The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 20

[Tammi67]

Made the family tree tonight for Riley's school project. Thank you to the person that suggested the beehive. Garrett drew the beehive & little bees. We wrote the names above the bees. It is not perfect, but we are all pleased with it.

Good job Garrett and Riley!

 

[mommykds]

I second this! CONGRATS, Dana! for the decision!

Thanks Beth!!!

 

[Eeyorecln]

I'm trying! So far Alyssa and I are beating it, but that will probably change.

I hope your family is all better by the time your trip is here.

 

[mommykds]

My biological dad lived in Vacaville CA which is near Sacramento. It seemed like a nice area at least to visit maybe some of our people from CA can give you info. on schools. I know moving across country is scary we moved from IA out here in the middle of my second pregnancy and I was terrified of giving birth at a strange hospital and how different everything would be. But it is pretty out here and you'll be near DL. I hope that you'll get enough info. to make a decision. And Congratulations to Dana for being offered a promotion.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[ReAnSt]

Becky - Good luck with the camping trip! I am not a camping kind of girl.

If you can call it camping, we will be staying in a cabin with full kitchen, 1 1/2 baths, electricity, etc. not very rustic. Then again considering it might be 20 degrees as a high around that time I don't think I want rustic. Depending on the weather we are planning on going snowtubing at a nearby place.

I do need to do a clothing inventory and figure out if I need to buy or take anything in as I haven't really done much cold weather outdoor activities as the weather wasn't cold and what I wore a year ago just won't work. I didn't even have a pair of gloves with me on a normal basis until this week. I still don't have a shovel and cinders in my car, crazy considering its the middle of January and I live in PA.

 

[Eeyorecln]

I wish I could help with flowers, but one of Alan's sisters was a florist, and she did all our flowers for us as a wedding present. It was nice, but she totally ignored everything I wanted and just did what she wanted to do. Grrr. Finally, I just gave up trying to communicate with her and let her do what she wanted. I recently told Alan that he owes me the wedding of my dreams. The only thing I got that I wanted for my wedding was the groom!

My sister and I had a double wedding, and she basically charged in and took over everything. Of course, 18 months later she was divorced, and I got stuck with her ex in all my pictures, etc. Oh well. Maybe for my 25th anniversary, I'll get the party I really wanted!

At least you got the right groom. I had to compromise a lot on my wedding because of DH and his family. Which really didn't seem right as this was his second and my first so he already had one he got his way. Oh well, he has always said maybe on our 25th we could do a renewal and I would get to make the choices. I just gotta last another 16 years.
Do you have your trip report somewhere? It would be interesting to read from someone who has been to DL's first WDW trip.
How did the marathon go?

 

[Glynis]

Our last day in Florida dawned colder than any of the others. We had been blessed with great weather while in Florida. None of the days got below 72 degrees, and it just felt good! Tuesday was a lot chillier!

Anyway, we had to be out of the house by 10:00, and there was a lot to be done. Luckily, I had packed my stuff the night before, so all we had to do was pack up Alan's stuff, put the sheets and towels into the washer, do a load of dishes and be done with it. At least that's what we thought.

We had totally forgotten about the car! You see, we had rented a car on our first day, and it was just Alan and me. The car we got was a PT Cruiser, and it was perfect for 4 of us just driving around Orlando. We had forgotten that on our last day, we would have to get the 4 of us plus our luggage into the car. Oops! Now, for a mere mortal that could have posed a problem, but I had brought Alan, aka Superpacker! This is what he loves. This is what he lives for: to fit an impossible amount of people and luggage into a clown car!

Carrie and I left him to his own devices while we cleaned the house. Scott was busy texting his girlfriend, so he was no help to any of us. We got the laundry and dishes going, and then went through the fridge. We filled all our water bottles, then dumped the rest of the water (by the way, how do people in Floriday actually DRINK the stuff that comes out of the tap???). We also had to dump a half gallon of milk. We divided up the rest of the bagels and cheese sticks, and threw away the odds and ends of food that was left over. I felt kind of wasteful, but there was really nothing else we could do. By 9:45 we were done and relaxing on the couch waiting for Alan.

At 10:00 on the dot, Alan came into the house with a proud expression on his face. He claimed to have done it! We all went outside to view his masterpiece. Carrie and I climbed into the backseat, but couldn't see each other due to the 2 suitcases perched precariously between us. Alan and Scott got into the front seat, after putting the house key into the lock box, and setting the house alarm. It was really comical! They couldn't see out the back window, and we were riding really low!

Off we went to DTD for some shopping. First stop World of Disney! I love this store!!!!!! We were on a mission: to find something for Mary!!! Truly, that was all we were looking for! We did manage to find a darling Eeyore for her, complete with a tail that comes off (attached with a long string so it won't get lost!). We also found a new antennae topper (or golden ears are kind of getting icky), a Sorcerer Mickey. Then we separated. Big Mistake!!! I found some fun treats for all the kids, hair clips for the girls, and some other little stuff. I kind of meandered into the housewares section, and lo and behold, I ran into Alan there. He was looking at dishes, and was really excited about what he was finding. Then he saw some salt and pepper grinders. He picked them up and that was it! He was getting them.

Well, we ended up with enough stuff that they threw in a Mickey Mouse throw for 15 dollars. I thought Alan would say, No, to it, but he really wanted it! I just kept quiet and let him get sucked into my world!!!!! We met up with Carrie who was having a hard time deciding what to get for all her kids and her 2 grandkids. Alan and I followed her around helping her decide and carrying things for her. She found the cutest thing for her oldest grandson: a pirate skull that you fill with all kinds of treasures, etc. Alan loved it so much he filled a skull for Jacob and told me it was for NEXT CHRISTMAS! Now I've got to find a place to hide it from him for a YEAR!

Well, we finally got out of WOD (many, many dollars later!) happy and laden with bags. We strolled around for a while, and enjoyed the day. It was chilly, but I had a sweater so I was ok. At about 11:30 we decided to have lunch. I insisted on Earl of Sandwich. I had read so many great things about it, and really wanted to try it. We stepped inside, and Carrie and Scott and Alan were pleasantly surprised at the menu and prices! Carrie got a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup, Scott got the Beef and Bleu, and Alan and I split a Full Montegue, and a Cobb salad. This was hands down a spectacular meal! We were even lucky enough to find a table inside. We enjoyed our meal leisurely, and were sorry to finish up!

We started back towards the car, making a stop in the crystal shop so Scott could find something for his girlfriend. One crystal decanter later, we were done. Back at the car, we realized we now had to find room for the bags we got at WOD. Luckily, Carrie had decided to ship most of her stuff back home. So, we really only had to find room for 3 bags and a crystal decanter.

Off to the airport. Scott was the first one to fly out, so we dropped him off at his terminal. With his luggage gone, it seemed like the trip was really coming to an end. Depression started to hit all of us. None of us wanted this "trip of a lifetime" to end. I know that everyone feels that way when they leave Disney, but it's still a yucky feeling! None of us wanted to go wait at our gate for 3 hours. However, we didn't want to have to cart our luggage around either. We went to our terminal and asked if we could check our luggage this early. The answer was yes, so we did! Now we were free of luggage, and still had 2 and a half hours to kill before we needed to be at the gate.

We didn't want to shop anymore (none of us had any money, anyway), so we drove for a while until we found a bowling alley. This was the perfect thing. We went in, and had the entire alley to ourselves. We got all set up and began playing. It was a fun way to kill some time. We laughed and chatted, and really enjoyed our afternoon! We played one game, and decided we'd better head to the car rental place to turn the car in. All went smoothly at the drop off, and we were even able to unload the rest of our oranges and bagels at the counter. In fact, the lady behind the counter kind of laughed and said they get food and water donations quite a bit.

The shuttle took us back to the airport and we headed to security. Carrie was actually not going back with us, but was going on to Kentucky to see a man about a horse (really), but her flight didn't leave until 2 hours after ours. Her gate was close to ours, so after we got through security, she came to our gate with us. We met a really nice couple that was going to be on our flight that had done the full marathon. It was fun to talk to them. They are from Seattle, and it was the first time either of them had done the WDW marathon. We compared stories, and had fun reliving it all.

They let us board, and on we got. Now, the depression was settling in. I really didn't want to leave. I wanted to see my kids, but I didn't want to get back to being the SAHM that I really am. For a while, life was exciting and fun every day, and I wanted to keep that feeling. Happily, the movie that was being shown was "The Queen" and I have wanted to see it! It was FABULOUS!!!!! Everyone should see this movie!!!!!

We landed in Salt Lake City at about 8:30 that night and proceeded to get our luggage. No problems there and soon we were off. Our Disney experience was over, and now it's time to plan another one. Luckily, Alan is more and more open to the idea. He wants to work up to doing the full marathon within a couple of years, so things are looking up for us!

Thanks for hanging in with me on this trip report! It's fun remembering it all! Thanks for being so supportive of me! It means so much to me that you were all behind me!

 

[tinker1bell]

Thanks Terry! Wow, how did you remember that date? As for snow, I could do without it!

I was in high school, my senior year and they had a picture in my yearbook and also my DH (then my boyfriend) was standing outside waiting to get the usual round of shots while in Naval Boot Camp

 

[mommykds]

Jen,
Thanks!

Glynis,
Wow, that must be hard as they are family. Glad your day with them is over.

Karen,
That's great! The show get great reviews!

Janet,
The beehive sounds cute.

Channon,
Sorry I do not remember how much my flowers cost.

I didn't get a formal proposal either. We were at the South Street seaport one cold night & Dana just started talking about when we have kids we would do this & that. I just looked at him..like "kids"??? It was just assumed that we would get married. Our wedding was small (75 people) at a restaurant. We had a great photographer but I remember he was expensive. My mom paid for my dress but Dana & I paid for everything else. We honeymooned in Ireland for 3 weeks (drove around the country) & then to London for just short of a week. I don't know why but I would have liked to have been proposed to (on his knee & all that).

 

[mommykds]

I was in high school, my senior year and they had a picture in my yearbook and also my DH (then my boyfriend) was standing outside waiting to get the usual round of shots while in Naval Boot Camp

Wow!

 

[Eeyorecln]

I told Jim he owes me a proper proposal and a proper reception....haven't gotten the proper proposal yet. I keep reminding I WANT my ring back on my finger but I'm not putting it there by myself.

Unless I plan it the reception isn't happening either!!

I wouldn't mind a proper wedding night where I actually spend it with DH instead of some groomsmen and a bartender. Of course, I'm not sure he would now for fear of another 9 months later.

 

[Glynis]

! I didn't realize that children and parents like that really existed until this year's preschool class. I have one child that has become very hard to deal with, and I think that he is making it hard for the other children. I am working to have him removed from the class if he can't begin to behave.

The part that really floored me was his mother's attitude. I told her Tuesday that he has become very disobedient and defiant and that he is spitting at people and on the furniture. Not just raspberry type spitting either. She basically laughed it off and said that in his favorite Tom and Jerry cartoon they spit milk out and he thinks it's funny. She told me that she tells him to stop. I informed her that I was ignoring some of the behavior (because he's definitely testing for a reaction), but when it impacts the other children, I need to take some action. Today he ended up sitting in a chair away from the class at least a half dozen times in 2-1/2 hours! Next step is that she or his father will be called to remove him from class for the day. I told dh that I have suddenly become in favor of corporal punishment in the classroom (only half joking!). If I ever had a report about one of my children like that I would be , and here she just laughs it off. Today his father dropped off and picked up, and he didn't even make an attempt to find out what his behavior was like today.

Sorry that my for you turned into a vent for me!

I totally agree. Jacob has actually done some damage at their house (egged on by their kids, but still), and I made him fix it. What he couldn't fix, he had to pay for. But still, their kids won't have any consequences at all! It's very frustrating!

 

[bethbuchall]

Glynis, I did find last night's Epcot report, and I just finished tonight's. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Glynis]

At least you got the right groom. I had to compromise a lot on my wedding because of DH and his family. Which really didn't seem right as this was his second and my first so he already had one he got his way. Oh well, he has always said maybe on our 25th we could do a renewal and I would get to make the choices. I just gotta last another 16 years.
Do you have your trip report somewhere? It would be interesting to read from someone who has been to DL's first WDW trip.
How did the marathon go?

The marathon was great! I finished and came home with a Donald Duck medal. I've been doing a trip report. If you go back a few days you should be able to find it. I'm no good at searching, so maybe someone else can point you in the right direction. I've had fun typing it all out!

 

[Eeyorecln]

2007 dates are July 21 - August 12. We will be staying at DVC resorts for this trip

2008 dates are June 21-July 12. We will be at Fort Wilderness for the entire trip.


I cannot wait for July to get here. I really need a Disney Fix. I'm getting cabin fever I think. It was a whopping 0 degrees when I got up this morning. We've spent the last 5 days pretty much couped up in the house and I'm getting sick of it.

Deb

I hope you get some sun soon.

 

[ReAnSt]

I have one picture of John and I at the alter, but it is all dark. I am hoping to take it to a photo shop and see if they can do anything with it. I saw a couple of places online that they can fix the picture without a negative.

Do you have a scanner? If so someone around here or on the photo board should be able to enhance your photo. Photoshop or another digital manipulation program can do wonders for old photos, even if they are not great.

 

[ReAnSt]

Well, by the looks of the extended forecast, I'm not going to need shorts next weekend. Oh well, less to pack, right?

I'd still take at least 1 pair of shorts for all of you because you just never know, what the weather will actually be.

 

[Tammi67]

We landed in Salt Lake City at about 8:30 that night and proceeded to get our luggage. No problems there and soon we were off. Our Disney experience was over, and now it's time to plan another one. Luckily, Alan is more and more open to the idea. He wants to work up to doing the full marathon within a couple of years, so things are looking up for us!

Thanks for hanging in with me on this trip report! It's fun remembering it all! Thanks for being so supportive of me! It means so much to me that you were all behind me!

Glynis - your trip sounds so wonderful. Thanks for sharing it with us! I'm so thrilled that Alan is finally getting sucked into your obsession. How fun!

 

[tinker1bell]

so everyone is watching Grey's and not wanting to get the milestone?????

 

[Eeyorecln]

I guess I'm a lucky girl. Chris proposed to me on Christmas Day on the steps of the building where we met. He even got on his knee I had no idea that he was going to propose as we were both so young. I remember that it was snowing too. My ring is tiny and he has offered to replace it with another, but it just wouldn't be the same. I was able to plan the wedding that we wanted and a really beautiful and most importantly really fun reception. People who attended still remark about how much fun it was. My parents lived less than a mile from the reception hall and after the reception they held a post reception party. They had tons of food and drink It was a super hot day and everyone brought their swimsuits and enjoyed the pool. We ate, had fun and opened all our gifts for everyone to see. We got married at 11 AM and left my parents after midnight as the party was just ending. We forgot to set our alarm and if my Dad hadn't showed up to take us to the airport we would have missed our flight to WDW. I guess I was on . The only thing I would have changed was we would have had a hotel room instead of a tent at WDW. We did what we could afford and had a great time. I guess that trip started our love of Fort Wilderness too.

How sweet of your DH to offer to upgrade your ring. I'm the same as I don't think I would want to change my ring as it's the one I accepted that he put on my finger. I'll never forget I took it off at my mom's house to do dishes and my mom shook out the table cloth in the yard that I had set it on. I was in tears as we had just got engaged that month and my ring seemed gone. But Mike went out with a flashlight and scoured that yard the whole evening until he found it. He was really a nice guy before he became a workaholic. Maybe someday he'll realize work isn't the only fulfilling thing in life.
ETA: I would like to thank the little people .............. Just Kidding. Congrats to all the DDA for being such a supportive, great and chatty bunch of people.