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

[CustardTart]

...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...

The abbreviation always makes me chuckle too and 'biokids' is a completely new one on me... I'm not entirely sure I can share what I call my kids when I'm upset with them - let's just say 'Thing 1/2" is pretty tame...

...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.

I blithely jumped into marriage at 19 and even tho' people said it wouldn't last and we were making a big mistake blah blah blah - it remains the smartest thing I've ever done... I guess it's horses for courses...

 

[Aisling]

Nan, GREAT analysis of the situation. Even at the wedding, I was thinking WTH am I doing, but I looked so darned purty in my gown, and going on a honeymoon sounded so romantic. I knew I was too young, but that OMG-I-can't-live-without-you is SO different when it's a 19 year old feeling it than a mature grown woman. Kaz, I'm sooooooooooooo happy that the young marriage thing worked so well for you. You and Dick sound like meant-to-be partners.


Now for my daily photos:
Today, it's the Chinese Tai Chi ladies. I had to wait until they had their backs to me, as I didn't want them to see I was photographing them!

 

[CustardTart]

Now for my daily photos:
Today, it's the Chinese Tai Chi ladies. I had to wait until they had their backs to me, as I didn't want them to see I was photographing them!

You need a bigger zoom!!! OMG are you turning into a paparazzo, Aisling???

 

[Aisling]

You need a bigger zoom!!! OMG are you turning into a paparazzo, Aisling???

A paparrazo? That works, as I'm surely not an artistic photog like Tig is! Since Chad bought his own camera, I've been the boss of this one, and it's fun!
Here's another one I just took; a large residential building going up right next to a house. I wonder how the homeowners feel about that giant being right next door! But this is how it is all over the city.

I'm going to get my hair done now, but after, I'm going to be a real pap and take some pictures of PEOPLE! But I'll be sneaky about it, since my zoom is probably minus 10!

 

[CustardTart]

...I'm going to get my hair done now, but after, I'm going to be a real pap and take some pictures of PEOPLE! But I'll be sneaky about it, since my zoom is probably minus 10!

That reminds me, I need to make a hair appointment! I've got waaay too much grey on display!!!

Looking forward to some cheeky, sneaky candid shots of peeps doin' what they shouldn't...

 

[nskjerven]

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.

Sorry about that Kelly. I know for me I was sure that I was the person that had to make myself happy and that a spouse wasn't the answer for my happiness. I didn't understand that when I was younger. I also had a fine line drawn that I wasn't going to date anyone with kids or a smoker (the list is longer but those are at the top of it). I knew I couldn't be a step-mom. That job is for a saint and I'm not a saint. I understand the fertility issue from friends. It's not been an issue in my family, but lots of girlfriends have had to go the way of fertillity counseling and some eventually adoption. I offer you my prayers in that department for sucess.

 

[CADZNYCHC]

speakin of hair....i had mine cut before the convention in San Diego...it's an a-line cut...altho not as drastic as Victoria Beckham's....

 

[Aisling]

speakin of hair....i had mine cut before the convention in San Diego...it's an a-line cut...altho not as drastic as Victoria Beckham's....

Please show us!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Please show us!!!!!!!!!!!

i'll get some photos as soon as i can....can you believe there's NOT one photo of Stacey or I from DL....we were always the ones taking the photos...

 

[CADZNYCHC]

have to share these "WTH" photos

and a close up of just how high these are

now.....this was EARLY Friday a.m. as Stacey & I were in line for the Indiana Jones ride....we didn't see this couple again until much later that day AND lo & behold she either brought or went a bought a pair of Skecher's flat tennies.....

 

[CADZNYCHC]

and some of the kids with their Dream FastPasses
Julia, Andrew, Kaohu (or Kiwi) & Ryan - Ramses in the back....

 

[CADZNYCHC]

and another....

 

[Anjelica]

have to share these "WTH" photos

and a close up of just how high these are

now.....this was EARLY Friday a.m. as Stacey & I were in line for the Indiana Jones ride....we didn't see this couple again until much later that day AND lo & behold she either brought or went a bought a pair of Skecher's flat tennies.....

I've long chucked the beauty over comfortability when it comes to shoes. I can't ever imagine going to WDW with heels. That, and maybe I am critical, but the pants look awfully...ummmm....snug in the higher regions - just looks uncomfortable.

BTW -
I got the Italy pictures loaded (finally) from my trip this past NYE with my daughter Sydney (if anyone was interested). http://www.themcmurphys.com/2007_2008_Trip_Italy.html

 

[CADZNYCHC]

I've long chucked the beauty over comfortability when it comes to shoes. I can't ever imagine going to WDW with heels. That, and maybe I am critical, but the pants look awfully...ummmm....snug in the higher regions - just looks uncomfortable.
uh huh....i know what you mean
BTW -
I got the Italy pictures loaded (finally) from my trip this past NYE with my daughter Sydney (if anyone was interested). http://www.themcmurphys.com/2007_2008_Trip_Italy.html

headed over to check out your Italy photos...i was there a yr & half ago with DH, DS & DBIL & going again in 3 mos....this time with with DS' high school class....

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Going to bed now...here are a few from the show today...

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/0308/?albumview=slideshow

make sure you open the window all the way up when you open this

 

[Aisling]

I'm loving seeing everyone's pictures!

Anjelica, you must have been on in Italy among those ruins! (I hate to call them "ruins", as they're still amazing). What an experience to give your daughter at such a young age.

And Brenda, Ryan is sooo handsome, especially in the photo of the kids standing with the train station behind them. In the other photo, I was happy to see Ryan and his friends are not as "conservative-looking" as I thought. What I mean is, Jesse is into big tees and baggy pants, and I was thinking he might look too emo or gangsta or whatever the modern words are, that Ryan would think they wouldn't be compatable to be buds on the cruise! But I see they're both "too-cool" kids, which I should have known, as they're both XBoxers!!!!
Still waiting to see your new haircut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tig, I still say you should put together a book of your flower shots. They are gorgeous. Looking at them, especially the close-ups, is so calming, like therapy. When I worked in the nursing home (sensory therapist), I mainly used music and tactile objects, but now I see images like yours would have been very valuable with those people.

Ok, now about the DL high-heel lady. First of all (may I be mean for a second???), those shoes are fugly!!!!!!!!! If you're going to kill and deform your feet, at least make it worth it with a pretty pair of shoes!!
I love high-heels, but I'm with you and Anjelica; when walking miles a day at DL, my comfort would come first. But maybe the girl was used to it???? I won't criticize her pants, even thogu they looked, well, uncomfortable, because her behind size is my goal in life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ms. Custardtart, did you make your hair appointment?

I was too ascared to take people photos, because seriously my camera doesn't have a good zoom, and when I do zoom, it always comes out blurry. And if I put a camera in a New Yorkers face, my camera would end up where the sun don't shine, if you know what I mean! Tig, next time we meet up, maybe you can show me how to use the other functions on the camera. It's a simple Nikon CoolPix, 3Xzoom, but I really have no clue on how to make the most of it's settings.

Grim, you still out there??

Edited to add: Debbie, are you SERIOUS about Aaron not coming on the cruise?? Aw, give him another chance! Really, of course I won't truly advise you what to do, as you know best for your situation, but I AM curious as to his reaction. Did you tell him he ain't goin'? He didn't seem too thrilled to be going, anyway.

My Jesse has gotten A LOT better with his schoolwork, bedroom upkeep not so much, but that's just minor. I told him that if he wants to see his sweetie on the weekends, he MUST get at least straight 90s on his report card. Well, he must be in lurve, because all his tests are coming back above 90! What's funny, is that when I told him his less-than-good grades were "breaking my heart", it DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD! ROFL!!!!!!!!!! Add a girlfriend into the equation, and you get results!!!!

 

[CADZNYCHC]

I'm loving seeing everyone's pictures!

Anjelica, you must have been on in Italy among those ruins! (I hate to call them "ruins", as they're still amazing). What an experience to give your daughter at such a young age.

And Brenda, Ryan is sooo handsome, especially in the photo of the kids standing with the train station behind them. In the other photo, I was happy to see Ryan and his friends are not as "conservative-looking" as I thought. What I mean is, Jesse is into big tees and baggy pants, and I was thinking he might look too emo or gangsta or whatever the modern words are, that Ryan would think they wouldn't be compatable to be buds on the cruise! But I see they're both "too-cool" kids, which I should have known, as they're both XBoxers!!!!
Still waiting to see your new haircut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh from the photos i've seen of Jesse - i think they'll become great friends...i wish they could meet up before hand - so they could / would become online gamer friends NOW....

Tig, I still say you should put together a book of your flower shots. They are gorgeous. Looking at them, especially the close-ups, is so calming, like therapy. When I worked in the nursing home (sensory therapist), I mainly used music and tactile objects, but now I see images like yours would have been very valuable with those people.

Ok, now about the DL high-heel lady. First of all (may I be mean for a second???), those shoes are fugly!!!!!!!!! If you're going to kill and deform your feet, at least make it worth it with a pretty pair of shoes!!
I love high-heels, but I'm with you and Anjelica; when walking miles a day at DL, my comfort would come first. But maybe the girl was used to it???? I won't criticize her pants, even thogu they looked, well, uncomfortable, because her behind size is my goal in life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i wish i knew how soon she changed into those skecher's....but i'll bet she won't be wearing heels to DL ever again......

Ms. Custardtart, did you make your hair appointment?

I was too ascared to take people photos, because seriously my camera doesn't have a good zoom, and when I do zoom, it always comes out blurry. And if I put a camera in a New Yorkers face, my camera would end up where the sun don't shine, if you know what I mean! Tig, next time we meet up, maybe you can show me how to use the other functions on the camera. It's a simple Nikon CoolPix, 3Xzoom, but I really have no clue on how to make the most of it's settings.

Grim, you still out there??

Edited to add: Debbie, are you SERIOUS about Aaron not coming on the cruise?? Aw, give him another chance! Really, of course I won't truly advise you what to do, as you know best for your situation, but I AM curious as to his reaction. Did you tell him he ain't goin'? He didn't seem too thrilled to be going, anyway.

My Jesse has gotten A LOT better with his schoolwork, bedroom upkeep not so much, but that's just minor. I told him that if he wants to see his sweetie on the weekends, he MUST get at least straight 90s on his report card. Well, he must be in lurve, because all his tests are coming back above 90! What's funny, is that when I told him his less-than-good grades were "breaking my heart", it DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD! ROFL!!!!!!!!!! Add a girlfriend into the equation, and you get results!!!!

hummmm....the boys met quite a few "chickas" at the park...Ryan has been on the phone with anyone of 3 till weeeee hours of the night.....i think i need to try this strategy.....

 

[Aisling]

hummmm....the boys met quite a few "chickas" at the park...Ryan has been on the phone with anyone of 3 till weeeee hours of the night.....i think i need to try this strategy.....

You know, Brenda, I believe it's harder to be a teen/high-schooler these days. There are so may distractions with internet and video games. I always resisted taking these things away from Jesse, as he truly enjoys them, and to take them away would be like sending hbim to bed without supper. I know I sound too liberal, but aside from his skateboarding and hand-ball playing, this is his main fun. If he were a truly "bad-a**ed kid, I'd take them away in a second, but he's really so good. But I've just made rules that no playtime before homework, and of course the chicka thing, and it's working. I'm so happy. I wouldn't expect him to get 90s if he just couldn't do it, but he can, and did, and he sees I mean business. Last year, I took him out of the accelerated classes, and he showing that this was a good decision. The good thing is that inj junior high (6,7,8th grades), he did well enough to take some high school courses, passed the state exams, and is actually ahead of the game. So I don't want to add any more pressure.

He's just so different than Chad, both wonderful kids, in different ways. Chad was the type to climb into his crib when he was 18 months old and take a nap when he was tired...you know, priorities. Jesse fought tooth and nail to go bed even when his eyes were closing! OMG I'm so blessed, and work so hard to raise these kids in a good way, but I just have to use different strategies for each one.

 

[ohioworkingmom]

Oh Aisling, glad to know my two are not alone in being complete opposites. You are so correct, teens these days are different, and things are parents did to us do not always seem to work the same way with our kids. What fun being a parent is - why can't they just come with an instruction manual

 

[Anjelica]

Asling - I loved going to Palantine Hill and seeing all the older stuff - we just didn't have enough time. As for my daughter Sydney, well she doesn't want to go back to Italy anytime soon (I think she was more bored than anything) but what did help was having a camera for her to take snapshots so she wouldn't be bored.

As far as not letting a kid go on a cruise (or at least threatening them) I think that is so hard to do. Don't get me wrong as I 100% believe in that I just would be scared that my daughter would call my bluff and we would end up either 1) taking her and therefore showing we are weak and give in or 2) she wouldn't be going and it would be a bummer she didn't go. Granted she's only 4 so we are a few years away from actually having to worry about it. But as a parent who has a daughter who has called our bluff before, I have found that we have to follow through (as painful as it has been) with our threats.