Adventure (and Food) is calling our names – 10/2010 PTR - Six More Hours!!! 10/1

[stayhomemom77]

I'm retarded.

I posted after reading about the "contest" and hadn't read all the way to the end of the thread yet.

So glad you were able to get some of your costume stuff on sale.

You must be getting excited...your trip is starting to get CLOSE.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

I've tallied the votes and the closest without going over (using the Price is Right rules) is Pooh's-Honey-Pot. Since we were using the time that Jim and Sarah were in the museum (I had to leave early for a ConGaloosh Board conference call) here is the exact timing:

Entered museum 10:05am
Walked out of building: 1:45pm

For a total of 3 hours and 40 minutes! That's a little shorter than our first trip where we stayed over 4 hours, but the kids were hungry and at that time they didn't let you re-enter.

Sonya I have a wonderful WDFM key chain waiting for you. PM me your shipping information and I'll send it to you. Or since you are arriving on the day that we depart I can leave it at your hotel in WDW and you can pick it up when you arrive. Just let me know which you would prefer.

EEk!!! How exciting - I never win anything! Thats so kind Jane! Leaving it at the SSR will be lovely - I still can't believe we will miss each other by such a short time!!

Did you enjoy the museum? Thats definitely on my to-do list for our California trip next year!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Sonya - I really like the museum. If you like the "One Man's Dream" exhibit at the studios then you will LOVE the museum. It is amazing how detailed this one is. Pretty much each exhibit has some sort of video/audio with it. Where it is either Walt talking or people that worked with him talking about him. Then once you get to the gallery where they actually started making films there are a lot of videos. My favorite gallery is the largest one where they have a huge model of Disneyland and tv sets on the wall showing clips from the tv shows and movies. Unfortunately, just as we were getting to that gallery I had to leave for the conference call and I never got back before we had to leave.

Let me warn you about the last galley. I was really surprised the first time we went and how it affected me. Its the galley where they talk about Walts last days and the afteraffect. I only got a few steps inside before I started tearing up. It is just amazing how many things changed in the world because of him and you think about what the world would be like if he had lived longer. Just remember to bring some tissues if you are at all prone to tears.

I thought of you when we were in the gift shop. There was a whole section of Alice things.

When you do go, check the website to see if there are any special events going on. You might be able to see a show in the movie theater or listen to a seminar. I'm going to try and remember to check the website more often since it isn't that far and it would be a great weekend activity to go over.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Unbelievably we are finally getting closer to our depature day. It seems like forever ago that we started planning this trip.

We decided to go with Garden Grocer to deliver our supplies to BCV on our arrival day and eliminate that stop on our way to the parks. Today I started putting things into our shopping cart. So far we've ordered:

Milk - 1 gal
Raisin Bran & Lucky Charms cereal
Bananas & strawberries
Yogurt
Starbucks Vanilla Frappacinos
Ginger Ale
Orange juice

I have to wait to talk to the kids to see if they want to order a lasagna or frozen pizzas for the Friday/Saturday nights that we will be at ConGaloosh if they want to eat at the room those nights (and save their spending $$).

I'm so grateful for the DIS boards. I was able to find out that the rooms have a 12 cup coffee maker, but don't supply the filters. I'll toss in a bunch of them into our bag and won't need to purchase 100 of them when we get there. Jim has to have his coffee in the morning and hates the sanka stuff they sell onsite.

I've also started my packing list to make sure I don't forget anything. Try as I might to just pack light, I always think of things that I just don't want to live without. This time we are packing a small Brita water pitcher to see if that helps with the taste of the water. I hate buying bottled water so we bought a 5 cup pitcher that I plan on packing and hopefully it will make the trip without breaking. We've all got metal water bottles to take on the plane and into the parks to keep us hydrated.

I dragged out my old countdown calendar (still 4 days away from using it - so I added a couple of post it notes for the extra days).

I just spent the morning uploading a bunch of Disney Soundtracks to my iTunes account (and listening to them now) so I can listen to the music at work and hope the time flys by.

This evening I'm going to try on my costume options for ConGaloosh and finally make a decision on if I'm going to wear one of the options or if I'm just going to go comfortable. I also need to make Jim put all the pieces of his costume together to make sure he has everything. I'm pretty sure he still needs a shirt and a bow tie.

We just had to run out to Fry's to get some sort of cable to see if Jim can read the data off of my old desktop computer (its DEAD, won't even turn on) It's been a while since I used it, but I needed to find some information and of course its a nice big doorstop right now. We decided to stop by the Half Price Book store and I was finally able to find a DVD of Sleeping Beauty and Chicken Little (both were missing from our collection). So even though we skipped SB on our movie nights we can watch it next and get caught up. I don't think there's any way that we are going to get close to watching them all before we leave, but it's been fun anyway.

 

[swwake]

Sounds like you're almost all set! I can't believe how quickly the time is flying by now. Our trip will be here before I can blink!!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Susan - we are definitely getting ready.

We decided that since we are flying Southwest and can check 2 bags we are not going to ship anything to the hotel. I contacted DVC and found out that they would charge between $3 - $10 in shipping charges (I think this is because we are staying at the BCV and the BC is considered a Convention hotel). Anyway with paying to ship the box out and then the shipping charges, it just doesn't make sense when we can just pack a suitcase and check it for free.

I pulled out my larger suitcase and already put some items in it:

Collapsable laudry basket
Hanging shoe holder
Ziploc bags
Water bottles

My skirt arrived today for my MNSSHP costume and it fits!!! Actually its a little big in the waist but better too big than too small. I've decided that I'm just going to use some black walking shoes (they look like tennis shoes) instead of going out to buy some new shoes that might or might not be comfortable. So I just have to wait for my shirt to come in and get my name sewed on the front. I think I'm just going to have to buy a new set of ears. I can't find my original (1980s) set and the gold version that I have from the 50th anniversary of DL won't work.

I've also decided what I'm wearing to the Saturday banquet. I'm going to go as an Adventure Club Den Mom with my own version of the uniform. Brown shorts, rust colored shirt and brown vest. I wore the shirt last year and had a patch that says Kungaloosh on the arm. I'm just going to see if I can find some old Boy Scout patches and sew them on the vest. I don't think I'm going to do any costume for the Friday night event. Since it will be outside, I'd rather be comfortable and cool than fashionable.

Last night we watched Sleeping Beauty so have another movie crossed off our list. Next up is Mary Poppins!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

I just had to log in quickly from work during lunch to say:

30 Days!!!!!!
or
One Month
Un Mes
Ein Monat
Un mois
En månad
Un mese
一月
1个月

هر واحد​

Een maand

(hope all the characters come across ok in the translation).

I'll be back tonight to update.

 

[jenny105]

I'll join you in your 30 day dance!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Thanks Jenny, you'll be here soon enough as well.

This week has been pretty busy with life so I haven't had much time to do any pre-trip items. The only thing trip related has been the set-up of the countdown calendar. It is sitting in front of the TV (so we can all see it). We have ramped up the trips to the gym and have gone for walks on the days that we haven't gone to the Y. I'm hoping to finally break into my next 10s number so I have a little wiggle room on the weight for vacation. I really don't want to gain a ton, but we are also going during the Food and Wine Festival so I want to make sure I get to taste everything. I guess I better explain to Charlotte my last bite rule (if they get something that is fantastic and offer me a bite, I only take the last bite so I don't get tempted to dip into more) of course that will not be in effect for ice cream sundaes. I'll be getting one at Beaches and Cream or Ghiradelli if we go there and I WON'T be sharing any of those bites.

This weekend we are taking Charlotte shopping for her birthday (on Monday). We offered either a shopping trip or money for the trip and she picked shopping (got to love a girl). We're going to hit the Outlet mall, which happens to be right across the street from a Fenton's Ice Cream Parlor. Guess where we will be going for lunch??? We'll count the red/blue cars as they go past just like Carl and Russel.

I might have time to check out a couple of stores myself and see if I can find some cute tops.

I have to see what type of Mac and Cheese is listed on the Garden Grocer website so the kids can try it out here. We're going to order them a dinner and they picked mac & cheese but we normally do the box kind but I don't want to have to buy a huge tub of margarine and make sure that we have milk left over so I suggested they try the frozen stuff. I just want them to test it out first since it will be much cheaper to buy it here and if they don't like it, try for something else.

This weekend (after we are done shopping) we are going to start working on getting the house organized. I hate coming home from vacation to a messy house and this might be a perfect excuse to get Jim to organize his office area, yeah thats the ticket. Let's clean up the office because Marie (who might be coming over to feed the cat) might come upstairs. Think that will work?

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Well the great plans of cleaning were thrown out the window this weekend. We had a great trip shopping. I found out that Charlotte is a pretty fast shopper. She isn't one to have to look at every single item. She browses, if she sees something she likes, tries it on and makes a decision. We got up to the outlets at 10:30ish and we were done by noon. We went out to lunch and then did some window shopping till our stomachs could handle ice cream. We got single scoops (petite = 1 1/4 cups of ice cream) at Fenton's and then headed home. That night Charlotte's parents had invited us all out to Chinese food to celebrate her birthday then back to her house for red velvet cake.

Well readers, I can tell you that my body can NOT handle all that rich food any longer. By the time we got home my stomach was beginning the revolt. I woke up on Sunday with a queezy and crampy stomach. I spent most of yesterday eating crackers, drinking ginger ale and staring at the TV. Today is a little better, but this taught me a lesson, I can only depart from healthy foods for a little at a time unless I want to suffer.

Today we are planning a Disney Movie Marathon. Mary Poppins, Jungle Book and Bednobs and Broomsticks.

I'm starting to get a little anxious about getting everything ready (house and work wise). Packing is pretty simple for me since I've got my costumes sorted out and we take minimal clothes (the benefits of a washer/dryer unit in the room).

I was looking over the boards yesterday trying to find out where they are in the Fantasyland renovation. Has anyone heard if they have moved Mickey and Minnie's M&G to Exposition Hall yet?

 

[jenny105]

I'm the same kind of shopper Charlotte is. My sister is one of those kinds that spends allllll day in a store. It's ok for a couple hours and then it starts driving me nutso. Just pick something already!

I've started thinking about what I want to pack. I know I'm going to end up throwing things in my suitcase last minute, as usual.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

I can go either way to a point. If in the right mood, I can brouse forever, but if I'm looking for something specific then it's more cruise through and get it done. My MIL was one of those that needed to see EVERY SINGLE item in the store. Used to drive us crazy.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Sleeping Beauty is my favourite!! I remember when I was a young teenager that I used my stereo to tape the audio soundrack (well, parts of it) so that I could listen to the music in my room. It was a horrible recording but I LOVED it and played it over and over!!

I'm so excited for you...thirty days!! The summer just flew by...I hope the next four months do the same. I can't WAIT for our trip.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Julie - it was interesting, Jim told me that he had never seen Sleeping Beauty before. We started watching the movies to make sure the kids would know all the characters, but come to find out that Jim needs his education improved as well.

We actually only ended up watching Mary Poppins this weekend. This was my favorite when I was growing up. Or it might be that it was the only record that I had and was only allowed to play it on our console record player in the living room on special occasions (I didn't have a record player in my room till I was 16). I LOVED the music from MP (maybe because there was a "Jane" in it) but I think the music is just amazing.

We really need to get on the ball and start watching more per week to get through as many as possible before we leave in 25 DAYS!!!.

Sorry, just got a little excited. Only three more weekends and we will be flying to WDW!!!

I really have to get everyone to get their costumes in order. Don't I keep saying that? Oh well, I will have mine, if they don't have theirs they will just have to go without....

 

[stayhomemom77]

24 days!!




Just helping out!!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

Thanks Julie!!!!

I love taking one more day off the countdown calendar sitting in my living room.

Todays progress toward the trip - my shirt arrived for my Mousketeer outfit!!!

Its a little long, so I'll have to tuck it in. I need to buy some block letters and then decide if I want to put them directly on the shirt or put them on a piece of fabric so I can use the shirt some other time. Actually, thinking about it now, the chances that I'll wear this shirt at any other time is really slim since its a mock turtleneck and I NEVER wear turtle neck shirts out in public (I think I have a very short neck and turtleneck shirts make it look non-existant).

We found out last night that Steven will be driving down to Disneyland with Jenny and her mom while we are gone so we've had to make arrangements for house and pet sitters. Luckily my Mom is really excited to have Lilly Belle (the dog) come and stay with her and we have another friend that will come and spend time with Shara (cat) and use the laundry facilites at our house. Pet/house sitters - check and check!

I'll be making appointments for Charlotte and I to get our mani/pedis the week before our trip. I've taken the day off to get last minute stuff done and that sounded like a perfect girly appointment to start the last minute preparations. (they need to make a pampered smiley).

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Can't believe its so close!!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Well in the absence of a pampered smiley, you could always use .

That's my one regret....hmmm, no regret is not the word...it's the one thing I'm going to miss over the next four months...no pedicures.

I had to give them up for our January Disney trip, so the money would be diverted there.

It's a small price to pay.

I hear you about the shirt. I think like that too and then have to step back and be very honest about whether or not I would ever wear the item again or in other circumstances. Even when I think I will and hang on to them...I never do.

Sounds like the arrangements are working out fine so far.

Glad to know you were able to assess the blouse objectively.

Can't wait to hear more as the plans come together.

Please tell me you are going to do a TR???

 

[tlenzendorf]

It's getting so close! How exciting! And 4 months without a pedicure? I think I would die!!

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

I love the cloud 9 smiley. That is absolutly how it will feel. I normally only get pedis for special occasions (and this IS a special occasion) otherwise I do it myself. I just barely can justify getting my nails done now that I've decided to go the acrylic route.

I've decided that I'm going to put the letters right on the shirt and then just keep the outfit as the perfect costume for our Spirit Day at work (we have an employee event where we can dress up in costume the Friday before Halloween). Two events, one outfit!

I asked Charlotte last night if she would want me to put together a packing list for her and she was VERY enthusiastic. I put it together at lunch today so they can make sure they have all their stuff.

I also started double checking and adding to my list. I had to remember to add some meds for Brendan. The last couple of times he has flown he gets an incredible pain in his sinuses that has brought him to tears on long flights. Then at some point in time during the flight something pops and the pressure is released. We are going to go with a multi step process to hopefully avoid this pain for this trip. His doctor gave him some nasal spray to begin using a couple of days before we fly. I also bought some "Ear Planes" and then we have some pain medication left over from when he had his wisdom teeth out that we'll take just in case.

Tricia - Regarding a trip report, I've asked Jim to take notes during the trip. He loves doing it and he's really good at remembering to take out the notebook when we are in line and writing down just a couple of lines that help us remember exactly what happened. We have a couple from when we took trips with the kids and it really helps you remember the trip. I'm more of a picture type of gal so hopefully together we can put something together that is interesting to read.