DDA Chapter 14

[bethbuchall]

Well, after a minor scare last night after losing one of my fares, it popped back up this morning on the third try. So, we are now officially ticketed for CA at Christmas. Even better, we get to fly into Santa Ana which means my friend can pick us up and we don't have to worry about shuttles, etc. So we'll head out there Dec 21 and come back the 26th. I think we'll hit DL on the 22nd. I know it's going to be crazy busy, but it's a must do after all. We'll stay with my best friend and spend Christmas Day with Phil's family. Now if we can just work it out so that Phil actually gets to be there on Christmas Day as well.

Sounds like a great trip! I hope that Phil can be there with you on Christmas Day.

 

[bethbuchall]

This is the son of a woman I grew up with....words can't express the devastation of this family right now....it is beyond heart breaking

That is beyond heart-breaking. It always scares me how one bad decision can ruin lives.

 

[bethbuchall]

I'm so tired I nodded off while waiting for this picture to load, but I had to share it.

That is absolutely beautiful! I sure hope to see it in person someday. We noticed that some of the lights were already on the castle in August.

 

[bethbuchall]

Yes and I REALLY need to get it all written down before I over schedule us!

I need to sit down with the calendar tonight, too! I wish that we could bow out of the after school activities for December to allow for more time to get things done, but none of those activities take a break. Thanksgiving is too late this year!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Can you all send some pixie dust Sara's way, please. She had another ultrasound yesterday and it revealed that her fluid is high again. The report went into all this detail about the possible complications (of which included stillbirth) and it has stressed her out beyond belief. She is very concerned that she will not come home with a baby.

Oh, no! I hope everything is OK!

I need some advice for a hometown friend, and thought I would ask you guys first instead of on a specific thread because I know you guys and trust you.

A teacher and her kids, plus in-laws are headed to WDW December 5-13. I think she's been before, but it's been a while, and they've never been at Christmas. She has done her ADRs, but I don't think she's looked at a best days chart. Anyway, she asked me my opinion about MVMCP and if it is worth the extra money. I told her that I had great experiences at the two parties we attended, but I would ask friends what they think. Keep in mind they haven't been at Christmas, and probably won't get to again for a long time, as she's taking off from school to do this. (and has never taken a week off before in the school year, so this is a big deal.) She just doesn't want to do this if they can get the same experience during the day. I told her that I loved the special events, and that I think it's worth the extra money. What do the rest of you think?

Also, she asked about Universal. They have planned a day there as well, and she had heard there was a shuttle that could be picked up from Downtown Disney. Is that correct?

Thanks for your help!

We've done MVMCP twice, and we liked it. Last year it was hot so that took away from the "Christmas-y" feeling, but we still had a good time. I think any hours that the parks are open, even if it requires a separate ticket, are worth taking advantage of.

I totally agree with you! Here they call the "works cited" pages, and I would rather write 50 pages on my own than have to complete the works cited page! It seems like no matter how careful they are, there is always something wrong on the works cited sheet.

I have the book from my college Comp. class that shows how to do all of the different types of publications, websites, etc. but it is such a pain in the tushy.

My offer is completely unusable for us. That's almost as bad as not getting an offer, right?

I would almost rather have one we can't use than not get one at all. We have never, ever gotten a PIN offer. In the past DH has blamed it on the fact that we are already booked. Well, this time we are booked through DVC, our APs are expired, you would THINK they would be trying to encourage us to come back. Guess not!

 

[bethbuchall]

Can you all send some pixie dust Sara's way, please. She had another ultrasound yesterday and it revealed that her fluid is high again. The report went into all this detail about the possible complications (of which included stillbirth) and it has stressed her out beyond belief. She is very concerned that she will not come home with a baby.

Prayers and for Sara and the baby!

 

[bethbuchall]

Thanks gals!! She called her dr and is on her way to the hospital, they are going to check and monitor her before making a decision. My dad is taking her and my mom will meet them up there. As soon as Eric gets home I am headed to the hospital. My mom is not one to handle her anxiety well so I want to be there as a buffer. All I can remember is my mom hysterical crying as I was delivering Emma. I understand the anxiety but she has to keep it under control.

ETA: I just realized that today is the 12th. My grandfather died on the 12th 11 years ago, at the same hospital, so I can imagine that will stir up emotions as well for everyone.

I sure hope that everything is ok.

 

[bethbuchall]

Thanks again for keeping Sara and the baby in your prayers.

I talked to my mom and right now Sara is hooked up to the monitors and there is a heartbeat. So that's good!! Sara said she will not be leaving the hospital until the baby is born. Now I don't know what the Dr. thinks about that yet but she doesn't want to go home and continue to worry.

That's good news! I certainly understand her point of view about wanting to be in the hospital rather than worrying at home.

 

[macntosh]

My baby girl is turning SIX tomorrow, so I have been making cupcakes for her class. I'm wondering why they don't stay rounded on top and kind of fall.

Any advice?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My baby girl is turning SIX tomorrow, so I have been making cupcakes for her class. I'm wondering why they don't stay rounded on top and kind of fall.

Any advice?

Lots of frosting?

 

[tink2020]

Oooo, speaking of playgroups... I'm really excited about our old one! It looks like another old playgroup friend will be in SoCal for Christmas too and now we're organizing a playgroup part for that week. We'll be one short as she's in Colorado now, but otherwise it looks like most of the originals will be there plus the kids will be off of school so they'll be there too!

How exciting!

Can you all send some pixie dust Sara's way, please. She had another ultrasound yesterday and it revealed that her fluid is high again. The report went into all this detail about the possible complications (of which included stillbirth) and it has stressed her out beyond belief. She is very concerned that she will not come home with a baby.

Absolutely, how scary. I'm glad they're monitoring.... I hope it ends up being high for no good reason (very possible)! I can only imagine how anxious the whole family is, though.

Jennifer, I too enjoyed those videos!

Thanks! :

 

[tinker1bell]

Fly-by picture post.... gotta feed girls and get to the grocery store

Just too cute of a picture. Did you velcro them all down??

Our DDA kiddies are just so stinkin cute!!!! They are getting so big too!!!!

 

[tinker1bell]

Got a new ticker.

We debated between Jan. or Dec. 2009
Dec. won out as we would be able to stay POFQ, if we went in Jan. we would have to stay Pop and John was not happy about that. Also we love all the decorations and the Christmas party. But the biggest reason for Dec. is John is determined to stay Contemporary once, so we have longer to save for it.

Heidi, It already looks like Stephanie and I will do Mouse Fest next year so we will be there too!!!!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I was just reading a thread where somebody said they saved over $1000 with DxDDP. 2 adults, 1 child, over 2 weeks. That means they saved $71 PER DAY. WHAT ON EARTH were they ordering? And it also sounds to me like they didn't tip, because I don't think it is possible to save that much and still tip properly.

 

[my3princes]

I will gladly post them here, Deb! Pickup on 12/21 about 6PM and return on 12/27 about 6PM.

I tried National (I also have Emerald Aisle and usually have good luck), Alamo, Dollar and Avis with rates being over $500 on all of them!

I'll take a look and see what I can find.

I need some advice for a hometown friend, and thought I would ask you guys first instead of on a specific thread because I know you guys and trust you.

A teacher and her kids, plus in-laws are headed to WDW December 5-13. I think she's been before, but it's been a while, and they've never been at Christmas. She has done her ADRs, but I don't think she's looked at a best days chart. Anyway, she asked me my opinion about MVMCP and if it is worth the extra money. I told her that I had great experiences at the two parties we attended, but I would ask friends what they think. Keep in mind they haven't been at Christmas, and probably won't get to again for a long time, as she's taking off from school to do this. (and has never taken a week off before in the school year, so this is a big deal.) She just doesn't want to do this if they can get the same experience during the day. I told her that I loved the special events, and that I think it's worth the extra money. What do the rest of you think?

Also, she asked about Universal. They have planned a day there as well, and she had heard there was a shuttle that could be picked up from Downtown Disney. Is that correct?

Thanks for your help!

We've only done the Christmas party once and we would not miss it if we had the opportunity to do it again. The parade, the fireworks, lower crowds, hot chocolate and cookies, characters

Let's see... We have Rachel's school play, a craft fair, Thanksgiving dinner at church, Chase's birthday party, Rachel's choir concert, a trip to Oklahoma over Thanksgiving, a Christmas candlelight walk at one of the historic town areas, breakfast with Santa at Kassie's school, a cooking class for Terra and Kassie, Kristi's birthday dinner, Christmas Music Concert and Tasting Party at church, going to see one of the big Christmas light displays, the Living Nativity at church and then finally we leave for CA (which brings its own busyness).

Plus, Kristi will almost certainly have surgery on her arm somewhere in there so we'll have to work in helping her out as she won't be able to drive for a week or so, plus can't lift kids, etc. Her doctor appt is tomorrow as her new insurance kicked in this month. She's already told him that he could pencil her in for surgery so we'll see what he says tomorrow.

Make sure she verifies that it isn't considered a pre existing condition. If it is her insurance will not cover it. That is not a surprise that I would want after the fact.

Thanks again for keeping Sara and the baby in your prayers.

I talked to my mom and right now Sara is hooked up to the monitors and there is a heartbeat. So that's good!! Sara said she will not be leaving the hospital until the baby is born. Now I don't know what the Dr. thinks about that yet but she doesn't want to go home and continue to worry.

I understand. Hopefully they can move up her induction and get that baby here now.

I love your Halloween photos! You did an amazing job on the costumes!

Did anyone post oatmeal recipes yet? I really like the "Vanishing Oatmeal Cookies" from Quaker Oats, especially the bar cookie version with chocolate chips.
http://www.quakeroats.com/qfb_Recipes/recipe.cfm?recipeid=474

I also use 1/2 c. oatmeal in my regular chocolate chip cookie recipe. That is basically the Tollhouse Chocolate Chips recipe from the bag except it's 3 c. flour instead of 2-1/4 c. and add the 1/2 c. oatmeal.

Apple crisp is good, too, and has oatmeal in the topping.

My favorite oatmeal cookies are the chocolate no bake cookies. Yummy.


Beth those mountain photos are breathtaking. I'm very envious of your trip.

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

Quick update on Sara- They did a Biophysical Profile and have decided to keep her but I am not quite sure if that means they are going to deliver the baby now or just keep her. Sara and my mom don't know yet either!

I just found out about (at 2:30pm) a GS meeting that I need to be at tonight at 7pm. It is the leader's meeting and the director wants me to be there before she will set up the meet and greet. Insane, but whatever. The dad from the troop is going with me, I am afraid that I'm not going to remember much (just a little too much on my mind) and I don't want to deal with our old leader anymore than I absolutely have to.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Beth - Your pics are awesome! I am still not a road trip girl, but your pics are terrific!

I was looking at menus. If you ate breakfast at CM's, lunch at Le Cellier, and dinner at Puck's you could save $46, after a 20% tip. But who could eat that way every single day for 2 solid weeks? I really question how some of these folks come up with their calculations, even though math is not my strong suit.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Quick update on Sara- They did a Biophysical Profile and have decided to keep her but I am not quite sure if that means they are going to deliver the baby now or just keep her. Sara and my mom don't know yet either!

I just found out about (at 2:30pm) a GS meeting that I need to be at tonight at 7pm. It is the leader's meeting and the director wants me to be there before she will set up the meet and greet. Insane, but whatever. The dad from the troop is going with me, I am afraid that I'm not going to remember much (just a little too much on my mind) and I don't want to deal with our old leader anymore than I absolutely have to.

Many, many good thoughts for Sara!
I am sorry this is such a crazy day for you! I hope you can get the scout stuff sorted out once and for all so your troop can move forward.

 

[tinker1bell]

They will be staying with grandma Garrett loves staying with her, so I see no problem there! Riley does as well, but he tends to get bored easily. She usually does something special for them when they stay with her. It will all work out, I will probably tell them after Christmas lol

Janet,

I was thinking of what to say about your concerns of when to tell the boys. When the family loves going to Disney, it of course is harder to tell the kids that Mom and Dad are going without them. Sorta different if Mom and Dad were going to a spa or a B&B or something like that. I started telling my kids when I went away with or without Hal that it was my time to go and have some fun. I needed to regroup and that was the way I was going to. Then when I am with them, we will have the best time ever. We will always have the memories to look back on. But there are just some times that the adults get to go by themselves. I used to say that one day they will understand when they are saying the same thing to their kids if they do get married!!!

But now they tell me that they understand what I meant. They haven't had to explain yet to the kids because they are still too young to understand.

You know your kids better than anyone else. Maybe if you tell them before Christmas, they could get you something for your trip. Or they could make something for your trip.

 

[bethbuchall]

I'm trying to decide what to have my preschoolers make for their Christmas presents for their parents. I'm pretty sure everyone this year lives with both Mom and Dad, though I'll double-check to be sure. In the past, I've done fabric paint hand prints (Rudolph, Christmas Tree, or Santa) on a hand towel or a pot holder. Which would you prefer, the hand towel or the pot holder? Would it be better on muslin and made into a small wall-hanging? Or do you have a better idea that is relatively easy and low-cost? I've never had any feed back from parents as to whether they like the gifts or not.