LesBiAlternachicksandfriends
 

Hey everyone! :wave:

Just thought I would start a new thread as the old one is getting a bit long.

Soozie-how are your holiday plans going? Did you get all your shopping done for your daughter yet?

Hi Mauvais,
Thanks for making the new thread. I saw Amy's post...I hope she drops in. Amy if you are reading this tell me how old your daughter is. Ours is five, but she'll be six in March and is in Kindergarten this year.

I'm looking at summer camp programs for her for this summer. Wow! The day camp that we're looking at will cost close to $400. per week. So, could I just give her a card that says...Merry Christmas, Santa is sending you to camp this summer? Just kidding. We already bought her an American Girl doll dog. If you don't know what American Girl dolls are consider yourself blessed. Or check out the website at
http://www.americangirl.com

She only had two things on her Christmas list; a disco ball and a "real" guitar.
I bought her a 1/2 size Santa Rosa steel string guitar on Ebay. The guy who sold it to me was really nice and put nylon strings on so she could learn with those since they're much easier on the fingers. When she gets going we can switch to steel.

I'm really excited about that! Even though she probably won't let me teach her anything. I've tried to teach her Hot Cross Buns or Mary Had a Little Lamb on the piano. I know she could learn a simple song like that. But, she just looks at me with disgust and says...."Mom". With an intonation that reminds me of an annoyed fifteen year old!!! (like, Oh Mom, you're so dumb!!!)

So, she pounds away composing her own melodies...that's okay with me and she'll most likely do the same with the guitar unless I hire someone else to teach her which I'll do eventually.

OH, I'm rambling.
Talk to you later
Soozie

Soozie - are you looking at camp websites?

Could you let me know the URLs?

DD and I want to attend a Mother-Daughter camp week somewhere next summer......maybe Maine or someplace like that!


That is if it can fit into the budget !



Terri

That's cool Soozie!! She's composing!! My guys started out that way and now #1 plays some piano and electric guitar and #2 plays viola. I think if you push them too much when they're little they lose interest. #1 started out with a junky acoustic guitar, and just picked songs out. Now he is pretty darn good on his electric guitar!!!

Ok so when is the first Alternachicks kid concert???? :)

Squeak- There is NOTHING worse than beginning viola or violin. EXCEPT beginning electric guitar (with amp on high!!) I LOVE music and didn't want to discourage the kiddies, so imagine me gritting my teeth, pretending the tears running down my face were tears of joy, while saying, "That was LOVELY dear!!!" FINALLY they are getting to be pretty good (viola player) and REALLY good (electric guitar player...it helps that we like the same type of music too!!!):D

We use a little tape recorder to record my DD's songs because they are so funny and sweet sometimes! Yeah, Den, I don't want to push her or start lessons before she is ready. Don't want to turn her off or get her frustrated. What age did you give your son his first guitar lessons?

I've heard six years old for keyboard or piano?

I'm not looking a camp websites online...just hadn't thought of that believe it or not but now I will! and I'll let you know. A mother daughter program sounds so nice! Do you think they'd let two Mommies come for the price of one? :lol:

I haven't been eating too well...last two days...gotta get on track...didn't go to gym Tues or Wed. Hopefully will have time to get there this morning. Have DD's school conference and then working this afternoon and evening.

talk to you later.
Soozie

When the kids were about 6 and 9 my MIL started giving them piano lessons. The younger one gave it up afterless than a year. The older one kept it up until about a year ago when he decided he wanted to devote entirely to the guitar. He has been taking guitar lessons for a year and a half. DH used to help him pick out songs, but I have NO clue when it comes to string instruments ( I played the flute.) I think what age you start them at depends on the kid. I think #1 would have been ready at 6, #2 wasn't!! NOW, however, he is really into his viola lessons!!

I think it is great that you record her songs Soozie!! DH used to record conversations with the kids when they were little. Get them talking about different topics. It is so great to hear those "baby voices" again!! #1's voice is starting to change, so it is REALLY different then it used to be! (He is getting a fuzzy little mustache too!! Clichéd or not, I can't believe how fast they are growing up!!!)

My kids Christmas concert is on Monday night at 7pm. Should be cute. Both son and daughter are playing the recorder in it, plus singing their hearts out.
Virginia

Phew.....I just got done wrapping xmas gifts! It took about an hour and a half! But at least I'm all caught up on the gift wrapping.

I'm expecting a busy night at the restaurant tonight. And it's my shift, so I hope all goes well. Not to mention that I hope I make good tips too! LOL

They are calling for freezing rain here tonight. I'd rather drive in 10 feet of snow than have to drive in freezing rain.

How are the rest of the ladies here doing today? Out doing some xmas shopping?

My daughter is having her 9th bday party on the 21st of this month. I pretty have that in order except for the cake. Which I'm going to order tomorrow. She wants an icecream cake. I guess that's like killing two birds with one stone! LOL

Well, I'm off to watch Dr. Phil. Hope everyone is having a great day.

Oh and by the way, not sure who mentioned these on the thread before, I think it was Lidian, but I went out and bought sone Brandy Beans today. MMMMMM MMMMM MMMMMM

Talk with you all soon.
Kelly

Kelly, drive carefully tonight sweetie!!
Got to run and get ready for Christmas party number two. darn.

love and hugs to all...
xoxo

Well it's 5:45 in the morning and as it looks, I don't see that we got any freezing rain. But let me tell you, I am soooo tired and it's only going to get worse until tomorrow night.

I worked last night at my full time waitressing job until 12:30, got home unwinded and was in bed by 1:20. Alaram went off this morning at 5:30 so I can get up and get ready for my part time job at 7 a.m. I work there until 2 p.m. Then I'm rushing back to watch my son play hockey at 3. Then I'm back at my full time job at 5 till oh.....10 or 11 tonight. Then I'm back at my part time job at 8 a.m. till 2 p.m. Then to my full time job at 4 till 9ish. So by tomorrow tonight I should be totally and completely exhausted!

I hope all you gals are doing great and trying to get you xmas shopping done this weekend.

Well I'm off to hop in the shower. If I have any time between jobs today I'll drop by and check out the thread. If not, talk to you all tomorrow morning!

Kelly

Kelly
Take it easy hun! Don't burn yourself out! Still 10 more days till the big day and you need to reserve your energy. Sending you good vibes! Take care!
Virginia

only 10 more days!! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrgh!!! The decoration boxes are still in the living room!
My gosh... I can just imagine. After Xmas it'll be, "Well, isn't THIS convenient! Here are the boxes for the decorations! All ready for us!"

We spent the night at my parents' last night to celebrate my Mom's birthday. We had WAY too much to eat, even though i tried to watch it. We went to an Indian Buffet for lunch, and I couldn't even TASTE everything!!! Just too much choice, and not enough stomach room. (And BELIEVE me, I can eat a lot!!) Sure was tasty!!!

Den, I'm glad you had fun with your family!
Oooooh... Indian buffet... yum yum.. :D

YUP!! And a huge fruit tart the night before in lieu of a birthday cake!!!

Oh... you sly fox, you. VERY classy. You decided NOT to opt for the white lard icing with "Mother" written on top in red toothpaste? :D

NAH!! Only have tri-color toothpaste right now and it just isn't the same.

Tri-colour would be just fine on Marmite icing, however.

oh lordy... that's enough to make me toss my breakfast...

OH YUM!!!!!

Hey Girls,Sorry that I've been out of touch. So busy with the holiday frenzy and work etc.
I went to the gym the last two days. Signed up for a challenge at the gym called the 12 days of fitness. Have to go everyday for twelve days except for the 21st and Christmas eve and Christmas day. the Chanllenge ends on Jan 31st. I'm planning to do it.

My eating is another story entirely. Ugh! I ate well all day today then got home very late from work...almost 11pm and then I ate a nice veggie sandwich...,not too bad, a piece of veggie soy bacon and lots of lettuce and tomato on a small roll, then a homemade cookie my friends dropped off a tray, had to try one,
then caramel covered popcorn,
then a hand full of fritos,
now I feel so so so sick!!!!
just too much sugar and fat.
Yuck!
So, I hope that I'll work that off tomorrow at the gym and hope that my eating gets under control again!!
Love, Soozie
ps, my weight is up a bit...it was 188.5 this morning....
Oh NO!!!!

Hey Soozie, girl!
I hear ya... I ate well until I got into the kid's granola bars. The ones with chocolate chips and marshmallows in them. Ate eight of them yesterday. :(

Hi Ladies :wave:
I'm so out of what has been going on. I have a ton of reading to do just to get caught up.

Any of you all with some snow want to send it my way. Now that i'm home all the time it would be nice to be able to take DD out and play in it (besides i wouldn't have to drive in it). We've had a little but not enough to really get out and have any fun in. Yes i know i'm sick i LOVE snow. I'm hoping for a white Christmas but not going to hold my breath it's been a while.

As for my eating........ well i'm actually doing better than i figured I would be. I try to only eat at meal time and to eat my veggies some days are better than others but i'm trying. I have been making my WW meetings a priority even if that means i have to take DD with me.

Any one know of any engineering related jobs in your area my family and i are willing to relocate :D

I better go do some more catching up.
MrsM95

A truck load of snow is on the way Mrs M.

Sorry I don't know of any engineering jobs. They are cutting jobs here too. Mine is safe for now. Too much going on right now. But after that who knows. There is talk of relocating the dept. to another state over the next few years anyway. I am not relocating.Anyone need a Peoplesoft developer? :)

Good luck with the exercise Soozie! I am very impressed.

Ellis - those damn granola bars are addictive. I stopped buying them. But I don't have kids so I can do that :)

I forgot to ask - What kind of engineering Mrs M? (I always think the Devine Miss M when I type that ;))

HI MRS. M!!

HI SQUEAK!!

HI ELLIS!!

HI SOOZIE!!

Hi Den! :wave:

How is your DS & the possible peanut allergy? I hope he is ok. (Ok so I don't think that is in this thread, but I am getting them all confused anyway) :p

I love those granola bars too Ellis. I sometimes have been known to pick the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows out of them but I can't do it around the girls, they find this quite awful and hilarious! I have been known to eat several of them at once too!:)

MrsM, you can have our snow too! Shipment is on its way!

I can relate, Soozie - this is a tough time of year for goodies. I was stuck in the car with Hershey's kisses and mini Reese's for hours past dinnertime (on our lovely, relaxing road trip to display ourselves to my family!:lol: ) and oh well, you know...those kisses were jumping into my mouth somehow. But today is a clean slate, provided I can forget that the rest of the bag is in the kitchen!

Lidian

Wh about me Den!?!
 

Am I not worthy a special hello! Hmmm! Just kidding, love to tease, and some people say I am really good at it. Hope everyone is not too stressed, I am having a much better week now since I have made my decision to leave work and start a new job, and I have mostly all the shopping done, except S Stuffers. Hate those things, and they cost so damn much money too.

See, Den... we aren't the only ones who occasionally feel left out. YOU FORGOT VIRGINIA, FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD!! And gawd knows who else!! :lol:
Den... how is that little DS #2?

Virginia, so happy for you re: your job decision. Stocking stuffers? Don't you have a Dollerama nearby? I know what you mean, though. You put one little diamond ring in the stocking, and the whole budget is blown. :D

Hey Lidian! Welome back. How was your visit? I was just thinking about you... I made a fairly decent dinner last night. Nothing gourmet, but it involved cooking chicken breasts and (fresh) broccoli, and stirring in two cans of soup (heh heh), a can of corn, and then making a bisquick topping. It was very yummy. I even set the table before DH got home.
But then there's tonight! I was just thinking, "My gosh, I made dinner LAST night! You mean I have to make it AGAIN!?" :lol:

And what about those "puff" cookies? I peel the chocolate off the marshmallow, eat that first, then peel the marshmallow off with my teeth. Then eat the bottom of the cookie. It's a ritual. But no, the kids don't like it. heh heh.

Hey Squeak, MrsM and Soozie. And everyone else. :wave:

Hi Virginia! Of course you get a special hello!:) Those stocking stuffers sure are expensive - it takes a lot of little things to fill up that big old stocking (or two, or three...) I still have some of that to do too. Congrats on your job decision - good for you I say!

Ellis, those were my favourite cookies when I was a kid - I never ate them that way but I used to eat my sandwiches in layers (I know I'm weird!) and I don't dare bring marshamllow puffs in the house cuz I am going to eat them all! I also liked those Sunshine raisin biscuits that they used to sell in the US - in Britain they are called Garibaldis. And Chuckles, back in the 1960s.

Does anyone else remember chocolate Life Savers, about 1969? They weren't in the stores for long but I swear I remember them!

Ellis, I gave them frozen pancakes and canned soup last night. You are a true superhero to make such a nice dinner!:lol: I always think that too - oh NO, I have to actually do that AGAIN! That cooking thing. Well, tonight they are getting something frozen too, and they are lucky I am going to make the effort to get it out of the freezer and heat it up!!:lol:


Hi Den, Soozie, Squeak, MrsM, & Ruth - how's it going?


Lidian

HI VIRGINIA!!!! Sorry about the oversight. No disrespect or slight intended. (You'll KNOW when I'm being disrespectful!!!)
And NO, I'M NOT STRESSED. WHY WOULD YOU EVEN ASK THAT BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS HUNKY-DOREY. AND I'M NOT GOING TO PULL MY HAIR OUT OR ANYTHING BECAUSE I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS AND AM ENJOYING MYSELF IMMENSELY!!!!!!

The lab results for DS will be back tomorrow at the earliest. He probably ISN'T allergic, but i wanted to play it safe. He came home sick today, and was traumatized by a movie about a terminally ill 5 year old yesterday, so life here has been FUN FUN FUN!!!!! (WHY would a science teacher show a movie like that?)

We blew so much money on the kids this year that we cheated a bit on the stockings. The are getting the usual candy, and a pair of rolled up flannel pajama bottoms!!! THAT should fill the stocking up!! Boring yet practical. But they'll LOVE the other gifts!!

Hi girls, I'm up because my sweet DD has a tummy virus. now she is in my bed with DP and I'm taking a break and writing to you. The kid is such a trooper. She is so brave. I do feel bad that she is sick...yuck! We had to do the whole strip the bed thing and clean the mattress etc. So, we're all sleeping in our bed tonight. Then of course you know the rest...we'll all have the virus. I keep hoping that it is some one time virus that I've already had and am immune to...yeah, keep dreaming sooze.

But, its possible right? I did share her food today of course, thinking,she doesn't have anything...ummm,oops! I'm a MUCH bigger baby than she is if I get a throw up virus...good thing DP is in the picture. She was really good tonight.

Anyway, on another note, those were my favorite cookies too...can't really say I'm in the mood to discuss that now and hope I haven't disgusted all of you but then, maybe it will be good for your diets!

Den, I like your stocking stuffer idea, put something big in there to fill up space and then do Ellis' dollar store idea for little extras, arts and crafts stuff like glue sticks, pencils, and markers are good ones too. Everyone always needs a new box of crayons...thats my theory.

Well better go try and get some rest and check on my girls.
Love,Sooze
ps,Squeak, thanks for the exercise encouragement...I went to the gym Sat, Sun, and Mon but missed Tue and today...hopefully I'll get there tomorrow but now with DD sick it may be difficult. The nice and exciting thing is I'm seeing results because over time if you stick with it, it happens, you get toned and muscle starts growing...I haven't lost any more weight but I'm starting to like my body better and like how it looks. This is incredible because I remember a time when I didn't like any part of my body...

Hey Soozie, girl!
I'm up, too. Up at 5:00 with little DS. He's got a hacking cough, and came into our bed. I just can't sleep with three of us in there, so he's snuggled up to DH.
He threw up yesterday, but I think it was just cough/phlegm related.
I hope your DD gets better soon. And that you and DP don't catch the bug! And, ummm, this is a new bug, hon. You've probably never had it before. :D
We're surrounded by people with the flu. I just KNOW we're all going to have it on Christmas day.

Had to cancel my appointment with my psychologist on Friday... I'm pretty sure I'll have to keep DS home from school. And besides, I don't happen to have 130 bucks handy at this time of year to pay for the session. :rolleyes:

Chocolate Lifesavers, Lidian? Nope... that was WAY before MY time! :lol:
It's funny... when I make something like frozen perogies for dinner, my DH will often say sarcastically, "This was a lot of work, wasn't it?" Well, it WAS!! I had to boil the water, get out the tubs of margerine and sour cream, call the kids, ... my gosh... what the heck is he looking for?!

Den, that's HORRIBLE about that movie!! That would really tramatize me! (not to MENTION my kids!) You're a little bit stressed right now, huh hon? It's almost over. A week and you'll be sitting around belching and making diet plans for the new year. Hang in there... hugs...

My face is breaking out. More than usual. Is this part of peri-menopause? I'd better look damned good when this is all over, that's all I can say!

Hi Soozie and Ellis!

Hope your DD and DS are feeling much better today and that no one else gets the virus. Last week when my DD was sick she was throwing up from the upper bunk and while we were dealing with this, younger DD is complaining from the lower bunk about the noise etc! Apologies for disturbing her royal highness :lol: !

Yup, Ellis, you young whippersnapper you! Why I remember rotary dial phones, and black and white TV that you had to get UP to change channels on!;)

I remember when the Monkees were on TV every Saturday morning too - and the Beatles cartoon (this is about 1967-68). I love sixties stuff, as you can see!:)

I don't think those chocolate Life Savers were around for more than a week or two - maybe I just dreamed them!

And Ellis, it IS a lot of work! Taking all the stuff out, and pots, and boiling water and who knows what else - I always feel exhausted after I assemble dinner. My mom did too. When I was in 2nd grade (in 1969! - the sixties strike again!) the teacher asked us to each get up and tell what our dear mommies made for dinner. I was the ONLY one who said my mommy makes TV dinners. And I am exactly the same!

I told my mom I said this and she was utterly humiliated, how could I, etc etc. Well, my girls can tell the whole world if they like! I'm proud to open those freezer boxes and little tins (the cats will confirm that THAT is a tough job! they are in awe of me!).

We chicks have better things to do!

Lidian:)

Soozie-YUCK!! That virus is supposed to be a nasty one. I am sorry that your DD is sick, and I hope that you and DP don't get sick too.

Ellis-The zits are probably from sugar. I'm getting more than usual too.

Lidian-I'm older than you are by a few years!!! (or more!) I loved the Beatle cartoons and watched the monkees too!! My Mom was the only person I knew who made LUMPY instant mashed potatoes!!! But my sister and I were really proud of the fact that she worked.

I'm not THAT young, Lidian! :lol: I think you're just a couple of years older than me. As for that Dentrassi, she's positively ANCIENT!! :D
Yesterday our daughter wanted to know what a "record" is. :rolleyes: I'll have to show her the box in the basement... full of goodies.

My mom worked, too. She went back to work when I was about seven... in order to put my dad through teacher's college. I HATED coming home to a babysitter! She stayed home again for awhile after that, but later went back to work. She NEEDED to get out the house, and by that time we were okay with it.

Sugar zits, huh? You're probably right. I used one of my daughter's nose strips last night. Fascinating little things.

This really irritated me... the other day my six year old son came home from school with one of those stupid "letters from Santa". Their teacher must have had them write to the post office with their list of desires, and they all received a reply. The letter said something to the effect of, "I hope you like the special gift I've got for you this year."
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! My son goes to a wonderful culturally diverse school. Most of the kids don't even celebrate Christmas. And some of them are very poor. Why the heck would their teacher do something so stupid!? :mad:

sorry... just venting...