Georgia II

[mousebyte]

Stacey love the t-shirt, that is really funny. I have to say though Jerry has skipped the PMS the last couple of months. He has been so pleasant and attentive and spending time with the family. I almost feel like I am on a second honeymoon or something. He has not been obsessed with work and working LONG hours as usual. That always drove me crazy because since he is in management he only gets paid a certain amount so all that extra time working he was just giving to the company cause he never took his comp time when he would work over. Oh well maybe a brick or something finally hit him on the head and he is doing sooooo much better at being a part of the family. So I suggest all the wifes that have hubbys going through PMS hit them over the head with a brick and see if that doesn't snap them out of it so they can see what a wonderful wife they have. You did great on the shopping.

Doris where have you been? We miss you. Come sit on the porch and tell us what is going on in your life.

Pag sorry about the rain. Stacey and I tried to hold it off for you. That was really nice of the ministers girlfriend to get the popcicles, I'm sure the boys were delighted.

Shanti I always enjoy your posts so much, you are so funny. The spaghetti story made me laugh and reminded me of when I first started cooking and had no idea what I was doing. It does get better and easier the more you cook though. Practice like everything else makes you perfect. Glad Mike is recovering nicely even if it is the painkillers making him feel better. And hopefully he'll be able to give you a hand with the boys soon.

navy those are some fun games. I love the family game night, we try it from time to time and it works well for awhile then we get off track of several months and then try to get back on. It is hard to do with three kids as one of them always seems to have somewhere to go especially as they get older. We have just started trying to have a game night or movie night with whichever kids are there including friends and girlfriends. It works easier for us that way.

Have a good day all,
mouse

[jb829]

OMG, there is just so much going on on the Porch here today that I odn't know where to start, lol. So, I guess I'll start with Linnea, if nobody minds...kinda tough if you do, huh?...snicker....

Linnea, Mouse and Pag are right. You have got to take care of YOU, period. There's an old saying that sort of says, "I can't please everybody, so I'll please myself. That way, at least ONE person is happy." And that's pretty much the way it has to be. Sometomes even Ally and Steve need to come second. If you do not take care of yourself, give back to yourself, eventually there is nothing left for you to give. Don't just take a nap, take a few minutes, every day, just for you...read, watch a TV show, do some crafts, whatever, but make sure it's *ME* time. As for the baby bed, a newborn baby does NOT need a crib, if he/she has to, they can sleep in a dresser drawer with a firm pillow in it...they are that tiny. My younger son slept in a bassinet for the first three months...believe me, he never knew the difference. I will accept the love and respect with a big grin and a "Thank you," but believe me, I am NOT a mountain of strength: I break down and cry and get depressed just like every one else does. I draw a lot of my strength from you and the other ladies here, and I pray a lot. I'm not strong at all, but God is, and I lean on Him a LOT, believe me.

Stacey and Shanti, I'm sorry, but your posts make me SOOOOOOO glad that I don't have small children...makes my Waffle House look easy, lol. I don't know how y'all do it, I really don't, and my heart goes out to the both of you. It's all Eve's fault, y'know...if she hadn't screwed up way back there in the Garden, we'd all still be sitting around naked, not having to work, enjoying life to its fullest. Well, ok, it's Adam's fault, too...just because he couldn't say *NO* to a beautiful, naked lady....

Ok, Stacey, like I said about life in general, I get thru the WH because I pray a lot. Period. And they're good to me, don't expect too much of me...I get to sit when I need to, don't have to work too many days in a row, etc. Sometimes, tho...like today...another day of total pandemonium, and mostly all caused by one waitress. She came close to being seriouslly hurt by at least three of us, lol...inclluding one of the cooks, and believe me, the last thing a waitress needs is for her cooks to be upset with her!!! You can't imagine how they can screw up your tips, lol. I'm sorry Keith is being such a creep right now...and I love your new t=shirt. Just keep telling yourself how much you're going to miss him when he deploys, and yes, I would imagine that he is very worried about it...at least, I know I would be. Iraq's not a nice place to be. And you KNOW what I'm going to say bout the house, I know, lol: FlyLady. Flylady. Flylady. I'm on your side all the way about the underwear...as long as it's clean and doesn't have holes and worn=-out elastics in it, then there's nothing that says you have to get more right now. Same with the shoes...polish 'em up, and let the girls wear 'em. The more you can teach your girls about using...and being satisfied...with what you have, the better off you'll be, and, in the long run, so will they. And I love the idea of the king=sized quilt, lol...go for it...snicker.

Shanti, my heart is with you and your drugged up man, it really is. Just remember, "This, too, shall pass," ok? And order more pizza, you've got enough on your hands rather than trying to cook more, I think. Good job with the zucchini and Grey, btw. Wait a while, and try it again, tho...sometimes kids' tastes change. We like zucchini fried with yellow crookneck squash and onions...a LOT! Y'know, I"m hearing about more and more children with ADD, and have been thinking about it quite a lot. Seems like it has really been an issue the passt ten years or so, and I have a couple theories about it. The first is quite radical, so y'all can laugh if you wish, and I won't mind at all, but I think there may be something in the air quality now that affects the kids...there also seems to be a rise in the number of kids with asthma, and even more adults are dealing with more sinus and lung problems than ever before...I think. My other theory is that today's foods have way too many chemicals and additives in them, and that the children today get way too much sugar...it is in just about every food item you can buy!!! I remember that when my kids were little, if I coulsn't afford to buy cookies, candy, or other sweets for a while, all of a sudden their behaviour was a LOT better!! Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot that any of us can do about either of my theories...big companies aren't going to stop putting crap into the air, none of us can stop using our vehicles(personally, I HAVE to use vehicle, as I can't walk much any more), and I don't think the majority of us have either the money or the time to cook with only fresh, unchemicalled(ok, I just made up a new word, lol)foods, so we're pretty much stuck. Times are pretty scary right now, and especially for kids...Iraq, Sept. 11th, and even just the nightly news...I HATE to have to listen to the news, it scares ME, for cryin' out loud. I'm just glad I'm not raising kids in these times. Again, you and Stacey have my heart.

Pag, that's so cool about the popsicles, and believe it or not, I don't think you'll gain much weight from eating them...aren't they mostly water and flavorings? And orange popsicles are soooo good, aren't they???? Lol, Pag, now I'm craving an orange popsicle!!! Or a strawberry one....

Navywife, I love Trivial Pursuit, cribbage, and spades...really, really really love spades! Family night sounds like a lot of fun. when I was in high school, jsut about every night was family night, because we didn't have...*GASP*...a TV, so if we weren't doing homework, we were playing games of some sort. There were seven of us kids, mom and dad made nine, so we even could play baseball...sort of, lol We also had badminton, croquet, an archery area, bikes, and since we lived on the Saco River, we also had a private swimming area. Across the road from us was a field with a HUGE frog pond in it, and we could skate there every winter, plus we had sleds, flying saucers, and a toboggan. We never missed the TV at all, seriously.

Mouse, that party sounds like so much fun. Sorry you didn't win the t=shirt. What was Lacey's gift certificate for? K=Mart, Wal-Mart, something like that? Nope, I wouldn't take the classes Michael is taking, either...beyond my scope of understanding, I think. Even tho I got the A in anatomy, I had to work really, really hard for it, and wouldn't want to take it again. Oh, duh, I just re=read your post...it was from Wal=Mart. I think I'm about 5'6", but when you met me, I don't think I'd started to shrink, and would've been about 5"8" or thereabouts. Funny thing is, my legs still are as long as they ever were, it's just my upper body that's shorter. The only good thing I can see about this is that now women's shirts are long enough for me, and I don't have to shop in the men's department for shirts, lol. And, just for the record, I love meatloaf sandwiches, too, altho I don't like cheese on mine...just cold, and with lots of mayo. And yes, I will let you know if I enjoy the Secret Sister thing or not.

Wonder where Kim is? Suppose she's looking for the photos, lol? How about Doris? Sharon, Martie, hope y'all are having a good week-end. Anyone heard from Elizabeth lately?

Ok, ladies, I ahve rambled on and on and on....oh, wait, there's more, lol. Men really do have a PMS time...they have monthly cycles just like we do, without the external crap that we deal with...you know what I mean, the Kotex and Tampax crap...and they can be just as moody as we get, believe me. And just like us, they go thru a sort of menopause, it's called the male climacteric, and after that, they mellow out somewhat, jsut like we do. I like Mouse's idea of hitting them with a brick.......

[Pag36]

Joyce first place I did not describe the popcicles exactly right. They are orange stuff on the outside and vanilla ice cream on the inside. IMP has had 2 so far plus some reeses peanut butter ice cream in between and pizza. Have no idea what Adam is having over at his Dad's, Faye Joes wife is a really good cook. They really love Adam and so does Faye's sister, she is always bragging about him. She goes to the tanning salon where he works. So they all know there she thinks Adam is special. He is well liked in school. Even the girls and his poor face is so full of acne. I have been working on it big time has helped some.

Margaret we love you and want you to be around for a long time to come so do take care of Margaret and like Joyce says get some ME time in often. Okay will get off soap box

[MoMtO3&LuViT]

Ok, someone asked where I went shopping. It's a store called Roses. I have never seen one in Georgia, so I am guessing they are local to North Carolina. They are a type of closeout store, sorta like a cross between Tj Maxx & Big Lots. I just love shopping there. The clothes are a better quality than Big Lots & cheaper than Walmart! They also have home furnishings, outdoor stuff, fishing junk, and lots of doo-dads. Anyway, as soon as I have an extra $100 I am going shopping for myself!!

Shanti, I have to tell you that I am totally sypathetic to you & how you felt about meds for your son. When I finally got Emma to a doctor that would listen I said, "If you don't give her meds you'd best give me some!" And, I was dead serious. I sat there and cried and cried until they would listen. I felt like an awful parent for having to yell & spank so much just to get through simple things during the day & I certainly couldn't take any more 45 min. long tantrums. And, Emma was an escape artist. In fact, just last summer I was sick & forgot her meds and she took her sisters out in the rain to play, and of course, the MPs were called. I've had that happen several times over the years. ADHD is rough on the entire family and for us medication has been our saving grace. I, too, have ADHD (although I don't get hyper as much as an adult) and I have never been medicated. I have tossed around the idea for awhile, but I have adjusted to living without it for the most part. Sometimes I realize that I can be the poster child for "Doesn't work well with others," but usually I can manage. Oh, and Joyce, there is now some rather new evidence linking ADHD to television/computer game viewing. The researchers believe that when children are exposed at a very early age (ok, that made me feel GUILTY) even though they aren't actively watching, the distractions of it can cause a "rewiring" of the brain receptors. So, your theories probably hold some weight too. They also think there could be some link with artificial sweetners, but I'm pretty sure that's been dismissed.

Ok, I know I am leaving a bunch of people out, but I gotta' go fold clothes & I have been on this box long enough. Have a nice Monday everyone!!!

[navywife]

I think all the additives in food play a big part in the health concerns. I am sure that tv/video games have a lot to do with it. But I think of it a different way, I think that kids are more sedentary now. As kids, we played all day and wore ourselves out.

[linnea]

Thank you all for your kind words of support, advice and for caring. You all are wonderful!!

I agree with your ideas about ADHD. Working in the school systems for years, I have seen a rapid increase in the diagnosis of ADHD. Something has to be up- I think it is a combination of things, too much sugar, food additives including hormones( farm animals are given hormones to get them bigger quicker- thus when we eat meat...) I have never thought of the air quality affecting it but that makes alot of sense!!

Video games and TV also, I believe play a role. The two of them have also been proven to keep children from reading by decreasing their ability to concentrate. So not being able to concetrate would seem to affect other areas of their lives as well.

The hormone deal ,I also believe makes our children more prone to being overweight.


Hope you all have a wonderful Monday and a great week.
-- Story of my life!

[Mom2Two]

First of all, thank you to everyone for the very warm welcomes! I'm obviously not very good at responding to posts, as you can see, but I'm trying...

I agree, to a point, with all of your reasoning about ADD/ADHD. My personal belief is that some doctors and parents tend to "jump the gun" and put children on medication whether or not they truly need it. Rather than realizing that children are children, and will be pesky, and annoying, and wonderful all at once, they see misbehavior, and immediately latch onto the idea that thier kids are "ADD". Conversely, however, there are parents (of which my sister is one) who think that medications simply disguise the "real" problem, and solve nothing. My sisters children are all ADD/ADHD, and are on no medication whatsoever. Instead, she has chosen to use the Feingold Diet, which is a diet of no additives, no perservatives, no artificial anything. Ever. Which in and of itself can't be bad, but it requires a great deal of cooking from scratch, and a real hunt and peck method of grocery shopping. I used it slightly with Grey, and discovered some things, but it wasn't something I stuck with. In our situation, I couldn't. Making virtually everything from scratch just wouldn't work for our lifestyle. We now watch Grey's ketchup intake (too much of it "wires" him), and his corn syrup intake (which is a lot harder to keep track of. You wouldn't BELIEVE the amount of foodstuffs that contain corn syrup!
As far as television goes, too much television is never a good thing. But then again, I grew up without one. That being said, we normally have the television on in our home. Either on The Disney Channel, Cartoon Network or Nogin during the day, and The Discovery Channel at night. But we also don't let Grey sit in front of the t.v. all day. He is restricted in his access, normally a few hours a day, then we make him go outside to play.

Okay, I think I'm done with my soapbox. LOL.

ANYway. Grey is off to school today, and on his meds! Yay! He's excited about 1st grade, and learning. I hope this year is better than last year...

Have a day, everybody!

[jb829]

Wow, we have a whole bunch of new smileys to choose from...have they been there before and I just didn't notice them????

Pag, those are what I call "creamsicles," I think, and I don't like them too well. I love the old-fashioned popsicles...but, I still don't think one or two will make you gain a whole lot of weight. Adam has my sympathy with the acne problem. I can still remember having to deal with it as a teen=ager, and even now, have a problem at times with...ugh...blackheads.

Thanks for not laughing at my theories, ladies. There is not one thing wrong with using meds, and I hope no one thought I was implying there is. Lately I'm thinking I could use some, too...maybe zoloft or something like that, as well as some sort of good pain med. My insurance has kicked in again, so maybe I can get to a medical doctor in the near future, and talk to him/her about it, as well as keep on going to my chiro when I can.

Yes, corn syrup is a sugar and in a LOT of things. Also, be aware that anything that ends in "ose" is most likely a sugar, and even honey is, altho some experts will tell you that it's a better sugar than regular sugar. There is some form of sugar in just about everything you buy at the store...even natural fruits and some veggies are loaded with it...green peas and corn, for instance...and my beloved potatoes are a starch, which converts into sugar in the body. so getting away from it is difficult, if not downright impossible.

The new video games I see advertised on TV are scary, too...so much violence and yucky stuff in them, and even if your kids aren't playing those games, chances are that they're still seeing the ads. And btw, today's CNN breaking news email says we're back on a high terrorist aleert, sigh...more scary stuff for the kids...as well as us. There's not much we can do any more, I don't think...unless you're willing to completely turn the TV off in your house...and I know I'm not willing to do that...I love my cable TV.

Shanti, your sister is doing what I was talking about, and since you tried, you know how hard it is. And I know that e. and I can't afford to eat like that...and neither of us has the time or the energy to cook like that, either. Most of us don't/can't, either. I am sincerely in awe and admiration for someone who can, sigh.

So, looks like we're stuck, huh? I can do little things for E. and me, and of course, we're not kids, but still, all the things I mentioned affect us adults, too. I can keep from buying/making a lot of sweets, even tho we usually have something sweet in the house...if I don't buy it, E. does...we both love our sweets. For me, one thing is to NOT listen/watch the news. Even tho I use a LOT of canned veggies, I can check the labels and see to it that there's no sugar or added stuff in it. Instead of using the dinner "kits," I can make my own sauces, etc...at least then I'm in control of what goes into my foods. I can use fresh meats instead of a Banquet frozen dinner of turkey and dressing...and I do. Lots of fish and poultry...things like that. And we keep the doors and windows closed and use the A/C, even tho many times the attic fan would keep us cool and comfortable...the attic fan pulls in all the crap and all the humidity from outside, and we've learned from experience that we both breath better and cough less with the A/C on.

Modern technology, as wonderful as it is, is slowly killing us all, I think, and I for one don't know what to do about it. And it's for daarned sure hurting our kids. And you ladies with small kids still have my heart and my sympaathy, believe me!!!!!

And now, I have to get ready for work...aren't y'all glad, lol? Wow, Joyce is gonna shut up for awhile...snicker. Hey! I'll be back!!!! God bless.

[Amayesing]

Morning All,

It is grey and overcast here in the Port City of Savannah.

All is well, getting ready for back to school. I am sooo . This is the last time I have to do back to public school. hopefully.

I have been keeping up with the post but having personal problems so I didn't post. I did see that Stacey is having problems and you really need to go to the doctor immediately. Check on the internet, make a list of your complaints so that you can present it to the doctor. I know it is embarrasing to discuss but you need to get some help. You hair is too beautiful for it to fall out. .

Shanti you are the only one who knows what's best for you and your child. I am glad you are getting some peace by him being on meds. I would do the same thing in your situation.

Ladies again I applaud you. You all seem to do some much in your lives. Do you all ever get any rest or personal time? I had to start taking a little whenever I could.

Mouse I know you are looking forward to school starting back for you. You make me want to go back but I don't think I could bring home the great grades that you bring home.

I don't mean to overlook anyone, so everyone lets have some tea and cookies and enjoy life.

Be blessed,
Doris

[jigglypuff377]

Hi everyone! I used to post on the Georgia thread a looong time ago. I've just recently gotten time to start posting again and look forward to making some new friends.

I'm a married mom of 3 (2 boys, 1 girl), 2 dogs, a cat, and a bunch of fish.

Talk to you all soon!

Jiggly (Cassie)