January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part III !!!

[Northern Disney Girl]

Hello snowbird peeps,

It's been a little while since i've been on here, and I must say I was not even a little surprised to see part III!!

My "baby" sister leaves to go back to Seattle tomorrow after an extended visit. I am really bummed but know I will see her at Disney. It's never easy living 3,000 miles away from your nearest family member!

Tonight after she packs, we are going to sit down with some mix drinks and try to do the rest of our itinerary. Should be fun and a great way to end our visit!

Welcome Back Laura! So glad to see you have returned! Hope things are better for you and your congregation now!

 

[danceintherain]

Having family far away is so hard. I moved to the east coast for seminary, which was about 5 years ago. It took me six months to get out of my hermit stage. While I do love the east, I miss my family in the northwest. I'm hoping some day they will all decide they love Pennsylvania and move out here!

Sisters are the best. We became so much closer once we hit adulthood. I really don't know what I would do without them. We are all looking forward to the nine days of Disney. It has been several years since we were last all together. One lives in Alaska, the other in Seattle, and i'm out here in Pennsylvania. It is VERY hard to get us all in one state!

A few years ago my brother, sister, and I decided that we would only live one state apart, and anyone who broke that bond forfeit the right to complain when they never got visited. Basically, our thinking was it wasn't too much fun for us to get in the car and drive for a million hours to visit family members like our parents always made us do, and our relatives are always complaining because we don't come to visit them (even though they rarely come visit us).
Unfortunately, it didn't really stick. Our parents (and most of the rest of the family, live in Kansas) and my sister and brother live in Georgia and Utah respectively, so much for the one state away rule. My sister is the only one with a kid at this point, and I can't really complain, because I know I'll be moving somewhere far away as soon as Logan commissions. I just hope we don't end up too far away from each other, because I love spending time with my family.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

So Snowbirds! Are we going to see some codes tomorrow? I sure hope so! Hope everyone has had a great weekend and is ready for another busy week! Going to go watch a movie with DH now so I'll say my goodnights! Catch y'all in the A.M.! Sweet Dreams Snowbirds!

 

[Dancegrl624]

A few years ago my brother, sister, and I decided that we would only live one state apart, and anyone who broke that bond forfeit the right to complain when they never got visited. Basically, our thinking was it wasn't too much fun for us to get in the car and drive for a million hours to visit family members like our parents always made us do, and our relatives are always complaining because we don't come to visit them (even though they rarely come visit us).
Unfortunately, it didn't really stick. Our parents (and most of the rest of the family, live in Kansas) and my sister and brother live in Georgia and Utah respectively, so much for the one state away rule. My sister is the only one with a kid at this point, and I can't really complain, because I know I'll be moving somewhere far away as soon as Logan commissions. I just hope we don't end up too far away from each other, because I love spending time with my family.

I love spending time with my family too. Growing up, my sisters and I fought like crazy! Who knew we'd grow up to be the best of friends. My immediate family lives in Buffalo which is so nice. My extended family mostly lives in Syracuse which isn't too far. My DH's family moved to Florida a few years ago and I know that kinda stinks for him. His mom came to visit this past May and it was the first time we've seen her in over 2 years! His dad (his parents are divorced) lived in Florida for a few years and he just recently moved back up here. I feel bad because my DH hasn't seen his brothers and sister in years. I just couldn't do it! I don't even like the fact that my sister and her husband bought a house that's 20 minutes away! I just love being close to everyone.

 

[danceintherain]

Thanks for the advice. You'd think that being a dancer my entire life I should know something about being sore!



My sisters and I are all 7 yrs apart. Yes, you read that correctly. 7 years! My big sis (who just got married!) is 33 and my little sis is 19 and a soph in college. She's away at school and I always miss her. I get to see her next Sunday because she'll be playing field hockey only an hour away from here. So exciting!

Wow!... I'm only a year and a half younger than my older sister (she's 23 and I'll be 22 next week) then my brother is only a year and a half younger than me (he's 20, and will be 21 in March) then my mother got a little more sane. My next brother is almost a full 2 years younger (she still had 4 kids in 5 years... and took us all to Disney by herself when we lived in Florida) then the next is 3 years younger, and the baby is 4 years younger.
I have been getting to know the youngest kids a little better recently...but I was an obnoxious selfish teenager, so I didn't spend as much time with them as I should have.

 

[danceintherain]

NKOTB are going to be in Kansas City only 4 days before my Bridal Shower... too bad my sister isn't coming a couple days early...
and too bad the tickets are $30-$70

 

[danceintherain]

So Snowbirds! Are we going to see some codes tomorrow? I sure hope so! Hope everyone has had a great weekend and is ready for another busy week! Going to go watch a movie with DH now so I'll say my goodnights! Catch y'all in the A.M.! Sweet Dreams Snowbirds!

I hope they come out tomorrow as well... that will give me some serious time to mull over them before my package balance would be due.

I love spending time with my family too. Growing up, my sisters and I fought like crazy! Who knew we'd grow up to be the best of friends. My immediate family lives in Buffalo which is so nice. My extended family mostly lives in Syracuse which isn't too far. My DH's family moved to Florida a few years ago and I know that kinda stinks for him. His mom came to visit this past May and it was the first time we've seen her in over 2 years! His dad (his parents are divorced) lived in Florida for a few years and he just recently moved back up here. I feel bad because my DH hasn't seen his brothers and sister in years. I just couldn't do it! I don't even like the fact that my sister and her husband bought a house that's 20 minutes away! I just love being close to everyone.

I wouldn't be able to go for very long without seeing my family. When I was studying abroad in Prague I got so homesick, and if somebody in my family had come to visit it wouldn't have been as bad. Both of my parents said they would come, but they both came up with reasons not to. The worst was when I called on Thanksgiving and the whole family was together at Mammaw's in Georgia. I could hear them all playing and chatting in the background. I think Thanksgiving is probably my favorite family holiday, because we all get together and eat and have fun. It's just less stressful than Christmas. This year I don't think the whole family is getting together for Thanksgiving though, because everyone is planning on coming out for my wedding. My brother will be there, but my sister has to spend the time with her in-laws, especially since they're spending Christmas and New Year's with us.

 

[crzyred]

OK, I need some Snowbird help!!

I just took a look at my d's college fund. Needless to say, it's LOWWWW. Talk about scary!

This trip is for D and me; we haven't been a vacation for several years. I had planned it for last year, but cancelled it for work reasons (hers). Now with what's going on, I'm getting really close to cancelling.

Somebody, please tell me why I shouldn't!!

Thanks!

Ok, first how old is your daughter?

I know a lot of parents stress about this, mine certainly did. However I had to take out a loan. It really isn't that bad. It wasn't a huge loan, and my monthly payments are $50. I can have this paid off in 4 years. I'm paying off a little extra each time so it should be less than 4 years.

Have you been saving your change? I do that for anything. I have a container on my dresser and only silver coins go in, then before a trip I cash that in. I have over $87 and the trip isn't til Jan. Saving the coins might not make much of a huge difference in this time span, but over a few years it certainly will. So you could also encourage your children to do this too.

How long are you planning on going for? Is there anyway you could make it be just for a long weekend (if it's planned for longer)? Try little ways to cut back while on vacation. We only eat at "big" meals 2 or 3 times during our trip. The rest are counter service. We also bring in fruit snacks and granola bars with us so we don't eat snackie stuff during the day. Also my sister and I usually end up splitting some meals, like some of the garden salads, that are huge.

There certainly are ways to do Disney on a budget. But only you know if you should go or not.

 

[steffali]

Hi everyone I cant believe we are already on page 8 of our Part III oh my we are chatty cathy's

 

[jenjolt]

I got a little teary at the end, too. HSM is what gave those kids their career. (With the excepetion of Ashley Tisdale since she was on Suite Life.) Speaking of her, my only real complaint is that there was not enough Sharpay. It seemed to completely revolve around Troy and Gabriella.

I haven't seen it yet but I have to totally agree here...I love SHARPAY. She is my favorite character on the show, she is so BAM!!

 

[jenjolt]

So Snowbirds! Are we going to see some codes tomorrow? I sure hope so! Hope everyone has had a great weekend and is ready for another busy week! Going to go watch a movie with DH now so I'll say my goodnights! Catch y'all in the A.M.! Sweet Dreams Snowbirds!

From your mouth to the ears of the folks at Disney!! I got so paranoid after reading some of the code posts that I called the lovely CM people at 7am their time and asked to make sure I was on the list to receive emails from them and to see if there was a code attached to my name....nothing yet but I'm crossing my fingers!!!

 

[danceintherain]

Ok, first how old is your daughter?

I know a lot of parents stress about this, mine certainly did. However I had to take out a loan. It really isn't that bad. It wasn't a huge loan, and my monthly payments are $50. I can have this paid off in 4 years. I'm paying off a little extra each time so it should be less than 4 years.

Have you been saving your change? I do that for anything. I have a container on my dresser and only silver coins go in, then before a trip I cash that in. I have over $87 and the trip isn't til Jan. Saving the coins might not make much of a huge difference in this time span, but over a few years it certainly will. So you could also encourage your children to do this too.

How long are you planning on going for? Is there anyway you could make it be just for a long weekend (if it's planned for longer)? Try little ways to cut back while on vacation. We only eat at "big" meals 2 or 3 times during our trip. The rest are counter service. We also bring in fruit snacks and granola bars with us so we don't eat snackie stuff during the day. Also my sister and I usually end up splitting some meals, like some of the garden salads, that are huge.

There certainly are ways to do Disney on a budget. But only you know if you should go or not.

I ask how old she is as well...
I agree... taking out a few loans for college is not a horrible thing, just make sure she understands the loans before she takes them out. I am completely amazed at what some of the kids around me take out loans for. If she's young then you will have time to build up some more money... if college is right around the corner, then she should also be saving. I didn't save money for college and I really wish I had, but I'm still ending up with less loans than a lot of the people I know.
However, it really is up to you to decide whether or not you can justify the trip. If the only way she can go to college is by skipping the trip, then skip it. However, the time you spend together might be a lot more valuable to you after she's gone. I'm not saying book a suite in the Grand Floridian, but you can research ways to take the trip without breaking the bank...

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

I'm trying to decide if I want to try and start another "series" book. I've finished Harry Potter, trying to get through Chronicles of Narnia. I'm on book 5 or 6 I think.

I miss Harry Potter Hopefully the new movie, when it comes to theaters, will help to fill the void.

So Snowbirds! Are we going to see some codes tomorrow? I sure hope so!

I surely hope that we will see some codes tomorrow! I really would like to save some $$$$ on this vacation!



Hey Philly fans! Looking pretty good so far! Keeping my fingers crossed for the rest of the game.

 

[laurainsem]

Okay snowbirds,

We're in the middle of planning and I can't seem to find the link to that cool gagdet that calculates distance/time between parks. Anyone have it?

Thanks for the welcome back! Things are still stressful at work but i'm alive and finding ways to cope. My sister and I even went to see Hairspray the other night which was awesome! I just have to continue to take deep breaths and am working on finding solutions to the problems. It's been my harsh welcome to the workforce I guess!

 

[Remmy]

A big thank you to all Snowbirds that helped me with my MIL situation. I am certain that all will work out. I loved the different answers, as it gives me options I didn't think about.

Shelly,

Is it at the CBR they have the kids meals in a pail and shovel? I thought I saw that somewhere but couldn't remember where. I think that is a unique idea.


Thanks Remmy

PS Congratulations to all for completing Thread II.

 

[Remmy]

I have noticed my Stitch has started to finally move. I can't wait to see him on my trip ticker in the middle. I wish they would do a little dance for every quarter of the ticker. I have noticed all of our tickers are moving along, and I am a wee bit jealous of those of you closer to your times then us.

I think I am becoming anxious because it is really cold here. Luckily no snow, as of yet, just cold rain. It is dark and dreary. I am looking forward to wearing less clothing, in terms of no socks, sweaters or big bulky winter coats, and wearing shorts and t-shirts again.

I printed off the 2009 DP from the Disney site to see if there were any new changes. My DS came in and became all excited to see Goofy on the front page. I can't wait to see his and DD's expressions. I almost cried today to see how excited he was and that was only the Disney Dining sheets. I know that whatever we go through to obtain this trip and whatever we may have to go through after, it will be worth it to have quality family time together.


Remmy

 

[crzyred]

I have a question, and I figured I'd ask here before I search for someplace else.

We will be at SSR. On our return home day, we don't leave until 6:35(ish) pm. So we will be at a park that day. When we check out of our room, will SSR hold our carry-on stuff for us?

We've never stayed at anything about a Value, so we have NO IDEA what we are doing. Plus we will be so out of place...we'll be the losers walking around taking pictures of EVERYTHING! Feel free to stop over and say "Hi!"

 

[Remmy]

I sat down and tried to figure out our countdown to our Disney trip.
Here it is:

86 days until we leave for Disney
50 school days until we leave for Disney
12 1/2 weeks until we leave for Disney
3 vacation days to use up before we leave for Disney
22 hour drive to go to Disney (if weather and boarder guards are good)

Now for the disclaimer:

This countdown can change due to DH working the midnight shift and forgets which day he put down and if it will count to having the Wednesday night off or not. He is still on probation on his new job here, so he will ask next month when the exact date and time is he has off. If he now thinks it means he has asked for that night off and the weather is good we may leave one day earlier. I hate driving in the snow and don't want to take any risks on us missing Disney.

I can't believe how close our Disney trip is coming up. Woo hoo.

 

[jenjolt]

I have a question, and I figured I'd ask here before I search for someplace else.

We will be at SSR. On our return home day, we don't leave until 6:35(ish) pm. So we will be at a park that day. When we check out of our room, will SSR hold our carry-on stuff for us?

We've never stayed at anything about a Value, so we have NO IDEA what we are doing. Plus we will be so out of place...we'll be the losers walking around taking pictures of EVERYTHING! Feel free to stop over and say "Hi!"

How can you be the loser walking around taking pictures of everything when I'm going to be the loser walking around taking pictures of everything...WAIT A MINUTE LOL!!!

I have no idea about the luggage but I imagine they could arrange something for you, its a DVC/Deluxe resort!

 

[mana_liz]

Just wanted to say "HI". We had a very productive day of shopping at Birch Run and Bronners. I got a very cute Eeyore Christmas figurine for my collection. Also got quite a few Christmas presents bought...can't wait to start wrapping...my older sister's says I can't start till Nov. 1...so next Saturday out comes the wrapping paper, bows and ribbons.

It didn't snow here...but we actually had hail a few times today.

Sorry to those who missed out on NKOTB concerts...hopefully they tour again and you can see them then...We paid $70 for our tickets and I think it was worth it...great concert...we even made every listen to the new CD and Greatest Hits in the car...my aunt didn't appreciate that...no taste in music I guess.

Hoping for a code this week sometime...maybe free dining.

Oh I see that some were congratulating there football teams for wins today...our great football the Lions (or as some call them the Losins) lost
(0-7) again today. At least we have the Red Wings to watch.