The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 10

[triplefigs]

Kristine, give or take a little around $9 a day for food (each). It is very easy so far. I'm hungry, but I eat a TON so the portions are very small at the moment.

 

[kc10family]

I have some sad news and some Fabulous news!!!!

SIL-T had to say goodbye to her 22 mth old daughter today. BUT… it happened in front of the local newspaper reporter and photographer who are going to run the story in the next few days. The reporter wants it to go in the Sunday paper so more people will get to read it. I think that is the best silver lining in all this junk. AND the father of my niece took the girl away and the report ran after him and asked if he had anything to say. He of course said “No comment” with his hand up it the air at the photographer who was clicking away at this all.

So this is one good thing and we hope it rolls into a BIG story that makes the judge change his mind (election year I think it is) or the public gets so made that the court tells the father the child will come visit.

I am going to sit with DH in front of the tv a veg out for the night. Tomorrow SILA and I go back at it contacting people in N. California as well as big name people.



Thank you all for the PD, prayers and hugs because it worked a bit today!!!!!!!!

YOU ARE ALL SO FABULOUS!!!!!!!!



Night all


just a little happy dance for the small victory today!!!!

 

[UP Disney]

Vicki,
Safe travels to get your CPR up to date. I want to thank you for everything that you are doing for Girl Scouts and with camp. I know you don't get thanked enough for it. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to get your CPR up to date so that they have you as a lifeguard. BTW: Would have they had enough lifeguards to run the water programming if you did not retake your CPR?

No, they would not have had enough lifeguards. I was not able to attend a "mandatory" meeting because of Chuck's health issues so didn't know all the details on where we stood for staffing. I had told the program director if she needed me as a lifeguard, she could count on me months ago. I hadn't heard anything so figured she didn't. We had to move our location for camp this year and I guess the program director has had major issues to contend with. I guess the new camp wasn't properly certified so she has had to call in the health inspector, the fire inspector, etc. so that we meet the state requirements. Crazy stuff! She knows that I will fill in wherever she needs me but with Chuck's health, I just didn't take care of things the way I should have. I got my certification as water safety instructor, lifeguard & canoe/kayak instructor several years ago because we needed a waterfront director and didn't have one. Luckily, we have one of those this year.

I appreciate the thanks. I do alot for Girl Scouts but do get a lot back from it. I know that I'm making a major difference to some of the girls at camp. We have a lot of fun and they learn alot and push themselves beyond their comfort zone. I have done the same. If someone had told me 8 years ago, that I would be a canoe/kayak instructor, lifeguard, high ropes instructor, and water front director when I was 40, I'd have laughed at them. I've climbed indoor rock walls, swamped kayaks & canoes in the middle of the lake, rode bikes through a wildlife refuge, played in a waterfall, and so much more.

I have to share my fondest accomplishment with a girl at camp. There was a shy, quiet girl at camp. We were going out in the canoes & kayaks. She would canoe with her family so I talked her into trying the kayak. She didn't get more than 5 feet from shore and she wanted to return. I spent quite a bit of time talking her into going out a little further and giving it more of a chance. The next year, she came to camp and told me she had talked her parents into buying kayaks for all of them (to replace the canoes) because it was so much fun. She absolutely loves kayaking!!!!! What a proud moment for me!

 

[UP Disney]

That is interesting that Nurses only have to renew their CPR every two years. Perhaps it varies from state to state. I will have to ask some of my nurse friends in PA but Denise, Jennifer how often must CPR be renewed in your states for nurses? Thank you in advance.

I don't remember what this CPR is called but it isn't the standard one that most people take which is good for two or three years. It is through Red Cross.

 

[Glynis]

Obviously didn't have a very good researcher on that slot! But following your response maybe they should get you on the show

Clare! I'm so glad you posted! I've been getting worried about you! I was giving you till tomorrow to post and then I was going to come hunt you down! How are you doing? What's been happening lately? We've missed you so much here!

 

[UP Disney]

It looks like we will be getting a travel trailer. Chuck is going to sign the paperwork tomorrow probably. It really is a great idea to me. It is what I've always wanted to be able to do - travel, see part of the country but enjoy nature. He is also looking forward to it. For the next year, we can't go too far from home because our suburban is getting old and I wouldn't trust it on a long trip. However, next May, we should be able to purchase a better vehicle to pull it so by next summer we should have a long distance trip planned.

 

[UP Disney]

I'm off to bed. I have a long day tomorrow. I don't know how I'm going to be ready for camp!

 

[Glynis]

I just talked to Amy! They're all doing well except for Kevin. He's a bit under the weather.

She said Alyssa adores Matthew and so far the transition has been smooth for her.

Her mom left yesterday and they had company for a while today. She hopes to check in soon, but is still not allowed to go to the basement much. She wishes she had a laptop.

Matthew peed on her while we were talking so she said she had to go wash the only pants that fit her right now .

Oh the joys of having a boy! We learned early on to always keep a washcloth handy for the diaper changes. Little boys are not called "squirts" for nothing!

 

[Glynis]

How long you going for Glynis? You need at least two weeks to fit all of that stuff in and you run yourself ragged doing it! I tell you we did it all in the first two weeks of our wedding trip and then I hit a big wall! I was so exhausted we hardly did anything on our honeymoon week... hence the trip this year to make up for it! I'm hoping we can do a relaxing trip this year...

I wish we were going for 2 weeks!!!! Actually, we'll only have 2 days in WDW, and then 2 days for other stuff. I'm trying to talk Alan into just taking it easy at DD for a couple of days, and making another trip to work in the USF, etc. I really want to enjoy myself, and not be run ragged doing stuff! I think he'll come around. He knows I'm a Disney fanatic, and that to make me happy, Disney must be involved! I'm hoping I can save enough money to buy us each a one day pass to another park (possibly AK, as DH loves that kind of thing), and then we'll have 3 days at WDW. We'll see.

 

[ReAnSt]

No, they would not have had enough lifeguards. I was not able to attend a "mandatory" meeting because of Chuck's health issues so didn't know all the details on where we stood for staffing. I had told the program director if she needed me as a lifeguard, she could count on me months ago. I hadn't heard anything so figured she didn't. We had to move our location for camp this year and I guess the program director has had major issues to contend with. I guess the new camp wasn't properly certified so she has had to call in the health inspector, the fire inspector, etc. so that we meet the state requirements. Crazy stuff! She knows that I will fill in wherever she needs me but with Chuck's health, I just didn't take care of things the way I should have. I got my certification as water safety instructor, lifeguard & canoe/kayak instructor several years ago because we needed a waterfront director and didn't have one. Luckily, we have one of those this year.

I appreciate the thanks. I do alot for Girl Scouts but do get a lot back from it. I know that I'm making a major difference to some of the girls at camp. We have a lot of fun and they learn alot and push themselves beyond their comfort zone. I have done the same. If someone had told me 8 years ago, that I would be a canoe/kayak instructor, lifeguard, high ropes instructor, and water front director when I was 40, I'd have laughed at them. I've climbed indoor rock walls, swamped kayaks & canoes in the middle of the lake, rode bikes through a wildlife refuge, played in a waterfall, and so much more.

I have to share my fondest accomplishment with a girl at camp. There was a shy, quiet girl at camp. We were going out in the canoes & kayaks. She would canoe with her family so I talked her into trying the kayak. She didn't get more than 5 feet from shore and she wanted to return. I spent quite a bit of time talking her into going out a little further and giving it more of a chance. The next year, she came to camp and told me she had talked her parents into buying kayaks for all of them (to replace the canoes) because it was so much fun. She absolutely loves kayaking!!!!! What a proud moment for me!

Hooray for you influencing so many girls lives. BTW: I personally do not think it was you who did not take care things, it was definitely them. They knew you were not at the meeting so they definitely should have made sure to contact you and let you know that you needed to update your CPR and stuff. It should have been there responsibility and not yours. As you didn't even know they needed you to lifeguard.

Have a good night, take care and drive safe.

 

[Glynis]

I just talked to Kate. She had an uneventful flight and is now at the hotel with Steve. He still has a little work to do and then they are going out later to act like a childless couple again!

Ah, the good old days!

 

[ReAnSt]

It looks like we will be getting a travel trailer. Chuck is going to sign the paperwork tomorrow probably. It really is a great idea to me. It is what I've always wanted to be able to do - travel, see part of the country but enjoy nature. He is also looking forward to it. For the next year, we can't go too far from home because our suburban is getting old and I wouldn't trust it on a long trip. However, next May, we should be able to purchase a better vehicle to pull it so by next summer we should have a long distance trip planned.

Hooray and congratulations, that is awesome. I know that you and Chuck will have a great time.

and that you get everything done that you need to for camp.

 

[ReAnSt]

Paula,

Hooray for some good news. Sending and for more good news in the near future. Thank you for keeping us updated.

 

[Glynis]

Where is the fainting smilie when I need him??? And, Glynis, you said you were BORING????

Hey, my Benjamin Bratt days are long gone! I doubt he'd even remember me. However, I did get to marry my "Prince Charming" and he's just as boring as I am, so I guess we're a good fit!

 

[Glynis]

...and I just wanted to say to everyone thanks for being around. It's nice to vent to people who don't roll their eyes and say "too bad" and, forgive me for being corny, but giving everyone that unconditional friendship that we need in life that we may not get elsewhere when we need it. Thanks guys.

That's what we're here for! It's amazing how we can all support one another. I think it brings us closer together to go through all these things and learn from them. What's important to one of us, is important to all of us!

 

[Glynis]

Do you think overall nutrisystem is worth the cost....do you do it mostly for the convenience? We have only been dieting 2 weeks and I am sick of it!! Last night I was so hungry that I ate a Tums...and it tasted good!!! How sad is that?!

Ooooo, I can so relate to the Tums tasting good! Right after the surgery, I was eating Tums for the calcium, but after a while, I realized that it was like a little treat for me. I would save up the Tums and eat them for dessert. Now, that's SAD!

 

[KristineN]

I am now thinking the cough drop on the desk here looks pretty darn good too!!

Ooooo, I can so relate to the Tums tasting good! Right after the surgery, I was eating Tums for the calcium, but after a while, I realized that it was like a little treat for me. I would save up the Tums and eat them for dessert. Now, that's SAD!

 

[KristineN]

This is one of the big obstacles I have with Bill. He really has no clue about portion size.

Kristine, give or take a little around $9 a day for food (each). It is very easy so far. I'm hungry, but I eat a TON so the portions are very small at the moment.

 

[Glynis]

I am now thinking the cough drop on the desk here looks pretty darn good too!!

I hear you, my sister!!!!!

 

[Glynis]

This is one of the big obstacles I have with Bill. He really has no clue about portion size.

Here's a trick I learned early on after my surgery. When you go out to eat, get a to go box at the beginning of the meal. Take about 2/3-1/2 of your food and put it in the box before you start eating. That way, you've got your correct portion on your plate, and the rest is already boxed up out of the way, and the temptation to eat it is not there!

After a while, you get used to the smaller portions, and you'll begin to wonder how Americans can eat the large platefuls that we are used to seeing.