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

[eandesmom]

First and foremost do a

little 100 day dance with me!





​

I am WOEFULLY behind on everyone’s PTR’s and TR’s. I'd hope to spend some time today catching up but....didn't quite get there. Darn bills and Costco anyway! LOL! I am trying though.

A couple of quick IRL updates. I’ve been BUSY! Between the new job, the trip, catch up at the new job and just general life…add on planning a wedding shower for 50, a REALLY great date night with Jeff and well, things are sliding. For good reasons of course

I did get my new glasses, purple frames and all. I rather like them. I am however adjusting to the whole progressive lens thing. I realized today that I’ve been self correcting with my “regular" lenses. When I read with my regular glasses on I have been reading out from under the lens to “work around” the correction issues. Now that I have ones with a reader area, I’m having a hard time reading normally through the lens. The last 3 days I’ve felt a bit “wonky” with them on, mildly dizzy, which is common. Hopefully it will adjust soon. What I can say for sure is that I love the way they look and the headaches are gone which is a great thing. Now if I can just learn how and where to look out of the lens when I am wearing them, I’ll be golden.

In retrospect I imagine that looking out under the lens thing probably didn’t help the neck issues. Which….I bought my dream pillow yesterday, and we bought a new bed. Jeff woke up with a bad back, apparently a recurring issue, I torqued my neck in the middle of the night and we’d both had it. Ok…the wine I drank Friday night with my co-party planners, planning my baby sisters wedding shower may have had something to do with the bad sleep…or the 3 star green curry but seriously, I just turned wrong. Brutal. Scary. So in 2 weeks we will be sleeping by the numbers. I’ve been the one saying we needed a new one for a couple of months now. Getting him to the store and trying the beds out there, he finally realized just how bad ours was. Kind of pathetic though. I was doing some research online, Consumer Reports just released their mattress report and apparently over 40 it becomes a much bigger issue than it was before. Getting old is not only not for sissies, it is expensive!

Last but not least…I LOVE my new job. Really really love it.

I have a DCA trip update about half done, I hope to get it up tomorrow. I have a good excuse though, I spent the better part of the day crunching numbers. Crunching in general. With the new job and the once a month paycheck, it requires more planning than I’m used to. Or I guess, more accurately, moving some dates around. It’s weird to just pay everything at once. I think it will be great but I’m definitely in the adjustment phase but I can see how it will be really really cool once I get on schedule.

Part of the crunching had to do with the August trip, looking at what was due when, plotting all that out. And in doing so we came to some decisions.

Some big ones.

Some cool ones.


One that will be a SURPRISE to the kids!


Apparently I can’t do a trip anymore without some kind of surprise. Although I guess technically that makes 3 now scheduled for the August trip.

Any ideas what the new one is?

No?

I don’t have the energy for a cliff hanger so without further ado

Dining Plan?

OUT.​

QSP for one night?

IN.​

Dining budgeted for and put onto a Disney Gift Card before we go?

IN.
​

8 day Park Hoppers?

OUT.​

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
9 day Park Hoppers PLUS Water park and more?

IN.​

Yes, I caved. I also started to realize....we have NINE full days. We might need additional entertainment in the form of water parks and Disney quest (which might also be a good escape from heat or rain). They don't even know DQ exists and while they've been begging for water park, we've been saying "no" for months.

And I made a huge payment on it all today.

Oh that felt good.

​

 

[All7OfUs]

You've been a busy planner to say the least!! I like the 9 Day Hopper part the best- but a close second is that you LOVE your new job!! New bed= Bad neck=

Can't wait for that report!!

 

[englishrose47]

For the new plans and the new job!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Real life does have a pesky way of intruding on the DIS from time to time.

Yeay for new glasses, a new mattress, and a new pillow. Hopefully you will adjust to looking through the lenses when you read soon.

I really think you will like the once a month thing when you get used to it. I love paying all of our bills in one big chunk and then not having to think about them again for 30 days.

Woo hoo for the Water Parks and More option! I haven't been to Blizzard Beach before, but we have been to Typhoon Lagoon and loved it! Even the Disney water parks are themed to the hilt!

 

[creativeamanda]

Why is it that life and work gets in the way od the DIS? Ugh. (LOL)

Anyway, I like the idea of the 9 day park hopper with waterpark option. The waterparks at Disney are awesome and we're doing Disney Quest for the first time ever this year. I am thinking of the park hoppers still for our upcoming trip and I think that in a couple of weeks I'll add it on just for the convenience.

Either way--100 days--what an accomplishment!

 

[carissanboys]

Glad to hear you're loving your job.

And woohoo for the changes!

 

[KathyRN137]

I think adding the water parks and Disney Quest is a great idea! Now you have more options for *gasp* a really rainy day or *melt* a real scorcher!

Think of it as a sound investment!

Glad you love the new job! Now, what's this I hear about a cruise??

Oh, and Happy Double Digits!!!

Kathy

 

[Angies1274]

So glad that you're loving the new job!!

for 9 day park hoppers!!!

Great idea adding the waterpark and more option!!! We were very happy that we decided to include it on this trip! We loved TL and Disney Quest was a lot of fun too! (and I'm not even really into video games. but I enjoyed it!)


YAY for less than 100 days now!!!

 

[Happydog]

Hey! Those are all great great changes! I like the NO DDP option. I think it works for you and the situation, and will allow you to get the mugs, which will carry you through the trip. AND of course I like the WP and mroe options. We won't do that until the kids are older, but I am curious about Disney Quest! COOL!

YAY for 100 days !!!! WOOT WOOT!!! I just cleared 50 this weekend!!!

 

[jenjolt]

WOOT!! For 9 days and the water park option!! That sounds like crazy fun!! You guys are going to have a blast!! I can't wait to hear all about Disney Quest (if you choose to go) I have a fascination with there but have yet to cave and go LOL!

 

[Native NYer]

Oh I'll have to let Evan know, what a riot! That will make him feel much better since he's been teased mercilessly abut it.

I used this site

http://www.jigsawpuzzle.com/

Don't you have to have an AP to get at TIW? That would be a great thing for us but we don't have AP's, nor do I see them making sense.

Long Beach, NY has a website. You can show it to him

Thanks for the site for the puzzle.

Yes, you need an AP for TIW. We're planning to get APs to cover this trip and, at the very least, our summer 2011 trip. I'm on the fence about TIW. I don't think it covers every restaurant, but I could be wrong. I need to do more research. If I had the motivation, I'd do the math to see if the DDP is actually saving us money. Maybe this weekend.

Happy 100 days till Disney!!!!

I'll be back after work to read the rest of your update.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Unless there was lightening and/or really cold temps.....I'd go to the water parks on a rainy day over going to Disney Quest. The pools are heated and you are going to get wet anyways.........just a thought.

 

[glennbo123]

for 9 days!!!

for waterparks and more!!!

that you're lovin' the new job!!!

Boo for neck-pain and back-pain!!!

for a new mattress!!!

 

[eandesmom]

You've been a busy planner to say the least!! I like the 9 Day Hopper part the best- but a close second is that you LOVE your new job!! New bed= Bad neck=

Can't wait for that report!!

Very excited about the new bed...and LOVE my dream pillow that I finally got. The other replacement did save my bacon at the time but it can't hold a candle to this beauty!

A good thing too, we had a date night on Sat, went to a comedy show. We both laughed so hard we gave ourselves headaches. I kid you not! The pillow made it all better.

The kids are going to flip over the water park...which is why we won't tell them!

For the new plans and the new job!!!

Thanks Rosie!

Real life does have a pesky way of intruding on the DIS from time to time.

Yeay for new glasses, a new mattress, and a new pillow. Hopefully you will adjust to looking through the lenses when you read soon.

I really think you will like the once a month thing when you get used to it. I love paying all of our bills in one big chunk and then not having to think about them again for 30 days.

Woo hoo for the Water Parks and More option! I haven't been to Blizzard Beach before, but we have been to Typhoon Lagoon and loved it! Even the Disney water parks are themed to the hilt!

We've been to Typhoon Lagoon as well and really enjoyed it. The E's barely recall it. Both of us have no desire to go to BB but I guess when the time comes we will let the kids pick. Heck, with 9 days, if we want we can check out both!

It was nice at Costco yesterday to realize I really could do a huge load for once! I think it will be great once I get used to it, just an adjustment for now.

Why is it that life and work gets in the way od the DIS? Ugh. (LOL)

Anyway, I like the idea of the 9 day park hopper with waterpark option. The waterparks at Disney are awesome and we're doing Disney Quest for the first time ever this year. I am thinking of the park hoppers still for our upcoming trip and I think that in a couple of weeks I'll add it on just for the convenience.

Either way--100 days--what an accomplishment!

99 now!!!!!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Glad to hear you're loving your job.

And woohoo for the changes!

Thanks Carissa!

I think adding the water parks and Disney Quest is a great idea! Now you have more options for *gasp* a really rainy day or *melt* a real scorcher!

Think of it as a sound investment!

Glad you love the new job! Now, what's this I hear about a cruise??

Oh, and Happy Double Digits!!!

Kathy

Oh my birthday cruise that I want to do next year. It's a long shot for a lot of reasons...money, vacation time and the fact that Jeff is anti-mexico but it is the birthday present I want for myself!

I've been toying with the water parks for a while, we'd kind of figured that it was cheaper to just buy single day water park tickets once there than to do the add on. But with the longer trip, and DQ...and the new job...it was a treat we could add, so we did. Once we moved the tickets to day one and unbundled them from Sandie and Paul's it kind of opened things up.

Not to mention the fact that it sounds SO much better than on our first full day we can just wake up and go to the parks, or everyone else can while I go check us in to the YC. Having to check out, get to the YC to get our tickets and get the day started sounded like a drag!

So glad that you're loving the new job!!

for 9 day park hoppers!!!

Great idea adding the waterpark and more option!!! We were very happy that we decided to include it on this trip! We loved TL and Disney Quest was a lot of fun too! (and I'm not even really into video games. but I enjoyed it!)


YAY for less than 100 days now!!!

I'm not into video games at ALL and the idea of them on vacation is just more than a little bit wrong to me BUT I know they kids would get a kick out of it, MEK's TR made me intrigued and Jeff thought it sounded great (and he's not into games either but his brother sure is!). Of course now I really need the garanimal approach! My head is spinning with options.

Hey! Those are all great great changes! I like the NO DDP option. I think it works for you and the situation, and will allow you to get the mugs, which will carry you through the trip. AND of course I like the WP and mroe options. We won't do that until the kids are older, but I am curious about Disney Quest! COOL!

YAY for 100 days !!!! WOOT WOOT!!! I just cleared 50 this weekend!!!

99 now!!!!!!!! YAY for 50

We actually took it even one step further, my TA had the great idea to just drop Eric from Sandie's room since his ticket will be on the POP reservation. That way they can still keep their tickets on their room and KTTW and they don't have to deal with getting tickets separately. I'm not sure if they will upgrade theirs or not, she comes out the weekend of the 22nd to visit so we will go over ALL of it then.

 

[eandesmom]

WOOT!! For 9 days and the water park option!! That sounds like crazy fun!! You guys are going to have a blast!! I can't wait to hear all about Disney Quest (if you choose to go) I have a fascination with there but have yet to cave and go LOL!

I could probably live without it but I'm sure the E's will love it and probably the big kids too. If nothing else, the curiosity will be satisfied.

Long Beach, NY has a website. You can show it to him

Thanks for the site for the puzzle.

Yes, you need an AP for TIW. We're planning to get APs to cover this trip and, at the very least, our summer 2011 trip. I'm on the fence about TIW. I don't think it covers every restaurant, but I could be wrong. I need to do more research. If I had the motivation, I'd do the math to see if the DDP is actually saving us money. Maybe this weekend.

Happy 100 days till Disney!!!!

I'll be back after work to read the rest of your update.

Yeah, you'd have to figure out if the cost of the TIW would be worth what you'd save, ideally better! In this case I think the DDP would be a wash and it's just easier this time to go without, as long as we save up before and just have it on a card and kind of "act" like we are on the plan as we order, keeping in mind a general budget. I'm planning on $50 per day for the big people and $25 for the E's for dining.

Unless there was lightening and/or really cold temps.....I'd go to the water parks on a rainy day over going to Disney Quest. The pools are heated and you are going to get wet anyways.........just a thought.

Agreed! But...the kids will like it and as we will be in DTD more this time, they will realize it exists. I'm hoping to just do it once for a couple of hours, maybe even the 1st day or even better, the boys can all go while the girls do tea at the GF! Of course I could pass on the water parks and so could Jeff but the kids are dying to go.

for 9 days!!!

for waterparks and more!!!

that you're lovin' the new job!!!

Boo for neck-pain and back-pain!!!

for a new mattress!!!

Very excited about the new mattress. Jeff's been fighting it and it wasn't until we actually went to the store, he "tested" them and then really realized how bad ours is. Now he's just impatient!

Talk to me about ticket merging....I know you have experience in this area!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Cynthia!! I'm all caught up... I'm really enjoying your CA TR - the surprise was fantastic!

Looks like your FL plans are coming together quite nicely... I bet the boys will really enjoy the waterparks & DQ!

 

[mrp4352]

I have to tell you - I'm late-30's and generally travel with my Mom and Aunt and we absolutely LOVE DQ! It's so much more than just a video game. If they'd let us, we'd play Pirates all afternoon (with intermittant runs to Cyber-Space Mountain and the Cheesecake Factory!). there is an area with traditional video games, but so many of the other games are more immersive that sitting and staring at a screen. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Thanks Carissa!





I'm not into video games at ALL and the idea of them on vacation is just more than a little bit wrong to me BUT I know they kids would get a kick out of it, MEK's TR made me intrigued and Jeff thought it sounded great (and he's not into games either but his brother sure is!). Of course now I really need the garanimal approach! My head is spinning with options.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Cynthia, since you are my Lightning Thief buddy, I had to come over and tell you about the new series by Rick Riordan. The first one is called The Red Pyramid, and it is about Egyptian gods being released into the modern world. How cool is that??? I will be placing an order with Amazon soon.

 

[eandesmom]

Hi Cynthia!! I'm all caught up... I'm really enjoying your CA TR - the surprise was fantastic!

Looks like your FL plans are coming together quite nicely... I bet the boys will really enjoy the waterparks & DQ!

Thanks! The plans aren't turning out exactly like I wanted but I'm trying to roll with it.

I have to tell you - I'm late-30's and generally travel with my Mom and Aunt and we absolutely LOVE DQ! It's so much more than just a video game. If they'd let us, we'd play Pirates all afternoon (with intermittant runs to Cyber-Space Mountain and the Cheesecake Factory!). there is an area with traditional video games, but so many of the other games are more immersive that sitting and staring at a screen. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

I hope so! As long as they don't get tooo sucked in

That's great to hear.

Cynthia, since you are my Lightning Thief buddy, I had to come over and tell you about the new series by Rick Riordan. The first one is called The Red Pyramid, and it is about Egyptian gods being released into the modern world. How cool is that??? I will be placing an order with Amazon soon.

Oh he mentioned that series at the book signing Evan and I went to. How perfect, maybe it will be here in time for Evan's birthday, that would be SOOO perfect!

I just finished all the Peter and the Starcatchers thanks to you

Now I need to get started on Kingdom Keepers!