I Am NOT a Bad, Bad Baby -- TR final updates 9/12

[annmarieda]

I am so sorry about your mom. That can't be an easy situation. Nor can the one with Mark be. At least you won't go homeless Still the stress of it isn't fun, I am sure. Glad you are not canceling trips.

I think I may need to ride Pooh in the fall. I almost didn't recognize the ride. Yep.. it has been that long since I have rode it.

 

[Pluto0809]

Kathy first of all so sorry that your Mom is having problems. It is so hard to watch family get older.

I love your attitude with Mark's job loss. Yes it's a set back but at least it's not the end of the world for you guys and you will be fine. I'm glad you are still continuing with your trips.

There's nothing like seeing that castle for the first time each trip! And of course you had to head to Starbucks first. I'm not a coffee drinker myself but some of the cupcakes they have in there look yummy so I may have to stop in.

Sounds like you have had a pretty productive night so far. Did the TTA go down for rehab while you were there? It was supposed to be down in February and my brother was pretty disappointed. Lucky for him, they moved the rehab till later and he got to ride.

 

[MotherandDaughter]

Joining in!
Yay for Olivia's! One of my favorite restaurants in Disney.
I'm so sad to hear about your husband and your mom. Sending prayers and hugs your way.
Those Olaf cupcakes are adorable.

 

[afwdwfan]

Again, hoping for the best for your mom and Mark. I hope he can put this behind him and enjoy his summer. Just think about it like he's in school again. Nothing to do all summer but go to baseball games and enjoy some time to kick back.

I hope he finds something he truly wants to do rather than just finding a job for the sake of finding a job. Maybe Todd will come up with something.

First stop was for Miss Kathy. I had been up early and don't have quite the time difference and was in need of a pick me up to continue on:

Yes, Andy, I am at Starbucks:

Everything feels normal and right with the world.

We headed to a favorite before it closed down for refurb

Refurb? Clearly I'm not keeping up with the attraction closing news/rumors well enough.

 

[pas130]

Glad your Mom is home, and I think it is a very proactive idea to look around at rehab facilities. Whether short or long term, the better ones can be tough to get into. And another about a crap severance package. A job in Florida...near Todd and Nicki..sounds wonderful to me!!!!

Avery is rocking the hat! You go girl Winnie the Pooh always makes me think of you and Mark! Something about Tigger Loving this TR

 

[PrncessA]

Still sending prayers for your family and your mother!

Yay MK!! We were at MK only one day before the TTA shut down and we didn't make it on it! I was so disappointed, but it was inching closer and closer to 3am and we couldn't stop walking on to ride after ride. The kids did see the Astro Orbiters (which scare the begezzes out of me) and I just hurried them along, knowing that it would be closed the rest of the trip. Is that mean?

I love Cayley's hat and hoodie combo!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Continued prayers for you always my friend.

I love the determination on your face on the buzz spin cycle!!!!

yum coffee.. best stuff on the planet.


I don't need to remind anyone on your thread on what a wonderful considerate thoughtful person you are.
Thank you TONS for the park maps. I got them yesterday (because i worked 2 jobs on Monday here and dog training)

So i walk into the kitchen yesterday put my work bag down and lo and behold there are the park maps and wrapped around them is the best note paper around! DISNEY!!! it's so cute!!!!
BUT my hair-brained husband left them OUT IN THE OPEN ON MY KITCHEN COUNTERS!!! I almost killed him right there on the spot.. Thankfully the kids did not see them!!!

Thank you again Kathy your the best.

 

[Linda67]

Oh Kathy, I am so sorry to hear you and your family are going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment
Stay positive, I just know that everything will work out
I am sending my positive thoughts and best wishes across the Atlantic to you xx

 

[amberg93]

I hope that your lawyer can get everything sorted out for you, but I'm glad that you're still going to be able to take your trips

Onward with this trip, MK is the way to go! So many great rides to do.

And I love your Buzz pictures. People either always look really intense or just really not into it lol

 

[tazdev3225]

Glad to hear your mom is home for now. We had to put my MIL in a nursing home with Alzheimers many years ago. It's never an easy decision but sometimes the only one that can be made.

That's great that you work for attorneys and hopefully they can help. I am like MeMom, after the initial shock I leave it in God's hands. He always has a plan we just don't know what it is. Maybe a signal that it' time to think about Florida. Sadly I'll never get to do that. My DH HATES the heat and I could never leave my family.

I love the TTA but am glad it is getting refurbed. It broke down constantly on my trip. Glad you got Starbucks. I am not a fan of their coffee so skipped it. Next time I am getting a friend to stop at a WAWA when she comes to visit for the day. They have them in Florida now and she likes them. It's a local place that is branching out and I do love their coffee.

 

[shan23877]

I'm late, but I'm here! Thanks for the messages I'm going to get caught up today----I hope

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

My mom is home, but I don't know for how long. She may have to go to a short term rehab facility and depending on her next doctor's visit, into a Nursing Home. Physically she is doing okay (issues, but nothing major at the moment; she does have cancer, but it is very small at the moment), but mentally she is not there and I'm not sure how long my brother can handle her.

Mark: he had a rough night sleeping last night, but he sounded okay when I talked to him this morning (he was sleeping when I left). The severance package is unacceptable and I have my attorneys looking at it to see if there is an age discrimination suit. As of now, Mark will take the summer off unless something spectacular comes up. I think he needs some time to regroup and just relax. He's been so stressed since last October with the job. There is one opportunity that might come up in our area; we have Todd keeping his eyes open in Florida for him.

I hope and pray that you will both have the wisdom you need to make the right decisions in all of these situations. Hang in there...it will get better.

Yes, Andy, I am at Starbucks:

C'mon! I keep telling you to wait until we're sitting down before you drop a bombshell like that.

You always look so intent on defeating Zurg. Not that I have room to joke about those ride photos.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Just wanted to pop in and say "Morning and I'm thinking about you guys."

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Kathy, I was so sad to hear what happened with Mark's job...I can hope that this will allow you two to move toward your dream of moving to Florida sooner rather thank later. You know my thoughts, prayer and love are with you, my friend.

Thankful your mom is home and know the decisions to be made will not be easy...continued love and prayer during these difficult days. Gentle hugs.

We were at Disney when you began this TR so I've quite a bit of catching up to do! So enjoyed all the FB pics while you were there!

Going back to do some reading! xo

ETA - loving the pics! The girls are so darn cute! It is fun to see them growing into not so little girls now...pretty as ever. One of these days I will have to stay at OKW - always avoided it because it is so spread out and would want to be reasonably close to the Hospitality House. Also worried about the long bus rides but you all seem to do just fine. The pics you and Karin post of the resort and Olivia's sure make it tempting to stay there soon.

 

[JulieODC]

Sending lots of good vibes to your family

Glad to hear you are keeping your trips

And, your girls trip is going well -- Pooh is one of my all time favorites!!

 

[petals]

Sounds like you had a great arrival day

 

[KatMark]

First, continued prayers for your mom and Mark. We're here for you! Glad to hear you're still doing your upcoming travel, hopefully that will lift your spirits.

Thank you. There was no way I was cancelling fully paid off trips.

Shame on his job about the severance package. Glad to hear you're looking into it.

It truly was an insult what they offered them.

I'm so glad they have Starbucks now at Disney and we don't have to drink that crappy Nescafe business.

You and me both!

LOVE the PeopleMover! What a great way to take a load off and see the sights.

It's such a relaxing ride and fun place to people watch from.

I see some very determined faces on Buzz! Those are always some of my favorite ride photos.

And I never remember when they take a picture...so I must always look like that.

I kind of like the sound of that moving to Florida thing. Maybe this is a good time to make that change, if he is going to make a change anyway. Of course, that may make things difficult in caring for your mom. I don't know the answers, but God will direct your paths to just the right thing.

If something opens up for him there, we will give it careful consideration. I can't leave my boss until June 30 2016, but we would figure something out. Not to sound mean, but my mom and I are not close (long family history of how she treated my daddy), but she has my brother who lives with her and I have another brother 45 minutes away so I know they would take care of her needs.

It's definitely nice that you can still take your trips, and I am glad Mark can have some relaxing stress-free time this summer.

I truly think he needs it after this week. Today I have him cooking dinner so it will be ready when I get home because all of his baseball games today (he had 4) were cancelled due to the rain we had the last two days.

I remember arrival day and seeing the first pictures and being excited for all of you.

Thanks, Caren.

Wow, it looks like the weather was beautiful for an evening at Magic Kingdom!

It was a really beautiful evening that night.

You all seem to have gotten quite a few rides in for arriving so late in the day, WTG!

And there are more to come.

Glad that you will be alright at least in the near term and that you will be able to still take both your trips!

The trips were an easy decision since they are both paid for in full, with the food money and a little bit of "playing" money set aside.


Ah love the people mover, great choice for a first trip!

Love that ride. I must admit I have no idea when it is scheduled to reopen. Does anyone know?

You all look like you take your Space Ranger Spin very seriously

It's the only time I can beat anyone; my husband kicks my butt every time but once when I hit that 99,000 right off.

I'm glad your mom is doing okay!
I'm also glad that you are not canceling your trips. It will be good for you both to have some enjoyment.

Thanks, Sheree. I think fun is just what the doctor ordered.


See, sometimes it's good to know lawyers!!! I hope they can help you out.

I might not like working for them, but right now I am glad that I do.

I agree with everything MeMom said!!

Thanks.

Awesome!

Doesn't she just look so cute?

Glad you mom is home!

Thanks, Mary Ellen.

The stinks about the severance package. I really hope you can negotiate a better package. I'm glad Mark is taking the summer off and I'm happy you are not canceling any of your plans for your upcoming trips.

I do too. It was such an insult in what they offered. I'll be happy with half of what my attorney is going to ask for.

 

[KatMark]

Oh Kathy, I am so very sorry. For some reason it seems that when it rains, it pours. Here's praying for a beautiful rainbow very soon. Hugs, my friend.

Thank you, Tracy.

Finally here! So sorry to hear about Mark and about your Mom. I sincerely hope all works out well for everyone. Will keep you all in my prayers.

Thanks, Tess. I very much appreciate it.

A couple of things I remember from reading -

Charlie and I ate at Olivia's on our trip in 2010 and really enjoyed it. The problem that trip was that we had not been to WDW in several years and had no clue where to eat, so most of the restaurants were in resorts. We were like a couple of keystone cops trying to find each one - especially in the large resorts like OKW.... I have been keeping Olivia's in reserve for another trip.

I hope you go back; it truly has become a favorite of ours.

What's with no Starbucks at Midway? D~ and I looked all over for one and ended up getting coffee in a bookstore - it was good, but still.....

Isn't that annoying? There is one restaurant in there that serves Starbucks, but I don't drink regular coffee...I have to have cappucinos. Every other airport I've been to has them.

My worst experience on a plane was when the person in the seat next to me, spilled over and was sitting ON me. I was against the window and had very little room to move - and every time I did scootch over, she seemed to also.

Oh my...that must have been awful.

How did you rate 2 snacks? I only ever get one - except for that time I voluntarily gave up my seat so a couple could sit together - I got a whole can of coke and a couple bags of pretzels.

I thought it was strange too. I didn't expect one, but when we got Wheat Thins and nuts I was really surprised. On the flight home, I had dozed off for a bit and they had to sit down right before that because of turbulence. They had just given me my treats; when they were able to get up and pass out again they must have forgotten I'd already gotten mine, because when I woke up I had two more.

So sorry to hear about your mom and Mark's job. Sending hugs and prayers and nothing but good thoughts your way. And hoping for better things to come. Maybe this will be the "open window" you need to get an earlier start to your move to FL!

Thanks, Linda. I'm confident things will work out.

I understand why you would not give up the vacations. I think I would be able to find some other things I could get rid of here at home before I would want to trade in my time away with friends.

We will cut back on eating out and little things here and there (mini-golf, I've cut down on my Starbucks per day, etc.).

All caught up on the updates.
Mary, the girls are getting sooooo big!! And I understand the decrease in vacation funds. Gymnastics gets as expensive as once they really start getting into the Team stuff. And the running around to get them to and from .... But I think it is so great to find kids something they love to do and to keep them busy.

I agree; all sports can be expensive...even wrestling!

Kathy, sorry you had an obnoxious one behind you. Really annoying when that happens (airplane, movies, plays). Too bad many parents are too busy watching their phones to watch their kids. Glad your flight was uneventful. And I know what you mean about those snacks. SW used to have a Ritz cracker/pretzel variety pack that I was hooked on for a loooooooong time!! Wonder if SW gets Nabisco kickbacks.

I wouldn't be surprised.

Olivia's looks like a nice place to eat. May have to try that some time.

It's great (just don't tell anyone).

You had quite a fun evening at MK. The girls are real troopers keeping their eyeballs open into the night after a long travel day. Of course, a little Starbucks is a wonder pick-me-up for us older, dragging sort of folks!

It was a great pick-up for those girls too.

Will try to be better about keeping up and posting. Summer is finally here and I finally may have some time to .

No worries; I know how busy we all get.

Just popping in to say that I'm here! I have a lot of catching up to do but I will get caught up! I hope all is well

Krysten, I'm so glad you found me. I've missed you.

Good gracious! I miss out on the DIS for a couple of weeks and you have a new report with 12 pages already.......I will catch up.....eventually!!!

Thanks for being here. You aren't far behind...I promise, Raina.

I'm sorry to hear about Mark's job loss, but I'm glad that everything will be fine for awhile.

Thanks, Megan. We will manage; we have our health and each other and that is most important.

I love that Avery is keeping Mark's hat tradition when he's not there to do it himself!

She's a good girl (as is Cayley).

Kathy, we are staying at Kidani on points in January.

I LOVE Kidani.

So sorry to hear about the rough times. I hope things turn around quickly. Glad you still get to take your trips this year!

Thanks, Caitlin. I hope they do too; but I don't want Mark taking a job just to have a job. I want him to find something he will enjoy (something he has not done the last several years at the old job).

Fun choice of rides that night. Gotta love the people mover! It was supposed to be down for our February trip and I was so happy they pushed it back.

I hope it's open by September or I will really have a GRUMPY on my hands.

 

[KatMark]

I know that you'll soon have to face some hard decisions regarding your mother and her care. You can only do so much though and it may, as you say, come down to having her live in a nursing home or some similar facility.

I actually just hung up with my brother. She is going to the rehab place tomorrow. She is just too much for him to handle at this point; medicare will pay for us to six weeks for her.

I am glad to hear that Mark sounded better when you spoke to him earlier today. I hope that he was still feeling better when you got home this evening. Maybe some of the attorneys in your firm can negotiate a better severance package and avoid any type of litigation which we both know can drag out for way too long.

I hope so too; plus I don't want to have to pay for a litigation, long-drawn out affair.

On a brighter note, I think that it's good that you kept your travel plans intact. You need something to look forward to and the two trips may be just what the doctor ordered.

I agree 100%.

Yay for going to the most Magical Place on Earth....the Magic Kingdom! Like you, we got a ride in on the People Mover before it closed for refurb and I'm glad that we did. And, you got to ride Pooh too! What a great evening!

It was a great place to start our vacation. How can you not love the People Mover!

Praying for you, for Mark and for your family! Sending virtual hugs your way!

Thank you for the texts too, Lisa.

Sorry that things aren't looking completely up for your Mom. I hope you are able to find a good facility for her once she does need permanent care beyond your brother's ability. Conversely, I'm so glad you can still keep your trips and be okay for a while without Mark having to stress too much about getting another job quickly. Good luck with looking into the age discrimination, I know you had mentioned that last year when they initially started giving him trouble.

My brother toured the facility she is going to tomorrow and he said it was good. I appreciate the support.

Yay for a MK evening! I love that your first attraction was Peoplemover, after getting the necessary Starbucks of course. And your Buzz pictures were great too.

Love me some Peoplemover and Starbucks!

I am so sorry Kathy. This may be a sign of better things to come. Things happen for a reason. Maybe something will open up in Florida for you both. That would be awesome.

I can't go until 2016, but Mark can go and it would give me more excuses to go myself for long weekends.

You evening looks very fun, glad you made it over to Mk for a little bit....gotta get in every bit of it you can...right?

Absolutely!

I am so sorry about your mom. That can't be an easy situation. Nor can the one with Mark be. At least you won't go homeless Still the stress of it isn't fun, I am sure. Glad you are not canceling trips.

Thanks, Ann. It's stressful, but I've become very good at dealing with stress over the years.

I think I may need to ride Pooh in the fall. I almost didn't recognize the ride. Yep.. it has been that long since I have rode it.

I love Pooh; it does need a paint job though.

Kathy first of all so sorry that your Mom is having problems. It is so hard to watch family get older.

Thanks, Ariana; it truly is.

I love your attitude with Mark's job loss. Yes it's a set back but at least it's not the end of the world for you guys and you will be fine. I'm glad you are still continuing with your trips.

Thanks; as I said earlier, we have each other and our health; this is a just a roadblock.

There's nothing like seeing that castle for the first time each trip! And of course you had to head to Starbucks first. I'm not a coffee drinker myself but some of the cupcakes they have in there look yummy so I may have to stop in.

Definitely not; and I still get teary-eyed every time I see it for the "first time" on a trip. I must have my coffee or I would be wearing the Grumpy shirts.

Sounds like you have had a pretty productive night so far. Did the TTA go down for rehab while you were there? It was supposed to be down in February and my brother was pretty disappointed. Lucky for him, they moved the rehab till later and he got to ride.

Yes, it went down two days after we got there. I'm glad your brother was able to ride.

Joining in!
Yay for Olivia's! One of my favorite restaurants in Disney.
I'm so sad to hear about your husband and your mom. Sending prayers and hugs your way.
Those Olaf cupcakes are adorable.

Thank you so much for joining...Mary and I appreciate it.

Olivia's is just so good; and very friendly staff. Thank you for the prayer and hugs. I hope they still have those cupcakes in September as I really want one.

 

[KatMark]

Again, hoping for the best for your mom and Mark. I hope he can put this behind him and enjoy his summer. Just think about it like he's in school again. Nothing to do all summer but go to baseball games and enjoy some time to kick back.

Thank you, Andy. He has picked up a LOT of high school doubleheaders for their summer baseball season before he has his evening games with travel teams.

I hope he finds something he truly wants to do rather than just finding a job for the sake of finding a job. Maybe Todd will come up with something.

My feeling exactly and why I told him NOT to rush to find one.

Everything feels normal and right with the world.

I knew that was coming.

Refurb? Clearly I'm not keeping up with the attraction closing news/rumors well enough.

Obviously not. Bad DISer!

Glad your Mom is home, and I think it is a very proactive idea to look around at rehab facilities. Whether short or long term, the better ones can be tough to get into. And another about a crap severance package. A job in Florida...near Todd and Nicki..sounds wonderful to me!!!!

Thanks, Jeanette; she is going to rehab tomorrow, but I think it is for the best. I would love nothing better than a job near Todd and Nicki.

Avery is rocking the hat! You go girl Winnie the Pooh always makes me think of you and Mark! Something about Tigger Loving this TR

She did look great in the hat (later in the trip she was getting that "NO MORE PICTURES LOOK"). It must be the whole Tigger and Eeyore thing.

Still sending prayers for your family and your mother!

Thanks, Sara.

Yay MK!! We were at MK only one day before the TTA shut down and we didn't make it on it! I was so disappointed, but it was inching closer and closer to 3am and we couldn't stop walking on to ride after ride. The kids did see the Astro Orbiters (which scare the begezzes out of me) and I just hurried them along, knowing that it would be closed the rest of the trip. Is that mean?

No, it's not mean. I don't like that thing either. We made Andy do it the one trip he was on with the girls.

I love Cayley's hat and hoodie combo!

She was freezing. Really? It's 90 and humid and she was freezing.

Continued prayers for you always my friend.

Thanks, Mo.

I love the determination on your face on the buzz spin cycle!!!!

I really hate to lose; I know where my kids get it from.

yum coffee.. best stuff on the planet.

ABSOLUTELY!


I don't need to remind anyone on your thread on what a wonderful considerate thoughtful person you are.
Thank you TONS for the park maps. I got them yesterday (because i worked 2 jobs on Monday here and dog training)

So i walk into the kitchen yesterday put my work bag down and lo and behold there are the park maps and wrapped around them is the best note paper around! DISNEY!!! it's so cute!!!!
BUT my hair-brained husband left them OUT IN THE OPEN ON MY KITCHEN COUNTERS!!! I almost killed him right there on the spot.. Thankfully the kids did not see them!!!

Thank you again Kathy your the best.

You are very welcome. It was an easy task to complete (the girls helped me). I would have killed my husband too!

Oh Kathy, I am so sorry to hear you and your family are going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment
Stay positive, I just know that everything will work out
I am sending my positive thoughts and best wishes across the Atlantic to you xx

Thank you to my friend across the Atlantic.

I hope that your lawyer can get everything sorted out for you, but I'm glad that you're still going to be able to take your trips

Thanks, Amber.

Onward with this trip, MK is the way to go! So many great rides to do.

Yes there are.

And I love your Buzz pictures. People either always look really intense or just really not into it lol

I love seeing the pictures after people were on Buzz.

Glad to hear your mom is home for now. We had to put my MIL in a nursing home with Alzheimers many years ago. It's never an easy decision but sometimes the only one that can be made.

I remember doing it with my Dad...it was awful.

That's great that you work for attorneys and hopefully they can help. I am like MeMom, after the initial shock I leave it in God's hands. He always has a plan we just don't know what it is. Maybe a signal that it' time to think about Florida. Sadly I'll never get to do that. My DH HATES the heat and I could never leave my family.

We can only hope they can do something. It will be hard leaving the kids, but that is what they have airplanes and skype and face time for.

I love the TTA but am glad it is getting refurbed. It broke down constantly on my trip. Glad you got Starbucks. I am not a fan of their coffee so skipped it. Next time I am getting a friend to stop at a WAWA when she comes to visit for the day. They have them in Florida now and she likes them. It's a local place that is branching out and I do love their coffee.

We found a lot of the rides to be breaking down a lot. Instead of doing all this new stuff, they ought to fix the old stuff first. Mark doesn't like Starbucks either. He drops me at Starbucks in the morning, goes around the corner to Dunkin Donuts for his coffee and then comes back and picks me up.

I'm late, but I'm here! Thanks for the messages I'm going to get caught up today----I hope

Shannon is here. I'm so happy you are, Shannon.