The Days Go By At A Snail's Pace *An Aug. 2014 PTR* FINISHED

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Joining
I will be there the same dates as you! We are staying at AofA!

Oh Wonderful! We want to stay there someday! Have fun - maybe we'll bump into each other!

 

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PTR Part 13: Wining and Dining

Hi all!

It's gearing up to the time when we have to start thinking about FP+ (next week!) and logistics of things. We're in the middle of deciding if we want to schedule FP+ for every day or just do certain rides in advance and then be "spontaneous" about what we do for other days.

But we haven't really talked about it in a couple of days because I have been sitting on a beach off the LI sound all weekend while Jem's been soaking up sun down the Cape and next weekend we plan to be doing similar.

Last night before bed I mentioned the Epcot After Hours event that's been going on. Jem hadn't heard about it so I sent her the details and she seemed interested! I made an ADR for it for the Saturday we're down, since it's our "relaxed" day - we don't have a single thing planned until dinner at 'Ohana that day! I suggested we go to dinner, head to Epcot for Illuminations, then do the Wind Down as a nice night cap. Jem's not sure if she wants us to keep it or not (but we were talking about this about 10 minutes before we both passed out so she was more worried about not thinking clearly) but as of right now we are doing the Wind Down at Tutto Gusto at 9:20 that night.

I'm just really looking forward to the wine flights!

In other food news Jem and her mum found this cookbook that they gave to me:

It doesn't have a publishing date on it and the one I found on Amazon said 2000 but I'm at least placing the recipes at no later than 1996 and no earlier than 1992 or so, because it still has a ton of recipes from King Stefan's in it and the only named MGM restaurant is Prime Time - everything else is just "from MGM." I'm really looking forward to making some of the desserts in it, and the cocktails look good too!

 

[pepperandchips]

So yesterday I got the keys to my new 2012 Honda Civic!

Isn't she pretty?

I have a tendency to name everything (my last car was Bee, my first car was the Tink Mobile because it was all decked out in Tinkerbell stuff), so this one needs a good, solid name. Don't know what yet.

She's beautiful! My car is "Felicia". I've also had a "Chi Chi". She'll tell you her name when the time is right

I've been MIA for a while and loved catching up on all your plans. I'm also contemplating the wind-down events but read somewhere else (likely on these loverly forums) that you may as well make the latest ADR anywhere you like in World Showcase and get a couple of full size drinks and an appetizer for the same price. Since they don't kick you out while you're eating anyway! So that really opened my eyes to the possibility of lurking later in the park after closing on any ol' night I like. Just a thought in case Jem isn't digging the Tutto Gusto reservation (I think they have wine flights on the regular menu, right?)

Looking forward to scoping out your blog!

 

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Thanks

Good suggestion - I think the one thing that impedes us from just doing a late dinner is that we already have a dinner at 6 that evening and we really want to keep that ADR. After discussing we're going to keep the Wind Down and try it out - if it's a great thing we'll have a new tradition and if it's not hey, we tried it!

 

[pepperandchips]

I haven't cancelled my wind down ressies either, so I am totally with you. But hey, I never turned down two dinner reservations in one night, so I won't say it's not going to happen

I am highly upset that our whole group was so exhausted by the time we made it to Hacienda San Angel that I wasn't even hungry. I had really been looking forward to that banana empanada dessert. I did manage to slurp down a couple of excellent margaritas and we really enjoyed what little we did order, so I can't wait to go back. That may be a "closing time" reservation for me at the next opportunity. I can't say the tequila tasting flight sounds like my bag, so it may be better to do that one a la carte and enjoy even more excellent margaritas!!

 

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I think we're keeping it if only because Jem and I are big wine people lol.

Aww, that is sad - hopefully you can get in next time you go! I could never do the tequila tasting; it unsettles my stomach something awful! I've actually never been to any of the Mexico restaurants before because I'm not too keen on most Mexican food but we really want to try the ambiance at San Angel Inn so I'm convincing myself that it'll be fine and I'll find something on the menu lol. I'm sure I will - there are a few things that intrigue me.

 

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PTR Part 14: FP+ & Online Check-in

I have major, major anxiety about things like checking in (airline, hotel, work, school, anything). I always feel like I’m missing an opportunity or I’m going to mess it up somehow. One of the first times I went to Disney I ended up having everything put on my father’s debit card in my name just because he was organizing the trip for me and I was on the brink of panic for most of the time I was walking up to the check-in counter. What if it didn’t show up in my name? What if they thought my ID was fake? What if…?
Needless to say, this morning was anxiety central for me.
I ended up going to bed later than normal (darn you, Catfish!) – around 10:50, nearly an hour after my normal school night bedtime – so I was panic stricken that I wouldn’t wake up in time to do my FP+ reservations before I had to get ready for work. It was especially worrying because I’ve been sleeping more than normal lately, due to stress and general exhaustion and those oh so lovely allergies that are going strong!

I woke up at 5:14 this morning and nearly fell back to sleep before my brain registered: IT’S DISNEY DAY! GET YOUR BUTT ON THAT COMPUTER STAT!!

By some miracle I was able to open my email with our ideas for our FP+ reservations and the Disney website at the same time while still functioning with no caffeine . Everything worked! I got basically everything I wanted. Some of them need to be tweaked/changed but I can do that at a later date.

My one main problem with the FP+ system is that you are forced to have 3 FP+ booked if you book any for that day. I know, I know, you can change them and all, but continually getting Tower of Terror (a definite NO on both my and Jem’s travel list) as an “extra” on a HS day is not preferable. I ended up just making placeholder ones that we can change later if we need to.

So here is our (DiS-friendly, as mine has all our reservation numbers on it) vacation schedule so far:

If that doesn’t work this is our current plan:
Mon. 08/04:
10:00(ish) Arrive at CBR
1:15-2:15 BTM FP+
3:15-4:15 7 Dwarves Mine Train FP+
4:50-5:50 Space Mountain FP+
6:45-7:45 Be Our Guest

Tues. 08/05:
8:55-9:55 Cape May Café
10:55-11:55 Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
12:50-1:50 Star Tours*
2:05-3:05 Sci-Fi Dine In
2:40-3:40 MuppetVision 3D*

Weds. 08/06:
9:00-10:00 Soarin’
10:45-11:45 Spaceship Earth*
11:50-12:50 San Angel Inn
1:05-2:05 Mission: SPACE
5:45-6:45 Cinderella’s Royal Table

Thurs. 08/07
9:05-10:05 Tusker House
10:05-11:05 Kilimanjaro Safari
11:35-12:35 Expedition Everest
1:05-2:05 Dinosaur
6:00-7:45 La Nouba
8:00-9:00 Raglan Road

Fri. 08/08:
9:50-10:50 Spaceship Earth*
12:55-1:55 Test Track
2:00-3:00 Le Cellier
2:15-3:15 Mission Space*
8:20-9:20 Prime Time

Sat. 08/09:
9:30-10:30 Mickey Mouse
11:00-12:00 Anna and Elsa
12:55-1:55 Splash Mountain
5:30-6:30 ‘Ohana
9:20-10:20 Tutto Gusto Wind Down

Sun. 08/10:
1:55-2:55 Star Tours*
3:55-4:55 The Great Movie Ride*
4:55-5:55 Toy Story Midway Mania
5:50-6:50 The Brown Derby
9:00-9:30 Fantasmic (package)

Mon. 08/11:
10:00 Check Out
12:45-1:45 Kona Café

Speaking of Checking In (I did mention it see? Waaaaaaaay up there!) I managed to do that as well this morning. Early, online check in that is. It was nice to say about what time I’ll be there and put in requests. I’ve mentioned it before but when I first moved our booking from ASMovies to CBR I had initially been given a preferred room because the girl on the phone misunderstood what I was asking. I had to call back and have us switched to a standard room but asked if we could be near OPR. Even so, I like the option of being able to at least suggest what section of buildings I want to be in. I know most people love Jamaica but I put in for Martinique since there’s been construction over yonder in Jamaica. Also people rave about the Martinique section so I thought it’d be nice to try and see if we could get it! It’s my first time actually making a request – we normally just show up and go!

 

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PTR Part 15: Derailment



I'm definitely clinging to this trip as my last ounce of sanity. And I'm going to use this as a real-life update/venting spot because I hate doing it in real life.

Friday I found out that my contract isn't being renewed come the fall. I had a feeling that it was going to happen, as my former supervisor kind of made the past few weeks hellish for me, and basically said that I was incompetent (though I brought my students’ scores up markedly in fluency). I haven’t told anyone I work with because I don’t want them involved in this – they all worked with her when she was not a supervisor and I don’t want to start anything.

It’s kind of a blessing in disguise. To put this in perspective every other district in the state had to give out notices by March 1st, and we were still doing observations June 1st. We’ve gone through multiple administrative staff members (the woman who was doing my observations was doing so after being let go herself) and we are the lowest in the state in productivity. I had already been looking to get out but it was nice to have something stable to go back on.

Well, guys, I need a ton of well wishes. I sent an application in to a vocational school last night and by this morning I have an interview. It’s about 25 minutes away from my apartment (a big improvement on my hour long commute currently) which is wonderful, and it’s not going through the state crisis like where I am right now. But if this doesn’t work out, I’m going to need a lot of good vibes to help me find a placement before the summer ends.

 

[pepperandchips]

Elle, I'm so sorry. No matter how things were working out, that's never the news you want to receive. I am crossing my fingers for you and sending good juju your way - hoping for good news on the closer-to-home opportunity.

Some of my educator friends have gone through similar experiences in the economic downturn and I can honestly say it all worked out for the best - I know that's no consolation when you're worried about the fall, but I hope it can be some encouragement to know there are other opportunities out there that may suit you better anyhow.

Thinking of you!
Melinda

 

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Thanks, Melinda. It was a hard blow, but I'm hopeful that this is only a temporary setback. I had an interview yesterday so I'm hoping I get called for a second interview sometime in the next week or so. I should be getting my stretch pay all summer so I don't have to worry too much until the fall, so I have a couple months of searching before I have to panic. I've also applied to a bunch of colleges for support jobs, which I would absolutely adore, so fingers crossed.

 

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PTR Part Sixteen: A Disney Rejoice In the Midst of the Muck

I took this picture at 5:30 this morning:

I put in the last of Jem's payments this morning before going to work and had to take a celebratory picture. Everything is finally paid off! I'm so excited! And so proud of us for paying it off one day early.

We made one more ADR (of course we did) - Kona Cafe for an 8 am breakfast. But now I'm a little worried about the monorails? We may change it, but I'm not sure.

 

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PTR Part Seventeen: You've Got (Mickey) Mail!

I hope everyone who celebrated a holiday over the past week(end) had a good one!

This is just a small update. Smallish. Teensy.

It's getting close!!! We're down into the twenties and I'm completely putting off packing to go housesit for my parents this next week as I'll be driving them to the airport at the lovely time of 4am(ish) tomorrow morning so they can go on their annual Disney trip! (Jem's coming with me and staying with me for at least part of the time so I don't have to drive my dad's car home by myself)

But that's not the point of updating! Well, partially the point of updating it to make sure no one thinks I've abandoned this poor PTR because I definitely haven't! On Tuesday I got a text from my dad. It was a picture of their cat Roscoe sitting on my Mickey Mail! I was excited but I put it out of my mind for the time being because, you know, I wouldn't get to touch it for a few days.

When we got to my parents' house on Friday we opened the Mickey Mail and got ridiculously excited about it! I forgot to take a picture at the time but I managed to get one once I got home:

We were way more excited about this adorable statue that my mother bought for the two of us:

Yay Mickey Mail! I'm so excited! I also bought all of these stickers at Walmart and on Redbubble recently to try and get some cute stickers and things to use to make an autograph book or something of that variety so here is my current sticker horde:

So yeah, lots going on and I canNOT wait until it's time to go to Florida!

 

[DISNEY180]

Thanks, Melinda. It was a hard blow, but I'm hopeful that this is only a temporary setback. I had an interview yesterday so I'm hoping I get called for a second interview sometime in the next week or so. I should be getting my stretch pay all summer so I don't have to worry too much until the fall, so I have a couple months of searching before I have to panic. I've also applied to a bunch of colleges for support jobs, which I would absolutely adore, so fingers crossed.

So sorry to hear about you having to find a new position and will keep all body parts crossed in the hopes you find something before fall.

Cheers

 

[beachmama3]

Joining in--Love your PTR so far! We will be in WDW Aug 10-16!

I am a middle school literacy teacher and I have to say-keep your head up, girl! There is something better for you out there. I was laid off in 2010 when I taught first grade due to budget cuts. I was rehired in 2011 and LOVE my middle school position so much. It was meant to be. We actually went to Disney that year too, since we had it booked and paid off before I was laid off. It was an amazing trip, just what I needed, and I am sure yours will be too! We ended up moving it from Aug to Oct to visit Epcot for Food and Wine, so that was fun! Keeping my fingers crossed that you are rehired by Sept. though!

PS Keep the Kona Cafe breakfast- SO DELISH.

 

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So sorry to hear about you having to find a new position and will keep all body parts crossed in the hopes you find something before fall.

Cheers

Thanks for the well-wishes; still trying!

Joining in--Love your PTR so far! We will be in WDW Aug 10-16!

I am a middle school literacy teacher and I have to say-keep your head up, girl! There is something better for you out there. I was laid off in 2010 when I taught first grade due to budget cuts. I was rehired in 2011 and LOVE my middle school position so much. It was meant to be. We actually went to Disney that year too, since we had it booked and paid off before I was laid off. It was an amazing trip, just what I needed, and I am sure yours will be too! We ended up moving it from Aug to Oct to visit Epcot for Food and Wine, so that was fun! Keeping my fingers crossed that you are rehired by Sept. though!

PS Keep the Kona Cafe breakfast- SO DELISH.

Thanks! I'm trying to keep my hopes up - I've had a couple of interviews, just have to hope they'll be fruitful.

 

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PTR Part Eighteen: The End is Nigh!

This afternoon Jem and I went on an epic shopping spree to Kohl's, Target, and TJ Maxx. We managed to buy a ton of loose-fitting, comfortable clothes for this trip along with the last of what we needed to pick up before packing. Jem got herself new luggage (her old suitcase was impaled by a shoe during her last cruise trip) and I got myself a bunch of cute tank tops and a few dresses.

And I have to admit - though I have shorts I really don't want to wear them in Disney. I'm not a shorts person. I'm honestly considering wearing workout capris whilst in Disney - they wick away moisture and they're comfortable. So you may see me running around in those. Just the top has to be cute for pictures, people!

Anyway, tangent aside, when we got back to my parents house I had a bunch of Disney mail waiting for us! I tore open these lovely beauties:

And then I got a couple shirts in the mail. These are my three Disney tank tops that I'll be wearing around the parks (along with my plethora other flowery tank tops):

Ah, twenty more days! Too excited! Now I have to go back to my regularly scheduled finishing our packing list!

 

[stacy~**]

Just found your report and wanted to let you know I am following along! Our dates are similar (August 6-11)!

Sorry about your job situation although sounds like in the end it will be a blessing in disguise. Fingers crossed you get something better soon.

Love your Disney tanks...especially the Tiana and Meg one. Neither of them get the amount of love that they should!

How great that you have a Disney partner in crime!

 

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Thanks stacy~! And love that our dates are similar - where are you staying?

Thanks for the support - I'm trying to stay positive about it. I'm trying to stay positive and think about this as "Disney on a budget" year - last year I managed to come back home after spending only about $100 on souvenirs for myself so I'm going to try and budget myself like that this year (plus tip money of course)

And those shirts are from Look Human - you gotta slug through some less than desirable shirts to get to these but Meg and Tiana are two of my favorites so I had to get them!

 

[DISNEY180]

ptr part eighteen: The end is nigh!

this afternoon jem and i went on an epic shopping spree to kohl's, target, and tj maxx. We managed to buy a ton of loose-fitting, comfortable clothes for this trip along with the last of what we needed to pick up before packing. Jem got herself new luggage (her old suitcase was impaled by a shoe during her last cruise trip) and i got myself a bunch of cute tank tops and a few dresses.

And i have to admit - though i have shorts i really don't want to wear them in disney. I'm not a shorts person. I'm honestly considering wearing workout capris whilst in disney - they wick away moisture and they're comfortable. So you may see me running around in those. Just the top has to be cute for pictures, people!

Anyway, tangent aside, when we got back to my parents house i had a bunch of disney mail waiting for us! I tore open these lovely beauties:

and then i got a couple shirts in the mail. These are my three disney tank tops that i'll be wearing around the parks (along with my plethora other flowery tank tops):

ah, twenty more days! Too excited! Now i have to go back to my regularly scheduled finishing our packing list!

love the pics!!!

 

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PTR Part Nineteen: Single Digit Dance Party!

Only nine more days until I go to Disney!!! I'm sooooo excited!

Have I mentioned that I'm pretty much already packed? Because I am.

Okay, so I'm not actually so insane that I am completely packed and ready to go before I even have time to do my last load of wash before I go. See, I don't know if I mentioned this (and I'm a bit too into doing other things at the moment to go back and see if I have so sorry if I've mentioned it already!) but my ceiling is leaking. Or, well, was. Back in April they finally fixed the leaking part, but they haven't fixed the damage that six months worth of rain and snow caused (and it was a very rainy/snowy winter and spring). Well, starting Monday the contractor's finally coming in and fixing the ceiling in our living room, kitchen, and dining room. They'll be in here for about three days - I honestly can't remember if it's three or four off the top of my head - redoing everything. The contractor's footing the bill for Jem and I to go stay down the street at the Residence Inn starting tomorrow. By the time we're back in our own home we only have 3-4 days to get everything done cleaning-wise before we leave so I figured it just made more sense to pack while cleaning.

Of course, while I've got things all ready for Disney, I don't have anything ready for a few days in the Residence Inn.

Oh! But today Jem and I finally found a Walgreens in our area that had the Snow White and Little Mermaid makeup collections. The Snow White collection has a lovely eyeshadow palette with all colors I use and a lip stain (I adore lip stains far more than lipsticks) in the exact shade of red I always wear and have not been able to replace. It also has a lipgloss in the shade and a tinted lip balm in the color so it covers every type of wear, day and night. I'm so glad we found it - especially because I know Jem has been looking for the Ariel cosmetic bag for a long time!