Grumpy turned Happy for Christmas!

[veggiemama]

All caught up!

Love the pictures of Damian at ASM, he looks like he is having so much fun!

We say Goofy's candy Co. Took pictures of it but never went in it! I think I'm glad now though that we didn't. Not sure I would have wanted that much sugar and candy though I'm sure the kids would have loved designing their own treats!

Glad you are feeling better!!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Alexa kept giving me heart attacks running off. My brother wanted to go find a leash.

We didn't even attempt the lego store. Alexa would have gone nuts.

Those treats look amazing...

And sorry about EoS... I think we've all agreed that's a must do on our ladies trip!

 

[momabaarjo]

Let's see...already planning ADRs for the trip...both her and on Ann's so far I the picks...EoS and Ohana!

 

[Monknmom]

Okay I have been making lots of excuses for why I haven't come to update. I'm sorry I really am and everything that I have had to do needed to be done, but could have waited. You don't have to read this, it's sad and I don't want pity just somewhere that I can talk/type freely and get things out! I have been trying to keep myself busy because I keep on going to what is going to happen in June. I just need somewhere to vent and type/talk quick where I won't be judged or anything I just want to type and cry and think and everything... I'm just typing so things may not be in order you kinda have to deal with that I'm sorry... But on June 9th, 2007 my little sister passed away from a cardiac arrhythmia caused from complications from the muscular dystrophy she had. It was really hard for so many reasons because so much was going on. My father let her come see my mom and she didn't want to see my mom so I picked her up from North Carolina to take her to my house and then I was going to bring her back to my mom's before my dad was any the wiser! But it didn't fully come to plan there was so much going on in my life back then- K's younger sister was living with us because she didn't like the way her parents were, K and I were fighting crazy often for everything, Damien was 2 and not talking so we were going through testing and everything like that with him, and on top of that I brought my little sister into the mix! But all of this has nothing to do with how she died- I am just telling you because I don't want you to think that I'm nuts when I tell you other things, I just want you to know that my head was in a crazy place and that's why I thought like that! But anyway the day she died we had so much going on and I was driving all day I left my sister with my grandfather for a few hours to get some stuff done quicker and I was arguing with her over something that day because she wanted a hug and I kept telling her that I was too busy. I told her at one point that I am so busy and stressed that I don't even have time to give my own son a hug! The day I picked her up from my mom's was the first time that I saw her in exactly 5 years because I was kicked out of my father's house by my stepmother (she left me in Michigan at age 16 by myself the only people I knew were her cousins, sister and aunts/uncles but that's a different story). But my dad met my mom in a parking lot to give her my sister and my sister's bags then just left, he saw me and damien and didn't want any part of us to say hi or anything and I was okay with that because I didn't want Damien to know him! But Rebekah and I stayed up the WHOLE night just talking about the last 5 years of our lifes- she is the only one that was with me for the majority of my life (we were only not together for those 5 years) so she went through all of the crap I had to as a child being thrown about family members and foster families, being abused and everything else so we really had a strong bond even though I was mean to her sometimes. She was mentally slow on top of the muscular dystrophy so things were hard for her and as a kid I guess I didn't understand and I would have to take care of her a lot of times and again I din't understand what she was going through only what I was going through and I would hate her sometimes for being that way in front of my friends! But she would forgive me! If I was home with no one to play with she was right there to play barbies or house or whatever we wanted to! She was like that with everyone! She could get smacked in the head with a brick by someone and offer them a cup of water the next minute she had forgiveness down to a science and rocked at it! Me not so much! I have a hard time forgetting and forgiving things that have hurt me! So that night that she came we literally stayed up all night we laid down with Damien to put him to sleep and we started talking about everything and by the time we knew it Damien was waking up and the sun was coming up and it was time for a new day to start! Most of our conversation fell to what happened back at "home" after they came back without me and what happened between my dad and stepmom. She told me that my dad cried for me and everyone was surprised because my dad is very cool and subtle at keeping his emotions in check! As far as I know the only other times he has cried was when I was born and had the heart defect and was told that I may pass away before I reach age my toddler years and when one of my sisters (Maddie) was born stillborn. Other than that my dad keeps his cool and you never hear him yell or argue with people! But Rebekah told me that they fought all of the time, they went to therapy and everything and finally settled down a few years later. I was honeslty happy that he showed some type of emotions for me because he had been so absent in my life. So that became the "thing" for our visit- she told me that night that she was going to "teach" me how to forgive people before she leaves back home! So I agreed stuburnly and she knew that I wasn't into it but I don't think that she cared... But the day that she died we were arguing I think I was upset that she was going to be leaving soon and the fact that she could just be so easy going to the point that everyone that knew me kept making the same joke about how I left all of the good qualities for her and I took the bad ones for myself! So we were fighting and what happened was she had walked outside to feed some stray kittens (it was the evening and K was on his way home so before 5 but after 4) and I was telling her not to because when I drive her home no one is going to feed them anymore and they will get sick, she wouldn't listen and I ignored her going outside. Maybe a minute or so later I heard the man downstairs talking about calling the cops on the girl and I had a feeling that they were talking about rebekah so I looked out the window and I thought that she was laying in the ditch and I saw that she wet her pants (something that she had done as a kid and teen so it was normal, but hadn't done in awhile because my step mom "broke" her of that habbit) so I thought that she was laying down because she was worried about what we would say- my step mom would torture her for doing this that's why I was kicked out I stood up for her and my step mom didn't like that I grabbed the belt from her hand. So I told my 13 year old brother in law to stay inside with Damien and I grabbed a blanket and asked my little sister in law to come help me with Rebekah. When we got outside the guy was saying that he was going to call 9-1-1 and I was mad because she was 18 and they would contact my dad and he told me that he would file kidnapping charges on me (Rebekah was not able to live on her own and my father was her guardian so it was not her choice on where to be) so I yelled at the 2 men and they went inside and I hear my own sister in law on the 911 call on the cell telling them to come and I was so mad then I heard this horrbile sound coming from my sister and I was yelling at people for watching what was going on and not helping and I was covering her up with a blanket so that she wouldn't get embarrassed about wetting her pants. Then I looked at her and was trying to put her glasses on her and I can just remember looking at her with her eyes rolled back all I could see was white and then when I picked up the glasses and went to put them on her face the tip of her nose started to turn blue and I yelled for more blankets she's cold now! And then the blue just kept spreading and a cop got there and asked me questions I couldn't answer- I knew the answer I just couldn't think of it. Then it felt like forever before the ambulance arrived but they took her and by that time K got there and told MoMo (my little sister in law) to take Damien and Arkar (my little brother in law) to my mother in laws house until he called them. And I was going to go in the ambulance, but they wouldn't let so K drove and he drives like a turtle and I felt like he drove even slower I remember screaming at the top of my lungs at him for driving so slow because I couldn't see the ambulance anymore. At the hospital he let me go in alone and said he would join me and I sat in this hall by myself with people starring at me like I was crazy. The doctor came out the first time and told me that she was gone and I feel really bad for what I said to him, but he went back in to keep trying because I refused to sign any papers that she was dead. Then the hospital shut the doors in the hall I was in so that people couldn't see me and I was alone and then my grandfather and his girlfriend (now wife) came and didn't believe that she was gone because they had just been at the store with her and asked what happened and I couldn't answer it! Then the doctor tried to come out again and get me to sign off on the form and I didn't want to but my grandfather made me and at that time K came inside and I was so mad at him for not being there. Then they said that we can say goodbye to her and I didn't understand at the time what that meant- I was 23 when this happened and never went through this type of thing before so I thought that she was going to be awake and let me say goodbye to her before she dies so I insisted that I went in first and I went in all by myself and she was just laying on this table with cords everywhere and I kept saying her name and shaking her to wake up and they came in to take me out at the time I couldn't understand anything that was going on I really couldn't I still am missing parts of the timeline in my head from that whole day. But then they took us to this room in the waiting area and shut the door and my grandfather kept asking what happened and my in laws kept calling and by this time my little sister in law called my mom and sister and told them so they were calling and I just couldn't understand anything. Then the detectives came in and they were asking me these questions and I was just answering them not thinking anything of it until my grandfather asked them if they are interegating me or what? And asked them if I needed a lawyer, do they think I did this. They searched my house and counted the medicine that she was taking to make sure that it was equal to what it should be and they were sending it out to make sure it wasn't lace just all of this crazy stuff. The reasoning being that it isn't everyday a fairly healthy 18 year old dies 9 days before her birthday with no known cause. But skip to after that because I can't really remember any of it I know that they found that it was NOTHING that I did and they never apologized to me for that but honestly I didn't even know that they thought I was a suspect. The next few days we had to find out how to get a place for her to rest. My grandfather god bless him helped me with everything I will tell you I remember what K said to me when he FORCED me to sleep in the house that night (yes the same house my sister just died in front of) "I will take your **** and let you cry for 2 weeks, but that's it crying and being angry won't bring her back" yeah he's still not very nice about that stuff and caring when bad things happen I shouldn't cry according to him or feel bad because it is what it is and it's not going to change. That's most of the reason why I am writing on here and not talking to him. Telling my dad was an even bigger mistake than the detectives because he didn't believe me at all that she was dead he thought that I was playing some sick prank on him so that she could stay with me and he called the police on me like he promised! Of course they found that she really did die and then my dad wanted me to get on the phone and let him know what I was doing with the body! That was not even the most shocking part about her death. My step mom started a fundraiser and raised money to donate to a private school in Texas that my little brother and sister go to, but Rebekah never attended there so I was and still am confused about the donation that was made in her name to them! So the next few days my grandfather told me that he can help me with the plot and that's it he didn't have any money to help with, my mom was broke and my wonderful dad told me that she died somewhere that she wasn't supposed to be and didn't have any money to help me with anyway- well no wonder sending 2 kids to private school can get costly. So I had to learn what my options were. There is a funeral home that my grandfather used for my grandmother, aunt and his mom and some other people in the family so we used them. The state refused help because she didn't live in this state and Texas refused help unless we flew the body back there. So I had to have her cremated because it was the only thing that I could afford and really I couldn't even afford that! The funeral home director was nice, he gave us a deal- a free cardboard casket for her if I paid for embalming, makeup and at least 100 directory cards! It was a deal because that casket by itself was just a little under what all of this stuff cost together. So it was open and we had the wake on the same day as the funeral and it was a little over a week after she died because K and I had to find money in places and beg from others so it was starting to go bad so to say an didn't look anything like her. My dad flew down that morning and was flying back out that night. My brother was flown in from Afghan that night before, but started driving to NY too late so came after we sent her body off and Melissa and all of the other siblings "couldn't make it". So it was maybe 15 of us all together! It was sad and I said the eulogy because I couldn't afford the donation the church wanted for a preacher to come. And that's how we sent my sister off! With me fighting with her the day she died and then not being able to afford to give her nice things in death! I had overheard a conversation one time when I was younger about how it would be good for me to take any of Rebekah's qualities and adapt them for my own and that kept playing in my head and I have a feeling that people think and know that the wrong one died! I keep thinking that she was the lucky one that finally got away and then a year later the man that ruined everything when we were kids died and I pray that he's not hurting her right now wherever they are! But I wrote this because I want to do something special for her this year to mark that 5 years.... she loved kids and animals and I want to organize something to raise money for her. I would love suggestions! I don't want any sympathy I told you guys this so you have a better understanding for when I do whatever it is I am going to do and all of the heck that is going to come from it from all of the onlookers! I was thinking raising money for muscular dystrophy, but so many people do that it won't be special for her... She didn't have cancer so I don't want to raise money for that.... I was thinking collecting a lot of animal supplies or money and donating it to a no kill animal shelter or raising money to start a fund for people that were like her- not fully there but wanting to be independent. No one knows that I am trying to do this and I would like to keep it a secret if I can so no facebook talking about this just here (sorry to those that don't want to read...) I would start the fundraiser on the day that she died (June 9th) and end it on her birthday (June 18th) so it was open that long and can raise a lot of money doing something I just want to know what to do it for. She had always wanted a child, but knew that she shouldn't so maybe something for the kids that went through foster care like us? Or we could raise money to build a play area in the family court house- until you have sat in there for hours not being able to talk to anyone in fear you may "collaborate" stories at all different ages (the first time I spoke to a judge I remember and I remember why I was 6, at 6 Damien was playing soccer and learning to read/write the hardest thing he did was move to a new house)! But with that I don't think that many people would donate money or goods for it! So I am still thinking.... any..... by the way, thank you if you read all of this and I really do appreciate the friends I have on here, I tried to talk to one of my friends that I see all of the time about this and she kept changing the subject so I stopped trying and just needed somewhere to put my thoughts and not be judged or talked down to or interrupted! So thank you And I will get back on here with an update very soon!

 

[annmarieda]

Sometimes it is amazing how difficult life can be. I know you don't want sympathy... but you do deserve a hug. That is a lot to go through. I do hope life is better for you now. I assume so since you are in a place to think of fundraising.

As for the fundraising, I don't have any suggestions. I wonder if you should as a family maybe do something to remember her.... maybe volunteer at an animal shelter or something along that line? Might be hard though if K feels strongly about not looking back. Course, maybe you could tell him you are not looking back... but rather forward and you would like this to be a special moment in time to remember her. I don't know... I do know what ever you choose will be lovely!

Good luck.. and if I think of anything I will be sure and let you know.

 

[momabaarjo]

I agree with Ann...you need a big hug and if I could get on a plane right now I would! Despite all you have gone through in your life you have become an amazing mom, wife, and online friend! I see in your posts all your love and compassion!

I truly believe that all people are put on this earth for a purpose...and no the better one did not die! Don't even think that (although I have to admit sometimes I think that of myself and wonder why on earth I am here)! Words we hear when we are younger tend to always stick with us, and when we are young those words have different meanings to us and most of the time were not meant the way that our young minds take them and hold on to them. Heather, no way will you ever make me believe that you were an awful person when you were younger...there is no way that, that the person you claim to be is the one that I see in posts and texts daily! I envy the love you have for your son and the amazing involved mother you are...

One thing that struck me was that your sister wanted to feed the cats...I think should you save all those little extras from your budget the next few months and then take that money and get some cat things/food and take it the shelter as a donation in your sister's name..take some pictures and then have them framed. Then, maybe you could sit a day aside for a couple of hours (with your crazy schedule) and go work at the shelter as a volunteer in her memory. It would be your way of honoring her each month! I really don't think you need to fundraise to honor her memory to get a BIG donation...I think smaller gestures sometimes are more meaningful because they come from the heart! I also think the volunteering at the shelter will make you feel better...something about a little work is good for the soul!

I am sorry K does not understand, men don't...when my grandmother died last year I felt so alone...because I pushed him aside and tried to be the strong person...I do that with everyone in my...I do not trust anyone to take care of me or give me anything I need (mainly emotional support) because in the past I have always been hurt and let down so I guard myself...

Remember you can always text or call me! Maybe I can be a better big sister to you then I was to my own sisters! Even though I am probably old enough to be your mother!

 

[princessbride6205]

I've been following your trip report after popping in because I liked the title!
The photos are great and I love the gems you found on your road trip. I'm looking forward to following along with the rest of your trip.

I'm sorry to hear about your sister and the circumstances of her passing. Obviously I'm just "meeting" you, but you sound like a kind and caring person, and I think we've all done things in our younger years that we regret. I think you are totally on the right track with your donation thoughts. Some shelters take used pillows and towels or blankets. Perhaps you could even start a collection box for these items at Damien's school and donate to several shelters. I agree that if you can find time to volunteer at a cause she would have liked, you may find some more peace. I hope you are able to find comfort here or from friends. I know how difficult it can be when a spouse has a completely different emotional philosophy.

 

[Monknmom]

Sometimes it is amazing how difficult life can be. I know you don't want sympathy... but you do deserve a hug. That is a lot to go through. I do hope life is better for you now. I assume so since you are in a place to think of fundraising.

As for the fundraising, I don't have any suggestions. I wonder if you should as a family maybe do something to remember her.... maybe volunteer at an animal shelter or something along that line? Might be hard though if K feels strongly about not looking back. Course, maybe you could tell him you are not looking back... but rather forward and you would like this to be a special moment in time to remember her. I don't know... I do know what ever you choose will be lovely!

Good luck.. and if I think of anything I will be sure and let you know.

I just typed up this big thing to you and it went off into cyber space because none of the words came here.... anyway, thank you for the hug. Okay since that happened I am going to type it to everyone below!

I agree with Ann...you need a big hug and if I could get on a plane right now I would! Despite all you have gone through in your life you have become an amazing mom, wife, and online friend! I see in your posts all your love and compassion!

I truly believe that all people are put on this earth for a purpose...and no the better one did not die! Don't even think that (although I have to admit sometimes I think that of myself and wonder why on earth I am here)! Words we hear when we are younger tend to always stick with us, and when we are young those words have different meanings to us and most of the time were not meant the way that our young minds take them and hold on to them. Heather, no way will you ever make me believe that you were an awful person when you were younger...there is no way that, that the person you claim to be is the one that I see in posts and texts daily! I envy the love you have for your son and the amazing involved mother you are...

One thing that struck me was that your sister wanted to feed the cats...I think should you save all those little extras from your budget the next few months and then take that money and get some cat things/food and take it the shelter as a donation in your sister's name..take some pictures and then have them framed. Then, maybe you could sit a day aside for a couple of hours (with your crazy schedule) and go work at the shelter as a volunteer in her memory. It would be your way of honoring her each month! I really don't think you need to fundraise to honor her memory to get a BIG donation...I think smaller gestures sometimes are more meaningful because they come from the heart! I also think the volunteering at the shelter will make you feel better...something about a little work is good for the soul!

I am sorry K does not understand, men don't...when my grandmother died last year I felt so alone...because I pushed him aside and tried to be the strong person...I do that with everyone in my...I do not trust anyone to take care of me or give me anything I need (mainly emotional support) because in the past I have always been hurt and let down so I guard myself...

Remember you can always text or call me! Maybe I can be a better big sister to you then I was to my own sisters! Even though I am probably old enough to be your mother!

Thank you so much Tammie I am really thankful for all of the friends I have made on here! I am so appreciative for all of you I can't even explain it!

Thank you, I was not such a nice person though, I have a low tolerance level and a big temper! Never hurt anyone, the only thing I have stolen was a pack of gum as a kid because I was told I couldn't have it (and was embarrassed so much when I stole it I never did that again!), I have only taken 1 puff of drugs and didn't like the way it tasted or made me feel so I didn't do that and I was allowed to drink so it took the fun out of it and I didn't want to do it anymore. So I was good in that aspect, but I wasn't able to hold my tongue on many occasions I should have! But thank you!

I think that you have a good idea with the cats because yeah she was disobeying me so she could go feed the stray kittens so I think your right! I will do something with that!

Yeah in K's culture they don't do that! So I am trying to understand him but trying to make myself feel better! Thank you for the hugs! I think I know what I am going to do below!

I've been following your trip report after popping in because I liked the title!
The photos are great and I love the gems you found on your road trip. I'm looking forward to following along with the rest of your trip.

I'm sorry to hear about your sister and the circumstances of her passing. Obviously I'm just "meeting" you, but you sound like a kind and caring person, and I think we've all done things in our younger years that we regret. I think you are totally on the right track with your donation thoughts. Some shelters take used pillows and towels or blankets. Perhaps you could even start a collection box for these items at Damien's school and donate to several shelters. I agree that if you can find time to volunteer at a cause she would have liked, you may find some more peace. I hope you are able to find comfort here or from friends. I know how difficult it can be when a spouse has a completely different emotional philosophy.

Thank you for reading along! And I liked those places too... I want to just take a weekend and go see more near our house I like those kooky things!

Thank you! Yes I think that I am going to do something along those lines, but also something like cook a dinner for the ambulance company that came to her (and the first cop on the scene he took over as soon as he got there and didn't stop or say anything about the situation and my crazy screaming at people. I really regret that!)!

I didn't mean anything big, but between family members. Right now Damien's school is collecting dog food, dog treats, dog toys and things like that for their "Furry Valentine" - it's so cute the teachers put them on the animal shelters website and the class took a vote and Mikko won! So that's something I had meant not going out and having this huge thing! But I think I will get some money together and volunteer a few hours, plus last night at the ambulance company dance there was a women that had made a 9-1-1 call because her 3 year old got into the fenced pool somehow and was floating in the pool by the time the mom found her. The mom was crying and said that she was so thankful because the ambulance came so fast and they didn't just tell her that her baby had died they tried to revive her (the mom had been doing things as well until they got there) and I don't know how and neither did the mom, but the little girl ended up living! And they brought the little girl out and the mom had these blankets made for everyone that volunteered for the ambulance company and on the 6 month anniversary she came and cooked for them a big dinner and for the specific workers that helped her daughter she had these "thank you" medals made with the engraved date and name and everything they were so nice looking! I want to maybe do something like that also... I would have to find out if the Moriches is like the one K is for though...

But on the matter of my TR and your TR's I promise I will get to them today. I forgot that I had the open house at the private school for Damien and since I am going to be out there I want to pick up some stuff for myself that I need! So yes I WILL get caught up on everything today!

 

[momabaarjo]

Heather...we all have our faults, you were a child! And what were you about 20 with a toddler at the time when your sister died with no support of your family? That seems like more than your fair of the burden. Let me remind you that funerals and all that goes along with it are not for the person that died...it is for the living, and I would not worry about that was done and what was not done! You did your best at the time, and that is all that your sister would of asked of you! I think you did an amazing job despite all the circumstances!

I like what you have decided upon, and it also involves Damien!

I saw your picture of last night of...you looked so pretty! I want to remind you how pretty you are on the outside and inside...I don't care about the girl you were in your mind...but the wonderful woman/wife/mother you have become! I can tell in your posts the love that you have for your family...and how much you give to all of them. Chin up, live a life that would make your sister proud!

 

[annmarieda]

Heather...we all have our faults, you were a child! And what were you about 20 with a toddler at the time when your sister died with no support of your family? That seems like more than your fair of the burden. Let me remind you that funerals and all that goes along with it are not for the person that died...it is for the living, and I would not worry about that was done and what was not done! You did your best at the time, and that is all that your sister would of asked of you! I think you did an amazing job despite all the circumstances!

I like what you have decided upon, and it also involves Damien!

I saw your picture of last night of...you looked so pretty! I want to remind you how pretty you are on the outside and inside...I don't care about the girl you were in your mind...but the wonderful woman/wife/mother you have become! I can tell in your posts the love that you have for your family...and how much you give to all of them. Chin up, live a life that would make your sister proud!

very well said!!! I totally agree.

 

[swwake]

Big hugs to you Heather. Tammie has a way with words, and I totally agree with her. Vent away. It is so nice that you have come to a place where you will honor your sister with a nice memorial that will benefit other people and animals.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

All I'm going to say is .

And agree with Tammie!

I really like the cat shelter ideas. Whether to volunteer the time in your sisters name, or to do a donation of monetary value or items.

 

[Monknmom]

Heather...we all have our faults, you were a child! And what were you about 20 with a toddler at the time when your sister died with no support of your family? That seems like more than your fair of the burden. Let me remind you that funerals and all that goes along with it are not for the person that died...it is for the living, and I would not worry about that was done and what was not done! You did your best at the time, and that is all that your sister would of asked of you! I think you did an amazing job despite all the circumstances!

I like what you have decided upon, and it also involves Damien!

I saw your picture of last night of...you looked so pretty! I want to remind you how pretty you are on the outside and inside...I don't care about the girl you were in your mind...but the wonderful woman/wife/mother you have become! I can tell in your posts the love that you have for your family...and how much you give to all of them. Chin up, live a life that would make your sister proud!

Yeah I was 21 and K was 22 so I know we were young! I see what you are saying and are very very thankful for you and all of my friends here! Thank you! You really do have a way with words for people!

Yes we have decided that we will volunteer at the animal shelter in the cat section, but before that we are going to ask friends and family to donate some food and treats for cats and we will give a money donation! That way it's simple and still nice!

very well said!!! I totally agree.

Thank you Ann!

Big hugs to you Heather. Tammie has a way with words, and I totally agree with her. Vent away. It is so nice that you have come to a place where you will honor your sister with a nice memorial that will benefit other people and animals.

Thank you! I hope so!

All I'm going to say is .

And agree with Tammie!

I really like the cat shelter ideas. Whether to volunteer the time in your sisters name, or to do a donation of monetary value or items.

Thanks! I got the idea from a combination of here and what they are doing in Damien's class! So I can't really take the credit, but I will do the work for it!

 

[Monknmom]

Sorry I am so behind (still on the fist day) so I am going to wrap up the first day now and get caught up on yours and start day 2 tonight as well!
After we left DTD we left our car there and took the bus to what listed they were going to the Grand Floridian, but instead stopped at the Wilderness Lodge and then proceeded back to DTD.
Confused we asked the driver and he said that he doesn't go there. After stopping back at DTD we get off and are headed to the car to drive there and he comes to tell us that he is in fact headed to the GF now, but
we decide that it will be faster to take our car- this upset K a little that I didn't know that teh bus didn't go there, but I ignored my grumpy and moved on!
We drove up to the GF and we had to park in staff parking lot #3 because he said that they were full in all of the other parking lots! So walking up it started to just rain like anything and K thinks only of his
phone and takes off running for the doors (we were only feet away)! And we all get inside and there is is... the tree, the piano playing, the smell of gingerbread I was just about in tears at the site and smells
and I look over at Damien (who seemed to sneak his blanket in under his jacket and now is holding it and sucking his thumb- means he's tired) and K asking what we are doing here... this was magic? NO!!!

So I told him let's just look around for a little and take it in! Well the whole time I am trying to take it in Damien keeps plopping himself where ever he'd like to and K keeps complaining that we are way under dressed and I was trying to wait in line for a peice of ginger cookie, but I couldn't even enjoy that so after snapping some pictures I told Damien about the monorail (perked him up just enough to get him on it) and we headed to the Poly to check that out! But here are some pictures I snapped!

The monorail ride was nice! We got off at the Poly and they were in better spirits here, I didn't know that you can just take the lei's or we would have.
I thought that the water fall was pretty so I took a picture of K and Monk in front of that pool of water that they have the the dolphin statue.

They were getting hungry so we stopped at the QS restaurant that is in the hotel called Kona. K got the chili side and used a snack credit for it and a snack credit for his coffee (I faught with him all trip about doing this! It made me so mad that he was using the snack credits for a coffee!). I got the Shrimp Pan-Asian Noodles as a dinner and Damien got a sprite as a drink and parfait as the dessert.

And just to let you see how grumpy I was becoming at this point

We shared everything because we were all so tired that we got back on the monorail and headed to GF and then to our hotel to sleep! But when we got to the hotel it was pouring again! So K ran for the car and Damien and I waited snapping these photos first!

Damien had fun after this picture- a little girl that went to the BBB that afternoon had just finished dinner at Park fare and she was dressed as Cinderella and he was pretending to pull her in the carriage while she also waited for her car to come! I felt weird taking a picture of her so I just have this one, but it was nice!

Now spleeping was something Damien was REFUSING to sleep on his own! He was scared even though he sleeps in his own room at home! So we let him fall asleep in the bed with us and moved him later (meaning that even tough we went to bed around 9 pm I didn't get to sleep until about
11pm)! And I opted for the phone call at 5:30am and like always K left his cellphone alarm on also-- I'm glad that he did because the phone didn't ring until almost 6:20, Damien was already awake and answered it!
So that was the end of the day! After I catch up on everyone elses I am going to come back and post another up date since K is at the ambulance company tonight!

 

[momabaarjo]

Yeah I was 21 and K was 22 so I know we were young! I see what you are saying and are very very thankful for you and all of my friends here! Thank you! You really do have a way with words for people!

You make me blush, not telling you anything I would not tell you if you were here! Now, I only wish that I could have the same words for myself...but I never tend to listen to myself...and trust me I talk to myself a lot.

I am so much better with written words, where I sit and think things out before I write...maybe that is part of the reason that I really do not have close REAL TIME relationships with other woman. I so long to have the words for friendships in person. I am not a trusting person by nature of those around me...have been burned too many times by people that I have let close to me...



Yes we have decided that we will volunteer at the animal shelter in the cat section, but before that we are going to ask friends and family to donate some food and treats for cats and we will give a money donation! That way it's simple and still nice!

I think this is a great way to honor her memory!

 

[momabaarjo]

Sorry about the confusion with the buses...I think it takes a second trip to finally figure out how they all work...buses, monrails, boats, OH MY!

Funny how each of our children have a way to tell us when they are tired...Goo has a thing for ears (ever since he was a baby)...when he is tired he rubs his ears or grabs ahold of yours if you are holding him.

I did not get a piece of gingerbread either...and that makes me both and because that was something I so wanted! Have to find out why in my TR.... and at the rate I am going that might be months until you find out!

 

[annmarieda]

Your trip to GF sounds very similar to mine. Well, at least when it came to a grumpy dh thinking that the resort was too stuffy and that we shouldn't linger. That night was super super rainy. That was the night we were over at MVMCP. So when you say it started to rain... I know EXACTLY what rain you are talking about.

I love your pictures of the gingerbread house. WAY better than the ones I got. I (like Tammie) didn't get any gingerbread

Glad everyone perked up when you got to the Poly... I totally get btw not feeling to pleased about a sc being used for coffee. It was all I could do when ds used one to add doritos to his lunch. DORITOS!!!

 

[Monknmom]

Sorry about the confusion with the buses...I think it takes a second trip to finally figure out how they all work...buses, monrails, boats, OH MY!

Funny how each of our children have a way to tell us when they are tired...Goo has a thing for ears (ever since he was a baby)...when he is tired he rubs his ears or grabs ahold of yours if you are holding him.

I did not get a piece of gingerbread either...and that makes me both and because that was something I so wanted! Have to find out why in my TR.... and at the rate I am going that might be months until you find out!

I am not good with "in person girls" either I think because I have so much that I say without thinking that it comes out wrong! Even when I type it comes out wrong most of the time, but it's easier to fix here!
You should listen to your own advice! Your a smart accomplished women and have a lot of good things going for you!
I love the ears thing-- at least it's not some goofy looking blanket that's tattered looking and then he brought it into this fancy hotel... I just about melted from embarresment!

Your trip to GF sounds very similar to mine. Well, at least when it came to a grumpy dh thinking that the resort was too stuffy and that we shouldn't linger. That night was super super rainy. That was the night we were over at MVMCP. So when you say it started to rain... I know EXACTLY what rain you are talking about.

I love your pictures of the gingerbread house. WAY better than the ones I got. I (like Tammie) didn't get any gingerbread

Glad everyone perked up when you got to the Poly... I totally get btw not feeling to pleased about a sc being used for coffee. It was all I could do when ds used one to add doritos to his lunch. DORITOS!!!

Now that you both say that I don't feel so bad that I waited in that line and just left without the ginger! I love those kind of cookies though!

Isn't it weird reading about someone's time where you were? Reading your report about going back to the hotel for Alex I remember the texts you were sending me about them and I wanted to get him some medicine!

Yeah I started to make him buy his cups of coffee and then at the end of the trip when we had 17 credits left he was the one upset!

I think this is a great way to honor her memory!

Thank you Tammie! Now I have to sadly keep it a secret from my Texas family otherwise my stepmother will see it as a challenge instead of a way to remember her....

 

[momabaarjo]

Want to talk blankets...Boo had a blanket (forget what he called it...that I took so he would have it for a keepsake) and Ab has a little rag doll (literally RAGS now) called Mattie that she still sleeps with today! She did leave Mattie home on this trip, but usually Mattie goes anywhere she sleeps!

Seriously...Stepmother would make this a competition when she could not even help with a funeral...piece of work...now where does she live, I might need to make a road trip to kick some hiney!

 

[Monknmom]

For today like I said I woke up at 5:30am because the park had EMH for the morning so I wanted to be there for the opening at 8am! K and Damien were pretty good about getting up I have to say- I mean why shouldn't they, they were the ones getting all of the sleep lately! On the drive over there I explained to K that he was going to run for the expedition everest fastpasses while I ran to get in line for Kilamonjaro safari... he wasn't okay with this so I had to go with him and instead of fighting I agreed!

So we get to the park and there is really not that many people there at 7:30am, so we took our time looking at the tree and such!

After that they let us in to the Oasis part to wait. It was nice we got to walk around a little and see the animals that are right there, I told them that later we will make it back to see/find the lady devine! We had a really nice view of the tree of life from here too!

So we wait and wait and wait and they finally let us in... I know that most people are going to go through the the Discovery Island to get there so I listened to a tip that people told me to go through Dinosaur land and that was a really nice tip because we got there pretty quickly! There was no line (wait time was 5 minutes) so we decided to jump on! We hurried through the line thinking that we will come back and see it again later and got to the ride. I had prepped Damien for the scary rides! I told him that are going to try every ride 1 time and what he doesn't like he doesn't have to ride again. As far as K- he's a grown man and shouldn't be scared! Now we get on the ride and the man that K is sitting with I hear asks him if this is his first time and K replies "yes I have never been on a ride like this before"- Kaung is from Burma, they don't have things like this there and here he has only been to a carnival and rode those rides! He was in for a treat I thought because I LOVE rollercoasters! These are pictures of K and Damien going up the mountain!

Damien and I heard screaming and I look back thinking that there is a little girl somewhere only to find out that it was my husband! Yep he screamed like a little girl the whole ride and the man said (after the ride) that he thought K was going to break either the bar or his fingers for how tight he was holding that bar! Damien didn't like it because he was scared of the yeti! This is the picture from the first ride that we took on EE- he didn't know what was going to happen and it was his first roller coaster too so he put his hands up hesitantly and look at his face I love it!

We got fasspasses and we convinced Damien to go back on! Again we just walked right on, but took a little longer to go through the line so we could read! Reading was a mistake because Damien can read and it made him frieghtened- I couldn't understand why tough he just went on the ride! So quickly going on we promised if he went on again we would go to see the animals on the safari! And he agreed! K did much better this time! I didn't hear him scream, but then again I couldn't hear either of them- I sat in the front and they sat a few seats behind me!
Next we made it over to the Kilamonjaro safari! We got there and again we walked right on! There were even vehicles that didn't have anyone in them! I think that we had only our family and one other in the vehicle! Damien just loved this tour! He liked to spot the animals and the baby giraffes were kinda playing tag while we were on our tour! He got a big kick out of how they run and play! He was spotting animals before the driver could tell us them and he would shout out what they were and ask questions- the other family and the driver didn't really mind so K and I just let him go for it! These are some photos that we got on the ride!

When we got off he was wanting to call his Auntie and tell her about the poachers that we caught and the animals that we saw! He just wanted to tell her everything, but he couldn't because sadly Auntie Khine is not the nicest person in the morning when you wake her up! Now this is where I loss my camera! I knew what time it was because I just showed Damien the time telling him he couldn't call his Auntie Khine (it was 9:27am) and I had given my camera to K to hold (he was my personal walking suitcase the whole trip and carried the bag too I could call him a camel but I think that is a little meaner than a suitcase)! So anyway, I ask him for my camera so that I could take another picture of the tree of life from a different point of view. He had it in his cargo pants pocket with the string hanging out and grabbed it by the string and did this thing where he holds it by the string and slings it over to me and I guess that he thought I grabbed it because he let go of the string and all of this happened in seconds and as I type this my heart is dropping once again with the camera to the ground! No big deal you would say right? It was maybe 2 feet at most that it dropped? BUT remember in my PTR my house was robbed and they took my good camera? Then on black Friday my sister in law (Auntie Khine) bought me a cheap camera just to take to Disney (not cheap, but cheap I can't explain that)! It was a Kodak easyshare! And it broke! Well smart me didn't listen to K the whole trip who kept telling me that I should go buy another one because well I know better than him I thought! So after my camera fell we picked it up and walked quickly to make the first Lion King show! It says to get there a 1/2 hour in advance to the show to get a good spot! So we did and waiting in line Damien made friends with some kids from Tenesse while K and I tried to figure out the camera- yes he was still telling me to go buy the disposable ones from the souvenier carts, but I still didn't listen! It was flashing and turning on so I thought that maybe just the viewing screen was broken? So the whole trip I continued taking pictures with my camera and K with his phone! Guess who got nothing? Yup, me! Everything after the safari is a white picture! Okay so back to the time at hand! We got to sit in the very front row of the lion section! It was nice! He was picked to come up and play an instrument for the parade! K video taped it, although it's not that great of quality this is the video!

Here are some pictures that K's phone captured!

Damien really wanted Timon's signature after the show but I guess they don't do that?
When we left the Lion King show it started to rain a little, but we were one of the few families that got to take a picture with there two before they headed back in to their rabbit hole where it was dry! Between the 3 of us we didn't know who she was until I saw her signature and still I guess she appears in the 2nd Bambi?

Then we proceeded to Mickey first, tried for Donald but was told the he was going to join Goofy soon so we went over to Goofy's line and whenever someone came we let them go first so that we would be there when Donald came over- which he finally did! Then we planned on Minnie mouse, but they moved her in with Mickey and put the bunnie where she was so Monk didn't want to see Mickey again (another time... right?). So we finished the greeting trails with the friends that were put in Donald's spot- Chip and Dale! They loved Damien's shirt! They made a gesture that they were laughing at the fact that Donald was trying to catch them and they tried to play tag with Damien because we were the only ones in thier line for a while! But we had to say goodbye to move on!
We then made our way over for the 1pm flights of wonder show, but we had to wait a few minutes so decided to grab an egg roll (I got all 3 of us 1, but only 2 of us ate them! Yes my food was robbed from me 1/2 eaten- this is a pattern the whole trip)! When we sat there listening to the women talk about stuff Guano Joe starts to come in yelling for his tour group to follow the flag! That guy was hilarious I could have watched him all day and not gotten bored! He had Damien, K and I cracking up! The birds were amazing to watch as well! LOL the part where baby Elvis comes out just had K with this burst of laughter and Joe points to him (because he laughed so hard) and says from behind the tree "you thinkit's funny that she's trying to lie to me so I can be food for a bird?" It made him laugh even more! I loved it too, just I think that K loved it the most! Damien just wanted to talk to Joe!
By this time we were hungry (we only ate some stuff that I brought from home for breakfast), so I told them that Yak and Yeti is said to be pretty good... and we went there! K had the Beef Lo Mein with a coke and a banana pudding, I had the sweet and sour chicken with a rootbeer and a triple chocolate mousse, and Damien had the honey chicken with a sprite and a frozen lemonade! None of us were too happy with the food though. I thought that maybe it was because they put too much sauce on it? If it didn't have as much sauce it would have probably been alright! But a good thing is while we were eating there was a lady sitting mext to us to had come with her husband for the 30th wedding anniversary! They had never been here before and there were no more table so we let them sit with us! Damien did remind me that we souldn't because we don't know them, but I explained that we are here it's okay-- he is a smart cokie and not just smart in his brain but with his mouth sometimes!!!! I know that he gets that from me, it just upsets me that he got that from me! But we eat and talk and have a good time with them! They were really nice, but I didn't write the names down and forgot who they are~ but they gave us some great tips for the other parks and such! When we were done we went over to a bugs life and watched the show with no waiting! We nicknamed him Monkey so we took this picture!

I liked the show- Damien kept cracking me up though he says that he didn't breath when the bug farted because he could taste it? and when they sprayed he said that he stopped breathing so he wouldn't taste it? He is so weird sometimes! We were a little above the schedule that I planned so we let him explore the bug trail there and see the trantula and the bug view things! I think that this is where he lost his Phineas and Ferb water bottle- it never turned up in lost and found though so really I have no idea where he lost it, but he did because he didn't want to put it into the backpack with the others! After this we used the restrooms and heard people talking and Winnie the pooh bear being somewhere and wouldn't you know it the trail was right next to the bathrooms! We got in line- my favorite character! I love him! First you see Pooh bear- Damien really could care less though! He walked up and told him I need your signature because my mom likes you! And he took a picture (because we made him) and moved on quickly to Eyeore! And he checked the tail to make sure that it was there! Took a picture and was SO excited when he went over to Tigger! He started bouncing like Tigger as he went over (instead of walking) and Tigger bounced with him, then signed the book! Now every character wanted to hand the book to me after they signed and everytime Damien told them "No that's mine" and he would put the marker back in it's place before taking a picture. So with that being said there is a funny picture on the photopass of Tigger leaning on Damien's head acting like he's bored waiting for Damien! I can't wait to get the CD back to show it to you! After that we headed over to the Dinosaur ride! Monk loves Dinosaurs and was telling us all about them while we walked over there and waited (we did have like a 10 minute wait here, nothing too big)! And then we get on and this little monkey is scared I mean scared! He ducked and just laid his head in my lap the whole time! He was crying and just terrified of this ride! I couldn't undersrtand why either- in fact I still don't understand because he LOVES dinosaurs! But it was just funny! We then went on Primval Whirl 2 times in a row and were going to go to Finding Nemo but they didn't want to so we headed over to Kali river Rapids!

I have a little neice that is my sister in law's baby named Kali- spelt justlike that- and we call her cauliflower! So we took that picture above just for his cousin (she's only 2, but it was a cute gesture and he smiled nice)! I didn't like this ride because all day it was misting and on and off rain and I don't like walking around wet! But I went on! There was no wait we walked right up and onto a boat before I could change my mind! I was worried about the bag getting wet (and it did)! I put on a poncho and Damien and K opted to keep it off! We sat with a family that was "on holiday" (I love how they say that) from Ireland! They were really nice! I put my big girl panties on and rode the ride- K and Damien were sitting on the side that went into the plunge 1st. That made them want to ride again and we did in fact I didn't even get asked if we wanted to get off because both dads in the families asked if we can go again and they let us because there was no line! And once again K and Monk got wet! This time I let the guy know I wanted to get off-- I didn't want to chance my luck any further-- and they let me off and K and Damien rode 4 more times! That brings them to a total of 6 times they rode and wanted to keep going, but the line got long by that time and they would have to wait in line which they (nor I) wanted to! So we continued on our way! They were cold surprisingly to themselves- they didn't expect to be cold? and they had nothing to change into so Damien wanted to go back and K wanted to go back so they went into the bathroom to try to dry off what they could and I got the almonds as a snack (oh my they were good from what I can remember of them) K and Damien came out and they took my snack! I had maybe 5 almonds from that bag! OKay Okay I let them have it and didn't have the paitience to stand in line agian. So we went into the (LOL I went to lookup the name of the trail because I didn't write it and instead of looking at the park map that I haveinfront of me with notes on it I opened up a new window... oh I need sleep)! So we went into the Maharajah Jungle trek and that was amazing to see! I got a kick out of the orange trees that were there too! I kept telling K to take an orange down to snack on, but he wouldn't because he said you weren't allowed! I wonder if they have to sweep those up sometimes? By this time they were so cold and still wet I couldn't ask them to go on any longer so we went to the car where I had a change of clothes for them. They changed (well Damien did K did not) and we made it over to tour animal kingdom. They were bored though and didn't want to stay so we were there maybe a total of 10-15 minutes. We headed over to our hotel and it was only around 5:30pm so we headed to the food court for dinner. K got a Philly Cheesesteak, seasonal muffin and a monster to drink. I got the chicken quesadilla, cranberry orange muffin and a sprite to drink. Damien got the kids chicken nuggets with fries and a blueberry muffin and chocolate milk to drink! Damien didn't like his so he ate mine and I was stuck with the chicken nuggets so as far as I know the quesadilla was really good according to Damien! K said that the cheesesteak was really good too and the muffins we didn't eat until the next morning for breakfast- but they were really good too! So that ended our day! When we got back to the room we were surprised with a signed picture of Mickey Mouse in front of the castle! Damien was really happy and I was surprised! It was nice to come back to! So that ended our day! We brushed out teeth and got to bed!

So to recap- there will not be too many more pictures until I get the photopass CD because K was worried his phone's battery would die (the IPone's drain quickly) so we took some, not all pictures. No more food pictures because he thought that was a waste of memory! Silly guy!

Next up.... Disney's Hollywood studios!