Let the Prom Drama begin....Like Aurora, her dress keeps changing

[FINFAN]

Horseshowmam...how sad, really. I wish we could make you feel better. Try and know that at least you were helping and trying to give him a better life.
Melissa..bummer, so sorry you are dealing with the stomach bug. I sure hope you are on the mend soon.
Sandy...hi! We ended up w/a Panasonic Lumix 7mp/12x zoom...wanted the Sony 8mp/15 x zoom, but just not a quick enough time lag between shots. I think it will fill the bill, she has no idea she is getting a camera!
My mom is "dealing" w/her upcoming surgery, denial is a wonderful thing...not! My Dad arrives Wednesday...I am out of beds/air mattresses so I don't know where he is staying yet...my sister STILL hasn't called, nothing, she is invisible I guess.
My brother here is going to try and help out this weekend for a day, so looking forward to that. I am so tired of driving back and forth to the hospital. It is about an hour from me in traffic, so not fun, especially when trying to work around the kids etc.
DD is at her last final today...her 17th Birthday! ACT tomorrow, she is bummed as my brother called and has 8 tix to see Gwen Stefani tonight if DD wanted to go w/friends, but theater is 50 miles from here, late night vs ACT, not going to happen...oh well, she will be with Art Guy and I have thrown together a quick surprise party for tomorrow night after we go to dinner. Just a few, maybe 8 kids...bought 20 cans of silly string, they can have a battle at the park!


Gotta run, DD's schedule is completely messed up for next year...6 study halls! Need to meet her counselor as it throws off her summer school course also and today is last day to solidify that..then there's taking care of my mom...who wants to know why I can't run her errands for her today yet....it's not even 8 am yet!
By ladies, enjoy the weekend and hoping everyong heals, feels better and has some fun!


Pam

 

[horseshowmom]

Thanks, FINFAN, I'm doing better now, but it still bothers me. I leave Sunday for another business trip and will be on the coast all next week. A change of scenery should do me good.

I hope everything goes great with the birthday party (sorry about the tickets though). I know you can hardly believe that she's 17. To me, that was really the start of viewing DD as being a little bit grown up.

Also, I hope things improve with your parents. With two siblings, it does seem like you should be able to get a little more help than you've gotten so far, but it seems to work out that way a lot of the time.

 

[Sandy V.]

Good Morning, everyone, and Happy Friday!

Pam, please say Happy Birthday to your daughter. The camera you bought her sounds wonderful. I'm sure she's going to be thrilled. Six study halls?!?! Sounds like she DOES have to do some schedule changes.

Am glad that your brother is going to "help" this weekend, although it would sure be nice if your sister resurfaced too. Hopefully both will start doing more so your own health and family don't suffer.

Horseshowmom, I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. The change of scenery will probably do you some good. Have a safe trip!

Melissa, I hope that you're better soon. Those viruses can really kick your butt sometimes.

Not much going on around here. DD went to Boulder yesterday to visit a friend and she should be back this afternoon. She has to work both days this weekend, but will go down and visit Boyfriend on Monday and Tuesday.

DS mowed the lawn and will spin-trim today. We live on 2 1/2 acres and 1 1/2 of it is mowable, so it's a big job. He went to a birthday party yesterday afternoon and had fun. Put in a whole bunch of job applications on Monday, some which seemed very promising. He's anxiously awaiting to hear back from them. If he doesn't, DH has a landscaping job lined up for him with a client's firm, but DS would rather do something else! But, he needs $$$, so he may end up in that position whether he wants to or not!!

And, a local college coach is trying to put together a summer tournament lacrosse team and asked DS to be on that, which complicates the job situation as well. Nothing is ever easy, huh?

I think I'm going to go online and buy tickets for Ocean's 13 for our family to see it on Saturday night. We like that kind of film, and it sounds like a good outing. Then we may ride the motorcycle on Sunday, maybe even Saturday if it works out. Since we only bought it a month ago, we are still acquiring some necessary gear. So part of Saturday will be spent looking for some "stuff".

That's about it. We're pretty boring around here at the moment. I hope that everyone has a great day!

 

[horseshowmom]

I thought we might like to see that movie too, but I think I'm going to watch the other ones first since I haven't seen any of them.

I grew up riding motorcycles - mostly dirt bikes at the lake when it got too cold to waterski, but my dad generally had a large motorcycle (a Harley when I was little and then a Honda Goldwing when I was a teenager. He and my mom rode to Canada one time (which is pretty far from Mississippi ). I hope y'all have fun this weekend!

BTW, DD informed me last night that she and BF have picked out what they think will be a good date to get married - 3 years from now! LOL He's planning on saving everything he can to buy her ring sometime before next summer (she doesn't want to get engaged until she's 21 ). Who knows what will happen in the future, but they sure do seem to be happy together right now.

 

[Sandy V.]

I thought we might like to see that movie too, but I think I'm going to watch the other ones first since I haven't seen any of them.

I grew up riding motorcycles - mostly dirt bikes at the lake when it got too cold to waterski, but my dad generally had a large motorcycle (a Harley when I was little and then a Honda Goldwing when I was a teenager. He and my mom rode to Canada one time (which is pretty far from Mississippi ). I hope y'all have fun this weekend!

BTW, DD informed me last night that she and BF have picked out what they think will be a good date to get married - 3 years from now! LOL He's planning on saving everything he can to buy her ring sometime before next summer (she doesn't want to get engaged until she's 21 ). Who knows what will happen in the future, but they sure do seem to be happy together right now.

Thanks; I'm sure it will be a nice weekend. At least the weather is supposed to be warm and sunny.

I hadn't ridden motorcycles or dirt bikes as a kid. DH and I had a Honda Nighthawk 550 when we first got married, but sold it when the kids started to arrive. Now that they're 19 and 17 and don't "need" Mom and Dad as much, we were looking for another avenue of activity. The Harley has been a lot of fun so far. Mississippi to Canada? That IS a long trip. We bought the bike we did because it has an air-suspension so that we COULD take long trips like that and ride comfortably, but who knows when and if we will.

I'm glad that your DD and her boyfriend are doing so well. Like you said, who knows for sure what the future will bring? So you might as well enjoy what you have right now. People are assuming that DD and Boyfriend are going to get married, but at 19 and with two sets of parents who want them to finish college first (and the kids do too), there are too many variables before anything close to that is going to happen.

 

[horseshowmom]

I know what you mean. These two are really, really well suited to each other and really appreciate each other (which is nice to see), but the year she has to spend in Jackson at the Medical Center is going to be tough on them. They think they have it worked out though.

Her cousin is also in pharmacy school and has been dating her BF even longer than DD and BF. DD and cousin will be living together in Jackson. BF has an uncle who lives in Jackson (who is fond of DD ). They've decided the two BF's can share a ride and stay with the uncle about twice a month, and maybe the girls can come home once a month. We'll see how it goes, but I suspect school may be too demanding for that.

DH actually thought she would be coming home every weekend. Umm, no dear, better give that up (it's over 200 miles).

 

[Sandy V.]

DH actually thought she would be coming home every weekend. Umm, no dear, better give that up (it's over 200 miles).

DH has ALWAYS joked with DD about living at home and commuting to CU-Boulder. And, truth be told, he's really only partly joking about it - he would love for her to still live here. But the 100 mile drive each way would take her through Denver rush hour traffic daily and there is NO WAY that she should have to do that.

It's hard for Dads to let their little girls go. And when DS leaves in a little over a year for college, I know that DH will take it very hard. I will too, but DH has a particularly difficult time dealing with his kids growing up and leaving home.

 

[mamacatnv]

Hey Girls – I’m back from the land of the dead. Thanks for all the kind thoughts.

I went shopping with a couple of friends in Truckee, Ca. last Sunday. I was feeling kinda weird, hot & cold and then achey all over. I really thought the 1 (YES, JUST 1!) drink I had from lunch was giving me the afternoon sleepies. Getting sick did not occur to me since I rarely get sick and even when I do the show must go on. Not this time, I got my butt kicked!

Got home about 5 and DH comes in the door a little while later and said I looked like “death warmed over” I could hardly get off the couch. Then I kept falling asleep and my stomach felt like I had a rock in it. Thought the feta/spinach/kalamata olive & Italian sausage (YUMMEEE) pizza I had did not agree with me. I tend to have cast iron innards and not much gets to me. Well, by Midnight I had a fever and started vomiting. This lasted thru Wednesday – I lost 10 #’s in 3 days, purely fluids I am sure but still.

Back to work yesterday and finally starting to feel human.

Wednesday was the last day of school – DS called me at 11:36 a.m. to inform me that he was a SENIOR! And that it was SNOWING! Yep, in my haze, I stumbled to the window and sure enough, snow!
I guess at this point we all have Seniors – the boo hoo year is coming up fast!

For our kids talking ACT’s tomorrow………..

Was reading up on all your posts……….

You guys and camping crack me up – what a bunch of sissy lala’s I like to go camping, in our tent trailer to the local RV park with full hook ups, flushing toilets and a heated swimming pool! We actually used to tent camp a lot when DS and we were younger, we even took DD her 1st couple of years until her and the dirt got to be too much for me. Then we started renting cabins and then purchased the Pop-Up trailer and discovered RV parks with full hookups! Until DD was about 6 she thought camping was a fully furnished, temperature controlled cabin with housekeeping services.

Horseshowmom:
I don’t know what to say, I am so sad about the issue with Snowman, I hope your heart has healed a little and know you did everything you could. Maybe Snowman was older/sicker than he presented with. His last days were spent with someone who loved him and showed him some kindness and care. (oh gads, teary eyed here……..so sorry for you)

Did poor Scooter recover?

Cat vs. Dog, just hilarious and of course the Cat is the victor! Go Stormy, get emm…..Can you tell which is my fav. Pet? Dogs have been overrated for way too long

Out of town again? Do you get to have a hotel room alone? Can you see me turning green? This time it’s not the flu!

What do you do that you get to travel so much? I need to look into this line of work!

Sandy:How is the new bartender, is she ready to accompany us for a girls weekend? Think of the money we could save by bringing her along! How is Mr. Dancing with Wolves doing being away from home and your DD?
Ring saving, how exciting! Now remember, remind your future son in law that the idea behind the ring is for it to be so dazzling, that when he is a poop as all DH’s are at some point, that all she needs to do is look at that ring and say to herself “ok, I forgive you”

Any luck for DS on the job front?

I thought of you last night, my DS was flipping channels and came across a Duke LaCrosse game when DS commented that he would so love to play it and wished it was available here!
Sandy Hail and a motorcycle – ouch, this is one of the reasons why I like doors and airbags!
We don’t celebrate the pets birthdays but a really good friend of mine always makes her dogs cup cakes on their birthdays – they all have favorites: the funniest is Harley the mutt who loves the funfetti cupcakes complete with frosting to match!
Congrats on the class ranking! I don't wven want to know where my DS ranks
Juggling the summer job with the summer sports is my annual nighmare! I need a flow chart so as not to get it messed up.

Pam:
Wow, you have your hands full, I hope your siblings come thru for you but I know how that goes and sadly, I think you are going to have to deal with most of this alone. Just remember this when they want to interject their opinions on how to handle something that interests them in regards to your Mother – and feel free to vent away, I know what a relief it can be to just get it out of your system.
Any luck on being able to get Mom into the hospital a day early? Could you possibly find a hotel that is close, that would be cheaper than a hospital maybe.

Sounds like your DD has a real gem with ArtGuy and is a very busy girl with her school work, that is great! My DS is just lazy!

The camera sounds great, we were thinking of doing the same for DS who will be 18 in November – also the surprise party on top of everything else you are doing – You definitely get the Wonder Mom award (you know that award comes with special invisible Wonder panties don’t you?)

I’m working the Safe and Sober all night party tonight after graduation so I gotta run…………

I will leave you with the chuckle of the week (at least in our house)

DS is still thinking about which colleges to apply to – his latest search criteria is the following: (He is serious too)
Do they have a Nationally Recognized/Ranked Paintball team?
Is that team partially to fully funded?

Got a flyer from some Tech/Engineering school "Kettering" U in Flint, MI yesterday – he took one look, said even the kids in the pamphlet looked like geeks (no offense to anyone) and tossed it into the garbage.

Toodles ladies...........have a great weekend......be safe and have fun

 

[horseshowmom]

Sandy V. - I've read somewhere that the best thing a girl can have (for her emotional development for future relationships) is a good relationship with her dad. It gives her the confidence to be her own person. My dad was a good dad and loved me, but he was from a different generation (certainly not demonstrative or overly talkative ). DD absolutely dotes on DH (as he does on her).

I agree with you that when she's actually gone, it will be harder on him than it will be on me. Oh well, at least he loves BF!


mamacatnv - I'm glad you're feeling better! Back before Christmas I had what sounds like you had. Oddly enough, mine also started on a Sunday.

That afternoon, we had had the very sad situation of having to put our 12 year old Beagle to sleep due to liver failure. We had been battling the disease for about a year and a half. It's a long story, but this dog actually saved DD's life a few years ago by keeping a man from breaking into our house (he had already killed one person and went on to kill a girl that he kidnapped). Suffice it to say, I loved this dog.

That evening, I was pretty depressed and went to bed early. I woke up very sick. That progressed eventually to throwing up which got worse over the next couple of days. I had a 103 degree fever. When DH called the doctor and they wanted him to bring me in, he told them there was no way. I lost 8 lbs. (which I found again very quickly ). I think that may have been the sickest I've ever been.

Anyway, you have my sympathy, and I'm glad you're recuperating now.

To answer your question, I'm a grant coordinator for a school district. Because I handle a lot of different grants/programs, I have to attend the various meetings that pertain to them (so I do travel a lot). The nice side to that is that I'm registered in all of the hotel rewards programs, so the points come in handy from time to time.

Next week, I'll be attending a statewide conference in Biloxi. This will be the first time I've been down there in two years (the June before Katrina hit - the last time the conference was held there). The coast is just now getting where they can host a major conference again, but I've heard that there still isn't much down there (except for the casinos that rebuilt quickly).

I kind of dread seeing the changes. There were so many beautiful old houses that had made it through Camille (also a cat 5 hurricane) but are gone now.

This trip, I've got a 2BR beachfront condo rented. DH also has to go on this trip (he teaches in our district). DD and BF were planning on going, but my parents just got here (retired in FL) yesterday, and DD is going to stay to visit with them instead. I got it for less than the hotel room I had reserved, so I can stay there instead of a hotel (rented through www.vrbo.com, I like to use it for house rentals in FL and have rented in San Antonio too). It will be interesting to see how much beach is left. Most of the beaches down there aren't open yet due to debris in the water, but this particular one is.

Well, you've got to give your son credit as far as the paintball team, he knows what's important to him!

Have a great weekend! (I'm working this morning since I got behind this week, but if I'll get off of here, I'm sure I would get done a lot faster! )


ETA: To answer your question, Scooter wasn't seriously injured (thanks to DH's quick action). He was extremely traumatized though. He's our handicapped cat. He was born with both of his back legs twisted with deformed feet. He functions very well and normally has quite an attitude. When he was attacked, he wasn't able to use his back feet as a normal cat would to protect himself. His "attitude" (which was a help to him with his condition) has disappeared, and he hasn't been himself at all (wanted held a lot which isn't like him). Yesterday, he finally seemed to be coming around a little bit. I told DD to keep a close eye on him this week to make sure nothing else upset him.

 

[horseshowmom]

I'm in Biloxi now, and the condo is great. Had some minor problems with the first one but was reassigned to a second unit, and it's beautiful - really nice view.

I was surprised at how much progress they've made with the beach. It actually looks much nicer than it did when we were here two years ago. Apparently, a lot of the beaches aren't open yet due to the debris in the water, but this one is.

The damage varies depending on where you are (we've only been between Gulfport and Biloxi). Some parts have only the first block washed away, but some parts have the first 3 or 4 city blocks washed away. It really catches you by surprise when it gets dark, and you realize how few lights there are anymore (very different than before).

You can see the lights of the big casinos in the distance. They rebuilt quickly although not all are open yet. Hard Rock was new and due to open just a few days after Katrina hit. It was hit really hard and hasn't reopened yet almost 2 years later (due soon though).

Most of the beautiful old houses that we remember are completely gone. Restaurants where we ate last time are no longer here (I mean nothing but the slab ). You really can't even get your bearings that well. Lots and lots of gulf front property for sale down here. You see "FEMA villages" here and there where people are still living in those trailers, and it's been almost two years.

I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like down here in the months right after Katrina if it's still like this almost 2 years later. It's better once you get away from the beach area (several blocks away).

Very sad...

 

[ElizaB39]

Wow, so many things going on today and well a few days ago too, but it has been awhile since I posted.

Sandy, my sympathies on the loss of your FIL.

Mamacat, great prom review. Only one pic of the harem? Hmph!
I would also be peeved at my DH, .

Fingers crossed for the scholarship Horseshowmom.

FinfanPam, fingers crossed for the mother moving in activities. I just don't know what I would do. Blessings.

All is quiet on the middle school drama front, for now.

Hi all, I have been following along with everyone's activities, good and bad, but have not posted recently (see date of my last post above). We had big time drama this weekend and my heart is just aching for my DD13.

In our neighborhood we have a total of 7 kids that are in middle school, three of them in the same family, and they had either an end of school year or a birthday party on Saturday afternoon into evening. DD13 was not invited, I think she was the only one in the nieghborhood that didn't get invited (not sure about one of the other kids). She did not know they were even having this party, and we actually thought they were setting up for their oldest son's grad party. I was shocked when DD13 started seeing all of these kids/friends (40-50 total) she knows from her school start walking to their house (one house over). Quickly we came to realize the 3 sibs were having a party and she was not invited. She seemed okay... but...

My heart was just breaking for her. Many of these kids at the party are her friends from school, they were yelling hi to her over the fences and the yard in between. She smiled and waved back, and I was the one that wanted to and her!

Earlier in the day we had decided to build a fire pit and DD13 helped (she is good with putting "puzzles" together and we were fitting all sorts of stone and slate around the fire circle), and have a fire that night. So we felt that was what we should have done and we did it. All the while the party was going on two yards over, and a football game had spilled into the yard directly next to ours, and some of the kids came over and said Hi to DD.

I still am getting teary typing all about it. She has done nothing to these girls (that I know of and I have asked her about it) and they just keep telling her, "we know you know what you did blah blah blah..."

DH and I thought we should have left and come back later but we know we can't run away from issues like this, but we felt like we possibly were making it worse by staying? Not sure... She already knew that the party was happening, was it right to stay? On the other hand, by staying, the other kids saw what went down, and they at least were nice to her. POssibly they are thinking, "why wouldn't DD13 be here?" and can see what this girl is like?

To make matters worse, her previous BFF was there in all of her LOUD GLORY! I think she is the ring leader in this and thank God she is moving to another state in two days.

Thanks for listening.

Anybody have any advice?

 

[horseshowmom]

First of all, hugs to your DD.

Things like this do happen, and it's uncalled for - particularly considering how large this party was. Your DD was definitely left out on purpose. Probably if it had been me, I would have gone somewhere else during the party, but hindsight is always 20/20 (as they say).

I would just make sure she has an activity that she really enjoys (in my DD's case, it was horse showing). Hopefully, she will make friends through that activity that she has more in common with. I hate to say this (but I've spend a lot of time teaching Jr. High and Sr. High), but a lot of kids are not very nice these days. In fact, it often seems like the snottier someone is the more attention they get from people who want to be their friend.

I know what you mean about hurting for your daughter, but in the long run, she's probably better off without these people. They certainly aren't friends. I know in my own daughter's case, there were several "friends" that she parted company with as they got older due to major differences in their attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles. One of them made some very spiteful remarks about DD being a "goody two shoes". DD told her that she didn't view that as something to be ashamed of and that it was preferable to being in the 7th grade and discussing on the phone with her boyfriend every night what color panties she was wearing (which the other girl was doing) .

She'll get through this. You (and she) have my sympathy.

 

[ElizaB39]

Thanks Horsehowmom, I appreciate the kind words. In hindsight, I think we should have gone somewhere too, but, oh well, we didn't!

I told her to have a good day today at school, I so hope she does...

She is active in dance, volleyball, and cheerleading. She made both the VB team and the cheer squad this year and will tryout for both next year too. She does have other friends, it is just that these three neighbor kids are so close geographically and having to be on the bus with them and see them so frequently, that it is tough.

I hope it gets better and if and when they "make up" I will be able to stomach it (for all our sakes).

 

[horseshowmom]

I may be wrong, but I think there's a good chance that you'll see them continue to grow further apart as time goes on.

In DD's case, there were two girls in particular that she had been "friends" with since she was little (like 4 years old). As they moved into their teens, things changed over time. As young adults, I can tell you for sure that DD is much more respected by people who know all three of them.

Your DD sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders. Best wishes for her!

 

[ElizaB39]

I may be wrong, but I think there's a good chance that you'll see them continue to grow further apart as time goes on.

In DD's case, there were two girls in particular that she had been "friends" with since she was little (like 4 years old). As they moved into their teens, things changed over time. As young adults, I can tell you for sure that DD is much more respected by people who know all three of them.

Your DD sounds like she has a good head on her shoulders. Best wishes for her!

Yes, and I don't mind them growing apart, I don't care if they are close friends, would rather they weren't. But such blatant meanness I can do without, and so could she I suppose. Since we are such close neighbors, I wish we all could just get along...

Likely won't happen I know...

 

[Sandy V.]

Welcome back, ElizaB39!

First of all, I'm so sorry about the "mean girls" down the street. There is nothing more vindictive than a hormonal middle schooler with parents that have their heads stuck in the sand to let them do things with wild abandon. But like Horseshowmom said, it sounds like your DD has a good head on her shoulders and she's got some great activities to keep her busy and involved in things outside of and away from these jerk kids. I really do think that it hurts US as parents far more than it hurts the kids themselves. I remember really wanting to THROTTLE some of those types of kids when my teenagers were younger. Usually they "got theirs" eventually.

It really sounds like they're jealous of your DD in many ways, with good reason. And they will continue to grow apart and eventually they won't even be a "blip" on your daughter's radar.

Meanwhile, give her an extra hug from us, and tell her to not let those little snots get to her.

Horseshowmom, I'm glad that you made it safely to Biloxi. That vrbo.com website is a good one. Your description of the whole hurricance area, pre-and post-Katrina, is fascinating. I haven't been to the Deep South since I was 4 or 5, so I have no recollection of what it was like. But the before-and-after photographs of much of the area is heartbreaking. I hope that you have a relaxing time there.

Also, I'm so sorry about your Beagle. It's so tough when you have to say goodbye to such loyal friends. He sounds like he was a wonderful doggie.

I'm also glad that Scooter is on the mend.

Melissa - so DS needs a Paintball Team as a requirement for college! How funny! That's a little tidbit that you can use to your advantage when HE'S got kids a long time down the road!

Am very glad that you're feeling better now. What a virus!

I understand about the summer sports and activities keeping you busy. I thought that THIS summer was going to be different, but alas, it is not.

Snow on the last day of school?!?!? Sounds like Colorado!

DS will probably end up with a landscaping job with a firm that one of DH's clients owns. DS does have to EARN the position, though, he can't be a slacker out there. He probably won't start until next week. He is helping out with a youth lacrosse camp Tuesday through Thursday afternoon this week, and he has practice for an all-area team tonight and Wednesday night. They're playing in a team camp/tournament this weekend at the University of Denver both Saturday and Sunday.

DS and Girlfriend were over here on Saturday night. Things seem to be going well there and he's happy, so Mom's happy.

DD leaves later this morning to go to visit Boyfriend at the Wolf Preserve. It's down near Westcliffe, which is about 3 hours from here. She's spending 3 days down there; then back to her retail job. So far Boyfriend likes it, but the phone service is horrible, so they haven't been able to chat much except on Skype through the computer. At least THAT has worked out well.

DS and DH played golf twice this weekend. We rode the motorcyle down to Canon City yesterday. Had the most MARVELOUS breakfast burritos at a little local restaurant down there. Local places are the best. Well worth the ride just for those!!

Well, not much else to talk about here.

Pam, I hope that things are going well for you. You've got a lot on your plate right now, and I hope that your siblings step up to give you a hand. Unfortunately, I think you have to brace yourself for the fact that if they're not stepping up NOW, when the need is obvious, they probably never will. Unless it's to criticize what YOU do (I hope I don't offend or mischaracterize your family - it's just that I've seen this happen so often in situation like this where there's one sibling that steps up and the others don't). Keep your chin up girl, and vent to us if you need to.

I also hope that your DD's birthday party and weekend went well.

Everyone have a great day!! Check in when you can.

 

[mamacatnv]

I'm in Biloxi now, and the condo is great. Had some minor problems with the first one but was reassigned to a second unit, and it's beautiful - really nice view.

I was surprised at how much progress they've made with the beach. It actually looks much nicer than it did when we were here two years ago. Apparently, a lot of the beaches aren't open yet due to the debris in the water, but this one is.

The damage varies depending on where you are (we've only been between Gulfport and Biloxi). Some parts have only the first block washed away, but some parts have the first 3 or 4 city blocks washed away. It really catches you by surprise when it gets dark, and you realize how few lights there are anymore (very different than before).

You can see the lights of the big casinos in the distance. They rebuilt quickly although not all are open yet. Hard Rock was new and due to open just a few days after Katrina hit. It was hit really hard and hasn't reopened yet almost 2 years later (due soon though).

Most of the beautiful old houses that we remember are completely gone. Restaurants where we ate last time are no longer here (I mean nothing but the slab ). You really can't even get your bearings that well. Lots and lots of gulf front property for sale down here. You see "FEMA villages" here and there where people are still living in those trailers, and it's been almost two years.

I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like down here in the months right after Katrina if it's still like this almost 2 years later. It's better once you get away from the beach area (several blocks away).

Very sad...

My DH works for a company that manufactures gaming systems. In the fall a co-worker of his who is a good friend of ours was telling us about the damage in that exact area. He was amazed at the devistation a year later. He was down there doing some of the installations at the casinos.

I have only been to New Orleans and that was about 6 years ago. My best friend loves New Orleans and was there in October for the 6th time in as many years, she came home devistated at the destruction and the lack of rebuilding. She was amazed at the piles of debris that were still everywhere and all the empty store fronts.

I am glad you are in a nice condo and that it all worked out. I have seen that rental company when we were looking for a vaction rental in San Diego, but then we shifted gears and decided to head to Texas instead. We opted to rent a 1 bdrm apt. at Schlitterbahn water park that is part of the Schlitterbahn resort.

Makes you wonder, will the area ever really recover.

 

[mamacatnv]

Good Morning Ladies:

We had an event filled weekend.

I was at the Safe and Sober all night Grad party until about 2 a.m. and then headed home. The kids were having a really good time, but sadly the event was very poorly attended. Only about 70 kids from a class of 350 or so. The ones there went home with oodles of great raffle prizes and cash.

I went to a Graduation party at about 2:30 on Saturday, it was 3 families hosting. I took my DD since my DH was driving my DS up into the wilds of the Sierra's to meet up with a friend and her family for a camp out. DD and I left the Grad party at 5 when it was obvious that 2 of the 3 hosting families were going to allow the teens to drink. My friend who invited me, who was one of the 3 families also left her own party since she was trying to prevent the kids from drinking and the other 2 families as well as the teen guests were giving her grief over it. I don't understand the mentallity of people sometimes! I went knowing I would most likely be leaving early. I know all 3 of these families well but they are not in my "circle" and I knew what was going to happen and they didn't let me down. My friend should have known better and I think she did, but I think she thought she could control it. Too bad for her.

Took the kids shopping to get Dads fathers day present and pick up some essentials for our upcoming vacation. DD needed some new Croc's flip flops. She is wearing a womans 5 and they are very hard to find. Finally found 1 pair (score, she was thrilled) then off to find some new swim suits that actually cover the butt cheeks since she is growing like a weed. We must have tried on 30 suits, found 2 that fit good and bought 2 of the same in different colors and then 1 of the other one. She had to put them on and then her Brother gave the final approval poor kid, she is never gonna get a date as long as he is around! I too found a new suit that they both approved of. So everyone was happy. Kids still think we are going to San Diego, wow will they be surprised when they land in Texas!

So, DS is out in the wilds of the Sierra's and sitting around the campfire with the family he is with, when around the corner comes these 2 little boys on bikes followed by a guy walking 2 dogs - DS about has a heart attack, it is his Football Coach! I had to laugh, I told him that "See you never know who you might run into, which is why you should always be behaving" Coach had a good laugh and told my DS that he was glad he ran into him instead of some of the other players as they can be rather unruly, plus Coaches boys love my DS, they think he is a giant toy! Next morning, Coach comes by again and tells the parents that DS is with to make sure he gets in a run before breakfast

Eliza:
Girls are mean! I'm sorry for you DD but unfortunatly, I don't think there is a lot you can do other than help the former best friend pack! It's kinda like what Pam's DD went thru with the idiot and the pressure she got by standing up for herself. In the end, her self respect was well in tact and she met a great guy in the process. Your DD will learn who her real friends are and hopefully will learn to not let the immature antics of her fellow middle schoolers influence her.

Sandy:
Sounds like DS will also be very busy this summer, I hope the landscaping thing works out. My DS has been a lifeguard now for 3 years. Last summer he worked at my shop as well as the water park. We paid him significantly better but he had to really earn it. This summer, back to the waterpark full time, he was not interested in working here, dirty, hot work he would rather make a little less per hour and work on his tan

Glad to hear that your DD will be off to see Mr. Dances with Wolves, it would be hard to be apart and not be able to communicate like they are used to. I hope she has a good time.

Pam:
Thoughts and prayers still coming your way

Gotta run girls, I have a new employee to go orientate!

 

[ElizaB39]

Mamacat, grrr on the grad party drinking.

I guarded and taught lessons for a few summers in college, got great tans and made okay money...

Landscaping here in SE PA in the humidity and heat of our summers = yech. Good to have a pool job...

Sorry about the beagle horseshowmom. Your beagle was one one very precious pet.

FinFan Pam, hope is all going well, okay.

Thanks for the kind words. DD will be okay. She has such a good head on her shoulders. I am hoping for a great summer for her.

 

[mamacatnv]

Okay girls help me out - I am either a blithering idiot or just lost track of details. I was reviewing posts yesterday and I confused myself

Which DD & BF are looking at rings???? Is it both, just different time frames or Sandy or Horseshowmom?

I responded to Sandy about a ring but I may have goofed that up, not sure. Straighten me out would you please.

Not much going on here, DD is counting the days until school gets out and she gets to go to Day Camp where she just loves the Director. His name is Jonathan and he is just one of those sweet young men that she becomes attached to easily. He is a college student working towards becoming an elementary school teacher and a science geek, so they do lots and lots of science stuff! My DD tends to gravitate towards men, I think it is because she is so attached to her Brother and her Dad.

Weather is finally warming up - DS is working away at the water park and enjoying his 1 week break from football practice.

I am gearing up with the planning for football camp - our Booster group feeds all the participants 1 meal a day, approx. 400 players - that is a lot of burgers to BBQ, oranges to slice and water/gatorade to ice down!

Hope all is well in your necks of the woods