I'll show you my Lapu Lapu if you show me yours!

[Castillo Mom]

What was once lost has now been found!

I know this is totally OT but, guess what I found today? My lost vacation pictures from our first trip to WDW! See, I had taken along 3 waterproof disposable cameras. We had used them to take some pics at TL, Universal Orlando and South Beach. When we came home, I put them away for safe keeping until having them developed. I'd hidden them so well, I forgot all about them until one day I remembered them. But by that time I couldn't remember where I had put them and thought maybe I threw the bag they were in away during one of my cleaning frenzies. But low and behold today I was looking for something in the back of one of my bathroom cabinets and there they were! Here's a few:

South Beach, Miami

 

[DisneyJo]

Wow the sand looks so white I know that seems a silly thing to say but ours is always yellow And the bathroom cabinet no wonder you couldn't find them

 

[Castillo Mom]

Ha, ha, I know the bathroom is a strange place to store cameras isn't it? I don't now what I was thinking!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Wow the sand looks so white I know that seems a silly thing to say but ours is always yellow And the bathroom cabinet no wonder you couldn't find them

Hey Jo, beware of the yellow sand!

I know this is totally OT but, guess what I found today? My lost vacation pictures from our first trip to WDW! See, I had taken along 3 waterproof disposable cameras.

Yay! I loved when I'd find undeveloped film and have no idea what is it until I developed it!! Thank goodness for digital cameras now, huh?

 

[Castillo Mom]

Anybody know what time it is?!!!!!

Why, it's time for the double digit dance!!!!

 

[Goofyluver]

Anybody know what time it is?!!!!!

Why, it's time for the double digit dance!!!!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Anybody know what time it is?!!!!!

Why, it's time for the double digit dance!!!!

Yes, we're down to only 99 days before our trip. I'm very excited but at the same time somewhat trepidatious (sp?). Since I last posted there's been lots of family drama. Not the fighting kind. I only wish that were the case because I'd rather deal with that. No, DMIL will not make it on the trip for various reasons. Unfortunately she's not doing well physically so I've spent the past week taking her to the doctor and dealing with their poor management of her care. I work at a medical facility so I know how things should be handled. In my book there's no reason someone with a major illness should have to wait almost 6 months for a definitive diagnosis.

But I digress. I promised myself I would allow myself to be happy today and not feel guilty about it. Amongst taking care of DMIL there's been a whirlwind of shopping going on as well as preparing for two of my boys' graduations - one from middle and one from high school. I tell you, the older they get the more expensive they become. But hey, I'm a proud mama and they're great boys. Tonight I'm going in search of two of their grad presents - MP3 players which Costco has on sale right now. I went there yesterday and low and behold they were out so now I have to go to a different location tonight after work.

Speaking of the boys, months ago I told them to be careful and make sure they didn't break any bones right before going on our trip. Well, I might as well have said, please break a bone right before the trip. My middle son David did just that last week. He was running track at school, slid through a puddle he didn't notice and feel on outstretched hand and fractured his right distal radius (wrist). It's funny because he was so non-chalant about it when he called me from school. In fact he, his brothers and uncle think it's the coolest thing ever! I don't know, must be a guy thing. Anyway, he's just fine and the cast should be off in about 3 more weeks so he'll be good as new by the time we leave. Now if I can just keep my youngest Daniel off his skateboard until then. He's just dying to break a bone and in fact was teasing David that he was jealous of his cool red cast. I'm keeping that boy on lockdown for the next 3 months.

 

[Castillo Mom]

And you'll be doing the single digit dance in no time!

 

[Castillo Mom]

OMG, I thought my pre-trippie was lost forever in cyperspace!

Wow, I come back to find my pre-trippie has only fallen to page 3, not too bad cuz I thought it would have fallen off into the DIS TR cemetary.

Ah, where do I begin? Well, the trip planning has been put on the back burner over the past month due to family issues. We found out that my DMIL has breast cancer. The last few weeks have been tough but we got good news on Tuesday when the doctor told us that they caught it early and they expect her to do just fine. Still waiting for surgery date but she'll probably have it in the next 3 weeks and then start on radiation and after that chemo. I'm very proud of our family because everyone has really pulled together and offered DMIL support.

DSIL who is going on the trip and now lives on South Carolina is coming out to CA on 6/11 and I'm so anxious to see her and my niece. We can all somewhat breathe a sigh of relief and can go on with our plans - we need this trip more than ever now. I had felt guilty even talking about it before but now feel ok about it. Let the trip planning begin - again!!!

So what's left to do? Well, I know what parks we'll be at and on what days but we still need to go over the daily itinerary. Still need to purchase Pirate & Princess Party tix, buy princess/pirate T-shirts for all of us and finish buying the boys a few more shirts/shorts and a couple pairs of pants. Still need to get a dress for me for formal night on the cruise. Need to lose 20 more pounds by 8/21. Need to cancel our limo ressie and switch to an SUV since the limo won't hold all of our luggage. Oh, still need to pay off the one of the Grand Gathering events, the Magical Fireworks Cruise or whatever it's called - don't think it's in the budget but we'll see. Some friends of ours may end up joining us on the trip so I need to put my TA hat on and see what kind of deal I can get them if any. What else? Oh, and plan on what the heck I'm going to do for the boys' graduation since I'm having to nix the idea of a party. There's no way I even have the time or energy to plan a grad party at this stage so I figure we can just all go out to dinner somewhere but I still haven't decided where. Anyone reading this and who lives in the Southern California area please give me suggestions if you can think of a place!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Well, the trip planning has been put on the back burner over the past month due to family issues. We found out that my DMIL has breast cancer. The last few weeks have been tough but we got good news on Tuesday when the doctor told us that they caught it early and they expect her to do just fine. Still waiting for surgery date but she'll probably have it in the next 3 weeks and then start on radiation and after that chemo. I'm very proud of our family because everyone has really pulled together and offered DMIL support.

Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear this! I'm happy that it was caught early and I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers!

DSIL who is going on the trip and now lives on South Carolina is coming out to CA on 6/11 and I'm so anxious to see her and my niece. We can all somewhat breathe a sigh of relief and can go on with our plans - we need this trip more than ever now. I had felt guilty even talking about it before but now feel ok about it. Let the trip planning begin - again!!!

Need to cancel our limo ressie and switch to an SUV since the limo won't hold all of our luggage.

Would you PM me the company info. I'm having a heck of a time finding one!

Anyone reading this and who lives in the Southern California area please give me suggestions if you can think of a place!

Have you ever tried Buca di Beppo? If you like Italian food, it's really fun with a big group. The food is served family style. Here's Buca's link.

Oh also Lucille's in fun with a big group, too. But Lucille's doesn't take ressies.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Thank you for the warm thoughts, we can use all the prayers we can get!

I'm pm'ing the info you want as soon as I post this.

As for the restaurants, yeah I was thinking the same thing about Lucille's, no reservations and it gets so hectic there sometimes. You know how family can get cranky when they're hungry and I don't want to have everyone waiting around an hour to get a table. I never even thought about Buca's, thanks! Last grad party I did was for David at ESPN Zone in DTD. I hosted it so it cost me $$$ but this time the budget is tighter with the trip and all.

 

[PrincessV]

Lisa, hugs a-plenty for you and your family. I can only imagine what you're all going through, but know that you're in my thoughts!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Lisa, hugs a-plenty for you and your family. I can only imagine what you're all going through, but know that you're in my thoughts!

Thanks for your kind thoughts V, I'm just glad they caught the cancer early.

And to all ladies that are reading this, please please do your monthly self breast exam and get your mammogram done if you're of age or high risk. For more info, visit the Susan G. Komen website. I don't mean to sound preachy but it could mean your mother's, your sister's, your best friend's or other dearly loved one's life - or your own.

 

[DisneyJo]

So sorry to hear about your MIL

 

[Goofyluver]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Jo and Goofyluver, thanks so much for your sentiments. We have every hope that my DMIL will be just fine!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Before I get into talking about the vaca, let me first pick up where I left off.

DMIL had her lumpectomy and came through with flying colors. No metastasis to the lymph nodes and she should be starting radiation within a couple of weeks followed by chemo. That has been a load off of all of our minds and we thank God because it looks like she should come out of this just fine.

Now on to happier thoughts. I GOT "THE PACKAGE" TODAY!!!! Now I don't know whether it's just the ME stuff or everything else since I'm hearing the ME package is being mailed separate from the goodies you get from Disney Travel but either way I'm stoked dude, dudes or dudettes. My son called me at work earlier and gave me the newss and I can't wait to get home!

So much to do and the clock is tick tick ticking. I haven't begun packing yet, barely started our daily itinerary last week and still have more clothes shopping to do. I'm waiting for the clearance sales to start and will probably make a trek to our local outlet mall next weekend. What else is on the agenda? Not really too much more than that. I even checked us in online for our cruise and printed our docs in case we don't get the package before we leave for WDW. OMG, I feel like I'm forgetting something important. I'm going to have to make myself a to do list.

Ooh, still need to get princess Ts for me and DSIL for the P&P party. I ordered some from Zazzle.com. Let me just say that when they say the spahetti strap Ts run small, they mean it. I got the Ts last week and I was very disappointed. The logo we chose looked faded and the x-large I ordered for me is teeny, more like an x-large for a child. DSIL got her tiara already and I still need to get mine. Oh, and I still need to get pirate Ts for the boys plus a garment back for their suits and a camera bag.

Speaking of garment bag, I don't know how the heck we're going to fit 3 weeks worth of clothing and the luggage it'll be packed in into our stateroom on the Magic. If anyone has any suggestions let me know. And no, I'm not doing laundry on my vacation!

 

[Goofyluver]

Ummmm...buy more clothes while you're there???

I had to do laundry on my vaca!

And I'm very glad that MIL came through okay!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Ummmm...buy more clothes while you're there???

I had to do laundry on my vaca!

And I'm very glad that MIL came through okay!

That actually sounds a pretty good idea!

 

[DisneyJo]

So pleased about your MIL, can't help with the cruise situation wish I could

Are you still coming to our Poly beach meet on the 25th