Nams,

Newport? NH coast? NJ coast? Nah, scratch that one. Catskills? Annapolis? Williamsburg?

Makes perfect sense Beth. Since my D, even a bit before it was final, I started doing more things to make myself feel...prettier. I got a great hair cut, color that will work in the gray & I've gotten into better shape.

I had to go to my attorney's office today to sign paper work that had been incorrectly done months ago. The secretary commented on my appearance, saying "Wow, you look great! I guess you've gotten rid of lots of stress." Very nice to hear.

Aw, Kiwi, poor DD. She must have been having the time of her life & now...reality. Just remind her NYC is cold this time of year. I love Spain! Where did she go? I lived in Madrid for about a year & because it's central we were able to travel around much of the country for weekend trips.

Todd, despite not having the family together it sounds like this TG will be MUCH better than last. Your WW might end up alone on TG if your other two boys don't drop in. Do you think she'll wish she went to Bermuda if she doesn't have the TG she wants?

This Christmas will be the first one my boys will leave me on Christmas day to go with ex. I've tried not to think about that much but when I write that it brings tears to my eyes. They will be with him for the whole of Christmas week. At least they will be here for dinner with my family.

Thanks for the suggestions. Yeah, I thought about the NJ shore but...no, not quite right. Newport is a day trip for us, it's only about 45 minutes away. We've done Williamsburg, NH is a maybe though. I like the coast idea because they do the mountains with ex each year. I'll look into that. A hotel with a pool & a big breakfast buffet is a must. They'd love a wax museum. Hey! Maybe Salem, MA I'll bet they'd love the whole witch experience.

Well 2regret, at first glance I would say it sounds like your IC is hitting on you. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Todd, if you get near FGF on TG, please make sure to leave the salt/pepper shakers hidden away. DS3 living with FIL/MIL? I wonder what he was thinking? BTW I have a problem with my email this weekend. We are such a secretive company that I have about a dozen or more passwords. I just recently had to change two of them and now I can't seem to get corporate email from home.

hello tko people

Nams, I am sorry that you will be spending Christmas without the boys...i have been angry just thinking about having to share kids and missing out on moments b/c of WH antics causing all of this mess...I will deal with it as it comes. Any advice is welcomed though.

Beth,
I know what you mean about thinking about yourself as a woman. I wear lots of hats but haven't worn that one until recently and it is a real eye opener...not sure I want to sport it yet though...too much mess to deal with but I will be trying it on in small frequent intervals to get used to it again. Good luck with your new hat, I'm sure it is quite flattering

Larousse, have you hit the tequila lately? I just purchased my seasons first eggnog...Evan Williams...cheap but delicious and gives you that warm feeling. I had every intention of cleaning my basement today but never brought myself to do it...tested the eggnog at 1630, guess that was a red flag on how the day was going:)

BK, I agree with all your dating info but what the heck 1 year for every 5 married...not sure I could obey that rule! What are the Thanksgiving traditions in your neck of the wood? This will be the first year ever that I am not cooking...I think it will memorable for many reasons:)

Booka,
I think you function in black and white and now that you know things are in a definite direction you are going full speed ahead. I can understand in a way but have to caution you...even though you have cognitively have moved on I don't think that our psyche's work that way and you will need recovery time whether you want to acknowledge it or not. Be careful speeding is never a good thing unless you are a NASCAR professional:)

Steph20...where the heck have you gone?

Kiwi, any great photos from DD's trip to share?

Todd it is a blessing that you will not be creating a Thanksgiving dinner with your microwave...have I ever mentioned the Thanksgiving that I bought a Turkey dinner at a grocery store thinking it was all ready to go stuffing, grean bean casserole and all...the bird was not cooked but I didn't realize until I picked it up at 1400 or so on Turkey day...we at at 2200 or so...

Pio it sounds like G is doing a pretty good job considering the time frame of her committing. Hang in there I am sure it must be frustrating but yet a bit comforting at the same time. I will not be taking that path so I'll not know...but can imagine it is hard to keep some evil and sarcastic remarks to yourself at times. I have had the pleasure of letting mine fly and knowing how my big mouth shoots it has been like an M-16 lately. We officially agreed on D today after loads of M-16 firing by me. I don't think WH will ever be forth coming on his real soulmate...I have a pretty good idea but could care less at this point after all of the fallout and damage...just hate it for the kids but think in the long run this is actually going to be a very positive thing

Cinderella,
Your toe story is disturbing...your friend must have done quite a tape job or the toes must have been pretty mangled in the first place...who'da thought

My DD1 just referred to me as a "computer alcoholic" I burst out laughing and asked her what the heck that meant...ok so I had some eggnog in the afternoon but sheesh...what she meant was a "computerholic."..since I have had the laptop on my lap for the greater part of the day. She was mortified when I told her what her caption meant since she had a picture of me with the laptop drawn up and the "computer alcoholic" caption. LOL

My kids now think that my bed is their bed and have been camping out...I delivered the bad news today that since dad is not going to be coming back they won't be able to sleep with me everynight but we could come up with a 2 time a week plan for a while but they would have to find their way back to their rooms at some point...I may wait until we all get through the holidays though. It's kinda nice to have the company and comforts all of us.

hope you all have a good night/day/whatever it is where you are

[color:"green"] Are you spying me, 2Much? After some weeks of 'dry' behavior I made a Charro negro, tequila with coke (ligh) and lemon. I was a little down because last night I felt I needed to get a life and Pio agreed. So today I went to get a life of my own but all I saw were already taken and the ones that were not taken were not that interesting.
So here I'm with a Charro negro (You could translate charro negro as cowboy in black), some Tom Jobim music and me. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />[/color]


[color:"brown"] 2Much, I admire your braveness* and humor.I can only image how difficult it has been for you the last year. ((((2Much)))[/color]

2much, I was just about to say the same thing as Larousse, she thinks in green fonts but our thoughts are the same.

I admire your courage and humour too. If anyone is going to make it through this and come out into the light on the other side, you are.

No thanksgiving in this part of the world or BigK's. No pilgrims, no Indians, no thanksgiving. I always think it's so cute what my Native American MB friend's son said to her last thanksgiving. He said "that's when we met the pilgrims isn't it."

You asked for pictures of DD's trip. You know not what you ask. At last count there were over 1,000 stored on my computer. I won't bore you with any more of them.

A computer alcoholic. That made me laugh as that's what I probably am. And I don't mean computaholic either. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My dear Kiwi,





[color:"blue"] I think I need to go to cover somewhere because between the com and the holic there is a very strong word in Spanish. [/color]

Oh, LOL, I've just seen it.

Larousse, now we are even. I still feel terrible for correcting you about calling Pio "fairly" attractive.

There is a very famous Italian pasta dish called Putanessca (spelling?). It means streetwalker pasta, or lady of the night pasta. No one is sure how it got it's name. Some say it's because it's what prostitutes fortified themselves with or some say it's because it's strong and well flavoured.

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



I luv you too <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

LOL

Sorry, I didn't mean to remind you. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's interesting that they liked San Sebastian over other Spain cities with more 'folclore' spirit.

That truly was a once in a life time trip.

I have never been indiferent to Berlin. It has undergone a incredible transformation but you can still see glimpses of history. The museums, not as famous as others, have great treasures. The Doors of Babilon. A whole Greek temple. One thousand years of European paintings in three or four museums.

I would like to see pics of your DD's trip.

Pics of Pio's tree house and new garden adition.

Pics of Todd dressed for TG dinner.

and 2Much it's time of your exposure too <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I mean, San Sebastian has a more 'authentic' personality.

The problem was not with the word "fairly" but the word "attractive". So your quote should correctly be stated as fairly "attractive". Trust me on this one.

Todd,

would you step out of the closet and let us see you sans feathers?

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

Todd in his TG costume

That seems sooo wrong <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

[color:"brown"] Ok, if that were not so wrong it could be cute. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> [/color]

I'm so glad I accidentally put Todd on my ignore filter when I was augmenting the list last night. Now I don't know what evil thing he just said about me.

I'm just glad she didn't say "fairily". Dodged a bullet there!

2much,

I agree about the bed thing. I know there is a comfort factor but (and I think you are the one that told me this), it is very important that they sleep in their own beds and also that you minimize the changes in their lives as best you can. There is no question that there is nothing good about their situation at the moment but they need structure and consistency and that will help them.

You are right about the comments. I have a little bit of fledgling experience with sarcasm and, given the opportunity, I have the ability to make some fairly harsh statements. Most of the time I just swallow it. I find I still go through fits of anger. Fortunately I am usually alone. It seems to happen when I am sitting quietly doing nothing and that is not what WW usually allows me to do when she is around. Good for her.

We went to a party last night. Had some really bad homemade wine and some even worse homemade beer. We have headaches today but not from being drunk - it is the formaldehyde. We seemed to have had a good time and today I am buying my neighbor's trampoline (for $80) since he doesn't want it any more. The DDs are going to be very excited and, more importantly, very tired tonight. We also are finally going to tie-dye shirts today.

I would just caution you about going overboard with the children. Don't be a Disneyland Mom either. Kids know what is right and they also know when they don't see it. I forgot what you decided to do about your transfer. When and how far are you going?

Nams - Well done on the licorich

2Much - We have no thanksgiving here - not like you do any way. Every day is a good day to give thanks.

Beth, Larouse, I NEVER said I could wait 1 year for every 5 years of marriage. I said I don't think I could do it. I think the whole thing is to be emotionally well. I don't see how than can happen after divorcing as a result of infidelity in less than 2 years. JMHO.