MAGICFOR2
Condimentessa
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2005
- Messages
- 11,044
Thanks Hadley! I speant last week kind of panicked, not knowing how to get my new life started! This week I am "On" again!
Hi, I haven't posted in awhile. I'm 56and my DH will be 59 next month. I stay home and homeschool my DGD who is 5. My DH is pastor of a church which got flooded over the weekend up to the eaves. We live in SE Kansas and are stranded here right now. I hope the groceries hold out until the roads open up.
Cyndifan, We have your small farm. We have two horses, a pony, cats, dogs, ducks, chickens and 6 baby opossums that were orphaned. They'll be released as soon as they are old enough.
NHdisneylover, that makes 4 homeschoolers, and I sew and quilt too.
My interests are sewing and quilting, and wasting time on the internet.I play the trombone a little and sometimes do a solo at church.
Hope things are going better - how did your church end up?
Your description of your familie's activities makes me miss my DSs' childhoods! They were always in baseball, football or basketball. My DH was always coaching, mostly the basketball, and we were always at a tournament - I was always keeping score or bringing snacks! Thanks for sharing your bio!
Okay that last post was already long so here goes another to tell you about our experiences thus far with our Fresh Air Fund child who we picked up late Tuesday afternoon. Reminds me of just HOW MUCH we take for granted. (a quick recap for those who missed me type about it previously--Fresh Air Fund arranges for chidlren from low income families in NYC to spend two weeks with families in the country during the summer. They match up children and families and bring the chilrden up on busses. Many childrne return year after year to the same host families. We are hosting for the first time this year).
Our boy "D" just turned 7 last week. He lives with his single mom (29) and brotehrs 14 and 5 (yes you did that math correctly). He does have a bit more of an agressive personality than my kids (play that I really think he takes as just playing and no big deal freaks out my little guy as mean). His intentions are good and I am sure as he gets used to our rules and we get better at predicting his reactions things will run smoothly (yesterday was a LONG day with an early morning to be in a parade and a late night trying to see fireworks which is never a good way to start a bunch of kids off together!). There is just as much good as bad (if not more good) already and the boys love to play legos together.
Okay two major things stand out in our minds thus far:
1. D got in the car at McDonald's (the drop point) and did not buckle up. When asked to, he looked around quite confused and couldn't figure out how/what to do. I said something about I bet you are used to riding in the subway at home. He responded yes. He had taken a taxi once when his brother was sick but it didn't have "these things" in it. It makes complete sense--but we take riding in cars and seat belts so much for granted. Here was a 7 year old for whom this was a totally novel expereince (by the way, he still needs help with that buckle pretty much every time)
2. Our firend's BBQ got rained out and there was no indoor alternative so everyone had to leave. We were already halfway towards the town where our other friends live that we were going to see fireworks with. So rather than spend a half hour driving home for lunch we went to Chili's. Dave and I both got the distinct impression that D has rarely (if ever) eaten in a table service restraunt (makes sense). He kept asking where the menu was (and pointing up to where a fast food one would be) in the lobby, actually shouted with glee at chips and salsa (AFTER he learned that his corn dog would ALSO still come) and is sooooo excited to take home his kids cup.
Yep, we are lucky people to do all that we do.
Thanks for the reminder of how blessed we all are.
We are back!!! Man what a trip....Ashley stood infront of Cinderella castle and then looked down at the ducks and only talked about the ducks....WE WERE at the WORLD and she wanted to talk about ducks..
It was really awkward..but at the end of the week she started coming around. She loved the fireworks, and even finally hugged a character. She hates rollercoasters and only wanted to ride on the merry-go-round. Maddie loved it all as usual and YES I GOT TO RIDE THE ROCKIN ROLLERCOASTER!!!The two year wait was well worth it....PS POTC has changed and included Depp.!
Funny, this sounds like my niece and nephew at the beginning of our WDW trip in June! I guess you just have to look through the eyes of a child and realize some of it is what feels familiar or comfortable for them. I kept thinking, "we came all the way to WDW...." I guess I already said that in my TR. I'm glad you had a nice trip.
Hello all, DH, DS(8), DD(8 months) and my inlaws are booked for this cruise. We booked it on our last 3 day Wonder in May.
This will be our third Disney cruise.
Welcome Aboard!!!
Welcome back! We were there in November and saw Depp on POTC. There were some ladies in the boat in front of us that got so excited I thought they were going to fall in.
That is just too cute!
My DH and I loved going to Serenity Bay, laying in the sun, walking on the beach, snorkeling a little, and drinking Konch Koolers. We felt like we were in the most perfect place in the world. Of course we started the day with the Rasul at the spa - we arrived at the beach quite later than everyone else, completely relaxed and all set for a quiet day!
Here's the official warning: I'm going to whine & whimper a bit.
I broke my pinky toe this morning. Ouch!! While trying to get my daughter ready for 'school' (daycare), I caught my toe on the edge of her toy box. I did it just right to break it apparently.After multiple hrs spent for dr visit & x-ray, I received the official word - it is broken, not sprained. At least I don't have to wear a 'boot' & there's plenty of time to recover before our cruise.
I know its a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but it surely does hurt at times! I sure could do w/one of the Italian Wedding Cake Martinis I've heard mentioned here. <sigh>
Ok, done w/the whining now. Thanks for the indulgence.
So sorry about your toe - Hope you are feeling better.
You both are just wonderful to do such awesome things. Hadley - your story made me cry. You are such a blessing to this boy and Rhonda - what a great ministry. I just love it!!! My great news is that my husband has a job interview within the next week or two in Lakeland - 30 minutes outside of Orlando - I am soooo excited and I bet you can guess why? Anyway, bless you both!
Wow! exciting! keep us posted! I would love to live near the world! WE had some really special Air Force friends from Lakeland! We somehow lost track of each other in the moves - I have tried to look them up, but haven't gotten the right number.
As I've been catching up, I realize that I have not introduced myself and family as most of you have. So without any further ado...
I'm 43 and I have been the director of a non-profit youth center for 15 years
(www.rhinosyouthcenter.org). I am very active in youth(teen) advocacy both locally and nationally. I'm a native Hoosier who's lived in Bloomington Indiana for 26 years.
I've been married to my lovely and challenging wifeCheryll for almost 14 years.
She is the business manager for the local parks department.
We have the most beautiful and special daughter in recorded history, Samnatha who will be 9 when we cruise.
I love her more than I could possibly express.
I also have a 24 year old stepson, AND a 24 year old daughter who has graced my with an amazing 4 year old grandson ( I don't get to see them enough. Samantha has been my redemption. Its a very long story. Look for the movie version of Lifetime soon)
Also, I have been the Host of the longest running 1 night comedy show in the country for 10 years (www.comedycaravan.com).
I am an anti-tobacco activist who helped pass a clean indoor air ordinance in my town and works with a state-wide youth led anti tobacco industry marketing campaign.
I am a musician who has toured the country in a satirical rock/comedy band.
I'm currently playing with a bunch of other old guys just for fun.
I'm also an ordained "Internet" minister who has performed 24 weddings in 8 years ( I'm 22 and 2 so far).
I also formed a comedy wrestling league that performed locally until my wife made me "retire". (FatherForce was my wrestling character's name)
I am what some of you may call a bleeding heart liberal, but I'd like to think I'm "progressive". My wife, on the other hand. is almost completely apolitical.
I believe almost fanatically in the sanctity of the Constitution.
I'm pretty cynical when it comes to pop culture, but I tear up watching movies, listening to music, and seeing WDW commericals on TV.
I love baseball. My team is the Cincinnati Reds ( shut up).
I play computer games and PS2 games. I love old Marvel Comics and think the 80's DC comic series "The Watchmen" is one of the best pieces of modern literature.
I like food and beer.
When Warren Zevon was dying of lung cancer, as a guest on Letterman, Dave asked him what he could tell him, in light of his situation, he may have learned about life and death.
Warren responded, "Enjoy Every Sandwich."
That sums it up for me.
Wow Fatherforce, you're my hero! You are doing exactly what I am hoping to do when my business grows a little! My dream is to get what I am calling a "boys and girls" club here in our town - although I don't want to go with United Way, because our hands will be tied politically - I want to be able to have the churches involved. I will have to check out your center online - could I pick your brain a little?
ROTFL This reminds me of my 26th birthday. My dad takes me out for Lobster every birthday and DH was working so we took along DD3 at the time. The waiter brought out my Lobster, and darling daughter SCREAMMED GET THE BUGGY OFF OF THE TABLE!! She had the whole restaurant looking at us. LOL it was priceless. The manager had to take the lobster back in the kitchen and deshell it for me.
Sports? What are those? Actually Marika does like karate, arhery, tennis, rock climbing and kayaking--but none of the traditioanl team sport type things. Rio likes archery, gymanstics and wants to take fencing (he also dances which is most certainly exercise--but insisted on dropping tap the year the recital song was Take Me Out to the Ball Game becuase he "couldn't stand to listen to tajt baseball song all year long") but no ball sports AT ALL. Hurray for other science and reading enthused kids
I was speaking about our "sports" above. I guess our family is the "jocks" ha! Although I was quite the Geek in high school, my DH converted me. My DS, 24 did love his video games and CAD program and Sim City more than his basketball, so I think he qualifies - can we still be on the boat??? Oh please do! Make sure you get one with Lionel shaking his head in disbelief of all your cruise forecasting!
You girls planning any scrapbooking overnighters? I'll be doing that next weekend as I'm going out of town to a friend's to play with paper, scissors, and "glue". What more can a kid ask for?
I'm jealous! My DILs and I did a scrapping retreat last fall, before they both got so big and pregnant - we are hoping to get back to it once baby Londynn is born - any day now!
Good evening everybody. Lot's of fun posts today! I will try to catch up.
Kimeberly--way to go recruiting more geeks for us.
Brandie--yes Rio is a huge Oingo Boing fan. He likes "Dead Man's Party" best. Careful asking Marika for book recomendations--she may never stop listing them once she starts
Erica--I hate to tell you this but there will probably be an 11 year old girl on the crusie taller than you are. She suddenly seemed taller to us last night, and three other people commented today that she looked taller (and she was wearing totally skinny, flat flip flops) so she may have already caught up to you (don't worry I am only 5'5" and I figure she'll be taller than me on the cruise also). Too bad they didn't measure her heighth at the ER today--which conviently leads me to today's story of the day:
The kids had gymanstics today (which, by the way, D absolutely adored). Marika managed to fall sideway into a small spot with no matt (off a spring board she was jumping hard on no less) and land with all of her weight on one wrist (and the "regular" floor is astroturf covered concrete). Needless to say she now has her first borken bone. We were at the ER for about 2 1/2 hours. This was by far the most trying expereince I have had with D (hard to be calm when one of my babies is in pain--and boy was she, fought back tears and little sharp intakes of breath with every movement, etc). He was mad that he had to leave gymanstics early and BORED and had no qualms with shouting about this, etc. After the X-rays had confirmed that her wrist was indeed broken and while we were waiting for the splint he very intentionally grabbed said wrist and squeezed with all his might (you should have heard my poor girl shriek). I seperated them as quickly as I could without harming him or causing her mroe pain and then held him restrained on my lap for about 30 seconds while I breathed slowly and deeply and coutned backwards. Once I could talk without yelling I turned him around, looked him right in the eye and used my best, ultra stern, this is not a bluff voice to let him know that if he so much as put a pinky on her, or any other injured person again he would be staying home all weekend with no computer or TV and could be bored then while Marika and Rio went and did the fun things we had planned. Thank goodness I have had years of teaching and mom experience to perfect that voice as the message seemed to get through (and luckily we only had to wait about 30 minutes after that). He may only be 7 and far from home but I do not tolerate injuring people like that. Period. Other than the ER time, it was a good day with Pizza Hut buffet for lunch, weaving class and then gymnastics and then we ended up at Outback for dinner because it was past dinner time when we left the ER and it was Marika's choice.
Hadley, I'm so sorry Marika got hurt! I wonder what set D off? Kudos to you for handling it the way you did when your baby was hurting! I hope she heals quickly!
I think I am now all caught up! There is so much to read if I miss a few days! Have a great weekend everyone!
I can't help myself, its such a great program.
Glad she's doing ok, that sounds like an ordeal! I can't stand the ER on a good day, let alone one like yours 
Oh & the part about his older brother being gone & arrested - I can't imagine going through something like that w/a child of mine (heaven forbid). Wow.
