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

[Angies1274]

Hey there!! Sorry I fell so behind.... I think I've finally caught up,thanks to your handy links!!!

Congrats on booking your DCA trip!! Your plans look great! (oh and the secret reveal plans as well) How exciting that it's going to be a surprise for the boys!! Love the puzzle idea!! I'm horrible at keeping secrets. I have thought about it on our last two Disney trips but I know I wouldn't be able to pull it off. Especially when the moment we decide to go I go in full planning mode with everything everywhere, talking non-stop about it. I have a feeling the boys would catch on pretty quickly.

Wonderful job on the Wish DISigns!!!(the Toy Story one is my favorite!) That's great that you are volunteering in the Give a Day project! We are hoping to as well, since I think we have now narrowed down a trip to the middle of July this year!! When I checked the other day there wasn't very many volunteer opportunities in our area. I think I will check again today though...

I'm hoping to finally stay caught up now!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Fancy? I don't know. Maybe more anal than anything else. They are not easy, and every year, I think it's going to get easier! yeah, pretty dumb!

Right now, I'm still putting ideas together for our window decorations for POR. Some things are coming together, but others I'll have to wait for until I can get to a JoAnn's or Michaels.

Do you make them every year? It doesn't sound easy at all (and like some seirously scratched up hands!) Very cool you are going to decorate your windows!

Hey there!! Sorry I fell so behind.... I think I've finally caught up,thanks to your handy links!!!

Congrats on booking your DCA trip!! Your plans look great! (oh and the secret reveal plans as well) How exciting that it's going to be a surprise for the boys!! Love the puzzle idea!! I'm horrible at keeping secrets. I have thought about it on our last two Disney trips but I know I wouldn't be able to pull it off. Especially when the moment we decide to go I go in full planning mode with everything everywhere, talking non-stop about it. I have a feeling the boys would catch on pretty quickly.

Wonderful job on the Wish DISigns!!!(the Toy Story one is my favorite!) That's great that you are volunteering in the Give a Day project! We are hoping to as well, since I think we have now narrowed down a trip to the middle of July this year!! When I checked the other day there wasn't very many volunteer opportunities in our area. I think I will check again today though...

I'm hoping to finally stay caught up now!!!

Hi Angie! No worries, I don't feel caught up after the holidays in any area of my life yet!

WOOT for a July trip, that's so exciting! I can't wait to see a ticker. DO check again, there were a lot more opportunities the 2nd time I checked than the first.

The Toy Story one seems to be a big hit I made a couple more to work better on dark shirts....

I'm still looking for another 1-2 more "boy" type designs though.

 

[eandesmom]

My mother is lame.

I was hoping to have more pictures for this little retro report but…’tis not to be.

So lets go back.

To early October, 2001.

As I think about our California trip, I realize just what a blur this trip was and how very very little I really recall. And yet, as many Disney trips seem to be, it was a significant milestone in my life though I didn’t know it at the time.

This was to have been my second trip to California that fall. A dear friend was to have gotten married at the end of September in Napa. As we all know, the events of September 11th changed air travel as we knew it and those changes still continue that day. The wedding, sadly had to be rescheduled for 6 months later as virtually no one could make it there. Happily, though they lied to our faces about it at the time, the couple actually DID get married on their honeymoon trip, which they went ahead and took despite having to postpone the big shindig. I was impressed that they kept it a secret for 6 months and unveiled it at the reception. I digress.

It was an uncertain time.

A scary time.

A sobering time.

Things I think some of us feel now, but perhaps for different reasons. For me, it’s a blur. I was working full time plus some and functioning as the sole bread winner in my household, though not by choice. The trip had been put together by my folks and consisted of my entire family, spouses and children, which at that time was probably around 16 people. They had visions of a grand gathering of sorts. My ex had an entirely different agenda of his own. We stayed at the Anabella, which for those who aren’t familiar with Disneyland, is basically across the street. More accurately, across the street from a parking lot so you could walk to the tram stop in the lot and then get a ride into either park. The walk to DCA wasn't too bad, or to DTD, it was a bit more of a hike to DL so we walked about half the time and trammed it the other half.

Our agenda for the week included Disneyland, California Adventure, Universal Studios and for me, a day trip to visit a friend up in Bakersfield.

It was a strange time to travel. People were freaked out about flying, and what you could carry on the plane etc. I will never, ever forget my complete shock upon arriving at the hotel and going to unpack and realizing that there had been a swiss army knife in my carry-on, as well as a wine opener (which also had a knife in it) and I’d had NO idea they were even there. Both had been part of my standard travel kit for years so it was kind of like they were part of the furniture and it hadn’t even occurred to me to check for them and pull them out.

I remember freaking out thinking that if I had walked on carrying that, despite all the dire warnings, the extra security, the “new” TSA training, the removal of all real silverware past security (at the time), I could only imagine what a real terrorist could actually carry on.

For several years I was profiled and always pulled aside for extra screening (aka the pat down and digging through my luggage). While I’m sure it had nothing to with that swiss army knife and much more to do with my general coloring and a lot of single leg flights (for work), the paranoia of getting in trouble for carrying that knife stuck with me for a long time.

The parks had upped their bag search (supposedly) and there was real fear that DL itself was a target.

It never occurred to us NOT to go. We all talked and discussed that we refused to live our lives that way. And so we went. But it was a bit sobering to say the least. The parks were EMPTY. Surreal almost.

It was not a good trip. Not because of September 11th but because my life was unraveling. Well really, that would imply it had ever been raveled. (that must be a real word right, you can't unravel if you didn't ravel in the first place?) I didn’t see it then, but it was there nonetheless. I was too busy to step back and look and I definitely didn't see. Can you say..

Ostrich?

Looking back, that trip, was the beginning of the end, or more accurately of me noticing that things had to end. My ex was on a mission to ruin the trip. He had no interest in being there and he felt, very strongly and vocally, that Eric didn’t either. Eric became the excuse and reason for everything. It was too hot for Eric. Eric needed a nap. Eric was bored. You name it. All of those things were probably true. I would NEVER take a 1 year old to the parks again or if I did I’d sure do things differently but I guess I was naive. About a lot of things. I still am. It certainly wasn't really about Eric!

I thought that we’d divide and conquer. Eric’s needs could be met, as well as Evan’s and everyone else’s but I may as well have been traveling solo. Actually it would have been easier if I had been!

Thanks to my siblings who forced the issue a couple of times, I did get to go on California Screamin’ and see It’s a Bug’s life. I rode the train in DL and watched Evan get autographs. In Universal I got to do a little more, mostly because the room wasn’t across the street and my ex couldn’t force us to just leave when he wanted. It was one of those trips where even though you are there with a ton of other people…you feel utterly alone.

I am SO excited for a do-over even if it is just the California Adventure portion!

The E’s, being only 13 months and 28 months old at the time, do not remember the trip and by in large, what I do remember, isn’t pretty but as I look at some the pictures, I feel the magic even if I couldn’t see it at the time. A few of pictures gave me a lot of comfort later and sometimes, when I am feeling down, I look at them and I see the magic through Evan's eyes.

It’s almost palpable.

What a beautiful thing!

If I could sum up this trip for Evan…it would be all about HUGS. If ever a child was star struck, this one was it. His cousins, all around the same age, really had little interest in most of the characters at this age. They just wanted to ride the train around the park. Over and over and over and over! Evan wanted to interact (heck, he still does!) and so autograph book in hand…off he went.

This one is my favorite

These pictures are something I really should put right on my desk. When Evan is making me crazy, as he seems wont to do lately, this takes me back to the core of Evan, what underlies so many things that he does but in such a positive way. I can’t even put it into words but it warms my heart. And it makes me think. I need to find a new way to “hug” my tween wanna be. He needs it more than ever and as hard as he’s making it for me, that need is palpable. I can’t be Buzz or Woody , I can’t take him to infinity and beyond but somehow I need to get a little more magic to him or help him find his own. We all need it, all through our lives. Magic, pixie dust, call it what you will but a little bit goes a very long ways.

Eric on the other hand wasn’t so sure about the characters. He’s all about interaction too, but it’s on his terms. Even then.

Disclaimer. I was NOT at my personal best here, not by a long shot, probably my highest non pregnant weight (which granted, was CONSIDERABLE!). It’s amazing as if you fast forward 6 months later, I was at my lowest ever. Life can truly turn on a dime!

A few pictures of the “California” sign. We took turns posing with the letters.

Me circa 2001

My youngest sister...aka...Bridezilla...holding Evan with my brother, BIL, my BIL's brother and some of the cousins

Evan and 2 of his cousins

Another sister and my now exSIL (who is still our SIL as far as we are concerned!)

Interesting that there isn't one picture of my ex in any of the Disney pictures.

The scary thing is that I still have those sandals. I never wear them but I must admit, they were a pretty killer park shoe. Pretty sure I work them to WDW in '04! A bit scary looking now though.

Last, but not least, the electrical parade and my dad. This picture of my dad always makes me smile, no matter what. It's funny, I truly can't recall it being decorated for Halloween but you would have thought it would be, right?

As I sit here today and think about those uncertain times, the ones we face today and the one's we are sure to face tomorrow I am reminded of the little things that make us fight so hard.

Then

and now

In the spirit of our upcoming Disney's California Food and Wine Adventure, I thought I'd share this. I made them last week, MMN!


Mahi Mahi Tacos

Recipe courtesy Epcot Catering

Show: Behind the BashEpisode: Disney's Anniversary Blow Out

Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Next. Somewhere between the Port of Indecision and Southwest of Disorder

 

[eandesmom]

Handy dandy update links!
Part Two
Winter Musings

Giving
Looking back
Somewhere between the Port of Indecision and Southwest of Disorder
The big reveal
Is this my midlife crises?
It's only Tuesday?
Retro report - of red eyes, steak and cake
Retro report - 4 year old + ToT = ?
Giving a Day
To cake, or not to cake?
The ADR's are in. And my head is spinning.
To Rock hard? Or not.
California here we come!
Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes....
Surf's Up!
Updated Binder pages California Style!
Airfare Roulette
of this and that
a 30 day dance and a new job jig
tender feet?
Garanimals
Living with, and touring with, the animals.
No mickey mail?
The great deception.
Name those kids. A DISmeet NW style.

Spring Fever
Like a thief in the night. DCA TR
The Big Reveal. Long Beach NY?
DCA Day 1. The Eagle has landed
Day 1 continued. The Danger Zone
DCA Day 2. Brunch with a Queen
Can you have too many tickets?
MORE changes
DCA Day 2 continued. Hanging with the Queen...and some ghosts?
DCA Day 2. The boat to nowhere
DCA Day 2. back from nowhere, a lockout and a sighting.
Budgeting is for the birds
DCA Day 3. [URL="[IMG]http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k308/eandesmom/Travel/2010%20CA/4-19/IMG_4441.jpg[/IMG]"]Circling the wagons
More Changes?
DCA Day 3. Hussies named Kate, riding with ghosts and swinging into the sunset.

Summer Fun!
DCA Day 3.To Chicken, or Knott?
POP goes POP?
A Wedding in June
DCA Day 4.DCA TR - A grey day
DCA Day 4.DCA TR - zero? what do you mean?
DCA Day 4.DCA TR - Dancing Goofy's and a Zoetrope
DCA Day 4.DCA TR - A Honey of a Must Do
FL Trip Update, Shopping, Room Requests and More!
Four weeks from today - a touring plan update, input needed!
any better?
Option A or Option B?
and, lest you think I was done....Option C!
Oh dear, what time for tea?
DCA Day 4. Blue Sky and a Scream?
Three weeks from today - and Tink is in the air!
DCA Day 4. Taxi's and Treats
DCA Day 4. Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
Two weeks from today. Day 1
Two weeks from today. Day 2
DCA Day 5.Surf's up with Mickey!
Two weeks from today. Day 3
Two weeks from today. Day 4
[/URL]

 

[DisMomAmy]

Thanks for sharing the flashback story - sounds like a difficult time in your life. I hope your re-do makes up for it!

PS - The pictures of you don't look bad... a bit dated, which is scary that pictures from the new millenium are already starting to look dated, but not awful at all!

 

[Charleston Princess]

A truly touching update, Cynthia! Thanks for sharing! I got a little misty-eyed reading about Evan's hugs both then and now -- I hear ya loud and clear about that!!!

The last two pictures are adorable! I am sure this trip will more than make up for the unpleasant bits from the last one.

 

[All7OfUs]

You know what?? I just have a good feeling about this! I have a sense that the palpable feelings of being wanted, needed, noticed, loved, will be there THIS trip!!!!; that Evan and Eric will know that they are also there with a mom and dad who KNOW them, and want the very best for them. Really, it's all about finding that "magic" once again through a child's eyes. I know a King who said those very words- Believe like children.

Anyway, this trip is so much like mine in so many ways. Maybe not the exact same reasons, yet poignant and meaningful still. Seize the moments, my friend, and let them be a healing balm to you!!

 

[winkers]

all the hug pictures are so precious!

It will be so wonderful for you to have a disneyland do-over!
I just had a Mt. Rushmore do-over last summer. The only time I had been was a pit stop on the way to Minnesota. I was pregnant and trapped in a car with 2 toddlers,who were erupting at both ends, for almost 24 hours.


I had always wanted to visit there, but I couldn't even enjoy it at all. The pictures from that trip are funny looking back, because we all look miserable.

This summer we returned 12 years later with 2 more kids and not a puke or poop in sight. It wasn't long after my foot surgery , so I was hobbling but it was still an amazing trip.

I was finaly able to cross Mt.Rushmore off my list.

 

[glennbo123]

Thanks for sharing the flashback pictures. It's neat to see the changes over the years.

Hey, not sure if you're still considering a Treehouse Villa stay (I think that's been on-again, off-again for you), but anyway, I ran across this trip report on the DVC boards that has some really good pictures of the treehouses. Since it's on the DVC boards you may have missed it, so thought I'd bring it to your attention.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2369934

 

[englishrose47]

Thanks for the Flashback pix !!!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

There's a reason they call it hindsight.

I'm glad you can look through the regrets and still see the magic in the trip.

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Cynthia, those designs you made for the wish shirts are fantastic! Was that hard to do? You said you used Illustrator, and that's a pretty complicated program - are you a graphic designer by trade? My dad pirated a copy of Illustrator from work for me years ago, and I never got anywhere with it. Now I don't understand (for example, on the disboutiquers thread), how people will take that design you posted and turn it into a shirt? Yes, I'm an idiot, but humor me

Great retro update. The pics of Evan hugging the characters are priceless! I hope this Disneyland redo will create a whole bucket of new memories to wipe away the bad ones!

 

[TarzansKat]

Thank you for being brave enough to share all of that. I can remember how I felt after September 11th, and what it was like the first time we went to Disney World after. Very sobering.

And I commend you for being willing to remember a part of your life that probably wasn't the best, and yet still had some shining moments. Like those wonderful pictures of your boys. Even in the bad, there is always something good.

 

[KathyRN137]

Cynthia,

Thank you for sharing such an important milestone in your "Disney" life... you are always so open and honest about your ups and downs... I feel as if I have known you for years!


Kathy

 

[eandesmom]

Thanks for sharing the flashback story - sounds like a difficult time in your life. I hope your re-do makes up for it!

PS - The pictures of you don't look bad... a bit dated, which is scary that pictures from the new millenium are already starting to look dated, but not awful at all!

Oh it's not so much the clothes, though they are certainly less than stellar...it's the WADDLE!

and the bad hair. You can tell I didn't care.

A truly touching update, Cynthia! Thanks for sharing! I got a little misty-eyed reading about Evan's hugs both then and now -- I hear ya loud and clear about that!!!

The last two pictures are adorable! I am sure this trip will more than make up for the unpleasant bits from the last one.

He is so cute, I was showing him the pics as we don't have any of them out and now on his must do's for August is at least one picture with Goofy.

He asked me if he was kissing him in the one picture And I said I don't think so, you were just looking up and he said "see, Goofy was my favorite even then!"

I think Goofy is at the Tony's Town Square breakfast, I need to double check as that might clinch that ADR!

We had a good big hug this morning, the big boy didn't seem to mind.

You know what?? I just have a good feeling about this! I have a sense that the palpable feelings of being wanted, needed, noticed, loved, will be there THIS trip!!!!; that Evan and Eric will know that they are also there with a mom and dad who KNOW them, and want the very best for them. Really, it's all about finding that "magic" once again through a child's eyes. I know a King who said those very words- Believe like children.

Anyway, this trip is so much like mine in so many ways. Maybe not the exact same reasons, yet poignant and meaningful still. Seize the moments, my friend, and let them be a healing balm to you!!

The blessing of them being so very very young is they don't really recall anything at all and since there is no contact, in many ways it makes it much easier so I think they already know that. The damage done on that 2001 trip was really to my family. My parents and my siblings. Thankfully we had a do-over in 2004, which was my first trip to WDW with Jeff, and it was very healing. Last years with just the 6 of us was a blast, so this one should be great!

You know what's WEIRD though?

I just realized, we haven't done a trip, with just the 4 of us, in a regular hotel room for more than one night! We are such condo and suite people, and haven't done a "trip" without K&T since 2004 (where we rented a house off-site) so the CA trip will be VERY interesting to see how Jeff does sleeping in the same room with Eric the wiggler. It will be interesting to see if it makes him re-evaluate THV...

I think I need to buy him earplugs

all the hug pictures are so precious!

It will be so wonderful for you to have a disneyland do-over!
I just had a Mt. Rushmore do-over last summer. The only time I had been was a pit stop on the way to Minnesota. I was pregnant and trapped in a car with 2 toddlers,who were erupting at both ends, for almost 24 hours.


I had always wanted to visit there, but I couldn't even enjoy it at all. The pictures from that trip are funny looking back, because we all look miserable.

This summer we returned 12 years later with 2 more kids and not a puke or poop in sight. It wasn't long after my foot surgery , so I was hobbling but it was still an amazing trip.

I was finaly able to cross Mt.Rushmore off my list.

Oh I know the feeling! I had a Grand Canyon do-over in 2008, it was great!!!

Last time I was there, I was pregnant and trapped with a toddler and an addict (except I didn't realize he was an addict) moving across the country.

LOL!

yay for no puke or poop!

Thanks for sharing the flashback pictures. It's neat to see the changes over the years.

Hey, not sure if you're still considering a Treehouse Villa stay (I think that's been on-again, off-again for you), but anyway, I ran across this trip report on the DVC boards that has some really good pictures of the treehouses. Since it's on the DVC boards you may have missed it, so thought I'd bring it to your attention.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2369934

Thanks for the link! I'd have never looked on the DVC board for a TR. It's definitely on-off again. Financially it would be a better choice and sleep wise as well not to mention I'm probably going to have minor angina attacks throughout the trip not having a kitchen of sorts. BUT the YC is rather compelling.

I've never seen THV in a TR so that was very cool. Definitely cements the fact that I NEED to stay there! It is so very very US.

I plan on staying at THV in June 2012 though. Nothing like planning ahead. Ideally we actually own DVC by then but it will really depend on my job situation.

Thanks for the Flashback pix !!!

Thanks for looking Rosie!

There's a reason they call it hindsight.

I'm glad you can look through the regrets and still see the magic in the trip.

There is and you know what, I wouldn't change a thing. While it was not a good trip, I can't say I have regrets per-se, Some of us have to learn the hard way and it all helps make us who we are. I am a much better person in so many ways and I needed to go through what I did to get there.

And

I have my boys

Cynthia, those designs you made for the wish shirts are fantastic! Was that hard to do? You said you used Illustrator, and that's a pretty complicated program - are you a graphic designer by trade? My dad pirated a copy of Illustrator from work for me years ago, and I never got anywhere with it. Now I don't understand (for example, on the disboutiquers thread), how people will take that design you posted and turn it into a shirt? Yes, I'm an idiot, but humor me

Great retro update. The pics of Evan hugging the characters are priceless! I hope this Disneyland redo will create a whole bucket of new memories to wipe away the bad ones!

I am not a graphic designer. I have done a little bit of freelance but that's just plain dumb luck. I don't really have a clue what I'm doing but I like to play. The adobe suite products are not at all intuitive though, you are correct in that so it probably takes me twice as long but each time I do soemthing I learn more tricks. I finished my sisters wedding paper, I should post it, I'm really pleased with it! I have considered trying to do something with it, like make digital scrapbook paper to sell but I really need to take some classes and it's hard to see how I could make much money at it. But it's in the back of my mind as it is really fun!

I'm tackling a website for a friend...that should be interesting! I'm completely clueless. Or mostly.



You aren't an idiot at all! What you can do is save the designs and then print them on iron on transfer paper. Which sounds easy in concept but isn't quite as easy as all that and they don't really hold up all that well, sadly. There are actually several threads on how to do that piece of it.

Of course if you aren't using a trademarked image then you could print them through zazzle or something and they'll hold up really well. I made a REALLY cool one for Jeff for Christmas on a t and another one on a mug, very happy with those! But all the Disney ones will get kicked back as they are copyrighted.

Does that help or is it just more confusing?

Evan was still the same in 2004, standing in line for tons of autographs at WDW and hugging away...I have GOT to get some pics from my mom as I have very few of my own, think my camera was broke or something on that trip. It's so much easier now that everything is digital.

 

[MaryAz]

What a touching look back. Thank you for sharing it with us. What a fun time you will have this time!!

 

[eandesmom]

Thank you for being brave enough to share all of that. I can remember how I felt after September 11th, and what it was like the first time we went to Disney World after. Very sobering.

And I commend you for being willing to remember a part of your life that probably wasn't the best, and yet still had some shining moments. Like those wonderful pictures of your boys. Even in the bad, there is always something good.

There is

ALWAYS something good.

Moments are what get us through.

If we don't remember where we came from, how else can we keep moving forward? The moments might be harder to find but they are always there.

I'm not sure that it's brave at all. Truly, if you break it down, it's a bit selfish.
I used to keep everything in. Perfect facade. Always in control. I did plenty of post game analysis and introspection but I didn't share a whole lot of it. It took me a long time to learn that I was only hurting myself by doing that.

it is what it is.

Cynthia,

Thank you for sharing such an important milestone in your "Disney" life... you are always so open and honest about your ups and downs... I feel as if I have known you for years!


Kathy

Thanks Kathy! You always speak from the heart in your PTR/TR about your struggles, that means a lot coming from you!



I'm always on the fence about this stuff. TMI for some I am sure! But life is full of light and shade, in and out of Disney. I guess for me, remembering how that DL/DCA trip was, what was and "wasn't" just gets me that much more excited for April!

What a touching look back. Thank you for sharing it with us. What a fun time you will have this time!!

Thanks! I am very excited! Started mentally planning my packing list today lol!

Which really is a shopping list, as in do I need anything?

 

[All7OfUs]

It will be interesting to see if it makes him re-evaluate THV...

Does this mean you're still tossing around the idea of switching back?? or is this for when you purchase DVC?? sorry, feeling rather dense here.

 

[eandesmom]

Does this mean you're still tossing around the idea of switching back?? or is this for when you purchase DVC?? sorry, feeling rather dense here.

Yes.

and no.



I don't think we can actually. It is just SO not Sandie's gig. But I worry about the sleeping perspective of the YC. We would sleep better at THV due to the 3 bedroom layout. Jeff has supersonic hearing and is an incredibly light sleeper. I am having a hard time imagining 10 nights of him sleeping in the same room as Eric.

Eric wiggles, tosses and occasionally moans. He doesn't wake up. All stuff I sleep though. Jeff however will yell in the middle of the night "ERIC STOP WIGGLING" like he can hear him. Which of course he can't. But it does wake ME up.

It makes camping a challenge at times! So a shared hotel room...no separate bedroom....

It's why I pushed SO hard for THV or BLT. The layout of THV works a billion times better than BLT though. AKV has the same layout but BLT seemed more Sandie and if tweens wanted to sleep in, BLT offered the same advantages as the YC. But SAB, Beaches and Cream, Hurricane Hanahs and the Interantional Gateway sang their Siren's song and...there you have it.

I am incredibly excited to stay there. Just nervous about contained space! I think the balcony will be my friend. If we do change it will be b/c Jeff drives it. Of course if he doesn't sleep, I won't sleep! So in a way I am thinking that Cali is a really good test drive Jeff did ok in Portland on our weekend there but it was a suite so the kids bed was pretty far away from us. One room, 2 queens...it'll be interesting to be sure!

At HRH we are going a girls/boys room so for 3 nights I'll get sleep, Jeff after 10 nights of no sleep will be ugly.

Of course the (Not so) funny thing is Sandie's husband Paul, snores like the dickens so as fancy schmancy as the YC might be, that will be rough for whomever ends up in their room. Which won't be me! In fact, it could be both K&T if Doug decides he can't handle it (under the guise of spending time with his brother)



I figure we will just stay up so late no one will care.

Then again, that messes with my early morning idea.

Mid day naps by the pool will be in order methinks. With a festive cocktail. Or an ice cream cone.

From a DVC perspective, I do think SSR is probably the place for us to buy, for THV. Not to mention it being about the cheapest way to get in!

HOWEVER...BREAKING NEWS....

It looks like we have a flight plan change. No, not our flights to Orlando.

Our plane!

Oops, I mean JEFF's plane

While Jeff is still planning on building that seaplane in my garage...we've decided that it's kind of a problem.

1. You can't rent seaplanes to just fly
2. It will take a couple years to build

So he'd be building and flying regular light sport planes at a cost I don't even want to think about and not getting any real seaplane experience. I don't want to know what's been spent already.

It looks like we are going to go in on a plane instead, at least for now. It will let him truly test how much flying time he can use and if owning outright even makes sense. We've delayed the kit for a year and are this close to final on a fractional ownership of a different seaplane (but very similar in a lot of ways) which would let him start flying it this spring! Finalizing the details but it's this close to a done deal!

I know I've joked that the plane is our DVC but really, with the finances going through as of today, it looks like it is! It hinges on where they will store the plane and it's going to be the voice of the collective owners that determine it so...we will see.

Hmmn....we may have to see if we can land in Moses Lake and visit Cherie!

I'm still hoping for DVC in 2012 though.

 

[Charleston Princess]

He is so cute, I was showing him the pics as we don't have any of them out and now on his must do's for August is at least one picture with Goofy.

He asked me if he was kissing him in the one picture And I said I don't think so, you were just looking up and he said "see, Goofy was my favorite even then!"

I think Goofy is at the Tony's Town Square breakfast, I need to double check as that might clinch that ADR!

We had a good big hug this morning, the big boy didn't seem to mind.

I "think" Goofy was at Tony's in 2004 when we did a Grand Gathering breakfast there. If not, I know we have seen him at Tusker House for breakfast, and he's at Cape May. I definitely think he needs to see Goofy again! That will make a cute pic. We have pictures with Chelsea all through the years with Alice and Mary Poppins, and it is so cute to see how see she has changed over time.