***OFFICIAL*** October 2011 - Updated 10/08/11

[lmc318]

Well let September begin (yes I know it started 7 days ago but I have been in a fog). We made it through the burial and it's time to look forward.

Kate started school today she was so excited - she couldn't even sit still for breakfast. I am beginning the search for a descent camera lens for our Canon SLR. I just love spending DH money.

Not sure how many days to go before vacation but I know that it is approaching quickly. Guess I will know after I post. Time to sign off and get lunch for DS.

Editing to say Holy smokes only 41 days until we are enjoying the Disney Magic.

Welcome back! Let me know what camera lens you find. We have a Canon SLR as well and I've just been too lazy to look for a lens!

Thanks for the congrats! All I know about the anniversary is that I will be hearing "So, when are you getting married?" the whole day. Then again, we hear it all the time, especially when people find out how long we have been together.

Good Lord, say NEVER! Is that awful!?? DH and I say all the time we should've just lived in sin our whole lives. We would've been just as happy and had a lot more money for Disney!!!

And I know that is kinda young to know what you want to do, but I knew from 2nd grade what I wanted to do....and I'm doing it.

I'm sorry, aren't you a CFO? You knew you wanted to be an Accountant since 2nd grade? Wow. That's impressive. I wanted to be a movie star in second grade, I think. I'm an Instructional Designer.

45 days and I paid off the trip yesterday.

 

[mommy2mrb]

5 weeks today we will be taking off to WDW

 

[FigmentChick]

I'm sorry, aren't you a CFO? You knew you wanted to be an Accountant since 2nd grade? Wow. That's impressive. I wanted to be a movie star in second grade, I think. I'm an Instructional Designer.

45 days and I paid off the trip yesterday.

Yes, yes I am.

It's a long story, but here goes: My grandfather was the tax collector of our township (I grew up with my grandparents). I used to play in his office and listen to the calculator and stare at the pretty ledgers. By the time I was in fifth grade, I would help him balance the books each night (tax collectors only have hours a couple of times a week, ours were Monday and Thursday nights). I would make sure that the money collected matched the books and that those amounts matched the taxes collected.

So, I started in the accounting field quite early. And 2nd grade is really where I was given free reign with mathematics and told "just see how far you can go", by the end of the year I was doing basic algebra. By 5th grade, I was taking trigonometry. I know I understand math in a way most people don't and I can make sense of spreadsheets and financial statements where most people are scratching their heads. Math is just a love for me.

So, yeah, by the end of 2nd grade I knew I wanted to do something with math and I wanted a desk just like my grandfather had (with all the cool stamps and colored pens, mind you).

I have a pretty nice office (it is decorated with Figment mostly, but I have some other Disney stuff and batgirl thrown in) and I write with different colored pens all day. Oh....and I get to use stamps, too!!!!

I should also mentioned I have an almost perfect photographic memory. I discovered this in about third grade when we got a pop quiz and I answered, word for word, what the text said. Needless to say, the teacher thought I cheated, but she gave me the test orally and realized what happened (I was lucky....I had brilliant teachers!). I also came from a public school district that enabled the progressive students rather than holding them back (which is a whole other topic).

So, long story short (too late!), yes, I knew what I wanted that early. Now, I have two degrees, one is in mathematics and that is the most important to me. However, I realized that might not get me the salary I need to support my family (or take Disney trips), so I also have a second degree in Accounting. I've been hemming and hawing as to whether I should get a Masters in accounting or education, but with the three kids, I just can't find the time right now.


OK....now on to Disney stuff. I really don't have anything to report. That's depressing. Nothing but my countdown, which I think is at 42 days. I can't wait.

 

[Kathymford]

Welcome back! Let me know what camera lens you find. We have a Canon SLR as well and I've just been too lazy to look for a lens!

I can help you guys out a little if you want. My DBF and I both have SLR cameras, except I am a Nikon-girl and he's Cannon. Don't ask.

I think he has sold like 3 different lenses and has finally settled on the 2 he really likes; he buys, shoots for a while, finds it's not what he wanted, sells, repeat! Again...don't ask. Ha

I haven't been as bad, I only have two lenses and sold my kit lens to get the 2nd. So let me know if you want some assistance!

 

[lmc318]

Nothing but my countdown, which I think is at 42 days.

Never again will "I think my countdown is..." be an acceptable answer from you. That's a great story. It's fantastic that your grandfather was such a great influence on you and BRILLIANT that you have a photographic memory!! I smart, but I not that smart! And really, it is kinda like cheating, no? You just see it while we all have to remember it. No fair!! Anyway, I know who I'm taking DD to go see if she needs a math tutor! Especially since we can do Skype tutoring these days!

I am currently in the Master's of Adult Ed program at Penn State, which is an internal struggle for me, as you can imagine, because I went to Temple, but I digress. The program is 100% online and I had a lot of stuff to deal with this past semester and was still able to participate in it enough and get all of my work done. I just take 1 course a semester now and I'm skipping fall so I don't have to worry about the week I'm in WDW, but if you ever decide to go back, look into PSU. They have a top ranked online program. It's called World Campus.

I can help you guys out a little if you want. My DBF and I both have SLR cameras, except I am a Nikon-girl and he's Cannon. Don't ask.

I think he has sold like 3 different lenses and has finally settled on the 2 he really likes; he buys, shoots for a while, finds it's not what he wanted, sells, repeat! Again...don't ask. Ha

I haven't been as bad, I only have two lenses and sold my kit lens to get the 2nd. So let me know if you want some assistance!

Yes please, I'd love some help. I'm just looking for a basic telephoto lens. We only have the one that came with the camera so I'd like one that will give me good telephoto capabilities but not a top of the line right now. I'd like to be able to get shots of DD on the beach or in the yard and be standing where she doesn't realize I'm taking a picture of her, so not right near her, which I have to be now. Suggestions?

 

[FigmentChick]

Never again will "I think my countdown is..." be an acceptable answer from you. That's a great story. It's fantastic that your grandfather was such a great influence on you and BRILLIANT that you have a photographic memory!! I smart, but I not that smart! And really, it is kinda like cheating, no? You just see it while we all have to remember it. No fair!! Anyway, I know who I'm taking DD to go see if she needs a math tutor! Especially since we can do Skype tutoring these days!

Yes, I will admit, it is kinda like cheating. But here's the suckky part.....I can remember every book I've ever read. Even short novels from second and third grade. Not so much fun. And my daughter, Amy, doesn't it like it very much because I know when she's "BS"ing an answer on something I give her to do. No problem with the tutor thing!!! LOL My DS has the same affinity for math I do....again, something DD does not like....cause he can do her homework.

I am currently in the Master's of Adult Ed program at Penn State, which is an internal struggle for me, as you can imagine, because I went to Temple, but I digress. The program is 100% online and I had a lot of stuff to deal with this past semester and was still able to participate in it enough and get all of my work done. I just take 1 course a semester now and I'm skipping fall so I don't have to worry about the week I'm in WDW, but if you ever decide to go back, look into PSU. They have a top ranked online program. It's called World Campus.

Hmm....I may have to look into that. Hubby would LOVE it if I were a Penn State grad!!!

Yes please, I'd love some help. I'm just looking for a basic telephoto lens. We only have the one that came with the camera so I'd like one that will give me good telephoto capabilities but not a top of the line right now. I'd like to be able to get shots of DD on the beach or in the yard and be standing where she doesn't realize I'm taking a picture of her, so not right near her, which I have to be now. Suggestions?

seconded!!!! Hubby wants a lens that can have a bit of a closer picture than the one that came with the camera.


BTW...have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy all of you on this thread? Really. I knw we don't really know each other, but it is great to read your thoughts and see responses everyday. Thanks for joining in!!!!!

 

[Kathymford]

Yes please, I'd love some help. I'm just looking for a basic telephoto lens. We only have the one that came with the camera so I'd like one that will give me good telephoto capabilities but not a top of the line right now. I'd like to be able to get shots of DD on the beach or in the yard and be standing where she doesn't realize I'm taking a picture of her, so not right near her, which I have to be now. Suggestions?

I'm not sure what your budget is, but DBF recently got the Canon 15-85 mm. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-15-85mm-3-5-5-6-Digital-Cameras/dp/B002NEGTTM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315507900&sr=8-1 And he loves it. I'm guessing your kit lens is 18-55. I know 30 mm doesn't sound like much, but it's pretty good.

Here is an example from the San Diego Wild Animal Park. This is the lens at 70 mm


A cheaper option for a zoom is the Cannon 18-135 http://www.amazon.com/Canon-18-135mm-3-5-5-6-Standard-Digital/dp/B002NEGTT2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1315508423&sr=1-1 This is considered a kit lens with some of the upgraded packages. DBF really liked this one for a while, but decided to sell it when he wanted to upgrade.

For me, I wanted a really good zoom and didn't want to switch lenses. So I got the Tamron 18-270 http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-18-270mm-3-5-6-3-Aspherical-Cameras/dp/B004FN1W28/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1315508135&sr=1-2 This thing is fantastic. I had been fondling this thing for a while, and was glad I finally pulled the trigger.

Here is another example at the animal park this time at 200 mm


Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Kathymford]

BTW...have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy all of you on this thread? Really. I know we don't really know each other, but it is great to read your thoughts and see responses everyday. Thanks for joining in!!!!!

THIS! I totally agree! YAY!

 

[im4kycats]

BTW...have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy all of you on this thread? Really. I knw we don't really know each other, but it is great to read your thoughts and see responses everyday. Thanks for joining in!!!!!

Thank you for creating it!

This is my first trip since joining the DIS and I have to say, I have never been more entertained and felt like I belonged with an online group as quickly as you all have made me feel.

OK - enough mushy stuff! 37 days!

 

[Zife]

Been a long time since I've been on the thread (or on the boards for that matter), but just wanted to throw in my 2 cents on lenses.

I just recently got a Canon 60D, and bundled it with a Sigma 18-200mm OS lens. I'm still not too impressed with the OS (or IS on Canon lenses), but I never was with Canon lenses either (so I got a GorillaPod). However, the lens seems to work great, and has wicked range (not as much as Kathy's Tamron, but still good). And at $499 (Canadian) it's about $250 less than the Canon lens.

The only issue I have is that when I blow the pictures up to full size, they seem a touch out of focus, but I'm not sure if that's the lens, or if that's me not knowing how to use the camera properly... But, I never actually use the pictures at full size, so it's not that big an issue, yet.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/prod...spx?path=ad28e28e5f686c31547f6f6137c5e153en02

 

[exwdwcm]

FigmentChick- i just have to say WOW!!! That is such a cool story! Heck, many people change majors so many times in college because they don't even know what they want to do by then! I wanted to be an oceanographer as a kid, then realized I was scared of crabs and fish biting me and that might not work out so well.

But I've always loved reading and writing and now working in marketing, mostly writing press releases, collateral, e-mail campaigns and websites. Math was NOT my strong suit. I admire those that excel at it. My DH does too- finance degree and stock/investment junkie.

 

[figmentswife]

O.K. so not that any of you care, but my family and friends are sooooo tired of hearing about Disney so....

I saved even MORE money on my Rental car today Just b\c I checked the website AGAIN. I am going to check the site daily and by the time we leave my rental car will be free.

First booked price in May - $398
changed in June - $356
changed in July - $287
changed in - August - $267
Mid August - $237
earlier this week - $200
today - $187

Yep, I am going to clear my history and check Budget DAILY for the next 29 days.

 

[exwdwcm]

okay, question for you planning experts!

i am trying to put together my daily itinerary notecards. I like to list out the overall plans for the day- what time to get up, where's breakfast, what time we plan to arrive at the park, take our midday break, etc. I don't go into ride detail or hour by hour, but for the days we are doing RD, i'd like to at least have a plan on ride order for those first few rides.

Our first full day is Saturday, 10/15. We are doing AM EMH at DHS (enough acronyms for you??)

So EMH is at 8am. We will arrive in time for RD for that. We want to hit TSM. I think I'll have DH take my son on it stand by while I get in line for fastpasses (I am okay with just riding once). I figure after that, it will be say 8:30am? I think next we will hit the typical ToT/RnR area and use child swap. My son is over 42" now, so he would qualify for ToT (and is adventurous), but since he is just turning 4, i am afraid ToT might be a bit much for him???? thoughts?

So after doing RnR and ToT via swap (DH might just decide to skip both, and let me ride, he isn't a big thrill guy), I figure it will be say 9:30am or 10?

I'd like to do the Phineas and Ferb M&G. I hear it opens at 10am- anyone know for sure? When is the best time to hit it for minimal lines? Should we do that next right at 10am? I think my old WDWCP roomie works as part of the streetmosphere (the movie director and crew) for the M&G, so i'll try asking her too.

I am thinking if we do that, it will be 11am by the time we are done and then we can go on with our day- does that sound doable? I'd like to hit Star Tours too- but we might save it for another day. We plan to leave DHS by 1pm to take our midday break and we'll come back to finish the park another evening.

 

[lmc318]

aw man! I had posted a reply and it didn't go through and it was a decent sized reply too!!!

I'm going to need a minute.

Ok, what I was saying is that I realized in my last post that I used an apostrophe in the word Masters and thus killed a kitten and I am mortified in doing so. Has anyone seen that DISers siggy? I love it! I shared it with my coworkers because my boss always uses apostrophes where they are not needed and so when we see it we just say "there goes another kitten." He also uses quotes inappropriately. For example, "Let's 'meet up' in Disney at 5:00 for dinner." Quotes aren't needed there if we are actually meeting up, are they?? No. But he does it all the time. "We'll do some 'training' on your people...." Um, we're the training department. We're not going to do some "training," we're going to do some training! Tool. Anyway.

Thanks for the lens info everyone! I would've quoted you both but my last post got eaten. I'm going to have to look more into my options. I'd love to have a lens I don't have to keep swapping out, but they tend to be more expensive, right? So we'll see. We're just bringing our point and shoot and our video camera to Disney now. We were going to bring the SLR but decided we haven't taken a lot of video of Katherine and so we need to start doing it. Especially seeing all of the great videos people put together of their trips around here!!!

Have I mentioned 45 days!!! 6 weeks from Sunday!!!

 

[lmc318]

For me, I wanted a really good zoom and didn't want to switch lenses. So I got the Tamron 18-270 http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-18-270mm-3-5-6-3-Aspherical-Cameras/dp/B004FN1W28/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1315508135&sr=1-2 This thing is fantastic. I had been fondling this thing for a while, and was glad I finally pulled the trigger.

Ok, this is the one I want! Screw the cost! I'll have to ask for Amazon gift cards for my bday and Christmas and Mother's day for the next 2 years to help pay for it, but I want this one!! So cool!!!!!!! I love how it's all in one and it has stability control, which I DESPERATELY need and it's smaller than most lenses. THANK YOU for posting it!! Excellent!!!

 

[Kathymford]

Ok, this is the one I want! Screw the cost! I'll have to ask for Amazon gift cards for my bday and Christmas and Mother's day for the next 2 years to help pay for it, but I want this one!! So cool!!!!!!! I love how it's all in one and it has stability control, which I DESPERATELY need and it's smaller than most lenses. THANK YOU for posting it!! Excellent!!!

I LOVE it so much. They had an older version that I was going back and forth on and then they came out with this one: smaller, lighter, and quieter. I was sold. Very happy with it. Watch the Tamron sites, they do TONS of rebates on their lenses, I'm expecting maybe a $50 one on this one probably for the holidays. (of course I couldn't wait that long! I wanted it for my trip)

The only issue I have is that when I blow the pictures up to full size, they seem a touch out of focus, but I'm not sure if that's the lens, or if that's me not knowing how to use the camera properly... But, I never actually use the pictures at full size, so it's not that big an issue, yet.

RE: Sigma; DBF always zooms in on all of his photos too (way beyond how he would use them) to check this out. He had stayed away from Sigma for a while because a lot of reviews said they were soft in the middle. He finally settled on a Sigma 17-50 and loves that. FWIW, my Tamron 18-270 has the best stabilization I've seen. I can literally see it grab the picture before I shoot.

 

[exwdwcm]

O.K. so not that any of you care, but my family and friends are sooooo tired of hearing about Disney so....

I saved even MORE money on my Rental car today Just b\c I checked the website AGAIN. I am going to check the site daily and by the time we leave my rental car will be free.

First booked price in May - $398
changed in June - $356
changed in July - $287
changed in - August - $267
Mid August - $237
earlier this week - $200
today - $187

Yep, I am going to clear my history and check Budget DAILY for the next 29 days.

woo hoo- who are you booked with and for how many days?

i prefer to use National or Alamo and the cheapest I can find with them is about $270 so far. I know it will get cheaper as we get closer. Last year, it went down over a $100 the week before!

 

[LilyWDW]

FigmentChick.. I bow to you being good at accounting. That has been my least favorite aspect of my MBA. My brain just can not wrap around it. I have no issues READING the reports, but never ask me to put them together. Who knows what you would end up with!?

 

[figmentswife]

woo hoo- who are you booked with and for how many days?

i prefer to use National or Alamo and the cheapest I can find with them is about $270 so far. I know it will get cheaper as we get closer. Last year, it went down over a $100 the week before!

Budget has been the cheapest for me. It may have something to do with location but I am not sure. They are NOT the best price on any of the travel sites, but when you go to budget.com the rates are much lower. I also have a free upgrade code. PM me if you need it.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I'm school goer also, working on my Electrical Engineering degree. I have an electrical certification through my local junior college and was working as an electricain for a while, but got laid off about a year and a half ago. So now I get to go back and get all the gen ed requirements done for my AS and transfer to a university.

My camera: A Canon Vixa, it's an HD camcorder/camera. It gets the job done, I didn't need anything super fancy. I had to get new movie maker software because the HD used AVIHD and windows movie maker doesn't support that format. I have simple needs. Before my camcorder I was using a Canon Powershot.

Target has there halloween costumes and decorations out. They have some "shirt" type costumes for $7.00 ea. I saw a mummy and a frankenstien monster. Very light weight shirts that can be worn with any kind of pant.