Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[snappy]

Grammy, I am glad telling your kids went well. I am sure your kids prefer knowing what is up with you.

Sorry about your DH's friend's tragedy, Laura. I will pray for them today.

College finals this week, 7th grade final next week. I am always stressed during this time. I have to say it helps when they are going through this AWAY from home.

Looks like DS20 will be back in the dorm next semester. He has not been a very good room mate for Jennifer and her family this past one. Gosh, he needs to grow up. Biggest issue is his failing to lock the door when coming home. In New Orleans in the area they are in (still many vacant houses), leaving the door unlocked is very dangerous. Another issue is cleanliness, washing his clothes, keeping his room and bathroom upstairs clean and non-smelling.. Although I think he is trying more just lately, we need to make a change. He is also having bad allergy attacks from her two inside cats. Her baby is almost mobile and it is a multi-level with two areas of stairs. She also has mentioined she is worried he might not leave the gates up as well. Throwing an immature 20 year old into this equation was not the brightest thing we ever tried.

Hope we can get him in a dorm at this late stage.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Linda, I do wonder if we should do another cruise line since my kids are pre/teen. They do still love Disney, but I don't know what it's like for older kids on the ship. Were there any teens in the big group you went with?

We've done Disney 7 day cruises twice. Both times were with teen/preteens. My kids loved the programs and even when they weren't taking part in teen activities, they found plenty of other things they enjoyed. I wouldn't hesitate. Ask away if you have any questions.

Sorry about the death. That's sad. I'll pray for friends and family.

And also sorry about the need to go back to dorms. Hope you can get him in without issue.

Grammy, glad you feel better since telling your kids. I think it was a good choice.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I will ditto all that Merry said.

jsg, LOL I always think about the ship being welded together, too. I also always hope the bolts hold on an airplane when I'm flying. It sucks to be a Virgo.

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~


Laurie- I'm sorry things didn't work out for your son. It sounds like the dorm is a better fit for him right now.

Melissa- Thanks for the teen DCL info. I'm sure my kids will have a blast!

Thanks for the prayers sistas. We don't know anything else yet. The band is supposed to play Sat. night, but I don't know when the funeral is and I would assume the gig will get canceled but who knows.

My van wouldn't start yesterday. I hope it's just the battery. Hubby can't take off until tomorrow. It's in the driveway facing the house, of course. He'll try to get it jumped, but thankfully we have AAA if we need to call them in.


I've been trying to get in on a 7 nt Western DCL cruise on 6/13 that has an incredible price on Cat. 12 cabins, but the Cat 12 listing comes and goes. I haven't snagged one yet. But I did just read that DCL is coming out with a new big offer on 12/10!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2029053

 

[snappy]

Bummer about the van not starting, Laura.

We have car issues alot at our house with 3 1998 model cars. Only my 2008 Accord is truly reliable.

Keeping them going (and fixing them after accidents ) is eating our lunch. Could be a lot worse, I realize.

Hope you get that berth, Laura. I have to say I am jealous.

Still keeping your DH's band mate and his family in my thoughts and prayers.

We are trying to tighten our belts here. DH"S boss has confided to him privately over the weekend that there will have to be staff changes. They came up with the least onerous plan yesterday, cutting everyone's wages at least 10%. I think DH is just glad he still has a position. He does love his job. Good thing I came out of semi-retirement last year. It might be very difficult to find something now, although there always seems to be accounting jobs of some sort to be had.

We know a lot of folks (engineers, etc.) who work for the chemical plants. Dow just announced plant closings and job cuts. I guess this awful economy is reaching us now.

We had a talk over the weekend with our college kids about paying more of their own expenses. DD18 wanted to flit off to Dallas with her girl friend for the holidays when she has no money. Instead she will resume her waitress job here, filling in for any open spots on the schedule.

REality sucks!

Not the best time to get real, during the holidays, but I still see many things to be thankful for, first and foremost for my mom's good prognosis. I also am glad to have you guys to unload on. Nobody ever perished from a 10% wage cut but it is unnerving, especially when we consider my salary just supplemental.

Right now my biggest concern if worse comes to worse is losing health benefits so I am looking at adding myself on to the coverage where I work. They probably won't even take me. We'll see.

 

[laurabelle]

Laurie- I'm sorry to hear about your hubby's work. I am looking at DCL as an option because I can defer the payment on my Disney Visa. I will only book something I can cancel. I am also keeping non-flying vacation ideas in mind. Everything is up in the air for all of us, not personally *thankfully* because of job insecurity for dh, but the economy as a whole. Hubby has shifted our portfolio more than once since Sept. Yes, the kids are all getting a dose of reality, that's not a bad thing IMHO. Honestly, it's so uncertain what will come after the new year, I'm sure lots more businesses will be folding. I can't get excited about the going out of business sales...It's really awful. It makes you wonder what the country will look like in the future...will there be any small businesses left?

 

[snappy]

Oh my, they are reporting here a 60% chance of sleet/snow on Thursday.

Is this the end of the world or something?

Very strange for us down here.

DD13 is down with a sore throat, I am bringing her in for a throat culture at 11 since she also had a sore throat yesterday. I HATE for her to miss any school time right before exams. Better now than next week I guess.

Always searching for that silver lining. I just know there always is one!

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Goodmorning and GAGWTA. You all have been in my thoughts.Grammy

 

[snappy]

Thanks, Laura. I too am not the least interested in the sales i am sure are coming.

At least we have our BWV points. We only have enough for Sunday through Thursday in a 2 BR so I have a few days booked at Pop beforehand because I got a pin offer that comes with a $500 per reservation gift card. So the net cost is less. However, less is not $0, we may confine ourselves to the 5 nights at BW.

At least I have until early April to decide. By then maybe things will be clearer as to what we are in for.

I never booked a package before, always rooms only or on points (rented or our own) so deciding so early beforehand is new.

I am deferring payment on my VISA too, that is helping.

I checked and there is room in the dorm for DS, in a 4 bedroom setup which I don't deem the best. At least it is cheaper. DH is driving down to New Orleans today for a CPA continuing education course so he is going to meet up with DS and get his signature on the dorm application.
After he finishes his last exam Friday, DS will be cleaning up his room and bathroom until it sparkles. I am still rankled at how he handled himself in Mamere's house. I could blame myself for always being the one who (as a stay at home mom for almost 10 years) who cleaned up everything for him at home, but gosh the 'kid' is now 20. Our DD18 is not much better, I am trying to get DD13 to do more now that I realize the error of my ways.

Note to all you who have younger kids: make 'em learn to do for themselves. Please don't fall into the trap I did.

Rant over.

 

[snappy]

Goodmorning and GAGWTA. You all have been in my thoughts.Grammy

You are in mine as well. When is the biopsy scheduled?

 

[laurabelle]

GAGWTA Carol! I think your biopsy is this week, right? I'd opt for a bubble bath and a glass (or two or three!) of wine the night before...oh yeah, and some chocolates!

Laurie- I'm the bad guy in my house, making my kids clean. Hubby goes around picking up after them, doing their laundry and making their beds, Drives me nuts! I keep telling him, honestly, I'm not being a lazy SAHM, I'm TRAINING them! sheesh. And believe me, I let them know it too. Some day they will have their own house to keep. I had them redo the toilets Sat. They cleaned the inside and not the outside. Yeah, I'm mean like that. Someday they can either thank me or tell their therapists...

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Laura, I believe that Cat 12 only sleeps three. Cat 11 sleeps four. I saw that teaser too, curious to know what they'll be offering (still have a credit, but now have to buy passports).

That is tragic about your friend. This time of year gets hard for people who are already depressed.

I spent days and days guitar shopping. Learned a lot. Met a great local guy who was incredibly knowledgeable, kind and patient with me and the kids, let them try out just about every guitar and amp in his store, LOL. Ended up buying electric guitar pkgs there. Torn because he gives lessons that are quite a bit cheaper than what I'm paying for lessons now. Kids like their current teacher a lot, and he's done a good job. Wish I knew about this guy when I was originally looking for a teacher (they started playing acoustic about a year ago).

Laurie, it sounds like that will be the best arrangement for all involved. FWIW, I've been cracking the whip with DS since he was little and he's still kind of sloppy - you need to stay on him to see that he does what he's supposed to do. So don't blame yourself, I'm sure you taught him well.

Laurie- I'm the bad guy in my house, making my kids clean. Hubby goes around picking up after them, doing their laundry and making their beds, Drives me nuts! I keep telling him, honestly, I'm not being a lazy SAHM, I'm TRAINING them! sheesh. And believe me, I let them know it too. Some day they will have their own house to keep. I had them redo the toilets Sat. They cleaned the inside and not the outside. Yeah, I'm mean like that. Someday they can either thank me or tell their therapists

Just saw this, I'm the same! So is DH. I'm sure we drive the kids crazy, but the truth is, we live in a small house and we feel inundated with stuff! I don't mind a little clutter as long as it's neat and organized. And we do have them doing chores, helping clean toilets, yard and kennel of doggie doo, putting laundry away, keeping rooms clean, taking out trash, helping Nana with her trash and reclycling, etc. Nothing wrong with that. They grumble a bit but I also get the sense they enjoy their sense of pride and belonging in their home like we do. At least that's what we've tried to instill in them.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

For your enjoyment, a few recent pictures I had "out" for another thread.

I am enjoying photography but as a hobby it does take up a lot of time - more than I ever realized. I've been doing some holiday portraits for friends. As an example, I did a session the other night, took 130 photos. Out of those, I got about 12-15 decent ones, which I then had to edit individually, which took an hour or two. Once I got them uploaded to my galleries, I realized they were noisy so I had to delete them all from there, start all over again running them through noise reduction software, then re-upload them all. In total took about 2 1/2 hrs of editing. Fortunately, my friend was very happy with them. In my eyes they were improved over the ones I did two weeks ago, but I still have a ways to go. Out of the entire 130 pictures there was only one that I thought was perfect. (Uggh - how did I get into this anyway? Probably not a great hobby for a classic Virgo. ) I wish I could post it but I can't. It was of my friends' two boys and their dog under their Christmas tree. For my own card I'm using a shot I took of my kids in Boston on one of our jaunts into the North End. DS looks so mature in one way, yet he has spaghetti sauce all over his tee shirt. I liked that about it.

 

[laurabelle]

Linda- Those photos are breathtaking! You have become quite an accomplished artist!

I'm glad the kids got to go to the guitar shop and try them all out. That's my hubby's candy store! I don't think you need to feel like they have to always stay with the same teacher, they'll learn different things from different people.

I try to do the same with my kids, instilling not only a sense of pride, but ownership and responsibility. Even as I posted, I was thinking I should have edited and wrote more... Belonging...this is their home, of course it is. I never want them to think this is my home and not their's if you KWIM. I'm on a real kick of living simply, thinking twice before buying, keeping things more organized. They were making fun of me the other day, we know a lot of this is steroid driven. I told them they are going to miss me when I'm out of energy!

Well, some cruises have Cat 12 available for four and some don't, and not for the date I was looking at. I guess I'll just see what the offer is tomorrow.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks, Laura. You know what's funny? I don't really have an artistic bone in my body. At least I thought I didn't. I hate artsy/crafty stuff (and always felt a little guilty about it since DD loves it). I mean, I tried my hand at wreath making and a few other projects over the years, but really never stuck with it, and only used the most basic of materials. But I realized a few years ago that photography is something I've always loved and yes, that's an art as well! So I feel pretty good about it, and the kids are learning about it from me so maybe that makes up for the fact that we didn't do a lot of gluing and such early on.

And I agree about the home. It's important to us because a lot of people we know have some really spectacular homes. (And OTOH, others have some really small, "cottagy" type homes, too. What we've always liked about our community is that there's a good mix and that we're kind of middle of the road.) So I guess we try to say that our home is what it is, but it's ours and we've worked hard to have what we have. They get it. When we ever mention the possiblity of moving, they freak. This is their home and they love it, like we do. Good. They also "get" that had we bought a more expensive home rather than stay here as we did, we probably wouldn't have been able to afford all the trips we've enjoyed and I'm sure I would have had to work more hours rather than be home with them most of the time, so that's something I hope they appreciate in the whole scheme of things also. (I sometimes have to remind myself of that as well, especially as I look around and see all the work that needs to be done. )

 

[laurabelle]

Yes, photography takes an artist's eye and you've got it girl! I am not crafty at all either.

Are you sure we don't live in the same house, lol! We're happy here, that's what counts!

My youngest wants to live next door when she grows up, not because the house is so fab (it's a cute house though!) she wants to be close. My oldest wanted to move to Japan for a while...I told her recently that I really hope that she would consider living nearby because I would hate for all of us to be far away. Hubby's family is all over the place...it's just not the same.

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Bx scheduled for Thurs around 2:15 but I will have to go in earlier for the wire placement. Dont have exact time yet. I have been thinking about cracking open a bottle of wine, but dont want a headache Thurs am! Maybe tonight is the night! Believe me, I've eaten plenty of choclate since all this started, but overall am feeling pretty good about things.
There is another Diser posting about breast bx who I have communicated with and referred her to this site. It really is very helpful to have the support. Her's is on Wed. Please keep her in your thoughts also.
Pea- your photos are beautiful. Thanks for posting them. We also are cruise lovers. Have been lucky enough to take two with DCL (one as a couple and one with the whole gang). We also have done two with NCL as they go right out of NYC. We live in NJ, just a train ride away from the terminal so the price is right. DCL is spectacular Unfortunately, much more expensive especially if you need to factor in the airfair but as they say in the commercials "priceless".
As these times are getting more difficult, I am even more grateful for all of the wonderful things we have had the opportunity to experience. Carol

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I would hate for all of us to be far away.

Ditto.

Grammy, thinking of you for Thursday and praying that all goes well and you get good results. Hope your friend finds her way here, too.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA, Ladies!

I will ditto all that Merry said.

jsg, LOL I always think about the ship being welded together, too. I also always hope the bolts hold on an airplane when I'm flying. It sucks to be a Virgo.

La la la la!! Can't hear you! Can't even consider the possibility of the plane falling apart LA LA LA!!!
My fear with planes is that they will crash due to catastrophic mechanical failure just after take off. I am actually very scared of take off, but I have to act cool so I don't scare DS.

Ditto.

Grammy, thinking of you for Thursday and praying that all goes well and you get good results. Hope your friend finds her way here, too.

Many good thoughts for you, Grammy!!

Laura - I am so sorry about your DH's friend.
I hope you are able to find a cruise that works for you!

Laurie - I hope things improve at your DH's job!
Sorry DS needs to move back to the dorm. Guess I should stop doing everything for my DS.

Mom is doing OK. She has been having fine motor issues with her fingers but I am hoping that will get better as more time passes without additional chemo.

Not much to report around here. It is really cold and sleeting right now.

 

[CherylDan]

I've been without my computer - got a nasty trojan virus that did major damage before it was caught. Anyway, long story short, it's up and running a little bit - I can get on-line, but that it. It's taken so long just to get to this point, that today I finally decided to order a new one, so hopefully it will be here in about a week, but it sure wasn't in my budget, especially this time of the year. I just couldn't take it anymore, it's just amazing to me how completely lost I was without my computer! I told DH it was like loosing my right arm! All the programs are gone....we are hopeful that we were successful in backing up my pictures and music onto memory sticks, but we wont know that until the new one gets here.

Carol - I too had the wire placement, and it did take quite a long time, but for whatever reason they were having quite a problem with mine. Sending you lots of good thoughts and pixie dust for good results!

Snappy, your son sounds a lot like my almost 20 yr old DD, as far as keeping things neat and clean! OMG, my DD is such a slob. Which is totally opposite of her sister. So even though you might be blaming yourself for over doing for him (and I'm sure I'm also guilty of that) when I see the difference between my own two kids, knowing that they were raised the same, I just chalk it up to personality differences. And hope that one day, the younger one will finally turn over a new leaf!

All this talk of cruises is really making me want to keep looking into the Alaska cruise I would love to take! I *think* we've finally agreed that this is just not a good time to plan it, but I just can't give up the idea yet!

Linda, your pictures are awesome! I especially love the fish - it looks almost like the camera was in the water with them. Was it? LOL, that's probably a crazy question!

I have a ton of paperwork staring at me, and a pile of gifts to wrap, so I guess I better get to it! LOL, seems like all I've done lately is try to fix this computer!

GAGWTA!!!!