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

[rottiemom]

Di!! You're from Scotland! Can you bring me chocolate...and some cans of Kestrel?
We actually went to Edinburgh for our honeymoon. Edinburgh in March. Snow fog & rain, all at the same time . We loved it.

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!

Oh I just loooove him! Thank you for posting the picture. So technically Jake's a rescue and a dropout? That makes you twice as lucky!

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....?

I'll have to check to see if I'm allowed to bring battery acid in my carry on first...

Have a great trip and keep coming back. Thanks for the ADR advice, too. Maybe we actually will see you on the 19th?

BTW- twins?! Bless you, woman! I've lost what little was left of my sanity with just one.

 

[rottiemom]

Further on the TSA's what you are & are not allowed to pack: I was telling my husband about the TSA's list and basically relaying it almost exactly as I had written it here.

Me: So no swords, scimitars or throwing stars.
Him: What about axes?
me: No axes.
Him: Do they specifically list axes?
me: Yes, they do.
Him: How about throwing axes?
me: SEE?! That's the reason they had to make the list! People like you!
Him: How about a mace?
Me: I don't think...
Him: Or a flail?
Me: Just stop it.

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

LOL the conversation with your husband had me literally rolling. It toatlly sounds like something my husband would say! Congrats on finding mascara that works. In June I just gave up on makeup altogether. Scary I know but who the heck cares, it is the happiest place on earth even if I do look like one of the scarers from Monsters Inc. without it.
I am so excited for you do be a week away. I look forward to reading all about the trip!

 

[rottiemom]

LOL the conversation with your husband had me literally rolling. It toatlly sounds like something my husband would say!

I'm so glad there's somebody else out there that can appreciate it! My husband loooooves being contrary just for the sake of contrariness. It used to drive me nuts but now I just tease him about trying to rain on my parade.

Congrats on finding mascara that works.

From now on I'm officially keeping my mouth shut about good mascara until I get back from vacation. The Two Faced had been awesome all week. yesterday, after posting about it, I came home to find it all over my face. grrrr.

In June I just gave up on makeup altogether. Scary I know but who the heck cares, it is the happiest place on earth even if I do look like one of the scarers from Monsters Inc. without it.

You & me both. Maybe that's what I'll do for MNNSHP? Just leave the mascara off! ("sorry, ma'am, but you can't come in...your costume is too scary")

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi there,

Di!! You're from Scotland! Can you bring me chocolate...and some cans of Kestrel?
We actually went to Edinburgh for our honeymoon. Edinburgh in March. Snow fog & rain, all at the same time . We loved it.

That's weird - we went to NY for our honeymoon! Glad you liked our peculiar weather - that's pretty much it all year round (in summer we occasionally get hail).
I hate to have to break it to you - but Kestral is no more!
But you can get UK chocolate in Epcot - doesn't really make up for it does it?

Oh I just loooove him! Thank you for posting the picture. So technically Jake's a rescue and a dropout? That makes you twice as lucky!

hadn't thought of him that way before, but now you mention it! He is!

I'll have to check to see if I'm allowed to bring battery acid in my carry on first...

Hmmm, possibly not then. I mean if they're so picky about the nunchucks - who knows what else these Jobsworths will ban next!

BTW- twins?! Bless you, woman! I've lost what little was left of my sanity with just one.

My sanity went a long time ago

Me: So no swords, scimitars or throwing stars.
Him: What about axes?
me: No axes.
Him: Do they specifically list axes?
me: Yes, they do.
Him: How about throwing axes?
me: SEE?! That's the reason they had to make the list! People like you!
Him: How about a mace?
Me: I don't think...
Him: Or a flail?
Me: Just stop it.

That reminded me of some of the many conversations I have with my DH! I know they do it deliberately!

I'm giving up on the mascara, and am tinting my eyelashes before I go - thereby meaning my eyeballs will have a classy bloodshot look, but no panda eyes! Win win really!

 

[goofyrhodie]

Hello!!! Just found your trip report today and I had to post!!! Loving your pre trippie. Makes me chuckle! I doubt your hubby would scare me..... I'd just think it was one of my brothers, my cousins husband, our neighbor or anyone from uptown!! We have lots and lots of people around here that your hubby would fit right in with (you also)!!

We leave the 21st for our first trip also so I'm having a few of the same nervous feelings you are. We have a dog, a rabbit and 2 fish.

Also, my friend runs the pet rescue in our area!! She is def an animal lover!!!

Enjoyng the pre trip report! Keep it up and I hope you and your family have a magical vacation!!

(btw - agree with all the happy hours also )

 

[goofyrhodie]

Almost forgot!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, MARY KAY BLACK WATERPROOF MASCARA!!! Will not come off until you use an eye makeup remover!! That's what I'm wearing!!

 

[rottiemom]

I hate to have to break it to you - but Kestral is no more!

Well I certainly won't mention that to my husband. He's probably forgotten all about it by now (doubtful, because he still has an empty can in the garage...don't ask). I do remember being amused and horrified that the pubs in Edinburgh were selling Budweiser as an imported beer. I wanted to apologize on behalf of beer drinkers everywhere.

I'm giving up on the mascara, and am tinting my eyelashes before I go - thereby meaning my eyeballs will have a classy bloodshot look, but no panda eyes! Win win really!

Oooh, good idea! And if you have light colored eyes the red will just make them look more vibrant!

I'm thinking that sunglasses may be a good way to go. Pair them with a bee keepers hat & I'll have nothing to worry about as far as cosmetics, sun or bugs and as a bonus I'll be easy to spot!

I'll bet that bee keeping gear isn't allowed in carry on, though.

 

[rottiemom]

Hello!!! Just found your trip report today and I had to post!!! Loving your pre trippie. Makes me chuckle! I doubt your hubby would scare me.....

Hi Goofyrhodie! It's not that he's scary, just that he tends to blend right in with a certain crowd. For instance, if I misplace him at a bike show. Seriously, how many guys with a ponytail & a moustache can there be?

We leave the 21st for our first trip also so I'm having a few of the same nervous feelings you are. We have a dog, a rabbit and 2 fish.

Ooh, rabbits are neat pets. I had a friend who's bunny was litterbox trained, seriously! But you know that you need to tell me about your dog, right?

Almost forgot!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, MARY KAY BLACK WATERPROOF MASCARA!!! Will not come off until you use an eye makeup remover!! That's what I'm wearing!!

Augh! You used the M word! Now that you've mentioned it on this thread don't be surprised if the Mary Kay now melts right off of your face. Or maybe it's just me?

 

[rottiemom]

And since I feel like amusing myself today I thought I'd post a couple of pictures (because all blather & no pics makes mine a dull pre trip report).

This is one of my favorite "family" photos. That's me on the left. I have a little problem with facial hair:

Seriously, can't you just see the empty thought bubble over Amber's head? My son was maybe 6 months old in this picture. No need to call child protective services, that's daddy holding him and giving me the "you have LOST your MIND" glare for the camera.

Here's a more recent one. You can see how fatherhood has aged my husband:

Actually the Christmas before last. I'm sure that Santa was just delighted to have to ask a rottweiler what she wanted for Christmas (bones and tennis balls, what else?) but I just love how the dog looks oh so much more thrilled to be there than my son does. I'm easily amused.

We leave in 6 days! I wonder how much I won't get done tonight? Find out tomorrow...

 

[rottiemom]

And the sum total of what got done last night is....nothing. By the time I got back from my mom's & got the little guy bathed & pajama-ed it was time for bed. This weekend I need to pack. 5 days.

I did get yet another sign from the travel gods today, though. Someone had brought a big box of children's books into work for the taking. Since my son looooves books I was going through the box looking for something likely and found a brand new WDW coloring book! I was shocked, completely un colored in and it looks like it came from the parks (how would I know?). I plan to give this to my son on the plane. Think that'll be too much of a clue as to where we're going?

 

[goofyrhodie]

What a find!!! Good job! You will get everything done.......

Doing the single digit dance with ya!

 

[tink1957]

Just found your PTR today & I'm . Thanks for the laughs.
We will be there part of the time that you are 9/20-9/30, maybe we'll see you there. We are planning on seeing Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, it's a shame you couldn't add a few more days onto your trip.

Hope you have a magical time.

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

6 Days
Did you find your single cup coffee brewer yet? I was telling Aaron that we should take a coffee brewer and he was like "Oh yeah!" so I definitly need one too. I think that giving your son a Disney coloring book would not be a giveaway but once he got there he is already thinking Disney so that is perfect. I am so excited for you to be taking your baby to Disny]ey for the first time. If you have time you should make a few shirts with paint or transfers. (I wish you better transfer luck than I had!) That would be too cute!
I am so sorry to hear the mascara did not work.
I loved your pics! The one with your husband when the baby was tiny was so adorable!

 

[rottiemom]

Hi Guys!

Tink, thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the visit and I am PEA GREEN with envy over your getting to see BBVD. You must report back!

Michelle, I actually did luck into a coffee maker on clearance at Kmart. Exactly what I wanted, it brews directly into 2 travel mugs so I don't have to worry about a carafe, plus we'll have the mugs on hand for, um, other beverages. I was very excited! It doesn't take up too much space in the luggage, either.

I actually ended up giving the coloring book to my boss for her little girl since my son basically scribbles rather than colors & would probably complain that there were no super heroes in it. Michelle, you are spot on about him already thinking Disney with the coloring book and I was kind of torn about giving it away but I just know that my boss' little girl will actually enjoy it more, if that makes any sense? No good deed goes unpunished. Maybe the travel gods won't be too angry at me for refusing their gift.

Shockingly, we are mostly packed. A dozen non black T shirts for my husband and I proved to be the toughest thing. Nearly every one of them is British motorcycle related (what a shock) and most of them are Triumph. I packed my husband's Gashleycrumb Tinies T for MNSSHP (if anyone's familiar with Edward Gorey they'll know about this) and my "Strangers have the best candy" for same. Which reminds me...I have to get my son's Halloween costume! Ack!

On Saturday I told my son that we were going to be going on vacation this week & that we'd be taking a plane there so we had to start packing. Now, while he did ask me where we were going & I told him that it was a surprise once the whole "vacation" thing sunk in he started with the questions. Here are a few of them, more or less in order.

"will there be a pool there?"
yes, whereupon he promptly grabbed his superhero diving sticks to add to the mammoth pile of toys he was planning to bring.

"where will we sleep, in the pool?"
Mind you, even when it rains while we're camping we have never once slept in a pool! I told him that we'd be sleeping in a hotel room.

"ooh, a room with delicious snacks?"
There will be snacks but this won't be a hotel room like you see on Drake & Josh.

"But how will we get to the pool? Will we walk or drive?"
we'll walk, because the pool is at the hotel and we won't have a car.

"and how will we get home?"
Actually this one he then answered himself.

"is Amber coming with us on the plane?"
No, Amber is going to stay at the vet so we have to pack for her too.

"What are we going to eat while we're on vacation?"
We'll go to restaurants.

"will there be a TV?"
Yes, but you won't have time to watch it.

He was VERY excited about packing & promptly went & got his suitcase out of the closet, then proceeded to grab the biggest of his stuffed animals. I explained that we had to pack clothing first, then toys. He told me not to pack too much clothing so that he'd have room for lots of toys, of course .

He's very excited about the trip with just the airplane & the hotel with pool part so I guess that I could have saved myself a whole pile of money on those park tickets . I'm anxious to see his reaction when the reality of WDW hits him but meanwhile now that he knows about the trip I have to be really careful not to use the D word (Disney) when I'm talking to my husband.

Two days now...and I feel like I don't have enough time!

 

[lurkyloo]

Your son sounds SO cute! He makes me think of the time I saw two frustrated parents who'd just paid all this money to get bring their daughter to Disneyland and here she was chasing a pigeon down Main Street, U.S.A.

Are you still on the hunt for mascara? Or are you seriously having your eye lashes tinted? I used that purple tube of waterproof Covergirl mascara for my wedding, and it worked great!

Also, do you have time to get Model in a Bottle or MAC Fix before you leave? That stuff should keep your makeup on all day...

 

[rottiemom]

Are you still on the hunt for mascara? Or are you seriously having your eye lashes tinted? I used that purple tube of waterproof Covergirl mascara for my wedding, and it worked great!

Also, do you have time to get Model in a Bottle or MAC Fix before you leave? That stuff should keep your makeup on all day...

Thanks for stopping in to visit, Lurkyloo!

You know, I should have thought to ask the Goddess of the Details about makeup . I remember just marvelling over your wedding report and how you had every angle covered, every detail worked out & every dream & vision brought to life. And it was all fabulous! Besides, as the woman that introduced me to Hollywood Fashion Tape it was a cinch you'd know about the perfect mascara.

I think that I'm worried too much about the mascara. Like anyone's going to see my eyes behind the sunglasses?

But now that you mention it, I'll just bet that I have something in my Paula Dorf trick kit that will work like Model in a Bottle (ah, memories, in Ye Olde Days we used to fix our makeup in place with a quick spritz of aqua net...No lie ).

After all of my mascara worries I realized last night that I had packed NO OTHER makeup! Not even concealer or my beloved Lemon Aid. What am I going to forget next, my teeth?! (thankfully those are still attached and so I can't forget them)

I'm still trying to figure out when I have time to take my little guy to the party store for his costume....

 

[lurkyloo]

See - you obsess over mascara the way I obsess over good walking shoes. Gee.... maybe I should write a Post-it so I don't forget to pack clothes!

Quick costume idea:

Adam Sandler's Crazy Protractor Beard Costume (all you need is a protractor!)

More costume ideas that don't require a shopping trip can be found here....

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Rottiemom,
All caught up now!
Great conversation with your son - who needs to pack clothes when you spend all your time in the pool?
Quite sensible really!
Really, you shouldn't have bothered getting the park tickets either or MNSSHP!

Well, I tinted my eyelashes on Thurdsay night - so no mascara for me - just as well since I spent practically all of Friday either crying or pulling my hair (had to cancel my hair appointment due to all of the palaver!).
Still all sorted now, no more tears, though as we now have another 6 weeks to wait until we leave now I'll need to re tint them again! The joys!
Not long to go now - have figured out how to get the single digit dancers for you as well now!


di x

 

[Krista in MA]

Now, let me see if I can remember all the things I was going to mention from all the posts you have added?

First - be sure to get everyone "first visit" buttons for the parks. I noticed so many people with those, and the b-day buttons with big smiles on their faces when castmembers (and non-castmembers too!) noticed them - especially the kids. Sort of makes little ones "important" for the day. Now, the trick is to find them? I have no idea where to get them I want to say at Guest Services in one of the parks, or maybe even at POP? Hopefully someone with more knowledge will point you in the right direction if you're interested!

Second - your conversation with your son about going on vacation made me giggle about the tv.... as you drive into POP - on the right hand side (not sure how well you can see it from the ME buses?), but there are signs leading up to the security gate about COLOR TVS! and other such things. Every time we pulled around that corner, a member of my family would giggle and start the..... Oh how I hope they have COLOR TVS! I'm only staying if they have AIR CONDITIONED ROOMS! ARE WE ALMOST THERE? (or is it ARE WE THERE YET? I have such a bad memory, yikes!). Yup, we're pretty dorky like that

Third - I don't know how close you are to NYC or CT (I think you mentioned you were going to a different show in CT, so I'm assuming either you are not that far, or don't mind the travel) but BBVD are playing the BB King Blues Club in NYC on January 12th (tickets are onsale already), and according to the BBVD website, they're playing at Mohegan Sun in CT on December 12th, 13th, and 14th.

Have a great time!!!