Weekly Randoms - Week of 4/3

LoveInDC

Hey pretty ladies! What is going on in your life lately?

LoveInDC

DH and I have been talking about doing a summer vaca in Orlando for years! His grandparents are snow birds. They have a house and a car down there completely up for grabs. There's even a shuttle from the airport to their house! But we've always found some reason or another to put it off. Not this year! DH just put in for his leave to make it official. June it is! He's even going to indulge me and go to the beach for a few days so I can get super tan! Can you tell I'm excited?!?!

pebbledam

@LoveinDC - I'm so excited for you! Please tell me you are going to hit up Disney!

LoveInDC

@morado23 So I am a super HP fan. I've been to Orlando twice since Wizarding World opened (once when it opened and once when the second half opened). I always chose Universal over Disney because I've never been to Disney World and I know you can't half-ass it. This time around, DH and I are going to split our time. So Wizarding World one day, and then probably a park hopper at Disney another day Any suggestions for how to do Disney as an adult? We were thinking about focusing on Epcot?

pebbledam

@LoveinDC - The next time we go to Florida, we want to see the Wizarding World! Epcot is my favorite Disney park, especially if you aren't going with children. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are also great. Magic Kingdom is always crowded, so I don't enjoy that one as much. Check out the nightly firework shows. I thought Hollywood Studios and Epcot had the best shows! There is soooo much to love about Disney!

Hollyyyyy

I second @morado23, Epcot is amazing! I haven't been to Islands of Adventure since HP World was built, but I went a few years before, and it was a ton of fun. So is Busch Gardens in Tampa if you like roller coasters and make it that way!

lavenderfields13

Hi ladies, I'm brand new here so I hope it's ok if I jump in. I just posted in the newbie thread. 

@LoveInDC sounds like a fun trip, always nice to have something like that to look forward to! 

Our anniversary is in June and we wanted to go on some kind of trip. I really really would love to go to the Caribbean but Zika... and H would have had to request a week in June a long time ago. We've never been to Vermont so we're going to go to Stowe for a couple nights the weekend before our anniversary since we can drive there.

edited since I got cut off (can I not use Emojis maybe?)

tamalahoops

@LoveInDC we just booked a trip to Orlando too! I've been dying to go back to Wizarding World since the second half opened. I am beyond excited! 

LoveInDC

@morado23 Thanks for the tips!!! DH also loves zoos (it’s part of why we went to San Diego for our honeymoon) so I think he’ll love seeing Animal Kingdom. So much to do!

@Hollyyyyy We have a Busch Gardens up here, so we’ll probably pass on the road trip to Tampa But I can give Wizarding World my stamp of approval!

@lavenderfields13 You can only use the emojis the app/website provides you Using the ones in your phone cuts off the post. Hopefully you can try out your plans soon and enjoy your trip!

@tamalahoops How exciting!!! The second half of the park is soooooo amazing. Just make sure to get your park hopper pass and ride the Hogwarts Express!

flowerpower5838

@LoveInDC I am dying to go to Orlando. Timing is just never right! I cannot believe I haven't been to WWoHP. I am obsessed.

So BIL just broke the news that he and his GF of 9 years broke up. I am VERY close with the GF. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding, we were gchatting daily (she has kind of distanced herself the last month or two), etc. Poss TW - They have a kid together and she has two olders that call BIL 'dad'. There are so many things I want to ask, but I just don't know the how to ask things tactfully even though I feel like I am coming from a good place. Can we still be friends? Am I still going to see the two olders whom I consider my family just as much as any of my other nieces and nephews? End poss TW - Do I still "get" to be friends/does she still want to be friends? It's not something that was out of left field, but I don't know where the proverbial line is supposed to be drawn between supporting BIL and also my friend. Anyone go through something similar and have advice?

pebbledam

@flowerpower5838 Sorry to hear about the news! It's probably too early to start asking questions, because your BIL probably doesn't even know yet. I think it's perfectly acceptable to let the GF know that you are available to talk of she needs to. Let her know that just because this breakup is happening doesn't mean you want to end your relationship with her and her kids. And then give her the time and space she needs. FX that the breakup doesn't mean you have to lose them. 

AlohaKumu

@LoveInDC - YAY! Fun trips are the best!
@flowerpower5838 - the two of you definitely can still remain friends. Just because the relationship between the two of them ended doesn't mean that you need to cut off communication. (My mom is still friends with my ex-husband on FB.) I would reach out to her and say that you are here if she needs anything. She might need some time, but I'm sure she will be thrilled that she's not losing a dear friend (and other additional relationships).

breezybee

Hey @flowerpower5838 When my husband and I were dating, we actually called it quits for about a year. It really hurt me that his brothers wife never even called to check on me and we weren't even that close at the time. I would definitely gently send an email or a text saying you're there for her, etc. She may want to meet up or not, but your friendship may be wierd for a while.  I would at least reach out and let her know you love her. It's nice to hear

@LoveInDC Ugh a vacation sounds amazing!  Super happy for you!

I'm super bummed it's Monday and I really have no motivation to get anything done. No work, no dishes, no excersize, no shower. I'm literally still in bed. Ugh eff today.  
Did you guys watch the end of Big Little Lies last night?  God how good was that freaking show?!

jenotontx

@BreezyBee My DH and I watch Big Little Lies but we DVR it and watch later in the week. I'm so excited to see it now!! 

Today has been quite a day. I found out first thing this morning that I won a $25 credit at European Wax center (yay)! We got our house appraisal back and it came in 10K more then our offer (yay again)! Then my DH got his bonus letter from work (triple yay)! The only bad thing is I had 8 patients on my schedule today and literally none of them have shown up. Not a single patient. How does that even happen? 

RVAmom315

@breezybee @JJMNO1616 I'm reading the book now, but I don't have HBO to watch it!  I'm so bummed!  Is there any other way to watch it?  Have you read the book?  How much is it like the series?

MJDsquared

@RVAmom515 I read the book! I haven't watched the finale yet so I'm not sure if the ending is the same, but there's one part that was different from the book that I thought was kind of lame. There's another part of the show that I'm not sure is in the book (I don't remember it, but it's been a while since I read it). Other than that, it's followed the book pretty closely. I really like both, but the book wins just because that's how it always goes for me/I read it before watching.

jenotontx

@RVAmom315 I didn't even know that there was a book! We have HBO so I'm not sure if there is another way to see it. 

RVAmom315

@JJMNO1616 Yup!  It's really good, I can't put it down.  I haven't read anything by this author before, but I will now!  It's funny in our old house we randomly had HBO (for free) and I never watched anything on it.  Then we moved and switched our service (same provider different address) and they took away the HBO!  Jerks

MJDsquared

@RVAmom515 OH and another change that I forgot is the show is set in California instead of in Australia, which I thought was lame. But I really like the cast and only one of them is Australian (Nicole Kidman) sooo I got over it. I've read like all of her books and Big Little Lies and What Alice Forgot are my favorites!

RVAmom315

I'm going to try What Alice Forgot next!

kmalls

@LoveInDC I went to college 10 minutes outside of Orlando (and my parents are snowbirds) and FL is my JAM. If you get sick of the Disney crowds, downtown Orlando (like, actual Orlando, not Disney) is sooooo much fun. Amazing nightlife. Hmmm now that I'm saying that I'm realizing you'll probably be KU, so maybe downtown won't be appropriate 


On a totally different subject: fantasy golf is a thing?? Just saw a commercial for it an my mind is blown. 

kiki75

@flowerpower5838 I would definitely drop her a line and let her know that you're thinking of her. Unless the reason for the breakup is some truly atrocious behavior on her part that would make you feel any differently about her, you can absolutely still be friends. Just make it clear from day one that you'll gladly support her through the breakup but don't want to be put into a weird position so basically the same rules you would use with the children in the divorce apply: no badmouthing the other person to you and you're not going to be the middlewoman. I would operate as though you never had a relationship with them as a duo. Make sense? I probably wouldn't even ask BIL although I would be up front with him about the fact that you do intend to continue your friendship so he doesn't feel like you're going behind his back but that there are these boundaries that you're going to hold both him and her to. 

And on a Big Little Lies note, I scrolled past all of the talk but just a reminder that if you're going to share any spoilers, please spoiler box it.

For those who don't know how, highlight the section you want to spoiler, then click on the paragraph (backwards P) symbol and select "spoiler".    

MJDsquared

@kiki75 There were no spoilers! I hate when stuff gets spoiled for me so I vaguely the book to the show (i.e. "one thing was different and I didn't like it" etc). And nobody else shared any either. Just in case anyone else scrolled past it in a panic!

breezybee

@RVAmom315 et all - I have read the book and I love it. The show follows it closely, which I like. It's pretty much exactly how I pictured it in my head while reading it. No spoilers!  There are a few differences, but overall, it's the same. LOVED IT. I was very satisfied!
I would watch out for the free HBO trials that your cable company has every few months Or you could find a friend with HBO would wouldn't mind giving you their password so you could watch it online.  
I love this author's books!  You guys should definitely check out some of them. She's Australian, so all of her stories take place there. 

Flurison

@LoveInDC that sounds like an awesome vacation.  I have not been to Disney since I was really young; I wouldn't even know where to start.
@lavenderfields13 Vermont as well, nice pick.  What are you guys going to do while you're there?
@RVAmom515 and @MJDsquared I just finished What Alice Forgot.  I loved it.  It's the first novel I've read in months. 
I have one more week to get through after this and then we are off to Hilton Head for a week with my mom, siblings, and nieces.  My plan for the week is to nap, read, eat, and perhaps swim.  I love my sleep but I am so short of it Monday through Friday.  I'm always playing catch-up on the weekends

justkeepswimming8

NO SPOILERS! I loved the show Little Big Lies! (I was so sad when I watched it this morning and it was the last episode). I didn't realize it was a book. I requested it from the library and can't wait to read it.

lavenderfields13

@Flurison No set plans yet although I booked the hotel yesterday. My husband is obsessed with craft beer so he's looking forward to going out to eat and trying the local beers. I was thinking maybe something active one day- hiking or something and one day checking out some shops. We're pretty lazy and have never hiked but I'd like to lol 

hartmich

Anyone watching the NCAA championship game? I always get really into the tournament and I think this years has been particularly interesting. 

MJDsquared

@hartmich DH has it on though I'm not exactly actively watching. I'm in the northwest so I'd love to see Gonzaga win, especially since it'd be their first ever!

jsnakehole

My principal is out today AND I have a make up prep after losing my prep yesterday. 

pebbledam

@jsnakehole - Do you if she is going to observe you before spring break? I'm sure this isn't helping your anxiety!

RVAmom315

For those of you that have an Instant Pot - is it any different from a pressure cooker? We have a pressure cooker... thanks!

Calling @50Wife @AlohaKumu (didn't want to hijack the 10 Things Tuesday thread )

50Wife

@RVAmom315 personally, my instant pot has different settings - poultry, stew, rice, I can sauté...
this is what i have. At the end of the day, I think it's about the same but I think the instant pot is like a pressure cooker on crack (and electricity). 
I could be wrong on the difference though. This one has a bunch of safety features too. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apip_HhyX2LLbl4JaW

AlohaKumu

@RVAmom315 - I've never used a standard pressure cooker, but I got the Instant Pot due to the built-in safety features and the settings for all sorts of meals. (For example, you can set a timer to start cooking a meal at a set time, so it's ready when you get home. Perfect for vegetarian chili!) I can be somewhat accident-prone in the kitchen at times, so I liked that it's pretty much foolproof and won't explode through my ceiling if I mess up. It's also portable, so I can bring it to potlucks and plug it in to warm everything up without needing to re-pressurize the meal.

RVAmom315

@50wife Oh that's neat. We love our crockpot and haven't used the pressure cooker too much, and was looking for something new (esp since I'm working on eating better, I have to switch it up so I don't get bored and go back to bad habits!) Thanks!
@AlohaKumu Thanks!  I think, especially with the safety feature, it's the way to go. DH is crazy about things being left on when we're not around (even the crockpot!) so that will appeal to him! I love that it can travel!

MJDsquared

Sooo that Instant Pot thread confused the crap out of me because there were so many grads posting in it. I was like, "Wow, people love Instant Pots so much that they're coming from other boards to post!" And then I got to @AlohaKumu's post at the bottom saying she was bumping it...and realized that I should probably look at dates on things. Hahaha.

shortstack930

Major TW for this whole rant:

So my best friend has two kids (3 & 1 year old) and isn't sure if she ever wants to have any more. She had unprotected sex close to her fertile week in February and ended up taking Plan B because she was that sure she didn't want another one. So while hearing about her willingly preventing a possible pregnancy wasn't hard enough for me to deal with while I'm struggling so hard TTC, she texts me today saying that she is 13 days late getting her period and she only had sex once, two days after her last period. She's all "omg I can't believe I only had sex ONCE and now I'm so worried. If I'm pregnant I'll have to submit our eggs and sperm for scientific study because they're so good!" And I'm over here trying not to curse her out for telling me on MONTH SIXTEEN of TTC that she may be pregnant after "barely even sex" (her words, not mine) once. Here's a thought: use some effing protection and for heavens sake, KNOW YOUR DAMN AUDIENCE!!

Sorry for the novel but I had to get that out. 

Augusta108

@shortstack930, UGH. Words fail me, that's so awful! I had a friend today go on for a while about how she "can't wait to hear good news" from me and how I need to "hurry up" for her sake because she's so eager for me to be KU, and I thought that was pretty bad, but compared to some of the insensitive friends I've seen people posting about on here lately I guess I really shouldn't complain!

RVAmom315

@shortstack930 Oh man.  How insensitive of her.  I am so sorry.  Is she aware of your TTC journey?  If so, I'd take a day or two and then let her know how her attitude is making you feel.  All the hugs!

AlohaKumu

@MJDsquared - sorry for the late bump. I thought it would be a good reference since we've revived the topic of using them.

shortstack930

@RVAmom315 oh she is totally aware. And she's actually been the one to talk me off the ledge half the time so I was really surprised that she was so insensitive.