Space Mountain: Clothing Optional - All done and true even if it is April Fool's

[Dizneydawn]

Awww what a lovely ending to your rather traumatic day!!!!

Not so traumatic as it was just irritating! I knew if I did not explain some of it, you all would be like, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING ONLY GETTING TO EPCOT AT 4 p.m.?"

Cause I would be!!!!

 

[Dizneydawn]

Hey!!! Another off TR topic but totally Disney Related!!

Have you guys heard of Angelina Jolie being cast in a live adaptation of Maleficent! Tim Burton scheduled to direct.



That will be awesome!!!

 

[njtinkmom]

I should be able to finish up this TR tom! Just got a call from my Dad and they need him to be seen at his surgeons office tom. His amputation was risky with his diabetes and a huge sign of concern is excessive bleeding.

Guess what?

Yup, the wound is not healing well.

I am with Baylor at a follow up with the burn docs at 1:30 then will beat it across town to meet with him and his surgeon after.

I just pray it is not anything to worry about. Amputation above the knee is the next option and a longer recovery.

Ugh. Trying to loose weight with all this stress is not easy!

Oh no Dawn, my prayers are with you and your father and I hope all goes well with Baylor. You certainly do have your hands full!

With all the running around, you should be able to burn some major calories!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I did read a title of a thread saying there was a rumor that Burton was going to adapt Sleeping Beauty, so maybe it's true??? Oy. Not sure I'm a fan of those adaptations. Can't bring myself to see them. I like the originals too much. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a bit much for me, even though it was cool.

Hope that the dr. visits go okay!!

 

[Dizneydawn]

I did read a title of a thread saying there was a rumor that Burton was going to adapt Sleeping Beauty, so maybe it's true??? Oy. Not sure I'm a fan of those adaptations. Can't bring myself to see them. I like the originals too much. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a bit much for me, even though it was cool.

Hope that the dr. visits go okay!!

I have not seen Alice in Wonderland although people say it is awesome. I also was not overly thrilled with Charlie - a bit too out there. Angelina as Maleficent would be a great role fit I think if it is done well. I read Tim Burton may just be an assistant director as he is tied up with another film...

 

[eliz991]

I think maybe your family should just ride Space Mountain over and over and keep coming up with funny pictures (intentional or not).

Hope all goes well at the doctors' appointments!

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

Yay for finding the phone! I never lost mine at Disney, but the last time I was there my parents were volunteering at the half marathon and running the full, and as soon as we got to Florida my phone stopped sending or receiving texts. I spent 10 minutes in Animal Kingdom with my phone and my mom's phone to my ears talking to tech support and trying to get it fixed. I got some strange looks that day.

Your posts make me grateful I am an only child. Well, ok, every now and then I wish I had an older brother to beat up on guys who annoy me, but at least I don't have to worry about anyone picking on me. My parents do that enough as it is. Especially the one time the German CM was flirting with me. Well, it was annoying at the time because he was teasing me and I REALLY had to pee but he wouldn't tell me where the bathrooms were. But once I'd relieved myself, I decided to "shop" in the store he was working at....just not for clothes

 

[kafitty]

oh my! just got through this TR in (mostly) one sitting...totally worth it. you have a great voice in your writing, and i love the gratuitous use of smileys.

all of your kids are gorgeous! and hilarious! AND i love their names!! i caught that you consider yourself a naming maven...my bff is having a surprise baby soon, and if it's a boy it will have the dad's name, but she hasn't really decided on a girls name yet. Something Irish, not necessarily traditional but classic, kwim? Thoughts??

ohh and i was so pumped when Treyner had on a Boston Red Sox hat...only to have it replaced by the faux-hawk for the rest of the pics hahah. And OMG the Space Mountain picture is just TOO GOOD!!

i'll definitely be back, and your other TR is definitely going on my reading list...i'll be thinking of you and your family, seems you guys just keep getting whacked!

 

[Dizneydawn]

I think maybe your family should just ride Space Mountain over and over and keep coming up with funny pictures (intentional or not).
That is an option! I don't think it fits the retirement plans yet though!
Hope all goes well at the doctors' appointments!

Thanks! Working with Treyner this morning on a report - his computer crashed..then doc appts..then here to get the TR done!!!

Your posts make me grateful I am an only child. I think there are benefits to both sides...if you argue with yourself vs a sibling though you may be post haste taken to a padded room!!!! Especially the one time the German CM was flirting with me. Well, it was annoying at the time because he was teasing me and I REALLY had to pee but he wouldn't tell me where the bathrooms were. But once I'd relieved myself, I decided to "shop" in the store he was working at....just not for clothes

I shopped like that in Canada once1 Ended up dating a guy from Thunder Bay, Ontario for 2 years in HS!!! Proms, trips and phone bills oh my!!!

oh my! just got through this TR in (mostly) one sitting...totally worth it. you have a great voice in your writing, and i love the gratuitous use of smileys.
Glad you joined - you should go back and read the old one too - esp the stories in the 1st PTR that I have linked!
all of your kids are gorgeous! and hilarious! AND i love their names!! i caught that you consider yourself a naming maven...my bff is having a surprise baby soon, and if it's a boy it will have the dad's name, but she hasn't really decided on a girls name yet. Something Irish, not necessarily traditional but classic, kwim? Thoughts??
OUR BFF's live in Ireland so I adore Irish names.

Siobhan with a hash mark over the a which I cannot due on the computer - like the way it looks - would get attention on a resume later in life, stands apart from the rest - (pronounced Shivahn) means gift from God/ Bridget means strength, Fiona (the fair one) I like as well.
Aoiffe (pronounced Effie or Evie for nicknames) means life giving, Ceili (pronounced like Kayleigh) means party/celebration,

My friends name is Nicolette and I think it is beautiful.

I will talk with them this weekend and get more names. Some sound beautiful with an Irish lilt and depending which part of the country the brogue comes from - in American dialect - not so much.

i'll definitely be back, and your other TR is definitely going on my reading list...i'll be thinking of you and your family, seems you guys just keep getting whacked!

There is plenty of blessings as well...just the big stuff is pretty big with my Dad esp.

 

[princess_momma]

Wow, Dawn. You are so right about the article you posted. Its so sad. It hits home for me too. I've actually known 3 people who have killed themselves and it's just heartbreaking.

The sad part is you see that in adults and you know they are raising their kids to be just like that and thus...the cycle continues!

You are spot on with this too. I don't mind parents having facebooks, but I have seen some just get all up in their kids business and talk crap about people on facebook walls! I'm like real mature you guys. Some middle-aged people get a car for their mid-life crisis so they feel young again. Does acting like you are still in high school have the same effect on you or something?! It's so annoying!!

I'm glad you are back though and finishing up this tr!! I love your posts!!

 

[Dizneydawn]

I'm glad you are back though and finishing up this tr!! I love your posts!!

God willing...maybe even tonight!!!

 

[Dizneydawn]

Chapter Nine: "Momma - What is dat oraange ball in da sky?"

We woke that next morning and knew the time had come to say goodbye. It was the shortest drive trip in the history of mankind (well for us anyway and I am writing this so I can tell it like I see fit!)

We managed to drive like bats outta you know what, through Tennessee, into SC, stopped at a University for 2 hours and said, "Here is my son, please take him," and then onto Florida.

We had left less than a week before from MN/SW Colorado and now, we were ready to drive back.

Well we were not ready actually.

We were not happy at all.

We were tired, and now, on the day we needed to depart.

The sun decided to grace us with her presence.

So instead of leaving and hitting the open road right away like we had discussed, or even around noon, following Shannn and Courtney through Atlanta, guess what we did?

I mean we, as in the kids, cause I wanted to shower and be clean so I did not smell in the first hour of the 24 hour Smokey & The Bandit marathon.

So are ya guessing?

I will give ya a hint.

It does not involve waxing any body parts or piercing things you have duplicates of.

Instead it involved, choking, almost killing yourself, giving your saintly mother a heart attack, getting your still saintly mother wet and wondering if she will actually follow through one time on the threats to throttle you in public and loud antics to the dismay of quiet pool patrons. (Yet we were there at 9:45 a.m. and the pool etiquette police did not waltz through till at least 11:00 so I think our rules should apply.)

Some would call it swimming.

My children - well let's be real, the boys, call it torture of themselves and me.

Before I got soaked...

During the 2nd shower of the day!

Baylor yelling, "Maaaaaam" in a gurgled voice.

Treyner explaining to Baylor proper pool entry.

Baylor making sure he understood step #5.

Dan thinking Baylor does not quite have it mastered!

Treyner giving me a stroke because he thinks it is a riot to fake dive then do a cannon ball.

Practicing for lifeguard duties.

Baylor thinking he has a better chance on his own.

Treyner insulted Baylor is accusing him of domestic violence.

Treyner reflecting Baylor may have a point.

Baylor just lookin cute an innocent...which is a lie!!!

Where was Carsyn in the may-lay you ask?

Smart girl!

Hearing the cries of the helpless (me! )...coming to save the day!

Then, gets distracted by a flower!

Can ya smell it?

Treyner thinking using his back will get me wetter!

Baylor taking a bet he would not do a belly flop from a brother who never pays up!

Then is dumb enough to try it again when the older brother said the first one did not count!




Cont'd

 

[Dizneydawn]

Chapter Nine: Cont'd

Easy way to know he is concentrating or up to no good - the tongue!

I ask for a decent picture of them and this is what I get!

Then Treyner explored the beach while Baylor decided how to poison him. (Carsyn took these!)

Our building.

Steps to our quiet pool at CBR.

Baylor thinking he knows how he will seek revenge! It involves running so it must be serious!

After all the fun - and laundry, did I say I did laundry while we were at the pool that morning? Yes, the good mamma I am wanted the kids to have clean underoos for their Christmas with their Dad in Iowa!

Anyway, it was getting late - like after noon, and we needed to leave.

We had already packed up the room, now just needed to get changed (kids) and finish loading the van.

To say we moved like turtles is not a joke.

Nobody wanted to leave.

I was probably as frustrated as I have ever been that day.

Ya see the e-mail from the day before explained that the person we had moved our family Christmas around, was now not comming.

It was supposed to have been my year with the kids for the actual Holidays of Eve and Day and I gave that up to their Dad so I could have New Years.

Now, knowing that we were leaving for nothing. That we could have stayed through Christmas like I had wanted to, was agrivating the heck out of me.

Looking at a 24 hour straight drive through so the kids could be in Iowa for Christmas Eve when it turned out we could have stayed, was a hard pill to choke down.

So I decided to make the best of it. Staying even a few hours later made be feel a bit better.

The kids got dressed.

and we said our final adieu to CBR.

Buttoned down the ghetto straps.

Not a happy camper leaving and notice she got her shirt back fron Treyner who was wearing it 10 minutes before!

Baylor just happy to be alive. Notice how crammed his legs are behind the seat? That van was the dumbest purchase we ever made for the size of the kids!

This is my tukkus. yes I know the horror and therapy you will need now to endure forever.

Reason for the pic is Treyner, who tried to lie and say he needed the camera to take a picture of a neat bird while we were shoving the last contents of the packing articles into the van, (like he is Steve Irwin all of a sudden) thought it was HILARIOUS I had popcorn from the pool food, stuck to my hind end. The fact Dan allowed this to happen causes me to wonder if he is the right man for me!

Checked out and took this picture as we left!

Up next: DTD and what time were we on the road???

 

[tlenzendorf]

What the heck! I didn't get any updates for 2 days and now I'm behind! I've got some reading to do!

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Hahahahahaha, your boys look like so much fun to hang out with!

And I must say... I love the popcorn booty!

 

[Dizneydawn]

What the heck! I didn't get any updates for 2 days and now I'm behind! I've got some reading to do!

Mostly pics and of course - read my behind since you are behind!

Hahahahahaha, your boys look like so much fun to hang out with!
I actually have some tears tonight. They are a blast together. Treyner has called me 5 times today. He is for sure coming home for the summer and we talked about his best friend Derek who just found out he will be stationed in Japan for 2 years. He was hoping for California but the Marines had other ideas.

Actually Derek called me to tell me as well and ask how he should break the news to his Mom.

As much as my kids can cause me grief, we are all very close in different ways. No matter where we are in this crazy world - we are the strongest allies we have and we value that.

Carsyn just came home and sat in the floor of my office, crying about the girls on her soccer team and how they just want to party their senior year summer.

I value they will always talk to me and even when I learn things I did not want to know, I would rather have it all than none of it.

I know every day how blessed I am with 3 really great kids.

Every Day.
And I must say... I love the popcorn booty!

sicko!

Seriously, we are scrambling to get the van done and leave and all of a sudden a kid who has never held a camera in his life except to review pictures of himself, is desperate to find the camera.

For a neat bird!

Yeah!

Unless a bird is 5'6 and has a C cup, he is not bird watching with or without binoculars!

I should have known I was going to regret finding it and handing it to him.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Great updates Dawn! Fun pictures. I am glad you were able to stay long enough to enjoy some good weather in the pool, but sad that your plans got changed and then you found out you didn't have to have changed them. I'm sure that sentence made sense to you!
Your family is so cute - I really enjoy seeing their pictures - the funny faces, the smiles, those boys goofing around!!! And the popcorn booty!

Now I'm curious how long it took you to drive back home!

 

[MEK]

I am all caught up on your TR, but I am soooooo far behind on the pictures. If I don't do anything else tonight, I am going to look at every picture from your last 4 updates! Especially the pool antics. Just not the same without the pics.

Leaving is so sad. I can tell you wanted to drag out every last second. I think CBR does that to you. We were there several years ago on the Monday of Labor Day weekend. I got a phenomenal deal on flights if we flew home on the last flight of the day....8pm or something like that. We chilled at the quiet pool until it was time to leave for the airport. The place was a ghost town, the weather was perfect, and it broke my heart to know we were leaving and probably wouldn't return for at least another year. I have the poolside memory etched in my head. I still remember yearning for just one more day. Ahhhhhhh!

So, I promise to look at pics tonight and I look forward to the ride home antics!~

 

[njtinkmom]

We just found out that my 21 yo step son is being stationed in Japan with the Marines as well. He is in SC right now and was going to Arizona, and all of a sudden it's Japan. The thing is he is thrilled, I am not but then again at least it's not Iraq!

Your kids had so much fun at the "quiet pool" my girls were looking at the update with me and wanted to know why we did not go in the quiet pool at CBR when we were there. I said well it would not have been a quiet pool then!

 

[Dizneydawn]

Chapter Nine: DTD before home!

As our jalopy of ghettolishishness lurched to DTD, we decided to use our last CS meals at EOS. The kids really enjoy their food and it is quick to get.

We ate inside that day as all the outdoor seating was full. Again, by the pop station and it is ideal for you to get refills. The problem it is ideal for everyone else as well. Most of us got Powerade or waters that day so they could take the leftovers in the car.

My meatball sub - not the best I have had...

Dan's sub - not sure if I can remember which one he got!

Cake for dessert!

Treyner would not show anything but the food going into his mouth!


The thing about the last day at WDW is you see all the smiley people arriving. It just plain sucks.

You were those smiley people only a few short days before and now, you are heading home. The airport is the worst I think.

Dontcha just want to reach out your foot and trip the galloping posse heading into the airport, all smug and ready for their adventure?

As we left EOS, there was a magician holding court and we lost the kids.

Lost as in, they wandered over to watch and were not about to leave.

So Dan and I sat on the steps of the TOY Disney store and talked about a few things.

#1 Driving is not so bad if you can take days to account for the drive. It is 24 hours for us so 2 down and 2 back break it into a 12 hour day and that is manageable.

#2 We needed a different van. The Quest van was reliable and for 2 people or short trips, it is ok. But for a family of long legs, anything over 2 hours is ridiculous. It is paid for, so Dan will drive it to it's death when he is on road trips for work. Better to put the miles on that vehicle than the Mustang which we would prefer to store during the winter and keep for a long time which means less mikes racked up on it.

#3 It needs to be even numbers in the future. Another girl for Carsyn preferably.

#4 We love it south. As soon as Baylor graduates, we are heading towards the Carolina/Tennessee area if at all plausible. A 10 hour road trip versus 24 sounded heavenly.

Then, the show ended and we started to head towards the car.

I though, had a last minute thought. A craving of chocolate proportions.

I had heard of the delicacy known as liquid chocolate and I wanted to give it a whirl!
On the menu they call it: Decadent Drinking Chocolate!

It was awesome. Baylor and I split it in the van - wayyy to rich for one person.

(BTW - finding the picture for it caused me to locate a little factoid - YOU CAN BUY IT FROM Ghirardelli! DUH! Now I have an order to place!!!

Thus we began the trek home.

Just a tad late!

Called Shannon and she and Courtney were over 2 hours north of us. Somehow we got on the wrong road heading out of DTD and took some back country highway till we met up with the main drag to Atlanta. I have no clue what road we were on but there was construction and detours so that may have added to the confusion.

It probably added an extra 1/2 hour on our journey!

We decided to drive through the night as word of a major winter storm was being given to us back home. The goal was to beat it to Iowa, have the kids meet up with their Dad in Des Moines by late afternoon on Christmas Eve and then head to MN. The kids would be back Monday the 28th.

Truthfully, the ride was smooth. No major car repairs or anything like that. It started raining hard outside of Chattanooga and did not let up at all the rest of the trip.

We needed to make it back before Walmart closed in Des Moines - remember the Mustang was there getting new tires? (Yeah that seemed like 2 bazilllion years before!)

We did well on time. Got into Des Moines by 4 p.m. almost 24 hours later. Considering we had to slow down for downpours and had slept a little at rest stops - not bad at all.

We got the car from Walmart with a bit of hassle, (they had to call and verify it was free of charge with a Manager on vacation - then had to jump the car because it was dead after being parked in the cold and not run for a week.)

By this time the snow had started and we were facing rough driving. It had rained mostly in southern Iowa but as the temp had dropped, the rain froze on the freeway and now snow was on top of that.

We parked the Mustang at the kids Uncles - Treyner would drive it home when they came back, vs. deciding to drive two vehicles back in treacherous conditions or leaving the van and taking a rear wheel drive vehicle.

Hugged the kiddos, wished them safe travels (they were heading one hour west still) - then we headed north.

For all of about 15 miles, that took 40 minutes to drive.

Literally north of Des Moines, the roads went from driveable - to bad.

Very bad.

I called my sister in MN and she said stay put. That the twin cities had canceled almost all of the church services and people were told to stay indoors.

For us Minnesotans who are used to bad weather - I knew it must be dicey.

The kicker, was that if we had gone through Wisconsin home, like our normal travel, we would have missed all of the storm and came in from the east to our home.

Instead we, due to accommodations made for others that did not matter anymore, were driving up the mouth of the beast.

Tell me how happy I was.

So Christmas 2009 will go down in history as one of the biggest suckfests of special occasions for me and I have had some doosies.

My grandmother died on my 16th birthday at this was right up there.

Dan and I called around for open rooms in any inn and finally found one in Ames that was open.

If only I had a donkey and some wise men!

I also want to let you know the people running the hotel phone calling banks were not happy to be working either!

We arrived at our hotel, brought in a few groceries we scrounged up from a place we found open, and went to the front desk.

I think I looked like hell and the lady had pity on us.

I explained we had driven 24 hours to get this far and could she possibly upgrade us to a whirlpool suite?

She was happy to do so and thus, I sat in a nice tub, was able to unwind, and then hit the hay in at least a comfy bed.

I was grateful we were not stranded on the side of the road. I was grateful the kids made it to their Grandparent's before the storm got bad in their area.

We at least had electricity - they did not - the storm took down lines all over the town they were in.

We heard on the news that night that the Iowa Dept. of Transportation had stopped offering tow service to anyone stranded and would not rescue you either. They were staying off the roads as well.

We had made the right choice for sure!

The next morning we got up and had Christmas breakfast of day old muffins. It seems the hotel did not expect a ton of guests that morning.

We cleared off the van from 10 inches of snow and decided after watching the news again, the worst of the storm was over and the roads were drive able. Called my sister and she said it was fine in our area.

We had 3 plus hours to go.

In normal conditions.

Straight north.

Awesome.

35W was indeed clear to some extent. Really bad in some places and good enough to do 50 in others. Our average speed was 40 that day.

We made it to Mason City and found a convenience store open. Enjoyed a gourmet Christmas Lunch for sure!

Nothing says Baby Jesus like corn dogs, taquitos and chips!

We got home a little before 6p.m.

Totally exhausted.

A 3 1/2 hour drive max...took us almost 6 hours.

For Christmas Dinner:

Thank You God for the Buddhists!

We ordered Chinese Take Out.

Our Cupboards were bare and there was nada open which I am glad for on any day. People should be home celebrating with their loved ones.

Yes, folks.

This was Christmas 2009.

All I have to say is next year - I have already said there will be some changes from this year. Not sure if we will travel next year or not but I do know we will have Christmas morning at the house. We had a gorgeous tree and looking at a bare bottom (tree ya frekas) with no presents was more than depressing.

I need to be in a home environment Christmas Morning.

I hope you enjoyed the ride!

Thanks for all you who post and just don't lurk. It makes it way more fun to write!

I did finish this!!!

Next up will be the next TR!

"Personally, I think I would make a great stripper!"

Will start that one tomorrow!!!!

Ya gotta love my family!!!!