Pre-Trippie..Yet ANOTHER family trip...do we HAVE to go there AGAIN! YES...YOU DO!

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hi i sent you a PM Thanks again for the offer. Yes I do have a Acherivers' (sp?) near us(Fairlawn) and their building a Hobby Lobby in Stow. Thanks for the goodluck on getting the scrapbook done , my problem is I can always find more things to scrapbook ( like my Ist grandson, and #2daughters wedding and oh yea! #1 daughters wedding who been married since 5/03)

I hope your niece surgury(sp?) come our fine, I will keep her in my prayers.

I notice a trend in your Disney trip alot are in Sept. Is that because of your anniversary? We will be celebrating our 35 wedding anniversary at WDW in Sept 2009. Our 2nd family trip the 1st with our grandson.

Again looking forward to reading more,(trying to get tips on how to do my own) Have a MICKEY day

I had the reverse problem scrapbooking. I ONLY worked on my Disney stuff and left the rest sitting. One day I will go back and get going on the other items to do. We don't have any children but I still have family gatherings, my nephew's 5th grade graduation, etc. to get working on.

I sent you the template for the itinerary cards and the link to the site that I get free clip art from. Let me know if you have any qustions while you are working on them.

You should start a PTR. Earthfaries was the one that got me started after our trip last February. She was awesome and helped me figure out how to start, how to post pictures, etc. For this PTR, I just started putting down my thoughts and went from there.

Our anniversary is in September. It will be 8 years next month.

 

[LuccaDrake]

The beer stein idea is great! I have never heard of that one before. Also, the photo shoot that Grace and Mickey mentioned would be a good idea too, but not sure how expensive that is. Just don't forget to mention your anniversary at CRT so you can get a free set of either champagne flutes or beer mugs! We weren't celebrating anything when we went the first year together, but I inquired about them since they are in a case outside the restaurant and our server said they were only given out for special occasions. Well, lo and behold, at the end of our meal he brought over a white box, and what was inside but two champagne flutes with mickey confetti! Needless to say, the waiter got a huge tip! Just a nice keepsake. I am really excited about the beer stein though. I may have to check that out as a christmas present for DBF. to whoever mentioned that.

~Beka~

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Every time we pass through the store at the Germany pavillion he is admiring them. I've got to talk to my mom to see if she can go in and buy it if i pick it out, etc. We can figure out a way to either distract him or for her to say that she wants to go back and get something, etc. Seems that we travel in a "pack" though so it won't surprise me if it's hard to get away. We'll figure out something though.

For our anniversary last year we got a cukoo (spelling?) clock from Norway. We love it and every time it goes off it reminds us of the time we took to pick it out, etc.

We do have the flutes from CRT from a couple of years ago. We had breakfast there for our 5th anniversary. They also gave us a Magical Moments certificate which I am staring at now as it is framed and on the wall in our office.

So, now I will try and figure out what basket to send him to have waiting for him in our room. I've been to the Disney florist site but I am searching the net to see if I can find another site that specializes in custom baskets. I was thinking of getting stuff myself (like the XBox 360 gaeme that he wants, etc.) and seeing if a comapny can put it all together for me. We have a place like that in Ohio so I am wondering if I can find a place like that there too.

We have to go through our camera equipment over the next couple of days and decide what we're taking because that means we have to get a new case. The one we have now for the Rebel is huge as it holds 4 lenses and it's heavy. We're going to figure out what pieces to take and which other camera besides the Rebel and then go out and try and find a case that will work. DH is in charge of the Rebel and related lenses, tripod, etc. It is a dilemma for us because I like to take a lot of pictures (we took over 2,000 last September) but carrying around all of the lenses is a pain. We thought that maybe we'd go back to the resort and swap out lenses and stuff for the night time parades but that's a pain too and I am not comfortable leaving lenses in the room. Those things are expensive and I'd be mad as heck if anything disappeared. I have not had anything of value disappear but I've read threads where people have said that things were stolen from their rooms.

I am in charge of the smaller cameras. I think I am going to take one of the Casios and this cute Disney Pix camera that puts characters on the pictures. They pictures don't come out great (it is only like 2.0 megapixels or something like that) but I'm taking it anyway. I may let Matt use it if he forgets to bring his camera. Last year his Nana got him a digital camera. I use to get him a bunch of disposables however he would manage to lose them once we got home and I never got anything developed. I've decided that we're not even going to take the video camera with us. Too much trouble.

So, the camera debate is on and I need to work on touring plans. I started my countdown at nearly 200 days and we're down to under 30 now. I can't believe how fast the time is flying by.

 

[Wannabe Belle]

I love your pre-trippie so far. Very good!!!!!

Thanks for commenting on mine!!!!!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Again,
All caught up now! Glad you liked the stein idea - I think it's a guy thing!
I loved your nephews face painting - will look out for it in toontown
Also the mousekeeping evelopes - I'll need to try that out too! Too cute
You definately need to eat at Boma - it's our favourite (though DH is looking forward to Biergarten - all those steins!) We found it quite easy to get ADRs at Boma last trip, even though we waited until we got to WDW before we tried making any
Your photos are great - keep posting!
Diane

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I love your pre-trippie so far. Very good!!!!!

Thanks for commenting on mine!!!!!

Yay, another reader. Congrats again on your new job!

Hi Again,
All caught up now! Glad you liked the stein idea - I think it's a guy thing!
I loved your nephews face painting - will look out for it in toontown
Also the mousekeeping evelopes - I'll need to try that out too! Too cute
You definately need to eat at Boma - it's our favourite (though DH is looking forward to Biergarten - all those steins!) We found it quite easy to get ADRs at Boma last trip, even though we waited until we got to WDW before we tried making any
Your photos are great - keep posting!
Diane

Yep, I think the stein idea is the winner here. I still may do a basket of some type too.

We're going to try Boma since we're staying at the AKL. I should probably call now to see what I can get, if anything.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Ok, so I am watching the weather in Tampa right now. I am leaving on a business trip on Thursday morning (DH is going with me ) and we planned to go to the MK on Saturday abd Epcot on Sunday before heading back to Tampa for our return flight home. It's not looking pretty there right now. My Tampa office wants to close tomorrow because the schools and the local government are closed. My Sr. VP wants to keep the office open though. I sure hope that the weather isn't too bad. We're going to turn our voucher into our AP's. I also wanted to get the Monoral spiel shirt too. It's a last minute little trippie but hey, why not? It will be a teaser for our trip in September.

I am crossing my fingers for weather that isn't too horrible.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I thought I'd write about who isn't going this trip.

First, my brother. He lives in Atlanta and works for a law firm. He's in IT. He's never been to Disney and somehow, I think he planned it that way. I don't have any electronic picutres of him handy right now.

My niece.

As I said earlier, she is having surgery in December. They are going to put a metal bar in her rib cage since it is growing inward. It has to stay there for 2-3 years. We are fortunate to have one of the best hospitals in the world at our finger tips (The Cleveland Clinic) so I am glad about that. She has been with us twice and we hope to take her again soon.

My cats. I just love them. Growing up I had dogs...Old English Sheepdogs actually. They were awesome and if we were home more, I'd definitely get another one.

Here are my sheepdogs. These pictures are really, really old. I had them in the 80's.

and

Here are my cats.

Tessie Jean - she is the oldest. Going to be 11 on 8/25.

She is not this chubby anymore. The vet made us put her on a diet.

Lucy - she is around 9. She was a stray so we are not exactly sure how old she is.

She is this chubby still!

Murray - he is going to be 8 on August 23rd.

Interesting how we got Murray. You see, my cousin's daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 2-1/2. She had multiple other illnesses as well which are way too complex to go into. She passed away 8 years ago today. While we were going through the last few months of her hospital stay, my cousin's cats got out of her house and both of them got pregnant. My cousin found all of the kittens shortly after her daughter's funeral (she lived to be 11). She was taking her bed down and there they were. You can imagine how preoccupied we all were during those last few weeks. How we didn't notice two pregnant cats is beyond me. Anyway, I know that Sara would be thrilled to know that we have one of her kitties. Man, how she loved her cats.

Ok, I completely went OT here.

Finally, here is Dino. He has a Greek name actually....Costandino Vasili to be exact. He is 10 although the vet said that he come from "good stock" and will probably live to be a very old dude. He LOVED the Christmas tree.

Speaking of the tree......A few years back I put up a tiny pencil tree in my dining room that had the few Disney ornaments that I had collected over the years from my visits. Last year DH went out and got me a 7 footer because I had collected so many that we had no room left on the little pencil tree. Here are a few pictures from last year's tree. I have decided that I am going to go the Christmas store at DTD and spend a small fortune next month. Shhhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell DH. He think I already have enough Disney ornaments. Is he kidding or what?????????

Here are a few tree pictures...and one of Tessie Jean and Dino together.

Sorry for going so far OT........

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Since I only have one more day before I head to Tampa, I thought I'd spend it doing a bit more organizing for our September trip. Tonight I created, printed and cut my CM appreciation cards. Wait til DH sees these things. He is going to flip. He already thinks I have a "problem" with my obsessive planning. I'm sure the first question will be "and what are we suppose to do with these?" I still say though that I have seen so many CM's take so much grief from people that at times, I wonder if they ever receive a "thank you." While it may not be much, I am going to take laminated CM appreciation cards with me to say "thanks."

So we started dieting for the trip. DH got himself the coolest pair of skull and cross bone shorts. He was in the Navy and that was his assigned ship's whatever-they-call-it so he was really happy when he found the shorts. The issue is that they are a bit snug. You see, he is somewhat "pooh sized" (me too actually) and really wants to wear these babies when we go next month. So, the diets started. He is doing better than me of course. Isn't that always the way that it goes? Wish us luck! So if you see a dude in skull/cross bone shorts with a size 58 chest (those shoulders are killer) roaming the world in mid-September (it is SO hard to buy that man clothes), that would be DH.

I plan to spend the entire Labor Day weekend (I have changed holiday weekend plans a zillion times in the last 2 weeks) finalizing our commando touring plan, printing our itineary cards, laminating them and the CM appreciation cards that I did tonight. My brother is visiting that weekend so I guess I will be putting him to work!

I swear, just when I think I am done shopping and organizing, something else comes along. I thought that I had finished all of my shopping however I now realize that I have not.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Love your pet photos - especially Dino in with the tree!!!

Your tree decorations are lovely - I got a few from WDW last trip, and the Christmas shop is a definate place to visit this time as well! Want to buy lots more!!!

Keep posting!
Di x

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I love all your scrapbooking ideas. I just started scrapbooking. I have really only completed our 1st cruise and I made each of my nephews one from the last cruise but have not done our family one. geez huh?

I now want to make Mousekeeping envelopes too! See what you have done to me already?

My sons actually are in the process of making money animals as tips so I will use the small envelopes or table setting cards I think but it is a great idea!

I also love the itenerary cards but i don't think i am quite that crafty yet. Ahem.. no shirts to make for me either. I might have to Dis for 10 or more years to get that much craftiness off on me.

Loving your report.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Love your pet photos - especially Dino in with the tree!!!

Your tree decorations are lovely - I got a few from WDW last trip, and the Christmas shop is a definate place to visit this time as well! Want to buy lots more!!!

Keep posting!
Di x

Dino LOVES the tree. His first Christmas we had a live tree and he got sap all over his ear. It was so darn hard to get off. After that, we decided on artificial trees. He sleeps in them all the time and my biggest fear is that he will get tangled in the lights and pull the whole thing down.

I can't wait to get more ornaments!!

I love all your scrapbooking ideas. I just started scrapbooking. I have really only completed our 1st cruise and I made each of my nephews one from the last cruise but have not done our family one. geez huh?

I now want to make Mousekeeping envelopes too! See what you have done to me already?

My sons actually are in the process of making money animals as tips so I will use the small envelopes or table setting cards I think but it is a great idea!

I also love the itenerary cards but i don't think i am quite that crafty yet. Ahem.. no shirts to make for me either. I might have to Dis for 10 or more years to get that much craftiness off on me.

Loving your report.

I'm hoping to get started on my scrapping as soon as we get back.

I started making Mousekeeping envelopes a year or so ago just to be organized. Before that I would be scrambling for the cash every morning. Since we use Disney dollars I didn't always have what my nephew calls "Ohio dollars" handy. The envelopes work out well for me.

I am forever changing the darn itinerary so cards will be last minute I think.

Thanks for reading!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I almost forgot...............

I booked us a surprise session with a PhotoPass photographer at the Poly on our anniversary. We have an ADR at Kona for breakfast (bring on the Tonga Toast!) so I scheduled it for right after breakfast. We're spending the day at MK and having dinner at CRT so I thought that would be a nice surprise. Since I pre-paid for the photopass CD, the fee is only $25 for 30 minutes. Yay! I love the Poly so I am looking forward to it.

Well, off to the airport for Tampa. The plan is to spend Saturday and Sunday in Orlando. We have a ressie at the Dolphin for one night so I see MK and Epcot (at least) in my future for the weekend. Let's hope that the weather isn't too bad. This is a little teaser for our trip in 3 weeks.

 

[Philadisney]

I had the chace to catch up on your pre-trippie this morning. Your pictures & scrapbook pages are great! I am looking for scrapbooking ideas as I am going to try and start my first one when we get back from our trip (in just 9 days )
That is really awesome that you will be in WDW this weekend. And staying at the Dolphin! I hope you take some pictures and update us when you get back. And I hope you have decent weather while you are there.
Also, your Dino looks just like my cat Mixi!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I had the chace to catch up on your pre-trippie this morning. Your pictures & scrapbook pages are great! I am looking for scrapbooking ideas as I am going to try and start my first one when we get back from our trip (in just 9 days )
That is really awesome that you will be in WDW this weekend. And staying at the Dolphin! I hope you take some pictures and update us when you get back. And I hope you have decent weather while you are there.
Also, your Dino looks just like my cat Mixi!

Thank for the scrapping compliments. I am always nervous to post my pages because I'm so new at this.

Our flight landed in Tampa this morning around 11. It has rained twice so far but other than that, a good start to the trip.

Jim Brown (a famous former Cleveland Browns player) was on our flight which was exciting to us Cleveland fans. DH is a Steeler's fan and HE was even impressed.

I can't wait for Saturday. We are leaving here early so that we can get to MCO and do finish up our CLEAR enrollment since they don't have a kiosk here or in Cleveland. From there we are going to the MK for the day and then we will check in to the Dolphin. I think we decided on Epcot for as long as we can on Sunday before we head back to Tampa for our evening flight home.

Can't wait for this little mini trip!

Have a great time and I am looking forward to your TR when you return!!!!!!

 

[LuccaDrake]

Sorry that I've been MIA recently. I loved the last big update. Was that shag carpeting I saw??? Also, your cat Tessie Jean looks just like a cat I had growing up. Her name was Friskie and she lived to be quite old until my brother accidently hit her with his car. Oops! We also share your addiction for Christmas ornaments. I think we will have a Disney tree this year as last year DBF got me this HUGE box full of Disney stuff as it was all on sale right before Christmas. (keep this in mind for this year) I think he got me 3-4 snow globes, two tree toppers (tink and minnie), and tons of ornaments. I also enjoyed the wrapping paper being Disney and the Belle figurine next to your tree! Also, we have officially decided to go next year at Christmastime! Yay! We are Christmas addicts and have been listening to Christmas music for the past few weeks off and on. Okay, sorry, huge tangent there but I just LOVE Christmas. Probably doesn't help that it's my birthday, huh? Anyways, I hope you have a great teaser trip. I demand a mini TR when you return!

~Beka~

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Sorry that I've been MIA recently. I loved the last big update. Was that shag carpeting I saw??? Also, your cat Tessie Jean looks just like a cat I had growing up. Her name was Friskie and she lived to be quite old until my brother accidently hit her with his car. Oops! We also share your addiction for Christmas ornaments. I think we will have a Disney tree this year as last year DBF got me this HUGE box full of Disney stuff as it was all on sale right before Christmas. (keep this in mind for this year) I think he got me 3-4 snow globes, two tree toppers (tink and minnie), and tons of ornaments. I also enjoyed the wrapping paper being Disney and the Belle figurine next to your tree! Also, we have officially decided to go next year at Christmastime! Yay! We are Christmas addicts and have been listening to Christmas music for the past few weeks off and on. Okay, sorry, huge tangent there but I just LOVE Christmas. Probably doesn't help that it's my birthday, huh? Anyways, I hope you have a great teaser trip. I demand a mini TR when you return!

~Beka~

Beka,

Yep, that was orange shag carpeting. Tells you how long ago that was.

I told DH that I am ready to put the tree up now. He just laughs and tells me one holiday at a time and to remember that the cats tend to rip everything off the bottom of the tree.

Have fun at Christmastime. I would love to go at that time of year again. We did it once a few years ago and DH won't go back. It is a beautiful time of year to be there but he couldn't handle the crowd.

Your box of Christmas stuff sounds awesome! You have to post pictures!

Today is Tessie Jean's birthday. I can't believe that she is 11.

I will be posting a mini-trip report here and outlining things I've learned in prep for our next trip this evening. Hopefully DH will transfer our pictures today since he will be home.

In the meantime, I saw something that I have NEVER seen before. Let's say it involved a rather long line, a little boy that had to use the restroom and a mother with a very interesting way to deal with that...............

Sophia

 

[Wannabe Belle]

Hey there!!!!

Your cat (clears throat) Costandino Vasili. I love that name. Looks just like a cat I used to have. He ran away. I quess I wasn't a good cat parent?

And the Belle ornament is awesome!!!!!!

Talk later!!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hey there!!!!

Your cat (clears throat) Costandino Vasili. I love that name. Looks just like a cat I used to have. He ran away. I quess I wasn't a good cat parent?

And the Belle ornament is awesome!!!!!!

Talk later!!

My family when I named Dino. I told them since we were Greek and I am unable to have children, I may as well have a "Greek" kittie. So, Costandino Visili came to be. Actually, Dino is sitting here watching me type this right now. He is referred to in our house as a "mamma's boy." He's been glued to me for 10 years now.

Belle is my favorite princess so I tend to gravitate to her ornaments for our tree.

I hope to get time this weekend to post my mini trip report from last weekend. I can't believe that I have a little over 2 weeks left before we leave for 9 whole days!!!!!!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I thought I'd post the first part of my mini trip report inside of my pre-trippie this morning before I leave for work. I don't have notes so it's from memory which will be interesting.

We left Tampa on 8/23 for MCO to finish off our CLEAR enrollment.

Saw this on our way out. I love seeing this when we fly into MCO.

Then I saw these...looks like they got "hair cuts" although I know that they are just young trees.

DH said that we should start a "name that rental car game" by taking pictures of the dashboards and posting them. I'll start............

Ok, so we then headed to MK to meet up with a friend of mine and his two girls.

Yay!

[/IMG]

We took the boat over because there were TONS of people waiting for the monorail.........

As soon as we got to MK we went to Guest Relations to renew our AP's using our vouchers. I forgot DH's last AP so this took some time.

I noticed that they had changed the YOAMD signs since we were there in February.

My friend was checking into the Dolphin so DH and I went strolling into the shops and we saw this.

I told DH I want to make a set when we go back in September.

DH had the camera, we had only one small point and shoot with us, so I asked him to take this.

Ok, gotta go to work........

Next up, did I get up enough nerve to ride Splash for the first time ever??????????