The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[tinacaplan]

I will never forget nearly 3 (maybe more) years ago opening up your thread about Lauren's trip. That was one of the first threads I followed regularly, and when I first "knew" that I HAD to get to know you! I cried real tears of joy and amazment and praise at what I saw "Dad" doing through you. I will never, never forget it!

I am sitting here in tears again at how very, very special these trips are to kids who otherwise have a really difficult everyday life. And what a healing balm these trips can be to them. I already know just a little, really, of some of the things Baker and his family got to do. I've seen some of the pictures of some things coming up- but to see them again, and hear about it all over again with more details is really going to be a highlight for me.

Each of us went for what we needed to do for where we "were" in life. I NEEDED to have some alone time for SO many reasons, and the Lord called you to once more act on his behalf for this special family! So cool that already so early in the trip we were both just where we needed to be and having such a great time!

So well-put. It is amazing how special these trips can be, for so many different reasons, for so many different groups of people.

And I hadn't thought about taking up residence in that lovely Canadian cottage! Also, another amazing update. Thanks for sharing!

 

[that's nice]

We looked into this actually....and....THEY DON'T LET YOU! The max number of points you can buy is 5,000 which equals about 6 months of stay at even the "cheapest" resort (OKW).

Couldn't you just put 6 months in your name and 6 months in you DHs name? I mean if you had the money and all...

I remember when my kids were little, I realized how hard it was to navigate a stroller in most places that I had been used to just navigating easily.

We brought Juliana's stroller in December and as always, it is fun getting through stores or trying to get out after Wishes. But at least she is corralled and not getting separated from us.

I think her stroller days are getting close to numbered though.

 

[that's nice]

Mary- Thanks for sharing that story again. It was horrible what Baker's family had to go through. I'm so glad that you were able to spend some time with them and be their tour guide.

TK TR was the first you read here? I think Lauren's TR was the first that I read here. Who knew, 2+ years later, I'd still be here on the DIS.

Thank you for all you do here on the DIS and in 'real' live too. You are such a caring and wonderful person and I am lucky to know you.


Liesa-
Wow, you had me fooled. I thought you were going to TSM.

Your Donald looks good, but I will agree with Glen, his beak looks a little inflated. I will say that yours is 100x better than what mine would look like.

How cool that you won the print!!!! I can't wait to see it!!!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

(And just for the record, Cynthia or Rebecca… whose thread was that discussion about over the shoulder purse straps on?? THAT’S what I’m talking about!!)

Hmmm, I don't remember which thread, but I DO remember the conversation Hey, I don't think its such a bad look on you afterall - it 'lifts and separates'! Wasn't there a very popular women's undergarment in the 80's that sold thousands based on that very premise?!

I must go on the record as a former art teacher and say that I LOVE your Donald! No, he's not a dead-ringer, but he's got soul! Look at that expression in his glare!

************************

Maroo, thanks for sharing the story about Baker and his family. What a tragedy their community went through That is AWESOME that you and your church family were able to come together and bless them in this way.

 

[jenbear123]

Great job on Donald! He's looking quite suave And congrats on winning the artists drawing!!

 

[englishrose47]

I think your Donald is awesome !!! Michaelangelo in the makingWhen we went last October , the Animator gave her drawing to our group , and we didn't have to know Donald's middle name , which uncidently what is it !?????

 

[eandesmom]

Not long after, while I was heading towards a place I had heard about where they can teach ANYONE to become an artist, I got a phone message from my agent, Cynthia! I was so excited to know that she had some good advice for my budding career in Tinseltown!! She said some things about being excited for my trip, but she also gave me the sage advice of practicing a few poses that might become trademark someday. Here was my attempt at striking that Hollywoodland-esque pose that others have already copied. For some reason Maria Von Trappe keeps coming to mind whenever I see this fabulous picture of me. Clearly, she saw my portfolio and swiped a great idea. Not that I would ever do that!

Maria VonTrapp.

(And just for the record, Cynthia or Rebecca… whose thread was that discussion about over the shoulder purse straps on?? THAT’S what I’m talking about!!)

I'm pretty sure it was Winkers thread actually and the Vera that was always being held...instead of worn. Cross your heart and all that.

The next thing he says is that we’re going to vote on who to draw. (Since when has Disney become a democracy??) I can’t remember who all the choices were, but it came down to Donald. OK, great! I like Donald. We all started by following his instruction to make a “starter circle” about the size of a softball. I’ve never played softball- I’m not even sure I’ve even ever HELD a softball. Remember, I’m a star, not a sportswoman! So, I quickly made a shape about the size of what I THOUGHT a softball might be. All I can say is that it was a shape. It was not a circle. I cannot draw those. The producers and directors could threaten me with only landing roles with nude scenes, and I still couldn’t draw a circle. Nor could I draw the “banana” for his beak, or the “egg” for his eye, or the “kidney bean” for his hat. This was the end product of a pathetic attempt at adding new facet to my career as someone famous. I blame it on whirling dervish seating and my kindergarten teacher who didn’t let us practice circles enough.

He's a sly looking one, your Donald. He looks like he's up to something! or on the verge of tears, I'm not sure. Like he needs a hug.

At the end of our 15 minutes, he said that there is a “tradition” to give away the artist’s example to someone who could guess a trivia question. I was ALL over this! I love Jeopardy, and if it was Disney trivia, I had a pretty good chance at this!

This is where the REAL magic of Animation Studios was at! And of course, it helped to be IN SHOW BUSINESS, and have the right friends!!!


Because when he asked, “What is Donald’s middle name?”


THANKS to my co-star DAN, The Fauntleroy Man himself, I shot my hand up faster than Kirsty Ally gains 5 pounds. The entire class was shocked, stunned and amazed that: A) Donald even had a middle name, and B) Someone actually knew this useless (but NOT anymore) piece of news!! I won it! I won a Disney animator’s original drawing of Donald Duck straight off the light table!

Some of you know, I actually had a cousin who was a Disney animator in the 70’s, and I own some of his original drawings. And now to add this to my collection of original Disney art was just so thrilling.

So, once again, although I didn’t shine like a star in the drawing theater, I became a celebrity for about 1 minute, and gained a really cool piece of collectible art that will sit in my home gallery for me to always remember just WHO you know can make a difference in rising to fame and fortune!

WOW, what a cool story! I've only been to the DCA animators studio but we didn't get to vote, nor did they give away anything with a trivia question, how very fun. And amazing that you remembered!!!!!!!!

 

[marvali]

Fall is a great time to visit WDW! Glen has been dethroned and Marv is now Mr. Song Lyrics. But did you say 8-track and your car had an 8-track player? Dating yourself there Mr!

Yeah pretty much, but since I already fessed up to how "old" I am in my TR thread, no biggie doing it again here! Just glad I don't feel and act that old! Peter Pan's got nothing on me!!!

Didn't you do enough stripping in front of poor Mary?

when I HAD to learn Kazakh (and I've had MANY others in our line of work tell me this) and had to learn it fluently, the VERY best thing that helped me was knowing my ENGLISH WELL!!!!! In order to know the grammar structures, YOU MUST know WHAT a proposition IS and how it is used;

So you're saying you got propositioned often in Kazakhstan??? Do they use it differently there???

Most of you have probably noticed that maroo has not been around the last few days, since her last post, in fact. Whenever she goes a'missin, I get worried and eventually call her up. Sure enough, she could REALLY use our prayers right now and for the next while. I mean this very seriously! Please, if you think of her, remember her and some life stuff. I know she would be very grateful to all of you!!

Prayers being sent for Maroo!!!!

And glad you found your Mickey book, although knowing you the made up version might have been rather interesting. Maybe you should do an alternate TR with just "made up" stuff!

I realize we probably have some new readers now that this is on the Trip Reports board, so I will recap a little about Baker and his family. First Baker...

Mary, I remember being amazed with this story when you and I were discussing it around the time of the trip! Reading again about that tornado is amazing all over again, and seeing the pictures just makes it even more !!! Again, so glad you were able to help this family! Wish I could have been a part of it!

 

[marvali]

Liesa, loved your update! I don't normally follow shows like "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" on TV, but yours seems so much more interesting!!!

Congrats on winning the animator's Donald drawing. Your's looks like he is Kazakh and about to "proposition" you!!!

Ok...

for the record....

I think we have had enough of any attempts at nude scenes.

I think her Donald would beg to differ!!!

 

[onelilspark]

Maroo, what an amazing, extraordinary, beautiful thing you did for Baker and his family...It makes me feel better about the world, that there are people like you in it.

I second that.


Liesa,
I've been lurking for a bit. Thought I'd jump in and comment Your past two chapters have had me in stitches! Keep up the good work!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi! I'm back and about 12 pages behind I'll try to catch up now, be back later!

 

[norybell]

Liesa, I love your Donald! He looks either a little rueful, or else like he's making a somewhat-comical attempt at "bedroom eyes!"

 

[All7OfUs]

So many are asking/commenting about the look on Donald's face... So I will tell you:

He was supposed to be a "fllirting" Donald. And yes, he was actually supposed to have "bedroom eyes", as if courting Daisy. So, given that, maybe I didn't do so bad.

 

[princessjv]

I loved the update{s}. What a terrible EF4 story... but what a blessing it was to bring that little boy to WDW.

I think you Donald looks simply-mavelous. I have yet to stop at the Animation. I always add it to the list and need to make sure we do it!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

sweet congrats on winning the drawing and glad i could help you out.

i will be awaiting my half of the picture in the mail.

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Maroo,
Wow. I've never heard Baker's family's story. Under normal circumstances, having an autistic child is challenging. But having to sufer loosing all your home and posessions, I cannot imagine how his world alone turned upside down. I am truly overflowing with tears of joy for my fellow humankind, people can be so amazing. I cannot wait to hear more about his special trip!

Liesa,
I have to know who your photographer was!! What creative, artistic shots they've been able to capture of you so far!

I did the Magic of Disney Animation back in 2009, and I have to say it's a fun experience, but I'll probably never do it again. The end results I come up with are just to painful to look at.

So my hot art instructor starts his lesson by telling us all that there are NO erasers on our pencils. I think Disney has several reasons for this: One, they would NEVER be able to finish a lesson in the 15 minutes allotted because everyone would be erasing the entire time; Two, they try their best to make EXTRA sure you will never want to be an animator with their company; and Three, they would have to pay hundreds of dollars a week in the extra staff it would take to clean up all the tons of eraser detritus that would pile up on the carpets.

Can I say that I think it's hilarious that you and Glenn both used "detritus" in your last TR updates!! That's a word I've heard maybe a handful of times in my life, and to see it twice in one day.....

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Maroo: I was another latecomer who hadn't heard Baker's story. Let me just say this: And then this:

So glad you and your church were able to surround them and provide them with care and love. It's great to know people like you are out there.

Sauntering back up the infamous Sunset Blvd. where the rich and famous hobnob, I thought to myself, “Self, what do the rich and famous do best? Set new world records on marriage and divorce? Find new and creative ways to get your private physician indicted by a grand jury? Get enough botox injected to fill the Hudson River? NO!! Of course not! They shop!”

Darn. For a second there, I was hoping we'd get to see some EPIC Liesa/Botox stories. Maybe next time.

Already they have been lost and found again. Someday, I’m sure they’ll be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars- I mean look at what Picassos are going for now, and some people even call that ART!!!

Amen. My rule: if I can re-produce it, it's not art.

Please, please, PLEASE tell me you were making airplane noises while you did this.

The next thing he says is that we’re going to vote on who to draw. (Since when has Disney become a democracy??) I can’t remember who all the choices were, but it came down to Donald.

I can't believe nobody voted for Ursula.

THANKS to my co-star DAN, The Fauntleroy Man himself, I shot my hand up faster than Kirsty Ally gains 5 pounds. The entire class was shocked, stunned and amazed that: A) Donald even had a middle name, and B) Someone actually knew this useless (but NOT anymore) piece of news!! I won it! I won a Disney animator’s original drawing of Donald Duck straight off the light table!

Woohoo!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

That IS amazing... I would love to live in a small dwelling of some kind under the monorail line in Futureworld at EPCOT, personally.

I'd take that!

Really!? Only 6 months?? I'd take 6 more days! (Within the next 6 YEARS!)

Our first house, which we still own, is only 800, but we finished the basement, and almost doubled that. But before it was done, having 4 kids in it was tough! And it was messy too. There just isn't enough space to put everything you need away!

Our one bath is 3 feet X 5 feet and then a shower stall. The "master" bath is only 5X 6 Maybe! I hate that I dont' have a ginormous space to spend hours in the tub, but ah well... it is what it is.

After Mary gets her "E" up, I'll start on my NEXT ONE, which shall not be named, since I already got in trouble for on Dan's thread.

I really hope it's sooner than 6 YEARS!

I feel your pain on "no where to put anything away". We've become very, very, very creative in that department.

Our bathroom is about the same size as your first one - it only has a shower stall as well. I'm totally used to it now, but I used to call it the shower that was an incentive to loose weight. I used to hit my arms on the walls of it and all! I'm not too much of a bath gal, so I don't miss having the tub, but Henry sure does!

lol
You know...that angel is named FOR Noah!! Did you guys know that? Not sure if I mentioned that?



I have 900 square feet and love it! Just me and my puppy!

I did know that Corey added that little angel for Noah, but I didn't know the full story behind it. I remember hearing a bit about it on the Podcast one time.

Your 900 square feet is almost double our area and we have 3 people, 2 bedrooms, and a BAZILLION legos! No pets though.

Unless you count a Houdini mouse that can escape from every mouse trap.

Your story of the Baker family had me in tears. I remember a bit about it from the PTR, but I didn't know the whole story. I'm always so touched when Christians show God's TRUE LOVE by doing things like this. It really is Him working through you. Love it. I look forward to hearing all about his adventure at the World!

Liesa, I agree with everyone, you did a great job on your Donald! I want to do this class...I'm certain I will end up with a hot mess on my hands, but that makes great TR fodder, right?

I laughed out loud at Sleepingbooty's comment about "lifts and separates" I love the comfort of the one shoulder bags, but I'm SO WITH YOU on the look of them. I almost always take mine off---which is a pain. Last trip I didn't carry a bag due to the rockin' bag we have on our stroller now, but I'm thinking I will switch to something else once we are stroller less in a few years. Or whenever I take that much wanted solo trip!

 

[All7OfUs]

You are a natural for the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Another great chapter!

"Detritus" is a great word that you don't read in a lot of trip reports. I'm glad you worked it in.

Drawing a "simple circle" is just about the hardest thing in the world to do, I think. Your Donald looked pretty good...maybe just a little too much botox in the beak.

That's awesome that the DIS, and FauntleroyFan07 in particular, helped you win a super-cool souvie!

I'm looking forward to seeing the artist's version. I'll be his has a botox-laden beak too.

I stewed and stewed about that word, and the stuff that is the result of erasing just has no clear cut 'best' word. Detritus seemed to fit...

Maybe learning how to do a good circle is th single most valuable thing an artist learns to do at art school.

Dan really pullled through for me on Day 1- and he didn't even know it!!!

I really need to borrow my neighbor's camera today! or win the lottery so I can afford my Nikon 3000.

WHAT?!?!?!

What are you talking about?



ps - i tried to call you and got a wrong number?? call me if you get a sec

No, not going nude again- going back to Drawing Class.

Ok, I'll call today...

 

[All7OfUs]

Just life getting in the way. High School swim season is in full swing, the Local winter rec league has just started and last weeks snow put everything 2 days behind.


Somedays it is all I can do to check my TR.

Story of my life these days... and then I have a couple of pages of replies to catch up on... Glad folks are mostly patient.

Who Knew? I mean, seriously, who knew that Fauntleroy was Donald's middle name???? Kudos to you Miss Liesa for knowing that piece of trivia. I think its great!

FWIW - I love your Donald F Duck. It's perfect!!!!! I don't know what you're talking about. Very cool that you won the picture. I wonder what happens when no one knows the trivia question?

Seriously fun update!

Only a handful of insane folks (or a few who read Dan's report and have asked), I guess.

Drawing was WAY harder than I thought it'd be- but seriously, they really do a GREAT job at breaking down the character into doable pieces. I have a few more to show ya'll later on in the TR.

Hmmm... good question! I wonder what would have happened?? Well, I'm sure it would have gone to me anyway, having become a starlet for a day.

How awesome that you won the trivia question! Can't wait to see the artist's drawing.

It was definitely an awesome moment in my trip! OK, OK! Going to get my neighbor's camera....