May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 7

[LiserAnn]

Just received the "Panama Canal" book for kids. I think I like it better than "Locks, Crocs, and Skeeters".

Who's the author on that one (the PC one)?

 

[LiserAnn]

Eeek! I just got off the phone with our friends in Foothill Ranch (we lived there before moving to Murrieta). The fire came right up to their fence last night. He said there was one firetruck for every three homes on the canyon side and firemen in each backyard holding a defensive line. A house down the street suffered actual fire damage as the flames hit the house. Scary stuff...I'm just glad they're OK and back in their home today!! Right now San Diego and Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear are the big concerns. I read this morning San Diego has lost 1,000 homes and structures. I cannot imagine, how awful!

 

[gydell]

Who's the author on that one (the PC one)?

The name if the book is "The Panama Canal, the story of how a jungle was conquered and the world made smaller" by Elizabeth Mann

 

[gydell]

It's going to be a quite weekend on this site with so many at WDW!

 

[LiserAnn]

The name if the book is "The Panama Canal, the story of how a jungle was conquered and the world made smaller" by Elizabeth Mann

Thanks-that's actually the one that I bought and I also like it better than the Crocs one (I borrowed the Crocs one from the library just to make sure we liked it first before buying it). I also like "The Panama Canal" by Lesley Dutemple. That one is appropriate for older kids, 10 and above and also makes a pretty easy read for adults who want something quick and easy to learn more about the PC.

 

[kymma]

Hey guys,

I live in the Saugus area of SoCal and thought I would share a few pictures of what the last two days have been like here.

I hope everyone out here is doing ok.

 

[birkner]

Hey guys,

I live in the Saugus area of SoCal and thought I would share a few pictures of what the last two days have been like here.

I hope everyone out here is doing ok.

Very frightening Kim!! Hope you and your family are safe and far enough away from the fire that it does not affect your home. ixiedust:

 

[gydell]

Looks scarey!

 

[kymma]

The pictures of the actual fire and the water drop were taken while standing at the entrance to the neighborhood that I live in. It was about a 2 minute walk from my house. A very close call for us. If the wind had started blowing to the North the fire would have come right into our neighborhood. The fire fighters did an amazing job fighting this fire.

 

[figment52]

The fires are horrible and I pray everyone stays safe.

On a UP note - less than 200 days until we cruise

 

[gydell]

The pictures of the actual fire and the water drop were taken while standing at the entrance to the neighborhood that I live in. It was about a 2 minute walk from my house. A very close call for us. If the wind had started blowing to the North the fire would have come right into our neighborhood. The fire fighters did an amazing job fighting this fire.

Glad you are safe!

 

[gydell]

The fires are horrible and I pray everyone stays safe.

On a UP note - less than 200 days until we cruise

198 days until we leave!

 

[HollyTyler]

Oh...and the best part of the party was that my DH won the adult musical chairs competition...$100!!!!!

Very cool! Great pics too! I really love the one of your boys with their snow cones. They're so happy!

 

[nskjerven]

holly, how did it go today?

 

[HollyTyler]

I just heard on our news here in DC this morning that they are evacuting the evacuation centers now. They said the ones that they are evacuting are hotels and not schools.

Everyone in CA take care.....this is very very very scary to me (and i am sure to you!!)

I agree.....VERY scary.

Holly, this is a great idea. I have used mine to pay for all of my kids braces each year. Even though you work part time, maybe your employer could make it available to you. (if they offer it). It sounds like they really care for you and the work you do for them. The amount you can put in just went up to $3,600 I think.
Lisa

I'll definitely check into it.

 

[HollyTyler]

Eeek! I just got off the phone with our friends in Foothill Ranch (we lived there before moving to Murrieta). The fire came right up to their fence last night. He said there was one firetruck for every three homes on the canyon side and firemen in each backyard holding a defensive line. A house down the street suffered actual fire damage as the flames hit the house. Scary stuff...I'm just glad they're OK and back in their home today!! Right now San Diego and Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear are the big concerns. I read this morning San Diego has lost 1,000 homes and structures. I cannot imagine, how awful!

OH MY GOSH! This is getting way too scary. I'm glad your friends are safe and back in their home, but what a close call they had!

 

[HollyTyler]

Kim, those pictures are quite shocking. I just hope you and your family & friends are far enough away to be safe.

 

[HollyTyler]

Glad you are safe!

DITTO!!

 

[HollyTyler]

Wanted to finish reading the posts about the fires first to make sure all our DIS friends are safe. Very scary stuff there. Makes Tyler's issue pale in comparison. But, inquiring minds want to know, so here goes!

Things went well, and I actually found the appointment quite humorous at times. I also got a couple surprises from Tyler's dad. The stepmom still had no eye contact with me and nothing to say to me while we were in the waiting room. The Dr. took us into her office and there were 2 chairs side-by-side across from the Dr. at her desk, and 1 chair by itself at the end of her desk. Naturally, I assumed dad & stepmom would sit in the side-by-side chairs, so imagine my surprise when dad sat in the chair sitting by itself. The look on stepmom's face was priceless! So she and I sat next to each other. I was just very amused because throughout the whole hour, she was sitting with such a "closed" posture: legs crossed, leaning away from me, arms crossed tightly across her chest, and very grumpy/pouting look on her face. Dad was exact opposite. Very open posture, very engaged in the conversations, etc. She didn't have much to say, but the times she did pipe up, dad said things like, "Well, that doesn't have anything to do with what's going on". For example, when the Dr. asked whether there have been any major changes in our lives that could be a source of stress for Tyler such as a job change for a parent, a move to a new house, death of a loved one, etc., dad & I said "No" and stepmom says, "Well, we got a dog 2 months ago". Yes I know dogs are lots of work, but I had a hard time not laughing at that one!

There were a couple other things that she went off about, completely unrelated to the reason of our visit, like saying how she's really trying to get him into a particular school system that she wants him to be in, and each time dad either ignored her or basically shut her up. Little things like when the Dr. asked which address she should use for Tyler, stepmom angrily says it should be their address but dad says it doesn't really matter and that Tyler IS with me more nights of the week after all.

When payment came up, stepmom got set off again. Good grief!

I was my normal, happy, bubbly self, sitting there eating my snack and drinking my can of pop. I truly looked just like this: . Tried SO hard not to laugh at how childish she was being and was very entertained!

 

[HollyTyler]

Next step: Dr. will call and speak directly with teachers, I've given a couple forms to teachers to fill out about Tyler's behavior, dad & I each have an observation form to fill out, and Tyler's full day of evaluation is next Tuesday. I feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Sure, Tyler might have a long road ahead of him depending on what the diagnosis is and what treatment is recommended, but it's out of my hands for now and into the professional's hands (and of course God's hands).

Tyler punched a girl today and shoved a few kids yesterday too. One teacher today told me she's so baffled by his actions because she says one day he's showing what a big heart he has, then another day he's just angry and physical. I sure hope the teachers are able to take the time to go into all the details with the Dr. so she can get the whole picture.