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

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

You are moving right along!!! I love checking thngs off of that to-do list!! I still have quite a bit on that list and only 9 days to get it all done!

 

[nic100308]

Oh yay!! Can't wait for the pictures, I love Christmas decorations.

So sorry the the job situation is so complicated. I will be working for a department called Inter-Governmental Affairs which focuses on programs for the Town that are government funded. Once I have a position within the Town I will have the ability to take different types of certification tests that are like will allow me a lot of growth. This whole process has been going on for me since last election day (2008).

Honestly, and I know this would be hard, if the other job comes to you and offers you the position I would take it and if the job with your old boss comes through then just say you were offered another position from another job that you interviewed. That way you're at least covered with a better job than the current one if the old boss thing doesn't come through. I know, you feel guilty. But sometimes you just have to look out for yourself and do what's best for you.

I'm glad you are focusing on the trip, it will be a nice relief and break from this job craziness. LOL didn't it seem so simple when you were in college. I used to think I would graduate, end up with this great job, and just be there forever. Who knew that there would be all this craziness would be involved!!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

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!

Sounds like you are getting all of the loose ends tied up! It's getting very exciting, the closer it gets!

Good luck with the job situation! It's great that you have several options, though! I'm hoping the one you really want with your old boss works out!

 

[exwdwcm]

So as promised, here are some Christmas pics of our home all decorated for the holidays! enjoy!

 

[exwdwcm]

and one of DS shopping!

 

[nic100308]

I LOVE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!!!! The house looks beautiful!!! The stair case is amazing. I thought maybe this year since we have stairs (we are on the second floor) I would do a garland for it. Now that I know it gives such a WOW effect I am definitely going to make one!!!

Your Thanksgiving table look beautiful too. I like the way the chargers look. I've debated about them, my mom never liked them so she never set her table with them. But they do look so nice. And I suppose if you get really festive you could go with different colors and such. LOL I'm a nut!!

Anyway, I love thaty your house is all Christmasy and festive. Really looks great!!


Oooo and I love the picture of Will shopping!!!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Your decorations are beautiful!!! I love the Disney ornament stand!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

on to our last two days!

FRIDAY, December 18th
7:45am breakfast in room or downstairs (some of the fam is doing Chef M)
8:15am meet in lobby- head to AK
9am AK opens
11:30am fast food lunch
2:30pm break at hotel
5:30pm to Epcot for late night EMH
7:30pm Dinner-Le Cellier Canada
9:30pm Illuminations
12am Park closes (EMH)

SATURDAY, December 19th
8:30am meet in lobby- to Epcot
9am Epcot opens (grab FP for TT or Soarin)
9:35am Brkfst- Norway Princess
1pm break, pack!
4pm meet in lobby- to TTC/monorail Poly
4:30pm Dinner- O’hana at Polynesian
6pm to MK for a few hours (last chance!)
7pm Spectro
9-10pm night night!!! Good bye WDW

so on Friday, some of the family is doing a breakfast at Chef Mickey's. We are not- we are heading to the AK. I actually do enjoy the AK thoroughly and we only have two mornings to spend here, so I want to get there early! This is our last day at AK! We will do a fast food lunch here probably again. We do enjoy flame tree barbeque, but might see what else suits us. We will head back for our usual nap/break at the WL, then out again by 5pm for our dinner at Le Cellier, which reminds me, I need to make sure it is for all of us, originally we just booked it for the adults only, as this was originally our drink around the world/babysitter night but we switched it. We will shoot to see Illuminations this night too.

On Saturday, our last day in the parks- we have a 9:30am breakfast in Norway- with the princess, we really enjoyed this back in 2005. my niece needs her princess fix! We will probably get to Epcot early and try and grab a FP to TT or Soarin before breakfast. My sister Mandy was our designated FP runner in 2005. After breakfast, we will spend a few last hours at Epcot and say good bye! Then back to the hotel for a break/nap and final packing. We have an early dinner at the POly at O'hana, one of my favorites! None of the family has eaten here, only DH and I have (in 2006). It was Dh's fave too! So I am looking forward to this- at least it gives us one last thing on our last night to look forward to. After our early dinner, we will head to the MK for our last hurah! no solid plans other than do what we missed and any last minute shopping. Heck, some of the family might not even head back to MK or just call it an early night. We will see. I might have to make a trip back to DTD during our break if we missed anything shopping wise!

Most of us have a 10:30am flight home to DFW on sunday, 12/20. My sister Wendy's family does have an 8;30am flight though, so they have to head out much earlier than the rest of us. We are going to use the baggage assistance and airline check in at the WL. it will be nice to NOT have to worry about carrying our bags to the airport. They let you check one bag per person and they deliver to the airport for you (like ME). Since we have rental cars, we will drive back over to the airport to return, so we have an early morning on sunday- I figure we will leave hte hotel by about 8am.

So no last minute time to see WDW on sunday unfortunately. I really hate we have an early flight, but then again, we get home at 12:30pm, so it gives us time to unpack and relax a bit before heading back to work (some of us) on 12/21 (Christmas week). At least it will be a short week of work only 3 days!

So that is the schedule- does your head hurt yet?

William has officially hit the terrible twos now too, which has me a bit worried about how he will do at disney- i guess we will have to see and remain VERY flexible. let's see if i eat my words on the actual trip report later!

 

[exwdwcm]

You are moving right along!!! I love checking thngs off of that to-do list!! I still have quite a bit on that list and only 9 days to get it all done!

i can't believe you are in the single digits!! what all do you guys have left!?

Oh yay!! Can't wait for the pictures, I love Christmas decorations.

So sorry the the job situation is so complicated. I will be working for a department called Inter-Governmental Affairs which focuses on programs for the Town that are government funded. Once I have a position within the Town I will have the ability to take different types of certification tests that are like will allow me a lot of growth. This whole process has been going on for me since last election day (2008).

Honestly, and I know this would be hard, if the other job comes to you and offers you the position I would take it and if the job with your old boss comes through then just say you were offered another position from another job that you interviewed. That way you're at least covered with a better job than the current one if the old boss thing doesn't come through. I know, you feel guilty. But sometimes you just have to look out for yourself and do what's best for you.

I'm glad you are focusing on the trip, it will be a nice relief and break from this job craziness. LOL didn't it seem so simple when you were in college. I used to think I would graduate, end up with this great job, and just be there forever. Who knew that there would be all this craziness would be involved!!

sounds like a great job and future Nic! are you excited about it?

Sounds like you are getting all of the loose ends tied up! It's getting very exciting, the closer it gets!

Good luck with the job situation! It's great that you have several options, though! I'm hoping the one you really want with your old boss works out!

Thank you so much!!!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS!!!! The house looks beautiful!!! The stair case is amazing. I thought maybe this year since we have stairs (we are on the second floor) I would do a garland for it. Now that I know it gives such a WOW effect I am definitely going to make one!!!

Your Thanksgiving table look beautiful too. I like the way the chargers look. I've debated about them, my mom never liked them so she never set her table with them. But they do look so nice. And I suppose if you get really festive you could go with different colors and such. LOL I'm a nut!!

Anyway, I love thaty your house is all Christmasy and festive. Really looks great!!


Oooo and I love the picture of Will shopping!!!

thank you!! I always wanted a 2 story house, this is our first home and we have been in it about 5 years. before that it was all apartments. i grew up in one stories, so having a 2 story was my dream and i wanted an open foyer like that for the wow effect! i love decorating the stairs!

i've had the table made for a bit now so i can actually enjoy looking at my china instead of it being hidden away in the cabinet!

Your decorations are beautiful!!! I love the Disney ornament stand!!!

ah thanks! i got the ornament stand at the Chrsitmas store at DTD when i was there in May- i love it. I put all my favorite disney ornaments on it.

 

[exwdwcm]

oh no, breaking news......

so besides mom possibly needing a wheelchair from time to time due to her vision issues and how tired she gets from all the medications.....

we also have Dad recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic and with severe foot pain from a bone spur in his vertabrae. He just got new meds for it this week and is having to test his blood sugar.

now my cousin Nancy fell this past weekend, slipped on some water at her house and broke a bone in her foot. she is in a boot up to her knee for the next 30 days......so she might need a wheelchair from time to time or at least more breaks and rest too.

man, we are falling apart! it should be interesting how things go. At least her nephew Chase (18yo) will be with us and can push her around if needed!

 

[nic100308]

I am excited for the new job. I think mostly because I know that we'll have really good benefits that won't cost us a fortune and that I will have a retirement plan. My DH job doesn't offer anything, LOL so it's up to me to carry us through our retirement years. We have an IRA, but a 401K and a pension will help. Also I like the idea that I'll still be able to work and have a family. I never wanted to be married to my job, but NY is very expensive and we always knew I would always have to work. But I never wanted a job that would keep me from my family, been there, done that and so over it.

I'm so sorry that there have been some slip ups on the wellness forefront! As long as everyone does their best to take care of themselves I think the trip will still go off without a hitch. You have the breaks for the little ones, LOL and now for the injured, so I think you'll be okay. Just remind everyone to listen to their bodies, everyone injured or not. If you need a break take it, and if the wheel chair is needed get it!!! My father in law used one the last time they went to Disney. He's had quite few surgeries to fix aortic aneurysm plus he has COPD amongst other things like high blood pressure. Anyway he used the wheel chair and found he had a lot more energy and could do a lot more than he realized. The walking is a lot, so tell everyone to take it easy!!

And you'll be a Disney!!! Disney energy is way different than regular energy!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

The last two days sound great! I am sorry to hear that the family is falling apart, , but glad to know there are plenty of wheelchair pushers in your group!

Madi has started really acting 2 lately too, I too am anticipating how she is going to do in Disney. Time will tell...

 

[exwdwcm]

I am excited for the new job. I think mostly because I know that we'll have really good benefits that won't cost us a fortune and that I will have a retirement plan. My DH job doesn't offer anything, LOL so it's up to me to carry us through our retirement years. We have an IRA, but a 401K and a pension will help. Also I like the idea that I'll still be able to work and have a family. I never wanted to be married to my job, but NY is very expensive and we always knew I would always have to work. But I never wanted a job that would keep me from my family, been there, done that and so over it.

I'm so sorry that there have been some slip ups on the wellness forefront! As long as everyone does their best to take care of themselves I think the trip will still go off without a hitch. You have the breaks for the little ones, LOL and now for the injured, so I think you'll be okay. Just remind everyone to listen to their bodies, everyone injured or not. If you need a break take it, and if the wheel chair is needed get it!!! My father in law used one the last time they went to Disney. He's had quite few surgeries to fix aortic aneurysm plus he has COPD amongst other things like high blood pressure. Anyway he used the wheel chair and found he had a lot more energy and could do a lot more than he realized. The walking is a lot, so tell everyone to take it easy!!

And you'll be a Disney!!! Disney energy is way different than regular energy!!!

Thanks Nic and good luck on the job. Benefits do go a long way, so that is great you will have such good ones. And family/work balance is so important to me and usually a lot of govt jobs are pretty good about recognizing the need for that balance.

yes, i have told everyone that they need to speak up if they need a break or help, hopefully they will.

The last two days sound great! I am sorry to hear that the family is falling apart, , but glad to know there are plenty of wheelchair pushers in your group!

Madi has started really acting 2 lately too, I too am anticipating how she is going to do in Disney. Time will tell...

aren't you loving the terrible twos? DS already has DH's temper, i can tell. oh joy!

So got a call from the one job- he left a VM saying it was good news and he was preparing to call my references. He is out until next wednesday though, so I am just leaving him a message. He asked what my vacation days are again and if i could check email or work while on vacation. ugh no!!! sorry! I am not bringing a computer. I don't mind checking emails, but i don't plan to do any actual work- heck there isn't TIME on the schedule. so i let him know and I will wait to hear what happens next week when he returns. at the earliest, i might expect an offer by 12/4. I talked to my old boss too, no news on her front, so I think i might just have to take this job if they offer it. It isn't my first choice, but I really just don't know if/when the thing with my old boss will pan out and I can have my future hanging on what other people will do or not do. DH wants me to take this other job if they offer it and meets my salary requirements. We haven't even talked salary other than he knows my range.

So hosting turkey day at my house tomorrow with parents, one sister and her family (including niece and nephew), my cousin Nancy (in her new 'boot'), my 88yo Grandpa and then my BF Alissa and her new hubby (the ones that got married in vegas) and her step daughter. So like 11 of us! Should be fun- turkey, ham, au gratin potatoes, mashed taters, rolls, brocoli casserole, green beans, cornbread dressing, gravy, homemade cranberry sauce, cobbler, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, cookies and don't forget the beer and booze!

Looking forward to a few days off. We are heading to Oklahoma on Friday or Saturday to do dinner with the inlaws on saturday. I am also going to venture out with my mom and sisters to hit up Target at 5am on Friday. and probably bath and body and the mall. I don't have much $$ to spend given my unknown job situation. But, i can look, right?

I hope you all have a fabulous TURKEY DAY. Lots to be thankful for......my wonderful son, even if he is in the terrible twos, my great hubby, my awesome family and our health, even if have had a few hiccups this year.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I hope you all have a fabulous TURKEY DAY. Lots to be thankful for......my wonderful son, even if he is in the terrible twos, my great hubby, my awesome family and our health, even if have had a few hiccups this year.

Couldn't have said it any better! Love me some "Trying Two's" as my mother calls them! Cause they're not meaning to be terrible, they're testing and trying you!

 

[exwdwcm]

Had a great turkey day, but the weekend flew by!

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house on Thursday with family here from noon-6pm. It was lots of fun talking about disney too. Friday we ran errands and cleaned up from turkey day. Saturday am we headed on a 2.5 hour drive to Oklahoma to see the in laws. We did turkey with them on saturday and stayed the night. Just got home today, this afternoon- unpacked and cleaned up again.

we had a great time with family and ate way too much. Will actually added a lot more to his vocabulary this weekend and said his cousin's name too- Michael (who is 3 and going to WDW with us). He also asked to have 'bips' (chips) for breakfast. LOL. he is definitely my kid (love me some chips and dips).

Now trying to figure out what is left on my to do list and when i will find time to do it?

So I need to confirm our photopass CD and review all the info for it. I signed up earlier this year for the $85 special for the CD before prices went up and need to make sure our code will still work. How do we go about 'sharing' it with our entire family? do we get a pp card from the CM and then just when we get home, we enter the pp card numbers all into the same account? I need to look it up, we've never used pp before.

also have to decide whether to do online check in or not.

need to schedule our pedicure for sunday and start packing! I have to bake for a cookie exchange on sunday. I have a holiday luncheon with friends on saturday, plus swim class for Will, then DH's holiday work party that night (with a hotel stay). Sunday, have the pedi/mani appt and cookie exchange. so busy times ahead, all while trying to do final packing! wish us luck!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Glad you had a great holiday weekend!! Have fun with all of your holiday parties coming up!! We leave in three days, so not sure if I will be able to talk to you again before then...if not, have fun on your trip too!!!

 

[nic100308]

WOW!! You do have some busy times coming up!!!

I'm so glad to hear you had a nice Thanksgiving. That was a busy weekend too. I was completely wiped on Friday. I literally planted my butt on the couch all day. Well, I did manage to run the dishwasher twice. We only had some of my china and crystal left to run and DH is afraid to touch it, so that was my only job for Friday.

A stay over holiday party?!?! That's so nice!!! I know it makes is so much easier when you don't have to figure out who has to drive.

What kind of cookies are you making for your cookie exchange?

 

[exwdwcm]

Glad you had a great holiday weekend!! Have fun with all of your holiday parties coming up!! We leave in three days, so not sure if I will be able to talk to you again before then...if not, have fun on your trip too!!!

you are leaving tomorrow- have a fabulous time and can't wait to read about your adventures afterwards!

WOW!! You do have some busy times coming up!!!

I'm so glad to hear you had a nice Thanksgiving. That was a busy weekend too. I was completely wiped on Friday. I literally planted my butt on the couch all day. Well, I did manage to run the dishwasher twice. We only had some of my china and crystal left to run and DH is afraid to touch it, so that was my only job for Friday.

A stay over holiday party?!?! That's so nice!!! I know it makes is so much easier when you don't have to figure out who has to drive.

What kind of cookies are you making for your cookie exchange?

yep, DH's boss pays for us to have a room at the hotel the party is hosted at. This year, it is the W Hotel in downtown, very nice. Last year ws the Gaylord Texan which was a nightmare since they have the ICE exhibit and traffic literally took us 2 hours to go less than a mile. It was not happy times! My mom and dad are watching Will for us overnight! yeah.

 

[exwdwcm]

Can anyone say SINGLE DIGITS???

the countdown begins!

here are the 9 bouncies to countdown!


So latest news- we all have our paperwork now and had to have the TA resend ME stuff to Chase in SC. I forgot he is coming in a day later than us and so they had his ME dates wrong. He is the only one using ME. The rest of us have the cars.

I have tried to check in online now like 5x today and yesterday with no luck. the stupid website always gives me an error. I might try again tonight.

I started packing last night and need to whittle it down a bit more. I am now all finished with the Christmas shopping i need to do at home. DH has a little bit more, but he waits until the last minute, which means probably after our trip on 12/21!!!

so 9 days left. still some left to do:

• pick up extra holiday cards from wally world (had to order more)
• mail all cards (all are done except these extras)
• bake for cookie exchange
• borrow dress for DH's holiday party on saturday
• get DS's haircut (today?)
• Get DS's H1N1 tomorrow
• get mani/pedi/wax on sunday
• finish packing
• call and verify ADRs, car rentals, grocery order etc.!

We are all so excited, my sister has been sending us pics of the WL this week. And set your DVRs, lots of disney tv this weekend- Samantha Brown's holiday special is on again (rerun) - i think on thursday.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

YAY single digits!!!