LCBride2007

well, nothing is "cemented" really, in that I still don't have a flight booked! but ... - i have expidited my passport (just now changing my name) and Gwen's - the "plan" is to have all 3 of us go over there on July 3rd (2.5 weeks!) - my friend's sister and her boyfriend will be living in our house. they're paying us rent, but not much - but it's nice to have someone we know and trust live here. and he's handy i guess - which is a plus in a 1920s house (i grew up with their family, known them since i was less than 5 years old) - they first gave us an apt. in Wandsworth - apparently a really nice and new building, but not much that was close by. we had our friend/coworker do a walk by it last week. so now i think they're going to put us in an apt. in Wimbledon. (feedback, anyone?) - we still don't know exactly how long we'll be there, but "through the end of the year" is what we're planning for. we're booking our tickets to return mid-January. .... what else? That's what I know so far!

awesome job, Vikki! sorry about the late reminder, girls (and guys) ... my day was all off yesterday.

Welcome to the forum, Leah - your photos are amazing!

So this season ends on July 8th - I might have a few issues with posting the winner (as well as the reminder email) that week. We're scheduled to leave for England on July 3, although that could very well change, I don't even have my flight booked yet! So I am thinking you all can just send me your final weigh-ins on July 8, and I will post the winner as soon as I can! I might have internet access immediately, but I can't promise. So basically it shouldn't affect this season, other than a delay in finding out the winner. Is that ok with everyone!? For those that missed it: http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t43474

welcome! i've always wanted to go to Costa Rica - I've heard it's gorgeous! FYI - I changed how your images were in the post just so that they'd all show on the screen without scrolling right/left. Beautiful images, by the way!

Quote: Originally Posted by MUDHONIE Hi Ann....thank you so much for the info...what a small and magical world it was to have met you at the birthday party. My sister has decided on LC and is just trying to find a date and a hotel and well all the other things you need for a wedding. I gave her your name and she will be in touch with questions I am sure. Much peace to you and your family. By the way, did I mention what a beautiful and striking daughter you have? HEY! I am soooo glad that she decided on Caletas ... she made the right decision, if you ask me. Please tell her to contact me if she has ANY questions - I totally understand the anxiety that comes with planning a wedding in another country, sight unseen. She will be blown away, I promise! And thanks for the comments about Gwen! What a small world, right?

I know - lots of people missed this week. I had to double check to make sure I had the day right!

~~WEEKLY RESULTS~~ Congratulations to .... flygirl (Trish) -3.208% !!! Sarah -2.510% STACEY -2.083% lauren -1.727% KLC77 (Kelly) -1.130% Adlergray (Jill) -0.822% OROBride1008 (Maria) -0.808% Prettyhazardous (Ashley) -0.806% Erika J -0.782% tdmitchell (Tiffany) -0.571% Scubadiva (Holly) -0.562% estella1007 (Christina) -0.513% pvbeachbride10 (Meghan) -0.297% SgtPepperette (Melissa) -0.296% Hunnyhun921 (Khajeesah) -0.284% Sarah (Jeff, Sarah's DH) -0.182% deefalvey (Deanna) 0.000% Sapphire723 (LeAnne) 0.000% starchild (Jamy) 0.000% AnnR 0.373% TA Jill 0.558% LIW (Emily) 0.952% Adlergray (Tim, Jill's FI) <didn't receive anything> BeachBride10 (Ruthie) <didn't receive anything> Jacilynda (Jacilyn) <didn't receive anything> jamaicabride09 (Alicia) <didn't receive anything> jpitts78 (Joanne) <didn't receive anything> jrprice24 (Jessica) <didn't receive anything> lgarner83 (Lisa) <didn't receive anything> MarieSam <didn't receive anything> Raeka (Mel) <didn't receive anything> starchild (Will, Jamy's DH) <didn't receive anything> Vikki <didn't receive anything> budgetjamaicabride (Beverly) <didn't receive anything - 2nd Week - DQ> Lisa (Sarah's friend) <didn't receive anything - 2nd Week - DQ>

finally got to watch this! eeewwww, Wes makes my skin crawl. why can't she see it? or maybe she does and she's just keeping him on for ratings? yucky. i'm glad dave is gone. when he left, he was like "maybe Juan threw me under the bus" and "I was just being myself" - yea, jackass, THAT was the problem! no one needed to throw you under the bus. now that Dave and Juan are gone, we just need Wes gone. maybe next week - there seems to be a lot of drama. and i agree, the creepy foot guy would have been gone a long time ago if it were up to me ... he's just weird. he almost looks like an insect.

so the office is in New Malden, and Wimbledon is the closest area that we know there are apts available. battersea isn't close, but that's where our co-workers are living and they really like it i guess. fulham looks a little further away, but if it's a fabulous area i'd be willing to do it. well, heck, i don't have to commute - paul does! lol keep the suggestions coming, ladies!

I definitely want to look into some moms groups for moms with little ones - it would be nice if they were around Gwen's age (1) but not necessary! so if you do have that kind of info. - i'd love to hear about it, either PM me or just post here and I will check back. YAY! good to know about battersea - maybe we will look into the wimbledon apts.

*Note: I have merged 2 similar threads so the flow of the thread prior to this post might seem a little off!

Please do, Tammy! lol That would be awesome - not only would I have a friend there, but you could capture lots of great pictures!

so we had a friend check it out. and he said it's a nice area in that it's a lot of new buildings, it's right on the river so there's the river walk, and there is a park not far away at all. but didn't seem like there were many shops/restaurants in the area. since it is newer, etc. it's likely that the flat itself is one of the nicer ones, but i really want to be in a baby friendly location. grrrr - we need to find out where our other options are!

Quote: Originally Posted by Andi just book it and tell him later that is what I did! actually no...in all honesty I never knew such a cool place even existed until I came across the BDW...and I looked at Ann's slideshow one night...OMG! after I watched it a couple times with tears in my eyes I knew I had to convince my (then) FI that it was a place for us! Quote: Originally Posted by jojoxxo Andi you are such a sweetheart! I too never knew such a special place exsisted until i came across BDW. I also watched Ann's slideshow with tears in my eyes, which is why i know this is the place for us. awwwww! i got tears in my eyes. you two are too sweet! it really makes me want to go back to Caletas just to experience it again. i hope to take Gwen there someday. Oh, funny story. i was at a friend's baby's birthday party last weekend (Paul, Gwen, and I) and this girl approached me. she was a little hesitant at first, but then kind of asked me if I had pictures of Gwen online or something, that she looked familiar. and asked if we got married in Mexico, etc. turns out she was researching places for her sister to get married, came across this forum and my posts on Caletas. i was kind of embarassed, because 1) paul likes to give me a hard time about still being on here and 2) he's right - it's been almost 2 YEARS since my wedding! but i just can't leave! lol anyway, i told her that without a doubt, it was an amazing experience. so, Rebecca, if you're reading this ... i hope your sister decides to go with Caletas!!!! (and I also hope that I am invited - HA!)

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 I hear wimbledon is ok - there are good and bad places where ever you live in the world. You will like it tho - I like London but its a lot busier than where i am and if you ever get that cheesed off contact me and i'll try and get down there lol If you get time off tho try and explore especially scotland its amazing. Oh I know there are bad places everywhere, but since I get to pick where we live - I'd love to pick one that wasn't bad! lol Per Google Maps (Street View) it looks pretty industrial right around the apt. building, but if you go a few blocks in either direction, it gets better. We may send our co-worker over there to check it out in person. I'll feel better if someoen I trust gives it the thumbs up first!

I don't think I"d be going to Manchester, but just might do some remote (at-home) work for a client there. I know the actual office where Paul is working is closer to Wimbledon ... actually, New Malden, I think that's where the office is.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hartyt509 You'll love it honestly lol we talk funny but once you get over that you'll be fine lol London is a real mix of cultures and a lot of americans there. If you get a chance head north it gets better and better lol I am biased tho :-) I was hoping you'd see this! Do you know the Battersea area, or the area where our apt. is at all? I'm afraid it looks so industrial and not very "neighborhoody" ... per Google maps, that is.

Quote: Originally Posted by amberlynne87 Well I just wanna say thanks everyone for "hearing" me out. I appreciate your thoughts and opinions!! If I could close the thread I would, not sure how that works. Consider it done! (only moderators can do this)

Quote: Originally Posted by CourtneyV Oh Ann, I think this'll be an awesome opportunity for you. At least you'll see Paul everyday now, right?!!! What are you going to do w/your home now for the meantime; leave it unoccupied w/someone to check in, or rent it out? Do you know? I will see Paul every night after work - which is one reason this makes sense for us as a family. It's the first opportunity we get to be like a "real" family! We just had to travel a long ways to get that! lol I think we're going to rent it out to my friend's sister. Actually, I grew up with them, but she's like 6 or so years younger than me. We'll rent it out really cheap, and they can keep an eye on things. She lives at home (with her mom and dad) now, and her boyfriend lives there too. So they're looking for somewhere to live - and they don't mind that we can't give them an exact time when we'll be back. And they don't have any stuff, like furniture, so we don't have to move our stuff out. Works for everyone!

ooohhhh - love fitting in those skinny jeans. congrats!

~~WEEKLY RESULTS~~ Congratulations to ... Adlergray (Jill) -2.667% !! lgarner83 (Lisa) -2.557% jpitts78 (Joanne) -1.874% Scubadiva (Holly) -1.385% Erika J -1.159% Vikki -1.115% AnnR -1.107% Raeka (Mel) -0.955% lauren -0.933% OROBride1008 (Maria) -0.915% jamaicabride09 (Alicia) -0.814% KLC77 (Kelly) -0.562% LIW (Emily) -0.380% jrprice24 (Jessica) -0.360% Sarah -0.264% MarieSam -0.249% Sarah (Jeff, Sarah's DH) -0.182% Adlergray (Tim, Jill's FI) -0.085% estella1007 (Christina) 0.000% Jacilynda (Jacilyn) 0.000% SgtPepperette (Melissa) 0.000% STACEY 0.000% starchild (Will, Jamy's DH) 0.000% TA Jill 0.000% tdmitchell (Tiffany) 0.000% BeachBride10 (Ruthie) 0.554% pvbeachbride10 (Meghan) 0.799% Prettyhazardous (Ashley) 1.087% Hunnyhun921 (Khajeesah) 1.734% flygirl (Trish) 3.079% budgetjamaicabride (Beverly) <didn't receive anything> DanielleNDerek <didn't receive anything> deefalvey (Deanna) <didn't receive anything> Sapphire723 (LeAnne) <didn't receive anything> Sarah (Lisa, Sarah's friend) <didn't receive anything> starchild (Jamy) <didn't receive anything>

Quote: Originally Posted by amberlynne87 They have only been together for like six months. I've been with my fiance for 6 years!!! I understand you want a life together and all but come on a house?? land How does that stop you from being a part of the most important event in my life? Wow. Really? Take a step back. I know your wedding is important, but these two are trying to plan their life together, make some smart financial decisions, and you're upset about that? If I had a friend that was trying to save to buy a house w/someone she loves, and was thinking about spending it on my wedding instead - I'd tell her not to. I know your wedding day is important to you, of course. And I am sure it is important to your friend too. But put it into perspective - it's one day. And it's an expensive day! Your friends are choosing to spend that money on a long term investment instead. Sounds pretty smart to me. I'd hope that as a good friend, you'd understand and while you'd miss her at your wedding - you'd be excited for her future.

Quote: Originally Posted by becks Wandsworth is great - it's really an urban suburb of London, there's a tube stop (I think it's putney bridge on the District Line) and you're really just across the Thames from Chelsea, Kensington, Knightsbridge (that's where I lived), and the West End. So a quick hop into the fun parts of London. I'm so jealous of your opportunity! oh, good to know! would you say it's "family friendly?"

well, Paul booked his flight to London ... so looks like this might happen! now comes the painful part - getting ready to head over there, probably around July 5-10th for me and Gwen. I better enjoy MN while I can!