Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[slo]

Well, I'm taking my baby to camp today (2 smilies for that one)
She's going to have so much fun, but it's going to be so weird w/o her around. The house is going to be so empty and quiet. I know she'll be safe, but I'm starting to have feelings of nervousness. I'm going to miss her!!!!


I hope she's not to tired today, because our day was long yesterday. After being in the parade, and then the fest, we didn't get home for good until 10:30pm. The kids needed to take showers after that, so they didn't get into bed until 11pm - it was a long day!!!!


Mac - I hope you were finally able to get some sleep.
*Thanks for the listing!!!

Bunchkin - Wow, 105 is hot!!
**That's awesome that DL is only 4 hours away I bet you and your family are really looking forward to your trip!!!



Well, I need to get in the shower and gather some last minute things for Stephanie.
Have a great day!!!

 

[macraven]

Good Monday Morning again, Chicagoland Homies.

 

[Crissup]

Hi everyone! We're back from the World. This was the trip that Carol won from Doorway to Dreams last year. We spent the first four nights in a 1BR AK Villa and then moved to the Swan for another four nights before flying back last night. Was extremely hot!! Although, I was watching the temps here also and for the second half of last week, WDW was sitting about 4 degrees cooler than Chicago.

We got in on Saturday, the 20th, and headed to Celbration for lunch at the Celebration Towne Tavern. Afterwards, it was up to the old Belz Outlets ( I see they're not called Belz Outlets anymore) to pick up a new pair of Rockport walkers for the parks. Saturday night, we had dinner at Boma's.

Sunday morning (Father's Day), we headed off to the House of Blues for the Sunday Gospel Brunch. It was a different show than the last time we went. My guess is that as they change the musical acts, they tweak the show according to the artists. As I was leaving, the band was selling their new CD, so I picked it up and asked if they would autograph it for me. So, they dug up a pen and passed it all around so each band member could sign it. Very cool! Sunday dinner was at the Mara at AKL.

Monday, lunch was Pinocchio's Village Haus with Dinner at the LTT.

Tuesday, we had lunch at Yak 'n Yeti's. Once again, I found this place very good! We had a dinner ressie at the Grand Floridian Cafe Tuesday night, but forgot completely about them and ended up at the Pepper Market at CSR.

Wednesday, lunch was at Fulton's Crab House. Wednesday night, we remembered about the missed GF Cafe ressie and called and they were able to fit us in Wednesday evening for dinner. Excellent food and service!!

Thursday, breakfast at Kona Cafe. Tonga Toast!! Dinner was at Shutters at CBR.

Friday, we lunched at the Beir Garten in Epcot and then headed for teh Princess Dinner in Norway for the evening meal.

Saturday, lunch at the Sci-Fi on a walk in and dinner at the 50's Prime Time Cafe.

Sunday, we checked out and ended up at the Pepper Market again for lunch before heading for the airport.

All in all, another great trip made better by the fact that most of it was all on Disney's dime! Thanks Disney!!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Crissup, how were the AKVs? I still think that is my favorite resort! Beach Club was great for location, but I found sitting on the balcony and watching the animals roam and the sunrise so relaxing.

Afternoon all. Weather sure has changed here for this week.

DSIL is in for the week from Buffalo so the kids are dying to play with their cousins. So it's off to visit with them for us.

Bunchkin, the pix look great! Hope you don't melt out there!

Slo, sorry to hear your dad is slipping. My mom still has good/bad days. If you catch her on a good day, you can hardly tell she has problems. But seems that the bad days come more often now. You are always in my thoughts and prayers with this. Hope Steph has a great time at camp!

Donna, I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers as well.

Mac, thanks for the listings. Looks like tomorrow will be a good Disney viewing day!

I need to get moving. Hello to everyone and I will be back later to chat more.

 

[Bunchkin]

Well, I did the unthinkable and joined Facebook!!
I'm not much of a computer social person other than here and a couple other Disney sites.
So I need to search for friends now!! It seems so childish and slightly degrading at the same time saying to people 'can be your friend'!!


MIL is not doing well. Barely getting out of bed. And her husband is no real help to her. My sister inlaw called this morning to say she had spoken with her dad and he was having a hard time helping her mom. So SIL called the hospice people and I am meeting them in a while. I am putting her in their care. She has to realize that this is the best thing for her. Tony tried to get that through to her yesterday.




slo Camp will be a great experience for Stephanie and I'm sure she'll have a great time!! Try not to worry too much.


Crissup Hey, that was only a food TR!! What about the other fun stuff you did?!!


Gotta run and get over to the inlaws!!

 

[irish dancer]

Hi guys! Wow, these temps are more like it! The picnic yesterday was great, there were a lot of people there that don't usually come. Some from Colorado and Pennsylvania. Lots of food too! DMom though fell down the stairs going home and hit her head hard on the concrete sidewalk. All is OK after a midnight trip to the ER to check it out. I think she was so worn out from being at the picnic all day. Of course she is another one in denial and thinks everything is fine.

Bunchkin - I really should learn about Facebook too since I have kids heading into that age.
*Sorry about MIL, will keep her and your family in my prayers.

Tiggerrn - we stayed at Kidani last week and it is beautiful. It really is our favorite resort. Rooms are spacious, furnishings are lovely and the views amazing. I think we might sell our SSR points and add more AKV.

Crissup - welcome back! You arrived the day we left. Temps were dreadful, way too hot for us! Sounds like you hit a wide variety of restaurants. How was the rest of your trip?

slo - I'm sure Stephanie will have a great time at camp. My DD7 went to a girl scout camp last summer and had a blast, thunderstorm, tornado and all!

mac - thanks for the listings, will have to set the DVR.

Well, have to run. Cleaning the house as DDad and DMom are coming for dinner tonight. Enjoy the cooler weather everyone!

 

[Crissup]

Crissup, how were the AKVs? I still think that is my favorite resort! Beach Club was great for location, but I found sitting on the balcony and watching the animals roam and the sunrise so relaxing.

Tiggerrn - we stayed at Kidani last week and it is beautiful. It really is our favorite resort. Rooms are spacious, furnishings are lovely and the views amazing. I think we might sell our SSR points and add more AKV.

Well, we stayed in Jambo House, since Kidani wasn't open for booking yet when Disney's Dream people made the ressie. We didn't even get over to Kidani to look at it, although we did drive through the parking lot a few times on the bus. We took the bus a lot this trip since DMIL had a scooter rental from Walker Mobility. It was just easier than taking it apart and putting it in the car.

Unfortunately, AKL just doesn't do it for me. It's a beatiful resort, but I just don't get excited over the lodge themeing. I'm the same way with the Grand Californian at Disneyland. They're great resorts, but I could feel just as comfortable in a Hilton. My favorite resort is the BWV. There's nothing I love more than falling asleep with the sounds of people having fun and partying down on the Boardwalk. OKW is too quiet for me and VWL is another variation on the lodge theme. I don't sleep as well with quiet as I do with some background noise.

Since only 20% of the BLT is tomato..., I mean, MK view, I suspect that the remaining 80% of the resort will just end up feeling like a really nice hotel to me.

Crissup Hey, that was only a food TR!! What about the other fun stuff you did?!!

Crissup - welcome back! You arrived the day we left. Temps were dreadful, way too hot for us! Sounds like you hit a wide variety of restaurants. How was the rest of your trip?

There's other stuff to do there?!?

I didn't want to turn it into a long post, so I just stuck to the food choices since most people are usually interested in restaurants. Mostly, we took it slow and easy. CarolAnnC's mother was along with us, so we didn't push. Besides, it was extremely hot and humid (something that you wouldn't understand, living in that nice cool climate you're in now. ). We spent Saturday mostly off property. Sunday we primarily used for a pool day, but the pool wasn't very refreshing because the water was so warm. Monday, we toured about 3/4 of the MK. Tuesday, we did about 2/3 of the AK. Wednesday, we changed resorts, did a bit of Downtown Disney, before the heat about did Carol in, and then headed back to the resort to relax. Thursday, we hit the MK for me to get my haircut and then baled and headed for Epcot. Did the Land side of Future World and hit SSE, before heading out. Friday was other side of Future World and half of WS. Saturday was about 2/3 of the Studios before heading back to resort and hitting the pool. Really, this was a much more laid back, relaxing trip. No commando style for us anymore.

 

[Bunchkin]

Crissup I like laid back trips!! We quit doing comando a long time ago. We have lots of time to discover everything, so we don't rush.
Too bad the pool was too warm. I hate that.
Hey, no wise cracks about the heat!!! It was only a mere 108 today by my inlaws house. Just slightly cooler here by us. And tomorrow should be 104! The car just starts to finally cool down right as we get home from the inlaws house.

I agree with you on AKL not being my kind of theme. But I do not like background noise! I need it quiet!

 

[slo]

The house has been eerily quiet w/o Stephanie here - it's nice and bad at the same time.
Katie is having a very hard time - she cried many many tears last night. I finally told her that she could sleep with Stephanie's favorite Webkinz, and that helped a little. I hope she is better today


The camp that Stephanie is at is totally awesome, and she is going to come back a more independent little girl. Yesterday, after we left, they had free time until dinner, and they could swim, fish, play basketball, or just stay in the cabin. It's weird to think that Stephanie and her friend can just go do whatever they want - they are going to love it!!!!


Mac -

Crissup - Welcome home, and I'm happy you had a good time w/ Disney treating you to the bill

Tiiigggerrnnn - Thanks!!!

Bunchkin - I'm glad that Hospice will be able to help her, and I hope she will be accepting of it, and not be a difficult patient. Things will be so much easier for her if she's an easy patient. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers, and you guys too, because many times things are hardest on the caregivers Please keep us posted!!!!

ID - I'm sorry to hear about your mom falling How is she feeling today? I'll send some PD her way




Well, I gotta run and get ready for my leads group - have a great day!!!

 

[macraven]

Good Tuesday Morning Chicagoland Homies....


How do you like this weather...........i told ya before, summer was over..

61 degrees with a high predicted of 66 today.
i'm by lake michigan.
our temps are always cooler up here.



hope you all have a great one.


slo,
spoil katie rotten while stephanie is at camp.

 

[slo]

What the heck happened to the heat????????
I'm glad that Stephanie isn't melting at camp, but holy cow, it could be warmer than this!!! I had to wear a light jacket to Meijer last night - in JULY I was really hoping that I could do some serious floating in the pool this weekend, but that's not going to happen - bummer!!!!!
Can you tell that I like hot weather!!!!


Katie did much better yesterday - thank goodness!!!
She had some tears at work yesterday, but I quickly pulled up the camp schedule and read to her what Stephanie was doing at that very minute, and that made her feel better. She's also carrying around Stephanie's Webkinz everywhere, and hugging that makes her feel better too. She is really looking forward to Friday. I do have a small bet going with my friend on how long it will take them to have an arguement once we pick up Stephanie and my friends DD. We both agree that they'll be arguing about something by the time we go to lunch - then I'll know life is back to normal!!!


Mac - I wish I could take this whole week off work so I could do some alone activities with Katie, because we have never done anything alone, but I have to work Hopefully tonight we can have some cuddle time in front of the TV - she loves this!!!!!



Well, it's time for me to get ready for work
Have a great day today everyone!!!

 

[macraven]

Good Wednesday Morning Chicagoland Homies.



slo, the week will go fast for you and still it will linger while stephanie is gone.
are you sending her post cards to make her smile?

i would do that with my son when he did camp.
it made him feel important he told me later.

maybe katie could make a picture to send to her sister with you tonight.

yup, like i said before, summer is gone.
right now it is 57 degrees at my place.

and light rain.



i have to go to orlando in the fall to the motherland to find sunshine for this year!

tomorrow is the first day i can make my adr's for my trip.
i dread it.
up early and on the phone on hold i'm sure is what is going to happen.
i played around with the online ressie system and don't know if i will do that.

toady i have to get in gear and figure out where i want to eat and when.
bad part is the october dates have not been released for disney for the parks.

guess i can kiss off seeing fantasia this trip.
it is only held on 2 days of the week so can't figure out how to make the adr at dhs places for the evening event.


as if that would be the only thing that is a crisis in my life....

plumber coming today.
my credit card loves "spending" money on those type of things...

 

[Bunchkin]

Hi all!!


Hospice seems to be going well for MIL. And she admits it's the best thing for her. Sister inlaw is coming into town on Mon....and I'm not looking forward to it. She has issues!! BIG TIME!!!

Got to speak with my mom a couple times this week so far which was really nice.

Looking forward to seeing some HUGE fireworks shows this weekend, one plus of being in the 'entertainment capital of the world'.

Carpet cleaners came out and did a wonderful job. They return tomorrow to do all the tile. Yay!!



slo I bet the argument will be about how Katie carried around Steph's Webkinz all week without Steph's permission!!!! And that will be YOUR fault!!


mac I like how you said you "have to go to Orlando".

 

[slo]

This week is going by so fast - I can't believe Stephanie is already coming home tomorrow I'm really looking forward to hearing about all her adventures. I keep emailing her everyday reminding her to write down her activities, so she doesn't forget to tell me anything, plus everyone will want to hear about her camping experience on Saturday. Katie is very excited to have her sister home tomorrow. I told her when she went to bed last night that she had 2 more sleeps, and then Steph comes home - she shrieked w/ excitement!!!!


Mac - This week has done exactly what you said - you are so wise!!!! I haven't sent her postcards, but I have been sending her an email everyday (the kids get their mail at dinner time). I would have liked to send more emails, but the camp kindly asked to only do 1 a day, so I respected that. I did buy 4 postcards w/ a stamp for Stephanie to write on everyday, and have them mailed to me. I'm hoping to get my first one today (if she remembered to write, and to give it to her camp counselor to mail). I really do miss her very much!!!!
**How did the reservations go? Did you get what you wanted?

Bunchkin - I'm glad that Hospice is doing well for your MIL - this is good news!!!
*You are so right about the Webkinz fight - if this actually happens, I will laugh so hard!!!!I will definitly let you know!!!
*I bet you are going to see some awesome fireworks shows this weekend - what a great way to enjoy this holiday!!!
*How is your mom doing? I'm sure she was glad to talk to you!!



I gotta run and get ready for work
Have a good day!!!

 

[macraven]

Good Thursday Morning Chicagoland Homies.



well, it's all been morning to me.
havent' been to bed yet......

had to do my adr's for the motherland.
yes, did get what i wanted easily.
(kind of easily.....that is...)

i had practiced the online booking for the adr's quite a bit.
i had to start emailing another homie in Greenbay last night for help.
my last one to her was around midnight....

for some reason, the system worked fine until late last night.
it would not take my resort ressie number.

at 5 this morning, i tried again, but didn't work.
so i called at 6.
believe it or not, i was the CM's first customer/guest of the day.



slo, that is wonderful that katie will have her sissy back very soon.
i hope you get at least one postcard from stephanie.
you should save it and put it in her baby book for the future....


now bunchie, don't we all HAVE to go to orlando?
the motherland is calling.......

i'm glad your MIL is satisfied with hospice. that gives the family real peace that she likes it.
for the SIL, well, we all have one of those don't we.........


catch youse guys later...


oh, where is kimraye?
i need to get going and make some plans to meet geffric and me at the motherland......even if it is just for a dole whip.
i'm not a dole whip type of gal but i'll do it for the gang..

 

[nd5056]

Halo everyone, it’s been a while since I posted here...

I’m like the new neighbor that’s never home, besides, I could never be able to keep up with you. The most devoted church goers skip the services more often they you guys do.

Anyway, since some of you may be visiting Downtown this weekend, just wanted to mention that the Sears Tower 103rd floor glass balconies are ready, so you can walk in the sky.

I have to go back there myself, but it won’t be this weekend.

Have a happy & safe 4th & enjoy the weekend.

.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Morning all. We are off to visit some old friends this afternoon. Kids are excited. They have a pool that the kids are hoping to swim in. I told them it will be a little chilly. They're kids-they don't care!!

Slo, I am sure Steph will be glad to see Katie too-for a minute!But I'll bet your week went fast anyway.

Mac, I am with you. We all HAVE to go to the Motherland!! In fact, if anyone would like to go along, I have some vacancies for Oct. 19-23!! DH said I could go all by myself, but I am not too fond of being completely alone. Friends that all said they would go for sure are now backing out.School, Husbands, Work, blah...blah....blah....

Bunchkin, enjoy your fantastic fireworks!!! I'll bet that is a sight to see. Glad to hear you MIL is adjusting to hospice. How are you adjusting to the new place?

nd5056, I think I will steer clear of the glass balconies. Something about heights and seeming as if there is nothing underneath you.....

Well, I best get moving. Later all.

 

[Bunchkin]

Mornin'!
Or I guess it's kinda noon-ish by you all!!


mac Glad you got your ADR's!!
I have yet to call on one more for our trip to DL....and we leave in 2 weeks!!!! I guess I should do that today!


Tiggerrn The new place is finally feeling more settled in now that a good chunk of boxes that were in the house have been unpacked. And it will feel even better when the tile cleaning dudes show up later.
Kids don't care how cold the water is!!
I wish I could go with you to WDW!!


slo We will probably watch the fireworks from several hotels from a far off location. We are so high up here, and Lauren's school parking lot has an excellent view of the valley. So we can see all of the Strip hotels in the distance and will be able to see many shows an once!
My mom is doing fine. I've spoke to her a couple times so far this week. She called last night to check and see how Tony's mom was doing with the hospice.


nd5056 Unless they give out parachutes you would not see me on that ledge!!!!

 

[geffric]

.

Mac, I am with you. We all HAVE to go to the Motherland!! In fact, if anyone would like to go along, I have some vacancies for Oct. 19-23!! DH said I could go all by myself, but I am not too fond of being completely alone. Friends that all said they would go for sure are now backing out.School, Husbands, Work, blah...blah....blah....

Well, I best get moving. Later all.

well think about changing your dates - both MAC and I will be there first week of October.. join us and the other Ladies for the DIS Ladies trip..

 

[macraven]

Morning all. We are off to visit some old friends this afternoon. Kids are excited. They have a pool that the kids are hoping to swim in. I told them it will be a little chilly. They're kids-they don't care!!

Slo, I am sure Steph will be glad to see Katie too-for a minute!But I'll bet your week went fast anyway.

Mac, I am with you. We all HAVE to go to the Motherland!! In fact, if anyone would like to go along, I have some vacancies for Oct. 19-23!! DH said I could go all by myself, but I am not too fond of being completely alone. Friends that all said they would go for sure are now backing out.School, Husbands, Work, blah...blah....blah....

Bunchkin, enjoy your fantastic fireworks!!! I'll bet that is a sight to see. Glad to hear you MIL is adjusting to hospice. How are you adjusting to the new place?

nd5056, I think I will steer clear of the glass balconies. Something about heights and seeming as if there is nothing underneath you.....

Well, I best get moving. Later all.

get out the pencil and put this on the calendar.

Motherland 09 trip:
go when mac and geffric are going.
we'll even through kimraye in the deal for you.

i'll be there on 30th of Sept and leave for the darkside on the 8th of October.
flying back on the 13th.
book your flight to sit with me on the plane.

and geffric is coming in on the 3rd and staying a week.

change your dates!
i promise i won't eat dessert first and embarrass you

Halo everyone, it’s been a while since I posted here...

I’m like the new neighbor that’s never home, besides, I could never be able to keep up with you. The most devoted church goers skip the services more often they you guys do.

Anyway, since some of you may be visiting Downtown this weekend, just wanted to mention that the Sears Tower 103rd floor glass balconies are ready, so you can walk in the sky.

I have to go back there myself, but it won’t be this weekend.

Have a happy & safe 4th & enjoy the weekend.



.

i suddenly have the urge to run to the bathroom and hurl.
heights give me the willys.

well think about changing your dates - both MAC and I will be there first week of October.. join us and the other Ladies for the DIS Ladies trip..

someone stole my thunder................