Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[All7OfUs]

I wish. I had canned chili.

See, I told you she might be having issues...

 

[winkers]

See, I told you she might be having issues...

I bet she didn't have to worry about loosing a shoe....

 

[jordanyosh]

Yes, the ladies, the fun, the chatter- nothing better!

 

[eandesmom]

Welcome to your own officially hijacked thread.

So, no leftovers?? That's great! In my house that could mean, we'd better eat it now, or we'll get it 3 days from now tasting a little off.



Yes, the ladies, the fun, the chatter- nothing better!

I'm good with three days...or longer. I have a good friend who will call me to see if a certain item is still ok to eat in her fridge.

I'm like...

If it doesn't SMELL bad

If it doesn't LOOK bad

and if it doesn't TASTE bad...

Eat it!

What can I say. Mold is a spot you pick off of bread or cheese....

Waste not, want not.

Really, I don't cook like that for my guests....

See, I told you she might be having issues...

Yeah, it's called Jeff ate all the eggs. Or I used them all making haunted mansion cupcakes. Probably my fault. I really wanted eggs! The chili didn't suck though.

I bet she didn't have to worry about loosing a shoe....

Nah, I went shoeless. Except for when I had to grill the stuffed pork loin. Without shoes I'd likely have biffed it on the slimy leaves on my deck.

Buying shoes 3 years out would be easy for the E's. They have freakishly small feet that do not grow. It's a cost savings measure that I'm rather grateful for. I don't even have to bind them.

pretty much.

 

[jordanyosh]

Yes, the ladies, the fun, the chatter- nothing better!

So basically just another night on the DIS..... well except for me and a few other hardcore DIS guys......

 

[eandesmom]

So basically just another night on the DIS..... well except for me and a few other hardcore DIS guys......

And you guys rock (yeah GB and Glenbo, that means you too!)

 

[All7OfUs]

Far too much good stuff to comment on here. It's just keeps getting better and better. Chili, shoe bombs, Mr. Beer Man.


Yup, a raid on the Christmas box kind of gal I am. Honestly though... she told be to open it and get the pecans out, since we'd likely want a pecan pie for Thanksgiving, AND I had ordered MYSELF some new Crocs!!! Yeah, baby!! New "fur" lined Gretels to keep me toes toasty this winter. (Sorry, guys!! We can't help ourselves!) But, well, the coffee WAS sitting right on top, unwrapped, and well, I just couldn't help myself. I couldn't let good coffee get stale now, could I??

Thank God we don't have an outhouse anymore. My fishing days are over! And let's not even talk about getting "stuff" out of the faux fur!!!

My dog has gotten more leftovers this week than any time in her 8 year life! I have no idea how that happened!!! Usually pretty careful with planning the right amount. Ah well, keeps her prego (we think) body happy and healthy. They'll likely all die- since they are coming in the middle of winter. Stupid dog!

My kids don't grow either. REally! Both boys have growth hormone deficiency that we've had to endure the world of growth hormone injections for years now. Stopped last year because the doc. said she couldn't prescribe anymore with going so long between visits. My oldest topped out at 5'6", not too bad for having to have spent about a zillion million dollars of insurance money.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Cynthia,

Made me laugh that your thread kinda got hijacked in a good way... without you even being here...

Hope you are all doing well (physically and mentaily...)

One of the good thinks about growing up and getting ummm...more mature...is that I think you start to feel it's ok to let go of other people's expectations and be who you want to be...it's liberating...

I'm sorry about Kendall's soccer schedule but I'm afraid it seems to be par for the course these days...When we had EMily's move up into 9th grade night...the coaches more or less said that depending on the sport and its season it plays...you would be missing either winter or spring break or part of summer break......some of the parents were getting edgy but the coaches were standing their ground...saying those were the sacrifices that athletes had to make... (Em is all about the arts stuff...drama, cello, voice...so we usually take it more consistenly throughout the year with lessona and stuff-except with the plays...the couple of weeks before are usually a real bear...but not as intense as the sports teams...

UMmm...on a totally different topic...

Have you heard anything about those Dooney and Bourke Disney Bags coming out in an aqua background? I heard a rumor...and if they do-I'm seriously thinking about getting one for Em's 16th and putting it away...I think she's like the aqua better than the white/ivory and I think it would wear better...thought I'd ask...you're ususually in the know about this stuff...

 

[glennbo123]

And you guys rock (yeah GB and Glenbo, that means you too!)

Thanks! Looks like I missed quite a night of DISing to watch the World Series....between this thread and Jordan's. Can't you guys pick some non-sports nights to go crazy like this? (Oh that's right, there aren't any!)

 

[eandesmom]

Far too much good stuff to comment on here. It's just keeps getting better and better. Chili, shoe bombs, Mr. Beer Man.


Yup, a raid on the Christmas box kind of gal I am. Honestly though... she told be to open it and get the pecans out, since we'd likely want a pecan pie for Thanksgiving, AND I had ordered MYSELF some new Crocs!!! Yeah, baby!! New "fur" lined Gretels to keep me toes toasty this winter. (Sorry, guys!! We can't help ourselves!) But, well, the coffee WAS sitting right on top, unwrapped, and well, I just couldn't help myself. I couldn't let good coffee get stale now, could I??

Thank God we don't have an outhouse anymore. My fishing days are over! And let's not even talk about getting "stuff" out of the faux fur!!!

My dog has gotten more leftovers this week than any time in her 8 year life! I have no idea how that happened!!! Usually pretty careful with planning the right amount. Ah well, keeps her prego (we think) body happy and healthy. They'll likely all die- since they are coming in the middle of winter. Stupid dog!

My kids don't grow either. REally! Both boys have growth hormone deficiency that we've had to endure the world of growth hormone injections for years now. Stopped last year because the doc. said she couldn't prescribe anymore with going so long between visits. My oldest topped out at 5'6", not too bad for having to have spent about a zillion million dollars of insurance money.

for new cozy Crocs!

for getting stuff out of fur. Come visit me in the summer, we'll head up to the cabin and you can visit our outhouse.

And no, one should NEVER let coffee go stale. Though I may have to agree to disagree on that one....I don't do flavored coffee so that doesn't sound remotely appealing. Unless it's a gingerbread latte About twice a year.

I do find it interesting you needed to get at those pecans a good 4 weeks before you'll need to be making a pie!

Wierd on the hormone injections. Mine grow, they just have very small feet. Saves me a bundle on shoes.

on your dog....losing babies. I hope this winter will be different!

Hey Cynthia,

Made me laugh that your thread kinda got hijacked in a good way... without you even being here...

Hope you are all doing well (physically and mentaily...)

One of the good thinks about growing up and getting ummm...more mature...is that I think you start to feel it's ok to let go of other people's expectations and be who you want to be...it's liberating...

I'm sorry about Kendall's soccer schedule but I'm afraid it seems to be par for the course these days...When we had EMily's move up into 9th grade night...the coaches more or less said that depending on the sport and its season it plays...you would be missing either winter or spring break or part of summer break......some of the parents were getting edgy but the coaches were standing their ground...saying those were the sacrifices that athletes had to make... (Em is all about the arts stuff...drama, cello, voice...so we usually take it more consistenly throughout the year with lessona and stuff-except with the plays...the couple of weeks before are usually a real bear...but not as intense as the sports teams...

UMmm...on a totally different topic...

Have you heard anything about those Dooney and Bourke Disney Bags coming out in an aqua background? I heard a rumor...and if they do-I'm seriously thinking about getting one for Em's 16th and putting it away...I think she's like the aqua better than the white/ivory and I think it would wear better...thought I'd ask...you're ususually in the know about this stuff...

Made me laugh too! Very fun hijack to read.

Regarding soccer, I get it being par for the course at a certain level. But when it takes Thanksgiving (out of state tournament), mid-winter break (out of state tournament), spring break (State Cup) and ALL of summer (ODP, summer club tournament play and now HS preseason and tryouts) then I think it's a bit much. Technically she will get Christmas off but in the past, magically, there has always been indoor tournaments appearing as heaven forbid anyone really not play for more than 3 days. I mean she is good but she's not THAT good. You can't get your childhood back....

We did learn last year that we just can't pull them out of school. Not worth it. Besides, with 4 kids and 5 schools the only break that lines up is Christmas. The time of year we want to be home! We did a trip one year and I swore I'd never attempt it again. We may have to revisit that at some point.

She loves it, and we support her but....ugh. Jeff and I have kind of reconciled ourselves to the fact that if we can pull this off, it may well be the last family vacation with all 6 of us of any magnitude. We will quickly drop to trips for 4.

On the D&B nope I am not in the loop but I completely agree about the aqua. Hope they have different sizes too! I love the pattern though....

Thanks! Looks like I missed quite a night of DISing to watch the World Series....between this thread and Jordan's. Can't you guys pick some non-sports nights to go crazy like this? (Oh that's right, there aren't any!)

I missed it too...though not for the same reasons. Pretty darn funny!

 

[Millie12591]

Right time, right place. HE always puts us there. we just have to keep our eyes open.

I so totally agree with this, the trick is the last part.....or we miss the beautiful opportunity.

 

[Millie12591]

I did it, all caught up. Your blustery day post made me cry hug:Jordy) What a great lady your stepmom is. Today it has been 4 months since my mom died. I hope that I can be that kind of mom to my kids. The one who makes memories. You are a great writer.
My good friend is moving up to to the PNW in 2 weeks, Vancouver Wash-beautiful place-from the pics. I will be sure to visit her when it is 110 degrees here in July.
Thanks for sharing all that you have.

Awwww, Mary....I'm so sorry you lost your mom. I'm sure your a great mom, the trick is to be conscious of the choices we make concerning them and since your already there...the rest is all downhill baby!

I pray peace and comfort over you concerning your mom.

 

[eandesmom]

I hope everyone had a safe and spooky Halloween, we had a great (and busy!) weekend. Class parties, family party, Trick or Treating, a bulb planting and mulching bonanza, a date night for Jeff and I and then last night, Gourmet Club at my house.

I'm still in my PJ's after all that.

First. A very small amount of food porn. The HM cupcakes.

And…a couple of donut eating and apple passing, kids in costume pics for your enjoyment.

My mom's party was a blast, some new games, some old games, good times!

Kendall with her BF and teammate

The girls trying to do the apple under the neck pass. Their pumpkins kept getting in the way. My sides hurt. Literally!

The E's with their close friends out trick or treating

Jeff eating donuts. He is convinced he won but my cousin Chris had his fall on the floor, dove down and gobbled it up. Jeff swears Chris was still chewing after he finished his but his visible evidence was gone first. My SIL (technically ex but we ignore that part) won for style points. She was literally hanging on the support beam getting at hers. Some play by play...

Jeff in costume. He started out as Jimmy Buffet but somehow morphed into the Accidental Tourist.

And... A new binder page for your viewing pleasure. As I was working on this page, I went back and made some tweaks to the 8/15 page since both are MK days…

MK is the park I felt robbed of on the last trip. We tried, oh how we tried. We went there 2 different days and were overwhelmed by Presidents week crowds, hampered by late sleeping teens and in general just didn’t see/experience but a fraction of the park. Or at least it really felt that way to me. Less so I imagine to everyone else (but Eric) as they had an EMH night without us and I think that helped.

As a result I’m planning lots of MK time. With planning in pool breaks almost every day, it does fracture things. Which could be good, or bad, I’ve no idea as this will be a very different type of touring for us! Right now the overall plan looks like this

• Magic Kingdom, DHS and Epcot – (3) ½ days or 1.5 days total each.
• Animal Kingdom – One full day.
• One free day for either a water park or back to group choice park(s)

All of the days except for AK have 2 hours of pool time/break built in so I'm not currently planning an actualy lazy resort day but that free day could be for that too!

So I’ve redone it so that the 1st night we are there, instead of just trying to hit favorites, which did NOT work well for us last time, we hit Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. Practically speaking we probably will not be able to hit it all but it's a good goal. Much as the group will want to head over to BTMRR, we will do better if we save that for after dinner EMH or for the next MK day as I’m not going on Splash before dinner. LOL!

Revised 15th page

New 17th page

Of course these all factor in MY ADR choices...not the collectives.

I figure I'm still on v0.8 until all my layouts are done....

And now…the drama begins………

As I’ve mentioned in a couple of posts, the soccer drama has begun with Jeff’s ex. She feels Kendall needs to be home 4 weeks before school starts, to not only make the official tryouts, but the “unofficial” training. She seems to think that if she does that, she will have a chance at making varsity as a freshman.

Sigh. It makes me so sad. Not only does it give Kendall some unrealistic expectations, it puts inordinate pressure on her and she does not perform well under pressure. When both Jeff and I were in HS you were not allowed to play Varsity as a 9th grader, only on the 9th grade team or JV. If you were on the JV and did well, you might get asked to guest play mid season but you weren’t on the roster per-se.

We’ve not seen one of her teammates make varsity as a freshman and even if, conceptually, she could, we do think JV would be a far better training experience than sitting on the bench her first season of HS soccer.

However, life, and soccer, and sports in general is not the same as it was “back in the day”. If she really does need to be there for a full month before school starts, then it is what it is. The last thing we want is to put her in a bad spot. Earlier in the summer won’t be any more miserably hot than August 12-22nd. But it is unfortunately during peak season and no free dining. Unless we get a code I don’t think we can swing it. I’m not staying off property! I am going to look at renting points as a backup plan and we are both faking and baking in hopes that the PIN fairy will come our way so that we do have flexibility to exercise if we need it. We were trying to avoid mid July-Mid August as we anticipate 2 club tournaments during that period. If we do move the dates and she has a club tournament conflict we are back in the same boat so it may not be worth it and I am reluctant to give up the spots we have given how those rooms were disappearing like crazy. Jeff feels (that he has been told) that the club soccer is more important than the HS, hence the dates we picked….who really knows. Craziness!

So…we will see. As it stands she would make 3 days of the “unofficial” training if we stick to our dates and she doesn’t have any different flights on her own. We would be ok flying her back early so she’d make the last 2 days as well. It would really shorten her vacation, giving her only 6 nights but she’d only miss half of the pre-season versus more than half. Whether K is comfortable enough to fly on her own, whether her mom ok’s that idea, the fact that taking her to the airport if she leaves early will eat up a chunk of that day for a couple of people…all of those are unknowns and things to consider. It will certainly impact our park planning, ADR’s and all of that if she isn’t there for the whole trip.

I’m very proud of Jeff, right now he is standing his ground on dates and the fact that legally he gets 2 weeks and he intends to take them. As some of you may recall we did not get Kendall for vacation this summer, at all, due to soccer. While he “could” legally force it, he would never put K in that position. I hate that he gets stuck in the middle of this and I hate more that Kendall will be put there as well, forced to make a no-win decision where she’s going to feel like she is letting someone down either way. She is 13. She should get a summer vacation! The idea that at 13/14 there isn’t one single week that is “free” breaks my heart. I just pray she doesn’t have a tournament the weekend of 6/25. That’s my sister’s wedding and while it is on a Friday it is the first weekend of summer (school being out) around here and well could be a tournament weekend. I’d really like to keep our soccer battles to one event!

Ok. I strongly dislike the fact that Jeff and Kendall are in these positions. It bums me out. I need to not use that "h" word. It's a bad word and not worth the negative energy it generates.

We both dread telling Sandie if it really comes to pass that K doesn’t go.

The good news is that his ex is aware of the trip, not because Jeff sent her the dates, but because the kids brought it up with her. That’s very good news. We fully intend to involve them in ADR planning over the holidays and “girl” stuff planning for K, Sandie and I. At the end of the day we will support whatever K wants, we just hope it is in fact what she wants and not because she feels she “has” to do something either way. She was allowed to come to my mom’s party on Friday despite needing to be at the airport at 7:15 am the next day to catch a flight for a game. So her mom will listen if it is something K wants badly enough. To me, and to Jeff, that is progress (all around, both K verbalizing it and his ex allowing it) and we are going to hold onto that little beacon of light.

 

[eandesmom]

I did it, all caught up. Your blustery day post made me cry hug:Jordy) What a great lady your stepmom is. Today it has been 4 months since my mom died. I hope that I can be that kind of mom to my kids. The one who makes memories. You are a great writer.
My good friend is moving up to to the PNW in 2 weeks, Vancouver Wash-beautiful place-from the pics. I will be sure to visit her when it is 110 degrees here in July.
Thanks for sharing all that you have.

Oh my goodness, in all the chatter updates I missed your second post, I'm so sorry! It can be hot here in July but not 110! One of my favorite restaurants is in Vancouver WA (about 3 hours from here), definitely go visit in July and check out Who Song and Larry's Cantina.

I am SO sorry for your loss. I have been truly blessed to have my stepmom in my life and am sure you are making incredible memories with your children. Memories are a funny thing, the most magical ones often seem to happen when we aren't looking, when we aren't trying, when we are just being.

I so totally agree with this, the trick is the last part.....or we miss the beautiful opportunity.

So so true!

 

[Millie12591]

See, I told you she might be having issues...

I've read through the party without Ms. Cynthia, <seriously jealous I missed it> and I'm usually the one who cleans up after a party and STILL didn't get an invite. Sheesh!

Glad your party went well Ms. Cynthia, sounds like your blessed with many wonderful women in your life, here and there. That truly is a gift. AND guys! I didn't forget about you Jordy, Glennbo and GB! You guys are so the bomb for putting up with us women folk.

All7~ I was curious, are you living in blank-a-stan for dh's work? and if you can't talk about it do not sweat it, my dh use to be military so I know how to keep things on the down low. I'm thinking I just won dorkiest-mom-of-the-year-award for sure now , oh wait! Didn't Ms. Cynthia say she had that one all tied up?!?

 

[Millie12591]

Without shoes I'd likely have biffed it on the slimy leaves on my deck.

] They have freakishly small feet that do not grow. I don't even have to bind them.

OK, seriously......where is the Tag Fairy? She's always missing when these funny lines come around!!!

 

[eandesmom]

I've read through the party without Ms. Cynthia, <seriously jealous I missed it> and I'm usually the one who cleans up after a party and STILL didn't get an invite. Sheesh!

Glad your party went well Ms. Cynthia, sounds like your blessed with many wonderful women in your life, here and there. That truly is a gift. AND guys! I didn't forget about you Jordy, Glennbo and GB! You guys are so the bomb for putting up with us women folk.

All7~ I was curious, are you living in blank-a-stan for dh's work? and if you can't talk about it do not sweat it, my dh use to be military so I know how to keep things on the down low. I'm thinking I just won dorkiest-mom-of-the-year-award for sure now , oh wait! Didn't Ms. Cynthia say she had that one all tied up?!?

Dork yes. Nerd yes. Not sure if it actually equates to Dorkiest mom of the year.

my official results from the Nerd test http://www.nerdtests.com/ft_nq.php?im

36% scored higher (more nerdy),
1% scored the same, and
63% scored lower (less nerdy).

What does this mean? Your nerdiness is:

Low Ranking Nerd. Definitely a nerd but low on the totem pole of nerds.

OK, seriously......where is the Tag Fairy? She's always missing when these funny lines come around!!!

 

[glennbo123]

Love the Halloween photos. I love that doughnut game. Were those Krispy Kreme's? You've gotta have Krispy Kreme's for that game for the proper amount of glaze on the face. We used to do a variation of that game at a harvest party we held at my church when I lived in NC a decade ago (wow, time flies). The variation was that it wasn't a race. Instead, someone else (who got all the fun) was pulling on the string and would gradually pull it higher until the person was really reaching for it, and then they'd kinda plop it onto their face and get them good and sticky.

Yes, Jeff does kinda look like John Hurt in Accidental Tourist in that photo!

Sorry to hear about the drama surrounding soccer and all. Hang in there.

 

[creativeamanda]

Love the Halloween pics--the party looked like a blast.

Sorry about the situation with the ex. It's always difficult when kids are stuck in the middle of things they have no control over. Best of luck in your decisions.

 

[MEK]

:mine too



Check out the nerd test on Mary Ellen's TR. Apparently I'm the nerdiest (aka dorkiest) so far. Though that could have changed, the boards have been BUSY while I've been a-entertaining!



LOL!

Ah....just so you know....You are STILL the nerdiest!