The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 5

[UP Disney]

I am in a funk. Can someone please help me get out of it?

We went to the circus this afternoon, which by the way, was great. We stopped and had lunch on the way there. When we arrived we got the kids a program book, and each a light-up clown nose, which they asked for. Then start the "I wants". So after saying no to all the toy and food requests, we had a lemonade at intermission. Then when it was over, all I heard from Nicholas is "I want" and "why can't I get" and then the pouting started. I was so mad as we were leaving. How do you explain to a 6 yr old how much money it takes to go to these things and how overpriced what you do buy there is???? This is the second event where I have had to get on him about this. The other was a few months back at Princesses on Ice. It's just like he is so unappreciative of what he does get and all he wants is more. Does this mean he is being given too much?

I try to plan a nice family afternoon out and now I am just so mad at him. Plus it doesn't help that I am PMSing on top of it. I know I am being overly sensitive and that he is only 6, but I need to find a way to nip this before it gets really out of hand.

Sorry to rant, but I needed to get this off of my chest.

When we went anywhere with the girls, we told the girls how much we were willing to spend on souvenirs for them. When they were old enough to understand money (7 or so), they had to keep track of how much they had spent and how much they had left with our assistance. As they got older, we gave them the money to hang on to and spend.

 

[Glynis]

I'm going to make the cakes. My whole family loves chocolate cake with homemade white "wedding" frosting. I'm sure I can get their wedding cake topper from 40 years ago. I'm not going to stress over the small stuff. I'm thinking maybe I should make Amy's sugar cookies shaped like wedding bells. The kids are off after this week so I can get them to help me which will mean more to my Mom and Dad and if they don't look picture perfect than so be it.

Deb

I think those cookies done in a bell shape would be perfect! Great idea!

 

[ReAnSt]

I hope everyone is doing well. Just checking in before I run off to work. Only 8 hours of work left of my 40 hour, 3 day marathon work weekend.

Sending and to everyone. Have a good night.

Becky

 

[tinker1bell]

Hi all,

on page 718 post # 10759 ( I do not know how to show the post) I talked about the Concert Band that my DH plays for and how they are celebrating their 150th year in existance. Tonight was the premier viewing of the film that was made about the Band. The young man who filmed and edited it is going to Franklin and Marshall College and he has played with the band for probably 6 years. We still are waiting to hear if it will be played on PBS. If it is, it will probably be just regional. I did manage to get a dvd for our own. Right into the film, the second person interviewed was of course my DH It was really good and completely explains how the band works and how much of a small community the band itself is.

This next part Elin you will appreciate because I made sure I wrote the name of the pieces played correctly.

Then after the movie, the band played. The first march was National Emblem. Then they played two songs by Sousa. The first one was a waltz --La Reine de la Mer, very slow but moving. Then a rousing march by Sousa-- Solid Men to the Front. Then they played a piece called Man in the Ice. This was a score to the movie of the same name. Maybe the movie didn't fare well, but I gotta tell you, the piece blew me away. Steffy came too and she could not stop talking about it. The next piece was Third Suite by Robert Jager and then the finale of course, Stars and Stripes Forever.
Steffy saw me get very emotional and fumble for my kleenex and I had to tell her the story of the one time that it was played at a band member's funeral. Playing the loudest and hardest was the young woman's father on the Bass Drum.

So the next thing will be the really big celebration in August and this will be Black Tie, and yes I am going to dress to the nines. That will be one picture I will definately post. Cannot wait.

Terry

 

[Linzybrooke]

No time to catch up right now...I will try tomorrow! But, I had to share my fun(ny) day with you guys.

Today was our Church Ladies Pot-luck Casserole bake off and my mom and I both had plans to enter. I forgot that I worked all night yesterday so I begged DH to make my dessert for me, which he did. Anyway, "I" won the Best Tasting Dessert catagory and got a really cute apron made by some ladies at church, my mom won the Best Tasting Casserole catagory and also got an apron. When we got to my parents house after church I got my husband and mom to put on their aprons and take a picture; its hilarious! My husband is the best!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend and has a great week. My week is crazy so I may not be around much!

 

[Eeyorecln]

I'm going to make the cakes. My whole family loves chocolate cake with homemade white "wedding" frosting. I'm sure I can get their wedding cake topper from 40 years ago. I'm not going to stress over the small stuff. I'm thinking maybe I should make Amy's sugar cookies shaped like wedding bells. The kids are off after this week so I can get them to help me which will mean more to my Mom and Dad and if they don't look picture perfect than so be it.

Deb

I think the grandparents would love the cookies that the boys helped make even if not picture perfect. I know this is probably stupid but what is wedding frosting?

 

[Steffy]

My day has been a roller coaster too, not nearly as bad as some, but still some stressful moments. My parents will be celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary on April 23rd. I had planned on renting a hall and inviting all of their family and friends to a huge celebration. I had even bought decorations here and their over the last couple of years. A couple of months ago they told my brother and I in no uncertain terms that they did not want a party. They said no party and no presents. Well obviously we couldn't let such a huge accomplishment go completely unnoticed. Fast forward to today. We finally decided to just take them out to a nice restaurant for dinner. My mother's aunt and uncle have been asking what we were going to do and they really wanted to be included in whatever we decided. So I made reservations for 13 and made sure that I could bring a cake. I call my great aunt to tell her when and where and she tells me that it needs to be for 15 as her son and DIL wants to come too. Now I know that if they come my mother's other cousins will feel jilted and it will cause a riff. We planned to tell my parents the plans anyway so I called them and explained the situation and asked if I could please have a small party at my house for cake and ice cream on their anniversary to get out of this sticky situation. Much to my surprise they agreed. So now I'm having a party here for 40 - 60 people for cake and ice cream when I could have done a nice meal at a hall. Alas it is too late to pull off a big party so cake and ice cream will have to do. My Dad does not want me to invite his brothers and sisters. They live a couple of hours away and haven't been in contact with each other in years so he doesn't want to "bother" them. So I guess it will just be my mother's family and I'll probably call the girls that she works with and invite them to a small get together at my home on Sunday night at 6:30pm. My hope is that this will pacify the family. We still plan to take them out on Monday night, but I really don't care to have more then 15 people as it will not be the special event that we wanted. I know that I'm rambling on, but it was such a mess for a while. It's a good thing that I've been cleaning my house, I should be able to pull it off. Now to find the decorations and plan the food etc. But wait, we are having Easter dinner here at 2 PM next Sunday so I should plan that first right? Disney take me Away!!!

Deb

My Dad didn't want a party for his 85th birthday either, so all of us kids got together and all of our children and we took him to dinner...

Fast forward 5 years. We decided that the starin of getting Daddy to the restaurant, trying to surprise him, get all the warring factions of the family together, call a truce, have a meal and then go our respective ways wouldn't work. So we had it at my brother's house, where we could relax, no worries about the tables and the waitresses wanting them back. Daddy could come in his comfy clothes. And when the siblings started getting on each other's nerves, we could just go home.

My sister created a video "This is your life" that brought the house down. She made little albums of all the pictures for us, and my niece burned us all a DVD. It was the highlight of the party. Afterall, what do you get a 90 year old? By God if he doesn't have everything he wants by now, so sorry.

A long note to tell you, the house party will be wonderful and relaxed. Be sure to scan in some of their wedding photos, photos of them and their kids, photos of their grandhcildren; their gradulations and wedding photos and make a DVD. Play it on the laptop, or on the large screen tv. Lower the lights and pass the tissues.

I've gone to two funerals and they had made them. Let me tell you, I much prefer to have the person see it with their families! My father was stunned. He had tears. Only the second time I saw them. The first time I was in the hospital and the doctors had just told my parents I was going to die...It takes a LOT to squeeze some water from thoses eyes...

He loved .it. Had pictures of his mother, his baby pictures, him in his uniform. He and my step-mother's wedding photo, all of us kids with Dad, our children's graduation. My one sister's and my brother's wedding photos. The great-grands. It was the best present by far. It topped the mini-van for 85!

 

[Steffy]

hi all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just had to share this with you.

DH plays in a marching band. In fact it is the second oldest band in the US. They (New Holland Band, Pa) are celebrating their 150th year. This means a lot of celebrating this year. They even made a 37 minute film which they will show later this year. They are even going to try to get it on PBS.
The members range in age from 13 to 91. Naturally the older ones do not march anymore
My DH is so into music that when he passes on, he wants the band to play a few numbers for him. They all have that in their wills, I swear.

So Sunday was their annual Spring Concert. The music was excellent, good choices were played. They always end with Stars and Stripes.
This song really gets to me. I can still remember Andy playing the Bass Drum at his daughter's funeral and wacking the he// out of it.
That is what music means to me

What a show!! I'm not sure what I expected, but when the band played, wow!!!! In a league of their own. Surely not a "community band" These folks sound fabulous!!!

Little Miss Waterworks opened the flood gates for the Stars and Stripes. WOW, could they play. I loved every second and was glad I could go.

Now to bed. Seems I took 2 nite, nite pills and no Zyrex. Yikes.

Nitey, nite

 

[PNO4TE]

Hi all,

on page 718 post # 10759 ( I do not know how to show the post) I talked about the Concert Band that my DH plays for and how they are celebrating their 150th year in existance. Tonight was the premier viewing of the film that was made about the Band. The young man who filmed and edited it is going to Franklin and Marshall College and he has played with the band for probably 6 years. We still are waiting to hear if it will be played on PBS. If it is, it will probably be just regional. I did manage to get a dvd for our own. Right into the film, the second person interviewed was of course my DH It was really good and completely explains how the band works and how much of a small community the band itself is.

This next part Elin you will appreciate because I made sure I wrote the name of the pieces played correctly.
Then after the movie, the band played. The first march was National Emblem. Then they played two songs by Sousa. The first one was a waltz --La Reine de la Mer, very slow but moving. Then a rousing march by Sousa-- Solid Men to the Front. Then they played a piece called Man in the Ice. This was a score to the movie of the same name. Maybe the movie didn't fare well, but I gotta tell you, the piece blew me away. Steffy came too and she could not stop talking about it. The next piece was Third Suite by Robert Jager and then the finale of course, Stars and Stripes Forever.
Steffy saw me get very emotional and fumble for my kleenex and I had to tell her the story of the one time that it was played at a band member's funeral. Playing the loudest and hardest was the young woman's father on the Bass Drum.

So the next thing will be the really big celebration in August and this will be Black Tie, and yes I am going to dress to the nines. That will be one picture I will definately post. Cannot wait.

Terry

Terry -- Thanks for being so thorough in your post It sounds as if your DH is a part of an organizaiton that has been bringing good music to audiences for a century and a half. What an accomplishment! It made me a little teary-eyed too The group I direct and sing with was started in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial Celebrations going on here in Fredericksburg, but 30 years seems like a very short time compared to 150.

I can't wait to see the pictures of the black tie affair!

 

[Tammi67]

Thanks to everyone for their comments on money managing. I am going to remember this for next time and nip the problem before it begins. Hopefully today will be a better day.

Glynis - prayers to you all that you get through this difficult time. It must be so hard for everyone.

Deb - I feel for you, girl. My parents 40th is in December and I am in the middle of trying to decide what to do for them. Note to self: don't end up like Deb with 60 people at my house. Good luck with it all, to include Easter.

 

[yellowfish78]

Eyore - If you need any help with flights, send a PM with the info. I'm more than willing to help out. I can even PM you my 800# for work.

Denise - She has two girls and a boy, Jacob, Katlyn and Elizabeth. She also has a 18 year old son who FINALLY got his GED after he moved in with me for a while! He passed with a B-. Jacob is the joker in the family, he changes the answering machine without telling Mom...the latest one was "Hi you've reached the xxx's, leave a message.....yeah." Katlyn is the "girl" in the family, don't even get her near dirt or she screams. Elizabeth is the "go between" for the kids. They are great!

My3princes - Don't stress out too much! Maybe others will start asking if you need any help with food, or drink or making a photo collage. It'll all come together wonderfully!

Forgive me if I forgot anyone! Sending tons of and to those that need it for it being a Monday!

~Chanon

 

[bethbuchall]

Good morning, all!

I have a question for the seasoned travelers (or travel agents) here. We don't fly much. I just checked my airline reservations on-line. We were supposed to be on a non-stop flight from Buffalo to Orlando. It looks as though the flight down has changed, and we have to change planes in Charlotte. The flight arrives at 10:23 am and the next departs at 11:10 am. Is this going to be enough time? Anyone know how big the Charlotte airport is? Also, is it up to me to keep tabs on flight changes or will the airline eventually let us know? We're not flying until August, so I'm assuming that the flight could change again.

Thanks!
Beth

 

[bethbuchall]

I have another question. I probably post should post this on the restaurant board, but I feel like I'm asking "friends" here instead of "strangers." I trust your judgment more.

We tend to spend the entire day in the parks. We've always gone in May before and had no problems going 9-9 in the MK. This year we're going in August. Hours are 9-10, but I know that it is going to be much hotter. I thought it might be nice to head out to one of the monorail resorts for lunch or to at least have a sit-down lunch in MK to take a little break from the heat and crowds. What would your suggestions be? We won't be on the dining plan that week, so we'll be paying for it. Is it worth the extra money over CS to be at a TS restaurant at lunch time? We have reservations the following week for CP and CRT for dd's birthday. I was thinking about Kona or LTT, but maybe you'll have even better suggestions.

Beth

 

[itdjbw]

Morning all,
I'm about to leave to go look at the middle school and then head to work
Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[ReAnSt]

I survived my 40 hour work weekend. I just got home from work. I gotta try and get some sleep, sometime today. I have lots to do, but I also don't want to get sick. I also would like to attempt to catch up, I am on page 1169, so not too bad for all weekend.

Becky

 

[marcij]

Well, it's been an emotional day for me! A neighbor of mine lost her oldest son this week to a tragic car accident. She is absolutely devastated, since her second son killed himself not 9 months ago. Right after the suicide, her husband had a massive heart attack (fortunately he survived), and then she was diagnosed with several small brain tumors. When I heard the news about her oldest son today, I just started to bawl. How much more is one family expected to handle? I feel so badly for Connie and her family, and wish there was more that I could do. Our congregation held a special prayer meeting for them today, and then we were all told that another member of the congregation is having surgery on Wednesday to have a majority of his colon removed, and a third member is taking her oldest daughter to a rehabilitation center this week so she can get therapy for a drug problem that is related to some sexual abuse she suffered.

I feel like I've been crying for hours. I probably won't be checking in here, much as I've volunteered to help with dinners for these families this week. I feel like next to praying cooking is one thing I can do to help. If you've got any spare pixie dust and prayers to send my way I'd appreciate it for the Romney family, the Folkman family, and the Loser family.

Thanks.

Hugs and prayers for Connie and her family, and to you, Glynis.

 

[my3princes]

I think the grandparents would love the cookies that the boys helped make even if not picture perfect. I know this is probably stupid but what is wedding frosting?

That is what my Mother always calls it. It is the recipe that they use in the Wilton Cake classes. I don't have it handy, but I know that it is confectionary sugar, Crisco, vanilla and water (or milk). It is very sweet and yummy. I'm not fond of the store bought frostings and don't like the whipped or 7 minute varieties. When I dig out the recipe I will post it.

Deb

 

[my3princes]

My Dad didn't want a party for his 85th birthday either, so all of us kids got together and all of our children and we took him to dinner...

Fast forward 5 years. We decided that the starin of getting Daddy to the restaurant, trying to surprise him, get all the warring factions of the family together, call a truce, have a meal and then go our respective ways wouldn't work. So we had it at my brother's house, where we could relax, no worries about the tables and the waitresses wanting them back. Daddy could come in his comfy clothes. And when the siblings started getting on each other's nerves, we could just go home.

My sister created a video "This is your life" that brought the house down. She made little albums of all the pictures for us, and my niece burned us all a DVD. It was the highlight of the party. Afterall, what do you get a 90 year old? By God if he doesn't have everything he wants by now, so sorry.

A long note to tell you, the house party will be wonderful and relaxed. Be sure to scan in some of their wedding photos, photos of them and their kids, photos of their grandhcildren; their gradulations and wedding photos and make a DVD. Play it on the laptop, or on the large screen tv. Lower the lights and pass the tissues.

I've gone to two funerals and they had made them. Let me tell you, I much prefer to have the person see it with their families! My father was stunned. He had tears. Only the second time I saw them. The first time I was in the hospital and the doctors had just told my parents I was going to die...It takes a LOT to squeeze some water from thoses eyes...

He loved .it. Had pictures of his mother, his baby pictures, him in his uniform. He and my step-mother's wedding photo, all of us kids with Dad, our children's graduation. My one sister's and my brother's wedding photos. The great-grands. It was the best present by far. It topped the mini-van for 85!

We did a photo album and life video for their 25th anniversary. We also had everyone that attended the party write a little note and we included that in a scrapbook. It is very nice. I will probably just add to that.

Deb

 

[ReAnSt]

My daughter says she lives in a 12x12 box. They got bunkbeds but we built her & her roommate a loft (beds are in the air). They have their desks under their beds. She took her futon to college with her. They have to share a dresser. Her bedroom at home that she had to herself is at least 12x12 and it is packed!!! She took way too much to school with her as well but luckily she & her roommate talked before they moved in so they didn't end up with doubles. Her roommate is from Maryland.

I never lived in a dorm on campus in college. But that was because they didn't have enough room space. When I started school at the University of Central Florida, I think they had like 4,000 on campus housing spaces and 28,000 students this was in 2000, now there are over 10,000 official on and off campus housing spots and about 42,000 students. It was basically a commuter school but it is very quickly evolving and changing, it is still very new as it was only founded in 1963 in the middle of a cornfield in Central Florida.

The Running joke is it is Under Construction Forever or UCF. It changed so much in the four years I was there. Last time I was on campus was last March and there were about a dozen construction projects going on. I am sure there are portions of campus I wouldn't recognize anymore because they have been completly changed.

I stayed at an off-campus apartment, but they have since become official university off campus housing. I shared a 4 bedroom/bathroom apartment with four other girls. It was fully furnished had full size bed, dresser, night stand and desk in each room. In the living room it had a sofa, love seat, chair, end table, and coffee table. We also had a 32 inch tv that stayed with the apt. We had a dining room table and 4 chairs. The kitchen had a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher. The apartment also had a washer and dryer. It cost less than on campus and I didn't have to share except for living room, porch, kitchen and laundry.

On campus the most amount who would have shared a bathroom is 4 people. No whole floor to a bathroom stuff. Now they are building gorgeous apartments/dorms that look from the outside like a hotel. Thats what happens when everything is so new and constantly changing.

If you have kids looking at colleges have them check UCF out. Afterall you are addicted to Disney and WDW is only about 45 minutes to an hour away depending on traffic. What better excuse to visit WDW than to see your kid.

Becky

 

[yellowfish78]

Good morning, all!

I have a question for the seasoned travelers (or travel agents) here. We don't fly much. I just checked my airline reservations on-line. We were supposed to be on a non-stop flight from Buffalo to Orlando. It looks as though the flight down has changed, and we have to change planes in Charlotte. The flight arrives at 10:23 am and the next departs at 11:10 am. Is this going to be enough time? Anyone know how big the Charlotte airport is? Also, is it up to me to keep tabs on flight changes or will the airline eventually let us know? We're not flying until August, so I'm assuming that the flight could change again.

Thanks!
Beth

Is there still a nonstop available? 40 minutes should be enough time to get from one to another, and since you're not traveling in the winter, I don't see a problem with that connection. As always, make sure you have all your essentials in case your bags don't make the connection with you.
www.charlotteairport.com has terminal maps. It's up to you to keep tabs on flight changes. Why the airlines don't let us know, is unknown. Also, if you don't like what times they changed you to, just call them and tell them you're not happy with the times and get on a different flight. They will not charge you for it, because it was really "their fault".
Don't ask me on dining outside the parks! I'm doing it the first time this September. TS for lunch is DEFINATELY cheaper than TS for dinner.

Kate and Julia - Check your mailboxes soon! They went out with this mornings mail.