Four-mer TKers...4 one, 4 all, 4 ever

[mariezp]

WOW! D&DDisney! Your pirate ship cake is VERY impressive. Personally, I have a mental block when it comes to making all things dessert. I can cook pretty good otherwise but no talent for desserts. I am in awe!

M&N, loved your pics! I've only been to PA once in my adult life and those pictures are exactly the stuff I remember! Texas is big and has lots of land but I was in awe of the huge farms and barns that are up there. Beautiful country! I would have loved to stay longer but there was a blizzard that ran us out of town!

MagiKitty, I hope your Monday got better. Better get to packing all those pink clothes! I usually end up wearing all the same color when we go. I always have to to laundry mid trip so it helps to keep the separate loads of clothes to a minimum.

Pikester, count your blessings girl! My kids are home with me all the time and at each others throats off and on all day. (Actually, I wouldn't want it any other way.... well maybe a little less fighting.)
I did change my avatar! Thanks for noticing!
I have been working on WDW plans some. I feel guilty if I spend too much time day dreaming when I should be doing something else so I have been trying to limit the time I spend each day. I am making some progress. I have eliminated quite a few restaurants because it would just be a waste of money to take my picky kids. So I have been picking places that have tried and true favorites. I think we would do best to do a mix of counter service and a few ADRs. So far, (I probably should say this week) my ADR dining choices are Hoop De Do Revue, Rainforest Cafe, Prime Time Cafe, Tony's, Coral Reef, and Teppan Edo. I am still considering Whispering Canyon Cafe and one of the character meals. How about you? What are your must dos? Anyone else?

whgrn, welcome back! Ooh the Italian Village looks so pretty and the room looks great! The beach looks wonderful. Egad! Your Tuna steak looks raw! Might as well call it sushi. And OMG! The pig is still looking at you! Here's hoping for better dining experiences next time. Your family photos turned out great....you have a beautiful family, BTW. I love the kids together at sunset! Sounds like you had a fabulous time. Whoo-hoo for booking a return trip.

racetrack18kb, I hate that you have to deal with the crap DS's mother does. Some people, and she is not the only one, just don't seem to have much of a moral code that they live by. Here is hoping that more of your values rub off on him.

 

[racetrack18kb]

Wonderful pictures Wendy. You have such a clever way of writing the experiences too. I just loved the sunset pics on the beach. Too bad the food was disappointing.

Sorry for the continuing saga of the poor excuse for a mom, Racer. You know your DS has it in him to be a good kid but the lousy example that's being set by his mom is just...(since I can't say anything nice I had better just keep silent but you get my drift!) And what's so heartbreaking is she doesn't care. Does DS care that she's lying and telling him to or does he just shrug it off? You certainly will never change her but you do have to put up with that.....
It kind of seems almost better if there were physical abuse because then you could keep her away from him. Psychological abuse is just as bad.

She has shown him for so long that lying is ok and it doesn't even faze him. I hate to use the word but it's like he's "warped" in his thinking.

We just don't know how to break through that. Believe me, money is tight for us and I have the opportunity to lie and get him free games of bowling all summer. But I just can't. It's wrong and I don't want my kids to think it's ok.

And physical abuse would be so much easier to prove. How do you prove that a mom says it's "ok" to lie and break the law?

Marie, we've eaten at Rainforest 2x and loved it both times. Coral Reef was one of my favorites 2 vacations ago and if we had gotten the dining plan last vacation, would have repeated there. It was loud but I thought the food was good. And my youngest 2 loved watching the fishies while we ate.

 

[M&N]

I can't give opinions on many places in the parks but I did like the Rainforest Cafe...of course I loved the fish swiming around too.

Some people cannot tell lying from the truth---they've lied so much. Some would not think twice about telling the wrong age. It's like 2nd nature to them.

I'm having lunch at the Olive Garden tomorrow. I have a viewing to go to tomorrow night and getting a bite after it with friends. I am calling it a night. I just heard a downfall of rain on the roof but it's stopped...

Night.......

 

[racetrack18kb]

Night M&N!

Talk to you tomorrow......

 

[mariezp]

Oh goodie! 2 good reviews for my choices! Thanks racetrack! We have eaten at the Rainforest at DL and always enjoyed it so I was hoping the one at WDW would be good for us too. My entire family loves seafood so Coral Reef seems to be a logical choice. I've read many mixed reviews on it but always find them to be hit and miss anyway as to what we usually end up liking. I know DD will love the fishies too.


racetrack, it is hard enough in this day and age with all the troublesome kids out there who end up influencing others in a bad way. It is outrageous when a parent is just as bad or even worse than the kids! Thank the good Lord that your DS has someone in his life willing to teach him right from wrong. Just hang in there! Keep working on him in a positive light and you will at least know you have done what you should.

 

[mariezp]

Some people cannot tell lying from the truth---they've lied so much. Some would not think twice about telling the wrong age. It's like 2nd nature to them.

My step-DD and her DH both have this thing where they tell "little white lies". It drives me crazy! To me a lie is a lie and the best thing to do is avoid them if at all possible. Like M&N said it gets to where the little white ones just keep getting more numerous and even bigger. NOT GOOD!

 

[Pikester]

Huh. I got rejected for a Chase Disney Visa Rewards card. The letter said that I have "Few revolving accounts opened long enough to establish a credit history" and "Not enough accounts opened long enough to establish a credit history". Huh? My DH told me that the real reason I was rejected is because we don't carry a balance on our credit cards so they won't get any money from us. Totally P's me off! The funny part is in the same batch of mail was an application for a Chase Credit Card.

 

[M&N]

Pikester: You should apply for the Chase one and see what happens. Yeah--it's the people who pay off every month that they don't want. I keep waiting for them to cancel because of giving me points. Credit card companies want it both ways. They want you to owe them but not go bankrupt. They do get money from the companies that use their cards. I don't know if it's a % of what you charge or just a flat fee. That's why department stores want you to use their store cards. I know I've gotten an extra % off if I used their card instead of VISA.

For the Hershey bound TKers...This was just posted. Don't know who's interested or what day you are planning on being there but every Sunday night there's a concert in the park that's free.
Sunday, July 19 – CHUBBY CHECKER
Don’t miss classic hits like “The Twist”, “Let’s Twist Again”, and “Limbo Rock” brought to you by this musical legend. Show times: 4 PM and 6:30 PM

Friend just moved lunch to 11:30 so I've got to move it...

 

[whgrn]

Awesome trip report, Wendy!!! Those pics are just so beautiful. And DH actually looked at them himself. Thought I would faint. He even said we should go somewhere like that one day.

I'm so glad you had a good, relaxing time. You certainly deserve it.

Wow! I'm impressed and honored that DH would view my pictures! I'm glad y'all enjoyed them.

Hi everyone!!! Had a cold, rainy and dreary day here today. Perfect weather for my mood this weekend.

I kinda stayed away for a couple of days so I wouldn't post and take my PO'd attitude out on all of you. I am just so sick of DS's mom's lies and her telling him to lie. The custody agreement is that she can pick him up at 5pm on Friday's on the weekend he goes to visit her. For the past 2 Fridays, she has called DH asking him to pick up DS early. Both weeks, she has lied about where they were going to let us have her way. 1st time-a minor league baseball game. She told us the game started at 5pm. DH called me to check the website and sure enough the game started at 7:10 pm. The stadium is only 10 minutes from our house. Then she changed the story that they had to get ready at their friends house. Their friend's house is only 5 minutes from here.

Then this past Friday, she calls DH about picking up DS early again. She said they were going fishing someplace 2 hours away. DH says no and she hangs up on him. Turns out she did take DS fishing....5 minutes from our house!!!! And on top of it, DS is 16 and needs to have a fishing license. She won't spend the $20.00 and buy him one. Instead she tells him if someone from the game commission comes around, to lie and say he's 15.

DH and I are working so hard to get DS to tell the truth and she does this. You can't imagine how p****d I am. Tell your kid to lie and break the law. I don't care what law it is, you just don't do that. And I'm sure her BF has a license but he's more important than her own child. Part of the reason we want to move so badly is to get DS away from her. How can he be raised to be a respectable member of society when she is telling him it's ok to lie and break the law. It may not be a major law but it's still the law. And I never thought that I feel that a child should be taken away from him mom except in cases of abuse. I just don't know what to do anymore. I just want to cry knowing that his mom is re-enforcing the bad behavior.

For starters, you NEVER have to stay away from us when you are in a ranting mood. That's what we are here for (among other things, of course)

As far as the incubator for your son, she's an idiot. Of course, you knew that already. I am so sorry you and DS have to deal with her cr*p. I think moving to FL will only be a positive as far as that relationship goes. The sooner the better! When are you moving/

Ok, now that my ranting is over.....

D&D, that cake is great. I showed it to DD5 and now she wants that kind of cake. All I can say is I'm glad DD13 is in charge of this part of her birthday. And I have our dates blocked off for the big Tker meet. Be there or be square.

I agree, the cake is AWESOME!! And what ARE the dates for the TK meet? i didn't get that memo...

Huh. I got rejected for a Chase Disney Visa Rewards card. The letter said that I have "Few revolving accounts opened long enough to establish a credit history" and "Not enough accounts opened long enough to establish a credit history". Huh? My DH told me that the real reason I was rejected is because we don't carry a balance on our credit cards so they won't get any money from us. Totally P's me off! The funny part is in the same batch of mail was an application for a Chase Credit Card.

Uhoh, then I may be in for a bit of trouble as well. I just applied for a Beaches VISA card from Bank of America. I NEVER carry a balance on any of my credit cards. I really want this card because I can earn points towards my next trip! (works like the Disney VISA). I hope they won't turn me down for being too good a payer!

It's a wet and dreary day here too. I must be totally hormonal becuase I am SO craving Brownies!! So I will be mixing up a batch of my "from scratch" fudgy brownies this afternoon.

Off to take a shower--I had PT this AM, so I figured I may as well wait til I'm done sweating. Of course, the 2 doctor's wives who were there were all "done up" with hair and faces perfect. I am SO glad I don't have to deal with that baloney!

 

[DL55]

whgrn Wonderful TR! Loved the pictures. Were the spa treatments included? Most places charge extra. Wondering if the prices were reasonable. They aren't (reasonable) on a cruise. On cruises we call lounge savers chair hogs. Some just remove the items and sit on the chair anyway. It is posted No chair saving. Sounds like the food wasn't as good. Would there be enough choices for a non seafood eater (DH)? We have thought about Sandals, as Beaches is for families.
racetrack18kb
Pikester Are your other credit cards in your DH's name (with you as an authorized user)? If so, they may be listed only under his history. I suspect I would have the same problem except the Disney card is in my name.

 

[M&N]

TK Hershey meet---We are going with the dates D&D can make it because she's coming the longest away. That's July 19-20. I don't know which day is for HersheyPark. I don't think D&D wants to do Hotel Hershey. Anyone else interested in lunch there? It's a buffet and costs around 25. We could do it on Friday or Monday if anyone is going to be here longer. It's not a place you would leave the park and eat and go back to. It's not dressy for lunch (they say casual) but not a hot and sweaty kind of place--which we would be after the park in July! Their Sunday brunch is 40! Breakfast is good but not the chocolate desserts...it's about 20. You all just need to let me know when you will be here and I can give you options! We can decide later---no answers needed now really. Just getting excited...

Excited too for LITC and MagiKitty meeting.

I guess I should share that I have been warned about meeting strangers from the internet. I guess we are not setting a good example for the kids. If we can meet someone why can't they? Too bad...I'm ...

 

[MagiKitty]

Afternoon! Thank goodness Monday is over---it was terrible! After the snow (and having to put out the garbage in that mess), I decided to check my travel info for this weekend. Everything looks great. Get on kayak and check tentative flights for September (which I do way too regularly for my own sanity). FREAK OUT! Prices are cheap! Talk to BF about it, and somehow, he's screaming "Book it! Book it now!" its the cheapest we've ever seen. So I book, and I'm darn proud of myself.

So, happily printing up my itinerary and see that I'm an idiot. I booked for the wrong date! Instead of October 7, I booked the 6th! Ack! Call Delta in a complete panic and the kindest lady I have ever spoken with assures me its no problem, she'll just cancel and refund my cc.

WHAT?! That's it? No crazy refund fee or change of itinerary?

Cool. So I go back to the Delta website again and happily book my trip.

Which I screw up again. I book the right day, wrong flight from BF. This time I click on "cancel itinerary" and start over again. BF is laughing at me at this point, because he knows if he had made a booking mistake I'd be yelling at him. This time I get it right, we both booked on the same flight, and we are committed---we're going in September! Woo-hoo!

Wendy, thanks for sharing that wonderful trip report! What a gorgeous resort and the pictures are beautiful. the one with you and the beach in the background should be blown up! And the pics of the kids--they are just so beautiful. sorry the food wasn't that great.

I've seen those disposable panties too. I bring my own spare pair. I just don't trust them. But the spa treatments sound divine.

I'm with you on the brownies.

Racetrack, I'm so sorry you have to deal with such idiocy from DS' other mom. Kids are going to get into trouble anyway, why encourage it? And the other mom is supposed to be part of your team in raising DS, not the opposing side. I'm sorry to say that most people never change, no matter how hard you wish they would. My brother's evil mother is trying to come up here to "visit" with the family. She really means ruining our family time. She has no consideration for anyone else. My oldest nephew has already told his parents that he's moving in with me if Evil Mama shows up. I just hate that she makes things so difficult for everyone else and doesn't care. Your DS is so lucky to have both you and DH caring about him and about raising him right. You're doing a fantastic job!

Marie, the choices look good! We eat at Rainforest b/c I can usually get a gift card and I really like their lettuce wraps and dessert. We did Coral Reef last year, and I really enjoyed it (get the non-alcoholic pina colada!). We ate at Tokyo Dining and we were lucky enough to be seated at the window during the fireworks. I love Japanese in any form, and it was a great, quiet dinner. I want to do Prime Time this September, but BF really wants to go back to Sci-Fi.

I have my clothes out to pack, they just haven't found their way to the luggage. I'm almost ready!

 

[MagiKitty]

Oh, I forgot. M&N...lunch at Hotel Hershey sounds amazing. I'm definitely going to look into seeing more of your area while I'm down there!

 

[Pikester]

Pikester Are your other credit cards in your DH's name (with you as an authorized user)? If so, they may be listed only under his history. I suspect I would have the same problem except the Disney card is in my name.

I think that's what happened. I told my DH before I even applied that he should be the one doing it but he told me to go for it.


I took DS8 to the movies to see Monsters vs Aliens. Not a bad movie but the rest of the experience was not what I'm normally use to. I guess I should have waited for the movie to have been out for awhile so that the newness would have worn off. I couldn't believe how inconsiderate some people were. You know, normal common curteousy. DS8 and I were the first ones in the theater so we had our choice of seats. Wouldn't you know so guy comes in with his kids and sits right in front of DS8. Hello dumb butt! My kid can't see over you! So, we moved down. The movie was just about to start when another guy came in with his two little kids and sat behind us so his littlest guy had to sit behind me. Who does that? Hello dumb butt! Your kid can't see over my head! Why in the heck would you make him sit there. I spent the whole movie with this kids hands on the back of my seat breathing, laughing and burping in my ear! He was even doing that kind of laughing where raspberries are thrown in. Love the spit on the back of my head. I think it will be a while before I go to the movies again.

It's been a rainy day here today.(That's probably why the moive theater was so busy) I am so looking forward to Friday, Saturday and Sunday. According to the weatherman we are getting mid 70s for Friday and low 80s for Sat and Sun! I'm trying not to get too excited since the weatherman is often wrong but I really hope he isn't.

mariezp: We loved the Hoop-Dee-Doo for it's food and entertainment. We have also done Coral Reef and thought the food was good. Loved watching the fish. We have the Counter Service Dining Plan this year so we won't be doing many TS. We do plan to pay out of pocket for Hoop-Dee-Doo and Chef Mickeys. Some of our possible Quick Services are Columbia Harbour House, Pinocchio Village Haus, Electric Umbrella, Liberty Inn, ABC Commissary, Flatbread Grill, Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, Earl of Sandwich, Wolfgang Puck Express and Pop Century food court. Some of those places we've done before and others will be new to us.

whgrn: I can't remember if I told you that I loved your pictures! Your trip report was good too!

magikitty: So glad you finally got the right dates chosen for your flights. I bet your heart was pumpin when you realized you made a mistake. Thank goodness you had such a nice lady that helped you out.

Have a good night!

 

[BKMETV]

Hey folks:

Too much to comment on...love the pirate cake...love the T&C pics (I'll definitely have to pick your brains on that one Wendy...we were looking at that beaches for a family vacation.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

 

[racetrack18kb]

Evening!!!

Thanks everyone for listening. I've gotten good and PO'd at her before but it was always that flash and burn anger (over and done with quickly). I really try to not let her get to me. But it's different this time. I just home it's a good long time until I have to see or speak to her.

My step-DD and her DH both have this thing where they tell "little white lies". It drives me crazy! To me a lie is a lie and the best thing to do is avoid them if at all possible. Like M&N said it gets to where the little white ones just keep getting more numerous and even bigger. NOT GOOD!

That's exactly what it is with DS. And the lies are just so ridiculous. If maybe just once, she (DS's mom) would tell the truth, maybe we wouldn't be such hard-a***s about the custody agreement.

Magikitty, you better get moving and pack!!!! And I totally forgot to comment on the topless bit you posted. You know, after that pic you posted of you and Goofy last year, he just might enjoy you showing up topless.

Pikester, that's why I hardly ever go to the movies except at our dinky little local theater. As long as it's not opening night, there are hardly any people there. And you have proven there are a lot of dumb people out there.

 

[BKMETV]

A topless MK and Goofy...that would be a WDW moment!!

How are you tonight racer?

 

[whgrn]

whgrn Wonderful TR! Loved the pictures. Were the spa treatments included? Most places charge extra. Wondering if the prices were reasonable. They aren't (reasonable) on a cruise. On cruises we call lounge savers chair hogs. Some just remove the items and sit on the chair anyway. It is posted No chair saving. Sounds like the food wasn't as good. Would there be enough choices for a non seafood eater (DH)? We have thought about Sandals, as Beaches is for families.

No, the spa treatments were extra, but worth it. Not too awful. I pay $80 for a 1 hour massage here at home, and it was $100 there. I've paid more at a local spa than what I paid there. And WAYYYYY more on cruises! Plus, the quality here was really top notch, where my cruise experiences were less than stellar.

As far as the chairs, I actually did consider just moving someone's stuff, especially a chair that just had towels on it and nothing else. But 1) I would have felt awful if someone was just in the pool and was legitimately using the chair, and 2) I HATE confrontation of any type!

TK Hershey meet---We are going with the dates D&D can make it because she's coming the longest away. That's July 19-20. I don't know which day is for HersheyPark. I don't think D&D wants to do Hotel Hershey. Anyone else interested in lunch there? It's a buffet and costs around 25. We could do it on Friday or Monday if anyone is going to be here longer. It's not a place you would leave the park and eat and go back to. It's not dressy for lunch (they say casual) but not a hot and sweaty kind of place--which we would be after the park in July! Their Sunday brunch is 40! Breakfast is good but not the chocolate desserts...it's about 20. You all just need to let me know when you will be here and I can give you options! We can decide later---no answers needed now really. Just getting excited...

OK, those dates work fine for me. Sunday and Monday, right? I am definitely in for the Hotel Hershey experience! Chocolate is my passion, and for me, Chocolate = Hershey's!!

Afternoon! Thank goodness Monday is over---it was terrible! After the snow (and having to put out the garbage in that mess), I decided to check my travel info for this weekend. Everything looks great. Get on kayak and check tentative flights for September (which I do way too regularly for my own sanity). FREAK OUT! Prices are cheap! Talk to BF about it, and somehow, he's screaming "Book it! Book it now!" its the cheapest we've ever seen. So I book, and I'm darn proud of myself.

So, happily printing up my itinerary and see that I'm an idiot. I booked for the wrong date! Instead of October 7, I booked the 6th! Ack! Call Delta in a complete panic and the kindest lady I have ever spoken with assures me its no problem, she'll just cancel and refund my cc.

WHAT?! That's it? No crazy refund fee or change of itinerary?

Cool. So I go back to the Delta website again and happily book my trip.

Which I screw up again. I book the right day, wrong flight from BF. This time I click on "cancel itinerary" and start over again. BF is laughing at me at this point, because he knows if he had made a booking mistake I'd be yelling at him. This time I get it right, we both booked on the same flight, and we are committed---we're going in September! Woo-hoo!

I'm cracking up reading this! Glad you finally got it right!

 

[BKMETV]

What room category did you have...I really liked those bunk beds?

 

[racetrack18kb]

Hey Ev! It's going better. What about you? What's new?

Yeah, Wendy, you are going to have to share more details about your trip.