Disney...by Land and Sea...Morris Style!

[NiniMorris]

Sixteen Days until our ADR date and I am rethinking EVERYTHING!

The only day we have not changed is our break day with dinner at 'Ohana... Everything else is up in the air! LOL!

Thursday - arrival day Epcot
1- Coral Reef
2- Eat around the World

Friday - Magic Kingdom
1-?
2- Be Our Guest

Saturday - Break Day
1- 'Ohana
2- 'Ohana

Sunday -
1- Animal Kingdom Tusker House
2- DHS - Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic Package

Monday -
1- DHS am; Be Our Guest pm
2- AK am Tusker House lunch; MK pm Wishes Dessert Party

There are parts of plan 1 I like...and parts of Plan 2 I like...but I do not like the total of either plan! And BOTH plans still have one meal left over unused! IF we keep the one unused meal I am thinking we will do Boma for breakfast on our departure day.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!


Nini

 

[KatMark]

Sixteen Days until our ADR date and I am rethinking EVERYTHING!

The only day we have not changed is our break day with dinner at 'Ohana... Everything else is up in the air! LOL!

Thursday - arrival day Epcot
1- Coral Reef
2- Eat around the World

Friday - Magic Kingdom
1-?
2- Be Our Guest

Saturday - Break Day
1- 'Ohana
2- 'Ohana

Sunday -
1- Animal Kingdom Tusker House
2- DHS - Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic Package

Monday -
1- DHS am; Be Our Guest pm
2- AK am Tusker House lunch; MK pm Wishes Dessert Party

There are parts of plan 1 I like...and parts of Plan 2 I like...but I do not like the total of either plan! And BOTH plans still have one meal left over unused! IF we keep the one unused meal I am thinking we will do Boma for breakfast on our departure day.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!


Nini

I have yet to be able to book the dessert party...I've tried the last four trips and never been able to get it.

I like your plans (except for H&V...not a fan).

Love Boma for breakfast; have you ever done Kona for breakfast?

 

[NiniMorris]

I have yet to be able to book the dessert party...I've tried the last four trips and never been able to get it.

I like your plans (except for H&V...not a fan).

Love Boma for breakfast; have you ever done Kona for breakfast?

We got the dessert party for Miss B's 13th birthday last June. I'm hoping since they now have something similar for Illuminations it will be easier to get into.

Hollywood and Vine is by far the ....WORST place to eat on Disney Property! However, if we want to get the F! package we are left with few choices.

We have not tried Kona for breakfast, but since we are staying at AKL, I'm thinking the ease of it will make Boma worth it. We have done 'Ohana for breakfast but were not fans. I am pretty sure our judgement was clouded by the fact that we had to wait for over TWO hours!

Nini

 

[KatMark]

We got the dessert party for Miss B's 13th birthday last June. I'm hoping since they now have something similar for Illuminations it will be easier to get into.

Hollywood and Vine is by far the ....WORST place to eat on Disney Property! However, if we want to get the F! package we are left with few choices.

We have not tried Kona for breakfast, but since we are staying at AKL, I'm thinking the ease of it will make Boma worth it. We have done 'Ohana for breakfast but were not fans. I am pretty sure our judgement was clouded by the fact that we had to wait for over TWO hours!

Nini

Do you not like Mama Melrose? I just can't bring myself to eat at H&V after two really, really bad experiences.

Boma makes more sense since you ae at AKL.

I've never done Ohana for breakfast (not a fan of Stitch); we did dinner last year and did not care for it at all.

 

[NiniMorris]

Do you not like Mama Melrose? I just can't bring myself to eat at H&V after two really, really bad experiences.

Boma makes more sense since you ae at AKL.

I've never done Ohana for breakfast (not a fan of Stitch); we did dinner last year and did not care for it at all.

Insert emoticon slapping themselves in the head!

I completely forgot about Mama Melrose! We didn't like the theming but loved the food! I have found H&V to be hit or miss as far as food quality...and service has only been meh since our first visit. Their only saving grace was the way they handled Mr D when he decided to run in February!

Husband picked 'Ohana after seeing their menu. Oriental food is his favorite...and after spending 4 years in Hawaii...he loves the look of the resort. If they were not doing so much construction, we would have considered staying there this trip...

Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

So, you are doing Ohana twice? Totally conceivable - just wondering. LOL

I have heard great things about Boma for breakfast - so I would vote for that.

We always to 50's or Sci-Fi at DHS, so I am no help to you for the others.

You've been on my mind this week...

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

So, you are doing Ohana twice? Totally conceivable - just wondering. LOL

I have heard great things about Boma for breakfast - so I would vote for that.

We always to 50's or Sci-Fi at DHS, so I am no help to you for the others.

You've been on my mind this week...

D~

Nope...not 'Ohana twice...just will be on that day with either plan #1 or plan #2. It seems things are changing daily on the ADR front, so I stopped bothering to write it down. I have only 13 days to decide! The current plan will have us paying OOP for at least one meal. Sheesh!

Husband is a big eater...and coming off the cruise with unlimited food may be hard on him! I was hoping his last visit with the doctor would scare him into loosing some weight...but I guess not.

I am making Mr D an appointment next week to see if the doctor will prescribe an appetite suppressant for him. Unfortunately, I do not think it will work...simply because he does not really feel hunger or fullness...he just eats because it is there. But we will try anything...he is now so over weight it is scarey and it is causing some major problems on his ankles and knees.

Because of the accident, his muscle tone is almost non existent in his ankles. He walks on the insides of his feet...almost with his ankle bone touching the ground. He will not wear the orthodics in his shoes anymore because they bother him...and now with the extra weight, his knees keep giving out when he walks for very long.

We have always known he would need surgery on his ankles, but have tried to avoid it.

Husband needs to loose about 150 pounds now to be only slightly over weight. He is on Blood Pressure meds but they are doing nothing for him...and the doctor said loosing weight would be the best solution. He has already had one mild heart attack years ago...and his doctor told him the next one was right around the corner and he would not survive it. You would think that would be enough to scare him into action...but nope!

Anyway....


Time to get everyone up and at this beautiful morning...before the cold front comes in tomorrow bringing the yucky stuff back for a bit!


Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

I'm just going to go ahead and say it...

Heaven must have a special place prepared for wives whose husbands cannot hear but refuse to get a hearing aid and ...even though you have told them something 3 times, get mad when they decide you never told them!

Trying to be kind at that moment is more than I think I can handle!


Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

When Disney first posted their hours, there was something different in them. The EMH for DHS changed from Sunday to Monday, meaning that DHS would not be a good park to visit on Monday ... messing up all the plans I had made using last year's info.

Over the weekend, Disney changed things around again! It is now back tot he way things were last year...meaning I go back to the original plan!

My life this past week was spent stressing about how to make things work without having the rope drop on DHS morning...and now things are all back in place!


Confused? So was everyone else in the house! LOL! But I am a ahappy camper!


Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

LOL Glad it worked out in the end.

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

LOL Glad it worked out in the end.

D~

LOL



So I have been working on getting a new computer. I have been researching, and my IT guy (aka my son in law) has been researching for me as well. We finally found something that would work in my budget and be what I need.

Yesterday we drove into Atlanta to visit the Microsoft Store (about an hour without traffic...although we had lots of traffic!) They did not have the one we were looking for but did offer me a discount on one that was similar to what was on line...but not as good a deal. We went to a couple different electronics stores on the way back home...same issue.

Microsoft has discontinued support on the old XP computers. They are offering a $100 discount if you purchase a new computer from them...The one I am looking at qualifies for the discount!

Unfortunately, in order to get the discount online, I have to order it from the old computer! The old computer was downstairs. I brought the computer out of my office up to the kitchen table to set it up, only to discover it was the wrong one! I needed the computer in my husband's office. So I bring it up and hook it up...unfortunately, the last time it was on the internet we had dial up!!!

After spending several hours trying to get it to connect to the internet through wired or wireless...I have decided it is not worth the $100 savings!

Now I have two computers to lug back downstairs and hook back up in their respective offices... even though I can't remember the last time either had been touched! But if I plan on getting dinner ready anytime soon I better get busy!


Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

So another quick drive by.

Guess who just got a pin code for Disney? Not me! Both my son and his wife got emails today for the same pin as the last one a few months ago for free Park Hoppers, just different dates.


One of these days I figure our why Disney doesn't like me!

Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

Not a whole lot going on here. Yesterday I ended up babysitting The Grand Princess (she decided she needed a day off school...the whole week for Spring break last week wasn't enough! LOL)

We did actually buy our pool yesterday. Not what I wanted, but it was on sale and the last one they had...so we will be installing a 26 ft diameter, 52 inch deep pool sometime soon...

Today I babysit Miss Mia. Her mommy needss some time to pack for their weekend trip to Alabama. Her Daddy decided they were leaving today when he got off work...and then realized he had a meeting in town today. So they have to leave early...like 1 ish...so there is a lot of packing that evidently needs to be done.

Yes, this is the daughter that always decides to do things on the spur of the moment with no planning...like decide to go to Disney less than a week before the trip!

I have now spent close to 5 hours (in the last 2 days)working on the computer issue. Microsoft has ads that say one thing...both on line and on tv....but actually don't mean what they say. It would seem that with an advertising budget the size of a big corporation that that they would have someone actually read the thing! Of course, I had two different customer service reps read it the same way I did! They both assured me that I get the $100 off... but the system won't allow me to do it! Oh...and both their supervisors agreed... and the manager over them all...

So it has been escalated to corporate...I have now spent so much time working on this I have lost all benefit of the $100. PLUS...I will not be getting the computer before the weekend which was my original plan!


Yeah...I am still hot about this!I have been trying to do this since last Friday!

On Disney news....the rumors of Free Dining are going around hot and heavy this morning! I will find out for sure in a few minutes...but this round will not make any difference to me, since it is not expected to go into October. Still have to wait a few months on that announcement.

I have a cute design I am working on for one of our shirts...it involves spider webs and glow in the dark thread! I can't wait to get it done...hopefully I will have at least one of the shirts done this weekend.



Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

So today is my monthly 'bad mom' report!

I put the application packet for Spring Adaptive baseball in a folder for Special Olympics. That was the registration day. When they changed Special Olympics day due to weather, they changed the day for registration as well...then they changed the date fro Special Olympics again due to weather...

This morning I was getting my Friday folder out...seems like school sends stuff home all week with the expectation that parent will fill out the forms, send checks, whatever...on Friday. This morning was...paying for a Field Day Shirt...paying for pictures...signing a few forms... and I happened to look through the other folders...Special Olympics...hmmm...the baseball season is supposed to start next Saturday...I thought I would pull it out to see what was going on with it...the final post mark date was...last week! YIKES!

Then......

I look at my calendar to see what is on tap for next week when I notice I was supposed to have the bags for my future daughter in law by this weekend! It is a simple monogram on about a dozen bags...but I need my small hoop...the 4 x 4...the one that is missing! I have offered the kids a bounty on it...and they still haven't found it. I am sure it is somewhere that will make perfect sense once I find it! I ordered a new one on Monday...but it still hasn't gotten here... So I had to send a bad future mother in law message to said future daughter in law...


Yesterday, Miss Mia and I had a fun time. I exposed her to the joys of Disney Junior! She also learned a new word or sound...the dog goes WOOOOF! (said in a very high pitched voice with lots and LOTS of feeling!) She jumped the first few times I said it! Then giggled...and now thinks it s the greatest sound in the world!

Yup...she proceeded to say it all the way to Alabama!

Yesterday I had a frantic text from my son...seems he needed me to watch the Grand Princess for a few minutes...but I was already in car pool line for the two youngest and there is no cell or internet at either school...so I did not get the message until I got back to town...and then it was too late. He had to take the day off work (he works nights)

And finally...
I realized this morning that I do not have a new dress for Miss B! Easter is this week! I will be getting her out of school early so we can do a tiny bit of shopping...like only have time for one store!




Yup...Bad Mom....all the way around!


Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

Congrats on getting your new pool - I can't wait to see pictures!

That is terrable about Microsoft... Yah - at some point you spend so much time on it, that the $100 isn't even worth it anymore. Sigh.

I still haven't read about the FD offer and what it entails... I don't think we are included, so it doesn't matter much anyways.

Bummer aboutt he form... Can you send it in late? Sometimes they will take them later...

I am sure your future DIL will understand... Those hoops have a way of walking away...

LOL about Mia saying that all the way to Alabama... I am sure her parents loved you!

I hope you have a fantastic Easter Nini!!!

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

Congrats on getting your new pool - I can't wait to see pictures!

Said pool is still in the back of the truck...the old pool is still up. At least I got the water out of it..but with all the rain in the last few days, the ground is a mushy muddy mess..It will take a t least a week of sunshine to dry it up enough to prepare the ground for putting the new pool up!

That is terrable about Microsoft... Yah - at some point you spend so much time on it, that the $100 isn't even worth it anymore. Sigh.

Well, the good news is...they are going to honor the price! After multiple tries to reason with them, I tried a different approach... I played dumb! I asked them to help me get the purchase to go through...and they did! Of course the way they did it caused a fraud alert on my Disney VIsa...which slowed down the actual purchase. Even though I paid extra for overnight shipping it still is showing as pending. Hopefully it is not under some sort of review!

I still haven't read about the FD offer and what it entails... I don't think we are included, so it doesn't matter much anyways.

We aren't realy included in this round either...but I do have a couple of clients that are...so I will be calling bright and early in the morning...(if the latest rumors of tomorrow are accurate)

Bummer aboutt he form... Can you send it in late? Sometimes they will take them later...

Hopefully they will let me...I sent an email, but sionce they wee closed on Friday I will have to wait to find out. I will call in the am.

I am sure your future DIL will understand... Those hoops have a way of walking away...

So far she is understanding...I managed to get all of the smaller ones done yesterday...now to do the larger ones. I have no idea why I thought I had to wait to do the larger ones. I could have used my larger frame on them.... I really expected the other hoop to show up once the new one got here...but not yet!

LOL about Mia saying that all the way to Alabama... I am sure her parents loved you!

They should be home tonight...I can't wait ot hear how the trip went

I hope you have a fantastic Easter Nini!!!

D~

So far Easter has been quiet. But we expected that since husband is working and we did the family celebration last weekend. Of course, I DID forget to get something for the kids for Easter...so last night I hastily did some gift certificates for them. After church services to day we took a WalMart run. Mr D got a game for his DS (and has been playing non stop!) and Miss B got her iPod back (with conditions) and they each got to pick out a giant candy bar...I also got Husband a solid Chocolate Bunny!

We came home and had some leftovers...and I just took a small nap!

My ADR date is Saturday morning...as is Miss Mia's first birthday party. (I can NOT believe she is a year already!)

We have less than a month until our beach trip and my Cruise is less than 6 months away!

When I think that 3 weeks from today I will be sitting on a beach..... I can hardly wait!



Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

We had a rather large pool. 5 ft deep and 20 feet across. It held a LOT of water. I was very careful in emptying the old water. Once the water started pooling on the ground I stopped to let it soak in a bit. I was VERY careful not to flood my neighbors back yard.

They never even realized I was draining my pool.

This morning, before church, I checked the area around my pool, since it had rained for 2 days straight. It was very muddy, but no water was standing. I just changed into old shorts and old shoes to go out and start the process of taking down the pool.

After getting two of the support legs off, I thought it was really wet there...and decided to go around to the back side and work so I would get less wet. Well, I noticed there was at least 3 INCHES of water there. Our up hill neighbors are using a pump to drain their pool! My whole back yard is FLOODED! The area where I started was the only semi dry spot...it only has 2 inches of water...

It will now take at least a week of sunny weather to get it dry enough to even take apart the old pool! And we have several days of rain in the next week! I really hate confrontation.... I really want to scream and yell at them! I would send husband over to talk with them...but he is at work. He usually talks and they listen and usually apologize... I know they are not doing it to be mean or malicious...they just don't think about how it is effecting others.

So...I come in and slam a few doors and yell at no one...and then make snide posts about it!

I already feel much better. Husband says I have a problem with passive aggression!

Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

I have always felt that the Free Dining promotion was the only way we would do Disney this year....after the Cruise.


Well, big change here...Free Dining will not alter our plans much. If Free Dining is NOT offered, we may change the resort....but we will still be going to the parks after the cruise. Now that we have made that decision...if takes a bit of the monetary pressure off me...


So now to get Free Dining for others.....



Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

Nine years ago this morning was the last time I saw my Mom. It was an ordinary Friday morning, with a slight rain. It was so ordinary I can not remember what we talked about at breakfast. No matter how many times I replay it in my head I can not remember it.

I originally had planned on a long insightful, detailed post for this morning. But events of yesterday made me change my mind.

Yesterday, one of my good friends lost her mother unexpectedly. Of course, the timing brought back a lot of emotions I thought were long gone. I'm angry. Angry at who? I have no clue, maybe the ones that left us, maybe at the ones still here, maybe at God. The anger is irrational. I know that.

The depression has slipped in...I thought I was doing a good job of keeping it at bay, until the news about Debbie. The indications are that Debbie made a choice that ended her life a bit prematurely. She received some news about a biopsy. She had been suffering for the past 3 years.

Part of me wants to scream at her for taking the cowards way out...it was a selfish action that left those of us who love her in pain. Part of me understands because she is finally in no pain.

My friend will not let me comfort her. I suspect she is slightly embarrassed, or maybe she is afraid I will judge her or her mom for what happened.

Nine years ago, I battled the empty feeling by dealing with the aftermath of Mr D's injury. For two years, yes TWO YEARS, I did not deal with my mother's death. I dealt with trying to get Mr D back to 'normal'. That is when I realized, Mr D was at his new 'normal'. I should be glad he was still alive. I should celebrate him and his life while he was still here. I should grieve for my mom and all that we missed out on and then, simply get over it.

I've done a good job of that. Once a year I allow myself to grieve ...not only what I am missing, but what could have been. I do my best to stay away from what I could have done differently. I'm sure there are things I could have done that would have changed the outcome. But there is nothing I can do to change it now.

So, on this anniversary of the biggest change my life has ever seen, I will cry. I will be angry. I will question "why?" I will pray. I will reach out to my friend and offer help.

Most importantly...I will remember, on this day more than any other, how quickly things can change. How important it is to tell those you love...how important they are to you. I will not end any conversation without telling the person I love them.

And to all my friends who have stuck through this whole depressing post... I love you too! Each and every one. You mean more to me than you can ever know! Thank you for being a part of my life!

 

[babynala]

Hi Nini, reaching out to you today with a big hug. My heart aches for you today and everyday that you have lost so much. I know that hearing the words "I love you" each time you end a conversation must give the recipient such a warm feeling that never leaves them. Your strength to help Mr D and Miss B move on from that tragedy is invaluable and praiseworthy. It is an honor for me to call you a friend. Your mother looks beautiful in that photo you shared. Saying a special prayer for you today.