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

[Monny2AE]

Morning Snowbirds! I'm starting to get really excited about going again- I think my lull is over! Perhaps it was making the big payoff yesterday that did it!

Last night we were watching the weather channel and dh was showing ds on the map where Mickey lives and how far we have to go- it was too precious. If you ask him he'll tell you "we're going to take 95 for loooong 2 days until we get to Mickey's all the way in Florida...and Daddy wants no funny business in the car!"

I'm pulling out my secret bin and going through it today- putting some toiletries in a carry on bag and some in the backpack for the parks and checking to make sure I don't need anything else. I wish I had the room to pull out the suitcases this early! I'm really surprised at myself that I haven't started packing more already! Our last trip we had a spare bedroom (before dd was born) and I had that suitcase out 4 months ahead and just kept throwing stuff in it. Pathetic I know.

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

Good Morning and a great big thank you to all you Northern Snowbirds!

A few days ago I was complaining about the heat and humidity here in Houston and asked if you could send a little cold weather our way. Did ya'll ever!!! Yesterday it was 78* as I took my Girl Scout troop ice skating (Miracles of modern technology) some of them were even wearing tank tops! This morning I woke to 31* wet cold weather! Now a little snow would have been nice.....BUT....I'll take a little cold weather to get me in the Christmas mood!

I'm off to catch up on yesterdays posts.

I hope everyone is well.

 

[BellaSoleil]

ME TOO! I'd have to have someone there to help me pronounce some of the things and explain a little of what it was so I don't end up eating like fried cockroaches hidden in some fancy name!!

And I really didn't mean to knock car dealers. We had a very nice salesman last night, he just had to go talk to his "manager" several times during the deal. And they went from offering me $2000 for my car to settling on $4000. I totally feel for them in this financial crisis. In addition to my full time job and 2nd full time job of being a wife/mom, I am also a Realtor. Thankfully I hadn't quit my "day" job to do it full time because we would be in foreclosure because we wouldn't be able to pay our own bills!! I couldn't imagine having an all commission job! I just wish there wasn't so much negotiations! Tell me what you want for the car, I'll tell you what I'll pay, if it doesn't match, see ya later!!

Fried cockroaches!

Don't sweat it! I know you didn't mean anything by it. My heart was just very tender for Dad's co-workers. I know there can be some icky salesmen out there. I got totally taken advantage of the first time I bought a car on my own. Two years later that salesman ended up working under my dad, and boy did dad let him have it!

I forgot to share..

I'm PAID IN FULL!!!!!!! It's so real now!!!!!

We won't talk about the credit card bill I'm gonna get next month Hey at least I earned some Disney Visa points!

HOORAY!!!! I'm so excited for all of us!!!! Here come the Snowbirds!!!

Anyone want to do a Snowbirds meeting at Chef's Table?? Can't you just see it?

Actually, I think I will just buy out V&A's one night for a private VIP Snowbird affair.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Last night we were watching the weather channel and dh was showing ds on the map where Mickey lives and how far we have to go- it was too precious. If you ask him he'll tell you "we're going to take 95 for loooong 2 days until we get to Mickey's all the way in Florida...and Daddy wants no funny business in the car!"

TOO FUNNY! Can your DS talk to my DDs about the funny business?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Last night we were watching the weather channel and dh was showing ds on the map where Mickey lives and how far we have to go- it was too precious. If you ask him he'll tell you "we're going to take 95 for loooong 2 days until we get to Mickey's all the way in Florida...and Daddy wants no funny business in the car!"

 

[BellaSoleil]

Good Morning and a great big thank you to all you Northern Snowbirds!

A few days ago I was complaining about the heat and humidity here in Houston and asked if you could send a little cold weather our way. Did ya'll ever!!! Yesterday it was 78* as I took my Girl Scout troop ice skating (Miracles of modern technology) some of them were even wearing tank tops! This morning I woke to 31* wet cold weather! Now a little snow would have been nice.....BUT....I'll take a little cold weather to get me in the Christmas mood!

I'm off to catch up on yesterdays posts.

I hope everyone is well.

Same here! It was in the high 60's/low 70's yesterday. It is near freezing today. This makes for a DD.

 

[pamouselover]

Oh how I wish we still had a Cracker Barrel!

I love Cracker Barrel! We only have one remotely close to us though and it is nearly 40 minutes away.

We dont either. Closes one is in NJ, or Delaware. We go to the one in Lancaster Pa. on Rt.30. I will be going to Lancaster sat. with friends.

I was searching some other Dis threads and came across the Year of a Million Dreams...a family was "stalking" the dream team and made a video of it. It's hilarious and I'm such a sap. I'm sitting at my counter and crying as I was watching the video...tears of happiness for this family I have no clue is! Boy do I have problems!

Can you share the link?

I have a quick question about crocs. I'm thinking about buying the Athens flip flop for my trip. I printed out the sizing chart and according to that, I would wear a women's size 11! I wear a size 7 or 71/2 so I'm a bit confused. If anyone could help me out with crocs sizing, I would really appreciate it! FYI - on the website, the Minnie Janes for girls are half off (they're now $14.99)! I'm buying them for my DD!

I have the blue and brown ones. I bought my regular size, and they fit.

I agree, Shelly! Awful morning here in PA. I keep thinking sunny thoughts.
DS keeps asking when he is allowed to wear shorts and I tell him "in just a few weeks when we are in Disney!" Hopefully the weather will cooperate a little while we are down there.

Pulling out the suitcases today!!

Here to....saw 83 and sunny for Fla. today on the today show.

survived the snow day with no major meltdowns or time outs!! woo hoo!!! kids were very good & got along great. We watched movies & they played in the snow.

only issue I totally forgot that no one was at the shop so the sidewalks didn't get done. So I was out there attempting to shovel this am. hmm bad idea!! first its solid ice under the snow second my "guts" arent up to that kind of movement yet

good news the insurance company gave us the check to fix my car. Dh is now 2 for 2 on hitting deer w/ my new Subarus! Oh well it will only cost us $100.

Glad Ins. is paying for it Katye! Tell him he slow down, he should not be driving like a race car driver.

 

[figmentfan0724]

i am at the 31 day mark wooo hooo

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We dont either. Closes one is in NJ, or Delaware. We go to the one in Lancaster Pa. on Rt.30. I will be going to Lancaster sat. with friends.

I didn't know there was one in the Lancaster area. . . Everytime we are out that way (Hershey, Strasburg) we eat at Isaac's. Ever go there? Love that place, it's so neat! Too bad there aren't any around here.

 

[coffeehousemom]

.

Glad Ins. is paying for it Katye! Tell him he slow down, he should not be driving like a race car driver.

I would if he had been driving like one. The problem is that &*%# doe came up out of the ditch & ran straight into the passenger side of the car. Her head hit the windshield & her body broke both my doors!! Plus she left fur & slobber marks all over the place as she bounced down the side of the car. Got the entire right hand side! At least I can still drive it. Course the kids can't open the doors but oh well. It goes to the body shop next week.

 

[pamouselover]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1871338

This is the thread.
Good laugh and reminds me of our trip in Aug. 07.
I did not found YOAMD, so magical.

 

[Monny2AE]

TOO FUNNY! Can your DS talk to my DDs about the funny business?

Dh seems to think that if he tells him enough times that it will make a difference.

Same here! It was in the high 60's/low 70's yesterday. It is near freezing today. This makes for a DD.

poor baby

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1871338

I bleive this is the thread.
Good laugh and reminds me of our trip in Aug. 07.
I did not found YOAMD, so magical.

I love the Tom Petty song for the intro and calling them blueberries I can't believe they went through all of that just for fastpasses. I'd rather just enjoy my vacation.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1871338

I bleive this is the thread.
Good laugh and reminds me of our trip in Aug. 07.
I did not found YOAMD, so magical.

OMG everyone has got to watch that video, that is hilarious!!!!! I am still laughing!!

 

[Pluto_fan]

Hello Snowbirds!

I've been reading to keep up with all of you, but haven't posted in a while. We've been sick around here ...of all things, I have an ear infection! Yes, I am way too old for that. The doctor was very surprised, as he hardly ever sees them in adults. It was very painful for a while but I'm past that part now, thankfully, but I still feel lots of pressure in my ears and I can barely hear! Very strange. The worst part is that DD has one as well, though honestly it doesn't seem to bother her too much, and now DS8 is complaining of ear pain as well. I'm taking him to the doctor this afternoon.

Congratulations to everyone on making final payments, getting magical mail, and countdowns getting smaller and smaller! We're all going to WDW SOON! The other day I received "The Guide to the Magic for Kids" which I had ordered for the boys for Christmas. It looks like fun! The only down side is that it seems pretty big for carrying around to the parks, so I don't know that we'll use the autograph pages. Maybe we can use a small notebook and then stick the autographed notebook pages into the guidebook. I think I'm going to make a countdown calendar for the boys also, probably starting the day after Christmas. Do any of you creative Snowbirds have any great ideas for me? Any pictures?

Hi everyone!

We are very excited to join the list of January snowbirds! I finally paid off the trip last week and made plane reservations.

We got our ME information last night!!!

We'll be at WL from Jan 17 - Jan 24 (with a one-night stay at POP on Jan 16). I last visited Disney about 20 years ago, and DH (55) has never been! This is a Christmas present for DS (7) and DD (5)

I can't wait to escape the cold and chaos of the DC metro area over inauguration week!

We're in the DC area too, and are also glad to be getting out of town that week! It's going to be nuts here! I'm telling my DH that we should rent out our house--that could cover the whole cost of the Disney trip! Seriously, I can't see putting it on Craigslist and having some strangers stay in it , but I'd like to find someone we know, or a friend of a friend, who needs a place to stay.

Hope everyone is having a Happy Disney Day!

 

[sarbah77]

Hello Snowbirds!

I've been reading to keep up with all of you, but haven't posted in a while. We've been sick around here ...of all things, I have an ear infection! Yes, I am way too old for that. The doctor was very surprised, as he hardly ever sees them in adults. It was very painful for a while but I'm past that part now, thankfully, but I still feel lots of pressure in my ears and I can barely hear! Very strange. The worst part is that DD has one as well, though honestly it doesn't seem to bother her too much, and now DS8 is complaining of ear pain as well. I'm taking him to the doctor this afternoon.

My dad gets ear infections, too. For him, it's because he can't take Sudafed because of his medications, which means his head stays congested, which backs up into his ears and and and... poor Dad!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm sure everyone already knows about this, but here's some info anyway!

"According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, Disney's Design a Tee Presented by Hanes shop begins a soft opening today in Downtown Disney's Marketplace. The shop is located next to The Art of Disney store at the east end of Downtown Disney. Customers can design their own short- or long-sleeve T-shirts, using more than 300 items of Disney art and up to four lines of text, on one of eight touch-screen kiosks. Prices range from $20 to $30. Shirts are made in about 15 minutes, and you can wait and watch them being made on video screens, pick them up later or have them delivered."

 

[jenjolt]

I'm sure everyone already knows about this, but here's some info anyway!

"According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, Disney's Design a Tee Presented by Hanes shop begins a soft opening today in Downtown Disney's Marketplace. The shop is located next to The Art of Disney store at the east end of Downtown Disney. Customers can design their own short- or long-sleeve T-shirts, using more than 300 items of Disney art and up to four lines of text, on one of eight touch-screen kiosks. Prices range from $20 to $30. Shirts are made in about 15 minutes, and you can wait and watch them being made on video screens, pick them up later or have them delivered."

I'm so going to do this LOL!!! As if I need another Disney shirt LOL!! But hey....Its my trip LOL!!!

Just got done watching that video that was posted and it was HILARIOUS!!! What a riot!!!

 

[sharadoc]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry to hear so many Snowbirds are sick - count me in, too. Bad cold, actually leaving work soon to go home to bed.

Pretty exciting now - Christmas only 2 weeks away, then Disney time!!!

Here's an interesting "problem". DD has done a great job of saving spending money for her trip. She saves change and begs the rest of us for our "cents" as she calls it. Occasionally her grandparents give her dollars, and she's been really good at saving since we made our reservations. We've made 2 trips to the bank to empty her piggy, and are ready for a third. She has $62 saved already, and has counted up approx. $22 for her next run. I estimate she'll have around $100 to spend when we get there. Fantastic. But then she's also getting the Birthday Gift Card, which should be around $80 AND her grandmother told me she is giving each kid $100 in twenties to spend at Disney!

Do you know what that means? She's going to have close to $300 in spending money for the trip!!! That feels like it's WAY TOO MUCH! and I don't know what to do about it. I've already told her that Mom and Dad are responsible for 3 meals a day, but if she wants snacks like ice cream, sodas, churros, etc. that it comes out of her spending money. She'll probably want some stuffed animals and of course, once she sees the big Mickey store in DTD, I guess she will spend it all, but it seems kind of wasteful to me.

Don't think I want to deprive her, but I just don't want to over-indulge, I guess. But, the good thing is at least a third of it is money she saved herself, so that's some satisfaction.

So, that brings me to a QOTD. Are you planning to allocate spending money to your children, or do you wing it? Do you put a limit on winging it? DS will be easy to manage, so I won't have to "match" DDs spending money, but he will have the $100 from grandma, too. I'm hoping DH and I get money from Grandma, too?!?!

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

So, that brings me to a QOTD. Are you planning to allocate spending money to your children, or do you wing it? Do you put a limit on winging it? DS will be easy to manage, so I won't have to "match" DDs spending money, but he will have the $100 from grandma, too. I'm hoping DH and I get money from Grandma, too?!?!

We plan on wrapping up some Disney Dollars for the big reveal. Last year we had paid for DD's good grades with Disney Dollars and she earned some more around the house. We also just gave her some to help her reach the $100 mark When we got there we told her to shop smart because once the money was gone...it's gone! She really checked things out and waited to buy only the things she REALLY wanted. I think $10 a day for souvenirs is pretty reasonable. Of course there were moments that were fun to just say "go ahead and get it ...my treat!"

I think giving kids their own spending money is the key to reducing the stress around souvenirs.

My friend who has twin boys (10) and a DD(6) did this and she said agreed with me that the "PLEEEEAAASE Can I have it" and MOOOOOOM PLease! And I WANT ITs were considerably less then when they didn't have their own money. Plus it's a little lesson on money management without them even knowing your teaching it!!! Bonus!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

QOTD
We are giving our DDs $25 gift cards for Christmas to spend plus we will buy all snacks (if we decide it's reasonable). We are also buying the passports at Epcot and t-shirts/sweatshirts. They no longer want stuffed animals (I've laid down the law). I think they will get pins.

Typically when we take a vacation, Grandma and Papa give them money to buy a souvenir too.