Book it. Buy it. BELIEVE it! - TR is started! link posted 8/11

[Mndisneygirl]

Reading this makes me think of the phrase,

"It's always SOMETHING".

Hang in there!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Wow.

Hey, just writing that post demonstrates that you've got your arms around everything. Things might go awry, but they won't be things in your control, I know that. It sounds like a whirlwind of a week coming up, but I know you'll meet every challenge head-on.

FE doesn't start with "D"! How about Door Decoration?

yeah, it doesn't, but I did have it under Details.

You reminded me that we forgot to call our credit card company before our trips. It didn't take long before I got a call about "suspicious activity" while Judy and Lauren were in NYC. I explained that they were there, the charges were okay, and took the opportunity to tell them about our other upcoming travels. I'm glad they monitor it though!

Yeah, I need to do that still, and do the mail stop. It's great they monitor it to a point, if they don't have your cell phone and you are already on your trip, could be a problem!

I know once you get on the plane to Orlando you can let out a huge sigh of relief.

I hope all those outstanding items, Kendall, come together without more drama. to you girl. You got it going on.

Not even on the plane, once we are on the wait to the airport I'll be pretty relieved!

 

[eandesmom]

Ugh - I always get the pre travel knot in my stomach, but this sounds much, much worse. Yikes.

Well it's not something I can control. I wish I could but and lord knows they've had weeks to get this done but am I surprised? Not remotely.

Well, I guess K and her mom will be spending all of Monday in DMV so she can get her learner's permit. I hope her mom knows she can't wall out of there until she has a learner's permit or state ID. Yike. Nothing like waiting till the last moment.

Yes, I can only hope they just get it done. And that Kendall doesn't lose it. Having just a paper copy makes me REALLY nervous but it is what it is.

Ugh to the driving and the ED visits. That sounds horrible.

All things considered, the ER visits weren't horrible. The bill for it, another story as neither boy had paid a penny towards their deductible so I'm getting hit pretty hard as a result.

Can't wait until you are finally on your way. Love the camera strap - so pretty.

I am hoping it's in my mailbox tonight when I get home from my work trip! My other one, from the same company is really pretty but I'm awfully excited about this one.

Sorry, vague reference. I forgot our park tickets in my dresser drawer once and remembered then while we were sitting on the runway about to take off. Melody wanted to kill me.

I remember that!!!!!!!! That would be a nightmare. Our tickets are packed already so unless I forget the entire camera bag or the wallet inside it, we should be good.

Cynthia, you can always do what I do (or is it say what I say) 'If we forget something we will deal with it when we get back. If we forgot to bring something, we'll just buy it there!'

Nothing you forgot that you can't buy. Which is true albeit potentially costly!

Wow! That's a lot of drama!

Hope everything goes smoothly!

Jill in CO

Normal drama

I really don't know how you cope! I get stressed just reading your updates.

I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing holiday.

It is, sadly, our norm so I try to roll with it. Stressing won't change a darn thing so....

 

[eandesmom]

Ditto!

Thanks!

Thank you!!!

have fun looking

I'm more exhausted than I was yesterday (spent a good deal of the day on the phone with Nursing Home and Hospice), if that is at all possible. I don't know how you do it all girl.

Kathy, I'm so sorry for all that you are going through!

I hope Kendall gets her ID and is ready for pick-up.

I have a feeling there will be NO relaxation until everyone is on the plane.

Oh, once I know she has the ID and I have her with us it will be pretty smooth sailing from there I think,

hope.

Wow! The drama never stops. I would be so freaked out about Kendall not having her ID. You must have "steel" nerves.

NO but I am used to knowing there are things I can't control, this being one of them, and so stressing won't help a darn thing.

Hope your vacation is everything you hope for and more!!!!

me too! I am READY for it to start. 5 days!!!!!!!!! 5 LONG days

 

[eandesmom]

Haven't been on here much lately! But, wanted to wish you a magical vacation!!! I hope you have a great time. Can't wait to read all about it when you get back.

Hi Erika!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, I wish we were leaving tomorrow but...I'll have to make it through the next 5 days instead. Excited to start really packing tomorrow though.

Cynthia I am going thru some Free Trip Drama too!!
2 of my staff are on a 2 day Free trip as we speak, now let's just say they are not OCD planners or how about NOT planners !!I spent yesterday reminding them of things to do . Well first they forgot to ask me for the camera ( well I will take partial for that as I forgot to give it to them ) Then I get acall they are LOST!!Mind you this is their trip NOT mine but at least they asked directions and called the Farm they were supposed to be at to tell them they were late . I just got multiple phone calls about the hotel reservations which isn't really their fault but I had to explain what to do and who to put in which room !! I am gonna plan their next trip myself and give them a list a month ahead to follow !!
Now for my Universal Trip we have 2 individuals flying in alone from Albany . and I am still not convinced they will be arrivng on the same area we are Now I have talked to AirTran, our TA etc and they say it is okay but how is it okay if one is Termional A and 1 is Terminal B You can bet Rosie will be researching more even if I have to call the PILOT on the dang plane !!

Ugh! Especially on the terminals...your lost staff well...I bet they will figure it out!

Reading this makes me think of the phrase,

"It's always SOMETHING".

Hang in there!!!

It is isn't it? And as long as that's my expectation, it doesn't faze me all that much. Or so I tell myself.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I'm behind, but I just checked in to see your ticker! 5 DAYS!!!! If I miss your send off, have a wonderful time, and I look forward to your TR! P.S. I'm excited to be meeting Liesa for coffee on Monday am before our retirement briefing.

 

[eandesmom]

I'm behind, but I just checked in to see your ticker! 5 DAYS!!!! If I miss your send off, have a wonderful time, and I look forward to your TR! P.S. I'm excited to be meeting Liesa for coffee on Monday am before our retirement briefing.

Give her a HUGE hug for me!!!! I'm not all that far away at the moment, I'm at Skamania for a work conference had a lovely little hike yesterday and may again today.

 

[natebenma]

Definitely Dramatic Details!

Dee

 

[nursemomof2]

I have had the best time followig your PTR. Can't wait to hear your trip report

 

[eandesmom]

Definitely Dramatic Details!

Dee

I have had the best time followig your PTR. Can't wait to hear your trip report

Thanks! I wish we were leaving tomorrow, it's going to be a LONG 4 days at work for me!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Wow - I'm feeling stressed just reading your update! Just remember to keep breathing & Departure Day will be here before you know it!

 

[eandesmom]

Wow - I'm feeling stressed just reading your update! Just remember to keep breathing & Departure Day will be here before you know it!

Oh I hope so! I'm not terribly stressed at the moment, just really wishing it was Thursday!

 

[englishrose47]

Oh I hope so! I'm not terribly stressed at the moment, just really wishing it was Thursday!

Can't wait for Thursday either as we depart on Friday for a long weekend in Erie Pa !! I am soooooo ready for a break !!!

 

[eandesmom]

Can't wait for Thursday either as we depart on Friday for a long weekend in Erie Pa !! I am soooooo ready for a break !!!

Me too! I'm exhausted from my work trip, tried to nap today but am just not someone who can nap.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Yikes, that is a lot of pre-trip drama building! But of course you know it will be worth it as soon as you are all assembled and officially away. Here's hoping your first vacation cocktail comes sooner rather than later. Have a great trip!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Yikes, that is a lot of pre-trip drama building! But of course you know it will be worth it as soon as you are all assembled and officially away. Here's hoping your first vacation cocktail comes sooner rather than later. Have a great trip!!!

I don't think it matters, there is always pre-trip drama, you just never know what it will be!

I can't wait for that first poolside beverage to be sure!

 

[eandesmom]

One of us is actually already on vacation! I dropped Jeff off this morning and he’s arrived safely at the airshow (well technically at their hotel, they aren't staying all that close to the show due to the lateness of their booking so will have a commute each day. We both had a a bit of scenery this weekend. He took the boys to an airshow yesterday, while I went to a work conference in the southern part of the state, a beautiful part of the country. It’s a a long drive and very difficult on my eyes so I invited my sister which was a win win. She drove, got to get some much needed alone time and sleep and my eyes weren’t on fire the entire time. These events can be a lot of fun, I really enjoy my clients, but they are exhausting. I averaged about 5 hours of sleep between Thursday and Sunday and as a result am pretty wiped out. We did have some lovely down time though and went for a nice walk both days. A few pictures from our adventure, we saw 3 falls on this walk, including a part where you walk under the top part which was pretty neat.

After we got back to the Lodge from our first walk, they had a birds of prey show, and wine tasting, pretty cool stuff! Especially this guy

The next day we went into the nearby town and got to see a sailing regatta of some sort, a very cool canoe race and have the best blackened steelhead tacos I’ve ever had in my life at a lovely brewpub. So despite the lack of sleep, I had a pretty nice weekend with some very relaxing moments, although I did end in a LOT of bug bites for me which is a bit of a drag.

And from Jeff’s local airshow! They LOVED it, got to see the Thunderbirds which was a treat. As a navy heavy town, we usually see the Blue Angels so they were pretty excited about it.

Eric had a GREAT time at camp, came home covered in wounds, bug bites and his very first Boy Scout Merit badge so is pretty pleased with himself. Kendall’s team had a GREAT experience at their college showcase, winning their bracket against some really tough teams. I can’t wait to hear about it. They had their last game this morning and visited some colleges before heading home.

I came home last night to de-stress my husband and while I still feel a bit guilty on the work front, it was the right call. For my sister too. Her ex managed to lose her house key so the kids couldn’t let the dog out and the kdis hadn’t ut the gate up so…you can imagine what she walked into when she got home. Luckily we were able to get ahold of my dad before we started the 4 hour drive home and he could at least get in to the house with his key, let the dog out and give her a heads up on the scope of the mess!
I spent the morning working on some trip stuff as I do have to work all week and didn’t want to have much to do in the evenings so that I can go into vacation relaxed. HAH! That’s my plan. What WILL happen most likely is work will get nuts and I will be working every night after dinner but at least if stuff is done, I will be far less stressed about it.

Here is what was left after my last update, I made a little bit of progress and do have 4 full days and nights to get the rest done. I’m glad I spent the time on the packing today, with trying to check only 1 bag for the 4 of us and keep that one at a carryon size, it was a bit challenging. Assuming I can squish my tennis shoes into one of the boys bags, I will have pulled it off! Jeff did take a few things with him, which helped.

1. Laundry - DONE
2. Pack – 97% done. Everything except the last FE items and things I need to use until then.
3. Pickup (Kendall)
4. Bag check (kids, make sure they stuck to their lists)
5. Drop off (cats). Pick up litter (just found that out tonight lol!)
6. Stop (mail) DONE
7. Alert (credit cards that we are traveling) DONE
8. Set (new sprinkler schedule for while we are gone) DONE (Jeff did it, I don’t get any credit
9. Make sure Kendall has new ID. Ok, that one is out of my control but I am going to call DCL in the am for a little peace of mind about the whole thing.

I was so wiped out after the work trip and the early drive to the airport to drop off Jeff that at about 1, I actually attempted a nap. I didn’t fall asleep, never do, but the 2 hours of rest did help me get through the rest of the afternoon and the boys and I have had a nice time playing board games and making banana bread.

The forecast for our trip is starting to come in. Yesterday it looked GREAT for our first 5 days but since they were 5 days out at that point, sadly it has already changed. Not loving the 31st at all and really hoping the other days do not start to trend that way but…we knew it could happen.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I love how organized you are! I wish I had that talent.

I can't wait to read your trip report especially the Vero Beach part. We are staying there one night pre-cruise. We are going on the Fantasy but I told my kids we were taking Grandma on a Princess cruise. She only cruises Princess so, the kids totally believe me. She also knits a lot so, I keep telling them it is a knitting cruise. They think they are going to be bored out of their minds. Also, I booked the cruise late so, we have fly into Tampa Bay and I figured we were already driving that Vero Beach would be cool to see. So, I'm excited about your trip and reading the Vero Beach part. Good luck with the final days.

 

[MEK]

Wow - those water falls are gorgeous. I have never seen a water fall in three sections like that. Very cool. Sounds like everyone had a great weekend, except, perhaps your sister who came home to dog poop and pee. At least it wasn't cat pee.

Glad to hear that Kendall's team did so well. That's great.

Now you are down to the home stretch. Very excited for you! It's going to be a great trip!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, Cynthia! I had a very enjoyable time this morning catching up on your posts! Yeay for being only three days away from your vacation!!! You will have a great time, and it sounds like you deserve it after all the drama of the past week. Yikes!

Fingers crossed that Kendell gets her state ID or permit today! Chelsea took driver's ed this past year, but she still had to do the knowledge test to get her permit. We didn't see a whole lot of studying from her, either, and we really nagged her to do more, but she passed with flying colors. I am sure Kendell will be the same way!

The idea of decorating their own cakes sounds like a lot of fun -- everyone's turned out great!

Love the camera bag and strap! Very cute! That turquoise color is very pretty! And I love the idea of pins on your Vera -- I am always worried that mine will fall off, so I have a lanyard hanging from my bulletin board at home.

Anyway, in case I am not on here again before you leave -- have a great time!!!