EARLY CHECK IN: December 15th, 2007 - Seven night Western - 12/15/07

[yearbook50]

There seems to be a lot of us at the Radisson.

 

[feinfam]

We're getting into the final preparations for Christmas, too. Shopping is done (as of this morning), presents are hidden and will be wrapped when we get a tree to put the presents under.

Boxes of pirate costumes, goody bag stuff and holiday decorations were shipped to the warehouse today.

Suitcases have been dragged out, bathing suits have been put in! It's raining out our way, so that just makes the packing process more enjoyable, knowing we'll need those short sleeves soon.

Susan, maybe John got some of the pre-cruise dieting messages from you - he's just looking forward to some great food on the ship! DH and I joke that when we've had enough of our weight creep, we're going to put ourselves on dog food (our dog looks great)!

 

[Queen2]

Hello all.
I've been reading the boards just not posting. I went into a depression & having a hard time coping. first of all I'm a twin. She passed away Feb 2000. Our birthday is December 10, & I'm really missing her this year. part of it is her granddaughter's 3rd birthday is December 7th the party is the 9th. they live 2 hours away & I just don't have time to go this year. There is also a 6 year old stepdaughter she would claim as her DGD. Cause I claim her as my niece. I love being around the girls, it makes me feel good. I feel close to my twin.

Also this was the cruise Hazel was supposed to go on. She was really looking forward to it. She was my best friend.

I'm not packed, can't even think about packing, I have few presents bought. I don't want to leave my comfort zone which is my home.

Oh well enough of that, things shall pass. The sun will come out tommorrow. I will be forced to packed soon.

 

[yearbook50]

Hello all.
I've been reading the boards just not posting. I went into a depression & having a hard time coping. first of all I'm a twin. She passed away Feb 2000. Our birthday is December 10, & I'm really missing her this year. part of it is her granddaughter's 3rd birthday is December 7th the party is the 9th. they live 2 hours away & I just don't have time to go this year. There is also a 6 year old stepdaughter she would claim as her DGD. Cause I claim her as my niece. I love being around the girls, it makes me feel good. I feel close to my twin.

Also this was the cruise Hazel was supposed to go on. She was really looking forward to it. She was my best friend.

I'm not packed, can't even think about packing, I have few presents bought. I don't want to leave my comfort zone which is my home.

Oh well enough of that, things shall pass. The sun will come out tommorrow. I will be forced to packed soon.

 

[cristit14]

Hello all.
I've been reading the boards just not posting. I went into a depression & having a hard time coping. first of all I'm a twin. She passed away Feb 2000. Our birthday is December 10, & I'm really missing her this year. part of it is her granddaughter's 3rd birthday is December 7th the party is the 9th. they live 2 hours away & I just don't have time to go this year. There is also a 6 year old stepdaughter she would claim as her DGD. Cause I claim her as my niece. I love being around the girls, it makes me feel good. I feel close to my twin.

Also this was the cruise Hazel was supposed to go on. She was really looking forward to it. She was my best friend.

I'm not packed, can't even think about packing, I have few presents bought. I don't want to leave my comfort zone which is my home.

Oh well enough of that, things shall pass. The sun will come out tommorrow. I will be forced to packed soon.

I am so sorry. I hope you feel better soon

 

[jzarnkex5]

Hello Sharon,

First of all I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. Depression is not a fun thing to go through and it can put a "hold" on your life if you let it. My grandmother and my niece (9) are diagnosed with Biopolar and it is amazing how it affects them when the go into a low, and how it affects the people around them. I hope this cruise will be a magical experience for you so that you may start the healing process you need. My thoughts are with you.

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Sharon--

I don't have any words but we'll be thinking about you until the 15th when I can give you a hug in person!

 

[Pinkprincessmom]

Good morning everyone. We didn't quite finish our shopping yesterday, so we'll have to try again another day. We have finished "Santa" shopping though.

Sharon ~ I'm sorry you're feeling depressed and grieving right now. Thank you for sharing your feelings with us. I hope it helped some to get them out in the open.

 

[feinfam]

Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear about your present state of mind. From what happened in my family this summer, I understand how overwhelming grief can be, and how sudden the sadness can come on. My thoughts are with you.

I'm not sure how it is for you, but being around my extended family really helps so I can celebrate my relationships with those I love - hopefully this cruise with your family will bring you joy and a welcome change of pace.

 

[cristit14]

Warning, minor rant/vent coming... DH just called and said that someone he works with would like for him to help with her computer at home and would it be okay if he went over there after work. I said no problem. Then he mentions something like if there are people at work that want to pay him for his expertise then he probably should help them out. I said just make sure you don't get taken advantage of. So, I am thinking it is just this one person tonight, then he mentions this other guy that wants help and maybe he would go over and help him this weekend. Hello.... we are leaving on the cruise next week and Christmas is right after we get back..... I said so I guess you aren't going to help with the cruise at all? He was completely oblivious to everything that still needs to be done.

I just feel frustrated because I do all of the Christmas shopping, wrapping, get the cards out, make the calendars for our parents and my grandparents and still have to do all of the cruise preparations. AND I had to go to the post office to mail some book that he decided he needed to sell on Amazon right now.

It wouldn't be as big of a deal, but this weekend on Saturday Jacob and I have haircuts (and DH should go get one too) and my office Christmas party is Saturday night. Then on Sunday I have to go with Rachel from 9-3 down to the girl scout center for a babysitting class that she is taking and I have to stay there ( we tried to get into the one they had in October, but it was full). Then on Sunday evening he and the kids are going to a Christmas program with his parents, sister and family. I opted out of it because I know I will be needing to get a lot of things finished.

Sorry for the length of the rant, but sometimes you just need to get it out.
I'll tell you one thing, he had better be helping me with the laundry when he gets home.

Is it time to leave yet?

 

[Queen2]

thanks for the group hugs. I needed them. I need to talk with my DR but don't have the enery to go see her. hope things change in time for the cruise. BTW I'm bipolar . that doesn't help LOL. my family doesn't uderstand my lose of my twin, they say get over it.

Cristit, sure hope DH helps you out. I have DS (36) that live live at home he helps out alot. He just doesn't drive. He even does the .

 

[feinfam]

...I just feel frustrated because I do all of the Christmas shopping, wrapping, get the cards out, make the calendars for our parents and my grandparents and still have to do all of the cruise preparations. AND I had to go to the post office to mail some book that he decided he needed to sell on Amazon right now.

...I'll tell you one thing, he had better be helping me with the laundry when he gets home.

I hear you!

[Note to Brad: Don't wait for her to ask!]

I had a holiday season like that a few years ago, where I was truly overwhelmed. I just went ahead and did everything, like always, but then I sat down with my family and we re-evaluated the whole holiday madness. I asked everyone what they treasured most about the holidays (we celebrate Hannukah and Christmas), and then asked them what they were willing to do to help make those things happen. It was really surprising what answers I got.

Holiday cards were dropped; driving around to look at Christmas lights with our neighbors while eating our homemade donuts stayed. Hannukah candles are lit each night of Hannukah (even on vacation) but we only give books to the kids as gifts. I still do all of the shopping, but DH helps me wrap now (we open a bottle of wine and do it after the kids are asleep) and we work out a budget in advance. Decorating still happens, but I never, ever do it alone anymore - and we spread it out over many days and savor each step (first the poinsettias, then the mantle, then lights in DD's rooms, ...). I go to DH's office parties (yes, plural) but we plan on special family dinners, too (you get to pick a food item, but you have to help prepare it). It's not perfect, but it's soooooo much better than before, and the kids really get a sense of pride in taking part.

for everyone! In just over a week, we'll be on deck with the sea breeze in our hair. And, if DH's are lucky, they'll be next to us!

 

[feinfam]

...Then on Sunday I have to go with Rachel from 9-3 down to the girl scout center for a babysitting class that she is taking and I have to stay there (we tried to get into the one they had in October, but it was full).

Cristi, let me know how the class goes - I'm supervising our girls for their babysitting class this winter (I think it's in February). Hoping that DD will be able to put the skills into practice for her spending money soon...

 

[cristit14]

Kathryn, it sounds like you have a good plan figured out. Brad did help me decorate, he did all of the outside and then helped some inside. He did drag everything up and down the stairs. He is going to be just as surprised as the kids about their gifts though because I usually show him ahead of time what I got them, but this time I just wrapped them and put them under the tree before he saw them. And he did get the gift for his BIL and his dad so I didn't have to do those.

 

[cristit14]

for everyone! In just over a week, we'll be on deck with the sea breeze in our hair. And, if DH's are lucky, they'll be next to us!

I feel a little better now. I popped in some Jimmy Buffet while I was making dinner and thought about the cruise.

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Cristi, I hear you loud and clear!!!

Dh keeps asking "what day are we leaving?" I keep saying Thursday, the 13th, at 3:00 sharp, if you're not here I'll leave your passport on the table. DS won't get home from school until 3:30, but if I tell DH 3:30 he won't show up until 4. Now they are talking winter weather here over the weekend and next week. I asked him if they continue to predict snow if we should see about flying out on Wednesday instead, no he has to work, even though he owns the business. His reply was "that's what we have trip insurance for." If there is a blizzard next week I'm not just going to sit here and watch it snow and hope my trip insurance will cover it, we're piling in the van and driving if we have to, it's only 24 hours to Florida from here.

My house is a tragedy, there are piles in every room. My goal is to ship my box down by the end of tomorrow and then I can get serious about packing the suitcases.

Well, back to work. Hope everyone has a good night.

 

[pinkprincessdad]

Alright - enough of the man bashing. I'm here to defend the male species.

But I know we're pretty defenseless... (and my wife would come and tell on me too). We're all very lucky to have you wonderful women to take care of us. Just think - in a week and a day, all the trip and Christmas preparations will be behind us and we'll be getting on the Magic...

Wishing you all a peaceful holiday until we meet on the ship.

 

[yearbook50]

Thats alright, venting makes us feel better.

One more week and I"m done with school so I'm focusing on all that.

I'm almost all packed now except for my pants, but those will be put in on the 13th.

 

[jzarnkex5]

Got the suitcases out today and I packed most of the kids stuff. Got almost all 3 of the kids stuff in 1 (small) and 1/2 (large) suitcases. I am trying to pack really light because there is now way I am pulling 5 suitcases!

Hope everyone is all better after the venting sessions from eariler to you all.

Feel bad because I skipped chruch tonight, but we have a crazy week ahead and I had to get a good start on being ready. I think I am out of the house everynight till we leave. Good thing I work from home so I may be able to get a couple of things done during the day. I have offically put Christmas on the back burner and I will do my shopping on Christmas eve and or when I return home after Christmas from my Grandmothers. Can't do everything , Right?

8 days till we leave

 

[jzarnkex5]

Cristi, my DH use to own his own computer business so I know exactlly what you are talking about. Now I just make him charge an crazy amount for his service work and they have to bring him the computer and leave it here for a couple days so he can do it when the kids are in bed or in his free time. Computers are too frustrating and annoying to let him go to them, it might take him 5 minutes or 2 hours for the same process on 2 different computers, and an hour of it would be just waiting for different things to load. Got to love computers, they are so good but so evil at the same time.