EWP group?

[colleen costello]

Hi all. Procedure went fine. I am really too groggy to type but I am ALIVE! and feel pretty good. A fatty at heart, I managed to drink a chocolate milkshake on the way home (so much for nausea!). Not sure if I can travel tomorrow or not; feel like i have to tinkle BAD every minute... Hopefully that will pass as doc promised. I am thinking of Mickey!

 

[angelina]

Hi, everyone. I popped in for a moment, and have been reading your last few pages of posts. So much going on! It's nice to read about your upcoming trips. Colleen, I feel exactly the same way about packing for a trip! I have a bag packed under my bed with disney stuff just waiting for another trip. I love all the PLANNING that goes into a vacation. I used to lay out all of my childrens' outfits and match the bows and ribbons for the girsl' playclothes, and I had more fun just thinking about the trip! I hope your recent problems don't prevent you from going.

Did I hear correctly that POTC II is inthe works? I think that would be wonderful. I didn't see Haunted Mansion, but will when it comes out on video.

Depply, have you seen JD's latest movie? I would love to know what you think about it.

SG, I hope your plans don't change too much--I'm counting on meeting you soon. There's something about this time of year that makes my heart pine for WDW--must be memories of our Easter trip!

I am going back to read some more posts that I've missed. Take care.

Angelina

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

How lovely to see all you lovely ladies in the Suite this evening.

How many boxes of Kleenex did you go through while watching "Beaches" Rider? I cry at the drop of a hat. Funny thing is that I also cry when I get very mad (does not happen often thankfully) and it has been mistaken for weakness when really I am using every ounce of self restraint to keep from bopping someone on the head. LOL Is much better to pick on me rather than someone else as I will step up if someone else is being mistreated. (grrrrrr) Scare anyone? LOL I am glad that Frank was pleased at being remembered, albeit a bit late. You always look lovely in black, Lisa. Having worn black for so much of my life (to hide a few ounces) I now wear loads of bright colors. The codes came out and while they are a bit higher than in past years, it is not a big deal. Really , the room is about the cheapest part of the trip. Hoping to book the room tomorrow. Am doing some research tonight to see what music groups are going to be there and when so I can decide which ten day period, with our date uppermost in my mind. When are you going on your first meet? Bet you become as addicted as Helenabear.

Colleen, I am so glad to hear that you have been mended. If you were able to ingest a milkshake on your way home it bodes well for a quick recovery for you. I would use your recent troubles to get out of any heavy lifting or any other chore that I could. (hope it works better for you than for me).

Angelina, I am sincerely hoping that our Fairhope plans will not have to be changed either. If they do have to be changed I would like to take your phone number etc. with me just in case we can squeeze in a few extra days. Please email me with the info in case? Tom is set on checking out a few housing ideas in Florida. I keep trying to be the voice of reason but the truth is that if it were just me I would be sorely tempted to move there myself. I believe in renting for a period of time before making any drastic changes. Too many people move in haste and repent at leisure. We are neither rich nor poor but cannot afford to make any large mistakes at this point in our lives.. I have one suitcase that has all our Disney items in it and always keep the 'bathroom' bag fully packed. Has often come in handy for spur of the moment trips. It is the hardest thing to pack as there are so many small, but very important, items that have to be remembered. My best tip for packing, when you are spending an extended time is to leave the complete outfit on a hanger, fold in half in the suitcase and then when you get to where you are going you have only to take them out and hang them, very few wrinkles also. I always have a small bag with the clothes for the trip down so we do not have to unload much on the nights we are just sleeping and driving. Last tip is to always take an extra set of underwear. If you get lucky enough to spend an additional day you can always get away with wearing an outfit twice but not undies. Ugh!! I used to pack two shirts for each pair of pants for the kids to cut down on the clothes in the old days.

Had a full day, club meeting this morning and I had to make a 30 mile round trip to pick up one lady whose car did not start this morning. Drove another lady home afterward and then to the nursing home to visit my friend. Made it to the afterschool program just in time and had a new student. She is on the verge of flunking first grade. Just needs confidence IMHO. A bit late to ask for help though so I am a bit worried. Flunking will not do much for her self esteem.

I am going to go have some fun doing some Disney planning and hope to report days booked tomorrow! Yeah!!!!

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

I am still a little groggy, but I think a universal rule for life in general is "Always pack extra underwear..." I am the kind of woman who ALWAYS packs extra undies...

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, you are my kind of gal, always prepared for an emergency. LOL

Bet you sure are glad that you started packing early. Hoping that your trip will take place and you will be fine while there. It is my nightmare that I would get sick there.

I am going to request a ressie from May 16th thru the 26th. Had to add one day so that I could see Arlo Guthrie. The Turtles, The Animals and Paul Revere will be there during that time frame also. I was not allowed to listen to rock n roll as a kid so I am making up for lost time. Hope I can get those dates. After Mother's Day and leaving on Memorial Day so I think I will be able to make it just fine. My heart is pumping with excitement. Nothing thrills me more than purple and red signs, even if I cannot read them at night. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I was up bright and early and I now am the proud owner of a confirmed reservation for DW from May 16th thru the 27th!! All Star Sports, Touchdown, near the bus stop, king bed. All a girl can dream of and more!! I will get to see all four of my groups and most importantly, Lisa and Frank!!

Colleen, sendins special thoughts to you today as you wend your way to the Magic Kingdom. Almost considered going out west of town to wave to you as you passed but did not think you needed any other distractions. Besides, you probably left at 4 am or some such. Much easier to drive while the little darlings are asleep or semi conscious. Ah, how I remember those days. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Hi all... been a bit busy here at work and at home as well... I'll make this quick as I have things to do.

Colleen, I hope by now you are feeling better and enjoying your trip to WDW!!!! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!!!

Linda, you might laugh at this, but a real problem with living in Columbus is that there is no good "direct" route down to FL. We either have to go pretty far east or West in Ohio to get on a highway that will go the right direction. Not sure how that one happened. I am sure that you would hate me as well to ride with. I go as far as I can go w/o having to stop. I usually make it about 280 miles (3/4 tank) before I stop. If I could have a car that never ran out of gas, I'd never stop But the only thing is with me going by myself so often, flying is always cheaper in the long run so I never have to worry about that with WDW trips.

Lisa, no Chicago trip this weekend... going in April though and want to see more of the city again! You can always see trips of mine in my sig so the dates I am going are there It's been almost a year since I've been to Chicago so it will be nice to go back! Unfortunately no discounts for DL yet. Hopefully soon or it is doubtful we will get any at all

Hi Angie! How are you doing?? You are correct, a Pirates of the Caribbean is in the works. With Orlando's and Johnny's schedule though, I doubt we will see it before 2006 though. Are you speaking of the new movie due out this weekendf or Johnny? I heard it is a freaky one... a friend of mine hopes to see it this weekend

Linda! I am so very happy to see your dates are confirmed!!! I was actually looking at that time of year for a quick trip, but the flights out aren't reasonable enough for me. And driving is a no go at all. I did try though.

Well I should get back to work. Have a great day all!

 

[colleen costello]

Linda, I will wave to anyone in Indiana thinking it might be you! No we haven't left yet. We sleep in and drive late, that suits my lazies. Hubby would BOYCOTT if I got him up that early -- he is a night owl. I am feeling OK except for some bladder spasms, which are normal, But suddenly I have to GO. I DID pack the extra undies where I can get at them, just in case! I won't be the only one at WD with bladder issues, I am sure!

I will write once I am back. Linda, we will just miss you at WDW - -we check in right after you leave in May. Some day! Love to all while I am gone.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Elaine, you are a piker. (grin) I always drive 500-600 miles a day on my way down. I like to check in early enough to get settled in on the second day. Tom is the one who wants to stop every few miles. LOL We are lucky to live so close to a main road toward DW. If you ever decide to drive and will take 65 you will have a free place to stay here. I am about 200 miles from you so that is a good days drive, for you. LOL I get pretty good mileage with my car and even with the recent gas increases it will still only cost about $100 in gas to get me there and back and we only have one night on the road. Thanks to the fact that we go off season and use the discount books it is not too expensive. If I were not such a nitwit about directions I could go a bit off the main path and do even better but it is best to be safe than sorry IMHO. If you were able to get a couple of weeks off you could ride with us, especially if you did part of the driving. With two drivers I think we could make it in one very long day. Is almost exactly 1,000 miles from here to there but since the roads are so easy and some have speed limits in the 70's it is not too bad.

Colleen, my extremely lazy husband will get up early for one thing and one thing only and that is vacation. There were times when we got up at 4 am to start out. I always had the house cleaned, luggage packed and in the car and all ready for when we woke up. (of course I had to be up earlier to fix breakfast) Just wrapped the kids in blankets and we could be a couple of states away before they knew what hit them. Was way before seat belts and we had station wagons so we made them a little room in the back with the luggage at the rear to provide some protection. Even had a small tv at one point. I think they have as many terrible memories of those days as I do. Tom did the driving then and he was under the impression that those signs on the on ramps meant he was supposed to be on that road so we spent much time driving in circles. Life is somewhat better now that I do the driving as I know what I am going to do, most of the time. Tom enjoys it also since he can sleep his way there. What time of day are you going to be headed out? I will be in Columbus as I have to take Tom bowling. Should be easier to see my wave. LOL Hope your bladder settles down so you can enjoy the trip a bit more.

I have my agenda pretty well figured out. Always work around the night time parades nowadays. Have some new things on the plan and hope to get to most of them. Will make them up in November if I have to. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[colleen costello]

It's 10:30 and I hope to leave around noon. I'll look for your wave, Linda... I'll proabably have to stop by Columbus to tinkle...

xoxo

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Colleen, I can sympathize with you as I have always had a small bladder but I am so used to having to be near a bathroom that I almost do not notice it anymore. Best thing in the world was when we moved from the small house with one bath to this one with 2.5!!

Be careful and make sure you stop at every rest stop you can cause there is one state, can't think of it now, that only seems to have one rest stop for the whole state.

I will be dropping off Tom at bowling about the time you go through town. Glad that the rain seems to have stopped. Have a safe and wonderful trip!!

See you when you get back.

Linda and your Suite friends

 

[IASW Rider]

BON VOYAGE, COLLEEN!!! So glad to hear that you're hanging in there and feeling at least a little bit better! I'll bet that you'll feel better every day that you are away! Hope that you and your family have a safe trip and a Magical vacation! We'll be thinking of you and can't wait to hear your full report, upon your return!

So glad that you made your reservations, Linda!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't wait to meet you and Tom!! That is so wonderful that you'll be able to spend so much time there and that you will be able to see all of the performances that you want to see! You both are going to have a great time! I wish that we were going to be there longer, so that we could spend some more time together, but with only 3 days on land, we have a lot to pack into a short period of time! Next time, hopefully we'll have some more time to spend together, though! I'm still hoping for an eventual "Suite Meet" at WDW...........I really think that it is going to happen, some day! The NJ DIS Meet isn't until June - a few weeks after we return (strangely enough, it's scheduled during the week that we have traditionally gone to WDW. Also, strangely enough, many of the people who are planning to attend the NJ DIS Meet will happen to be at WDW during the same time that we will be!). And I did cry my eyes out while watching "Beaches" - no matter how many times I see that movie, I always cry in exactly the same "places"!

Great to hear from you, Angie! How are you all doing, down there? How was Mardi Gras, this year? Did you attend any of the balls or parades? I always love hearing about all of the events going on, down there!

Sorry about that, Elaine - by now I know that I should look in your signature to see the countdowns to your upcoming trips! It's so neat that you always have something to look forward to and so many opportunities to meet up with DIS friends!

Not too much to report from here, today. Spent the morning with my father, going over estate planning stuff. I had been dreading it, but it wasn't quite as depressing as I imagined it would be. I know that it has to get done and that there are things that I have to face and that we have to speak about. But I'm glad that it wasn't as "bad" as I thought it would be. My father is dealing with things much better than he had been, months ago. I just keep worrying that there will be a "backlash" at some point and he will get really depressed again. Especially since my uncle was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease, last week. I know that I can't spend my life worrying, though, so I try to remain positive.

Now I need to totally distract myself and throw myself full throttle into my "new direction" - applying to graduate school. Too many changes in my life, this year - it's so overwhelming. But I think that this is a better and more realistic course of action for me to take. So now I have to get myself a GMAT review book, find out when review classes are being offered, and start getting my act together.

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a nice day! Talk to you soon!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Dear Rider, I am so excited. I spent this morning tweaking my plans on the program I use. I always leave one day for whatever since there is always something we miss or think of while we are there. I am looking forward to meeting you and Frank also. Having dinner will be wonderful. I don't think it would go very good with us old folks holding you young ones back and would never dream of such. If we ever find ourselves at DW again, hopefully so, we can meet for a meal or watch a parade or something and it will be great!! You both are so very generous in sharing your special evening with us as it is. I am looking forward to someone else deciding where to sit to see the parade and such. I am in charge of every detail of our lives and it gets quite wearing. I wanna ride in the back seat sometime. LOL

Colleen should be well into Tennesee and even possibly at the Georgia border by now. I was telling someone today that I would rather drive the 1,000 miles to Disney World than fight the drive to the Indpls airport and all that goes with flying nowadays. Just me.

I saw a "Been there, done that, going back DW" license plate in the parking lot today and was sorely tempted to stake it out and see if the occupant is a DISer. LOL Colleen and I do not live far apart so I am hoping that we can plan a get together this summer. They are getting ready to finally pave the parking lot next door so that means I will have a lot of landscaping to do. I work awfully slowly so it will be a major undertaking. I am going to put in a walkway and plant a bunch of ivy so it will be low maintance. Don't know what the trees are called but they are tall and thin and the branches and leaves hang over sort of like an umbrella. Would be lovely I think. I have vast stands of clementis on either side of the front porch, covering the trellises and roses on the front ones. Have hundreds of daffidils getting ready to bloom down the alley. I am hankering to start in doing the yardwork but I usually get over it by about July. (sigh) I will not be able to plant my tomatoes until we return from Florida so I will have to buy the big plants. I refuse to eat store bought tomatoes. (ugh)

Angelina, still waiting to see what is going on before I determine if we will have to miss Fairhope. I am hanging in there with my last breath as I have had many dreams of walking those lovely streets and meeting you and your talented children.

We have not chatted like this in a long time. I love it and you all!!

SG/Linda

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Linda!

Frank and I were talking about how excited we are about meeting you and Tom, last night! You mentioned that your first day at WDW will be the 16th - will you definitely be spending a few days in Florida before you arrive at WDW? Or will you literally be arriving in from your long drive on the 16th? Our flight arrives in Orlando some time around 10:00 AM that morning, I think. I don't know if we're even going to go to any parks that day - we might take that day to just get our bearings at POR, maybe go for a swim.........and get ready for our dinner with you! Will do the MK, the Studios, and Epcot on Monday - Wednesday, then leave early in the morning for the DCL terminal on Thursday. Unfortunately, we'll have to miss the AK this time around, but we're hoping to at least make it over to the AKL at some point, since we're so curious to see it! Will be reserving our shore excursions for the cruise soon, too. I'm trying to encourage Frank to try parasailing, since he said that he'd always wanted to try it (I will stay safely on the ground, videotaping and taking pictures!)! We also hope to take one of the tours of Nassau, since Frank has never been there before. My plans for Castaway Cay involve nothing more than lying like a blob on the beach and swimming in the beautiful waters of the Caribbean! Anyway, I do hope that we have another chance to spend some more time together! It will be strange being in WDW for such a short period of time, this time around.

Your plans for your garden and landscaping sound wonderful! I can imagine how pretty everything is going to look - it probably already looks great! You always put so much work into it - you obviously enjoy it and I can envision how beautiful your home and property look with everything growing and blooming! So glad that spring is on its way!

Hope that Colleen and her family are having a safe trip to WDW and are enjoying the ride and the anticipation of their arrival!

Hope that all is well with all of you, Elaine, Depply, Angie, and Wendy! Have a great day!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Yes, we are planning on coming in early afternoon on the 16th. I had only planned on staying 10 days but then saw that Arlo Guthrie was going to be there on the 26th so I had to add a day for that. There is always a chance that I will either add another day to the beginning or just leave here a day early and be at the gates of DW on the morning of the 16th. Even if we do not get in until early afternoon on the 16th, we have been so many times and I have the timing down to the second so we will just unpack, get cleaned up and head over to the Poly. Think I had better take the bus though as I will be pretty tired that night though. I sort of like the ride through the property on that first night. Makes me feel as if I am 'home' and I meet the most wonderful people. I enjoy the long stays as it feels much more like a vacation. I get tired easily, not so bad if I go slow and do not get out of breath. Slow is the only way I go. LOL


My plans are to go to Epcot on Monday, MGM on Tuesday and MK on Wednesday of that week but we are often flexible when other things come up. If it rains it is always an EPCOT day. LOL I want to check out Pop Century and Sarasota Springs while we are there as well. Fresh at the Dolphin is a must. Planning on walking thru the Gateway over to Beaches and Cream for lunch one day. Not much there I can eat but I often just eat a bit of Tom's huge meal. I think he would like the atmosphere there. Going to do loads of nightime things, Transit Authority, Pirates, monorail tour etc. Different perspective and all. I wonder if anyone has actually ever done every single thing there is to do there? Must not be so as I meet many CM's who seem to enjoy walking the parks as much as we do.

I wish our property was as lovely as you think. I think I have found someone to trim and prune the trees for me this year. I cannot hold my arms over my head for any length of time and have limited strength so for me to do it takes weeks. I go out and trim about a half dozen places, rest, and go back out again until I get it done or as much as I can. Being this feeble at 55 makes me glad that longevity does not run in my family. (grin)

Have to get some work done. Austin is coming to spend the night. We were talking on the phone at 11 last night. His parents were asleep and he wanted to talk. I am so happy that I can do that for him. He will turn into a teenager in July but I see no evidence of him turning into a terror. He is learning and growing into a fine young person.

SG/Linda

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just dropping by to say hello, have not so in a long time. Sounds like lots of nice trips coming up, hope everyone enjoys, as I am sure you all will. A great group you guys are. have a super weekend, relax, enjoy.


Dan

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Ain't it always true that when a batch of ladies get together once they start discussing bodily functions or something else embarrassing a man drops by. LOL

Dan, you are welcome in here any old time you care to drop by. Do you happen to have any hints on things that would be new to do even to frequent visitors? Bet you know things that the guide books never list and I would never think of.

Any chance you would be going to the DIS meet that Rider is going to? Would be wonderful!! When is your next trip to DW?

Going to relax and enjoy a bit before doing my next chore. Worked on the taxes and cleaned a bunch of shelves and need a Calgon moment.

SG/Linda

 

[helenabear]

Afternoon all... slow time at work so I thought I'd come in and say hi

Lisa, I actually said it that way about the dates because I didn't have a calendar on me so that was easier than typing out dates and saying "I think" afterwards Your trip sounds so wonderful!!!! I really do wish I could meet up with you but unless some air drops so more I can't even think about going then

Linda, I am so very happy that you can be there for Austin when he needs someone. You are a truly special person After cleaning *and* doing your taxes, I sure don't blame you for needing a moment of rest!

Howdy Dan good of you to drop in

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Helenabear, I am in awe of those of you who work full time to earn a living AND keep house, cook etc. etc. etc. Even with the new modern man who 'helps out' I do not doubt that the majority of the load still lands on the woman's shoulders.

I have friends my age and older who are having to work outside the home as well as keep up with everything else. I feel inadequate as I get so darned tired just doing the bit I do do.

Speaking of the little devil, Austin just walked in and I want to see what he is up to.

Linda/SG

 

[jstmee]

I'm going, I'm going, I'm going to WDW! March 27-Apr 4, not the whole time there but the first 5 days, my neice is doing her internship at Epcot, she works at a restaurant helping the kiddos make cookies and I'm going down to visit her and my folks will be there and my brother. I'm going solo, so I'll have R&R....I got a room through priceline at Orlando World Resort. I've heard conflicting reports, but oh well, not much I can do about that, then I'm staying at Radisson in Orlando---I have to do a timeshare viewing(but, I get 2 -2daypasses to universal) then I have to nights in Daytona. For spur of the moment I'll definately take it. I have 3 books for the beach.

I was reading some of the past posts HELLO TO ALL. like many of you I enjoy the planning and packing so you can imagine my flurry of activity getting ready for me, myself and I.......I'm trying not to think of missing my DH and kiddos. But this will also be a mental health visit for myself. Yahoooooooo!!!!!!