Recovering Commando's Christmas- 14 Texans Grand Gathering @ WL

[MadilynnsMomma]

AHHH!!! I love your Supercali shirt!!!!!!!

 

[nic100308]

LOL, you know the funny thing is that I saw your shirts on hangers and I instanly thought of my shirts. When I was trying to take pictures of my shirts I had the hardest time, couldn't get them the lay right on the back of the couch, them the light wasn't right when I was looking down on them. And then I saw your shirts on the hangers and said, duh of course hangers. LOL, that's my silly OCD thinking, but I also think it's funny that you were the one to make me realize that.

I love Will's Mickey Pirate shirt, super cute!!! And I really like you Mary Poppins shirt. I should really go see it, it's been awhile since I've been to a show and then for awhile I couldn't decide which one to go see.

Anyway, I really like the autograph book. What do the pages look like? And how did you get the binding on!?!? I've decided to purchase one, but I do have some custom stickers I made to make it a little fancier. More of that to come on my PTR.

Happy planning, can't wait to read and see more!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

AHHH!!! I love your Supercali shirt!!!!!!!

Thanks- my sis saw it on Broadway and bought the shirt. so when we saw it in Dallas, my other sis and I bought it too- so the three of us can match!

LOL, you know the funny thing is that I saw your shirts on hangers and I instanly thought of my shirts. When I was trying to take pictures of my shirts I had the hardest time, couldn't get them the lay right on the back of the couch, them the light wasn't right when I was looking down on them. And then I saw your shirts on the hangers and said, duh of course hangers. LOL, that's my silly OCD thinking, but I also think it's funny that you were the one to make me realize that.

I love Will's Mickey Pirate shirt, super cute!!! And I really like you Mary Poppins shirt. I should really go see it, it's been awhile since I've been to a show and then for awhile I couldn't decide which one to go see.

Anyway, I really like the autograph book. What do the pages look like? And how did you get the binding on!?!? I've decided to purchase one, but I do have some custom stickers I made to make it a little fancier. More of that to come on my PTR.

Happy planning, can't wait to read and see more!!!

lol on the hangers- i didn't really even plan it that way, i was just in a hurry and laid them while still on hangers on the bed. I am super OCD too, but having a toddler and little time has sort of made my OCD take a back seat sometimeS!

on the autograph book- i'll take some pics of inside pages this weekend. My cousin does all the scrapbooking and cricut stuff and had a binding machine of her own she uses for crafts. So we used hers- it cuts the holes and does the binding- we just bought the spiral binding and used her machine to do it all. however, you can also just do pages and take them to an office store or kinkos and they can bind them for you too (not sure how much $$ though). lots of people just print out pages with clipart instead of doing stickers too- there is lots of great clip art out there. I happened to have a lot of stickers already (and we bought a lot more), so we used those, since we like to scrapbook.

And I sent Will to day care in his new mickey pirate shirt! His teachers once asked me- do you guys really like disney or something? i guess i was having him wear too many disney shirts!

 

[exwdwcm]

DAY 7- Thursday, December 17
7:15am Meet in lobby- head to GF
8:05am Brkfst- 1900 Park Fare character GF
10am drive to TTC, to MK
2pm break for naps/swim
5:15pm meet in lobby for boat to Ft Wild.
7:15pm Dinner- Hoop Dee Doo Revue
9:15pm back to WL by boat

So here is Day 7. The vacation is already going by so fast in my head and I haven't even left yet!

Today, most of us are doing breakfast at 1900 park fare, I think we (DH, DS and I) might pass on it, it isn't my favorite meal and it is EMH at the MK that day at 8am. So i think my immediate family will head to the MK for EMH, unless we've already seen most of what we want, then we would consider breakfast. They have the ressie for all of us. We will play that one by ear- we are not big breakfast nuts or anything.

the rest of the crew will do breakfast (take the van) and meet us at MK for a few hours before we break at about 2pm or so. Then at 5 or so, we will head over to Fort Wilderness. I haven't decided if we should drive over or take the boat- any recommendations? We've driven before, but i know you have to park up front and take the bus back to Pionner hall. That is sort of a pain, although it might be fun to see some of the campground christmas lights too. We are heading over early so we can explore a bit, check out the gift shop and just enjoy some time over near Pioneer Hall.

We did get the best seating package available, so first floor for hoop dee Doo. we have the 7:15 show time. We love this show- it is always a favorite for my parents and all the family. On our last fam vacay in Dec 2005, my sister Mandy was chosen to participate in the show! She is a dancer anyhow, so it was perfect! We love the food and the all you can drink sangria and beer! Our table last time was the big round one that is front and center, it can't get any better than that. After the show, we are just heading back to call it a night! This is sort of an easy day with not a lot of park time, which is why I am considering skipping breakfast, to get in more park time if we need it! Plus, i love EMH and the low crowds it offers.

here are some pics of my sister in the show last time!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Love the shirts! Will's is so adorable!! Day 7 looks great! I wanted to try Hoop Dee Doo this trip, but it didn't fit in anywhere...so next time!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

Love the shirts! Will's is so adorable!! Day 7 looks great! I wanted to try Hoop Dee Doo this trip, but it didn't fit in anywhere...so next time!!!

yeah, it is hard to fit it in since it is a 2 hour show, plus travel time!
It was a must for us though, my parents favorite!

so here are some more recent updates and to-do's:

1. need to place garden grocer order for grocery delivery
2. need to ship advance package with holiday decorations
3. need to secure and book babysitting services for our drink around the world night!
4. need to order christmas cards and get them ready to go now since we are gone 12/10-12/20!
5. buy another memory card for camera
6. buy another cup holder and snack holder for stroller
7. buy new tennis shoes for DH and I!
8. read up on guest assistance card for mom (for shows to sit up front closer to see)

I did get some things accomplished!

1. got the dogs vaccinated this weekend, so they are ready to be boarded
2. got the kennel reserved
3. key ring itinerary done- thanks to Mom! (see pic below)

I can't believe it is only 4 more weeks until the trip. this trip has been 2 years in the making and we booked it at 500 days out (earliest WDW will allow you), so it is crazy it is almost here. We are so excited, we can't describe it. I think mom is most excited of all and she really needs this vacation and break. We've had some more family changes recently that have made life a little rougher:

• My uncle (mom's brother and only sibling) has pancreatic cancer and has fought the good fight for over 6-8 months now. He now has been diagnosed with lung cancer as well. Pair those two things with his obesity and it is not good. My parents went down to galveston to visit them this weekend, i should hear a report from mom later today. I hope to see him in January for his granddaughter's quincinera (Alice in wonderland themed!).
• Dad was having some foot/back pain. He is now diagnosed as pre-diabetic and having to check is sugars for the next month before/after each meal. No insulin or anything yet, they want to see how this month goes first. He also has a bone spur in his vertabrae that is shooting pain down to his feet. He is seeing my mom's neuro-surgeon to discuss treatment and possibly surgery. He is in physical therapy until the trip to help the pain.
• Mom's vision has not improved. Her last checkup showed only minimal and neglible improvement. Very disappointing to say the least- she still can't drive obviously. She gets by, but I know it is hard. Think about how hard it is- to go from good vision to nearly blind- no reading books, no reading magazines, the paper, the computer. She can read some on the computer, but it has to be big font and not for long. She can watch tv, but it isn't clear or sharp obviously and she gets headaches if she watches too long. consider that she is retired, and that makes it hard to spend your days without being able to read or watch tv for long. She is keeping her chin up, but we know it is very frustrating and hard for her.

so we've been thrown a few curve balls lately and aren't sure how my dad's health will affect the trip. We might have to consider getting him a scooter some days if his feet hurt. Plus mom might need a wheelchair in the afternoons or on long days too. So look out for the wheelchair, scooter and 3 strollers! we are coming through! The good news is we have this trip to keep us excited and give us something to look forward to!

now here are some of the requested pics of the inside pages of the atuograph book and the key chain laminated itinerary my mom made for each of us- it is notecard size. Has our daily plan, what time we meet in the am, meals and ADR #s.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I am loving your PTR!!! Nothing beats the Macic of Disney in December, espescially at WL!!! I can't wait to read more!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Sorry to hear about your recent curveballs, Disney will be here soon!

Thanks for sharing some of the inside pages to the autograph book!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Sorry about the family! Hope things turn around for you!!

 

[nic100308]

I'm so sorry to hear things are a little rough. No worries, I have consulted the Magic 8 Ball and it has foretasted some Pixie Dust in your future!!

I love the custom pages in the autograph book!! I've been brainstorming and thinking maybe I need to have two autograph books. One to keep and one to use the signatures in my scrap book. Of course the one I take apart will be an home made inexpensive one. LOL I keep adding more projects to my list, so that may not happen.

I love lists, I think mainly because I like to be able to cross things off them!! You seem to be pretty organized and on the right track.

I can't believe they still have the Hoop De Doo Review!!! We went to that show when I was 8, back in 1990!!! LOL my Dad still talks about it saying it was the best food he had at Disney!! It is a great show, though!!

 

[exwdwcm]

I am loving your PTR!!! Nothing beats the Macic of Disney in December, espescially at WL!!! I can't wait to read more!

thank you for reading a long!! We cannot wait for the WL!!! it is going to be so special and magical.

Sorry to hear about your recent curveballs, Disney will be here soon!

Thanks for sharing some of the inside pages to the autograph book!

you are so welcome!

Sorry about the family! Hope things turn around for you!!

thanks for the hugs guys!

I'm so sorry to hear things are a little rough. No worries, I have consulted the Magic 8 Ball and it has foretasted some Pixie Dust in your future!!

I love the custom pages in the autograph book!! I've been brainstorming and thinking maybe I need to have two autograph books. One to keep and one to use the signatures in my scrap book. Of course the one I take apart will be an home made inexpensive one. LOL I keep adding more projects to my list, so that may not happen.

I love lists, I think mainly because I like to be able to cross things off them!! You seem to be pretty organized and on the right track.

I can't believe they still have the Hoop De Doo Review!!! We went to that show when I was 8, back in 1990!!! LOL my Dad still talks about it saying it was the best food he had at Disney!! It is a great show, though!!

LOL- my sister actually did one for autographs and then made a book that she will use as a mini scrapbook for pics of certain rides or parks. there are some great attraction stickers out there- like haunted mansion and jungle cruise, so she decorated some pages with that and will just take family/kid pics on that ride or ask the CM to sign the book. it spreads a little magic to the CMs if you ask for their autograph too!

Yes, HDD is the longest running musical dinner show in the world I believe they say! We went as kids too in the 80s and have loved it ever since. love the all you can drink sangria and beer!

So it's been another busy week here at work. Plus my laptop is still out being serviced, so i am only sneaking online at work a few times a day. I hope my laptop is on my porch when i get home though- it says it should be fixed and delivered today!

so updates:

• our 'credentials' came for the Toy Story Mania party- it is a DIS lanyard with a 'badge' that has our name on it to get into the private party- cannot wait!!!
• Mom bought TSM for the Wii, so we can practice for the big party
• Got our cafe press order of our 'Dis-a-palozza' t-shirts- will see them tomorrow at mom's!
• also booked our babysitter with Kids Nite Out this week for our drinks around the world night- we are having them arrive by 4pm and stay until about midnight.

One last big update, we changed our mind on our rental van. We have a big 15 passenger van (think econoline) rented through National, almost $1500 for the 10 days. We considered renting a secondary mini van or car to have a second vehicle since we are splitting up for a lot of meals and prefer driving over disney transportation (just personal preference). Plus Mandy/Jeff arrive a day later than us, and need a car when they arrive to get from the airport (they get in at 10:30pm on 12/11).

so we decided it was cheaper to just rent 4 different vehicles and cancel the large van. This way we have lots of flexibility for different families to split up as needed, or we can just follow each other to the same park. So we got a midsize for DH, DS and I for $208 for the 10 days. Got my sister Mandy and her DH same thing for $186 or so (they have a day less). Then we are getting a full size car for my other sister, DH and her two kiddos (booster seats) and a standard SUV for my parents to use with my aunt, and 2 cousins. So there will be extra room in the mid size cars for people to switch around in as needed dependin on who is going where. Should work out a little better for us and ended up being less expensive to rent 4 cars vs the one large van! We are getting 2 mid size, 1 full size and 1 SUV for under $1100 all through National with Emerald Aisle, using a work contract ID for $20 savings on each and a $35 off coupon from mousesavers. pretty good! now all are happy.

This weekend I am putting up our christmas decorations. We are going to be gone Dec 10-20th, so we will miss a lot of time at home to enjoy them, so they are going up extra early this year!

oh and been fighting the usual response a lot lately......now that vacation is so close (27 days and 15 work days, but who's counting), people ask where I am going. I tell them Disney for 10 days and they look at me like I have 6 heads or say "Again?".

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

WOW! Great deal on the cars! I think this weekend I too will bring out the Christmas decor! Good call!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

thank you for reading a long!! We cannot wait for the WL!!! it is going to be so special and magical.


you are so welcome!
thanks for the hugs guys!

LOL- my sister actually did one for autographs and then made a book that she will use as a mini scrapbook for pics of certain rides or parks. there are some great attraction stickers out there- like haunted mansion and jungle cruise, so she decorated some pages with that and will just take family/kid pics on that ride or ask the CM to sign the book. it spreads a little magic to the CMs if you ask for their autograph too!

Yes, HDD is the longest running musical dinner show in the world I believe they say! We went as kids too in the 80s and have loved it ever since. love the all you can drink sangria and beer!

So it's been another busy week here at work. Plus my laptop is still out being serviced, so i am only sneaking online at work a few times a day. I hope my laptop is on my porch when i get home though- it says it should be fixed and delivered today!

so updates:

• our 'credentials' came for the Toy Story Mania party- it is a DIS lanyard with a 'badge' that has our name on it to get into the private party- cannot wait!!!
• Mom bought TSM for the Wii, so we can practice for the big party
• Got our cafe press order of our 'Dis-a-palozza' t-shirts- will see them tomorrow at mom's!
• also booked our babysitter with Kids Nite Out this week for our drinks around the world night- we are having them arrive by 4pm and stay until about midnight.

One last big update, we changed our mind on our rental van. We have a big 15 passenger van (think econoline) rented through National, almost $1500 for the 10 days. We considered renting a secondary mini van or car to have a second vehicle since we are splitting up for a lot of meals and prefer driving over disney transportation (just personal preference). Plus Mandy/Jeff arrive a day later than us, and need a car when they arrive to get from the airport (they get in at 10:30pm on 12/11).

so we decided it was cheaper to just rent 4 different vehicles and cancel the large van. This way we have lots of flexibility for different families to split up as needed, or we can just follow each other to the same park. So we got a midsize for DH, DS and I for $208 for the 10 days. Got my sister Mandy and her DH same thing for $186 or so (they have a day less). Then we are getting a full size car for my other sister, DH and her two kiddos (booster seats) and a standard SUV for my parents to use with my aunt, and 2 cousins. So there will be extra room in the mid size cars for people to switch around in as needed dependin on who is going where. Should work out a little better for us and ended up being less expensive to rent 4 cars vs the one large van! We are getting 2 mid size, 1 full size and 1 SUV for under $1100 all through National with Emerald Aisle, using a work contract ID for $20 savings on each and a $35 off coupon from mousesavers. pretty good! now all are happy.

This weekend I am putting up our christmas decorations. We are going to be gone Dec 10-20th, so we will miss a lot of time at home to enjoy them, so they are going up extra early this year!

oh and been fighting the usual response a lot lately......now that vacation is so close (27 days and 15 work days, but who's counting), people ask where I am going. I tell them Disney for 10 days and they look at me like I have 6 heads or say "Again?".

They have TSM for the Wii???? I think I need to get DS9 to put that on his Christmas list!

We are starting on our Christmas Decs too. DH scheduled our annual open house for 3 days after we get home, so I'd better have everything up before we go!

You got a great deal on the cars, and will have so much more flexibility that way!

23 days, and 13 work days here!!! (Not that I'm counting or anything!)

 

[nic100308]

19 days (well as of tomorrow but today is over so tomorrow counts!) and 11 works day!!! And I'm definitely counting!!

I wish I could put up my Christmas decorations. I'm chomping at the bit, and I feel the same way you do. But I am having Thanksgiving dinner and I think my guest will think I'm a complete nut. If I can sell DH on this then I'll do it, but he's relatively same so I don't think it's going to happen.

That is so crazy that it's cheaper to rent 4 different cars. SO glad it worked out for you and this will give you A LOT more flexibility.

PS-I have officially broken out the Christmas music!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

WOW! Great deal on the cars! I think this weekend I too will bring out the Christmas decor! Good call!

yeah for Christmas!!! you are getting so close to your trip, aren't you!!!

They have TSM for the Wii???? I think I need to get DS9 to put that on his Christmas list!

We are starting on our Christmas Decs too. DH scheduled our annual open house for 3 days after we get home, so I'd better have everything up before we go!

You got a great deal on the cars, and will have so much more flexibility that way!

23 days, and 13 work days here!!! (Not that I'm counting or anything!)

yeah, who's counting? Yes, TSM for the wii- it's been out a few months I think and is pretty popular! My sister played it and said it is a blast. I can't wait to try it out!

19 days (well as of tomorrow but today is over so tomorrow counts!) and 11 works day!!! And I'm definitely counting!!

I wish I could put up my Christmas decorations. I'm chomping at the bit, and I feel the same way you do. But I am having Thanksgiving dinner and I think my guest will think I'm a complete nut. If I can sell DH on this then I'll do it, but he's relatively same so I don't think it's going to happen.

That is so crazy that it's cheaper to rent 4 different cars. SO glad it worked out for you and this will give you A LOT more flexibility.

PS-I have officially broken out the Christmas music!!!

yeah, my family is so into Christmas, that they don't care or think i am crazy. I am hosting Thanksgiving at my place, and while it is odd to not have pumpkins out, but Christmas stuff instead, it is still fun and festive!

Well we are at 22 days tomorrow! And only 11.5 days (I think we get 1/2 day on next wed) of work. Actually my work situation is a little up in the air right now. I do not like my job and haven't for a while. I've been here about 14 months now. Lots of drama, no communication and lots of challenges. I am a Marketing Director for a medical company. Anyhow- I had started looking a while back, but stopped.

My old boss and friend just started a new job at our old company. They reorganized and she got a great new job back there again with a higher division, better title and more money. I was hoping she could bring me on board- i'd love to go back into defense. Anyhow, she just started yesterday, so i am waiting to hear if she thinks she can hire me or not and if so, how soon- it could be a 6 month thing. Who knows. So last week, I also got a call randomly for a job I applied for almost 2 months ago- the person they hired for it ended up calling hte day before she started and quit. So they are desperate to fill the position and called me since they still had my resume on file. I interviewed yesterday. It went great and is a good opportunity at a solid, stable and growing company with excellent structure in place. I just need more structure- this family business just isn't for me (late paychecks etc.). So I am hoping to hear by end of week something from them.

so yesterday am- my boss calls me in his office and asks if I am looking for another job. I was shocked, not sure how he knew. Regardless, it was almost a relief, but also awkward. I was honest. He said we would try and hire a replacement for me (I am writing the job rec, we have no HR! lol) and if i get another job before the vacation on 12/10, then great, move on. If not, then we will chat again right before vacation and talk about another plan- either go part time or continue to transition if they haven't found someone yet. It will all depend.

so i am in limbo-
.....waiting to hear if i got the job i interviewed for yesterday
.....or if my old boss might have a job for me
......and not knowing if i will have a job here (or only pt, beyond my vacation)

so definitely a little stressful, i just want to KNOW! we are good financially, but still......i jsut want to have some resolution.

so that is my latest news! The new job does know i am going on vacation 12/10-12/20. He seemed to think it would not be a problem and even mentioned me possibly starting there before i leave for WDW!! so we will see- wish me luck.

other than that- we've received more goodies from the mouse- our final paperwork and luggage tags etc. I also got my Christmas cards ordered today, so i can get those out. I need to place our garden grocer order this week too.

So that is all new in the world of me!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Phew... job drama! I will be thinking good thoughts for you! We're at 19 days out today, TEENS!!! I am sure everything will fall into place perfectly for you

 

[nic100308]

Awww good luck and sorry for the job drama. I have been there too, and been playing the waiting game too!! And I've done the working for private, working for corporate, and now I'll be working for the government, so I've run the gambit. Anyway, I too am sort of up in the air, I could start right after Disney or I could start January 1. I would rather start after the new year, I would sort of like those two weeks to get myself together and get ready for the holiday. We'll see!! That's all I can say to myself, just hang in there, focus on everything else, and it will fall into place.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Sorry for the job issues! I hope you get something at one of the other two!

Just keep saying that it will soon be time to ship off to the Happiest Place on Earth!

The cars worked out great for you guys! A savings and a bit more convenience!

 

[exwdwcm]

Phew... job drama! I will be thinking good thoughts for you! We're at 19 days out today, TEENS!!! I am sure everything will fall into place perfectly for you

17 days today!

Awww good luck and sorry for the job drama. I have been there too, and been playing the waiting game too!! And I've done the working for private, working for corporate, and now I'll be working for the government, so I've run the gambit. Anyway, I too am sort of up in the air, I could start right after Disney or I could start January 1. I would rather start after the new year, I would sort of like those two weeks to get myself together and get ready for the holiday. We'll see!! That's all I can say to myself, just hang in there, focus on everything else, and it will fall into place.

so here is hoping you get to start after the new year. any news? what are you doing for the govt? the job wit my old boss in in defense, where i worked for 5 years and loved it.

well my waiting game just got a bit more complicated. talked to my old boss friday night, the one i really want to work for. Before she started last week, the compnay offered a marketing position to an employee in PA, that works for a division (i used to work for) that is shutting down 12/15. They offered her the job IF she moves to FL. If she doesn't take it, then I basically get that job. So i have to wait and see what she does- we are hoping she will know by Christmas (waiting to see if her cop hubby can transfer his seniority to another dept from PA to FL). the chances are slim. so i am hoping she does NOT take it, so I can take that job. But again- i am waiting on someone else.

in the meantime, if the other company that i interviewed with last week offers me the job- what do i do? I much rather want to work wtih my old boss again 100x over this job. So I think i might have to say no if they offer it to me soon. BUT....i am hoping they take a while to let me know, that way i have more time to hear back from the old boss and really have all the info before I make my decision.

so still more waiting. very frustrating. and I still don't know what they will do with me at my current job. We agreed to talk again the week of 12/7, since i leave on 12/10. They haven't even posted up my job yet, so no replacement for me in sight. I figure maybe they will want me to stay trhough end of year. We will see. But i don't even know if I will have a job here after my vacation- i have to wait and see what else happens with the other two jobs before I speak to my current boss here. what a mess.

Sorry for the job issues! I hope you get something at one of the other two!

Just keep saying that it will soon be time to ship off to the Happiest Place on Earth!

The cars worked out great for you guys! A savings and a bit more convenience!

yes, i keep trying to focus on vacation. i just wish i knew something before i leave, that would make the vacation more enjoyable.

no matter what happens, i am guessing i will NOT be paid for my vacation though. EVEN if my current job lets me stay through end of year, i am guessing they won't want to pay me for my vacation, knowing I am leaving and I haven't 'earned' or accrued all the time just yet- you usually earn a week after 6months and it has only been 2 months. so i would have been taking my vacation time 'in advance'. ugh! it just messes wiht my budget. We have tons of savings and will be fine, but DH doesn't like me touching our savings. We are good for disney too- we have over $650 disney dollars and over $150 on a disney rewards card, plus some cash. Everything is paid in full, except snacks and souvies.

 

[exwdwcm]

so here is another quick update- i've done most of my christmas cards now and also placed our garden grocer order and rented our SUV for my parents. So now we have 4 cars rented with National- an SUV for my parents/aunt and cousin, an SUV for my sister and her family and then a mid size for my family and a mid size for other sister and hubby.

Also placed our garden grocer order last week. I ordered diapers, milk, water, bananas, sodas (like DP and pepsi since WDW only has coke) and some cereal. We plan to eat 3-4 breakfasts in our room. I am having it delivered to the WL the afternoon we arrive, so it should be there waiting.

I've also gotten the house all decorated for the holidays now- i started early to enjoy it some before our trip. I'll post some pics tomorrow of it all, including our disney wreath, disney tree and disney holiday village! I'll also post the rest of our schedule later today too- so stay tuned!