The ABC's of Trip Planning, Pt 1- K is for Keeping Things Kooky- Drinks V-Z; pg. 197 + New Link

[jenb1023]

Nice disney tie in! That is so great about the job and more money! I totally agree on your vacation assessment criteria! If I am doing the same amount of chores or more, it is not really a vacation just a change of scenery.

 

[Poolrat]

How about with the fact that it simply was not. It just wasn't what I'd even call... A VACATION. An adventure to a new place, maybe. For me, perhaps a photo safari, but a vacation. No way.

I know not all time away is a vacation- it can be such work. I have a friend that calls that a relocation not a vacation.

How utterly ironic that I'd find THIS scrub top to give a hat tip to one of the biggest reasons I'm getting a summer job. I mean of course, it had to go to tuition first, but if I can pull this coming year off debt free, the rest goes to

Awesome find!!! I am sure you will wear it proud.

Lastly, remember the little cart suspended across the river?

Here is where having a hydrogeologist for a hubby comes in handy! This was used to hang a person over the river in order to drop a device into the water at different points across the river to measure flow, velocity and discharge of a river at a specific point. This one was quite old, so they were doing this on the Grande Ronde a very long time ago. Now there are much better tools to do the job, and it continues to be important to get data for measuring drought, predicting fish stuff, how much and when to let water through a dam, etc... So there ya have it. Who'da thunk it?

Well fancy that. A very useful thingie.

 

[Steppesister]

Tell me about it.
Especially when DD14 makes a racket until midnight.
I feel like banging on her door at 5am just to let her know that I'm leaving for work.

Oh that's rich. Let me know how that works out for you.

(And if your head isn't bitten off to enjoy your morning doughnut.)

Let me know what you think!

Will do.

Then you too can do this.
"Oh, is that a jpeg? Pfft. Philistine."

How to make friends and influence people. You charmer, you.

I've never been. Just never been interested enough to go.
But I can see how you would be.

I think it's a unique niche and something it'd be fun to say you've done at least once. So, if you had an extra $1,000 to plunk down, excluding WDW, where would you go?

Back later to read the update!

...

I can get on board with that. You need a place to hide from the heat/cold.

And rain, and anything else that I don't like at any particular moment given my immediate mood.

My wife would definitely agree! She's always most excited about the restaurants I research on a trip because it insures that she doesn't have to make dinner.

I like her. A lot. But then again, I can't imagine too many women who would be saying, "Hey Dear, what would you like me to work at making delicious for everyone tonight? And then clean up?"

Absolutely. Don't expect me to sit around doing nothing all day.

Isn't that what you do everyday?

Oh, I don't know...that sounds awfully entertaining when you put it that way.

When the options are limited, you'll take whatever you can.

Hey, wait a second! That rules out half the days of my trips!

Yes, but you get the added bonus of a cranky baby. How fun is THAT?!

That was my second guess.

Oh, no doubt!

 

[Steppesister]

LOVE the scrubs top. Too cute I'm sorry about your non vacation But in one year you'll get that REAL vacation The one we all dream of...

I like finding stuff on sale. Especially stuff that I have to buy anyway. Yes, that REAL vacation is a LOT closer now that I have that summer job. Now tuition will be more than paid for and anything I make next Fall and Summer will go straight to that REAL vacation. WOOT!

I'm sorry your camping trip was a dud....but glad you are getting closer to the big WDW trip next year! I love the scrub top and it was on clearance?!?!/ Score!!!

Awesome on your pay. It will be so nice to graduate debt free!

Jill in CO+

If it hadn't have been so darned hot, it would've been pretty nice. I"m told that Autumn it is a paradise with elk and other wildlife all over the place. The heat just made it almost unbearable. Oregon has been a very weird kind of hot all over this year.

Yes, anything that cute (and the ONLY one left in the store) is definitely a must-get- especially if it's 50% off!

 

[Steppesister]

Nice new scrub top!



Well, yeah...that's pretty much what we all said.

Thanks, Glenn. Kind of symbolic in a way that I'd wear a big fat Mickey on my first day of work.

Uh huh! Pretty much! LOL!

Nice disney tie in! That is so great about the job and more money! I totally agree on your vacation assessment criteria! If I am doing the same amount of chores or more, it is not really a vacation just a change of scenery.

Thanks, Jen! This trip means so much to me. Yes, I will live if it all falls through for some catastrophic reason, but it really will be a wonderful celebration of all that I've worked so hard for (and will continue to all next year).

I like the way you put that. "A change of scenery"... Perfect assessment.

I know not all time away is a vacation- it can be such work. I have a friend that calls that a relocation not a vacation.



Awesome find!!! I am sure you will wear it proud.



Well fancy that. A very useful thingie.

Another appropriate term for a "working vacation". It was just too much work to call it what I really need about now- a Vacation.

Yes, I wore it today, and several of my patients actually commented on my "jacket". One lady who is really non-verbal most of the time correctly answered me when I asked her who it was.

A useful relic that makes for a cool photo shot now.

 

[Steppesister]

Customarily, one starts at the beginning, fills up the middle part and finishes at the end.

Thank you, Smart Donkey.

Aren't you glad I'm here?

Oh yes! Yes, most definitely. Every thread needs some of ^^that.

I would put this at number one.
Yes dying of heat prostration sucks, but if I have to cook, that's not a vacation.
At. All.

Yeah, you're right. I hadn't put them in a particular order, but that should be WAY up there at the top. But even worse than cooking is the crappy job of doing dishes. Especially camping. Soooooooo. Much. Work.

OMG! That scoop's huge!!!!

I"m glad you got the general idea.

You're right. Without a moose mating call, it's just not complete.

Well, yes, there is that too. Now I feel somehow extremely deprived of missing out on that vacation experience.

Uh.... Umm.... I once spent somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 straight hours in a car (minus gas stops and bathroom breaks... and I think one fifteen minute dine in at a KFC) to get to Disney.

I'd do it again, too.

I guess the destination is everything. Lends a certain perspective, doesn't it. I've done 14, but the amount of glee in the car on that trip was markedly different.

Yes I can! Because we've been sharing your journey with you!

Why yes you have! We'll see how many die-hards I have left at the end of this ridiculously long journey.

More pay is a good thing.

Always.

Be still my beating heart... well, not too still.

Hey! I have meds for that!

Huh! Really! It looked so old that I never would've suspected it for any sort of scientific endeavor.

Me neither. My first guess was a contraption to ferry mining stuff over or supplies for ranchers.

 

[KathyM2]

The only great thing in the way of food that Troy had going was the huckleberry ice cream. $4 for a double scoop the size of a Kardashian

Well that sounds like one plus to the notvacay?? Trying to be positive lol. But it certainly doesn't sound like my cup o' tea either. I don't mind car camping for a weekend...but that's about all I can take. And I have to go with other people who have all the gear and do most of the cooking lol. But..I'd absolutely take a Disney hotel instead of any of it

1) Year 1 of Nursing School is OVER and done with! Can you believe it?!?!

Waaahoooo! No I can't believe it...and I haven't even been following along for as long as many around here lol...but time does go quickly!

nd even better it was on the clearance rack. I give to you...

I LOVE it!! How awesome that you will get to wear Mickey to work!!

So there ya have it. Who'da thunk it?

Certainly not I lol

 

[pkondz]

Oh that's rich. Let me know how that works out for you

Oh, I won't do it. I'm too much of a softy.



But I'm tempted...

How to make friends and influence people. You charmer, you.

I am nothing if not charming.

So, if you had an extra $1,000 to plunk down, excluding WDW, where would you go?

Oh, wow. That's a really hard question to answer.
Seriously if just right now someone said "Here's $1,000. Go on a trip." I'd probably do tons of research first and figure out exactly where I'd want to go.
I mean it's a good amount of money, but it's not $10,000 either.... hmmm.....
It would be somewhere I haven't been, I think...

Hmmmm.... the more money, the farther afield.... so I'd say anything overly exotic is out.
Like Fiji or Bali.... or anything in Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania.
So that leaves North & South America and Europe (barely).
So let's pick Europe.
Hmmm.... Ireland or Switzerland or Spain or Italy or Southern France... maybe Greece when things settle.
Pin me down right now and I'll pick.... uh.... Italy.

Wow. That was tougher than I thought!

Thank you, Smart Donkey.

But even worse than cooking is the crappy job of doing dishes. Especially camping. Soooooooo. Much. Work.

What?!?!? They made you cook.... AND do dishes?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Are you kidding me?

Honestly I would do that once and the next time: "Nope. You guys go ahead without me. Have fun."

Wait... Is this a compromise so you can go to Disney next time?
That's different... but just barely.

Well, yes, there is that too. Now I feel somehow extremely deprived of missing out on that vacation experience.

Moose calls is where it's at.

We'll see how many die-hards I have left at the end of this ridiculously long journey.

I always worry and wonder when I readers disappear.
"Are they okay?"
"Did I offend them?"
"Was I too boring?"
etc.

Hey! I have meds for that!

I believe you!

 

[englishrose47]

Great Update and Disney Tie in Liesa!! I have to agree my camping days are over , Judy never began themher idea of camping is a hotel room I have had a busy week again, had a joint picnic with 2 clubs in the agency, went very well , but the planning and preparing were grueling . Then I had a Car Wash , let me tell you I di=on't want to wash another car for a very long time including my own !! I only seem to find time to Dis when I have a spare moment at work any more , but now I will make an effort to stay out of bed the minute I get home from work and Dis more !!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Woot! Finally got through all 69 pages. I have to say I didn't read all the banter, but I did real all the updates and all the mini life updates in between!

Congrats on finishing your first year of nursing school! I read through because @annmarieda and I are going down next fall. Sometimes falling around food and wine/mnsshp!

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

As we are approaching another scorcher week in Oregon, I thought this would be appropriate for people to understand just how hot it has been.

Overheard at the local University library, a young boy asking his father, "When are we going back to California? It is too hot here!"

I have friends in Disneyland that are getting poured on the last couple of days. Unheard of for this time of year.

Love your scrub top. I don't wear scrubs, but last year I was looking for one for the MNSSHP and couldn't find anything Disney related.

I totally agree with your vacation requirements. I have never taken my kids camping. As a single mom, that just never has sounded like a good idea to me. I need to be waited on, not just have my workload doubled with camping.

 

[afwdwfan]

I don't know about you, but in order to qualify for "Vacation Status" a few basic prerequisites have to be in place:

This ought to be good...

Some form of climate control. Somewhere. Anywhere. A place to retreat should it rain, the weather literally threaten to cook you alive, freeze you to death, or blow sand into your food, face, or sheets. This trip didn't offer any of that should we'd have wanted it. Well, actually, Troy did have a small lodge we could have gone into to hunker down, but it's "nottavacation" if you must be in one place for more than 5 minutes if you have to be.

I thought you had a pop up camper with A/C??? That's good enough for me!

Someone else to cook your food AND clean up after said cooking. This place did have that option if you wanted to eat a burger and fries for a week straight.

Burgers and fries... yeah, I don't see the problem.

I want a comfortable bed and pillow. And towel animals. NONE of that was within about 150 miles of my trailer.

Ok, that's a valid point.

How about a variety of stuffs to do. Is it asking too much to want to have some entertainment along the way? Yes, we got to watch a LOT of drunk people try to dance, dogs carry beer, fish jump 4 feet out of the water, elk head butt each other, and life flight land in the middle of nowhere, but I need more than that for a week to be called "Vacation".

Really??? This sounds pretty cool to me. Especially the beer hauling dog.

I don't want to be in a car for 12 hours to get there. A plane for sure, but not a car. Even the best air conditioner won't redeem a week:

Let's see... if I go to Disney World, I'm driving over 12 hours. Yeah... not a valid point.

1) Year 1 of Nursing School is OVER and done with! Can you believe it?!?! I simply cannot thank you enough for the encouragement and walking alongside me you've done these last many months! There were definitely some very dark days and your notes of cheering me on helped me ways you'll never know.

2) I passed my NCLEX-PN National Boards and got my first of 2 Nursing Licenses.

3) I have already been able to buy 3 of our 8 day PH tickets. That's pretty darned exciting!

4) I got a very wonderful job that pays quite well; in fact, with pay 10% more than I thought when I walked out of my interview.

5) This summer has also given me some very encouraging and useful Clinical experience to bolster that resume for next summer when I apply at the local hospital.

Congratulations on all your milestones and success.

6) I've looked at the park hours and have sketched out a VERY rough draft which I'll start sharing in the next post or so. Reviving you from this far away is not an option, so please contain your excitement.

Woohoo!! Don't get in too big of a hurry with the rough draft. You know that much will change!

Here is where having a hydrogeologist for a hubby comes in handy! This was used to hang a person over the river in order to drop a device into the water at different points across the river to measure flow, velocity and discharge of a river at a specific point.

WHat's wrong with a boat?

 

[KatMark]

Congrats again on the job (I think I congratulated you on FB; I'm so confused with all the packing that I'm doing that I can't remember who I said what to these days).

Absolutely LOVE the new scrub.

 

[JJ Tinker Wish]

Aaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnddd 30 pages later ... I'm baaaaaaack. I need a tutorial and a reboot on my brain's memory capacity ... have you ever forgotten your password, forgotten which email is connected to your account and then *POP* it just clicks?! Yeah, me in a NUTshell -- I exasperate myself.
Anyway -- HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Steppesister]

Well that sounds like one plus to the notvacay?? Trying to be positive lol. But it certainly doesn't sound like my cup o' tea either. I don't mind car camping for a weekend...but that's about all I can take. And I have to go with other people who have all the gear and do most of the cooking lol. But..I'd absolutely take a Disney hotel instead of any of it

I do love camping, given the right conditions. It was just too hot, and it was a bit far away. If we were to have to drive that far again, I'd rather eat out and stay in a hotel.

Waaahoooo! No I can't believe it...and I haven't even been following along for as long as many around here lol...but time does go quickly!

Tis true! Unbelievable how quickly it's gone and all.

I LOVE it!! How awesome that you will get to wear Mickey to work!!

I now have my Mickey scrubs AND my Minnie pin that @GoofyFan1515 (Marv) got me. I wear that one and my LPN pin fairly regularly to work now.

Oh, I won't do it. I'm too much of a softy.

PHew!

I am nothing if not charming.

You're blushing.

Oh, wow. That's a really hard question to answer.
Seriously if just right now someone said "Here's $1,000. Go on a trip." I'd probably do tons of research first and figure out exactly where I'd want to go.
I mean it's a good amount of money, but it's not $10,000 either.... hmmm.....
It would be somewhere I haven't been, I think...

Hmmmm.... the more money, the farther afield.... so I'd say anything overly exotic is out.
Like Fiji or Bali.... or anything in Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia/Oceania.
So that leaves North & South America and Europe (barely).
So let's pick Europe.
Hmmm.... Ireland or Switzerland or Spain or Italy or Southern France... maybe Greece when things settle.
Pin me down right now and I'll pick.... uh.... Italy.

Wow. That was tougher than I thought!

I admire you for actually giving this some serious thought! And yes, I agree, someplace REALLY out of the way would be amazing! Like Fiji or Bali, but I'd go to W. Africa first and dance to drums and pound corn to the beat. And yes, Italy, if I had to pick Europe would be at the top of my list, but southern to be exact. I'd start in Germany though, and take off from there. Capri was so freaking amazing! I want to photograph the Italian countryside!

:snortlaugh:

What?!?!? They made you cook.... AND do dishes?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Are you kidding me?

Honestly I would do that once and the next time: "Nope. You guys go ahead without me. Have fun."

Wait... Is this a compromise so you can go to Disney next time?
That's different... but just barely.

I was VERY careful to plan a VERY minimal amount of dishes. We did 100% paper/plastic stuff and I only had a couple of mixing bowls and a spoon and cups to do for dishes each evening. It wasn't too bad, but even the work for those was a hassle.

And that threat of going without? I have done it. And would do it again in a fraction of a heartbeat. Always looking for viable candidates for a trip to cut down resort costs and have company that loves Disney as much as I do. My family isn't always the best at either.

Moose calls is where it's at.

Oddly, I believe you.

I always worry and wonder when I readers disappear.
"Are they okay?"
"Did I offend them?"
"Was I too boring?"
etc.

I totally know my lack of being regular here has had folks leaving. Sadly, it can't be helped right now. I have a post about that coming right up.

I believe you!

 

[Steppesister]

Great Update and Disney Tie in Liesa!! I have to agree my camping days are over , Judy never began themher idea of camping is a hotel room I have had a busy week again, had a joint picnic with 2 clubs in the agency, went very well , but the planning and preparing were grueling . Then I had a Car Wash , let me tell you I di=on't want to wash another car for a very long time including my own !! I only seem to find time to Dis when I have a spare moment at work any more , but now I will make an effort to stay out of bed the minute I get home from work and Dis more !!

Hi Rosie!!

Camping should be experienced at least once by everyone. It really can be relaxing sitting by the fire at night with nothing to do but poke a stick at the embers and watch the stars. But there is a trade-off with a bit more work.

I have discovered the car wash and now go through it a couple times a month. I want to keep my "new" car as nice as possible. My last van got trashed through non-care, and don't want it to happen again. But I don't envy you- they are a lot of work to run one yourself!

Keeping up here is a chore right now, as I 've started my summer job. It is such a steep learning curve and I come home utterly exhausted that I am in bed by 9:00 at the very latest on work nights. Getting up at 4:00 AM is tough for sure!

As we are approaching another scorcher week in Oregon, I thought this would be appropriate for people to understand just how hot it has been.

Overheard at the local University library, a young boy asking his father, "When are we going back to California? It is too hot here!"

I have friends in Disneyland that are getting poured on the last couple of days. Unheard of for this time of year.

The weather here sux right now. I have never seen it be so HOT so long here before and my yard and landscaping is really suffering. With the new job, it is SO hard to come home and keep up with the watering, and most of my stuff is slowly dying. Yes, 105 predicted tomorrow again- I feel Phoenixified.

Love your scrub top. I don't wear scrubs, but last year I was looking for one for the MNSSHP and couldn't find anything Disney related.

I really think that one was a fluke. Glad I found it- some of my residents have actually commented on it.

I totally agree with your vacation requirements. I have never taken my kids camping. As a single mom, that just never has sounded like a good idea to me. I need to be waited on, not just have my workload doubled with camping.

I don't blame you one bit. It does take some planning and prep and EVERYONE has to pitch in to help and work hard to make it fun for everyone. I love how you put it- "your workload doubled". Exactly that.

 

[Steppesister]

Woot! Finally got through all 69 pages. I have to say I didn't read all the banter, but I did real all the updates and all the mini life updates in between!

Congrats on finishing your first year of nursing school! I read through because @annmarieda and I are going down next fall. Sometimes falling around food and wine/mnsshp!

Hello!!! And welcome here. A place to hang out and enjoy the waiting for Disney-related stuff. (More on that in a bit.)

You read just as much as your little ol' heart desires. I confess, lately I only have time to hit the highlights as well. It's tough to do as much as one would like around here. But your presence is very welcome and I'm glad you are here to join in my journey. It's like taking a back country road on your way to the big city for the opera. Or something like that.

I have read some of Ann Marie's stuff and love it. Glad you found a connection through her! Wouldn't it just be ubercool if our trips coincided?!? There are several parties already hooking up for some night's/days out and Meets. Do keep me posted on your dates as it gets closer! We'll make sure to have you in on the loop for stuff! Yeehaw Bob, Trader Sam's, a pool time, etc... are all shaping up to work out for many of us.

Congrats again on the job (I think I congratulated you on FB; I'm so confused with all the packing that I'm doing that I can't remember who I said what to these days).


Absolutely LOVE the new scrub.

Hi Kathy!

Forgive me for being MIA for a spell. I started that job and am so bushed that I just come home and crash. Sad. But good money for school.

And Yes, I think we connected on FB, but it's good to see you here too! I know we all have seasons of in and out, and I'd like to think we can all be patient and kind for each other.

Aaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnddd 30 pages later ... I'm baaaaaaack. I need a tutorial and a reboot on my brain's memory capacity ... have you ever forgotten your password, forgotten which email is connected to your account and then *POP* it just clicks?! Yeah, me in a NUTshell -- I exasperate myself.
Anyway -- HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaime! You rock for being here and finding me. Big, warm hugs to you and that sweet family of yours.

ANd yes, forgetting my PW is one of the main reasons I changed my SN... I just couldn't deal with the stress of trying over and over. Well, that and I really just wanted a new one. But I went one step further... the email it was connected to was kaput completely when we left Crapistan, so I HAD to come back as my true alter-ego.

 

[Steppesister]

My Dear, Dear Readers,

This summer has seriously NOT gone how I'd hoped. And that's an understatement. I honestly had thought I'd be doing a lot of canning, organizing of my long-forgotten and neglected closets and craft room, eBaying all manner of crap, and working a few days a week for some mad money and experience. Instead I am working almost 45 hours a week and doing nothing of the aformentioned.

The saddest victim of the "you got a job" tragedy is DISing. I am up at 4:00 AM everyday and am utterly exhausted by 8:00 PM and can hardly keep my eyes open. I am just NOT a morning person, and never will be. I've tried so hard, but it just doesn't get easier as the days I have to do this march on. I AM reading, but again, with so few evening hours (I often don't get home until 5:00 because of errands after work), I need to spend it with my family. I think most of you get that. The other factor is that while I can read during my lunch, it's just too cumbersome to reply on my phone. Notta gonna do it.

Also, we got our 2 little goats and it's like having toddlers again. Except they are very stubborn, not very cooperative toddlers. And they stink. They are in the middle of the process of being wethered and smell like necrotic dead flesh. Look it up.

Anyway, we're trying to figure out how to tame them enough to get them led down to the run we have set up for them so they can do what we got them for. Eating. Lots and lots of eating. So far they seem to enjoy the maple leaves that have fallen. Bummer that the maples aren't what they were bought for eating. Blackberries and ivy, Boys! Get to it!!

The good news is that I have 10 days of vacation coming up very soon. Sunday in fact, I'm leaving for Bowling Green, KY and Nashville. If ANYONE wants to hang out for a spell, let me know!!! A DISMeet would be so, SO fun! I am really looking forward to spending time with my family, Mom, Dad, Sister and Family and NOT going to work for a bit. I can spend some time camping out on the Boards here, and catching up around here. I DO love your threads and DO want to read your updates. I promise, my absence is not intentional and I miss being here as much as I'd like. Please be patient with me.

I do have that tentative schedule ready for typing up and posting. So there IS something to look forward to. Promise. I'm also hoping that I can work on my new books while I'm at Mom's. She just had a knee replacement and takes a good afternoon nap, so I'll have some downtime while I"m there. Also, we have plans to hit up some fun sights in the Nashville area, so there's a mini- TR to look forward to as well. Busy, busy as always.

Loves to you all!

Steppe

 

[afwdwfan]

The saddest victim of the "you got a job"

The good news, you got a job. The bad news, you have to go to work every day.

The other factor is that while I can read during my lunch, it's just too cumbersome to reply on my phone.

Yep, I'm right there with you. I've been in this situation a lot lately. Been popping in and reading on the phone and then hoping to remember to reply later.

Also, we got our 2 little goats and it's like having toddlers again. Except they are very stubborn, not very cooperative toddlers. And they stink. They are in the middle of the process of being wethered and smell like necrotic dead flesh. Look it up.

Well, don't complain about it. You should have just got them a few weeks later.

The good news is that I have 10 days of vacation coming up very soon. Sunday in fact, I'm leaving for Bowling Green, KY and Nashville. If ANYONE wants to hang out for a spell, let me know!!!

Sounds like fun! I'm only about 4 - 5 hours away... but I don't believe I'll be making it down for a DIS meet. Have a great time. I really love Nashville. I'm not really a big fan of larger cities, but I never mind spending some time in Nashville.

 

[JJ Tinker Wish]

And that threat of going without? I have done it. And would do it again in a fraction of a heartbeat. Always looking for viable candidates for a trip to cut down resort costs and have company that loves Disney as much as I do. My family isn't always the best at either.

You and I may have to talk!!
Aaaaannnd ...

There are several parties already hooking up for some night's/days out and Meets. Do keep me posted on your dates as it gets closer! We'll make sure to have you in on the loop for stuff! Yeehaw Bob, Trader Sam's, a pool time, etc... are all shaping up to work out for many of us.

Are your dates firmed up now? Rob, the Trips and I are joining his cousin's family at their DVC at Boardwalk in November. It looks like our dates will be November 10 - 17, 2016 (give or take a day). 2016 was SUPPOSED to be a "just the two of us" Adults-do-the-Dis experience, however, when one (or 5) is asked to join others and have the accommodations taken care of (ie: FREE ACCOMMODATIONS), one (or all)
DO NOT SAY
" thanks, but nahhhhhhhhhhhh"
One (and each and every one of us) tries to come up with ways to bleed turnips for the $$$ to pay for the food (and Vino? Last days of F&W?!) and tickets!!!