DDA Chapter 15

[UP Disney]

Jeff Dunham is going to be in Lansing on Feb. 11. Guess where I'll be going??!!

 

[UP Disney]

I've also heard that the Lion King is supposed to be in Lansing in the next couple of months. I'll have to check that out. I really don't want to move to Lansing but I sure like all the things that I can do that is not available in the U.P.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Happy Birthday to Andrew!!! ​

Just a busy week as usual and then Kristi's surgery on Friday, which will add even more craziness. I hope that you all had wonderful holiday weekends!!!

Good luck to Kristi!

I'm going to get another cortisone shot in my shoulder today

Good luck with your shoulder! I've had shoulder problems. I found just 2 things that really help. A pregnancy or a Black Russian. Not at the same time. The pregnancy lasted a lot longer. I've been having problems again now that Emma is almost 6-especially when I iron or sew for long periods.

Good Morning!! Well, they lasted until a quarter to 5 last night before work called me in a tizzy. I will go in SOMETIME today and help them out (for pay).

I hope you've negotiated a consultant's pay NOT your regular salary!!!!

 

[tinknme]

Robyn thank you so much for the Christmas ornament, Jimini is so cute

I still have not packed, but I do have stuff ready to be packed. As soon as the load in the dryer is done, I will finish. My suitcase is out, does that count

My new Crocs came today so I will be able to wear them at Disney

I did the shopping, but I forgot to get dish cleaner for the dishwasher. Oh well hand washing tonight. But at least the boys & Gary have enough food to eat while I am away

Oh & I printed my boarding pass


Chanon do not forget to pack the tickets!

 

[babytrees]

Hope you've negotiated a consultant's pay NOT your regular salary!!!!

Dang!! I didn't even think about that!!

 

[yellowfish78]

Huh. At least you got an answer. Yes, impersonal and tacky, but it saves you from wondering if they got your application!

SO...
If we were going to take a stab at Universal how should we approach it? Taxi, Mears shuttle, or rental car? Any other advice?

I'm going to be the odd ball here and tell you to splurge on a one night hotel stay - even if you don't use it to sleep overnight in. You can get a room at Royal Pacific at $248. Express Passes for three for two days run $264 - and those are only good for one ride per day). You can easily do two days worth of parks at Universal (and then some) with Front of the Line (unlimited mind you!), and you'd have a place to park (away from the huge parking structure) and walk to the parks from there quite easily. You'd have a pool if you need a break as well as a room in case the kids need to change after getting wet on a ride.

Or do what Kristine does - get a VIP tour (and ask for Chris C!)

Off to go finish packing!

 

[yellowfish78]

ETA: Yes I have the tickets Janet and Anne Marie! (And I'll be in AK before you guys land!!!)

Elizabeth - I forgot to mention the tickets - yes it's that easy! 7 days for $95. Not bad huh!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

we valet both times we went....the 2nd time was free because it was included in the vip tour. I don't remember the 1st time when we paid thinking it was outrageous.....we did feel it was worth the cost to do.

That's an option I hadn't read about. Thanks!

ETA: Yes I have the tickets Janet and Anne Marie! (And I'll be in AK before you guys land!!!)

Elizabeth - I forgot to mention the tickets - yes it's that easy! 7 days for $95. Not bad huh!

I am trying to be as economical as possible because adding 5 more nights will be expensive in itself. If we go to Universal we'll probably get the 7 day tickets and just go over there from WDW a couple of times. Maybe in a rental car, maybe in a taxi. The Uncles said they want to go to Universal, so if they actually do end up coming along then we could split the cab fare or the rental fee. I haven't heard from them since we saw them at breakfast, so I don't know if they are serious about coming with us or not.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Quick question, for thoes on face book. When you send me a request to put my birthday on your calendar and I click acept, is there anything else I have to do? Everytime I am there all I see is to add you all.

 

[my3princes]

Huh. At least you got an answer. Yes, impersonal and tacky, but it saves you from wondering if they got your application!

SO...
If we were going to take a stab at Universal how should we approach it? Taxi, Mears shuttle, or rental car? Any other advice?

Parking is pretty expensive, but the walk from the garage isn't horrible. When we go again we will stay at US for a couple of nights, probably on a weekend since our DVC uses more points for Friday and Saturday nights. That way we have unlimited front of the line access and it will make it much nicer than waiting in line after line in August. I have already bought the 7 day tickets and have them stashed away. They were cheaper than the $95 when we bought them last year. US does charge to park, even if you are staying at their resorts so that is a factor. We've also done Mears before and it was fine. I think it was a large van and they picked up others along the way. We've never done a taxi.

I see we can get a 7 day ticket for $95, or a 2 day ticket for $119. Is this really as simple as it looks? Buy the 7 day and even if we only use 2 days of it we are still ahead, right?

That's correct. Great deal!! I wish Disney would run those deals.

Jeff Dunham is going to be in Lansing on Feb. 11. Guess where I'll be going??!!

They are going to be in Manchester, NH too. Chris and the boys mentioned going, but tickets for the 5 of us is pretty expensive.

I'm going to be the odd ball here and tell you to splurge on a one night hotel stay - even if you don't use it to sleep overnight in. You can get a room at Royal Pacific at $248. Express Passes for three for two days run $264 - and those are only good for one ride per day). You can easily do two days worth of parks at Universal (and then some) with Front of the Line (unlimited mind you!), and you'd have a place to park (away from the huge parking structure) and walk to the parks from there quite easily. You'd have a pool if you need a break as well as a room in case the kids need to change after getting wet on a ride.

Or do what Kristine does - get a VIP tour (and ask for Chris C!)

Off to go finish packing!

I agree with staying onsite. The front of the line access is almost necessary if you want to do it all.

 

[my3princes]

My party of 20 turned into a 12 At least I made a bit of money. Hopefully tomorrow night will be better. I guess that I should try to clean some tomorrow since I need to decorate inside very soon.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Goodnight everyone

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Ugh. Decisions, decisions. I am sure we aren't going to stay onsite at US/IOA. I am pretty sure we'll get the 7 day tickets and sort out the transportation later. That ticket doesn't include transportation so we can choose taxi or rental car, and that decision can wait.

If DH takes 2 weeks our dates will change to 8/1 - 8/15. We'll be going home on Saturday instead of Sunday, but that will be OK. We don't know for sure if DH can get the 16th off so we better not risk it. That leaves the question of flying out AM or PM on 8/1, because again, we don't know if DH can get that day off.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My party of 20 turned into a 12 At least I made a bit of money. Hopefully tomorrow night will be better. I guess that I should try to clean some tomorrow since I need to decorate inside very soon.

Well, every little bit helps. Sorry the party was smaller than they said it would be.

 

[tinknme]

Well I am packed except for what I need in the morning.

I still feel very unorganized for some reason But I have gone over my packing list, so I don't think I am forgetting anything.

 

[PNO4TE]

I feel so tired today, I think I am going to take a nap.

When I pick the boys up I will go grocery shopping for Gary & the boys, then I will(gasp)pack!

I need to print my boarding passes as well.

Hopefully the weather will not delay me tomorrow, there is now a 60% chance of snow 1 -3 inches.

Chat with you all later!

 

[PNO4TE]

My boarding pass is A17!!!!

 

[Glynis]

Hi, everyone! It's been a long time, and I know I'll never catch up. Someone is going to have to fill me in, please!!!

Things here are going quite well. Timothy is a wonderful baby! The nurses in the hospital told me that after surviving 4 other kids, with a set of twins, i deserve a good baby. Knock on wood that he stays that way. He got really spoiled at the hospital. He was one of 3 babies in the nursery while we were there, and he was the only one who wasn't constantly crying. The nurses were fighting over who got to hold him.

Since we got home, we've been trying to adjust to life with a newborn. It's amazing how much I've forgotten in 6 years! He sleeps really well, though. I feed him at 9:00 and turn him over to Alan to snuggle and cuddle with, while I get in bed. I sleep for a couple of hours until Alan brings the baby in to me. I feed him again around 11, and he'll usually sleep for another hour to hour and a half. Once I feed him at 12:30, he's been good for 4-5 hours. So, I'm feeling incredibly rested in the mornings. I know it won't last, but I'm enjoying it while it does!

The other kids are head over heels in love with Timothy! They want to hold him all the time. Jacob is just the cutest thing with the baby! He loves to rub his head, and give him kisses. Even Mary has come around to the joys of having a baby! She loves him so much!

Life is slowly returning to normal. I spent the morning wrapping Christmas presents. I still have several to wrap and a couple to purchase (I wasn't planning on having the baby until THIS Thursday!), so hopefully, Alan can take care of that and we'll be done by this weekend. I spend a lot of time each day resting, and I feel like I'm healing quite well. As long as I take my pain meds on time, I'm ok. It's just remembering not to lift heavy objects that is hard! Luckily, Alan took the week off work, and he really won't allow me to do much around the house at all! What a guy!

I've been thinking about all of you, and have been grateful for your messages on Facebook.

Deb - Jacob and Mary loved the ornaments and goodies! They had so much fun opening the packages. Katie and Leslie were a bit jealous that their packages haven't arrived yet. I just tell them to be patient.

Debbie - thank you for my package! I love the ornament you chose. I've had such major meltdowns regarding my mom these last few days, and your ornament was perfect. Thank you so much!

So, now it is your turn. Catch me up, people! Oh, by the way, I'll post pics of Timothy in the morning for those of you not on Facebook. I promise!

 

[PNO4TE]

I am soooooo over the top excited

Your excitement is contagious, Terry!

 

[PNO4TE]

Elin, give the branches a good shake. I find that sometimes a loose bulb will make contact if shaken enough. Trust me I've done a lot of that today. That being said I have now put up almost all of the outside decorations. I have not done the lights across the roofline and I still have a few wreaths to hang on the windows. I did manage to get Chris' shop completely done and finished the doorways. I hung the Mickey wreath on the wood funace and added a rope light to make it stand out more. One end of the house (the most visable end) always seems lacking, but there is no deck or anything on that side so it is just boring. Oh well.

Believe me, I shook... and SHOOK! No good. To top it all off, I went into work early planning to get my studio all decorated. I think I am jinxed this year. Every lighted garland that I put up around the doorways worked on the floor.... BUT NOT ON THE DOORS AND WINDOWS!! And my little slimline tree in the back room of my studio is only lit from the middle down. I finally gave up at 9:00.