~ Sew Sweet 16 ~I’m packing your angry eyes just in case~Aug 2014~ BFF' bag 8/20!!!!

[NiniMorris]

Hey there everyone. I having posted PM's to D a few times over the past few weeks. But, as you can understand, life got in the way of keeping up with this thread. I wanted to say thank you for all who have prayed for my son. There were some direct answers to prayers that I wanted to share because it shows the power of prayer. First, good psychiatrists are very, very hard to get an appt for. I had a short list, and it seemed the few good ones were booking in June and July. I needed one yesterday. After many calls, I called one that was way down my list, the lady said they were booking late May, then she put me on hold, came back and see "we had a cancellation next week would you like it?" That, my friends, was an awesome answer to prayers. The psych doc added a med that seems to be helping. She also was very thorough and honest in her assessment with my son. Then through a very roundabout way I found a new therapist that seems to be a wonderful fit for my son. I had been calling psych docs and explaining my situation, and one of the best psych docs had no openings til August, but the lady who answered was kind enough to offer up 2 therapist names he usually recommended. I had already called about 4 that were either too far or didn't have all that I was looking for. These 2 names seemed great, and I chose this one that seemed to be calling out to me. Thank you everyone. We have a long journey ahead of us but at least a map to help.

D - I am so behind on your thread but I did a speed reading! You are so beautiful in your pics; love the one of you and Alli and the one of you and Josh. A very wonderful but belated birthday wish to Allison! She is a beautiful young lady, inside and out. You and Josh are doing an amazing job. I am so glad you have been able to see your Dad. It sounds like he has really settled in well and is doing good. I hope all works out on your auctions. You are working like a mad woman! You have such talent and seem so at home in your sewing room. It is wonderful that you found your passion. I have a good feeling you will meet your $$ quota for this trip. Knowing your TA (I love her!) I think she will be able to finagle O into to the dining plan. We will keep our fingers crossed. I know you will be a very busy woman the next few weeks. Sending lots of good juju your way - and of course prayers always.

I hear you about getting the right therapists and pshyc docs! I tried for 2 years before I managed to find one that not only took our insurance but was able to work him in. As it turned out she specialized in pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury so she was able to point us in the direction of other help! It took us a few years to find the right meds to help...but the difference is night and day!

Keeping you in our prayers!

Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

It's important to have some time off as well.

I can so relate to not be able to clean the porch because of bad weather. Here I live you the weather is not a stable thing. So if you have to paint the hose or clean something outside you just have to wait until good weather and then drop any other plans you may have for that day the weather is great because you never know when you get that great weather again and can do what you need to do outside.

I hope the next bag you make isn't as difficult to do as you think.

Have a great day

Yes Lillian, I am beginning to understand that... It's going to be nothing but rain here for days. Sigh. I should have done it on Saturday, but I just didn't feel like it. Oh well, I will get to it eventually.

I was WAY behind.. Im really excited about your auction!!!!
As for Gus. I hope it all works out.

Hope everyone is doing good and happy!

Hi Mo... I am excited about it too... I hope it goes well.

Yah - Gus - I wish there was a right answer - sadly, there isn't.

Sorry, D~, I don't usually quote people on someone else's PTR, but I just couldn't help myself!

Absolutely no worries at all Lois.

I just caught up a week's worth of pages. Enjoyed the Easter pics. Love that skirt!! And the pics of your Dad, brother and girls was priceless!

Thanks! A great day was had by all.

For a procrastinator, you are extremely productive! I get what you mean, though.

Hahaha... Well, I have to be productive if I want to eat.

Epcot bag is fabulous! And, it does NOT look easy to me, and I sew!

Thanks!

A VERY late Happy Birthday to Alli. What a good sport to wear the Princess hat!

Thanks Lois, I will tell her.

Believe me, life will not be less interesting when the girls go off to college. There comes a shift in your relationship that opens up all sorts of new experiences and adventures. Plus, your girls love to involve you in their lives and that will probably carry on through college and after. Just love every phase of your time with them and don't waste time lamenting how short it is. Every single day is a gift.

You are right... It's just so hard to watch them grow.

I'm glad your kitchen is back in order. What a pain for you guys! It's great that Josh can handle it, though, so you don't have to pay a plumber!

Yah - it's great, but I always have panic/anxiety attacks every time the torch comes out.

You are amazing me with what you are getting done for your auction! I'm glad you took a little time for vegging, though, so you don't get totally burned out. Good thinking!

Thanks, I am just so nervous that I won't get everything done... Or worse - it won't sell.

I remember all too well the ups and downs of our kids' relationships. Some were real nail biters! I think you trusting Alli to make the right decision is a good one. She will not forget that trust bestowed. This situation will make her stronger, no matter the outcome. I'll say a prayer for her. It can't be easy.

I trust her decision... I just don't trust Gus or his sincerity/motive yet.

I totally understand you not being able to keep up with other PTRs and TRs! Also, I wouldn't blame you if you didn't quote everyone who responds here on yours. It is very nice that you do, but that takes a lot of time. So, if you want to skip that for now, I'm sure everyone would understand that as well. Hope you have a wonderful and productive day!

Thanks Lois... I usually spend about an average of an hour here every morning... I enjoy it immensely - but I admit, there are mornings, like today where I couldn't crawl out of bed, so my answers have to be short n' sweet, or I fall behind on my own PTR, and that's not good.

Good luck with this week's custom order! It will be satisfying to finish it.

Your comment about others' TR/PTRs was too sweet. I'm happy just to check-in here with your work and trip planning. It's fun to see!
I was lazy this weekend, too. Sometimes, it's needed!

Thanks Abby. I appreciate everyone's understanding.

Hey there everyone. I having posted PM's to D a few times over the past few weeks. But, as you can understand, life got in the way of keeping up with this thread. I wanted to say thank you for all who have prayed for my son. There were some direct answers to prayers that I wanted to share because it shows the power of prayer. First, good psychiatrists are very, very hard to get an appt for. I had a short list, and it seemed the few good ones were booking in June and July. I needed one yesterday. After many calls, I called one that was way down my list, the lady said they were booking late May, then she put me on hold, came back and see "we had a cancellation next week would you like it?" That, my friends, was an awesome answer to prayers. The psych doc added a med that seems to be helping. She also was very thorough and honest in her assessment with my son. Then through a very roundabout way I found a new therapist that seems to be a wonderful fit for my son. I had been calling psych docs and explaining my situation, and one of the best psych docs had no openings til August, but the lady who answered was kind enough to offer up 2 therapist names he usually recommended. I had already called about 4 that were either too far or didn't have all that I was looking for. These 2 names seemed great, and I chose this one that seemed to be calling out to me. Thank you everyone. We have a long journey ahead of us but at least a map to help.

D - I am so behind on your thread but I did a speed reading! You are so beautiful in your pics; love the one of you and Alli and the one of you and Josh. A very wonderful but belated birthday wish to Allison! She is a beautiful young lady, inside and out. You and Josh are doing an amazing job. I am so glad you have been able to see your Dad. It sounds like he has really settled in well and is doing good. I hope all works out on your auctions. You are working like a mad woman! You have such talent and seem so at home in your sewing room. It is wonderful that you found your passion. I have a good feeling you will meet your $$ quota for this trip. Knowing your TA (I love her!) I think she will be able to finagle O into to the dining plan. We will keep our fingers crossed. I know you will be a very busy woman the next few weeks. Sending lots of good juju your way - and of course prayers always.

Hi Carol - I am just so happy to see you here - thanks so much for checking in! I did send you a lengthly PM last night, so I won't reply to everything here...

But I will pass along your birthday wishes to Alli... And thank you for your confidence in me - I am not sure that I have it in myself? But I am trying.

Thanks! I really hope I can make my quota for the trip... I really hope to make A LOT above and beyond, as there is somewhere that Josh really wants to go - and I know that he would feel a LOT better about our Disney trip, if I were to make his trip happen too.

D, I totally understand you missing from my PTR...no worries.

I try to check in there Kathy when I have the time... It's been so crazy lately. I know your trip is coming quickly though, and I am very excited for you!

With teenage daughters, a house of complicated plumbing issues, custom orders, auction bags, new patterns, old patterns, Target, and lifting, I'm surprised you can't wedge a little reading in...Kidding - with all you do I sometimes wonder how you manage to eat, much less keep up with internet friends. We'll come to you.

And wow - I'm impressed that Gus had the fortitude to discuss serious topics with the DAD. Moms are scary too, but DAD . . .that's something else.

Everyone have a good week.

Hahaha... Now that you put it like that... I am not sure how I do it all either? LOL

Yes... Gus did earn a few (much needed) brownie points with us, but he still has a long way to go.

**********************************************************

I worked all day in my sewing room yesterday... I was able to get this week's custom order cut out and quilted. Afterwards, I did a bunch of prep work for later bags... Then I started on the appliques for my auction bags.... The appliques for this set are quite easy - for sure - however, I was appliqueing black on black, and let me tell you.... It did not go so well... It took SOOOO LONG because I couldn't see what I was doing. I did the big one yesterday afternoon... I did the middle sized one last night, and I hope to do the little one this morning... I need to remind myself never to do that again.

Gus came over last night... We were able to give them some space to talk... I guess there is still more talking that needs to be done? It's OK, but I am still so unsure of our decision to let Alli make the decision... I am trying to resist the urge to just lock everyone away. I know she is going to get hurt, and in the process all of us will get hurt.

Josh came home from his meeting last night, and all I could think to myself is "I am so lucky..." I THANK GOD that I have a good husband, who is always honest with me.

**********************************************************

Trip update: I am very excited to announce... Thanks to my Ahhh-MAZING TA... We were able to adjust our trip a little bit...

First off... Thanks to Bernadette's idea, we were able to switch Olivia to our room reservation and give her our Free Dining.

Secondly... We were able to change our dates... Which was the plan from the beginning, we just weren't sure what those dates would be. We were finally able to settle it.

Thirdly... By changing our dates, BFF was able to get into a queen room (rather than the King room she was booked in)... Which means that we acually will have a "chance" at getting connecting rooms.

Lastly... All of these changes made a HUGE difference in our trip budget, and I now only need to make half of what I had originally anticpated. I feel like I can easily make enough with my auctions, especially if I move forward as planned.

As an added note... Since I don't need to save as much as I thought I would need, I have decided to use the extra $$ to try and take another trip this summer... It's a trip Josh has been wanting to take, and we keep putting it on the back burner (mostly because Disney has been taking over... ). I would like to surprise him for his birthday in July... So, hopefully I can make that happen too.

**********************************************************

Alrighty everyone... I am spending my day at Target. I hope you all have a fantastic day... Sending out prayers and good thoughts to all of you!

D~

 

[Nurse_Mommy4]

Good Morning D!

Checking in......

How exciting on the trip changes! I can almost feel the stress relief you must be feeling!

I am also curious and excited for the surprise Josh trip! How lucky he is to have such a thoughtful wife.

Take care friend, talk to you soon

 

[Terkina]

Sounds like you had a good day in your sewing room. Sewing black on black is a pain in the a**.

That's great that you saved money when changing your dates at Disney. Are you still booked at FQ or have you changed resort?

How great that your trip will be cheaper and that you will have some extra money.

What a great idea to use the extra money on a trip Josh really want to do. And surprising him on his birthday is a great idea.

 

[ljcrochet]

Sounds like your trip planning is moving in the right direction.
I can't wait to hear about the trip Josh wants to take.

 

[Chicago Mo]

YAY!!! this sounds AH-MAZ-ING!!! I am so happy for all of you! It's all going to work out after all!!! everyone is HAPPY! V gets her beignets!

BRING ON THE AUCTION!!!

 

[lovedonaldduck]

Hooray for saving money! What a great wife you are to try and surprise Josh with the trip he wants, I hope it all works out. I imagine your auction will do better than you expect - I don't think you give yourself enough credit!

So, now you've planted the idea in my head that I need to pull together a trip for DH. Our typical vacation schedule is a long weekend for DH and I to Vegas for Super Bowl weekend, a week long Disney trip for the whole family (including my parents), and I do a girls' weekend trip to Food and Wine Festival with some mommy friends. Vegas is DH's happy place, so he does get that, at least; but I feel like we need to add a trip that is about him to even things out a bit. Time to start saving!

Sorry about Alli and Gus. I can imagine how hard it is to let her make her own decision but I admire you for sticking to it. It's so hard to let them grow up (and mine are only 2 1/2 and 8!). Having teenage girls scares me, but I guess that's the natural course from having baby girls

Sounds like you had a productive sewing day yesterday! Hope Target goes well today!

 

[disneychic2]

I am so happy that your trip has changed in so many wonderful ways!! Don't quite know how you managed to trim the cost so much. Maybe you'll have to school us on that later. But soooo excited for you as well as your BFF! Gotta love pre-trip Pixie Dust! (And a smart friend such as Bernadette!!)

A surprise trip for Josh is such a great idea!! I love doing that for Dan, and he loves it too. I hope you can share with us where you're going, but if not, that's okay too. I think you're right, he will be much more tolerant of your Disney plans when he gets what he wants. He's probably feeling a bit left out. Poor baby! I just had a thought about something we did for Dan. We had "Dan Appreciation Day" where we put up balloons and streamers and signs. We waited on him hand and foot. We fixed his favorite meal and dessert and all the kids wrote him a letter telling him why they appreciated him so much. He was thrilled!

I do NOT miss those days of wondering how to handle our teens as they grapple with life and love. I will continue to pray for this situation with Gus.

Hope your day at Target goes quickly. It is so great that you are getting so much done toward your auction. Can't wait to see the latest custom bag. Have a great day!

 

[ladylyons]

Glad the talk went well with Gus and Allie. I hope that she doesn't get too hurt in whatever the decision is. But unfortunately that's how we learn and grow is by being able to make our own decisions.

Great job getting so much done. Hope you have a successful week.

Our trip got a major change!!!! I posted on my ptr.

 

[ladylyons]

OOPS!! Double post.

 

[KatMark]

D, I'm so happy that everything is working out.

 

[solana131]

Yay! Everything is coming together So happy for you! This is going to be a great trip.

 

[sewmess]

Whoot for saving $$$ and hoping for a surprise for Josh!

I'm not liking the subtext about Gus. Tough on you, Josh, Gus and especially Allison. Teenagers feel everything so much sharper. But she does have a great example before...never under estimate actions speaking louder than words.

You'd be proud of me...we closed early because of the bad weather threat and I came home and exercised. With the cat, which was interesting as I almost flattened her. And then she decided I needed extra weight and lay on me.

Blessings on all and have a better week!

 

[Hardheadedwoman]

So glad that everything is working out with the trip! Nothing quite like knowing you're saving dough on a vacation!

Lissette

 

[DMGeurts]

Good Morning D!

Checking in......

How exciting on the trip changes! I can almost feel the stress relief you must be feeling!

I am also curious and excited for the surprise Josh trip! How lucky he is to have such a thoughtful wife.

Take care friend, talk to you soon

Hi Tasha!!! Yes, I am SOOO relieved! I really thought this trip wouldn't happen this time, but I am so excited that it finally is!

I don't want to say anything yet for Josh's trip... First off, I don't know if it will happen this summer or next summer... It's already getting a bit late to book it for this summer, and I won't know for sure if I can do it or not until after my auctions are finished. But it's something I really want to do for him.

Super excited to see you in a few weeks! You are for sure meeting us in Chicago, right?

Sounds like you had a good day in your sewing room. Sewing black on black is a pain in the a**.

That's great that you saved money when changing your dates at Disney. Are you still booked at FQ or have you changed resort?

How great that your trip will be cheaper and that you will have some extra money.

What a great idea to use the extra money on a trip Josh really want to do. And surprising him on his birthday is a great idea.

We are still booked at FQ, which we are all excited about. Well, V and I are - Alli really wanted GF... I am just relieved that financially, it's all working out.

I sure hope I can surprise Josh for his birthday... I really hope I make enough.

Sounds like your trip planning is moving in the right direction.
I can't wait to hear about the trip Josh wants to take.

Yes, I am so relieved about it!

I don't want to mention anything about Josh's trip just yet... I want to make sure I make enough $$ to cover it first.

YAY!!! this sounds AH-MAZ-ING!!! I am so happy for all of you! It's all going to work out after all!!! everyone is HAPPY! V gets her beignets!

BRING ON THE AUCTION!!!

Hahaha... Um, even though I am wheat-free... I will be having me some beignets too - maybe not every morning, but...

Now, hopefully we can get adjoining rooms... In building #6... Preferably in "our" room of 6220... That would be the BESTEST pixie dust EVER!

Hooray for saving money! What a great wife you are to try and surprise Josh with the trip he wants, I hope it all works out. I imagine your auction will do better than you expect - I don't think you give yourself enough credit!

Well, it's only fair, I must do something - he is starting to feel very left out that we are taking all of these Disney trips, and since he has no desire to go to Disney, well, that leaves him going nowhere with us. So, I need to find a way to make this work, somehow. It would definately ease the pain of our next Disney trip - if there is one.

So, now you've planted the idea in my head that I need to pull together a trip for DH. Our typical vacation schedule is a long weekend for DH and I to Vegas for Super Bowl weekend, a week long Disney trip for the whole family (including my parents), and I do a girls' weekend trip to Food and Wine Festival with some mommy friends. Vegas is DH's happy place, so he does get that, at least; but I feel like we need to add a trip that is about him to even things out a bit. Time to start saving!

What a great idea! I sure hope you are able to make that work!

Sorry about Alli and Gus. I can imagine how hard it is to let her make her own decision but I admire you for sticking to it. It's so hard to let them grow up (and mine are only 2 1/2 and 8!). Having teenage girls scares me, but I guess that's the natural course from having baby girls

Sounds like you had a productive sewing day yesterday! Hope Target goes well today!

It is so very hard... There are so many facets to their relationship that I cannot talk about - it's much more complicated than it should be at this age, or than it was when I was their age... Most of it is just the way of the world these days - but it's still so stressful. I find my mind churning on it much more than it should. Hopefully things work out.

I am so happy that your trip has changed in so many wonderful ways!! Don't quite know how you managed to trim the cost so much. Maybe you'll have to school us on that later. But soooo excited for you as well as your BFF! Gotta love pre-trip Pixie Dust! (And a smart friend such as Bernadette)

Well... as far as the cost trimming... Part of it is the fact we have been booked for a 10 night trip all along, we have now trimmed it down to 7 nights - so that helped the trip budget a lot. Also, by adding Olivia to our room - BFF will be paying for 1/4 of our total trip (since we are all Disney adults and we are paying the exact same cost...). So, technically, I am not "saving half", but with what I have saved so far, I only have to save half of what I thought I did. Does that make sense? LOL

A surprise trip for Josh is such a great idea!! I love doing that for Dan, and he loves it too. I hope you can share with us where you're going, but if not, that's okay too. I think you're right, he will be much more tolerant of your Disney plans when he gets what he wants. He's probably feeling a bit left out. Poor baby! I just had a thought about something we did for Dan. We had "Dan Appreciation Day" where we put up balloons and streamers and signs. We waited on him hand and foot. We fixed his favorite meal and dessert and all the kids wrote him a letter telling him why they appreciated him so much. He was thrilled!

I will share with all of you where we are going - just as soon as I get that budget worked out, and see if it's even doable for me. I sure hope so. I will need help planning, as I am sure a lot of you have been there, so you can recommend good places to stay.

Oooh - I love that "Dan Appreciation Day" - that's a fantastic idea... I bet he loved it! I think Josh needs one of those too...

After all of this stuff going on with Gus - I called Josh at work yesterday and just thanked him for being the GREAT man that he is - I am so VERY LUCKY!

I do NOT miss those days of wondering how to handle our teens as they grapple with life and love. I will continue to pray for this situation with Gus.

THank you Lois - that really means a lot to me. I am sure we will muddle through it. But I know how stressed I am about it - and it's not even about me - I can't imagine what Alli is going through. She seems to be taking it in stride though... She has such a good head on her shoulders.

Hope your day at Target goes quickly. It is so great that you are getting so much done toward your auction. Can't wait to see the latest custom bag. Have a great day!

It went OK - thanks Lois. I hope to make more auction progress today.

Glad the talk went well with Gus and Allie. I hope that she doesn't get too hurt in whatever the decision is. But unfortunately that's how we learn and grow is by being able to make our own decisions.

Great job getting so much done. Hope you have a successful week.

Our trip got a major change!!!! I posted on my ptr.

I know - it's so hard to know they are going to get hurt, and to watch it happen... In slow motion, no less.

I just read that!!! Congratulations! I think it's a good decision, and you all will have a lot of FUN!

D, I'm so happy that everything is working out.

Me too Kathy!!! I am very excited about it now... I cannot WAIT to go back and die of heat exhaustion...

Yay! Everything is coming together So happy for you! This is going to be a great trip.

I know - I am super excited too! It is going to be a fun trip!

I am still anxiously awaiting your PTR to start...

Whoot for saving $$$ and hoping for a surprise for Josh!

I'm not liking the subtext about Gus. Tough on you, Josh, Gus and especially Allison. Teenagers feel everything so much sharper. But she does have a great example before...never under estimate actions speaking louder than words.

I know... I soooo wish I could tell you all - I could really use your sounding board. I haven't even told BFF or any other close friends, and I could use their help too... But I am one of those people... If you tell me something and ask me to keep it private - I do. You are right though, and that is kind of what we are going by... "Actions speak louder than words" and "Time will tell..." That's all we can do.

You'd be proud of me...we closed early because of the bad weather threat and I came home and exercised. With the cat, which was interesting as I almost flattened her. And then she decided I needed extra weight and lay on me.

Blessings on all and have a better week!

I am very proud of you! Great job! And LOL - your kitty is hillarious!

Stay safe in the storms.

So glad that everything is working out with the trip! Nothing quite like knowing you're saving dough on a vacation!

Lissette

I am so relieved too! Now, if airfare would just come down a bit, that would be nice. I've been stalking it for weeks and it's remained steady... I've heard rumors that it will be going up, so I am really debating whether we want to pay the most we have ever paid for airfare? Or if we should try and hold out?

**********************************************************

Nothing new or exciting to report today.

Target was boring... As usual, I was scheduled in the photolab... but I spent my entire day working freight. Oh well - at least it went sort-of fast.

Allison was going to have Gus over last night to talk to him again... She has more questions. But at the last minute, she told him not to come - "she was too busy"... LOL Way to let him know that she has a life... He also invited us to 2 events with him... One is Friday night - not sure about that one. Both Alli and I would like to go, but it's a group event and Gus is the only person we would know - so neither of us are really interested under those circumstances. The other event he invited us to is church with him on Sunday... Not sure about that one either. Even though I am a Christian, I am not a "church-goer"... And I am not sure I am comfortable going to his church... However, he does go with his family - and I am very curious to meet them... I am just not sure what to do? He is really making an effort to want Allison to be a part of his life - to some extent - but I am not sure I want to be a part of that too? Does that make sense? I understand his wanting to rebuild a relationship with us... I'll give it more thought.

Anyways... I will be in my sewing room all day... I will be working on the applique for my custom order all morning, and then I will be working on my auction bags this afternoon. I hope to get that last little applique done and work on some assembly.

I hope you all have a wonderful day! Sending out prayers and Pixie Dust to all of you!

D~

 

[Nurse_Mommy4]

Morning D!

Yes! As of this very moment I am totally in for the Chicago meet!

The only way I would not be able to is if something unexpected came up for the kids but I doubt that will happen. I looked at their activity calendar and I am free that weekend.

Wishing you a productive day in the sewing room!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Oh boy. more Gus shenanigans! Good Luck!!!!

I'm really happy your getting the changes you wanted!

 

[Pluto0809]

Hi D~! Just dropping in real quick this morning since I'm going to be pretty busy the next two days getting ready for my trip!

I'm so glad stuff is working out for your trip! POFQ is the one moderate I have yet to stay at and it's definitely on my list to try! I'm also very excited to see what bags you have for your action. Not that I need another one.

I'm sorry to hear about the drama with Gus. It's too bad that Alli might get hurt but if she was anything like me at that age, she'll move on quickly enough if things don't work out. As much as they hurt, we all need those kind of life experiences.

Quick hijack of your thread since I know there are a ton of crafty people that read. My Grandma had to be moved to a nursing home a few months ago so now the family is cleaning out some of her stuff. I have ended up in possession of all the family recipes. They are all written on scaps of paper and I want to put together a book of all of them to give everyone. Does anyone know a good website for making those kind of books? I've made photo books on Shutterfly but I don't think that would work in this instance and would be too expensive. I'm probably going to need about 10 -15 copies and I don't want to spend a huge amount of money, I just want to make a nice simple book. Any suggestions?

 

[Terkina]

Have a nice day in your sewing room

 

[kittylady1972]

I don't want to say anything yet for Josh's trip... First off, I don't know if it will happen this summer or next summer... It's already getting a bit late to book it for this summer, and I won't know for sure if I can do it or not until after my auctions are finished. But it's something I really want to do for him.

Nothing new or exciting to report today.

Allison was going to have Gus over last night to talk to him again... She has more questions. But at the last minute, she told him not to come - "she was too busy"... LOL Way to let him know that she has a life... He also invited us to 2 events with him......He is really making an effort to want Allison to be a part of his life - to some extent - but I am not sure I want to be a part of that too? Does that make sense? I understand his wanting to rebuild a relationship with us... I'll give it more thought.

D~

Long time, no write here but I've been trying to read up on your reports whenever possible. So glad to read that your trip is now "official" and that you managed to save some money on it as well. I don't know what your dates are, but I think last I checked it was sometime this summer? I understand not sharing exact dates for privacy/security reasons though. Just glad you get to go and I guess you got Josh's blessing on it?

Can't wait to here about your trip for him as well. Hope you get the money saved you need for it!

I haven't followed along that closely on the Alli/Gus saga. Best of luck with that one as it sounds like you are handling it very well. Probably much better than I would for sure! I am so NOT looking forward to those days with my DD. Just a few weeks ago we had a nasty little 5th grade girls-only drama and that zapped enough from me when all my DDs longtime friends were ganging up on her and going against her. It's heartbreaking. They have all made up now though, thankfully, but I really can't wait for elementary school to be OVER for her!

Just wanted to pop in and say hello. I try to read here as often as possible but I just don't get around to posting. I still haven't updated any of my other TRs and who knows if/when I will. I am still really missing WDW and our Thanksgiving trip can't come soon enough for me. I'm working on trying to squeeze in a short little long weekend trip on October just for some MNSSHP and F&W Festival but not sure I'll be able to swing it OR convince DH. I can always hope though!