~Snowbird Chat~

[Disney Mommy 3]

Just wanted to chime back in here and give u our wonderful weather report!! Our deadly heat is here...the heat index for the week will be between 102 & 107 into the weekend. I was working in the flower beds Mon evening..waiting for it to cool down...it was 8:15 before it cooled enough that I wasn't pouring sweat! Oh..this heat!! So..they are already issuing our heat advisories and urging people to check on little kids, elderly, and pets....It's not suppose to rain again for a while...dang...and I needed it for my flower beds!!! Well...I guess I will be stalking these boards for the rest of the summer....too hot to get out and do anything!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

And even better...DH comes home on Saturday!
But here's the silly part. We're coming home, dropping off most of his stuff, and going to London for the weekend. Not my idea! See, DS12, and to a lesser extent DH and DS10 are big Bon Jovi fans. When they found out Bon Jovi was performing in Europe this summer, they made plans to go with another guy and his two boys to the concert in Paris (about 2 hours from here). However...the Paris concert was June 16 and DH couldn't be back until June 19. And the friends are leaving for the States on June 23. Buy hey! Bon Jovi will be playing in London on June 19! So they made the plan to go to that show. It's supposed to be a guys' outing, but I haven't seen DH in 10 weeks so DD and I are crashing the party. We'll just stay at the hotel while they're at the concert. I like Bon Jovi fine, but not enough to go to all this trouble, and not enough to find someone to watch DD while I went. Anyway, we'll all look around London a little bit on Sunday, and come home that evening. The boys are super excited, and I'm sure it will be a fun weekend. I'll just be happy to have DH back!

Yay for DH coming home!!! And a second Yay for Bon Jovi! I'm a huge fan and I would be one of those people who would go to all that trouble! I've seen them I think 4 times and every one is better than the last. It's one of the only concerts I ever want to pay money to go to anymore. (Me and a bunch of other 40 year old women!)

I'm sure you will all have fun just having him home!

Shawna - Girl - you need to come to MN. We have much better weather this time of year.

 

[sarbah77]

Sarah and Shawna, my DH is an overpacker too! What's with that? Sarah, I'll have to look up the packing folders from Sierra Trading Post--thanks for the tip!

If you can manage it, sign up for their emails - sometimes you'll get some fabulous coupons. I managed to get 40-60% off my packing folders, buying through them. (The brand is Eagle Creek, if I didn't mention... you can also get them from places like ebags, but Sierra Trading Post was BY FAR the cheapest)

We, uh, haven't done much packing yet. Husband DID find his suitcoat yesterday and try it on. Given that he calls himself "fat" because he's not running, now I'm thinking he needs to try on his button down shirt. Just to be safe.

Two years ago today, we boarded the ship for our Alaska cruise. By mid-July, we'd agreed that he was going to run the Disney marathon next January and... that's when I found all of you amazing women! Wow. Almost two years!

Our goldfish died this morning!!! Now I know some of you are thinking....omg. However we are rather thrilled about this, which yes does make us terrible people. Now for some background...we've had this darn thing for well over 16 years (yes that's the truth).

That's HYSTERICAL! I'm sorry. Hey, uh, at least you got to say your farewells before you made your trip? I'm VERY jealous of your upcoming vacation!

And even better...DH comes home on Saturday!

YAY! Congrats!!! Holy cow; that's almost here! When you get back, tell me your top favorite thing in London, please? We have not quite two full days to look at the city, so we're taking input! (We have a plan, but you know!)

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Sheree~ I know....I think about it often,,,believe me!
Sarah...can you believe it's been 2 years!! Crazy huh!! Wasn't it July of 08..at least I think that's when I had booked and found the thread....
And what is a packing folder? I guess I will hop over to that website and see!! I need something for him..it's ridiculous to look into his suitcase! I was thinking maybe of getting him a rolling duffle and a small suitcase---him having that large suitcase just isn't working out....it all gets stuffed in....
DS14 got an Eddie Bauer rolling duffle thing from Target to take to camp and it was wonderful.... It has a bottom to it for shoes or whatever, a couple of outside pockets and came in green(kinda military lookin')...he took all his stuff for 4 days with looots of room to spare and said it was going to Disney!! ha!! And it was on the clearance aisle!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Does anyone use the "rolling" technique when they pack? Instead of just folding your clothes and laying them flat on top of each other, we fold them (tuck the sleeves in) and then roll them up. It actually keeps the clothes nice and doesn't wrinkle them. Plus, it doesn't take up as much space. My sister told me about it when I was in HS and we use that technique for every Disney trip. DH and DD share our biggest suitcase, I bring my own (I bring every flip flop that I own...gotta match shoes to the outfit!) and then the 3rd suitcase is for snacks and beach towels. In the past, we've used the 3rd suitcase for the bottom half of Madison's booster seat. Well, we're finally taking a trip where we don't need a rental car so no more booster! That equals more room for snacks! Then, on the way home, we have an empty suitcase for all those souvies!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I have done it with the our jeans...haven't really done it with shirts...don't know why!!! I ship toiletries and snax down there in a box by Fed Ex....have been hearing on other threads lately that airline people are 'checking' luggage with food in it...guess maybe the dogs are smelling it? One lady (can't remember what thread) said they got their luggage & all the food was gone!! Then someone else said, yeah...ours too!! WEIRD!!! don't know if the luggage boys ate the food or they threw it out after they opened the luggage or what!!! But, I have been doing the shipping thing for a few years now and never had a problem...it's so much easier to have all that shipped and taken care of...less to worry about when it's time to pack backpacks and all that the day before we go!

 

[sarbah77]

Sheree~ I know....I think about it often,,,believe me!
Sarah...can you believe it's been 2 years!! Crazy huh!! Wasn't it July of 08..at least I think that's when I had booked and found the thread....
And what is a packing folder? I guess I will hop over to that website and see!! I need something for him..it's ridiculous to look into his suitcase! I was thinking maybe of getting him a rolling duffle and a small suitcase---him having that large suitcase just isn't working out....it all gets stuffed in....
DS14 got an Eddie Bauer rolling duffle thing from Target to take to camp and it was wonderful.... It has a bottom to it for shoes or whatever, a couple of outside pockets and came in green(kinda military lookin')...he took all his stuff for 4 days with looots of room to spare and said it was going to Disney!! ha!! And it was on the clearance aisle!!!

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,2084H_Eagle-Creek-Pack-It-Folder-20.html - there's one. It even comes with instructions, that are part of the folder, on how to use it. It made a HUGE difference. HUGE. He took up half as much space for our April trip to MA than your December trip. (Yes, there was some lighter clothing, but not much!)

Does anyone use the "rolling" technique when they pack? Instead of just folding your clothes and laying them flat on top of each other, we fold them (tuck the sleeves in) and then roll them up. It actually keeps the clothes nice and doesn't wrinkle them. Plus, it doesn't take up as much space. My sister told me about it when I was in HS and we use that technique for every Disney trip. DH and DD share our biggest suitcase, I bring my own (I bring every flip flop that I own...gotta match shoes to the outfit!) and then the 3rd suitcase is for snacks and beach towels. In the past, we've used the 3rd suitcase for the bottom half of Madison's booster seat. Well, we're finally taking a trip where we don't need a rental car so no more booster! That equals more room for snacks! Then, on the way home, we have an empty suitcase for all those souvies!

The rolling technique has been unsuccessful with my DH. I think that's when he ends up crumpling his clothing into a ball and tossing it in to the suitcase. "Neatly" and "compact" don't seem to be in his vocabulary, but for some reason, the packing folder works. I think it's because it has a drawn-out method for him, and the scientist in him wants to make it work.

 

[crzyred]

I totally do the rolling technique! I also shove socks in my tennis shoes.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

ok...just went and checked it out!!! I am totally getting these!!! What a difference this will make for dh!!! We have a Container Store over in Houston...I would love to go over there and check it out! But...I think I can tell what sizes I need from the sites....I definitely need one big sleeve/folder for dh..then maybe a med one too...the kids might need one medium one...but I loooove the cubes...i usually do socks and underwear in Ziplock bags...i have spent a ton on baggies!!! And the Shoe bag is a must!!! I love how on the Eagle Creek website they show you how they will fit in a suitcase!!! Thanks!!! I love this!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

I have done it with the our jeans...haven't really done it with shirts...don't know why!!! I ship toiletries and snax down there in a box by Fed Ex....have been hearing on other threads lately that airline people are 'checking' luggage with food in it...guess maybe the dogs are smelling it? One lady (can't remember what thread) said they got their luggage & all the food was gone!! Then someone else said, yeah...ours too!! WEIRD!!! don't know if the luggage boys ate the food or they threw it out after they opened the luggage or what!!! But, I have been doing the shipping thing for a few years now and never had a problem...it's so much easier to have all that shipped and taken care of...less to worry about when it's time to pack backpacks and all that the day before we go!

Oh no!!! We've never had missing food from our suitcases. They better not touch Madison's fruit snacks! I've never thought about shipping down a box of food. Last year, we bought a case of water from Costco and had it shipped to Pop. It was great!

The rolling technique has been unsuccessful with my DH. I think that's when he ends up crumpling his clothing into a ball and tossing it in to the suitcase. "Neatly" and "compact" don't seem to be in his vocabulary, but for some reason, the packing folder works. I think it's because it has a drawn-out method for him, and the scientist in him wants to make it work.

That stinks. I do all the packing, so I don't have to worry about my DH. He just lays out the clothes he wants to bring and I take care of it (the bit of control freak in me). I'll have to check out the packing folder.

 

[sarbah77]

ok...just went and checked it out!!! I am totally getting these!!! What a difference this will make for dh!!! We have a Container Store over in Houston...I would love to go over there and check it out! But...I think I can tell what sizes I need from the sites....I definitely need one big sleeve/folder for dh..then maybe a med one too...the kids might need one medium one...but I loooove the cubes...i usually do socks and underwear in Ziplock bags...i have spent a ton on baggies!!! And the Shoe bag is a must!!! I love how on the Eagle Creek website they show you how they will fit in a suitcase!!! Thanks!!! I love this!!!

You're welcome! We have two 20" and two 18", since one suitcase is bigger than the other (it's 20" wide and 18" wide). We still do things like tuck socks into shoes and that sort of thing

That stinks. I do all the packing, so I don't have to worry about my DH. He just lays out the clothes he wants to bring and I take care of it (the bit of control freak in me). I'll have to check out the packing folder.

He won't let me!! So this will have to be our compromise!

(he's probably afraid that I don't think he needs two shirts for every day of a trip) (because he doesn't)

Some people also use the Giant Ziploc bags - the sweater sized ones - with success. I think DH would, again, crumple his clothes and jam a WHOLE bunch in there. I do love him dearly; but packing a suitcase is NOT his forte!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

ok..we had to run to Target today and guess what I found (in a sing-song voice)....packing cubes!! I think they were $14.99...so now I have an idea what size I would need...just thought that is crazy...they are not the brands we talked about, and they don't have the folder ones...but just so you know!!!

 

[sarbah77]

ok..we had to run to Target today and guess what I found (in a sing-song voice)....packing cubes!! I think they were $14.99...so now I have an idea what size I would need...just thought that is crazy...they are not the brands we talked about, and they don't have the folder ones...but just so you know!!!

Target had a decent supply of travel ... stuff! We bough a money belt, a travel alarm, we did eye the packing cubes. Both Targets near us were out of travel pillows in a price we wanted to pay, unfortunately. We went to Meijer (Michigan-based chain store akin to a Super Wal-mart) for pillows, at least.

Husband has collected MOST of his clothes, so we're getting there. Now, to make him put the ties somewhere and pick a button down shirt...!

Unfortunately for me, I'm back to the surgeon's office on Tuesday (hopefully Monday) as I have some recurring? leg pain. I don't know if it's a return of the stress injury/shin splints/stress fracture OR if it's bursitis. Of course, I'm NOT a doctor, but it's my body... so I think it's probably bursitis. Which would be easy to "fix" before we fly with a cortisone injection. Could you see it? I have a 1:30 appointment on Tuesday, we're getting picked up for the airport at 3:30, and those injections HURT, with a 7pm flight. But!! If it fixes, it would be worth it.

 

[sarbah77]

Well, I did the ironing!

I still haven't decided about the pant situation - 2 pairs of jeans & 2 pairs of capris (and yes, with RCI's laundry service) OR 1 pair of jeans, 2pr capris, and a skirt? I can't wear the jeans while doing a lot of walking so I'm not sure if 2 would be overkill!

Happy father's days to all the dads & husbands! I get to see MY dad on Thursday, in England!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Happy Father's Day to all the Snowbird Dad's out there!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Sarah~ I can't believe you are still having trouble with all that!!! Hopefully it'll be corrected quickly and painfree for the trip!!! I am envious of you going to ENGLAND!!!!!! Think of us! Take a couple of good pics of the Peter Pan clock to post when you get home!! ha!!!!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!

Shelly...did you change your ticker?!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Shelly...did you change your ticker?!!!!

Yep -- I did!! My old one was bothering me. Plus I saw someone else with this one and just had to have it! It stinks that it had to start all over, but really it is still the same amount of time. (Which is too much! )

 

[Dancegrl624]

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Dad's out there! I hope everyone has had a great weekend. My cousin got married yesterday and the reception was a blast! Unfortunately, we had noisy neighbors at our hotel last night which kept me up from 2-4am. I finally called the front desk and someone came up and talked to them. Needless to say, I'm exhausted today!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Well, we are just lounging around today..kinda hangin out at the house! So..we went to Houston to a fabulous restauarant for our hubbies yesterday for Father's Day...The Grand Lux Cafe....holy smokes was it good!! It's owned (or so I was told ) by the people who have the Cheesecake Factories!!! Then we went over to the Galleria...of course we had to go to the Lego store...ds11 was thrilled...he got another creator thing...makes a plane, helicopter and I think a boat....then we went to the Disney store!!!!!!
So...I found 4 shirts for DD for our upcoming trip!!!! The first 2 gray t-shirts were on sale for like $5...the Minnie is sooo cute, and the Mickey has butterflies...which she adores:

this one i love because it's just so darn cute!! I think it was on sale for $9.99

And this one was $7.99...plus we are at the BC and the BW is right next door!!! Plus it reminded me of Beaches & Cream!!

So....I need to get on the site for the Disney store and get some cute shirts for me and the guys! I would like to have one really super cute one for all of us...they don't all have to match...but at least have one day where we are all in Mickey garb!! Ok...I am gonna post a couple of pics of all the yard work I have been doing...but I am gonna do it in the next post... I never can tell how much room I have on here!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Ok...yard work is killer...here is the fruit of my labor! This is in back on the far side of our pool...if you remember last year, we had the palms here...they all FROZE during our crazy winter....so I said NIX on palms...if we are gonna start having some good cold weather, I don't want to shell out $$ that we are gonna lose...so I shortened that flower bed and am just waiting for grass to grow on the outer sides where we didnt have any. I did 2 crepe myrtles, one on each end, with a Boeganville (sp?) in front of each one...back row is full of those neat butterfly bushes I told y'all about before...flowers are shaped like one and they attract them! In the middle row are Dwarf Indian Hawthornes...bloom white flowers and stay green all year! Two Hibiscus in between those two rows...ones yellow, one's red/pink...in front of that is the different small things dd picked out, like vincas and what not!

Butterfly bush~~

This bed is closer to the house, on this side of the pool...I added some ground cover called Potato vine...diff varieties...I think this one is Ace of Spades...mercy...it's just taken over...gonna have to cut it back....also added some Abelias, Dwarf Oleander, Dward Indian Hawthorne and a couple of Butterfly bushes here too....also, my new little yard sign. It says "Enjoy Life"...I love it!!! And my Crepe Myrtle that I planted last summer is blooming bright and pink...the purple balls are on the Lily Of the Nile...love that too!

so... I did some new stuff in the front too, but just added a few evergreen things and a flag with our initial on it...but this has kept me busy for a few weeks...I am tired of hauling plants, mulch and getting soooo dirty and sweaty!!! LOL!! Now I just have to pay out the nose for the water to keep it alive!!!