No Good Deed Goes Unpunished- 6 days w/o motorcycles...but at least there's a pool!

[rottiemom]

I was standing on line at Sephora, clutching their last tube of Tarte 4 day Lash Stain. I was buying the stuff solely due to a mention by a total stranger on the Disboards. That's when it hit me...I was officially gone, daddy, gone on a WDW planning binge. Things could never be the same.

Who we are : Me, my husband of 14 years and our 4 1/2 year old son. This is my first time EVER at WDW, my son's as well and technically the same for my better half though I think that he's been to Epcot. My husband insists that he is anti Disney. I lovingly call him Satan. Think long haired, tattoo-ed and fu manchu-ed early 90's James Hetfield (I know!)
I am a dusty old punk rocker with crazily eclectic musical tastes, a twisted sense of humor and a delight in the absurd. In my heyday I was like Amy Winehouse with a mohawk (but without the substance abuse problem). Now I'm more like a train wreck .

a bit about us : Now you have to understand that in 14+ years this is the first trip that we have ever taken that was not based entirely around motorcycles. My better half & I are extremely into old bikes, primarily the vintage British variety (think Norton, Triumph, Vincent, etc.). Prior to our son's arrival we rode EVERWHERE and if we weren't riding there we were travelling with our gear so that we could ride when we got there. We fully expect to be stopped for a "random" search whenever we fly. Something about my husband just makes security gravitiate to him. I have fond memories of our trip home from our honeymoon. My impressively mohawked self is chatting with the customs agent in Heathrow about his tattoo sleeves and when I turn to look for my husband I find that security has him up against a wall & is patting him down. Helloooo? If we were going to attempt to smuggle anything we certainly wouldn't look like this! Ah, memories...

Anyway, the bike experience has already proved to be invaluable for this trip. All of those years of streamlining a week's packing into a tank bag & tail pack is serving me well in light of the new baggage restrictions, though it feels really odd to be making a packing list that doesn't include riding boots, leathers & a helmet. We already have lightweight rain gear that folds down to nothing, a selection of earplugs, sunscreen, lip balm and small sized essentials. That leaves more money to spend on booze!

The trip is a total surprise for our little guy. We still haven't decided when we're going to tell him. We may just wait until the bus approaches the giant Disney sign & let him figure it out .

The fact that we're flying as well as staying in a hotel rather than a tent makes this far unlike our usual "holidays" and already unlike any trip that my little guy has already experienced. He is a riot. We can take him anywhere from motorcycle rallies to psychobilly shows to roller derby bouts and he takes them all in stride. This trip is going to be all about him...and I can't wait!

We leave in....Holy Diver, we leave in 2 weeks! We're staying at POP and we've got ADRs as Coral Reef, Cape May, Sci Fi, Boma & Raglan Road. I plan on hitting happy hour at BlueZoo at least once and hopefully visiting Flying Fish for drinks & apps. I've booked a pirate adventure for my little guy & we'll be attending MNNSHP on the 19th.

The main reason that I started this trippie is because it truly is a first trip for all of us and I thought that some of you folks might enjoy experiencing things along with us.

As for the Tarte mascara- it's going back. I'm crushed. It's supposed to stand firm & not come off until you take oily makeup remover to it. By the end of 8 hours at my low impact desk job I had Beastly Baby-like mascara rings under my eyes. Oh Tarte, how I wanted to love you! Now I need to find a good waterproof & me proof mascara for the parks.

Better go check the Disboards .

xxoo

 

[SeaShelley]

Oh this is going to be a hoot !! Can't wait for the rest.

Sorry that I don't have any mascara suggestions....I'm in the same boat as you are. I'd love to find a good one that didn't make me look like a long lost relative of Rocky Raccoon by noon ! When you find the Holy Grail of mascaras be sure to share !!!

 

[rottiemom]

Hi SeaShelley! Imagine my surprise when I came back to correct my spelling errors & discovered that somebody actually read this thing .

I promise to let you know as soon as I find the wonder mascara. General consensus seems to be the the mascaras that encase your lash in a "tube" and then come off with warm water & a little pressure are the way to go for humidity & wet. Since I tend to rub my eyes I just have visions of wandering around looking like I have a few days worth of beard stubble BUT I will test drive some & report back (listen for the screams). I just want something that will stay ON my lashes and OFF of my face & not leave me looking like a heavily made up ostrich (I'm talking to you, Maybelline Waterproof).

And I'm glad you've enjoyed this so far. I hope that you continue to as I spiral my way merrily down into a panic (2 weeks?!!).

 

[Krista in MA]

Uh oh, an anti-Disney husband? This should be interesting The only thing I'm anti about down there are some of the rides Fun start to your TR - looking forward to reading more.

 

[rottiemom]

So here's why I'm rottiemom:

That is not a cigar with ears. That's my rescue rottweiler Amber in her favorite position, flat & folded. She likes to lie down with her legs folded underneath her like a camel & her head flat on the ground. It makes her look like the most pathetic dog that ever lived .

She is a VERY goofy girl that was dumped at a kill shelter in Hartford, CT. The rescue pulled her on her last day & the woman that evaluated her then fostered her while Amber went through a course of meds for kennel cough & then was spayed. Meanwhile I was volunteering with rottweiler rescue after the devastating loss of my first rottie girl so that I could get a black & tan fix without getting my heart destroyed again (you all see where this is going, don't you?)

I was staffing an info booth at a rescue event and Amber's foster mommy mentioned that she just happened to have pulled a dog that I might like. I said no, I wasn't interested. She suggested that her husband go & get the dog, just so I could meet her and again I said no. So about 10 minutes later foster daddy shows up with this trembling pile of bones with GIANT hard boiled egg eyes who makes a beeline for my husband and mushes right up against him . She knew how to play a sucker, no doubt about it. So by the end of the week we were driving up to CT to bring her home.

Oh she was a mess! She had just had a litter...obviously not her first...and was just a baby herself, maybe a year & a half. Totally untrained and neglected, terrified, horribly submissive and so underweight that you could see every single bone in her body. She sounded like a bag of cans whenever she'd clatter onto the floor. To make matters worse she wouldn't eat. Those first few weeks were hell. That's also when we found out that she had an extremely high prey drive ("has anybody seen the cat?") and was terrified of men. MEN. The dog that made a beeline for my oh so scary husband.

As soon as we got some meat on her & got her up to date on her shots we started obedience school and Miss Amber did a complete 180. It's taken work but she's turned into a fantastic dog, a well trained girl and a delight to have around the house. Rotties are natural clowns & Amber is no exception. She is by far one of the goofiest rotties I've ever met. It's going to be 6 years since we first brought her home & not a day goes by that I don't tell her how lucky we are to have her and what poor suckers her first owners were (throwing away a perfectly good dog!)

This is my little rescue PSA: Rescue pets truly are the BEST pets! If you are considering getting a dog (or cat..or guinea pig...or lizard) I urge you to research breeds in order to determine which may be right for you, then to look into rescue. There is a rescue for every single breed of dog out there, even the rare ones. These dogs likely have been fostered in homes with families and during this time the foster family will have been able to determine if the dog is good with other dogs, cats, kids, etc. Not only will it cost you less than going through a pet store but you will be doing something good. I swear, most of these animals know that they've lucked into a good thing and are devoted, wonderful pets.

I say "most" because our cat is also a rescue and...well..she's a cat. Our last rescue kitty was eternally thankful. This one pretty much waits around until she can figure out a way to annoy you (purring all the while).

"What's this doing in a pre-trip report" you ask? (well, you would if anyone other than me was reading it).

Amber can't come with us to Disney. And unfortunately unlike my previous rottie, Amber can't have a pet sitter come in (we've tried...she will hide and refuse to come out). So Amber will have to be boarded. We board her at her vet's because everybody there knows her and it's a familiar place to her. I hate doing it and it's obvious that she is NOT happy but it's the only thing that seems to work. She is safe, fed, walked and cared for. She is no thinner and no worse for wear when I pick her up after a few days boarding (we just did this in July) so she's obviously not wasting away in my absence.

If you think that you need to board your pet & are apprehensive about it try boarding the pet during the day for a few days. This way they know that you're coming back for them. We did this with Amber. For the first few days I'd have to go back & get her out of the run when we came to pick her up in the afternoon. But shortly after that she'd be gleefully leading the kennel attendant into the waiting room to meet me.

Also, if you need to board your pet, book early especially if you'll be on vacation during a busy time. I neglected to do this for our last trip to Vintage Motorcycle Days and the vet was full. I asked them to let me know if anything became available while I searched for an alternative. Fortunately one of the long time receptionists saw my plight & shuffled a smaller dog out of larger run ("hit the bricks, Sparky...pack up your squeak toys & get outta here") so that Amber would have a place to stay. It helps that I've been dragging my animals there for nearly 20 years.

In addition to my Disney packing list I also have Amber's packing list. It includes a nice, soft towel that I've slept on so that it will smell like me (I know, I'm nuts), a stuffie that can go MIA (so no favorites), and the ultimate high value toy ...a tennis ball! I portion out, bag & label each meal with her name & add any necessary supplements so that all the attendant has to do is dump the pre-measured packet into her bowl. I also have the vet's # programmed into my cel so that I can call and check on Amber (and I do).

Let's not foget that the cost of Amber's own little vacation must be added into our own vacation costs. Boarding for a large dog runs about 30$ per day. Ouch! Good thing that Amber's bringing her own lunch...and that we're going to WDW during free dining!

As for the cat- she stays home. She has a self feeder for dry food & will only drink out of the dog's giant water bowl (or the toilet, so, ew, remember to put the lids down). I'm having a neigbor come by to give her some wet food but they'll see no sign of the cat. Our psychotic dust bunny, the aptly named Gremlin, will hide until the house is entirely empty again. And she will ignore us when we get home until we finally settle in for the night. And as we juuust start to drift off to sleep she'll come stalking onto the bed on top of us, eggs on pins, all 7 pounds of her concentrated into each tiny paw as she purrs as loud as she can.

Welcome home .

 

[rottiemom]

Uh oh, an anti-Disney husband? This should be interesting The only thing I'm anti about down there are some of the rides Fun start to your TR - looking forward to reading more.

Hi Krista! Thanks for stopping by. I'm not kidding about the anti-Disney part. I swear, I've already got standing offers of big bucks if I can get a picture of my husband wearing mouse ears.

BTW- my husband's mom is from MA, which means that my husband is an unrepentant Red Sox fan (living in NY, mind you) and he drinks beer with lobster. Do the words "American Chop Suey" mean anything to you?

 

[Krista in MA]

Hi Krista! Thanks for stopping by. I'm not kidding about the anti-Disney part. I swear, I've already got standing offers of big bucks if I can get a picture of my husband wearing mouse ears.

BTW- my husband's mom is from MA, which means that my husband is an unrepentant Red Sox fan (living in NY, mind you) and he drinks beer with lobster. Do the words "American Chop Suey" mean anything to you?

I have this vision in my head.... there is a sign at one of our local banks (Bank of America) and I can't even remember what it says, something about how there is a card for everyone, but there is a man who obviously is supposed to be the "big bad biker dude" holding a bank card that has images of cute little babies on it. I think we all want to see the pic of your husband with mouse ears on. Hopefully he'll be swept up in the magic of it all when he sees your son's face light up. It's Disney after all!

The Red Sox, beer, and lobstaaa?! How can you go wrong!?

I can't for the life of me think of what it actually IS - but "American Chop Suey" is conjuring images in my head many many moons ago of being in elementary school and that was the special lunch of the day once or twice a week. I'm assuming whatever it was, it was quick, and cheap to make for all the hungry kids. I stuck with my mom-made lunches except for the days when they had pizza.

I love Rotties! Usually a few times a year I get to watch my friends two Rotties. They're just the sweetest things. They do this cute little thing where they tuck their legs up under themselves (not sure if that's the camel thing you were talking about?) and their little barely there tails just go swooshing from side to side. It's so cute! We got our two cats from the local animal shelter. Now they've got their forever home I just loved reading your rescue story of Amber. I'm sure she sensed something about your husband and knew that you were the ones for her

Okay, I'll stop rambling now.... time to get back to work

 

[rottiemom]

I think that I'll post my hypothetical itinerary so that if anybody actually reads this they can tell me if I'm on the right path, operating under some sort of delusions or in need of a cocktail & a lie down (actually, now that I think of it, the cocktail sounds like a good idea).

We need to leave for the airport at 6AM. No biggie since we're up at 5AM every day for work anyway so that just means Tuesday night we have to finalize the packing, drop the dog off at the vet, make sure the cat isn't locked in the basement and get all of the bags by the door. So I won't be sleeping Tuesday night. Now, since we're flying out of our local puddle jumper airport anybody care to wager on if my husband gets stopped by security?

Day 1 Wednesday- Arrival! Our flight is scheduled to depart at 7:55 AM & reach MCO by around 10:30AM. So realistically we could be at POP by noon. Regardless, I had planned to check in/drop off our bags & head to Epcot. We have 7PM reservations at the Coral Reef and if we can make it to Illuminations so much the better but this is a total NO PRESSURE trip so if we're up for it, we'll do it.

Day 2 Thursday- head to MK bright & early. Who can sleep in? We're on vacation! Our game plan for the whole trip is get up early, hit the parks, take a break mid day & then head back to the park in the evening (or not). ADR at Cape May (bivalves, baby).

Day 3 Friday- DHS in the morning, MK & MNSSHP at night

Day 4 Saturday- Pirate Adventure for the little guy at GF. That runs 9:30-11:30. We (OK, I) had originally planned AK for this day & so we have 4:30 ADRs at Boma. Since this turned out to be the only day we could snag the Pirate Adventure the AK plan bit the dust. I really want to go to Boma and really don't want to cancel this ADR as it may be our only chance but it may end up being impossible. I was thinking Epcot afternoon unless the little guy is really agitating for somewhere else.

See, dinnerwise Cape May would probably work better on Saturday but that means that the only day open for Boma would be Thursday. And at 2 weeks away I don't think there's a snowball's chance for an ADR at Boma.

Day 5 Sunday- AK, then DTD. We have ADRs at Raglan Rd and DTD is a must, if only because I need to get my brother an Orlando HD shirt for driving us to the airport at 6AM .

Day 6 Monday- Home, BUT since our flight isn't until 7:30 we've got most of the day to play. Whatever park the little guy wants to revisit & plenty of time to make it back to the hotel to catch the ME to MCO. And plenty of time for my husband to get stopped by security (oh yeah, this is definitely going to happen at MCO).

So what do you think? Does this look reasonable? We're totally at the mercy of Disney transportation here so it all may be nothing but a beautiful dream.

 

[rottiemom]

I have this vision in my head.... there is a sign at one of our local banks (Bank of America) and I can't even remember what it says, something about how there is a card for everyone, but there is a man who obviously is supposed to be the "big bad biker dude" holding a bank card that has images of cute little babies on it. I think we all want to see the pic of your husband with mouse ears on. Hopefully he'll be swept up in the magic of it all when he sees your son's face light up. It's Disney after all!

I know the ad that you're talking about. Bill's would probably have kitties on it. But oh, if you only knew my husband! I have to say that one of the things that I enjoy most about him is how incongrous he is. How easily people tend to stereotype and see this burly biker and expect one thing, then the second he'll start speaking the expectations are shattered. He's willing to try just about anything (I've taken him wig shopping...WIG SHOPPING...how many men will willingly endure that? He is such a keeper) and he's being vocally anti Disney right now in order to irk me. So I just ignore him and keep on blithely planning...just to irk him . It's all in fun.

I can't for the life of me think of what it actually IS - but "American Chop Suey" is conjuring images in my head many many moons ago of being in elementary school and that was the special lunch of the day once or twice a week.

And that's exactly what it is! Basically elbow macaroni in a meat sauce. But the only place that they call is American Chop Suey is in Massachusetts. So my husband ketp going on about how his mom would make this stuff and I couldn't find a recipe for it anywhere. I finally found a mention of it on a webpage that "translated" words & phrases that were stictly from Boston.

I love Rotties! Usually a few times a year I get to watch my friends two Rotties. They're just the sweetest things.

I love just about anything that's fuzzy but rotties are my absolute favorite breed of dog. The first time that I met one it was love. They can be tough and they can be stubborn but they are also loyal and smart and incredibly goofy. I'm glad that you enjoyed reading Amber's story. I am SO proud of her but really we didn't do anything but help to bring out the dog that was already there. And she pays us back with laughter (and tumbleweeds of shed fur and drool) every day.

Now I'm off on today's quest- is it possible to find a pair of decent shorts the week after labor day? Stay tuned to find out...

 

[rottiemom]

OK, so this is turning out to bemore like a blog, where I'm writing for my own amusement, than a pre trip report where people actually read what you're writing. Cool. At least it should help get my thoughts & plans in order.

So why is it that when I'm sitting at the computer, driving to work, walking the dog or doing anything that's nowhere near my house I think of something new that I'll need to pack? I need to start writing these things down & pinning the notes to myself.

I attempted to start some actual packing this weekend. Since they pretty much roll up the sand and drain the ocean around here right after labor day I figured that I could start with swimsuits. And that's as far as I got.

But I have a plan (and a list). I had found a cute, manageable messenger (Fossil Weekender...I looooove Fossil bags) on clearance and while it's an obnoxo, cabana striped, brightly colored thing the style is ideal for toting around the parks...lots of accessible, zipped pockets etc. A real step up from my usual black knapsack with the RAT patch on the back. Anyway, since this will be my park bag as well as my carry on handbag I can start packing it now as if it will be heading straight to the parks (and it will).

The 3-1-1 rule for liquids in the carry on is devilling me, though, as I can't keep things like the first aid kit or the toiletries kit all together in one neat sack like I usually do. Anything liquid has to go into the 1qt ziplock if it's going in the carry on. I'm not complaining, though. It still beats trying to fit everything into a tank bag & then riding for 24 hours (ah, memories).

Here's the kicker, though. I sat my son down with me on Saturday to watch the Disney vacation planning DVD. In addition to him proclaiming it "boring" his first real comment was "ugh, it's just a lot of walking around!" .
Maybe I've just wasted a small pile of money and a few months of my life?

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

OK, so this is turning out to bemore like a blog, where I'm writing for my own amusement, than a pre trip report where people actually read what you're writing. Cool. At least it should help get my thoughts & plans in order.

So why is it that when I'm sitting at the computer, driving to work, walking the dog or doing anything that's nowhere near my house I think of something new that I'll need to pack? I need to start writing these things down & pinning the notes to myself.

I attempted to start some actual packing this weekend. Since they pretty much roll up the sand and drain the ocean around here right after labor day I figured that I could start with swimsuits. And that's as far as I got.

But I have a plan (and a list). I had found a cute, manageable messenger (Fossil Weekender...I looooove Fossil bags) on clearance and while it's an obnoxo, cabana striped, brightly colored thing the style is ideal for toting around the parks...lots of accessible, zipped pockets etc. A real step up from my usual black knapsack with the RAT patch on the back. Anyway, since this will be my park bag as well as my carry on handbag I can start packing it now as if it will be heading straight to the parks (and it will).

The 3-1-1 rule for liquids in the carry on is devilling me, though, as I can't keep things like the first aid kit or the toiletries kit all together in one neat sack like I usually do. Anything liquid has to go into the 1qt ziplock if it's going in the carry on. I'm not complaining, though. It still beats trying to fit everything into a tank bag & then riding for 24 hours (ah, memories).

Here's the kicker, though. I sat my son down with me on Saturday to watch the Disney vacation planning DVD. In addition to him proclaiming it "boring" his first real comment was "ugh, it's just a lot of walking around!" .
Maybe I've just wasted a small pile of money and a few months of my life?

First off I know what you mean about feeling like you are talking to yourself. My PTR is the exact same way but what the heck I am doing it for me anyway. I just thought it would be nice to get input on some things from others.
Your plans seem feesible to me and the breaks you have scheduled seem like a good idea considering how young your son is.
I'm sure your hubby and I know your son will completly change their tunes when immersed in the magic of Disney World. My anti-commercialist, very conservative (well boring but I love him for that) husband completly fell in love with the place and at how much fun we all were having and jumped right in on the planning of this trip.
I am jealous that your trip is so soon! Ours is in April then Aaron and I are going back in October. So I am in full planning mode! I hope to read more of your adventures and then that you do a trip report after your vacation.

 

[rottiemom]

First off I know what you mean about feeling like you are talking to yourself. My PTR is the exact same way but what the heck I am doing it for me anyway. I just thought it would be nice to get input on some things from others.

Thanks for checking it out, just the same! I really appreciate the input. And I've spent enough time muttering to myself about this trip anyway that at least the pre-trip report provides the illusion of normalcy .

Your plans seem feesible to me and the breaks you have scheduled seem like a good idea considering how young your son is.

Thank you! That's a relief because this trip feels SO far outside the realm of anything that we've done. But if you really think about it, in terms of planning, it really isn't. 10 days through Nova Scotia by bike & all the acoutrements needed VS 5 days in Disney...though the planning for Nova Scotia was a lot less stressful. But I really appreciate getting someone else's take on my touring plans...especially someone that's actually been to Disney before.

I'm sure your hubby and I know your son will completly change their tunes when immersed in the magic of Disney World. My anti-commercialist, very conservative (well boring but I love him for that) husband completly fell in love with the place and at how much fun we all were having and jumped right in on the planning of this trip.
I am jealous that your trip is so soon! Ours is in April then Aaron and I are going back in October. So I am in full planning mode! I hope to read more of your adventures and then that you do a trip report after your vacation.

I have no doubt that both my little guy & my husband will have fun. My son will be delighted and as you well know, once you start seeing things through their eyes you can't help but enjoy yourself too .

And don't worry...I started planning this trip in March & it felt like forever. Now we're down to the single digits! Your trip will be here before you know it, and it will be awesome.

Thanks so much for the encouragement!

 

[rottiemom]

We're doing the single digit countdown...and I'm feeling vaguely ill. Seriously, I have knots in my stomach. Is this normal? I feel like I'm dreading the reality of the trip!

OK, I know that I'm dreading the flight (I hate flying...but I know that my son will LOVE it so I can't be scared).

And I'm dreading boarding my Amberini-linguini (I'm just going to miss her SO much and I know that she's going to be all mopey while we're gone).

And I know that I'm dreading going to be in Florida for 6 days with no bike (I know, I know, get over it).

So to try to get back to that happy place let's discuss what's happening in the realm of scatterbrained trip planning!

Yesterday at Target I found a package of blister bandaids on clearance. As if from heaven itself, I took it as a sign that the trip planning gods were smiling on me. Still no luck on the quest for the perfect mascara & honestly I'm just giving up. I'll bring one of the Clinique samples & be done with it. If I frighten people in the park with my invisible eyelashes, so be it.

As part of my pre- trip planning I've been doing some Disney cross training after work. Basically this has consisted of me taking the dog (along with any other family member that wants to come along) out for lengthy walks throughout the neighborhood, up hills, over the bike trail, even around the track & through town. Miles upon miles. So far no blisters and no complaints..except from the dog who gets winded after a few. I figure this is good training for WDW because we're getting accustomed to lots of walking (and sweating) peppered with sudden stops & starts. The only difference is that in WDW the sudden stops & starts will be a result of my son spotting something, rather than my dog wanting to sniff or pee .

I've also been using my lunch hours to get as much accomplished as possible since a chunk of my evenings are now taken up with this walk. The mission for today is to continue my quest for a small coffee maker that I can bring with me. I'm one of those people that needs a cup of coffee in order to be able to make a cup of coffee so that first cup of the day has got to be good. No matter how badly I need it, how essential it is to life, if the coffee is bad I just can't drink it. Actually, I wonder if they sell caffeine IVs? That would solve so many of my problems.

Tonight...we start packing (again)! Let's see how that goes...

 

[rottiemom]

I was just checking times on Stevesoares & discovered that Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will be performing at Epcot on 9/26 & 9/27.

We fly home on the 22nd.

WHY?! We'll miss BBVD by 4 stinkin' days! "You & Me & The Bottle Makes Three" is part of the permanent rotation on my internal soundtrack. The gin & tonic was the official beverage of our 6 month long house renovation (5 months of 3 walls, no kitchen, grilling every meal, eating on the front lawn & living in 1 room).

And BBVD NEVER comes to NY. sigh.

Oh well, at least we'll be around for the Northeast Psychobilly Showdown in CT this weekend since we leave for FL in 9 days.

Yes, that would be 9.

No BBVD for me. Guess I'll just have to make sure that I have at least one gin & tonic while we're away.

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

Last time I checked BestBuy had a mini coffe pot for like 20 bucks. I know what ya mean about needing the caffine iv. Me and dh both need that to function every day. I am so excited for you being in single digits! And do not worry about the stomach butterflies, I am sure it is nerves.

 

[rottiemom]

Last time I checked BestBuy had a mini coffe pot for like 20 bucks.

I actually found a 4 cupper at the local closeout place for 9$ but what I'd really like to find is one that brews the coffee directly into a travel mug (or preferably 2). This way I don't have to worry about a glass carafe breaking en route, plus we'll then have the mugs for things like transporting beer poolside. I'm always thinkin' .

 

[rottiemom]

I should be on a plane bound for MCO. Since we've had pretty much back to back hurricaines for the past few weeks I've already got the rain gear ready to be packed & I REFUSE to worry about the weather. This trip is happening. If we get stuck in the hotel, stuck in the airport or end up with wet butts, oh well. "The delays are all part of the journey". This holds true for motorcycling so it's bound to hold true for this trip.

Not much shaking on the pre-Disney front today. Last night I was simply too exhausted to go for my usual walk so I took some time to re-skim through some of the Unofficial Guide & make up some index cards. Thanks to combining a few tips gleaned from these excellent Disboards I picked up what had to be the last book of spiral bound 3x5 index cards in Office Depot yesterday. On the first few cards I broke down the travel info, each day's park & events along with times & ADR#s, relevant phone #s, etc. The rest of the book can be used for notes and/or autographs if my son has any interest in those (doubtful but who knows?). And since it's spiral bound I can tuck the pen right on in there so I always know where it is. Paper clip the pages to the cover as the days pass so that the relevant day's card is always in front. This could work out really well for me since I'm very unorganized.

Another sign from the travel gods...in the box that I received from drugstore.com yesterday there was a sample of laundry detergent! No need to spend a buck on a travel sized bottle and this packet can be tucked flat in the checked bag. Another dollar for...well...is there anything that you can buy for a dollar at Disney? Guess I'll find out.

 

[rottiemom]

I went to Sephora during my lunch hour and returned the Tarte 4 Day that I had pinned my dusky lashed hopes on. I just feel so betrayed...as if the cosmetics industry had lied to me (never!). Surprisingly I was able to return it without a problem. Usually the women at the Sephora near work act like it's an imposition for them to take your money and if you ask for a sample of something that Sephora's handing out you'd think that it was coming from their own personal makeup kit ("wait...I think that I have a half melted lipstick with a bite taken out of it over here...") Funnily enough the woman on line behind me was having mascara troubles as well & returning two tubes of the overpriced bootblack. So we had a sisters questing for the perfect mascara bonding moment.

On a different note, I may have found the mascara that I'll be bringing with me. I have a sample tube of Two Faced Lash Injection that I've been using this week and I've got to say that it's working really well & not producing Uncle Fester rings underneath my eyes. It's not waterproof but if it stays put...seriously who cares?

 

[rottiemom]

I was checking the TSA website today and discovered that you CAN bring pointy scissors on the plane with you in your carry on, provided that the blades are less that 4" in length.

It should come as a surprise to no one that you CAN't bring swords, scimitars or throwing stars on the plane in your carry on. The truly sad part isn't that the TSA had to actually write this out but that you know there was a NEED for them to do so. Can't you just see it?

"Dude, nowhere on that list does it say that I can't bring my two handed boar sword onto the plane with me."

I'm still putting my sewing scissors in my checked luggage, though.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Rottie Mom,
I'm in!!!
You need to do your single digit dance!!!!

You're plans sound good so far!
We'll be at MNSSHP on the 19th as well, so I'll look out for a scary biker dude, circa James Hetfield early 90's!!
My DH will be the 6'4" guy probably wearing a Jack Skellington hat!
Love your dog story, our first dog was a rescue dog - Homer a black lab cross, who was lovely. It's true, I think they do know they're onto a good thing!
Our current dog - Jake - we rehomed from Guide Dogs as he failed the training. After a few weeks getting to know him it's pretty obvious why - he's as thick as two short planks....pathetic really....but lovely!

[/IMG]

Oh yeah, he also eats complete crap, we can't leave anything lying about - he eats it: loafs of bread, anything in the bin, bunch of bananas, bag of apples, you name it he eats it. Luckily we don't need to board him as my mum and dad take him for us.

I'm sure once your boys get there they'll love it. I'm sure your DH will be in Mickey ears within minutes of check in.. WDW put something in the water - it's addictive!
Our kids were 4 when we first took them, once we decided to just chill and let them ride what they wanted and not what we thought they would like, it was fab! You just need to go at their pace.

BTW, you MIGHT be able to change your ADR to Boma, last trip we waited until we got there before making ADRs (clueless in WDW! ), and we got Boma OK then, I think it's just your luck.

By the way, I found Virgin Vie waterproof mascara practically impossible to remove without industrial strength battery acid. If you'd like to try that....?

You mean I can't bring my samurai swords and nunchucks as carry-on? Since when.....?

Keep posting

Di x