Hey! July 30th, 2005 cruise to Mexico DISfriends!

[DisneyMom13]

Oh Lucy - By the way, you said something about having to cruise next summer, aren't you and Bob and the boys going on the Med cruise. Hey Bob - What is up with Lucy, she is still not convinced???? We will have to fix that in Disney next month then.

Debi

 

[lwilliam]

Lucy can't justify all that money to one vacation......it will take ALOT of convincing.....it is NOT going to be easy....I don't discuss the Med...of course I want to spend it with you, but a less expensive way.

Hey, Debs, you said "D DAY" - wouldn't a D be fine?

Poor Alex...we need to get down there SOON.

 

[jfis1020]

Debi First, thanks for checking in!! I feel positive for Bri and am sending those vibes to her directly! Do you have any type of AAA like service for Alex? That is a good "piece of mind". My MIL bought if for me when we got married because my driving anywhere, anytime freaked her out. It has come in handy several times. Something to think about!

I feel so bad for you over the store. Just search deep in your soul. You will know what to do and the right choices. One day you will wake up and think, I need to do________. You'll be fine. Just let things happen. I have always felt that with one closing door, another door opens. IE-> X leaves me and I think the world is over. Six weeks later Mark walks into my life unexpectedly (well I picked him up in a parking lot actually ). But, just let life take it's toll.....you WILL come out ahead of the game!!!! POSITIVE THINKING!!

I feel for all of you out east. That rain is terrible!!! Hopefully you will see sunshine soon!

Did anyone see on the news the ferris wheel in New Philadelphia, OH that malfunctioned?? That is Mark's hometown! They have permanent rides in their park like a ferris wheel, merry go round, little cars that circle around, etc. It's the nicest park I have ever seen in my life for a small town. Anyway, the car locked and two kids FELL OUT!! Isn't that awful??

Off to get something done!!!

O.k. everyone........think positive!!!!

 

[lwilliam]

 

[jfis1020]

We are waiting anxiously Debi!! Give us the news!!

 

[DisneyMom13]

Not a good afternoon...after all. The big man upstairs doesn't always answer prayers. Unfortunately, Bri will be attending Summer School this summer, for a few subjects. I have no clue how this even works , I guess I will find out soon enough.

Anyway, at least I have been busy at the store today, kind of keeping my mind off it...and it will mellow me out a little by the time I get home. Just talked to Allie and she said you guys were waiting to hear from me, so I guess I get to be the bearer of bad news. Looking on the bright side, hopefully she will learn a lesson from this. If she does this again next summer, there will be no vacation for her, because she will not be able to take 2 weeks off. Right now, she will still be able to go to Florida, because it is only for a few days.

Anyway, we will get through this like we do everything else...

Debi

 

[lwilliam]

The sun will come out, tomorrow, betcha bottom dollar that tomorrow....
they'll be sun.....


Remind me to tell you what my "dumb" 19 yr. old said today....it gets worse
with that one...honestly....

OK, Deb, now we've gotta turn you around, things aren't going quite the
way you want them, but we will help you get your mind off of 'things'....
You need to talk, call or write.

Bri: this one is for you: high school
(I hated every moment of it when Bryan was in school, and now Tyler is
starting...I'm TOO old for this)...

 

[jfis1020]

Personally, I think the whole testing thing su&%$!!! I was a horrible test taker and I don't think I do too bad in this world! Not everyone cut out to take tests. Keep your chin up Deb, you'll get through all of this. You have a terrific husband and he is your rock!!! Have a margarita in the meantime.....

 

[DisneyMom13]

I love him dearly, but he is not being a rock right now! Rough waters ahead with this one.

Debi

 

[lwilliam]

 

[littleowensmommy]

Deb, When I feel like I've got too much on my plate and I stress myself out I try to take an objective look at what is actually within my control to change and what isn't. This is not always easy (as I'm a control freak) but it does lighten the load when I realize that there are some things that I have no control over so I can then let go (or at least try) and redirect my focus. You've had alot dumped on your plate lately and I can't imagine anything that you could have done differently that would have changed things.

Let me begin by saying that since my kids are still so young I haven't been faced with many school issues yet but I don't see why summer school is the end of the world. I'm sure it won't be fun and I know everyone wishes that it didn't have to be but hopefully Bri will make the best of it and this will be a one time event. I'll bet that perspective of this in the rearview mirror provides proof positive.

I'm a firm believer in "that which does not kill us makes us stronger" but we can take a heck of a beating in the process.

 

[littleowensmommy]

I almost forgot...Ted and I are celebrating our 20th aniversary today!

 

[lwilliam]

I have goosebumps from your thread...so well put

BUT, I know what Debi is facing too....when you are THAT low, you just
can't find your way out of the hole....fortunately, not really, we went thru
all of this with our FIRST kid, and are still going thru it, almost daily.....
he is turning 20 while we are in Disney, and still very immature and has
more "moments" than he doesn't, but there are those "seconds" of
hope.....I'm just guessing, Debi, but it is difficult with Bri being the second..
What can we say to your family to get you thru THIS one...nothing.
BUT, you have friends on this thread who want to be there with you, give you
a BIG hug and cry with you (I'm getting tears right now)...
Every second of the day i worry what Bryan is doing (he doesn't understand
that), but, Bob has convinced me, he's got to learn on his own (it is hard to
understand, but I'm trying).....jump into a new shop, Debi, get your mind
off of this (yea, right, Lucy, look who is talking) and your mind on the hobby you love! Me? getting my mind off the hardships of my teens: I go to WallyWorld and SHOP! Love you guys!

Happy Anniversary Kathy....dinner tonight? or is Ted working and dinner will be McDonald's...oh, by the way, if you get an extra toy there...save it for me

 

[littleowensmommy]

I got a sitter for the kids and we're going out to dinner tonight in Norfolk. Ted picks up a ward team on the 1st so he'll be really busy for 2 weeks. I just sent out invitations for Amy's princess pool party on the 9th. She'll be 5 on 13 July. She had a princess pool party last year too. I tried to redirect her but she would have no part of it. She knows what she wants. The kids are enjoying Vacation Bible School this week. It rained here for 6 days straight. Today we're dry so far but there's a 30% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. My tan has faded away...speaking of tans, I wonder how JoAnn and crew are doing?

 

[jlawall]

Hey everyone, we're still alive in Mexico! We'll be leaving in a few minutes!

Sorry Bri, but my first thought was........maybe there'll be a cute guy in the class with you??? Sorry, but that was my first thought, I hope it cheered you up alittle!

Hey Debi, I agree with Jenny, just give yourself an opportunity to think it through and you will know what to do. If you need a break, come down to the beach and we'll chill! Glad Ali's okay, BTW!!! I've been there!

Lucy, YOU HAVE TO COME WITH US on the Med cruise! You too, Jenny, I'm so psyched to go back to DCL!

This trip has been very nice but still no magic! We went to Costa Maya today and I was impressed, I thought it was going to be more primitive. It was clean and the people were very nice! Last night we went to Carlos & Charlie's, I have to tell you they were slammed by that hurricane last year. The boat docks at a different location and the vendors at the Punta Lagosta Mall were saying how tough it's been for them. We heard the same thing in Freeport. The locals were appreciative of any purchase or tip. It seemed like things are really tough for many in the Caribbean right now b/c of all the bad weather last year. BTW, we had a blast in Cozumel as usual!

Kathy, I remember reading about your princess party last year! My girls had many, enjoy!!!

We just have less than a month to go for our next reunion, who's getting psyched???

My dad really misses me right now and it's too painful for him so he probably can't post b/c he's so depressed!Let's see if that flushes that lurker out!!

Hugs all around, miss you lynn!!

 

[littleowensmommy]

Hi JoAnn, I'm definitely psyched for our trip next month! It's a month from today! No kids!!! You can't imagine how much I'm looking forward to 3 days without hearing "Mom, can you come wipe my bottom?" Don't feel too bad for the kiddies, they'll be in Disney in August and October. Lucy, are you guys joining us in October? Please! It will be so much fun! 'Party for the Senses' tickets will go on sale at the end of July. Bob, you guys have got to come that weekend. 'Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party' and Epcot's Food and Wine Festival are the best! OK Lucy, this should seal it...if you come, Ted and I will put on our Mr. and Mrs. Incredible costumes for you. We won't be there to attend MNSSHP with you guys but you'll die laughing when you see us...too funny!

 

[LynnTarrant]

Hi Gang
Just a quickie
Joann glad you are having fun
Debi Kathy definitely got it right, it's done now so don't let it spoil everything this summer
Kathy Happy Anniversary
Lucy and Jenny Hi
I reached the 4 week mark today

I'm exhausted we took 30 of our year 5 and 6s ( they are 10 and 11) to see the Life of Christ today. This is an amazing 6 hour long passion play performed outside by a cast of hundreds. The action takes place in different venues all over a huge country estate in Surrey amd the audience become part of the cast as they walk around. The children were completely in awe and stunned us with how much they had learnt in religious education whilst they had been with us, one of my little delinquents said ( spelling to give some idea of dialect) 'ere Miss I fort it woulda bin boring today but it woz wicked'
Wicked in the UK at the present actually means fantastic.
Anyway the play started at 10am and ended at 4 :30pm with only a 30min break for lunch and I was extremely pleased with the standards of politeness and general behaviour exhibited by my little darlings so I will take great pleasure in telling them how 'wicked 'they are tomorrow and I will sleep the rest of a tired but happy headteacher tonight.

 

[littleowensmommy]

Lynn, Is your school public or private? Kids in public school here in the States would never be allowed to attend a religious program. It's sad. My kids are in private school so they have a Christmas program and they say Grace before snack and lunch. They also recite the 'Pledge of Alligiance' every morning; I don't think that's done in public schools either. When I was a kid (in public school) we said the 'Pledge'.

 

[lwilliam]

Pledge of Allegiance..... .......
we are a FREE country, why can't our children pledge the flag....
it should be our children's choice....but honor our flag....OH, don't get me started.
MEN are dying for our country.....oh, don't get me started

WOW, with Jenny out of town, JoAnn on a cruise, we reached the
2nd page....that has GOT to stop.

Hey, Debi, I tryed to call you twice....i'm going to keep trying!

Lynn - that sounds like an awesome experience for those kids.

BILL? DISDADDY? aren't you worried about your grandchildren and children?
Talk to us!

 

[LynnTarrant]

Kathy I think things here are very different to the US in terms of religion.
At the present Britain sees herself as a predominantly Christian ( Church of England) country, where others have the freedom to practise in their own religion but where the morals and social laws reflect Christianity . In practice this morally includes most other mainstream religions.
In schools we have to hold an act of worship daily, this can retell stories from other cultures but should be broadly Christian, we tend to say things like Muslim people believe, Christian people say. We have prayers but they are kept quite generic.
Then in the classroom the Children study Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism. They have about an hours RE a week, they learn about the main festivals , customs and practices of the different religions.

I am happy that we can nurture a child's spiritual growth along with their social and moral education, but not all teachers agree and some would like it to be as it is in the States. I would hate not to be able to celebrate Christmas and Easter at school, but who knows what will happen in the future.

As to seeing the passion play it is an experience that I doubt many of these children will ever have again, I feel children should be given a chance to explore spiritual ideas so they are able to make informed decisions for themselves in the future. One boy asked yesterday' do you have to believe in God to believe this story' and we were able to talk about the historical content of the Bible and how different religions and sects believe different parts of the story in the Bible, my most challenging children are often fascinated by these ideas and it is wonderful as a teacher to watch their different responses.. I would be very sad if we couldn't continue to explore these areas with children.

There that's me done!!!!