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

[kelnit]

I have stayed in lurkdom for most of your trip reports, although I have read them all. It is a little unnerving how similar you are to someone in my life. In fact I have often told my husband to check out this report because you have sooo much in common. All of that to say, I think it is awesome that you lay it all out there, the good, the bad, and sometimes the stinky. I love that you are so open about your faith in God and all that He is in your life. It is amazing how you can have a connection with someone you don't know or couldn't pick out in a crowd (unless you only saw half a chin, an arm, and half of buzz lightyear) but we have a common bond in God. Because of that (and sometimes over sharing about incidents in Canada) I feel like I know you.

It has been great! Enjoy going down the path that God has chosen for you!

 

[Frickles]

Because this is like signing a yearbook.

U R
2 good
+ 2 be
5gotten


I came to bid the latest Battle farewell & hopefully it will remain in dis history for a long time so I can come back here for some good laughs when I am old. Thanks to you and your rant about Maelstrom being a fastpass!, I've gotten a lot of good laughs from you &this place, and that is a very kind gift. Like NM said, I've made some sweet friends. The kind of friends you can pick on and pick on and they still like you. (In fact I just went to the LaLa's for possum stew just last week.) The kind of friends who can pick on me and I still like them. The lastest Battle was a great one....so glad your sweet family had such a good time together. My little JoMomma was very sick this winter and we were told she had a year, maybe, to live. She left us mentally, and reading your tr helped to break away from that depressing and awful time and get a chuckle in....laughter is the best medicine you know. Thankfully, I can report that God actually spoke to me and told me what to do to help her - and it worked. We got to the root of the problem and now she doesn't try to call me on her remote control anymore. She is back to her old self. So, thanks for slaving away on this bad boy of a tr and thanks for making a dreary winter a little brighter. Even if it was for 10 minutes every other Monday, it sure was enjoyed by the girl who hides behind the name Frickles.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Thanks for finishing up. I always feel bad posting, since we started out sort of on bad terms, but ....

I hope HappyHaunt comes in and posts so we can close up and send you to the completed board.


I'm betting that you will be back!!

OHMari! You cannot possibly move this to the completed boards yet! Zzub just posted his final chapter YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!!
That is only 1 day!!!!!!!!!.. People are busy, on vacation, whatever. It needs at LEAST 3 weeks.

Pretty please?

Zzub, think of all your fans next time you come to Disney. And then you will think about what you want to tell us. And your wife will say, "you should put that in a trip report" And you will think about what your peeps would say. And what fun you would have with repartee. And tell us how your kids developed. And the funny things that happened. And the touching things that happened.
And before you know it, there will be VI..

And we are all going to be there with bells on!

AND you have to tell us if you or your wife ever made the BGPC!

Roll Tide!

 

[mrsksomeday]

ZZUB, I have loved all your TR's, this one was fantastically hilarious.

I envy your love and belief in God. I wish my faith was as strong as yours. Thank you for sharing your family's life with us and making us smile, sometimes through tears, but there was always laughter.

You have a wonderful writing talent. I have felt honored being able to read this.

 

[ZZUB]

I won a fairly large case today, one which I slaved away on for a long time. As gratifying as that win was, logging on here and seeing the kind words of not-so-complete-strangers was even better. I am so grateful to read how God has used my little Trip Report to encourage, edify and humor some of you.

Tanya90210, stinkerbell007, BratTink:Thank you for reading along with me.

If that ain't a kick in the teeth, I don't know what is.

I'm just impressed you have teeth.

I loved every minute of it, ZZUB. The invisible stroller, the frenzied character breakfast at the Crystal Palace, the POR coffee walks, the DMVC, the Waterslide Olympics (of which ZZUB won gold), the union ducks, the hilarious race to the front of the park with Wishes in the background and your wife in the wheelchair, Soarin Lorenson, the duckbilled platypus, the Miami Vice(ish) boat ride, the Canadian bathroom Incident (who could EVER forget that?!), the cheesesteaks, Tonga Toast, and last but not least, Butter Grilled Poundcake. Thanks for sharing all of that and so much more with us. The glimpses that you've given us all have been both hilarious and touching and the banter with you over the years has been SO MUCH DANG FUN. Even though you stink (even criminally so), jump at every opportunity to smear my good name in the dirt and I don't like you at all, I suppose you're a pretty cool guy. Just look at all these posts. Your words and your witness have touched so many people, ZZUB.

Wow, LaLa? You remembered stuff I had forgotten about. What's funny is how much food has been a running theme in my Trip Reports. I mock you a lot (because you suck both as a person and as a person) but I really appreciate you. Your posts always make me laugh and I can tell you're good people. You must have the gift of encouragement. Thank you.

If indeed you meant this the way I think you meant it, I pray your "second half of vacation" is even better than the first. God bless you, my friend.

I did, and I appreciate you catching the metaphor. God bless you and your Epicot loving family too, LaLa.

I think it is awesome that you lay it all out there, the good, the bad, and sometimes the stinky. I love that you are so open about your faith in God and all that He is in your life. It is amazing how you can have a connection with someone you don't know or couldn't pick out in a crowd . . . I feel like I know you.

I reckon I do lay it all out there for better or worse. But like I've said, I write the stuff I want to read and I'm not interested in the sanitized version of the story. I like the truth. I appreciate the time you spent reading along with me.

My little JoMomma was very sick this winter and we were told she had a year, maybe, to live. She left us mentally, and reading your tr helped to break away from that depressing and awful time and get a chuckle in....laughter is the best medicine you know. Thankfully, I can report that God actually spoke to me and told me what to do to help her - and it worked. We got to the root of the problem and now she doesn't try to call me on her remote control anymore. She is back to her old self. So, thanks for slaving away on this bad boy of a tr and thanks for making a dreary winter a little brighter. Even if it was for 10 minutes every other Monday, it sure was enjoyed by the girl who hides behind the name Frickles.

That really blessed me, Frickles. First and foremost, I'm glad to hear your Mom is doing better. That's great news. Secondly, I am humbled and honored that anything I wrote lifted you up during a hard winter. I am forever indebted to the people who made me laugh, you included, during a very bitter spring. I can't imagine how much harder that time would have been without those people. I am thankful God put them, you included, in my path. If He chose to use me for the same purpose in your life, then I am grateful for the privilege.

I envy your love and belief in God. I wish my faith was as strong as yours. Thank you for sharing your family's life with us and making us smile, sometimes through tears, but there was always laughter.

Mrs.K, thank you for coming along with me on this trip. For what it's worth, the Bible teaches that God is the author and perfector of our faith. If you truly desire a deeper faith, ask Him to give it to you. I imagine He will answer that prayer in short order.

Backstage Gal: But was I at the first Fastpass meeting?!

 

[Briarmom]

Yours were some of the first TRs I read, and they've always made me laugh and cry, no matter where I was (literally and figuratively) in life.

Sanka.

 

[LaLa]

Wow, LaLa? You remembered stuff I had forgotten about.

And you're surprised about that? At this rate, I'm surprised you can even remember how to spell your name correctly.

I mock you a lot (because you suck both as a person and as a person) but I really appreciate you. Your posts always make me laugh and I can tell you're good people. You must have the gift of encouragement. Thank you.

Right back atcha, friend. Every bit of it.

And congrats on kicking some butt in the courtroom. You still da man!

 

[DJR]

But enough, you are going to get a fat head.

Too late!

Well, I have a feeling we haven't seen the end of ZZUB's trippies yet. After all he has a gold medal to reclaim.

Somehow I'll never be able to pass by Canada again without covering my nose. Thanks for that.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

We aint perfect. Not by a long shot. But we try to live in a way that blesses the One who created us.

Well, if I have any say, I think you're doing a stupendous job.

You're good people, T. I hope to read more from you soon.

Thanks.

Perhaps a little over four months from now when my pre-tripe turns into real honest-to-goodness tripe you can swing on by. I know you aren't really a pre-tripe fan. But I will be writing tripe. And I will see it through its entirety (NOMel).

And we'll have cake.

I am not leaving the Disboards!

Sorry. Was our eulogizing too much?

I'm not interested in the sanitized version of the story.

Apparently ::cough, cough::vomit-encased-hidden-Mickey-picture-Canadian-bathroom-incident-nekkid-lady-on-the-floor ::cough, cough:: not.

Sorry. I'm going to go find a lozenge.

 

[taylor4fam]

Would love to run into a fellow Bama fan/Disney fan. But how will you know it's me? I know, look for a guy wearing a Bama cap shouting "Roll Tide!"

I have the perfect solution to this problem. We can put Mickey Ears on our toilet paper roll/Tide box on a stick thingie!

 

[blue_river]

I didn't want to conclude this Battle and leave people thinking there would be another one come Fall. More likely than not there won't be another one from me in the near future.

They all come back! I know we'll see another TR from you soon


You've been one of my favourite TR writers since I joined the DIS and I had to come back to post and thank you again for another awesome report!

Wishing you and your family gud health & happiness until the next time

 

[ZZUB]

Briarmom and DJR: Thank you for reading along with me these last few years.

Blue River! What an unexpected gift to see a post from you this morning!

Wishing you and your family gud health & happiness until the next time

Thank you very much. I appreciate it. I hope you and your family are doing well also.

 

[MissMagnolia]

I have posted rarely but lurked often - enjoying every moment of the ZZUB family trip to WDW. You are an inspiration in your writing, your wit, and your devotion to family and God. I find it amazing in the crazy lives we all lead (or at least MY life) that reading something so simple as another's trip report can make such a difference. How ZZUB has made a difference, for me:
1. I am inspired to write more and better.
2. I am inspired to take the time to enjoy life with my family.
3. I am inspired to see humor in situations that at the time appear without any semblance of humor.
4. I am inspired to go to WDW every year - getting the hubby to agree might not be so easy, though.
5. I am inspired to deepen my faith and not be afraid to talk about it to others.
6. I am inspired to SOMEDAY write a trip report of my own (however after reading your "gift of the pen", I'd have some big footsteps to follow in!)

Thanks ZZUB - I look forward to your next report, if and when that day so comes!

Oh, and as an alum of Auburn, I enjoy the barbs back and forth - it was only graduate school so my allegiance is still to WI!! My tenure at Auburn was when the team was penalized for "paying the players" in gifts of cars, housecleaning, study aides, which resulted in the loss of bowl games and television coverage for a time.

 

[Uncle Goofy]

Zzub,
I've been reading your TRs since my sister called and told me she found my twin on Disboards.

I won't try to talk you into continuing writing Disney TRs. I think looking to be lead is prudent and your busy raising your girls.

But from one Southern, Jesus worshiping, USA cherishing, trans-fat craving, college football watching, Disney loving, extremely over-qualified wife marrying, high-responsibility professional career working, 9/11 altering, kid adoring, morning devotional needing, sweet tea sipping, set-a-spell lounging, time-with-parents reminiscing, Happy Days remembering, Seinfeld quoting, wife obeying, infant-son mourning, eagles-wings carrying, Holy Spirit sustaining, family protecting, gentlemen to another, all I have to say is, "Dadgumit, y'all write a knee-slapping good Trip Report. Roll Tide...Go Gamecocks...and Praise the Lord.

Uncle Goofy

 

[PoohBearFreak32]

Thanks for the memories, ZZUB. I've read all your trip reports from the start and have been entertained and blessed and encouraged by everything. I always seem to lurk but most of that is because by the time I get around to commenting it was always old news. You are a definite light on the path...

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I thought this thing was done closed, kaput, see-ya-later, buh-bye!

But, I neglected to post closing comments.

I do that....being Canukian and all.

Mel's influence.

Zzub! Thanks! Very much! Just like La said and Java and Haley (Hi Haley!) and Frick and Ash and DJR and the many others who stayed with you until the end...I thank you!

It was a great read.

And, I printed it out for a encore read while travelling the Interstate to Alabama this summer. You read correctly - we are road trippin' it to Bama - my first visit!

What else says Alabama like Zzub's TR! Roll Tide and all that.

So even though you are finished with this one, I'll re-live it all over. Actually I need something to distract me from looking for Mel's foot out the window.

Thanks again! Until next time....

 

[lisah0711]

Coming out of lurkdom to say thanks for the great TR. DH and I have a law practice so I can relate to alot of what you say about our profession. Also, thanks to you, I now listen to streaming Disney music at work -- even the worst day isn't so bad when you hear that Disney soundtrack! God bless you and your family.

 

[mjkaferle5]

Thank you ZZUB for all of the wonderful installments of your trip reports over the last few years!!

In Jesus' name I pray the best for you and your family...

 

[ZZUB]

Oh, and as an alum of Auburn, I enjoy the barbs back and forth - it was only graduate school so my allegiance is still to WI!! My tenure at Auburn was when the team was penalized for "paying the players" in gifts of cars, housecleaning, study aides, which resulted in the loss of bowl games and television coverage for a time.

Ah yes, I remember fondly the days when it was Auburn (not Bama) feeling the sting of the NCAA. I've got an old t-shirt I picked up in 1993 that lists all of the years Auburn was on probation and the front of it reads, "An Auburn Tradition Continues."

But, as a demonstration of my gratitude for the very nice things you wrote about me and my TR, I will share with you the one and only Auburn slam on Bama I found amusing. It was right after Wimp Sanderson was fired for slapping his secretary (and claiming it was self-defense, mind you). Auburn rushed to print a bumpersticker:

"We may pay our players but we don't slap our secretaries"​

Uncle Goofy: Dude, slow down! You post WAY TOO MUCH! Seriously, 3 posts in 2 years.?!!?
You've got a problem. You're addicted.

PoohBearFreak: Thank you for reading along.

I neglected to post closing comments. I do that....being Canukian and all. Mel's influence.

Since Mel has failed to finish her last 7 Trip Reports and has failed to post any closing comment here, I don't think you can blame this on her. Try either George Bush or global warming. No one has used those recently.

You read correctly - we are road trippin' it to Bama - my first visit!
What else says Alabama like Zzub's TR! Roll Tide and all that.

You're purposefully going to Alabama? On vacation?! Wow! Was Branson closed?

Also, thanks to you, I now listen to streaming Disney music at work -- even the worst day isn't so bad when you hear that Disney soundtrack! God bless you and your family.

Thank you for your blessing. I'm glad you've found streaming Disney music. I've gotten to where I can't write anything without some Live365 running.

mjkaferle5: Thank you for your prayers. By the way, your signature line rocks. Probably the best one I've ever seen.

 

[alldiz]

ZZUB
You can't see the tears running down my face....but your post was so heartfelt it "squeezed" my heart.

Funny....how such strong emotions come from a message board with anonomous posters....this is a special medium here.

"Gawd Forbid a Million Times" I didn't tell you how reading your trip reports have touched my soul in a million ways. From my awe at your unwaivering faith to you becoming a boy again talking to Crush.

Thankyou so much for the laughs, tears and spit coffee I truly hope when your new path is clear....it involves more TR's. So many of us here have sooooo enjoyed them.
God bless you and yours.
Kerri