ANOTHER Adventure in Autism (4/15) A Taste of What's to Come...

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #1: Everything Old is New (Jersey) Again!

Chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga, woo-woo!

The little red and green engine in my countdown ticker has been s-l-o-w-l-y making it’s way along the tracks. It’s destination: Walt Disney World! KathyRN and family are goin’ back!! :woohoo:

The ticker reads "4 months to our WDW Vacation." I cannot wait any longer! :yay: I must start another Pre-Trippie!


*(The Trip Report begins on Page 59 with a PTR Recap)*

Table of Contents:

Post #1: Everything Old is New (Jersey) Again!
Post #23: Ah, Wilderness!
Post #35: The Gambler
Post #47: Like Walking Through a Pool Full of Jell-O
Post #56: Oh, Mike Goodness!
Post #64: AD-R-U-OK?
Post #77: Over the Cliff and Through the Woods...
Post #90: Operational Plan: 2007!!
Post #94: Stating the Obvious, With a KISS!
Post #99: DIAL-A-CROC!
Post #138: To Sleep, Perchance to Dream...
Post #141: 99 Numbers of Cheer on the Wall, 99 Numbers of Cheer!
Post #156: How the Lime Turned Into a Lemon!
Post #195: Molar Madness
Post #232: Goldilocks and the Three Bags
Post #261: The Dog Days of Summer
Post #281: A Nerd's Guide to Multiple-Choice
Post #306: Wherein Ed Downloads My Giblets
Post #333: Hello, Dolly! (Part One)
Post #338: Hello, Dolly! (Part Two)
Post #347: Hello, Dolly! (Part Three)
Post #366: Much Ado About Nothing
Post #377: Making Our Lists, Checking Them Twice
Post #416: Tootsie-Pop Trippie
Post #419: More Tootsie-Roll Center
Post #426: A Pack Rat's Packing List
Post #475: RV Planning Another Adventure?
Post #497: RV Planning Another Adventure? (Part 2)
Post #537: Oh, Deer Me!
Post #547: The Cowboy Way...at Disney!
Post #559: Itty Bitty Nitty Gritty
Post #590: "Hey...You...Guys!"
Post #616: Just a Pair of Pin Heads
Post #650: The Bare Necessities
Post #666: Billy Update
Post #676: Better Than Xanax
Post #687: The Shirt Off My Back
Post #695: Birthday Booty
Post #704: Just a little Mood Music
Post #713: Doctors and Hospitals
Post #741: Ten for Ten!
Post #763: "Into every life, a little rain must fall."
Post #773: The Silver Lining
Post #815: My First Homemade Disney Shirt!
Post #821: Ghosts & Goblins in the Sewer


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We’ve chosen Jersey Week for what will be our fifth family vacation to WDW. We went during Jersey Week last year for the first time and it worked out well. The kids already get 2-1/2 days off for Election Day and the NJ State Teachers’ Convention, so they only miss half a week of school if we go to Disney for a week (along with a giant chunk of our state population!) This year, the dates are 11/3 - 11/11.

I love going to WDW at this time of year! Yes, it’s a bit more crowded than during the Value Season months, such as September or January, but its worth the trade-off for the kids to miss fewer days of school. I think the weather is perfect (not too cold, not too hot, very little chance of rain), and we return home just as we begin to gear up for the holiday season. It helps to ease some of the PDD (Post-Disney Depression) if I’m forced to get busy with something other than trip planning, and have less time to mope around!

"Pardon me, but have we met?"

If we have, then you already know the story behind the title. If we have not, then a few introductions are in order!


******************************

The Cast:

Ed: :cool2: DH(46)(Dad): Occupation: Police Lieutenant. Quick-tempered, strong-willed, and protective. Enjoys road biking, and watching TV, especially the Law & Order and the CSI shows. Favorite Character: Grumpy. (That really fits sometimes!)

Tricia: :earsgirl: DD(11): Occupation: Sixth-grader. Bright, impatient, and outgoing. Enjoys reading several books at one time, playing soccer, and playing with her American Girl dolls. Favorite character: Tinkerbell.

Billy: :earsboy: DS(9): Autistic. Occupation: Special Ed student. Affectionate, noisy, and happy. Enjoys splashing in the pool, spinning, and DVDs: collecting them, categorizing them, watching them. Favorite character: a tie between Woody and Buzz.

Aunt Rae::flower: AR(77): Ed’s aunt. Occupation: Spoiler of great-niece and great-nephew. Conscientious, fastidious, and sweet. Enjoys cleaning things that are already clean, eating out, and listening to music, especially Andrea Bocelli. Suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. (Think: elderly female "Monk") Favorite character: Cinderella.

Kathy: pooh: (43)(Mom): Occupation: RN. Messy, empathetic, and diplomatic. Enjoys old movies, talking on the phone (not texting), and DISing at every opportunity. Favorite character: Winnie-the-Pooh. Oh, and I do like honey in my tea!


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Eddie: :smooth: DSS(17), my stepson who lives in North Carolina, has opted not to join us this year. (You may recall he flew down and spent three days with us at Disney last year.) Just too much going on with school and extracurricular activities, I guess. Oh well. :sad1:


******************************


The Accidental Co-Tourists:

About four months ago, I was over at my sister Marilyn's house and the subject of WDW came up. She’s really nuts about WDW, too. She had visited a few times before I ever had the chance, once being her honeymoon trip, but had not been back in several years. (Meanwhile, my family had been every year since 2003.) She was really itching to go back, but was a bit hesitant since her three girls, ages 4, 3, and 1yr. were so young.

She admitted to me that, despite any apprehension she felt about trying to “do” WDW with a diaper bag, strollers, and little ones who needed to nap, she had taken the plunge and booked a vacation package. She reasoned that if she waited for the baby to be “big enough”, the older ones would pass on through the prime “Disney Princess phase” princess: and it would be lost to her forever.

She was both thrilled and concerned that she might have made a mistake; after all, she and my BIL had never been to WDW with even one small child, let alone three. I told her that I thought that bringing kids at any age was doable, as long as parents planned and toured accordingly. (The reason we had waited until the kids were older was more for financial reasons than anything else.)

“So, when are you going,” I asked, excited to be able to “talk Disney” with someone.

“November,” she replied. “Hold on, let me check the calendar for the exact dates…”

“November!” I said with surprise. "We're going in November, too!" Well, that’s a major coincidence! I wonder…

“Here it is. We’re driving down to Florida, arriving on Saturday, the third. Well spend the weekend with John’s parents in Vero Beach, and then check into the Caribbean Beach Resort on my birthday, Monday the fifth,” she looked up from her calendar and saw that my mouth had dropped about all the way down to my chest.

“Marilyn, that’s the same week that we’ll be there!” I practically shouted. Her eyes got as big as saucers. :eek: “You’re kidding!” she shouted back, and we both began laughing excitedly. We called the kids into the kitchen and told them the incredible news: their mommies had planned their trips to WDW for exactly the same week without even knowing it!

Wild, high-pitched little girl screaming erupted as my two older nieces jumped up and down with their cousin, Tricia. “We’re going to Disney together! We’re going to Disney toether!” they yelled. Baby Josie, who had been sitting in the high chair the entire time, caught the excitement of the others. “Hah! Hah! Hah!” she panted as she kicked her chubby legs wildly.

Billy, a bit startled at the sudden screaming of the girls, had run out of the kitchen with both hands covering his ears. He retreated to the relative calm of the family room and resumed playing with some of his cousins’ toys. His big sister sat down next to him and tried to explain the reason for all the fuss.

“Billy, guess what? Emily and Beth and Josie are going to Walt Disney World when we are!” she said. Billy did not acknowledge her. She tried again.

“Billy, do you want to go to Walt Disney World with Emily and Beth and Josie?”

“No, no, no,” he shouted. “Go with Mommy and Daddy and Tricia and Aunt Rae!”

>> Okay, take two:

“Billy,” she said, a slight hint of exasperation beginning to appear in her voice, “Do you want to go with Mommy and Daddy and Tricia and Aunt Rae and Emily and Beth and Josie?”

“…And Aunt Marlin,” he grunted.
“Yes, and Aunt Marilyn.”
“…And Unca John.”
“Yes, Billy, and Uncle John, too,” she rolled her eyes. “We’re all going together. “Isn’t that great?”

Billy replied with a resounding, “Yes!” Then he got up and ran to the front door to get his sneakers. “We go to Walt Disney World. Yes. Okay.” He pulled on his sneakers and stood up.

Billy was ready to go! It took a few minutes for him to be persuaded that we were not leaving just yet! After a few tears, he forgot about his momentary disappointment with the help of lots of hugs from Mom and the distraction of his cousins’ attractive DVD collection.


And so now, because we will be meeting my sister’s family for some character meals and parades, we will have a Supporting Cast:


Marilyn: :flower3: DSis(Turning 39 in the World) Avid scrapbooker. Favorite character: Cinderella.

John: :cool: DBIL(48) Big football fan. Favorite character: Aladdin.

Emily: princess: DN (will be 6) Shy, soft-spoken. Favorite character: Ariel.

Beth: princess: DN (4) Extroverted, fearless. Favorite character: Aurora.

Josie: princess: DN (will be 2) Very happy baby. Born with a medical condition that causes her to be exquisitely sensitive to heat and the sun. Favorite character: Tinkerbell (as far as we can tell!)


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It’s hard to tell any story that involves our family without first talking a bit about something that affects us all very deeply, and that’s Billy’s autism.

Now, if you really, really want to know more backstory, I invite you to read my completed trip report from last year’s vacation, Adventures in Autism: WDW, before jumping into this one. (The link is in my signature, below.)

And if you would like to read more about Autistic Spectrum Disorders, the link to Cure Autism Now is: http://cureautismnow.org


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Excerpted from my 2006 report:

Autism is a neurological or brain-based disorder that causes problems in cognition, communication, and social interaction. There are many symptoms and conditions associated with autism and it can be difficult to know that a child is autistic just by looking at him. Many people think of the Dustin Hoffman character in Rainman, but those savant characteristics are only shared by a few on the autism “spectrum”.

Billy attends a special school and receives speech, occupational, and physical therapy. He displays very poor eye contact, impaired conversational abilities, repetitive language and mannerisms such as hand flapping and sniffing objects. He has a degree of hyperactivity and poor attention span that makes it difficult to attend to an activity for more than a few moments without direction and supervision. He has a poor hand/finger grasp and has difficulty with handwriting and other “small” movements such as buttoning buttons and snapping snaps.

He constantly makes noise…humming, singing, “scripting” pieces of dialogue from his favorite TV shows, and laughing. Big, boisterous belly laughs at nothing in particular. Usually at inappropriate times like in the middle of the homily (sermon) in church! Or, in the middle of watching a baseball game from the stands…while others shout, “Swing batter, batter!” Billy will shout, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!” at the top of his lungs! :rotfl: That one was pretty funny! In our house we call these moments "adventures in autism."

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The 2007 Update:

Billy has made some progress in the past year. At the age of nine, he is reading and doing math that is on an early 2nd grade level. His spontaneous language is increasing and he has begun to initiate play with his sister and his classmates. He sang a beautiful solo in the school art and music show! :goodvibes

Balancing his progress, however, are a number of concerns. :worried: He continues to need lots of refocusing and verbal prompting to stay on task, both at home and at school. He increasingly breaks out into uncontrollable laughter and frequently gets distracted by the repetitive “scripting” in his head.

His intense focus on DVDs and videos has slowly become more obsessive… every room in our house looks like Monument Valley. Stacks of DVDs and videos are arranged on just about every surface. He groups them by artist, by subject, by when he received them (birthday gifts here, Christmas gifts there). DVDs and videos from the library are kept in separate piles. He is constantly pulling them out of the cabinets and we repeatedly have to get after him to put them away. Sometimes he violently refuses, and acts out by screaming and biting, especially if Ed is not home. We considered locking them all up, but upon reflection, we decided to try to work on the situation with behavioral interventions instead. It didn’t work. :sad2:

Several weeks ago I wanted him to come downstairs to brush his teeth and he insisted on carrying an armload of DVDs with him. I made him leave them in his room and he became very upset. As he was brushing his teeth, I got sidetracked with helping Tricia with something for school and he snuck upstairs, scooped up the DVDs (about ten or twelve of them), and proceeded to carry them downstairs to the bathroom.

Suddenly, I heard, a THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, and CRASH! There was Billy at the bottom of the stairs surrounded by DVDs, crying and holding onto his left arm. His wrist was swollen and when we brought him to the ER, sure enough, it was broken! For the next four weeks his arm was in a cast; a difficult thing for any nine year old, but it practically drove Billy crazy. :crazy: He picked and pulled at it so much that after two weeks, part of it was disintegrating and we had to bring him back to get his arm re-cast. He couldn’t understand why he was not allowed to play on the swings and the slides at recess or play like the other kids during P.E. class. Thank goodness kids heal faster than we do!

If he hadn’t been obsessed with the DVDs and tried to carry so many down the stairs, I’m convinced he wouldn’t have had that accident. For me, it was the final straw.

We had always thought that we would try to manage Billy’s autistic symptoms without medication unless it was absolutely necessary. Now with the increase in OCD-type behavior at home and the increased need for re-focusing in school that was being reported by his teachers, we decided to have him evaluated by the school psychiatrist.

After the evaluation, the doctor did recommend medication for the obsessive-compulsive behaviors and we reluctantly decided to give it a try. He’s been on it for a few weeks now, and while its still too early to tell if it is helping, there has been one very wonderful development. I don’t know if it’s the medication, and frankly, I really don’t care. Because I’ve waited for it for nine years......




"I love you, Mommy."


It’s an unprompted declaration….not just something he echoes woodenly when I say it to him. He looks me in the eye, wraps his arms around my neck, and tells me that he loves me.

Every night I’ve prayed. I’ve wished upon a star. Please, God, make him…..a real boy.

"I love you, Mommy" is a beautiful start. :cloud9:


Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

He’s been on it for a few weeks now, and while its still too early to tell if it is helping, there has been one very wonderful development. I don’t know if it’s the medication, and frankly, I really don’t care. Because I’ve waited for it for nine years.


"I love you, Mommy."


It’s an unprompted declaration….not just something he echoes woodenly when I say it to him. He looks me in the eye, wraps his arms around my neck, and tells me that he loves me.

Every night I’ve prayed. I’ve wished upon a star. Please, God, make him…..a real boy.

"I love you, Mommy" is a beautiful start. :cloud9:


Kathy

Oh Kathy, reading those paragraphs is worth being up this late. I am sitting here crying happy tears. That is so wonderful. I can't even imagine how amazing that felt to hear.

Thanks for starting the pre-trippie. So sorry Eddie isn't joining you, but it is great that he has goals and focus. It is fate that your sister booked the same week, I hope you have a fabulous time.

Can't wait to read more!!

[estherhead]

Oh my goodness! I can't believe he said "I love you!!!" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations. You know what you deserve for such a special moment? A trip to WDW.

[tiggerbell]

If I can stop the happy tears long enough to hit the "Send" button - I'll be IN!!! :thumbsup2

Kathy, your first report with the kids was so memorable, I actually thought of Billy when I was in Disney in May. I'm thrilled to be getting in on the ground floor for this report! :hug:

[Halloweenqueen]

What a wonderful start to your trip report! :goodvibes

Is your Aunt Rae coming this time?


Can't wait to hear about your trip plans. I took so much good information from your last reports. :thumbsup2

I'm sorry to hear about Billy's arm. William broke his left arm a couple of years ago. He climed on his sister's playhouse and jumped off. It wasn't a bad fall and he kept right on playing. A couple of hours went by and he was nursing the arm, but not really slowing down. It started to swell and I decided to take him to the ER. It was broken in two places. He needed surgery to insert pins around his elbow. He hated the cast as well and was constantly banging it on objects to try to "make it crack". It was a long 4 weeks.

[blue_river]

What a great start :cheer2:

I laughed when I read the part about you not being able to wait any longer to get this PTR going. :rotfl2: I felt the same way.

What wonderful news that your sister will be going at the same time. :goodvibes

Will she be chiming in on this TR?

"I love you, Mommy."

This was the BEST part of your first installment. :hug:

I can't wait to hear all your plans. :yay:

[Marion]

Oh Kathy.... you've got me crying here damnit! :hug: How wonderful... I am soooo happy for you. I know what an amazing moment that was for you :cloud9:

One of my bestest friends in the world has an autistic daughter. We've been friends since her little one was 4 years old (same age as my youngest... they're now 18!) She's a single parent and was struggling to cope with all the autistic behaviours and stresses alone. It was a real eye opener seeing how people react to others with 'invisible disabilities'. Anyway, they quickly became a part of our extended family and Shannon grew up thinking she was part of my brood... subject to the same rules and all that. She's always been an affectionate child but spontaneous verbal skills were slow. She could recite any number of commercials and movie scenes but no 'I love you's' until she was 12. What a day that was :)

Long story short, they've since relocated to the other side of the country, Shannon graduated high school this year, functions great at home now. She has her routines, her chores, her activities and her future looks very bright.:wizard:

Thank you for sharing and I can't wait for your next adventure! :dance3:

[Montana Disney Fan]

You'll be there during the Food & Wine Festival!! :woohoo:

Are you going to be able to go out with just you, Ed and your friends? If you do, hit Epcot one evening, sip a few wines, listen to some music then enjoy Illuminations.

We'll beat you by a month. We're down Oct 7-19 so the parks might be a little messier than your used to. :lmao:

We took Trey off all meds and he is MUCH happier -- wild and crazy like a freakin' mad-man -- but much happier. We've been taking him swimming every day and that is helping him become more aware of himself. He goes down the slide about 30 times and chases his sister around. The lifeguards all know about his handicap but treat him no different than the other kids which is great.

Are you staying with your friends at CBR?

[Avivasmom]

WOW Kathy what amazing words to hear. I can only imagine how you must have felt if I have tears in my eyes for you.

Do not know if you remember from your last pre-trip report but going for my masters in ESE (Exceptional Student Education) with an endorsement in autism. 2 more classes for autism to go.

Billy has come so far this past year how exciting!!

And getting to be with family there just priceless!

[tacomaranch]

Kathy,

Thanks for sharing your trip with your Dis friends. I was also in tears reading about Billy saying he loves you.:banana: :banana:

Parents of NT's just don't know how much these few words mean to us. I am rejoicing in such wonderful progress.

Please keep the reports coming.

[praisehisname]

Kathy, thanks so much for sharing your story. I can't even begin to imagine waiting 9 years to hear my child say I love you. I have tears in my eyes right now. I'm looking forward to hearing about your planning!

Denise

[fraggle551]

I would just like to say hello. this is my first post, and I am completly taken with your story. I am an elementary education major, and I will be getting my masters in special education. I am so happy for your son to be able to say 'i love you' for you. congratulations. I am looking forward to reading the rest of your pre-trip report.

once again, congratualtions!!

[Crazy Kanga]

Oh, Kathy, I burst into tears when I read the last few lines. I am so happy for you. I love reading your trip reports because Billy and Nick seem so much alike. God Bless you and your family and I will be glued to your trip report!

[AGPrincess]

Hooray! You started your pre-trip report!

I'm so happy for you that Billy said 'I love you!' I'm about half-way through your first trip report, and I so admire you! You are so patient and understanding with your little boy! What a wonderful moment! Thank you for sharing it with us! :hug:

It's too bad your DSS can't come to WDW with you this time. But having just gotten through my own AP-ridden school year, I can understand how he just can't get away (even for Disney World!). :sad1:

[Marion]

We'll beat you by a month. We're down Oct 7-19 so the parks might be a little messier than your used to. :lmao:

We'll be there 3-11 so we'll have to be on the lookout! :teeth:

[SwansLoveDisney]

I am crying right now! Thanks!

I am a pediatric physical therapist and I work with kiddos with autism on a daily basis. I can not even imagine the joy and accomplishment that you and Billy must have felt when he told you he loves you.

I'm excited to hear more and I'm on my way to read your last TR!

[KathyRN137]

Hi Everyone! :wave2:

I am so deeply touched by your responses! It makes me feel so blessed to have so many caring people take the time to post. I have to admit, though, I feel a bit guilty since I made so many of you cry!!

mrsksomeday: My fellow night-owl!

estherhead: Definitely worth the wait!

tiggerbell: Laughter through tears...

Halloweenqueen: Yes, AR is coming; she wouldn't miss it!

blue: Sis doesn't DIS; but she'll probably scrapbook the entire trip!

Marion: Sorry about the tears! :flower3: Have a flower!

MDF: I'll have your awsome TR to help pass the wait time!

Avivasmom: I do remember; looks like you're almost done! :teacher:

Tacomaranch: You've all been very good friends!

praisehisname: Thanks! Glad your trip didn't go down the drain!

fraggle551: What an honor to be your 1st post! Welcome to the DIS!

CrazyKanga: Billy & Nick would get along great! (esp. in the pool!)

AGPrincess: We're :sad1: that Eddie won't be coming; his brother and sister adore him!

SwansLovesDisney: I admire you; you must have loads of patience! :rolleyes:

Thanks for reading!

Kathy

[*CheshireCat*]

I am so happy for you and your son! As I type this I am there are tears streaming down my face and I can only imagine the happiness your feeling right now :cloud9: :love: Congrats and I am sure your going to have a blast in WDW this November, a great way to celebrate!:)

[iluvmickeytown]

I'm so glad I clicked on your pre-trip report. I love how you write. I'm looking forward to more. That is so precious your son saying "I love you mommy". Oh I'm going to start crying all over again. Keep posting. I think I'll find your other report and read it. :grouphug:

[katdocnorf]

We had always thought that we would try to manage Billy’s autistic symptoms without medication unless it was absolutely necessary. Now with the increase in OCD-type behavior at home and the increased need for re-focusing in school that was being reported by his teachers, we decided to have him evaluated by the school psychiatrist.

After the evaluation, the doctor did recommend medication for the obsessive-compulsive behaviors and we reluctantly decided to give it a try. He’s been on it for a few weeks now, and while its still too early to tell if it is helping, there has been one very wonderful development. I don’t know if it’s the medication, and frankly, I really don’t care. Because I’ve waited for it for nine years.

Kathy

My DSS20 is also autistic. He cannot do some of the things that you mention your some can do. Math and reading to be exact. But we think the same way you do about medicating. When he was 3 or 4 the doctors had put him on ritalin. Well the teachers at that time did not like how it made him. Unresponsive most of the time, hard to get him to do any work. It calmed his fits, etc but they could not get him the do anything. Since then Justin has not been on anything at all. Now that he has gotten 212lbs and 5' 11", when he has a temper tantrum (which is what we call it). It is very difficult for me to control him. He will try to bite himself and if I get to close bite me as well. Either way himself or me, he does not know his own strength and will draw blood and at least make one heck of a bruise.

Now we are at the point of think about meds. But his regular doctor will not prescribe them and wants him to see a psychologist, but there is not one that we have been able to find that will deal with autism. So that is where we are at now.

I am real interested in hearing how that goes for you though. I love reading your trip reports also. They help me because I can associate. THANKS MUCH and sorry for rambling on.

[KathyRN137]

Katdocnorf: This will probably be long, so I'll PM 'ya! ;)

ilovemickeytown: Thanks, oh and I love the animation in your siggie! :thumbsup2

*CheshireCat*: Gosh, more tears! I'll try to make you all laugh a little next time if I can!

Kathy

[Goofster57]

Hey Kathy,
I was hoping you would start this soon, I am really looking forward to the Pre-Trip and the trip report.

How cool that you will get to spend time with your sister and her family while you are down there.

To bad you are missing Linnie the Pooh and the kids by a month.

Remember to take lots of pictures, you know how we like pictures here.

[KathyRN137]

Okay, everyone, let’s all take a deep cleansing breath…big inhale…okay, now, hold it…. now, everybody exhale… That’s better!

So many of you wrote back that you were sniffling after my first installment; it reminded me of how I used to cry at the drop of a hat when I was pregnant. We’d be watching TV and a General Foods International Coffee commercial would come on or, …. even worse…. a commercial for Hallmark Cards, and Ed would look over to see me fumbling for the tissue box and just bawling my eyes out! Over a commercial! Ed would be laughing at me and I would try to explain:

Sniffle* sniffle* "Oh, at first she thought her son wasn’t going to be able to come home for the holidays…sniffle*…and now he came home…sniffle* sniffle*and now they can all be together and isn’t it wonderful? I don’t know what I’d do if our son couldn’t make it home, it just wouldn’t be Christmas…" sniffle* sniffle*

“Kathy, the baby’s not even born yet and you’re crying because he may not make it home for Christmas someday??” he would shake his head, laughing while I dabbed my eyes with a tissue.

"Well, I can just imagine how that mother would feel, that’s all…"

Then he would smile indulgently and pat my arm. “I love you, honey.”


So thanks, everyone, for sharing my happy tears…I know that you are putting yourselves in my place and I really appreciate your :grouphug:


And now, back to the plans:

A Brief Recap:

The Who: My family, my sister’s family
The What: Family vacation to WDW
The When: “Jersey Week”, 11/3 – 11/11.

(If you're a DISer, the Why is obvious! :goodvibes )

Next up: The Where! Where do we want to stay??

I know, I know… I gave it away already. Sheesh! Can’t slip anything past you guys! :rolleyes:

As you may already know, or you may not (so I’ll tell you), we’ve been DVC members for about 2-1/2 yrs. Eventually we want to try *every* one of the DVC resorts at WDW! Last year, it was Old Key West, which we loved for its spaciousness and laid-back atmosphere. The year before that it was Saratoga Springs, our home resort, which although it was still in under construction, was very beautiful and extremely convenient to Downtown Disney.

This year we set our sights on the Villas at Wilderness Lodge! (VWL)

We had the opportunity to see the grandeur and beauty of The Lodge first hand back in 2005 when we took the kids to eat at Whispering Canyon Café. You know, the one restaurant where you should never, ever, ask for ketchup! :laughing: Even though the towering lobby was impressive, it still had a very warm and homey feel to it. I just knew that one day we would have to stay there!

Now, if you’re not too familiar with DVC operations, let me explain how we needed to make our reservation: DVC members can use their points to stay at any of the DVC resorts at any time of year. But it isn’t always easy to stay just anywhere you please at any time. Our “home” resort is Saratoga Springs (SSR). No earlier than 11 months from your check-out date, you can make a reservation at your home resort.

If you decide you want to stay at someone else’s “home resort”, you need to wait an additional four months to reserve. This way, people get a fair first shot at staying at their own home resort before other members can. After the 7 month “window” opens, the villas are open to all members for reservations.

You see, some DVC members really like to stay at only one resort, usually their “home” over and over, while other members like to bounce around and try different resorts. Our family likes to bounce! :bounce: Ed, especially, loves trying out new resorts. Thus, we like to experience a new resort each time, if we can.

The only glitch comes when you run into problems with Supply and Demand. SSR, for example, is very large and now consists of 1260 units. By comparison, VWL is quite intimate, with only 136 units available to go around. Obviously, it’s a lot easier for SSR to accommodate non-home resort members than it is for VWL! And its not only resort size that influences the supply; time of year also plays a role.

Our vacation falls during the last week of the incredibly popular Food & Wine Festival at Epcot. Naturally, there is a greater demand for the Epcot area DVC resorts at this time. Boardwalk Villas has 532 units, while the Beach Club Villas offers a mere 205. These are the “E-Ticket” resorts during the F&WF because they are in walking distance to Epcot’s International Gateway and the World Showcase.

So, flashback to mid-Winter, 2007: We make a reservation for a 2-bedroom villa at SSR, our DVC “home.” I would be happy to leave it at that, but Ed has the itch to try something new. So as we approach the 7-month mark, we need to decide between the three untried resorts that are left. Thinking that it would be too difficult to get into the Epcot resorts, we opt to try for VWL.

I make the call and find out, not unexpectedly, that only about half of our nights are available. This is where it gets tricky, especially for someone like me who loves security and hates to gamble. :worried: Now we become like contestants on the DVC version of the Deal or No Deal show!

We *only* have enough points for one 1-week reservation. (If we had lots and lots of points, it wouldn’t be such an issue…I’d keep the one ressie and start a second.) But we do not have this luxury. So now, the decision is this: do we give up half our ressie at SSR and trade it for half a week at VWL and go on waitlist for the rest?? :confused:

Hmmm. Well, at best, we spend the first half of the week at SSR and then the second half at VWL. Lots of people split their stays, it’s not so bad. In fact, it could be kind of fun to get the experience of two fabulous resorts in one week, right? That wouldn’t be so bad, right?

Wrong!!

I said that half our nights were available at VWL, I didn’t say they were all together!

What they had for us was this:

Fri / Sat = VWL
Sun through Wed = SSR
Thurs /Fri / Sat = VWL

Well, I might certainly consider packing up and moving everyone once, but I wasn’t willing to do it twice! Not with one elderly woman and an autistic child in our group… would it be worth the aggravation to try for the coveted VWL?? The reservationist from Member Services was waiting for my answer.

Deal or No Deal?

Kathy

[Goofster57]

; it reminded me of how I used to cry at the drop of a hat when I was pregnant. We’d be watching TV and a General Foods International Coffee commercial would come on or, …. even worse…. a commercial for Hallmark Cards,



Man do I remember those days. With our first daughter it was Ford Commercials, they would show one of the new F-250 and I would just sob uncontrollably, then with our second daughter it was the Chris Craft 32 foot open bow Boat with the 200 horsepower Evinrude Outboard….

I so understand :sad1:



Next up: The Where! Where do we want to stay??


Fort Wilderness in a Tent? :rotfl:



Well, at best, we spend the first half of the week at SSR and then the second half at VWL. Lots of people split their stays, it’s not so bad. In fact, it could be kind of fun to get the experience of two fabulous resorts in one week, right? That wouldn’t be so bad, right?

Wrong!!

I said that half our nights were available at VWL, I didn’t say they were all together!

What they had for us was this:

Fri / Sat = VWL
Sun through Wed = SSR
Thurs /Fri / Sat = VWL



I don’t understand the issue…:confused3.....if I was you I would try and throw in a few days at the Boardwalk also.

We love the Wilderness Lodge we have stayed there twice, not in the DVC section; I think you will be very pleased.

We did get to stay in the Boardwalk and SSR DVC sections and we liked Boardwalk a little better mostly because of the location, but both were nice. SSR is a little spread out as I am sure you know.

Looking forward to hearing what you decided.

[Marion]

Ack! The suspense! :scared: That just sounds so complicated! hehehe Hope you get what you want, and I totally understand the not wanting to make ANY moves once you get settled into your vacation home.

[mvazul]

Hi! :wave2:

I just found the link to your report through another's pre-trip eport. I need to go back at some point and read your report from last year! I'm hoping you are able to get what you want for your resort. We stayed off-site in January and had to move due to room issues. What a pain in the hiney!

On a personal note...

Congratulations on your son saying, "I love you!" That had to have been so awesome for you. My family is just learning about autism. I have a cousin who was diagnosed two or three years ago. He is 8 1/2. I don't know his exact diagnosis, but it's not a severe form. He is very expressive and can communicate well. However, he has very high OCD tendencies. I know my aunt and uncle first found out once he started school. He absolutely hated it. My aunt and uncle couldn't understand why and started looking into it.

The school counselor, along with his pediatrician, came to the conclusion he is autistic. Once they had a name for it, they were able to deal with it. He goes to a small public school in PA and they have been awesome. He has been assigned a personal aide that works alongside him. He has developed leaps and bounds with this intervention. I know he can still only wear a certain brand of socks - no others will do. My grandmother doesn't understand this and keeps buying him the wrong brand. Also, he absolutely cannot wear any shirt with a tag in it. He is very meticulous with his toys but could care less about his older sister's. ;) He is such a sweet boy.

I amvery sorry to hear about your son's accident. How is he doing now? I hope he is feeling much better. Your daughter sounds like she is very good with him. That was too cute how all the girls got so excited about being in Disney together. Just something more to look forward to!! It's very interesting your sister booked their vacation for the same time. Isn't it amazing and scary how sister's think sometimes???

I look forward to reading more!!

Michelle

[KathyRN137]

Man do I remember those days. With our first daughter it was Ford Commercials, they would show one of the new F-250 and I would just sob uncontrollably, then with our second daughter it was the Chris Craft 32 foot open bow Boat with the 200 horsepower Evinrude Outboard….



Keith: :laughing: That wasn't a LOL, that was a SLOL! (Snort-Laugh-Out-Loud!)

Marion: Keep popcorn::

mvazul: Billy's arm is as good as new, thanks!

Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

Then he would smile indulgently and pat my arm. “I love you, honey.”

That Ed sure is a good man. Knows when to just say I love you and leave it at that AND goes to Disney many times with you. Now if we could just get him and my Bill to go on the Dis boards :rotfl:.

[blue_river]

Well, I might certainly consider packing up and moving everyone once, but I wasn’t willing to do it twice! Not with one elderly woman and an autistic child in our group… would it be worth the aggravation to try for the coveted VWL?? The reservationist from Member Services was waiting for my answer.

Deal or No Deal?

Kathy

It would be a No Deal for me but I'm curious to hear what you decided.

Man do I remember those days. With our first daughter it was Ford Commercials, they would show one of the new F-250 and I would just sob uncontrollably, then with our second daughter it was the Chris Craft 32 foot open bow Boat with the 200 horsepower Evinrude Outboard….

I so understand

:rotfl:

Some day Goofster......some day and I hope I'm around to hear all about it :wizard:

[iluvmickeytown]

Wow. I just finished your 14pg trip report. It took me a day and a half. Now mayby I can go back to what i'm suppose to be doing:laundy: . You are such a good writer. Your'e family is great. I love how you explain about your sons autism. I understand it much better now. Can't wait to keep reading more. One question Were going to DW in Dec did you think TGM is worth it? Thanks again for taking the time to post your trip report. I laughed I cried and felt all warm and fuzzy inside.:thumbsup2 :grouphug:

[IluvXU]

I too cried... I'm a :teacher: and have had many students who are autistic.. and very dear to my heart! Can't wait to figure out where you are staying... and now I need to go and read your last report soon.

As for your sister's reason for not doing Disney till they are older... it is hard to pass up those sweet princess years... when they believe they are the princess, that is where we are at now with my oldest and I can't wait to take her to the world.

[jcc0621]

So many of you wrote back that you were sniffling after my first installment; it reminded me of how I used to cry at the drop of a hat when I was pregnant. We’d be watching TV and a General Foods International Coffee commercial would come on or, …. even worse…. a commercial for Hallmark Cards, and Ed would look over to see me fumbling for the tissue box and just bawling my eyes out! Over a commercial! Ed would be laughing at me and I would try to explain:

Sniffle* sniffle* "Oh, at first she thought her son wasn’t going to be able to come home for the holidays…sniffle*…and now he came home…sniffle* sniffle*and now they can all be together and isn’t it wonderful? I don’t know what I’d do if our son couldn’t make it home, it just wouldn’t be Christmas…" sniffle* sniffle*

“Kathy, the baby’s not even born yet and you’re crying because he may not make it home for Christmas someday??” he would shake his head, laughing while I dabbed my eyes with a tissue.

"Well, I can just imagine how that mother would feel, that’s all…"

Then he would smile indulgently and pat my arm. “I love you, honey.”


Kathy

:rotfl: :rotfl: I cried 3 times during my entire pregnancy. The first time was because DH put peas in the tuna casserole he made for dinner (You would think I would be happy that he found something to eat since our fridge died the night before)
The second time I was watching 444 days to freedom the Iran hostage crisis (DH told me I wasn't allowed to watch TV for the rest of the pregnancy)
The last time was when the puppy we got (yes I am a moron and got a puppy while pregnant:scared1: ) climbed to the top of the 6 foot book shef and I coldn't get her down......
I can relate to the hallmark commercial:thumbsup2

Glad you started your PTR, I really enjoyed you last one.

Janet

[tiggerbell]

(yes I am a moron and got a puppy while pregnant:scared1: )

Janet

I got a puppy the day before my due date... I wanted a baby NOW!!! :mad: Then the baby was 6 days late, so the puppy was home a week with us before the baby came home. They were so cute together! :love:

[praisehisname]

Hi Kathy! It would definitely be a "no deal" for me. I like to have "all my ducks in a row" right from the very beginning! :rotfl: But, I'm guessing your waitlist came through for you?

Denise

[KathyRN137]

************************************

Pre-Trip #3: The Gambler"


I am not much of a risk-taker, so you could say that gambling is not in my nature.

For example, even though I’m a Jersey Girl, I’ve only been to Atlantic City twice in my whole life. The first time was when I took the State Board Examination for Nursing. All I did that weekend was study, study, study, take my exams, and leave right afterward. :faint: I had to work the next day.

The second time I went to AC was for pleasure, but it did not turn out to be very pleasurable. I was in my twenties then. My boyfriend and I drove down one night with another couple. He drove the 2-1/2 hours down and, since he was a fella who loved his beer, :drinking1 I was to be the designated driver on the way home. Our plan was to play in the casino for a few hours, grab a late dinner, and head home.

Eleven hours and a greasy $15 cheeseburger later, I finally managed to tear the rest of them away from the craps tables and pour them into my car. I kept myself awake by driving with the window down in the 30-degree weather, pinching myself, and stomping my left foot all the way up the Garden State Parkway. Never was I more relieved to finally collapse, safely, into my own bed. :worship:

And the worst part was that the entire night I had been bored stiff.

Watching your friends gamble all night when you have absolutely no interest in games of chance is not a whole lot of fun. Especially when you’re drinking club soda. Imagine Paris Hilton having to watch the Fishing Channel for eleven hours. Sober. She probably would have had more fun than I did that night. :rolleyes:

I suppose that I would rather spend my money on something nice….a show…a really good dinner….an afternoon in a spa….than risk throwing it away with a roll of the dice. But, that’s just me.


********************************


“Mrs._____, do you wish to change your existing reservation, or leave it as it is?” The voice on the other end of the phone inquired abruptly.

Member Services was waiting.

“Uh, just a second,” I stalled, trying to decide which was the best deal.

Okay, so right now I had a guaranteed 7 nights at SSR in my “case.” It’s a beautiful, relaxing resort, for sure, but a resort at which we’ve stayed already. I’m looking at a case that contains two weekends at the VWL, a resort at which we’ve yet to stay and would very much like to, but with a waitlist situation for the middle of the week. VWL is so small….is there a reasonable chance that our waitlisted nights will come through? What are the odds?

“Think, think, think,” I mumbled to myself, sounding not unlike my favorite bear of very little brain. pooh: Suddenly, amidst all the fluff and stuffing inside my head, came a little voice that said, “Take a chance, you’ve really got nothing to lose!”

“Deal!!” I blurted out. “Er, I mean, yes! I’ll take those nights at the VWL!”

“Alright then,” she said matter-of-factly. “Let’s make the reservation at VWL and then cancel those nights at SSR, please hold.” I listened to the soft clickity-click-click of her keyboard and wondered; did this inexperienced gambler just make a sucker bet? :confused:

Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

:yay: :yay: What happens? What happens? I can't stand the suspense!!!

Just kidding, thank you so much for posting again. I really enjoy your writing and will wait patiently :surfweb: until my next email alerting me you have added to your report.

[jcc0621]

:yay: :yay: What happens? What happens? I can't stand the suspense!!!
QUOTE]

Yeah, what she said:goodvibes

[QUOTE=tiggerbell;19665030]I got a puppy the day before my due date... I wanted a baby NOW!!! :mad: Then the baby was 6 days late, so the puppy was home a week with us before the baby came home. They were so cute together! :love:
Glad to know I am not the only one. I just told DH that story, he just shook his head, mumbled something about women, and went back to reading his book:confused3

[KathyRN137]

iluvmickeytown: I'm a huge TGM fan! :thumbsup2

tiggerbell: A puppy! That's a strange reaction to "nesting" :rotfl:

IluvXU: Teachers are my heros! :teacher:

blue: Glad you're here! If Buzz and Goof are going to hang around, I'm going to need all the help I can get! ::yes::

jcc0621: Those pesky hormones! :rolleyes:

praisehisname: Shhh! :ssst:

mrsksomeday: :laughing: I'm on the DIS so much, Ed barely can get to the computer to check his e-mails!

Thanks, everyone, for reading!
Kathy

[Avivasmom]

WAIT....you just leave us hanging like that. Come on, that is not fair. I am patiently waiting to hear if you got everything you wanted.

[rentayenta]

I am really enjoying your report. :goodvibes Your son's progress is uplifting! :thumbsup2

[blue_river]

And the worst part was that the entire night I had been bored stiff.
Don't you just hate that?

I'm not much of a gambler either. When we go to the casino, I only take $40.00 and play the slot machines. Once I run out, it's time to leave. DH is another story :eek:

Glad you're here! If Buzz and Goof are going to hang around, I'm going to need all the help I can get!

Ain't that the truth!!! :rotfl:

[Linnie The Pooh]

Yay! Kathy! I'm definitely in for this TR!!! That's great that Billy has made that progress!! I'm so excited for all of you! I was just thinking the other day how even though it's very difficult at times, we were given such a gift by getting Trey. He struggles so hard-the victories are so sweet and so appreciated!! Things other kids do automatically-it's like a miracle when Trey does some of them.

Speaking of crying, I hardly ever cry, but after last summer and losing my grandma and dad, I now seem to just burst into tears a lot. :sad2: Last December, we were in the car and I put a Nick JR DVD on for the kids. We have 3 screens so we can all watch, and it was a Little Bill episode. My kids love LB so they were all happy to watch it. Well, the episode took a bad turn when Alice The Great (is she his grandma? I could never figure that out) got stuck in an airport and couldn't come home for Christmas.

Well of course, I was thinking of how my dad and grandma wouldn't be with us at Christmas. Then Little Bill starts crying and it was the saddest thing I think I've ever heard. My kids get really upset when I cry, especially Trey, so I try really hard not to, but I felt the tears snaking down my cheeks. I look in the rear view mirror and both kids are crying. I was pulling into the driveway right then so we all three just sat in the car crying our eyes out. We all decided we'd better not watch that episode again! :guilty: All that emotion over a cartoon...

Can't wait for more installments! :yay:

[Goofster57]

blue: Glad you're here! If Buzz and Goof are going to hang around, I'm going to need all the help I can get! ::yes::



Ain't that the truth!!! :rotfl:



I take great offense to these statements…………….How much cheese could an Amish family sell. Would it sell better if they used the Chopping Wizard to make little cubes? I wonder if they had crackers in their overalls. If they didn’t sell all of…..

OH, Sorry, my mind wandered…what were we talking about?

[Linnie The Pooh]

I take great offense to these statements…………….How much cheese could an Amish family sell. Would it sell better if they used the Chopping Wizard to make little cubes? I wonder if they had crackers in their overalls. If they didn’t sell all of…..

OH, Sorry, my mind wandered…what were we talking about?

It probably would be better with a Chop Wizard-those things should be nominated for the 8th Wonder of the World.

I told Buzz we could /should put his extra long toe on it and let me give it a whack. I could take that thing down to a normal length in one shot. Might be a little painful, but beauty is pain, after all. Look what women do to their eyebrows-now that is pain.

And, now back to our regularly scheduled program....

[AGPrincess]

I've said it before...I'll say it again...you are such a good writer! :thumbsup2 I looved your latest installment...its only flaw was that it was too short!

Now I'm all anxious for you...I really hope you get your waitlisted nights!!:goodvibes

[KathyRN137]

AGPrincess: Too short! I've got to stretch this out til November!

Linnie: Just Keep Swimming... And keep tissues on you at all times.

AvivasMom: Hey, I've got to keep you all checking in somehow!

blue: (Actually, I did take a gamble telling Buzz I was starting this, didn't I?)

and Goofster: Oh please don't encourage him with cheese references...I'm still getting over that toe picture! :scared:

Post to follow,

Kathy

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #4:

"Like Walking Through a Pool Full of Jell-O"

Well, if you think that you can’t wait to see how everything with the VWL turns out, just imagine how I was feeling! Day after day I made calls to DVC Member Services to check the status of our waitlisted nights. (The member website was acting very persnickety at the time, so I felt more comfortable speaking with real, live people!) I think I must have spoken with every reservationist at MS at least once, some of them even more.

“Oh, hello Mrs._____, I spoke with you yesterday…..no, I’m sorry. Nothing is available for your dates, but, have a magical day!”

Grrrrr!

The first four weeks were the worst…..I had nothing else “Disney” to do! Park Hours weren’t out yet; Tour Guide Mike hadn’t posted his predictions for Least Crowded Parks, and I hadn’t yet reached the magical 180-day mark for making dining ADRs. It was maddening!

Time moved so slowly, that it felt like I was walking through a pool full of Jell-O.

My DIS-ing increased dramatically as I spent more and more time searching the boards for information, tips, and camaraderie. I was itching like mad to start working on our Operational Plan! At home, I found myself inadvertently slipping WDW into every conversation:

Ed: Kathy, do you want to get pizza tonight?
Me: Sure. Oh, and speaking of Italian food, I heard they’re closing Alfredo's in August.

Me: Tricia, I made an appointment for you to get your hair cut.
Tricia: Okay, Mom.
Me: Did you know that they’re putting in a second Bibbity Bobbity Boutique in Cinderella’s Castle?

Ed: So-and-so is putting an addition on his house.
Me: That’s nice. Oh, I read that they’ve started to convert some of the Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms to DVC villas already.

(There is an intrinsic understanding among all family members that when Mommy says “they” that she’s talking about WDW)

“ ……and that we think Mom should enter a twelve step program.”

Hey!!

I’ll have you know that my loving husband surreptitiously added that last line while I was out of the room. Hardee-har-har, Ed! Isn’t it bad enough that you’ve got the TV blasting the latest episode of CSI in my ears while I’m trying to organize my thoughts into some semblance of a report?? Now you are committing acts of TR sabotage! :stir:

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, walking through Jell-O. Waiting for the necessary variables to fall into place so I can draw up my master plan. And, as you all know, waiting for four nights at the VWL.

Sometime after the twentieth or thirtieth call to Member Services, I got a hit! One of our waitlisted nights had come through! Which one? I wondered.

Tuesday, 11/6.

Blechh! Not exactly what I had hoped for, but I’ll take it! You see, I figured that if I could at least get us four nights straight at VWL, and none of the other waitlisted nights came through, we would just split our stay between VWL and SSR. It would be easy to get a few nights back at good ole SSR, especially if they included two point-heavy weekend nights.

Oh boy, I hope I’m not confusing anyone. :confused3 DVC operations can be a bit befuddling. (I’m still figuring it out myself after 2-1/2 years.) Anyway, the important thing to know is that, for all intents and purposes, I was still waiting to find out exactly where we would be staying. Right now our ressie looked like this:

Sat /Sun: VWL
Mon: SSR
Tues: VWL
Wed /Thurs: SSR
Fri /Sat: VWL

Yikes! No way I’m going to let it stay like that! I resign myself to trusting in the pixidust pixiedust: and giving the waitlist fairy a few more months.

In the meantime…..Huzzah!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

The merry, merry month of May had arrived! Park hours for November were released! My 180-day window opened! Forget about resort headaches :headache: for the moment; it was time to roll up my sleeves and get to work on our itinerary and our ADRs!

But, wait! I still needed one thing more before I could begin. Doh! :crazy: More Jell-O!

(Lime Green, of course!)


Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

:cool1: YAY!!! Another installment! Pays to stay up late, all the good TR writers are up like me :rotfl:. Thanks for letting us in on your DVC adventure. I can't wait for more popcorn::.

[Halloweenqueen]

I'm hoping your lodging works out. Yikes! :scared1:


Can't wait to hear about the ADRs.... :thumbsup2

[tiggerbell]

I'm loving this! And I love how we're going through the resort drama with you... the tension is palpable! :scared:

[Crazy Kanga]

Great writing Kathy! Love it! I'll Be Back!:cool1:

[Goofster57]

"Like Walking Through a Pool Full of Jell-O"


Been there done that….nough said



I think I must have spoken with every reservationist at MS at least once, some of them even more.


Do they use fairly normal names? When we made our reservations with Cast Services they all had Disney names, I remember talking to Belle, Jasmine and Frollo. Makes it hard to complain to a manager,

Yes Sir Bambi was very rude to me!



……and that we think Mom should enter a twelve step program.”

Hey!!

I’ll have you know that my loving husband surreptitiously added that last line while I was out of the room.


Score one for the good guys


Sat /Sun: VWL
Mon: SSR
Tues: VWL
Wed /Thurs: SSR
Fri /Sat: VWL



Looks like a challenge so far, can’t wait to hear how it comes out.

[Goofster57]

It probably would be better with a Chop Wizard-those things should be nominated for the 8th Wonder of the World.

I told Buzz we could /should put his extra long toe on it and let me give it a whack. I could take that thing down to a normal length in one shot. Might be a little painful, but beauty is pain, after all. Look what women do to their eyebrows-now that is pain.


:rotfl:



and Goofster: Oh please don't encourage him with cheese references...I'm still getting over that toe picture! :scared:


Coming to a Toy Store near you, its Mr. Smiley the Elongated Toe, He’s great fun at Parties!

[blue_river]

“ ……and that we think Mom should enter a twelve step program.”

Hey!!

I’ll have you know that my loving husband surreptitiously added that last line while I was out of the room.

:rotfl2:
At least he's taking an interest in your TR Kathy! :rolleyes1


Oh boy, I hope I’m not confusing anyone. :confused3 DVC operations can be a bit befuddling.

I'm very confused at this point :sad2:
Don't understand the DVC stuff :headache:

[praisehisname]

I suppose that I would rather spend my money on something nice….a show…a really good dinner….an afternoon in a spa….than risk throwing it away with a roll of the dice. But, that’s just me.

Nope, not just you. It's me, too!


At home, I found myself inadvertently slipping WDW into every conversation

Same here! I mentioned on another thread that DH has threatened to get me a lime-green tshirt that said "hopeless" and make me wear it all around DW!


“ ……and that we think Mom should enter a twelve step program.”

See above comment!



Sat /Sun: VWL
Mon: SSR
Tues: VWL
Wed /Thurs: SSR
Fri /Sat: VWL

Please tell me you know the end of the story, and that we don't have to wait with you!!!


The merry, merry month of May had arrived! Park hours for November were released! My 180-day window opened! Forget about resort headaches :headache: for the moment; it was time to roll up my sleeves and get to work on our itinerary and our ADRs!

Yay! Can't wait to hear about your plans!

Denise

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #5:

"Oh, Mike Goodness!"



It was with no small amount of glee that I r-r-r-ripped the April page from the calendar to expose the page beneath…...Ahh, May! :cloud9: Marvelous May! Magnificent May! Month that holds the most monumental day on the trip-planning timeline: 180 days from check-in!! Since we were checking into a WDW resort on November 3rd, this meant that our magical ADR date was May 8th. Whoo-hooty-hoo!! :banana: Let the “active planning phase” begin!

Step One: Figure out where we all want to eat!

As a family, we had already discussed which untried restaurants we would like to visit this year. We also debated which of our old favorites we would like to frequent again. Uh, we actually had many such discussions. :blush: Every Sunday we pick Aunt Rae up from the senior apartment complex here in town and we go to Mass together. Usually we all go out to lunch afterwards. Well, for some reason, the topic of WDW dining always comes up! :rolleyes1

Now, let me tell you, Aunt Rae (age77) is probably my greatest ally when it comes to talking Disney. While Ed and Tricia will roll their eyes and make good-natured jokes about my “addiction”, Aunt Rae doesn’t even bat an eyelash when I want to talk about November vacation plans in March or April! Her first trip to WDW with us last year more than exceeded her expectations and, although she had always loved Disney, the experience made her a true WDW fan for life. Especially where Disney Dining was concerned.

You see, a few months before our vacation last November, Aunt Rae was diagnosed with gluten intolerance and placed on a gluten-free diet. Gluten is found mostly in wheat-based products: breads, pastas, baked goods (oh, just shoot me if I ever develop this!), so if she wants to eat any of these foods they need to be made with gluten-free rice or corn flower. She had adjusted to making her own meals at home, but she was very concerned that she would not be able to eat at any of the restaurants and stay on her special diet. I kept telling her that the WDW chefs would accommodate her needs. I even printed out menus and articles about special needs diets at WDW for her to read, but she continued to fret about it. :worried:

Despite all of my reassurances, Aunt Rae was convinced that she needed to pack gluten-free bread, cookies, and crackers in her suitcase and that she would lose weight while at WDW. She’s about 90lb soaking wet and her doctor would like her to gain some weight. (*When oh when will medical researchers develop the person-to-person Fat Transplant? I would gladly give her some of mine!)

On the first day, AR carried a lunch tote with “her” food inside, sure that she would not find “anything she could eat” at the Magic Kingdom. The next morning, the lunch tote stayed in her room.

I think AR’s favorite thing is when the chef comes to the table and personally reviews the menu with her. We met so many great chef CMs that way! And some of them are pretty cute! ;) If there was nothing on the menu that was suitable or that appealed to Aunt Rae, the chef would make something special just for her. She just couldn’t get over it! Oh, and she gained 5lbs! And was happy about it! :upsidedow






Here is Aunt Rae with Nelson, the chef at 50's Prime Time Cafe:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-456ptc.jpg




Here are some more pics from last year to help you get better acquainted with the family.....


Ed and I enjoying an adult beverage at the PTC:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-451ptc.jpg



A rather blurry family pic at Pizzafari in the Animal Kingdom.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-213ak.jpg


Me with Pooh-Bear at the Crystal Palace.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-89mk.jpg








popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn::








Ed goofing around at the CP:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-86mk.jpg


Tricia and Billy arriving at Epcot.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-123epcot.jpg


Sigh*, I guess this would be a good time for me to talk about the kinds of pictures I will be posting on my report.

I love pictures and think that they really add to a report, but I have a sort of paranoia about posting pics of my children’s faces on the internet. Even on a family-friendly site like the DIS, because they could still be copied and pasted. I wasn’t thinking about this last year and wound up not having many to post because 99% of my pics were of my kids. Kids with the characters. Kids in front of the Castle. Kids riding Dumbo, etc. This year, I will take pics with a TR in mind, so I will have lots more to share. ::yes::


So, back to the original question: Where do we want to eat??

Well, 50's PTC was a big hit with everyone, so we’ll do that again for sure. Ed made the suggestion of the Hollywood Brown Derby, but he withdrew it when I told him it required two table service credits, not just one. Nah, not the best bang for the buck there!

I love character meals because it is just such a nice way to meet the characters; no time “wasted” waiting in a queue…you just eat your meal and they come to you! Definitely going to need to coordinate one or two of those with my sister and her family! Hmmm, perhaps the Princess Breakfast at Akershus (Norway)?? No, wait, Marilyn will probably want to try for Cindy's Royal Table since it’s the girls’ first visit. Maybe the Crystal Palace? Pooh-Bear! pooh:

Ed wants to eat at Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco). Is that for the food or the entertainment, I wonder? :rolleyes: Nevermind, why did I even ask?

We’ll have to include Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge! (I’ll ask for a table off to the side, though.) Everyone would get a kick out of the zany antics of the servers, but too much noise and commotion might be a bit over-stimulating for Billy. We do better when seated by a wall or a window, so I always request that when checking in at the podium. It sometimes means a little extra wait, but its worth it in the end for a more relaxed dining experience. :thumbsup2

I was not having a relaxed time planning our dining experiences, however! I wanted to make my parks itinerary first, and then fit my ADRs into my plan. No sense planning lunch at the Crystal Palace if we are going to be in Animal Kingdom that morning. The problem was, I couldn’t decide which parks to do which days yet!

I’ve learned a few things about itinerary planning from the past four family trips to WDW. Because we’ve got Billy and all his autistic behaviors/issues to deal with, we can’t do commando-style touring, even though it’s my first knee-jerk reaction to try and cram as much as possible into every waking moment! Add to that, the fact that we have a 77yr old woman with us who, despite being in good health, does not have the stamina she had when she first took little Ed to Disneyland back in 1968!

My #1 rule is to try to visit the parks on the least crowded days /times of the week. (I have other rules, but since I have 3 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days to tell you about them, I think I will spread them out!) How will I predict which will be the least crowded parks on each day? Crystal Ball? Psychic Detectives? Secret Spell to be revealed soon in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows? No. I will let Mike make the necessary prognostications. Have you met my friend, Mike, yet? Where are my manners!

Friends, this is my friend, Mike. Tour Guide Mike.
Mike, these are my DIS-Friends.

Mike and I became very close last year when I was in the active planning phase of my trip. Ed was working steady night shift back then and that’s when I got into the habit of late night DIS-ing after putting the kids to bed. I read about TGM on the attractions board and took a look-see. It was one of the best things I have ever done when it comes to itinerary planning.

Night after night, Ed would IM me from work and interrupt my trysts with Mike. Eleven o’clock. Twelve o’clock. One o’clock in the morning.

“Are you still talking to your boyfriend?” he would type.
“Not talking, just reading,” I would reply.
“So he sends you love letters, huh? I’m gonna have to have it out with this guy soon!”
“Oh, Ed! ......Sign off, I can’t see the screen.”

I think Ed was actually a bit jealous. :confused3

Out of all the pages and pages of advice that Mike has on his website, the most valuable to me has always been the LCCs (Least Crowded Charts.) I followed them last year and they really helped us avoid the bigger crowds during our first Jersey Week I really, really wanted to use them again.

But, there was just one problem this year. Well, actually there were a couple of problems that joined together like two amorous amoebas to form one larger problem. First, WDW stopped using a set schedule of EMHs (Extra Magic Hours) and began releasing the EMH schedule on a month-by-month basis with the park hours. That made it darn near impossible for Mike to analyze the data and get the LCCs out prior to the beginning of the month in question.

Second, for whatever reason that month, Disney was late posting the official park hours and EMHs schedule. And so,

May 1st….no November park hours. May 2nd….no park hours. (Hmmm. What’s up with that?) They’re usually out by the first of the month. May 3rd….still no park hours for November. Uh oh. Wait…..wait a minute.… Huzzah! Late that afternoon, the November park hours are finally announced! :woohoo: Whew! Okay, Mike, you’ve got what you need, now get to work!

(Cue the musical theme from Jeopardy!)

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Four days later....


Um, uh… hello, Mike? This is Kathy, remember me? We met last year. Yeah…yeah….I had a good time, too. Well, the thing is.…I mean, what I really wanted to say was…..


I really, really need those LCCs!! What the heck is taking you so long?? My 180-day window opens tomorrow, and I need to figure out my itinerary!!

(Um, call me, okay?)


Kathy

[estherhead]

I don't post face photos of kids either & behind photos of kids holding hands are my faves! I actually fram & hang them more readily than I do face on. I just think the personality of tykes comes out so beautifully. Like the one of your DD & DS. He just is bumping along, there for the fun, looking around & she is leading him to the magic while taking a bit of time to look around herself. I love it.

[Marion]

Um, uh… hello, Mike? This is Kathy, remember me? We met last year. Yeah…yeah….I had a good time, too. Well, the thing is.…I mean, what I really wanted to say was…..


I really, really need those LCCs!! What the heck is taking you so long?? My 180-day window opens tomorrow, and I need to figure out my itinerary!!

(Um, call me, okay?)


Kathy

Oh my gosh! Mike and I just met several months ago and that was my experience too! :sad1: I... I... think he's seeing other people! :guilty: He did come through for me though in the end :hug:

Really enjoying your pre-report :flower3:

[Avivasmom]

You have me LOL!! My DH thinks I am crazy. I can relate to you with ED working the night shift..Spider (DH) does 5 overnights a week.

We love CP and WCC. We have done all 3 meals at CP...all of them were great!

[mrsksomeday]

Now, let me tell you, Aunt Rae (age77) is probably my greatest ally when it comes to talking Disney.


I need an Aunt Rae desparately. I have no one in real life to talk to Disney about :sad1:. I incorporate WDW into conversations with my b/f but I think it is falling on deaf ears lately. Doesn't he understand we need to discuss the dining plans 4,222 times? Shouldn't I be second guessing my choice of resort right now? He is no help whatsoever. Thank goodness for DisBoards.

Hope you get the ADR's you wanted.

[KathyRN137]

mrsksomeday: Hoot! Hoot! (that's my night-owl impersonation)

Halloweenqueen: All in good time, my pretty. All in good time!

tiggerbelle: Why do you think I'm writing this now? The strain was incredible! ;)

Crazy Kanga: Okay, see 'ya!

Goofster: Ed loved your 'good guys' comment!

blue: Now I have to proofread every post before I submit! :surfweb:

praisehisname: Hopeless, simply hopeless! :crazy:

estherhead: Thank you; what a beautiful description!

Avivasmom: Hear 'ya! Ed was on nights for seven years! :upsidedow

Marion: On today's show: Tardy Tour Guides and the Women Who Love Them......

Thanks for reading....

Kathy

[jcc0621]

Your DH sounds very much like mine. Maybe we can start a 12 step program and convince them we are in treatment. In reality we will be feeding our habit even more:happytv:

[ChrisLei]

WOOHOO!!! Just came on by and am LOVING your trip report! A fellow Joisey girl! Can't wait to read more!

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #6:

"AD-R-U-OK?"


So here it was, 181 days from our check-in date and, thanks to my Tardy Tour Guide, I had not one clue as to which parks we would be visiting on which days. I had a rough idea which restaurants we wanted to try, but had no idea when to request reservations for our meals. As soon as the alarm woke me that morning, I leapt out of bed and turned on the computer to check the TGM website. Perhaps Mike had been burning the midnight oil and the LCCs (Least Crowded Charts) would be posted!

They were not, and I was not OK. :mad:

I had been anticipating that 180-day mark for over three months now and I was not about to lose my shot at getting the early meal times my touring strategy demanded. I got both the kids off to school and put the kettle on for tea. Oh, this was going to be a double-teabag morning for sure! ;) This was my usual morning off and I had pictured myself blissfully tweaking our itinerary and penciling in the desired ADR requests in preparation for that all-important first call to Disney Dining the next morning.

My thoughts wandered back to our very first trip to Disney in 2003. There had been a lot of commotion around the 180-day mark back then, but it was for the one and only ADR that I had needed to make for the entire trip….the one for breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table. They were called Priority Seatings then and, other than CRT and a few of the other “signature dining experiences” and dinner shows, were rarely needed. Back then, most table service places easily accommodated walk-ups. Ah, those were the days! :rolleyes:

I leaned against the kitchen sink with my arms folded, waiting for the kettle to sing. My eyes fell on the big calendar we keep on the wall next to the phone. The thick red circle that I had placed around the eighth of May taunted me from across the room. I let out a heavy sigh of exasperation.

“I don’t remember having to wait so long for those stupid LCCs last year,” I grumbled to myself. I poured myself a bowl of cereal and went to the fridge for the milk. I couldn’t resist slipping back into the bedroom to take one more look on the TGM website. Nothing. :badpc: The poor ‘puter was saved just in the nick of time by the whistling of the kettle. Reluctantly, I put down the sledgehammer and went back to the kitchen; poured the boiling water into my Minnie Mouse mug ::MinnieMo and the cold milk into my Cocoa Krispies. I sat down at the table and lamented the situation. “By this time last year, I had already revised our itinerary about a dozen times and had all the ADR requests ready to go,” I muttered as I sat down to eat.


I froze, spoon halfway to my mouth. By this time last year! What an idiot I had been! :rolleyes2 For days I had been griping and I didn’t even realize that I possessed the solution to the problem all along. Last year! I still had a copy of last year's LCCs!

Last year we went during Jersey Week, so how different could they be this year??


I jumped out of my chair and ran back to my bedroom. I pulled my WDW Trip binder out from the bottom drawer of the nightstand and opened it. There they were: TGM’s recommendations for which parks to do which days during Jersey Week ’06!! Hot Diggity Dog! :yay: I ran to the dining room and swept away some of the junk that always seems to find a resting place there and cleared myself a place to work. The forgotten tea got cold and the cereal got mushy as I gleefully mapped out our plan of attack for the week. Now that I knew which park we were doing which day, the ADR requests slipped in easily like the last few pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. :thumbsup2

There! Now, all I had to do the next day was to make that momentous call…..


Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

I froze, spoon halfway to my mouth. By this time last year! What an idiot I had been! :rolleyes2 For days I had been griping and I didn’t even realize that I possessed the solution to the problem all along. Last year! I still had a copy of last year's LCCs!

Isn't it great when you come to the realization that you have something that can fix the problem? Sometimes it is a good idea to keep everything from previous trips. Some people might call it being a pack rat, I call it being prepared ;).

Thanks for the great post. Can't wait to see if you get all the ADR's for the restaurants and times you requested.

[praisehisname]

On the first day, AR carried a lunch tote with “her” food inside, sure that she would not find “anything she could eat” at the Magic Kingdom. The next morning, the lunch tote stayed in her room.

Just one of the things that make Disney stand out!


Tricia and Billy arriving at Epcot.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-123epcot.jpg

Love it!


Your list of potential restaurants sounds great; can't wait to hear the final cut!


Friends, this is my friend, Mike. Tour Guide Mike.
Mike, these are my DIS-Friends.

This is my first time using TGM, and I'm loving the extra help!


Um, uh… hello, Mike? This is Kathy, remember me? We met last year. Yeah…yeah….I had a good time, too. Well, the thing is.…I mean, what I really wanted to say was…..


I really, really need those LCCs!! What the heck is taking you so long?? My 180-day window opens tomorrow, and I need to figure out my itinerary!!

(Um, call me, okay?)


Kathy

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who was stressing about waiting for the LCC to come out!

Denise

[praisehisname]

“By this time last year, I had already revised our itinerary about a dozen times and had all the ADR requests ready to go,” I muttered as I sat down to eat.

Sometimes it really helps to say things out loud! :rotfl2: Maybe our brain processes it better that way? :confused3

Denise

[blue_river]

I'm anxious to hear your choices Kathy popcorn::

[katdocnorf]

I'm still here reading your day by day pre-trip. I love it, I just wish I could give a cinopsis (probably didn't spell that right, but it is 530 in the morning and I have been up all night) as well as you. My pre-trip is kind of dry this year as we are planning absolutely "nothing":scared: . Kind of unstressful though. But I'm am kind of lost not having the pre-planning of planning stresses. But 2008's trip will be totally different, I will do that one my way. Who knows though this trip may be different no parks, no ADR, staying in cabin, doing pools, watch fireworks from outside park....... I don't know...:confused3 I'M LOST..NOT USED TO THIS...HELP ME... is this the 1 step program, I don't like being rushed into no DIS pre-planning....:sick:

I have to read your pre-trip just to get my fix of how my life would be right now... THANKS :hug:

[KathyRN137]

Praisehisname: Thanks for all the lovely comments; and yes, everyone in the November Club over on the TGM forums was having conniption fits over those LCCs!

blue: I hope I can remember my original ADRs; they've been switched around a few times! :rolleyes1

jcc0621: Over on the Design board I saw a t-shirt design with a picture of Sleepy, yawning, and the caption underneath read: I'm Sleepy...been up too late on the DIS again! I want it!

mrsksomeday: I'm messy, but very organized. Only problem is, I'm the only one who knows where everything is!!

ChrisLei: We feel right at home on the Boardwalk, don't we? ;)

Katdocnorf: I can't wait to read about it! But, don't call it "nothing"! I like: WDW:The Big Easy Report!! :goodvibes WDW is so much more than just the parks!

Thank you all for posting! I love meeting you all....

Kathy

[mvazul]

Hi, Kathy!

I am enjoying your report tremendously!! Your writing style makes it so easy to follow along. I find myself wanting more at the end of each update.

BTW....I totally understand the two teabag mornings!! I think that particularly morning deserved three!! :lmao:

Michelle

[Goofster57]

Well, for some reason, the topic of WDW dining always comes up! :rolleyes1


Image that…;)


I love pictures and think that they really add to a report, but I have a sort of paranoia about posting pics of my children’s faces on the internet.


This is very understandable


This year, I will take pics with a TR in mind, so I will have lots more to share. ::yes::


Looking forward to seeing all of your backsides…well you know what I mean :laughing:


Ed made the suggestion of the Hollywood Brown Derby


The Brown Derby was a pick of my youngest, I wasn’t looking forward to eat, but I have to say that it was one of the best experiences we had that trip.



Ed wants to eat at Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco). Is that for the food or the entertainment, I wonder? :rolleyes: Nevermind, why did I even ask?


They have Entertainment there? :confused3 i never knew that



Friends, this is my friend, Mike. Tour Guide Mike.


We have never used Mike’s services, I have run into a number of people at Disneyland that say it is the best thing they ever did.



Um, uh… hello, Mike? This is Kathy, remember me? We met last year. Yeah…yeah….I had a good time, too. Well, the thing is.…I mean, what I really wanted to say was…..

[B]I really, really need those LCCs!! What the heck is taking you so long?? My 180-day window opens tomorrow, and I need to figure out my itinerary!!

(Um, call me, okay?)



:rotfl:

Another GREAT read, Thanks Kathy

[Goofster57]

As soon as the alarm woke me that morning, I leapt out of bed and turned on the computer to check the TGM website. Perhaps Mike had been burning the midnight oil and the LCCs (Least Crowded Charts) would be posted!

They were not, and I was not OK. :mad


I couldn’t resist slipping back into the bedroom to take one more look on the TGM website. Nothing. :badpc: The poor ‘puter was saved just in the nick of time by the whistling of the kettle


You may be in need of a program with more then 12 Steps. :rotfl2:



They were called Priority Seatings then and, other than CRT and a few of the other “signature dining experiences” and dinner shows, were rarely needed. Back then, most table service places easily accommodated walk-ups. Ah, those were the days! :rolleyes:


Yes, They were :thumbsup2




I pulled my WDW Trip binder out from the bottom drawer of the nightstand and opened it.


Wow, you have one of those too… :cool1:

I'll see you at the meeting...

Hi am Goofster, I'm a Disneyholic

[Halloweenqueen]

Kathy, you are such a tease! I can't wait to hear your plans! :cool1:

[katdocnorf]

Thanks KathyRN,

I know there is so much more. Every year the kids seem to just want to do the parks and everyone seems to think it is just parks, but there is so much more; especially in the Wilderness Area. The smaller kids can ride the Pony's (I love getting to see 'Snow' up close and my son when he was 3-4 loved to ride her.) I love just resort hopping especially at Christmas (We will be there for X-mas in '08)

Thanks for your encouragement and I like your name better wish I had come it with it. :thumbsup2 You are such a good writer and so is Mr_and Mrs_The_King. You guys should right books about your trips and sell them on DIS....

Can't wait to read your TR when you return from WLV...and to find out if you get the whole week there.

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Kathy,

I've been reading and loving every twist and turn. I read your other TR and this one. Just now caught up. You are a very good writer. I admire your steadfastness with the care of your entire family. I have a DS age 8 with PDD-NOS. He is rather high functioning and does well in school. He just finished the 1st grade in reg. ed classes and in march tested into the gifted program. It keeps him from getting bored.
He never stims or does any of his OCD traits at school. But, our home life is a totally different story. Almost constant stimming(humming,finger waging ) and his "laps" as we lovingly call them. Straight line running back and forth. And the anger outbursts. He is constantly chewing on pencils/pens. THanks for mentioning the chewy tubes. I ordered some. Alex(DS) picked out the ones he liked best.
He is stimulation seeking and that is good when going to WDW. WE all love going. This is my 14th trip and my DH's 10th. ALex -DS8 will be on his 8th trip and DD4 is now on her 4th trip this year.:woohoo: WE can't wait.
I look forward to more of your report and might try one myself.
You have me laughing :lmao: and crying :sad1: with your report and I just can't tear myself away. Thanks for that.

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #7:

"Over the Cliff and Through the Woods, to Disney Dining We Go!"


Egads! Double cliffhangers! :eek: Have I committed a trip report faux pas? I hope not! I was not intending to turn this into a mystery novel. I promise: there will be no red herrings and no new characters introduced in the final chapter.

Cliffhanger #1: Resort Wait-and-See List.

In a fleeting moment of weakness I had opted to gamble on our Lodging. (Sorry, couldn’t resist!) We had a patchwork quilt of nights between the original ressie at SSR (which is great but….been there, done that) and the new ressie at the wonderfully woodsy VWL. At best, I was hoping that, by adding our name to the member waitlist, we could transfer the rest of the SSR nights to VWL. At worst, we would do a split stay.

It’s a win-win situation, really, since we’ve many years to try out all the incredible DVC resorts. For a trip to Disney I would stay in the laundry room at an OKW villa if I had to! ::yes::

So, about a few weeks after I found out that our waitlist for Tuesday had come through, I was once again making a call to Member Services to see it we had made any further progress. I was really hoping for Monday. This would ensure that we had at least four nights in a row at VWL and could at least do the week half and half. I was treated to Disney theme park music as I waited on hold. (“Due to an unusually high call volume, your wait may be longer than usual.”)

“Monday, Monday, Monday,” my mind chanted over and over. “Monday, Monday, come on, Monday!”

I'm walkin' right down the middle of
Main Street, U-S-A-Ay-Ay!
It's the heart of America
The heartbeat of a holiday-ay-ay-ay!


(“Monday, Monday, Monday, come on, Monday!”)


In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room
In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room
All the birds sing tunes
And the flowers croon
In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room!


(“Monday, Monday, Monday, come on, Monday!”)


See, it really is a form of gambling; I felt like I was sitting at the Craps table. Come on Monday, come on, Baby! :woohoo: Mama needs a new pair of shoes!

The music ended abruptly and a reservationist named Maya came on the line. I inquired about the waitlist, but didn’t hold my breath or anything. After all, I had been calling almost everyday and coming up with nothing but snake eyes.

Maya checked her computer. “Oh, it looks like one of your nights did come through….”

Which night? Which night? Whoops, I guess I had been holding my breath just a little. ;)

“Monday, the fifth.”

"MONDAY! Did you just say MONDAY?"

"Yes."

“Maya, I love you!!” She laughed. “I get that a lot!” she replied. :lovestruc

**************************************


Cliffhanger #2: Which ADRs?

In our last episode, I had managed to pull our itinerary together at the last minute and was set to make my first ADR requests the morning of day 180. Like any good DIS-er, I had placed WDW Dining on my speed-dial, had my reservation # and my desired locations /dates /times all set before making the first of
many,
many, many,
many, many, many, many calls to Disney Dining over the next week!! :rolleyes1

I was fairly lucky that first morning. Got every TS I wanted, perhaps not at the time I wanted, but pretty darn close. And then, I got to thinking…

Well, you know how it is! :blush:
So, a few (ahem!) phone calls later, this is what we ended up with:


ADR Itinerary, 11/07:

*Denotes “new for us”

Saturday 11/3
Dinner: (5:30pm) Restaurant Marrakesh*

Sunday 11/4
Dinner: (5:10pm) 50’s Prime Time Café

Monday 11/5
Lunch: (11:30am) Garden Grill Café*
Dinner: (5:50pm) Whispering Canyon Café

Tuesday 11/6
Breakfast: (8:05) Crystal Palace

Wednesday 11/7
Dinner: (4:30pm) Liberty Tree Tavern (w/ sister’s family)

Thursday 11/8
Lunch: (11:40am) Play & Dine* (w/ sister’s family)

Friday 11/9
Dinner: (6:30pm) Artist’s Point* (Mom & Dad only!)

Saturday 11/10
Dinner: (5:00pm) ‘Ohana*


Remember my sister, Marilyn? (Her family will be at WDW the same week as us.) Somewhere in the middle of all this dialing drama, we managed to touch base. Since my dining reservation window opened two days before hers, I had taken the “liberty” of booking a character dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern for the ten of us since I knew they were going to be at the MK that night. She was thrilled. We went over her game plan for her first call the next morning. She was preparing to go after the elusive princess breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table…the hottest ressie at WDW.

I tried to recall some tactics that had worked for me back in 2003: Speed dial, cell phone and land phone at same time, start dialing exactly one minute to nine, etc.) She was pumped! She was ready!

She was on the answering machine when I got home from work the next day…and she was crying. Oh no. :sad2: I called her back.

“I forgot,” she said, her voice quavering with emotion. “The kids are sick and they had my up all night,” she explained. “I was so exhausted that I overslept. By the time I remembered, it was too late…he best I could do was a late lunch on our last day.” She sounded so disappointed. “At least the girls will get to eat in the Castle," she sighed.

And this is where The DIS comes to the rescue! Ta da!

I had learned that not all of a restaurant’s tables are made available at 180 days, plus ten. I urged her to try again in two days, 180 days from the day of the desired ADR. She called me back that night with the news of her success! Woo-hoo! :disrocks:

“So,” I said happily, “What are your other ADRs?” I listened with interest and then with downright amazement when she reported that she had made an 11:40 lunch ADR for the character meal, Play and Dine at Hollywood & Vine.

“Get out of here,” I told her. “We have one for 11:30!” Another amazing incidence of parallel planning! We quickly decided to call back and change to one ressie for all of us at the same time. Luckily, it was available. Separate tables, true, but with a notation that the two should be close together. Hey, it’s a buffet! We’re going to be up and down anyway between the food and the games and songs for the kids. We felt that we had been very fortunate.

So…a few rides together, two character meals, perhaps a parade or a show or two…just enough togetherness so that our families have fun but don’t drive each up the wall! :crazy:

Or perhaps over the edge.
Of a cliff.

But, don’t worry. No one will be stepping on your fingers…
Because you’re no longer hanging there.
I hope you landed softly.

And with that, I bid you good night.

Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

Egads! Double cliffhangers! :eek: Have I committed a trip report faux pas? I hope not! I was not intending to turn this into a mystery novel. I promise: there will be no red herrings and no new characters introduced in the final chapter.

We will let you off the hook this time, but I bit off all my nails waiting to find out where you were going to stay and what you were going to eat :rotfl:.


“Monday, Monday, Monday,” my mind chanted over and over. “Monday, Monday, come on, Monday!”

Oh great now I have that song "Monday, Monday" stuck in my head for who knows how long. :thanks: Kathy!


I had placed WDW Dining on my speed-dial, had my reservation # and my desired locations /dates /times all set before making the first of
many,many, many,many, many, many, many calls to Disney Dining over the next week!! :rolleyes1

Doesn't everyone have WDW Dining on speed dial? I thought it was a given that we have to change ADR's at least 57 times before we leave them alone only to worry if we made the right decisions? :confused3



Monday 11/5
Lunch: (11:30am) Garden Grill Café*
Dinner: (5:50pm) Whispering Canyon Café

We will be there the night after you. This reservation still has me worried, I am afraid b/f will do something to attract attention to our table. I want to be an observer NOT a participant. :scared:


Saturday 11/10
Dinner: (5:00pm) ‘Ohana*

We will be there 3 hours after you, thank your lucky stars you are going before us. Bill could eat everything in that place. I have never seen him eat as much food as he does there. :eek:

I hope you get all the days you want at the resorts you want. It will be interesting to see how this developspopcorn::.

[Halloweenqueen]

Looks like a couple days at MGM, MK, and Epcot. Do you plan to hit AK?

[AGPrincess]

:cool1: :cool1: Yay! I'm so glad you got your Monday night at VWL!!

Haha...and your phone call with Maya reminded me of my Mom's phone calls to Disney! :laughing: Sometimes I feel bad for the CM's answering, b/c they have to bear the full brunt of her dissapointment (she's never mean, but she is sad...) or joy!

[Marion]

Yay! I'm so glad it worked out for you! Are you still after getting VWL for the whole week or are you now content with the split? I have to laugh at all you ADR changers... I called Disney Dining exactly twice. That's right... twice :teeth: First time was at about the 155 day mark... ok... I'm a disney newbie! On the other hand it's probably easier for me to make the decisions and be happy with them because it's ALL new to me. It's Disney! It's all good! :thumbsup2

[Goofster57]

I think Carly Simon said it best

Anticipation, anticipation

Is making me late

Is keeping me waiting



Egads! Double cliffhangers! :eek: Have I committed a trip report faux pas? I hope not! I was not intending to turn this into a mystery novel. I promise: there will be no red herrings and no new characters introduced in the final chapter.


No Faux Pa just entertaining reading


"MONDAY! Did you just say MONDAY?"

"Yes."


Congratulations, Go Maya



Saturday 11/3
Dinner: (5:30pm) Restaurant Marrakesh*


I here the food is really good here..;)..::cop:..:rolleyes1

[pixe*dst]

Sounds like a fun trip! Can't wait to hear more

[jcc0621]

:cool1: For Monday.

Is your whole trip VWL or are you split stay? Are you still on a waitlist somewhere:confused3

[ChrisLei]

Pre-Trip #7:

"Over the Cliff and Through the Woods, to Disney Dining We Go!"


Egads! Double cliffhangers! :eek: Have I committed a trip report faux pas? I hope not! I was not intending to turn this into a mystery novel. I promise: there will be no red herrings and no new characters introduced in the final chapter.

Cliffhanger #1: Resort Wait-and-See List.

In a fleeting moment of weakness I had opted to gamble on our Lodging. (Sorry, couldn’t resist!) We had a patchwork quilt of nights between the original ressie at SSR (which is great but….been there, done that) and the new ressie at the wonderfully woodsy VWL. At best, I was hoping that, by adding our name to the member waitlist, we could transfer the rest of the SSR nights to VWL. At worst, we would do a split stay.

It’s a win-win situation, really, since we’ve many years to try out all the incredible DVC resorts. For a trip to Disney I would stay in the laundry room at an OKW villa if I had to! ::yes::

So, about a few weeks after I found out that our waitlist for Tuesday had come through, I was once again making a call to Member Services to see it we had made any further progress. I was really hoping for Monday. This would ensure that we had at least four nights in a row at VWL and could at least do the week half and half. I was treated to Disney theme park music as I waited on hold. (“Due to an unusually high call volume, your wait may be longer than usual.”)

“Monday, Monday, Monday,” my mind chanted over and over. “Monday, Monday, come on, Monday!”

I'm walkin' right down the middle of
Main Street, U-S-A-Ay-Ay!
It's the heart of America
The heartbeat of a holiday-ay-ay-ay!


(“Monday, Monday, Monday, come on, Monday!”)


In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room
In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room
All the birds sing tunes
And the flowers croon
In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room!


(“Monday, Monday, Monday, come on, Monday!”)


See, it really is a form of gambling; I felt like I was sitting at the Craps table. Come on Monday, come on, Baby! :woohoo: Mama needs a new pair of shoes!

The music ended abruptly and a reservationist named Maya came on the line. I inquired about the waitlist, but didn’t hold my breath or anything. After all, I had been calling almost everyday and coming up with nothing but snake eyes.

Maya checked her computer. “Oh, it looks like one of your nights did come through….”

Which night? Which night? Whoops, I guess I had been holding my breath just a little. ;)

“Monday, the fifth.”

"MONDAY! Did you just say MONDAY?"

"Yes."

“Maya, I love you!!” She laughed. “I get that a lot!” she replied. :lovestruc

**************************************


Cliffhanger #2: Which ADRs?

In our last episode, I had managed to pull our itinerary together at the last minute and was set to make my first ADR requests the morning of day 180. Like any good DIS-er, I had placed WDW Dining on my speed-dial, had my reservation # and my desired locations /dates /times all set before making the first of
many,
many, many,
many, many, many, many calls to Disney Dining over the next week!! :rolleyes1

I was fairly lucky that first morning. Got every TS I wanted, perhaps not at the time I wanted, but pretty darn close. And then, I got to thinking…

Well, you know how it is! :blush:
So, a few (ahem!) phone calls later, this is what we ended up with:


ADR Itinerary, 11/07:

*Denotes “new for us”

Saturday 11/3
Dinner: (5:30pm) Restaurant Marrakesh*

Sunday 11/4
Dinner: (5:10pm) 50’s Prime Time Café

Monday 11/5
Lunch: (11:30am) Garden Grill Café*
Dinner: (5:50pm) Whispering Canyon Café

Tuesday 11/6
Breakfast: (8:05) Crystal Palace

Wednesday 11/7
Dinner: (4:30pm) Liberty Tree Tavern (w/ sister’s family)

Thursday 11/8
Lunch: (11:40am) Play & Dine* (w/ sister’s family)

Friday 11/9
Dinner: (6:30pm) Artist’s Point* (Mom & Dad only!)

Saturday 11/10
Dinner: (5:00pm) ‘Ohana*


Remember my sister, Marilyn? (Her family will be at WDW the same week as us.) Somewhere in the middle of all this dialing drama, we managed to touch base. Since my dining reservation window opened two days before hers, I had taken the “liberty” of booking a character dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern for the ten of us since I knew they were going to be at the MK that night. She was thrilled. We went over her game plan for her first call the next morning. She was preparing to go after the elusive princess breakfast at Cindarella's Royal Table…the hottest ressie at WDW.

I tried to recall some tactics that had worked for me back in 2003: Speed dial, cell phone and land phone at same time, start dialing exactly one minute to nine, etc.) She was pumped! She was ready!

She was on the answering machine when I got home from work the next day…and she was crying. Oh no. :sad2: I called her back.

“I forgot,” she said, her voice quavering with emotion. “The kids are sick and they had my up all night,” she explained. “I was so exhausted that I overslept. By the time I remembered, it was too late…he best I could do was a late lunch on our last day.” She sounded so disappointed. “At least the girls will get to eat in the Castle," she sighed.

And this is where The DIS comes to the rescue! Ta da!

I had learned that not all of a restaurant’s tables are made available at 180 days, plus ten. I urged her to try again in two days, 180 days from the day of the desired ADR. She called back that night with the news of her success! Woo-hoo! :disrocks:

“So,” I said happily, “What are your other ADRs?” I listened with interest and then with downright amazement when she reported that she had made an 11:40 lunch ADR for the character meal, Play and Dine at Hollywood & Vine.

“Get out of here,” I told her. “We have one for 11:30!” Another amazing incidence of parallel planning! We quickly decided to call back and change to one ressie for all of us at the same time. Luckily, it was available. Separate tables, true, but with a notation that the two should be close together. Hey, it’s a buffet! We’re going to be up and down anyway between the food and the games and songs for the kids. We felt that we had been very fortunate.

So…a few rides together, two character meals, perhaps a parade or a show or two…just enough togetherness so that our families have fun but don’t drive each up the wall! :crazy:

Or perhaps over the edge.
Of a cliff.

But, don’t worry. No one will be stepping on your fingers…
Because you’re no longer hanging there.
I hope you landed softly.

And with that, I bid you good night.

Kathy

Awesome! You got the resort ressies you wanted! And the dining! How cool is that!

Had you made that Crystal Palace ressie for the morning of 11/3, we would have been dining together! We will be there that morning. I can't wait!

[KathyRN137]

mvazul: Sometimes a little caffeine is all you need!

Goofster: You'll see my kids from the back, but not me! ;) Oh, and Ed is really looking forward to the food in Morrocco!

Halloweenqueen: Love the AK! Definitely going there!

Katdocnorf: Go ahead, you can change your title if you want! It's your report!

pixe*dust: More is on the way...

DisneyMomFanatic: Glad Alex gets as much joy out of WDW as Billy does!

mrsksomeday: I'll make sure Ed leaves some meat-on-a-stick for Bill! :laughing:

AGPrincess: You've got to have thick skin to work in reservations!

Marion: Ha! Show-off! :p

ChrisLei: This will be our 1st pre-park opening breakfast! :cool1:

jcc0621: Coming, coming.....

Thanks to you all for posting!

Kathy

[blue_river]

I'm happy for ya Kathy...you seem to be getting everything you want :thumbsup2 :)

Also good news for your sister with her ressie at the castle! My girls loved it there :wizard:

So…a few rides together, two character meals, perhaps a parade or a show or two…just enough togetherness so that our families have fun but don’t drive each up the wall!

Sounds PERFECT :goodvibes

[smidgy]

It's late, and I can't read the rest of your report right now, I'll catch up.
but reading about your son finally saying "I love you" .. I just had to post and say how much it touched me. the little things so many of us take for granted.. thanks to you, I won't take it for granted anymore.

[mikkiwikki]

Pre-Trip #1: Everything Old is New
"I love you, Mommy."
It’s an unprompted declaration….not just something he echoes woodenly when I say it to him. He looks me in the eye, wraps his arms around my neck, and tells me that he loves me. Every night I’ve prayed. I’ve wished upon a star. Please, God, make him…..a real boy. "I love you, Mommy" is a beautiful start. :cloud9: [B]Kathy

This really teared me up. You are not alone. I sooo understand what you are saying. Yknow what they say - "Adversity makes a man (or woman) wise" I really feel I have learned so much from my son - I see things clearly as a result of having experienced raising a child on the spectrum.

That first I love you is soooooo bittersweet. :love:

I'm enjoying your trip report.

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #8:"Operational Plan: 2007"


May I have a drumroll, please!


Our November 2007 Itinerary:


Sat. 11/3: Travel /VWL: pre-check in / Lunch: Roaring Forks / Epcot-World Showcase / 5:30 Restaurant Marrakesh / VWL Resort: relax

*Turn clocks back one hour for Daylight Savings* (Get to bed early)


Sunday 11/4: Animal Kingdom / (CS) Lunch @ AK / VWL / Studios / (5:10) 50’s Prime Time Cafe / (7:00) Fantasmic!


Monday 11/5: EPCOT – FW / (11:30) Garden Grill / EPCOT / (5:50) Whispering Canyon Cafe / VWL: relax / swimming


Tuesday 11/6: (8:10)Breakfast at Crystal Palace / Magic Kingdom / VWL (CS) Dinner @Roaring Forks / Relax / swimming, DIS-Meet by pool (mrsksomeday)


Wednesday 11/7: MK / (CS) Lunch: MK / (4:30) Liberty Tree Tavern (w/ Marilyn) / VWL / Downtown Disney: Marketplace


Thursday 11/8: Studios / (11:40) Play & Dine (w/ Marilyn) / (CS) Dinner @ Studios / VWL Resort: relax / swim.


Friday 11/9: Animal Kingdom / (CS) Lunch @ AK / AK / VWL (CS) Dinner (AR/kids) / Artist’s Point (Mom & Dad) / Pleasure Island (Mom & Dad)


Saturday 11/10: Sleep-in / VWL: Resort Time / (5:00) `Ohana (The Polynesian) / Magic Kingdom / Wishes & SpectroMagic

Sunday 11/11: Check-out of VWL / Downtown Disney/ Travel

Go home and start planning the next trip!!


Kathy

[KathyRN137]

blue: Practically perfect in every way!

smidgy: What a lovely thing to say! Thanks!

mikkiwikki: :grouphug: and welcome, friend!

Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

Tuesday 11/6: (8:10)Breakfast at Crystal Palace / Magic Kingdom / VWL (CS) Dinner @Roaring Forks / Relax / swimming, DIS-Meet by pool (mrsksomeday)

Great Operational Plan!!! I am so honored to get a mention in your report. Bill and I look forward to meeting you and your family:yay:.

[jcc0621]

Pre-Trip #8:"

[B]Friday 11/9: Animal Kingdom / (CS) Lunch @ AK / AK / VWL (CS) Dinner (AR/kids) / Artist’s Point (Mom & Dad) / Pleasure Island (Mom & Dad)
Kathy

Hey Kathy,
Is the dinner at AP a special occassion or anything? I am going to PM you.

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #9: "Stating the Obvious, with a KISS!" puckerup:


You sharp-eyed DIS-ers :magnify: must have already noted that the Operational Plan specifies that all of our resort /nap /relaxation time will be taking place at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. So, I’ll just go ahead and state the obvious….we’re staying at VWL! :rolleyes:

We’re actually still waitlisted for one night, Thursday the eighth, but I went ahead and reserved it with cash (member-discounted) when the night of the seventh came through. That one last night stubbornly refuses to become available on points, but, that may change as we draw nearer to our vacation dates.

I finally got to where I didn’t care about saving points, getting discounts, procuring a view, or any of the rest of that junk that can bog you down when making a resort reservation. So I listened to my heart. In the end, all I really cared about is that our little family will get to stay in the same villa for the entire week. No packing, no moving, no stressing. :thumbsup2

Keep It Simple, Stupid!

And so, the Great Resort Reservation Mystery is now solved! I’m sure you can all get a decent night’s rest now that the weight is off your minds!!

Pleasant (Disney) Dreams! :cloud9:

Kathy

[mvazul]

That's awesome, Kathy!! Persistence does pay off at times!! :thumbsup2

[blue_river]

So I listened to my heart. In the end, all I really cared about is that our little family will get to stay in the same villa for the entire week. No packing, no moving, no stressing. :thumbsup2

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:woohoo:

[praisehisname]

Woo hoo! I'm so excited for you that you get to stay in VWL for the whole trip!!! :cheer2: That must be a HUGE relief for you!

Your ADRs look fabulous! You're trying a lot of places that we would like to try in the future.

Keep up the great writing. I really enjoying reading your report!

Denise

[katdocnorf]

Katdocnorf: Go ahead, you can change your title if you want! It's your report!

Kathy

How do you change a title? I have never found the need to so I have never done that in 8 years WOW, so I don't know how. I tried the edit selection, but couldn't figure it out.

Also glad to see you are staying at VWL the whole vacation. It is very nice there. We stayed there one time a year or so after they were built. Loved it. I love BWV (my home resort) but I alos love trying different resorts whenever possible. Sometimes I will just pay for one or two nights at the beginning or end of vacation just to try a different resort.

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #10: DIAL-A-CROC!


“I have a little confession to make,” I told Ed, sheepishly, as our minivan made its way home from another Sunday afternoon excursion to Target. We had stopped in to pick up just one thing….please stop me if this sounds familiar….and I was suddenly inspired to begin picking up a few travel-related items for our Disney trip. (Hey, it’s only fifteen weeks away; don’t want to leave everything to the last minute!)

It was the Disney-shopping that prompted my confession.

“Well, what is it?” Despite the unknown nature of the impending disclosure, Ed did not appear to be to worried. After all, both the kids and Aunt Rae were sitting right behind us….how big of a bombshell could I be planning to drop?

I cleared my throat.

I took a deep breath.

I braced myself for his reaction.

“I…(gulp)….went online and ordered a pair of Crocs yesterday.” :blush:

"What!! Those ugly things!” he laughed and shook his head. Oh, but, there was more.

“I ordered them in Lime Green."

“Lime Green!” he exclaimed. “Wait a minute,” he said suspiciously, “is that some kind of DIS-thing?” He shook his head some more. “You really are crazy, you know that?” Ed has a love-hate relationship with the DIS. He loves that I have found something I enjoy so much, but hates the amount of time I spend here!

“Yes, it’s a DIS-thing! Like the lime-green-Mickey-heads from the Home Depot!” I looked back at Tricia to hopefully get some support. She was grinning widely. “Yeah, Mom’s gone DIS-crazy,” she laughed. “Can you imagine her wearing lime green shoes?!”

“Wearing lime green at Disney just shows that you’re a fan of the DIS boards,” I explained. “It’s like wearing your team’s colors.” ::yes::

We stopped at a red light and Ed turned to look at me. “Are you planning to wear them when we’re at Disney?” he asked slowly.

“Well, that was the general idea,” I laughed. “I’m certainly not going to wear them to win any fashion contests!” :rolleyes:

Now he seemed a bit worried. Ed’s a runner…blisters are his sworn enemy. When we are at WDW he conducts daily foot inspections and anyone who forgets to powder their feet and change into dry socks after our afternoon break has to drop and give him twenty.

“Well, maybe,” I replied. “Lots of people say they’re really comfortable; I’ll have to see how they feel...…” He cut in with, “You said they felt too big for your feet when you tried them on in the store!”

“Yes, but those were the “Beach” style. The style I ordered is supposed to have a more narrow width,” I answered, trying to avoid sounding silly or defensive (or both!)

It is hard not to sound silly when you are defending huge lime green plastic shoes that are filled with holes.

“And what about socks?” he demanded. “You can’t walk around all day at Disney without socks!” This was sheer madness, in his mind. He equated it with a soldier entering into battle without a helmet.

“Oh, I’ll probably wind up wearing them with socks….”

Tricia made a horrified face. “EEWWWW!!” she said. “MOM! You CAN’T wear SOCKS with CROCS!” she declared. “That would look so UGLY! I mean, WHITE socks showing through the HOLES! EEWWWW!!” The eleven year-old footwear fashionista had spoken.

Billy caught the feeling of excitement in her voice and began making loud EEEEEEEEEE!!…..AAAAAHHHHHHH!!……EEEEEEE!! noises as he rocked in his seat.

“Well, then I’ll just have to buy Lime Green socks,” I teased her. “Either that, or I’ll just have to fill all the holes with Jibbitz.”

“Jibb-itz?” asked Ed, uneasily. He must have had a feeling that this was going to cost him even more money. “What are Jibbitz?”

“They’re little decorations you can put on your Crocs,” piped Tricia from the back. I take it that she had seen them worn by some of her more (in her not-so-humble opinion) “fashion-challenged” friends.

“You can get anything you want to decorate your Crocs,” I continued, trying to ignore the disapproving noises coming from my dear daughter and the increasingly-loud stimming noises and scripting coming from my dear son:

“MMMM-HHMMMM………It's the Crock Files...with the Crocodile Hunter...on the Discovery Channel...EEEEE—OHHHHH--EEEEE!!!” He kicked his legs and waved his arms wildly.

“Billy, knock it off!” Ed said firmly as he tried to catch his son's eye in the rearview mirror. “Quiet mouth!”

“Quiet mouth,” Billy answered. (That’s what his teachers tell the class to get them to attend to the lesson: Quiet Hands; Quiet Feet; Quiet Mouth.) I’m sure he hears it quite often! He stopped kicking and hummed softly to himself.

“Good boy!” I told him. Sigh. At least we could hear ourselves think again!

Now, where was I? Oh yes, jibbitz. “So, you can get Disney characters, flowers, flags, even awareness ribbons,” I continued. “If I like the Crocs, I’m definitely getting an Autism Awareness-ribbon jibbitz,” I said emphatically. “But, then again, I may not even keep them if they don’t fit right; we’ll just have to wait and see.”

I guess that squelched any further debate, because Ed just snorted and changed the subject to the latest Harry Potter book. Tricia had read it, in it’s entirety, in less than twenty-four hours and Ed had started reading it the night before. Crocs and jibbitz were forgotten as our discussion now turned to Hogwart’s and Horcruxes. Ed and Tricia were, for the moment, more interested in the wizarding world. But not my Billy!

From behind me I heard, softly, yet very distinctly, “I want to go to Walt Disney World. In the airplane. Please, Mommy.”

Yes, Billy, we will go to Walt Disney World. In sneakers and socks, or lime green Crocs…we will go to Walt Disney World!

Kathy

[katdocnorf]

This is great. I love it. I have never brought myself to buy crocs. But his is funny. Let me know if they are comfortable. I don't care how things look if they are extremely comfortable....:lmao:

[ChrisLei]

:rotfl2: That was the best! I have never bought Crocs either. I can't get beyond how ugly they are. Princess ArieL loves the fact that you can put the jibbits in it, but also refuses to wear them.

You'll definitely have to tell me how comfy they are!

[Halloweenqueen]

Hooray for crocs! You will love them! It took me awhile to get around the idea of wearing them, but now they are my shoes of preference.

I have lavendar and Pirate ones, but I need to get some lime ones.

And Hooray for Harry! Matt and I finished the book over the weekend. How bittersweet, but a fantastic book. We can't wait to go to Universal when the Wizarding World opens!

[Montana Disney Fan]

Moving is not so bad but for just one night would be a pain. VWL are awesome. My sister and I stayed at WL one time and when I took the DVC tour they upgraded us to an empty 2-Bdr VWL room and we loved it. I ended up purchasing due to that free upgrade. I love it there.

However, since that time, we've only stayed at OKW, BW or SSR. I think my favorite of the four is OKW due to parking outside the room (no long walks) plus the rooms are so much bigger than the rest (2-bdr is 1300 sq ft).

Linnie and I wore Lime Green ribbons on our butt-packs one year and we only ran into one DIS'er... at the Adventurers Club in Pleasure Island. She actually knew who I was! :confused3

I wear sox with my Crocs (which are black) and I look like a total dork in them. Today I'm wearing my Crocs due to a toe injury while mowing the yard (a story for another time).

I've got a skull & crossbones, pirate skull with crossed swords, Buzz Lightyear, and Stitch jibbitz on my Crocs. :banana:

Blue is pretty thrifty so I'll bet she's made her own jibbitz for her Crooks. Maybe a Canadian Flag or some badger fur. :banana:

[KathyRN137]

mrsksomeday: Back atcha, babe!! :goodvibes

jcc0621: Thanks! :angel: You're an angel!

mvazul: Persistance does not always mean patience! :rolleyes1

blue: Thank you, thank you! No applause, please! (Just throw money)

praisehisname: We hope to eat our way around the entire World, eventually. Ugh! I better start hitting the gym, now!

katdocnorf: I noticed you changed your title! Wasn't that Easy?

Halloweenqueen: I hope the Cayman style fits better than the Beach! Keep your fingers (or should I say toes) crossed for me!

ChrisLei: Yes, jibbitz can be very, very attractive to little girls....big girls, too! :laughing:

MDF: Well, look whose back! Please, Buzz, no toe pix, okay??!! And I know exacly which one "got it"!!!

Thanks, again, to all for reading and posting!
:grouphug:
Kathy

[blue_river]

“I…(gulp)…went online and ordered a pair of Crocs yesterday.” :blush:

Decided to jump on board eh?? :rotfl:

“I ordered them in Lime Green."

WOA - Lime green?? You're going to look puuuurty :rolleyes1
I've decided I want to get a black pair instead of the pink ones I have.


“Oh, I’ll probably wind up wearing them with socks….”

Lots of people do ::yes::

Blue is pretty thrifty so I'll be she's made her own jibbitz for her Crooks. Maybe a Canadian Flag or some badger fur.

Very funny wise guy :headache:

But now you've given me an idea :idea:

:rotfl:

Thank you, thank you! No applause, please! (Just throw money)

:lmao:

but my money is all gone now :confused3

and well spent, might I add ;)

[mrsksomeday]

“I…(gulp)….went online and ordered a pair of Crocs yesterday.” :blush:

"What!! Those ugly things!” he laughed and shook his head. Oh, but, there was more.

“I ordered them in Lime Green."

I hope you like your crocs as much as I do mine. I got them last month (black) and love them. I might even get some lime green ones to, ya never know.

I guess that squelched any further debate, because Ed just snorted and changed the subject to the latest Harry Potter book. Tricia had read it, in it’s entirety, in less than twenty-four hours and Ed had started reading it the night before. Crocs and jibbitz were forgotten as our discussion now turned to Hogwart’s and Horcruxes. Ed and Tricia were, for the moment, more interested in the wizarding world. But not my Billy!

From behind me I heard, softly, yet very distinctly, “I want to go to Walt Disney World. In the airplane. Please, Mommy.”

I love Harry Potter too, read the book this weekend. I really liked it. Tell Billy he isn't the only one wanting to go back, the days are going by entirely too slowly. Planning and replanning helps though, at least for me it does:woohoo: .

[Goofster57]

Congratulations on getting the Lodge for your stay, I am sure you are going to enjoy it.


Keep It Simple, Stupid!


This is my Motto :thumbsup2



“I have a little confession to make,” I told Ed,

“I…(gulp)….went online and ordered a pair of Crocs yesterday.” :blush:

“I ordered them in Lime Green."

“Lime Green!” he exclaimed. “Wait a minute,” he said suspiciously,

We stopped at a red light and Ed turned to look at me. “Are you planning to wear them when we’re at Disney?” he asked slowly.


When are you going to tell him you got them for the entire family? :lmao:

[KathyRN137]

blue: Whaddya mean, your money's all gone??? ;)

mrsksomeday: Forty-three years old and I'm still following the crowd! (But it's a nice crowd!)

Goofster: I asked Tricia if she wanted a pair and she said "no way!" Just wait till she sees the Jibbitz... she'll change her mind! It's all about the accessories.....

Kathy

[Montana Disney Fan]

Blue is pretty thrifty so I'll bet she's made her own jibbitz for her Crooks. Maybe a Canadian Flag or some badger fur. :banana:


LOL!!! :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :lmao:


I crack me up! :cool1:

[jcc0621]

Pre-Trip #10: DIAL-A-CROC!


“I have a little confession to make,” I told Ed, sheepishly, as our minivan made its way home from another Sunday afternoon excursion to Target. We had stopped in to pick up just one thing….please stop me if this sounds familiar….and I was suddenly inspired to begin picking up a few travel-related items for our Disney trip. (Hey, it’s only fifteen weeks away; don’t want to leave everything to the last minute!) :thumbsup2


“Lime Green!” he exclaimed. “Wait a minute,” he said suspiciously, “is that some kind of DIS-thing?” He shook his head some more. “You really are crazy, you know that?” Ed has a love-hate relationship with the DIS. He loves that I have found something I enjoy so much, but hates the amount of time I spend here!

“Yes, it’s a DIS-thing! Like the lime-green-Mickey-heads from the Home Depot!” I looked back at Tricia to hopefully get some support. She was grinning widely. “Yeah, Mom’s gone DIS-crazy,” she laughed. “Can you imagine her wearing lime green shoes?!”

“Wearing lime green at Disney just shows that you’re a fan of the DIS boards,” I explained. “It’s like wearing your team’s colors.” ::yes::

Kathy

Nothing wrong with a little pre-trip shopping.:thumbsup2

I get the same reaction from my DH when I talk about wearing lime, etc. for the trip. It must be a man thing:sad2:

[QUOTE=Montana Disney Fan;19889516]I wear sox with my Crocs (which are black) and I look like a total dork in them. Today I'm wearing my Crocs due to a toe injury while mowing the yard (a story for another time).

QUOTE]

Oh no, was it THE toe:confused3

[Montana Disney Fan]

MDF: Well, look whose back! Please, Buzz, no toe pix, okay??!! And I know exacly which one "got it"!!!



Nope, it was the piggy who said wee wee wee all the way home. Poor little piggy. I'll get a picture of it for you guys. It's all bloody and cheesed up.:thumbsup2

[KathyRN137]

Poor little piggy. I'll get a picture of it for you guys. It's all bloody and cheesed up.:thumbsup2

Buzz, dear, I'm trying to run a nice, family-oriented report here! :rolleyes1 Save the pictures of your mangled anatomy for your own pre-trippie!

(Hint hint, nudge nudge) ;)

Kathy

[Goofster57]

Buzz,
All thought I do sympathize with you in this time of pain and discomfort as a result of the injury of your toe while engaged in working hard for the good of your family.

I do feel that Kathy is correct in the fact that this is not the place for a picture of an injury that may cause some readers of these family orientated boards to suffer discomfort to their personal constitution (innards) and affect their ability or desire to return to the Dis Boards for hours of entertainment.

So, because of the above issues I must join Kathy in requesting that “you” NOT post a picture of your injured toe.

Thank you for respecting our request




:idea:

Now if Linnie wanted to post the picture that would be cool, because they won’t get mad at her….Yeah we get to see Buzz’s toe. :cool1:

[Marion]

I seriously considered Crocs. I really did. I even tried them on at the mall but apparently Canada isn't allowed to have adult Caymans... just Beach. And Beach doesn't fit these feet at all. The small are too small and the mediums are too big. I had a very expensive online shoe shopping experience with a pair of Teva Too Mush flips and I'm not willing to risk that again! :scared1:

I did buy little Minnie a pair of cotton candy coloured Caymans and they are adorable! This kiddo loves these things and has no problem walking in them, and no rubbing issues, even barefoot.

PS: Buzz? No mangled toe pics please! :scared:

[Montana Disney Fan]

Buzz,
All thought I do sympathize with you in this time of pain and discomfort as a result of the injury of your toe while engaged in working hard for the good of your family.




Actually, I was watching Linnie mow the lawn. I was spraying Roundup into the neighbor’s lawn when the injury occurred. It's a whole "Toe Story". :)

[Goofster57]

Actually, I was watching Linnie mow the lawn.

I should have know :lmao:

I don't want to get points so I'm leaving it at that.

[Linnie The Pooh]

Actually, I was watching Linnie mow the lawn. I was spraying Roundup into the neighbor’s lawn when the injury occurred. It's a whole "Toe Story". :)

Uh, yeah, I was gonna say.... I'm the one that mows the lawn!!! :mad: :mad:

I don't know guys, this toe is pretty sick. My stomach was churning when I saw it....And I'm pretty tough when it comes to that stuff, but YUCK! Let's not post it!! I don't want to be the cause for anyone's evening getting ruined.

[KathyRN137]

**For those of you readers who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting my esteemed friend from Montana, and who are now completely lost, confused, disgusted,(and perhaps all three), allow me to introduce you.

This is Buzz. :cool2:

Montana Disney Fan, GAT-Master Extraordinaire, and the only DIS-er I know who can crash a nice, quiet trip report and turn a discussion about the purchase of Crocs into a debate about posting toe-porn!! :rolleyes1

(Perhaps if we're all very, very, quiet he'll go away!)

Kathy

[jcc0621]

**For those of you readers who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting my esteemed friend from Montana, and who are now completely lost, confused, disgusted,(and perhaps all three), allow me to introduce you.

This is Buzz. :cool2:

Montana Disney Fan, GAT-Master Extraordinaire, and the only DIS-er I know who can crash a nice, quiet trip report and turn a discussion about the purchase of Crocs into a debate about posting toe-porn!! :rolleyes1

(Perhaps if we're all very, very, quiet he'll go away!)

Kathy

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Goofster57]

(Perhaps if we're all very, very, quiet he'll go away!)


HEY BUZZ WHERE ARE YOU!!!

Oh Sorry my bad, you said quiet didn't you :confused3




Jeez, you men really stick together, don't you??!!


That’s only because we don’t use enough deodorant...:woohoo:

[Linnie The Pooh]

**

(Perhaps if we're all very, very, quiet he'll go away!)

Kathy

Trust me Kathy, I've tried that-it doesn't work....

[KathyRN137]

jcc0621: Shopping is not just recreational, it's downright therapeutic!

Marion: Help! :eek: They've got me surrounded!

Linnie: I'm counting on you to be the neck of the family! ;)

Goofster: Oh, you are on such thin ice, it isn't funny!!

And last, but not least...

MDF: No props for you!!

Kathy

[blue_river]

I've been missing all the fun!!!

:rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

[SwansLoveDisney]

Your crocs conversation looks like a transcript of the discussion I had with my husband when my crocs arrived. (minus the lime green part.)

[Montana Disney Fan]

MDF: No props for you!!

Kathy


Doh!! :headache:

I got pix of the toe... just for that, I think I'll post them... hmmmm... ok, RIGHT HERE!!!!!!! In your pre-trippie. :woohoo: :woohoo:

I'm so bad. :banana:

[blue_river]

Doh!! :headache:

I got pix of the toe... just for that, I think I'll post them... hmmmm... ok, RIGHT HERE!!!!!!! In your pre-trippie. :woohoo: :woohoo:

I'm so bad. :banana:

http://bestsmileys.com/lol/4.gif

[Marion]

That'll give Kathy's report a whole new rating... G for Gross!

I think the best solution for the toe is...............





amputation! ::yes::

[mvazul]

Be careful, Kathy....Crocs are addicting!! I bought a pair of the Mary Janes (in seafoam) and really like them. They are sooo comfortable. My sister bought a pair of Keens' flipflops for me, but they are too small. She felt bad, so she ordered another pair of Crocs for me. She sent me the Cleos in White Pearl/Celery (however, the white is more grey). I absolutely LOVE the Cleos. :cloud9: The only problem I have found is I started getting blisters right where the strap attaches (on both pair). It rubs alot. But, with a little Moleskin and a Band-Aid over the area and they are back to being heavenly!! You will love them!

BTW - my sister bought her first pair of Crocs, too - also in lime green!! :thumbsup2

[katdocnorf]

katdocnorf: I noticed you changed your title! Wasn't that Easy?

Thanks, again, to all for reading and posting!
:grouphug:
Kathy

Yes I did and thanks much...

I also decided to use some previous trip flashbacks to bring some excitement to my pretrip. I have had some issues in previous trips and can make light of it.

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Kathy - I have loved reading your reports! This is my first post to the board - I was searching for something Disney related - can't even remember what - and discovered your trip reports this weekend - haven't stopped reading until I got caught up today. It is very exciting since our next trip is just before yours.

I have a 6 year old son (Alex) with ASD and a NT (neuro-typical) 3 year old son. I have always loved Disney and am so glad to be able to enjoy with my whole family! Alex's first trip to WDW was when he was only 16 months old. Our first trip post-autism was March 06. We had an AMAZING:banana: trip! Everyone at WDW did such a wonderful job accomodating his needs - from the GAC to special food for his GFCF diet. I had to start planning our next trip right away! We are going this October for a longer trip. Last time we were only at WDW for 2 days and spent the rest of our trip visiting family. This time we are going for almost a week. Alex has a 4 day weekend for Columbus day so we only have to pull him out for 2 days!!! Unfortunately BTMRR will be closed - his favorite! But he is a sensory seeker and loves to go fast and luckily has moved up over the 44 inch mark this year! And his brother is over 40 inches this year!!:cool1:

We were planning to go October 5-10th but you have already inspired me to look into changing our flight down to the 4th since our off-site timeshare will be available starting the 4th. My husband thinks I am obsessed too! I just can't help myself since WDW really does allow us to be a "normal" (whatever that is) family!

Thanks for the good reading - always need something to keep me busy until the trip!

PS - My neighbor recommended getting crocs for our trip after her last trip to WDW - thought they were awful at first - now I love them!!!!!!!

[KathyRN137]

SwansLoveDisney: Hey, they are pretty ugly, I admit! :scared:

Marion: Puh-leez! Don't give him any ideas! :eek:

blue: Mutley!! I loved Mutley!! Especially when he got his treats!

mvzaul: If they live up to all the hype I'm planning on getting a pair for work... just not in lime green! (They don't come in white, though.) :confused:

katdocnorf: Flashbacks can often be very exciting! :rotfl:

DisMomAmy: :welcome: Congrats on your first post; thank you for flying with us! (Really, it's an honor!)

And thanks to all who continue to read, despite the recent "terroristic threats" involving funky phalanges.

Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

mvzaul: If they live up to all the hype I'm planning on getting a pair for work... just not in lime green! (They don't come in white, though.) :confused:



Kathy, on http://www.crocs.com/ they have white in certain styles. I saw them the other day.

Hope you are having a great week, thanks for the updates.

[Goofster57]

involving funky phalanges



Oh what you said I hope the Moderators don't give you points for your language.....:rotfl2:

[praisehisname]

Did you get your crocs yet? I have 3 different pair and absolutely LOVE them all! The Mary Janes are definitely my faves, though. Can't wait to hear if you like yours!

Denise

[mvazul]

Hi, Kathy!! :wave2:

The Crocs do come in white (Pearl). Look here (http://shop.crocs.com/c-4-Footwear.aspx?reqid=4&reqProdTypeId=4&subsectionname=footwear). I saw them in the Beach, Cayman, Disney Beach (with a pink heel strap), Endeavor, Mary Janes, Motion, Prima and Professional. Also, if you look at the menu to the left, there is a link for the Crocs Work Models. The Specialist and the Specialist Vent both come in a true White instead of Pearl. The site says they are coming soon.

HTH!! :flower3:

[jcc0621]

[
And thanks to all who continue to read, despite the recent "terroristic threats" involving funky phalanges.

Kathy

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[Marion]

Marion: Puh-leez! Don't give him any ideas! :eek:

Oh, like he wouldn't have thought of that on his own? :lmao:

And thanks to all who continue to read, despite the recent "terroristic threats" involving funky phalanges.

Ok that's it... I'm NOT helping with security checks on this mob! Nuh uh... no WAY! :darth:

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #11: To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

I wanted to post a little something tonight, but I’ve been staying up rather late every night this week and I’m a bit tired. Besides, if I save my big post ‘til tomorrow I will be able to use lots and lots of double-digit-dancing smilies! That’s right, folks, tomorrow it will be ninety-nine days to WDW! Woo-hoo!

And so I leave you now so that I may sleep, perchance to dream. I’m hoping I have the same dream I had last night. I was walking through FantasyLand and there was no one there except for Ed, the kids, and me. Somehow, we had been able to get into the Magic Kingdom very early in the morning before anyone else. The sky was a brilliant blue and the ground was still wet from it's early-morning wash-down. I was walking hand in hand with my hubby while the kids ran excitedly before us, darting from place to place, and we were giddy with the thrill of having FantasyLand all to ourselves. :cloud9:

They say that if you are thinking about something just as you fall asleep, you are likely to dream about it. So I spent a little time going over some of the pictures from our last trip. Hopefully it will work; it was an awesome dream!

Hey! Maybe it’ll work for you, too! Have a look….
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

These are a few of our favorite things....

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-362mk.jpg


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-352mk.jpg


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-365mk.jpg


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-363mk.jpg


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-56mk.jpg



And I love how blue the sky is in this shot...just like in my dream (but without all the other peoples!)


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP0893.jpg



Pleasant Disney Dreams!

Kathy

[blue_river]

That’s right, folks, tomorrow it will be ninety-nine days to WDW! Woo-hoo!

I'm cheering for your double digit days now.

YAHOOTY!!!

And I love how blue the sky is in this shot...just like in my dream (but without all the other peoples!)


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP0893.jpg



Pleasant Disney Dreams!

Kathy


What a lovely picture! I can feel your excitement :upsidedow

Dreams? I've been so excited I can barely sleep :sad2:

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Kathy,

Now that is the best way I can think of to end a long day. Disney Dreamin' in airconditioning... yeah, I like, I like it a lot. I only have 28 days now. Thanks for the help in the dreamland department.:thumbsup2

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip # 12:

Ninety-Nine Numbers of Cheer on the Wall, Ninety-Nine Numbers of Cheer!!

Hooray! We’ve passed one more milestone in the WDW Trip-Countdown! According to the family activity calendar on the wall in my kitchen, we are now officially out of the triple digits. We can do the double-digit dance!! Come on, dance with me!!

:banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :jumping1: :dogdance: :dance3:


You are the dancing queen
Young and sweet
only seven..... uh, hold it. Stop the music.

It's been more than a little while since I was seventeen! :rolleyes1

Oh well! I'm not going to let that stop me!! We're at 99 days!!

party: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:



When you’re done with all the planning and it’s too soon to start packing, the days leading up to WDW always drag a bit. That’s why I’m feeling so good about reaching double digits today! :teeth: Otherwise, things are really pretty mundane around here, Disney-wise.


Still waiting for my lime green Crocs…Tricia and I were driving home from her soccer camp this morning and we saw the UPS guy turn his truck up our street. She bet me $0.50 that he was going to stop at our house, but he didn’t.

Hey! That reminds me, I never did get that $0.50!

Billy’s got one more week of ESYP (Extended School Year Program) and then both he and Tricia are “off” for the entire month of August, and until school starts back up again after Labor Day. Eddie, my 17 yr old stepson in N.C. will come up for a nice visit during the middle two weeks in August. If the weather cooperates, we'll all get to spend some time down the shore.

:beach: (That's "at the Jersey shore" for those of you from out of state!)

Hopefully with all the activity around here, the time will seem to pass more quickly. :hourglass

After lurking a bit on the DIS’ Creative Boards, I’ve been toying with the idea of making up some custom t-shirts using Disney clip art and some iron-on transfers from the craft store. I’ve never done it before, though, and I’m not very computer-savy. I’d love to make matching shirts for us and for my sister’s family (as a surprise), but I’m a bit chicken. Perhaps I’ll just order some from Zazzle(?) Have any of you ever done custom shirts?

I do enjoy the matching / coordinating shirts idea! On our first trip, I bought different plain, solid-colored t-shirts for the four of us and we all wore the same “color of the day” at WDW. Not only did it make it easy for everyone to stay together, it looked nice in pictures and made it a snap to choose an outfit for each day. The kids have long grown out of those, however.

Then last year (our first “Jersey Week”), I had special shirts made up at a kiosk in the mall. They were red with, “Jersey Mom,” “Jersey Dad,” “Jersey Boy,” “Jersey Girl,” and last but not least, “Jersey Aunt,” embroidered on the front. They looked really nice and we received a lot of compliments and smiles when we wore them! I’m hoping that Billy can still wear his…he’s growing like a weed!


Here I am on the balcony at OKW in my "Jersey Mom" shirt!

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/wdwtrip06-37mk.jpg

Don't you just love what that Florida humidity does to our hair, ladies?!!


Last year I also ordered coordinating baseball shirts from Disney Shopping online; everyone had royal blue sleeves but each person chose his or her own special Disney character for the front. I know these will still fit the kids because they were not available in children’s sizes and so I had to order them both in Adult Small. :rolleyes:

Speaking of ordering things, where are those Crocs?? I hope they come soon. I’ve got lots more double-digit dancing to do today and I could use a comfy pair of shoes….


Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

YAY for Kathy and her family!! :yay: Where are those Crocs anyway? :confused3 I want a review from you about them?popcorn:: Are you going to get any jibbitz? So many questions, I love reading your updates. Have a great day.

[SwansLoveDisney]

Yay for double digits!

[jcc0621]

:banana: :banana: :banana: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:
Double Digits -----Yeah!

I made a couple of shirts for our trip this year and it is not as difficult as it looks. You can get the transfer paper at Staples, etc. The instructions are on the package and are pretty easy to follow. I mostly made them for DS becasue we are celebrating his 4th birthday while we are the there. I got some great designs from the DISeigns board:thumbsup2 The women over there are VERY creative, which I am not! If I get a chance I will take some pics and post them for you.

Hey I am from South Philly, not Jersey but we call it the shore too--does that count. I was just down da shore this past weekend - Wildwood:thumbsup2

[blue_river]

After lurking a bit on the DIS’ Creative Boards, I’ve been toying with the idea of making up some custom t-shirts

I have my custom "GAT" shirts ready to go :teeth:

and four POTC3 shirts :yay: I won't let the girls wear them yet :laughing:


:yay: :yay: :yay: For the Double Digits :yay: :yay: :yay:

[KathyRN137]

Thank you all for dancing with me!! :grouphug:

mrsksomeday: I began looking at all the Jibbitz and soon realized I'd spend more on all the little doo-dads than on the Crocs themselves! :rotfl: I'm waiting to see "if the shoe fits...", then I'll decide if I want to get Jibbitz.

Goofster: Thank you for pointing that out!

Praisehisname: Still waiting....:hourglass Come on, UPS guy!

mvazul: Yay! True white coming soon! Thanks!

Marion: From now on, I will only acknowlege a certain someone's posts if he sends them in clear zip-lock bags. ::cop:

jcc0621: I don't know how to print the designs out...I think I'll need special software...perhaps I'll just Zazzle...yeesh, I'm such a technophobe! :eek:

DisneyMomFanatic: Like any of us need help dreaming of Disney!!

blue: Have you posted pix of your shirts on your report? Please do! ::yes::

SwansLoveDisney: Thanks for the dance!

And thank you all for posting!

Kathy

[Halloweenqueen]

Congrats on double digits!

I love making the shirts. I think it is my favorite pre-Disney activity. I love having fun on my trusty photoshop program.

If you need any help or would like me to make a design for you, just ask!

[katdocnorf]

After our family trip (Me Ex-Husband, DS3 (now 10) and ex-inlaws) in '99, I made T-shirts for everyone as part of a Christmas Present. I used Iron-On's I bought from OfficeMax. We had our picture taken at Studio M in Downtown Disney. I used the Picture and put a caption underneath 'Disney Family Vacation 1999'. Then at Office Depot I had a bunch of the pictures I had turned into calendars and gave those for presents also. Of course now everyone pretty much has the photo software to make a calendar and binding machines come alot smaller and cheaper too.

But for the iron-ons it is very easy to do. Just use the iron on like a piece of paper. Put it into your printer and print what you want onto it then iron it onto the shirt. Just make sure it is in the right direction to come out correctly.

[blue_river]

blue: Have you posted pix of your shirts on your report? Please do! ::yes::


Yes I have! They are posted on page 7!!

[Goofster57]

Hooray! We’ve passed one more milestone in the WDW Trip-Countdown!
:banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :jumping1: :dogdance: :dance3:


Congratulations, I got tingly all over and I'm not even going.



I do enjoy the matching / coordinating shirts idea!


My family does this, but for some reason mine is always different then theirs. :confused3

[blue_river]

My family does this, but for some reason mine is always different then theirs. :confused3

Are they trying to tell you something? :rolleyes1

[Goofster57]

Are they trying to tell you something?


If they are I sure don't know what it is :confused:

[blue_river]

If they are I sure don't know what it is :confused:

Probably better not knowing ;)

[Marion]

If they are I sure don't know what it is :confused:

It just means that you're 'special' to them :hug:

[jcc0621]

jcc0621: I don't know how to print the designs out...I think I'll need special software...perhaps I'll just Zazzle...yeesh, I'm such a technophobe! :eek:


Kathy[/B]

Kathy,

If you PM your address I have a freebie T-shirt maker software I can send you. It is a very basic program and really easy to use. It's worth a shot. If can get some pretty cheap t-shirts at Michael's and the paper from any office supply/computer store. I find Zazzle to be a little pricey. Let me know if you want it

Janet

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #13: How the Lime Turned Into a Lemon!


It was almost noon and I was rummaging through the mail on the dining room table, looking for my missing car keys, when the doorbell rang. :dog: Aimee, our Lab/Golden Retriever Mix, came running down the stairs, the tags on her collar jingling.

She stopped at the front door, sat down, and barked once at the deliveryman who had interrupted her nap. She knew, of course, that he had already retreated back to his truck, but she growled gently at the closed door just to let me know that she was on the job. I waited until the Fed-Ex truck rumbled away down the street. She looked up expectantly; tail wagging.

“Good girl, Aimee!” I patted her head and opened the door. There on the ground was a small brown box with a large crocodile emblem on it. Oooh, my Crocs were here! I bent and picked up the box. It was as light as a feather! Aimee gave it a sniff, but upon ascertaining that there was nothing edible inside, quickly lost interest and went off to the kitchen in search of her water dish.

“Well, let’s see how ugly they are!” Ed laughed as he came around the corner. “You’ll just have to wait and see,” I retorted. :snooty: “I have to go pick Tricia up from camp.”

I couldn’t resist handing him the package. “Feel how light they are!” I said. He took the box, shook it, and put it down on the table. He turned and headed back to what he was doing on the computer. “Hurry back,” he said over his shoulder. That big faker; he couldn’t wait to see them, either! :rolleyes:

The missing keys were found hanging on a hook in the kitchen, right where they were supposed to be (but rarely are!) It figures that the package would come just as I was headed out the door!

Upon returning home, I dashed inside and quickly opened the box. There they were, in all their lime-green glory! Crocs Caymans. They were the ugliest shoes I had ever seen in my life..... and I couldn’t wait to try them on! The Lime-Force was powerful in these shoes-full-o-holes, and I knew then that I had gone completely over to the DIS-Side. :tilt:


I plopped the shoes down on the floor and slid my right foot in first, followed by my left. Hmmm. Comfy, yet rather a loose fit. I took a few steps….no, I definitely needed the support of the strap on the back. I made the quick adjustment and resumed walking around the living room. That felt better, but what was this? My second toe felt a bit cramped in the front. I reached down and wiggled the strap a bit. The heels looked like they fitted well, but I still felt that little bit of pressure on that one toe on each foot. Hmmm. That’s strange; I had ordered my usual size. I walked into the bedroom to show them to Ed.

“How do they feel?” he asked with a surprising amount of seriousness. He looked down at my feet. How he kept a straight face when he first saw me in those big green shoes I’ll never know!

“I’m not sure,” I replied. “They feel good, but just a little snug up front.” I examined the portholes in the front end of the shoes. A bit of pink polish peeped out from the center holes.

“Oh, no! I can see my toe poking out the front!” I could not hide my disappointment. “They don’t fit.” My shoulders slumped. I had really been hoping that they would. Drat! My limes had turned out to be lemons.

“Just order the next size up,” said Ed with a shrug. I sighed. It would’ve been a great suggestion if the Crocs came in half sizes. They already felt very roomy on the sides; a full size larger and my foot would be sliding around inside of them for sure. It would be a perfect formula for blisters and would defeat the purpose entirely, wouldn’t it? Crocs are the official non-blister-causing, ergonomic shoes of the DISboards….but for this DISer, perhaps they were not meant to be. :sad2: Reluctantly, I took them off.

Ed held them up and pulled on the strap. “Maybe they’ll stretch,” he offered. I must have given him a look that said I was unimpressed, because he handed them back and said, “Wear them for a few days and if they still don’t feel right you can always just keep them by the door for when you need to slip something on quick.” And with that, he went back to his work.

I was troubled by the ill-fitting Crocs, but my thoughts soon turned to other things. I was in the middle of a big project up in the boys’ room. I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning out their closets and toy boxes while Tricia worked on hers. I am a packrat and every so often I need to force myself to purge closets and storage areas in our house. Eight lawn bags full of busted-up toys, games and puzzles with pieces missing, and clothes that had been outgrown and in poor condition went out to the curb. Two lawn bags full of outgrown clothes in good condition went into my van, bound for my sister and her two little boys later this week.

After dinner I sat thinking about the Crocs. I hated the thought of returning them, but I didn’t want to waste the money and keep them if they didn’t fit just right. I didn’t really want to exchange for one of the sandal styles since we were going to WDW in November. I decided to visit the Crocs website to double-check whether or not half-sizes were available and I found this helpful info:


The Perfect Crocs™ Fit
Crocs™ should not fit like other shoes:
· They should fit very loosely.
· The sides of your foot should not really touch the sides of the shoe
· Your toes should never make contact with the front of the shoe.
· Once you have centered your foot on the foot-bed:
· You should have about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of space in front of your toes, behind your heel and when you lift the strap you should be able to comfortably get your finger between the strap and heel.
· In other words the fit should be "loose".
· I know that this goes against everything that you have ever been used to in a shoe, but these are the parameters that the shoe was designed to be worn under.

**********************************

Guess I should have looked at this before I ordered them, huh? :blush:

Okay, my decision is made. I will put vanity aside and exchange the lime-green Cayman’s for the next size up. Sigh. Oh, well, hopefully I’ll be able to wear the symbol of my DIS-pride soon.


But just in case, I went ahead and ordered this:

https://secure.cherrylanekeepsakes.com/optionphotos/16154-2b.jpg





:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:


Kathy

[katdocnorf]

Cool pack... I LIKE.....:thumbsup2

Thanks for Croc info. Now if the rest of us that have hesitate ordering them because of looks, decide to order them, we now know this info and will order 1 size bigger than normal.

BUT I HAVE A BIG FOOT......That would mean I would have to order an 11. NNNNOOOOOOO. I hate getting a shoe in a size 10, but an 11. :eek:

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Kathy! Firist - thanks for the PM welcoming me to the board!! :) Second - I had the same problem with the crocs at first. Luckily I bought them at Dicks Sporting Goods so I could try some on. I wear a 7 1/2 normally. But the regular crocs are sized 6-7 or 8-9. I felt like a clown inthe 8-9, but the 6-7 was definitely too small. So I went with the Mary Jane style (in boring black) because they come in single sizes. I got an 8. But I do have to say that I think they might be a little too loose. I walked around in them for about 4 hours at a local fair yesterday and my toes were rubbing on the little toe grip part - I think I would have had blisters if I had worn them much longer... Maybe I need to go for the dork look and wear socks!

[Marion]

The Lime-Force was powerful in these shoes-full-o-holes, and I knew then that I had gone completely over to the DIS-Side. :tilt:

Best line ever.... :lmao:

You do realize pictures will be required of you in all your lime green glory? ::yes::

[Goofster57]

It just means that you're 'special' to them


"Special" is usually not the word my better half uses.

[KathyRN137]

Goofster: They do that as a sign of respect; the leader should always stand out! ;)

blue: Now, now, is that any way to treat the Pinster, er, the Goofster!

Marion: Lime is the new black, you know. ::yes::
(Hey, where is that Tag Fairy, anyway? He/she always misses my best stuff!!!)

DisMomAmy: Oh good. We didn't frighten you away! I think the Beach style is the one carried by Dick's...That's where I first tried them on and that's why I thought Caymans would be better. Now I know they are supposed to be huge...who knew??

Katdocnorf: I'll have to order a size ten!! Watch out, Bozo the Clown, here I come! :clown:

jcc0621: Oh, you are so sweet, thanks! I have to think about whether or not I want to attempt it or not...I'll let you know!! Of course, I won't be nearly as good as....

Halloweenqueen: (Queen of Disney Shirts) You should check out her report to see pix of the awesome shirts she makes!!

Thanks again for posting, I've been a bit busy this weekend and will probably make a "real" post tomorrow!

Kathy

[myrsfmly]

Kathy,
I just caught up and read your pre trippie to date...

I too teared up on the "I love you"


and am also losing the "to croc or not" personal battle...

I thought I had resort choosing drama:worship: You win!

Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with us!

[Goofster57]

Goofster:
They do that as a sign of respect; the leader should always stand out! ;)


Yeah that so the hunters can pick him off easier. :lmao:




I'll have to order a size ten!! Watch out, Bozo the Clown, here I come! :clown:


:rotfl2:

[praisehisname]

Bummer about the crocs! How disappointing to have to send them back. I hope the new ones fit better.

Denise

[SwansLoveDisney]

I hope I don't get kicked off the DIS for saying this, but I am not loving my Crocs!:eek:

I've been walking my dogs in the Crocs and I have noticed that some moleskin will definitely be in order when I'm wearing them all day. Also, I have a bit of plantar fasciitis and it acts up a little bit when I wear the Crocs.

So don't be too disappointed, Kathy, in your Crocs not fitting!

[blue_river]

Okay, my decision is made. I will put vanity aside and exchange the lime-green Cayman’s for the next size up. Sigh. Oh, well, hopefully I’ll be able to wear the symbol of my DIS-pride soon.

UGH :headache:

That must have been disappointing but look at the bright side - you now have another package coming! ;)


But just in case, I went ahead and ordered this:

https://secure.cherrylanekeepsakes.com/optionphotos/16154-2b.jpg



Ohhhhhhhhh! Very nice bag :thumbsup2

The DISers are going to spot you a mile away :rolleyes1

[Halloweenqueen]

I buy our Crocs from the local Hallmark store of all places. They even have the coolest jibbitz, but I'm holding out for Halloween ones! ;)

You will LOVE the crocs when you get the right size. Once you go Croc you never go back! :lmao:

[Montana Disney Fan]

Ever since the toe trauma, I’ve been wearing my Crocs faithfully… even with slacks! My four jibbitz are a little “geeky” but what the heck, I’m secure in my manhood.

Good news though, the toe is beginning to heal. I’ve been pouring peroxide on it nightly and changing my dressing. With any luck, it won’t have to be amputated.

I took pictures of it but Linnie didn’t post the ones without the bandage. All I’ve got is a shot after I’ve done my daily cleaning.

Here ya go:

http://www.buzzmills.com/Misc%20pics%20040.jpg

Look at that excellent work I performed! I missed my calling. :sad2:

Note the absence of the “smiley face”.

:banana:

[blue_river]

Here ya go:

http://www.buzzmills.com/Misc%20pics%20040.jpg

Look at that excellent work I performed! I missed my calling. :sad2:

Note the absence of the “smiley face”.

:banana:

You're SAD Buzz :sad2:

[KathyRN137]

Buzz,

I led an incomplete life before this day.

Seeing the gritty visual image that confirms your personal courage, manly strength, and dauntless ability to endure the agony of repeated foot trauma has truly enriched me both as a person and a trip report author.

I thank you.

Your humble admirer,

Kathy

[Goofster57]

Buzz,

I led an incomplete life before this day.

Seeing the gritty visual image that confirms your personal courage, manly strength, and dauntless ability to endure the agony of repeated foot trauma has truly enriched me both as a person and a trip report author.

I thank you.

Your humble admirer,

Kathy

Haven't had your coffee :surfweb: yet have you Kathy

[Montana Disney Fan]

Haven't had your coffee :surfweb: yet have you Kathy


:rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:

Sorry Kathy, but I'm excited. Yesterday I made ALL my Priority Seating arrangements for our upcoming trip in October. I'm in full Vacation Mode now and completely worthless at work.

Next I'm going to post a picture of a mosquito bite on my leg that looks a lot like Hilary Clinton. pirate:

[estherhead]

I've held out on commenting on the whole toe thing. And I have absoultely no problems of pics of feet (as can be seen on my pre-trippie with cute baby toes.) But common on. Ewwww!!!! If only there was blood seeping through the Band-Aid. That seriously would have made my morning.

This will now be haunting me. If only it had been just a threat...

[blue_river]

Haven't had your coffee :surfweb: yet have you Kathy

:rotfl2:

I think she needs more than coffee!

[estherhead]

:rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:


Next I'm going to post a picture of a mosquito bite on my leg that looks a lot like Hilary Clinton. pirate:

You aren't going to post that photo here, right? :scared1: You're gonna post it on your OWN pre-trippie.:thumbsup2

Poor Hillary. One indecency after another.

[KathyRN137]

:rotfl2: :lmao: :rotfl2:

Sorry Kathy, but I'm excited. Yesterday I made ALL my Priority Seating arrangements for our upcoming trip in October. I'm in full Vacation Mode now and completely worthless at work.

Next I'm going to post a picture of a mosquito bite on my leg that looks a lot like Hilary Clinton. pirate:



I will forgive you this once because you are in the throes of Disney trip-planning mania. :hyper:

As for the Hilary picture, I'm sure you could do better posting it on e-bay....

Or better yet, how about starting your own pre-trippie, hmmmm? Just be sure to print spoiler warnings well in advance of any future toe-pix for those of us who eat and DIS at the same time. :crazy2:

(Oh, and Woo-Hooty on the ADRs!!)

Kathy

[blue_river]

Or better yet, how about starting your own pre-trippie, hmmmm? Just be sure to print spoiler warnings well in advance of any future toe-pix for those of us who eat and DIS at the same time. :crazy2:

:rotfl:

I need some breakfast.....ack....it's already past noon! :headache:

[Marion]

Personally, my life will not be complete til I see a photo of the 4 geeky/manly jibbitz.

PS: superb bandage job.

[Montana Disney Fan]

Personally, my life will not be complete til I see a photo of the 4 geeky/manly jibbitz.

I'll work on that request this evening. I've also got some old underwear I could pose in if you asked really polite-like. :rotfl2:

[blue_river]

I'll work on that request this evening. I've also got some old underwear I could pose in if you asked really polite-like. :rotfl2:

Uh oh

Don't be scaring them away Buzz :rolleyes1

[jcc0621]

Just let me know when/if you want the software.

Who let Buzz Buzz post that picture:sick: :sick: :sick:

[Linnie The Pooh]

Just let me know when/if you want the software.

Who let Buzz Buzz post that picture:sick: :sick: :sick:

That was nothing-you should've seen it in real life!! :scared:

He made me put the first bandage on it. It was disgusting. I take care of my own owies, I thought he could do the same. Apparently, I was wrong. :headache:

[Montana Disney Fan]

Personally, my life will not be complete til I see a photo of the 4 geeky/manly jibbitz.

PS: superb bandage job.


You Ask... I deliver...

http://www.buzzmills.com/IMGP1508.jpg
Left foot: Skull & Crossbones - Buzz Lightyear

http://www.buzzmills.com/IMGP1509.jpg
Right foot: Pirate Flag - Stitch

http://www.buzzmills.com/IMGP1510.jpg
Buzz: The "Jethro" from Montana. This is how I normally look :banana:

[jcc0621]

That was nothing-you should've seen it in real life!! :scared:

He made me put the first bandage on it. It was disgusting. I take care of my own owies, I thought he could do the same. Apparently, I was wrong. :headache:

Why would be different than any other man:confused3

[blue_river]

That was nothing-you should've seen it in real life!! :scared:

He made me put the first bandage on it. It was disgusting. I take care of my own owies, I thought he could do the same. Apparently, I was wrong. :headache:

Is this before or after you were out cutting the grass, making repairs to the house or putting together a barbecue? :sad2:

[blue_river]

You Ask... I deliver...

Cool Jibbitz!!! :thumbsup2


http://www.buzzmills.com/IMGP1510.jpg
Buzz: The "Jethro" from Montana. This is how I normally look :banana:

:rotfl2:

Are those your famous "stretchy" shorts?

[KathyRN137]

:eek: :confused3 :rolleyes2 :faint:

My profound apologies to those of you unsuspecting readers who were inadvertantly subjected to the questionable humor of our somewhat deranged friend from Montana....

jcc0621: I hope this doesn't count as a parole violation for him...:scratchin

Marion: Thanks, that's just what this report needs....more footography! :rolleyes:

estherhead: If you think you can take it, try pulling up his last completed TR, "The Man Report." It is a masterpiece of modern photojournalism. (And you will get all the backstory on the toe.)

Halloweenqueen: Shhh! :ssst: Not so loud! (I already ordered some!!)

mrsfamily, praisehisname, & SwansLoveDisney: Never fear, girls, the Chronicles of the Crocs are far from over....:thumbsup2 Tune in next time when our heroine discovers Croc socks and jibbitz!

Blue: I am not touching that line about the old underwear; not for all the tea in China!!

Goofster: It' time to de-activate your twin!

MDF: Keep it up! You won't be laughing when I get you in a toe-hold! And I'm sure Linnie will back me up....

and Linnie: My condolences, hon.

And now, we return to our regularly scheduled trip report..... whew!!


Kathy

[Montana Disney Fan]

Cool Jibbitz!!! :thumbsup2


:rotfl2:

Are those your famous "stretchy" shorts?

Yes! Yes! Good job Blue!!! :cool1: I didn't think anyone would notice.

I'm going for a record. I've worn the famous "stretchy" shorts now every single day since we got home from WDW last March. As soon as I get home from work, on go the "stretchy" shorts. :hug: I love them.

Linnie almost fell over taking that picture she was laughing so hard. She loves it when I pull those shorts way up. She also thought the Crocs w/ sox was over the top. I'm in full "geek" mode but in a great mood cuz WDW is only 67 days away.

:banana:

[Goofster57]

http://www.buzzmills.com/IMGP1510.jpg
Buzz: The "Jethro" from Montana. This is how I normally look


Do to circumstance beyond my control (see picture above) it has become necessary for me to start accepting applications for the position of Wonder Twin....


Buzz your are the MAN :rotfl:

Linnie, I thought my better half put up with a lot...you and her need to form a support group. ;)

[Linnie The Pooh]

jcc0621-you're right-I lost my sense for a minute there! Men can be such babies. I hope MDF's boy turns out strong like his mom. :thumbsup2

blue-it was after! :rotfl:

Kathy, thank you for the sympathy. I appreciate that. I live with these antics everyday. :sad2:

And I do enjoy your reports. I see the planning report is taking a back seat right now, thanks to MDF. This was an odd side trip to say the least. I do love it when he pulls his shorts way up though. That always makes me laugh. The glasses sideways kill me too. Trey just came up behind me, wrapped his arms around my neck, hugged me and said, "There we go." I love those sweet moments. He's having the best summer of his life-he's making so much progress. I hope Billy is doing well too! Trey has never been happier in his life than he is right now. I just hope it continues.

Good luck with fending off MDF in your PTR-as you can tell, him with a camera is NOT a good thing!

[blue_river]

Yes! Yes! Good job Blue!!! :cool1: I didn't think anyone would notice.

I don't miss much ;)

I'm going for a record. I've worn the famous "stretchy" shorts now every single day since we got home from WDW last March. As soon as I get home from work, on go the "stretchy" shorts. :hug: I love them.

:eek: :sick:

Linnie almost fell over taking that picture she was laughing so hard. She loves it when I pull those shorts way up. She also thought the Crocs w/ sox was over the top. I'm in full "geek" mode but in a great mood cuz WDW is only 67 days away.

:rotfl: I bet she did!!

Woohoo for your 67 day count :cheer2:

Linnie, I thought my better half put up with a lot...you and her need to form a support group.

Can I join this support group???? :rolleyes1

[blue_river]

Trey just came up behind me, wrapped his arms around my neck, hugged me and said, "There we go." I love those sweet moments. He's having the best summer of his life-he's making so much progress.

:hug:

I love hearing this stuff.

[Linnie The Pooh]

:hug:

I love hearing this stuff.

Thanks! :hug: It's been such a good summer. I almost hate for it to end.

I think we should start up that support group. When Buzz played online games for years at a time, I wanted to start one up for the "widows of the online gaming world," however that didn't take. Maybe Goof's idea would-I know I'm all for it.

Loud Girl just saw the picture of her dad. I scrolled down, away from it, :scared: in a hurry. She said, "Wait a minute-let me see that picture again. So I went back up and she said, "Look at Dad all staring at his computer. Why's he doing that?"

Loaded question if I've ever heard one. Why is he doing that? My answer, "I dunno. He's weird." After some giggling, she agreed with me. :banana:

[blue_river]

Thanks! :hug: It's been such a good summer. I almost hate for it to end.

Hopefully, things will continue the same :goodvibes

Loaded question if I've ever heard one. Why is he doing that? My answer, "I dunno. He's weird." After some giggling, she agreed with me. :banana:

:rotfl:

[KathyRN137]

Well, the Crocks went back and the Baggallini has yet to arrive, so I’ll just fill you in on what else has been happening around the KathyRN home, particularly our latest adventures in autism. Unlike Buzz and Linnie, we've been having some issues with our boy....


Pre-Trip #14: Molar Madness


Teething is a miserable experience. I don’t know if it’s worse for the baby or for the parents. There’s the crying, the fussiness, the diaper rash. (And that’s just dad!) But seriously, if you’ve ever raised a child, you know that everyone in the house suffers when little ones are cutting their first teeth.

This past week, I really missed those days. Yup. Missed ‘em like crazy. It’s been a long time since I had to deal with teething issues; my kids, as you know, are eleven and nine. When I look back on it, it really wasn’t that bad. It was the babies who really had it rough. Imagine being so small and having those aching little gums; and not being able to understand that they wouldn’t hurt forever, just temporarily until the teeth broke through! :sad1: As for me, all I really lost was a few weeks of sleep and the price of a couple of bottles of baby Tylenol.

This past few weeks, as Billy parted with not one, but two of those baby teeth, I nearly lost my mind! I do believe the coming out was worse than the coming in.

I think that in the past I’ve touched a bit on how, like many autistic children, he can be very rigid and uncompromising; he interprets the world in very concrete way. He does not like change, especially when it comes to how things look and feel physically. For example, I have a very difficult time with him if I want to put my hair up in a ponytail. He doesn’t like Mommy looking different!

“Take off your hair. Take off your hair. Take off your hair….” He will say it over and over, literally a hundred times until the ponytail comes out and Mommy looks like Mommy again. Then, he’s happy and relaxed again.

Another example: Ed had to have emergency laprascopic surgery during the first week of July to remove his gallbladder. (He’s okay now, thanks!) Billy freaked out when he eventually caught site of the tiny incisions, covered with steri-strips, on Daddy’s tummy: “Take them off. Take them off. Take them off….”

Well, I can take my hair out of a ponytail, no problem, but Daddy’s little bandages have to stay! Billy has a ritual now that he performs repeatedly: he holds up his own shirt, looks at his own tummy, then he points to Ed’s. “Look at your body? Look at your body?” He will not let Ed rest until he lifts up his shirt. “There. There. There. There.” He points to the incision sites. “Go to hospital, take them off! Take them off, Daddy!” He obsesses to the point where he cannot let it go. I will be so happy when those darn things finally fall off!

Well, that brings us back to the teeth. :teeth: The very bothersome, wiggly teeth. The same teeth that 8 ½ years ago, seemed to cause so much difficulty coming in, were wreaking absolute havoc with Billy now that they were coming out. Wiggly teeth feel different. Wiggly teeth must be eliminated. So, naturally, Billy did everything he could to hurry them along….his fingers were constantly in his mouth as he tried to “take them out”. He would even grab my hand and try to put it in his mouth saying…”take them out, Mommy!”

Of course, they just needed to take their time. Molars take a little longer to come out that the front teeth. But just like you cannot explain to an infant that his teething pain will soon be over, you cannot explain to an autistic nine year-old that his loose teeth will soon come out on their own. So in the meantime, Billy’s stress level shot up and it showed in his behavior. He started acting out and got into lots of mischief during the past week….he had quite a few brand-new adventures in autism! After a few of these, I realized that I couldn’t let him out of my sight for a single moment! I felt like I had a three year-old all over again….


**He took a pair of scissors out of the kitchen drawer, sat down and proceeded to give crew cuts to his Ernie and Bert puppets. :eek:

**He came across one of his sister’s stuffed bears and decided that she wanted to go swimming…..in the toilet bowl. :eek:

**Scripting a portion of one of his Clifford the Big, Red Dog DVDs, he practiced “giving your dog a treat” in his usual repetative way. Happy to cooperate with this exercise, Aimee dutifully ate the twenty-or-so Milk-Bones he gave her, and then promptly threw up on my living room carpet. :eek:

**He figured out how to order movies-on-demand using the remote control. About $35 worth of movies-on-demand. Ed, not wanting to put in a parental-control code that he would easily forget, chose 1-2-3-4-5 and figured that that would be the end of that. Next day, guess who’s watching Charlotte's Web on demand? Yep, Billy just pressed the buttons and randomly figured out the code! (And racked up another $25 in movies.) Luckily, the cable company was sympathetic and waived the charges when they heard the story. :eek:

**He made a hole in the edge of his comforter one night and pulled out a large amount of the stuffing and chewed on it. :eek:

**After watching an episode of Rugrats, he decided that his Curious George monkey was “Tommy” and needed to wear a diaper, so he asked me for one. I gave him a pull-up and thought, “that’s great; he’s playing appropriately.” :) I even showed him how to “diaper the baby.” Or so I thought. Next thing I knew, he had taken the baby powder from the bathroom, brought it upstairs, and emptied the entire bottle of powder onto George’s bottom. And all over himself, his bed, his toys…. :eek:


Now, none of these incidents, in themselves, was particularly horrible. Kids do stuff like this all the time. Perhaps not nine year-old kids, but for the most part, there was nothing that a little soap and water, a needle and thread, or a phone call to Comcast couldn’t fix. It was just that they were coming one on top of the other in an unusual wave of remarkable naughtiness.


But the worst one, the scariest one, the one that shocked me the most because he never, ever had done anything like it before: he almost burned down the house. :scared:


It had been a hot, humid day and I had done just about all the laundry that I was going to do. Enough! It was time to take the kids to the pool so they could burn off a little energy before dinnertime and I could sit in the shade and relax with a magazine. Ed was away at a training class, so there was no rush to get back to cook a big meal...it would be pizza that night!

We changed into our bathing suits and I filled a tote bag with the beach towels, sunscreen, water bottles, etc., that we would need for a couple of hours at the pool. Grabbed the bag, the kids, the cell phone, the keys and was headed out the front door.

“Oh, wait a second, kids, I just want to grab a magazine.”

Thank God I went back. :worship:

I reached down into the basket where we keep all the magazines that come in and I noticed a strange smell. Funny, it smelled like an iron. But I hadn’t been ironing that day!

Then, I saw it. Ed’s travel iron; plugged in and turned on. Steadily burning a triangular wedge into the living room carpet. :scared1:

I snatched it up quickly and examined the burn, the realization of what might have happened slowly sweeping over me. We would have been gone for a couple of hours, at least. Surely, there would have been a fire with untold smoke and water damage to the house. Aimee would have no way to get out and would probably have been killed by the smoke. I sat down, weakly, a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. :faint:

I looked around. When Ed was packing for his trip, he had hastily thrown some of the travel items he had not needed into a pile and left in on the table. The travel iron must have been one of them. But, it had been inside a zippered case! When did this happen? I must have been just as I was running around getting things ready for the pool. I was dumbfounded.

“Mo-om! Are we going?” Tricia called impatiently from the van. I marched them both back inside, my legs still trembling. “Tricia, did you plug in this iron? Were you ironing doll clothes or something?” Her eyes grew large and her answer was an unequivocal “No.” I turned to Billy, who was humming and spinning in a circle.

“Billy, come here.” He came, smiling up at me and laughing.

I held up the iron. “Did you plug this into the wall?” He chuckled all the louder. “Me!” he replied. “Yes!”

Well, he’s truthful, I’ll admit. He may do some inexplicable things, but he has never fibbed to me, ever. Nevertheless, he got a resounding swat on the seat of his pants and we stayed home from the pool. (Tricia and I were both too shaken up to go, anyway.) Tricia was especially upset thinking that Aimee could have died. After we had calmed down a bit and Billy had spent a sufficient amount of time in the “Time Out Corner”, I pulled out some of his handouts from school :teacher: about fire safety and we went over the dangers of playing with electric outlets.

Afterwards, he kept going over to the burned spot on the carpet and touching it. “Hot-hot, make a fire,” he repeated over and over as he continued to worry the loose teeth with his fingers. Billy is very fearful of candles, matches, and any sort of fire. Hopefully, some of the lesson sunk in. :sad2: I knew that he realized that he had upset me because he kept cupping my face in his hands and saying, "Mommy...is happy! Mommy is happy!"

Yes, Billly. Mommy is happy; happy that a guardian angel was watching out for our family that day. :angel:

Two nights ago, the first wiggly tooth finally came out. Yikes! That was a big tooth! Ed examined it and said, “are you sure that’s a baby tooth?” Sure enough, we looked at the empty space and another tooth was peeking through. And last night, just as he was brushing his teeth and getting ready for bed, the other one finally popped out.

“Hurray!” he shouted. “No more wiggly tooth!”

Boy, you can say that again!

Hopefully this means we’ll get back to normal around here. Well, you know, normal is really such a relative term….

Having stacks and stacks of DVDs all over the house suddenly doesn’t seem so bad. :rolleyes:

I need a vacation.

Disney, take me away!!


Kathy

[Goofster57]

A well deserved :hug: for you.

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Kathy,

I am glad for you that your house is still standing and you are still standing. I understand some of what you talk about. You know Alex has PDD so we have some things that are the same but Billy is on a different level than Alex is.
Alex's new thing is that if he doesn't get his way, he says he will get up at 4:30am and run away while we are asleep. Can you imagine my panic? I can't usually sleep on a night he says that and then trying to lock the house so he can't get out incase he really does try. Yikes!:eek:

Well, hopefully all these things happened at once and you can have some peace and "quiet". At least our version of quiet.

[Linnie The Pooh]

Oh, a big hug for you Kathy. :hug:

Actually, we are having issues with our boy, we are never issue-free, but he's making good progress socially and is really happy right now. More progress than he's ever made, actually. And other people are seeing it-not just us. That's why we're so excited. But the issues are always there. The positives just outweight the negatives. For once. I'm just happy Trey is so happy this year. I know it won't last. It never does. We'll see what happens when school starts-he hates school. He's so happy right now b/c he is home all day. :cool1:

Buzz and I were talking last night about how this summer he hasn't really gotten into too much trouble and last summer we were frantically worried that he would be uncontrollable in a few years once he gets bigger-that we wouldn't be able to manage him. He had such a hard time last year and was so angry, throwing, kicking, hitting, being destructive etc. I was leaving my mom's and he wouldn't get in the car. He weighs about 65 pounds and I'll admit, I'm a very strong woman physically and can easily lift that much. However, Trey is solid as a rock and I could barely get him in the car as he was fighting me really hard. Even my mom said it probably wouldn't be too long and we wouldn't be able to handle him. It was ugly. Sigh... Such a hard summer.

So this summer, it's such a difference from last year that we are just riding this high. We still have many miles to go. If we ever get there at all. That's up to God. After last year, I thought that if Trey's happy, hey, that's enough for me. He is even playing with his toys again. All last school year, he wouldn't play, didn't do anything but mope around the house, wandering around-never engaging in anything.

Last summer, he did plug up all 4 of our toilets taking his toys swimming. Why do they do that???!!! He plugged 3 the first day so I called Roto Rooter and it cost $300, which I'm told was a bargain b/c they unplugged them without having to take the toilets off. The guy asked how old my son was-about 18 mos? Uh no, about 7 years. The next day, he decided to go 4 for 4 and plugged up the other one. I bought an auger and snaked it myself. I couldn't bring myself to pay a plumber the very next day... However, I pushed the toy further into the drain (didn't see that happening) and was on pins & needles until I knew it didn't get lodged in a pipe somewhere....We had to keep the bathroom doors locked all the time until we could trust him again, which is hard when you're trying to teach bathroom independence... :sad2:

I'm glad your husband is ok. Hopefully he'll heal quickly. That is so scary about the iron. I'm sooo glad you went back in and found it. What a tragedy that would've been. We've had a great summer so far, but as I learned last year, that can change in the blink of an eye. I think we're all just so relieved that this summer is not as stressful as last year that it elevates our already happy, goofy moods. I'm hoping things turn around for you soon. :hug:

[mvazul]

Kathy,

I want to thank you so much for allowing us into your lives. There was definitely someone watching over you that day. I'm glad Billy's teeth finally came out so your household can get back to normal. I know you say normal is relative and I agree. Honestly, I have never thought normal existed - just different levels of normal for each individul family.

I hope the remaining teeth don't give you and Billy as much trouble coming out. :hug:

[jcc0621]

Thanks Goodness you "forgot" that one thing!:grouphug:

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Kathy! I can sooooo relate to the wiggly tooth issue. Alex lost his first two teeth last October and hated when they were wiggly. Now he has 4 loose teeth at the same time. :eek: Luckily we haven't seen too much bad behavior, but he has definitely had his moments lately. He used to bolt away from us all the time - almost got run over by a car at Walmart once. :scared1: He is 6 now and hasn't done that in a while so everyone has let their guard down. Last week at camp he ran away from the group twice. And yesterday he ran toward the car when I was picking him up. :scared1: His assistant at camp (who knows him well because she was the classroom assistant in his kindergarten class last year) agreed that this is unusual behavior. I don't know if you have ever done the gluten free diet, if not I'm sure you know about it. For those who don't, many kids with autism can't properly digest the proteins gluten (in wheat) or casein (in dairy products) and it can cause negative behaviors. :crazy2: Alex hasn't eaten gluten or dairy for two years and we have seen huge improvements in his behavior. Hopefully he can off the diet very soon. Anyway - Alex is acting like he has eaten something he shouldn't have lately! I hope they all fall out before Disney!!

Glad to hear Billy's teeth have finally worked their way out. :thumbsup2 Now maybe you can enjoy the rest of the summer! Amy

[MRYPPNS]

That was one magical magazine! Losing my dogs in a house fire has always been one of my greatest fears, I'm glad everything turned out OK in the end.
Thanks for sharing.

[Marion]

You Ask... I deliver...
Left foot: Skull & Crossbones - Buzz Lightyear
Right foot: Pirate Flag - Stitch

Those look VERY geeky/manly ::yes:: :thumbsup2 I shall have to convince my DH that Crocs are, indeed, the way to go!

http://www.buzzmills.com/IMGP1510.jpg
Buzz: The "Jethro" from Montana. This is how I normally look :banana:

:hippie: Oh, and just for the record, I think we'd best forget the underwear photos... we wouldn't want to get this report closed down and Kathy would never forgive us! pirate:

[Marion]

Good grief woman! I'll just shut up complaining about my heatwave and wall to wall babies! You really do need a vacation... wonder if Calgon makes a Disney flavour? :wizard:

:grouphug: I hope things settle down now!

**He took a pair of scissors out of the kitchen drawer, sat down and proceeded to give crew cuts to his Ernie and Bert puppets. :eek:

**He came across one of his sister’s stuffed bears and decided that she wanted to go swimming…..in the toilet bowl. :eek:

**Scripting a portion of one of his Clifford the Big, Red Dog DVDs, he practiced “giving your dog a treat” in his usual repetative way. Happy to cooperate with this exercise, Aimee dutifully ate the twenty-or-so Milk-Bones he gave her, and then promptly threw up on my living room carpet. :eek:

**He figured out how to order movies-on-demand using the remote control. About $35 worth of movies-on-demand. Ed, not wanting to put in a parental-control code that he would easily forget, chose 1-2-3-4-5 and figured that that would be the end of that. Next day, guess who’s watching Charlotte's Web on demand? Yep, Billy just pressed the buttons and randomly figured out the code! (And racked up another $25 in movies.) Luckily, the cable company was sympathetic and waived the charges when they heard the story. :eek:

**He made a hole in the edge of his comforter one night and pulled out a large amount of the stuffing and chewed on it. :eek:

**After watching an episode of Rugrats, he decided that his Curious George monkey was “Tommy” and needed to wear a diaper, so he asked me for one. I gave him a pull-up and thought, “that’s great; he’s playing appropriately.” :) I even showed him how to “diaper the baby.” Or so I thought. Next thing I knew, he had taken the baby powder from the bathroom, brought it upstairs, and emptied the entire bottle of powder onto George’s bottom. And all over himself, his bed, his toys…. :eek:


Now, none of these incidents, in themselves, was particularly horrible. Kids do stuff like this all the time. Perhaps not nine year-old kids, but for the most part, there was nothing that a little soap and water, a needle and thread, or a phone call to Comcast couldn’t fix. It was just that they were coming one on top of the other in an unusual wave of remarkable naughtiness.


But the worst one, the scariest one, the one that shocked me the most because he never, ever had done anything like it before: he almost burned down the house. :scared:

Two nights ago, the first wiggly tooth finally came out. Yikes! That was a big tooth! Ed examined it and said, “are you sure that’s a baby tooth?” Sure enough, we looked at the empty space and another tooth was peeking through. And last night, just as he was brushing his teeth and getting ready for bed, the other one finally popped out.

“Hurray!” he shouted. “No more wiggly tooth!”I need a vacation.

Disney, take me away!!

[myrsfmly]

Kathy,
Holy Cow! Thank God you had to go back in the house! How horrifying that could have been!

:love:

[SwansLoveDisney]

THANK GOODNESS you went back in the house!

How scary...I can't even imagine.

Did the tooth fairy come?

[blue_river]

But the worst one, the scariest one, the one that shocked me the most because he never, ever had done anything like it before: he almost burned down the house. :scared:

OMGosh Kathy :scared1:

I'm happy to hear everything turned out okay :grouphug:

We had a fire last week also. DH used a damaged extension cord for the pool pump and the cord caught on fire at the spot where the cord was wrapped in black electrical tape. Luckily, my neighbour heard the sparking and saw the flames and came running over to tell me :eek:

I need a vacation.

::yes:: You'll be there soon :wizard:

[praisehisname]

Wow! I went from giggling at some of Billy's antics to chills and almost tears reading about the iron. You and your house were definitely being protected that day! I'm glad everything is OK and Billy's teeth are not bothering him anymore.

Denise

[KathyRN137]

My sincerest thanks to all who posted in response to our near-disaster. Your expressions of support and concern are so deeply appreciated. Thanks so much for letting me share; you're all a great bunch! :grouphug:

Goofster57
DisneyMomFanatic
Linnie The Pooh
Marion
MVAZUL
JCC0621
DisMomAmy
blue river
MRYPPNS
Myrsfmly
SwansLoveDisney
praisehisname

.....and all those who choose to be lurkers, but still said a prayer of thanks for our family! :angel:


Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

Kathy:hug: , I just got home and read your latest installment. I am glad to hear Ed is ok, thank goodness you went back into the house, and I am so happy those teeth are out. You are definately in need of a vacation. I hope things go back to the way Billy likes them and things calm down. How long until Ed gets those steri-strips off?

[KathyRN137]

Hey there! Welcome back! You just missed my big attitude of gratitude post by about 10 minutes!

Thanks, I would like to say that things are settling down for Billy, but he got in trouble again today while I was making dinner. He got into some of Tricia's flavored lip balms and smeared the 7 UP and Dr. Pepper flavors all over himself.

He made a mess, but at least he smelled good!

His sister was not amused. :mad:

The doctor just told Ed to keep the steri-strips on until they fell off naturally, but those things are stuck like glue! I may need to help them along. :rolleyes1

Kathy

[blue_river]

Thanks, I would like to say that things are settling down for Billy, but he got in trouble again today while I was making dinner. He got into some of Tricia's flavored lip balms and smeared the 7 UP and Dr. Pepper flavors all over himself.

He made a mess, but at least he smelled good!

His sister was not amused. :mad:




I'm glad to hear things are settling down :goodvibes

I guess he liked the smell of the lip balms :laughing:

[Montana Disney Fan]

Thanks, I would like to say that things are settling down for Billy, but he got in trouble again today while I was making dinner. He got into some of Tricia's flavored lip balms and smeared the 7 UP and Dr. Pepper flavors all over himself.

He made a mess, but at least he smelled good!


Kathy

I often have Linnie smear Vanilla lip balm all over her body... OOPS!!! This is a family web site isn't it?!?! My bad.

:banana:

[Linnie The Pooh]

I often have Linnie smear Vanilla lip balm all over her body... :banana:

:scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:

Now that is a scary thought.

That Buzz, can't live with him... uh... 'nuff said.

[Goofster57]

I often have Linnie smear Vanilla lip balm all over her body... OOPS!!! This is a family web site isn't it?!?! My bad.
:banana:

Is that so you can get your stretchy shorts on? :rotfl2:

[Montana Disney Fan]

Is that so you can get your stretchy shorts on? :rotfl2:


HER body... HER body!! Sheesh!! :sad2:

[blue_river]

HER body... HER body!! Sheesh!! :sad2:

:rotfl2:

[blue_river]

Is that so you can get your stretchy shorts on? :rotfl2:

Maybe she likes to wear them :confused3

(Sorry Linnie...I just couldn't resist :laughing: )

[KathyRN137]

I dunno; I lost control of the steering wheel somewhere back on page eight.....:rolleyes1

Kathy

[Montana Disney Fan]

I dunno; I lost control of the steering wheel somewhere back on page eight.....:rolleyes1

Kathy


:rotfl2:

[blue_river]

I dunno; I lost control of the steering wheel somewhere back on page eight.....:rolleyes1

Kathy

Like I said before,

don't fight it

embrace it :teeth:

[jcc0621]

I dunno; I lost control of the steering wheel somewhere back on page eight.....:rolleyes1

Kathy

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Marion]

I dunno; I lost control of the steering wheel somewhere back on page eight.....:rolleyes1

Kathy

::yes:: That you did... herding cats would be easier than controlling this crowd! :teeth:

[mrsksomeday]

I dunno; I lost control of the steering wheel somewhere back on page eight.....:rolleyes1

Kathy

:rotfl: Yes, it seems like you did. I have a question and I will probably get smacked for this. Is there a trip report associated with the "stretchy shorts"?

[Goofster57]

Is there a trip report associated with the "stretchy shorts"?


you are one brave soul

[mrsksomeday]

you are one brave soul

OH, I am regretting asking already. :scared: For some odd reason though, I really want to know.

[myrsfmly]

I dunno; I lost control of the steering wheel somewhere back on page eight.....:rolleyes1

Kathy

Control is an Illusion!!! :eek: :rotfl:

[KathyRN137]

OH, I am regretting asking already. :scared: For some odd reason though, I really want to know.


Well, you asked for it!!

This one was his latest gift to DIS-society..... Enjoy!

The Man Report

Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

Well, you asked for it!!

This one was his latest gift to DIS-society..... Enjoy!

The Man Report

Kathy

TY Kathy, I will start reading right now while I am on hold with Disney. Hearing "A Whole New World" in my ear right now, lol.

[KathyRN137]

Yeah, well that is so appropriate....you're entering into Buzzworld! :banana:

Kathy

[Marion]

I'm going to have to go reread that... I don't remember the shorts....

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip #13

Goldilocks and the Three Bags


Once upon a time, in a far off land called New Jersey, there was a little girl who longed to visit a magical kingdom that had recently been built in Florida. The girl had pale skin and lovely golden hair, so her mother called her Goldilocks. She had been born into a family of modest means, and eventually had five sisters to play with. Her parents often talked about their dream: someday they would bring their many children to visit the magical kingdom. But, alas, it remained only a dream. :sad1:

The girl grew to be a woman and she married a man who had actually been to the far-off kingdom. He told her many tales of the wondrous things he had seen there and vowed that she would one day visit this enchanted place with him. True to his vow, the man triumphed over many obstacles and one day brought his wife and children to the kingdom of her dreams. :cloud9: She instantly fell in love with magical kingdom, also known as Walt Disney World, and she set her heart on returning with her family as often as she could.

By this time, the woman’s hair was no longer quite as golden; it had mellowed into a rather dark, neutral blonde. She had even begun to notice a few scattered gray hairs, most likely brought on by the youngest of the aforementioned children. However, for the sake of continuity and the author’s penchant for metaphor, we will continue to call her Goldilocks.

Now being that Goldilocks was a woman, and a mommy at that, she of course needed a large bag to carry all of her theme-park-touring necessities when the family traveled to the World of Disney. These included, but were not limited to:


Cell phone
Small travel wallet (with all but the necessary cards removed)
Laminated index card with touring itinerary and ADR conf. #s.
Pen / small travel journal
Park maps / Times Guides
Camera / extra memory card
Change of clothes for her DS, Billy (in gallon-sized zip-lock)
Goldfish crackers for Billy (in quart-sized zip-lock)
Chewy tubes for Billy
Ear plugs for Billy
Rain ponchos
Sweatshirt if weather is likely to turn cooler
Small flashlight (evening)
Glow necklaces / bracelets (evening)
Sunglasses / case
Sunscreen spray and sport stick
Small first aid kit:
*Band-aides, antibiotic ointment, Advil, children’s Tylenol, Tums, Immodium
Feminine hygiene supplies
Wet wipes
Liquid hand sanitizer
Tissues
Hand towel
Zip-lock bags
Extra backs for Disney pins
Hard candies / mints
Lip balm
Change




Fortunately for Goldilocks, the man she had married believed that carrying an even larger pack was one of his many duties as the alpha-male in the family. :cool2: And so, he could usually be counted upon to voluntarily pack the more bulky items, such as his wife’s sweatshirt or any bags containing changes of children’s clothing, in his own backpack.

Her daughter princess: , who had also been born with lovely golden locks, further lightened the load by carrying her own rain poncho, sweatshirt, water bottle, and cell phone in a small backpack. Goldilocks’ autistic son, however, :earboy2: was not able to tolerate the feeling of pressure on his back and shoulders for extended periods of time…..and his tummy was much too round to accommodate a fanny pack around the waist! Therefore, his supplies were split between his mother and his father’s packs.

Goldilocks needed just the right bag to take with her to Walt Disney World, one that was large enough to hold everything she needed, but compact enough to fit easily under her seat or on the floor between her feet on the rides. A bag that was not only kept all of her mommy-stuff organized and neat, but that would be comfortable to wear.

Often Goldilocks found herself wistfully remembering the children’s baby stroller with multiple cup holders and large basket underneath. It almost seemed worth the effort of changing a few dirty diapers to reclaim all that glorious cargo space! But, the children had long since grown much too large for a stroller, so all of the family’s gear would need to be carried. :rolleyes:

And so, for their first WDW trip ever, Goldilocks bought herself a small backpack at the local sporting goods store.



http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP1084.jpg


It seemed comfortable and compact enough, but it was a bit of a pain having to frequently take it on and off her back throughout the day. And for all its nifty zippers and pockets, after using it for a second trip she came to the conclusion that the bag was not right; it was just too small.

But, it was the perfect size for her daughter! :banana: So, she gave the bag to young Goldi and it has been the girl’s official WDW bag ever since.

For their third trip, our heroine chose an ergonomically designed microfiber shoulder bag from L.L.Bean:



http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP1082.jpg



It turned out to be a bit roomier than the little backpack and was much easier to slip on and off when getting in and out of the rides. In fact, it was much too easy. The bag had a bad habit of slipping off her shoulder constantly, and she spent a lot of energy hiking it back into place. This second bag wasn’t right either; it was too slippery.

Undaunted, she picked out a non-traditional teardrop-shaped bag next. This backpack was worn on one shoulder and was rather like a cross between her first bag and the last.



http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP1079.jpg


This third bag had plenty of room and stayed put when she carried it on her shoulder. It had additional inner compartments, a net bag on the outside to carry a water bottle, and even a special padded pocket for sunglasses. The backside of the pack was firm, but well-padded and comfortable.

So these were Goldilocks’ three bags:

The first bag had been too small.
The second bag had been too slippery.
But the third bag was just right!


Well, sort of... ;)

Despite its many wonderful qualities, the last bag was actually just a bit larger than Goldilocks would have liked. And the natural tendency when one carries a large bag is to fill it up unnecessarily. Why? Well, because you can, that’s why! And so the bag tended to get heavy and was not so easily stowed on rides.

Nevertheless, Goldilocks felt that she had finally found the right bag for her WDW travels, and was content. Content, that is, until she discovered the DISboards.

The more time that our heroine spent on the DISboards, the more she read about a special type of bag. It was the Baggallini, a wonderful bag that many DISers were using at WDW. The mere fact that so many Disney fans were singing the praises of the magical Baggallini made Goldilocks wonder. Could this be the perfect WDW bag that she had been searching for? Could this be the one that was just right?

She thought about it for a long time. There were, after all, so many other things that she was planning to purchase for the next trip. (See chapter 10: Dial-a-Croc.) But the more she read about the amazing bag, the more it captured her interest, and the less she could resist the desire to try it for herself. She decided that like many of her DIS-friends, she would order the bag at a discounted price from www.shoebuy.com And just to ensure the highest level of wonder-bag magic possible, she chose the official color of the DISboards: the ever fanciful, ever conspicuous Lime Green!

Goldilocks was more than pleased when the Baggallini arrived in the mail; she immediately pulled it out of its wrapper and stuffed it with a beach towel to fill up the empty space. Then she put it on over her head and adjusted the strap across her capacious body. This was the moment of truth. You see, Goldilocks had gained quite a bit of weight over the last ten years (too much heavily-sweetened porridge) and despite her enthusiasm about the well-hyped messenger bag, she was apprehensive about wearing anything that cut across the front of her now ample figure. pooh:

She tried the Baggallini over her right hip, the side on which she normally wore her shoulder bags. Hmmm. That didn’t feel quite right. She removed it and examined the tags. The model was pictured wearing the bag over her left hip, so Goldilocks did the same. When the straps were adjusted to where the bag felt comfortable, it fell neither squarely in the middle of her back, like a backpack, or over her left hip, like a shoulder bag would. It rested somewhere in between.

She walked around for a while, in order to get the feel of it. It felt comfortable enough, and it was the most DIS-y shade of lime you ever did see! ::yes:: It had a mesh pouch on the outside for a water bottle and a second pocket on the outside for a cell phone. The main compartment was one large storage area, but the front compartment consisted of seven individual pockets, some zippered. An additional zippered pocket was found on the backside of the bag. It seemed like there was a place for just about everything she would need at a theme park, without being too cumbersome. She retrieved her LGMH tags from the previous year and attached them to the new Baggallini….there!



http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP1085.jpg


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP1070.jpg




Goldilocks’ husband arrived home early that evening, tired after being away at a training class for the entire week. He barely acknowledged the bright lime-green bag that had been left strategically on the dining room table for him to joke about. :confused3

Later, after the kids were tucked into bed, she donned the bag once more and turned in front of a full-length mirror in the bathroom. She liked her new bag, but was not fully convinced that it was particularly flattering. :scratchin Thus preoccupied, she made the classic wife-husband error. She sought out her husband and turned around in front of him, modeling the Baggallini.

“So, what do you think? How does it look?” she asked.

“I think it would look a lot better without your clothes on.”


Well, I had to put at least one bear in this story, somewhere.


Kathy

[WDW Poly Princess]

Ooh, you have the exact same bag as me!

Avoid my pre-trip report if you don't want to see photos of said bag attacking me ;)

[tiggerbell]

“So, what do you think? How does it look?” she asked.

“I think it would look a lot better without your clothes on.”




:happytv: :lmao: :rotfl2: :happytv: :lmao: :rotfl2:



I want that bag so much, but I have 8 bazillion bags already... and that little Devil on my shoulder is now saying, "Come on, Kathy has one!!!!!!!!!!!!" :scared:

[DisMomAmy]

Kathy - I LOVE the bag!! :love: I might have to go get myself one right away!! You must have read my mind because I have been thinking about what I am going to carry around the parks this year. We can still do the stroller thing, especially with Zach (3) but we are renting from the parks this year instead of bringing our own. I always felt comfortable leaving our stuff in our stroller, but I'm not sure how I feel about leaving stuff in a rented stroller??? :confused: It seems too easy to lose your stroller. Even if we do end up leaving one bag in the stroller, I can carry the important stuff with me. Thanks for sharing!!:goodvibes Amy

[KathyRN137]

Looky what I got to go with the Baggallini!! :banana: :banana: :banana:


http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP1086-1.jpg




.....Now all I need are some Jibbitz!! :crazy:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP1138.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s261/kathyrn137_photos/IMGP1131.jpg


Kathy :)

[SwansLoveDisney]

You are going to be a vision in lime green!

[mrsksomeday]

YAY!!! You got your crocs. Soooo, how to you like them? I had to get used to them, but now I really like them. The baggallini is so cute. Bill has a black bag on the back of his wheelchair and I throw all our stuff in it, lol.

I really don't think he would let me put a lime green bag on the back of his wheelchair, but I do have a plan to DIS up his wheelchair :rotfl:. I am going to put lime green ribbon on the places that are ok to put the wheelchair restraints on. That way the bus drivers won't have to try to decide where to put them, it will make loading on the bus so much faster.

[KathyRN137]

Good morning, everyone! :wave:

I'll be away for a couple of days, so I will probably not be posting until Wednesday.

Taking the kids down the shore; but its supposed to rain later :umbrella: so I may just wind up hanging around with my sister and talking Disney until we're blue in the face!!! :hyper2:

Thanks for reading, and I'll be checking back in here as soon as our bags hit the floor.

Kathy

[myrsfmly]

Kathy,
I live near the shore, and am watching the rain you are heading towards! Wonder how close we are to each other..:confused3

[Marion]

“I think it would look a lot better without your clothes on.”

:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: Classic hubby line right there!

[Marion]

and that little Devil on my shoulder is now saying, "Come on, Kathy has one!!!!!!!!!!!!" :scared:

Kathy is being a Very Bad Influence on us ::yes::

PS: Kathy ...the shoes are SO tempting... how do these ones fit you now? And do you know if they sell Cayman in the parks/resorts or just Beach?

[Montana Disney Fan]

I guess we had to get back to "trip reporting" at some point. Oh well. :confused3

I suppose you already know this but at the World of Disney in DtD you can purchase Mickey Crocs where the holes are shaped like little Mickey heads instead of circles. Lin has a pair. She only wears them on special occasions. :rolleyes:

That bag is great. You even got your "handle" on there! :thumbsup2

[blue_river]

Love your bag and crocs :thumbsup2

Now you just need a lime green t-shirt ;)

Have fun at the beach :woohoo:

[Goofster57]

Being a bag guy myself I liked your analysis's of the different bags, Sorceresses will be looking to speak to you since I took a look at the web site you mentioned. :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

So I guess "What's Your Sign" or "What's A Women like you doing in a Place Like This" don't work anymore???:confused3

[KathyRN137]

WDW PolyPrincess: :welcome: Well, if my Baggallini gets out of line, I'll just have to sick the Crocs on it!

myrsfmly: We actually got to swim a little on Monday afternoon, and today it was hot and sticky, but no rain! :cool1: (Exit 98)

Marion: Yes, he's a classic alright! ;) And the Cayman style is great; except for the fact that I had to order a size up. :rolleyes:

Tiggerbell: I, too, have been a victim of Bag Envy! ::yes:: Its not pretty.

DisMomAmy: Tie a brightly-colored bandana around the handle of your stroller so it won't be taken by someone else. Just make sure you don't use red or navy blue! :eek:

SwansLoveDisney: I don't think I've ever worn anything that was lime green before! (Okay, maybe in the 80's, but that doesn't count!)

mrsksomeday: Helloooo! Are you back from Buzzland yet? That's a great idea about the ribbons on the wheelchair! :thumbsup2

MDF: I did see the Crocs with the Mickey portholes, Mr. Smarty-stretchypants, but you can't put jibbitz in those!! I need to accessor-ize! :banana: (Dancing banana added purely for your enjoyment.)

Goofster: Thankfully, Ed doesn't need a great line, he's already got my number! :love:

blue: Trust me, I'm working on the shirts.... :rolleyes1 Hey, shouldn't you be packing or something?!

Thanks for reading, everybody! Now I have to catch up on my reading!!

Kathy

[mrsksomeday]

mrsksomeday: Helloooo! Are you back from Buzzland yet? That's a great idea about the ribbons on the wheelchair! :thumbsup2


Well, I followed your link to "The Man Report" which led me to the other 2 MDF reports, so I had to read them in order to get the full effect.

I am on the last report, when I left off Linnie was going to the bathroom. :rotfl:. Sorry I had to say it, Linnie and MDF crack me up, thank you so much for the link!!!

Edited to add: Linnie I feel your pain, Imodium is my best friend ( sorry for the tmi).

[Linnie The Pooh]

Well, I followed your link to "The Man Report" which led me to the other 2 MDF reports, so I had to read them in order to get the full effect.

I am on the last report, when I left off Linnie was going to the bathroom. :rotfl:. Sorry I had to say it, Linnie and MDF crack me up, thank you so much for the link!!!

Edited to add: Linnie I feel your pain, Imodium is my best friend ( sorry for the tmi).

Thank you! I am on a very restricted diet now so have been doing very well. I eliminated: Bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. Eek, I know. But I've been feeling a ton better. It was hard to get used to at first, but I got so sick of feeling bad all the time I had to do something drastic. :eek: I hope I can continue the diet in WDW.

Kathy, you can put Jibbitz in Mickey-head Crocs! :banana: We have a store in our town that sells the Mickey Crocs (all sorts of Crocs actually) and I got a pair of gray ones with a pinkish/salmon strap. I got a Donald and a Daisy to start with for Jibbitz. Daisy matches my Crocs which is why I picked her, and if you pick Daisy, you gotta go with that rascal Donald.

Oddly enough, my Mickey Crocs match my EPCOT Food & Wine Festival t-shirt I got last fall (which just happens to be my fav. t-shirt!). I also have a pair of gold Crocs that are getting pretty beaten up. I got these Mickey ones to replace them, but I can't bear to get them dirty yet. ;) They're too pretty!

I love your lime green ones!! That is a GREAT color!! How fun!!

[Linnie The Pooh]

Since we're talking Crocs, I do have something else to say and of course, it's about MDF. Last year when I got my first pair (my gold ones), DD had to have a pair too and of all the colors, she chose light blue. We loved them and were so happy with them we wanted to take them to WDW. Buzz nixed that idea in a heartbeat. "Those things are so ugly-you ain't wearing them in WDW." He was emphatic. So sadly, I left them home.

This summer I got Trey a pair. He's very hard on shoes and went through 3 pairs of sandals last year. He got a pair of navy blue Crocs and so far, they're holding up well. I am hoping he will be the poster child for Crocs. "They hold up so well, even Moan Boy can't destroy them..." Anyway, Buzz finally grudgingly asked me to pick him up a pair, but was very specific about wanting black only. Nothing but black. So I got him black (Tempting, I know... pink ones would've looked so good on his feet) and the kids and I picked out some cool Jibbitz for Father's Day. He put them on and now he's hooked. He loves them.

He actually said to me, "We'll all take our Crocs to WDW this year. I can't believe you didn't take yours last year." :headache: and :mad:

So I guess this year, since he has a pair, we'll all be taking ours. I told him they'd be great for walking to the pool.

[KathyRN137]

mrsksomeday: I knew you would enjoy their reports; reading a MDF report is like watching a favorite sitcom! :happytv:

Linnie: I think you will have no problem at all, especially with the TS restaurants! Aunt Rae can't eat wheat/gluten products and the chef from each restaurant came to the table before every meal to discuss her options. They also happily made "special" items so she could stay on her diet. :thumbsup2 Call Disney Dining and have a notation made about your diet on all your ADR's and you will be all set.

I'm so glad you're feeling better. :goodvibes

Kathy