I'm joining the "I hate Kara Club"
Thanx y'all - I feel soo loved! 
And if it makes you feel any better? We went to Fernandina Beach yesterday to go shopping, and it was freezing!!!!!
Kara - I know moving to Jacksonville hasn't been your fav. What do you think of Orlando? And about those LIZARDS!?! DH would be completely fine there since he grew up in PR, me ... emmmm... lizards???? I worry about raising the kids in Orlando too. At least around here we have family. NOt that they are of any help, but they are here....
OK, I really can't say why I don't like Jacksonville. I think I just went through too many changes all at once. However, DH's cousin lives in Orlando. They just moved there 8 years ago from Charlotte, NC, and before that, his wife was from Indiana. Talking to her a few weeks ago, she really likes it now. She said it's like any place else in that there are pluses and minuses. One big minus? The heat and humidity in the summer. A huge plus? The heat and humidity in the winter!
Also, they live so close to Universal (DH's cousin is big VP with Universal) that you can hear them testing the coasters in the morning, but it's in a beautiful neighborhood off the beaten path. I'm sure it's like anyplace else in that regard. The nice thing - close to WDW, Universal, etc. Just over an hour to beaches on either the Atlantic or gulf coast. about an hour to Kennedy Space Center, Bush Gardens, and so much more. I'll PM you with some more info, and I'll try to get some feedback from DH's cousin, too.
Hi guys - I'm in a really foul mood and I guess I'm going to be using you all as my sounding board.
Well, it's been confirmed - my girls will be going away with their dad to visit his new wife's family for five days in April. And I can't believe how upset I am about it. I've sent my girls off to bed a little early because I just need a good cry. I can't believe I still get this way but I suppose it's never going to be easy for me to see them all go off together. I really hate it!!! Little tidbit of info that I've left out of this whole scenerio: my ex is now married to the woman he was cheating on me with for a year and a half. She worked in his home office in Michigan and he travelled quite a bit so it took me awhile to catch on. But this is the woman that would call my house during the holidays - and also on our Disney vacations - and I was always told it was "business". I was soooo stupid!
Now I'm supposed to sit back, smile and encourage my children to go off with them - YUCK! I try really hard to put on a positive face - but for trips like this, it's really hard. And the worst thing is I know my youngest DD knows I'm upset. I've been quiet most of the night and while she hasn't said anything, she's very smart and I'm sure she senses something. So now I feel even more horrible because the last thing I want is for her to feel like she's in the middle - having to choose between me and her father. I don't think I did a good job at that tonite. If I can be totally honest, I think deep down, I'm a little mad at her for wanting to go (be away from me for 5 days?!) I know, I know, no one has to tell me how wrong that is - don't worry, I'll NEVER let her know that. And I'm sure, once I calm down tomorrow, I'll realize how ridiculous that is.
Ok - I've taken a BIG breath and hopefully my meltdown is over. I just have a stomach ache right now. I feel silly typing all of this; but I tried calling my SIL to cry about this too and she's not home; these boards are always here. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.
Wow!
I wish I had some words of wisdom, but I think the best thing for you to do at this point is exactly what you've done. Get mad, sad, cry, yell, whatever, just to get rid of those pent up feelings that you're trying to cover for your girls' benefit. I think you totally deserve to be upset. Sometimes there are no magic words. Just vent away! And I would not feel guilty for being a little upset with your DD either. It's totally natural, I would think. I'm sure I'd feel the same way. We may be moms but we're still human! I think you should get away for at least a couple of days while they're gone. I wish you could find some cheapo airfare to get you to WDW, too! That would be nice. Maybe just find a nice little B&B a couple hours drive from your home? Take a good book and just relax for a couple of days!
Well, like I said earlier, it was very cold up at the beach. Probably upper 50's with a light mist. Not fun for sightseeing and shopping! Then we came home for DD's bday "party." DH went out and got a little cake and some balloons. It made her feel special at least. Her actual bday is today. But her party with her friends won't be for a couple of weeks, because they are on spring break this week, so most kids are gone! She wants a slumber party, and I got one of the awesome designers on this board to make a cute Hannah Montana invitation for her. So now the dilemna is how to get the invitation to only 5 girls in her class. No way am I handing out to everyone and chancing that they might all show up!
Inlaws are still here - they were supposed to take DD to the zoo today but it's foggy and a little misty out, so who knows what they'll do all day now. I'm getting really nervous about this trip though. Yesterday, MIL was almost "prepping" us that our nephew will not be as good as DD usually is when we go places. He's real timid, etc, and probably won't want to do anything, according to her. They keep talking like it's no problem to just "go with the flow" but they have no clue what the flow is like!!!!! We keep telling them to start walking, but they won't do it. "We'll be fine" is what they say. Oh, and FIL usually goes to bed at 7pm!!!! DH told him he needs to start staying up an extra 15 minutes each night. He said he'll be fine. Like I said, I'm getting nervous!!!!! Whether I'm paying or not, this is still my vacation, I'm taking time off work, etc, and I'm not going to be miserable because nobody is planning anything!!!
I'm losing control and going nuts!!!! OK, feel better now!
Just got an email from DD's new cheerleading coach (trying 2 months of cheerleading April-June) and pictures are the weekend we are in Disney. Aaarrrggghhh!
Hey, does anyone know about this whole room only discount? Our
travel agent said we could not get it because we already got the water parks and more for free. Did I already ask this???? I swear I read somewhere that we should still be able to get this also!
Well, happy Monday everyone! If it's starting off anything like mine....
I can't take credit for Darth Boozers. That is DH little line. I just have always loved it too, so I stole it. 
We did turn around and buy a Joovy sit and stand. That is great. When it is just DD and I, I have a little extra room for packages, but I wouldn't say it is larger than the Graco Single. It probably is about the same weight, and same size folded (unless you have the Metro version, which I think would be lighter). NOW, Woudn't want to take that on Disney Buses. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine. Try going to epinions.com and see what others have said about different strollers. But as a mom of a boy who is 6 year old size and a 12 mo old, it is the way to go for me. Have heard nothing but praise for the McLauren. I have a knock off single that I used for DS. LOVE it too! Folds up like an umbrella and reclines. I know one friend who has 2 singles and links them together, or DH takes one and DW takes the other. They both would take up the room of 1 folded single Graco I think.... FYI, the Joovy sit and stand was about $150 or less I think. It has a bench seat that DD could ride on if she wanted with a 3 point strap that DS has mastered. Folds pretty easy too. Only downside is your younger DD couldn't be reclined and the other use the Jump seat, as they sit back to back.
