The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 18

[Tammi67]

Good morning everyone.

 

[tinknme]

Good morning

Elin have a safe trip picking up your dd!

Lindsey have a wonderful time!

 

[bethbuchall]

It must be a male thing. Chris insists that he doesn't need a cell phone. I gave him my old tracfone when I got a new plan. He has over 700 minutes on it and he hasn't used it once. In fact it has been sitting in the house with a dead battery for over a week now. He says that it is too bulky. So one of his Christmas presents is a flip phone (tracfone). I'll transfer his number and minutes over to the new phone. I know that we might use it at Disney if we decide to go separate ways which happens with 3 kids of different ages.

My dh doesn't have a cell phone either. He says that he doesn't need one. I finally bought a cell phone for myself two years ago at Christmas time. It is a pay as you go Virgin Mobile phone. Laura (13) convinced us that she need a phone earlier this year when Target had the free phone with a $90 (good for a year) Virgin Mobile card. Then for her birthday we bought her a nicer phone, so Matthew (15) has her old one. I really resisted getting phones for the kids, but they are primarily for calling home and I do feel much safer that they carry them. I don't have to worry about them waiting around if practice is finished early or canceled without notice. If Laura is biking in the neighborhood with friends, I know that she can call if there is a problem. Laura is still on her first $90, and Matthew doesn't go over the $15/quarter that we are required to put on it.

Beth

 

[bethbuchall]

Thanks. There is a story behind it. We took the 5 kids and had a photo done for my parents for Christmas and we had just one shot that was usable. Chris and I always take a snapshot of the boys to put in our Christmas cards. Well, we tried on Thanksgiving and didn't get any card worthy shots, a lot of goofy one though. We dressed the kids for the concert tonight and tried again. You guessed it, nothing without flaws. So I took some of the shots and combined them for the card in my signature. They are small enough that you probably don't notice how bad they really are If you look at the one of Chris and I you will see that Chris has his head buried in his hands. That was when he announced that he just gives up. So no one is getting a picture of the kids this year, but you guys get to see why

Deb

Great story! I think the photos are great, too! It adds a bit of reality when they aren't perfect.

I'm sorry to see that you have kidney stones. I hear that they are excrutiating. that they will pass as easily as possible.

Beth

 

[bethbuchall]

I have 10 to buy for, between teachers, aides, daycare providers, ballet and karate instructors, etc. so they are each getting a tin of chocolate covered biscotti. I hope they like it.

It is so hard to cover everybody, isn't it? I bought for Miles' teacher. I always feel that I should do something for the middle and high school teachers, too, but my kids would be mortified (and there are so many of them). Then I started thinking of coaches, etc. For Miles' swim coach one of the other mothers was collecting $5 each to go buy one big gift card. Laura has two coaches, Miles has gymnastics instructors, then there are Scout leaders...

Beth

 

[bethbuchall]

Ausitn ISD is not getting out till Dec. 21 is their last day they are going back Jan 8.

Our kids are in school through the December 22nd, and they go back on January 2nd! It is the worst Christmas vacation (oops, I mean Winter Break) ever!

Beth

 

[MrsHeg]

Good Morning DDA,

Deb - I hope you're feeling better soon, my youngest brother has had several bouts with stones, one thing they have done with him quite a few times is to hook him up to an IV, give hime plenty of pain meds and flush it out. They have also had to go and "get" the stone.

Robyn - hope you're feeling beter also

Lindsay - have a Great trip

Elin - Drive carefully

Theresa - I can definitely relate to work problems, I had one of my workers in my face the other day, screaming and pointing his finger in my face. I let him know in no uncertain terms that he had better not do it again.

Great news here, I have finished my Christmas shopping and all the wrapping is done! (thanks to a lot of help from my DD)

It's going to be another Loonnggg day a work, hope you all have a great day!

Debbie

PS - Becky, your Christmas card I sent you came back, I'll have to check the address on the list and see what I did wrong. Did you get a postcard or was that maybe lost in the mail since I didn't put a return address on it?

 

[KMH1]

Twas The Night Before Christmas....Mom Style

Twas the night before Christmas,
When all thru the abode,
Only one creature was stirring,
And she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping,
All snug in their beds,
While visions of N-64 & Barbie
Flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring
In front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle
Propped on his knee.

So only the mom
Heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh,
"Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush
Still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs,
And saw the old man.

He was covered with ashes
Which fell with a shrug;
"Oh great," muttered the mom,
"Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa,
"I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially
Difficult to make."

"Thanks, Santa, but all I want
Is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled.
"So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered.
"What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa;
I've no time for chit chat."

Then out walked the clone -
The mother's twin;
Same hair, same eyes,
Same double chin.

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered.
"My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read,
"I'll sleep a night through!"


From the room above,
The youngest did fret.
"Mommy! Come quickly,
"'I'm scared & I'm wet."

The clone replied,
"I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled.
"She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one
And hummed her a tune,
As she bundled the child
In a blanket cocoon.

"You're the best mommy ever;
"I really love you."
The clone smiled & sighed,
"And I love you, too."

The mom frowned & said,
"Sorry, Santa, no deal."
That's my child's LOVE
She is trying to steal."

Smiling wisely, Santa said,
"To me it is clear,
"Only one loving mother
"Is needed here."

The mom kissed her child
And tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa,
"for clearing my head.

"I sometimes forget
"That it won't be very long
"When they'll be too old
"For my cradle & song."

The clock on the mantle
Began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone,
"It works every time."

With the clone by his side,
Santa said "Goodnight.
"Merry Christmas, dear Mom.
"You will be all right."

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all
about.
Especially at times during the holiday season, when
all
we seem to do is clean and bake and shop and and and
and and and and....You get the picture, I'm sure.

So stop for a moment and hug that little one so
special,
whether he/she is 2 months or 22 years, or even older
than that. For they are the Gift that God gave us in
life...
and what a gift to be treasured, far above any other!


May the real meaning of Christmas be with you all
this year.

 

[UP Disney]

Hi, all!

Things are hectic, as we leave for WDW in about 12 hours! Things are just about packed, but I have a few errands I need to run in the morning, plus we're not sure if our maid is coming tomorrow, as we tried to reschedule her, and she wouldn't return our calls! I'm definitely not leaving my burglar alarm off for our trip!

I've read everything, but don't remember much. to all those feeling poorly for one reason or another. I will try to pop on tomorrow to say "goodbye" if I get the chance. If not, I will talk to you early next week, if I don't log in from SSR!

I'm a bit worried about the crowds, what with the party being sold out Friday night, but we're just going to go and enjoy the atmosphere, if nothing else. I am mighty worried about the 70% chance of showers on Friday (it rained on us at last year's MVMCP, too), so if you have any dry to throw my way, please do so! I just want to make sure we get to see Holiday Wishes!

that you don't get rained on. It was supposed to rain every day we were at Disney and it didn't once. Hopefully, this is some dry

 

[tinknme]

Twas The Night Before Christmas....Mom Style

 

[KMH1]

Recent picture of the growing, teething boy!

 

[tinknme]

Airtran has a coupon for $25 off your flight, has to be booked by Monday. I have a credit with them, so my flight would be totally free!

It is so tempting to book something for later in Jan, but I am not a solo type of person.

Just thinking out loud here lol

 

[tinknme]

Amy the picture of Alyssa in your avatar looks identical to the picture of Matthew!

Recent picture of the growing, teething boy!

 

[KMH1]

Good morning DDA!

Matthew is either getting more teeth or the two that have cut through are really bothering him, because he's been waking up 3-5 times a night this past week. As a result, I'm pretty punchy from lack of sleep.

I've been trying to bake a little this holiday season, but only after the kids go to sleep, so the fancy cookies have been a three day process. Day 1 = make dough; Day 2 = cut out cookies; and Day 3 = decorate.

I felt a little like Martha Stewart last night as I was dipping my cream cheese cut-outs in chocolate.

Our weather has been unusually mild, and I think we're going to go to our zoo's Festival of Lights for a few hours tonight. We're really trying to focus on the things we want to do with the kids versus those tasks we feel we have to do. Our wrapping will get done eventually and hopefully the Christmas cards won't be too dusty by the time they get in the mail.

I'm sending lots of and to you all, especially Deb for those awful kidney stones and Marci...

Take care everyone!
Amy

 

[KMH1]

Amy the picture of Alyssa in your avatar looks identical to the picture of Matthew!

Wow, you're right! I haven't compared pictures lately.

By the way, thanks for pointing out your "panties" in your signature.

 

[tinknme]

Wow, you're right! I haven't compared pictures lately.

By the way, thanks for pointing out your "panties" in your signature.

 

[UP Disney]

Recent picture of the growing, teething boy!

What a cutie! I absolutely love that smile. I agree with Janet. He looks just like his sister in your avatar.

 

[my3princes]

I am glad we aren't out the whole first week of January. DS is out Dec. 16 - Jan. 2. Brother & Sister are out Dec. 23 - Jan. 8. Which will be kind of nice for me because I won't be juggling all 3 kids every day for nearly 3 weeks. I will only have 4 days with all 3 kids out of school. I can plan 4 days worth of stuff - no problem!

Our kids have School through next Friday Dec 22 then they go back on Jan 2. Very short break this year. Chris has the same week off as the boys

Deb

 

[my3princes]

Twas The Night Before Christmas....Mom Style

Twas the night before Christmas,
When all thru the abode,
Only one creature was stirring,
And she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping,
All snug in their beds,
While visions of N-64 & Barbie
Flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring
In front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle
Propped on his knee.

So only the mom
Heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh,
"Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush
Still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs,
And saw the old man.

He was covered with ashes
Which fell with a shrug;
"Oh great," muttered the mom,
"Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa,
"I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially
Difficult to make."

"Thanks, Santa, but all I want
Is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled.
"So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered.
"What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa;
I've no time for chit chat."

Then out walked the clone -
The mother's twin;
Same hair, same eyes,
Same double chin.

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered.
"My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read,
"I'll sleep a night through!"


From the room above,
The youngest did fret.
"Mommy! Come quickly,
"'I'm scared & I'm wet."

The clone replied,
"I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled.
"She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one
And hummed her a tune,
As she bundled the child
In a blanket cocoon.

"You're the best mommy ever;
"I really love you."
The clone smiled & sighed,
"And I love you, too."

The mom frowned & said,
"Sorry, Santa, no deal."
That's my child's LOVE
She is trying to steal."

Smiling wisely, Santa said,
"To me it is clear,
"Only one loving mother
"Is needed here."

The mom kissed her child
And tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa,
"for clearing my head.

"I sometimes forget
"That it won't be very long
"When they'll be too old
"For my cradle & song."

The clock on the mantle
Began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone,
"It works every time."

With the clone by his side,
Santa said "Goodnight.
"Merry Christmas, dear Mom.
"You will be all right."

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all
about.
Especially at times during the holiday season, when
all
we seem to do is clean and bake and shop and and and
and and and and....You get the picture, I'm sure.

So stop for a moment and hug that little one so
special,
whether he/she is 2 months or 22 years, or even older
than that. For they are the Gift that God gave us in
life...
and what a gift to be treasured, far above any other!


May the real meaning of Christmas be with you all
this year.

Thanks Amy. That came at a good time. Now if there was only a Poem on why Nick doesn't need a clone

Deb

 

[my3princes]

Recent picture of the growing, teething boy!

He is so cute, even if he does keep you up all night I'm sure one look at that adorable face at 2 am makes it all worth while.

Deb