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

[Lovin Life]

Tammie - Your river rafting story cracked me up! You are having too much fun! Good for you. Your babies are adorable!

Erin - Portugal looks beautiful! Someone on my team that lives in the UK just vacationed in Portugal. I didn't realize it was such a popular vacation destination. I can see why! I know what you mean about your baby starting middle school. They do grow up way too fast.

Tina - Apple picking and the ice cream factory -- do you all have Blue Bell? They have a new flavor - Blackberry Cobbler, that is just to die for! It has crust in it! I also heard there was a banana pudding flavor, w/vanilla wafers in it! OMG.

Baby B - Your trip sounds like it will be fun. Good for you on being creative about the activities/goodies for the kids. I hope that you found your necklace!

Lorrie - It gets better. It really does. It just gets crazy busier, but you do get used to it. I'm glad to hear the Nicholas is enjoying school! Told ya!

Laura - Again, cute pics of the girls! Beth does look like you!!

Hi Debbie, Kara and Shelly (and anyone I missed!)

 

[ShellyShellfish]

Your new paint sounds nice. I'm getting ready to paint my kitchen/DR yellow - now you're scaring me!

Don't let me scare you off! I LOVED the color when we first did it...but now I'm just tired of it and wanted a change. It's probably the pregnancy crazies kicking in. Are you thinking a mustard yellow though? This was just a huge space and a ton of mustardiness...it got overwhelming to me. Now it's light and airy and feels a LOT bigger. I'm kind of shocked actually.

 

[flying_babyb]

We awalys had a yelllow kitchen.

I did find my necklace last night. Apparently I decided I WOULD put it in the bathroom but put it in my pants pocket to get it there LOL!!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Love you guys - seriously thanks for the support.

Tammie - my Mom was going to paint her kitchen yellow and said she watched some show on how colors affected kiddos. Yellow was suppose to bring out hostility and hate -I don't know just what she told me. I like yellow - think it is a great color. My room was yellow as a kid and I was pretty passive.

You guys were all right. He is doing fine in school. I can't believe that I hounded you all so much about it.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

HI girls! More of us here lately - feels normal almost. We still seem to be missing Cammie and Debbie and Jillian!

BabyB - glad you found your necklace - I'm always putting things in "other places."

Lorrie! So glad you checked in - I'm glad Nicholas is doing well in school. Mia sounds so cute. Wow an hr each way? I'm so not used to that! Like everyone said, I'm sure you'll adjust.


Shelly, it is pretty bright - I'm doing Disney. My kitchen is already black and white with black countertops and a black tile Island. I have a red gingham valance and I had a bunch of coke stuff on display. My DDIL said I should do Disney, so I put away the coke and started with some really cute Disney kitchen stuff. I thought I'd paint the walls in the kitchen, and DR a bright yellow that goes with the Disney, and then do the adjoining LR in a pale buttercream to compliment it. We want to replace our grey carpet with a wood floor. I'm planning on doing the laundry space and kitchen bathroom in the yellow with Disney too. Maybe I should go a little lighter on the yellow

Oh, Cammie and Lydia, thanks for the Firefox info! I got so mad at my IE today, that I tried the FF and I love it! So much faster - here I thought it was my puter or the modem or something all this time!

TR next post:

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, because I have a hard time going on a trip without reporting it anymore, I thought I'd just share this one BRIEFLY with my Buds!

After packing Summer and Winter clothes, as well as boxes of files and office supplies, my card table, computer, products and spa pans and towels, as well as Jim's uniforms, we hit the sack at 10pm - a first for me on packing night!
Fri, Aug 21st:
We left at 6am - stopped at Dutch Bros for coffee and we were heading south! I like South! South means warmer weather and family and DL! Mt. Shasta was beautiful with the sun coming up on it, and facing Mt. Shasta means we are heading South!

We drove 10 hours and got to Bakersfield, the home of my DB and his family. It was warmer - 109 degrees! We had a great visit - my DB is a great BBQ cook - carnitas tacos with homemade salsa, and tri-tip! We just enjoyed hanging out with DB and DSIL and my nephews. The oldest hugged me and was out of town for the weekend to see friends. The two youngest, ages 11 and 14 were fun and very sweet! We swam in their great pool and made margaritas. On Sat, we stopped by the Moo Creamery or something like that - a combo ice cream shop/sports bar - I had a delicious brownie sundae!

DB, DSIL, nephews

On Sunday, the 23rd, we had delicious pulled pork sandwiches for brunch, and then we were on the road to Anaheim Hills. We had a great time visiting with Jim's Uncle and Aunt and 16 yr old cousin - went to the new Garden Walk area near Downtown Disney - lots of great shops and boutiques and restaurants! We ate at Calif Pizza Kitchen - I had a Mai Tai and tequila lime chicken pasta with cream sauce - Yummmy!

Then we walked over to Cheesecake Factory for dessert! I had a really rich piece of chocolate suicide or something - ate about 3 bites and took the rest home - only to not eat it! But I did drink my coffee with Bailey's.

We did a little shopping and lunch the next day, took a dip in the pool - and headed out for our favorite burgers for dinner - Inn-N-Out!

Tues, Jim and I took the Mercedes convertable out for a spin - pretending to be movie stars - sadly, no one asked for our autographs We picked up Togo's sandwiches for lunch. Later Jim and Uncle L went out for Panda Express for dinner.

Wed, Cousin C had to check in for High School Orientation so Jim and I headed out for DL. I'll post those pics tomorrow.....

 

[LydiaAch]

Two weeks from today. ladies!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Mt. Shasta was beautiful with the sun coming up on it, and facing Mt. Shasta means we are heading South!

.....

All I can say Tammie is WOW! I never thought I was interested in seeing things like that until I flew over the grand canyon - amazing!

Lydia - you have a trip very soon. Aren't you staying at BLT this trip?

Tammie - the sad thing is I live 5 mintues from school, so I need to get there at 2:50 to pick him up at 3:35. If you don't get there first, it can lengthen your wait because the cars back up, so even though it is a pain, I get out quicker than if I get there at 3:35 and don't get him picked up until 4 pm. They send groups of 10 out at a time. Thank goodness I have a DVD player in the car for Mia - if not.

I've been ebaying again. Bought Mia lots of gently used Chez Ami brand clothes. I'm not one for labels, but that brand is really so cute and so soft, I think I am falling for it. ha ha. But I get mine for $10 after others have paid the $80-90

Tessa - haaaa..... well, life's been so crazy I have yet to attend a meeting or fully track everything so I'm still at ground zero. Hoping to make the change this week. But huge thank you to you.

I have so much to do, and so little time, but I wanted to make an effort to reconnect and get back on here some each day.

 

[Lovin Life]

Love you guys - seriously thanks for the support.

ALWAYS! Ditto!

You guys were all right. He is doing fine in school. I can't believe that I hounded you all so much about it.

You didn't. You were just worried about your baby, as we all do....It's so great when they love school.

I did find my necklace last night. Apparently I decided I WOULD put it in the bathroom but put it in my pants pocket to get it there LOL!!

Yippee! I do that all of the time. I am so excited when I throw on a sweater or jacket that I haven't worn since last season! Finding money is the best!

Two weeks from today. ladies!

That is so awesome! I missed your planning stages. Where are you staying and how long will you be there? No kids?! I am extremely jealous!


Tammie - It sounds like you are having a blast. How long will you be "on vacation"? Hee, hee! Your pictures and story are great! You made me hungry! I could use a Bailey's and coffee right now...

 

[DizzyErin]

8am - got a call from the nurse at DD10's school that she has a rash on her hands, arms and belly - a virus?? Anyone heard of this before? I'm wondering if it's a form of hand/foot/mouth disease. She said by the time the rash comes out the virus isn't contageous and DD10 wasn't itching or had a fever so there was no need to send her home. DD10 said she noticed it when she took a drink before going to class - they were going to check their scores. Not sure what that means, but I'm wondering if it was nerves. You should see the rash she gets when she gets when she takes MCAS - poor thing gets crazy nervous.

Hey Tina how is DD10?? I just wanted to say that i really feel for her going through the probs at schoola nd wanted to let you know i am totally thinking of you both as you fight your way through this yr, my Dd is 10 aswell and it is not easy and i know will only get harder so i wanted to you to know i send across the pond hugs

Nicolas is doing so well in school. Seriously great. I'm so glad that my buds talked me into sending him this year - it was REALLY the right thing to do. He looks forward to it - and to homework. He is LOVING it. Already moving on to sight words, basic reading - even his handwriting is improving.

I just wanted to say hello and missing you guys. I'll get my crap together someday.

Hey Lorrie .. We miss you too ... So glad Nicolas is doing so well in school

Erin - Portugal looks beautiful! Someone on my team that lives in the UK just vacationed in Portugal. I didn't realize it was such a popular vacation destination. I can see why! I know what you mean about your baby starting middle school. They do grow up way too fast.

Oh it is lovely Pam .. and can you believe only 2 1/2 plane journey from here and no time difference, now that threw me
And i only wish Cj was starting middle school, she is actually in her last yr of it this time next yr she will be off to High school (Secondary we call it) man a scary yr i have ahead, the yr of lasts .. last first day at this school after 7 yrs, last christmas play, last everything Oh man!!!

Ok girls 20 weeks hits on saturday so we are sooooooooo excited hahahah not long now until i can make my ADR's
I need to ask you girls a question .. We are planning on doing Ohana's breakie, now how long will it take to get from there to DHS? And how? We have 2 options, Go to Ohana's on a down day and chill in the arvo or Ohana's then to DHS???

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Hey

Ok girls 20 weeks hits on saturday so we are sooooooooo excited hahahah not long now until i can make my ADR's
I need to ask you girls a question .. We are planning on doing Ohana's breakie, now how long will it take to get from there to DHS? And how? We have 2 options, Go to Ohana's on a down day and chill in the arvo or Ohana's then to DHS???

Hey Erin, I so wanted to say "Oh my Heavens how old CJ looks!" I can really tell she has grown since your last posting. I'm sorry this is your year of the lasts, but keep in mind that you always have her - no matter what!

My big stressful plan for us was to do just what you are asking for Nicolas' birthday - he ended up changing his mind and wanting to go to MK, so we just hopped the monorail. But BUT what I have heard is that it is easy to just walk outfront and catch the bus to DHS. Ohana's breakfast is still my fav - hands down. The meal was yummy and the environment was cute. They were pretty chop-chop though. You checked in - waited for your photo - took photo - waited again for your table. I think we were there a bit before and still waited perhaps half an hour. Our ADR there was 7:50 I believe. We just got to MK after the opening ceremony - like 9:15ish. So I would say to go to DHS and make rope drop I would spend the $10-15USD for a cab. I would just chat will the valet area before I made my ressie, but I doubt they wouldn't have one there just waiting. The down side of getting from Ohana to DHS is that is the last pickup I believe - after GF, and maybe one other - so you may have a full bus or standing room only. My advice - if you do Ohana/DHS - use a cab. Our most expensive fare from CSR was $10 plus tip, and that was to Ohana. There is 5-6 minutes. Done.

I think you can't go wrong with either plan though. CAUSE YOU'RE in DISNEY!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, ladies, I just have to take a side trip here and show you the rafting pics - Jim made me a new disc today from our friend Mark's and I've been working on downloading them to photobucket and facebook all night.

Here are our pics from Sunday:

Secenery from Horseshoe Bend

Here we are, front and Center:

Taking an Eddy (I'm in the black hat):

Yikes! The Rapids:

More Rapids:

Jeannie and I playing Titanic:

Here we come!

Now Act like you know what you're doing!

Here comes Lunch!

Maybe not....

Salute the camera!

These guys played "Deliverance"

This family lost half their boat in one spot, and managed to get 'em all back!

Are we there yet?

Hope you enjoyed this little adventure in the West! I'll be back tomorrow to post our DL day!

 

[tttessa]

Hiya all,

Tammie - loved the pics!! Looks like a real adventure , and like you all enjoyed it. Sooooooooo not my thing, you cannot imagine how soooo much not my thing it is..... Looks cold, looks wet, looks like you get bugs and all that stufff..... I don't do cold, or wet or bugs.... I'm afraid I like my life's little luxuries... my girls however....

And those pics were BEFORE we hired wetsuits for them!!!! Oh, and for those who wanted a family shot...... now I'm under 200 again..... (and my wibbly belly is not on display!!)

Lorrie - the start of school really is hectic for a few weeks..... now things will start to settle, so you can get to your meeting and concentrate on YOU for a bit!

Tina - how is DD??? We suffer in our family from post viral rashes - LOADS of very red little spots on trunk and arms mainly - last 3 or 4 days, sometimes we know it's coming - they had a cold or a tummy bug, sometimes they must have thrown off a virus with no symptoms. As they said - by then, they are not contagious anyhow, so no worries - BUT - once they have had a post viral rash, they seem to be more prone to them, so watch out for next time!!

I'm having that dilemma again - do I / don't I look for a "proper" job, so lots of internet surfing!! I think I'm going goggle (or should that be google!! ) eyed.

Tessa

 

[TinaLala]

DD10 is doing good - the rash was gone by the time she got home. She had a therapist appt last night that went well. She forgot her homework so we had to go back to school and I met her teacher - a male - a first for her, he was very nice. She's doing pretty well in school so far. No fights over homework.

WARNING VENTING AHEAD - Went to the YMCA gymnasium yesterday for DD7 to check out. We go to sign her up, now we talked about how much it was going to cost $50/month after $20 registration and $25 participation fee. Cheaper then the $64/month cost of dance and $25 for new jazz shoes. So I say OK let's sign her up. DH gives me a face of shock, like what am I doing. Ok so I say we'll think about it and go out to the car, I know we talked about this so why is he surprised? He's like well $50 seems like a lot Yeah the place she really wants to go to is $250 for 2 months. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS! He's back peddling and I'm like no you and your 7 yo need to go home and your 10 yo and I are going to Joanne's. I was so angry with him that he made it look like I was making this incredible decision without talking to him about it. men

Going to the Natick American Girl Store with my mom and the kids tomorrow - she's never been to a AG store before and I want to give her a shock. She thinks she had it tough raising me - please! I'm going to let the girls get their dolls' hair done ($10) - THAT's IT! There will be no other purchases made. DD7 doesn't even play with her OG doll so why would I even bother. DD10 plays with her doll alone or with her friends. Mom wants to buy her some foods for her doll for christmas, so I'm ok with that, but not for DD7. I have to get that Zhu Zhu hamster thing for her today at Target for Christmas. I think I'm going to make them matching holiday skirts for their dolls. DD10 will like that.

Tammie - love the pictures it looks you had so much fun!! My kitchen is mustardy yellow - very mediteranean - then I added some cranberry and dark blues for decor and it looks neat. Pictures of paris, cranberry curtains. Better then the white walls with ivy stencil for the last 10 years.
Tessa - I'm so impressed with your weight loss - you are half way there baby!! Keep it up
Erin - I would go downstairs and hop on the DHS bus at the GF or you could take the monorail to the transportation center and then go down and jump on a bus there. GS would be easier. DD10 is doing ok. She's very conscious about her outfits this year so I'm doing my best to keep my creations 'in style'. Looking for a cell phone - which I told her no way. but over all so far so good.
Laura - YOU'RE AWESOME! Hey since I have no control over my own GS troop I can help you out as much as I can from here. You let me know what you need and we can MAKE IT HAPPEN! (that's my motto!)
Lorrie - that Chez Ami brand sells her fabric so cheap! You could make some pants wicked cheap! Ok you buy the fabric and ship it to me and I'll make the pants for you wicked cheap. $3.50/yard is a good price - love the colors
Lydia - JEALOUS! I can go with you as a guide if you'd like!
Pam - that blackberry cobbler sounds to die for!
Kara, Cammie, Deb, Jillian - where are you guys?!?

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Hope you enjoyed this little adventure in the West! I'll be back tomorrow to post our DL day!

Dear Goodness, woman! You have more adventure in your big toe than I have in my whole body! Look at those rocks, look at that rushing water...

Tessa

Tessa, I think that is the first picture I have seen of you - and you are looking great! Good job!

Thanks for the encouragement. I have told myself it is time to get a bit more focused.

DD10 is doing good -

Sorry I missed what the rash was about, but glad DD is doing better. You know, Men sometimes have to flex their muscles. I have no idea why. I hate things like that. I'm sorry you had to deal with it. Hopefully it will work itself out.

As for the sewing, me - not sew much I can't sew a straight stitch on a machine to save my life - I'm good at crafts, so it drives me absolutely nuts. I saw the fabric, and I SO appreicate your offer. But by the time the shipping is done with the 2 yard fabric minimum, don't you think an almost new outfit for $9 or so is a better deal? Of course, I generally pay $4 shipping, but I cannot buy her clothes at Target for that price. Plus for that price I don't mind wearing them tons. Funny how the more you pay, the less you try to put it on them. But seriously - your offer is so sweet - thank you!

Off to pick up my van from the shop. Nothing like a $1400 maintanence bill to set your mood off right for the weekend.

 

[Debbie6221]

Hi Girls! It's been a crazy week! I am trying not to spend time at the computer so I can get my life in order but I miss you guys! My texting plan was about to go over too so I couldn't even really text!

I did, thanks to you guys, switch to firefox and it has been better on the computer. The only problem is it did NOT transfer my bookmarks over and I can't get it to let Mark sign in thru Yahoo by himself. He has to log me off, log himself on where before he could just click a separate icon.

So....my life has been back to school, men out of town, grieving for Chelsea, trying to get my life in order...yada yada....so far OK Not great yet. Trying to establish a new routine, working with Matthew on behavior, working on Elizabeth with going to sleep, putting dates on the calendar and my Brother's wedding activities, etc and not to mention figuring out how to pay for everything for the wedding. Elizabeth had a complete melt down about Chelsea last night becasue one of her stuffed animals "made her remember she was dead". She cried herself to sleep. It was so sad. My Mom...not good.......Not how I thought our summer would end!

The spending freeze is still on but I want it off! All I think about are things to spend money on! LIKE We are going to Naples in October and now I have decided that I want to spend one night in WDW to go to MNSSHP! How bad could it be to go for that, right?

I will be back soon but my life is a cluttery mess right now and I MUST make changes! Especially since I need to go back to work. When I start working I want my home life clean!

I will try and catch up this weekend girls! Thanks!

 

[DizzyErin]

Hi girls
Anyone else glad its Friday?? Man that was a looong first week back to school and nxt week clubs, guides and music lessons start again!!

Tammie ... You crazy lady!! Mountains look beautiful but you would never catch me going down those rapids
Tessa .. Congrats on the weight loss, my turn next i cannot put it off any longer .. Were those pics in cornwall??
Debbie .. Big hugs to you and your family and hoping things start turning around for you all
Lorrie .. Yep she has grown and changed so much this yr, really growing up in so many ways, it scares me to think she's no longer a little girl i think, however it just means we're entering the next stage in our lives.
Tina .. Glad things at school seem to be going ok for your DD i really hope they stay that way and you guys can have a better yr

Thanks Lorrie and Tina for the advice .. I think with so many of us we may be better to do it on a down day, we wouldn't need cab as we will have 3 cars , yes 3 there are that many of us hahah so getting the bus would be a pain i think and as the parks close earlier at that time of yr we need to get there as early as poss, thanks though

 

[ShellyShellfish]

Shelly, it is pretty bright - I'm doing Disney. My kitchen is already black and white with black countertops and a black tile Island. I have a red gingham valance and I had a bunch of coke stuff on display. My DDIL said I should do Disney, so I put away the coke and started with some really cute Disney kitchen stuff. I thought I'd paint the walls in the kitchen, and DR a bright yellow that goes with the Disney, and then do the adjoining LR in a pale buttercream to compliment it. We want to replace our grey carpet with a wood floor. I'm planning on doing the laundry space and kitchen bathroom in the yellow with Disney too. Maybe I should go a little lighter on the yellow

That sounds like it'd be FUN though! Go for it. It's got a good theme to support it with.

My kitchen? It was a sad attempt at "italian" or something...I had the vinegar bottles on top of the cabinets and a red/green/yellow valance over the windows and sliders to go outside....it was just a complete mess. I think the major problem was that it was the FIRST room in the house we decorated after we built. So we rushed in, and had no idea what we really wanted or were doing...you can tell the progression of which rooms we've decorated as each time they've gotten better and more cohesive. So now it's time to overhaul the kitchen. I'm working on DH to rip up the carpet/vinyl flooring so that we can put down hardwoods, I hate carpet, and with a dog/kid it's always a mess.

Today is my last day of work...kind of sad, I've been with the company for 4.5 years. I'm still going to send DS to daycare one day a week because all his "friends" are there and he's really learning a LOT, plus it will give me a day to myself to get stuff done for the newborn when she arrives.

Made a concorde grape pie last night to bring in today for work...it's sitting on my desk teasing me right now. I might have to cave and have a slice sooner than later. Yum.

 

[soontobewed07]

Hi girls miss you all so much things have been busy and I am exhausted and now have been hit with some nasty stomach bug which means everyone here will get it too I have started planning our Disney trip for Feb/March and Luca is excited which is getting me more excited. I am trying to decide where to stay we only need POR and CSR to complete our Mods and we have only stayed at POP for Values so I am thinking maybe a split stay? I am leaning toward CSR since the rennovation but POR is so serene

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Hi girls miss you all so much things have been busy and I am exhausted and now have been hit with some nasty stomach bug which means everyone here will get it too I have started planning our Disney trip for Feb/March and Luca is excited which is getting me more excited. I am trying to decide where to stay we only need POR and CSR to complete our Mods and we have only stayed at POP for Values so I am thinking maybe a split stay? I am leaning toward CSR since the rennovation but POR is so serene

Okay, I liked CSR, but to do it over again - I'd seriously rather be at a "themed" resort with the littler ones. Nicolas enjoyed ASmo so much better than CSR - don't get me wrong - he liked it, but it wasn't the "Wow" that he had there. I you know more about POR. Only thing I DID really like better were the Queen beds and the nicer bedding - but again, Nicolas REALLY liked that Buzz Lightyear room, walking out to say hi to BUZZ, playing in the toy story car - and I really liked that we were 3 min or less to the pool/bus stop/parking/main dining/everything. But you seriously can't go wrong at Disney - you just can't

I hope you recover speedy!

Not ignoring everyone else - just skimming tonight. Have a headache, but I saw Jillian's pondering. Seems that you have put up with so many of mine, I feel more than obligated to help out with yours!