The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[Figgy1]

. . . yup

Sympathy like. My dh just got off work and next week is only 3 3/4 days for him

 

[BAChicagoGal]

I had my foot xrayed, and the doctor thinks I have a heal spur. However, I also got a referral to a podiatrist, who I am seeing on Tuesday. I want to know one way, or another, exactly what I have. The doctor I saw today mentioned a cortisone shot. I will talk that over with the podiatrist when I see him on Tuesday. I have heard/read both positive, and negative about that treatment.

My trip is 38 days away.

 

[Figgy1]

I had my foot xrayed, and the doctor thinks I have a heal spur. However, I also got a referral to a podiatrist, who I am seeing on Tuesday. I want to know one way, or another, exactly what I have. The doctor I saw today mentioned a cortisone shot. I will talk that over with the podiatrist when I see him on Tuesday. I have heard/read both positive, and negative about that treatment.

My trip is 38 days away.

Sympathy like. I hope the podiatrist has an easy solution for your pain. or at least something that will get you through your trip in one piece. Good luck and sending pixie dust your way.

 

[Figgy1]

@BAChicagoGal we're going to UNI for the first time. Do you have any places you'd suggest eating at? THNX

 

[BAChicagoGal]

Sympathy like. I hope the podiatrist has an easy solution for your pain. or at least something that will get you through your trip in one piece. Good luck and sending pixie dust your way.

Thanks for the support. I am feeling so much better, just for the fact, that i had the foot looked at, and xrayed. Now I can move forward, and make an informed decision.

My husband loves to tease me. He says, lose a few pounds, and your foot pain will disappear. The man hasn't gained a pound in about 30 years. Me on the other hand have trouble with my weight in like forever. I love food, and all my hobbies are sedentary. My husband eats all the junk food, and I gain the weight.

 

[Figgy1]

Thanks for the support. I am feeling so much better, just for the fact, that i had the foot looked at, and xrayed. Now I can move forward, and make an informed decision.

My husband loves to tease me. He says, lose a few pounds, and your foot pain will disappear. The man hasn't gained a pound in about 30 years. Me on the other hand have trouble with my weight in like forever. I love food, and all my hobbies are sedentary. My husband eats all the junk food, and I gain the weight.

You're quite welcome and MEN except for @donaldtoo and Mr. Betts notice I didn't include @Mr Ferret 88

 

[BAChicagoGal]

@BAChicagoGal we're going to UNI for the first time. Do you have any places you'd suggest eating at? THNX

Actually, I visited Universal just for part of a day back in 2012. I don't have a clue about restaurants. I wish I could help. I am looking forward to the Universal Part of my trip. We will be checking into Cabana Bay on September the 5th, and staying three nights. So we have 2 full days in the Universal Parks. I am mostly interested in the Harry Potter stuff. I am sure the other 5 people in my party will be trying to do everything else. We have 2 day, park to park tickets.

 

[donaldtoo]

Half-day Friday...!!!!!

 

[Figgy1]

Half-day Friday...!!!!!

Any big plans? ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Any big plans? ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!
Only if you consider just chillin' big plans...!

 

[Cesar R M]

I had my foot xrayed, and the doctor thinks I have a heal spur. However, I also got a referral to a podiatrist, who I am seeing on Tuesday. I want to know one way, or another, exactly what I have. The doctor I saw today mentioned a cortisone shot. I will talk that over with the podiatrist when I see him on Tuesday. I have heard/read both positive, and negative about that treatment.

My trip is 38 days away.

hopefully nothing serious.
Definitively not fun if they end saying "You will be perfect with a minor surgery".

 

[Figgy1]

Thanks!
Only if you consider just chillin' big plans...!

Chillin and ketchup a perfect combo

 

[donaldtoo]

Although I haven't been able to do a very good of it...
Time to try some more ketchup, and in honor of all the hot temps...

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I agree, it's a pain in the winter to walk to the mailbox. Especially if the streets aren't plowed.

There's some days if we don't go out, we don't get the mail.

 

[donaldtoo]

In a perfect world that is exactly how it would work. But, in a reality, at least here in NC, people are doing all they can to keep their heads above water. They tried fund raisers, but, there just wasn't enough time to pull it all together so the high school or whomever makes those decisions decided that it would be just less hassle to just have everyone pay their own way, for the most part. That put a major burden on the families. That is not to say that they aren't proud of their children for their achievements, but, that it came with a cost that they hadn't planned for or would have been able to just squeeze into their budgets. It is a real problem for many. What they have raised and continue to attempt to do will go to help supplement those families that just cannot raise it all, but, then the additional burden falls upon those that may be able to swing it, but, not without a great deal of sacrifice on their part. They are going to do it, one way of the other, but, that doesn't stop it from being a problem for them. I doubt that any of them really imagined that they would reach the level in high school that they would be chosen to go to the parade, so being prepared is a little more challenging.

I get all that.
Ours wasn't a "perfect world" situation, either.
I was laid off during part of that time myself, and we weren't exactly flush with cash.
The UT football game concessions alone were a minimum 10 hr. gig, and that doesn't include driving to and from.
We also sat out in the rain and cold at Girl Scout cookie booths so our DDs could go to camp every summer for "free".
As huge of an honor as it is, maybe sometimes those in charge should vet the situation with more scrutiny before they accept the invitation, and just decline if it's too much of a burden on the community.
But, we all know that probably has never happened, especially with all the politics and drama that's usually involved in such things.

 

[donaldtoo]

I'm not sure it isn't all about negativity. Some families just can't flat out afford the more elaborate trips. We saw this with our school's marching at Disney, it is wildly expensive for some and others not so much. While the good fortune to work the concessions in your area that really isn't the case in many areas where time devoted and hard work isn't how fundraising happens in so many areas to fund distant trips. So many fundraisers involve selling stuff people really don't want to purchase and feel obligated to buy. Can't tell you how many pizza's, pies, chocolates, cookies, entertainment books my kids were required to sell over the years. Cringe.

For our kids Club Swim team we had the option of a buyout. Whatever the genuine profit would be for the product sold we could write a check. We'd write the check rather than impose on other families to support and fund our children's activities but that didn't stop others from plopping down the fundraisers for us to fund for them. It really at times did get overwhelming between Chorus, Swim Team, Baseball and PTO fundraisers. Now add in most schools have Foundations in addition to PTO's and Booster Clubs. We really supported our kids and their dreams and goals but Ouch!!! It wasn't negativity on our part but a recession at the time a kid in college and another one coming up quickly. Not negativity but a firm grip on reality of 'x' amount of money and college tuition that had to be paid and we were in better shape than many.

I'm glad we are past all that.....

See my answer to Goofyernmost.

 

[Gabe1]

I get all that.
Ours wasn't a "perfect world" situation, either.
I was laid off during part of that time myself, and we weren't exactly flush with cash.
The UT football game concessions alone were a minimum 10 hr. gig, and that doesn't include driving to and from.
We also sat out in the rain and cold at Girl Scout cookie booths so our DDs could go to camp every summer for "free".
As huge of an honor as it is, maybe sometimes those in charge should vet the situation with more scrutiny before they accept the invitation, and just decline if it's too much of a burden on the community.
But, we all know that probably has never happened, especially with all the politics and drama that's usually involved in such things.

See my answer to Goofyernmost.

I like the idea of volunteer time vs fundraisers that require selling stuff to others. We did bowling events for adults, father daughter dances things like that. Your concession stand is a perfect example of a nice situation where involved work hard and are rewarded in funds for their programs. Girls Scout cookies have become pricey but still are a beloved tradition. Still the amount of students forced to raise money by selling entertainment books, pizza's, pies, pop corn the list goes on and repeat does get overwhelming. It seems every child needs an outside source to support their sport, band or trip. I had a difficult time asking others to buy my kids pies, chocolate, entertainment books so they could go to swim camp free. I just couldn't. I took the buyout. Even the entertainment books I bought all the minimum and gave them to family members.

And yes. I think vetting the feasibility of the affordability of a trip is a sound idea. Unfortunately well intentioned staff and families where it isn't an issue usually LOUD in their quest. Also our staff goes free plus are paid the over night stipend per day. It is difficult to be a parent who can't afford this to wrestle with let alone go public speaking out against the trip in a very public forum and in front of your kids parents. So those in that situation are usually robbing Peter to pay Paul so their kids don't get left behind. Our band starts in 4th grade and parents are not likely in the know of how expensive playing that instrument would become. I know I didn't know what it would cost me when my kids were 6-7 and being competitive swimmers. It snowballs into the absurd amount of money.

Again it isn't about bringing negativity into the accomplishments of our kids or students it is just a huge line item in a parents budget whether it is marching at Macy's, Disney World or my kids qualifying for Junior Olympics. We all know how long some of us save and budget for occasional trips to WDW. Most often these trips only give families months to be paid in full. I have empathy for all still funding these activities. I'm happy it is behind me.

 

[donaldtoo]

Good morning. Working in a large medical institution, the management is always sending out all-employee emails (to thousands of employees) about the latest things we can or cannot do. Last week at work, there were TWO warnings about Pokemon--don't do it on the job!!! That's pretty bad when two warnings come out in one week--I've been there 14 years and never saw anything like that before. I can't believe they've caught some people playing that game while at work--idiots.

I'm not gonna' judge...
I don't get the whole Pokemon thing, but, although I know you don't ever, y'all all know I play here during work hours sometimes...
Although, granted, not during a serious deadline.

 

[donaldtoo]

I like the idea of volunteer time vs fundraisers that require selling stuff to others. We did bowling events for adults, father daughter dances things like that. Your concession stand is a perfect example of a nice situation where involved work hard and are rewarded in funds for their programs. Girls Scout cookies have become pricey but still are a beloved tradition. Still the amount of students forced to raise money by selling entertainment books, pizza's, pies, pop corn the list goes on and repeat does get overwhelming. It seems every child needs an outside source to support their sport, band or trip. I had a difficult time asking others to buy my kids pies, chocolate, entertainment books so they could go to swim camp free. I just couldn't. I took the buyout. Even the entertainment books I bought all the minimum and gave them to family members.

And yes. I think vetting the feasibility of the affordability of a trip is a sound idea. Unfortunately well intentioned staff and families where it isn't an issue usually LOUD in their quest. Also our staff goes free plus are paid the over night stipend per day. It is difficult to be a parent who can't afford this to wrestle with let alone go public speaking out against the trip in a very public forum and in front of your kids parents. So those in that situation are usually robbing Peter to pay Paul so their kids don't get left behind. Our band starts in 4th grade and parents are not likely in the know of how expensive playing that instrument would become. I know I didn't know what it would cost me when my kids were 6-7 and being competitive swimmers. It snowballs into the absurd amount of money.

Again it isn't about bringing negativity into the accomplishments of our kids or students it is just a huge line item in a parents budget whether it is marching at Macy's, Disney World or my kids qualifying for Junior Olympics. We all know how long some of us save and budget for occasional trips to WDW. Most often these trips only give families months to be paid in full. I have empathy for all still funding these activities. I'm happy it is behind me.

Again, I get all that.
I'm sure whoever hands out the invites to these things isn't contacting the kiddos and parents first.
Presumably, the principal and/or band director are contacted first, and they probably need to take a little more time to evaluate the community if they feel the financial situation could be a potential problem, before they spread that news all over the place. After all, isn't that part of their job...knowing a little about the communities they are a part of to better serve their students and families best interests?
I don't go on vacations I can't afford, or buy cars I can't afford.
If you can't afford this stuff, you can't afford it.
Opt out/decline the invitation if it's that much of a financial burden.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I get all that.
Ours wasn't a "perfect world" situation, either.
I was laid off during part of that time myself, and we weren't exactly flush with cash.
The UT football game concessions alone were a minimum 10 hr. gig, and that doesn't include driving to and from.
We also sat out in the rain and cold at Girl Scout cookie booths so our DDs could go to camp every summer for "free".
As huge of an honor as it is, maybe sometimes those in charge should vet the situation with more scrutiny before they accept the invitation, and just decline if it's too much of a burden on the community.
But, we all know that probably has never happened, especially with all the politics and drama that's usually involved in such things.

No, it will not happen as you say, so in the meantime, some are heavily burdened and have serious problems trying to make it work. They will do whatever then can to insure that they don't deprive their children of that opportunity, but, that doesn't stop it from being a stressful situation to be in.