Team Focker Watch, Part 12. Have we jumped the shark yet?

[KatGarcia]

CHRISTMAS CARDS

I'll be sending my cards out soon. I know not everybody is doing them this year. I still have the list from last year so I was just going to use that but if anybody has moved since then or if you are a new Focker PM your address to me as I would love to send you a card as well!

Ditto!!!!

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Putting up the tree today...I shouldn't be siting online so I'm off....

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Hi Fockers!

I went MIA again. Between the kids getting home, studying for finals and the duma$$ of an ex husband I have I've been busy.

I finished school today with my Medical Assisting eval. I know I have an A in that class, an A- to a B+ in Anatomy and a B to a B+ in Med Terms. I would have liked to had at least all A's but those aren't too bad at all.

I think the kids had a good time with their dad over Thanksgiving and now we are trying to sort things out with Christmas. I have been getting headaches over it these past few days. He's wanting to take them to his girlfriend's parents house for his time with them because he can't afford anything else. All of me is freaking out and saying no, but at the same time the rational me is saying it'll be OK if it does happen. So, we'll see what happens, hopefully in the next few days.

My Christmas shopping is done but I probably won't wrap anything until the kids are gone or the night before. The kids (and I should just say DR) try to open them if they sit there for too long.

Not much else is new and going on. Hope everyone is having a good Friday night. Hopefully I can be back on later.

 

[jcc0621]

V doen't your computor have a search AND DESTROY button, that could eilminate MR NUTs from the planet

Wouldn't that be nice for all the morons we encounter

Hi Fockers!

I finished school today with my Medical Assisting eval. I know I have an A in that class, an A- to a B+ in Anatomy and a B to a B+ in Med Terms. I would have liked to had at least all A's but those aren't too bad at all.

You go girl!

I think the kids had a good time with their dad over Thanksgiving and now we are trying to sort things out with Christmas. I have been getting headaches over it these past few days. He's wanting to take them to his girlfriend's parents house for his time with them because he can't afford anything else. All of me is freaking out and saying no, but at the same time the rational me is saying it'll be OK if it does happen. So, we'll see what happens, hopefully in the next few days.

Where do the parents live...that would be a factor in my decision.

My Christmas shopping is done but I probably won't wrap anything until the kids are gone or the night before. The kids (and I should just say DR) try to open them if they sit there for too long.

We don't put any gifts out until after Jimmy is in bed on Christmas Eve.

Hopefully I can be back on later.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Ugh, what a day. We had 5 students from one of the local charter schools working for us. It's a school where they are in school part of the time and then gaining "real life" experience part of the time. Anyway, we threw all 5 of them out today. One stole one of my employees cell phone and then denied when confronted and the other 4 tried to cover it up for her Nevermind that MY boss found 2 of them sleeping in the lunchroom when they were supposed to be working and I had to have 2 of the part-time girls that work for me refile everything they did, because apparently they don't know how to count

Boys are at Cub Scouts and I was going to start wrapping, but I just got a text from Jim and I need to head over there. He gained 2 more tiger scouts and only has enough snacks for 5 kids, not 7. So I am off. I will probably be back later.

Happy Friday everyone

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Where do the parents live...that would be a factor in my decision.

We live in OH, they live in WI. It's about a 10 hour drive (with kids though it's around 12). I don't feel comfortable with it only for the fact that I don't really know the girlfriend and don't know the parents at all. And if I feel uncomfortable about how do I think my kids would feel. We'll see what happens though.

I do have to say though that at least he is being up front with me and honest about it. Last year he had the kids for Christmas and took them to his brother's house in VA. That was fine, but what he didn't mention was the fact that the girlfriend flew in after the fact and then proceeded to share a room with her. I can get past him dating her and bringing her what I can't get past is him sharing a bed with her with his kids there. That was a big argument we had this time around and something that Lindsey did possibly see.

Ugh, what a day. We had 5 students from one of the local charter schools working for us. It's a school where they are in school part of the time and then gaining "real life" experience part of the time. Anyway, we threw all 5 of them out today. One stole one of my employees cell phone and then denied when confronted and the other 4 tried to cover it up for her Nevermind that MY boss found 2 of them sleeping in the lunchroom when they were supposed to be working and I had to have 2 of the part-time girls that work for me refile everything they did, because apparently they don't know how to count

I would say that IS quite a day!

 

[englishrose47]

Wouldn't that be nice for all the morons we encounter


Happy Friday everyone

Not exactly the same situation .... but 1 of my consumers constantly nags, calls names and generally annoys another consumer , now this person has a history of "Whacking "those who annoy him !! Several of us warned her many times !!and yep he got her !!and while we had to tell him that wasn't nice , we were all rolling Actions speak louder 9and harder ) than words !!!

 

[cmp1111]

I finished school today with my Medical Assisting eval. I know I have an A in that class, an A- to a B+ in Anatomy and a B to a B+ in Med Terms. I would have liked to had at least all A's but those aren't too bad at all.

Congrats, and I hope you have good luck with the kids.

Ugh, what a day. We had 5 students from one of the local charter schools working for us. It's a school where they are in school part of the time and then gaining "real life" experience part of the time. Anyway, we threw all 5 of them out today.

Good grief!

 

[DisneyJo]

Technically, Leo can once he reaches age 8... but there's NO WAY he's mature enough to do so, and I can't believe he will be in 6 months. That's an 8-9 hour flight with multiple plane changes; I'll fight tooth and nail to keep that from happening any time soon.

V Jess is 13 and she would never allow me to put her on a plane on her own she would freak out so IMHO Leo is far too young

The good news is that I am not noticing a headache now - whether it's gone, or it's just that my whole body aches now is the question.

and

When Judy was 13 she flew from England home alone .IT was a straight thru flight , but I had her be accompanied by a stewardess !! I can still see the look of pure HATRED on her face as she rode the little cart thru the airport with the elderlerly and she also had a TOY airplane bag for her papers !!That day I was not MOM of the Year

Yikes

I think the kids had a good time with their dad over Thanksgiving and now we are trying to sort things out with Christmas. I have been getting headaches over it these past few days. He's wanting to take them to his girlfriend's parents house for his time with them because he can't afford anything else. All of me is freaking out and saying no, but at the same time the rational me is saying it'll be OK if it does happen. So, we'll see what happens, hopefully in the next few days.

as you say though at least he's being open about it. Do you have them for actual Christmas?

Ugh, what a day. We had 5 students from one of the local charter schools working for us. It's a school where they are in school part of the time and then gaining "real life" experience part of the time. Anyway, we threw all 5 of them out today. One stole one of my employees cell phone and then denied when confronted and the other 4 tried to cover it up for her Nevermind that MY boss found 2 of them sleeping in the lunchroom when they were supposed to be working and I had to have 2 of the part-time girls that work for me refile everything they did, because apparently they don't know how to count

OMG


So what are everyones plans for Christmas and what are you eating? As we don't get back till the 23rd and will have jetlag we're on our own for actual Christmas Day (well my BFF and her family are coming round for drinks but for the actual meal we'll be alone) here it's traditional to have Turkey but we're having really nice steak instead Jess actually wanted lasagne We will, weather permitting, go for a nice walk and then snuggle infront of the fire with a padlock on my laptop

So what about you?

 

[jcc0621]

Good grief!

OMG

Crazy isn't it!

So what are everyones plans for Christmas and what are you eating? As we don't get back till the 23rd and will have jetlag we're on our own for actual Christmas Day (well my BFF and her family are coming round for drinks but for the actual meal we'll be alone) here it's traditional to have Turkey but we're having really nice steak instead Jess actually wanted lasagne We will, weather permitting, go for a nice walk and then snuggle infront of the fire with a padlock on my laptop

That sounds nice!

So what about you?

I have my IL's over on Christmas Eve for the 7 fishes dinner (it's an Italian thing and I make spaghetti or ravioli for the heathen non-fish eaters), then we put the Angel on the tree, hang the stockings, and put the raindeer food out so the reindeer can find the house. (Reindeer food is dry oatmeal mixed with a little bit of glitter). Then after they leave, we get Jimmy ready for bed, put out the milk and cookies for Santa and he goes to bed..hopefully without any issue

Christmas Day I have the invasion of the IL's again. I make a ham with a bunch of sides. CHristmas for us is a bit more laid back food wisw than Thanksgiving. We kind of just hang out and watch Christmas movies and chill out!

The day afte Christmas I hit up the stores while the boys are sleeping and restock my card and wrapping paper supply. I will work the Monday and Tuesday between Christmas. The 30th we are taking Jimmy and Jim's sister to see Disney on Ice. Can't wait, as it is my only Disney fix this year:sad2

We are having an open house on New Years Day. Which should be alot of fun. My family and his family come, as well as all of our friends, and pretty much anyone else we run into and invite.

How long of a break do your girls get Jo? Jim and Jimmy go back to school on January 4th.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Just a quick drop in to say hi We are off to Hersheypark for their Christmas in Hershey celebration. Probably won't get home until late, so I won't see you all until tomorrow. Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday

 

[englishrose47]

This year we are eating at my nieces house for dinner !! All bring somethng .We always used to eat t my sil 's before I was divorcded and she has alway asked me sooo finlaly Judy said she wanted us to do it again and me to be there !!! So that's what we're doing !!!!

 

[cmp1111]

So what are everyones plans for Christmas and what are you eating? As we don't get back till the 23rd and will have jetlag we're on our own for actual Christmas Day (well my BFF and her family are coming round for drinks but for the actual meal we'll be alone) here it's traditional to have Turkey but we're having really nice steak instead Jess actually wanted lasagne We will, weather permitting, go for a nice walk and then snuggle infront of the fire with a padlock on my laptop

So what about you?

Well, since our family is away, and it's mostly the same on our block, on Christmas Eve we have a kind of potluck block party, taking turns hosting. This year, it's here at my house. It's fun and pretty low key. The only problem is that as the kids get older and older, the night gets later and later, and D's always pretty adamant about wanting to do all the wrapping on Christmas Eve. Our kids are youngest on the block, and we now have many middle schoolers and a couple of high schoolers, so people stay late. Back in the day when we moved in (7 years ago!) the high schoolers were in 3rd grade, so it was a much earlier party.

Christmas morning is slow and low key - presents, breakfast, playing, phone calls, and then we usually go eat a not fancy meal with our holiday friends. We don't do turkey or ham or anything - sometimes a roast chicken, but we've done Italian and so forth, too, or something in the crock pot. Very low key.

My parent generally show up a day or two later, and we do another big present opening extravaganza.

Just a quick drop in to say hi We are off to Hersheypark for their Christmas in Hershey celebration. Probably won't get home until late, so I won't see you all until tomorrow. Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday

Have a wonderful time!

This year we are eating at my nieces house for dinner !! All bring somethng .We always used to eat t my sil 's before I was divorcded and she has alway asked me sooo finlaly Judy said she wanted us to do it again and me to be there !!! So that's what we're doing !!!!

That sounds nice!

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Somehow I totally missed the fact that we're expecting 2-4 inches of snow today. I sent the kids outside to pick up balls, toys, etc. that they don't want to get buried for the winter.

Then, we need to go out and find them some new basketballs. Ours tend to stay out all summer, which means they are faded, muddy, and generally icky and they need to take a ball to practice today. Then, whilst they go to practice, I'm going to clean up the house a bit (might even play with the steamer! ) because we're going out to dinner. Our sitter, though, has a basketball game until 7:30, so we're going out late. That's assuming it's not snowed too much.

So, that's it. I need to kind of get moving on my day, here. I've been enjoying coffee and silly TV.

 

[DisneyJo]

How long of a break do your girls get Jo? Jim and Jimmy go back to school on January 4th.

Your plans sound lovely and they get 2 weeks off, finish on the 18th, back on the 4th, well my 2 get 3 weeks this year

This year we are eating at my nieces house for dinner !! All bring somethng .We always used to eat t my sil 's before I was divorcded and she has alway asked me sooo finlaly Judy said she wanted us to do it again and me to be there !!! So that's what we're doing !!!!

Fantastic

Back in the day when we moved in (7 years ago!) the high schoolers were in 3rd grade, so it was a much earlier party.

You do a lot of neighbour stuff, sounds nice

so we're going out late. That's assuming it's not snowed too much.

Yikes but snow - woohoooo


Well we put the tree up today as we go away next Saturday morning and then we don't get back till the 23rd so it had to be this weekend. Anyway Jess helped sort out the lights and was too rough and broke a bulb. I have 2 sets and of course she broke the one that doesn't have spare bulbs so they're completely broken now Anyway I'm making do with 1 set, it's not so twinkly but nevermind. So we get the tree up but not decorated and Boo climbs up the centre of it 4 times I then had to sit by the tree and kept telling her no till she understood Bless her

 

[cmp1111]

You do a lot of neighbour stuff, sounds nice

It really is - and I have a great neighbor story below.

Yikes but snow - woohoooo

Yeah, yeah...

I then had to sit by the tree and kept telling her no till she understood Bless her

I'm sorry, but the picture makes me giggle.

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So, I was sitting here this morning, thinking of getting moving, when I heard a siren, and it sounded close. D went to look out the window, and there are multiple emergency vehicles 2 houses down, where all the girls live.

We ran out the door, and went to the house between ours and the girls'. The youngest two were home alone and started a microwave fire.

Luckily, the neighbor to my other side was driving by and saw them run out with the phone. The girls (9 and 11) ran outside with the phone and to our mutual neighbor's. The two neighbor men went in and put out the fire, but the wife next door called 911 as the microwave was an "over the stove" type and they were worried about wires in the wall catching fire or smoldering away. No one (including the girls) had the parents' cell phone numbers - most of the guys, including D, had an outdated one for their dad. I suddenly remembered that their mom had called me on her cell yesterday morning, so I ran home and called her. That's a fun call to make, "Now, please don't panic. Everyone is OK. Your house is OK. But, there was a fire."

She came scrambling home anyway.

I guess the girls had nuked a Chinese food container with the metal handle, which caught the paper on fire, and then when they tried to pull it out, it also set fire to the oven mitt and towel they used to pull it out. In the long run, everything was fine but the microwave. Still, very scary.

But, this is why I love my neighborhood. Two neighbors put out the fire, one called 911, one got hold of the parents. We stick together.

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

Congrats, and I hope you have good luck with the kids.

Thanks CE

V as you say though at least he's being open about it. Do you have them for actual Christmas?

He's supposed to have them from 12/28-25 and will have to have them back to me by the late morning/mid afternoon. I actually prefer it this. I hated last year because he had them from the afternoon of 12/25 until they had to go back to school. It felt very rushed last year.

So what are everyones plans for Christmas and what are you eating?

Christmas Eve we will go to my grandma's house for dinner and opening of presents. For dinner my grandma almost always does ham, potatoe salad, green beans, and then a few different desserts.

Christmas Day we open presents, make a big breakfast, relax, and then have family over at night with a big dinner. The past couple years my dad has done different things for dinner then the normal ham...prime rib, corned beef, turkey. Our side dishes always stay the same though...cheesy potatoes, corn pudding and green beans. I wonder if I could talk him into some kind of Italian this year though. Lasagna sounds so good! Maybe I could do that for Lindsey's birthday.

New Year's Eve is Lindsey's b-day and we normally go out to dinner and see a movie before midnight. New Year's Day we go to my grandma's for pork and sauerkraut. It's supposed to bring you good luck. LOL

Just a quick drop in to say hi We are off to Hersheypark for their Christmas in Hershey celebration. Probably won't get home until late, so I won't see you all until tomorrow. Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday

That sounds like a lot of fun!

Somehow I totally missed the fact that we're expecting 2-4 inches of snow today. I sent the kids outside to pick up balls, toys, etc. that they don't want to get buried for the winter.

We had some snow today too. No 2-4 inches though.

Hope the boys have fun at basketball and that you guys have fun tonight!

Your plans sound lovely and they get 2 weeks off, finish on the 18th, back on the 4th, well my 2 get 3 weeks this year

Lindsey is off the same time 12/18 until 1/4.

Well we put the tree up today as we go away next Saturday morning and then we don't get back till the 23rd so it had to be this weekend. Anyway Jess helped sort out the lights and was too rough and broke a bulb. I have 2 sets and of course she broke the one that doesn't have spare bulbs so they're completely broken now Anyway I'm making do with 1 set, it's not so twinkly but nevermind. So we get the tree up but not decorated and Boo climbs up the centre of it 4 times I then had to sit by the tree and kept telling her no till she understood Bless her

Sorry about the lights but that is so cute of Boo.

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The kids and I had breakfast with Santa this morning. It was nice to be able to spend a little more time with him than just the ones at the mall. They had fun though and enjoyed it.

The rest of our day has been spent watching TV, playing on the computer and just relaxing. The kids are wanting to bake some cookies so we'll probably do that once I get off here.

My sitter has talked me into getting the kids a kitten for Christmas. I think I'm nuts for doing this, but I know the kids will love it. My best friend works at an animal shelter and will help my sitter (it's BFF's mom) pick out the cat.

My sitter is having a really rough time this Christmas. Her one son lives in MI and is married. They are getting ready to have their first child and the DIL is putting so many restrictions on my sitter. She has basically said that my sitter can only see her son and grandson 4 times a year. This is my sitter's first grandchild and I know would spoil this child rotten. Heck, she's spoils mine and they aren't even hers. Before my mom passes away she asked my sitter to be a grandma to my kids and she has done a great job and loves my kids like her own. I just wish her son and DIL could see that.

So, that's it for me. Hope y'all are having a good Saturday.

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

But, this is why I love my neighborhood. Two neighbors put out the fire, one called 911, one got hold of the parents. We stick together.

That is scarey but glad everyone is OK and not hurt. It does sound like you really do live in a great neihborhood!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

V - The first time I flew alone was when I was 12 and it was a direct flight. Any age younger than that is way too young so I totally agree that it is absurd that your ex thinks that you should just pack Leo on a plane.

Jo - Too bad about the lights, at least you still had the other strand. When I went to put the lights on our tree this year every strand but one was dead so we had to go buy all new lights.

The kitty climbing the tree is too funny. We had a cat do that once. We had an end table next to the tree and the cat just walked off the table and right into the middle of the tree. Nearly knocked the whole thing over.

CE- That must have been scary for the girls but it sure is nice that you have such a close neighbourhood.

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Went shopping in the States this morning. We just went to the closest town across the border as it is only one hour each way. We had originally planned to drive to Syracuse which is two hours away but we decided against that as most everything we wanted to get was in the closer town so why waste the gas and time?

I did pretty well. Got a new set of pj's and two new bras. Vic Secret has a sale on, buy one get the second 50%. That is almost unheard of for them! Then I got some super warm and comfy "lounge socks" from Bath and Body Works. They are so soft and had Shea Butter infused in them so they help keep the feet moisturized. Love them!

I also finished up most of my Christmas shopping. Just need to find one more present for Mom and order something for Dad online and have it shipped to his house.

The line at the border crossing back into Canada was LONG! They only had one booth open so the cars were really backed up. We couldn't understand why they would only have one open on a Saturday. The dollar is really strong right now and it is close to Christmas so lots of people going shopping in the States. You would think they would plan for the crowds and have more border staff on.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

My sitter has talked me into getting the kids a kitten for Christmas. I think I'm nuts for doing this, but I know the kids will love it. My best friend works at an animal shelter and will help my sitter (it's BFF's mom) pick out the cat.

You will love it once it comes home.

My sitter is having a really rough time this Christmas. Her one son lives in MI and is married. They are getting ready to have their first child and the DIL is putting so many restrictions on my sitter. She has basically said that my sitter can only see her son and grandson 4 times a year. This is my sitter's first grandchild and I know would spoil this child rotten. Heck, she's spoils mine and they aren't even hers. Before my mom passes away she asked my sitter to be a grandma to my kids and she has done a great job and loves my kids like her own. I just wish her son and DIL could see that.

That's terrible. I can understand their wanting a little bit of space but to restrict her to only 4 visits a year! They should be grateful that she wants to be involved with them and her grandchildren. I would kill to have grandparents like that. Mine lived in Egypt most of my life and now that they are back in the States they barely show an interest in us. Some people just do not appreciate what they have. Hopefully her DIL will come around.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Oops, forgot to answer Jo about our Christmas plans.

I work during the day on Christmas Eve (get off at 4pm) so I will probably pick Alek up after work and bring him home for the night. We have a tradition of going out to see all the neighbourhood Christmas lights and then we will probably watch a Christmas movie and play board games.

Christmas Day we open presents in the morning and make/receive calls to all the extended family. Then lunch time is the big Christmas meal with turkey and all the trimmings. Then off to work again for me from 4-midnight.

So nothing to big or special but we enjoy our small little celebration.

 

[DisneyJo]

Our newest Christmas ornament

 

[DisneyJo]

We ran out the door, and went to the house between ours and the girls'. The youngest two were home alone and started a microwave fire.

OMG glad they were OK, but fancy leaving them alone so young without their parents cell #

Christmas Day we open presents, make a big breakfast, relax, and then have family over at night with a big dinner. The past couple years my dad has done different things for dinner then the normal ham...prime rib, corned beef, turkey. Our side dishes always stay the same though...cheesy potatoes, corn pudding and green beans. I wonder if I could talk him into some kind of Italian this year though. Lasagna sounds so good! Maybe I could do that for Lindsey's birthday.

Sounds lovely and glad you get to see the kids. I didn't really want a kitten but Boo has been great you'll love it

I did pretty well. Got a new set of pj's and two new bras. Vic Secret has a sale on, buy one get the second 50%. That is almost unheard of for them! Then I got some super warm and comfy "lounge socks" from Bath and Body Works. They are so soft and had Shea Butter infused in them so they help keep the feet moisturized. Love them!

Fantastic

Christmas Day we open presents in the morning and make/receive calls to all the extended family. Then lunch time is the big Christmas meal with turkey and all the trimmings. Then off to work again for me from 4-midnight.

Sounds nice, do you mind working?

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Sounds nice, do you mind working?

Nope, I don't mind at all. We are pretty much done with any "Christmas" stuff by the time I have to work so it is not a big deal and I get paid extra for working the holiday so I can't complain about that. It is also really dead at work on Christmas so I am pretty much getting paid to sit there and watch movies/do whatever I want. Also those of us working the holiday generally each bring in some food or a treat and we have a little Christmas celebration of our own.