Look...it's a bird, it's a plane, it's Express Jet

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

TQ...about time you got here...we got issues. Wait until you read the rest of villains' story.

Girls, we didn't even think that TQ wouldn't be familiar with Black Friday. We need to share with her the utter insanity of it all.

Ok...Thanksgiving is November 22nd this year. The day after that is considered by most to be the official kick off to the christmas shopping season, and is referred to as Black Friday. Stores want to cash in on this, so they will offer incredible sales on certain items to draw customers into their stores. They also will throw their doors open at 5:00 am to get the shoppers in their store FIRST. The die hard B.F. shoppers will get up at 3:00 so they can be first in line at 4:00 so they can insure they get their chosen items. Stores will even offer free gifts to intice shoppers. It is nuts, but those that do it each year love it...my dad and sis are 2 of them.

By the time you get back from your weekend, you are gonna have a ton of stuff here to read. Sounds like you will be very busy and have lots of things to tell us. How kind of you to volunteer for the splinter removal...the rest of us appreciate it.

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

The early birds demand a recount.

 

Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD

So I am officially off of the fence and on the winning side. Thanks TQ for getting the splinter out of my bootie and now that I have been taken off the fence, I shouldn't get another one. I'm not really sure if we are the winners though as we are all behind the losers. <g>

MM - Go for it. I'm not sure if all be able to get it all done this year with the one year old so I need someone to pick up the slack.

 

Originally Posted By mater4

MM are you not happy with the outcome? If I have enough of you wanting a recount then I will do so. Speak now or forever hold your peace.
TX just because some of us wait until after Thanksgiving to shop does not make us behind the early birds. Some of just like to shop when the holiday season is in full swing. Now if you wait until the last week of christmas to do everything that would be a challenge. I personally enjoy going to starbucks to get my gingerbread latte and then I shop and enjoy the decorations all over the store. Things that the early birds miss out on.

 

Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

I usually shop on Black Friday - I love it...but alas this year we will be in Tahoe and I don't know where to go to shop - and I hear a rumor my keys will be hidden to prevent me venturing out on my own...BTW I usually B.F. shop with my SIL...Not this year, funny on the way to DL she was trying to figure a way to join us for part of the Tahoe week - but it's my family and they aren't interested in her coming if it was just BIL and the kids they would be fine with it!!

Another thing I have in the past taken the girls with me to DL with DD and my nephew with us with DS11 a few times and never had an issue - but I have never nor would ever let her take mine anywhere!!! When I invite them she never offers money to help - yet last year her nephew was invited to go to DL halloween with us and she was bragging about how she made her sis give her money for him...I just smiled and said whatever and proceded to take her kids again this year!!

 

Originally Posted By mater4

Of course she will not offer to give you money when she can't tip and steals extra food from DL. Villians I think you are a wonderful aunt. Even if she is not helping with cost it is money well spent. The kids have a fantastic time without the nagging and embarassment of their mom. Makes your trip pleasant too.
As for shopping in Tahoe there are not a lot of options. If you like the boutique shops or any of the outlet stores that is about all there is. You are not too far from Carson City but I am not familiar with that town. The best shopping is here in Reno. About an hour from your destination. I have lived in Tahoe and commuted to Reno to do my shopping every week. Glad those days are over.

 

Originally Posted By Tinkerbell819

<<Is your next trip free of stealing drama queens?>> Why, Mater, of course it won't be! She'll be hooking up with us, remember? We spoke before about how much we like to steal food and tee shirts, don't you remember? You know, how we bring our own cups in and fill them up at the soda station at Redd Rockets? I like to have the kids run ahead with 4 orders of chicken fusilli while I pay for a cookie. Villains is used to that so she won't mind having dinner with us. It does help to scream and yell at each other while getting the food because the castmembers are too embarrassed to question us.
OMG, villains, seriously, that was an awful story. I feel so bad. I know before you left you said you knew what you were in for and were prepared. But, I don't think you expected it to be THAT bad. Has she been that bad before? I hate the money part of it, too. How she doesn't give you any when you take her kids and when she brings someone else's kids, she has to brag to you about how she made sure she got $$$. What a jerk.
I know it's probably not something you let bother you, too much, b/c the kids are the ones being treated and you love them. It just bugs me b/c she thinks she's slick pulling one over on you.
I wonder what awaits us in the NEXT installment? The 5 hour ride yet to go! Jeez Louise!

I feel so good being part of the WINNING team! YAY! The procrastinators win!

I forget what else I wanted to say, because I'm so excited that WE WON!!!!

(I guess I won't be excited when the early birds are all bragging about all of the relaxing they are doing in Dec. while I'm running around like a nut!)

 

Originally Posted By rtjl72

i think as a mandatory reporter for abuse i should send in a report on villians sil! it makes me want to be sick when i think about those kids going to bed at night and having cried. the law in my house was notbody was upset before bed or before leaving for school in the morning.(therefore the kids knew when they could get away with murder). those poor babies! i'm glad about villians being an aunt and just hope that someday they will be able to figure out that they want to be like her and not like their mom. o.k., right off the bat i'm on the losing side with the shopping! i vote the tree goes up right after thanksgiving this year. usually i try to have it up before thanksgiving so the family can all see it, but this year i'm having the inside of the house painted the monday before thanksgiving. i have to admit i will do the bh & g thing with decorating, too. (those are easy initials for me, my dh use to work for meredith corp-they own bh&g). my tree is fake and prelit, too. one of the better investments i have made. i hate stringing lights. here's a story-
6 years ago dh and i were on vacation in denver with friends. it was a trip we took every other year and was the 10th time we had gone. the 4 girls went to santas village and we all picked out new decorations for my christmas tree. only they all had to be snowmen! so now i have one of those trees that has all one theme-snowmen. including the star on top that is a snowman. (our last name is starr so we always have to have a star on top). 2 years later my bff took sick on our trip. we thought it was the altitide and she had a bad cough. when she got home she was diagnosed with breast cancer that had spead to her lungs. 2 years later she was in a wheelchair and on oxygen when we went and that next march she passed away. i will never be able to have a different tree. this one can be added to, but my best friend ever will always be with me on christmas this way. oh oh here i go crying again-her and i were going to get old together and go to football games when we were old ladies wearing those tweed suit coats with skirts, panty hose and pumps-along with our blue hair. it makes me sad. let's change topics-so anyway, i decorate with snowmen throughout the house. this way most of the decorating can stay up all winter. i have a tree downstairs in the walk out basement that has all the oldie goldies-the popsicle stick ornaments and bottle cap creations the kids made over the years, the disney decorations the hallmark and precious moment stuff and every ugly ornamnent anybody ever gave us. whew! that's enough for now, somebody take over for awhile.

 

Originally Posted By rtjl72

another new topic.
so you 4 are all going to be ther together? or is it just 3 of you? are you all staying at the same palce? will you meet in passing or have lunch together? maybe you will all ride sm together and have your picture taken! now that would be classic!

 

Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD

rt - Your story brought tears to my eyes. That is a great way to remember your friend so she is there with you on Christmas. I too know the pain of Cancer. I lost my Dad to cancer three years ago this coming March, and I recently lost a dear friend at work to Cancer.

 

Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD

Tink - you had me laughing out loud. You might just have to misbehave a little so Villians doesn't feel strange being at DL with normal people.

Wait - Did I just tell Tink she was normal? What's wrong with me this morning? LOL

Villians - You enjoy Tahoe. When I was a kid, we used to rent a huge house in Tahoe and spend every Thanksgiving there. It was about 20 of us every year with all of my Mom's family. I have some great memories playing in the snow and then playing Scrabble by the fireplace drinking Cocoa.

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

Mornin' chicks.

First off...villains, if your SIL comes within 100 miles of you in Tahoe, I will hunt her down and shoot her myself. Conversely...if you relent and ALLOW her to come along, I will hunt you down and shoot YOU.

Oh my gosh, tink...I love what you have planned for your time with villains next month. You guys are all gonna have such a good time. Are you sure villains will show up for your little meet? You may have scared her off.

Ever have one of those days that you want to rip someone's face off? I'm havin' one today. I w**k in a department with 23 people...I'm the only girl. Most of the time these guys don't get to me, but today, I want to kill about 8 of them.

I need more coffee.

 

Originally Posted By mickeynewe

Jiminy Cricket- 26 posts to catch up on! Took me a half hour just to read through them!

Okay, first and most important--- I'm with MM, I want a recount! Seriously people--- you can ENJOY the holidays if you shop early. Forget the stress, forget the madness, and just ENJOY! Hey, if you still want to go to the mall, that's fine. I do. EXCEPT, as I leisurely stroll to take in the craziness of it all, I realize I can leave anytime I WANT, because my shopping is done, wrapped, and under the tree.

Tree decorations--- Okay, MM you are psycho. The psycho with THE best tree, but psycho none the less. Although, I do believe every tree needs ribbons. Mine always has ribbons. My favorite decorations? Okay, don't laugh-- total mom thing here-- but I can't have a tree without my daughter's ornaments. You know the ones....the kids make them every year and bring them home so proud. A Christmas tree would not be a Christmas tree without them-- they are what I call the "love" ingredient of a tree. My favorite ornament of all times is a little paper star on which my daughter drew a family portrait. It is tied at the top with a piece of twine. So simple, but the most precious ornament on my tree each year.

Villians-- I'm speechless, but I can relate. I had a SIL like that once. *shudder* I can feel your pain. All I can say is give your DNs all the love and support you can. They are going to need that extra love and guidance!

I think you need to start going on solo trips with just your family. Okay, Tink is approved for the upcoming trip. Can't say for the others here yet--- but Tink has the stamp of approval that reads, "Mickey approved." She's fun and easy to chat with. We had a good time, at least from my perspective, running about the park. Although I think we were all ready to drop that night!

Villians, if you're comfortable, what part of the Bay Area are you from? I'm up here as well.

I am so envious of all you girls getting to go! I can't believe this will be the first time in 10 years we haven't gone for the holidays. It is such a bummer. But you never know, sometimes *surprises* happen. Time to look at the school calendar again!

Nice to know we have a new club member willing to pull splinters out of booties. Must say, braver than I! Love ya guys, but I'm not pulling bootie splinters! You're on your own!

Okay, I think I'm caught up. Sorry I missed so much yesterday. Hubby decided to share his cold, which wasn't good. I felt really yucky yesterday. It really messes with the medicine too. I went home after w**k and slept all afternoon because I had a horrible headache and kept getting light-headed. Figured if I was already laying down, not much could happen. LOL

Tink, if you find that pic--- burn it! I was looking hideous that night! The pic I have will never see the light of day. I don't care how much MM bribes you----we'll meet up another time at DL and take a bright-eyed, non-exhausted pic with Mickey, my treat!

Hugs to all & have a great day!!

And just so ya'll don't forget--- EARLY SHOPPERS RULE!

 

Originally Posted By mickeynewe

*Throws a roll of duct tape at MM*

--- here you can muzzle the guys at work so you don't have to listen to them anymore!

 

Originally Posted By MerryMouseWife

RTL, your story had me in tears. I have been best friends with my BFF for 40 years. I don't have any sisters and she is my sister in every way but blood relation. I think keeping your snowman theme is just the perfect way to remember her. I also believe that the people who are close to use don't leave us but keep close and watch over us.

It is my day off and my mind is fuzzy. Who is going to be at DL on November 27-29 again?

I am going to start my Christmas shopping next weekend. This weekend is wrapped up in finishing Halloween costumes for the two who are dressing up. Last night I made cookies for our church's haunted house tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday night; chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip, snickerdoodles, English matrimonials with raspberry filling, and apricot bars. I rarely eat sweets; even though I love to bake, I don't usually sample very much of my labors. However, I had one of each cookie as I wrapped them up for the bake sale. Talk about a sugar rush, mixed along with coffee and I am buzzed this morning.

Well, that was a ramble.

 

Originally Posted By mickeynewe

rtl--- I think it is a beautiful tribute to the friendship you have shared. Your friend is never far from you, her spirit is there with you during the holidays each time you gaze upon her tree. Be joyful, she's with you!

MMW-- I know what you mean by friendship. My best friend is 4Disnee here on the boards. Like you said, if I could choose my family, she would be my sister. She has been more of a sister than my own blood sister (long story-- she makes Villian's SIL look like a saint). Whenever I need 4Disnee, she's there, no questions asked. My life was blessed when she entered it. Because of her, I do have a sister, a BIL, and a nephew-- all of whom I love dearly. They are incredible people, and me, I am incredibly lucky because my life is richer with them in it.

 

Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains

Okay - I need to be honest here - I do finish most of my shopping on Black Friday - but I don't wrap early - as a matter of fact I spend the night before wrapping enlisting my older boys to help - one year do to a last minute late christmas trip to DL (okay it was last year) we didn't get back until the 22 and were too tired to wrap (we had gone to DL and Legoland staying the night in Carliff by the Sea) and DD11 was sick (he threw up in Legoland felt better so he ate again and when we stopped in DL on the way back he threw up in DTD)so it was a long trip home. So here we are the 24th and no gifts wrapped - so I send DH to the park (love N.cal) and me and the older boys start wrapping - well here's my bad mommy momment - I realize I gave the boys the wrong stuff and they are actually wrapping their own gifts not each others!! Luckily for me they thought it was too funny!!
I used to do the whole house thing and I am hoping we can get all our remodeling done by next year and I will go into the whole house thing again then - Oh yeah last year hubby put the tree together while we were gone and we only (are you sitting down) decorated the part that would show in pictures!!
We then went to my mom's house for the rest of the day - we are going to my sister's this year - Last year SIL was in one of her moods and we didn't see them til way after Christmas - she likes it that way as she can then shop the day after Christmas sales for my kids!! I always drop their gifts off either on Christmas eve or Christmas day.
Also one of our things is we have always alternated the day we celebrate Christmas - Santa comes to our house a day early every other year so that DS18 would always have a full Christmas with us (we switched each year with his dad).

I am sorry to here MM that the guys are being annoying today...And there is no way SIL will know where I am the week of thanksgiving!!

Tink - Please don't make me report your antics to the rest - you know I will....

Mickey I am in Livermore - yep that's right I am a Livermoron....

So for the DN's - the oldest is a total pleaser - she will do her best in everything and will make sure you know it and if you compliment either of the other two on something they have done she will quickly point out something she's done to draw the attention back to her. She is also the most aggressive - she will pick on, hit, poke the other two constantly then lie about doing it, and her favorite game is the dissing game especially on her NDS -on this current trip she kept poking and hitting my DS11 and then when he wouldn't react to it she started saying my DS11 was actually hitting her - he just said why would you say that - but she persisted - I told my DS11 if he couldn't keep his hands to himself he would lose his treats for the day(with a wink) I when he protested I commented that DN12 wouldn't lie and let you get in trouble for it, but alas she still didn't cop to it and let him (so she thought) be in trouble for it... - the middle is mellow - she can hang with the older kids or play with little kids and be equally happy - she unfortuately is the target of her mother and her sister- at a recent party she worked her behind off helping clean - up and handed the nephew an ice cream scoop to rinse off and take in the house - well he took it straight in and dripped - he came out and told SIL who then proceded to yell at the 11 year old for being lazy and a slob, she is also very analitical as when on a recent trip to the movies DN12 kept picking on her, DN11 simply kept asking why she felt is was necessary to be so mean all the time - of course DN12 kept saying she wasn't doing anything. The youngest is the only boy and mommys spoiled child - the girls point that out on a regular basis - He can do no wrong and never seems to get his mothers wrath - He is slightly autistic and has ocd - which the school psychiatrist helped BIL discover and is in some wonderful programs in his current school - but SIL is in the dark over the diagnosis because BIL knows if she was told straight out she would deny it and pull him from the school!! She is really bad when it come's to him - she will give him extra treats and buy him extra stuff thinking no one knows - he is very worried about being cheated out of stuff and for example - I got my DS11 a Mickey's Treat t-shirt on ebay before we left - DN10 saw it and started questioning me on where he got it and if it was a 2007 shirt (last years were not dated) and when we were at the lego store he kept looking at the prices of the lego sets I was buying and asking if my DS11 had enough money for it...
It's funny if I have any or all of them with me there is very seldom a problem as I tell them I am not playing games and we can do stuff as long as we all get along - and we do.
BIL has long conversations with the kids - mainly the girls (because DN is a momma's boy) about how their mom is and how it is wrong - they even have little signs they through each other when SIL is in one of her tizzy's - she is probably more mean to BIL than anyone else - and he is only there until the kids are older - as he fears what it would be like for them if he was not there and they had to be there alone with her - even if they had shared custody.

 

Originally Posted By mickeynewe

Wow, Villians. I cannot believe just how much your SIL sounds like my ex-SIL. The problem is (if she's anything like my ex-SIL) she will continue to make your BIL's like miserable when he eventually does leave. Its a shame she is messing up her own kids and is too selfish to realize it. My heart goes out to you and your family. I'll say an extra prayer for you.

You are a hour closer to DL than us! I wish we could make it down there as often as you do!! Our daughter's school would consider it as an unexcused absences therefore her teachers do not have to accept her work.

I called hubby a few minutes ago at work and asked if we would consider a 1-day trip. We haven't missed DL in 10 years for the holiday. I would totally make the drive, even if it were only for 1 day.

 

Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM

mickey...poo poo on the late shoppers. While we're enjoying ourselves 6 weeks from now, we'll be hearing ALL DAY LONG about how they have to get this, or they have to get that, or they can't find one of those. We can reply with a hearty "neener neener neener."

MMW...word of caution...NEVER admit to us that you have a fuzzy brain, or have forgotten something. Tink will be more than happy to show you her battle scars from the abuse she takes here when she has a brain lapse. Secondly...what the heck are English Matrimonials?????

Livermoron, villains??????? BaaaaHaaaaHaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! Also something that should not have been admitted here. Recalling your choice of Disney traveling companions lately, it may be an appropriate term for you. However, if it makes you feel any better, I live in Tum Tum...on Corkscrew Canyon Road, no less.

 

Originally Posted By mickeynewe

What she neglected to tell you is that they named the Canyon after her!

hahahahaha --- okay, you left yourself wide open for that one. It was too easy.

MMW-- That's okay, we'll take you in MMW! You can join Tink and I on the fuzzy brain thing-- you're not alone!