Looking For Control Freaks & Worry Warts too (Part 2)

[Debbie6221]

Off to a baby shower............

 

[Becky2005]

Hi Becky!!
Long time no see!
How are you???
Any adventures on your end? Highway stories???
Disneyland Disney On Ice Is coming.................

I saw that and opening night is only $11.00 but I've never been to the United Center. Not really sure. I just have a lot of school expenses coming up.

Let's see my "what the world am I thinking as a mom" moment is DD is going to go see the author of the Twilight series at the Harris Theatre. I bought 2 tickets but I really didn't want to go. Another girl that she just recently met is crazy about Twilight. The parents offered to drive the girls, if I would sell them the 1 ticket since it's sold out & they knew I *really* didn't exactly have my heart set on seeing this. I was doing one of these for the way they said it at first that they would be dropping 2 teenaged girls off in Chicago by themselves. I think the look on my face must have said it all, along with my "huh?". However, what it will be is them taking them in to the show, then coming back to pick up the girls but they will be nearby (and the girls will have their cellphones, so won't be leaving the theatre). They go into the city all the time and are familiar with all the locations -- where as I was freaking out trying to figure out how to get home from there. It will work out I hope. I will be total worry wart that day though until she gets home but I think it will be an OK spread your wings a bit time (I hope!!!!!).

You will be impressed though, I managed to make it down to Champaign-Urbana and find where I needed to go on the University of Illinois campus for ISYM (IL Summer Youth Music program). THAT was impressive for me but it wasn't a bad drive -- I knew the gist of it and they gave me a good map. Of course, that means nothing for me. They had things marked out well.

I just dropped DD off at cheer camp though at NIU and well...THAT was a whole other experience. Luckily it was Sunday without much traffic as I did a go slow, try to watch signs "CRUD, BRAKE FAST, TURN HERE" hoping the road will take me where I need to go as we weren't given a map, just told what dorm to go to considering the road was the dorm name with "extension" on it. Apparently I had missed prior turns I should have taken. It wasn't *quite* that bad but when driving in unfamiliar areas I don't do so well with that sinking stomach feeling. I have to attempt to find the field house on Wednesday and have no clue where that's at either really.

Then the most stinky part that has me being totally worried and drats it's not in my control so isn't helping me too much is DD is probably going to need surgery for her scoliosis. We are looking at February for that, so I've gone into the planner, reasearcher mode for that. On the positive side, she's done wearing her back brace because it's not making any difference. She is loving that idea with the camp as it's the first one summer in 2006 that she has done a camp without a brace.

Let's see other than the normal freak out with school starting and sending 2 off to brand new schools, one being a Freshman.

Nothing like a hovering mom, I'm sure I've already made an impression with my 50,000 calls because they just leave details out that you are supposed to assume -- one being gym uniforms! They listed the price but nothing to order sizes on, I had to call and see how that was done because in Middle School they give you an order form with sizes. So I wasn't sure if I was missing a paper in my registration packet as I got a duplicate of a different paper or ????? Seems I'm always going to the HS asking a question about something -- the answer I get is "It's over here or see this person, do you know where that's at or who that is?" to which I have to reply "No, I'm a Freshman mom, I don't know anything" -- I just want to wear a button that says "I'm a Freshman parent, I know NOTHING" so they can just tell me in detail everything and know I have no clue what they are talking about so it would be better to explain it.

Another example is I had to pre-register her for cheerleading, it gave a date & times for certain sports. The letter didn't say it was at the Athletic office, to which I didn't even know they HAD one & where it was located. I was expecting something set-up since it had specific times listed for specific sports. Instead I went into this little bitty office that was off in some corner that I would have probably have never found had I not gone to the main office first and say "Ummm". I have a feeling the main office, doesn't necessarily talk to the Athletic office as they told me to just bring copies of DD's physical to them when she gets it as that would be easier than them waiting for it to come from the main office to them. I have to give it to the main office though too as it's a 9th grade physical vs. only a sports one.

How is THAT for an update.

 

[Becky2005]

Here are some of our summer pix……
Kiddieland….an Illinois staple kids have been growing up going to for years…rumors are out there it will be closing….

OH NO!!! My kids have never been there. We always did Santa's Village but that's gone now. Looks like I'll have to get them up to Kiddieland as long as Dora isn't there (DD does NOT like Dora!! She'll tolerate Diego..but you should see her with the commercials that Dora is coming to town! )

 

[karajeboo]

We went to visit my dad again today and then Mike applied at the Local fire Dept. Near my Dad. So we will see. It means having to move and buy another house which I am not in the mood to do right now. Yuck! If we move I would have liked somewhere like Florida or S. Carolina.

FYI - We moved from OHio to SC and LOVED the Greenville/Spartanburg area - AND it was just named the 4th best city to live in!!! Must be cause they know we left!!!

Have a great day, all! Off to get my babies, then shop til we drop! (or run out of money!)

Glad your babies are home!!!!!

I don't think they're as cute as Zac though! I sound like a dirty old lady!!

Another dirty old lady here too!!!

OK - how many of you girls have actually met or plan to meet on an upcoming trip? I am totally jealous!

I met Laura in May, plan on meeting Debbie in Sept, and Cammie and Jillian in Nov - and hopefully Renee in May if she can kick her hubby in the butt!!!

Zac Efron!

You know my saying don't you? "The older and smarter I get; the younger and dumber I like them!"

It reminds me of football season. I love football Sundays, when the football sometimes keeps us home all day (that's happening less and less w/the girls getting older) and I cook a roast or brisket.

I am sooooo excited for football season to start!!!!

DD10 is wanting a lightweight jacket that costs $60! I just cannot bring myself to buy a lightweight jacket that costs that much for a 10 year old!

ITA!!!! I'm beginning already this battle with Ally.... and she's only 7!

So we're back from the pool party and honestly I don't understand DD9. She has lots of friends at dance, but we saw the same thing at the pool party that we see at school, DD9 doesn't play with anyone. It's very sad. She tries to join a group of girls, but they say, 'we don't want to play with you' so she plays by herself. It makes me cry because she's such a good friend and she'll play with everyone. She isn't bossy like some other girls can be and maybe that is what it is, that she doesn't let them push her around. I just don't know what to do. She joined this sport to build confidence and yet here we are watching her not connecting with anyone.

Does anyone have this problem or have suggestions? I posted a thread also because I'm really concerned about her being a loner and I don't want her to be depressed at age 9.

Tina, that's horrible!!!! It sounds like your DD is around a bunch of "mean" girls, and she's too nice to play those nasty games. I wouldn't go back to that age (worse at middle school, I'm sure!) if you paid me!

OK, back from the beach and I just read through the posts quickly!!!

Tammie, so glad Mason did well! Sounds like a little trooper!

Cammie, how is Amanda doing??? Glad to hear your sister didn't get in too late and y'all were able to have a nice dinner together.

Erin, so glad to see you back - sounds like a success with your parents house!

Laura, I vote for the pool!!! But that is a larger area to "patrol" or alarm with two little ones!

Debbie, if it weren't for me working online all day, I'd probably be in your shoes this summer - very busy!!!

Renee, hope your weekend turned out okay!!!

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow. Clearwater Beach was nice. We got in around 7 on Friday. We stayed at the HIlton using Jeff's points, so it was a "free" weekend! Our room was nothing exciting, just a hotel room. But we were upgraded to ocean view, which was nice. But the gulf is so odd, no loud waves crashing, like off the ATlantic, which I missed sitting out on the balcony at night.

Yesterday we rented an umbrella and chairs, which was awesome. Much better than pulling out our blanket, and setting up on little beach chairs. Plus, when I wasn't in the water, I was in the shade. The water was soooo warm! But it was also very crowded on the beach. Very nice, white sandy beach though.

Then last night we had an awesome dinner at Frenchy's Rockside Grill right on the beachfront. We sat outside right by the railing, so we had an unobstructed view as the sun went down. Very nice.

Today there was so much seaweed washed up, and even in the water there was a ton. So after about 5 minutes we all got out, took a walk, and then went to the pool for about a half hour. The skies were overcast so we left around 11:30 (instead of 1 or 2 that we were planning) and actually got the dog picked up today instead of tomorrow. Then Jeff was able to get the yard done, and I got all the bathrooms cleaned, and all the floors mopped, so I'm kinda glad we left early.

More tomorrow!!!!

 

[Debbie6221]

Thanks for the update Becky! You definitely should hang with us!
I have a ton more...I hope you guys don't mind.......
Thanks for indulging me!


Cubs Game

 

[Debbie6221]

Glad you had fun Kara!

I know I get carried away but here are the rest for now!
Water parks & pools

The zoo….

Love this one!

Elizabeth’s swan bite!

Mukwonago Wisconsin Summer home……..

 

[Debbie6221]

Should I go here????????????????

 

[Debbie6221]

 

[Debbie6221]

 

[karajeboo]

Should I go here????????????????

OH MY!!!! I really have turned into a dirty old woman, huh????

Debbie - great pics!!! Looks like y'all are having a GREAT summer!!! And Elizabeth looks like such a "little Debbie!"

Well, the paramedic just left after giving us our quick physicals, drawing blood, all that stuff. And I'm disgusted to say that I have officially gained back 15 pounds since we've moved!!!! Jeff doesn't want me to go back to JC cause he knows I'll buy their food at about $80/week, so I guess I'll just try really hard to eat right, try to keep at 1200 calories a day, drink tons of water, and get in some exercise. What a wake up call that scale was this morning!!!!

However, Jeff and I are now insured, so I feel so much better knowing that...

I signed Ally up for cheerleading this fall so she is sooooo excited! But I really want to get her back into gymnastics. She took it for about 3 years, and one of her coaches was the former USSR Olympic GOLD coach!!!! She was really good and loved it, too (which is the most important thing, despite her being a 2016 Olympic hopeful! ). The only problem is that the nearest gym around here that teaches gymnastics looks like it's about 30 minutes away. I don't care if they're the "best" in town, I just want somewhere that she can learn some more, especially more tumbling. This little girl can do a perfect cartwheel!!!

I'm getting my beach pics ready on photobucket so I'll post later!

Hey, Becky!!! Sounds like quite a few adventures for you this summer too!

Cammie - glad to hear Amanda is doing so well!!! Sounds like that surgery really did the trick. It's so sad to think that the poor thing may have been in pain before but she really couldn't let anyone know...

OK, off to get some work done, and try to get caught up before I get busy this morning!!!

 

[soontobewed07]

Debbie Great Pics!

Kara- Can't wait to see your pics.

I hope the weather holds out here so we can head to the park. I will check in later. Off to shower and get ready for the day!

 

[karajeboo]

Here's a view from our balcony....

Ally playing in the surf....

Jeff in his new suit...

So funny - Ally asked me why some men wore "girl's panties" on the beach! When I explained to her that it was actually a mans suit, she didn't understand so I told her that a lot of Europeans wear that kind of suit, she said, "I'm glad Daddy doesn't have a swim suit like that!"

Restaurant where we ate dinner Saturday night, right smack on the beach - Frenchy's Rockaway Grill. YUmmy! And the view was so much fun!

 

[Debbie6221]

Today = Live365 + cleaning + possible Kiddieland field trip (Grandma landed FREE tix).

Have a GREAT week everyone. I will actually be around until the weekend. And now unfortunately for you guys I am going to see what kind of texting I get with my package. Anyone else have US Cellular (you might be my next target!)?

 

[karajeboo]

Sunset...

 

[Debbie6221]

Cute pix! Fun weekend! Thanks for sharing! Looks like my kind of fun!

 

[karajeboo]

Look who else showed up!!! Sorry so blurry but I had to crop it way down. Jeff said he'd kill me if this guy came too close - they were promoting some art festival on the beach. He looked pretty good, but didn't sound like our boy Capt Jack.

 

[karajeboo]

Here's some pics of the summer kitchen in progress.

 

[Camster0307]

Kara - The back porch looks like it's going to be gorgeous! OK LADIES - I THINK I KNOW WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE OUR DISMEET! I can just picture Jeff out there cooking and mixing drinks for us, Kara!

Love the beach pix too! Ally already looks so much older from your pix of her from Disney; you're going to have your hands full with her - she's adorable!

I can't wait to post my beach pix! My mom just booked rooms for us down the Jersey shore for a few days in August. Who am I to pass up a free room down by the beach. We go to Yankees' game on the 17th; then down to the shore on the 18th! I'll have to put up with my crazy family but this will be worth it!

Debbie - Loved your pix too! I agree with Kara -- Elizabeth is such a mini-you! And, wth is US Cellular? Get a REAL service w/ a package that includes free texting.

Renee - Are you back yet? Any baby news?

Hi Pam, Tammie, Jillian, Tessa, Laura, Erin, Tina!

 

[Camster0307]

WOWEE-WOW-WOW!

 

[karajeboo]

OH, Cammie, that pic was one of the "tamer" ones. There were some duzies!!! The best ones were the not so small "ladies" wearing a rio cut bikini, as in just slightly more fabric in the back than a g-string. It was quite funny!

BTW, Renee says "hello" to everyone but she's having computer issues today.

Debbie - I have AT&T (Cingular) and we pay $50/mo for a ton of minutes (Jeff got the plan for himself for work) and then $10/mo for each add'l phone. But we get free texting. Love it! It's nice for me to shoot Jeff a message that he can respond to, even if he's busy, without having to answer the phone. Although so far I'm not real thrilled with AT&T - I just have it because that's who Jeff is with for work. And so all our mobile to mobile calls are free. But I loved Verizon - I think I was with them for 4 years in SC.