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

[MAGICFOR2]

Weather update for Kara - remember yesterday or temp was 97?

today 72 with a cool breeze - almost chilly.

 

[karajeboo]

Renee - I can't believe you keep your a/c at 70!! I would be freezing! We keep ours at 75 during the day, and 77 at night, with the ceiling fans on high. It is surprisingly cool - of course, I guess anything would feel cool when it's 95 with 90% humidity outside! Yuck! In the winter in SC we kept the heat at 67 when we were home, and 64 at night! I think we had to keep in higher here because it's so humid which makes it feel a lot colder than it is.

Just got up, so not sure what's up with the storm. I've got the news on now so we'll see...

 

[tttessa]

Hiya all,
just caught up with all the posting - so here goes..

I love that canvas!!! really pretty, and the glitter adds an extra dimension and texture - really great...

Mice - an expert here!!!!! We had everything from field mice to big grain rats when I lived in Orkney - we bought "humane" traps - like a plastic box you put food (graham crackers were the favourite..) in with a sprung door - it gets trapped in there, you either
1. if you were my dad... throw the whole thing in a bucket of water and drown it or
2. if you were my mum, drive to a nice park and let it free....

Green issues.... big, big, big over here right now....

we do not have air con - it isn't needed here, so we start on a good footing... we do however need a drier for our clothes 6 months of the year.. our house is well insulated so we only need heating from Nov to Feb.

Recycling - we do a lot - glass, paper, cans and bulky green garden waste are recycled by our bin men so get collected from the door. Cardboard and plastic bottles we take to our neighbourhood recycling centre (only 3/4 mile so we walk too!!!) Equipment or toys or clothes get put on freecycle.org. And food waste (peelings -we reuse left overs) goes in the compost bin at the bottom of the garden to make lovely rich compost for our pots. We end up just binning packaging and stuff that is broken and can't be recycled.

We don't use plastic bags for shopping any more - I have 6 canvas bags we use for going to town. We get groceries delivered (more ecological than 20 people all driving to the supermarket etc) and we have organic veg delivered straight from the farm.

We are replacing our lightbulbs as they pop - not eco to just replace them and throw the old type! Not sure about the "green" lightbulbs anyhow - they contain toxins, take 7 times as much energy to make and cannot be recycled anyhow- in fact need careful handling *** of the toxins - should not just be put in the bin when they blow. They use less energy and last longer, but not sure if that balances out or not

Our car is under 2litre engine and we use the bus a lot.

HOWEVER>>>>>>It all sounds very "worthy" but - we flew to Florida and to Orkney this year, so i reckon just about balance out even........

Tessa

 

[TinaLala]

Morning! We're back from our camping trip in New Hampshire. Santa says hello! Weather was good except for the downpour at Santa's village - you've got to love a man who will put on a giant trashbag and continue on holiday themed rides. My DH is great!

I'm reading about your mice issues, but anyone have chipmunk problems? We've got one in our wall near the front door and can't figure out how to get rid of him. His gnawing at the wood is making us crazy and I'm afraid the front of the house will cave in. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[karajeboo]

HOWEVER>>>>>>It all sounds very "worthy" but - we flew to Florida and to Orkney this year, so i reckon just about balance out even........

Tessa

I still think you guys are way up on us in the "green" category! Good for the Brits!

Morning! We're back from our camping trip in New Hampshire. Santa says hello! Weather was good except for the downpour at Santa's village - you've got to love a man who will put on a giant trashbag and continue on holiday themed rides. My DH is great!

I'm reading about your mice issues, but anyone have chipmunk problems? We've got one in our wall near the front door and can't figure out how to get rid of him. His gnawing at the wood is making us crazy and I'm afraid the front of the house will cave in. Anyone have any suggestions?

We had the same problem with little field mice in our first house. They would get into the attic and we could hear them scratching and gnawing in the ceiling, then they would fall (we could hear it!) down the wall. There was no way for them to get out so eventually I guess they just died in there. But it drove us nuts!!! We actually had to sleep in the guest room at times because the attic was right over our bedroom and that's where they would nest.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Good morning!

Kara, how is the storm?

Tessa, sounds like we could learn a few things from you.

Tina, yikes! Do you want to send the chipmunks out here? Londynn loves Chip N Dale! I don't know how to get rid of them - call a pest control?

 

[karajeboo]

Good morning!

Kara, how is the storm?

Right now it looks like it's cutting across the state and gonna head into the Atlantic around Daytona Beach (about 70 miles or so, as the crow flies), then hover in the Atlantic for awhile, and come back inland just north of Jacksonville, around the FL/GA border. So we should get battered for a couple of days, most likely tomorrow and Thursday.

So we've got all our patio furniture up against the house or in the garage, we even turned the big table over on it's side up against the house. They're going to announce school closings later today, so we'll see....

Ally had soooo much fun at gymnastics last night! It's a really nice gym, I guess they just built this new facility a couple of years ago. But I was watching her on the first apparatus, the bars (of course they're lowered for her size) and the first time she flipped over, her legs were bent and she looked really awkward. Once the instructor corrected her, she was perfect from then on, which just shows me that it only took a little prodding for her to remember her previous training.

Oh, and they are teaching them back handsprings now! At first I was afraid that they had put her into a group too advanced for her, but I think she's right where she needs to be. She got a lot of personalized attention from the instructor, and she paid attention and corrected her mistakes. OMG, I'm sounding like one of "those" mothers, aren't I? I was just glad to see that she didn't forget everything, and she came out of there telling me she want to go twice a week! Not right now, we'll see later on.... And she looked so cute in her sparkly pink leo - nothing so cute as a little butt marching around the gym!

 

[karajeboo]

OK, I know this is gonna sound awful, but I'm starting to regret inviting my parents down in September. They are both just so negative anymore! It gets worse the older they get. My dad has nothing positive to say about Florida, and he was the same way about SC. We had to put a stop to it at one point because he was making fun of SC with Ally around. We told him to keep his comments to himself because not only was that our home, it was Ally's home and we all loved it there.

Now he's doing the same with Florida. I was talking about this storm and he's like "nice play you live." Real sarcastic. I told him I'd rather be here than deal with snow and freezing temps in Ohio, but to him that is perfect. They just don't understand that we don't like winter!!! So obviously we are wrong. And apparently my dad has forgotten what it's like to be transferred by a job, and go wherever the job takes you. He transferred to Columbus, OH from Kansas City when I was 14, and then to Canton, OH when I was a freshman in college. Would we have moved here voluntarily? No, probably not, but we're making the best of it, and actually Florida is growing on us - but I may change my story after the next couple of days!!!!

Then I call my mom yesterday and I was talking about the winds we're supposed to get - tropical storm force, with sustained winds of 45-50mph with gusts to 65. My mom said, "oh, we get 45 mph winds here all the time with storms." Seriously. Does she really belive a 10 second gust is the same as 12 hours, nonstop? They are driving me nuts. And all my dad says is, "well, you chose to live there." AARRGGHH!!!! I'm not asking for sympathy, but a little concern wouldn't hurt!

OK, rant over... for now!

 

[Debbie6221]

OK, I know this is gonna sound awful, but I'm starting to regret inviting my parents down in September. They are both just so negative anymore! It gets worse the older they get. My dad has nothing positive to say about Florida, and he was the same way about SC. We had to put a stop to it at one point because he was making fun of SC with Ally around. We told him to keep his comments to himself because not only was that our home, it was Ally's home and we all loved it there.

Now he's doing the same with Florida. I was talking about this storm and he's like "nice play you live." Real sarcastic. I told him I'd rather be here than deal with snow and freezing temps in Ohio, but to him that is perfect. They just don't understand that we don't like winter!!! So obviously we are wrong. And apparently my dad has forgotten what it's like to be transferred by a job, and go wherever the job takes you. He transferred to Columbus, OH from Kansas City when I was 14, and then to Canton, OH when I was a freshman in college. Would we have moved here voluntarily? No, probably not, but we're making the best of it, and actually Florida is growing on us - but I may change my story after the next couple of days!!!!

Then I call my mom yesterday and I was talking about the winds we're supposed to get - tropical storm force, with sustained winds of 45-50mph with gusts to 65. My mom said, "oh, we get 45 mph winds here all the time with storms." Seriously. Does she really belive a 10 second gust is the same as 12 hours, nonstop? They are driving me nuts. And all my dad says is, "well, you chose to live there." AARRGGHH!!!! I'm not asking for sympathy, but a little concern wouldn't hurt!

OK, rant over... for now!

Too bad. They obviously can't deal with being scared for you so they have to turn it around into that instead.

I am worried about you!!! I hope you are OK!!!!!

 

[karajeboo]

This is Kara reporting LIVE from Florida on the conditions of Tropical Storm Fay:

It's sunny outside right now but the wind is already starting to pick up, not bad but just noticeable..... Actually feels nice right now! Stay tuned....

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

sea salt scrub,
BTW - Anyone have TGM? I purchased, but I don't really see what he does for you - I might get a refund. I thought it would be an automated tour plan, but it looks like its just advice, and then you do your own planning. I guess knowing when to go where would help?
.

I have TGM and I do love it. The thing I find most helpful are the least crowded charts. It is a lot of articles and a lot of reading. Based on your answers to the setup questions, he kinda gathers the articles for you to look at. For someone experienced, it gets to be less of a value, but I still bought it again for $16 feeling that the least crowded park day charts were valuable for planning.

I need to whip out that catalog again. For some reason I skipped the detox stuff. INTERESTING. I've got so worried about products, I mix Kosher Salt, Almond Oil and a little peppermint oil for my scrub.

Green issues.... big, big, big over here right now....

Tessa - what an example you are! GOOD FOR YOU! We strive to do more and more. Good tips about the lightbulbs. I had NO CLUE!

, but anyone have chipmunk problems? We've ?

I've never seen one, so I'm stuck with no advice.

OK, I know this is gonna sound awful, but I'm starting to regret inviting my parents down in September. !

We constantly talk of moving to FL. The honest thing that holds us back is that everyone hates ORLANDO. Seriously - everyone. But being that close to the ocean to just drive there each weekend... But my parents are like yours - nothing positive to say about FL, same stuff around the kids - still telling Nicolas that sharks will get you in the ocean so I can relate.

Surely they can keep their mouths zipped for Ally during their visit - right?

As for your hurricane. I hope you stay safe. I'm anxious to hear that it has passed and that you think it was a piece of cake Like you, I THINK I'd prefer that over those Columbus snow shoveling days of winter.

As for our therm - REALLY????? You all keep your house that warm? Don't you roast at night? We raise it up to 72 sometimes and I'm about to die. In the winter we keep it about 68. Hummm --- maybe we should adjust it a degree or so over time. Last summer I kept it at 68 so I thought I was doing good at 70!

Big party tonight - woo-hoo. My BF is doing her stampin up show at my house tonight. I had 6 RSVP - and two have changed to "maybe". You know what that means...

Hope everyone has a good day - and that Ms. Kara stays safe & secure!

 

[karajeboo]

We constantly talk of moving to FL. The honest thing that holds us back is that everyone hates ORLANDO. Seriously - everyone. But being that close to the ocean to just drive there each weekend... But my parents are like yours - nothing positive to say about FL, same stuff around the kids - still telling Nicolas that sharks will get you in the ocean so I can relate.

Surely they can keep their mouths zipped for Ally during their visit - right?

As for your hurricane. I hope you stay safe. I'm anxious to hear that it has passed and that you think it was a piece of cake Like you, I THINK I'd prefer that over those Columbus snow shoveling days of winter.

As for our therm - REALLY????? You all keep your house that warm? Don't you roast at night? We raise it up to 72 sometimes and I'm about to die. In the winter we keep it about 68. Hummm --- maybe we should adjust it a degree or so over time. Last summer I kept it at 68 so I thought I was doing good at 70!

Big party tonight - woo-hoo. My BF is doing her stampin up show at my house tonight. I had 6 RSVP - and two have changed to "maybe". You know what that means...

Hope everyone has a good day - and that Ms. Kara stays safe & secure!

First off, Jeff's cousin and his family LOVE Orlando. They moved from Charlotte, and Chicago before that. Keep in mind though that Orlando is probably an hour and a half from the beach. You THINK you'll just pick up and go all the time, but we've only been to a local beach twice in 9 months! And one trip to Clearwater. You find so many other things to do, around the house, yard, locally, whatever. I think we've already begun to take advantage of the fact that we KNOW we can scoot over to the beach whenever we want, so we never do!

Here's the secret for us with the a/c. We used to keep it at 74. Jeff decided to turn all the ceiling fans on high. Seriously, the air temp at 77 is still quite cool compared to the outside temp, and so with the fans on high, it circulates that air and it's very comfortable. I love the air blowing on me at night, too. The fan is right over our bed. I've also turned up the fans in all the upstairs rooms and leave the doors open to circulate. Ally's is set at 76 and it is downright FREEZING when she goes to bed! I had to change it to 78! And the amount of electricity a ceiling fan uses is next to nothing.

 

[Lovin Life]

Hi everyone! I miss being around for a couple of days, and it takes me awhile to catch up! I started reading yesterday, then got interrupted, and was never able to get back on! It was a good, busy weekend. We are enjoying cooler temps and some rain! I believe that yesterday's high was 78F! That is UNHEARD of for Dallas in August. I am not complaining!

I went to see Sisterhood 2 again last night. Meg wanted to see it w/a friend and her boyfriend, and her friend's mom wouldn't let her go unless there was a parent w/them in the theater. I am wondering why SHE didn't go, but I had seen it one w/Tay, and wanted Meg to be able to see it and have some fun, since this is our last week of summer. Of course, I sat towards the front and they sat in the back row - all 3 of them. I did see friend and BF leave once for just a few mins. I would have hated to have to go out after them if they were gone too long. They came back w/a drink, thank goodness. Just wait until you have to deal w/teenagers!

Renee - The canvas is awesome!! Glad Mia's better from her fall.

Kara - Ally's school pics are precious! I think that 24 is too large of a class for one teacher in 2nd grade. I think ours were more like 18/19. In about 10 years, when Ally's competing in the Olympics, we can say that "we know her!". Well, kind of. I wish that I would have pushed my girls a little harder in dance or gymnastics. They both took classes off and on, but just never stuck w/it. I didn't want to force them to go to class.

We haven't seen mice at our house. We did see a snake right outside of our front door Friday night! It was just a Garter snake, but it was the biggest one I've seen in the wild!

My parents are getting "funny" for their old age. I know that we will probably become them, but when I think back to how they were at our age, I still think they acted older. I was 21 and just started dating Darrin when my mom was my age! I definitely do a lot more w/my kids than my parents did. I know times are different...

We try to be green. We have a huge recycle bin, as big as our trash pick-up bin, and it gets full each week, with cans, glass, plastic, newspaper, cardboard. I need to stop using those silly plastic grocery bags that rip so easily and go to the fabric ones. We do re-use the plastic ones, when they don't rip! I am thinking strongly about trading in my gas guzzling mini van for a smaller vehicle. I'm approaching 100K and will need to invest some money in it soon. Besides, Meg will start driving this year, and she will probably feel more comfortable driving in a smaller vehicle (but not too small!). I love being up high. I drive to/from work on a road that has so many huge trucks on it, and I don't want to be squished in between them down low. I like being able to cart 6 kids, plus Also, it's so nice to not have a car payment right now! I need to at least look.

Hi Debbie, Maureen, Tammie, Laura, Tessa, Tina, Cammie and Jillian!!

 

[karajeboo]

TS Fay is actually strengthening as she moves across land!!!! Sustained winds are up to 65mph with higher gusts! I'm probably such a wimp compared to people who have made it through actual hurricanes, but this one is packing quite a punch. A lot of tornadoes, too!

I just checked the county website and they said as of now, all schools are open tomorrow. Morons! If it keeps getting stronger, I think they'll close....

 

[CRdisMom]

yikes! How is your development laid out? my friend in palm beach is crammed in their so there isn't a lot of exposure to the house. How about you?

Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Do you have enough ice? That's the one thing they said was a god send to have.

my parents have gone nuts too. They are almost the opposite people I grew up with. Gotta love them!

Off to the pool

 

[karajeboo]

Our house is out in the open!!! Brand new area and we're in the back. Which makes it nice for privacy until we get homes built up around us. But our nearest neighbors are technically about 5 lots over on either side of us.

OK, day 2 of JC and I"m currently starving!!! Time for celery and peanut butter! I kow it takes about a week to get used to the lower calorie count, and yesterday was fine. I need to stock up on carrots and sugar free jello - wait, I have some! And it'll spoil if we lose power!!!

 

[Lovin Life]

Kara - I haven't been following the hurricane news. I hope that everything bad misses you all. Have you had any really bad winds/storm weather since you've been there? How long have you all been there? I've forgotten. Did you outdoor kitchen get finished? I probably missed that in the thread.

Good for you on the JC! It is horrible to watch what you eat. We've been doing pretty good on the not going out to eat, mostly to curb spending, but it's also helping with the quality of food we're eating. I was amazed at how much we spent going out to eat and on Starbucks. I wish we grilled more. It would help. I don't know why we don't.

The mango salsa sounded wonderful, but so did the monkey bread! I just can't stay away from the sweets. I am feeling like I need a little dessert after every meal. Not good....

 

[karajeboo]

Pam - it looks like it's gonna stay east of us, so shouldn't be too bad. Unless it moves into the ATlantic and just spins out there for awhile and moves back toward us. I know now they're predicting it will come back ashore into GA, but this thing has been so unpredictable! Our winds have picked up a little, seeing gusts around 13, but nothing bad so far.

We just moved to FL in November, so this is my first hurricane season. Not liking it AT ALL!!! Even the tstorms here are worse than in SC. It's crazy!

I've got to pick up some celery at the store. At first I wasn't gonna get milk (which we need) in case we lose power, but I think we'll be okay. I was gonna get a couple bags of ice and keep in the freezer, just in case, but I think I'm gonna hold off. I really don't think it will be too bad.

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

Kara - get the celery. I hate to think you are going to chew all your fingernails off! That is exactly what I do. Whenever the urge hits, shove the celery in there!

Seriously though - meds - don't forget meds in your kit. Make sure your cells are completely charged. Gas in cars. that sort of thing. Consider plugging in a old corded phone if you have one - if the power goes out but the phone lines are up, you can use that.

I really hope that storm weakens! It is very spooky that it is gaining speed while moving across dry land. That isn't normal. At least this isn't going to be a direct hit from the atlantic side though.

Can you keep Ally home tomorrow if school is in - here is why - can you imagine the mad rush at school to get a kid if they shut down early in all this nasty weather? They do that from time to time here and we live just a few minutes from the school and it takes my neighbors an EXTRA 50 MINUTES!

 

[Lovin Life]

I'm glad that it's supposed to miss you. Hearing about people running out to the store and to the schools reminds me of what it's like when we get an ice storm. My worst was several years ago, when Meg was in daycare. We didn't get there to pick Meg up until about 9pm! I had a work meeting and dinner, had team members in from out of town, and had to be there because my manager had to go out of town last minute on business. I left the dinner early, but didn't know that it would take me several hours to get home. Roads were backed up, and at that time, I didn't have a cell phone. Someone loaned me theirs, and the battery died on the way home.

Are you drinking lots of water? I have trouble with that. Adding the Crystal Light packs to the water bottles helps me when I am really trying.