Let the Prom Drama begin....Like Aurora, her dress keeps changing

[mamacatnv]

I'm Back

Horseshowmom:
Hope your back is better and that you got an undisturbed day off.

Sandy:
Sorry..............and here my DS was upset that the Sox won in Colorado instead of at Fenway in front of their crowds who still haven't gotten to experience a "live" World Series win in something like 90 years.

Weekend was good
We made it to OSU with 20 minutes to spare! On Friday I flew 500+ miles, drove 300 and walked about 10
OSU is beautiful with lousy expensive student dining facilities.
Remember DS's criteria: Food, Paintball & then somewhere down the list is Academics. The student housing tour was interesting, there is no showcasing going on, it was take a peek at who ever has a door open, some of those kids could use a big bottle of Febreeze and a lesson or 2 in small space organization

Mother is good - we took her to a huge pumpkin patch which she seemed to enjoy and them we bought some poster board and made 3 large picture collage's of her family, the grandkids and her trip to the pumpkin patch. She was fascinated by pictures of herself and kept asking where she was in the photo collages. So, I took a bunch of her, ran to Fred Myers (I'm liking this digital thing) added her name and the date. Then I blew several of them up into 8x10's and we placed those around her room in frames as well as made her a collage of pictures of just her. They seemed to make her happy. It was the first visit where she looked good, she is healthy and was actually a little interactive with us, not much but some which was a lot more than I had seen in the Spring.

The GPS that I rented with the car drove us in circles for 45 minutes in search of a gas station - we actually at one point went over the river into Washington State. Finally gave up, turned in the car and then had to get the manager to adjust the $110 in gasoline charges down to a reasonable $40. Caught out flight without incident and other than being really tired, all went well.

I gotta run................Hope all is well

 

[horseshowmom]

Sandy, I'm sorry about the Rockies. I know they would have liked to have at least made a better showing.

Your DH is fortunate to have such qualified help!


Melissa, glad you're home safe and that your mother was a little better.

I mentioned to DD about your son's desire for a paintball team, and she said that they have a really good one (I said, "You're kidding?" ). Apparently, this is a big thing!

I've been thinking about getting a GPS, but it doesn't sound like the one you got was much of a benefit. I may have to research this some before I decide.



Nothing new here. I didn't get my day off, but I am feeling a little better. DD took me to a Christmas bazaar and out to eat for my birthday last weekend (my birthday isn't actually until the 3rd, but the bazaar was last weekend, and we really enjoy it). The local hospice (in that town, not my town - of course, it's 50 miles away! ) does it as a fundraiser, and they always have some great vendors.

DD said that she thinks the creep may be gone (of course, she has no way of knowing for sure). She used to regularly see his truck at that auto parts store where he was working (when she was going back and forth to school). She said that it hasn't been there at all in quite awhile now. We're hoping that the police captain shook him up, and he decided to go back to Jackson (since he wasn't in school, he had no reason to be in town anyway). We're keeping our fingers crossed!

 

[Sandy V.]

Glad you're feeling better, Horseshowmom. Also glad that they ex-boyfriend is nowhere to be seen!!

Melissa, it sounds like it was a successful trip. Glad to hear it.

Thanks to both of you about condolences regarding the Rockies - I just wish they had played better. But I'm almost over it!!

Not much going on here. DS is going trick-or-treating with one of "his" girls , along with some friends, and then back to the girl's house to watch scary movies. Tomorrow is Senior Skip Day, so he'll get the chance to sleep in.

It's cold here - in the 40s and very damp. Looks like we might get a few flakes of snow.

Work is nuts right now; will write more later!!!

Have a good day, all!!!

 

[mamacatnv]

BOO!

Horseshowmom:
Lets all hope that creep is gone for good
Sounds like you had a nice B-Day treat with your DD.
Yes, paintball is a big deal. It is a very spendy recreational sport and DS loves it. He would play more if he worked more He spent his lifeguard money on a new "gun" 2 summers ago to the tune of $700 ask your DD if it is one of the intermural clubs or is it a college sponsored competitive team.
GPS: The funny thing was it worked like a champ for the entire 3 days we had it. We actually really liked it, I would drive and DS had a gadget to play with. It found us places to eat, places to pee and refill on the caffeine. It even warned us and then gave us an option to divert around 2 major accidents coming back from Corvalis to Portland on Friday during rush hour. For some reason the area in and around the Portland Airport is very confusing. There are no gas stations within a 2 mile radius at all, strange considering most rental car companies are very strict about the car being FULL! In Florida we actually had to produce a gas receipt from a station that was within a 1/4 mile of the airport (not a problem, they are plentiful) but not in Portland.

Sandy:
Your DS and his girls...........

We are having friends for dinner (annual tradition) then I will be whipping up a batch of cocoa and adding the peppermint schnapps. Us "girls" will go with all the kids for trick or treating and periodically stop at the house to refill our cocoa. Our DH's will stay home and geek speak while handing out candy. It is supposed to be 38-40, but clear with no wind.

Yesterday I whipped out caramel apples and some cinnamon sugar Halloween shaped tortilla crisps for DD's party this afternoon which she wants me to attend.

Thats about it, desk is buried....back to work...........have a great day

 

[horseshowmom]

ask your DD if it is one of the intermural clubs or is it a college sponsored competitive team.

The way she said it, it sounded like college sponsored competitive team (which is why I was so surprised since I've never heard of it - which is why I answered her with "You're kidding!"). She actually said that they were very good and had won quite a bit of stuff (I think she called it Paintball Extreme).

But, I just checked the website and didn't find it (was kind of surprised to find out that they do have a women's rifle team! ), so maybe it isn't a regular team.

 

[mamacatnv]

The way she said it, it sounded like college sponsored competitive team (which is why I was so surprised since I've never heard of it - which is why I answered her with "You're kidding!"), but I just checked the website and didn't find it (was kind of surprised to find out that they do have a women's rifle team! ).

I do know that there are even National Rankings for collegiate paintball teams (that would be DS's dream come true)

Years ago DH and I were the youth group directors at our church. We had a young lady, who was very quiet, shy, smart, respectful, loving etc.... She was the youngest child in a family of 3 - 2 brothers who were 15 and 20 years older than she was. She and her Mother( the sweetest woman I have ever met) were very close. She didn't have a mean or ornery bone in her body.
She won a huge scholarship from being the best on the HS rifle team! I just remember thinking "Nah, how can that be". First we had not lived here long and I had never heard of a rifle team and secondly because I just could not picture her with a rifle in her hand. She lost her parents 2 months apart to cancer when she was at the end of her Sr. year in HS. She went on to college and is now an elementary school teacher. I see her walking her dog every once in awhile. I still think of her with that rifle and shiver

 

[horseshowmom]

I do know that there are even National Rankings for collegiate paintball teams (that would be DS's dream come true)

Years ago DH and I were the youth group directors at our church. We had a young lady, who was very quiet, shy, smart, respectful, loving etc.... She was the youngest child in a family of 3 - 2 brothers who were 15 and 20 years older than she was. She and her Mother( the sweetest woman I have ever met) were very close. She didn't have a mean or ornery bone in her body.
She won a huge scholarship from being the best on the HS rifle team! I just remember thinking "Nah, how can that be". First we had not lived here long and I had never heard of a rifle team and secondly because I just could not picture her with a rifle in her hand. She lost her parents 2 months apart to cancer when she was at the end of her Sr. year in HS. She went on to college and is now an elementary school teacher. I see her walking her dog every once in awhile. I still think of her with that rifle and shiver

The site said that they give scholarships, so I kind of wish DD had taken it up! Her dad is very good with a rifle, so he would have been a good teacher. He hunts (which I hate, so we just don't discuss it... ), but it was never something she was interested in. She does like to shoot though (a recent interest) and is interested in acquiring a rifle. Why didn't she decide this a long time ago?

Her roommate won a lot of competitions in pistol shooting. I had no idea until her mother told me. The girl is my first cousin's DD, but we don't live close together, and the girls weren't close at all growing up. She's a little blonde who is very feminine, and I can't imagine her with a gun either. (Although while all the trouble with the creep was going on, it was kind of reassuring to know that she knew exactly how to handle a gun if need be! )

 

[Sandy V.]

Well all of you folks with guns and the necessary skills to use them need to come here to Colorado to fend off these stupid squirrels. They are so pesky this time of year. . . (Horseshowmom, we won't shoot YOUR squirrel!!)

I don't think CU-Boulder has a paintball team. They do have an ultimate frisbee team, which is ranked nationally, and they go to tournaments all over the country. We have some friends whose nephew plays on the team. He's on some sort of scholarship!! I was stunned that there was such a thing.

 

[horseshowmom]

Well all of you folks with guns and the necessary skills to use them need to come here to Colorado to fend off these stupid squirrels. They are so pesky this time of year. . . (Horseshowmom, we won't shoot YOUR squirrel!!)

I don't think CU-Boulder has a paintball team. They do have an ultimate frisbee team, which is ranked nationally, and they go to tournaments all over the country. We have some friends whose nephew plays on the team. He's on some sort of scholarship!! I was stunned that there was such a thing.

Definitely keeping my squirrel out of Colorado!

DH wants to come out there to hunt moose or elk or something (like I said, we don't talk about it much...).

And, yes, DH is a pretty good squirrel hunter too (just doens't have a squirrel dog to go with him, but knowing my house, one could arrive any day now! ).

 

[mamacatnv]

Happy Friday

Buried with work, need to get out of here early and prep the HS snack bar for a volleyball tournament we are hosting. Then off to the 1st round of the football playoff's. We will most likely get our hineys handed to us, but with kids sports, one never knows what the outcome will be until it happens. Still, it will probably be the last game DS ever plays

Horseshowmom:
My former boss got an Elk in Montana that made it into the Boon & Crocket hunters Bible. The prize here is to get a tag for the big horn sheep although elk and deer hunting remain popular. A week of hunting is an excused absence for the kids but a family vacation is not

Well girls, have a great weekend...................

 

[Sandy V.]

Popping in to say hi and Happy Friday as well . . .

Good luck to your son with his game tonight, Melissa.

Buried with work here as well. Will try and claw my way out and me more social next week!!

Have a great weekend, everyone!!!

 

[horseshowmom]

Happy Friday

Buried with work, need to get out of here early and prep the HS snack bar for a volleyball tournament we are hosting. Then off to the 1st round of the football playoff's. We will most likely get our hineys handed to us, but with kids sports, one never knows what the outcome will be until it happens. Still, it will probably be the last game DS ever plays

Horseshowmom:
My former boss got an Elk in Montana that made it into the Boon & Crocket hunters Bible. The prize here is to get a tag for the big horn sheep although elk and deer hunting remain popular. A week of hunting is an excused absence for the kids but a family vacation is not

Well girls, have a great weekend...................

Popping in to say hi and Happy Friday as well . . .

Good luck to your son with his game tonight, Melissa.

Buried with work here as well. Will try and claw my way out and me more social next week!!

Have a great weekend, everyone!!!

Well, apparently we're all in similar circumstances today. I'm trying to get everything done, so I can be gone next week.

I did get some good news. I'm going to get to stay onsite at Universal next week (first time to stay onsite), AND DD was able to arrange to miss school next week to go with me (after a LOT of finagling ). We're going to get to go see my parents (who we only get to see during the summer and at Christmas) as well as spend some time at US/IOA (which we love).

She just worked this out yesterday (she had a "can't miss" class canceled for next week ). Of course, the tickets are pretty high since we're less than a week from leaving, but I'm flying on AirTran, and they have a program for college students (AirTran U Standby Program) that will let her fly standby for $69 each way. Cross your fingers for her that she can get on my flight! I called the airline, and they said that it looked very good coming and going. There are several flights after mine leaves too, so if she can't get on mine, she should be able to get on one of those (we hope ). I'm hoping this isn't a gamble that we regret!


Melissa, good luck with the football game!

 

[Sandy V.]

Well, apparently we're all in similar circumstances today. I'm trying to get everything done, so I can be gone next week.

I did get some good news. I'm going to get to stay onsite at Universal next week (first time to stay onsite), AND DD was able to arrange to miss school next week to go with me (after a LOT of finagling ). We're going to get to go see my parents (who we only get to see during the summer and at Christmas) as well as spend some time at US/IOA (which we love).

She just worked this out yesterday (she had a "can't miss" class canceled for next week ). Of course, the tickets are pretty high since we're less than a week from leaving, but I'm flying on AirTran, and they have a program for college students (AirTran U Standby Program) that will let her fly standby for $69 each way. Cross your fingers for her that she can get on my flight! I called the airline, and they said that it looked very good coming and going. There are several flights after mine leaves too, so if she can't get on mine, she should be able to get on one of those (we hope ). I'm hoping this isn't a gamble that we regret!


Melissa, good luck with the football game!

Have a wonderful time!!! I am extremely jealous - I love Universal/Islands of Adventure. So where are you staying?

You cannot beat the front of the line access when you stay at a Universal Hotel.

Here's hoping your DD's flight schedule works out well!!

 

[mamacatnv]

Well, apparently we're all in similar circumstances today. I'm trying to get everything done, so I can be gone next week.

I did get some good news. I'm going to get to stay onsite at Universal next week (first time to stay onsite), AND DD was able to arrange to miss school next week to go with me (after a LOT of finagling ). We're going to get to go see my parents (who we only get to see during the summer and at Christmas) as well as spend some time at US/IOA (which we love).

She just worked this out yesterday (she had a "can't miss" class canceled for next week ). Of course, the tickets are pretty high since we're less than a week from leaving, but I'm flying on AirTran, and they have a program for college students (AirTran U Standby Program) that will let her fly standby for $69 each way. Cross your fingers for her that she can get on my flight! I called the airline, and they said that it looked very good coming and going. There are several flights after mine leaves too, so if she can't get on mine, she should be able to get on one of those (we hope ). I'm hoping this isn't a gamble that we regret!


Melissa, good luck with the football game!

So glad that worked out! Good luck on the standby. With your travel luck, it should be no problem, it will probably come with a 1st class upgrade for both of you and a limo to get you to your next destination when you arrive to find yourself in your upgraded suite.

Have a great week with your DD............I'm jealous!

Back to work.....Toodles girls

 

[horseshowmom]

Have a wonderful time!!! I am extremely jealous - I love Universal/Islands of Adventure. So where are you staying?

You cannot beat the front of the line access when you stay at a Universal Hotel.

Here's hoping your DD's flight schedule works out well!!

We're staying at the Royal Pacific, because I got the best rate there (would have LOVED the Portofino Bay!). I was able to switch hotels as long as it was in a similar range to the conference hotel. Since I'll have to go to the parks around my conference schedule (pesky work! ), the FOTL access will make all the difference in the world.

So glad that worked out! Good luck on the standby. With your travel luck, it should be no problem, it will probably come with a 1st class upgrade for both of you and a limo to get you to your next destination when you arrive to find yourself in your upgraded suite.

Have a great week with your DD............I'm jealous!

Back to work.....Toodles girls

One of the things that I really like about AirTran is the $40 upgrade to first class (just your style, the drinks are free, and they start serving the minute you board the plane ! ). I just checked and none of the those seats have been booked, so I'm hoping that if I do an upgrade, they'll put her up there with me!

Also, I've already added my Loews First number to my reservation, and I'm hoping that they'll give me a good upgrade since I booked 3 rooms for 4 nights each (I can hope can't I? ). I can guarantee that I'll be asking very sweetly for it (while making that point ).

Y'all have a wonderful weekend. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I hope to have a wonderful day (DD's BF's mom's birthday is today, so we've already congratulated each other! )!

 

[Sandy V.]

We're staying at the Royal Pacific, because I got the best rate there (would have LOVED the Portofino Bay!). I was able to switch hotels as long as it was in a similar range to the conference hotel. Since I'll have to go to the parks around my conference schedule (pesky work! ), the FOTL access will make all the difference in the world.

One of the things that I really like about AirTran is the $40 upgrade to first class (just your style, the drinks are free, and they start serving the minute you board the plane ! ). I just checked and none of the those seats have been booked, so I'm hoping that if I do an upgrade, they'll put her up there with me!

Also, I've already added my Loews First number to my reservation, and I'm hoping that they'll give me a good upgrade since I booked 3 rooms for 4 nights each (I can hope can't I? ). I can guarantee that I'll be asking very sweetly for it (while making that point ).

Y'all have a wonderful weekend. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I hope to have a wonderful day (DD's BF's mom's birthday is today, so we've already congratulated each other! )!

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And many more.

We stayed at the Royal Pacific in August. Very nice hotel. I prefer the Hard Rock, but it was too expensive at the time. Have never stayed at the Portfino, but I want to someday.

Enjoy that first class upgrade if it comes through for you.

 

[mamacatnv]

One of the things that I really like about AirTran is the $40 upgrade to first class (just your style, the drinks are free, and they start serving the minute you board the plane ! ). I just checked and none of the those seats have been booked, so I'm hoping that if I do an upgrade, they'll put her up there with me!

Me thinks you might know me a little too well

Y'all have a wonderful weekend. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I hope to have a wonderful day (DD's BF's mom's birthday is today, so we've already congratulated each other! )!

Huhhh Huhhh Hummmmm (clearing throat)
Me Mee Meee Meeee Meeeee Meeeeee (warming up)
All together now:

Happy Birthday to you.........
Happy Birthday to you...................
Happy Birthday.................... dear Horseshowmom(try it, its a mouthful)​

Happy Birthday to YOU!​

Have a fabulous trip!

 

[horseshowmom]

Me thinks you might know me a little too well

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And many more.

Huhhh Huhhh Hummmmm (clearing throat)
Me Mee Meee Meeee Meeeee Meeeeee (warming up)
All together now:

Happy Birthday to you.........
Happy Birthday to you...................
Happy Birthday.................... dear Horseshowmom(try it, its a mouthful)​

Happy Birthday to YOU!​

Awww shucks! Thanks very much!

 

[mamacatnv]

Hey Girls!

Hope you all are having a nice Tuesday! HorseshowMom, hope you are having a great time and that the flights all worked out!

Not much here to report. We lost the playoff game and DS's football career is officially over , he hesitated when he walked off the field, he was staring right at me and I knew just what he was thinking "this is it". Then he took the step and I wiped away a tear.

I'm working on a surprise 18th b-day party for him and I am text messaging with all his friends to compile a list. DH is in charge of creating a DVD of his baby years from all the video tape we have. He has to create a 3 hour DVD that will show on the big screens at the venue where we are holding the party. We opted for a Monday night, his B-day is the next day but the Monday had no athletic events on the calendar. Also, less chance of "crashers" and easier to pull off our ruse to get him there (new facility in town, and we are being invited to the soft opening) it is a totally reasonable excuse and he will buy it. Plus best friends Mom is high up in organization and "comped" the facility for us. See, Horseshowmom, your luck is wearing off!

DD is getting ready for the annual Father Daughter Princess Ball. They attended and she loved it last year. We found the "perfect" dress last night and are discussing what we will be doing with her hair and what color corsage and boutinier (SP?) to get. The dress is black and cream (she wanted blue, could not find anything blue) so I suggested a corsage of cream roses with black and light blue ribbon and her Dad can wear a light blue shirt with his sportcoat. She always wears ballet slippers and tights. She hates dress shoes, I swear she is going to go to the prom and get married in ballet slippers.

Hope all is well and that you all have a great week.

Check in when you can..............

 

[Sandy V.]

Hey Girls!

Hope you all are having a nice Tuesday! HorseshowMom, hope you are having a great time and that the flights all worked out!

Same here!! I am still insanely jealous that you're there and I'm stuck here in Colorado.

Not much here to report. We lost the playoff game and DS's football career is officially over , he hesitated when he walked off the field, he was staring right at me and I knew just what he was thinking "this is it". Then he took the step and I wiped away a tear.

Sorry about the football game. I am going to feel as sad when DS's last lacrosse game happens this spring. Especially when it meant so much to them.

I'm working on a surprise 18th b-day party for him and I am text messaging with all his friends to compile a list. DH is in charge of creating a DVD of his baby years from all the video tape we have. He has to create a 3 hour DVD that will show on the big screens at the venue where we are holding the party. We opted for a Monday night, his B-day is the next day but the Monday had no athletic events on the calendar. Also, less chance of "crashers" and easier to pull off our ruse to get him there (new facility in town, and we are being invited to the soft opening) it is a totally reasonable excuse and he will buy it. Plus best friends Mom is high up in organization and "comped" the facility for us. See, Horseshowmom, your luck is wearing off!

How fun!! I hope all goes well. The DVD sounds like a great idea. Please let us know how it all turns out.

DD is getting ready for the annual Father Daughter Princess Ball. They attended and she loved it last year. We found the "perfect" dress last night and are discussing what we will be doing with her hair and what color corsage and boutinier (SP?) to get. The dress is black and cream (she wanted blue, could not find anything blue) so I suggested a corsage of cream roses with black and light blue ribbon and her Dad can wear a light blue shirt with his sportcoat. She always wears ballet slippers and tights. She hates dress shoes, I swear she is going to go to the prom and get married in ballet slippers.

I got married in ballet slippers!!!! DH is not that much taller than I am, so I went for "as flat as you can go" in the shoe department!! The dance sounds like a lovely occasion.

Hope all is well and that you all have a great week.

Check in when you can..............

Like you, not much going on around here except A LOT of work. We went up to Boulder on Sunday and spent the day with DD - that was nice. Ate at the Cheesecake Factory - yummy. DD and I split the Lemon Chicken; oh my goodness!!! Then DH and I split a chocolate peanut butter cheesecake slice, but I was so full I could only eat a bit or two. That was so decadent - I love chocolate and peanut butter.

DS is starting indoor lacrosse training. The same knee that was giving him some problems last spring is starting to bother him again, so I have an appointment with the doctor next Tuesday for him.

The bear has been back several times since I last posted about him. Fortunately, he only spilled the trash once!!

Well, back to work, all. Take care!!!!