The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 3

[triplefigs]

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!! My grandmother's biopsy was negative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even pre-cancerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tmfranlk]

Tia-thanks for sharing your great photos! Looks like you had a great trip in such a short time. I am taking just DD for 4 nights to celebrate her 7th birthday in mid May. Can I ask a few questions?

What did you think of Garden Grill? I've got an ADR for our first night and have never been. I was thinking it would be easier for me since its not a buffet.

How did your clip board work for autographs? I was thinking of making an autograph book for DD. I was going to use card stock and print 2 to a sheet and cut them a bit bigger than 4 x 6 and hole punch them. Then after we got home I could cut them down to 4 x 6 to put in a photo album and cut the holes off. BUT...then I saw that Staples sells blank 4 x 6 index cards and I was thinking how much easier that would be than cutting them out. SO...I did purchase a small clip board to use. I saw that you had one in your photos and it looked like it was working out fine for you. I was also thinking of putting something like "Celebrating Lizzy's 7th Birthday" on the top of all the cards and "Walt Disney World May 2006" on the bottom. The only problem I see with this is that I won't be able to use any of the cards we may not see characters for on a future trip. I thought doing the "celebrating...." text might get Lizzy (who can be shy) a bit more attention.

Did you fly out of Providence? I flew out of Manchester last Aug but haven't used Providence yet. What did you think of that airport?

Any other advice for traveling alone with DD? I did take her 2 days early last Oct but we met my friend and her DD from FL at Disney. I'm really looking forward to this one on one time with her.

I also wanted to send you a bit of I can understand what you're going through.

We loved Garden Grill. We did it for the first time in December and decided to go again in Feb. The characters were great both times. They were very attentive. Since we dined early both times, the restaurant wasn't yet full and most of the characters stopped back a couple of times. Since we were celebrating Terra's birthday, they brought her dessert out with a candle in it and gave her a card from all of the characters.

Our clip board worked out great. I think the size was nice because it wasn't too large to hold, but it provided the firm surface for the page. I put "Happy Birthday, Terra" on the top and "Walt Disney World 2006" on the bottom. Actually, Kate sent me her files since I was low on time and I changed the message to birthday. Since I knew that we were going to concentrate on finding characters I didn't worry about the pages of those we didn't find. Terra just uses them to look at or color on at home. The "birthday" part did get her an some extra attention. It was also nice because it was something that she understood to talk to the princesses about.

Providence airport is very nice to fly out of. I've never been to Manchester, but I'd assume the are similar since their size is similar. The only hard part for me is getting there as we don't have a car. Several years ago, Bonanza bus line stopped at the airport itself and it was such an easy trip from South Station. Now you have to catch a shuttle in Providence and it is more expensive too. We just rented a car and parked at an off site place. Curbside check at SW was fabulous and fast. We were at the gate within 30 minutes of arrival.

I don't have a lot of advice for travelling alone with your DD in part because it is just so easy. My DSis just turned 10 and I took her on her first trip right after her 5th birthday. It was just the two of us then and for 2 subsequent trips. I have now taken her and DD together twice and DD twice (well, one of those was half together and half just DD. I think that I have been spoiled with these alone trips as I find it sooo much easier than when travelling with extra people. It's so much easier to do what you all want to do when it is just the two of us. For you and your DD and I think that it is the perfect time to do anything that she wants to do. When DD was 6yo on her 2nd trip, I let her "take charge" of several days and control our schedule. She loved having the authority to direct our day.

If you have any other questions, please ask away! I hope that I helped.

 

[Tammi67]

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!! My grandmother's biopsy was negative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even pre-cancerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay Denise!! That is wonderful news!!! Things are starting to look up!!

 

[tmfranlk]

I'm caught up!! I watched Super Nanny. I thougt that she took an entirely different approach with a single mother than she did with 2 parent families. There was a lot less blame. I couldn't believe how out of control those kids were. Knowing the upbringing that she had I really couldn't believe it. For anyone wondering, I'm not sure what happened to her husband, but her mother recently told me that she is engaged again. They didn't mention a significant other on the show. The 2 sets of twins were not a result of infertility drugs. This show is in the headlines of all the local news stations. I certainly hope that their lives are much better now. She is the first woman that I have ever seen try to keep the Nanny. She didn't want her to leave.

Deb

I watched for the first time in awhile and was really impressed with Jo's approach to the mom. I quit watching because I just didn't agree with so many things and Jo was so hard on the parents. I think this mom really needed the support and understanding and I was glad to see Jo giving it.

 

[Tammi67]

I think its a "count me on on May 19-22" I think the idea of staying off site is a good one, but I'd miss the Disney magic of being on site.

Can you still do any of the grand gatherings stuff if you are staying off site? Is anyone interested in any of those "extras"?

 

[tmfranlk]

I really liked Manchester last Aug but we flew on a Sunday and since I'm south of Boston I'd have to drive through Boston to get there so that won't work well on a weekday.

I read an article in Sunday's Boston Globe about regional airports and they said that Providence was a bit more confusing then Manchester. I know I'll be fine-especially since I'll be there 2 weeks earlier with 2 other adults. And I can't complain about the fare-$115.60 RT non stop for early May and $135.60 RT non stop for mid May. I was a bit reluctant to try Southwest but I really like them when I did use them last Aug.

Since I haven't been to Manchester I can't compare, but I'm not sure how Providence would be confusing. There is only one terminal building with 2 airlines on the left when you enter and a few on the left. There is only one security area to get to all of the gates. Then half of the gates are to the left and half to the right. I wouldn't worry about it at all. The drive in was even very easy.

 

[legalslave]

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!! My grandmother's biopsy was negative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even pre-cancerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's wonderful, Denise. We'll all keep the prayers and pixie dust going for the rest of your worries!!! Rees is lucky to have such a supportive mom.

 

[Steamboat Marti]

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!! My grandmother's biopsy was negative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even pre-cancerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yippee SKippy!! Some good news from the fig household!!

 

[legalslave]

A girls only weekend at WDW sounds great, but I can't even get a day without pay to go and see my son!!! (I don't get any more vacation time until late June). If it works out for some of you, have a great time!

 

[tmfranlk]

Hi, Kate.

I didn't post an update as I don't want to always be a downer, but, no, life is not good right now. Rees' surgery went well, but I am having a rough time with all his new diagnosis. We had a bad meeting with his specialist on Thursday, and she suggested he may be even further up the Autism spectrum. He is doing better with the anxiety. He starts his evals on Friday for Special Ed in Kindergarten. The team suggested a self-contained room instead of mainstream, so I am devestated. I don't feel that is appropriate for Rees, so it's off to battle again. Still waiting on a court date for the Medicaid, and he wasn't invited to 2 b'day parties this weekend. It's been tough.

We find out today if my grandmother has breast cancer (the biopsy was yesterday). Her sister had it 2 years ago. John's had the real flu for 8 days now (fever of 102 even with meds), and I've made myself sick with all this worry and am having terrible stomach issues. Oh, and the topper is DH works for BellSouth and they announced yesterday that ATT is buying them, so now that's a whole new set of crud.

Brantley-Kate and Davis are doing well. The boys start Karate on Thursday.

Thanks for asking, but I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear!

Denise

Lots of ...
A mountain of ...
And all of the prayers you could ever imagine and more....

All coming your way. Good luck with all of the upcoming evaluations.

 

[Glynis]

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!! My grandmother's biopsy was negative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even pre-cancerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Denise, I'm so glad for you and your grandmother! One less thing to worry about!

 

[tmfranlk]

We got back on Feb 22. We had an awsome trip. As soon as we got home I got really sick on top of being exhausted from the trip. Then my computer went out and had to buy a new one and get everything switched over for work. Still working on the switching over part.

I sent the Piglet and got a personalized get well autograph from Piglet to send to the little girl who was burned.

WISHES was awsome. I just cannot express how it made me feel. I was so touched by it.

Marti I get thinking about a Dole whip but never saw one the whole time we were there. I really was going to try one. I love pineapples.

The T-shirts were a HUGE hit. I had comments on them everyday. I saw a woman on the run at the Orlando Airport who asked if I was a Disser? Did not have time to talk to her. If this was any one you let me know?

The autograph pages were also a HUGE hit. The characters really gave us attention for them. My DS5 and great neice 6 loved all the attention they got. We got like 45+ autographs.

Overall we had an absolute great time. I will post pictures as soon as I can get them uploaded to the new computer. I have to find my Kodak software to connect my camera. We also bought the photopass CD and the guy added extras to every single one of our pictures. I was so impressed with this. We got 87 pictures with the additions for $99.00. Luckily I asked on our last day there and found out this had to be purchased at the WDW and could not be purchased on line. We missed out first Magical Express bus to the Airport because I was getting this made.

Welcome back!! It sounds like you had a great time. I can't wait to see your pictures.

 

[itdjbw]

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!! My grandmother's biopsy was negative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even pre-cancerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT NEWS

 

[tmfranlk]

I love it when somebody pays attention to what I write!!!! And yes, it does seem like a great idea to me. Anybody else?

I would LOVE it! I don't know if I COULD, but I would certainly entertain the idea. Or at least try to get get PHIL to entertain the idea.

 

[tmfranlk]

Uhh, hello?????? I posted I wanted to go and even have a ticket to fly! I can't do June as it's BK's Ballet recital. what if we did the fall (Sept or Oct) when it's not crowded and Value Season? Then we can all save up!

If you did the first week of October I could "run into" you. I would be there with Terra at that time, but at least we could cross paths.

 

[tinknme]

Denise this is wonderful news

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!! My grandmother's biopsy was negative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even pre-cancerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tmfranlk]

I'm already there in October....18-22, and I already got my airfare, or I would just go down ahead of DH and kids.

That was my thinking too, Tammi. I could just come back on the 8th and turn around and go back on the 13th. Hmmm...how do we get Phil and Terra to go for this.

 

[tmfranlk]

Okay - I need prayers - major prayers - for a family in my parish - I do not know him but he is a 3rd grader in our religious program -

they just called to tell me that Father could not make the classes I had planned for tonight b/c he has to go to give this little boy last rights

yesterday he complained that his spine was hurting - they aren't sure what is wrong with him but it is not expected that he will make it through the night

could you please just send him prayers -

Lots of prayers for the boy and his family. I can't even imagine what they are going through.

 

[itdjbw]

AI just started.

 

[tmfranlk]

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!! My grandmother's biopsy was negative!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even pre-cancerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is great news! HOORAY!!!!