Why not do the Outer Banks then?

Great Smoky Mountains. Loved our family vacation there back in the 90s. Great parks and wildlife, but if you're the type who likes theme parks there's Dollywood in Gatlinburg (I think??). Shenandoah Valley is also very pretty. Lots of small towns to explore.

I agree... I think cut flowers are quite nice. Otherwise, what one mom likes may very well end up in the thrift store pile for another mom. Everyone's tastes are very different.

what??? I think your mom is wrong too. Ask her what happens when she gets insulted for not getting an invite. Sheesh!

wow!! 35 is so young. So sorry for the loss and that your family had to find him. May he rest in peace.

I just put on Vera season 2 on prime (it's free to prime members). I assume it means that season 1 is also available, but we watched that through Netflix streaming.

I love quirky too, so I'm lovin' these lists! I've heard of several but some are new to me. I'll add the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. Funny and VERY quirky... not sappy at all.

We had a similar experience last year on swim team (although communication was okay since it's all done via list-serv)... but yeah, totally get what you're saying. We're not doing swim team this year... kids didn't love it enough to do it no matter what. If we'd been welcomed more we might be more inclined... but everyone is busy with their friends and lives... no room for one more.

so sorry you're having to go through this.

What an adorable little boy!! congratulations. So glad the delivery was so smooth. Sorry about the pelvic pain. I'd never heard of that before too. I hope you heal up quicker than anticipated.

We *love* Sci-Fi movies but have no plans to see it. I try very hard not to let an actor's personal life get in the way of his movie roles, but I won't even pretend with Cruise. Just. can't. Ick.

lol - no thanks

No, I never saw that, but that is hilarious! At a previous house our neighbor had a BIG bradford pear outside their front door. Apparently one of their college-aged sons had a bedroom on the front. Every morning in the spring I'd notice frizzbies, shoes and other articles at the foot of the tree. I finally discovered it was the son throwing these things out his window at the tree to shut the birds up.

Congratulations!! :party:

I'm a fair weather camper, I wouldn't go. I hate dealing with wet clothes and sleeping gear... what a pain. One time we got stuck in a big thunderstorm when we were beach tent camping. I wouldn't recommend it. Go in the morning.

I'm glad that winter is over, really I am.... but I sure wish the birds outside my window would wait an extra hour (or 2!!) before starting their day. Once again, I've been up since 5am (still dark outside then little birdies!). It's been going on for about 2 weeks. I can't take that much happiness & noise at such an hour. :glare: I just want a normal night of sleep with those extra 2hours back.

praying for your father.

I think you might be describing what is sometimes call cream of coconut or coconut butter. Just be care not to get stuff called that in the drinks aisle - as that has tons of sugar and is intended for pina coladas :) I get mine at the local Indian store (they called it coconut butter). It's very, very thick.

I checked on the NetFlix site and it seems it's only available with subtitles (no dubbing). Sorry.

With all due respect... you obviously don't know what this is like. The OP is not saying she didn't want her mom to be happy or to have a companion. What she said was that mom was abandoning her children/grandchildren to only be with her new husband. How is that normal or healthy?

praying for your sister and your family.

I feel for you. :grouphug: My sisters and I went through this with my mom, except it was friends and not a spouse. The breaking point was the friend who my mom forced to bring into the family and moved in with my parents. It was definitely like a third person in the marriage, and we were told "too bad if you don't like it." My dad let it happen. It's all very painful for us, especially since Mom died last month. It was never resolved. There's a lot of grief over what never was with my mom. So many missed opportunities on her part. I wish I could say it will get better, but I can't. It never got better with my mom. It just became an attitude that *we* weren't important...even after my parents had to move in with my family and I told her her "friend" was NOT welcome. Even though the friend wasn't present, my mom was still the same (always picking friend over activities with grandkids, etc.). Anyway, I don't mean to turn your vent into my own vent... sorry. It's still a bit raw some days for me. Just wanted to let you know that there are some of us who have BTDT. I just hope and pray I don't cause this kind of sadness and grief for my adult children.

May his memory be eternally in the mind of God. What a great human being.

oh my goodness! She's really getting whacked all at once with health issues. Praying for her.

:grouphug: It's hard when the change is not of your choosing... but you seem to be handling it very gracefully. May you find peace and balance in this new life for your family.