D-Day Invasion- "Strange"-ly Imminent!! TRIP REPORT IS UP!!

[All7OfUs]

Hey Liesa! You still up? I need to head back a few pages and catch up...

Nope. Went to bed after several really important LATE night phone calls to community college for Bek. UGH! WHY does educating our kids have to be so TIME consuming and DIFFICULT!! Sometimes I wish we could all just be cromagnun again and eat of sticks. Well, maybe not, they didnt' have refridgerators. Hmmm... need to rethink this.

I think I had heard that - maybe somewhere here on the Dis, because I know very little about Morocco otherwise!



Recipe please? That looks great!

Okay, so I must have missed #7, but #8 (if its not too late) is

Ok, I promise I'll work on the recipe today- later. First I need to get the game going again.

I really know very little about it either! I hope I learn a lot more on the tour!

Oh no! I missed the game! It seems as though there is always something more URGENT (not necessarily more important, though) than the DIS. I still haven't got around the blogging, and I promised you forever and a day ago to tell you about my super special surprise, so I'll just tell you now: A Singer sewing/serger/embroidery machine! It took me a full 2 days to figure out the embroidery stuff. My old machine is a Brother that does straight & zigzag stitches. This has 99. Plus about 15 different presser feet. It's going to take some getting used to. I also had to rearrange my craft room to set it up with the laptop, because it has to be plugged into the computer for embroidery. Good fun, though!
Glad to see you got your DISney docs & don't have to be on pins and needles waiting for those!

I think I'd die and go to heaven to get a machine like that. It'd be like a man getting a REALLY big chainsaw or drill press or something, I think. My DH was looking at chainsaws online the other day; did you know you can buy one that costs as much as this trip to Disney is costing me??!! I told him to go ahead- it'd go into the trip points bank for my next trip. He laughed.

Congrats on that!!! How fun to get something so incredibly cool. I'd love to get a long arm quilting machine someday!! My pipe dream.

I haven't done anything like that!



recently



Nice!

The dish looked nifty Liesa, but I couldn't partake. Like Brook's "b" I too have a system. Curry starts with C and C is for Consequences. (NOCPFriedCabbage)

How come I don't believe you??


I can think of several more words that start with 'C' for curry consequences. The aftermath of said comes to mind.

We have really good rain mojo, I've had ponchos since trip one that are still in their original packaging! Once it rained for a few minutes, but that was IT. Since you are traveling the same time we are, no rain!



to all of the above!

Then I have a 50/50. Mary attracts hurricanes like we two to CDNs.

 

[that's nice]

Then I have a 50/50. Mary attracts hurricanes like we two to CDNs.

So true!!! That girl is a hurricane magnet! I remember the last time she went in September or October... There was a hurricane watch for her!

 

[All7OfUs]

So true!!! That girl is a hurricane magnet! I remember the last time she went in September or October... There was a hurricane watch for her!

So, ok, retarded question.... when DO people start looking at the weather forecasts for their trips?? 2 weeks out?? 1 week out?? I'm thinking if there was something serious out there, it'd show up in the ocean a while before it hit the east coast, right?

 

[that's nice]

So, ok, retarded question.... when DO people start looking at the weather forecasts for their trips?? 2 weeks out?? 1 week out?? I'm thinking if there was something serious out there, it'd show up in the ocean a while before it hit the east coast, right?

I look 10 days out... but just for fun. I think 2-3 day forecasts are the most accurate (and that's not saying much)

Umm as far as a hurricane.. I guess 5-7 days out. A hurricane that is a direct hit in Orlando most likely won't ruin your vacation. Just a few hours of it.

 

[All7OfUs]

I look 10 days out... but just for fun. I think 2-3 day forecasts are the most accurate (and that's not saying much)

Umm as far as a hurricane.. I guess 5-7 days out. A hurricane that is a direct hit in Orlando most likely won't ruin your vacation. Just a few hours of it.

Well, that's no stinkin' help. 2 or 3 DAYS??? I"ll have been packed for 2 weeks by then. Ah well.... if there's a direct hit, I'll plan on being in my Tea Time.


Speaking of "TEE TIME". GET THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Remember that 5K we registered for?? In Bowling Green? Well, it's in a sub-division, I guess in a REALLY NICE sub-division because they have a club and a golf course, and a fitness center and a restuarant. KNOW how I KNOW this??

Go ahead, ask me!!!!

Alright, since you insist:


OK, we got an e-mail this morning that says Mike won the Early Bird Registration Drawing!!! It's good for a certificate for $250 worth of services at the Club, one round of golf (we don't golf), fitness center time (he's all OVER that!!!), AND the best part (here's how I won too!!!) dinner for 2 at the Country Club Restaurant!!!!!

I knew there was a reason I entered this 5K- I KNEW IT!!!! (not really, we didn't even know there was a drawing!! )

BOOM, BABY!!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Time for revealing the answer to Question #8- which has to be Hoop de Doo Revue!! There just can’t be anything sillier or more fun (with unlimited booze) on property! If you’ve never tried- REALLY, you need to give it a go. Your kids will LOVE it, and you won’t be able to stop singing the song for months.





You might even be treated to your own little adventure as I’ve recount below- for those of you who’ve already read this, I apologize, but there’s quite a few new readers since this was posted a LONG time ago…




OK, I promised my Hoop de Doo story. Not exactly a drunk story (ala Jordo's) but hilarious nonetheless...

So, we thoroughly enjoyed the Hoop. It was achingly funny, full of corny puns, a little adult humor mixed in, a bunch of noisy hoopla for the kids, and pre-paid bottomless sangria. I have to admit, our waiters were not on the ball- AT ALL! I think they purposely make themselves scarce to keep the bottom line on the low side.

Regardless, what I did get tasted sweet and cold, and it was going down pretty well. It needed fruit floaties, but hey, you take what you can get.

By the time we headed out, everyone was in quite a jovial mood, still laughing and singing that silly song that gets stuck in your brain for the rest of you vacation and beyond. Hoop-de-doo, Hoop-de-Doo... There may have even been hand holding and skipping?

In my mood of merriment and mirth, I skipped right on into the bathroom. But something seemed horribly amiss, when I noticed bare butts standing along the wall smiling at me. I think I may have screamed? I don't even know, maybe I was so stunned I stood there in a dumb-founded silence. All I knew was that I was in the most "wrong" of all places!!

Butt, as horrifying as that was, worse yet, was that I knew I had to go back out. For those of you who've never had the joy of going to Pioneer Hall at the Fort, let me give you the layout. Off to the side of the main entrance are the restrooms and guest services windows. Directly, in front of the bathroom doors are rows and rows of benches. You don't have to guess that after 500 people emerge from a dinner show with unlimited pre-paid drinks there's going to be a fair amount of toilet action. Those benches were FULL of "spectators". I'm not sure, but my face must have been 1,000 shades of red when I came back out and loudly announced, "Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was my own little Hoop de VIEW!" I was feeling rather proud of my quick wit- see I hadn't had too much Sangria, afterall...

More than a few had the grace to laugh with me, not AT me. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to escape quickly enough for at least one of the "views" to come out and catch my eye and smirk.

So, that is the most outstanding memory of both the Hoop and Sangria. This Sept. I'm going to try again, butt now I know which door is which.


For those of you who answered TEA at the GF, I’m giving you a half point. It IS an event that we’re going to that DOES involve food, but all 3 of us won’t be going to that. Mary has to leave early that Sunday to get home, so it will just be LeeAnn and I.

And now this brings us to Question #9:

What nifty little souvenir is Soldier #1 going to hunt for in China?

 

[Flossbolna]

A free meal! I never win anything, but that's really wonderful. I guess you count on that your DH is taking you for that meal for two?

Here is my answer:

mini rice picker bamboo hat

 

[All7OfUs]

A free meal! I never win anything, but that's really wonderful. I guess you count on that your DH is taking you for that meal for two?

Here is my answer:

Cool beans, huh?!

When I told him this morning, his snarky reply was, "How do you know I"m taking YOU to dinner?" Of course he was joking. Who else would he take? My mother? I think NOT!





BTW, I'm not ignoring your thread! I will be back this afternoon to read and comment- but I'm out the door to go to lunch at some friends' house right now. TTYL!

 

[Flossbolna]

When I told him this morning, his snarky reply was, "How do you know I"m taking YOU to dinner?" Of course he was joking. Who else would he take? My mother? I think NOT!

BTW, I'm not ignoring your thread! I will be back this afternoon to read and comment- but I'm out the door to go to lunch at some friends' house right now. TTYL!

Have a great lunch!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

So, ok, retarded question.... when DO people start looking at the weather forecasts for their trips?? 2 weeks out?? 1 week out?? I'm thinking if there was something serious out there, it'd show up in the ocean a while before it hit the east coast, right?

We start looking at the 14 day forecast. It's funny though because every year by the time we get to 5 days out, the weather has changed a lot since we first started checking. I don't know why, but I'm obsessed with starting 15 days out.

 

[marvali]

So, ok, retarded question.... when DO people start looking at the weather forecasts for their trips?? 2 weeks out?? 1 week out?? I'm thinking if there was something serious out there, it'd show up in the ocean a while before it hit the east coast, right?

I usually look at ten days out to start planning, but it seems the weather patterns always hit a little quicker than projections that far ahead, so I keep an updated watch as the trip gets closer to make any adjustments if needed.

Speaking of "TEE TIME". GET THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Remember that 5K we registered for?? In Bowling Green? Well, it's in a sub-division, I guess in a REALLY NICE sub-division because they have a club and a golf course, and a fitness center and a restuarant. KNOW how I KNOW this??

Go ahead, ask me!!!!

Alright, since you insist:


OK, we got an e-mail this morning that says Mike won the Early Bird Registration Drawing!!! It's good for a certificate for $250 worth of services at the Club, one round of golf (we don't golf), fitness center time (he's all OVER that!!!), AND the best part (here's how I won too!!!) dinner for 2 at the Country Club Restaurant!!!!!

I knew there was a reason I entered this 5K- I KNEW IT!!!! (not really, we didn't even know there was a drawing!! )

BOOM, BABY!!!!

Nice reward for all your hard work!

And now this brings us to Question #9:

What nifty little souvenir is Soldier #1 going to hunt for in China?

Okay, in my haste to try and get my answer in quickly this time, I am going with Chopsticks or a Bamboo Rice pickers hat. I found this in your post that recapped what you plan to look for in each country, so hopefully at some point you didn't update that list and change it.

 

[glennbo123]

Congrats on the dinner! That's awesome! You've got some mojo workin'.

My answer is a mini rice picker bamboo hat. I'm not sure if it's mini rice, or a mini picker, or a mini hat. OR, if it's supposed to be Minnie with all of the above, but there you go.

 

[englishrose47]

Okay well I got that wrong will have to research for the next one this evening as it is time for work!!!!

 

[maroo]

Rain will NOT ruin my trip...

Rain will NOT ruin my trip...

Rain will NOT ruin my trip...

Rain will NOT ruin my trip...

Rain will NOT ruin my trip...

Rain will NOT ruin my trip...

AT this point, I'm just now starting to pray we don't have a hurricane or T. storm come through and rain on my Electrical Parade!!

Then I have a 50/50. Mary attracts hurricanes like we two to CDNs.

So true!!! That girl is a hurricane magnet! I remember the last time she went in September or October... There was a hurricane watch for her!

So, ok, retarded question.... when DO people start looking at the weather forecasts for their trips?? 2 weeks out?? 1 week out?? I'm thinking if there was something serious out there, it'd show up in the ocean a while before it hit the east coast, right?

I look 10 days out... but just for fun. I think 2-3 day forecasts are the most accurate (and that's not saying much)

Umm as far as a hurricane.. I guess 5-7 days out. A hurricane that is a direct hit in Orlando most likely won't ruin your vacation. Just a few hours of it.

Well....

First of all-I have vowed to NOT get upset if we have a big hurricane watch for our trip this time. IF we do - then we will just bring a few flashlights and some cards. And we will have SO MUCH FUN playing in the rain and have a great, crazy day or two to talk about on the big TR!

As far as a rainy light parade - that was Lauren's most favorite part of her wish trip -the fact that it rained on her light parade. It was definitely a reduced parade (in length), but Lauren loved standing out in the rain on purpose and watching the kids play in the puddles. It was kinda fun.

Now I am going to show my complete geekdom when it comes to hurricanes. I have been obsessed since 2004 had all of those storms that continued to ruin my trip to see my friend in FL.

When August of 2005 came, I literally watched Katrina from its infancy as TD12. I followed all of the weather models and watched in fear as it sailed across the bottom of FL and maintained hurricane status the whole way (which no one thought it would) - in fact, she was defying all odds as she was originally predicted to fall apart at sea. She was showing herself to be stronger than they were predicting from the start.

I followed with all of the weather junkies on the weather underground website and watched them predict a New Orleans landfall days before the hurricane center would even mention it. There was lots of politics involved in saying that New Orleans was really in the cone - and many on the website believe that the warning signs were there and ignored. And I watched it get worse and worse and worse.

I will never forget that feeling in my gut when I got up at 5 AM on Sunday the 28th to a Category FIVE advisory. Cat 5 storm hitting New Orleans will be simply devastating. The experts were saying that they had thousands of body bags awaiting the flooding of the city. And the chances of Jackson receiving hurricane force winds was growing rapidly. I went to the store on Sunday morning and purchased water, batteries, candles and food for myself. Took cash out of the ATM to buy gas after the storm. And my friends thought I had LOST MY MIND. I went to church that morning and told my friends that this was bad...really bad. And that it was going to affect us. Another Camille. And they really thought I had lost my mind.

Next day...went to work. And well, I suppose you guys know the rest. Of course they sent us home pretty quick when it was obvious that the weather was going to be really bad all the way up here - 2 hours from the coast.

A large tree fell on the street where I was and blocked us from driving for 5 days. We had to walk through the woods to catch a ride if we needed to go somewhere. It was one to two weeks before many of us got power - two hours north! Four weeks before we got cable back. It was hot. Gas was in short supply and you could not buy it if you did not have cash. It was surreal.

So I am still obsessed with hurricanes. We have had several weak seasons since 2005 and this season has been weak so far, too. But I will be watching and trying not to stress over it - I have really tried to convince myself we will be fine in Orlando, even if we do have a storm - and that it could be fun - so that if it does happen, I won't freak out.

But I am looking at long range models already because I am obsessed and find this incredibly interesting. The GFS model that goes out 16 days is showing something coming off the coast of Africa that has the potential to be "something." But like anyone can predict 16 days out! The TSR is predicting an active August for hurricanes and tropical storms. So...who knows.

But I know we will have fun no matter what and we are there for 11 nights! Hurricanes don't stick around that long!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Meteorologist Mary! All that was very interesting - I'm a bit of a weather geek myself, though, not quite to the caliber of yourself. I enjoy hearing about it, but rarely research it myself. My DH on the other hand. ... Please do keep us posted about what you are seeing for around our trips! The most we have ever had on one of our trips was a small sprinkle on afternoon that lasted about 15 minutes.

A storm COULD be fun...! But I don't want to be kicked out of the parks for days!

I look 10 days out... but just for fun. I think 2-3 day forecasts are the most accurate (and that's not saying much)

I look 10 days out as well. It changes every single day, but I still look. I can't help it! I actually have Orlando weather on my Google homepage. He he.

OK, we got an e-mail this morning that says Mike won the Early Bird Registration Drawing!!! It's good for a certificate for $250 worth of services at the Club, one round of golf (we don't golf), fitness center time (he's all OVER that!!!), AND the best part (here's how I won too!!!) dinner for 2 at the Country Club Restaurant!!!!!

WOOT!!!!! That is AWESOME!!!!

Love your HDDR story this time as much as I did last time.

Gotta go quick look up your China souvie...but must pour more coffee down my throat and tend to little boy first. I'll be back!

 

[brookelizabeth]

That didn't take long... Answer: China- Chopstick or a Bamboo Rice pickers hat

 

[All7OfUs]

Have a great lunch!

It was lovely. I translated from Blankistani for 4 hours straight, and I am wiped OUT!! But it was great to sit with 6 young folks from "the other side", and hear about how "things" are going "over there".

We start looking at the 14 day forecast. It's funny though because every year by the time we get to 5 days out, the weather has changed a lot since we first started checking. I don't know why, but I'm obsessed with starting 15 days out.

15 days seems like it's long enough to know whether there is a baby hurricane out there or not. For me, it won't really matter either way. I only have what I'm packing now, and that's it. I suppose a last minute run to Target would work, but honestly I have no idea how I'd pack differently for a trip with a storm, and one without. More ponchos, I guess...

I usually look at ten days out to start planning, but it seems the weather patterns always hit a little quicker than projections that far ahead, so I keep an updated watch as the trip gets closer to make any adjustments if needed.

Nice reward for all your hard work!

Okay, in my haste to try and get my answer in quickly this time, I am going with

But what adjustments would you make? More clothes? Different shoes? Which reminds me? I have a pair of HOT PINK Crocs that I"m planning on taking. For all you shoe experts out there--- (sorry guys) how do Crocs do in wet weather?? Any other suggestions on shoes to wear in wet conditions??

I LOVE FREE!! Free golf- not so much. But I can dig a free dinner.

Ya did good, Marv!

Congrats on the dinner! That's awesome! You've got some mojo workin'.

My answer is

Let's just hope our Mojo lasts until the 13th. Sept. 13th.

Many Mini Minnies.

Okay well I got that wrong will have to research for the next one this evening as it is time for work!!!!

OK, I'll be waiting...

Well....

First of all-I have vowed to NOT get upset if we have a big hurricane watch for our trip this time. IF we do - then we will just bring a few flashlights and some cards. And we will have SO MUCH FUN playing in the rain and have a great, crazy day or two to talk about on the big TR!

But I am looking at long range models already because I am obsessed and find this incredibly interesting. The GFS model that goes out 16 days is showing something coming off the coast of Africa that has the potential to be "something." But like anyone can predict 16 days out! The TSR is predicting an active August for hurricanes and tropical storms. So...who knows.

But I know we will have fun no matter what and we are there for 11 nights! Hurricanes don't stick around that long!

Maybe I should bring my Settlers Game?

You just keep us all abreast of the sitchyachun; I now appoint you HIGH GRAND POOMBAH OF HURRICANE SCUTTLEBUTT & PONCHO PREPARER PANTS!

Hurricane- I laugh in your face! I defy you to ruin my vacation- It will not happen. (Was that scary enough?)

 

[All7OfUs]

A storm COULD be fun...! But I don't want to be kicked out of the parks for days!

COULD being the operative word. Now, I've obsessed about 3 hours now about what I'd do in the event of a weather issue....

More restaurants- more time IN the restaurants- more time in the shops looking for Hidden Mickeys- should I even dare say, I might actuallly GO on Ellen??

WOOT!!!!! That is AWESOME!!!!

Maybe if Mike isn't going to go for a round of golf, he could give his prize to me- and I'd get a massage.

Love your HDDR story this time as much as I did last time.

I re-read it too, and laughed out loud. I'm easily amused.

Gotta go quick look up your China souvie...but must pour more coffee down my throat and tend to little boy first. I'll be back!

Your time between posts was 5 minutes. That's exactly how long it takes me also to pour coffee, sugar it up, stir in the milk, AND get a kid peed. You rock!

That didn't take long... Answer:

See?? It woulda taken longer if it was #2.

 

[eandesmom]

Do you realize I haven't even LOOKED at the forecast?



That Hoop story still cracks me up.

and UGH now I have to go do research. I think I know I think I know I think I know...but am not sure.

need.more.coffee.

on winning the drawing! How fun is that!!!!!!

 

[maroo]

Tee Hee....

You are bringing disposable ponchos - right? The kind you throw away? Are those the kind you like?

And congrats on winning the big prize!!!!!!! You guys so deserve it!!

Now...I gotta go hunt for the answer.