~Chicago, never again~

Sunday, was my last day in Chicago. Nicolle had day off from work, so she took me to the "Mag Mile" (Michigan Avenue). First stop was the "Water tower", which acually 7-8 stories of Macy's. Nicolle had gotten a gift card from her in-laws, so she headed for the jewelry dept, It wasn't easy for her to spend $200 on costume jewelry. Me, I like 14 kt. plus.

Then we checked out the "American Girl" store.....My idea, Nicci had no idea what "American Girl" is. I loved it, excited little girls everywhere, beautiful dolls . Nicci didn't quite get my fascination with the historical dolls and the books.

We did look in on the little restaurant and saw all the girls having tea from tiny tea cups with petite fours on China, with their dolls sitting in little chairs beside them. Sooo very sweet! And she did like that.

We stopped in Saks and looked around. Then walked down to he Navy Pier. Which is about a mile down Michigan Ave., bu I hung in here and didn' complain abou my legs. We probably should have taken a Cab...but, I'm tough. Mmmm....maybe not.

The hoarseness I had over Christmas has gone to my chest, have a lousy cough & still sound much like Demi Moore.

When we got to the Pier we went to "Bubba Gumps" for Bloody Mary's and appetizers. A couple of appetizers is usually enough for Nini and I . Then the shit hit the fan, and this was before drinks. Apparently, she doesn't' feel like I love her enough. Not like Eric's family loves him.

I explained the dynamics of each family is different.

Then for some reason she brought up the fact that when she was a teenager I "trashed her room". This was over fifteen yrs ago. Well, her room was trash.....she was a teenager. But, it was trashed by her, not me.

She used to steal my clothes, jewelery, good jewelery and things from stores. And I'm no talking petty larceny, either. She was on probation and in counseling for a while for sealing over $400 worhof merchandise wih a couple of friends. Mall Secutiy followed he girls with video cameras as they "swooped" the stores.

Another thing she said was that I hit her in the face with a belt! I was astounded. When I told her that never happened ... she told me I must have "blacked it out"!

Honestly, I don't think I ever owned a belt and if I did I never would have hit my children with one. I was beat, had arms and legs broken, no aken o had he bones set, and worse hings done to me than that. I lived in fear of verbal, physical and sexual abuse. My children were shelered from that. Then she told me I must have "Blacked it out!" (he bleing her in he face).

I do recall her calling me assorted obscene words and I almost slapped her face once...but didn't. She was grounded on varioius occasions. She hreaened o call Child services and I handed her he phone. She was grounded alot.....And half the time she sneaked out the window.

The stories I could tell of that girls teenage years are horrifying.

I could write a book.

My friend Sandy believes that by Nicci marrying into a family with money and a husband soon to be a lawyer. That Nicci is embarassed that her parents were divorced, and that I raised the she and her brother myself.

And, maybe a poverish upbringing was shameful.

Presents..... at Chrismas, neither my daugher or Eric bothered to say thank you.

I think the next time I spend a thousand dollars for a vacation...I'm going on a cruise or a train ride to "nowhere".

OH, then I mentioned to Nicci I think I would send flowers to Shirley, the Great -Grandmother whose house we stayed. Nicolle asked me why in the world would I do that? My goodness, the woman is Eighy-five years old, i mus have been exhausting having 20 family members for the holidays, plus me. I think she deserves something special.

Nicci told me I was crazy. Ehhh....She can call me crazy. Grandma Shirley is getting flowers.

tampa0503 at 2:28:00 AM EST Blog about this entry

This entry has 11 comments: (Add your own)

#11 Comment from princesssaurora
1/3/08 11:43 PM | Permalink

{{{ Bethe }}} I am sorry about the problems you had on your trip with your daughter... over time, and her maturing... I hope it will work out!

be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/
#10 Comment from wwfbison
1/3/08 9:08 AM | Permalink

I would send flowers as a thank you gesture as well. Perhaps when your daughter is older she will embrace where she came from. I grew up with just my mom & very little to our name ~ I am not the least bit ashamed, it made me who I am. I would take the cruise!
Lisa
#9 Comment from geocachelinda66
1/2/08 6:32 PM | Permalink

Hmmm Nicci sounds like she has some issues! Linda
#8 Comment from ekgillen
1/2/08 3:46 PM | Permalink

Wow! I am sorry your trip was not as you hoped!
(((HUGS)))
Gillie
http://journals.aol.com/ekgillen/Gillie/
#7 Comment from malagutigrrl
1/2/08 1:04 PM | Permalink

You're not CRAZY! That's the sweetest thought. And she WILL love them.
SEND THOSE FLOWERS, WOMAN!
:)
MJ

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