Sapphire723

Quote: Originally Posted by BN Fotografia I spoke with a friend, who happens to be lawyer in Mexico, and her comment was this, "This "health scare" has more to with a bad economy in the States, Mexico and elsewhere than it has to do with a something called swine flu." I tend to agree. Who is thinking about the bad economy right now? Suddenly, our collective focus is elsewhere - toward a health scare... and then perhaps back to the economy (when the swine flu story dies down)... and then to something else. I am sending everyone on this thread positive energy, peace of mind and hope. Elizabeth A health scare is very bad for the economy. It's estimated that a world wide pandemic would cost the global market $3.1 billion. Mexico has already seen a 36% decrease, and the US will start to get hit hard soon too. Some financial experts are worried that this may be the straw to break the camels back. That being said, we shouldn't be worried so much about it. People should not be afraid to step outside their doors to go shopping or whatever. I'm still quarrantined and working from home, though.

Okay guys, I'm back from Mexico. I lost my digital camera, so I've gotta figure out how to do this with my phone this week!

Quote: Originally Posted by erinleigh This is a fun thread! If I had extra $$ I would add the horse and carriage and musical trio to the ceremony. To cut $$, I think I'm considering not doing OOT bags and just doing mugs for everyone. I was talking to a wedding guest at our site visit last week, because I noticed his personalized wedding mug. He said that they filled it with candy and a hangover kit. That might be a nice alternative to OOTs. For me: If I had more money, I would help pay for some of my wedding party. To cut money, I might try doing my own hair and makeup or cut the cake (so to speak).

Quote: Originally Posted by MelanieS Here is a link to a map that shows locations of all reported swine flu cases. I noticed that there were no new ones reported in Mexico today, and there are no cases in the Cancun area and locations south. H1N1 Swine Flu - Google Maps Unfortunately, it appears that many of the non-Mexico cases involve people who stayed in Cancun and were not in or around Mexico City.

Quote: Originally Posted by bumbles A friend said that she'll be in Mexico "rain or swine" I love it!!

Quote: Originally Posted by yamille It took the shine right off it for her? ha ha. that makes me laugh. i would have hung up on her too. Yeah, I bet that made you want to make something on her shine -- her eye!

Oh my goodness, Desiree.... I am so sorry that you're dealing with all that. I can't believe that people actually flat out lied to you. What horrible people! You deserve better! On a side note, my boss has asked me to stay out of the office. I'm working from home today, and apparently I'm working from home tomorrow too! I called my Dr who hasn't called back yet. Yay paranoia!

So, China and Russia refuse to import pork from the US and Mexico even though you can't contract the disease from eating pork. How funny is that? For all of you that have been commenting on how the Swine Flu is less deadly than regular Flu, this is very true. However, about 90% of the regular flu deaths are of people over 65 with already severely weakened immune systems. Much of the concern with this strain is that normal, healthy people do not have no natural immunity to the disease and no one has had a vaccination, which is making more deadly than normal flu without treatment. While the normal flu sucks, most people can fight it off naturally with no problem, but what's worrying many is the potential for deaths in healthy adults who don't get treatment. It's still not enough cause, in my opinion, for them to be canceling peoples weddings. People just need to be cautious, not crazy!

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride Setting a time frame is a fantastic idea!!! I am so tired of "in a minute" lasting for 3 days!!! Grrrr!!! Yeah, I've found guys and girls often have different concepts of time. For me, "I'll be ready in fifteen minutes" usually means a half an hour, but "Let's paint the bedroom soon" means this weekend to me and sometime this year to FI. It helps to be honest with your expectations, so that you're not super frustrated when he's not doing whatever chore NOW when he thinks that he's still within your time frame.

There are plenty of unique things you can incorporate into your wedding. I've seen mention of foot washing, hand tying, vows to future step children, pinatas, beer donkeys, etc.One of the most unique, imo, was the Mayan Ritual at Gran Bahia Principe Coba. You can read the review below. http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t40865

Hi Laura! For info on the cheapest flights, you may want to contact one of our forum Travel Agents. They would be able to help you best choose a destination with inexpensive flights. As for which hotel to choose, it will depend a lot on your preferences and budget. We have several different sections for the most popular destinations (Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Cruise Weddings), so feel free to browse or use the search feature to read up on specifics.

Quote: Originally Posted by xxashleyxx007 Also obviously use the safety deposit box. Most have a key, but even if it's a passcode you can usually put in your own. I would not recommend using the safety deposit boxes for the aforementioned reasons. It would be better to get your own safe or locks for your suitcase (or a diversion safe) that are not controlled by the resort, because resort staff (not all of them, but some of them) have the ability to override your code or use their spare key. Diversion Safe, Diversion Safes, Can Safe, Can Safes, Water Bottle Safe, Brief Safe, Underwear Safe, In-Home Security If someone were to be inclined to steal from you, it would be much easier if they have access to a spare key or override code, because of course you would put your valuables in the safe. This makes quick work for someone who really wants to steal from you, because they won't even have to search through your belongings to get the stuff worth money. Just how safe is the hotel safe? Not as safe as you'd hope! | Gadling.com The below story is of a DW in Tulum where the group lost over $100,000 in cash, jewelry, and other valuables while they were attending the wedding. Many of the stolen items were in the safe and an override code was used to reset the passcode on the safes. To add salt to the wounds, because it was obviously an inside job done by those who would have access to the override, the resort became hostile when the theft was reported. They threatened to have the members arrested or detained for trying to report the theft to the authorities. Inside Edition - News Fort Bend Herald This one is a case of theft from a safe in Italy. My3cents.com - Hotel Gioberti - Rome, Italy Complaint - Theft from hotel room safe, Hotel theft So again, if you truly want to protect your valuables, DON'T PUT THEM IN THE HOTEL SAFE! It might be safe from other travelers who wouldn't normally have access to your room anyway, but it will not protect you from a hotel staff member who is both corrupt and has a key to the safe. On a positive note, I did not lock up or hide my stuff while in Mexico last week, and I did not have anything stolen... although I can't find my car keys, but I think I lost them before I even left! :-)

Quote: Originally Posted by mummergirl it really couldn't hurt anything to see a doc ... if nothing else they can prescribe you medicine for whatever else it may be. you're right, anyone who knows you were just in mexico will panic ... *sigh* doesn't EVERYONE have a cough and a sore throat after flying? i always do! (unless it's a sore throat from screaming because i was too drunk to know i wasn't whispering, or from singing loud horrible karaoke or something) and the runs when you've been to mexico? ... well gee, never heard of that before! LOL Haha, that's exactly what I'm thinking. I feel like normal "just partied for a week in Mexico and did the travel thing so now I feel like mud," but I know other people are not going to view it the same way. I originally attributed my sore throat to having shouted a lot at the pool bar one day (I get loud when I get excited), but it's sticking around.

Ugh.... I just got back from Mexico and I have a mild case of three of the symptoms (cough, sore throat, and the runs). While I'm pretty sure that it's not the swine flu and instead it's just the result of too much Mexican food and traveling, I'm wondering if I should get tested to be safe. I know that if I cough in front of my boss, she's going to try to quarantine me herself unless I have proof that I'm not a piggy flu carrier. I really hate all the panic and my heart goes out to those of you who are having your trips canceled or your guests freaking out.

Quote: Originally Posted by luckygirl I read on the website that the original formula is not good for tanning beds because the mineral oil messes up the acrylic on the beds. Safflower oil is not supposed to mess things up. The original formula has mineral oil in it? Mineral oil isn't very good for your tan from what I've read, and it definitely screws up the acrylics. Your salon owner will be very pissed if you use it indoors. :-) Also, if you are using a sunless tanner to help along your natural tan, mineral oil will make it streak and flake off. Mineral oil seems moisturizing when you first put it on, but it doesn't actually moisturize your skin. It just puts a layer between you and the elements, so that your skin doesn't lose as much of the moisture it actually has.

Quote: Originally Posted by niujess He told me I was supposed to do these things because he was the provider.. I guess he forgot something.... We're not married yet and guess what I work full time and pay half the bills. ... Since that convo I've been working on training him.... I told him until I stay at home and have you take care of me we both have responsibilities and we're splitting it equal.... So we shook on me cooking and him cleaning up afterward.... I clean the bathrooms but he does all the dishes (havnen't touched a dish since ).. and when it comes to cooking i make him help me with preparation like cutting up veggies and setting the table .. I'll continue to cook but i think it works out nicely when we're done with dinner i sit down on the couch and he goes into the kitchen and cleans up all the mess Hah, yeah, men get this "women are supposed to cook and clean all the time" mentality that was passed on from when women worked in the home and no where else. When you're paying at least half the bills, it's a whole different ball game! Another thing that helped us is that I set a time frame when I ask him to do something. Because to me, when I say "Hey babe, can you take care of the laundry" I mean today, but to him it might mean sometime after he runs out of clean underwear. I made a pact with him that I would not nag him or bother him to do things more than once as long as he promises to complete whatever it is by the agreed upon time. That way I don't feel bad about nagging him all the time, and he doesn't have to hear it from me! I also tried stroking his ego whenever he did things, but he eventually caught on to that and said "You know, I'm not a dog. You don't have to give me a treat every time I do what I'm supposed to be doing anyway!" Haha..

Quote: Originally Posted by Abbie morning girls! just got back saturday from GBPT, we had an amazing fantabulous honeymoon, and im working on a review with pics. its not a wedding, but hopefully it will quench your thirst the hotel was perfect for us, i sure hope you all like it as much as we did! give me a couple days to finish sorting pics (we took over 1500!!) and write a review, ill post it in the RM section, and a link here. Hey Abbie, I saw someone with one of your cups while I was at the resort. I was probably on the resort for your wedding, and I didn't even realize it!

Hey guys, I'm back and I don't have the swine flu! YAY! Although most of the deaths seem to coming from the Mexico City area, it seems that many of the out of towners were traveling through Cancun. I feel really bad for all of you ladies who have weddings coming up. I would suggest that super concerned guests wear a mask through the airports and bring Lysol, but I don't think it's cause to cancel (imo). It seems like non-Mexicans are not getting bad cases of it, so even if they got it, it would just be a week or two in bed with some anti-virals. I firmly believe that the deaths are mostly caused by poor health care and sick people working too hard instead of resting. The resort did put out hand sanitizers at the restaurants after the outbreak started (unfortunately, I believe that they were mostly anti-bacterial, so it'll do nothing to prevent the flu). The USD is definitely back up above the CAD much to the disappointment of the many Canadian friends I made on our journey. I'll write up a review as soon as I get settled in.

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride ooohhhhh...have fun LeAnne!!! You'll have to youtube the songs! If not, we'll be sure to fill you in!! Hah, thanks Amanda, but I've got a DVR, so I'll be able to have it recorded in my absence. I just won't be current while I'm sippin margaritas in my bikini.

Quote: Originally Posted by lil_miss_frogg I think I am going to be more comfy with a male photographer....just because....I don't know....just something about females. I think I would compare or something. I totally understand, because women are (on occasion) judgmental and competitive where men are more like "hey, girls are pretty." But after having an awkward situation with a male or two, I think I'm going to have a female do my BDs. Also, John would probably not be super happy with me having a male photog do BDs, since the photos are going to be for his eyes only, but I'm sure he would get over it if he had hot pictures of me.

Bonine is similar to the non-drowsy Dramamine, except for me, the non-drowsy Dramamine made me sleepy still, and the Bonine just took away the nausea. Yeah, you'll probably not want to mix meds if you're already going to be on something. I would suggest the Psi bands, then, or the behind the ear patches. I've never had those, but I've heard good things. I also like Ginger Peach tea, but drinking a cup or two of that only helps sooth my stomach. I don't know if it would cure really bad motion sickness.

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride OMG....I can't wait to see what Adam does with disco!! Oh., that's gonna be fun! I prolly won't see this week's until I get back (unless they have it on in Mexico and we're not already doing something awesome), but I'll be back from our site visit soon enough. :-( Take care, girls!

Okay guys, I'm taking off today for our site visit at Gran Bahia Principe Tulum! I'm not going to lie to you, I'm going to drink and not count my calories (or even try to guess my calories!). I won't be weighing in this week, but I'll be back in action next week. Have a great and healthy week while I'm gone!

Wow, Kelly! It's funny how messed up that is! Apparently I'm pretty lucky. John and I switch on and off on the chores. Like I usually do the laundry and folding, but he'll help put it away. Or, I'll run the dishwasher more, but he vacuums, sweeps, and mops. I'll take the trash outside, but he'll bring it to the curb. I'll do more of the painting (or stenciling is our current project), but he'll mow the lawn. And, occasionally if he's feeling up to it on his day off, he'll go into turbo clean mode where he cleans, washes, and puts away everything in his sight. Plus, if I ever felt wiped out from the day (when we first started dating I was going to school full time, working one job full-time and another job part-time... I soon quit my part time job, and I just now finished my master's... YAY!), he would take care of everything for me. He would either cook or pick up food. I would sit your man down and talk about what he thinks is fair for each of you to be doing. If you spend an equal amount of time working and schooling as he does working, try to split up the chores equally based on who is better at what. If you spend more time, give him more chores. If you spend less time, take more chores. OR, if your man is prone to cheesy video games like mine is, build a character for him on Chore Wars :: Claim Experience Points for Housework (and one for you too!). You get to log in when you do chores and it makes your player stronger. I use it to budget my spending cash. For every gold coin I "earn" in the game by doing housework, I get to spend ten cents on me for something I want but don't need. It's a lot easier to scoop cat poop when it "earns" you a mani-pedi!

If he would leave you because you wouldn't get rid of your furbabies who are not harming him and only inconveniencing him, that's messed up. Honestly, I wouldn't want to spend my life with someone who would do that. If your cats truly are like your children, it's like the "evil stepfather" just came into the picture and shipped them off to boarding school. As for your cats, they just got hauled into a new place with a new human and now they're being holed up in a basement like they were naughty. No wonder they're making a fuss! Their normal personality isn't to cry all night long, so maybe suggest that you allow her to come snuggle at night. It might take some getting used to at first; I know my FI wanted to lock the cats out, but now he likes having them snuggle with us What did you guys do before when he slept at your apartment?