Okay, who the heck are YOU anyways?

[luvdsny]

I think it's time that we (The COMMANDOS especially ) all take a little bit of time to properly (you got that disneycub and BambiTamby ) introduce ourselves. What do you think? It can't hurt....not too badly at least.

I'll start.

My name is Tia (duh!) and I live in Eagle, Idaho. (duh!) I have lived here for 16 years. I was born and raised in Hawaii. For about 5 years (between '78 and '83) my family (parents, sister, and I) lived in Saudi Arabia off and on. My dad had business over there.

I am married to Ed and we have 2 children together, DD, Maile, age 9 (almost 10), and DS, Michael, age 3. Ed had twin girls with another women prior to our meeting. The twins are 11. They live with their mother and we don't see them often....L-O-N-G story.

Ed works at Hewlett Packard as some sort of 'engineer' His job title changes with the winds. He has been there about 10 years.

I stay home with Michael and my only hobby is to 'DIS' (verb form ) I like to stay very involved with my kid's school and activities and friends. I think I filled my plate a little too full this Fall, but I'll survive! I volunteered to be the homeroom parent in both of their classes, I volunteered to be the Team Parent for both of their soccer teams, I volunteered to Chair a major fundraiser at both of their schools this Fall (this is where I think I lost my mind..LOL), and I always volunteer to be Team Leader for the Idaho Woman's Fitness Challenge for my son's school. Oh yeah, and I made the mistake of volunteering to do Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year....this will be my first time! I'm still actively trying to get out of this one.....I keep telling everyone that I need the money I would spend on new dishes/etc. for my DISNEY trip but no one is letting me off the hook too easily.

We have 2 dogs....both about 1 1/2 yrs. old. They are outside dogs and have run of the whole dang yard! What were we thinking???

My favorite number is 16....don't know why. But my favorite color is Purple and 'P' is the 16th letter in the alaphbet, so maybe that's it!

We collect matchbooks, pennies, decks of playing cards, foreign money (only what we find ), tea cups and saucers (quit collecting these...too expensive! ), and Disney Treasures (some people call it Disney junk ).

We are pretty darn happy.

So, there you have it. Who's next?

 

[BambiTamby]

My name is Tamby!!! (another duh! )

I live in the Texas Hill Country (center of Texas) and have a wonderful DH and DS,10 yo!

Also, have a gorgeous boutique with lots of ladies clothing and accessories!
DH is a banker/broker as well CEO of the family's oil and gas business!

I love this computer thingie and I found the DIS and I haven't looked anywhere else!

How's that?

I know that it's not as long as Tia, but I'm on meds!

 

[Barb]

Anyway, here's me:
My name is Barb (double duh!). Married to Bill for almost 25 years. We're originally from Buffalo, NY and moved here in1982, after 5 moves in 5 years with Bill's job. We have three sons, ages 22, 20 and 18. I am now officially done with the public school system and couldn't be happier. We have our own business, retail, a hobby shop. It started 17 years ago when Bill thought he could make money selling German trains as opposed to working for GE, as a nuclear engineer, the rest of his life. (I've been a SAHM since the birth of our first son) He worked for GE for the first 2 years of the shop. We do mail order, too. After GE gave him a "lack of work" order, he decided it was time to jump in with both feet! We have moved the shop three times and one expansion. He's increased the inventory and expanded the train line to include all sorts of hobbies, including a little section for dollhouses and miniatures that I take care of, more or less. We will have 2 sons in college this year, and our oldest just graduated from college. He's out making a living in the real world now and is living with us, as his job is only 20 minutes away. Pretty soon they'll be transferring him out of the area and we'll experience our first REAL empty next. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I collect anything and everything Disney, including those nasty pins!! I also have a passion for Dept. 56 houses, North Pole series, & Cats Meow houses. We have one dog, a miniature Schnauzer named Minnie. That's about it, next?

 

[BelleMom]

My name is Livia, and I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I work as a journalist on a weekly news magazine. My primary job is to do restaurants reviews and articles about food. I used to write about children's entertainment, children's literature and children's theater. I still do ocasional reviews on kid's plays. I like it. In truth, I have a double life... During the week I am a serious looking assistant editor (duh!). On the weekends I become a storyteller and perform... for children. I am going to Seattle this saturday to perform as a storyteller in a festival
I have three children: Luiz, 11, Bernie, 8 and Belle, 7, my princess. I was married to their father for 14 years and we separated last year.
I think that my passion for Disney started when WDW was going to open, back in 1971. I remember reading the news and fervently wishing to be able to go there one day. But it was soooooooo incredibly expensive that my parents could not afford. Then, I grew up and stopped thinking about that. I travelled all of Europe as a solo, South America and North of Africa. When the kids came, I started to think about Disney again. My first trip was solo: I came for a few days to see if pedestrian me could possibly travel there with Luiz next year. I fell in love with the place. But what really made me enjoy it was discovering the Dis site and discovering I could afford to stay onsite.
I want to be able to take the 3 littl'uns to WDW _ together for the first time _ next year, if dollar allows. My other ambition is to be able to sample ALL the Disney resorts. As you can see by my signature, I am working really hard on it
As you must have gathered by now, I am an incorrigible chatter, although a shy one too. I am very excited about our plans for DisCon

 

[Pumbaa_]

My name is Jody and I live in Bristol, CT with my DH of 18 years and our 2 cats and 2 dogs. I went to Disney for the first time in '98 and was HOOKED! The Dis-Con will be my 6th trip.

I love Disney everything and have started collecting Disney Snowglobes. I spend a week at Disney each winter with my DM & DF who fly south for the winter. (DH HATES to fly but doesn't mind if I do )

I work in an insurance company as a business analyst and I love my job because after 11 years I have 36 days off a year!!! (How many can I spend in Disney?)

I discovered this board this year and majorly addicted. I also discovered the reward programs and am working towards purchasing an annual pass for my DH for our trip next year.

I didn't plan on going to Dis0-con this year, but my DM (Carol) said she would go with me and the rest is history! She is very exciting to be going. She is computer illiterate, but is more than happy to follow where i drag her! Do to some physical limitations, she will be limiting which activities she does and will rent an ECV for some events. She is looking forward to staying at the Yacht Club and hoping it is nice enough to use the balcony!

I am also a closet Trekkie (most people don't understand the Disney-Trek thing, but it works for me!)

Looking forward to meeting everyone for real and traveling the world!

 

[bashful64]

I'll go next.

My name is not bashful it is Shannon. I live in Langley, British Columbia with my DH of 9 years and 3 kids. We have two daughters (7 and 22 months) and 1 son (5). We also have 1 dog and 2 cats. I am a WAHM (my DH and I own a consulting company of which I am CFO) and my DH is a development manager for a software development company. I spend most of my day at my desk on my computer so I tend to spend a lot of time DISing (it's a good thing that DISing and work sound the same ) Being West Coasters we go to Disnayland every year but DIS con will be our first trip to WDW. I can hardly wait! I look forward to meeting my fellow DISers there since there are never any DIS meets at my end of the world.

 

[disneycub]

Oh boy! Does that mean I get to wear camouflage and haunt the military bases........

Never mind.

Hi everybody. My name is Steve, but for some strange reason, I do respond to disneycub as well. I live in Denver, Colorado in a little two-bedroom bungalow with my black lab, Bandit. ::Bandie says woof!::

I have lived at one time or another in Nebraska, Florida, Oklahoma, California, Israel, and attended college and graduate school in New York City.

Presently I work at IBM. While in California, I was a "house musician" at the Shubert Theater in Los Angeles and played for such musicals as "Cats" and "Les Miserables." I then toured with "Phantom of the Opera" for the better share of two years. I suppose I'm an accomplished musician, and can play around 15 different instruments (but not at the same time ). I'm considering auditioning for The Lion King national tour when that begins in 2002.

I am single and intend on staying that way, unless someone special comes along with a twinkle in the eye and a quirky smile.

I met Walt Disney about a year or so before he died, and that meeting has stayed with me all these years. I remember telling him that someday I was going to work for him....and I still intend on keeping that vow. He gave me a business card with his signature on it, and that card is among my prized possessions.

I collect original Disney art, cells, Disney artist watches....and pinball machines.

I am looking forward to meeting all of you very soon.

 

[BambiTamby]

I didn't know we should get way into the bio thingies!

OK, OK!

I really, cross-my-heart used to be a model in NY for BBW!
Sorta an "Emme" before my time!

Was on "Good Morning America" thirty someodd times during that time for
the BBW division and appeared in many JCP catalogs, etc...
as well as Aziza Eye makeup ads!

Then, I got married to the first one, got divorced, then went into fashion
design and merchandising, still in NY,
had a baby (yep! A real-life Murphy Brown!)
and moved back to Texas to start my own boutique!
Then, met the man that had that "quirky smile" and said "yes' after our third date!

I also emcee many fashion shows and
I just LOVE WHAT I DO!!!!

Just looking for a way to have my own TV show!

There!

 

[amid chaos]

My name is Vanessa and I live on Cape Cod. I am a SAHM with 3 kids....16,10 and 6. I have been to Disney 4 times going every other year. I was a teacher before my SAHM status and I plan to go back to school and do something different. My DH is in the hospitality business and usually works 7 days a week so I call myself a "seasonal single mom" because I do it all...his only chore is to take the garbage out once a week....I do everything in and out of the house.

I can't wait to do Disney solo with a bunch of great people.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

Wow guys, I'm impressed! You all have lived some pretty interesting lives in some pretty interesting places! Your spouse's job's seem pretty awesome as well. I know that my post will be pretty boring, but it's me

I was born, raised and live in Oklahoma. I married my High School Sweetheart and we'll celebrate our 23rd anniversary on Nov 24. (The day that I arrive in WDW w/ my two girls) I have a DS 21, a DD 17, another DFD 12, DS 12, and a DFS 7. I'm a special needs foster parent and my husband and I have been foster parents since 1990. We've had over 39 children placed in our home. (Not all at one time) God has blessed us!

My husband retired from meat cutting after 28 years to stay home and help me with our newest Foster son that has special needs that takes the two of us to handle. He also works on his Dad's 100 acre farm to help in the garden, hauling hay, and brush mow the homestead. We work together and give each other breaks, which is what the DIS CON is for me. I had been saving for a trip to WDW for two years. The extra few days before and after the DIS CON is a gift from my DH for our anniversary.

Our children is involved in some sport, activity, and extracurricular activity year round, so that takes two folks as well to get them here and there. My 12 DS is the most active and we are very proud of all of the kids accomplishments.

My DS has won two trips to WDW and I'm hooked. My DH will be so glad for the DIS CON trip to be over so things can get back to normal around here. (Little does he know that WDW is an addiction that one doesn't just get over)

Well, that's about all. I sure can't wait to meet all of you guys!

 

[NurseKim]

Well, I bet you'd never guess that my name is Kim or that I'm a nurse!
I'm 24 yrs old, born and raised in Lowell, MA, home of Jack Kerouac and Ed McMahon (Star Search).
I met my DH when I was 15 yrs old. It was love at first sight and still going strong! We were married in October of 1999.

We own a home here in Lowell...4 bedroom, 1 bath Cape-style home.

We have a greyhound named Deven

We adoped him in May of 2000. He is the best dog!
I have my BSN (Bachelors Degree in Nursing). I've been an RN for 3 years. I absolutley love my job. I work in a Level II/Special Care Nursery. We take care of sick newborns and growing preemies. It is a very rewarding job.
My obsession with Disney began sometime in the early 90s. The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin started it all! My first trip to WDW was in 1986. I don't remember much of it. DH and I saved our $$ in college and took an 11 day trip right after graduation! It was the best trip! Our next trip after that was our Honeymoon. I took a trip without him in April '00. My parents invited me...how could I say no! Then we took a vacation to Orlando in Sept '00. We only did one day of WDW. We went to Universal and Busch Gardens the rest of the days.
I am very excited about the Convention! DH started a new job as a Police Officer in our city so I am taking my little sister Emily with me!

I've been trying forever to get her on the boards, but she is busy writing short stories!
I love DIS meets...this is going to be the best meet of them all! I can't wait to meet all of you!

 

[BelleMom]

Nurse Kim: Beautiful photos. You did a classy job here!

 

[BambiTamby]

Livia....so nice to see you posting again!

 

[Tiger Fan]

OK - here goes. My name is Lisa, I am 32 - a former real estate agent and appraiser. My partner of almost 10 years and I have one daughter, Emily, 4 1/2. We live in the Upstate of South Carolina and if you weren't sure we are huge Clemson Tiger Fans! I found the DIS in early 2000 when working on our plans for our first family trip to WDW. We had both been as kids with our folks, but it was all new to Emily. Right in the midst of planning that trip I was diagnosed with stage III-B inflammatory breast cancer at the ripe young age of 30 years old. The DIS literally helped me keep my sanity. I became addicted right away and spent hours upon hours here when I couldn't sleep. The DIS CON will be my first DIS meet, although I've met a few DISers in our 3 trips this past year - yes - we became addicted.

I look forward to meeting everyone!

Lisa

 

[Sandra B.]

OK, my turn!!
My name is Sandra (big surprise ), I am 33 years old and live in Delft, The Netherlands. I work as a secretary for a biotechnology company (producing yeast and other food ingredients). I own a 2-bedroom apartment that I share with my bunny (Dopey).

My first trip to Florida was in 1990 with my ex-husband (who wasn't my EX then ). We only spent to days at WDW, but that is when my addition started .
I went back to WDW with my sister in 1996 and 1998 and last year I took my first solo trip!!

I'm not DIS'ing as much as I would like to these days. My sister is getting married on 31 August and I am their Master of Ceremonies. It will be a big wedding (about 120 guests; reception, diner and big evening party), so that's taking up all of my time.

But, as soon as they are on their honeymoon I will start planning my trip and reading all the posts that I've missed.
Can't wait to meet all of you!!

BTW, Tia, I will bring some European coins for you. If you want to use the money you have to be quick though, in January the Euro will be introduced and then the old currencies will be useless

 

[helenk]

My name is Helen, I live in Pottstown, PA with my DH (second marriage) who is a self employed building contractor, my 19 year old DS who starts his first year of college at Kutztown this year and my 14 year old DD who starts her first year of HS this year. My daughter will be the only one joining me as the trip is too close to finals week for my son and my husband basically hates disney and anything related to it. (this has a tendency to make me more obsessive).
I have been to WDW 4 times and ever since my last visit in '99 I have wanted to go more, I am hoping to get to go every 2 years if possible. In 2 years my son will turn 21 and my daughter 16 so I thought a good celebration would be to go to the world and maybe even do the cruise, but that is another planning event to look forward to.
I work for an insurance company handling auto accident claims, I have been doing this for about 20 years and I enjoy my job.
This is my first trip to the world during the holiday season and I am so looking forward to seeing the decorations. My 2 favorite things in life, after my family, are disney and Christmas so I know this will be a great vacation for me!

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi my name is Michelle and I am a Single Working Mom from Maine ( been here all my life and love it )with a DS-Kyle- who is 4 and starting kindergarden and a DD-Megan- who is 7 and going ( on 18 ) into second grade. I am 30 and not dating.. rather busy for that LOL..nope just haven't found anyone who might be worth it.
I have been to disney 9 times in the past our last being spring 1997. and that my friends was
a trip from "H***" My DS was 5 months old at the time and had to be hospitalized for RSV - It was quite scary so far from home only thing my DD remembers is jumping into the hotel pool
without a life jacket-she was 3-and having my sister jump in after with her clothes on to save her..
I have been planning this trip since then-but hubby left and had to put it on hold- then just said what the heck I WANT TO GO!!!.. My kids don't know we are going yet will "surprise" then at the end of september in a double birthday party ( oct 3 / nov18 ) with the trip for Dec!! my
DD will mostly faint.. and this is the first time we will ever stay on Property.. PO-RS here we come...!!! I am so glad i found this board- my mom who is also going says i am the Disney Comando which deems is good as she hasn't been to disney since 1971 !!! Shame on her!!
Thanks

 

[NancyIL]

I'm Nancy from Illinois - surprised, arent you!!! I'm a stay-at-home mom of 3 kids: DD 17, DD 14, DS 11 (after all have birthdays this year). I have also homeschooled all my kids since they were in kindergarten, but I officially "retired" from that job in June. I'm not sure what I'll do when all the kids are in school in a few weeks.

I love visiting WDW much more than the rest of my family. My mom lives about an hour from WDW (in Cocoa), so I've been making solo trips to FL the last few years at Thanksgiving to visit her, then spending a few days at WDW. I also made a solo birthday trip to WDW in April (you may have seen stuff posted on the CB about my first ever ride on RnR and ToT) and in July for Glo-Con (the SwanDolphin cheerleaders' meet).

I convinced DH and kids to join me in Cocoa/WDW this November, and it just happened to be the same dates as DIS-Con! We'll arrive at the Dolphin on the 25th, so I'll go to the parks with my family the first few days. I'm the only one who will attend the convention events, so you may think I'm there solo when you meet me at DIS-Con events. I just extended my stay for 2 days after my family goes home, so I really will be there solo at the end!

 

[luvdsny]

~*~bump~*~

 

[Taryn]

Okay... well... Better late than never right? *smiles*

I'm Taryn... well at least I am Taryn on the boards... *wink* I live in beautiful Toronto Canada and only recently became a Disneyaddict. I visited the MK for one day when I was about 11 and Epcot for one day when I was abut 17. We knew so little about the place when we went that we really didn't experience very much. But I do remember asking my mother the first time I was in the MK if we could move! I've only had one real trip, last year with my BF and it was amazing thanks to you guys. So now I am hooked.

We have no children yet and although my BF loved our trip it is not something he feels compelled to do every year, so I am doing DISCON solo with his blessing and an AP he bought me for our anniversary! He will however accompany me on another trip in 2002, so that I can get some value out of my AP... of course.

I work as a resource coordinator for a National News service and that keeps me very busy, my job is pretty crazy but I love it, especailly when major news breaks and the place goes nuts. I've worked in broadcasting all my life including post production, arts, drama and entertainment programming for radio and now news and current affairs. I can't imagine doing anything else really.... other than running off and becoming a chef or caterer. My mother says I seem to be at my best and happiest when I am organzing people and stuffing them! I love to cook and will spend entire weekends developing recipes and menus. Okay, so I am bit of a foodie but that does not mean I cannot appriciate a good corn dog on occasion!

Two cats and one giant bear of a dog have graciously allowed us to share their home so we are pretty happy. I feel spoiled rotten to be attending DISCON and staying at the Dolphin. I just can't wait...

Next...!

Taryn