in spite of it all
 

I know its been a rough summer for some.......and we are all feeling
the effects of the economy.:( What with gas and food prices.....the
looming election...the heat........just everything.

But lets start a positive thread. What have you done this summer
in spite of it all?????

Ill start.....well, obviously Im not able to travel much but with 4 kids
home Ive got to do something...:)

We are fortunate to have a pool in our backyard. So this summer
has been spent in the pool with a few breaks inside to grab a popsicle.
Ive been doing some childcare for my bff who is newly single. Her
dd is 7 right between my 5 and 9 year olds so they all play together
quite nicely. And if one of mine is gone she can play with the other
one.:) We call it "Camp Sox":D.

We have also taken advantage of the local libraries childrens programs.
My dd9 is taking knitting once a week. And the younger ones are
doing a "Wild Reads" program once a week which is a reading program
that benefits the Heifer Foundation.:) These are all free and best
of all the library has great AC.:D

We've built many a fort in my family room and my kids and friends have entertained:rolleyes: us with many a play/show.:)

Has anyone else done anything fun in spite of it all?????


Im dedicating this thread to someone very special and they
know who they are:)

Wow, you're really doing some quality things with your kids this summer...much better than sitting in front of the TV watching movies or playing video games. They'll thank you when they're older!:)

Not doing much at all. The heat has really done a number on me this summer, so I take my dog for a walk every morning before it gets too hot. Also obsessed with our new pond in the yard...I love watching the fish grow and swim. It's weird to see that they have definite qualities to them... three are quite nonassertive, while two are bullies and push the others out of the way to get the food. Of course, they're now the largest! It's fun, but a lot of work, and we've been learning as we go along. The bonus is I have less grass to mow!!:D

Now that my 4 week session with extreme fatigue has lessened, I'm also going to the gym every weekday to exercise and lift weights. Trying not to overdo it, though.

How about everybody else?

Despite the economy and Jim not feeling 100%, we are trying to enjoy our summer. We took a three day trip to the Dells and reconnected. We are heading out to see Joel Osteen tomorrow night and the Chicago Cubs on the 27th. Since I am the family connection hub, I am getting the extended fam together finally whether they like it or not. haha

The boys are enjoying their summer with their gf's. We also have a Wii and have been spending time as a family playing that at night. Despite the heat, we are finding things to do that doesn't cost too much money.

Thanks for this thread, it's nice to think positive.

Great idea, Sox! Thanks for starting this thread!

I've been staying inside mostly - due to the heat and also not driving.....

Since I love to cook I've been working on my recipe collection and getting everything categorized so I can easily find what I'm looking for.

I found my Mom's old recipe box and have been reading some of the ones I remember so fondly. It's like a walk backwards in time. Honestly....I can read the recipe for her Applesauce Cake and it's Christmas again (she only made this cake at Christmas time) and I can actually smell it baking.

Many of her recipes are in her handwriting on scraps of paper and I've put those in individual baggies to help preserve them.

I'm also trying to write note cards to everyone but I can only do several a day 'cos it makes my hand hurt to do too much writing at one time.

Despite the heat I'm actually having a nice summer. Just me and the cats cooped up inside....napping when we feel like it......just enjoying each others company! :)

What a great idea Kelly. My little ones are going with my dh this weekend
to the mountains to see his Mom. I think I will start on my recipe collection.
Its a huge job but I could start it.:)

Thanks for the idea.

Bumping this thread up 'cos I know there are more people here with positive things to share...... :wink:

:)
I have just finished doing a large recipe notebook with all the gathered recipes over the years.

our summer got off to a very positive start when my eldest son graduated from college :p

despite the bad economy sales havent been too bad, even tho summer is usually a slow time for online sales sooo that is a big + :Bow:

nice to read everyone else's positives too :grouphug:

Good bloody idea, Sox!:hug:

This has been a great summer in MI. I've been enjoying the weather very much. Last year it was nearly impossible for me to be outdoors even for a few minutes.

These last two days have been our worst all season so I take a lot of cool showers and go on the swing shift. If I can get up before dawn and push down a pot of coffee, I have a few good hours to spend outdoors. So, I do it.

Pretty soon a friend and I will make our venture into Lake MI for our annual 4-hour swim. I'm looking forward to that. If the weather is tolerable, I'll be attending my local Civil War Muster, it's one of my favorite summer outings. The blender chicks will be by this weekend for some fun, and of course, I've been playing with tools in the early mornings. I just love doing crummy things to innocent wood. ;)

I'm thankful for my scooters because I can scarcely walk anymore, they can take me all over the place, so I let 'em. Tomorrow at dawn I'll be scooting to the store to procure some produce and parity products. ;)

What have Alan and I done this summer?? Well since he has the foot ulcer and wears a boot, and we have no family to speak of, well we just enjoyed each other's company and I sit on my friend's porch each evening, or they come and sit on my porch.

May not seem like much fun, but I'm just so glad to get up in the morning, and breath some air, that I see the world as half full and not as half empty.

I probably sound like Mary Poppins, but whatever gets me up and through the day, well I'm happy to do it. This summer I lost some more weight, I actually was able to buy a blouse today, size Medium. And if you don't think THAT's an accomplishment, let me tell you. I USED TO WEAR A SIZE 24 AND A HALF.

My friends think I have lost my mind because I buy these outrageous tops. I don't give a hoot. If I look like Auntie Mame, well I look like Auntie Mame.

It puts a smile on Alan's face so that's all I need.

And, oh yes, one more new summer thing. It happened yesterday.

Each morning we used to go to Dunkin Donuts. Do you know how much two breakfasts and two coffees cost in that place?? Over $8.00. So sometimes, we'd bring our own muffins and just get the coffee.

Well two days ago, a new place opened up about 7 blocks from our house. We went there this morning.

Two egg whites (or two eggs) on a roll, WITH FREE COFFEE cost $1.75.

Just imagine. We go over to the fresh coffee urns and we make our own, just like we like it. This morning I made french vanilla mixed with some other kind of coffee, add a bit of half and half, some stevia and we were in heaven. The whole bill (for the two of us) was $3.80.

Good Lord. Friendly people, nice cup of coffee in the morning, and an egg white sandwich. Who could ask for more??

And they are opening up a Walgreens on the same block. I've never been to a Walgreens.

And for the first time, I wore a bright yellow blouse the other day. Never did that in 60 years on this earth. Always dark colors.

Not any more!!!!! lol

So I am in the youth of old age, and this summer is seeing me come alive in living color.

With cheap breakfasts!!!! lol

Melody

Well in spite of the fuel prices we are hookin up the RV and hitting the road. Going to the chili cook off in duck creek. I am hoping to get some fishing in also.

Then on Monday our church is starting vacation bible school and the kids (teens) and I are teaching.

Love the recipe ideas, I have several recipes here and there from mom and I should consolidate them.

Mel, doesn't wearing yellow just make ya feel good?

Have a great weekend everyone...Sue

all joking aside (don't roll yer eyes yet, I can get serious once in awhile...LOL)

I want to say that one of the most positive things in my life is coming here to NT, reading about you guys, my HEROES...

all of you posting above me, and many others out there. Fighting, battling, standing tall through it all...

supporting eachother through the downs and laughing with eachother during the ups...

It brings a warmth to my heart, it gives me hope in humanity, it strengthens my belief that through it all: bad economy, war, famine(OK, maybe not famine, I don't want to eat a pilot. LOL) that there are REAL people, REALLY REALLY caring about eachother....battling out their demons, physical, mental and what not...

I can't thank you guys enough...for when I am down, when I am walking around in pain, all I need to do, is come here...and it brings me courage but even more...

HOPE....

always a humbling learning experience...always...

using one of my favorite author's book title to sum up what I am feeling right now:

A Tear and a Smile
(by Kahlil Gibran)

(shoot, I really hate it when I get sappy....LOL)

I agree with you 1000% Who Moi. Very nicely put!

I come to this site everyday...sometimes many times a day....and it always gets me through whatever negativity I'm faced with. I can vent, rant or whine and nobody tells me to "suck it up" or makes me feel like I'm a baby.

I also come here to laugh and read the good things that are happening in everyone's lives and to read all the prayers that are answered.

This thread was a great idea.....and I really try to be positive and look at the bright side of things. But, just like everyone else, I get down and need a shoulder.....and that's why I love this place! :)

This Summer - within the past few weeks actually - I reconnected with my older sister.

We came from an abusive family, and we "lost" contact when I reported my parents; I decided their (mis)conduct was worthy of introduction to the judicial system via detectives and a prosecutor's office.

I had actually given up hope on hearing from her but... she located me. After so many years of no communication, I'm reminding myself to take things in stride. And, too, things that may have bothered me in the past no longer do. I've learned to accept that people (even with the same family dynamic) have individual coping / survival mechanisms.

As long as there's no mention of our parents, I'm quite fine with things as they are :).


Now, maybe I'll decide whether I want contact with other relatives. If I can't determine that I'd be better off with them in my life, then, I'm ruling it out :cool:. I do need to preserve my sanity, after all :D.

Well put Moi!

Hi Sue:

Well, since I never had the pleasure of wearing anything yellow in my entire life (maybe when I was a kid, but who remembers what we wore way back in the day???).

When I came down the block in my new yellow baby doll top, and my black biker shorts, my friend down the block ran over to me and said "I LOVE that top, where did you buy it".

Now, there's isn't a soul on this earth who has ever run up to me and said those words. I laughed out loud and said "In Telco". She said "I'm buying it".

Oh, she's 4 feet 11 and weights 90 lbs. THAT REALLY GAVE ME A LAUGH. Her husband looked at me and said "Don't you ever stop walking??" I said "nah, it's good for you". Oh, she's 57, he's 77 and bought her a house when they married 3 years ago.

That is so funny!! I went out to breakfast with Alan this morning (at the new cheap place). He wanted to go to Radio Shack after breakfast and I said "meet me at Kings". He says 'UH OH, ARE YOU BUYING ANOTHER TOP??"

Got him trained good don't I??? lol lol lol lol

Cool thread Soxmom!

So far this summer . . . .

I have had the chance to watch DD18 grow up more and become more responsible. She has blossomed over the past few months and it is so wonderful and amazing to watch. I am so excited for her to just get out there and be the person that she was meant to be.

Meanwhile, back at the homefront, LOL, I have had the chance to have more alone time with DD16 now that DD18 is working and hanging out with friends. DD16 and I had a really good time bonding doing a painting for one of her friends (3 - 16x20's that line up side by side to make a whole painting). We had so much fun doing it together. It was really special.

Wow Tkrik that does sound like youve had a really special summer. I
think that is what it is all about, dont you?:)

In spite of it all I am making more time to play with my daughter and enjoying simpler things with my family and I'm loving it!!!

Perfect!!!!!:D:) That is exactly what I am talking about. Enjoy yourselves.

:hug:

Hey Sox and everyone else. Well, after the horrible Summer and Winter of 2007 (for me it was) I decided to try and start living again. We have been taking the RV out and seeing friends, which is very relaxing.

Then, some board buds met up and wowee, what a wkend that was. (RW, Yabbit, AMN and me) I'm still smiling.

Late June, we took a trip to NC to see DD, DSIL, Sis, niece and families. It was wonderful. However, lately the weather's been merciless in IL. We have hot, humidty and storms all in the same day. This is causing some havoc w/my body, but I just keep remembering how awful last Winter was.
The flooding has been horrendous, but thankfully, we are in a dry area.

My DS had his 14th kidney transplant anniversary and yes, we are extremely thankful for that too!. Every yr is a major milestone.

I will be going back to NC in Oct and hope to hit a few major points of interest this Summer yet. Hope you are all keeping cool and thank you Sox, for helping us to remember to be thankful, even for the little things in life.

Lets see,

in spite of troubles with this health..and having to rest or nap a LOT>..

I have been out golfing more this summer than last I believe :)
some of those times with the older kids for kid time :)

I travelled down with the four girls to spend few days with friends, then to my oldest sisters house..to spend some quality time there (she is still fighting cancer, tomorrow she starts a test chemo drug keep her in your prayers thanks)

In a few weeks, we leave for two weeks to Florida, and although a bit nervous about the heat, and coping....it is two weeks away from work...and all....hanging there with inlaws....and just chilling there the two weeks...they have a pool...and should be nice get away before the start of school...

(where did the summer take off to already, time is going too fast) hugssss all, thanks fro the good thread, sarah

sounds like a great summer Sarah. Ill keep your sister Madeline in my prayers okay?:)

:hug::hug::hug:

Thanks soxie, hugsss to you...
all smiles here, work tomorrow then my two days off...:) hugss,sarah

In spite of my pain and misery I decided to hitch a ride with 2 of my sisters (trying to reconnect with one of them) to Fla and stayed in a condo on the beach from 6-20 to 6-30 and I have paid for it since! 30 hours in a car with 4 screaming kids (that I was not told was going) played havoc with my back and I have spent 80% of my time in bed since! I did go shopping one day and bought a hot pink strapless shorty dress and a olive green bikini and went to the beach one day and one night! Otherwise I stayed in bed crying over my puppy that I had to leave behind ( I did not tell Dh that was who I cried for but its the truth) so I tried, but if I ever do another vacation, # 1 ,I will fly, and # 2, I will take my furbaby if I have to go alone:):)

and Junie, number 3...you will check first if there are lots of kids going..in case that isnt your thing..hehehehe

sorry you have had it rough since your trip..think positive..you can wear a bikini you hot chic you.....

hehehehee

Just made a plan for tomorrow after work, my mom called to invite me to go golfing with her then to dinner out...yeahhhhh (hoping my wrists and ankles dont hurt much..they have been hurting crazy last few days..not sure why)

hugsss all, and happy summer...sarah

In spite of it all the teasings and looks that I get all the time...I've decided that I can really let it roll off of me...

and I started something last summer...whenever I go to the supermakets, I always ask if the cashier would like a drink. The problem was, I am a dude and most of the times, I think they think I am hitting on them.

I am believer in karma and somewhat of a buttfly effect. If I stink face someone, that someone will stink face someone else and it'll come back to me eventually...

I always see cashiers that are busy with long lines and by the time I get to them, they are pretty worn out...I try to be really nice to them and talk to them. Most of the times, it works...but then asking them if I can buy them a drink innocently without them taking it the wrong way was hard.

I solved that problem today...

I bought a drink but asked the cashier to ring it up separately, I know, she gave me the "sheesh, more work" look. But that was OK...

I then said to her: "this is for you, and I am NOT hitting on you. I just wanted to thank you." And I also leave her the receipt so she can exchange it for a drink she wants.

And I walked away...

I still hope she doesn't think I was hitting on her...hmmmm....anyways, no matter. I will try to do that as much as I can from now on. If I can afford (Not really) to pay $4.00/gallon. I can afford $1.25 to hopefully make someone smiles at the person behind me...and hopefully, that smile will come 'round my way again some day...

anyways...after a couple of days of being mean and angry...I am done with that...I need to go back to zen...and believe that the human race have a chance. But I can only believe in that if I myself follow suit...

:)

Wow, who moi:

First off, I thought you were a dame, not a dude. I can never tell from a person's user ID what gender they are.

Now I know you are a dude!!!

AND A NICE DUDE!!

There aren't too many of you around.

So you keep buying drinks for weary cashiers.

I buy breakfasts for people who sit on the street.

And hot coffee for homeless people (during the winter).

No one can figure out why I do this??

Why does there have to be a reason to do something nice for someone else!!!

Shouldn't we do stuff because it's the right thing to do??

Without expecting stuff back??

And what the heck does STICK FACE MEAN???

lol

EXACTLY:D!!!!!



well, it's STINK face. LOL

that means when I am showing my :mad: face. LOL

but "STANK FACE" in the hip hop world is a compliment, it means, it is so good, my face is stuck in the :ooo: position cause I am just shocked at how good it is...

:D