The Crazy Life of a New Floridian & Ongoing TRs

[karajeboo]

Fox News just reported that TD8 will be TS Hannah at the 11:00 update! I'm hoping that WDW will let us change our plans if this thing causes problem.

I love Florida! I love Florida! I love Florida! Hope that helps!

 

[JaxJags08]

Fox News just reported that TD8 will be TS Hannah at the 11:00 update! I'm hoping that WDW will let us change our plans if this thing causes problem.

I love Florida! I love Florida! I love Florida! Hope that helps!

Here's a link to WDW's hurricane policy:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyhurricanepolicy2008.htm

 

[karajeboo]

OK, that totally stinks! We're going for free dining, but it's the last week of free dining and Disney said that any special offers will NOT be applicable in the new rezzie! That is terrible!

 

[karajeboo]

We're getting way too close to football season so I had to change my avatar!!!!

 

[UsNew2Disney2008]

I think we'll be in Epcot a lot anyway, what with Grey Goose Slushies in France, a pint o ale in England, a margarita in Mexico..... so I'm sure that would be a good plan!



That's what I love about Epcot! There are so many "little" things to do that make it so special to us! It's not Test Track and Soarin (although I do love them!!!), it's sitting on a bench and watching the fountain, it's finding that little pastry shop in France and sitting at a table outside and just taking in all the wonderful little touches that Disney adds, to make you feel like you're in France!!! It's watching the drum and bugle corp in the US and getting a little choked up.

Disney parks are the only theme parks where I enjoy sitting outside an attraction like Mission Space, and waiting while Jeff and Ally ride without me. Yes, I'm a chicken. But I can wander the shops, and just sit and take it all in, watching the monorail run overhead. I love it!!!!

Okay, seriously ~ I have never had grey goose, so I guess that is my must do for our trip! That and enjoy epcot. We should have "Stumbling around the World" shirts made.

Fox News just reported that TD8 will be TS Hannah at the 11:00 update! I'm hoping that WDW will let us change our plans if this thing causes problem.

I love Florida! I love Florida! I love Florida! Hope that helps!

I'm so hoping that one just misses everyone and remains in the Atlantic. Have you heard when they expect it to come onshore?

 

[DisneyJen]

Sending prayers and to those folks along the Gulf Coast and who are in Gustav's sights.

There's no way Hannah could hit FL .. come on now ... Disney owns the rights to Hannah Montana Seriously ... sending to those who may be impacted by Hannah.

 

[JaxJags08]

Okay, seriously ~ I have never had grey goose, so I guess that is my must do for our trip! That and enjoy epcot. We should have "Stumbling around the World" shirts made.

I'm so hoping that one just misses everyone and remains in the Atlantic. Have you heard when they expect it to come onshore?

Grey Goose is one of my absolute favorites! I have never had the slushie from Epcot, though. It is a must do on my next trip too!

 

[karajeboo]

I just read the report on Accuweather that says "current bets" are on Hannah making landfall with Florida as a MAJOR hurricane! And the "current bet" here is that I won't see it! I might as well pack now and get on the road to beat the rush!!!! ONly half kidding.

 

[JaxJags08]

I just read the report on Accuweather that says "current bets" are on Hannah making landfall with Florida as a MAJOR hurricane! And the "current bet" here is that I won't see it! I might as well pack now and get on the road to beat the rush!!!! ONly half kidding.

No way! I was just watching the track for Opal and it looks eerily similar to where Hanna is and the dates are eerily close. http://www.local10.com/hurricanetracker/index.html I definitely won't be around for a major hurricane either. I'm rooting for the 1 model I saw earlier that takes it out to sea.

 

[karajeboo]

I told Jeff I think we might be smart to go out this weekend and pick up some wood for the windows, just in case. I'm sure we'll need it at some point in the future anyway!

I've just been watching John McCain announcing his running mate. I'm not a big political junkie (like I am with weather!) but working from home I keep Fox News on all day instead of soap operas! Governor Palin is absolutely beautiful! And she's got 5 kids, the last one just born in April - she's a twig!!! Some people just get all the genes, huh?

 

[DisneyJen]

Probably a good move to get the plywood and any other supplies as I am sure there will be a run on those items ... think bread and milk at the grocery store up north before a snow storm

I am a Fox news junkie as well. I was amazed at how long McCain's team was able to keep the pick secret.

We sure do live in interesting times!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I told Jeff I think we might be smart to go out this weekend and pick up some wood for the windows, just in case. I'm sure we'll need it at some point in the future anyway!

I've just been watching John McCain announcing his running mate. I'm not a big political junkie (like I am with weather!) but working from home I keep Fox News on all day instead of soap operas! Governor Palin is absolutely beautiful! And she's got 5 kids, the last one just born in April - she's a twig!!! Some people just get all the genes, huh?

I love her! It will be fun to watch the fireworks!

Fox News just reported that TD8 will be TS Hannah at the 11:00 update! I'm hoping that WDW will let us change our plans if this thing causes problem.

I love Florida! I love Florida! I love Florida! Hope that helps!

When will it hit? We went to WDW a week after Ivan, and the town was a mess, but you couldn't tell anything had happened in the Magic Place!

We're getting way too close to football season so I had to change my avatar!!!!

How did you do that? I keep trying to make Avatars, and though my pics are smaller than the limit, and my file size is smaller than the limit, it won't let me save them, it says that it is to large for the max file size.

 

[karajeboo]

I just heard that Gustav has dropped back to a Cat 2 so hopefully he won't do too much damage to the folks in LA. Jeff made a good point though. A lot of times when a storm is not as bad as predicted, people don't take the next one seriously. I think that's kind of what happened with Katrina. They had so many brushes with hurricanes that they just never expected something that bad......

Looks like Hannah will be moving up along our coast here, hopefully not strengthening too much, and now they're showing landfall possibly around Savannah, GA or Hilton Head. Yikes! This week will be spent watching for this one, I'm sure!

We're heading to Disney 2 weeks from WEdnesday, and I have another DISbud who will be there the same time. I'm just hoping these storms die down a bit before then!!!

Well..... it's finally done! It has been over 13 weeks since they began construction on our outdoor kitchen, the contractor gave us a 4-6 week time frame, so we're more than double that, but it is DONE!!!!!!

First we began by tearing out our existing screen (screened porch was 9 x 30) and adding about 11 feet of pavers to make the enclosure larger. Then they came out and put up the screen enclosure, but they had to leave the end open where the kitchen is built, until after the kitchen was hardi-boarded and painted. So we had so many bugs and critters and butterflies that came in and then couldn't get out. It looked like a butterfly graveyard in there!

Then they began the kitchen. First it was taped off on the patio. Then they built the frame. That only took a day, but then it sat there for about 3 weeks with nothing being done! Finally they hardi-boarded the whole thing, then came the travertine tile on top, grout, stucco the sides, paint, then the tile inlays, rope lighting around the inside of the bar, and finally on Friday they were able to install all the appliances, and the electrician finished it all off yesterday!

Here she is!!!

Grill (given to me as a going away gift from my old company in SC!), double doors below for tank, and double drawers to the left so I can store plates, glasses, etc....

Fridge, and bar cooler - love the cooler, it's got a seal on it to actually keep the ice longer, and then the trash tilt on the end...

Fully stocked fridge! Notice the "company" beer and the "house" beer!

All in all, the only thing we can complain about is the time frame. But these guys were absolute professionals and their tile work is PERFECT!

Oh, and our screen enclosure is supposed to withstand Cat 3 force winds. Yeah, but I doubt if it will withstand the trees falling onto it!!! Our luck? Hannah will knock the whole thing down!!! OK, not funny! Actually, we think the kitchen bar itself would withstand anything! Our house will probably fall before this thing. After all, our house is a wooden frame, right? The bar is a metal frame screwed into the pavers!!! It's not going anywhere!!!

 

[JaxJags08]

It looks beautiful! I'm hoping for some good weather so you can spend a lot of time enjoying your new patio.

I actually like Natural Light!

 

[jmskinner]

Wow Kara, that is a fantastic patio!!! We would love to have something like that. I am sure you are going to enjoy it. Hey, if the house gets blown away, you will still have a kitchen. I know not funny, but had to say it.

What are your dates again?

 

[podsnel]

Geez, I'm thinkin if the house blows away you can still drink at the bar- what's wrong with ME?

Seriously, it is beautiful, and so wonderful that you'll be able to enjoy it year-round. The tile work is absolutely gorgeous!! Congrats, Kara!

Ellen

 

[karajeboo]

It looks beautiful! I'm hoping for some good weather so you can spend a lot of time enjoying your new patio.

I actually like Natural Light!

Looking at the Atlantic right now, I'm thinking we're in for a long September! We joke about the Nattie Light, but hey, sometimes ya just gotta do what ya gotta do, right?

Wow Kara, that is a fantastic patio!!! We would love to have something like that. I am sure you are going to enjoy it. Hey, if the house gets blown away, you will still have a kitchen. I know not funny, but had to say it.

What are your dates again?

We're leaving 2 weeks from tomorrow, and it's not looking good right now..... But we keep saying the same thing about the kitchen. It's more solid than the house!!!!

How did you do that? I keep trying to make Avatars, and though my pics are smaller than the limit, and my file size is smaller than the limit, it won't let me save them, it says that it is to large for the max file size.

I found the logo online and I just saved the smallest file I could find. I had to experiment with a couple of different ones until I found one that would fit.

Geez, I'm thinkin if the house blows away you can still drink at the bar- what's wrong with ME?

Seriously, it is beautiful, and so wonderful that you'll be able to enjoy it year-round. The tile work is absolutely gorgeous!! Congrats, Kara!

Ellen

We said the same thing! Don't forget, our hurricane kit consisted of vodka, rum, tequila, juice boxes and dog food. So the whole family was covered!!!

They did a really nice job, and we were able to break it in a bit on Sunday night with our neighbors..... So much for my diet!

 

[karajeboo]

OK, seriously, is the ATlantic this active every year? I'm watching not one, not two, but THREE systems that could all be heading our way!!!! What is up with this? And why do they feel the need to interfere with my Disney trip in two weeks???? That's just flat out rude! It's Storm Indifference!

I've been making plans for our trip and I'm really hoping we don't have to cancel. I wouldn't even mind traipsing through the parks in the rain, but if there's a storm nearby, I won't leave Ally. So even though Disney will let me change my dates, I'll lose free dining, and I'll lose all my ADRs! So what's a gal to do???

And I've got a DISmeet tentatively scheduled for our arrival night at DTD! Stupid storms better not make me miss this!!!

It's funny, Ally is getting really excited for our girls trip in November. She doesn't know we're eating at 1900 Park Fare, but even if I told her, she wouldn't know that it's Cindy and her "family." I want her to wear a Cindy dress but she's really wanting to wear Belle.... AGAIN!!! And she wants the fuzzy cape that goes with it. Now, I just have to find the costume!!!

But she is trying to schedule us at all four parks in 2 days! She wants AK for EE, MK for all three mountains, DHS for ToT and RnRC (if she hits 48" by then....), and Epcot for TT. We may be doing a lot of park hopping...... I guess it's doable if we just hit those main attractions at each park in the mornings, and then pick the park we want to enjoy the rest of the day. But the night we get in, Epcot has EMH that night, so I guess we could just do that..... Oh, decisions decisions!!!!!

AND I have two more DISmeets scheduled for that trip! I think I spend too much time on the DIS!

 

[DisneyJen]

Mother Ocean and Mother Nature both seem to be a bit grumpy right now

We are keeping a close eye on Hanna as the models are starting to show the eye coming up over the central Piedmont of NC this weekend. I hate when we are on the "dirty" side of these storms as if the rain and wind aren't enough we have to worry about tornadoes We actually had a tornado, spawned by Fay, touch down about a mile from our house. Our two goldens and I were huddled in our powder room with the weather radio for a while

Sending you way Kara as well as to all the folks along the FL, GA, SC and NC coasts.

 

[karajeboo]

Mother Ocean and Mother Nature both seem to be a bit grumpy right now

We are keeping a close eye on Hanna as the models are starting to show the eye coming up over the central Piedmont of NC this weekend. I hate when we are on the "dirty" side of these storms as if the rain and wind aren't enough we have to worry about tornadoes We actually had a tornado, spawned by Fay, touch down about a mile from our house. Our two goldens and I were huddled in our powder room with the weather radio for a while

Sending you way Kara as well as to all the folks along the FL, GA, SC and NC coasts.

Oh, Jen I know how you feel about the tornadoes! It's not like up north where we had basements!!!!! I remember growing up in Kansas City, we had a finished basement and we spent MANY nights down there. My parents had a trundle bed down there and we would just sleep there a lot in the summer!

But living in SC and now FL where there just aren't many basements, it gets a bit scary! I didn't realize you had a tornado that close!

Be careful!