~Snowbird Chat 2~

[Pluto_fan]

Hello Snowbirds!

I haven't posted in ages, although I have been trying to keep up with the reading. No Disney trips in the works so I'm not always inspired to write. I was just on a quick non-Disney trip, though. Shawna, I was in your neck of the woods! (kind of.) I went to San Antonio for the weekend, for my dad's 70th birthday. We had a really nice visit and a fun party. Besides Dad and his wife, I got to see my sister and her family, my aunt and uncle from NJ, and step-brothers and -sisters and families. And eat some gooood Tex-Mex! Mmmmm! I hadn't been to the States since we moved here 2+ years ago...it felt a little strange! I enjoyed a trip to Target to stock up on some things we can't get here. I went by myself, which also felt a little strange, but very relaxing. I really missed my family, though. I was gone five days and I'm glad it wasn't any longer, even though I had such a good time there.

Keep the details coming on all your upcoming trips! I enjoy planning vicariously through you!

 

[MAGGIED]

Hello Snowbirds!

I haven't posted in ages, although I have been trying to keep up with the reading. No Disney trips in the works so I'm not always inspired to write. I was just on a quick non-Disney trip, though. Shawna, I was in your neck of the woods! (kind of.) I went to San Antonio for the weekend, for my dad's 70th birthday. We had a really nice visit and a fun party. Besides Dad and his wife, I got to see my sister and her family, my aunt and uncle from NJ, and step-brothers and -sisters and families. And eat some gooood Tex-Mex! Mmmmm! I hadn't been to the States since we moved here 2+ years ago...it felt a little strange! I enjoyed a trip to Target to stock up on some things we can't get here. I went by myself, which also felt a little strange, but very relaxing. I really missed my family, though. I was gone five days and I'm glad it wasn't any longer, even though I had such a good time there.

Keep the details coming on all your upcoming trips! I enjoy planning vicariously through you!

That is nice that you could go for the birthday celebration!!! Its hard when family lives so far away!!!! Can't imagine not having a target nearby... I think I stop in there once a week... if you get bored...stop by my pre-trip report... hoping to update it today...

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Kathy!! Oh wow!! I guess you could say you were close--5 hours, but that's normal Texas time from Point A-Point B!!!! Glad you got to enjoy some relatives and Target!! I didn't do a TR this time, but I will give you a little scoop here to keep you going!!
We did change our date (didn't know how much u have read)...we are going on the 12th now instead of the 11th, and staying til the 20th instead of the 19th. my oldest was super relieved...He said "mom, I couldn't believe you were gonna put us on a plane on 11-11-11"! I have been worried about it! LOL!!! Never really thought about it in the way he was thinking, I just thought the date was cool, but it's alarming to him...so that's good...and we are at the Poly with free dining,....so we are set! We are skipping the MVMCP and doing the HDDR....same rest as before pretty much...Tonys, the 50s Prime TIme, Rose & Crown, Germany's Biergarten, Nine Dragons, and not sure what else yet...gotta finalize a few dead spots this weekend!
Gotta get busy at this office!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

My parents just got their passports for their cruise next week and it took much longer than expected to receive them. My mom has been stalking the mailman and they finally arrived last week. She was getting nervous- they leave for their cruise on Oct. 30th!!!!

7 weeks from today I will be washing last minute clothes and packing to leave in the early morning for Disney!!!!!!

Hello Snowbirds!

I haven't posted in ages, although I have been trying to keep up with the reading. No Disney trips in the works so I'm not always inspired to write. I was just on a quick non-Disney trip, though. Shawna, I was in your neck of the woods! (kind of.) I went to San Antonio for the weekend, for my dad's 70th birthday. We had a really nice visit and a fun party. Besides Dad and his wife, I got to see my sister and her family, my aunt and uncle from NJ, and step-brothers and -sisters and families. And eat some gooood Tex-Mex! Mmmmm! I hadn't been to the States since we moved here 2+ years ago...it felt a little strange! I enjoyed a trip to Target to stock up on some things we can't get here. I went by myself, which also felt a little strange, but very relaxing. I really missed my family, though. I was gone five days and I'm glad it wasn't any longer, even though I had such a good time there.

Keep the details coming on all your upcoming trips! I enjoy planning vicariously through you!

Thanks for saying hello!!! It's always hard to chat when you're not planning a trip and missing Disney. Glad you had a nice visit with your family....and Target!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Hey Kathy! We will be seeing you in March!!!! I bet it was nice but odd to come back to the states without the family.

I could NOT live anywhere without a Target in a 10 mile radius!
I have one right around the corner. We walk there! I think they know me by name!

I'm getting a little nervous about the passports issue. The girls' expire in July, which is 3 months after our trip. It's been suggested that we renew now. The research I'm finding says that it will be ok for the UK/France but I don't want to chance it. If it's taking a while to get them, I should just do it right? Paige's has a particularly bad picture anyway - she was 4 and very unwilling to have her picture taken that day!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hey Kathy! We will be seeing you in March!!!! I bet it was nice but odd to come back to the states without the family.

I could NOT live anywhere without a Target in a 10 mile radius!
I have one right around the corner. We walk there! I think they know me by name!

I'm getting a little nervous about the passports issue. The girls' expire in July, which is 3 months after our trip. It's been suggested that we renew now. The research I'm finding says that it will be ok for the UK/France but I don't want to chance it. If it's taking a while to get them, I should just do it right? Paige's has a particularly bad picture anyway - she was 4 and very unwilling to have her picture taken that day!

I would find a day when it's convenient and go ahead and get it done-my P.O. acted like the pictures could make or break the passport..if they don't like it or even the distance from their faces, you could redo the whole thing! Glad ours are good for awhile-not sure if we are gonna need them anytime soon, but it's nice to have!

 

[crzyred]

Hello everyone.

Things are crazy here. We found out today that one of the people from MI that was supposed to come with us in Dec can't get the time off bc of other employees needing family medical time. Makes us sad, and her but she's going to check and see if she might be able to do a long weekend and meet us down there for a few days at least.

So with that, Saturday is a big day. Need to get our Magical Express stuff done, tickets for MVMCP, change around our room configurations for our first night at Pop Century to lower the cost of those and then get our airline info to the guy we are renting DVC points from for our return trip.

Then need to make a trip to the dollar store to get some suduko's and crossword puzzles for the plane. I also have a couple books I need to order too.

We're getting there, 43 days!!!!!

 

[sarbah77]

Hey Kathy! We will be seeing you in March!!!! I bet it was nice but odd to come back to the states without the family.

I could NOT live anywhere without a Target in a 10 mile radius!
I have one right around the corner. We walk there! I think they know me by name!!

You know, I knew almost NOTHING about Target until I met the now-DH. NOTHING. When we got engaged, there was one, an hour away, in New Hampshire. We registered there because, well, his friends and family were from or in Minnesota.

Now? Target is nearly as ubiquitous as *insert chain drug store of your local region*! We also live within a mile of one, through a residential neighborhood. One of my Healthy Sarah goals for NEXT year is to get that bike ready so I only bike to Target and back. No car!

Anyway, I'm doing better. The asthma symptoms vanished. I think I have a sinus infection, but that's one of those "oh, hey, it's fall. Time for a sinus infection" rather than anything new and unusual.

The niece got out of the hospital on Sunday, but was still a cranky little toddler (as you can imagine). Turns out that she had a swollen gland on her leg, that was probably caused by the fact that her dad (my brother) has/had mono. Unfortunately, it turned squishy, so they drained it on Wednesday. It required general anesthesia, though, so I think her parents are scarred for life. The video they posted an hour after they got home had her just toddling around, chattering in baby speak, so clearly she's juuuuuuust fine.

Here's a picture of her, on Sunday, wearing auntie-provided gear (I knit the sweater and bought the onesie):

E in a sweater by sarbah77, on Flickr

And, yes, she is very much posing for the camera! After the picture, she took my phone and walked off with it. Hahaha. She already wants the phone and the car keys!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Sarah...Looove the little sweater!!! How precious!! Glad she's all better!
Red--hope you get all your plans lined out just how you want them!!!
We are at 3 weeks--Never in my life have I been so unprepared-feeling for a Disney vacation!!!!
Exciting news on the homefront--we enrolled DS15 into our local Christian school today--he's on a visitor day today and we are very excited about this new chapter in our life. It's a pretty tough school academically, so if you would, please remember us (HIM!) in your prayers for the next few weeks. He is gonna have quite an adjustment, but I know he'll do great!! ....now, it's off to start with the other 2, then head back to the office for more....didn't quite get it all done yesterday as we were at school appts--and we had to get his shots caught up he's my needle freak---he was TERRIFIED but it was quick and that's taken care of for a while...he was only a little behind on getting it...should have been done over the summer, but just kept not working out for appt times...so anyway, we are all caught up with all three kids and ready to work on vacation stuff this weekend.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Sarah - glad everyone's on the mend! That sweater, and your niece are JUST ADORABLE!!! Want to knit a sweater for me?
We Minnesotans LOVE our Target!!

Shawna - you - not prepared? Come on! I bet you've just been busier this time than previously so you feel unprepared. It will be FINE!
Wow, good luck to your DS! A new school is always tough (I did it when I was 9), but as a teen I imagine it has added pressures. We will definitely keep you all in our prayers. Having met your son, I can say he will do great - he's not shy, and very smart and well-spoken.

I'm just floating through my Friday at work - not working much. My brain is already on the weekend! Shhh, don't tell my boss!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Sarah - glad everyone's on the mend! That sweater, and your niece are JUST ADORABLE!!! Want to knit a sweater for me?
We Minnesotans LOVE our Target!!

Shawna - you - not prepared? Come on! I bet you've just been busier this time than previously so you feel unprepared. It will be FINE!
Wow, good luck to your DS! A new school is always tough (I did it when I was 9), but as a teen I imagine it has added pressures. We will definitely keep you all in our prayers. Having met your son, I can say he will do great - he's not shy, and very smart and well-spoken.

I'm just floating through my Friday at work - not working much. My brain is already on the weekend! Shhh, don't tell my boss!

Awww!! Thank ya honey!!! He did his 'shadowing' today and he felt better about the flow of it afterwards..I know the work is gonna be tough, but he will get used to it!! He is just very apprehensive about new things...we got his new shirts & stuff this afternoon, so i will wash all of that and we are ready for Monday! He had already bought a new bigger backpack a couple of months ago, so we are ready to roll!! I appreciate the prayers!
As far as the trip-I am busier than I usually am at this time, so maybe that has a lot to do with it! I have a basket going with toiletries and things I will ship--just need to put in the medical stuff. Like Tylenol, band aids, that sorta thing...I was gonna work on that tonight and into tomorrow. This evening and tomorrow morning will be working also on ds12 and dd's Christmas list...ds15 is totally stumped...I was hoping a week or so into school and he might hear of, or see some stuff that he would like. His 16th bday is 3weeks before Christmas, so we are dying for ideas!
I have got to go purchase more ALLEGRA!! I was out today and yesterday and I feel strange--like my thinking is cloudy...I know it's allergies, and boy am I tired!! i think tonight is gonna be Pizza and Dr. Pepper!!! I need a wake up!! LOL!!!

 

[sarbah77]

Sarah - glad everyone's on the mend! That sweater, and your niece are JUST ADORABLE!!! Want to knit a sweater for me?

I'm just floating through my Friday at work - not working much. My brain is already on the weekend! Shhh, don't tell my boss!

I have now knit me a grand total of two sweaters... so don't hold your breath! I also have totally OUTRAGEOUS taste in yarn. Trust me, much MUCH cheaper to buy sweaters... but on the upside, this last one (I'll post a picture, because I'm proud of it!) fits me perfectly in size and length! That's hard to manage sometimes, because I'm short with broad shoulders. I generally have to get the non-petite sized tops and they end up kind of long.

Our Friday was sort of the same - even my boss was complaining that it wasn't right! Of course, a transformer blew in town and we didn't have power for 45 minutes. In that time, a student's prospectus was interrupted (there was a conference call and those phones need, well, POWER) and a doctoral dissertation defense couldn't start, because she needed to show her powerpoint. Then a jerk from the State Department came in to do a background check for another former student, without an appointment, and got mad when my boss chased him out. While we had no power. People these days!

But the faculty had a meeting that broke up at 4:30 with a ton of leftover food - I know what's for dinner tonight!

 

[Monny2AE]

Hi Snowbirds!

My trip is PAID in FULL!!!!!!!!!!



And in honor of my bank account being drained ...I started a PTR! The link is in my signature if you want to pop by and say hello!

Shawna- Congrats to DS! I'm sure he will do just fine- he has had an amazing teacher all these years to prep him for this change in his life. Now get packing for your trip!!!!!

Sarah- Glad your cutiepie niece is all better. Love the sweater! I thought of you the other day. They had a story on the news about knitting sweaters for penguins that were hurt by an oil spill.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Kim..Congrats!!!!
Thanks for the sweet words!! And yeah, I hope I have prepared him!! I have just turned it over to the Lord and know He will take care of him!!! I am working on cleaning my school room and bathroom upstairs today...cleaning, rearranging furniture (now that I am less one student for) Once this upstairs is cleaned, I will pull out the suitcases to air out...I have already started my box of toiletries!
Got all my bthrm stuff packed in it, all the travel size stuff, and mini-meds...only have to get snack stuff/breakfast foods. Other than that, the boxes will be ready!!I am doing 2 small-medium sized boxes..wont be so heavy for me to drag to the UPS store!
We decided we are NOT gonna put the tree up this year until after Thanksgiving..we usually do it before because Mike is such a Christmas decoration dude...he looooves to leave that tree up as long as possible,but with me going back to work at the office, I am just not gonna have time before the trip this year to do all that...after the first of the year, my office days will go smoother, but right now it's still a little crazy
So,...I gotta get finished with all this cleaning so I can rest Today has been a whirlwind!! I am so not use to getting a kid ready for school and out the door before 8! HIs school doesn't start til 7:50, but of course, we had to get there early for paying tuition and getting his schedule...but we were there early and I have not stopped cleaning since i got home, we are all 3 worn out!! LOL....

 

[crzyred]

Kim - YAY!!!! That's such a good feeling!

Shawna - He'll do great!! Question for ya...on shipping stuff to the resort, what do you use? I see you said UPS, is this all you do? We are shipping for the first time and didn't know if it had to be strictly UPS/FedEx stuff like that or USPS. We have the address to ship it to, now just need to know what we are doing!

I had a busy morning. I didn't get a chance to get anything done this weekend, other than helping the family that's coming with us clean/pack and start moving.

So this morning we got MVMCP tickets, ordered garden grocer, reconfigured our room arrangements (which means I'm getting about a $35 "refund" for one of the rooms), did Magical Express for our arrival and sent the person we are renting DVC points from our departure stuff for Magical Express.

Then this afternoon I went and ordered my bridesmaid dress for my friends wedding in June(I got a $20 giftcard for Shutterfly for ordering today, so I'm thinking no scrapbooking just using that...much less time consuming for me...kinda), went to dollar store for crossword puzzles, sudukos, other little things to occupy myself on the plane.

Then went to a local fabric store and bought Christmas Light necklaces! They actually light up, flash or sort of fade in and out. We decided we could wear those every evening, especially at Fantasmic and MVMCP!!


So now we just need to get park tickets and pre-order the photopass cd.

I've also managed to somehow get 5 loads of laundry done today too...

39 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MAGGIED]

Hi Snowbirds!

My trip is PAID in FULL!!!!!!!!!!



And in honor of my bank account being drained ...I started a PTR! The link is in my signature if you want to pop by and say hello!

Shawna- Congrats to DS! I'm sure he will do just fine- he has had an amazing teacher all these years to prep him for this change in his life. Now get packing for your trip!!!!!

Sarah- Glad your cutiepie niece is all better. Love the sweater! I thought of you the other day. They had a story on the news about knitting sweaters for penguins that were hurt by an oil spill.

where is the link.... am I missing something???

 

[Monny2AE]

I'm having such an accomplished Disney planning day! Trip is paid for AND I just finished pre-ordering my Photopass CD! All I need to order yet are the tickets for the MVMCP. I just need to decide which night we should go.

Kim - YAY!!!! That's such a good feeling!

Shawna - He'll do great!! Question for ya...on shipping stuff to the resort, what do you use? I see you said UPS, is this all you do? We are shipping for the first time and didn't know if it had to be strictly UPS/FedEx stuff like that or USPS. We have the address to ship it to, now just need to know what we are doing!

I had a busy morning. I didn't get a chance to get anything done this weekend, other than helping the family that's coming with us clean/pack and start moving.

So this morning we got MVMCP tickets, ordered garden grocer, reconfigured our room arrangements (which means I'm getting about a $35 "refund" for one of the rooms), did Magical Express for our arrival and sent the person we are renting DVC points from our departure stuff for Magical Express.

Then this afternoon I went and ordered my bridesmaid dress for my friends wedding in June(I got a $20 giftcard for Shutterfly for ordering today, so I'm thinking no scrapbooking just using that...much less time consuming for me...kinda), went to dollar store for crossword puzzles, sudukos, other little things to occupy myself on the plane.

Then went to a local fabric store and bought Christmas Light necklaces! They actually light up, flash or sort of fade in and out. We decided we could wear those every evening, especially at Fantasmic and MVMCP!!


So now we just need to get park tickets and pre-order the photopass cd.

I've also managed to somehow get 5 loads of laundry done today too...

39 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ooooh I will have to keep an eye out for fun light up Christmas necklaces!!!! It wasn't at Joann's Fabrics was it? Like I need to add more to my list.
Are you sleeping yet? After a day like that I'd be out already! Take a break!

Kim..Congrats!!!!
Thanks for the sweet words!! And yeah, I hope I have prepared him!! I have just turned it over to the Lord and know He will take care of him!!! I am working on cleaning my school room and bathroom upstairs today...cleaning, rearranging furniture (now that I am less one student for) Once this upstairs is cleaned, I will pull out the suitcases to air out...I have already started my box of toiletries!
Got all my bthrm stuff packed in it, all the travel size stuff, and mini-meds...only have to get snack stuff/breakfast foods. Other than that, the boxes will be ready!!I am doing 2 small-medium sized boxes..wont be so heavy for me to drag to the UPS store!
We decided we are NOT gonna put the tree up this year until after Thanksgiving..we usually do it before because Mike is such a Christmas decoration dude...he looooves to leave that tree up as long as possible,but with me going back to work at the office, I am just not gonna have time before the trip this year to do all that...after the first of the year, my office days will go smoother, but right now it's still a little crazy
So,...I gotta get finished with all this cleaning so I can rest Today has been a whirlwind!! I am so not use to getting a kid ready for school and out the door before 8! HIs school doesn't start til 7:50, but of course, we had to get there early for paying tuition and getting his schedule...but we were there early and I have not stopped cleaning since i got home, we are all 3 worn out!! LOL....

How did he like his first day?

where is the link.... am I missing something???

It's under my countdowns. At least it is when I look at it? Here's the link just in case
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43042325#post43042325

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Shelly...Call your resort and ask them exactly how they want your box labeled..and they will tell you the address, how to ATTN TO: and all that...make sure you ship in time! If we are coming in on Sat, I will ship it on Monday, then I can do the cheapest one and it has a day or two for breathing room!!!! Just in case!!! I do usually use UPS, they are always reliable and we have not had a problem with it...get a tracking # if possible, just so you can check on it and have peace of mind!
Kim...wow, he was TOTALLY overwhelmed...found out his Science teacher is not only the head of the Science dpt, she teaches more like a College Prof What a first class for your first day, right?! He is freaked out totally from that class!! I am gonna have to really sit down with him this week and help him to catch up,...they do study time after school for about 30 minutes every day, so he will go to that too....I think in a week or so, he will feel better,, he just had a loooong haaaard day and is still adjusting to being at school.....

 

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Kim - Congrats on being paid in full! YEAH!!!

All of your trips are coming up so quickly....I'm living through all of you. We're hoping to take our next trip next fall. All depends on if we switch to a "balanced" schedule for our school. Fingers are crossed!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Our new school is very positive about family vacations, family days...we are allowed so many a year, and with this block scheduling, he is allowed more time actually than wewould use.