NOW is the time! It's MINE & I AM WORTH IT! (friends welcome to tag along!!)

[goldcupmom]

Monday.....and it's 'carpet shampooing' week! UGH!!!!

But, the good news is that I will be spending Black Friday at the Outlets in ORLANDO!!!!! DD & I leave here at 1p.m. on Thanksgiving, arrive Tampa at 8p.m. will head right to Orlando w/ DSis, Shop til we can't anymore, then go to her house til 12/1...we leave tampa about 4 & get home at 8.

IF we are up to it, I am HOPING to surprise her by taking her to MK on Sunday 11/29. I imagine the crowds will be horrific - which doesn't thrill me, but I figure we could do just MK & hopefully MVMCP that night without killing ourselves. DSis is waiting til she goes next time to renew her pass, so hopefully she could go as well. MK may or may not happen.

Today, DD is sick. 101 temp, but has been brewing & I'm pretty certain it's just sinuses. Has a Dr. appt at 4....swollen glands, sore throat, nausea, dizzy a bit, headache. She has been putting off going in & her nose has been horrid for almost 2 weeks.

Off to shampoo....more later....

 

[toystoryduo]

Julie,

Your post made my day!!!! I am so glad to hear that you are going to Florida!!!!! You deserve to go and you deserve some time away. I am so excited for you!!!

I think you should do MVMCP if you and DD are up to it! You can get in the park at 4:00 p.m. and stay until midnight. I bet Sunday won't be as busy as you think. A lot of the locals won't go due to work and school the next day and any families that traveled to WDW for Thanksgiving will most likely be home or heading home as well. I think I read on the Theme Parks board that Sundays are usually good days to go to MVMCP. You'll have a blast!

I am so excited for you, Julie!!!!

I hope your DD is feeling better soon. Sending lots of get well her way.

Have a marvelous Monday!

 

[lovinaz]

Great news on the FL trip! It almost makes the carpet shampooing chore seem better!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Oh Julie, I am so glad you are going to FL!!!

MK on the 29th might not be too bad. Typically, on "party" days, the MK is not bad. People don't want to burn a ticket when there is no nighttime entertainment without the extra ticket. Also, most people will be heading home that day. So you might have fewer crowds than you think. Typically that week after Thanksgiving is pretty dead starting with Sunday. I hope that holds true for you! But a crowded day at MK is still fun. You can always just ride the TTA around and around! And the MVMCP is so wonderful, we absolutely love that party. I really do think you might be pleasantly surprised with the crowds on that Sunday.

In any case, I am just so glad you are going to Florida, you so deserve it!

 

[Lesli54]

Great news on the Orlando trip. Wish I could sneak along.

Have fun shampooing those carpets.

 

[traceycooper]

Great news on the Florida trip Julie
Happy shampooing

 

[goldcupmom]

Monday again....already?????? YIKES!!!

Shampooing the upstairs Living, dining & hall are done. Took me the better part of 3 days. Yep, they were that bad....but then again, I do them all 4x.....vinegar/water, pet odor remover/water, carpet shampoo/water, then vinegar again to get the residue off. Works VERY well, but time consuming!!

Haven't begun packing for FL, but have begun the gathering.

DS20 finally heard about his car. The story this time is that HE insisted they install certain rocker arms & the company knew that it wouldn't work but did anyway, & they broke the push rods, which is the problem.....and the major oil leak is that the head gasket won't ever fit right because of the exhaust DS wanted. So I ask you....what kind of company knowingly installs parts that are not compatible & that will cause breakdown? I'm wondering if we truly have legal recourse here in NM to hold them to a standard of accountability and knowledge. Don't know what they are going to try to charge us this time..... UGH!!!!

Then last night DS20 had his 'girlfriend' & her DSis over (courting...not dating ) to have a fire in the gazebo (well, in the firepit in the enclosed gazebo) and while he was on the downstairs sunporch looking for firestarter he found a VERY expensive 'bong'. lovely. brought it in so DH could deal with it & DH reaction was...'you can buy those anywhere...Just had a tiny amount of ash in it from a "pinch" of weed'. GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!! Perhaps this is why DS23 has had a take home pay of almost 20k so far this year & has NOTHING....the only bills he has are car ins($87) cell phone & gas.

So, if I am MIA after I get back from FL you will know where I am.....when DS23 moved back in 4 yrs ago 9/9, the deal was that DH would check his room weekly...of course never done. It truly looks like a druggie room.....floor and every surface covered with trash & stuff. dirty dishes everywhere, etc. So, I am holding good on my promise/threat from 11/1 that if it is not CLEANED toMY standard by 12/1, I am going in and anything that I think doesn't need to be in his room is going away. Believe me, I am ill just thinking about having to do this, but DH won't & I have HAD IT!!!! Unfortunately, I will have to do it overnight as he sleeps daytimes,but I will. And DH is off every other week + every friday from now til the end of the year.

Right now MK on 29th is a good possibility. So far DSis is scheduled off that day. Would I need to buy tickets for MVMCP in advance? Any suggestions on what for DD not to miss? Her 'must do' items are tea cups (or coffee cups as the little ones in FL call them) and Small World. I believe space mountain is closed, but I really don't even remember what all is in MK. I know pirates & haunted mansion are a definite as well.... If we go, we will likely be there from open to close.

Food has still been horrid, but activity ok. No real exercise, but plenty of 'moderate activity' according to the Bugg. Saturday DS20 & I went & volunteered at the Food Bank with church. Fortunately instead of the usual 250 people that go on '2nd saturday' projects, over 700 of us showed up.!! Unfortunately, the food bank was overwhelmed and decided they had enough inside packing food, sorting potatoes, loading boxes, bagging bulk cereal, and about 70 of us ended up cleaning the parking lot & clearing the back of the property....me included ....I was outside for 4 hours hauling garbage & tumbleweeds. On the + side it did burn more calories than standing & bagging would have, but COLD & bad for the allergies....well worth it, tho!

Our desktop is having major problems again which is why I haven't been on this week. I need to confiscate my Mac back from DS20.... Hopefully I will be able to be on more soon!

Amy, I haven't been to your journal, but I hope you're staying warm!! I hear the denver metro is having a FOOT of snow!! We had some light flurries, but it's 20 here this morning and SUNNY!!. The mountains are beautiful, tho!

Hope everyone is doing well!

 

[lovinaz]

I hear your frustration about DS! But sometimes that tough love is what is needed to make him realize that he needs help. I hope you get a much needed break from the drama while you're in FL and will be able to deal with your mess at home with a clear head when you get back. Hang in there!

 

[toystoryduo]

Julie,

I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your DS23. I definitely think that you should go ahead with your plans to clean up if he doesn't. I'm so sorry you're going through this, Julie.

As far as MVMCP goes, we don't buy our tickets until we get to WDW. That way, we can see what the weather will be like for the day we want to go. I think you can buy the tickets at guest relations in DTD at least 24 hours before the party you are attending and still get the advanced ticket price. I'm not 100% sure though. Rides not to miss? Haunted Mansion (great update!), Pirates of the Caribbean (especially if your DD likes Captain Jack! ), it's a small world, Splash Mountain (if it's warm enough), Mickey's Philharmagic (awesome 3-D!), Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Carousel of Progress, Spectromagic, WISHES, and the holiday parade. Don't forget to have some of the complimentary hot cocoa and cookies too!

Hope you have a wonderful day, Julie!

 

[Lesli54]

Hey, you can come clean my carpet!

I agree that you have to take matters into your own hands with your DS23. It won't be easy on many fronts, but you are strong and you just can't keep supporting the lifestyle he chooses. Good luck on getting through this.

As for MK....definitely see Pirates and Haunted Mansion. I would also chek out Stitches Great Escape if your DD likes the movie. Of course, Spectromagic and shopping are a must! We also like Philharmagic. The kids of course want Splash Mountain.

Hope the rest of your day is good.

 

[toystoryduo]

Happy Thanksgiving, Julie!!!! I hope you and your DD have a wonderful time in Florida! Sending lots of for some great Black Friday deals!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Julie, I guess you are in Florida now! I know you and dd will have a blast in the MK tomorrow, I will be thinking about you all day and night. I wish I was there with you!

You need to stay firm with ds23 and your plan sounds good to me. That is a health hazard for the rest of you. I agree with Amy, I am so glad you are getting a much needed and much deserved break from all that you deal with at home. You and dd deserve it.

Yeah, we got a bunch of snow but its all gone now. We had 68 degrees yesterday but of course its cold again!

Good job helping out at the food bank. You are such a good person to do that when you have had so much going on. I really admire you Julie!

 

[Lesli54]

Hope you are had a great Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time in FL. You know we are waiting to hear about the fun you are having.

 

[traceycooper]

hope you had a great thanksgiving julie & that you made MK today

 

[goldcupmom]

Wow! If anyone has found all the time that is missing from each of my days, could you PLEASE return it??? My days fly by and I seem to get very little crossed off my 'to do' lists.

So, we are back from FL and had a great time. No, we did not get the opportunity to go to MK. But, that's ok. We will get there eventually!

Our flight in to Tampa arrived early and we were at the outlet in Orlando before 9:30. waited around in our matching pjs to get the gift bags. None of us got a gift card, but it was fun. Shopped there until about 5 a.m. - didn't get much, then went to the outlet on I-4 til about 7:30 before heading home to DSis. Didn't get to sleep until about noon because once home, DSis & I went with DNiece2 to take her kids for booster shots. Slept about 4 hours then I took DSis, her DH & DD to Brandon to Costco & we went out to eat.

Saturday DSis & I went to Garage sales while DD slept, then DSis had to work so DD & I hung out with DNiece2. Went to the mall then played & ate at Chuck E Cheese with the little ones.

Sunday we got up early and went to outlets in Ellenton. Actually bought more there than we did on Black Friday. Sunday night they had a surprise early Bday party for DD.

Monday we had 3 of the 4 little girls as DSis babysits her granddaughters. Monday night DD & I hung out with DNiece#1 & her girls.

Tuesday we left. Had what I think was the bumpiest flight I've ever been on both leaving Tampa and leaving Houston due to the big front moving east. Got home last night about 8 and our luggage was completely SOAKED all the way thru! All the clothes I could literally wring the water out of. Fortunately, I had thought ahead and had all the things I had bought as gifts & all the electrical stuff in plastic shopping bags so nothing got ruined.

I haven't weighed in several weeks and I know I've likely put almost all I've lost this year back on. I feel miserable & look awful! Somehow I have to get back in control and OFF the antihistamines.

But, from carrying a bag on my shoulder in airport & Black Friday I got huge hives on my shoulder. And, apparently something irritating in the underwear I was wearing as in a circle around each leg I was covered in Hives. Of course, once they triggered I had more on Friday & Saturday nights than I've had recently. Today slightly better. UGH!!!! Pushing 6 continuous months now & I am more than ready to have them GONE!

Off to get more done. Hopefully I will get to journals soon! I sure miss you all!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Julie, so glad you made it home safe and sound and had time to see your family out there! MK isn't going anywhere and you and dd will get there someday soon.

Sorry about the hives, you have been through so much with that.

Don't beat yourself up about the weight. We have all been there and done that (lose some, gain it back) but one thing about it, if you lost it once, you can do it again! Step on the scale, I am betting its not nearly as bad as you think.

Hang in there and welcome home, I'll try very hard not to send you our snow and cold!

 

[toystoryduo]

Welcome back, Julie!

It sounds like you had a nice time in Florida. No worries on not making it to MK...It just gives you another reason to go back!

I am so sorry to hear about the hives....I'm praying for you, WISH sis!

I hope you have a great day today!

 

[goldcupmom]

Time sure flies when you're having fun......NOT!!!!

So, I have so far spent just over 10 hours in DS23's room. So far I've hauled out 14 tall kitchen bags of trash, 1 bag of cans, done 6 loads of wash in my front load HE washer(and I'd guess I"m about HALF done as everything in his room as a nasty odor), & filled 1 medium rubbermaid container for Garage Sale. And you can see only about 1/2 of the floor, none of the surfaces. Needless to say there has been MUCH tension in my house as this has to be done when DS23 is not home....ie. overnight while he works. I feel like I need a hazmat suit....it's very sad for me & certainly doesn't help when DH accuses me of not loving DS23 because I want to clean out & get rid of stuff. But, he spent just over $3000 last month according to his bank statement & deposited just under $2500 - overdrawn, of course. And on what?????? he has no bills except cell phone, gas & car insurance. My true concern is that we aren't going to live forever to take care of him, it's not DS20 & DD's duty to do it, & he is totally incapable of living on his own....and he's a freakin' GENIUS!!!! Just NO common sense at all!! GRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

A couple of days before I left for FL DH came home with the 'good news, bad news'. Good was that starting Jan 1 we will have the 10% pay reduction back. Bad news is that they are furloughing ALL employes worldwide the 1st week in January(without pay) and it could happen as often as 1 week every 2 months. Wonderful!!! But, it is what it is and life goes on......

Weight is AWFUL! I stepped on the scale and was actually HAPPY I wasn't back up to 180, but I'm not far away. Somehow I have to get back on track as I have very few clothes that fit now & those that do do NOT look good. But, my house if FULL of goodies & I'm baking frequently out of frustration. The 18th will be hard as we're doing a 'bakeathon' for DS20 & DD17 to give to friends.....it will likely go into the 19th as well.

So far today I've managed to stay on track - but the day isn't over. I know I can do this, but it comes down to me feeling as though I'm worth it & putting aside others for a bit each day to do for me. And, as always, food is a quick fix. That entire box of Harry & David's chocolate covered blueberries really did boost my mood...at least temporarily. VERY HARD!!

DH is off this next week, then works 4 days & is off for 3 weeks. I will definitely get my walking in then just to save my sanity as he truly spends his LIFE lying across the bed watching TV while playing on his computer and listening to audio tapes. It's tough for me to deal with that when I barely sit down each day. Oh well......when he was off for 6 weeks with his back I learned that burning things in the firepit can be very therapeutic.....guess I"ll save my boxes & old magazines.

Off to potty dogs again, do more laundry & watch Amazing Race before I have to get DS23 up for work & get busy in his room again........

Hope everyone is well! I WILL get to journals this week!!!!! I miss you all!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Julie,

I think it is a huge blessing that you are cleaning DS23's room! You are doing this for him because you love him and because you want better for him and because it needs to be done. I'm sorry your DH isn't helping or understanding of that. I bet he will be very appreciative once the job is done!

Sending prayers regarding your DH's work situation. I hope the furlough is a one time deal for him and I hope the economy recovers soon so this kind of thing is but a distant memory. The economy has to improve soon, right?

You're in my thoughts and prayers, Julie! Have a nice day today!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Julie, I am proud of you for taking the bull gy the horns and cleaning out ds23s room. I too am sorry your dh is not helping with this and the idea that he accuses you of not loving your son when in fact what you are doing is showing how much love him, is well, just mystifying to me.

Burning stuff in the firepit sounds like good therapy to me! I enjoy shredding, sort of the same concept!

Keep hanging in there with all of this . And be proud you got on the scale when you knew you had gained. That takes guts. You didn't gain it all back and that is good news.

I am very familiar with those chocolate blueberries from Harry and David!