Oh the Pressure to do a PTR -- We're Home & Surprise Video up on Facebook

[KatMark]

I accomplished something I thought would never happen...I caught up on all of my subscribed threads. Remind me to never take a two-week vacation again.

I'm sorry about the diagnosis.

Looks like a great party!

It was a great party...thanks, Tink.

Awww...those were great party pics! They look so happy together

They are happy and they got some great gifts and cash; they're coming home again this weekend for an Alumni dinner for Mark's high school wrestling team...can't wait to see them again.

So sorry about your mom, Kathy. You've had a lot to deal with this year. At least you have a lot of good things to look forward to, like your December Disney trip and the wedding! Looks like the party was a lot of fun!

Thanks, Jen. It's been a rough summer/early fall thus far. My December trip is only 56 days away and I can't wait.

The party looked like a success!! Way to go, Ms. Kat!! Love the pictures.

No worries on when you start your TR, you have a lot of other things on your plate and mind right now. We're all here, not goin anywhere.

So sorry to hear about your Mama. I wish I knew what to say to heal your heart over this.

Thanks, Camille. Mom got moved to a new nursing home yesterday and we'll see how things go. It didn't go well at the hospital and I really don't have the energy to rehash it all. I hope this will be better for her.

So sorry to hear about your mom.

Looks like the party was a big success!

Thanks, for the hug, Amanda, and the party was a hit!

I'm sorry about your mother.

Love the pictures of the party, it sounds like a real success!

Thank you...everyone loved the food and a good time was had by all. It was great fun when Alisha's mom decided everyone should introduce themselves around the room. She went first at my insistence and said, "I'm the Mother of the Bride, and I'm paying for this wedding." So when it was my turn I said, "I'm the Mother of the Groom, and I'm NOT paying for this wedding."

Love the photos, Kathy...you have a wonderful family!

You have been through so much this year. We found the planning of Mia's wedding brought back joy again (after a couple of years of profound grief)...it is such a joyful event and brings new life and a sort of healing (or at least softening) of the difficult times. I am so happy you have Mark & Alisha's wedding to look forward to - very exciting time!

....And you have a magical Disney birthday surprise in just a couple of months!!

Thanks, Christine. We had so much fun. And I've been helping Alisha with the Save the Date cards which are going out next month (I'll post a final pic when I get mine).

So sorry about your mom Kathy!

It looks like you had a great party & everyone had fun! Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Thank you, Amy. I hope you are having a great trip with the girls (it sure sounds like it from FB).

Looks like it was a great party. I'm sure that was just what you needed this weekend.

It was a good way to get my mind off of things, Andy.

Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos! Everyone is smiling and happy and glad to be there - what a great day! And you even had a hidden or not so hidden Mickey make an appearance with your napkin holder!

You looked lovely in your pretty sweater and sweet smile.

Don't you just love my napkin holder?

Thank you...I bought that sweater the day before...I love it.

 

[KatMark]

what great photos of the party....looks like everyone had a wonderful, happy time!

sorry to hear about your mom, hope they will be able to help slow it down

It was a fun time...even the beer pong at the end which I stink at.

Thanks for the hug.

Nice pics Kat. I even spotted a Mickey napkin holder.

So sorry to hear about the diagnosis for you mom.

I bought that napkinholder years ago off the Disney website...I also have a paper towel holder, cup holder, salt & pepper shakers, silverware, etc., etc.

Glad you are back.


So sorry about all the sorrow this past week.


The engagement party pictures look like fun was had.


Subbed to the new one but need time to go and read.

Thank you, Pat. It's been a rough one that's for sure. But the party gave us an excuse to think of something else and celebrate.

 

[KatMark]

It's been forever since I've done a December update (and I'm going to keep this PTR going for December as I don't want to start a new one). Some of the previous days may have some alterations, but I'll get to those in due time. If I remember correctly, my last update was Sunday and Todd and Nicki leaving and the kids and us going to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

That would bring us to Monday, December 10. This will be Mark's and my last day (we'll leave early on Tuesday morning); the kids don't leave until Wednesday so they have all day Tuesday to do what they want on their own.

First order of business will be to take a cab to Downtown Disney (I'll miss not having the boat like we do at OKW). Des had one request and that was to have breakfast at Wolfgang Puck's Express. Since we made ALL plans without consulting her, I figured this was the least we could do.

From there, we are heading to the Studios. A certain young man needs revenge against his father on this:

We hope to go to Animation Studios and do a drawing and catch some of these guys:

We have a lunch ADR at Sci-Fi as I think Des will like it...she's never been.

I'm not sure what our evening plans are. Downtown Disney maybe? Dinner at Fultons?

 

[eandesmom]

I am so glad you have this trip coming, I can only imagine how much it is helping to get you through everything. Praying that the new nursing home is better.
I'd like to do breakfast at WPE one of these days, it always sounds good! Sci Fi is a fun lunch place and having the evening unplanned can sometimes be the very best plan!

 

[solana131]

I have WPE on my list for next Oct. Actually, I have a lot of DTD on my list. I have just buzzed through there both times I've been, but in Oct I will have a girlfriend there with me who likes to shop. I can see us leaving the kids with the guys for an evening and heading out.

I like your introduction at the party..."I'm NOT paying..."

 

[amandaw]

Sounds like a good plan for the day! I'd like to try breakfast at WPE since we've enjoyed lunch there before.

 

[KatMark]

I am so glad you have this trip coming, I can only imagine how much it is helping to get you through everything. Praying that the new nursing home is better.
I'd like to do breakfast at WPE one of these days, it always sounds good! Sci Fi is a fun lunch place and having the evening unplanned can sometimes be the very best plan!

Tonight was really rough. Mom got moved to a Nursing Home yesterday afternoon from the hospital. I didn't go last night as I wasn't feeling great, but my brother went. I went tonight and I had all I could do NOT to cry. She was standing at the nurses desk showing her puzzle book in an orderly's face while he was on the phone; we walked her back to her room and she didn't know who I was (although she did know Bob), she kept telling me there were clips on the floor for the table and other strange stuff. It was so sad. I hate to say it, but it would be better if she had a physical illness as we would know how to deal with it; this is just too hard and painful.

I love Sci Fi...great atmosphere AND onion rings.

I have WPE on my list for next Oct. Actually, I have a lot of DTD on my list. I have just buzzed through there both times I've been, but in Oct I will have a girlfriend there with me who likes to shop. I can see us leaving the kids with the guys for an evening and heading out.

I like your introduction at the party..."I'm NOT paying..."

We've done dinner, but never breakfast. I enjoy trying something new every once in awhile (although I think we are going to five places we have never been to eat on this short December trip).

Well, I'm NOT paying.

Sounds like a good plan for the day! I'd like to try breakfast at WPE since we've enjoyed lunch there before.

I did lunch with the girls there in January and really enjoyed it, so I'm sure breakfast will be good too.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I'm so sorry your Mom is declining. Hugs to you all


On a positive note, your last day at WDW in December looks like fun. Only place I've eaten breakfast at WDW is Sunshine Seasons. I usually just bring a granola bar since I'm not huge on breakfast. But I'm sure Wolfgang breakfast will be fantastic!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I'm sorry about your mom Kathy. My grandmother had alzheimers and I feel guilty about it now, but I didn't go see her the last few years of her life because it was just too painful. I wanted to remember her the way she was and couldn't bear to see her when she didn't know me and became combative.

On to your update, I'm so excited that we overlap!! I haven't made any real plans yet. I think I'm going to hang out with Happydog and her boys until the party starts on Sunday, then we are meeting at the Blue Zoo for dinner on Monday, but that is all I've got so far. You and I will have to try and work out a quick meet!

 

[annmarieda]

I am sorry I missed your welcome home! It is always hard to come home, but coming home to your mom and her not being well could not have been easy! Adding in the party (that looks as though you all had a good time at) must have been like a roller coaster ride!!! I hope all settles down for you soon. I have to get on to your TR and catch up. I have vowed to get caught up on on the threads I am sub'd to before starting to read the new ones... or starting my own. I will get there though... I PROMISE!!!

 

[KatMark]

I'm so sorry your Mom is declining. Hugs to you all


On a positive note, your last day at WDW in December looks like fun. Only place I've eaten breakfast at WDW is Sunshine Seasons. I usually just bring a granola bar since I'm not huge on breakfast. But I'm sure Wolfgang breakfast will be fantastic!

Thanks for the hug...it is deeply appreciated.

We've done many breakfast in DW; I'm not normally a breakfast eater, but I love to eat breakfast on vacation.

I'm sorry about your mom Kathy. My grandmother had alzheimers and I feel guilty about it now, but I didn't go see her the last few years of her life because it was just too painful. I wanted to remember her the way she was and couldn't bear to see her when she didn't know me and became combative.

On to your update, I'm so excited that we overlap!! I haven't made any real plans yet. I think I'm going to hang out with Happydog and her boys until the party starts on Sunday, then we are meeting at the Blue Zoo for dinner on Monday, but that is all I've got so far. You and I will have to try and work out a quick meet!

Thanks, Michelle. I've had my own guilt lately as my mom and I are not as close as my dad and I were (long story), but I will do everything I can for her.

I am so glad we overlap too; I'm sure we can at least find a time to at least have a cocktail or a coffee or something. I am very excited to finally meet you.

I am sorry I missed your welcome home! It is always hard to come home, but coming home to your mom and her not being well could not have been easy! Adding in the party (that looks as though you all had a good time at) must have been like a roller coaster ride!!! I hope all settles down for you soon. I have to get on to your TR and catch up. I have vowed to get caught up on on the threads I am sub'd to before starting to read the new ones... or starting my own. I will get there though... I PROMISE!!!

Thanks, Ann. It's been a roller coaster since just before the trip with Mark's mom dying and then my mom who is progressively getting worse and then all the prep for the party. The party was a success so that makes me happy.

Do join on the TR...it won't be the same without you.

 

[KatMark]

I preordered the Photopass CD a couple of days ago. Nick, Andy and I are "sharing" it and each paid $40.00. Andy will download the photos to a new CD for Nicki.

Other than that, can't think of anything new. Oh, wait, Nicki and I have decided not to go shopping to DTD on our MK day. We just figured we aren't going to have enough time with the new Fantasyland stuff being open and we want to go to WL to see the decorations.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Oh that sounds like such a great day and I agree with a previous post....I think this trip is exactly what you need....hugs and love to you my friend!

 

[jenseib]

I am so sorry about your Mom Kathy. Thats really hard. I remember when my grandma was declining like that. She was so healthy, but had no clue who most of us were and the only ones she seemed to care about were all the littlest great grandkids. It was so stragne to see someone who in the past remembered every good and bad detail to basically remember nothing about any of us.

I think your Dec trip sounds wonderful and it will be great to get away again. I know what you mean about subxcribed threads. It has taken me so long to get causght back up after an 8 day trip. In Nov I will be gone 2 weeks. I can imagine how long it wil l take to get caught back up after that.

 

[annmarieda]

I preordered the Photopass CD a couple of days ago. Nick, Andy and I are "sharing" it and each paid $40.00. Andy will download the photos to a new CD for Nicki.

Other than that, can't think of anything new. Oh, wait, Nicki and I have decided not to go shopping to DTD on our MK day. We just figured we aren't going to have enough time with the new Fantasyland stuff being open and we want to go to WL to see the decorations.

Very cool! We had the pp+ this last trip... but I honestly would not recommend it. That is 2 fails... once in DLR and once in WDW. If you are not a group that separates.. then maybe... but if you have any plans of not staying together it just isn't worth it.

 

[inkedupmomma]

Very cool! We had the pp+ this last trip... but I honestly would not recommend it. That is 2 fails... once in DLR and once in WDW. If you are not a group that separates.. then maybe... but if you have any plans of not staying together it just isn't worth it.

Why is the + bad if in a group??

 

[inkedupmomma]

I preordered the Photopass CD a couple of days ago. Nick, Andy and I are "sharing" it and each paid $40.00. Andy will download the photos to a new CD for Nicki.

Other than that, can't think of anything new. Oh, wait, Nicki and I have decided not to go shopping to DTD on our MK day. We just figured we aren't going to have enough time with the new Fantasyland stuff being open and we want to go to WL to see the decorations.

I agree with skipping shipping! Have fun at the new fl!!

 

[amandaw]

I like the idea of skipping shopping at DTD. There will be so much great new stuff to see in MK!

 

[that's nice]

I preordered the Photopass CD a couple of days ago. Nick, Andy and I are "sharing" it and each paid $40.00. Andy will download the photos to a new CD for Nicki.

Other than that, can't think of anything new. Oh, wait, Nicki and I have decided not to go shopping to DTD on our MK day. We just figured we aren't going to have enough time with the new Fantasyland stuff being open and we want to go to WL to see the decorations.

Sounds like a good idea!

 

[annmarieda]

Why is the + bad if in a group??

You have to physically have the card (which you are only given one) to add the ride photo to.

Say your group splits up... and some (without the card) ride on say space mountain. The person holding the card has 48 hours to return to space mountain to have that photo retrieved and added to the card.

I guess if you were all in the same park it wouldn't be so bad, but when some of our group went to one park for the day and the other to another... it meant that we missed adding some pics.

Despite what you may read too..

1. you can not take a pic on your phone and have the cm add the photo that way.

2. You can not go to guest services at any park to have any ride photo added.

3. You can not call disney photo pass guest services to have them add the photos.

AND... lets not forget.... if anyone in your group dines where pictures would be granted... they HAVE to have the card with them or you will not be given the hard copy photos.

hope that helps...