Premature Trip-Elation

[sorul82?]

Yep, you read that correctly! I got excited about my Disney trip before the appropriate time! This is actually a pre-trip report about the first of two trips that came about as the result of some freaky mitosis accident. You will see that it definitely is some lab experiment that went wrong! Now in typical cell division, you end up with two indentical parts (science geeks, correct me if I'm wrong). Instead, we ended up with a lop-side divide, sort of like twin to twin transfusion syndrome, TTTS. TTTS is NOT a laughing matter, but it really explains this double trippin' evolution. In case you are wondering, TTTS occurs when one twin steals all of the nutrients from the other, thus inhibiting development. This is exactly how I feel about my upcoming trips! The first trip, which begins in exactly 16 hours, has become this big ugly hairy beast and is sucking all of the energy out of the 2nd trip.

Hey, where are you going? I'm not gonna bore you with lots of potty mouth down in the dumps babble! I am dripping with sarcasm, and I seem to just roll with the punches.

So, how exactly did we end up with two trips 23 days apart?

 

[princesslibby]

Well?

 

[TwinkieMama]

In mitosis the "mother" cell divides into two identical "daughter" cells....
this cell division is responsible for growth, replacement and repair....
the daughter cells are genetically identical to each other and to the mother when cell division goes normally

now meiosis... also called reduction division, is when the diploid cell divides into 4 haploid cells that through reassortment and recombination will be genetically distinct both from one another and from the mother cell... this cell division occurs in gamete formation

ha ha sorul82? you asked for it... one good thread jacking deserves another....

I've got more but I'll be quiet and maybe we can find out what in tarnation is going on in the Loud family.....

 

[sorul82?]

So we meiosed?

 

[sorul82?]

If you read my last report, On a Horse with No Name, you know that we just returned from the World April 2, 2006. My family, the Loud Family, had such a good time that we quickly determined that we wanted to make many happy returns to the world. But, DH had one condition: that I get a job. Ok, I’ll get right on that! In the meantime, Disney released the free dining promo with the early booking for Disney Visa holders, which I had a brand new shiny one, thank you CHASE! Anyhow, my mom wanted to go with us in March, but couldn’t, so she was going to join us next time. From the last trippie, you learned all about my obsessive compulsive Disney Planning Disorder, OCDDP, and my pain staking off-site motel stay. So now I had the opportunity to stay on-site. I ran a quick comparison, and found there was only about $300 difference between POR and two value rooms. My DH, Sirius, also has two aging grandparents, who have been wanting to go to Disney with my children for some time. We knew that the free dining would be irresistible for these two penny pinchers. Stick with me through the boring background info. Sirius and I also decided to invite all of his family because we have been talking about a large family Disney trip. With his GP’s getting up and age, this should be done soon rather than later. So, we invite the whole social deviant group of 21. This is mid April, so everyone has time (6 weeks) to budget, number crunch, and plan accordingly before the June 4 deadling. In the meantime, I look for a job. Does anyone know how hard it is to return to the workforce after being out for 6 years? At the time I got my MBA, I planned to be in the cut throat high stress business world. Now, I just want a low stress job….I just need to earn vacation dough. Apparently, employers want someone with more recent work experience, or they are intimidated by my degree. You are telling me that my 6 years of non-profit fund raising, PTA VP of Fund Raising and School Spirit, and full time mommy is not experience? Let’s see, I have the following skills:
multi-tasking
event planning
time management
resource allocation
personnel dispute resolution
short order gourmet chef
nutritionist…ok, not so good at that one
sanitary engineer…again, not so good
hazardous waste controller
chief planner and buyer
resident accountant in charge of AP, AR, bank rec’s, and financial analysis

In summary, I am a civic minded, multi-tasker with problem solving abilities, able to maintain endless projects with constant interruptions, no breaks, and on call 24-hours a day. Going to work is like taking a vacation! Now, tell me I don’t have recent experience (as I am armed with a whisk). I dare you! Well, apparently the threat of a time out doesn’t work with those who want to pay you!

June 1 rolls around and Sirius makes phone calls, and the only folks going are the GP’s. When Disney extended the date, another round of calls were made because all who turned down were due to financial reasons…as in we are too selfish with our drinking and smoking to budget money towards Disney. I won’t say that these in-laws are spoiled, but there are two types in the family: givers and takers. Enough said. But still, how did we end up with two trips?

 

[MomPlanner22]

If you are leaving in 16 hours, you better hurry up and get this pre-trip part done, girly girl!!!!!

 

[__disneygirl]

Wow you are lucky!

Have a magical trip.. can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[sorul82?]

Dear Sweet MIL is the grand manipulator. First let me point out a few good things: she doesn’t drink or smoke, and there is a good chance we will never need to post bail for her. However, she does her best to twist, plot, scheme, and manipulate to get her way. Now the two cousins enter the picture. MIL feels that the two cousins should receive the same things that my children get. I’m all for helping out, but I am not madame money bags, and they have two perfectly capable parents who could provide if they wanted to. MIL expects everyone to chip in for the cousins. Why can’t their sorry sack o’crap father get off his lazy butt and get a job? I don’t mean to sound so ugly (hateful), but again, takers and givers….we have given plenty. Like several Christmas’ ago, BIL was assigned bread. Did he show up with bread? No, he didn’t “have” the money, he says as he pulls a cigarette out of the box. You can’t sacrifice one pack of smokes for a 99 cent pack of brown and serve rolls? Honestly! I also want to point out that all of the bad folks are not just on the hubby’s side; my side has its share, but they aren’t looking for a handout.

Where were we? Oh yes, our trip was all set for 9/14-9/19. MIL really wants the cousins to be able to go, but their mother won’t let them miss school, and it would be too pricey to get them here from Wisconsin. MIL really wishes we could change the dates of the trip since cousins are here for the summer. MIL, big sigh, “poor unfortunate cousins, never get to do anything, and don’t get to spend any time getting to know their cousins. I just wish there was a way you could go before they go back to Wisconsin. Family is so important and blah blah blah. I always had such a good time with my cousins, blah blah, blah.” I’m sure she said more, but after a while, all I heard were the Charlie Brown adult voices: whaun whaun, whaun whaun whaun. Not sure how to spell it, but you get the picture. The only two reasons we were going in Sept was for Felony and Mr. Clean’s (I will introduce the cast soon) b-day and cooler weather. I was also having a little hesitation about them missing four days of school. I’d like to point out that I have nothing against the cousins. My problem is that MIL is always trying to “dump” them off on us just like she used to do with the youngest BIL when he was 8. MIL: Big Sigh, “Jon is so depressed, he wants to spend time with family. Can he come to your house for the weekend to cheer him up?” Why couldn’t she just say, “hey I want to go to Atlantic City for the weekend, can you keep Jon?” I would have responded better to that. When the niece, Denise, was 18 mo, MIL had temp custody. MIL was always trying to “dump” Denise on us. Why not just say, can she come over while I go out to dinner? It’s hard to explain without me sounding cold hearted. I will try to explain more later, but for now I am running short in time!

Somewhere around the beginning of July, Sirius and I have the following conversation:

Me: Do you want to change the dates to accommodate you brother’s children?
Sirius: I guess.
Me: But I really wanted to celebrate the twins birthday at Disney. (We had also found out about Millionaire closing, which we did not do in March, but were planning in Sept and LMA is to be closed our exact dates in Sept. We had jokingly discussed going for a weekend in August just for Millionaire and LMA, and we almost purchased DVC in July) I hope I didn’t lose anyone there.
Sirius: If you want to go in Aug and Sept, it will cost you. (no need to go into details)
Me: Well, I am working (I have been doing temp jobs), so we can afford it. Plus we can buy AP’s so no ticket expense for Sept and March ’07 trip. (Fuzzy Disney Math. FDM) All we have to pay for in Sept is room and food.
Sirius: I guess, but it will cost you.

I think I just made a deal with the devil.

 

[TwinkieMama]

I love the fuzzy Disney math... someone (maybe last year) posted a hilarious post about "Disney Math".... his wife and kids were going to drive down and stay off site for a quick trip... but then came free dining and the sister-in-law and her kids and the cost savings of a 7 day ticket vs a 4 day.... you know the drill... only at Disney is it a better deal to spend 6K than 2K....

anyway back to you.... love the Disney math, the deal with the devil (I bet you can buy your way out with some new bling for his lanyard)... and the picture of you, whisk in hand threatening potential employers while cooking dinner, doing the laundry, organizing a carpool and being room mother to 2 kindergartens.....

I think meiosis is right because your first trip is now 4 trips (Mar 06, Aug 06, Sept 06 and Mar 07)..... but I am still confused about how you got the Aug and Sept dates and who is going when......

tell us more! the car is already loaded right?

 

[MyTalula]

Oh this is going to be good I can tell... I have MANY manipulator-in-laws, they're actually professional manipulators, I think they give lessons.

Ready and waiting on the rest of your story!

 

[scrap4u]

Great pre-trippie! It's already starting off as good or as better as the Horse with no Name report! Can't wait for you to get back and tell us all about it!

 

[sorul82?]

With a wave of my magic wand, the following happened:

I strike a deal with Sirius, and we give the GP's a call about splitting the cost for the cousins.

I had also confirmed with Disney that space was available, and could we add guests. Disney says yes, you can add guests, but they must get free dining as well. Ok, twist my arm!

Sirius calls his GP's to ask about splitting the cost. GP's agree to pay for both cousins, but only if MIL goes as well, so they don't get "stuck" watching the cousins....and MIL has to get them down there.

When I tell my mom that the cousins are going, she asks, "Am I going to get stuck watching them?"

All of the sudden, MIL asks if BIL can go.
Me: Where is he going to sleep? He's not sleeping in my room, not in a room with my mom, and not with GP's. And how is he paying?
MIL: I'm paying for him.
Me to Sirius: How is it she has money to pay for herself and BIL, but expects everyone else to pay for the cousins?
Sirius: I don't know.

My mom decides that August is going to be too hot, aka, I won't go because these people are crowding me out. So now the September vacation for the six of us has metamorphed into an August trip with 11. Still with me? Here is the quick version of the cast:

Me, 35, obsessive compulsive Disney planner
DH, 33, Sirius Lee Askew
DS9, 9, Deep Space 9
DD, 6, Felony
DS, 6, Mr. Clean

Grandpa, 82
Grandma, 78
MIL, 50 something
BIL, 32
DN, 8, Denise (the niece)
DN, 6, Denefew (the Nephew)

 

[sorul82?]

Like the good law abiding DISer that I am, I had already made all of my ADR’s for September, planned out our days, etc. Now, I had to make a mad scramble to change our ressie which was booked through AAA, so that was an ordeal. I was working full time, therefore I only had a certain window for phone calls. I ended up having to fire my AAA agent and got the ressie released to me, which I have to explain every time I call Disney because I still have an AAA ressie number. See the big hairy twin here? Now, I have to make more ADR’s for 11 people. UGG! I have put so much time and energy into trying to coordinate the details for 11 people, that I sometimes forget that we are going in September, to celebrate a birthday, which I haven’t ordered cakes for. How is this even possible? Well, there seems to be daily drama involved with the out-laws. The mother in Wisconsin likes to stir up trouble. It was just last night that she finally agreed to let her kids go. First she said yes, then no, then yes, then Denise got sick. Psycho mom said Da Nephew can go but not Denise. I’m really getting tired of the drama and really wish she would grow up. BIL just fuels her saying, “I’ll take my kids where I want!” FOR THE LOVE OF PETE’S SAKE!

At one time, I was excited about our upcoming trip. I had premature trip-elation! Please, everyone, send me some pixie dust! I hope that once we get in the World, that everyone will take a good whiff, relax, and feel the magic. I am one drink away from a nervous breakdown!

Assuming I am not behind bars, we will be heading south about 3:00 AM tomorrow. The last load of laundry is in the machine, dishwasher loaded, children clean, clean sheets on the beds, sandwiches made, car not loaded. Don't tell Sirius that I have been all domesticky. He might get some crazy idea about buying and ironing board which would necessitate the need for an iron. Such unplanned expenditures would take money away from Disney...and I might need that money for a few stiff drinks. Look out World, here we come, wrinkled clothes and all! In 12 hours, the 2006 Summer Sanitarium Tour will begin!

 

[TwinkieMama]

I am with you but I think I need one of those family charts to keep track of the cast......

oh wait you just posted again and now I understand all the drama....
great ending to the pretrip and beginning of the trip report....

 

[MomPlanner22]

Since you're driving, you may just want to stash yourself a bottle in the back (or the Prozac IV drip if you can swing it). I rarely drink but there are sometimes you just have to face facts, "There is only one way to get through this, and it's not sober!"

If all else fails, stick your fingers in your ears and sing "It's a Small World."

We will be eagerly awaiting your return and updates! Travel safe!

 

[momoftriplets]

OMG!!!!! I couldn't imagine traveling with all that drama. Are you all riding down together???? LOTS of pixie dust for you! I have thought it would be fun to do a "Grand Gathering" of lots of family members. Then I slap myself back to reality & come to the conclusion I would end up on heavy-duty meds if I did that. Soooooo, it's just the 5 of us that go.

Have a safe trip. Can't wait to read this report!
Barb

 

[princesslibby]

Since you're driving, you may just want to stash yourself a bottle in the back (or the Prozac IV drip if you can swing it). I rarely drink but there are sometimes you just have to face facts, "There is only one way to get through this, and it's not sober!"

If all else fails, stick your fingers in your ears and sing "It's a Small World."

We will be eagerly awaiting your return and updates! Travel safe!

OMG I just about PMP! I'm still .

 

[princesslibby]

Slate this is for you:

You can do it!

Don't let them make you

Be careful on the drive down and back.

Here's a and another one

It's alright to have a : or two...


And some . Have a great trip. We'll be thinking of you.

 

[musicmama]

Our family group does not travel together anymore - there used to be a max of 20 (my parents, me/DH & DD, Sister/BIL & 4 kids, Brother/SIL & 2 kids, Sister/BIL & 2 kids) but it became too much trouble. I still remember the insanity.......

Have a safe and fun trip. Hide the Prozac and don't share.
Take lots of notes for your real trip report.

 

[UtahMama]

Oh you POOR dear! I was just going to post the cute smilie poem princesslibby wrote but she beat me to it (just kidding, I'm not that creative!)

Yes, you can partake in (alot) of alcohol for medicinal purposes. Mixes well with antidepressants I hear!
Shoot, I think I need a drink for medicinal purposes!!! I am a stress case FOR YOU! (that should make the Top 10 Reason's list!)

I cant even stand the drama of going camping every year for father's day with DH's family! It is just undescribable the horror! I'm all about Family Fun as long as it's with a sane family (mine in California is at least semi-sane)!

Slate and Sirius, we are thinking of you! Try as hard as you can to make lemonade with your station-wagon load of lemons!!! Pixie dust and prayers for you guys!

It's GOOD not to be you right now