~How TWO trips became...who knows? ~ It's a TRIP! and an upgrade.... 4/22

[maroo]

I am pretty sure I "introduced" TK and Liesa, too!

That sounds like a great moto!


Well...

It is OFFICIAL - folks!

I am an official member of the Team in Training (TnT) for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! :thumbsup2

I have not received my training schedule yet...but I have plans to walk on my brand new treadmill this afternoon!



And...you know what...I am not really "excited"...I am determined. It is a different feeling. It doesn't feel like a "fly by night" sort of commitment.

Does that make sense to anyone besides me? :confused3

Of course.....

This is not a pre-trip report about THAT...so I guess I better get back to planning for December, huh!

:thumbsup2

[jenb1023]

I love TK shirts and Dole Whips (floats or regular)! If I show up for the TC3 and the marathon, do I get one of each? (J/K though it is a very lovely thought!)

Good for you! I am trying to get serious and focused on a getting healthy journey starting today so we will have to encourage each other.

BTW - 39 days until my trip! :banana::cheer2::yay::woohoo:
(And five days until we move - :scared1:)

[TarzansKat]

I am so glad you guys are getting to know each other!!!

I love TK's reports. And I love that's nice reports, too! So you should know each other!

I need to get over to his reports an reciprocate! :goodvibes

Well after the invite.. I'm going to stop by! I hope I don't have to read through 40+ pages! LOL
:yay:YAY I'm fun!!!!!!:woohoo:

This is even funnier knowing what I know now. :lmao:


Most people love the Dole Whip. I love the debates about it... come to think of it, I love all the debates on these boards!:goodvibes

And you come at them in such a good natured way! That's what I enjoy.


Here is your new slogan:
Maroo- bring DISers together since August 2008!;)

Perfect for her!!! :goodvibes

I am pretty sure I "introduced" TK and Liesa, too!

You most certainly did, and I am grateful. She's awesome!

That sounds like a great moto!

I love TK shirts and Dole Whips (floats or regular)! If I show up for the TC3 and the marathon, do I get one of each? (J/K though it is a very lovely thought!)


Aw, shucks!!!! I'm really feeling the love.





Maroo, congrats on becoming an official member! How exciting!!! :goodvibes

[Sandy321]

Maroo I know exactly what you mean! I was excited to go in '08 - and I didnt do very well... this time I"M DETERMINED... so I whine less!! :rotfl2:

TK I'm thinking there is this big circle that starts at Maroo's trip reports - and we just all must follow each other!! ;)


and then plan a Meet!! :cool1:

[tinytreasures]

Here is your new slogan:
Maroo- bring DISers together since August 2008!;)


raising hands I want one of those shirts ;)

[Sandy321]

raising hands I want one of those shirts ;)

Hey TK maybe I can help you!! I think I got it figured out!!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/angelmum3/posting%20gifs/MeaganandTimHolly010.jpg

I will add, now that I did it once, I know what I did wrong, and how to make them better!! :thumbsup2

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/angelmum3/posting%20gifs/MeaganandTimHolly011.jpg

[Sandy321]

WHAT? Did I just "kill" this thread?

:faint:

Maroo hope you are feeling ok - IF you are - you need to do a 3 1/2 mile walk today! :thumbsup2 YOU are in training woman!!

By the way - stop by my Pre trip report - I'm planning on a meet for Saturday night - how does Cape May Buffet sound to you? (Dolce doesnt have park hoppers)

[maroo]

I am about to post this in about four places...

So if this is a duplicate, please disregard - or pray twice ;)

Lauren - my dear friend with severe CP - has the swine flu. Despite our best efforts to prevent it.

I am very, very nervous about this. We have lost several kids in MS to this flu this year and with her underlying conditions, this can be very serious.

She started Tamiflu last night because William already had it...so that is good.

Please pray for them!!

[Sandy321]

:grouphug: Maroo - definate prayers are surrounding Lauren -

the horrific thing with the flu - you have no control, none... talk about feeling helpless...

Let go. Believe. Hear our prayers!

:wizard:

[that's nice]

Maroo....

I'm sorry to hear about Lauren. We will pray for her quick recovery!:grouphug:

[eandesmom]

Oh Maroo!

Lauren is in my prayers. She is such a special girl!

:grouphug:

[eyor44]

Praying for Lauren. You be careful that you don't relapse.:hug:

[tinytreasures]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y75/5tinytreasures/signs/TheFiveFingerprayerfromBConniea240x.jpg

[TarzansKat]

Maroo, my prayers are with you, Lauren, and her family.

[All7OfUs]

I know Lauren; she's a fighter and will be fine! Our prayers are with her today!

[MeMom]

Thoughts and prayers are with Lauren and all of those who are dealing with this flu all over the country.

You did a great job on the podcast. I enjoyed it very much...all three times I listened!
I started it, but didn't have time to finish, listened to it it later all the way through, then turned it on the next day at school while I was getting morning work ready. :)

[All7OfUs]

I missed a whole ton of stuff back there on the last page- and can I just make a little confession?? You know how good I am at THAT! :lmao: (If you're lost, visit link in siggie with Steamboat)

I lost this thread for a spell. :scared1::eek::scared1:

That's right! I lost it! For some reason I bookmarked maroo's OTHER one about Lucas' morning, and dropped this one!! I know, it's remarkable!

Some thoughts, to catch myself up...

1. Yes, maroo did introduce TK and I. A blessing to be sure!

2. Dole Whip Floats are the ONLY snack that I can truly rave about in the entire MK. That's the truth, and you can take that to the bank.

3. Tim brings the life to the party, and he's more fun to tease than a pubescent brother whose voice is cracking!

4. We do seem to travel around to each other's reports and have a blast talking pretty much about everything and nothing. (I think someone mentioned that it's mostly to ourselves too-- which is probably partly true :rotfl2:)

5. Ummm, I'm afraid I did compare TK's shirts to Dole Whips; and PROUD of it!! They are both very worthy prizes for just about anyone.

6. Jen, you can have both if you don't pull a no-show. TK can make her own shirt and bring it, and I'll buy her a float to make up for the trouble.

7. My fingers are tired; I'm going to eat some chocolate.

[eyor44]

Still praying for Lauren (and William) and hoping they are getting better. :hug:

[maroo]

Update!

It has been a long day. Or two?

Lauren was sick all night...I won't be graphic...but she is SICK. :sick:

She is better today, though.

We are very thankful that William got it first and gave us an extra day to give Lauren Tamiflu before she even started showing symptoms. We are very thankful!

She was still running fever this morning. But she slept 15 hours last night and she doesn't have fever right now, which is great!

Keep praying!!! :)

[eandesmom]

:goodvibes for continued no fever. Good news! I will keep her in my prayers.

[Pollito916]

Poor Lauren and William! They are in my prayers! :hug:

[Sandy321]

continued prayers! Thanks for the update...

[tinytreasures]

prayers sent

[maroo]

I spoke too soon. Must be something about night time...

Lauren has spiked another fever, despite Tylenol.

We are pushing fluids and soup to try to keep her out of the hospital. They are trying to avoid that so she doesn't end up with some hospital infection.

She actually tried to do homework tonight, which lasted about 5 minutes (she was laying down and dictating answers). She is so sick. :sad1:

William is much better - hopefully will be going to school tomorrow!

I will be back at work, too. Pray for a quiet night around here.

[jenb1023]

How did the night go?

[eyor44]

Poor Lauren:hug: Praying the fever subsides soon. Yes, there does seem to be a connection with fevers and nighttime. :confused3 This is when my kids (and I) are always the sickest.

Glad William is better. :goodvibes

[tinytreasures]

hope she is better today
so glad William got over it

[maroo]

Lauren update: Yesterday afternoon she announced that she feels "fine"... .... as long as she is lying down. :rotfl2: "But Momma....I feel FINE!"

She told her Mom that she feels fine now and should go back to school. :eek: Her Mom told her that she has to be sitting up in her wheelchair and able to get around before she can go back to school. :teacher:

I slipped and told her she has to be able to "walk" around...:lmao: She thought that was funny and said she would have to stay home FOREVER! Oh, gee...you know what I mean! :rolleyes: :rotfl: (We use walk and roll interchangeably around there!)

Evidently there is a huge Pep Rally at school tomorrow (televised - biggest game in the state tonight) that is even going to be on ESPN? :confused3 Who knows. But Lauren definitely wanted to go to school today.

But...she is obviously staying home. At least it is a "short day" and she should not miss a lot of important work...considering the biggest game of the year (except the State Championship) is tonight.

She has already missed so much school this year that she won't be exempt from exams...but we told her not to worry about it...she excels in school and will be fine to take an exam for her classes.

But...she does appear to be better. I will be convinced when she is able to "get up" and "stay up" all day without being worn out. But this is a great improvement!

I am so thankful that William got it first and gave us a little time to get Lauren on Tamiflu before she even got really sick. Thankful that the doctor "broke the rules" in his wisdom and gave her the medicine "prophalactically" (sometimes a doctor that actually knows you should make the decisions regardless of the guidance from the CDC!)... Because I believe we have certainly avoided her getting seriously ill!

Her O2 sats are great and she is doing well! :goodvibes

[Matt1026]

YEAH:yay::yay:Good News to hear. I am glad to hear that she is doing well. I have been worried about her and glad to hear that she is doing better.

[eyor44]

Glad to hear that Lauren is doing better. :goodvibes

[tinytreasures]

crying happy tears right now
I am so glad she is better and wants to go to school that is a great sign (even if she is not ready yet ;)

[Sandy321]

:wizard: for continued healing!

Also Maroo - I answered your Marathon Training on my thread!!

:wizard::wizard: 5 miles may seem like a lot - but you are in good company - go for the company!! and know i'll be with you in spirit! :wizard::wizard:

[Pollito916]

Great news!! :thumbsup2 Too bad Lauren had to miss the big game, but being healthy is more important!

[TarzansKat]

Glad to hear health is improving!!! :goodvibes

[If U Had Wings]

Glad to hear that Lauren's feeling better.

[maroo]

Hey guys!

Lauren went back to school today. But she was in tears.

We have another problem and I think it has just become clear to Lauren and her Mom today. Which has made this a very difficult day.

For months I have noticed Lauren's neck curving. One day we were all swimming and I held her straight up and her neck looked like it was going 40 degrees to the side! :eek: She has been to the doctor and they mentioned surgery in passing...but it was not something her Mom even let sink in. She just told me they said that today. :sad1:

When I went to Disney a couple of weeks ago...then got the flu...it was almost 2 whole weeks before I really saw Lauren.

And I can tell you exactly what she was wearing when I finally saw her...because she took my breath away. Her neck. :sad2: It looks really, really bad. She looks like she is leaning over and she is not.

It was hard for me to hide my shock. Lisa actually saw my face and wanted to know what was wrong with me, but I brushed it off. I finally told her later that I was concerned about Lauren's neck. That I could tell a change in just two weeks. It is SOOOOO crooked!

Lauren has been in tears saying that she is so tired - and we chalked it up to the flu - and her Mom finally asked her if her neck was bothering her and Lauren cried...evidently Lauren is so tired because she is having trouble holding her head up. I don't even think Lauren realized it, honestly...until her Mom mentioned it.

My gut tells me that something will need to be done. I think they are going to try some sort of PT? But her insurance company has long ago stopped paying for PT - and her Mom was tired of fighting with them - so it may be OOP? Other option is surgery on her neck. I have no idea what that entails?

Anyway...

On another note...

What is the big deal about the 4/3 deal????

I thought it was this huge savings? And it is no more than doing an AP discounted room? You get a whooping $7.00 discount on tickets? :confused3

I actually looked into extending our December trip by a night to get one "free" and it just didn't make any sense...

Am I missing something here??

[maroo]

gosh...

I just read back over my post and I am so transparent...

It is so easy to tell that I am blah today...I have no excited emoticons everywhere? :rolleyes:

[kdzbear]

Maroo,

Tell Lauren and her mom to hang in there. It may be since it is a new condition that insurance might cover it. Tell her to keep fighting. Tyler had torticollis, which is similar. His neck curved far to the right. He was able to meet with a special care doctor and in addition to the physical therapy he received a Botox injection. This injection deadened the muscles and tendons in the exact area where the problem was for a three month period. During this period he received physical therapy twice a week and the therapists were able to stretch his neck farther due to the deadened muscles. After the three months the muscles grow back to normal, but due to the therapy there is more range of motion. I know that Lauren has some other issues going on too, but this might work. We had to just keep pushing and pushing until we got the right specialist. The cranial/facial doctor wanted to do the surgery right away and he could not believe that the Botox and physical therapy fixed it without surgery. We were able to cancel his surgery. There is hope and many prayers out there for Lauren! Keep your chin up! :grouphug:

[eyor44]

He was able to meet with a special care doctor and in addition to the physical therapy he received a Botox injection. This injection deadened the muscles and tendons in the exact area where the problem was for a three month period. During this period he received physical therapy twice a week and the therapists were able to stretch his neck farther due to the deadened muscles. After the three months the muscles grow back to normal, but due to the therapy there is more range of motion. I know that Lauren has some other issues going on too, but this might work. We had to just keep pushing and pushing until we got the right specialist. The cranial/facial doctor wanted to do the surgery right away and he could not believe that the Botox and physical therapy fixed it without surgery. We were able to cancel his surgery. There is hope and many prayers out there for Lauren! Keep your chin up! :grouphug:

Poor Lauren:hug:
If it isn't one thing it's another.


Maroo
I noticed the new deal also, but don't think it is any better than what we have with the free dining. I think reservations must be really down (good for us with shorter lines) and they are trying different things to get people to come.
My MIL had this same issue with her neck and the Botox injections helped her also. For her it was losing muscle control. Her head leaned so far to the side, she could barely look up.

Will continue to pray for Lauren.

[Sandy321]

Lauren and her mom need a patient advocate - Of COURSE the insurance company isnt going to pay for PT - heaven's they (insurance companies) are "in" it to MAKE money - they do EVERYTHING they can NOT to pay out!

What about school? Isnt there one person in that school that can see what this is doing to Lauren? AND will back it up with reccomending PT? You have got to be kidding me - its times like this when I want a "perfect" world....

I pray that God will put someone in your paths that will help Lauren, as she needs His intervention! Hear our prayer....

when the 4/3 deal first appeared, it was not a good deal - but if it puts butts in rooms - then they go forward!

Stay the course Maroo! :dance3:

[Matt1026]

I am so sorry to hear that about Lauren. Please let Lauren know that she has alot of prayer warriors out there that are praying for her.
We are praying for you too!!
I was telling Lucas last night that you are going back soon. He said if you see Ed, Barbara or Kent please let them he said HI. And to make sure that you ride Lilly Belle for him.

[maroo]

Thank you all for your responses! :love:

Lauren would be laughing her head off if she got Botox...what a trip! :rotfl:

I am actually a pt advocate for my "real" job - and I have fought with her wheelchair company and such and straightened a few people out in the last few yers...but they had stopped paying for PT long before I knew them...They would not even cover it after her last surgery for scoliosis...for that brand new problem. She met a lifetime max or something?

She does have access to school PT's...and that was mentioned today.

Unfortunately...when Lauren is at school...there is no time for ANYTHING else. She goes early...stays late...does homework 3 hours a night. I just don't know when they would do PT at all. Either at school or outside of school. But they will have to do it one way or another.

Do any of you guys have kids in High School? Do they do homework CONSTANTLY??? Lauren even has hers "cut" some, because of her disability...but last week...she had 50 "short answer" questions for The Scarlett Letter and the finished product was TWELVE pages (front and back) to answer them. Took me 6 hours writing for her. REDICULOUS. The teacher said she could do half...but her test would cover it all. :rolleyes: So Lauren, of course, did them all. And that was for one class. No wonder she can't hold her head up.

There is talk of having her cut WAY back on her classes...but that messes up all of her stuff at school...not just that she can't graduate on time...but also the services the school can provide, if that makes sense.

Very crummy situation.

[eyor44]

Isn't Lauren a Junior or Senior? They really seem to pile on the work to them. In addition to expecting them to participate in extra curricular activities, volunteer and hold a part time job.:confused3

and of course they are to get 8-10 hours of sleep a night. :sad2:

[Sandy321]

BTDT - and I know when ds had his IEP the same nonsense was about - IEP had her work cut, but teachers just doubled the weight! (like if a spelling test the normal load was 20 - he'd do 10 - but they were worth twice as much, and the teacher picked the 10 out of the 20 - so what was the point? In the end - he still needed to know all 20 anyway :confused3 )

Look at the BIG picture - find the point... you can work thru the school work - ds wasnt "allowed" to take AP classes, but could take the AP tests anyway - and get the college credit...

its a messed up world for sure!

[maroo]

Isn't Lauren a Junior or Senior? They really seem to pile on the work to them. In addition to expecting them to participate in extra curricular activities, volunteer and hold a part time job.:confused3

and of course they are to get 8-10 hours of sleep a night. :sad2:

She is a Junior. I remember it being my hardest year.

She has cut out Student Council this year. And doesn't do as much volunteer stuff with the church (which is sad...but it was just too much for her).

But she IS going to be participating in the big Christmas program...

I just told her...ya know...if you get a B - so B it! :rotfl:

Lauren really needs 12 hours of sleep a night. If she is allowed to sleep, she almost always sleeps a full 12 hours. But during school she is lucky to get 7 or 8 - up so early to do her stretching and morning routine.

BTDT - and I know when ds had his IEP the same nonsense was about - IEP had her work cut, but teachers just doubled the weight! (like if a spelling test the normal load was 20 - he'd do 10 - but they were worth twice as much, and the teacher picked the 10 out of the 20 - so what was the point? In the end - he still needed to know all 20 anyway :confused3 )

Look at the BIG picture - find the point... you can work thru the school work - ds wasnt "allowed" to take AP classes, but could take the AP tests anyway - and get the college credit...

its a messed up world for sure!

Her teachers...for the most part...are very kind to her. Mainly because they know how hard she works. It shows in the work she does. So they do cut her some slack. She has almost always been exempt from exams...even if she had one too many absences or something...because hers are legit.

And she has a WONDERFUL assistant with her at school that assists her 1 on 1 all day long - we are very fortunate to have a school district that will provide that for her.

She is in Honors classes...no AP yet. We drew the line for her on that one. She wanted to take one, but we just told her to hold off till next year. She thanked me for that the other day.

She told me the other day that she could no longer keep her head above water... "So I will just learn to breathe like a fish!" :lmao: Bless her heart!

[All7OfUs]

Ahhh, Lauren! She is one of those rare students who goes the extra mile and then some. God bless her!

Lisa is a wise mother and you are a more than great advocate- everything will work out fine, I just know it!

[tinytreasures]

so sorry about Laurens struggles
I know we are going to be in the same boat with Avy one day it is already hard now for her
tell her life is short and she needs to stop and smell the roses sometimes

[jenb1023]

Sorry I've been MIA but you know where I've been hiding!

Tell Lauren we are thinking about her! I am so sorry to hear about the neck issues and the troubles with school and activities! It sounds like the botox suggestions were good ones (and Lauren will get a kick out of telling eveyone she had botox!). Lauren is such a trooper worrying about school when she can barely hold her head up!

I saw the new deal but ignored it because I can't go for a week so why look.

Hang in there! And you can be blah any time you need to be - that is what we are here for!

[Sandy321]

Maroo are you swimming with the fishes too?

Hope you are adjusting to your new schedule, and Lauren is finding relief!!

:grouphug:

[eandesmom]

Thank you all for your responses! :love:

She does have access to school PT's...and that was mentioned today.

Unfortunately...when Lauren is at school...there is no time for ANYTHING else. She goes early...stays late...does homework 3 hours a night. I just don't know when they would do PT at all. Either at school or outside of school. But they will have to do it one way or another.

Do any of you guys have kids in High School? Do they do homework CONSTANTLY???

Yes and Junior year is tough, a lot of the key testing for college takes place this year and there is a lot of prep among other thing, not to metion the fact that she is in Honors. It is brutal.

Her poor poor neck, that is just awful! I hope she can be seen very very soon and a plan figured out, it exahusts me to think of that effort.
She told me the other day that she could no longer keep her head above water... "So I will just learn to breathe like a fish!" :lmao: Bless her heart!

She is inspirational that one!

If you are an AP holder or have a PIN code, then maybe the 4/3 is not such a great deal. For those of us who are not, depending on the size of your group, it can be fabulous. For us FD is a better deal simply because we are largely all adults but the 4/3, sure beats a big fat nothing!

Or if you are us, you just take what you saved on the 4/3 and use it to pay for the dining plan!

:)

[maroo]

I am resurrecting this here pre-trip report!

It will change a bit...

But I have no where to put all of my exciting news right now!

I have been BANNED from looking at All7ofUs's pre-trippie right now because there are top secret activities being discussed over there! Which cracks me up! I am dying to go look...but I will talk to you guys instead!


So...I am not going to do a big index...and I am not going to make you guys remember ANYTHING between my posts...

I will just let each one stand alone.

Each time I post about a trip - I will tell you guys which trip it is...where we are staying and who is going...and then just talk.

This will be for us "friends"...of course everyone is invited to join the fun. This will be my sounding board. Even if it no one hears it!

I hope you will continue to subscribe and follow along on my musings!

Things are guaranteed to change early and often!

[maroo]

Trip Dates: December 14-20, 2009
Resort: AKL - Savannah View
Cast: Ray-Ray (Rachel), Oma (Ray-Ray's Mom), Rosie (Ray's BFF), The Boo (Ellie - Ra's 4 year old niece), Big Boss (Ellie's Mom) and Grumpy (Ellie's Dad)

ETA: Oh yeah...and me...maroo!


Discussion topic of the day: Shirts

We are going to get two sets of shirts...one will remain a secret for now. I gotta hold on to something here!

But the other set is going to be pretty cool and I just had to share them with you!

We are each going to get a sweatshirt with DISigns that look like these...

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/designs/christmaswreathdark_maroo1.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/designs/christmaswreathdark_ray-ray.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/designs/christmaswreathdark_oma.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/designs/christmaswreathdark_rosie.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/designs/christmaswreathdark_theboo1.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/designs/christmaswreathdark_bigboss1.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/designs/christmaswreathdark_grumpy.jpg


Ellie's Dad has refused to wear any matching shirts...so we are going to make him a shirt.

I am not sure what is going to be on the front of it yet...but on the back...he will have THIS...

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/designs/idontdomatchingshirts.jpg

And the idea is that we will put it on the back of the shirt and the brown strips will be the "tape" - like we have taped it to his back! :rotfl:

I have more updates on other trips! But that is about all I have time for today!

I hope you guys will hang with me! :thumbsup2

[kimmylaj]

love the shirts but the grumpy is my fave

[StefaniLyn]

Did you unsubscribe from your own TC3 PTR so you don't get any accidental tidbits of information? K, I know this may be spilling the beans a little but Leisa told us all that she -wait, you didn't reeeeeaaaaalllllly think I was going to tell, did you? :lmao:

Woo Hoo! What a great way to CPR this TPR back to life! I love your new format idea. It will make it easier for those just jumping on board as well as those of us (ahem! ((me))) with a memory that extends no farther than last night's dinner.

I LOVE the shirt designs! Especially the Grumpy! Too darn funny! Now to think of something just as funny for the front. Did you make those yourself? You continue to surprise me with your hidden talents! What will your next revelation be?

I can't wait to hear about more of your plans!:surfweb:

[that's nice]

This PTR is back huh? Maybe you should change the name.. How TWO trips became TEN? It is ten right?:confused3:rolleyes1LOL

Welcome back! See what happens when Liesa kicks you out of the TC3 TR? :lmao::lmao:

[maroo]

This PTR is back huh? Maybe you should change the name.. How TWO trips became TEN? It is ten right?:confused3:rolleyes1LOL

Welcome back! See what happens when Liesa kicks you out of the TC3 TR? :lmao::lmao:

Lets see...

Two became 3...then two...then four...now it is....SEVEN.

He he.

But more on that later.

[maroo]

love the shirts but the grumpy is my fave

Thanks! :) I did not design it! I want to make sure that is clear! A former DISer designed them for me! :)

Did you unsubscribe from your own TC3 PTR so you don't get any accidental tidbits of information? K, I know this may be spilling the beans a little but Leisa told us all that she -wait, you didn't reeeeeaaaaalllllly think I was going to tell, did you? :lmao:

Woo Hoo! What a great way to CPR this TPR back to life! I love your new format idea. It will make it easier for those just jumping on board as well as those of us (ahem! ((me))) with a memory that extends no farther than last night's dinner.

I LOVE the shirt designs! Especially the Grumpy! Too darn funny! Now to think of something just as funny for the front. Did you make those yourself? You continue to surprise me with your hidden talents! What will your next revelation be?

I can't wait to hear about more of your plans!:surfweb:

I have been told to stay away from that pre-trippie for a little while. Liesa said she would let me know when I can come back!

I told her that was fine...I am overwhelemed with pretrippies right now! Which is a great thing! :)

I did not do the DISigns! A former DISer did them for me. :) But I will be ironing them on the shirts...which is frankly harder than it sounds. :rotfl2: You should have seen my first set. Jen will have to fill you guys in on that!

[jkCT]

Maroo! I'm here to read along during your exile! :)

LOVE the Grumpy shirt! Need one of those for our next trip, only it would be my 12yo DD wearing it. (I'm soooo not a cool mother, according to her. Meh, preteens, what can you do.)

[All7OfUs]

Did you unsubscribe from your own TC3 PTR so you don't get any accidental tidbits of information? K, I know this may be spilling the beans a little but Leisa told us all that she -wait, you didn't reeeeeaaaaalllllly think I was going to tell, did you? :lmao:

I can't wait to hear about more of your plans!:surfweb:

LOL!! OK, that was pretty fuh-nee! for a minute you had me going, like you thought I wasn't over here playing too. :lmao:

Just so you know the plans change daily... :laughing:

This PTR is back huh? Maybe you should change the name.. How TWO trips became TEN? It is ten right?:confused3:rolleyes1LOL

Welcome back! See what happens when Liesa kicks you out of the TC3 TR? :lmao::lmao:

You got that right. I think when Disney sells APs, they didn't really count on having maroo using one like every weekend! :rotfl2:

Maybe I should ban her more often???:rolleyes1

[eyor44]

Hi:wave2: I was wondering when you were going to come bach over here. Of course, I am one to talk. I still have a trip report I haven't finished. :rolleyes1

Tim you are too funny.....ten.....:lmao: but when I think about it you might be right.......

Maroo, exactly how many trips do you have planned at the moment? You are my hero, you know that don't you. You are my Disney hero..........

[maroo]

Maroo! I'm here to read along during your exile! :)

LOVE the Grumpy shirt! Need one of those for our next trip, only it would be my 12yo DD wearing it. (I'm soooo not a cool mother, according to her. Meh, preteens, what can you do.)

:welcome: to the ressurrected mother of all pre-trippies!!

LOL!! OK, that was pretty fuh-nee! for a minute you had me going, like you thought I wasn't over here playing too. :lmao:

Just so you know the plans change daily... :laughing:



You got that right. I think when Disney sells APs, they didn't really count on having maroo using one like every weekend! :rotfl2:

Maybe I should ban her more often???:rolleyes1

Hey now! It was hard to stay away! :) But you feel free...ban away!

Disney loves me. They got my money for the AP...then they get my money on rooms...food...and all of the people I influence to come with me!


Hi:wave2: I was wondering when you were going to come bach over here. Of course, I am one to talk. I still have a trip report I haven't finished. :rolleyes1

Tim you are too funny.....ten.....:lmao: but when I think about it you might be right.......

Maroo, exactly how many trips do you have planned at the moment? You are my hero, you know that don't you. You are my Disney hero..........

Uh...Ur...

Let me do an overview post...as of today...of course...of the trips I have planned. :thumbsup2

[Sandy321]

Hey - I thought I posted here last night after your resurrected it!
:rotfl2:

I'm with you -- I have too many pre trip reports I'm "in" - I mean I like reading them, and being a Part Of the FUN!! :cool1:

LOVE the shirts:lovestruc apparantly we're not a matching shirt family either... :sad: - its probably my fault - I dont like the way I look in Tshirts!! I actually bought a few sets of shirts (blue, purple...) and I got some GREAT DISigns (LOVE :love: the Dis Disign) board!!

but getting them on transfer paper, and getting the transfer ON the shirts- easier said than done!! (for me that is!!)

Love the names - love those shirts - and I could see doing them small like on a name tag size.... oh well... I just have to let go !!

Hope you still hang around on my pre trip/ training thread!! :wizard:

[maroo]

SO...What in the world is maroo up to with these trips?!?!?

First...let me explain. Something has changed at work. Due to a schedule change with the doctor, I now have FRIDAY's off instead of Wednesdays.

I really liked having Wednesday's off...because it was a break in the middle of the week...but now that I have had Friday's for a couple of weeks - I LOVE IT! I love my long weekends. Granted, I do "work" for Rachel and Lauren over some weekends and during the week...so it is not all relaxing and eating bon bons. :)

But since I now have Friday's off - it has opened up a world of possibilities for trips...Since I can basically take a 3 night trip and only take 1/2 a day off of work (Thursday afternoon). We don't have clinic on Thur afternoon, so it is not a big deal at all if I take off.

Here is what is currently planned...These are definitely subject to change! :thumbsup2

December 2009 (6 days)
January 2010 (3 days)
March 2010 (3 days)
Sept 2010 (maybe 10 days??)
October 2010 (3 days - maybe?)
December 2010 (3 days - maybe 5?)
Jan 2011 (3 days)
June 2011....CRUISE! I am PUMPED about this!

[Sandy321]

Hey - NO bon bons for you!! (unless they are fat free, sugar free!! :lmao:)

I know bad me!!

Hey - you are still going in Jan!! You are welcome to join me around mile 7!! (that's back by the Polynesian road - its the tough part of the route!!)

[maroo]

Hope you still hang around on my pre trip/ training thread!! :wizard:

Of course!!!!! Would not miss it!

This one will be just for my musings...

No talking about chaffing over here! ;)

[maroo]

Hey - NO bon bons for you!! (unless they are fat free, sugar free!! :lmao:)

I know bad me!!

Hey - you are still going in Jan!! You are welcome to join me around mile 7!! (that's back by the Polynesian road - its the tough part of the route!!)

I am still planning on coming in January! :) I will be eating with you guys, right?!?! :) I have my room at the POP and am ready to go. Should I make some more ADRs??

And...technically...I can have bon bons...:) As long as I count them! I even had M&Ms yesterday for a whopping 6 points...but they were worth it and I walked 5 points worth...

As long as I don't go over....... :faint:

[pipersmom]

Hooray! Glad you're back to posting, I was lurking when I first started, so I don't think I'd posted before :) The shirts are toooo cute. And lucky you to be able to make 3 day weekend trips! I like the new format too...

[Sandy321]

I am still planning on coming in January! :) I will be eating with you guys, right?!?! :) I have my room at the POP and am ready to go. Should I make some more ADRs??

And...technically...I can have bon bons...:) As long as I count them! I even had M&Ms yesterday for a whopping 6 points...but they were worth it and I walked 5 points worth...

As long as I don't go over....... :faint:

yep, easier said than done!

Yes, you can eat with us!! I know we are eating at the Cape May on.. Saturday - when are you coming? There is a HUGE DIS WISH meet on Friday at Pop!!

what are your plans? What meals did you want to join us? Did you join Pixie website I sent you too? That way you can meet Happy Camper (she is still working on surviving after her dh passed away - she decided to come to cheer me on!!)

I am excited!! and DD will be too - once she realizes she wont be alone while dh and I are doing the Donald!! :goodvibes:goodvibes

[maroo]

Hooray! Glad you're back to posting, I was lurking when I first started, so I don't think I'd posted before :) The shirts are toooo cute. And lucky you to be able to make 3 day weekend trips! I like the new format too...

Hello!!! :wave2:

:welcome: to my crazy pre-trip report!! :goodvibes


yep, easier said than done!

Yes, you can eat with us!! I know we are eating at the Cape May on.. Saturday - when are you coming? There is a HUGE DIS WISH meet on Friday at Pop!!

what are your plans? What meals did you want to join us? Did you join Pixie website I sent you too? That way you can meet Happy Camper (she is still working on surviving after her dh passed away - she decided to come to cheer me on!!)

I am excited!! and DD will be too - once she realizes she wont be alone while dh and I are doing the Donald!! :goodvibes:goodvibes

I have not been able to get that website to load??? Is it me??

Well........

:rolleyes1

Honestly...

I am cheating on the DIS. :laughing:

I have another forum. I have grown to really love it. It is small. And I have never been flamed. They were in full support of my little protest a few weeks ago, that's all I'm sayin'. :rolleyes1

And they have meets that weekend, too.

Here are my current plans:
Fly in Thursday afternoon. ME to POP. Check In. Maybe go to GKTW that day? Or a park? Who knows? Meet for Illuminations that night (with "the others")

Friday: "The others" meet at DHS. WISH meet at the POP for Supper! Who knows for the rest of the day??

Saturday: Up early to cheer on the halfers! "The others" meet at MK. Cape May for supper with you guys!

Sunday: Fly out at around noon, so not much going on this AM.

Those are tenative plans!

What other meets are there?? What is your schedule?

[If U Had Wings]

Very jealous of all the trips you have planned. Seriously, I need to work for an airline so I can afford to go more often. Looks like you are going to be giving your AP a real workout!

[Sandy321]

Maroo just sent you a PM - really its a small board, not very active - but they are strong in prayers!! (so you wouldnt be visiting there daily - )

We come in on Thursday - I think I have reservations too... I think I plan on going to the Expo either Thurs or Friday so we can pick up our packets - get our bib # and corall placement... I think we may be at Le Cellier actually! Want to come?!

Friday - POP for dinner... (and then dh and I will need to head back to our resort for rest and obsessing... since we have to be up at 3AM!! :scared1: Now I am hoping DD connects with someone and gets to go to a park if she wants to for a bit Friday - HC has volunteered to take her - but she can be shy... and we are all 'strangers'!!)

Sat - Do the Donald - then walk in Epcot getting pictures of me and my medal!! Cape May

Sunday - not sure! Ihave reservations at Yacht Club - but I may change it! DD isnt thrilled with this choice!

Monday - meet at the GF having tea.. LTT at night and watch Spectro!

[StefaniLyn]

First...let me explain. Something has changed at work. Due to a schedule change with the doctor, I now have FRIDAY's off instead of Wednesdays.

But since I now have Friday's off - it has opened up a world of possibilities for trips...Since I can basically take a 3 night trip and only take 1/2 a day off of work (Thursday afternoon). We don't have clinic on Thur afternoon, so it is not a big deal at all if I take off.

Here is what is currently planned...These are definitely subject to change! :thumbsup2

December 2009 (6 days)
January 2010 (3 days)
March 2010 (3 days)
Sept 2010 (maybe 10 days??)
October 2010 (3 days - maybe?)
December 2010 (3 days - maybe 5?)
Jan 2011 (3 days)
June 2011....CRUISE! I am PUMPED about this!

That is a lot of trips! :cool1: Congrats on the change in schedule! Ya know what they say, everything happens for a reason. I guess somebody thinks you need a little more Disney in your life!

I am cheating on the DIS. :laughing:

I have another forum. I have grown to really love it. It is small. And I have never been flamed. They were in full support of my little protest a few weeks ago, that's all I'm sayin'. :rolleyes1


Cheating on the DIS?!? :scared1: kidding. After the reaction to your protest, I don't blame you for straying. I still don't get that. :confused3 As long as you hang your hat over here every once in a while as well, we won't give you a hard time about your little 'fling.' :rotfl2:

[maroo]

In order to properly prepare for my trip to Disney in DECEMBER...

(December 14-20 with Rachel and Family - AKL)



I decorated for DAX tonight!!!

Check it out...

http://www.decoratefordax.com


http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/2009/decorate%20for%20dax/Nov112009120.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/2009/decorate%20for%20dax/Nov112009121.jpg

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/2009/decorate%20for%20dax/Nov112009123.jpg


I also called Disney to try to get a refund on part of my MVMCP tickets. Now that they have released AP discounts, we are able to call and get a refund. But I must not be the only one planning to do this...because I held for over FORTY minutes and finally decided I didn't need the refund THAT bad. I will call later! :faint:

[pipersmom]

Very pretty tree, Maroo! Woohoo, almost into week counts for the trip with Rachel!

[VroomVroomLightning]

I just read about DAX and my heart melted. I started reading his caringbridge site and am in tears. Now, I am watching his photoshoot and again cannot stop crying. I have a nephew who is 3 and what this family is going through is unimaginable. I am already decorated for Christmas but today am going to go get something to spell out Dax for this little boy and send them the picture! Thank you so much for sharing this!

[If U Had Wings]

Just beautiful!

[maroo]

Ok...I thought I had responded to these last night????

Very jealous of all the trips you have planned. Seriously, I need to work for an airline so I can afford to go more often. Looks like you are going to be giving your AP a real workout!

Aw. Working for an airline would be a GREAT idea! Does SW fly out of your area? That helps a LOT. I got a DING fare for my Jan trip...which was awesome.

Maroo just sent you a PM - really its a small board, not very active - but they are strong in prayers!! (so you wouldnt be visiting there daily - )

We come in on Thursday - I think I have reservations too... I think I plan on going to the Expo either Thurs or Friday so we can pick up our packets - get our bib # and corall placement... I think we may be at Le Cellier actually! Want to come?!

Friday - POP for dinner... (and then dh and I will need to head back to our resort for rest and obsessing... since we have to be up at 3AM!! :scared1: Now I am hoping DD connects with someone and gets to go to a park if she wants to for a bit Friday - HC has volunteered to take her - but she can be shy... and we are all 'strangers'!!)

Sat - Do the Donald - then walk in Epcot getting pictures of me and my medal!! Cape May

Sunday - not sure! Ihave reservations at Yacht Club - but I may change it! DD isnt thrilled with this choice!

Monday - meet at the GF having tea.. LTT at night and watch Spectro!

That is an awesome schedule!!!

When is the meal at Le Cellier? Who is going?

That is a lot of trips! :cool1: Congrats on the change in schedule! Ya know what they say, everything happens for a reason. I guess somebody thinks you need a little more Disney in your life!

Cheating on the DIS?!? :scared1: kidding. After the reaction to your protest, I don't blame you for straying. I still don't get that. :confused3 As long as you hang your hat over here every once in a while as well, we won't give you a hard time about your little 'fling.' :rotfl2:

LOL.

Actually I had already strayed.

But the reaction on the different forums was mind boggling. :confused3 Oh well.

Very pretty tree, Maroo! Woohoo, almost into week counts for the trip with Rachel!

No joke!! 1 month and 1 Day! :scared1: Rachel's Mom and I talked yesterday and she freaked. Consider one week of that is Thanksgiving.

I just read about DAX and my heart melted. I started reading his caringbridge site and am in tears. Now, I am watching his photoshoot and again cannot stop crying. I have a nephew who is 3 and what this family is going through is unimaginable. I am already decorated for Christmas but today am going to go get something to spell out Dax for this little boy and send them the picture! Thank you so much for sharing this!

I know. There is a video out there...and I just can't watch it yet.

You are very welcome! :)

Just beautiful!

:) He is a beautiful little boy!

[If U Had Wings]

Aw. Working for an airline would be a GREAT idea! Does SW fly out of your area? That helps a LOT. I got a DING fare for my Jan trip...which was awesome.


There is a SW nearby, but it seems that I can usually find cheaper rates on Air Tran and Jet Blue. Still a good rate here from the NY/CT area is about $200 $250 to Orlando. Just enough to add a signifigant enough amount.

[maroo]

There is a SW nearby, but it seems that I can usually find cheaper rates on Air Tran and Jet Blue. Still a good rate here from the NY/CT area is about $200 $250 to Orlando. Just enough to add a signifigant enough amount.

EEK! Yeah...that is expensive. So round trip $500?

I can usually get one round trip for under $200 if I get a DING fare. Including everything, baggage, tax, etc.

[If U Had Wings]

EEK! Yeah...that is expensive. So round trip $500?

I can usually get one round trip for under $200 if I get a DING fare. Including everything, baggage, tax, etc.


No, round trip. Closer to the $250 with bagge/tax and fees.

[kdzbear]

I love your tree that you decorated for Dax. We started decorating on Wed. and then we stopped about half way through. We may finish tonight.

[maroo]

Ok...

I am a little FREAKED!!!!!

The Cast for my December trip (December 14-20 with Rachel and Family) has gone from 7 to.......

I don't even KNOW how many more.

A whole group of folks that Rachel knows (including kids, adults and grandparents) will be joining for "one or two" days... :faint:

So...a wrench in our plans...what an understatement!

It is a good wrench! But back to the drawing and planning board for me! For a planners...this is just nuts!

We leave in....

ONE MONTH!!!!! (as of tomorrow)

[hollybearsmom]

:eek:unknown quantities?

Good luck, i know you will have fun planning for this change!

[jordanyosh]

I'm not even going to attempt to catch up. so i'll just hop on board here.:thumbsup2

[maroo]

:eek:unknown quantities?

Good luck, i know you will have fun planning for this change!

Yep.

Never a dull moment over here.

I'm not even going to attempt to catch up. so i'll just hop on board here.:thumbsup2

You are free to just hop on board! I can't keep up with yours...it FLIES! :hippie:

Short version is that I have a lot of trips coming up and will be just musing about them over here. I will start each musing with a reference to the trip, dates and cast...and the muse.

It should be interesting. :)

[jordanyosh]

Ok...

I am a little FREAKED!!!!!

The Cast for my December trip (December 14-20 with Rachel and Family) has gone from 7 to.......

I don't even KNOW how many more.

A whole group of folks that Rachel knows (including kids, adults and grandparents) will be joining for "one or two" days... :faint:

So...a wrench in our plans...what an understatement!

It is a good wrench! But back to the drawing and planning board for me! For a planners...this is just nuts!

We leave in....

ONE MONTH!!!!! (as of tomorrow)

We had a similar thing happen to our group in feb 08. Some friends of one of our group were in town. They wanted to join us for a day or two.

What we did was keep our basic schedule the same. If they wanted to join us, they could. We stayed together for some of the day and split for part of it. As for meals, same thing

In your case, it's so late in the game that planning a get together especially surrounding a meal might be tough...unless you plan some CS meals together.

It's doable and it really wasn't that bad.

[maroo]

We had a similar thing happen to our group in feb 08. Some friends of one of our group were in town. They wanted to join us for a day or two.

What we did was keep our basic schedule the same. If they wanted to join us, they could. We stayed together for some of the day and split for part of it. As for meals, same thing

In your case, it's so late in the game that planning a get together especially surrounding a meal might be tough...unless you plan some CS meals together.

It's doable and it really wasn't that bad.

This is very true...

Check out this update... :)

[maroo]

Well...

I left in a frantic because we had more people joining us. :scared1:

I had the most interesting conversation with this family. They are old friends of Rachel - the Dad was one of Rachel's night nurses when they were at Rehab for months.

I asked him what parks they may want to go to...and he said that they really would only be able to do one park because of time and finances...and that since there was a mix of adults and children they wanted to spend the day at.......



Epcot.



:faint:

That is the one park that we have VERY little time scheduled. And when we are there we are eating at Le Cellier (like I would EVER be able to add an unknown number of people to the CP ressie?) and watching the Candlelight Processional. BORING for kids. Who could be at the MK! :eek:

They live an hour away from Disney and never go. They really don't care much about Disney. Their mindset is that the Magic Kingdom is for kids. That Epcot is for adults and kids. But they really just want to spend time with Rachel and her Mom. They have not seen them in quite some time. Years.

So...I made the suggestion that they come on the day we are going to the Christmas Party. We have some "down" time at the resort in the early afternoon and then we are heading to the Christmas Party that whole night.

This would provide for plenty of time to visit and hang out. And it is a relatively cheap way to see just one park in one day...plus they get to go to the big Christmas Party. :cheer2:

So. I am waiting to hear from them to see if that is doable. :dance3:

What do you think they will decide? :confused3 Your guess is as good as mine!

Up Next: Plans for December!!

[Sandy321]

Good luck with that - I do know for Florida residents there are numerous ticket options - perhaps after one day (expensive at $75) they could upgrade to a FL AP for a little bit more!! (I think its $145 for FL residents, but there are restrictions - check out mousesavers.com)

However, you just cant change some people's mind. They either "get" Disney, or they dont. and I've found, I just have to let it go!! Seriously our neighbor's went and they were going to get there at noon - during a very busy time - no adr, no plans - dd was even trying to get them to understand. I think they went on 3 rides total!! and dont understand our joy when we return!

I like your plan to have them join you on the party day - spend the day at DTD? maybe do a CS at the resort? Good luck! :wizard:

Epcot is just huge so it makes sense to go there - but it makes no sense to alter all your best laid plans!
:wizard:

[jordanyosh]

I hope you are able to work the details out so it works for everyone. Don't stress too much about it because not knowing them that well, you just don't know what to expect.

[maroo]

Good luck with that - I do know for Florida residents there are numerous ticket options - perhaps after one day (expensive at $75) they could upgrade to a FL AP for a little bit more!! (I think its $145 for FL residents, but there are restrictions - check out mousesavers.com)

However, you just cant change some people's mind. They either "get" Disney, or they dont. and I've found, I just have to let it go!! Seriously our neighbor's went and they were going to get there at noon - during a very busy time - no adr, no plans - dd was even trying to get them to understand. I think they went on 3 rides total!! and dont understand our joy when we return!

I like your plan to have them join you on the party day - spend the day at DTD? maybe do a CS at the resort? Good luck! :wizard:

Epcot is just huge so it makes sense to go there - but it makes no sense to alter all your best laid plans!
:wizard:

They seemed to really like the Christmas Party idea! :) They had no idea they had a Christmas Party. I sent them a website to check out. I will hopefully talk to them some this week.

I hope you are able to work the details out so it works for everyone. Don't stress too much about it because not knowing them that well, you just don't know what to expect.

Me, too!

I will try not to stress. :)

Hopefully in the next day or so I will have a plan for our few days. :)

[pipersmom]

I have a feeling that this will work out just fine for you guys, Maroo..just handle it with your typical grace and charm and you'll be all set. That being said, I can understand the stress it entails when you've been planning for months and a wrench gets thrown into the works. :hug:

[StefaniLyn]

I really hope they decided to join you on your MK day instead of Epcot. It would be near impossible to get more people added to your ressie, especially for CP. Unfortunately, as they are not Disney fanatics and dont't comprehend that a reservation can be considered an accomplishment I doubt they would be very understanding if they had to wait around while you ate at Le Cellier or enjoyed the CP. No matter what, promise me you won't contemplate cancelling your reservations to accommodate the additional cast!

[maroo]

I love your tree that you decorated for Dax. We started decorating on Wed. and then we stopped about half way through. We may finish tonight.

I am so sorry that I missed quoting this post earlier! :hug: I just re-read it and am so sorry I did not quote it the first time around!

I am pretty much done with my decorating. I don't usually do anything outside...just inside. And I am going to be gone for most of the holidays anyway...but I figure I gotta have a TREE!

I have a feeling that this will work out just fine for you guys, Maroo..just handle it with your typical grace and charm and you'll be all set. That being said, I can understand the stress it entails when you've been planning for months and a wrench gets thrown into the works. :hug:

:hug:

Thank you!

I really am feeling pretty good about it today! :) I think that they will all be really cool with going to the party.

I really hope they decided to join you on your MK day instead of Epcot. It would be near impossible to get more people added to your ressie, especially for CP. Unfortunately, as they are not Disney fanatics and dont't comprehend that a reservation can be considered an accomplishment I doubt they would be very understanding if they had to wait around while you ate at Le Cellier or enjoyed the CP. No matter what, promise me you won't contemplate cancelling your reservations to accommodate the additional cast!

I do, too.

Don't worry...I don't plan changing the Le Cellier ressie at all. But...if that is what Rachel really wants to do...then I would go with that.

I am really trying not to be "married" to these plans. Much like my trip with Lauren - I want this trip to be all about Rachel and Ellie and their family - if they want to cancel an ADR...well...oh well. If they wake up and decide they want to go to Epcot for PM EMH on the Worst Day of the Year...well, Ok. :rotfl:

I think I will be disappointed if we skip the plans and end up getting everything all messed up... but if we miss something I planned to do something they would rather do...and they are happy...then I will be happy! I get to go to Disney a lot...they may never get back...at least not with this group of people.



I also don't think I am mentioned Rosemary much. Rosemary is one of Rachel's best friends from growing up. Rosemary is a college student and about the same age as Rachel.

Rosemary has had a very hard life. BOTH of her parents were murdered. And not at the same time, either. A very crazy man was obsessed with her Mother. He actually killed her Father - in an attempt to get closer to her Mom. A while later he killed her Mom and then himself on the same day - after she told him that she did not want a relationship with him. Just tragic.

Rachel and her Mom have been like family to her for years. Rosemary goes on a lot of trips with them. :)

This will be her first trip to Disney, too.

So...I guess I am just saying... This trip is about them...what they want to do. Hopefully I have saved them some money, helped them plan to maximize their time and will be an asset while they are there to help take some of the pressure off of everyone... But I am really going to try not to stress too much.

I just forgot that this weekend when they said they were going to add a "few" (ok, more like 10) people to the trip. :scared1:

But I am better now. :)

[StefaniLyn]

Don't worry...I don't plan changing the Le Cellier ressie at all. But...if that is what Rachel really wants to do...then I would go with that.

I am really trying not to be "married" to these plans. Much like my trip with Lauren - I want this trip to be all about Rachel and Ellie and their family - if they want to cancel an ADR...well...oh well. If they wake up and decide they want to go to Epcot for PM EMH on the Worst Day of the Year...well, Ok. :rotfl:

I think I will be disappointed if we skip the plans and end up getting everything all messed up... but if we miss something I planned to do something they would rather do...and they are happy...then I will be happy! I get to go to Disney a lot...they may never get back...at least not with this group of people.

I also don't think I am mentioned Rosemary much. Rosemary is one of Rachel's best friends from growing up. Rosemary is a college student and about the same age as Rachel.

Rosemary has had a very hard life. BOTH of her parents were murdered. And not at the same time, either. A very crazy man was obsessed with her Mother. He actually killed her Father - in an attempt to get closer to her Mom. A while later he killed her Mom and then himself on the same day - after she told him that she did not want a relationship with him. Just tragic.

Rachel and her Mom have been like family to her for years. Rosemary goes on a lot of trips with them. :)

This will be her first trip to Disney, too.

So...I guess I am just saying... This trip is about them...what they want to do. Hopefully I have saved them some money, helped them plan to maximize their time and will be an asset while they are there to help take some of the pressure off of everyone... But I am really going to try not to stress too much.

I just forgot that this weekend when they said they were going to add a "few" (ok, more like 10) people to the trip. :scared1:

But I am better now. :)

Rosemary's story . . . omgosh how tragic! I cannot even imagine!

I understand that the trip is about Rachel and her family. But. . . . . . it can still be about them even if you need to take a little side trip for one day to Epcot for the CP dinner package. Would Rachel and mom still be able to get around without your assistance? Are there other new cast members who could help out if not?

If you didn't want to go by yourself, I'm sure you could find another DISer, maybe even a Wish family, that would like to join you. You give so much to other people, including Rachel and her family. I am certain they would not want you to be disappointed either.

[pipersmom]

I'm with Stefani on this one, and as much as I know you love your trips with wish families, I'm glad you're planning the ones with All7ofUs and other side trip(s) for yourself as well. You deserve it!

[maroo]

Rosemary's story . . . omgosh how tragic! I cannot even imagine!

I know. :sad1: And I had NO idea when I first met her and for some very strange reason asked her about her parents?!?! :faint: Awkward.

I understand that the trip is about Rachel and her family. But. . . . . . it can still be about them even if you need to take a little side trip for one day to Epcot for the CP dinner package. Would Rachel and mom still be able to get around without your assistance? Are there other new cast members who could help out if not?

I actually have a little "side" trip - sorta - planned. Actually...maybe more than one. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve! :)

If you didn't want to go by yourself, I'm sure you could find another DISer, maybe even a Wish family, that would like to join you. You give so much to other people, including Rachel and her family. I am certain they would not want you to be disappointed either.

You are so sweet. :hug:

I'm with Stefani on this one, and as much as I know you love your trips with wish families, I'm glad you're planning the ones with All7ofUs and other side trip(s) for yourself as well. You deserve it!

I have LOTS of trips planned! :goodvibes He he.

[Sandy321]

ITA - you do handle things with grace, and love!!

and they will have a great experience coming in for the Party - make sure they come early and hang out at the resort - get to the party at 4pm - lunch at a CS place? (where are you staying this particular trip? )

[maroo]

DECEMBER:
Dates: December 14-20
Cast: Rachel, her Mom, Rosemary, Ellie, her Mom and Dad and me.

Here is some more info about December. I think this may shed some light on some of what I have planned for this trip:

Monday, December 14th:
DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE!!! Rachel, her Mom, Rosemary and I are heading out in their van for the approx 10 hour trip to Disney. We will leave late in the afternoon on Monday, after Rachel's treatment. Rachel will be tired - since she just got her medicine and may sleep for a good bit of the drive. We will all share driving responsibilities - we all like to drive.

Note: Ellie, her Mom and Dad do not arrive until Wednesday!

We plan to catch supper on the road. And then grab a hotel room whenever we are ready to go to sleep.

Tuesday, December 15th:
Sleep in - some. We will have lost an hour. This trip is going to have to be relaxed. If we need to sleep - especially Rachel - we are. :) Drive the rest of the way to the AKL. Check in - (I will have actually already done online check in - and called to make sure our room is going to have all of the equipment we need). Quick change of clothes. Maybe rest a bit, if we have time.

To EPCOT! First stop is to Ticketing - I need to get my Tables in Wonderland Card and they will need to get tickets. Then to Guest Services to get a GAC card for Rachel. She has several medical needs not addressed by simply using a wheelchair, so hopefully Guest Services will be able to help her with an alternate place to wait for some lines.

Grab a FP for Soarin'!

To Le Cellier for Lunch. Our lunch is a late lunch. Then to CP. Then??? Who knows...walk around WS? Probably we will head out...ride Soarin' and head to the room.

Rachel has some medical stuff to take care of - stuff she likes her Momma to handle. ;) It is possible that Rachel and her Mom will go back early and give Rosemary and I a chance to ride some thrill rides! Test Track? Go to MK and ride Space Mountain? Who knows. We may even go to Jellyrolls for the evening? :confused3

I am fairly certain that Tuesday's plans will be left the way they are...simply because Rosemary is just along for the ride (her words) and Rachel, Joyce and I planned that day!

It is the rest of the week that gets a little...Interesting.

So ... More on that later!


And I will go ahead and popcorn myself! popcorn::

[maroo]

ITA - you do handle things with grace, and love!!

and they will have a great experience coming in for the Party - make sure they come early and hang out at the resort - get to the party at 4pm - lunch at a CS place? (where are you staying this particular trip? )

That party. It is going to be AWESOME!!!!!

We are staying at the AKL.

Plan is to go to a park till around 12:00 PM on party day. Then head back to the room to rest. Actually get off of our feet - be horizontal - for at least an hour each. Hopefully Ellie will even get a longer nap?

Then leave by 3:30 for the party.

Counter service during the party - no specific plans. These people don't eat anyway. It will probably be just me eating. Really. They don't eat. One meal a day sort of people. :confused3

And then I have a little surprise for the party. :santa: Maroo got to be Santa throwing some pixie dust today...and have added a little magic to this little party!

Which is going to provide me a little time to myself, too. Not really intentional on my part...but that is how it has worked out! All will be revealed in due time, my friends. Due time.

[Sandy321]

popcorn:: yourself!! :rotfl2:

OK - for your roadtrip - - stop at a McDonald's, or Steak n Shake - whaterver... and look for a magazine rack - that has this > >

http://www.roomsaver.com/index.php

they put together DAY OF savings - a "walk in rate"!!

and - if EPCOT Guest Service gives Rachel a hard time about GAC - let it go... and then the next day go to MK for the GAC - its been our experience that Epcot CM's told us that GACs were for "autistic" kids only - or if you have a wheelchair - we wont give a GAC.... :confused3 Hopefully they are better trained!! (I plan on getting PM from you after the trip btw - this "new" GAC procedures are making me a bit nervous - hopefully we wont need it with dd - I like to have it, just in case, luckily last trip we didnt need it!! :goodvibes)

AK :cool1: That will be a fun place to gather all those people - lunch at Mara, or Saana? so many places to hang out at AK imho!!

[DisneyBride'03]

aha!!!

I found your Dec PTR....LOL


Hope to see you somewhere inthe world...I am there 18-21...even for a quick hello:)

[maroo]

popcorn:: yourself!! :rotfl2:

OK - for your roadtrip - - stop at a McDonald's, or Steak n Shake - whaterver... and look for a magazine rack - that has this > >

http://www.roomsaver.com/index.php

they put together DAY OF savings - a "walk in rate"!!

and - if EPCOT Guest Service gives Rachel a hard time about GAC - let it go... and then the next day go to MK for the GAC - its been our experience that Epcot CM's told us that GACs were for "autistic" kids only - or if you have a wheelchair - we wont give a GAC.... :confused3 Hopefully they are better trained!! (I plan on getting PM from you after the trip btw - this "new" GAC procedures are making me a bit nervous - hopefully we wont need it with dd - I like to have it, just in case, luckily last trip we didnt need it!! :goodvibes)

AK :cool1: That will be a fun place to gather all those people - lunch at Mara, or Saana? so many places to hang out at AK imho!!

I figured I would just do a premptive popcorn strike! :goodvibes

Actually...we are going to have to get another GAC on Wednesday anyway. But if they put the right "stamp" on it Tuesday, then we should be good to go for Wed. If not, we can start over on Wed.

We will only have 4 people with us the first day (but may have to use it for Soarin?) and by Wednesday we will have 7. I know the GAC will only work for 6 people total...so if they don't have mercy on me, then I will be sitting out on any rides that require the GAC once the rest of the family gets there. Wed/Thurs we will have 7 with us...Thurs night we may have...who knows how many...and Friday Joyce will be in meetings all day....but more on that later! :)

I am not sure if we will have lunch before the leave the park for the morning on Thursday or eat at the AKL (probably Mara)?? I guess it all depends on timing and our tummies!

aha!!!

I found your Dec PTR....LOL


Hope to see you somewhere inthe world...I am there 18-21...even for a quick hello:)

He he!

To be REALLY confusing...this is actually a PTR about December, Jan, March, Oct? and December 2010. :rotfl: I just have not addressed all of those yet. :rotfl2:

PM me your schedule when you get it worked out and maybe I can tweak mine to make sure we can connect at some point. Although we really only have the 18th (which is our "rest" day - whatever that means) and the 19th...we will be out of the parks by the 20th.

Where are you guys staying?

[that's nice]

Well I'm trying to catch up and figure out what has been going on in here. Almost a week has gone by... and i feel like this:faint::faint:

I'm still recovering from my trip.

It looks like there is another trip planned? Or a meet? I'm confused.:confused3

[maroo]

Well I'm trying to catch up and figure out what has been going on in here. Almost a week has gone by... and i feel like this:faint::faint:

I'm still recovering from my trip.

It looks like there is another trip planned? Or a meet? I'm confused.:confused3

Let's see....

We have a trip in December. Which may include 3 DIS meets...

January...which may include SEVERAL meets :goodvibes

March - which has not even been touched on this TR yet and will include a Tent Fest, stay at the Poly (I HOPE!), and a half marathon

Sept - which is being address on the other pretrippie - and a possible trip to Nashville before that one?? :confused3

Oct? - Maybe for the Wine and Dine half?? Depends on several factors?

December 2010 - A long Christmas weekend.

You are not the only one confused. :) There is a lot to be explained yet. ;)

Welcome back! :)

[DisneyBride'03]

ha ha now i'm confused....LOL

[maroo]

ha ha now i'm confused....LOL

It will all be clear in due time, my friend, due time. :)

If I told you about it all (like I just did) - I would confuse everyone! :)

So we will probably do one trip at a time, for the most part. :)

[stacikristine]

Hi Maroo! I'm finally coming over and joining your incredible PTR/TR! :goodvibes I have to admit, I've tried to subscribe multiple times before, but I always got overwhelmed since I was WAY behind... But I read all of your easy access pages (from your intro) and now I feel like I can come along for the ride! :thumbsup2

I also want to say that I really admire you. It's so obvious that you have SUCH a good heart, and I know those girls are blessed to have you in their lives. I know you're blessed by them too! I can't wait to read along and learn ALL about your trips! Thanks for sharing! :flower3:

[DisneyBride'03]

I also want to say that I really admire you. It's so obvious that you have SUCH a good heart, and I know those girls are blessed to have you in their lives. I know you're blessed by them too! I can't wait to read along and learn ALL about your trips! Thanks for sharing! :flower3:

How sweet:flower3:

[maroo]

Ok...short rant...I am really frustrated with the User CP functionality right now...I am subscribed to a LOT of threads...but some of them are simply not coming up saying that they have been updated! I didn't even see your post until about 5 minutes ago.

I think the problem may be that it is updated while I am reading forums and I only actually click on User CP every few hours sometimes...I think I am losing some of my updates somewhere in between? Quite frustrating! :mad:

Hi Maroo! I'm finally coming over and joining your incredible PTR/TR! :goodvibes I have to admit, I've tried to subscribe multiple times before, but I always got overwhelmed since I was WAY behind... But I read all of your easy access pages (from your intro) and now I feel like I can come along for the ride! :thumbsup2

I also want to say that I really admire you. It's so obvious that you have SUCH a good heart, and I know those girls are blessed to have you in their lives. I know you're blessed by them too! I can't wait to read along and learn ALL about your trips! Thanks for sharing! :flower3:

Oh my gosh. How sweet! :hug: Thank you so much for the nice words.

I am hoping to let this be a short spurt sort of Pre-Trippie...where you can click "Last Page" and be brought to the update and I will basically recap which trip I am talking about each time. :goodvibes That way it won't be so confusing to everyone.

I am pretty confused myself. In fact...at some point soon...I need to sit down and match up my confirmation numbers (which are in various places) with my travel dates/deposits and make sure everything is booked correctly. I keep changing resorts...etc, etc.

I am so glad you have joined me on this crazy pre-trippie!

How sweet:flower3:

That was so sweet! And thank you for posting that because I had not even seen her post. :sad2: :sad1:

[pipersmom]

I am actually not confused for once, which is a rare thing! :rotfl: Seriously though, your sounds plan great..err..your plans sound great too! What was I just saying about not being confused??? Anyway..still following along without popcorn (I don't like popcorn..lol) but with chips :)

[maroo]

More plans revealed!

Again referring to the December trip!

Dates: December 14-20, 2009
Resort: AKL
Cast: Rachel and family - including her neice, Ellie (who is 4)

We have discussed Monday and Tuesday...so now to Wednesday...when the real fun begins! :goodvibes

Wednesday:
Sorta sleep in. (I know, I know. They are not rope drop people.)

The four of us (Rachel, Rosemary, Joyce and I) will head to AK for the morning. The objective here is to see and do anything that Ellie won't be interested in. Probably EE, Finding Nemo show (they have never seen the movie!!?!? Which I hope to fix over Thanksgiving break!) and ?? I don't know what else...help me here!

Lunch: Wherever

Rest back at the room.

Ellie and her parents arrive in the mid-afternoon and will catch ME to AKL and check in.

Then we are all off to the Magic Kingdom! This will be a first for Ellie, Rosemary and Gina! I LOVE taking newbies to the Magic Kingdom. :cloud9:

The crowd score for MK is an 8 today. The days all around are 4s and 5s. :confused3 I think it is going to be busy for the same reason we are going that night...It is the only night to see "regular" Wishes during our whole trip. So we will brave the crowds and not have a lot on our schedule for the night except to watch Spectro and Wishes. :cloud9:

We actually have a CP reservation at 7:15 for all 7 of us. I will probably cancel this...It is smack in the middle of Spectro and Wishes - which may work out great. And they could run out and catch the fireworks...but I don't want to push it too much. We will talk about this soon and decide. I would be just as happy with a Hot Dog from Casey's.

If they crowds are just too much, we will hop over to DHS and see the Osbourne Lights. DHS closes at 8:00 PM, so as long as we get there before they close, we should be fine to catch the lights.





So...what do you guys think? What should we focus on at the Animal Kingdom that Ellie may not be interested in. Or maybe something that Joyce and Rachel may want to check out first?? Any suggestions?

And should we punt Crystal Palace that first night?

[If U Had Wings]

The plans look pretty good. I think the shows are always a great idea, either Nemo or the Lion King. The bird show is pretty good too. I got past my Alfred Hitchcock bird phobia the last time we were there, and was amazed at how much I enjoyed the show. AK is small, and hopefully it won't be to busy so you should be able to play it by ear a bit.

We have one day on our trip were they MK crowd numbers are something like an 8. I couldn't figure out why that one day is so high, until I saw here on the boards that it's parade filming day. I wonder if something special is going on at the park that day.

I'd keep CP for now. You might all be looking for that break.

[All7OfUs]

I"m with Wings- keep your CP until game time, you can always cancel that day, and still give others a chance at a last minute ressie.

You may need a place to regroup and rest.

[StefaniLyn]

I think you need to do a Disney Family Night for Nemo over Thanksgiving Break. I can't believe she's never seen it! It will make the show at AK even more magical if she knows what's going on!

I agree with the others who suggested keeping CP until the day of and playing it by ear. I don't believe there is a penalty for cancelling and you may find that it works right into your plans.

[maroo]

The plans look pretty good. I think the shows are always a great idea, either Nemo or the Lion King. The bird show is pretty good too. I got past my Alfred Hitchcock bird phobia the last time we were there, and was amazed at how much I enjoyed the show. AK is small, and hopefully it won't be to busy so you should be able to play it by ear a bit.

We have one day on our trip were they MK crowd numbers are something like an 8. I couldn't figure out why that one day is so high, until I saw here on the boards that it's parade filming day. I wonder if something special is going on at the park that day.

I'd keep CP for now. You might all be looking for that break.

The bird show! I have never seen that...in fact...I am not even sure where it is?

The 8 day for us is December 16th...But we talked about it last night (discussed the trip plans again!) and just decided they really want to go to the MK together - all 7 of us - so that we can all experience seeing the castle for the first time...together. We will have 3 first timers with us - including Ellie - who is 4 - and it is going to be magical...crowds or not.

Then if it is just crazy crowded we will grab dinner at Crystal Palace - or we may hop to DHS and see the Osbourne lights.

I don't think it is anything special - it is the one day between 3 parties and the last time that "regular" wishes will be shown before Holiday Wishes takes over.

I"m with Wings- keep your CP until game time, you can always cancel that day, and still give others a chance at a last minute ressie.

You may need a place to regroup and rest.

This is very true!

I think you need to do a Disney Family Night for Nemo over Thanksgiving Break. I can't believe she's never seen it! It will make the show at AK even more magical if she knows what's going on!

I agree with the others who suggested keeping CP until the day of and playing it by ear. I don't believe there is a penalty for cancelling and you may find that it works right into your plans.

I totally agree!

I am going to have to find that movie somewhere to rent. Or maybe buy? I love that movie! I am going to look into that today.

[maroo]

Thursday plans: (Still December! :))
Cast: A 7 of us! :)

Morning: We are going to Animal Kingdom this morning. We think that MK and AK will be Ellie's favorite parks. She already has the cutest outfit to wear to the Animal Kingdom and is excited about the Safari! So Joyce wants to be with us as she sees that park too (and Joyce won't be with us on Friday - more on that later).

The plan is for us to go to the Safari first. The animals are more active in the morning. UNLESS we get there late. Which is entirely possible. If we get there late, I will grab a FP for it. (I will be the FP runner.)

Then see the Lion King.

And check out the kids area.

That's it for Thursday morning. We may eat lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, as this will be our main meal for the day.

A short morning - as we will be back at the Animal Kingdom later in the trip!

Then rest in the room. Chill. Take a serious nap (especially Ellie). Get dressed for the Christmas Party (I will have pics of our plans for that later).

Then Christmas Party! Hopefully be there by 4:00 - but the nap is more important...so if we are later, we are later. The focus here will be to do the Christmas Party events. The Parade, Holiday Wishes, Special Characters (which I need to research), Dance Parties and take in the ambience. We know this will probably be a busy party. If we catch some rides, that will be great, too. We are SKIPPING that stupid show in Tomorrowland. I don't want to see Wazowski's arm fall off. (Did you guys SEE that?!?!?!)

WARNING - DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS WATCH THIS. Seriously. It is disturbing. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRP8ZHLXFL0)

And the above video is not very "pro-Disney"...it was definitely NOT one of Disney's shining moments...but it is pretty funny.

And speaking of Disney shining moments, I have a special event this night, too. But that will just have to wait until later to reveal. :rolleyes1

[jordanyosh]

I just caught up with the updates for your Dec trip.

The Flights of Wonder show is on the path between Africa and Asia. It's pretty close, if not next to the Yak and Yeti Restaurant. It's one of my favorite shows at AK. I really don't know why. I love seeing the bald eagle up close.

I agree with keeping CP on the ADR list until the last possible moment.

[StefaniLyn]

Thursday plans: (Still December! :))
Cast: A 7 of us! :)

Morning: We are going to Animal Kingdom this morning. We think that MK and AK will be Ellie's favorite parks. She already has the cutest outfit to wear to the Animal Kingdom and is excited about the Safari! So Joyce wants to be with us as she sees that park too (and Joyce won't be with us on Friday - more on that later).

The plan is for us to go to the Safari first. The animals are more active in the morning. UNLESS we get there late. Which is entirely possible. If we get there late, I will grab a FP for it. (I will be the FP runner.)

Then see the Lion King.

And check out the kids area.

That's it for Thursday morning. We may eat lunch at the Rainforest Cafe, as this will be our main meal for the day.

A short morning - as we will be back at the Animal Kingdom later in the trip!

Then rest in the room. Chill. Take a serious nap (especially Ellie). Get dressed for the Christmas Party (I will have pics of our plans for that later).

Then Christmas Party! Hopefully be there by 4:00 - but the nap is more important...so if we are later, we are later. The focus here will be to do the Christmas Party events. The Parade, Holiday Wishes, Special Characters (which I need to research), Dance Parties and take in the ambience. We know this will probably be a busy party. If we catch some rides, that will be great, too. We are SKIPPING that stupid show in Tomorrowland. I don't want to see Wazowski's arm fall off. (Did you guys SEE that?!?!?!)

WARNING - DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS WATCH THIS. Seriously. It is disturbing. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRP8ZHLXFL0)

And the above video is not very "pro-Disney"...it was definitely NOT one of Disney's shining moments...but it is pretty funny.

And speaking of Disney shining moments, I have a special event this night, too. But that will just have to wait until later to reveal. :rolleyes1
Good idea taking it easy with a young one, especially after a day of travel.

That video was disturbing! Mike was just an eye and one arm!

Are we going to have to wait until AFTER you go to have this magic revealed ot do we get to read about it in your plans?

[maroo]

I just caught up with the updates for your Dec trip.

The Flights of Wonder show is on the path between Africa and Asia. It's pretty close, if not next to the Yak and Yeti Restaurant. It's one of my favorite shows at AK. I really don't know why. I love seeing the bald eagle up close.

I agree with keeping CP on the ADR list until the last possible moment.

Ah! Flights of Wonder. I am going to have to check that out! I love bald eagles!! And don't know that I have ever seen one up close.

Good idea taking it easy with a young one, especially after a day of travel.

That video was disturbing! Mike was just an eye and one arm!

Are we going to have to wait until AFTER you go to have this magic revealed ot do we get to read about it in your plans?

More info to come on taking it easy...... :rolleyes1

Yeah...the magic ... it is going to have to wait until I return. For a few reasons...not the least of which is that someone may be lurking on here and read about it. ;) But I also don't have everything ironed down yet for it....So...yeah...we will have to wait on that one. But if it is half as cool as I think it is going to be........It may require it's own little trip report.

[All7OfUs]

OK, now my interest has gone to new heights!! What could this possibly be??!!!

[maroo]

Still talking about DECEMBER! :santa:

Friday Plans -
Well...Friday. This will make a little more sense in a bit, when I explain why we have a empty Friday.

We have...well...no plans for Friday.

Well...maybe that isn't exactly true...

I do have 2 ADR's. One is for Boma breakfast. The plan is to really sleep in. I figure we will not get back into the room until 1AM or later and we will need to sleep in. So I have a late breakfast ressie at Boma.

Then the next thing on the agenda is a reservation at 1900 Park Fare for Dinner. I believe this is around 7:00 and is for all 7 of us. (Wow- Liesa, I just totally stole your user name!)

Otherwise...the general plan is to significanly split up. Joyce will have MPS (the disease that Rachel has - this is the purpose of the trip) meetings on this day. She will have to head about pretty early to attend those. Ellie and her family are going to have a Family Day - they can do whatever they want and not have to worry about us. Rachel, Rosemary and I will have the day pretty much to ourselves.

What will we do??

We have NO idea! Probably really rest. Or maybe hit a park?


Random thoughts from Maroo.

This brings me to some random thoughts. :laughing: I had a good Thanksgiving break. I went with Rachel and her Mom to their condo in Destin, FL. We made a full Thanksgiving meal and had some of their local friends over. I am still stuffed! :rolleyes1

I also got to experience...again...first hand...how difficult, time consuming and generally slow it is to travel with someone with a significant disability. I have traveled with Lauren and experienced how long it takes to get ready and out the door when we are on vacation...and how frequently we have to make stops and how long those stops usually take.

Generally, Rachel and Joyce move a lot faster than Lauren's family. Rachel has a lot more use of her hands, so she can do a lot more things for herself. And they don't worry so much about putting on a bunch of make-up (Rachel is out of those teenage years when everything has to be "just so"). :angel: But it still takes a while. To get loaded up to go somewhere. To find the accessible entrances. To stop for restroom breaks - no in and out for us. And her medical stuff takes a while at the end of the day.

A typical family may get back to the room and just fall into bed - after a quick change of clothes and maybe a quick shower - with everyone taking care of their own needs and able to move fairly quickly. :yay:

That is not how it works for us, though. It takes a while to take care of the regular day-to-day stuff. :upsidedow

This weekend served as a not so gentle reminder that we are going to have to pad our plans with time on each end of the day to take care of things and have time to rest. :hippie:

So, I am glad we have Friday free. I am glad that we are going to take it easy. We may really need the break. :faint:

[jordanyosh]

do nothing days are the most overlooked part of OCD WDW planners planning.

We forget that vacations are also for relaxing and sleeping in and doing nothing except enjoying the surrounding.

It warms my heart to know that you understand the importance of resting!!!!!

I can't imagine dealing with all those issues. I need to be more thankful

[maroo]

do nothing days are the most overlooked part of OCD WDW planners planning.

We forget that vacations are also for relaxing and sleeping in and doing nothing except enjoying the surrounding.

It warms my heart to know that you understand the importance of resting!!!!!

I can't imagine dealing with all those issues. I need to be more thankful

Every time I think I have it bad...or my friends have it bad...I run into someone else that has it worse.

I am thankful each time I eat a meal (with my own two hands) or drive to work or just get dressed in the morning. Thankful that I can do that on my own with no help.

Even with all of lifes difficulties, it all could be so much worse.

What these families go through to just get from point A to point B in the simplest of life moments is amazing and something you just have to go through to really get...It is amazing how much these families go through to help their kids live the most productive lives possible.

[All7OfUs]

A healthy dose of perspective for our evening.

Thanks, maroo!

[maroo]

A healthy dose of perspective for our evening.

Thanks, maroo!

Goodness...you could certainly give us a lot more perspective!!! :hug:

[that's nice]

I just watched that video you posted and when it was over I wished for the last 10 minutes of my life back. That was horrible.:sad2:

LOLOL:lmao:

[StefaniLyn]

Yeah...the magic ... it is going to have to wait until I return. For a few reasons...not the least of which is that someone may be lurking on here and read about it. ;) But I also don't have everything ironed down yet for it....So...yeah...we will have to wait on that one. But if it is half as cool as I think it is going to be........It may require it's own little trip report.

are you really going to do THAT to us again? I don't think I have enough kleenex left! Time to stock up!

[All7OfUs]

One never knows with maroo; it's like she's a personal genie, wish-making machine!

[maroo]

I just watched that video you posted and when it was over I wished for the last 10 minutes of my life back. That was horrible.:sad2:

LOLOL:lmao:

Yeah...wondered if I should take it off? But it is so funny! :laughing:

are you really going to do THAT to us again? I don't think I have enough kleenex left! Time to stock up!

Me? Make you use tissues? Nah.......

One never knows with maroo; it's like she's a personal genie, wish-making machine!

:rolleyes1

[maroo]

:woohoo: :cheer2::yay: :cool1: :cheer2: 2 WEEKS!!! 2 WEEKS!!! 2 WEEKS! :woohoo: :yay: :dance3: :woohoo: :cool1: :yay: :cheer2:

2 Weeks from right now......

We will probably be just getting on the road after spending the night in FLORIDA!! Just hours away from checking in at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. By now I am probably very nervous that we are not going to make it on time (we do have a Le Cellier ressie at 2:00 PM) :rolleyes1 and that they won't have all of the Handicapped Accessible stuff we need at AKL...but I am sure I will get over it. :rotfl:


So...in honor of our less than 14 days until we leave mark...I have pictures for you....

First...my favorite. We found one of Rachel's hats from her last Disney trip. Here she is trying it on.

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/photo-22.jpg

The fact she is even here...is honestly a miracle. :worship: But to see her smiling and so happy - really brings tears to my eyes. Her health was deteriorating months before her hospital stay. And for those of you guys just joining us - she really almost died in the hospital. The Rachel you see here...is as happy as I have ever seen her. :goodvibes


Then a good friend of mine on the DIS made us some shirts! They arrived today...and we LOVE them!!! Thank you TK!

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/photo-23.jpg

And you should see Ellie's....it is SOOOO cute! So tiny! I love it!



And I made us some sweatshirts. We may wear these to the Christmas Party - depends on the weather. I am hoping that it is warm enough that we only need the sweatshirts and can all be matchy, matchy!

A kind DISer designed these for us. Oma is Rachel's Mom's nickname. We also have Ray-Ray (Rachel), Rosie (Rosemary), Big Boss (Ellie's Mom - there is a story behind that), Grumpy (Ellie's Dad - who refuses to wear a matching shirt - I made him one in case he gets in the Disney spirit!), The Boo (Ellie - for Ellie Boo), and maroo. :) That would be me.


http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/photo-25.jpg


And I love this picture of Joyce modeling her shirt. As you can see above, it is on straight...but here she is leaning and it looks like I ironed it on completely crooked. :eek:

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/photo-26.jpg


However, we have someone that is breaking rank. He refuses to wear a matching shirt...so we made this one for him. This is from the BACK of the shirt...


http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/photo-29.jpg


Notice the tape on the shirt...looks like we taped it on him. That one I did do a little sideways so it looks like it was taped on there. :rotfl2::rotfl:


We had fun with this!! Just imagine how much fun we are going to have in DISNEY!!!!!!

[jordanyosh]

all the shirts and sweatshirts came out great!

wow 14 days! how nice is that?

I don't think we'll be wearing matching t-shirts. wendy probably could do it, but she's so busy. plus, I don't think I'm a matching shirt kinda a guy either...although I'm sure I could be swayed...

[If U Had Wings]

The shirts look great. I love the Grumpy one. Cute!

[maroo]

all the shirts and sweatshirts came out great!

wow 14 days! how nice is that?

I don't think we'll be wearing matching t-shirts. wendy probably could do it, but she's so busy. plus, I don't think I'm a matching shirt kinda a guy either...although I'm sure I could be swayed...

Ha! Well, maybe we will have to make you a Grumpy shirt? :rotfl:

I bet if you had a 4 year old little girl that she could convince ya! I bet Ellie convinces her Dad. :) We will see!!

The shirts look great. I love the Grumpy one. Cute!

Thanks!! :hug:

[jordanyosh]

Ha! Well, maybe we will have to make you a Grumpy shirt? :rotfl:

I bet if you had a 4 year old little girl that she could convince ya! I bet Ellie convinces her Dad. :) We will see!!


HA! I'd wear it IF you made one.

My cousin, wendy's kids haven't figured out the whole T-shirt thing yet so shhhh don't tell them or you're right, you will see pix of us in matching T-shirts.

[maroo]

HA! I'd wear it IF you made one.

My cousin, wendy's kids haven't figured out the whole T-shirt thing yet so shhhh don't tell them or you're right, you will see pix of us in matching T-shirts.

I would be glad to make you guys some shirts!!! Seriously. PM me. I can make you matching shirts or even almost matching...like each name looks different...if that makes sense. And would even make you a Grumpy one. :rotfl2:

[All7OfUs]

maroo's on a roll- she's a shirt making maniac lately!

[twinmum]

Hello Maroo: I just popped in to check out what was happening on the Wish Tripper board, and with your trip(s). I spotted your comment about the effort is takes to travel with a family member who is disabled.

We've been thinking about planning a vacation, maybe change things up a bit, but what I told my hubby I really needed was to go somewhere I knew would "work." And that means WDW to me! With school, hubby's work commitments and a previously arranged ski trip for him, it's looking like the best way to have a trip sooner rather han later may be for me to take the boys myself. Maybe.

The thought of doing it on my own is on the one hand liberating...but I also know that it's tiring too. Your comment helped ease my guilt about how few trips we take, how unadventurous we can be. It's a lot of work to pack everything up, wheel Mark, assist with transfers etc, and find ways for every member to have fun...and maybe even relax (OK, I'm still working on that one for myself!).

So we have no plans, but I hope we will. But I'm not feeling guilty about it anymore. We'll do what we're able to do, and it's not because I'm not trying hard enough.

Did you tell us that there's an issue with your December trip? Flu? (We had a rotten bout of H1N1 throughout the house in November...all clear now!)

Take care,
Alison

[maroo]

Hello Maroo: I just popped in to check out what was happening on the Wish Tripper board, and with your trip(s). I spotted your comment about the effort is takes to travel with a family member who is disabled.

We've been thinking about planning a vacation, maybe change things up a bit, but what I told my hubby I really needed was to go somewhere I knew would "work." And that means WDW to me! With school, hubby's work commitments and a previously arranged ski trip for him, it's looking like the best way to have a trip sooner rather han later may be for me to take the boys myself. Maybe.

The thought of doing it on my own is on the one hand liberating...but I also know that it's tiring too. Your comment helped ease my guilt about how few trips we take, how unadventurous we can be. It's a lot of work to pack everything up, wheel Mark, assist with transfers etc, and find ways for every member to have fun...and maybe even relax (OK, I'm still working on that one for myself!).

So we have no plans, but I hope we will. But I'm not feeling guilty about it anymore. We'll do what we're able to do, and it's not because I'm not trying hard enough.

Did you tell us that there's an issue with your December trip? Flu? (We had a rotten bout of H1N1 throughout the house in November...all clear now!)

Take care,
Alison

Hello Alison! :goodvibes How is your family doing? I am glad everyone is finally over the flu!

I got H1N1 after my last trip to Disney in Sept. :rolleyes1 Two days later. I am sure it was the plane. Never Disney. :sad2:

Since I missed 3 days of work, it cut out my vacation time and I had to cancel part of my December trip.

I totally get it...trying to travel is really difficult. I think it helps to just change your expectations some...I read some TR's (and trips I have gone on myself) and think about all that I can accomplish in a day - and then to think about this trip coming up...I just have to remind myself that it is going to be slower...we will have bumps in the road that we would not normally have.

But it is also going to be so rewarding to see her do things she can't do anywhere else.

If I can get her on Soarin'...and watch her face as she "flies".... That will be awesome! She could never do that except in Disney.

And she is expecting to have to sit out for the rides. The last time she went, she was still walking. She doesn't realize how many rides have a wheelchair car...I think she is going to be pleasantly surprised! :thumbsup2

Can you bring a friend with you? Even if that person can't help with the medical stuff...they can help with other stuff. Packing. Unpacking. And it helps emotionally...to have someone there. Even if they just hand you stuff...or carry a bag...whatever. Seems to really lighten the load.

Thanks for posting!

And let me know when you are going...you never know, I may be there! :) My friends all tell me I should just give it up and move there.

[StefaniLyn]

:
However, we have someone that is breaking rank. He refuses to wear a matching shirt...so we made this one for him. This is from the BACK of the shirt...


http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/photo-29.jpg


Notice the tape on the shirt...looks like we taped it on him. That one I did do a little sideways so it looks like it was taped on there. :rotfl2::rotfl:


We had fun with this!! Just imagine how much fun we are going to have in DISNEY!!!!!![/COLOR][/SIZE]

I MUST steal that t-shirt idea next time we take G-pa to Disney! :rotfl::rotfl2:

[pipersmom]

Hooray for 14 days!! The shirts look awesome, Maroo! I haven't decided whether to try my hand at tie-dye Mickey head shirts yet, I may have to! Piper says to tell you "hello" as she read over my shoulder..lol. I def think Jordan needs a "Grumpy" shirt..do I get a vote?

[jordanyosh]

Hooray for 14 days!! The shirts look awesome, Maroo! I haven't decided whether to try my hand at tie-dye Mickey head shirts yet, I may have to! Piper says to tell you "hello" as she read over my shoulder..lol. I def think Jordan needs a "Grumpy" shirt..do I get a vote?

HA!

I say go for it on the tie dye.

[All7OfUs]

Hi ALL!

Maroo just skyped me and asked me to post that Rachel is quite ill again- possibly with pneumonia! She will have a chest X-Ray in the morning. I guess she's been on antibiotics for some time, but that they haven't helped.

I know you are all aware that maroo, Rachel, her mom and a whole bunch of other people are supposed to leave for their trip in less than 2 weeks!!! :scared1:

Please, please pray for Rachel, if you think about it.

Liesa

[maroo]

This is about the DECEMBER trip - which is coming up VERY SOON! We are just days away!!

Houston...we have a problem.

Less than 6 days to go and we have a problem. :rolleyes:

Here is the deal...

For those of you guys just hoping on board...

This is very likely Rachel's last trip...maybe anywhere, but certainly to Disney. Her heart and lungs are not doing well at all. Her prognosis is very poor overall. She is also a "Do Not Intubate"...so if something happened and she got sick (even just the flu or pneumonia), she could die simply because they do not want to do any heroic measures to prolong her life. (Rachel made this decision because she does not want to live on a vent again.)

She has been doing extremely well over the past few months...so much so that I have gotten to know a "new" Rachel - she is happier and has more energy - and the hope is that she sort of turned a corner and really is doing much better overall and maybe the grim outlook they had for her is just not accurate. They even looked into her starting school again.

Which brings us to today...

The last two weeks have been hard on her. She is sick again, her heart and lung levels are continuing to decline. She is forgetful, tired and having siezures again. And last night she started to act like she did right before she went into the hospital this summer - she didn't know what year it was.

Her Mom REALLY wants her to have this trip. To go with her whole family. To have a really good time in Disney. This is basically her Wish Trip. (She never was granted a Wish - her family had the means to travel anywhere and they did not feel comfortable having her get a free trip, etc - but in hindsight really wish they had - since a Wish Trip is something you really can't buy with money - and you can always donate to the wish organization and grant many more wishes.)

Rachel went on a special trip for her 21st birthday, but she was sick at the time and starting her decline that landed her in the hospital. She doesn't even remember the trip.

Her Mom doesn't want to take her to Disney if she is going to be miserable and not even remember it.

She is calling the doctors today and hopefully they can get together and decide what the best course of action is. Hopefully this is something easy. Her last decline was due to her sodium levels...plain salt. All they had to do was correct her levels and she was back to "normal" - even better than normal - we got Rachel back! So hopefully this is something that easy. Hopefully they won't have to admit her in the hospital and can figure out what is wrong and correct it as an outpatient.

Our goal is to decide by tomorrow...since that is the last day to cancel the room reservation without losing a bunch of money.

Pray for us - that we make a wise decision that is best for everyone - especially Rachel!

[pipersmom]

Praying, Maroo..I can't imagine having to try to make that type of decision so last minute.. :hug: for all of you!

[VroomVroomLightning]

I am sorry to hear about Rachel.I will keep Rachel her family and you in my prayers. :hug:

[maroo]

I MUST steal that t-shirt idea next time we take G-pa to Disney! :rotfl::rotfl2:

You are welcome to it!

Let me know and I will send you the full size version!!

Hooray for 14 days!! The shirts look awesome, Maroo! I haven't decided whether to try my hand at tie-dye Mickey head shirts yet, I may have to! Piper says to tell you "hello" as she read over my shoulder..lol. I def think Jordan needs a "Grumpy" shirt..do I get a vote?

You should so try the tie-dye Mickey shirts! (And if you fail - you can always order them from my friend...but you will have to email me for the information - as I don't think I can share it on the DIS!)

Tell Piper I said Hello, too!!

HA!

I say go for it on the tie dye.

::yes::

And you totally need a Grumpy shirt!

Hi ALL!

Maroo just skyped me and asked me to post that Rachel is quite ill again- possibly with pneumonia! She will have a chest X-Ray in the morning. I guess she's been on antibiotics for some time, but that they haven't helped.

I know you are all aware that maroo, Rachel, her mom and a whole bunch of other people are supposed to leave for their trip in less than 2 weeks!!! :scared1:

Please, please pray for Rachel, if you think about it.

Liesa

Liesa - thank you for posting this!!! Thankfully, she did not have Pneumonia! Ellie, however, is just getting over it! :rolleyes1

Praying, Maroo..I can't imagine having to try to make that type of decision so last minute.. :hug: for all of you!

Thank you! It really stinks! Definitely puts a damper on all of the excitement!

[maroo]

I am sorry to hear about Rachel.I will keep Rachel her family and you in my prayers. :hug:

Thank you! :hug:

[kdzbear]

Maroo,

I saw your prayer request last night, but my internet crashed before I could reply. We are praying for Rachel. I hope that she will be able to go on this trip. I know how much it would mean for her mom and I hope Rachel is well enough to enjoy it. We will keep praying.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[Sandy321]

I'm at work - kids coming in 3 minutes -

but I want you to know that Rachel has also been in my heart and I have listed her in prayer chains - we are all lifting her up in prayer.... it gives me goosebumps to read and know what you all must be doing in group hugs, and where your hearts and thoughts are.... none of you are alone - you are surrounded by internet friends some you've not met.... and you are surrounded by the love of our Father in Heaven, may He continue to grant you the peace that is needed, the doctors with discernment as they look for her course of treatment...

and just think, in Houston they had snow!
:grouphug:

[maroo]

Update:

Rachel is on her way to the hospital to get blood work. They hope to have a seizure medicine level today and may also check her sodium (but that was my request, not the doctors) :confused3...

They also said that the rest of her bloodwork would be coming back on Friday...so they should know even more by then.

So...we are in holding. I assume...if her level is off...that she can just raise her medicine and we would not have to cancel and we would have a reason for the seizures? But if the level is fine - that would be more worrisome.

[maroo]

Maroo,

I saw your prayer request last night, but my internet crashed before I could reply. We are praying for Rachel. I hope that she will be able to go on this trip. I know how much it would mean for her mom and I hope Rachel is well enough to enjoy it. We will keep praying.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Thank you!!! I really appreciate you guys praying - so much!!

I'm at work - kids coming in 3 minutes -

but I want you to know that Rachel has also been in my heart and I have listed her in prayer chains - we are all lifting her up in prayer.... it gives me goosebumps to read and know what you all must be doing in group hugs, and where your hearts and thoughts are.... none of you are alone - you are surrounded by internet friends some you've not met.... and you are surrounded by the love of our Father in Heaven, may He continue to grant you the peace that is needed, the doctors with discernment as they look for her course of treatment...

and just think, in Houston they had snow!
:grouphug:

Thank you!

I know!! WE had snow, too! Which is very rare for Mississippi! It was beautiful! (and Rachel LOVED it!)

[that's nice]

Can you contact WDW and see if they can make an exception if you had to cancel on Friday or Saturday? Maybe you can reach someone that would be willing to work with you guys. :confused3 I'm not sure but its worth a shot!

[maroo]

Can you contact WDW and see if they can make an exception if you had to cancel on Friday or Saturday? Maybe you can reach someone that would be willing to work with you guys. :confused3 I'm not sure but its worth a shot!

I called them yesterday and they wanted to know if I had insurance...

I did not buy insurance because it was a room only ressie...I figured we would know within 5 days...and this was the main reason that we did not do a "package" that would include dining...the cost difference was minimal - and when you threw in the insurance - it was more cost effective to do the room only and just pay out of pocket for our food.

I would hope Disney would help them out...but would not expect it.

We would be out our MVMCP tickets either way, I believe.

And I don't really know what we would do if Rachel doesn't go....My hunch is that Ellie and her family would still go? But not the 4 of us? :confused3 No idea?

I am hoping they can get this fixed or patched so we can go. That is my hope. My gut says we will go...?? But just not sure what our schedule will need to be?? We may need to delay a day? Or even have me drive the van and have them come Tuesday by plane? And we will probably need to take it easy...the more tired she gets, the worse her seizures get.

[that's nice]

I hope they get some answers so you can make the right decision tomorrow. I hope they are good answers. :hug:

[All7OfUs]

Ra has been on my mind all day. Really hoping that this is a simple fix or adjustment.

I would be sad if Ellie didn't go, but glad they didn't tell her yet. What a disappointment that would be. We'll keep praying!

[maroo]

I believe we have turned the corner!

Joyce said this morning "When we are in Disney!" :woohoo: :yay: :dance3: :cool1: :cheer2:

Woo Hoo!!

So, they have gone up on her seizure medicine and she did not have one yesterday, so that is good.

We are still waiting on her sodium levels. Maybe if they are a little off, they could correct that before we go, too. :thumbsup2

[maroo]

I hope they get some answers so you can make the right decision tomorrow. I hope they are good answers. :hug:

Thank you! I think we got good answers!!!! Looks like we are GOING!!!!!!

Ra has been on my mind all day. Really hoping that this is a simple fix or adjustment.

I would be sad if Ellie didn't go, but glad they didn't tell her yet. What a disappointment that would be. We'll keep praying!

Thank you so much for thinking about her and praying for her!

Ellie would be sad...but since she doesn't know she is going - and won't know until she is on the plane - she would not really know the difference!

I am glad they waited...they had several reasons...not the least of which was the possibility that they would not be able to go if Ra got sick...so they were smart to plan that way.

And I am sure it cuts down on the CRAZY Ellie they would have if she knew.

She has been on steriods this past week because of her pneumonia and has been BOUNCING off the walls!!! :rotfl2: I can't imagine how crazy it would be if she knew she was going to Disney!

Hopefully someday they can plan a trip and let her anticipate it!

[pipersmom]

Awesome news! So glad it looks like the trip is still on. Continuing to keep you guys in our thoughts!

[Sandy321]

Update:

Rachel is on her way to the hospital to get blood work. They hope to have a seizure medicine level today and may also check her sodium (but that was my request, not the doctors) :confused3...

They also said that the rest of her bloodwork would be coming back on Friday...so they should know even more by then.

So...we are in holding. I assume...if her level is off...that she can just raise her medicine and we would not have to cancel and we would have a reason for the seizures? But if the level is fine - that would be more worrisome.


continued prayers!!

I know our friend's child has the sodium level issues as well - so I just continue to pray for healing, miracles, pixiedust - and ALL ELSE!! :wizard:

Peace to all!!

[kdzbear]

I am glad the trip is back on. I am still praying for Rachel and for you and the rest of her family to stay healthy so you can enjoy your trip! :grouphug::cheer2:

[maroo]

You guys are the BEST! Thank you for praying...

Here is an update....


Rachel is now sick. 101F and coughing up all kinds of junk. (sorry, that is gross!)

Anyway...she is ALREADY on pretty strong antibiotics, so her lung dr is concerned and at one point today said she should not go. He didn't say she "couldn't" go...that she shouldn't go. Rachel's Mom talked to him again - after talking to Rachel. Rachel says she doesn't really "feel" bad - which is the same thing my bronchitis has been doing to me...I really have not felt bad, just coughing and running fever.

Anyway...he said she CAN go. But severely cautioned us...to not overdo it.


I am asking you guys...to please...pray for Rachel. That she would feel GREAT on this trip. Joyce and Rachel both are prepared even for a hospital stay when she gets back - but she wants to go to Disney and she wants to see her friends at the MPS conference (several of the other children with MPS are going this year!!) and doesn't want to wait. She says she wants to LIVE as long as she is living. To stay at home in her room is not living...and we agree.

So...

WE ARE GOING!!!!!!!!!!

But please pray for us! Please pray for safe travels. For Rachel and for us - that we would make wise decisions about what to skip and what to make sure we catch.

Thank you all so much for praying for her!! She has been through a lot - and you guys that have been around a while know that...I want her to have a wonderful trip with her family. :love:



I HAVE to add this picture...
She is hanging in her hoyer lift with a towel on her head...looking pitifully sick. She thought the picture was so funny she posted it on her Facebook page! She cracks me up.

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/rachelsickinhoyer.jpg

So...pray with us....that we will have some HAPPY ... DISNEY ... pictures to post next week!

[pipersmom]

Continuing our prayers, Maroo..tell Rachel the pic is too cute, just makes me want to reach out and hug her!! Too funny she posted it on Facebook!

[jordanyosh]

I'm glad you all are going!

I'll be praying for safety and rest.

[kdzbear]

I am sending more prayers for everyone. Take it easy and just take in the sites! :santa: :grouphug:

[maroo]

Ok...for you guys that don't know...a Hoyer lift is like a swing that carries her around. In her case it can carry her from her bed to the bathtub and back (of course)...she was being carried across and I said, "You look pitiful!" And she said, "Take a picture!" I grabbed her iPhone and took a picture. She said she did look pretty pitiful and then posted it on her FB page. Hilarious!

Continuing our prayers, Maroo..tell Rachel the pic is too cute, just makes me want to reach out and hug her!! Too funny she posted it on Facebook!

She is cute!

Thank you so much for your prayers!

I'm glad you all are going!

I'll be praying for safety and rest.

Thank you so much!!!!!

I am sending more prayers for everyone. Take it easy and just take in the sites! :santa: :grouphug:

Definitely will do that!! :) Thank you for your prayers!

[twinmum]

Maroo - glad to hear that you are still going...but feeling your heavy heart, as well. I know you will all take to make the right decisions about doing too much.

I also related completely to the description of how this is Rachel's "Wish Trip" without really being a Wish Trip. We were so conflicted about accepting Mark's Wish Trip, as you know. But...we are so glad we did accept it, and now we are finding ways to "pay it forward." For now, that means financial contributions, but we are hoping to volunteer as a family for Starlight Starbright in the future. And maybe some day go back to volunteer at GKTW...that would be the best!!! (OK, the boys would want to help at the ice cream palace, but that would be self-serving...if you get what I mean!)

Thinking of you, with prayers for Rachel...
Alison

[StefaniLyn]

Maroo I had no idea when I pm'ed you that all of this was going on with Rachel. I am so sorry that you had such a scare just a few days before your trip but THRILLED beyond belief that you are actualloy going (and hopefully, now there!!!)!!!! I am praying that Rachel's condition remains at the very least stable until she returns. Even better would be if a little dose of Disney helps her body heal.

To even fathom that this may be Rachel's last trip anywhere is incomprehensible and devastating. 21 years is just too young. I hope that those attending the conference are eventually successful in funding the fight to find a cure for Rachel's disease. Nobody should ever have to consider "one last trip" at her young age.

Bless you for all you have done for Rachel and her family. I hope that your trip is magical and that the weather is pleasant.

[Sandy321]

:grouphug:

continued prayers!

and I am reminded of my BFF - she had Cystic Fibrosis in the early 80's' - she was a testament to the Lord's work in this world! She was an amazing spirit and taught me so very much - I know how Blessed I am for knowing her -

and I may not have met Rachel - but she is a blessing to those of us who have gotten to know her thru you Maroo! She is an amazing person - and she will shine so strong in Disney - and at Christmas too!! You have always taken things at her pace!! She reminds me of an old saying about God's not finished with me yet!! He has lots of work for her to do!!

I still hope we can meet up in September - Nashville dont forget!! :wizard:

[that's nice]

Maroo-

I hope you, Rachel, and the fam have a great time in WDW!! I missed the big send off on Liesa's TR. Talk to ya when you get back! :goodvibes

[jordanyosh]

Hope you have a great trip!

[pipersmom]

Hoping your trip is going wonderfully!

[maroo]

Hello everyone!!!!

I am back!

You know that Post Disney Depression some of us get after a wonderful Disney World trip...Well, I got it.

For some reason, within hours, life hit me square in the face. As of this morning life is happening all around me and most of it is bad news. Personal junk with a couple of close friends and my boss' daughter is dying of cancer. She has 4 kids and it is Christmas - for crying out loud. Which people around here are doing a lot of.

Because my boss is out, I have a considerable amount of work to do - both catching up on mine and working on hers - so, Welcome Home, Mary, Welcome Home.

I have already started working on a trip report...I WILL be doing one for this trip. It was a trip FULL of many, many blessings and something that will be remembered for a long, long time.

So, I am not really glad to be home and can't even DIS for a bit - so hang with me! I will have lots of time this weekend with the Holidays.

[All7OfUs]

Welcome BACK!!!!

[pipersmom]

Welcome back, Maroo..I wish you had a better homecoming. We'll be keeping you in our prayers and hoping things get a bit better. :hug: :love:

[pipersmom]

Okay, so I finally took the time to look up your March dates...and...we overlap!! We'll be there from the 2-8, and Jennifer (momofwishkid) is there I think from the 1-7! I hope we can find a way to connect..I would be :lovestruc !!

[MeMom]

Just coming over to say Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and/or whatever applies. I hope there will be some peace and happiness among the chaos and sadness that is around you.

My dad was in the hospital dying of cancer one Christmas. My oldest two kids were little, and I just remember it all being a bit of a blur. We sat endless hours at the hospital and just didn't feel much like celebrations of any kind. But, those two little ones smiled sweet smiles on Christmas morning and gave warm hugs, and I knew we would get through it stronger in the long run.

I don't know what it is like to have a seriously sick or dying child. I have known those who have, and it is heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to all families who are dealing with that, especially throughout this holiday time.

[maroo]

Okay, so I finally took the time to look up your March dates...and...we overlap!! We'll be there from the 2-8, and Jennifer (momofwishkid) is there I think from the 1-7! I hope we can find a way to connect..I would be :lovestruc !!

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:woohoo: :dance3: :yay: :cheer2: :woohoo: :cheer2: :woohoo: :cheer2:

Just coming over to say Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and/or whatever applies. I hope there will be some peace and happiness among the chaos and sadness that is around you.

My dad was in the hospital dying of cancer one Christmas. My oldest two kids were little, and I just remember it all being a bit of a blur. We sat endless hours at the hospital and just didn't feel much like celebrations of any kind. But, those two little ones smiled sweet smiles on Christmas morning and gave warm hugs, and I knew we would get through it stronger in the long run.

I don't know what it is like to have a seriously sick or dying child. I have known those who have, and it is heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to all families who are dealing with that, especially throughout this holiday time.

Man. I know. I am so with you.

It is not that chaotic for me...just my friends around me, really.

But many, many families here on the DIS are dealing with sick children or children that have recently passed away. At the same time we have many families that are celebrating this Christmas - that their wish was granted and that they had a wonderful trip to Disney. So that makes me smile!

[Sandy321]

It is a hard time of year for so many -

How is Rachel doing?

[maroo]

You guys are going to want to CLICK HERE (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2355747) and subscribe...:rolleyes1

[maroo]

You guys will want to check THIS (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2355892) out, too!!

And...MODS - Please keep this pre-trip thread open...my trips on here are not done yet and this will remain my pre-trip report! :goodvibes

[maroo]

Very STRESSED!!!

Warning...STRESS is going to come pouring out of this post........


I think I have stress in every area of my life right now.

My home loan folks messed up my bank account...majorly. This actually happened BEFORE my trip, but has not been completely resolved yet...although they did put back the $1200.00 they took out of my account without permission. :upsidedow

Work got crazy when my sweet boss had to take off to be with her daughter - who is only 38 years old and has been very sick for some time with cancer. We had her funeral today - and let me just say it was the saddest funeral I have ever been to...like I told someone else...I was "fine" until the very beginning and the family came out. She has 4 beautiful children - a LOT of friends and family that will miss her very much. :littleangel:

So, I am doing two jobs...mine and helping do some of my boss's stuff...Which is the least I can do with everything going on in her world.

So, I have been working late and this next trip has been sorta sneaking up on me....

I really, really, really don't want to slander any company. SO...If, because you listen to podcasts and such...you know what company I am referring to...I just ask that you not post it here.

But I am REALLY stressed about my trip.

This whole time I have been stressed - telling myself I am too Type A and need to relinquish control of having to call Disney MYSELF about everything about my trip. I had a nice gift certificate to use a travel agent and decided to let my first experience with one be really simple...no ADR's...I simply need a room at the POP for 3 nights during Marathon Weekend.

Now...

How. Hard. Can. THAT. Be!?!?!?!?!

I got a quote. Accepted it. She booked it. I even called Disney about it. All is well, but they can't give me the confirmation number because I am part of a "group"...ok...so maybe that is something TA's do, right?

But I am in a block of rooms at the POP. Ok.

So...it is 11 days before my vacation and I have NO - NONE - NO travel docs. So...I email her. And wait 24 hours. No answer. But it is the holidays...so I give her another day.

She wrote me back today and sent me my confirmation number and said she would check on why I was charged so much (THAT was another problem...but was masked by my major bank snafu earlier this month)....

So...I check my ME confirmation...wrong address.

And...

WRONG RESORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dudes.

Can't I just freaking stay at the POP for once?!?!?!?


They have me at French Quarter.

Nothing against French Quarter. But my friends...are all staying at POP! And my meets...at POP. And THAT is why it cost so much. :faint:

And I am from Mississippi.

I have no desire to stay at French Quarter.

I know. In the grand scheme of things...my life is really, really, really good.

But the lack of communication on this. The lack of control. It is killing me.

And do you think...during Marathon Weekend...they will have ANY room at the POP to move me?

:sad1:

Should I even go?

[maroo]

Ok.

I feel a little better!

I found a rental car for.......




DRUM ROLL PLEASE.........




















$49.94


And yes...

That is WITH TAXES AND FEES!!


YIPEE!!!!!


So...no matter where I end up staying.... at least I will have a car to get around. :rotfl:

[that's nice]

OH MY! :scared1:

Sorry you are going through all this.:sad2:

I'm sure everything will work out. I don't understand why they have you booked at POR? Is there any way to get you some compensation?

When I booked our October trip through a TA, I was emailed confirmations the same day I booked. I was also emailed my ADRs #s shortly after those were made as well. Is this lack of communication policy or laziness?

A rental for $50!!! That is a score!!! :banana:

[All7OfUs]

BREATHE! It'll be ok!

Maybe someone will trade with you ?!

[maroo]

It is a hard time of year for so many -

How is Rachel doing?

Rachel is doing well!

She has a pressure sore that she got in Disney - from us transferring her on a ride - that is still giving her problems, so she is home for a while to try to get that better. But overall she is doing really well! Thank you so much for asking.


Lauren is doing well, too. But the gravity of her illness is taking a toll on everyone around her. They are doing some major things that seem to take things to a whole new level for her...They are doing hand splints that are really fancy because her hands have gotten so contorted that she is having trouble doing things like writing and putting on her make up.

They are also ordering a very high dollar seat cushion made for people that can't move at all - because her strength is down greatly and she can no longer push herself up to do pressure relief (and get herself moved around in her chair) - so she is going to get an air seat of some kind that we can manipulate for her?

Add that to the things they are going to get to hold her head up - and it is like she is turning to stone or something...like she can't really use her own body to help her anymore. She is still with us in talking and learning, etc - but her body is just giving out.

OH MY! :scared1:

Sorry you are going through all this.:sad2:

I'm sure everything will work out. I don't understand why they have you booked at POR? Is there any way to get you some compensation?

When I booked our October trip through a TA, I was emailed confirmations the same day I booked. I was also emailed my ADRs #s shortly after those were made as well. Is this lack of communication policy or laziness?

A rental for $50!!! That is a score!!! :banana:

I don't know either. I don't know why they did it or how it happened or what they plan to do about it. I asked her to call me this morning and have not heard from her yet.

This was my first experience with a TA and has not been a good one all around. I didn't have any ADR's to be made...so I am not sure how they handle that. But I want my documents sooner than 7 days before I leave and she said that is normal (for them to mail them to arrive within 7 days).

I don't know if that is how the whole agency does it or just this particular agent and how much the holidays had to do with the lack of communication.

BREATHE! It'll be ok!

Maybe someone will trade with you ?!

Maybe so!

[maroo]

This is all referring to the JANUARY trip!
Dates: Jan 7-10
Event: Marathon Weekend - Spectator! and Meets!

Update!

Well...Turns out...In true Maroo fashion...:rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

I was actually UPGRADED by Disney to POR French Quarter! :rotfl: :rotfl2:

They actually did not notify my travel agent either and was planning to "walk me" over to POR FQ as an upgrade...I guess they wanted me to be surprised?

That checking in online deal sorta ruins the surprise now, doesn't it! :goodvibes

The TA gave them my name as one of the people that they would prefer to be upgraded - which was very nice! :love: It was just a lack of communication between Disney and the TA. I am sure the TA would have LOVED to call me with the news.

However...to add to the confusion...Disney accidently charged me for the upgrade. (No fair! :upsidedow) So they are going to credit that back to my account. :goodvibes

They offered to move me back...but I am ok with staying in a Mod - it will be nice to have a fridge! And I have the cheap car...so I won't have any trouble getting to any of my meets.

A good nights sleep does wonders! :laughing:

So...next update...I will attempt to give you guys a schedule for this next trip!! :)

[Matt1026]

Oh my my head is just swirling reading all of this. I can only imagine what your head is like. But on the other side of this moutain awaits Disney.

One victory on the car rental. Praying for you girl!

[StefaniLyn]

This is all referring to the JANUARY trip!
Dates: Jan 7-10
Event: Marathon Weekend - Spectator! and Meets!

Update!

Well...Turns out...In true Maroo fashion...:rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

I was actually UPGRADED by Disney to POR French Quarter! :rotfl: :rotfl2:

They actually did not notify my travel agent either and was planning to "walk me" over to POR FQ as an upgrade...I guess they wanted me to be surprised?

That checking in online deal sorta ruins the surprise now, doesn't it! :goodvibes

The TA gave them my name as one of the people that they would prefer to be upgraded - which was very nice! :love: It was just a lack of communication between Disney and the TA. I am sure the TA would have LOVED to call me with the news.

However...to add to the confusion...Disney accidently charged me for the upgrade. (No fair! :upsidedow) So they are going to credit that back to my account. :goodvibes

They offered to move me back...but I am ok with staying in a Mod - it will be nice to have a fridge! And I have the cheap car...so I won't have any trouble getting to any of my meets.

A good nights sleep does wonders! :laughing:

So...next update...I will attempt to give you guys a schedule for this next trip!! :)

Woo hoo! I should have guessed it! What a nice er . . . um SURPRISE! for you! Not so nice surprise being billed for it! :rotfl2: I'm glad the situation has worked out and the upgrade will truly be complimentary but will you EVER get to stay at POP? Really?

I think their surprised could have used a little more planning. That online check in (and your inability to check in where you should have checked in) was a dead giveaway. And the whole accidental overcharge . . . .um Oops! I'm so happy it is all working out for you!

[kdzbear]

I am so glad that everything worked out with your January trip. You will love the French Quarter. You can take a boat to DTD! It is a relaxing ride at night!

I love the update on Rachel and Lauren. I keep praying for them both. I am sorry that Lauren is having so much trouble getting her body to work with her.

I am also sorry to hear about your boss's daughter. I have been praying for her as well. Did she at least get to spend Christmas with her family?

I hope you are well. You deserve the upgrade. You do so much for everyone here on the boards. Thank you for all you do! :grouphug:

[maroo]

I am so glad that everything worked out with your January trip. You will love the French Quarter. You can take a boat to DTD! It is a relaxing ride at night!

I have some serious research to do on the French Quarter! :eek: I don't know anything about their transportation or anything. :)

I love the update on Rachel and Lauren. I keep praying for them both. I am sorry that Lauren is having so much trouble getting her body to work with her.

I am hoping the things they do for her wheelchair will help her. :(

I am also sorry to hear about your boss's daughter. I have been praying for her as well. Did she at least get to spend Christmas with her family?

Honestly...the SADDEST situation. I have seen some sad situations and been to dozens of funerals - but I have never been to a sadder service. She was a Believer - so she is in a much better place - but she has left behing 4 children. The whole service was all about what a great Mom she was - so sweet to her kids and LOVED being a Mom.

The whole time she was in the hospital she kept asking to just go home to be with her kids. But she was very, very ill. Her kids rarely saw her the last few weeks because she was just so very sick and her husband wisely did not want them to see her like that. They did get to say goodbye - as well as 2 year old twins and two older (6-9 ish?) kids can.

She did not get home for Christmas - although she went Home just a few hours later - in the wee hours of the morning the day after Christmas.

I think her oncologist said it best when she said, "Some of my patients teach me how to die, but she taught me how to live...what is important in life."

:sad:

I hope you are well. You deserve the upgrade. You do so much for everyone here on the boards. Thank you for all you do! :grouphug:

You are so sweet. Funny how I really wanted to try the POP this time! But it will be fun to try another resort, too! I can try to stay at POP another time. :laughing:



Oh my my head is just swirling reading all of this. I can only imagine what your head is like. But on the other side of this moutain awaits Disney.

One victory on the car rental. Praying for you girl!

My head has been spinning for a couple of weeks. I hope it slows down soon. :sad2:

Thanks for praying!

Woo hoo! I should have guessed it! What a nice er . . . um SURPRISE! for you! Not so nice surprise being billed for it! :rotfl2: I'm glad the situation has worked out and the upgrade will truly be complimentary but will you EVER get to stay at POP? Really?

I think their surprised could have used a little more planning. That online check in (and your inability to check in where you should have checked in) was a dead giveaway. And the whole accidental overcharge . . . .um Oops! I'm so happy it is all working out for you!

lol Wondering the same thing!

Well...I am glad I did online check in - now I can at least do a bit of research on the resort! :goodvibes

[pipersmom]

Ohh..so glad it was a complimentary upgrade! I can just imagine how big your eyes got when you got the charges for it though. Hooray for a cheap rental car too!

So sorry you're having to deal with so much stress related to health issues with your friends, though I can't think of a better friend to have on one's side than you must be in that type of situation. Hopefully the trip will be a nice respite/recharge for you. :hug:

[Sandy321]

What a mess! Glad you finally made contacts and got your ... :rotfl2: upgrade! (somehow I was going to guess that :rolleyes1)

POFQ is smaller than POR - its a good thing - - their food court has beniets - I'd love beniets!! Sometimes they share a bus with POR - - sometimes not! I was so upset with the busses at POR we decided to walk to POFQ for the first bus, what a mistake! it was far :rotfl2:

I cant wait to meet you!! :yay:

Pop meet is at 4:30 - dont be late! (I was late in '08 :sad2: buss issues!) :yay: for your great deal on the rental car!! I so was hoping to be able to rent a car - but we'll be fine!!

cant wait to eat at Cape May!


I mentioned my BFF who passed with CF before, but like all the special Angels that touch our lives, she truly taught me so much about patience, love, friendship - Life... Gone, but never forgotten!! :littleangel: I bought one of those cement sayings that's outside of my steps to my house... "If tears could build a stairway And memories could build a lane We would walk right up to Heaven And bring you back again " Life is short, live every moment! :littleangel:

[jordanyosh]

How nice to get an upgrade! Blessing from the big Honcho upstairs, I'm sure. :thumbsup2

[All7OfUs]

Glad we were able to "talk" this morning; if I hadn't heard it from you directly, I'd have never believed it--- well, ok, maybe i would have, after all you are "MAROOOOOO"!!!! :worship:

[maroo]

Ohh..so glad it was a complimentary upgrade! I can just imagine how big your eyes got when you got the charges for it though. Hooray for a cheap rental car too!

So sorry you're having to deal with so much stress related to health issues with your friends, though I can't think of a better friend to have on one's side than you must be in that type of situation. Hopefully the trip will be a nice respite/recharge for you. :hug:

I am now getting really excited about the upgrade! :goodvibes At first I was just...meh. Like...maybe I should switch with someone that would be excited! But now I am excited...more on that to come. :)

And the cheap rental! Awesome!

www.mousesavers.com is my friend. :)

I know...they are all stressed...and I am stressed...which is not a good combination. But things seem to be settling down some.

I am excited about this trip! This is going to sound bad...but this one...this one is about me - what I want to do - where I want to go. Which is nice after coming off a trip that was not about me. ;)


What a mess! Glad you finally made contacts and got your ... :rotfl2: upgrade! (somehow I was going to guess that :rolleyes1)

Yeah...I guess I should have guessed that, too. I thought someone had really messed up. :eek:

POFQ is smaller than POR - its a good thing - - their food court has beniets - I'd love beniets!! Sometimes they share a bus with POR - - sometimes not! I was so upset with the busses at POR we decided to walk to POFQ for the first bus, what a mistake! it was far :rotfl2:

I am excited about those beniets! I bet they share a bus this time because it will be such a slow time of the year - but I am ok with that! It will be fun to do a little research for our Sept trip, too!

I cant wait to meet you!! :yay:

I can't wait either!!! :)

Pop meet is at 4:30 - dont be late! (I was late in '08 :sad2: buss issues!) :yay: for your great deal on the rental car!! I so was hoping to be able to rent a car - but we'll be fine!!

Eeek...I am not sure I am going to make the POP meet...I *may* be there...not sure yet. I have several groups of folks I am meeting and one is about that time...but we will see! I will DEFINITELY see you on Saturday!

cant wait to eat at Cape May!

Me either! I am excited about it! :woohoo:


I mentioned my BFF who passed with CF before, but like all the special Angels that touch our lives, she truly taught me so much about patience, love, friendship - Life... Gone, but never forgotten!! :littleangel: I bought one of those cement sayings that's outside of my steps to my house... "If tears could build a stairway And memories could build a lane We would walk right up to Heaven And bring you back again " Life is short, live every moment! :littleangel:

This is so true...life is short - live every moment! :hug:

How nice to get an upgrade! Blessing from the big Honcho upstairs, I'm sure. :thumbsup2

Very true! He has blessed me more than I deserve!

Glad we were able to "talk" this morning; if I hadn't heard it from you directly, I'd have never believed it--- well, ok, maybe i would have, after all you are "MAROOOOOO"!!!! :worship:

Me, too! You wouldn't have believed me? :laughing:

[maroo]

ok...

So I promised PLANS!

This is all in reference to the JANUARY trip - Marathon Weekend!

Thursday:

I work half a day - 7:00 to 11:00. So...I gotta get fully packed and ready to go before work! Car loaded, etc! Woo Hoo!

11:00 - drive thru Wendy's and head to the airport. Flight leaves at 12:20 PM.

Arrive MCO at 3:00 PM. No checked luggage. Straight to rental car kiosk check in.

IF I am running on time by now, I am heading to the Animal Kingdom. They close at 5:00 PM - but I have one goal - to ride EE as many times as I can before they close. Being a single rider - I maybe be able to get quite a few rides in - assuming I can get there around 4 or so. :)

After AK (or straight there if I am running late) I will head to the resort to check in. I have done online check in - so this should be relatively easy.

I may take a few minutes to get settled and get off my feet and catch up on news, etc.

Then to MK! I love the MK at night! And discovered on past trips that I don't feel like I am at Disney until I have been to the MK! Eat at Casey's. Maybe ride a few rides?

at 8:00 PM - hop on the monorail to Epcot. Some of my Disney friends are meeting for Illuminations.

All parks will be closed after Illuminations...so either to Yee Haw Bob or back to my room!

THIS is one thing I am excited about staying at POFQ - There are several folks that want to Yee Haw Bob meets this weekend over a couple of different nights - and I will be a short bus ride away! :goodvibes

Still working on the rest! So those will have to wait!

I hope everyone has a GREAT New Year's EVE - and Happy New Year!!

[All7OfUs]

I really hope you can make it to AK by 4:00, but I"m a wee bit dubious. So let me get this straight:

3:00 Landing
4:00 AK
5:00 Head to MK
8:00 Head to EPCOT
Illuminations
9:30 back to POR for Yeehaw Bob

Will be tight, but should be do-able.

Are you doing all your food OOP??

[StefaniLyn]

Your plans are very ambitious! How far is the airport from your work?

And please refresh my memory . . . Yee Haw Bob? Who/What is that?

I hope you have a wonderful New Year's as well!

[maroo]

I really hope you can make it to AK by 4:00, but I"m a wee bit dubious. So let me get this straight:

3:00 Landing * Yep! :)
4:00 AK * Eek...maybe. :)
5:00 Head to MK * Probably not this early...closer to 6?
8:00 Head to EPCOT
Illuminations
9:30 back to POR for Yeehaw Bob

Will be tight, but should be do-able.

Are you doing all your food OOP??

I just discovered that they are showing SPECTRO (7:00) and WISHES (8:00) - Spectro was added this night! So...I am thinking I will try to ride some outside stuff while Spectro is going on...would be cool to just be around doing stuff while Spectro was going. Then I want to be right by Casey's when it is time to watch WISHES - it is my FAVORITE! THEN I will head to Epcot (with the masses...I know...but I can be fashionably late to my little meet. I walk fast. :))

After Illuminations...I may be tired...may go back to my room? Depends....we may be scheduling a Yee Haw Bob meet on Saturday?

Your plans are very ambitious! How far is the airport from your work?

Very close - only 15 minutes. And my airport...it is TINY! I think we have a total of 12 gates and 4 or 5 are in one direction and another few in another - so security is not a big deal (well, security IS, but there are not long lines to get thru it). So...I can easily make it on a plane getting there 30 min before (if I am checking luggage) and even 15 min before if I am just crazy. lol But I should have plenty of time. :) Last time I cut it this close I could not even start my car and was able to get my car jumped off and STILL made it on time. (But drenched in sweat!)

And please refresh my memory . . . Yee Haw Bob? Who/What is that?

I don't fully know... He does a comedy? singing? show at Port Orleans Riverside. LOTS of people say he is really, really good. We will see and I will let you guys know when I get back!

I hope you have a wonderful New Year's as well!

I have had a GREAT first day of the New Year!

[All7OfUs]

Stephanie,

If you go to my PTR, there is a long write up about Yee Haw Bob on there with a couple of different links to his very own website and one other that gives all kinds of info about him. It is in the link with our POR top 10s found: HERE (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34392123&postcount=1916)

I am really, super uber looking forward to his show! But apparently you have to be into audience participation style entertainment to like it.

[maroo]

Houston...

We MAY have a problem...

First...let me explain. Jackson, MS does not get snow. When ONE snowflake falls...even BEFORE one snowflake falls - the stores are mobbed with people buying milk - the schools are closed - the place becomes CRAZY. And with some good reason - because unlike our Northern neighbors - we have very few salt trucks and lots of bridges. We just are unprepared in the case of snow.

So...I have been following the weather - as I often do - and have noticed that for 5 days straight we have "snow" in the forecast for Jackson for Wednesday night and Thursday. I fly out Thursday at noon.

I have no idea how the airport handles snow. I would assume that they stay open - they are an airport - but I am not sure. I need to research that...

Because it looks like we may have a snow event. I am PRAYING it is not an ICE event...because those won't just ruin my vacation - we could get "shut down" for weeks over that.

I guess I may need to get a plan if it looks like I may miss my flight...and my initial thinking is that I would rent a car one way and just fly back...But we will see.

Snow and ice are VERY hard to predict in the South - it just seems pretty widespread on the models and all of the sources are all saying the same thing...it may really snow.

Oh well.

More excitement for the trip, I suppose. We wouldn't want it to be dull now, would we?

[StefaniLyn]

Oh No! Not Snow! I really, really, REALLY hope it does not snow, and especially pray that it doesn't get icy on Wednesday and Thursday for you.

DH still recalls the time when he was in grade school in Mississippi and it snowed an inch and shut down school and the entire city for 3 days. Yeah, you could say that MS is not equipped to deal with snow.

If the airports shut down, I definitely think you should go with the one way rental. You'd likely miss out on the plans you have for the first evening, but it's better than missing that, plus another 1/2 or full of travel IF the airport opens back up on Friday.

[Sandy321]

Maroo wasnt there snow earlier this year? How did the airport handle it? I've been watching the delays at our airport - we should be good to go for under 2 inches of snow!

I really hope you can make it to AK by 4:00, but I"m a wee bit dubious. So let me get this straight:

3:00 Landing
4:00 AK
5:00 Head to MK
8:00 Head to EPCOT
Illuminations
9:30 back to POR for Yeehaw Bob

Will be tight, but should be do-able.

Are you doing all your food OOP??

there is too much going on in my world - - thanks for your patience with me everyone! :goodvibes

I think we land at 3 too! I guess I should add plans to my trip report - I'm too busy obsessing cant get beyond Saturday - the 9th, the 13.1 miles... :rolleyes1

I have your number - maybe I can find you at illuminations!! :rotfl:

[jordanyosh]

Here's to hoping it's snow and not ice. Ice seems to be worse.

[maroo]

Oh No! Not Snow! I really, really, REALLY hope it does not snow, and especially pray that it doesn't get icy on Wednesday and Thursday for you.

DH still recalls the time when he was in grade school in Mississippi and it snowed an inch and shut down school and the entire city for 3 days. Yeah, you could say that MS is not equipped to deal with snow.

If the airports shut down, I definitely think you should go with the one way rental. You'd likely miss out on the plans you have for the first evening, but it's better than missing that, plus another 1/2 or full of travel IF the airport opens back up on Friday.

I know. It really will mess with my plans greatly if it actually snows. As you know...it is difficult to predict snow in the south...they can think it is coming and it never come OR they can think it won't and suddenly there are two inches on the ground.

I looked into a one way rental........ $870!!! So...uh...no. I won't be doing that.

But the current report shows that it is closer to a 20% chance of snow Wed night and higher chance on Thurs, but the high is supposed to be close to 40...so if it snows that day, it should mostly be rain? I hope.

If we get ANY sleet or ICE - it is all over. They will shut the whole thing down.

Maroo wasnt there snow earlier this year? How did the airport handle it? I've been watching the delays at our airport - we should be good to go for under 2 inches of snow!



there is too much going on in my world - - thanks for your patience with me everyone! :goodvibes

I think we land at 3 too! I guess I should add plans to my trip report - I'm too busy obsessing cant get beyond Saturday - the 9th, the 13.1 miles... :rolleyes1

I have your number - maybe I can find you at illuminations!! :rotfl:

We got about half an inch the other day and because it was so warm on the ground, none stuck to the roads. There was never any issue with the roads. It was just pretty.

But this looks like it could be more of a problem...for one thing it is COLD here...lows in the low 20's for a few days...so the ground will be cold and ripe for precip actually freezing.

Our airport is not at all equiped with the deicing things that you guys have up north. Here they may have one or two de-icers.

They literally close school here just at the prospect of snow coming. The roads and such are so unsafe because they just don't have the equipment to go and salt roads and I have never seen a plow in MS.

So...assuming I make it there (and I will hop in my car and DRIVE if I have to!) - I will be there with bells on! And I DO hope you will join me for Illuminations that night! I have a lot of meets scheduled all week long.

Also...I am going to GKTW that Saturday after we eat...and you guys are welcome to come. I probably can't take a whole group without prior approval, but as a former wish family, I can bring a few with me, I think.


And have you noticed how COLD it is going to be down there??? FREEZING!

[jenb1023]

Okay, I'm here! After being on the DIS rarely this fall and then according to my login today is the first day I have been on since 12/3, I am back. I am jumping in on all threads with both feet and then on the longer ones I will try to go back and catch up but if not I will just move forward. I miss my DIS friends! I can't believe you just went and you are getting ready to go back! I will send prayers, good thoughts and pixie dust for good weather. I hope you are going to tweet this upcoming trip!

[maroo]

Okay, I'm here! After being on the DIS rarely this fall and then according to my login today is the first day I have been on since 12/3, I am back. I am jumping in on all threads with both feet and then on the longer ones I will try to go back and catch up but if not I will just move forward. I miss my DIS friends! I can't believe you just went and you are getting ready to go back! I will send prayers, good thoughts and pixie dust for good weather. I hope you are going to tweet this upcoming trip!

I will be MUCH better at Tweeting this trip...assuming I go.

I was given flak on my last trip for using my iPhone too much... :rolleyes: Whatever.

lol

But I am obsessing about the weather...more on that in a sec.

[maroo]

I am trying not to obsess about the weather...but figure I will give you an update anyway. Because I am obsessing about the weather.


This is from the National Weather Service. This is the graphic for what the weather conditions could be as I am taking off on my airplane for Orlando.


http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/thurs010710weather1.png



:eek:

I know...many of you guys live in the North and you are probably all thinking...what is the big deal? A little snow? It's an airplane. It can handle it.

And I agree...that is what I am trying to tell myself.

But other forecasts (Accuweather, Weather Channel, Weather Underground) are all also forecasting winter weather - and the percent chance seems to increase each time I look at it.

In fact...it is snowing right NOW here in Jackson... Flurries. No accumulation expected. But it came out of nowhere. Not even forecasted at all. :confused3

We sent some employees to North Mississippi today and they are reporting "freezing drizzle" - which is so dangerous. That freezing rain ... making a slick sheet of ice on roads and overpasses. Is just plain dangerous.

So...I have a few back up plans...

Plan A - Stick to the plan. Fly out of Jackson around Noon on Thursday. I assume if we just get snow - and not a bunch of it - that this plan will work fine. I will take a half day off work.

Plan B - Drive to Disney on Thursday. This plan will be put in place if we are dismissed from work all day on Thursday because of poor road conditions (therefore I don't have to take ANY time off work - which would be nice overall!). I would drive straight to Orlando and get there later than I would have planned, but still on Thursday at some point. I drive basically South - so the roads should not be too bad.

Plan C - This will be put in place if the weather starts to turn really bad...If we are expecting icy conditions on Wednesday night, for example - and the chances are good (Winter Weather Warnings would be issued at this point) and we would definitely not have work on Thursday. So, I would leave out of here on Wed afternoon and drive part of the way on Wed and the rest of the way on Thursday and end up getting there sooner than planned! I would then avoid all of the weather and power outages in Jackson - which would be a bonus trip all around. Maybe some of my friends should join me. :laughing:


So...that is what I am thinking. And obsessing about.

And now I gotta go get some work done. ;)

[All7OfUs]

Hmmm... YOu know what?? I LOVE that you are a backup- and triple back up plan, kinda gal. That shows some clear thinking, and that's half the battle!

So, I think you have this really all worked out, no matter what happens. You are going to have a great time!

Keep us updated!

[maroo]

Here's to hoping it's snow and not ice. Ice seems to be worse.

Very true!

Hmmm... YOu know what?? I LOVE that you are a backup- and triple back up plan, kinda gal. That shows some clear thinking, and that's half the battle!

So, I think you have this really all worked out, no matter what happens. You are going to have a great time!

Keep us updated!

Snow in the South is so hard to predict...I will actually laugh if NOTHING comes. But considering nothing was supposed to come today - 0% of precip...and it is now snowing outside my window...:dance3:...well, ya never know!

It is the ice that I am more concerned about. If it is just a little warmer than they think it will be...Ice could be an issue.

I am also wondering something else...Is there a way to figure out where a plane may be coming FROM to pick us up? :confused3

[pipersmom]

I don't think there's any way to know where a plane is coming from, to be honest..but on the bright side you seem to have a contingency plan (or two) in place, so try not to worry too much! I know you're going to have a wonderful time!!

[If U Had Wings]

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you that the snow never materializes for you. Being from New England, I'm used to the snow, but I was in Georgia one year when they had ice storms. What a mess! To me it seemed like nothing, but then I realized that there were practically no sanders to take care of the problem, and tons of people who had no clue how to drive in the stuff. It was the first time I've ever seen lists of church mass cancellations due to weather. I don't think I've ever seen mass cancelled up here.

[jordanyosh]

Well, you are well prepared for what comes your way-that's for sure.:thumbsup2

[maroo]

:laughing: It is snowing...like REAL flakes falling from the sky! Totally strange.

Now the National Weather Service is issuing "watches"... whatever...you totally botched the forecast! :rotfl: :teacher:

We need a snowy smiley! These guys look like they have snow on their heads...:dance3:

I don't think there's any way to know where a plane is coming from, to be honest..but on the bright side you seem to have a contingency plan (or two) in place, so try not to worry too much! I know you're going to have a wonderful time!!

Bummer.

I am really not "worried"...I don't know how to explain it...I am just obsessively trying to figure it out and be right. I don't mind driving in snow...even ice...I have done it before. And as little as I would have to drive in it this time (and no side streets, really - I live close to the interstate), I am just not worried about being able to drive...I think I am just trying to make the right call and totally obsessing about checking every weather source to see what they say...and NO ONE KNOWS. They are all clueless. As I sit here and watch the snow fall outside my office. :idea:

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you that the snow never materializes for you. Being from New England, I'm used to the snow, but I was in Georgia one year when they had ice storms. What a mess! To me it seemed like nothing, but then I realized that there were practically no sanders to take care of the problem, and tons of people who had no clue how to drive in the stuff. It was the first time I've ever seen lists of church mass cancellations due to weather. I don't think I've ever seen mass cancelled up here.

This is exactly right! They don't have sand/salt trucks...no plows. So...when something does materialize...we are just stuck. And people really don't know how to drive in it...which makes it dangerous on the side streets and overpasses.

The more I type the more I think it would be wise to leave Wednesday.

Well, you are well prepared for what comes your way-that's for sure.:thumbsup2

:laughing:

Yeah...I suppose so. Now...what do I need from the store? Ha...just kidding!

[that's nice]

I'm glad to see you have back up plans just in case. I hope it is going to be icy on Wednesday night for you... that way you can leave on Wednesday and get there nice and early!!!!! :lmao:

When are you gonna be there in December? My DW said she WILL be in WDW at some point next December. I'm thinking that earlier in the month ie: the 1st week, would be better for us. :santa:

[maroo]

I'm glad to see you have back up plans just in case. I hope it is going to be icy on Wednesday night for you... that way you can leave on Wednesday and get there nice and early!!!!! :lmao:

When are you gonna be there in December? My DW said she WILL be in WDW at some point next December. I'm thinking that earlier in the month ie: the 1st week, would be better for us. :santa:

Probably the second weekend.

The first week was really busy this year with Pop Warner, discounts and the Christmas Parade Taping crowds...

I LOVED the 3rd week (when we went this year)...That week is when the college and high school students tend to have exams...so the families with older kids are holding off going that week...and lots of people are rushing in after the 18th (ish)...so that week right before is perfect...Christmas, but not massive crowds. :)

Of course...mine depends on how much vacation I have left this year. :)

[jenb1023]

I will be MUCH better at Tweeting this trip...assuming I go.

I was given flak on my last trip for using my iPhone too much... :rolleyes: Whatever.

lol

But I am obsessing about the weather...more on that in a sec.

Yea for more tweeting! Can there be such a thing as too much iPhone?

As for the weather thing, the weatherpeople have no clue. I would check Accuweather late tomorrow - they usually are the closest. Good luck! I am going to be a glass half full kinda girl here and say that at least you have options and can drive if needed. I like the Wednesday option because that means a longer trip but I don't like that option because it means you will have left vacation days for future trips (which means less for me to enjoy reading about).

[Sandy321]

You're obsessing about the weather? NOW CHICAGO is to get SNOW Thurs the day we fly out - Chicago may have a lot of de - icers - but honestly if there is a "blizzard" or "snow advisory" OHare shuts DOWN! :faint:

BTW Maroo you have my permission if you capture me on your iphone to tweet it!! :goodvibes (as long as it doesnt break your phone :rolleyes1 and your phone is 'big' enough for my picture :rolleyes1 dont stand too close...)

Jan '11 Marathon anyone?

[StefaniLyn]

I want an iPhone.

Still praying for NO SNOW, although, maybe I should be praying for HUMONGO snow because then you don't have to use a vacation day, right? Lemme know what direction I should be going in here, :rotfl2:

[eyor44]

MAROO!!!!
Clean out your PM box. IT'S FULL!!!!!!!!

[If U Had Wings]

Probably the second weekend.

The first week was really busy this year with Pop Warner, discounts and the Christmas Parade Taping crowds...

I LOVED the 3rd week (when we went this year)...That week is when the college and high school students tend to have exams...so the families with older kids are holding off going that week...and lots of people are rushing in after the 18th (ish)...so that week right before is perfect...Christmas, but not massive crowds. :)

Of course...mine depends on how much vacation I have left this year. :)

Your so right about the first week. I was there for the first week this year, and the parks were really busy. My first night there was a 60 minute wait for It's a Small World. Seriously! The rest of the rides were even worse. I was expecting busy, but not that.

Yea for more tweeting! Can there be such a thing as too much iPhone?


Don't tell me that! :rotfl: My contract on my old Palm Centro is up in April, and I can't seem to get an iphone off the brain for a replacement. Getting a Touch for Christmas didn't help at all, but only served to make it worse. I keep thinking how cool e-ticket would be if I wasn't tied to using wi-fi service.

[maroo]

Good grief.


http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/makesmewanttocry.gif


Where I live....
Here is the description...

Possible mix of rain, freezing rain and snow.

And the timing...heaviest precipitation from 3AM to Noon.

So much for getting on a plane at Noon.


:sad2:


Which leads me to wonder...to I even need to go anywhere at all? Maybe I should stay here and help?

This could be really bad. I have been in ice storms in Little Rock and Mississippi. The power goes out and stays out for days.

And the temps will be in the TEENS. We just are not prepared for that.

If this forecast actually comes true...people are going to be really cold and miserable.

Edited to ADD...a graphic.

This dark purple over Jackson...is not good.


http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/2009/Wx17_southmissvly.png

That...is one of the most unsettling things I have seen weather-wise in a long time.

[If U Had Wings]

Eek! If they are calling for temps in the teens for you I don't even want to know what the temps are going to be up here. I'm already miserable in the cold weather and we are in the teens now. Today I walked out to my car thinking, wow! it's warm today. Actual temp was 22. That's just so wrong! I'd kill for a nice toasty warm day in the 30's. :rotfl:

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[eyor44]

Maroo, I'm praying hard...........

to clarify....I'm praying hard, cause like Maroo said, we are not used to this kind of weather for any length of time. But, as long as there is not an ice storm, I think the power will be okay for the most part. If people will listen to the weather and the advice given......stay indoors, protect pipes and plants, etc.....

[maroo]

Maroo, I'm praying hard...........

to clarify....I'm praying hard, cause like Maroo said, we are not used to this kind of weather for any length of time. But, as long as there is not an ice storm, I think the power will be okay for the most part. If people will listen to the weather and the advice given......stay indoors, protect pipes and plants, etc.....

That...is one of the most unsettling things I have seen weather-wise in a long time.

That dark purple over Jackson. Not good.

You are exactly right!

[maroo]

Maroo, I'm praying hard...........

to clarify....I'm praying hard, cause like Maroo said, we are not used to this kind of weather for any length of time. But, as long as there is not an ice storm, I think the power will be okay for the most part. If people will listen to the weather and the advice given......stay indoors, protect pipes and plants, etc.....

And did you notice Houston has ICE too?? That flight of yours may get messed up, too. :(

I am going to PM you.

[DisneyBride'03]

Thinking good thoughts for you:)

[that's nice]

Sorry you are in this dilemma. If it is going to be really bad, do you think you will be able to get around to help them? Is there a way to help some people today and tomorrow by getting them ready for the storm.... stocking up on water & food? Then you can get out of Dodge late tomorrow and just drive to WDW?

We might get this same system on Friday up here but if it does hit it should be all snow.

[jenb1023]

Don't tell me that! :rotfl: My contract on my old Palm Centro is up in April, and I can't seem to get an iphone off the brain for a replacement. Getting a Touch for Christmas didn't help at all, but only served to make it worse. I keep thinking how cool e-ticket would be if I wasn't tied to using wi-fi service.

My husband had to talk me into getting an iPhone when my other phone broke. I didn't think I needed it. I love it! (though I don't like the monthly bill - lol) So I am thinking that was so not helpful to your dilemma!

Maroo - :hug:

I am so sorry you are having such weather issues. It is funny because to us from the north snow, ice, etc is in the forecast pretty much every day and we don't think much of it but I can see how this can be a big deal in the south where you are not equipped or prepared to handle this kind of weather.

I agree with That's Nice! Maybe you can help now and still go on your trip? If the weather gets bad you might not be able to help during the worst even if you are in town.

Good luck and I will send prayers and good thoughts that you guys are okay and don't lose power.

[jordanyosh]

sorry to hear about the weather issues out your way.:hug:

keep us informed of your travel woes or perhaps non-travel woes.

[maroo]

Thinking good thoughts for you:)

Thank you! :hug:

Sorry you are in this dilemma. If it is going to be really bad, do you think you will be able to get around to help them? Is there a way to help some people today and tomorrow by getting them ready for the storm.... stocking up on water & food? Then you can get out of Dodge late tomorrow and just drive to WDW?

We might get this same system on Friday up here but if it does hit it should be all snow.

This is a good idea.

I have mainly been calling my friends to give them an update...Since most of them are not really aware.

I have been watching the actual forecast discussions from the weather service and my information seems to be a lot more solid than what they are seeing on the Weather Channel (which does not seem to be updating?) and even the local stations.

My husband had to talk me into getting an iPhone when my other phone broke. I didn't think I needed it. I love it! (though I don't like the monthly bill - lol) So I am thinking that was so not helpful to your dilemma!

Maroo - :hug:

I am so sorry you are having such weather issues. It is funny because to us from the north snow, ice, etc is in the forecast pretty much every day and we don't think much of it but I can see how this can be a big deal in the south where you are not equipped or prepared to handle this kind of weather.

I agree with That's Nice! Maybe you can help now and still go on your trip? If the weather gets bad you might not be able to help during the worst even if you are in town.

Good luck and I will send prayers and good thoughts that you guys are okay and don't lose power.

Oh, I am so glad you got an iPhone!!! They are awesome and it will be very helpful to me this trip - radar on my phone...love it! And forecasts! :)

I guess up north they cut back the trees from power lines (or put them underground) so that you guys don't lose power? Here they just let the trees (which are heavy pine trees, mostly) grow over the lines. We did lose a lot of tress in Katrina - which will help this, because they had to put up a lot of new poles, so maybe they will stand better against ice.

I guess I am thinking back to Lucas and his family and their stories from Kentucky last year...that ice storm was bad. Snow is cool with me...I can do snow - could even fly with it - but ice is another story.


I am trying to talk Rachel and her Mom into going to Destin for a few days. They have the condo down there and could be away from the weather. But so far they think it won't be that bad. I hope they are right!

Lauren and family don't have many options for where to go...so I am just trying to convince them to be prepared.

Here at work they are still planning on working on Thursday - but we are moving some of the chemo treatments up to Wednesday that really need to get in - the holidays have already caused us to move some around, so this was the last thing we need right after the holidays.

I just hope the watches and warnings are issued soon so that people will start getting prepared. I am surprised a watch has not been issued yet.

[maroo]

sorry to hear about the weather issues out your way.:hug:

keep us informed of your travel woes or perhaps non-travel woes.

will do! :)

[jenb1023]

So do you know the plan yet? How's the weather looking?

[maroo]

Good morning everyone! :)

Southern winter weather is so hard to predict...

They have issued a Winter Weather Advisory that ends just one county ABOVE me...I think they think the most accumulation will occur just north of us.

Here is the picture - I am just at the bottom of the dark purple (heavy ice) line - and just above the dark green (rain) line.

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad174/marooTR/7am010710.png

So...it is possible that my flight will take off with absolutely no delay at all...or it is possible the entire airport will be closed...and that all depends on just one or two degrees.

It was 19 here last night, but the low for tonight is 32. Exactly freezing. :confused3

We will see...

But the key here is THEY will see...because I won't see it! :woohoo: :yay:

I am going to DISNEY WORLD - TODAY!!

To fly there a day early would cost me an extra $175 (no change fee...just the difference in the cost of the ticket - I had a CHEAP ticket!) plus an extra half day of work (which is worth more to me than the money, honestly). As it stands now, I will miss a full day of work (which is 4 hours more than I would have missed).

So I am packed. An audio book has been downloaded to my iPhone. The car has been filled with gas. I got an oil change and general check on my car yesterday - so I am ready to go!!

I even found a nice, but cheap, hotel for the night just outside of Tallahassee.

Disney World - HERE I COME!!! :)

[maroo]

So do you know the plan yet? How's the weather looking?

thank you so much for asking! :)

I just updated us! :)

The forecast is basically the same - with the rain line a little bit further north than yesterday...

It could rain all day tomorrow - or they could be covered in an inch of ice and be miserable for days. I hope it just rains.

[jenb1023]

woo-hoo! When are you leaving? I can't wait for the tweets! Jordan will be so excited! She still talks about you and Muffin all of the time.

[Sandy321]

Maroo - here PM her and you can do the Half with us!! ;)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365039

[maroo]

woo-hoo! When are you leaving? I can't wait for the tweets! Jordan will be so excited! She still talks about you and Muffin all of the time.

I will definitely be tweeting more this trip! :)

I will start today! :) Even with weather updates from my friends at home! :)

Maroo - here PM her and you can do the Half with us!! ;)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365039

:eek:

Ok...let's discuss this...

The low Friday night is going to be 34F. 34. Have I mentioned it will be 34!?!?!?!?!

I am praying...yes praying!...that it will not be that cold in March. Or next year. Because I don't think I can do 34. :sad2:

I am from the SOUTH people...the South. They don't make enough running clothes for me to walk in 34 degree weather. If I was a runner...maybe...but walking with it that cold...

You people from the North can do it...I just don't think I can. But I need to train for it next year, that is for sure!

[that's nice]

Maroo-
Glad you are getting to go early! Sounds like you thought this all the way through(like that was an issue! LOL) I hope you have a great WARM time in WDW. I think now that Florida & the south are getting the cold now, March is shaping up to be perfect!!!:love::love:

Have fun and drive safely! :worship:

[Sandy321]

I will definitely be tweeting more this trip! :)

I will start today! :) Even with weather updates from my friends at home! :)



:eek:

Ok...let's discuss this...

The low Friday night is going to be 34F. 34. Have I mentioned it will be 34!?!?!?!?!

I am praying...yes praying!...that it will not be that cold in March. Or next year. Because I don't think I can do 34. :sad2:

I am from the SOUTH people...the South. They don't make enough running clothes for me to walk in 34 degree weather. If I was a runner...maybe...but walking with it that cold...

You people from the North can do it...I just don't think I can. But I need to train for it next year, that is for sure!

:rotfl2:

um now dont you start calling me names!! :rotfl2:

I dont know WTH I was thinking... I'm going for a redo in '11 ok?

I am not a runner - My pic shows I was doing 18 min miles, and *I* know I got slower... :sad2:

I'll post in my trip report - but ITS TOO COLD!! and I'm volunteering at the water stop - at 3 AM! I'll get wet - as you hand out water, you get splashed!!

[jenb1023]

For those that don't follow along on twitter, Mary tweeted that she made it to Alabama a little before 7pm.

[jordanyosh]

Thanks for the update.

[StefaniLyn]

For those that don't follow along on twitter, Mary tweeted that she made it to Alabama a little before 7pm.

Thanks for the update! I'm so glad she decided to head out early.

[All7OfUs]

CAn someone post the Tweet link??

[pipersmom]

So glad she started out early and has made it so far! Thanks for the update!

[jenb1023]

Happy to update!

I left my iPhone at home this morning :scared1: and I can't access twitter at work so I won't have any new updates until this afternoon.

Liesa - I can't link you to twitter (dumb work pc) but if you go to the twitter website I believe Mary's account name is maroo268. You just need to follow her. I will double check the account name when I get my phone. I am not very knowledgable about twitter but I did manage at the time I started following Mary to link my account to my phone so I get a text message on my phone every time she tweets.

Have a great day everyone!

[jenb1023]

I went home for lunch and got my phone! Phew!

Liesa - Mary is maroo268 on twitter

She sent out lots of tweets so far today:

7:40am - she was on the road
10:29am - "I am here! Just drove under the sign! Woo-hoo!"
12:08pm - "EE is officially awesome in chilly weather!"
12:38pm - "On my way to the BOGP meet."

Let me know if I shouldn't post updates (I wouldn't want to spoil her future TR for anyone).

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[DisneyBride'03]

Great news!

[maroo]

You guys gotta check out the forecast for Orlando....
We may get some snow flurries!!

I would dance in the street!!