Christmas all year long!

[swwake]

I'm doing a fly-by. You have inspired me to do my daily to-do list soon. If I post it, it will more likely get done.

Will you please share your binder with us when you get it finished? I may have to copy.

How are you and how is Zoe?

 

[annmarieda]

The storytellers have always been a daily thing.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Thank goodness! I was worried.

I'm doing a fly-by. You have inspired me to do my daily to-do list soon. If I post it, it will more likely get done.

Will you please share your binder with us when you get it finished? I may have to copy.

How are you and how is Zoe?

Yes, I will post it when I am done. Zoe and I are doing just fine. I am still not sure what caused the episode earlier this week. Food poisoning?

And... BTW, I need your phone number if we are going to see about a dismeet. No worries if you don't want to.

Also...Amy...need yours...same thing... no worries if you don't want to. I know that it is hard enough to fit everything in without throwing some crazy person wanting to meet ya into the mix.


And to everyone, I apologize that I have not made it to each of your threads... but know that I feel very blessed to have had you stick with me this year and that from the bottom of my heart I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

 

[shocky5]

I PM'd you

 

[annmarieda]

The exciting...

Just two weeks to go

The panic....

Just two weeks to go

The sad...

Zach now wants to go and is feeling sad...and even as a mom, I can't fix it cause there are NO ROOMS left at WDW/

The accomplished...

Got some crazy shopping done. normally I do black friday..early, but this year was different with stores opening on Thursday. I don't like it. 1. EVERYONE goes. 2. It is still Thanksgiving. I don't want to leave early to get in some line. Now... going in the wee hours of the morning when the rest of my family are asleep...that works for me.

I also got my binder together. I am pretty happy with it.

In case anyone is curious what I did. Here it is... ya know those little pocket calendars that you can get for a buck? The ones that have the checkbook style sleeve on the outside? Well, I started with one of those. I know there are ones that have Mickey..or princess, but I started with a nondescript one. I made the mistake of doing the cover first. (do the cover last...since the inside pages will make it expand and want to come apart)

I made the inside cover just decorative with the first "page" having our confirmation numbers on it. (so looking at the cover you open it and the top half is the same print as near the Mickey on the cover while the bottom half has a printed confirmation number sheet) Turn the page again and it details each day of our trip. These are each printed sheets that I cut down to roughly 5 3/4" x 6 3/4 ". I mounted the sheets on top of the existing "planning pages" The planning pages I had to glue together to cut down the number of pages, since I didn't need as many as there were and also to provide a thicker base for the new pages. I also took a 1" wide strip and glued it to the bottom of each page of each day. I had boarder strips that were rounded and I cut and mounted those under the strip on the bottom to form tabs. In the future I would just use a circle punch and glue half down.
So tabs make it look like this.

After I had all the detail trip day plans in I added an ADR list with confirmation numbers and then Disnumbers I needed. The back inside cover page is left blank with the bottom half having some of the print that was used on the cover. The back cover is completely black.

I then used a thick black ribbon to "bind it well" and added a thinner red stitched ribbon (more to the back side) to add detail.

I was surprised at how easy this was... how compact and ultimately how easy I think it is to use. In years past, I would have to put one planning sheet out of the binder a day in order to take it with us. Last trip I made laminated long strips and that worked, but still... it was a bit of a pain. This little pocket book will be in my bag the entire trip.

Other ideas I could have added to make more pages would be, Special interests, Snacks on the dp..etc. I think I may have found a new way I want to do trip planning. The ONLY thing I don't like about this is that hard copy items like the DME vouchers... MVMCP tickets... etc.. they will not be going in there and will be packed separately. Since I only dig those out briefly, I think it will be fine.

 

[annmarieda]

And a couple more things...

Yes, if you look at that days plans that are showing you can see that I estimated times. It was mainly so I have a rough idea of when I would expect to arrive. Not that I am completely obsessed. well, maybe I am...but.. I just have some times in there for the sake of having time.

Second, I just looked at the extended weather forecast. Our arrival date is finally come into view and.... today it predicts that on December 9th the weather will be

Partly Sunny

Low of 53 degrees. warmer than it is here.

With a high of.....


.....


....



74 degrees

Now lets just cross our fingers that the weather looks like that for all of December. I am praying hard that it will be a good December there and not like the previous couple years.

 

[KatMark]

Ann, I'm so sorry about Zach. I know you have done everything you can.

I love the binder.

And I love even more then sound of 74 degrees and sunny!

 

[dizneeat]

Sorry about Zach, Ann.

Two week dancing!!!

Your binder is awesome! I really admire you, that with all you have to do you could find the time to do something so awesome!!

 

[shocky5]

OH WOW! Your binder is awesome! I love it! I'm sitting here plotting if I can pull getting one made without my kids nosing in... But I love the size of it!!!

I'm sorry about Zach! Again... sitting here trying to problem solve that for you!

I just can't believe you are under 2 weeks! I get excited thinking about the fact that the week after next, I can officially say "We are going to Disney next week." yes... confusing... my twisted sense of humor rearing it's ugly head...

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Can Zach get in at Shades of Green since he's military? Or are they booked up? Okay - I will stop now...

 

[tankgirl427]

OH WOW! Your binder is awesome! I love it! I'm sitting here plotting if I can pull getting one made without my kids nosing in... But I love the size of it!!!

I'm sorry about Zach! Again... sitting here trying to problem solve that for you!

I just can't believe you are under 2 weeks! I get excited thinking about the fact that the week after next, I can officially say "We are going to Disney next week." yes... confusing... my twisted sense of humor rearing it's ugly head...

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Can Zach get in at Shades of Green since he's military? Or are they booked up? Okay - I will stop now...

LOL I read Ann's post about Zach right before going to bed and instead of sleeping my mind got going about all things Disney and I started texting Ann all sorts of ideas of what to do!

 

[annmarieda]

Ann, I'm so sorry about Zach. I know you have done everything you can.

I love the binder.

And I love even more then sound of 74 degrees and sunny!

Thank you. Looking today, the 9th now is predicted to be a high of 76 and then the 10th a high of 79.

Sorry about Zach, Ann.

Two week dancing!!!

Your binder is awesome! I really admire you, that with all you have to do you could find the time to do something so awesome!!

It was way easier than I thought it was going to be. Believe it or not the hardest part was putting together all the info I needed to print.

OH WOW! Your binder is awesome! I love it! I'm sitting here plotting if I can pull getting one made without my kids nosing in... But I love the size of it!!!

The size is what I like the most! Well, I also like that it is an easy flip through and I do like the cover....but the size and the fact that with minimal effort I will be able to flip back and forth to see what we have planned. I have never been able to do that since in the past my binders all were too big to bring along to the parks...just one page out..folded and stuck in my bag. This way if I feel like we have more or less time we can look to see what I have planned the next time we will be in that park and decide how to handle it.

I'm sorry about Zach! Again... sitting here trying to problem solve that for you!

Thanks... I am not sure. Bottom line he could not go for the full time since he will be back on duty for some of the time we are gone. I was thinking of calling and seeing, but honestly...I am not sure how much of an extra expense I am willing to do.

I just can't believe you are under 2 weeks! I get excited thinking about the fact that the week after next, I can officially say "We are going to Disney next week." yes... confusing... my twisted sense of humor rearing it's ugly head...

I know...it is crazy...and yes, soon it will be next week...

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Can Zach get in at Shades of Green since he's military? Or are they booked up? Okay - I will stop now...

It was wonderful...except for the shopping part. I think I have decided never again to go out on Thanksgiving. Just sucked too bad.

As for Zach... I haven't even tried shades of green. I know he would need dinning plan and I don't think you can have it and stay there. I could be wrong....

 

[annmarieda]

LOL I read Ann's post about Zach right before going to bed and instead of sleeping my mind got going about all things Disney and I started texting Ann all sorts of ideas of what to do!

You are always so helpful! I appreciate having you on my side. Steve is finally starting to get into the trip. (thank god) But even now, he isn't big on giving feedback on how to do something or what to do. So thanks for always being kind enough to help.

 

[tinacaplan]

Hi! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! And you're gone in less than two weeks...can you believe it? The binder looks so cool. I can't do anything that crafty.

 

[Monknmom]

Thank goodness! I was worried.



Yes, I will post it when I am done. Zoe and I are doing just fine. I am still not sure what caused the episode earlier this week. Food poisoning?

And... BTW, I need your phone number if we are going to see about a dismeet. No worries if you don't want to.

Also...Amy...need yours...same thing... no worries if you don't want to. I know that it is hard enough to fit everything in without throwing some crazy person wanting to meet ya into the mix.


And to everyone, I apologize that I have not made it to each of your threads... but know that I feel very blessed to have had you stick with me this year and that from the bottom of my heart I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I am glad that everyone is feeling better and I hope that you had a nice Thanksgiving!
I was at Toys R Us at 8 pm (left Damien watching a movie with my MIL) and waited in line with my SIL and her friend! I don't want to do that again because really we didn't get back home (after getting up at 5:30am that morning and cooking all day) until 2:30pm on Friday and we (my SIL and I) sat on the couch and passed out only to be woken up an hour later from my MIL wanting to do some black Friday shopping-- so out we were again until 9pm! Today I SLEPT most of the day and have a BIG headache, so I agree I don't think that I will do this again, but then again I say that every year!
Also, I like the trip binder!!! very smart and I love that it's small enough to take! I did a hard cover one and am debating on using it or not!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

I absolutely love your binder! You are all so organized... I shouldn't say what I've done... Maybe I'll post pictures, so all of you can giggle. The way we do Disney.. we don't plan. We've never done ADR's like we are on this trip. Ya know the little packet they send you after you book? The one that has the little 8 page fold out book with all the maps and rides listed? We highlighted our do's and do not's on that... and we're putting our ADR confirmation numbers on the pages with the corresponding parks! I know.. sad isn't it?

Sorry about Zach wanting to go now instead of 6 months ago even if there were more rooms in Disney, you'd become ADRzilla!

 

[swwake]

Love the binder you made! (Will you make me one? j/k)

If WDW is full and you really want to see about taking Zach, what if you checked into one of the DTD area (non-Disney) resorts? Maybe they have availability and maybe it's not too expensive?

 

[annmarieda]

Hi! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! And you're gone in less than two weeks...can you believe it? The binder looks so cool. I can't do anything that crafty.

Thanks so much. I hope your Thanksgiving was a nice one too. The binder was not hard at all to make.

I am glad that everyone is feeling better and I hope that you had a nice Thanksgiving!
I was at Toys R Us at 8 pm (left Damien watching a movie with my MIL) and waited in line with my SIL and her friend! I don't want to do that again because really we didn't get back home (after getting up at 5:30am that morning and cooking all day) until 2:30pm on Friday and we (my SIL and I) sat on the couch and passed out only to be woken up an hour later from my MIL wanting to do some black Friday shopping-- so out we were again until 9pm! Today I SLEPT most of the day and have a BIG headache, so I agree I don't think that I will do this again, but then again I say that every year!
Also, I like the trip binder!!! very smart and I love that it's small enough to take! I did a hard cover one and am debating on using it or not!

I use to go out every Black friday early in the morning... did a lot of shopping. Funds are tighter this year... and the kids I have shopped for in the past are not only older, but I have no idea what they are into any more. (long story short, we don't see our siblings much if ever and thus we don't see our nieces and nephews) Add in that a couple siblings never send my kids anything... and I have a harder time buying this year. What I do know I will not do again is go out on Thanksgiving. It was just too many people and too sad to be gone that evening.

You should post a picture of your binder!!!!

I absolutely love your binder! You are all so organized... I shouldn't say what I've done... Maybe I'll post pictures, so all of you can giggle. The way we do Disney.. we don't plan. We've never done ADR's like we are on this trip. Ya know the little packet they send you after you book? The one that has the little 8 page fold out book with all the maps and rides listed? We highlighted our do's and do not's on that... and we're putting our ADR confirmation numbers on the pages with the corresponding parks! I know.. sad isn't it?

Sorry about Zach wanting to go now instead of 6 months ago even if there were more rooms in Disney, you'd become ADRzilla!

I don't think there is anything wrong with how you plan... I think the hard copy planning is more to keep my thoughts down. If you can have them in your head and only need a bit of a reminder (like a highlighted item) then I say good for you!!! I just am too scatter brained.

As for Zach... yeah. I feel bad, but he will have a good time being here too and really it is more my need to fix things for him that is upsetting. He would "like" to go... but is fine not going.

 

[annmarieda]

Love the binder you made! (Will you make me one? j/k)

If WDW is full and you really want to see about taking Zach, what if you checked into one of the DTD area (non-Disney) resorts? Maybe they have availability and maybe it's not too expensive?

I would be happy to make you one. I would just use lined paper inside though... then you could write in your info. Or... I could leave them blank and then you could choose to print and paste in the pages.

I thought about the non disney hotel and having Zach get a military 4 day. He wants the dp though... so that throws a bit of a wrench in that. Course, I am not sure he realizes that the need for the dp (for us) just stems from the need to not have to budget meals. The more of us the more necessary that is. If you are just one person, you could easily just say I have x amount per day. I just know the one year it was all 6 of us and we were not on the dp... I had a small ap sometimes instead of a meal since the rest of the family "were on vacation" and so would get whatever on the menu..so one of us had to try and stay within budget and it fell on me.

 

[swwake]

I would be happy to make you one. I would just use lined paper inside though... then you could write in your info. Or... I could leave them blank and then you could choose to print and paste in the pages.

I was really kidding. I'll either make my own, or just print the pages of my Excel spreadsheet. Or wing it!

Since it's so close to our departure, and Haley isn't posting on our PTR (so it's safe to assume she's not reading it) and I doubt she knows how to follow where else I might be posting, I have decided it's ok to tell my DIS friends what my two surprises are on YOUR PTRs.

#1 - we have a stretch limo picking us up at the airport when we arrive MCO (since we aren't using ME because we're going to HRH at Universal the first night, and we were going to take a cab anyway. I upgraded to a town car for a nominal difference, then splurged on the limo so the girls will feel like "rock stars" arriving at the HRH!)

#2 - we are staying club level at the Poly. A few months back I looked into it and could increase our budget a little to squeeze it in and I think it will be great for the kids (well for all of us). So we don't have to worry about snacks, hopefully won't have to buy much/many breakfasts, have a great place to watch fireworks and the EWP from (the concierge lounge), get turndown with chocolates, and don't have to worry about a longhouse request. Since the IPO will give us a printed itinerary when we check in, with all the ADR numbers, I don't have to worry about keeping up with them.

I sent you a PM with my cell number

 

[Monknmom]

I use to go out every Black friday early in the morning... did a lot of shopping. Funds are tighter this year... and the kids I have shopped for in the past are not only older, but I have no idea what they are into any more. (long story short, we don't see our siblings much if ever and thus we don't see our nieces and nephews) Add in that a couple siblings never send my kids anything... and I have a harder time buying this year. What I do know I will not do again is go out on Thanksgiving. It was just too many people and too sad to be gone that evening.

You should post a picture of your binder!!!!

Yeah I think that this was the last year for me! I would rather deal with a slow internet on Monday! I only buy for the kids usually but last year people bought my DH and I stuff so now I feel obligated! But I told everyone that they are either getting a Christmas gift or a gift from Disney and that's it! Budges are tight this year for us too!

I will post pictures starting tomorrow! I haven't yet because Damien has been wondering around these last few days in and out of my room! But now that I have the camera I can post everything!

 

[Leger13]

I've missed some updates but I hope things are going well!!! Your trip is so close!! WooHoo!!!