The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 5

[Steffy]

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.

and you for helping them.

 

[UP Disney]

My DH is making dinner tonight. Spaghetti & meatballs. It smells delicious. I don't know how I'm going to wait until it is finished. The best part is that I don't have to cook at all!!!! Becky helped Chuck roll out the meatballs because she enjoys that part. I HATE getting my hands dirty with greasy gunk like that. It freaks me out.

 

[triplefigs]

Dawn,

How was you anniversary night out? Hope you had a good time. We toasted to you during dinner with our wine!

 

[Steffy]

Hi, everyone. The kids had a blast at the b'day party yesterday. It was a Batman theme. His mom and Dad had it at home, but they went ALL out with themed games, food, activities, races, goody bags, and treats. All I could think about was Amy and JoJo's cirucus! She'd made Batman cookies, cupcakes, and a cake too. I felt like Martha Stewart had invaded. My little party in June will look quite pitiful in comparison.

Dinner and the symphony was fun. It was good to have a night off. We went to this fancy place that has gotten rave reviews, and of course we thought it was just ok. We've decided to quit trying those fancy restaurants and still to "hole in the wall" places where we can get good food, enough of it, and a beer or glass of wine. Much more our style. I had 2 glasses of wine with dinner and promptly fell asleep during the 2nd piece at the Symphony. The last one was by far my favorite. They played all the music from West Side Story. It was very good. Stopped at this great after dinner dessert place and got cake to go home. I got 2 pieces: carrot cake and gingerbread cake. Delicious! Now I'm so glad we're going back in December so I can get some gingerbread at the GF. Came home, and I took my 15 minutes to give some attention to John... (I snorted when I read that today).

Been playing with the kids outside today. Just finished a vicious game of horseshoes. They're getting pretty good at it. Off to cook dinner and pack lunches for tomorrow. Back to the real world.

Denise,

So glad you had a wonderful evening and a good day. You so deserve it.

 

[triplefigs]

Vicki,

I loved looking at all your Pal Mickey stuff. How fun are you!!!!!

 

[Tammi67]

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.

 

[triplefigs]

Last night when we were at the Symphony, we noticed the Alliance Theater is doing a musical stage show of Disney's Alladin for kids this Octbober and the stage show of the book "Go, Dog, Go". We just bought tickets for both performances. The kids are going to love it. Aren't you proud of us, Glynis, exposing the kids to live theater (BTW, I did theater and musicals through college. I was always cast as the villain.)

http://www.alliancetheatre.org/family1.asp

 

[Tammi67]

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.

Now I feel as though my self-imposed misery is inconsequential to real problems that people face everyday. Prayers for you all.

 

[yellowfish78]

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?

No not at all! I still get the "I want's" and I'm 27.
Have you tried the "you can have one thing, but we buy it at the end of the show" yet?

 

[Glynis]

My DH is making dinner tonight. Spaghetti & meatballs. It smells delicious. I don't know how I'm going to wait until it is finished. The best part is that I don't have to cook at all!!!! Becky helped Chuck roll out the meatballs because she enjoys that part. I HATE getting my hands dirty with greasy gunk like that. It freaks me out.

ME TOO!!!! I hate touching raw meat!!!! It really creeps me out!

 

[triplefigs]

No not at all! I still get the "I want's" and I'm 27.
Have you tried the "you can have one thing, but we buy it at the end of the show" yet?

I just wanted to say hi to you. I don't know if I welcomed you or not. I'm so glad to see you posting a ton. And a AAA agent to boot. You're going to be one popular DDAer!

Oh, and repeat after me, "I want a ring, I want a ring, I want a ring!"

 

[Glynis]

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.

We've been through this with our kids. This is what DH and I came up with: When the kids are old enough to start helping out around the house (cleaning, tidying up rooms, doing dishes, etc.) that's when we start an allowance. It's usually around 4 or 5 years old. We don't give much, a dollar a week is about it. If they don't do their chores, they don't get the money. When we have an outing, we sit them down beforehand and tell them where we are going. We explain that daddy and mommy will buy them one food item (this includes drink) and anything else they want, they have to take their own money to buy.

Last time we went to the circus, Katie wanted one of the toy thingies they were selling, but when she saw how much it cost, and related that to how many weeks she had to work to earn the money, she quickly decided she didn't want the toy. She reasoned that she'd rather save the money for a trip to DL.

We do the same thing on trips to DL. Dad and mom buy one treat a day (in addition to regular meals, of course) but any other souvenirs are their responsibility. Katie wanted a Cinderella Barbie about 4 years ago when we were there. Unfortunately for her, she'd bought a light up toy 5 minutes after entering DL on our first day, and she didn't have enough money for the Barbie. I thought, "Well, this will be interesting." I thought she'd throw a tantrum, or start begging for money. But she didn't, she counted her dollars, realized she didn't have enough, and said, "Well, I guess I'll have to wait until next time." DH and I were so impressed. It was the first time she realized that it was her responsibility, and didn't come begging for more. In fact, I was so impressed, I went back to the store later, and bought the doll. Santa gave it to her for Christmas that year.

Since we started doing this, we've really cut back on the pouting and begging. The kids know what we'll get them, and what we won't. The twins are just now getting involved in it, and it's hard for them. But we just won't back down. They'll get it eventually.

 

[UP Disney]

Ok, someone posted on here a while back about two good sites to check for fares. My mom and girls are looking at going to Japan afer my brother & his wife have their baby. I'm trying to check fares for them. We are looking at sometime in June. Chuck & I are also considering going but it is showing $811 from Chicago to Tokyo on American Airlines. Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Glynis]

Last night when we were at the Symphony, we noticed the Alliance Theater is doing a musical stage show of Disney's Alladin for kids this Octbober and the stage show of the book "Go, Dog, Go". We just bought tickets for both performances. The kids are going to love it. Aren't you proud of us, Glynis, exposing the kids to live theater (BTW, I did theater and musicals through college. I was always cast as the villain.)

http://www.alliancetheatre.org/family1.asp

Of course I'm proud of you (but I was proud of you before you said this). I think it's important to expose kids to live theater. It's such a great art, and it really teaches kids how to behave in public. Good for you. Looks like you are all going to have a great time!

The first performance I was taken to was "Man of La Mancha" when I was 3 or 4. My father was playing the part of Don Quixote, and I was enthralled. At the very end, when they take him off to be tortured and killed, I started screaming. I was positive it was real. Mom had to take me backstage immediately so I could see Dad was ok. I wouldn't let go of him, and he had to carry me onstage for curtain call. I guess that was my first appearance on the stage, and I was hooked after that. We take our kids each summer to at least one Shakespeare play and one musical at the USF. They love it, and my 8 year old has started to read the plays of Shakespeare. It's really cool!

 

[tink2020]

Hey - I fall into the category of those things are ugly too but they are heaven to wear!!!!

This is definitely the truth! I swore I wouldn't ever wear mine after WDW because they were so ugly.... now I own several pair and wear them all the time!

Kyle likes this concept better, though. When we do weddings etc I have always been of the mindset of wearing cute shoes, even if they make me miserable. So he loves the crocs because they finally make me start talking with some sanity!

 

[tink2020]

Just popping in to say all is well.
House goes on the market tomorrow, Friday 4/7/6.

I hope all is well with all of you.
I'm way back on page 1093.
Sorry no time right now to catch up.

I hope all of you had as great a day as I had.
It seems like all the bad days I had before are turning into great days now.
I hope some of this rubs off on anyone in need of some good luck.

Sending .
Take care all I'll catch ya later.

Good luck with the house!! And I'm really glad to hear your days are looking brighter

 

[tink2020]

You want to hear sick? I took the kids to lunch at Moe's Southwest Grill today for the first time. I ordered two hard Ugly Naked Guys before I realized what I had said! They have strange names for all of their food, and the Ugly Naked guy is a bean taco (available in either soft or hard shell).

Beth

We have one of those here now, too! Was it good? My mom emailed me the menu and thought they were pretty funny!

 

[tink2020]

OK....I just noticed that it has colors in it and I thought it was yellow before. I must be hallucinating.

Whoa! I'm hallucinating, too, then! I don't remember the colors either

 

[tink2020]

I just wanted to say thank you to the DIS and the DDA for fueling my Disney addiction, my Diet Coke addiction, allowing me to have a place to celebrate and cry without being judged, and giving me a home away from home. This is a wonderful group of women and men, and I'm proud to be a DDA! I love you all very much.

Now, on to 10,000!

Cute! And who was that calling me a chatterbox a few days ago.......?

 

[Eeyorecln]

Thanks. Whatever pixie dust you sent must have worked, as my cold seems to be all gone. DH, however, is really sick. Sore throat, cold, coughing, fluid in the lungs, etc. Well, as long as I don't catch it, I'm happy. I just keep dosing him with Nyquil. Hopefully, I can get him to the doctor on Monday as he is prone to bronchitis and pneumonia. Time to start him on a Z-pac.

I hope he feels better soon.