The Running Thread - 2018

[Dis_Yoda]

Not running related post!

I’m not sure what I’m really looking for here... maybe just airing out dirty laundry, or a place to get advice, or just talking to a group of my internet friends who love Disney and running.

I can’t sleep so I’ve taken the logically bad approach to having a few beers alone at my dining room table. Please excuse me while I ramble about my life problems. I think it’s best not to get into very specifics because not everyone has the same ideas that I have regarding political matters, religion, and so on. In not really here to post my opinion on those topics.

A few weeks ago DW and I had a discussion about a event coming up. At the time of the discussion and even as recent as this week we had both agreed it was best to not bring DD to a social event and that I would stay home with her, but the day before and after I would bring her to see everyone and take part in those opportunities. We told my MIL of these and at first nothing was said. The last time I spoke with MIL, it’s like I said nothing and she begged me to bring DD to said event even though we told her our parenting decision was to avoid it. She got mad and hung up on me. DW still supported that decision at that time... that is until she talked to her. I get home and DW is saying how her moms upset and she thinks that we should bring DD as it may not be a issue all of a sudden. She’s trying to make everyone happy, and no ones happy. I think our marriage took a big hit tonight and I’m not sure if it will recover. I stand from with my decision because I believe it’s whats best for DD, but pressure from the outside is causing issues. My wife is telling MIL this is our position, but adding a “but” in there.
I’m struggling to put to words my feelings... I think my MIL is being selfish and guilting DW into something we already agreed upon to make her happy. I feel like my own opinion is one to be brushed aside.... I feel like I’m losing my wife, my love, my everything because my MIL wants something and my wife is starting to take her side.
I know none of this probably make sense, but tonight my heart hurts, and I don’t know *** to do from here.

Sometimes venting problems help! Mom guilt can be real and I'm sorry its affecting you all. I'm sure once the heat of the moment is gone, you can discuss with your wife calmly.


I may not always like my husband but I always love him - at least that's what I tell myself when we're in the ebbs and flows of marriage. Anyone that tells you its sunshine and rainbows is fooling themselves.

 

[JulieODC]

Thanks for sharing your experiences @SheHulk @flav an @Miranda.

@LSUlakes - I’m sorry to hear that. My MIL is the worst part of my marriage - and though DH knows she’s toxic, he still feels enormous guilt when she isnt happy with a decision we’ve made as a couple/family. I’d suggest talking it out at a time when it isn’t so emotional - that’s helped us figure out how to compromise, but without bending every time to the guilt trips.

 

[Bree]

@LSUlakes Marriage is definitely full of ups and downs and when family members get in the mix it can turn into a full blown hurricane! There are so many times my husband and I don't like each other, but we still love each other. I hope both of you can work through this issue and come out stronger in the end.

 

[ZellyB]

@LSUlakes I hope that the morning has brought some clarity for you and DW. The in-law push and pull is always a strain on a marriage. The good part I see is that even if your wife is qualifing the "no" to your MIL with a "but", she is still standing in solidarity with you. Sometimes we all do things to try and create a compromise to keep the peace between factions in our families. A friend of mine calls it our FOO (Family Of Origin) and our FOC (Family of Choice) and the balance between FOO and FOC can be difficult at times. Perspective is everything though and one event or disagreement about that one event hopefully isn't enough to seriously damage your marriage. Hoping this morning is better!

 

[jmasgat]

@LSUlakes Hope the morning is better than last night. Sounds like a tough situation all around, with both you and your wife between a rock and a hard place. Hope you find some resolution that works for your family.

 

[Bree]

I need treadmill help.

I’m trying to keep the price less than $2500 so that rules out higher end treadmills. I prefer to run outdoors so this for when I’m short on time or weather is crappy.

Went and tested two treadmills yesterday - Bowflex BXT216 & Sole F85. The Bowflex was way too bouncy. I was surprised at how much I liked the Sole. It was quiet, it shifted speeds and inclines smoothly and the running deck wasn’t bouncy. I’m not looking to purchase one for a few more months due to prior financial commitments. I’ve ruled out NordicTrack & ProForm due to prior experience, quality, warranty and customer service. Any others I should look at? Should I consider a used LifeFitness or Precor? Am I sacrificing any quality with the foldable kind? I don't need it to fold. I have a huge area it’s going in that nobody uses.

ETA - it’s going on the second floor of our home with wood floors. What do I put under it?

 

[TheHamm]

As @LSUlakes had a late night and is hopefully finding a bit of peace this morning, I want to jump in with a Fun Friday Question because I love them and look forward to seeing what he has come up with each week - and I just can't wait any longer in my day to read some of your answers.

Question: Do you remember how old you were when you had your first Disney experience? What memory sticks in your head? Have you been with someone else when they first experienced that magic? Do you think any age for this experience is any better than another?

My answer: I saved babysitting money to go on a trip with the exchange student we were hosting from Japan. We took a 20 hour bus ride with other exchange students- I was the only American kid there. I started hanging out with the Japanese because I knew them, but they planned what they wanted to do and I couldn't understand a word of it, which was irritating. Then we went to Epcot for Japanese food and one of the guys thought it would be funny to order my food with extra Wasabi. I spent the next few days solo and loved it. I think there is no bad age for disney. If you can afford it, go!
Edit: I forgot to answer the other portion of my own question. I loved taking my kids for their first trip to WDW when they were just shy of 3. IASW was their first ride and they asked to go on it repeatedly. We had an amazing and magical trip, despite them having norovirus and us being confined to the hotel room for the last 2 days. I figured if we had a good time with that volume of bodily fluid, the place had to be magical! We recently took them to DL for their first trip and it was magically memorable. We had to make IASW their first ride there as well. They were flabbergasted that their names were not on the signs at the end- it was hilarious! And we repeatedly rode Toy Story Mania, and one child asked to call our friend in Orlando. I was confused but obliged. The child called to tell our friends that the next time we were visiting she would beat them at TSM. It was some serious preschool smack talk!

 

[PrincessV]

@LSUlakes I'm so sorry. I know from experience that in-law issues in a marriage are HARD. I hope today is a better day and you guys are able to talk it out!

 

[PrincessV]

I was diagnosed with Lyme disease today

Yikes! I'm sorry - I hope the treatment works quickly and you feel better very soon!

Question: Do you remember how old you were when you had your first Disney experience? What memory sticks in your head? Have you been with someone else when they first experienced that magic? Do you think any age for this experience is any better than another?

Yep! I was 6, went to WDW with my dad, who lived in FL at the time. I vividly recall staying at a Howard Johnson's, waiting 2 hours to ride Space Mountain, ticket books, and the Magic Shop on Main Street.
I also vividly remember my son's first trip, at 6 weeks old. Relaxed, easy day at EP - just watching him take it all in was magical! Having watched him at WDW for the past 16 years, I don't think any one age is better than another; there's something special to be found at any age!

 

[rteetz]

Question: Do you remember how old you were when you had your first Disney experience? What memory sticks in your head? Have you been with someone else when they first experienced that magic? Do you think any age for this experience is any better than another?

Furthest back I remember is when I was 6. I got lost at Pop Century but I knew where our room was so I ran back there and waited until my family found me.

 

[TheHamm]

Furthest back I remember is when I was 6. I got lost at Pop Century but I knew where our room was so I ran back there and waited until my family found me.

I imagine they remember this as well!
And now I will be worried that my kids will get lost....

 

[Bree]

ATTQOTD: I was 25yo the first time I went to WDW. Walking under the train station onto Main St and seeing the castle waiting for me at the end was amazing. I couldn’t believe I was really there!!! We brought my kids when they were 5 & 3. My DS really thought the pirate ships for Peter Pan really flew and my DD was easily convinced she really was shrunk to go to Pixie Hollow to meet Tinkerbell.

 

[rteetz]

I imagine they remember this as well!
And now I will be worried that my kids will get lost....

This was before everyone had a cell phone so it wasn’t as easy to communicate. My parents found me first and our family friends were still looking for a while.

 

[LSUlakes]

He folks. Despite a late night, and a little rest. My normal morning routine is not affected. Dropped kiddos off at school and at my desk for 7:30AM. Thanks for the thoughts and comments. We need to talk, but need to do so without interruption from kids who want to play. No idea when that will happen, but it's either going to get better at that point are much worse.

 

[Bree]

Hi everyone!

I guess this is a PSA of sorts, but curious if others have experience to share...

I was diagnosed with Lyme disease today in a way it’s a relief to have an answer, because the symptoms have been awful (headaches, muscle pain/weakness, forgetting words, a lot of numbness and tingling). I was chalking it up to allergies and half marathon training, but it was getting worse. I happened to see a news story about Lyme the other night and made an appt with the doctor the next morning. I just started antibiotics.

I’ve never seen a tick on me or anyone in the family, and never had a bite/rash.

Anyone ever experienced this? I am hoping it’s early enough that the antibiotics kick right in.

Also, the PSA is to be super vigilant about checking for ticks if you are in an area where they are common.

I don’t know how I missed this! I was diagnosed with Lyme disease when I was 20. I only went to the doctor because all of a sudden my joints were in so much pain and I was so tired. My hands were the worst though. I couldn’t even squeeze a shampoo bottle. She asked to do a skin check and found a small bullseye rash on my back. I was put on antibiotics, but I still have joint pain every now and then 21 years later. It’s mostly in my hands and hips.

 

[KSellers88]

@LSUlakes I'm so sorry, we've had some in-law struggles on both sides as well. Long story short, I am an only child and so my parents being very involved in our lives has been an adjustment for my husband. On the opposite side, my husband's family does things very differently than I am used to and seems to think that since they are the bigger family that my family should adjust all our holiday plans and get togethers to fit their schedule. Luckily we've had no major issues so far, but my husband has already been warned that once we have children I will not be driving all over the world for these holiday parties. I hope and pray that things get better and will work out, just know that you are not alone in your struggles, we all have them and are here to support you.


ATTQOTD: My first real Disney memory is being scooped up by Chip and Dale while walking through Magic Kingdom. I was around 6 years old and this was back when the characters walked around without the escorts they have now. I was walking in front of my parents and they ran up behind us, picked me up and ran about 40 feet ahead of my family. I can look back and laugh at it now and realize how awesome the experience was, but at the time I was a bit terrified because a huge chipmunk was trying to kidnap me. LOL

 

[Dis_Yoda]

My first real memory was staying in a Turret Room at the Grand Floridian...jumping on the bed and hitting my head. I was like 4?

 

[Capang]

FFQOTD: this is a good one. I went to WDW when I was like 7 or 8. I was so excited! My older sister was a competitive roller skater (really, it is a thing)and I was dragged from practice to practice and competition to competition. One of those competitions was in FL. A bunch of skaters made plans to go and we went and my dad HATED IT. Like full blown hated it. I rode dumbo and saw a parade. I also toured the tree house although I didnt know what it was until recently when I saw it in someone's trip report. We were there 2 hours. My dad declared Cedar Point the best park ever and we left. I lost my dad to cancer in my early 20s. Recently I was looking for pics of him and I to post I found the old Disney pictures. I was so sad to find he wasn't in one single picture. In fact, some couple I don't even know was in my pictures. It was strange. Like I had stand-ins for parents. If i knew how to post pics I'd post one.
ETA: I took my daughter when she was 3 for the first time. It was magical. While I still love Cedar Point, Disney is in a class of its own.

 

[JulieODC]

The first thought that come to mind is the excitement when the Disney channel came on for free - and had park commercials, the mousercize show, etc. I think that was what started my love for Disney!

Here’s a link:

 

[cavepig]

Sorry @LSUlakes you are having a stressful time, hopeful it will play it for the better.

ATTQOTD - I have way too many Disney memories to even figure out what, I was a baby my first trip so that's out on remembering. Going on trips with my niece & nephew as they grew up from babies to teens & seeing them experience the magic has been priceless. My nephew as a baby screamed at King Louie, I mean priceless! I think any age is a good age. Even if babies can't remember, their parents/family can.