The Battle For My Wallet V: Beyond the Number IV (Chapter Eighteen, p.75, 5/18)

[CRSNDSNY]

Except to say, I remember a time when it was unthinkable for a Disney cast member to speak with such hostility to a guest asking an innocent question. I miss those days.

Oh, you are so right. So why do we accept this?

I really enjoyed this chapter. Just sitting back and appreciating the little things is so incredibly important.

 

[Frickles]

There are many things we love about Disney World, chief among them is waking up in the morning and realizing you’re there.

I love just being there.

Thank you for taking me back to that good feeling of waking up there. It's awesome, unless it is your last day.

I remember not too long ago, riding the Monorail and looking with some envy on those people running around the lake in their little boats. People who had a luxury of time, and apparently some resources as well. How I longed to be able to slow down our trip and have time to rent a boat and run it under the Monorail track. That I've gotten to do it two years in a row is a thing for me.

So borg. Those things stuck out for me as a little girl. I remember riding the monorail through the Contemp and longing to stay there and to get out on that sweet lake. We've rented a speed raycer for the last two years as well and it is one of our very favorite things to do.

If I posted pictures of me and my family, you'd be able to see how hot we are.

Even if I could see how 'hot' you are, it wouldn't matter, because seeing you would remind me about your #4, your pukes and your poots that you've so eloquently described and the hottness, for me, would disappear faster than a Little Debbie in your desk drawer.

Great chapter Zzub! You took me back this morning to some good memories of our last trip. Many thanks!

 

[LouDisney]

This has to be one of my favorite installments. I think you just said exactly how a lot of us feel...about God, Disney and being with family.

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

There is NOTHING more irritating than poor service... oh, except maybe HOSTILE service! That irritated me just reading it.

On a side note: We usually rent a boat also. Just to break up the vacation a little. We pack a little lunch in the back pack and eat out on the lake.

 

[AshClan]

Nice chapter, Z. Made me more psyched for our upcoming trip, and our planned boat rides, too! I have been thinking similarly about the fact that we no longer have to do the parks commando-style. I love that we can take our time and soak it all in, knowing that we'll be there again soon. ZZUBy is lucky to get to enjoy that relaxed pace at such a young age. Even when her dad takes her out in the hot sun to take photos of monorail tracks. At least you didn't feed her ribs first.

 

[ZZUB]

Last edited by AshClan : Today at 07:30 AM. Reason: Next time, bring gum.

Actually, Ms. Ash Rodham-Clan, I did bring gum. Both ZZUBY and I were chewing it. You think I don't know how to avoid a puky stomach? Unfortunately, ZZUBY had finished her piece of gum and she may have spit it in the water. Killing fish and destroying the environment. As we are wont to do.

WHO WAS DRIVING THE BOAT?!

This may come as a surprise to you, but I can drive a boat, take a picture, drink some water and chew gum all at the same time. Until the Boat Patrol yells at me to put the boat in neutral while taking pictures.

This has to be one of my favorite installments. I think you just said exactly how a lot of us feel...about God, Disney and being with family.

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Frickles: your edit made me laugh.

MDF: I assume y'all rent bigger boats than the little "speed" boats. Do y'all get the pontoon ones? How long can you take those out? I'm thinking about renting one of those next year so my wife and the baby can come out with us.

 

[CampbellScot]

made me cry...again...you KILL me with the nostalgia...seriously...big fat tear...if I was a mascara wearing kind of girl, I'd have been worried!

luckily it's MLK day...and since I work a school schedule I get the DAY off!!! no make up...no professional looking-ish outfit...nope, it's jeans and tees and uggs for me today!!! Perfect outfit for sniffling in front of your computer at HOME!!!

I'll bet that Zzuby is glad you are her daddy too. I'm always a bit jealous for my step daughter when I read about girls who get to have their daddy every day and not on a split schedule that is always in dispute...THAT is not the way it's supposed to be. not at all.

you are blessed. Thanks for sharing those blessings with us!!

 

[Frickles]

Zzub! We've done the pontoon boat and really liked it. Especially because the kids get to sit in Mr. Frick's lap and take turns driving when the Disney coast guard isn't around. It is very relaxing and nice and the top provides some shade so you can be out there and not expire from the heat. We grabbed some snacks, rented the pontoon for an hour at POR and took it to Downtown Disney which was way cool.

 

[mikymouse]

Several summers ago, back when she was two, we were sitting on our front porch, her and I, watching dusk settle in over the mountains in front of my house. I love summer. I love late summer days when cooler air welcomes you on the front porch. And the sky is painted with colors deep and warm. The faint and pleasing aroma of barbecue grills and freshly cut grass encourages you to sit a spell.

And so we did. I pulled up a chair and ZZUBY, then only about two years old, sat on my lap. I was completely enamored of the moment. My house. My view. My little girl and me. Enjoying one of the simplest pleasures of life.

This is just perfectly written.

I’m an observer, or hadn’t you noticed that about me? I watch the world I’m moving through and occasionally, frequently even, I'll consider what it is I'm experiencing. Juxtapose it with other images and memories in my head. See how it all connects. I’ve developed a habit, perhaps an annoying one to those around me, of commenting on the scene we’re living. I’ll give voice to my inner monologue as I connect that moment in time with other scenes, other events, other times and other people.

One of my life long goals... to slow down and pay attention...to be an Observer of his wonderful works and ways.

It was in worse shape than Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign.

I love how you date stamp your trip reports, truly enjoyable when one of these jump out and give you a smile.

Thanks for the update, Zzzub!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Another great chapter, Zzub! I was excited to see it posted this morning.

Oh, and the boat police is called "Lake Patrol". TFI

 

[nicolemarie]

Frickles: your edit made me laugh.

What the heck was so funny? Frick was just saying hey to her fellow Georgia girl. And she ASSUMED I'd be here sooner. Which I would have been were it not a school holiday.

Great installment, ZZUB! As always.

To borrow a hackneyed phrase, those times are all good.

Hackneyed, for sure. My daughter says that all the time. Usually while throwing her peace sign. Where did that come from? She was born in the late 90s, not the 60s.

It was about 9:45 when she said this.

You sure? Because you could have forgotten to set your watch to ES time. And it could have been afternoon at Disney World. Which would have given that CM EVERY RIGHT to question your breakfast request.

You would think I just asked Paula Abdul if it was going to be her and me forever. She looked at me like I was caught in a hit and run.

Straight up, dude. Straight up.

And I didn't have to Google.

It's not like making Dean's List or passing the bar or winning a hard fought case or even seeing my daughters being born; I'm not that much of a corn dog.

Well, I'm not a lawyer, and I definitely wasn't an "observer" to the birth of my children, so the only part I can relate to is making Dean's list. Which was a pretty big deal to me since I didn't make it the first time around.

But although it was cool, Disney is still WAAAAY cooler.

And even though it pains me greatly, I'm letting that little matter of the illegal use of a double consonant go.

so I put my arm around her and we took some pictures of ourselves.

Been there, done that. Nothing like the vacation self-portraits.

I love late summer days when cooler air welcomes you on the front porch.

Must be nice. The only thing that welcomes me on the porch on a late summer day, is oppressive heat and humidity. And mosquitoes.

“ZZUBY,” I said, “I’m so glad you’re my little girl. I love you.”

I'll bet she's so glad you're her Daddy, too.

Great chapter, ZZUB. I loved every minute of it.

 

[ZZUB]

Straight up, dude. Straight up.

Thanks, NM. For a while there, I thought my love got caught in a slammin' door. Whatever that means.

Mikymouse: 'preace the compliments. I'm glad you enjoy what falls out of my head.

Campbellsoup: Sorry I made you cry. I certainly didn't mean to. I was going for thoughtful with a twist of funny. Looks like I overshot it.

NCSJodi:You seem to catch the updates about 5 minutes after I post them. Thanks for reading along.

 

[Motherofboys]

Great installment.

Someone who takes the time to appreciate what they have, how far they've come, and then gives the glory to God.....humble and inspiring.

 

[Tanya90210]

Great Chapter... We are hoping to use that boat voucher this year... you made me want to be sure to use it even more!!

 

[50 years Too!]

Be careful ZZub, your audience will start expecting replies from you. You are violating your own rules.

Ah ha! The PNW has made you a coffee snob. Bet you can't satifsfy your mojo needs in Bama like you can in Seattle.

Deb

BTW, I'd stick with fast boats not motorized rafts.

 

[ZZUB]

Be careful ZZub, your audience will start expecting replies from you. You are violating your own rules.

I don't think I have a "rule" about not replying. I just don't usually do it because I can't respond to everyone and I'm afraid I'll hurt someone's feelings if I don't repspond to them. So let's have an agreement: I will reply to more of the posts on here if everyone agrees not to get offended if I don't reply to them.

You're right that I have become a coffee snob. But not for Crapbucks. I hate that swill. It's just that Disney's coffee is swill of another kind.

Motherofboys:That was a really nice thing to write. I appreciate it.

ESPN has a columnist named Pat Forde who in his column has "where are they now?" feature.

I'm going to initiate one here as well.

I'm starting with UKWildcat He used to post here, on Mel HappyHat and LaLa's Trip Reports. I haven't seen him around for awhile. I think he and his wife were expecting a baby around the time Baby ZZUB was born. If anyone has news about where he is and how he's doing, post it here.

 

[nicolemarie]

NicoleMarie: shouldn't you be bringing a weather report? Hi Haley.

Well now. That just makes me saddest ever. Those were good times.

For what it's worth, our weather is cold. But not QUITE cold enough for the white stuff.

And I agree. Where IS UKWildcat? If I remember correctly, and I'm sure that I do, he once dogged me out for my love of the Double D coffee. So this is for him.

Aaaah. That's a sight for sore eyes. And cold hands. And a foggy head.



For old times sake...

 

[dismorgh]

Ahhh ZZUB. Another fantastic installment. I can just close my eyes, and see what you are seeing.

It is disheartening to hear about the bad CM you encountered. You really should have brought up her attitude with her manager. Only through us letting them know that bad attitudes will NOT be tolerated, will things ever get back to the way they were. (Sorry, no Streisand pun intended.) I guess we have been lucky not to have come across Carla Crappy Attitude during our recent trips.

I for one will not be offended if you do not respond. I'm not here to get you to reply to my message, but to read inspiring installments. Just makes the time in between our vacation that much shorter. I thank you for that.

And don't listen to LaLa, we know it won't be 2 months until the next installment.

 

[samc]

There are many things we love about Disney World, chief among them is waking up in the morning and realizing you’re there.
I love just being there.

BORG....that is one of the greatest feelings!!!

when mac ‘n cheese and meat was a good dinner.

you mean it isn't???

It's not like making Dean's List or passing the bar or winning a hard fought case or even seeing my daughters being born

or Alabama winning the National Championship!!!..........Moment over. Welcome back, Samc.

 

[ZZUB]

I guess we have been lucky not to have come across Carla Crappy Attitude during our recent trips.

Hey, I like that name. I may "borrow" it in a future installment. I didn't complain at the time b/c I wasn't even surprised by it. I've come to expect it. It wasn't until I got back to our room and told my wife that I got annoyed. And by then, I had more important things to do than find out who Carla's manager was.

As you'll see in an upcoming chapter, when something similar happened at EPCOT, I took care of it right then and there.

I for one will not be offended if you do not respond.

Now I'm offended that you won't be offended!

or Alabama winning the National Championship!!!

While 1992 may be a distant memory, at least we don't have to hearken back to 1957 and a shared National Championship.