Leaving the hubbies and kids behind - A May 2010 PTR, TR has begun!

[Megablocks]

You did Stitch? I just don't thing there is anyway I will EVER do it! I MIGHT...someday...be talked into Tiki Birds but I draw the line at Stitch!

Not willingly They insisted I'd love it and didn't seem to understand why I didn't. Don't they know I am a DISer and I know from reading that almost everyone feels it's pointless or ridiculous?

 

[MHTeacher]

I bought the same shirt about a month ago!

I’m fairly craft-impared

Love the way you put that!

 

[MeMom]

Not willingly They insisted I'd love it and didn't seem to understand why I didn't. Don't they know I am a DISer and I know from reading that almost everyone feels it's pointless or ridiculous?

I think all Disers should be required to do Stitch, for informational purposes.
You can't really tell someone how ungood it is unless you experience it yourself, right? I would allow that they should only have to do it when there is a five minute or less wait, so that they don't use any valuable Disney time. We did it once, and when it was over, we thought we were being ushered from the pre-show to the actual ride/attraction. Nope, it was over; that was the whole show. You know I am a Disney fanatic to the highest degree, but this is the one thing I think they failed miserably on. Still, I think everyone should try it once just to form their own opinions and to know firsthand what it is about.

I agree about Toontown. Get your Mickey and Minnie house pictures while you can!

You have a fun list going. We haven't made any plans for the Mother's Day trip yet. Just whatever Jill and Brooklynn want to do is fine with me. I'm just going to be ecstatic to be there when I didn't think I would be again until the summer!

 

[MEK]

Well Ladies.....Two Months to Go!!!!!!

I am doing some reorganizing of my binder. Katie - I just pm'd you our Ohana's ADR confirmation and my cell phone.

As far as the hair cuts - can you believe that my hair cut and color is the week I get back! I HATE that! I will be doing some major root touch up the day before I leave. I need to make sure every single one of those greys is covered and ready to go!

 

[julezdisney]

Bout time girl! Your signature is missing something Are you gonna make it for margaritas?

I don' know yet....lol.... I haven't even picked a hotel! And I know I don't have a ticker but... I'm afraid to jinx it.

 

[kschafer]

I can't believe you wont visit the Tiki Room! I know it's not the same but I do love it! I just like being in there before the show starts...it would have been cool if they had indeed kept it as a restaurant! I just love the vibe!

I'm excited to finally see the Hall of Presidents this year! The last two trips I've been there its been on refurb! I always enjoyed it....maybe because I'm Canadian so I don't see them as much!

Also, I think Swiss Family Treehouse closes at dusk...

You actually were the one I was thinking of when I wrote that I MIGHT be talked into it someday. I guess now we have to have overlapping trips someday

I'm not a huge history buff but I would go to HoP if Beth really wants to

Considering the number of steps, it would surprise me if the treehouse were open past dark.

Not willingly They insisted I'd love it and didn't seem to understand why I didn't. Don't they know I am a DISer and I know from reading that almost everyone feels it's pointless or ridiculous?

Yet they still suckered you onto it?

I think all Disers should be required to do Stitch, for informational purposes.
You can't really tell someone how ungood it is unless you experience it yourself, right? I would allow that they should only have to do it when there is a five minute or less wait, so that they don't use any valuable Disney time. We did it once, and when it was over, we thought we were being ushered from the pre-show to the actual ride/attraction. Nope, it was over; that was the whole show. You know I am a Disney fanatic to the highest degree, but this is the one thing I think they failed miserably on. Still, I think everyone should try it once just to form their own opinions and to know firsthand what it is about.

I agree about Toontown. Get your Mickey and Minnie house pictures while you can!

You have a fun list going. We haven't made any plans for the Mother's Day trip yet. Just whatever Jill and Brooklynn want to do is fine with me. I'm just going to be ecstatic to be there when I didn't think I would be again until the summer!

Nope...no stitch, no way!

I heard the houses may be moved to a different location but they are still worth a stop in my opinion, especially Minnies

We'll have to exchange numbers when the time comes closer so we can be sure to meet up at some point!

Love the way you put that!

It's pretty pathetic really!

Well Ladies.....Two Months to Go!!!!!!

As far as the hair cuts - can you believe that my hair cut and color is the week I get back! I HATE that! I will be doing some major root touch up the day before I leave. I need to make sure every single one of those greys is covered and ready to go!

Unfortunately, I have very stubborn greys and they look sort of blondish when I first color but after a couple washings, there's not much hiding them. I still color to brighten up otherwise my hair is very dull.

I don' know yet....lol.... I haven't even picked a hotel! And I know I don't have a ticker but... I'm afraid to jinx it.

silly Julez! Have you checked mousesavers.com? they usually have some good hotel deals listed

 

[kschafer]

I must confess to questioning whether or not I deserve to go on this trip.

Not to take away from the fact that I have been working part-time and taking care of the house and kids…certainly SAHM’s do A LOT of work! BUT you have to take into consideration that 2 years ago I worked full-time and brought home a paycheck basically equivalent to my hubbies. Last year I had a half-time job and cut our income by a fourth. This year I have been working as a substitute teacher and only make money when I work and the work in unreliable. So our family income has been almost halved in just 2 years and we have had to do some financial cuts. I usually feel like I am keeping my share of the family going with the things I do but also feel guilty about the money situation and have wondered if this trip is justified or not.

Well, last week I was reminded why I deserve to go on this trip without my family!

I think I have mentioned that Greg coaches basketball. It is a very long season! He is constantly busy from just after Halloween to just after Valentines Day. Last week was one of the first weeks he wasn’t scheduled like crazy and Daniel got sick and had to stay home from school a couple days.

On Monday, Patrick had an orthodontist appointment at 3:00. Because Greg teaches an early morning class, his day is technically finished at 2:30 so I asked if he could come home so I wouldn’t have to drag Daniel when he was sick. Greg said he had some catching up to do at school and needed to work late so I asked him to call when he left so if we were still at the ortho, he could swing by and pick up Daniel. He asked where the office was and I told him “across the street from their dentist” to which Greg responds “where is their dentist?”

On Tuesday, Daniel was still sick. I hadn’t gotten out to the grocery store in several days and needed to go get a few things. Patrick had piano lessons at 5:00 and I was hoping Greg would be home around 3:30 or 4:00 so I could to a grocery run before piano. Turns out, he got home around 4:30 so I asked him if he could take Patrick to piano so I could go to the store and pick him up on my way home. Greg’s response? “OK, where does he go for piano?”

I’m feeling much less guilty about leaving my family, I do believe I have earned some time away!

Daniel wants to say hi:

 

[lovesdumbo]

I’m feeling much less guilty about leaving my family, I do believe I have earned some time away!

Yes! You do deserve your time away!!! I'm glad to see the guilt was short lived. I have to admit to feeling guilty too and I'm the one that works while DH is a stay at home Dad. I think my DH deserves time away too but he would rather stay home.

 

[eyor44]

Hi I just found your trip report. Little late, yes, but just wanted to say I will be there the same week as you and I am doing my very first solo trip. Leaving DH with the kids for a week and yes, he gets to see the other side of parenting. It's going to be great on so many levels. I haven't read your whole trip report, but I will tonight. If I see you there, I'll say hi.

 

[Cory's Gal]

Yes Katie, you do deserve some time away!! I know Mommy guilt too well, I experience it almost every time I take time for myself, but after I relax for a bit, I feel more energized and more productive!! It will be such a nice trip for you and Beth!!

And " Hi Daniel"!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yes! You do deserve this trip!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Of course you deserve this trip, Katie!

I often joke and tell Kevin that if I die before him, he'll never find the keys to get to the service! We've lived in our current house for ten years, and he'll still ask me where we keep the extra toothpaste!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yes, Katie, you do deserve it!

I admit I have my moments of feeling the same way, after all I contribute nothing monetarily to our household. But Don travels (a lot) for work, which leaves me with everything house and kids related for days at a time. Everytime I start thinking that it is selfish of me to take off without the family for a few days, I remind myself of that. Mom's need a chance to breath too!!

 

[Megablocks]

Yeah, I got suckered into going on to Stitch even though I knew it wasn't worth it. I mostly just didn't want to be sitting and waiting by myself somewhere.

Hi Daniel! Katie, you DO totally deserve this trip!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Katie - Remember that you are Katie Schafer first before you are wife or mother. You so deserve this trip!!

I have to point out that the minimum wage rate that Australians get paid is higher than Americans...we get paid about $15 - $18 an hour minimum wage. So keep this in context when reading this next bit. The economists in this country have priced out what a SAHM is worth assuming that the following jobs are outsourced using an hourly rate in this range:

• Cook
• Cleaner
• Child Care
• Chauffer
• Ironing
• Personal Shopper
• Personal Assistant (for paying bills etc, running to the bank, post office, ringing tradies for quotes etc)....

The total came to $65K per annum. That's what a SAHM is worth in Australia. Oh - and in Australia, you would get 4 weeks annual leave....

 

[Charleston Princess]

You most certainly deserve this trip! Don't even think twice about it, Katie!

 

[eyor44]

Katie
Back towards the beginning you mentioned snacks and asked about the cream cheese pretzel. You can also find it at Scuttle's Landing located in front of Ariel's Grotto and behind Dumbo.

They are the absolute most wonderful things!

 

[julezdisney]

yes you DO deserve to get away! Absolutely! EVERY MOM DOES!

 

[cdotla]

Hey Katie...love your lists!

And too funny about the haircut...I am always thinking that way too and planning the perfect appointment time based on vacations!

As for questioning whether you deserve the trip...don't even think twice! Not only will it be good for your husband and kids to have some bonding time themselves, but it will remind you how much you love and appreciate your family and vice versa for them as well. Plus, after taking this trip you will be recharged and ready to tackle life again with spring in your step!

You totally deserve it! Everyone does. Life is too short not to enjoy!

 

[kschafer]

Yes! You do deserve your time away!!! I'm glad to see the guilt was short lived. I have to admit to feeling guilty too and I'm the one that works while DH is a stay at home Dad. I think my DH deserves time away too but he would rather stay home.

Of the two of us, I'm certainly the one who feels guilty about doing things for myself, Greg has no problem! I guess I'm the one who would rather do stuff for the family than for myself.

Hi I just found your trip report. Little late, yes, but just wanted to say I will be there the same week as you and I am doing my very first solo trip. Leaving DH with the kids for a week and yes, he gets to see the other side of parenting. It's going to be great on so many levels. I haven't read your whole trip report, but I will tonight. If I see you there, I'll say hi.

eyor!! Glad to hear there is another Diser planning for that week. did you read about our Cinco do Mayo meet? Join us and say Hi if you will be in the area!

Yes Katie, you do deserve some time away!! I know Mommy guilt too well, I experience it almost every time I take time for myself, but after I relax for a bit, I feel more energized and more productive!! It will be such a nice trip for you and Beth!!

And " Hi Daniel"!!

I'm so excited to share Disney with Beth! I love the fact that her first trip is just us. Both of her boys have trips with school and church groups this year so this is her solo time

Yes! You do deserve this trip!!

Thanks LL

Of course you deserve this trip, Katie!

I often joke and tell Kevin that if I die before him, he'll never find the keys to get to the service! We've lived in our current house for ten years, and he'll still ask me where we keep the extra toothpaste!

I guess it's a good thing then that we live across the street from a funeral home, he can just walk Greg is funny like too! I figure it's fair since in the 10 years in this home, I have yet to even start the snowblower or lawn mower

Yes, Katie, you do deserve it!

I admit I have my moments of feeling the same way, after all I contribute nothing monetarily to our household. But Don travels (a lot) for work, which leaves me with everything house and kids related for days at a time. Everytime I start thinking that it is selfish of me to take off without the family for a few days, I remind myself of that. Mom's need a chance to breath too!!

During the peak of basketball season, it feels like he is gone for days at a time. He leaves at 7 in the morning for school and often returns home after the boys are in bed. We all were cheering a little for their opponent once playoffs got here

Yeah, I got suckered into going on to Stitch even though I knew it wasn't worth it. I mostly just didn't want to be sitting and waiting by myself somewhere.

Hi Daniel! Katie, you DO totally deserve this trip!

Next time, get yourself a Mickey bar and people watch instead!

Katie - Remember that you are Katie Schafer first before you are wife or mother. You so deserve this trip!!

I have to point out that the minimum wage rate that Australians get paid is higher than Americans...we get paid about $15 - $18 an hour minimum wage. So keep this in context when reading this next bit. The economists in this country have priced out what a SAHM is worth assuming that the following jobs are outsourced using an hourly rate in this range:

• Cook
• Cleaner
• Child Care
• Chauffer
• Ironing
• Personal Shopper
• Personal Assistant (for paying bills etc, running to the bank, post office, ringing tradies for quotes etc)....

The total came to $65K per annum. That's what a SAHM is worth in Australia. Oh - and in Australia, you would get 4 weeks annual leave....

Well, I think I am behind on a few paychecks! There have been times where Greg has called 2 or 3 days a week to ask me to run an errand for him during the day. I don't mind doing it but it makes me laugh because it makes me wonder how we did it all when we both worked full time. Actually I know, we worked all weekend too and still had things undone!

You most certainly deserve this trip! Don't even think twice about it, Katie!

Thanks CP, now I just have to remember that when I feel guilty there!

Katie
Back towards the beginning you mentioned snacks and asked about the cream cheese pretzel. You can also find it at Scuttle's Landing located in front of Ariel's Grotto and behind Dumbo.

They are the absolute most wonderful things!

Thanks for that info, I can't wait to try one!

yes you DO deserve to get away! Absolutely! EVERY MOM DOES!

Thanks Julez. nice ticker BTW!

Hey Katie...love your lists!

And too funny about the haircut...I am always thinking that way too and planning the perfect appointment time based on vacations!

As for questioning whether you deserve the trip...don't even think twice! Not only will it be good for your husband and kids to have some bonding time themselves, but it will remind you how much you love and appreciate your family and vice versa for them as well. Plus, after taking this trip you will be recharged and ready to tackle life again with spring in your step!

You totally deserve it! Everyone does. Life is too short not to enjoy!

I read your update this morning about Mother's Day plans and found it funny that I am returning home that day. I will of course hate to leave WDW but coming home in time to spend the afternoon with my kids I think will be the best way to spend the day (most years I tell hubby I want a day off so it's funny I will feel the opposite this year)