I forgot until just now, and I simply have to tattle on AJ.

Yesterday morning when he got out of the shower he discovered that there is a critical difference between Johnson&Johnson Lavendar Baby Lotion and Johnson&Johnson Lavandar Baby Body Wash. ROFL! He looked so funny getting back into the shower with his belly all white and bubbly.

Think he can remember? Dinner time, friends.....And time to watch the olympics.

didn't go the way i wanted but that is ok....the world won't end.

Oh, Gi-i-i-i-i-i-i-ir-r-r-r-r-rls! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Have I got a surprise for you!! Something you've heard about ever since you were little munchkins, always been curious about, and never had a chance to experience. Can you guess what it is? <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> No? Well, then you'll just have to wait until this afternoon when I come to visit and you can find out for yourselves.

I can't wait! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> You'll be so thrilled. Wanna take a guess?

t&l

Aussies home Aussies home Aussies home Aussies home Aussies home Aussies home Aussies home <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

they bought nearly all of them back home for rest & to guard the Commonwealth games <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

but I can't get him until tomorrow we are having a welcome home at the barracks at 12.15 my darling is home!!!!

I'm SO glad I'm awake in the middle of the night to find this out before everybody else. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Dare we hope the Commonwealth Games are going to last until the Afghanistan mission is completed and there's no war to which they can return? If this isn't the case, what part(s) of his body can we help you break, bend, torque, or otherwise damage to keep him ineligible for combat? No, I'm not talking about that! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> Honestly...........the things you people think of! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Have a wonderful time, both of you, and your whole family.

t&L

Thank God, AW. What a big surprise!!!!!!!

Of course, now you get to do the whole AW coming home thing - him pacing the perimeter, etc.

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

What HAPPY news, AW! I'm so glad for you!

I was so glad to read about Aussie being home. It made me feel a little better after my having been in a snit all day yesterday.

Please allow me to vent and please offer suggestions.

My DiL is a lovely girl. She's a GOOD girl, with high morals. She loves my son and his 3 children and takes very good care of them.

HOWEVER...the old adage that a son is a son until he takes a wife is certainly true.

Yesterday was #2 DGS's 13th birthday. I was sick earlier this week with a sinus infection, so hadn't talked to him. Anyway, I called DS yesterday morning to see what they were planning for DGS's birthday, and to see if they wanted me to get a cake or something. (Traditionally, I've usually made their cakes, but because I'd been sick, I hadn't done so this week.)

Well, DS hems and haws and stutters...finally coming out with, "Well, her mom is getting a pizza and we're going over there." After a considerably long pause, he said, "Well, y'all can come over there if you want to."

I said, "Let me call Daddy and see what he wants to do." I called DH to ask him, but in the meantime decided that I was not going to feel like a 5th wheel at OUR DGS's birthday celebration. My H agreed, so I called DS back and told him that I would make a cake for DGS and we'd celebrate with him this weekend. I called DGS after he got home from school to wish him a happy BD.

This same thing happened with #1 DGS's BD last summer.

DGD's birthday is in 2 weeks. After I finished talking to DS earlier, I called him back and asked what they were planning for DGD's BD. He said, "I don't know." I said, "Well, I'm just calling to let you know that we want first dibbs for it." I don't think it has sunk into DS's head yet that Daddy and I are majorly P*$$ed. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

We are the only living natural grandparents that these kids have. We have been there for them through all the turmoil that they've lived in their young lives. While we are grateful that DiL's parents have accepted them into their family and love them, I don't think they should supplant US in our grandchildren's lives.

When it comes to holidays, our family is last on the list...if they have time. When DiL was complaining about not having time to celebrate with both sides of the family, I did offer up some examples of how we handled the holidays...for instance, spending Thanksgiving with one set and Christmas with the other and then reversing it the next year. I encouraged her to find a solution that would work for them.

In view of the fact that I will close up our store for the 45 minutes or so that it takes to go pick the kids up for dentist appointments, tutoring, etc., often keep the kids while at work, and have even gone to pick the kids up from school so they won't have to drive home to get the kids and then back to our town again. BTW, the fact that DiL didn't ask me to do this yesterday is a pretty good indication that she didn't intend for us to be invited to her parents' house. Well, I will continue to pick the kids up for their dentist/dr. appointments and for tutoring, but I'm not gonna do it anymore just so they can save some time and THEIR gas.

Also, we were never offered the chance to order any copies that WE wanted of their wedding pics, I finally called yesterday to find out if the photographer still had the negatives. Since DiL was given the proof book to keep, I had asked her if I could scan what I wanted to make pics for myself. That was over a year ago, and after one reminder, the proof book is not forthcoming. So, as soon as I can clear up some time, I will make an appointment with the photographer to get my own pics made. BTW, I only saw the proof book one time, and that was just because I was babysitting the kids at their house. On the other hand, I heard that her mother was showing the pics to everybody in town.

Yeah, my nose is outta joint. But, I need to say something about this without coming across like the MiL from Hades. I do not want my resentment to reach the boiling point, which is getting VERY close.

Any suggestions? The best I can figure is that I need to talk to our son about it, but he pretty much lets her rule the roost...not totally a bad thing, as she HAS shaped him up quite a bit...and he needed a lil' shaping.

AW, I'M SOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lady, you do need to talk to your son, and very nicely explain how their actions have hurt you.

A possible solution would be to have a standing invitation to both sets of grandparents, that if the party is at your house, they are invited, and if the party is at their house, you are invited. That backhanded invitation must have been almost worse than no invitation at all, and this would keep all grandparents from feeling slighted, hopefully.

Your holiday idea is a good one, and one other alternative would be to have holidays at your son's, with all granparents invited.

hi all!

thank you all very much , I am so happy my DD & I have smiles wider than the swan river. lol

I'm also very nervous and unable to sleep <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Mikey is going to meet his daddy as I'm sure he has no memory and hes grown so much ..

I don't mind him walking too much Believer if it helps him ,,not sure the neighbours are so keen <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

LC
I think Neaks advice was spot on. Just let your son know how it made you feel and reassure you think its great his wifes family loves them & accepts them, you'd just like to also get the same involvement.

I think complimenting her family is a wonderful idea; any mental qualifications you have can be kept behind that smiling facade you'll be showing during your conversation! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> And I almost think if you're going to be saying nice things about how wonderful her family is towards your son's children, you might want your DIL to be included in the conversation so she can hear you praise her family first-hand, and not just as repeated by your son. Then you can ask, "Is there any possibility that all of us, from both sides of the family, could get together for these special birthdays? We hate to miss out on all the fun and would enjoy spending some time with your (DIL) folks, too, on occasions like this." Can't promise you what she'd say, but since you've just told her what wonderful people her parents are (and if you could praise her for her own contributions to your family, too, so much the better), it makes it a lot harder for her to have these "wonderful people" be rude and rejecting of a warm expression of interest in getting to know them all better. If she's going to be unpleasant, at least make it difficult for her!!!!!!!!!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

t&l

So Happy for AW, and for A too - he's a lucky guy.

WOW, so much has happened -

I'm still reading as much as I can. I can't believe how fast everyone (but me) can type.

T&L, how are you?

SS

t&l is too pooped to pop, that's how t&l is. Just dropped by to see what was happening before I toddle off to bed. Since I've been up for 30 hrs. straight now, it seems like it's about time. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> However, Lady Clueless will be pleased to know that, thanks to Neakbro's sore teeth after having his braces tightened, the lunch date with HP was postponed till today and I was able to join them. I still have no idea what it was all about, since all we did was eat--and if it hadn't been for me there wouldn't have been much conversation going on at the table--but was both <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> by my fortune cookie, which read, "Persistence and hard work will be rewarded." <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> None of this "Good luck is just around the corner" nonsense for me. Work more. Work harder. Whee.

Tomorrow is my dad's 92nd birthday. All I can say is I'd better not still be working like this by the time I get to be HIS age. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

t&l

3 hours to go and I'm like a cat on a hot tin roof!!

Anxious, excited, bit afraid, OMG I feel like a stupid school girl! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

All I hear over & over in my head is "He's home & he's safe"

I've got Mikey all dressed up .. but my hair is a mess ..I think they should have to give us a 24 hour hair warning!!

I just realised that my son must of known!! When I dropped him off at the depot for his training course he told me it 'It would be all ok, especially by tomorrow mum, dont you worry" gave a big wink and went off to join his mates. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
My son is in big trouble! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Now if only Travelling Soldier would come home to my DD then I can stop worrying. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

He's not too big to spank. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I am sending you an email in just a couple of minutes, however long it takes me to type it.

AW - Try to stay as calm as possible. I'm sooooo happy he is home and safe - and his mates too.

AW's mum here

she forgot her purse, Michaels nappy bag, and the house keys

children, the older THEY get the older I feel!! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

calm child calm.

oh & left the PC on, the fridge open & forgot to let the dog out.

NOW we are ready. And I'm driving thankyou young lady! But me no buts and get in the car.

It's MY boy coming home you know <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hi AW's mom. We love your son, and are so thankful that he is back and safe.

Well, I'm assuming that AW is now wrapped in Aussie's arms or will be very shortly. I'm sure that Aussie could care less if her hair is a mess...because he probably plans on it being a mess ASAP anyway. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

t&l, I'm glad you got to eat lunch with HP and Neakbro. I always get the sucky fortune cookies, too. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> I would have just handed the fortune to HP and said, "Here, I got yours by mistake." <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

DiL came by my store this afternoon because she wanted to make a copy of the child support check that exDiL sent. I don't know why they want to make an actual copy of the check when simply recording it in a ledger would do, but...whatever floats their boat, I guess.

Anyway, I've still been in a snit all day, so I didn't have much to say to her. I guess I sort of gave her the cold shoulder, because if I had actually TALKED to her, I would probably have said some things I shouldn't.

Later on, DS came by and I DID talk to him. I honestly tried to use "I feel" statements, but I was still pretty p*$$ed, so I managed to get him mad.

I just said that I had something to say. I told him that I feel that our side of the family is always last when it comes to any sort of celebration, and that I don't like having that feeling.

DS: "Well, y'all could have come over to M & H's (his in-laws) if you wanted to. I invited you."

Me: "Yes, after I called you. To tell the truth, I feel that if I hadn't called you, we would NOT have been invited."

DS: "Well, we didn't know we were going over there until the last minute." (Not true, as DD later told me that GS#1 had told her the previous day that he thought they were supposed to go eat pizza somewhere. As a side note, we were invited to eat pizza at Pizza Hut for GS#1's BD last year...after they had ordered and as we were getting up from our supper table. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> )

DS: "Y'all could still have come to M & H's."

Me: "No, we did not want to be the fifth wheel at our own grandson's birthday party."

Son: "Mama, that's BS!"

Me: "Actually, this is not the first time. The same sort of thing happened on GS#1's birthday, plus it seems like our family has to take whatever time y'all have left on holidays."

Son: "That's not true."

Me: "Well, it certainly seems that way to us. Think about it."

Son then got angry and said something that I can't remember.

I finally said, "Well, I feel like we're good enough for using and not much else, and that's all I have to say."

I then walked off. He hollered something, and I kept walking. He left mad, judging from the way he spun out of the parking lot.

So far, I have heard nothing from either S or DiL, which is pretty telling. If MY MiL had said expressed such unhappiness, I would have gone to see her and apologize for making her feel that way and promised to do better. In fact, I have done that a time or two for inadvertent things that were never meant to hurt her or slight her.

However, DiL is the type to shrug and say, "Oh, well. That's her problem." <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Well, I'm gonna make GS#2 a homemade-from-scratch, sugar loaded, chocolate creme-filled cake with chocolate frosting. Oughta be good for a couple of dentist visits! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />