PassPorter Community - Message Boards and Forums - Blogs http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blog.php Discussion forums about Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel provided by PassPorter Travel Press, the ultimate Disney travel guide and book series. en Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:58:43 GMT vBulletin 120 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg PassPorter Community - Message Boards and Forums - Blogs http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blog.php Christmas tree http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/chuckles/188-christmas-tree.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:50:19 GMT Today is DH's day off so we put up the Christmas tree. That is one of the things I DO want to do. ;) In a really good mood. Feeling peaceful and happy. :D ]]> Chuckles http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/chuckles/188-christmas-tree.html Decided to start a blog http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/chuckles/187-decided-start-blog.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:38:21 GMT I have never done a blog before, but it sounds like an interesting thing to do.
The Advent season has officially begun. Sometimes I get distracted from the purpose of Christmas with all the busy activity and stress, but I am not going to let that happen this year. I have decided to "do Christmas differently" this year. DH and I are exchanging gifts of "monetary value" with each other but no one else.
We are giving photos that we print out ourselves as gifts to family and friends. We are telling them that it is okay with us if they do not want to give us gifts this year, but asking that if they do want to give us gifts that they be gifts of "personal" rather than "monetary" value (like baked goods or crafts etc.). This is really not just about money, but about simplifying things and reducing stress and returning to a more meaningful holiday. If there are children in our family in the future, then certainly we will give them gifts, but right now our family gathering is just adults. I am really feeling peaceful and focused on meaning and happy! I do not feel the stress that I sometimes feel at this time of year! We DO participate in a program at our church that gives gifts to children in poverty stricken areas of the world, because that feels so authentic to what we believe Christmas is all about. (So that is an exception I suppose. :))Our family members that attend the same church that we do, also participate in this program and agree with us that we would rather do that than exchange big gifts with each other when we already have so much. I also usually feel this internal pressure to do as many "Christmas activities" as I can. As if tons of activity can really produce a peaceful and meaningful holiday... I DO want to do a small handful of special "Christmasy things", but I want to be selective about what I choose to do, and assertive about saying no to other things.
Really looking forward to a happy December! ]]> Chuckles http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/chuckles/187-decided-start-blog.html Sad tally http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/mrsmac2001/186-sad-tally.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:57:35 GMT I got to thinking after I posted about my friend Erick committing suicide that death has hit our correctional facility hard lately.

June 1st Dan dropped dead of a heart attack he was 42. November 17th Tommy was killed in a freak accident on his bush hog he was 38. Now Erick commits suicide and if I remember right he is about 38. So in just 6 months we have lost three. It blows the mind.

Then I think back and in 2004 we lost another named J.J. he committed suicide and he was about 35 and then Stoney (can't think of his first name to save my soul at the moment) tried killing himself about a year ago but he didn't die for a few months even though part of his head was gone.

So that makes three that shot themselves out of the five. I know when I started with the department of corrections they said the majority of us would either divorce, become alcoholics, become drug addicts, have heart attacks or kill ourselves. They said it was a 90% chance. I laughed at the odds then. I don't think I will anymore. ]]> mrsmac2001 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/mrsmac2001/186-sad-tally.html Yeah, its confirmed, http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/wheatenwalker/185-yeah-its-confirmed.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:35:04 GMT No crazy aunts- maybe a crazy 4 yr old ;).
My nephews wife did a very cute thing, she bought t shirts color coded for each family- we all wore them at dinner - ( not that its a huge family but it was fun). They have "14222" "Elmwood Village" on them which is the zip code we all grew up in/lived in- except my younger DS who has never lived in the city! ]]> wheatenwalker http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/wheatenwalker/185-yeah-its-confirmed.html Down in the dumps http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/angileyze1/184-down-dumps.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:14:34 GMT Last few days has been a bit depressing for me. On one hand I am excited that the days are melting away before our trip. On the other hand, I am freaking out as to how its all going to get paid for in time. So, I'm freaking out just a bit. Luckily, DH is going away for training soon (National Guards) and he will be paid well. I should be easily able to put 800 towards the trip. Hopefully more. ]]> Angileyze1 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/angileyze1/184-down-dumps.html Thanksgiving http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/maridw/183-thanksgiving.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:50:23 GMT Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We actually got up early and did some shopping on Friday. This is a first for us. We are not ones to fight the crowds on Black Friday. We got the main thing we were looking for on sale.

Things have been busy at work. We had a "Victory Celebration" on the 18th. We are part way to our goal of $2.4 million (I work at United Way in Panama City). My boss and I attended the CFC Finale luncheon for Tyndall AFB. They surpassed their goal. Next week we are going to attend the CFC Finale luncheon for the Navy Base. I have already received information on the 2009 CFC Workshop and they are scheduled for San Diego & New Orleans. I am hoping to go to the one in San Diego, as my parents live in Sun City and would come down to see me.

We were going to go to WDW this year, but have decided to postpone our trip to next Christmas time. Partly do to financial reasons, but also because we would like to try and take a cruise with my parents next year. They are both in their late 70's but are still very active. But we know that it won't be long before they aren't as active and unable to do everything that they are currently doing. ]]> Maridw http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/maridw/183-thanksgiving.html A Rant... http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/chrissi/181-rant.html Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:40:42 GMT So there's this thread on the boards and as I'm reading it, I realize we're the people everyone hates. :smirk: But that thread is not the place to post my response as that's just argumentative and not at all productive - much less being all off-topic-y. :tongue:

Okay, so my family is the group of people y'all can't stand at the grocery store. :tongue: To be fair to others - we do shop at off-times. ;) We're the homeschoolers with the kid in the karate uniform in the grocery store at 10:00 pm on a weekday. ;) But hey - we don't have to catch a school bus at 6 am either. :D

I'm feeling a desperate need to defend the obnoxious clown car shopping carts. 6 year olds do NOT fit in the regular seat on a regular cart. DJ has ADHD and "touch everything" syndrome. The little car cart gives him visible boundaries AND he actually fits in the darn thing so I can shop without having to chase him down or yank him out of the way of some half-blind 80 year old woman with a major 'tude and a chip on her shoulder about kids not knowing what to do with themselves in the grocery store. :mad:

Yes, I could let him push the regular cart or just be on top of him every second, but sometimes you just want to get the dang shopping done and go the heck home! - Not spend 4 hours in the store establishing appropriate behavior and boundaries for grocery shopping without blowing your stack. :mad: I don't like pushing the darn thing and it doesn't hold as many groceries, but it keeps me from turning away from the cart to grab a can of tuna and turning back around to find that my kid has wandered off because he's not contained by a seatbelt. :tongue: And if he keeps his hands inside the car, he gets a cookie. ;) (He's under-weight due to his ADHD meds - bribing him with fatty-food benefits both of us. ;))

Anyway, I think a little understanding for your fellow man could go a long way. :) ]]> Chrissi http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/chrissi/181-rant.html HS Football here in GA http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/cmhand30/180-hs-football-here-ga.html Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:10:42 GMT Still have to take Moose to football tomorrow morning. Says practice will be shorter and suspects he will get a "gift" from the booster club like the team got last year. (wind suits) Told him not to count on it due to economy. So far the kids have gotten heat gear t-shirt and shorts, sweat shirt and pants, hoodie, and 2 t-shirts. At the beginning of the year most kids got cleats, but we weren't here then. And the booster club pays for 2 football camps! And these kids are fed very well every week. If he plays for 2 years he will get his letter jacket for free even! I was shocked when they told me parents don't pay for anything. Up in MD we paid tons of $$$. Now, I will say we did write a sizeable check to the booster club here. And we do buy t-shirts for DH & I, season seats, and always buy at the concessions instead of bringing food in. As I heard from a Student teacher, not all the parents even go to the games let alone support the booster club or buy season seats. ]]> cmhand30 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/cmhand30/180-hs-football-here-ga.html Elective 27 - Emergency! http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/179-elective-27-emergency.html Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:15:38 GMT Monday
November 24

I'm trying to do one Scout-related activity each day this week since school is out. Don't know how well I'll do, but I'll try at least.

Today was a follow-up to our previous elective about phone manners. This one took it a step further by talking about what to do if the adult taking care of the scout fell ill. So we talked about seeing if the adult could talk. If they could talk, perhaps there is something he could do to help them such as bring them their medicine, or ask them what he should do. But if they couldn't talk, he should call 911 if there were no other adults around.

We talked about how you should never call 911 as a joke, because you can get into trouble for that. And then I told him how the operator would ask him who he was and what kind of assistance he needed. We talked about giving his address, or if he was at somebody else's house and didn't know their address to just stay on the phone. I stressed how important it is to listen to the operator and just answer their questions. They know what to do to help, and if he will answer their questions they will make sure help gets there as soon as possible.

The other part of the elective dealt with what the scout should do if he is with somebody that made him feel uncomfortable, or wanted him to do something unsafe. He should always try to say no, that he needs to go home. Or look for another adult to help him. This kind of went along with the child safety topic we covered back when we were earning our Bobcat badge.

That was it for today! ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/179-elective-27-emergency.html Hooray!! http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/angileyze1/178-hooray.html Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:09:44 GMT So my Passporter arrived yesterday. I am excited! Also, my 365 day reservation window for Richard Petty opened up today but I need to wait til my bonus comes on the 19th and hopefully I can still get the date & time I want! ]]> Angileyze1 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/angileyze1/178-hooray.html <![CDATA[Why I can't sleep]]> http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/cmhand30/177-why-i-cant-sleep.html Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:31:49 GMT I spent 38 hours up straight yesterday. Finially went to sleep with some chemical aid. Too many things on my mind. DS football going to game 250 miles away Fri, buying house (lots of $$$), other DS18 has "divorced" us, moving across town, getting job, weight loss, shoulder hurts, haven't seen my family in OH or WI in almost a year. Oh good news I am going to WDW in a about 3 weeks.
Trying to take things one day at a time.
DH's new job is rough. He hasn't been in an operational unit in over 8 years. And he is the assistant NCOIC here. They are expecting alot and he is stressing. (He was in a F-4 drone unit designing parts for 4 yrs and then taught Tech school for 4 yrs). He doesn't want to tell them how long it has been. And to imagine he could go to Afghanistan next year when they swap.
Then all these doctors appts I have had. All these strange symptoms and no diagnosis. Just "we don't know" or wait and see or "you had one incident of MS and will probably never have another." But I still continue to have minor symptoms just no new brain lesions. Frustating. So, no treatment just live with tremors, numbness and tingling. Cardiologist is next week. I'll hear: stay off caffeine and take the meds forever. (palpitations and tachycardia with very bady family history of every thing else.) My Dad had all the heart overhaul 2 years ago and then I had all the testing to verify I didn't have the same defect which is when we found the abnormal rhythm. No structual defect thankfully.
And now PT on my left shoulder weekly and home exercises daily. Fun. I did this for a year on my right shoulder and it still bothers me. I think I have Lupus. but no doctor spents the time to recheck my ANA. I did not injure either shoulder. They just started hurting. My back hurts. Have 2 bulging discs and degenerative disc disease (arthritis). My thumb hurts.
My weight wow. I have gained 20 pounds in a year and a half. still 30+ pounds less than 4 years ago. and 50+ pounds less than 15 years ago. I need to lose about 40 pounds and I will be where I need to be. I keep thinking about eating all the time. I am back to eating in middle of the night. Craving shredded wheat. Out of the salad/veggie cravings. Not ready to go back to weight watchers. I am walking 2 times a day for about 15 minutes each. not enough though.

It feels better to type out into cyberspace. ]]> cmhand30 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/cmhand30/177-why-i-cant-sleep.html Achievement 5G - Take a Hike with Your Den http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/176-achievement-5g-take-hike-your-den.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:57:54 GMT Saturday
November 22

Today was the day that Gary had planned for us to meet at the local Nature Center to take a "hike". There are a few trails, and they all start and end pretty much at the same place, so it's easy to walk just exactly the distance that is right for you. He thought this would make a good "hike" for the Tigers.

Joshua and I got there a few minutes early and of course nobody else was there yet. We waited in the car with the heater going. The temperature was in the upper 50's, so it wasn't really all that cold, I just thought it was a little too cool to be standing around in the parking lot. Besides, if nobody else showed up we would be leaving soon anyway.

Gary had said we wouldn't hike if it was too cold, but he never called to officially cancel. Besides I didn't think it was too cold to walk for a few minutes. A couple of minutes after the meeting time, though, he pulled up with his daughter. We waited for about 5 more minutes, but nobody else showed up.

So our den hike turned into a scout/leader hike! The four of us started off down the main trail behind the visitor's building. This trail made a loop and joined with some other trails. At the back of the property Gary spotted a deer, but all I ended up seeing was the tail as it jumped over a fallen tree and ran away from us. We found some muddy raccoon pawprints on one of the bridges. Joshua enjoyed playing around with Gary's daughter. She is also in first grade, I believe, or either kindergarten, and sometimes comes to the scout meetings.

We stopped a few times along the way to read the signs that identified some of the trees, and I learned what those funny green balls are I've been noticing lately. They are the fruit of the bois d'arc tree, also called a hedge apple tree. Interesting!

Our hike was over soon and we called it a day. One more bead earned for Joshua, and now he only needs three more to get his Tiger badge. ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/176-achievement-5g-take-hike-your-den.html Trip Insurance http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/angileyze1/175-trip-insurance.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:29:30 GMT A year to go "Insurance, yes or no?"

Posted Today at 09:20 AM by Angileyze1
We are leaving for our next trip to the World on November 15. What better thing to blog about? Today I was contacted by my travel agency, The Magic for Less travel. Deb asked me if I could fax her my travel form and asked if I wanted insurance. Dh and I talked about it and Deb said I can waive it now and add it later as long as it was before the last payment. We'll probably end up doing just that. Its about 133.00 and since DMIL has cancer and anything could happen AND DH's vacation COULD be canceled due to pre-deployment we'll proabably get it. Although, I DID tell him, that I would just HAVE to go without him!!! It would give me reason to have to schedule another trip for his return!!! So the details of the trip, We leave on Nov 15, 2009 checking into CBR, I have asked for Jamaica but who knows. We will be there over my birthday and Thanksgiving. Mid trip we will be checking out and checking into Wilderness Lodge. Oh and I have a few surprises planned including a trip to Richard Petty for DH that he doesn't know about. The reservation for that is due anytime. I get a bonus at work on Dec 19 and I think I'll have to use it for that. Think I'll go check out what's new on my Tour Guide Mike. I got a free subscription for booking with the agency. Isn't that nice? ]]> Angileyze1 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/angileyze1/175-trip-insurance.html Elective 26 - Phone Manners http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/173-elective-26-phone-manners.html Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:49:31 GMT Thursday
November 20

After school and homework, I had Joshua pull out one of his toy cell phones. We talked about the proper way to answer the phone, and the correct things to say. We also discussed things you shouldn't say, like he shouldn't say that he was by himself, or that I couldn't come to the phone because I was in the bathroom. :o

Let's see ... also, how to handle a wrong number, how to ask someone to wait while he went to get one of us to talk to them. But we also discussed that he shouldn't answer the phone unless we tell him to. That the phone is not a toy. And I guess that's it. He practiced a little bit, and that was it! ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/173-elective-26-phone-manners.html thusday nov 20 2008 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/empresslizbunny/172-thusday-nov-20-2008.html Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:43:56 GMT sorry y'all ive got writers block nothing interesting today except that imight have something on sat cuse one of the other kids from my group invited me to go to the movies with her and a couple of her friends till then have a disney day! Liz (da bunny) ]]> EmpressLizBunny http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/empresslizbunny/172-thusday-nov-20-2008.html Beer of the Day - 11/20 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/robdvc/171-beer-day-11-20.html Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:10:11 GMT
Today’s beer comes from Rogue Brewery in Newport, OR
Rogue Chipotle Ale
Style: Amber Ale
Food Pairing: Poultry, Pork

Tasting Notes:
Roasted chipotle peppers produce an eye opening chile flavor in this deep golden ale with a malty, smoky aroma and smooth, crisp flavor.

8 Ingredients:
Malts: Harrington, Klages & Maier Munich.
Hops: Cascade and Willamette.
Specialty: Chipotle Peppers.
Yeast: Rogue's Pacman Yeast
Water: Free Range Coastal Water.
5.5% ABV ]]> RobDVC http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/robdvc/171-beer-day-11-20.html Beer of the day - 11/19 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/robdvc/170-beer-day-11-19.html Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:41:16 GMT
Today’s beer comes to us from Pyramid Breweries in Seattle, WA.
Pyramid Apricot Ale
Brewed by the original Wheat Beer Pioneers, this well-balanced gold medal winning unfiltered wheat ale combines the pleasing aroma and flavor of fresh apricots with the smooth refreshing finish our wheat beers are famous for. One sip and you will understand why Pyramid is considered the beer world’s wheat brew experts.

5.1%ABV
Malts: 50% 2 Row Pale Barley, 50% Malted Wheat
Hops: Nugget or Summit
Calories: 170
Best Paired With: Appetizers, salads, and desserts such as pies and pastries.

Gold Medal, GABF, "Fruit and Vegetable Beers", 1994
Gold Medal, GABF, "Fruit and Vegetable Beers", 2008
Best of the Northwest/Pacific in the "Fruit Beer" category at the 2000 United States Beer Tasting Championship ]]> RobDVC http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/robdvc/170-beer-day-11-19.html Family Activity - Weather Obvservation http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/169-family-activity-weather-obvservation.html Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:24:05 GMT Tuesday
November 18

Today after school and homework, Joshua and I went out in the back yard to observe the weather. It was a nice day, although cold, but there wasn't too much to say about the weather.

The handbook wanted you to use your 5 senses to describe the weather.
1. Feel - it felt cold, and we could feel the wind.
2. See - we could see the leaves blowing in the wind, but there were no clouds to see today.
3. Smell - the book sugessted smelling a storm coming, but that wasn't happening today. Joshua doesn't understand how you can smell rain, so I will have to try to get him outside the next time I notice it.
4. Hear - the only thing we could hear today was the leaves rustling in the wind.
5. Taste - the book suggested that you might be able to taste dust in your mouth, if the wind was blowing on a dry and dusty day. Not today! Joshua did say that would be nasty, though. :smirk:

We also discussed the Faith questions. Mainly all of them were a variation on the same thing - believing in what you can't see. They were using weather as an example to lead into the bigger topics. Things like - is the sun still in the sky even if you can't see it? Is the moon still in the sky even when it's daytime? We talked for a few minutes before going back inside.

After completing this activity, we only lack 4 beads before Joshua can receive his Tiger badge. All 4 are go-see-its. One is scheduled for Saturday, one is a sporting event which doesn't necessarily have to be done with the den (at least I don't think so), so we can go anytime. The other two (police station and radio station) are things Gary is working on. ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/169-family-activity-weather-obvservation.html Den Meeting http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/168-den-meeting.html Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:00:20 GMT Monday
November 17

Tonight was another den meeting. The whole pack met together for the opening ceremony, then split up. Tim (CM) told me I had been $10 short on my popcorn money that I turned in last week. :eek: Ummm ... I don't think so, I looked at it several times before I turned it in. But I gave him $10 anyway - what else could I do? I don't think he's lying to me about it, but I was wondering if he simply made a mistake. He did make change for some other people last week, but I couldn't think of a nice way of asking him about it. Besides, the money goes to the pack anyway, and I did have $10 extra in my purse. Tim announced that the pack raised over $3000 from the popcorn sale, which is pretty good for such a small pack, I thought.

Gary (DL) had planned an activity for tonight which is from Achievement 5, Let's Go Outdoors. He brought several different leaves for the boys to make rubbings with. We tried to identify the trees they came from. There was only one we couldn't figure out. The boys all thought this was a cool activity.

Gary asked us to do the family activity this week, which is to go outside and observe the weather. There are also some Character Connections questions that go along with it, this time about Faith. He also planned for us to meet up at the Nature Center Saturday afternoon to walk on their trails. This will fulfill the den activity for this unit, which is to take a hike with your den. I was very happy - suddenly we seem to be getting a lot done. :)

At the end of the meeting I updated Gary with the different activities we've done over the past week so he could keep track of it on the den records. Unfortunately he had forgotten to bring the extra beads with him tonight, so we didn't get any beads for what we had done. That's okay, we should get them at the next meeting.

Our den meeting was briefly interrupted by Tim, who was distributing flyers and collection bags for the food drive we had decided to do. Although, now based on the flyer, we are also collecting hygiene items for the local veterans' home. That's okay of course, I just wonder how some of these things get added in sometimes. :confused: The collections are due back in three weeks.

No meeting next week, as school is out all week for Thanksgiving break. ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/168-den-meeting.html Hi to everyone.... http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/skateycat/167-hi-everyone.html Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:12:19 GMT things are quite hectic around here, no end in site. it is either feast or famine with my job and i guess i should just be grateful to be getting an excellent paycheck to spend at the YC in less than a month! stress level is so high from work that most nights i am up and not able to sleep. people are weirding out all over the place around here. undercutting is the norm. when i mentioned i needed a day off (have had one day off in past two weeks) i was told no. i have two "slaves" to replace me, but we are so busy, they cannot help me and have been here just as much as i have anyway. well, no trips to the happy place in the near future for me i guess. i would like to try to get there maybe this weekend. the weather has been excellent (this morning it was 41 as i was driving to work...yeah, i know...THIS is south florida!) this is truly my favorite time to be at the happy place, in the cool weather. ok, hope to see you all soon. not able to post much as i am way too busy. am glad my friends here have noticed my sucky stress, but no one has noticed i lost a pound...go figure...ha ha ha.... ]]> skateycat http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/skateycat/167-hi-everyone.html Things to do today... http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/maryel8775/166-things-do-today.html Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:50:02 GMT Well today we take my DMom and DDad's van in for an oil change and inspection sticker. This should be good. I will drive them over and sit there doing homework while we wait. I will so be looking for low-fat recipes to eat from now on as yesterday's dr's appt was so so. I am at my highest weight and the dr is concerned about this. He said that I need a low-fat diet and lots of exercise. That is all and good except that I also have to start physical therapy for my back. He had xrays taken of my back to find out how much damage is being done to my sciatic nerve. I am hoping that through treatment and hopefully weight loss that I can over come this issue and get healthier again.

I want to be around ALONG time to see my monsters ( I mean my children) grow up and have families of their own. So yesterday I did really good. I had a Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Salad from Subway with Lettuce, Cukes and Green Peppers and some of the Sweet Onion Sauce for dressing it was quite tasty. Then for dinner, I had about a cup and a half of macaroni and cheese and 2 hot dogs. Later on I had a handful of chips and a little bit of Onion Dip.

So we will see what today brings. But hopefully I will have some help on this diet as my DMom is going to do it with me and possibly DDad too.

So that is today in a nutshell so far.

OH yeah i got my flu shot yesterday... :cry2: I dont like needles but I did it for my kids.


***UPDATE***

Well we had to go to the registry after we found out that the registration actually expired 2 months ago so we had lots of running around that we didn't plan on. Then come 2 o'clock I realized that my son's tutor was coming for the first time at 3pm.

Lunch today was Chinese buffet (small portions)

then DH took me to Hometown Buffet (small portions) again tonight for dinner. So will see how this diet things works out. ]]> MaryEL8775 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/maryel8775/166-things-do-today.html Tuesday November 18th, 2008 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/empresslizbunny/165-tuesday-november-18th-2008.html Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:29:49 GMT Yes I know that this was posted on Wednesday, November 19th but it was written about the events of Tuesday, November 18

Okay so today I had an appointment with the meds Dr. at the NYU Center for autism studies and she prescribed for me Ativan because I had been taking Klonopin but it was leading me to drowsy in the morning. The doctor says that Ativan has a much shorter half-life than Klonopin.

So we have been in New York, three months and were already planning to move again we're still staying in New York, but we're moving from the Westside to the Eastside to be closer to my doctors and possibly, to my mom's new job(if she gets it) at the UN. I can tell you, the cats will just love that oh, had I never mentioned before that I have two cats? Well, I do, one black incredibility stupid cat and one incredibly smart but anxiety ridden gray cat(she pulls her fur out when nervous). My mom says that if there's enough room in our new apartment for a second cat box, I can have a new kitten!

So, on the to do list for tomorrow. Not much just drop off the Ativan script at the pharmacy. But the day after Thursday, I have a physical, which honestly I'm dreading the results of and my first interview with my own personal shrink out of the many many shrinks at this autism Center in her name is Beth, not Elizabeth just Beth. She seems nice enough, but then again, I guess the most shrinks don't think you get your shrink if you're mean. I mean who would see a mean shrink? I sure as heck wouldn't! Well back to Beth. She seems like she is like late 20s early 30s. Since this is a study center, there are a lot of med students or psych students doing residencies or the equivalent of which I suspect she is one. I don't have anything against that, My mother seems to think that I would get along better with a one closer to my age. but frankly, I've always felt better with adults. And yes I know I'm technically an adult but anyone under 35 seems like a kid to me this is probably at least in part due to the fact that I cannot shed my childhood perceptions very easily. Mainly because I still feel like an inexperienced kid.

Oh well, that's it for tonight folks. I'll try to remember to write something every night. That however will cause more than a few rambling posts, as there are often many days in a row, when I have absolutely nothing to say.

(Sorry for weirder and misplaced punctuation, especially the run-on sentences) ]]> EmpressLizBunny http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/empresslizbunny/165-tuesday-november-18th-2008.html New Blog http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/minnimouse/164-new-blog.html Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:24:25 GMT Minnimouse's new blog:) ]]> minnimouse http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/minnimouse/164-new-blog.html Beer of the Day - 11/18 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/robdvc/163-beer-day-11-18.html Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:52:43 GMT Image: http://www.bottlewatch.com/uploaded_images/winters-bourbon-cask-ale-2006.jpg Today’s beer comes to us from Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, Missouri. Michelob Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale Ingredients/Brewing: Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale is brewed with dark-roasted carapils, caramel and two-row barley malts and imported Hallertau and Alsace hops. It is then aged on bourbon oak cask staves and whole Madagascar vanilla beans. Taste: Smooth, robust taste, full of rich aromas, hints of vanilla and flavorful hops. You can smell the vanilla while drinking and there is a lingering vanilla aftertaste. Pairs well with soft cheeses, pork roast, toffee pudding and clam or corn chowders. This is a nice after-dinner beer, tasty cold or at room temperature and just a tad bit stronger than a typical beer with a 6% ABV.

Today’s beer comes to us from Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, Missouri.

Michelob Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale

Ingredients/Brewing:
Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale is brewed with dark-roasted carapils, caramel and two-row barley malts and imported Hallertau and Alsace hops. It is then aged on bourbon oak cask staves and whole Madagascar vanilla beans.

Taste:
Smooth, robust taste, full of rich aromas, hints of vanilla and flavorful hops. You can smell the vanilla while drinking and there is a lingering vanilla aftertaste.
Pairs well with soft cheeses, pork roast, toffee pudding and clam or corn chowders.

This is a nice after-dinner beer, tasty cold or at room temperature and just a tad bit stronger than a typical beer with a 6% ABV. ]]> RobDVC http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/robdvc/163-beer-day-11-18.html Things are a little better... http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/mattuga/162-things-little-better.html Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:35:53 GMT I'm feeling happier about Christmas, etc.

Only bad news is that I drove to campus and I left my wallet at home. I have no food or money and I'm hungry. hahaha ]]> MattUGA http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/mattuga/162-things-little-better.html Sad day going to a funeral http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/tinker_me_happy/161-sad-day-going-funeral.html Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:34:39 GMT Today is a bit hard. DH, DS Corey and I are going to the funeral of DH cousin Glenn. He was only 42 years old. Glenn had a lot of problems, but he LOVED his family! He LOVED playing drums and one thing he looked forward to all year was getting together with his family every Thanksgiving. Every year DH's family (all musicians) will gather together, bring their instruments, have a great feast and then jam! It is one GREAT party!! And "Little Glenn's" Favorite time of year! Sadly today, just a week before his favorite holiday, we say good bye. ]]> tinker_me_happy http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/tinker_me_happy/161-sad-day-going-funeral.html Grrrrrrrrrr.... http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/maryel8775/160-grrrrrrrrrr.html Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:38:51 GMT Well I slept pretty much most of the day away. DH had the day off from work and no sooner did DS & DD get home from school and all 3 of them were at each other's throats. So instead of sitting here listening to them bicker and fight and argue, I went in and laid down until 9pm. DH fixed dinner for him and the kids and I will eat later on when I get hungry.

Sorry for the rant, I just needed to vent and I am so glad that I can do that. ]]> MaryEL8775 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/maryel8775/160-grrrrrrrrrr.html Reading Contest info http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/159-reading-contest-info.html Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:04:16 GMT A few posts back I mentioned that one of the parents in our pack handed out info about a contest that the Boys' Life magazine is sponsoring.

The contest is to write a one-page report "The Best Book I Read This Year".

Here is the link to the contest info and details on entering:
http://www.boyslife.org/home/1053/en...ading-contest/

As you will see all the boys who enter receive a temporary patch, so even if they don't win they have something tangible to mark their participation.

Good luck to those of you whose son(s) enters! ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/159-reading-contest-info.html Elective 3 - Fun and Games http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/158-elective-3-fun-games.html Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:47:07 GMT Sunday, November 16

Joshua had been up during the night with a nagging cough, bad enough that I broke down and gave him cough syrup. So I figured, instead of him coughing all through church and disturbing everybody in the service, I would just stay home with him. We ended up playing several round of UNO Spin. (We were playing until somebody reached 500.)

Our game playing was so successful that after Jay came home from church and we ate lunch, I asked Jay if we could all play a game together for scouts. I told him it could be any card game or any board game. He agreed, and picked UNO. I had hoped for something a little different, since I'd already played UNO Spin all morning, but that was fine. But we did set a limit on the game. Instead of playing to 500, we agreed to play five hands and stop.

It was a little tricky getting Joshua to follow the action with three of us playing. Most of the time it is just me and him playing by ourselves. So it took him a while to catch on to what was happening with the Skips and Reverses. But wouldn't you know it, he won!

Tiger Track Bead count: 6 out of 10 needed for our first bead ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/158-elective-3-fun-games.html FIRE DRILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/157-fire-drill.html Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:39:47 GMT Saturday, November 15

I spent most of today shopping for me and Joshua some clothes for my grandmother to wrap up to give us for Christmas gifts. She had told me she probably wouldn't get out to shop this year, so she just sent me a check in the mail to pick out the gifts myself.

Anyway, :rolleyes: , after I got back home I decided we had better get busy with our "homework" that we had been assigned almost 2 weeks ago. We were supposed to have a fire drill, then discuss what to do if Joshua were to get lost.

I had a call to make to a friend, and I knew that Jay and Joshua were in the den playing the Wii. So as soon as I hung up the phone, I walked around the corner and screamed "Fire drill! Everybody out!" :eek: Then I turned to go back to the front door. But before I turned, I saw Joshua put the remote on the ground and start to get up. (Yay! Joshua!)

Well, by the time I got to the front door and opened it, Joshua was right behind me. We walked out and he asked me "Where do we meet?" As we neared the big tree out front I said this would be fine. We turned around and both looked at the front door, expecting Jay to walk through it at any moment. We had to wait a few seconds (Jay wasn't in any big hurry), and Joshua said "Daddy's gonna die." :rofl2:

Now of course if it had been a real fire that wouldn't have been funny at all, but I thought it was pretty hilarious at the time. Once Jay finally did come outside, I reminded him to move a little quicker next time, then we went in and discussed what to do if the front door was blocked. Joshua correctly came up with 2 or 3 other ways to exit the house. Next question, what if you can't get out of your room? Again Joshua correctly said to go out the window. And what if the house is smoky? Right again, crawl on the floor. Unfortunately I can't take credit for all his fire drill knowledge, but they have done an excellent job the past four years at both his preschool and elementary school, bringing in firefighters and teaching all that stuff. But now we can say we have done this together as a family. Hopefully we will never have to use this knowledge/experience first hand!

The other part of the homework was to discuss what to do if Joshua were to get separated from us while we were in an unfamiliar place. So we talked about that for a while, how it is best to stay where you are and not be wandering around, where it might make it harder to be found. We were actually supposed to practice this while out somewhere (the book suggested a park) but we did not. :o ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/157-fire-drill.html Must do something else http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/mestitch/156-must-do-something-else.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:48:23 GMT We did our usual Sunday morning routine this morning, only it's 2 hours and 45 minutes later and I'm still playing online on the PP boards and Allears, and still listening to live365. I've got to get off here and do something else around the house! But it's soo hard! All my brain can think about is that come Thursday we'll be ready to start our trip!! I've got to find something to distract me for the rest of the day! The house needs cleaning...yeah... I guess I can do that. Maybe we'll hook up with Andy's aunt and uncle for the evening. That will help.

Anybody else ever feel like they just can't tear themselves away sometimes?? ]]> mestitch http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/mestitch/156-must-do-something-else.html OMG http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/mrsmac2001/155-omg.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:40:48 GMT I don't remember a thing from last night. I mean it's good to get together with friends and it's good Kevin was the DD (and I aint meanin' dear daughter) but I can barely remember a thing. I remember dinner. I remember who all was there. But as for the rest.....................:confused:

All I can hope for is I didn't embarrass myself. Please Lord tell me I didn't embarrass myself. Kevin is still asleep so I can't ask him. God love that man. When I went to let the dog out this morning I did notice the van parked next to the deck. I know that means I couldn't walk for the most part. Heaven help me. ]]> mrsmac2001 http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/mrsmac2001/155-omg.html <![CDATA[What's on my mind]]> http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/empresslizbunny/154-whats-my-mind.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:53:58 GMT Okay so I admit I'm a geek. Yeah I know, big surprise. I like any new type of gadget a new cell phone, New Internet thingamajig or anything else new and different. This fascination with gadget seems to run in my family. My grandfather had one of the first color televisions and had a basement full of punchcard computers (which my mother and her sibs learned how to program at a very young age) and my aunt (my mother's sister) is a computer programmer who has a new cell phone every week.

Apparently my aunt was very much like me when she was young, which is how my mother knows how to deal with me so well.
I always liked to figure out new things and learn new things. However, I've never enjoyed school. School was always about tests and how well could you prove that you knew what you knew, but because of my anxiety (it's a part of my asperger's syndrome). I always failed tests so I never did very well at school, but I've always loved to learn new things for the longest time, a favorite channel on cable was the history Channel I used to love to watch history's mysteries every night. I really wish there was a way to get through school without having to go through all the stupid tests, because aside from the human interaction and tests, I think I'd enjoy college, but unfortunately it has those listings too.

I guess I'm just one of those people, who doesn't know what they want to do with their life. I mean, I can think of things that I think it would be cool to be. But I don't know how to become those especially without going to college. I think you'd be really cool to be a computer programmer like my aunt, or do a dozen other things(none of which I can think of at This particular moment).

As you can see this post has been a very long and rambling post. I just kind of said what came to my mind may be tomorrow's post will be more interesting. So long for now, y'all! ]]> EmpressLizBunny http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/empresslizbunny/154-whats-my-mind.html Poster Contest Update http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/153-poster-contest-update.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:42:13 GMT Remember that collage I had Joshua make for the school poster contest? It was sponsored by the National Career Development Association. Okay, remember how he won first place in the school contest? (Apparently he was the only one who entered, but first place is still first place and qualified him for the state competition.)

Well, the other day Joshua came home with a really nice ribbon and a certificate - he had won 2nd place in the state contest for his age group! So now his poster has been sent in to the national competition where he will be up against the winners from the other states that are participating. I assume all the states are, but I guess it's up to each state association whether they want to.

The national competition will not be over until April, I believe. So it is a long time we will have to wait until we hear the eventual results. Plus, now that his poster has been sent to nationals, we will not be receiving it back - just part of their policies, like many other national-level competitions, they don't return any entries. If I had known he would have made it this far, I would have taken a picture of the poster! ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/153-poster-contest-update.html Reposting is now Complete! http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/152-reposting-now-complete.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:36:46 GMT For those of you who might have been laboring away reading all those repostings, thank you! You will be glad to know that the reposting is now complete, so any future entries will be all new stuff. For those of you who might have been laboring away reading all those repostings, thank you!

You will be glad to know that the reposting is now complete, so any future entries will be all new stuff. ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/152-reposting-now-complete.html Repost http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/151-repost.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:30:32 GMT Monday, November 10
The Pack Meeting That Wasn't

Tried to arrive a little earlier tonight. Was expecting Joshua to receive his Art belt loop.

Opening ceremonies were performed, then some announcements were made. I was having sinus trouble and slightly medicated :crazy: so I can't really remember now what they were. :crazy: Oh, one of them was that the boys are going to have a canned-food drive for a local organization. One of the ladies that works there said the boys can even help stock the shelves when they bring the food by, so that will be a nice way to participate. :) So we discussed the details. About all that was decided, was that by next week fliers will be provided so we can go around the neighborhood and distribute them, then come back a week or so later and collect whatever donations people want to give.

After all this, Tim asked if any of the den leaders had any awards to hand out, but nobody said anything. I didn't ask about the belt loop, because I had already pushed pretty hard to get Joshua's Bobcat badge at the last meeting. Plus, discussing it was something that could and should be taken care of later, not in front of everybody else.

Then Tim announced that the Bears were going to go to a separate room to do a handprint/footprint plaster cast activity and discuss fingerprinting, and if any of the other boys wanted to participate they were welcome to do so. So most of the people got up and left. I just kind of sat there for a while, not knowing what to do. Then I saw Gary (our DL) going into our regular meeting room. Somebody else asked if we were breaking off, and Tim said yes. So we all got up and went into our Tiger meeting room.

Apparently, I found out later, Tim had somehow lost his calendar and didn't remember that tonight was a Pack Meeting. :eek: I think he knows that I'm frustrated with him. Because every time something like this happens I just kind of give him a blank look. (Like the Nature Center clean-up day that he forgot about for example.) I really do like him, and I know it's his first year as CM, but after Christmas I may try to see if he will let me be in charge of the calendar. Maybe I can start sending out e-mail reminders to everybody, keeping them up to date on all the meetings. I could throw in some news items of interest and stuff like that.

Well, back to the pack meeting turned den meeting ... I don't think Gary was prepared to lead a den meeting tonight, it must have caught everybody by surprise. So basically he just caught everybody up on their Bobcat requirements. There are a couple of the other boys who are ready to get their badge, so that can be done at the next pack meeting for sure. Then he asked for all of us to bring up our books so he can check off the other things we've done.

Found out that the Webelos' visit to the Mayor's office has been postponed. They had invited other scouts to tag along, so I want to be sure to get the new info. This can count for one of Joshua's electives, plus a requirement for his Citizenship pin.

One of the other moms brought around a page from the Boys Life website telling about a book report contest. There are 3 age groups. The report is about The Best Book I Read All Year or something kinda like that. Just for participating all the scouts receive a patch. The winners can get stuff from the scout catalog. I'll try to find the link in case you're interested. The deadline is December 31. ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/151-repost.html Repost http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/150-repost.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:29:53 GMT Saturday, November 6
Shopping Trip

I had some things I wanted to do today, so we made it a family outing and first went to the Scout Shop. Ours is so small, but I love it. I could go just about every week, I think. :crazy: It takes a while to look for what you're wanting, and just when you think they're not going to have it, suddenly you find it on another shelf, or up at the front counter.

Our pack doesn't award the pocket certificates along with the badges and awards, but I always thought they were neat. And Joshua has already been ogling Jay's from when he was in scouts. So I got a Bobcat card for Joshua and will get his leaders to sign it Monday. Also picked up a pack of vinyl pages that were made to hold the pocket certificates, they came in a pack of 6 sheets. Already have them in my "master folder". :D

I bought the Academic and Sports emblem (patch) since Joshua has already begun working on the belt loops and pins. And I picked out three shields to go on his hiking stick - the World Crest emblem, the Cub Scout logo, and the Bobcat rank.

I wanted to go ahead and pick up the hiking stick and leather grip kit while we were here, the hiking stick was only $5. However Jay said we would wait until we went to Gatlinburg this summer and pick out one for him while we're there. He said that would be better than buying him a "broomstick". :p Yeah, the hiking sticks they had really were that bad. :o

And I believe that was all we got on this trip. There's still tons left on my online wish list but this way there is always a reason to come back, right? ;) Oh, we did get Jay some blue shoulder loops for his uniform shirt since he was asked to be Assistant Cubmaster. One of these days I'll get around to sewing his new patches on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had hoped we could have had a picnic while we were out, that would have met one of the electives in the handbook. We passed a Subway at one point, just before the exit for the Natchez Trace Parkway, and I tried to get Jay to stop but he didn't want Subway today. So the picnic will just have to be postponed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had also hoped that we could have completed our "homework" today by having our fire drill, and our lesson about what to do if Joshua ever gets lost. But during our outing I had started to feel bad (just another round of sinus problems, I believe) so it didn't get done today.

At least this Monday is a Pack Meeting, so the next beads to be handed out shouldn't come until the next meeting, giving us another week to get caught up on that. ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/150-repost.html Repost http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/149-repost.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:29:18 GMT
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom View Post
We had our town Veteran's Day ceremony today, which Colin went to (and some other Scouts as well). He got red/white/blue beads for it being a pack event, and got to shake hands with the Veterans that were there, which I think was good for him (and DD) as far as understanding Veteran's Day!!
That sounds nice.

Quote:
Originally Posted by disneymom9092 View Post
I miss the days when my boys were in boy scouts!! Enjoy this time!!
I just hope Joshua continues to enjoy it and stays in for a while. ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/149-repost.html Repost http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/148-repost.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:28:31 GMT
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrissi View Post
Some of the parents just baffle me. :smirk: Why join Scouts if you have no interest in doing the work or activities? :confused: I don't get it. DJ's got most of his Tiger Cub beads already because we do the work and attend most Pack Events. :smirk:

I think the stuff the kids do to earn their beads is fun. I LOVE doing the Belt Loop requirements with DJ. :D Fun, fun, fun!
I agree! Scouts is not an easy-peasy thing, where you just come to a meeting once a week and they throw awards at you! Anything worth having is worth working for. There are several things that annoy me about our meetings, but Joshua always comes home talking about how much he loves scouts.

I also agree about having fun working on the projects. It's fun to plan out what we're going to do and when, and finding ways to work other activities into scouting. I think, Chrissi, you said it well on one of your threads about not imagining family life without scouts!

Anyway, not much going on here this week. The fire drill that was our homework for the week will get done Sunday afternoon I guess, since we've just had other things going on during the week.

PS. Checked the scouting forum for BSA Family info, nobody knows anything so I guess the book was just out of stock for a while. (It's still at our local scout shop, though.) ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/148-repost.html Repost http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/147-repost.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:27:48 GMT
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrissi View Post
I called the closest full service Scout Shop today. They had a few copies left and plenty of the badges, so I had one set aside and they reassured me that notice would be given before any program is discontinued in case anyone was close to earning their badges. :waytogo:
Glad you were able to find a copy, and that they are not discontinuing this. For those families willing to do a little extra and work on this, I think it's a great thing! I posted a question over in one of the scouting forums, maybe I can get some more info from somebody over there.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom View Post
Colin did the food pyramid on Monday as well!! He came home with a bunch of stuff (lots of extras for them to do at home)!! Alexa made up a schedule for him for the rest of the week so he could get it all in! :D :rofl:
Gotta love that family participation! ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/147-repost.html Repost http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/146-repost.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:27:06 GMT Monday, October 3
Den Meeting

Started out with the pack for the opening ceremony, broke into dens for the remainder of the evening. Started on Achievement 3, Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe. Gary had the boys make a joint food guide pyramid with food pictures he had brought from home, then gave each of them a blank one to do at home. This was the "den" activity, but as you can see it turned into more of a "home" activity.

Gary asked us to do the family activity for this unit as our "homework". It consists of two parts - conduct a fire drill at your home, and role-play what to do if you (the scout) becomes lost.

We were interrupted by Tim coming around to collect our popcorn money and order forms, and by the boys acting crazy. Good thing for my nerves that there are only 3-4 regular attending scouts or I'd be climbing the walls every week. :crazy:

Gary closed by distributing the immediate recognition emblems and beads that had been earned up to this point, based on the den activities and family activities we've done, and if anybody had done the go-see-its. Joshua ended up with 8 beads total. Gary asked one of the parents to see if they could line us up a visit to the police station soon, and also said that we'd probably be visiting the radio station at the college across the street, so that's two more beads that hopefully the boys can earn soon.

I asked Gary on the way out if he thought visiting the Natural Science Museum could be counted as visiting an aquarium, since at least half of their exhibits were aquarium tanks. He thought that would work, so I counted that toward one of Joshua's electives. Also before leaving, I told Gary that Joshua had completed his requirements for the art belt loop. He didn't have the tracking form, but made a note of it, especially since next week is a pack meeting, maybe they can get it in time for Joshua to receive it next Monday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday, November 4
Election Day

Joshua went with Jay and me when we voted this afternoon. Doing so, along with us explaining the process and our choices, counts as a requirement for the Citizenship pin. We didn't get too much into explaining our particular choices, just mainly focused on the basics of an election and that it's important to make a good choice when voting. Luckily there was no line when we arrived (most of our residents were lined up at 7 am!) so it didn't take very long.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Helped Joshua complete his own food guide pyramid. He cut food pictures out of the grocery store advertisement in the paper and glued them on. Then we did the accompanying activity in the book. We had to have a healthy snack (we chose yogurt), then discuss when it's difficult to eat healthy, and which foods our bodies need. ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/146-repost.html Repost http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/145-repost.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:26:28 GMT
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrissi View Post
Yeah, that's the same link I found. I can't find anything more in-depth and the book has basically disappeared. I don't know what to tell the families in my den that are asking about it at this point. It's just GONE. :eek:
Hmmm, so do you think this means they are discontinuing the program? :confused: Seems like if the book was just simply out of stock they would have something on the scoutstuff site. When I was browsing through the scoutstuff patches and awards they have for sale, I noticed 5 others that used similar logos to the BSA Family award. They were for five different categories - similar, but not exactly the same as the BSA Family. Each had a different color although the design was the same. Pins and patches were available for each, just like the BSA Family award has. They were for something called the Family Fun Book. Have you heard anything about this? I searched the scout site and the web in general and couldn't find anything. ]]> christiejay http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/145-repost.html Repost http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/blogs/christiejay/144-repost.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:25:48 GMT