****OFFICIAL August, 2012 (PART 2)****

[Emteach]

Step by step Team August, we're getting closer every day.

So, I have a question of the day....

Is anyone else ridiculously excited for the Olympics? I absolutely love watching the swimming, track and gymnastics. Last time I also got really into the beach volleyball as well, so I'll be watching that as well.


U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

And a very quiet go Canada...............................LOL

Well, at least you gave Canada a bit of a shoutout. Yeah CANADA! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Olympics. I will be glued to the TV the next little bit. Favourite events are the swimming ones (Swimming, diving, synchro), gymnastics, track, volleyball.
So proud of all the athletes atten

 

[littlezar]

I am sitting here setting up my new Macbook Air...I love it and how little it is...but I am not totally sold on the OS! There is so much for me to learn how to do! (I love my iPhone and iPad...but this is going to take some getting used to!)

What computer does everyone use?

HP desktop that was bought in December '07 about 6 weeks before DH came home from 13 months in Iraq. Couldn't be without my almost daily emails from him for that long! Have thought about getting a laptop but this is fine for what I use it for.

PARK & RESORT LISTS ARE ALL UPDATED AS OF NOW

The list has me at the MK on the 22nd but we'll be in Epcot for the YES class.

I completed kids pirates league invitation and pirates league vests(I made them super fast but it works) and I made them a T shirt(dis-igned by a lady on another board.) I am dont with my creations now.

Nice!!

My shirts came this past weekend! They are perfect! I got blue for the boys and purple/pink for me. I can't wait to get there and show them!
This was my first Esty experience...let me know if you need info on how to get some for yourself

Awesome!

Step by step Team August, we're getting closer every day.

So, I have a question of the day....

Is anyone else ridiculously excited for the Olympics? I absolutely love watching the swimming, track and gymnastics. Last time I also got really into the beach volleyball as well, so I'll be watching that as well.


U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

And a very quiet go Canada...............................LOL

I'm looking forward to watching the Olympics ~ love gymnastics, diving and swimming!

So my mom and I are driving to Disney this year (from Massachusetts). Our first time driving. The flights were ridiculously expensive, so we just said forget it, we are going to drive. The original plan was to leave the 10th and stay over in North Carolina that night and get to Florida on the 11th and stay at a DTD hotel just for that night and then switch over to the Beach Club and start our vacation.
It's just going to be my mom and I and she will be driving the full 22 hours. My mom got an idea to leave the 9th and drive 4-5 hours and stop in New Jersey for the night so we wouldn't have to drive 12 hours to NC on the 10th. And that way she wouldn't be exhausted.

Do you think this sounds like a good plan? And if anyone has ever drove to Disney, what do you do to past the time?

We always drive. Disney is about 800 miles from where we currently live. My parents live about 340 miles from here and I drive that 2-3 times a year, usually without my husband because he's been deployed so much. That takes me 6-7 hours to drive on my own (with the boys and my dog) with stops for gas/food/bathroom. No issues with that. Has your Mom ever driven a long distance before? Maybe you can sort of break up the drive with an hour break somewhere that she can relax/nap on that first day. I find when I drive on my own with the boys, that little 30 minute break to sit down and eat refreshes me.

As far as stuff to do, DH and I always have lots of stuff to talk about (we both have the gift of gab!) We also crank the radio up or last trip we hooked up his Ipod and had a best of the 80's playlist going, the kids have some/all of the following when we travel: laptop, Ipod, DVD player, DSi's, Wii (we have a screen for the car that I bought on clearance at Target 6 years ago), books, magazines, snacks/drinks that I don't normally buy at home.

Totally had to edit because I forgot to add this:

Itunes has 2 episodes of Spongebob: Krabby Land/The Camping Episode and Sand Castles in the Sand/Shell Shocked and an episode of the Penguins of Madagascar: Launchtime/Haunted Habitat free right now. (I realize they're not Disney...but they are free! I have lots on my Ipod for my 6 year old, LOL!)

 

[beachmama3]

So my mom and I are driving to Disney this year (from Massachusetts). Our first time driving. The flights were ridiculously expensive, so we just said forget it, we are going to drive. The original plan was to leave the 10th and stay over in North Carolina that night and get to Florida on the 11th and stay at a DTD hotel just for that night and then switch over to the Beach Club and start our vacation.
It's just going to be my mom and I and she will be driving the full 22 hours. My mom got an idea to leave the 9th and drive 4-5 hours and stop in New Jersey for the night so we wouldn't have to drive 12 hours to NC on the 10th. And that way she wouldn't be exhausted.

Do you think this sounds like a good plan? And if anyone has ever drove to Disney, what do you do to past the time?

I think since your mom is the solo driver, she should do what is comfortable for her. I have driven to Disney several times- and twice out to Colorado and back. So I am comfortable driving looooong periods of time.We are driving to WDW this time too- I am hoping to get to Jacksonville the first day so that we only have a few hours left to drive the next day. Realistically, prob won't make it that far, but we'll see!

Do you really think you're going to be ready to stop after only 4-5 hours?? I say do the 12 hours to NC. I've driven straight through from NJ to Orlando and that was like 16 hours.

We have driven straight through too. I would do it this time, but last time we tried it with my youngest son, he demanded a bed at about 2am! lol! So we'll stop and rest. I will want to keep going to get to Disney though!!

Totally had to edit because I forgot to add this:

Itunes has 2 episodes of Spongebob: Krabby Land/The Camping Episode and Sand Castles in the Sand/Shell Shocked and an episode of the Penguins of Madagascar: Launchtime/Haunted Habitat free right now. (I realize they're not Disney...but they are free! I have lots on my Ipod for my 6 year old, LOL!)

Thanks for the heads up! I will have my boys download those for their ride!

 

[Mousemom234]

What computer does everyone use?

Apple user - have been since the early days of the Apple IIc

Currently running a 24" imac, and a G5 tower.
(and a very old Palm Zire 71 for my pda, which always goes to WDW)

DH has a Samsung laptop with Windows 7, and I hate it. I have no idea how to get it to do anything that's second nature to me on the mac

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Ok, so we will be at DWD a month from today. By this point next month, I will be at my 1pm ADR at Raglan Road. Yipee!!!

On to the QOTD: Will I be watching the olympics.

ABSOLUTELY!!! I LOVE the olympics. I love watching people from all over the world use their talents to see who is the best in the world in a peaceful way. I love watching gymnastics (my DD is on a competetive gymnastics team at our local YMCA), swimming, diving, some track and field, equestrian, and volleyball. Can't wait and it will pass the time to my vacation.

 

[CRdisMom]

yup can't wait to watch the olympics. DD is dying to watch swimming especially the swimmer from MN Rachel Bootsma.

 

[elaine amj]

[I completed kids pirates league invitation and pirates league vests(I made them super fast but it works) and I made them a T shirt(dis-igned by a lady on another board.) I am dont with my creations now.
T shirt for each-

LOVE your creativeness - Those pirate costumes are fantastic - and look comfy too.

My shirts came this past weekend! They are perfect! I got blue for the boys and purple/pink for me. I can't wait to get there and show them!
This was my first Esty experience...let me know if you need info on how to get some for yourself

beee-yoo-tee-foool.

I love toe dye - but my DD doesn't and plus, I just get too nervous messing with dye. I'm not too crafty.

Step by step Team August, we're getting closer every day.

So, I have a question of the day....

Is anyone else ridiculously excited for the Olympics? I absolutely love watching the swimming, track and gymnastics. Last time I also got really into the beach volleyball as well, so I'll be watching that as well.

SUPER excited. i'm trying to figure out the schedules so I can plan ahead to not miss too many "important" finals. I'm bummed we're planning an Algonquin trip right DURING Olympics - UGH! On top of that we have a Japanese exchange student staying with us pretty much throughout the whole Olympics (2 weeks starting Sunday). Normally we take our exchange students out every night to sightsee/do stuff. This time, she's going to be home watching a LOT of Olympics - hope she likes them LOL!

Are those flip flops comfy? Do they have arch support? I think I am going wear my tennis shoes most of the time but was thinking i need some sort of sandals for when I wear my dresses. 7.99 is much cheaper than 20-30 dollar ones you have to order online.

Here they are

Link: http://www.sears.com/athletech-wome...035VA47433201P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

I ended up buying them because it uses EVA foam, which is cushiony and molds to your feet:
•Upper: EVA
•EVA outsole
•EVA lining
Arch felt fine - but I don't have major problems with arches so ymmv. They felt very comfy on. I ordered a pair of Teva Mandalyn Wedge flip flops online and I'm returning it because the ribbon straps cut into my feet. These feel good. I also like the wide straps as they hold your feet better so they don't "flop" as much.

I also like Okabashi flip flops. But - they are very heavy, like rubber. I wanted something lightweight to throw in a park bag on a day that looked like rain. I don't expect these to last as long as a pair of Tevas (I'm sure the footbed will compress badly over time), but for the price, they don't have to.

I also liked the colors - bought both blue and pink for my DD and I and we will interchange depending on our outfits

 

[MelsBells]

So my mom and I are driving to Disney this year (from Massachusetts). Our first time driving. The flights were ridiculously expensive, so we just said forget it, we are going to drive. The original plan was to leave the 10th and stay over in North Carolina that night and get to Florida on the 11th and stay at a DTD hotel just for that night and then switch over to the Beach Club and start our vacation.
It's just going to be my mom and I and she will be driving the full 22 hours. My mom got an idea to leave the 9th and drive 4-5 hours and stop in New Jersey for the night so we wouldn't have to drive 12 hours to NC on the 10th. And that way she wouldn't be exhausted.

Do you think this sounds like a good plan? And if anyone has ever drove to Disney, what do you do to past the time?

We go back and forth between driving and flying. We live in Danvers so we are very close to where you are. We are flying this year, but I kind of love driving. We have done it a variety of ways. We have driven through to Maryland stopping near Baltimore. That's about 8 hours and then we have 15 hrs the next day. We go with 2 kids so I have found making stops works out better for us. We have driven straight through, which I find exhausting, but you get more time in Disney

Last year were drove down just for a four day stay and we did two stops. I think we stopped in Baltimore and Savannah GA. I loved the road trip that time. We relaxed and had fun and stopped whenever we felt like it. But the downside is taking the extra days off and not being at the parks.

In the car we listen to the different Disney podcasts. Gets us pumped up!!

Also I eat twizzlers constantly

 

[MelsBells]

We'll be at CSR at the same time! 33 days for me. I'm excited for my ticker to start counting down in weeks instead of "1 month and..."

Awesome! Maybe I will see you at the Dig Site!

 

[4Joyces]

Step by step Team August, we're getting closer every day.

So, I have a question of the day....

Is anyone else ridiculously excited for the Olympics? I absolutely love watching the swimming, track and gymnastics. Last time I also got really into the beach volleyball as well, so I'll be watching that as well.


U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

And a very quiet go Canada...............................LOL

I'm not usually a big Olympic person, but DD is in gymnastics and she loves to watch it on TV. So I'm sure we'll watch some of that.

Question - How is everyone going about planning? Do you plan out the days or just go with the flow. We have AK and DHS planned out but having trouble with MK and EP since they are quite a bit bigger.

I know which parks we are going to on which days, except the last full day I'm leaving for whatever we want to go back to. I had to plan out the days due to ADRs and wanting to make sure we catch a MSEP and all the other nighttime shows at least once. I have touring plans for each day, but they aren't really strict. Just a guide for what we "must" do and a tentative order for the day. I'm sure the plans will get thrown out the window once we are there, but at least I have an idea of what we want to do and where everything is (it's been awhile since I've been there!)

 

[Megs114]

I'm so excited about the Olympics! DH and I are always glued to the television when they are on lol.

Today and tomorrow are going to be stressful for me. I graduated in December in Special Education and I have been a teacher assistant at a school for kids with Autism for six years. I went on an interview at a school like the one I'm at now for a teaching position two weeks ago and they called me to do a mock lesson so I did that last Wednesday. They said there were 5 candidates and 3 positions open and that they would be calling either today or tomorrow. I felt good after the lesson so I'm praying I get this job! Needless to say, I will be a nervous wreck the next two days lol. Keep your fingers crossed!!

 

[Mousemom234]

So my mom and I are driving to Disney this year (from Massachusetts). Our first time driving. The flights were ridiculously expensive, so we just said forget it, we are going to drive. The original plan was to leave the 10th and stay over in North Carolina that night and get to Florida on the 11th and stay at a DTD hotel just for that night and then switch over to the Beach Club and start our vacation.
It's just going to be my mom and I and she will be driving the full 22 hours. My mom got an idea to leave the 9th and drive 4-5 hours and stop in New Jersey for the night so we wouldn't have to drive 12 hours to NC on the 10th. And that way she wouldn't be exhausted.

Do you think this sounds like a good plan?

We've driven 4 times from southern NH (exit 3), and after the first trip (sub-titled 10 yds to WDW ) we've NEVER tried to do it in 22 hours.

We stay night 1 near Fredricksburg VA - there's a quite nice Motel 6 - not fancy, but clean and inexpensive - right off the interstate (exit 133) (lots of other places there too), and night 2 around exit 3, Kingsland, GA. That's about 9-10 hours for day 1, and 8-9 day 2, with just under 4 hours to WDW. We arrive in decent shape, rested and ready.

I cannot stress enough the importance of making a reservation for wherever you're going to be staying. Things happen........

And if anyone has ever drove to Disney, what do you do to past the time?

Play license plate cribbage or poker, read (the non driver ), or our favorite game - 'Where in the World am I ?", which is like 20 questions applied to WDW.

 

[NightAngelX]

In the car we listen to the different Disney podcasts. Gets us pumped up!!

Also I eat twizzlers constantly

What Disney podcasts do you listen to??

I ended up buying them because it uses EVA foam, which is cushiony and molds to your feet:
•Upper: EVA
•EVA outsole
•EVA lining
Arch felt fine - but I don't have major problems with arches so ymmv. They felt very comfy on. I ordered a pair of Teva Mandalyn Wedge flip flops online and I'm returning it because the ribbon straps cut into my feet. These feel good. I also like the wide straps as they hold your feet better so they don't "flop" as much.

I also like Okabashi flip flops. But - they are very heavy, like rubber. I wanted something lightweight to throw in a park bag on a day that looked like rain. I don't expect these to last as long as a pair of Tevas (I'm sure the footbed will compress badly over time), but for the price, they don't have to.

I also liked the colors - bought both blue and pink for my DD and I and we will interchange depending on our outfits

Thanks for the info!! I want some that are comfy yet I don't want to spend a lot for something I probably won't wear much if at all outside of Disney. I am also afraid I won't find them comfortable thus making them unwearable for walking. I will have to make a Kmart stop and check those out!

Today and tomorrow are going to be stressful for me. I graduated in December in Special Education and I have been a teacher assistant at a school for kids with Autism for six years. I went on an interview at a school like the one I'm at now for a teaching position two weeks ago and they called me to do a mock lesson so I did that last Wednesday. They said there were 5 candidates and 3 positions open and that they would be calling either today or tomorrow. I felt good after the lesson so I'm praying I get this job! Needless to say, I will be a nervous wreck the next two days lol. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Sending you lots of luck and pixie dust! You can do it!!!!


QOTD: No I probably won't watch the Olympics. I'm not a big sports watcher/person. I will probably just see highlights on the news.

 

[beachmama3]

I'm so excited about the Olympics! DH and I are always glued to the television when they are on lol.

Today and tomorrow are going to be stressful for me. I graduated in December in Special Education and I have been a teacher assistant at a school for kids with Autism for six years. I went on an interview at a school like the one I'm at now for a teaching position two weeks ago and they called me to do a mock lesson so I did that last Wednesday. They said there were 5 candidates and 3 positions open and that they would be calling either today or tomorrow. I felt good after the lesson so I'm praying I get this job! Needless to say, I will be a nervous wreck the next two days lol. Keep your fingers crossed!!

I will be praying for you!!! I am sure you did great! That would be so awesome to celebrate in Disney

 

[disneybarbie]

17 days!! and only 12 more days of work and morning gym workouts

QOTD about the Olympics... I'm not particularly looking forward to them as they are taking place in London, only a few miles from here! The news/adverts have been non-stop for months already lol However we are doing some fun Olympics-themed charity fundraising at work over the next few weeks (Friday is a bake-off of sports themed cakes!) so that'll be good.


Emma x

 

[mommytocalliesue]

So, I have a question of the day....

Is anyone else ridiculously excited for the Olympics? I absolutely love watching the swimming, track and gymnastics. Last time I also got really into the beach volleyball as well, so I'll be watching that as well.

YES!!! However...we'll be at Disney during a lot of them...so I plan on having my DVR set so I can watch them when we get back!!!!

 

[Cinderella Girl]

13 days till Disney!!! I am so excited!!!!
Molly

 

[mommytocalliesue]

I'm so excited about the Olympics! DH and I are always glued to the television when they are on lol.

Today and tomorrow are going to be stressful for me. I graduated in December in Special Education and I have been a teacher assistant at a school for kids with Autism for six years. I went on an interview at a school like the one I'm at now for a teaching position two weeks ago and they called me to do a mock lesson so I did that last Wednesday. They said there were 5 candidates and 3 positions open and that they would be calling either today or tomorrow. I felt good after the lesson so I'm praying I get this job! Needless to say, I will be a nervous wreck the next two days lol. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Good luck!! I have been a spec. ed. teacher for 8 years!! I've been at the high school level....but this year I will be transferring to our junior high. I'm really nervous and there are SO MANY things that are different between the grade levels!! I know I can do it....but it will be an adjustment!! I hope you get the job....you sound like you would do a wonderful job!

 

[litlpixie]

13 days till Disney!!! I am so excited!!!!
Molly

 

[LifeIsDis]

I think since your mom is the solo driver, she should do what is comfortable for her. I have driven to Disney several times- and twice out to Colorado and back. So I am comfortable driving looooong periods of time.We are driving to WDW this time too- I am hoping to get to Jacksonville the first day so that we only have a few hours left to drive the next day. Realistically, prob won't make it that far, but we'll see!

I agree. She should do what's comfortable for her and I know if we did drive 12 hours then 10 hours the next day, my mom would be way too tired to run around and go to the parks. I'm thinking it might be better this way.

We go back and forth between driving and flying. We live in Danvers so we are very close to where you are. We are flying this year, but I kind of love driving. We have done it a variety of ways. We have driven through to Maryland stopping near Baltimore. That's about 8 hours and then we have 15 hrs the next day. We go with 2 kids so I have found making stops works out better for us. We have driven straight through, which I find exhausting, but you get more time in Disney

Last year were drove down just for a four day stay and we did two stops. I think we stopped in Baltimore and Savannah GA. I loved the road trip that time. We relaxed and had fun and stopped whenever we felt like it. But the downside is taking the extra days off and not being at the parks.

In the car we listen to the different Disney podcasts. Gets us pumped up!!

Also I eat twizzlers constantly

I am looking forward to our mother/daughter road trip. It should fun! I think I'll download Disney podcasts to listen to.

We've driven 4 times from southern NH (exit 3), and after the first trip (sub-titled 10 yds to WDW ) we've NEVER tried to do it in 22 hours.

We stay night 1 near Fredricksburg VA - there's a quite nice Motel 6 - not fancy, but clean and inexpensive - right off the interstate (exit 133) (lots of other places there too), and night 2 around exit 3, Kingsland, GA. That's about 9-10 hours for day 1, and 8-9 day 2, with just under 4 hours to WDW. We arrive in decent shape, rested and ready.

I cannot stress enough the importance of making a reservation for wherever you're going to be staying. Things happen........



Play license plate cribbage or poker, read (the non driver ), or our favorite game - 'Where in the World am I ?", which is like 20 questions applied to WDW.

Don't worry, we have already made a reservation for a hotel in NC!

I like your game "Where in the World am I?". We might have to try that out!