Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[momto1]

momto1-Trust me, in the end, buying your own snowboarding equipment will pay off in the end. I've got about $700 in gear. If you think about this way, it was $40 for the board, boots, and bindings every time I went. I was going about twice a month for four months, $320 in rental fees I could have been paying. This year I won't go as much but it will eventually pay for itself and you'll start seeing savings. If you want to save on equipment wait till the end of the season or see if anyone has last season stuff in stock still, usually they sell it cheaper then this seasons. Having my board is amazing because I don't have to get used to a rental boards feel every time out or wait in that line. =)

Where do you go snowboarding? He goes one time a year in Indiana. He just told me that a place in Lisle also has snowboarding. I didn't want to spend the money since he doesn't go frequently. If he could go someplace local, well then maybe Santa would feel differently!

Lori

 

[princess.chell]

Where do you go snowboarding? He goes one time a year in Indiana. He just told me that a place in Lisle also has snowboarding. I didn't want to spend the money since he doesn't go frequently. If he could go someplace local, well then maybe Santa would feel differently!

Lori

I go up to Wisconsin. There are two places up there I go to: Wilmot and Alpine. They are the same price, but IMO Alpine is much better! Christmas Mountain in the Dells and Cascade right before you hit the Dells are places I've gone before. Oh and Chestnut Mountain in Galena. Chestnut is, IMO, the best around here, but I've only been there once because its so far from my house (3 hours). Yeah there is a place in Lisle called 4 Lakes right off Maple. It's kind of just a little hill. If he has gone before I think he might get bored there. Check our their website to tell for sure. It hasn't opened yet, but I know Wilmot and Alpine both opened this weekend.
I'm not sure if your area has anything like this but I know the town near me has a snowboard and ski "club" that is run through the local snow shop. For a set price they take the "club" to Wilmot once (or maybe twice I don't know for sure) a month.
Where does he go in Indiana?
Hope this helps!

 

[HERSEY]

Villa Olivia has snowboarding also it's off of Lake street in Bartlett.

Sounds like tomorrow we go back into winter.

Stich I hope the next few weeks are uneventful. for your family.

I thought I was done with Christmas shopping but it appears Santa forgot some gifts so hopefully I oops Santa can ship them in time for Christmas day. Why do I make lists if I don't remember to write things down?

 

[Bunchkin]

Hi gang!!


I've been really busy here. So busy that I have not had time to wrap a single present. Every time I think I'll have time to wrap, something comes up and nothing gets wrapped. Like today, I was busy all day. Tomorrow I'm busy all day.Wednesday DS has no school and I told him I would take him present shopping for his sister and of course since he'll be home, no wrapping will get done that day either.

So we finally got a call that there is a Girl Scout troop for DD to join! Which made her really happy. They meet every week plus try to do 2 monthly events on the weekend. It's a new troop with newbie leaders. I have no clue how they think they will keep up that pace! When I was a leader we met every other week and tried to do one separate event a month. And I thought that was quite enough, so did the parents.



hersey You're a bad SANTA!!! Hope you get that gift delivered on time!


Susan I hope your DH was released today. Hugs for you all!

geffric Happy Hanukkah!


Gotta run! Take care everyone!

 

[Stitchfans]

I can not believe this! When I spoke to DH this morning he is telling me how much he misses us and wants to come home. I am anticipating a phone call from him to come get him. No phone call. After supper I call the hospital and talk to his nurse. She says the dr had the discharge papers all ready early afternoon but DH canceled it. I burst into tears and told her I did not understand. said he told me he wanted to come home.

A few hours later he calls and says he panicked. Says he isn't sure how we will be with him due to what he has done. Says he can't stand it if we don't trust him thinking he may do it again. Yes, I admit that is always going to be in the back of my mind but I never said it to him. Meanwhile I am in a panic again worrying about the hospital bills and dr bills due to the insurance stinking.

I am worried he will continue to do this. I discovered this is the 2nd time he was to be discharged and he canceled it. Another thing I am worried about is our driveway. I am unable to clear away all the ice that has formed on it. I am chipping away and scraping away whatever I can. I am throwing salt down too. I am afraid of someone falling and sueing us.

I have become so paranoid it isn't funny. Just got a bill from the ambulance for over $1000.00 with a insurance pending on it. Again I am

I just can not do this and handle everything else on my own. I am so overwhelmed. The smallest problem is setting me off into a crying spree. I always considered myself to be a strong confidant woman, but not any more. Again thanks for listening to all my rambling. I just need to get this all out of my system so I can move on and try harder. I appreciate all the good wishes and words of advice.

 

[slo]

Wow, I can't believe it's been a week since I've checked in

Life has been very very busy this holiday season.
I'm starting to get very stressed out and overwhelmed - I"m looking forward to 12/26 when I can finally relax.

For those that don't know, I have Raynauds disease, which cause inflammation in my hands when it gets cold outside. I had a bit of a scare with it yesterday, because I had a Raynauds attack, and I'm still having problems today. My right pointer finger swelled up and turned black and blue in under 15 minutes. My doctor rushed me in, and I sat in the office for 2 hours with heat on my hand to try to get circulation back into my finger. I had/have a severe vascular spasm which is causing poor circulation. My finger is still black and blue today, but the swelling is a little less. I left a message at the doctors office, because they may want me to get an ultrasound on my finger to see where the circulation is stopped. We can't allow this to get any worse, or the finger will die, and I could lose my finger.

The doctor took alot of blood yesterday too, to test for auto immune deficiencies, which as associated with severe cases of Raynauds. She said it's probably going to be time for me to start seeing a Rhumatologist (sp?). I'm really praying there isn't anything seriously wrong with me, or that I have Lupus, or anything like that. I always knew that something like this could be in the future, but I wasn't ready to start dealing with it now. But since I was aware this could happen, I'm not losing any sleep over it, what will be, will be.

So that's the newest with me.
I must go back to work now - I really didn't have time to type this, but I wanted to check in.

Talk to ya all soon!!!
Love you guys!!!

 

[momto1]

Hi gang! Just a quick check in. Today was our Executive Team lunch where my boss buys lunch for us. It is always so yummy and so much! I am in a food coma right now and couldn't work if I wanted too.

Slo - I hope your finger is doing better and you are able to get you work done. Hopefully this holiday season has been good to your business.

Princess Chell and Hersey - Thanks for the tips and lead on snowboarding. DS has only snowboarded on a little hill at Potatoe Creek State Park in IN. I know he would have fun on a bigger hill and with better equipment. I am not sure this is going to be the Christmas though. We need to do more research and then maybe get something after Christmas.

Susan - Hugs! Did dh come home today? Please take care of yourself and take one day at at time. Your plate is full but you can do it!

As you might remember, Jon plays travel baseball. I so enjoyed our 6 week break from practice and games. But, unbelieveably, practice for the 2010 season starts tonight! Here we go again!

Better TRY to get back to work.
Lori

 

[irish dancer]

Hi guys! Is it really only Tuesday?! It feels more like at least Thursday!

Tonight was the Christmas Cantada for DD12, the band plays and then 7th & 8th grade sing. It was a very nice program. Afterwards the 7th & 8th graders went to the local Portillos, there was a pretty large group and much to DDs dismay I stayed. There were at least 15-20 other parents there so I wasn't the only one but you know how kids can be about having their parents there.......

Busy finishing up shopping, trying to get teacher gifts together since they have to be ready this week. DH has been busy with his mom trying to get all her finances worked out. MIL had a fairly siginificant stroke years ago so FIL took care of all their finances and she has no idea what's what. BIL is of very little help which frustrates me to no end. He is a single 47yr old attorney that lives 5min from her you'd think he would be a help, HA! Guess again.

momto1 - yikes! Baseball practice is staring already?! Boy that makes for one long season....

slo - I hope your finger is doing better and that the tests bring good news.
*Also hope the holiday season has been good to you at the store.

Stitchfans - try to take care of yourself, one day at a time. I know it's easier said than done but try not to worry it will all work out in the end.

Bunchkin - wrapping presents?! I need to finish buying them first .
*Great news on the GS troop. Those leaders I think will figure out soon enough that they've bit off more than they can chew. Weekly meetings plus two outings a month!

Hersey - I forget to write things on my lists too! Good thing is you noticed with enough time to still get things shipped, errr to let Santa know to add them.

to disneygal, mac, geffric, paint, piglet, Leigh, Donna, Kim, MJ and everyone else (sorry if I missed anyone). Hope you're all doing well.

Well, I think I'm going to turn in early. Have a great night all!

 

[Bunchkin]

So we've had FIL's house for sale since early fall. Just this afternoon we had a showing that seems promising. The man who came and looked was really interested but his wife couldn't make it because of her work. And they already called and scheduled another showing for tomorrow!! We are ALL keeping our fingers crossed.
If I didn't mention if before, the sooner FIL sells his house the quicker we get to move back!!! Pray for a buyer, my friends!!


Ok, so here's the bad stuff...
Stress has been playing a toll with my body and my BP has sky rocketed!! It was high right before we moved out here and now it's even worse. But I did see a new doctor today and I'm increasing my current heart meds which also helps for high BP. I go back in 2 weeks to see if I need to be put on an additional med if my BP doesn't go down.


And for some good stuff....
My DH suprised me with a trip this weekend to DL to celebrate my b-day!
I'm excited to see DL all done up for the Christmas, but going away actually adds to my holiday stress!!! I have no clue when I'm going to get anything done around here!!!



slo I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through! I hope the tests bring news that something can be done. I hate to think that this could get worse.


irishdancer Your BIL sounds self centered!! Your situation is some what similar to ours. My SIL lives in Southern California, but refused to take care of her mother. So we moved all the way out here to take care of her and now FIL. SIL has no children and her husband is a doctor so they have more than enough means to have helped!!
Hope you get your present shopping done!! I have a couple small things to buy still myself!
Your DD is just like mine!! LOL!! My DD calls me every day while she walks to the lunch room with her friends, I'll tell her I love her and I get nothing back!! At home she's full of the "I love you's"! But at school.....forgetaboutit!!


momto1 Sounds like you work for one of the last decent places around!! LOL! Food, bonus checks, more food!!!


Stitch Does your insurance provide for counseling? Continued hugs and prayers for you and your family!

 

[macraven]

good wednesday late afternoon chicagoland homies.


i was gone and now i am back home.



i missed all of you........!!

 

[HERSEY]

Mac We missed you too. All ready for Christmas?

Bunch I will say 2 extra prayers for your FIL home to sell. It sure would be great to have you guys back here. The jobs are still scarce here. At work they are buckling down for a tough ride. Hopefully the tide will turn very soon for us all.

Slo How is your finger doing? I hope you are improving.

 

[Bunchkin]

The showing this afternoon went well. FIL's realtor called to say an offer is coming in. However, she was working her other job and might not be able to check her email to see what the offer is. So it looks like were on hold for the info until tomorrow.
But we are all very happy there is an offer made! Kids are excited at the thought of going back so soon after thinking it may take a while to sell the house. The housing market out here is one of the worst in the nation.


Hersey Jobs are even more scarce out here!! But DH's "number" is coming up with the union back in Chicago, so we're hoping by this spring things will turn around.

mac Where have you been hiding? Glad you're back.

 

[disneygal922]

Good Morning Everyone! I appologize for my absence the past few weeks. I have been extraordinarily busy. The condo situation is still up in the air. We are waiting on the sellers to get a bunch of paperwork from the condo association so that we can get it to our lender. so all we can do is wait b/c the association won't give it to us b/c we don't own it yet. oh well, wait wait wait... that's all we can do! Last weekend mike and i went to Carmel, Indiana. mike was a soloist in the Messiah down there. It was a nice relaxing weekend! i've been doing lots of other things, like wrapping gifts, baking, etc. as well.

Last night, mike surprised me with dinner and a movie. we went to rock bottom which was good. then we went to see the Princess and the Frog!! It was very cute. I thoroughly enjoyed it. mike's a keeper, taking me to a cartoon movie, what a guy!

Slo ~ hope your finger is doing better.

ID ~ that is so wonderful to hear your church's generosity this time of year. What a wonderful thing to do for families in need. Good luck to DH and helping his mom with her finances.

Hersey ~ hopefully, Santa can get those last couple of gifts delivered by Xmas!

Bunchy ~ glad to hear there is a girl scout troop for DD to join! also, that's great news about FIL's house! hopefully, it's a good offer. hope you feel better soon.

Mac ~ good to see you back! hope you are doing well!

Stitch ~ still thinking about you and your family

Everyone else ~ have a wonderful day!

 

[Stitchfans]

Hi All! I know lately I have been gloomy gus, but I think I may have some good news to report. Yesterday, a social worker at the hospital called and asked me if I mind a conference style set up with me on the speaker phone with her, DH and a hospital advocate. Of course I agreed to it.

We got quite a bit accomplished and as it goes he is suppose to be discharged tomorrow which would be great since it is our wedding anniversary. I plan on making a special meal for him coming home.

They also mentioned a special support group for families and people suffering from the Bio Polar disorder. Once things settle down I will look deeper into that.

I learned quite a bit about what is going on in DH's head and what had been going on all this time. As of today he has been in the hospital for 3 weeks.
As said once the bills come rolling in we will slowly but surely pay them all off. No sense in fretting over them. Just hope he realizes that. I hope will all the coping skills he is suppose to be learning he will.

Well glad to be able to report something positive for change. Just hoping all goes as planned. Thank you for all the advice, prayers and good wishes.

 

[disneygal922]

stitch, glad to hear the positive news. continued thoughts and prayers coming your way!

 

[Bunchkin]

For those with kids: Video from SANTA!! I found this out from SamIAm over on FB. I did it for my son last night, took just minutes. You can send your child a video from Santa. You fill in specific info about your child and a picture. You preview the whole video before sending it. It is just the neatest thing! And it's free! I showed it to DS just a short while ago before he went to school and he was floored! He loved it!!



Susan I'm glad to hear some good news! I hope you all follow up with counseling right away! Communication is key at this stage.

Disneygal How frustrating this whole buying process is, right?? I hope the assoc. gives you what you need soon.

 

[momto1]

Hi gang! Jon signed up for his HS freshman classes yesterday. I am not sure we are going to survive freshman year. He has 3 AP classes - biology, math and language arts. For electives he tookd Band (yea!!) and German. I had hoped he would take Spanish since he has already had Spanish but he thought it would be too easy. Hello? You might need an easy class!

I still don't have airfare for the March trip. I dread driving but I think we may have too.

Susan - Glad to hear you received some good news! It sound like the support group will be beneficial to you both. I hope he makes it home for your anniversary.

DG - Continued good luck on the condo purchase!

Bunchkin - Good luck selling FIL house! I am sure your family will be happy to come home.

Mac - Good to see you back!

Ok- back to work I go.
Lori

 

[slo]

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone!!!
My finger is almost back to normal
It's still slightly discolored, and it's sore, like I jammed it into something.
It also gets numb really fast when I go outside (with gloves on).
So annoying!!!

I got my blood test back, and the ANA test that was taken came in positive.
That means my body is producing antigens to fight off something wrong.
We are pretty confident it's not cancer, because my blood counts came back perfect, which is a good thing
The doctor is sending me to a Rhumatologist to find out why this is positive.
A series of tests will have to be done, to find out exactly what's wrong.
So that's how I'm going to be starting out my 2010

Outside of that, I feel fine, so I"m not losing any sleep over all this.
I think it would be much worse, if I felt sick, or just not right.
All I feel is holiday stress

In a little bit I am leaving work and going to the eye doctor.
I'm interested to find out if my ocular rosacea has worsened, and if my beginnning stages of glaucoma have worsened. I sure hope not, I can't take much more being wrong with me right now.
I AM looking forward to getting a new pair of glasses. My favorite ones broke over 2 years ago, and I never replaced them (I've been wearing my good ones, which aren't so good anymore ) The new glasses will only be $10 with our insurance, so that's a great thing!!!!!



Susan - such great news!!!!!
I will continue to keep you all in my prayers so that things continue to get better. Take care and God Bless!!!!!

To everyone else -
Sorry I don't have to reply to everyone, but I just haven't had the time.
I will again once Christmas is over.



Have a great day everyone!!!

 

[geffric]

greetings..

got back late Monday and it has been a blurr. I will be working long hours at the Disney store for a while plus meals on wheels,ship, BSA etc..

anyway, had a great time.. more later ..

hope everyone is well..

Susan - glad things are getting a bit better.. i will keep praying for you

Bunchy - hope the offer comes thru and it good enough for you to accept and move back home.

 

[natashag76]

More Chicagoans...what a relief!
I'm so glad to find this thread.