One crappie year, a quick Disney trip and we're still married!!(All done, 09/24)

[connorsmom911]

So, should I really try a trip report? I seem to have been so busy since getting back from the trip…DISing , planning the upcoming trip for my girlfriend and her kids , twisting dh’s arm to take me back again …that I have not actually sat down to write anything. I have been so caught up with Mel’s fabulous trippies , lots of other great ones, not to mention my co-worker’s (aGoofymom) frantic typing across the room, that I have neglected to write one of my own. Now that I have concrete plans for another trip to the world this year, I had better get this trippie done or I’ll be too behind for the next one.

Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start…(name that movie...)

For this, we have to go back a few months (or maybe more), and delve into some pretty personal information in order to provide the reader with the appropriate context in which to understand (and possibly enjoy) this trip to the “world”. (Here would also be an appropriate time to clarify that I am a user of parentheses (brackets) for my asides…and I use them a lot…as well as these…dots…for the asides…for impact…ya know…) I apologize in advance to those for whom this writing trait annoys the living daylights out of , but it’s me, and it’s my trippie, so gosh darnit, I’m writing that way!!! Humph!!

Ok, where was I? Ah yes, the background. Deep breath. I am fairly confident that there are not that many people on the DIS who crossover into my RL (except for aGoofymom, but she already knows me…working in this job we see eachother more than we see our husbands, so it’s just like that) so I don’t mind sharing some personal, intimate details about my life. And if any of my in-laws are here, well, you all think I’m the devil anyways, so what does it matter!?!?! If any DIS members meet me down the road, say at a Square One mini dis meet in the future (hint hint), you’ll know me a little better before we even meet. Just don’t tell my husband what you know…he’d be mortified!

So, dh and I have been married 5 ½ years. They have never been perfect, far from it. We are both selfish, stubborn, self-centered scorpios (ah, the alliteration…). For anyone who knows any scorpios or is one themselves, you are familiar with some of our finer traits. Along with great passion for life and love, we tend to also be a little passionate about our battles, opinions and ideas. Dh and I are no exception. We fight all the time. Call it bickering, nit-picking, nagging, poking, what-have-you, we do it. We are also sometimes down-right nasty to eachother. But the making up is always fun! Until the last year or so, actually shortly after we returned from our previous trip to the world (which I also never wrote a trip report on…that would be the one in my siggie line Sept 2004, hijacking my sister’s nursing convention at Coronado). December 2004 to January 2006 was probably the worst year (andabit) ever for me and my family. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, but this was out of control, one-after-another blows that would be hard for any family to handle, let alone all in one year. To make a much longer story shorter here is a recap of that year…dh lost his job, had hernia surgery, got another job, then lost that job, out of work for 4 months in all, ds has recurrent ear infections finally diagnosed and ear tube surgery, then lots of remedial speech therapy because he couldn’t hear therefore couldn’t talk very well. Then we have the cancer, mom…breast cancer 3 weeks before xmas, sister…thyroid cancer, moms sister… endometrial cancer…did I mention we have no family history of cancer? Little sister gets broadsided in a car accident, dads diabetes is spiralling downwards, dh and I separate (ok, only for a few days) and I call a lawyer. We were heading for divorce. I think that about covers it in a nutshell.

So, how do we wind up on a trip to Disney? Blame it on the marriage counsellor (our 3rd one to be precise…long story). Yes, it’s his fault…in fact, he actually suggested it, well, not specifically Disney, but advised that we go away on a trip. Although I didn’t like the man personally (he made me cry in the first session, really cry), this trip truly did save our marriage. Now I don’t advocate that Disney will save all marriages, but for us, we caught some bug while we were there and it followed us home (much like the stomach virus from the previous trip, but that’s another story…) My parents were going on their annual Florida vacation at the end of April, the same trip we had joined them on 4 years prior and got a wonderful souvernir (Connor). My little sister and her fiancé were joining them this year. What if we went too? Wouldn’t it be great to show Connor where he was conceived, I mean show him the beach? No cheap flights work with the schedule for parents to pick us up at the airport. Actually it was my mom who suggested Disney…take Magical Express from the airport to Disney for one night and we’ll pick you up the next day! Ok, value resorts are cheap. But wait, there is this great deal if we stay 3 nights, we can get the hopper and water park plusses for free! And we could buy 10 day tickets and get non-expiry so that the tickets for our pre-planned 2010 trip are paid for! Boy, when I’m good, I’m good.

So that is how the year from hell led to a 3 night trip to Disney and the magic that saved a marriage…

Coming up...the leaving day...

 

[aGoofyMom]

You really like this guy don't you ?

K enough. I am enjoying your report so far. And not just because I know how long it took you to write this much. Not even because this very trip got me to convince my DH to take us!
Just because I love a happy ending (oops - spoiler - but you already said that part!)


and although we already said it...The Sound of Music.

 

[JERSEYGIRLINSI]

Ok, I gotta hear the rest of this. Not only is my ds also a Conner (the ER breed), but our Disney trip in February did something awesome to our marriage as well.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Wow, what a year from hell indeed!

Glad it sounds like things worked out, looking forward to reading the rest. Thanks for all the insights and asides

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

I'm certainly glad things worked out with your marriage. And, by the way, I also knew the Sound of Music reference. Looking forward to more!

Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[missmun52]

I cant wait to read the rest of your report.

Bible - You have to pass through the fire in order to come out as pure gold.

 

[kaw1218]

Ok you have me hooked......

 

[HaleyB]

Wow, that does sound like a trying year.

Can't wait to hear more...

 

[Minniespal]

Glad things worked out for you both ~ Looking forward to reading more.

 

[ely3857]

Glad things worked out for you both ~ Looking forward to reading more.

Ditto!



Jodie

 

[2infinity&B-ond]

HI CM!!! Wow...what a tough year (and a bit) you've had.

I am so glad things worked out for you, and now Disney will always be that much more special for you and your family. I can't wait to read more!!!

 

[Race the Reaper]

As a fellow scorpio, I would like to hear more also!

 

[connorsmom911]

The Leaving Day…April 29, 2006…Day 1

I guess I better back the trolley truck up and introduce our cast of characters, since a) it will help explain some things later on; b) you can better judge if you can relate to the characters in this trip; c) this is simply how it’s done.

Tracey…me (34), lover of all things Disney, DVC’s prime target customer if I could just figure out a way to afford the maintenance payments. I love bookstores, Starbucks (grandenonfattazochailatte or tallblackberrygreenteafrapuccinoblendedcream), stained glass, Traverse City, MI and would happily quit my job as a fire department emergency communicator if I won the lottery (and yes, I manage the office lottery pool)

::cop: Derek…dh (30) “likes” Disney, especially all the police cars, fire trucks and ambulances, security vehicles, security officers, security checks, etc. When you look at pictures from our honeymoon at Disney (or any other trip for that matter), every other one is Derek with a police car, Derek with an ambulance, Derek with the Disney Security Car, Derek with the security guard, Derek with the Reedy Creek Fire truck…you get the picture. He would like to visit other places in the world, not just “the World” (not DVC’s prime target customer but I’m working on it). He loves Star Wars, Star Trek, NYC, his job(s), his cat, and his car (he had to drive my busted up, black, radio-doesn’t-work, power-steering-pump-is-shot, no-air-conditioning mini-van on the hottest week of the year so far while I cruised in the cool air-conditioned comfort of his vehicle on the annual mother-daughter trip to Traverse City, MI). He is a great father, and working hard on being a great husband.

Connor…ds (3), Buzz Lightyear’s biggest fan, likes Mickey, Stitch and Pooh, currently going through a Princess thing that is scaring the bejeezus out of his father and grandfather. He is also currently going through a “phase”. I used to look at other parents and their trying children and smile, thinking how lucky we were that our angel son seemed to escape the terrible twos not too badly. Then he turned 3. I take it all back. He is cute and adorable, polite and loving (mommy, I give you a hug? You love me?), and my daily reason for getting up in the morning (literally…I have a morning child, to which I am most definitely NOT). He is my Roo, I am his Lumpy.

Grandma…my mom (55), loves Disney just like me, almost was a DVC member, loves bookstores, Starbucks, and Traverse City, MI. Also loves Star Wars and Star Trek so gets along well with dh. Loves Sting, Orlando Bloom, and taught me the magic of the Beatles and James Taylor. Watches cooking shows with my dad of late, although her “Forest Fire Chocolate Pudding” was the most legendary thing she ever cooked. Buying cookbooks is a disease. Was the coolest mom growing up, is still the coolest mom now, is my best friend and is by far the best grandma in the world!

Grandpa…my dad (57), “likes” Disney, but likes the beach better. Likes cars, sells cars, and loves NASCAR, fishing shows, handyman shows and owns at least 3 of every tool ever made (because when he can’t find the one he needs, he goes out and buys another one). Married my mom right out of highschool and then had 3 daughters. I don’t think he ever quite got over that. Watching him with my son has been an experience in “who are you and what have you done with my father”. He gets down on the floor and plays with Connor, hugs him to death, calls just to talk to Connor and bought him his first kazoo.

Auntie Amy…my sister (29), maternity/nursery nurse, was in the O.R. when Connor was born. Loves Nightmare Before Xmas, Hello Kitty, Betty Boop, Smurfs, My Little Pony, Care Bears…yes, she’s a bit eclectic. Was born with a bargain shopping gene that ceases to amaze, has too many shoes, too many purses and is single-handedly responsible for keeping Connor in name-brand clothing.

Auntie Jenny…my sister (27), currently in a holding pattern. Likes some things, dislikes others. Loves her dog, her cat, her rat, her fish and would happily own a zoo if she could, all in their 2 bedroom apartment. A bit picky, a bit moody, has mastered the art of going from zero to b**** in 2.5 seconds, but I think she is secretly proud of it. Getting married next April to Todd (28) who arrives on the trip the day after we leave (explain later).

I planned this trip in 6 weeks flat. I had airline tickets, MYW package with 10 day hoppers with plusses and NE, ADR’s, rental car, packed and ready to go. It was a whirlwind compared to how trips are usually booked by me…I’ve already started researching the 2010 trip to WDW. And in the process of booking this trip, I convinced aGoofymom that she and her dh and dd needed to go too. They checked into ASMu the day after we checked out of ASMo (see her trip report too).

And off we go…Grandma, Grandpa, Amy and Jen all leave the day before us in a rental car (Buick Rendezvous) to drive to the sunny south because my mom and Jen have a thing about flying. Jen more so…to the point that she is considering driving to Florida to meet her future husband for their honeymoon next year. Seriously. Don’t ask. This is my parent’s annual trip to Florida. It started with our first Disney family trip in 1993, where we drove, stayed at the Coral Beach Motel in Ormond Beach for a day before and after Disney. My dad loved it so much, they have gone back to the same motel every year, every April, for 13 years (except for last year when my mom was having chemo). Amy went one year, the same year dh and I flew in and joined them for a week, but 1993 was our last trip as a family. They take their time, drive the first day to North Carolina, second day to Savannah, and then to Florida. They will be meeting us Day 3 at Epcot…stay tuned.

Dh worked until midnight, technically arriving home at 1am or so on our leaving day. We managed to get a few hours of sleep before the alarm went off at 5am. Where is my early morning child? Still sound asleep in bed. This is good for once. I am able to shower, dress, pack the car, coax dh out of bed, holler at dh to get out of bed, drag dh out of bed, start the car and gather Connor up still sleepy in his jammies and strap him into his carseat for the drive to Buffalo. I thought he might go back to sleep, but no. Oh, well, better chance for a nap on the plane.

If you haven’t discovered by now, we live in Canada. When people ask where, I usually say “an hour west of Toronto” because most people know Toronto. So why don’t we fly out of Toronto? Pearson International Airport is now the MOST expensive airport in the WORLD to fly out of. Seriously. Flights out of Toronto are ridiculous. Sure, the fares look appealing when you surf the airline web-sites, but click through and add the taxes, security fees and airport fees and you pretty much double, sometimes even triple the cost of flying out of Buffalo. So what if it takes us and extra hours drive. It’s a pretty drive, and at 5:30 on a Saturday morning, there is no traffic, smooth sailing and very little construction! (Yes, Canada and most of the north-eastern US have only 2 seasons…winter and construction!) We passed through customs at the border quickly and actually arrived at the Buffalo airport with 2 ½ hours to spare before our 10am flight. Ok, so maybe dh was right…maybe we didn’t need to leave THAT early. Well, from a lifetime of flying out of Pearson, you get used to getting to the airport that early…I am trying diligently to break that habit.

I dropped off the boys and the luggage at the curb and parked the car in long-term parking, caught the shuttle back to the terminal and we checked in, dropped off the luggage and got through security in less than 10 minutes. Did I mention how much I love Buffalo!!! And they have a cute little play area for the kids about mid-way up the gates. It’s sponsored by Fischer-Price so a lot of it is promoting their toys, but it works very well at keeping the little ones occupied. We met another family of 3 waiting to fly to Barbados and it turns out they used to live in Toronto, so we chatted it up while our children merrily played with all the Fischer-Price toys and dh and I alternated trips up to the snack bar to get breakfast. When it got closer to our departure time, we wandered up to the gate and I made final preparations for boarding. One final check of the carry-ons, bathroom break, drugged Connor up with decongestant (for his ears and hopefully a nap), and changed his diaper (yes, he's still in diapers...he's just not ready yet and let's face it, it's much easier for travelling!). For those travellers with small children, you know how tiny the airplane bathrooms are and how impossible it is to change a diaper in there. I wanted to avoid that at all costs. It was hard enough on the last trip when Connor was younger and shorter, can’t even imagine it now. He is tall for his age, hit the magic 40 inch mark for the Disney rides about a month before this trip, 2 months after his 3rd birthday. Dh is 6’5”, so it is expected, but geez this kid out-grows clothes at a whirlwind pace!! We lined up with all the pre-boarders (Connor is a fastpass for a few more years) and get on the plane, pick our seats, strap Connor into his carseat, and sit back to enjoy the flight when he promptly announces “Mommy, I poopy!”

Coming up…arrival in Orlando and the adults have a meltdown.

 

[javamom]

Subbing!

 

[luvmy2sams]

Subscribing to another funny trip report. Your Connor sounds so much like my DS, who will turn 3 in a few weeks. I can relate to the "Mommy, I poopy" on the airplane. Don't you just love it?

 

[mickeymousemom]

I love your report so far!! I haven't been to the Trip report Forum for quite some time and so I just happened to mosey over here in just enough time to catch yours...looks like it's gonna be a good one! I look forward to the rest(and BTW I am also about 4 years older than my DH ).

 

[princessjv]

Great start! Can't wait to hear how you handle the poopy on the plane...yikes!

 

[fizz13]

I am gonna read this with much interest as I too am going through a marrage "make or break" situation at the moment and I too, have a trip booked for 5 weeks time, no kids, just adult time. I'm gonna be taking notes...
Great report so far
Claire xx

 

[offwegotoneverland]

can't wait for the rest...I'm very unsure as to how on earth (or not earth) you'll deal with a poopy on a plane?

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Great start. can't wait to read more. We also love Traverse City. We live about 2 hours away. We go up there every year on our anniversary in March.