The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 6

[yellowfish78]

Morning Night Owls!

Becky - I'd take some time for myself! Do you have any vacation days to spare? Go get a manicure or style and spend the day shopping! (Even if you don't buy anything!)

Denise - Hope the weekend goes good for you and the kids!

Marti - Thinking of you!

Glynis - See, everything worked out! Be thankful it wasn't in front of a class and the Powerpoint presentation went out!

I hope everyone's fevered children are feeling better!

And guess what?! IT'S FRIDAY!

 

[PNO4TE]

Jennifer

P.S. Could I be any more chatty or long-winded this evening! Sheesh!!

But how fun to read about what you do on a day-to-day basis. Thanks for letting us know!

 

[bethbuchall]

Becky, please take care of yourself. I hope you can find some stress relief and also find time for yourself very soon. Vent to us anytime!

Beth

 

[bethbuchall]

Last thing and then back to bed (worst migraine I've ever had)

My Uncle Gerald passed away last night. I just can't handle all the saddness anymore. Good man, good family. Makes me miss my mom (breast cancer) I'm going back under the covers

 

[PNO4TE]

Since you all were chatty last night telling stories, I thought I would share one. As y'all know I have been on my diet and have been walking with the dog every morning. I have a 30 minute window I try to keep within and as we have gotten healthier and faster, our walks have taken us further afield from our house, but still in our general neighborhood/subdivision.

I have two students, aged 4 and 6, who live a little less than a mile from my house, but on the same street/cul-de-sac, and they have been seeing me walk some mornings when their Mom or Dad takes them to school.

Yesterday, in class, I told them that I was almost to their house on my walks. I told them that they ought to look for me today because if they told me which house was theirs I would wave at them as I went by this morning. They looked at their Mom and she started to laugh. She informed me that I would have no trouble finding their house because for the past 2 weeks, every night before they go to bed, the girls have been using sidewalk chalk to write
HI MRS. H on their driveway!

 

[bethbuchall]

Rees goes tomorrow morning at 7:30am for his Upper Endoscopy and Bravo pH Probe test at Scottish Rite hospital in the surgery center. Rees will have General Anesthesia for the tests, so I'm not sure when we will get home tomorrow.

He has been off the Reflux meds since Wed am. After the Bravo pH probe is placed during the surgery, we will feed him the acidic diet through Sunday morning. We turn in the monitoring device either on Sunday or Monday am to get the results of the pH probe test. Once the doctor reads it, then he will decide if Rees needs to have his Fundo surgery repeated.

Thank you all for the emails, prayers, and calls. I will keep you updated on his progress.

Thanks for the update. I've been keeping Rees and the rest of your family in my prayers. I had awful heartburn yesterday that kept me thinking of Rees all day. I hope that everything goes well this weekend and that he doesn't have to experience too much pain and that everything is resolved as quickly and easily as possible.

Beth

 

[bethbuchall]

Well, usually I just wear a comfy pair of jeans and a Tshirt, but I felt the need for the confidence that being all dressed up gives me.

It was a trick I used to use as a teacher. I had a class of Seniors who thought that they were going to get the best of me. I heard through the grapevine that they were going to refuse to read the book that I had assigned them. Luckily, I found out, and appeared in class the next day all Power Dressed. VERY high heels, killer dress, makeup and hair done to the nines. Scared the crap out of those kids.

I needed some of that confidence today. I present in a little over an hour. I've spent the last 2 hours going over my notes, and polishing up my presentation. I've decided not to mess around with it anymore. It'll just make me more nervous! So, here I am! For a little while anyway.

It's all over now...I hope that it went spectacularly! I agree that the way you are dressed really affects your attitude.

Beth

 

[lmartin2711]

I'll probably laugh about it tomorrow morning, but right now, I'm just flummoxed!

"flummoxed"..................that's another new one for me. We should put all these words together and come up with our own DDA language

Lynn

 

[lmartin2711]

I still am about 6 or 7 pages behind but I have to stop and get ready for work. I will catch up with ya'll later. We have a busy weekend so if I don't catch up during work I will be in trouble come Sunday night.

bye for now.............Lynn

 

[bethbuchall]

We were married on April Fools Day. John killed a dog with our car on the way to the hotel after the reception. Got to the hotel (3 hour drive) and they had a huge convention and nowhere to store our wedding basket with all our food from the reception (was supposed to be a refrigerator). That night was the Spring Time Change. We forgot and overslept and missed our flight. It was an exciting start. Disneymoon at the Poly was wonderful, though. And our life since has been just as magical and wonderful.

It kind of sounds like April Fools Day was trying to get you. We were at the Poly, too, though there were fewer choices back then. I would love to go back for our 20th in May 2008, but I don't think that will be happening.

Beth

 

[marcij]

Colby had another guardian angel on duty today. We have a slide in our back yard that comes out of the top of their "tree House". It is about 15 feet tall. Colby was going down it today and about 1/2 way down fell off the side. I was in the house and heard him scream/cry. I'm guessing that he fell about 6 feet and according to him he landed on his head. Judging by the dirt on his shoulder I think that may have taken the brunt of the fall. He complained of his head hurting for at least 1/2 an hour and he wanted me to lay down and go to sleep with him. I kept him awake and his pupils were equal and reactive, he was able to move everything and visually seemed ok. I got the impression that he was more scared than anything. He wants us to take the slide down now, and it might be a good idea until he is older and able to better control himself. As a treat I had planned to take him to work with me this afternnoon for about 45 minutes until Chris got out of work and could pick him up as he can't go to my parents house with the Whopping Cough. I was glad to have him with me as I could keep an eye on him. He absolutely loved working with me and kept calling himself my helper. He did not want to leave and the customers really enjoyed having him seat them. He also said that he was all better before he left. Chris said that he acted completely normal tonight. I plan to wake him before I go to sleep just to make sure that he can be awakened easily and give me a little peace of mind. So there is my unfortunate story for today, but I'm thankful that all seems to be ok.

Deb

Thank goodness for guardian angels! I'm so glad he was okay. PD to your mom, too!

 

[bethbuchall]

Well, the computer gods were obviously not listening to you.

I got all set up to do my presentation, and was taking notes on the other student who was presenting, when all of a sudden my computer shuts down. Completely. It wasn't the electricity, because the lights stayed on and the TV in the other room was on; just the computer. I panic, turn the computer back on and, as fast as my fingers can, I log back on to the University site. I calm down as I realize the other student is still presenting, so I take a couple of deep breaths, and....yup, you guessed it, the computer shut down again. I repeat the above steps, with an added emphasis on panicking, get all set up again, and the computer shuts down again.

This time, I know I'm missing my turn to present, so I grab my cell phone, and call the professor. He's understanding, and agrees to help me record my presentation tomorrow so he can put it on the Discussion site, and I won't be out any grade, since it's not my problem.

Let's just say it's not the way I wanted it to go, but oh well! Life goes on, right! Someday I'll laugh about it. Well, I'll probably laugh about it tomorrow morning, but right now, I'm just flummoxed!

I am so sorry to hear that it's not all over and done. I am glad that your professor was understanding. Good luck recording it today!

Beth

 

[marcij]

I won't have to be back, but thank you for the warning about the area. It saddened me to see the school was surrounded by burned out houses with boarded up windows. How terrible for the children to see that every day. At first I couldn't get into the school bldg because all the doors were locked. At first I thought that was odd, but then I thought about the neighborhood and knew why.

The grants the Junior League have given to teachers in Dallas Ind. School District are really helping these teachers in underprivileged schools. The schools don't have a lot of money for extras, and these teachers have come up with really innovative methods to teach reading, science, math, etc. Underprivileged does not begin to describe these schools and neighborhoods. I walked back into my aparto afterward and thanked my lucky stars for all I work hard to have. But I was blessed to be born into the socio-economic group I was, where not going to college wasn't an option or a discussion.

Last week I visited a school out near Fair Park. Again, a rough neighborhood, though I think the one this afternoon was worse.

This morning I was at a school past Farmers Market across the street from Old City Park. The school was immaculate. Freshly painted, well kept, great motivating statements on the walls like I remember from my elementary school days. And that school serves children from 2 homeless shelters, with another homeless shelter opening by next year. But the teachers there were motivated and happy, and obviously supported by their administration. The music teacher has launched a wonderful reading program there combining song and reading, and it has made a huge difference in the students' literacy and standardized test scores.

I saw bi-lingual Kindergartners this morning *reading*. Gave me shivers I was so happy! And singing Miss Mary Mack and The Wheels on the Bus wasn't bad either.

Then I went home to my home office and planned an event at the Bryon Nelson PGA Championship. Talk about a contrast! [FYI to others -- Byron Nelson PGA is one of the big Dallas social events of the season.]

Jennifer

P.S. Could I be any more chatty or long-winded this evening! Sheesh!!

Jennifer -- is your company sponsoring a tent? I don't remember if you told us what you do/where you work.

 

[marcij]

As I seem to have diarrhea of the mouth (or fingers) tonight, as my mother would say, just one last story before I hop off to bed.

I went to a literary reading by David Sedaris earlier this week. Haven't laughed like that in ages. He is hysterical! If you haven't read any of his work, do yourself a favor and pick up one of his books. They include Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day (about living in France as an American), and the Santaland Diaries (about his experiences as a Macy's Christmas elf wearing green tights). He read us some of his new work and we laughed until our cheeks hurt.

Not so unlike being on the DDA some nights!

DBF, some friends and I are off to see Jimmy Buffet on Friday night (tomorrow for me, today for the early risers!). Wish us luck as it is supposed to rain and we have lawn seats! It hasn't rained all week, and isn't supposed to the rest of the weekend, but it is supposed to pour all day tomorrow and tomorrow night. Yuck! I hate mud.

Then Saturday night, two girl friends and I are having a grown-up princess party! We are going to watch Princess Diaries 1 and 2, Princess Bride, and probably Cinderella. We are going to use Amy's famous cookie recipe and make cookies in tiara, shoes and other girly shapes. I have several tiaras which we will all have perched on our heads. Think we are going to run around in our jammies too. All of this while the guys are at Hooters and Dave & Buster's for a bachelor party. I'd say it's a fair trade, wouldn't you?! Frankly, I think we'll have more fun!!

The girls and I are dying to go to the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo-tique at Downtown WDW. I haven't seen where it has an age maximum, and we want to get princess up-dos with sparkly tiaras and glitter in our hair. What is Disney if not a place to be a child again. So bring on the princess fun!!

As you can tell from all my posts tonight, I have my serious side (work, literature such as Shakespeare, Junior League) and my fun side (Disney!, DDA, BABW, Princess stuff and anything pink).

Okay, time for bed. Talk to you all at some point this weekend or on Monday!!

Jennifer

Here's hoping you have great weather and good company for the concert, and a great Saturday night as well. That sounds like lots of fun to me!

 

[marcij]

Good morning DDA!

Here's a to everyone that needs it and for a great day to everyone!

 

[Tammi67]

Well, the computer gods were obviously not listening to you.

I got all set up to do my presentation, and was taking notes on the other student who was presenting, when all of a sudden my computer shuts down. Completely. It wasn't the electricity, because the lights stayed on and the TV in the other room was on; just the computer. I panic, turn the computer back on and, as fast as my fingers can, I log back on to the University site. I calm down as I realize the other student is still presenting, so I take a couple of deep breaths, and....yup, you guessed it, the computer shut down again. I repeat the above steps, with an added emphasis on panicking, get all set up again, and the computer shuts down again.

This time, I know I'm missing my turn to present, so I grab my cell phone, and call the professor. He's understanding, and agrees to help me record my presentation tomorrow so he can put it on the Discussion site, and I won't be out any grade, since it's not my problem.

Let's just say it's not the way I wanted it to go, but oh well! Life goes on, right! Someday I'll laugh about it. Well, I'll probably laugh about it tomorrow morning, but right now, I'm just flummoxed!

Oh no, Glynis! I'm so sorry. I can imagine the state of panic you must have been in. Do you know what is wrong with your computer? It just goes to show you, nothing ever goes as planned. I'm glad your professor was understanding.

 

[tmfranlk]

I really shouldn't be here as I should be gathering things for my Brownie troop sleepover but I can't resist playing.

Plus I have a cute story to share from my Brownie meeting and a question.

We were discussing what to bring to the sleepover. I said you want to put your toiletries in a bag. Before I could tell them what I meant by toiletries one of the other adults said "But what is a toiletry?" One of the Brownies said it is where boys go pee when they don't have a bathroom, they go pee on the toilet-tree. This had everyone including the girls .
...
A little while later I told them not to bring to bring a night gown to wear. I said they could wear one if they wore pants underneath. Some wanted to know why not. Before I could answer, one of the other girls said in case your nightgown comes in up the back you don't want someone with binoculars to see the name on your underwear. We all lost it, I could not believe it. We were probably laughing for two minutes.
...
At what age would you let your kid go to a day camp and what age would you let your kid go to a resident camp? A camp where you don't know the adults but all have went through background checks, etc.
...
I don't have any kids and I want to know what your opinion and experience is on the matter. Thank you in advance.

Becky

Okay, first of all... You're girls are hilarious! I would have been rolling.

Second, I did my first weeklong camp the summer before 3rd grade. Before that, I had done plenty of day camps. I would probably let Terra do her first full week thing the summer after 2nd grade. Before that shorter camp, but with an overnight or two would be fine with me. I think that it is all such a great experience and so much fun too. I hope that some of your girls get to go soon!

 

[Tammi67]

I may not make it to Vegas...I am sooooo tired trying to organize, and pack and schedule stuff for the kids..making sure all the little things get done. Bill on the other hand is watching TV...

I so know how this feels!!! I pack for myself and 2 kids, plus all the "family" stuff. John throws a few things in a bag and is ready to go......

 

[tmfranlk]

We got married in the middle of a semester. We had a freak blizzard, the priest was an hour late, even though the parsonage was across the parking lot, his sermon was on how a woman should stay home and procreate, my FIL got in a bar fight, Jim went the wrong way down a one way in front of the cop, then we realized we had run out of gas. Have 2 wedding pictures because our photographer never gave us the rest. We always say we survived the wedding we can survive anything.

Now that is one exciting wedding day. I can't believe that you never got your photos. That's terrible!

 

[tmfranlk]

I may not make it to Vegas...I am sooooo tired trying to organize, and pack and schedule stuff for the kids..making sure all the little things get done. Bill on the other hand is watching TV...

I need to be like our vising pal Mickey and take time out to smell the roses!!!

Have a great trip!