Our "Do we really have to wait 'til March?" PTR

[wvnative]

Let's get the basics out of the way first.

Who: At this point it's just me (38 by then) :surfweb: my daughter (19 by then):teacher:. It's entirely possible she may drag a friend along and my sister is currently contemplating joining us but she almost always cancels. :confused3

When: This is the depressing part. lol Although I'd love to go in late September for her birthday and/or mine in November, it's looking like I won't be able to afford to go until March. The good news is I can't think of a better way to spend Spring Break this year. haha The current plan is March 18-21 but that may change if either of us ends up with a Saturday class during the spring session. We'll then have to go at the beginning of break instead of the end.

Where: Why the Happiest Place on Earth of course! This will be my 6th trip and her 5th since I went this past March while she was on a school trip. lol Oh, and I guess we're supposed to spend one day split between Universal and the beach as well.

Why: Um.. because we can? Like I said, it's spring break. Her first from college! It's also the one vacation we absolutely agree on. There's no bickering at/about DL.

What: A most needed and well deserved vacation. I think that college is going to be a huge eye opener for my kid. All that responsibility! haha

Our usual plan of action is to leave our home in AZ at around 6 am. That will be the plan this time as well. It's the only time I get no complaints about waking her up that early. :lmao: That normally puts us in the DLR area around noon. I'm hoping that HOJO posts ENT rates for our dates and I'm waiting to book until they list the dates for March. If they don't do those dates, we'll probably stay a little closer.

We'll have 3 days at DL and a day at Universal if the plan doesn't change. We've already chosen where we'd like to dine this trip and I'll be picking up gift cards for the off site spots soon as I'm trying to spread the costs out as much as possible. I've already set a calendar reminder for when I can call for PS.

As I'm a bit of an anal over planner, I've been updating my lists and the book I take in the car that has all the pertinent info. Maps, reservation info, PS arrangements, etc. Very soon I'll start collecting mickey heads for a countdown so I can have that all ready to go come the first of the year. I think we actually hit 90 days (when I normally post the countdown) about a week before Christmas but we'll be busy, and then busy recovering from and removing all traces of Christmas, through New Year's so I've opted to wait this year. I've even written out a couple of scavenger hunts for her to do to make the things I will give her before the trip more interesting. lol

I am also seriously considering AP's this trip. I believe our last day is a block out day though so I'd have to wait until then to do them. It would certainly make the trip(s) after this one less expensive. :thumbsup2

Anyway, we usually leave around 3 pm on Sunday to come home and I'm sure that will be the case again in March. I think I'm going to take that Monday off from work as well. I'd hate to drive that long on Sunday and then try to get up at 5 am on Monday. Plus, there's always a chance we'll get stuck in traffic coming back into Phoenix.

Well, I think that's it for now. I'll be back to post more when I can't handle the excitement anymore. lol :woohoo:

[wvnative]

Yesterday I spent some time looking through the dining thread again. Golly some of that food looks absolutely mouth watering. The kid was looking over my shoulder as I was reading and when she saw the pics of Goofy's kitchen she was intrigued. The only character meal we've done is Ariel's, back before they changed their menu, as she's a big princess fan. So, I think we may add Goofy's for breakfast one day. She was amused that she could have salmon for breakfast. lol

Anyone have suggestions on the best seating time there?

[wvnative]

Today is apparently a day of "finally's". The college finally approved my grant. YAY! Only took them more than 2 months. Corporate finally posted our holiday schedule for 2010. I just got done updating our excel vacation tracking sheet to show the correct calendars and, of course, updated the days I plan to take off for next year. As it turns out, I'll have plenty of days available next year to go ahead and take the Wed before we leave for DLR off as well as the Monday after we get back. NICE! :yay:

ME:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/wvnative/Disneyland%20March%202009/Day4-1Pluto.jpg

Last but not least, my procastinating teenager finally contacted the high school to get a copy of her transcript and have a form for an additional grant filled out. popcorn::

The procrastinating teenager.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/wvnative/09%20Graduation/IMG_2748.jpg

I am thinking that this trip we may do a lot more of the gift cards. I usually pick up one or two for a restaurant we may want to try anyway but I'm thinking we'll go beyond that this time around. For instance, I normally get gas at the Valero station by my house. Turns out there's a truck stop in Indio that has a Valero station and is not too far off from where we'd want to get gas anyway. So, I'll pick up a fuel card from there so there's no chance of spending the gas money. lol There's a pizza hut about an hour beyond there coming home. The kid suggested that we get a gift card for pizza hut too and forego Wendy's this trip. I had already planned to get cards for a couple of places in DTD. I think it will make it much easier for me to budget if the money is already "spent". Plus, with the Valero card, if we don't use it all on the trip I can just use the rest next time I fill up. Now, I should see if I can figure out how to go about ordering GK voucher's since we've decided that's our character meal this trip. I'll just need to do some research and discern what time to try for PS.

Someone posted earlier, not sure if it was on this board or not, about being able to use multiple free entree coupons from Mimi's (or was it Millie's) at one meal. i.e: each of us getting one and being able to each use one at the same meal. Apparently the coupon you print is only good for a couple of weeks though so I'll have to do that shortly before we go. Still, a full breakfast for the cost of our drinks would be awesome. Mimi's is our usual haunt when we actually go out for breakfast here at home anyway.

[Belle Ella]

Sing me up :cool1: It was great to meet you back in March and now you get to plan another trip. How awesome is that. Too bad you wont be able to make it out for any birthdays this year. I swear I'm begging half the people I know for a little donation a la birthday presents for September for us. Can't wait to read more.

[wvnative]

I really enjoyed meeting you two as well. I know! I can't believe she veto'd DL for her birthday. Although, we do both have school to consider. lol We can't do Christmastime yet, my mom would freak. That leaves spring break. I'm trying not to get too excited since it's still so far out, but sometimes a body just can't help but be a little excited. lol

Check you out though. You'll be there in a month!

[wvnative]

O.k. so obviously the new thing on my itinerary this time around, Goofy's Kitchen, has been on my mind a lot. It's an exciting unknown. It has dawned on my over tired brain this morning that I have no idea how to even get to it, much less being concerned about what time to be there.

O.k. GK experts, how long will it take to walk from the espanade to the restaurant?

[Belle Ella]

I know, I know! :rotfl: I just couldn't pass up my birthday!!

I wish I had some insight on walking to GK from the esplanade. I could give you my two cents when we get back. I'm trying to remember how long it took me to walk from DLH back in 2006 but it's way too long ago for me to remember.

Sherry would know though :thumbsup2

[wvnative]

And she sure did. She answered it in someone else's thread. lol

I wish HOJO would post their March ent dates already. lol I'm getting dizzy looking at hotel prices. :surfweb: I can get the Travelodge on Ball @ Disneyland Dr for less than HOJO but I'm not sure about the walk. GAT has a great price on the Ayres but it's too far to walk and would require us to do the shuttle thing or pay to park at DL.

[wvnative]

As if it wasn't obvious before, the fact that I need a Disney fix was glaringly obvious this morning as I posted on another non Disney forum. lol I had at least one Disney reference in both the "sights that make you say WOW" and "sounds that make you go ahhh". lol

There aren't really any new developments. HOJO still hasn't posted March ent rates. I am picking up my new book today though. Anyone need a card? I'll have an extra. I have been doing a bit of research and found that GAT has some pretty good deals when I combine flight and hotel. :surfweb: I'm seriously considering flying this time around if I can get a good deal.

My kid is planning to go to 6 Flags with her friends in January to celebrate a birthday so I'm hoping that means I can cancel the Universal portion of our trip and save myself the money. Universal adds no less than $100 to the cost after all and I can think of WAY better ways to spend $100 at Disneyland. lol

Looking at our potential class schedules for spring, I think we can do without a Saturday class next semester. :teacher: That means our dates stay the same. That's really good considering I've been volunteered (by my mom) to help out at the Phoenix quilt show the weekend before. I'll be running her registration desk. lol

Only... gosh, I don't honestly know as I haven't looked lately, let me check... 183 days to go.

[Belle Ella]

There aren't really any new developments. HOJO still hasn't posted March ent rates. I am picking up my new book today though. Anyone need a card? I'll have an extra. I have been doing a bit of research and found that GAT has some pretty good deals when I combine flight and hotel. :surfweb: I'm seriously considering flying this time around if I can get a good deal.

Hey, if you don't need the extra I'd take it off your hands for ya, lol:lmao:

Hopefully these 180 or so days go by quickly. You need your DLR fix and you need it now!

[wvnative]

It's all yours! PM your address and I'll put it in the mail tomorrow.

Someone was kind enough to send me a free one (before I found out the school was indeed selling them) and since there will be one in my book...well, it's always nice to share. lol

[Belle Ella]

Sharing is great, especifally when it comes to something Disneyland related. I'm helping a co-worker get cheaper tickets for her and her family for the end of the month for a lot cheaper than what they were looking to spend.

Big thanks :D And I'll PM you in a minute.

[wvnative]

And what trick are we using to get cheaper tickets? lol

Got your PM. I'll send it out in the mail tomorrow.

[wvnative]

So... I got my new entertainment book last night. The card is at the reception desk waiting for the mailman BellaElla. I'd think you'll see it in a couple of days. Anyway, while I was there talking to my friend (I bought the book from her daughter) we were discussing tour schedules. She'd be doing DLR with me if the school drama/choir tour wasn't at the same time. They used to do it a week earlier. Then she was saying she may have to only do a portion of the tour. If so, she was going to try for the first portion. Then she could do her return flight to SNA and join us at DLR. lol So, we may in fact have one more on our trip if she gets her way. lol In addition to her FT job, she does the occassional childcare job for the people she used to do provide FT care for. Apparently that woman works for a hotel owner so my friend was going to see if they had a hotel in the DLR area and if they could get us a deal on it. That would be AWESOME! I just love my friend. lol

I think I just had an epiphany as to who I think my daughter should invite too. She'd be a lot of fun. lol

I think that I'll call and make a reservation at HOJO anyway (at BelleElla's suggestion) just in case. It can be cancelled after all if I need to.

[wvnative]

O.k. HOJO is booked but I'm still waiting for them to post the March EC rates. They did just add some more for September. lol Bella did you get your card?

I keep checking SW airlines too just in case they offer a spankin' deal but no such luck. Still only booking through the weekend before we go. lol While I'd love to go that weekend instead, I am already otherwise committed to assist at the Phoenix Quilt Show. Although I could always be persuaded to change my plans I guess, and go right after the quilt show ends, if the numbers work better then. lol I wanted the weekend for shows and such but apparently the ROA will be drained while we're there anyway so Fantasmic! is out as is visiting Pirate's Lair or anything else that requires the water be there. lol With any luck ELP will be going though.

I was in dire need of a Disney fix yesterday so I drug the kid's BF into the Disney store while we were waiting for her to take some tests at the college. He was a good sport. :thumbsup2 I know. It's not quite the same thing, apples to oranges really :confused3, but it was the best I could do. lol I did pick up two shopping bags, a new popcorn bowl and the first of the 3 scavenger hunt prizes. I still need to get a lanyard and I think I planned either a movie or disney dollars for the third one.

I picked up LGMH's from HD over the weekend to mail to a gal in Australia Those went out in Monday's mail. I also picked up some to make our new luggage tags although I'm rethinking that now and think I'd rather have them done a little differently in case we do end up flying. I think I may make a folded one using my Mickey cookie cutter as the shape so the names and contact info aren't so easily viewable. I'll have to make a note to get that done. lol

[wvnative]

So, I cut out our new luggage tags but I still need to get the addresses inside and then get them laminated. That will require me to actually remember to bring them with me one day. lol I have a terrible memory. :confused3

I also drug (o.k. not really... she was more than willing and even spent a little money herself) my kid to the Disney store yesterday so I could pick up the first of our Disney dollars that will be used for in park food during out trip. It was only $20 but hey, it's a start. I had printed out some spiffy little envelopes yesterday for each thing we are saving towards as well as our tip envelopes (while I was at it..lol) and it felt kind of nice to be putting the "money" into the envelope. Now, if I can just convince the kid to contribute. :laughing:

Still no March rates from HOJO and SW Airlines is no help either as they are still not booking beyond March 12th. I did get some decent rates for a rental car though in case we end up needing one. My car apparently has a minor issue that makes my mom panicky about us driving it to Anaheim. I'd much rather spend the extra money than give my mom a panic attack. :scared1: With any luck the issue will be fixed by then though and it'll be a moot point. Just gotta finish the bathroom remodel and get through the holidays first. :thumbsup2

[prncesaurora21]

howdy neighbor :wave2: i am in chandler as well...my sister and i are heading to mickey's house in january and i too am getting a bit stir crazy. i look forward to hearing about your trip once it comes along. good luck with deals on hotel/airfare/etc and enjoy the planning process! :thumbsup2

[wvnative]

Well howdie to you to! :wave2:

[wvnative]

Have I mentioned that I'm really glad that the mall across from the college has a Disney store? lol It makes it easy to stop for disney dollars after class.

My sister's BF is back from his sabatical to CO and while visiting with his dog the other day I was talking to the BF about going with us. He's about half interested. He did offer to fix the problem with my car though so that's a plus. That'll save me the cost of a rental car. lol I doubt they'll go but I know they'd have fun if they did.

I think I'm going to rerun some numbers today to make sure my budget is right. Somehow the numbers don't look right.

[wvnative]

Golly. Lots of readers but not many commenting. Oh well. I do the same thing from time to time. I'm going to apologize now for this not being very upbeat. The past couple of weeks or so has been more than stressful and I'm exhausted.

It's been a hectic couple of weeks. My online class is now over but I had a last minute essay assigned on top of my final. I did well on both though and ended up with a good solid A. The timing was just about perfect as now, half way through the semester, one of my other instructors has decided she wants us to actually read the book. lol At least now I'll have time. haha

I was asked to do some sewing for the backdrops of the high school's fall play or musical. They want those by Saturday so I'll need to work on them this evening in order to get them done in time. I'm also handling any issues with my mom's charity quilt group while she's gone.

My grandma has taken a detour. She fell and broke her hip a couple of months ago and has been in a long term care facility for recovery since. She's decided we're all in on some conspiracy and that we're keeping her there against her will. Her Dr's have diagnosed her with dementia, paranoia, and bi-polar disorder. Plus, they say she has a mrsa infection in her kidneys. Her housemate died on the 9th as well so that severely limits her chances of going home again as she can't take care of herself and required 24 hour care now. Anyway, as her POA and executor, mom had to fly back to WV to deal with all of this stuff and find her a long term place to live as her insurance only covers this place for another week or so. Mom will be home on Friday. She's really stressed and I tend to take on some of her stress when it gets this bad. Not to mention teh company that handles my RX coverage is driving me nuts. Between them and my Dr's office, who is usually really good, I'm about ready to scream. lol

Anyway, I got really excited when I say Lorealle had posted a new update to the EC rates. What a bummer! They only added a couple of additional dates to months that were already posted. I really wish they'd post March so I could get that part of my planning completed. I know I still have plenty of time but I'd really like my numbers to jive better. :teacher:

[wvnative]

Goodness. What a slacker I am!

Life as I know it is finally back on track though. We had a minor derail in early December when my Mamaw passed. Then mom got new kittens who ended up sick so my step dad couldn't come over to work on the bathroom remodel for fear of my cats getting sick. Now school is back in session so I'm uber busy with all that assigned reading. I honestly think that they all think they are my only class. There aren't enough hours in a day. lol We've also had to add a quickie wedding into the mix for March. See what happens when you get reconnected with your estranged family. haha

So, here's where we stand tripwise. It is the shining star on the horizon after all. lol We've added a day to the beginning of our trip to attend the quickie Vegas wedding of a cousin. That room, at the hotel of her choosing, is booked and paid for and I think we'll take them to Rainforest for dinner that night. As for DLR, we currently have reservations at both the HOJO and DI&S. It's beginning to look like HOJO will not be offering up our dates for EC rates. That's o.k. I'm sure the kid(s) will enjoy the shorter walk at the end of the night. I know I will. lol Speaking of kids, we've officially extended the invite to two of my kid's friends. One traveled with us time before last. The other, has never been so it should be fun to see it all through her eyes. I just wish it wasn't all hidden behind walls. lol Oh well, whatcha gonna do? We'll leave Vegas as early as I can get them motivated. That should be interesting. lol

I've bought our park tickets. Got those in my email on Thursday. The kid has nailed down our dining choices (since one of her friends is super picky) and I got our PS's made on Thursday too. I've researched a rental car, since there is no chance either my sister's BF or my step dad will get the repairs made to mine before then, so that I can be prepared should my step dad say it's not safe to drive that far. It's nothing major but I'd rather err on the side of caution. I picked up the first of the "in car" snacks during this week's grocery trip. As previously mentioned, we plan to take my cousin and her new DH to Rainforest Cafe. I told her to take a look at their website this morning and will pick up a gift card for that at our local one later this week.

All in all, it's falling into place nicely. I believe our countdown at home was at 45 days til DLR this morning!

[goofycathy]

I'm on board!

[Belle Ella]

I'm still on board!!

[wvnative]

Well, I'm glad at least you two are still on board. At least I'm not just talking to myself. hahaha :lmao:

The kid was giving me grief at the grocery store the other day because we still have 6 weeks to go and I was already buying snacks. hehe. O.k. it was mini Quakes. They were on sale and as long as I don't get to craving the caramel ones too bad they'll last until our trip just fine. I bought gatorade too, but we've already gotten into that. lol :rolleyes1 Oh, and a big box of white cheddar cheezits. Those things should last for just about forever. :3dglasses It all goes in a Disney shopping bag so it's not in our regular pantry tempting us. Out of sight, out of mind ya know?

[goofycathy]

Your doing better than I am and I have just over a month before I leave....I have a big list of stuff I still need to get but havent gotten around to it, I guess I am lazy!?!?! lol oh well! I was trying to get my best friend to come with us but she just cant swing it financially and I am so bummed out!

Have fun getting ready and share any tips that you find that make getting ready easier!

[wvnative]

I know what you mean. I have no problems getting the kid's friends to go but I don't think I could pay my sister to. lol Oh well, the kids are fun at least. haha

Tips, hmmm... I keep lists upon lists. I also pick up some food for the trip with each big grocery trip as of about 45 days out. I just make a list of the stuff I need and add an item or two to my grocery list. Like I said, I put it in a special bag where we don't see it. Plus, that way I can just put that bag in the car when we pack the trunk. I do laundry on the weekends so I'll pack the weekend before. That way, I don't wear the stuff I want to pack before the trip. Stuff that always goes (ie my backpack, the power strip, and a nightlight) all stay in my suitcase.

The getting ready to go part is usually pretty easy for me as I tend to be overly organized. This year may be different though since I'm organizing the volunteers at the quilt show the weekend before we leave. That takes 2.5 days away from my process. haha :confused3 It's the getting the best price part that takes me a while. :rolleyes1


I did check room rates again today and I managed to save another $10 on my DI&S reservation because they dropped the weekend rate from $109 to $99. Hey, $10 is $10. That's my earhat or ornament this trip. :thumbsup2

[wvnative]

oh-my-gosh... the HOJO posted a bunch of Feb dates and a few new ones for March too. Even better, they were in the teens! Of course, they ended the day before we get there. lol Oh well. I'm still holding out hope. lol :surfweb:

While enjoying a delicious lunch of chicken parmesan the other day, we picked up our Rainforest gift card so that's all set. Next on my list is the Visa card with gas money on it. I'll probably do that on my way home today. I'm still trying to decide how I want to do the rest of the food budget but I think since it's a mix of places, I'll probably have to do a mix of things. I was going to order a gift card for Ralph Brennans but I'm sure as soon as I do that, the girls will decide they don't want to eat there afterall. lol Teenagers can be very fickle especially when there's a picky eater in the bunch. lol

[wvnative]

She finally found a dress!!! WOOHOO. My cousin, who is getting married in Vegas, finally found a dress after hours spent shopping online by both of us. Yay! Mark that chore off my list. lol So she's got the new. I can take care of blue. So we just need borrowed and old. Mom's gonna check her family heirlooms and she if she has something that will work.

The gas card is bought, as are the cards for breakfast in Vegas and dinner on the way home. I'll stop after class today for the Visa gift card for the food. I also found another cute pair of tennis shoes that I think I can make work for the trip. I'd still like to have a black pair though. I dislike wearing my white tennis shoes, no matter how cute they are, with my black t shirts and black belt. lol

Shoot. I even found out where the Walgreens is there close to the hotel in Vegas so we can print out the wedding pics. Although, I may just put them on their laptop if they bring it or burn them to a CD depending on how many I take. Then she can print what they want.

It's all coming together! YAY!

[wvnative]

How about past trip pics showing all but one of our cast of characters this trip?

The nice thing about taking a camera that really zooms in. You can catch them slightly off guard. lol This is "the kid" aka my DD on the right and the BFF on the left. Ironically, she'd just closed her phone from reading my repsonse to her text asking where I was and they had both just looked up as the barge stopped to see. lol
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/wvnative/Disneyland%20March%202008/Day5onthebargefromPiratesLair.jpg

And... me. Looky who I found!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y171/wvnative/Disneyland%20March%202009/Day4-2Goofy.jpg

I don't have any pics of our first timer yet as she has never traveled with us before and I don't think she's ever actually been to the house for anything I'd take pics of.

Also to be included in our preDisney portion of out trip are my cousin and her fiance as we will be making a slight detour to attend their Vegas wedding the day before DLR. I'd post thier pics, but neither of them have a picture without their kids that I can snag so...

[wvnative]

Today is our 30 day mark. :banana: :dance3: :yay: :woohoo: :cool1: :cheer2:

[Belle Ella]

Did you see the HOJO added the 20th and 21st for the Ent. rate yesterday ;)

[wvnative]

You're so sweet keeping an eye on things for us. lol :flower3:

I did. I already called and talked to Kim to update my reservation for the 20th. We leave on the 21st so that day doesn't help me. haha I also called and cancelled my DI&S reservation. He didn't seem real happy when my response to "why are you cancelling" was "because I found a better rate". :rolleyes1

I was trying to see if I could move my trip to the front of that week to take advantage of more EC rates, but it just doesn't work. I've got the quilt show until about 4 pm that Saturday and then I have to be in Vegas on Wed around 2. That only gives us 3 days and it's just not enough darnit! hehe

[Belle Ella]

Well, 1 day at the Ent. rate is better than non, right? I still have like ... ages before the dates for July come out.

[wvnative]

That was my thought too.

I feel your pain. I have been waiting since September for our dates to pop up. Here we sit, 28 days out and I now have 1 date. haha With any luck they'll update again soon and more of mine will be there. I only have 3 for goodness sake. lol

[wvnative]

I'm beginning to think the excitement is already getting to me. :headache: I usually start the not sleeping well thing about two weeks out. Here we are at 23 days (I think) and I've already been not sleeping well for a couple of weeks now. :confused3 It makes 5 am seem really early. haha

So, I popped in the Disney store yesterday afternoon for a gift card and they had new shopping bags. Apparently I now have an addiction to those as I have a slew of them in my trunk an I just had to buy two more. :lmao: I got a really cute purple Tink one and a blue one with the New Alice characters on it. It's really cool! :thumbsup2 It's funny. I won't pay more than buck for a store one, but I'll happily pay more than twice that for one with a Disney character on it.

HI. My name is Denise and I am addictive to Disney. lol

[Belle Ella]

We all share your pain, Denise! We're here for you :goodvibes

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who can't help buying the shopping bags! I don't have too many, because I have somehow managed to stop myself from buying some every time I go into the store, but it doesn't stop me from pining after them! My favorite is my Snow White one that I got when it was released on Blu Ray last year.

[wvnative]

I have that one too Jazz. She is my fav afterall lol

I did mention that I'm a quilter right? I can't tell you how many I have made because I found THE most adorable fabric. haha

[Belle Ella]

I have that one too Jazz. She is my fav afterall lol

I did mention that I'm a quilter right? I can't tell you how many I have made because I found THE most adorable fabric. haha

I like your taste :thumbsup2 Snow White will always have a special place in my heart. I'm sure we've discussed this before, lol.

I didn't know that. Cool beans, dude. My grandmother quilts and I still ahve the baby blanket she made me (although it's more than a little frayed around the ages from when I left it over the floor heater, but that's another story altogether). I wish I was any good at making anything with my hands. Be it quilts or anything else.

[wvnative]

Well if nothing else, you're fabulous behind the lens. :woohoo:

I decided a long time ago that quilting was therapy, both retail (hello fabric addiction...lol) and relaxation.:thumbsup2

Now I just need to find a long enough break in my homework to get a quilt finished. It's a wedding gift for the cousin who's getting married in Vegas in 21 days. :banana: Hopefuly this weekend. I don't have much assembly let on the top.

Can you believe I have to actually go to the mall for an assignment tonight? Geez. lol Marketing.

[goofycathy]

I'm beginning to think the excitement is already getting to me. :headache: I usually start the not sleeping well thing about two weeks out. Here we are at 23 days (I think) and I've already been not sleeping well for a couple of weeks now. :confused3 It makes 5 am seem really early. haha

So, I popped in the Disney store yesterday afternoon for a gift card and they had new shopping bags. Apparently I now have an addiction to those as I have a slew of them in my trunk an I just had to buy two more. :lmao: I got a really cute purple Tink one and a blue one with the New Alice characters on it. It's really cool! :thumbsup2 It's funny. I won't pay more than buck for a store one, but I'll happily pay more than twice that for one with a Disney character on it.

HI. My name is Denise and I am addictive to Disney. lol

I have the purple tinkerbell one too.... :rolleyes1
When I was in Calif I went to the Disney store to buy my DD8 birthday present and used that as a gift bag...soooo I guess technically its hers :sad1:

[wvnative]

If they were anything but grocery shopping bags, I'm sure the kid would have laid claim to both of the ones I just bought. :lmao:

Somebody at work stole my scissors. sigh... now I have to shop for a new pair. I really liked my scissors. lol dangit!

[wvnative]

Golly, I'm getting buried. lol :scared1:

So, it looks like we are now at 16 Days til Vegas and 17 til DLR. WOOHOO! Almost to the two week mark. :woohoo:

I did manage to get all but the last two border pieces put on the quilt. :thumbsup2 Although now I'm thinking I may have to go buy more of that fabric since I decided my borders needed to be wider. Man I hope they still have some. It was on their clearance shelves. Eek! I'll check to see if I have enough when I get home and run right over if I don't. Luckily they are really close by. haha :rolleyes1

So, I've started buying the perishables too. I've opted to do lunchable type stuff for the car ride I think. Maybe it'll be an in park lunch instead. Anyway, I bought pepperoni and need to decide what kind of cheese to get to go with it. lol That'll require a conversation with the kid though. Wonder how thin I can slice mozzarella? :confused: I also bought the crackers.

It's a good thing I was looking through the movies we still only have on VHS (man have I got to get those replaced with DVD's.lol) because my entertainment book was in there with them and I'll need that card when we check in to the HOJO. It's all safe with the other gift cards and such now.

Just two more weeks til spring break and the end of the class with the uber amount of homework YAY!!! Speaking of.. I should probably get back to that. haha :surfweb: :teacher:

[Belle Ella]

I woke up this morning thingking about you - it's officially MARCH! That's so exciting.

[Roandlilsmum]

Hi there,
ive just started reading your TR
we are going the same day, also staying at the hojo!! :)

[wvnative]

I woke up this morning thingking about you - it's officially MARCH! That's so exciting.

AH, I feel so loved. :grouphug:

Hi there,
ive just started reading your TR
we are going the same day, also staying at the hojo!! :)

Welcome aboard. lol I must say I am so excited that I am thoroughly distracted and having a hard time concentrating on anything else including my homework. I've never been to Vegas so that's exciting in itself much less as an add on to DLR.

[stitch1986]

I just caught up on ur TR super excited!! I am on board with your report :) I also got the blue Alice bag from my friend who is going with me :)

[wvnative]

SO.... yesterday was a productive day. The other two girls that are tagging along with us purchased their tickets and had them emailed to my email. I'm about to print those out and put them with ours. YAY!

AND... I finished the quilt top. I'll pick up backing for it today and it'll get quilted on Sunday while we are keeping mom's cats company. It should take me about 5 or 6 hours to do the binding so I have plenty of time to get that done between Sunday and the 17th. WOOHOO!!!

I did have a minor hiccup yesterday though. I was talking to my boss about both of our upcoming trips and he was asking which route we were taking to Vegas. He suggested I take a different route though because apparently the one we had planned to take is a two lane highway with no divider that sees a lot of accidents. Apparently his FIL makes the drive frequently though so he's going to ask him which route I should take. The route I think he's going to tell me is an hour longer. I'm not sure how early I can get these three girls moving and we must be at the hotel by 2. lol

[wvnative]

YAY! I got a picture message from my cousin yesterday of her in her dress. That means her alterations are done. I think she's shipping it here, rather than trying to take it on the plane, so it can ride up with us.

I also finished the last of the reading for my accelerated class last night. A quiz, a couple of postings, a marketing plan and the final left to go. YAY! Soeaking of, I think I'll go get what of that I can knocked out now.

[wvnative]

Her dress was shipped out this morning. She says I should have it on Wednesday. lol

The next two weeks are pretty much non stop starting tonight.

Tonight we have to be at the HS to help with the musical.

Tomorrow I have a marketing plan to begin and some reading to get done. I also have to get the quilt back pieced together and we're volunteering at the HS again/

Sunday I have more homework and I'll be headed to mom's to do the quilting on the long arm and play with her kitties.

Monday it's back to work, more homework, and housework I'm sure.

Tuesday, work, homework, class.

Wed 3/10 - work, homework, back to ths HS

Thur 3/11 - work, then all evening managing the volunteers for the quilt show.

Fri 3/12 - all day at the show, maybe back to the HS, homework

Sat 3/13 - all day at the show, homework, housework, laundry

Mon - work, get caught up/ahead on all work, and I have some reading to get done before traveling.

Tues - finish up any work, off at 10 am. finish up any laundry and shopping, pickup girls, pizza for dinner and do anything left to do for trip

Wed we leave for Vegas.... then 4 days at DLR... one more day off to recouperate then back to life as usual, finally.

Somewhere in there I also need to get the quilt bound and wrapped. lol

[wvnative]

Have I mentioned that in 10 days we'll be at the park?

[Belle Ella]

Now it's 9 ;)

[kaoden39]

How did I miss your trip report? Now I feel bad, I would have loved to be here from the beginning.

Single digits!!

[DisneyStitch626]

I'm gonna subscribe to your PTR, I hope you don't mind! :)

[wvnative]

Now it's 9 ;)

Actually, now it's 8. lol

How did I miss your trip report? Now I feel bad, I would have loved to be here from the beginning.
Single digits!!

No big deal. We've all been busy in Cathy's, yours and Jazz's. I just feel bad posting my stuff in your threads. lol


I'm gonna subscribe to your PTR, I hope you don't mind! :)

Not at all.

I'm afraid I won't be overly entertaining for the next couple of days just due to my schedule and the stress it's putting on my poor tired brain. lol But I'll try. :thumbsup2


Yesterday I received a package from Fed Ex. It wasn't supposed to arrive until today but our Fed Ex guy is AWESOME!!! Of course, we get slightly preferential treatment because his nephew is one of our managers. lol It was my cousin's dress, shoes and her Fiance's "outfit". Can I just say that he needs help in the fashion dept? lol Dark tan button up (short sleeve) shirt and khaki's. pftt. lol Boys. I haven't taken her dress out of the plastic bag yet to see if it needs steamed. I think I'll worry about that on Sunday after the quilt show is over. His stuff I will run through with my laundry this weekend so it'll be easier to iron because it really needs ironed. :rolleyes1 I can't believe the wedding is just one week away now.

I think I'm doing ok on homework. I do have a marketing plan due Friday. I still haven't heard back from the instructor regarding the location of the list of companies he mentioned. If I don't hear from him today, I think I'll just choose one. My final in that class is due Friday as well. I plan to print down all the past quizzes today and use those to study from. In my INternational business class, I have a post to make today. By Friday I'll need to reply to someone else's post and submit my case study. I also have a quiz due by Saturday evening that I'll probably just go ahead and take today. I've got at least one chapter to read for her class that is supposed to be done over break so I'll try to do that before we leave (hence the reason for the extra half day off). For my computer class, I have a quiz and some reading due my SUnday and I need to do the power point sections before the 25th. There's only two so I should be able to knock those out easily. I think they'll get done tomorrow.

Hopefully I can get some reading done before volunteering at the musical tonight. I plan to take the quilt with me to work on during the first half and I think we'll leave after intermission again so I can get some more homework done. I think I'll drag the quilt and a textbook to the quilt show with me on Thursday just in case. Same goes for Friday and Saturday since mom says I'll have down time. Gotta use my "free" time to my advantage. lol

Thank goodness all the trip planning is done. I can't imagine having to obsess over that right now too. I'd be a nutcase by now. :dance3:

[kaoden39]

You are one busy woman. You probably need the quilting to relax. I quilt but, not as mush as I used to. On my GAD I could have worked on a quilt or make my own blankets by crocheting, knitting or making fleece blankets. I got sick so I ended up making the fleece blankets. They were even supplying all the material for the quilts. They ended up making like three quilt tops in one day and ended up with 250 other blankets. Not to mention they got a bunch of material cut. All in all a successful endeavor.

[wvnative]

I do volunteer quilting I think more than I do my own quilting. This one is a wedding gift for my cousin so it has to be done before we leave. Not entirely sure how I'm going to accomplish that with all the other stuff I have going on, but I'll figure it out I'm sure. :cool2: It's 66 x 75 so it'll take a while to get the hand work done. lol Luckily, mom has a long arm so I get to do my quilting on it. It takes so much less time. haha :cool1: This quilt would probably be done already had I not decided it needed green in the blocks and then had to take them all apart to fix it. I mean, she's getting married on St Pat's so it had to have green right? haha It does look a lot better though. I'll try to remember to post a pic of it in here before I wrap it. Oh, that reminds me, I still need to go buy the bag and a card. I should do that today so I can have mom sign at the quilt show and still have time to catch my sister this weekend.

I also volunteer with the HS the kid went to. That's what I'll be doing tonight. Selling tickets to the spring musical. Due to homework, I can't stay past intermission and I don't want to only see half so I'll work on the binding during the first half. They need someone to babysit the flowers and stuff anyway so it all works out. My schedule isn't usually this hectic. It just happens that the musical and quilt show are on the same weekend this year which is just a few days before my vacation and at the same time as midterms and finals. Once I get through Tuesday, it's smooth sailing. :woohoo:

[kaoden39]

Wow. Good for you. Good luck with getting the quilt done, I know how rough it can be.

[DisneyStitch626]

Wow! That sounds like a lot of work! I bet it will feel great next week when it's all done and you're on the road! Only 8 days! :banana:

[wvnative]

I am such an idiot. lol :upsidedow Ok, so yesterday I pack the quilt in the bag. Got my scissors and needles and off we go. Duh, you can't bind without thread dummy. haha :confused3 So I spent an hour talking to another mom and playing bejeweled on my phone. haha

Anyway, I feel better already. The goddess smiles upon me apparently. haha:wizard: My marketing plan... and I think my marketing final...cancelled. :banana: He finally responded today and said the online file was corrupted so we'd get a reprieve with no penalty since it wouldn't be fair to post it with such short notice. Since he said he'd send our final grades via email and the test is not posted online, I'm assuming it's been corrupted as well. That's takes a ton of work off my lap. Hopefully I can still get by with a B. I managed to miss a quiz and a coule of postings. Oops. lol

So, today I managed to get my Int'l business quiz done. I'll stop by mom's after work to check on her kitties and I'll knock out the rest of my Itn'l business homework then. I'll have an hour or two and there's not that much to do. I also managed to get the two power point chapters done for my CIS class. I still have one chapter to read and a post to make for that class by Sunday evening.

I remembered my thread today so hopefully I'll get some time at the show to work on that binding. With any luck, I can have it bound by the end of the show. YAY!

At this time, one week from today, I will be enjoying some loaded baked potato soup. WOOHOO!

[kaoden39]

Oh no, I do things like that. I think it is especially when I am stressing about getting something done. And boy you caught a lucky break on that with the marketing plan and everything. And you probably needed that break and that is why you forgot the thread.

Seven Days!!!

[kaoden39]

Woo hoo under a week now!! Yay!!

:rockband:party::rockband:

[wvnative]

Our countdown today says 3 days til vegas and 4 days til DLR!

Michele, Yep, I am thrilled that I lucked out with that marketing plan. He's even offered to help me do one when I finally get around to opening a quilt store. lol It was really nice to hit submit on my last assignment before spring break at 9:05 Friday night. Oh, I do still have one post to make and will do so as soon as I hit submit on this. haha

Whew! The quilt show is over and seems to have been a success despite being short on both volunteers and attendance. It was a long three days. lol I did a lot more running back and forth than was expected and we've come to the conclusion that coordinating the volunteers is a two person job. I'm curious to see who gets it next year. It would not surprise me in the least if mom asks me to do it. We did do take down, hand out and get packed up in record time though.

I have washed and ironed what Tom is wearing during the ceremony and her dress traveled fine so I don't need to do anything to it. I've put both outfits in a garment bag and her shoes are waiting patiently for me to finish packing my overnight bag for Vegas as they'll go on top.

I've got all of my laundry done and the kid threw some in as well. She's baking cookies now. I've also begun packing. I've only got one thing I have to pick up from the store as well as two things I'd like to pick up. Oh, and I got the last of the binding done today! yay!!! We'll photograph that in a little bit and then I'll get it wrapped up.

I'm off at my regular time tomorrow and we plan to get our hair cut tomorrow when I get home. I also picked up some color today so if we don't get to that tonight, we'll do it tomorrow too.

I am currently scheduled to work a half day Tuesday although that may change to a full day if I get everything done tomorrow. I could do with a full day of rest before we leave. The girls should be here somewhere around dinner time and I think we'll make mickey shaped pizza, watch movies and play games that night. I also have a scavenger hunt for them to do that evening. I'll load what I can in the car that night so there will be less to deal with Wednesday morning.

I haven't decided on breakfast for Wed yet. I plan to revisit that topic of conversation with the kid this evening so I can pick up the stuff if I need to.

[kaoden39]

I vote for doughnuts on Wednesday morning. They are quick and easy. You can even eat them while you drive. That is why I chose them.

[wvnative]

I am leaning towards donuts myself although the homemade mcmuffins are easy and portable as well and would be more filling. I think donuts may still be the better idea since they may not be hungry before we leave.

The kid has zero input of course. haha

Geez, I'm not sure how these folks here are going to function without me. I was bombarded before I was even in the building this morning. haha

[kaoden39]

I was looking at weather earlier and it looks like your weather is gonna be really great for your trip. No rain!!

[Belle Ella]

I can't believe how close you are!!

[wvnative]

Whew! I am glad to be home.

The weather was gorgeous! I actually got a tiny sunburn and was glad that I took at least one tank top. I did get a little tan though which is huge for my pale self. lol Now I'll just have to sit in the sun a bit to see if I can get my ghostly white legs to match my arms. haha

So, pizza for dinner on Tuesday went over well. There was only one piece left to throw out. The scavenger hunt worked out well too as they delivered keys and instructions to everyone in trade for thier next clue. They opted for blueberry pancakes for breakfast. I froze the remaining two for later use. We were actually out the door on time including the stop by my folk's house to pick up the necklace. It kind of all started downhill at about 15 miles from the Hoover Dam though. There was a crash 4 miles south of the dam, plus the intermittent road closures due to the blasting. Add to that the line of looky loo's on the dam itself and it took us 2 hours to go a whopping 15 miles. We missed the wedding and were then also late for our dinner reservations. It was great to see my cousin and dinner was really good too. I actually don't have any interest in returning to Vegas though. It's just not my cuppa tea. I'll be opting out of the Divas Vegas trip. We were back to the hotel and in bed by about 10-11 pm. Oh, I almost forgot. Other than it's distance from everything, the Riviera wasn't all that bad. We had a signature room in the Monaco tower and it was pretty nice. It had a great view of the closed pool. lol I thought I had booked queen beds but apparently not. The only issues I had with the hotel was the long line for check in and having to walk through the casino to get anywhere.

As was the theme for this trip, we ended up leaving about an hour late for Anaheim and thus missed our first reservation at Carnation. The drive over from Vegas was fine but more hilly than I was told. My poor little Stittch was not happy about all the inclines and will not be making anymore drives to Anaheim.

[Belle Ella]

:cool1:

[wvnative]

So, we did a little pre check in at HOJO, stopped to go potty and were off to the park(s). The girls opted for DCA first. They opted to initiate N right by making ToT their first stop. After that, they opted for It's a Bug's Life while I went to get our first FP. Off to ride Screamin' and TSMM while waiting for our time to ride Soarin', row 1. We wandered around just a bit more and then decided to head back to HOJO to finish check in and get the car unpacked. We were in Building 2, deluxe room, first floor with a pool view. Anyway, we headed back over to DL for some dinner and to grab the first set of FP for DL. I think this was the night we ate at Stage Door Cafe. I had fish n chips which hit the spot. We stayed til park closing that night.

By Friday morning, the other two were beginning to drag. Lack of sleep and a poor diet seemed to be the main causes. lol I was unseccessful at getting them to eat anything actually good for them, or to drink enough water, the whole trip. Today we picked up buttons and GAD FP's from City Hall. We played in DL for most of the morning until they decided they wanted to go back to DCA. We attempted to see both Aladdin and ELP that night. The Aladdin show was cancelled and we couldn't find a seat for ELP after grabbing dinner (Taste Pilot's - ribs were decent enough and her chicken sandwich awas good) so we opted to head for Screamin'. That was a good place to see some of the DL fireworks. lol Anyway, the girls got back on the Funwheel and we hopped back to DL at DCA closing. We used up the last of our FP's and headed back to HOJO at closing time. After this walk back, I decided I like building 1 better. lol

[wvnative]

I had hoped to do MM on Saturday and then head to GK for breakfast. The girls were very slow moving and opted to do MM on Sunday instead. We were still late for our 10 am (I thought they were for 10:30) brunch ressies. We saw Pluto, Jasmine, Chip, Dale and Goofy. Baloo walked right by our table and never came back even though both our table and the one next to us were waiting for him. The food was good but neither the food or the experience was worth 37.50 pp IMO. I doubt we'll be back. The kid and I did decide we want to stay at DLH one of these days though and that there are a couple of other restaurants in the area/on the way we'd like to try. We spent a very small amount of time in DL that day as the girls seem to prefer DCA for some odd reason. Have I mentioned that the kid and I spend about 3-5 hours per trip in that park normally? It was getting a bit ridiculous. lol We did catch Aladdin and the ELP that night though. Both were very good. That Genie is hilarious. :rotfl2: As we were leaving DCA to hop back to DL at closing, I informed the girls we would not be visiting DCA the next day.

[wvnative]

Day 4, Sunday. MM today and we were still running late. We barely got any rides done due to the girls being so slow. We did PP and Alice and then headed to Nemo. The kid and I can get all of the FL rides done in the same amount of time and still make it to Nemo before the line gets huge.

We then spent most of the day shopping. Well, after our breakfast at Carnation that is, YUM!!! We finally headed for DTD at around 2:30 with the two slow pokes beginning to whine. We headed for HOJO at about 3 and after a quick stop at the potty, finally got under way around 4 pm. We stopped for pizza in Indio. I've never seen a Pizza Hut with such bad organization and service. It took over an hour. We finally ended up dropping them off at around 11. A full two hours behind schedule. We quickly unpacked the car when we got home and rolled into bed at around midnight. It was so nice to snuggle up in my own bed with the kitties. lol :hug:

Yes, there are some pics, but you'll have to wait just a bit for me to post them. I probably should have waited until I was no longer annoyed before I posted the daily stuff too. :rolleyes1 I'm not inviting anyone else from hare to go with us again and we'll be flying from now on. :thumbsup2

[kaoden39]

The trip to Vegas sounds awful. It's too bad you missed the wedding. All in all the drive sounds bad, I so understand that driving is gonna be a no way for you. I am so glad that our is almost a straight drive to Disneyland for us. I hope that you get the love back, and I can hardly wait to see the pictures from the trip.

[Belle Ella]

Yes, there are some pics, but you'll have to wait just a bit for me to post them. I probably should have waited until I was no longer annoyed before I posted the daily stuff too. :rolleyes1 I'm not inviting anyone else from hare to go with us again and we'll be flying from now on. :thumbsup2

:hug: I'm sorry it wasn't everything you wanted it to be.

[wvnative]

Can you believe that after my sitting out for the Tower of Terror and the Funwheel twice, they still had the nerve to get snotty about me wanting to ride the teacups?

I should have just played drill instructor like I always do and simply told them what was happening next. lol

Yea, that drive to Vegas was awful. Of course, I didn't think Vegas itself was much better. HAHA I guess if I was drinking, leering, gambler type person it would have been a lot better but I'm not any of those things. :confused3

Th other two legs of the trip were fine other than Stittch getting a little unhappy with me. Apparently he doesn't like steep inclines. ;) I just think it would be better to a) not put more miles on my poor little car b) not be so darned bored and c) not be the only one awake during the trip. It's so hard to stay awake when everyone else in the car is sleeping. I can't help it that the desert landscaping is boring. lol Plus, airplane tickets may help teo discourage others from asking to tag along. HAHAHA

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow after I get them downloaded/swiped from TMobile.

[kaoden39]

Wow, I hope you got to ride in the Teacups. I think that they are a kick.

Ooh drill instructor, I can picture it now. "You will enjoy yourself!!" :rotfl:Oh boy I am going so visual now.

I am not a Vegas person, my mom always is trying to talk me into going. No thanks.

[Belle Ella]

Teehee, I'd love to see you as the drill sergeant! That'd teah them!

[kaoden39]

Teehee, I'd love to see you as the drill sergeant! That'd teah them!

Do you ever watch Celebrity Fit Club? I was so picturing Harvey from that show.

[wvnative]

We have never gone and not ridden in a purple tea cup. It's tradition. Well, until this trip. No, I didn't get to ride the tea cups. Dangit!

Normally I simply give them marching orders. We're doing this land first. We have these dining reservations. etc. The kid used to get annoyed with me for being all overplanned, but I think she actually missed it this time because she complained about not folllowing my plans for dining. lol

[wvnative]

Okay, let's see what we've got for pics. I have some on my camera too but have not uploaded them yet.

Ah, isn't she cute? lol

https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo34/75/dd/2ef5b0f1afa4__1269177067000.jpeg

https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo12/26/65/6975258b4699__1269334331000.jpeg

https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo34/2d/44/bd8f915a7509__1269334298000.jpeg


https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo34/21/7f/6bee8f903ce4__1269334294000.jpeg

And I just really thought this was pretty.
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo20/70/28/150bf943b817__1269334282000.jpeg

[kaoden39]

Isn't it funny how they hate when we plan like that and then when we don't they miss it? Kids. The pictures are great. And the picture with the Matterhorn is beautiful.

[wvnative]

I think she's finally starting to appreciate all that goes into one of our trips since she did help with at least the food part of this one and saw how annoying it was to try to please everyone. Even she was complaining about her friends. lol She's more forgiving than I am though.

[kaoden39]

I think she's finally starting to appreciate all that goes into one of our trips since she did help with at least the food part of this one and saw how annoying it was to try to please everyone. Even she was complaining about her friends. lol She's more forgiving than I am though.

Of course she is, as a teenager they are much more forgiving. I remember those days well, and I have teenagers so I see it.

[wvnative]

;) yea, my little Libra has always been like that. She avoids conflict like the plague. haha

[kaoden39]

It's easier to get along than fight says a taurus.

[Belle Ella]

You two and your astrology whatever mumbo jumbo ...

[wvnative]

LOL.. poor Jazz. Aren't you a September baby too?

I'm a scorpio and have no issues with conflict plus I'm stubborn. haha

Anyway, back to the good stuff.

Here's the "happy" trio.
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo03/6a/36/70d0b610abd1__1269174070000.jpeg

Our first visitor at GK.
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo02/1d/19/83ccd1248f25__1269173919000.jpeg

Noemi was keeping her distance because his hat was poking her in the eye. lol
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo29/f5/e7/31478e5fa702__1269173958000.jpeg

https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo32/b0/70/73afc00aa2d1__1269173856000.jpeg

The light coming in throught the window casued this one to be dark.
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo33/4c/75/441d06931419__1269173885000.jpeg

Fawn and Tink both gave them crap about the lack of faerie pins. We hadn't noticed we were all wearing black until Fawn mentioned not getting the memo. lol Fawn was all kinds of interested in their pins and what talent they were.
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo21/96/11/18c4822c88d9__1269172631000.jpeg
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo08/b3/a3/069262762561__1269172617000.jpeg

Tink was mad because none of them had a Tink pin yet. The kid corrected that at the little Pixie Hollow store. haha
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo20/54/91/5149076a335e__1269172505000.jpeg

And just because it's pretty and quiet back there.. the court of angels.
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/myalbum/photos/photo02/5e/3d/b92daf8a2637__1269172354000.jpeg

[kaoden39]

Great marketing idea for selling the pins. Get the fairies to nag about them.

[wvnative]

Tink all but stamped her foot over the lack of Tink pins. It was actually pretty funny. Fawn got all "hurt" when she asked who their favorite faerie was and the girls all said Tink. Well duh!

Actually I think I like Fawn or Rosetta better but she didn't ask me. lol

[kaoden39]

Tink all but stamped her foot over the lack of Tink pins. It was actually pretty funny. Fawn got all "hurt" when she asked who their favorite faerie was and the girls all said Tink. Well duh!

Actually I think I like Fawn or Rosetta better but she didn't ask me. lol

That fits Tinks personality. I have not seen the fairy movies so I have no clue who any of the others are.:scared1: Maybe I should study up on it before I go.:rotfl:

[wvnative]

It was super cute and I got a pic of Noemi sort of turning away like she'd been dismissed. The girls enjoyed their visit to Pixie Hollow.

Yes Jazz, you should watch the movie(s). They're cute.

Today was a bummer. I'm ready to get on a plane and go back. It's finally set in, again, that I have to be part of the real world and the worst part of that it?.... I ate my last little piece of Tiger Butter today. :sad2: I did discover yesterday that my kid doesn't like it though :eek: so I've officially found a safe treat to bring home. I feel like the seagulls. lol (mine, mine, mine)

On that note, I found out a couple of days ago that my 20 year reunion is tentatively set for August. It's freaking expensive to fly into Colorado Springs. :mad: I'm tempted to fly into Denver and rent a car if I can stay with my BF from HS. I haven't asked her yet. If I fly into the Springs, she can probably pick me up and redeliver me to the airport. However, then I won't have a car to go up and visit my dad. SO, if I have to rent a car anyway, I might as well save some money and fly into Denver right? So, now I jsut need them to set the dates for sure. I know I'm not the only one coming from out of state. I'd drive, but it's 13 hours and I have zero interest in that.

[kaoden39]

It was super cute and I got a pic of Noemi sort of turning away like she'd been dismissed. The girls enjoyed their visit to Pixie Hollow.

Yes Jazz, you should watch the movie(s). They're cute.

Today was a bummer. I'm ready to get on a plane and go back. It's finally set in, again, that I have to be part of the real world and the worst part of that it?.... I ate my last little piece of Tiger Butter today. :sad2: I did discover yesterday that my kid doesn't like it though :eek: so I've officially found a safe treat to bring home. I feel like the seagulls. lol (mine, mine, mine)

On that note, I found out a couple of days ago that my 20 year reunion is tentatively set for August. It's freaking expensive to fly into Colorado Springs. :mad: I'm tempted to fly into Denver and rent a car if I can stay with my BF from HS. I haven't asked her yet. If I fly into the Springs, she can probably pick me up and redeliver me to the airport. However, then I won't have a car to go up and visit my dad. SO, if I have to rent a car anyway, I might as well save some money and fly into Denver right? So, now I jsut need them to set the dates for sure. I know I'm not the only one coming from out of state. I'd drive, but it's 13 hours and I have zero interest in that.

Twenty year reunion wow. I know I wouldn't want to drive that drive. Argh not at all. I am not overly fond of the drive from Fairfield to Disneyland and that is only about 412 miles from home.

[wvnative]

I know right? It's about 6 hours to DLR from here and that seems like it takes forever. 13 is simply out of the question, especially by myself. My mom would have a coronary before I got there. lol :headache:

[kaoden39]

I know right? It's about 6 hours to DLR from here and that seems like it takes forever. 13 is simply out of the question, especially by myself. My mom would have a coronary before I got there. lol :headache:

My cell phone would blow up too. I cannot even imagine. Maybe you can find a cheap flight.

[wvnative]

I'm hopeful. I'm trying not to put the cart before the horse. They have a tentative weekend. Until they finalize the dates, it doesn't do me a lot of good to look.

I currently have these options.

1) Fly into ***. It's running about $270 RT. I can probably stay with my BFF from HS but I haven't asked her yet and she can most likely play chauffeur for the weekend.

2) I can still fly into ***, rent a car and get a room close to wherever the events will happen.

3) I can fly into DEN saving myself about $100, rent a car, either stay with BFF or get a room.

4) Fly into DEN, rent a car, stay at hotel by events on 27th. See my dad on morning of 28th, do afternoon/evening events, drive to Denver. Return rental car, stay in hotel by airport and catch early flight home on Sunday.

It all makes me tired just thinking about it. Chances are good I'll just bite the bullet and fly into ***. I'll never hear the end of it if I don't go see my dad while I'm there though. lol

[kaoden39]

I'm hopeful. I'm trying not to put the cart before the horse. They have a tentative weekend. Until they finalize the dates, it doesn't do me a lot of good to look.

I currently have these options.

1) Fly into ***. It's running about $270 RT. I can probably stay with my BFF from HS but I haven't asked her yet and she can most likely play chauffeur for the weekend.

2) I can still fly into ***, rent a car and get a room close to wherever the events will happen.

3) I can fly into DEN saving myself about $100, rent a car, either stay with BFF or get a room.

4) Fly into DEN, rent a car, stay at hotel by events on 27th. See my dad on morning of 28th, do afternoon/evening events, drive to Denver. Return rental car, stay in hotel by airport and catch early flight home on Sunday.

It all makes me tired just thinking about it. Chances are good I'll just bite the bullet and fly into ***. I'll never hear the end of it if I don't go see my dad while I'm there though. lol

I am the type that would fly into Denver and drive. So I am thinking option 4.

[wvnative]

My BFF from CO is supposed to call me today. I hope to have a preliminary reunion discussion with her. I really don't want to have to fly into Denver. I'd never dream of making someone drive all the way up there to get me and I hate the thought of getting lost in Denver.

I talked to my mom yesterday. I think she's annoyed with my dad (again...lol) but she said she sees no reason why I should feel obligated to drive all the way up the mountain to see him when I'm really only there for a day or so. He's not the reason I'm going after all. I can see that. My sister and I have both been here for at least the past 6 years (I can't remember when she moved here) and he has yet to make any effort to come visit and we've all asked repeatedly. He wouldn't even come down when the kid graduated.

[kaoden39]

My BFF from CO is supposed to call me today. I hope to have a preliminary reunion discussion with her. I really don't want to have to fly into Denver. I'd never dream of making someone drive all the way up there to get me and I hate the thought of getting lost in Denver.

I talked to my mom yesterday. I think she's annoyed with my dad (again...lol) but she said she sees no reason why I should feel obligated to drive all the way up the mountain to see him when I'm really only there for a day or so. He's not the reason I'm going after all. I can see that. My sister and I have both been here for at least the past 6 years (I can't remember when she moved here) and he has yet to make any effort to come visit and we've all asked repeatedly. He wouldn't even come down when the kid graduated.

Not having to visit your Dad simplifies every thing for sure. And I can understand not wanting to drive from Denver that could be lonely. Maybe flight costs will go down. And maybe your bff will have some good ideas.

[wvnative]

My step dad visits CO most often of all of us. He says the $270 is a good price for the Springs. He says I might see $250 but that's about as low as it goes. lol

My BFF didn't call yesterday. I'm sure life got in the way. I'll email her here in a few. I think she's just getting to work now and dealing with all the kiddos first thing on a Monday morning has to be hectic.

The reunion committee is apparently set on those dates and is considering a specific bar on the Friday night. It's apparently right downtown and my step dad says it's the one they go to while the hill climb cars are on display downtown before the Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

[kaoden39]

Don't you hate it when real life gets in the way?:rotfl:

[wvnative]

I do. lol It happens to me way more often than I care to admit. hehe

Hopefully she gets a chance to answer my email over lunch. Not that it's super pressing or anything. ;)

[kaoden39]

I do. lol It happens to me way more often than I care to admit. hehe

Hopefully she gets a chance to answer my email over lunch. Not that it's super pressing or anything. ;)

No, not pressing but important to you.

[wvnative]

Actually, I was reading her FB last night and I think they're on Spring Break and on a trip to NM. lol I'll wait for her to get back. haha No sense in interrupting her vaca with this.

[kaoden39]

Actually, I was reading her FB last night and I think they're on Spring Break and on a trip to NM. lol I'll wait for her to get back. haha No sense in interrupting her vaca with this.

Ooh you mean people go places other than Disney?:scared1: Oh no say it isn't so.:rotfl:

[wvnative]

While she does have the Disney gene (she's a Pooh fan) yes, she does. Apparently she had planned to go to Moab UT but there is some big to do up there this week so she opted to feed her other vice instead. She's watching the Rockies play in NM. lol

My mom keeps trying to get me to go somewhere else for Spring Break. She does not have the Disney gene. hehe

[kaoden39]

While she does have the Disney gene (she's a Pooh fan) yes, she does. Apparently she had planned to go to Moab UT but there is some big to do up there this week so she opted to feed her other vice instead. She's watching the Rockies play in NM. lol

My mom keeps trying to get me to go somewhere else for Spring Break. She does not have the Disney gene. hehe

Sometimes it skips a generation.:thumbsup2

[wvnative]

Yea, my sister doesn't have it either. lol Whether she'll admit it or not she is a little clone of our mom in most aspects.It amuses me how we both picked up different traits.

Luckily my kid has the gene. Hopefully she'll pass it on to her kid(s) one day.

So, I think I've made a decision about the reunion. I don't really want to have to take a half day off to travel on Friday so I'm gonna skip the meet and greet at the bar. I'm not really a drinker anyway and that's not how I want to reacquaint myself with people I haven't seen in two decades. I can fly out early on Saturday morning and get there in time for the family thing. If my BFF doesn't have room for me at her house, I'll stay at the Crowne Plaza where the dinner will be. Then I'll fly out sometime on Sunday afternoon to come home. The planner thinks that he'll hopefully have per person costs by the end of the week.

[kaoden39]

I am with you about missing the bar scene. I think that it is just not a a fun way to reacquaint yourself with your friends. The other way sounds more fun to me.

My sister claims to have it but she doesn't really.

[wvnative]

Yea, it does me too.

You can usually tell who really gets it when you're at the park(s) too. lol

Stupid GS cookies. I've been doing such a good job of ignoring the fact that they were there. I always get a chocolate craving after lunch. lol Then I had to move them to get to the tissue box. Needless to say, my Samoas wont tlast long now. haha

Not quite sure what I'll do when the craving hits later though. ;)

[kaoden39]

Yea, it does me too.

You can usually tell who really gets it when you're at the park(s) too. lol

Stupid GS cookies. I've been doing such a good job of ignoring the fact that they were there. I always get a chocolate craving after lunch. lol Then I had to move them to get to the tissue box. Needless to say, my Samoas wont tlast long now. haha

Not quite sure what I'll do when the craving hits later though. ;)

Oh no. I have been so good about not buying any GS cookies at all this year. Yay me!!

[wvnative]

I made the mistake opf asking the kid what she wanted me to order. We ended up with 10 boxes. I am on the last of three boxes of Samoas. We've only opened one box of Tagalongs and she's on her second box of thin mints. Have I mentioned they freeze well? lol

Next year I may still buy ten boxes, but we won't get more than the one box of tagalongs. haha

I have not bought one single box from the grocery store stands though. I'll jstu be out of Samoas when this box is gone. Now, if I could just break the Lays Lightly Salted habit I'd be all set. :rolleyes1

[kaoden39]

Well, I was bad today. I went to the It's-It outlet today and bought a mixed box of mint and classic It's-It. Oh my goodness.

[onelilspark]

I love frozen thin mints. Easily the best idea ever.

[wvnative]

Sadly, I am not a fan of thin mints. I can eat one or two a year and be perfectly content. Of course, I am also not a fan of mint in general. :confused3

Yesterday it was really windy hare. I spent an hour and a half trying to connect to the school's website to check on my homework due dates with no luck. I had to drop a couple of htings off at mom's yesterday so I used her internet while I was there and it pulled right up. I have to think the wind was affecting my wireless signal.

[kaoden39]

Thin mints are okay. I prefer homemade oatmeal cookies.

[wvnative]

MMM.. oatmeal cokies are one of my favorites. lol

I picked up strawberries and some sponge cake at the store the other night. I think we'll have strawberry shortcake for dessert tonight.

[kaoden39]

MMM.. oatmeal cokies are one of my favorites. lol

I picked up strawberries and some sponge cake at the store the other night. I think we'll have strawberry shortcake for dessert tonight.

Oh that sounds wonderful. I am going the lazy route tonight, WBG and NC are off to a concert tonight so I am ordering pizza in. Woohoo!!

[wvnative]

Haha.. we ended up ordering in pizza last night too. No dessert. I have the strawberries all ready to go though. We're both still stuffed from the enchiladas we had tonight so maybe we'll just dessert for breakfast tomorrow. lol :rotfl:

[kaoden39]

Haha.. we ended up ordering in pizza last night too. No dessert. I have the strawberries all ready to go though. We're both still stuffed from the enchiladas we had tonight so maybe we'll just dessert for breakfast tomorrow. lol :rotfl:

Our pizza was really good too. But, alas no desert for us, I am a lazy mom. Plus we were waiting for birthday cup cakes and ice cream.

[wvnative]

Mmmm.... the strawberry shortcake was good.

However, the pineapple upside down cake was better. lol I'm so glad it's so easy to make. haha

O.k. so now I'm having a thought (or 50). I'm thinking that if we do go to Anaheim in October, maybe we'll do something different in March. I know, I know. That's blasphemy. I am feeling the need to show her more of the world than that special little creche of Anaheim. (I am also pricing a San Diego/Anaheim trip too just in case...lol)

So, I've sort of looked into cruises and did a little research into all inclusive resorts. I even did a tiny bit of looking into Hawaii. I'd price out WDW too but they, of course, don't have their 2011 info online. You have to call and I'm not that interested yet. lol

Any thoughts?

[kaoden39]

Mmmm.... the strawberry shortcake was good.

However, the pineapple upside down cake was better. lol I'm so glad it's so easy to make. haha

O.k. so now I'm having a thought (or 50). I'm thinking that if we do go to Anaheim in October, maybe we'll do something different in March. I know, I know. That's blasphemy. I am feeling the need to show her more of the world than that special little creche of Anaheim. (I am also pricing a San Diego/Anaheim trip too just in case...lol)

So, I've sort of looked into cruises and did a little research into all inclusive resorts. I even did a tiny bit of looking into Hawaii. I'd price out WDW too but they, of course, don't have their 2011 info online. You have to call and I'm not that interested yet. lol

Any thoughts?

What about going someplace like Yosemite?

[wvnative]

Not quite our cuppa tea. We're not real outdoorsy. lol My foot issue does not allow for walking on uneven surfaces without extreme pain so I avoid that as much as possible. haha

I've decided a cruise is out. :sad2: I can't find one that we want to do that fits our dates and that I can afford. So, at this point I am leaning heavily towards the San Diego/ Anaheim adventure. We've never been to San Diego and my mom raves about the zoo there. Shoot, I might even be able to get either my folks or my sister to do the San Diego portion with us. :thumbsup2We can't all go as someone has to stay home to feed animals. HAHA ;) We'll look at cruises again for 2012 when I shouldn't have as many quilt show duties and can leave earlier.

Although, I am also still considering WDW. Maybe I'll do a little more research and call to get a real quote.

[wvnative]

OH, and I talked to my BFF in CO last night. We could almost take a WDW trip together. Unfortunately her spring break is the week after ours. lol They'll be there for a band trip that week but hey arrive the day we'd have to leave.

We are on for the reunion though. YAY! :banana: I just need to book my flight.

[kaoden39]

Not quite our cuppa tea. We're not real outdoorsy. lol My foot issue does not allow for walking on uneven surfaces without extreme pain so I avoid that as much as possible. haha

I've decided a cruise is out. :sad2: I can't find one that we want to do that fits our dates and that I can afford. So, at this point I am leaning heavily towards the San Diego/ Anaheim adventure. We've never been to San Diego and my mom raves about the zoo there. Shoot, I might even be able to get either my folks or my sister to do the San Diego portion with us. :thumbsup2We can't all go as someone has to stay home to feed animals. HAHA ;) We'll look at cruises again for 2012 when I shouldn't have as many quilt show duties and can leave earlier.

Although, I am also still considering WDW. Maybe I'll do a little more research and call to get a real quote.

I was thinking more along the lines of staying at the lodge which is very nice. And most of the park can be seen by hopping on the bus and then walking on pavement. There isn't much uneven ground on the valley floor.

OH, and I talked to my BFF in CO last night. We could almost take a WDW trip together. Unfortunately her spring break is the week after ours. lol They'll be there for a band trip that week but hey arrive the day we'd have to leave.

We are on for the reunion though. YAY! :banana: I just need to book my flight.

Totally cool!!

[wvnative]

That's good to know. Shoot, my foot is the main reason I only do Indy once per trip. That queue kills me because it's a little uneven and it twists and turns so much. :confused3

We'll add Yosemite to our list of places to check out. I'm not sure I can talk her into that one though. She's already veto'd every national landmark and park I've mentioned. She's just not interested right now.

Of course, at this particular moment she's not interested in anything. She and her BF broke up Monday night. It's been a long time coming and I have to admit I am glad it happened, but she's miserable.

[kaoden39]

I only do Indiana Jones like once a trip because I always feel so beat up when we are done.

[wvnative]

It wouldn't surprise if, subconsiously, that's another reason I only go once as well. The kid would ride that all dang day. hehe Besides sitting that one out usually provides a nice litle rest for me. :thumbsup2

It's cold in my office this morning. I have goosebumps. Guess maybe I should put on my jacket. ;)

[kaoden39]

It wouldn't surprise if, subconsiously, that's another reason I only go once as well. The kid would ride that all dang day. hehe Besides sitting that one out usually provides a nice litle rest for me. :thumbsup2

It's cold in my office this morning. I have goosebumps. Guess maybe I should put on my jacket. ;)

You know it is entirely possible. I just know that I had fallen on Main Street right before we rode on it the last time so that didn't help with the soreness.

[wvnative]

No, I can see where that would not be helpful AT ALL...:rolleyes1

Did I mention that I found a spankin' deal for a weekend in October. Hopefully it's staill available when I actually have the funds to book it in September. haha If not, I'll go with the reservations I have already.

[kaoden39]

No, I can see where that would not be helpful AT ALL...:rolleyes1

Did I mention that I found a spankin' deal for a weekend in October. Hopefully it's staill available when I actually have the funds to book it in September. haha If not, I'll go with the reservations I have already.

Really? Where? Do tell....:goodvibes

[wvnative]

Oddly enough, through Southwest.com. lol

I planned to fly with them anyway. It is about 348 total RT for the two of us and then it was another $56 for the Carousel (who has breakfast) or $52 for Fairfield (who does not). I plan to get our hoppers from lastminutetravel.com.

So it comes out to
402.58 for flights and hotel
251.68 for out tickets
32.00 for shuttle to/from SNA
686.26

Plus whatever we spend on food.

The cheapest hotel I could find was Anaheim Plaza which, while still acceptable, is further away and doesn't offer breakfast. Everywhere else I would consider staying was at least $99 a night.

[DisneyStitch626]

Have you considered trying the Quality Inn & Suites? It is right behind Fairfield, and I got it for only $55 a night. And they have a free continental breakfast every morning. I haven't heard anything bad about it yet. Except the rooms are a little small and might be noisy if you get one close to the highway. But you could always make a request to be away from the highway, and the room size doesn't matter if you're going to be in the parks most of the day, does it? Just a suggestion. I haven't heard anybody suggest staying there, so I am curious if there is something wrong with it I am not hearing about! :confused3

[kaoden39]

I think that maybe a lot of people are like I am and cringe at the thought of the Quality Inn. Their reputation isn't always stellar. It has kind of a no tell motel reputation in our twon.

[DisneyStitch626]

Is there a reason?

I dont know, for me, since we will be in the parks from opening to close, and we will only be using the hotel to sleep and shower in, I didn't think it would be a big deal. I read reviews on trip advisor, and there were way more good reviews than bad. As long as it's clean and bug free, which it sounds like it is, I think it should be ok. :confused3

[kaoden39]

Is there a reason?

I dont know, for me, since we will be in the parks from opening to close, and we will only be using the hotel to sleep and shower in, I didn't think it would be a big deal. I read reviews on trip advisor, and there were way more good reviews than bad. As long as it's clean and bug free, which it sounds like it is, I think it should be ok. :confused3

I agree and that is what I look at. But, that is the reason I will bet on it. And maybe because of the location, a lot of people want to be on top of Disneyland. They want to walk. In our town it is just "that" hotel, it is an old hotel that the local bowling alley used to be next door to it. It doesn't attract the best people.

[DisneyStitch626]

Ah, I see.

Quality Inn's have had a fairly decent reputation around here. So when I recognized the name, it seemed like a good choice to me. Of course I checked it out before I booked. It looks like a cute little place. On the way down, we would like to be able to find cheap, but not dumpy places to stop at. Is Motel 6 bad? Even for one night?

[kaoden39]

Ah, I see.

Quality Inn's have had a fairly decent reputation around here. So when I recognized the name, it seemed like a good choice to me. Of course I checked it out before I booked. It looks like a cute little place. On the way down, we would like to be able to find cheap, but not dumpy places to stop at. Is Motel 6 bad? Even for one night?

It depends on where you are at honestly. We have stayed at one in Buttonwillow that was good visit but the next there were bugs in the bed. I think it is a just a toss of the dice on that.

[DisneyStitch626]

Ok. Well we are only looking at one each way. The one on the way there will most likely be Salt Lake City. It's right off the main highway, so hopefully it's ok.

[kaoden39]

Ok. Well we are only looking at one each way. The one on the way there will most likely be Salt Lake City. It's right off the main highway, so hopefully it's ok.

Well if there is a problem you can always complain.

[DisneyStitch626]

True. I doubt I will though, unless it's absolutely too bad to sleep or something like. I don't like confrontation, so I am not one to complain. But if it's a bug issue, I will definitely be! I am absolutely terrified of bugs.

[kaoden39]

True. I doubt I will though, unless it's absolutely too bad to sleep or something like. I don't like confrontation, so I am not one to complain. But if it's a bug issue, I will definitely be! I am absolutely terrified of bugs.

I didn't know until later that my girls had seen bugs in their bed. I would have taken care of it right then and there.

[DisneyStitch626]

Yeah bugs are never a good sign.

I remember seeing a roach in our room (yick!!) at the Ramada maingate last time we were at DL, and I am terrified of that happening again.

[kaoden39]

Yeah bugs are never a good sign.

I remember seeing a roach in our room (yick!!) at the Ramada maingate last time we were at DL, and I am terrified of that happening again.

Yuck. That and rats. Yuck.

[DisneyStitch626]

Ugh! We don't have rats here in Alberta. Or roaches. Thank goodness! Are they commonly seen in hotels down there?

[wvnative]

I never consider the Quality Inn because of it's location. I can usually get something that is closer for close to the same price and like Michele, Quality Inns aren't someplace that's usually on my radar.

Normally I can get a great rate at Desert Iin or HOJO. Desert Inn is actually at $99 a night for our next trip now although I already have a reservation for less than that but for more days than I plan to use so I may have to cancel it which means I lose my $69 rate. The dates are still up in the air. It will depend on the price difference on going on Friday night instead of Saturday morning.

As for Motel 6, well, I've been in some decent ones and some not so decent ones.

[kaoden39]

Ugh! We don't have rats here in Alberta. Or roaches. Thank goodness! Are they commonly seen in hotels down there?

I have heard about them yes. I have never seen them though thankfully. That would totally make me snap.

[kaoden39]

I never consider the Quality Inn because of it's location. I can usually get something that is closer for close to the same price and like Michele, Quality Inns aren't someplace that's usually on my radar.

Normally I can get a great rate at Desert Iin or HOJO. Desert Inn is actually at $99 a night for our next trip now although I already have a reservation for less than that but for more days than I plan to use so I may have to cancel it which means I lose my $69 rate. The dates are still up in the air. It will depend on the price difference on going on Friday night instead of Saturday morning.

As for Motel 6, well, I've been in some decent ones and some not so decent ones.

We stayed in the Desert Inn on our honeymoon 18 years ago. That is where our 17 year old daughter was conceived. Ah the memories.

[DisneyStitch626]

Hmmm, well hopefully this Quality Inn isn't too bad. I already paid for it, and I'm not sure I want to go on the hunting process again. And I think we will give the Motel 6's a try. I want to plan ahead where we are going to stop, so I can have a map ready.

For location, everyone on the reviews said it's no more than 10 minutes to walk, so that sounds ok.

I would snap if I saw a rat too. Never seen a wild one, so I don't think I would have a good reaction. I have owned my fair share of hamsters, but they are definitely not the same thing!

[kaoden39]

Hmmm, well hopefully this Quality Inn isn't too bad. I already paid for it, and I'm not sure I want to go on the hunting process again. And I think we will give the Motel 6's a try. I want to plan ahead where we are going to stop, so I can have a map ready.

For location, everyone on the reviews said it's no more than 10 minutes to walk, so that sounds ok.

I would snap if I saw a rat too. Never seen a wild one, so I don't think I would have a good reaction. I have owned my fair share of hamsters, but they are definitely not the same thing!

My husband always tries to talk me into rats as pets and I won't do it. He gets frustrated because we have had hamsters, and guinea pigs but I won't get a rat.

[DisneyStitch626]

You know what I think it is? Other than their dirty reputation of course. It's those big gross tails and their long pointy noses. Neither hamsters or Guinea Pigs have those. For the most part, their noses are shorter and cuter.

[wvnative]

We've done hamsters, guinea pigs, chameleons an iguana and lizards but never a rat. They gross me out for some reason.

I'm sure that Quality Inn is fine. I just don't want to walk any further than I already do. lol

[kaoden39]

You know what I think it is? Other than their dirty reputation of course. It's those big gross tails and their long pointy noses. Neither hamsters or Guinea Pigs have those. For the most part, their noses are shorter and cuter.

I think you are right. They just aren't as cute.

[wvnative]

Speaking of cute, someone on another forum I belong to posted a pic of a sugar glider which are apparently common pocket pets in some areas of the US. They are really cute! I still don't want one, but golly. lol

[wvnative]

Oh, and I forgot to mention.. I asked the kid if there was any place in the US she wanted to see. Her answer? The Holocaust Museum. Guess maybe I will get my trip to DC. lol It ertainly won't be a Spring Break trip though. Too cold back that way still in March. :rolleyes1

[kaoden39]

Oh, and I forgot to mention.. I asked the kid if there was any place in the US she wanted to see. Her answer? The Holocaust Museum. Guess maybe I will get my trip to DC. lol It ertainly won't be a Spring Break trip though. Too cold back that way still in March. :rolleyes1

That sounds so cool.

[wvnative]

She's been really interested in the Holocaust since the studied it in HS. Hopefully we can swing it here in the next coupla years. lol

[kaoden39]

She's been really interested in the Holocaust since the studied it in HS. Hopefully we can swing it here in the next coupla years. lol

With flights costing what they do.:scared1:

[wvnative]

Actually, SW isn't too bad from PHX to IAD. lol It wouldn't surprise me if Jetblue flies that route from here as well.

I'll have to do some more research. :surfweb:

[wvnative]

Sooo.. in the past week I've been a busy little decision maker. lol

I've done more research into a fall trip. I even booked Anaheim Plaza for the one night, just in case. Honestly, it's not that far, it's comfy, and it was $59. So what if it doesn't offer breakfast? I think that with saving $40 a night I can afford to crack open my wallet for some morning grub. lol Now, I'll just need to wait and see what the flight prices look like and determine if we want to do the ToT party in DCA if it's available that weekend.That's help determine our days and which reservation we keep.

The prices for the others for that weekend have gone up on SW.com

I've also been discussing the quilt show with my mom and she's fianlly decided what position she'll put me in. She's going to put me in charge of the small quilt auction and let the gal with the PR skills actually work it. I'm ok with that. That gal can sell the quilts way better than I can. :cutie: Mom doesn't want to have to teach her the new database since she is slightly computer challenged. She also doesn't want me doing a lot of walking and the volunteer coordinator does a lot of walking.

So, that leads me to my decision about school. I've opted to change my major. Instead of general business, I'll now major in Business Management and Project Management. Yes, you read that right. I must have sucker written across my forehead because the people around me talked me into a dual degree when I was trying to choose between the two. haha That said, I'll need to be taking summer session classes and winter intercession classes as well in order to graduate on time still. :scared: I can still take a light semester for the quilt show though. I plan to take my business english class and my natural science (once I decide which one to take) since it counts as two with the lab it requires. I think I may add an additional accelerated course after the show too.

[kaoden39]

Wow business management...I am impressed. Planning sounds wonderful.

[wvnative]

I'd been debating it for days trying to decide between management and project management. Both are a pretty good fit for my current skill set. Management is better for the path I want to take going forward but the project management will be incredibly helpful as well. So, I'll just do both and save myself the headache of deciding. haha :thumbsup2

I was going to go by and speak to an advisor yesterday after class, but I forgot. I had to go by FYE and get a movie exchanged and another one buffed. I meant to go by the advisement office right after class. He let us out early and it threw me off. :confused3 We don't have class tomorrow so maybe I'll stop by and do it then. Although, I could just as easily do it after work today I guess. I'd just need to print out a new sheet since I left mine at home.

[wvnative]

Just when I think I have my dates for October all nailed down, I throw a wrench in the works. lol

Now I have to redecide if I want to leave on the 15th or stick with my plan for the 16th. I think I'll have to wait until they post the hours for that week which, with the way they currently post them, won't be until late August/early Sept. No big deal I guess. I won't be buying plane or park tickets until September anyway.

[kaoden39]

I hope it all works out.

[wvnative]

Hehe, I'm sure it will one way or the other. ;) It's just over $100 more for us to do the extra day. Well, half day anyway. She was talking about wanting to do the ToT party and if she wants to do that, we'd have to go the extra night as I don't think it will be offered the Satuday night we are there. pirate:

[kaoden39]

Hehe, I'm sure it will one way or the other. ;) It's just over $100 more for us to do the extra day. Well, half day anyway. She was talking about wanting to do the ToT party and if she wants to do that, we'd have to go the extra night as I don't think it will be offered the Satuday night we are there. pirate:

The party is where the money kicks in.

[wvnative]

Yea I know. That adds another what, 60-80 bucks? :rolleyes1

Of course, now I have my brain all in gear towards WDW in the Spring instead of CA. :cool2: I have a rough figure of costs and a set of dates. I've already started pulling together the document. lol Gotta have someplace to keep all that info you know. hehe I even ordered a planning DVD, not that I reeeaaally need one. lol Seeing as Easter is so late in the month next year (4/24), I'm thinking that if we go at Spring Break (3/13-21), we'll still be there a full month before Easter so hopefully it won't be too bad. Hopefully they put up their online booking info this fall. I am sorely tempted to call and get a couple of quotes though.


Y'all don't really care if I bounce WDW ideas off of you too right? :3dglasses

[DisneyStitch626]

I certainly don't care! I am thinking about planning a trip there as well! Maybe not as soon as spring, but thinking about Christmas 2011. Or maybe even summer 2011, but I am not sure I want to try out the summer crowds!

[DisneyStitch626]

Also I find it a little hilarious that you have been reading Tinkgurl's report, as that is the one I have been following too. If you want more WDW reports, I recommend Glenbo123, his stories are very good.

[wvnative]

Actually, as I mentioned, that's the first one I read. She's entertaining. lol I did read one or two others after that but I was looking for ones from people who went during the same time frame this year that I am looking at for next year.

I have zero interest in WDW (or DLR, for that matter) in the summertime. I don't enjoy the heat or the crowds. I'll be busy hibernating. lol Plus, I have a full summer of classes and no time to go really. I want to do DLR for Christmas before I do WDW. It's just a matter of when we can go.

I am thinking it may be very possible to go to WDW in March. Even more so if my kid gets a job and I can convince her to put up some of the cash for the trip. I think she's finally serious about looking.

[kaoden39]

Yea I know. That adds another what, 60-80 bucks? :rolleyes1

Of course, now I have my brain all in gear towards WDW in the Spring instead of CA. :cool2: I have a rough figure of costs and a set of dates. I've already started pulling together the document. lol Gotta have someplace to keep all that info you know. hehe I even ordered a planning DVD, not that I reeeaaally need one. lol Seeing as Easter is so late in the month next year (4/24), I'm thinking that if we go at Spring Break (3/13-21), we'll still be there a full month before Easter so hopefully it won't be too bad. Hopefully they put up their online booking info this fall. I am sorely tempted to call and get a couple of quotes though.


Y'all don't really care if I bounce WDW ideas off of you too right? :3dglasses

Hey, I am over on the WDW side a lot. I have friends I hang out with that I am the only Dland one on the thread.

I certainly don't care! I am thinking about planning a trip there as well! Maybe not as soon as spring, but thinking about Christmas 2011. Or maybe even summer 2011, but I am not sure I want to try out the summer crowds!

I would love to go but it isn't gonna happen until all my kids have moved out.

Also I find it a little hilarious that you have been reading Tinkgurl's report, as that is the one I have been following too. If you want more WDW reports, I recommend Glenbo123, his stories are very good.

There a couple of really funny ones. I have a friend that points them olut whenever she finds one. Next one I will let you know.

Actually, as I mentioned, that's the first one I read. She's entertaining. lol I did read one or two others after that but I was looking for ones from people who went during the same time frame this year that I am looking at for next year.

I have zero interest in WDW (or DLR, for that matter) in the summertime. I don't enjoy the heat or the crowds. I'll be busy hibernating. lol Plus, I have a full summer of classes and no time to go really. I want to do DLR for Christmas before I do WDW. It's just a matter of when we can go.:santa:

I am thinking it may be very possible to go to WDW in March. Even more so if my kid gets a job and I can convince her to put up some of the cash for the trip. I think she's finally serious about looking.

I worry about when to go. I shall hook you up with a link to me thread that visit with my WDW friends and you can pick their brains. They are always happy to make new friends.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2376343

Here it is. All are welcome.

[wvnative]

I worry about when to go. I shall hook you up with a link to me thread that visit with my WDW friends and you can pick their brains. They are always happy to make new friends.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2376343

Here it is. All are welcome.

Why fank you vewy much.:goodvibes I will go check that out as soon as I'm done here. So, I was thinking DDP. It really makes sense there after all. Now I will just need to get the kid to look over menus and decide if we should do TS or QS. I see no reason why the quick service plan wouldn't work for us and no reason why we couldn't just pay oop for the couple of table service places I'd like to try. I like the idea of all inclusive and have no problem just buying gift cards to make the other places "included" lol I think I've all but edcided to stay at Pop Century although I would just love to stay at Port Orleans. I'm cheap, and on a budget, so what can I say. hehe

[DisneyStitch626]

With the little bit of research I have done, I had decided on POP too. I would love to do any one of those Moderate type hotels, as they are so pretty, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra $$$. Plus POP looks pretty cool too.

I was also thinking about doing the dining plan. It seems more worth it there than at DLR. I like your idea about getting the quick service one and paying a little extra for a couple sit down meals. We did an all-inclusive in Mexico a couple years ago, and we loved not having to worry about money for meals.

The more I am thinking about it, the more I am loving the idea of a trip to WDW!!

[wvnative]

ooo. so tell me more about your all inclusive to Mexico. The kid and I have been considering one of those as well.

It just seems to me that, as we don't spend much time in the room when we do Disney, it makes no sense to spend a small fortune. We are really only there long enough to sleep and shower. That may not be the case with 7 days and a 3 hour time difference but I'm willing to take that chance for several hundred dollars in savings. lol That's why the QS plan makes the most sense to me. We have discovered, over our many trip to DLR, that we don't eat as often/as much as normal when we do the parks. I mean, at DLR, we generally do breakfast by 10. Then a light snack around 3 and then dinner so the quick service plan will work well for that I think. There are enough of them that serve something other than pizza and burgers that I don't think we'll get bored.

I'm also tempted to see if either or both of my cousins want to go at the same time. I don't know when their kid's spring breaks are but I could see us having a lot of fun together. I'll have to do some more research. lol I don't get to see them very often since they are so far away and their kids are all at perfect Disney park age. Plus, I'm sure that by March they'll be thrilled to get out of the doom and gloom of WV and into the warm sunny weather of FL.

[DisneyStitch626]

Our all-inclusive trip was amazing. Granted, neither of us had ever been to a place like that before, so we have nothing to compare it to, but it was a great experience.

We stayed in the Mayan Riviera area at a hotel called Grand Riviera Princess. It is a pretty new hotel there, and it is beautiful. There are many other hotels there, and I think this one might be a little more money than some, because it is a 5 star resort, but there are some good travel deals that make it affordable.

They have 2 huge buffet restaurants that are open from I think 7 in the morning to 11 at night. Plus 7 different A La Carte places you can make reservations for each day, which include Swiss, Japanese, Italian, and of course Mexican. All of these are included when you pay for the trip. The only thing we paid for the entire trip was a day tour we did, and souveniers. Nothing else.

The pools are amazing. The beach is amazing. And my favourite thing of all, even though I am not a drinker, was the mango margarita at the swim-up bar. Mmmmm. Drinks are also included. Even if you are not a drinker, it is always good when it's free!

Anyways, enough with my rambling. I could go on about it forever. If this is something you are thinking about, then I definitely think it is worth it. There are a lot of beautiful resorts in that area that I am sure are just as nice as ours, but I had such a good time, that I thought I would boast about ours for a bit!

[DisneyStitch626]

I hope you don't mind, but I just wanted to show you my two favourite pictures that I took of our resort.

This one was taken from the lobby as you are entering the hotel.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k266/oasislover/Mexico1.jpg

This one was taken from the balcony of our room. That big hut just to the left of the center is one of the swim up bars. I think there is 8 or 9 pools total in the resort. Plus of course, the beach!
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k266/oasislover/Mexico2.jpg

[kaoden39]

Why fank you vewy much.:goodvibes I will go check that out as soon as I'm done here. So, I was thinking DDP. It really makes sense there after all. Now I will just need to get the kid to look over menus and decide if we should do TS or QS. I see no reason why the quick service plan wouldn't work for us and no reason why we couldn't just pay oop for the couple of table service places I'd like to try. I like the idea of all inclusive and have no problem just buying gift cards to make the other places "included" lol I think I've all but edcided to stay at Pop Century although I would just love to stay at Port Orleans. I'm cheap, and on a budget, so what can I say. hehe

You are quite welcome. They are a great group and we are all rather chatty. I told them all I had invite you all so they are going to expect you.


I hope you don't mind, but I just wanted to show you my two favourite pictures that I took of our resort.

This one was taken from the lobby as you are entering the hotel.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k266/oasislover/Mexico1.jpg

This one was taken from the balcony of our room. That big hut just to the left of the center is one of the swim up bars. I think there is 8 or 9 pools total in the resort. Plus of course, the beach!
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k266/oasislover/Mexico2.jpg

How absolutely beautiful!!

[wvnative]

oooo that's pretty. Filing that info away for later use. lol

I just checked. My one cousin's kids are out two weeks after we are. I'm not sure he'd be willing (or his XW would allow him) to take them out of school when we go. They are all under 10 though so I could be wrong. I've texted him to put the bug in his ear. lol He's kind of easily presuaded. I don't know what school his sister's kid(s) go to/will go to (she has one starting K in the fall) so I texted her and am awaiting a response.