The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 9

[UP Disney]

So, is the baby turtle coming to your house to live?

No, the baby turtle is living with her at school. She has room for a small tank.

 

[UP Disney]

Well, this must be the day for bad news. I just got off the phone with my dad. His cousin, and best friend, committed suicide this morning. "Uncle" Richard never married, was eccentric (that's the nicest way to put it), and didn't really have any friends other than one sister and my family. Recently, he "decided" he had cancer. However, he never got it diagnosed by any doctor. He'd been making cryptic remarks about "taking care of the problem", but we thought we'd talked him out of it.

I guess this morning, he decided he didn't want to be a burden to anyone (as if), so he went to the cemetery with his shotgun, and shot himself. My dad is really shaken up, and is now blaming himself. I tried to tell him that uncle Dick made the choice to end his life, and there was nothing more that any of us could have done. We've opened our homes and hearts to him for the last 76 years, but in the end, it was his decision. It's cold comfort for my dad, though.

I hate to see dad going through this. It was just last year that he lost his sister to cancer. He's really having a hard time. If you could add him to your prayers, I'd be grateful.

Thanks for letting me share this.

Prayers & for your dad & the entire family.

 

[tmfranlk]

Okay, I have NO idea where I left off. I think it was about 100 pages ago. Since I popped up on 2501 when I logged in this morning I guess I'll start there and hope I didn't miss too much. It looks like congratulations are in order for Denise on the new job. I also see a bunch of new countdowns there so I can't wait to see what they are all about.

We had a good time with my family. It was a little too rainy for a couple of days, but luckily it didn't rain the whole time we were in NYC. While there we did the Statue of Liberty (though not inside), Ellis Island, a trolley tour, Central Park Zoo (REALLY near Polar Bears!!) and The World of Disney store. Ellis Island was really neat to see after all of the research we've done on Phil's family. His father's whole extended family immigrated from Greece through Ellis Island so it was cool to take Terra's picture in the main hall and sitting on some original benches from the time period they came through.

I hope that everyone is doing well!!

 

[kc10family]

I worked all weekend and will be catching up later today, but this was sent to me and I had to share it with you all.


The evolution of dance

Turn up the sound, sit back, and enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg&eurl

 

[bear74]

HI EVERYBODY!!!!

I am so sorry that I haven't been around much lately . I have missed everybody SO much, and I have been reading (as much as I can)!!!

Life has been crazy!!!! I think that the last time I posted was around Kyle's 1st Communion (which went SO great), and it seems like the craziness hasn't stopped since!!! We had pool put in a few weeks ago and OH MY GOSH, I don't think that we would have done it if we had of known how incredibly much work we had to do in the yard once it was installed. The salesman that sold us our pool was so vague as too how much we would have to do !!!! But for the most part we have the work under control now and hopefully the weather will warm up soon and we can finally enjoy it!!!! The kids absolutely LOVE it!!!!

We just got back from a week long vacation with Dave's whole family (19 of us total in one house ), it definitely wasn't as bad as I was imagining, and most importantly I think my kids will have a ton of memories from spending the week w/ their cousins and aunt's and uncle's!!! We went to Nag's Head N.C., it was beautiful, and very low key, it was truly one of our most relaxing vacations ever!!!! Our weather was really good but not terribly warm, we all came back with tans though, and we swam and did the beach everyday!!!

We are now looking forward to a short vacation in Gatlinburg in July w/ some friends, and we are already counting down to our December Disney Vacation!!!!

The kids are out of school for the summer , and I am SO sad that I am now the mom to a first and third grader, where does the time go???? Kyle is tutoring w/ his braille teacher this summer, this helps him SO much to stay ahead w/ his braille work!!! I am incredibly proud to say that Kyle has been placed in the accelerated classes for next year, you can't even imagine how much of an accomplishment this is for him. We are SO proud that he has overcome all of the stumbling blocks associated with a person with a disability and is thriving and working above his level in school!!!!

I am still working hard on my diet and I have now lost 38 lbs. since March, but I haven't lost anything in the last few weeks and I am bummed. At least I didn't gain anything on vacation!!!! If anyone has any tips or suggestions I am all ears!!!

That is about all that has been going on here, I am so sorry that I have been incognito lately, but I truly have missed everybody and I promise to be back on more often now that things are slowing down!!!!

If anything major is going on let me know, I know I am out of the loop on a lot of things, so let me know!!!! For everything that I have missed though (OH YAY NEW SMILIES!!!!) etc.etc.!!!!

Talk to you soon!!!!
Julie

Julie so good to see you again.

 

[bear74]

Good morning This is post 2000for me!!!!!!

Congrats on 2,000 posts

 

[tmfranlk]

Hi!!

I figured I had better check in before you think I fell off the edge of the earth!!

As I am sure Vicki told you, things are crazy around here!!!! I haven't done much Dising lately (except for my obsession with the CP release dates )

Kyle's 3rd birthday is Saturday and we have about 50 people coming over to celebrate. I have spent every spare minute in PhotoImpact making invitations, goody bags etc. for the Bob the Builder Party. Amy, I made 3 batches of Cookie Dough the other night and about 100 hammers, shovels, hard hats, traffic cones and Bob Builder heads. These cookie are to die for!! Thanks for the recipe!!

On another note- we have finally passed the potty training hurdle!!!!!!!!!!!! He has been in regular underwear since the end of April and is dry every night and after every nap! It felt like a long time coming, but once it "clicked" that was that!!

I can't believe my "baby" is turning 3- he is such a big boy now!!

We are also working on the outside of the house again, adding a brick paver driveway and sidewalk leading to the back to join the patio. Next step- Rainbow Swing Set which Kyle is getting for his birthday.

I hope everything is OK with everyone and I hope to be pack posting like normal in the next couple of weeks again. (Paula- have you seen how many of us are going the end of November, beginning of December?? Start sewing those pillowcases now!!!! Seriously, Vicki, PM'd me a picture- they are too cute!!!!!!!)

& to all who need it!!!

Take Care!
Kristin

Kristin!! I hope the party was a big success. Happy birthday to Kyle and big congrats on the potty training!! Way to go, Kyle.

 

[bear74]

Glynnis and prayers for your dad and your entire family.

 

[bear74]

Becky gald you had a great birthday inspite of the Headache and Klutzyness.

 

[tmfranlk]

I thank you all for the pixie dust. Becky passed her drivers license and is now a licensed State of Michigan driver. Of course, it wasn't as smooth sailing as it could have been. I asked her the other day about her Level 1 Learner's Permit and her Level 2 Certificate of Completion. She tells me both are in her purse. Now mind you, if Becky has to hang onto something important, she is very responsible and can be trusted to have it.

So, 2 hours before her test, we are going to leave and do some more practicing in a parking lot in town. Before we leave the house, I ask to see the documents. Guess what! She doesn't have her learners permit - she has her level 1 certificate of completion. Heaven forbid! We end up at the Secretary of State to get proof that she has had her learners permit for more than 6 months. Of course, we are talking the secretary of state shortly after the lunch hour. The wait is 45 minutes to an hour. So much for practice time. She gets herself all worked up and screws up the parking test and ends up crying. She passed it but just barely according to the tester. She then did her road test and passed. Thank goodness that is all over. I'm going upstairs to have a drink!!!!!

Congratulations, Becky!!! And what a relief for Mom. No more daily driving duties. What ever will you do with your time? Pause before you answer...I don't want Teresea to have to schedule any more interventions. Sounds like some good news so far for Chuck. I hope things continue to come back positively, yet with something that will help him get relief.

 

[tmfranlk]

This will make Paula post!!!!!!!!!!! Paula sent my kids a HUGE, GIGANTIC, ENORMOUS SSP filled with so much it blows my mind. John and I decided to divvy it out a little at a time, and they'll get most of it for their b'day this month from Miss Paula.

But, we gave them one thing this week when Rees went to the hospital. THEY LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!! Look how adorable the pillowcases are. I can't thank Paula enough for her generosity and thoughtfulness. What an awesome woman!

And, no, I did not use a stapler to attach the pillows to the kids...

Those are beautiful, Paula!! I can't wait to see the rest when you give it out, Denise!

 

[ReAnSt]

That's funny that you referenced Hotlanta. I had actually typed that 1st and then changed since I wasn't sure if everyone would know what I was talking about. My husband left for work this morning at 6am and it was already 72 degrees. It definitely looks like another hot day.

I started by new routine this morning:
5:15am up and fixed coffee and breakfast for DH and I
5:45am had morning devotion with DH before he left for work
6:10am got on the treadmill for 30 minutes
6:40am hoped in the shower
7:00am in front of the TV with coffee to watch Good Morning America

I am usually not getting up until around 7-7:30am each morning and rushing to be out the door by 8:30am. I needed a better routine so we will see how this goes.

Lynn

I don't know that everyone else would know what Hotlanta is, good point. I hope your new schedule works out for you. It sounds like a good plan.

 

[tmfranlk]

Well, I know that dial up people have a hard time with quoted pics, but I'm glad some were lately as I got to see some great pics I missed.

Denise - Rees looked great both before and after surgery. I am glad that he is feeling better. The sand art is cute.

Emma - Congratulations on the lost tooth! Sounds like the tooth fairy was having a generous night.

Paula - Ellie looks adorable!!

Beccy - Sounds like a very successful program. The tree looks wonderful.

 

[ReAnSt]

HI EVERYBODY!!!!

Talk to you soon!!!!
Julie

Good to hear from you. I am glad things are going well for you. Congratulations on the weight loss. Congratulations to Kyle on the accelerated classes.

 

[tmfranlk]

Another milestone...

Jackie was "promoted from 5th to 6th grade tonight. There was a big party & ceremony. She is growing up soooo fast.

Kristine

Congratulations, Jackie!!

Kristine - you have a very beautiful daughter.

 

[ReAnSt]

Okay, I have NO idea where I left off. I think it was about 100 pages ago. Since I popped up on 2501 when I logged in this morning I guess I'll start there and hope I didn't miss too much. It looks like congratulations are in order for Denise on the new job. I also see a bunch of new countdowns there so I can't wait to see what they are all about.

We had a good time with my family. It was a little too rainy for a couple of days, but luckily it didn't rain the whole time we were in NYC. While there we did the Statue of Liberty (though not inside), Ellis Island, a trolley tour, Central Park Zoo (REALLY near Polar Bears!!) and The World of Disney store. Ellis Island was really neat to see after all of the research we've done on Phil's family. His father's whole extended family immigrated from Greece through Ellis Island so it was cool to take Terra's picture in the main hall and sitting on some original benches from the time period they came through.

I hope that everyone is doing well!!

Sounds like you had a great time on your trip.

 

[tinknme]

Hi Tia, sounds like you had a good time!

We had a good time with my family. It was a little too rainy for a couple of days, but luckily it didn't rain the whole time we were in NYC. While there we did the Statue of Liberty (though not inside), Ellis Island, a trolley tour, Central Park Zoo (REALLY near Polar Bears!!) and The World of Disney store. Ellis Island was really neat to see after all of the research we've done on Phil's family. His father's whole extended family immigrated from Greece through Ellis Island so it was cool to take Terra's picture in the main hall and sitting on some original benches from the time period they came through.

I hope that everyone is doing well!!

 

[babytrees]

Tia-

Glad to see you back and sounds like you had fun in NYC!!

My blue hands were the talk of staff meeting.....needless to say I will never need a tie dying intervention...once or twice a year is all I can handle of multi cultural hands!! The shirts and socks are adorable though!! Much better than when they went into the washer....blech!!

 

[UP Disney]

I'm so excited. Pal Mickey is on his way home. He has so many clothes to try on! I have to get some boxes out in the mail today for the travelin' pals. I got the Tigger outfit from the eBay auction. Woohoo!!!!

I also have to get the build-a-bears together for my new nieces & nephews. Becky isn't here to help me so I'll have to get them all together and see if she wants to make any changes before they leave. They are taking an extra suitcase with them with the bears. That way, they'll have an empty suitcase to bring any souvenirs that they pick up from their trip in Japan.

 

[Glynis]

Hope you have a wonderful time

Well, it's off to bed for me now! I've finished up all the laundry and packing for our camping trip tomorrow. We'll be gone until Saturday afternoon. I'll try to check in tomorrow morning, and I'll definitely check in Saturday night.

Thanks. I'll try. I'm not the camping type, but with our trailer, it makes it bearable! I've checked out several books I've been wanting to read, so that should help. Alan can take the kids fishing as much as he wants, and I'll read as much as I want.