Chatterbox Thread-Cmon in and Jabber! Everyone is Welcome!

[kelmac284]

Morning and happy Friday!!

Alison glad you had fun on your camping trip and I am with you and B I think us northern gals are like that. Stay out of the sun with our white selves!! I did my fair share of crisping as a youth and now I don't even ATTEMPT to get sun.

Megan glad you kids had a good first day and I am sure within a week or so you will be enjoying the time. I missed when Katy went away to school but it was nice to have some one on one with Shelby since she was born so soon after Katy that I never really felt like I got much time to spend with her just "us".

Didn't do a whole lot yesterday. Still trying to recover from this dreaded cold. Shane was off work so we just pretty much hung out and then I had to go pick up some of my meds so we went to check out the halloween stuff at walgreens and nada! Just candy so far. BOOO! I am hoping Target has their stuff out by the weekend as I am anxious to see it. I am doing an exchange with the divas and I have to buy my stuff plus I just like looking at it

We also got our schedule for soccer and our game is at 10:30 tomorrow so after that we have to go out and get all the food for the party and then if I have time I am going to take the girls to target.

Tonight I have to take Shelby to a birthday party so she is all excited about that and then I am really looking forward to Katy's party on Sunday.

We also are supposed to get our soccer pics back so I am anxious to see how they turned out!

Anywho that's bout it. Hope everyone has a good day and has some fun plans for the weekend!

 

[funnygarcia]

The downtown Target was just setting up Halloween. Mostly candy, no decor yet. We may be on a different time table as our schools start the day after Labor Day. Some of the school supplies were at the first 30% off mark down, but only a few select items plus the college stuff.

We picked up a few 1G thumb drives for the boys for $2.50 each (50% off). I know there are ways to pick up some for free after rebate at office stores.. but it takes forever to get your money back and the initial cost is usually more.

The boys use them as memory storage for the XBOX too as we have the arcade version (limited memory).

We waited around hoping for the bakery vendor to mark down to B1G1, but they had more inventory than usual. We were stuck with B1 G1 1/2 off. My mom had sent me a bit of money for "school supplies for the boys or something fun for you", $15 in sour dough later, off we went home. Thanks mom!

In a few hours I will meet up with Eloy and we are going to a movie.. Resident Evil: Afterlife it's in 3D, more incentive to snuggle up to Eloy in the icky bits.

 

[sameyeyam]

I don't think my life could get anymore exciting...Friday night out on the town! That is if you call making an 8pm run to PetSmart to get an E Cone to put on our dog's neck.

He has allergies and nothing helps. There are times he scratches himself raw. Well this time he went a bit too far. Today he chewed on his haunches so bad they are bleeding. So I had to get a cone. That was after I tried putting a pair of my black spandex shorts on him. The cone might look stupid, but not nearly as stupid as a dog wearing spandex.

 

[staley7580]

Omg... Cone of shame!! Doggie spandex! cant stop laughing...

 

[funnygarcia]

My night on the town ended in taking the train, watching the "up north" tourists freak out when a bunch of people sat next to them.. yeah, they were a tad uncomfortable with the amount of "culture" around them. Then they were freaking out over what stop to get off. I waited for one to ask us.. because we look half way normal. Well Eloy was wearing his stocking cap and his science rocks doctor's coat, all decorated in hand drawn cartoon characters. I guess we didn't look normal enough for them.

Got off the train and it's pouring.. nice. Lots of people in that area with all the bars, the lowlifes hanging around the station, the bouncers and cops, Dream Girls (yep one of those places.. no booze nude!) with a few girls hanging out in front.
Noticed a pizza shop open late.. mmmmmm, pizzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaa
So we each grabbed a slice and mowed it down as we waited, in the rain, for the bus.

Had a bit more to wait, Eloy happily stepped back and leaned against a fence to enjoy the view. Yes.. the view of the parade of slightly drunk girls, scantily dressed, trying to walk in heels in the rain and not have their dresses "creep". Another guy stood next to him and I bust out laughing when their wide eyed oggling heads snapped in tandem to follow the parade of scantily clad ladies as they walked past.

Then on the bus.. the driver had a child care issue. The older one fell asleep, the young (maybe 4) was running all over the bus and asking her mom "are we done yet?" No, sit down!

ummm okay.... weird.

And we walked.. in the continuing rain.. the mile home. Watching toads and frogs along the sidewalk. BOING!

It was fun!

 

[funnygarcia]

The cone might look stupid, but not nearly as stupid as a dog wearing spandex.

Poor pup! The poor dog's day could not get any worse! Cone of shame and forced into spandex.



Have you tried a wheat free or all meat food? I like the Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance for my cat, it doesn't have wheat or corn.. things cats shouldn't be eating anyway as they are carnivores. And she has been incredibly healthy and kept at a good weight. The few times I have gone cheap with coupon deals and gave her grocery store brands (Iams, Cat Chow, etc) she gained a bunch of weight, shedding, bad poo smells. She puked all day on the re-formulated Iams. It's not much more $ than the other brands. They have limited diet versions too for cats and dogs. It's sold at Petco.

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/home.html

 

[kelmac284]

Morning and Happy Saturday!!

Wow sounds like everyone had some exciting nights last night LOL. Cone's and bus rides with crazies and half naked people in the rain!! WOO HOO!!

Mine was weird as well. Shelby had been SO excited about this party but I really wasn't too sure and I obviously had a reason. We went to skate night a week or so ago and this lady sat across from me who seemed VERY nice and we got to chatting and shelby was skating with her daughter but she is not one of the normal friends I hear about. None the less she mentioned that her daughter's birthday was coming up and that she wanted to invite shelby. Well she said it was in like a week but she hadn't even made any plans yet which me being the OCD planner that I am couldn't even imagine but I told her that if it was on Sat it would have to be AFTER our game and she couldn't do it on Sunday because of Katy's party. SOOO she said she would do it Friday night. Ok fine. So then I saw her at open house last week and she gives me the invite. It is to one of those trampoline places and it says make sure your kid eats first and that they are NOT having cake but just dippin dots. Ok again a little weird but whatever. I have been to parties before that were just cake and ice cream but for someone to actually put in the invite to make sure your kid eats first seemed a little weird, the way she said it but again to each their own. And then to have no cake but just dots I thought was a little weird but again whatever. So we went and had a big dinner and then Shelby and I were off and I had never been to this place but I still got there early enough and it is out in this industrial area but we found it and were about 15 mins early. Went inside and they had never even HEARD of them. I start panicking a little and shane tells me to call them but I said I would give them till 15 mins after before I did that.

Well literally about 10 after 6 (party was supposed to start at 6) they showed up. Again I personally would show up early if I told someone a party was at 6 to meet my guests but that's me. Anyway they came and brought a bunch of their friends and neighbors and NO ONE from Shelby's class that was invited came except shelby. So all it was was this little girl, Shelby and a bunch of younger neighbor kids. So then they did their bounce thing for an hour and then I overheard the mom neighbor who had come with asking about the ice cream and the mom who was giving the thing said we are doing something at home. So then I am thinking ok she is going to ask me to come to their house but I am going to say no cuz shelby has her game tomorrow. Well when the session was over she just says thanks for coming! NO ice cream no nothing. K I have NEVER had my kid invited to a party and not even have anything!! Shelby looks at me and says what about the ice cream and I give her the evil eye and say let's go. She was all mad and I said don't ask. I had just handed the card and gift card we got her to her mom and the girl didn't even open it so no thank you or anything. REALLY lame!

To each their own I guess. This girl had asked shelby to have a sleepover too and I told shelby see THIS is why I said no. When we don't know people who KNOWS what other weird stuff might go on!! Sorry! I only allow sleepovers when I know the people REALLY well. Anyway the whole thing was bizarre but she at least had fun at the trampoline place

Anyway today we are off to the game and then off to do all our shopping for the party and then if we have time I am going to run to target to look for halloween exchange stuff.

Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[funnygarcia]

There is a difference between being laid back, go with the flow type of planning and being really weird...

That was weird!

Not really a party, more like a get together with neighbors.. and oh BTW we can ask you to tag along.

But at least she had fun

It's hard to explain to kids when your Mom-dar goes off, you know that prickly "oh this is too weird" gut feeling. You want to protect your kids but not come off sounding rude either when you tell them .. nope sorry, you can't play with that friend outside of school

but why mom??

ummmmm well, because they totally creep me out!
yeah, see not the best thing to say

So we make up other excuses and the child KNOWS it's all a sham.

Which is why I am so happy that I don't have that stage of child rearing any more. Now I can say.. because of... and they totally get it. They might not agree, but they understand.

 

[sameyeyam]

Omg... Cone of shame!! Doggie spandex! cant stop laughing...

Well not exactly "Doggie" Spandex, but "Alison" Spandex turned into Doggie Spandex. Hey, it works though. Found that handy tip on the internet. And you've seen my dog Megan, he isn't a small dog.

We actually had a long night because he was whiney all night long with that cone on. I just got up and took it off him, since I'm right here keeping an eye on him. But if I go out of the room it goes back on. When I went to the bathroom last night he literally chewed himself to pieces. He has huge red, raw, bleeding 4" circular patches on his butt on both sides.

My night on the town ended in taking the train, watching the "up north" tourists freak out when a bunch of people sat next to them.. yeah, they were a tad uncomfortable with the amount of "culture" around them. Then they were freaking out over what stop to get off. I waited for one to ask us.. because we look half way normal. Well Eloy was wearing his stocking cap and his science rocks doctor's coat, all decorated in hand drawn cartoon characters. I guess we didn't look normal enough for them.

Got off the train and it's pouring.. nice. Lots of people in that area with all the bars, the lowlifes hanging around the station, the bouncers and cops, Dream Girls (yep one of those places.. no booze nude!) with a few girls hanging out in front.
Noticed a pizza shop open late.. mmmmmm, pizzzzzzzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaaaaa
So we each grabbed a slice and mowed it down as we waited, in the rain, for the bus.

Had a bit more to wait, Eloy happily stepped back and leaned against a fence to enjoy the view. Yes.. the view of the parade of slightly drunk girls, scantily dressed, trying to walk in heels in the rain and not have their dresses "creep". Another guy stood next to him and I bust out laughing when their wide eyed oggling heads snapped in tandem to follow the parade of scantily clad ladies as they walked past.

Then on the bus.. the driver had a child care issue. The older one fell asleep, the young (maybe 4) was running all over the bus and asking her mom "are we done yet?" No, sit down!

ummm okay.... weird.

And we walked.. in the continuing rain.. the mile home. Watching toads and frogs along the sidewalk. BOING!

It was fun!

Too funny. My DD is going to her school in a not so nice part of town. Oh, who am I kidding, it's an excellent school right in the middle of the Hood in NE Portland! She came home yesterday telling me she went to the "UnSafeway" on MLK Blvd. I think part of the reason she choose that college was that Portland State University had way weirder people and she was totally freaked out.

Portland has bumper stickers on half the cars that say "Keep Portland Weird"; across the Columbia River we have bumper stickers that say "Keep Vancouver Normal". No, I'm not kidding.

Poor pup! The poor dog's day could not get any worse! Cone of shame and forced into spandex.



Have you tried a wheat free or all meat food? I like the Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance for my cat, it doesn't have wheat or corn.. things cats shouldn't be eating anyway as they are carnivores. And she has been incredibly healthy and kept at a good weight. The few times I have gone cheap with coupon deals and gave her grocery store brands (Iams, Cat Chow, etc) she gained a bunch of weight, shedding, bad poo smells. She puked all day on the re-formulated Iams. It's not much more $ than the other brands. They have limited diet versions too for cats and dogs. It's sold at Petco.

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/home.html

Yes, he is on a lamb & rice formula and has been for years. We have tried several foods, but American Bulldogs are also plagued by gas problems; so we have that issue also. He's been to the vet and so far the only solution they seem to offer is to give him steroids that turn him into Zombie Dog. We also give him Benadryl. Seriously, this dog is allergic to the grass & outside. All it takes is one walk outside and he's pink & itchy. We are always torn between letting him try to "be a dog" and just keeping him inside all the time. He's a huge dog, so he has to be outside at times. But much of the time he's an indoor dog.

Honestly, I think the dog has mental issues also. He is a huge dog, scares people half to death and if you want to see a grown man run, ring our doorbell and he about knocks the door down trying to get to them. But he's scared of the dark, whines all the time, acts offended that he doesn't get to be a person, actually seems to be confused that he's actually a dog and gets treated differently. He's always itching, scratching and doing nervous type behaviors. Do they make doggie Prozac?lol.

Morning and Happy Saturday!!

Wow sounds like everyone had some exciting nights last night LOL. Cone's and bus rides with crazies and half naked people in the rain!! WOO HOO!!

Mine was weird as well. Shelby had been SO excited about this party but I really wasn't too sure and I obviously had a reason. We went to skate night a week or so ago and this lady sat across from me who seemed VERY nice and we got to chatting and shelby was skating with her daughter but she is not one of the normal friends I hear about. None the less she mentioned that her daughter's birthday was coming up and that she wanted to invite shelby. Well she said it was in like a week but she hadn't even made any plans yet which me being the OCD planner that I am couldn't even imagine but I told her that if it was on Sat it would have to be AFTER our game and she couldn't do it on Sunday because of Katy's party. SOOO she said she would do it Friday night. Ok fine. So then I saw her at open house last week and she gives me the invite. It is to one of those trampoline places and it says make sure your kid eats first and that they are NOT having cake but just dippin dots. Ok again a little weird but whatever. I have been to parties before that were just cake and ice cream but for someone to actually put in the invite to make sure your kid eats first seemed a little weird, the way she said it but again to each their own. And then to have no cake but just dots I thought was a little weird but again whatever. So we went and had a big dinner and then Shelby and I were off and I had never been to this place but I still got there early enough and it is out in this industrial area but we found it and were about 15 mins early. Went inside and they had never even HEARD of them. I start panicking a little and shane tells me to call them but I said I would give them till 15 mins after before I did that.

Well literally about 10 after 6 (party was supposed to start at 6) they showed up. Again I personally would show up early if I told someone a party was at 6 to meet my guests but that's me. Anyway they came and brought a bunch of their friends and neighbors and NO ONE from Shelby's class that was invited came except shelby. So all it was was this little girl, Shelby and a bunch of younger neighbor kids. So then they did their bounce thing for an hour and then I overheard the mom neighbor who had come with asking about the ice cream and the mom who was giving the thing said we are doing something at home. So then I am thinking ok she is going to ask me to come to their house but I am going to say no cuz shelby has her game tomorrow. Well when the session was over she just says thanks for coming! NO ice cream no nothing. K I have NEVER had my kid invited to a party and not even have anything!! Shelby looks at me and says what about the ice cream and I give her the evil eye and say let's go. She was all mad and I said don't ask. I had just handed the card and gift card we got her to her mom and the girl didn't even open it so no thank you or anything. REALLY lame!

To each their own I guess. This girl had asked shelby to have a sleepover too and I told shelby see THIS is why I said no. When we don't know people who KNOWS what other weird stuff might go on!! Sorry! I only allow sleepovers when I know the people REALLY well. Anyway the whole thing was bizarre but she at least had fun at the trampoline place

Anyway today we are off to the game and then off to do all our shopping for the party and then if we have time I am going to run to target to look for halloween exchange stuff.

Hope everyone has a good day!

That's just crazy. I just can't imagine a party with no food, cake or ice cream.

 

[sameyeyam]

There is a difference between being laid back, go with the flow type of planning and being really weird...

That was weird!

Not really a party, more like a get together with neighbors.. and oh BTW we can ask you to tag along.

But at least she had fun

It's hard to explain to kids when your Mom-dar goes off, you know that prickly "oh this is too weird" gut feeling. You want to protect your kids but not come off sounding rude either when you tell them .. nope sorry, you can't play with that friend outside of school

but why mom??

ummmmm well, because they totally creep me out!
yeah, see not the best thing to say

So we make up other excuses and the child KNOWS it's all a sham.

Which is why I am so happy that I don't have that stage of child rearing any more. Now I can say.. because of... and they totally get it. They might not agree, but they understand.

My DD seemed to pick friends that have absolutely filthy houses. I don't think my house is spotless, but these are beyond filthy. Seriously, Hoarder type people where you almost can't walk into their house. Now that she's older she realizes and is a bit freaked out by it. DS, he always seems to pick friends with clean, normal houses.

 

[sameyeyam]

Just took Harley's cone off and let him go outside for a few minutes to do his business and get food & water. Opened the door up less than 5 minutes later and there he sits chewing and reopening his wounds. GRRR!!! Now he's back inside with the Cone of Shame on.

 

[kelmac284]

Yeah don't get me wrong my first clue was the mom looked really nice and normal and then she turned around at the skate thing and she had on this tank top and her entire back had this HUGE tatoo of some kind of demon or something. I don't know what the heck it was. I don't want to know LOL. It was weird too because from the front she is very attractive and looks like joe average but then she turns around and WHOA! And her dh looked like one of those skin head types. Bald with a ton of tatoos so I told my dh that since I had ALREADY told her we would go to the party before I saw all this that I was DEF going and STAYING the entire time. Don't get me wrong I know you shouldn't judge by appearances but it kind of freaked me out. They turned out to be nice enough but like I said just "off" in my opinion. I am glad I stayed the entire time.

I will never forget the party katy got invited to and when I went to pick her up the entire house was FILLED with smoke from POT!! I was NOT happy. And Katy says oh yeah when they were doing the pinata in the garage the mom was smoking "one of those pipe thing" ACK!!! I was SOOO tempted to turn that one in. I mean come on, you can't hold off smoking the pipe till AFTER the birthday party!! puhleeze! That house was SO filled with smoke it was disgusting and I mean really who smokes pot around a bunch of little kids!!!

All I know is I will be glad when they are over this birthday party phase of course THEN it will be the age of "parties" and going over to friends houses so I guess it never really ends LOL. But hopefully we can somewhat monitor WHO at least they hang out with! They are still to the point of getting invited to random kids houses for parties that we don't really know.

Allison that is too funny about the cone! Poor baby! I hope he gets better! My dog is flea ridden right now. I had him all fixed and for some reason he is infested again. So it s back to the flea bath again. His whole hind in is chewed up so I feel your pain. He may be headed for the dreaded cone himself!

Well I better get cuz it is almost soccer time.

Have a good day ladies!!

 

[tinkermell]

Good morning ladies!

Some great stories here.

Kelly, You were spot on about that party. Just plain weird. Go with the "guts" and keep telling your DDs, it is for good reason that you are the parent!!!

Bernice, The train, bus and rain story is something. To tell the truth, that would be kind of scary for me. Remember.....I live in a rural area, where cows are my neighbors. No really......Visalia is a pretty big town, but nothing like Minneapolis of course!

Ali, your poor puppy!

Christina, Hope you had good time with the future in laws!

 

[tinkermell]

Julie met a BOY today. She sat with him at lunch.. She kept chattering to me about him and I FINALLY got it. Is he cute?? Ummmmmm... YEAH!! He is SOOO CUTE! AHHHHHH!! I SEEEE!! PLUS.. We saw Alex walking with Nakima this morning. His GIIIIIIIIRRRRRRLLLLLLFFFRRRRRIIIIEEEENNNNDDDD!!!! Oh man. Its cute.

Annnnnd it starts!!

Uh oh!!!

 

[funnygarcia]

Just took Harley's cone off and let him go outside for a few minutes to do his business and get food & water. Opened the door up less than 5 minutes later and there he sits chewing and reopening his wounds. GRRR!!! Now he's back inside with the Cone of Shame on.

Poor Harley!

Actually, I think they do have Prozac for dogs.

 

[funnygarcia]

I sent dh to the store with a list of sale items and the corresponding coupons. Here's hoping he gets the right items to make the deal "work" and it generates all the catalina coupons ($x off your next order types, the machine it spits out of is from a company called catalina).

I think I overdid it yesterday, ugh...

Justin is off to his first field show competitions. It sucks that their first one is against the toughest school to beat! He will have practice, long drive to another city, the toughie opponent and then another drive to compete with yet another school. Won't get home until after midnight
Grueling schedule for the next month or two with practice, football half time shows, raffles sales and field competitions.. busy busy!

 

[sameyeyam]

Good morning ladies!

Some great stories here.

Kelly, You were spot on about that party. Just plain weird. Go with the "guts" and keep telling your DDs, it is for good reason that you are the parent!!!

Bernice, The train, bus and rain story is something. To tell the truth, that would be kind of scary for me. Remember.....I live in a rural area, where cows are my neighbors. No really......Visalia is a pretty big town, but nothing like Minneapolis of course!

Ali, your poor puppy!

Christina, Hope you had good time with the future in laws!

Just looked up Visalia's population...heck Mel you might as well live in Manhattan compared to me. Woodland's population is 5,100 and our zip code (which covers a huge area) is about 11,000. No wonder my DD is freaked out by going to college in Portland. Luckily we are only 30 minutes away from Portland, which contains 2.2 million people in the metro area. But still, it's so easy just to live in our own little corner of the world and ignore the big city life.

I sent dh to the store with a list of sale items and the corresponding coupons. Here's hoping he gets the right items to make the deal "work" and it generates all the catalina coupons ($x off your next order types, the machine it spits out of is from a company called catalina).

I think I overdid it yesterday, ugh...

Justin is off to his first field show competitions. It sucks that their first one is against the toughest school to beat! He will have practice, long drive to another city, the toughie opponent and then another drive to compete with yet another school. Won't get home until after midnight
Grueling schedule for the next month or two with practice, football half time shows, raffles sales and field competitions.. busy busy!

Good luck to Justin!

Good Luck to E. in hopes that he gets the coupons right. It can't be easy when the coupon queen can just be off with your head for not bringing home the right Catalinas.

 

[sameyeyam]

So tonight I had the cheesy chip chicken from E-Mealz. It tasted sorta like Kentucky fried chicken...so do you suppose sour cream and cheddar cheese potato chips are part of their secret herbs & spices?

 

[tinkermell]

Yeah Ali,
Visalia is getting pretty big. We actually live in Tulare, which is about 12 miles from there. Tulare has grown to about 50,000 now I believe. But it still has a really small downtown.

Visalia has a fairly small downtown, with malls and shopping centers all over the place. Even with the population, the area surrounding is still really rural and spread out. Most of it, is covered in farmland, orchards, and dairies.

The other day I waited behind a HUGE John Deere tractor at a stoplight! I laughed and thought to myself at the time....only in Tulare!

Now, even after all my explanation, I realize that you REALLY do live in the sticks, compared to me!!!! Beautiful ones though!!!

 

[kelmac284]

Morning all!

Well yesterday we did all our shopping for the party and picked up the cake. It turned out really cute! Then Katy and I went to Target to look for some hawaiin music and I didn't know just how hard that would be to find. I looked online and the Lilo and Stitch soundtrack was perfect BUT it is only sold online. I then looked at Target, the record store and some other places online but NO one sells that! SOOO we had a bust. And we looked for some hawaiin themed baloons at the store but they didn't have squat so we thought we could get some at the hallmark at the mall and NADA!!

We then thought we could get some stuff for the halloween exchange and they didn't have hardly anything either. We struck out on all fronts!

The girls did win their soccer game yesterday which was good!! And they had the air show here in town and we saw a bunch of F18's fly over as well as the stealth which was really cool!

Anyway I found an old surf song cd I had so that is going to have to do!

Anyway we are off here in a few to run back by the store to pick up a few things we forgot yesterday (ice and a few other things) and then go to mom's to get the place decorated etc.

Hope everyone has a good day!