The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 29

[my3princes]

I've managed to plan, book and make invites for Nick and Hunter's kid birthday parties. I had planned Nick's for this weekend, but his friends have a soccer tournament so we needed to push it back a week. He wants a bowling/laser tag party and he only wants to invite a couple of friends Hunter has more people on his list, but he wants a mini golf party which is less expensive so it works out well for me and them. Now to set a date for the big family party. It doesn't look like I'll be able to pull it off until the first weekend in November. It's later than I usually do it, but our weekends are just so full and I don't want to schedule it around our trip as I don't want the stress I feel like I may actually be accomplishing things today

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

What day again?

Friday, December 14. We had talked about getting to the park and doing a couple of things, then meeting up for a late breakfast. My 2 friends would be joining us, which is why the ressie is for 10 people.

 

[PNO4TE]

Chanon - YAY for new crocs! I bought a brown pair of the Mary Jane style over the weekend and wore them to work on Monday. They were comfy all day long!

Janet - YAY for a Christmas night sleighride!! Perfect!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I've managed to plan, book and make invites for Nick and Hunter's kid birthday parties. I had planned Nick's for this weekend, but his friends have a soccer tournament so we needed to push it back a week. He wants a bowling/laser tag party and he only wants to invite a couple of friends Hunter has more people on his list, but he wants a mini golf party which is less expensive so it works out well for me and them. Now to set a date for the big family party. It doesn't look like I'll be able to pull it off until the first weekend in November. It's later than I usually do it, but our weekends are just so full and I don't want to schedule it around our trip as I don't want the stress I feel like I may actually be accomplishing things today

It sounds like you are crossing quite a few things off your "to do" list! How are you feeling today?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Chanon - It should only take a couple of days for your new Crocs to feel soft. Although some of mine aren't as squishy as some of the others. And if your cat bites them the bite marks are permanent. For some reason Aurora and Arabella both like to bite my Crocs.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hello, DDA!

I'm sorry that I've been MIA for a few days - life has been hectic again. (I am ready for this month to be over!)

I hope everyone is doing well - I have been thinking of each of you.

Let's see what I can remember....

Elizabeth - I am so sorry to hear about DH's job issues. That just plain stinks. I am constantly amazed at companies that don't reward employees for job performance (or not nearly as much as they should). That's why Jonathan left his prior company a few years ago - everyone agreed that he was a top performer, but his pay increases were capped at a certain % amount each year, and "their hands were tied." So, instead of compensating and rewarding a proven commodity, they probably spent more on recruiting and training someone to take his vacant territory. Brilliant! Sorry to hear about Princess' boo boo, and congratulations on all the pins!

Janet - yay - congrats on the sleigh ride! I decided to keep mine, but moved it to the earlier time that evening (5:30) - I think it will work much better with our schedule that day. Now, I just have to pray for NO RAIN!

Chanon - I was with the majority and liked dress #1. I think a smoky quartz necklace sounds perfect for them.

Heidi - hope the move-in is still going well for your mom and sis!

Bernadette - a belated "happy anniversary" for you and DH! I loved your TR, and all your pics. I wish you were going to be with us in October, so I could see your camera in action! I would like to get a good, quality camera for my own personal use, but want something that still takes quality photos. Jonathan's DSLR intimidates me (mainly, because I don't want to be responsible for that investment)!

Tia - safe travels to California! Say "hi" to Mickey!

Elin - I hope your weeks gets better. I'm glad to hear that Bob's mom is improving, and that "no news is good news" on Kathrin's tests.

Tammi - sounds like you're busy! I hope you still find time for yourself amongst it all!

Anne Marie - that was a sweet thing for Dana to say....but I'm with you! I hope things ease up for you too, soon!

Heather - glad to hear that RJ got his cast off - so funny that he wanted to keep it on! I'm sure he'll be running around in no time!

Stephanie- enjoy the King Tut exhibit!

Terry - congrats on the new Crocs and pins!

Vicki - I hope your week is going well!

Tom - have an AMAZING trip!!!! I cannot wait to see photos of all of you, particularly Leighanna in all those gorgeous outfits! (Give me a head's up when you're putting them on EvilBay - I have some nieces that just might be interested in some of those pieces! )

for anyone that I inadvertently missed!

 

[Tinkaroo]

I've managed to plan, book and make invites for Nick and Hunter's kid birthday parties. I had planned Nick's for this weekend, but his friends have a soccer tournament so we needed to push it back a week. He wants a bowling/laser tag party and he only wants to invite a couple of friends Hunter has more people on his list, but he wants a mini golf party which is less expensive so it works out well for me and them. Now to set a date for the big family party. It doesn't look like I'll be able to pull it off until the first weekend in November. It's later than I usually do it, but our weekends are just so full and I don't want to schedule it around our trip as I don't want the stress I feel like I may actually be accomplishing things today

That sounds very productive, Deb! How are you feeling?

Chanon - YAY for new crocs! I bought a brown pair of the Mary Jane style over the weekend and wore them to work on Monday. They were comfy all day long!

I my black Mary Jane Crocs!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Lindsay - Frito loves to spend money on hiring and training. Or they must, because they hire in all these new people, drug test them, process their paperwork, give them insurance after 30 days, and the majority of them quit a few weeks after they finish training. So every 60 days or so they are back where they started.
Minyard's had "maximum pay" for each position, and once you got there you NEVER made anymore money. DH sat at the same salary for 5 years before he finally quit. His only options for more money would have been to become an Asst. Mgr. (which were a dime a dozen and none of them ever got promoted because the company was closing stores, and their schedules were hideous) or a meat cutter. Do you know how rare it is to see a meat cutter with all 10 fingers? I am hoping to hear from DH in the next couple of hours. He said he was going to go to the Business and Regional managers himself to see what they had to say. I bet he will say he wasn't able to talk with them or he talked to them and they said "Too bad!"

 

[Tinkaroo]

Well, I had a new experience this a.m. - I rode our light rail train system to work! My commute has become so heinous as of late (what used to take 45 mins. in traffic is now taking anywhere from 1 hour to 90 minutes), and I've grown tired of getting in my car each morning and not knowing how long it would take me to get to work (not to mention the frustrations of traffic, wear/tear on my car, the cost of gas, etc.). Plus, I end up staying late at the office, just to avoid a similar headache on the way home.

The end of one of the light rail lines is about 7 miles from my house - not as convenient as I'd like it to be, but it was wonderful getting on a clean, air-conditioned train this morning and knowing exactly what time I'd get downtown and to my job. It's amazing how much that has improved my attitude for the day. Plus, if I decide to buy a monthly pass, it will cost about as much as I was spending on one week's worth of gas! I just wish my car didn't have to sit out in the elements all day, but I guess that's the trade-off.

Other than that, life has been pretty busy. My tickers are getting smaller day by day , but that also has me panicking a bit about my December trip! I realized yesterday that I missed the initial booking window for the concierge safari excursion Jonathan and I wanted to do, but thankfully, they still had space on my 2nd date choice. I have a lot of ideas of things running around in my head that I need to do, want to do, need to educate family on, etc., and feel like, amazingly, that I'm running out of time!

And with that, I need to get back to work. Have great days, everyone!

 

[bear74]

Okay caught up.

Now Olivia and I are off to run a few errands. I was supposed to go into work this morning but still had my Allergy Migraine when the alarm went off at 6am. Its gone right now.

Be back later.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Lindsay - I'm glad you like the DART rail! I've never been on it. My mom used to ride it with my sister when they lived here. She thought it was fun. We have that DART rail station at Park Ln. & Greenville but there are dozens of homeless guys hanging around so I wouldn't leave my car over there to ride the train anywhere! (Actually I would be scared to get OUT of the car.)

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Holy cow! One of those Fed Ex trucks with 2 trailers on it crashed on the interstate. There are boxes strewn EVERYWHERE with all sorts of merchandise and papers and whatever. There are crews out there picking them up but it is a MESS. They said the truck crashed at 3 AM - it looks like it happened 5 minutes ago from the amount of stuff! That's a very good reason to insure things that are being shipped.

 

[PrincessLeighsDaddy]

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes for our trip!

Lindsay, thanks for the pdf file on the MNSSHP. I am mapping out my strategy now!

If I do end up selling any of Leighanna's clothing on EvilBay, I will be sure to let you know!

Got all my errands ran this morning, payed the bills that had to be paid, (didn't want to forget a couple of things like Bernadette and Elizabeth did )

Most of the bags are packed, but as I rummage around, I find some things that I forgot, so I will put those in the carryon.

Have a great day all!

I might have time to pop in before we leave at 0'dark 30 in the morning!

We'll be in Disney in under 20 hrs.!
Yes, that's 20 hours people!

 

[Glynis]

We'll be in Disney in under 20 hrs.!
Yes, that's 20 hours people!

Not excited, are you?

Seriously, you are going to have the best time!!!! Relax, enjoy your time with your family, and remember to take time to make special memories. Time goes by so fast, and before you know it, Leighanna will be all grown up! I admire you and your wife so much for making these wonderful family memories for her! What a lucky little girl!

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Hello, DDA!

I'm sorry that I've been MIA for a few days - life has been hectic again. (I am ready for this month to be over!)

I hope everyone is doing well - I have been thinking of each of you.

Let's see what I can remember....


for anyone that I inadvertently missed!

Lindsay you did a wonderful job catching you and me up, so I am just going to Ditto everything she said

 

[Tammi67]

Heads up!! ADRs are open for the Safari Character Breakfast at Tusker House!

Tammi - We have an ADR for a party of 10 at 10:30 AM if that still works for you guys.

I'm hoping it will, but it may be only myself and the kids. Bob is taking his ex-wife back to court over custody issues and his court date is set for that Friday afternoon! So he and his DD may be going back Thurs night. Or we all may be going back Thurs night. Or the case may be continued. Right now it's up in the air, but I could have clobbered him when he didn't remember the week that our trip was and didn't object when the judge picked that date! It's going to screw up our Thurs night plans too. That is when I had the CP package at Coral Reef booked. I called DVC to see about moving the trip up a week, which would be over Nicholas' bday, but everything is booked.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Things have been quite busy here, who'd thunk it!

The big news around here is that Molly decided to use the potty today! I know, I know it's not even been a day but she has actually gone! I need the DDA pixie dust that she keeps it up, pretty please.

My girlfriend just called and told me that she had her baby last night! Mom and baby are doing wonderful. I am so excited to meet Abigail.

Eric and Emma are headed to the O's game tonight with his dad. Molly, Lucy and I are headed to my parents to see my Great Aunt who is up from Florida.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Lindsay - I'm glad you like the DART rail! I've never been on it. My mom used to ride it with my sister when they lived here. She thought it was fun. We have that DART rail station at Park Ln. & Greenville but there are dozens of homeless guys hanging around so I wouldn't leave my car over there to ride the train anywhere! (Actually I would be scared to get OUT of the car.)

Yikes!

The clientele up my way is primarily other suburbanite professionals not wanting to battle traffic (seemly). As it gets closer to downtown, the clientele does change a bit. However, since I get on at the end of the line, I have my pick of seats, and can stay away from most of that. If I ever do feel like its unsafe, I just won't use it. If I know I'll be staying late at work, I will probably elect to drive myself in still.

Holy cow! One of those Fed Ex trucks with 2 trailers on it crashed on the interstate. There are boxes strewn EVERYWHERE with all sorts of merchandise and papers and whatever. There are crews out there picking them up but it is a MESS. They said the truck crashed at 3 AM - it looks like it happened 5 minutes ago from the amount of stuff! That's a very good reason to insure things that are being shipped.

I've seen that happen before - it does make you think about how important some of those packages might have been to the sender/receiver.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes for our trip!

Lindsay, thanks for the pdf file on the MNSSHP. I am mapping out my strategy now!

If I do end up selling any of Leighanna's clothing on EvilBay, I will be sure to let you know!

Got all my errands ran this morning, payed the bills that had to be paid, (didn't want to forget a couple of things like Bernadette and Elizabeth did )

Most of the bags are packed, but as I rummage around, I find some things that I forgot, so I will put those in the carryon.

Have a great day all!

I might have time to pop in before we leave at 0'dark 30 in the morning!

We'll be in Disney in under 20 hrs.!
Yes, that's 20 hours people!

Yippee for you guys! I'm glad the pdf is useful to you!

Not excited, are you?

Seriously, you are going to have the best time!!!! Relax, enjoy your time with your family, and remember to take time to make special memories. Time goes by so fast, and before you know it, Leighanna will be all grown up! I admire you and your wife so much for making these wonderful family memories for her! What a lucky little girl!

Hi, Glynis - how is Jacob today? Is Alan home yet?

I'm hoping it will, but it may be only myself and the kids. Bob is taking his ex-wife back to court over custody issues and his court date is set for that Friday afternoon! So he and his DD may be going back Thurs night. Or we all may be going back Thurs night. Or the case may be continued. Right now it's up in the air, but I could have clobbered him when he didn't remember the week that our trip was and didn't object when the judge picked that date! It's going to screw up our Thurs night plans too. That is when I had the CP package at Coral Reef booked. I called DVC to see about moving the trip up a week, which would be over Nicholas' bday, but everything is booked.

Ugh - how frustrating! Can you get on the waiting list with DVC, or do you have to keep calling back to check availability?

Things have been quite busy here, who'd thunk it!

The big news around here is that Molly decided to use the potty today! I know, I know it's not even been a day but she has actually gone! I need the DDA pixie dust that she keeps it up, pretty please.

My girlfriend just called and told me that she had her baby last night! Mom and baby are doing wonderful. I am so excited to meet Abigail.

Eric and Emma are headed to the O's game tonight with his dad. Molly, Lucy and I are headed to my parents to see my Great Aunt who is up from Florida.

Yay Molly!!!!! More that she keeps it up!

 

[my3princes]

It sounds like you are crossing quite a few things off your "to do" list! How are you feeling today?

I'm feeling much better, but still a bit tired. I did get a nap in though

Well, I had a new experience this a.m. - I rode our light rail train system to work! My commute has become so heinous as of late (what used to take 45 mins. in traffic is now taking anywhere from 1 hour to 90 minutes), and I've grown tired of getting in my car each morning and not knowing how long it would take me to get to work (not to mention the frustrations of traffic, wear/tear on my car, the cost of gas, etc.). Plus, I end up staying late at the office, just to avoid a similar headache on the way home.

The end of one of the light rail lines is about 7 miles from my house - not as convenient as I'd like it to be, but it was wonderful getting on a clean, air-conditioned train this morning and knowing exactly what time I'd get downtown and to my job. It's amazing how much that has improved my attitude for the day. Plus, if I decide to buy a monthly pass, it will cost about as much as I was spending on one week's worth of gas! I just wish my car didn't have to sit out in the elements all day, but I guess that's the trade-off.

Other than that, life has been pretty busy. My tickers are getting smaller day by day , but that also has me panicking a bit about my December trip! I realized yesterday that I missed the initial booking window for the concierge safari excursion Jonathan and I wanted to do, but thankfully, they still had space on my 2nd date choice. I have a lot of ideas of things running around in my head that I need to do, want to do, need to educate family on, etc., and feel like, amazingly, that I'm running out of time!

The train sounds like a great solution for you. Perhaps you'll meet someone else that can be your train buddy which would help with your feeling safer.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes for our trip!

Lindsay, thanks for the pdf file on the MNSSHP. I am mapping out my strategy now!

If I do end up selling any of Leighanna's clothing on EvilBay, I will be sure to let you know!

Got all my errands ran this morning, payed the bills that had to be paid, (didn't want to forget a couple of things like Bernadette and Elizabeth did )

Most of the bags are packed, but as I rummage around, I find some things that I forgot, so I will put those in the carryon.

Have a great day all!

I might have time to pop in before we leave at 0'dark 30 in the morning!

We'll be in Disney in under 20 hrs.!
Yes, that's 20 hours people!

You'll have a great time. Relax now and enjoy all your hard work.

Lindsay you did a wonderful job catching you and me up, so I am just going to Ditto everything she said

Hello.

I'm hoping it will, but it may be only myself and the kids. Bob is taking his ex-wife back to court over custody issues and his court date is set for that Friday afternoon! So he and his DD may be going back Thurs night. Or we all may be going back Thurs night. Or the case may be continued. Right now it's up in the air, but I could have clobbered him when he didn't remember the week that our trip was and didn't object when the judge picked that date! It's going to screw up our Thurs night plans too. That is when I had the CP package at Coral Reef booked. I called DVC to see about moving the trip up a week, which would be over Nicholas' bday, but everything is booked.

OOOOhhhh I think I'd be a bit angry too. Hopefully it will work out well in the end somehow

Things have been quite busy here, who'd thunk it!

The big news around here is that Molly decided to use the potty today! I know, I know it's not even been a day but she has actually gone! I need the DDA pixie dust that she keeps it up, pretty please.

My girlfriend just called and told me that she had her baby last night! Mom and baby are doing wonderful. I am so excited to meet Abigail.

Eric and Emma are headed to the O's game tonight with his dad. Molly, Lucy and I are headed to my parents to see my Great Aunt who is up from Florida.

Great Job Molly

I hope that life settles down again soon. Have fun at your events tonight.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I'm hoping it will, but it may be only myself and the kids. Bob is taking his ex-wife back to court over custody issues and his court date is set for that Friday afternoon! So he and his DD may be going back Thurs night. Or we all may be going back Thurs night. Or the case may be continued. Right now it's up in the air, but I could have clobbered him when he didn't remember the week that our trip was and didn't object when the judge picked that date! It's going to screw up our Thurs night plans too. That is when I had the CP package at Coral Reef booked. I called DVC to see about moving the trip up a week, which would be over Nicholas' bday, but everything is booked.

I'm sorry! That must be very stressful for ALL of you.
I'll leave the ADR and if you find out you definitely won't be able to be there then I'll scale it back to 5 people. We have MVMCP on Thursday night. We don't arrive at MCO until after 9 PM on Wednesday night, so by the time we get there and get checked in it will be late. Anyway, we'll just sort of wing it. If you guys are there for the dates you currently have booked then I am sure we'll manage a quick hello at the very least!

Robyn - YAY for Molly! I hope she decides it is faster to use the potty than have her diaper changed! Really, anything in the potty as opposed to in the diaper (or on the floor) is progress!

Well, I spoke to DH. I hate being psychic. The Business manager told him "Tough cookies." She also implied that he should be grateful he had the opportunity to have this route for the past 18 mos. because with only 2 years there is NO WAY he ever could have won it on a bid. So his choices are to apply for specialist OR wait for the bid process to trickle down and pick one from whatever scraps are left. Nice options.

Well, the specialist option wins HANDS DOWN, but notice I said he can APPLY for it. They may not offer him a slot, which would mean he is stuck with whatever route is left over. That means a pay cut. We talked about his vacation only being 5 days, and that would be IF he gets time off when DS is off. If he gets days that DS is in school we wouldn't be able to use more than a couple of those days. And if it falls during testing or something for DS then we wouldn't get any sort of travel in at all. But not being able to travel isn't as bad as not being able to pay our bills. The other crappy thing about the vacation is that the schedule for specialists isn't done more than a couple of weeks in advance, so if he was able to get his days off tagged onto his vacation it would cost us a FORTUNE to change his airline ticket since we would find out on such short notice.

I told him to apply for the specialist job, and if they don't choose him then he has to SWEAR that he will go put applications in at other places the very next day. I told him point blank I want him to quit, but he apparently would prefer to stay there and take the abuse than bother to go interview anywhere else.