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

[OhioDisneyLover]

9 days!!! Wow, single digits!

That's awful about the school and their policy I hope she can get it all worked out!

9 days...

I am going to see her today and ask her if she went to meet with the principal. She was suppose to do that this week but with all the drama over here about the accident, I have not had a chance to ask her yet.

He and you will like me.. i'm sassy.. i' can be overwhelming and obnoxious though lol but always lovable! i'm glad hes coming to his senses though!! and it's ok that you are reducing touring plans, now you'll just have to book a trip sometime sooner then later!

Hmmm, you sound just like someone else I know....DH! We're excited to meet you guys!

DH wants to meet his best friend and his family in January and my brother wants to go to Star Wars Weekends so it looks like there is a trip in our future already.

uh..yeah! have you read my ptr!! lol. and I have actually gotten ever adr that I want when I want.. I of course will still try and tweak some ards

I read your entire pre-trip report and was inspired to actually start calling to change my ADR's after reading that you had some luck. I wonder how many others out there are in the same boat so to speak?

First of all, congrats on the single digits! (I'm only MILDLY jealous! )

Secondly, I've wondered this about our school districts seemingly constant harping of 'regular attendance'... I really wonder if they are somehow docked, either financially or otherwise by the state/district/etc. if a certain number of children aren't present a certain number of days...

Yay, now we are down to 8 days although that darn hurricane Ike is starting to make me nervous.

I think that the teachers at my nephew's school don't have the time to go back and re-teach what he will be missing however we don't expect them to do that. We actually have a tutor for him already. My sister is going to contact her about what he will be missing. We will take homework with us and if they ask us to fax it back daily, we will do that as well. I understand their point but I do not agree with marking him truant as in that school district, it results in an officer coming to the house and I think that is ridiculous because he is not cutting classes and my sister has taken the time to notify and meet with the school to discuss his absence. But you make a good point, I wonder if there is some sort of incentive for the school districts? I've never thought to ask my cousin about that (the one that is a superintendant of a local school system).




So, down to 8 days now and DH reports that he is 10 times as sore as the day before. . I'm trying to get him to follow up with our doctor but so far, no luck.

Between DH and Ike, I am now stressed out!!!!!!!!!

 

[inkedupmomma]

sweet, sounds like me and your dh are gonna be the loud and obnoxious *****s in dak!! i'll make the beep sounds for his ECV (is that what its called?) and mamy of us are all in the same adr boat!! dont fret!

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

8 days!!!!!!
You must be so excited!!!!!

That's terrible about your nephews school - it just seems a huge over reaction! The kids they should worry about truanting are the ones who hardly ever attend, not the ones who have otherwise good attendance.
I told our kids school this week, they've not said anything so far. I know it's marked as unauthorised absence on their attendance, but that's all they do.

Hopefully your DHs back will start to improve - though by the sounds of it he should get it checked out before he goes. Much as you want to see all of WDW - somehow i don't think a trip to the Disney hospital is part of the itinery!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

That is terrible about the school's policies. I had to fill out a paper for each of my kids saying what they would be doing and how it would be educationally a good idea to get the days excused. Both are excused and can make up all work. My youngest is studying Africa this year and we are staying at AKL and doing a Safari and eating at Jiko and Boma.... so I used that as his african emersion type thing... My oldest has a 2 year graduation exit project and his is on animal conservation and so he is diving in the epcot tanks and the safari etc... they talk about the animal conservation stuff so he is counting those hours towards his 15 hours a year he has to have field studies. They should have policies in effect to help ease that burden.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

We may need to cancel our trip.

Yesterday morning my sister called to say that she was taking my mom to th hospital. Her heart was beating fast, she was light headed and had a warm sensation in her arms. My mom hates going via EMS because she had a nad experience with them in the past. My sister is quite forceful so I knew that she'd get her there one way or the other and since they live in the same house I knew she could get her there faster than I could.

As of when DH and I left there last night at 8 p.m., they are still not sure what issue is. Her potassium was really, really low so they have been giving that to her. It did increase so that is a good sign. Her hear rate has come back down below 100 so they are happy with that but still don't know if she had a heart attack or what. The house doctor said that the one test the do (blood test) looking for clots came back normal so that is a good sign as well. I am so angry with the hospital though. THey brought her from emergency to her room and she had to walk into her room dealing with two oxygen tanks on her own. She sat down on the bed and they just left her there. They didn't put her in bed, tie her gown, get her situated, etc. I was on my way from work and my sister ended up having to figure out how to deal with all the stuff attached to her, etc. Then we had to wait for the house doctor for her to eat which was okay, except for the fact that they waited 5 hours after the doctor's order to bring her dinner! That is insane especially since we knew what the restrictions were. THey said that they didn't know what was causing the delay but didn't do a thing about it. Then they kept coming in and poking her for blood every freaking two hours instead of putting a line in her AND they brought some NEW person the one time. I was getting mad as he** as this was stressing her out and she was supposed to be trying to relax. No one could answer why this was happening. The cardiac floor is the only floor in this hospital where this happens from our experience. Let's hope that today is better.

I asked mom last night if she wants to cancel and so far she says no. If we cancel 45 - 6 days out the fee is $100 per person and 5 days or les it is $200 per person. Once I get to the hospital today I hope to know more.

So, first DH gets into the accident and now this.

Speaking of DH, this whole car situation is beginning to pi** me off. He had to make a zillion calls yesterday to the insurance agency, the adjuster, the dealership, etc. to get this straighted out. All I can say though is our insurance company is awesome. Within 48 hours of the accident they paid the care note, issued DH a check and then confirmed that we get a refund of the taxes paid on the new car if we get one within 30 days of the accident. Our sales dude at the dealership was awesome too. We're returning customers and he has given DH a super deal on a replacement. I think he's paying less than $200 over what they have into it. We saw the dealer invoice on the car. THey are even adding stuff and frankly, I can't believe they are not taking a loss. If I had not been behind is desk and watched for myself as he brought up the vehicle in their inventory software, I would not have believed it. Anywhoo, I believe that DH has decided on a Lincoln Navigator to replace his Expedition. I have not seen it yet and today after DH takes my car for service I will drop him at the dealership and go to the hospital while he does the paper work, etc.

I am praying that my mom gets better and hoping that we can still leave in 7 days as scheduled..........

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

That is terrible about the school's policies. I had to fill out a paper for each of my kids saying what they would be doing and how it would be educationally a good idea to get the days excused. Both are excused and can make up all work. My youngest is studying Africa this year and we are staying at AKL and doing a Safari and eating at Jiko and Boma.... so I used that as his african emersion type thing... My oldest has a 2 year graduation exit project and his is on animal conservation and so he is diving in the epcot tanks and the safari etc... they talk about the animal conservation stuff so he is counting those hours towards his 15 hours a year he has to have field studies. They should have policies in effect to help ease that burden.

With all of the drama in the family this week, I still forgot to ask my sister what happened at the school. It sounds like your school system is more understanding than ours by a long shot.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

sweet, sounds like me and your dh are gonna be the loud and obnoxious *****s in dak!! i'll make the beep sounds for his ECV (is that what its called?) and mamy of us are all in the same adr boat!! dont fret!

We're crossing our fingers that we can still make it there! DH is quite loud and sometimes I have to give him a nudge and tell him to use his "inside voice." So far no additional EVC discussions although once we can confirm that we're still going, the discussions will begin again!!

8 days!!!!!!
You must be so excited!!!!!

That's terrible about your nephews school - it just seems a huge over reaction! The kids they should worry about truanting are the ones who hardly ever attend, not the ones who have otherwise good attendance.
I told our kids school this week, they've not said anything so far. I know it's marked as unauthorised absence on their attendance, but that's all they do.

Hopefully your DHs back will start to improve - though by the sounds of it he should get it checked out before he goes. Much as you want to see all of WDW - somehow i don't think a trip to the Disney hospital is part of the itinery!

Between DH and my mom, I think if we get to go we should put the nearest hopsital in our GPS system! DH seems a bit better, at least he did less complaining last night so that is a good sign. Now, if we can get this thing with my mom resolved we will be in good shape. I will have to tone down our touring plan.............

 

[AZMickeyfans]

I'm so sorry about your mom. What a stressful situation at the hospital. I will be praying for your moms speedy recovery.

sounds like what you guys really NEED after a clean bill of health from the hospital for your mom is THIS trip to WDW. With a scooter for your dh of course.

 

[inkedupmomma]

I'm so sorry about your mum Ok, bad things happen in 3's right?? so far that is 2. Be prepared for the third. BUt then it will be over with and Karma will owe you big time... wait for it.. DISNEY WORLD!!!! ok I hope that was helpful and not worrisome lol and why the heck is DH getting a big ol gas guzzlin lincoln?? Does he love paying these gas prices or something??? crazy men and there fancy cars!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

I'm so sorry about your mom. What a stressful situation at the hospital. I will be praying for your moms speedy recovery.

sounds like what you guys really NEED after a clean bill of health from the hospital for your mom is THIS trip to WDW. With a scooter for your dh of course.

I'm so sorry about your mum Ok, bad things happen in 3's right?? so far that is 2. Be prepared for the third. BUt then it will be over with and Karma will owe you big time... wait for it.. DISNEY WORLD!!!! ok I hope that was helpful and not worrisome lol and why the heck is DH getting a big ol gas guzzlin lincoln?? Does he love paying these gas prices or something??? crazy men and there fancy cars!

Yay Mom is out of the hospital and has been cleared to go to Disney!!!!! It was determined that she needs to take potassium and it appears that her asthma medication caused some of this. I am so relieved! I ALMOST called and cancelled but something told me to wait. OMG, am I glad that I did!

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers!


On to the car dilemma. Well, it appears that DH got a Navigator. Yep, a big ol gas guzzlin lincoln momma! I have this thing about small cars. I had them but they scare the crap out of me. Even though I hate the gas prices, I feel safer in a larger vehicle and after DH's accident, he does too. Also, being "pooh sized" getting out of a smaller car feels a lot like circus clowns getting out of the little car at the circus for us.

I plan to spend the rest of the day laminating, doing laundry for the trip, finishing up our packing, etc. I am also going to try Disney dining again to see if I can tweak our ADR's.

And yay........our CLEAR cards came in today. No more standing in the insane line at security in the Orlando airport!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

And to close the chapter on the car saga, here it is. We probably won't have it before our trip as it needs to come from Illinois but I don't really care as long as DH is happy. Man was he getting grumpy over the loss of his car.

I have been watching the weather and it looks like we may be spared a bit which is always a good thing. Just in case I have dug out a few of the zillion Disney rain ponchos that we have collected over time. I even found two of the 100th anniversary yellow ones that I forgot that I had.

I am bummed out that I did not get to make us more than one T-shirt but I guess that's just going to have to do. I doubt I will have time this week to do it. I am so far behind at work that I envision myself working until midnight each night except for the night of my hair appointment and my doctor appointment. Speaking of hair, I have to wear a hat because my stylist said that after a fresh color, that much sun isn't going to be good for my hair. Man, I look like a total dork in a hat but I got this pretty cool black one with a skull on it that DH likes so I guess that's what I am wearing.

 

[inkedupmomma]

yay for your momma!!! ! but boo to your hubs for not getting a greener su!! they do make hybrid suvs now you know!! whatever floats his boat though, so long as he is safe and your going to disney! woo, seriously im so relieved about your momma!! hey can i buy some ponchos off you i cant find any anywhere!!! ok now just dont any of you leave the house until its time for the trip and nothing bad will happen

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

yay for your momma!!! ! but boo to your hubs for not getting a greener su!! they do make hybrid suvs now you know!! whatever floats his boat though, so long as he is safe and your going to disney! woo, seriously im so relieved about your momma!! hey can i buy some ponchos off you i cant find any anywhere!!! ok now just dont any of you leave the house until its time for the trip and nothing bad will happen

I will bring extra ponchos just in case you need them. I may even have a child sized one around here somewhere. I think we still have one from my nephew.

DH and I don't agree on the hybrid thing. He has this whole theory on why they are not really "green." Getting into a debate with him can be painful at times. So to counter that, I try and do other things to be "green" and our office has a huge campaign going on so I don't feel as guilty. You know, I agree, whatever floats his boat right now. He's been so grumpy and grouchy since the accident. And while I can't blame him, he had the boo-hoo's as I call it about his car. He loved that thing.

I just talked to my mom a few minutes ago. She is SO EXCITED that we are still going. She said that last night she was watching hospital tv and there was something Disney on and she got really depressed so she turned it. She was worried that we would not be going. I could have never gone without her.

We are taking bets on my sister and when she will get her packing started. I say Thursday, DH and mom said no way.....it will be Friday night....as in like 10 p.m. or so. We are trying to see what we can do to get her boyfriend down there for 3 days or so. If DH and I pay for his airline ticket and she pays for his hopper we may be able to do it. He's never been there and she feels bad leaving him but they were not dating when we planned this trip. I am going to check on line tonight to see what I can find.

Now that all the drama for the week is over, I am starting to get really excited thinking that we have only one week left!!!!!!!!!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

So, they say that crappy things and back luck come in 3's. That means that I'm done. DH's mom called and said that his uncle has to have surgery on Thursday on a heart valve. So, number one was DH's accident, number two was my mom in the hospital and number three is DH's uncle. There, I'm done................

I was checking the weather today and it seems that we're going to get hot and humid weather. Seems like they are only predicting rain for one day of our trip and cloudy days for all the others. So that said, I am not complaining. Granted, I'm sure that the forecast will change by then.

I organized my purse/backpack this morning so that is ready to go. I think that we are FINALLY done with our shopping so that is a relief as well. We stocked up on cat food this morning. My aunt and cousin are taking care of our cats for us while we are away.

DH is watching the Steeler's right now (his favorite) but I hear him groaning in pain. Apparently he is having some pain today and I don't know if it is from last week's accident or the score of the game (I have no clue who is winning but if it isn't Pittsburgh he is not going to be a happy camper the rest of the day).

So, I think that we are finalized for DH's anniversary gifts. There will be a delivery from Incredible Edibles on the 17th and then the beer stein at dinner. I am calling CRT tomorrow to see if I can get the CM to bring it to him if we drop it off there that day. I am packing a bow, etc. so that I my mom can wrap it and hopefully they will let me do it that way. I am not sure though but it cannot hurt to ask.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

So today I am sending a box of glow sticks via UPS. I just have this horrible feeling that we'll get to the aiport and they will tell us that we can't take them. I have over 100 of them so I figured I'd better be safe than sorry. Since I am sending a box I figured I would send snack bars and stuff too. Now the last minute rush to get all the stuff together so it can go out today.

DSis is finally getting excited for the trip however she has not even gotten out her suitcases let alone thought about what she will pack. It will be like every other year....she will be up all night before we leave doing laundry and packing.

Mom is packed and ready except for last minute items. She unpacked a few items when she thought that she may not be able to go but now everything is back in the suitcase.

Yay, just a few days left!

 

[inkedupmomma]

So today I am sending a box of glow sticks via UPS. I just have this horrible feeling that we'll get to the aiport and they will tell us that we can't take them. I have over 100 of them so I figured I'd better be safe than sorry. Since I am sending a box I figured I would send snack bars and stuff too. Now the last minute rush to get all the stuff together so it can go out today.

DSis is finally getting excited for the trip however she has not even gotten out her suitcases let alone thought about what she will pack. It will be like every other year....she will be up all night before we leave doing laundry and packing.

Mom is packed and ready except for last minute items. She unpacked a few items when she thought that she may not be able to go but now everything is back in the suitcase.

Yay, just a few days left!

yay i'm so excited for us!! and that we get to meet in 6 days!!! glad your third bad thing happened too..although i was hoping it would be something silly like you stubbing your toe lol for 6 days until we meet!!

 

[earthfaries]

I am so glad your mom is ok, and your DH too. Glad he got a vehicle he likes, it would be hard losing your beloved vehicle

How exciting you only have a few days left!!!!!!!!

That's funny about your sister, that's how my mom is too ~ she packs the night before and it up all night long...

Wow, you guys all really need this vacation ~ and it's going to be a great, magical one

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

We are so ready to go. What a terrible week we had last week.

This week isn't starting out well but I will not let it bother me. Turns out I got a new boss. I am just not going to think about it because .....


IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR DISNEY!!!!!!!!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

I hope your dh's uncle is going to be ok.

I'm so glad your mom is doing well now and is cleared for Disney! What a fright that must have been for you all.

Sweet Ride!

Where on earth did you get over 100 glow sticks? I want to rush out and get that many right now!!! I was going to head to the dollar store today but not sure if that is the best place. I'll wait til I hear back from you! 100 glow sticks is reason enough for a party arty: arty: WOOHOO!

So close to leaving! The surprise for your dh is great. He is going to love it.

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

We'll know more about DH's uncle on Thursday. They are saying positive things. He lives in PA so we're hearing all of this news via my MIL.

Mom is doing great. I am taking her to our family doctor tomorrow evening for a final check but we don't anticipate him saying that she cannot fly because she feels a LOT better.

I ordered the glow sticks from Oriental Trading. They came 50 in a box with connectors so that we can make necklaces, etc. The lei's were separate and I got 5 of those. I can't wait to see DH's face when I tell him he HAS to wear one. I think I got enough for us to make a little something each night although we will not wear them in dark rides, etc. That drives me nuts when people do that.

DH is happy with his new ride so that is all that matters to me. The dude was so freaking depressed about his car it was crazy. I just let him do whatever because I didn't want a major grumpy-butt on vacation.

I can't get into working today. Saturday is not going to get here fast enough for me.