Looking for Control Freaks & Worry Warts - Part 4!!!

[karajeboo]

I just skimmed a couple pages - finally got my internet and phones, and cable back, after an entire weekend without!!! When we wanted to watch TV, we all piled into our big bed and watched - the TV's not hooked up to the main box were just a little snowy, so not too bad.

Busy weekend - Saturday Ally and I drove to the outlet mall in St Augustine. OK, y'all should appreciate this..... I needed a new purse (well, okay, I WANTED a new purse!) because now that I have to wear contacts, I have to carry a bag to keep my case and saline, etc. So I hit the Coach outlet, the Dooney outlet, Kate Spade, etc. I wanted a NICE purse. And honestly, I got some good prices......

So wanna know what I bought? A Disney purse for $11 at the Disney outlet!!! It's cute, and roomy, without being too obnoxiously big!!!

Then we hit the Crocs outlet and took advantage of someREALLY great deals there. Great day for Ally and me - breakfast at Dennys then shopping while Jeff golfed. We came home and watched golf on the snowy TV, then ran out to quick dinner and some grocery shopping. Then 18 holes of gold and pool yesterday. Couldn't bear to stay home with nothing to do!!!! I don't know how the pioneers survived each other!

Cammie - I'm so sorry to hear about wifey's issues! I agree with Pam and Jillian - I think YOU should talk to your ex. I mean, despite everything, you were once married to him and it might mean a lot to him to know you're concerned. Plus, Lauren is still young and might not really understand all that it entails, details, etc. So it would be good if you could get it straight from him.

Everyone else, I'll read more later!!! Happy Monday!

 

[CRdisMom]

glad to hear that the internet is back at your house. Tim cut thru ours yesterday when he was demo'ing the basement bathroom. Yes- we are finally working on the bathroom that fell apart almost 1.5 yrs ago. Whoo-hoo! Strongly considering putting in a new bathtub with jets and a heater.

We also ordered windows on Sunday. It will be nice to get that done. It will dramatically improve our energy effiency. I was so excited because Home Depot had a mis-order that matched our size exactly. The price was the best. It listed at $1,100 and we are getting it for $500. I did the happy dance all over the store. It made it so that we can replace all 4 windows on the back of the house. And it matched my vinyl sidding that was 10 yrs old. All the windows qualify for the tax credit too! I'm so excited.

Salt water pools are nice. The only trouble is to find the salt to go in the pool.

 

[DizzyErin]

Erin should be heading to DLP now - or maybe she's already there, with the time difference.....

I've got to find a way to meet her and Tessa next time they are here - how cool to meet my buds from across the pond! But we won't be able to find Tessa, she's gonna be so skinny!

Oh Kara that would be fab i would looove to meet all of you and it is defo my mission
Also you must tell me what the 1900 breakie is like i am booking that for Cj's surprise b'day breakie

Yeah, Erin! How fun! Can't wait to see your pics. I need to learn about the Eurostar. I've heard about it, but don't know much about it. Heck, just taking the train into London would be enough excitement for me!!

Erin....have a blast! Can't wait for pix!

Ok girls here they are

Well what can i say the Eurostar was fantastic left my home at 6.45 and arrived in Disney at 1 their time so 12 my time. It was so great!
Had an amazing time .. Weather, fun, characters all fantastic .. Only downer was Chloe was ill for the whole time, nauseous and heaving it was horrid for her, Late saturday i had to take her back to the room poor kiddo, Sunday she felt bit better and like the true Disney nut she is carried on regardless.

Ok piccies are coming up next
First up in line for check in and who do we see ... Yep The Mouse himself

High School Musical show

Awww the girls dancing and having fun

The new cafe .. HSM and POTC .. Guess where we sat????

The cars ride

Saturday morning at the hotel

8 a.m in Disneyland Park

OK as we are HUUUGE Sleeping Beauty fans here i had to take this pic, i just love this

And Chloe meeting her most fave princess

And at the top of her castle, some of the gorgeous tapestries

The view of Space Mountain 2 from the top of the castle

The kids playing on the bus .. Yes that's my dad and my brother with Cj hahahhha

Chloe with the White Rabbit

Us totally not posing for the pic on Thunder Mountain .. My Mum and Chloe at the front and Me and my Dad on the next row

Ok so i hope i haven't bored anyone ... am putting more on facebook if you want to see more

 

[DizzyErin]

Sorry the pics are soooo big, i though i resized them

 

[karajeboo]

Erin, I am also a HUGE Sleeping Beauty fan - in fact, just last week Ally and I pulled it out and watched it. I guess cause she was one of the "original" princesses, that's who I grew up with. But Ally said she'd LOVE to meet her in her blue dress! Wait til I show her the pic with Chloe!!!

 

[Camster0307]

Aww Erin - your pix are just fine the way they are! They came out great. I just love the look of the DLP's castle. So pretty. It doesn't look too crowded - was it? What hotel did you stay at? We stayed at the Newport Bay Club (I think that's the name). It's such a different experience compared to WDW!

And I CANNOT believe how tall Chloe is! So pretty!

Of course, I'm doing my usual pathetic job of catching up - just reading the page we're on. Wanted to chime in ......................

Lorrie - don't worry about that 8:10 ADR at LeCellier. First of all, if taken on time, you may still get out by 9pm for Illuminations, if you rush. BUT - we eat there every trip and many times, we've gotten up and gone outside to watch Illuminations and then come back in and finish. Just explain to the CM when seated, and they'll help you out. But I would definitely keep the ADR. And my $.02 for your birthday lunch at Brown Derby - eh. Haven't eaten there in a few years but found it very expensive and not worth it. But then again, it was always dinner so maybe lunch is a better deal.

I need to do Craig's list too. I know there is alot of money to be made on the crap that is sitting in my garage. Just one more thing I have to get around to doing.

Still haven't said anything to the ex. Figure I'll wait and see how the surgery goes and how recovery is. The girls had a fun weekend over there and just love spending time with the baby. The whole situation is just weird for me and part of me just doesn't want to deal. So that's how I'm acting right now.

 

[Lovin Life]

Question - Has anyone tried Mama Melrose and liked it? I am thinking of trying that this time, instead of Hollywood and Vine for Fantasmic DP. I know that H&V doesn't get good reviews at all, but we like it. At least I'll have a back-up for ADRs if I can't get one or the other.

Lorrie - I do need to give Craig's List a try. I've heard so many good things. I haven't used it all, and have barely used eBay! I hope that your ADRs work out. I call this Friday!

Tina - I love your GS star, and Taylor loves Justice. We need to make a trip there this week. When are you going to tell them??

Debbie - I couldn't, just couldn't live w/my parents, no matter how much I love them, and how good of friends I am w/my mom. I don't see how you do it. My kids would drive them crazy!

Tessa - Glad DH's bday went well, and how special that the girls did that for their dad. I want to borrow your scale! Prof Layton's Curious Village for DS is on my holiday wish list!

Tammie - Las Vegas!? I just noticed that in your ticker! That's where you're getting ready to go?! Lucky you!! Good luck!!! Automated Twitters!?

Kara - I'd love to see your purse! I am looking for a Disney backpack for November. My Pooh one is giving out. I take it everywhere, and keep all of my Disney pins on it.

Laura - Good for you on the windows! That worked out well for you! One of these days I want to do that. My home improvement wish list is a long one.

Erin - Your DP pics are wonderful! I'm glad you had fun, but sorry Erin was sick. Poor baby. She's beautiful!

Hi Shelly! and everyone else!

 

[Camster0307]

Pam - I will answer your question even though you didn't say hi to me.

The girls and I really like Mama Melrose's. We did the Fantasmic pkg. last year, and while it was delicious, it was alot of food. With Lauren now being 13, I have to pay for her as an adult and she really doesn't eat that much. And for us, it was a waste for the preferred seating. Having the wheelchair means we really don't have a choice on where to sit.

You might be able to just book as a TS dinner and then head over a little early to get good seats for Fantasmic. I don't think it's too crowded the time of year you'll be there. But, bottom line, I think the food is good. And MUCH BETTER than H&V. Bleh.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Erin, I'm glad you had a good time! Thanks for sharing your pics! Chloe is so pretty. I got excited to see the Cars ride - we're getting one at DL out here - well at California Adventure. I don't think it will be ready NEXT WEEK when we're there, though.

Cammie, I know how strange it must be for you. I'm glad it wasn't hard for the girls. I think it will be easier as you adjust to the idea

Pam, we're heading through CA to see my brother in Bakersfield, then to Anaheim to see Jim's uncle, then to Vegas to see Lion King and relax at the resort/casino for a day, then on to Boise for Jim's work for 2 months. I am starting to get excited!

We ran some errands, and went out for lunch at a BBQ place - ate out on the patio - sunny and 80 today - perfect! I'm supposed to be packing up my office and finishing a baby blanket for my nail tech - here I sit with my DISbuds!

 

[TinaLala]

Ok still haven't told kids about trip! Friends have gone and come back and we're still staying strong!

We just went over our plan today to make sure we were on the same page - our flight is at 7am so we have to leave the house at 5am so the night before I'm going to move the luggage from the trailer to the car. Then in the morning we're going to get them up and get them dressed, MIL will arrive and we'll pack them all into the car and drive to the airport without telling them where we're going. I think once the kids especially the oldest one sees the plane is going to Orlando she'll know. I wanted to make them a shirt that said 'I just woke up and found out we're going to Disney' but he wants it to be a super suprise.

Mama Melrose - we haven't been in years because the meal was really bad. We're going to Prime Time without the vip package - which I'm not happy about, but I didn't want to Hollywood & Vine AGAIN!

Ok ladies I'm going to sign off because I'm off to Chicago tomorrow morning. Hope all stay strong!!! One more week!!

 

[Lovin Life]

Hi Cammie!!
Thanks for the MM review! We actually like Hollywood and Vine. I know, I know...I've read lots of bad reviews about it. We like being close for Fantasmic, w/out having to wait very long outside. I always get mad tho when after awhile, right before show time, they start letting just anyone sit in our section, and people who didn't have the FDP start working their way in front of us, and get in our way! I am very vocal about that! I am not sure what we are going to do...Part of me wants to skip a sit down dinner at Studios (I know I dont' call it the right thing), and save it for somewhere else. I need to decide quickly, because I make my ADRs Friday!

Darrin let Megan drive to her church activity tonight, and it involves driving on a busy street. I let her drive to the grocery yesterday, and she almost hit the wall w/MY car! She put her foot on the gas instead of the break during parking. OMG! I hope that we make it thru this. Just heard the garage. Can't wait to hear how she did. Update - they had to switch drivers about 1/2 way there. Too many cars on the road. I can't let her drive on the way home. She hasn't driven in the dark yet. Praise God.

Tammie - You are going for 2 months? Wow. Where are you staying in LV? How cool to see Lion King! We saw it in Dallas a few years ago and loved it. I cannot wait to see FOTLK at WDW. I loved that show. We've only been to AK for 1/2 day, and this trip we're there for 1 1/2 days! I am going to see everything! I cannot imagine packing for 2 months! Sounds like your weather is gorgeous!!

Tina - Have fun in Chicago! Enjoy that hot dog! I'm jealous! Love 'em! My mom is ordering some Chicago tamales and having them shipped. I am so excited! Keep strong! I couldn't pull it off! Thanks for the MM review.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Cammie!!
Thanks for the MM review! We actually like Hollywood and Vine. I know, I know...I've read lots of bad reviews about it. We like being close for Fantasmic, w/out having to wait very long outside. I always get mad tho when after awhile, right before show time, they start letting just anyone sit in our section, and people who didn't have the FDP start working their way in front of us, and get in our way! I am very vocal about that! I am not sure what we are going to do...Part of me wants to skip a sit down dinner at Studios (I know I dont' call it the right thing), and save it for somewhere else. I need to decide quickly, because I make my ADRs Friday!

Darrin let Megan drive to her church activity tonight, and it involves driving on a busy street. I let her drive to the grocery yesterday, and she almost hit the wall w/MY car! She put her foot on the gas instead of the break during parking. OMG! I hope that we make it thru this. Just heard the garage. Can't wait to hear how she did. Update - they had to switch drivers about 1/2 way there. Too many cars on the road. I can't let her drive on the way home. She hasn't driven in the dark yet. Praise God.

Tammie - You are going for 2 months? Wow. Where are you staying in LV? How cool to see Lion King! We saw it in Dallas a few years ago and loved it. I cannot wait to see FOTLK at WDW. I loved that show. We've only been to AK for 1/2 day, and this trip we're there for 1 1/2 days! I am going to see everything! I cannot imagine packing for 2 months! Sounds like your weather is gorgeous!!

Tina - Have fun in Chicago! Enjoy that hot dog! I'm jealous! Love 'em! My mom is ordering some Chicago tamales and having them shipped. I am so excited! Keep strong! I couldn't pull it off! Thanks for the MM review.

How fun you get to make your ADRS in 4 days!!!! For Fantasmic, I just read that the back row of the first section, center is better than the front off-to-the-side they put us in when we got the package. (right in front of the wheelchairs) - Cammie? Hee Hee :0)

We're staying at Palace Station in Vegas - about 10min off the strip. Jim's uncle who usually stays 5 star everywhere introduced us to it in April. We love that place! Beautiful lobby and rooms, food court, nice buffet, casino, movie theatre, bowling alley, really nice pool with a pool bar We have done Vegas just in April, so we're planning to see Lion King, and enjoy our resort and visit Jim's other Uncle in Henderson.

In Boise, Jim has a furnished apartment we're staying in. I'm really excited about Boise - rafting on the rivers, shopping and lots of restaurants!

Tina! Have a great weekend! I don't know how you're keeping your secret - I would go nuts!!!!

 

[tttessa]

Hiya all,

Erin - loved the pics - brought back memories..... Did you meet many of the characters - or is Chloe getting too grown up for that now???

Well, weigh in was not toooooooooo bad - put on 1.5 pounds, but that will hopefully come off as easy as it went on... Being a good girl this week since we are on holidays for a week from Friday... but then good news - we have a bank holiday the Monday after we get back - so I have an extra week to work off the holiday pounds before next weigh in.

And hubby has agreed that 2011 is a bad year to go to Florida (eldest is in Yr 6 that year with SATs tests and residential trips, so could be awkward ) That is good news since he has agreed on 2010 instead - NEXT YEAR!!!!!!! wooooooooooh hhhhoooooooo. Will be going in October for 2 weeks. Hopefully will get to see the Halloween stuff at MNSSHP too.... Tell me it's not tooooooooooooo humid at the end of October.....

Soooo, lots of looking online at the travel websites - can't do onsite - 2 weeks= way tooo much cash, but will do a villa again - enjoyed that last time.

I have never taken the kids out of school, and don't really agree with doing it, but figure it is likely to be our last trip out there for probably a decade - our local secondary schoools do not allow term time out for holidays EVER and I don't want to do summer break - too hot/too humid ..... And we will not just be doing the Mousey stuff this time - Kennedy Space Centre and conservation stuff/manatees etc for 1 week, the Disney stuff for another.

So will be getting a ticker soon.....

Tessa

 

[tttessa]

Hiya again.....

Now can you girls tell me - are there any US holidays between the Columbus day (11th oct 2010) and Veteran's day 11/11 ??? That is our current holiday "window". Do you all have school holidays then??? I love the pre, pre, planning stage... and you're just gonna have to get used to it.....

p.s. can you see me smile.....

Tessa

 

[LydiaAch]

Heat wave here in New England! We have been plaing by our new pool and swingset so it's been nice although I am getting WAY too much sun. Never thought those words would come from me!

I've also been busy, busy crafting for friends' kids' birthdays...

 

[tttessa]

Love that banner Lydia!!! You could sell those!

Tessa

 

[LydiaAch]

Love that banner Lydia!!! You could sell those!

Tessa

I actually do on Etsy!

 

[ShellyShellfish]

And hubby has agreed that 2011 is a bad year to go to Florida (eldest is in Yr 6 that year with SATs tests and residential trips, so could be awkward ) That is good news since he has agreed on 2010 instead - NEXT YEAR!!!!!!! wooooooooooh hhhhoooooooo. Will be going in October for 2 weeks. Hopefully will get to see the Halloween stuff at MNSSHP too.... Tell me it's not tooooooooooooo humid at the end of October.....

Now can you girls tell me - are there any US holidays between the Columbus day (11th oct 2010) and Veteran's day 11/11 ??? That is our current holiday "window". Do you all have school holidays then??? I love the pre, pre, planning stage... and you're just gonna have to get used to it.....

Hey! We might be down there at the same time! I think we're planning on October 4th through October 14th. It's still nothing set in stone, but that's the general thought. We'll see. I'm curious about the weather as well...I HATE the heat, and have only gone down in May/January before.

I think the only holiday is Halloween...other than that I don't believe there are any others. Have fun planning! I know I am.

 

[dormouse72]

there ARE other people who are compulsive Disney planners. People around me think I'm crazy but I know it's the only way that this trip is going to be able to work...

I am part of a LARGE group going to Disney and because I am the one person everyone else has in common, I feel like I'm the defacto group leader. I'm not a Disney newbie - I've planned six trips on my own, brought three kids under 5 to WDW without a temper tantrum, survived strep infections and family meltdowns. But if I could get some feedback about anything I may have MISSED, I'd really appreciate it.

DATE OF TRIP: 10/10 - 10/17/09 (week of Columbus Day)

HOTEL: Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Me - single mom of three
DD #1 - 14 years old (8 Disney trips under her belt)
DD #2 - 11 years old (4 Disney trips under her belt)
DD #3 - 7 years old (1 Disney trip - can you tell when the divorce happened?)
BF - Only 2nd trip ever to Disney (first trip was when I took him for my birthday this past March - he's more excited than the kids to go back!!)

Mom - my MOTHER (I lover her but she drives me a little nuts); staying 5 days

T - one of my oldest and dearest friends, Florida resident, fellow Disney nut
T's DH - the most patient human ever created
T's SS - 12 years old (maybe he's 13 now); only staying for three days
T's MIL & FIL - coming because SS can't miss school to stay for the whole trip so they are his ride home

D - BF's boyhood friend and my neighbor; has never been to Disney; recently diagnosed as having Type 2 Diabetes.

DD #4 - this one is more complicated; #4 is not biologically mine but is the result of the extracurricular activities on the part of my kids dad which led to my divorce; she turns 6 while we're there; staying 6 days; they are staying at French Quarter.
"SIL" - DD #4's mother; yes, I know what you're thinking...but really he "jerked her around also" (this is a Disney board after all) and she, very bravely, e-mailed me about 18 months ago to say that her daughter missed her sisters desperately and while she wouldn't blame me for telling her to go away, she wanted to make her daughter happy (my ex is NOT up for Parent of the Year with regard to any of the children). So, short version - we talked it out, got past the wierdness, and now the girls all see each other on a regular basis (beds and clothes at both our houses - my ex lives elsewhere) and we support each other with this whole single mom thing. We both want all the girls to do all the sisterly stuff including family trips.
DD #4's MGM (maternal grandmother - I guess she'll just be GM) - Before you ask, she and my mom get along well.

T and her family have met my BF and obviously know my kids and my mom.

SIL has hung out on a number of occassions with myself, BF, and D - both with and without the kids.

My mom and GM have both spent time with all the children and each other.

OK - digest all of that...it is a lot. Then I'll post what I've done so far...

 

[karajeboo]

Real quick....

Pam - We love MM! We have eaten there twice and it's been really good both times, not Tutto good, but still very good!

Tessa - you should have great weather the end of October!!! It will start cooling off a bit in the evenings, and maybe highs int he upper 60's or low 70's during the day? No holidays that I know of so should be a great time to visit!

I see we have a newbie - but haven't read yet! Welcome!!!!