Whew, you 2 were chatty while I was gone.......I think I have consolidated the conversations and am back in the loop!
We are all well here. Enjoying lots of bright sunny weather here. We are going for a motorcycle ride on Sunday and I am very much looking forward to it.
DH and I ended up riding the motorcycle both Saturday and Sunday. Both of us got a little sunburnt on Saturday and really covered up yesterday. We bought DH a grill for Father's Day yesterday, and he and DS spent the afternoon putting it together before we christened it with steaks last night!!! Our old one was on its last legs and this is a really nice one, so I'm sure we'll be spending a lot of time out on the deck breaking it in!!!
The ride sounds great! DH got a new grill about a month ago, and he's been keeping it busy. He really does make the best steaks. Thanks for the reminder, I think that's what we need to do next weekend.
Work has been busy for both DH and me and that's been taking up a lot of my time. We're trying to get out and ride more since the weather has been so pleasant.
Sounds like fun and a new grill with steak! Yummmmmm I love to BBQ steak, it is the only way I know it comes out the way I like, not too raw and not dead.
I marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, green onion and sesame oil.
DS is enjoying the job at 7-11, which is a good thing. They're giving him plenty of hours, which is also a good thing!! And, he has a new girl that he's very interested in, which is another good thing!! I met her last night and she's really cute and very sweet. She works at a local coffee shop. She's still in high school, so who knows what will happen in the future? But who cares right now - he likes her - she likes him - that's all that matters. They are planning a "big day" tomorrow. Playing laser tag, then dinner, then off to see "Kung Fu Panda".
Alas, they did not do all that they had planned. DS just went over for dinner and they watched a movie together. Apparently, this girl is on only child, her father died from cancer when she was 8 (I vaguely remember this all because they are neighbors/good friends with some former friends of ours who have sinced moved away) and she's got a mama bear for a mom who didn't think it was a good idea to date our DS, since he's going away to college this fall. So DS has decided to move on to someone with a little less "baggage". The girl is apparently very much under her mom's influence.
Awww, that's nice! Isn't it great having kids who think it's fun to do things like that. DD and DFi are the same way (although you probably need to insert something to do with horses in the place of laser tag
Wow, I don't remember your mentioning that he was scheduling any long term commitment with her. I mean, good grief, it was just a date... We've all talked enough to know that we're fairly protective concerning our kids, but that's ridiculous!
You know, we have friends that we're very fond of and that think the world of DD, but they bring overprotectiveness to new heights. Their DD will be 20 soon, and anybody that comes around her is really overanalyed to the extreme.
Recently, a young man asked her out with some other couples, and they didn't want her to go (and she didn't) since they didn't "know" the other young adults. She's almost 20 for goodness sakes.
And then after they had been out a few times, dad got really mad because he walked by the living room where they were watching TV, and the boy had his arm around the young lady. They weren't making out on the couch for goodness sakes.
Yeah, talk about overreacting!!! Apparently, mom, her boyfriend (who is a real pinhead, by the way - have known him for years), and the girl all eventually concluded that the "relationship" wasn't worth the potential "hurt". Okay, whatever . . .
Okay, get this. This little girl CALLED DS yesterday!! She talked with a friend of hers, who told her she was NUTS for not giving DS a chance. Heck, I know I'm biased, but I KNOW DS is a great kid. He is smart, sweet, polite, kind, and a gentleman. So, since DS had the day off, he met her at a local ice cream parlor. They decided that they are seeing Kung Fu Panda tonight. This is all so weird.
DS also is going to Six Flags-Denver next Thursday with yet another girl, so at least he's keeping his options open.
Your friends are just a TAD overprotective, huh? The problem is, some of these young people never learn to break away from the control. They are emotionally and financially tied in to all of it!! I can understand Dads being leary of boyfriends (Heck, DH sure was initially with DD's boyfriend), but you have to trust your daughter to do the right thing. Isn't that what we raise them to do?
Girls
Did they ever make it to Kung Fu Panda??? Did they like it??? DD is of course chomping at the bit to go.
I get the protective parent thing but I think (we all think actually) that one does more harm when they overprotect than they do when they let their children spread their wings and become responsible young adults who are capable of making decisions and solving problems because they have been able to practice those skills.
DS's worst fears of a roommate:
1. A Yankee's fan. We are a New England Household all the way
2. Mama's Boy who brings a parent to college with him.
None of us saw this coming:
DS and his GF broke up 2 days ago. On grad day when we got back from the ceremony and were getting ready to depart for the party DS and GF were holed up in his room. She was having some sort of drama episode. I had a house full of people and food we needed to get to the party, I finally told them to sort it out and get into the car, which they did. GF left the party early with her Mom and Step Dad (Her Dad and his GF along with the neighbors they brought with them
classy huh? Anyway, they all left and went off to party elsewhere) GF went with them and DS stayed with us at his party.
We leave to go on vac and towards the end of the vac DS mentions something to me about how GF won't answer his calls or respond to his text messages and that this had been going on for several days. He and I had a long talk, I guess, GF was feeling very insecure about him going to college and "was afraid of holding him back" (what nonsense if you ask me) anyway, DS had told her the night of the grad meltdown that he was only 18 and he had no intentions of doing anything that would interfere with his continuing education, I guess he also told her that if she was along that was great but if not that was ok too. I finally asked him "what do you want?" "It's not about what GF wants, what do you want?" I think he was thinking alot about her feelings and not so much about his.
We returned home and the day after we got back they talked, they agreed to break it off. There was also some rumors from other friends that there might be another guy in the picture. It is rodeo week and evidently he is somehow associated with the Rodeo and she has known him for awhile. DS didn't ask, he frankly really didn't want to know.
So, that was on Tuesday, yesterday afternoon I come home to find his long time female friend at the house. They work together and are really good friends, they went to the drive in last night and stayed out all night talking. She broke up with her BF last week so they were licking their wounds together.
DD has been working some long hours at Starbucks as well, and while I think she likes it, the odd shifts have affected her sleep and she's a little tired. She is flying to Austin, Texas today with boyfriend, boyfriend's brother, and boyfriend's girlfriend to attend a wedding on boyfriend's side of the family. I'm glad that she's getting out of town for a long weekend - the whole time sounds like a lot of fun.
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It sounds like they'll have a wonderful time and will be a good break. I know that in my DD's case, her sleep is really important. If she gets too far off, it really affects her.
She had a great time. I agree; the sleep is really important!!!
Did she like Austin and was it really hot and sticky? It is a pretty city with lots of night clubs and music clubs.
The fishies continue to do well. We've added a goby and a hawkfish and a plate coral since I last wrote about them. It's still enjoyable to putter around with it.
Okay, I had to go look up your new fishies, pretty! The coral is beautiful!
We're going back to Nebraska in two weeks for a small family reunion. DH's nephew is in the Navy and he will be going to Iraq sometime this fall. So all of us are getting together to see him. Heaven forbid something should happen to him there!! There's a long story involved as to WHY someone in the Navy would be going to Iraq, especially since nephew is a SONAR guy who's usually on submarines and it involves his b****y wife making him turn down an officer's position because SHE didn't want to leave Washington state. Well, honey, I hope you're satisfied that you put your husband in potentially harm's way by sending him to Iraq!!!
Turn down an officer's position? Somebody needs to explain to her that the military sends you where they want to (Washington state notwithstanding). So, is she going to stay in Washington while he's in Iraq?
Yes, she'll be there with the two kids (older son from a previous relationship, which nephew adopted, and their 3 year old daughter). I am very curious about this person and will have to let you know my impressions of her. I have never met her, but my BIL and SIL do NOT like her!! I really don't know why our nephew married her, but I guess it's not my choice. But she's already left a bad taste in my mouth and I've never seen her in person yet!!
Ugh, a parents worst nightmare, when they marry an idiot. I hope and pray my kids make wise choices. Prayers to keep your nephew safe. My nephew just returned from an 18 month tour and now a really good friend of mine's son is hoping to get deployed and she is scared to death.
Sheila, I see that you've been doing some things to get ready for the wedding. It will be here before you know it, won't it? I hope things are going well for you and you're enjoying your summer.
Yes, we've been busy. We bought the bridesmaids dresses earlier this week (Yes! This IS the second time we've bought them! The first ones were bought with the expectation that one of them would have to be altered. After talking to somebody who actually knows something about sewing (definitely NOT me! ), we found out that it would probably be impossible to alter it as much as we would have to.
So that meant those had to go back, and we had to start over. Good news, bad news. We did find some that DD actually liked better (me too honestly), but they cost a lot more too (of course, they did, I was fooling myself to think it would be that easy
). Anyway, they're taffeta with full skirts and are really adorable. I'll try to post some pictures when I get a chance.
I'm glad that you found something else so quickly!!! Did you end up buying the black dress for yourself?
I DID! And I really like it!
It looks like I'll be able to join the rest of you fashion inclined lovelies!
(Truth is, I'm so much happier in shorts and tennis shoes, but I think DD would have a problem with that!
)
I'm glad that you got it. And, for the "fashion inclined" that you speak of, you have GOT to be refering to Melissa, Pam, and Agnes.
Not me!!! My fashion rules are:
1) Is is reasonably clean?
2) Do I have to iron it?
Yep, that's me!
I can't wait to see pictures of the new dresses. Ummmm, I'm in the same boat as Sandy, fashion inclined is not in my nature. Who irons, a wet wash cloth and a dryer usually do the trick and if not then it doesn't need to be in my closet
Oh, I don't remember if I told you this or not, so forgive me if I already did, but my MIL and SIL have booked a 12-day cruise to Hawaii for this October. I am really excited for them - they never do anything like this and they deserve it. About 15 years ago, my MIL and FIL booked a tour to Hawaii. On the flight over, my MIL's mother died.
So they arrived in Honolulu, spent the night, and flew back right away. So FIL never got to go back, but now MIL will and I'm happy about that. The ship sails from San Diego and it takes 3-4 days to get to one of the islands. They spend a day on 5 separate islands before sailing back to San Diego. I hope they have a wonderful time!!
How sad for your MIL, and I'm sure it was a shock. Hopefully, this trip will be wonderful. You know, I really think I would love to see the islands via cruise ship. It seems like you would get the best of all the islands without having to keep repacking!
Yeah, I think especially for an older person, this would work out well. The only trouble with cruising is that for me, personally, one day per stop is never enough to get the "essence" of the place!! But it will probably be enough for my MIL and SIL. They're not "commando travelers" like we are - we plan lots of activities to get the most from each trip!!
You have a good point, but I've always suspected that if I make it to Hawaii, I probably won't get to go more than once, and I'd like to see as much as possible. But, on the other hand, I've really thought that I'd like to rent a house or condo off VRBO (or more than one as we moved) and try to stay 2 or 3 weeks and use the inter-island plane service to see the other island.
We went 4 years ago to Hawaii, Kauai, and Oahu and did the hotel route, but I think VRBO would be a great option!!!
My Aunt went on a hawaiian cruise several years ago and while they enjoyed it she said it was too much boat time and too many old people.
You MIL should have a great time.
VRBO is actually a pretty good service, that is how I found the beach house for this past trip and it was a gem!
Busy here too. I'm coming up on two full weeks of various professional development sessions. I've been orgazing sign in sheets, CEU forms, lunches, materials, door prizes and everything else that goes with it.
My PD sessions are going great. Everything has run just like clockwork, and the people that I got to cater the meals this year are
wonderful!
Yesterday, they served ham, baked beans, potato salad, and rolls (buffet style) and then followed that up with hot fudge cake (with the ice cream in the middle). They're only charging me $6.50 each per day, and I think I'm getting a great deal. The teachers are very satisfied and can't wait to find out what's for lunch each day!
Yummy!! That sounds like a very reasonable price. Now I want some hot fudge cake.
Glad that the PD sessions are going well!!
Hot fudge cake
what a wonderful concept....do they serve it warm and gooey?
DD is working at the pharmacy today. She called and said that they have a young woman filling in for the regular pharmacist. This woman has already lost her license once (for selling controlled substances). They have to triple count everything while she's there, AND they have to recount anything that she handles.
DD said that she really thinks the girl came to work stoned. She said that she didn't even have her dress zipped up the back, and when one of the other girls asked if her zipper had a problem, she just giggled and said that she must have forgotten it.
DD said that she was doing very little of anything but sitting around and looking glassy eyed.
Then on top of that, they have a drawer with the controlled drugs that has to stay locked. When a prescription came in for something out of that drawer, DD went to get it and found the drawer unlocked.
Keeping in mind that that prescription was the first one of the day to come out of that drawer, it looked
very suspicious. DD and the other girl are planning to count the drawer down tomorrow morning when they go in (that girl won't be there then, and she doesn't work there on a regular basis - in fact, it's the first time that DD has ever seen her).
How scary!!!
Did the count come up okay, or was anything missing??!?! I'm like your DD - I would be VERY suspicious!!! I don't know if I would EVER hire someone like that. Seems like asking for trouble.
She said that they notified the owner, and he took it from there, so I don't know about the count.
Any more news on the clerk? That is scary, not only for keeping track of the meds but also because she is dispensing meds
DD found out today that the owner is hoping to come to an agreement with her when she graduates that would involve her becoming a partner and buying half the business (allowing him to retire and work part-time). She's definitely interested if they can work out a mutually beneficial arrangement.
How nice. I hope that works out for her. That sounds like a beneficial arrangement all the way around!!!
It really does. They had a long chat this weekend, and she was very impressed with what he had to say. Of course, I did tell her that she would need to have an attorney who was well versed in partnerships draw up the papers to make sure everything was fair for both of them. While she won't have to worry about that for awhile, it's nice to have an idea of what might be in the future.
Yep. Definitely get a legal opinion to make sure all of your DD's bases are covered!!
It can sure save her a lot of trouble down the road.
Really nice to be young, coming out of school with some good options. Hope it goes well for DD
ETA: Something else from this week: When I was on my way home yesterday, I passed a man's house with furniture in the yard. This man is retired and does this as a part-time thing (goes to estate sales, etc. and then resells what he finds). I noticed a beautiful old dining room set (noticed it because DD is going to need one) but didn't even stop to look at it because I knew it would be more than DD could afford.
Well, afterwards, DD and DH passed the same house (they had been painting DH's classroom). They turned around and went back to look at it. She wound up getting it for $200. It's an antique mahogany set with six chairs and a leaf and is in excellent condition. It came out of a local home whose elderly owner passed away awhile back. I still can't believe she got it for that price.
Wow!!!
What a great deal!!! Only $200? Heck, you couldn't buy a new CHAIR for that price!! How smart that your DD and DH stopped to check this out.
I'm still amazed that she bought antique furniture for that price in any condition much less excellent condition. One of the chairs has the arms, and it's a great set.
What a find! Does she love it?
Hot here for Colorado - supposed to be near 90, which is unusual for this time of year. I just made reservations for us to spend the night Saturday in Estes Park. DS and DH want to do some fishing up there at Lake Estes and DD will join us for awhile. We don't have any "big" summer vacation plans this year, just small weekends. I think we want to go somewhere over the Holiday break, which is an easier time for us to get away and a welcome reprieve from the cold and snow.
We are finally warming up here. DD had her last day of school yesterday.
DS goes back to work tomorrow and then next week I have to take him to an oral surgeon for a consult on his wisdom teeth. The Orthodontist looked at his x-rays this morning and it looks like DS only has 1 wisdom tooth, so this should not be a major undertaking. He can feel the one he has it is starting to move around and we need to get it out before it destroys the ortho work.
The inlaws got off on Tuesday night and I have not heard from them. I assume they made it home. Should I call? Should they call? I'm not sure who should make the call and honestly they wore me out and I really don't want to call. I felt like a 24 hour hostess coming off of a 3 week shift.
I'll update the details of our trip later, I wanted to catch up with all the current events. Now, as usual, you guessed it, I must go finish payroll.........
Girl, I'll put you up in the extra bedroom for as long as need be! 
), we found out that it would probably be impossible to alter it as much as we would have to. 
We've all talked enough to know that we're fairly protective concerning our kids, but that's ridiculous! 
I hope not, though. Heck, they are all KIDS!!
But it probably came at a good time so he's got a couple of months to heal and move on. You're right, though, at this point, your concern is what HE wants, not what SHE wants. That's kinda mean though that she didn't answer his calls or his texts. DS had a girl that did that to him and it really hacked both of us off!!!
