~Snowbird Chat~

[Monny2AE]

Hi Snowbirds! Catching up...
Shawna- Happy birthday!
Wendy- Love the grad pics of Daniel. He IS tall! Happy almost 100 days!
Meghan- How did you like MD? My BIL got married in Annapolis a few summers ago and it was sweltering then as well. All their wedding pics have him sweating awful in them.
Mindy- Your babies are growing so fast! How was the Make Your Own Choc Bar? We skipped it last trip since we were already spending so much cash in the park for the day. Maybe next trip we'll get to do it.
Shelly- Happy almost 100 days to you too! I sure wish I had a trip set in stone to count down to *sigh*. Done with my self pity party...for now.

We went camping for the first time this past weekend! It was blistering hot and we were so thankful that our camper had A/C!!! We went to Lake In Woods in PA and although it was HOT, it was a great little getaway weekend. We made a campfire for about a half hour on Saturday- just long enough to toast some marshmallows for s'mores. Thank goodness our camper has A/C. It was a very nice campgrounds with great pools for the kids and activities. We participated in some but mostly just enjoyed relaxing. It was good to get away. Jason has been super stressed since his Dad goes for surgery on Friday. It was good for him to get away and relax a bit I think. Here's some pics...

 

[Pluto_fan]

Kim, what great pictures! Wow, your DD is getting so grown up!
Your camper looks great...what a lot of great memories you're making with your kids. Camping with AC sounds like my kind of camping!
Keeping your FIL in our prayers...

 

[sarbah77]

Kim, I agree, your kids are looking SO grown up!! I'm glad your family had the chance to unwind!

+++

On Friday, we were at 95 with a heat index of 110. Around 1pm, we had a thunderstorm roll through. All I could think was "I feel like I'm in Florida! Except, there's no fun Disney World to take my mind off the heat."

We did have the tourists, though, as it was our Art Fair! It was a terrible year for the artists, because of the heat, the thunderstorms, the tornado warning which shut it down... and the fact that some of them set up their vendor tents so that they COVERED storm drains.

I can't believe it's nearly August! Where has my summer gone?!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Kim~ your kids are sooo cute! And I love your camper...glad you had fun!! I am definitely an AC girl!!! We will keep your FIL in our prayers...keep us posted!

 

[Kazooie01]

I everyone, just thought I'd stop by and say "hello".

We laid Joni to rest on 7/22/2010. It's been a very tough time, but the kids are doing as well as I could have hoped. Joni was very upfront with them and her cancer which I think was the right thing to do. They miss their Mommy very much and they say goodnight and good morning to her everyday.

We are very lucky to have a strong family on both sides; I can't thank them enough for making things as easy as possible. As for me, I just really miss my Wife and best friend.

On a happier note, even after death Joni was thinking Disney. She left a "Just in case" letter for the family. In the letter she specifies that some of her estate (Life, Company Profit Sharing Etc.) go to the purchase of a Disney Vacation Club property so that "The children will always have Disney" and because Disney was "Our special place". I'm tearing up as I write this; she was such a selfless person, always worrying about me, or the kids, even after she lost her fight.

So, during our January Trip this year, the children and I will have a lock of her hair that we will spread over Walt Disney World, that way she will always be at Disney in our hearts and physically as well.

We love you Joni.

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone, I'll talk to you all soon.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Rick - that was beautiful! I'm all teary too. I'm so glad that you will be continuing in the Disney tradition with your family.
I hope you'll continue to join us on the boards too. Best wishes.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Rick~ I have had you and the kids on my heart this last few days....I am glad they are coping as well as can be expected. What an awesome thing she did in regard to the Disney property!!! What a sweetheart!!! I am glad you are still planning to take the kids as planned....You will all continue to be in our hearts and in our prayers!! Keep stopping in so we can keep up with y'all and checking on you!!!! May God Bless your family!!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

Rick thank you for continuing to stop by and say hello. You, Joni and your children have been in my thoughts continuously. I'm glad she left you Disney so that you could continue to connect with her in that special way. I'm sure the trip will be bittersweet for you but I hope it helps you all feel a bit closer to her and maybe even heal a little.

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Oh Rick. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I've been so out of the loop lately. I will keep your family in my prayers.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Hey Birdie Friends!!!

Shawna - So sorry I missed your birthday Darlin'!! Hope it was a GREAT day and your family spoiled you rotten!

KimmyG - Love those camping pics girl - the kids look soooo happy!! Your trailer is so adorable!!

Rick - you and your children have continued to be on my mind an awful lot this last week! I am so glad that you will always have Disney - what a beautiful and thoughtful thing your wonderful wife did for all of you! She loved all of you SO VERY MUCH! Glad to hear that your family is being there for you all! Hang in there and please visit us here as often as you want to and let us know how things are going!

Well, we are on vacation!! We are currently in BRandon, Manitoba at Ken's parents condo. It is a lovely place just perfect for them! We are very much enjoying our visit with them! Tomorrow we head up o Fort McMurray alberta to meet our new little nephews! After that we will make brief stops in Edmonton and Calgary before coming back this way to hang out at Ken's other sisters farm!

The girls are such great travellers - we did a 13.5 hour day on the way here and they didn't fight AT ALL!!

Having a GREAT TIME - hope you all are too!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Rick-Thank you for checking in with us. Your family has been in my thoughts and prayers. I know it will be difficult to go to Disney without Joni, but it will be a wonderful way to remember her at the same time.

Kim (Monny)- Maryland was HOT! We didn't really get to see much of it since Madison was in the wedding. My mom got to go see Historic Annapolis and just loved it. My sister and BIL went to the Orioles game on Saturday night and had a lot of fun. Great camping pics!

 

[crzyred]

Rick - As others have said, you've been thought of so much over the past week. It's a comfort to know that in this extremely difficult time, there seems to be a ray of sunshine, her love of Disney and wanting that to continue for her family. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Thoughts and prayers

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey Snowbirds!

Rick - Thank you for checking in. Please know that you and the kids are still in our thoughts and prayers. I'm glad to hear that the kids are holding up. And that you are getting lots of help and support from family. I am sure that is making this time a little more manageable for you. What an awesome gift Joni left you and the kids. I'm glad you will continue going to WDW.


Kim - Great camping pics! It looks like the kids were having a great time. They sure are getting big! Prayers being said for your FIL and your whole family.

Canada Kim - Hope you are having a fun vacation!

Hello to everyone else

Guess what I did today??? I added a day to our November vacation!!! I was never happy with our late Saturday night flight home, so we are now staying until Sunday!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hey Snowbirds!

Guess what I did today??? I added a day to our November vacation!!! I was never happy with our late Saturday night flight home, so we are now staying until Sunday!

Ok...if y'all really want the truth about that...she just did it to spend more time with ME!!!!!! Ha!!!! We are coming in on Sat and were gonna squeeze in some 'meet' time....now I won't be so nervous about Magical Express taking forever because she isn't going BACK to the airport as soon as I am at the resort! How fun!!!!

Kim!!! Thanks for the bday wishes!!! I hope your vacation is absolutely fabulous and yippee for getting to meet your little nephews!!!! Nothin' in the world like a sweet little baby!!! Have fun and be careful with all that driving!! Take some pics for us!!!!!

 

[MAGGIED]

Rick... you and your family continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. I am so glad you are still going on your trip and that Disney will hold such a special memory for you. Good luck with the DVC. Keep in touch...

Kim.... camping in the heat... your a great mommy... me.. I was by the pool... to dang hot out!!!

Shelly... YEAH for adding another day!!!

Shawna... you are too funny!!!

 

[MAGGIED]

So my DH thinks I am crazy because last night I set out little tin plates in the yard filled with beer to try and lure in all those nasty slugs in our yard (I used a Canadian beer thinking they might like it better..ol)..... yuk... I hate them... not sure if it has worked yet. Anyone have any other suggestions how to get ride of them... we are being over run with the nasty things.

 

[sarbah77]

Rick, I can't say anything better than everyone else has already said. You and your children are constantly in my thoughts. What a wonderful legacy she left for you, as you'll always have her with you in Disney!

+++

I'm seeing my orthopedic surgeon again today. Nothing major, but I think I'm getting a cortisone injection to deal with some of the issues from the plate in my leg. Not bad since he and I started talking about it on Monday - when he decides he wants something done, he makes heaven and earth move for it to happen. It's so baffling, because so many of my other doctors are more of the "oh, you can't see me for a month? So sad, too bad."

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Wendy...have no idea, but hope you get rid of them soon...YUCK!!! And I am still waiting for you to change your days too!!! LOL....I have tried so hard to get Mike to add us a day at the first of our trip....he ain't budgin'!!!

Sarah...hopefully you can get that shot and have much relief!!! When did you say that plate was coming out...March?

Well....we have had some hot mornings..and afternoon showers with thunder, wind,and lightning. I loooove summer storms!!!It's keeping the heat down thankfully. Yesterday afternoon during the rain it dropped down to the mid 70s. It was wonderful!!

 

[sarbah77]

Sarah...hopefully you can get that shot and have much relief!!! When did you say that plate was coming out...March?

Well....we have had some hot mornings..and afternoon showers with thunder, wind,and lightning. I loooove summer storms!!!It's keeping the heat down thankfully. Yesterday afternoon during the rain it dropped down to the mid 70s. It was wonderful!!

I got the shot. I'll get back to you on the relief. Right now it's a gross giant painful squishy lump in my leg. Ha. But it looks like we're now looking at end of October/early November for the plate removal and another month on crutches.

But maybe this shot will be so wonderful I forget ENTIRELY about it until 2011!

We had some amazing storms last week but hopefully those will stop soon. My department keeps getting flooded. The woman responsible for getting things moving to STOP the flooding said "oops, I guess I forgot to do anything about that!" Well, her department pays the bills. But we get to deal with the wet walls, wet carpets...!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Ok...if y'all really want the truth about that...she just did it to spend more time with ME!!!!!! Ha!!!! We are coming in on Sat and were gonna squeeze in some 'meet' time....now I won't be so nervous about Magical Express taking forever because she isn't going BACK to the airport as soon as I am at the resort! How fun!!!!

Yep, exactly what I was thinking - now you don't have to rush on your arrival day to meet up with us before we leave, we have the whole day now!!!!

Shelly... YEAH for adding another day!!!

Shawna... you are too funny!!!

Thanks Wendy!

So my DH thinks I am crazy because last night I set out little tin plates in the yard filled with beer to try and lure in all those nasty slugs in our yard (I used a Canadian beer thinking they might like it better..ol).....

I'm seeing my orthopedic surgeon again today. Nothing major, but I think I'm getting a cortisone injection to deal with some of the issues from the plate in my leg. Not bad since he and I started talking about it on Monday - when he decides he wants something done, he makes heaven and earth move for it to happen. It's so baffling, because so many of my other doctors are more of the "oh, you can't see me for a month? So sad, too bad."

I hope everything went well today.