The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 9

[Eeyorecln]

Christi love the pictures, you have a beautiful family

Thanks I may keep them.

 

[Glynis]

Hi, may I ask, what is DDA?

DDA is Disney Design Addicts. We are a group of people who are addicted to designing (or looking at other people's designs) T-shirts, etc. Once we start, we just can't stop.

Are you thinking about joining us? I hope you do! We are a friendly bunch and we love new friends!

 

[Eeyorecln]

First off, and

Clare, I'm so sorry that you had to deal with this. However, I wanted to address this from someone who has depression themselves. Not anywhere near bad enough to harm myself but enough that I've hidden from others. I want you to know that this did not necessarily mean that she did not care about you or think you were a good friend.

I was brought up that I should just "snap out of it". I finally got help when my dad realized that I was acting the same way my mother did when she had tried to get help when she was in her late 20's and early 30's. They told her it was in her head so he basically handled it that way with her. It really upset him to realize that all those years she probably was depressed and he had not supported her.
He took me for a drive when I was exhibiting the same signs and told me to go see a doctor and keep going until they found out what was wrong. I thank him very much for that. I got meds and was back to my normal self.

Over the years, I will go off the meds thinking that I'm fine and I can handle it myself. In the summer time, I can be off of it and I'm fine. However, if I don't get back on it before too far into the fall, I'm hiding again. Most people have no idea when I go through these periods. When I have to be in public, I seem fine. The only ones that do notice are the ones that talk with me on a personal level daily because I won't answer the phone or respond to their e-mails. Even my best friend would not know because we don't talk daily. It takes Chuck & the girls awhile to realize since they are here with me all the time so I can't really hide from them. People at work don't know because I handle what has to be handled but nothing more.

For years, I was still ashamed. Being depressed isn't treated the same way as other illnesses. It is getting better but still has a long way to go. There is a stigma attached to it for some reason. I've started to be more public about it because I am concerned that my girls will have the same problem. I think that both my grandmothers, my father (though not as severe as my mother), my mother, my brother, & my sister all suffered from depression. Some were treated while others were not. I want my girls to know that it is no different than taking meds for diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, or any other medical condition.

I wanted to tell you this so you understand what she might have been feeling. I did not tell anyone outside my parents & Chuck until a couple of years ago. I was ashamed (and still carry a little of that though I know it is a medical condition). Though, I shared everything in my life with a couple of close friends, I did not share my depression with them. I was embarassed and did not want them feeling sorry for me or even more importantly "turning away from me".

If you ever decide to contact her, I think you would find out that she was happy to hear from you. I totally understand your feelings and support them whatever you decide. However, I wanted to try to explain what could be her side of things.

I have been there and like you I worry about my kids as my mom has bipolar and my sister too. Luckily I just had severe depression and so I don't have to struggle with the up and down swings. I do hope by the time my kids are grown up that it won't be a shameful thing whether they have it or not. My DH has a health problem that we had let a few people in a bible study know about for prayer purposes that now none of them really try to interact or spend time with us. So I have not told anyone about it since as I felt that it holds too much of a negativity to it. It is hard at times because I can't talk to anyone about it or ask for prayer maybe someday people will judge less on certain health issues. I just wanted to say I have been there if you ever want someone to talk to.

 

[bengalbelle]

Clare I am so sorry you had to go through that. It is hard to make friends after you have gone through something like that. I have problems making friends in real life too. I had a lot of people make fun of me in HS because I was the only girl in the TAG classes at our school (talented and gifted for people that scored high on the IQ tests). Most people thought only boys should be taking the advanced calculus and physics, etc. It got so bad that during a report my partner (a boy who I thought was my friend) depantsed me in front of the whole class. At the time I was mortified and couldn't beleive that the few people I thought were my friends had laughed at me. I went through the rest of HS only hanging out with my BF. I haven't had a close GF since. I have been in a lot of therapy in college and have been through depression and I can tell you she probably never thought it would affect you as her friend. People in severe depression lack the ability to think about others or see beyond what their feeling. It's like being in a dark hole, there's no light and your vision is limited. I hope she has managed to get therapy and go on to have a life. I look back to where I came from and the things that have happened now that normally would have had me in the hospital and now I can deal with them(of course I don't claim to do this on my own as it has been God helping me and filling me with peace when I need it most.) I'm sorry for rambling, I think that if you slowly allow some of those walls down that you'll find it get easier as you make close friends that don't let you down. And if your friend has turned her life around you may find if you give her a call you can talk through it and maybe get some closure or become friends again. At least you might find that you can make new friends with closure from this. I hope you're able to get to know your neighbors.

for what you went through!

 

[bengalbelle]

Thank you. I am pretty partial to them even if they won't wear a princess dress for me.

Have you tried really hard? Effie's still pretty little....

 

[bengalbelle]

Hi, may I ask, what is DDA?

 

[bengalbelle]

I have been there and like you I worry about my kids as my mom has bipolar and my sister too. Luckily I just had severe depression and so I don't have to struggle with the up and down swings. I do hope by the time my kids are grown up that it won't be a shameful thing whether they have it or not. My DH has a health problem that we had let a few people in a bible study know about for prayer purposes that now none of them really try to interact or spend time with us. So I have not told anyone about it since as I felt that it holds too much of a negativity to it. It is hard at times because I can't talk to anyone about it or ask for prayer maybe someday people will judge less on certain health issues. I just wanted to say I have been there if you ever want someone to talk to.

More Christi! I think you're an awesome person!

 

[Eeyorecln]

Very cute pictures of your kids! I hope you are feeling better today!

Thanks my head still feels . At least it's naptime so the house is quiet. I am enoying the peace as my little boys have had a terrible week-end I think they could give stitch a run for the money on badness and noisiness the past 2 days. I know it will pass but days like this make me long for a nice peaceful little . Don't get me wrong I love my little I just wouldn't mind adding a for some balance.

 

[Eeyorecln]

OMG! Now I have to help Minnie pick out a color or theme for the wedding??!!! You guys are absolutely nuts!!!! I'll talk to Minnie and Mickey about it while we are at my mom's. Mickey is already there and Minnie is coming with me to meet my sisters kids. I think it will probably be Christmas colors. Minnie's coat is a burgundy color and her going away dress has a dark green ribbon. I'll take a picture of her in her outfit and post.

I did Christmas colors I think it's a very pretty color scheme.
Maybe for favors, homemade Xmas ornaments or Christmas candy?

 

[Eeyorecln]

Jo - Where you able to sign up for the GG? I just wanted to see if anyone had trouble...
Christi - How about you?

I haven't gotten signe up will do Monday as long as they're not closed for holidays.

 

[Eeyorecln]

Ok. You all asked for pictures, well, here they are. These first three are of the baby shower that I threw for my friend. I made pound cake finger sandwiches, then went to Costco for eclairs and cream puffs, I also did chocolate dipped strawberries, and strawberries dipped in a cream cheese mixture and rolled in pink sugar. I think it all turned out cute!

The cake was white chocolate with raspberry filling! Yummy!

More to follow!

The cake is beautiful.

 

[Eeyorecln]

On to the statue unveiling!

Here's my dad! What a handsome guy!

The statue before the unveiling.

The governor saying a few words.

The governor signing the proclamation.

The statue itself!

My whole family!

Nice pictures.

 

[triplefigs]

Hi, all. John and I are home and the house is so QUIET without the kids. This is the FIRST TIME we've ever been home without them. We are eating out every night this week, going to go to a party on Tuesday for the 4th, going to an outlet mall tomorrow, eating brunch at a nice place one day, getting lots of DVDs to watch (I've not seen the original POC yet) and then going to the movies and a dessert place one night. I know it'll be fun, but John and I both are going to miss them terribly!

Well, y'all were very chatty since yesterday. Miss anything important?

 

[triplefigs]

Ok, about the BAB Minnie and Mickey- are they the same size as the PM? Do they sell a regular Minnie plush at WDW who is the same size as PM?

And is the BAB Pooh nationwide or just at the Parks and Orlando?

 

[Eeyorecln]

Have you tried really hard? Effie's still pretty little....

Actually before we found out I had bought a dress. But DH took it back to the store before I could try it on him. I just wanted to see what it would look like.

 

[ReAnSt]

Ok, about the BAB Minnie and Mickey- are they the same size as the PM? Do they sell a regular Minnie plush at WDW who is the same size as PM?

And is the BAB Pooh nationwide or just at the Parks and Orlando?

Build A Bear Mickey and Minnie are larger than Pal Mickey.

Kate got Vicki a Minnie sized Pal Mickey when she was at WDW in May.

To my knowledge Pooh is going to be released nationwide, but I am not completely sure.

Has anyone found Mater for you yet?? If not I will look tomorrow.

I hope you and John have a great week without the kids.

 

[Eeyorecln]

More Christi! I think you're an awesome person!

Thanks. I think this group is a bunch of great people. I only hope someday I'll get to meet everyone.

 

[tinknme]

Clare & Vicki

Clare, I'm so sorry that you had to deal with this. However, I wanted to address this from someone who has depression themselves. Not anywhere near bad enough to harm myself but enough that I've hidden from others. I want you to know that this did not necessarily mean that she did not care about you or think you were a good friend.

 

[Eeyorecln]

Ok, about the BAB Minnie and Mickey- are they the same size as the PM? Do they sell a regular Minnie plush at WDW who is the same size as PM?

And is the BAB Pooh nationwide or just at the Parks and Orlando?

The BAB Pooh will be at the stores everywhere. The Mickey/Minnie are slightly bigger I believe than the PM.

 

[Tammi67]

Hi, may I ask, what is DDA?

DDA stands for Disney Design Addicts. It all started about a year or so ago when the majority of us were planning trips to WDW. A few very creative people posted some of their original designs that they made via computer programs, and then offered to customize designs for us less fortunate, computer challenged people. Since then, trips have come and gone and the design aspect of it all is pretty much gone, but we have all become such good friends, even off of the Dis board. This is now mostly just a chat thread. The Pixie Dust Zone that you quoted is a work in progress. Please feel free to join in and get to know us.