June, July, August PLANNING thread

[EEyorelover22]

Homecoming = not much learning goin' on for a week

They paint the windows in our downtown area red and black...school colors.
We have spirit days...dress up in crazy outfits. Today was pj day. Tomorrow is costume and I'm wearing Tigger. Wed is clash, Thursday is decade and Friday is red and black for school colors and we will have a pep rally at the end of the day.

There is a parade Thursday (elem schools and clubs participate) and then coronation of the king and queen following.

They elect 5 couples that are seniors and they have one couple represent each class...freshmen, sophomore and junior. DS was elected the sophomore attendant...cost me major bucks $$$ for clothes. The king and queen are elected from the seniors by the school.

The game is Friday night and then the dance is Saturday.

Back in the day, I was student council advisor and I ran the whole thing. Thank goodness I became very smart and resigned

By Sunday, I will be financially sucked dry.

 

[candizfan]

EE22 - It does sound like a big deal and a lot of fun for the kids, but expensive too.

I hope everyone stays safe and has a great time....hold onto the $$ as much as you can so you can go see the mouse again soon.

My kids are 12 and 9 so I have a bit of time before all that expense starts.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

hiya everyone,

ee22, you are too cute. I loved the picture. I have a pooh & eeyore outfit too, we can go trick or treating togther. So did they win their football game.

Tomar, hope your still healing.

Candi, sounds like your kids are getting close to puberty? Boys or girls? Took my neices to wdw when they where 12yr & her little sis was 10yr. They where horrible. Turns out they are still horrible. One minute the 12yr old would say that boy is cute, pretend your not with me (like she went there by herself?) and then the next: I want to talk to mommie. Last year we took their half brother, at 8yr he was so much better. And he has adhd.

So what is going on with planning? When is everyones 180 mark? It comes so early. You don't want to miss it. I read somewhere hours are out to March? I didn't pull up to look, but thought already? Isn't that the case, when we are waiting for ap rates, we wait forever, & then when your not going they seem to be out early?

Well, hope I didn't miss anything. Have a great week, mky

 

[candizfan]

EE22 - did you send a link to your pictures? I would love to see the costumes. I have never been big on dressing up but love to see everyone else. I think it comes from being the youngest of 6...Halloween was old news by the time I came around.

MKY - we are going for our March break (Canadian version of winter break) so I was able to book my ADRs for that already.

My children are both girls 12 (yep you got that right!) and 9. My 9 year old is being bullied at school and has been since 1st grade, so she is a little behind emotionally. She is very smart and cute with a killer sense of humor. But she still takes long to get to sleep and comes down at least a couple days a week to our room. She just isn't secure in herself yet.

The 12 year old is not quiet as horrible as some 12 year old girls can be. I don't ever remember liking my neices when they were this age. If she tells me one more time how old I am I just might explode. But she still wants to go on vacation with us, but I am not allowed to dance in public.

A friend told me that not to expect to have a normal conversation between now and 18 years of age. I just keep trying to roll with it and hope we come out on the other side (of puberty) with a pleasant young lady.

Both kids are pretty sheltered, so they are not as smart mouthed as a lot of kids are at this age....but I may be in for a shock and find out it just hasn't really started yet.

 

[tripplanner2]

Hi All:

Sorry I have missed so much. Things have been busy here with everyone back to school. I thought I would have free time but I am busier than ever.

DD3 was diagnosed with asthma 2 weeks ago. That has been a fun battle. She needs to use the nebulizer but often refuses and that makes her breathing even worse. She also has a double ear infection that she is on her second round of antibiotics for and reflux. The reflux we are pretty sure she has had since birth but it was never diagnosed. We changed pediatricians and she found it right away. Never a dull moment.

MKY: Your trip is so close. I hope your foot is fully healed or at least close to it. You can have a fresh start this time.

Tomar: I hope your arm is doing better. I have to tell you that I burned my arm too this week. I had to laugh. Mine is no where near as bad as yours but I did take MKY's advice and have been keeping it moist.

EE22: I bet you are going to sleep well tonight. Enjoy the weekend.

Candi: Fun to read about your family. I have 3 girls and they keep me very busy. They are younger than yours but I can already see where things are headed. We also shelter our kids from a lot and it gets really hard with everything that goes on in school. Hard to find friends with parents that have the same idea.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

 

[candizfan]

Hi everyone

Today I am thankful that my kids are healthy enough to be a pain in the neck at time. I have a job that is busy enough to make me work too hard. For dirty laundry in the house for it means I live with people I love. And I am very thankful that I have enough income to pay for my needs and a trip to see the mouse when fun therapy is needed. Life is good. Crazy but good.

Well it is the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend and the weather is like summer. The house should be an oven after cooking a big turkey all day.

We will meet at Mom's for dinner. Small group this year, 16 people probably. We have a pretty big family.

I know when your Thanksgiving is since we are a border town and have some many friends in Canada. Plus working in the auto industry, you learn when all the holidays are around the world now. Did you know it use to be the same time as ours but was moved in the US?

Tripplanner - I try not to think that the teen years are all bad. This week my DD12 was her old self again. I think that is the hard part for me. You never know what the mood of the moment is going to be.

I agree that it is hard to find parents that feel the same about limits. But they girls are not so overly protected that they are naive either because I feel that can become a disadvantage and make them a target for people looking to take advantage of them.

It is tough to find a balance.

I am an asthma sufferer as well. I had it as a child, but was not properly diagnosed until I was a young adult. I had such a hard time breathing at time, I felt l might just die. I have to watch what I do (extreme cold etc) but I don't let much get in the way of what I really want to do. Olympic swimmer was out of the question though! No wait, that was because I am not a good swimmer....see no need to let it limit you.

Once she gets it under control and finds out what triggers it, she might do just fine. One piece of advice, especially with the ear infections (there is a known link), have her tested for allergies. Eliminate some of the big ones and she will probably have a lot less trouble.

Also, don't let anyone smoke around her EVER! If you smoke, it really is best to quit. Smoke comes in on your clothes and a hug could set off an attach.

Windsor is a smoke free town. You cannot smoke in any public areas including bus stops. I love it! We have gone out to eat more this year than the last three combined.

Enough for now. I brough work home tonight so here I go.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Good Morning Guys !
Well looks like we are having the "never ending summer" here in the north east and Im loving every minute ...
The nasty burn on my arm is healing very nicely (thank you all for asking )...
MKY - your advice was wonderful !...DH says that by keeping bacitratin on it all the time...Im actually lessing the icky large mark I have there...so a big thank you to you...my nurse friend
I hope all is well in the foot healing dept.....and you are back walking normally
Your trip is getting very close now.. I was looking at pictures of MNSSHP recently...the MK is decorated so beautiful Your gunna have lots of fun!! We have never been at any major Holiday....this coming year will be the first time for the 4th of July !!!!!

EE22- Wishing you time to rest after your wonderful..whirlwind Homecoming week !!!

Candi-' HAPPY THANKSGIVING" ! Watch that OVEN it hasn`t been that friendly to me lately WOW...so your neck of the woods is "Smoke Free"...that is amazing and wonderful to hear ..since Im a person with Broncial Asthma myself If Im even one inch near a cigarette....I can get an asthma attack ! This past winter I litterally lived on the nebulizer (I call it.. smoking the "peace pipe"...ROTFL)...
Enjoy your Holiday...and don`t work to hard !!!

TP2- Hi...So Glad you had time to check-in
Im so sorry to hear about DD getting asthma....my both boys had it very young (Im keeping my fingers crossed that PP doesn`t get it )....my family is full of allergies and respiratory problems...ick...
There is one "Old Wives Remedy"...that I still use and it seems to work for us when we get an attack in conjunction with taking the meds....Hot Weak Tea (no milk)..and and a little sugar......
It might be just breathing in the steam from the hot tea...or something...but it always helps....
sending some pixiedust for her for feeling better !

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone !!!!

 

[tripplanner2]

Thanks for the advice Candi and Tomar. We don't smoke, nor is she around anyone who smokes in the family but I was unsure if the "smell" of smoke would set off an attack. I am beginning to learn that it may. We have no smoking allowed in restaurants and stores but there is usually a designated smoking spot outdoors. Usually by the entrance and you have to walk past to get in where ever you are going. I wish our town were smoke free. Allergy testing is next for us but I want to give her a little break. I feel like she has been through a lot in a short amount of time. Our goal is to get rid of all our carpets. One thing at a time though.

I hope everyone is enjoying this extended summer weather. I can't imagine cooking a turkey in this. We went pumpkin picking today and we were all sweating. Usually we are in winter coats as we walk through the fields. Hope you had a wonderful holiday Candi.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone!

Been busy here. Worked the weekend and had a large wedding last nite for a friends daughter. I can't believe my friends have kids getting married. I must be older than dirt.

I am trying not to go on and on about the foot. But I have an appt. on friday to get the "shot". It is definately getting worse again, since I went back to work. So I have someone working my shift on friday, and am off the weekend, should be time to recooperate. Hopefully this will put us back in the right direction.

Tomar, So glad you are healing! It really is alot of work, but your dh is right, it will heal quicker and much prettier. It was very hot and humid here, so we are sending you some more heat.

EE22, great pictures again. You have some beauitful children. And so grown up. Is that a stitch in the dining room? Liked your pooh shirt too.

TP2, Sounds like things have been rough. You guys are getting a large share of medical problems. Sorry. That is alot to go through. Candi & tomar are right about smoke. Really affects asthma. Triggers are key. I forgot how old #2 is. If she can "blow" a Peak Flow meter is necessary. If your md does not give you one, ask at your pharmacy they are very inexpensive. You can track her breathing, once, twice or more often a day, to keep her on track. You can pick up once a problem is brewing early. The earlier you jump on it, and treat the quicker recovery, and less severe attack. The Peak flow meter: have her do it when she is not sick, and that is your baseline, then do it daily and if you see a change or pattern: time to jump! Start treatment. Go to md, or start your meds. Sometimes, its the chicken or the egg theory. If you have a cold > does it set off your asthma, OR if you have an asthma attack does it set off a cold? I personally > usually start with my asthma and then it turns into a cold too cause of being run down. They usually always go togther.
Sounds like you are on to a good md now. Allergy & asthma specialist usually start seeing and treating at about age 4yr. and older. I took allergy shots for 18yrs. Am much better now. OR I just learned to watch myself better and now know what I need to do when. If your really worried, get yourself a stethoscope, (uniform shops sell very cheaply) and listen to her back and chest, when sick > this will let you know how it sounds > and how it sounds when they are getting worse or better. Then if you think, Wonder if she is wheezing > just listen to her. I take care of many parents that do all these things. They ask to use my stetoscope so they can track the chest changes too. Wheezing is just the noise the alveolar (lung tissue) make when air goes in and out. It can be tight, wet, more of less. Tight is a harsher sound and it is a bad thing. You always want to be loose. Listen to the other kids and compare how they sound for "normal" sounds. The worse sound is definately when you don't hear anything. No air movement. Very serious and dangerous. By sight you can judge by "retractions" sometimes people will "suck" in air so hard that they pull the skin in. Look for it in the front of the neck, ribs, center of chest. Always ask questions. mds and nurses (ok most) like to teach. The parents are actually the best way to figure out what is going on with the child. You know your kid better than anyone. One of the 1st rules of ped nursing: always listen to the mom! If they tell you something ain't right > it isn't. Don't mean to lecture, just please don't be over whelmed. It is a serious, dangerous disease > but can be treated, and you learn to adjust to it. Any questions, of problems feel free to ask. take one attack at a time. Hang in there. Look at it like a disney trip You where overwhelmed and confused and little by little, figured out the puzzle and now a mear genius. Same thing. And my favorite: if in doubt call the md.

Candi, March is a great month to visit disney. Right after the holiday high and the long winter months > some great disney time. Happy thanksgiving!

Well, we are at 44! And exactly 2 months today > we will be flying home. Our vacation over.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. mky

 

[tripplanner2]

MKY: Wow!!! You are so full of information. I so hope that all works well with your shot and your foot heals. Maybe you should take a bit more time to heal.

DD is just 3. My nephew also has asthma so I have been quizing my sister in law and she told me about the peak flow meter. I don't know if she is old enough yet. Last Saturday we had a really bad night. She was refusing the nebulizer, probably because of the reflux, but she was having "retractions". I am glad for the phrase because I explained it to the doctor that I could see the hole in her neck being sucked in. I got her to take Tylenol because of a fever she started and for some reason the retractions got better. We were on the verge of going to the ER when her breathing got better. She was wheezing when I brought her in initially. I knew she had a cold but the fluid was clear. I try to not be a hypocondriac with the kids but her cough was bad and then I heard the wheezing and decided to bring her in. Her new doctor was in a panic. Did the first treatment in her office and ordered the nebulizer herself. She wanted to make sure she got it right away. She called me the next morning to see how things were going. She has been wonderful and I can't believe we saw her last pediatrician for so long. Maybe there was a reason for DD8 getting sick in Disney. I don't know if I would have switched doctors if I had not had that experience. When dd8 went to the ER, all any doctor or nurse could do was recommend her new pediatrician. When the current ped was mentioned they were all silent. That coupled with no one from his office contacting me after she was admited to the hospital and seeing a PA for her first checkup after being in the hospital really set me off. The PA looking like she was 16 didn't help either. When things go bad, I always say that things happen for a reason. I hate that DD8 got so sick but we had no idea how sick dd3 really was. Her old ped was ready to send me for parent couseling to help me deal with parenting 3 kids.

Thank you so much for all of your smart advice. It really helps more than you know.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

TP2, You could of been on my unit. We are not allowed to say certain things. People always ask: Do you like my md? Is he a good md? Are they doing the right thing for my dd? Cannot really answer any of those. (or get fired?) BUT If I am asked " what would you do if you where her mom?" "What pediatrician do you use?" "would you ......." Always turn the question as if the person was the mom. We can definately answer than. It is a game. So many times, a md is playing around wasting time, when we all say to each other "pt needs to get out of here and be transfer to children's in chicago ...." But cannot suggest it to parents. But if the parent ask "if this was you child would you transfer them?" They want to answer you, but there are loop holes. There are many md's out there, that are great but if you have a sick kid, not so great. I personally don't care for md's that use alot of pa's or nurse practitioners. Especially for sick child visits. Regular physicals is one thing, but sick kids. Your paying him, and he is working for you. There are many mds in america, if you don't get good service > move on. Same thing at our hospital. Lots of competition in the area > so we have to do alot of "extras" just to stay in business. Hate to think of medicine as business, but it is. Don't feel bad about changing an md. Good you found out now before something bad happened and he didn't handle it right. (ie = you florida incident)

I have gotten some 3 yr olds to do peak flows. Make it a game / not associated with meds, or treatments. Let older sis do it, and you and she will want to play too. Just a matter of timing, & ability to blow.

Be very careful with her when retracting etc.. .they can be very dangerous signs. Don't feel like your a hypocontriac, this is very serious. Asthma is a disease for the ER. Can get worse fast, and be dangerous. Older kids with a large history, will acctually tell you "i am getting tight" Need a treatment. As you both get used to it, you will pick signs up earlier and earlier. If you wake up at nite and she is bad, and worse than usuall > feel free to call 911. This is a perfect use of the system. She might need 02, the crew can provide. 911 might have you giving neb, till they arrive > and it is safer to take to hospital this way, than in your car with no care available.

I hate to bring up the puppy, but does it bother her? Was she asthmatic before he came into the family? Animals are a big issue. Something to think about. Carpets are good to remove. But does she have alot of stuffed animals? Same problem. md will tell you to get rid of them. Anything for dust. Hepa filters are great. I have a large honeywell in bedroom, (jet engine sounds) and a hepa vacumn cleaner too. Both have helped. Vader is an outside dog. Allowed only in certain rooms of house. If he is bothering my allergies He has to go out. Something now that is setting me off: is the fire pits. They smoke up our neighborhood and sis and I cannot breathe. Had to turn the air conditioner on, to feel better. Weather (seasons) also will trigger. Turning on furnance the 1st time and the vents dusty is a trigger. Spring is bad, everything enviromental. You will start checking the mold count. I used to wonder: who cares? Now I know. If I wake up coughing > I will have a busy day at work, cause everyone else did too.

Nebulizer, if she is asleep try blowing it on her. Especially if she won't wake up and cooperate. with small infants we just blow the neb on the nose and mouth. Did they give you a mask for the neb. or just the mouth piece? Either one works the same, I prefer mask on smaller kids. You can usually rig up one if you put a styrofoam cup on end of it and the cup fits to childs face. Cut a nickle size hole for outside air to mix. Hold in place. That way the treatment doesn't all go into the atmosphere. Of course, ask you md too.

Part of her being disagreeable might be your neb medicine. Albuterol is a good drug and used widely. But side effects are hyper! Trouble sleeping, concentrating, upset stomach, you feel "nervous". Xopenex is a refined albuterol = supposed to be a little easier on the side effects. But VERY expensive. Any oral / iv drugs: are usually in the steroid family. Same side effects here and multiple by 10. Togther they work great, BUT you never sleep, and feel wound up.

Sounds like you have a great support system, and new md. Those will help so much. You probably already been here. But webmd.com is every easy to use and fairly easy to understand the info. If you haven't been there yet. If your at the mall, Barnes and nobles has a nursing / medicine section with great books for reference. Look up drugs, or treatments. Gives you info to talk to md about.

Hope she is feeling better soon. You might need to breath some of the albuterol > to stay awake every nite too? Just kidding, try to get some sleep.

mky

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Tp2,
forgot:

The tylenol = might just of made her "feel" better (analgesia) and that is why she settled down? She might of been having pain in her chest with the work of breathing, and it helped. It would not affect the "asthma" itself. But would affect the problems / effects of the asthma. The fever also has side problems, makes you irritable, possible pain, discomfort, increase resp. rate just from that too. All effects and adds to the asthma. > Makes her not feel good, so she don't want to or understand why you making her breath this junk. So it doesn't hurt to give the tylenol.

Diet: light diet when breathing poorly. Any kind of milk, milkshakes, etc.. . > produces mucous. BAD. It will make them worse. Stick with clear liquids and push fluids. fluids will liquify secretions and help them come out. 3yr olds are in the middle> They usually will not spit out the phelgm. Leads to swallowing mass amounts of mucous from the lungs now in the digestive system. > 2 ways to get ride of it (now). 1. vomits = upsets her stomach cause its all in there. 2. diarrhea = slimes up everything. But it will come out.

mky

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hey you DVC ladies:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Oct/03/br/br1567094328.html

interesting, mky

 

[candizfan]

MKY- I checked out the site and a 2011 opening date would work for me. I don't want to go while the kids are still pretty young...maybe it will be the first big trip we take without them since they were born.

It will be interesting to see how it fits with DVC membership use. Hopefully we will be able to stay there using our points and not more than a regular time share switch.

Your advise to TP2 is wonderful. It sounds like you are a wonderful nurse and take great care of those in your unit.

TP2 - hang in there. MKY is correct about the pets and the stuffed toys. My doc always said to get rid of all of them. But for me, I never had an allergy to cats or dogs, but I did have to limit the number of stuffed toys around and I had to wash them often. With the carpets out, there will be less dust in the house to contaminated a couple of favourite toys.

MKY - have you ever had acupunture? I love it for my back and it might give you some relief.

EE22 - thanks for sending the pictures of the Homecoming to me. They are wonderful and it looks like it was so well planned out. The kids are handsome and beautiful. I suspect you were the woman wearing the Pooh shirt beside the stunning young man?

I will have to send you the link to my Disney Cruise photos.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Candi, You are too sweet. Thank you.
Will be interesting to see how that hawawii thing works out. Wonder if they would put one of the cruise ships out there. That would be great. I would love to cruise from disneyland (after a couple of days) to hawawii. That would really be somewhere to go. I've been to the traditional trip to hawawii. Just did it all wrong. Wrong time of year, wrong resort, wrong island, wrong friends....... Just wrong. that was 83'. Swore it would be a really long time before I ever did that again. This might change it.

43 days!

 

[tripplanner2]

MKY: Thank you so much for the wealth of information. I really do appreciate every bit of it. As for Sully, he is hypoalergenic so I don't think he is a trigger for her. I got rid of 2 bags full of stuffed animals. Of course I kept all of the Disney ones. I am pretty sure that smoke, even old smoke, is a problem for her. She takes a bus to preschool and we were having a terrible time getting her on the bus, never have before. I mentioned that I could smell the smoke once they opened the bus door. I think the drivers were smoking on the bus in between runs when there were no kids on. I think she felt sick but did not know how to expain it. I am going to call about the peak flow meter. She has another doctors appointment tomorrow so we will see how she is doing.

Hope your foot is doing better. You must be thrilled about another trip. I could really use on right about now.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone!

TP2, Your welcome! No problem, any time I can help.

EE22, Hope your recooperating! How is your foot doing in your new shoes, since you have been working? I have looked at the shoes for work online, but whenever I get to a bigger mall, will see if I can find them to try on.

Tomar, so when do you see the princess next? I baked cookies this afternoon, and thought of you. Hopefully your feeling better. It is just a long process.

Candi, Are you still eating turkey? Hope you had a very special holiday. Disney in Hawawii, that is interesting. Disney is the only reason we went on a cruise again.

Today, the travel channel had disney on all afternoon. Sis and I are confused when we want to go back. Not sure if we are really interested in heat and crowds. October last year was very nice, but I hate to wait all year to october. We have the cruise in august (if we keep it) I was thinking maybe to 1 week with the 4 day wonder cruise > and then Just go in October or decemeber in 08'? Or maybe do early june, late may? We stopped going in spring with the grad nites things, or running into easter / spring breakers. But I like going twice a year, and want it more broke up. Not sure what we will decide. OK, please suggest ? what is your perfect ideal time to go?

Thanks for any suggestions, Mky

 

[candizfan]

MKY - you are welcome. Anytime you want to come work in Canada, they would love to have you I am sure (just the board certification thing to worry about).

As for travel times. I loved the first week in February when we use to go. Now that the kids are older we can't skip school for that long.

Then we started to go the second week in July. It is hot and humid and rains almost every afternoon but I still like it. You spend more in drinks but the crowds aren't too bad and it is the same as the weather here. Last year it was cooler in Orlando than is was in Windsor.

We are going for our first in March this coming year. It will be our spring break and I75 runs from Detroit straight down to Florida so we Canadians have a caravan (of Carvans ) that hit the road starting Friday afternoon, so the crowds will be moderate to heavy I am sure.

This past March we did the Disney Magic for a week and got to see a very hot day when we arrived and a very chilly day when we came back. We did not hit the parks that trip as my mom was not up to it on top of the cruise....but they were calling me when I hit land.

I am hoping for warm next March.

Don't go in August if you don't like the heat and humidity. My sister went then and she almost melted.

I have never been for a major holiday but would like to at some point.

I know what you mean about doing a trip all wrong. That was Vegus for me. It really isn't my kind of place. Who do you like to travel with now?

 

[candizfan]

TP2 - was distracted dreaming of Disney and forgot to show my shock at bus drivers smoking on the bus!!! Empty or not - that is just way to hard to believe.

Is there a no smoking sign on the bus? If so it means all the time not just when there are passengers on the bus.

Even our casino is non smoking here. Cesar's will be taking over Casino Windsor before too long. They are building a big addition and you can get to the Detroit casinos in about 10 minutes from Downtown Windsor. Plus Detroit has the sports teams and the theater district that I like having close but I don't have to live in such a large city.

If you look at a map, Windsor is south of Detroit. It is the only area in Canada that is south of the US. Cool eh! We share a lot of the same festivities since we are so close. He have a fireworks shows for the two holidays (Canada Day July 1 and Independence Day July 4). 500-750,000 people attend between both countries. The show lasts about 25 minutes (non stop) and is one of the largest shows in the world.

Our show is so awesome, we don't bother to watch the fireworks at MK. We hit the rides instead. But I did like seeing it from the Grand Floridian once.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I'm so behind!! I will get back to this hopefully this weekend.

mky...saw your note about the shoes. They work well. YES!! try on a pair for sizing and they all fit different. I had to go up a size in a pair of boots I bought. It was an omen that they sold out of the outlet. They would have never worked.

more later...I feel like I've missed so much, but I'm so far behind and my hard math class is getting hard and I have bills to pay!!!