a cruise with that picture!!

 

[lyzziesmom]

The cruise sounds wonderful. I don't know if I could tho, I am very afraid of water and dark. I am afraid I would never be able to go on deck at night. I would freak about being surrounded by the dark. Does anyone else have this problem or am I the only crazy one?

You're not crazy, I too am afraid of water. I can't even go near aquariums! The tunnel in the Living Seas, to me, should be called Living Hell. It scares me to death! And yet.... I love cruising. There is so much to do that you never really have to even look outside. I have never been on DCL (it's on my wish list!) but have been on Carnival a couple of times, and I kept myself busy doing activities that were not on deck. I'm fine with being on deck while the ship is in port, since I feel safer, but surrounded by nothing but water .... aaaaaack! I'm not afraid of the dark though, but I imagine you could handle that the same way, just stay inside when it's dark out.

My job: In addition to being a single mom, with all the household duties associated with being both mom and "dad" to my girls, I am the Receptionist/HR Coordinator at a software company that produces & supports software for realtors. You'd think that would give me an "in" for finding a house, but NO! We don't deal with local customers.

 

[lindakmonty]

Ok, let me see if I can do this....password is: disney
Linda's cruise pictures

You woudn't have to worry about the dark, it is lit well enough to get around. It is as close to heaven I've ever felt! I can't describe enough how awesome it truly is....Ok lets all go on a cruise now

At DTD after the cruise...

I have a ton more...but it takes awhile to download them...

 

[hellokitty86]

Hey everyone!

Nothing new here to report. Like I said, DH had to work at home yesterday because of the stupid car. It still isn't working, but his co-worker was in Canada visiting family and he came back so he is giving DH rides to work. They had previously talked about car pooling but this guys wife got sick and then he went to Canada so they haven't yet. DH is excited about using the car pool lane since the traffic is so bad!!

I have to ask your guys opinion about something:

DH relocated from Florida for this job. It is a very small company, (there are about 15 people total in the company) but it is a publicly traded company, they have stock and everything.. Everybody makes so much more money than he does!! His best friend recommended him for the job, because his family owns the company. There is probably no other way he would've gotten it because he is so young and just got out of college (He's 25/26 in December.)

Anyway, ofcourse the bestfriend is making mega-more money than him, because he is the boss's son. Thats ok but EVERYBODY is making ALOT more money than him. I'm talking, they (everybody) have 2 jaguars and we have a '96 broken stupid ford explorer. There is a very nice, older man that has kind of "adopted" my husband and he is the financial controller of the company. Well he has told the boss several times DH needs a raise and NOBODY is getting one without him (DH) getting one first. (there are 2 small company's but DH works for the other one, so this man only has control of his own company-its confusing) but he tells everybody that they can't get a raise until DH does. Anyway, this man was kind of lecturing my husband today, saying he needs to tell them he nees to take a stand and stick up for himself, he NEEDS a raise basically to live, that his car is broken, he's worked there for two years, etc. but my husband is really not like that and he is scared to talk to his boss.

ANYWAY- Do you think he could email the boss about asking for the raise, or would that be unprofessional? What do you think he should say if he has a meeting with him? He told me today, he is scared the guy will just point out the wrong things he does and say he doesn't deserve one, or hes afraid the guy will tell him, "If your so unhappy, find another job" and he doesnt want that..any advice??

Honestly, I hate this company and would like nothing more then to move back home to Florida! But he wouldn't get as high paying down there anyway-the pay in Florida sucks. (And the housing is the same price, so that wouldn't work out!)

Sorry this is long, I just want some advice for my husband because he feels really depressed that he isn't "providing" for us properly. I don't want him to feel that way! And he really feels like he is getting taken advantage of.

Thank you if your still reading this!!

 

[MI mom of 3]

Ashely,
I feel so bad for your husband. I wouldn't email the boss, I don't think that would look too good. I know it's hard, I am a complete card-carrying coward when it comes to things like this but he really needs to handle this in person. Make an appointment so it is completely professional and just calmly lay it out. Have him explain what he does for the company and that he would like to know when he can expect a raise. It can't hurt. Just be calm and professional.

What kind of relationship does he have with the boss? 2 years is too long to go without a raise. Oh, do they have yearly evaluations? That is when my DH gets his raise. He is also a boss and does a lot of evals. It is very rare for his employees not to get at least a little raise.

Good luck.

 

[hellokitty86]

Thanks for your reply Michele.

He actually did get a small (about 2,000) raise when he switched to the second company. That was in June 2005. He is very nervous, he really wants to send an email but I don't think thats a good idea.

 

[cakesnjammom]

I am new to all this SO no clique here!

Are we a clique yet!

 

[pozey]

Linda - Great pictures. I love looking at other people's vacation photos.

Hey everyone!

Nothing new here to report. Like I said, DH had to work at home yesterday because of the stupid car. It still isn't working, but his co-worker was in Canada visiting family and he came back so he is giving DH rides to work. They had previously talked about car pooling but this guys wife got sick and then he went to Canada so they haven't yet. DH is excited about using the car pool lane since the traffic is so bad!!

I have to ask your guys opinion about something:

DH relocated from Florida for this job. It is a very small company, (there are about 15 people total in the company) but it is a publicly traded company, they have stock and everything.. Everybody makes so much more money than he does!! His best friend recommended him for the job, because his family owns the company. There is probably no other way he would've gotten it because he is so young and just got out of college (He's 25/26 in December.)

Anyway, ofcourse the bestfriend is making mega-more money than him, because he is the boss's son. Thats ok but EVERYBODY is making ALOT more money than him. I'm talking, they (everybody) have 2 jaguars and we have a '96 broken stupid ford explorer. There is a very nice, older man that has kind of "adopted" my husband and he is the financial controller of the company. Well he has told the boss several times DH needs a raise and NOBODY is getting one without him (DH) getting one first. (there are 2 small company's but DH works for the other one, so this man only has control of his own company-its confusing) but he tells everybody that they can't get a raise until DH does. Anyway, this man was kind of lecturing my husband today, saying he needs to tell them he nees to take a stand and stick up for himself, he NEEDS a raise basically to live, that his car is broken, he's worked there for two years, etc. but my husband is really not like that and he is scared to talk to his boss.

ANYWAY- Do you think he could email the boss about asking for the raise, or would that be unprofessional? What do you think he should say if he has a meeting with him? He told me today, he is scared the guy will just point out the wrong things he does and say he doesn't deserve one, or hes afraid the guy will tell him, "If your so unhappy, find another job" and he doesnt want that..any advice??

Honestly, I hate this company and would like nothing more then to move back home to Florida! But he wouldn't get as high paying down there anyway-the pay in Florida sucks. (And the housing is the same price, so that wouldn't work out!)

Sorry this is long, I just want some advice for my husband because he feels really depressed that he isn't "providing" for us properly. I don't want him to feel that way! And he really feels like he is getting taken advantage of.

Thank you if your still reading this!!

Regarding the "proper" way to ask for a raise. You can find various sources on-line regarding the subject, but I will give you my 2 cents....

Please tell your DH to DO NOT ask for a raise via e-mail. That would really not be the best way to go about it.

Here is what I would do. First, have him make a list detailing his job responsibilities. Have him make a list of how his contributions to the company make him an asset to the company. It's all about the bottom line. Have him make this list of his contributions, and all the other things he does for the company. Then, tell him to ask the boss for a face-to-face meeting. Tell your DH to tell his boss how much he loves working for the company (true or not), and how he would love to continue working for the company, however, he feels his salary does not reflect his value to the company. Have your DH have his list ready. Tell the boss that you feel that a ___% (insert desired increase) in salary is in line with his contributions to the company. Don't make demands like I have to have x amount of money or I will quit. Just make it known that you feel your contributions to the company are worth more than the current salary.

Hope this helps.

 

[lindakmonty]

Ashley...I wish I had some great advise for you.... other than what you already know.... definitely not an email... but to sit down and talk professionally about it w/his boss. I really hope for the best for you guys. I am the same way though....I've been here almost 8 years...and most of the people here have been here as long and longer...do you know how many raises we've gotten in the past 8 years???? ONE....Yes... ONE! Our company has been bought out a few times and they say we're all over paid as it is and we're never getting raises!!! How crappy is that???? That is why I'm wanting to cut down and go to nursing school. I would really like to be a nurse practitioner. It'll take awhile but I won't have people holding me back like here. It is really hard to find another job making what I make...w/o any college degree or something... wish him luck for us!! I would do the same here but our boss is a real JERK!!! Our HR people have been called on him several times!!

DH's buddies have offered to get me a job where they work... one is a VP at Chase bank...and the other is the pilot ... but when I do think about it..I think about how comfortable I am here...I know I can be on the DIS almost as much as I want... I can call off whenever I want, work from home sometimes... if I'm late b/c traffic its no big deal, if I need to leave b/c ds or something....they just don't care. We do get away w/a lot... uhhhh decisions decisions!!

ETA: thanks Pozey...glad you liked them !! I'm adding to it but it takes forever!

welcome cakesnjammom!!!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Ashely, I agree that your DH definitely needs to talk to his boss in person. His boss can not fire him for asking for a raise. He just needs to be sure that he can back up the reasons for his request. It is unprofessional to request a raise due to personal reasons, expenses, etc. However, it is completely reasonable to ask for a raise due to the increase in cost of living and of course merit-based. go on salary.com and look up his job in your area, it will tell you what the average salary should be based on level of experience. This is what we use at my job when we are determining the salary for new positions. Print this out and have him bring it in to his boss. You didn't mention what kind of work he does, but if he is in a customer-facing position, have him bring positive testimonials from customers and/or coworkers about the quality of his work. Make sure he keeps copies of everything. And most of all, make sure he has a positive attitude. If he goes in there knowing he deserves a raise, he will project that confidence and easily be able to convince his boss that he deserves the raise.

Good luck!

 

[DznyFan]

MI Mom ~ Funny story, I think you might be able to relate. My DH has a fear of open water and of bridges. He will go out in a lake on a boat, but will NOT get into a lake. Large bridges are very difficult for him. After about 5 years of persuasion, he finally agreed to go on a cruise. We took a 3 night Disney cruise back in early December of 2004. We figured 3 nights was a good place to start #1, to see if he could handle it, and #2, to see if we liked it. DH fell in love with cruising! It took him a day or two before he would go to the rail and look over, and we even had a verandah room! When we found our stateroom, I immediately went out on the verandah, out to the rail and looked over. He came to the door, tried to grab me, and yelled "what are you doing?? You'll fall in!". Nah. After a couple days he was completely comfortable with being in the open water. The last cruise we took was in late May 4 nights, and we really, really want to take a 7 night. He was perfectly fine on this cruise.

The moral of the story: I haven't known anyone with bigger water issues than my DH. I will admit - it is black out there at night. Not ON the deck, per se, just around the ship. Some of the best "spiritual" experiences I've had though, have been on that boat. And no, they were not alcohol induced. *giggle* For first time unsure cruisers: start out with a 3 night, to see if you like it or not! If it's not for you, there's plenty of places to go on the ship where you won't see the water, and you won't even realize you're on the ship!

Linda, when I looked at that shot of the ship from the beach at Castaway Cay, I immediately wanted to be THERE, not where I'm at today. *sigh....*

Ashley, At least all your supporters are on the same page - your DH definitely needs to do this in person. Pozey and Lyzziesmom have great ideas for how to present it to the boss. It's never easy to do something like this, so I'll pass along some job for him.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

I just found out that my grandma has breast cancer. So tonight could you please say a prayer for her?

Thank you.

 

[lindakmonty]

I just found out that my grandma has breast cancer. So tonight could you please say a prayer for her?

Thank you.

I'm so sorry to hear that Nicole!!! I'll pray for her now!!

 

[MI mom of 3]

MI Mom ~ Funny story, I think you might be able to relate. My DH has a fear of open water and of bridges. He will go out in a lake on a boat, but will NOT get into a lake. Large bridges are very difficult for him. After about 5 years of persuasion, he finally agreed to go on a cruise. We took a 3 night Disney cruise back in early December of 2004. We figured 3 nights was a good place to start #1, to see if he could handle it, and #2, to see if we liked it. DH fell in love with cruising! It took him a day or two before he would go to the rail and look over, and we even had a verandah room! When we found our stateroom, I immediately went out on the verandah, out to the rail and looked over. He came to the door, tried to grab me, and yelled "what are you doing?? You'll fall in!". Nah. After a couple days he was completely comfortable with being in the open water. The last cruise we took was in late May 4 nights, and we really, really want to take a 7 night. He was perfectly fine on this cruise.

The moral of the story: I haven't known anyone with bigger water issues than my DH. I will admit - it is black out there at night. Not ON the deck, per se, just around the ship. Some of the best "spiritual" experiences I've had though, have been on that boat. And no, they were not alcohol induced. *giggle* For first time unsure cruisers: start out with a 3 night, to see if you like it or not! If it's not for you, there's plenty of places to go on the ship where you won't see the water, and you won't even realize you're on the ship!

Linda, when I looked at that shot of the ship from the beach at Castaway Cay, I immediately wanted to be THERE, not where I'm at today. *sigh....*

Ashley, At least all your supporters are on the same page - your DH definitely needs to do this in person. Pozey and Lyzziesmom have great ideas for how to present it to the boss. It's never easy to do something like this, so I'll pass along some job for him.

I totally get your DH's fears. I would be fine on deck or where ever at night, it is looking out at the black emptyness of the sea that would freak me out!

We were driving one Christmas looking at lights. We were on this road by the river. I was fine as long as there were houses on that side but suddenly there was a park. I looked over and could see nothing!! completely black. I literally tried to climb to the other side of the car to get further away
DH thought I was having a fit, well actually I was!

I would love to try the Disney Cruise someday.

Tinkerbell_girl...I am so sorry. Your grandma and your family will be in my prayers.

 

[DonnaLeah]

I just found out that my grandma has breast cancer. So tonight could you please say a prayer for her?

Thank you.

Tinkerbell Girl,a prayer have just been said for your grandma. So sorry to hear this, you'll be in my thoughts!!

 

[DonnaLeah]

I am somewhat concerned about one of our cliqueless friends. St. Louis was hit by a terrible storm last night. Almost 500,000 people are without power and is not expected to be restored for 3 to 5 days. Our fellow cliqueless friend 2xcited2slp lives in that area and has not posted for a couple of days. I have pm'd her, but if she is without power will not be able to respond. A couple of you have missed her as well, so thought that perhaps I should mention this.2excited2slp: sending you a prayer and a message to get back on here and let us know that your ok!!!

April: A dissertation of my job is on pg60 post#892!!!

 

[DonnaLeah]

Dolphinrescuegirl!!

Happy Birthday !!!