!!!!!MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Sending you a Merry Christmas full of LOVE, PEACE AND HAPPINESS...
The kids and I arrived home from Florida last night and were happy to see Doug after his 18 day stint away in the states. Florida was good a bit cold but nice.
The kids were off to bed early last night so in case Santa came early. We had no idea what time he usually delivers things in Dominican Republic.
We were jolted out of bed early to find lots of cool things and especially Rock Band complete with drums, guitar and mic oh boy so much fun.
We have clouds and a gray sky now but the weather feels great, we slept with the ac last night because it feels so muggy here.
I am being called to sing in the band. Gotta run.
I will update you more later. We are excited about Oksana and crew arriving later this afternoon.
Peace to all,
Missy

SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO?

This is a post that should have been written in November, however, I still want to write about it now. The title of this blog is the same as the song I would end my DJ jobs with by the Knack, should I stay or should I go. I usually played a couple of songs after depending on the dance floor but in our case here it was pretty questionable whether we should stay in the DR and finish out the school year or move back to Durham and weather the cold and craziness of a new school and comfort living.
While I was in Durham in November and Missy and the kids were in the DR, we were having construction on the house and many more things happening around the house that Missy was just fed up. She was tired of feeling like we are camping out,(and if you knew how much she despises camping out you would be amazed that we have lasted this long) So she started the ball rolling on moving back to Durham.
Cancel the school in the DR (to get our money back that we paid upfront for the school and the food), research all the schools in Durham and print out their applications and have me go and interview them while I am in the states. Get all the pertinant info for all the fees. Write a letter to our landlord there in the DR after we have paid for our rent until July 31 09(and getting money back in the DR will be ever so slight but we will try) I of course will do whatever will make Missy happy so I did my part and she did hers. Then Missy went to Ohio for the largest pro/am competition in November where the tempature was around 19 degrees, and dealing with all the prima dona professional dance people she was over that too for that bit of time. I on the other hand went back to the DR and was wondering if we could move or just make the house that was once nice, nice again couldn't we just make it till the end of the school year with out all the changes.
WELL when Missy returned to the DR on Thanksgiving day she was so happy to be back that we did finally make a decision to stay the remaining part of the school year. YEAH, as Drew and I said. Mariah on the other hand was whatever. I do feel sort of sad though as Drew and Mariah have not come back to the states since a few days in Sept when we went to my Dad's memorial service. They did not get back to Durham though. Whereas, Missy and I have come back quite regularly. I of course have to take care of our US responsiblities and my Mom and brother and Missy likes to feel useful with the dance dress business. But we are STAYING PUT FOR NOW.
I write this as I am about to leave Durham in the morning to go back to the DR until Jan 10th when I must return to the states. But Christmas will be in the Dominican Republic this year.
MERRY CHISTMAS TO ALL AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
FELIZ NAVIDAD Y FELIZ NUEVO ANOS

Bad Cat Luck...

We have LOST not one but both of the cats we or should I say Doug and the kids got. I am not a cat fan and was not thrilled to have come home from the states to meet not 1 cat but 2 YEAH... Bite the bullet and pretend to be happy and all will be OK. The first thing for me was the cats HAD to go OUT SIDE period not comments or questions. Well Waffle ran a way and approx 1 month later Pancake flipped out at the Vet and ran off. This was last Thur we have gone almost daily to the Vet and she has set traps to try and catch the cat. Drew has been extremely upset and sad and Mariah is in search of another kitten..go figure. Will we get more cats? I don't know but I'm thinking 2 strikes is pretty bad.
How's your luck with cats?
Missy

HOLIDAYS

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year ......Sorry so long in posting. I can't exactly say what I have been up to since the end of Oct but I feel like it has been ALOT. We are doing great and are excited to take a break from school. I can't seem to get into the Christmas spirit maybe the weather is to warm or there is not an organized church to attend. We also attended a Holiday program at school where Mariah sang and Drew danced. Doug and I loved it and even captured it on video. I can only say it just doesn't feel like Christmas. We do have a tree with lights and many ornaments and we had loads of candy canes on the tree but the kids have gobbled them up and we have to replenish them when we go to Miami tomorrow.
I feel as if our house drama has slowed down no leaks I can see or feel today, we want count the pool that's another story with its on steady leak.
Doug has been away in the states since Dec 6 and will return Dec 20. The kids and I go to FL tomorrow and will return to the DR Christmas Eve.
We wish everyone a great Holiday and a New Year that is full of happiness.
Peace to all,
Missy

HI ALL Guess Who It Is...... starts with a D ends in W

Hi everyone I'm sure you can maybe guess who this is........ well i will tell you anyways: It's me Drew!!!!!!!
Lately in life i have been playing sports (mostly basketball). I'm finally getting training in basketball and I'm very happy about that... maybe if any of my friends are out there reading this i maybe will beat you!!! I'm doing OK in school my teachers say i talk allot i mean ME!! I'm the quite one except with friends at my house i also got hit on the head with a swing and now there is a cut (Mariah Did It as you can guess). Well i just wanted to say hello to everyone and plez comment i have not been talking for a long time and maybe i will talk to you guys more I'm creating stories in Spanish finally!!!
Nice Talking To you
Peace out 2008
-Drew

HALLOWEEN--FLASH FLOODS

Always a first in life... Doug and I attended the Halloween party for Mariah which included music, snacks, photos and a parade of costumes. Mariah was a Hawaiian hula girl complete with a bikini from my trip to Hawaii. She looked way beyond her years.
Drew wore red because the high school had a field day with team activities.
We experienced lots of rain and the field where the kids were playing was a mud pit complete with the wet tshirts for any scary day.
We decided to go home with the kids before going trick or treating in Sea Horse Ranch. We were leaving our neighborhood and the rain was pouring and the water was past the knees of folks. We had to turn around and go back home and spend the evening hanging at home, not part of the plan but safety is of most importance.
The water continue to come and before it was over had come to peoples waist and caused much damage and loss of lives. Just so thankful for a dry place to sleep and live and good health.
Blessings to all on this H A L L O W E E N scare
daffs

Projects

I have some time and wanted to post. We have been busy this week. I did 2 projects with Mariahs class, cupcake making and a project to make Halloween magnets. I really enjoyed both and think the kids had a blast esp with making cupcakes. We were pouring, cracking eggs, mixing and scooping. I loved how dirty the kids got and wonder what the parents thought of how dirty the kids came home. The folks here like to keep their kids really clean and only a few of the kids had ever experienced making cupcakes. Don't get excited we did use a box I am not that good of a homemaker.

Halloween is tomorrow and the younger kids not Drew will wear costumes at school and have a parade. Mariah is planning to be a hula girl with her bikini, grass skirt, and lays that Auntie Dawn got for her from Hawaii. I had purchased her a Mermaid costume but she has declined to wear it now and will loan it to her classmate who does not have a costume. Drew is a cool teenager and these guys do not get to have a Halloween celebration at school so I reminded him that growing up does have its disadvantages.
We will go trick or treating in Seahorse Ranch and hope that we get some treats because last year 10 houses participated and they had a record number of approx 300 kids, I am not looking forward to this because the houses are spread so far apart and it is in the heat of the day but this is what the kids do here so we plan to be part of the group.
Doug is leaving for a 2 week visit to the states on Sat. I will see him for a day in NC to get a winter coat for my trip to Ohio on Nov 17.
I have the weather marker on my computer and cant believe how cold it is up north, it is so hot here and we are still using the ac at night. I miss the cold sometimes but after a day or so I get my feel and want warm weather. The kids are still enjoying the pool and usually take a dip after school on most days.
I have also been cooking lots more this year, trying to plan meals and be creative. I can now make a mean guacamole and even cooked a pretty good turkey this week.
Still thinking about next year and what school the kids will attend. We are filling out applications and I will visit a few when I am home after the Ohio Star Ball. Drew and Mariah DO NOT want to return to the states so this is a sensitive issue we are trying to deal with. I thought they would like it here but never dreamed they would love it so much, its a nice challenge but makes for hard decisions. Whats that song SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO ???
We are having a big storm NOW with lots of water so I need to make sure the cats are OK, we just put them outside last week and they are not comfortable with the outdoors YET!!!
Smiles,
Missy

Blog Change

I had to give the blog a little face lift. Something fresh. The weather here is great with lots of sunny days. Kids are swimming a lot and enjoying the outdoors. Doug is doing great going to the gym and getting great workouts. We are preparing for Halloween. I don't need a costume I am planning to be just the MOM.
Off to the gym, will update more soon.
Missy

Back in Action

My MY My how time flies. It is October already and we have not blogged this month. Just an update on how things are going. We finally got rid of all the rats in the house and in the yard. We captured 7 rats altogether. living in someone elses house one never knows what you may find. we have blocked all the holes that these little creatures find their way into the house. Since this is my last year of a sabbaticle and I am not officially working full time I decided to finally get back to work on my 52 year old body. I have been to the gym for the past 2 weeks with 4 days a week and have made great progress. I have a great trainer in Pascal and he is starting me out slowly on the weighs since I have not ever been trained on them. I am spending from one and half to two hours of cardio, stretching,crunches and weights. I have started to feel like my old athletic self again. who knows I may even start to dance again. Missy is finally back from all her travels and we will be able to be together for a whole 3 weeks then I jet back to Durham and will be going into the FADS studios for some consulting. when I get back to the DR on Nov 17 Missy will be heading to the Ohio Star ball for more Dore Dress designs. We are planning on being in the DR all of December and the first half of Jan. Last year we went back to the states and we had friends that wanted to visit the DR but we were not there, so this year we already have a few of the people from the Durham area that will be spending Christmas and New Years here. I can help to get favorable rates on the all inclusives as I still have my travel agent status and we also get local rates.
Onto other news, I took on the challenge of coaching the 5-7 yr olds in soccer. what a trip. It is still like hearding cats and the patience to have them try anything new is a challenge but we are playing some good games, not soccer, but kicking games none the less. Drew is playing with the 12-14 yr olds but he is not so passionate about this years team. He is mostly interested in basketball, as Missy has once again found a great coach that will coach him and 3 other guys in a practice format. This guy is really really good. Drew says he is much better than any of the Duke or Tar Heel camps he attended. I will try and get Missy back to this post as she definately has more to write. Hope to hear from you and have a super duper Halloween!!!!!!! dougie

I chose to stay home instead of flying yesterday. The plane would arrive in Miami to late for me to connect. I got my bags, picked up my kids and spent the night at home. I will try again today. I am cutting everything short because I have to leave early in the am for AR.
I am Glad I came home we had a mouse in the trap in the pantry so can you imagine what the smell would have been when Doug arrives next Tue.
I am so sick of mice, rats I really think a couple of cats are what we need. I am not a cat person but this is crazy.
I see the Carolina's are getting lots of weather today and for the next few days. I am happy to report that we are enjoying our first sunny day in a while. I hope it lasts the mosquito's are awful.
I know that we are on our second year here and all is grand but I am now starting to prepare for the kids to go to school in the states as always lots of paperwork and applications to be filled out and deadlines to go with them. Joy Joy
Thanks for stopping in..

Missy

On the Go

This past weekend was very emotional as we went to my father's memorial service. This was really nice and was good to see most of my immediate family, unfortunately my stepmom just emailed the rest of the Daffron family and they did not get their email and did not know about the service. Her family was there however and she did all the preparation for this event and she did a great job. Just a note that when someone passes the phone is still the most reliable form of communication. I asked if anyone I should get in touch with and she said no that she would take care of it.
Anyway, it must have been moving as Mariah when she returned to the DR she made a picture of my dad in her Journal and had Grammy Helen lifting him up to heaven with her hands. Mariah also learned how to braid yarn and made many bracelets for herself and her classmates. We are now all separated as Missy is on a series of travels. First going to the Dore Shop this Wed, and then going to her class reunion in Arkansas for the weekend. She was a homecoming Queen when she was in high school and she will get to ride in this years parade too, then she will be off to Hawaii for the Hawaiin open for Dore, to sell more Dance costumes. I am now in Durham and will go to Greenville SC to be master of ceromonies for that studios mini match.
Drew and Mariah are staying with our good friends in the DR.
Speaking of the DR we have had some challenges. Our wonderful housekeeper,at least we thought she was wonderful, was stealing money out of my special place. She stole at least $900.00. so much for cheap labor. She was also nipping at my only bottle of rum that I bought a while back for Mariah's birthday party in May. Well at least she got to party with it. We are going to have to let go our other helper Juaquin as he is beginning to make us suspicous too. Our great friend William has tried to tell us to let him help us find our help as he can speak the language and knows much more about the customs of the people. this he did and he found us another super person that is 100 times better than Altogracia in the cleaning department. She doesn't cook or play with the kids but she is trustworthy, which is now very important. I am looking forward to getting back to the DR as I will be there all of October and will be helping with the soccer program for both Drew and Mariah.
God bless you all and I pray all is well in your world.
doug

Larry's Vacation

Hi everyone,
there have been some changes since the last time I wrote. I am very thankful that Larry and I went to St Louis in June to spend time with Poppa Joe( my nickname for my dad, Edmond Daffron) He finally gave up his fight of the Parkinson's. He fought this disease with every ounce of his being. He rarely let it get to him but it was a devastating disease. His wife, Helen, was by his side when he finally let go and went to rest. I loved him very much and was emotionally fine when he decided to go and be with our Lord. He gave me many things over the years, most of which was his ambition to excel and to never give up on any dream.
Larry, my brother, is on his first out of the country vacation as we traveled to the DR for 16 days this September. He is definately a person one has to get used to living with as he consummes so much liquid and food. We are going through bottles of beer, gallons of water and what ever else is left over in the fridge but this is ok as this is first real vacation in many many years. However, I think I will put him up in an all inclusive for the weekend.
The hurricanes, Hannah and Ike, nipped our island with light winds and heavy rains but no real damage on the North Coast. We were very thankful, even though the media makes things out worse than they are you can never take things like this for granted.

well have a super duper day and we hope to hear from you occasionally.

peace and safety to you
doug

Edmond L. Daffron went home to be with the Lord at the age of 80. He was born at White Hall, Arkansas, one of 8 sons and 1 daughter (all who predeceased him except his brother Jesse (Aileen) who lives in Naples, Florida) born to James H. and Mamie B. Daffron. In August 1952 Ed married Billie Jean Cromwell and adopted her son Gary. He and Billie had 2 sons - Larry and Douglas. Gary has 2 children - Greg and Cathi who live in Illinois, Larry lives in North Carolina and Douglas (Missy) live in the Dominican Republic with their son Drew and daughter Mariah.

In May 1973 Ed married Helen M. Wright Lee and became stepfather to her four children - David and Nancy of St. Louis, Steven (Wanda) in Oregon,and Ronald (Deborah) in North Carolina. Steven has 3 children - Jeremy(April) and Katelyn in Oregon, and Ashley (Michael) Smith in Virginia. Ronald has 3 daughters - Amber (Jon) Van Etten and son Sean, Megan and daughter Dakota (born on Ed's 77th birthday), of St. Louis and Tiffany in North Carolina.
Ed was a wonderful and loving husband, father, stepfather, grandfather and great-grandfather as well as a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews and their families.

At the age of 17 Ed volunteered for 2 years in the Navy. He received basic training in San Diego and was then sent to Pearl Harbor where he had the opportunity to learn data processing skills that led to his future in Data Processing. After his discharge Ed worked 18 years for McDonnell, 5 years for ITTAetna and 18 years for Ralston Purina. At each company he was head of a Data Processing Department that was instrumental in developing computer services used in businesses all over the country.

On 12/1/1988 Ed retired from Ralston Purina and he and Helen became"Snowbirds" spending 6-10 months each winter at Clerbrook RV and Golf Resort in Florida from 1988 to 2005. He happily played golf several days each week and developed a computer program that figured handicaps and pairings for the golf leagues and the Pro Shop. He was also helpful with the non-denominational Church Service each Sunday and the Men's Bible Study on Monday evenings. Because of his great interest in Genealogy, he became a Charter member of "Pastfinders", the genealogy group in Clermont, and served as President 2 years. Ed was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1992. He became a member of the Lake County Parkinson Support Group and helped them grow and benefit the Lake County area. As a result of the progression of his Parkinson's, they returned to their permanent home in Missouri in May, 2005.

Ed donated his brain to Washington University for Dr. Joel Perlmutter research of Parkinson Disease and his body to the Medical Department at Wash. U. to be used in doctors learning process.

On Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., September 19th there will be a Memorial Service to celebrate his life, held at the Westport Community Church where he has been a member for more than 30 years.

Any donations to the American Parkinson Disease Association (or justA.P.D.A.) at Washington University for Dr. Joel Perlmutter's Parkinson research will be greatly appreciated. ____________________________________________________________

Summer

well it's been a nice summer one i will probably never forget. There were camps, i got to play with friends, do a little homework (when i say a little i mean a little).
soon school will start and some of my summer fun will be drained out of me the rest will stay with me forever ( hopefully). But after everything that has happened this summer I'm glad that its over.

live the rest of your days positive and Duke Blue

Drew

Happy Birthday to Doug!!!

We are very sad to tell you that Papa Joe passed away this morning. We are thankful that he is no longer suffering.


Thanks for your prayers.

RATS

We have rats.... Need I say more. I have seen one but I am thinking there could be more. One trap has been set, all holes have been filled and Doug is on his way to the supermarket to purchase 6 MORE traps. I hate the idea of going to sleep at night and have something eating my food. I am planning for Larry to come in 2 weeks and he likes to get up in the middle of the night and snack but I expect this not a silly rat. Enough, I will update you on the process.


Thanks for the kind emails and concern about tropical storm Fay. We are fine and truly needed the rain. I know that FL should prepare.

Running,
Missy

getting settled for another year

Hola, we are now settled in our new residence for this school year and what an improvement.
Last year we bought a little house to fix up but as you may remember it was a 2 bedroom with 1 bath and we made an additional room for Drew. This was a lot like camping out and we did not have much room for ourselves much less for entertaining. The kitchen was very small and the refriderator always needed defrosting and we could not keep food fresh for more than a day or two, so we were always going to the supermercado for food or we were eating out a lot.
Now, we have a nice big house that we are renting and it has 3 and 1/2 baths three bedrooms and a huge family room that was once a garage. It also has a great pool with a slide and diving board but the thing we like most is we have found a housekeeper that cooks great. She has made us lunch for the past week and each day it is delicious. Missy and Altogracia went shopping on Tuesday and she got all the food for the week and it was fruits, vegetables and different meats all for much less that when we go shopping. She is preparing us traditional dominican food and although some of it takes getting used too, for the most part we could not be happier. We also have Juaquin back as our all purpose helper. He takes care of the pool and the yard and the car and whatever else Missy can delegate him to do. He has fixed a broken window and has done so much in just a few days. He always wants to stay busy and I am not as good a delegater as Missy and when she is gone he asks me what to do, he does not want to sit around, yet I said that is what I want to do but I got up and found things for him to do. What will I do when Missy is gone for a week to Orlando in Sept at a comp? Oh well I guess I will have her give me a list.
On another note, I finally wrote down how I can post on this blog so I hope to have more posts of my adventures here too.
Well, lunch is ready for this Saturday so I am off to the dining table. until next time
Adios.
doug

Blog Titles

I have a hard time always thinking of titles for my posts.
Does it have to have a subject title?
I think no. It's my thoughts and such.
SO I'm thinking to give days of the week as titles.

I had a interesting trip to San Fran.
Delayed flight, cold weather and all work.
I have much appreciation for the East Coast.

The book The Last Lecture...
Great book.
I gave it to my best bud Dawn on Friday.
The author died on Friday.
I found out about his death last night from Dawn.
She was watching TV and saw on Prime time a special.
Doug recorded it.
I watched it with Drew after we arrived home.
And in following his advise by "Always Tell The Truth"
We were so sad.
We remember our friend Mimi.
We miss her.

The count down is on and we are leaving in 6 sleeps for the DR.
School supplies and lots of other things to accomplish before we jet.

I will keep you posted.

Have a great day,
Missy

Post Birthday

Had a super day and wanted to say thanks for the gifts, calls and wishes. I also have my birthday weight loss plan!!!!
40 by 40
I started yesterday.
I will keep you posted.
Doug says he is joining in the quest.
I head to San Fran tomorrow.
The kids and Doug go on the road to a few studios for training.
The dog goes to the vet today...He is peeing on stuff. I am way over it.
I miss dancing.
I think I will take a few lessons.
M

BIRTHDAY

Today is my birthday....YEAH!!! I have lots planned.....Housework, paperwork and a few errands.
Mariah is very excited about my birthday and has asked for many days leading up to today how many days, what we are going to do and who were going to invite to the party. Just for the record we are NOT having a party.
The fam really wants to know what I want for my birthday and I honestly have no desire for anything of material gift.
I would love a few acts of service such as a maid in NC, a lawn helper, a house painter. Yes I could add to this list but enough daydreaming for now.
I am so blessed with a great family and super friends and this is truly a happy day for me.
Missy

Camps and Summer Stuff

We are almost finished with our summer camps. Drew enjoyed Duke, UNC and the Hill Center while Mariah attended Camp Riverlea.
Mariah attended camp for 2 weeks and I had to take her every morning due to the fact that she did not want to get on the bus much less go to camp. I found it to be a battle every single morning until today and she was celebrating that it was the next to last day. I struggle with this child and question how much I should push or not. I drove out to camp this afternoon to pick her up and she was having a blast so I am pleased I stuck to my guns with the Daffron motto that we finish what we start.....
I have been spending lots of time reading this summer and have enjoy lots of great books but have missed physical activity I need to_________ ?????Just get off my butt and move. I have a birthday coming on Monday and plan to do something physical starting then and keep it up as a regular routine. On a side note does it count that I have been cleaning and keeping up with the laundry and have had zero maid service since arriving in the states. Lets say yes.
We are having a yard sale on Saturday and I hope to unload a lot of crap, I also want to not bring the crap back inside my garage or house so I think the idea would be to price it so that we sale it.
The time is going so quickly and we will be leaving for the DR soon like AUG5. I have so mixed feelings and thoughts but really want to make the best of the next year. I am committing to take Spanish class, join a gym or walk the hills of our neighborhood and do some community service with the kids. I also want to blog more and really post lots more often.
Doug has been away this week and will return home late tonight so I am going to finish some house stuff. Happy thoughts to all!!!!
Missy

GOD BLESS AMERICA****

Happy belated 4th, we finally got to use half of our fireworks. Doug and lots of kids have had a blast seeing the works and hearing the noise, I honestly love to go to a professional show but can't express in this blog my hate for doing fireworks the "redneck" way. I hope I don't offend anyone but I can only think of one loyal friend that reads my blog and she loves me no matter what :}
I try not to watch or help out because I get very nervous and feel very uncomfortable. So whats the big deal other than potential burn, or serious injury. Go figure.
We have had some really great storms on our summer break and we are so enjoying the Durham, Chapel Hill area.
I have a Mariah funny. We are over at a friends house and she is breast feeding her baby girl and Mariah is asking me lots of questions about her birth and life and I am trying to answer honestly and at an appropriate amount for her in this point of her life. Mariah gets up and walks over and comes back and say "Missy" she is sucking lots of stuff out of L's boo be we may have to go to the grocery and get her a refill for her boo be to funny maybe you had to be there.
I so love my kids.
Missy

??JUNE??

Where did June go? I must say alot happened in June so let me get started.
Blackpool was a great success. We have sold our house in the Dominican Republic. We moved all of our stuff into a storage unit in a whirlwind event.
The kids finished school on June 13. The report cards were great and the Spanish is really coming along.
We arrived in Durham on Monday June 16. The summer in Durham will go by fast for us. Drew and his friend Omar have finished 2 weeks of basketball camp 1 week at UNC and 1 week at Duke. Drew plans to blog about the difference and his thoughts about the 2 camps.
We will spend another year in Dominican Republic and have found a great house with more than 1 toilet YEAH!!! I have mixed feelings about another year but am certain that this is the best for the kids and plan to make the most of it. Lots of folks keep asking me what I am doing and I have am mostly hanging out still trying to figure things out.
Mariah is looking forward to her camp for the next 2 weeks. Drew has a academic camp next week and then plans to do some traveling. We will be heading back to the DR Aug 5 and back to school at the end of Aug.
More to post soon.
Missy D

Blackpool

Where am I? Yes Blackpool England is the correct answer. Blackpool is on the coast of England and yes I can see the water from where I am sitting it is not the Caribbean. I find Blackpool to be gray, cold and windy which is a big change for me. I do have to wear tights, jackets and wraps which is a climate I am not used to and I have to get a comfortable with.
I have been watching so much dancing and have taken so many photos it is unbelievable like 2500 or more. I must say that for the standard style of dance which is foxtrot, waltz, tango, quick step the girls are wearing ruffles not a little but a lot of ruffles and we are seeing more feathers. Latin brings to the floor lots of skirts and this I must confess makes me very happy. I will be here in England until Saturday and back to Florida for 2 days and then keep moving south to the DR until the kids finish school June 16.
I am really missing Dougie and the kids and can't wait to see them and hang out with them soon. Gotta run.

Cinco De Mayo

Happy Monday!! We are on holiday from school and the community is celebrating Cinco De Mayo lots of buses with loads of people at the beach and much to much parting for my taste. We are preparing for Doug and Nan to arrive today. The kids are so excited to see Doug they can't stop asking how much longer. I have not seen my mom in such a long time it will be great to see her and spend time together. The past 2 days have been beautiful and the winds feel great, this is one plus to living in the Caribbean.
I know I did not mention that our butler had an accident in our jeep, this was the day before I left for Las Vegas and I am still with out a car things like this are frustrating in this country small things take so long, I am tired of rental cars and just to let you know I am on my 6th car, all the rest except one or maybe 2 broke down while I was driving them and I had to exchange for others. I must admit this place sometimes makes me loco.
Mariah is having a great time learning to ride horses she had a 2 hour lesson yesterday and was so impressed with herself that she can gallop and cantor what a big girl.
Drew enjoyed the day on the beach with friends and had a great time on a skate board ramp with his rip stick.
I am off to get a few things from the store and take the kids for lunch.
Missy

Its MAY !!

Its raining for the second day. I am enjoying the rain today, I like the break in the weather to cool things off a bit. Mariah has a fever so we are staying in and just taking it easy. I have been away from my Durham home for 6 plus weeks and I have forgotten what it looks and feels like.
We have had a great month with only a few issues, Mariah got a 2 inch piece of wood in her foot and had to go to the doctor to have it removed. Drew had a crash on his rip stick and had scrapes on his hands, elbow and knee. Drew also have some funky rash that we are trying to clear so I have had lots of practice at being the nurse. Doug will arrive on Monday after being away for a long time and the kids are so excited. Mariah will turn 6 next week, Mary 7. We are planning a party for May 10. The report cards were excellent and both kids continue to thrive. I have been busy with dance wear and interior curtains.
Will write more later have to give medicine.

Drew is getting braces....

We are half way through the process of getting braces for Drew. We have gone for several appointments and this Friday he will have a appliance permanently installed in the roof of his mouth and the braces will follow in the coming months. The orthodontists is great and yes it is sterile and so clean, I have to admit cleaner than my dentist in NC. I am floored by the cost it is so reasonable and the xray we had taken last week was 400 peso's approximately 14 dollars.
He was so excited and wanted braces until he got his spacers yesterday so we will see what happens.
Mariah is going to be testing for her yellow belt in karate soon this is if her behavior is good she seems to get great joy out of harassing her teacher and loves being the class clown. Like normal never a dull day with this girl.
I am not getting to watch DWTS so this is a bummer but I do catch the highlights on the Internet and seem to get my fix.
The weather is nice and warm and we are starting to use the ac in the evening when we go to sleep.
I am off to Vegas for FADS National Dance Competition on Sunday so I have lots of planning and organizing to accomplish.
I hope to blog before I leave.
Chow
Missy and gang

APRIL ALREADY!!!!!!

Hello and how are you? It seems as if I manage to post once a month.....Whats happening....We spent spring break in North Carolina and the kids enjoyed seeing friends and remembering what the cold weather felt like. We are back in the island routine and school seems to be going very well for both Drew and Mariah. Doug is away in the states now and plans to be away for the month of April, we miss him but know that things back home need to be accomplished.
I have spent many sleepless nights and spoken to many of you about what to do next year as with regards to living in the US or DR and the final verdict has been decided.....
****WE WILL ATTEND ANOTHER YEAR OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SOSUA******
I found it so hard to decide, I know all parents want to do the right thing but I truly felt so much pressure. I feel a great relief and will now focus on moving to a different house and a Dominican business.
We are happy to have a great guy, Jaquinn doing our garden, fixing all that is broken, watching over the dog and driving us all the places we want and need to go...what a great addition. Drew is so excited because Jaquinn is a great basketball player and he is coaching in the league Drew plays for.
Keep in touch.
Hugs,
Missy and gang

PUBLISH POST

THE BLOG: have you abandoned the blog forever? I want to see more pictures of the kids. And I begin teaching the OLLI "Really Simple Blogging" course on April 21. You started this.

This is the email I received from my great friend Bonnie this evening and I must say thanks to her for inspiring me to write a few words.....

Where has the time gone since I last posted? Drew turned 12 on March 5. We had a great festival at school INTERNATIONAL DAY... I traveled to the Carolina's and got a chance to use my winter coat and hang with great friends. I have been designing and am working with a very talented Tailor from Haiti. I have read lots of great books and most importantly I have spent some great quality time with my family. I must say this is the main reason for the break this year. I have enjoyed baking, gardening and spending fun times with the kids. Doug has been in Dominican Republic for approximately 6 weeks and seems relaxed and rested.

We are going to be in Durham for the kids spring break. We arrive Thur evening March 13 and will depart RDU Mon March 24. We look forward to seeing as many friends and family as possible and doing some things not available to us here in the DR...like the zoo, museum, library or book store, restaurants, sports events and movies with no screaming people and kids running up and down the aisle.

Closing for now but promise to update more often~

Missy

ITS A BOY!!

OK, hope the title got your attention.
Drew and Mariah Daffron are the proud parents of a
Dominican Mutt named
Wolf Gang
he is 3 1/2 months old
we will post a photo soon.
I never thought that I would say yes to a puppy in Dominican Republic. Drew has been wanting a dog of his own very bad. Wolf Gang was delivered to a kennel and they had planned to put him to sleep but he responded so well to food, water and had such a will to live, he did fight the fight.

The weather has been wonderful with lots of sunny days. Doug and Drew had a great adventure this past weekend when they traveled to Santa Dimgo with the school soccer team. Its a 4 hour drive each way. Yuck, Yuck. Doug was one of only 2 parents to go. They had a total of 30 something kids. Mariah and Drew are also enjoying surf club every Saturday.
I have high hopes of posting more often. I head to the states Friday.
Take care,
Missy

Roll Call

Drew and I have been discussing the Blog. Should we keep it up? Yes or No? It seems like things are the same without many changes. Hope your part of the world is wonderful.
The Daffs

DR BOUND

Doug, Drew and Mariah left this morning for the DR. I spoke with them around 4pm this afternoon and they arrived safely and are getting ready to return to the school routine tomorrow. Mariah used the airport wheelchair and her crutches and had no problem. Yeah mission accomplished!!!
I on the other hand have an awful cold and decided to return home early from Nashville. I have a fever, sore throat and awful head and body ache so I may head to the doctor tomorrow. I hate being sick. I have a seminar to go to in FL this week and am scheduled to go to the DR on Sunday morning so sickness was not part of plan, I hope to re cope and start fresh.
I must go so that I can continue my coughing quest.
Good health to all.

***HAPPY NEW YEAR ***

I hope everyone had a wonderful celebration to bring in 2008... I had a very interesting one:
This the first New Years eve I have ever spent away from Doug...I left Monday for Nashville and flew Southwest airlines wow was there system crazy..I picked up my new laptop on the way to the airport and it is way cool. Dawn and I decided not to set the booth up until Jan 1 and had a nice Italian dinner and turned in around 10ish. I spoke with Doug who was on skype with our DR friend JO and we all got on a call to bring in 3 different new years, first in the DR then RDU and finally TN it was lots of fun.
I must say it was fun and interesting we shall see what the New Year brings for the Daffrons. Wishing you and yours a great 08