The ABC's of Trip Planning, Pt 1- K is for Keeping Things Kooky- Drinks V-Z; pg. 197 + New Link

[Steppesister]

I was so far behind, but finally caught up. I don't even have a job, and I fell way further behind than you did! One year olds are kind of a job, though. Yes, yes... definitely a job. It's so hard to keep them from just sauntering (running) into the street or eating broken glass or jumping to their death from the top of the stairs.

I just read a comedic article about how ANY trip with your child is not a vacation. If you're a STAHM, it's just traveling for work. I kind of believe it... We've traveled a few times this summer, and we have to bring so much junk with us and she is just one of the least flexible people I've ever known. I mean, really... how hard can her life possibly be? What is the corner of the brain that says that if she is presented with a non-Eggo waffle for breakfast, albeit one that is very similar, she must resort to starvation? I don't understand. But dammit, I will bring those sodden, thawed Eggos with us in a cooler (also stocked with grapes, blueberries and milk... in all the appropriate fat percentages and flavors), JUST so she wont die.

Yes! Having young children is a BIG, full-time job... been there and done that 5 times over. Many wonderful memories, but glad to be almost into the Grandparent thing. Still LOVE having my 13 year old as well, and I gotta say it, the sheer busy-ness of little ones does get better, but then comes the almost harder work of having more "mature" emotional guidance and "big boy and girl" stuff to tackle. Just as hard, but different.

I gotta say, you are much more accomodating that I EVER was. What I put in front of them (which was almost always what we ourselves were eating) was what they got. They are now very flexible and will eat most anything. Hang in there, and I hope you find that balance between too much accomodation and just enough to allow for them to develop their own tastes. It's really hard to know where that line if for each of us.

Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS on finishing year one and your boards and getting a great job! How exciting!! I feel like I caught your PTR at just the right time... it's funny how real-time stories work like that. It could be the most boring life story, or could be a very exciting one!

Also, congrats on starting to put together detailed touring plans. I'm four months out... it might be time to get to work!

Thanks!! I start back to it on Friday, after 10 days of lovely, wonderful, soul-refreshing vacation. Then in 4 short weeks it's back to school full throttle. Hopefully, more touring plans very soon!

Yeah I think it may be a medium, but it's too cute/nice for someone to not wear it!. Pm an address, and I promise at some point if I can find it, it will wing it's way to you!



Lol aight Gene Wilder

I sure will!! Thank you SO much! I know I will use and appreciate it very much!

 

[Steppesister]

Popping in to say hi! There is no way I can completely catch back up, but I have been browsing off and on over the past few months. LOL.

Still great to have you here, Jen. Love seeing your photos on FB now, and like you I will over-the-top busy with school and will only be popping in as I can. It's been lovely to have gotten to be here more often during the summer, and I'll try to keep my own thread up as best I can, but I'll have to keep apologizing to the authors of all the threads I'm on for not being as faithful as I'd like to be coming up. :/

Hi Liessa! I have finally caught up and read all your updates and skimmed some of the chit chat.

Congrats on getting through your first year of nursing school. I feel your pain. I am also rather envious of how your program was structured with the multiple exams throughout the semester. I usually only had a midterm, a final and a paper. Each usually worth 30-40% of your grade. Screw up on one and you were pooched!

I can also identify with your struggle to achieve that A. I was also like that and was often teased for getting upset/depressed/beating myself up if I scored an 89%. I am a little neurotic when it comes to school. The crazy studying and worrying about grades will all be worth it though when you are finally done!

YAY!! Great to have you back! With real life going on and everything, I know how hard it can be. Plus, with the new DIS, I've been really bad about remembering to subscribe to the threads I post on, then forget. I'm horrible about scrolling the list and checking for missed ones.

Yes, we are "lucky" (if one can even call it that!) to have 5 regular exams plus the Final. Although we have to write papers, and do case studies, those are only pass/fail. I'd HATE to have only 2 shots at it; like you say, one fail and your screwed.

I am teased mercilessly too. But I know what I need to do to stay ahead and never be in the "Holy crap! I have a 74% and can't pass unless I do REALLY well on every exam until I finish!!!" scenario. I'm already seeing payoff, another year is bound to be twice as awesome!

 

[Steppesister]

Loving your first park day. I've never done F&W, but we were able to catch the end of F&G and they had food booths this year. My Mom and I shared three food/snack items in China and I think it came to $15 and that filled us up for awhile and it was all so tasty. So $20 pp and maybe splitting some items would probably make for a nice sampling around the world.

Glad you had so much fun with family on vacation. Sounds like a GREAT vacation

That's helpful! From the photos I see of the "snack" items, it's REALLY hard to judge the size of the portion. I"m trying to plan 1 TS/ day and 1 CS/ day and don't even know which category (according to price) to put F&W days in!

More on the great vacation coming right up!

Is this something they served in Crapistan?

Actually, yes. We drank fermented camel's and horse's milk quite often. It's really not too bad. A lot like fizzy milk beer-ish kind of stuff. The camel was better IMHO.

I like your plan... I'd probably go TT then MS though. Soarin and MS both take a while and the line at MS doesn't back up quite as quickly as TT.

Ok, well, crap. Between you and Marv... Lemme get this straight...

1) TT
2) MS
3) Sum
4) SE
5) Soarin' with FP+
6) The Land
7) Figment (It's for the kids... ya know. )

Hay is not weeds! Not if it is properly managed.

I KNEW that'd get a rise out of you! My work here is done.

I totally feel your pain. I think we've all been there with the instant panic and then trying to figure out a plan B. Thankfully you didn't have to implement those plans.

Nashville was saved from an un-deodorized hot mess. And Walmart is a few hundred dollars less rich off of me. And most importantly, you all get the pleasure of better-than-cellphone-photos of the vacay.

I'm sorry. Really, I sympathize for you.

But I'd have probably had to make sure you were ok then start laughing right along with Anara.

yes, along with the other 2 dozen Starbucks go-ers.

And she didn't say "so do you?"

She did, but too late.

 

[Steppesister]

Looking forward to hearing more about your vacay! Love the South

I have 2 hours left of my flight... hopefully, I can get the next chapter up!

Loving the plans. I believe Nicki sent me the link for the food being offered at this year's F&W about three weeks ago. I do NOT believe it lists the menus. I would think you are safe with $20 a person for lunch. If I'm remembering correctly (which is not easy with the state of mind I'm in), most things were around $4.00. They also have a little guide you can get when you arrive that will list all the food items on it and there is a large menu in front of each station. I was very upset because I thought one of my favorite dishes was NOT coming back, but they have added so all is right again.

Can you send or post that link?? What website was it on??

Kathy, I hope you move is going smoothly! I know how much work it is having done it many, many times back and forth overseas and within other countries. It's both physically and emotionally exhausting. Hang in there!

 

[afwdwfan]

Ok, well, crap. Between you and Marv... Lemme get this straight...

1) TT
2) MS
3) Sum
4) SE
5) Soarin' with FP+
6) The Land
7) Figment (It's for the kids... ya know. )

That should work. I thought you didn't want to use FP though?

She did, but too late.

It's the thought that counts!

 

[KatMark]

I sent you a link in a message on FB

 

[Steppesister]

That should work. I thought you didn't want to use FP though?

It's the thought that counts!

Well, I didn't since we're going to hop later in the day. I wanted to save them for that park, buuuuuut, if it's a better strategy to do Soarin' after most everything else. I may not have a choice. It's a good ride, but not an-hour-in-line good.

She's a gem, that one. I have my next Kentucky chapter written, but can't upload photos on the plane. I have a real "winner" of a video with a sassy remark by her at the end. Stay tuned....

I sent you a link in a message on FB

You're a peach, Kathy! Thank you SO much!!!

 

[pkondz]

I've read, but.... too tired... can't stay awake any lo...

 

[Steppesister]

I've read, but.... too tired... can't stay awake any lo...

Story of my life.

 

[Steppesister]

Kentucky Vacation- Of Kangaroos and Kookaburras; Day 1, Pt. 2
​

Our first real day had really big plans cooked up. Although we've been to Bowling Green, KY several times, we've never done most of the touristy things we'd wanted and it was time. And yes, I'm talking about more than just Cracker Barrel, Waffle House, and bourbon.

What trip to Kentucky would be complete without kangaroos, dingo dogs and Australian sheep? Ok, we did a cave too- that much Kentucky IS well known for. But that's getting ahead of myself... About a half hour north of Bowling Green on I-65 is a little operation called Kentucky Down Under. Not exactly a headliner, like what's coming up in the next chapter, but entertaining for the animal-loving, pre-teen, girls we had a bevy of nonetheless.

First stop (after paying 3 eyes, 1 bar of gold, and a Mary Blair original): The Kentucky Walkabout Area- The fairly large enclosed area had about 10 kangaroos, although now that I really think about it, they were probably wallabies (I didn't ask), lounging around, a 50-year old tortoise, an albino peacock, and a couple of huge emus. After the safety lecture, which didn't include anthing about keeping our arms inside our vehicle at all times, our group of about 20 folks, mostly families with young kids, were led to the particular wallabies (?) that our guide knew were more sociable. The kids went bananas. Seriously, it was completely impossible to get a shot of either Anara or her cousins without 15 other kids also vying for the fuzzy little creatures attention. Impressions: they are soft. Incredibly soft. And they like to lick arms. I'm guessing they were after the salt. As a side note, it was approaching a billion degrees with 100% humidity- the hottest day of our vacation, and the only day we had a truly outdoor activity planned. We were salty. But rest assured, Dear Reader! Our carry-on bag wasn't forgotten, remember? And I managed to get deodorized for the sake of the kangaroos. Maybe if I hadn't have, I'd have gotten that picture of Anara and a kangaroo without the other-kid-pollution. I'll have to remember that tactic when we hit up AK.





After the 20-minute “Walkabout”, we headed to the birds. It wasn't a huge open aviary and seeing caged birds always makes me pretty sad, but they are beautiful and intersting, and I did get some shots of a few of the various species they had, including the infamous Barred Owl which is getting quite some attention in Oregon right now. I won't go into that side story, but you can Google the competition it is having with the Spotted Owl and Marbled Murilette. Yes, they are all more beautiful without wires in front of them, but I got what I could and moved on.










There were lemurs too.



Next, we hoofed it to the Wool Barn. They had a nice display of tools and stuff (really burning up the deep vocabulary in this chapter!) used in the Australian sheep wool industry. Piles of various kinds of wool, spinning wheels (obviously not used for large-scale production), and herding shutes. But that wasn't the Main Attraction. “Tripp” was the Big Deal. He was an aloof Aussie Shepherd who had recently taken 2nd Place in the Kentucky State Sheepdog competition. I guess fame had taken its toll already. His handler/trainer got him to that point in about a year; if only he was taking care of himself with as much meticulousness. Mountain Dew, chew, and maybe another vice had taken its toll, and try as hard as we might, we could NOT understand one word he was saying other than the frequent y'alls peppered throughout the drawl.






Lastly, at least as far as the animals/Australian bit of Kentucky Down Under was concerned, we headed to the Lorikeets' aviary. The girls were pretty excited to get to feed the birds. I was excited it didn't cost even 1 tuppin. All the Banks were saved and the world goes on as we know it.








Lunch was uneventful except we were flash-mobbed by a cloud of flies who thought my sister's homemade salsa, which leaked all over her backpack, was delicious. It was delicious. The nasty, sticky tables were reminescent of Crapistan tables, as were the scents of goat stables and sheep barns. The deja vu was strong ju-ju.

 

[pkondz]

Story of my life.

So it's like we live together, then.


I swear I'm not ignoring you.
I'll be back this evening or the next to catch up. Promise.

 

[pkondz]

Catching up... as promised.
Well, at least the first chapter...
One thing at a time!!

I guess I'll utilize the proven strategy of making hay while the sun shines.

Reminds me of Ruby's cousin's kids.
They grew up on a farm. Me, less so.
We were driving by a field and I mentioned the hay bales.
"That's not hay! That's straw!"
They couldn't believe how ignorant and stupid I was.

Nothing like being made to feel like a cretin by a 12 year old.

a smattering of time in parts of Tennessee as well.

How many minutes in a smatter?
Wait. Nevermind. Doesn't matter.

Follow along as I take you on a tour of a lovely state and save you untold hundreds of dollars because it's a virtual trip.

Sweet! I don't have to leave the air conditioned comfort of home.

Not nearly as great as going oneself, but then again, hay vs. filet mignon, people.

Hey, I like little steaks.

The trip started off in the usual, and only proper way, with a stop for a latte. Close your eyes, take a big whiff....

Mmmmm.... love the smell of coffee.
Hate the stuff. Never drink it.
But love the smell.

we just are pulling into the curbside dropoff and Anara says, “Where's our carryon?”

So.... she's still alive, then?

Before wetting myself, I reminded her it was the black rolly bag that she was in charge of.

Why did you wait to remind her before wetting yourself?
Wouldn't it be better to do it right away?
Depends, I guess.

In that 30-second exchange I had already decided where I was going to buy a new phone charger, how I was going to reconstuct my Preliminary Disney Itinerary, how long I could go without deodorant, and that I was an idiot to trust my toothbrush to a 13 year old who was excited to be flying again.

Great! If you need to count to 18, just look down.

I'm hoping she forgets it when she moves out next year.

You could help her forget, you know.

After being spared from getting felt up,

Better luck next time.

“This is Portland; there's one about every 30 feet.”

At that point, I swiftly turned around and did what all glamorous travelers do who are wearing skirts: tripped and fell flat on my keister over that same not-forgotten, black rolly bag.

I'm sorry. I'm a terrible person.
I read that and laughed.

I promise that I felt bad afterwards.
But I did.

Had I not bruised my shin, I'd have found it as hilarious as my 13 year old. Keep laughing, Darlin'. Keep laughing...

But she was right there in front of you and could see that you were in pain.
I say... take her shirt.

Luckily we found seats together

No assigned seats? Just zones?

Odd, she kept telling me I had coffee breath.

Who knew those mints would affect her nose like that?

the moving walkways kept us entertained

Then why leave the airport?

The last guy in Group A sauntered past us, and looked at Anara with a twinkle in his eye and said, “B sucks!”. He laughed and winked and disappeared down the jetway. The few who heard it laughed with us, and it added a fun little moment to our travels.

At first I thought he was being a jerk, until you continued on with the description of events.

Once again the flight was uneventful except when we saw a passing jet going the opposite direction pass pretty close beside us. I don't know what's “too close”, but that looked “Way too close”.

Typical spacing is 3-5 miles horizontal in a radar environment, but it's only 1000 feet vertical.

Not much is open on a Sunday night in Kentucky, but a Burger King was and we made haste in placing our order.

And here I was self-flaggelating myself for going to a Wendy's

Anara was about to get her first taste of Southern Twang and I now confess that when she got her Myeee-diuhm chay-eese bergers and fruhs, she laughed. Out loud. Right in the middle of Burger King. She had NO idea what the guy even said, until I told her, and she seriously giggled all they home.

Gotta watch that though. That's how you get beat up.

Kids these days. Could you put a little fire where it needs to be with threat like: I'll scream like a girl with pink Minnie ears on XX ride if you don't get up RIGHT NOW? Or bribe with something like: A Dole Whip?

I wish... but... no.

So you grow on people?

Nope. People move.
I'm more like pond scum.

We're all gonna need it! Because I'm about to drive you crazy with the 2nd half of my Nursing School Adventure. It all got real today about an hour ago.

Oh? Do tell.

 

[pkondz]

Our first real day had really big plans cooked up.

Really?

we've never done most of the touristy things we'd wanted and it was time.

What time was it, exactly?

And yes, I'm talking about more than just Cracker Barrel, Waffle House, and bourbon.

I don't understand.
What more could you possibly want???

What trip to Kentucky would be complete without kangaroos, dingo dogs and Australian sheep?

Well, of course. Makes total sense.

Not exactly a headliner, like what's coming up in the next chapter, but entertaining for the animal-loving, pre-teen, girls we had a bevy of nonetheless.

Been there. Heck I suspect I'll be there again in a week or so.

First stop (after paying 3 eyes, 1 bar of gold, and a Mary Blair original):

No first born?
Not bad.

they were probably wallabies (I didn't ask),

And they've been trained not to tell.
Even if they did, you probably couldn't understand their Down Under diction.

an albino peacock

Kind of defeats the purpose, no?

The kids went bananas.

So that right there made the 3 eyes, 1 bar of gold, and a Mary Blair original worth it.

And I managed to get deodorized for the sake of the kangaroos.

Roos do not appreciate B.O.

Looks like he's running under the emu.

And is ready to pounce on albino boy.

After the 20-minute “Walkabout”, we headed to the birds. It wasn't a huge open aviary and seeing caged birds always makes me pretty sad,

Aww... you've got a kind heart.

infamous Barred Owl which is getting quite some attention in Oregon right now.

I did Google it.
Just stop jogging in its territory! Or at least don't wear a hat.

They had a nice display of tools and stuff (really burning up the deep vocabulary in this chapter!)

Truly impressive.

f only he was taking care of himself with as much meticulousness. Mountain Dew, chew, and maybe another vice had taken its toll, and try as hard as we might, we could NOT understand one word he was saying other than the frequent y'alls peppered throughout the drawl.

Maybe he wasn't saying anything at all, just to get a rise out of the Yank tourists.

How pretty!

Birds are okay, too.

Lunch was uneventful except we were flash-mobbed by a cloud of flies who thought my sister's homemade salsa, which leaked all over her backpack, was delicious. It was delicious. The nasty, sticky tables were reminescent of Crapistan tables, as were the scents of goat stables and sheep barns. The deja vu was strong ju-ju.

Well, if you're gonna dump salsa all over the place, you have to expect a few flies.
So... not so good deja vu, then?

 

[Steppesister]

Catching up... as promised.
Well, at least the first chapter...
One thing at a time!!

You're a man of your word!

Reminds me of Ruby's cousin's kids.
They grew up on a farm. Me, less so.
We were driving by a field and I mentioned the hay bales.
"That's not hay! That's straw!"
They couldn't believe how ignorant and stupid I was.

Nothing like being made to feel like a cretin by a 12 year old.

Paging Mr. @afwdwfan!! As Andy already reminded me.... Yes, I do know the difference- one being worth far more than the other, but yes, I fully understand the ignoramous feeling 12 year olds can bestow. I get it almost every day.

How many minutes in a smatter?
Wait. Nevermind. Doesn't matter.

I said stop rhyming and I mean it!! (Anybody wanna peanut?)

Sweet! I don't have to leave the air conditioned comfort of home.

I knew I was for something!

Hey, I like little steaks.

You're expensive to keep around here.

Mmmmm.... love the smell of coffee.
Hate the stuff. Never drink it.
But love the smell.

DD #2 is the same way. She thinks it tastes nasty too, but loves the scent.

So.... she's still alive, then?

It was a close call.

Why did you wait to remind her before wetting yourself?
Wouldn't it be better to do it right away?
Depends, I guess.

Well, done, my friend!

Great! If you need to count to 18, just look down.

Hey, that might come in handy during a math test in school!

You could help her forget, you know.

Now, I like that line of thinking!

I'm sorry. I'm a terrible person.
I read that and laughed.

I promise that I felt bad afterwards.
But I did.

But she was right there in front of you and could see that you were in pain.
I say... take her shirt.

You probably laughed all the way to work. I laughed all the way to the next coffee kiosk.

No assigned seats? Just zones?

I take it you've not flown Southwest. ?? You get a zone and a number, and line up according to that. They call your zone, and after that it's first come, first served once onboard. Find and open seat and voila.

Who knew those mints would affect her nose like that?

I know! She ate the whole dang pack, and I was a little torqued at her.

Then why leave the airport?

Because of an unfortunate lack of a Waffle House.

At first I thought he was being a jerk, until you continued on with the description of events.

Typical spacing is 3-5 miles horizontal in a radar environment, but it's only 1000 feet vertical.

Then it was WAY too close. We could totally see the tail number and all the windows, etc...

And here I was self-flaggelating myself for going to a Wendy's

It was late. We were tired. It was Kentucky on a Sunday.

Gotta watch that though. That's how you get beat up.

I'll be careful. Maybe.

I wish... but... no.

Sad day!

Nope. People move.
I'm more like pond scum.

That's a super fun card game!!

Oh? Do tell.

Be careful what you ask for! I had to pee in a cup for my mandatory screening. I didn't have to study very hard.[/QUOTE]

 

[pkondz]

You're a man of your word!

Actually, I try to be.
I hate when people promise that they'll do something for you/with you/whatever and don't follow through.

I said stop rhyming and I mean it!! (Anybody wanna peanut?)

Found a peanut
found a peanut
found a peanut, last night.
Last night I found a peanut
found a peanut
last night.



NOW LOOK WHAT YOU DID!!

You're expensive to keep around here.

I don't come cheap lady.


Oh, who am I kidding.
Of course I do.

DD #2 is the same way. She thinks it tastes nasty too, but loves the scent.

to DD #2!

It was a close call.

You probably laughed all the way to work. I laughed all the way to the next coffee kiosk.

Oh, that was cruel.

I take it you've not flown Southwest. ??

Nope.

You get a zone and a number, and line up according to that. They call your zone, and after that it's first come, first served once onboard. Find and open seat and voila.

Huh. And does it speed up boarding at all?

I know! She ate the whole dang pack, and I was a little torqued at her.

"torqued"

I like that.

Because of an unfortunate lack of a Waffle House.

Ah. Now it all makes sense.

Then it was WAY too close. We could totally see the tail number and all the windows, etc...

I don't know all the rules in the U.S., but it's also possible that they just separated themselves visually.
With pretty much anything bigger than a hand mixer being equiped with TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) mid-airs are pretty much a thing of the past.

That's a super fun card game!!

What is????

Be careful what you ask for! I had to pee in a cup for my mandatory screening. I didn't have to study very hard.

Ah. Well, beats writing exams, doesn't it?

 

[Steppesister]

Dinner awaits... and I've dinked around on here as long as I could. Watched some vids of using FP+, looked at the DisneyFoodBlog (thanks, Kathy!), and read about my pedophile/pervert neighbor who was arrested yesterday. I'm outraged and disgusted.

On a good note, I came home to a majorly cool surprise. While all this time I've been training, I thought I was making my base pay, but come to find out I have been making $5.00/hr MORE, plus got some overtime! The extra ended up "paying the taxes" and my check from only 1 week of work has paid for 2/3 of first term's tuition! WOOT!

All that to say, more responses tomorrow and hopefully the rest of Day 2's Park Plans as well.

 

[pkondz]

looked at the DisneyFoodBlog

That place is evil.
Everytime I look at it, I get hungry.

and read about my pedophile/pervert neighbor who was arrested yesterday. I'm outraged and disgusted.

Ugh, yuck. Gross.
Sorry to hear that.
Hopefully (if guilty) he goes away for a long while.

On a good note, I came home to a majorly cool surprise. While all this time I've been training, I thought I was making my base pay, but come to find out I have been making $5.00/hr MORE, plus got some overtime! The extra ended up "paying the taxes" and my check from only 1 week of work has paid for 2/3 of first term's tuition! WOOT!

All right! Cha-ching!

All that to say, more responses tomorrow and hopefully the rest of Day 2's Park Plans as well.

I'll be here!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Dinner awaits... and I've dinked around on here as long as I could. Watched some vids of using FP+, looked at the DisneyFoodBlog (thanks, Kathy!), and read about my pedophile/pervert neighbor who was arrested yesterday. I'm outraged and disgusted.

On a good note, I came home to a majorly cool surprise. While all this time I've been training, I thought I was making my base pay, but come to find out I have been making $5.00/hr MORE, plus got some overtime! The extra ended up "paying the taxes" and my check from only 1 week of work has paid for 2/3 of first term's tuition! WOOT!

All that to say, more responses tomorrow and hopefully the rest of Day 2's Park Plans as well.

Yikes about the neighbor, but woo hoo on having 2/3 tuition paid.

 

[jenseib]

Love this picture!

 

[englishrose47]

I can't resist asking did a bird DOO DOO on your head !!For sure one would have on me !!!