How EMH saved our trip-Doing the World on West Coast Time! Completed. Stop by my PTR!

[MEK]

Digital Marketing Technology. .... LOL.....and I still can't even get my bouncing Mickey Pumpkin to show up, plus I screwed up my whole signature. I need to stay in Health Care.

So, Maybe Hawaii next summer? That would be nice. Such a shame that you can't take advantage of this fall's free dining. But with a group of 6 and then flights, well....free dining still adds up. Good luck deciding what you will do next summer. At least you have plenty of time to plan it.

I'm glad you have decided not to let soccer come first in the future. I still think Tink is too young to have soccer rule her life like that. In a couple years....yes. But now.....NO!

It sounds like you are getting ancy to get back to work. I have never had an extended period off from work (just two maternity leaves and several years of part time work when my kids were young), but never no work. I often wonder how I would handle being home. I think I would like it, but you never know. Good luck with the job hunting. I wish you much success.

Keep us posted about your future trips and your job search.

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by TarzansKat

Wow! Good for you! Not one but two possible opportunities, and they sought you out. Something to be proud of, my dear. Good luck with everything.

Well, we will see. One is definitely better than the other on the "coolness" factor but higher profile/risk as well. Of course the less cool company is moving faster! I'll have a 2nd interview with the less cool one later this week and hopefully will at least get a timeframe on the cool one.

Originally Posted by MEK

Digital Marketing Technology. .... LOL.....and I still can't even get my bouncing Mickey Pumpkin to show up, plus I screwed up my whole signature. I need to stay in Health Care.

So, Maybe Hawaii next summer? That would be nice. Such a shame that you can't take advantage of this fall's free dining. But with a group of 6 and then flights, well....free dining still adds up. Good luck deciding what you will do next summer. At least you have plenty of time to plan it.

I'm glad you have decided not to let soccer come first in the future. I still think Tink is too young to have soccer rule her life like that. In a couple years....yes. But now.....NO!

It sounds like you are getting ancy to get back to work. I have never had an extended period off from work (just two maternity leaves and several years of part time work when my kids were young), but never no work. I often wonder how I would handle being home. I think I would like it, but you never know. Good luck with the job hunting. I wish you much success.

Keep us posted about your future trips and your job search.

If rates stay the same, Hawaii would actually be cheaper! BUT I think WDW may win simply due to MIL guilt. LOL. Rates are out for 2010 and I priced it...GULP! But it's still a better deal then renting points due to FD.

I would LOVE to go this fall but unless someone else is buying, it's not happening. Oh well. I do hope to get a way for a weekend with DH around our anniversary but WDW is too far to go for just a weekend, for us. 2-3 hour flight, ok. 5 hour+ the time difference, nope.

I am actually working but it's a little funky. Long story short I was laid off in Feb 08 after 13 years with a company. I took 6 months off to just hang and try to write a book, and then went back to work on a part time contract basis and then went full time in the fall of 09. I've been with the company I work for now since then, so a little over a year. However they've moved my position to 100% commission contract (non-employee status) which really doesn't work for me.

So I'm looking but bringing in business elsewhere at the same time. And doing it from home with the kids underfoot. I do like telecommuting. I don't like doing it 100% from home with the kids home. They (and I) need camps and the like if I'm going to work from home but without the base salary....no camps.

If I had unlimited funds I could stay home but I'd need to do more volunteer work during the day, it gets a bit old being here all day. That said, I needed the break from the big corporate world and as much as I might think I want to go back to it, it seems like things are leading a different way so...we will see.

I think I'm just more antsy for a more regulated schedule.

I don't actually create any technology...I just sell the services. LOL! And siggies and the like on boards are not the most user friendly thing out there. I swear, reading HTML code reminds me of DOS. It makes my eyes glaze over.

And as far as soccer ruling Tink's life, lets be honest. Her Mom is ruling Tink's life and her mom wants soccer to rule it so....it is what it is. Don't get me wrong, Tink loves it but...her mom definitely pushes things and I suppose, in all fairness, is not the most psycho about it of the parents we know.

It was a little freaky when in conversation she started comparing Tink to Montero but...whatever. It's more sad than anything.

[Happydog]

WELL!!! I just finally caught up on all the final posts the good the bad and the ugly reports on your trip, the "final words"!!!! Loved all the reflection! Great ideas and you really did a lot afterall, in my opinion!!!

We just returned after two weeks, mostly disconnected and really no time to DIS, but boy have I had fun catching up!!!!

Anyhow, I waved to you as we left SeaTak and headed to Palm Springs!!!! We flew from Bend Or to Palm Springs via Seattle not Portland, but Portland to Bend from DC. Anyhow, it was very HOT in central OR as well! AND hotter in Palm Springs, but if you spend most of the day in a pool.... well....

Glad to have read your TR and I really enjoyed it! I am wrapping mine up this week as well! I do have to get my act together though, ADR day is a month away!

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by Happydog

WELL!!! I just finally caught up on all the final posts the good the bad and the ugly reports on your trip, the "final words"!!!! Loved all the reflection! Great ideas and you really did a lot afterall, in my opinion!!!

We just returned after two weeks, mostly disconnected and really no time to DIS, but boy have I had fun catching up!!!!

Anyhow, I waved to you as we left SeaTak and headed to Palm Springs!!!! We flew from Bend Or to Palm Springs via Seattle not Portland, but Portland to Bend from DC. Anyhow, it was very HOT in central OR as well! AND hotter in Palm Springs, but if you spend most of the day in a pool.... well....

Glad to have read your TR and I really enjoyed it! I am wrapping mine up this week as well! I do have to get my act together though, ADR day is a month away!

Disconnected is good. 2 weeks is even better. You can REALLY relax that way! Central OR is HOT no matter what I think. Ugh!

I don't know what it is. You wouldn't think, from here or Portland that PS would be hard to get to, and yet it is. Direct is almost non existent and what little there is, has wacky times and is overpriced. I've had to go through Portland, LA and SF to get there before. Palm Springs is HOT. Not my favorite town but...I don't golf.



For me, lots of other places I'd rather go to, even if I'm in the pool the whole time and it seems like there is so much driving between places. Great dining and it is pretty but....my kids would be completely happy in the pool all day too!

We will see, we have some friends who live there that keep trying to get us down there.

I'm glad you waved down at me! Only 1 month till ADR day? so jealous! We are off to Portland this weekend so that should be fun, no idea what the weather is supposed to be like, hopefully nice.

[MEK]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

Well, we will see. One is definitely better than the other on the "coolness" factor but higher profile/risk as well. Of course the less cool company is moving faster! I'll have a 2nd interview with the less cool one later this week and hopefully will at least get a timeframe on the cool one.

Sending Serious good luck your way!


If rates stay the same, Hawaii would actually be cheaper! BUT I think WDW may win simply due to MIL guilt. LOL. Rates are out for 2010 and I priced it...GULP! But it's still a better deal then renting points due to FD. Wow...that's a hard choice, but I'd still stick with WDW. But that's just me. I'm sure quite a few people would think I am nuts

I would LOVE to go this fall but unless someone else is buying, it's not happening. Oh well. I do hope to get a way for a weekend with DH around our anniversary but WDW is too far to go for just a weekend, for us. 2-3 hour flight, ok. 5 hour+ the time difference, nope.Even with a 2 hours flight, its not worth it to go for a weekend. Our trip is 4 nights and that is one night too short, but with leaving the kids at home that's all we are comfortable doing.

I am actually working but it's a little funky. Long story short I was laid off in Feb 08 after 13 years with a company. I took 6 months off to just hang and try to write a book, and then went back to work on a part time contract basis and then went full time in the fall of 09. I've been with the company I work for now since then, so a little over a year. However they've moved my position to 100% commission contract (non-employee status) which really doesn't work for me. I can see why you are not loving that arrangement. Especially being home with the kids and trying to work. Sheesh!

So I'm looking but bringing in business elsewhere at the same time. And doing it from home with the kids underfoot. I do like telecommuting. I don't like doing it 100% from home with the kids home. They (and I) need camps and the like if I'm going to work from home but without the base salary....no camps.

If I had unlimited funds I could stay home but I'd need to do more volunteer work during the day, it gets a bit old being here all day. That said, I needed the break from the big corporate world and as much as I might think I want to go back to it, it seems like things are leading a different way so...we will see.

I think I'm just more antsy for a more regulated schedule.I can certainly understand that.

I don't actually create any technology...I just sell the services. LOL! And siggies and the like on boards are not the most user friendly thing out there. I swear, reading HTML code reminds me of DOS. It makes my eyes glaze over.
Please laugh now but we actually have a DOS order entry system at work. It is so ridiculous. We have no money to upgrade.
And as far as soccer ruling Tink's life, lets be honest. Her Mom is ruling Tink's life and her mom wants soccer to rule it so....it is what it is. Don't get me wrong, Tink loves it but...her mom definitely pushes things and I suppose, in all fairness, is not the most psycho about it of the parents we know. No, its not. But a family vacation at her age is more important that soccer 24/7.

It was a little freaky when in conversation she started comparing Tink to Montero but...whatever. It's more sad than anything. Definately freaky!

As you can see I was just too lazy to cut and past.

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by MEK

As you can see I was just too lazy to cut and past.

lol

Thanks for the good luck vibes!

I'm torn on the Hawaii versus WDW. Greedy me wants both so just need to figure out how to to make that happen! LOL! I don't think you are nuts for choosing it over Hawaii...plus it's a lot closer to you. It's equal flight time for us.

Ideally it'd be spring break in Hawaii, August at the world. A girl can dream, right?

I'd do 5 nights for an adult only trip I have a hard time leaving the kids for more than 3, something always seems to happen while we are gone!

Originally Posted by MEK

Please laugh now but we actually have a DOS order entry system at work. It is so ridiculous. We have no money to upgrade.

You know what though, DOS works and in some ways, for some things, that's a beautiful thing. It's kind of timeless. I think I'd rather have something stuck in DOS than a software program that's been completely eliminated. It's impossible to keep current, even when you are in the business.

We agree, a family vacation is more important. And hopefully Tink will be in on the next one. DSS made it to the cabin, and camping with us so we've had 2 mini trips with him. It will be interesting to see how much we get of Tinks time this weekend getaway in Portland as it isn't our weekend so she is staying with her mom, and the team. Hopefully she can stay with us through Monday down there (the tourney ends Sunday) but DH is worried she will have to be back for practice. Oh brother!

Normally I'm like you, I just know what weekend a tournament is and really look at the schedule a day or 2 before. As this it out of state, it requires hotel rooms etc and without a schedule we don't know if we need a room for friday night or not, which is what is stressing us out. DSS has a concert at EMP that he is performing in that goes until 7pm so we will miss any friday games. So either we drive down right after the concert or get up early to make her Sat. game. Problem is, we don't know when the games are, even now and check in starts tomorrow! They posted a temp one yesterday and then pulled it due to due "field conflicts". I also have an aunt down there who is going to meet us at the game and I don't know what to tell her. makes it hard to plan a trip!

[GreatBiscuit]

I just finished reading your final updates. Great job! We need a crowd cherring emoticon around here! Loved all the summaries and final thoughts. I hope your job search goes well for you!

[MEK]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

lol

Thanks for the good luck vibes!

I'm torn on the Hawaii versus WDW. Greedy me wants both so just need to figure out how to to make that happen! LOL! I don't think you are nuts for choosing it over Hawaii...plus it's a lot closer to you. It's equal flight time for us.

Ideally it'd be spring break in Hawaii, August at the world. A girl can dream, right?

I'd do 5 nights for an adult only trip I have a hard time leaving the kids for more than 3, something always seems to happen while we are gone!

Please dream! And keep us all posted so we know AS SOON AS your next trip is planned. I loved following along with your family's adventures!!!!!!

5 nights....perfect for an adults only trip. I wish I has one more night in September, but I think my trip is only a month away now. I'm going to need to start packing soon, being the obsessive compulsive packer that I am.

[cjackearl]

Hey! Just wanted to check in and tell you good luck with the job hunt. I hope you find clarity in the direction to take.

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by GreatBiscuit

I just finished reading your final updates. Great job! We need a crowd cherring emoticon around here! Loved all the summaries and final thoughts. I hope your job search goes well for you!

Thanks! I need to go get caught up on yours, amazing how far behind one can get between a few days out of town and the back to school madness!

Originally Posted by MEK

Please dream! And keep us all posted so we know AS SOON AS your next trip is planned. I loved following along with your family's adventures!!!!!!

5 nights....perfect for an adults only trip. I wish I has one more night in September, but I think my trip is only a month away now. I'm going to need to start packing soon, being the obsessive compulsive packer that I am.

I will! I do have an 3 night adult only trip coming this weekend, which I need after the out of town soccer tournament with the in-laws and my aunt last weekend. lol! Not really, for the most part it was great, even though we didn't win. It would have been good for the team, it's the first summer season they've not won any of their tourney's but...they did come in 2nd and lost to the OR state cup champs so...I guess that's ok.

It's a women's retreat...should be interesting, frankly I'm just looking forward to a couple of days with no one to cook for or clean for! I will probably just hole up and read for 3 days straight and not speak. Except to ask for more wine. Which we aren't supposed to bring but supposedly my sisters sneak it in and my mom turns a blind eye (she's an organizer).

I would have another 2 nighter with my dinner club in Oct but of course it's the same weekend we bought show tickets with friends so that will be a one nighter instead. Still, I need the away time. I love my kids but a bit too much togetherness this summer!

Of course my lovely DH mentioned to my FIL that maybe we'd go there for Thanksgiving since Tink will be elsewhere for a tourney. WHAT? Not what I plan on using travel budget for! Much as I love my FIL and his wife. Ok really? Will you really start packing now? I could see making my list now....I am so jealous of your fabby plans! I can't wait to read your TR.

Originally Posted by cjackearl

Hey! Just wanted to check in and tell you good luck with the job hunt. I hope you find clarity in the direction to take.

Hi! Thanks!!!! I really appreciate it. No real updates but I do have faith that things will work out as they are supposed to, whatever that is!
Somehow, they always do.

[PracPerfPatricia]

hey...I'm subbing on...late to the party but better late than never......I've just read the first two pages...so I have a bit of catch up to do...

First- you are from the Pacific Northwest...well based on your photo-that's where heaven must be located...absolutely lovely...I haven't been further up the Pacific coast then a little above San Francisco and I feel in love with that -the blue of the ocean on one side and the redwoods on the other... I'm jonesing to get to Vancouver...

Also love the looks of the cabin at FW...had no idea what they were like inside...I haven't done a lot of camping...have stayed at some camps in CA near Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara that are know as glamping-glamourous camping because the cabins have beds w/ linens-bathrooms and little kitchens...but that sounds at bit like the cabins at FW also... (haven't done "real" camping but might be since my 7 year old is joining Cub Scouts...)

I have a friend with 4 sons...but they are all in the same school...each 2 years apart...so I can only begin to imagine what it is to be coordinating 4 in different schools...

Wall-e wanders huh? I don't have a wanderer per se but he is sort of in his own time-space continuum at times...so I have to keep an eye on him...

Well back to reading...who knows what's happened in the last 26 pages...

[PracPerfPatricia]

OK I just finished page 5 but had to post a couple things/?s before I forget them...

BTW-I am loving your trippie...

Thanks for the carmel tip-DH is a huge carmel fan...I order stuff from Rechutti (sp?) a couple times of year because it is really good and it reminds me of the Ferry Bldg. but I will have to give Woodhouse a try...

The Grand Floridian looks just like the Coronado...When we were in San Diego and drove by it...I think I said "look-It's the Grand Floridian"...I didn't read far enough so I don't know how your weekend went yet...

I love the comment about Steven...when I first had my DD who will be 15 next month...I remember thinking that 15/16 year old boys looked kind of surly/menacing too...but now as she has brought home these 14/15 friends who are boys...they really don't seem so menacing anymore...it's all just posturing...I also think it must be hard for them sometimes...they get this big growth spurt and the hormones and stuff but in so many ways they're kids...it must be confusing...

Your review of Teppan Edo was great...has in TE different than Tokyo Dining?

Just keep reading...just keep reading...

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by PracPerfPatricia

hey...I'm subbing on...late to the party but better late than never......I've just read the first two pages...so I have a bit of catch up to do...

First- you are from the Pacific Northwest...well based on your photo-that's where heaven must be located...absolutely lovely...I haven't been further up the Pacific coast then a little above San Francisco and I feel in love with that -the blue of the ocean on one side and the redwoods on the other... I'm jonesing to get to Vancouver...

Also love the looks of the cabin at FW...had no idea what they were like inside...I haven't done a lot of camping...have stayed at some camps in CA near Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara that are know as glamping-glamourous camping because the cabins have beds w/ linens-bathrooms and little kitchens...but that sounds at bit like the cabins at FW also... (haven't done "real" camping but might be since my 7 year old is joining Cub Scouts...)

I have a friend with 4 sons...but they are all in the same school...each 2 years apart...so I can only begin to imagine what it is to be coordinating 4 in different schools...

Wall-e wanders huh? I don't have a wanderer per se but he is sort of in his own time-space continuum at times...so I have to keep an eye on him...

Well back to reading...who knows what's happened in the last 26 pages...

I know the feeling, I found your PTR, and it was already closed! And then I found your TR

I think it is what heaven looks like, I am very very spoiled by all the natural beauty around here. SF is the bomb but it is fairly different in many many ways. I Vancouver, we go there fairly often although not since they started making kids have passports. I can't justify the expense for a day or weekend trip.

This year we are actually up to 5 schools! UGH!

The cabins were wonderful. For us. I do think if you aren't a woodsy, rustic, camper person and wanted a resort, you'd be dissapointed. But we loved them. And yes, they had linens! I wouldn't call it camping though. You may well end up camping with Scouts, I did a 4 day overnight camp with Wall-E last summer, it was a blast!

his own time-space continuum

that is EXACTLY what causes Wall-E to wander...it is not deliberate...he is just lost in his own world.

Originally Posted by PracPerfPatricia

OK I just finished page 5 but had to post a couple things/?s before I forget them...

BTW-I am loving your trippie...

Thanks for the carmel tip-DH is a huge carmel fan...I order stuff from Rechutti (sp?) a couple times of year because it is really good and it reminds me of the Ferry Bldg. but I will have to give Woodhouse a try...

The Grand Floridian looks just like the Coronado...When we were in San Diego and drove by it...I think I said "look-It's the Grand Floridian"...I didn't read far enough so I don't know how your weekend went yet...

I love the comment about Steven...when I first had my DD who will be 15 next month...I remember thinking that 15/16 year old boys looked kind of surly/menacing too...but now as she has brought home these 14/15 friends who are boys...they really don't seem so menacing anymore...it's all just posturing...I also think it must be hard for them sometimes...they get this big growth spurt and the hormones and stuff but in so many ways they're kids...it must be confusing...

Your review of Teppan Edo was great...has in TE different than Tokyo Dining?

Just keep reading...just keep reading...

TE is a lot different than Tokyo. It's all Teppan style so cooked in front of you on the hibachi. There is some tempura available but that's about it. Toyko has the full tempura gamit, plus sushi, etc. I hope to try it one of these days.

It's so funny as I never think of Steven as looking menacing but my IL's were so wierd when they saw these trip pictures, they thought both of the older kids looked awful. Comments about Steven's hoods making him look like a gang member and saying Tink wasn't as "cute" as she used to be. GRRR.

He is a sweet kid. Although I'm sure he'd cringe if he read that I wrote that!
The hormone thing is tough at times to be sure, on all of them!

Woodhouse is SOOOOOOOOOO good!

GF is actually modeled on the Del. Funny thing is that the GF looks on the inside like I think the Del should. The Del is very very different on the inside. It is a lovely lovely resort! We'll be back one of these days.

[PracPerfPatricia]

Ok I've finished...hmmm...lets see...

Congrats to Goofy on his black belt and his 10th birthday...His BD looked like a lot of fun...

Seattle is my list of want to go to s also...

(I'd love to take the Ferry from Seattle to Victoria-but I'd have to tie down DD and fill her with dramamine first...)

The Black Belt-that is a great accomplishment...my 7 year old guy just started kenpo karate last year-it's been great for him...he is still at the white belt colored stripe phase-he's up to the 5 stripe -blue-I think...

But back to the Black Belt-Kudos to him...that's a lot of dedication for a 10 year old......(I agree with you on the parent front-nice example some people set for their kids...how about the lets work some more and try again...

It sounds like you really had quite a fab trip-i got here just in time to say good bye to this TR and get in over on your new one......see you over there...

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by PracPerfPatricia

Ok I've finished...hmmm...lets see...

Congrats to Goofy on his black belt and his 10th birthday...His BD looked like a lot of fun...

Seattle is my list of want to go to s also...

(I'd love to take the Ferry from Seattle to Victoria-but I'd have to tie down DD and fill her with dramamine first...)

The Black Belt-that is a great accomplishment...my 7 year old guy just started kenpo karate last year-it's been great for him...he is still at the white belt colored stripe phase-he's up to the 5 stripe -blue-I think...

But back to the Black Belt-Kudos to him...that's a lot of dedication for a 10 year old......(I agree with you on the parent front-nice example some people set for their kids...how about the lets work some more and try again...

It sounds like you really had quite a fab trip-i got here just in time to say good bye to this TR and get in over on your new one......see you over there...

We did the stripe belt phase too....Goofy has been doing TKD for four and a half years now. So a full set of striped belts and then a full set of color belts and now this. Next is the international 1st degree which theoretically he could test for in Dec. He may not be ready. I may not be able to afford the test fee so...I figure if it is mean to be, it will be and if not...June!

There are actually 2 different ways to get to Victoria. You can take the Clipper which is a high speed boat (2 hours?), versus the Old Princess Marguerite which took 4 hours, or you can drive up to Anacortes and take the Ferry from there. Which is 4 hours but only b/c it meanders its way through the San Juan Islands. It is so pretty! I take it DD gets motion sickness? What a bummer. those ferrys are pretty slow, if you stay inside I"m not sure you even realize you are moving. At least I don't but maybe I'm just so used to it from living here most of my life.

See you on my PTR. Yay!