2012? No Problem...but when?

[babynala]

Great progress on your sewing space and I hope your back feels better. All 200 filled already??? I'm not surprised

Those fireworks sound scary...It is nice to have a direct line to the police department.

I like the idea of those packing cubes. I keep getting discount emails from shutterfly since I started working on a photobook and never finished it.

 

[NiniMorris]

I realize I have been absent lately. I am dealing with school issues for Mr D. I won't go in to the long drawn out explanation here, but suffice it to say that the school is trying to circumvent the law. I have bent over backwards trying to play nice with them, but they consistently show me they think they can do what they want with no ramifications.

So it looks like the hammer is about to fall...and I am not at all happy with that decision. It goes completely against every fiber in my soul...but I agree that we are at the end of our rope with this situation. Now, thinking about them doing the same abusive behavior with another child, knowing I could have stopped it is making me literally sick. On Monday I start looking for an attorney.


But on the trip front... we are at a little over 78 days form or trip and I still have 84 shirts to do...well actually I haven't counted, but that seems about the right number.

Everything is starting to fall into place, and I have now saved the money I need for incidentals on the trip...so I am getting more and more excited! Seeing that extra thousand dollars in my account has really made me happy! Now, as long as I can keep my husband from seeing it we will be fine! LOL!

Our ADR situation is always a sore spot with me...I am completely happy with what we have, but I always think I could make it better...so I keep looking. And looking...and looking!

There is really nothing I want to actually change, just every year something happens that makes me have to change something, and I keep thinking 'shat is going to happen this year?'

We take an annual trip. Every year since 2009 we have had a last minute addition to the trip...meaning additional people! So I have found myself scrambling at the last minute (literally within a week to 10 days before we leave!!) trying to find ADRs for the extra people...

So far this has not happened yet this year, however my daughter and her husband are making noises about going this year. It will be hard to swing financially since my daughter quit work after the baby...but my son in law is convinced they can do it...as long as they take sandwiches to eat, and only spend three days in the parks... LOL!



Nini

 

[babynala]

Your shirt count is making me DIZZY. But I know you will get it done, unless of course you have to make 2 more adult sized shirts and lots of adorable baby dresses. Too funny that your son in law has come full circle on the Disney trips. If they can't make it this year I think taking the baby next year (when she is about 18 months???) would be a great age for a first trip. Of course any age is the perfect age for a first trip but it might be easier (for mom) with a child that is walking, can eat a bigger range of food and is awake for a larger portion of the day. Plus it gives you more time to work on adorable outfits.

Maybe this will be the year you don't have to change any ADRs but it would be worth changing if you got to have 3 extras in your party.

Hope you can get your sewing mojo back. I feel like I am in the same boat but I am totally lacking for ideas. And the horror is I might actually make my family recycle shirts from previous trips!!!!

 

[cogero]

OK I am laughing about your SIL

I know you will get everything done

 

[NiniMorris]

Your shirt count is making me DIZZY. But I know you will get it done, unless of course you have to make 2 more adult sized shirts and lots of adorable baby dresses. Too funny that your son in law has come full circle on the Disney trips. If they can't make it this year I think taking the baby next year (when she is about 18 months???) would be a great age for a first trip. Of course any age is the perfect age for a first trip but it might be easier (for mom) with a child that is walking, can eat a bigger range of food and is awake for a larger portion of the day. Plus it gives you more time to work on adorable outfits.

Maybe this will be the year you don't have to change any ADRs but it would be worth changing if you got to have 3 extras in your party.

Hope you can get your sewing mojo back. I feel like I am in the same boat but I am totally lacking for ideas. And the horror is I might actually make my family recycle shirts from previous trips!!!!

OK I am laughing about your SIL

I know you will get everything done

LOL...I don't know if I shared here or not...but my son made me an authorized user on their Disney Visa. I buy my gas, groceries and restaurants with it, plus paid off my Disney vacation with it, and will use it to pay for the purchases and tips we make while there. I turn around and write him a check once a week for the things I purchase. He keeps the balance at zero...

They are using the rewards for their next trip. Right now he figures he has enough for the tickets and a couple of meals, but won't be able to stay onsite, but he has rewards points for the travel he does for work (he travels at least once a month) to stay off site for free. Since Mia will only be 5 months old when we go, she will not be on any solid foods yet...so my daughter said there is no way she is going to attempt to nurse on a Disney trip! Mia is already deciding the area around her is way too interesting to focus on nursing and has to be nursed in a darkened room!

I am sure they will end up going with us next year...even though they insist they want to wait until she is 3...because they want to have enough saved to stay at AKL....

 

[NiniMorris]

Yesterday we spent the day family style. All 5 of my kids were supposed to go with us to South GA (about an hour and a half drive)to see my dad. He will be 79 in a few weeks. Both my mom and my first step mother are gone. My second step mother is showing signs of Altziemers. She had trouble remembering who I was all day.

When it came right down to it, my oldest two sons decided they had other things to do and didn't go.

We managed to have a great time without them...or maybe because they didn't go...not really sure on that part! Anyway, Grandpa and Miss Mia had time to bond. Up until this trip she has screamed every time my husband got near her. The one time he tried to hold her we thought she was going to have a heart attack...she was truly afraid!

Yesterday, she was in a very happy mood, and let everyone play with her as much as they wanted, and by the time we got back home she even allowed Grandpa to hold her. My daughter posted a picture on FB. You can't tell in the picture, but she is giggling! Her very first belly giggle! For some reason, she thinks Miss B is hilarious! She will not let her hold her, but she loves to smile and laugh at her.

It was great to see my dad and know that he is doing well. I really hate that life gets in the way and we only get to see each other once or twice a year.

The funny part was my father trying to give me tips on Disney. He and my step mother (#1) went back in the late 70's. There was only Magic Kingdom. He was trying to explain to me about the E-tickets. I had even forgotten about them using them! My husband kept giving me strange looks but said nothing. I just kept smiling like I knew all about it. On the way home husband asked me about it...I told him it was something that Daddy thought they still used and wanted me to make sure I understood the best use of them...we all got a good laugh.

I wish I could afford t take them on a trip....I think he would find it very interesting to see all the changes!


Anyway...after church today I hope to get down to the studio again...the plan is to get husband down to see how badly I really need new Expedit shelves...we will see!


Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

Just because I almost like the way this picture turned out...Here is our 4 generation picture from yesterday...

Nini

 

[cogero]

I love the picture Mia is so cute.

Good luck talking your DH into more expedit shelves. I love all of mine

 

[NiniMorris]

Well, Chiara was right...did not get my husband down to see how full the shelves were... so I have to wait a while on another set!

However, if I play my cards right I can show him how much money I 'saved' him by convincing the DISH people to send me a new box and not switch to Comcast! The installation was going to be right at $200...so maybe I can convince him to spend that on my new Expedits...or maybe I will just use it to get a new external hard drive that will hook to my network... Since I have been moving the laptop around I have been forgetting to remember to hook the hard drive up to the laptop to back up... It is on my list today!

I did get some shirts done yesterday...and true to form, when I get in a deadline, my machine decides to mess up! Ended up taking me over 2 hours to do one shirt that should have taken 30 minutes. Bubba is due for a thorough cleaning today...and if I am luck I will be able to get at least one shirt done today!

I have started working on alternative plans for shirts in case I get much farther behind! LOL!

So it looks like the Magic Bands are going to be a real possibility on this trip...at least the FP+ will be...so I really need to convince my extended family to give me their suggestions on how they want me to proceed. Since we will have the GAC I am thinking to use the FP+ for things like parades and fireworks... I am really interested to see how it all plays out.

I have read and researched all the rumors and the small bit of info that Disney has put out, but it is still so much unknown... At least we will have a 10 day trip so if it gets too bad we will have a second park day in each park...

I know that with the paper fast passes going the way of the dinosaur, the paper GAC will also have limited days left in the parks. I am anxious to see what the result will be with the blended system. And, yes I know that the way it works in December will not be the way it works on the next trip, there will be bugs to work out and problems to remedy. I just really WANT a crystal ball to see how it will play out! LOL...


Nini

 

[cogero]

I have magic bands for this trip but didn't link our park tickets to them since we have APs and I am still unsure of how that is going to work.

 

[babynala]

Such a wonderful picture. Glad you had a nice day with your dad. That little Mia is too cute. It is funny how babies sometimes don't like men but she must be figuring out that mom isn't going anywhere so she can hang out with everyone else and still go back to mom.

I like your Disney Visa plan. And I bet a trip next year will be in the cards for them.

I feel your pain about the magic bands and fp+. The not knowing how it will work is so stressful. We actually just got our magic bands on Friday and I have FP+ setup for our park days. I am planning on using the regular FPs at this point too because we use way more then 3 a day. I would gladly give up my FP+ if I am limited to one or the other. I have been reading the threads and it is still stressing me out. I am not good with change and the not knowing exactly how it will work makes me nervous.

We have never used a GAC but I know so many rely on them for an enjoyable vacation. It seems they are making some changes but I hope they come up with a system that works for people. Maybe with the new fp+ entrances they will have it setup so you can basically come back at a specific time and not actually wait in line. Maybe the MBs will eliminate the need for the physical paper GAC so there won't be any fraud and those with a need will be accommodated.

 

[DMGeurts]

Just a super quick drive by... I must get up to my sewing room early today!

Love, love, love the 4 generation picture... Mia is adorable... However - I think it is great to see you... It's not that often that I get to - and you are such a good friend! I love your shirt and I think you look fantastic, as well. SO, thanks for sharing!

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

I have magic bands for this trip but didn't link our park tickets to them since we have APs and I am still unsure of how that is going to work.

I saw your FB post that you got notification that you are testing the magic bands. I have not heard any thing negative about linking the APs yet.

Such a wonderful picture. Glad you had a nice day with your dad. That little Mia is too cute. It is funny how babies sometimes don't like men but she must be figuring out that mom isn't going anywhere so she can hang out with everyone else and still go back to mom.

I like your Disney Visa plan. And I bet a trip next year will be in the cards for them.

I feel your pain about the magic bands and fp+. The not knowing how it will work is so stressful. We actually just got our magic bands on Friday and I have FP+ setup for our park days. I am planning on using the regular FPs at this point too because we use way more then 3 a day. I would gladly give up my FP+ if I am limited to one or the other. I have been reading the threads and it is still stressing me out. I am not good with change and the not knowing exactly how it will work makes me nervous.

We have never used a GAC but I know so many rely on them for an enjoyable vacation. It seems they are making some changes but I hope they come up with a system that works for people. Maybe with the new fp+ entrances they will have it setup so you can basically come back at a specific time and not actually wait in line. Maybe the MBs will eliminate the need for the physical paper GAC so there won't be any fraud and those with a need will be accommodated.

Atually Miss Mia loves EVERYONE...as long as Mom is holding her (or Daddy) She plays with them, giggles with them and coos at them. But if they try to take her from Mom she starts screaming! Our Saturday trip was the first time my husband got to hold her without her screaming...so he was happy!

The whole MB and FP+ thing keeps me going back and forth. One minute I think it is a good thing, and the next minute I think it is a bad thing! I hate the unknown! LOL

Just a super quick drive by... I must get up to my sewing room early today!

Love, love, love the 4 generation picture... Mia is adorable... However - I think it is great to see you... It's not that often that I get to - and you are such a good friend! I love your shirt and I think you look fantastic, as well. SO, thanks for sharing!

D~

If I had known how to use the swirly thingy I would have swirled my face out...LOL!



==========================

I saw someone post on a FB DIsney group I am on that she is worried about going to Disney so soon after a hospital visit. It made me start thinking...


IN 2010 we went to Disney right after Thanksgiving. I was 10 weeks out from major neck fusion surgery. I was still on pain pills during the trip and took my neck brace to wear as the evenings wore on. I was in a great deal of mahor discomfort, and a wee bit of pain. I could not ride anything, so I sat a lot!

In 2012 we went to Disney right after Thanksgiving. I was 8 weeks out after gall bladder removal surgery. I could not eat anything...almost every bite I took made me sick. I could ride what I wanted to (with the exception of the stuff that I had to do away with because of the neck surgery), but I was sleepy a lot! The meds I had to take to keep my tummy happy made me very sleepy!

Here we are getting ready for our third trip to Disney right after Thanksgiving. I suddenly got scared! What is going to happen with this trip? We are just a bit less than 11 weeks out now...I think I am afraid to go to the doctor!



I didn't get any shirts made for the trip today, but I did manage to order my remaining shirts. Maybe that will put a kick in my rear to get motivated. My spreadsheet says I have 34 more shirts to make. I am not sure how accurate that is, but for now that is the number i am going with.

I had wanted to go down and work on at least one tonight after the husband went to work, but since the big screen tv in my studio isn't working, I will probably have to wait until after therapy tomorrow. Maybe I can get 2 shirts tomorrow...

Yup...the tv is not working because the stupid satellite receiver is not working right. It resets itself every 10 or 15 minutes...and takes any where from 5 to 30 minutes to reset! It has reset itself so many times it no longer will recognize the second tv attached to it. The good news is, they are sending me a new receiver...and it should be here either tomorrow or Wednesday. No sense in dealing with the nonsense to get the second tv on it when I will have to redo it with the new receiver!

So tomorrow after therapy it is! TWO SHIRTS!


Nini

(who we all know will do good to get one shirt done tomorrow after therapy!)

 

[DMGeurts]

I don't blame you for being afraid to go to the Dr. at this point... I would be too with the previous track record. Hopefully nothing goes wrong this time.

Wow 34 shirts! You are doing good - I thought your starting # was in the 100s? I hope you are able to get 2 more done today!

D~

 

[babynala]

The way I see it is you already had your surgery for this year so you should be good and no worries for your trip.

As for the shirts, I hope you can get the two done today. I usually listen to the radio in my sewing area because I get too distracted by the TV. If I didn't have a computer I would be sewing like crazy!

 

[NiniMorris]

I don't blame you for being afraid to go to the Dr. at this point... I would be too with the previous track record. Hopefully nothing goes wrong this time.

Wow 34 shirts! You are doing good - I thought your starting # was in the 100s? I hope you are able to get 2 more done today!

D~

Actually I modified my list quite a bit...only one shirt per day and only for the 4 of us. If my son and his family want any they have a dead line to let me know...actually I think I gave the Oct 1 as the deadline... so far I haven't heard from them on it, so I am letting it go as if they don't want any! LOL

I am not 100% sure that my spreadsheet is correct, but I am pretending it is right for now.

The way I see it is you already had your surgery for this year so you should be good and no worries for your trip.

As for the shirts, I hope you can get the two done today. I usually listen to the radio in my sewing area because I get too distracted by the TV. If I didn't have a computer I would be sewing like crazy!

I don't really think that little scalp thing counts as a real surgery... but I like your way of thinking!


I need voices talking to me. My house is too quiet. Both kids in school, husband sleeping during the day, having to keep everything quiet for him to sleep.... it is almost like having the tv is my way of being a rebel! LOL...although I usually listen to my iPod down there...I made extra sure that the neighbors could not see my version of dancing...wouldn't want to start a riot!

After Therapy, Mr D needed a bit of extra time...so we sat on the couch watching Netflix after lunch. Now I am waiting for the UPS man to deliver my shirts and see if my satellite receiver is here...usually they gete here early...today I must be on the late delivery...



Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

Quick update...


My satellite receiver box came in yesterday! I now have tv in my studio! (oh yeah, we also have tv upstairs, but priorities and all!)
* I did discover that the stupid (yes, I used that word!) installers told me it would not accept an internet connection...meaning I could not use the cute iPhone app...and I discovered not only would it take a wired internet connection it also would take a WIRELESS internet connection! So, it is now set up with internet!

My shirts also came in and I managed to get one shirt done! Took me a couple hours, since Miss Mia came for a short visit! (of course, she screamed like some one had shot her after about 45 seconds...about the time she realized I was the one holding her...)

And I got a sales Flyer from Ikea...my shelf is on sale!!! I had planned on getting two more of the smaller ones, but now I will get the larger one and still save money! Now we just have to make a plan for getting back to Atlanta and getting the unit.

And...after spending all morning in the waiting room at therapy, I managed to get the first day plans down pat!(only 9 more days to go!) After the school run I will get them written down and put on here...I know...not great but at least I am feeling like I have something done!


LOL


Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

First day
After check in and unpacking our bags (provided the room is ready) we will split up for our first day. The Princess will go with us while her Mommy and Daddy will go to Downtown Disney to do some shopping and then go to Epcot for dinner at Biergarten. This will be one of two alone nights they get on the trip!
The rest of us will head to …. Animal Kingdom.
Animal Kingdom is open late tonight. At least late considering the time of year. LOL. Animal Kingdom closes at 7, while it starts to get dark by 5:30 ish. This will be our only chance to see Animal Kingdom in the dark so we decided to jump on it.
When the kids were younger, this was their very favorite park of all. Now, it has become a place where we really only need to spend a little over a day here. They are no longer interested in seeing the animals and there are only two rides they really like, so we don’t ever spend a full day here… We usually leave right after the parade (if we even stay long enough to see it!)
Sp on this visit to AK, we will skip the parade in favor of seeing it on our next visit and getting to see a bit more of the park at dark.
When we arrive, we will either have a snack or late lunch. We always plan on a late lunch, but the truth is, we are so excited to be at Disney that we really don’t get hungry until later. In order for the plan I spent so long working on (LOL), we will have to eat by 2:30. This is doable!
Until the 3:30 time frame, we will spend time looking at the sights…like Oasis and Discovery Island. Most times we hurry though these areas without really looking at it. In the few times we have stopped to look we have found many things fascinating!
We want to be in Africa by 3:30. Once the parade starts, that area will be cut off from the rest of the park. Our first stop will be the Pangani Forest. This is one of those areas that the kids love still, but I am not a fan of! We plan on spending about 30 minutes here, maybe a bit more.
Then we will hop on the Safari. By this time, most of the people that got on the ride just before the parade will be over it, and the spectators from the parade will be on their way to another section. Then we will head towards Lion King. (now this is where I am going off of old info… this will actually depend on what the schedule is for the shows) If we hit the 5:30 show, we can then head towards Dinoland. By this time we will have done all those things that Mom wants to do and it is time for some serious riding! Mr D is the only one that actually loves Dinosaur (well, I love it but after the neck surgery, it is impossible for me to ride!) After he gets to ride, we will head towards Triceratops and Primeval Whirl. The three kids could stay here forever! They could ride these two rides for hours!
The goal is to be at Expedition Everest around 6 ish. By this time most of the people will have left the park. The last hour of the day is when the crowds are the lowest…so the kids can ride this a million times!
At the 7 o’clock hour, we will stay around the Asia area for a few minutes, maybe 5 or ten, then slowly we will start heading towards the exit. Why? So I can attempt to get some empty nighttime park pictures! (At this point I am seriously considering letting husband take the kids on and riding the bus back!) After I have my fill of pictures we will head back towards the resort. If we ate early for lunch, then we will grab something from the CS at Port Orleans French Quarter.
Since Epcot is open until 9:30, I am sure that Mommy and Daddy will be very late getting in tonight, so the Princess might end up spending the night in our room. Shhh, don’t tell Disney! Five people in the room is cheating!


Now only 9 more days to plan!

 

[babynala]

TV!!!!!! That is cool that your tv will run the internet via the wireless. I knew you would fill up those shelves quickly. Glad you got a shirt done. One less for the list.

Like your plan for your AK day. AK at night sounds cool, especially since it will be dark. Love thr Lion King show but I can't stand Primeval whirl. Curtis wants to try it and I think he is finally tall enogh. Since your kids enjoy it maybe I will let him try it out. We always hit Kali RR last since we get soaked and can head back to the room.

That is nice that you are watching the grandprincess for the night. I am sure Disney doesn't care about the five people since you are paying for two rooms.

 

[DMGeurts]

Sorry I fell behind Nini... Bad PTR follower... I promise I will be much better when I get my new digs set up in this section.

I love that you have internet on your TV - how cool is that? And your studio is almost done - EVEN BETTER!

I love AK too - you know that - but AK in the DARK is the bestest of the best!!! Really!!!! It's so rare that you get to see it that way - I just love it!

You all will have a blast in the almost empty park for the latter half of the day - I hope you are able to get as many rides in on everything that you want to!

This sounds like a fantastic first day!

D~