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

[kangaand2roos]

I'm so behind on reading my TR's. Trying to catch up! I haven't read in such a long time. Is the Cinco de Mayo meet still on?

 

[kschafer]

I'm so behind on reading my TR's. Trying to catch up! I haven't read in such a long time. Is the Cinco de Mayo meet still on?

Yes Ma'am!! It will be crowded and we may have to relocate somewhere to accommodate everyone but it is still on!

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So for a few days I have been in a bit of a funk because I have somehow skipped ahead a week in my mind. So instead of being excited to be below 2 weeks, I have been bummed that it's not next week. Well today I started thinking about what I have left to be ready to go and I think it is good it's not that close.

This week I will focus on the non last minute trip things (haircut, final shopping, printing tip envelopes, finishing my autograph book plans, finalizing touring plans and dining changes, etc). Then next week I will work on making sure the family is ready for me to be gone (house cleaned thoroughly, laundry done, groceries stocked, etc). By 2 days before the trip I will pack and double check I have everything I need. The day before I will do a last stop at the grocery store, color my hair and give myself a facial and pedicure.

Yeah, I think I have plenty still to do!

At this point, I only have 1 subbing day on my calendar this week and none next week. I get very few calls at the last minute so it should be a quiet couple weeks for work. My biggest fear is that they will decide to call for interviews for one of the jobs I have applied for during the week I am gone. When I first applied in December, I assumed I would know by spring break but instead they have waited and waited. I suppose I will offer a phone interview if it comes down to it because they will pick their interview dates and times around their schedule, not mine!

Oh yeah, and I just thought I would celebrate this is my 3,000th post on the Dis I'll never catch up to some of you but I'll celebrate anyways

 

[SoonerGirl]

Your next two weeks sound very similar to mine! I started printing my tip envelopes yesterday, but ran out of ink so I'll have to get another cartridge and finish that tomorrow. I also tried on all my capris yesterday, I have several that are too big, several that are too small and only a couple that fit - so I need to do a bit of shopping before we go as well.

We will be packing before we know it Katie!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

My next two weeks also involve hair, beautician and cleaning...Here's to a quiet, but fast, next two weeks!

 

[cdotla]

Don't worry Katie...these next 2 weeks will whiz right by!

Unlike you, I am concerned that our trip is too close...I wish I somehow got another week like you!

Anyway....whether we are ready or not, we will all be in Disney in 2 weeks! Yay!

 

[sunny_stace]

Katie don't feel bad about the quarters....I took $203 in rolled coins to the bank yesterday! Don't be in a funk, you'll be there before you know it! And please don't spend you wonderful vacation time worry about work! I did that on my last trip and I really wish I hadn't! What is meant to be will be, and everything will be fine! You need and deserve this trip and I don't want anything to hold you back from your fun!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Is Iowa like Georgia right now and taking longer to get contracts out? The state legislature passed a bill saying school systems don't have to issue contracts until May 15th!

 

[kschafer]

Your next two weeks sound very similar to mine! I started printing my tip envelopes yesterday, but ran out of ink so I'll have to get another cartridge and finish that tomorrow. I also tried on all my capris yesterday, I have several that are too big, several that are too small and only a couple that fit - so I need to do a bit of shopping before we go as well.

We will be packing before we know it Katie!!

I had better put ink cartridges on my shopping list for today so I have them! I only wish some of my clothes were too big right now

My next two weeks also involve hair, beautician and cleaning...Here's to a quiet, but fast, next two weeks!

Yep, I think the next 12 days will go quickly with all I have to do!

Don't worry Katie...these next 2 weeks will whiz right by!

Unlike you, I am concerned that our trip is too close...I wish I somehow got another week like you!

Anyway....whether we are ready or not, we will all be in Disney in 2 weeks! Yay!

WooHoo Hope you get all your to-do list done!

Katie don't feel bad about the quarters....I took $203 in rolled coins to the bank yesterday! Don't be in a funk, you'll be there before you know it! And please don't spend you wonderful vacation time worry about work! I did that on my last trip and I really wish I hadn't! What is meant to be will be, and everything will be fine! You need and deserve this trip and I don't want anything to hold you back from your fun!

With my "borrowing" the boys quarters, the amount we cash in next will be lower than average I'm sure.

I had forgotten about your job stress on your last trip! I'm not really stressing over it because it is really out of my control. Greg did spend time on the computer last night looking over the different flight options in case I need to fly home for a day to interview...I hope it doesn't come down to that!

Is Iowa like Georgia right now and taking longer to get contracts out? The state legislature passed a bill saying school systems don't have to issue contracts until May 15th!

I don't know if there is a date, each district does their own negotiations. At my old job we always got contracts in April and they were due back before the year ended. Here, Greg has sometimes gotten his in the mail over summer break! They typically interview late in the year or even over summer, I just was hopeful when they advertised so early...silly me!

 

[kschafer]

1 more just for fun update! I have enough time to include some pictures of some non-Disney fun…SeaWorld!!

First I give you a couple WAY flashbacks to our 1977 trip. I barely remember this, mostly just Shamu himself. I guess their show(s) included giant sealions…

Dolphins…

And of course, Shamu…

My how things have changed!! In 2008 after we spent a couple days relaxing at my parents place and recovering from our busy 10 days of Disney, we returned to Orlando for 2 more days that we largely spent at SeaWorld.

They now have a really fantastic dolphin show that also includes divers and aerialists (no clue why we didn’t take any pictures). They also have a sealion show we didn’t get to and also a Cirque-style show I was heartbroken to not make it to. The way they have their shows timed out makes it very difficult to see them all (I suppose this is intentional to get people to add days) Also, we didn’t spend 2 full days there so that makes a big difference!

Anyways…they have all kinds of animal viewing/interactive areas including alligators…

Penguins and puffins (they simulate the Antarctic light/dark cycle for the penguins which in June is mostly dark so they are really hard to photograph!)

Manatees that we caught at lunch time

I love this picture!

Dolphins…

The shark tank…

Sealions…

And of course, shamu!! (which is now really not a single shamu, more of an orca show) I can’t help but wonder when I look at these pictures if any of them are the one that killed it’s trainer awhile ago, so sad!

Continued in next post

 

[kschafer]

Seawold also has a small fun area for kids that includes kiddie carnival-style rides like mini roller coasters and such.

Oh, and FYI, they have a fun area for Moms and Dads too...a beer tasting pavillion! SeaWorld is owned by the Busch corporation and you can get free "samples" (very generous ones). I think we went 3 times in those 2 days

And I do have to share one of my favorite stories of this trip! We decided to take the boys to a special breakfast at SeaWorld, Breakfast with Elmo and Friends! Well, Daniel did NOT like the characters at all (at Disney or SeaWorld, he still doesn’t like anything like this in fact) So while Patrick enjoyed watching the characters dance for us and come around to our table to say Hi

Daniel mostly had his face buried in my neck. In order to meet Elmo and Big Bird, you had to get in line to go on stage. Greg took Patrick and waited in line and I gave Daniel my camera to entertain himself. He proceeded to take dozens of pictures like this

And this

And this

Then look what happened…Daniel actually started to warm up to *GASP* a character!

And soon another came to show off for the camera

And before Daniel realized it, he was actually communicating with him!!

(he was pointing out to the boys the roller coasters that are big and scary)

We were the last family left in the restaurant and one of the waiters actually had to come over twice and tell Bert his breakfast was ready before he left. It was really sweet to see Daniel finally open up a little to those scary costumed friends! So sweet

 

[MHTeacher]

Yeah, I think I have plenty still to do!

But, how exciting ----everything you do, will be taking you one day closer to Disney World!

I enjoyed seeing your older and not so older pictures of SeaWorld. I remember going as a kid, but in nine visits we have never taken our kids.

 

[kcandbella]

I had no idea they had so much to do at SW! I think I went once as a child, but all I remember is the big Shamu stadium. I didn't have any interest in it this time around, but if Bella was a boy, I have a feeling we would have been going. It sounds like your boys loved it!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Love the Sea World pics! We've never been to the one in Orlando, just San Antonio, but it's so much fun!

Your story about Daniel and Bert is too sweet

 

[sunny_stace]

I love that story with Bert! Too sweet! We should make a date to go to Seaworld sometime! I haven't been since I was 14!

I hope it doesn't come down to you having to fly home for a day to interview! I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you! Since I won't be on again before I leave, I want to tell you to have the BEST time on your trip! You guys be safe and have fun! I really hope you have an amazing trip and I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[kschafer]

But, how exciting ----everything you do, will be taking you one day closer to Disney World!

I enjoyed seeing your older and not so older pictures of SeaWorld. I remember going as a kid, but in nine visits we have never taken our kids.

SeaWorld was an addition to our trip because Greg wanted to spend a couple more days and our 14 day window to use the disney tickets would be expired. I'm really glad we did it! It wasn't WDW but it had a really nice vibe all it's own.

I had no idea they had so much to do at SW! I think I went once as a child, but all I remember is the big Shamu stadium. I didn't have any interest in it this time around, but if Bella was a boy, I have a feeling we would have been going. It sounds like your boys loved it!

That's exactly how I felt! I only remember Shamu and had no idea it had so much to offer now! If you had asked the boys after our vacation which they liked better, they would have had a hard time choosing between WDW and SeaWorld. Now I think they would choose WDW but that may be because they see my obsession continue

Love the Sea World pics! We've never been to the one in Orlando, just San Antonio, but it's so much fun!

Your story about Daniel and Bert is too sweet

that was by far the best part of those couple days! I don't think Daniel even realized what was happening, Bert just started posing for pictures and got a little closer and a little closer and the next thing you know they were "talking"

I love that story with Bert! Too sweet! We should make a date to go to Seaworld sometime! I haven't been since I was 14!

I hope it doesn't come down to you having to fly home for a day to interview! I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for you! Since I won't be on again before I leave, I want to tell you to have the BEST time on your trip! You guys be safe and have fun! I really hope you have an amazing trip and I can't wait to hear all about it!

Everytime the phone rings I have my fingers crossed that it will be for an interview BEFORE my trip, next week I will be hoping to NOT get a call until I am gone and they will be scheduling for the week after. I'm nervous but there's nothing I can do so I'm trying to not think about it!!

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OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!

I cannot even explain the feeling I got this morning when I saw that my ticker said 11 days. That is just around the corner

It also hit me that I can do online check-in TOMORROW

 

[MeMom]

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!

I cannot even explain the feeling I got this morning when I saw that my ticker said 11 days. That is just around the corner

It also hit me that I can do online check-in TOMORROW

We're feeling a bit like you right now, too.
A few days behind, but not long!

Next week, we will be able to say 'next week'.

We toss around the idea of SeaWorld every summer, but once you have already paid for WDW, it's hard to pay a bunch more to go do something else. Brooklynn would love it, though. Maybe next year, when Bella is two and she could really understand it more - that might be a good time for us to go.

 

[jenniferkeala808]

11 DAYS!!! WOOOHOOO!!!

YAY FOR ONLINE CHECK IN!!!!!!!!!!

You're almost there!!!!!!!

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[PrincessInOz]

It's so close Katie. We're almost there.

 

[SoonerGirl]

It also hit me that I can do online check-in TOMORROW

OH MY GOSH!!!! We can do online check in TOMORROW!!!!!!

 

[manntra]

OH MY GOSH!!!! We can do online check in TOMORROW!!!!!!

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