The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[MySmallWorldof4]

Hey, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If she was a generous person, she would come out to visit the both of you. I think it's really selfish that she's still expecting the two of you to go and visit her. Nah . . . pass.

Totally agree with this. Your poor dh shouldn’t have to sit for hours in a car. If you can stay in a hotel there, why can’t they stay at a hotel by you? They should have a little empathy.
Luckily my in-laws are fine. Dh’s parents have passed on and I never knew FIL, but the siblings are all great. I enjoy their company.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I think we're going to switch to just treats for the adults next year. I've done the shopping for months trying to find the perfect gift that wasn't appreciated. I've done the work on a heart felt hand made gift for months that wasn't appreciated. At this point, I think we're better off focusing on the kids. Adults don't need presents anyway.

For the adults I make themed food baskets. It's something I know they'll use. This year is a breakfast theme in a mixing bowl as the basket, a baking theme in a cake pan as the basket and a snack theme in a popcorn bowl as the basket.

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

For the adults I make themed food baskets. It's something I know they'll use. This year is a breakfast theme in a mixing bowl as the basket, a baking theme in a cake pan as the basket and a snack theme in a popcorn bowl as the basket.

That is a great idea!

 

[MOXOMUMD]

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

My sisters in law are the same way. We mentioned that we're going to be in Disney World this year for Christmas and one of them got so angry that she walked away and didn't talk to us for over an hour.

I guess it is nice in a way that they were upset then I guess it shows that they care but still....

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Heh, heh . . . think it's funny that the consolation prize (time in Chicago) outdoes the visit to the rellies!

I know, but there are fun things to do, see, and most importantly eat in downtown Chicago!

Hey, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. If she was a generous person, she would come out to visit the both of you. I think it's really selfish that she's still expecting the two of you to go and visit her. Nah . . . pass.

Totally agree with this. Your poor dh shouldn’t have to sit for hours in a car. If you can stay in a hotel there, why can’t they stay at a hotel by you? They should have a little empathy.
Luckily my in-laws are fine. Dh’s parents have passed on and I never knew FIL, but the siblings are all great. I enjoy their company.

I suppose it is just the "tradition" to go to the one sister's house in Chicago, that's hub's twin sister. She can be a bit of a pill but really a follower and will fall in line with the older sister. Hub's older sister lives in Michigan and when their mom died (and even before) she kind of took control of the family. She is the bossy one. This may sound mean but I think she really is a little selfish, to me she puts on this show of being so nice and "Christian" but is very critical of others and wants things done her way. I might have mentioned this in the Spring, but we had to go to Michigan for her eldest daughter's graduation and during the gift opening time, she and her husband criticized the gifts. They made fun of people who they thought didn't give enough money, it turned my stomach and made me so mad I had to leave the room. I couldn't understand not being grateful for the gifts.

Luckily their kids are getting older and will all be in college or on their own within the next 5-6 years so I can imagine the family Christmas will start to change as they start their own families. And if I'm lucky Chicago will get some blizzards during Christmas, so I don't have to travel there!

 

[donaldtoo]

Here you go

 

[donaldtoo]

If only. Almost done. I am brooding over what cash back sale to use. I can get 20% back using the Ibotta app on ebay today. Do I use it for a Lego or a Nintendo Super NES that cannot be found. Toys R Us has it in stores only and not online. Cannot get to one today, and refuse to deal with hoards. Oh again, first world problems. I am also ticked because Target is offering 15% off on all online orders. Lego is excluded!! It is also excluded for the 20% off coupon I got last week from purchasing $50 in goods that were actually necessities.

Sympathy like.

 

[donaldtoo]

First world problem averted. Toys R Us near dh’s office had the Nintendo in stock. Had 6 left. He had some time and was able to snag one at the very nice retail and not double marked up on Ebay price. Hooray!! I was then able to get 20% back on the Lego purchased through ebay. Funny thing was the seller was actuallyTarget. So now my shopping is done. The stress is now over and done with for this year.

Unsympathy like.

 

[donaldtoo]

Hadn’t realized you meant the expensive princess dresses. Yeah, I would put a kibosh on that. Maybe go the cheaper tutu route? They are “princessy”.

I've worn a "princessy" tutu before...




Sorry, couldn't resist...the 5 of us and SonIL did the Princess 5K back in Feb. of '16...!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Back in the day it was Phineas and Ferb shirts now James looks like @Mr Ferret 88 dressed him

Hahaaa...!
We musta sold about a billion (children and adult sizes) of these t-shirts when I was a Disney Store CM...!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

You mean like this.
View attachment 246749

The only thing they're missing is face paint...!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Would you have preffered this ?
View attachment 246750

 

[Gabe1]

Hilton Head.

Hilton Head during 'holiday' time and Disney in January?

 

[DryerLintFan]

This is why I avoid family get-togethers at the holidays. I've heard enough.

You go and enjoy your Christmas in Disney World and forget about them.

We'll be driving up to the in-laws for family Christmas once we return from Disney, so we get the best of both worlds!!

For the adults I make themed food baskets. It's something I know they'll use. This year is a breakfast theme in a mixing bowl as the basket, a baking theme in a cake pan as the basket and a snack theme in a popcorn bowl as the basket.

This is amazing!!

 

[DryerLintFan]

I guess it is nice in a way that they were upset then I guess it shows that they care but still....

They are an incredibly caring family and they've always welcomed me as one of their own. They're really really good people and I love them dearly. But taking a trip during the holiday break is something we've started since we had our daughter because her school closes and it's slow at work and it's the best time for us to have a family vacation. So it's just something they're going to have to get used to. This year is Disney, but next year will be the same situation only we'll be going to Costa Rica or some place.

 

[donaldtoo]

Continuing The Trip Report:

The Spanish Side...

Going around the Mining shaft as seen from my last post: https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/the-chit-chat-chit-chat-thread.892190/page-6649#post-7971009

View attachment 246791

There is water everywhere as there are waterfalls and drops moving in. And these walls are pretty ancient.

All these parts used to be 100% covered and illuminated with oil lamps and before that... with spanish style candles

View attachment 246792
In these areas, Storage and transfer of the materials happened. There are a few tunnels that lead to enclosed rooms and then to the nearby river.

All these parts are supposedly haunted.

View attachment 246793

Multiple arches, storage areas and spaces to make the mining industry work.

View attachment 246794
The ancient spanish "chimneys" where the minerals were melted.
A lot of the walls and above the chimneys contains sacred writings to psychologically control the workers and slaves.
Most of them had ideals such as "Christ is watching you" and symbols. All to deter the thief and escape.

This area was indeed a torture to work for, they worked more than 12 hours in pitch darkness under candle and under the high temps the fires needed to melt the ore.

View attachment 246795

There was a small "molino" where people and animals smashed the ore in a rotating stone.

View attachment 246796

This area is also heavily haunted... The guide said a few times how in random photographers, you could see random apparitions.. including one behind our guide himself. Looking like a normal person of the date... sans eyes.


There are multiple rooms in this area, including another that appeared in the EL ZORRO movie.
There are also pools, very creepy ones. The guide told us that sometimes the bubbles that come out of the pool (which was used for torture and other things, had deadly chemicals) would randomly form full detailed faces in disfigured pain and horror.

Then a very small kinda hidden door (the whole place is sort of built like a labyrinth of hallways, some going back to the same place after a turn.
You would get to this water bridge ( moves water for the shafts)
The river is below. The entire thing is built on a ton of basaltic stones (see the lower left area, they are all horizontal) Giving the place huge stability.

View attachment 246797

View attachment 246798
There is also a VERY old tree in the courtyard infront of the hotel.

View attachment 246799

The church again.
View attachment 246800

Aaand thats all folks.. back to the entrance again of the administrative offices and hotel entrance.


Check later for part 6.

Again, very interesting and great pics.
Thanks for sharing, Cesar...!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Great stuff!! Did you experience any spookiness? The pictures are fantastic of course. Your family really all look alike.

And, you'd never be able to find them in a crowd...!

 

[donaldtoo]

Not at all, but we were only a couple of hours. The tour is pretty fast because after this, we went first to buy some local handmade alcoholic drinks (Rompope) and candies (love the Cajeta so much). Then we went to the town nearby.
After that, we went to a silver mine that was used as museum.

Oh my! I'm familiar with this kind of Cajeta, but, Cajeta candy, too...!!!!!

 

[Gabe1]

Lets go together, so you can give me your crawfish

I'm in! Texas or Illinois? You can have all the crawfish but maybe we should also split an order of SeaBass too? Oh and maybe some fried shrimp as an appetizer? We only have one in Illinois, spitting distance from my MIL and BIL homes. Maybe my SIL will take me in after I have one or two of their lovely margaritas?