Momof3gurlz

The best kind of kitchen helpers!

What a tragic death, Maryann. The anniversaries are always difficult but I hope the memories of him bring you comfort.

Have a great cruise!

Oh my gosh Maryann, I said the same thing to Andy! Spitting image in that picture.

(((Hugs))) for you and your family Jennifer.

@Sea Dog Greg your vacation rental is beautiful. What a great opportunity to get together with old friends and relive “the good old days” (at least that’s what happens when I’m with my high school friends). Try not to let one person spoil the trip for you; why should your vacation be cut short because of one bad apple? I like Ozark’s idea to be slow to anger, although that’s easier said than done. Maybe just say you’ll have to agree to disagree on those topics and leave the room for a while. I hope you have a great 5 days.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments about hip replacements. The specialist he was referred to deals only with hip problems and the procedure will be done at the orthopedic surgery center. Barring any complications, he’ll be up and walking before he goes home the day of surgery. The doctor feels that as a healthy, active, 60 year “young”patient, Andy should be fully recovered in 6 weeks, possibly less. So to answer your question @Sea Dog Greg, this shouldn’t interfere with Bella 2.0. I’ll get him there one way or another!

I’ve been avidly reading all the comments about knee and hip replacements. Andy’s had problems with his right knee and hip for a few years, to the point that he walks with a noticeable gimp and has great difficulty putting on a sock and tying a shoe on the right foot. His primary told him it’s likely arthritis and referred him to ortho, which of course he’s ignored. He finally went Thursday (nagging works!) and was told he has severe arthritis in his hip and mild arthritis in the knee. His knee pain is most likely a result of the hip issues. So hip replacement scheduled for Nov 5th. He was given a shot of cortisone with the disclaimer he might only see 10-30% improvement, he says the 10% is about right. I think he put it off out of fear of the surgery, but so many people have told him hip replacement isn’t bad these days, much easier than the knee. Anyone here had this done?

What a wonderful family photo Dani! Happy Anniversary Marietta & Charlie! 💐

@dani negreanu I’m so happy it worked out for your family after all the stress and worrying. I hope you enjoy every minute with them.

This sounds like what @jmh2006 Jennifer and Dave refer to as a “sporgy” !

@aussielozzie18 your photos are just beautiful. @h20skibum what a fun party for your granddaughter! HBD to her. When it comes to keeping stuff from moves or inheritances, it seems there are two types of people. Those that toss out most of it and those that can’t bear to part with anything - and they usually end up married to each other 😂. I’m not sentimental about big things like furniture, china sets, etc. In my mind, if I’m not going to use it, it’s just clutter. Andy on the other hand would keep everything. It’s led to some interesting ‘discussions’ 😉😂.

Hope golf went well!

Safe travels home Maryann & Jim! How fun to see the kids all dressed up for prom.

Happy Belated Birthday! That chocolate cake is beautiful, but Key Lime Pie is my favorite dessert. Double desserts and double drinks; why not have it all on your special day?!

We were prepared to file ours this past weekend, then I learned that residents of three counties in RI (ours included) don’t have to file until July 15th due to flooding disasters declared last year. Even though we didn’t have any flooding damage, I’ll take that extension, thank you very much, especially since we’re among those who always have to pay.

Have a great trip and visit with your kids!

@dani negreanu adding my prayers for you, your family and friends and your country 🙏.

I’ve just started this series and having a little trouble getting into it, but sticking with it in the hope it hooks me at some point.

I’ve been feeling emotional today. First we have Bella crossing over the rainbow bridge, then totally unrelated, the Red Sox Home Opening Day ceremony. They paid a 20 year tribute to the 2004 team that “reversed the curse”. They also honored Tim Wakefield who passed away last fall from brain cancer at 57 and his wife Stacy who died only 5 months later from pancreatic cancer. Most of the 2004 players came onto the field, accompanying the Wakefield’s son and daughter, who through out the first pitch. Such composure from a 17 and 19 year old who recently lost both parents. It was very touching and there weren’t many dry eyes anywhere on the field.

This is very helpful, thank you! I’ll look into both locations. The prices are about what I expected; we figured $7-8K for a month. Considering that nicer resort hotels we’ve stayed at were around $600-700 per night, it doesn’t seem so bad 🤪!

This is something Andy and I would like to do each year from say mid-February to mid-March. Since he retired in 2019, we’ve spent 2-3 weeks in FL around this time (except 2020 of course) with our stays consisting of a combination of hotels, cruises and time at Disney using points. We tried an AirBnB once and had a poor experience so we’ve been reluctant to do that again. But I’d really like to have a 3 week to one month rental, staying in one spot and branching out in day trips. So my question is, how did you find your rental? Local realtor, VRBO, etc? And how far in advance did you book?

Not one bit. Not my cup of tea but there sure seems to be a market for it.

@FromSea2ShiningSea Helen your photos are spectacular. Like aussilozzie’s of Australia, this is a part of the world we’re unlike to ever see in person so I’m really enjoying the virtual visit. I’m hankering for a trip somewhere. Unfortunately we have nothing until Hawaii in September. Once the new baby comes in May, we could potentially do something over the summer but I’m not crazy about traveling then. RI has so much to enjoy during that time, plus all the travel spots are beyond crowded.

@dani negreanu @Sunshine3601 @BonTexasNY - glad you are all either on the mend, improving or fully healed. I was at the grocery store this morning when the EQ struck. Didn’t feel a thing, no groceries fell off the shelves and no other shoppers seemed to notice anything. All three of my daughters (RI, Mass and PA) say they felt it. Andy is headed to Las Vegas Sunday with his best friend, he returns Wednesday. Ali is currently in the air headed to WDW to meet up with Cristina (yes, it’s a sickness with our family LOL). Cristina has a work conference there; Ali couldn’t pass up the chance for a “free hotel” and both have annual passes so according to their “girl math”, this is a free trip 😏. Poor pregnant Jess has to miss out. She was not happy to learn today that baby boy is in a breech position. Still 7 weeks to go so he could still turn. This handsome guy, Ali’s dog Oscar, is hanging out with me until Wednesday.