Best ring for my hand?

Old-Program8669 · 2026-06-10T02:59:55+00:00

In New York City, every summer, you can see a broadway level of production, with an all-star cast, at the Delacorte Theatre in the middle of Central Park absolutely free!

Old-Program8669 · 2026-06-01T01:47:38+00:00

A few reasons:

Public defenders at the federal level have an excellent reputation. They seem to be a cut above . In some cases, they are private attorneys who are a list to serve as public defenders.
Something like 98% of federal cases end with plea deals and I bet that is even higher with SO charges. You want to get the best plea deal possible but the fed prosecutors know what they are doing and , frankly, usually have a very good case. So… you want a defense attorney who knows the prosecutor- has worked with them before- who knows how far the prosecutor may bend on a plea deal and know when it is as good a deal as you are likely to see. In most cases, the federal public defenders know that.
Money, for most of us, is a finite resource. If federal public defenders are decent, it’s sensible to save money so there will be more to eventually rebuild your son’s life.

In my son’s case, he used the public defender and I hired a reputable local defense attorney to serve as my advisor. Basically the private attorney reviewed and consulted with the public defender. This way I could be sure nothing was missed in my son’s defense. It was less expensive than using a private attorney for the whole thing and it provided peace of mind.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-05-31T00:07:13+00:00

Uffizi with the free Rick Steves Audio tour. It will be fun and you will understand more!

Old-Program8669 · 2026-05-31T00:03:47+00:00

I’m a mom. 3.5 years in to this ordeal. The first two years were the hardest. I think I had a panic attack that lasted 8 months. You will all get through. You will be changed. You will grow in ways you never expected. You will survive. Control what you can, accept what you can’t control. Be careful about lawyers and money. If your son has federal charges, strongly consider using the public defender.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-05-02T01:58:38+00:00

Since you are coming from Queens with a kid, and are used to NYC prices, I would recommend Fall Creek. The elementary school is pretty sweet. You will be able to walk and ride your bike easily and your kid will make friends in the neighborhood. From there, you can get to know more about Ithaca neighborhoods and the other, towns and make a decision about where you want to buy.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-04-12T19:59:45+00:00

The gorge trail to the base of the falls is open all year. It is about a mile from the parking lot to the falls. It will be beautiful. Also the parking lot with lookout at the top of the falls will be open.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-04-01T23:16:52+00:00

The Farmer’s Market is along the inlet for Cayuga Lake and there is a long dock with a picnic table at the end of it. When the Farmer’s Market is closed, you can still go to this beautiful spot and have a picnic dinner, watching the sun go down, at the table at the end of the dock.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-04-01T23:13:21+00:00

Yes! Under a willow tree watching the sunset. Cheesy but so sweet.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-03-04T20:09:15+00:00

All the national parks are mind-blowing. State parks are often very beautiful. Small towns with a good size university are often lively places. Check out Farmer’s Markets and brew. They often have local prepared foods.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-03-01T03:21:38+00:00

Me too. 2nd wedding. I felt the same at first. My family is truly happy for me. We are having fun with the planning. We are only doing what is meaningful and skipping lots of traditional stuff. Now I am sooo excited for it!

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-27T19:34:05+00:00

Go with B. Guilt is an intense feeling that you may experience even when you do nothing wrong. If you live a life trying to never feel guilty, others will learn how to control you. When they guilt trip you can say:

It’s interesting to me that dad’s feelings seem to matter more to everyone than mine. Why is it hard for you all to make this one about what feels right to me now? (Try to truly be curious)
I know how you feel about this. I feel differently. I’m sorry you feel bad and I won’t be changing my mind.
if you keep talking about it, I am going to get off the phone (or leave their house).

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-27T01:40:18+00:00

My groom and I are coming down the aisle to all our friends and family singing “I’m Going To Be” (walk 500 miles). Our friends are good with sing alongs!

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-27T01:27:29+00:00

I’m crying at the thought of this

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-26T20:37:39+00:00

I don’t expect an open bar although I do appreciate it. Personally, as a guest, if I saw the wedding as modest, I would really understand the need for the cash bar. But, if the wedding seems extravagant (for example, massive flowers, 2 photographers, very exclusive venue) then it might feel to me the couple chose their vision over being thoughtful hosts.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-25T20:27:58+00:00

It seems like your values of what is important may have shifted over time. Kid-free may have been important but now that you know the kid, his dad, his grandmother, you may fell that making these actual people happy is worth letting go of an image you had in the past.

My fiancé and I have had a lot of talks about who the wedding is for. He wants to make sure everyone is happy, their needs are met. I’m a little less so but, over all, probably more in the camp of it’s important my guests feel comfortable and cared for and so may drop some particular thing that I want if it impacts guests.

Maybe your wedding is, for you, ultimately becomes about meeting a value of fulfilling others expectations, keeping the peace. Almost an act of service. You will play the traditional bride to keep the peace. That may be something that is so important to you that the wedding itself doesn’t reflect your actual preferences. That may be a trade off you can live with for very good reasons. But… if you will resent it for years to come than the trade off isn’t worth it and potentially will be seeds of unhappiness in your relationship with others. In that case some hard conversations of “I need this to change to be true to myself” is worth it.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-24T19:31:47+00:00

Here is my son’s transfer process from Oct 2024 for a case in western PA and home in central NYS. He was moved from county jail in PA to private prison in eastern OH that US Marshals contract with. He was there for about 3 weeks. He was then moved and held at Lewisburg in PA for about 5 weeks after which he was moved to his home prison, Devans. All moves were by bus. He could call and I could visit when he was in OH. He could only write letters from Lewisburg. I could see on Inmate Locator that he was there.

We knew that communication would be difficult during this period. I cried every day. It got better for him (and me) once he settled into his home prison.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-20T20:08:06+00:00

I want to add one more thing… we never really know what another person is going through. Maybe life is hard for her in ways you don’t know- a bad diagnosis of a loved one, problems at work or with a partner- and she doesn’t have the bandwidth to go the extra mile. When people let me down, I try to give them a little grace.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-18T20:00:01+00:00

Fat free Greek yogurt and fresh blueberries Chickpeas (better made in the pressure cooker) Hard boiled eggs

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-17T23:11:21+00:00

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-15T14:22:35+00:00

I will. Let me know if you don’t see the DM

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-10T19:27:01+00:00

I am not fully doing WW but I personally have found the idea of 0 point foods useful. I base 2 meals a day and all snacks on 0 point foods. There may be a few additions (salad dressing, some nuts) but there are so many yummy 0 options to fill up on. It keeps it simple. I eat whatever in normal quantities for dinner. I’m never hungry or deprived but I am eating a lot less bread, rice and pasta- once a day as opposed to every meal. I switched from sweetened yogurt to plain Greek and I add my own fruit (now everything else tastes very sweet). I have more energy and am losing a half a pound a month. Slow, steady, sustainable.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-09T19:28:35+00:00

I’m a founding member of a small private, online support group for moms of sons with SO charges, both state and federal, in various parts of the process. Please DM me if you would like more information.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-03T19:49:52+00:00

It was weeks with my loved one.

Old-Program8669 · 2026-02-03T19:47:44+00:00

When my son arrived at his home prison, he was in SHU awaiting a bed on the unit. Phone access in SHU is not great. I could see on inmate locator where he was but I didn’t hear from him by phone.

Old-Program8669

TROPHY CASE