April 2010 ABD Backstage Magic : California Here We Come!!!

[tmli]

Are we going anywhere with a dress code? Or is everywhere we are going park casual?

Just trying to figure out what it is we need to bring!!

 

[corky441]

Are we going anywhere with a dress code? Or is everywhere we are going park casual?

Just trying to figure out what it is we need to bring!!

To the best of my knowledge, the official dining with the ABD tour that is booked is all park casual.
That said, I'm sure my husband & I will dress up a bit more for our first dinner in Hollywood, meaning dress slacks and a collared shirt for him and weather permitting a sundress for me - or dress pants and a blouse. Other than that night I think park casual will be the norm for us.
Of course, if you have dinner plans for Napa Rose, Steakhouse 55, etc - you might want less casual attire.

I'm also hoping that we have some time between our afternoon and evening activities - I, for one, like to shower and change before dinner.

 

[stenogoddess]

yeah katherine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dodie]

I am now on cloud 9!
I got a babysitter at 8:30 tonight!
Let the party begin!!

Guess John will not have much of a wardrobe!

Glad everything worked out for you and John!!! See you in a few weeks.

Thank goodness! It wouldn't have been the same without Katherine!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Hi Jennifer,
I totally understand what you are going through. Years ago, as a mother of 3 small children I had won a trip to Hawaii with a company that I worked for. While my husband (Tardis 1029) could not go as he had to work - I was faced with a challenge of who was going to watch my children, 3 was not the magic number for others so I split up the kids - the 2 girls ( 8 and 6 )went to my aunt ( who lived 100 miles away from me ) and my 1 year old son when to his Godmothers for the week. The kids had a great time and I had peace of mind. However, it did cost me more in "gifts" but it was so worth it. Sometimes the bumps in the road makes the journey more enjoyable!
Good Luck -and I'll keep good thoughts for you. - Micki

It is hard to burden someone with three kids. To me, it is asking a lot of someone if they aren't being paid. That is why we are going the Nanny route for this trip. Luckily, my Mom has confirmed she can stay with the kids in the evenings when she gets home from work. So, the nanny will just have to take our 9 and 7 year old to school and entertain our four year old all day. It should be an easy job for someone. I have three interviews now scheduled for Saturday. I plan to meet the candidates at the Starbucks up the street. If the interviews goes well, then I plan to have them come to our home and meet the kids. I probably should have started this process sooner. I kept dragging my feet, hoping something else would work out. Thank you for your support and good wishes.

Fingers crossed, we will be doing a "Katherine" happy dance soon. I know that was a big relief to get those boys taken care of.

Jennifer

 

[Tonya2426]

Guess who just booked her flights!!!!

The prices have dropped to half over the last 2 weeks and so I booked them!!! Now I just need to see if I can get some 1st class upgrades with my miles.

 

[katscradle]

Thanks everyone, it would have been so depressing to stay at home with the boys, but I would have done it if I had too. However I would have insisted John go as there would have been no point in us both missing out.
I am very glad it has worked out. This seems to be a patteren in my life give up and it works out!
I got to say I am still on cloud #9 and doing my happy dance all day today!
Jen & Bill I am sure you will find someone!
I am hoping it will be easy for you as you will not need someone 24/7 for all 3 children. It's nice that you have your mom to watch them in the evenings.
I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Now on the wardobe issue. My GF was telling me today to just buy him a bunch of disposable clothes so I could just throw them out as he uses them. Somehow I don't think this idea will go over very well. What am I saying it will land like a ton of bricks on the floor.
Now for luggage well they did change the rules on air canada, so it is 1 suitcase each and 1 carry-on each. So I am thinking I will drag out the suitcase in the next week and start asscessing the situation.
Wonder what the temps are like in California at that time of year. Think I will do some reserch over the weekend!
Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Love ya!

 

[katscradle]

Guess who just booked her flights!!!!

The prices have dropped to half over the last 2 weeks and so I booked them!!! Now I just need to see if I can get some 1st class upgrades with my miles.

Time to party!

 

[spokanemom]

I took my son to get his haircut and just got home. There was a box on my doorstep, my heart started to beat just a little faster, my eyes got bigger, and as I approached the box I saw that it was from.....





















woot.


I am excited to get the stuff I ordered from them, but it is not what I was really hoping for!

 

[columnwest]

We changed our flights as well. We were originally scheduled out of Buffalo with Southwest, but decided to check out Air Canada from Toronto when we saw the great fare John and Kathryn got. We ended up cancelling Southwest and using airmiles for one ticket and buying the second. Now we are flying direct, are departing closer from home and get seatback entertainment on the flight!! An important feature when stuck on a plane for 5 hours.

Keep in mind that the draconian Canada-to-US carry-on restrictions are still in place. Generally in the US you're allowed one carry-on (which could be anything up to a small suitcase) PLUS one "personal item" which could be a briefcase or a laptop bag or a purse, etc. to take on board.

Not so in Canada (at least on flights to the US). Here, your briefcase or laptop bag counts AS your one carry-on. "Small" purses still get counted as a "personal item" though. And, if your laptop is in a sleeve, not a bluky bag, then you can get by. Otherwise, you're screwed. The Canadian TSA site has more details: http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/Page.aspx?ID=78&pname=carryonbaggage_bagagedecabine&lang=en

 

[corky441]

OK - so some things are better left unknown . . .

Double-double w/ onions = 670 calories, 41g fat, 120mg cholesterol

Vanilla milkshake = 680 calories, 37g fat, 90mg cholesterol

Fries = 400 calories, 18g fat, 0 cholesterol

Maybe we should all walk to Disneyland from Hollywood - carrying our luggage

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

OK - so some things are better left unknown . . .

Double-double w/ onions = 670 calories, 41g fat, 120mg cholesterol

Vanilla milkshake = 680 calories, 37g fat, 90mg cholesterol

Fries = 400 calories, 18g fat, 0 cholesterol

Maybe we should all walk to Disneyland from Hollywood - carrying our luggage

But the Double Double has lettuce and tomatoes on it...those are vegetables...that has to counteract some of the bad stuff, right??

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

But the Double Double has lettuce and tomatoes on it...those are vegetables...that has to counteract some of the bad stuff, right??

I like that thinking!

Jennifer

 

[DisneyKevin]

Check your email.

Nuff said.

 

[DisneyTaylors]

But the Double Double has lettuce and tomatoes on it...those are vegetables...that has to counteract some of the bad stuff, right??

And don't forget the benefit you reap from the tomoatoes in the ketchup that you inevitably add to those fries!

- Bill

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

And don't forget the benefit you reap from the tomoatoes in the ketchup that you inevitably add to those fries!

- Bill

And the special sauce...they don't call it special for nothing.

 

[Dodie]

Ahem. Just a reminder...

CALORIES DO NOT COUNT WHEN YOU'RE ON VACATION!

Come on people. That fact is fundamental and universally accepted.

 

[Tonya2426]

Check your email.

Nuff said.

I've got some serious thinkin' to do to figure out my list.

 

[Tonya2426]

OK - so some things are better left unknown . . .

Double-double w/ onions = 670 calories, 41g fat, 120mg cholesterol

Vanilla milkshake = 680 calories, 37g fat, 90mg cholesterol

Fries = 400 calories, 18g fat, 0 cholesterol

Maybe we should all walk to Disneyland from Hollywood - carrying our luggage

Okay, Marilee is officially banned from the In-N-Out trip - she is a burger buzz kill!!!

 

[kab407]

Check your email.

Nuff said.