May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 5

[cdnmickeylover]

Holly - hang in there. I have so been there, done that and it is all worth it in the end. My ex and I split up when DS was 1 and I entered law school when DS entered grade 1. He turns 21 next month and has turned out great. He's in university and in the Reserves where he is well liked. I was the strict one while his Dad wasn't that strict. Although he kept saying at times that he'd rather live with Dad now it's interesting as he's home only on weekends and he sees me and his girlfriend -- I'm not even sure when the last time he talked to his father was although I did remind him to call his Dad on father's day. I think he realizes now (finally!!!) that me being strict wasn't so bad afterall.

The hard part is surviving it all.

Fiona

 

[HollyTyler]

Holly - hang in there. I have so been there, done that and it is all worth it in the end. My ex and I split up when DS was 1 and I entered law school when DS entered grade 1. He turns 21 next month and has turned out great. He's in university and in the Reserves where he is well liked. I was the strict one while his Dad wasn't that strict. Although he kept saying at times that he'd rather live with Dad now it's interesting as he's home only on weekends and he sees me and his girlfriend -- I'm not even sure when the last time he talked to his father was although I did remind him to call his Dad on father's day. I think he realizes now (finally!!!) that me being strict wasn't so bad afterall.

The hard part is surviving it all.

Fiona

So nice to hear another success story! Co-workers have also told me of similar experiences.

Hopefully Tyler and I will BOTH survive!

 

[HollyTyler]

By the way Fiona, kudos to you for getting through law school while being a single mom! I'm in awe of anybody who does that successfully and really hope I make it too!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Plans for tonight: Well, I got out of work at 2:30pm, dashed to class by 3, then I pick up Tyler from day care and take him to his hockey skating class, then stop quickly at a store on the way home, and hope to be home a little before 8 because Tyler's bedtime is at 8. He needs a bath, but that will have to wait until tomorrow night.

To answer your other question, I have class 3 days a week (Mon, 3-5pm, Thurs 6-9pm, and Fri 2-5pm). So to keep up with everything, I just don't get very much sleep during the semester, especially the last 1/2 when it's time to cram for finals. I'm SO looking forward to the day when I can go to work and then do whatever I want to do afterwards.

That's what I thought you were going to say....it's a heavy duty schedule. Just don't forget to live in the moment and like where you are or it will pass you by without even noticing. Always take time out for you, even if it's only 15 minutes and remember to stop and smell the roses when you can.

You're doing an awesome job!!!

 

[HollyTyler]

That's what I thought you were going to say....it's a heavy duty schedule. Just don't forget to live in the moment and like where you are or it will pass you by without even noticing. Always take time out for you, even if it's only 15 minutes and remember to stop and smell the roses when you can.

You're doing an awesome job!!!

I try! That's about all I can do. And Disney cruises restore my sanity! Well, this one will at least, because I won't have Tyler with me!

 

[gydell]

By chance - is anyone going to WDW the 1st week of Jan?

 

[cdnmickeylover]

By the way Fiona, kudos to you for getting through law school while being a single mom! I'm in awe of anybody who does that successfully and really hope I make it too!

I'm actually in awe of you doing it while working and being a single Mom. I was lucky in that I was able to go to school full time for three years with the help of savings (I worked full time for 4 years before going back), student loans and child support (which was $100/month higher the entire time I was in law school since my ex had to pay off some arrears which worked out really well for me.) I just paid off my student loans this past December -- right in time to help my DS pay for his schooling!

You will make it and then we'll all celebrate.

I sometimes think I should get a tshirt made up "I survived the teenage years" because I was sure at times that one of us (either me or my DS) wasn't going to. Parenting has got to be the hardest job in the world.

My one great memory of my DS was in the CBR gift shop and I had just said "NO" to getting whatever it was that he wanted -- I think he was about 5 at the time. He went down on the floor in a screaming temper tantrum -- legs flailing, the whole bit. We were travelling with my Mom and brother and my brother was so mortified he asked DS what he wanted and paid for it just so he'd get off the floor! I ended up laughing at my brother's look of mortification and his attempts to get DS to stand up and buy the item. DS was so into the temper tantrum that he didn't at first realize that while his Mom had said 'No' his uncle was desparately trying to say 'yes'.

Now that my brother has 4 young ones -- 7, 5, 3, 1 he probably would ignore it but back then he was terribly embarassed.

Fiona

 

[HollyTyler]

I'm actually in awe of you doing it while working and being a single Mom. I was lucky in that I was able to go to school full time for three years with the help of savings (I worked full time for 4 years before going back), student loans and child support (which was $100/month higher the entire time I was in law school since my ex had to pay off some arrears which worked out really well for me.) I just paid off my student loans this past December -- right in time to help my DS pay for his schooling!

You will make it and then we'll all celebrate.

I sometimes think I should get a tshirt made up "I survived the teenage years" because I was sure at times that one of us (either me or my DS) wasn't going to. Parenting has got to be the hardest job in the world.

My one great memory of my DS was in the CBR gift shop and I had just said "NO" to getting whatever it was that he wanted -- I think he was about 5 at the time. He went down on the floor in a screaming temper tantrum -- legs flailing, the whole bit. We were travelling with my Mom and brother and my brother was so mortified he asked DS what he wanted and paid for it just so he'd get off the floor! I ended up laughing at my brother's look of mortification and his attempts to get DS to stand up and buy the item. DS was so into the temper tantrum that he didn't at first realize that while his Mom had said 'No' his uncle was desparately trying to say 'yes'.

Now that my brother has 4 young ones -- 7, 5, 3, 1 he probably would ignore it but back then he was terribly embarassed.

Fiona

That's so funny! You know, I've been lucky so far because Tyler very rarely asks for stuff at stores and if he does, he doesn't argue if I tell him no. Maybe because he's figured out that I usually really don't have the money for extras. Not sure how I've managed to avoid that type of argument yet....maybe he's part alien! I'm just so grateful I only have one.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

You know that's the only time I can remember him having that reaction to me saying no although I'm sure I've blocked more out of my head.

He was usually pretty good about asking for things. He still is actually. He rarely asks for money -- he usually borrows and then pays me back, his choice. He's paying for a lot of university himself although I did pay into an RESP (not sure what the US equivalent is) for him since birth and his Dad did give him some money for tuition last year (who knows about this year) but he's paid for his rent, food, books, spending $$ himself. The Reserves does pay him fairly well though and his unit has a program where they will reimburse him some of the costs but it's still a fair amount of $$. I'm actually quite proud of him (now) -- there were certainly moments when I wasn't. He knows exactly how to push my buttons and did a number of times (of course that works both ways!).

Hang tough -- it will get better.

Fiona

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I'm thankful that I only had one too!!

Am so looking forward to seeing my brother and SIL with 4 teenagers in the house at once -- one girl (oldest) and 3 boys.

I only have 6 more years to wait for it to start and my niece is definately a high maintenance girl!

Fiona

 

[granmaz]

Hi all. Just back this evening from our week away. Had a lovely time but came back to a country flooded!!! It is really bad in places near by, but now actually here. We had to drive through some flood water to get home though!

I still have to read the last 4 pages, but must get to bed now!

Noel, good to see you again and hear you are feeling a bit better. Take things easy.

See you all tomorrow.

 

[ibouncetoo]

By chance - is anyone going to WDW the 1st week of Jan?

I can if you need me to...

 

[gydell]

I can if you need me to...

Good answer! I was hoping to meet someone from this cruise. I would probably have better luck if I was going to DL. I am going to be in Puerto Vallarta starting July 8th for 2 weeks - anyone going to be there? Just thought I would ask.

 

[cquick]

I can if you need me to...

I'll be there!

 

[gydell]

I'll be there!

Maybe I'll swing by CS and say hi! The TA cruise was great wasn't it? I know this one will be as good if not better!

 

[Tigger1221]

I am so excited! When we moved I got my own scrapbook room, well on sun. I got a new toy to go in it. I got a cricut ( if you are wondering what this is go to cricut . com). I can't wait to get the Mickey carts to go with it!!! TIme to get back in to scrapbooking again!!


Holly and everyone else with kids- It sounds like you are great parents. I don't have kids yet (just 2 dogs and 3 cats). I wish more parents would raise respectful kids. I work at a Super Target on the rich side of town and the kids and adults are so rude and spoiled. You won't to slap the parents and tell them to control their kids. I know all kids go crazy but the are just spoilded rotten brats. I have a 10year old sister ( I was 13 when she was born)and we make her mind and its not always easy.

OK off to work on my room

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

I have to tell you all, I have the cleanest iPod Nano around. I mowed the grass on Thursday, and was listening to my book . . . Well . . . I left my nano in my pants pocket, and then I did laundry . . .

Won't turn on, so now I think it is DOA. Makes me sad because I use that one to walk, as I have the lanyard headphones, and I need it for the beach. Guess it is time for a new nano. They have them refurbed at the Apple store $20 off, for $129, but no guarantee it will get here before we leave so I guess I will just have to go to Best Buy.

BTW . . . they DO have Lime Green!

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=505FCFB5&nplm=FA489LL/A

john did you know if you take the broken one into Apple you get a 10% discount on the new one?

 

[HollyTyler]

You know that's the only time I can remember him having that reaction to me saying no although I'm sure I've blocked more out of my head.

He was usually pretty good about asking for things. He still is actually. He rarely asks for money -- he usually borrows and then pays me back, his choice. He's paying for a lot of university himself although I did pay into an RESP (not sure what the US equivalent is) for him since birth and his Dad did give him some money for tuition last year (who knows about this year) but he's paid for his rent, food, books, spending $$ himself. The Reserves does pay him fairly well though and his unit has a program where they will reimburse him some of the costs but it's still a fair amount of $$. I'm actually quite proud of him (now) -- there were certainly moments when I wasn't. He knows exactly how to push my buttons and did a number of times (of course that works both ways!).

Hang tough -- it will get better.

Fiona

You have every reason to be proud of him! It sounds like he's grown up to be a very responsible young man. Good job mom!

I'm thankful that I only had one too!!

Am so looking forward to seeing my brother and SIL with 4 teenagers in the house at once -- one girl (oldest) and 3 boys.

I only have 6 more years to wait for it to start and my niece is definately a high maintenance girl!

Fiona

Oh, I sure feel for your brother and his wife!!! What a nightmare!

 

[HollyTyler]

Hi all. Just back this evening from our week away. Had a lovely time but came back to a country flooded!!! It is really bad in places near by, but now actually here. We had to drive through some flood water to get home though!

I still have to read the last 4 pages, but must get to bed now!

Noel, good to see you again and hear you are feeling a bit better. Take things easy.

See you all tomorrow.

Welcome back! Glad you had a good time, but sorry about the wet mess you had to come home to. No fun.

 

[HollyTyler]

YAY!!! I got Tyler's school of choice acceptance letter today for the district I applied for! WOOHOO! YIPPEE! Tyler's excited too because his best buddy got accepted too. Now I can quit worrying about where he'll go to school. Other school districts in our area require school of choice kids to reapply every school year and hope they have enough openings for that particular grade. But with his school, once you're accepted, you're in until graduation.