June, July, August PLANNING thread

[EEyorelover22]

It's a lot of work when we get a new rewrite of a textbook. I've taught out of my advanced algebra book for 3 years now and still find myself looking for stuff from the old book or wondering why they rearranged stuff the way they did. My geometry book is also new and I've taught out of it for 2 years and I found myself still working at it again this year in the second year. This new course I'm working on I've never taught before. I shouldn't have too much trouble till I get to trig identities and polar coordinates. I haven't done those for a long time! It's different too from just learning it, I have to be able to explain it to someone else which is the tricky part. It's been interesting watching my own kids in math and seeing the misconceptions that they have about different topics from their classroom instruction. They miss connections, form wrong assumptions about concepts, or just plain don't get it. With both of them, I held my breath when they reached equation solving because that causes problems for many students, but they both took the rules as gospel and moved on which was wonderful. Math was always the subject I had to work at the most which is sort of funny that I teach it. Fate sort of landed me where I am today more than anything. It's the job that was open when we moved to Iowa so I took it and I've loved it ever since. I'm actually a medical technology major so biology would have been the most "normal" subject for me to teach. I'm sort of glad I'm not cutting up worms all the time!!

 

[EEyorelover22]

EE22 > what are you doing up at this hour? I woke with a migraine, so was trying not to fall asleep again. (i am off today, working weekend) makes the headaches worse. So using the computer with my sunglasses, & ice bag.

Although I really do enjoy quiet mornings before anyone else gets up.

I finally went to bed at my normal time and woke up at my normal time. Summers really don't serve me well with a lack of a schedule. I do better during the school year with more regular hours.

I also get migraines. I had a headache all week except this morning. Probably the other reason I was up so early. It's from sleeping in air conditioning. I hate it. Last night we had the windows open, but they are shut again today. Sometimes changes in weather gives me a headache too. Foods do as well. I usually have a headache 5 of 7 days. I don't get the knock out migraines that make me sick much anymore since I've figured out what causes them...mostly foods. I've had them since I was 9.

I would hate to work weekends! icky

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Just Bumpping up to wish all yu guys a good weekend !
Our Youngest DS & DDIL want to take "DAD", (DH), out for Dinner on sunday,
for Father`s Day, and that`s just FINE with me !
Hope All the "DADs", have a great day!

 

[mouseaddicts]

Anyone miss me? I haven't been on the boards for a while ....... I was forced to stop planning for a few weeks. Here's what happened (if you care) ....

Last year, DH & I did a DVC tour @ SSR. We loved it & really wanted to buy. We even put down earnest $ & had a contract, but due to some quite unfortunately family circumstances, we were unable to close. I told him at the time I wand DVC & would have it one day. So ........... one year later, we're planning yet another WDW trip in deluxe resorts (there are 5 of us) and doing the cost analysis ......

I say "we sould do another DVC tour while we're there & see what the price, etc. is now." (What was I thinking!?!)

The very day the code comes out & I'm on the phone with CRO switching to BW for our last 4 nights, DH is calling our DVC sales agent from last year .... turns out they are offering a pretty good incentive right now and you can buy 2005 points with Dec use year. That means, if we buy in NOW, we can use points on our July trip & stay in a 1BR (yes, they allow 5 in a 1BR) at SSR instead of deluxe. ............. hmmm ...........

We did the math. For the same $ we were spending on our deluxe rooms, we could put the DVC deposit down & stay at SSR. So ........... we sent in our earnest $, signed the contract, sent off the papers & waited. We got approved, so now we're DVC members!!! We got ressie's for a 1BR for 5 nights @ SSR (with points left over to bank for next year!) and we still get to stay @ BW for the last 2 nights with AP discount!

So ...... now that we're DVC members & staying on points, we got to add DDP to our ressie & don't have to pay for it until we check-in (not the 45 day out pkg). We were very fortunate to be able to keep all our same restaurants & just flip a few lunch ADRs (made in the interest of saving $) to dinner ADRs for the same dates!!!

Because of all the DVC stuff going on, I wasn't able to maintain my same planning status-quo. I was forced to sit & wait for a few weeks until everything got processed. It was TORTURE!!! Now, I'm back!

We didn't tell the kids about DVC until everything was a "done deal" b/c we didn't want to get them excited & then it not happen. They are excited, but my DD who just turned 9 (last week) was a little bummed that we're not going to be @ the Poly. They are all 3 excited about the "clown pool" at BW the last 2 nights. The only ressies I have left to make are for Bibbidy Bobbidy Botique! This will be a bit of a surprise for the girls ........

Okay, the ziploc bags are an AWESOME packing idea!!! I can't believe I've never done that! I knew there was a reason I hung out with such cool women!

I can't tell you how much I've missed all of you! I hope y'all are able to rejoice with me over this DVC thing just a little. We are soooo very excited about it! DH & I are absolutely thrilled that we made this purchase. We are even looking forward to taking OUR grandchildren there too ( DS is only 6!!!). We are just so happy, happy, happy

We leave TWO WEEKS from today! I'm trying to get my boss to let me go down 1 day early since I have to visit 2 properties while we're there (I don't HAVE to visit the properties, but we have large projects going on at each of them & I need to see the construction & meet the GMs in person), but so far, she hasn't agreed. Worst case scenario, I force my DH & DKs to go with me for a few hours on Saturday when we arrive. I've already told both these ppl that I would come by while we're in town, so I pretty much have to! Oh well, I know it's work, but if it wasn't for my job, we wouldn't get to see Mickey AT ALL!!!

Okay ........ I have to go shopping & buy some 2 gallon ziploc bags now! Hope to "see" you all soon ..............

 

[tripplanner2]

Congratulations on the purchase of DVC. That is so exciting. If you have problems finding the 2 gallon ziplocs (I did last year) try Target. After searching Stop and Shop and Walmart, I finally found them there.

Have a great trip, you are going at the same time we were supposed to go. I can't believe we would be packing now. Well I guess I still have lots of time to buy stuff for the trip.

 

[EEyorelover22]

WOW!! That is exciting news. Congrats!!

I rolled and did ziplocs last night! YAHOOO!!!!
I only have a few items left and I can put them in the suitcases. It didn't take as long as I thought it would. I'm worried about DS though and his shirt choices...black shirts in the FL sun don't seem like a good thing, but what can you tell a near 15 year old?? DD believes flip flops for 10 days at WDW is a dandy idea as well. When I asked them to get out their clothes for the trip you would have thought I had asked them to climb Mt. Everest!!

Did you know the rolling of clothes to fit more in deals with a geometry theorem? yes, it does. Can I deduct my trip now from my taxes?

And Target is the only place here that I have found the big ziplocs with the sliders too which makes it even easier and Hefty has come out with some this year as well. They work great. Be sure to train DH to roll DRY stuff up at night or it's a pain the night before you leave. I roll all our swim stuff together and then pjs together. Sometimes underwire bras are a trick, but they still work

I can now say..."one week"

 

[EEyorelover22]

Another thing to add...
I have used those Tide detergent sticks at work this year...I think they are Tide to Go and I've packed some of those to put on stains. When they sit for days they are hard to get out.

I must tell you my sad story from yesterday...I was very upset.
I always bleach the kids and DH's white sport socks. Too bad I didn't realize my pink pooh pj short bottoms were still in the washer they are now white. Pink is my favorite color. Pooh still looks good. I was so upset with myself.

 

[mouseaddicts]

Thanks everyone! I was hoping by dis-friends hadn't forgotten me ..... I was planning a visit to wally-world today for the items I need, but I can easily (and happily) switch that to Target! I really want to see what I can figure out with those ziplocs!

We recently bought new bathing suits & summer clothes for the kids. Not all are specifically for Disney, but some are. I'm not sure how much I can get away with packing this week, but I'm certainly going to start! My step-DD is going home tomorrow not to return until the night before we leave for WDW & my DKs are going to their father's today for a week, so that should leave me some "alone-time" this week to drag out suitcases, etc.

Did I mention that we bought the red Disney luggage this year? We are THRILLED to be using it on our trip!

Oh, we also bought matching outfits for the whole family. The Disney Store has red Hiawiian (I have no idea how to spell that, but surely you understand me!) shirts/skirts this year. For a family of 5 I shelled out almost $200, but it's our one time of the year to match & have a great photo op! I have the cheesiest photo of all 5 of us in our matching outfits & golden mickey ears on Main St. USA from last year that I carry in my wallet. It's HI-LARRIOUS!!! But, it's also my favorite family photo!!! That's just a memory to cherish.

DH was talking about how we need to have our "matching family photo" done every year. I'm thinking we might pick a different icon each year to pose in front of to add variety over the years. Like the "golfball" at Epcot this year for example. Although, since we are new to DVC, maybe we should consider a group photo somewhere iconic @ SSR ...........

Okay, I have to throw a few things in a bag for Thing 1 & Thing 2 (my DKs - Yes, I call them that & they actually answer to it!!!) and get ready to go to town ............ Disney shopping!!!

 

[EEyorelover22]

Enjoy those matching clothes moments. DS15 will no longer wear matching shirts with us and I don't push it either The first year we went he was 10 and he and Dad had all their shirts matching. It was so cute. He informed me last year that having matching shirts with his dad for the trip would be rather weird. He's bigger than DH now too. So DH and I have a great pic of the two of us at the bottom of the stairs by Boma in our matching Stitch shirts!! It's probably one of the best pictures we've ever taken together. We still have a family photo done at WDW, but we don't have matching fits. Even DD13 informed me that for us to having matching shirts this year was "just wrong". Princess Aurora loved our matching pink shirts as did Chip and Dale...they were of Chip and Dale We had many days where we wore the same shirt. She outgrew most of hers this year anyway.

They grow up too fast!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya!

Great amd exciting news Mouseaddicts!!!!!! That is so cool. I do have a dvc agent too, she calls every 6 months, I keep telling her, I don't have the down payment, cause we just got back from wdw. oh, well someday????

Personally I think EE22 that math stuff does work for your tax deduction as does mouseaddicts "visit", you both get a deduction for doing disney.

TP2 > Yes, we still are looking at over a month, don't get those suitcases out yet. We will live vicariously (sp????) through mouseaddict, EE22, and Tommar@SSR, for now. Wow, it will be lonely here, soon.

And no, I am working all weekend soooooo not enjoying my weekend too much (yet) anyway. You all enjoy the great weather!

mky

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

"CONGRATULATIONS"!!Mouseaddicts
And As the saying goes :"WELCOME HOME" !

 

[tripplanner2]

I can't wait to read all of the trip reports and see pictures when they get home.

Anyone doing the meal plan? Love to hear about it as much as possible.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I always do a trip write up when we come home mostly because as time goes on, we forget all the cool stuff that we did We are meeting my brother half way between home and Michigan shortly after we return so I'll use the drive time to write it. DH Finally hooked up my PictureMate for me I have to redo my bulletin board at work. It had baby pics of my kids on it and with DS entering the HS next year, I didn't think he'd like that so I'm going to use almost all Disney pics! The picturemate has Disney borders. Cute borders too! I can't wait to start printing them and I'm not even there yet!

 

[tripplanner2]

I have never heard of picturemate. Is it software or a website?

 

[EEyorelover22]

It is a printer made by Epson called PictureMate for pictures from digital cameras. In the software for the printer, it has Disney backgrounds. It's about the size of a small lunch tote. It sits right here on my desk. It's easy to use and I found some replacement paper and ink at Sam's I think it's really easy to use off a photo card from a camera, but I need it off my hard drive of previous pics and then also pics we will take from Disney this year. He has a new back up drive that is super small...about the size of a camera that plugs into the back of it so it will be easy. I almost started it yesterday with printing old pics, but when I start something like that, it bothers me to not finish it so since I have math to do, I'm holding off till after the trip. You can see what the borders look like too after you add it to the picture. There was a M&M, a couple Pooh ones, and princesses and I didn't even look though all of them. It has a visual display at the top. I didn't think I'd like digital pics, but I have them run through my screen saver which I love. I see them everyday where as a photo album I hardly ever look at.

 

[tripplanner2]

I resisted the digital camera for a long time too. I finally caved last year when we were going to Disney. Now I love it and can't imagine going back to 35mm. Just the fact that one card can hold over 100 pictures is great to me. I love to just keep shooting and then only pick the pictures that I like.

I didn't realize it was a printer. We usually get our pictures printed through Walmart. They do a great job but no fancy borders. That is one of the reasons we HAD to go back to WDW this year. I didn't get any pictures of my family in front of the castle and I did not have any good borders to use with the photopass. I can't let my DH find out about that printer or he may look to cancel our trip and just buy me the printer.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Goodmorning everyone!!!
Well, yesterday(Father`s dad) went well !, Dad (DH) enjoyed his dinner out (and so did I, no cooking!! ). It was REALLY HOT here in New Jersey, in the `90`s.

TP2- we aren`t using the Dining Plan, as we have Annual Passes, and purchased the DDE Card. We enjoy the 20% off, mostly because we eat at alot of the TS restaurants which sometimes require 4 credits (opposed to 2, they allow for each day), and, for the length of time we stay (sometimes more than 10 days), it`s just not good for us. I do believe though, that it is great for large families, as I hear that you get alot of food in the plan!
I always try to write a little trip report (mostly because i get sooo home sick for WDW when i come back, and it helps me relive all the fun things we did )!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I always do a trip write up when we come home mostly because as time goes on, we forget all the cool stuff that we did We are meeting my brother half way between home and Michigan shortly after we return so I'll use the drive .......QUOTE]

EEyorelover22 > If your meeting your brother 1/2 way to michigan, that should be around here. We are right on I80! If you need any travel info let me know. But actually not that much to do around here. So remember "Joliet" is Mky's home, when you drive through.

Pictures = I had the camera's taken away from me years ago. Sis says, that is not my foray'. Also I watch her do the computer printing etc... . I could never figure out the picture maker etc... She is really good at it. (of course, her computer degree' and background does not hurt).

Hmmmm, starting to wonder if there will be codes for October? Anyone want to guess, when I should get serious looking? It is sooooooo confusing planning these 2 trips at once. Starting to think when we get home aug 20th, I will do the wash and just pack it up again, right then for oct. 11th?

Keep packing all june people! mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

I always do a trip write up when we come home mostly because as time goes on, we forget all the cool stuff that we did We are meeting my brother half way between home and Michigan shortly after we return so I'll use the drive .......QUOTE]

EEyorelover22 > If your meeting your brother 1/2 way to michigan, that should be around here. We are right on I80! If you need any travel info let me know. But actually not that much to do around here. So remember "Joliet" is Mky's home, when you drive through.
mky

We are meeting at 6 Flags it took us 1.5 hours in May to find a room to stay in...CRAZY!! I got stuck in traffic on the tollway one year with my kids when they were 4 and 6 for FOUR hours driving a stick. 4 hours and I drove 5 miles. It was just beyond Joliet. I may write you for directions once we get back from WDW. We did look in Joliet and there wasn't anything to do. so we went for 6 Flags.

Okay...the history of Joliet with my family. It's halfway between my mom's place and my dad's (they are divorced and live in different parts of Michigan which is weird that the distance to here is almost exactly the same). Anyway, the last time I saw my dad he was very sick...he always said too that he was living on borrowed time. He was never well from about 32 to his death at 58. He had 3 brain surgeries in there plus all sorts of other things over those years. I always said he was a cat with 9 Lives. Well, he was in a very bad way in early November 12 years ago and I knew that this time, he was not going to make it. I had flown home on a day's notice to see him as he had slipped into a coma, but they brought him out of it. When we parted ways for the last time, he said, "I'll see you in Joliet." 2 weeks later he was gone.

I'm glad to know that there is an angel living in Joliet that I know

 

[tripplanner2]

I'm glad to know that there is an angel living in Joliet that I know

Isn't that weird how things work out. I always say that things happen for a reason. That is a nice coincidence.