If I say it out loud, will my wish come true.. PTR May 2011(Link to TR pg41)

[crostorfer]

Hola! Just checking in to say hello and to see how your planning is going. It sounds like you had some hours over the holiday weeks, are you slowing down now like I am? January and February are the worst for me. I'm going to an interview this afternoon for another orthopedic office gig, wish me luck! Its the competitor to the place that I fill in at now, but I need another job if I'm going to get this trip paid for by the 45 day mark. The hospital I work for hired 2 more on call people, which means they now have more on call than full time employees. That little gem doesn't bode well for getting hours when we all have to split. :-( I think I'm breaking up with the hospital.

 

[pinkxray]

Hola! Just checking in to say hello and to see how your planning is going. It sounds like you had some hours over the holiday weeks, are you slowing down now like I am? January and February are the worst for me. I'm going to an interview this afternoon for another orthopedic office gig, wish me luck! Its the competitor to the place that I fill in at now, but I need another job if I'm going to get this trip paid for by the 45 day mark. The hospital I work for hired 2 more on call people, which means they now have more on call than full time employees. That little gem doesn't bode well for getting hours when we all have to split. :-( I think I'm breaking up with the hospital.

Good luck!
Yep, January is very slow. All the full timers used up vaca time over the holidays and no one is taking days off. I am guessing Feb. will be the same. The only time I might get hours will be Feb. vacation when people take off time to be with their kids, but Caitlin will be off too. I worked almost everyday of her xmas vacation and I am not working everyday of her Feb. vacation!

I need to start looking elsewhere too. The hospital has two on call positions open but they haven't interviewed anyone. They don't seem to worried about filling them. They will probably try to get them filled by summer though and then those new people will be stealing my hours!

I can't wait until March comes. That's when everyone will start going on vacations again and I can work a bit. That's also when I have to pay off balance at Disney. I still have to pay off the 1 night at VWL, tickets and plane. Crossing my fingers for many callouts.

 

[crostorfer]

I still have my plane tickets to buy too, and my park tickets. Ugh, and my room balance. Blah. I need to win the megamillions. LOL

Good luck!
Yep, January is very slow. All the full timers used up vaca time over the holidays and no one is taking days off. I am guessing Feb. will be the same. The only time I might get hours will be Feb. vacation when people take off time to be with their kids, but Caitlin will be off too. I worked almost everyday of her xmas vacation and I am not working everyday of her Feb. vacation!

I need to start looking elsewhere too. The hospital has two on call positions open but they haven't interviewed anyone. They don't seem to worried about filling them. They will probably try to get them filled by summer though and then those new people will be stealing my hours!

I can't wait until March comes. That's when everyone will start going on vacations again and I can work a bit. That's also when I have to pay off balance at Disney. I still have to pay off the 1 night at VWL, tickets and plane. Crossing my fingers for many callouts.

 

[TinksThree]

I find Epcot to be the one place I have the most difficulty in making choices! I would go with breakfast in the room, lunch at Beaches and Cream or else snack around the world. Supper could then be more flexible in going outside Epcot or trying a TS there before leaving.

I was torn between Via Napoli and Le Chefs and we went with Le Chefs. I want to try both even though Le Chefs gets nad reviews, I still want to try it at least once. DH doesn't care for much of anything Italian so I let the kids make the final decision. They love the France Pavilion though....but I think that is because of the bakery!!

 

[crostorfer]

Diane, I got a full time job! The interview I went to today went great! The Orthopedic Office is opening up another clinic right next to my house. I went in just for an on call job, and they asked if I would be interested in that full time gig. I told them that if I could work full time at the office 5 minutes from me that I would take it. AND THEY AGREED! I will work from 8-3 Monday through Friday! I am so relieved, I will totally be able to pay off the trip now!

 

[tinacaplan]

I am glad you made it over.

I am a little scared about the whole renting points thing but I figure why not try it once. If it doesn't work out we can find a place offsite or a value and never try it again. I'm not really worried though.

Via Napoli does look good. Where do you go for pizza in New Haven? I have been close to NH most of my life and never tried the pizza there. This year I will try it (just have to convince DH)

Thank you!

Hey...believe me, I hope it works for you because if it did, I'd try it. Are you using the service advertised on the boards? I couldn't remember. Has it been much of a hassle? This could be a really inexpensive way to stay at AKL or possibly even the BLT. Someday...

I've been born and raised on Pepe's Pizza on Wooster Street. The Spot, which is just behind it, is the same pizza; same owners, the whole thing. A lot of newbies don't know that and wait in the extraordinarily long lines at Pepe's. You have to think of the whole thing as an adventure in and of itself. We never have that hard a time if we get there a bit before five in the evening., Best pizza I've ever had! And nowhere near as pricey as Via Napoli, though I'm totally looking forward to my meal there, too!

 

[pinkxray]

I find Epcot to be the one place I have the most difficulty in making choices! I would go with breakfast in the room, lunch at Beaches and Cream or else snack around the world. Supper could then be more flexible in going outside Epcot or trying a TS there before leaving.

I was torn between Via Napoli and Le Chefs and we went with Le Chefs. I want to try both even though Le Chefs gets nad reviews, I still want to try it at least once. DH doesn't care for much of anything Italian so I let the kids make the final decision. They love the France Pavilion though....but I think that is because of the bakery!!

EPCOT is tough! I am thinking just take it easy this time and do cs and snacks. Then, one day stay at an EPCOT resort for a week with deluxe dining and just knock all the TS in EPCOT out.

 

[pinkxray]

Diane, I got a full time job! The interview I went to today went great! The Orthopedic Office is opening up another clinic right next to my house. I went in just for an on call job, and they asked if I would be interested in that full time gig. I told them that if I could work full time at the office 5 minutes from me that I would take it. AND THEY AGREED! I will work from 8-3 Monday through Friday! I am so relieved, I will totally be able to pay off the trip now!

Congrats! What a perfect job. I would love a day shift Mon- Fri. Anytime I see an opening(rarely) it's rotating shifts or nights with rotating weekends. The hospital I work at is opening a new clinic sometime in the fall so I am hopeful they'll have some full time positions. I think I can suffer for now. I just hate not having a set schedule.

I am so happy for you! (and jealous)

 

[pinkxray]

Hey...believe me, I hope it works for you because if it did, I'd try it. Are you using the service advertised on the boards? I couldn't remember. Has it been much of a hassle? This could be a really inexpensive way to stay at AKL or possibly even the BLT. Someday...

I've been born and raised on Pepe's Pizza on Wooster Street. The Spot, which is just behind it, is the same pizza; same owners, the whole thing. A lot of newbies don't know that and wait in the extraordinarily long lines at Pepe's. You have to think of the whole thing as an adventure in and of itself. We never have that hard a time if we get there a bit before five in the evening., Best pizza I've ever had! And nowhere near as pricey as Via Napoli, though I'm totally looking forward to my meal there, too!

I am using two different people. For VWL I did use the one advertised on site. It was a few dollars more a point, but I have heard good things. The other person I got in contact through the DVC rental board. He has been great. He even helped me out when I changed our dates from Feb. to May. I would have tried just going through him for the whole thing but I think he was in Disney or on a cruise when I decided to book and if I didn't do it right away I would have lost my nerve.

I haven't had any issues this far. I have asked questions of both and they have been great. The only thing I don't love about it is not being in control of your ressie. Not being able to change dates or resorts is tough for me. Although even with Disneys 40% off I am paying less for VWL buy renting points.

Thanks for the pizza info. I will have to check it out soon.

 

[pinkxray]

Finally only 4 months to go
Although my ticker is now one day off. I finally booked my plane tickets this week. I have a free flight through Southwest from their rapid rewards program but of course the day we were to fly back was blacked out. I figured I could use them for the flight to MCO but the flight I wanted was unavailable. Instead of flying out Friday night and coming back on Sunday morning we are now flying out Sat. morning on Jet blue and coming back Monday morning with Southwest. I was able to use the free tickets for Caitlin and I, so altogether I paid a little over $600 for the 3 of use. Not too bad.

As far as plans are going, I just don’t know. One day I’ll think I want this to be a relaxed, go with the flow trip with minimal TS and lots of pool time and then the next day I’ll think I should make sure to include everything I want to try since we won’t be back for awhile. Speaking of which DH said the other day that he doesn’t want to go back for 5 years. Next vacation he wants to go on a cruise(not Disney) and then Hawaii. He did say that I could go by myself but I just don’t know if I would even want to do that. I’m thinking in 2-3 years I’ll just plan a trip without him and eventually he’ll decide he wants to go too. This is one reason I have such issues with the planning. I keep thinking if I keep the trip relaxed he’ll like Disney more but I don’t think that will work. Part of me just thinks I should make my plans the way I want since he will just never be a Disney fan.

Caitlin has started talking about going back a lot recently. She sees the ticker moving closer (although she never thinks to ask about the writing underneath) and knows we are going back this year. I try not to talk too much about Disney around DH so he doesn’t get sick of it but sometimes Caitlin brings it up. She told me the other day that she wants to eat at Sci-fi everyday. I told her we could maybe do it twice. I am thinking her whole reason behind that is to get the oreo shake.

I have also been thinking about when and how to tell Caitlin about the trip. We are no longer leaving Friday afternoon so I can’t just pick her up at school and surprise her. I am thinking of telling her on Easter. Easter is about 3 weeks before we leave. I am thinking about maybe giving her a box with her autograph book, lanyard and pins, and some balloons with a countdown chain that says “We’re going to Disneyworld in 21 days.” It will give her some time to be excited.

 

[bouncycat]

Hey Pink!!! That sounds like fun, telling her on Easter. Glad she's getting excited. DH, well, he'll come around I'm sure!!! Mine is more excited planning this trip since it's his niece and her kids, so maybe it's just finding what makes him excited.

I did get DH's niece's DH a SW shirt today, it's the blue one with the storm troopers and Donald in the storm trooper outfit shorter than them all. I'll take pictures and post them on my TR. I hope you're having a good weekend, and I'll check back in soon!!! We're going to MK on monday for my birthday, so I'll take pictures then too.

 

[pinkxray]

Hey Pink!!! That sounds like fun, telling her on Easter. Glad she's getting excited. DH, well, he'll come around I'm sure!!! Mine is more excited planning this trip since it's his niece and her kids, so maybe it's just finding what makes him excited.

I did get DH's niece's DH a SW shirt today, it's the blue one with the storm troopers and Donald in the storm trooper outfit shorter than them all. I'll take pictures and post them on my TR. I hope you're having a good weekend, and I'll check back in soon!!! We're going to MK on monday for my birthday, so I'll take pictures then too.

I hope you are having fun at MK!

I am trying to hold off on buying stuff for Caitlin b/c she mind changes constantly. If I buy her stuff now she won't want it by the time May comes.

 

[pinkxray]

Today is another snow day. I think Caitlin had 2 last week, plus she was sick the week before. She had MLK day off yesterday and will be home today. It is also supposed to snow on Friday. It seems like she is on a permanent vacation. It was nice the first few days but it seems like I get nothing done when she is here. Plus, with the weather we can't go anywhere. Fingers crossed she goes back tomorrow! They are going to end up having a bunch of snow days to make up in June and that won't be very fun.


Nothing really Disney related to report. I ordered Caitlin's EPCOT passport and autograph book. I made them as photobooks this time. I wanted the autograph book to look different than the spiral bound one I made her last year. I was working on them with Caitlin here and must have got distracted and forgot to change the finish to matte. I am hoping the glossy finish will be okay, if not I'll just make her another spiral bound one.


I also ordered Caitlin two bathing suits from Justice for girls. I let her pick them out herself and this will be the first year she doesn't own a bathing suit from the Disney store. They are kind of pricey even with a 40% off discount but I have heard their quality is good so I won't mind if that is true. It is a little early to get a swimsuit for May but we go to the YMCA for her to swim.

Here is what she picked:

I also ordered my camera for the trip. I really wanted a chance to test it out and get used to the settings so I figured I might as well go head and get it now. DH wouldn't agree I am sure, so I am hoping he won't notice it is new.

DH got me a camera for x-mas 2 years ago and it has worked fine, but I needed this one b/c it is waterproof. I was planning on getting Caitlin a camera for x-mas and never did so I'll just let her use one of mine. I can't wait to get it and test it out at the pool at the Y.

This is my current camera. Think DH will know the difference? If he didn't see me bringing it in the pool I doubt he would be able to tell the difference.



That's pretty much it. I can't wait for Jan. and Feb to pass. I am so tired of the snow and ice. Is it May yet?

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That's camera I almost got before deciding on the Canon D10. I'll be interested to hear how you like it.

 

[tinacaplan]

Today is another snow day. I think Caitlin had 2 last week, plus she was sick the week before. She had MLK day off yesterday and will be home today. It is also supposed to snow on Friday. It seems like she is on a permanent vacation. It was nice the first few days but it seems like I get nothing done when she is here. Plus, with the weather we can't go anywhere. Fingers crossed she goes back tomorrow! They are going to end up having a bunch of snow days to make up in June and that won't be very fun.

Tell me about it! As a teacher, on the one hand I can get sort of excited because its another day off and another day I can stay home with my son. But, on the other hand, we're losing a TON of valuable instructional time AND we're going to have make it up in June!

This is my current camera. Think DH will know the difference? If he didn't see me bringing it in the pool I doubt he would be able to tell the difference.



That's pretty much it. I can't wait for Jan. and Feb to pass. I am so tired of the snow and ice. Is it May yet?

Hillarious...sounds like something I'd do! Well, I could certainly stand for January to be done...and the first couple of weeks of February, too!

 

[2princesses2princes]

The swimsuits are adorable!! Caitlyn's got good taste

I am with you, so ready to be done with the cold. We haven't gotten much snow this year which is really strange being by Lake Michigan we usually get dumped on. I hope the weather's nice in Disney in Feb when we go.

I think telling Caitlyn on Easter is a great idea, doing something fun for her easter basket to reveal it? We revealed it sort of on Christmas, just the month, not the date. i wish in a way they knew exactly when so we could do a countdown like we did for Christmas. But dh and I decided against it.

 

[pinkxray]

That's camera I almost got before deciding on the Canon D10. I'll be interested to hear how you like it.

I can't wait to try it out. Have you tested yours out yet? I was considering the one you got too, but I just like the pink better than the blue color. They both had similar reviews and the prices weren't that different when I got mine.

Hillarious...sounds like something I'd do! Well, I could certainly stand for January to be done...and the first couple of weeks of February, too!

I'm sure he'll enjoy having the camera once we are in FL, but he is the cheapest person ever and just doesn't get why I wanted a new camera when I just got one two years ago.

I bet you would like having Jan. over even more than me. 1 MONTH LEFT

The swimsuits are adorable!! Caitlyn's got good taste

I am with you, so ready to be done with the cold. We haven't gotten much snow this year which is really strange being by Lake Michigan we usually get dumped on. I hope the weather's nice in Disney in Feb when we go.

I think telling Caitlyn on Easter is a great idea, doing something fun for her easter basket to reveal it? We revealed it sort of on Christmas, just the month, not the date. i wish in a way they knew exactly when so we could do a countdown like we did for Christmas. But dh and I decided against it.


It's a little strange that see is starting to pick out her own stuff. Usually she was okay with whatever I bought her but now she is starting to pay more attention.

It is supposed to snow again Fri. and Wed which off course are two of the days I work this month. I am barely working this month and it seems like every time I have to work it is either going to snow or Caitlin is home sick.

I'm not sure how to incorporate it into her Easter basket. I was thinking of a big box with balloons and a countdown sign. I keep thinking of other things to put in there too. Her autograph book, EPCOT passport, Disney nightgowns, stuff for the plane. She doesn't usually get too much for Easter and I don't want to go overboard but I can't think of another time to tell her.

 

[TinksThree]

Madison used to always get her swim suits from Justice. The quality is definitely worth the cost! I think you will be pleased. I love the black and white choice! I want that one!!

My DH is the same way with cameras. When I mention getting a new one he doesn't understand that I want better technology. He thinks that if it still takes pictures it is good....even if it is 12 years old!! I like your choice! I want one that is waterproof so I may check it out!

 

[bouncycat]

LOVE the swimsuits. That's probably the ONLY thing I take that's NOT disney!!! LOL Besides shoes! As they get older, it's just not cool anymore!! But, that's alright! As long as the kids are happy, right?

 

[pinkxray]

Madison used to always get her swim suits from Justice. The quality is definitely worth the cost! I think you will be pleased. I love the black and white choice! I want that one!!

My DH is the same way with cameras. When I mention getting a new one he doesn't understand that I want better technology. He thinks that if it still takes pictures it is good....even if it is 12 years old!! I like your choice! I want one that is waterproof so I may check it out!

Glad to hear about the swimsuits. I look at Justice clothes sometimes but most since DD doesn't care too much about clothes I stay away to save some money. I figure in a few years I'll be dropping tons of money on clothing she picks, so why not save now.

I really like the black and white one too. I am surprised she picked it. Usually if I like something, she doesn't.

I really wanted a dsrl before our next trip, but there is no way that is happening. At least I didn't buy that without telling him. I think he would notice that. I am hoping to get one in the next few years though.

LOVE the swimsuits. That's probably the ONLY thing I take that's NOT disney!!! LOL Besides shoes! As they get older, it's just not cool anymore!! But, that's alright! As long as the kids are happy, right?

It's tough watching her grow out of these things. A little over a year ago she didn't want any shirts without characters, now she doesn't want anything with characters.