DDA Chapter 23

[lovesdumbo]

I am not worrying at all. I will wear jeans on the plane and take either another pair of jeans or a pair of capris. I will take short sleeved Ts, long sleeved Ts and fleece. Possibly there will be gloves and a hat and scarf in my carry-on too. But I think that ought to work just fine. That is what we usually take every December trip. Last year it was COLD and I was still fine.

I have to pack for 8 days and the two of us. I don't want to do laundry like I usually do on family trips. I have most of Lizzy's stuff set aside now I just need to get mine together and see how well it fits in the suitcase(s). I think Lizzy can handle one now!

Yesterday-

I worked til 1:15, got home and saw reports of lots of delays at the airport. It had been raining a light rain all day but was pretty foggy. So dad and I decided to go right to the airport and see if we could get on a earlier flight. We got to the airport by 3:30 for a 6:45 flight- All was on time so now we were just realllly early. While dad was checking in, I wasnt paying attention. Next thing you know, he tells me SURPRISE , we are in 1st class! I was so excited. We went to the Chickies and Petes in the airport for a little bit to waste some time and then went over to the gate. We boarded on time but then sat on the plane for an hour before we took off. First class was great --lots of room to be comfortable when we sat there for so long. There was a bunch of Cowboys fans in 1st class, which made it even better. The flight was smooth and we landed around 11pm (NJ time so 10pm dallas time) and I was finally in Texas! We got our luggage right away and hopped in the Taxi to go to the hotel. We got to the hotel and i was in AWE. Pulling up the drive and it was SURROUNDED in christmas lights---absolutely gorgeous. We got to the front and the door opened, they grabbed our luggage and off we went. We walked in and there was an enormous tree with lights everywhere--the lobby was breathtaking! When we got to the check in desk, I realized I didnt have my phone. It must have fallen out of my pocket when I got out of the cab and I was so excited i didnt realize. We called a couple cab companies and kept our fingers crossed....After we checked in, someone called back and said they had the phone and was bringing it back--whew! What a relief!
Our room is gorgeous! Dad and I walked around for about 10 min and he showed me the sports bar (50 foot tv..with comfy chairs!) and some more amazing decorations. Im going to take the time tomororw to walk around and take pictures but we are exhausted.. BIG DAY TOMORROW!

Today!!!

I couldnt sleep at all! I kept waking up throughout the nighta nd finally got out of bed at 5:30 this morning. I just relaxed, read, and went on the computer since i did not want to wake up my dad. We eventually got up and ready and walked around the hotel for awhile. I am amazed at how beautiful this hotel is. I just kept looking around in awe. We had tickets to the ice exhibit which had a grinch theme. They used 2 million pounds of ice to create it and you walk through and it was all scenes from the grinch. It was pretty neat and different--it was 9 degrees in there, they even give you jackets to wear! After that, we checked out smoe dallas stuff (and surprisingly, i did not buy a thing!) We ate lunch at the sports bar in the hotel which is AMAZING! It has a 50 foot tv and comfy, reclining chairs to sit in. I was SO comfortable. FINALLY it was time to go to the game. It was about a 20 minute ride from our hotel and we got there and i was on cloud 9. We got there around 1 and kickoff was not til 315. So we walked around, took pictures, found the brick that we have on the walkway and just enjoyed it. We went to our seats and chatted with the people around us. It was finally game time! I yelled, screamed, took pictures, high fives with random people in my section--it was great! I lost my voice a bit but it was so worth it! The game ended (and we won!) and we headed out to find the driver to take us back. Traffic really wasnt too bad on the way out. We got to the hotel, checked in with the airline and went back to the sports bar to watch more football and eat dinner. I took some more pictures around hte hotel and headed up to the room. Since i was up at 530, i am EXHAUSTED!
Our alarm is set for 730 and we have another day of big plans

Sounds like you're having a great time!!!

I am wearing capris on the plane and bringing one more pair, plus 3 pairs of jeans. Short sleeve T's, long sleeve T's, a fleece pullover, a denim jacket and a fleece jacket, hat, gloves, scarf.

Bernadette, I packed silk long underwear pants for DS to put under his jeans if it is really cold. I would swear I have some somewhere. I need to find them. I would much rather bring them and not need them than freeze!

DH was talking about possibly checking a bag. I would rather NOT.

The thing to remember is that I am ALWAYS cold. I have been known to walk around MK at night in AUGUST wearing a jacket. I am worried about Friday night at Epcot and Sunday at MVMCP.

Dorinda was teasing me about the long underwear. I told her I would not tour with her if she was going to tease me. I told her we could meet for ADR's and I would ignore her.

I am NOT a whimp! BUT...I remember freezing with Lizzy last year. So cold that I would rather not be there. I don't want to feel that way again this year!

Apparently he is in need of MORE MEMORY for the cameras.

Cheaper than a new lens! I looked at it but didn't buy any.


I left my house at 5:32am. Was at JoAnn's just before it opened-there was a larger crowd this year but folks must have not been buying as much because the cutting lines and check outs weren't bad. I was out of there just around 7am. Then I went to Staples and got my flash drive and a printer & router for my sister in law. Then I went to Lowes and the salesman talked me into a different set than I had in mind and now that I check it out at home I think I would have been better off with the set I had in mind and $100 less. I pulled into my driveway at 8:32am. Tried to have a nap but gave up on that.

OK...gotta go get a million more things done!

 

[mommykds]

Good morning....

 

[mommykds]

Anyone have a preference???? Costco or Sam's Club? We have both here but not sure which to join...any benefit to joining one over the other or are they pretty much the same thing?

 

[tinknme]

Menards was like a zoo I got a late start so I was not able to get the shop vac, my fault. Lowes was sold out as well. Actually I was secretly happy that the shop vacs were sold out, I would probably still be standing in line to pay for it! So I went to Pennys & spent all my money on clothing for the boys(I did sneak a few items in there for myself ).

I realized after I left Pennys I did not get my snowglobe

I am basically done with Christmas shopping

 

[tmfranlk]

Good morning/afternoon DDA!

I had a shopping companion this morning and made a big mess, but still accomplished what I wanted. When I came down the stairs at 4:15 to head to Target, Kaylin was sitting in the middle of them. She looked up and told me, "I wake!" So, I brought her along rather than wake my mom who has to work until 10:30 tonight and again at 6:30 tomorrow. Then, somehow (I still haven't figured out how), my coffee (luckily 2/3 gone) fell off the counter where I had set it while putting Kaylin in the store. I waited for someone to bring over the cleanup stuff and then did my shopping. Ended up with the camcorder for Terra, jeans for Phil (and a raincheck for 2 more pairs), plus Hotel for Dogs at the Walmart price, Littlest Pet Shop VIPS for the Toys r Us price (for Rachel to give the girls) and Annie for $4. After bringin Kaylin home and taking Phil to work, I ran by Toys R Us to check on a game. After carefully checking the whole game wall, I found the Disney Wheel of Fortune I was hoping for hiding behind other things in the spot the farthest possible from it's real spot. Added to the clearance things I got her before, Terra is more than done plus probably some of my grandma's money and maybe one of mom's gifts.

From there, I had to run a crockpot by Erin at work as she'd forgotten hers for their potluck. I told her it was going to cost her breakfast and some Oreo truffles. I got the breakfast, but she hadn't been able to finish the Oreo balls so I didn't get those. A quick stop at Walmart got me Snoopy pjs for Terra and even cuter Littlest Pet Shop dolls at the Toys R Us price so Rachel could choose which to give. Now I'm home with 5 kiddos for at least another 3 hours. Terra and I are planning to go to Cici's Pizza and the drive-through lights tonight. After that, a potential sleepover. I think maybe I need a nap.

 

[ReAnSt]

I went no where so far today and I like it. My brother checked at Target for me for the hard drive but they were out of them at 5:45am. So I am still looking for 1 or 2 of them.

If any of you have been thinking about buying Lou Mongello's Walt Disney World audio guides they are half price today, so they are $5 a piece. They would make a great Stocking Stuffer for Disney lovers. If you have not heard of them there is more info in the link and also an audio sample clip.

I picked them up at Magic Meets and they are great. It is like having a virtual tour about the history, tid bits about the areas and detail of the different lands of the Magic Kingdom that you may have missed. So far they have been released for Main Street, Adventureland and Fantasyland. They are recorded in the parks so you have the ambient noise from the parks and it is like being there.

 

[mommykds]

The kids & I got all of my Dicken's light up houses & accessories displayed. The kids were such a big help since they are all older now. It is great to have them out since I didn't take them out when the kids were little. Feels Christmasy now.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We just went out long enough to make the bank deposit, return some stuff to Sears (the line wasn't that bad), and get DH's memory card.

Janet, Sears has a BUNCH of shop-vacs on sale. They tried to sell us one.

I had a horrible headache and my eyelid was twitching so we came home after that. Stress. The threat of cold temps at WDW is putting me in a twist.

 

[tmfranlk]

Just saw this in an email:

Get 25% off at DisneyStore.com on Cyber Monday, Nov 30th only, with discount code CYBERMONDAY.

 

[tmfranlk]

Elizabeth - I hope the stress symptoms go away soon!

 

[tmfranlk]

Oh yeah, I forgot to post the other day...The Meineke guys could find no source of the gas odor in my car. They checked the entire fuel line and there was no leak. The smell was better too. I brought the car home and opened the window and hood for the rest of the afternoon to air it out. I didn't drive it again until this morning and the smell is completely gone! I really think the smell was from my car on Wed, but whatever was going on, it seems to be gone now.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Tia, I am glad the fuel line isn't leaking and the smell is gone!
I took a nap so my headache is better.

 

[babytrees]

Anyone have a preference???? Costco or Sam's Club? We have both here but not sure which to join...any benefit to joining one over the other or are they pretty much the same thing?

pretty much the same....but I do prefer Costco....just because that's the one I know the best (and it's not affiliated with WalMart)

 

[my3princes]

Hunter and I went shopping at 4 am. We did well and didn't get caught in any huge lines. I really bought things for Hunter's hospital stay, not too much for Christmas, but I am not in bad shape anyway. We needed button front PJs, fuzzy socks, slippers and a new blanket for him. We were successful in finding it all. I do need to make a few modifications to his blanket, but it shouldn't take long. Hunter was tired by 7 am so my Dad came to get him and he went home and took a nap. I was really suprised that he even wanted to go, but he had a great time last year.

I ended up going to see my doctor this afternoon. I've had too many anxiety attacks and I need to be in my best state of mind to get through this. I'm now taking ativan and prozac. Hopefully it will help clear the cobwebs out of my brain, stop the chest fluttering and improve my overall emotional state. My Dad brought me.

 

[babytrees]

Tia, I am glad the fuel line isn't leaking and the smell is gone!
I took a nap so my headache is better.

Yeah for no gas leak!!

and

Double Yeah on no headache!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am going to unpack and repack for the third time. The forecast is really, really upsetting me. I can't seem to coordinate shirts/pants/jacket/shoes without needing a checked bag. Which is asinine because it is only a 3.5 day trip. WHY can I not do this? WHY does it have to be so flippin' COLD? I told DH and DS that we are NEVER going in December again. I can't handle it. Between the weather and the 2 of them hounding me to buy stuff (like camera lenses and drums and other expensive crap) I have had it. No more December trips!

I just went to the mall to return a couple of things. A shirt that DS didn't need (we bought 9 T-shirts for him last week). And I bought some facial soap thinking I was out, but I am not out. The lady said they are discontinuing it, so I decided to keep it. Then I bought 2 long sleeved T's at Macy's because it seemed a shame not to buy anything. I like the one, I don't like the other, so MORE returns in my future!

 

[babytrees]

I went Black Friday Shopping without having any real money (but I do it for the company) and I don't know that I will ever go again...everywhere we went had fair to awful customer service.

Abi wanted me to pick up a MP3 player for her at Kmart (or Walmart if they were sold out)....the Kmart 3 blocks away from my house is usually dead...even on Black Friday....not today...parking lot was full so we weren't prepared and went right when they opened and of course they didn't have the mp3's....Ernie did get what she wanted but the wait at the jewelry counter was awful. This was odd customer service.

Next up was Big Lots....now that was dead....did get Cassidy's DDRXtreme...this was fair customer service.

On our way into Walmart we had a Chik Fil A manager come up and give us coupons for a breakfast sandwich SCORE!!! At Walmart.....well I know really remember why I don't go into Walmarts unless I have to I had a gc....so I picked up a hoodie for Josh, 2 movies (He double llboy, Speed Racer) for $2 a piece and Are you Smarter than a 5th grader board game and again no mp3 player.

On to Target....where nearly everything was sold out (even Up)....once again Ernie did find her things. This was fair to almost good customer service.

Breakfast break!! yummy!!

Costco in the same parking lot so Ernie picked up a couple more things.

Home by 9:30.


Turned right around because Jim hadn't gone out for dry cat food....on the way to Pet Smart tried another Target....score an UP! and a different Big Lots for an mp3 player and at Pet Smart found a great new toy for Pearl.

Came home took a quick half hour nap and finished my hours at Goodwill....and found Cassidy a jean jacket and now I am waiting for supper to be done and than it's either UP! or Speed Racer for movie tonight.

 

[lovesdumbo]

congrat to all who got good deals today!

Tia-glad the gas smell is gone!

Anne Marie-How nice that you got your village up! I go to BJ's. I don't know of any Sam's around here. I've been to Costo and they actually seem a bit better than BJ's.

Elizabeth-glad your headache disappeared!



I didn't get too much done today. I wasn't feeling well. I thought I was just exhausted-haven't been sleeping well as Emma has been sick since Sunday. She has a nasty hack so she's been keeping me up. But I think I have a fever now. I will NOT get sick! I did manage to do 6 loads of laundry and put a few more things aside for our trip. Oh and I got the hundreds of photos from our Cape trip down to about 130 for a book for my mother in law. They were taken on 4 different cameras so I need to put those 130 in order and weed them out some more and then upload and figure out how to put them in a book. I really want to get that done before my trip.

I have an appointment for a hair cut tomorrow at 10am. I promised Emma we would get the tree up before I went away so we have to work on that too.

 

[KristineN]

Deb,

I wanted to pop in and tell you that Bill and I are thinking of you and Chris. I can't imagine your stress level. Stay strong!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I am waiting for supper to be done and than it's either UP! or Speed Racer for movie tonight.

I have Up on right now. I think I should stop it and go work on those photos so I can upload them.