No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems: A Tremendously Tropical PTR

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Rinky! Hello my friend! I have been MIA from the Dis for awhile and have missed much of your report. So, did your DH get the job you were hoping for? Have you settled on your dates? I need to go back to read right now but I did see your last update. Look how beautiful and big your baby girl is!!!

I'm so glad to hear from you. I was just about to send out the search party for you! I was seriously thinking about asking if anyone had heard from you lately. I know how it is though, life gets busy for all of us. But I am glad you are back!

DH didn't get the job. It's a long story.... about 10 or so pages back if you want all the gory details. Now, if you just want the short version, it pretty much boils down to this........ kiss hiney at work and the skies the limit, no matter how much of an idiot you are... don't kiss hiney at work and you'll never make it out of the trenches, no matter how diligent of a digger you are.

Dates are now set in stone and everything is paid for! We are doing the 3 night cruise and following with 7 nights at CBR!

Yes, my baby is growing up... that has been a topic of discussion on here lately.

Now, I want to know when YOU are going back. I know you have been trying to work another trip out. Have you made any progress?

 

[MEK]

I don't think I commented on your last post, so I have to say that your day at TL sounds wonderful. It's been a long time since I've visited a waterpark. I think because all my trips are so short - I can never fit it in. But maybe in June!!!!!

Glad you are enjoying the fall weather!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm so glad to hear from you. I was just about to send out the search party for you! I was seriously thinking about asking if anyone had heard from you lately. I know how it is though, life gets busy for all of us. But I am glad you are back!

DH didn't get the job. It's a long story.... about 10 or so pages back if you want all the gory details. Now, if you just want the short version, it pretty much boils down to this........ kiss hiney at work and the skies the limit, no matter how much of an idiot you are... don't kiss hiney at work and you'll never make it out of the trenches, no matter how diligent of a digger you are.

Dates are now set in stone and everything is paid for! We are doing the 3 night cruise and following with 7 nights at CBR!

Yes, my baby is growing up... that has been a topic of discussion on here lately.

Now, I want to know when YOU are going back. I know you have been trying to work another trip out. Have you made any progress?

Thanks Rinky! I've missed you. I just had lots of real world stuff going on. You know how that goes.

Oh boy, do I ever know what you are talking about in regards to your dh's job. Isn't that ridiculous?! No matter how hard you work, what you accomplish, you will never climb that ladder. It's a social game. About ten years ago, a golf game cost my husband a job. It's just not fair. It sounded like your husband deserved that promotion. Shame on them!!!

I'm so, so happy that everything is ready to roll for this trip. You deserve one! I am still trying to work out details (and financials too of course) but I'm thinking May. Cross your fingers for me while I page back and get all caught up with you! I'm glad to be back!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I don't think I commented on your last post, so I have to say that your day at TL sounds wonderful. It's been a long time since I've visited a waterpark. I think because all my trips are so short - I can never fit it in. But maybe in June!!!!!

Glad you are enjoying the fall weather!

I hope we like the waterpark. I really think we will. If I was going in June, it would be a must do! My mom went many years ago and said it was her favorite part of the whole trip.

Our taste of fall was very brief. The heat and humidity are already back.

Thanks Rinky! I've missed you. I just had lots of real world stuff going on. You know how that goes.

Oh boy, do I ever know what you are talking about in regards to your dh's job. Isn't that ridiculous?! No matter how hard you work, what you accomplish, you will never climb that ladder. It's a social game. About ten years ago, a golf game cost my husband a job. It's just not fair. It sounded like your husband deserved that promotion. Shame on them!!!

I'm so, so happy that everything is ready to roll for this trip. You deserve one! I am still trying to work out details (and financials too of course) but I'm thinking May. Cross your fingers for me while I page back and get all caught up with you! I'm glad to be back!

Yes. I know all about real world stuff. Hope it gets better for you.

You are right. All too often, it is a social game. So much of life is. And a promotion being decided by a golf game... Ridiculous!

May sounds good! I think that would be a nice time to go. Most kids are still in school, but the heat is still not too bad. I've always wanted to go during Flower & Garden Festival. I sure hope all that works out for you.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

WOW! It has been crazy lately! I have been very preoccupied with caring for some very precious orphaned quintuplets! My Dad found 4 sweet baby kittens in his boat last week, and it appeared that the mother cat had abandoned them. They absolutely melted my heart, and I just couldn't leave them there to die. So DD and I took them home and decided we would bottle feed them until they could eat regular food. They are about 2-3 weeks old. Well we quickly found out that we had bitten off more than we could chew. They need to eat every two hours, so by the time we finished feeding and cleaning all four, it was time to start all over again! Then you add in constantly washing their blankets and cleaning their box and it was a FULL TIME job. I have a new appreciation for mama cats!

So anyway by Saturday I just had to admit that I needed some help. I called every vet's office, animal rescue group, Humane Society, and animal shelter in our area or within an hour drive of my home, but no one had a nursing mother cat that could foster them. I was getting really desperate at that point. Well, the Lord must have felt sorry for me because when we were at church Sunday, someone mentioned that they had kittens that were ready to be given away! I was so excited because that meant they had a mama cat who had milk!!!!! So I asked them (ok, maybe I begged, pleaded, and groveled) and they very graciously agreed to take them for me!! As of right now, I haven't heard back from them, so I am really hoping that means their mother cat accepted them. If you're an animal lover like me, please say a tiny little prayer for them. Bear with me because I have to share a few pictures of my foster babies before we move on to Disney business...

They actually took the bottle very well.

DD was in love with them. It broke her heart to give them away.

This one was her favorite.

I sure do hope all is going well with them and they are nursing well with their new foster mom.

Now onto Disney news...............................................................

It's official, the countdown is on!!!!! We have exactly one month to go!!

​

We will start our countdown calendar tonight! I am just going to use one that I found here on the DIS. There are several cute ones that this Disser made. Here's the link to them if anyone is interested.

http://disigns.bayoumickey.com/main.php?g2_itemId=21

We will probably use this one...

I can't believe we are finally so close that we can start a countdown calendar! Very exciting stuff!

And....................... we got Mickey mail!!!

I just love that all the documents say "Welcome Aboard ***** Family!"

We got both sets of reservation documents (DCL and WDW) and got our luggage tags for both. I don't know what it is, but when you open the mailbox and those goodies are in there, it finally feels real! I almost felt kind of panicked when I saw it and thought about all I need to get done in the next month!

Speaking of lots to do and little time to do it... I've been working on my fish extender gifts. I went to Target the other day and found some things that I liked. This is what I have for the kids so far:

I got the M&Ms theater candy for the teens. I don't know anything about teenagers except that they can eat a lot , and I thought they might like these for the theater that is onboard since snacks there have to be purchased. The glow sword is for a 6 year old boy. I thought he would like that for Pirate Night. I got the books for the tweens (9-12 year olds). I hope they will like them. Some kids like books... some don't, but I always like to carry a book to the beach, and the teacher in me couldn't pass these up. I also thought The Legend of Sleepy Hollow would be a fun read for fall, and it will be cool for any of the cruisers who are doing MNSSHP since the Headless Horseman starts the parade. The play packs are for the 3-7 year old girls. I thought they were really cute and they were in the $1 bin! Each one has a coloring book, stickers and crayons.

I'm working on my items for the adults. They are getting a semi-homemade gift. I'll post pictures of those when I'm done.

I also picked up a couple of things for DD to keep her busy on the drive down. I got her a Tinker Bell DS game and a word search book (she loves those). I think I might get her the Princess & the Frog DS game as well. Hopefully those will keep her busy for a while.

Well, I think that gets us caught up for the moment. I am so far behind with everyone's TRs. I will get up to date with all of them though.

Up next: A very special day at MK!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oh my goodness, those kitties are the sweetest little things. Are you going to keep any of them? *bats eyelashes*

I think those are great little gifts! Very creative and I like the Halloween theme you have got going on.

Yay for documents, that makes a trip feel so much closer!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Aw, kittens!!!!!!! I love kittens! My mom's cat just had four babies and I could hold them all day. So snuggly and cute! What a good deed you did by taking care of them.

Love the Disney mail! Isn't that fun to receive?

 

[SoonerGirl]

Awwww, such sweet kittens! I think once they are ready, your DDs favorite should come back and live with you

Yay for Mickey Mail! Yes, it does make a trip seem so much more real when you open that box full of goodies!

I have several countdown calendars that I downloaded from that site a couple of years ago, but it looks like they have posted some new ones, so I'll need to get a few more!

Great job with your FE gifts so far!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Aww, look at the little kitties!! You sound like me, I would have totally taken them in too. My DH is always worried I'll bring home a needy child from school! Anyway -- so glad you found someone to take them. I hope the mama cat accepted them.


Wow you're down to one month!! I'm so excited for you! Make sure to take pics and document every detail of your trip. I just may need all that info very soon.

 

[sjs314]

You and DD were very busy I am sure feeding the babies every 2 hours, but I would have taken the kitties home too. I am glad you found someone with a mother cat and I should think if they did not call you that the mother must have accepted them.

Mickey Mail what fun and love the count down board. The items you found for the fish extenders look good to me.

You must be so very excited 30 Days

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Oh my goodness, those kitties are the sweetest little things. Are you going to keep any of them? *bats eyelashes*

I think those are great little gifts! Very creative and I like the Halloween theme you have got going on.

Yay for documents, that makes a trip feel so much closer!!!

You'll have to get in line behind my DD on the eyelash batting! She's been doing enough of that for both of you! She doesn't have to convince me though. I would take all four of them, but there is no way I can do that. By the time we leave for Disney, they will only be about 6-7 weeks old which means they would HAVE to stay in the house. And no way would I leave 4 new kittens alone in our house for 12 days. I don't have anyone that would help take care of them either. My parents don't like cats, so I wouldn't even ask them.

I hope everyone likes their FE gift. It's hard to buy for strangers.

Aw, kittens!!!!!!! I love kittens! My mom's cat just had four babies and I could hold them all day. So snuggly and cute! What a good deed you did by taking care of them.

Love the Disney mail! Isn't that fun to receive?

Those kittens are so precious. Even though I was totally overwhelmed in taking care of them, I have still missed them today. It was just like having newborn babies in the house again.

NOTHING is like Disney mail!

Awwww, such sweet kittens! I think once they are ready, your DDs favorite should come back and live with you

Yay for Mickey Mail! Yes, it does make a trip seem so much more real when you open that box full of goodies!

I have several countdown calendars that I downloaded from that site a couple of years ago, but it looks like they have posted some new ones, so I'll need to get a few more!

Great job with your FE gifts so far!

I would totally let her keep one, but that won't be possible until we get back from Disney. I don't have anyone to help take care of them while we are gone and I wouldn't leave it alone in the house that long being so young. I have missed them today though.

Don't you love the Disigns board. There's some great stuff over there.

It's a lot harder to buy FE gifts than I thought because you are buying for strangers. I hope they like them.

Aww, look at the little kitties!! You sound like me, I would have totally taken them in too. My DH is always worried I'll bring home a needy child from school! Anyway -- so glad you found someone to take them. I hope the mama cat accepted them.


Wow you're down to one month!! I'm so excited for you! Make sure to take pics and document every detail of your trip. I just may need all that info very soon.

You sound just like me. I have such a soft spot for anyone or anything helpless and innocent. I used to bring home every animal I ever found when I was little. My daddy said I was Ellie Mae Clampett!

YES, one month!! Our trips were exactly two months apart, so that means a month ago you were just arriving at Disney! Wow it doesn't seem that long! And i will be sure to take very good notes for you. So does that mean Hawaii is a no go?

You and DD were very busy I am sure feeding the babies every 2 hours, but I would have taken the kitties home too. I am glad you found someone with a mother cat and I should think if they did not call you that the mother must have accepted them.

Mickey Mail what fun and love the count down board. The items you found for the fish extenders look good to me.

You must be so very excited 30 Days

It really was a huge job. I had no idea what I was getting into. They were so sweet though and I have really missed them today.

I told them to call me if the mama cat wouldn't let them nurse and I would come back and get them. It's been 24 hours now and no word so I feel sure that they are fine. I am so thankful and I plan on buying that mama cat some tuna when this is over!

Mickey mail is the BEST!! 30 days to go is pretty awesome too!

 

[MeMom]

Ariel girl!

And definitely some jumping jacks are in order for Disney mail with your evry own personal name on it!
for the Rinky Tinky Tinky family!

The kitties are adorable. I know it was hard to take care of them and hard to give them away, as well.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Ariel girl!

And definitely some jumping jacks are in order for Disney mail with your evry own personal name on it!
for the Rinky Tinky Tinky family!

The kitties are adorable. I know it was hard to take care of them and hard to give them away, as well.

Well, Ariel girl is out. DD changed her mind at the last minute and went for Peter Pan and Tink flying over London! Doesn't really go with the tropical theme of our trip like Ariel did but for some reason a 7 year old just doesn't care about little details like that!

I have to say that it is cool that they print those documents with your family name on them! Can you tell I am easily entertained!

It was really hard to give up our kitties even though I knew I couldn't take care of them like that for 4-6 more weeks. I even teared up a few times yesterday when I thought about them being gone. But I learned something about myself... I would not make a good foster parent (for children or pets). I'd either have to adopt outright or nothing at all. I couldn't handle the coming and going.

 

[jenjolt]

Awww...those kittens are the most precious things I have ever seen!! I am so a cat person so I adore kitties and those are just way too cute!!!!

Love your FE gifts!!! They are awesome!! THere will be some happy kids when they get those!!

YAY for Mickey Mail!!!!! Best type of Mail to receive if you ask me LOL!!!!!!!

YAY for starting the countdown!!!!! Best feeling!!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

DD changed her mind at the last minute and went for Peter Pan and Tink flying over London!

I like your DD more and more - great choice!!

Yes, I have a soft spot for Peter Pan

 

[Woth2982]

First off, those kitties were so darn cute! I don't really like cats, but those kittens would have broken my heart too. We took in a stray one night and my dog was terrified of it. My brother took care of it until we found the owner, and my dog clung to my side like I was going to abandon him! My dog is pretty evil too (he is a rat terrier) so it was funny this little cat scared him.

So exciting your trip is in 30 days! I love the FE gifts! If you were giving the gift to me, those M&Ms would be golden. Hopefully the kids aren't allergic though. That would be my only concern. The other little gifts are great too! I know young boys (11ish, only because I babysit an 11 y/o boy) love Mystery and action books. I think they would really like the headless horsemen book! I may try and pick up a copy for the kid I watch! I am doing a 2 week babysitting gig for him and his older sister while the parents are in Korea (Please say a prayer for me that I survive this).

You must be getting so excited! I am so jealous you are doing the cruise! Cannot wait to hear about your MK day!

 

[Woth2982]

First off, those kitties were so darn cute! I don't really like cats, but those kittens would have broken my heart too. We took in a stray one night and my dog was terrified of it. My brother took care of it until we found the owner, and my dog clung to my side like I was going to abandon him! My dog is pretty evil too (he is a rat terrier) so it was funny this little cat scared him.

So exciting your trip is in 30 days! I love the FE gifts! If you were giving the gift to me, those M&Ms would be golden. Hopefully the kids aren't allergic though. That would be my only concern. The other little gifts are great too! I know young boys (11ish, only because I babysit an 11 y/o boy) love Mystery and action books. I think they would really like the headless horsemen book! I may try and pick up a copy for the kid I watch! I am doing a 2 week babysitting gig for him and his older sister while the parents are in Korea (Please say a prayer for me that I survive this).

You must be getting so excited! I am so jealous you are doing the cruise! Cannot wait to hear about your MK day!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Awww...those kittens are the most precious things I have ever seen!! I am so a cat person so I adore kitties and those are just way too cute!!!!

Love your FE gifts!!! They are awesome!! THere will be some happy kids when they get those!!

YAY for Mickey Mail!!!!! Best type of Mail to receive if you ask me LOL!!!!!!!

YAY for starting the countdown!!!!! Best feeling!!!!

Those were some really cute kittens. I have always wanted an orange cat, so it was really tempting to keep them.

I really hope the kids like the FE gifts. It's just super hard to buy for strangers. You really know nothing about them except their age. I know my DD would be happy with ANYTHING she found in her FE, so I am hoping the other kids will be too.

Mickey mail and countdown calendars ROCK!

I like your DD more and more - great choice!!

Yes, I have a soft spot for Peter Pan

I have a super soft spot for the PP ride myself. I could just sit all day in the part where it looks like you are flying over London. Very magical!

First off, those kitties were so darn cute! I don't really like cats, but those kittens would have broken my heart too. We took in a stray one night and my dog was terrified of it. My brother took care of it until we found the owner, and my dog clung to my side like I was going to abandon him! My dog is pretty evil too (he is a rat terrier) so it was funny this little cat scared him.

So exciting your trip is in 30 days! I love the FE gifts! If you were giving the gift to me, those M&Ms would be golden. Hopefully the kids aren't allergic though. That would be my only concern. The other little gifts are great too! I know young boys (11ish, only because I babysit an 11 y/o boy) love Mystery and action books. I think they would really like the headless horsemen book! I may try and pick up a copy for the kid I watch! I am doing a 2 week babysitting gig for him and his older sister while the parents are in Korea (Please say a prayer for me that I survive this).

You must be getting so excited! I am so jealous you are doing the cruise! Cannot wait to hear about your MK day!

Our chihuahua was little freaked out by the kittens, but she did ok. I know what you mean about terriers though. My mom used to have one and it was like a mini Cujo sometimes! That thing would take your arm off if the mood struck him!

I really didn't think about allergies with the M&Ms. I bought them for the teens so surely they have enough sense not to eat them if they aren't supposed to. And no one in our FE group has mentioned any allergies. I would hope they would have told everyone if they had issues like that. So I'm going with it and hope everyone can enjoy them. If not, I'm sure someone else in the cabin can, and I'm going to get a few other things for the kids anyway.

I hope you are right about the books. I know my DD loves books and most kids that I know like them, but some kids would rather have a root canal done than read a book! But hey, maybe they will read it even if it's not their favorite thing to do and then they can tell their teachers that they did something educational on vacation! BTW, I also got them from the $1 bin at Target if you decided you want one.

I will surely say a prayer for you on your babysitting! It will be a challenge, but I'm sure you will do fine. They wouldn't have left them with you if they didn't think you could handle it.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Orange kitties are the best...just saying. I really think that little orange cutie should come home with you after your trip.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Orange kitties are the best...just saying. I really think that little orange cutie should come home with you after your trip.

Just sayin' huh? Wouldn't have ANYTHING to do with your own fur baby, would it?

I have had MANY cats in my lifetime and somehow I have never had an orange one. I think they are so pretty and they just look soft and fuzzy. We have two cats already that we rescued about 2 years ago. They were going to be euthanized. So they came home with us and we love them lots! They are outside cats though. I have found that I just like that better. No litter box. But if I can talk DH into it, that little fluffy orange cutie will be joining our family when we get back. I can't help it. I'm a total sucker!