Piper's Practically Perfect PTR..Wish Trip! 3/2-8...Upd Pg 126- TR Link!! Hooray!

[pooh'smate]

I came over from Jordan's ptr. Your dd is so cute. Now I am off to read.

 

[pipersmom]

I am glad that Piper is back home again! I think I am caught up again!

Welcome home! I'm glad she's home too, now I just need to get her cleared up again.

I came over from Jordan's ptr. Your dd is so cute. Now I am off to read.

Thank you for coming over..I was giving him a hard time..he's such a great writer it's easy to see why his PTR moves along so quickly! Hope you enjoy the reading

 

[jordanyosh]

Thank you Jordan, for reminding me what I am NOT missing! DH and I both grew up in OC and every time we go back it takes a little adjusting. We live in a small town also (not by choice, it's a job thing) and I had to stop and count, but we just so happen to have 6 lights as well. We're getting another one this week and it's a good thing. We have snowbirds and the roads actually do get busy in the winter. Busy meaning, you have to wait for like 6 cars to go by before you can turn onto the hwy.

The traffic is so bad now even the streets are bad. Euclid, Brookhurst, Beach, Magnolia...all bad!

 

[pipersmom]

The traffic is so bad now even the streets are bad. Euclid, Brookhurst, Beach, Magnolia...all bad!

-crossing off SoCa as a place to visit and hoping all this bad traffic talk doesn't jinx my next road trip-

 

[jordanyosh]

-crossing off SoCa as a place to visit and hoping all this bad traffic talk doesn't jinx my next road trip-

you just need to know when to travel to avoid traffic. it's like a cat and mouse game.

 

[yinyanggirls]

The traffic is so bad now even the streets are bad. Euclid, Brookhurst, Beach, Magnolia...all bad!

No escape routes anymore? I've lived on Euclid and Brookhurst, worked on Beach. I used to take MacArthur from Irvine to HB to avoid the freeways. I guess metro and small town have one thing in common - it takes at least 30 minutes to get anywhere.
My SIL and family moved to WA because they couldn't afford to live any closer than Chino Hills to their jobs in Lakewood and Whittier. It's so hard for people to make ends meet there.

Amanda, growing up in CA we used to think our out-of-state relatives were so funny because they were terrified to drive on the freeways. I have a little more compassion now that I've been away a while.

 

[pooh'smate]

So the surprise package Piper will get on Christmas day is coming together! Our customized maps came in today, as did some pixie dust. My Aunt found her a Mickey & Minnie kissing snowglobe on clearance at JCP..Piper collects snowglobes, so she'll love it! The same day she went to K-Mart and found a huge stuffed Mickey in Christmas regalia..Santa hat, cute scarf, etc. She also sent a postcard type thing she had gotten from Disney with a picture of Alice and the White Rabbit (backs turned like they were walking to the MK) that says "Have we got some important dates for you!" Once you open it there's a front view of them and then a message about coming to Disney, etc. My plan is to paste white paper over their message, and then put my own on it with our trip dates. I don't dare post pics yet in case Piper should see me on the thread, but I will after Christmas. She had also enclosed some home depot Mickey Heads that I'll use with the countdown calendar. Funnily enough, there were no lime green ones, so someone in Bangor must Dis too!! I think just about every other color was there, lol. Now if we could just get some dates, we'd be all set....

My Aunt actually lives in Maine, and we're in VA. She's always been very good to us. I haven't looked for them around here just because the nearest home depot is about an hr away. Maybe while Piper is gone I can do that

I was going to ask you if your were talking about Bangor, Me. I am from Maine and grew up exactly an hour away from Bangor in a town called Skowhegan. Then I finished reading the page and I see your aunt is from Maine. Ok now I am going back to read some more.

 

[All7OfUs]

Ahhh, yes, the fond memories of commuting to work at DLR... I-5; sitting there forE.V.E.R listening to KROQ; wondering if I'd get to costuming in time to change.... I was glad to leave.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Ahhh, yes, the fond memories of commuting to work at DLR... I-5; sitting there forE.V.E.R listening to KROQ; wondering if I'd get to costuming in time to change.... I was glad to leave.

Oh my gosh! KROQ! I won my first concert tickets from them. De Peche Mode.

The freeways have always been parking lots at rush hour. Now they are just packed all the time. We will be approaching OC at 2 am and be surrounded by vehicles in all 8 lanes. Not stopped at 2am, but give it time....

How fun (to work at DL, not the traffic). Which character were you?

 

[jordanyosh]

No escape routes anymore? I've lived on Euclid and Brookhurst, worked on Beach. I used to take MacArthur from Irvine to HB to avoid the freeways. I guess metro and small town have one thing in common - it takes at least 30 minutes to get anywhere.
My SIL and family moved to WA because they couldn't afford to live any closer than Chino Hills to their jobs in Lakewood and Whittier. It's so hard for people to make ends meet there.

Amanda, growing up in CA we used to think our out-of-state relatives were so funny because they were terrified to drive on the freeways. I have a little more compassion now that I've been away a while.

Ahhh, yes, the fond memories of commuting to work at DLR... I-5; sitting there forE.V.E.R listening to KROQ; wondering if I'd get to costuming in time to change.... I was glad to leave.

They're widening I-5 between the 91 and the 605, but right now it makes traffic worse so everyone is taking the 91 and that's bad too and the 405....

 

[yinyanggirls]

They're widening I-5 between the 91 and the 605, but right now it makes traffic worse so everyone is taking the 91 and that's bad too and the 405....

The 91 as an alternate route?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!??! That was the worst one of all. Giant parking lot. BTW, I love how I slip right back into the "the" talk. In other states they don't say "the #" (or "the I-5") they just say "#", like "I-5". Weird huh?

 

[pipersmom]

No escape routes anymore? I've lived on Euclid and Brookhurst, worked on Beach. I used to take MacArthur from Irvine to HB to avoid the freeways. I guess metro and small town have one thing in common - it takes at least 30 minutes to get anywhere.
My SIL and family moved to WA because they couldn't afford to live any closer than Chino Hills to their jobs in Lakewood and Whittier. It's so hard for people to make ends meet there.

Amanda, growing up in CA we used to think our out-of-state relatives were so funny because they were terrified to drive on the freeways. I have a little more compassion now that I've been away a while.

I used to be scared of freeways, but I got rid of that driving from VA to Cincy, and living right outside of Cincy. Once you've driven a 25ft Uhaul 500 miles, anything else is cake, lol. The first time as an adult that I was in major traffic was with my college roommate..we were at a stoplight right outside DC..maybe 20-30 cars at the light..and out of my mouth pops.."So this is a traffic jam". The poor girl started laughing so hard if the light had turned green at that moment I don't think she could have driven anywhere!!

I was going to ask you if your were talking about Bangor, Me. I am from Maine and grew up exactly an hour away from Bangor in a town called Skowhegan. Then I finished reading the page and I see your aunt is from Maine. Ok now I am going back to read some more.

My mom's side of the family is all from Greenville! We used to spend every summer on the lake, and I have many fond memories of the Skowhegan Fair

 

[yinyanggirls]

I used to be scared of freeways, but I got rid of that driving from VA to Cincy, and living right outside of Cincy. Once you've driven a 25ft Uhaul 500 miles, anything else is cake, lol. The first time as an adult that I was in major traffic was with my college roommate..we were at a stoplight right outside DC..maybe 20-30 cars at the light..and out of my mouth pops.."So this is a traffic jam". The poor girl started laughing so hard if the light had turned green at that moment I don't think she could have driven anywhere!!

That IS funny! I had a similar experience away at college. A dormie and I had returned at the same time from the nearest city and she commented on the horrible traffic. I laughed at her. I couldn't help myself. I believe she was from Virginia....

 

[jordanyosh]

The 91 as an alternate route?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!??! That was the worst one of all. Giant parking lot. BTW, I love how I slip right back into the "the" talk. In other states they don't say "the #" (or "the I-5") they just say "#", like "I-5". Weird huh?

That is kind weird?

Yeah, the 91 was already bad now it's REALLY bad--anytime of day almost.

the 210 stinks too.

 

[pipersmom]

Okay, so some of you may have noticed you have yet to see a picture of the author in the PTR. Yes..I am one of "those" people. I detest having my picture taken, have never liked it, not sure why. So today I went to get my hair cut..chopped off about 11 in..went from 3/4 of the way down my back, to a No. 2 guard on the clippers on the back of my neck! I love it..so we get home, I ask Piper if she wants to take a pic of mom's new haircut. She was more than willing...unfortunately, every one she took came out like she was taking pics out of a car window going 60mph... So, no pics yet, but the urge might strike me again before we leave! If not, there will be plenty of pics in our TR, I'm sure..I'm actually looking forward to having pics of us together, which surprises even me!

 

[pooh'smate]

My mom's side of the family is all from Greenville! We used to spend every summer on the lake, and I have many fond memories of the Skowhegan Fair

I lived in Greenville for about a year and then my dad got transferred to Skowhegan. I miss the fair. They don't have fairs like that out here. We did spend alot of time at the lake as my dad's headquarters were still there. He was a forest ranger. Did you ever watch the air show in Greenville?

 

[yinyanggirls]

Okay, so some of you may have noticed you have yet to see a picture of the author in the PTR. Yes..I am one of "those" people. I detest having my picture taken, have never liked it, not sure why. So today I went to get my hair cut..chopped off about 11 in..went from 3/4 of the way down my back, to a No. 2 guard on the clippers on the back of my neck! I love it..so we get home, I ask Piper if she wants to take a pic of mom's new haircut. She was more than willing...unfortunately, every one she took came out like she was taking pics out of a car window going 60mph... So, no pics yet, but the urge might strike me again before we leave! If not, there will be plenty of pics in our TR, I'm sure..I'm actually looking forward to having pics of us together, which surprises even me!

Oh, you're one of those people!? I see how it is. Wow, on the 11 inches. Courageous! I'm glad you love it. I used to hate pics of me then they got worse and I thought, I wish I had more pics of be "back when" so I finally just gave up. I'm still not in many because I'm usually taking them, but I don't protest or hide either. Let Piper practice on you more, and then maybe you'll get more comfortable before your trip.

 

[pipersmom]

I lived in Greenville for about a year and then my dad got transferred to Skowhegan. I miss the fair. They don't have fairs like that out here. We did spend alot of time at the lake as my dad's headquarters were still there. He was a forest ranger. Did you ever watch the air show in Greenville?

Yes, we went to the fly-in almost every summer when I had time with my Dad (he was from there also & folks were divorced). Piper and I were there summer '08, but not for the fly-in, unfortunately. I would like her to be able to see one. Though I have made sure she's gotten grapenut ice cream from the dairy bar! Do you remember the fries there with the little wooden fork?

Oh, you're one of those people!? I see how it is. Wow, on the 11 inches. Courageous! I'm glad you love it. I used to hate pics of me then they got worse and I thought, I wish I had more pics of be "back when" so I finally just gave up. I'm still not in many because I'm usually taking them, but I don't protest or hide either. Let Piper practice on you more, and then maybe you'll get more comfortable before your trip.

I tend to go from long to short like that. It had prob been about 5 yrs? I'm not very fixated on hair though, I'm happy as long as I don't have to get a curling iron out. With just the two of us, more often than not I'm behind the camera as well. Good idea about letting her practice more!

 

[pooh'smate]

Yes, we went to the fly-in almost every summer when I had time with my Dad (he was from there also & folks were divorced). Piper and I were there summer '08, but not for the fly-in, unfortunately. I would like her to be able to see one. Though I have made sure she's gotten grapenut ice cream from the dairy bar! Do you remember the fries there with the little wooden fork?

I never had the fries. Did they serve them with anything? We were always at the Forestry Station since that is where my dad worked and they did a lot of security for the fly-in. I bet you had Gifford's ice cream. That is another thing I miss. Actually my dh and I really like VA and would prefer to move there because we will be closer to family but not have to deal with them on a daily bases. He likes the Charlottesville area.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Hi Amanda, I followed you over from Jordan's PTR. I read all of your PTR tonight and want to say how adorable Piper is, she is beautiful.

I admire you so much for all you do for Piper. Being a caregiver to someone you love is rewarding and frustrating at times. I take care of my dbf who has Cerebral Palsy and is in a power wheelchair.

You will love WDW, it is just so magical. There is one piece of advice I want to offer to you. I know it is a "trip of a lifetime" but don't forget to just stop and breath. Just stop and really look at things, watch the streetmosphere people, look at the beauty of the buildings, the landscaping, and talk to the castmembers.

I can't wait to hear what happens when you spring the surprise on her. We surprised the grandkids the night before we were going to Disney, they loved it.