Amy's New Start : Comments Welcome!

[Amy&Dan]

Oh man, poor dd was sick in the night up camping. I guess she barfed all over herself and her sleeping bag. They think its because she ate a hot link that didn't agree with her, but I think its the same flu bug Matthew and I had. I so hope everybody else doesn't get sick up there. At least this is a state park campground with a shower house and laundromat.

I did hear back from ds' friend's mom. She called her agent so I sent her the amounts. I was shocked when I added it all up, it was over $35,000. Yikes. She said the agent will want to call ds and get his version of events to see if they match up with his friend's. So this should be interesting. I really hope this doesn't turn into some "he said/he said" kind of thing. One thing about it, regardless of what this boy says, only one kid ended up hurt which should say quite a bit.

My out pocket is over $2,000 not counting prescription costs so if this insurance company pays that, I will be one happy camper. Keeping fingers crossed.

 

[eyor44]

Oh Amy, I am so happy that the mother called you. That is such a huge step. I really hope their insurance will help you out. Fingers crossed and a prayer being said.

Way to go on getting back to the work outs. I use the stairs at work a lot which is why I thought of them. Plus there is a lady at work who does 10 minutes on the stairs twice in one day if she knows that she will not be able to work out that evening.

I hope DD is okay. Poor thing, being sick and not in her own bed. Hopefully she doesn't have the bug, but....you are probably right.

I have never eaten at PF Changs either, but you make it sound so good. How wonderful that DS went with you.

How was your friend's birthday? I hope she had a great day.

 

[toystoryduo]

Your poor DD! I hope she is feeling much better today!

I'm glad that the boy's mom contacted you! I hope everything works out!

Any special plans for this weekend?

Have a great Friday!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Lisa and Tracy. I talked with the parent's insurance and a claim has been filed and an adjustor should be calling soon. I am very optimistic! I should have called the mom rather than email. She doesn't check email often apparently (which is why my email never did get answered). I am just such a chicken and didn't want to come off like some ambulance chasing, "I'm gonna sue you" kind of person. It was when Dan called and left her a message that our insurance would possibly be making a claim that she finally got in touch with us. Then a few days later checked email and emailed me back that she felt horrible that so much time had passed. All is well that ends well.

We had a busy weekend and life in general has been busy. The kids will be back in school in 3 weeks and I can't say I am sad. I miss my routine!

So I walked outside twice on Saturday and again today. I have a new route I set up with plenty of hills. Actually I have it spit into two routes, one that is around 38 minutes, the other that is one hour. I sweat so much on this one because its hilly. The fact its broiling hot also plays a part in that!

I went back to WW on Friday. I was up 5 pounds and was a bit sad but then again, it could have been much worse. We have had a weird, stressful spring and summer and since stress is my biggest draw to overeat, I came out better than I could have. I did well on Saturday, but horrible yesterday.

Today has been perfect and we are about to have Subway for dinner because I was gone all day. I left ds in charge of the house and he vacumed the whole house, cleaned all three bathrooms and got all the camping stuff put away. He wants money for our local amusement park which is probably going to happen because he's had a boring summer and I could use a day with him GONE!!!

I went up to my friend's today. Poor thing, single mom, works two jobs during the school year, raises two kids with no help from any family while her ex husband lives the good life in Dallas. While I was there, the scumbag called her to say "I am at the airport heading to Cancun for a week, I decided it was time for me to think about me". Naturally he forgot to send her the child support that is due this week so she begged him nicely to have a wire transfer done while he's gone. I feel so bad for her. And so lucky to have what I have. The kids both cried all afternoon saying to me and my friend "why doesn't daddy come to see us if he has money to go on vacation". Absolutely heartbreaking. I hope he gets Montezuma's Revenge the whole trip.

 

[eyor44]

Amy, sounds like you had a busy, but happy weekend. Insurance will hopefully work out. (fingers crossed and a prayer said). Your DS is such a nice DS to do all of that work. Yes, he wants something, but at least he did it all without being asked?

I'm glad you are back at WW and your are so right. It could have been way worse. You are one your way to being back on track. for you!

I really feel for your friend. Been there and hated it. Why oh why do people have to be such jerks, especially when it is their own kids involved. I really hate it when people treat kids that way. Of course I'm sure he'll say she shouldn't have let them know about his trip, but why should she protect him. Sorry, I am off on my soapbox.....but some people.....

Great job on your walks and I hope this sweltering weather lessens soon for all of us.

 

[toystoryduo]

I hope everything works out with the boy's parents' insurance.

Great job getting your walks in!!!

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's situation with her ex. I pray that things get better for your friend and her children soon!

I hope you're having a great week so far! How does Dan like his new job?

 

[Amy&Dan]

I really feel for your friend. Been there and hated it. Why oh why do people have to be such jerks, especially when it is their own kids involved. I really hate it when people treat kids that way. Of course I'm sure he'll say she shouldn't have let them know about his trip, but why should she protect him. Sorry, I am off on my soapbox.....but some people.....

Lisa the funny/sicko/mean thing about it was he called the kids and told them himself! She always has the kids call their dad every day and I guess her dd had called and left him a message. So he calls back and says "I am at the airport, I won't be able to talk to you for a week because I forgot my cell charger and I am going to Mexico". He went on and on to the kids about this all inclusive resort he was staying at on the beach, and all the fun stuff he would be doing. All while his kids have done basically NOTHING all summer. But move from the only house they have known into a small apartment, had to give their cat away, sell some of thei stuff on ebay because there's no room for it. Its sickening. I mean how cruel can he be? Then when my friend got on the phone that's when he finally realized he would be out of the country and didn't have his checkbook. Child support is due Friday, she wrote a hot check for rent and if he doesn't wire that money she's in trouble. I am telling you the guy is a sociopath. I came home and hugged Dan extra hard!

And speaking of Dan, he is taking my friend's kids to a lunch and movie on Saturday (this little guy needs a man to hang with) and I am taking her and me to lunch and to get pedicures. She needs some adult/pamering time and those kids need to do something fun. Ds even cleared his schedule so he can go too. These poor little kids are just victims of divorce and my friend tries so hard but its not easy for one person to do a job God intended TWO people to do.

Food has been good. I have also worked out four of the last five days! The scale is not showing much in the way of a loss but I am okay with that, sometimes when I hit things hard on the exercise front, I don't see results right away. The good news is that I feel really good and back on track.

Dd got her braces off, she looks beautiful!

I dropped her and a friend and ds and his friend off at the mall today. I just needed those kids out of the house for a few hours. Its been a long summer. I am now going to deep clean their bathroom and also some other stuff. Ds did a great job, but he's a 15 year old boy and lets just say, I need to go over a few spots!

I am sorry I am around so infrequently, I come on disboards and get engrossed in the threads about WDW, my trip is close! Tracy's is closer! Lisa is right behind me! Tracey is there!

And I am so, so SO happy the Main Street Electrical Parade is staying through the end of the year at least. Love that parade, love Spectro too, but this one is just so special. Seeing it on Main Street vs California Adventure will be very neat for us.

Okay, off to catch up with everybody, thanks for reading!

ETA: I did resist fast food today. Coming home from dropping the kids off at the mall, I was about to pull into McDonald's for a grilled chicken sandwich and small fry. Then realized that even a grilled chicken sandwich is high in points, probably high in sodium and small fries are still too much salt, fat and carbs. So I came home and had my healthy planned lunch. I am toying with setting a no fast food challenge to go up until our WDW trip. Problem is, we eat a lot of healthy take out too (Tokyo Joes Brown rice bowls, Chipotle burrito bols, Rumbii salads and subway). I guess I can just make it a no contraband fast food! I know full well what I can eat and what I can't.

 

[eyor44]

Amy, lots of good news from you also!

on the exercise and good food. And WAY TO GO on resisting MickyD's. I am very proud of you.

How wonderful that DD was able to get her braces off before school started. I'll bet she feels wonderful.

Yes, your trip is close. We totally understand the reading of all the threads with the trip so close. Been there and will do it again.

Amy, please give your friend an extra hug from me. I'm glad she has you and that your family is able to be there and support her and her children.

I hope you had a wonderful day today.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Lisa, I know you can relate a bit to what my friend is going through being a single mom. Its a hard road. She has one brother who helps her some but has his own life and worries and that's it. Her parents are dead and she's just sort of all alone. She was my best friend way back a 100 years ago in elementary school and I always remember she was the only kid I knew who had divorced parents. All those years ago, my mom was always putting her under our family's wing. She's had a rough life in many ways, but man what an awesome attitude on life she has. She amazes me.

On a similar note, I talked with my sister today, twice. She's as usual in a huge financial crisis. I listened the first time, made some suggestions the next time to which of course she basically pointed out how idiotic my thought process was. Whatever. She is coming this Sunday for lunch, and I need to remind the kids to not let it slip about WDW and DL trips we have coming up. She'll ask like she always does and then be irritated if we tell her. So I will tell the kids to say "I'm not sure". They aren't sure, if I asked them the exact dates of our trips, they'd have no idea. White lie that will save her the hurt she wouldn't be human to feel and will save me the aggravation of listening to her drone on about lucky we. The thing is, she has some options she refuses to even think about that in the entire family's opinion would help her life be much easier and help her to move on. I just need to rememeber I have options in life that would make my life easier (to lose weight of course) and I don't do the obvious either.

I was supposed to go out with a friend of mine tomorrow but she just emailed me and cancelled. She has cancelled about four times in a row, its understandable because she's been sick but long story short, its a bummer. I passed up an opportunity to do something I really wanted to do tomorrow and I wish she had called me earlier so I could have done this other thing. The good news is that will now give me more time to get stuff done that I need to get done and also work out which would have been about impossible. Something good comes of everything!

Tomorrow is weigh in and I am hopeful but will just have to see. Come what may, I have had a good week and am proud of getting back on track. Although I had a salty lunch today which is probably going to park itself in my system for a few days! I never seem to learn!

 

[eyor44]

Amy, sounds like you had a good day. Hope your visit with your sis goes well this weekend. I think you are wise to just not tell her about your trip. Sometimes it just works best that way. Sorry you don't get to visit with your friend. I hope she feels better soon.

for WW. I think you are going to do very well this week. Keep on moving. .......

 

[Amy&Dan]

I didn't weigh in today. I spent a great deal of time on the phone with my friend. Her ex husband did not get the money wired and her rent check bounced. She's really in a rough spot. I feel so helpless. The good news is that her ex is having a wonderful time in Mexico and went scuba diving today (he calls with daily updates on his trip). Where is a great white shark when you need one? I am telling you, I lose all sense of being Christian with people like that.

I switched our reservation to Pop Century with QSDP today. It will save us $1100 plus the gratuities we would have had with all those full meals. I can't believe all the time I waited for free dining and how long we have wanting to be back at CSR and I got both and let it go! But I feel in my heart of heart this is the right move. We have had a lot of stuff go down financially in the past year, Dan's dad's illness and death, employment issues and lay off, ds' surgery and even though we can afford it, we should put money into savings and be careful. Its so easy to say "we made it" and go on our happy way, but anything can happen and I am frankly nervous and skittish about life in general right now. This felt good and the extra savings can be put away and I can also spare a bit to help my friend with her rent.

The kids were fine with this, its funny we watched a Dateline episode about poverty in America tonight and it just made us realize how lucky we are. And also dd said quietly "can you imagine how Josh and Emily (my friend's two kids) would be in awe if they got to go to Pop Century for ten nights"? Truer words were never spoken.

So I cancelled all my adr's except Sci Fi and have to say, in many ways I won't miss running around to all those ADR's for ten days!

Food today was a bit spotty, but I came in on target with points. No exercise, but that's okay. I worked out my five days this past week and made my goal in that department.

So check out my new ticker, I think that thing has been changed three times now!

 

[DisDee]

Amy, I had to chuckle when I saw you changed your ressie again! You're just like me and I understand why you made that decision. You're very sweet to help your friend out! I hear what you're saying about the future too. I told DH that after this trip we need to make a better plan for the future. We very well know that each day can hold surprises-some wonderful and others not so good.

Enjoy your time that you spend with your friend and her kids this weekend.

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Amy,

I am so sorry for what your friend is going through right now. Sending a prayer for her and for her kids as well. I hope things work out for her soon!

Woohoo for Pop Century! I completely understand why you changed your ressies, Amy. Where will you be having your QS meals?

I hope you have a nice weekend!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks ladies. I knew you'd get a kick out of yet another change to my resort! I thought about not saying anything to see how long it took my Wish buddies to say "um what the heck have you done now?".

Denise, I am telling you, the last year has really taught me that you have to prepare for those rainy days because they happen whether you are prepared or not. And honestly, when I see my friend's and my sister's lives, its almost gross to even think this resort change is some sort of big deal or sacrifice. Not paying the heating bill in the dead of winter so you can feed your kids is a sacrifice and big deal. This, well not even close!

I do have to say, in the middle of the night when my mind just wouldn't allow me to sleep, I had a bit of a pity party about CSR. I love Pop and actually don't find the rooms at a value vs. a mod that much different. I just love all the quiet areas in the mods and the kids love that main pool. But then when I woke up this morning it didn't matter. Why is it the things that just make us so sad and worried in the middle of the night never seem bad when the sun is shining?

Tracy, we'll have a lot of our qs meals at Epcot and the Pop food court. And Dan is very happy to have two snack credits per day for the Food and Wine booths. We love to sample all those goodies and as I understand it, most of them do count as a snack credit. I am also sure we'll eat at Wolfgang Puck Express at least once and Columbia Harbor House a time or two as well. We did the QSDP in March and loved it (and we had to pay for it that time).

Today I am taking my friend out to lunch and Dan is taking the kids out for pizza and a movie. I know I won't do great but that's okay. Then tomorrow my sister comes up for lunch. Her older dog died and her younger dog (who is my beagle Daisy's brother) has been so heartbroken. So some time with his sister out running around in the yard will be good for him! I hope its nice so they can be outside, Sam (beagle brother) has about the worst potty habits of any dog I have ever known. Time to make sure the carpet cleaner is handy! Anyway, tomorrow I'll have Dan grill turkey burgers and maybe make a veggie tray and get a watermelon. I can't have two bad days in a row foodwise. Weekends!

 

[eyor44]

Oh Amy, I do hope you had a good day with your friend today. You are a true friend to be there for her and try to help her. Great white sharks... I have had a couple of those thoughts over the years. Wonder if he is on the Gulf side, you know the oil spill and all....just saying that stuff can make people sick if they swim in it....


Good job being thoughtful of your food. Eating pizza isn't that bad, just when you eat a lot of slices like I do sometimes.

I totally understand making the switch to Pop and building up the savings a bit. You have just been through a rough several months. If you want some quiet there, just take a walk towards the back and the bridge that leads to the new section. It used to be quiet back there..

 

[Amy&Dan]

We had a great time with my friend yesterday. She and I went out for Mexican food for lunch and were able to sit outside on their patio and have a couple of beers and a long talk. Dan took the kids out for pizza and min golf. It was a fun day and Dan said we need to do that at least once a month, that little boy needs an adult male to take an interest him and frankly so does the little girl. Both of them just idolize Matthew and Maria so its just good all the way around. I just wish she lived closer (she's about 35 miles away).

Okay, you girls are going to laugh at me for this. I changed my reservation again!

There must be some sort of support board for people like me.

So here is the new deal:
One night at Pop Century
9 nights at CBR in a standard view room.

I want to save money which this does, but I want to stay at a moderate! That last stay at POR just had me hooked and while I love the values, as the kids have gotten older they aren't as good of a fit as they used to be. We will still keep our first night to Pop, I love the resort and then we can just hop over to CBR for the free dining portion of our reservation.

All told, this switch back to a mod over Pop is costing us $550 when you figure in we would have had to pay for a frig (which we can't do without becase we like our cold water to take to the parks).

I feel like this is the best option and compromise. We are saving quite a bit over that original reservation, because we aren't in a waterview room (that was all CSR had)but still in a moderate. If I change again, somebody do an intervention!

Funny thing is, guess where my very first reservation was when I booked this trip? CBR. Talk about a long and winding road.

ETA: Just weighed in and even with a very bad food day, the scale held steady. I am making a very healthy dinner today when my sister comes and I am hoping I can take a walk this evening when it cools down. I need to get the week off to good start!

 

[toystoryduo]

I'm glad that you and your friend had a nice time this past weekend. That was really nice of Dan to take the kids for pizza and mini golf! I bet everyone had a great time!

Woohoo on the reservations!! The way I see it, it's more of a modification than a change. You're still staying at POP, you just added a few days at CBR. Do you get the regular free dining now? Do you still have your ADRs from before or do you have to re-schedule those?

Way to go on the scale holding steady!

I don't know if I mentioned this in my journal or not, but the girls and I are doing Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds 6 week program. It's from her book, Walk Away the Pounds, and it has us walking in different mile increments each day. Plus, she gradually has you add in other health benefits along the way. (i.e. vitamins, water, strength training, e.t.c) We're in week 2 and it's a great program so far! We're hoping that it will help us get in shape for all of the walking we'll do in WDW! :

I hope you have a great day today!

 

[eyor44]

Oh Amy..... just kidding! when I logged I was like "something is different"...... you are too funny. Back to CBR, I think you wanted to stay there all along. Have you ever stayed there before? My DSIL loves it and that is the only place she will stay.

I am so glad you were able to spend time with your friend. and that Dan realizes that the kids need him. How wonderful he is to help your friend also. You have a great family! I sincerely pray things work out better for her soon.

So, since you are back at a Mod that means you are back to the regular dining, are you adding some TS meals back in? or just going to wing it?

Can't wait for the next update.....

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Lisa and Tracy. I never did cancel my old ADR's, but basically I have changed most everythin anyway! Its funny, several things I couldn't get way back I was able to get over the weekend. Fate WANTS me to do the regular dining plan obviously!

Here is what we have:
Sci Fi
Prime Time
Coral Reef
Yak and Yeti
Tony's
Liberty Tree Tavern
Chef Mickey's (cannot believe I got that one this late in the game)
Wolfgang Puck Cafe
Les Chefs de France

I am done playing around with these, its crazy how many times we have changed our plans! I decided to keep all of our ADR's in the parks, DTD or on the monorail. The last few times we have done the DDP, we have hopped all over WDW and its taken up so much time. Since we don't rent a car, its just easier to stay in the parks. I'll miss some of the ones we usually do (namely Boma) but want it to be easy! I also have to say, it was nice to go where we want. The food is "free" relatively speaking so we don't have to go to place so we can feel like we are getting a good deal. Yak and Yeti, Chefs de France and LTT and Tony's are all either brand new or we are doing meals (lunch at LTT and Tony's) we have not done before because we generally go for dinners not lunches. I haven't been to LTT since the night we ate there with Dan's dad back in 2006. It will bring back some great memories, doubly so because we ate there with my mom in 2005 and she loved that place.

I am really psyched for our one night at Pop Century, I can't wait to see the newly redone rooms and I am also very happy with the whole CBR thing. I know we should have been smarter but I feel like all things considered this is a good compromise.

I have to say, my new start at Weight Watchers has not been my best effort. I am struggling with food (better the last two days) and I doubt the scale will show much of a loss. But I am going come what may. I guess a new start to my fresh start isn't the end of the world is it?

Today I really cranked up my workout. For too long I have been working out, but not sweating enough. So today I did 60 minutes of intense cardio, including 15 minutes of "random" on the bike and 20 minutes of a 6% incline on the treadmill. I can proudly say I sweated like a pig! I haven't sweat that much since the days when I did step aerobics. Which I love but my knees won't allow until I lose a substantial amount of weight.

I also walked and biked yesterday but was having troubles with my right calf in the back. Today I made sure I stretched more and it helped.

I would like to ask for prayers and good thoughts for my friend Mark. He has been out of work for over a year, his wife for over 18 months and he submitted an application today that is picture perfect for his background and qualifications (he's in a very specialized field). This just NEEDS to work out, this family deserves some good luck. I am so hopeful and just pray this is "the one" for him!

Lisa: I have stayed at CBR, its been four years (pre refurb to the Nemo and pirate theme) and I am excited to be back!

Tracy: Dan feels like if he can be a postive role model for those two little kids maybe it will make a difference. Sadly, the only role model they have is their loser of a dad and an uncle who is just not able to be around for them too often. He had as much fun playing mini golf as they did!

 

[eyor44]

Excellant workouts Amy! You have done wonderful. You realize with all of this exercising you have been doing, you are going to leave your family in the dust at WDW. You have really built up your stamina.

Are you staying in one of the "themed" rooms at CBR? I'm wondering if they are that muched themed to make it worth the price difference.

I love your ADR list and glad you kept it.

I have added Mark to my prayers.