DDA Chapter 27

[bethbuchall]

Good morning, DDA! It's the last school day before spring break here.

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, DDA!

Have a great trip, Tammi.

Bernadette - I like the idea of letters, but why not add a journal to the pens and see if she can get out some of her loneliness and boredom by writing? Poor kid!

 

[mommykds]

Just got back from the MRI, results next week. I feel better today so I am really thinking it was a food trigger.

Bernadette,
A care package from home sounds like a wonderful thing. Letters from Lizzy are a great idea too if her computer time is limited. I feel bad for the girl.

Tammi,
Daniel started middle school last year & he had not turned into a crabby teenager (now Katie, thats another story ) He is still the sweetest little man on the planet so don't worry too much.

Deb,
Hope your new job is working out.

Happy Friday! We have lots & lots of yard work ahead of us tomorrow. Anyone know of flowers/plants that deer won't eat?

Now for some

 

[lovesdumbo]

Well, after sitting through middle school orientation last night, I'm definitely scared and excited at the same time. I hope my sweet little boy doesn't turn into a monster like the counselor warned us (refering to all the hormonal changes).

Nicholas has to pick one of four electives offered.....chorus, band, strings, or art. He's not artistic, doesn't want to do chorus since he's done that for 2 years in elem. So that leaves either band or strings. I'm concerned, as this is a whole year elective, and with an instrument it will require practice at home, of which our time is very limited. Plus I would have to either buy or rent the instrument. He says he's leaning toward the saxophone. Ok, cool enough instrument. I'm really trying to keep my opinion out of it and let him make his own decision. But I see battles on the distant horizon regarding practicing.

Bernadette, the care package is a good idea. How about Lizzy writing letters weekly?

Off to PA soon!

I meant to comment on middle school last night. I was worried about Lizzy starting middle school this year-in our town it is grades 6-12 all in one school/one bus system. Plus she was going from a disorganized teacher in 5th grade to 7 periods a day/A-B-C days/required foreign language/rotating periods.....but I'm happy to say she really seems to be loving it. They also did a sleep away weeklong science camp the last week in September and that went very well too. I'm sure Nicholas will love middle school too and I can't imagine he would turn into a monster ever!

Joe started band this year and he plays the saxophone. He really loves it. It is about twice as much to rent compared to what we pay for Lizzy's trumpet. Lizzy is playing in the jazz band too and really enjoying that. They had an all school concert last week and the jazz band was great.

Thanks for the suggestion of letters. She seems to be able to email weekly but there is something special about a real letter too.

Enjoy your Easter celebration. Did the kids get to have icecream or do they have to wait til after the 24th?

Good morning

Bernadette, I think that your idea sounds great. I also think that Tammi's idea of weekly letters from Lizzy is a great idea. She'll want to hear from a friend as often as possible, I'm sure. That sounds like something that could be a terrific experience if handled the right way is instead a very sad experience. There is a Sharon Creech book, Bloomability, about a girl who is sent to Switzerland to live with an aunt and uncle against her wishes, but the aunt and uncle really do have her best interests at heart and it turns into a wonderful experience. It's one of my favorite young adult books. I wish that this girl was getting that experience instead of being treated like she is.

I have to look for that book! Yvette couldn't wait to go to get away from her loon of a mother. I don't she realized her aunt would be as bad and that her cousins would still have their own life to live. She's off now for 2 weeks for Easter break. She said they are going to Italy so I'm sure that will be more fun than being in a school all day where you have to struggle to understand what is going on.

I was thinking of making her a fabric portfolio cover to match the pencil case but most of the pads I can find are right around the limit of the box or too small. Finding a nice journal to fit inside the box might be easier!

Just got back from the MRI, results next week. I feel better today so I am really thinking it was a food trigger.

So glad to hear you're feeling better!

Anyone know of flowers/plants that deer won't eat?

NO! But I'll ask Gene.






I walked at lunch with Dorinda today for an hour. Now to just keep it up this weekend!

 

[bear74]

so whats going in the easter baskets this year?

 

[babytrees]

Tammi-both of my girls were great until High School...oh my gosh!! Abi was the biggest pain in my tush today while we were trying to find something for her to wear for Easter (nothing pretty, flowery, dressy, or old lady looking) . At one point I was going to either cry or yell at her or the next cashier who asked us "How are you today?" In fact one lady backed off after I looked at her...I think I scared her

As for band both of my girls have played so you know I am totally for band. Definitely let him pick his instrument and often if you start looking at the end of school year you can find instruments cheap. Of course, not the not so popular ones like a baritone which is what we have to find. Abi's instrument is on it's 8th out of 9 lives it is falling apart so it would take just as much to fix as to buy a new one.

Hope the reveal goes awesome!!

 

[babytrees]

so whats going in the easter baskets this year?

Cassidy got a NookColor and I told her all the accessories I got for it (a cover, skins, and a backup charger) were her Easter basket which she was fine with. I also sent her money and a Target gift card to get spring clothes.

Abi will get a chocolate bunny and EverCrossed for her Easter present. See above for the shopping trip from heck for her Easter/spring clothes.

 

[my3princes]

16 hours on my feet done!! I had my 90 day but really 5 month review today. I got a 12 cent raise. More hours seem to be in the works too. But, if they keep the close one night, open the next morning thing going I am going to die.

I have one day off...where Abi and I will do some things just the 2 of us. I will post pictures of her bed when we get the room done (except the painting). She absolutely loves her bed, the first one she has ever picked out. She picked a Trundle so that her sister would have somewhere to sleep when she visited.

I'm glad the review went well and that more hours are in your future Abi is such a sweetie for thinking of her sister

Since not all of you are on facebook I will post what I wrote there today. It is short and sweet!

Eleven weeks ago today we were planning a funeral. This morning I watched Bob lift index cards with a straw and walk 175-feet with a walker. We believe in miracles at our house.

We totally believe in miracles

I need an advise.....

Lizzy best friend Yvette was sent to Switzerland on her 12th birthday to stay there until the end of the school year with her Aunt (mother's sister), uncle and 2 female cousins-about 14 & 16. She went at 12 because you can fly unaccompanied internationally at 12. So she flew alone and went through customes alone. Her cousins go to private school but Yvette is going to public school there. She speaks some french but not fluent. They put her in the 5th grade there (6th here) I assume because she can't speak and she just showed up 2/3 of the way through the year.

Her Mom is a total loon. I don't think her aunt, uncle or dad are any better. She's emailed Lizzy that her aunt doesn't want her on the computer so she can't email too much. Her dad told her that she can't "chat" with her cousins too much because they need to do their school work.

Her room is a huge GLASS porch. Hot during the day and freezing at night and NO privacy.

She tells Lizzy she is so bored-they aren't having her take any tests at school so she's more like a guest than student. She gets home from school at 3 but her cousins don't get home til 6pm. She lonely and homesick.

She's a smart/mature girl so I think she might struggle next year catching up in school but I think she'll do OK.

My heart breaks for her. Her parents are treating her like a grown up but she's still a little girl. So any ideas of anything I can do for her?

I thought I might try to send her a little package. The post office has a flat rate small box 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 1 1/2. I was thinking of maybe some gel pens. Lizzy is using some cool gel pens in art so she thought Yvette might like those. Thought I could make her a pencil case. I made her a fabric luggage tag before she left. I figured out how to print on fabric with my ink jet printer so I thought I could make the pencil case out of fabric with photos of her cat or of her & Lizzy.

Any other ideas?

I immediately thought about a good book. I'm sure she'd love current english writing. She must be craving hearing english conversations so book on tape might be nice or some current music. My kids love downloading the latest music.

Good morning.

Well, after sitting through middle school orientation last night, I'm definitely scared and excited at the same time. I hope my sweet little boy doesn't turn into a monster like the counselor warned us (refering to all the hormonal changes).

Nicholas has to pick one of four electives offered.....chorus, band, strings, or art. He's not artistic, doesn't want to do chorus since he's done that for 2 years in elem. So that leaves either band or strings. I'm concerned, as this is a whole year elective, and with an instrument it will require practice at home, of which our time is very limited. Plus I would have to either buy or rent the instrument. He says he's leaning toward the saxophone. Ok, cool enough instrument. I'm really trying to keep my opinion out of it and let him make his own decision. But I see battles on the distant horizon regarding practicing.

Bernadette, the care package is a good idea. How about Lizzy writing letters weekly?

Off to PA soon!

Middle school is not that bad. No monsters created for us. Nick and Hunter both play drums in the band and Nick just started guitar this year. He LOVES guitar and practices without us having to nag him.

 

[Glynis]

Hi, all! Sorry it took me all day to check in. Hectic day!

I bowled my all time high this morning: 182!!! I marked in every frame but one! Go me!!! Of course, I couldn't be consistent and do it again in the other games. Oh well!

Bernadette - I like the journal and pen idea. What about some stationary so she could write Lizzy? Maybe some of her favorite treats from home that she can't get there.

Tammi - I don't know about boy hormones. Jacob is still my sweetie. He's 11, though, so I know it's coming! I had to buy him his first deodorant this week! Wow!!! Good luck with the electives! That's a tough choice.

Jennifer - Easter baskets are going to be pretty minimal this year. Each child is getting either a movie or DS game that they've wanted, plus some candy. Katie will probably also get a mute for her violin. Other than that, nada! Thank heaven for Grandpa who bought Easter clothes for all of them. That was just not in our budget this year!

For Christmas, we got some passes to a local aquarium, and I think we're going to use those up tomorrow. It's the last full day we'll have together before the kids and I go to Grandpa's house, and Alan heads to NYC. Should be fun! I'll try to remember to take pictures!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

[my3princes]

Glynis a 182 is a fabulous score. Hunter bowled his highest score at the State Tournament last weekend and that was a 167. Nick's highest score is a 188. They've been league bowling for 8 years. I'm always excited to bowl over a 100.



My new job is going well. The hours are shorter than I expected during training, but there is so much to learn that my head is spinning anyway Some of it is making more sense now that I've seen it a few times. My coworkers seem to be a great bunch of people and the atmosphere is pretty laid back.

 

[Glynis]

Glynis a 182 is a fabulous score. Hunter bowled his highest score at the State Tournament last weekend and that was a 167. Nick's highest score is a 188. They've been league bowling for 8 years. I'm always excited to bowl over a 100.



My new job is going well. The hours are shorter than I expected during training, but there is so much to learn that my head is spinning anyway Some of it is making more sense now that I've seen it a few times. My coworkers seem to be a great bunch of people and the atmosphere is pretty laid back.

Thanks, Deb! I was pretty excited. My average is 119, so I was beyond thrilled!!!

Sounds like the new job is going to work out well for you!

 

[babytrees]

Glynis-if the tax refund hadn't been as big as it was I wouldn't have gotten the girls Easter outfits. I am thankful that the girls aren't needing baskets though I miss them.

I, like Deb, am happy when I bowl over 100...but I am always the highest left handed bowler!!

Deb-I am glad your job is going good!! Which reminds me I have to e-mail my resume out to a job prospect.

 

[babytrees]

Off to beddy bye as I work in the morning...yup the only one with kids gets nights and weekends

Have great weekends everybody!!

Glynis-your Saturday sounds lovely!!

 

[PNO4TE]

I am glad everyone seems to be "feeling better" this morning. Your questions about what goes into Easter baskets surprised me. Our Easter baskets held a chocolate bunny, jelly beans and peeps. We never gave gifts at Easter. We didn't give gifts to the girls either. The best secular part of Easter was coloring the eggs and having the egg hunt.

 

[PNO4TE]

Good morning, DDA!

Off to teach!

 

[tinknme]

Good morning

When the boys were younger I always gave them a stuffed animal along with the other goodies. Most of those Garrett & Riley still have & will not let me get rid of. So till they move away they all sit on a shelf in their closest.

 

[mommykds]

The Easter Bunny brings a chocolate cross & various candies in the baskets. Some extras include nail polish & bunny socks for the girls, yugioh cards for dan. Just little things really. We still color eggs & have an Easter egg hunt. We were in Disney last Easter & the bunny had everything in bunny shopping bags & hid eggs around the room at the Poly.

Wish I was there now, this week stunk.

 

[Glynis]

We have an Easter egg hunt at my SIL's house the day before Easter. Everyone brings colored eggs, and bags of candy, and we scatter them around her yard. The kids hunt them, and generally just enjoy themselves. It's a great time! Everyone comes away loaded with candy. Therefore, the Easter Bunny doesn't bring a lot of candy to our kids. Just small things that they wouldn't normally see in the stores.

I'll try to remember to take pics of our egg hunt this year.

 

[babytrees]

I am glad everyone seems to be "feeling better" this morning. Your questions about what goes into Easter baskets surprised me. Our Easter baskets held a chocolate bunny, jelly beans and peeps. We never gave gifts at Easter. We didn't give gifts to the girls either. The best secular part of Easter was coloring the eggs and having the egg hunt.

Mine has always had just a movie and the yummy candy....but this year since Cassidy isn't here I told her the accessories were her Easter basket (I was getting them anyway ) and instead of the movie this year Abi is getting a book.

I am probably getting Voyage of the Dawn Treader for myself...and the first 2 Chronicle movie (again) just so I have them.

 

[babytrees]

I am thrilled that the weather is warm enough to wear my sandals. The $80 a pair I paid for them last summer has obviously been an awesome investment as my feet feel almost normal in them

With that I will say Good Night!!!

Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite (those suckers leave scars!!)

Hope you all have blessed Sundays!!

Getting back into the habit of posting here has helped with my little bout of depression. A large part of it was work, Jim and the fact my anniversary is coming up. A smaller part was I am feeling disconnected with people....not a whole lot of people I know here and those I know I don't really want to be friends with. Posting has reminded me I have some of the best friends within a fingers reach.