Christmas Cruise 2005!!!

[3xthecharm]

Today, I did feel better. I'm so glad, too. DS8 had a formal tea with his class at a tea parlor in town, and I went. They have been learning proper manners and behavior in a social setting. The girls were paired up with escorts. The boys bought the girls corsages, and the girls bought boutineers(sp?) for the boys. The boys wore suits and the girls party dresses. The boys practiced opening doors, seating the girls, helping them with their coats, and even serving them tea. The girls practiced how to direct proper conversation, drink tea out of tea cup, and acting like ladies.

I was so cute to see how seriously the class took the whole thing.

My DS was thrilled. He said that he can't wait to use what he learned on the cruise. If you see an 8 year old pulling a chair out for his sister or grandmother and trying to order the women's dinner for them, that will be him.

I did have a teary mom moment though. When I pinned on his flower, I saw visions of his senior prom.

 

[Aisling]

I've lost 15lbs

Kandice, WTG!!!!!!!!!!! That's great! I do hope you're feeling better, though.

If you see an 8 year old pulling a chair out for his sister or grandmother and trying to order the women's dinner for them, that will be him.

I think it's a good idea to start the young children off at an early age to be ladies and gentlemen.

Tiggie, where are u???????????????????????????????????????????????????

11:15 Ladies basketball challenge-Deck 10 Fwd

Does anyone have more info on this?

 

[KKB]

Well, the school year is done! Now I just have to decide what to do first around the house! The party last night got us to clean yesterday & actually it is now again in good order, so that is a nice way to start vacation!
Candace--lucky you! Keep up the good work--but not by being sick! Glad you feel better.
Reading all this breastfeeding talk...I feel like an outsider. I'll admit, I was not gung-ho, but feel it is best (and cheapest!) for children, so would try. Marcus just cried & cried every time we tried, so finally gave up & went straight bottle. Turned out to be a wise decision. He was a fussy baby who slept poorly & this way Dan could alternate feedings at night w/ me so I didn't lose it! I wasn't even going to try w/ Hailey (kinda like the freedom of NOT breast-feeding), then at about a week old she got an interest...(not as weird as it sounds). La Leche assured me I could get things going if I really wanted, but basically said to walk around w/ my shirt open 24/7. Well...I had family coming for Memorial Day & I didn't think they would appreciate seeing my bosoms that much!!!!!!!!! So they were all bottle-fed. My mom said she loved breast feeding...and I am OK with not having done it. But I staunchly support it! Luckily, my kids have been remarkably healthy & they are pretty darn bright, too. (had some moms once tell me that bottle feeding would give me more sickly children, and IQ would not be as high...nice)
As far as sleeping together...Dan & I believe our children are descendants of octopuses. We find it impossible to sleep w/ them! I remember bringing them into bed in frustrated exhaustion...Dan would remind me that it never works...and an hour later I would fight them back to bed! Jack did come into our room Thurs. night during a storm. I invited him into bed, but I chose the couch in short order! Dan & I have a king sized bed and like to know we will not touch each other during slumber! (only during slumber! )
Hmmmmmm I notice the men are particularly quiet these days!
Sorry if we are chasing you off w/ this conversation. I could go one step further and discuss what happens to those of us who choose not to breastfeed.... BUT I won't!!
Well, I am surprisingly energetic & ambitious after the party (& )
so I better take advantage of it while it lasts!
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Kristin
PS Any baseball action, anyone? The NCAA finals are in town...on way to the College World Series. Fun, fun fun!

 

[FletcherMem0rial]

Hellooooo Everybody!!! (in my best Apu impersonation )

Aisling: I'm here, forever lurking, except last night...I went to bed a little early...catch up on some ZZZZZZ's

My 19yo coworker had a suggestion for your "bangs" dilemma...she said long bangs shaped around your face are in-she says you should definitely not go straight across your face with them -she reacted like your hairdresser

The basketball challenge? Not sure exactly what would be in store for us, but I'm willing to try it Both my girls play and will probably participate in the kids challenge. The girls and I are very much into sports-both watching and playing them.

Krisitn: I wanna be a teacher when I grow up! If I had known how to get into the profession when I was a bit younger, I would definitely be one now. I barely have my associate's degree-I need 2 more classes to finish. I have decided, recently, to take Astronomy as my science with a lab I still need to take macro/micro economics as well. My major is business administration-it covers all of the business world not just the accounting field, which is what I was in when I started going to college.

Please don't feel out of sorts with the whole breastfeeding thing-I never bothered to try. If I worked at all when the kids were little, it was only part time. That lasted til my son was about 3. I've been full time in the corporate business world ever since. We bottle fed both kids, kept the crib in our room but didn't take them into our bed. I was more worried about those horror stories of kids getting smushed while the parents slept...ask TBJ-I am a VERY heavy sleeper We have a great support system with both sets of parents being there for us, my kids grew up to be very independent, thoughtful, generous, polite (almost) adults. You'll see what I mean when you meet my Brittany.

 

[FletcherMem0rial]

and sorry...no college baseball interest here...

We barely watch the majors-DH puts baseball on when he wants to fall asleep in front of the TV. We are true hockey fans and are missing the sport quite a bit. We've been watching Euopean hockey and college hockey and we have two minor league teams in our area, Trenton Titans (who just won their cup by the way) and the Phantoms. Multiple Calder Cup Championship holders that we've been watching.

~Tigger~

 

[Aisling]

I still need to take macro/micro economics as well.

 

[FletcherMem0rial]

That's what I say...

I've tried it via "telecourse" twice, that's not happening.

 

[FletcherMem0rial]

I'm not sure if she wanted me to share this ....but I feel like sharing...



TBJ had two kitty cats...I believe she told you all that one passed early this year...well, her second kitty "Boo-aka-White Toes" passed on her the other day, and I thought you might want to send some extra hugs her way

These two were like my little bro's-they kept mama company and kept her happy.

Here's a few extra hugs at 'cha Mama...

I love you!

cj.

 

[trinibjill]

I wasn't going to mention it because it is so sad. But, each day it gets a little better. I go into a room expecting them to be there or see a shadow & think it's them or shut a door cause I don't want them to get out.

In a little while I am going to go to the shelter & get another one. Probably in a week or so. I love the company. I was going to wait because I have to strip some paint away; but, I found some odorless paint remover.

Oh, by the way I tried breastfeeding. The biggest mistake is eating chocolate. You'll never guess why. Well, maybe, oh I know you can figure that one out. It didn't last long. Regular milk (not formula) worked much better.

Jill

 

[Aisling]

Boo-aka-White Toes" passed on her the other day

I feel a lump in my throat, this makes me feel like crying!
Jill, I wish I could give you a real hug right now. Our pets are our best friends.
Tig, thanks for sharing, and Jill, I hope you didn't mind. I feel like I really know you girls, and I want everything to be well for you.

 

[FletcherMem0rial]

Have you tried the Orange paint stripping Gel...

Doesn't make ya loopy, smells like oranges and works great!



Aisling's lurking around the boards tonight....I saw her with some doberman's a while ago...

Hey! there you are Aisling!

 

[FletcherMem0rial]

I think our kids are gonna be the best behaved EVER on a cruise!

The BEST day I ever had to tell me how well behaved my kids are...the mother of an EX girlfriend of my son's made a point to meet me and tell me how impressed she always was with his manners and the great way he treated her daughter while they were dating THAT can make a mother proud


If you haven't been over to the cruise trip report boards lately, look for TammiMcMan-she did a report on her romantic cruise for two...it's great!

She and her husband left three kids home and did a Pampered Princess style cruise---
spa treatments, every night at Palo's, the Rainforest ... it's really informative ...

 

[Aisling]

I think our kids are gonna be the best behaved EVER on a cruise!

I agree! But I do have a concern about Chad wanting to have a beer onboard when he'll still be only 20, not 21. I know he'll obey me, but I do feel like giving him a break and letting him have a beer on the verandah. I just don't want DCL to throw us off the ship! Chad is not a "drinker", thank goodness, but I do allow him a corona with his dad while watching a game. I hope no one thinks I'm a bad mama! But he really is a level-headed young man.

 

[FletcherMem0rial]

My 19 yo is not an angel...

but I trust him. I know he drinks, but I also know he's responsible enough to be smart about it.

He knows not to ever get into a vehicle after drinking, not to let anyone drive him that has been drinking. He is to stay where he is, if noone around him is able to drive. If he cannot stay there, he knows he can call me for a ride.

You are not a bad mother, by what I see...he is smart enough not to jeopardize his future...especially if he wants to be our President one day I know you talk openly to your boys, you strike me as that kind of Mom. Trust him and trust yourself.

 

[Aisling]

Aisling's lurking around the boards tonight....I saw her with some doberman's a while ago...

Trust him and trust yourself.

Thanks, Tig.

I just started making my second door sign. Is anyone else going to make one? I think we talked about this LOTS of pages ago, but lemme ask again!

And Tig, about hair...have you ever had yours blown-out absolutely straight?

 

[FletcherMem0rial]

Yes, we are definitely making door signs!

I'm getting the sheets of magnet paper from our craft store and using that as a backing. No gluing necessary, they're self stick.

And, no, I don't blow my hair straight...

Hairdryers are too expensive to replace every time I blow one out!!! My hair is truly as thick and as curly as it gets.

I've even had it chemically straightened...my hair laughed at the chemicals and said "I don't think so!"

Nope, gotta be a curly do...I try thinning sheers and layered hair, I can't do short hair, I look too much like a boy.

It's kinda like the girl's hair from NYPDblue, only ALOT longer.

 

[Aisling]

Nope, gotta be a curly do...

I went back and looked at your photos...consider yourself lucky. Imagine the big bucks so many women pay to have hair as curly as yours is naturally!

 

[FletcherMem0rial]

I hear that alot...

Two girls at work, just last week, came to me to show me their new perms and said "see, I gotta pay to get hair like yours..."

Most don't realize that the thickness of it is a curse...the curls can be maintained-one hairdresser recomended I use a pick and not a brush...that alone makes a world of difference. But then in the summer, my head gets hot, when I put it up-by the end of a day, it hurts...so I put it down...trust me, you'll see how much hair I have when we meet. Ever heard of the Hair Bear bunch? I am the lead hair bear

 

[KKB]

Jill--sorry for your loss. I am a cat person, too.
Tig--I never could even sleep w/ them in our room when they were babies. I awoke to every move when we tried! We, too, are blessed w/ 2 grandmas in town who love to spoil these kids! They are very close to them. And our kids are just like us--what are we doing next? I will be shocked if they don't want to spend most of their time at the kid's club, especially since cousins will be there, too. (I know they will want pool time, too)
Have had a great beginning to vaca--getting a lot done, and have had a ton of fun, too. Kid chaos begins tomorrow!
Have a good one, all!
Kristin

 

[grimgrinnin]

* looks around *


Is it safe to come in now???


Jill - I'm very sorry for your loss. I have 2 kitties, and I absolutley dread the day when they will be gone.

We've been keeping busy with home improvement projects. I made a headboard out of bamboo for out bed, and DW and my Mother are making a slip cover for our sofa. Man, I had no idea how much work that slip cover would be. I figured - throw a sheet over it, and it's done! They are doing a very good job form-fitting it. Will look like a brand new couch when it's done.

We get all these ideas from shows like 'Designed to Sell' on HGTV - make your house all fancy so buyers will shell out more dough! I love it when they end the show with a line like 'And the Smith's got $20,000 more than their asking price.'
Oh to dream....


More data about us:
Me:
Real Name: John
Occupation: Software Engineer for amazon.com
Favorite Disney character: Chernabog
Favorite food: creme brule
Hobbies: Motorcycle Racing (spectating, not actally racing), Video Games (Star Wars Galaxies), Photography, Disney Vacations

DW:
Real Name: Dede
Occupation: Jr. High School Teacher (technology and careers);
Favorite Disney character: Princess Aurora
Favorite food: Anything with chocolate
Hobbies: Scrap Booking, Cooking, Video Games (Star Wars Galaxies), shopping


I had to laugh when someone posted that they say that they met their SO at a museum (sorry, can't remember who posted it, and it's about 20 pages back by now). My wife and I met online, which is kind of embarassing, so we always say we met at the Louvre!


grim