xjwsforChrist

Feel I have to share my EuroDisney experience here lol. It will make you all feel braver...

Into the 'Honey I shrunk the kids' 3D cinema we went, glasses on. Film starts and man (from film) appears inches from my nose which freaks me out, so I decide to move chairs to avoid the experience, but no, he's still there. On the screen it's becoming evident that mice are going to be fed into a special machine and they're going to be running around our feet soon (special effects). I start really panicking and kicking off, pleading with my 7 year old to leave with me in case it gave her nightmares. She wouldn't come cos she was loving it, so off I ran to find the exit. There I was banging on the doors to be let out and warning them I would be having a heart attack lol.

Outside, still shaking, I wandered into a store trying to look nonchalant til an assistant stopped me to suggest remove the 3D specs?

I was then too afraid to go on any ride for the rest of the holiday! It gave the rest of the family a good giggle though, and I never lived it down!

Loz x

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

Lol... at all of your funny ride stories ; )

I love rides, and the thrill. I can't do them anymore, unfortunately. I get sick now (vertigo), and it does suck because I have always loved them, going on anything. I did manage to go on all the rides at the various parks in Cali with the boys last year. I'm just not a big fan of the ferris wheel, as I am not a big fan of being that high (slowly), in a rickety little cart thing. But roller coasters and drops of doom and such... love them. I did go on one scary one with my son a couple summers ago, and at one point, I DID pray "God please don't let me come flying out of this thing to my death, even though I have NO right to ask since I'm the one who got on this thing in the first place."

That was the new highest roller coaster ever built (in the world I think), at Canada's Wonderland, in Toronto.




I am going to be very scarce for the next few days. I just wanted to let everyone know. We rented one of those bin things to totally clean out the house, old furniture, etc, etc. So I'm also declutterizing each room as we go. And I am NOT a hoarder, if I have not seen or used something (unless it is paperwork or something) in more than a year... gone. I tend not to be able to do this in front of the rest of the family, because they will be all.... "no, we NEED that..." LOL.




Peace,
tammy

Mornin'... peace to you ALL... and man, can I identify with what you've shared! LOLOL! Since your comments are all "fun"... and it's FRIDAY...



Yep, that was the one, dear Zoe (peace, luv)!!! It's not the height so much as the "feeling" of "falling." I had problems with that from a small child. The swings were NOT my "thing" - I much preferred the... not sure what you call them, "merry-go-round" thing-ies... where you run to push it 'round, then jump on? I can SPIN... forever! But fall? Nope!



Yep, I avoid that one, too! Dear hubby, though, almost lost HIS cookies (and maybe his life!) when he went with grandson on a ride at Knott's Berry Farm some years ago. I left him and grandson in one line while I took grandaughter on a more "kiddie" ride. When I came back they were in another line and I thought, "What the hey?! Does he know what ride he's about to get on??" I found out (that the answer was NO!) when the ride was over and he came "reeling" up to me... eyeglasses awry... looking VERY "gray"... and sweating profusely!! I seriously thought the man was having a heart attack! Scared the BEEJEEZUS outta me! I made him sit... for close to an hour... I was SO afraid for him. No, he didn't realize which ride it was and by the time he did... he was about 6 stories in the air! He lost his phone and money (which were in his pocket).



Okaaay, dear 'Mom (mornin' and peace to you, girl!)??? Another "Papa and grandson" story: took grandson ice skating. Papa gets in the skate rental line, then looks at me and asks "Aren't you gonna skate?" My response: H*LL, no! I hadn;t skated in years... there were kids zippin' around all over the place... and so there was NO way I was gonna take a chance on falling and breaking somethin'! I just couldn't risk it (the pain, the long healing time, complications due to diabetes, and time off work?? Oh, no!). "Papa" just shrugged, paid for his skates, "strapped" those puppies on... and off he went with grandson, around the rink. Once. One turn and he came and sat down with me and began untying his skates.

"Aren't you going again?" I asked.

"Ummmm... no," he responded. "You're right; I can't afford to fall and break something!"

LOLOLOLOL! So we just sat and let grandson enjoy himself... and enjoy himself he did! Shoot, let HIM break somethin' - HIS butt will heal and quickly. We couldn't afford all that would'a come with that!



Sorry, but the VISION had me ROTFL, dear, dear Loz!!! (Peace, luv... and mornin' to you, too!) - LOLOLOLOL! Not your panic ('cause I understand "amusement park panic", girl!)... but first you bangin' on the doors to get out, then wandering "nonchalant" with those 3D goggles on!! LOLOLOL! Oh, my! We (older folks) CAN make a... wait for it... absolute SPECTACLE of ourselves, can't we... when experiencing "amusement park panic"??!! LOLOLOL!



Ewwww... yeah, I bet that sucks, dear tec (mornin', chica... peace!)



LOLOLOLOL! Reminds me of what he told me to help me get over my fear of flying last year when I was on my way to NYC - I was like, "Please, Lord, don't let the plane crash"... or something like that, when HE said. something to the effect of:

"You're on an airplane, child, not an amusement park ride. Do you think they're going to, what, land the plane somewhere so you can get off? The plane won't stop until it gets to its destination. Until then... you're on it. So, you might as well relax. Once you get on... and you're STILL on when it takes OFF... there's nothing you can do. Panicking won't change it or make you feel better. So, if you decide to be ON a plane when it takes off, you may as well calm down and try to enjoy the experience. Especially since you will need to take airplanes from time to time."

I was like, "Well... yeah! Duh!"... because he was right: they certainly weren't gonna go, "Hey, there's a lady in seat 28B who's changed her mind! Let's land and let her off!" LOLOLOL! I have not experienced FOF since. Not even during pretty heavy turbulence (either we're gonna come through... or we're not... and if not, really, what can I do about that?!). And so, it was WONDERFUL when we went to Ethiopia - imagine, 17+ hours of FOF... TWICE??!! I'm am SURE he finally stepped in and said what he WHEN he did: BECAUSE of my pending trip 6 months later! LOLOL!



Oooh! GOOD idea, girl! I actually need to get off MY butt and hold a "yard/garage" sale. Unfortunately, our garage is in the BACK of the house... with a tiny "driveway"... and I just don't WANT to haul stuff around the corner to the front lawn. I know, I know... excuses. We really need to pack it all up (stuff we have from our retail store) and take it to a flea market. I've sold a LOT on eBay, etc., but there's still a lot that can go! One day...



Oh, I know THAT experience - LOLOLOL! Some folks are VERY "attached" to their "stuff." I'm not one of them - LOLOL!

So, okay! Hope you all have a WONDERFUL day/weekend (and if you have more "fun" stuff to share, please... do so!)!

Peace... and think twice... or maybe three/four times... about those amusement park rides, ladies! LOLOLOL!

Shellamar, on her own...

Loving everybodys stories!

Have a good time TAMMY spring cleaning, lol,
I always did my clutter/ spring cleaning in the winter. The weather was cold and snowy outside and it put me in the mood to gut everything inside and throw " stuff" away. Always was a good feeling.

Love y'all
Love Justmom

Miz Shelby - Y'all got another transit strike in your area? . . . . and folks are always pickin' on poor ol' New Yawk, we haven't had a transit strike in about 6-7 years and this is year second in a year, right ? ?

Yeah, gurl (peace, luv!)... second time this year (3rd or 4th threat, though)... but ain't no thang, at least not for my household. I don't take the BART 'cept for "fun" visits to the city (or to SFO), and hubby takes the ferry when dem BART folks is acktin' all crazy! I was feelin' sorta sympathetic for the operators... but once I heard the terms (12% raise... from salary that starts at $79k!... 4% increase to pension... and health care for dependents going from $132 DOWN to $97!)... well, I had to rethink my "oh, the poor workin' folks" position! LOLOL! Per the news, the "deal-breaker" is Management doesn't want to allow overtime on the 5th day if a worker has been out sick the previous 4 days. Which makes sense to ME (though, who am I?). As a usually management-level employee, I don't think one SHOULD get OT if you worked less than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week... and sick leave shouldn't count toward that 40 hours; those hours were NOT worked! Again, that's just MY position. Might be sumthin' I'm missing, from a union POV.

Thing is, I'm not sure if the 12% and 4% reestablishes workers to where they were before the recession... or not. I mean, if they TOOK a 15% CUT, then it doesn't... sooooo.. if BART is doing GOOD now, AND has recouped any losses IT realized, then I am of the mind that workers should first be put back where they were (made "whole") and THEN get their REGULAR raise on top of that! That's just what's right and fair, IMHO... and I feel this way because I know a LOT of employers, who were NOT adversely affected by the recession.... USED it to cut staff, hours, salaried, benefits, etc., which savings they passed on to upper management. Very sheisty, that, IMHO. Smacks of that whole "uneven/thumb on the scale" thing.

As someone who has never been able to take BART to work, though... I really have to work on my sympathy for those who take issue with the (usually pretty brief) "inconvenience." I say "brief" because (1) BART and the local public transpo agencies usually ramp up the buses, ferries, heavy rail trains, etc.; (2) local gov't step up their methods of public transpo, including having their own buses/shuttles/cab vouchers, as do many large private sector employees (which isn't bad for THEM because they get a REFUND from the feds, usually through tax credits/write-offs); (3) MANY folks take advantage of the strike and just stay home... and whether they work WHILE they're at home or not all pretty much still get paid, due to generous and "understanding" employers (like our wonderful federal government that pays 400k employees to stay home while it "shuts down"!!); and (4) thus, far, it's never lasted more than 3-4 days. Those who complain are, IMHO, complainers about most things anyway.

Which is what LOVE about dear hubby - MAN, can that dude ROLL with the punches!! LOLOLOL! He just shrugs... and keeps on keepin' on! What a guy!! Although, he think he knows what I would say if he DID complain:

"Sweetie... children in Rwanda... are DYING!" LOLOLOL!

But, yeah, girl... dem BART folks done gone and struck! Uh, striked! Uh, gone on strike! Agin! LOLOLOL!

Peace, girl!

Yo sirvint, sistah... n' a slav o' de Lawd,

Miz Shebbie

Hey Girl, although you're on the west coast, please call NYC 911and give them my number, because I'm justa 'bout ready to throw myself out the window, did you say a starting salary of 79K ?? I've worked for more than thirty years and TRUST, I have never had an annual salary of 79K. . . guess I gotta pack up and move to Cali . . . oh, that's right, I don't even have a license to drive of a car so, screwed over once again!

WOW, all the West Coast Ralph Kramdens are bringin' home the big bucks now

My apologies, girl (mornin' and peace to ya!) - that's what the news reported. I just Googled it to make sure, though, and apparently that is the AVERAGE:

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco ... l?page=all

But here are some other places to look, to get a sense of what the pay is:

https://www.google.com/#q=BART+salaries

Thing is, luv, this IS Cali... and while salaries APPEAR to be high (in the more metropolitan areas, anyway), you PAY for that sunshine! Shoot, "they" ain't givin' that up for FREE, y'know - LOLOLOL! So, the cost of living is a bit high, too. Albeit, not as high as in your wonderful city... but NY is TRULY an international "hub" and so more... exciting, shall we say? And so folks pay for that!

As for your driving out here... girl, please! While there's always the bus... unless you LOVE road trips (and I do, so...) or sleeping in cramped quarters for 4-5 days (which I DON'T)... one would wanna get their hiney on an aeroplane! Or maybe take Amtrak (but by the time you pay for THAT, well, ain't no point in comin' out HERE... 'cause your butt WILL be broke! LOLOLOL!).

(Shelb starts to daydream...) That's one'a my "dream" trips, though... taking Amtrak across the US (or across Canada!). That... and/or RV'ing down through Mexico and Central America, across the Panama Canal, into South America... and then wherever IN South America from there! Not likely to happen, that one, though... way too dangerous, at least these days.

Of course, there's the Europe/China/Australia dream. Had a taste 'o the Africa dream earlier this year... so I can check THAT one off my "bucket list"!! Yeah, I know: it was only a tiny "taste"... but sufficient. I "get" it, now - LOLOL!

Anyway (Shelb shakes head quickly and refocuses...)... get yourself a ticket for a aeroplane and come on out. For a visit, if not for a permanent stay! We'll put you up, girl, NO problem! And you'll LOVE the BART, it' so cool to ride!

Peace!

Shellamar, on her own...

Hello everyone, hope y'all had a good weekend wherever you dwell.

Current news: hubby and I have been offered contracts to go and teach English at a university in Shanxi province in China, starting next February. Decision time!

Loz x

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

Wow. Hubby AND you, dear Loz (mornin' and peace to you, dear one!)... or you AND hubby? IN CHINA???!!! Now THAT I would snap up, girl! A chance to teach in a foreign country... and take hubby WITH... and he gets to teach, too??? I realize the change (in location, culture... food... wait, the FOOD!!) can be daunting... but man, the opportunity to see, live, and TEACH in another country? Don't think I'd have to mull over that one too long. What I could then teach my OWN children/grandchildren (who I would find a way to have come visit and see this other country, too!)... HOOO-WHEEE, girl!

I don't get "green" too often, dear one. Almost never, actually. But let's say my "yellows" and "blues" are startin' to "run" VERY close together, right now - LOLOLOL!

Whatever you two lovebirds choose... may JAH bless and keep you!

Peace!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

Lol at you Shelby, you make me chuckle.

Yes, we'd both be teaching at a decent rate of pay each. Free apartment on campus, with utilities included, as well as healthcare. The cost of living there is pretty low so we'd probably be able to save some money or use it to travel etc. Winters are apparently cold but dry and summers hot and humid. We'd be based in Taiyuan City. We are investigating issues re our regular medical prescriptions while overseas and keeping our apartment here going etc. The contract is 12 months renewable. We were linked to this via contacts through our post grad university, who have just returned home after an enjoyable 3 years out there.

Exciting options, I must admit!

Loz x

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

Girl, you GOTTA go (peace!). Let me tell you why: for ME! LOLOLOL! Yes, so that I have an reason to come to CHINA: to visit YOU! LOLOLOL! AND have some where to stay when I get there! LOLOLOL!

Do it for me, dear Loz. You need no other reason. LOLOL!

Peace!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

Ha ha. If we do go Shel, I promise you have an open invitation to come visit and stay any ol' time you want to.

Loz x

Ps The above applies to everyone on here, too.

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

Wow Loz, that is an exciting job opportunity. I would jump at that one myself.

Just sitting down for a moment (almost done with the clean-up), but I HAD to comment, and add my 100% YES, GO!!... to everyone else's, lol.


Loz, that is awesome. You have no young children. You and Hubby BOTH have offers and can stay together; you don't have to worry about transportation to work; you are living a paid vacation (I get that you are working, but on your time off you are in China!!) You get to be immersed into an entire new culture and way/pace of life... what an experience!... and of course whatever possibilities/opportunities that may come up while you are there.

I am very excited for you : )


Okay... I am going back to do some work now, lol.



Peace and love to you all,

tammy