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

[overthemoon4mickey]

Today we were sent disney mail to our address, but not our name. It is a general flyer / postcard with a PIN code. The thing is we have no record of this name as listed as a homeowner on our property???


I figure I never get mail addressed to me because I've paid and gone, they kn ow I'll pay full price and go!!!

So my question is can you use this code??? is it address specific or name specific.

Oh lucky you! I say give it a try! You'll never know unless you do....and what's the worst that can happen? They could say no...but then again....they could say yes!



Okay I'm starting to get super excited about this trip!!! I have begun purchasing things for the plane ride. I like to make a little bag with oodles of little wrapped presents. The kids can open one present every 15-20 minutes or so. These are usually little $.99 type items or snacks.
so far I've gotten:

Gum
Teeny tiny water color sets (the size of a Matchbox car)
Little bitty sets of modeling clay
Little mini markers
A tiny wind up train w/ tracks for DS
Pooh and friends freeze dried fruit,
A tiny deck of cards for DD
Wind-up walking rabbit and monkey
a wire "magic" toy thing for DD

I like to put these in a gallon ziploc and use them for the plane ride back too.
I still need to get more but I found most of these at a teacher supply store in the impulse item area. Target also usually has good things too like the mini marker/mini fuzzy poster sets.
Anyway I think I'll wrap these this weekend and put them away!

Yipee! only 44 days to go!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We are officially booked (thank you Dreams Unlimited)! Jan 24-27 POFQ!--60 days away so much planning, so little time...super excited!

Welcome!! And I love,love, love your ticker!!!

Welcome to the new Snowbirds! WooHoo!

I know we sort of had a QOTD... but I have another Disney related one.

Which atypical character would you love to hug on your upcoming trip? (i.e. not Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, a princess.... you get the point. )

For me-it's these guys!

http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp19/bellasoleil_2008/ChuckBalooLouie.jpg[/IMG
I am really on a Jungle Book kick these days.[/QUOTE]

Have to ask.....who is it with the face erased?:rotfl2:
[quote="Momto2PrncChrmgs, post: 28889316"]I can't believe some of you are talking about MAILING your Christmas cards already. I haven't even thought of cards yet. I guess I'll just snap a cute pic of the kids and go to Walgreens and have cards made up. I'm notorious for waiting until the last minute, though. Last year I spent a small fortune on professional pix of the kids and had them mk the cards. They were still sitting on my counter Christmas morning. I just handed them out to family and sent the others by New years. I though Andy was going to kill me! :confused3

Exactly two months and we'll be at CBR! :yay:
And one month until Santa comes down the chimney! :upsidedow[/QUOTE]

Gotta get on that!! I usually do Wal-Greens too-this year, I am not sure!!!
[quote="MAGGIED, post: 28901952"]Jen.... how was your Thanksgiving meal at church???? Your Christmas cards sound like they will be very nice. I think I will work on mine while in the hospital next week. I know that I have to stay for three days. You should have seen the nurses when I asked if the floors in the hospital were wireless so I could bring my laptop..... the one nurses was really annoyed with me reminding me that "this is major surgery and surfing the net isn't what we plan on for recovery"..... I never did get an answer.... so I think I will have DH sneak it in the following day..... I can't be away from the Snowbirds for that long....[/QUOTE]

No kidding!! We are going to miss you badly!!! That nurse sounds like a real winner:mad: Let's hope you get all the sweet ones when your in there!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Crazyrd~ I am dealing with some family issues too-not quite like that, but with this one, it's ALWAYS something. Even at her church....how many people have to be at odds with a person before they figure out they are the problem? GEESH!!! Your poor granny! I would hate to see your mom shorten her trip-ya'll are family, she shouldn't miss out because every one else is stingy!!! Can ya'll get some nice person that you trust from your church to house/granny-sit for the last couple of days? to you and your mamma!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

crzyred - I'm sorry you have such family issues. I hope you can work something out. Feel free to vent here anytime.

Well - DD5 did not cooperate AGAIN at the dentist. She didn't let them clean her teeth, but they were able to inspect enough to say no cavities. Thank goodness, or heaven only knows how she would handle getting a filling!! They told DH she doesn't have to come back for a year. They probably don't want her back! Maybe by then she'll be better about it.

I've been going over the dining plan options again. Now we think we're going to pay OOP for all. We have 6 nights at CBR and have 3 TS meals with ADRs. Two are set prices. We just can't plan dinners and dates! We will have the $200 gift card, plus about $250 in Visa rewards, so we could use that to pay for food. Then we have all the flexibility we want. Only thing is we may not get to eat at certain restaurants. I'm perusing menus (again) and finding a few TS I'd like to try, and am contemplating just trying a walk-up during off hours. Especially if the parks aren't crowded. Or maybe calling that a.m. to see if I could get in. The one I've been thinking about was Sci Fi Drive in (?) at DHS. But only if we go a second time. We already have a date for Mama Melrose's Fantasmic pkg. AH - all this planning and then deciding not to plan - enough to make one a little loopy!
Maybe I should go to bed. I do have to work about a 1/2 day tomorrow, pack my kids' overnight bags, ship them to grandma's and go see Wicked (2d time in a month! )

 

[dundeehunter]

Can I vent for a minute?....thanks!

So my mother is the youngest of 5. Her 3 brothers all live within 20 minutes of us and her sister lives in Kentucky. Her 95 yr old mother lives with us (now let me just say that I know I am very lucky to say that my grandmother is 95 yrs. old and is still in decent health and is pretty mobile and is still together in her head - although we are starting to see a decrease in that lately. Really I do know that I am lucky to spend my days with her.). So with Thanksgiving coming up we figured someone would want Grandma with them...right. Ok well no, no one has called or invited her anywhere, well that's ok, we are doing a meal here, so no biggie right.

However this is just the tip of the ice berg of no one doing anything with Grandma. When we go to Disney, Grandma will be spending some time in Kentucky with my aunt. So my mom and I figured they would want grandma for Christmas down there....oh no, my aunt will be driving up here New Years Day and then she and her husband will be spending a few days in Southern WI where my cousin's wife is living (don't get me started on that subject.... ). So since we leave on the 7, we figure we won't really have much time to get ready for our trip. Ok well, who cares, we just want to get the h*ll out of here.

So now my grandma is starting to say things about "being shipped around like an unwanted package" all the time. When she sees a Wal-mart bag or something she makes comments about wanting to go places, well yes we get that, however I'm not about to take a 95 yr old to the mall on a Saturday anymore.

I have on uncle in particular that I just feel the need to punch whenever I am in his presence. His wife is a not nice word. She calls my aunt and says that "we don't let anyone take Grandma for the day." Well their definition of the day is to pick g-ma up at 2pm for dinner and return her by 6...yeah that's ALL DAY!

I've considered sending a letter to my uncles (because actually talking to them would get me no where because one of them just hangs up on you when he doesn't like what you are saying). My mother wants me to just drop it. However, and I hate saying this, but my mother is a pushover. She never says no, but just keeps taking more on. She feels guilty about doing anything without Grandma because she doesn't get out much anymore.

We are all at our wits end with this, but no one is doing anything to help. A part of me really wants to say something to everyone, just so I can defend my mother, but I also don't want to hurt her even more because her siblings would turn everything against us and make it all our fault. Today my mom started to talk about looking for plane tickets to come back home earlier than the rest of us, so that she doesn't have to "bother" any one else's lifestyles.

There is so much more that goes on with this and it just frustrates me. Everyone in our house is constantly crabby with each other because things just keep piling up and we really don't see an end in sight

Thanks for letting me vent. It's been a long time dealing with this, but like I said previously, I do feel very lucky to have this time with my g-ma and hear all the stories she has to tell .

Ok, off to make tacos now. Have a good night.

My Grandma, 89, just passed away 2 weeks ago...my mother has been a push over for the past 15 years with her younger brother. To the point that they rushed the funeral so that my cousin could fly to Vegas for her gambling trip. Now it's having to deal with 2 houses and all of her items....I'm the baby of my family and I try to give my mother suggestions...but they treat me like I'm 8! Both of my in-laws have passed away since I have been married...greed takes it's toll on families and funerals.

I am almost done with my xmas cards. I made the mailing labels today..59 total, so I will make a couple extra just in case. I am the one that usually makes the cards, but I don't get them finished/mailed out until New Years Eve..I am going to be different this year.

So, the local radio station had a Question of the Day especially for Thanksgiving....Where are you going, what are you taking?
I am going no where..my family hunts, so I'm going to buy myself a pumpkin pie and dream of turkey and stuffing.

 

[dundeehunter]

It looks like I'm the late snowbird for tonight. I usually stay up until my DH gets home from work and then we watch Seinfeld...but tonight there is a program on TLU about an Octopus man. Very odd, he had a twin growing from his body for the past 55 years. ODD...I am thankful for my families continued good health after seeing a show like that. Night all. More tomorrow night.

 

[MAGGIED]

Looks like I am the early bird today.... DH was up early and making to much noise.... thats okay... I have tons to do this morning before I drive over to Lockport (by Buffalo).... need coffee first...

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Good Morning, Snowbirds!!

how is everyone this fine Thanksgiving Eve? Hope all of you who are traveling today reach your destinations safely!

Have a great day!

 

[MAGGIED]

Snowbirds.... for those interested in taking a look at a very detailed packing list... go to www.themouseforless.com then go to downloads (on the left side) and then towards the bottom of the list is the packing list..... has just about everything you could imagine!!!!

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

*mutters Crazy Loon

Oh my gosh - that is too funny!

I forgot to mention that I have dance practice tonight from 7-10pm. I desperately need a nap! Oh! I forgot about another exciting tidbit! I got my 2009 Pass Porter today! HOORAY!

I got mine yesterday! So excited!

Okay so it looks like everyone is off doing something... because I have been doing alot of talking to myself.... and we all know how boring that can be... ... so I am off... have a good night snowbirds....

I don't know....I kind of like reading your conversations with yourself - they usually make me laugh.

Crzyred - We're here for you.

Well - DD5 did not cooperate AGAIN at the dentist. She didn't let them clean her teeth, but they were able to inspect enough to say no cavities. Thank goodness, or heaven only knows how she would handle getting a filling!! They told DH she doesn't have to come back for a year. They probably don't want her back! Maybe by then she'll be better about it.

We've gone through this with our son. After several of the visits where he wouldn't open his mouth or wouldn't sit still, we were at wits end. Do you know what we finally figured the problem to be? He didn't like the "toothpaste" they use. So, we spoke with our dentist, and they allow us to let him bring his own toothpaste. He sits there as good as can be now and lets them brush, floss, and use the flouride. It was a night/day difference.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Looks like I am the early bird today.... DH was up early and making to much noise.... thats okay... I have tons to do this morning before I drive over to Lockport (by Buffalo).... need coffee first...

Yea for coming to WNY! My DH works in Lockport! Anyways.....I'm feeling a little yucky today. My throat is a little sore, but I know it will get better throughout the day. I'm totally losing my voice though and that stinks because I love to talk! Woke up to a snow covered yard. Nothing major, but I'm still not ready for snow. I have to go to the gym and meet with my dance team's trainer today. My abs are still a mess from last week's workout!

I'm totally excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow! I love watching the Macy's parade every year! Well, have a good day everyone. I'll be back later.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly.... I know you are worried about the weather in Orlando in January... click on this link at accuweather... it shows the past averages for January

http://www.accuweather.com/us/fl/or...uweather&traveler=0&zipChg=1&metric=0&month=1

Thanks Maggied!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Now, time for my countdown:


19 days until my birthday (don't ask which one - I'm counting backwards now!)

I don't count backwards - I just magically keep turning 29!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly - Please don't ever change your font!! I love that I can scan through and find your lists and menus by the red font! Thank you so much for posting them - I for one, (and I'm sure I'm not alone) am very thankful for you and your leadership!!

I second that!

Aw, thank you!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I've been going over the dining plan options again. Now we think we're going to pay OOP for all. We have 6 nights at CBR and have 3 TS meals with ADRs. Two are set prices. We just can't plan dinners and dates! We will have the $200 gift card, plus about $250 in Visa rewards, so we could use that to pay for food. Then we have all the flexibility we want. Only thing is we may not get to eat at certain restaurants. I'm perusing menus (again) and finding a few TS I'd like to try, and am contemplating just trying a walk-up during off hours. Especially if the parks aren't crowded. Or maybe calling that a.m. to see if I could get in. The one I've been thinking about was Sci Fi Drive in (?) at DHS. But only if we go a second time. We already have a date for Mama Melrose's Fantasmic pkg. AH - all this planning and then deciding not to plan - enough to make one a little loopy!
Maybe I should go to bed. I do have to work about a 1/2 day tomorrow, pack my kids' overnight bags, ship them to grandma's and go see Wicked (2d time in a month! )

We've been to both Sci-Fi and Mama Melrose and really liked both. At SF we had really good and fast service. The food was basic, sandwiches & fries, and the milkshakes were excellent. The bill was around $60. At MM we had very slow service, and I have heard others say that too, so be prepared. Very good food though and a nice place to relax. The bill was over $100.

Good luck with all of your dining decisions!

 

[jenjolt]

Jen.... how was your Thanksgiving meal at church???? Your Christmas cards sound like they will be very nice. I think I will work on mine while in the hospital next week. I know that I have to stay for three days. You should have seen the nurses when I asked if the floors in the hospital were wireless so I could bring my laptop..... the one nurses was really annoyed with me reminding me that "this is major surgery and surfing the net isn't what we plan on for recovery"..... I never did get an answer.... so I think I will have DH sneak it in the following day..... I can't be away from the Snowbirds for that long....

The Thanksgiving meal was a great!! We had a time of testimonies and at the end I don't think there were many dry eyes in the house.

I'll be heading out shortly to run some errands before I make my cards. I will take a picture of them and post it if anyone is interested in seeing the final product!!

Wendy, I'll be praying for you during your surgery!!! I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery!!! You will be missed while you are gone!! Lots of love to you!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good morning Snowbirds!

Another cold and snowy morning here.

Just doing some cleaning before I head off to the school to get everything all set up for Santa's Workshop. The kids will start shopping on Tuesday when they get back from the break.

Gotta finish DH's birthday cake today too!

 

[jenjolt]

I forgot to mention that I have dance practice tonight from 7-10pm. I desperately need a nap! Oh! I forgot about another exciting tidbit! I got my 2009 Pass Porter today! HOORAY!

Oooh I got my 2009 Deluxe in the mail yesterday I love it!! I haven't had time to enter all my info into it yet but that is the plan this weekend!! Now I'll have this on top of my massive binder!!

 

[jenjolt]

Good morning Snowbirds!

Another cold and snowy morning here.

Just doing some cleaning before I head off to the school to get everything all set up for Santa's Workshop. The kids will start shopping on Tuesday when they get back from the break.

Gotta finish DH's birthday cake today too!

Tell you DH Happy Birthday from the Snowbirds!! Hope he has a great day!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Tell you DH Happy Birthday from the Snowbirds!! Hope he has a great day!!!!

Thanks! He gets done working early today (for Thanksgiving break, not for his birthday ) and the kids have early dismissal today too! So we will probably get a head start tonight on all the eating we are going to do tomorrow! (birthday cake!)