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

[Mndisneygirl]

Happy birthday to your baby- ahem I mean young man! I hope he has a fun one and that you don't cry too much! My son will be 5 in April and heads to Kindergarten next year. I look at him every day and wonder where my baby has gone. And then I look over at my daughter and she'll be two in February- where did the time go? Eeek and when did I enter my 30's!!!!

Just wait til you hit 40 - OUCH!
My closest girlfriends and I all hit 40 this year and we wanted to do something special, but we can't afford a big trip or anything, so in a week we're having a "girls weekend" at one of our cabins. Just a little getaway! This was much harder on me than 30, but I also didn't have my kids until after I was 30.

Question for everyone that celebrates Christmas regarding Santa...

My hubby and I can't decide what to do as far as the wrapping goes.

I grew up with stuff from my parents being wrapped but anything from Santa wasn't wrapped.

My hubby grew up with everything wrapped and labeled who it was from- parents or Santa, which is how he figured things out so young- mom's handwriting was the same as Santa's, Santa used the same gift wrap and labels as mom.

We just can't decide what to do.

What does everyone else do?

We originally were set where Santa wrapped with special wrapping paper, which had to be hidden. Then a friend said, Santa doesn't wrap, he just leaves presents under the tree and/or in stockings. That works great especially if he brings large gifts. We modified, the kids didn't notice or care, and Santa just leaves his own homemade tag on the gifts so they know who it's for. I figured it out at a young age because of the handwriting thing too. Block Printing is key.
Good luck!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Just wait until you find yourself looking at the tail lights of the car as your drives away from Thanksgiving, going to her "home" that has nothing to do with you! You know that this is the way it's supposed to be, but still, there's that tug . . .

Oh No! That will be me.

 

[BellaSoleil]

Question for everyone that celebrates Christmas regarding Santa...

My hubby and I can't decide what to do as far as the wrapping goes.

I grew up with stuff from my parents being wrapped but anything from Santa wasn't wrapped.

My hubby grew up with everything wrapped and labeled who it was from- parents or Santa, which is how he figured things out so young- mom's handwriting was the same as Santa's, Santa used the same gift wrap and labels as mom.

We just can't decide what to do.

What does everyone else do?

Santa didn't wrap our presents. That's how we knew it was from him.

 

[chemysterygal]

Okay, I just HAVE to share with my Dis-ers!!

Happy, happy me!!!

I called the airline about the flight schedule changes made and the person I spoke with was all "well, that isn't a valid connection and we'll have to change it" - which, of course, meant losing Disney time because we would arrive later.

So after waiting on hold for her to try and massage our flights so that we don't get in too much later, I ask her whether there is any possibility of changing our return times so that we can actually use the last day of our vacation (we were scheduled to leave at 7:30am as that was the latest time available for our fare when I originally booked). She says "oh, I see where your return flights were altered, so yes I can make changes to them. What would you like?" Here's me: "Ummm".... (inside, I'm hoping and praying for some right about then).... "is there anything later?" She then proceeds to ask whether evening would be okay.... Me: "Um, yes" - and voila - we now have a flight leaving at.....drumroll please.... 6:30PM.

Color me happy!!!

So, to those of you whose flights have changed, it might be worth it to call your airline and see if you can swing something more favorable!! I just managed to snag another half-day in the park for my family!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Hey, that's awesome! Way to work the system in your favor!
It's so rare that we get what we want out of the airlines isn't it?

 

[chemysterygal]

Hey, that's awesome! Way to work the system in your favor!
It's so rare that we get what we want out of the airlines isn't it?

It IS rare! The only reason I even tried to ask is, while I was sitting on hold, I did a search and found the same flights she booked us on for the same fare (amount and code) that I had originally paid! We certainly didn't gain anything money-wise, since the fares were the same, but the extra time is more precious than gold!

 

[sarbah77]

Question for everyone that celebrates Christmas regarding Santa...

My hubby and I can't decide what to do as far as the wrapping goes.

I grew up with stuff from my parents being wrapped but anything from Santa wasn't wrapped.

My hubby grew up with everything wrapped and labeled who it was from- parents or Santa, which is how he figured things out so young- mom's handwriting was the same as Santa's, Santa used the same gift wrap and labels as mom.

We just can't decide what to do.

What does everyone else do?

Santa always had special wrapping paper. Things from him are always wrapped in different paper, which always made it seem THAT MUCH COOLER.

And they were always stacked up by the fireplace (or on the stairs in the house where we didn't have one!), so they were in a different location!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Santa always had special wrapping paper. Things from him are always wrapped in different paper, which always made it seem THAT MUCH COOLER.

And they were always stacked up by the fireplace (or on the stairs in the house where we didn't have one!), so they were in a different location!

That makes sense, since he has to come down the fireplace and that's where the stockings are hung (with care!) At our house, we used to have a tree by the fireplace and one up in the living room but now we just have the tree in the LR, so having Santa leave presents by the fireplace makes good sense.

We're wondering whether Santa should set up the Wii the girls want. That TV is also by the fireplace, so wouldn't that be nice?

 

[MelXThree]

That makes sense, since he has to come down the fireplace and that's where the stockings are hung (with care!) At our house, we used to have a tree by the fireplace and one up in the living room but now we just have the tree in the LR, so having Santa leave presents by the fireplace makes good sense.

We're wondering whether Santa should set up the Wii the girls want. That TV is also by the fireplace, so wouldn't that be nice?

Just thought I would give my 2 cents! I think Santa should set up the wii. The one thing I dislike the most is trying to find batteries, put togther toy or set up wii's when you have excited children in your face I think the morning will go a lot smoother but that's just my 2 cents

 

[jenjolt]

At my house gifts were left especially from Santa and I remember that Santa always left me a thank you note for the cookies and milk..which were always eaten and the carrot sticks for Rudolph and the other reindeers which were always gone!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Just thought I would give my 2 cents! I think Santa should set up the wii. The one thing I dislike the most is trying to find batteries, put togther toy or set up wii's when you have excited children in your face I think the morning will go a lot smoother but that's just my 2 cents

Thanks!! I totally agree!! (of course, I've been thinking we should have set it up and been practicing with it after the kids are in bed for the last two months!) I have already convinced my parents that they should come to our house Christmas day rather than us go there, since if Santa brings it, which he will because we're so good , the kids will want to stay home and play it. Then we'd all have something to do all day.

At my house gifts were left especially from Santa and I remember that Santa always left me a thank you note for the cookies and milk..which were always eaten and the carrot sticks for Rudolph and the other reindeers which were always gone!!!

Santa always leaves us notes too, and I've saved every one of them. He always mentions how it was so nice that the dog didn't bark at him!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Jen - how are you feeling?

 

[MelXThree]

I haven't read all the pages I've missed yet but this was on touringplans.com

New room-only discount to be announced tomorrow
Word around town is that Disney will announce a new room-only discount on Thursday, December 4 for travel dates from January through April 4, 2009. Room rates are said to begin at $49/night. We could be wrong, so don't go off selling plasma to pay for that room at Pop Century until it's official.

So maybe this might help some of you who did not get the last one!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Well, good night all - Hope you all have a great day tomorrow and those of you who are feel better soon!

 

[mana_liz]

Growing up and even now all our presents were wrapped. We just received presents from Santa...nothing came with a tag from Mom. Even now the tags still say Santa...unless it's a gift bought for a sibling or Mom.

My Mom had these special tags that she ordered that already had Santa's name printed in the from spot. Then she bought a stamp that said from Santa.

 

[pamouselover]

Question for everyone that celebrates Christmas regarding Santa...

My hubby and I can't decide what to do as far as the wrapping goes.

I grew up with stuff from my parents being wrapped but anything from Santa wasn't wrapped.

My hubby grew up with everything wrapped and labeled who it was from- parents or Santa, which is how he figured things out so young- mom's handwriting was the same as Santa's, Santa used the same gift wrap and labels as mom.

We just can't decide what to do.

What does everyone else do?

Growing up Santa did not wrap my gifts! He had seven in my house, how could he? I love you Mom!
Santa wraps gifts here. We have always bought special paper for each child. I buy different tags too. I use to have my sister write the tags for me also. DH does it now in his best hand writing. He writes like a doctor. I have to tell you all, neither of my kids (12 and 15) have never said the words he is not real, or anything to that affect. We still try to keep the magic alive. When DS was about 2 I started this elf thing. You know how most parents tell there kids Santa is watching well I told him one day his special elf was watching him. He asked what his name is; the closes thing to me was his huge Barney stuff toy. So I said Barney the Elf. Barney the elf started leaving present for them, telling them about being good. My sister become the elf and always took it two steps to far. Extreme buying I should say, like a play station sitting on our steps one year. Of course a couple years later the movie Santa clause with Tim Allen came out, and yes Barney the elf was in it. OMG I said there he is!!!
He still is watching them. I told DD the other day Santa is on a budget this year, the economy is hurting him also you know.
She said she heard that also.

 

[debbieandroo]

I haven't read all the pages I've missed yet but this was on touringplans.com

New room-only discount to be announced tomorrow
Word around town is that Disney will announce a new room-only discount on Thursday, December 4 for travel dates from January through April 4, 2009. Room rates are said to begin at $49/night. We could be wrong, so don't go off selling plasma to pay for that room at Pop Century until it's official.

So maybe this might help some of you who did not get the last one!!

woo-hoo!!! as someone who totally missed that last great offer, this is wonderful news indeed - thanks for letting us know - I will call them this weekend.....

 

[Remmy]

I haven't read all the pages I've missed yet but this was on touringplans.com

New room-only discount to be announced tomorrow
Word around town is that Disney will announce a new room-only discount on Thursday, December 4 for travel dates from January through April 4, 2009. Room rates are said to begin at $49/night. We could be wrong, so don't go off selling plasma to pay for that room at Pop Century until it's official.

So maybe this might help some of you who did not get the last one!!

Thank you so much for this tidbit. It is 1:25am and I sent it along to my travel agent. I am off this morning so I will try to check with the official Disney site later in the morning. My travel agent did say if anything better did come along she would be able to get it for us. I am hoping this is true and she will stand by her word and I will be able to catch in on this deal.

I am also thinking if this is true then there is a serious downturn at Disney if they are discounting Pop rooms so much. It would make me think they aren't that busy for the first half of the year.

Thank you again. Remmy

 

[Remmy]

Just checking in! to all who need it! I've been feeling a bit stressed lately too. Lots of anxiety with no known reason. I believe it's totally hormonal, but don't know what to do about it and I am anti-meds (even tho- I work in the mental health field...go figure! Oh well, this too shall pass! I think I'm going to schedule me a bday pedi for this weekend, especially since I get to spend my bday getting my first mammogram...I've been calling it Mammy Monday!!

Good luck with everything. I will be thinking of you.

I too find I am scheduling serious stuff on my birthday. It seems the only day in my family I can take and have it be my day and not feel guilty to be thinking about me first instead of the rest of the family first.

I hope you enjoy your Birthday pedi, are you going to go with something a bit different with the nail polish? Maybe you can ask them to do something Disney for you.

Remmy

 

[Remmy]

Hello Snowbirds,

It looks like some of us have had a trying day today. I am wishing everyone happy thoughts. I know sometimes in my darkest of moments I have to think that this will pass even if by the seconds.

I am seeing the doctor today (Thursday). I booked it for something else and now have a cold that I think has turned worse as it is in my throat and my ears are burning. I am very thankful that I have a family doctor and I can see him for more than one thing at a time. Lately in my neck of the woods there are more people without a family Dr and if you do have one they will only see you for the reason you first gave and cannot tackle on other things.

I do hope all of us can look forward to our Disney vacations. I know some of you are going through great problems that seem like they cannot be overcome. I will be thinking of you all.

I have almost lost my voice due to this illness that I have. I do not sound like a woman at all. It is funny for telemarketers that when I answer they say "Hello Mr. X". My assistant manager at work phoned our department and when I answered the phone I always state who I am and he said it was a good thing I did that as he didn't recognize my voice at all! I can't wait to sound normal again.

I am wishing all Snowbirds a wonderful Thursday.

I also want you all to know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Remmy