*Girls DL Trip* OLD THREAD

[lulubelle]

Oh Cheryl, I am so sad to hear of Chase's woes. He is SUCH a sweetheart. I really enjoyed his company. After reading AmySue's post, I got teary eyed remembering my Coco. Man, we sure love our pets, don't we?

Beth - I hope Noelle is feeling better. I went to a podiatrist once and he told me the nerve endings in the toes and fingers cause us the most pain. So, I feel for your baby girl!

All these graduations are so special! From Lisa's preshooler to Cristabel to Stacie and everyone else.

Everybody, have a great weekend. I'm off to help (ok, watch) DH BBQ steaks for dinner.

 

[kelmac284]

Cheryl I am SO sorry to hear about your Kitty. That is SUCH a hard thing to deal with, the loss of a beloved pet. I hope that WHATEVER happens that he is comfortable. ((hugs)) to you!!

Beth I am sorry about your daughter. That is so painful. I know my dad did that awhile back as well! I am glad she is feeling a bit better today and hope that she doesn't need more treatment. Hope she can manage on her own without further care!

To Bridgette and Courtney hope you guys start feeling better soon!!

Tina sounds like a GREAT trip! Hope you are having fun today!

As far as I am concerned last night we went to mom and dad's for Shane's b-day and it was a nice relaxing day. We were supposed to celebrate mine as well but I guess my mom forgot or is still insisting on doing it on wed although there is NO time to do it then but whatever. I got shane this GREAT ice cream cake with a race car on it that he loved. Mom took pics which HOPEFULLY she will e-mail to me! Then we had bbq salmon and just sat around the pool while the girls swam. Then after dinner we all played canasta so it was a nice relaxing evening.

The girls and I got shane cards and he is yet to get his Wii cuz Shane has to still pick it out. There are SO many versions I guess and I can't figure out which one he wants so I just told him unfortunately no surprises this year and he would have to just pick it out. And my parents got him a level he needed LOL. I know boring but that is what he wanted. Then Shane and the girls gave me cards since Shane had already bought me the bracelet at Dland in April. So I don't know WHAT my mom is going to get me. Guess I have to wait till Wed.

Anyway then we had to get up at the god awfult crack of dawn and barely made it on time but it was ok, to the meet. The girls did AWESOME! I was a little upset though cuz Katy's stroke is butterfly and they didn't even have her swim it! But anyway in the medley relay they had her swim backstroke of all things and her team took 3rd. Then she swam freestyle and did fairly well. She took several seconds off her time and took 3rd as well. Then in her backstroke she took 2nd and the best part in her 50 free she took 1st and again took several seconds of her seed time!!!

I was VERY proud of her! Then Shebly swam freestyle, back stroke and 50 free and she got 4th in free, 3rd in back stroke and 1st in her 50 free. SHe didn't too hot in the free and back stroke but she did AWESOME in her 50 free. She broke away from the pack on her 2nd leg and came in 1st and did well on her times as well. So VERY proud of both of them today! Neither of them got to swim their preferred strokes but still they did well!

Anyway I came home and CRASHED. Took a bath and about a 3 hour nap LOL which is about the norm for a meet day and then now we are watching videos and having dinner. Shane just rented mall cop so I am anxious to see it!

Then tomorrow we have church and then hair cuts for the girls and that's it. Then it's the last week of school!!!

So that's it for me. Busy but exciting day today!

 

[stacielee]

Tips for Buzz (copied from other posts and/or websites):

1) When your gun is first activated (when you're not close enough to hit anything yet), shot at the wall (or somewhere nobody else is shooting) several times to figure out which way your gun shoots. Most of them don't shoot straight, so you have to quickly figure out whether you need to shoot left, right, high, low, etc.
2) Focus on triangles first, diamonds second, and squares in the few places where neither triangles or diamonds are. After a few times through, you learn where the best targets are.
3) Constantly shoot. You can easily hit most targets 5-6 times in a row before you're on to the next one. If the game stops, you can still keep shooting. And for every 10 times you shoot, even if you don't hit anything, you get 100 points.
4) Aim for Zurg's chest for the 50k target. Hope for the game to stop while you're there (it never did for me!).
5) Learn the location of the hidden targets (jack in the box, pop-up monsters, discarded toy, etc.). Don't forget the four hidden diamonds in the tunnel.

The basic scoring system per target:

Round Target: 100 points
Square Target: 1000 points
Diamond Target: 5000 points
Triangle Target: 10,000 points

As you can see; while there are more round targets throughout Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, these are the ones that are most worthless to hit to raise your score. Concentrating on the Triangle and Diamond targets will really increase your score.

Each time you hit a target you get points. So if you have the chance to hit the same target multiple times do so - you will get points for each hit. For example, if the ride stops for a moment the targets still work - so keep blasting away at the nearest target. When you are in an area with multiple targets do a quick search for the target with the highest points. That is the target you want to aim for if your score is the main objective for this ride.

Now if you want some tips on secret targets keep reading for more information. If not your score will be helped simply with the use of the above information.

While going through Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters you will see a 'Jack-in-the-box' with a target on the box. If you hit this target the box opens to reveal 'alien' Jack. As the box is opening, be prepared to shot because there is a diamond target on the inside lid of the box. When Jack pops up there is a triangle target. If you manage to hit both of these even once your score will really jump up quickly.

In the same room as the 'Jack-in-the-box' you will see a circle with a diamond target. This one is not hidden, and is easy to hit. Fire at it and try to hit it many times before it goes out of your shooting range.

As you go through the black 'speed tunnel' there are two hidden triangle targets - one on the right as soon as you enter the tunnel, the other on the left as you exit the tunnel. While in the tunnel there are also two diamond targets on the ceiling. These targets can be very hard to see unless they are lit, but once you see them you will know where they are for future rides. If you are lucky enough to have the ride stop moving while you are in the tunnel you can see your score skyrocket simply by hitting these triangles a few times. The final room also has a few surprises. On the floor in this room is a 'discarded' toy that can be seen facing the ride vehicles as they are directed to face Zurg and Buzz. If you hit the circle target on this toy a triangle target will pop up and be just a few feet from your car. Hit it as often as you can before you move on.

Finally… be sure to take a good look at Zurg, both in the 2nd room and in the last room. There is a line running down the center of his chest. Just below his cape hit that line. There is a very small circle (dark and hard to see), but if you hit it you get 50,000 points! This target can also be hit multiple times.

 

[Boo Bear]

Hey ladies Just checking in. I was wondering if anyone knows how much the suites at the GCH would be for our 2010 trip with an AP discount. I can try to find it tomorrow but I thought I'd ask here first.

Hope everybody is doing well! Night!

 

[toocherie]

Hi everybody

Amy: thanks for the advice. The hardest thing I am struggling with is that when we (I) had to put my mom's beloved Hobo dog down a few years ago I really regretted it (wished in retrospect I had gotten a second opinion before we did it.) It hit me hard--I didn't feel that way when I had to put a cat down a few years ago--but he'd had a stroke and was blind and I knew it was "over." Chase met me at the door tonight when I came home from getting my haircut--but he still won't eat. So I don't know.

And I'll try to keep Bella on puppy food. She is really spoiled already.

Bridgette--we've been trying to get rates for next Feb.'s trip at the GCH but they're not out yet.

Talk to everyone later.

 

[grumpyvet]

The girls did AWESOME! I was a little upset though cuz Katy's stroke is butterfly and they didn't even have her swim it!

Kelly, Ilove that your girls are such swimmers. I was a butterflier my high school swimming career....it's a brutal stroke, lettered as a ninth grader, so was stuck with it. I also swam it in the medley!! I didn't mind the butterfly, but I often had to swim th eIM and I totally and completely SUCK at backstroke!! Now-a-days I just swim crawl, miles and miles of crawl!!

Hi everybody

Amy: thanks for the advice. The hardest thing I am struggling with is that when we (I) had to put my mom's beloved Hobo dog down a few years ago I really regretted it (wished in retrospect I had gotten a second opinion before we did it.) It hit me hard--I didn't feel that way when I had to put a cat down a few years ago--but he'd had a stroke and was blind and I knew it was "over." Chase met me at the door tonight when I came home from getting my haircut--but he still won't eat. So I don't know.

And I'll try to keep Bella on puppy food. She is really spoiled already.


Talk to everyone later.

Cheryl, you also have to be ready. I always advise my clients that losing a pet is hard enough without guilt being part of the grief. I am glad to hear he stills has interest...has yor vet tried him with an appetite stimulant, either cyproheptadine or mirtazapine?

Give him a hug from me!!

A

 

[kelmac284]

Amy- yeah we put the girls in swim lessons at about 2 and 3 years old because I had a BAD experience with swimming as a teen (almost drowned in the American River). Actually I DID drown. We were white water rafting in the upper American River and I fell out of the raft and drowned for about 10 mins or however long and had to be rescucitated by our guide. NOT a good experience. It is not good when you remember being in an undertow and fighting for your life and then knowing you are GOING to die and then letting it happen. Then the next thing I know I was on the beach with everyone standing over me. My parents, my uncles and this guide. My ribs were killing me from him doing cpr and he had cracked my sternum from the compressions and I was coughing up the water and STILL could not catch my breath for what seemed like forever. When I was caught in that water I remember at one point fighting it and every breath I took to scream getting what seemed like a gallon of water in my mouth and to me there is nothing scarier than NOT being able to breathe and every muscle in my body was fighting it. I had a life vest on but I was caught in this whirlpool thing and it was holding me in place and no matter HOW hard I fought it was like a hand holding me in place. I finally remember thinking this is IT I am GOING to die and that was it. BLACKOUT. NOT a good feeling. The ONLY calming thing I can say is when I finally gave in to it I wasn't scared I just said ok god I am coming and then I went black. But anyway I have been TERRIFIED of water ever since. This was when I was 16 years old and I have never really even been able to swim since. I used to be a decent swimmer before, could swim to the bottom of a pool etc but now I barely put my head under. Even when my kids were little I was afraid if they fell in I wouldn't be able to jump in and save them because my fear is THAT bad. Right after the accident I would even take bathes. It is a paralizing fear. I don't do water parks anything. Shane finally got me to go to a water park with the kids last year and of COURSE I ended upside down with him on top of me and once again PANIC! NO MORE! I will sit in the lazy river thanks!

But anyway I wanted my girls to be good swimmers because I did NOT want them to have my fear of water and I did NOT want them to drown. So I at LEAST wanted them to learn to swim well. They took lesson till they were about 6 and then the community center we were at had the team. So I decided since they liked swimming so much to put them on the team. I only wish I had done it sooner but I thought they had to be better swimmers. But I started them at 7. It was last year at 8 that Katy REALLY started to blosom on her butterfly. You would think that at that age that they would do better on things like freestyle or back stroke but she is REALLY good at the fly and she does AMAZING at it. Not only is she good but she is FAST. In time trials she was 7th at of 20 girls. That is why I was SO dissapointed that they didn't have her swim it yesterday because on our old team she swam on the medley team as the fly leg and also indiv fly. She always got first or second and the medley team as well and then in championships she took 16th out of 80 girls. I KNOW this year she could do better than that so I HOPE they give her a chance! She beat ALL of her times in the strokes she swam yesterday! She doesn't even LIKE the back stroke and did well in it. They had her swim back stroke in the medley and also indiv. She DOES like the 50 free and did well as I said and last year in champs she also swam that but she was having a bit of a melt down or she would have done better in that.

But anyway Shelby also does not like back stroke either and her stroke is breast. So I don't know why they did not have her swim that either. They usually have the swimmers swim at LEAST 4 events and they only had her swim 3 and NO breast. THey had this little girl who is AWFUL swimming the breast who OBVIOUSLY got dq'd when I KNOW shelby would have done it and NOT gotten dq'd at least so I don't get it! That is her best stroke. Whatever. They said we can put notes in the coaches box about it so if they don't have them swim those strokes at the next meet I am going to say something!

Anyway that's my swim story!

Anyway hope everyone has a GREAT sunday. We are off to church soon!

See ya!

 

[sahbushka]

Hey all, haven't had a chance to read back but my family leaves in 15 minutes to go up to Vancouver BC to the aquarium and to meet up with Vicki (CoMickey). I am very excited about this opportunity and I will be sure to take pictures so I can share with all of you.

Take care and have a great day!

Sarah

 

[lisadoll93]

So that's it for me. Busy but exciting day today!

Last week, here too. Kids are counting down. I am counting down to when school starts again

Everybody, have a great weekend. I'm off to help (ok, watch) DH BBQ steaks for dinner.

Sounds yummy.

Tips for Buzz (copied from other posts and/or websites):

WooHoo, now I beat DH score out of the water.

Hey all, haven't had a chance to read back but my family leaves in 15 minutes to go up to Vancouver BC to the aquarium and to meet up with Vicki (CoMickey). I am very excited about this opportunity and I will be sure to take pictures so I can share with all of you.

Take care and have a great day!

Sarah

Sounds fun!!!



Does anyone play Sorority Life on Facebook? I need more sisters, I am addicted to the game.

Last week of school starts tomorrow. Riley has a pool party today. She is getting old enough where she doesnt want to stay anymore I also start my new job tomorrow

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!

 

[Boo Bear]

Thanks Cheryl, I figured the rates wouldn't be out yet but I was wondering if there is a website where I can see the rates from Feb/March this year for AP holders? My mom and I are trying to talk my dad into going with us and he can wander around, go on a tour, or read a book while we partake in Diva events. We watched the Walt documentary last night and he was like a little kid... so I don't want him to miss out because I think he really wants to go. I know rack rate for AP this year was around $270 but my mom wants to know if a suite would be more cost efficient or two rooms at GC.

 

[toocherie]

.has yor vet tried him with an appetite stimulant, either cyproheptadine or mirtazapine?

Give him a hug from me!!

A

Epakitin? I think that's the name of it. But it doesn't seem to help.

Hug given!

 

[toocherie]

Hey all, haven't had a chance to read back but my family leaves in 15 minutes to go up to Vancouver BC to the aquarium and to meet up with Vicki (CoMickey). I am very excited about this opportunity and I will be sure to take pictures so I can share with all of you.

Take care and have a great day!

Sarah

Have a fab time--you guys will have a great time meeting up I'm sure!

Thanks Cheryl, I figured the rates wouldn't be out yet but I was wondering if there is a website where I can see the rates from Feb/March this year for AP holders? My mom and I are trying to talk my dad into going with us and he can wander around, go on a tour, or read a book while we partake in Diva events. We watched the Walt documentary last night and he was like a little kid... so I don't want him to miss out because I think he really wants to go. I know rack rate for AP this year was around $270 but my mom wants to know if a suite would be more cost efficient or two rooms at GC.

I think two rooms will be less expensive=-IIRC a suite starts at $800 a night minimum--so two rooms would be less.

 

[mommaU4]

Hello ladies!! Happy Sunday to you all. I didn't read back so I hope everyone is doing ok. I'm not feeling too hot today. Not sure what's wrong, just feel out of sorts. Hope it's not a cold coming on.

Have a good day.

 

[Stacerita]

Just stopping by to say hello

 

[Boo Bear]

Hello ladies!! Happy Sunday to you all. I didn't read back so I hope everyone is doing ok. I'm not feeling too hot today. Not sure what's wrong, just feel out of sorts. Hope it's not a cold coming on.

Have a good day.

Oh no! I hope you feel better soon. Colds are no fun

I think two rooms will be less expensive=-IIRC a suite starts at $800 a night minimum--so two rooms would be less.

Yeah I saw online. That's craziness... $800.

Just stopping by to say hello

 

[sahbushka]

Hi all! We just got back from Vancouver and had a very nice day. The temps are in the mid 70's...we had a blast meeting Vicki...she was so thoughtful, even suggesting a restaurant that would work for the kids! I think we interupted her earlier than she had planned but she was so gracious about it. We also got to meet her guy! What a wonderful man...he and my husband seemed to have a good time talking and I enjoyed the conversation I had with him! I will post pictures when I get a chance. I think I only got 2 because the batteries in my camera finally gave up after all the use from the aquarium. The kids are feeling a bit, ok, really exhausted right now so I need to go sooth them. Hope everyone is having a great day, and Vicki, it was sooooo nice to meet you! I had a really great time and I hope your flight tomorrow goes well.

Sarah

 

[CoMickey]

Hi all from Vancouver!~ I just now connected to the internet.

We met up with Sarah and her beautiful family for lunch! Bob had a later flight out than originally scheduled so he was able to come along. It was great meeting Sarah - just like meeting an old friend! We had a nice lunch at Red Robin, we thought that would be the best place for the kids. Sarah and I both tried to be good and had salad although I am sure the salads that we had were not WW friendly salads. It was fun seeing the kids and Bob and Sarah's husband seemed to have things to talk about too. I don't know for sure because I don't think Sarah and I ever had a silent moment!


Bob left about an hour ago for his flight back to LA so he can work tomorrow and it is so quiet and lonely! I miss him already! I think I'll walk to a book store I saw the other day and kill some time!

You are SOOOO brave to go to the Capilaino Suspension Bridge Way to scary for me. The actual original suspension bridge is way too long and scary to walk across! I remember doing it when I was a child and my brothers would start it shaking and scare the bejeebers out of me - very mean!

So sorry I missed the chance to meet you too! When Sarah said she had the day off today and the family was thinking of coming to Stanley Park we made last minute plans to meet. Meeting her and the family was an unexpected pleasure because when I planned my business trip it never crossed my mind that Divas lived so near! I am still trying to figure out where everyone lives. Bob thinks I need to make a spreadsheet! Only an engineer would think of that but it probably is a good idea!

We didn't end up going to the Capilaino Suspension Bridge after all even though I really wanted to. We are doing that the next time we come for sure! We arrived later than planned on Friday because SFO was fogged in and we had to switch airports and fly out of LAX. Yesterday we rented bikes and rode around Stanley Park all afternoon...what a beautiful park! I . We watched and took pics of three cruise ships leaving port and going under the bridge. Linda I thought of you and your upcoming cruise! We saw a Princess, Holland America and RCL ship! I was so jealous I wanted to be on the ship waiving at the people on the shore instead of the other way around.

The weather has been beautiful and everyone is telling us how fortunate we are with the weather. I agree it has been great weather but I don't think we can really appreciate it like the people who live here because in CA we almost always have rainless, sunny days!

Then today we were lazy even though we had agreed to get up and go running in the park - bad us! We slept in and were scrambling around when Sarah called and said they were on their way!

My hotel account the Sutton Place is a beautiful hotel and they upgraded me to an Executive Suite so needless to say we have had a wonderfully perfect weekend! I hate that it is over and that Bob is on his way back home without me. I have to tell you the area around my hotel has the best restaurants and I have been bad all weekend in the eating department! But Bob and I had a great weekend and I Vancouver! Bob and I both agree we will be back!

I am off to the book store and maybe for some chocolate...it is way too quiet and chocolate might just be the ticket to cure my lonely blues! Not great for the diet but sometimes you have to do what you have to do!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Just stopping by to say hi! I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

 

[CoMickey]

Hi all! We just got back from Vancouver and had a very nice day. The temps are in the mid 70's...we had a blast meeting Vicki...she was so thoughtful, even suggesting a restaurant that would work for the kids! I think we interupted her earlier than she had planned but she was so gracious about it. We also got to meet her guy! What a wonderful man...he and my husband seemed to have a good time talking and I enjoyed the conversation I had with him! I will post pictures when I get a chance. I think I only got 2 because the batteries in my camera finally gave up after all the use from the aquarium. The kids are feeling a bit, ok, really exhausted right now so I need to go sooth them. Hope everyone is having a great day, and Vicki, it was sooooo nice to meet you! I had a really great time and I hope your flight tomorrow goes well.

Sarah

Hi Sarah! Great to hear that you made it home safely! It was wonderful meeting you and your adorable family! The kids were just great and Bob and I were commenting on how patient they were and good sitting there for as long as they had to during lunch. I had the best time with you all! I hope that it works and I can run down to see you again when you are at DL in Sept. Bob also enjoyed meeting you and he is getting more and more on board with my new Dis Diva ‘family’ each time he meets another one of you fabulous Diva friends!!! I hope the kiddos are not too exhausted from their trip into Vancouver but it sounds like you all had a great time at the Aquarium.

To anyone who has not had the pleasure of meeting Sarah she is the sweetest person and I really felt like we met each other before! You are in for a wonderful treat!

Ok, now I am really off to do something to distract me from the lonely's.

 

[lulubelle]

Evening Ladies

Sarah and Vicki - it sure sounds like you guys had a wonderful day and visit. I have had the pleasure of chatting with each of you once and I know how nice you both are! Everything I had read/seen about Vancouver makes it sound very desirable. I am sure we will have a great day, as did you guys. I love how you are sad about Bob not being with you, so you must get chocolate!

I am almost finished packing and am anxious for the next 5 days to pass so we can be on our way. I can't wait until we are waving goodbye to all the people on land.

Boo Bear, I think the AP rate at the Grand last Feb was $249/Standard, $289/View. I hope they drop this year, but who knows? I think we might stay at DLH. I really like it there and the rates are usually under $200.