"Sittin' round the Pot Belly Stove!"

[Miss Mary]

I am actually Mary. We want as many details as possible, without needing to edit (don't need the behind the scenes stuff, ya know what I mean?).

Well I am at another crossroads in my personal life. The short version is I have to make a huge decision, soon.

You see, back in August I broke up with the girl I thought was my girlfriend. She didn't have the same feelings about me, and that ended my hopes. Or so I thought. Because I still love her. Yes, I just said it. And the fact that it didn't, and still won't, work out between me and her is causing me pain. My dad said last night that I should "remove myself from the situation"(in other words, stop hanging around her). Maybe good advice, I don't know. What do you think? And if it is, how should I go about doing that, without hurting anyone's feelings in doing so?

JEREMY!!! LOL You're killing me here....you usually don't post comments like this!!!

I'm sure Donna will leave out some of the details!!! I'd just like to know where they dined at, if they decided to head over to Newport on the Levee, etc.

I agree with your dad's advice Jeremy. Just being in her presence is very hard for you. You want more from the relationship than she does. Severing ties will be difficult at first but in time, you'll meet someone else. And be far happier with a future g/f than you ever thought possible. I can understand your reluctance to part ways with her. But in the long run, it's probably healthier to admit it's going nowhere and to move on. I mean all of that with your best interests at heart.

Mary

[therock1811]

Yeah. I don't, but I thought it should be said. LOL.

[Miss Mary]

Well, if anything your comments will give Donna a chuckle today!!!

Hang in there Jeremy.....

Mary

[therock1811]

I'm trying. I just don't know if the advice I got is good for this situation. I mean, I don't want to wind up hurting Nathalie in any way, but there's no easy way to say what likely needs to be said, and not cause pain for her.

[vbhoutex]

Your dad knows what he is talking about. You need to remove yourself from being around her when you can. I realize it may not always be possibile, but you don't need the pain her presence is causing you. You yourself know it is going to go nowhere. Unfortunately others are hurt a little when we do things like we are suggesting you do, but it is best for all in the long run.

Best of Luck bud!!!!

[therock1811]

Thanks VB. I'm glad you know what you're saying. I wasn't sure he did.

The problem for me is that I know what I need to do, but I don't know how to tell her that I need to step back. Or, to be exact, I know what I need to do, but don't exactly know how to express that to her.

[Miss Mary]

Jeremy - again, your dad gave you very good advice. If you know for certain she wants to just remain casual friends and isn't interested romantically, then in YOUR best interests you need to move on. Practice how you'd like to say that to her. I would recommend you say it concisely, short and sweet. To the point and then leave. Part ways with her in a nice way, with little anger (even though I know you might feel that way). That way when you look back on how you handled things, knowing you did admirably will be a comfort.

Hope that makes sense to you.

Mary

[therock1811]

Okay that's what I figured. Short, to the point. And just so you know, there was, and is, no anger anywhere in this. I'm not mad at anyone, it's just turning me into a wreck. And I don't need that. Again, I'm not angry, I'm just at a crossroad and need to figure out which direction to go, which judging by the posts here it seems that dad advised me well.

[furluvcats]

Hi guys...boy did we experience one heck of a sever stoem here Thursday night...I watched it forming in the sky and turned to many of you to pull it up on radar for me, and it wasn't even showing on radar! Ended up forming right overhead and scaring the daylights out of us..hubby was at work watching it on the PC and told me and the kids to go into the coat closet asap..there was a definite hook, and he wanted us safe...we ended up getting nickle sized hail, giant snowflakes, and 4 inches of rain in just 15-20 mins of the heaviest part of the storm...it was one of those once in a lifetime kind of storms for So Cal...from inception til the end...very scary for us... Never been happier than when it was all clear to come out of the closet....unfortunatly, we had TWC on and I guess it all formed to quickly and closely to us for them to even put out a warning on TWC....kinda made me mad...bc it was a very big deal to us....Who would have thought that I'd have to fear tornados here in So Cal???

Anyway...we enjoyed our company immensly...the kids and I spent the weekend up on the mountian with our nephew and once again, I enjoyed watching them snowboard....

FYI Mary: Chloe' broke up with the new guy...she decided she didn't like him afterall...Jr. High is soo ridiculous...these kids don't have a clue...dating isn't really allowed in our home either...if the kids all see eachother in social situations, we are right there with them...we let them "think" they have freedoms that they really don't, bc unless they are at church youth group, mom and dad are right there with them!!! It works well for our family...being as involved as we are gives us the oppurtunity to see who their friends really are, and gently persuade them away from those we don't think have the morals, etc...of kids we want ours hanging out with...so far so good...they take our open criticism pretty well, and move along to better friendship scenarios...

So, thats all the new news here...

I want to send out a special thank you to george in chat, for walking me through the bad storm last week...it was comforting having someone watching my back as things developed! Thanks George!

[Miss Mary]

Fur - sometimes my daughters tell me I'm a little too forceful with my opinions. And I do try very hard to see another's viewpoint! So I honestly hope I didn't come off too preachy before.....now I'm afraid I did! Dating just hasn't been much a focus in our house and I guess we're relieved. Could still happen, they're both in HS. For girls that are comfortable with dating, what Chloe is going thru sounds normal to me. That's what other parents tell me. It's just that I have one that's very shy, one that's not unless it comes to asking a boy out. So there ya have it! And I guess I just wanted to give you background info on what I experienced. When dating is discussed in our house and both aren't interested, I just breathe a huge sigh of relief! Nina has one girl in her group that has all but dropped them. They only see her for 30 minutes a day (lunch). The rest of the time she's with the b/f...on the phone or going out with him on the weekends. That is exactly what I did! If I had anything to say to my daughters if they started dating it would be not to make the boy your whole life. Something tells me they won't and Chloe won't either (when the time comes).

Well, gosh I'm rambling....there's a man hunt going on just 1/2 mile from my house, in the county over to my east - Clermont. A robbery and possible rape suspect is on the loose and has been for a few hours. 2 Schools over there are on lockdown. I've seen 2 Sheriff helicopters going over, very low, as slow as they can go. ALL of my doors are locked and I'm waiting for my girls to get in the door after school. I will lock that door right away. Pray they catch him.
http://www.cincynow.com/news/2005/local ... nhunt.html

Mary

[furluvcats]

Oh Mary...how scary for you! Please let us know when the girls are safely enscounced in your house! So many weirdos out there that we have to protect our children and ourselves from....sad sad sad...

You weren't too preachy to me...lol, and I totally understand where you're coming from with the being tied down all through the best years of your life thing...I hope my kids will have fun throughout the next 6 years, and not invest too much of their time in one person...anyway...hugs... :O)

Pls PM me when the girls are home safely...xo

[pojo]

wow, I can't believe that I leave for Germany on Saturday. Where did the time go? Its my annual 2 week tour.

Anyways, snow continues to fly around the Fox Valley.

[therock1811]

Well...it's over. I finally got to talk to her yesterday, and told her that I needed a break from seeing her for a while(best wording I think I could use). She did understand but it broke her heart and it did mine too. It still hurts me. So, I'm going to be taking a couple days away from here. I may pop in time to time but I generally won't post for a while. I need some time to myself to sort all of this out.

Laters all.

[sunny]

Well...it's over. I finally got to talk to her yesterday, and told her that I needed a break from seeing her for a while(best wording I think I could use). She did understand but it broke her heart and it did mine too. It still hurts me. So, I'm going to be taking a couple days away from here. I may pop in time to time but I generally won't post for a while. I need some time to myself to sort all of this out.

Laters all.

Oh, Rock, I AM sorry.

[Miss Mary]

Take all the time you need Jeremy. You did the right thing, IMHO. Do something enjoyable for you now. Take in a movie, spend time with your family, delve into a good book. Check in with us when you're up to it again.

Shannon - good luck with everything. Can hardly believe time has flown by so quickly for you too.

Donna - how was your trip to Cincinnati?

Mary

[vbhoutex]

Well Mary since you are still posting I guess everything is ok there since the manhunt.

Jeremy, you did what was the best thing for Number 1 and that is and always will be you! Never forget that. I am not saying ignore friends or push them aside for your own desires, just be sure you are always taking care of No. 1 because no one else will. Keep us posted.

Furry!! That is scary!!!! I've done that afew times here in Houston with daughter and others. I guess you have taught Brian some good weather things??

Shannon, I know you will be busy in Germany, but drop us a line if you can.

[therock1811]

Thanks all. I will be going out to eat with my stepdad in a few. So, that may help me.

[isobar]

Jeremy, My heart goes out to you, bud. (((HUG)))

CA Shannon - Man, what a storm!!! You guys are going to take away all the glory from OK and KS this year!! Hopefully things will quiet down now. Stay safe!

WI Shannon - Enjoy your visit to Germany. The student who's living with us this semester is from the Frankfurt area. I know you said that's where you're flying into. Looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

Our anniversary trip to Cincinnati was great! Thanks for the good wishes you all, and thanks for all the info Mary and Jeremy. It really helped!
And I was very prepared for the cold weather - layers and layers of clothes. I felt like the kid brother in the movie "A Christmas Story" after his mom put on his snowsuit and he couldn't even put his arms down.

We stayed downtown at the Cincinnatian and ate at Jeff something that starts with a "B". Then Saturday we went walking around downtown to the Taft Theater to buy tickets for the Pink Floyd thing, but they were closed and we found out the show was cancelled. Bummer! But that's ok. We walked all around the Skywalk thing that goes between all the buildings. That is awesome! I wish they would do that here! In the afternoon, we went to the Museum center and saw the "Forces of Nature" movie on Omnimax. If you guys haven't seen it, don't walk - RUN!! I think this is the last week. The last 15 mins is dedicated to tornadoes. Spent the rest of the afternoon in the History Museum where they have the model of the city and all the WWII exhibits. So cool! We didn't want to leave. They had to kick us out at closing time.

We then went down to the Newport on the Levee, and glad we did. I can see now, Mary, why your girls like it there! My kids would really enjoy it. Again, I wish they would do something like that here in Evansville! We ate at the Irish Pub and went to the Funny Bones comedy club. Took some great photos of the city from across the river.

The next morning we tried having breakfast at the Third Watch, but there was a 1 hr wait. Just went back to the hotel to eat.

We will definitely be back, probably with the kids. I want to take them to the zoo, the museums, and of course to Newport. Maybe the three of us can get together! I'd really like that.

Take care everyone!!
Donna

[wx247]

Glad you had a good trip Donna.

[Miss Mary]

Donna - yes definitely give us heads up if you come back! I'd love to meet you, face to face.

I think you ate at Jeff Ruby's. He and his family live in a very wealthy subdivision in my area, overlooking the Ohio River. Mind you my street's home are not wealthy like that but I see him from time to time, a few times at school events and out and about. He knows many, many local ball players. Ken Griffey Jr., the Big Red Machine guys (my fave baseball team of all), etc.

Bummer on the Pink Floyd thing getting cancelled.

So glad you liked our Museum Center! Isn't the Rotunda neat? Each time we go there, invaribly I'm waiting for one of my daughter's to finish up in the gift shop and/or get their ice cream. And my eyes of course go up to the ceiling. The tilework is exquisite. After trains ceased to run there, the property was empty for years. Then if you can believe, for about 5 or so years, it was a mall, out in that rotunda area. They suspended hundred of cables - dividers for shops (flimsy walls of tenting material really), and for lights. I just remember someone telling me I had to see it. Our parents would have just DIED, because it was not used to all it's proper glory. This was back in the late 70s, early 80s. I didn't think it was right to turn it into a mall. Then that closed and for a while, each Fall, there would be a haunted house there sponsored by a radio station. Again, I thought this was a real crime, a haunted house? Crazy!!! Somewhere along the line there was a movement a foot to move our History Museum there. Voila! The perfect solution to saving a beautiful former train station - where thousdands of WWII Vets had said tearful goodbyes to families and if they were lucky, greeted them upon their safe return. To anyone curious, here's a picture of the Rotunda:
http://www.cincymuseum.org/cmc/information/aboutus.html

Long story short, I never take the Museum Center for granted when we visit. I've even thought wouldn't it be neat to volunteer there? Even my girls thought so at times - they 'hire' teenagers to do just that. Ah, but it's not close to our house so they never signed up.

I'm just so glad you enjoyed it. For some reason, when suggesting places to see, this one jumped out at me. And I do think at one time someone had the gall to suggest it be torn down! I just don't think any of us would have stood for that.

Thanks for checking in Donna!!! Oh, I've heard the Cincinnatian Hotel is very nice. I think a lot of bands prefer staying there, as opposed to one closer to our Arena. Don't ask me who right now but this is what I've heard. Did you bump into anyone famous in the lobby? he he

Oh about the manhunt....that guy still hasn't been apprehended to the best of my knowledge. They've identified him and is known to the 2 women he robbed. It wasn't a rape thank goodness. But what a scare....local news briefs are of course on to more pressing news so now I haven't read any updates about this case.

Mary