Team Focker Watch chat! Part 2

[cmp1111]

I don't knwo much about that area, other than my high-school boyfriend's parents had a vacation home in Jupiter. But I found this:
Port St. Lucie

I knew some people who lived in Vero Beach and loved it.

Juipter

Thanks, V. Those will be helpful! I was on the computer until after midnight last night. Stuart and Palm City (where M lives) are adjacent to Port St. Lucie. Since they do fly out of West Palm, Vero Beach might be getting a little far away, but D's been to the DVC there for work (he felt weird as a business man in a family hotel, but that's another story) and he really liked it. Schools are supposed to be all A's in the Port St. Lucie/Martin County area.

Well, I'm in denial. Denying that my head aches, glands hurt and I'm feverish. CARP. Goshdarnit, I'm going to Disney, though!

Leo's still running a fever, but down to 100 without Mortin now. He's still home - I'm at work for a bit while Gramma stays with him. I figure I'm probably better off with some distance between me and his germs.

I hope you feel better. Alternate Advil and Tylenol (my doctor orders for the wrist) every two hours, and drink lots of tea or coffee.

 

[TEminnie]

V--hope u feel better soon! Sending some get well pixie dust to ya!
And....how much are Florida resident Annual passes? And hotel discounts?? Cause I think CE needs to know NOW!!


CE-- Got the birthday card just now! Thanks so much! I'm keeping it!
And we all know how much your head is spinning--as well as the realtor.com site right now. So we're here for you!

Oh--another unsolicited piece of advice: beware of lump sum relo packages--it has cost us (well, the company) in the 6 figure area to a family of 4 each time. So we turned down a lump sum last year.

 

[jcc0621]

Well, I'm in denial. Denying that my head aches, glands hurt and I'm feverish. CARP. Goshdarnit, I'm going to Disney, though!

Leo's still running a fever, but down to 100 without Mortin now. He's still home - I'm at work for a bit while Gramma stays with him. I figure I'm probably better off with some distance between me and his germs.

Oh I hope you all get better quickly. Are you leaving tonight?

Oh, yeah. Don't get me started on that... Outlets and phone jacks, for starters...

Glad to know that we aren't the only one's!

Good luck! I can write a reference letter if you want!

You're going to PAN, aren't you?

PAN

And....how much are Florida resident Annual passes? And hotel discounts?? Cause I think CE needs to know NOW!!

 

[cmp1111]

And....how much are Florida resident Annual passes? And hotel discounts?? Cause I think CE needs to know NOW!!

Yes indeedy. I told Dave last night, "Think of the airfare we'd save to WDW!"

CE-- Got the birthday card just now! Thanks so much! I'm keeping it!

It had a goat, did you notice? I'm sorry it was so late. On top of not realizing the date, my mailman didn't come to my house on Monday - I had 3 of those paperbackswap.com books and all our Christmas thank you notes as well as your card, so then they didn't go until Tuesday...

And we all know how much your head is spinning--as well as the realtor.com site right now. So we're here for you!

Thanks!

Oh--another unsolicited piece of advice: beware of lump sum relo packages--it has cost us (well, the company) in the 6 figure area to a family of 4 each time. So we turned down a lump sum last year.

Will do!

PAN

Ah, T's code for "mommy and daddy are going to have a little nap now," when it's actually the opposite of sleeping. PAN. It came up in my TR.

 

[PrincessV]

Schools are supposed to be all A's in the Port St. Lucie/Martin County area.

OH, that's something I wanted to point out... FL school funding is based on student performance under the current system. What this means at the individual level is that teachers "teach to the test" - the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). I know many parents and teachers who can attest that the pressure to do well on these is enormous, which means all schooling is directed to the test and there's no time for further learning. There's also little or no funding for the arts. The public outcry has been huge and I wouldn't be at all surprise to see this change in teh near future, but that's the current state.

And....how much are Florida resident Annual passes? And hotel discounts?? Cause I think CE needs to know NOW!!

Good point! You can get a FL Seasonal Annual Pass, with blackout dates during the times no one wants to be there - week between Xmas and New Years, Spring Break, and mid-summer - for $230/$203 kids. The regular FL AP is $350/$308

Oh I hope you all get better quickly. Are you leaving tonight?

Thanks Janet and everyone - I'm really hoping I don't get it as bad as Leo! Gramma jsut called and he's down to 99 and ahppily playing pirates.

We're leaving early tomorrow monring... I hope.

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

OH, that's something I wanted to point out... FL school funding is based on student performance under the current system. What this means at the individual level is that teachers "teach to the test" - the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). I know many parents and teachers who can attest that the pressure to do well on these is enormous, which means all schooling is directed to the test and there's no time for further learning.

SC is the exact same way. I've heard of kids who's teachers give them mints while they test because it's supposed to improve recall Funny thing is, I've used FCAT sample test to test mine. They are WAY better than the PSAT (Palmetto State...) This is why mine only have a two minute walk down the stairs and into the "school room" in the morning

 

[PrincessV]

SC is the exact same way. I've heard of kids who's teachers give them mints while they test because it's supposed to improve recall Funny thing is, I've used FCAT sample test to test mine. They are WAY better than the PSAT (Palmetto State...) This is why mine only have a two minute walk down the stairs and into the "school room" in the morning

And why I'm spending every spare non-Disney-allocated penny for Leo's school. Our public school district isn't the worst in FL, but it sure isn't great, either. And I've got a child that just does not do well in a "just memorize it and don't ask questions" environment. I have no idea where that comes from.

 

[jcc0621]

Yes indeedy. I told Dave last night, "Think of the airfare we'd save to WDW!"

You actually used D's name

Ah, T's code for "mommy and daddy are going to have a little nap now," when it's actually the opposite of sleeping. PAN. It came up in my TR.

I do remember that now, but not with out the reminder. Please, I can barely remember what happened this morning.

OH, that's something I wanted to point out... FL school funding is based on student performance under the current system. What this means at the individual level is that teachers "teach to the test" - the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). I know many parents and teachers who can attest that the pressure to do well on these is enormous, which means all schooling is directed to the test and there's no time for further learning. There's also little or no funding for the arts. The public outcry has been huge and I wouldn't be at all surprise to see this change in teh near future, but that's the current state.

Philly does the same. Do you know tha Jim has to teach a one hour class everyday for test prep

Good point! You can get a FL Seasonal Annual Pass, with blackout dates during the times no one wants to be there - week between Xmas and New Years, Spring Break, and mid-summer - for $230/$203 kids. The regular FL AP is $350/$308

Hmmmm, maybe I need to "move" to mom & dad's house

Thanks Janet and everyone - I'm really hoping I don't get it as bad as Leo! Gramma jsut called and he's down to 99 and ahppily playing pirates.

We're leaving early tomorrow monring... I hope.

I will keep the prayers and pixie dust going until I know you are on the road

 

[cmp1111]

OH, that's something I wanted to point out... FL school funding is based on student performance under the current system. What this means at the individual level is that teachers "teach to the test" - the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). I know many parents and teachers who can attest that the pressure to do well on these is enormous, which means all schooling is directed to the test and there's no time for further learning. There's also little or no funding for the arts. The public outcry has been huge and I wouldn't be at all surprise to see this change in teh near future, but that's the current state.

I think that's happening all over with the NCLB act. I hope it all changes soon - teaching to the test is carp, as far as I'm concerned.

Good point! You can get a FL Seasonal Annual Pass, with blackout dates during the times no one wants to be there - week between Xmas and New Years, Spring Break, and mid-summer - for $230/$203 kids. The regular FL AP is $350/$308

That's not bad at all!

You actually used D's name

Oops. Oh well, it's mine that is "searchable" anyway. Heck, I'm calling him D nearly al the time in my head now - why wouldn't I get it backwards???

I do remember that now, but not with out the reminder. Please, I can barely remember what happened this morning.

I know what you mean. So, are you gonna? (I don't really need to know. Just teasing ya...)

 

[puggymom]

Oh NO V, you and Leo have to feel better SOON!.

Sending lots of pixie dust your way.

Well, he actually drove down, but he flies into Teterboro all the time, then the bigwigs take a helicopter over to Manhattan. He says that no one really understands how much time he spends in Teterboro. His usual hotel is in Seacaucus, though.

There is NOTHING in Teterboro, there is outlet shopping in Secaucus, but D probably isn't interested in that.

Good luck! I can write a reference letter if you want!

I think your letter would be better than TE, remember the one she wrote for Jo

Thanks, V. Those will be helpful! I was on the computer until after midnight last night. Stuart and Palm City (where M lives) are adjacent to Port St. Lucie. Since they do fly out of West Palm, Vero Beach might be getting a little far away, but D's been to the DVC there for work (he felt weird as a business man in a family hotel, but that's another story) and he really liked it. Schools are supposed to be all A's in the Port St. Lucie/Martin County area.

I know someone in Vero (translated from Jersey) and love it.

Oh--another unsolicited piece of advice: beware of lump sum relo packages--it has cost us (well, the company) in the 6 figure area to a family of 4 each time. So we turned down a lump sum last year.

This is great advice, lump sum is the cheap way out some companies take. Not only doesn't it cover your costs but you lose out on some good tax breaks.

 

[jcc0621]

For those of you interested in the COntemporary DVC, this was in the Orlando Sentinel today

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-contemporary1408jan14,0,7182920.story

Enjoy!

 

[DisneyJo]

(We also live about 6 minutes from the school, but they're on the bus for 40. Go figure.) Good luck!

Can't you drive them? It's so strange thinking of kids so young on buses, I thought Jess was young at 11

They do have a lot of golfing there...

True

Seriously, Jo, an hour and a half!

Yep but she has a great time chatting to her friends

Well, they reversed it. Now instead of getting on the bus at 7 am, he gets on at 6! He's loving me me for that.

6am Wow that is early!!!

Jo, move to Florida. There are more golf courses per capita than anywhere else

On our 2005 trip we came home seriously considering it, the only trouble is family oh and the unknown!!!

I'm getting ready to take a shower and head off to two job interviews. Sadly, my position was eliminated, so I am unemployed.

Oh no K, good luck

LOL, the Fockers are all sounding like JO (not that that's a bad thing Jo )

Good save there Mo I think I've become more Americanised since chatting with you guys

I checked last night and the job has not been re-posted to nay job sites. If nothing comes in the mail today I think I may follow up with HR contact.

Sounds promising then

Yeah, what a great manager I am, what a great example I am setting

Jim and I are both off on Monday too. Jimmy's daycare is open though, so for my entry into the mother of the year contest, we are sending him!

Not bad at all, my girls both went to what we call pre school (2.5 - 4 years) for a few mornings a week and I didn't work, our government does encourage it though as it's good for the kids development

Well, I'm in denial. Denying that my head aches, glands hurt and I'm feverish. CARP. Goshdarnit, I'm going to Disney, though!

Dose yourself up V

You're going to PAN, aren't you?

Trust you

And....how much are Florida resident Annual passes? And hotel discounts?? Cause I think CE needs to know NOW!!

Well that could be the decision maker (that really doesn't sound right but I can't think of the right words!!!)

PAN

my mailman didn't come to my house on Monday

Your mailman takes your post too?

 

[DisneyJo]

I think your letter would be better than TE, remember the one she wrote for Jo

That was hilarious wasn't it

 

[jcc0621]

I know what you mean. So, are you gonna? (I don't really need to know. Just teasing ya...)

 

[Disneyolic]

Way too much for me to even comment but the bulk of it seems to be about CE ... always CE. Joke. I only have one comment regarding the education system in Florida. As V said, it isn't known for being very good. A quick story, my sister-in-law received her masters in teaching and went to a job fair. There were a lot of school districts from Florida looking for teachers. A big problem that SIL had is that they (Port St Lucie) wanted to hire her right then and there. No interview, no references, NOTHING! So it makes you wonder what kind of teachers are working down there ...

BTW ~ She declined. They don't pay enough. NY pays good.

 

[puggymom]

For those of you interested in the COntemporary DVC, this was in the Orlando Sentinel today

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-contemporary1408jan14,0,7182920.story

Enjoy!

Yes, that makes me excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dismom9761]

I have read and way too much to quote.

CE, Good luck with all the decisions you have to make.

V,hope you and Leo feel better fast.

Hi everyone else and hope you are having a great Friday!

 

[Muffinygood]

Amy: How are you today?

Lessa: How's your grampa? Any news?

DM: How ya doin?

CE: It is going to be 9 degrees here (that's a HIGH) tomorrow. No problem deciding for me. Though the school situation worries me too....

Everyone else....Hope your having a great great great Friday!
I have V's cold. Caught it through the puter!

FEEL BETTER V AND LEO!

MEL

 

[Disneyolic]

DM: How ya doin?

MEL ... Good. How you doin'?

 

[jcc0621]

Yes, that makes me excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thought it might

Hi everyone else and hope you are having a great Friday!

I am now. I left work early

Everyone else....Hope your having a great great great Friday!
I have V's cold. Caught it through the puter!

FEEL BETTER V AND LEO!

MEL

Feel better Mel

MEL ... Good. How you doin'?

Just got a picture of Joey in my head reading this