"Do You Mind?" - Disney Adventures with Teens August Trip Report

[Grandma Bonnie]

Packing and moving is the worst! I just moved in May and it was a nightmare!!!

What grade level did you teach?

Well, I'm not looking forward to the moving experience, but I'll have some time before I face it because I haven't even put my house on the market yet. And Joann and her family have to sell their existing house and buy a new one in Austin before I can move my stuff into the condo.

I taught 3rd grade (self-contained) two years, 3rd. grade gifted one summer, 7-9 math for 1 semester, Homebound for 1 semester, 2nd grade (team teaching) for three years, remedial reading for six years, K-3 principal for four years, K-8 principal for fourteen years, K-5 principal for seven years, college education courses professor for three years. All of the above explains my silver hair!!!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Don't know how that last post was run twice. But I'll take the blame. I was Dising and talking to my son-in-law at the same time. Sorry!!!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

On a serious note, in my family, teachers make good moms.

Thank you, Susan.

 

[Donald is #1]

And did I tell you that I have 8 tee shirts (one for each day) that says "I'm with THEM!!!" and they have your pictures on them next to the word "them".

What a great idea!

 

[Donald is #1]

Just in case I forget to post tomorrow:

Have an awesome trip!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

I love the Haunted Mansion. Tomorrowland Transit Authority is great when you just want to sit for a few. There's never a line.

HM is one of my favorites. I love the messages on the tombstones outside the house. I could go through that ride dozens of times. Like most of WDW, no matter how often you do something you always see something you missed before. And I expect that I'll be "sitting for a few" a lot more than the rest of our group.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Are you going to get a henna tattoo? I have a real one, so not sure about henna.

I'm getting a henna tattoo in Morocco (Epcot). I got a temporary tattoo on the cruise last year. I think my children and grandchildren would disown me if I came home with a permanent tattoo. But I've learned to never say never. My own mother got her ears pierced at the age of 82 after years of our coaxing her to "get with it."

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

No shoes. I have plenty of flip flops. Although I do need something to wear with that new gold dress. All I have is gold flip flops and I feel they're not dressy enough. Katie says they're fine though.

I agree with Katie.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Chris cooked us the BEST spaghetti tonight! Yum! I my husband!

My compliments to the Chef. Even tho it's not SBD.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

10 Days!!!
​

This is the LAST day of double digits!

I am on my way to San Francisco this morning.

Mom and Katie are at home, taking care of appointments and keeping Jo's kids occupied.

Not particularly easy jobs since we are limited in vehicles. The one we have has no A/C and the temps have been 3 digits for 12 days!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Wow it's almost time!

Did we loose your Mom again?

No, I have just been so unbelievably busy with the condo shopping and buying and getting kids to appointments and entertaining them. Today was the first day I have had to myself in weeks and I'm trying to catch up on the boards. Hence, so many posts from me today.

 

[swwake]

My compliments to the Chef. Even tho it's not SBD.

It was most definitely SBD. Whole wheat pasta, extra lean ground beef, fresh asparagus...

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

I don't think we've lost Mom. I am pretty sure she is reading. She is in Austin helping care for the three kids during the day while Jo and Chris are working. She got some news today that may delay her closing next week (supposed to be Monday). I didn't get to follow up with her, so I'm not sure how it all worked out.

I just know she's just very busy with real life, as am I.

What wasn't told on these pages could fill volumes.

First, Joann, has been in training all week. That meant Monday, Wednesday, Friday, AND Saturday 8-5. It also meant Tuesday and Thursday 9-9.

Second, when they packed to come down early, they forgot to bring the kids' toys, books, movies, etc. So even with the pool, they've been bored and hard to keep entertained. Thank heavens for Harry. He had really enjoyed the extra attention.

Third, "the closing near disaster". I'm not even going to go into it. I'll just tell you that I'm writing a book titled Dealing with Charles Schwab for Dummies.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Tonight, I asked Katie what she's planning to pack and she said "I forgot all about packing!"

In other news, my sister's moving van and husband are on their way. Her DH will be here around 3:30 tomorrow morning. I think the van will be at the condo (Mom's) between 8 and 9am. They will be moving in the rest of this week. I guess Mom will stay with us until we leave Friday.
/COLOR]

I hate to tell you, but I asked Katie today if she had started packing and I got a typical teen age reply. "No, don't worry about it, Grandma."

Well, Wes, did indeed arrive soon after 3:00 A.M. and crashed. Jo got up to go meet the movers at 8:00 A.M. After numerous phone calls and missed turns the movers finally arrived shortly after noon. The kids were so excited to see their own furniture. Haley said "Now, it feels like home."

As I write this, they have been in the condo about 36 hours and still haven't figured out how to use propane. But it may be that there is no propane. Chris is trying to help them discover the problem and the solution. Both Wes and I have contacted the company numerous times today. Taking a cold shower has a whole new meaning for them.

When Jo took the first shower yesterday getting ready to go in to work, she said that she had to dry off like a dog.....shake, shake, shake! They had not found the bath towels yet. Isn't moving fun?

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Hi Susan! And Grandma Bonnie!

I've not been here for too long,.

Welcome back, AnnieDan. You have been missed. And you are correct....."too long." But, we understand.

Please remember to take care of yourself before you try to take care of others around you.

We will look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Enjoy the Olympics. I, too, usually stay glued to the TV during the Olympics, but, alas, this year we will be in WDW at the same time. That's the only negative about this trip.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Congrats to Bonnie on your new house! Sounds like the closing went smoothly - yay!

Thanks, Irene. The actual closing was about the only part of this experience that went smoothly. We were 20 minutes late because we didn't get the amount for the cashiers check until 9:15 A.M. (Closing was scheduled for 10:00 A.M.) Then, the banker made the check out with my maiden name, not my legal name. This second home purchase has truly been comedy of errors.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Who in their right mind procrastinates on packing for Disneyworld???? That would be me. Weird.

Well, it certainly wasn't I. I packed for WDW before I came to Austin two weeks ago. All I need to do is transfer my toiletries from one suitcase to the other when you get to my Memphis home in less than 48 hours.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

How is the SBD trail mix? And what's in it? Is it like other trail mixes?

To be quite honest with you, I don't remember exactly. I know there are cashews, almonds, cocoa covered soy nuts. But I don't remember the other ingredients. They're all packed and on the way to WDW.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

What a great idea!

Now that I think about it, I might try to market that idea to local day care facilities for pre-schoolers and seniors with dementia.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Just in case I forget to post tomorrow:

Have an awesome trip!

Thanks for the well wishes!