Been awhile...

at 08/30/10 12:23PM

It's been awhile since I've been on here. I hang out in Facebook land mostly these days. Feel free to look me up there. I'll check back here occasionally. Hope the new school year is going well for you all!!!!

Thank you for writing about the Invisalign. I decided not to go that route. My problem was that I was grinding my teeth (can't remember what all that post said) and when I asked the dentist if the Invisalign would remedy that, he said he couldn't guarantee that. Then my own old dentist verified that it was not meant to stop grinding. Do you know what helped? I had my night guard ultrasonically cleaned and it fit better and the pain subsided. Amazing! No, I couldn't justify the $4,000 out of pocket for something that didn't guarantee a solution to my problem. I'm so glad it worked for you!

by aleta at 08/30/10 6:21PM
Same goes for me! I've really neglected pleo. Hope y'all are doing well!

by dressednyella at 09/01/10 10:57AM

Douglas, the brilliant musician

at 03/25/10 11:56AM

I know it is really obnoxious to brag on your kids, but I have to take a moment and brag on Douglas. Douglas is eight, and just competed in a piano competition last weekend. He had to play two songs in front of a judge, then take a musicianship test (ie: play an arpeggio in the key of C, a triad, a third, etc.), then a written theory test. He aced the theory and musicianship test, and placed second overall! He is so excited! The first place winner goes on to the state level competition, but Douglas will be the first alternate, meaning if the first place winner can't go, he'll get to. It's in Fayetteville and is over a weekend. The chances of us going to that are slim, of course, but I was so proud of him! This was his first competition, and even though he was really nervous, he did a great job!

It's such an odd experience to watch your kids go through this sort of thing. I have watched him play baseball and other sports, and although that is fun and I get a little nervous for him when he gets up to bat, it is so different to watch him go through the same things I went through as a kid. Although I never competed in piano, I certainly did my share of vocal competitions, and I appreciate how much more difficult and nerve-wracking it is to sing/play in front of a judge instead of an audience. I was so nervous for him! He is so gifted, especially in this area, and I am really excited to see what the future holds for him.

Well, enough of my bragging. I hope you all are having a wonderful day!!

wow!

by whipsmile at 03/25/10 12:04PM
Yay :-)

by littlebit at 03/25/10 12:42PM
I consider sharing our childrens' talents a part of celebrating our thankfulness for them. It is a way of sharing so that others can rejoice with us.

How exciting for your child. Musical talents are such a blessing.

by sallyanne at 03/25/10 3:10PM
That kid is AWESOME!! You can brag...you deserve it!

by sunnylee at 03/25/10 5:55PM
Go ahead and brag- that's what parents are for! :) Congrats to Douglas! We are all very proud of Andrew for learning Mary Had a Little Lamb and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star last week on the piano! :P

by quiltedmama at 03/25/10 9:40PM
Oh, and Heart and Soul too.

by quiltedmama at 03/25/10 9:41PM
He is an amazing little guy. Feel free to brag about him anytime!!!

by crazy_mama at 03/26/10 9:30PM
Way to go, Douglas! :)

by teathyme at 03/28/10 12:47AM
Good for him! Yay!

by dressednyella at 05/12/10 12:06PM

What's wrong with me?

at 02/10/10 2:10AM

Have you ever gone through periods of time where you don't really feel like yourself, but you don't know why? I feel like that today. Just seems like things are out of whack, but I can't really put my finger on what it is. Part of it is the snow and being out of our routine for three days... the boys have been out of school. It's not bad, just not what we are used to around here. Plus, some of my closest friends aren't acting like close friends, so I know that's part of it. Plus, Tim isn't feeling great, suffering from a cold, nothing serious, but it makes him a little irritable and not himself. So, maybe that's all it is, but I don't like it. I'm usually the fun parent, the optimist, and lately, I have been more interested in sitting on the couch reading a book than playing with or positively interacting with the boys. I'm not officially depressed or anything, so don't get worried. =-) Just needed to "talk" about it, I guess. It's one o'clock in the morning, and I'm not really that sleepy. Tried going to bed three times and have gotten up 'cause I can't sleep. Not a problem I normally have. Business stuff is going ok, but I have hit a lot of walls lately, which has frustrated me. Being a fun, optimistic person, I just don't understand why people don't want to host shows! They are fun! You get free products! But, I just don't seem to be able to convey that well apparently, because I have gotten tons of "no's" on that lately.

I don't mean to sound like I am throwing myself a pity party. Just needed to vent a little. Tomorrow is another day. I should feel better then. Thanks for listening, whoever is. =-)

I think everyone's been there. Hang in there :-)

by littlebit at 02/10/10 2:43AM
Been there. The snow and cold doesn't help. Hugs to you!

by jerzgirl at 02/10/10 7:17AM
Sorry about your funk. We've definitely all been there! Hopefully today is a better day for you.

Great picture over there-by the way! :)

by pokey at 02/10/10 12:45PM
I totally understand that place where you are.
Pray. It always helps.
I'll pray, too ;-) - for you and for myself...

by chessman at 02/10/10 1:23PM
When I feel similar to your description, reading helps. Reading the Bible and involving myself in a good Bible study helps. Reading books full of goodness and pleasant stories helps. Reading stories of that description to the children and watching their reactive faces helps a lot. I hope you find your happy place again soon! :)

by teathyme at 02/10/10 10:48PM
Love you!

by quiltedmama at 02/12/10 11:37AM
I'm sorry, Stacy. I know how you feel. It's OK to feel a little blue sometimes. I think you're great and I love you!

by dressednyella at 03/18/10 12:11PM

Disney Trip

at 12/24/09 3:38PM

First of all, a BIG THANKS to those of you who called me and offered to keep the boys! It is nice to know that we have such wonderful friends!! It's not that I didn't think you existed, but it's difficult to call someone and ask them to keep three boys, especially when one of them isn't in school yet. Plus, so many of the older-with-adult-children couples I could think of work full-time, thus making it next to impossible to keep them. We only have one young-married-without-kids couples at our congregation, but that couple also works full-time. Same problem. It would be fun to take the boys with us, but that adds about $1000 to our trip when you include airfare, hotel, and park tickets, not to mention food. Besides, this is a trip for me and Tim and another couple friend of ours, which would not be the same if we had added our kids, as much as we love them. =-)

So, the conclusion? A wonderful couple in Hot Springs and another good friend in Conway. Between the two of them, we have it covered. And I am SO GRATEFUL!! I really didn't expect to be able to work it out, but it did. Thank you for your comments! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!

Glad it worked out the way you hoped! Have fun :)

I understand the expense ...we went this past summer--all 8 of us. We were so blessed to get FREE two day passes from some friends who work for Disney -- for all of us. I calculated the savings at nearly 2,000 dollars. We had a blast!! It was amazing. I went all the time when I was young...but I appreciated it so much more this time!

by sallyanne at 12/24/09 6:00PM
I'm so glad it worked out! I know you guys will have a blast :-)

by littlebit at 12/24/09 10:13PM
I'm glad everything worked out well.

by soysauce at 12/26/09 6:19PM

Disappointment

at 12/20/09 12:51AM

Today gave me one huge disappointment... My trip to Disney with my husband is in serious jeopardy! We are planning (and have already paid for part of) a vacation to Disney with another couple. We are going without kids, which is what makes this particular trip so appealing. My in-laws were going to come over from KY and stay with the boys so we could do this, but today, my FIL called to tell me they aren't coming. Now, this is understandable considering my MIL's back is hurting so badly she can't walk, but it doesn't take away the pit in my stomach about it. I'm not angry at them, just extremely disappointed. I don't know how we can go without them coming to watch the boys. Who else would do it? And, we are going to be out some money if we don't go, which really stinks.

I'm really upset about this. We had a great rate on the hotel (the reason for this trip to begin with), and I was looking forward to a much-needed trip with my hubby and a couple of friends. I love Disney and haven't ever been able to go like this... staying in one of the resorts and spending more than a day one park. My parents still seem to think we can work something out, but I don't think it's possible. It's too much trouble to bring them to my parent's house, plus they have to leave before we'd get back to get them.

I just needed to write about it. I'll be fine. In the grand scheme of things, this is minor, but I'm not feeling that right now. One of the few things I don't like about being a parent is the limitation of travelling and time away with just Tim. Not that I'd trade them for anything, but so many people around me have parents and in-laws close and willing to keep their kids at any given moment. We don't have that, so we especially look forward to being able to get away every once in awhile. This type of trip, we have never taken... without the kids with another couple. I was REALLY excited about it, and have been planning this since the beginning of the year.

Maybe a little sleep will help. I'm going to bed. Have a great night, everyone.

Make it work, Girl. How many days will you be gone? Have a college girl stay at the house, or a young married couple without kids, or ask different families to do two days each....It can be done! I'll look around this morning at Prince Street and see if I get any ideas.

by jerzgirl at 12/20/09 7:41AM
Sorry for your disappointment. We are of the 'take-the-kids-they-won't-be-here-for-long' mindset so I can't relate on that front, but I can certainly relate to disappointment. That's always a bummer!

I'd just take the kids...at least you won't lose money! But, that's just me...

by sallyanne at 12/20/09 8:50AM
I'd keep your kids! I know we're the wrong direction, but if you could work it out... When exactly is it?

by quiltedmama at 12/20/09 10:51AM
Oh Stacy. I can totally see why you are disappointed. Hope you are able to work something out. There's got to be some way to make this work out for you. When are you planning on going?

by crazy_mama at 12/20/09 11:49PM
So sorry!! I completely understand the need to get away with just your husband. Can you maybe find a family or two willing to come watch them from church? Wish we lived closer to you guys! Hope something will work out for you!

by pokey at 12/21/09 9:06AM
Bring your kids here...they can hang out with me!!

by SaraJones at 12/21/09 10:15AM
I think we have some room in the barn. Just bring the blankets and the oatmeal and they should be fine out there for a week or so at least.

by dragonwriter at 12/21/09 12:54PM
When are you going?

by chessman at 12/22/09 9:00AM

Been awhile...

Douglas, the brilliant musician

What's wrong with me?

Disney Trip

Disappointment

sjb

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