My "litle one" just took a job in another state.. pretty darn far away. I was not excited about this because I would miss him too much. BUT... it is what he wanted for a long time... and he will be a fire fighter now full time for the parks. As long as he is happy... I can suck it up I guess and not complain.

Sooooooo.. they left two days ago on the auto train... he and his girlfriend... and what a sweet one she is.

She is helping him get the place together and unpack and was then returning home for the summer and returning to work.

As luck would have it.. the car broke down several hours from the destination.. after they left the train. This was after he took the car to have everything checked before the trip, of course.

Anyhow... I am so excited I can't keep still...

I called tonight to see if the car had been fixed and they made it ok.

The girlfriend answered the phone.. and she said yes, the car was fixed.. yes, they were headed there, but had stopped for the night about an hour from there and were staying in a nice motel on the beach.. and he put a ring on my finger tonight.

WHAT?

I said, "noooooo.. he didn't!"

Just then... the phone went dead!

They called back.. and 20 minutes earlier.. on the beach as they were walking...

He asked her to look at the map to see how much further they had to go to get to the new place.

He had kept this a secret from everyone...

He had ordered a ring, special made to his liking, before they left home. He took a map and cut a hole in the place they were headed. He tied the ring to the little hole with a tag so the ring was hidden underneath the map when it was opened up.

She said.. LOOK, the map has a hole in it right where we are going! Hmmmm.. what's this?

She turned the map over and there was the engagement ring.

On the beach, in the evening, during a walk...

How romantic!

Ain't love grand!

She said yes by the way.

I am ALL smiles!

What great news!

Let us know when they set a date

Best wishes,

Beach...thousands of miles away...
California????

HUGZZZZ ....hope you come to visit soon!!!

How wonderful and beautiful and exciting!

I actually went "AAhhhh" OUTLOUD when I got towards the end of your message.

Love is indeed a joy!

Thanks for reminding me of it.

So cool, and so romantic! I'm so happy for all of you! Tell your son congratulations!

I wish them the best!!!

Looks like you've gotta polish your dancing shoes so you can dance at their wedding.

Thanks for all the nice replies.

It is extra nice to know it made others smile too!

Except maybe Stella. Hmmmmm... Stella.

Let's talk!

I am still thinking about the comment you made!

It never occured to me that I would be a...

MOTHER-IN-LAW!

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!

Ok... Since I have never been a mother in law before... and I want to be a good one...

Any advise from Stella that would help me along? What would YOU like to see in a mother in law?

I did appreciate your comment.. really. I just stopped abruptly when I read that comment and it really was the first time that went through my mind.

How about you other mother in laws.. or those who HAVE a mother in law.... any advise?

HELP!

But, I have to admit, I got an extra-special-big-giggle when I read your comments on Stella's comments on being the big M-I-L (Mother In Law)

Tee hee!

You do know that you'll be a wonderful mother-in-law, right?

I like my M-I-L, but I'd be happy to have you as one. (Don't you be thinkin' that I'm going to steal your son away... my man suits me jus' fine! )

Congrats!

Pea

you said :

"How about you other mother in laws.. or those who HAVE a mother in law.... any advise?

HELP!"

I love my mother in law..

And you reminded me of a funny story I thought I would share with you...

While I was in the hospital having Derek, she rearranged my entire house!!!

Not just the cupboards in the kitchen...she rearranged the furniture in my bedroom and living room.

She re-organized my clothing!!!!!...

So the only advice I have for a new Mother in Law ( or new Grammy) is while we truly love and appreciate you, please leave the house as you found it ( well it's okay to dust and vaccum )
Best wishes!
~Missy

Congratulations, Tincup! You should be proud!

Sorry if I did!

I'm pretty sure that being yourself will be more than enough for you to be a WONDERFUL mother in law!

When I first logged onto this site, and I didn't know anybody on the site, I clearly remember thinking..... WHO is this Tincup person who has a crush on Mel and lives on the MOON???

Your comments caught my attention right off the bat because you are so naturally upbeat, positive and willing to help pretty much anybody and everybody!!!

You now want tips from ME?!?!?!
Thanks for the honor, TC!

I might not be able to give you tips that your creative brain haven't already thought of already - but here's my two cents!

My ex�s mother sent me a very sweet letter when she learned I had Lyme, which I thought was a beautiful gesture on her part.

So, tip #1 is; be there for your new daughter when she's sick.

Tip #2, give her a call whenever you know your son won't be around. Talk to her and listen attentively. This will let her know you care about her too.

Tip #3, try not to judge or criticize her or their relationship in any way. If you do, DON'T say it OUTLOUD!

Tip #4, try not to ask them when your grandkids will be coming along on a weekly basis.

Tip #5, Make her laugh! The more fun she has when she's around your family, the more she'll want to visit!

Tip #6, As hard as it is for a Lymie brain to remember things, NEVER forget her birthday, or their wedding anniversary!

Tip #7, Don't talk about Lyme too much! It's very unlikely she'll want to obtain a PhD in Lyme anytime soon!

Tip #8, Teach her to cook your son's favorite dish! He'll love a taste from home even when he's miles away and she'll be greatful that you are helping to keep her new hubbie happy!

Tip #9, we girls have a tendency to dream of our wedding day long before we even have a boyfriend! Be a doll and let her make the final decisions about their special day on her own.

Tip #10, And last but certainly not least, Love her lots!

Ahhhh, love! (sigh)

While Stella gives excellent advise, I have just a couple of things to add. They may be kinda the same, but I am trying to make them different.

I guess the BIGGEST one would be to not interfere.
I was very lucky in the fact my ex MIL and my present and last MIL did/do not interfere. Only give advice if asked. I know that is hard sometimes, but I know you can do it. Let her know you are there if she needs to talk, and she will end up talking to you like a mom instead of MIL.

After she has it down about the foods and stuff he really likes, do not keep telling her what your son likes. She more than likely already knows, and sometimes tastebuds change. My current MIL (I LOVE HER SO) still tells me about the foods that Charles loves as if I had not heard it and fixed it many x's over. (funny, just think she repeats herself alot and means no harm)

DO NOT ask when are you going to have kids over and over! That will drive a daughter-in-law nuts! Mine did not do that, but have heard other woman complain.

Mine does not do this either, and I would not mind from time to time, because we have developed a wonderful relationship after 5 yrs and his 2 deployments, do not show up at the house uninvited or without calling. They may not always live away from your town.

Well, that is enough for you NOT to do.....
Just do what comes to the TC naturally, that is being the loving and caring person you are and just let your son go. Forgot if you said he is your only one, cuz if he is your only one, I understand that is soooo hard to let an only son go.

You will be just fine. I know it.

Hey if Rosemary can do it (and do it well), I know you can too.

BIG HUG ~Amanda

"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful."
-------- Manuel, age 8

"One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something she likes to eat. French fries usually works for me."
-------- Bart, age 9

"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love."
------ Alonzo, age 9

"When a person gets kissed for the first time, they fall down and they don't get up for at least an hour."
-------- Wendy, age 8

"Don't say you love somebody and then change your mind ... Love isn't like picking what movie you want to watch."
-------- Natalie, age 9

Congratulations.

Maybe you will be a grandmother soon.