Princess Phoebe's Pre-WISH-Trip Report (arriving in MK 4/17/10)

[TokyoDina]

Oh cool! I'm glad everything is working out!

As Shardai suggested I've heard great things about the Tusker House. I'm going there when we go. I wanted to try out some African food and I heard it's mostly veggie which is great for me!

Hey let me know the next time you go to Maedra...I've never been. I've only done Sabino Canyon which is a long freaking drive for us! And I've been to Colossal Cave. I keep meaning to go to Saguaro but I haven't gotten around to it...where is Maedra closer to your side of town? I live only like 5 miles from Colossal Cave. I can almost throw at rock and hit that place!

 

[that's nice]

Hey!

I'm subbing so I can go back and read everything! You are getting close!!! Only a few months away.

I'll be back later- I have to go to a tea party with Juliana, Cinderella, bears, and dogs right now!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Hi Tim!

Thanks everyone for helping me figure out the logistics of all this.

Since this won't let me quote what was quoted inside my quote (huh?) I'm not quoting anyone.

US Mardi Gras - If the orientation is any later than 7 there is no way we would use a ticket to go that night. We COULD however, just go to the Citywalk and walk around since the musicians and street performers are going to be there after 10. Not using a ticket that night would also make it easier for me to play it by ear. If the kids are too tired from traveling, we don't go. If they get tired after 30 mins of being there, no big deal.

GKTW Tea Party - thank you so much for the head's up on getting ressies for this. I'm really surprised that many people do it since it's midday. Also, is Double Dare the same as Family Game Night? Haven't seen that term before.

I'm still kinda split on the Tusker House vs Boma idea. Maybe I will make a lunch res for TH and a dinner res for Boma and see how far we get that day. Neither one of those is a pre-paid or deposit res. so I think we can cancel that day no problem. Or at least until I can make up my mind....

 

[yinyanggirls]

Totally random....

If anyone wants to see where I live there is a new series on Nat Geo channel called Border Wars on Monday nights. Our neighborhood is full of people associated with the Border. We have Border Patrol Agents, Customs Officers, Air Force (the Border Patrol sector and air patrol vehicles are at Davis-Monthan AFB), several Law Enforcement agencies (all of whom deal with smugglers on a regular basis), we have a neighbor who works for Boeing or someone like that, but he designs the technology they use on the border, and even a new neighbor who works in construction told me they moved here for a new job building a permanent check point, just north of the border. It seems almost everyone here has some connection to the border. Illegal immigrants are a very common sight here. Just last weekend, while walking the girls to the park, a train went by and we saw a handful riding the train north. There is a "stash house" discovered, or a smuggler shooting, or a packed load vehicle collision on the interstate almost every week.

Well, last night the action wasn't just on the highway, or in the neighborhood, it was in our backyard!!! I hear the helicopter flying overhead. The only helicopter around here is the CBP. My friend whose DH is an agent calls me to say he just called her to say "lock the doors, stay inside, there's a pursuit in our neighborhood". As soon as I hang up the phone with her, and start locking the doors, I notice the spotlight is lighting up my backyard, across to some neighbors, back to mine, across and back, across and back. I'm getting pretty nervous at this point. I turned on the porch light and let the dog out. (She's a dobie/shephard mix and has a great bark, and also freaks out when she sees a neighbors head over the wall, so I knew she'd make plenty of noise if there was someone in or close to our yard). A few minutes later the helicopter leaves. I'm calling my neighbors and telling them to turn on porch lights also. I notice a stick in the house. This is not unusual with my 4 yr old explorer. Sticks, rocks, feathers, seeds, leaves...I want to chuck it outside but I check out the window first should there be someone hiding on my porch. No one there, but I do see a BP truck driving down my street, slowly. We live on a cul de sac so I knew that he'd be turning around and passing by again. I decided to go out and talk to him. I told him that there are some empty houses (new construction) just a couple streets over. He said they last saw the group in between my street and the one behind us, meaning they were jumping over fences and into yards. I told him I had the light on and the dog out and he said good call, and they were hoping dogs barking would lead them in. Then the kids snuck out behind me so I had to cut off the conversation to run them back inside. I don't know if they caught anyone or not. It made me pretty nervous because, as I mentioned, we are all used to seeing illegals walking through. If it were just a couple of people I don't think they would have called for air support. They were either packers (drug mules, usually armed) or they were coyotes (human smugglers, also armed) leading a very large group. The illegals don't worry too much about being caught because they are voluntarily returned to Mexico and they just try again the next day. The smugglers have more to lose, especially if they have previous records, which they often do. Phoebe's helper was here last night so I walked her out to her car when she left but by that point it was quiet. I am going to call a couple of people today to try and find out what they were after and if they got caught.

So, yeah. Look for my dog on next week's episode of Border Wars on Nat Geo.

 

[maroo]

whoa!

That sounds a bit too much like the TV show 24.

That is a fun show to watch...but to live through!?!?

Bless you! I am glad you guys are ok and sorry you guys have to deal with that.

I think the TH/Boma ressie is a good idea. You can decide fairly last minute and cancel and then they can take a walk-up instead of you guys.

 

[dawnbu40]

Oh my gosh! So glad you guys are ok! That has to get scary!

Making lunch and dinner adrs sounds good since it gives you some flexibility to choose!

 

[Momofwishkid]

A bit of excitment huh! I have to admit I get a thrill out of it. Our street has been on lockdown a few times in the last couple months. Helicopters and police dogs everywhere. Still dont know what they were about but it's kind of exciting. Although when it's all over then I start thinking we need to MOVE!! It's really not a bad neighborhood but we have a new casino and it has brought a lot of bad people around.
Glad you are all OK.

 

[kellyw8863]

As long as I'm in an updating mood, I'll do one more quick one before I sign off. My grandmother is doing "well" meaning, no worse, but still in the hospital. They told my mom that they may not release her to return home and that she needed to look at skilled nursing facilities. I actually kind of hope that they do this, because my mom is wearing herself to the bone. The places they looked at are all good, and most are close to my parents home so they can still spend plenty of time with her. My grandfather would be left out, because it's not assisted living, it's skilled nursing. So that would stink. There's no easy answer but I know my mom can't keep going the way she has this past year. Anyway, just wanted to update on that. 'Night everyone!

I'm glad that your grandmother is stable, but I wish you all didn't have such difficult decisions to make. My mom took care of an elderly aunt for several years, and I don't think anyone realized the toll it took on her until we finally had to put my aunt into a nursing home (she just wasn't safe at my mom's anymore). I hope that it is settled soon so that you all can adjust as needed.

Oh you guys are giving me some great ideas!!! I'm so glad I have you as a resource! I'm going to come back and reply to some of these ideas in a bit but first, I heard back from the Wish granter today. She left me a message that said "Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. We have some trips that are being delayed and I wanted to make sure yours wasn't one of them. (?!?!?!?) It's not. What I show is you're going from the 17th through the 24th, and you're going to extend on your own through the 30th.". Something about the way she said it made me call her right back and clarify. I was really afraid of annoying her by asking yet again to clarify, but I just had to make sure. I called her and said "Those are the dates coming from them, not me, right?" She said yes. I reminded her that we never requested the GKTW dates specifically, we requested the whole thing at once, including our extension. I told her about my "chat room" where I am getting info and ideas for the trip and that I know every chapter does things a little differently but..." she interjected, "no not really". So I explained that "I've read some people got a limo to the airport others drive themselves and that others going the same week were leaving after 6 days, not 7". She got quiet for a sec, put me on hold so she could call the office back. Came back on the line a minute or two later and said, "It's the 23rd". I wanted to laugh, then shake her a little, then laugh some more, but instead I held it together and attempted to be gracious and said "Thank you so much for TRIPLE checking". She ended the conversation saying "You're good to go, everything's booked. When it gets closer he'll give me the info". I really wanted to say, "WHEN can I have the info?????" but I decided to let it go for now. I had a feeling she was only saying that to reassure me things are okay, since she just got our dates wrong and I had to be the one to make her discover it! Another save by the DISboards!!!

Phew! I'm so glad that you finally talked to MAW and received some confirmation. All this planning stuff is really quite stressful, isn't it?! It's definitely a lesson in diplomacy. I do love your trip itinerary. I think some of our plans will overlap, and I'm sure we will see you around GKTW. I think it would be fabulous to get Ali and Tessa together, and I bet Maya would really enjoy Phoebe, though she'll want to style Phoebe's hair for her. She just loves long hair.

That's crazy about the "action" in your backyard. I'm glad that everyone is safe!

 

[that's nice]

I'm all caught up. WHEW! There is a lot of info on this thread! I think everyone has given you great advice and you seem to have a great grasp on things.

-Did you finalize your ADRs yet?

-I remember reading your LGMH heist before! LOL You must of linked it to the Wish Trippers thread... or I just read it here.

-Congratulations on being part of the BIG GIVE! That is so awesome!

There was more I wanted to comment on... I can't remember now. It must be my old age. I'll be following along!

 

[pacrosby]

wow, Melissa that sounded scary!! I'd have been in the basement (although you probably don't have a basement). A couple of years ago an elderly man around the corner murdered his wife (apparently it was in the midst of a psychotic moment) and the area was swarming with police cars, helecopters overhead etc. It was freaky. I can't imagine having to potentially deal with all that on a regular basis.

I've been away for a couple of days so I have to go back and catch up!!




Pamela

Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607
Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" "http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

 

[StefaniLyn]

Just catching up on your PTR. Scary night you had there the other day! I love that show! I'll have to keep an eye out for your dog!

 

[yinyanggirls]

We have an additional cast member joining us for the extended portion of our trip. My best friend in the world, my "soul sister", Heather will be joining us for week two. DH and I talked about whether or not we should invite anyone to join us on our trip and to make a long story short we decided, NO. We would not invite anyone. We also decided that there were only a couple of people we'd get along with for a trip together (Heather being at the top of the list) but our family would be insulted if we didn't invite them, but did invite a friend, so back to no one being invited. Well, a few weeks ago Heather was talking about her vacation time for this year and when she should come visit us. Since we moved away from her she's been flying out to visit us once a year. She suggested joining us on part of the trip. I told her I wasn't sure what DH would think and would get back to her. I was actually the one with the doubts, but didn't want to admit it! I couldn't picture traveling with her, while never even inviting my parents, who have taken us on many wonderful trips. But I know my parents couldn't go this year so what's the big deal right? Right??? I was nervous about the idea, but DH reassured me that if I still feel weird about it, no one has to know. Except for everyone on the DIS!

So I called her back and said, come on along. She was thrilled!!! We are just like family to her and she's excited to have someone to vacation with. She has a mother that she tries to avoid (won't get into her family drama here) and a sister in CA who refuses to fly, so she visits her one week every year but that's it. No other close family, unless you count me. I referred to her as my "soul sister" and I meant it. We've been besties since 1992, longer than I've been with DH (94) and I can honestly say I wish she was my sister. I'd be willing to trade. She has my kids listed right along with her niece and nephew as her beneficiaries. After a divorce in 2003 she came to TX to live with us because her "baby" (a Rottweiler named Josie) was being turned down by apartment complexes in CA. She had to sell their house as part of the divorce. We had a one story with a game room upstairs that she could use. So she packed up her truck and left CA behind. She lived with us for about 2 years. She's familiar with Phoebe and her needs, and was there when Tessa was "delivered" to us. It was a good situation for all of us because she wasn't sure what she wanted to do with her life and this gave her time to try a few different jobs, without the pressure of a mortgage. We benefited from a little extra money for the mortgage as well as an adult to help save my sanity. Tim was working tons of OT for the Sheriff's Dept then and I hardly saw him. The two of them get along fine, kinda like brother and sister. They can tease each other, yell at each other, or hang out. They're comfortable with each other. We've all been in situations before where we got on each others' nerves and we figured out how to work it out and move on so I know we can survive a week on vacation. She also readily offered to stay in the hotel with the girls if we wanted to have a night out. So we just might have to take her up on that one night.

So here is "auntie" Heather, 41 yr old friend, former housemate and virtual sister:

While visiting AZ last May.

I'm excited to have her along and also nervous about one more opinion in the mix.

 

[yinyanggirls]

On my trip down memory lane, I thought I'd add that Heather and I met while she was training me to become a manager at a Frozen Yogurt shop in CA. We worked at different locations owned by the same guy. She moved on to a "grown up" job and encouraged me to follow, which I did. Later, she worked for my dad at the same time that DH worked there as GM. I forgot DH has been her boss. When I got married she was one of my bridesmaids, of course. I found some pics I just couldn't resist sharing.

Working at the yogurt shop (around '94) She'd kill me if she knew I shared this one. Not too flattering of either of us, but I love it because we've both changed so much!

Following a 10 month old Tessa around our house in TX (right before she learned to walk and my life changed forever!) (2006)

At our goodbye dinner before we moved to AZ in 06. (That's DH she's jabbing and I'm sure he deserved it! )

 

[Momofwishkid]

How exciting to have your BFF along for the ride. I know your thrilled as I would be too. And the opportunity for a night out with DH.

 

[dawnbu40]

for your friend coming along! You are all going to have such a wonderful time!

 

[StefaniLyn]

it's great that your friend will be able to join you on your second week of vacation! She sounds like an amazing friend!

 

[maroo]

Oh, that is so cool!!! You guys are going to have a blast!!

 

[MaryAz]

I was really behind. Great updates. Like I previously said the time difference works to advantage. I even start pushing it back here a few weeks before we go. If they get tired like you said you can always go back. We are eating at Tusker House this time around.

 

[kayrosek]

I think it's wonderful that your freind will be joining you. There are a couple freinds I would love to have join us on vacation. Have you figured out what your doing that second week?

 

[pacrosby]

on the friend!!! You know you could always tell dh to stay in with the kids and you and bff could go out on the town




Pamela
Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607
Matty's Wish Trip PTR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739