Our Peter Pan Costumes

I just love themed costumes. I knew my mom had a great Captain Hook costume so I talked everyone into doing Peter Pan this year. It was an easy sell even for my mom who made costumes for Lexi and me. It was all planned. My mom was Captain Hook. Lexi was Tinkerbell. Jordan was the croc (I got his costume off of ebay). Paige would be Peter Pan. My step-father was going to be Smee. As for me, the clear choice was Wendy.

We tought we were going to get to wear them a lot. We were lucky enough to be invited to a block party last weekend, have a church party this week, a little party at my mom's work today, and then Halloween. Nothing ever works perfectly. My step-father had a gig on Saturday, so he missed the block party. He is out of town this week for work. My mom suddenly got sick on Wednesday and is still down with some kind of flu (not H1N1). Paige and I took the kids to the church party. Paige has party plans for the real Halloween. I will probably be taking the kids trick-or-treating myself and might not dress up. (Maybe the fake eyelashes though- I love those things). Here are our costumes:

The Croc & Tinkerbell

Tinkerbell


Cast of Peter Pan

The Croc & Wendy

Tink & Wendy

Tink (Lexi) & Peter (my sister)

Captain Hook (aka my mom)

Tinkerbell with Face Paint


For next year, I have been talking about Alice in Wonderland. Yesterday, I found out that Disney has a new one coming out:

Alice in Wonderland Official Trailer

Remembering the Blogging Days

As a result of the graphics disappearing, I designated a little time to figuring out where I could host new ones. I found something that was OK. This whole experience reminded me of the old blog days back when I used to change the design to be festive every month. Was that a pain or what? I guess it was also back when I updated regularly and kept up with other blogs. In a way, I miss it. I am not sure I can fit it into my life right now, but maybe I'll try a little harder to be a real blogger.

Disappearing Graphics

As you’ve probably noticed, my graphics have disappeared. I used to use Geocities to upload the pictures for the blog design. I found out a few weeks ago that Yahoo was going to close it. I could have started researching other options then, but I didn’t. Does anyone have suggestions? Perhaps there is even a way to upload them to blogger directly. I haven’t tried that.

Connecting with In-Laws

One of the strange spin off issues with divorce is not knowing how to connect with former in-laws. My parents pretty much severed their relationships with each other’s extended family members when they parted ways. That had more to do with my dad’s extreme bitterness. He didn’t want contact with my mom’s family and he needed to feel like his family had his back.

The situation is quite different with our divorce. Neither of us is bitter, which helps. Steve has called one of my brothers a few times. I think he feels more comfortable talking to my side because he knows that they already know what happened. As far as I can tell, he has been avoiding his family and friends. I read that men view divorce as a huge failure and are often terribly embarrassed about it. I believe that is the case with him.

Last week, I got an e-mail from one of his cousins that I have never met in person. She wanted to know what is going on. Some of his family members read the kids’ blogs and wanted to know why we seemed to be living in California and he wasn’t. I know they deserve to know, but I hate to step on his toes. I decided to answer the e-mail as nicely as possible with minimal facts and basically left out any explanations. I know that part should come from him.

I know I am rambling, but my main point is that divorce usually puts up a barrier and alienates a spouse from the former in-laws. Perhaps it is mainly in my imagination or not really knowing how to get a new phase of the relationship started. I would like to know how to overcome that without stepping on Steve’s toes. Part of me thinks that sounds selfish like I have a right to his family even though I filed for divorce. While I really liked the in-laws, I think this relationship will benefit the kids more than anyone. I just don’t know how to go about re-starting it. Suggestions?

Relatively Speaking

In my last post, I said that I was quite happy. I guess I should explain. I didn’t really mean that everything was gloriously wonderful and that my life could in no way be better. Is that even possible under any circumstances? I just meant that I am not living in a pit of despair and actually feel at peace or quite happy most of the time.

About eight years ago, I broke up with a guy I had been dating for 3 years. At the time, I was living in Miami and the few friends that I had were all married. I realized that the worst part of break-ups (for me) was the HUGE void that was left. I had lots of time on my hands and nobody to spend it with. I was lonely and bored.

Getting divorced has been different. As soon as the divorce was finalized, I was on the road headed to California. My kids, family, work and numerous activities keep me too busy. There is no void. I am not lonely or bored and I actually have a LOT more help with the kids. Plus, the issues that I had been dealing with are not my problem any more. I don’t spend too much time worrying and/or being angry. That had made this life change a huge relief. Therefore, things are better. I am quite happy.

Quite Happy

I realize that my last few posts were either depressing or neutral. It is time to tell you that overall we are quite happy. It is nice getting help with the kids and there are lots of fun things to do in San Diego.