TA-DA! THURSDAY

[DeeClutter]

What can you say, "Ta-Da!" about today? I'll tell a cute little story about that in J&C. Think that's where I can post it.

Have a lol going but not dressed. All my every day clothes are in the washer! Spent about 1/2 hour looking for my new test strips that I bought yesterday. Could remember dropping them into "something". Finally the "ta-da" moment. I'd put them in my medicine carrier planning to take some out for here and leaving the rest packed. Waste more time trying to find something.

DD told me not to worry about dinner tonight -ta-da! We're going out to 'celebrate' gd's report card. When did dd get that I might ask? This morning when she opened gd's lunchbox to pack it. She NEVER remembers to give dd anything from school. Often they end up giving us a paper when we pick her up because she hasn't brought something back. At any rate gd had all A's -first time EVER. Granted it should not be too difficult to get A's in this school but the fact that she has them is a great progression! We've even had about 2 1/2 days of pretty good behavior! Ta-Da!

Spent a good share of yesterday trying to straighten out A T & T -
Ta-da! got that done. The Med Co story is going to take longer. Thought I was done with 'long' processes. Not to be -in the mail, not one but TWO letters from American Express about our claim for refund from Direct Air with all sorts of documentation to be submitted. That will really be a "Ta-Da" if I get that done! They want documents that I never had unfortunately. Sure this is the run around I'll get to keep from paying out as long as possible. May have dd help me with that. She's really good at that sort of thing.

Got a picture from DS-A last night with the garden complete with benches. Not sure the pictures are going to do it justice. DH said he might stop by to see it on his way to the fire dept Saturday.

We had planned to have DS-A & DDIL's baby shower at the fire dept. But someone decided they're not going to let anyone use it. DS-A is pretty upset and plans to bring it (diplomatically) to the board. He's the Deputy Chief. He doesn't want it to become an "issue" but figures the "community" room should be able to be used for at least firemen's functions -as long as things are cleaned up after. Who knows..... Meantime we're scrambling to find a place. Shower is 3 weeks from Sunday and invitations need to go out!

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

My ta-da is from last night. I got the bathrooms and kitchen weekly chores done so coming down to fill my water bottle before exercising was a good feeling. I'm sure Lucylee will have a similar feeling about her vacuumed living room when she enters it this morning.

I'm on the treadmill which was more of an effort than it should have been. Just one day off (but I still walked to the store) and I'd much rather sleep in than work out. My TOM is in its heavy form right now and I'm entering day 4 of that so I'll up iron rich foods for the next while. It is so much heavier and longer than it has ever been that I'm having trouble adjusting. Must go buy more supplies soon. A box used to last 3 months before, now I'm going through almost 1 a month. And my brand had issues so finding it in stores is hard (at least I now know they had major productions issues so many retailers stopped carrying them.) I'm getting a long list for a border run.

My goal for today is to get the kitchen table cleaned off of papers

[DeeClutter]

That's a mighty goal indeed, Kathryn. Don't ask me how I KNOW this.

Have the dryer twin running. Dsisil called and invited me to join her and her 2 sisters for breakfast. Very unusual for me to NOT have eaten by this time, but I haven't. They're going to a thrift store after and I may just skip that -choosing to run an errand for dh instead.

I'm now at least showered and ready for the dryer to be done. Been just putzing at the computer for the most part. Making some (more interesting to me) cards for my dailies right now. Things like the paper/decluttering, packing...... Plan to leave 3 weeks from yesterday. DD is really wanting dsonil to come to NY for a few days this summer and he's now offering the 'excuse' he might not be able to take the days to do that if he takes off 4 to run gd while dd is on the trip north with me. He really hates flying -more the 'hassle' at airports than the actual flight. So now she's trying to think of a 'different' plan for gd. Going with us is not an option. So that's our prayer right now....putting our thinking caps on.

[DeeClutter]

I simply cannot clean house when dh is in it. I don't know why... it is a psychological block or something...

Really, LucyLee, really? (Ducking and running)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I know of what you speak! Ta-Da for you getting that vacuuming done, albeit taking you a few tries. Drum roll is all yours!

[Lilac]

Kathryn, I had my last TOM, 6 years ago at the age of 52. Prior to that, they were heavier and more frequent. I had had migraines from 1992 until 2006, when the TOM became a thing of the past.

Yesterday we went for lunch and then to the zoo. The little girls had on hot pink sundresses with a layer of hot pink nylon net on the outside. They looked so cute. We ran into her ex at the zoo. He is a special ed teacher and was there on a field trip. He is always really nice to the little girls. On Monday morning I was watching the girls and dgd2 told me that her "other dad" was at school. I'm not sure if she meant dd2s ex or what, but I told her that she only has 1 dad and that he is a a farmer/rancher. Recently she had talked to me about the boys' "other mother". I explained that she is the exs wife and the boys "stepmother". I wanted to explain this to her so that she doesn't say "the boys other mother" to dd2. Monday after school dgd15 needed to have a picture taken of herself on a trampoline for a school project. Her dad has one at his house. Dd2 called to see if they could run out there and take a picture. He said sure but he had to be at a meeting. So dd2 told him to be sure and tell his wife so that she would know. In a few minutes he called back and said he would pick up dgd15. Evidently stepmom didn't want them there, in the unfenced backyard for 2 minutes. So dd2 called her dh to vent and he told her to go buy a trampoline. She did and dgd15, her boyfriend and the 2 boys, 6 & 8 put it together. The next night dsonil put up the netting around it. Dgd15 is now using it to practice her flips and jumps for cheerleading. Dgd2 had told me several times recently that they needed a trampoline. Now she is saying "I'm so glad we have a trampoline". We went out there last night to take a wrought iron table and 2 chairs that were at the other house that we are giving dd2. While there we picked up a wooden headboard that dgd15 had been using for several years. They had recently bought her a new one, so I reclaimed this one for the queen size bed that is downstairs. Dgd2 was on the trampoline and she was jumping around and looked like a bunny. Later in the evening dd1 went out there and the 2 little girls were both on the trampoline. Last year they had bought a large wooden swingset with a fort, etc. Recently dd2 asked if we wanted it or they could have it moved. We quickly said you can have it, please. It is a pain to mow and trim around. Under the fort part, dh can't use the weedeater, so I have to use scissors and trim it.

Well blah, blah, blah, I better get with it...............

[Lilac]

My Ta-Da, I called the big city newspaper that I receive the Sunday paper from. Since we have moved, they leave a paper at the other house plus this one. I have called countless times on a Sunday to report this and yet they still deliver to both. I finally remembered to call on a weekday and I would swear that this was the same gal that I have talked to on other occasions. Time will tell.

I have to take dgd15 to the dr. this afternoon. Dd1 will call me if her dh happens to get off work early enough to do it.

[Harriet]

My TaDa this morning is some inch loss. I'll get that info transposed into my record-keeping and report in H and F.

Oddly I feel pretty well today, considering we were up at 2 with my ddad, who had a hard night.

Noticed that at 1 I had had an email from ds, saying they had done well on the flight and were taxi-ing in at that moment, so I feel confident for them.

Congratulations on a straight-A report card for Dee's dgd!

Hmmm... ... community rooms at fire depts here are available for showers relating to the firefighter's immediate family.

Lilac, that's interesting to me, about your dgd's attempt to give a name to dd's ex. Over dd13's childhood she often questioned us on how she is related to my late dh, whom she never met but who is the "Daddy" two of her older siblings talk about. She referred to him as "2nd Daddy" several times. I think that's just a child's way of sorting out a family connection. They want to have a name for everyone, and siblings are saying "Daddy" (or "Mommy"), so really your dgd may be making more of a logical, healthy distinction than you think. I'd just encourage her to notice that you and her parents say "John" or whatever, and that that is a name she can use, too, and still be respectful.

lucylee, do you feel alright? You don't have a fever do you? (ducking and running)

Today when dd13 gets out of school we'll go straight to the other house and clean. HRH thinks he'll be able to bring home groceries for the other house (whole milk, 100% juice, etc) on his way home today.

When I have a little chance at creative time today, I can sew on the label I made. That will be a nice diversion I can handle in the middle of the house, watchfully.

[OKay]

Good Morning!

I've had enough excitement to last me a few years already this morning. I'm VERY happy to say my TA-DA is just normal breathing today. Caring for an active 3 year old is not for the faint of heart. THANKFULLY all is well, no harm was done and he learned a very good lesson about not going to the road. The yard fence project can't be done too soon......the person hired to do it is in process of ordering the fence/gate now. I would jump for joy if he started tomorrow.

The older DGS's were a bit disappointed because there aren't any plans to celebrate their birthday this year. Their DDad/DSMom aren't doing any celebration for them (no birthday cake/party), gifts are iffy (financial issues) .....and the never ending hurt from their Mom ignoring them. So....you can guess what this Nana is doing...... I volunteer to put a family gathering together to celebrate their birthdays on Sunday. Thinking outloud ..... I'm leaning toward outside so DDad can attend. I can pull DParents van into the yard next to us and DDad can stay comfortable. Fire pit, hot dogs, chili, cheese dip, chips, smores, cake, ice cream sounds fairly easy to prep and pull off with minimum of effort. Most of the family can be invited/notified through FB (announcement on family group that is only seen by family members). TA-DA! A double birthday celebration is officially in the planning mode.

[Indiana]

Jake is at the groomer, my things for today are finished and I'll go over the minutes next.

When there is more than one set of a mother or father is can be challenging.

My dgniece's (5) ddaddy died when she was 3 months old. Dniece remarried. Dgniece calls her biological father Daddy Peter and her step-daddy Daddy. When she has to make a distinction she will say Daddy Rich. Dgniece (3) calls Daddy Peter her Daddy too because she can't comprehend why she doesn't have him as a Daddy just like her sister.

[Harmony]

Family relationships are hard for little ones to sort out sometimes. My DGSs from DD1's family just call their stepdad by his name. Thankfully, my DH is grandpa to all the dgkids. I can't imagine how hurtful it would be if they did not recognize him as grandpa. He certainly fills that role.

My Ta-Da for today: finally got the auto renewal shut off on an internet service we don't want, never used, and have been trying to cancel for years. The phone number we called under the help number took us to the company where I talked with 4 people, 1 who dropped me, 1 who said she'd never had to do anything like that, 1 who forwarded me to last guy who couldn't figure it out for a long time. Can we agree this thing is not consumer friendly?

It made me think of Dee with M-C.

I haven't done much other than that so far. I did do my dailies and for once there were no desk chores. DH is out retrieving plans and there will be paperwork when he gets back and a trip out to 2 county offices.