Something About Nothing............ #14

[Lynne G]

Yep, I do too, and we dash outside to check on food even if snowing. Love our grill, Sue.

Steak was delicious, same with burgers, and only thing left was some mashed taters. Deciding if want something sweet.

 

[schumigirl]

Yep, I do too, and we dash outside to check on food even if snowing. Love our grill, Sue.

Steak was delicious, same with burgers, and only thing left was some mashed taters. Deciding if want something sweet.

Dinner sounds good Lynne........we do have an outside one built in to a small gazebo, but have to be honest.....in the winter it’s only used if we have guests round and it’s a “winter barbecue” other than that......inside cooking only for me.....I don’t mind watching the guys outside cooking though......lol........





Monday again........have no idea what we’re doing today yet......as it’s still raining I doubt we’ll go far.

Although Janet reminded me I haven’t done much about Christmas yet this year.......so maybe it’s time to think about that! And two friends have their 50th just before and just after Christmas......so, the one who is on Boxing Day is now making me feel guilty I had decided not to have the traditional Boxing Day get together we usually host.........thought I’d have a year off......but apparently it’s not the same if we don’t do it......lol......all our friends all take turns at hosting parties, and do it very well....but this one on the 26th has always been at ours. Hmmm. May have to rethink.

Waiting for Kyle to leave for work, then will decide what to do this morning.

Getting fed up with rain.......but, it’s better than snow that some are getting elsewhere.......

Have a great Monday........

 

[Lynne G]

Snow? Don’t say that word, Schumi, LoL

Nothing like outdoor air conditioning. 34 outside temperature, said the car. Oh, and get your windshield ice scraper out. Rats, had to scrape frost off my car windows. And yes, that heater in my seat was activated, oh yes I did. 70 put as the inside the car temp. I am not a fan of cold.

Back to routine Monday for me. I think the last full week in this building, but would not be surprised to see the leaving date pushed a few more days, before this week ends. Guess I will see.

Schumi, hope the holiday parties and birthday celebrations work themselves out, this holiday season.

So ready for tea. Sweater is at the ready, and I did wear a long sleeve blouse today. Particularly on a Monday, you don’t know if the turned the heat on earlier or not. Almost cool, but if they did turn the heat in earlier, will be more like an oven by mid afternoon. Joys of an office that is on its last life. Well, has been too hot in winter and too cold in summer most of the more than a decade in this building. Hope a new building does the perfect temp year round.

Hello tea bag. Later homies. Mac and MonyK, and all not feeling the best homies, have a more healthy day this Monday. Mummy dust sent to you all.

 

[schumigirl]

Yes, Lynne, it`s always too early to mention snow!!! Frost is almost as bad.....Hope the building move goes well, and quickly! Sounds like the heating system is antiquated......



Off out to meet some friends for an hour or so......quick catch up and a glass of wine....and sun is shining now, least the rain has stopped....finally.

 

[pattyw]

Happy Monday all!! Been a busy weekend!! BRRR! Cold here! winter is in the air! We even saw a little wet S-N-O-W on Saturday!! Ick!

Hope everyone is well and has a good day!! Another busy week at work! Time for another cup of coffee!!

 

[Disxuni]

Good morning, homies! Time to come back to reality for me.

I do not know how much you guys all love Cabana Bay, but honestly, besides my Contemporary experience I would have to say it's one of my best experiences I've ever had a resort. Maybe I'm easy to please, but it was great. It looked absolutely amazing. Photos are one thing, but it's another thing to be there. You feel as if you stepped back in time. Everyone was nice. It was absolutely pristine in terms of look and cleanliness. It was relaxing and the view was absolutely amazing.

I typically do not do trip reports (I'm shy and feel like it's probably a broken record to some people so I never do any), but I did one in the Cabana post in the resort section since others asked if I'd report back once I came back since they had questions and were curious. I really didn't want to leave. My friend who came with me (who's not as obsessed with the era as I am) even thought the place was amazing as well in not only in looks, but service and experience and wants to go back for her birthday.

 

[keishashadow]

Morning all

And hey, you going on the RC Harmony in 2021? We are in January 2021. This January, 2020, is Carnival out of Tampa.

Last sailing in March 2020. Oldest DS’s familly twisted my arm to join them afterwards in WDW for 5 nights. Did insist on us coming home in time to have Easter for rest of the family. Committed, then almost fainted when I realized that was Easter blackout dates for our APHs, ouch to that upgraded renewal. Can’t believe I didn’t catch that. Staying @ WBC as DVC already booked and not willing to pay $200+ a night for WDW value.

Lynne we BBQ year long! we have a built in BBQ on the patio and has a roof over the bbq part with a light so we can see what we’re doing in the dark winter months.

Fancy. After hearing of a propane tank exploding in backyard a few years back (they figured spider had made a next & blocked the hose of all things!), I insisted the mr move the grill far from house & anything that could catch on fire.

It’s a long tromp back there, longer in the snow . Let’s just say that the Mr is elected to take over the duties when it drops below freezing.

thought I’d have a year off......but apparently it’s not the same if we don’t do it......lol......all our friends all take turns at hosting parties, and do it very well....but this one on the 26th has always been at ours. Hmmm. May have to rethink.

Had a feeling you’d reconsider lol

We even saw a little wet S-N-O-W on Saturday!! Ick!

Ew, you win! Not that deck isn’t stacked in your favor with all that lake effect snow. If anything though, assume it’s akin to Erie, PA. They handle regular storms of a foot or so amazingly well. We don’t have have snow routes here, such a smart idea.

Surprised to see that old iron cargo ship shift that was stuck at the Falls for over a century, dislodge in storm Halloween night. Do you think it’s going to go completely over?

I do not know how much you guys all love Cabana Bay, but honestly, besides my Contemporary experience I would have to say it's one of my best experiences I've ever had a resort. Maybe I'm easy to please, but it was great. It looked absolutely amazing. Photos are one thing, but it's another thing to be there. You feel as if you stepped back in time. Everyone was nice. It was absolutely pristine in terms of look and cleanliness. It was relaxing and the view was absolutely amazing.

Nice thing about Orlando is it has so many different types of lodging, including the ones ‘onsite’ at U & WDW.

Nice to hear you enjoyed it. I really wanted to like CB, the Mr wanted to stay there for themeing. I went in with an open mind as I enjoy staying at the WDW values. Not happy to pay rack rate when we were able to add on 5 nights to our fall trip there, but our options were limited.

Theming was absolutely spot on for the era, it was clean & fresh looking. Especially enjoyed the classic cars. Unfortunately, it was a one & done for us, especially in the mr’s eyes...he who never complains when it comes to vacations.

Our visit started off strangely due to what I’ll term the front desk staff being woefully ill-trained. Were instructed to stay close, our room would be ready in an hour as housekeeping supervisor just needed to check the room. We kept our bags in the rental & elected to walk around the resort & acquaint ourselves with it.

Back to front desk approx 1-1/2 hours later, another 20 min wait in long line, and told there was a problem. Sigh. Informed when they checked their system after we left the front desk it was realized we were flagged as ‘Loews’ VIP guests’. I’m thinking, ooh an upgrade.

Nope, we were thanked for being loyal guests - always a nice touch. Then, told they had to pull our assigned room since we were special lol & give it a ‘deep cleaning’ as well as “scrub the carpet”. Estimated completion was another 2 hours.

Since we wanted to do the stranger things pop up, decided to just hang a bit more. Concierge was able to upgrade our HHN tix, very nice folk there, knew their stuff. However, we would never burn 4 hours hanging out at the resort if not informed our room would be ready shortly. They made things so much worse by their lame excuses when we returned to the desk. Let it drop, as i genuinely think the staff was panicking and making it up as they went.

We are still lol re the ‘deep cleaning’ comment. I’d like to think all rooms are cleaned thusly when they are turned over. As for the carpet scrubbing, i call BS, it wasn’t damp at all & didn’t have that associated smell. Did share my experience in exit email & suggested that their training policies need to be re-examined at that property. Makes sense when I discovered the hotel isn’t ‘run’ by Loews. Would like to think they’ll get the front desk pulled together sooner vs later

 

[Sue M]

Good morning! With all this talk about snow, I should have the Mr haul out my snow tires and make an appt to have them put on. Afternoons still in 50s and sunny here. Beautiful sunrise this morning.

Transit strike here. So far busses still on the road. But overtime ban, on maintenance. As time progresses I guess less busses on the road. Concerning because oldest daughter uses transit to get to work. And looks like it will be a long strike. One of us may end up having to drive her.

Keishashadow I saw that ship on the morning news! Wow. I haven’t heard about spider nest in propane tank, but I’d never have the bbq up close to the house.

Schumi I get sick of the rain too. It can go for days here. But on the bright side, you don’t have to shovel it lol.

Getting back into routine, Aquafit this morning.

 

[schumigirl]

Janet, we still howl with laughter at your “special upgrade” at Cabana Bay......I will pass that experience along when I get the chance......lol......yes, it’s not somewhere I’d ever stay......theme doesn’t appeal to me at all, and so many reports like yours......I did try and talk some folks out of going.......long story short.....they went......they saw it.....they moved over to Sapphire Falls with their tails on fire......lol.......I did say I told you so.......

Yes, still considering Boxing Day.......Tom’s already decided I’ll do it......

Our built in outside grill is well away from the house too.....it has its own little area where we can’t see it, so yes, I’m not going down there in the cold!! Too many horror stories......oh I saw that ship on the news......weird story!!



Had nice couple of hours with two friends......nice little catch up as they both head back the UAE in a few days and won’t be back till March.....

Wondering how many fireworks we’ll see and hear in the distance tonight.......Bonfire Night tomorrow evening.......it keeps going though!!!

Lamps on in our sitting room already.........

 

[keishashadow]

SueM we do the all season radials but if our seasonal forecast is accurate, may be buying a pair of real snow tires. Don’t think we still have the old chains we’ve used only once over the years.

lol.......I did say I told you so..

Indeed you did! At least they called us special

 

[Disxuni]

@keishashadow Sorry that you had that experience. Sounds like one issue after another, especially when you've stayed in the area as much as you have you deserved more. Anyone deserves a good experience though.

I literally went in with no expectations, as all I knew about the place was the theming. I expected to wait, as when I went to HRH I would check in early, but would get notification of when our room was ready via text. In the meantime, we planned on going to the pool, or checking out the resort (as only had one bag each, so they might be different if we didn't have one bag). I have a feeling that the reasoning for it working out so well for us was, no expectations set, the fact that we arrived at 8am (other than staff, I think we saw only two people relaxing in the lobby) so we got a room instantly, and I put in that we were celebrating a birthday in my reservation.

 

[keishashadow]

Sounds like one issue after another, especially when you've stayed in the area as much as you have you deserved more.

When the youfirst program was eliminated, I was very disappointed. So indulgent to be upgraded to suites, was a nice run. I’ve wrapped my head around it lol any upgrades received since are now unexpected delights, but i’d Never ask for one. My expectations are the same for accommodations anywhere: clean & a comfy bed, bonus if it’s located in a quiet location.

Normally, I never lurk in lobbies waiting for a room assignment, consider it a waste of valuable park time! I don’t put in requests for anything other than what is specified in my Loews profile (bedding #, upper floor). I do call re RPH reservations and ask for a notation to not be in dog tower. Consider myself very easy going in that regard.

It was the series of TM interactions that were a deal-breaker for me there. A shame as the property was designed very well to the theme. Glad you didn’t take personal offense, so many identify so closely with hotels/parks. Here’s to many more fun-filled trips there for you!

 

[Lynne G]

Keisha, then when you cruise next year, will have to tell me how you like the Harmony. Decided my first RC cruise with the kids, go big.

Waiting for lunch, and the sweater is soon going to be replaced with a winter jacket, and oh yeah, sunglasses! Yay, if it can't be warm, at least I can rock sunglasses on this beautiful, sunny Fall day.

DIx, so glad you enjoyed your birthday trip to CB. Many more trips there, I hope. Me too, cannot bring myself to book there or Aventura. Stayed for the first time at SF, and would gladly stay there for a few nights again.

Time for an early lunch walk. Hoping the weather has gone at least into the 40's. Lucky, nary a breeze, so no wind chill temps to be, at least today. Saying we will have wind chills in the 30's by week's end. Boo, winter is coming. But hey, food comas to be this month and next. Woot!

 

[pattyw]

Good morning, homies! Time to come back to reality for me.

I do not know how much you guys all love Cabana Bay, but honestly, besides my Contemporary experience I would have to say it's one of my best experiences I've ever had a resort. Maybe I'm easy to please, but it was great. It looked absolutely amazing. Photos are one thing, but it's another thing to be there. You feel as if you stepped back in time. Everyone was nice. It was absolutely pristine in terms of look and cleanliness. It was relaxing and the view was absolutely amazing.

So glad you enjoyed CB! My son , Kyle and his fiancee stayed there in the spring and loved it! Bummer on reality! Time to plan another trip!

Ew, you win! Not that deck isn’t stacked in your favor with all that lake effect snow. If anything though, assume it’s akin to Erie, PA. They handle regular storms of a foot or so amazingly well. We don’t have have snow routes here, such a smart idea.

Surprised to see that old iron cargo ship shift that was stuck at the Falls for over a century, dislodge in storm Halloween night. Do you think it’s going to go completely over?

Yep- we are pros at lake effect snow and its removal! The only thing that gets me though winter( which can last until May!!) is planning some winter warm getaways!
Our Halloween storm was crazy! The winds were horrible- and for the entire day. Many trees toppled, power outages everywhere! Luckily, we were spared from any damage and didn't lose power.

Good morning! With all this talk about snow, I should have the Mr haul out my snow tires and make an appt to have them put on. Afternoons still in 50s and sunny here. Beautiful sunrise this morning.

Sunny and 50 sounds heavenly! Enjoy!

oh I saw that ship on the news......weird story!!

Yes- crazy indeed! Finally dislodged after 100 years! It was a bad, bad storm!

Time for an early lunch walk. Hoping the weather has gone at least into the 40's. Lucky, nary a breeze, so no wind chill temps to be, at least today. Saying we will have wind chills in the 30's by week's end. Boo, winter is coming. But hey, food comas to be this month and next. Woot!

Enjoy your walk in the sun! and Yay! for food comas!!

Sun is out for now! Clouds, wind, and rain moving in shortly! Our ground is so wet already! But I'm sure the below freezing lows the next 10 days will start to freeze it! Ugh!

 

[Disxuni]

Glad you didn’t take personal offense, so many identify so closely with hotels/parks. Here’s to many more fun-filled trips there for you!

Thanks for wishing me luck, as well as others saying they're glad I had a good time at the resort. Thanks you guys as well.

I realize that people have different tastes, as well as have different experiences, hence why I questioned in my original post how much you guys might even like it. Just the place and style of it alone I'm sure is not a lot of people's thing. Even small things such as music might be something people may like, or don't like. As for example, I noticed in the lobby area and restaurant you can hear oldies, but in the pool area it was definitely more modern music.

It's interesting to see what others experiences are and accept the good, or bad. Everything has ups and downs and things you like, or dislike about it. That's what making any decision, especially for a vacation is a tough decision sometimes.

 

[macraven]

I’m officially southern-ized now

57 and tomorrow’s high could be 68 at its peak but will see how predictions change tonight
Later this month temps will drop

I should have moved further south

I think we should build a huge mansion in a place that has year round ideal temperatures.....and all move in to this estate

 

[Monykalyn]

Tired Monday! Can't believe November already.
Halloween was cold, but lots of kiddos out. Went to neighbors house for bit (my old boss, still a good friend) to catch up. Her house is in the flat part so she had tons of kids. Middle dressed up as Cruella-will have to upload a photo.
Wingapalooza saturday-another huge turnout/success. Took all day Sunday to recover LOL.

Disxuni-we loved Cabana Bay too. We were in a family suite overlooking pool (the one with slide). It is great having that much space for 4 people. I think my son spent every moment he could in lazy river or going down slide. Although I have to say I loved Sapphire Falls as well with the boat transportation. I think Universal's resorts are much nicer than 99% of Disneys. Enjoyed the Grand Floridian in August but I would choose SF over GF for theming, staff, and upkeep!

and no snow! Bit cooler than usual fall currently, but it is sunny. My poor hen who is molting has been tucked between the big fluffy birds at night when I go to check on them. Funny how brutal pecking order can be, yet they will take care of each other when they need to.

Guess I should work!
Hey to all and hope all are doing well and staying warm and dry!

 

[schumigirl]

Has everyone got the email about next years HHN event......got a save the date email

September 10th till October 31st!!

Excellent!!

 

[Lynne G]

Rats. Schumi beat me to it.

For all that are interested in 2020's HHN, did you get the email, reserve time for 30th HHN, starting September 10, 2020 email? Is it early for Universal to send such? Okay, I did already book, though may change when APH rates come out in August of next year, or so. And thinking of adding the mouse before or after this coming year. Decisions.

Lunch walk was not that bad, and very bright out.

MonyK, glad to hear the wing selling this week-end went so well. And cute costume for kid. Hehhe, with chickens. My neighbor's been working on his chicken area, guess getting it winterized.

 

[Sue M]

SueM we do the all season radials but if our seasonal forecast is accurate, may be buying a pair of real snow tires. Don’t think we still have the old chains we’ve used only once over the years.



Indeed you did! At least they called us special

I guess it depends where you live. It’s a crap shoot whether we will get snowy winter or just a dusting. But our coastal snow is wet and heavy. All seasons don’t cut it here. And if we want to go up to Whistler they have tire checks before you climb up in elevation. We’re also quite hilly. I live on a hill.
There‘s a newish product out called All Weather my daughter got for her suv. It has the snow designation on it but like All Season you leave them on all year.