Not even a brain tumor can keep me away from WDW!

[sl_underwood]

333 days out, seems like a good time to start planning...

I have never started trip planning this early but right now a little disney magic is exactly what I need. Recently, I discovered I have a brain tumor. Its benign but sitting on my frontal lobe so its causing some pretty horrible issues. At this time (still waiting on two more opinions) it appears inoperable and it is recommended that I start radiation therapy. I am doubtful that there is another option and radiation scares me a great deal. Rather than focus on the bad, I have decided that I am going to kick some tumor butt and come Dec 4, I am going to be living it up in WDW celebrating my daughters sweet sixteen!

 

[sl_underwood]

The Cast:

Me- Lora- A bit disney obsessed, loves the planning almost as much as the trip itself.

Dh-Stephen- A fun loving geeky sort of guy, loves all things Disney and all things Star Wars.

DD- Jess- AKA Ventress on these boards, loves WDW and wants to turn 16 in her favorite place on Earth- Animal Kingdom!

DS- Luke- age 8, loves Walt Disney World and cant wait to go back. Luke has autism so it can sometimes make trip planning a bit tricky.

Still no word if dd 18 will be attending, she has college, work, and a whole separate life. She loved WDW until her last trip and she decided she wasnt all that into it anymore

Also, my brother and his two little girls are planning on going with us this trip.
So adding to the trip

Jerome- 20 something single dad of two. Never been to WDW, and I really dont think he realizes how much planning is involved.
His dd Peyton who will be 3- She loves Disney movies like aristocats, and Beauty and the Beast, but her heart belongs to Yo Gabba Gabba- hope she is out of that stage soon!
and Sophie who will be barely 2. She is probably the sweetest baby I have ever met. So easy going, loves pretty much everything, but also a bit Gabba obsessed. Been trying to get her into Playhouse Disney, but apparently she doesnt like it as well as Gabba

 

[Corrine 1973]

You started. Yea!!!!!! I can't wait to read all about your trip and we can keep each other company as we take this long journey to our next WDW trip.

 

[cogero]

I am along for the ride.

 

[Lidian]

I'm here, I'm here! Can't wait to hear more details! Also, fingers crossed that DD18 will tag along for some fun! That's great that you're taking your brother and his little ones, too! You guys are going to have a blast!

 

[sl_underwood]

Cogero! Happy to have you along!

Lidian, I am sure it will be fun. Even a not so perfect Disney trip is better than no Disney trip at all! I still have yet to sit down with Jerome and make plans. He thinks we have plenty of time seeing as we are more than 300 days out. He doesnt realize that character meal ressies must be done early (I plan to be on top of this 180 days + 10) nor does he get the sheer planning that must happen to take two small children on vacation. I think a month out he will be ready, so I must do something to fix that, lol.

 

[Lidian]

Cogero! Happy to have you along!

Lidian, I am sure it will be fun. Even a not so perfect Disney trip is better than no Disney trip at all! I still have yet to sit down with Jerome and make plans. He thinks we have plenty of time seeing as we are more than 300 days out. He doesnt realize that character meal ressies must be done early (I plan to be on top of this 180 days + 10) nor does he get the sheer planning that must happen to take two small children on vacation. I think a month out he will be ready, so I must do something to fix that, lol.

Well, I'm looking forward to hearing about your planning, stressing over your ADRs (I'll bite my nails along with you ), and getting the kids prepped for the trip!

Even DH hasn't figured out how much planning goes into the trip ... but it's because he won't help with any of the planning. So when he wants to make last minute changes, he realizes that it doesn't always happen!

 

[sl_underwood]

Sorry Corrine, completely missed you there, guess this brain tumor on my frontal lobe is as good of excuse as any, huh? Anyway, glad to have you here!

 

[DMGeurts]

I am in! Looking forward to helping you plan...

I keep trying to get my oldest dd to join The Dis - but she has yet to... Has it been a good experience for your dd? Not like my dd would wanna hang out where her mom does anyways??? LOL

D~

 

[sl_underwood]

D- Glad to have you here. Your TR got me over to the disboutiquers and I am slowly making my way through the very long thread. I do not sew but you have definitely inspired me. I would love to help my family financially right now, especially because I am costing us a fortune. Even with insurance, I hate to see all the bills coming in. I know my husband will keep us out of debt, but would like to contribute especially since he has agreed to take us to Disney this year. How hard is it to make AG clothes? I really dont have much sewing experience but I do have a machine in the closet, nothing fancy but it sews. Plus the disboutique gives me such cute ideas for my neices. If I can figure it out, they could have some pretty awesome Disney styles!

Jess doesnt post much, but she has posted some on the teen boards, usually just a few months before a trip while she is trying to figure stuff out. She does read on here more than she posts. She likes disboards though not as much as facebook, lol.

 

[Corrine 1973]

Sorry Corrine, completely missed you there, guess this brain tumor on my frontal lobe is as good of excuse as any, huh? Anyway, glad to have you here!

I was starting to wonder if you forgot about me.

 

[DMGeurts]

D- Glad to have you here. Your TR got me over to the disboutiquers and I am slowly making my way through the very long thread. I do not sew but you have definitely inspired me. I would love to help my family financially right now, especially because I am costing us a fortune. Even with insurance, I hate to see all the bills coming in. I know my husband will keep us out of debt, but would like to contribute especially since he has agreed to take us to Disney this year. How hard is it to make AG clothes? I really dont have much sewing experience but I do have a machine in the closet, nothing fancy but it sews. Plus the disboutique gives me such cute ideas for my neices. If I can figure it out, they could have some pretty awesome Disney styles!

Well, first of all - despite what I used to believe - sewing is very expensive. I always had the misconception that people sewed to save $$, or because they were poor and couldn't afford to shop... Nothing could be further from the truth... I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe how expensive fabric is, and even if you have a coupon - it's still outrageous. You can find items on clearance way cheaper at Target than what you can sew them for...

Anyways... Didn't mean to go off on a tangeant (after all, you really don't know me yet, and really I am nice - I think. LOL)

AG clothes are tiny, that's all... for the first year of my sewing - that's pretty much all I sewed, so I didn't know anything different. Personally, I enjoy sewing small, much more than I enjoy sewing big. If that makes any sense. It just comes easier to me. Getting into those little spaces can be very difficult, and most people don't have the patience for it... Not sure why I do?

I just enjoy the thrill of seeing my fabric turn into something useful...

And the funniest thing... Lately whenever I buy fabric - I put the bag in the back seat and say to it in my most excited voice ever "Guess what??? You're going to Disney World!!!!" ROFL....

Jess doesnt post much, but she has posted some on the teen boards, usually just a few months before a trip while she is trying to figure stuff out. She does read on here more than she posts. She likes disboards though not as much as facebook, lol.

Well, maybe I won't make her then, the more I think about it, the more I'd like my privacy... LOL

D~

 

[sl_underwood]

D- I am sure it doesnt really save alot but if I were to buy all those custom made clothes, lol... hehe. What I really want to learn how to do is the applique and embroidery. I used to embroider years ago but havent done so since before I became a mom. I would love to do some cool sweatshirts for the kids for our trip though and maybe some for us adults too. I have boxes of fabric and such already, just havent done anything with them. My dd used to sew alot, took a wonderful homeschool class a few years back. I am thinking I just need to keep busy and productive. I am feeling a bit invalid these days as I am not allowed to drive and having to rely on dh to pick up and drop off everyone in addition to everythign he has to do.

 

[Corrine 1973]

Yea I agree, that with the cost of the pattern and than fabric, making your own outfits it far from a money saver. You are lucky if you come out about even with an outfit you could buy at Walmart/Kamart. But when you look at how much custom cloths would cost, than indeed you are saving some money. And just think of all the great memories you will have when you family shows off their new duds at WDW. Plus all the compliments.

Two words of caution, though. 1) Be patient with it. It takes time to make an outfit (or applique) and practice. 2) It's addicting. As many ladies on the Disboutiquers thread can confirm, once you start and the creative juices start running it is hard to stop. Especially around the Dis when you see everyone's new creations all the time.

 

[DMGeurts]

D- I am sure it doesnt really save alot but if I were to buy all those custom made clothes, lol... hehe. What I really want to learn how to do is the applique and embroidery. I used to embroider years ago but havent done so since before I became a mom. I would love to do some cool sweatshirts for the kids for our trip though and maybe some for us adults too. I have boxes of fabric and such already, just havent done anything with them. My dd used to sew alot, took a wonderful homeschool class a few years back. I am thinking I just need to keep busy and productive. I am feeling a bit invalid these days as I am not allowed to drive and having to rely on dh to pick up and drop off everyone in addition to everythign he has to do.

Ahhh - Gotcha. I agree totally - the cost of customs vs. making them yourself is huge and that would be a huge money saver if you are thinking in those terms. I was just thinking in terms of sewing in general... LOL

I think that sewing would be a great thing to keep you busy... it keeps me busy, that's for sure. And it would definately make you feel productive...

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

Hi Lora! Looks like we will just miss you. We come home Dec 3.
If you have a machine that has a decent zig zag you theoretically can do the applique. I do believe that D~ is one of the best around...especially at those teeny tiny appliques she does!

I attempted to do some 'hand' applique using my zig zag but was totally terrible at it! I quickly discovered I needed to purchase an embroidery machine so I could make things my family wouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed to wear!

But...it is not only expensive...but addicting as well! The good news is...sewing isn't really as hard as most people think it is...but shhhh that is our secret!


Nini

 

[sl_underwood]

Nini- Any suggestions for a good machine that does not break the bank?

 

[NiniMorris]

Well, I kinda broke the bank! LOL!

I have the Brother PE 770. I got mine from HSN. It runs around 800, but you can get it on payments, and then there are coupons for 15% off your first order. I was lucky and they had it on 6 payments during a sale a couple years ago. I know it is usually cheaper at places like Amazon and Overstock.com, but you have to pay it all at once. Since I am cheap...that wouldn't work for me.

Of course, now I am drooling over a commercial 6 needle machine...if ONLY!

Nini

 

[sl_underwood]

$800 definitely not in my budget. D- want to give me some tips on how to do this without breaking the bank. Also where do you guys get your templates or do you make your own?

 

[Corrine 1973]

$800 definitely not in my budget. D- want to give me some tips on how to do this without breaking the bank. Also where do you guys get your templates or do you make your own?

You can get a brother or Singer at Walmart for only about $100. They are only the basic machine, but they work for what you will need them for and wont break the bank. There is a website about older machines (D help me out with this one) if you want to look on ebay, craigs list, or check out the local goodwill store.

If you get a machine that does embrodiery (very expensive) you can buy programs to put in the machine. Frou Frou is a good site to find these programs for Disney stuff for a good price. To make one that you Zig Zag on top, there is a great Toturial on the first page of the Disboutiquer thread that is very helpfull. That is where I learned to my first one (last week).