How our Party of 3 became our Party of 11/Updated w/pics 7/29

[Stephaniecmc]

Something should have told me the $99 airfare was too good to be true, but the airline gods wanted to be nice to me I guess. It's now June 1 and I'm at work when my cell phone rings, it's an 800 number so I don't answer it, the phone rings again with the same number, wow this must be important, so I answer. Here's what I hear from the computer generated voice:

Hello, your flight #...departing on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 7:07 pm has been cancelled. If you would like to be booked on another flight, please press 1 and hold for an operator.

Cancelled??? What do you mean, cancelled? This flight was perfect, it was a non-stop flight into MCO and we would arrive at 11:00 pm, which wasn't too terribly late for us. Do I want to book another flight, of course I do and I better not pay a single dime more!

I press #1 and a lovely lady answers the phone and would like to know if she could be of some assistance to me. Yes, yes you can. I want to scream get me another flight non-stop to see Mickey Mouse! But I politely state that since "they" cancelled my flight I need to be booked on another flight. They don't have another non-stop flight during the time frame that I was looking for (remember I still want Brian to work that day so we don't have to use another vacation day). They do have a flight that leaves at 5:55 pm, with a 45 minute lay-over in Atlanta, GA. I contemplate, will Brian still be able to work, come home, shower, and get all of us to the airport with enough time for the dreaded security line(we have not flown since 10/04). I'm determined that he can make it and I book the flight. Just before I hang up, I ask about our returning flight. Has that been cancelled...of course it has! I now need to book another flight home. Instead of flying out at 4:10 pm, we will be flying out non-stop at 1:10pm, which isn't too bad. So, that settles it our flights are secured...for now.

With that taken care of, I can't help but to think about my other travel companions, you know I won't be telling them about this little "mix-up". I will forever have to endure the "I told you so's" about waiting for SW. Just for the heck of it, I log onto SW to look into the ticket prices that they just posted today. Chicago to Orlando was about $109 one-way...hah! suckers, I got you beat! I call my family to see if they booked at that rate...

Me: Hi, I'm on SW website. Airfare is $109 one-way.
Diane: Oh, I think I'm going to wait. It's going to come down.
Me: Really, you think with the raising gas prices it's going to go down?
Diane: Yeah, they always runs specials.
Me: Ok, just thought I'd let you know.
Diane: Thanks, bye.

What is she thinking? Gas prices keep going up, we live about 40 minutes south of Chicago and gas here is $4.07 a gallon Scary I know. I really don't think the airlines are going to drop their prices, remember at this point "Baggage Fees" were rumors. Oh well, I call my mom to see if she wants to book. She's more respetive, but fails to book in the end.

I think it was finally the second week of June when the entire party decided it was time to purchase the airfare. They are all flying SW...for $122 one-way. 5 are flying in on Friday, 5 are flying in on Saturday....where's our last travel companion...

Coming up next, the newest addition to our party??

 

[Stephaniecmc]

So my sister began dating again. I'll call him Lime. Lime is a friend of a friend, who knew a little bit about my sister's experience. They started dating in mid April. Great guy, loves to hang out and have fun. Well, Lime saw my Disney planning info and asked what this is all about. I told him and he says, cool I want to go. My sister gives Lime this look... I said you really want to go to WDW with ALL of us? Brian says, you really need to rethink this idea. So as of right now Lime has no ticket, but wants to go with the family. Everyone is ok with it, including my sister who originally gave the look of horror.

The weirdest part of all of this is that all the ADR's that I made, I incorrectly counted and made them for 11 people, not the 10 in our party. Strange, huh?

Another flight change for our party of 3...Brian decides that he's going to use another vacation day, he's taking off on Saturday. I'm excited and I call the airline to book us on an earlier flight, I'm going for the 3:10 non-stop flight. This allows us plenty of time to do any last minute things at home and still not be rushed. Because of my earlier cancellation with AirTrans, I don't have to pay any fees for changing my flights, so I booked up the 3:10 flight and we're all set! Brian is now going to be off the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before we leave. This is great!

Thanks to the DISboards, I saw under the transportation forum that AirTrans was once again cancellling flights. Scared, yes I DIDN'T receive a phone call or email like I did the first time, so I log onto their website and sure enough my flight from Chicago has been cancelled AGAIN

I called Brian into the office and told him what happened, he said just book the first available non-stop flight out of Chicago. My eyes must have lit up like fireworks because he said "it's just a few hours" To me, it's just a few more hours that we can experience the Disney magic I'm so excited! I booked us all on the 8:00 a.m. non-stop flight to MCO, we will arrive at 11:00 a.m. Go get our rental car (more on that in a few minutes) and make our way to WDW!!!

Up next, I realize that I made a terrible mistake!

 

[bellasmommy0]

I'm hooked, more, more!!
I am so sorry about your DS fiance, that is an awful thing to happen. And yay for you getting to stay at Boardwalk for FREE!! I am so jealous!! I am impatiently waiting for the next installment...

 

[Stephaniecmc]

I'm hooked, more, more!!
I am so sorry about your DS fiance, that is an awful thing to happen. And yay for you getting to stay at Boardwalk for FREE!! I am so jealous!! I am impatiently waiting for the next installment...

I'm so glad to hear that you are hooked on my pre-trippie. I seriously didn't think anyone would want to read about my planning adventure.

I'm hoping to add another installment...if I could only figure out the pictures, my pre-trippie would be awesome!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

I begin to REALLY look at the calendar and realize the HUGE mistake that made

I wanted to arrive on Sunday, not Saturday. I had my dates wrong when I looked at the calendar. I really wanted to arrive on Sunday, which is REALLY when our hotel reservations are. **Uncle Scott reminded me of this when I told him the dates. He said he booked us for Sunday-Thursday, I never wrote down the date for Sunday...which is the 12. So now I have to get a hotel for one night so I dont' have to change my flights...again!

What to do what to do...I turn to the DISboards, surely I'm not the only person needed a hotel room for just 1 night. I go to the transporation forum and find a great deal at the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista using the Spirit airline code. I'm all excited, thinking I've got the best luck in the world.

I start to reserve my room and see that I need to reserve two nights to get this great deal...uh oh, I only need 1 night. But wait! My dad, stepmom, brother, and sister need a room for 1 night too because they flying in on Friday night. So, how do I book this great deal? I want to be fair and play by the rules, so I call the hotel and explain my situation. Ricardo is great and tells me that as long as my name and one other name from someone arriving on Friday night are on the reservation and should have no problem at all ! I got us 2 nights at the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista for only $66.00!!! Everyone in the party tells me how great I am and that should always have me do the planning...what about the time when I told them to purchase their flights for $99????? Hmmmm.

This is about the same time I decide to look into a rental car. I don't know if I mentioned this earlier but after our stay at Disney, my boys and I are headed over to the condo to join the rest of the family. My mom and Dan are flying out on Thursday afternoon, so we are going to enjoy their portion of the condo until Saturday...heck it's paid for! We will use this time to recup. I plan on running my family like crazy while we're at WDW, so I'm sure we'll need some down time by the pool.

Back to my rental car...no one wants to book their rental car yet. Which is fine with me, I just like to have another checked off my list. Our summers are always busy so I just keep plugging away at my planning list. I decided to go with Thrifty Rental Car (please warn me if this is bad). Brian and I have always had a truck, SUV, or Mini-van since we've been together, so I look into those first...Whoah! No way am I going to pay those prices for just the 3 of us. We go economy, I'm still hoping that we'll at least get a 4 door vehicle. We like the fact that we can drive to anywhere we may need to at the drop of a hat. I also like the fact that we can drive our car to the park since I've heard the transportation can be somewhat slooower.

Up next: A Very Scary Discovery on the DISboards...

 

[Stephaniecmc]

My dear friend, Michele, who happens to be in WDW RIGHT NOW!!! told me about the just for fun forums here on the DIS. I came across the Creative Forum...BIG MISTAKE, HUGE! I've spent SOOO much time there. This board is full of talented DISigners who are willing to create fabulous designs to make trips more magical! I've put in numerous requests, from T-shirt designs, passports, journals, and pressed pennies, but the fun doesn't stop there. You can get personlized invites, envelopes for Mousekeeping, and more. I've had to much fun there on that board. It's my new obsession, well it was until I started this pre-trip report!

So far I've made T-shirts for Mason to wear just about every day...some days he'll even have to shirts to wear. Since we are going to MNSSHP, I will be making us shirts to wear for that. We decided against costumes only because of the addtional baggage fees that airlines are now assessing. Oh well, we'll still be able to dress up for Halloween here.

I've also created a journal for Mason. I know he can't write or read yet, but I plan on interviewing him at the end of each day so we have a great momento when we get home. I'd like to get a passport for him for Kidcot, Pressed Pennies tubes, and more.

It is on this board that I learn about...Tink gifts! I never would have thought about that. So now I realize that if I don't do this my son will be scarred for life because Tinkerbell never visited his room to leave him any gifts. What kind of mother am I??? I frantically run to every DollarTree in a 30 miles radius collecting glow sticks, POTC stuff, Mickey stickers, Cars sandwich baggies, and any other DISNEY brand merchandise I can get my hands on. Brian looks at me like I'm crazy...which I'm slowly starting to think that I am. I now have a basket of goodies stashed in my office for our trip, way more than I think I will need.

I have several shirts that I need to finish, I would like to make matching shirts for us to wear at DHS. There is a great Incredibles DISign that I'd like to see if I can create. It will be our last day and I'd like to make it a special one.

Up next...another bump in the road.

 

[Stephaniecmc]

So here we are at the end of June. The rumor mill is running on overtime at Brian's job. Brian has been at the same job for almost 19 years. Of that 19 years, he's been a butcher for 16 of those years. Can you imagine, only 1 job even through high school????

Back to the subject, rumors are all over that the store where he works is being sold I'm freaking out, I find this out at my job and start crying. How are we going to be able to go to WDW if Brian loses his job? I call Brian: "Please tell me this isn't true...?" He says he doesn't know for sure, his bosses are not talking. I'm on pins and needles for the next week.

We celebrate the 4th of July with family and they seem to know more about the happenings of this supposed "sale" then we do, stange I know. I return to work on the Monday after the 4th to find out...it's true. The store that has been in our little town for 91 years is selling to another store! I cry again, what are we going to do?

I'm sick to my stomach just thinking about all of this. Details are slim to none about the status of the current employees, including long time employee Brian. Will the new company hire him? What about insurance? What about his pay? Most importantly...what about DISNEY???

Slowly the details are let out. The new company will take ownership of the store on July 21 and close for one week. One week, what about the employees? We soon learn that all of the employees must re-apply and re-interview for their positions with no guarantee that they will be hired back. Brian will lose all of his seniority and benefits, he starts at the bottom of the barrel...which includes no vacation!

We discuss the different options that we have for our trip. He knows that it will break my heart to cancel. He also knows it will break my heart if he doesn't go. He decides that Mason and I should still go and ask his mother to go in his place (he informs me that he's already ok'd it with her). We will pay the $75 name change fee for the flight and be done with it. I'm not too keen on this, but will make it work. We also decide that we will not make any final decisions until we know what is going on with his job...which he will find out on July 17.

Up next: The Big Decision!

 

[bellasmommy0]

OK, now you need to come back and let me know if Brian is going..??
You sound like me about the Tink gifts, I always buy too many!! DD thinks that tink REALLY likes her.. I guess that is the way it is when they are the one and only.

 

[pandapooh]

i hate cliffhangers!! but i'm waiting to find out what happens. losing senority, benefits and vacation time is i hope everything works itself out. don't keep us waiting for too long!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

OK, now you need to come back and let me know if Brian is going..??
You sound like me about the Tink gifts, I always buy too many!! DD thinks that tink REALLY likes her.. I guess that is the way it is when they are the one and only.

Stay tuned...If I can find some tim while at work today, I will fill you in.

i hate cliffhangers!! but i'm waiting to find out what happens. losing senority, benefits and vacation time is i hope everything works itself out. don't keep us waiting for too long!

I hate waiting too, I promise it won't be long.

 

[Stephaniecmc]

July 17 is fast approaching, our household is on pins and needles. Brian is VERY crabby, not knowing if he's got a job or not. I'm worried about health insurance, Brian has carried the health insurance on Mason since he was born. If I have to put him on my policy at work, I'd be working to pay daycare and health insurance...why work?

In this midst of all of this, we're planning Mason's 4th birthday party. Mason can't decide what theme he wants. I would like to see something Disney related of course...did I tell you I'm an avid scrapbooker??? I've got some great things in mind for his birthday party layouts in my scrapbook, but they require using the newest CM Disney products!!

So it's a toss up between Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Cars. Decisions, Decisions for this soon to be 4 year old. One minute it's Mickey, the next it's Lightning McQueen. He finally decides on Cars after seeing all the decorations at the store. Planning this party has helped me occupy my time. I made the cutest invitations, I show Brian. He could care less. Mason loves them, they feature his favorite characters, Lightning McQueen and Mater. Aunt Jenna calls him Mater and he loves it!

Ok, I'm sure you're all wondering what is happening with Brian's job....

He gets to keep his job!!! We found out that they will be re-hiring 95% of the employees back, at the same rate of pay for most of them. Benefits on the other hand we'll have to wait 90 days for insurance and paid holidays. We have to wait one year for 401K and vacation days Brian does lose his seniority, but they realize that he is an asset to the company.

Before his orientation I remind him, please inform them that we have a PRE-PLANNED vacation coming up in October and you will need to be off. Does he remember this....NO He comes home and I am not happy at all. I tell him he needs to call there immediately and let them know we HAVE to go on this vacation! He waits and he waits, did I mention my wonderfu hubby likes to procrastinate?

We found out on July 19 that....He gets to take his vacation!!!!! Of course this is without pay, but we also find out that the former company will be issuing un-used vacation day checks in two weeks!!!!

We're still going to Disney as a family!!!!

Up Next: Now they all want to help plan....

 

[bellasmommy0]

July 17 is fast approaching, our household is on pins and needles. Brian is VERY crabby, not knowing if he's got a job or not. I'm worried about health insurance, Brian has carried the health insurance on Mason since he was born. If I have to put him on my policy at work, I'd be working to pay daycare and health insurance...why work?

In this midst of all of this, we're planning Mason's 4th birthday party. Mason can't decide what theme he wants. I would like to see something Disney related of course...did I tell you I'm an avid scrapbooker??? I've got some great things in mind for his birthday party layouts in my scrapbook, but they require using the newest CM Disney products!!

So it's a toss up between Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Cars. Decisions, Decisions for this soon to be 4 year old. One minute it's Mickey, the next it's Lightning McQueen. He finally decides on Cars after seeing all the decorations at the store. Planning this party has helped me occupy my time. I made the cutest invitations, I show Brian. He could care less. Mason loves them, they feature his favorite characters, Lightning McQueen and Mater. Aunt Jenna calls him Mater and he loves it!

Ok, I'm sure you're all wondering what is happening with Brian's job....

He gets to keep his job!!! We found out that they will be re-hiring 95% of the employees back, at the same rate of pay for most of them. Benefits on the other hand we'll have to wait 90 days for insurance and paid holidays. We have to wait one year for 401K and vacation days Brian does lose his seniority, but they realize that he is an asset to the company.

Before his orientation I remind him, please inform them that we have a PRE-PLANNED vacation coming up in October and you will need to be off. Does he remember this....NO He comes home and I am not happy at all. I tell him he needs to call there immediately and let them know we HAVE to go on this vacation! He waits and he waits, did I mention my wonderfu hubby likes to procrastinate?

We found out on July 19 that....He gets to take his vacation!!!!! Of course this is without pay, but we also find out that the former company will be issuing un-used vacation day checks in two weeks!!!!

We're still going to Disney as a family!!!!

Up Next: Now they all want to help plan....

Yay!!!! Brian gets to go too, and if you put the unpaid vaca days check away, it will be like he is getting paid!!
I went to the dollar tree today and bought some things, so you will have to come over and check them out later, I am going to take a picture. Oh and you need to figure out the pics and post some!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

Yay!!!! Brian gets to go too, and if you put the unpaid vaca days check away, it will be like he is getting paid!!
I went to the dollar tree today and bought some things, so you will have to come over and check them out later, I am going to take a picture. Oh and you need to figure out the pics and post some!

I'm still trying to figure out the photos. I've created a photo bucket account, let's see where I can get tonight.

We are elated that Brian still gets to go on our vacation. I told him that check he gets from his old company MUST go into savings...he thinks he should go fishing!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

With our trip just over 3 months away, my family has decided that we should all meet to "plan". What do they think I've been doing for the past how many months?? To be honest with you this whole thing is a lie...I've been at the spa not planning our once in a lifetime trip to WDW Seriously, do they not understand how much planning this takes??

The rumors are apparently true that ticket prices are going up. Way back in June I mentioned this to my family. Well, all of a sudden, "it's time to buy our tickets! We have to do it this week!". It's all I've been hearing about! So I say that I'm going to get my tickets through Undercover Tourist or the offical Ticket Center. I'm told to not order our tickets yet because, and I quote "my niece is a VERY thrifty shopper, let me see where she got her tickets"....

My travel companions would also like to know of some places to eat. Obviously they have forgotten that I made the ADR's back in APRIL!!!! Which by the way, have I shared those with you yet? I don't think I have, I will add a separate post on our ADR's. My wonderful mother says that she and Dan would like to go to LeCellier for dinner one night...yeah right! I highly doubt that's going to happen now!

Did I also mention that they also informed me that they will only be going to WDW for 2 days, not the 5 that I have everso carefully planned for? They also want to know what I have planned for Univ? Have I mentioned going there, no I don't think so...

I'll bring you up to speed on Brian's new job. His old bosses HIGHLY frowned upon overtime. Brian has worked 48 hours in 5 days, he's pretty tired and a little cranky. I'm liking the extra money that will come in handy for the insurance we have to purchase. He is still at work and it's almost 5, he should have been home by 3:00. I've called the sitter to see if I need to come and get Mason, she says no...let's see how she really feels when we pick him up. Tonight we are supposed to go school shopping for Mason, my little man is going to preschool again this year. 4 year old preschool, every day!!

Up Next: Our ADR's as of right now...

 

[bellasmommy0]

With our trip just over 3 months away, my family has decided that we should all meet to "plan". What do they think I've been doing for the past how many months?? To be honest with you this whole thing is a lie...I've been at the spa not planning our once in a lifetime trip to WDW Seriously, do they not understand how much planning this takes??

The rumors are apparently true that ticket prices are going up. Way back in June I mentioned this to my family. Well, all of a sudden, "it's time to buy our tickets! We have to do it this week!". It's all I've been hearing about! So I say that I'm going to get my tickets through Undercover Tourist or the offical Ticket Center. I'm told to not order our tickets yet because, and I quote "my niece is a VERY thrifty shopper, let me see where she got her tickets"....

My travel companions would also like to know of some places to eat. Obviously they have forgotten that I made the ADR's back in APRIL!!!! Which by the way, have I shared those with you yet? I don't think I have, I will add a separate post on our ADR's. My wonderful mother says that she and Dan would like to go to LeCellier for dinner one night...yeah right! I highly doubt that's going to happen now!

Did I also mention that they also informed me that they will only be going to WDW for 2 days, not the 5 that I have everso carefully planned for? They also want to know what I have planned for Univ? Have I mentioned going there, no I don't think so...

I'll bring you up to speed on Brian's new job. His old bosses HIGHLY frowned upon overtime. Brian has worked 48 hours in 5 days, he's pretty tired and a little cranky. I'm liking the extra money that will come in handy for the insurance we have to purchase. He is still at work and it's almost 5, he should have been home by 3:00. I've called the sitter to see if I need to come and get Mason, she says no...let's see how she really feels when we pick him up. Tonight we are supposed to go school shopping for Mason, my little man is going to preschool again this year. 4 year old preschool, every day!!

Up Next: Our ADR's as of right now...

People dont realize how much planning it actually takes to have a great vacation. Last year we went with MIL/FIL/SIL-BIL-Nephew/and my sister. And I planned all the meals and such, well lets just say that it wasnt stuck to by all and it didnt seem like they appreciated all the time I put into it. So this year I am making our plans and letting them know about them. And we plan to all go our own way and just get together when we can.
Yay for overtime, it may make Brian tired but it is money for bills and disney.

 

[Alysa]

Love your very exciting trip report. You are going to be there the same time as us and with the same number of people, plus a one day two people add on...! You picked the opposite date for MNSSHP though - I didn't know the 13th was cheaper - we picked the 16th, our last day!
Tell your DH that we have gone and paid cash for all our food and spent $2000 for a week, and even ordering groceries and going out to only a couple of restaurants still cost us $1000. The dining plan is definitely the cheapest way to go.

Seriously, do they not understand how much planning this takes??

Love this! I hear you! Glad your DH is able to make it. See you there!

 

[pandapooh]

So true about the planning, dbf was shocked to hear that we had to make reservations for where we wanted to eat 90-180 days out. Ooh i can't wait to see your ADR's.

 

[Stephaniecmc]

After much planning...way back in early April, I booked the following ADR's:

Sunday, October 12, 2008 **Arrival Day @ Disney**Magic Kingdom
Lunch: The Plaza @ 12:20 p.m.
Dinner: Tony's Town Square @ 6:45 p.m.

Monday, October 13, 2008 **Animal Kingdom**
Breakfast: Donald's Safari Breakfast @ Tusker House @ 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: Yak & Yeti @ 1:00 p.m.
***Afternoon break...MNSSHP***
Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern @ 6:05 p.m.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 ***Epcot***
Breakfast: Chef Mickey's @ 7:35 a.m.
Lunch: Coral Reef @ 12:40 p.m.
Dinner: Teppan Edo @ 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 ***Magic Kingdom***
Breakfast: Crystal Palace @ 8:05 a.m.
Lunch: CS-Casey's or Harbour
Dinner: Whispering Canyon Cafe @ 6:45 p.m.

Thursday, October 16, 2008 ***DHS-aka Depature Day***
Breakfast: Beach Club Breakfast Buffet at Cape May Cafe @ 8:05 a.m.
Lunch: Play & Dine at Hollywood & Vine @ 11:45 a.m. **May cancel**
Dinner: Fantasmic Dinner Package @ Hollywood & Vine @ 4:30 p.m.

So that's my ADR's, I'd like to go to Raglan Road, just don't know when.

Up Next...The Planning Committee Unites...

 

[Stephaniecmc]

Love your very exciting trip report. You are going to be there the same time as us and with the same number of people, plus a one day two people add on...! You picked the opposite date for MNSSHP though - I didn't know the 13th was cheaper - we picked the 16th, our last day!
Tell your DH that we have gone and paid cash for all our food and spent $2000 for a week, and even ordering groceries and going out to only a couple of restaurants still cost us $1000. The dining plan is definitely the cheapest way to go.


Love this! I hear you! Glad your DH is able to make it. See you there!

Thanks for stopping by my Pre-Trip! I love new visitors! Come on out all the lurkers and tell me how you like my pre-trip! I made a little spreadsheet with the approx. cost per meal for each of us to help him realize how much we'd be spending if we DON'T do the DDP.

So true about the planning, dbf was shocked to hear that we had to make reservations for where we wanted to eat 90-180 days out. Ooh i can't wait to see your ADR's.

I just posted them!

People dont realize how much planning it actually takes to have a great vacation. Last year we went with MIL/FIL/SIL-BIL-Nephew/and my sister. And I planned all the meals and such, well lets just say that it wasnt stuck to by all and it didnt seem like they appreciated all the time I put into it. So this year I am making our plans and letting them know about them. And we plan to all go our own way and just get together when we can.
Yay for overtime, it may make Brian tired but it is money for bills and disney.

No, the really don't know who much planning it takes. My mom has been saying "we never had to do any of that in the past" and in the same breath says that she hears stories about her co-works not being able to eat where they want to because they didn't make an ADR! It's very frustrating! Yeah for the overtime! Last night he got home at 5:45, Mason was not happy...he misses his daddy. The two of them get to spend so much time together in the afternoon before I get home from work. We did go shopping last night, so I wasn't able to work on the pics, hopefully tonight!

 

[Stephaniecmc]

So in a previous post I mentioned that my travel companions now want to "help" with the planning. Our first "meeting" is to take place this Thursday night. I'm a little torn on what to do. Brian thinks I should bring all of the information that I have gathered and place it in the middle of the table for them to look through and that I should sit back and watch!

What's your take? I've spent months working on this trip in hopes that it would be a great trip for all of us. I know that in an instance my good Disney mood will be ruined. I MUST get out of this funk...

Up next: Another discovery!