Hi, my name is Elaine and I'm a thread killer

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Since joining this thread weird and wacky things are happening to me! ixi Anyone else????

First I seem to have lost my status as a threadkiller!!!! I have only killed one thread since coming here and it was my own.

Second, my middle daughter and granddaughter are moving out of my home after four years!!! They are able to buy their own house.

Third, Lowe's (which just opened up here) has better carpeting and is cheaper than Home Depot!! I saved $500 on three rooms!!

Fourth, my oldest daughter is preggers with my fourth grandchild and it is a girl!!!!!

And FIFTH, I've been TAGGED!!!!!!! I do not even know when it happened!!! I just noticed it!!! Now I really feel like I belong!!!


Budget related

We are taking 2 grandchildren and a daughter to WDW in June. Plane tickets, Park tickets, and rooms all paid for our June trip. Also have $2550 in the bank for our spending money!!! So we are just counting down.

Wow, all good news.. You must be on ! Cograts for the extra room in your home, the new addition to your family and to the great budgeting you did for your trip... Come back as often as you can. We appreciate all the support we get in this thread...

Diane

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Oh by the way if you have a few minutes, click on my trip report... Thanks, Diane.

 

[Vivianne]

Hey Everybody!

It's been a tough 2 days at work... We're moving to our remodeled area next week.

I did wear a DW blouse decorated with flowers and Thumper to work. I got a few compliments.

Since joining this thread weird and wacky things are happening to me! ixi Anyone else????

First I seem to have lost my status as a threadkiller!!!! I have only killed one thread since coming here and it was my own.

Second, my middle daughter and granddaughter are moving out of my home after four years!!! They are able to buy their own house.

Third, Lowe's (which just opened up here) has better carpeting and is cheaper than Home Depot!! I saved $500 on three rooms!!

Fourth, my oldest daughter is preggers with my fourth grandchild and it is a girl!!!!!

And FIFTH, I've been TAGGED!!!!!!! I do not even know when it happened!!! I just noticed it!!! Now I really feel like I belong!!!

Wow! That's great! May many good things continue to happen......you love things Disney...you belong!

 

[suevee]

Thanks everyone!!! Good things continue to happen! I found a general contractor to work on my roof who is does great work, uses good materials, charges fairly, and SHOWS UP ON TIME!!!!!! The Dis is blessing me!!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Hello fellow thread-killers... I am working on my trip report and budgeting DD 16th birthday party... I just want to tell someone about it and not sound like I am bragging, I know my buddies here will be supportive...


DD turns 16 in December. She goes to an all-girls HS and she is the youngest girl in her class (she was taken early into kindergarten). She wont turn 16 until half way through her Junior year. All her friends are having these elaborate parties and I wanted something more personal... Call me selfish but this is what I am doing...

Background: I have 2 best friends from school, right from Kindergarten. Neither of them married. One is an ER nurse in FL, and the other a sub-contractor for Comcast who travels very frequently...Laurie is the contractor and we have stayed close throughout all the years. She has always been there for me. She has no children of her own, and I am glad to share mine with her. I am closer to her than my sister...

The Birthday Gift from God: I called Laurie a few weeks back and invited her to NYC to celebrate my daughter's 16th. She was excited as I was because we would be able to be together, just the girls. She has invited me to so many things and I have always bowed out and said NO because of the family... So DD is bringing her best friend and I am bringing mine. To top everything off Laurie has "tons" of points for hotels from all of her traveling.. She booked 3 nights at the Waldorf Astoria for us.. And now she called today and said that she really wanted DD to "experience" a night in Times Square so she booked an additional night at the Marriott Marque in Times Square. She also has her companies Car Service (aka LIMO) picking us up at Penn Station to bring us to the hotel... I am so excited. I told her that I would be paying for all meals and not to fight me on it... What does she do but say... But Bobby Flay's restaurant is in my building and I know him so he is gonna do DD's birthday dinner... OMG... I am flying high! I called DD's friends Mom and she is on board for everything... Oh by the way we are not telling DD all the good stuff, she thinks we are staying at the Pennsylvania Hotel and walking from Penn Station and I told her Deli meals only. I am looking for deals on shows and DD has requested Hairspray and Spring Awakening. I am looking for deals on these shows every few days... With the extra night I was thinking maybe the Rockettes will have b1g1f deals like they did on the boards last year and we could see that. We are gonna shop til we drop, see the window's decorated on 5th. avenue and the tree in Rockefeller Center... This vacation is better than my Honeymoon. DH wants to get DD something from Tiffany's and have it in the store when we shop there. DD would never expect me to be able to afford anything so this will be oh so cool... (if anyone see's a sale or code, please let me know). We are taking the train and I saw a form that if we visit a college the girls will travel 1/2 price or free. DD wanted to see NYU as it is on her list, so maybe we could just do a quick looksie and I could bring down the price of the train. I know that the food is going to be so expensive so suggestions would be helpful. I can't believe this is all happening. I think suevee is right and the Pixie Dust is flowing on this thread... Maybe we should get the word out!!

Well enough for me for tonight. Thanks for letting me write all this here because it is killing me keeping inside. (Don't talk to much to DH because even though he hates the city I know he wishes he could be there, but he will have full reign to take and do whatever he wants when DS turns 16).

Pixie Dust to all, Diane

 

[LSchrow]

WOW! your DD is going to be thrilled, tinker!
we love carmines in the theatre district (betcha laurie knows where it is). the food is served family style (an entre feeds 2+ people), & is not very expensive, but is incredibly good! it get jam packed (looooong line down the street) weekends & evenings, but you can norm get a walk-in table about 2-3pm on a weekday.
tiffany's doesn't have sales and/or discounts, but you can call & a personal shopper will help you with your selection.
toys r us, the m&m store, world of disney, coach, dooney, macy's are all fun.

i'm sure your friends can help you more....have a great time planning!!

 

[Vivianne]

Hey Tinker!

Your DD is indeed a fortunate girl! Sounds like you have the makings of a fantastic experience for her.

I grew up in NY and worked in Manhattan til I got married. It's been 20+ years since I moved away from NYC (although I have visited from time to time). But there are some really nice places to visit, eat at and see. For 3 days, I would pick the highlights after much research. I saw Cats before they closed the show and it was fantastic. I did get to see the Rockettes way back when. You have plenty of time to plan and you know planning is part of the fun! Be sure to give us updates.

 

[suevee]

Tinker, that is so great!!!! I have three daughters and I understand your excitement!! And thanks to your friend it is a BUDGET TRIP!!! except maybe Tiffany's

I wonder if anyone else is experiencing pixidust?????

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

WOW! your DD is going to be thrilled, tinker!
we love carmines in the theatre district (betcha laurie knows where it is). the food is served family style (an entre feeds 2+ people), & is not very expensive, but is incredibly good! it get jam packed (looooong line down the street) weekends & evenings, but you can norm get a walk-in table about 2-3pm on a weekday.
tiffany's doesn't have sales and/or discounts, but you can call & a personal shopper will help you with your selection.
toys r us, the m&m store, world of disney, coach, dooney, macy's are all fun.

i'm sure your friends can help you more....have a great time planning!!

I'll let DH know about Tiffany's as it was his idea... Now you have to realize this is the man who couldn't pick out my wedding ring... My Mom gave me her first Diamond from my dad out of her original setting (FROM SEARS) and asked DH just to get it reset for me... No he gave me back the diamond and I picked my own setting... So he may be in sticker shock when he buys for his "little angel" (DD nickname)

Hey Tinker!

Your DD is indeed a fortunate girl! Sounds like you have the makings of a fantastic experience for her.

I grew up in NY and worked in Manhattan til I got married. It's been 20+ years since I moved away from NYC (although I have visited from time to time). But there are some really nice places to visit, eat at and see. For 3 days, I would pick the highlights after much research. I saw Cats before they closed the show and it was fantastic. I did get to see the Rockettes way back when. You have plenty of time to plan and you know planning is part of the fun! Be sure to give us updates.

Updates are my life.. LOL. Yep DD is fortunate, my only hope is that she realizes it.. I know that kids don't always get it right away, so I don't expect the instant approval from her, but hopefully before she gets out of college, she will understand! Kids today take everything for granted, and with the economy hitting the bottom I am worried for them all. Both my DD and DS have lived a budget life. I am a "mean" mom and do not shelter them from what the real world is like.. They DO not get an allowance from me. They have to contribute to the chores... Not everything in this world comes with a paycheck. If I taught them only 2 things I think I will have succeeded.. and they are stay away from carefree encounters (if ya get my drift) and if you want it you work for it...

Tinker, that is so great!!!! I have three daughters and I understand your excitement!! And thanks to your friend it is a BUDGET TRIP!!! except maybe Tiffany's

I wonder if anyone else is experiencing pixidust?????

It really is a budget trip if you think about it, and I did do the math over and over again. I don't want to spend too much but I want to have a good time... So breakfast will be at a Deli.. DD loves bagels and apple juice.. Lunch will be dinner and dinner will be lunch. So that will also help. (We do this at Disney also). The only thing missing is that DH and I usually share a meal. Restaurant meals are sooo big for us.. But I can do appetizers.. Walking is FREE and DD wants to see the sights, not actually go to all of them!

 

[MNFootballMommy]

Tinker-
How much fun!!! That trip sounds AWESOME. My birthday is in January, but if you adopt me I can make it fit your trip timetable!

Not much going on here. Friday is laundry day. Sparkles in the dryer lint make me smile! (I LOVE having a daughter! )

She does NOT want to potty train, though. Headstrong, just like her dad!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll check in by Sunday, if not sooner! Don't go anywhere without me!

 

[Vivianne]

Updates are my life.. LOL. Yep DD is fortunate, my only hope is that she realizes it.. I know that kids don't always get it right away, so I don't expect the instant approval from her, but hopefully before she gets out of college, she will understand! Kids today take everything for granted, and with the economy hitting the bottom I am worried for them all. Both my DD and DS have lived a budget life. I am a "mean" mom and do not shelter them from what the real world is like.. They DO not get an allowance from me. They have to contribute to the chores... Not everything in this world comes with a paycheck. If I taught them only 2 things I think I will have succeeded.. and they are stay away from carefree encounters (if ya get my drift) and if you want it you work for it...

You're giving her memories, and that's a BIG one! What your kids do with their memories/life lessons is up to them. You can consider it a gift and I suspect they'll really appreciate your gifts with time.

Tinker-
Sparkles in the dryer lint make me smile! (I LOVE having a daughter! )

She does NOT want to potty train, though. Headstrong, just like her dad!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll check in by Sunday, if not sooner! Don't go anywhere without me!

Sparkles in the dryer, sound good to me....You're probably going to be very busy this weekend....

Everyone have a great weekend from me too...I may be back again.....

 

[suevee]

She will appreciate it. All my adult daughters have come to me and thanked me for special memories they have as children and teens. It has been very nice, especially since I was such a "mean mom" and I really doubted myself at times. Now it is 'you were right mom" as I watch them deal with my grandchildren. As Jackie Geason used to say....How sweeet it is!!!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Good Morning Everyone... Well I went ahead and did it... Not sure if it is the right move or not but time will tell. I booked free dining this morning...

Sept 18- Sept 25 - Airfare was cheap and since it is mid-week to mid-week DD and DS can pick up some work b4 we leave and go to school on Friday and work during the weekend. Both are first honors and have never had any reason to doubt them.. So right now it is 7nights-8days w/ free dining and airfare for just over $2000.00. (over $2000.00 because I put the insurance on it) I really missed the interaction with the kids during our recent trip.. DH even wants this which is unusual as he is a saver. Now I won't have a big cushy extra savings now, but I am sure if something were to break I could definetely budget in fixing it or even replacing if it is just one thing. My kids both have new mattress's and the couches, well who cares if they are a few years old..

So now I am going to do the happy dance. I am so excited! Now I just have to tell my Mom.. even though I am an adult she is SO critical and doesn't understand family vacations. (The reason I might be so obsessive about them is that when I was growing up we NEVER took a family vacation) My mom always saved the money for a disaster that never happened. No real special family outings in my memory bank, and that is Sad. So now I just have to get over the guilt trip she is going to put me on and its clear sailing...

Is anyone else going in September??

Diane

 

[Vivianne]

Hey Friends!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. The weather is a little drab here and it's cooler but a day off is a day off and I'm going to enjoy it.

Tinker,

Good for you! We have 2 weeks (1/June & 1/Oct) I wanted to take off in Sept but DH can't.

Don't let your mom give you the guilt trip. We have that in common (only my mom is not around anymore) we never went anywhere on vacation. She was a saver too. Nothing wrong with saving, I do it too. But you need to enjoy moments in your life with your family. I think if I were able to take Mom along she would love it. It would take a little convincing but she would love it. Coming to think of it, my MIL would have enjoyed traveling with us too but she died a year after we got married.

Just tell your Mom, she can have her opinion about it, but your decision is final. Gotta love your Momma, wants you safe and sound and at home (at least that's what my mom wanted)......

Hey did you all notice we're reaching a milestone...

We're heading to a 500 post mark! Not bad for a thread about killing threads....

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Wow, I never usually look at the post number and last night I was reading a thread and the poster kept repeating over and over she was 500... I was so confused, until now. I have vowed not to allow my Mom to upset me. I would even take her. But she is afraid to leave overnight..

 

[Vivianne]

Hey Everybody! It's Sunday, just enjoy!

The weather is cooler and supposedly we're in for a cooler spell and rain. Oil prices have gone to $4/gallon. Wonder what we're going to do this coming winter to keep warm...

Going shopping for some essentials....I will try to minimize the damage

 

[MNFootballMommy]

Not budget for me this weekend! Went shoe shopping for DH and I ended up getting two new pair of sandals (I needed them, but still...), a new messenger/boarding bag for me, a new backpack for him, a baseball glove, hat and ball for DD (plus she got a new toy from a GC left over from her b-day), a quick trip by the grocery store AND dinner out! Well, at least I am stimulating the economy, right??

 

[LSchrow]

I have vowed not to allow my Mom to upset me. I would even take her. But she is afraid to leave overnight..

awwww, it does sound like vivianne is right tho: your mom wants to keep you "safe & sound". sadly, you'll prob never change her (i agree with you about the "family vacations" ~ my parents mostly drove (only occassionally flying) to canada & mexico, & every single state except hawaii & alaska ~ with 3 kids, and our dog & cat!! )
imho, there is no substitute for the memories made on vacations ~ you get to know & appreciate one another more when you're out of the daily grind have a great time!! DH & i will be in WDW sept 27-oct 6 for the F&WF, so we'll just miss you.

oh, & in case no one has noticed .......less than six little, tiny, itty-bitty days to go!!!

 

[Vivianne]

oh, & in case no one has noticed .......less than six little, tiny, itty-bitty days to go!!!

Well........Way to go girl! Your time has come!

Of course, you have to give us a complete rundown on your observations, meals & fun time.

 

[Vivianne]

Sorry, I can't resist!

Happy 500th post to the ThreadKiller Thread!