The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 24

[tmfranlk]

I went back to the mall today and remembered to check. None. They didn't even have one single princess dress! I was going to buy Alyssa a new one and give it to her on her birthday before heading off to the boutique. Now I have to rethink that plan.

Target has some princess dresses I think. Not quite as cute as the DS ones usually are, but still decent (or at least they were a few months ago). Also, could you buy one on your first day in the parks without her seeing and send it to the room?

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Good morning everyone-
We actually had a 2 hour delay today, which was nice..got some extra sleep. I was hoping we would be closed--alot of schools around here are...ist been poruing all night and now sleeting/snow. I know this is horrible, but i hope there wont be too many kids in today.

Thanks for all the hugs and everything--it was a pretty rough night. Im really not in the mood to go in today but guess its time to put on a happy face and go on!

 

[my3princes]

Jen, I am so sorry. I can certainly commisserate with you. Our dogs were put down 7 months ago today and there is not a day that goes by that we don't miss them. I'm here if you want to talk.

Stephanie I'm sorry that you're having some personal stuff right now, but YOU'RE GOING TO DISNEY IN A WEEK!! and you're coming home to a clean house. Those sound like great reasons to perk up. And didn't I read about another WDW trip in the works?

That everyone's weather perks up. We are just getting a lot of rain now. We are on high ground so it really won't effect us, but people in lower lying areas will probably face flooding.

My goal for today is to get the laundry caught up after are weekend getaway and get the luggage emptied and put away.

Deb

 

[PNO4TE]

Did you get much sleep last night? The wind was AWFUL!

actually, I slept like a log!

Our house is pretty sound proof, but the main reason is that I was exhausted. Saturday morning I had a dress rehearsal from 9:30-11:00 a.m. and also had 5 students in a scholarship competition (3 of them won some decent money and there were 42 entries ) and then I spent the rest of the day at VCU giving a tour to one of my students and her Mom, met Kristin for dinner and saw Smokey Joe's Cafe at Theatre VCU that night. Then last night we had our final Singers' concert at the University and we went out to dinner at Renato's following the concert. I think I am getting older because I was dead on my feet when I got home last night at 10:00!

I have to say, in as objective a way as possible that the production on Saturday night was every bit as good as anything I have ever seen at the Kennedy Center or on Broadway! And Kristin was not in this show, by the way. The director is Patti D'Beck. She has been on the faculty at VCU for three years now but before she came there as a Guest Artist she had quite a career! Here is a bit about her, so if you are not interested, you can stop reading now.

Patti D’Beck is a veteran director/choreographer having worked on thirteen of the most popular Broadway shows of all time. Her credits as associate choreographer, supervisor and/or performer include the Broadway productions of Annie Get Your Gun, Bells Are Ringing, Grease, The Will Rogers Follies, My One and Only, Evita, The Best Little Wh0rehouse in Texas, A Chorus Line, Pippin, Seesaw, Applause. Patti also choreographed the opening number for the 1997 Tony Awards for Rosie O’Donnell.

She has collaborated with many of the most widely respected Broadway directors and choreographers including Tommy Tune, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Jeff Calhoun, and Graciela Danielle. She has personally coached Brooke Shields, Reba McEntire, Jon Secada, Sandy Duncan, Susan Lucci, Keith Carradine, Marla Maples, Lucy Arnez, Rosie O’Donnell, and Lucy Lawless, Liza Minelli, and Bernadette Peters to name a few.

As a director and choreographer in regional theatre her productions include the recent hits Five Guys Named Moe and Smokey Joe’s Café for the Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is currently developing a new commercial production of Paint Your Wagon opening this fall. Glynis... are you familiar with the Pioneer Theatre Company?

Well, the show is so good that I have tickets to go back again on Saturday night!

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Morning all...

Jen~ to you.

Bernadette~ to you, too. that things improve up north for you. Just keep thinking about your trip!

Steffy~ to you, too. Not much longer and you'll be spending time with your main mouse!!

Amy~ Thanks so much for sharing the pics! The kids are soo adorable! I can't get over how big Matthew is now.

Glynis and Theresa~ Sounds like you both had a nice night away. Theresa, sending more your way for the house.

Elizabeth~ for your meetings today. Here's hoping the right job is waiting for you.

Deb~ Glad to hear the boys did so well this weekend.

Sending out , and to everyone else. I've read along this weekend but just didn't have the time to post.

 

[babytrees]

Stephanie- I am so sorry for whatever you are going through...I think hiring some professionals sounds like a great idea!! for whatever you are going through.

For those of you getting pelted right now....it looks yucky and I think I would take my snow any day over all that rain!!! (Whoever would have thought I would say such words??? ) Hope everyone stays safe today!!

Elizabeth good luck today on your meetings!!

 

[bethbuchall]

Jen-- I know two people who also had to say goodbye to pets recently.

Steffy-- I must have missed your post, but I wanted to add a hug to you for whatever you are going through.

Snow day for us! It was supposed to snow all day yesterday, but it just rained. Then we were supposed to get 13" evening and overnight. We ended up with about 5" (very heavy and wet), but it is still snowing here. The worry is that the snow is so heavy on the branches and power lines. We've had a couple of branches down out back. I'm not sure it really warranted a snow day, but we have used only one so far this year, so I think they were being extra careful. The higher elevations may be worse, though, and if they open schools, they have to be able to get everyone there.

This is what we woke to this morning.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Beth, ours is a snow/ice mixture and we were lucky, got only a couple of inches. The wind however is still blowing mightily and a John said that a lot of tress and branches are down all over the place. Not sure if there was a snow day or not, but if I was a betting person I'd say yes.

Your picture is great. I always said its so pretty when it snows, I just rather it didn't snow.

 

[tmfranlk]

Well i just got home--We had to take our dog to get put down tonight...

Oh, I am so sorry, Jen. I hope that you're doing okay.

 

[Glynis]

Patti D’Beck is a veteran director/choreographer having worked on thirteen of the most popular Broadway shows of all time. Her credits as associate choreographer, supervisor and/or performer include the Broadway productions of Annie Get Your Gun, Bells Are Ringing, Grease, The Will Rogers Follies, My One and Only, Evita, The Best Little Wh0rehouse in Texas, A Chorus Line, Pippin, Seesaw, Applause. Patti also choreographed the opening number for the 1997 Tony Awards for Rosie O’Donnell.

She has collaborated with many of the most widely respected Broadway directors and choreographers including Tommy Tune, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Jeff Calhoun, and Graciela Danielle. She has personally coached Brooke Shields, Reba McEntire, Jon Secada, Sandy Duncan, Susan Lucci, Keith Carradine, Marla Maples, Lucy Arnez, Rosie O’Donnell, and Lucy Lawless, Liza Minelli, and Bernadette Peters to name a few.

As a director and choreographer in regional theatre her productions include the recent hits Five Guys Named Moe and Smokey Joe’s Café for the Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is currently developing a new commercial production of Paint Your Wagon opening this fall. Glynis... are you familiar with the Pioneer Theatre Company?

Well, the show is so good that I have tickets to go back again on Saturday night!

I do know Pioneer Theater Company!!! They are fabulous!!! We have season tickets, so I'll be seeing her stuff!!! I'm glad to know that she's a good director! Sometimes it's kind of hit or miss! Yay! Now I can't wait!

 

[Glynis]

Well, a good Monday morning to you all! We had an absolutely gorgeous day yesterday; sunny, warm beautiful!!! Woke up this morning to cloudy skies and rain! Ick!!!!! However, we have nowhere near what you in the Northeast are going through, so I won't complain!

Not too much on my agenda today. I'm babysitting my nephews this morning. They'll be gone by noon, and then the twins and I will go to the library to return some stuff and pick up some holds I've got! A quick trip to the store for some milk and other necessities and we'll be back home by 2:00 this afternoon. It's early out day in our schools (don't get me started, I HATE IT!), so the kids will all be home by 2:30. I'm watching 2 of my neighbors daughters this afternoon and evening, as their mother is attempting to run the Boston Marathon as we speak (glad it's her and not me!). Their uncle will pick them up at 7:30 tonight. Dinner will be something that kids like: spaghetti! Alan and I will be enjoying chicken parmesan! Yum!!!

That's about all I've got to do! Hooray for an easy day!

 

[marcij]

Marci & Lindsay - I hope you didn't get caught in any of the really horrible weather last night! I got off work 45 minutes late, so by the time I was getting home the tornado sirens were going off. The hail started as I was coming up the stairs, luckily none of it got on my car! We got some that was nearly ping pong ball size!

BUT DH might not be able to go because Toad turned in her notice (again). Supposedly the supervisor told her there will be no more chances - her last day is her last day, end of story. We'll see. If she DOES really quit this time then DH will be picking up a lot of extra shifts. I think DS's best friend's mom is going on the camping trip, so she will keep an eye on DS.

Elizabeth -- I'm glad you made it home in time! Andrew had a baseball game at 6, so we went out there thinking they wouldn't play. They did play almost three innings before the games were called. The first of the bad weather in DFW missed us, but it was getting close by almost 7 so they sent everyone home and we'll have to finish the game at a later date. We did end up getting rain -- enough to rain out the soccer games on Saturday, and some wind, but nothing major, thank goodness!

I hope your interviews go well! I also hope this is the end for Toad, even though it would mean your DH misses the camping trip. She's been a huge thorn in his side, and shouldn't have been allowed to get away with messing up commission, days off etc. Especially when she was caught at a sporting event when she was "too sick" to work!

Speaking of bathing suits. We just put ours to good use. The pool here is 90 degrees. The kids bowled well for 2 of the 3 games and each had a bad game. Oh well, they seemed to have fun and they are enjoying the hotel. Hunter keeps saying this is really nice, we are staying at a Holiday Inn Express so wait until he sees DVC. I think he might flip out

I'm glad they did so well! Sounds like you guys had fun.

I have that cold too. It started on Friday and is now in my chest and I feel like crap. Today better be the worst as I'm working the next 5 straight.


We got home around 2 today. The boys bowled well today, above average all games. Nick and Hunter both bowled a 104 which is really good for them. They all had an enjoyable time so it was a nice way to start off their vacation. We are having another storm today. It has been raining/sleeting/snowing all day. Thankfully it hasn't accumulated yet

I hope you keep getting better and make tons of money on your shifts this week!

Well i just got home--We had to take our dog to get put down tonight...

Jen -- I'm so sorry. Sending you a and some for your whole family.

Andrew was in a baseball tournament this weekend about an hours drive from us. We almost froze on Saturday, as we had windchills in the 30s, then yesterday it was gorgeous, hitting almost 70 and I got a little pink from the sun. Strange weather!

Sending for everyone who is feeling under the weather, or receiving bad weather today!

 

[mommykds]

Well i just got home--We had to take our dog to get put down tonight...

I am very sorry Jen,

 

[mommykds]

Well the rain came down in buckets yesterday & it is still raining nowbut not as bad. It was so loud. Anyway we get the kids to bed & lay down. I hear tapping in my room. So Dana & I think its ice pellets hitting the window. We turn on the light & what do you think it was? Water..yep water dripping from my ceiling into my room! Well we are on the first floor so it can't be the roof. We run upstairs to the kids rooms & felt the wall which would have been directly above my room & lo & behold the wall is wet! Dana opened the window & look at the house & turns out there is a huge hole in the cedar siding & that is how the water got in. It must have been there for awhile but we never knew it since we haven't had such bad rain in years.

I was nervous that the wires in the wall would get wet & go on fire (yes, I am paranoid!) so we carried the kids downstairs to sleep. Daniel was on the couch & the girls in the playroom futon. Anyway Daniel wakes up & was so cute. He had no idea how he got on the couch..he was so confused. Sophie was too but Daniel was just so funny.

We have been looking at vinyl siding so I guess we are going to do it sooner than later..gee more bills...ugh.

 

[Glynis]

Ok, gals, I have an actual T-shirt question. Don't die of shock!!! I'm getting ready to start printing off designs, and I need your help. I ordered some dark transfer paper, and I've never used it before. Here are my questions:

1. One side is white and the other had red lines on it. How do I load it in my printer?

2. Do I need to flip the images?

3. Can I use the dark transfer paper on white t-shirts?

4. How close to the edge of the design do I need to trim?

5. Is there anything else I should know about using dark transfer paper?

Thanks, guys!

 

[Glynis]

Well the rain came down in buckets yesterday & it is still raining nowbut not as bad. It was so loud. Anyway we get the kids to bed & lay down. I hear tapping in my room. So Dana & I think its ice pellets hitting the window. We turn on the light & what do you think it was? Water..yep water dripping from my ceiling into my room! Well we are on the first floor so it can't be the roof. We run upstairs to the kids rooms & felt the wall which would have been directly above my room & lo & behold the wall is wet! Dana opened the window & look at the house & turns out there is a huge hole in the cedar siding & that is how the water got in. It must have been there for awhile but we never knew it since we haven't had such bad rain in years.

I was nervous that the wires in the wall would get wet & go on fire (yes, I am paranoid!) so we carried the kids downstairs to sleep. Daniel was on the couch & the girls in the playroom futon. Anyway Daniel wakes up & was so cute. He had no idea how he got on the couch..he was so confused. Sophie was too but Daniel was just so funny.

We have been looking at vinyl siding so I guess we are going to do it sooner than later..gee more bills...ugh.

Yikes! I'm so sorry about the hole in your siding!

Good luck with the vinyl siding. We love ours!!!

 

[bethbuchall]

Ok, gals, I have an actual T-shirt question. Don't die of shock!!! I'm getting ready to start printing off designs, and I need your help. I ordered some dark transfer paper, and I've never used it before. Here are my questions:

1. One side is white and the other had red lines on it. How do I load it in my printer? Load it so that the printing will be on the white side. If you don't know the paper path for your printer, mark a plain piece of paper with an x on one side and print something on it. Then you will know which way to load it.

2. Do I need to flip the images? You should not need to flip the image with the dark paper.

3. Can I use the dark transfer paper on white t-shirts? Yes

4. How close to the edge of the design do I need to trim? Anything that you don't trim will be white. If you are not putting it on a white shirt, that will be very noticeable, so trim right up to the design. It will be less noticeable on white, but you probably still want to trim close. If you have an intricate design, you could put a border around it.

5. Is there anything else I should know about using dark transfer paper? Remember that the backing paper needs to be pulled off before you put the design on the shirt and iron. Also, you need to cover the transfer with parchment for ironing. Were there directions with your paper for ironing times and whether you remove the parchment when warm or cool? I think there are some differences amongst transfers.

Thanks, guys!

I hope that gives you most of what you need!

 

[bethbuchall]

Aidan update:

Big Day for Aidan.

Looking to get extubated. AGAIN

Echo Cardiogram to see if medication is working on heart. Dosage has been increased.

Contrast Study to see if intestines are working properly.

Countdown 3 weeks to reconnection.

6-9 weeks and maybe we will get our boy HOME!

 

[Glynis]

I hope that gives you most of what you need!

Thanks, Beth! No directions came with the paper, so can you give me an approximation of ironing times? It didn't come with parchment, either, but I figure I can use some kitchen parchment (not wax) paper. Right?

 

[Tinkaroo]

I think I would have to live in Cinderella's Castle.

I know it's not terribly original, but as the MK is my favorite place in the whole world, it would be so wonderful to live in the Castle. Just to get to walk around the park every night of my life would be heaven.

And I think there would be enough room for all of us.

Speaking of stupid policies...

Both of the agencies I am meeting with on Monday want to pull my credit. Um, NO! My friend said she told them she has a copy of her credit report, and if a family REALLY wants to see it she will show it to them. They do NOT get to keep a copy of it. That sounds like an OK compromise to me. I just don't see what good could possibly come from having a bunch of agencies all accessing my credit! They can not promise me that they will be able to keep that info private! They don't know a darn thing about these families (families don't undergo ANY screening - they just call up and ask for a nanny), I am supposed to release the agency from all liability, yet they want to provide a copy of my credit report to STRANGERS? And on the topic of strangers, the agency staff are strangers, too! They don't need to see my credit report. Really.

I agree, Elizabeth. Not to mention, I would think that many agencies pulling your credit at one time might affect it to begin with (I'm not sure on that, but it seems like that used to be the case in the past). You just can't be too careful these days with your credit and identity.

Speaking of bathing suits. We just put ours to good use. The pool here is 90 degrees. The kids bowled well for 2 of the 3 games and each had a bad game. Oh well, they seemed to have fun and they are enjoying the hotel. Hunter keeps saying this is really nice, we are staying at a Holiday Inn Express so wait until he sees DVC. I think he might flip out

My parents love to tell the story of the first time I ever stayed in a hotel (a Days Inn somewhere outside WDW). I apparently was fascinated with the bathroom, and kept wanting to know where the kitchen was. Of course, my father now tells me that my idea of roughing it as a Holiday Inn!

Has he developed any "tics"? My nephew, who is autistic, first exhibited signs by "twirling." He has a piece of rope that he will twirl around for hours. No exaggeration. I've seen him do it for at least 2 hours without stopping. His therapist says it's his way of dealing with the confusion that's all around him. It comforts him. It would be best if he could be tested and possibly diagnosed, since at that point, there will be a lot of treatments opening up for him. He might also qualify for a Head Start program.

I haven't noticed any repetitive behaviors as of yet (other than the constant running and screaming). I'm not around him all that much (and after Saturday, I think I'm considering that a good thing!), so it's hard to say. However, I think about where one of my nieces that is almost a year older than him was this time last year, and it's like night and day. He has no where near the cognitive abilities that I would expect a child of his age to have. And he, literally, just wants to run from room to room, and his favorite activity is to head-butt his father in the chest.

Yep. Getting out of that tankini is as much of a challenge as getting in!

I keep forgetting to tell you guys about my bargain! I was at Dillard's yesterday and found a 25" Delsey suitcase for $45 (originally $180). I am sort of a luggage addict. I bought DH a new Delsey carry-on for the Feb trip and he really likes it. This one is the same size as a couple of our Samsonites, so we will use it in August instead of the duffle I usually use for my shoes. The duffle has one of those telescoping handles and the framework for the handle takes up a lot of the interior room in the bag, so I should be able to fit a lot more in the new suitcase. Not sure how much more I really NEED to fit in there, but you just never know.

I love Delsey luggage! I have an awesome roll-on a little smaller than that, and that is the best laid-out, most durable suitcase EVER.

Elin- your birthday is the day before mine. I would live somewhere in Epcot's World Showcase...not sure where yet.


We had the B & B all to ourselves. The owners "decided" to paint the room we were supposed to have http://www.victoriaskeep.com/castleview.htm

so the put us in this one: http://www.victoriaskeep.com/abbeyview.htm

It was beautiful

We went to supper at a yummy place....I haven't eaten that much in the last 2 weeks combined....2 hrs of companionable silence and then a slow walk.

When we woke up, we had an interesting breakfast...Jimmy forgot to tell them I can't eat coconut and he doesn't like asparagus.....there was still enough to fill us up.

We went and visited the castle you can see in the second room's picture....again beautiful!! and slowly walked through the town of Manitou Springs.

I didn't have a inch of stress stomach until we headed out of Colorado Springs....we just really need to hear about our house and loan.

I'm glad you had a nice anniverary, Theresa, and were able to get your mind off things at home for a while!