~Snowbird Chat~

[danceintherain]

Soo... my grandparents are giving us a car. They got tired of their old one, and since it wouldn't be worth much in a trade-in, they decided to find out if any of their grandchildren needed a vehicle.
I think I may have mentioned this on here before, but I have never owned a car. It's not that great of a feat considering I am only 22. It just so happened that when I was in high school I did not feel the need for one, and once I got to college I found that I could get most places on foot. My freshman year (well my first semester) I simply went to the store when others were headed, or when my Mom came into town, whichever came first. Since I had 20 meals a week in the Dining Hall, and I was broke, I rarely had a need to go to the store anyways.
At the beginning of my second semester Logan and I started dating, which pretty much completely eradicated my need of a car of my own, even after I moved off campus. Then, when my little brother moved out here, he brought his car with him, and it seems that fondness of walking is a family trait, because we have almost entirely commandeered his truck since he got here. It's newer, and gets better gas mileage than Logan's.

Anyways, now that we will be moving away from this area (hopefully!) we have realized that we will need a vehicle, mostly for me. Logan still has a truck, it's just mostly on its last leg. We started looking around graduation, but ultimately decided to hold off, because we didn't want to make a purchase like that until we were sure to have financial backup (like decent jobs for one or both of us).
Then, this car from my Grandparents pretty much fell into our lap which means we get to hold off on making a car payment for a bit longer. At least until Logan's truck becomes entirely useless.

The one lovely catch is that we have to go retrieve it. While that's not a big deal, we can get one-way tickets out there for about $100 a piece, (It's not a GREAT deal like $149 RT to Orlando, but decent, especially since we get a car out of the deal) we are trying to come up with the best time to go.
This brings me to point of the spiel, I now have to plan a trip to Arizona, the place of my birth. The actual time spent there will be taken up by my Grandparents. We'll probably spend 2 days there, but since the drive back has a 19 hour minimum, we are going to stop along the way, and make it into a sort of romantic retreat. (yay!)

Option 1: The shortest route would be mostly through the desert. I found a decent looking place to stay in Guymon, OK though, so it might be doable; it's not a Disney Deluxe hotel, but the Floyd Room looks slightly charming (I'm trying to avoid anything to flowery) http://www.thewillowsinn.net/
We would do about 12 hours on the first day with only 7 to do on the second.

Option 2: We would head straight east most of the way, and stop in Amarillo, TX for the night. The hotel options are decent with my favorite being the Ambassador Hotel. http://www.ambassadoramarillo.com/ It's a bit pricey, so I'm not sure I'd be able to get it past Logan (especially if we're planning on Disney for December) The other places in the area are pretty basic, and not very appealing for a romantic evening, but we could probably make something work if Logan says absolutely NOT!
The reason why we would even consider adding the extra hour to the trip would be to put us on the path to Oklahoma City. I have an Uncle that lives just outside, and his wife is expecting their second baby. I estimate that the baby would be born about a week before our trip. We would be able to stop by and cuddle the cutie along the way, which is highly appealing to me in my babyless state.
The driving time would be about 11 hours to Amarillo the first day.
Then we'd get up in the morning and drive the 4 hours to Norman (we'd arrive around lunch time)
Then we'd still have 5 and a half to get home for a total of 20 hours 15 mins driving time.

Option 3: Change the route entirely and go north into Colorado to stop at Colorado Springs for the evening. I have no particular place planned in Colorado Springs, but there's a large variety of places to stay in that area, so I know we could find somewhere really nice (maybe a little more pricey that Guymon, OK, but much more charming. Also, it wouldn't be skiing season, so we may find some deals). Overall, it would probably be the best place for a romantic evening as the other two places are basically in the desert. We would do 12 hours the first day, then 7 and a half the second, which means we could spend the morning exploring the area a little.

What do y'all think?
Thanks for reading my ramblings, it helps me think things out if I can type them.

 

[danceintherain]

Well, I'm kind of bummed, now.

I saw that the Red Sox won tonight - YAY!

I then heard that, at the start, they had a moment of silence for one of their minor league pitchers who died today. His name is Greg Montalbano and we went to school together until high school. (then his parents sent him to a private school with an excellent baseball program... for good reason, as you can see) He started fighting cancer when we were 19 - so, he fought for a very long 13 years. But, man, 32 is too young.

We weren't close but it was a small town. Plus, regardless, you always keep your eye out for the kid from the small town making good in the big world.

Oh well. It's just sad and I feel badly for his family and friends.

That's so sad! That is too young.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Sarah...I am sorry to hear that. God bless his family and friends. What a long battle he had ..


Becca....of course I would love for you to come through Texas....you gotta do what's cheapest!!! I don't know about Amarillo..never been there, but the weather has gotta be cooler than here!!!!! I am so glad your grandparents can help you out like that!! What a tremendous Blessing!!!! I love to walk places also...unfortunately we can NOT do that here....definite accident waiting to happen!!!! We really need some walking sidewalks!!!!

 

[danceintherain]

Sarah...I am sorry to hear that. God bless his family and friends. What a long battle he had ..


Becca....of course I would love for you to come through Texas....you gotta do what's cheapest!!! I don't know about Amarillo..never been there, but the weather has gotta be cooler than here!!!!! I am so glad your grandparents can help you out like that!! What a tremendous Blessing!!!! I love to walk places also...unfortunately we can NOT do that here....definite accident waiting to happen!!!! We really need some walking sidewalks!!!!

Yes, it definitely is a blessing to be getting a car at little cost to us. It's a 2000 Buick Lesabre I think, which is a decent car, especially since I've never had one.
I wish Manhattan was a little more pedestrian friendly. Around campus is easily walkable, but many of the neighborhoods don't have sidewalks. I'm hoping that we get to move somewhere soon that is pedestrian friendly with less college students.

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

Hi all!

We are back from our Disney trip! We actually got back late Friday night (1:30 am Saturday!) due to storm delays at the airport.

While parts of the trip were wonderful, we also had a couple of downs. My Mom was taken to the hospital the night before we left, and then was very sick the first few days we were gone. I was on the phone with my sister at home every couple of hours the first two days, wondering if I should fly home. She finally stabilized a bit and is now out of the hospital. She and my Dad are staying with us for a few days as she recovers.

Another down--it was HOT HOT HOT. I thought we were prepared for the heat, having been there in September several times. It was much hotter. We did avoid rain most of the time.

Highlights--food! We loved our meals at Le Cellier (ate there twice!), the Wave, and Biergarten. Kona Cafe, usually our favorite, was having an off night, or has declined.

It was pretty crowded. Our plan to arrive early at non-EMH parks, do the big rides and then take it easy worked well. We saw waits of 70 minutes by late morning, afternoon and evening.

It was wonderful spending time together as a family. It was one last summer break before DD returns to college, other DD returns to HS (senior this year!) and DH returns to grad school.

I don't know when our next trip to the world will be...that's sad. We'll have to work on that!

 

[danceintherain]

Hi all!

We are back from our Disney trip! We actually got back late Friday night (1:30 am Saturday!) due to storm delays at the airport.

While parts of the trip were wonderful, we also had a couple of downs. My Mom was taken to the hospital the night before we left, and then was very sick the first few days we were gone. I was on the phone with my sister at home every couple of hours the first two days, wondering if I should fly home. She finally stabilized a bit and is now out of the hospital. She and my Dad are staying with us for a few days as she recovers.

Another down--it was HOT HOT HOT. I thought we were prepared for the heat, having been there in September several times. It was much hotter. We did avoid rain most of the time.

Highlights--food! We loved our meals at Le Cellier (ate there twice!), the Wave, and Biergarten. Kona Cafe, usually our favorite, was having an off night, or has declined.

It was pretty crowded. Our plan to arrive early at non-EMH parks, do the big rides and then take it easy worked well. We saw waits of 70 minutes by late morning, afternoon and evening.

It was wonderful spending time together as a family. It was one last summer break before DD returns to college, other DD returns to HS (senior this year!) and DH returns to grad school.

I don't know when our next trip to the world will be...that's sad. We'll have to work on that!

Sounds like you had a good trip! I am very sorry to hear about your Mom, but I am glad she is feeling better.

We love Le Cellier and the Biergarten as well. I'm hoping to try the Kona Cafe at some point in the future, so I hope it isn't declining.

 

[Mickey's Other GF]

Hi all!

We are back from our Disney trip! We actually got back late Friday night (1:30 am Saturday!) due to storm delays at the airport.

While parts of the trip were wonderful, we also had a couple of downs. My Mom was taken to the hospital the night before we left, and then was very sick the first few days we were gone. I was on the phone with my sister at home every couple of hours the first two days, wondering if I should fly home. She finally stabilized a bit and is now out of the hospital. She and my Dad are staying with us for a few days as she recovers.

Another down--it was HOT HOT HOT. I thought we were prepared for the heat, having been there in September several times. It was much hotter. We did avoid rain most of the time.

Highlights--food! We loved our meals at Le Cellier (ate there twice!), the Wave, and Biergarten. Kona Cafe, usually our favorite, was having an off night, or has declined.

It was pretty crowded. Our plan to arrive early at non-EMH parks, do the big rides and then take it easy worked well. We saw waits of 70 minutes by late morning, afternoon and evening.

It was wonderful spending time together as a family. It was one last summer break before DD returns to college, other DD returns to HS (senior this year!) and DH returns to grad school.

I don't know when our next trip to the world will be...that's sad. We'll have to work on that!

I've been watching this thread to see what you'd post about our trip!

 

[Mickey's Other GF]

I don't know when our next trip to the world will be...that's sad. We'll have to work on that!

Time to take your ticker off your signature

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hi Epcot is a Verb!! Glad you are home safely..sorry to hear about your mom! But, glad she is recuping!!! Don't you hate it when you hit a eatery on an off night!!! YIKES!!! I can't wait to go back to Le Cellier!!! What did you get? I just hope that I can get in!!!! Our ADR day is Labor Day and i really wanted to see park hours posted first! I might just have to wing it....hope not, but you never know!

 

[drakes]

Well my summer vacation is over... back to work tomorrow... feels like the first day of school!
Here is hoping there was no major crisis while I was gone.

We spent a great week at our trailer, time at the beach, hiking the Bruce Trail, and relaxing with a camp fire! Oh and we saw G Force at the drive in... that was fun! I also met my goal for my power walking, I wasn;t going to stop until I reached a certain landmark, turns out it was exactly 5 K from our camp site. I felt amazing after accomplishing that task, every time we have driven by I have thought I want to walk to that point - and I did it!


DD is at camp this coming week, then one final week before her school starts. She is very excited to go back.

My disney planning is ever changing, I have been reading the Complete Walt Disney World by Julie Neal. It's a great book with great pictures and gets me out of my disney funk. I spent some time when it rained on thursday planning my DHS day (with just dd and I this park day should be quite simple and actully a day of alot of firsts, I still need to find that umbrella in the NY streets)

I am glad I didn't miss out on any codes.

 

[drakes]

I just noticed I reached over 500 posts

so had to post again, I know it doesn'c compare to some of your posts totals, but for me it's suprising.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hi all!

We are back from our Disney trip! We actually got back late Friday night (1:30 am Saturday!) due to storm delays at the airport.

While parts of the trip were wonderful, we also had a couple of downs. My Mom was taken to the hospital the night before we left, and then was very sick the first few days we were gone. I was on the phone with my sister at home every couple of hours the first two days, wondering if I should fly home. She finally stabilized a bit and is now out of the hospital. She and my Dad are staying with us for a few days as she recovers.

Another down--it was HOT HOT HOT. I thought we were prepared for the heat, having been there in September several times. It was much hotter. We did avoid rain most of the time.

Highlights--food! We loved our meals at Le Cellier (ate there twice!), the Wave, and Biergarten. Kona Cafe, usually our favorite, was having an off night, or has declined.

It was pretty crowded. Our plan to arrive early at non-EMH parks, do the big rides and then take it easy worked well. We saw waits of 70 minutes by late morning, afternoon and evening.

It was wonderful spending time together as a family. It was one last summer break before DD returns to college, other DD returns to HS (senior this year!) and DH returns to grad school.

I don't know when our next trip to the world will be...that's sad. We'll have to work on that!

Welcome back Epcotisaverb and Mickey'sothergf!!

Glad to hear you had a nice trip and some quality family time together!

Sorry about the heat and the crowds.

Glad your mom is recuperating.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I just noticed I reached over 500 posts

so had to post again, I know it doesn'c compare to some of your posts totals, but for me it's suprising.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Drakes! woo hoo!!!! It does seem like we should all have more than that, right?!!! I don't know how these people get soooo many!! Of course, I racked up the most last year when I was on the Jn -09 Snowbirds!!!

 

[sarbah77]

Wow, I have over 500 posts! I'm so surprised!

Hi all!

We are back from our Disney trip! We actually got back late Friday night (1:30 am Saturday!) due to storm delays at the airport.

While parts of the trip were wonderful, we also had a couple of downs.

Welcome back! I'm glad to hear that the good news was good and that the bad is on the mend. I'm really looking forward to my trip!

Yesterday, every major paper in Central/Eastern MA had very nice write-ups about my classmates. Boston.com even had a couple photo galleries - one with pictures from his recent treatments against cancer, one for the memorial at the Red Sox game. It probably helps that my classmates work for many of these papers and that he was a local boy, making good, until his body rebelled.

Move-in starts next week! I know many of your children are already back at school (or, in JenJolt's case, SHE's back at school!)... but my summer is OVER next week! Can you believe it?! Of course, as I remarked to my DH, yesterday was a lovely October day. Now, if I could have some days like that when I'm in Disney...!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

good morning ladies!!
Well, I need to vent!!!! I am sooo agitated!! As many of you know, my dh is a homebuilder/developer. The little street we live on is my hubby's first subdivision...about 23 houses/lots...mostly full, 4 lots left empty. Well, we have a dog--little weenie mix---super sweet...inside dog. Well, when she has to potty, she goes in our backyard. When the kids play out front she is out with them...mostly she just stays here, but some times she does walk around. She comes back when we call her. She doesnt tear up anything and all the kids on our street looooove her. Well....lady about 3 or 4 houses down got a smallish dog about 6 months ago....she walks her dog for his daily dump up and down the street. He has been discussed with us several times, because she stands there and watches him crap in our driveways/yards and then walks him home. Well, one of the empty lots is on our left...this morning i watched her walk him over and for 10 min. watched her stand there and wait for him to go.
He walked up to my house, back and forth several times...he ended up going in the lot, but he has pooped in my yard, and at the endof my yard where I put our garbage can. So, I called my husband just to vent...he told me to call her. I do not like confrontations if it can be avoided.But, he's too busy to deal with dog doo. But he is tired of it as well. She has been approached about several other issues concerning our HOA that she refuses to obey.When asked or approached she flips out...I knew she would do it to me! WEllll....she did!!! More or less, we NEVER watch our dog(not true), she does and will continue to let him crap in the vacant lots. He has NEVER pooped in a yard...(not true) and what did I care if he poops in the empty lot next to me. I told her that my kids, the kids on the other side, and across the street play there, and we don't want them stepping in dog poop and tracking it in!!! She then told me I was ridiculous for even calling someone to discuss where a dog CRAPS!!! I just said, Why can't you let him poop in your backyard? She said, he has, but I will continue to take him to those lots and he is a dog, he will crap and she will let him. And.....she doesn't have to discuss this with ME!!! Like i am not worthy of a dog-crapping conversation. she also argued me back and forth that i am never watching our dog. I said, yes ma'am I do.. I am on my front porch, she said, NO YOU ARE NOT!!!! Of course, I said , yes I am. Again...NO YOU ARE NOT!!! Well, I dropped it there, she can't even see my front porch from her house.
So, I told the kids to make sure our dog is on her leash from now on...I know this lady, she will be calling the city every time one of the neighborhood dogs, look outside now!!!! Okay, just had to express my yucky experience!! Let me add, our little neighborhood is nice and friendly, and clean. this lady and her husband , and her son in law and daughter who live 2 houses down on the other side of us,,, are the only ones who ever cause trouble. The rest of us get along great! She does have her house for sale.. I am diligently asking the Lord every time I think of it to please let them get full asking price, and ASAP also!!! I have to say that when i called, I was very nice and respectful. She immediately started raising her voice and denying it. Then began accusing me!! i have to say, I am not good dealing with people who scream in discussions!! So, I probably wasn't a very good witness for the Lord this morning! But, i didn't scream, or say anything ugly.. so I did the best I could. Also, I was raised very strictly...Respect your Elders. Do not disobey ,or speak disrepectfully. I still have a hard time discussing things that are gonna cause conflict with people older than me. she is probably in her 50s...so, that was a big deal for me.

Okay, well, now I have to pull myself together and go school my children What an awful way to start a Monday!!! Okay, I feel better now that i got that out!!! Thanks for being here and letting me rant!!! God bless!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OMG Shawna!! Do you own the empty lots since you guys are the ones who started the development? If so, then it is plain and simple - tell her that her dog can not crap on your property!!!

Then start taking her picture when she is "crapping her dog" on everyone else's lot/yard/driveway and stick the pictures in her mailbox late one night!!

We had a similar issue in the development we used to live in. There was an empty corner lot, but someones mailbox was on that lot. He called me yelling that my dog was crapping there and it stunk. I told him that it wasn't my dog and that I had seen several of the neighbor's taking their dogs there to do their business. He insisted it was my dog. We owned 2 lots in the development (still own one that we haven't sold yet), we had no need to take our dog to the empty lot. I did take pictures of about 3 other neighbors with their dogs by his mailbox. But we ended up moving before I had the chance to confront the grumpy old man!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Shelly, yep, we own all 4 empty lots!! I guess we will put up NO Tresspassing signs now. She has trouble with everyone at some point here. She is soooo miserable.... she is one that you just can't talk to. She yells and out talks you. So, I don't know how to even have a discussion with her. She doesn't even wave or anything. I hate it, we could have been friends, but she made it clear from the beginning she didn't like any of us.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

It seems like every neighborhood has one, unfortunately.

Can you do anything about her not obeying the homeowners association restrictions/covenants. Surely she had to sign something saying she acknowledged them when we bought her lot.

 

[MAGGIED]

I agree with Shelly... get some proof via photos.... or better yet... go to the empty lot with a shovel and pick up all the crap and drop it in her yard.... after all you would just be returning what is rightfully hers......