Looking for Control Freaks & Worry Warts - Part 4!!!

[Lovin Life]

Just noticed I am finally in double digits!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Cammie - Nick was absolutely looking at Moi! So sorry Tina and Lauren. Thanks for those! (Has anyone seen David Cassidy on Ruby and the Rockits? I used to LOVE David, and even more, his brother, Shaun! I think David looks kind of funny now! Too much work done, IMO.) I agree w/you about Miley. I am pretty liberal about what my girls watch and listen to, but I understand that some people might have a problem w/it. Maybe they just I am bummed that I (I mean we!) missed the TCA last night! Darn. Wonder if they will replay it...

Lorrie - ??You love cleaning the carpet?? Oh. You love the window film. I had to go back and re-read that!

Yeah, Tessa! Congrats!! I love your ideas of the candy and the picture book for your hubby. Those are such great ideas, and so special. Have fun on your birthday date night! The chocolate marshmallows - OMG! YUM! I now need a candy bar (mini, of course) after my lunch.

Tammie - I am so sorry about the baby. I also agree that it happens for a reason, but it doesn't make it easier when you are going thru it. I miscarried my first. It was very hard for me. I hope that Dana gets pregnant soon. I did about 4 months later w/Megan. I couldn't imagine my life w/out Megan, and wouldn't if I had the first one. Ha! about your police story!

Tina - Happy Anniversary! I hope that you get your embroidery machine, or at least some back seat action!

Hi Michelle! and the rest of the CFWWs!

I didn't do my BOSU ball workout last night, so will tonight. I wasn't sore yesterday, but today every muscle in my body is achy! I am so excited! That means the workout works the whole body (or I did something terribly wrong - maybe I'm sore from falling off of it?!). No band practice driving tonight. I took both ways last night, after a squabble w/hubby, who thought I was giving him the 9pm pickup because it's the least desirable one, when I was giving it to him so he could eat dinner. He was fixing dinner when I walked in the door a little late, after stopping at the store on my way home from work. So, I drove last night, he is driving tonight, me Wed, he Thurs, and splitting Fri. It will be nice to not leave the house after getting home from work. I guess I will be glad when Megan gets her license (it will be at least 6 more months) and we don't do as much driving around. We carpool w/other Sophomores who don't drive either. I am not crazy about letting her ride w/upperclassmen yet, but I know that will be coming shortly, as she is at the big high school this year.

Just found out that my 25th HS reunion is at our homecoming (I'm the crypt keeper here), the same weekend as Megan's homecoming. I am torn. I haven't been to a reunion yet. Can't decide what to do, but have until Oct to decide...

Okay, Pam - forgot to throw this out there - David Cassidy uses ARBONNE! That's why he looks so young Actually he does. He had something wrong with his hands, and his wife's Mercedes dealer introduced her to Arbonne and now she is at one of our top positions you can get to. She says they don't want to keep working as hard to maintain their lifestyle. That's why he sang at our convention this year!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Enough about me....

Pam, I noticed! I forgot to say, "yeah for double digits!"

Laura, hope your DD is feeling better quickly. It stinks to be sick in Summer.

Kara - Ally is so sweet!

Debbie, I'm sorry you're in a funk. I feel that way when we are short, too. We really shouldn't be going on this trip, but Jim wants to cheer me up. Your kids will have great memories of your backyard fun, too - and that is what counts!

Tina- You are so close! Oh, and my FB link is in my siggie!

Lorrie - have fun cleaning!

Hi to all of you other CFWW sisters! I need to get off here and get some things done. We have an Image Workshop tomorrow and the Image Consultant is staying with us - have to get her room ready and get some cleaning done and bills paid.

to all of you!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Just had to jump back on to say Luca went on the potty. I am so proud

YAY Badookie! Mia is going too. Such a nice thing, but a pain in some ways too.

At least I don't look like this.........................

(Love you more!)

I was like - why is she being so mean about Alan... then I scrolled down. That picture is hysterical! If you could just photoshop a fly about two inches from her lips, it would be an outright riot!

Laura so sorry to hear the household isn't doing well. We were there last week. Hope it speeds by fast!

Thanks for the Ryan just told me that I upset Dana yesterday because I left her a message saying I was sorry and hoped she was okay - "please call me when you can." She was at work so I had to leave a message. I told Ryan I just don't know what to do. If I didn't call, she would think I was uncaring, but apparently leaving a message was insensitive.

I'm so sorry Tammie - I don't know, I've been down that road a couple of times and the only thing that upset me was people who ignored it. I hate that this is going on now.

I'm feeling a little "de go-go juiced" these days. Ha ha. I just realized though I get to make my ADRs SUNDAY!

 

[karajeboo]

Lorrie - I was getting ready to post earlier, then my internet and phones went down for the day....

Anyway, the best time to prune crepe myrtles is in FEBRUARY! That's what I learned in SC, and I would guess the times are the same there. Here I do it in early Feb.

 

[LydiaAch]

Anyone here can or preserve fruits and veggies? I nought all the stuff but I am scared to death I will give my family botulism.

Mason (2) wore big boy undies all morning! And we bought a twin mattress today-still need to buy a bed but it's a step in the direction of growing up! Waaaah!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Lorrie - I was getting ready to post earlier, then my internet and phones went down for the day....

Anyway, the best time to prune crepe myrtles is in FEBRUARY! That's what I learned in SC, and I would guess the times are the same there. Here I do it in early Feb.

I think I read that in Southern Living too. The idiot that landscaped our house put one by Mia's room and one by ours. Multiple times during the summer you have to actually trim limbs off or you have a lovely scratching noise on the window screens. So you have to actually wedge yourself between it and the house to get it so no one from the street sees the what you are removing, but you don't have to live with the scratching either.

Hey, So my actual birthday we are in DHS, and leaving that night at 8 pm. Suggestions on food that day? I remember the general thought was it was all pretty crummy. Should we have a big breakfast at BC and then go to DHS and just munch during the day - not really sure how to handle that day. None of the TS menus really grab me. Thoughts?

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Anyone here can or preserve fruits and veggies? I nought all the stuff but I am scared to death I will give my family botulism.

Mason (2) wore big boy undies all morning! And we bought a twin mattress today-still need to buy a bed but it's a step in the direction of growing up! Waaaah!

I did corn for the first time this year. You had to cut it off the cob, boil it for a good bit and cool it and then bag it for the freezer. I believe that all the boiling kills off whatever. My grandmother use to can. I remember her boiling the jars, the lids etc.

Laura Laura knows everything.

 

[karajeboo]

Lydia - Jeff and Ally made homemade dill pickles - best pickles EVER!!!!! They boiled the jars and lids first, then did their thang......

Lorrie - I have always trimmed our crepe myrtles and I commit crepe "murder" every year. I literally trim about 1/3 off the top. And I get all the "cheaters" that grow up the trunk. Seriously. I whack it back so far.......

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Okay, think I've figured out how to spend those dining credits!

Sat - arrive at noon
dinner at DTD - Paradiso 57 - OOP OR WPE - CS credit

Sun - EPCOT
breakfast = in room/grab fruit or something
lunch - Biergarten
dinner - le Cellier

Mon - DHS
breakfast - in room/
lunch - somewhere in DHS grab CS.

Biergarten is a suprise. Her grandmother was German and passed away last year. I am not telling her about this ADR. She thinks we are going to Tuttos for me. Which I just decided to change for Biergarten for her. She will really enjoy the food there. She always talks about things her grandmother made. . And if I REALLY hate it, there is always liquid lunch.

Now I just have to get up at 4:50 am Sunday to book it.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Lydia - Jeff and Ally made homemade dill pickles - best pickles EVER!!!!! They boiled the jars and lids first, then did their thang......

Lorrie - I have always trimmed our crepe myrtles and I commit crepe "murder" every year. I literally trim about 1/3 off the top. And I get all the "cheaters" that grow up the trunk. Seriously. I whack it back so far.......

Oh yes, I wack it back too. As a matter of fact, I wacked ours about 2 am not more than a month ago. I was so mad - in my PJs in the middle of a wind storm. All that was left the next day was about 4 inches of sticks from the ground. It looks so terribly sad as a result.

 

[CRdisMom]

Lydia - Jeff and Ally made homemade dill pickles - best pickles EVER!!!!! They boiled the jars and lids first, then did their thang......

Lorrie - I have always trimmed our crepe myrtles and I commit crepe "murder" every year. I literally trim about 1/3 off the top. And I get all the "cheaters" that grow up the trunk. Seriously. I whack it back so far.......

Okay yes I know everything taking a 1/3 off a plant is actually okay to do. That is the max you can take with out doing serious damage. Oh and doing it in the right season is the key.

Oh yes, I wack it back too. As a matter of fact, I wacked ours about 2 am not more than a month ago. I was so mad - in my PJs in the middle of a wind storm. All that was left the next day was about 4 inches of sticks from the ground. It looks so terribly sad as a result.

I have vision of Laurie in the storm with a chain saw and mask.

.how did Carlos not die of laughter...we love you.

I have never canned. I know the key is to sterlize everything. I think Alton Brown did a Good Eats show on canning.

Lydia how old is Mason? Katie is nearly 3 and still wearing pull ups. There are days that I think we have got it kicked and then others when she has undies on stands in front of me an pees. It is really frustrating. Just saying you have someone on your side here.

 

[TinaLala]

Hearing what you guys go through with the myrtle that sounds like me and the forsythia in my yard. Our original bushel was 20' X 12' and I cut the heck out of it so that now it's 5' X 10' I hate them!

So after a fight in the car about where we were going, we finally made it to a nice dinner of tiliapia and haddock with some cheese cake for dessert. The positive note of the night was that the bartender served me a pomegranet cosmopolitan and that made everything good!

I love David Cassidy, but I have to say I really liked Shaun Cassidy, but Parker Stevenson more on the Hardy Boys!!

Lydia - YEAH FOR MASON! What a big boy he is!

Sorry I've never jarred anything, but the woman who took care of me when I was a child jarred sauces, picked and jellied. I have nightmares of standing over a boiling pot pulling out lids and jars burning hot - it's why I don't like hot water on my hands to this day. Everything must be boiled and steriled. I still remember spending an hour at a time stiring some boiling liquid on the stove because you have to boil everything down. She jarred everything that came out of her garden and we'd pick fruit for the jellies. HOWEVER there was nothing like pulling a jar of fresh homemade jelly, sauce or pickles in the middle of the winter! I'm the mom I am today because of that lady!! Just the experience alone will be huge for you and the kids!

Going clothes shopping with mom and the girls tomorrow night. I have a 40% off coupon for Justice so hopefully we can get something good!

TWO MORE WEEKS!!!

 

[Lovin Life]

Pam...you look great!!!! Go show your fine self off at that reunion!

Pam - I just think I never liked these dirtbags in high school and I don't care for them now! Just wear something with a little cleavage and make those loosers who wouldn't talk to you then sweat it out now.

Gee, thanks for the confidence boosters! Who needs stupid exercise? (I do. I gave it another try last night, and wonder when I will stop looking like a comedy routine. It's the exact reason I won't go to a class...)

Debbie - You are sounding more chipper. Good for you on the babysitting! I bought a lunch bag tonight, so I can start carrying my entire lunch to work and won't buy the expensive food downstairs. I'm trying everything I can think of to save in these uncertain times. We overspend in too many ways.

So, two days this week I've been to the gym. So last night I was telling Ally I needed to get up early today to get to the gym. She said, "good for you, Mommy, you'll be skinny in no time!" I just love her!!!!

It's a GOOD thing you love her! Out of the mouths of babes...

Waiting to see what code is coming out today rumors of deep room discount with free dining we'll see I hope so.

Jillian - Did you hear any more on this??

Anyone here can or preserve fruits and veggies? I nought all the stuff but I am scared to death I will give my family botulism.

You girls all put me to shame w/your canning, tree trimming, carpet steaming...I feel like such a loser. I think that Del Monte does a fine job!, but homemade is so much better. I'm jealous.

Tina - I am also ready for football season! I gave FB a try, but it fizzled out pretty quick for me. At least it lasted longer than Twitter! Glad you enjoyed your anniversary dinner! I so can't wait to hear about how you tell the kids about the trip.

Kara - How did you make out w/your ADRs?

Tammie - That was interesting about David Cassidy. I was so in love!

Lorrie - Are you taking stick kiddos on your WDW trip?? Hee, hee!

Laura - How's everyong feeling? You've stayed well, haven't you? It's harder when you're "single parenting" when they're sick. No time for you to be sick.

 

[ShellyShellfish]

Anyone here can or preserve fruits and veggies? I nought all the stuff but I am scared to death I will give my family botulism.

Mason (2) wore big boy undies all morning! And we bought a twin mattress today-still need to buy a bed but it's a step in the direction of growing up! Waaaah!

The closest I ever came to something along those lines was making grape jam. I will NEVER.DO.IT.AGAIN. It was terrible, and way too time consuming. I do remember my grandfather making awesome pickles though.

Yay on the big boy undies!! They grow up way too fast...we're transitioning to the big boy bed now but holding off a bit on potty training. I'm scared DS will regress once the new baby comes. He's in for a rude awakening.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Lydia, I used to help my mom can, so I never do it now Everyone is right about the boiling and boiling. I would use new lids for sure - you can use used rings. You dip lids and rings in boiling water and put them on a clean towel. Boil the clean jars for several minutes. Fill the jars up to the bottom of the "collar" and put the lids and rings on. Then you place the jars in a bath of hot water - about half way up the jars - let the water come to a boil aroung the jars. The lids should all sink in a little in the middle - that's how you know they are sealed. If any of them pops up, you can poke it and see if it will suck in. If any don't sink in, they are not really sealed and should be stored in the fridge and eaten soon.

P.S. Of course the veggies need to be cooked first, and the water you cooked them in goes in the jar with them. Fruit needs to be cooked in water and sugar, usually.

There you have what I can remember of Home Ec 102.

 

[tttessa]

Hiya,

we do pickling and jam/jelly making over here too, but dry sterilize the jars and lids - a hot oven for 10 min will do the trick - usually clean everything in the dishwasher first, then whilst still hot put it in the oven - a lot easier than hot water everywhere.

Onions or beetroot are fun to pickle... Peel little onions/shallots boil vinegar (+ spices if wanted) put onions in jar, pour on vinegar seal put in cupboard for 4 months, eat with cheese. Beetroot is the same, but peel it/boil it and slice it first. If you like sweet pickles add a little sugar to the vinegar first.

Rhubarb and ginger jam (jelly, I guess...) is my favourite - chop rhubarb, cover in same weight of sugar, boil like h**l add grated ginger, put in jars. If it has been boiled too long then you will never get it out of the jar, but 20 sec in the microwave melts it enough to get it out into a tray and make the tastiest chewy toffee. It's granny's rationing spirit - never throw good food away...

Speaking of which -I was talking with a friend when she mentioned that every week she chucks tons of food out - from her refrigerator!!! and asked how much I threw away, when I said I didn't she seemed really sceptical and didn't believe me. I buy what we need - I couldn't believe she was throwing out food because she bought so much it went past its use by date... (and she has a freezer/deep freeze !!) They say over here that 1 bag of food in every 3 bags is thrown out ..... sooo sad. Maybe that is why I am fat ( but getting thinner) - can't bear to see good food wasted?

So good on you for wanting to preserve food!! Well done.

Tessa

 

[TinaLala]

Thank Goodness it's Thursday!!

My work week is finally over today and tomorrow is PACKING DAY!! I can't believe it's finally here! Last night DH said, "You don't have much to do since you've packed the girls stuff the other day." WHAT! He has no clue what goes into packing for a Disney trip. CLUELESS!

Well tonight we're going shopping with my mom for school clothes. I have a Justice coupon for 40% off so I'm hoping to hit there but given DD10's size (she's a 14/16) I think we're going to Areopostle, Old Navy or Target. I hate clothes shopping - she and I don't see eye to eye on style so we'll see.

Tessa - I try not to throw food away. Due to the weather we throw away rolls on a weekly basis because we can't eat them fast enough. We do a lot of freezing. Honestly I shop twice a month and make a menu for the two weeks so what's bought is what's used. There's a big push on recyling so they don't want you to throw away anything.


How's everyone else doing today?

 

[tttessa]

Hi Tina,

I would love to be packing for Disney - instead I'm being head-in-the-sand mum .... 2 kids on the wii playing Lego Indiana Jones - does not make for a quiet time, so I either have to ignore the noise or be shouty mum!!! Bicker/bicker/whinge/whinge etc..... then if I say - we will turn it off - they say, "but we are enjoying it".... mmmmmm different opinions about what "enjoyment" constitutes.. Still, gives me time to sit still!!!

Weather has turned nice here - temp in the 70s, low humidity, sun shining, slight breeze - absolutely heavenly - have been to the park (again - it's free!!) the kids love going on the swings now they can do it themselves. We are all shattered - I did another 5 circuits of the park while they played - a mile, but took my stopwatch and it took me 19min 40 - not great, but last time I took the stopwatch (it makes me blush this one) it took over 27 min, but will try to up the speed each time.

Library and park tomorrow, let's hope the weather holds, or we'll have to dress in wet weather gear and go puddle splashing on the way.

Tessa

 

[CRdisMom]

im better but thank the lord above that Tim comes home tonight. We are meeting him at the airport. The girls are excited to take the train from the Mall of America out to the airport and back. Simple pleasures. then I think we will headed to the Nickelodeon Universe. Not WDW but as close as we get in MN.

Good for you on the mile at the park Tessa. I'm around 20 minutes too on the treadmill. It seems tougher when you get outside though. I have on on the WII and the other begging to clean the toilet so I undersantd the screaming mum comment.

Tina good luck on back to school shopping. We have to get after school clothes for Beth. not looking forward to it. She too has a different concept of style than me. But at least I don't have to argue with her on her daily school clothes. I was shocked when I measured her in seem. it is 24.5 inches. The kid is all legs. I ordered new uniform pants from Lands End this week. They will hem them for free which is great because Beth is a slim in the waist and tall in length. Just can't find those on the shelf. I owe you a response to your PM too. I'm on FB as Laura Schue.

Think we will hit the pool this am then run errons before going out the mall. just too much to do. NOw i just need to put the laptop down.