Well, I don't know what DISer first referred to the term "Disney fog" and I don't remember on what DISer's PTR I read about it, but in case you're not familiar with the concept, it's referring to the fact when, before a Disney trip, everything is seen and experienced through the reality of the said Disney trip...
Examples : You schedule appointments so they're coordinated with the trip (I'll go to the hairdresser the week before the trip, the color will be just right, look more natural, but still lively enough, hair not too long before the end of the trip... Go to the beautician for hair removal just before I leave... etc.)
You don't do extreme sports (what if I fall and hurt myself and can't enjoy the trip???).
If you ever fall or hurt yourself in whatever situation, your first thought is "how will it impact the trip?".
If anyone going with you on the trip is not feeling well, starting a cold for example, you push them to do everything they can to feel better and see the doctor, and you get really scared. You don't care about their health, you're worried they'll ruin the trip!
Plus, you're never thinking about what you're doing, but more about planning, organizing, some packing list, etc.
...Which means you're head in the clouds... or in Disney fog.
And that has been my case for quite a while now... but the fog is getting more and more dense now.
The fact that neither my parents are working right now (my dad's been in half-retirement for years, working only 2 days a week, but has been totally off work for a month now and will be for another 2 months because he underwent shoulder surgery at the end of Feburary, and Mama just "started" retirement in December...-do you "start" retirement???- but she'll likely start working again, part-time, in a year or so... possibly working at home too).
So with nobody following a schedule in the house, it's even harder to know what day we are, not even couting Disney fog!
So what happened today was... my best fried Alex arrived... and I had totally forgot we was supposed to come spend the day with me!!! (lucky I wasn't supposed to be the one going at his house, he'd have waited, and waited, and waited...)
I knew he was coming and spent all week reminding myself... and forgetting again.
Seeing the note in Outlook and going "ah, yes! Alex's coming this Saturday! I mustn't forget!"...
Sometime during the week, I wondered why he hadn't confirmed yet... And forgot about it again. Friday (yesterday) morning, before we left, I checked my emails, and saw the note again. I made a mental note about not forgetting that he was coming the next day (today)... But after all happened later, I totally forgot and since I didn't check my emails afterwards (thus, not seeing the note or the reminder that had appeared on my screen either), I totally forgot.
And since, when I woke up this morning, I also forgot we were Saturday... well it didn't flahsed either... He had emailed me he was coming, but so late yesterday that I didn't get it. And as if it was meant to be, I didn't check my emails this morning!
So me and Mama were watching the Dancing with the Stars episodes that we had missed this week when I heard the doorbell... and this was sheer luck because we almost don't hear it from my studio and my dad wasn't home at the time (Mama didn't hear it at all!). So I ran to the door and when I saw Alex there, I almost asked him what he was doing there!... then I remembered!!!
I didn't lie, I told him I had completely forgotten what day we were... (oh, he forgot about me before, and in worst situations!), but it was kinda funny!
I had to tell Mama that we would need to finish watching the show some other time...
Man...
We spent the afternoon talking a lot about the trip! I showed him most my DISigns, my P&PP Belle dress (well, he's a guy, of course... but he did was quite impressed, mostly said it didn't look like just a 55$ dress! He makes efforts at least! hahaha).
We looked at many foodporn pix... he's such an eater, he really liked that part! He'd be one happy guy at the Food & Wine festival and was drooling over Victoria & Albert's pix... while me and Mama would want nothing to do with that place (well... we'd go if it was free... but looking at the menu and pix, I know we wouldn't like much of what is offered... too much seafood).
We talked about our planned schedule and such... He skimmed through my Passporter and liked it a lot (of course, especially the restaurants descriptions!).
Oh, and he showed me his new Nintendo DS... I have one too, had one for a while now... But what he has that I don't is the new R4 cards...
Now, I believe it isn't totally legal , because you can donwload both old, new and foreign Nintendo games, put them all into that little card (well, in fact you put them onto a micro-SD card that the R4 is more of an adaptor to), and it lets you have all those games on the DS at once! No need to change the card anymore, and no more need to carry many cards either!
I have about 10 games, both GameBoy and DS and I hate to have to carry all those around! The trick I found was, I use the Sandisk pouches that came with CompactFlash cards I bought to which a keyring is attached, in which I can fit at least 2 games. I have kind of a "lanyard" that came with one of my Sandisk items (maybe a USB key), I attached it to my DS, and at the end I put a keychain... So I put all pouches on the keychain... That way, I always have all my games with my DS (I have 4 of those pouches attached to it), but at the same time, the "lanyard" is long enough I can put it on the side and not have it bother me...
But it is kinda bulky, it takes me time to search for a game (and I can't count the times I've looked twice in the same one since they all look the same!) and it's big enough to make me feel awkward using my DS in public places for example. Plus it takes much space in any bag (couldn't put it in my purse, for ex.).
So the R4 card is really interesting to me! No more bulky pouches, no more changing cards... All my games in the DS itself!
Plus, well, there's of course the not-so-legitimate side of downloading even more games than the ones I already have, like games I can't have here because they are discontinued or just not released in North America... like french crosswords games or the kind of puzzle games I love so much that often only exist in Asia (or I have one version, but they have version 2 to 5 in Japan!)...
I wasn't able to find the real R4 card though, it's either not available in stores here or backordered in those who carry it... but there's the equivalent (M3) for only 60$ (including the 2G micro-SD card)... I really, really want it before I leave for Disney!!!
I decided I would think about it for at least 2 days before buying it, because I don't want to make an impulsive buy... But as it turns out, the more I think about it, the more I want it and the more advantages I see to it!
I also wanted an iPod adaptor to transfer pix to, so in Disney, when the memory cards would fill up, on top of being able to transfer the images to the laptop, to my .Mac account and to, as a last resort, burn CDs, I could also just plug my iPod and transfer the pix on it... I have the 160G and about only 50G on it yet because I didn't have time to tranfer much music, being busy with planning the trip... 100G space for pix would be very useful! And I heard it would cost me only about 30$... But I can't find that!
...Talking about iPods... If any of you is interested, I'm selling my "old" 80G (white, 5.5 generation) iPod. Used only about 4 months, and always in a hard casing... It still has some left over warranty (about 1 year left now).
I'd be happy to sell it to a fellow DISer! (selling it for 250$, worth more than 400$ with warranty and accessories... more details by PM if interested).
Talking about memory... Alex brought me the single SD card he had told me about in his email... not the "many SD cards" he had told me about when I first asked him... He didn't comment on that (I had reminded him in an email), so I didn't either. Just thanked him for those extra 2G he was giving me for the trip... Anyways, I'm hoping we almost won't use my dad's camera... (my pro camera uses CompactFlash)
I was real happy to see him though , we're trying to see each other about once a month, and we missed 2 of our "meetings" since January, so we were long overdue... I'm guessing we won't see each other in May either (well, wrong, we'll see each other on May 30th unless I'm too ill from the trip, since we have tickets for a show, but it's not the same... especially since we're going with his girlfriend -I like her a lot, I just mean going to see a show, we can't talk, and even if we go take a coffee afterwards, or eat at a restaurants beforehand, us 3 don't have the same kind of conversations than just us 2... We just don't talk about the same things and I don't feel as much at ease with her, and it's just normal : she's not my best friend!).
Of course we'll talk on the phone before I leave and we'll exchange some emails, but he still wished us (he spoke a little to Mama too) a good trip.
Oooh, it's starting : a couple of people we won't see again before the trip wish us a good trip, it means it's getting close and it's real!!!
It's exciting!!!
I'm getting panicky now too... Less than a month now... Less than 25 days even!!!
I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get everything done.
Luckily, I'm also pretty sure I'll get the important stuff done too, but... stressfull still!
Sorry Susan, forgot to answer your question!
Yep, I'll tell you for sure if I put new pix in an old post!
But I'll mostly post in a new one... I realized it would be hard to put a lot of pix in an old post... I put too much smilies for that! (they all count in the 25 images limit, remember?).
Yeah... each time I proof-read a post and then "preview post" I get a message saying I got too many smilies and need to remove some... so imagine if I wanted to add pix to an old post... I should remove smilies first! Of course it would be worth it for many, but it would still mean time and effort from my part and I get that you'd prefer getting the images where you already are in your reading... I'm not making this PTR for eventual readers, but for me and you, the faithful ones! hihi!
But for now, I didn't have the time to look into that at all anyways...
So what did happen yesterday?
Well I was feeling well enough to go along the plan...
So we left around 10h30am, took our tank-tops-to-retun-bag and our passport papers and left for Valleyfield...
We first made a stop to the Walmart.
Went to the return desk and had no problem whatsoever returning for about 100$ worth of merchandise... Phew!
Then we spent almost 10min. in the luggage alley looking at the suitcases, trying to decide if we would buy the kit I had seen the last time (remember? The blue, 6 pieces kit, including 2 big suitacses we could use as checked luggage on the plane). 100$. Certainly not the best quality . But Mama didn't want to pay for luggage and with the 2 big suitcases, it was exactly what we needed. Plus, we had learned she couldn't take her friend's Diane suitcases for the trip, since she would be on a trip herself at the same time we will (in Burkina Faso, nothing less)!
But Mama didn't like the idea of bad quality Walmart suitcases... We almost left without it, Mama deciding we would first check those at Costco, and would come back to buy the Walmart ones only if those at Costco weren't good enough...
I was finally able to convice her to buy the Walmart ones and return them instead if the Costco's ones were better.
I find this choice way easier. We have 1/2 chances of not going back to Walmart : if we don't take the Costco's ones, we don't have to go back to Walmart's!.
So we now have a luggage kit!
The kit itself could change, but we have one, that's for sure!
After that, we went to the Walmart passport photo studio...
And it ruined my day, personally...
Let me explain one thing to you. As many DISers, I like to be prepared. So before going there, I made sure we were aware of all the rules of passport picture taking. Could we wear glasses or not? Could we wear makeup or not? How much? Etc.
I had looked around the passport government website a lot, for many other things too, but for that as well and here's what it said :
You can either wear your glasses or not. You can't wear anything that covers your hair unless it's for religious reasons (but even then, it can't cover your face). You can wear light makeup.
That was about it!!!
Another thing. I have a passport, still good for about another year, but since I changed my first name a little, I want to have it corrected also, so I'm sure I won't have any trouble (especially since all my other ID is to my corrected first name, including my birth certificate!).
In that passport, my picture only shows my face. You can't see my shoulders.
The Walmart photo studio has a little board with info and rules for passport pictures and it shows one passport photo... this one, too, only shows the face. You can't see the shoulders either. Remember that info, there'll be a test on that.
So we get there and the lady tells us we need to remove our coats.
Already, we're surprised... (I don't remember having to remove my coat the last time?!). Really, we don't fuss, we don't really care, just surprised.
She immediatly made us remove all jewelry... I only had a small gold chain with a pearl on it and Mama only had small gold earrings... Oh, but "it causes reflection!!!"...
That was the photograph pet peeves... reflection. So we look at each other, surprised, once again, but we obey and put our jewelry in our pockets...
Then, she sees I only have a tank top underneath my coat, and it's the drama!
She can't take my passport pic in that! WHAT? Nope. "Too much cleavage"... Huh? Well... I get the "too much makeup", I can understand that a hat can hide your hair, etc. But how can "too much cleavage" prevent a customs agent from recognizing me from my pic???
Plus, the picture will be cut above the shoulders!!! Oh, but she says (and it's indeed true, I have proof) the pic she prints, the pic we bring with us and give with our form isn't cut... The print in the file isn't cut either... Only the one that appears in the passport will be... Hum... but isn't the one that's important?!
And... come on!!! Some logic people!
So I said : "well then I'll just put on my coat!"
Nope. "your coat is black". WHAT? "you can't wear black clothing on your passport picture". Huh? What's wrong with black? Has it been declared a hainous color now or something?
Nope, it's just that having something black around the neck reacts badly to the powerful flash they have with the special passport cameras and make the neck look darker than it is... They can't "play with the flash"!
Really... why would it be so dramatical if my neck would appear slightly darker than my face, and than it really is? Would it make me harder to recognize? I mean, really... is it how they recognize people? "darker neck"? Come on... It's completely stupid! (but I could wear a turban though... even a white or black one... for religious reason, even if it would change all the damn color of my face, they wouldn't say a thing! I could wear a religious clothing that would cover everything but my face and they wouldn't even see my neck, what about that??? Hey, so, now you can't even wear a turtleneck to your passport photo shoot? Because that's what I had last time... talk about the neck being not the same color as your face! )
So I was like "what am I supposed to do? Go buy a vest at the Walmart?"
Mama suggested the lady opened up the backstore for us so we could exchange our tops for the time of the picture, so I could wear her shirt, and then we'd switch... Finally the lady said I could wear Mama's coat, which is red (hadn't she just ask us both to remove our coats for the pix???). The stupidest thing is, I just had the coat hanging on my shoulders, so it didn't even cover the front, and in the pic, it looks like I'm totally nude with just a coat, because you don't see the front of the tank top!
I'm not saying the photograph was crazy or exaggerating. I don't know.
I mean, like she said : the studio pictures are garanteed as long as passports pictures go, so if they are not accepted at the passport office, we could just go back and have another one made free of charge... So they really want it to be accepted and have nothing in it that could make it refused.
She also said the new scanning devices at the passport offices were more efficient and the way they worked, if there was white in the picture (like light reflection), it put black instead... so if you had some white reflection in your face, it would put black marks and thus the pic would be rejected.
The lady also put some foundation makeup on my face and since I was surprised my makeup wasn't enough for the picture (I had put some light makeup only a couple hours earlier), she started explaining to me it was "like before going on TV", like I was some stupid kid or something... It wasn't like I didn't understand what she was doing, just I couldnt believe she needed to put any on top of my own makeup!
But we hadn't seen nothing yet!
Mama couldn't wear her glasses!
First, the lady didn't even know the government website said you could, but she accepted to try... Of course, after trying she said it didn't work. You guessed it : reflection.
Then, after one try of printing Mama's pic, she had to do another shot, because she felt her face made too much reflection. She asked "did you put day cream this morning?" in a condemning tone... Like it had been written somewhere not to and everyone knew not to put cream on your face if you would be going to have your passport picture taken!!!
Mama has eczema and needs to put cream on all her body, face included, every day of her life! She had put makeup on too, and some lipstick.
Well the photograph asked her to remove most of her lipstick (which wasn't really dark, we didn't believe it!), gave her a kleenex and asked Mama to wipe all her face hard in hopes of removing all the moisture still there from the morning cream and then powdered her so much with foundation, Mama looks at least 1-2 shade darker in her passport pic than she really is!
Now that's really logical! No reflection, but darker skin...
I was sooo mad!
First at the studio : if you know you'll often be asking people to remove lipstick, makeup, cream and what not, have some stuff handy, like those face wipes you don't have to rinse and are good to remove makeup and easy on the skin (Olay have some sensitive skin ones), have a one-size vest in a neutral color that you can lend people coming in with black shirts or tank tops and who don't have something else to use, etc.
I mean, you know you have all those rules that are not published and not all people take the time to just come in to look at those rules before actually coming in to take the pictures... Usually, people think that just looking at the government rules online is enough!!!
Do what you can to help people comply with your rules, you'll just save yourself time, hassle and frustrated clients! (and you'll be more sure that you won't have to do retakes on your garanteed pix!).
Come on, kleenex to remove lipstick and makeup/cream... On a sensitive skin!
Not mad at the photographer, unless she was exaggerating... I understand they don't want to lose money (or the faith of clients in case they have the trouble of returning with a bad pix and suffer delays in passport treatment), thus that they enforce those "rules" to be sure it all goes well, but let's say this studio is not the only one acting that way and being that strict and it's really based on fact (for example, you can wear black clothes on the passport picture, but by doing so you will really end up with a refused picture because of the neck color issue), the government should post those guidelines on it's website!
If the government refuses any picture with light reflection, don't go saying you can wear glasses!!! I don't know many glasses not making reflection!
That way, the people who take the time to prepare and do their job like I did won't live through such a contradicting situation we did!
Which mean next week I will write to both the studio and the government to tell them how I think about this!!!
After finally having passport pictures that should be OK, we went to see Diane, Mama's friend, who would sign our pix and fill a part of our forms. She did, we talked a little, she made me visit part of her house (recently renovated, which I hadn't seen yet) and we finally left... In what was now a snow storm!!!
WHAT???
It was supposed to rain that afternoon! We were both wearing spring coats. Both wearing sneakers. My coat didn't have a hood, I didn't have a hat. Neither of us had gloves...
We had to remove snow from the car before we could leave Diane's house! (maybe half an inch, not a lot, but it was heavy, water-filled snow).
*There is still a lot of snow everywhere around here... That snow yesterday was icing on the cake... Usually this time of year it's down to grass... They say some places, the snow could take until June to finish melting! The birds migrated back and are starving because the ground is still frozen... they are freezing too! The temperature is really messed up! *
We then started to wonder if we really felt liked driving 1hr in that reduced visibility, slippery situation (and it was later than we had anticipated). We began to think of what it could look like when we would leave the passport's office, maybe 3-4hours later, if it would continue snowing like it was... What would the roads look like (most snowplowers contracts are now over, they still do the job when things like this happens, but usually later, slower and badly... sometimes just letting it melt). And we'd have to remove lots of snow from the car then!
Mama doesn't like driving, I told you... she's easily stressed (scared isn't the good word, but it's close) in bad weather. It wasn't really bad weather, but it wasn't good either, and I felt her really stressed at the perspective of coming back in a possible traffic jam in even worst weather conditions. Since I wasn't in top form and didn't feel like spending 3 hours waiting in line, and knew we could push it until Monday, we decided to let it go.
We did give it a chance... we stopped at an italian restaurant we love on our way back, and decided, if the snow had stopped at the end of our meal, we'd go to the passports office (we would only have 45min. left to drive... almost like leaving from home instead of from the back of Valleyfield, where Diane lives).
We had a wonderful meal (can't wait to eat my doggybag!), Mama even made me speachless by telling me she was thinking about a... 3rd trip to Disney!!!
Yep!
I know! We didn't even leave for our 1st one yet!!!
Between now and our 2012 Disney-Universal (Harry Potter) trip!
Using the train, going for 2 weeks... one week for getting there and back on the train and one week in Disney... She's even thinking, if the budget allows it and if she likes one she sees this trip... a monorail resort!
I couldn't believe what I was hearing!!!
I said it would be perfect, we could go for Halloween! (maybe there's a way to match Halloween and the F&W??? I think she'd like that, she seemed interested when I talked to her about it).
Because in 2012 we want to go for Xmas... and I was kinda sad to miss Halloween! We would then have done all major festivals/holidays/times of year : winter, spring, fall (don't want to do summer!), Xmas, Halloween, F&W, F&G, P&PP, MVMCP & MNSSHP! Please, make it be true!!!
...Of course, maybe it would mean our New York trip (aka Broadway trip) will be delayed or cancelled... or maybe not, we'd have to talk about it... Maybe we could combine it with the 2nd Disney trip! You know, instead of staying one night in NY before leaving to Orlando, stay more nights in NY, do Broadway, and then leave for Disney!... Aaahhh, more planning soon!
While I was looking at her in awe and disbelief (and sheer joy!) she said "once I get going nothing can stop me!"... I answered "I like it like that!"
But... I'm not hoping too much... 2012 leaves us a lot of time to put some Disney fund together... 2 years is not as much. And she sometimes has a tendency to get carried away and get my hopes up to crush them later...
But I know at the same time it is possible... Another Disney trip would never cost as much (well unless it's the resort) : we're doing many things this time because we decided to splurge... and because it was supposed to be a once in a lifetime trip! Because also it's my first, because we waited so long for it... Because we want it to be a major and special experience... It would be possible to split the cost in half I guess... And I don't mean going 7 days less, just doing less costly things. Not saying we'll have to do that, saying we could if it's what's needed to do 2 other times... I really don't know if I can start thinking we'll go back sooner than 2012... Maybe I shouldn't.
I've been reading your PTR - and just wanted to let you know that if you are flying out of Trudeau International, you can pre-clear US Customs in the airport! That means you can use the DME luggage tags if you want and Disney will take care of getting your luggage from the airplane to the resort. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_border_preclearance for more info.
It's been a great report and I hope you have a great trip. Congratulations on all your hard work on organizing it and getting ready.
I don't know if you've already thought of this, but you were mentioning your bags - we find it very helpful to use a knapsack (bagpack) that can loop around the handles of the wheelchair. Another wheelchair related tip - make sure you have "hill-aids" and that you know how to use them - they keep your wheelchair from going backwards when you're going up a hill. You can pop them on and off so they don't reduce your manoeverability. And don't forget to let Air Canada know that you will be boarding with your wheelchair. Hopefully, you will be able to bring it on board with you.
I don't know if it's an expression used in english, but in french, some people use the expression (metaphore, really) : "having the little hamster spinning around in your head".
Being both a fan of metaphores and cute little critters, I always loved this image.
Since the 1st time I heard this expression, I used it in many ways... like saying "eeeh, too fast for your poor hamster" when someone seems overwhelmed, or, like I'm feeling these days : "my hamster's getting dizzy!"... Because there are so many things to remember, to think about at the same time, so many informations that arise from everywhere, etc. that my head is spinning and if you have the image of Charlie Chaplin wheels in the gear mechanism, but activated by one poor hamster... the more wheels there are, the faster they spin, the faster the hamster has to run!
Yep, that's the image...
Salut Catherine et bienvenue! Happy you liked the PTR so far!!!
Thanks a lot for the info! Pre-clearance would be wonderful!
But I'm a little on my guard though... I read on the transportation board (or was it on another board on the web concerning transportation? ) that someone going to the US and who was supposed to have pre-clearance in Toronto couldn't do it and only could once at the destination... The guy didn't know why it had changed at the last minute... I must say I didn't hear of any other stories like that.
But I do remember doing pre-clearance before leaving for the Bahamas (we had a connecting flight in the US) and I don't see why it wouldn't happen...
I'm sooo happy about this info!
And it's a lucky thing you gave me that info... because I went to check the Trudeau airport website (after looking at the link you gave me), for more info, you know... And more info I got!!!
See, Air Canada had given us the info that, for trans-border flights (Canada/US) we only needed to get at the airport 60-90 min. before our flight. Or at least, that's was we had understood... (maybe they were saying we should register 60-90min. before the flight time.. but is there a difference?) and there wasn't anything telling us otherwise...
The airport website says we need to be there 2h30 before the flight!!! Ouch!!!
We'll need to be there at 6am! Thus, leaving the house a little before 5am!
Thus getting up... well, not going to bed, simply put... How would we be able to go to bed for just 3 hours? I guess we'll try to sleep either in the afternoon or go to bed really early in the evening... but with the excitement, stress and all...
Pfff... I greatly prefered the 90min "choice"!!!
But would you imagine if I hadn't thought of checking that website?!
Phew.
Let me tell you, that was a huge adrenalin rush of "OMG what if"!
Oh, and Catherine, no, we didn't know of those "hill-aids", I'll definitely look into those!
As for the backpack, you must have missed it, because yep, we'll bring something like that and will definitely use the wheelchair handles.
We'll have 2 options (we'll bring both and choose as we see fit, see what space we need and what we prefer as we go) :
1) We bought 2 Baggalinis : 1 sling bag that Mama will probably carry, but that she could also put across the handles if she's tired, and one string bag that we plan to always leave on the w/c, attached to the handles (it's cheap enough that we wouldn't care too much if it got stolen, and in it we'd put things we wouldn't care if it got stolen either, like sunscreen, wipes, etc.).
Here's the picture of the sling bag
Sadly, there are no more string bags where I find it online, so I can't get a picture right now... I really like the sling bag, I think I'll make it my summer purse when we get back! OR
2) We will bring my backpack (sorry no pic yet... old, regular backpack...) in the parks and "attach" it on the w/c handles so Mama doesn't have to carry it except if we both go on a ride without the w/c (I plan on transferring for all).
I guess if we carry the backpack it'll be because I need to bring a second camera lens in the park... But I'm thinking maybe it'll be possible to bring that 2nd lens even with just the 2 small Baggalinis... hoping! (Maybe in that case we would put the 2nd lens in the string bag and just bring it with us on rides instead of leaving it on the w/c all the time...). We'll just see what we like best!
The backpack will be my "standard item" carry-on luggage on the plane too, so Mama will be able to attach it on the wheelchair if needed.
Altough I may walk and push the wheelchair if we have too much trouble finding a buggy for our luggage or someone to help us with it... that way we could put some of our things in it... We really have to take into account that I can't move myself in the wheelchair...
As for the air carrier, they do know about the wheelchair, but I don't know yet if I can take the w/c on board or not. At least if I can't, I'll have it until I board and as soon as we land.
The thing is, they have only one w/c space by plane (on board, I mean), so if it's already taken, mine will have to be with the rest of the luggage... and it's not like I'm paraplegic and absolutely need the wheelcair for every waking moment! If theres someone else on the plane with a w/c, I would gladly let that person have it onboard instead of me!
OK... Most DISers are insane planners and as insane packers.
GO PACKERS GO!
What? Oh! Not that kind of Packers? Sorry!
We make tons of lists, and many of those are packing lists.
For clothes, for maps, tickets and other planning stuff. And most of us also have toiletries lists. I'm pretty sure it's not english, but I insist on calling mine : pharmacy list. I guess it's because most of what's inside is medication items and what you would find inside a drug store or... pharmacy!
What do we do in the months leading to the trip with things we buy for said trip that is on the list? We put it in a bag, a box, etc.
I started with a bag. I had to swtich to a box. Well, more of a bin, really. A big Rubbermaid bin.
Diane (dddisrunner) inspired me to take pix of the monster and show it to you. May put a grin on your face (meaning : having you laugh at me could brighten your day...)
So here's the bin itself with the stuff in it :
I wanted to be real kind to you, so I took the stuff out so you could take a good look :
This is the inside of the emergency kit I put together. We didn't have one, so I bought the bag at an outdoors/camping webstore, searched the web for what's usually in an emergency kit and filled it up... Some things we already had (like plasters), some (a lot!) we had to buy at the drug store.
But it's not only for the trip. I'm not even sure it'll fit in our luggage! Nah, I'm exaggerating, I'm pretty sure we'll bring it. But what bugs me is, it was very useful for a car trip, not so much if we take the plane and it stays in the room all the time (it's a little big to bring to the parks, I think...)
Ah, well, it'll be useful here, with all the emergency stuff in one place... and if ever we go on any trip it'll be ready. Everyone should have one of these and it bugged me that we never had any...
Bin content, part one :
-Lotion... different ones for me and Mama. Since she has eczema, she needs a special one, and 2 bottles because she needs to put some after any shower, so if she goes for a swim... more lotion!
-Toothpaste... each ours, once again... Don't forget, we bought it all thinking we were driving... if needed, we'll "delete" some items and compromise for some.
-Deodorant (each ours)
-Instant ice packets... in case I have heat problem or pressure drop... For now we have 4 packs, I'd like to buy 2 more... They're really cheap and don't take much space. My main concern is they'd get squeezed ahead of time with all the handling (you get the cold by squeezing the package so the chemicals mix together)
-Ziploc bags (sandwich size). My dad bought them by accident... I had listed "snack size"... We'll buy some "snack size" later this week, and won't bring the whole box of either size. We'll also bring some of the bigger sizes (freezer medium and big).
-Disposable underwater camera... for Typhoon Lagoon day.
-Gas-X strips... Mama has a sensible stomach, need I really explain?
-Small mirror to help put on contact lenses
-Contact lenses "stuff" like we call it (solution is the real word)
-Eye drops for when I wear my contact lenses
-Dental floss
-You almost don't see it, but there are 2 Tide-to-Go sticks
-Aveeno anti-itch cream (a real life-saver if you get bug bites or whatever irritation!)
-Pop-up hamper... I hope it'll be big enough... we don't want something really big, I mean it's not for 6 people and we don't plan on doing laundry only once in the 2 weeks, but we hope it'll fit more than 2 shirts, KWIM?
-Dove shampoo AND Dove conditioner, not 2-in-1, because when you go in the pool and stay long in the sun, your hair needs a good shampoo and good conditioner! (I love Dove products, they are my favorites. I also love that Dove work for feminine self-esteem. But I also like other products, like Olay and Sunsilk).
-Face wipes that don't need rinsing (Olay) for sensitive skin, so we can wash our face in the morning or remove our makeup (or just the sunscreen) at night without having to bring a facial soap or without having to take a shower... or wash our face with water over the sink... we're never able to do that without having water running down our arms up to our elbows! If there's a trick, we don't know it. Hurray for no-rinsing wipes!
-Sunscreen spray, by Neutrogena.
We love, love, love that product that got out (here anyways) and I discovered last summer.
It doesn't smell, it goes on easily and evenly (surprisingly, for a spray!), and it works too! But mostly, it's got a refreshing feeling when you put it on and isn't sticky, gooey or whatever after you put it on. You can totally forget about it! The very best!
Downside : it's pretty costly.
And as you can see, we bought 4 because we're not quite sure how many we'll need for a little more than 2 weeks... We'll need to put some on every day, we're 2... 17 days under the sun... (last day doesn't really count)
Anyways, we go at the beginning of summer, so if there is some left, we'll just use it here!
-Dove handcream (again, mainly for Mama's eczema, but I also have very dry hands)
-"Just a drop"... Don't know if you know about that product, but it really helps for, hum, bathroom odors...
-Breathe right strips, because Mama's snoring big time! She's only been trying those for about a month and we've had trouble seeing if it helps or not... Sometime it seems like it does, sometimes not. Trouble is, dad's kinda used to it and isn't good at noticing anything and I'm not sleeping in the same room, obviously, so it's hard to try and notice. And when I do, I never know if she has the strip on or not... And the next morning, I never remember to ask her! Anyways, she'll use 'em for the trip.
But I'll still be using...
-Earplugs! (you don't see them though, but they're there! Maybe you can see on the large pic?)
Disney bin content, part 2
-Listerine mouthwash -Olay bodywash (moisturizing)
-Mr. Bubble bubblebath... I need to explain that one.
We don't have a bath here. Yeah, I know. WHAT? We had one when I was little, and then when I was aout 12, my parents redid the bathroom and decided they'd prefer a big shower with a bench then a bath. Neither liked taking baths much, so the shower it was (me? my preferences didn't count. They never do). The thing is, we only have one bathroom and it's pretty small, so it wasn't like we could have both a bath and a corner shower...
When I went to live alone in my Montreal appartment, I was so happy to have a bath!!! I took baths more than I took showers... I had a huge assortments of bath salts, oils and bubblebath. I loved relaxing in the bath, lights closed, with only candles, or reading. When I had to come back living here... the bath came missing! Each time I visit someone who has one, each time I go to a hotel with a bath, I use the opportunity. Especially since, with my joints hurting, a bath is always soothing. (side note : when we remodeled the room that is now my studio, we thought for a while to put a bath in there, and no ordinary bath, but a therapeutic one with "massaging bubbles"... but it was too costly. I still hope to do it someday, as it could help with my health... But the space I'd lose, the work we'd need to do -like adding tiles- and the money I'd need to put in... especially the money... end of side note)
So that's why I bought Mr. Bubbles for the trip. In fact, it's not even a new bottle : I opened it in the fall, when I had this Québec city trip. There was a bath at the hotel and it's why I have this much a cheap bubblebath... I wanted to find one ASAP, and the closest thing was a grocery store... I'd also like to buy some bath salts for the trip, just a very small pack... hmmmm. After a day in the parks, it would be sooo relaxing!
-Spraynet for Mama -glasses washing kit : spray and cloth
-Gravol (just in case)
-Immodium (idem : just in case)
-Benylin cold & sinus (idem : just in case... I so wish I won't need it!!!)
-PeptoBismol (once again : just in case)
-Aspirin (mostly for Mama, I don't take those. In case she has a headache)
-Advil (for my joint pains. On top of my prescription meds. I try to take as less as possible, but the doc "gives me the right" to take as many as 8 a day. This is rare, only in big osteoarthrisis/EDS crisis)
-Tylenol (for my headaches. On top of my prescription meds. I try to take as less as possible too, but the doc "gives me the right" to take as many as 8 a day. This is rare, only in migraine situations.)
*side note : it is sometimes possible that I need to take both Advil and Tylenol at maximum doses (8/day each on top of prescription meds) at the same time. It usually is in crisis/migraine situation, when my prescription meds and only one of either Advil or Tylenol, depending on the problem -joint pain or migraine- isn't doing the job. Lukcily, my prescription meds are now good enough that this happens less often than it did before. -Off bug repellent (I've heard it can be useful, especially in POFQ)
-Listerine strips (very useful after a restaurant meal!)
-Blister "stickers"... I call them blister preventives... I put those wherever my shoes have a tendency to irritate my skin as protection. I don't feel it at all -it has happened before that I forgot to remove it after removing the shoe and went for more than 24 hours with it on my skin without even realizing it! But it works well!
I wanted to bring more, but I guess I'll just need to be careful and use my blister prevention stick (like a lipstick), because it's too costly...
-Nail care travel kit
-Gel insoles... I don't know yet if we'll each use one pair or if Mama will alternate between the 2 pairs... I've heard a good tip was to put a pair in the room fridge, so for example in the middle of the day, you could put the cold insoles in your shoes and it soothed your worned out feet and helps finish the day of walking... Since I'm not walking, I was thinking of letting Mama use both pairs, so she could use a cold one in the morning and have another cold one for the afternoon/evening. But at the same time, if I'm not feeling well, maybe a cold pair of insoles could help me... I guess we won't have to decide, since we wear about the same size of shoes and could cut the insoles at the same size for both of us... Plus, Mama's not sure she wants to use the cold insoles system at all : she's scared it'll make her want to pee! She wants to use the gel insoles though... just not cold...
-Individual restaurant wet wipes... You don't see them in the detailed pic, but we also have a box of kleenex wet wipes, which we'll bring and probably put a handful in a ziploc bag... But those individual will be useful! I "stole" a couple each time we went to those restaurants in the last 6 months! And maybe some of those times I picked more than others...
-Tinkerbell and Winnie the Pooh Wall cling-ons (to decorate room and door)
-Disney stickers and address labels... for when I'll send letters and postcards, and if I need to be a Fairy Godmailer to friends and family... (I offered but didn't get any answers yet...)
-Fanny pack... We have a 2nd one that's not it the bin yet. We don't know if we'll wear them, wish we won't, but we'll bring them (unless they don't fit the luggage) in case it's what we find to be the most practical.
-Pedometer (I got this one free, don't quite remember where)... I thought it could be fun to know how many steps Mama will have taken each day! I'm pretty sure she'll be quite impressed!
-Fabric pens (for the autographs!)
-Grey zippered hoodie... for the autographs... I don't like it!
I may look for another one... I didn't want to pay too much for this so I took the first one that fit the bill at Walmart... Now I regret it because I realize I may not want to wear it. It's not soft and won't be comfy and warm in winter... But I won't feel like wearing it in summer either... So I'll go back to my original plan, which was to try to find a shirt like my favorite one -a Root, long sleeve dark grey shirt, but it's too dark, so I'll look for a lighter grey or another color... Or just something else.
-The wonderful insulated Polar water bottle. That one's Mama's. I use mine everyday so it's not in the bin!
What you don't see in the detailed pictures :
-2 sets of Almay foundation and blush
-Many packs of gum! (Skittle, Juicy fruit, Bubblicious, etc.)
-Migrastick... never tried that one, but it's to give a cold sensation on the forehead when you get a migraine or other big headache... it can help a little)
-Passporter pouches... to put the credit cards, ID, AP, cash, FP... and wear around the neck... and feel less anxious about having our bag stolen with all our ID and money!
-One 10$ Visa gift card (came with one computer program I bought) and one calling card for I-don't-remember-how-much (it was a free gift in Mama's last Salada box!)
-Mini-binoculars... in case we want to see something closer... I'm not sure it'll be useful, but they're so small I think it's worth it. We've often regretted not bringing them.
-Sunblock lipstick balm... so our lips will be protected from the sun and dryness!
We have 3! Each our own (you can't really share that) in a bag, the 3rd one in the room : it's one you can put with your finger, so that one we can share.
Some things we know we'll bring and already have but aren't in the bin... like my hair gel, our toothbrushes (since we're bringing our electrical toothbrushes with the charger, which we are using everyday!), some hair clips or hair bands, etc.
We still miss some items, but the list is short now (finally!). For example : vitamins, the precription medications (we'll have to wait until last minute for that), ponchos (if we can find some), etc.
...Of course all this stuff takes a lot of space, but we will remove most this stuff from it's packaging. We'll keep everything in it's original packaging, but many of this stuff is a package in a package... For example, the "Just a drop" is really only 1/3 the size of that box! The blister "stickers" will take much less space once outside the boxes (I don't think we'd have any problem at customs with that being out of the box, it's written on each packet what it is, and it'll be in the checked luggage anyways, in a ziploc bag, and probably in a toiletry bag... in the big suitcase!)
Of course I didn't really make this post just so you could laugh at how much we have, but because last time I saw this kind of list, it made me think of items I had forgot to list and needed... Hope it can help someone!
A hard and full day, tiresome too, but productive!
I'm quite happy, even though my wallet isn't!
First I received my wheelchair cushion, just before we left.
It's an ergonomic cushion in special gel that helps not having your coccyx hurting too much after a couple hours of sitting in the chair... It really came just in time, as we were going to use the w/c today for the first time "full spin", as we say...
It's true : since we've had the w/c, not once did we have to go out long enough that I needed it. Mama used it twice going shopping with grandma, but I never did. I had litterally tried it sitting in front of the TV , to see how I felt in it and if it seemed OK... and to see if I thought I'd need the cushion...
After a whole day of "riding", I can say it's necessary... but no miracle. I still needed to change position regularly and I still hurt a little (altough I'd like to have it right now, in my bed, as my coccyx always hurt big time when using the laptop sitting in bed!). And the only problem is it's not slippery at all, so I can't easily move around once I'm sitting on it. But it does the job. And what I like about it is it doesn't look good at all. (huh? No really. It's a good thing! Continue reading, you'll get it!)
It's a greenish yellow and isn't a texture that would be easily washable... If I had decided to buy an ergonomic car seat cushion (sometimes they come with a back cushion too, which could've been helpful), I would've been much more scared of having it stolen : it's easy to take, anyone can think of using it for themselves (in their own car) and it's easily washable... (the "washable" aspect is : you don't really feel like stealing something that someone's behind has been sitting on if you can't wash it easily...)
It was a good first test of riding together, with me sitting, trying not to be afraid of telling Mama where I wanted to go, etc. and Mama pushing, getting used with the breaks and the space the w/c takes in tight spaces... It was good, but our main problem is it's hard to speak to each other while I'm sitting in front of her... Mama has to bend down or I have to turn around, or I have to talk more loudly, which isn't always possible ("look Mama, isn't that lady ugly!?").
That's the worst part in my opinion, especially thinking of Disney where it'll be full of "wow, did you see that?!" and such...
I also realize it's pretty hard dealing with the fear of other's judgements and looks. Mainly the fact that I'm in a wheelchair but I can walk. Mostly thinking about the often spoken out opinion of either exaggerating, using a handicapped space or service that would belong to a "real" handicapped person, or trying to get ahead of people (like in Disney, with people thinking it's a "front of the line" ticket, like it can be in some other parks).
First of all, I must stress that I know what I deal with and that I'm not living my life with the fear of other's comments or thoughts. Plus, I also want to say I'm not saying I care too much.
But I can't say I never care at all. It can be hard and I'm aware of those people comments and looks. I'm aware of other DISers with DISabilities that had bad experiences.
I must also mention that I think my advantage is the fact I have my own wheelchair. Especially in Disney, I guess it'll speak to people and tell them I didn't just rent a w/c to go front of the line... In the head of those kind of people, I guess it'll be like "she must have something real if she has her own chair"... At least it's what I think... Why would I go through the trouble of buying my own chair if I was a faker? KWIM?
Of course, stupid people may not go through that whole train of thought, it may be too much, they may stop at "she's a faker, she can walk", or "she must just want to cut in front of me, she was a w/c and usually they cut in front of people"... I mean, after all, people judging like that are not thinking too much... But hey, I think at least I have a chance with those who think a little!
But the fact that I'm getting out of the car, walking, and wait, standing, for Mama to get the weelchair out of the trunk and unfold it, and then sit in it makes me feel uncomfortable... even Mama asked if it wouldn't be better to "go all the way" and for me to wait in the car for her to bring it to the door... But then to where does it go? To where do I have to go so it looks OK and real to onlookers? Do I fake having trouble getting out of the car and transferring into the chair? KWIM?
(I mean, sometimes I do have trouble moving around, but usually, my pain doesn't prevent me from moving and it's the wheelchair to prevent me from being so tired that I have trouble lifting my legs high enough so I can get in the car and Mama or dad have to put my legs in the car for me, which is something that have happened after long days or late nights).
Since it was only our 2nd-3rd time with a wheelchair in a public bathroom, Mama tried getting me, with the w/c, inside the accessible bathroom stall and then went in hers... I found it was just awful. Since I can move and transfer myself by getting up and walking, I didn't have space to move and almost tripped and had trouble getting out. I also had trouble reaching over the wheelchair to lock the door.
She thought I would just sit back down in the chair after I was done, unlock the door and call her... Pfff, no way! I'm not going to cry out and wait for my mommy to get me out of a bathroom!
I don't need that anyways!
It's not that I think it's not okay for people who can't do otherwise to do so, don't get me wrong! On the contrary.
It's because I can do otherwise that I think doing so myself wouldn't be okay. It would be trying to make me look more handicapped than I am, just so people don't start talking and wondering and judging when I get up from the chair.
I think what we'll do next time is I'll get up, fold the w/c and bring it with me in the accessible stall... as long as there is enough space...
That way, we both can go to the bathroom at the same time if needed, we're not worried of having anything stolen or getting dirty or soaked (we're in a public bathroom, remember?), I can even use it if needed, but it takes less space.
So it's what I was talking about when I talked about having a hard time adjusting to other's judgements. I know many people judge you when you have a wheelchair and get up from it to walk. Like I did today to shop in a store that wasn't w/c accessible at all. Even worst : Mama stayed outside with the w/c and sat in it in the meantime! So I guess for an outsider it must have really looked like we were just using it for nothing! We both can walk and we're even changing places!
I know, I shouldn't worry... some people are so stupid, they don't get it, don't even try... I would gladly trade place with them and not need it...
But it's hard sometimes to face their judgements and sometimes you just don't want to get up and walk because of those looks...
Same thing as with the handicapped parking tag... I have one and need to use it. Helps a lot not to have to walk too long when I go out, be it for some shopping, a restaurant, whatever.
But I don't always bring my cane... I try to, but it's not mainly because I need it, it's because of the judgement... (oh, it also helps to get help and such... try to get help or say you're ill when you look perfectly healthy!)
Many people are outraged (even if it doesn't concern them at all!) and write in newspapers' open letters, for example, to say how much it offends them to see people park in handicapped parking and walk out of their car just fine!
They simply don't get that you can be able to walk, but still have a health problem justifying that handicapped parking tag...
What bugs me way more is those people using those parking spaces without the tags!!! Either those in a rush, those who think laws don't apply to them, or who just don't care... those with big cars or pickups that like the big parking spaces and decide it's perfect for them... Or those old people which may have as much trouble as I do, but still don't have the tag. I mean, I'm really sorry, but ask for the tag or don't use the space! If your spouse has trouble walking, let him/her get out at the door and go park where there is available space, like I had to do before I got the card...
Sorry for the rant.
Oh, wait, I'm not finished :
It's soooo obvious we don't have an ADA act here in Canada, nor in Québec!!!
None of the stores have an accessible register.
Most commercial building with a parking don't have enough reserved handicapped parking. Only Walmarts have enough.
Of all the stores we went through today, most had narrow alleys and I had flapping clothes on both sides many times.
At the Sears register (which wasn't the main register, but is that an excuse? I don't think so!), the counter was too high (or should I say : no accessible part, because it was perfect for everybody standing!) and I was lucky I was paying by credit card, because I would've had to get up to pay debit (what would've happen if I would've been able to get up? Ah, Mama would've been able to do it for me... What if I'd been on a motorized and been alone?) and even though my chair is pretty small in comparison with many, I was in a clothes rack on the other side and we almost made the clothes fall when we left (and Mama had me the closest to the counter possible)...
There were many stores not accessible at all (one we tried to get in, many we didn't).
It makes me mad.
Mad that it seems we need a law for handicapped people to get a chance to live better and have equal chances and services, and mad that we don't have such thing as the ADA act over here.
Oh, the basic law of Canada garantees equal rights for all... But I'm guessing the USA had the same thing and things didn't change until the ADA act was adopted?!
OK, so now, what did we do???
First we went to the passport office. It was about 11h30am and we were ready for about 3hrs wait... We didn't wait AT ALL!!! The surprise of our life!
While Mama was trying to figure if she should go through all the (empty) serpentine line, one lady at the front desk called us over. She looked at all our forms and she saw a mistake!!! Oh no! What will we do? Do we need to go home and start again? (we had filled the forms online before printing them, so...) Luckily, she just gave Mama a blank form just for the info that she had to correct and gave us a number... (since I was in a wheelchair, we were treated as one).
Mama was totally panicking, because she needed to think of a new reference. See, she had put Diane as one of her two references (that's someone who is a Canadian resident of 18 y.o. or more and has known you for 2 years or more that can confirm you're who you are, pretty much). Problem is, since Diane was our respondant? (sponsor maybe?) : the one who had authentified our pictures and said in our forms we were in fact the one we were saying we were... she couldn't also be her reference... So she didn't know who else to put "on the fly". Well she had 2 ideas, but she needed the person's home address and phone number, and she didn't have that with her. While she was panicking and trying to think of something and wondering if she would try and call dad at home (hoping he'd find the info or at least the person's phone number), and trying to think of where to put me and my wheelchair... we got called! Not even 30 seconds!
We got the idea to put my 2nd reference, which was Alex. He does know Mama, and has known her for a while, almost as long as he knows me. Not as well, but he met her a while ago. And since he was one of my references, I had all his contact info in my form, so I could give them to her (the passport office lady gave us the time).
She reviewed our forms, made us sign... and made us pay.
What bugs me big time is we have to pay more because they don't use postal services! I know!
Using postal services mean fees, right? Stamps, delivery personel... While, if we go get the passport directly at the office, no stamps, no delivery personel... But no! Since we decided it would be safer to go get our passports in person at the passport office, it cost us 10$ more!!! "because it's different than their usual way"... Like, they have to go out of their way to leave it at send it at the office instead of leaving it in the production line-postal service route... But usually, if I buy something, I skip the shipping fees if I don't use the shipping, not the other way 'round! I couldn't believe it!
Anyways, the thing is, 20$ (10$ each) is really not much to have peace of mind.
See, the passports will be ready (for sure!) on April 21st. Monday in 2 weeks.
We'll go get them that exact day (well, it's the plan anyway).
But if they'd mail it, they couldn't garantee a delivery date! Oh, we'd probably have gotten it by the 25th, since it's usually 2 days between Montréal and here... and there's even a chance it would've been ready before the 21st, and then it would've been mailed a little beforehand.
But what if? Would you imagine our stress if we hadn't got our passports by the 27th for example? Nope. No way. Don't want to take that chance.
So we each paid 100$ (97$ and something, to be almost exact).
And on Monday April 21st we'll be in Ville St-Laurent (St-Lawrence city, translation), near Montréal, to retrieve our passports, a little more than a week before the trip.
And the lady said it was totally garanteed they would be ready. It's impossible we arrive there and be told they don't have them.
We were very happy to have that done and couldn't believe it didn't even take 30min!
After dinner was shopping time!
I don't even remember all the stores we tried... Too much.
Sadly, most of them didn't have clothes that fit Mama, since she's now passed size 18 for most stuff, and nowhere did she find something that she liked or that fit her well. Only Additon-Elle, which is a 14+ store, would have, and she didn't want to go in, since she wants to go shopping just there later this week or next week (at another store, which is closer to our home and is an outlet store).
I was surprised and happy to see an American Apparel store in that mall! I didn't know there was one! Man is there weird stuff in there! Mama had to contain her laughs a few times (me too, but I had the advantage of having seen it all online and had laughed already!). I think I know where Feist go her look for her 1,2,3,4 video! We didn't buy anything there, didn't even try anything. I was looking mainly at tank tops or little shirts for iron-ons, and even though they had some that could've done the job, they were too costly (20$+!). BUT! I saw some cute or fun/comfy stuff that I liked and I'll definitly go back when I'll be shopping another time...
I was also looking for 2 kinds of vests. I say vest, but maybe the right word is jacket, or maybe the right word is totally something else... I don't know because it's all I get in my dictionnary and I'm not sure... Something to put on when it gets cold, you know? I already have a couple, but all are sweatshirt with zippers (mostly kanga hoodies), and those don't work at all when you have something more chic on... Let's say I have a little little summer dress or a skirt and a cute top, and want to go to a show or restaurant... the sweatshirt vest doesn't work at all! I'd like a little knit something... More than one if possible, so I could fit one with whatever I have (maybe one black, one color or pastel, like blue or pink, one beige or khaki... I don't know).
But I can't seem to find any. They either look too "mommy-like", too old for me (like with shiny things, weird prints or huge buttons), I hate the fabric, or there simply aren't any. Seems like sweatshirts or sport vests are the big trend!
The other vest/jacket I'm looking for is for characters autographs. I had found one at Walmart, but I'm not sure I like it much... I go by the feel of the fabric a lot (I mean A LOT. I shop by touch more than anything, and can't wear something I don't feel soft), and I'm not sure I like it's fabric. I may need to wash it first. Or I'll just return it. I don't know. But for 15$, I may decide to just wash it and use it (or not use it if I still don't like it) even if it's not for autographs.
Thing is, I want a vest I'll really want to wear for autographs, because it's the whole point : I chose the vest as an autograph "book" because it would be something I would wear often and see regularly. I wear vests all the time : I have temperature regulation problems, so I almost always wear a tank top with a vest, summer or winter, and spend my time removing the vest and putting it back on! I have many vests, for the different seasons and different outfits I have (but still not enough), and because I litterally wear one everyday! I feel like having the characters autographs on a vest, I could put it on next winter, for example, and it would put a smile on my face and I could look at the different autographs and think back, be reminded about how I got that one, or that one, etc.
But if the vest I get isn't one I really feel like wearing, I'll just leave it in a souvenir box or in the wardrobe and the whole point is lost.
So I don't know if I will try and wash the Walmart vest or just return it, but I was looking for a new one I would like better.
Another good point for the autograph vest is, since I'll always bring it with me in the parks, I'll always have a vest if I'm cold! I know characters don't sign something while you're wearing it, but it's easy to remove if I want a character to sign it. But if I'm cold I'll have it with me! (I just have to remember to bring a hard piece of cardboard or plastic to put under the fabric for when characters will be signing).
We saw incredible shoes... So cute! But we weren't there for shoes and I have enough for this summer (bought a lot last summer), so we didn't buy any. (haha! gotcha!)
We went into Bikini village... and got out immediatly. They stop at size 14 and even if it would be possible it would have fit me, I didn't feel like searching that store. I had just the feeling nothing would fit me and I was really frustrated they didn't have a 14+ section anymore. I was hoping we would find our bathing suits there and Mama could find hers there too.
I saw Ardène, which is a cheapo store aimed at teenagers, with mostly fake jewelry, hair clips... and some clothes. I love that store! Must be the child in me! When I got my ears pierced 2 years ago I did razzias in that store, buying full of cheap earrings... I had to give them all away, along with all my other earrings (cheap or not!), because I discovered I can't wear any... not even gold or anti-allergens ones. After no rings (my fingers get swollen, well my whole hands do, so I can't wear any rings anymore), no bracelet (I don't like wearing bracelet on my watch wrist, well not on top of my watch and I can't live without a watch, so... and it's really not possible to wear a bracelet over an orthesis!), it was no earrings... That really was a blow.
So I'm stuck with only necklaces now. I hope they have charms necklaces in Disney? Or large but adjustable bracelets? So I could buy one to put over my orthesis, but could still use it if I can ever have surgery and not wear it anymore... I realy would like a charms jewelry, it looks like fun.
Anyways, I'm losing sight here...
That store had wonderful prices and tank tops that would've been perfect... but they didn't fit well. You know, when it fits, but doesn't make you look good? That was that.
I was disappointed, because they were 2/15$ and white or pastel colors...
We entered Winners. I had never went to that store.
And I'll never go again.
OMG! It's like the salvation army thrift store! A hand-me-down place!
I just couldn't believe my eyes! That's what they advertize on TV???
Well don't get me wrong, I'm sure you can get good stuff for very low prices.
I just was so shocked at the look and feel of the place! You see the ads on TV, you see all the other stores there are (especially in this mall), and then you get... that???
Disparate clothes, a micmac of colors and styles... heck, a mix of eras! There were clothes there that were directly out of the 80s!!!
If they're not hand-me-downs, it really is cheap stuff, because most clothes I saw looked old and used.
We didn't spend much time because we didn't feel like spending hours trying to find something and there weren't many plus sizes anyways.
I still can't believe what I saw there... I'll never look at those TV ads the same way!
Sometime after that we hit Sears. It was bathing suit trying time! Yuk.
But it was good!
Wouldn't you believe Mama had to get me smaller sizes?
Sorry I didn't take pix yet, but after trying on about 10 suits, all tankinis, no bikinis for this lady thank you, I chose two. 1 doesn't fit me as well as the other, especially in Mama's opinion (why? Because the top... is too big!!! isn't that fun!?). But I liked the look and I preferred having a 2nd one. Plus, they were really cheap. I paid 110$ for both! They were about 30$ each piece, but there was a special! I was really happy!
I know you'll see them soon, but I'm so excited I want to tell you what they look like : my favorite is kind of a skirt attached to the brief, which is brown. The top is striped (horizontal) in brown, red and fushia and has large straps. The colors really suit me well. And the skirt is really sweet!
The other one is a dark blue brief with kind of a waistband in the top's fabric with a little brown lace on the downside border. The top is soft blue with flowers and has brown lace lining the top part. The straps are pretty small and adjustable. What I like is it's girly and on the romantic side.
At home I have 2 other bathing suits. One that's a one-piece that I'll bring and plan to use only at Typhoon lagoon... I'll be sure no wardrobe malfunctions happen either in the surf pool or in any water ride (if ever I do one) ... But it's a size 18, so 2 sizes too large... which means it's obviously too big for me and have some loose space... And I lose the straps easily (but I didn't see any one-piece suits today and I'm not even sure I would've want to check one out if I did).
The other is a Roots tankini.The bottom is a boys' brief kind, blue. Size 14 like the ones I bought today, but maybe because of the cut, even thought it does fit, it tends to curl up on my tights. Not a huge problem but not pretty nor overly comfortable.
The top is white with red borders and the word "Roots" in red squares (one square for each letter). Same thing : it fits, but not very well : it has a tendency to crawl back up on the belly when I move around, and with some ocean and spa time in the Bahamas, plus some time I guess, it lost elasticity. When I tried it on yesterday, I noticed I didn't haver any effort to make to remove it... Which means it would be maybe overly easy to have a wardrobe malfunction involving some part of my female anatomy popping out...
I don't know, I'll have to try it on again and look at it very carefully before deciding if I put it in my luggage or not. It's not that I'll need 4 bathing suits in Disney, maybe even 2 tankinis will be too much! But hey, you never know and it's not what's taking the most space!
After Sears, we went to an outdoor and sports store where Mama bought some cycling gloves (those with the cut fingers), so she would have less pain in her hands while pushing the chair, especially in Disney when it's hot and she'll have the hands on the w/c handles a lot. It's a tip I got... somewhere, don't remember where, really. Either the DIS or the Passporter.
And since she's often getting eczema in her palms, it will help a lot. She just hates how she looks with those on and has a hard time with the looks of other people (mostly puzzled looks, they don't always get why someone has cycling gloves without a bicycle! Maybe in Disney with the w/c handles in sight it'll be more obvious, I don't know... today the handles were hidden under our 2 coats).
Then it was more stores in search for tank tops and my vests... Without any luck.
The last store we hit was Old Navy. We almost didn't go because it was getting late, Mama was scared of the traffic we could be getting and we were getting pretty tired. But I had a goal at the start of the day : Bikini village, American Appareil and Old Navy... I had looked at the mall's website, so I knew about those stores... not about all stores in the mall -we hadn't been in there for a long time!- but about those and I wanted to check them out. I had heard that some of the DISigners had found some good iron-on clothes at Old Navy, so I was hoping...
I had NEVER been in there.
WOW!!!
I love this place!!!
Of course it must be different from place to place and the content must differ too. But I loved the look, it was breathy... And there was a lot of stuff I liked!
But guess what?
I found all my tank tops!
Sadly, the price wasn't as low as I would've liked, but still, I found them all for 13$ or 10$ each! Not so bad! A little pricier than Walmart, but probably better quality, much more softer too!
I love love love the fabric! And they fit me much better than the Walmart ones too!
See what I got :
The 2 on the bottom right are Walmart ones that I didn't return... they don't fit me very well, but they weren't ribbed so I kept them...
Sadly the image quality isn't wonderful, I didn't have much lighting (see, that's why I'll be using the pro camera most of the time in Disney!).
I now have 10 tank tops. I checked my DISigns, and it's exactly how much I need if I make all of them! Mama thinks I'm crazy and overdoing it... But hey, I love my DISigns, I'll have personnalized shirts and later, I'll be able to wear them again and they'll be little souvenirs of my trip! (hoping the iron-ons will last!).
I now have 2 white (one with small straps, one with big ones), 2 blue (one with big straps -royal blue- one with medium straps -pastel blue), beige and grey (small straps), purple, light brown and pink (medium straps) and my favorite... that one I may not iron on altough it really would be perfect for it... medium straps, yellow front with dark blue border and white back! Dark blue and yellow are colors that fit me really, really well, so combined...
So for now, Mama doesn't have a white tank top or a white shirt. She has other tank tops that will do, but she needs a white one for my Aristocats mother-daughter shirt, or the cats will be whatever the tank top is!
I guess another possibility if she's not able to find a white shirt or tank top would be for me to find dark iron-on transfer paper...
I was sad not to have any because there was one ON tank top that was a sweet dark blue (not "my" dark blue, almost royal blue, but I liked it a lot... except I didn't take it because I was afraid I wouldn't have been able to use my light transfer paper on it...)
But what else did I find at Old Navy, do you think?
My vest!!!
It's not my favorite type, which is kanga hoody sweatshirt (the warmest if they're not the prettiest!), but it does have pockets. I did find one kanga hoody, which fit me, but I liked the fact this one was different and had more style than a simple sweatshirt.
The color will be perfect for caracters autographs! (you don't see it very well, but it's a grey-beige, and the salmon-pink line has brown borders). It really fits me well. It was 30$. I was really happy about it!
But it cost me 155$ for all the tank tops and this...
So...
Passports, check.
Bathing suits, check.
Tank tops for iron-ons, check.
Autograph vest, check.
Total for the day 365$! Ouch!
Wallet? Empty!
Great work with all the "checks" today, that's awesome!
I can empathize with your concerns over using the wheelchair, etc. My mom has mobility issues that qualify her for handicapped parking, and we've often gotten really rude stares (or even comments!) when we get out of the car and both seem to be healthy. The thing is, when she's having a really bad day, she doesn't go out, so we only go places when she's feeling up to it (and has her pain meds with her). It really frustrates me as well, because as you know so well, not all disabilities are visible.
Try not to worry too much about what others will think in Disney, though... most people will be too preoccupied with having fun on their vacation to pay attention to others!
I agree. You can't worry about what others think. I think you need that chair in order to be able to enjoy your trip to Disneyworld. This is YOUR trip to WDW. The other people need to enjoy their own vacations and not worry about you. If it really bothers someone and they say something, you can kindly let them know that you have a disability where you may be able to walk, but not for long distances. I think they would then understand.
As much as we all want to know what you're up to and see the designs, please take care of yourself and get as much rest as possible. It's so close to your trip, and it would be terrible for you to not enjoy it. If you have to, just wait until you get back and fill us all in with a TR. Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for the kind words Michelle!
Don't worry, I don't feel pressure from any of you nor do I feel any kind of an obligation to this PTR.
Simply, I was on the laptop to check the DIS a little and realized I couldn't do much because I was so tired, and thought I'd drop a line before just laying down to listen some old DIS unplugged podcasts.
Remember, I went on for many months at first without any readers (or at least, just lurkers, so I was thinking I didn't have any!), so I'm really doing this also a lot for myself!
If Monday was passports and clothes shopping, and Tuesday, break day... Wednesday was Costco day. (Reminder : Sam's club equivalent).
Going to Costco is always very tiring for me. We can't take the wheelchair because we need to use a very big cart, and there's no way Mama could push both me and the cart, and if in some stores I could push or pull a small cart while Mama pushes or pulls me (I really don't know what would be the easiest, never tried it, only saw other doing it), with the big Costco carts (and with the heavy content we put in it!), it's impossible . And Costco is really not accessible... they don't offer ECVs or wheelchair I could push myself (although I'm not sure I would be able to push myself all the way through that store, it's quite big).
On a good day, it takes us "only" 2 hours to go through the store and check out. On a bad day, when we need to go through all the aisles and check things in detail, hesitate on stuff, etc. It can take us up to 4hrs (especially if we need to stop to eat or take a small break). We try not to take as long, as we have to add the almost 1 hour drive to get there, and then back...
Mama, which is not ill at all, has trouble getting through it. Imagine how I feel. Halfway through, I hurt and get pretty tired and am glad we're halfway through... And from there it goes downward. At the end, I have trouble getting in the car, getting my feet off the ground, thinking straight, etc.
Trouble is, I don't always feel the effects of an effort straight away. Sure, I was tired and aching right after we stopped shopping, but it was at the end of the day that it was the worst.
Sometimes, if I do too much (like moving a heavy piece of furniture or paint a wall... or just read too much), I'll feel OK right after, maybe even for hours after and think it was OK! Sometimes it's up to 24hrs afterwards that I'll feel the after effects, and those bad effects can last for more than 24hrs... depending on the amount of effort, it can last up to a week or two! It's characteristic of CFS.
And that's the big danger... since sometimes I don't feel the effects of an effort immediatly, and since the effort doesn't need to be huge, you can do too much and pay a hefty price.
For example, you feel good when you wake up one day... you decide to do some laundry. You do one load and still feel OK. So you decide to then do the dishes. Still feel OK. So you decide to do another load of laundry and fold the dry clothes of the previous one. You still feel good, so you then make lunch, since you feel guitly about not doing a lot usually and feel bad about Mama doing everything and rushing most of the time... And while making lunch, you start feeling queasy... You fight through it to finish anyway, you don't want to burn anything, especially not having to ask Mama to finish what you've begun.
You realize you did too much. Maybe too much was right after that 1st load of laundry... maybe it was after the dishes... No way to know. But you won't be able to eat lunch, you'll spend the rest of the day bed-ridden, and maybe the next 3 days too... That's what it means to do too much and pay for it.
It can also mean decide to go to a show even if it's late and it means driving an hour to get there and back, incur overstimulation (which is tiring also) and pay by being bedridden later or, if lucky, "just" not being able to do things you like to do, or anything that involves concentration (like writing, reading, computer stuff) for a couple days...
OK medical class over!
Today was just OK. Didn't feel too bad, didn't feel peppy either.
I was able to check a couple things off the list though.
I contacted the person who's croc sitting Faolan the irish croc right now and who's going to mail him to me next week. I'm real happy that I'll have him for the flight and the whole trip... and then some more!
When I signed for the croc sitting, I had seen the previous lists, and I was worried I wouldn't get a croc at all... I also knew if I got one, it was possible it wouldn't be for the whole trip. But sadly, it seems the whole croc exchange thing isn't as popular as it was, because there are huge gaps in the lists.
Obviously, it's a good thing for me!
Not only will I have Faolan for my whole trip, but I'll even get him before I leave and should have him for a while afterwards! For now, the next sitter is only scheduled in early August, so unless someone signs up to sit between my trip and August, I should have Faolan here until mid-July, when I'll ship him to the next sitter... Did I post a pic of Faolan? Here he is :
I will try to get good pix in the World for the croc exchange TR...
Also today, I was sooo excited, because I was able to get terrific seats for Blue Man Group!!! No, not in Universal... In Montreal!!! They're finally coming here (at the Bell Centre) in their How to be a Megastar tour!!! I've loved BMG for a long time...
Last fall, I was trying to plan a Vegas trip and almost went (my hotel was booked and if there wouldn't have been a glitch on the website, I would've bought my plane tickets too, that's how close I got), I was going alone, to see shows and the Grand Canyon to take pix. But I changed my mind : not enough money. One of the shows I would've seen was BMG!
Then, when we decided we were going to Disney, I wondered if we'd maybe go to Universal and I could go and see BMG... but it was soon clear we didn't want to do anything else than WDW this time around. So I was hoping BMG would still be around in 2012...
As an fan club member, I was getting all these news about their tour, and each time I checked, they were not supposed to come to Montreal, and I was so disappointed! For about a year now that I know of this tour, I was now sure they weren't coming.
And this morning I read they were!!! I almost ran to the computer to look at my late emails (I had lots of unread emails that I was just catching up on these last days), and I found one saying there was a fanclub presale!
I followed the instructions and first was truly happy about the reasonable pricing. After paying a little more than 200$ tickets for Genesis last summer, those were less than 100$ (even after paying taxes and fees!).
I was extatic when I saw the tickets I got : floor aisle seats, 6th row!!! Not centre aisle seats though, but aisle seats are a must for me, so I was happy! I wasn't even sure who I'd go with yet! Mama had said she'd go if I didn't have anybody else, because she didn't hate their music, but she didn't want to go badly...
And I had gotten floor seats, which she doesn't like... So next step was writing to Alex, my show-buddy, to ask him if he'd like to go with me (I also go see shows with Sophie, and I have some other people I can ask when I don't want to go to a show alone, but it's Alex more often than not). I thought I remembered him liking BMG, but I wasn't sure. Turns out, he was extatic too! He had heard about the show today too and was about to email me about it to ask me if I'd be interested!
It really was meant to be! ...So now I'm waiting for his 90$...
Did I say I bought the M3 card for my Nintendo DS? It's the same as the R4 card I was talking about, except there are no R4 card available anywhere at the moment and I wanted to have it before we left! It cost me about 60$. I started downloading some games today (they're called roms, like in CD-roms), so it'll save me time when I get it... which should be sometime between tomorrow and next week.
I also ordered a power cord for my laptop, because the original one is dying... It has 2 problems. 1st one is the protection (plastic) is broken and you see the coil inside... not only can this be dangerous, but with time, the coil, without protection, will split. I already have problems and sometimes the power goes out and I'm on battery even with the cable plugged in, so I guess the coil is already damaged.
2nd problem is the plug is loose. I hope it's the plug (male part) and not the female (laptop) part... Because if it's the laptop part there's nothing to do. What happens is the cord unplugs if I move the laptop ever so slightly... But that's not as problematic as the cord splitting.
I really needed to buy a new one fast, and wanted to have it before the old one broke for good, because as soon as the old one stopped working, I only could use the laptop as long as the battery lasted, because there would have been no way of charging it!
Maybe there'll be an upside to this product : it comes with many different adaptors, so maybe I'll be able to skip on other charging cords in the luggage and use that one for other electronics on top of the laptop... I'll see when I get it, which, like the DS card, should be between tomorrow and next week...
What else did I do today?
Oh yeah... I contacted Rhonda for my new ADR...
I heard a news this week that really disappointed me and gave me a new puzzle to deal with...
The lunch included with the Backstage Magic Tour isn't at Mama Melrose anymore!...
We were looking forward to that lunch, you can't imagine how much.
In fact, we were thinking of going there a 2nd time (well, a 1st time, since the tour is pretty much at the end of our trip, but you get the idea) either trying to get a late ADR during our trip or trying to go as a walk-on... We would have decided as we'd feel. We wanted to maybe go twice because the menu would've been limited at the included tour lunch, and we heard such good things about that place, and like italian food so much we wanted to really try it at it's fullest...
At first, we were thinking on going there for our Fantasmic package and then going a 2nd time, but we learned it was the included lunch... So we took the Fantasmic package at Hollywood & Vine, which didn't appeal to us much, but more than Brown Derby and we didn't want to go to Mama Melrose twice under the same restricted menu!
Turns out that changed. The tour included lunch is now at Whispering Canyon Café.
Argh.
Did I mention we didn't want to go there?
I mean really didn't want to go? Like in : this place isn't our style.
We're not into "good ribbing humor", we're not into being put into the spotlight, not into being called on, etc.
Not into having Happy birthday sang to us by the whole restaurant, for example.
So just imagine...
We're not introvert and shy so much that we would want to die if it happened and that we panic at the thought of a comedian picking on us, or a magician picking us to go on the scene for a trick... or a CM picking us for a skit. We just don't like that at all and don't have fun with that stuff.
I should specify, while Mama hates all that stuff, I really don't mind certain types of "spotlight" situations, but I do hate others. (altough I would've been horrified by any as a child!). For example, I don't have too much trouble now speaking in public, have no trouble at all being on TV or participating in a show. But it depends on the way it's made to look.
I hate being made fun of, like it's often the case, if I understoof right, at WCC or in some skits like in the streetmosphere at the Studios, or at the Adventurers club...
I guess it's a style of humor, and people find it funny to laugh at other's malaise. KWIM?
I know some people only see it as good-natured humor and see nothing mean about it and some people have no malaise at all in being picked on in these situations...
But I do, Mama does and most people do also.
I've never been to WCC, Adventurers club or any of those places in WDW, only heard reviews, seen pix, etc. But I've been to humor shows, stand-up comedy shows, etc. where they pick on people or ask people to participate and usually, it's at the expense of those people, and I seldom find it funny, mostly I'd hate to be that person.
So... al this to say we never would've went to WCC.
On top of this, when I showed Mama some WCC foodporn pix, just for fun, she wasn't impressed. And the menu isn't appealing to us much.
So not only are we disappointed of not going to Mama Melrose, we're disappointed we're going there!
But we'll go with it, and I'm telling myself at least I'll have the opportunity to see what WCC is like, since we would never ever would've been otherwise!
But the puzzle was : how the heck will we fit Mama Melrose in our plan now???
So I checked at the plan and emailed Rhonda.
Of course the easiest would be to just change the H&V Fantasmic package for a Mama Melrose one... Even if it means restricted menu...
I also gave her 2-3 other options, in case, like all the other new ADRs we're trying to make, it's full.
As for the other ADRs (Cellier, Coral reef and Garden grill), I also gave her more options... It was so complicated I had to write 2 versions to make sure I was making sense... and her answer was "LOL I'll read that once, and then read it twice, and read it again, and then call Disney Dining to see what I can do"
To make it short and sweet : I added flexibility.
She then emailed me a link to Kevin Close's review of Coral reef, trying to convince me it wasn't quite worth it to try to get the ADR (maybe it's a way of telling me I'm giving her too much job?)... I had already read that review, and others that weren't quite as bad, but weren't very good either. (if you didn't read it, let me just say : it's a really bad review).
Thing is, this review, plus Mama's thing about eating what you're looking at, had made me decide not to go for an ADR at Coral reef.
But then I read other reviews that weren't so bad, I heard good stories about the place, read about how beautiful it was, and was reminded there was chicken and beef there, too. So I was able to convince Mama with those informations... She could eat something else than fish and wouldn't be looking at what she'd be eating... She wasn't excited about eating there, but she was OK with it.
Now, I'm not so sure anymore... It's not a cheap place and I'm a little scared about seafood and fish smell... I mean, not in a bad way (well not for people who like eating those), just in the way it smells like garlic and tomato in an italian restaurant, KWIM? If it smells a lot like seafood and fish, we'll have a hard time eating (or at least, our appetites will have a hard time...)
I was wondering if we should get another ADR somehwere else instead of Coral reef, but I wasn't really thrilled with anything, and Mama prefers to just let it go if we don't get it, and either try to get a last minute ADR or try a walk on if someplace talks to us once we're there, or simply go for counter service.
So I guess we'll just stick with Coral reef if we can get it, and if we can't, it won't be too sad.
I really hope with all the flexibility I added to the ADRs we want, we'll end up getting all of them... We now have up to 4 "windows" for the Epcot restaurant dinners (Garden grill, Cellier, Coral reef could each be either April 29th, May 5th, May 14th or May 15th.).
I have a preferred time for each date (for example, April 29th need to be late dinner, but May 15th needs to be early dinner).
I also have a preferred date for each restaurant (for example, I'd prefer GG for our arrival night and Cellier for the 15th).
But if we can have Coral reef on arrival night and Cellier on May 5th and then GG on May 14th and none on the 15th, it'll be better than getting none by trying to stick to the preferred dates/restaurants!
For Mama Melrose, if she can't get it for our Fantasmic package, I gave her 5 options too... 3 "real options" and then the 2 windows that are priority to the Epcot restaurants (May 14th-15th), but if for example we are able to get all the Epcot restaurant ADRs and one of those nights is free, we could put it there.
See how complicated it is???
On top of it all, I wanted to start washing my tank tops for the iron-ons (they have to be washed without bleach and other special products, and dried without Bounce -they won't be soft!!!). But Mama had already started a load, and it was to soak all day, so I couldn't. I hope I'll be faster than her tomorrow (or that she'll remember I need the washer).
And we changed my bed sheets for the summer set!
(yes, I do need Mama's help to change my bed. I can technically do it alone. I just need a lot more time, breaks and I often hurt myself because of my joints problem. So Mama prefers helping me. My last lombar sprain happened while changing the covers...)
We do change the covers between summer and winter. The summer one is just a bed spread, with lighter colors (green and white patchwork, with flowers). I always need to be covered with sheets, even in the most hot summer nights, or I can't sleep. And the more heavy the covers the better...
I like the change between summer and winter bed covers, it really feels like you're changing seasons... Since the summer bed spread has lots of white in it, it reflects the light and it lights up the whole room, so it really helps feel like it's summer! I have a blanket I can put over it all if it's frisky, like in spring and fall, after or before we put the winter covers.
We changed because it's been a week of waking up feeling ill from the heat. The sun rises directly in my bedroom window, but even with my blinds down, it's been an oven in my room in the morning. If on top I have my winter covers...
It's not that bad in the winter... Not so long ago, some nights, I had socks on all night, I was freezing in the mornings, used my heating pad to help myself to stop freezing before going to sleep (temperature regulation trouble, once again), and long sleeves pajamas... But for about a week, even if I was freezing getting in bed, the heating pad was too much, the socks had to get off before I went to sleep, the blinds had to go down or I had trouble in the morning, rolled my sleeves and I had to remove 2/3 of my covers each morning!
It meant it was time for me to change for the summer covers! And it means I'll soon need to change for summer pajamas too!
My winter bed cover set is a featherbed with a bead spread on it (instead of a cover with a zipper... the featherbed was always moving inside it! Just changed it a couple months ago and am very happy about it!). It's a somewhat similar model to my summer's, with patchwork, but with little to no white in it, with lots of blue (still flowers though). It makes it pretty heavy.
I wanted a chenille beadspread instead, but the colors available were just awful! Maybe when my summer beadspread will be finished I'll change my winter's for my summer's and buy a chenille one for winter... Maybe by then the colors will be better... Chenille is my favorite fabric, I think... one of them at least! And it's a heavy fabric, so it would be perfect for a beadspread!
OK, there are gonna be lots of images in this one, for once, more than talk!
Front of travel shirt (plane)
I don't have the back. Maybe it won't have one at all.
If I put one, it's one I'll have nothing to do with, I'll just have "lifted it" from another DISer's gallery. It's Mickey and Minnie in a plane saying something about flying to Disney, I don't even remember right.
One of my favorites :
The front :
The back :
A cute one, not completely sure it's worth a 10$ tank top... (in other words, not sure I'll make it)... Front :
Back :
A Tinkerbell one, front :
Back :
Another Tink shirt, front :
Back :
The DIS shirt I'm not sure to make... front :
I didn't load the back, since it's pretty much the exact copy of a DISer's I "stole" and modified...
Well of course, like in scrapbooking and many other creative things, DISigns are things you get your inspiration from looking at others' art. And even though I call it "stealing", other's call it "lifting", and it's not copyrighted material (well except the Disney part!). It's not like trying to sell that stuff as your own!
Still, I didn't feel like putting on here something that you could see an almost exact copy on the creative DISign page! If I print that one (or the others I don't show here) you'll see them on my shirts!
Another Tink DISign, one I adore, my 1st one, front :
I may change the letter's styling so it pops out more.
The back would be a simple Tinkerbell "Life is good" design I found in a DISer gallery.
Next ones I didn't touch, or almost, but I wanted your opinion.
Mother's day shirts. Only backs (or only fronts, or front for me, since I'm sitting in the w/c, and back for Mama since she's pushing and prefers backs if there's only one side). Anyways what I mean is : at least for now, I don't have another DISign to go with it and I'm not sure I'll make one. (tell me what you think of that also please!).
Mine :
Mama's
My main bug with Mama's is it's Dumbo with his mom... HIS mom. Dumbo's a he. A son. Not a she, not a daughter. But I liked the design, and I liked that it went with the Cinderella/Fairy Godmother one, which I liked a lot as well...
I tried to make another one (a kind of colored target with ms. Incredible and something like "being an INCREDIBLE mom is an everyday task" but I don't like it as much, it's not Mama's style at all, and my friend Alex had a look at both and preferred the Dumbo one too, even if it meant a baby BOY... altough, he, too, found it was a little problem.
Aristocats mother-daughter shirts
Backs :
My front :
Mama's front :
I know, I know... my cat is prettier than hers, the clipart I mean... I couldn't find a Duchess clipart as beautiful as the Marie one... and I didn't want an awful Marie clipart just to match! The problem is, the one that matched the Duchess one in quality really looked awful when I got it big enough..
The other mother-daughter shirts :
Fronts :
(I may change the cinderella-fairy godmother image. I find it pretty much awful quality-wise)
My back :
Mama's back :
That's it for the shirts! Other DISigns in the next post!
Notice the CFS/EDS and blue ribbons in the bottom, no detail, but maybe enough, combined with the custom wheelchair, so that people will stop and think "oh, that girl has an illness".
Oh, and do you get the "used to be a pumpkin" joke? Because if even DISers don't get it, I should change that... (remember it will be on the side of a wheelchair).
Should I instead go with "Pimped my pumpkin"?
I may add a colored background. It looks a little dull, especially compared to the other one I think.
This is the tag to put in the luggage, in case the regular ID tag, attached to the luggage, is removed by accident, so they can track us :
Finally, I won't include all the mousekeeping enveloppes or tip cards, since I didn't do any one myself.
But I did do a couple tip cards myself because they didn't exist yet, and I wanted to show you those 2 :
For Boatwright's (I don't like it much)
For the Afternoon high tea at the Grand Floridian Garden View Lounge :
I would've preferred being able to find the cliparts to do something more in tune with the upscale, victorian atmosphere of the place, but at least it's Disney and it's tea...
So... that's it!
Yesterday I did the "security IDs", which are those I've been told we should have on at all times, with our medical information, person which whom we're travelling and emergency contact, among other things.
I've done that one and am thinking on putting it on the reverse side of the name tag... It'll depend on the size of the name tag, if I use my business card stock for it and such (because my business card stock is 2-side printing).
That means, except the little ameliorations I want to make to the DISigns, my DISigns are all done!!! I'm ready to print out!
All CM thank you cards I wanted to customize in Word are done, all mousekeeping enveloppes are done (nothing to do to them, but I have collected enough! ), all tip cards are either collected, done or modified, all shirts DISigns are done, and only a couple of modifications are needed. Name tags, luggage ID, "security" ID, "business" cards are also all done! Oh, and the wheelchair boards are also done!
Now the part where you pull your hair out, realize you need to buy more ink, try to figure out what cardstock to use and how to laminate stuff... Oh, and I added iron-ons, too! How fun!
My goal is to start that tomorrow. I don't know which part of "that", but something in "that". Whish me luck!
I love all your designs. I've been looking for t-shirt designs for my own trip lately. Isn't it fun? I have the same pink crown mickey head as you but mine is my birthday shirt instead.
All my iron-ons are done! Ehh, except one.
Because Mama still doesn't have a white tank top or small tee, I'll have to do one last transfer (well 2 in fact, front and back) when she finally gets it. After washing it, hanging it to dry and tumble-drying it for a couple minutes to soften it...
I spent a little more than 3 hours to do them all today.
If I counted right I did 12. Some had 2 transfers (front and back), some had only 1.
One was only a test...
I realized if it was going to work out, I wanted to have something good, so I printed a design I liked (the Tink "Life is good.") and put it on a tank top we didn't care to put in the trash, but could use as a pajama top (either for me or Mama... it's too big for me, but maybe too short for Mama -she doesn't like short tops- and too big isn't too much of a problem for a pajama).
Turns out, the first try was perfect!
But I'm going ahead of myself...
Yesterday I checked if my ink level was OK in my professional photo printer (would've preferred doind it in my regular printer, but I've had trouble with it recently, and I don't want to spend money to have it repaired before the trip...). Then I spent some time trying to figure out how I could select the right settings in Photoshop and in Mac (it was the first time I was printing from Photoshop, and the first time I was printing on my pro photo printer from my Mac computer...).
When I thought I had it figured out, I did a test on regular paper.
I turned out OK, so I put the transfer paper in the bin and started... one DISign at a time, checking it carefully before starting the next one.
The 2nd or 3rd one turned out cropped! Oh no! I had made the mistake of not using "print with preview" and not selecting "resize to fit media" (or something like that)... Because the first one had seemed OK and because I had made the design for 81/2 x 11! But it seems it wasn't the same 81/2 x 11, because I had lost some of the text... Turns out, when I first got it out of the printer and looked at it, I didn't even notice it! And when I looked more closely at the previous prints, one of them had been slightly cropped on one side too... But it wasn't obvious at all, and I decided it wasn't worth scrapping it... that paper isn't cheap, and my ink level was a little low, I was scared I wouldn't have enough for everything and need to order some before I would finish...
So for all the other prints, I was careful to select "print with preview" and "resize to fit media" if necessary (which was most of the time)... and looked very carefully at the prints.
The whole thing took me a long time. I didn't check, but I'm guessing more than 2 hours.
In the meantime, between clicking "print" and the time it took to print, I would download games for my DS... I also checked the DIS a little.
Also, when I woke up yesterday, I made sure to be the first one to claim the washing machine, and I made a load to wash all the tank tops, including Mama's and the test ones (I had figured 2 would be enough, since it meant 4 possible sides to test if needed).
Yesterday afternoon, I had hanged all of them to dry.
This morning, after breakfast, I put all the tank tops in the dryer with a damp facecloth so they'd soften (but no Bounce sheet!!!).
While it was tumbling, I cleared and cleaned the table where I was going to iron, got the iron out and plugged it in, got the pillowcase (for those of you who never did this, you need to iron on a hard surface : not on an iron board!, and put the fabric you'll be ironing the transfer to -in this case, the tank tops- on a pillowcase... I guess it's so it won't move around on the table), re-read the intructions and started cutting the transfers...The instructions said to leave as little margins as possible...
Of course, since, as you saw, most my DISigns had no backgroung and were just a little clipart in the middle with text on top and in the bottom, I couldn't cut all around... I think the plastic-like material would be even more obvious if it would be just a little around the clipart and the letters, with small patches keeping the 3 together... And even though I guess I would be able, with time and patience, to cut carefully around and inside each detail of the letters and cliparts, I didn't want to do it and have the trouble of placing each item separatly on the tank tops (do you imagine the hassle?!).
When I realized how much trouble I had to peel off the paper from the ironed design, I knew it had been a good choice not to cut too much, because if I'd cut in detail, I can't imagine how I would've done it... I had trouble peeling the paper off with just 4 edges, how would I've done it with dozens of edges? I had trouble peeling it without the edges breaking and coming off with the paper... how would I've done it with 10 times more (and irregular) edges?
My first tank top, I was kind of disappointed.
Not the test... that one was perfect!
No, my first real one. Luckily, it wasn't my favorite DISign (it was the Thumper and Bambi one... on a light brown tank top).
First off, I didn't put the designs in the right places. I put both too low. There is a reason for it though. For the front one : I didn't want to put it too high, because I thought it would be weird looking if the design would be halfway over the breasts, KWIM? So I tried putting it just below that line, kind of over the belly. Turns out THAT's weird looking.
As for the back, I simply centered it on the tank top... but the tank top being pretty long, it's pretty weird looking too! Just not where designs are usually on a tee or a tank top!
Lucky I thought of trying it on after the first one!
So the others I put the front design higher, and I stopped trying to center the back design, and just tried putting it as high as possible... almost centered between the clavicles.
Second problem : I had the hardest time peeling off the paper! On both the front and the back, 2 of the 4 corners lifted! And the front one looks like it's already old, because the edge is all torn and lifted in places... altough it also happened on the back, it's not as bad. That one will never last...
Finally, I was really disappointed because the place where there was no design but where there was transfer "paper" was super obvious. I was prepared for some plasticky feeling, but translucent, not white! That was not opaque white, but it was white indeed!!! You couldn't not see it! You couldn't forget the big square around the design...
I was almost wondering if I should forget about the whole thing, put the other printed transfers in the recycling bin and be done with it. It really wasn't what I thought it would be and I didn't think I'd be proud walking around with that on in the parks...
But I thought I'd try just one more... I re-read the instructions and noticed how it said the table needed to be low because you needed to push the iron real hard with all your weight. I hadn't been doing that...
So I tried the second "real one"... And it worked!!! I had way less trouble peeling the paper (altough I did have trouble peeling the corners with each and every one : had to use nippers, and often the edges were dangerously close to ripping), and it was transluscent!!!
So I did all the shirts (took a break somewhere in there!) and I'm real happy!
Some turned out better than others... for example, the mother-daughter ones with Cinderella and Fairy Godmother, which are blue, I had decided to put on blue tank tops...
Since Mama didn't have many choices of tank tops, I was limited. And since I wanted us to have the same colored tops for the "pairs" (moms' day and the 2 sets of mother-daughter), I was even more limited... But I think it's what I would've done anyways... Blue goes well with blue. Unless I would've used white, blue would've been my color of choice for that design... Maybe it's also that it was too dark of a blue...
Sadly, the clipart, but especially the text, almost don't show on the blue tops. And the pink mickey heads with crowns of the back aren't very clear either... mainly, they don't seem pink anymore, more of a mild purple...
The Aristocats mother-daughter one turned out way better in comparison. I'm happy because it's one of my favorite. Of course, I still don't know how Mama's going to turn out since it's e one I still have to do, but it should be OK.
Since it's on a white top, it's really the best color-wise. It pops out a lot.
My other favorite is the Tink on the rainbow Mickeyhead on front and Tink shape with castle in it on back. I put it on a turquoise blue top and the colors match perfectly. You almost don't see the transfer paper and the combination of fabric and design colors are such that the design really pops out!
Oh, and turns out I decided, when I printed yesterday, that I'd put a different design with the "Going to visit a few friends" than the plane one I talked about. I realized it was kind of repetitive, since the text with the plane said "Flying to Disney World" or something like that. The other design already said obiouvsly that I was going to Disney... so instead I decided to take another "Life is good." clipart, this one with Chip n Dale. It's the popular image where they walk hand in hand.
I love those guys and I liked this image a lot. I also loved this "Life is good." motto!
I decided to put the Chip n Dale clipart as a "left pocket" (if I'd had one!) in front, and the big design back.
Maybe I'll have the chance to take some pix before we leave and I'll put them on here.
Of course, all that ironing, standing up and pushing on the iron has got me pretty tired and hurting. My back hurts a lot, mostly. But at least it's done.
Maybe tomorrow I'll start on printing the tags, mousekeeping enveloppes and cards...
And guess what? I finished downloading the DS games! I have about 200. Of course there are a lot that I'll put in the bin after checking out...
Now if I could only get my M3 card! I hope I'll get it Monday!
Tuesday we should, Mama and me, go shopping a little (again!). We should go to Home Depot, of course for some lgmh (really hope they have some!), and for some carabiners... and then go to Pennington (14+ store) to see if Mama couldn't find a white tank top or small tee... and she saw a top that could work as a pirate lady/gypsy shirt to go with her skirt... No, she's not dressing up nor getting a costume... but she's finding stuff that will fool you into thinking she is, pretty much! Wearing a long black skirt, tying a shawl around her waist (you know, gypsy style) and if she finds it, adding a striped black and white top... Maybe she'd even add pirate Mickey ears?! (or she'll stick with the planned tiara to be a true pirate-princess, like so many do!
Oh, and to cap our shopping morning, or to start our shopping afternoon... we'll try, for the first time since it opened... the Boston Pizza in Vaudreuil!!! mmmmm. I have fond memory of a Toronto area Boston Pizza...
I have 2 questions for those of you who are knowledgeable :
1) What size is a quart-size bag?! (For airplane travel...)
I know my litres, my ounces, my kilos, etc. But a quart??? WTH? We looked all over the Ziploc's boxes and there's nothing about that. Maybe it's an american thing, but even on our canadian air travel websites, it's what it says, so we're doomed!
Is it the sandwich size Ziploc? The snack size? The Freezer medium size? Something else?
2) Do the airline carriers usually measure very carefully the carry-ons?
We just bought a new luggage kit and the 3rd suitcase (starting from the biggest) would be a perfect carry-on item (if you followed my PTR from the start, it would be in the "standard" category, not the "personnal". Aka a "regular" carry-on item, not laptop or camera bag).
It has good room space, 2 side pockets and most importantly, wheels.
It's exactly the model that was shown as an example on the Air Canada website (our carrier) for "standard carry-on item" : a pull-out wheeled suitcase.
BUT.
The standard carryon item has size limits : 9x15x211/2. And they say : wheels and handle included...
I just measured the suitcase. It's under 9, under 15... But slightly over 211/2.
If I measure it on one side, it's exactly 211/2. If I measure it from the front, it's a little over 22 (don't ask me why, it's a big mystery to me!).
Either way, the handle may not be included (it's soft material). (really, it's because it was impossible to tell with my tape and the way I was standing. Maybe it was).
So... I'm sure it's regular size carry-on.
I guess, if they don't get out their tape and we have a coat over it (not to conceal it, but because that's how we'd carry it, especially since it has a little loop thingy that would be perfect for that), I'm sure we'd be OK.
But if they enforce their policy by having the tape out...
And what if they do and our carryon is just under 1" too big??? What do they do? Have us check it in instead and pay for extra luggage? "Just" make us pay a fine? Have us leave it behind? Or would they say it's OK anyway, since the suitcase is "under" for the other sides (less than 9" and less than 15")???
Mama wouldn't take a chance with that, and honestly, unless everyone would tell us they never check that and never act on it unless it's a big difference (like a 25" instead of a 211/2), neither would I...
I'll end today's post with a good news : we got Mama Melrose's ADR!
On May 1st, at lunch. So we'll have access to the whole regular menu (unlike if we'd went for Fantasmic package or in the tour).
Thing is, we'll have little time between our Mama Melrose ADR and Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic Package ADR... MM is at 12h10 and H&V is at 5h30! I had asked for the latest package time possible, and this is what I got, and I had asked for the earliest MM lunch time possible, but since it was pretty much booked all over, when Rhonda got 12h10, she jumped on it! At least we'll be able to go!
As for the other restaurants we're trying to get, for now, they're all booked tight and impossible to get, but she's trying!
I realize I should put the new plan on here pretty soon... not a lot has change, but still there have been some changes!
Oh, just one more thing...
I told you Mama had told me she was thinking of going a 3rd time to Disney, between this time and our planned 2012 Universal-Harry Potter/Christmas @Disney time... And I had said, maybe for Halloween.
I had also said I didn't want to hope too much.
It was a good thing.
When we got back from Costco (was it Wednesday?), she said maybe we could go by train in 2012 and try to just take less luggage.. Like she had completely forgotten about us saying we could go by train in 2 years and go only one week in Disney!
I reminded her about that, and told her a good thing about going for Halloween (not like October 31st, but MNSSHP) was the Food and Wine festival that I thought she was interested in.
She didn't even answer me directly. She just kinda said she thought we couldn't just keep going on vacation together and not have my dad join us.
She mentioned she could have to go just with him and made a comment along the lines of "that would be though for you" (since I want to travel so much and I'd have to see them go and stay home). Not only would it be tough, it would be much worst because they don't want to travel half as I do, and dad doesn't want to travel half as Mama does.
I reminded her we could go together the 3 of us (not necessarily talking about Disney), and she agreed, but also added it was pretty hard to go on a trip the 3 of us because me and dad always butt heads together, since I want to plan and he can't take me planning (it's only one of the many reasons though).
This whole thing made me sooo mad.
Not only because, as I already suspected she would do, she pretty much removed the dream from under my feet after planting it herself!
But also because she's the one retaining herself from doing things in case my dad doesn't like it (and retaining me from doing them at the same time), while 1) it's not even sure he cares and 2) most importantly, he would never think about her in the same situation!
He went on trips without her for years! Many fishing trips while she was stuck at home with me! And h was the one who came with me to the Bahamas!
We go to figure skating competitions, he doesn't want to come!
When we went to Québec city for a weekend, he didn't want to come either!
He didn't want to go to Disney! He didnt like it! He ruined Mama's trip the last time!
Maybe he'd like the F&W festival... Because of all the alcool! He would ruin our trip by being drunk!
I can't believe Mama. She'd want to go on a trip just with him... No she wouldn't want to, she just thinks it would be better to do so, more fair, because she thinks it wouldn't be fair to travel only with me all the time.
First of all, maybe he wouldn't even care, we don't know!
But mostly : Hey, does she realizes what she'd be up to, travelling just alone with him? I did it, it wasn't fun at all.
More than that : she doesn't want to go see a show alone with him, finds reason not to go to the restaurant alone with him, because he gets drunk, and ruins everything. And just to be fair, she'd want to go on a trip with him? Come on!
The thing is, 3 years ago she told me she would divorce him.
2 psychologist have told me either I should find a way to move from here or that my mom should divorce my dad for the sake of my health. Both my mental, emotional and physical health. Yep, even physical health. Mostly because endocrinal, cardio-vascular and immune system troubles like what I have don't do well under stress, and the situation with my dad involves huge stress. My home life doesn't give me much chance to get well. I wouldn't be cured if I didn't live with him, but maybe I'd be a little better. Moving out? Believe me, I tried to figure out a way... I just can't. Don't have any money and can't live alone. I didn't move back in here because I wanted to...
Mama hates having other people tell her what to do, you can't know how much.
Even knowing that my health is badly impacted by living with my dad, even knowing the psychologists opinions... Even knowing my own opinion (it's been my opinion for years), she won't divorce him. In fact, maybe it turns her in the other direction, just because she feels the push.
It's not that she still loves him. It's not that she doesn't want to leave him.
I don't want to say that it's my call either, I know it's not.
But I mean, when you're in an unhappy relationship, when the man you live with gives you nothing but bad vibes and you stay only because it's a safety blanket... Against common sense and even though it hurt your child... I really have a hard time understanding and a hard time not having hard feelings.
When she announced me she would be divorcing, I cried tears of joy. I had been awaiting this moment for so long. Of course I was also sad... I can't say I hate my dad 24/7. When he's sober and in a good mood, he can be a wonderful person.
I wondered how it would work, where we'd live, if he would forgive me, if I'd still see my paternal family, etc.
Only to have Mama tell me the next day, when I asked her a question about it, that "it" wasn't for that month or that year even, that she needed to think it through and have more financial security, be sure that she'd keep her job, etc.
I was mad and disappointed, but tried to keep my hopes by thinking "she told me it would happen. I've been waiting for years, I can wait months or one or 2 years more. Now at least, I know it'll happen, it's a sure thing".
Next time I tried to talk to her about it, trying to know if I was right to think it was a sure thing, that it was just a matter of time, she got mad at me, even if I tried to explain to her I was concerned, that it was my life too and just wanted to know where it was going... She accused me of pushing her and got all panicky on me...That's when I knew she had abandoned the idea once more. (it wasn't the first time she thought about leaving my dad... only it was the first time she had been so far into the thinking process and had talked to me clearly about it).
Since then, sometimes I make comments about it, almost like jokes, and she seldom reacts to them... It's like she decides to act like I didn't say those things, or go with it, it depends on how she feels I guess. Like when we got the passports made, it was to her maiden name (because we didn't know she could use her married name). I said it would be perfect if she got divorced... She said "right! I'll be all set". And said nothing else. Like it was just a normal joke.
Sometimes, when my dad is just sooo bad, I think she thinks about leaving him again... but it never lasts. It's in the way she reacts to him, in little things she says...
There are times I hope the time we'll spend away from him in Disney will show her how better life is without him and how much better she would be without him.
But she's so scared we won't have money anymore. I think it's the only reason we're stuck with him!
For a while she stopped making long-time plans, because she didn't know anymore if she'd be here with him in more than 2 years... now she's back with long-time plans with him in the picture and I really can't understand.
I understand the fear of not having enough money. But it's not a rational one, because she should realize that, first of all, their estate would be divised in equal parts and he probably would have to help her financially since I'm a "financial burden child" (I can't work, thus I think I'd be considered same thing as when there's a child in a divorce and the dad needs to pay monthly fees to the mom, I know it's the case for adults living with one parent, who can't work because they're at school).
Sometimes when we used to talk about a possible divorce, Mama used to try and frighten me by saying "we won't be able to do this if I leave you dad" or "there won't be any Disney trip if I leave your dad", etc. First of all, we're not sure about that, but mostly, I would vastly prefer living a happy life everyday, than doing these rare costly things sometimes and living hell every day!!!
She really reacts like I'm the one bad person pushing her to divorce, not realizing what it implies and how hard it can be... She doesn't seem to realize a divorce wouldn't be all fun for me either.
All the while not realizing stepping on my side, she's the bad person refusing to divorce and not realizing what it's like living with him and in this atmosphere every day, what it implies and how hard it can be.
Because it's not just him and me. It also makes the relationship with Mama harder, because he ruined her quite a bit. She's so used to how he his that she thinks the whole world reacts like he does and after more than 35 years living with him and not having a lot of other contacts except at work, her whole relationship model is based on that and thus, crooked. Plus, because of him the whole house atmosphere is bad all the time. If one of us has had a fit with dad, there is tension in the house and we all have to live with it. Even if no one had a fit, just the fact that he's drunk and can explode at any time makes for a pretty bad atmosphere. We're living in a minefield, pretty much.
So I have a very hard time seeing my mom changing her mind about that 3rd Disney trip, and that it's not because we don't have the money or because she wants to travel elsewhere, or because something happened in our lives, but because she thinks my dad will be mad because we'd always travel together and never with him...
The most self-centered person in the whole house. That's the reason...
But I didn't do or say anything to make her angry at me or get stuck that position... she can be sooo touchy.
So I just said yes, maybe she should travel alone with my dad (on top of us doing that 3rd trip Halloween time in 2 years) or we should do another trip the 3 of us (or maybe that would be the Disney trip).
I'm pretty sure though we'll talk about it again and I will tell her what I think...
So... yeah, I sooo need this Disney trip, and it's sooo my own little make-a-wish trip... I need to get away from here, from this mess and have a vacation from dad for almost 3 weeks... And then live my dream to forget about my illness on top of it.
Sorry, the last bit was longer than I expected... hey, a rant is always long...
I have 2 questions for those of you who are knowledgeable :
1) What size is a quart-size bag?! (For airplane travel...)
I know my litres, my ounces, my kilos, etc. But a quart??? WTH? We looked all over the Ziploc's boxes and there's nothing about that. Maybe it's an american thing, but even on our canadian air travel websites, it's what it says, so we're doomed!
Is it the sandwich size Ziploc? The snack size? The Freezer medium size? Something else?
2) Do the airline carriers usually measure very carefully the carry-ons?
We just bought a new luggage kit and the 3rd suitcase (starting from the biggest) would be a perfect carry-on item (if you followed my PTR from the start, it would be in the "standard" category, not the "personnal". Aka a "regular" carry-on item, not laptop or camera bag).
It has good room space, 2 side pockets and most importantly, wheels.
It's exactly the model that was shown as an example on the Air Canada website (our carrier) for "standard carry-on item" : a pull-out wheeled suitcase.
BUT.
The standard carryon item has size limits : 9x15x211/2. And they say : wheels and handle included...
I just measured the suitcase. It's under 9, under 15... But slightly over 211/2.
If I measure it on one side, it's exactly 211/2. If I measure it from the front, it's a little over 22 (don't ask me why, it's a big mystery to me!).
Either way, the handle may not be included (it's soft material). (really, it's because it was impossible to tell with my tape and the way I was standing. Maybe it was).
So... I'm sure it's regular size carry-on.
I guess, if they don't get out their tape and we have a coat over it (not to conceal it, but because that's how we'd carry it, especially since it has a little loop thingy that would be perfect for that), I'm sure we'd be OK.
But if they enforce their policy by having the tape out...
And what if they do and our carryon is just under 1" too big??? What do they do? Have us check it in instead and pay for extra luggage? "Just" make us pay a fine? Have us leave it behind? Or would they say it's OK anyway, since the suitcase is "under" for the other sides (less than 9" and less than 15")???
Mama wouldn't take a chance with that, and honestly, unless everyone would tell us they never check that and never act on it unless it's a big difference (like a 25" instead of a 211/2), neither would I...
To your questions, a quart-size bag is larger than a sandwich bag, about the size of the medium freezer bag. I just checked my box of quart-size ziploc bags, and it also says 0.95L, which I think should help you out.
As for the carry-on bag, they won't be too strict about it. The one we usually carry on the plane is slightly larger than the airline requirement, and they've never once questioned it. On the very very very slight chance that they question it, the most they would do is gate-check it, and since that happens once you're boarding the plane, I don't think they'd even charge you for it, since they wouldn't know you had already checked other luggage. It's definitely not something to be worried about.
Sounds like you had a productive day with the tank tops though... I'm debating making DFi & me matching shirts, but the iron-ons would have to be pretty small, he definitely wouldn't go for anything big...
It's so funny!
My cat, Colombine, is laying down besides me, halfway on my side, under my arm... because I have no other choice than putting my arm over her to type on my laptop... She has her 2 front paws on the laptop, and often extends her paws over my left hand and it looks like it's either to prevent me from typing, or to type herself!
Not the easiest thing for me, typing with her there... but I like her so much and like so much having her close that I don't feel like pushing her away... (it's often like that with her! She's snuggling, but then gets in my way! Nothing worst than when she ruins my Mario Kart race on my Nintendo DS by getting between me and the game! )
So this one post is hers...
I so can't wait for the day I'll have a tripod and cordless remote for my camera, I dream of setting it in my bedroom to be able to take pix of how Colombine acts when she's alone with me and relaxed... Like this, like the way we sleep...
Anyways.
Today was another efficient, productive day, even though at first I didn't feel like it, because I was so tired from yesterday.
I had trouble getting up this morning and started slow, but sitting at the computer, I realized I didn't feel like doing anything else anyway... It's not like I didn't feel well at all and was bedridden, KWIM? I was just tired and didn't feel like doing what I had planned... But once I tried to do something else, I realized... I was drawn to my Disney stuff anyways.
So I started by printing all the PassPorter stuff that wasn't interactive (what's interactive, I'll either wait until last minute to print or put on the laptop) and that I wanted to have in my PP binder.
The daily diary style worksheet. (today we saw... today we tried... today the weather was... etc). I already have all the passporter pockets at the end of the binder, and even ordered more because our trip lasts longer than the usual 7-10 days, but the space to take notes about each day is limited. Those worksheets have more space and more "themes" (the unfinished sentences : weather, meals, memories, etc.). I like those because since I'll do a TR and scrapbook, it'll help me remember things and structure my notes.
I did a little journal in both my Bahamas trips and on my roadtrip with Alex, and one of them had little spaces for weather and such, and it helped. If I'd had those "themes" to write about, I'm sure my notes would've been even more complete.
So I printed those, cut them to the right size and punched the holes.
I'll also use a little notepad to note info that won't fit in the organized "themes" and to carry around during the day, to notes ideas for the TR, the order of attractions we're doing, meals we take at restaurants and such... well that's if I think about it!
I realized there wasn't much space left in the binder for all I wanted to print, so I went through the pages of the PP and removed all I wouldn't need on the trip. I'm sure I left some that I won't need, but I didn't want to remove too much and regret it once in Disney, wanting some info that is supposed to be in there but would be at home...
I had already removed some pages, like most of the resorts pages after we had decided on POFQ, but today I removed a lot more. Well... a lot is a big word, but... more.
I also printed the "souvenir tracklist" which will let me keep track of what I see in the stores, either for gifts or for myself... What, where, at what price, for whom... So when I go to the outlet mid-trip I'll know what to look for, and if I can't find what I want there, I'll know where to look for afterwards!
What else did I print?... Memory gap here... sorry...
Oh yeah, a character list. To keep track of who I met, where and it's supposed to let you note what picture number is associated with which. I'm not sure I'll use that feature... Well maybe. But with maybe 1000 or 2000 pictures on the memory card, it can be long to check the picture number associated with the character at the end of the day (I won't take those lists with me! I'll just take a note in the notebook and try not to forget to note the time of day and place). Instead, I'd write the time of day, so when I'd look for the right pix in all the files, I'll know to look for the ones in that time frame.
Oh yeah, I'll make sure my camera has the right time!!! It'll be too important!
I also printed the attraction checklist. It's supposed to be so everyone rates the attractions, and then the party can decide which attractions to do in order of importance... But since we don't really have "Not to be missed", I'll just use it to check off the attractions as we do them, and maybe rate them (maybe Mama would agree to rate them too). It would also be useful to decide which ones we'd like to do again... Altough I bet we'll just decide on the spot which ones we'd like to do again when we'll be in the parks a second time(or third time, or fourth time...), if we've done all there is to do a first time... It would be depending on what we want to do and lines... I don't think we'd really plan that nor would we need a list!
As I said, I won't bring the whole PassPorter in the parks, nor the lists I printed.
I plan on bringing 3 things with me in the parks : my notebook, the PassPorter pocket of the day (to note the important things on the spot and put stuff in it as we go) and the important lists I made : attactions and restaurants (but only those related to where we're going). Oh, OK, a 4th thing : a pen!!!
Once I did all that, it was time to watch the Pacific Rim gymnastic champs!
I like gymnastics. Not as much as figure skating. But I do like it. After dance comes figure skating. After that come other "artistic" sports like gymnastics and synchro swimming that I like a lot. Sadly, there aren't often on TV. And they never show it great... always cut short.
Anyways. I watched the gymnastics this afternoon.
And after dinner I went back and printed all the mousekeeping envelopes!
As I expected, I had some trouble.
Biggest trouble was, the DISigns were made for a square envelope... I have small envelopes, but they're not square. And whatever I tried, there was no way to strech the design so it would cover all the surface of the rectangular envelope. Either some of the design was cut and left out, either I had a design in the middle of the envelope and a white space all around it...
After many, many, many tries and a couple of wasted envelopes, I decided it was better to have a centered design in the middle of some white, than to have parts of it missing. Or to have to design 17 new envelopes myself.
Especially since doing 17 designs from scratch didn't garantee it would print perfectly on my envelopes!
I was glad though to see, after printing a lot of PassPorter worksheets, my regular printer was able to do a good enough job for the mousekeeping envelopes! (I really don't want to waste costly pro photo ink on those projects!). Of course some of my PP worksheets didn't come out good, but it wasn't important they did (it's not to give out, it's only to write lists!).
But there weren't a lot of the envelopes that came out perfect.
Some were kind of grainy. I guess it's because the images used were scaled, or saved in low quality JPEG for the web, and that's where I got them from...
Many were crooked. Don't really understand why, since I put the envelope in the envelope slot of the printer and made sure each and every time it was perfectly aligned. I guess the printer made it move at some point. Hey, it sometime does with the paper, and the envelope is even smaller, so easier to move around...
I decided not to redo the crooked ones. For most, it's not that obvious. For others, it is, but almost looks good, like a business card left on the envelope, KWIM?
For the rest, I just decided the mousekeeper wouldn't care. (hopin'!)
Mostly, I realized there was just as much chance the 2nd try would turn out crooked too, and it would just be more envelope and ink wasted...
I already had wasted more than 10 envelopes!
I was pretty happy to have one more design than I needed, because one wouldn't print right... you almost couldn't make out what was on the envelope, design-wise, let alone the text! So I had to use one I didn't like much, but was keeping "just-in-case"... The "case" happened!
Now the envelopes are printed, I'll try to add some glitz to it and decorate them a little. Not much, just a sticker here or there if appropriate and mostly, some glitter.
And I'll bring some of my stickers to close the flap. I always do that for birthday and christmas cards, mostly if I send them by mail (yep, I'm almost the only one in the family to do that : I send cards to every member of the -extended- family, and to my friends, by snail mail! ...and I never receive any ).
So anyways, after I close it, I add a little (or big) sticker like they'd put wax in the old times.
When we'll have our money changed for US, if we can have enough 1$ bills right away, I'll put them in the envelopes and close them, put the stickers and put them all in a big envelope (so as not to lose the glitter, rubbing in all the luggage). If we can't have 1$ bills right away, I'll just bring the stickers.
I also made 3 other envelopes we're not sure to use : one for the Port Orleans carriage ride... in case we decide to take a ride! And 2 for the Magical Express. Like you told me, we don't have to tip, but if we feel the service was worthy of, we'll do so. I feel it will be fun to give the tip in an envelope if we ever do so.
I try to think if there's another place we'd need to tip cash, meaning where we didn't already pay or won't pay by KTTW/credit card... I thought of maybe the tour guide for the Backstage magic tour, but after a little research, I learned they couldn't accept a tip. If they did they could lose their job! If a client insisted too much, they could accept it... only to have to give it to their manager (who did what with it?!). So for the tour guide, it's a thank you card and, if really wonderful, a note or call to the manager.
Of course there's bell services we could need to tip, but it's so many times if we need to tip them (luggage in, luggage out) that I don't want to make so many envelopes... especially since it may not be used!
Do you guys think of anything else? (remember : no restaurant personel, we'll use cards).
Today I also got the answer to a question I aksed Rhonda (actually, I had asked her today, too! She works weekends, poor Rhonda!) :
Sadly, we won't be able to combine our Annual Pass with our KTTW. You know, like people who buy Magic your way tix can put it on their KTTW and simply present their "hotel card" at park's entrance? The KTTW becomes the one and only card... You use it to enter your room, to enter the parks, to pay (if you want to charge to your room), to have items shipped to your resort (it's your identification), etc.
But alas, not with an AP... It'll still work for payment (we decided we'd charge to the room as much as possible, why worry with a credit card? Mostly, why pay more for fees? I'll get back on that later) and shipping back to the resort and of course, as the room key... But we need the AP in itself to enter the parks and they simply can't put the info about the AP on the KTTW.
So for example, if we want to apply a store AP discount, we need to show the AP.
And we'll have to have the DDE card with us too!
Oooh, talking about AP and presenting it : I'm so thrilled about the AP Toy Story Mania preview!!!
OK, I must admit, I wasn't even that excited about the attraction in itself (at first, I thought it would be open when we'd get there). A virtual arcade game where you need to shoot on stuff...
But when you get to be among the very firsts to try it, now it's not the same anymore! There's an aura of VIP to it, an excitement too!
Now I'm even more happy I've got the AP, because I've got that extra special thing we can do! Just hope the lines won't be too bad and Mama will like it!
OK, I was talking about credit card fees.
See, we are canadian (really!? No seriously, we're not, we're Quebecers. But...), so we have canadian credit cards.
That means, if we buy things in the US, thus in US funds, using the canadian credit card, it's like if the credit cards company had to take our money and go to the foreign exchange office. What usually happens there? You give an amount of money, they give you the equivalent in the other currency and... AND? And they charge you a fee!
So the credit card company charges you that fee... plus a little more for that "job" of having to change the money.
All this means, the more transactions you make, the more you pay. Especially since there are fees per transactions in some cases.
So we calculated, if we put the maximum limit on our room charge (I think it's 1000$), and pay it only once (or pay if it reaches the limit, and then pay whatever amount is there before leaving -I'm sure we won't reach the limit twice, even though we'll include the meals), it'll only be 2 transactions! Compare that to paying each meal, snack and each souvenir/gift in the park's stores!
One thing I'm wondering though : will I be able to put my own charge limit on my own KTTW, with my own credit card?
I know people can put a spending limit to each KTTW, like for example, a mom can give 100$ credit on the KTTW of her kid, so he can buy some souvenirs and so she can send him to buy some stuff at the foodcourt without giving him money. But that's all under the same name, with the same limit and with the same credit card. KWIM? It's all the same bill, same account... only part of the credit total is alloted on a separate KTTW.
What I would like to do is use my own credit card and use it for my own charging use on my KTTW card, so I could buy my own stuff without having to directly use my credit card each time, and without having to pay Mama back...
Of course, if we can't, that's what we'll do... we'll keep track of what I spend and I'll pay her back and it won't be the end of the world either... And maybe we'll put a certain amount on my own KTTW card, in case I'm able to go to the foodcourt on my own.
That'll be tomorrow's question to Rhonda, unless of course I find the answer here before then!
...I can't believe it's coming so soon now!
16 days... Seems not so long ago it was more than 160 days!
Wow...
And you know what, I'm not even panicking! It may happen, it may even happen tomorrow... But not now.
I think I've been planning for long enough and good enough, that now it's just getting the things done that couldn't been done before... And go with the flow. It seems to go perfectly. I've got just a little to do each day, and for now, what I've got to do that's a little more than "a little" are things that are not necessary, so it's nothing stressful. It's things that are fun for me. It's not planning, packing or in that alley, it's crafting!
It seems to go well and I realize I should be in time and OK.
Oh, another thing I did today : I got out the camera to get Mama to start her "training".
First of all, I asked her if she felt she was OK with using the pro camera, with some practice of course, or if she preferred we only practiced with my dad's and that would be hers for the trip. I told her I didn't want her to feel rushed or anxious about that.
I still reminded her that my dad's camera was very sensible to movement, that if someone's hand came in the picture at the last moment, it would be blurry, and that since it was one you used the LCD screen to frame, under the Florida sun, there was a huge possibility she would have to use the small window (don't know the real name, even in french... at least I don't remember it)... and thus, wouldn't have any cue of if it was focused or not... It wasn't to scare her away from my dad's camera, it was so she was up-to-date with the facts of both.
Even before I could tell her my 2 pointers, she told me she preferred using the pro one. She said she felt it was more stable (it's heavier) and she didn't like using the LCD screen to frame the picture. As for knowing when the focus is right, the pro camera has an auto-focus mode, with a little beeping sound when it's ready. Even if you wanted to, you can't use the LCD screen to frame : there's nothing there until the picture is taken.
She was only scared about one thing : would she need to focus herself using the lens. I reassured her : I would always let her use the auto-focus. (hey, I want the best possible pictures and the less stress!).
I started at the beginning : the on-off button, removing the lens cap, using the flash...
She wanted to know how I would like the pix to be framed (full body or head shots, for example). I told her what I preferred, but also what I learned in the PassPorter character yearbook and on the photography board (since the most pictures she'll take will be the ones where I'll be with the characters. She doesn't think she'll want to take pix with most characters and the rest of the pix, I'll be the one taking them!). For example, not to hesitate to take a lot of pix (I'll delete them later), and not to wait for when we'll be posing. The interaction pix can be the most interesting. I told her the interaction pix could be full lenght, but to come or zoom closer for the "posing shot", like maybe not a head shot, but at least from the waist, so we could see the facial expression well. I also told her not to try and frame too close. Try to get the facial expressions and get me (or us) from the waist or higher for some shots, but not be too close. I'll crop later on the computer. It's easier to remove stuff than to put back the top of a missing head!
She was worried I would be mad if she messed up some pix. I made her realize I messed up pix too and that by being on auto mode and taking many pix, there would be less chances of this happening (messing up, not me getting mad!). It's not like she's a pro photographer and I'm paying her to do it, I know she doesn't like taking pix much (or else, I would have a lot more pix of me as a kid!) and she's doing this to help me! I tried making her understand I wouldn't get mad at her for messing up a pic, but it's hard. As I said yesterday, she's much used to dad getting mad when things aren't done his way and when she messes up... (well, when anyone messes up, especially us, and especially me). I'm not saying I never get mad at her, but I wouldn't for that! I could be disappointed if all the shots with a character were a disaster and there hadn't been a Photopass there, but what are the odds? I'm not worried a bit. But then again, disappointed, not mad. Altough, she could easily interpret disappointment as being mad, because of all you know. That's what makes ME mad. Let's move on.
So she tried a couple pix, tried to see what worked or not frame-wise, tried her hand at turning the lens to zoom and after max. 10 minutes we put the camera back in the bag.
Tomorrow or the next day we'll do that again (and I didn't ask for it, she did). That way, by doing a little each day, she should get comfortable with the camera.
I must say I'm quite happy she made the decision to go with the pro camera. I know that once you're comfortable enough with it, it's easier to make good pictures with it than with my dad's. On automatic mode, even in low-light, with movement and even if someone's whole arm comes in the frame, the picture can still look good!
As for my part of the camera homeworks, I'll need to take all the notes I took while on the photography board, organize them and transfer them on little note cards I'll put in my camera bag. I have notes for the best camera settings for Wishes, for Spectro, for dark shows, for the animals at AK, etc. Plus I have the best wheelchair seating locations for picture-taking for the parades and fireworks!
I shoud work on that tomorrow, and I hope to start the puzzle of tips and thank you cards printing...
See, I realized I'll probably have a huge problem with that... I usually print business cards by the tens (10). I have sheets of 10 cards.
The program I usually use for this, Print shop deluxe, is the one I usually design business cards with. It's the one I used to design the "business" cards I'll use in Disney too. But not the one I used for all the other cards... tips cards, thank you cards, etc.
In that program, the one card design is usually taken and printed as many times as there are cards on the sheet. For example, I'd select the Disney "DISboards" business card design, and it would print on each of the 10 cards on the sheet.
Of course, I can play with the settings, but I'm not sure I could, for example, print one design on the top left card, and then a different one on the top right, and a 3d one on the 3rd card and so on...
I hope so. Because I can't have 10 Kona Café tips cards...
Most importantly, I'm not sure how I'll print most of the cards...
I made the designs in Photoshop, not in PSD! Will I be able to print cards from Photoshop? One by one?
Will I need to import the designs in PSD? Will I be able to?
Will I need to separate all the cards from the sheet and use my pro photo printer (which can accomodate almost all kinds of paper, including very small... well maybe not, maybe the smallest is postcards).
Stopping by. Your trip is getting so close! I have something for you. I just have to get to the Post Office and mail it off. I am impressed that you got your Iron On's to work. I am so bad at those. I tried a few and failed. Oh Well Just checking in.
I checked your PTR several times since your returned date and was almost starting to worry! But of course, I guess you were over-the-top busy with getting back to normal and all of DDs dance classes and stuff...
Real happy to see you're back!
I'll go check your PTR (or are you already on a TR? if so, I won't go check it until I get back... I think it's the 3rd time I'm telling you this! ).
You're really sooo sweet to send me something! I can't wait to see the surprise!
Well, okay, 2 weeks and ONE day. Come one... Can we say 2 weeks?!
AND HAPPY DANCE!!!
But as I said yesterday, no panic.
I can't say no stress at all, I would be lying (and crazy!).
And of course I'm overly excited!
My very first Disney trip, first big trip in a while too!
The trip I've been waiting for all my life, finally coming true!
But I was looking at my Passporter calendar/e-worksheet, in which I put all my tasks for the next 2 weeks, and at my "things to do before I leave" e-worksheets... and although I still have stuff to do, many of those are things I can't do until next week (like most of the packing, like some appointments, like sending an email to my contacts telling them I'm leaving for 3 weeks and not to send me emails unless there's an emergency, etc.).
Plus most of the tasks I have are evenly spread out each day and are little things. I'm not feeling overwhelmed by things to do like I did 3 months ago. I'm not feeling like I'll never be able to get everything done in time either.
I feel like everything is under control and that I should even have time to relax, like I should to be healthy in Disney.
Which means I'm so happy to have started this planning more than 9 months ago, especially since it was my first Disney trip, which meant I started from scratch and had so much to learn and to plan.
Which means I'm also very happy I panicked 3 months ago, because it's then I did a rush and made a lot happen, so now I don't have to.
If you think about it, what I've done in the last days is all unecessary, fun stuff (with some exceptions). I printed DISigns, for the most part! Or PassPorter lists and worksheets that will be useful, but that I could've lived without I'm sure.
I also plan on revising my Word tips list to take out only the ones I may need in the World and put those in an Excel spreasheet, along with other tips from PassPorter eBooks and the PassPorters books I own (the regular one and the OpenMouse).
The spreadsheet will be divided into categories... Parks, General, Time and Money... Well that's what I think I'll do, I may change those as I go, depending on the tips I gather.
I realize many tips I pasted or wrote in the Word document won't be useful once I'm there, like packing tips or plain informations about a Disney trip... But other things may be useful in situ.
PassPorter has a e-worksheet just for that, but I don't like it. There's not really enough space to write (sometimes just a short sentence isn't enough) and altough it can work if you only want to use it on the computer, because a + sign appears when you write more, and you only have to click on it for the rest of the text to appear, if you want to print it... you're doomed!
Today was another pretty productive day! I'm doing good! Just hoping reality won't explode in my face until today and departure day...
I printed almost all the DISigns that were left!
-Printed luggage ID, to put inside luggage in case luggage tags get removed or ripped.
-Printed "business cards", both the DIS version and regular version. I opted to leave the postal address on it... so it has that, my name and email address. The DIS version has my name, email and username.
-Printed our name tags to put in the PassPorter pouches we'll carry around our necks.
I was pretty happy about how they came out! I had to work a lot on those... I used those note cards, you know, with lines on one side and white on the other... But the cards seemed too small to use in my regular printer, so I thought I'd print the name tags on the pro photo printer, which has a special tray for small "media".
I pulled that tray, put the card in, and it took it (it disappeared! ). I hit print... nothing happened! I tried to hit the OK button... nothing. I tried closing the tray and opening it again... It choked my card out and told me to close the special tray! I did so and then the printer told me there was no paper, to please put in some paper! After playing this game 2-3 times, I gave up. Of course I could've searched to get the user manual out, because surely there was a way to put the small card in there somewhere and get the design to print on it... But I just about had it.
So I decided to try and put the too-small-for-it card in the regular printer. And, as a matter of fact, putting the card in the envelope slot, it disappeared but didn't catch... I had to slide my hands in the paper bin, reach and push it slightly with the tip of my fingers, hoping I wouldn't crook it in the process...
Pfff... Man did I want those name tags!
I could've just made them on business cards, but I wanted them a little bigger...
Mama's worked perfect the 2nd time.
Mine... not so much.
I had to scrap about 6 cards before I got something acceptable. OK, it's better than acceptable, but it's not as big as Mama's, not really bigger than a business card after all either. I really don't understand this printer. How can it do a design one size one time, and not do it the same size a second time?! When I created the designs, I used the same format for both! In fact, I kept the canvas, scrapped the design and started a new one... how can you get more exact than that?!
Anyways. I was able to print them.
And cut them.
Man am I glad I have that cutter. (guillotine trimmer). I used it a lot in the last 2 days!
-Printed the "security IDs", with medical and emergency contact info, for both me and Mama. We'll put it under our name tags in the PP pouches. Mama said she wondered if anybody would think of looking there... I guess not, but where would they look? We won't have anything with us on a regular basis! Except that. And 99% of the time, we'll be together... and we'll know where to have medical personel look. Because it's for that too : the list of medical conditions and prescription medicines... I imagine, if we're alone and in trouble, they'll search that thing like it's our wallet, so they'll end un finding it.
-Printed both my wheelchair boards, cutted the cardboard (to put behind the paper, so it's more resistant) to the right size, and put them all in page protectors. But I realized I'll have some more work to do : paste the paper onto the cardboard so it doesn't move and shut the page protector. The opening is on the side, so the content could slide out of it if I don't shut it... I don't know yet if I'll use glue or punch a hole and use some ribbon.
To hold the boards in place, which I'll wait until I'm in Disney to do, because I don't want to have it ruined on the plane, I'll probably use ribbons and/or tie-wraps. At the beginning I was thinking of using only tie-wraps (I have some color ones that wouldn't look bad, and would cut off the loose ends). But I realized the boards aren't as large as I thought they would be, so whatever attach I use, you'll see more of it as I thought. So tie-wraps, mmm, not too cute. Ribbons on the other hand... But ribbons aren't as solid. BUT, if I used ribbons in a loop (on the page protector) attached to tie-wraps (linked to the chair), then maybe it would be solid enough and not too ugly...
Even though I'll only put it on in Disney, I think I'll have a try here first. I don't want to have to spend time working on that there. I'll figure it out here and remove it, bring only what I need to attach it, so once we're in WDW, I'll know how to do it and it'll be a breeze.
-Printed all the restaurants tips cards. Even more than we'll probably need.
I even printed for some places we don't have ADRs for. Of course, for the ones we're trying to get an ADR. But also for places we could decide to go. Like Plaza or Liberty Tree or 1900 Park Fare.
1900 Park Fare, I have a feeling we could decide to try it if we could get an ADR. Like if Mama likes the first character meal with Winnie at CP.
For Plaza or LTT, it would be for P&PP night... we don't have any ADR that night and I feel it could be weird having to go to a counter on that special night. Because of the costume and all. Reading the boards, it looks like everyone who go to the P&PP have an ADR in MK before it starts, so they're in the park enjoying a leisurely dinner... And we planned on arriving early too, but we would have to do the wait in line-scout a table- CS thing...
Just in case.
I also printed 3 (of the same) for Boatwright's since it's the closest to our resort. I know we'll go there for breakfast at least once. But what if we go more?
I had the hardest time with those business card size things...
Less trouble than I expected, I must say, but it wasn't a breeze either.
I had to use Print shop deluxe (PSD), as there was no way to print business card size on photoshop, especially not one card at a time, not always on the same spot on the page! I'm sure it would be possible, but with a lot of time and trial and error (let me correct that : trialS and errorS).
So it was : open a business card project in PSD (empty of course), from scratch, enter the model of the card sheet (Avery #xxxx) and import the photoshop design. Which had to be in jpeg... If the design was pdf or photoshop, I had to go back in photoshop and save it under jpeg.
Then I had to resize, if necessary... (all but one!)
The lucky thing is, I could chose the number of cards I wanted to print (which was 1, usually) and which card I wanted to print on the page.
It would've been pretty easy and the best... if the printer would've cooperated.
Remember when I told you I wasn't able to get my name tag to be the right size, even though it was created to be the same size as Mama's? Well it was that kind of trouble.
Except not really in size. In spacing.
Altough I put the card sheed exaclty as asked, and exactly straight in the printer, the design would come out halfway between 2 cards (from the top).
I'd try again, thinking it was badluck, some movement in the printer (you should see it shake and the way it "treats" the paper! So rough!)... The 2nd one, beside it, just as bad. Exactly in the same spot, halfway over 2 cards! But I had made cards just seconds before and they were OK!!?!
Since the sheet is exactly equal on top and bottom, I would reverse it and try again on the bottom (which was now the top), and it would be perfect!
Sometimes, I would try and start with the bottom, hoping it was a problem with the sheet being reversed or something... But then, it would be uneven on the bottom side.
Sometimes, I would turn the sheet... and would get a design to be halfway on 2 cards... on both sides! Which meant I wasted 4 cards!
There was one time my printed stopped working in the middle of a card... Still don't know why. Another wasted card.
And of course, the trouble of the printer that doesn't work well in the first prints isn't solved. So the first cards didn't look good (and I didn't think about it, so I didn't think of just putting a simple sheet of paper to "wake the printer up" first. Oops, another couple of cards wasted there...
Some designs were perfect. Many were just so-so. Some we're awful but whatever I did, I couldn't get them to be centered and had to live with those the way they were. So what I did is I cut them, so they look a little more centered, but the card is smaller. I don't think it'll fool anyone, but it looks a little better.
All in all, I must have wasted between 10 and 20 cards.
-And finally, I printer some of the CM cards.
What is left on that aspect is the 2 full sheets of CM cards. Since they're Word documents, I wonder how I'll be able to print them. I don't think I'll be able to use PSD. I think it'll be trial and error from Word itself...
Tomorrow is a big day...
First, if I'm feeling up to it, it'll be a "beauty treatment at home" day.
Nair hair removal on thighs.
Exfoliation.
Just plain shower and hair washing.
And starting my Dove self-tanner (energy-glow). It's really subtle as a self-tanner.
But it should help not looking as a white whale in Disney...
And if I'm still feeling OK, we'll do the Home Depot (lgmh) and Pennington (tank top and pirate top), and Boston Pizza, like I said the other day.
If I'm not feeling OK, it'll be either Thursday or Friday...But I'd like for it to be soon...
Plus, on Thursday I have my pedicure appointment! I'm not sure I would have the time for that shopping and the Boston Pizza lunch... (and that part is mucho importante!). Can't be Wednesday, because Wednesday, Mama's going to grandma's to do some shopping.
She doesn't like that much... it's a little like a chore to her. Not seeing grandma in itself of course. But driving to Montréal and back and driving to the stores grandma wants to go to. Mama's not only going to Montréal regularly (about once a month) to see her mom, it's so grandma can do some shopping... And those times, Mama can rarely shop for herself. Sometimes she sees something and will buy it, but it's only focused on grandma. She needs all the attention.
And Wednesday is Mama's birthday!
And we're not doing anything. Not only won't she be here until about 9pm, but I'm not even buying her a gift, since we're going to Disney... We had decided, 9 months ago, that we wouldn't give each other Christmas or birthday gifts for the year because Disney was our gifts. Of course, I'm cheating with Mother's day, but hey... she doesn't need to know!
But dad isn't included in the "no gift" thing, and I don't even know if he's going to give her something, he didn't tell me a thing. And we didn't talk about anything special to celebrate either.
Well, we never really celebrate anyways... Rarely a restaurant dinner, never a party, nothing.
I'd like one, hoping for my 30th in 2 years...Maybe some family will come over this year, to see Disney pix and souvenirs at the same time, we'll see... (still, just grandma and my godfather and my aunt)
I think I'll still go buy her some flowers to put with her card. It won't cost a lot, really, and she likes flowers. We all do in the family and it will make for a great table until we leave. I could go buy them while she isn't here...
Sorry for the OT.
I have to talk with Mama tomorrow...
We have an old-new dilemma to cover...
I hate this. It was done, over with.
But Rhonda brought it to my attention and some new info changes things a little, plus I've been doubting for a while...
The infamous DDP.
Or even the DxDDP.
Rhonda emailed me today asking me if I was sure about not wanting the DDP.
I was pretty surprised, I mean when it was announced the DDP was available for AP room-only ressies, she made it very clear we had to decided quickly because the availability was very limited!
Plus, if we took it, our room-only became a package and we would not only have to pay before the 45 days limit, but we would not be able to cancel without penalty anymore, and that last part bugged us.
So now, there is availability, even at 2 weeks out?
And what about the 45 days? We're at 15 days?
I asked her and she said we only would need to pay the DDP fees (the 38$/day/person)... (didn't ask her about availability, obviously there is!)
So pretty much, it's a better deal to add the DDP last minute than to add it early... Since you have to pay before the 45 day and you have a cancelation penalty with the DDP package, but don't with a room-only... And can add the DDP right up until last minute... Why add it earlier?!
But the thing is, this cancellation thing wasn't the only reason we didn't take the DDP!
First, I made that spreadsheet. It came to a price difference (estimated of course) of about 600$. Between DDP and DDE. It's a lot! But the DDE price was calculated on meals we probably won't take.
I explain : I calculated meals with, for each, appetizer, entree and dessert (plus drink). Most of the time, we don't eat all that for each meal. We would either skip one of those (app. or dess.) or at least split one. I agree it will be tempting many times, and sad not to take something from an interesting menu. But that's the downside of the DDP : too much food that you take because "you're paying for it" (or because it's free, depending on how you see it)... Which means it's either wasted... or not and you're gaining weight!
OK, so I figured a 600$ difference, but I'm sure it would be less.
Even more so because the 600$ difference is on the raw price of the DDP... that's not counting the OOP expenses... some restaurants we'll go to aren't part of the plan, plus, the way we'll eat, we won't fit right with the credits. We'll mostly lack snack credits. And miss some TS credits too. Of course, going with the DxDDP would cover that, but not the lack of snack credits.
So we were thinking it was very possible it would come to be about the same price with DDE as with DDP.
The other thing we really didn't like with the DDP was the lack of flexibility : some things in some menus aren't included in it. You still have to pay the gratuity.
The snack credits may not cover what we want as snacks.
Finally, we didn't feel like counting, strategizing with the credits and all of what the plan implies.
And now, on top of it all, I already paid for the DDE card!!! It's here, we're registered, we have it.
We feel it's very possible, by paying OOP all the way, with the DDE, and by just eating normally, we could spend what we had budgeted which is about 100$/day, and have the pleasure of complete freedom of where, when and what to eat.
But I doubt. Because it's what I do.
Because we're doing some very costly restaurants. Of course we don't usually eat what's typically the highest priced items (no seafood, rarely steak, etc.), but still.
And I don't stop reading about people filling themselves with food and saying they would never have eaten that much or went to so many high ranked restaurants without the plans.
Of course, as I said, I don't like the idea of eating more than we would, or ordering a dessert just because it's on the plan and eating just a bite and then waste it.
But I don't like the idea of not taking the plan and realizing after we get home that we would've saved 500$ either.
(wouldn't like the idea of the other way 'round either!)
So it's really hard to decide.
I think I'll redo the math.
I also think I should check the spreadsheet again with the DxDDP. I wanted to do it but never got around to.
We'll see what Mama thinks about it. I know one thing she liked a lot about the plan was having paid for most of the meal expenses before leaving...
Oh, about expenses... I asked Rhonda about the separate account and KTTW thing... Good knews : it's possible to pay part of the bill with my own credit card if we go to the front desk before "express chekout" time (or before they charge the registered credit card because the credit limit was reached, in case they charge immediately).
She also thinks we could ask for a separate credit card/separate account for my KTTW card... they do this on the DCL. She says they don't do it in the World, but you never know. Bad knews : If I can't have a separate account, we won't have a separate bill for the purchases done with my KTTW... So the thing about paying part of the bill with my own cc isn't that easy. Of course we can always ask for a detailed bill and sort it out. Well I guess it's better than have Mama pay and pay her back, since I don't have the possibility to pay her directly with the cc. But it's an hassle I would prefer not having to deal with, going through the bill looking for what purchases are mine and doing the math...
Let's hope they'll accept and give us a separate account!
or in Disney fog. 
, working only 2 days a week, but has been totally off work for a month now and will be for another 2 months because he underwent shoulder surgery at the end of Feburary, and Mama just "started" retirement in December...-do you "start" retirement???- but she'll likely start working again, part-time, in a year or so... possibly working at home too). 
. 
).
, because you can donwload both old, new and foreign Nintendo games, put them all into that little card (well, in fact you put them onto a micro-SD card that the R4 is more of an adaptor to), and it lets you have all those games on the DS at once! No need to change the card anymore, and no more need to carry many cards either! 
That way, I always have all my games with my DS (I have 4 of those pouches attached to it), but at the same time, the "lanyard" is long enough I can put it on the side and not have it bother me...
... 100G space for pix would be very useful! And I heard it would cost me only about 30$... But I can't find that!
Used only about 4 months, and always in a hard casing... It still has some left over warranty (about 1 year left now). 
, we're trying to see each other about once a month, and we missed 2 of our "meetings" since January, so we were long overdue... I'm guessing we won't see each other in May either (well, wrong, we'll see each other on May 30th unless I'm too ill from the trip, since we have tickets for a show, but it's not the same... especially since we're going with his girlfriend -I like her a lot, I just mean going to see a show, we can't talk, and even if we go take a coffee afterwards, or eat at a restaurants beforehand, us 3 don't have the same kind of conversations than just us 2... We just don't talk about the same things and I don't feel as much at ease with her, and it's just normal : she's not my best friend!).
hihi! 
"you can't wear black clothing on your passport picture". Huh? What's wrong with black? Has it been declared a hainous color now or something? 
(but I could wear a turban though... even a white or black one... for religious reason, even if it would change all the damn color of my face, they wouldn't say a thing! I could wear a religious clothing that would cover everything but my face and they wouldn't even see my neck, what about that??? Hey, so, now you can't even wear a turtleneck to your passport photo shoot? Because that's what I had last time... talk about the neck being not the same color as your face! )
"... Because there are so many things to remember, to think about at the same time, so many informations that arise from everywhere, etc. that my head is spinning and if you have the image of Charlie Chaplin wheels in the gear mechanism, but activated by one poor hamster... the more wheels there are, the faster they spin, the faster the hamster has to run! 
Happy you liked the PTR so far!!! 
Pre-clearance would be wonderful! 
that Mama will probably carry, but that she could also put across the handles if she's tired, and one string bag that we plan to always leave on the w/c, attached to the handles (it's cheap enough that we wouldn't care too much if it got stolen, and in it we'd put things we wouldn't care if it got stolen either, like sunscreen, wipes, etc.). 
that got out (here anyways) and I discovered last summer. 
Halfway through, I hurt and get pretty tired and am glad we're halfway through... And from there it goes downward. At the end, I have trouble getting in the car, getting my feet off the ground, thinking straight, etc. 
I almost ran to the computer to look at my late emails (I had lots of unread emails that I was just catching up on these last days), and I found one saying there was a fanclub presale! 
I mean, not in a bad way (well not for people who like eating those), just in the way it smells like garlic and tomato in an italian restaurant, KWIM? If it smells a lot like seafood and fish, we'll have a hard time eating (or at least, our appetites will have a hard time...)
). But Mama had already started a load, and it was to soak all day, so I couldn't. I hope I'll be faster than her tomorrow (or that she'll remember I need the washer). 
