The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 29

[yellowfish78]

Chanon your not excited in the least are you?

Not at all! Really though, I think this will be my last trip to the World for at least 4-5 years. Scary, I know! So yes, I'm excited to be going and spending it with such wonderful men and women!

 

[bear74]

Not at all! Really though, I think this will be my last trip to the World for at least 4-5 years. Scary, I know! So yes, I'm excited to be going and spending it with such wonderful men and women!

say it isn't so. 4-5 yrs You are going to need some major disney fixes.

 

[Pooh67_68]

What a doll, love the first one.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Just saw an episode of Paula Dean, and she made a green tomato cake.

anybody know what to do with green tomatoes?? I had two fall off the vine.

 

[my3princes]

Tia, my thoughts and prayers are with you today!

Robyn, the pics of the girls are fantastic! And little Lucy in that chair! I just about fell out of my chair! She looks so cute and comfy too!

All of you Oct. DDAers are sounding pretty excited about now! Wish I could make it too, but in 9 days I will be in Disney World!

to everyone that could use a little extra pixie dust today!

You are going to have a wonderful trip. You've put so much time and thought into every aspect it's sure to be wonderful.

Here it is, the final installment.

Being the nervous nelly that I am, I was up at 2:00 am and couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to go ahead and start getting ready. We made short work of packing up the rest of our things, DH went to get a luggage cart, as we were leaving to early to use the resort check in. Brandon never really woke up as we got him dressed, so when we got to the ME bus stop he and DH went to return the cart and make a potty stop. We stopped at the Yacht Club and picked up two more people and were on our way to the Airport. I must say that it was easy check in and security as we were the only ones there, Brandon saw this guy and wanted one last picture.

We got some milk and juice on the way to our gate, and since we had such a long wait Brandon had an hour nap at the airport. We had time for breakfast in Atlanta, Brandon was a pro at this by the time we left Atlanta so I let him handle his own boarding pass, he headed down to the plane in front of us and just walked right on the plane and headed down the aisle. The flight attendants looked at me and said "he knows where he's going" I said he sure thinks he does. We had fun watching the planes take off in line in front of us and as we took off Brandon let out a big Woo Hoo! He then proceded to burst out in his version of Zip a Dee Doo Dah, I was laughing so hard I was in tears, when he looked at me and said, MawMaw why are you laughing? I had to tell a white lie, so I told him I was laughing at PawPaw who was making funny faces.

So all in all the trip was definitely a success, the heat was pretty bad and the crowds were more than I was hoping for, but managable. We definitely made the most of the free dining plan, but for our November trip we won't be doing any character meals, we're going for a little more grown up time. We spent much more time in the Magic Kingdom than we ever had before, and there were a lot of things that I had planned to do but didn't get around to. But my theory on that is we had a good time and that's all that matters, the things we didn't do are things that we can do for the first time on another trip. We didn't stay for the late fireworks and parades every night like we normally do, this was a wise decision. Will we take him by ourselves again, well, DH was discussing when we could take him again, not if.

Our youngest DD will be receiving her Bachelors in May, and she has decided she would like the family to go to Disney to celebrate, so it looks like we'll be planning another one. With everyone going we'll probably be driving, , I shouldn't complain, we can make it in about 9 hours.

Pin Trading - he wasn't really into it, he traded twice and that was it. No big deal as the pins I ended up getting him to trade were limited editions and were really much nicer than the pins the CM's had to trade. I told his mom to be sure and put his pins and lanyard up for him so that he will have it when he is older.

Invitations - I made a daily invitation for him for the meal that day, he got a kick out of it. I opted to make them in greeting card form and it was really easy.

Pressed pennies - I didn't mention it in the report, but her really enhoyed this one, especially the machines that you had to crank. Take an empty mini m & m container, a roll of quarters, and 20 shiny pennies. Drop in 2 quarters and then a penny until it is full and you are set. They sell the books for them at the resort, he was so proud of his book when he showed his Mom.

Thus ends my first ever trip report! Thanks for tuning in!

Great Report. I hate to see your trip end as I was thoroughly enjoying it.

I thought I would post a couple of pictures of our costumes for MNSSHP.

Here are mine and DW's costumes. We even have the little propeller hats to go with these! No pictures of us modeling them though! I am sure that there will be plenty of pictures taken while at the party that if and when I am brave enough I will post us modeling them then!

My brother Tim is going to be the "Mad Hatter" and his wife is "supposed" to be the Queen of Hearts, but she is a little unsure of it right now! We'll see!

I love the costumes. Don't forget to put Dee or Dum on the collars

anybody know what to do with green tomatoes?? I had two fall off the vine.

Set them in a window and they will still ripen.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Till tomorrow. and to all.

 

[Tammi67]

​

 

[bear74]

Till tomorrow. and to all.

night Heidi

 

[my3princes]

I needed to come on here tonight to talk with Disney Literate people. My family is absolutely clueless. They are planning 9 nights give or take a day depending on flights. My SIL says that they will only do the parks for 5 days. One each at MK, Epcot, AK, MGM and a day at a water park. I had to explain that water parks are not included in the basic tickets and it would be cheaper to buy a water park ticket at the window then spend the $45 to add the option if they are only going one time. I also tried to explain the dining plan...notice I said tried. They haven't been since Summer was 9 months old and that was over 7 years ago. First of all they cannot do each park in one day. They have no idea of the cost of food. I told them to go to allearsnet and check out the menus and prices and go from there. They probably won't do many table service meals so maybe the dining plan isn't for them, but they should at least consider the option. Does anyone know how many meals I can use the DDE plan on. There will be 11 of us. We can do one check, but can I get the discount for all of us? I mentioned setting up a grand gathering for us, but I don't know enough about it to give them any information so now I need to do the homework.

 

[tinker1bell]

Mickey says HI and he is wishing you a wonderful day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY


Stephanie,

Knowing you for these past 18 years have been so great. We have met every challenge with strength. We have laughed, cried, and fought and won the worst and the easiest battles. You are my twin, my soul mate. It has been a blast. I am honored to be your friend. Hal is honored to be your "Hubby Too".

We could write a book on our travels, they were just too much fun.

We have offered advice the other has taken or (not) We have been truthfull when answering that all important question 'Do I have anything in my teeth?'

Here is to the next 18 and more years of friendship.

 

[Tammi67]

Tom - the costumes are awesome!

The hat is in the mail!

 

[Tammi67]

Mickey says HI and he is wishing you a wonderful day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY


Stephanie,

Knowing you for these past 18 years have been so great. We have met every challenge with strength. We have laughed, cried, and fought and won the worst and the easiest battles. You are my twin, my soul mate. It has been a blast. I am honored to be your friend. Hal is honored to be your "Hubby Too".

We could write a book on our travels, they were just too much fun.

We have offered advice the other has taken or (not) We have been truthfull when answering that all important question 'Do I have anything in my teeth?'

Here is to the next 18 and more years of friendship.

 

[bear74]

I needed to come on here tonight to talk with Disney Literate people. My family is absolutely clueless. They are planning 9 nights give or take a day depending on flights. My SIL says that they will only do the parks for 5 days. One each at MK, Epcot, AK, MGM and a day at a water park. I had to explain that water parks are not included in the basic tickets and it would be cheaper to buy a water park ticket at the window then spend the $45 to add the option if they are only going one time. I also tried to explain the dining plan...notice I said tried. They haven't been since Summer was 9 months old and that was over 7 years ago. First of all they cannot do each park in one day. They have no idea of the cost of food. I told them to go to allearsnet and check out the menus and prices and go from there. They probably won't do many table service meals so maybe the dining plan isn't for them, but they should at least consider the option. Does anyone know how many meals I can use the DDE plan on. There will be 11 of us. We can do one check, but can I get the discount for all of us? I mentioned setting up a grand gathering for us, but I don't know enough about it to give them any information so now I need to do the homework.

sorry Deb I don't know anything about the DDE or how to book a grand gathering.

 

[Tammi67]

I needed to come on here tonight to talk with Disney Literate people. My family is absolutely clueless. They are planning 9 nights give or take a day depending on flights. My SIL says that they will only do the parks for 5 days. One each at MK, Epcot, AK, MGM and a day at a water park. I had to explain that water parks are not included in the basic tickets and it would be cheaper to buy a water park ticket at the window then spend the $45 to add the option if they are only going one time. I also tried to explain the dining plan...notice I said tried. They haven't been since Summer was 9 months old and that was over 7 years ago. First of all they cannot do each park in one day. They have no idea of the cost of food. I told them to go to allearsnet and check out the menus and prices and go from there. They probably won't do many table service meals so maybe the dining plan isn't for them, but they should at least consider the option. Does anyone know how many meals I can use the DDE plan on. There will be 11 of us. We can do one check, but can I get the discount for all of us? I mentioned setting up a grand gathering for us, but I don't know enough about it to give them any information so now I need to do the homework.

Well, Deb, since they are fiddling with the dining plan for 08 I have no recommendations for you. I know that WE won't be using it once the changes go into effect. I don't have the DDE card so I don't know the ins and outs of it. Good luck trying to make them 'get it'.

 

[bear74]

Mickey says HI and he is wishing you a wonderful day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY


Stephanie,

Knowing you for these past 18 years have been so great. We have met every challenge with strength. We have laughed, cried, and fought and won the worst and the easiest battles. You are my twin, my soul mate. It has been a blast. I am honored to be your friend. Hal is honored to be your "Hubby Too".

We could write a book on our travels, they were just too much fun.

We have offered advice the other has taken or (not) We have been truthfull when answering that all important question 'Do I have anything in my teeth?'

Here is to the next 18 and more years of friendship.

Terry Beautifully said

 

[my3princes]

sorry Deb I don't know anything about the DDE or how to book a grand gathering.

Well, Deb, since they are fiddling with the dining plan for 08 I have no recommendations for you. I know that WE won't be using it once the changes go into effect. I don't have the DDE card so I don't know the ins and outs of it. Good luck trying to make them 'get it'.

I don't think that they will ever get it. That is why staying a a different resort is a good thing. I found out that the DDE can be applied to 10 meals on one check. It will have to do. It also appears that the 2008 dining plan isn't hammered out yet, so that is a wait and see game.

 

[tinker1bell]

I am off here to eat my lunch on the patio and wait for a phone call. Could I ask for a bit of PD for Kathrin? She had a surgical procedure done this morning and I am waiting for a report from her best friend/college roommate. In case you are wondering... she did not want me to cancel classes and lessons to be with her. She preferred Sara this time, so I let it go at that. Thanks, everyone.

Elin, It is so rewarding when the kids want to spare us the worry, but it is also frustrating with the waiting.

If everyone could spare some prayers for us, I would appreciate it. We are leaning heavily towards moving to CA in the near future. Under the family circumstances and since we are not very tied down here, we think that it may be for the best. While it is nice being near my family, I also know that they have a better chance of being around for a lot longer. I am just praying that the right situation/timing presents itself so that we know the direction meant for us right now. As it is, it looks like Phil will be staying in CA for about a month now instead of the two weeks. I was not surprised at all though as I kind of expected it to be 3-4 weeks. Our visit will still fall pretty much in the middle though so that is good.

Tia, Making this kind of decision is so very hard and we will all be behind whatever one you make. Of course, St Louis and California are very different living wise, but you will do just fine

And one last prayer request that I needed to save for last as it will make me cry again...

I have a friend Mimi from our CA playgroups. She woke up yesterday morning to find that her husband had died overnight. He was young (mid-30s) and healthy and this has come as a complete shock to us all. A cause of death is not yet known. They had been married just 2 years, though together for about 5 before that. They have a baby daughter together who is not quite a year old and he was in the process of adopting Mimi's 9yo daughter Catherine.

I can't even imagine what they are all going through right now. Doug was a wonderful man and will be missed by many. I am waiting to hear on memorial service plans on the chance that I will be there to go.

Thanks everyone.

Oh Tia, such sad news

I just got a phone call from Kathrin. Her procedure went off without a hitch and she is having very little discomfort. Seems her last PAP smear was abnormal and after a biopsy and a pulposcopy she was diagnosed with "moderate to advanced" displasia. Meaning they needed to get those cells out of the cervix and checked very carefully. She will get the report back and goes in for a follow-up in 2 weeks.

She opted to not tell me because she knew I would drop everything and go to be with her. She wanted to handle this one on her own and it seems she and Sara are doing so. I truly understand her need to be a little more independent since she has always lived close enough for us to help when she needed it. I never had that luxury so she was very careful with my feelings on this. I am happy she took the initiative!

So, now we wait. Thanks for all the good thoughts, everyone. :

Elin, Our kids sure do know us don't they!!!

And now, even though I would rather stay here and talk to you all this afternoon and sit outside on the patio eating Weight Watcher's bon-bons (SURELY they make those?!?!?) I need to head back to work.

Have great afternoons, everyone. I will see you all later on tonight.

If you find them please send some my way!!

I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the birthday wishes. It has been a quiet day here. We have a school picnic tonight followed by an open house. The Big Brother finally is tonight too. Nick and Colby had a nice hand made card for me this morning and Colby let me sleep in while he played quietly. Chris wished me a happy birthday as he left then he called later in the morning to Wish it again He wanted to buy me a gift, but I requested at he wait until our trip as I'm sure that there will be something that I would like to do, see or buy

So far the highlight here has been that I paid all of our bills and had a little money left over The small things make me happy.

I keep telling Stephanie that I am easy because such little things excite me too

​

Love it

Here it is, the final installment.

So all in all the trip was definitely a success, the heat was pretty bad and the crowds were more than I was hoping for, but managable. We definitely made the most of the free dining plan, but for our November trip we won't be doing any character meals, we're going for a little more grown up time. We spent much more time in the Magic Kingdom than we ever had before, and there were a lot of things that I had planned to do but didn't get around to. But my theory on that is we had a good time and that's all that matters, the things we didn't do are things that we can do for the first time on another trip. We didn't stay for the late fireworks and parades every night like we normally do, this was a wise decision. Will we take him by ourselves again, well, DH was discussing when we could take him again, not if.

Our youngest DD will be receiving her Bachelors in May, and she has decided she would like the family to go to Disney to celebrate, so it looks like we'll be planning another one. With everyone going we'll probably be driving, , I shouldn't complain, we can make it in about 9 hours.

Pin Trading - he wasn't really into it, he traded twice and that was it. No big deal as the pins I ended up getting him to trade were limited editions and were really much nicer than the pins the CM's had to trade. I told his mom to be sure and put his pins and lanyard up for him so that he will have it when he is older.

Invitations - I made a daily invitation for him for the meal that day, he got a kick out of it. I opted to make them in greeting card form and it was really easy.

Pressed pennies - I didn't mention it in the report, but her really enhoyed this one, especially the machines that you had to crank. Take an empty mini m & m container, a roll of quarters, and 20 shiny pennies. Drop in 2 quarters and then a penny until it is full and you are set. They sell the books for them at the resort, he was so proud of his book when he showed his Mom.

Thus ends my first ever trip report! Thanks for tuning in!

Good things to remember when taking Grandkids Debbie. I was taking notes.

I thought I would post a couple of pictures of our costumes for MNSSHP.
!

Great pictures Tom. Cannot wait to read and see pictures of your trip report.

Not at all! Really though, I think this will be my last trip to the World for at least 4-5 years. Scary, I know! So yes, I'm excited to be going and spending it with such wonderful men and women!

Chanon, hope that will not be true. Everyone needs a trip once in a while.
This group going is going to have such fun.

I needed to come on here tonight to talk with Disney Literate people. My family is absolutely clueless. They are planning 9 nights give or take a day depending on flights. My SIL says that they will only do the parks for 5 days. One each at MK, Epcot, AK, MGM and a day at a water park. I had to explain that water parks are not included in the basic tickets and it would be cheaper to buy a water park ticket at the window then spend the $45 to add the option if they are only going one time. I also tried to explain the dining plan...notice I said tried. They haven't been since Summer was 9 months old and that was over 7 years ago. First of all they cannot do each park in one day. They have no idea of the cost of food. I told them to go to allearsnet and check out the menus and prices and go from there. They probably won't do many table service meals so maybe the dining plan isn't for them, but they should at least consider the option. Does anyone know how many meals I can use the DDE plan on. There will be 11 of us. We can do one check, but can I get the discount for all of us? I mentioned setting up a grand gathering for us, but I don't know enough about it to give them any information so now I need to do the homework.

Deb, I am going to start sending emails to my family to convince them to go to WDW in three years. I hope I get a good response. I have been taking notes on what sites to send them to and hope I can convince them with good numbers. I can see a lot of homework in my future

 

[marcij]

I am off here to eat my lunch on the patio and wait for a phone call. Could I ask for a bit of PD for Kathrin? She had a surgical procedure done this morning and I am waiting for a report from her best friend/college roommate. In case you are wondering... she did not want me to cancel classes and lessons to be with her. She preferred Sara this time, so I let it go at that. Thanks, everyone.

I'm glad to hear she was doing well. PD and prayers for great results.

If everyone could spare some prayers for us, I would appreciate it. We are leaning heavily towards moving to CA in the near future. Under the family circumstances and since we are not very tied down here, we think that it may be for the best. While it is nice being near my family, I also know that they have a better chance of being around for a lot longer. I am just praying that the right situation/timing presents itself so that we know the direction meant for us right now. As it is, it looks like Phil will be staying in CA for about a month now instead of the two weeks. I was not surprised at all though as I kind of expected it to be 3-4 weeks. Our visit will still fall pretty much in the middle though so that is good.

PD and prayers to you and your family! I hope you get the sign you are looking for to help make your decisions.

And one last prayer request that I needed to save for last as it will make me cry again...

I have a friend Mimi from our CA playgroups. She woke up yesterday morning to find that her husband had died overnight. He was young (mid-30s) and healthy and this has come as a complete shock to us all. A cause of death is not yet known. They had been married just 2 years, though together for about 5 before that. They have a baby daughter together who is not quite a year old and he was in the process of adopting Mimi's 9yo daughter Catherine.

I can't even imagine what they are all going through right now. Doug was a wonderful man and will be missed by many. I am waiting to hear on memorial service plans on the chance that I will be there to go.

Thanks everyone.

PD and prayers for Mimi and her family. A tragedy like this certainly put life into perspective.

I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the birthday wishes. It has been a quiet day here. We have a school picnic tonight followed by an open house. The Big Brother finally is tonight too. Nick and Colby had a nice hand made card for me this morning and Colby let me sleep in while he played quietly. Chris wished me a happy birthday as he left then he called later in the morning to Wish it again He wanted to buy me a gift, but I requested at he wait until our trip as I'm sure that there will be something that I would like to do, see or buy

So far the highlight here has been that I paid all of our bills and had a little money left over The small things make me happy.

Sounds like a great birthday! And that's not a little thing...

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Off to bed..have a great night

 

[bear74]

Off to bed..have a great night

night Jen