Chicago area Diser's - check in here Part 4

[Bunchkin]

I'm Baaaacccckkkk!!!



Just had a few moments to get caught up here on the thread!

We got home around 5pm, unpacked, and had dinner.
Got the kids in the shower and now they're in bed.
And I'm already doing the laundry. YUCH!!



We had a great trip!
It flew by too quickly!

Didn't suffer too much from the rain. Some times we completely missed the rain because we were dining or in an attraction!! This actually happened so many times we thought we had the best luck ever!!! But then we got some rain for a bit on Sat. evening while we were at Epcot, not that bad and it ended before we left the park. Lots of rain at MK on Sun. afternoon but it ended as well around 9pm -ish and it was a EMH night so the rest of the night was great!
Luckily we had tons of ponchos and an umbrella so we were all set!




I'll try to give a mini trip report soon with pics. I wanted to take more pics then I did, but I hate missing things because I'm stuck behind the camera!



Medically: The feet were ok, but the heart was great and no panic attacks. Got over my fears and rode Space Mountain and Big Thunder which I had not been on since I was 11 YEARS OLD!!!! yeah, you read that right! Needless to say I made my kids proud! It was also Hunter's 1st time riding them too!!! He topped me though by riding Splash!!! I don't "do" log rides!!!!....no way!!!



Gotta run! Need sleep!!!!

 

[slo]

Welcome home Nicole!!!!!

I can't believe you've been gone a week - I feel you just left a couple of days ago.

I can hardly wait to hear all about your trip. I'm so glad the rain was not a total nuisance I was concerned about you getting rained on alot.

It's great to have you home!!!!



To everyone else -


Well, I'm off and running - have a good day today everyone!!!

 

[piglet too]

Have a great day everyone!

I am off to the doctor's soon to discuss all my test results.

 

[Crissup]

I can't believe you've been gone a week - I feel you just left a couple of days ago.

I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking that. I was sitting here thinking, Darn, it must have just been a weekend trip.

 

[Bunchkin]

Good Morning all!!


Ok, so now I have time to check in with everyone and what's been going on here while I was away.
All though I should be doing more laundry.



slo You are thinking of hiring another employee? Will this be three then that you'll have?
I love shopping at the mall too, but hate going there on the weekends. So most times I go when the kids are at school. It's nice and quiet there then. Even though my kids like to shop, I like to go when it's quiet even more.
Under 30 days to go for your cruise!!!
I was gone just 6 days, last Thursday till yesterday. Not a very long trip. And we only spent 4 days in the parks. That's the shortest time we've ever spent in the parks.


paint Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I hope you're on the mend soon.
I bet if you do a Google search of beach weddings on the Florida coasts you will find lots of info.


Sam Sorry to hear that Dan forgot about your anniversary. What a bone head!! It really does sound like you need a HUGE calendar in the kitchen with all important dates spelled out in day glow orange on it!
I hope you were able to get out and buy yourself something nice.



CarolAnn Good luck with the job hunt!!


Hersey Are you packed yet? I hope Alex is feeling better. Make sure he has sinus meds for the plane ride. The last thing he needs is a head cold on a plane!!!


piglet I hope the remainder of your test results come back good.
I dealt with bad cholesterol last year. Do you take the vitamin niacin? That helps.


geffric Sorry to hear that you have a new gung-ho manager type to deal with!!
DH just recently washed his MP3!!! He thought it was a goner but it just turned out to need a new battery instead! What luck!


Donna I hope your sister in laws recovery goes well and that her test results come back good too. Please keep us informed!



Lori So glad you came back here for a visit!!! I haven't been to your pre-trippy in about a week or so. You must be nearing your trip soon!


Tiggerrn If I forgot to say last week, congrats to Kellie on getting into the magnet school. How are both kids enjoying the change (or not)?


mac I know you're gone, but I hope you're feeling well. Have a great trip!!!








Well, my pics are uploading right now. All 258 of them!!! I didn't think I took that many. As soon as I have time I'll post them.
Right now though, I have to get some things done before Hunter gets home from school.
I can't wait to see what Lauren brings home as far as home work goes. Luckily her teachers gave her some work to do so she wouldn't have it all to make up. In fact she was doing homework almost every day we were gone!! Even on the plane. Now that she's getting older and in advance classes it's just too hard to miss school so we will NOT be going on vacations during school any more.




Have a great day all!!!

 

[piglet too]

Well, good news is there is no real reason for my pain, probably just another inflamation of my rib lining, something I seem to be getting a lot. The bad news is my cholesteral. Like I said before, my LDL is 169 but my HDL is low at 33. Short story is that I need to try and get it down by diet, but will most likely end up on medication for it. I do have a long family history, so that works against me too. My Mom and I were talking about my diet, and there is not a whole lot that I can change, as it is already a low-fat low-cholesteral diet for the most part. My doctor said to try Omega-3 and changing my diet, and then re-testing in three months. I think I will keep a food diary for the next few weeks and then see if I should just go on the meds sooner rather than later.

Bunchkin ~ I have not tried anything yet, just got the "official" news today. I am going to get some Omega-3 and a regular vitamin seeing as I need to increase my iron intake too.

 

[Crissup]

My Mom and I were talking about my diet, and there is not a whole lot that I can change, as it is already a low-fat low-cholesteral diet for the most part.

You could look at the types of fats you are taking in. Most people know that saturated fats are evil. But, many people think that all unsaturated fats are the same. For instance, I know many people who use vegetable oil because they believe it's the healthiest choice. Vegetable oil is a polyunsaturated fat. It will lower you LDL, but will also lower you HDL also. Canola oil and Olive oil are two healthier alternatives. They are monounsaturated fats and will lower your LDL while helping to raise your HDL at the same time.

I prefer to use olive oil when I can and switch to canola when I need to avoid the flavor of the olive oil.

 

[piglet too]

Thanks John. We use Crisco's "Natural Blend" or olive oil here. Natural Blend to cook with and olive for making dressings and such. I am sure there are little ways that I can change my diet, but I am not sure it will make a dramatic change that my doctor wants. He said that he wants my LDL to get under 130.

 

[Bunchkin]

So I'll share a trip report with all of you here as I'm not into doing them on the TR boards.




Day #1 - Thursday
Got off to an early start at the airport. Hunter knocked out, as usual, shortly after take off. And Lauren got to her homework. Tony also took a nap, as usual too. Plane ride got a bit bumpy and the pilots had to drop the plane from 35,000' to 27,000'. That was first thrill ride of the trip. The plane was bouncing all over and people were actually shouting "Weeeeee"!! Even with all that the plane still got in a bit early and we were shortly off on the ME to WDW.
We were the last stop on the ME bus, which always drives the kids nuts. First was a stop at OKW and then SS. Then it was off to Ft Wilderness!!

I forgot to get a picture of their lobby area. If you've never been there you'd be shocked by the size compared to other resorts. It's super small and quaint. There was no crowds so we were able to walk right up and check in. Our cabin was not quite ready for us so we headed on the internal bus to the Bike Barn to get our golf cart, which we would have for the length of our stay there. After getting our cart we went to one of the stores, Meadows Trading Post, and got some snacks. While we were there Tony called and checked to see if our cabin was ready, and it was. So off we go in the golf cart to the cabin.

We stayed in the 2800 loop of the cabins this time. It's a large loop but still very quiet at night! That's one of the many benefits of staying at the Fort. You have no one on top of you or under you or a long side of you, so it's very quiet. We found everyone we encountered while at the Fort to be very friendly. Campers are nice people.

So here are some pics of the cabin. Kids had gotten to the beds before I could take pics of them so sorry for the messy beds.

Behind Hunter is a Murphy bed.

Bedroom area pics.

 

[Bunchkin]

Day #1...continued!


Not long after arriving at the cabin our luggage arrived. Cool!!! Never have we had our luggage delivered so quickly.
After unpacking and checking out the cabin thoroughly we needed to head to the marina to get a boat to MK. So off in the golf cart we went.

We took the monorail to the Poly and were lucky enough to get to ride up front with the driver. All transportation people have these awesome trading cards they can give out to kids!! The are so neat. The have info about whatever type of tranportation you are taking and some neat character info on them too as each card has a character on it as well. Also there is a hidden Mickey on each card to find. My kids collected some from the monorail workers and the boat workers

Here's a view leaving the Contemporary on our way to Poly.

We had dinner ressies at the Kona Cafe at the Poly.
For the first time I tried their crab cakes and the pineapple teriyaki steak.
I had pre-ordered a cake to celebrate our anniversary and DH's birthday.
Since on the dining plan you get dessert, we took the cake back to the cabin uneaten!!! We were so stuffed!!!


Here are some pics from the Kona Cafe.

Right before opening for dinner......empty!!

Chocolate Lilo and Stitch

Recently new carpeting has been added at the Kona! See the hidden Mickey? So Cool!!

Crab cakes! And I did use the chop sticks!

Dessert time!

 

[Bunchkin]

And here's a pic of the construction area at the Contemporary, for those interested.
You could see some concrete forms poured for a base, but not much else. But those are pretty big cranes so it must be something huge going up there in the near future.
We got a close up look while at the Contemp. There is also lots of work going on near the water edge too along a good portion of the resort.

 

[Becky2005]

Bunchkin -- love the report & pictures so far. I want more! Thanks for sharing.

We will probably be staying in the cabins the next time we go. It's a toss up between that or the Grand Floridian (I know 2 extremes), my bet is it will be the cabins.

I would *really* love to have the DVC at the Contemporary if it's really announced but my hunch is those are going to sell out before I can even blink, plus I doubt I could convince DH to do such a thing.

 

[HERSEY]

Piglet Alex had to watch his cholestrol. The dietican reminded me to increase the fiber it helps rid the body of the chol. and a dash of cinnamon. They have studies that cinnamon somehow helps Help your able to do this without medication. I'm not a good pill taker.

Bunchkin Glad to hear the rain wasn't a show stopper. I am getting very antsy for our vacation. Yesterday I felt as if wednesday was never going to end. Sorry Lauren has so much homework. This year Alex isn't having much homework. He is a strange bird the nerd does his work while waiting for the evening bus. Tthey also have study halls in most of the classes so the teachers can grade the papers. I guess the days of teachers doing this at home at gone. I also most forgot I didn't know you were such a chicken, welcome to the club. I thought of taking Alex on space mountain. I would how it compares to the one in Cali.?

Slo How is the store going?

 

[slo]

I slept so good last night, and now I'm having such a hard time waking up.


Bunchkin - I was thinking about another employee, but not now. She was suppossed to call me on Monday, and she never did Oh well, her loss right?!
**Love the TR and the pictures . That cabin looks so nice - I love it!!! I can understand why you went back there!! Looking at those pictures of The Kona Cafe makes me homesick. I love that restaurant and I love The Poly I'm thrilled about the cruise, but I'm bummed about not going on property - oh well, I guess Ican't have my cake and eat it too right?! Speaking of cake.....that cake you got at The Kona Cafe looks pretty tasty!!!!

Crissup - That's interesting about the oils. I didn't know that

piglet - I"m so glad that there's not something majorly wrong with you I'm sorry about your cholestrol though My mom has always had high cholestrol, and she takes something for it, but I don't know whatl. Good luck with trying to get yours down

Becky - I would do the cabins if I were you. I think you and your family would be more comfortable because you would have more room. This is one reason why we are using Kevins dad timeshare next year, because we want more room.

HERSEY - 3 more days for you!!!!!
**The store is doing okay, thanks for asking!!! I would like to be busier (I average 1 sale a day), but I'm hoping that will come with the holidays .




Well, I'm off to jump in the shower. I have to leave home early today so I can pick up a piece of plexi glass for an order that needs to be finished today. Have a good day today everyone!!!

 

[piglet too]

Morning everyone!

Bunchkin ~ I am loving the pictures, keep them coming!

Thanks everyone for your imput about my cholesteral. My doctor is concerned since I am still young (only 34) and it is already at levels that need medication. My co-worker last night told me to go buy some Cherrios

 

[Bunchkin]

Good Morning everyone!


No time to post pics this morning, maybe later tonight.
I'm off to my mom's soon to visit with my older brother who is in town. I have yet to meet his new wife all though we did speak on the phone. She's really into crafts and I've seen some of her handy work. She's talented! So I'm sure we'll get a long well.
They are moving back to this area soon.



slo We love Kona Cafe! And some day I do want to stay at the Poly!! That cake was not the tastiest I've ever had from WDW. It was a little on the dry side for me.
I hope your store picks up for the holidays!!!


Hersey 3 more days!!! What time does your flight leave??
Advance warning for you guys: It is extremely hot and HUMID there!!! More so than I've EVER experienced!!! Bring fans!!! And ponchos!!
Lauren sometimes starts her homework on the bus home. Being as she is in 2 advanced classes she really gets loaded down with work Mon-Thurs, no work is given on Fridays.



piglet I was on Lovastatin for my cholesterol probs last year. My doctor suggested taking the vitamin Niacin as well because it helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol. I would try it as it couldn't hurt.


Becky Your big family would get more room at the cabins for sure. Plus with having a full kitchen it really helps in being able to have drinks, snacks and breakfast food available to the kids, and adults too. They're fully stocked with every thing you could possibly need to cook an entire meal.




Hi to everyone else!!


Gotta fly!!

 

[Becky2005]

:Becky - I would do the cabins if I were you. I think you and your family would be more comfortable because you would have more room. This is one reason why we are using Kevins dad timeshare next year, because we want more room.

Becky Your big family would get more room at the cabins for sure. Plus with having a full kitchen it really helps in being able to have drinks, snacks and breakfast food available to the kids, and adults too. They're fully stocked with every thing you could possibly need to cook an entire meal.

I agree with it. The toss up is because we stayed at the Contemporary last time and DH said 'I would like to stay at that one that has the red roof that we could see out our room' But we would have to do a suite or 2 rooms since we are a family of 6. Then we thought the cabins sounded pretty nifty. However, we do the dining plan (which I absolutely *LOVE* the new deluxe one -- I hope it sticks around for 2009!) and the fact that room service is in there -- which isn't available in the cabins plus the Monorail. Hmmm....

It was between the Contemporary or the cabins last time but I had the stroller for the little guy & I kept thinking "2 busses/fold up stroller" vs. "Walk to MK" and the "Walk to MK" won out & since he didn't count for room occupancy rates at that point, we could get away with staying at 1 room at the Contemporary.

Decisions, Decisions -- although, this one will probably be whatever DH wants. I really don't care where I stay. The kids want the Contemporary again -- DH doesn't because he said he felt like he was staying in a garage. :lmao Considering my DH doesn't even WANT to go to Disney again, I try to let those be his decisions so maybe he's not so grumpy. I really think the cabins would suit him -- as far as he's concerned he could just stay at the Ft. Wilderness area all the time and be perfectly happy vs. going to the parks. That and eating big (so the TS are big in our world on vacation). Although next time I know I'll have to be a nagging person because we *almost* didn't go on the teacups last vacation. I asked & asked & asked if there was anything he wanted to do so we could make sure we got those rides in, etc...before we left as I was making plans as I knew we couldn't do everything. He didn't tell me anything. Once we were there, our last day he said something about going on the teacups & how you can't go to Disney and NOT do the teacups! Maybe HE can't but I can. I don't like those rides so it wasn't even on my agenda since he never said anything. Now I know it has to be on the agenda.

Oh well...the joys of living with someone who tells you they don't like Disney and then will turn around and say "next time we go can we do XYZ?" or "I really liked ABC! Let's do that one again." I think he does it to confuse me & the worst part is IT WORKS!


Wish me luck everyone -- today is my dentist appointment in just a little bit to go get my crumbling tooth fixed. I'm not looking forward to the hour appointment, that we aren't even sure if we will have a root canal added to it or not depending on what he finds after he removes the mammoth filling I have there, gets rid of decay that has gotten underneath and then builds the tooth back up before getting a crown put on (which I assume means I have to go for a 2nd appointment for that part). I hope I'm not too miserable after the appointment! During it I should be fine as he's going to numb me up but once that wears off, I'm not looking forward to it. I am looking forward to getting it taken care of though -- I've been so paranoid that at any second now the filling would fall out and I would end up in a worse situation than I am now.

 

[SamIAm21]

Hey Everyone!

Well before I dive into Bunchkin's trip report, I thought I'd pop in and say Hi. I'll probably be around a lot today given that I'm working from home and no one can see me DIS'ing! Ha! On the downside, Megan is sick. Sheesh! She came home school yesterday and she seemed fine. Then dinner came around and she complained of having a stomach-ache. She also had plans of going to her friends house after dinner, so I thought she was just trying to get out of eating dinner... Well, I thought wrong. She ate most of her dinner, I took her to her friends house and then she got SICK... you know what I mean. Thankfully, she had the good sense to walk outside to the deck before depositing her dinner there. Sheesh. So, I felt horrible for creating such a nasty mess at my friends and then because I directly contributed to the fact that the mess was made to begin with by making Megan eat her dinner. Not my finest moment!

However, she is one to complain of having tummy aches to get out of eating dinner, so I told her, it's the old story of Peter and the Wolf.

So, here we are today, both in our jammies. Me working and Megan is vegging. She hasn't run a fever and slept pretty well last night, so I have no idea what caused this bout of YUCK, but it's not fun that's for sure.

Slo: I'm so sorry you're employee situation is crappy! At least this girl showed her true colors before you hired her. She won't have the chance to be a bad employee! I still have to get out to see you with those posters. I ordered two more and they just arrived. I got two Bev Doolittle's that I want framed and I will give them to Dan for Christmas. He loves her work.

Bunchkin, I can't wait to read your report and I skimmed by the pics and the cabins look awesome! I think Dan would like that better than a hotel room. If he ever agrees to go again, I think we could stay there. He'd be more comfortable that's for sure. I have lots of laundry to do today too!

piglet too: Hey, do me a favor and Google, CLA (conjugated lineolic acid) and read up on it. I've heard it does really good things for people with cholesterol problems. It's in pill form, you can find it at WalMart or CVS, and it may be helpful. Of course, you'd want to ask your Dr. about it too though. I've been reading up on it because my Triglycerides were very high a few months ago. I haven't had them retested yet. I go on October 3 for that.

Well that's it for now! Slo, you are under 30 days... Woohoo!! That means I'm not too far behind you. It's coming up fast, that's for sure!

Take care everyone!

 

[HERSEY]

Bunchkin Thanks for the tip. I was just looking at the rain part not thinking about the temps The leaves at 6:30am we get picked up a 4:00 am. The coffee must be poured and waiting for me

Sam Sorry to hear Megan is sick hope she get better.

 

[Bunchkin]

I am suffering from the worst sinus headache!



Sam I hope Megan is feeling better!
Lauren can have a sensitive tummy sometimes. And sometimes it's because of nerves. If she's nervous about something she will for certain get sick.
Don't feel bad about sending her over to her friends though.


Hunter and Lauren's friends came over last night and when their mom showed up to get them she told me that the boy had pneumonia, or at least was getting over it and wasn't contagious any more. He was just suffering from an ear infection still. I hope that was the case!!!!!


Hersey WOW!! 6:30 is way too early for me to be catching a flight!!! It's hotter then heck at WDW!! And the humidity was so thick the last 2 days we were there, you could have cut it with a knife as they say. Litterally!!!!!