Coffee on the Verandah -The Last Slide, Recap & Souvies 5/29 - Link to Aulani TR 5/31

[eandesmom]

Sorry I've been missing in action, I have some catching up to do!!

No worries, I know for me Sept is just crazy with the start of school and just..life! Welcome back!

Need to go back and read, pedal, paddle is where I've left off. Be back...

pedal, paddle! I am glad we did it.

Yeah, travelling with kids!

But you found the right motivation to get them all quiet in the end.

Thankfully it was really the only "bad" day with the E's. Not sure what it was but ugh! They were on every last nerve that day.

I just LOVE the view from your room! So beautiful.

It was a gorgeous view to be sure.

And I admire you for actually cooking for your family. We always say, that we want to try that once, but we never get around to it ....

Can't wait to read more of your adventures!

Well it's a quick easy dinner so that helped a lot and honestly after that drive the idea of the kids in a restaurant was

Our family drove from NH to FL this past June. I might add that our family includes three boys.

Yeah....

No road trips for me for a looooong time. SO over it.

Yeah, it definitely made me think about future road trips. Thankfully it was the only really bad day but oh it was with those 2! I'm the oldest of 6 so I get it, I really do but I was done with them!

Love the pics of Vero! These are the first pictures I've ever seen of this particular aspect of all-things-Disney. It looks lovely. But, seriously, a "lights-out" for turtles??! What is that all about?! (right about here my MIL would start relaying the story about how when she was a little girl, during WWII, at their beach house in Maine, they had "black-outs" so the u-boats couldn't see the coastline.....). But turtles, now that's something new!

You will get to see LOTS of pictures of many different aspects of Vero in the next several updates. Yep, lights out for turtles. It's pretty interesting actually!

I give your DH credit for getting the opener. Mine would likely have used his teeth after a drive like that....

.

Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't try to twist it off himself, he has done it before. I think part of it was knowing we were leaving and he didn't want tn drink a whole one that quickly so it did keep it colder and fresher by waiting.

Ah, your drive brought back many memories of my brother and I in the back of the car on long car trips all over the West. I'm sure my memories are different than my parents...

Jill in CO

I'm sure my memories are different than my parents as well! We had some interesting gaps age wise. I'm the oldest of 6 and my one brother and I were pretty good in the car but the next 2 fought like cats and dogs, it was awful.

So glad you made it to Vero! I had a good chuckle that you ended up with Wild Alaskan Salmon!

I was bummed but what can you do? It was a little funny. We were very happy to make it there, it did seem like a rather long day at that point even though we hadn't really done anything.

Kendall's birthday surprise was cute! Did you have to arrange for that or was it just something they did knowing it was her birthday?

I just noted her bday on our ressies, that was it. We did do a small thing on the cruise and there will be pictures of that when we get to it. Her actual birthday wasn't until our checkout day at Vero/embarkation day on the cruise.

I absolutely understand about the boys sniping etc in the car. When we used to have a minivan, we'd put one girl in the way back on the passenger side and one in the middle on the driver's side to keep them as far away from each other as possible! Now we have regular sedan type vehicles with only one backseat and they have to sit together. It's not always fun.

I hear you there, we will put one boy on the 3rd row in the SUV if we need to and over labor day when Jeff's dad and stepmom were here, I ended up having to ride in the 3rd row so we could separate them.

Looking forward to hearing about the turtle walk. When we stayed on the beach in Cocoa Beach we had the same restrictions with our windows at night.

Yep, the whole coastal area there would.

 

[scottny]

interesting about the turtles.

I love Walmart. I always check in on Facebook. Seriously only for health stuff and other junky stuff.

I had no idea Starbucks had an app to find them. I must look.

great update. The food looks good. The salmon rub looked really good. I will try to find it.

 

[eandesmom]

Well said!

I'm sure you can relate with 2 boys of your own!

Not to be creepy, but I know exactly where you stopped. It's our exit off of 95

As you were talking about how much you dislike Walmart, I couldn't help but think "if they stopped where I think they did, Target is right across the street." Then you said you saw it on your way out! Bummer! It's a nice Target, I've been several times. But I have yet to go to the Walmart!

We were really bummed after the fact, we'd probably have saved a good 10 minutes just because we know where things are if nothing else! Oh well.

Too funny about the location.

It is a pretty boring drive. Not bad from where we are to Disney, but yeah, there's just nothing until you hit Melbourne, and then Vero. It's amazing how much land is around!

There really isn't any surf shops unless you're right on the beach. Until you hit that, we're just a normal suburban area.

Boring is exactly it. It's not like it was sketchy or anything but...very boring.

ETA: I forgot to mention...the fish selection at Publix. You would think it would be a lot better! I think we had a better selection up in Rochester, NY with Wegmans!

Well to be fair a lot of our main chains here have lousy selections of fish as well. I think it just depends on that stores target market. The smaller IGA ones often have a great selection and then the Whole Foods type of stores, of which there are 3 main chains around here, also have nice options so it's easy to get. Funny part is Costco is often as good, or better than most of the stores and is where we buy 90% of our salmon (though the rest of the fish we usually get elsewhere).

I hadn't expected it to be good so all things considered was happy with the salmon. I was worried there wouldn't be anything and I'd have to figure out an entirely different meal and my brain was too fried for that. I do wish I'd been able to see what they had at Fresh market but at that hour we just weren't up for the extra travel time to maybe come up just as empty handed.

I am still soo far behind !! What with Memory books to do ( I have 1 complete ) and getting a slight touch of the flu from my flu shot , I have been absent from these boards!! I did change up the name of mt ptr to Bubba & Tink in case you can't find me

Bummer about the slight touch of flu. I need to get a flu shot, maybe this wedensday when I get my elbow looked at. I also need to get Eric in for his, Evan got his at his annual but Eric needs it more. I was behind on my updates and everyone else's threads. I can't wait to hear about your trip!

Oh Cynthia - I remember the days of bickering brothers only all too well! I remember one trip where they ran out of mid size cars and we were "forced" to take a van. We've never owned a van. But let me tell you what - having one kid in each seat was a god send.

We do that a lot in my car, stick one in the back row. When Jeff's dad and stepmom were here over labor day, I needed up in that back row with one kid, so we could keep them separated. Bummer as size wise the 2 of them fit a lot better back there than one adult but ugh, it can be a painful car ride when the 2 of them are there together. I'm sure you can very much relate!

Between your pictures and Glen's pictures I totally want to go back to Vero. I have to put that into my queue.

It's funny that we are both "there" at the same time, I really didn't expect it to play out that way but with the girls NY trip at the front of his TR I guess it did! Vero overload. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Honestly I'd do my entire vacation over again in the exact same order with only minor tweaks, it was that good.

I am SO excited for our trip! Too cute, the boys started giving me lists of things they want me to do for them. So far I have to try and return/replace a necklace for Evan and obtain 2 specific pins for Eric. LOL!

Kudos to you for still cooking dinner after your long day. I would have thrown in the towel hours ago and gotten take-out pizza.

Can't wait to hear how the rest of Vero went.

Pizza just wasn't remotely appealing after the margaritaville lunch and honestly the salmon is such a quick easy dinner that I think it worked out better. We needed a few things for breakfast and lunch anyway, plus wine for me, so if we hadn't gone to the store then it would have been a bit of a drag. I am all for throwing in the towel at times though, as you will will see later!

Great update. Can't wait to hear about why you've got to close the blinds because of the turtles. I suppose I could Google it but waiting is more fun.

LOL! It is pretty fascinating, I can't wait till I get to that part of the TR actually.

Nice view too. I'm a view junkie so it's very important to me. Silly I know.

I don't think it's silly at all. I'm a view and a verandah junkie

And I still haven't made our breakfast ADR. I figure we'll just go when we're all ready. We'll kit during the trip.

I'm not worried about it, pretty darn sure we'll be able to just walk in wherever. I started working on my budget last night for the trip....ugh, I'm thinking the Dooney is out this trip for sure. LOL!

 

[natebenma]

Sorry to hear your drive to Vero was so boring and bickery. I'm another one who know exactly what you are talking about with the two boys!

Glad you got to stock up on a few things along the way. on the boogie board and snorkel gear. I hope they get lots of use.

Great view- looks like a perfect place for some coffee in the morning.

I'm impressed with the meal you put together after such a long day, a frustrating drive, so late at night. It looked really good!

Can't wait for the turtle walk!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Hurrah! We're at Vero! Can't wait to learn more about the resort. It looks so pretty!

It is pretty and very relaxing. Definitely has the beach vibe! Kendall was enthralled with the kitchen back splash turtle tiles. I really loved the kitchen decor and the pretty colored fiesta ware.

That drive sounds pretty harrowing. I'm with LegoMom's DH, I would have found a way to get that beer open with our without an opener after all of that!

In retrospect, I am surprised he didn't at least try to twist it off, he's done it before.

The lights out for turtles is pretty neat. Looking forward to hearing more about that. Hope you were able to go on the turtle walk!

It's pretty cool stuff coming up!

And bravo to you for cooking. As MEK said, I would have probably surrendered to take out.

After the big Margarita lunch, and the car ride, the last thing I wanted to do was to sit with the kids in a restaurant and at that moment, pizza wasn't remotely appealing. Plus I needed wine for the villa that said, driving back to the grocery store kind of sucked, we should have just gotten it all at the first stop as it really wasn't all that much.

C - I thought about you first when I read that Be Our Guest will be serving wine and beer. We don't need to put up that shooter stand after all.

I thought of C too!!! It's created quite the stir

Yay! Glad you made it to Vero! Your room looks great and such a beautiful view!

Loved the view. I do wish the windows were bigger but at least I understand why now.

So interesting about the turtles and having to close your blinds. I'm looking forward to learning the "why" behind this.

It's fascinating!

We had the same villa on our June trip! Your pictures of the view looked so familiar, I had to check my notes...it was 1436! We had stayed at Vero twice prior to this summer, and both times had a ground floor room. We made a request this time, and got it. I've been spoiled by the 3rd floor now!

That is so funny! I'd wanted to be building specific but figured my chances were best if I just left it at 3rd floor and it definitely paid off. I was very very happy with the location, would absolutely stay there again.

Wow... what a stressful day! I hope the rest of your visit at Vero is much better. I can't wait to hear about the turtle tour.

Well, it started off well with the nice walk and workout and lunch was a highlight but overall...one of the longest days of the trip to be sure. It gets better, but not without a few bumps.

 

[eandesmom]

I know the Walmart you stopped at too!! We usually go to the Target across the street..

I will definitely remember that, if we ever do that route again! Funny that everyone knows exactly where it is.

It is rough when you get on the road from Disney and decide that you must have coffee. There is nothing until you get to I-95.

Yeah, we could have gotten one at Citywalk but after the ankle thing we just wanted to get on the road and realistically, we needed that break from the E's in the car at that hour mark anyway so it worked out. And we did get the beach things we needed so it was all good. However, had we gone to Target, I might have just gotten the groceries etc at the same time and saved us a good hour later. Something to remember if we go back to Vero for sure.

Great update, Cynthia. The E's bickering in the car reminded me of the days we used to drive from Chicago to Disney and Andy and Markie fighting in the back of the van....one of the many reasons we decided to start flying, even though I hate(d) flying.

LOL! So they wouldn't fight on the plane? Doesn't stop the E's...but I sit in between them and that negates it. Chicago to Disney? That is a LONG drive. UGH.

I refuse to shop at Wal-Mart myself (went once and will NOT go back...).

I swear, the only time we go in, is on vacation when we can't find anything else. It's about an every other year occurrence at best. We usually have a horror story about a shopper in there but this time people seemed relatively normal. I've had people take my cart, stuff OUT of my cart, run me over with their cart...and that's just the other shoppers. LOL!

The view you recived is absolutely gorgeous. I am sitting here admiring the pictures over and over again. In the meantime, my oldest, Andy, is drooling over your salmon pictures (Mark and I don't eat it, but Andy would eat it five times a week if he could).

I wouldn't eat it 5x a week but we probably have it 2 times a month. Ideally I like fish once a week, it doesn't always happen...mostly for cost reasons. It is definitely one of our easy go to dinners that's for sure.

Hello! I'm here...finally! Sheesh...its been a crazy couple of months. Looks like everything was up to a wonderful start. Great intros, as always. I love paddleboating, even though its work. Still can't believe how far you guys went, though. Wow.

It is work but does help justify the Disney eating and drinking not that Evan needed to worry about that but it was good for me. That kid actually needs a week of Disney eating without any exercise, he definitely dropped down in the % on his last checkup...to the point of the Doc actually saying something to him. Like eat more. LOL! It's just how he's built though, I was the same way at that age. I just hope he gets some height soon, it's driving him nuts.

Needless to say, your info about the upcoming trip is getting me excited. And I love all the pics of OKW. I think I picked well!

Looking forward to more updates.

I think you'll love OKW. It's got kind of a beach club feel...but more relaxed and spread out. A little more adult too which should be good for this trip. I made the mistake of looking at the 10 day forecast this morning even though it's not 10 days. More rain in there than I want to see. Need to make sure a poncho and umbrella are on my list.

I forgot I wanted to mention that I share your feelings for Walmart. It's a rare occasion that I will set foot in there for about 10 different reasons. Definitely my last choice.
Of course, having grown up and lived virtually my whole life (except college) in Minnesota, I'm partial to Target!

Yep you are in Target central that's for sure. 10 different reasons. I'm with you there, at least 10!

I'm kind of with you on Walmart the only time I ever go into one is if they have what I need and for a secent price. We actully have a traget coming very close by sometime next year.

I love Target although not as much as I used to. I think that's largely due to kids being older and just not needing some of the stuff I used to go there for. I've got a couple sort of close but it's not a store I really need to go to often anymore but is my default for many things when I do.

 

[emma212010]

I can totally relate with the car ride drama! I have two younger brothers on my dad's side, and we drove down from Vermont to Florida (a 24 hour drive). I was 16 at the time, and my brothers were 6 and 10! They bickered NONSTOP!! I totally feel ya! We seem to always drive places because my dad and step mother don't like to fly. It's a great time..

ANYWAY, I'm sure you were thrilled to arrive! I'm excited to see your pictures and hear about Vero Beach! It seems beautiful! Your villa is very nice! I love the kitchen!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh you poor thing! So much drama in such a short period of time. I guess because my kids are 10 years apart in age, they didn't fuss and fight much.

I'm so looking forward to hearing/reading about your turtle walk.

 

[Flossbolna]

Your car ride drama reminds me of a family trip where we travelled to England by sleeper train (and then ferry across the Channel) in the early 80s when Katharina and I were young, I think I might have been around Eric's age. My mother, my sister and I had one compartment and Katharina and I were so excited that we kept making fun nearly all night. I still remember that my mother kept telling us that obviously there was no need to travel by sleeper car if we had no intention of sleeping on the train. I think she must have been so frustrated! I am not sure how much time any of us slept... Oh and the next day in London we had great fun as we had to transport our bikes. which had been sent ahead, but had to be claimed at Victoria Station, all the way across the city to Waterloo station to continue our journey, as well as the luggage. That was quite an adventure!

 

[eandesmom]

Wow, our arrival days were very similar! Oldest daughter in charge while the parents ran to the grocery store, a card from Goofy for someone celebrating, and a late dinner in the suite.

Eerily similar. It's funny we are both "there" in our TR's right now. I was not expecting that at all. We will be on the cruise while you are at AKV so that shouldn't overlap.

Dinner wasn't really all that late for us, we are pretty late eaters in general.

Good job photographing your in-suite meal, by the way.

Thanks! I had fun making it, and eating it!

Good views of the ocean! Was your suite along the side of the building?

It was, I was thrilled with our location, even though it was in the bundling I thought I didn't want! What do I know. I think we had an easier time with the trek to the pool, drink station and even the beach compared to your spot but then again...I never even saw whether the campfire and grills were. I'm glad I broiled the salmon as it looks like a trek to have tried to grill it.

Yes, that drive between WDW and Vero is just a little bit farther than I'd like it to be.

Definitely. Felt farther than it actually was too

Doesn't sound like a fun drive, have you tried gagging and binding them?

Now that you mention it...yes, yes I have. As we as hosing them down with cold water. I'm glad we were in a bigger car, it would have been worse had we been in what we'd actually booked.

I know what you mean about stops on drives you think it'll only take 5 mins but in reality its always about 45 mins.

So true, a fact we should have remembered for later.

Looking forward to hearing about the turtle walk.

Cool stuff coming up!

As far as I know, the only solution to this problem is a taser.

It would have been used so probably, just as well.

Or at least some strong sedatives. Does Walmart have those?

I suppose I could have given them both a benadryl but historically it has the opposite effect on Eric.

Great view!

It really was lovely.

I'm amazed you still wanted to cook. We would have surrendered to the convenience of pizza long before that point.

Honestly it was just as fast as pizza, once we had the goods and given we'd needed some other items, it was pretty necessary to hit the store. We should have just gotten the groceries at the first stop, that was a big time blunder on our part. Could have just let them kill each other in the hot car with the windows closed.

Kidding.

Mostly.

We got that one on our trip!

It's gotten lots of use since the trip. glad we got it although at the time Jeff was having a heart attack at

1. The price
2. I told him it could come out of "his" souvenir money

Whoa. Layin' down the law! I'll have to remember this, for the nights when I forget to charge the taser.

Kind of surprised something actually worked at that point but they may have just been worn out and it only seemed like it worked...but in reality they passed out.

We love Margaritaville. Have only been to the one in Myrtle Beach. Might have to venture over there in November. Looks like you had fun.

We did, we absolutely love it there.

Wow, what a drive to Vero. I couldn't imagine two boys in the car. One is bad enough. Jeremy gets tired and bored and we hear "how long till we are there." Drives me crazy. I always think it would be nicer if there was another child to entertain him but it might not be that nice after all.

Ugh. The dreaded "are we there yet" I know that one well.

Great view!!! I can't wait to read all about your stay at Vero. I haven't done much research on it so I am anxious to hear all your thoughts. Would love to get down there sometime.

We had 2 full days, 2 half days and 3 nights there so you will get lots of info on it to be sure! Very glad we went and would do it again. Hope to someday!

Wow ... that car ride sounds awesome ... Good times ... just think how much more wonderful it was when you got there... I think I've been on a ride like that just with different variations... Ems has "space" issues... & David has all the space is mine issues... But yours sounds like much, much more fun...

My brother and sister were like that with "space" fought like cats and dogs. The E's do it a little but not too bad, they are more like my brother and I were, we'd just sprawl all over each other and sleep in the craziest controted positions and get stuck. this was of course pre-seat belt days! Eric has a hard time with it though, he was never a car sleeper even as a baby no matter how tired he was and still isn't. It's funny, I am trying to remember what Kendall was doing during all of this and I just don't recall. it is possible she was asleep, that girl can fall asleep in a car like no one I know. Except for Taylor.

Don't you love the Starbucks app? It's Godsend... (maybe Jeff could have doctored it for you and made you an Irish Coffee ... It sounds like Jeff could have used one of his beers before you got to Vero...

I do love the app and it came in handy several times on the trip!

He could have used a beer before we got to Vero. By the time we got out of the store at Margaritaville, dealt with the bleeding ankle from nowhere, the drive, the walmart...those margarita's at lunch were LONG gone.

Vero looks really nice... I can't wait to hear more about it and the turtles...

It is really nice. Very laid back and mellow.

I know you were probably disappointed about not getting local fish but there is something kind of funny about flying all the way from the Pacific Northwest to Florida and getting ... Salmon ...

Turtle time...

The irony of the fish was not lost on either of us.

 

[eandesmom]

Ooookay, caught up!

Way to go to the E's for paddling all that way!! And good for mom on the way back!! Y'all rocked it!!

It was fun, Evan was quite the paddler! Eric on the other hand may be traumatized for life. LOL!

Margaritaville burgers are HUGE!! Two people could eat on those things! Hope the shorts worked out well. Do we get to see your new shirt?

I don't think there is a single picture of me in it, despite the fact that I wore it quite a bit on the trip. So yes, there will be a picture but at the end of just the shirt. I am taking it on my Oct trip so a picture may come back with me after all, you never know!

I don't know how you do it, girl! I don't know that I could have put up with the boys acting that way without threatening one of them riding the SUV roof, the remainder of the trip. And then you still cooked!

I would have been tempted to do some sort of take out that night but would have thought better and probably cooked too. It's so hard for me to eat out now days, it's better to have a healthy meal, and it's cheaper on the wallet. Good for you Mama!

Oh I'm sure there were threats like that...they usually involve being left on the side of the road. Honestly on that night, take out never even occurred to me as an option and I'm glad we stuck with our plan, it was definitely easier on the wallet.

Can't wait to hear about the turtle story and why y'all have to close your blinds. [/COLOR]

It's pretty neat.

interesting about the turtles.

I love Walmart. I always check in on Facebook. Seriously only for health stuff and other junky stuff.

Health stuff and junky stuff. that's funny

I had no idea Starbucks had an app to find them. I must look.

The app was been very helpful on the trip, I also use it as my Starbucks card and just pay with my phone getting scanned, kind of cool!

great update. The food looks good. The salmon rub looked really good. I will try to find it.

Tom Douglas is a local chef who makes a whole line of rubs and other marinades, etc. The salmon one is good but there are a few I like even better. One of our favorites is the Spicy Tokyo one. I'll baste the salmon with yoshidas and then use the spicy tokyo on top of it...yum! There's also an african one I like...but can't recall the name of it. We usually have about 4-6 of them around the house though lately I've been making a lot of my own rubs as well.

Sorry to hear your drive to Vero was so boring and bickery. I'm another one who know exactly what you are talking about with the two boys!

Glad you got to stock up on a few things along the way. on the boogie board and snorkel gear. I hope they get lots of use.

I am glad we picked both up. We'd have lived without them but it did make things easier and faster more than once.

Great view- looks like a perfect place for some coffee in the morning.

It was a lovely view. Due to the way it is laid out, you lose a little of the view while seated which is a little bit of a bummer but still, just lovely.

I'm impressed with the meal you put together after such a long day, a frustrating drive, so late at night. It looked really good!

Can't wait for the turtle walk!!!

It's one of our basic, go to easy and fast dinners so it worked perfectly that night.

I can totally relate with the car ride drama! I have two younger brothers on my dad's side, and we drove down from Vermont to Florida (a 24 hour drive). I was 16 at the time, and my brothers were 6 and 10! They bickered NONSTOP!! I totally feel ya! We seem to always drive places because my dad and step mother don't like to fly. It's a great time..

The funny thing is we did a giant road trip in 2008. Seattle to the Grand Canyon and back, via Yellowstone, Denver and Santa Fe. No fighting and we were crammed in a minivan with suitcases under feet! However we did have books. Lots and lots of books. And I think we were short on that this trip as when both boys went to pack, magically they were out of anything to read that they hadn't read already (hence the desperate library stop on departure night). It would have helped.

ANYWAY, I'm sure you were thrilled to arrive! I'm excited to see your pictures and hear about Vero Beach! It seems beautiful! Your villa is very nice! I love the kitchen!

I loved the kitchen at Vero. Same layout as OKW but the colors, it was just adorable!

Oh you poor thing! So much drama in such a short period of time. I guess because my kids are 10 years apart in age, they didn't fuss and fight much.

K&T are 4 and they are fine now but oh there was a time that they were a nightmare! The boys are in the thick of it lately, historically they haven't really been all that bad. Must be the tween/teen hormones kicking in. ugh.

I'm so looking forward to hearing/reading about your turtle walk.

Your car ride drama reminds me of a family trip where we travelled to England by sleeper train (and then ferry across the Channel) in the early 80s when Katharina and I were young, I think I might have been around Eric's age. My mother, my sister and I had one compartment and Katharina and I were so excited that we kept making fun nearly all night.

I'd have been so excited I'd be bouncing off the walls at that age too! I've only done one sleeper train, at 16, and it was incredibly exciting. Still seems like a movie scene in my memory.

I still remember that my mother kept telling us that obviously there was no need to travel by sleeper car if we had no intention of sleeping on the train. I think she must have been so frustrated! I am not sure how much time any of us slept... Oh and the next day in London we had great fun as we had to transport our bikes. which had been sent ahead, but had to be claimed at Victoria Station, all the way across the city to Waterloo station to continue our journey, as well as the luggage. That was quite an adventure!

Oh your poor mother! I can only imagine. Yikes on getting kids, bikes AND luggage across town. What an adventure.

 

[eandesmom]

Jeff and I woke up Monday morning to bright sunny skies and decided to...have coffee on the verandah. I honestly have no idea what time we woke up and went out there but it was not early. Probably sometime between 8:30 and 9, the long day and late night catching up with us.

Basking in the sun, verging on baking actually, with kids still sleeping and truthfully already feeling ansty, I decided to quit procrastinating and get some work done while Jeff surfed on his phone.

You can see in this picture where the wall hits and the ledge is to view out. It seemed high to me, too high. So that when seated, you can't really see out as you'd like and it feels enclosed, or at least more enclosed than it should, or could. It's a silly thing but it bugged me. It somehow, even though I was outside, made it feel a little claustrophobic while seated. Private yes but I wanted to see and feel the ocean!

As you may recall, I had left home with an unresolved work project. Something that could have, should have been done and released after I left that thanks to others not providing timely feedback, was not. With an almost 2 week vacation it wasn't something myself, or my boss, wanted to wait until my return. I didn't think making the needed changes would be an issue from the road and since we'd brought the computer for Kendall to do math on (which was based on incorrect information, she didn't need it or use it...for that) I'd be using the kids mac. I'll toss this out there now. I'm a PC user. I like my iphone just fine and I can find my way around a mac if need be but the reality is that all the programs are just "enough" different to really chap my hide. And frustrate me. Things that should take 5 minutes, take me longer as I am just not as familiar. This particular project involved an email marketing blast. On the mac, I'd need to go into the program and make the changes. Shouldn't be an issue as it is server hosted software, not mac specific. Typically, when I work on these things at the office, I'm using double monitors, to easily cut and paste and check my work. I like keyboard shortcuts. And my mouse.

I didn't have a mouse.

The sensitivity on our mac's keypad, for whatever reason, is not my friend. I've tried tweaking it but it hasn't seemed to help. The keyboard shortcuts on a mac, are different. Cut and Paste should be universal if you ask me, why Apple felt the need to use a key other than "control" is beyond me. As a result, while trying to change huge sections that someone who feels the need to edit every comma...without changing material content...just to have it be stated the way they "like" it better...despite the fact it had been approved by at least 4 others already (rant over lol)...I kept wasting time hitting the wrong keys and not being able to go back and forth between the internet program, and the doc I was pulling the info from in a timely fashion.

Call this...Challenge A.

We were at the beach. In a villa. With free internet!

Free. But lousy. Here we go!

And....drop the signal....can't find the signal...oh wait, here's a signal for building 14...oh wait, lost the signal...sorry changes not saved...connection lost...oh wait, here's a signal for building 15...oh wait, lost the signal...sorry changes not saved...connection lost...oh wait.

Think lather, rinse, repeat...with my brain and needed changes on the part that kept getting rinsed out.



Call this...Challenge B.

It was getting hot out, the keyboard not being thrilled with the state of things; I went and attempted to finish up on the bed. The amount of time it took thanks to Challenge A&B, compared to how long it should have taken was mind boggling. Finally got it done, a new proof ready to send out and shut things down. My boss and co worker would get it later that morning once work started in Seattle....but being that it was a Monday I didn't expect feedback (but did expect more changes) until at least dinner time, Vero time.

A couple of the kids finally started to stir. One...not so much.

It was now 10:30. Sigh.

Call this…Challenge C.

Ok

With prodding...movement occurred. Breakfasts were eaten. And the Olympics were turned on. Don’t get me wrong, I like Michael Phelps as much as anyone and it was the heats for the 200M butterfly but it’s a gorgeous morning and we are at the BEACH people! As a general rule, for me, turning on the tv while I am on vacation is akin to nails on a chalkboard. It should be outlawed. As should be computers.

And then I heard "I'm going to take a shower"

HUH? We are at the BEACH! Isn't a shower for AFTER the beach?
?????

At this point, the internet connection frustration, the co-worker frustration (that I was even having to do work at all) the prior days drive, bickering and total lack of pool and beach for yours truly caught up with me.

I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS ROOM!

NOW!

Yep. Pretty sure I stated it just like that. In fact, yelling may have occurred. Or tense loud speaking. I’m still trying to block it from my memory. I was hot, bothered, bored, frustrated and WANTED OUT OF THAT ROOM! Yeah. Why I didn't just leave calmly...it's not like anyone was locking me in based on their agenda, is a bit beyond me. Nope, instead I expected everyone to want what I wanted (namely hit the beach NOW as soon as they'd eaten) and more importantly, read my mind, know what I wanted and magically just start doing it. The boys? They wanted to go to the pool.

HUH? We are at the BEACH people!

Ok fine, I'll take the boys to the pool. I suppose that way I don't have to do beach rules solo for the 1st outing. I had the boys change and put on sunscreen. Except...one was missing. Great. Now we were down two brand new bottles of good organic mineral sunscreen. The first, Jeff had to toss as he tried to board the plane with it coming from the airshow to MCO. The second...well the second no one was fessing up to. It just mysteriously disappeared, probably left at the pool or in the room at OKW (I did call but no luck). Basically I left in a huff, grabbing the boys and taking them to the pool. We got there at...

11:30

They jumped in, happy as larks, headed up to the slide and I sat there and stewed.

And stewed

And stewed

I got up a couple of times, checked out the rental info and activity schedule, checked out the bleachers menu and filled up an iced tea in my refillable mug.

The boys…were oblivious

And practiced snorkeling with the new gear

Uh oh...is a fight over gear in the works?

About an hour later (I guess after the infamous pre-beach shower was taken and the heat concluded) I get a call.

"We’re going to the beach"

Not "We are heading down, should we join you at the pool and then all of us can head to the beach together?"

Or anything along those lines.

Just

"We're going to the beach"

I’m not sure I spoke. I hung up in disbelief. After my fit not only was the rest of my family not going to come join me…they were going to the beach without me. I sat there and stewed.

And stewed

And stewed

And stewed

And stewed some more.

Went to the restroom

And picked up the phone.

"I've been sitting here waiting for you guys so we could all go to the beach together and I'm pretty hurt you went without me"

"I didn't know you wanted to go to the beach"

"You took the boys to the pool"

"I just wanted out of the room and didn't feel like waiting while someone took a shower…to go to the pool or beach. All I wanted to do today was go to the beach and we've been in the room all morning."

"Oh."

"Ok."

"I had no idea"

"You were working"

"I figured I'd better stay in the room to make sure she came down after the shower. Otherwise she'd keep watching swimming"

"I'm sorry?"

"You were really mad"

"I didn't understand what was going on"

"Thought maybe you just needed some space at the pool to cool off?"

"We will come get you guys."

And to the beach we went.

Not my finest morning.

But…we were off to the beach!

Did I mention how much I love the beach?



Lunch with a view

 

[glennbo123]

That high railing is kind of weird. Probably for accident liability purposes. Our balcony had slats, so at least you could see below the railing some, but others were like yours.

I'm sorry about your morning. You must be the only family that has miscommunications and lacks mind-reading abilities. (That deserved a double-rolleyes.) But good for you for making the call and saying "here's what I wanted to do". I've asked Judy to do that with me in those oh-so-rare occasions when I'm not getting it.

I'm glad you got a photo of Eb & Flo's rental fee board, I looked at it but never thought to get a picture. I wish we'd had more time to do some of those things: bocce ball, croquet, bicycing....

 

[Mndisneygirl]

That is EXACTLY the type of meltdown I have! Things like that happen to us frequently. I always say I shouldn't have to spell everything out, not that I expect you to read my mind, but you know me pretty well by now, right? How about some consideration? Blah, blah, blah...

Was it pretty crowded when you were there? The pool looked fairly active.

 

[natebenma]

Sorry to hear about your work challenges. Bad enough to have to do the work (which should not have been an issue if people had done their jobs before you left), but to have to use a MAC, deal with a poor connection and *shudders* sans mouse. ICK!!!

Oh, no!!! Faced with your situation, I would have had the same reaction! I love the beach, too! Being so close, yet not there. Not cool!!!

A long time ago, my DH and I went with a bunch of his coworkers to a cottage on Cape Cod. It was very drizzly when we arrived, but when the sun finally came out in the afternoon, and I was itching to hit the beach, the others pulled the curtains in the room and watched Scream. I wanted to scream!. And threw a hissy fit later that night and insisted that we leave instead of staying over as originally planned. I'm not going to be at the beach and not be AT the beach!

 

[LegoMom3]

Next time, you bring me as your live-in/travel-along nanny/housekeeper. I love the pool and can stay there all day. And, I'm really good at cleaning.

As long as I can start my day with coffee on the verandah....

 

[dizneeat]

Yikes for having to work on vacation! ..... and then having a computer you are not used to, so not fun!

And I can VERY much relate to the family issues when you wanted to go to the beach as well. I would not have been a happy bunny either.

 

[MEK]

Posting from my phone. Ok I don't recall how high the railing was at Vero. Think Glen is probably right about the liability thing.

Nothing is more frustrating than a computer with slow internet service. Yuck to having to finish work on vacation. That stinks! Big time!

The thing I really liked about Vero was how close the pool was to the beach. Of course the boys had to use the pool first. What did you expect? Lol.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Jeff and I woke up Monday morning to bright sunny skies and decided to...have coffee on the verandah.

You probably are ready for us to stop beating this joke into the ground by now, huh?

Are you sure you're allowed to use an Old Key West mug at Vero Beach? Watch, I bet this upsets the rhythm of the whole morning now. You're meddling with forces you cannot possibly comprehend.

I decided to quit procrastinating and get some work done while Jeff surfed on his phone.

Top 10 Reasons to Procrastinate:
1.

And....drop the signal....can't find the signal...oh wait, here's a signal for building 14...oh wait, lost the signal...sorry changes not saved...connection lost...oh wait, here's a signal for building 15...oh wait, lost the signal...sorry changes not saved...connection lost...oh wait.

As a general rule, for me, turning on the tv while I am on vacation is akin to nails on a chalkboard. It should be outlawed. As should be computers.

And bringing work along.

I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS ROOM!

NOW!

I was hot, bothered, bored, frustrated and WANTED OUT OF THAT ROOM! Yeah. Why I didn't just leave calmly...it's not like anyone was locking me in based on their agenda, is a bit beyond me. Nope, instead I expected everyone to want what I wanted (namely hit the beach NOW as soon as they'd eaten) and more importantly, read my mind, know what I wanted and magically just start doing it.

I've told my wife that I'm really working hard on my mind-reading skills, but this ESPN stuff is really hard.

The boys…were oblivious

I knew I liked them.

About an hour later (I guess after the infamous pre-beach shower was taken and the heat concluded) I get a call.

"We’re going to the beach"

Not "We are heading down, should we join you at the pool and then all of us can head to the beach together?"

Or anything along those lines.

Just

"We're going to the beach"

Well, hey, at least they called.

I sat there and stewed.

And stewed

And stewed

And stewed

And stewed some more.

"What we have here...is failure to communicate."

Not my finest morning.

But…we were off to the beach!

Did I mention how much I love the beach?

Sorry it was such a miserable morning. Surely it gets better from here, right? I hope?

 

[glennbo123]

"What we have here...is failure to communicate."

Cool Hand Luke

Oops, sorry....wrong thread.