Girls-Only Trip ~ Old planning thread, see first post for new link

[fairykin]

Beth... those are beautiful pictures of your family!

Shirley... may you be blessed this year and always, happy belated birthday.

Katie... you are such a thoughtful person, truly you are.

Cheryl... safe travel for your upcoming trip and lots of happy memories made, my friend

Vicki... i hope your asthma is better, mine is not so good tonight, i've been up since 2:30 with it.

 

[kelmac284]

Good morning my diva friends and Happy Friday!!

Beth your kids look ADORABLE! Esp Noelle! She is a really beauty, just like her mommy!

That was so sweet of Katie to send you that little cup filled with goodies! I got one of those cups as well and was thinking of getting some small dried flowers or something to make an arrangement to put in the middle for future use. I just LOVE that cup. Isn't it too cute!

Dawn I am sorry your asthma is acting up. I hope you start feeling better VERY soon!!

Shirley happy belated birthday and I know it must have been hard but I agree I am sure your husband was there in spirit!! Can't wait to meet you in Feb!

Oh and Dawn I don't blame you one bit for not wanting to stay at the Grand again. That is simply unacceptable. In fact the ONE day we came back to our rooms early to swim our room had not been cleaned at it was almost 4! Sometimes we like to come back for a nap and to me that is UNACCEPTABLE! The cleaning lady was like I need to clean the room and I said well you are just going to have to wait because we want to swim and we need to change. Honestly we really wanted a special experience and we NEVER stay on site because honestly we just can't afford to do so and to be honest I am perfectly satisfied with the hotels on harbor. The rooms are just as good if not better and the ONLY thing I felt was nice was having the nice pool and the restaurants close by but to be honest I can STILL walk to those Disney restaurants so it is not that big of a deal. We MAY stay at one of the disney properties again sometime in the future if we can get another good deal on the price but honestly I am just as happy to stay at DI or one of the others.

Anyway hope everyone has a GREAT day and weekend planned. Anyone doing anything fun tomorrow? Parties or anything? We are taking the girls to that Girl Scout thing tonight and then Shane and I may grab a bite to eat while they are there. Then we have our game tomorrow first thing and then will probably just hang out here till we go to mom's. I am going to get one of those pumpkin pizza's from Papa Murphy's and mom is going to make chilli and a halloween cake and then the hay ride is at 6. So it should be a lot of fun! I love it when it falls on a weekend!

Mom and I have been talking about Thanksgiving and we are really hoping to maybe go to their place in truckee and spend the weekend. I am hoping there may even be snow so the girls can play in it. We shall see.

Anyway that's bout it for me. TTYL!

 

[fairykin]

Kelly, I'm so sorry that you all had a problem with them not cleaning the rooms. I think they are having problems negotiating contracts or salaries with housekeeping. Because this last weekend after I had to go walking down the halls looking for a housekeeper at 4:30 with our room STILL not cleaned. I told Concerige again, Our room has not been cleaned and it's nearly 5. Then the day we were checking out, they were at our room knocking on the door to clean it at 7 I kid you not. Then they knocked on it every 30 minutes until we told them, Why are you in such a rush to clean our room when you didn't clean it during our stay.
They would leave new towels and make up the bed, but they never cleaned. I even told the housekeeper.. you all left this tray of food in the room all day and now the room smells { from crab cakes} Please come and remove the tray and spray the room. She said, This is not my hotel, the Grand does not allow the their housekeepers to use spray of anykind in the room. She said, I'm from paradise pier and we have some on our carts.

The best part of concerige was having drinks late at night with friends and visiting. I'll just plan to do that in the hearthstone lounge or napa lounge.

I don't mind working hard on savings to do something special special for the people i love, however i do mind when i sacrifice and it's not respected.

So.. no more talk of the negative.
eeK..it's supposed to be 41 here..i'm going to lunch with my parents and bob today, we our picking our son's car up from the shop, i've been without a car for a month while his was being fixed.

 

[sahbushka]

Hi all, just wanted to let you know I am still alive! Working a double tonight. Have a cold. Other than that I am good. I will try to call HOJO in the next couple days to get the et rate for the last bit of the trip! It's no longer available for the first bit of the trip. They can just add the et rate on, right? I mean they don't have to rebook which would lose the et rate at the beginning of the trip?

Later,
Sarah

P.S. HOPE everyone is having a great day and that you are all healthy and happy!

PS2 Saw some pics of miss Sally!!!! She looks fantastic!!!!

 

[kelmac284]

Kelly, I'm so sorry that you all had a problem with them not cleaning the rooms. I think they are having problems negotiating contracts or salaries with housekeeping. Because this last weekend after I had to go walking down the halls looking for a housekeeper at 4:30 with our room STILL not cleaned. I told Concerige again, Our room has not been cleaned and it's nearly 5. Then the day we were checking out, they were at our room knocking on the door to clean it at 7 I kid you not. Then they knocked on it every 30 minutes until we told them, Why are you in such a rush to clean our room when you didn't clean it during our stay.
They would leave new towels and make up the bed, but they never cleaned. I even told the housekeeper.. you all left this tray of food in the room all day and now the room smells { from crab cakes} Please come and remove the tray and spray the room. She said, This is not my hotel, the Grand does not allow the their housekeepers to use spray of anykind in the room. She said, I'm from paradise pier and we have some on our carts.

The best part of concerige was having drinks late at night with friends and visiting. I'll just plan to do that in the hearthstone lounge or napa lounge.

I don't mind working hard on savings to do something special special for the people i love, however i do mind when i sacrifice and it's not respected.

So.. no more talk of the negative.
eeK..it's supposed to be 41 here..i'm going to lunch with my parents and bob today, we our picking our son's car up from the shop, i've been without a car for a month while his was being fixed.

Dawn I don't blame you ONE bit for being upset. I KNOW how expensive the concierge is at the Grand and you deserve MUCH better treatment than that! I am so sorry that you had a bad experience. I felt the same because I know in the hotel game that this happens a lot. Esp with what happened to us giving us the crummy corner room with the view of the air conditioners. It happened to me in Hawaii, D.C. and Mexico. My mom is VERY assertive and won't put up with it and always says something (nicely of course) and always gets a better room. Like I said I just didn't want to take the time but I probably should have because the view was not a big deal but the double beds REALLY were a pain. I had a neck and back ache the entire time. I got NO sleep at all and that is just NOT good! The cleaning thing is not right either and you wonder what ELSE they aren't doing. Like are they even cleaning the bathrooms or the dishes? I had to use a glass to take some medicine and I was if it was clean or not.

We NEVER stay on property and I was sad that it wasn't a better experience. I hope mom and I have a better time in Feb at Paradise Pier!

Hopefully you will too at the Grand in Feb!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Hi everyone! Happy Day Before Halloween!

Dawn - geesh, I would be ticked off too about the lack of.....shall we say.....service at the Grand Californian. What's the deal with that?!! A clean room is a pretty basic service anyone would expect and find, even at a Super 8 for goodness sake. I wonder if they left themselves short staffed due to cutting labor costs?

So, ummmmm, I'm not sure how to say this, but I probably won't be able to go on the Diva trip. We're thin on cash due to the very sad real estate market. Justin has been trying to find another job for about a year now, but the Spokane job market is as sad as the real estate market. A couple of years ago (2007) when the real estate market first started to tank, we never expected it to completely crash like it did, nor last as long as it has. We've been waiting for it to recover a bit, but we just don't think that's going to happen for quite some time. So between the trickle of real estate appraisals coming in and living off our savings the past couple of years (never dreaming things couldn't turn around after a couple of years), here we are, at the bottom of our barrel. I guess we were lucky that we had such a cushion, but gosh, it's all gone now. I guess that we're still lucky that we don't have much debt other than our mortgage. And we still have our 401k.

I'm VERY EXTREMELY bummed about the whole thing. It would've been a great time for me to go and spend time with all of you.....a lift to my spirits between hitting the books. It's so sad because I even have an annual pass and air miles, making this next Diva trip potentially the most economical out of them all so far, but factor in all the food/drinks and hotel, and I just can't swing it. Kind of embarrassing for me to admit to, but it's the truth.

So, unless Justin lands some great job in the next couple of months, or we hit the lottery, or find buried treasure, or a long-lost wealthy relative passes away and leaves us his/her fortune (I'm pretty sure the odds are just about even for any of those things to happen - LOL) I just don't think I'm going to be able to make it down to see all of my girlfriends. I'll try to hold out hope though because I'm an optimist (my mom calls it being a dreamer - hahaha). However, that teeny-tiny realist voice in my brain says, "Girl, you're dreaming!" (Gee, sounds just like my mom.)

 

[DizNee Luver]

Just wanted to wish everyone a super Halloween!!!!

Busy household as always, but then add in sickly kids....yuck!

Michayla goes in for a 4 hour Autism evaluation.....everyone sees the behaviors & lack of communication that tend to look "autistic" but they are thinking it's more of a brain malformation instead. The autistic clinic will continue to work with us until we find out what is going on with her. This will happen on Monday.

Enjoy your "Trick or Treating" !!!!

 

[kelmac284]

Capri I know I told you this on FB but I am SO bummed for you! I am going to miss my bud! I had SO much fun with you last year! From riding with you from the airport to having drinks at the Grand Cal bar and on and on. I am so sad that you won't be able to make it. I will be thinking good thoughts and prayers that your dh gets a job and that something works out for you because I know how much we ALL need a break from reality!

 

[mommaU4]

Hey ladies! Just a quick hello from me. I'm on my way out the door to do some shopping with Noelle.

Thanks for the compliments on the kids pics.

Dawn, that's nuts about service at the Grand. Especially with what they charge!!! And I cannot believe the rooms are nothing special or no more special than other hotels you've stayed at. Kind of a let down.

Laurie, Happy Halloween to you and yours!! Hope Michayla's appt goes well.


Sarah, the ET rate for the last night can just be added on. They don't rebook you.

Capri, Nooooooooooooo! I cannot hear that. Especially since you already have the AP and air miles. It just ain't right. What can we do?? I'll eat cheap with you. Seriously, we can share meals and do all counter service. Skip souvenirs. I never buy any anyway! Since you are flying in and can't bring snacks, I'll bring some and we can bring our own food into the park. Just don't give up hope yet. It won't be the same without you there.

Oy, what else...... I can't remember. Happy Halloween Eve to everyone!!! Talk to y'all later.

 

[BC Disney Lover]

Angie, did you find good airfare yet?? I'm still looking.............

Not yet, since it's just me going I'm not overly worried about finding it super cheap. But let me know what you find. Keira tells everyone about Jesse with the helium, she even mimics his high voice

I have been doing good. Made it through my birthday pretty good. This was the first family event since dh passed away and I wasn't sure how I would do but it turned out okay. Even saw a deer at the end of the night and figured that was dh saying hi (he loved deer).

I'm glad you birthday went well. Can't wait to meet you!

Thanks! What's your sitter's name? I can add you both to the roomie list.

Her name is Rebecca, Thanks!

It's so sad because I even have an annual pass and air miles, making this next Diva trip potentially the most economical out of them all so far, but factor in all the food/drinks and hotel, and I just can't swing it.

As far as a hotel room, I booked the cheapest room at Hojo's and my babysitter is coming with me so we have that cost covered. You have a free place to stay if you're able to come

 

[DangerMouse]

Happy Friday everyone! Today my family is wearing our special t-shirts we made for MToTP last year. Makes me feel just a little bit closer to DLR.

Dawn - I just wanted to say I agree with you on your assessment of the GCH. I stayed there once for my dd's special birthday trip in 2005 and it was pretty much just like you described, so the issues you dealt with aren't anything new.

Beth, what a sweet little package from Katie! Those cups are sooo cute.

Capri, you don't go -- I don't go!!!

and I'm not just sayin that cuz I'm not planning on coming anyway I really hope you figure out a way to make it happen. Knowing the Divas like I do, I have a good feeling about it!

 

[fairykin]

Callie...Wow.. i thought it might be a new management thing. That's quite a long time to carryon on a pattern of negative service.
Oh well their bad service will save me a bunch of money.

Angie... you are so sweet! Really a lovely addition to the group. So nice of you to invite capri to stay in your room! I'm so glad I got to meet you on the trip.

Capri... Just as Beth said, I'm thinking of bringing stuff from home on the plane to snack on and a little lunchbox with my deli meats and cheese frozen for dinner some nights. We always bring breakfast, a container of mini croissants from costco and the precooked bacon..i also bring fresh fruit in my carry on.. and we only eat one or two meals out.

I think it would be fun if we had a picnic one day in the park for lunch.. is that even possible? Is there anywhere to sit together?

 

[jordansmomma]

Capri~ i will share my food. I never eat a whole meal to myself anyway.

Angie~ that is so sweet of you!

 

[VintageDisneyRules]

I just had to look at the cake again! Trudi.. you really did beautiful work on it. What flavor cake is on the inside?
You are so creative, I remember that cute bag You made Tina!

Thanks to everyone for the cake compliments. I used Duncan Hienz (spelling?)
Halloween mix. It was really a marble cake but the white part was bright orange. I changed it up a bit by adding a sm. box of instant vanilla pudding and about 1/2 cup of peanut butter. It was very tasty.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Thanks to everyone for the cake compliments. I used Duncan Hienz (spelling?)
Halloween mix. It was really a marble cake but the white part was bright orange. I changed it up a bit by adding a sm. box of instant vanilla pudding and about 1/2 cup of peanut butter. It was very tasty.

It looked so professional!!!

Kelly, I'm so sorry that you all had a problem with them not cleaning the rooms. I think they are having problems negotiating contracts or salaries with housekeeping. Because this last weekend after I had to go walking down the halls looking for a housekeeper at 4:30 with our room STILL not cleaned. I told Concerige again, Our room has not been cleaned and it's nearly 5. Then the day we were checking out, they were at our room knocking on the door to clean it at 7 I kid you not. Then they knocked on it every 30 minutes until we told them, Why are you in such a rush to clean our room when you didn't clean it during our stay.
They would leave new towels and make up the bed, but they never cleaned. I even told the housekeeper.. you all left this tray of food in the room all day and now the room smells { from crab cakes} Please come and remove the tray and spray the room. She said, This is not my hotel, the Grand does not allow the their housekeepers to use spray of anykind in the room. She said, I'm from paradise pier and we have some on our carts.

The best part of concerige was having drinks late at night with friends and visiting. I'll just plan to do that in the hearthstone lounge or napa lounge.

Yea for drinks in the lounge!

That is awful about housekeeping..

Hi all, just wanted to let you know I am still alive! Working a double tonight. Have a cold. Other than that I am good. I will try to call HOJO in the next couple days to get the et rate for the last bit of the trip! It's no longer available for the first bit of the trip. They can just add the et rate on, right? I mean they don't have to rebook which would lose the et rate at the beginning of the trip?

Later,
Sarah

P.S. HOPE everyone is having a great day and that you are all healthy and happy!

PS2 Saw some pics of miss Sally!!!! She looks fantastic!!!!

She really does. Younger than the last meet, almost a year ago.

Hi everyone!

So, unless Justin lands some great job in the next couple of months, or we hit the lottery, or find buried treasure, or a long-lost wealthy relative passes away and leaves us his/her fortune (I'm pretty sure the odds are just about even for any of those things to happen - LOL) I just don't think I'm going to be able to make it down to see all of my girlfriends. I'll try to hold out hope though because I'm an optimist (my mom calls it being a dreamer - hahaha). However, that teeny-tiny realist voice in my brain says, "Girl, you're dreaming!" (Gee, sounds just like my mom.)

I think it's good to be an optimist becase any of the above good things could happen. Let's put out good thoughts for finding a great job!

I hope everyone is doing well. I went to an inspiring women's health conference that is hosted by my senator (and all her corporate sponsors). The main message was to take good care of yourself.

 

[sahbushka]

Capri, as your roommate I have decided that you must go! I will pay your part of the room expense! See, now you can go!


My DH GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!! He has been out of work for 4 months and had an interview today! He got hired and starts monday!!!! I am so excited! Hope the good continues to spread to all my lovely divas!


Sarah

 

[CoMickey]

Capri, as your roommate I have decided that you must go! I will pay your part of the room expense! See, now you can go!


My DH GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!! He has been out of work for 4 months and had an interview today! He got hired and starts monday!!!! I am so excited! Hope the good continues to spread to all my lovely divas!


Sarah

YAY Sarah!!! I am so excited for you and your family!

 

[BC Disney Lover]

My DH GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!! He has been out of work for 4 months and had an interview today! He got hired and starts monday!!!! I am so excited! Hope the good continues to spread to all my lovely divas!

Sarah

Great news! Does this mean less double shifts for you?

 

[sahbushka]

Great news! Does this mean less double shifts for you?

Gosh I hope so! He has a 90 day probationary period at one pay rate and then goes up $1 an hour after that plus gets a bonus each month based on the companies sales. We will see how it all plays out, plus we will have to have both kids back in daycare and they will be in 4-5 days a week instead of 3 like we had them in before so that will hurt the budget a bit, but hey, he'll be working!

Sarah

 

[sahbushka]

YAY Sarah!!! I am so excited for you and your family!

Thanks Vicki! We are all really excited too! I can't believe that yesterday as I was driving home from work I didn't even know he had been called about an interview and now he has a job! Soooooo cooooool!

Sarah