Midlife Crisis: Support for Left Behind Spouses
Archives => Archived Topics => Topic started by: What Next on December 14, 2012, 03:48:02 PM
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Having attended a European LBS 'meetup' in 2011 I can certainly recommend the experience and have long wished to arrange just such an event here in Ireland.
2013 has been designated the year of the 'Gathering' by the Irish Tourism Board - the idea being to extend an invite to friends and family all over the world to come visit Ireland. With that in mind I thought it would be the perfect excuse to get as many LBSs as possible together next year.
There are a number of people already signed up and the weekend selected for the official 'meetup' is 24th to 27th May 2013.
If you are interested in attending please just post a note on this thread and I will follow up with details re: location, accommodation options and logistics.
Hope to see you all here!
(((Hugs)))
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;D I'm in!
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I would love to know more, details, to see if I can make it...
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XYZCF - looking forward to meeting at last!
Brokenhearted, I sent you a PM. Hope you can consider making it!
XXX
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Guinness and LBS, what more do you want ;D.
i would like to join in as well
Eternity
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what would be the closest airport? I would like to consider going.
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Dublin I believe. That's where I am flying into.
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Whats Next :) :)
I would love to see you (and Ireland of course) again, so count me in!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Voyager, LearningIamOk, Eternity
I will PM each of you shortly, looking forward to firming up the 'plan' over the next few days with everyone.
I have received great advice from others who have organised such events and as there are plenty of options for travel to and in Ireland, we should have everything covered together.
(((Hugs)))
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Hi
I would love to do this but not sure I can afford it and not sure I have the bottle for the travelling but I will keep an eye on it and try and fathom if I can come.
I wanted my h to take me to Ireland as he had been and it sounds so nice, bars with live music all over the place he mentioned.
Our local football team is also heavily linked and was more so before this awful recession.
Wonder if I can get my friend to agree to come I am convinced her partner is going through mlc too but she doesnt really believe in it and hers is still at home, I would love to open her eyes to it a bit as she doesnt understand just thinks partner is a bit of a mess I think.
x
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I am so disappointed because I do not think I will be able to make it for that weekend. May 31st. to June 2nd. I could swing. As you know I have 3 new grandchildren due in the month of May. The last one is due May 22, 2013. She has had the other two one week early, so I honestly felt I would be home by 27th. of May.
:(
Hugs Stayed
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Not so fast Stayed!
We are looking at the dates, a few others could make it if was a different weekend also.
Will send out the options (airports, accommodations, dates) before Friday.
We will see you here!!!
X
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What Next, I really want to come but believe me I totally understand that it is not possible to ACCOMMODATE everybody. I will get to more of these meet ups. It is unfortunate that April and May are the two months in 2013 that the majority of my kids decided to have a baby, hehehe.
If it is not an inconvenience the ,last day of May and the first weekend of June or any weekend in June, is better for me. That being said, I totally understand if that is not possible.
Plus, what is wrong with Dublin? Dublin is ideal as Ryans Air and other flights fly directly into the city. There are buses to every part of the city from the airport. There are reasonable hotels and B&B's all over the city. Food is good. Night life is fun, lively, entertaining. Guinness and Bulmer's Apple and Pear Cider, EVERYWHERE... what more do we need? hehehe. Easy to organize as well.
Gosh, I start off questioning if May 24th. weekend was cast in cement... and end up suggesting a whole different plan. Generally speaking, keeping it SIMPLE is usually the best policy. Just my thoughts.
Believe me, if I can make it to this MEET UP, I will rent a car and go wherever you decide to hold it. It is the date that is most IMPORTANT to me. I just want to be with ALL OF YOU again.
I have an LBS friend who lives in Dublin and I shall be bringing her with me. She is available anytime, hehehe... so she tells me. ANYBODY that is considering attending this Meet Up, I can not encourage you ENOUGH to do so. These LBS MEET UPS are the best thing I ever did for myself. I know there are many others who feel the same way.
hugs and really looking forward to this... Stayed
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It's so darn hard to get a date ...however, I'll only be available May 24 as I start my tour of Ireland May 27 and need to be in Toronto the weekend of June 7th. I have a non refundable ticket but again, if that's not convenient for others, I'll just have to tag along with What Next for the weekend ;D
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Dublin's a lovely city. My grandma came from there. I'm a proud Northern boy, but I feel affinity with Dublin.
I would suggest if you travel to Ireland from afar though, that you spend a day or two and visit the West Coast if you can. It is stunning. It's a small country, and easy to drive in outside of the cities ( if you don't mind the sheep blocking the roads now and then ). Try to see Dingle, County Kerry's coast, Donegal :)
If you're really keen, make your way to 'The Giant's Causeway' in the very North. It's my favorite place on the planet.
Go n-éirí an bóthar leat!
bnw
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There you go What Next, there is NO other time available. Xyzcf has already booked her tickets for that time period. I will have to see what unfolds with my situation. I will certainly TRY to get there, but I cannot let my children down. Catching a last minute flight might be possible, I will simply play it by ear and see what UNFOLDS.
I love Dublin too BNW, just love it. I have not had a chance to explore the rest of the country but my h and I plan on doing so, once these darn kids of ours quit having BABIES and taking all of our VACATION TIME, hehehe.
Have fun kids.. I will watching hehehe.
hugs Stayed
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Update:
I am delighted with the interest so far in attending this event and in an effort to make it possible for most people to attend, I want to make sure we are selecting the right weekend and the right location.
BNW is correct, two days is ample for Dublin and equally two days in the West will cover a great deal of the country in a short period of time.
If you are interested in attending, I'd really appreciate your thoughts on the options below:
Weekends
24 - 27th May (UK Bank Holiday)
31st May - 03 June
07 - 10th June
Two locations:
Dublin:
Access through Dublin Airport (serviced by budget and transatlantic airlines)
Central location - sightseeing, shopping, cultural events, public
transport access to surrounding countryside
Affordable hotels / B&Bs / City apartments
West of Ireland: Galway / Mayo
Access through either Knock airport or Shannon airport (also
serviced by budget airlines) 1 to 2hr transfer - Car or car-pooling
required.
Coastal location - beautiful scenery, R&R, biking, horseriding, walking.
Affordable hotels / B&Bs / holiday homes
You can post your preference here or PM me directly and I will respond by 11th Jan 2013 with the chosen date / location, based on all responses.
Merry Christmas everyone,
X
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What Next,
I am really thinking about coming!
I hope that I can.
As far as the dates....I really don't have a preference. I also will defer to those who know the country best to determine which is the "better" location. If I am able to attend, I can go with the flow.
Thanks for planning this event! I hope that I can see you there.
Hugs,
limitless
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Hello eveyone,
I'm also thinking of coming. I'm considering joining XYZCF on her Ireland tour (if there is still space available) and would love to meet you all. Closely watching as the timeline unfolds!
Heart to Heart
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What Next, thank you for your update.
A word of encouragement to all: take the leap and go! I went to Luxembourg not too long after BD. It has been one of the most uplifting, empowering and encouraging events in my process.
If possible What Next, create an option for minimum costs-maximum benefit. The goal is the get together. It would be such a shame if an LBS'er would really like to go but the costs make it impossible. Flight and accommodation are the biggest investments.
I looked at flights and Dublin offers the best low-cost flight offers from Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Western Germany. From that pespective I am very much in favour of Dublin. But I know accommodation in Dublin doesn't come cheap. Are you or another LBS'er living there and willing to offer the spare bedroom, couch or floor for people to sleep?
There is a lot to see in and around Dublin. I would be perfectly happy exploring the city and going off the beaten tourist tracks. I went to Wicklow from Dublin (http://www.glendaloughbus.com/glendalough.aspx) and found myself in a beautiful totally different setting.
If people like to explore Ireland a bit further, they can extend their stay and make a pick from all the beautiful places. The Burren, The Giant's Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, .....awesome! You live in a beautiful country.
In the end, just make a plan. It is wonderful you are doing the work and it is impossible to please everybody.
Mmmmm, checked my agenda, first weekend in June sounds good. Maybe??? Not so much because I feel I need it, but to echo Eternity "GAL-ing, Guinness, LBS, what more do you want?"
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Hi there I would love to attend, never been to Ireland, but was planning a trip, met a few of the Ladies and Gents before, and what a wonderful time is had. As far as preference I am leaning towards Dublin, either 24th May or 7th June weekends.
Hugs
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Hi, I was checking airfares. They're coming up between $760-$1000 USD. Does anyone have any suggestions where to check for the best fares? I can fly from Philadelphia, PA, New York City JFK, or Newark, NJ.
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Learning, an option to look into is flying into London and then fly to Ireland. I may already be in Ireland in advance of the weekend; however, there are a few of us here and we should be able to help get our friends from the US safely from A to B. Suggest you look into this and then PM me and What Next if you have more questions.
Can't promise we will get you safely from one pub to another when we are in Ireland though......
CrazyStuff
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CS, I'll take my chances in the pubs. ;D Just get me to Ireland safely. This will be the first time going to europe that I don't have my sister waiting on the other side for me.
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Learning, Virgin Atlantic has cheap flights to London: http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en/ideas-lowestfares/lowest-fares/usa-special-offers.html. Maybe more people from over the pond are considering coming?
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Dublin is looking strong as the location for this event based on convenience and cost; as a direct entry point to Ireland it is serviced by the main Budget airlines and easily accessed from most European cities.
From the US I fully understand the flights can be expensive, especially as this will be in the Summer season. Aer Lingus can have great offers for early Summer flights and they generally go on sale just after Christmas. I am attaching current link for cheap flights (to be taken before end of April) and will refresh this link once the Summer sale starts.
http://www.aerlingus.com/travelinformation/weboffersfromireland/irelandtotheusa/
There are low cost accommodation options for Dublin, budget hotels, room sharing or city apartments will keep the costs down. I will source the best of these options and provide approx. rate for 2/3 night stays. Dragonfly is correct, if you know what's involved in attending it will make the decision making easier. Having said that the greater our numbers the better deals to be made with hotels etc., so even if you are only 'considering' attending please do let me know and I will look to secure the best possible rates.
I think I might be the only LBS living in Ireland, at least the only one connected to the Site. I am more than happy to open my home to anyone trying to make the weekend. I already have two LBS planning to stay with me but if this might be an option for anyone else, just PM me and we can talk.
I would like to see as many people as possible travel, so if there are any other suggestions on how to keep cost down please do post here.
(((Hugs))
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Happy New Year to All!
Just a quick update, with the responses and PMS received I have chosen Dublin as the host city and the weekend 31st May to 2/3 June as the preferred weekend for most willing to travel, with Sat the 1st June as the main 'meetup' night.
I will pm the accommodation options (average single occupancy per night: 100euro hotel and 60euro B&B), where sharing or group bookings can be considered a number of the hotels and B&Bs contacted do offer reduced rates.
As there are no shortage of activity options in and around Dublin and particularly over that weekend (holiday weekend in Ireland), will offer a varied and flexible itinerary to meet all interests for however long you can stay.
Hope to see as many of you as possible in 2013!
Céad míle fáilte
X
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Thanks for getting this sorted out. I will start making serious plans at this point. I would love to be able to travel with someone else from the US out of JFK. Any takers please let me know.
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Fantastic What Next :) :)
See you there and really looking forward to meeting friends old and new
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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F A N T A S T I C !!! What Next... count me in and my friend, who lives in Dublin. We shall share a room. Please send me the information...
hugs Stayed
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i think Dublin will need to watch out for this crazy bunch of women. I am looking for to it 8)
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Oh yea, but Dublin is known to be a bit on the WILD SIDE... you know what those wiley Irish are like? Hope you have a good Karaoke Bar all picked out. We have some really good entertainers, so it is possible you could make a few EURO'S OFF THEM WhatNext. Seriously, the Karaoke Bar in Luxembourg should have paid us to be there, when I was paying the bill (can we say ouch???) the guy told me, they hadn't had such a good turn out EVER! HEHEHE.
This is going to be fun!
hugs Stayed
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Eternity & Stayed,
I am really looking forward to catching up with you both at this 'meet-up', along with a few others who have either declared interest or confirmed they will be there, such as:
Voyager
Milvina
CrazyStuff
LearningIamOk
Iamnottheenemy
Brokenhearted
Crazyjourney
Niff Naff
Jilly
Limitless
TrustandLove
XYZCF and Heart to Heart will be in Dublin earlier that week, as will some of the other LBSs extending their stay for more than the weekend.
We are still working out the ideal venue to stay and meet for dinner & lunch etc., expect to firm those details up by PMs once the main travel dates are confirmed by all.
For anyone else interested now or over the next few weeks / months, drop me a PM and I can update you on the details also.
Looking forward to extending everyone a very warm (if slightly Wiley) Irish welcome!!! As for karaoke, just come with your party piece prepared, we are bound to find an opening at any good Irish pub session!!!
Hugs to all,
X
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Can't wait to catch up with you all and meeting some others for the first time. I thought Musica was coming too? My friend is excited, really looking forward to meeting everybody.
Eternity and I planted a seed into Poussin's consideration, I copied and pasted this information to Hopenoexpectation, Paris to Ireland is an easy hop... come ladies, check this out. This is the best and cheapest therapy you will get.
hugs and really excited... Stayed
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To all
I'm not likely going to make it to Ireland although I'd love to join.
I will be with you all in spirit.
Limitless
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:-[ Going to seem weird not having you there!!! Dang!
Hugs Stayed
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Limitless,
I am so sorry you won't be able to make it but I know its a big commitment to travel to Europe. I hope we meet again, on either side of the Atlantic, before too long!
Stayed,
Appreciate the 'recruiting' campaign, hopefully we will see lots more interest in catching up in Dublin.
XXX
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Hello What Next, Crazy Stuff and all:
Hubby booked my flight. RyanAir, on Friday May 31st. leaving Monday afternoon. Will send you flight arrivals etc. Will catch a bus to the hotel when it is decided on.
hugs Stayed
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Hello
I hope you all have a great time in Ireland. I won't be there (as much as I would have liked it I know) ... as I will be somewhere in Greece with my lovely daughters, soaking up the sun, sand, sea, ... and bills!! Hahaha. It is a school holiday week here in UK..
I know you will all have a great time though.
xxxxx
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I am disappointed Musica, I was looking forward to meeting you. Mind you... I know how quickly children grow up. Got grab every moment you can with them, because the next thing you know, they are graduating from university, trotting down the isle towards some strange guy that you wish you knew better and then watching them raise their own.
Honestly, seems like only yesterday they were the ages of their own kids now. Oh, time sure does fly!
I am sure I will meet you some other time.
hugs Stayed
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Musica,
I am sorry too, to hear you will be in Greece - actually I'm jealous!! I hope we get to meet sometime soon in the very near future!
Thank you Stayed, for confirming your travel dates. I am currently being hounded by a very nice man (actually I think he's a boy, he sounds so young) as to how many nights / rooms etc. we might want to block book for that weekend. So a gentle reminder to all those already confirmed, let me know if you want to look after your own accommodation or if you would like to be part of a group booking (with discounted rates), just PM me with your travel dates and preferences (single/share).
I am hoping to book any confirmed rooms by 31 Jan 13. Look forward to hearing from everyone before then,
X
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Losing Hope and I just bought tickets to join you guys on the Ireland trip!!!! We arrive on Friday morning, May 30th and leave Monday, June 3rd. Looking forward to meeting all of you!
Hope4tomorrow
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You will have a blast!
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F A N T A S T I C !!!
Can't wait to meet you Hope4tomorrow and losing hope..
Looking like this is going to be a big Meet Up, What Next... ;D
hugs Stayed
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LosingHope, it will be so nice to see you again. I am glad you are making the trip.
Hope4Tomorrow it will be nice to meet you.
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We are so looking forward to it!
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;D
Ireland, in and of itself is incredible. Meeting a bunch of LBS's while visiting this fabulous country... oh dear, an experience never to be forgotten. Way to go, you two... ! See you both in the spring.
hugs Stayed
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Stayed & What Next ... thank you,
... I know it will be a great experience meeting in Ireland ... but as you say Stayed my time with the D's is not going to last for ever, they are already talking about holidays with their friends to local places! It has become a new tradition, the 3 of us going somewhere lovely and hot in May/June. I love Greece and the Greek Islands too.
Thanks again, I am sure we will get together sometime!
You will have a blast!
I know you all will!!
xxx
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LH and H4T,
This is great news! I am absolutely thrilled you are both coming, quite the decision on your part to travel so far for the weekend but I know it will 'a blast'!. I will pm you both with the details.
(((Hugs)))
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Just bumping this up a little as it is St. Patrick's day this Sunday and if you are feeling 'green' you might want to think about joining this LBS Gathering in a few months time (31 May to 02 June) to really celebrate!
I haven't been on the site for a while and will catch up with everyone over the next few days with a list of who is coming and the various travel dates. There will be plenty of time to meet and sightsee in and around the 'official' weekend.
I am told that these weekends work best without a fixed agenda but if anyone has a special interest or request I can check in advance what will be on offer over the three days. Otherwise its Irish hospitality from start to finish!
Hope to see as many as possible,
XXX
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I have been hearing that Irish hospitality is second to none. I am looking forward to coming and finding out for myself.
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Just booked my ticket!
I'm coming!
Limitless
:)
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hi Limit,
i just love this!
you make my day
Xxxxxx
E
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Limitless, I am over the moon that you will be coming! I am so happy that I will get to meet you!
Hugs,
Learning
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L,
That's the best news! I will drop you a PM.
This is going to be great!!!
I will be raising a glass to all of you tomorrow,
X
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Oh wow, wow, wow.! So happy, happy, happy... to hear so many are going to be there. Can't wait to meet you all and can't wait to see others AGAIN ! This is going to be a great GATHERING!!!
HUGS Stayed
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Hello,
Would you please PM me the details for the meeting, I'm in ireland and would love to join you all.
Thanks :)
S
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NG,
I've just pm'd you. Hope to see you there,
X
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With a little less than 3 weeks to the official 'LBS Gathering Weekend - 31 May to 02 June', thought I would bump this up for anyone still considering coming along.
I'll be checking in with the 'committee' this week to finalise the Friday and Sat night events which I will post here and share in more detail by pm where requested.
Hope to see as many of you as possible,
X
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If, by miracle, the court will make Mr J give me my money until the gathering, count me in. Otherwise, will have to leave it to the next time.
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I just booked. D12 and I will be there Thursday noon to Saturday evening. Looking forward to meeting all you lovely people who have been such a support this past year!
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I cannot believe that I let impulse and a cheap flight get the best of me. I'M COMING TO IRELAND!!!
I arrive on May 31st and leave early morning on June 3rd. I am SO excited and cannot wait to meet everyone!
Special thanks to Stayed for giving me that extra "just do it".
Anybody want anything from Canada? How many of us will there be?
YAY!!
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Duthla...you are going to have the best time. Unfortunately I shall be there but May 23-27 so shall miss the big meetup. I am so glad you are doing this!
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Duthla & iamnotheenemy,
This is great news! I have to do a quick tally of the numbers, have had a few pms confirming / considering joining also. We should make quiet a group!
PM me if you need any assistance with accommodation. I will send out an email later tonight with some more of the finalised details.
This is going to be great!!!
XXX
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Yikes!
There is a consequence to impulsively booking a flight before figuring out accommodations. What Next has been trying hard to help me out but as it stands, it appears that I'm going to have to rent a room bigger than what I need if I want to stay at the Gersham.
Anyone interested in sharing a bigger room with me? Perhaps splitting the cost would benefit both?
Please let a gal know. I could go somewhere else, but I've never traveled this far away before and I'm solo.....would rather "stick with the group" for as long as I can ya know?
If anyone had any other ideas, puhleeese PM me!
Thanks lovelies. 7 more sleeps!
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Well it looks like we have our final list confirmed (16+) and all with beds!!!!
Looking forward to causing a stir in Dublin over the coming weekend and meeting everyone for some well deserved R&R!
We will certainly raise a glass (or two) to all LBSs! Hope to meet more of you at the next LBS 'gathering'.
Will send PM shortly to all attendees with some final details / meeting arrangements.
Gra Mor,
What Next
XXX
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Super, I will be in around 7:45 pm on Friday night... in Dublin... Ryan Air. My friend is meeting me there and hopefully we will be able to join you all for supper or at the very LEAST... desert... and wine for me and TEA for my tea tottler friend.
Can't wait... hugs Stayed
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OMG I'm getting excited!!
Given that I haven't met or know what anyone even looks like, can we leave some sort of message at the front desk as to who's arrived and checked in? I'm in early morning and not sure what to do with myself for the day? I think two lovely LBSs are going to try to meet me at the airport so we can share a cab to the hotel.
Just a thought. Maybe meet in the lobby for an afternoon beverage?
Two more sleeps and I'm on my way!
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Actually Duthla, there is a bus that stops at most of the hotels or near to most of the hotels in Dublin. It is cheap and quick. Runs every 15 minutes or so. I am coming in Friday night at 7:45 on Ryan Air. My friend is meeting me and we shall be taking the bus to the hotel.
Remember Ireland's currency is euro's ... not pounds anymore. What Next knows where everybody is going to be and I am sure she or one of the other LBS's will be there waiting to greet you. Don't worry Duthla, you will be found, hehehe!
hugs Stayed
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Duthla-
LH and I are definitely going to meet you at the airport (assuming our flight is on time). You sent me your flight info, so we will find your baggage claim and meet you there. If we are not there.... check our flight.- we may have been delayed. We can find the hotel together and then hook up with the rest of the gang.
I am so excited that we leave tomorrow night!!!! Can't wait to meet all of you!
Hugs-
H4T
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This is so exciting... I will see you ladies around 8ish. Friday night... hugs Stayed
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H4T....check your PM. :)
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I think I like Ireland even ,ore than many of the other countries I have visited. It is beautiful! And the company was great! Have a wonderful time and can't wait to meet some of you next week!
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good morning,
my flight arrives at dublin airport on Friday 17.05 pm, coming from Brussels.
so, you never know that any ofyou will be there at the same time. Just let me know :-)
E
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Please do post of your reunion so those of us left behind:(, working, can live vicariously through your pub crawl and frivolity.
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Will do forthetrees!
hugs Stayed
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I second Forthetrees's request. Definitely want to live the Ireland experience vicariously!
:)
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I second Forthetrees's request. Definitely want to live the Ireland experience vicariously!
:)
I have already seen pictures and it appears that a good time is being had by all that are there.
If you havent seen them on the local social media and are interested, PM me.
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The LBS Gathering weekend has come to an end :(
It was an absolute privilge, as well as pleasure, to be with all of these wonderful, strong, positive women; meeting old friends and making new ones! I hope everyone had as good a time as I had, I certainly haven't laughed so much or so hard in a very long time. I think the noise level in Dublin has dropped considerably since!!!
Hope Millvina, Voyager, Iamnottheenemy (+D), NeverGiveUp and Jilly are well settled back at home and wishing LosingHope, Hope4Tomorrow, Duthla and Stayed safe trips home today!
LearningIamOk, CrazyStuff, Limitless, Eterinity and I get to travel a little more together this week, meeting up again with XYZCF and Heart to Heart before the almost two week event comes to an end.
Already looking forward to the next time we all meet!!!
Buíochas a ghabháil leat go léir
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How fantastic - lovely to hear you all had such a wonderful time.
Wish the world was a smaller place - many of us would have loved to have been there with you all too.
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Thanks What Next for organizing - it was awesome! :D We made it home fine and are so glad we got to come along and meet you and all the other wonderful ladies in attendance.
All the best,
IANTE
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To all of the crazy wonderful women that I had the pleasure of spending time with this past weekend. I am home finally. H4 T and I had a long trip home today but we laughed and recapped the great weekend It has been like getting 6 months of therapy in 3 days. Getting to know all of you was a delight and hope to keep in touch! What next, you did a fantastic job of organizing and I would love to see you all again soon
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I'm jealous!
One day I hope to be able to fly to some wonderful country to meet with wonderful LBSers too!
Glad you all had such a great time and all arrived home safe and sound :)
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What Next, thank you so much. It was an absolutely incredible gathering. I am missing every single one of you, already and I only got home at 2pm. this morning.
We truly live in a crazy world. When I discovered in 2005 that my h was betraying me, I was shattered, devastated and bewildered. Never in my wildest expectations did I expect that the most horrific situation in my life, would open the door to a whole new life for me, filled with joy, happiness, confidence and most of all "friends for life". The bonds between us, are instantaneous, strong and enduring.
It was fantastic to see many of the same faces again and to meet another group of new ones. I would not wish MLC on anybody, but if this had not happened to us, NONE of us would ever have met. My life would be so much less without all of you, in it.
I know I will see many of you again and I expect to meet many more new ones in the future.
Again, thanks WhatNext and hugs Stayed
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I agree with all the sentiments posted already. WhatNext, you are a master organizer and I am forever greatful.
A special and heartfelt thanks to those of you who took the time to drive me to the sea. I was a mess before leaving and your kindness and love was so comforting. You walked with me as I found my spot to do my ceremony then left me be to mourn. Then, you brought me back and away from that sacred spot. All of you played an important role in that day for me and I am forever grateful.
I so much want and need to return to Ireland. There will come a day where I shall. Until then, many blessings to you all. My friendship and love is yours forever.
xo
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To all the lovely friends I met old and new thank you for being who you all really are, despite the situation we find ourselves in. Kind, caring and very very special. I had a wonderful time being with you all. And I hope we keep sharing our stories.
What next. ....wow...you must open that respite home for lbs...my name will be first on the list! !!
Much love to you all.
Xxxxxxxx
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Hello "Fake internet friends" (nomer invented by Learning´s children.) So glad you created a special meet up. Yes, WE are the silver lining to this debacle of epic proportion. You can bet your sweet bippy that the MLCers do not seek out a support group to this level of interaction and caring- just a posse of new faces that don´t know their truth. So be it- at least we win on this account. Hugs,
FTT
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Hello "Fake internet friends" (nomer invented by Learning´s children.) So glad you created a special meet up. Yes, WE are the silver lining to this debacle of epic proportion. You can bet your sweet bippy that the MLCers do not seek out a support group to this level of interaction and caring- just a posse of new faces that don´t know their truth. So be it- at least we win on this account. Hugs,
FTT
Agreed
I am unsticking this thread, now that the event is over.
Glad you had such a good time with I understand 20 or more in attendance.
Of course 20 REAL people must have been fake...... :) :) :)
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It's my last nite in Ireland and What Next and I are having a drink. We have been back and forth all over Ireland and she is quite the tour guide. I am sad to leave her, as I feel like we are sisters. The rest of the group that I have spent time with, CrazyStuff, Limitless, Voyager, Milvina, Jilly, Losing Hope, Hope4T, IANTE, NeverGiveUp (please post), NeverGivingUponU, and my mentee, Fizzy, and, of course Stayed, have added such joy and insights to my life. I thank all of you for being such a wonderful addition to my life at such a tumultuous time. I would never be healed to this degree without you.
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Sounds absolutely amazing. Kind of like LBS bootcamp.
Wish more of us could have been there :)
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It was amazing! And maybe we will do the southern hemisphere another time.
The world is our oyster! :)
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SO HAPPY for you all!!!
Love,
Phoenix
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Hi,
I just made it home from this wonderful event :-) It is truly a blessing having seen all of you;
It really feels like you are friends I have known all my life, also the ones I have only met just now
Good to know that we can count on one another when needed
Much love to all of you
E
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I am also home. I have returned to a tropical storm after 2 fabulous weeks in Sunny Ireland. I am so grateful to have met so many. What Next put so many of us together. I had a blast and am looking forward to seeing all my new friends again.
Much love to all of my "family". No more merely, fake internet friends. LOL
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Well, I am still "here." (Actually in England, at the moment).
One last day - and I travel home to the States tomorrow (Sunday). It is already June 7th on my current time zone.
It has been a fabulous trip! I absolutely LOVED Ireland and, thanks the the great California weather that I brought with me, I will return home with a suntan!
Meeting up with everyone has been really good for my soul. To those of you that I actually met (in person) for the first time, I felt that I have already known you for a very long time. (Actually, I have :)). And to those familiar faces I've met (in person) before - it was like coming home again. You will see me again. That I promise. I will make more trips across the pond. This is becoming my home, away from home.
Thank you, What Next, for putting together such a fabulous get together. You were wonderful (as always).
I am very blessed and fortunate to be able to do these things. I truly am.
Hugs to all!
Limitless
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I have just arrived in Canada after two weeks in Ireland and shall go home to Denver. My future son in law wants to know what happened in Ireland, that I seem different, happier, vital, sparkling, alive..He says he has never seen this side of me, for indeed, he started dating my daughter shortly after BD so he has never seen this version of xyzcf.
Thank you What's Next for organizing this meetup. You did an amazing job and spoiled us rotten. You accommodated hearttoheart and my schedule so that we could meet some of the others, if not the whole group.
Ireland is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.
For 11 days I was also with my priest and 40 other pretty devout Catholics in a country with very strong Catholic roots. We had several adventures, incredibly moving moments and time for reflection and prayer. I have been working for a long time on letting go of my fear, surrendering my life to God and His plans. I am grateful that I am starting to see how this makes life so much richer, so much easier than the fight I have been having for the last 4 years.
Just like everything else the work has had to happen within me. I have had to look hard at my 32 year marriage, the man he was, the man he is,the woman I am becoming. I miss him, miss having an intact family but, I have been given much, much more.
He has made an idol of his work, his focus is totally on himself ( as is typical for narcissists). I hear from my daughter, that he sure isn't happy....I cannot help him with that.
I have been travelling a great deal in the last three years and am looking forward to returning to my home and the life that I have build there. I not feel the need for a partner, I am content as things are. Not everyone will feel this way for sure and I do not feel as some have suggested that I am shutting myself off to love....I step out into my world. It is vast and magnificent and I see love in so many places.
We have formed a bond with one another. I strongly suggest that you meet other LBSers as it is better than spending thousands of dollars on therapy or antidepressants.
I feel that the travelling has placed new memories in my mind, my memories that do not include him. Somehow, I am gradually losing the pain that was associated with him, and rediscovering the joy that is within me.
I think I am looking at a Colorado meetup the weekend of October 18 to 20 th, so for those who are so inclined, think about the journey that you want to take to find out who you are and have become. It starts with a step forward, and the ability to listen and follow your heart's desires and passions. Our MLCers are dead inside, our marriages are dead and long gone but we are still alive.
May God bless you all.
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think about the journey that you want to take to find out who you are and have become. It starts with a step forward, and the ability to listen and follow your heart's desires and passions. Our MLCers are dead inside, our marriages are dead and long gone but we are still alive.
Powerful words. Inspirational stuff. Thanks xyzcf. :)
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What an absolutely wonderful trip to Ireland…a most beautiful country! No words can express the genuine and warm hospitality granted to us by What Next! What an extraordinary woman who made certain each and all of our needs were met. To those of you whom I had the privilege of meeting…it was delightful! Thank you for sharing your stories, your smiles and laughter. I cherish our time together.
H2H