The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 2

[Glynis]

Actually, a very sweet DDAer let me know about the move. One of the other Jennifers -- aka "bear74" and Olivia's Mommy. We DDAers take care of our own!!

Has anyone read Jan Karon's Mitford book series? The book's mayor always says, "Mitford takes care of its own" and that just came to mind when I typed DDAers take care of our own.

Jennifer

I love that series!!!! It's so refreshing to read books that have true value!

 

[Glynis]

Ok guys - can someone give me a short and understandable explanation about this game you call American Football - DH is hooked on NFL and stays up into the early hours of the morning (3am on Sunday) watching the games. We switched last night's game on just as the Steelers(?) fumbled the ball and DH gasped and put his hand over his mouth - what what? I said - he said the colts could steal the game in the last few minutes so we had to watch to see what happened... but I just don't get it... the last minute and a half took about 5 minutes as they kept stopping the clock... and then in the final 17 seconds they all just looked at each other and then everyone decided the colts had lost...

Someone explain please... english football is so much easier to understand, I even get the offside rule

I'm with you. I just don't get it either. I'll watch with DH, but I don't understand it.

 

[eeyore45]

and a few more....

Tammi (or others ) Did you have the pictures before the trip, or was this what you worked on after you got home? (never one to assume here)

I've read posts by Kate, and others to do the card stock, and buy the books ahead of time, and keep colored pens, and pages in a ziplock bag...

Thank you for sharing the pages, I think this is convincing me to do these for our next trip!!

Also, someone posted blank pages on their photobucket account, when I went to look at them they seemed "huge" if I copy to my computer, will they be the right size automatically? (computer, creative challenged here)

Thank you all for sharing.
Sandy

 

[Princess Nancy]

Jennifer, my situation was totally different than yours. We already owned a home and had 3 kids, so we had no choice to buy a house and in a good school district.

I know we all want a house, but I would seriously consider waiting. Jim was NEVER home during residency. Yard work, house work, "kid work" was all mine! THe hours are long and there can be alot of stress.

The things that would have made life easier was:

1. No worries about house repairs, yard work etc.
2. A shorter commute for Jim (he drove 45 min each way)
3. Somehow more $$

You should persue your degree and that will be a great career to have once you are ready to have kids! Flexible hours good money etc....Sacrifices you make now will pay off!

PM me if I can help specifically!

I truly believe that the not knowing....is so much worse than any known. Once you match you cn start planning and stop playing what if!!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Tammi--i love those autograph books!!

jennifer-Hope it gets easier for you as the time goes on--i hate feeling overwhelmed!!

 

[eeyore45]

Rosiejo - per your football question... years ago they would "black out " home games unless they were a sell out, my great aunts lived on the fringe of where they would be blacked out at home, but drive 10 minutes rent a hotel room to watch the games.... talk about parties - the guys had a 'room' and the girls had a room - the girls room were allowed to talk!! That's how I learned football!!

Now about offsides!! DS's played hockey, soccer, lacrosse, all have a different definition of OFFSIDES!! (he never did play football, but we talk and watch the games together, my dh hates football!! )

The more you watch and read, the easier it seems!!

 

[tink2020]

I truly believe that the not knowing....is so much worse than any known. Once you match you cn start planning and stop playing what if!!

I hope this is the case. I know my weaknesses, and - admittedly - not being in control is one of them.

Hopefully in 2 months it will look a little brighter....
Thank you (and everyone else that has responded!)

 

[Glynis]

Hey DDAs...... I could use a little pixie dust today, if you have some to spare

I'm looking over all this stuff that has to be done from March 16th - June 1st and I'm SO overwhelmed, it's not even funny.... and Kyle is out of town and can't calm me down.

What excited me for so long (Match Day, moving, buying a house, starting a family, etc) is REALLY stressing me out.... because it all has to happen so quickly. Someone, HELP! Tell me it's going to be ok even BEFORE residency's over.

We knew better than to plan our lives out.... as soon as you do that, you're thrown a curveball and I HATE curveballs. So we didn't.... we just had a general idea of the direction it was going, and that seemed like enough of a light at the end of this monstrous tunnel.

Now I've ran some numbers and talked with realtors in the places we are looking, and have spoken with employers and schools, etc..... and it is SO much that it has my head spinning.

On March 17th, we wake up after Match Day and the madness begins. Now just the stress of the Match is enough -- finding out where you live, looking for a place, etc in a couple quick months. But add to that grad school, etc...... and I don't know where to begin! If we want to buy a place.... and we're not looking for the house of our dreams, big enough for 3 kids, etc yet.... I'm talking a place that we dont have to deal with crappy landlords, that has a yard and allows dogs, and has a few rooms. And isn't falling apart, because goodness knows we won't have any spare time to deal with home improvements. But if we want that, I can't afford to do a Nurse Practitioner program yet. Which is fine, lots of people wait.... but I wanted this done before having kids, because I want to stay home with them if our situation allows.

So now I feel like we have to chose having a place to live or finishing school or having kids, but can't have more than one. And that's probably not the case, but I just don't even know where to begin right now........

Before anyone says otherwise, I realize that this is no bigger than most people handle. People put off going to school to have kids. People rent for a year before buying a house..... I'm not saying my problems are bigger than the next girl's...

I'm just having one of those days where the light at the end of the tunnel just escaped me again......




Thanks for listening. I feel like I'm alone here without Kyle around and just the dog staring at me crying like I'm nuts!

Ok, Jennifer, the first thing you need to do is take a deep breath! Fix yourself something you like to drink (tea, juice, water, coffee, milkshake, whatever) and sit down with a pad and a pencil. Keep repeating in your mind, "I can do ANYTHING for 15 minutes." Set your kitchen timer for 15 minutes and write a list of what you feel absolutely HAS to be done. Don't worry about putting it in an order or anything, just get everything down on paper. When the timer goes off, STOP!!! Don't continue, even if you don't have your list finished, yet. Set your timer for another 15 minutes and go do something else; take a walk, do some homework, clean the bathroom, whatever. By this time you should start to feel calmer. Stop when the timer goes off. Set your timer for another 15 minutes and go back to your list. If you didn't get it finished, keep working on it. If you did, start prioritizing your list. Again, stop when the timer goes off. You get the idea.

I call these my 15 minute days. These are days I just get too overwhelmed with all I have to do. I have to give credit for the idea to the Flylady. She really has helped me calm my life down.

Once you get it all down on paper, it's easier to see where you need to go and what absolutely HAS to be done. Just remember, it doesn't all have to be done RIGHT NOW. Take it one step at a time (or 15 minutes at a time), and you'll be fine. It will at least get you through until Kyle gets home. The main thing is to remember to take time out for you. If you don't, you'll get all burned out and not want to do anything.

Just remember the mantra, "I can do anything for 15 minutes." And also remember, we're here for you for venting to, screaming at, etc. Whatever.

 

[tink2020]

Ok, Jennifer, the first thing you need to do is take a deep breath! Fix yourself something you like to drink (tea, juice, water, coffee, milkshake, whatever) and sit down with a pad and a pencil. Keep repeating in your mind, "I can do ANYTHING for 15 minutes." Set your kitchen timer for 15 minutes and write a list of what you feel absolutely HAS to be done. Don't worry about putting it in an order or anything, just get everything down on paper. When the timer goes off, STOP!!! Don't continue, even if you don't have your list finished, yet. Set your timer for another 15 minutes and go do something else; take a walk, do some homework, clean the bathroom, whatever. By this time you should start to feel calmer. Stop when the timer goes off. Set your timer for another 15 minutes and go back to your list. If you didn't get it finished, keep working on it. If you did, start prioritizing your list. Again, stop when the timer goes off. You get the idea.

I call these my 15 minute days. These are days I just get too overwhelmed with all I have to do. I have to give credit for the idea to the Flylady. She really has helped me calm my life down.

Once you get it all down on paper, it's easier to see where you need to go and what absolutely HAS to be done. Just remember, it doesn't all have to be done RIGHT NOW. Take it one step at a time (or 15 minutes at a time), and you'll be fine. It will at least get you through until Kyle gets home. The main thing is to remember to take time out for you. If you don't, you'll get all burned out and not want to do anything.

Just remember the mantra, "I can do anything for 15 minutes." And also remember, we're here for you for venting to, screaming at, etc. Whatever.

Thanks, Glynis. I will try that. I might start with the walking/calm activity first though.... I think I calm down and then start crying again! I HATE 15 minute days, and they seem to come more frequently lately.

 

[ellenbenny]

Jennifer - I wish I had some great advice, but I will echo what someone else said, just take it one day at a time and everything will work out. If you keep playing what if, you can drive yourself crazy. I know some days are harder than others so to you! Try not to let yourself get too overwhelmed. I know, easier said than done!

Tammi - I absolutely love your autograph books! Kate is just so creative to come up with the idea, and you did a great job of putting them together. I wish I had seen this idea when my kids were little. Now I will just have to find people I know going to Disney and make books for their kids. Or make one for myself, which I will probably do! Just one more way for me to torture DH, making him wait while I go get character autographs!

 

[Glynis]

Thanks, Glynis. I will try that. I might start with the walking/calm activity first though.... I think I calm down and then start crying again! I HATE 15 minute days, and they seem to come more frequently lately.

I completely understand! It seems like my 15 minute days are more frequent, too. I've gone back to school; and to take care of homework, housework, 4 kids, one DH who really thinks he's helping, and a neurotic teacup poodle puts a lot on my plate. There are days when I just think, "there's no way I can make it through this!" Then the end of the day comes, and lo and behold, I made it through. I wish I could help you out, more, but when it comes to residencies, the only experience I have is 3 cousins who are in the middle of it now. Somehow, their wives manage to get through it, however, none of them are also pursuing a career in nursing. I can only imagine how hectic it must all seem to you. I think Nancy is right, though. The unknown is much more frightening than the known. Once you know, you'll feel more in control, and can take back that portion of your life.

In the meantime, deep breaths, and some time for you, is in order!

 

[rosiejo]

got some of my formal pictures scanned, so im going to add them here too.
Me on formal night 2

Wow that's a pretty professional looking photo! Very model like

 

[KristineN]

Tammi...

Your autograph books look fabulous!!! Where do you get all your energy!!

Kristine

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Wow that's a pretty professional looking photo! Very model like

thank you

 

[rosiejo]

I didn't put anything in the middle That must have been it. I thought I'd read some post saying that you didn't need something in the middle. I did use the hard surface but I placed the shirt on it. I thought it was only to avoid burning your table or something like that.
I hope I'll do better next time. Thanks for answering my question.

Monica

I didn't put anything in the middle either! I just ironed on my chopping board... I wonder if mine are scorched I haven't really looked!

 

[rosiejo]

for Kate and Nancy - I'm so sorry for your loss - hope you're both ok

Clare

 

[bear74]

Hey DDAs...... I could use a little pixie dust today, if you have some to spare

I'm looking over all this stuff that has to be done from March 16th - June 1st and I'm SO overwhelmed, it's not even funny.... and Kyle is out of town and can't calm me down.

What excited me for so long (Match Day, moving, buying a house, starting a family, etc) is REALLY stressing me out.... because it all has to happen so quickly. Someone, HELP! Tell me it's going to be ok even BEFORE residency's over.

We knew better than to plan our lives out.... as soon as you do that, you're thrown a curveball and I HATE curveballs. So we didn't.... we just had a general idea of the direction it was going, and that seemed like enough of a light at the end of this monstrous tunnel.

Now I've ran some numbers and talked with realtors in the places we are looking, and have spoken with employers and schools, etc..... and it is SO much that it has my head spinning.

On March 17th, we wake up after Match Day and the madness begins. Now just the stress of the Match is enough -- finding out where you live, looking for a place, etc in a couple quick months. But add to that grad school, etc...... and I don't know where to begin! If we want to buy a place.... and we're not looking for the house of our dreams, big enough for 3 kids, etc yet.... I'm talking a place that we dont have to deal with crappy landlords, that has a yard and allows dogs, and has a few rooms. And isn't falling apart, because goodness knows we won't have any spare time to deal with home improvements. But if we want that, I can't afford to do a Nurse Practitioner program yet. Which is fine, lots of people wait.... but I wanted this done before having kids, because I want to stay home with them if our situation allows.

So now I feel like we have to chose having a place to live or finishing school or having kids, but can't have more than one. And that's probably not the case, but I just don't even know where to begin right now........

Before anyone says otherwise, I realize that this is no bigger than most people handle. People put off going to school to have kids. People rent for a year before buying a house..... I'm not saying my problems are bigger than the next girl's...

I'm just having one of those days where the light at the end of the tunnel just escaped me again......




Thanks for listening. I feel like I'm alone here without Kyle around and just the dog staring at me crying like I'm nuts!

Now take a deep breath and blow it out. I now it sounds stressful but have faith.

 

[kadaten]

I think that we have decided to buy into DVC. For 200 points at SSR it will cost $16,600 (thanks Skunka and Marti for the Friends 15% discount). We can finance through Disney for 9.95%. I checked out all our credit cards for any great promo offers. It turns out that we can do a balance transfer to our Disney Card at an interest rate of 3.99% for the life of the balance. It seems like a no brainer. I would initially charge it to Discover and get the 1% cash back (if we charge it directly on the Disney Card it would be the regular interest rate) then transfer the balance to the Disney Card. That would mean that we would need to stop using the Disney Visa as any payment would go to the lowest rate items and the rest would pile up. To remedy that as we always use the Disney Visa and pay it off monthly I decided to apply for one in my name as the first one was in Chris's. This sounds complicated and I'm wondering if there might be anything that I'm missing. Anyone see any drawbacks? 3.99% vs 9.75% is a big savings. I'll also take any advice on purchasing DVC. We have discussed it so much I think we've over thought it. Thanks to Skunka and Tammi for answering so many questions.

Deb

my3princes Haven't caught up yet but wanted to point out that if you pay for DVC with your credit card, the interest will not be tax deductible like it would if you finance with DVC. Not sure how much difference that is mathematically (and it depends on your tax bracket) but it's something else to consider. Just wanted to make sure that point didn't get overlooked!

For what it's worth, we charged ours, too. Got the 1% cash back, then paid it off (well, in the process). We had a 0% offer for anything that posted a certain month, so we made sure the charges went through that month! Paying it off before the payments start being applied to new purchases that have regular interest rate.

 

[rosiejo]

I tried for the life of me to think of a "short" explanation.... but I kept wanting to add too much info. The VERY, VERY short of it is this:

When a team is on offense, they have 4 chances ("downs") to move the ball 10 yards toward their endzone (at the opposite end of the field). They make various plays (either the quarterback passing the ball to a receiver, or giving the ball to a running back who runs with it) and try and move those yards. Sometimes the plays are only a yard or two, or they can be way down the field. Every time they get 10 yards from their starting point ("line of scrimmage"), they get a new set of downs. This happens until they score points, fail to move forward in their set of 4 "downs", or the defense takes the ball away (either through intercepting a pass or recovering a ball that someone dropped ("fumble").)

The team on defense is obviously trying to a) stop them from moving the necessary number of yards and/or b) steal the ball through an interception or fumble recovery.

The offense can score 3 points by kicking a "field goal" (through the yellow uprights in the endzone) or 7 points ("touchdown") by running with the ball into the endzone. These are the 2 most common ways of scoring.

That's really just scratching the surface. There are "trick plays" (that don't follow the normal progression of other plays), the team can punt the ball away if they are not going to be able to get their necessary yardage, etc, strange rules that only apply every so often, referree and/or coaches reviews/challenges (in which the play that just happened might be reversed), "safeties", where 2 points are scored in a few situations..... but I didn't think you wanted all that.

If you do want to know more, just ask!


ETA: Or I found these sites that might be helpful, but I didn't read through to see how detailed they are

http://www.football.com/rulesandinfo.shtml

http://www.nfl.com/fans/rules/basics

Oh blimey - that's complicated! Best explanation I've had so far though. Maybe I should watch some of a game and get DH to explain it as it goes. So far all I've managed to say is - of that's such and such a team - they say X and this DDAer supports them!

 

[rosiejo]

Jennifer - here's some and some to cheer you up.

Try not to stress -it will all work out for you. You have a lot on your plate right now but you need to take it a step at a time. Write a list, talk to Kyle - and to us - don't bottle up your feelings or think you have to do everything by yourself - you don't! And sharing the load can make things much easier to handle.

Dh and I bought a house a couple of years back and we had just enough to live on, then we decided to do some work on it - and every time we thought we would run out of money one of us would get a pay rise or we'd manage to borrow some more on the house. We even managed to get married amongst it all and are planning another trip to WDW. We don't get to go out a lot and we have to watch the pennies but we're happy with that - and sometimes I get all worked up over the fact that we can't sell my car and we need the money to pay for the wedding, but then I share it with DH and suddenly I realise it's not the end of the world.

Things will work out for you two I'm sure

Sorry for rambling there - I hope that made sense!

Oh and if anyone is interested in a Ford Fiesta I have on efor a good price