May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 3

[Jhalkias]

Well, I suppose I had better go to sleep. Letting myself stay up too late and get tired again would defeat the purpose of getting so rested last night with 14 hours of sleep! Got myself back on track in the sleep department and need to stay there! Busy day ahead of us tomorrow. Going to visit my mom out of town. She was going to come here today to save us the trip, but she thinks her clutch is going bad. Not a good idea for her to drive a 3 hour round trip with no repair shops open on the weekend. So we're headed to her house tomorrow as originally planned. And Chuck E. Cheese was FULL tonight....there was a line of people waiting to get in. When one family would leave, they'd let another in. I've never seen it like that! So I promised Tyler we could go tomorrow after we get back in town. Or maybe drag my mom to the one in her town. Not exactly what she'd like for her birthday celebration though. Oh well....we'll see.

Goodnight everybody!

Chuckee Cheese is where I will go when I die if it is decided I should go to H***. I have to medicate with strong headache relief an hour before I go to that place.

It's not the kids - after all, I love Disney, it's all the noise and confusion!

My eye starts twitching when I drive by that place!

 

[Jhalkias]

My heart goes out to them!

How did 45 caskets fit in thier car?

I hope that the children have family that will take good care of them. And keep them safe.

Karen

I wasn't the only one . . . DW explained this probably meant shell casings or bullet holes.

 

[Jhalkias]

Cheri, you better be careful or we just might take you up on your joking offering to do some tutoring on board!!! Your advice sounds great. Lisa

Might take her up?

Really, that was GREAT advice.

 

[Jhalkias]

Do you need an assistant????

I can hardly wait to meet you and talk Mac.

I think we can have a Mac users meet on the cruise!

I can wear my Mac Geek T-shirt!

 

[HollyTyler]

Chuckee Cheese is where I will go when I die if it is decided I should go to H***. I have to medicate with strong headache relief an hour before I go to that place.

It's not the kids - after all, I love Disney, it's all the noise and confusion!

My eye starts twitching when I dry by that place!

Sorry to bring up painful thoughts John! The smile on Tyler's face when he realized I still had more tokens in my pocket made it all worthwhile! But I guess they have a good reason to sell beer there, huh?!

 

[been2marceline]

My goodness, what a lot there was to catch up on today!!!!

Well, we went to London yesterday, my sister and I and our Mum. had a lovely time all 3 of us and decided we really don't do it often enough.

If anyone goes to London and Harrods, do try their afternoon tea in the Georgian Restaurant. It's really wonderful! Felt extremely civilised to be drinking champagne and hvaing tea, sandwiches, scones & cakes I think Mum really liked her surprise so I'm please.

While we were in town we saw a great parade by the Irish Guards outside Buckingham palace too, as we drove by in our taxi. That was an added bonus! (We kidded Mum it was just in her honour of course!)

I'm a little sad today so could do with a hug or 2 as my 'baby' is n't here to wish me a Happy Mother's day, for the first time ever. She's still over in germany on her college trip, hopefully having a blast.

OK...back to catching up.......

Happy Mother's day and many Hugs to you, Mandy!!

Wish I could have been there with you at Harrod's! Sounds absolutely fabulous!! (Loved that show!)

Take care and enjoy your day!!!

Karen

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

What a beautiful day! Sure, only 36 degrees, but bright sun, blue skies with only a few clouds. Had a short bike ride so Tyler could get some fresh air and get that biking urge out of his system. Too cold to go more than a couple blocks though because the wind is chilly. Brrrrr! I can see he'll need tons of practice this summer! He doesn't like having training wheels, but he's still so uncoordinated, has no sense of balance, tips over ALL the time, even with training wheels! Can't get started or keep pedalling if there's a tiny upgrade in a part of the sidewalk. No way could he handle a bike without training wheels when he can barely ride with training wheels! I don't want to discourage him, but.....for pete's sake! I told him if he practices every day and gets to where he's able to ride with training wheels more than a couple feet without tipping over, maybe by the end of summer he'll be ready. But he's only 4....and aren't most kids closer to 6 before you take training wheels off?

Yes! I think my oldest was around 5 almost 6. He will get it. My DD had some friends that did not ride a bike until 2nd grade maybe even third because they were scared.

Chuckee Cheese is where I will go when I die if it is decided I should go to H***. I have to medicate with strong headache relief an hour before I go to that place.

It's not the kids - after all, I love Disney, it's all the noise and confusion!

My eye starts twitching when I dry by that place!

I wasn't the only one . . . DW explained this probably meant shell casings or bullet holes.

I was wondering also.

Sorry to bring up painful thoughts John! The smile on Tyler's face when he realized I still had more tokens in my pocket made it all worthwhile! But I guess they have a good reason to sell beer there, huh?!

It was pretty overcast today. It kind of felt good though. We went to the swap meet. I love that place.

 

[been2marceline]

As someone who has their birthday just 2 days before Christmas I know just what you mean.....my brother's birthday is also the day before mine (just a year younger). We even used to get presents between us, for Christmas & birthday....must've have saved people loads of money!

My poor parents though didn't organise that very well eh?

Mandy,

I'm the 22nd, when is your Birthday?

Yes, I have almost always gotten the Christmas and Birthday present thing, or xmas stuff for my Birthday, or they just don't remember at all.
It was also really hard to have a Birthday party as people were very busy with Christmas stuff or were out of town when I was little.

When my mom was allive she always did a "Very Merry Unbirthday" for me on June 22nd. Yet another thing I miss since she has been gone.

My sister is January 8th, and didn't quite experience the same lack of presents, etc. but it is still no fun to have to wait almost a year from prezzies!

Karen

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Mandy,



When my mom was allive she always did a "Very Merry Unbirthday" for me on June 22nd. Yet another thing I miss since she has been gone.


Karen

My birthday is on June 23rd. It is a great time to have a birthday. The only thing as a kid was we were usually on vacation so I did not have my normal birthday parties but it was great celebrating at different places.

My kids are in July and August and my DH is in May. So we have May, June, July and August Birthdays.

 

[Jhalkias]

OK, I have a question for people in the UK . . .

My DW LOVES the British sitcoms (they drive me crazy) . . .

I am just cuirous if they are popular there - she watches Hyacinth, Keeping up Appearances, and As Time Goes By . . .

Just an FYI, I don't watch American sitcoms either, but our house is constantly filled with people talking in a British accent coming from the TV she watches!

 

[been2marceline]

I expect my mother got "with child" on St. Patrick's Day so a double holiday to celebrate!!

My birthday is 5 days before Xmas and DH is 2 days after. The rule in our family is when my DH asks "When is your birthday again? " I reply "A week before yours, you forget mine, I forget yours!!

Noel[/QUOTE]

Probably the same with my mom, I was definitely an oops!!

Had a great birthday this past December. We were in WDW and I had several days with my Birthday Button on. Happy Birthday was said to more than I can ever remember in my life!!

What a great way to celebrate a birthday, with DISNEY!!!

Have a magical day!!

Karen

 

[Jhalkias]

I have no idea who or what Chuck E Cheese is by the way.....but I'm guessing it's like McDonalds or something?????

It is an evil invention of a giant rat, formulated to make parents lose their minds . . .

Actually, it is a pizza place, with someone in a giant mouse suit (not Mickey by any stretch) that has a play area as an integral part that you buy tokens for. All the attractions in the play area take tokens, and make a huge racket. You can win tickets from games in the play area, and then trade them in for things at the counter, where you could have paid half as much for the stuff from Oriental Trading.

When it is crowded, the noise is deafening!

 

[Jhalkias]

We do not like Chuck E Cheese. It is a loud pizza place with game machines that give tickets for prizes and a rat that performs! We have a Bullwinkles here that we like much better for the kids. Same idea, pizza and game machines with prizes, but the difference is that the tables where you eat are in a separate room so you can get away from the noise for a minute. Bullwinkles also has go-karts and mini-golf.

We ABSOLUTELY agree on this one Angie!

I am saying a prayer for Holly . . .

 

[amesmom]

One more thing. I went to DD's parent teacher conference and she gets perfect scores when not timed. When she is timed, she freaks out and just guesses to get done fast. Any advice from this group? She is in 1st grade and apparently with the new no child left behind law she has to do everything in one minute including read 40 words in 1 minute. Comprehension is apparently of no value to this test, only speed. Don't get that at all!! The teacher sends home the best comprehension homework that I love and then they have that stupid timed test... Really beginning to despise that law.


kim

DS9 hates timed tests too. His problem is not reading, but the math. He does great with problem solving and math concepts, but just can't seem to memorize those math facts. Luckily, the timed math is not part of the district testing like the reading is. It's just something his teacher makes him suffer through. I don't have much advice for you. I do know plenty of teachers who despise the timed reading as well. But they are stuck with it. The only suggestion I have is to practice reading aloud. Oral reading really is a different skill than silent reading and practice might help calm her nerves. I'm really no fan of NCLB. While claiming to make sure that every child is taught, there is no room for the individual differences of the children. Off my soapbox now.

 

[UKANGEL]

well, we've had snow,hailstones and rain, as well as sunshine today!

Could be worse! I can't sew at all. I'm ashamed to say this, but thank goodness for Tyler's wonderful stepmom! Whenever a button falls off, or he gets a small rip in some clothes, he says, "It's OK....Sheilah can sew it." So I failed in one aspect of parenting. Not the end of the world. And I know it makes her feel good to be a part of things in that way, so it works!

Gee....I can't cook or sew....gonna be hard to keep Alejandro around! Good thing I'm super nice.....and funny!

His dad, his dad's wife, and I all get along really well. She's been a part of Tyler's life since he was a baby, so he just thinks of her as another parent. It's clear how much he loves her, just as he does his dad and I, and she has made it clear to me many times that she wants me to let her know if I ever think she's overstepping any boundaries. In fact, I even went to their wedding last September. People think it's strange, but we all think there's no reason for us not to get along because we want Tyler to grow up as stable as possible in a split home. After all, he didn't ask to be put in this situation, so we feel we owe it to him to make it as easy as possible for him. I get along well with his dad's family, and even Sheilah's family. And both of their families have even met some of my family. Everybody knows everybody and gets along, so far. He's one lucky little boy to have so many people who love him!

That sounds really wonderful to me Holly. When Becky's dad and I split up we vowed we'd keep it amicable, didn't go through a solicitor etc....sadly it hasn't stayed that way. So much so that I had a really nasty call from him last week (he's decided he's no longer 'obligated' to pay towards Becky anymore as she'll be 19 this week...no matter that she's still in full time education......that's another story though).....anyway, his wife came on the phone, swearing and shouting at me so I just hung up. Sorry but can't abide the woman, or the way they've treated Becky. I'm glad to hear not all step mums are nasty!


I'll get off my soap box now!

 

[UKANGEL]

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's day and many Hugs to you, Mandy!!

Wish I could have been there with you at Harrod's! Sounds absolutely fabulous!! (Loved that show!)

Take care and enjoy your day!!!

Karen

Thansk Karen, I love Ab Fab too, sweetie darling! My 'baby' rang me this afternoon from Berlin.....she'd spent most of the day at a concentration camp in the area, and they were all so moved by it they all called their Mums afterwards! Bless! I'm glad she's home on Tuesday!

Mandy,

I'm the 22nd, when is your Birthday?

Yes, I have almost always gotten the Christmas and Birthday present thing, or xmas stuff for my Birthday, or they just don't remember at all.
It was also really hard to have a Birthday party as people were very busy with Christmas stuff or were out of town when I was little.

When my mom was allive she always did a "Very Merry Unbirthday" for me on June 22nd. Yet another thing I miss since she has been gone.

My sister is January 8th, and didn't quite experience the same lack of presents, etc. but it is still no fun to have to wait almost a year from prezzies!

Karen

Mine is 23rd!!! My brother's is the same as yours, 22nd. We always reckon Mum & dad got it right by the time my sister was born a few years later....she was born on June 14th!!!


Maybe we'll have a 'very merry Un-Birthday party' next May on the ship for all us December/January birthdays eh?

 

[HollyTyler]

We ABSOLUTELY agree on this one Angie!

I am saying a prayer for Holly . . .

You're too funny! You'll probably faint when I tell you we go about once a week!!!!!!!

 

[UKANGEL]

OK, I have a question for people in the UK . . .

My DW LOVES the British sitcoms (they drive me crazy) . . .

I am just cuirous if they are popular there - she watches Hyacinth, Keeping up Appearances, and As Time Goes By . . .

Just an FYI, I don't watch American sitcoms either, but our house is constantly filled with people talking in a British accent coming from the TV she watches!

The ones you mention John are pretty old here so they aren't popular now....we watch far more US shows then British, I think! certainly in our house anyway. Shows like the Vicar of Dibley, Only Fools and Horses and Ab Fab have been very popular in the past though. I think one of the most successful comedies from the US shown over here was 'Friends' though

Funnily enough, when my dd was little she watched so many Disney films (especially The Little Mermaid) that she spoke with a US accent for much of the time.....

 

[Jhalkias]

My birthday is New Year's Day and I've always hated it. Although my parents made a point of not giving me a joint Christmas/birthday present, it always seemed like the birthday present was just one they kept over for a week. Then 51 weeks with nothing while my siblings and kids at school had birthdays to look forward to. As an adult, everyone celebrates New Year's Eve so even going out for a meal on my birthday is either impossible or unsuccessful. And even my family seem incapable of grasping that no mail will be delivered on my birthday (UK public holiday) so cards are generally late, if they arrive at all.

When I got married my DH suggested I swapped my birthday to a date in the summer. But my mother was horrified so I didn't do it, and after she died I decided it was too late to bother.

It's reassuring to see that some of you have had similar experiences. My DH can't understand why I get depressed about it, when it's been the same for so long now, why I can't just accept it. And I don't know either - any psychiatrists out there that could explain it to me?!

DW's birthday is on December 11th, so I get the December birthday thing. I have to tell you it is hard to get a gift knowing that two weeks later I have a repeat performance.

I lost my birthday 19 years ago . . . when our son was born on my birthday in June. You don't have to be born in December to lose your birthday.

 

[HollyTyler]

That sounds really wonderful to me Holly. When Becky's dad and I split up we vowed we'd keep it amicable, didn't go through a solicitor etc....sadly it hasn't stayed that way. So much so that I had a really nasty call from him last week (he's decided he's no longer 'obligated' to pay towards Becky anymore as she'll be 19 this week...no matter that she's still in full time education......that's another story though).....anyway, his wife came on the phone, swearing and shouting at me so I just hung up. Sorry but can't abide the woman, or the way they've treated Becky. I'm glad to hear not all step mums are nasty!

I'll get off my soap box now!

I'm so sorry to hear it's like that for you. Unfortunately, that's how it is for just about everybody I hear of. We're the rare exception. However, I fear things will change if they have a child...everybody tells me so. They're trying because they're both 38 and worried about not being able to have one much longer. She's already had one miscarriage and is desperately trying again. So I'll enjoy the relationship we all have now, and just hope for the best.