The Darlings Caved Already! A Sept. '12 PTR -- Sept. 26 - TR link posted!

[teekathepony]

I can't believe you are already considering going back in Sept.

We have gone to Disney the last two years in May and I am starting to feel the void of having no upcoming trip I should be starting to make matching t-shirts and packing ponchos.

I told DH today that if we are not pregnant by this summer I am going to just go to WDW by myself in Sept. to run the 10mile Tower of Terror run, but we'll see what happens. I need to start saving just in case.

As for resort choices- I would pick Pop/AKL. AKL is AMAZING!!! We rented points last year and we loved it. I am determined to try the Poly one day but DH has said no to other resorts when he goes to Disney, we have to stay at AKL.

I know, I know! Hahaha I can't believe we're considering it already either. Who am I kidding? We can't stay away!
We just learned about renting points! It's a very very strong possibility for our "big 2015" trip!

OMG! I can't believe you might be going in September, that's soooo awesome! Free dining makes it really hard to resist at least pricing out a trip, doesn't it? I hope you can find a job soon so you can make your trip a reality!

Free dining is my savior this year! If it weren't for free dining I would not be going! I'm going job hunting next week, hope I find something!

Ha! I really didn't think you would cave this early... BUT I am glad you did! Super excited for the Sept trip. I hope you find a job soon so that you can make it official!

Free dining is such a pull! Those Disney marketers know what they're doing!

This is so great! I'm really happy its going to work out and good luck with the job hunting.

It becomes more and more a reality every day!

 

[teekathepony]

Quick life update...

Sheeka is gone for her surgery. Johnny just took her in and they told him that they will be keeping her over night! As if I wasn't upset and nervous enough, now I have to worry about her spending the night alone in a strange cage.. My poor baby. If you guys could send a good vibe or two that would be much appreciated. I know that they tell me it's an easy surgery and success rate is super high, and she'll heal in no time, but that can't make me feel any less nervous.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Woohoo on the possibility being able to go in September!!! I hope it works out for you.

 

[MEK]

Wait - I thought Sheeka's surgery was the 28th. Did I miss something? I really hope everything goes well. Sending hugs and prayers that she comes through it was flying colors. It's so hard to see an animal have discomfort and be afraid. Hopefully this will all be behind you soon.

 

[OrangeJuice]

Hey,
Hope Sheeka's surgery goes well and that she spends a good night. I'm sure they'll take good care of her. We're sending positive vibes your way.

 

[teekathepony]

Woohoo on the possibility being able to go in September!!! I hope it works out for you.

Me too! I think it's going to, Johnny wants to make it work really bad.

Wait - I thought Sheeka's surgery was the 28th. Did I miss something? I really hope everything goes well. Sending hugs and prayers that she comes through it was flying colors. It's so hard to see an animal have discomfort and be afraid. Hopefully this will all be behind you soon.

Wow, you don't miss a thing! I did post the 28th, then Johnny told me I was wrong and it was the 23rd. I forgot to go back in the PTR and change it.

Hey,
Hope Sheeka's surgery goes well and that she spends a good night. I'm sure they'll take good care of her. We're sending positive vibes your way.

Thank you! It's very much appreciated.

 

[teekathepony]

Well, Sheeka got through her surgery just fine. They kept her heavily sedated and on IVs yesterday and last night. They told us to call at 9am this morning to see about coming to get her. I've been up since 6 counting down the hours. My other dog, Holly cried herself to sleep last night which she does sometimes... she makes this heart breaking sound when she's just barely asleep, sounds exactly like crying. Of course I have no idea if it's a sad sound or just a sound. Other times when she's just got to sleep she yips, tiny little barks and wags her tail. This morning she crawled up into bed and cuddled with me and fell asleep "crying" again. Like I wasn't missing Sheeka enough!

This brings me to a realization that I haven't introduced my family!

I have no children but my fur kids are my life. They are the reason I can't do long vacations -- I miss them all too much!

If you read my last PTR you have probably already met these critters and can skip this post.


Introducing Carteego Star, better known as Teeka the pony -- my namesake.
Teeka is 17 years old and was my first pony. She is a POA (Pony of the Americas, like an appaloosa pony) and was born in Michigan. My parents bought her for me when she was just a year old. We've had quite a history together.

Oliver is an 8.5 year old SPCA rescue. He started his life as a barn cat and used to sleep on Teeka's back. When Johnny and I built our house, Oliver came indoors with us. He is the nicest, sweetest and most well behaved cat I've ever met, but he can take down anything from a partridge to a rabbit to a hummingbird.

Sheeka is a 7.5 year old "trunk puppy". Johnny and his mother were at a flea market where a man was giving away husky/german shepherd puppies in the trunk of his car. Johnny's mother told him to go get one, "a big silver husky looking one" and instead he chose the tiny little brown runt. Sheeka stayed small, 50lbs and only comes up to my knees. She is loving and incredibly loyal and the smartest dog I've ever met.

Harry is a 5 year old SPCA rescue. Also a barn cat, Harry has an open invitation to come in my house whenever he wants. He doesn't like being inside and rarely relaxes when he is. He is a sweetie who loves to cuddle but is a very nervous cat too. When he's in, (especially if I take him in out of the cold and against his will!) he often sits on my coffee table staring out the window.

In June 2007 my old horse, Jewel passed away. She was only 10 but had numerous medical problems, mostly with her lungs. Teeka (and I) were lonely and one of my best friends sent over a horse to keep us company. This is Ottago Cruisin', better known as Dale. He is a registered Quarter Horse and his mother was one of my favourite horses of all time. He's 9 years old and untrained. It's a project I'm slowly working on. He is the nicest horse, so calm and he takes everything in stride and should be easy to train once I get him going.

I had always grown up with dogs and when my old dog, Checker died in 2003, my parents refused to get another. I think a piece of me died for every day I didn't have a dog. Nearing Christmas of 2008, my parents asked me what I wanted for Christmas. "A puppy." was all I would say. Johnny and I were engaged, plans for our house was in the works and I knew as soon as I had a house of my own I would march to the SPCA and pick out a deserving pup. I didn't have to. Two days before Christmas my parents surprised me with Holly, a bouncy 5 month old mixed breed, quite possibly with some greyhound in her. Holly is a dog of extremes. She runs fast, plays hard and sleeps hard, she loves to snuggle and sit on laps. She comes with a few issues from being abandoned at the SPCA, particularly seperation anxiety, but we've been working on it. At under 4 years old she's starting to mature. She's the same size as Sheeka and they get along fantastic. She's my heart dog and I've often said that she is my old Jewel horse reincarnated.

Finally are my fish. Though I have little in the way of emotional attachment to them, I still enjoy the hobby. I currently have 5 tanks running but am trying to cut it down to 4. I have:
55 gallon African cichlids (fresh water, and for you Disney folk, these fish are all over Animal Kingdom, in with the hippos for instance!)
29 gallon cichlid babies growing up
20 gallon fancy guppies
50 gallon saltwater (show tank)
32 gallon saltwater (harvesting rock/corals/fish... bought as a used setup with intentions of tearing it down and using everything in it. In progress!)

And an honorable mention to my old horse, Jewel. The most beautiful horse in the entire world, I'm convinced and won't hear a word against it. She lived May 4, 1997 - June 22, 2007.

So that's my family!

 

[Queenofallthings]

...and what a beautiful family it is Jasmine was reading along with me and she said "oh I'm so jealous"...we can't have animals because I have allergies, but I know as soon as she moves out...she'll have some!

I am so excited that you have a possibility of going in September...where there's a will there's a way right? We have no problem giving up things at home to be able to throw together a trip....so happy for you!

 

[MEK]

I am so glad Sheeka came through her surgery with flying colors.

Thanks for introducing the rest of the family. I knew you had other animals, but I didn't know you had so many.

Since I started your last TR late I don't think I ever saw Teeka pictures. She is gorgeous. Jewel was also very beautiful (that is one of my cat's names, by the way).

Love your cats, because I have a soft spot for cats. Two of mine where SPCA rescues (Max and Kismet) and Jewel just showed up in the back yard during a cold December (she's the one who eats with her paw).

Your pictures are lovely. I am not very good at photographing pets or people. I hope I can improve that one of these days.

Oh yeah - Max is pretty good at taking out anything that comes in his path, although the bunny slaughters are very depressing, especially since he must bring everything to the back door. When I got him from the SPCA he was a year old. When I brought him home I could tell he had never seen stairs, children, or the outdoors. He adapted well. A little too well at times!

 

[amazingact21]

I love all your family members! Alex and I are only allowed to have 1 pet at our house, and it kills me not being able to have more. When I got married, I had to leave my cat with my parents, and it broke my heart. Everytime I talk to my mom, I ask about her. So I completely understand what you mean about not being able to take long trips, because you'll miss your pets too much.

It's the only downside to WDW vacation!!

 

[teekathepony]

...and what a beautiful family it is Jasmine was reading along with me and she said "oh I'm so jealous"...we can't have animals because I have allergies, but I know as soon as she moves out...she'll have some!

I am so excited that you have a possibility of going in September...where there's a will there's a way right? We have no problem giving up things at home to be able to throw together a trip....so happy for you!

My husband has horse and hay allergies! In shedding and hay cutting seasons he's never without his meds! His allergies aren't too severe though, and I warned him before he married me that the horses weren't going anywhere!
It's definitely going to be a matter of giving up a few things here and there to make a trip work and that's 100% fine with me!!

I am so glad Sheeka came through her surgery with flying colors.

Thanks for introducing the rest of the family. I knew you had other animals, but I didn't know you had so many.

Since I started your last TR late I don't think I ever saw Teeka pictures. She is gorgeous. Jewel was also very beautiful (that is one of my cat's names, by the way).

Love your cats, because I have a soft spot for cats. Two of mine where SPCA rescues (Max and Kismet) and Jewel just showed up in the back yard during a cold December (she's the one who eats with her paw).

Your pictures are lovely. I am not very good at photographing pets or people. I hope I can improve that one of these days.

Oh yeah - Max is pretty good at taking out anything that comes in his path, although the bunny slaughters are very depressing, especially since he must bring everything to the back door. When I got him from the SPCA he was a year old. When I brought him home I could tell he had never seen stairs, children, or the outdoors. He adapted well. A little too well at times!

I never miss a chance to show off my furbabies, I think they're the most beautiful furbabies in the world! Animals are my photographic specialty, I find them particularly good practice models I read somewhere that cats leave their kill for the person they see as master. My cats leave theirs in front of Teeka's stall! Not hard to see who reigns supreme at my house!
I'd love to see your kitties, do you have pictures of them up anywhere in your reports?

I love all your family members! Alex and I are only allowed to have 1 pet at our house, and it kills me not being able to have more. When I got married, I had to leave my cat with my parents, and it broke my heart. Everytime I talk to my mom, I ask about her. So I completely understand what you mean about not being able to take long trips, because you'll miss your pets too much.

It's the only downside to WDW vacation!!

Thanks! Awww that would be so hard to leave a kitty behind. At least she's in good hands and you can ask about her all the time
It is the only downside to Disney, isn't it?

 

[MEK]

Here's a picture of each of my cats that I posted in one of my old TR's


This is Kismet. She is sitting on one of the beams above our living room. She was adopted from the SPCA. She loves to sleep with me and follows me all over the house

This is Max. He is my favorite cat. He was also adopted from the SPCA. He has the best personality, although he would rather sit with my DH than me. He also has a bad habit of sitting on top of any lap top left on the kitchen table

Note: That wall paper is no longer in our kitchen. We had the kitchen remodeled and that wall is now a nice neutral color!


Last, but not least....This is Jewel. We found her outside about 4 or 5 years ago in the freezing December weather. We brought her in temporarily, but ended up keeping her. As you can see, she makes herself right at home

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

So glad Sheeka made it through her surgery wonderfully!!

I enjoyed "meeting" the rest of your family! They are all beautiful!

 

[OrangeJuice]

Glad Sheeka's back at home with you. Hope the recovery process goes well.

Nice to meet your family. You take amazing pictures! I only have one cat whom I'm allergic to but I still love very much and share my bed with (what's a few sneezes here and there).

 

[oboedm]

What a lovely family! Keep us posted on how Sheeka is doing! Love the pictures of the horses in the snow! So pretty! I love looking at snow, but I couldn't live in it! It would freez my AZ native soul!

 

[teekathepony]

Here's a picture of each of my cats that I posted in one of my old TR's


This is Kismet. She is sitting on one of the beams above our living room. She was adopted from the SPCA. She loves to sleep with me and follows me all over the house

This is Max. He is my favorite cat. He was also adopted from the SPCA. He has the best personality, although he would rather sit with my DH than me. He also has a bad habit of sitting on top of any lap top left on the kitchen table

Note: That wall paper is no longer in our kitchen. We had the kitchen remodeled and that wall is now a nice neutral color!


Last, but not least....This is Jewel. We found her outside about 4 or 5 years ago in the freezing December weather. We brought her in temporarily, but ended up keeping her. As you can see, she makes herself right at home

Oh, your kitties are adorable! Your Max has quite the coat, he looks so luxurious. Thank you for sharing!

So glad Sheeka made it through her surgery wonderfully!!

I enjoyed "meeting" the rest of your family! They are all beautiful!

Sheeka's doing better and better every day
And thanks, I love to show them off

Glad Sheeka's back at home with you. Hope the recovery process goes well.

Nice to meet your family. You take amazing pictures! I only have one cat whom I'm allergic to but I still love very much and share my bed with (what's a few sneezes here and there).

Thank you! I practice a lot of my photography on my animals haha, they're my only willing models!
Aww, a good kitty can make allergies "disappear"

What a lovely family! Keep us posted on how Sheeka is doing! Love the pictures of the horses in the snow! So pretty! I love looking at snow, but I couldn't live in it! It would freez my AZ native soul!

Thank you! As odd as it sounds to lots of Southerners, I love my snow. I'm sick of it this time of year (we're getting a snow storm tomorrow! 15cm [6 inches] predicted!) but I do love living in a snowy area. About now I wish I was in AZ!

 

[Nermel9]

Your animals are all so beautiful! And such amazing pictures of them all!

 

[teekathepony]

Your animals are all so beautiful! And such amazing pictures of them all!

Aww thank you! They are the most beautiful critters in the whole world. Also I'm not biased.

 

[teekathepony]

So here's what I'm going to do. I am going to continue on with the PTR as if the trip is a definite go (oh who am I kidding? Johnny will make sure we get there if he has to hitchhike!) As soon as we book it I will make it completely official by changing the name. So without further ado, here are the plans!

WHAT: A quick Disney trip on a tight budget! Everyone around us goes on a cheap trip "down South" once a year, this is our "down South" trip!

WHEN: Either Sept. 15-22 or the 16-23 of 2012! I've never done a 7 night trip, always between 10 - 15. I'm excited for a quick one this time to test it out, see if I find it too short or just right.

WHO: Myself and Johnny of course! Originally we wanted to go one week later (23-30) but then we learned that my cousin, (eeyore04) and her mother and brother will be there from Sept. 13 - 22, so why not bump it ahead a week and be there at the same time? Despite being there at the same time, we are planning our own trip with our own ADRs, our own touring schedules etc. and so are they. We will plan to share a meal or two and perhaps meet up for an afternoon here and there, but essentially we are taking separate trips.

WHERE: Despite all our promises that next trip we would do a mod or deluxe or split stay, that was when planning for 2015. This is a trip on a tight budget! We will be staying at Pop Century again! I love it there and can't wait to get back. We looked into Art of Animation as the Little Mermaid rooms are due to open on September 15, imagine being the very first person ever to stay in the room!? But unfortunately AoA is not included in the free dining offer, so we're going to have to skip it for budget reasons.

WHY: Honestly? Because we want to more than anything in the whole world. Happy coincidence -- we'll be landing one month before our second wedding anniversary, so we might as well celebrate it down there!

 

[eeyore04]

So here's what I'm going to do. I am going to continue on with the PTR as if the trip is a definite go (oh who am I kidding? Johnny will make sure we get there if he has to hitchhike!) As soon as we book it I will make it completely official by changing the name. So without further ado, here are the plans!

WHAT: A quick Disney trip on a tight budget! Everyone around us goes on a cheap trip "down South" once a year, this is our "down South" trip!

WHEN: Either Sept. 15-22 or the 16-23 of 2012! I've never done a 7 night trip, always between 10 - 15. I'm excited for a quick one this time to test it out, see if I find it too short or just right.

WHO: Myself and Johnny of course! Originally we wanted to go one week later (23-30) but then we learned that my cousin, (eeyore04) and her mother and brother will be there from Sept. 13 - 22, so why not bump it ahead a week and be there at the same time? Despite being there at the same time, we are planning our own trip with our own ADRs, our own touring schedules etc. and so are they. We will plan to share a meal or two and perhaps meet up for an afternoon here and there, but essentially we are taking separate trips.

WHERE: Despite all our promises that next trip we would do a mod or deluxe or split stay, that was when planning for 2015. This is a trip on a tight budget! We will be staying at Pop Century again! I love it there and can't wait to get back. We looked into Art of Animation as the Little Mermaid rooms are due to open on September 15, imagine being the very first person ever to stay in the room!? But unfortunately AoA is not included in the free dining offer, so we're going to have to skip it for budget reasons.

WHY: Honestly? Because we want to more than anything in the whole world. Happy coincidence -- we'll be landing one month before our second wedding anniversary, so we might as well celebrate it down there!

I'm going to take my seat and come along for the ride... cause WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY!