New Year's Eve 2008 12/27/08 SEE POST#1 FOR LIST

[Aisling]

Kaz, wow to have a doctor in the family! Mel's father is a physician, well was, as his mind is gone due to his alzheimers. It was an asset, especially when the kids were small and sick every other week from the normal viruses that go around in school. Saved us a lot of money in pediatric visits. When he retired from practicing, at age 70, he became an anatomy professor at a med school until he started showing signs that he was fading. He's still alive, as last year we thought he was on his deathbed, but in a way he's gone. Very sad, but he lived an exciting, satisfying life.

Well, since no one wants to know where Chad and Louise are booked for WDW (gee, you people are no fun!), I'll tell you anyway! Two days at the GF and 5 days (or is it 4) at the Contemporary. Lucky bums! But Louise is really looking forward on a nice vacation with Chad, after he'll be gone for a large part of the summer.

Kaz, my best wishes to Dick starting afresh in his career. He shall make it, and before you know it, you and yours will be rolling in his dough, and taking more trips than ever before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brenda, sooooo cool about the Dream Fastpasses!

Anjelica, let's go baybee!!!!!!!!!!!! Tulum here we come!! Have you seen that Mel Gibson movie, Apocalypto? It's fantastic, and shows the ancient culture as realistically as I can imagine. With a stunning ending!

I'm outside my friend's building, we're going shopping for a small freezer, as my refrigerator freezer is small, and I want to start stocking up on meat from Costco, as a way to save some money. I find that when I shop for a month's worth at a time, it ends up saving me money.

This is my view right in front of me, a NYC garbage truck! LOL.

Since Chad has his own camera now, I get to use the old one, and I keep it with me in the car just in case anything interesting happens!

 

[CustardTart]

Kaz, wow to have a doctor in the family!

Yes!! It's exciting - especially for the kids as they'll both be earning and it'll feel like their life's really started! Joe's been studying at Uni for 7 years and Sophie's been working for the past 2 so I don't think it's felt like an equal partnership for a while... Now if they'd only set a date and I could begin thinking about a wedding...

Well, since no one wants to know where Chad and Louise are booked for WDW (gee, you people are no fun!), I'll tell you anyway! Two days at the GF and 5 days (or is it 4) at the Contemporary. Lucky bums! But Louise is really looking forward on a nice vacation with Chad, after he'll be gone for a large part of the summer.

I wanted to know - just forgot to ask!!! GF is a fah-bu-lous resort and I'm more than a little excited at the prospect of a DVC add-on at the Contemporary - they'll have a magical time!!! Tho' in WDW it's pretty hard not to...

...Kaz, my best wishes to Dick starting afresh in his career. He shall make it, and before you know it, you and yours will be rolling in his dough, and taking more trips than ever before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanx, Aiz!! It's a leetle (OK a lot ) nerve-wracking - he's been with the same company for 10 years and is much-loved over there. I can't imagine they're going to let him go without a fight BUT this is his big chance to do something entrepreneurial... Of course I hope the $$$ roll in but as long as he's happy that's all I care about...

Anjelica, let's go baybee!!!!!!!!!!!! Tulum here we come!! Have you seen that Mel Gibson movie, Apocalypto? It's fantastic, and shows the ancient culture as realistically as I can imagine. With a stunning ending!

Tulum is a fab trip - we had a wonderful guide who really bought the place alive. If you go down onto the beach (and it's beautiful so you must) turn and look back up at the cliffs and the Mayan buildings - you'll see exactly what the first Spanish conquistadors to visit the Americas saw...

 

[tiggerwannabe]

That's awesome about Chad and Louise's trip! Did she say exactly when they're going???

You all got chatty...

 

[Aisling]

That's awesome about Chad and Louise's trip! Did she say exactly when they're going???

You all got chatty...

Mid-August, I think, as he'll be in Rome before then. They'll brave the heat, humidity, and rain, and won't bat an eye, as those two just love WDW and want to be together in the most Magical place on earth. I think we created a monster with our 2006 trip, taking Luoise, as she's now become as obsessed as we all are! That's my Lou!

I'm still waiting for my friend, but I think I'm going to tell her we'll go shopping another time, as I want to sell some gold today, and I'm really looking forward to the cash I'll get. It should be a nice chunk of change, as I'm selling our wedding rings and my engagement rings. Now don't faint, as Mel never wears his, and I stopped wearing mine a long time ago. Don't worry, we're not getting divorced, but I'll be honest that I don't feel he lived up to his promises when we got married, and the rings remind me of that. If he wants to re-new our vows, SERIOUSLY this time, then we'll get new rings and sort-of begin our married life anew, but ONLY if he can be more supportive to me and loving, so that the new rings will have the symbolism of a true commitment to honor and respect each other, and to put the other's needs before our own. That to me is what a good marriage means. Please don't get me wrong, Mel's a swell guy, not a bad bone in his body, but he definitely needs to grow up and realize what marriage really means. Selling the rings will be a healing for me, and open the door to making improvements in the marriage, if he agrees. I don't want a husband whose only part is to bring home a good paycheck (and he's very generous about that, never questioning me on my spending), but I'm not a materialistic girl, although I like nice things, but as I'm getting older, I want to know I'm going to have a compatable companion when the kids are on their own. As of now, his life is his tennis and his job, and he loves both more than anything. But I don't want to slam him, as he really is a decent guy, just not an ideal hubby as far as emotional connections are concerned. And I need that in a spouse. I'm thinking of the two of us taking a small get-a-way alone to talk, and to see what we can do to make things better. The problem is that he thinks everything is fine the way it is, but it's not for me. But PLEASE when you meet Mel on the cruise, PLEASE don't let this TMI influence your opinion of him. He's a shy guy, but becomes funny and sociable after a little while. He's not abusive, just "not there for me" if you know what I mean. So I'm taking the first step in working it out, and seeing what happens. But the rings have to go, as they were not taken seriously when we tied the knot at age 19 and 21. I feel a bit embarrassed telling you all my personal business, but from talking to my girlfriends, it's not an uncommon situation, and can be worked on for the better, if he's so inclined. I know he came into the marriage with baggage, growing up being raised by housemaids, but I came from a divorced family and I was able to overcome my own baggage to become a devoted mother and wife. So wish us luck. The good thing is that when I talk to him about the cruise, he seems interested, which is great, as last time he was so not into it, even though it meant being separated from us for Christmas. So maybe he is changing for the best after all. My kids are old enough to see and agree that their mom isn't getting what she needs, which is mostly a listening ear and a shouder to cry on. That's all I want, to be loved and adored, as I have always loved and adored him. So I had my rings blessed, and will pray that whoever buys them will have the beautiful, happy marriage wearing them.

But I promise when you meet him, you'll like him. This is just a personal issue between the two of us that we'll try to work out. Personal, but I've just blabbed, knowing that some of you will understand. So off I go to sell the rings, and next time he's going to give the new rings to me on bended knee and sign a marriage agreement in his blood!

I just now got a ticket for being in a no parking zone, but I'm not parked! I'm "standing", as I'm in the car, so I took the ticket ($65) and tokd the officer that I'll see him in traffic court when I dispute the ticket, and Have a nice day, officer. I was sooooooooo sweet in my evil way!!!!!!!!!

 

[CustardTart]

...I'm selling our wedding rings and my engagement rings. Now don't faint, as Mel never wears his, and I stopped wearing mine a long time ago. Don't worry, we're not getting divorced, but I'll be honest that I don't feel he lived up to his promises when we got married, and the rings remind me of that. If he wants to re-new our vows, SERIOUSLY this time, then we'll get new rings and sort-of begin our married life anew, but ONLY if he can be more supportive to me and loving, so that the new rings will have the symbolism of a true commitment to honor and respect each other, and to put the other's needs before our own. That to me is what a good marriage means. Please don't get me wrong, Mel's a swell guy, not a bad bone in his body, but he definitely needs to grow up and realize what marriage really means. Selling the rings will be a healing for me, and open the door to making improvements in the marriage, if he agrees. I don't want a husband whose only part is to bring home a good paycheck (and he's very generous about that, never questioning me on my spending), but I'm not a materialistic girl, although I like nice things, but as I'm getting older, I want to know I'm going to have a compatable companion when the kids are on their own. As of now, his life is his tennis and his job, and he loves both more than anything. But I don't want to slam him, as he really is a decent guy, just not an ideal hubby as far as emotional connections are concerned. And I need that in a spouse. I'm thinking of the two of us taking a small get-a-way alone to talk, and to see what we can do to make things better. The problem is that he thinks everything is fine the way it is, but it's not for me. But PLEASE when you meet Mel on the cruise, PLEASE don't let this TMI influence your opinion of him. He's a shy guy, but becomes funny and sociable after a little while. He's not abusive, just "not there for me" if you know what I mean. So I'm taking the first step in working it out, and seeing what happens. But the rings have to go, as they were not taken seriously when we tied the knot at age 19 and 21. I feel a bit embarrassed telling you all my personal business, but from talking to my girlfriends, it's not an uncommon situation, and can be worked on for the better, if he's so inclined. I know he came into the marriage with baggage, growing up being raised by housemaids, but I came from a divorced family and I was able to overcome my own baggage to become a devoted mother and wife. So wish us luck. The good thing is that when I talk to him about the cruise, he seems interested, which is great, as last time he was so not into it, even though it meant being separated from us for Christmas. So maybe he is changing for the best after all. My kids are old enough to see and agree that their mom isn't getting what she needs, which is mostly a listening ear and a shouder to cry on. That's all I want, to be loved and adored, as I have always loved and adored him. So I had my rings blessed, and will pray that whoever buys them will have the beautiful, happy marriage wearing them.

But I promise when you meet him, you'll like him. This is just a personal issue between the two of us that we'll try to work out. Personal, but I've just blabbed, knowing that some of you will understand. So off I go to sell the rings, and next time he's going to give the new rings to me on bended knee and sign a marriage agreement in his blood!

Oh Aisling!!! I'm shedding a few tears here as I read your post. Your honesty is amazing and I truly hope you can encourage Mel to move forward into a new phase of your relationship. You deserve it, my friend. And even if I don't make it onto the Magic for NYE, I am definitely coming over to meet you in NYC...

 

[disneykelly73]

Wow.. you guys were a chatty bunch over the weekend.. I JUST got caught up on all the pages/posts that I missed since Friday... to catch up!!

Aisling.. The diet I am trying is the 6 week body makeover.. You cant have caffinee, alcohol, salt or sugar.. I had some diet pepsi over the weekend though.. LOL!!!

Custardtart.. Happy UK Mom's Day!!! sounds like you had a wonderful day!!

Tigg.. My last trip was WDW in mid august.. Its hot and crowded.. but I had loads of fun. My preference would have been the last 2 weeks in August, as the crowds are smaller for sure, as the south is already back to school.. but my dh's ex wouldnt let him have the skids that week.

Aisling.. I am sorry to hear that you are being less than fully supported in your marriage.. I know that it probably difficult.. I have sporatic support from my DH.. It always feels like he defends the ex wife and puts the skids and HER needs before my own.. like changing the visitation weekends last minute.. whereby nixing our preexisting plans.. among other things.. like her physically assaulting me.. and he continues to cowtail to her.. grrr.. I could go on.. I just didnt want you to think that you are floating out there alone.
DH is good about agreeing to the vaca's that I want to do.. and its probably because before he met me.. the last vacation he had been on was to visit his family back home. ie.. didnt really take ANY.

So who all is still going on the cruise?? sounds like a lot of changed their plan!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I think you should take a weekend before Chad leaves to (re)bond with Mel. Maybe go to Atlantic City for a night??? John and I don't gamble, we stayed in the convention center hotel, had a nice steak dinner out, walked the boardwalk at night, window shopped ...bottom line, it's a great couple's place if you just want some time alone~

LY Aisling, MI

(you too Kelly )

 

[tiggerwannabe]

....

I just now got a ticket for being in a no parking zone, but I'm not parked! I'm "standing", as I'm in the car, so I took the ticket ($65) and tokd the officer that I'll see him in traffic court when I dispute the ticket, and Have a nice day, officer. I was sooooooooo sweet in my evil way!!!!!!!!!

I can see it now, Aisling's gonna be featured in next month's Parking Wars!

(It's a local reality show that features the daily lives of the Parking Authority in Philly and NYC.)

 

[Aisling]

I wemt through a Burger King drivethru to get a diet soda, and I was told that I was the 1,000th customer for the day! I was expecting Ronald McDonald to come running out with confetti and lifetime gift certificates to BK, but I did get my small soda upgraded to a large, so it's all good!

Thanks for not running me out of town with my drama, and thanks for the understanding.

Kelly, when I first saw you use the word "skids", I had to google it, and I thought OMG that's not nice! But now for some reason I crack up everytime you use it! I see it's a common word on step-parent's forum.

And me, maybe Mel, Chad, Jesse, and Louise are DEFINITELY going on the cruise. After all the thousands of formal gowns I've looked at, all that is NOT going to go to waste!!!

Tig, I'm thinking about AC. We'll see.

Kaz, either on the cruise, or some other time, some other place, I know we'll meet!

Hope that helped a little

Jill, your info helped a lot.

 

[Aisling]

I can see it now, Aisling's gonna be featured in next month's Parking Wars!

(It's a local reality show that features the daily lives of the Parking Authority in Philly and NYC.)

You won't believe this, but not 15 minutes later, THE SAME COP got me AGAIN a few blocks away. I was my cell with my father (not driving), and I was screaming at the cop he has to be kidding, I refuse to accept another ticket, you just gave me one, I'm STILL not parked but STANDING in a No Parking zone. Jerk doesn't know the difference. My dad was yelling at me to shut up, I was going to be arrested, I called the cop a liar over something he said, and guess where I am now................





















HOME relaxing, haha, I didn't get arrested, but when I wouldn't take the ticket, he just put it on my windshield and told me if I tore it up, he'd cite me for littering! Yeah, how can you tell MY litter apart from all the litter all over the streets! After I calmed down, I realized the guy just probably was in love with me and was trying to ask me for a date!!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

 

[DDeb4evr]

Aisling, I feel the same way about my wedding ring set. It ment a lot to me before all of Jeff's and my problems. I haven't been able to put together our wedding or honeymoon photo albums because the wedding means nothing to me at this point. If things get better, I'm very tempted to do a vow renewl on the cruise. Hey! If your husband finally "steps up to the plate," we could do it together! Sending you a big

One person that can be counted off of the cruise list is my SDS. Aaron didn't listen to our warning about getting bad grades on his report cards and he got a D on his last one. He's also becoming a real pain about helping around the house stating that we are using him as "free labor." Let's see, we pay for his cell phone, 1/3 of his car insurance, gave him a car, give him $20 a week for allowance and pay the phone bill and he uses the phone more then we do. I ask you, who's doing the laboring????????? Poor Jeff finaly sees what I've seen for a long time and it is really hurting him. I understand how he feels. It still hurts when my boys act up but I've done it twice so it's easier to see it comming and to be able to deal with it.

 

[CADZNYCHC]

oh Aisling.....i'm just so saddened that your marriage has come (or has been) this dissatisfactory.....of course we (probably) have all gone thru some rough patches - i know Dale & I have - but as the years passed & we grew older....we've grown more respectful & loving of one another...and I just HOPE & PRAY that will come to be for you & Mel! No matter what...we are ALWAYS here for you!!!

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Kelly....DS & I (along with friends) Chel & Rus are definitely still going! and i'm keeping my fingers / toes crossed that Nan, Colleen, Aisling, Deb & Kaz WILL be on board as well!!

 

[trinibjill]

I can see it now, Aisling's gonna be featured in next month's Parking Wars!

(It's a local reality show that features the daily lives of the Parking Authority in Philly and NYC.)

 

[Aisling]

Kelly....DS & I (along with friends) Chel & Rus are definitely still going! and i'm keeping my fingers / toes crossed that Nan, Colleen, Aisling, Deb & Kaz WILL be on board as well!!

My kids and I will for sure be on that cruise. (Louise, you're included as one of my kids! )


You guys sure know how to make a girl cry, but tears of friendship. I still can't believe I let it all out, but I guess it means I feel very comfortable and loved by you all. We really support each other, and that's priceless to me, as well as a relief that I can talk to you about what's going on.


And now a public service message to our cruise lurkers, I hope I didn't/don't cause you to back off of this thread. Yes, some of us know each other, but this is your thread, too, so please fell free to jump in, change the subject, crack a joke, just say Hi, but please feel welcome here!

 

[nskjerven]

Aisling:

I'm sure you and Mel are in a different place in your lives now and you especially as the boys are grown up and your function is changing in your family. I know that for me I waited a long time to marry so that when I did I was completely happy with me and then able to look for a mate. Sometime I think when one marrys so young that process isn't yet gelled. I'm sure you now are there, but that makes you different from when you two met, yes? Breathe and take sometime together to find the way back to where you were before it was a family and just a couple. You may just fall back in love again and be better for the journey.

 

[CustardTart]

You won't believe this, but not 15 minutes later, THE SAME COP got me AGAIN a few blocks away. I was my cell with my father (not driving), and I was screaming at the cop he has to be kidding, I refuse to accept another ticket, you just gave me one, I'm STILL not parked but STANDING in a No Parking zone. Jerk doesn't know the difference. My dad was yelling at me to shut up, I was going to be arrested, I called the cop a liar over something he said, and guess where I am now................





















HOME relaxing, haha, I didn't get arrested, but when I wouldn't take the ticket, he just put it on my windshield and told me if I tore it up, he'd cite me for littering! Yeah, how can you tell MY litter apart from all the litter all over the streets! After I calmed down, I realized the guy just probably was in love with me and was trying to ask me for a date!!

 

[disneykelly73]

Yes.. sorry.. I am just used to that abbreviation..

Skids is the plural for step kids.. so that I dont always have to say sd & ss..

Oh.. and if I really am upset w/them.. its usually thing 1 & thing 2 that I refer to them as! lol.. Not to their face of course.. but to my friends that dont have skids or biokids.

Nan, I waited til I was in my 30s to marry.. It didnt make me any smarter.. and w/all the problems I am having getting pregnant.. I wonder if I should have just settled on the first fiancee that I had.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

In case you missed it, like I did...

MAGICMEETS payment window is now open!!!