The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 7

[kc10family]

But nobody has admitted to bringing a video camera -- are you bringing one???

cell phones have it all these days.
Can I mail my video camera to someone to ensure it is all Caught on Tape?

 

[tink2020]

Mine would be DeMiNe for middle name and DeWaNe for now. DeWaNe Chick Fil A? or DeMiNe of you like to eat at Chick Fil A?

 

[tink2020]

HOLY CRUD MUFFINS!!!!!!!! Uh, are y'all all laughing at me again? I bet that's why the pages kept going up so fast. I just figured y'all were having a posting party. Now I've got to skip to the end and check.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

But nobody has admitted to bringing a video camera -- are you bringing one???

My camera AND cell phones are both video cameras!!

 

[marcij]

So I was up and read along for most of the posting party last night, but I was just so frustrated with real life that I didn't feel like posting. As many of you know I am heavy involved with our local cub scouts program. Well last night was our monthly pack meeting which I was asked to run as the Cub Master had to work. I literally spent all day organizing the awards, putting together materials that needed to be covered and working out the craft projects for the evening. This on top of continuing to plan for our Pack camping trip next weekend. I have put so many hours into writing letters to businesses to get donations, follow up calls, putting together events at the campground and all the little details that needed to be worked out. Now the rest of the Pack will never have any idea how much I have done to make this camping trip special for the kids. So back to my point. The meeting was at 6 PM. At about 5 I get an email from a Parent of one of the boys in my den that he will not be coming as she is behind in Real Life (and who isn't?) Then another Den leader calls to say that he is stuck at work and could I hand out the awards for his Den too. Somehow we actually get a decent turn out and the kids are attentive. So I tell them about all the upcoming events and all the plans and donations that I've gotten. I had made up a sign up sheet for the rest of the items that we would need as a Pack to pull off the Group Dinner (40-50 people) and misc supplies like wood for the campfire. I had hoped that each family would sign up for 2 things and that the people with campers would offer do make the hot/cold dishes as they have the space and equipment to do so. Man was I wrong. This is what They signed up for:
Family 1 Seafood Lasagna (they have a camper)
Family 2 Taco Salad (they are tenting, how are they planning to heat this?)
Family 3 Mac Salad and wood (camper and they were actually paying attention )
Family 4 Plastic ware (tent)
Family 5 dessert plates (tent)
Family 6 watermelon and chips (large camper, *** can't they consider the tenters for this?)
Family 7 dessert (tent)
Family 8 dessert (tent they have 2 boys that are scouts)

Already on the sheet was what Chris and I were bringing which is coffee and fixins, 5 Gallons of orange Powerade and hot chocolate mix. My mother is bringing Lasagna and a blueberry dessert. I also have to pick up and bring all of the donations which include all the hamburger, hotdogs and buns as well as all the event prizes.

I don't know how I should feel or what I should do about this. We are only having one meal together because we have a lot of events planned throughout the weekend and Group meals take much longer than family style meals. I'm thinking that we don't have enough food for the group meal and certainly not much variety. With the amout of wood that was offered we should be able to have a fire for a few minutes one night I'm not sure why we should have to do everything and bring everything. I told Chris after the meeting last night that I am just going to send out an email that lists what we have and see if anyone volunteers for anything else. If not my camper is fully supplied so my family will be fine and the rest can worry about themselves. I know that this is a long rant, but my panties are really in a bunch about this. After last year I had decided not to plan it again, but the Pack had so much fun that they asked me to do it again and being such a pushover I said yes.

On top of that Nick and Chris have a different Boy Scout overnight campout this weekend and I have to get them ready for that too.

Well, I'm off to the store to get the rest of the supplies for this weekend as it is supposed to rain on Saturday so they need waterproof boots and rain suits.

Deb

Deb -- you have a right to be upset. I would e-mail or call these people, and lay it on the line. They need to step up to the plate and help out. Some will add additional help, and some won't, but at least you will get a little more help.

It's really scary how few parents participate nowdays. When I was a kid and in these types of things, we always had a couple of people that wouldn't help, but most all of the other parents did help. I'm hearing more and more often how parents are just using these important clubs as babysitting services. Parents need to be willing to invest their time in their kids. If they don't, how do they expect their kids to turn out?

 

[tmfranlk]

Sorry to hear about your birthday trip. When are you going to CA? We might go in Aug. to use our AP's one more time before they expire. I would love to see the fireworks one more time before the 50th is over. And I noticed we missed a few gold ride pics of the kids. DH is almost convinced.

We will go sometime from the last two weeks of August through October as we need to work around the AP blackout dates for our friends. If you decide to go at the end of August, let me know and maybe we can work something out. My AP doesn't expire until Christmas so I just need to get there by then. We will also probably go to the parks on Mon and/or Tues. Part will also depend on the show schedules and whether I can hit Fantasmic and Remember. I would SO love to see that at least one more time. It was cancelled when we were there at Christmas because it was SO foggy.

 

[babytrees]

Oh, and for the record I changed my avatar yesterday when I made a new one for Pocahontasfan on the 9/29 MNSSHP thread. Took forever to get it small enough KB wise to be an avatar. I think it's perfect!

I think it's adorable there!! We love you Denise!! I hope the night was better.

 

[kc10family]

So I was up and read along for most of the posting party last night, but I was just so frustrated with real life that I didn't feel like posting. As many of you know I am heavy involved with our local cub scouts program. Well last night was our monthly pack meeting which I was asked to run as the Cub Master had to work. I literally spent all day organizing the awards, putting together materials that needed to be covered and working out the craft projects for the evening. This on top of continuing to plan for our Pack camping trip next weekend. I have put so many hours into writing letters to businesses to get donations, follow up calls, putting together events at the campground and all the little details that needed to be worked out. Now the rest of the Pack will never have any idea how much I have done to make this camping trip special for the kids. So back to my point. The meeting was at 6 PM. At about 5 I get an email from a Parent of one of the boys in my den that he will not be coming as she is behind in Real Life (and who isn't?) Then another Den leader calls to say that he is stuck at work and could I hand out the awards for his Den too. Somehow we actually get a decent turn out and the kids are attentive. So I tell them about all the upcoming events and all the plans and donations that I've gotten. I had made up a sign up sheet for the rest of the items that we would need as a Pack to pull off the Group Dinner (40-50 people) and misc supplies like wood for the campfire. I had hoped that each family would sign up for 2 things and that the people with campers would offer do make the hot/cold dishes as they have the space and equipment to do so. Man was I wrong. This is what They signed up for:


Deb

Oh Deb, I understand what you are talking about. Sometimes I think “Didn’t you learn the last time lady”? I can’t tell you ho many times I have subjected myself to stress like yours. We are just trying to be good people, but for Pete sake, get real people and help.

I wish I could help you more, but all I can say is when you email these folks give them a choice of what to bring, do not give them an out, do not depend on them to volunteer. Try something like this.

Our camp out is coming soon and to make this an outstanding trip, the group dinner needs you to bring _______. I know the scouts will have a fabulous time and I can’t wait to see their faces as they enjoy the weekend and all the events.

I know I don’t write well, but tell them what to bring and you will get only a few who wont play nice and help.

Did I ramble? I hope it helped some. Best of luck.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

HEY DEB -

I think you should make it mandatory that they bring food:

I would send out an email like this:

Dear Lazy Butts

I need exact numbers for people who plan on participating in the group POTLUCK dinner. If you plan on participating, I need to know how many people will be eating and what you plan on bringing. I need each family to bring at least one dish and in addition either wood, .... or .....

Thank you to those who signed up at the meeting. If I do not hear from you by (pick a date 3 days before) I will assume you have decided not to participate in the POTLUCK dinner and will provide your own food for that evening.

Working my butt off for you
Deb

Clearly you might want to do a few edits
and then 5 days before send out a reminder
and then on the deadline day send out a thank you with a head count

 

[kc10family]

Off to get Ellie ready for school. Have a fabulous day.

 

[babytrees]

So I was up and read along for most of the posting party last night, but I was just so frustrated with real life that I didn't feel like posting. As many of you know I am heavy involved with our local cub scouts program. Well last night was our monthly pack meeting which I was asked to run as the Cub Master had to work. I literally spent all day organizing the awards, putting together materials that needed to be covered and working out the craft projects for the evening. This on top of continuing to plan for our Pack camping trip next weekend. I have put so many hours into writing letters to businesses to get donations, follow up calls, putting together events at the campground and all the little details that needed to be worked out. Now the rest of the Pack will never have any idea how much I have done to make this camping trip special for the kids. So back to my point. The meeting was at 6 PM. At about 5 I get an email from a Parent of one of the boys in my den that he will not be coming as she is behind in Real Life (and who isn't?) Then another Den leader calls to say that he is stuck at work and could I hand out the awards for his Den too. Somehow we actually get a decent turn out and the kids are attentive. So I tell them about all the upcoming events and all the plans and donations that I've gotten. I had made up a sign up sheet for the rest of the items that we would need as a Pack to pull off the Group Dinner (40-50 people) and misc supplies like wood for the campfire. I had hoped that each family would sign up for 2 things and that the people with campers would offer do make the hot/cold dishes as they have the space and equipment to do so. Man was I wrong. This is what They signed up for:
Family 1 Seafood Lasagna (they have a camper)
Family 2 Taco Salad (they are tenting, how are they planning to heat this?)
Family 3 Mac Salad and wood (camper and they were actually paying attention )
Family 4 Plastic ware (tent)
Family 5 dessert plates (tent)
Family 6 watermelon and chips (large camper, *** can't they consider the tenters for this?)
Family 7 dessert (tent)
Family 8 dessert (tent they have 2 boys that are scouts)

Already on the sheet was what Chris and I were bringing which is coffee and fixins, 5 Gallons of orange Powerade and hot chocolate mix. My mother is bringing Lasagna and a blueberry dessert. I also have to pick up and bring all of the donations which include all the hamburger, hotdogs and buns as well as all the event prizes.

I don't know how I should feel or what I should do about this. We are only having one meal together because we have a lot of events planned throughout the weekend and Group meals take much longer than family style meals. I'm thinking that we don't have enough food for the group meal and certainly not much variety. With the amout of wood that was offered we should be able to have a fire for a few minutes one night I'm not sure why we should have to do everything and bring everything. I told Chris after the meeting last night that I am just going to send out an email that lists what we have and see if anyone volunteers for anything else. If not my camper is fully supplied so my family will be fine and the rest can worry about themselves. I know that this is a long rant, but my panties are really in a bunch about this. After last year I had decided not to plan it again, but the Pack had so much fun that they asked me to do it again and being such a pushover I said yes.

On top of that Nick and Chris have a different Boy Scout overnight campout this weekend and I have to get them ready for that too.

Well, I'm off to the store to get the rest of the supplies for this weekend as it is supposed to rain on Saturday so they need waterproof boots and rain suits.

Deb

I would write exactly what you have put about the food and wood situation in an email and tell them if more don't step up to the plate those events will have to be cancelled. Sometimes a good smack in the head is all we need.

Hope real life gets better real quick!!

 

[babytrees]

Got a postcard from Pal Mickey yesterday!!! The girls are so loving his adventures!! I just wanted to publicly thank Vicki once again for being the nut that started this adventure. and Thanks to all the families who want to share their vacations with Pal Mickey, you are making it a fun year!!

 

[babytrees]

The first email I opened this morning spoke to the grumpies I have been having lately and there was talk about turtles. I thought I would share:


Watch out! I’m cranky today and it ain’t pretty. I know because I passed a mirror and almost scared myself when I caught a glimpse of my scowling face. With all my maturity-lines, scowls take on new dimension…like a menopausal Shar-Pei.

I hate it when I’m this way. I want to shape up, but the least annoyance seems magnified inside my firecracker emotions. I had a talk with me, but I’m not sure I was paying attention, because my husband said something fairly innocuous to me and I snarled my answer at him. Poor guy. He didn’t deserve that.

I need to be alone…on a deserted island. Then if I decided to act up I’d be the only one affected, but quite honestly, I’m not enjoying my own company. I tried being stern with myself (“Shape up, Clairmont!"), but it made me angry. I’m not fond of stern people…even if they are related.

I tried going for a walk, but it was hot and sweat makes me cantankerous. And who needs cranky, layered with snarling, seasoned with cantankerous? That’s a bad casserole any way you mix it. I mean, who’d knowingly volunteer to show up for dinner with that on the menu?

Speaking of menu, at one point I drifted into the kitchen and began feeding my bad mood. Bad decision, it only added guilt to my whiny repertoire.

I spotted some turtles sunning at the edge of the pond so I hurried out to greet them, hoping for an entertaining distraction from my sorry self, but before I could even get close they ducked into the water and paddled away. It was like they’d all gotten the memo (“If you think your shell is hard, wait until you meet this one”).

Here’s to a better day



(then a signature with a turtle as part)


Here's to a better day for all of us who need one!!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

They told me yesterday that the sedative would make Nick very moody and irritable today -

um- that would be the UNDERSTATEMENT of the year!

I have never seen him so mean and cranky!

 

[KristineN]

Good morning.....

What a long night...I could hardly sleep...this stupid rash/sun poisoning or whatever it is is making me CRAZY!!

Kate, I think you have all my info, right? Hope Nick is feeling better.

I have to go work this morning...wish me luck that I sell this new house.

Kristine

 

[tmfranlk]

Becky - I posted a reply on that thread to try to help you sort this out.

And to all my DDA friends... I am officially over the -40 pound mark in my weight loss

Congratulations, Elin!!

 

[tinknme]

Kristins sorry to hear the rash is not any better. Here is some for the rash to go away! Good luck with selling the house

Good morning.....

What a long night...I could hardly sleep...this stupid rash/sun poisoning or whatever it is is making me CRAZY!!

Kate, I think you have all my info, right? Hope Nick is feeling better.

I have to go work this morning...wish me luck that I sell this new house.

Kristine

 

[tmfranlk]

Me too. It just won't be Christmastime without WDW.

Me three! I'm thinking that a long weekend could cover the basics - MVMCP, Candlelight, Osbourne Lights and decorations.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi all-
I just wanted to come and thank you for all of the prayers and good thoughts you all had for our friend, Alyssa.. I got a phone call this morning that she has passed away. Although we knew it was coming, its been a really rough morning--im home alone and all i have done is sat here and cry...i really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers

 

[Pooh67_68]

About 4 and a half hours for you.

Thank you