August 13, 2011 Med - Mickey's Marauding Mates

[Anal Annie]

Hey there peeps!

Kels Sem - when do you go to Legoland? We have never been to one but I have an old friend from high school that I reconnected with on FaceBook who's son won a contest for a JOB at the one in San Diego, CA!!! Isn't that wild? He had to build something on the spot to win - it was apparently quite an intense day-long project. I guess it's sort of an engineering type of design / building job. And so then when is your trip to WDW?? This summer?? We will be going down there in about 12 days and I am anxious to pack...but FL has had much cooler than average weather for months now...easily 10 degrees cooler than what they're supposed to be!! The whole US has had a really WEIRD weather pattern for months & months. Anyway, I would normally start ironing stuff to pack by now but want to get closer for hopefully a more accurate weather forecast. When we go it is SUPPOSED to be about 80-81 degrees F but they've been lucky lately to even hit 73. I am cold at anything below 75!! That is my cutoff temp for shorts & swimming!! Nevermind that I force DS to do summer swim team which starts at the end of May and our pool where he swims is not heated...and so here in the NE / Mid-Atlantic the water is FREEZING cold. Poor child is BLUE and cold to the BONE after an hour & 1/2 of practice (every morning from 7:30-9:00)!! He doesn't mind indoor swim practice during the winter but during the summer HE HATES ME!!!

I have been hard at work on the website this weekend...adding a lot of info. & links to the port pages. Still a long way to go but it's taking shape (I think). SOO much info. to dig through. I am glad to see the link is still there. I wonder what happened to the link before. Very weird indeed.
(Think of erie music playing in the background...)

 

[Kels Sem]

Hey there peeps!

Kels Sem - when do you go to Legoland? We have never been to one but I have an old friend from high school that I reconnected with on FaceBook who's son won a contest for a JOB at the one in San Diego, CA!!! Isn't that wild? He had to build something on the spot to win - it was apparently quite an intense day-long project. I guess it's sort of an engineering type of design / building job. And so then when is your trip to WDW?? This summer?? We will be going down there in about 12 days and I am anxious to pack...but FL has had much cooler than average weather for months now...easily 10 degrees cooler than what they're supposed to be!! The whole US has had a really WEIRD weather pattern for months & months. Anyway, I would normally start ironing stuff to pack by now but want to get closer for hopefully a more accurate weather forecast. When we go it is SUPPOSED to be about 80-81 degrees F but they've been lucky lately to even hit 73. I am cold at anything below 75!! That is my cutoff temp for shorts & swimming!! Nevermind that I force DS to do summer swim team which starts at the end of May and our pool where he swims is not heated...and so here in the NE / Mid-Atlantic the water is FREEZING cold. Poor child is BLUE and cold to the BONE after an hour & 1/2 of practice (every morning from 7:30-9:00)!! He doesn't mind indoor swim practice during the winter but during the summer HE HATES ME!!!

I have been hard at work on the website this weekend...adding a lot of info. & links to the port pages. Still a long way to go but it's taking shape (I think). SOO much info. to dig through. I am glad to see the link is still there. I wonder what happened to the link before. Very weird indeed.
(Think of erie music playing in the background...)

Hey, We're off to Legoland in 13 days just for 4 days. We also intend to visit Windsor Castle for some culture ( this is were the Queen lives for part of the time)

We head over the pond on 26th June for 2 weeks I know it will be hot, humid, busy and wet but it sure as hell beats the weather here. The weather over here has been awful the last
number of summers especially as it has been cold and wet. I think I'd rather be hot & wet. I'm looking forward to getting a peek at the new Harry Potter World! I loved the books but it will be horrendously busy so not sure if i'm doing the right thing by going

We've also got a few other things that I'm looking forward to ie breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table (DD will be beside herself with excitement) and the Pirate & Pal Firework Voyage

I hope it warms up for your trip.

Kelly

 

[Anal Annie]

One day closer!! Only what? 513 days to go? Where IS everyone? Come talk to me!!

Oh, and Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

 

[Kels Sem]

Hey Anal Annie!

I have just been reading your packing tips on another thread. I had never heard of packing cubes before so I will have to investigate if you can buy them here. Also what is this wrinkles release stuff you are talking about? Are they sheets or powder or something? Where do you buy them from? I thought I might get some when I'm in Florida if it's that good. Have you got packed yet for your spring break trip? Not long to go now

Kelly

 

[Anal Annie]

Hey Anal Annie!

I have just been reading your packing tips on another thread. I had never heard of packing cubes before so I will have to investigate if you can buy them here. Also what is this wrinkles release stuff you are talking about? Are they sheets or powder or something? Where do you buy them from? I thought I might get some when I'm in Florida if it's that good. Have you got packed yet for your spring break trip? Not long to go now

Kelly

Look here for the packing cubes & folders - they are must haves!!
http://www.ebags.com/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=endecasearch&n=0&lastterm=packing+folders&Ntt=Packing+Folders&x=23&y=9 Maybe you could do an internet search for them in the UK?

Here in the U.S. Downey makes both liquid fabric softeners for the wash & dryer sheets along with other laundry products. The Wrinkle Release is a spray that you spray on your clothes rather than ironing. It works really good on cotton especially. It is really handy to get out packing wrinkles from stuff when it was previously ironed. (It can leave spots on like rayon & some silks.)

Downey Wrinkle Release:

http://www.downy.com/en-US/product/downy-wrinkle-releaser.jspx

This one has a little video:
http://www.downyez.com/

GREAT stuff - I keep a big one in our bedroom & have the travel size for traveling... If you can't find it to order it online look for it in Florida...I get mine at Target but I am sure you can find it in other places too in the travel products section. Works like a charm - I just spritz it on & smooth out my shirt or whatever & they're good to go!!

I have NOT started packing yet which is unusual for me - have you started? I am really waiting for next week to get a better long range weather forecast. FL this time of year should be about 80 degrees but it's been running in the upper 60's / lower 70's. I am chilly below 75 and will want more long sleeves & long pants if it remains cool. IDEALLY, I would like to be able to pack shorts & Tshirts - but I need it to be warmer than 75. I also want to be able to pack each of us in just carry-ons (YAY for packing cubes!) I KNOW I can get us in carry-ons only for the week if the weather warms up - but long pants & long sleeves take up more room & I will probably have to check 1 bag if it stays cool. The weather forecast is frustrating me. This week it has been nice here at home - 72ish (not sure what that is in celsius) which is FANTASTIC after this horrid winter we just had...but I want FL to be WARMER than home!! RIGHT NOW it is also 72 in Orlando. <heavy sigh>

Look at the weather.com website. Yesterday they had predicted a high of 72 but it only got to 64. http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/golf/monthly/USFL0372
Is there a big weather difference from where you live to where you're going or is it safe to say it's about the same? That would make packing easier I guess.

 

[Anal Annie]

Well, it is finally nice here in the D.C. area this week (warmer than average) so I started working outside a little bit today. Started mulching and covering some of my beds with landscape netting to keep the deer & bunnies out! Last year they ate off all of my tulips and none of them bloomed. They're coming up again this year but I have my doubts if they will bloom or not. They likely will not so I'll yank them out & replant next fall if they don't bloom. I also have a small pond that I shut down for the winter - I am going to drain & clean it tomorrow. That is a BIG job that I now HATE every spring! But I HAD to have that pond! DH was against it & a few years ago he finally broke down & said "if you can dig it you can have it"!! I think he didn't think I'd really dig it myself but I DID!! I started the very next day by buying some supplies! I didn't even have a plan for what to do with the dirt! Then 6 inches down I hit solid rock! Ended up taking me WEEKS to chop thru it with a pick axe. DH just stood & watched. Then we hit a streak of storms every day - really BIG ones. I tried to keep it covered with tarps when I wasn't working on it but it still filled up with water!! Then I had to climb into this mud pit and bail it out before I could work. It really did turn into a nightmare. But I couldn't QUIT!! I did stop when I got to 18" deep. Anyway, I finally finished it and it's given us a lot of enjoyment but it takes a lot more work to maintain than I ever imagined. So tomorrow is pond day. I have hip waders (boots) that I wear...I'm real sight! We go to FL in ONE WEEK! So I need to get it done.

 

[Kels Sem]

Look here for the packing cubes & folders - they are must haves!!
http://www.ebags.com/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=endecasearch&n=0&lastterm=packing+folders&Ntt=Packing+Folders&x=23&y=9 Maybe you could do an internet search for them in the UK?

Here in the U.S. Downey makes both liquid fabric softeners for the wash & dryer sheets along with other laundry products. The Wrinkle Release is a spray that you spray on your clothes rather than ironing. It works really good on cotton especially. It is really handy to get out packing wrinkles from stuff when it was previously ironed. (It can leave spots on like rayon & some silks.)

Downey Wrinkle Release:

http://www.downy.com/en-US/product/downy-wrinkle-releaser.jspx

This one has a little video:
http://www.downyez.com/

GREAT stuff - I keep a big one in our bedroom & have the travel size for traveling... If you can't find it to order it online look for it in Florida...I get mine at Target but I am sure you can find it in other places too in the travel products section. Works like a charm - I just spritz it on & smooth out my shirt or whatever & they're good to go!!

I have NOT started packing yet which is unusual for me - have you started? I am really waiting for next week to get a better long range weather forecast. FL this time of year should be about 80 degrees but it's been running in the upper 60's / lower 70's. I am chilly below 75 and will want more long sleeves & long pants if it remains cool. IDEALLY, I would like to be able to pack shorts & Tshirts - but I need it to be warmer than 75. I also want to be able to pack each of us in just carry-ons (YAY for packing cubes!) I KNOW I can get us in carry-ons only for the week if the weather warms up - but long pants & long sleeves take up more room & I will probably have to check 1 bag if it stays cool. The weather forecast is frustrating me. This week it has been nice here at home - 72ish (not sure what that is in celsius) which is FANTASTIC after this horrid winter we just had...but I want FL to be WARMER than home!! RIGHT NOW it is also 72 in Orlando. <heavy sigh>

Look at the weather.com website. Yesterday they had predicted a high of 72 but it only got to 64. http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/golf/monthly/USFL0372
Is there a big weather difference from where you live to where you're going or is it safe to say it's about the same? That would make packing easier I guess.

Thanks for the info. I will have to look out for the Downy Wrinkle Release when I'm in Florida.
It is safe to say that the weather in England will be about the same as were I live. It may be a degree or 2 warmer. I just hope in doesn't rain. There is nothing worse than tramping round when it's cold and wet. I won't pack until the day before we go. It's just a short trip so it shouldn't take too long..

Good luck with the pond

 

[Anal Annie]

Well peeps...I am pooped!! Oh my! Spring always does me in (workin' outside)! I am sooo sore but it was a fantastic weekend to work outside. Spent about 6 1/2 hours yesterday draining, cleaning & refilling the pond. WHEW! That is a buggger of a chore & I am glad it is done now. This afternoon I worked on my largest perennial bed (I have several). I left things in a mess in the fall so I first had to clean it up then mulch it. Then we have a bit of a problem around here with deer & bunnies coming by to snack...so I had to cover it with some landscape netting which is another fun activity. It is going to rain tonight and cool off to more seasonal temperatures for the rest of the week. And considering that I've not begun packing yet for our trip to FL I think the remaining flower beds will have to sit & wait on me for a couple more weeks. Ah well. Can't be helped. There's only so much time in a day.

So where's Veludo? Has she ditched us? Come on peeps! Talk to me! I look silly sitting out here all alone just narrating my boring life in order to keep the thread alive!! Come on! Group hug!!

 

[MRAven]

Well peeps...I am pooped!! Oh my! Spring always does me in (workin' outside)! I am sooo sore but it was a fantastic weekend to work outside. Spent about 6 1/2 hours yesterday draining, cleaning & refilling the pond. WHEW! That is a buggger of a chore & I am glad it is done now. This afternoon I worked on my largest perennial bed (I have several). I left things in a mess in the fall so I first had to clean it up then mulch it. Then we have a bit of a problem around here with deer & bunnies coming by to snack...so I had to cover it with some landscape netting which is another fun activity. It is going to rain tonight and cool off to more seasonal temperatures for the rest of the week. And considering that I've not begun packing yet for our trip to FL I think the remaining flower beds will have to sit & wait on me for a couple more weeks. Ah well. Can't be helped. There's only so much time in a day.

So where's Veludo? Has she ditched us? Come on peeps! Talk to me! I look silly sitting out here all alone just narrating my boring life in order to keep the thread alive!! Come on! Group hug!!

My gosh A Anie, you must have a large lawn or landscape around your house. Deers, rabits, morounding around your !

Anyway, remember if it gives you pleasure it's not work, it's work when you get paid to do it !

Personaly I would still be tired of the snow shoveling; but I do live in an apartment.

 

[Anal Annie]

It only SOUNDS like we have big yard!! We live in the Washington, D.C. suburbs where the cost of living (land) is very high so we actually have a small yard - just a little under 1/4 acre. So not big at all. I just do a lot of gardening on our little plot of land. DH has warned me tho that if I dig 1 more hole, plant 1 more tree or make one more bed that he has to mow around that I have to start doing the mowing. So I have held off adding anything else...but I DO have another tree that I propagated from a cutting from one of my trees...I made the mistake of planting it near the original, in the same bed, just to keep it safe from DH's mower until it got bigger...once it got going & got to be a couple of feet high a neighbor dug it out (or at least THOUGHT he did) and took it to plant in his yard. Well, he apparently did not get ALL of the roots and it is growing back again!! The other day I mentioned digging it out & moving it over by the neighbors fence & he was like "then you're gonna start mowing"! I already do all of the mulching and gardening & shrub pruning...like I am asking TOO MUCH of him to MOW. His problem is that he is lazy & just wants a straight shot. He doesn't want to have to take that extra minute to go around something. We have about 9 trees now (but 2 are in 1 LARGE bed and 1 is incorporated into our patio... I have 1 large round perennial bed out in the yard and the others are located against the sides of the house so they're not really "in the way" but the stuff DOES grow & sort of spill out by the middle of the summer...

Well, we are in the final countdown to our trip and I am still not packed. I tried to get started yesterday... Well, I covered the bed with a zillion piles (for me: 3 pair of shorts, 2 pair of long pants that roll up & button in various stages + 3 pair of crops + 5 long sleeves & 5 short sleeves + 2 bathing suits a coverup, PJ's & undergarments then the same piles for DH). Then some extra shoes/sandals. It is not looking good for getting everything into just carryons. It is really CLOSE but not QUITE. It might fit GOING down but then there won't be 1 inch of space left to buy anything while we are there! The odds of THAT happening are like about ZERO!! No shopping at Disney World! Yeah. Right! I wish the forecast was a few degrees warmer...then I could drop some of the longer stuff out. I definitely need to weed through the piles & do some more consolidating.

 

[Kels Sem]

It only SOUNDS like we have big yard!! We live in the Washington, D.C. suburbs where the cost of living (land) is very high so we actually have a small yard - just a little under 1/4 acre. So not big at all. I just do a lot of gardening on our little plot of land. DH has warned me tho that if I dig 1 more hole, plant 1 more tree or make one more bed that he has to mow around that I have to start doing the mowing. So I have held off adding anything else...but I DO have another tree that I propagated from a cutting from one of my trees...I made the mistake of planting it near the original, in the same bed, just to keep it safe from DH's mower until it got bigger...once it got going & got to be a couple of feet high a neighbor dug it out (or at least THOUGHT he did) and took it to plant in his yard. Well, he apparently did not get ALL of the roots and it is growing back again!! The other day I mentioned digging it out & moving it over by the neighbors fence & he was like "then you're gonna start mowing"! I already do all of the mulching and gardening & shrub pruning...like I am asking TOO MUCH of him to MOW. His problem is that he is lazy & just wants a straight shot. He doesn't want to have to take that extra minute to go around something. We have about 9 trees now (but 2 are in 1 LARGE bed and 1 is incorporated into our patio... I have 1 large round perennial bed out in the yard and the others are located against the sides of the house so they're not really "in the way" but the stuff DOES grow & sort of spill out by the middle of the summer...

Well, we are in the final countdown to our trip and I am still not packed. I tried to get started yesterday... Well, I covered the bed with a zillion piles (for me: 3 pair of shorts, 2 pair of long pants that roll up & button in various stages + 3 pair of crops + 5 long sleeves & 5 short sleeves + 2 bathing suits a coverup, PJ's & undergarments then the same piles for DH). Then some extra shoes/sandals. It is not looking good for getting everything into just carryons. It is really CLOSE but not QUITE. It might fit GOING down but then there won't be 1 inch of space left to buy anything while we are there! The odds of THAT happening are like about ZERO!! No shopping at Disney World! Yeah. Right! I wish the forecast was a few degrees warmer...then I could drop some of the longer stuff out. I definitely need to weed through the piles & do some more consolidating.

I hate having to pack when I don't know what the weather will be like : At least I know were I'm going it will be cold! I haven't even thought about packing yet. Will do so the day before we go.
I've ordered some of those packing cubes to try. DH travels every week with work so I will try them out on him

Happy packing

Kelly

 

[Anal Annie]

Oh where is that smiley that's nervously biting his nails?! Now I am going to sweat bullets to see if you like the packing cubes!! I certainly hope you do! But be honest if you don't!! I hope you like them! I personally think they're one of the best inventions since heated leather seats!! I am waaay too anal to wait for the last day to pack!! I gotta get it organized!

I worked some yesterday on my packing...so I think I should get an award of some sort!! I got us packed in carry-ons for a week (well, now that I know it all FITS I have to take it out & IRON it all)! And one of you please shoot me if I overpack on our trip next summer!! I used the rollup compression space bags for our socks, undies, PJ's & bathing suits (actually I put the small & medium packing cubes INSIDE the space bags). Anyway, for myself I got 15 tops (mix of long sleeves, 3/4 length sleeves & short sleeves) in one packing cube (2 layers deep). In the other packing cube I got 3 pr. of shorts, 3 pr. of crops and 2 pr. of convertible rollup pants. I got all of this PLUS 2 pr. of sandals into one 22" carry-on suitcase! (I'm wearing jeans, sweatshirt & tennis shoes on the plane.) Granted, the bags are soooo stuffed they're bulging at the seams...so there will be no shopping allowed... OH, and I wasn't able to fit in my big DSLR camera, only my little pocket size one... It is times like this that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE our Owners Locker too. I couldn't have done it if we didn't already have all of our toiletries & stuff waiting on us down there.

DS has been sick with a sore throat & cold all week...I am afraid I will be the next victim and catch it ohh, right about say FRIDAY or SATURDAY so that then I will be the sick one on vacation. I am going to throw in some extra cold & sore throat meds...just to subsidize whatever we already have stored in our Owners Locker. Figure I should go prepared to get sick! Would be just my luck 'eh!!

I have not had time to fiddle with the website at all this week...too many other things on my to do list...

 

[Kels Sem]

That's very impressive the amount of clothes you have managed to get into carry on luggage! At least when you're packing for the cruise you know the weather will be hot so that always helps keep the amount of clothes down.! I have bought one set of 3 of the packing cubes to see if I like them and if so I will buy more. They should be good for DH shirts for work when he's travelling. He packs his own holdall so I'm sure the shirts are a mess by the time he gets to his hotel!

How long is your vacation for? Not long to go now

Kelly

 

[Anal Annie]

Well, the countdown is ON!! 12 hours from now our flight takes off for FL!! I am packed but now DH is looking at how the bags are bulging and is like "Ummmm....we COULD redistribute and check a bag" I don't think the bags are any bigger really than normal...I got them zipped shut without using that 2" expansion feature. And I tried not to overstuff the outside pockets....but they are very heavy for sure.

Kelly - I DO hope your DH likes the packing cubes...he might like a packing folder better for work / dress clothes though. So are you packing for your trip to Legoland today? You'll have to wave to the Queen for us when you visit Windsor Castle!! I hope you have a GREAT trip!!

I don't know if I'll get a chance to pop in much next week - we'll see how our "down time" goes. I expect the parks to be PACKED so we'll probably encounter long lines. We'll either run commando style or we'll get fed up & opt to hang at the pool instead if it's warm enough!!

Well, today I am cleaning & doing last minute laundry so I'd better get with it!! Talk to ya'll later!! Keep the thread going someone!!

 

[Kels Sem]

Well, the countdown is ON!! 12 hours from now our flight takes off for FL!! I am packed but now DH is looking at how the bags are bulging and is like "Ummmm....we COULD redistribute and check a bag" I don't think the bags are any bigger really than normal...I got them zipped shut without using that 2" expansion feature. And I tried not to overstuff the outside pockets....but they are very heavy for sure.

Kelly - I DO hope your DH likes the packing cubes...he might like a packing folder better for work / dress clothes though. So are you packing for your trip to Legoland today? You'll have to wave to the Queen for us when you visit Windsor Castle!! I hope you have a GREAT trip!!

I don't know if I'll get a chance to pop in much next week - we'll see how our "down time" goes. I expect the parks to be PACKED so we'll probably encounter long lines. We'll either run commando style or we'll get fed up & opt to hang at the pool instead if it's warm enough!!

Well, today I am cleaning & doing last minute laundry so I'd better get with it!! Talk to ya'll later!! Keep the thread going someone!!

No still not packed yet as I was at work today. I will do so tomorrow as I have all day to get sorted.

Have a fab trip yourself and say Hi to Mickey for me I'll not be online myself when I'm away but will post when I get back even if it's just to bump the tread.

ENJOY

Kelly

 

[MRAven]

Well, the countdown is ON!! 12 hours from now our flight takes off for FL!! I am packed but now DH is looking at how the bags are bulging and is like "Ummmm....we COULD redistribute and check a bag" I don't think the bags are any bigger really than normal...I got them zipped shut without using that 2" expansion feature. And I tried not to overstuff the outside pockets....but they are very heavy for sure.

Kelly - I DO hope your DH likes the packing cubes...he might like a packing folder better for work / dress clothes though. So are you packing for your trip to Legoland today? You'll have to wave to the Queen for us when you visit Windsor Castle!! I hope you have a GREAT trip!!

I don't know if I'll get a chance to pop in much next week - we'll see how our "down time" goes. I expect the parks to be PACKED so we'll probably encounter long lines. We'll either run commando style or we'll get fed up & opt to hang at the pool instead if it's warm enough!!

Well, today I am cleaning & doing last minute laundry so I'd better get with it!! Talk to ya'll later!! Keep the thread going someone!!

Have a GREAT TRIP A Annie.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I just booked this cruise yesterday! I got the last SPH room! I'd like to join your meet. Just the hubby and I going, no kids. I'll be reading this thread daily as I know a super uber planner on here!(Anal Annie!)

 

[Anal Annie]

YAY! A new peep!! It's a party now!! Welcome aboard our leeetle boat!!

Note to the other peeps - I "know" BWVDreamin from the DVC boards...she lives in the same state that I do so we will likely have to meet up sometime BEFORE we meet in Barcelona!! Hope - next time you're on here leave me your info. for your ages & your DH's name so I can add ya to the roll call on the first post and the website page!!

Kelly & Justine - I was just thinking that I can't wait to meet ya'll & hear your accents!! I heard some people today from the UK in the Animal Kingdom...that's what made me think about it...now I have to read your posts with an accent!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

YAY! A new peep!! It's a party now!! Welcome aboard our leeetle boat!!

Note to the other peeps - I "know" BWVDreamin from the DVC boards...she lives in the same state that I do so we will likely have to meet up sometime BEFORE we meet in Barcelona!! Hope - next time you're on here leave me your info. for your ages & your DH's name so I can add ya to the roll call on the first post and the website page!!

Kelly & Justine - I was just thinking that I can't wait to meet ya'll & hear your accents!! I heard some people today from the UK in the Animal Kingdom...that's what made me think about it...now I have to read your posts with an accent!!

Ok, roll call info. Me (Hope) age 50 now (so 52 on the cruise) and Marc, 59 now (so 61 on the cruise).

 

[Kels Sem]

Hi, Great to see that we have some new people

I just got back from our trip to Legoland/ Windsor last night and we had a great time. The kids really enjoyed it. We went to Windsor Castle which was huge but I think we went round in record time as keira had decided that she didn't like The Queen's castle so she wasn't very impressed. We were quite lucky with the weather in the fact that it didn't rain the whole time we were there! It was much better then at home were there was snow, heavy rain and a very cold wind so I was glad that we missed that.

I tried out the packing cubes and really liked them so I will have to buy some more. A Annie you don't need to break a sweat now, I am converted!

Leanne - I hope you are having a fab vacation and just so you know my accent will be very different to Justines with me being from N Ireland

Kelly