Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[eandesmom]

I love your idea for your 45th!
I never thought I'd enjoy a cruise untill I learned about DCL. I still haven't gone yet, but I'm hoping for our 20thanniversary.

I've been on 2 cruises and enjoyed both though for entirely different reasons. I get why Jeff isn't all that into it but think it would be very different with the kids...on DCL

Dawa.

Is the water area still there? And if so, why are there NO pictures of it anywhere?

DCL...so great! go for it.

I am SO excited about this idea! Really really excited!

Hey Patricia,

You and I had the same nerd score! It's the philly influence.

Cynthia -

What the heck????? I miss a day (or two) and everything has changed. I tried to read back to figure out what happened. I can only assume it is soccer again. I am getting ready to fly cross country and "duke it out" with K's mom. She is taking this soccer stuff WAY to seriously.

Anyhoo......I hope things gel with your change in plans. I would recommend AKVillas for your group because....(1) they are more available (2) they sleep 9 (3) you can save considerable points by going standard view (4) they are really, really gorgeous inside.

If you decide to go the DVC route I do have a coworker who has 400 SSR points and she does occasionally rent points. In fact, she has an available reservation for 12/6 - 12/12 that she is getting ready to cancel (1BR SSR) if she can't get a taker. That will point more points in her bank.

Nothing has officially changed. It's just a back up plan. Basically it's saying pick one. Potentially miss a tourney or miss most of the preseason training. And I'm happy to at least feel we could make it work even if we have to change the dates. Free dining is just easier though, for sure. And I'm quite attached to SAB for a summer trip. Personally though...I'd rather have a villa, it's more what we are used to and I will miss the kitchen and the laundry. Sandie really prefers a resort and traditional hotel room. It's a tradeoff but the dining options, walking to Epcot and SAB make it a no brainer. If we can hold onto it!

I did have a bit of an epiphany today about the soccer thing. I think part of the reason she is being so psycho about 9th grade is that the team (with a new coach) really isn't doing all that well. Not badly but not like the state cup runner ups they've been! I think she (thinks she is) hedging her bets by pushing for varsity this yearly. If the team was doing better she might be more relaxed about it.

Very cool news about your coworker, I would MUCH rather rent from someone "known" and we will need in the mid 300's....if we go that route. Without any discount if we change dates, we will have to rent for sure!

Both THV and BLT sleep 9. Only reason I'd pick the others over AKL is that THV is 3 bedrooms and BLT is monorail so in terms of leaving teens alone it is a bit more in my comfort level. Plus Paul has some back issues so less walking is good. I fully plan to stay at AKV/ALK one of these days. In fact, I'd like my 50th to be a big 'ol party at Tamu Tamu!

I like to plan ahead, what can I say! I am really hoping to own DVC by then. In fact maybe by Peepfest...I think that's my target

 

[All7OfUs]

I like to plan ahead, what can I say! I am really hoping to own DVC by then. In fact maybe by Peepfest...I think that's my target

REALLY??!! WOW! That's some news....

 

[jordanyosh]

REALLY??!! WOW! That's some news....

That is some news...

 

[All7OfUs]

Think she'd invite us all along to hang out in her schwanky digs for a week?!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I was eyeing that cruise ticker on the website last night, it is such a cute ticker! I say go for the cruise and surprise everyone. That is a great 45th Birthday Celebration!!

I think you have got enough back up plans for this summer that you will be able to make one of them work. The waiting part stinks but at least you know that you will go somehow!

 

[eandesmom]

REALLY??!! WOW! That's some news....

That is some news...

Think she'd invite us all along to hang out in her schwanky digs for a week?!

LOL! And sure! Unless of course I actually had my family with me, we tend to fill up places

It's a goal, it's been a goal and I think that's probably a semi-realistic timeframe but we will see. We have to build a plane first and I'd only do it if I can pay cash so.... It's fun to shoot for though!

I was eyeing that cruise ticker on the website last night, it is such a cute ticker! I say go for the cruise and surprise everyone. That is a great 45th Birthday Celebration!!

I think you have got enough back up plans for this summer that you will be able to make one of them work. The waiting part stinks but at least you know that you will go somehow!

The only issue with surprising Jeff for a whole week is vacation time at work. I don't know how I could work around that part, he'd have to request it. I'm definitely going to surprise the kids, I've always wanted to do a surprise trip, it will be so much fun! This is a perfect one as they will not be expecting anything at that time of year and I really am not going to tell them anything at all! That part will be SO fun to plan and will really help avoid any PDD after the August trip.

We'd love to surprise them this mid winter break with a trip and know where we want to go but that's a much bigger long shot financially, I just don't see it happening unless something really pops at work or this other job comes through or...something. August is a long ways away!

We are both feeling good about the summer plans and relieved that there is at least a couple of options we could exercise if we need to without breaking the bank. It'd be a heck of a lot easier if we don't need to but, it helps knowing it's there.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Wow that's a lot to digest in one update.

Hope the job works out for you (if you want it)

I think you're going to need some spreadsheets just for your backup plans and then your backup of backup plans. Perhaps someone who scored really nerdy can suggest the right software.

A cruise sounds wonderful. I'm sure the plan will morph somewhat over the next year and it will be interesting to see what the trip actually becomes.

 

[All7OfUs]

Just how IS that plane coming along??

 

[eandesmom]

Wow that's a lot to digest in one update.

Hope the job works out for you (if you want it)

I think you're going to need some spreadsheets just for your backup plans and then your backup of backup plans. Perhaps someone who scored really nerdy can suggest the right software.

A cruise sounds wonderful. I'm sure the plan will morph somewhat over the next year and it will be interesting to see what the trip actually becomes.

I know, I babble...

rattle

prattle..

very grateful you all listen! I'm sure Jeff is too

Hey, I tried to click on your new TR link and it didn't work Going to go look for it.

Spreadsheets.

I spreadsheets. They are my friend. I over spreadsheet things like this. Well heck, anything. Vacation day trackers for work so I know how many I have, Christmas gift spending budgets/OOP trip expenses with projections and actuals...

My DVC one is scary! Of course so was the one I made for the F&W trip that didn't happen as it had a lot (too many) of variables with numbers of people and places to stay which made for some pretty big cost variances. I probably scared everyone away.

I'll make multiple ones and then just create a new one instead of fixing or deleting the old one. I think I have 3 total related to this trip, some that were older ideas/different (earlier) potential trips and the main one I've been working off of for the last 2 months. We won't talk about how many tabs it has....

They are in fact already quite complete, the back up plans. This is how I'm at peace with my backup plans. Scary huh when a spreadsheet gives me peace but if those numbers are there in black and white I just feel better!

I've not gone to the level of drop downs, if/thens and making it pretty so I could select Plan A, B, or C.

Although that would be fun....it'd get rid of some tabs....it'd be even cooler for ADR's and the itinerary not to mention a way to pass the time!

Ooh I'm liking this idea, a lot!

Just how IS that plane coming along??

Not a super happy topic around here right now....an unexpected glitch. Well, unexpected to Jeff. Not so much to me. Which will very likely mean a delay. How long a delay, tough to say. I have faith it will work out and so does Jeff but he's bumming. Not to mention that getting his seaplane certification as a pilot has been taking a lot longer than planned. He was hoping to finish today...and it's pouring and blustery.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Hey Cynthia!!

I believe I'm all caught up!

I love your Blustery Day post! It's sooo sad that the tee shirt got ruined! I love that she tried to replace it! It just shows how much she wanted you to be a kid. It truly made me teary!

The Halloween party looks like a lot of fun!

Good god girl, you've been busy!! I thought we got crazy sometimes but we have nothing on you!!!!

BTW, I'm sending you a PM regarding a certain stocking stuffer...

 

[eandesmom]

Hey Cynthia!!

I believe I'm all caught up!

I love your Blustery Day post! It's sooo sad that the tee shirt got ruined! I love that she tried to replace it! It just shows how much she wanted you to be a kid. It truly made me teary!

The Halloween party looks like a lot of fun!

Good god girl, you've been busy!! I thought we got crazy sometimes but we have nothing on you!!!!

BTW, I'm sending you a PM regarding a certain stocking stuffer...

Stocking stuffer! I am so excited, it is going to be a huge hit!

Busy?

Not really. Just everyday life around here you haven't seen anything yet!

And YAY! You started your TR!

 

[MEK]

I like to plan ahead, what can I say! I am really hoping to own DVC by then. In fact maybe by Peepfest...I think that's my target

DVC is good - very, very good!

Anyway - glad the new plans are just backup plans. Phew......I was a little nervous that I missed such big changes.

ahhhhh... the dreaded "new" coach. The problem when that happens is that players then start to bail at the end of the season and the team starts to change. Everybody has to have a plan for another team they want to play on. It starts gettings wierd. I hope Kendall's team does well enough that all the girls continue to stay together.

 

[eandesmom]

DVC is good - very, very good!

Anyway - glad the new plans are just backup plans. Phew......I was a little nervous that I missed such big changes.

ahhhhh... the dreaded "new" coach. The problem when that happens is that players then start to bail at the end of the season and the team starts to change. Everybody has to have a plan for another team they want to play on. It starts gettings wierd. I hope Kendall's team does well enough that all the girls continue to stay together.

Nope, just back up plans. And as of yesterday it's down to just one backup plan, and nothing we will even think about implementing until April (most likely).

We've already been through the weird thing, it happened last year when we lost her coach of 3 years. Which, for her persoanlly was a good thing but for the team, not so much. We lost about 4 of the top players, including our keep and it just hasn't recovered. Our current one doesn't coach the next age bracket unless he decides to do that so who knows....

DVC for us I think is an "when" not an "if"

 

[creativeamanda]

I want to buy DVC, but dh is being way too responsible. No more purchases on credit until our personal loan we took out to consolidate credit cards is paid in full. That's another 2 years. I guess I can wait if that's what it takes.

 

[eandesmom]

I want to buy DVC, but dh is being way too responsible. No more purchases on credit until our personal loan we took out to consolidate credit cards is paid in full. That's another 2 years. I guess I can wait if that's what it takes.

It's the right way to do it. We are only doing it if we can pay cash..

 

[MEK]

It's the right way to do it. We are only doing it if we can pay cash..

From what I've read, financing the DVC purchase does not really offer much advantage over just paying for annual vacations every year. Part of the premise of DVC is that you are prepaying for your vacations and you get your money's worth in about 5 trips. If you finance, it obviously takes much longer. I would purchase either unless I was able to pay cash.

Hence - no more points for me right now!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I have to agree with the DVC discussion!

We actually put 1/2 down and financed the rest. But we did it with the intention of paying that 1/2 very, very quickly. Which is what we're doing.

We LOVED our SSR stay and I can't wait for our Kidani stay DVC was the BEST purchase we ever made!!

 

[Millie12591]

Given what they want to sell I can see why I am "attractive". I have to admit though in most cases that real estate stuff hurts me so it's fun to see it flipped on its head. Whether I am viewed as aggressive enough is what I think will be the real question for them (and me!).

And yes. I do realize that "client development environmental interactive" does probably put me squarely in nerd territory. It is COOL stuff though!

I loooove to hear someone passionate about what they do, it proves they're where their creator designed them to be.

So, I'm doing what I've always wanted to...History and poly sci. I'd love to get my masters but that's getting a little ahead of myself.

How does that saying go?.....Here's my take on it.
Shoot for the moon baby! Even if you miss you'll still be among the stars ...With what you can do on the computer these days for a degree... anything you set your mind to is possible!
Winkers....Would you teach or go into law with a Poly Sci degree?

 

[Millie12591]

I actually don't plan to work full time when I'm done. I can get my degree and then just substitute. I like that because I can work when I want to. I think it will work well with my family schedule.

Pays to keep reading, sorry. he he

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hmmm....checking in...

Awesome about your plans for your 45th b-day...I've never done a cruise but would do a Disney one...

So you are still doing the summer trip in August...unless you can get a firm commitment that Kendall could/would come in July?