Here we go again.. Lets try this again shall we??

[bettyann29]

I am happy to report DD is now home from the hospital..

I wasnt sure how she would do on the way home, but she did great.. I just layed the passenger seat back as far as it would go and buckled her in..

she is in bed right now and extremely tired.. I guess it was just alot for her today.. One thing that upset me a little and I hadnt noticed it before now.. I can only assume it was because she was wearing the hospital gowns and I didnt notice it, but she is in her own clothes now and her left shoulder is much higher than her right.. more so than before the surgery.. at least I think so.. the curve and the hump on her right side is gone but now I really see the difference in her shoulders.. I know one was higher than the other before the surgery, but it looks more pronounced.. The surgeon did say that he didnt know how much of that he could correct.. I have to call tomorrow for her followup appt in 1 week, so I will definitely mention my concerns to him.. I keep thinking maybe she isnt standing up straight but she says she is..

 

[bettyann29]

Great! Just keep me posted. Actually, I may as well be on a solo trip because I think Joe and my brother will probably ditch me and do their "guy thing." Happens all the time when we visit. Seriously, I am so glad that they get along as well as they do but sheesh, what about me?

I will keep you posted.. I started thinking afterwards that my stepson may be graduating this weekend.. I cant remember which weekend it is, so I will look it up and report back.. If its this weekend than I wont be able to go that weekend and will need to look for another time that I can go.. I'll let you know..

 

[bettyann29]

Well I did it! I broke down last night and asked DH about the solo trip idea.. My birthday is next Monday, so I told him if he will let me go alone for a long weekend that can be my birthday AND mothers day gift.. and he said I could do it!! Im so so excited..

Well Memorial Day weekend is out because my stepson is graduating that Saturday.. I think its silly that they would do that on a holiday weekend.. so Im trying to decide when else to go.. I started a new PTR for that trip so I can keep it separate from this one..

Just wanted to share my wonderful news..

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Yay that DD is home!!!

and.......Yay for your solo trip!!!!!!!

but..........BOO that it isn't Memorial Weekend so we can meet!!

I hope you have a great time. I can't wait to hear the details!

 

[bettyann29]

Yay that DD is home!!!

and.......Yay for your solo trip!!!!!!!

but..........BOO that it isn't Memorial Weekend so we can meet!!

I hope you have a great time. I can't wait to hear the details!

thank you for the well wishes.. DD is doing good, but oh so tired..

Her homebound schooling starts on Thursday and then the teacher is coming back on Friday to do the second session..

Next week is Spring Break so she wont have any school.. then she resumes the week after and I believe she will have a more even schedule.. probably one day early in the week and the second day later in the week..

I am sooooo excited about the solo trip and I have a separate PTR (link at the bottom).. I decided to keep it separate from this trip so the details wont run together for me... but I did buy my airline ticket yesterday and also reserved my stay at Pop for the solo trip.. so its set in stone now.. I do wish that Memorial Day weekend would have worked out..

 

[bettyann29]

With the cruise and going to wdw on the same trip I am trying to do whatever I can to defray some of the costs... that means doing reward programs and trying to get some giftcards, etc.. that will help in paying for meals, or things needed for the trip..

I currently do Mypoints, Memolink and am getting back into Sunshine Rewards.. also my bank account is thru Chase and I get 4 points for every dollar I spend when I use my card as a credit card rather than a debit card.. I pay so many of my monthly bills this way and I really rack up the points..

Today I went thru my Mypoints account and was able to redeem for $20 in giftcards for Olive Garden and $10 in giftcards to Target.. and I have almost enough to redeem for another $20 in giftcards.. hoping to do this in the next month..

I also looked at my bank card points and was able to redeem them for $10 in Burger King giftcards, $30 in Chilis giftcards and $60 in Target giftcards.. I should have enough points in about a month and a half to redeem for another $100 worth of giftcards..

We will be driving so we will have our car and can eat at Olive Garden, Chilis, Burger King, etc either on the way or can leave the resort one night and go out on our own.. either way I know we'll use them.. The Target giftcards can be used for the things we need to buy for the trip.. if there is anything left over I will save it for Christmas shopping..

I also already have $75 in giftcards that can be used at Rainforest Cafe/T Rex/ Yak and Yeti.. I plan on using one of the $25 gc on my solo trip, but if there is anything left over I will put it back for this trip..

Cant wait to see what else I can rack up on before the trips..

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Just found you and subbied!

We're going to be there the same time; AND we'll be at the same MNNSHP, too! DIS meet??

I need to officially catch up, but I wanted to go ahead and say hello! So, hello!!

 

[bettyann29]

Just found you and subbied!

We're going to be there the same time; AND we'll be at the same MNNSHP, too! DIS meet??

I need to officially catch up, but I wanted to go ahead and say hello! So, hello!!

Welcome Heather

A DIS meet sounds good.. How cool that we'll be at MNSSHP on the same day.. We wont be in the park til 4 since Im using that ticket as our park ticket that day..

I just saw you are in Plano.. Small world.. Im in Bedford.... Near the airport..

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Cha-ching on the gift cards/points! Yay!

When I get home I am heading over to your PTR for your solo trip!

 

[bettyann29]

Cha-ching on the gift cards/points! Yay!

When I get home I am heading over to your PTR for your solo trip!

The gift cards will help so much.. I wish there were some that I could utilize in WDW.. but since we are driving we will need to stop and eat and also with the target ones I can get stuff that I need for the trip.. Every little bit will definitely help..

Looking forward to seeing you over there!

 

[bettyann29]

Wow.. I cant believe today is already Wednesday.. DD starts homeschooling tomorrow for 2 hours.. Her appetite is coming back most definitely.. she is doing great.. she had her first shower today.. woohoo..

I was thinking I would get so much done this week being home, but unfortunately Ive gotten nothing done.. I start back to work on Monday.. DH will be home with DD.. then the following week I will be back home working here at home so I can be with DD..

I will hopefully have my tours figured out by tomorrow.. Ive been looking at them all week and Ive got it narrowed down to a few.. will update once I know for sure..

 

[HeatherBelle614]

There look to be quite a few DIS'ers going to MNNSHP that night! We'll have to all find a place to say hello! Maybe for the parade, or something??

I totally think we should do a DFW meet; there seem to be a lot of people in our area!!

Can't wait to hear what tours you are considering!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

waiting for your tour selection! Yeah, I have no patience!

 

[bettyann29]

ok..ok..

drumroll please... I believe I have it narrowed down to the 2 I want to do..

Now my first choices are:

Backstage Magic- this one goes to MK, DHS and Epcot.. its 7 hours .. yes.. 7 hours.. I remember Kevin talking about it on one of the podcasts and I remember thinking I wanted to do this one.. The price Im finding on this website shows $219 per person with lunch included.. This is a little more than I was planning on paying.. Heres what I found on it:
You’ll feel like a true Disney insider when you explore the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot from this entirely different perspective. The secret world behind the “Magic” is yours to uncover during this fascinating tour. Lunch at the Whispering Canyon restaurant at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort is included. Photo ID is required

Backstage Safari- Animal Kingdom-- This one is only 3 hours and price I am finding is $70 per person.. Heres what I found on it:
Backstage Safari: The Animal Kingdom theme park is yours to explore. This behind the scenes tour provides fascinating insights of the challenges faced in the operation of this unique venture. As you visit the Animal Nutrition Center and Veterinary Hospital, as well as other backstage areas, the specialists will discuss what goes into the day-to-day care of the wildlife. PLEASE NOTE:Guests with special needs can be accommodated with prior notice as moderate walking and stair climbing is involved.


I need to look into how far in advance you can book the tours.. It looks like I can get AAA discount on both.. Im thinking its around 15%.. My membership just went up but the discount alone on this can be the brunt of some of the costs of reenrolling.. so I'll check into that..

If the Backstage Magic one doesnt work due to pricing than I will go with Keys to the Kingdom- this one is 4 1/2- 5 hours and only $65 per person with lunch included.. Heres the info I found:
Keys to the Kingdom: Your “key” opens the doors behind the formation of the Magic Kingdom. You’ll feel as if you’re walking in Walt Disney’s footsteps as your tour guide shares stories of the “man behind the mouse.” You’ll learn of what led to the parks creation and the vision that inspires its continued growth. Both backstage areas and attractions are visited during this tour. Lunch at Columbia Harbour House is included. Large bags and cameras are prohibited.

The pricing may be a factor because I was wanting to surprise DH with the Richard Petty Driving Experience hopefully on this trip and I may need to downsize to the Keys to the Kingdom on this trip so I can make this surprise happend for DH..

Either way they all sound really cool....

On a good note I found out yesterday that we are still getting our bonus' at work.. I was hoping so as I planned on using that money to pay off our cruise that we are taking prior to our WDW trip since we will be in Florida for both.. It looks like its a go and Im hoping to get that next week.. Not sure yet how much it will be, but if I have anything left over after paying the cruise off than Im putting the rest on a disney giftcard to use for our trip..

 

[bettyann29]

There look to be quite a few DIS'ers going to MNNSHP that night! We'll have to all find a place to say hello! Maybe for the parade, or something??

I totally think we should do a DFW meet; there seem to be a lot of people in our area!!

Can't wait to hear what tours you are considering!

We will have to do something so we can at least say hello.. That would be great..

I know there was a DFW meet in February but I missed it Im hoping to catch one soon.. I did this one time with a group that I talk to on a cruise board and it was really neat to meet up with everyone that I talk with on the boards.. I havent done it yet for disers but that would be so cool..

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I say do the Backstage Magic! It is so worth it! We have gone more than once and truly enjoyed the experience. The seven hours FLY BY and if Nancy is your guide, she is AWESOME!!!! We had Carmen (I think that was her name) once too. It was incredible. We took my mom with us once and she SO LOVED it!

Some day I want to do the Safari one ...............

 

[HeatherBelle614]

There was a February meet? How do I find out about those? I must be lost in the dark. Oh no!!

Yay for your bonus, too!!!! What a wonderful surprise!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

I can't believe you made this PTR first, but I was reading your other one and didn't even realize this existed!! Glad to hear your DD is doing well!! I'm sure having this trip to look forward to will keep her in a good mood while she heals.

I say do the Backstage Safari! That sounds awesome. I mean, I'm sure the other one is also amazing, but I think it would be neat to learn about the animals.

 

[bettyann29]

There was a February meet? How do I find out about those? I must be lost in the dark. Oh no!!

Yay for your bonus, too!!!! What a wonderful surprise!

I know I didnt find it til recently.. when you first log onto the site click on Discussion Boards then scroll down and there is a link for DIS Meets.. Im so excited about that bonus too!! We usually get one every year but my company laid people off this year already so I figured with the economy the way it is that they might not do it this year, but they confirmed they will be doing it for this year and a minimum of 3 more years.. Thats great news..

I can't believe you made this PTR first, but I was reading your other one and didn't even realize this existed!! Glad to hear your DD is doing well!! I'm sure having this trip to look forward to will keep her in a good mood while she heals.

I say do the Backstage Safari! That sounds awesome. I mean, I'm sure the other one is also amazing, but I think it would be neat to learn about the animals.

Welcome Thanks for coming over here.. Yep I actually started this one first and the solo trip just kinda happened.. This PTR is the one with me and DH.. not sure if DD will be going with us as we are going on a cruise before our week at Disney and I dont know how it will go with her missing that much school.. Originally she wasnt going with us but since her surgery Ive been thinking more and more of trying to get her there with us.. I just have to see if I can make it work.. if I do bring her, I will leave it as a surprise for her..

She actually has been to Disney many times and the one request she made prior to her surgery was Seaworld.. and she really wants to see the Titanic Exhibit (there is one in Orlando) so if I can get her there with us than we will squeeze these 2 things in just for her.. If she cant go with us, then we will make a special trip to SeaWorld in San Antonio for a long weekend and get her to Orlando next year so she can see the exhibit.. I previously called to find out how long the exhibit was there for and was told it is permanent..

We will definitely do the Backstage Safari.. I love animals so much and think this one would be cool.. If DD does go I dont know if there is an age limit to do it.. I'll have to check on this

 

[bettyann29]

I was downloading some pictures from my camera today and while in my photobucket I came across this..

This is DD11 on her first cruise in 2003- she was 5 years old..

its a montage of pictures of her from the cruise.. enjoy

http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a328/bettyann29/?action=view&current=577c8d19.pbr