It's been so long since I have done replies... My computer was acting up yesterday, I am still amazed that I was able to get my update done. Today it's much better.
HELLO!!! : I am so happy for an update. I missed you!! Think of you often. Everyone is looking wonderful. Congrats to V for graduating and she looks like she is having an amazing trip. Alison, way to go! Glad she is finding her hearts desire. Being an RN is a lot of work, but it is so rewarding. (That is what my daughter is going to school for). The boys are cute as ever. So glad to here your day is doing well, and that he will be closer to you. Glad Josh is doing well too! As for you, you look AMAZING. You are such an inspiration for us all to do better, eat better and to love Disney more ~ LOL
So happy to hear that you working off that debt. What a huge accomplishment and relief to know that you did it.
We are all doing well here. We are awaiting a new little bundle in a few weeks ~ another girl! No trips for us this year. Mom will be having a procedure with her kidney. It will be a series of procedures over a time, but she is doing well and no issues.
Again, it was great to "see" you again! Hope everything goes well with your dad's move, V has a safe trip and everyone stays well.
Thank you... I think of all of you often too... I cannot wait to get back on the Dis, and start planning again.
V is having a blast! She asked me the other day if she could go to art school in Europe... I have a feeling that girl might be going back for a much longer trip.
Me too! Allison struggled so hard with what she wants to do... I think this is a good fit for her - she is so compassionate and giving.
Thanks! It has truly been a very tough year for me... So many stresses on top of my healthy living... I really just had to dig my heals in and become a little/lot stubborn with myself and those around me. Trust me, for V's grad party - we had 45 cupcakes just sitting here, and 2 dozen left over when everyone left - it took all of my strength and willpower not to eat them all... In the end - I had NONE. That was pretty impressive!
Sending prayers and pixie dust out to your mom... I hope her procedures go well and she recovers quickly!
Thanks for stopping by - I miss you!
I am so happy for Allison. She is such a loving person and this career path sounds perfect for her. Once she earns her RN she will have a good income, too. That must be something of a relief for both of you to know that she has found something that makes her happy.
It's nice that Victoria is having such a good time. She was probably better prepared for the realities of being away from home than Allison was. It is a trip of a lifetime and she is a very lucky girl.
That will be nice to have him closer so that you don't have the long travel times that you had before.
The annual fishing trips sound like they would be a good time.
Congratulations! You must feel great to have paid the debt down so quickly. It does get easier as the kids become financially independent.
The lake trip looks very relaxing. We used to go to the lake until my grandmother passed away. The time spent at her lake house was always my favorite part of the year. I think if two of our three kids hadn't moved out of state we might have tried to rent a lake house for a week every summer.
It is hard to give up grains and sugars but the reward of feeling better is worth it. I would read about all your "slips" and felt bad that you had lost all that progress. I hope it comes easier for you now.
I bet Max needed some extra recovery after all that swimming.
Your May trip to Europe will be wonderful. I bet you can't wait to have your turn. And finally, it will be nice when you can have a Disney trip report again. I miss them.
There isn't too much new with us. I'm still working full time. We are still making good use of our annual pass. We took a short trip to WDW over the 4 day 4th of July holiday and it was nice - hot but nice. Disney fireworks spoil you for all other fireworks.
Hi Sue!!! It's great to see you!
Yes - it is kind of a relief to everyone that she has chosen this career path... She really is so good at it and so caring... Plus - I told her that her experience will come in handy when I get old.
V is having a great time... I guess I never realized how attached Allison was to me until she left last year - I didn't think she would have any problems either. I think V learned from watching Allison's trip... So did everyone else - which is why V's trip is a bit shorter and she is go-go-go the entire time... She doesn't have much down time to think about home. Though she does facetime me every single day - both of my girls did, but I am surprised that V does as much...
There are so many good things with having dad near us... It's almost countless. Just getting him here though - and getting all of his services/medical needs to match up has been a web of mess... I still don't know how I am going to do it all? Just trying to take one day at a time and breathe. Once we get him down here - it will be so much easier to fill in what we need or what we missed.
The debt is going away little by little... It's really fun - these days - to have so much extra in our budget to play with - our debt snow ball is huge and only getting bigger. We have paid off so much this year and it's just such a relief!
We enjoy our time at the lake very much... We don't do many family vacations - with all 4 of us - but this is one we never miss.
Yes - it has been a super tough year for me with my health... I continued to try everything and it seemed like nothing was working for me - it was very frustrating and defeating to me. I was beginning to think that it just wasn't in the cards for me anymore... Then I got mad and the rest is history. LOL I just really had to stop looking at how far I had come - how far I had slid back, and really just start over... Thinking of it as a new journey - rather than an extension of the old. It's one giant mind game. LOL
MM is still recovering and not quite himself... He spends so much time in the water at the lake - and with so much hair - every year he develops a "fungus" in his ears because they never completely dry out... So, he is on meds for that and just a little grumpy about the whole situation... He is getting better though.
We are looking forward to our trip to Europe... We are trying hard to keep this one a little bit "budget friendly" - as we will just have paid off our debt... I anticipate our next trips over to be a bit more exciting - this first one will mostly just be to see BMTL.
Looking forward to Disney again too... I've missed it. Though there have been SO many changes...
Glad to hear that you are getting good use out of your AP... I hope to be a yearly AP holder in the coming years.
I sure enjoyed mine while I had it - and wish I could have used it more, but oh well.
How are you liking your kitchen??? It turned out so lovely - I bet it's still wonderful!
Thanks for stopping by Sue - as always, it's great to see you!
I was just thinking about you the other day. I'm glad you are all doing well.
I'm glad Allison found a job she likes and is going back to school. She'll make a good nurse. My mom was in a memory unit of a nursing home the last year of her life. The people that worked there were so caring and loving.
It sounds like V. is enjoying her trip to Europe. I think she was more prepared for the trip than Allison was. Sorry she got so sunburned. It must be hard for her since she's so fair.
Congrats on losing the weight you wanted to. You look really good in those pictures. Copper must be a handful but a lot of fun. I can just picture him jumping off the dock just because it's there and he can.
I'm glad you can start planning a couple of trips Europe in May sounds nice. We'll be going to Disney in September or October of 2018.
Not to much is going on here. I worked days for a month and am now back to my regular schedule. I walked 2 5k's. I was supposed to do a Harry Potter one at the end of the month but it filled up too fast. My daughter's doing it and I'm a volunteer because as my daughter said I'm good at yelling and telling peole what to do. I am doing a couple more in August and September.
Liz
Hi Liz!!! I think of all of you often and wonder how you are doing.
Allison truly loves what she does... She has been absolutely heartbroken a few times already - they lost a patient last week who Allison really enjoyed, so that was really tough for her. She has so much compassion though and she is so personable - I feel like this is a good career choice for her.
V is having a great time. Yes - both of my girls have the "Geurts skin" - lots of red-heads on that side of the family... Though the girls didn't get the red hair - they got the red-headed-fair-skin... They burn, they don't tan... So, sometimes even reapplying sunscreen over and over does little for them.
Thank you - I still have the intention of getting to my original goal size... I am excited to be making progress in that direction again!
Cooper is a nut... There are no other words LOL! He would just be laying there nicely on the deck - relaxing... All of a sudden, he'd get up, run down the dock and jump in. LOL It was great fun with him there.
Sounds like you have been busy! I love the idea of a HP themed walk/run!!! How cool would that be? I bet it will be a lot of fun! LOL on what your daughter said - I think we could all do that job very well.
Thanks for stopping by - it's great to see you!
Don't post often, but read always. What a nice surprise to see an update!
Hi there! Welcome!!! I am happy to hear that you've been reading along.
I hope to get back to TR writing in the fall - I sure do miss it.
Thanks for stopping by!
What a pleasant surprise to see a mail in my inbox telling me you had posted on the DIS. It is so nice hearing about what you have been up to.
How great that Allison i doing well and that she loves her new work place.
It looks like Victoria is having a great time in Europe so far.
I'm glad to hear your dad is doing well even if his health is slowly failing. Crossing my fingers that the move will go well and that he will like his new home.
How great that your financial stuff is going so well.
How great that "starting over" with your food, weight loss and exercise is working so well for you now. Keep up the good work. I'm here cheering on you
Sounds like both you and the boys had a great time at the lake.
How exciting that you are going to Disney again some time in 2018. I do hope you make a post either here in this thread or on Facebook when your new PTR has started so I can follow it. Now that you're not on the DIS I'm not logging into the DIS either.
Ulf and I are now preparing for our big trip this summer. There is a lot to be done before we can leave Tromsø.
We have also started to look at what it would cost and how to get to Greenland and Iceland in one trip and we are looking into Hawaii for a separately trip. For now it looks like Greenland and Iceland will happen in 2018 and Hawaii in 2019. In 2020 we are going to Seattle, Washington and Alaska. This trip in 2020 we already decided to go on in 2015. The reason we are going to Seattle and Alaska in 2020 is because in 2020 Geocaching is having a 20 years anniversary.
HI there!!! It's great to see you too! I've missed you all so much!
I've done a relatively good job of keeping up updates on FB - so glad I get to connect with you there.
I flipped over your calendar the other day (we were at the lake for the first 11 days of July) and thought of you and wondered if you were enjoying the weather? I love the houses on the July calendar - they are just so perfect and pretty!
I will definitely post here when I start my new PTR... I am hoping with my time away, I don't lose too many of my Dis friends.
WOW!!!! You guys have a LOT of great trips coming up!!! I've followed you around the world, I think. LOL I cannot wait to hear all about these trips too! And Hawaii... Swoon!!! Jealous! One day!!! You guys are going to have so much fun!
Thanks for stopping by - I hope you are doing well! How's the new car??? Are you getting used to it? Have you found a new place to live yet??? I'd love an update!
It's great to "hear" from you, and I'm glad things are going so well!
Awwwh - thank you!!! It's great to see all of you here again... I've missed you all!
I'm so glad to see you here again. Love to see your life updates. I'm not quite taking care of me yet, but it has been on my mind. I started walking everyday and now I need some cardio too. Glad to see you are committed to your health. I'm starting to see the importance of choosing a healthy life. You are looking amazing
Hey!!! Thanks for stopping by!!! I am glad we can keep up a little bit on FB too - that helps! At least we don't lose the connection completely.
Congrats on making life healthy for yourself - it's an endless battle, I think. Keep on, keepin on my friend!!! We can do this!!!
Thanks for the heads up on the update! I've been missing the TR's. I was following several but seems everyone is busy with real life and not posting TR updates!!! Summer is the time to be outside enjoying the weather and not on the computer, so I totally understand.
I forgot that your Dad and Brother lived close together. How is your Brother handling everything. I know that must be tough for both of them. I hope your Dad gets moved soon and everything goes smoothly!
I have an AP that I haven't activated yet (bought it with the 13 month offer). I'll be activating it with our trip this November, so I'll have a bit left next year--maybe I can plan a trip that coincides with yours! Always fun to plan a trip (even if nothing is firmed up!!!)
Ha - yah - it's been hard to get back here during these last weeks... Life has been crazy for me and I feel like it's probably that way for many!
Yes - well Jonathan doesn't really understand anything about Dad moving. We have a plan to allow them to spend time together as frequently as possible... It looks like Jonathan will now be spending about one weekend a month at our house... Allison has so graciously given up her bed so Jonathan has a place to sleep here - and she will take the couch. We are going to try this out for several months... The only time I really see an issue is during the winter months with weather - we may have to work around that a little bit. But we have a plan. They may not see each other as often - but they will see each other for longer. I guess - in the end, I can only do things as best as I can (which is something I am really struggling with right now) - I wish I could do better by both of them. Growing up - I never looked out this far in my life to see what this reality would be for all of us... Our family life has never been an easy one, and this time is no exception to that. I just have to do the best I can by them and hope it all works out.
So excited for your AP! Yes - that would be awesome to finally be able to meet you!!! Hopefully it all works out!
I'll keep you all updated! I am hoping to have dates firmed up by fall this year - so we should have plenty of time to connect our dates if they overlap.
Wow Dorine - your last post surprised me - I can't believe I was so far behind! I am so touched by your Dad's move, and by Allison's decision to become a nurse. I will be emailing you soon, as your last post really stirred up all that we went through with Mom. It will all work out Dorine, just give it time.
I can't believe it's your turn next year to go to Europe. That is on my bucket list. I have never been! Never enough time, and never enough vacation days to go. It sounds like V is having an amazing time. And then maybe Disney?
I hope to stay caught up until a PTR surprises us!!
Hi Carol! You are not far behind at all. LOL It's me who is behind.
It's been really tough moving dad... I cannot believe the paperwork, and just everything that has to fall into place... So many little things that have to be "just right" or his care won't be covered or he won't have the meds/oxygen... Just all of it. It's very stressful - and I am a bit panicky that it all falls on my shoulders. And the physicality of the move is the least of my worries. Another month from now and the worst of it should be over. I have kept him on all of the waiting lists from this spring - so, if he gets here and he doesn't like this apartment - then we can go out and look together... Which might not be the worst thing anyways - it will give him an opportunity to see that I did choose the best possible option for him. Sigh.
Yes - it's our turn to go over next year... We are planning to be there for about 10 days - most of which will be at BMTL's new house - we may take 3 days in the middle to go explore elsewhere, but we really need this trip to be as budget friendly as possible - as we will JUST have our debt paid off, and I don't want to veer off track as soon as we are free... We'll see.
I am just excited to see them, and spend time with the kids!
Yes - maybe Disney... It's going to depend a lot on our Europe trip... and how the budget for that looks. But eventually I will go back and sooner rather than later.
Hahaha! Me too! LOL Glad we can keep up on FB - that helps a lot!
Take care Carol - it's always great seeing you here!
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WOW!!! I can't believe I actually completed my first set of replies in months! I also hope to go back and reply to the earlier ones I missed - so many of you wrote such touching things, which I haven't responded to yet. I will do my best.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Sending prayers and pixie dust out to all!
D~