~Snowbird Chat~

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Arriving at airports - I typically arrive 1 to 1-1/2 hours ahead of the flight. Of course, our airport is really easy to get round in. Plus, it depends on when you're flying (i.e., Christmas I'd get there plenty early to make it through security! ).

Took yesterday off work since DH had the day off. We went Christmas shopping. We had such a nice day. I think we got most of it done. Just need to pick up a few things on-line. Plus, I'll probaby go out on Black Friday - just love it! I just wish I had someone to go with - I'm usually out on my own! (There you have it, my own pity-party! )

Hope everyone's doing well!! It's another beautiful day in the midwest. Too bad I'm stuck inside at work!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

So,....our QOTD is: How long before your flight do you get to the airport? Bear in mind that we alllllways get there and SIT for the whole 2 hours....never once have we had a flight leave earlier than scheduled...later, yes,,...earlier,no!!! So, give me your advice!!!

For our local airport here in Thunder Bay we usually show up at the very least an hour ahead. It is a small airport with only 1 security check point and 5 gates - 1 for each airline! Lots od time to sit and have a Timmy's coffee before going through security!

However - when we flew out of MSP in January, we caught the shuttle from our hotel 2 hrs before our flight and had PLENTY of time to kill. Early morning flights are wonderful that way!

This year, we are flying with a different airline (Sun Country) that flies from the smaller terminal at MSP (Humphrey) so I think that we will be able to leave our hotel (5 mins from MSP) at about 630am and still have oodles of time before our 8am flight. Sheree, what is your opinion on this? We are staying at the Ramada MOA!

GREAT QOTD!!!

Hey Snowbirds! I feel awful that I'm always popping in here to give you a bunch of "me" posts. I promise I will be better when I'm not preoccupied.

Just wanted to let you know that today is our day! We are heading out for the hospital in an hour. Baby should be here about 1:00 if all goes as scheduled! I'll update you all when I can. Pictures to follow after we get home from the hosptial!.


SO excited to see all of the talk about Christmas shopping and decorating. My favorite time of year. We've started our shopping this week. Wahoo! I love to shop LOL

MINDY!!!! I was just thinking of you GIRL!!! That beautiful baby boy should be here by now hopefully! Hopefully things went well and we will hear from you soon! I know what C-Sections are like so here is some Special Healing pixie dust for you! Take it easy girl and just take care of that gorgeous boy!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We usually get to the airport a bit later than we intended to
But I think it really depends on the airport--how big it is, how far away you have to park, how long the security lines tend to be, etc. If you are familiar with the airport and know how long it's going to take to get through all the hoops, I don't think you really need to be two hours early.

Thanks for the welcome backs! One thing I forgot to tell you that I thought you would appreciate...ALL over the ship they had motion-sensor-operated hand sanitizer machines. My kids (including the little one) just HAD to use every one they passed. If only they were that interested in being clean at home! And every time you boarded the ship after visiting a port, and every time you went into the buffet restaurant, they had a crew member at the door with a spray bottle of hand sanitizer to squirt you. I appreciated that they were so germ-conscious, because I know there have been disease outbreaks on cruise ships, with so many people in a confined space. They were really big on hand sanitizer. I really ought to learn how to post pictures here...any words of wisdom for a non-technologically-inclined DISer?

Hope you all have a happy Disney day!

Youll have to upload your pictures to a site like photobucket (that's the one I use) and then you copy the IMG code and paste it in your post. That's all the expert advice I can give!

Hey Snowbirds! I feel awful that I'm always popping in here to give you a bunch of "me" posts. I promise I will be better when I'm not preoccupied.

Just wanted to let you know that today is our day! We are heading out for the hospital in an hour. Baby should be here about 1:00 if all goes as scheduled! I'll update you all when I can. Pictures to follow after we get home from the hosptial!.


SO excited to see all of the talk about Christmas shopping and decorating. My favorite time of year. We've started our shopping this week. Wahoo! I love to shop LOL

I LOVE your "me" posts!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LITTLE GUY!

This year, we are flying with a different airline (Sun Country) that flies from the smaller terminal at MSP (Humphrey) so I think that we will be able to leave our hotel (5 mins from MSP) at about 630am and still have oodles of time before our 8am flight. Sheree, what is your opinion on this? We are staying at the Ramada MOA!

I've never flown Sun Country before. But the HHH terminal is so much smaller, the security and check in lines will be shorter. I think an hour ahead is fine. Especially at the BCOD. (but* crack of dawn).
I'm flying SC home from FL this trip.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

I've never flown Sun Country before. But the HHH terminal is so much smaller, the security and check in lines will be shorter. I think an hour ahead is fine. Especially at the BCOD. (but* crack of dawn).
I'm flying SC home from FL this trip.

Thanks Sheree! I knew you would know the right answer!

 

[snykymom]

O So,....our QOTD is: How long before your flight do you get to the airport? Bear in mind that we alllllways get there and SIT for the whole 2 hours....never once have we had a flight leave earlier than scheduled...later, yes,,...earlier,no!!! [/quote]
I usually try to get there at least 1 1/2 hours early, just to make sure that I'd get through security. I hate being late for anything! If it's a busy travel day, I'd go on the 2 hour side.

Hey Snowbirds! I feel awful that I'm always popping in here to give you a bunch of "me" posts. I promise I will be better when I'm not preoccupied.

Just wanted to let you know that today is our day! We are heading out for the hospital in an hour. Baby should be here about 1:00 if all goes as scheduled! I'll update you all when I can. Pictures to follow after we get home from the hosptial!.

Congrats, Mindy, and welcome to the newest Mouseketeer!

 

[danceintherain]

Let's see... today I got to the Phoenix (Sky Harbor) airport about 1 1/2 hours early. I probably could have gotten there a little later, because I had already printed my boarding pass beforehand, and I didn't have any bags to check, (I refuse to pay $15 a bag!) but I like giving myself extra time. I would rather sit in an airport for an extra 30 minutes, than have to run to my gate, and arrive right after they closed the doors. Also, I am not too familiar with the Phoenix airport, so I wanted to make sure I didn't get lost.
The Kansas City airport is less of a big deal, because they have separate security checkpoints for each gate, or cluster of gates. Sometimes it can get backed up if they have 3 flights flying out of the same cluster, or only one machine is running at one of the checkpoints, but right after you get through security your gate is right there.

 

[Pluto_fan]

Yea Mindy!
Congratulations, and I hope everything is going well!

 

[Dancegrl624]

ME TOO!!! I can't wait. I usually HATE to shop, but that's the one day I love! I used to go with my sis-in-law, then meet up with my MIL and her sis later for lunch and more shopping...now I pretty much enjoy going on my own. No one to slow me down, and I have a VERY short attn span. They like to look and look...and look. I've got my list, I'm there to get what I can, then get out and move on! The last few years, DH has had to work, so I usually get up about 4, do my Wal mart and/or Kmart shopping because its local, then get home by 8 for him to go to work. I just love the excitement of shopping that day. I'm not a 'grab soemthing out of someone's cart' type of shopper. I get a mocha latte on the way, get what I can, then I usually make a round or two of the store because more often than not, people have grabbed more than what they need of some toy, then lay it down where it doesn't belong. I've found more stuff on my list that way!

Last year I went with my mom and we did great! We both shop the same way: we know exactly what we need to get & we get in and get out! We had a lot of fun last year and I can't wait for this year!

Another person who works in retail that loves the holiday season!!

I'm super-jealous because I just won't be able to wander through the malls this season!

I was very surprised that Old Navy didn't need me last year on Black Friday. Two years ago, I went shopping super early, went back to bed for a bit and then went to work from 12-4pm. It was a long day, but loads of fun!

Meghan! Glad you have a plan...I personally would NEVER do a BF!!! I would feel so rushed....and so behind before I got there!!!! But...if that is how you do it, I hope you get all you are looking for and find great deals!!!!! I have several friends that love doing that....I have never asked if I could go I don't think they would like me to go with them Ha!!!!!!!

It's really not too bad. I've never encountered any crazy shoppers (grabbing things out of peoples hands, fighting, etc) but then again, I don't go to Walmart, Best Buy, etc. I stick to the mall and I don't have to wait outside before the stores open!

Hey Snowbirds! I feel awful that I'm always popping in here to give you a bunch of "me" posts. I promise I will be better when I'm not preoccupied.

Just wanted to let you know that today is our day! We are heading out for the hospital in an hour. Baby should be here about 1:00 if all goes as scheduled! I'll update you all when I can. Pictures to follow after we get home from the hosptial!.


SO excited to see all of the talk about Christmas shopping and decorating. My favorite time of year. We've started our shopping this week. Wahoo! I love to shop LOL

HOORAY!!! I can't wait to see pictures!!! I hope that all went well yesterday.


We have an artificial tree and I love it. It's pre-lit so I don't have to wrestle with strings of lights. It's awesome. I've never had a real tree and I plan on keeping it that way. I can't stand the smell of pine and real trees are too messy. I've heard that real trees can be dangerous to cats (eating the needles?), so that's another reason they're out of the question. I have 3 wonderful fur babies that I'd like to have around for a long time!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Well...we are flying out of Intercontinental in Houston. Its a biiiig airport..but once we get there, we do our luggage curbside!!! Sooo much easier!!! Then once we park and get inside....it's all downhill from there!!! That part probably takes about 20 minutes...then we go to our security line...last year the line was wwaaaaayyyyy long...but it only took about 30 min max. So...we just sat in the waiting area for our gate at least an hour and 15 mins. So....... This year, we are flying out a little over an hour earlier than usual....it's always a 10:15 flight (Sat) this time it's 9. So..I think the security line will be even shorter. I think an hour and a half early will be plenty of time. We are familiar with our section of the airport because we have done it so many times now. Actually, I think finding a parking spot and dropping off the luggage at the curb is the hardest part!!!! That parking garage is just unbelieveably HUGE!!!!
Another tradition we have is to go through our local Chick-Fil-A and get the kids breakfast!! They dont open til 6....if we plan to be there 2 hours early we will miss CFA by an hour...my procrastinating husband is assuring me we have PLENTY of time for CFA and still be early....we'll see!!!!!

 

[danceintherain]

Well...we are flying out of Intercontinental in Houston. Its a biiiig airport..but once we get there, we do our luggage curbside!!! Sooo much easier!!! Then once we park and get inside....it's all downhill from there!!! That part probably takes about 20 minutes...then we go to our security line...last year the line was wwaaaaayyyyy long...but it only took about 30 min max. So...we just sat in the waiting area for our gate at least an hour and 15 mins. So....... This year, we are flying out a little over an hour earlier than usual....it's always a 10:15 flight (Sat) this time it's 9. So..I think the security line will be even shorter. I think an hour and a half early will be plenty of time. We are familiar with our section of the airport because we have done it so many times now. Actually, I think finding a parking spot and dropping off the luggage at the curb is the hardest part!!!! That parking garage is just unbelieveably HUGE!!!!
Another tradition we have is to go through our local Chick-Fil-A and get the kids breakfast!! They dont open til 6....if we plan to be there 2 hours early we will miss CFA by an hour...my procrastinating husband is assuring me we have PLENTY of time for CFA and still be early....we'll see!!!!!

Mmmmm.... Chikfila breakfast... I wonder if I have time to run over there before they close??? Well... breakfast... obviously they're open all day, but their chicken biscuits are so much better than any of their other food.

 

[letthewookiewin]

CONGRATS ON THE NEW ANGEL MINDY!!!

OMG, I Chick-fil-A's breakfast!! The one we go to is right near a Starbucks. We usually go through the Starbucks drive through first and then to CFA's. I drink my tall Pumpkin Spiced Latte or Moca on the way home, and then we eat our CFA once we get home and watch something on the computer. My DH has to drink before he eats b/c he had lapband a couple of years ago.

Well my oldest DS is officially 12. This time 12 years ago he was in the NICU and I was passed out thanks to a morphine drip. Well not really the drip, but the DH who kept pressing the button for me to get another dose of the meds. If I had known then, what I know now, we wouldn't have been so worried. I had hypertension and toxemia, and my doctor told me after that we had almost died. If we had known that little 4 pound baby would be slightly taller than me by his 12th birthday, we wouldn't have been as worried. Well we are off to pick up a Fudgie the Whale from Carvel and then to see 2012.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

to your DS!!



I wish we had Chick - Fil - A near us. We always have to go when we head south. Yumm!

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Thanks so much for the well wishes everyone. We are sitting here waiting to be discharged. Everything went perfectly and are so proud to welcome Chase Jennings G. To our little family. He was 7 lbs, 9 oz and 18.5 inches long. He's so tiny compared to Rylan but is absolutely perfect. I will get pictures up when I'm home.

I can't wait to get him his first pair of Mickey ears!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We don't put up Christmas lights because we don't have any outdoor plug ins on our house!

We don't even start decorating for Christmas until December actually rolls around! I love Christmas, just can't handle it for 6 weeks! I think 2-3 weeks is much more sane.

We actually intend to investigate the season of Advent this year. Always do it at Church, just never at home! I believe it starts on November 29th this year!

We will be doing an artificial tree this year as my allergies have gotten to the point where I cannot handle having a real tree in the house for more than a couple of days!

The artificial trees are starting to go on sale now so we will probably start shopping for one soon! Maybe put it up the first night of Christmas vacation which is Dec 18th! Probably start decorating in a couple weeks! I have to at least wait until DH is done the Christmas Dinner Theatre at Church. The last night of that is Dec 5th!

I think the main reason I don't do too much Christmas fussing and decorating is because I HATE having to clean it all up and put it away! I love decorating, just detest cleaning up!

Just don't go tree shopping after drinking (slamming) margaritas! We ended up with a 9ft tree (went for a 7) that only fits in one part of our very small living room. If we put it by the window, you can't put the angel on it!
We did real trees for a few years, but the expense and the mess drove me nuts! Maybe when the boys get a little older and ask for a real one, we may try it again, but for now we'll use our overpriced, oversized prelit one!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Thanks so much for the well wishes everyone. We are sitting here waiting to be discharged. Everything went perfectly and are so proud to welcome Chase Jennings G. To our little family. He was 7 lbs, 9 oz and 18.5 inches long. He's so tiny compared to Rylan but is absolutely perfect. I will get pictures up when I'm home.

I can't wait to get him his first pair of Mickey ears!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
WELCOME CHASE!!!! HUGS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Thanks so much for the well wishes everyone. We are sitting here waiting to be discharged. Everything went perfectly and are so proud to welcome Chase Jennings G. To our little family. He was 7 lbs, 9 oz and 18.5 inches long. He's so tiny compared to Rylan but is absolutely perfect. I will get pictures up when I'm home.

I can't wait to get him his first pair of Mickey ears!

Welcome to the World Chase Jennings!

Congratulations Mindy and Family! Glad everything went well! Can't wait to see pictures!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Mindy!! Congratulations!!!!!

Welcome Chase Jennings!!!!
We are sooo glad you made it here safe and sound!!!

 

[letthewookiewin]

Thanks so much for the well wishes everyone. We are sitting here waiting to be discharged. Everything went perfectly and are so proud to welcome Chase Jennings G. To our little family. He was 7 lbs, 9 oz and 18.5 inches long. He's so tiny compared to Rylan but is absolutely perfect. I will get pictures up when I'm home.

I can't wait to get him his first pair of Mickey ears!

Congrats to you and your family!! I'm sure he's just as cute as his name is. I bet Rylan is excited to be the "big brother". Joey and John are just 13 months apart in age and so Joey was too young to really get excited about being a big brother.

We had a great weekend. Friday Joey and I went to the eye doctor. As part of his birthday present we got him transition lenses b/c he wanted them. We picked up Fudgie the Whale and went to my DH's brother's house and ate the whale and the boys played. Then we met my DH's parents at the movie theatre and watched 2012. It was a good movie. After the movie, we went to IHOP for pumpkin pancakes. I had class yesterday and somehow I was un-enrolled from it. No one could figure out why, and the person who did it wasn't there. After class, I brought home chicken tenders, potatoes, and jalapeno poppers When we were done eating, my DH and DS's let me take a nap.

On Disney trip news, we (when I say we I mean me and then I'll try and convince DH) are thinking about renting DVC points. They said we could put 50% down and then the rest 60 days before our trip. It's a lot cheaper than renting a villa from Disney. I would really love a 1 bedroom (2 bedroom if the in laws come) and a washer/dryer in our room.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Mindy and family -
CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Welcome to the DIS family Chase!!
You'll have to change your siggie now Mindy - your turkey is fully cooked and out of the oven!!
Best Wishes!

 

[sarbah77]

Thanks so much for the well wishes everyone. We are sitting here waiting to be discharged. Everything went perfectly and are so proud to welcome Chase Jennings G. To our little family. He was 7 lbs, 9 oz and 18.5 inches long. He's so tiny compared to Rylan but is absolutely perfect. I will get pictures up when I'm home.

I can't wait to get him his first pair of Mickey ears!

I hope that you and your family are on

Just don't go tree shopping after drinking (slamming) margaritas! We ended up with a 9ft tree (went for a 7) that only fits in one part of our very small living room. If we put it by the window, you can't put the angel on it!

This sounds like a lot of fun! The shopping after margaritas, I mean.

I want a new (fake) tree and I want it pre-lit. I'm tired of arguing every year with my husband when we string lights!