Amy's New Start : Comments Welcome!

Happy Birthday to your DS!!! :bday: I can't believe that he is 16 already!:eek: Where has the time gone?

Your trip is sooooo close!!! I am so excited for you!:banana: Have you been able to retrieve your ADRs online yet? Mine didn't show up before our September trip either so my first stop after checking in at POP was concierge to get that list!:thumbsup2

I hope you have a nice weekend, my friend!:hug:
 
Tracy, I do not know where time goes! I feel like my ds should be about 8 or 9 not 16! It just goes too fast.

Lisa: I never could get my ADR's to come up. But as you are about to read, it doesn't matter anymore I suppose.

I have not had a good week and today was more than just the icing on that cake. Woke up this morning, all set to get stuff done, enjoy a lovely fall day, came downstairs, smelled a very funky smell from what appeared to be the basement and then heard dh from the basement (who had smelled the same smell and went down to investigate) let out a stream of not so nice words. The basement was flooded. Carpet soaked, walls wet, it was a steambath down there because it was coming from the hot water heater. It had sprung a leak in the night and gallons upon gallons of hot water had gone everywhere. We started sucking up the water with our steam vacs but knew pretty quick this was out of our league. Got the hot water shut off at least but of course its a 50 gallon tank and had a long way to go before it was drained. Called our home warranty company, waited for 45 minutes but they got a plumber out, then we called a water restoration company. They had to rip up the carpet, the pad is shot, the wood sub flooring is soaked through, and they pulled everything up and out, sucked up more water, and have these enormous fans going and will have to disinfect everything to keep mold from coming up plus put in new carpet and pad. Over $3000 worth of damage which homeowners will cover but for some dumb reason we have a $1000 deductible.

I must say, this has been a lousy week. Very lousy.

I also must say, this could have been worse. We could have been gone already and who knows how much more horrible this could have been. It could not have been going on for long because I was down there yesterday and for sure would have noticed.


It was not a pretty sight between Dan and me since both of us were pretty much going postal with each other. We are down there in the basement, in our pj's sucking up water as its gushing out of this water heater in a freezing cold basement (thew open the windows on a very cold morning to air out the steam and humidity). At one point we decided to bag the trip, we are jinxed then he's not wanting to cancel, I am, blah, blah, blah. All while Daisy sits on the bed watching us with this "wth is with these people" look on her face! It finally just got funny. The heater finally drained, we got a lot of it sucked up, the water people came and ripped up the stuff and got the fans blowing, we pigged out on Burger King, and finally called Disney to see what they could for us on a downgrade. Free Dining is still available for the values, and by switching to that we will save a total of about $900. So no CBR or full serve for us. But in light of this whole mess and this whole week, we feel very lucky.

I swear, this past 18 months has been one thing after another. We've had a tornado, a death in the family, a lay off and now a flood. I am ready for a break from the unexpected!

I cancelled all my ADR's and am trying to get excited for All Star Music which I love but was so excited for CBR. Oh well, it will be there for another trip. And somehow a pin had appeared in assoication for my name so we don't have to have a room only the first night so now we have one reservation with free dining the whole time. So that was good news.

If a plague of locusts decends upon me in the night, I'll let you know!:rotfl:

Time to edit my signature.:sad1:

Later...

I am getting more depressed about all of this. I actually couldn't care less about the dining, its the resort. Love ASMU but have to say, I am so sad about CBR. This has been the weirdest trip. So many changes, I just can't help but wonder if I had a feeling all along we maybe shouldn't go or what the deal is. I have NEVER changed my resort like this. Last trip I changed last minute when they extended discounts into our week and got to upgrade, which I must say was wayyyy more fun than this. Sometimes doing the "right" thing is not a lot of fun.

I probably just need to sleep, its after midnight, I have been up since 5:00 and the smell of my house is making me ill. And dd is at a sleepover which means Daisy is in my bed (dog is so spoiled she can't sleep alone) snoring. And Dan is very heartbroken and I think mad at me for being Miss Responsible. :sad2:
 
I feel better! I was up late but once I got tired I slept very well and I woke up feeling refreshed and so much better. We love All Star Music and in the end, we are so lucky. I am excited for the whole trip, and with QSDP we get two snack credits per person and that will be so nice with the Food and Wine booths.

I guess the shock of this whole thing got to me yesterday.

Dan and I will start up the clean up process, we used every towel and rag we own with cleaning up and since we didn't get hot water until pretty late I didn't get a start on the clean up. I also need to pack. And make a birthday cake for my sister.

I lost two pounds this week so I am happy about that. Don't think I'll make my 20 pound goal but I will at least be back at the 15 I was the last time we went to WDW. Which is something!

I'll have to watch it today, pizza, queso and cake. Oh my.:rolleyes:
 
Oh Amy!

I am sending a gentle :hug: and lots of prayers and :wizard::wizard: your way. I am so sorry to hear about your hot water tank and all of the damage it caused. :( I hope everything is back to normal for you soon. :wizard:

I'm glad that you're feeling better about ASMU. :hug: You are going to have a WONDERFUL time and the best part is that you'll have all of those snack credits for the Food and Wine Festival booths. Yummy!:love:

Great job on losing 2 pounds!!!:cheer2:

I hope today has been a much better day for you, WISH sis. :hug: Just think...In a couple of days, you'll be in Disney!:cloud9:

Have a nice evening!:hug:
 

:hug::hug::hug: I know how much you wanted CBR, but as you said, you love ASMU. and I know why now. It's a great resort! :thumbsup2 I'm glad Disney was able to help you with the change. :hug:

WOW!!!!!!! Amazing about the water heater. In the south, most people put their's in the attic. :confused3 Ours was like that in our old house and putting in a new one was a real pain, so in our new house one is in the garage and one in our bathroom. I always had visions of something going wrong and having a huge downpour of water coming from the attic. At least you have the home warranty to help. Very smart of you to have. ::yes::

and last but not least......:woohoo::woohoo: for losing the two pounds!!! :woohoo::woohoo: Just think of all the walking your are going to get in at Disney. :goodvibes
 
Thanks Lisa and Tracy. You guys always give very nice shoulders to cry on! Lisa, I did want CBR, I love the moderates but have to say, All Star Music is a great resort. So its not exactly a tragedy to be staying there!

Guys just left for the latest round of clean up. The stuff they used to day smells like rotten eggs but if keeps mold from forming, its worth it. They'll be back on Wednesday and please say a prayer they can get the fans and humidstat thing out of there so that the rest can be done when we get back. I just don't want to be in Florida worrying about having them in here and wondering how Daisy will react to strangers here when I am not. For sure the new carpet, new pad, and wall repair can and will wait until we get back.

My food was pretty lousy yesterday but today has been good. I have pretty much given up hopes of getting to the gym before we leave. Today I had to wait around for the flood repair guys and now I am still waiting on a carpet guy who gave me a nice narrow window of 8 hours of when he'd be by. Tomorrow I have to wait for the insurance adjustor to come out and Wednesdsay the flood guys will be back and said it would take several hours at least. So much for getting to my goal, between the stress and appointments its not happening.

Thanks for stopping by and the support!
 
:hug: I do hope you get everything done you need to before you leave. :hug: All of this from one appliance. :sad2:
 
:hug: I do hope you get everything done you need to before you leave. :hug: All of this from one appliance. :sad2:

Ain't it the truth! And the area affected is probably only a couple of hundred square feet. Can't even imagine people who have their whole homes flooded.:sad2:

I did not get as much done today as I needed to but then again, the day isn't over yet!

I had Wendy's for lunch but will probably just have something really light for dinner. I was out running errands and was so hungry and one was right there. My bad but it sure tasted good!

I can't not believe that 48 hours from now I'll be about to get in line for Fantasmic!:yay:

I should also mention I had my sister up Sunday for her birthday. She is really doing well. For the last few years, she has been in such a rut, very much a hermit, not getting out, always living in a mess. Well I am happy to say that on Sunday she mentioned three times in the past couple of weeks she got together with a friend. Her complex has a lot of single women near her age, most of them have dogs so she's gotten to know them on her walks with her dog Sam. Its so nice to hear something positive about her life. I hope it lasts, she's gotten her life together before only to slide back down but things look very good right now. Makes all the blood, sweat, tears and $$$ of the last two months worth it!

I guess maybe I should go pack. Instead of sitting here doing this::surfweb:!
 
Amy, I am so happy to hear that your Dsis is doing so well. Has she had any problems with the wildlife coming around?

:yay: for Disney! Y'all are flying? Yes? That morning I assume? I have been doing that to my family. 5 weeks from today we will be in AK, etc. DH is like, "do we have to hear this for the next month?" Ummmmm, YES! ::yes:: :rotfl2:
 
Yes Lisa, we are flying. I hate to fly but I'll do it for WDW! Of course in between saying " x amount of time and we'll be at this Disney park" I am now having to say "two weeks from now we'll be home!" I torture myself one way or the other.

I had a horrible day with food. And in spite of a very busy day tomorrow, I am going to the gym. I cancelled my coffee with my Alzheimers Support friends, I just can't fit that in, working out and the two appointments for the flood damage. Something had to go, so coffee was it. I need to work out no excuses.
 
Amy, did you get to work out today? i hope so, will help relieve the excitement some.
I care for flying at all, but like you, I will do it for Disney. Sometimes we have to fly up North and change plans, I really don't care for that.

Is all the flood stuff getting taken care of? Please don't worry about it too much on your trip.

I am sure that you are super busy, but have an awesome time! :goodvibes
 
Thanks Lisa, I try very hard to never have to change planes!

So I am just about ready, just finishing up cleaning the house. I have this need to leave my house immaculate when we travel. Partly its nice to come home to a very clean house and partly because I am anal! So today I have been scrubbing bathrooms, washing windows, bedding, blinds you name it. I even gave Daisy a good teeth cleaning and brushed her up! Tried to brush Shelby's teeth but she let me know in no uncertain terms that was not happening!

The basement is not dried out yet. They will pick up the equipment on Friday, my friend will come over to let them in. They said they could do a lockbox but with the dogs and the fact I am so far away, I just decided this was best. Also found out the carpet is not salvageable. Too much hot water, it destroyed the backing and also the stain from my grandmother's dresser legs that bled into the carept when it got wet, will not come out. They have agreed to do the whole basement, the water got into the family room area just enough to destroy that too. And they'll do the stairs which is nice since they are not even damaged. All of this will obviously have to wait until we get back. I'll have to pack up that whole basement, all my Disney collectibles are down there so that will be loads of fun. Oh well, I'll worry about that when I get home!

Got my boarding passes printed up, ds loaded the suitcases into the car and just the last few things to do. I can't believe we leave in less than 10 hours!

I will check in while I am gone, Dan has to work of course. Someday, I hope to take a vacation where my husband is on vacation too!
 
I hear you on the immaculate cleaning before WDW!:thumbsup2 I always want the house to be spotless when we leave. Of course, I'm usually running around and cleaning at the last minute so that makes our departure time late as well. :blush:

I hope you have a WONDERFUL, fun and relaxing trip!!! Safe travels to you all!:grouphug:
 
Hope you're having a WONDERFUL time in the world!!! :cloud9: Don't forget to have a drink in Epcot for me! ;)
 
Hope you are having a wonderful time! I think it snowed around your area in the last couple of days. Sunny FL......how great is that!

Sorry to hear about your water problem. I'm still in the midst of my cleanup!
 
Thanks Ladies, we are here and having a wonderful time. The resort is lovely, the weather has been perfect and very warm and we have really enjoyed the parks.

Only one problem. I logged into today to make sure Dan's paycheck went in and saw a very strange $830 charge on there from a tour company in Hong Kong. Somehow, someone has gotten a hold of our debit card number. Its Dan's (mine is on the same account but with a different card number) so somebody has gotten a hold of his card number. We called the bank right away (charge just happened today) and Dan is over at the desk faxing in a written dispute but they say it can take up to 90 days to get that off there.

Dan is convinced this has something to do with Garden Grocer. The last time we used them, a very similar thing happened with an international charge. I am not sure, but its a coincidence that is very strange. We had a lot of trouble with them and our order, so we will not be using them again for sure.

It just makes me sick and very angry this happened, its going to be very tough right now since we have this huge deductible that needs to be paid as soon as we get home from our flood. $830 on our checking account is a lot of money. I am so pissed that if I found out who did this, I'd be very okay with ripping their thoat out myself!

Time to head to Epcot for a big cocktail to cool off!

A
 
Oh Amy, when it rains, it pours! :hug: I can't believe this has happened. Makes me furious when this happens to innocent people. Who do these people think they are to steal this way. Are you going to contact Garden Grocer just to let them know what happened?

Glad you are having a great trip and that the weather is cooperating. I hope this doesn't ruin the rest of the trip for you. and I hope you felt better after visiting Epcot. :goodvibes
 
Oh Amy, :hug:

I am so sorry this happened to you! :( I am praying that this gets resolved in a quick and efficient manner for you. :hug: Are you going to call Garden Grocer and tell them what happened?

I'm glad to hear that you are having a wonderful time minus the bank card incident. Did the drink in Epcot help any? ;) I could use one or two myself! :thumbsup2

Sending a :hug: and prayers your way...I hope everything works out with your bank and that you enjoy the rest of your time in Disney!:wizard:
 
Thanks Lisa and Tracy. Praise the Lord the travel agency in Hong Kong put a credit on our account. Whoever did this got greedy and tried two more transactions (totalling about $1400) and that caused the TA to get suspicious and contact Visa. Who immediately cancelled Dan's card (why our bank didn't realize it was already cancelled is a mystery). Visa had a left a message on our home phone (now that my mom is gone, I don't check my home phone since everyone I know has my cell but I did after this mess) the day I checked our account saying to call them right away.

I didn't call Garden Grocer, not sure if I should. I have no proof, I just think its really weird that both times I have used them, this has happened.

I had transferred money from savings to cover any emergencies we had, and the sad fact is that I had enough money in there to cover those charges! Thankfully the TA in Hong Kong did the right thing, so I don't have to now wait up to 90 days for my bank to do the research. Big relief.

We had a great time, really enjoyed All Star Music, I may do a resort review, I took a bunch of pictures or I may not. I am so wiped out I can't think! I need to catch up with all of you but will probably do that tomorrow.

Happy Halloween!
 














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