Thanks for checking eav and meggy.

I guess just stepping in to unload kid stuff was okay....?

When I think about it, though, he was doing very little besides that, anyway. I did such a crappy job...by the time I started Plan A it was sooo late. Probably too late. He has weaned himself away...he's been gone for eight months.

The little house guests are snug in their toilet paper roll. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

no lil sis...your plan A met his needs

his time at the house met needs

knowing that you were still THERE...loving him and wanting him back met his needs

you have no idea how much this creeps me out

I can stand over a man, and use my bare hands to contain his eviscerating wound ... but little mice creep me out <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

LilSis:

I'm glad the evening interaction went well.

I thought it could have been a little messy, and in TRUE PLAN B, you are not supposed to see the WH. And if you did, watch out! So, relax. The details of plan B start to work themselves out. And it is easier to avoid WH in the future.


On to other things:

Washington DC and the Metro. Try to get a hotel on the RED Line Metro. May cost a little more. But the National Zoo is on the RED line and the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall are just off it as well. Makes it easier to get around with out transferring stations. However, they just closed the American History Museum for extensive renovations and it will not reopen till summer 2008.

If you want something a little funkier, i.e., a little more liberal, try to find something in Tacoma Park (I'm sorry, the Peoples Republic of Tacoma Park...) It's also on the RED Line, just on the East Branch, not the West. The Red line starts in the MD suburbs, goes downtown, and then goes back out to the suburbs. It's the Tacoma station, in DC, and the Silver Spring station, in MD. Be careful, the neighborhoods can change from block to block.

And as weird as it might sound, look for hotels around Reagan National Airport and the Pentagon in Virginia. Lots of Hotels,that cater to business travelers, because of the the Pentagon, but that usually means good weekend rates, but close to Metro YELLOW & BLUE Lines, and downtown, and the boys will stare out the window for hours at the airplanes coming and going. Plus, if you are several stories up, you get to see the Arlington National Cemetary, the mall and a number of the monuments from your window. Ask for a river-view room. And the parking is usually free for hotel guests.

It's about a 11 hour drive from Michigan. BTDT.

Amazing place, DC. The boys will see cool things, but not truly appreciate it, and you never get enough time to read the placards....

I still can't walk down the Vietnam Veterans Memorial without getting misty...Find an unkle, aunt, or just a soldier's name to take a pencil shading with you... "You are not Forgotten"...

And to sit on the West Front stairs of the Capitol is one of the most amazing scenes in Washington. You can look past the Washington Monument to the Lincoln to Arlington House. Go West, Young Man! And the great frontier is spread out from there.

LG>>>>> getting a little sentimental at this late hour....

RE: last night. Actually, there was NO interaction between us. I stayed upstairs until I saw him pull out of the driveway. Didn't see him at all. That's my plan. I want to be completely, totally dark. He's accomodating me quite nicely. (a little too well)

Excellent info, LG! That is so helpful. I forgot you are in MD. 11 hours. That's a one-dayer. We can leave at o'dark-thirty. Cool.

Thank you so much for the hotel advice. I typically by-pass the "airport" hotels as I scroll thru the lists because I have this image of....I don't know...just not nice. And I like the idea of being on the MD side as it's just that much closer. Unfortunately, we will likely be there mid-week. WH will have the boys the weekend of 3/30, so we couldn't leave until Monday at the earliest.

How many days would you suggest? I was thinking maybe three...?? By then the boys and I will probably be at each other's throats, once you add in two days in the car.

I'm so bummed to learn the American History Museum is closed! That would be my favorite. I love history.

I am getting excited about this. I would feel like I had really accomplished something if I'm able to pull it off. I'm fine with the driving...the only thing that makes me nervous is being in a hotel alone with the boys. You just hear scary stories. In terms of justifying the expense, I can look at it as a treat to myself and the boys in celebration of my new job.

Okay...today I'm going to clean my house and make plans for DC.

LG: do you still believe?

Good Morning!

Planning a vacation is a good idea.
I could use your help in figuring out what to do in the midwest.
how far are you from Detroit?
and....is there anything to do in the area?
My son has a Lacrosse tornament there next month and i was thinking about going...just to see something new.

LilSis:

Travel time? My folks leave from south of Detroit, at about 7:00 am, have a leisurely meal in Breezewood, PA and arrive around 6:00 to 6:30.
I'm about 1.5 hours east of DC, and you are about 3 hours West of Detroit.

Three days? with travel days on both sides? That works well.

As for which area is closer? MD or VA? Depends on where you are at. Pentagon/Crystal City is closer to downtown and the Mall then most places on the RED Line. And there is alot of space on the Mall. It's well over a mile and a half from the Capitol to the Lincoln Monument. Remember that with DS8 legs. The Tourmobile Bus works well to get from place to place, as the walks can be far between attractions.

Things to do with the boys? Tour the Mint, watch them print money, they would like THAT!, Natural History Museum is open, and Air and Space. Others may be a little ssllloowww for the young'ens. The National Zoo is on the RED Line, and you could see the Panda's. Walk around the Rotunda of the Capitol if you can, even the boys will find it inspiring, and I believe with Security Concerns, future opportunities to do it will be restricted. The White House? You need a pass from your Congressperson (go to thier website), and the wait can take forever. But cool anyway...

Do I believe? Yes.

LG

My boys loved the American History Museum with the old TRAINS and CARS and ..also there's the THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY..which has been renovated I hear...a wonderful trip for the spring with the CHERRY BLOSSOMS...Also, you can get on and off the Metro to get from place to place..that's also fun for KNUCKLEHEADS...

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

Mimi:

About this:



?????

I have had friends, who bought tickets for the Metro and just rode from one end to the other. Just for the ride. But we liked trains.

LG

nia: I'm three hours from Detroit...but the Mr and Mrs W are there. They'd probably have much better advice, I know nothing. You could check out a Tiger game or go to Greektown...?? What kind of stuff would you be interested in? Shopping, museums, outdoorsy stuff? I imagine you will be in one of the suburbs?

Honestly, I prefer the west side of the state and have little reason to venture over to the east side unless it's work-related. I'll be there for a conference end of this month...I haven't been downtown in a couple of years and I know things have changed lots.

Keep in mind that April is not Michigan's best month...highly unpredictable. Could be 70, could be 30. Ya never know.

Once I find a place to stay in DC, the boys and I can work together to develop an intinerary. I'll let them do most of the picking. That should be fun. One of my co-workers spends lots of time in DC so I plan to ask her for advice, too. She also has two boys.

KNUCKLEHEADS..is what we call "OUR BOYS"...oops..I assumed that EVERYONE would know that this is used VERRRRY "LOVINGLY"...to describe "BOYS" as opposed to "SWEET LITTLE GIRLS" which I have not had the privilege of rearing...no girly, girl stuff in my parenting experience...

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

Now I know what I wanted to say...

KNUCKLEHEADS= OUR TERM OF ENDEARMENT for " our rough and tough little boys"

My DS18 went to DC last Feb. to the Youth Leadership Forum and loved it there. His first comment was "things here are really old."

Being from Washington "AC" (Above California) he was not used to the "old" buildings of the East.

He loved Arlington, the Naval Academy, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonsian, but was very disappointed that they didn't get time to see Indiana Jones' fedora.

Oh well...

I'm sure you and your boys will have a great time!

LS,


Congratulations, with all your positive, pro-logical, pro-active forward advancements.


Your winding down nicely.


He has proven he is not worthy of you.


Lost you and the kids because he did not respect you.


He is his own nemesis.


Pride comes before the fall.


What a fall there is to come.


Get out of the way.


Shunning, punishing, stonewalling you for his faults is crass, weak, lame. How can you really admire someone like that?


It's him that needs pull himself up by his own bootstraps, step up to the plate and earn your respect back. You don't accept crumbs.



You are deeply crestfallen. He made his choices. He has a bad attitude.



You are not him. You are not accountable. You made better, right, good choices.


He has caused immeasurable harm. The repercussions are long lasting.


Therefore you cannot participate or be associated. Continue giving basic respect yes and bare bones neccessary contact. Business at hand is good enough...


You have lost confidence.



Your striving for a better future with your children.



He perfers to sow his wild oats. That's what he is all about. Then that's what he is all about.


So be it. It is his right. Your right to dissapprove. Accept it. But not with you. Whatever applies right back to him. You have self respect& dignity.



You have much better things to do and teach your children as you are...



What is he really teaching his kids about manhood, service hood and life??? The loser program... Not amusing. On that program track they never do see the bigger picture.



Since your on your own now. Hope you can take in a good self defense class at some point down the road.



A great de-stess release program. Wonderful to release all the pent up negative frustrations enegeries, learning good self control of our emotions, moral character building. Fantasticly, great for the kids.


Super family bonding activity.



Nice going your getting a break! You deserve it! Enjoy your trip!

My heart is breaking for SL. She has been through so much.

It is both frightening and disheartening to see her rollercoaster continue to take her on this loop-de-loop ride after it seemed to level out for a while. I know that's a potential future for me, and I don't think I'd have the strength that she does. Makes me want to run to the hills.

Okay...I'm feeling the need to control again. I MUST keep giving it to God, not snatching it back from him every time I get scared.

I must live for me and the boys, for today, for OUR future...not live for WH or for any potential future with or without him. WH may or may not be a part of OUR future, but either way, WE need to have a future.

I gotta give it to God....keep reminding me of that...

which is why we are veddy veddy leary of FALSE recovery

LEARY = LSD guy

leery = cautious

Pep, you are a hoot!! Guess I aged myself by "getting" that one. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Lil Sis and da boys-- look out DC-- here they come!

Pep,

Timothy Leary's dead.

He tuned out.