The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 5

[marcij]

I have another question. I probably post should post this on the restaurant board, but I feel like I'm asking "friends" here instead of "strangers." I trust your judgment more.

We tend to spend the entire day in the parks. We've always gone in May before and had no problems going 9-9 in the MK. This year we're going in August. Hours are 9-10, but I know that it is going to be much hotter. I thought it might be nice to head out to one of the monorail resorts for lunch or to at least have a sit-down lunch in MK to take a little break from the heat and crowds. What would your suggestions be? We won't be on the dining plan that week, so we'll be paying for it. Is it worth the extra money over CS to be at a TS restaurant at lunch time? We have reservations the following week for CP and CRT for dd's birthday. I was thinking about Kona or LTT, but maybe you'll have even better suggestions.

Beth

Beth -- yes -- I definitely think it is worth it for TS during the hot, very crowded months. Actually, we prefer TS anyway, because with kids it is just easier to have some place to sit down, without looking for a table in the airconditioning, and take a nice break. We ate at LTT for lunch last year and thought it was okay. I've heard rave reviews of Kona, but haven't eaten there yet. We also like the Grand Floridian Cafe. Good luck on your decision!

 

[rosiejo]

Julia - Can't respond to your PM until you delete some...let me know if you're looking for one too...I can mail a few.

:Wave2:

Are these the AAA passes by any chance? what perks do they get you and how do you go about getting hold of one of these things?

 

[marcij]

I've finally caught up!

Tammi -- congrats on the laptop and getting it set-up. I still think it's impressive that you did it, with only a few calls to a co-worker. Good luck on the souvenir/junk food thing. We also struggle with it but I think you've gotten some good advice.

Jo -- beautiful pictures of your house. You SO deserve some "me" time, so I hope you get to shop and do you want you want next weekend.

Delinda -- congrats on the house.

Deb -- Whatever you do for the party, they will love it. I think the cookies decorated by your kids are a great idea! Decorated/cooked with love things are always very special in my book. You always give more than 100% in everything you do, so I know it will be awesome, but here's wishing you a path and good luck.

To all those sick, grieving or under the weather, here's a hug and some PD and prayers for you!

 

[babytrees]

I survived my 40 hour work weekend. I just got home from work. I gotta try and get some sleep, sometime today. I have lots to do, but I also don't want to get sick. I also would like to attempt to catch up, I am on page 1169, so not too bad for all weekend.

Becky

Becky-

I get tired just thinking of all you do!! Go get some sleep girl. We don't want you sick again.

 

[UP Disney]

Good morning DDA!!!!!
Have a Great Day!!!
​

I'm going to try to make some major progress with all the paperwork in my office after taking Becky to track practice for an hour. It is her spring break this week. Talk to you all later.​

​

 

[ReAnSt]

Pixie dust coming your way from Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula (except for yesterday when it was cold, windy & snowing - yes I said snowing - it was only a dusting but it was still snow - Yuck!).

It was snowing and sleeting here as well on Saturday. This weather has been crazy.

Becky

 

[triplefigs]

Good morning, everyone. Boy, it has been quiet around here since Friday night. Hope everyone is well. Kids went back to school. I'm sitting here filling out all their paperwork to register them for Kindergarten tomorrow. Where did the time go?

DH and I are talking about me going back to school to get my certification to teach school. I have a BS in Biology/Chemistry/Physics and my BSN in nursing (yes, I've already gone back to school once to get my 2nd Bachelors). This would be one night a week for maybe up to a year, but then I'm a certified teacher and can teach elementary, maybe Science in middle/high school. I think teaching is definitely my best choice for working and having the lifestyle I want (be home for summers, holidays, no weekends, etc). The thought of going back isn't fun for me, but I think that 5 years from now when they're approaching middle school I would be so glad I did it now. My mom thinks I should. My mom and SIL teach elementary, both of my grandfathers had PhDs and taught college, my grandmothers taught high school, so I come from a long line of educators. I hate to "waste" my nursing degree, but nursing is just not conducive to what I want family wise.

Any opinions? I know we have several teachers in the DDA.

 

[babytrees]

Denise-

Teaching is a great way to go!! Around here we have teachers who have their Bachelor's Degrees and are teaching while they are getting certified. Is that an option where you are?

 

[triplefigs]

Denise-

Teaching is a great way to go!! Around here we have teachers who have their Bachelor's Degrees and are teaching while they are getting certified. Is that an option where you are?

It is, but you have to be hired first. DH and I think that me subbing in the school system while I get certified might be better. Then I can pick when I work, not have a stressful first year with teaching and going to school, and let my "face be seen" by the administration. I have been told that is the way to get hired around here.

So another debate is keep teaching pre-school next year or quit that and be a full-time sub in the 3 elementary schools closest to our house. My friends have told me it will NOT be a problem working 5 days a week if I want.

WWYD?

 

[ReAnSt]

For those of you looking for an Easter book, The Chocolate Rabbit was one of my favorite easter books as a child. Unfortunately it is out of print, so you would have to buy it used an you probably wouldn't have it in time for Easter.

Becky

 

[bethbuchall]

Is there still a nonstop available? 40 minutes should be enough time to get from one to another, and since you're not traveling in the winter, I don't see a problem with that connection. As always, make sure you have all your essentials in case your bags don't make the connection with you.
www.charlotteairport.com has terminal maps. It's up to you to keep tabs on flight changes. Why the airlines don't let us know, is unknown. Also, if you don't like what times they changed you to, just call them and tell them you're not happy with the times and get on a different flight. They will not charge you for it, because it was really "their fault".
Don't ask me on dining outside the parks! I'm doing it the first time this September. TS for lunch is DEFINATELY cheaper than TS for dinner.

Kate and Julia - Check your mailboxes soon! They went out with this mornings mail.

Thanks for the information! I don't think that the non-stop is available anymore. I was checking flight prices (just to annoy myself, because we can't really make any changes), and that flight down never came up. That's what prompted me to check my flights. The times are almost the same, though we arrive about an hour and a half later. I'll check out my options for a different flight and decide if it's worth making a switch.

Beth

 

[ReAnSt]

I'm only OCD about reading every post in the DDA thread and in order. If you saw my house, you'd know I am definitely not OCD. Though it does stay organized and relatively clean.

My problem with cleaning is, once I start I have to get everything perfect. So I can't just do 15 minutes here and there. It drives me crazy because once I start I am on a mission but I never seem to have enough time to get it right once I start. So I am afraid to start because then that is all I will do until I get it how I want it. So most times I don't end up cleaning and just live with the clutter.

Becky

 

[tmfranlk]

I have another question. I probably post should post this on the restaurant board, but I feel like I'm asking "friends" here instead of "strangers." I trust your judgment more.

We tend to spend the entire day in the parks. We've always gone in May before and had no problems going 9-9 in the MK. This year we're going in August. Hours are 9-10, but I know that it is going to be much hotter. I thought it might be nice to head out to one of the monorail resorts for lunch or to at least have a sit-down lunch in MK to take a little break from the heat and crowds. What would your suggestions be? We won't be on the dining plan that week, so we'll be paying for it. Is it worth the extra money over CS to be at a TS restaurant at lunch time? We have reservations the following week for CP and CRT for dd's birthday. I was thinking about Kona or LTT, but maybe you'll have even better suggestions.

Beth

That is what we did this past August and it worked out so nicely. We always took a break for a table service meal and it was the perfect refresher for the day. It was nice to just sit in the air conditioning and relax for a while after a morning in the heat. To me, the price is definitely worth it.

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Here is my quick catch up post. I had very little time last week as I was getting ready for Molly's party. Hopefully this week will allow a little more time to hang out.

Some things that I remember as I tried to wade through the last hundred or so pages.

Jen, Congrats on the job. How exciting. We love Howl's Moving Castle. Actually all of Miyazaki's films. My Dh is a huge anime fan and has turned both my girls on it. Our other favorites are Kiki's Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro.

Glynis, Glad to see you back and will keep your neighbors in our prayers. I can't imagine what they are going through. I loved the ideas you gave for cleaning/chores. Will definitely have to put that into use. Emma hates cleaning, so this may just help her out.

Vicki, Love the Pal Mickey. I admire your attitude regarding getting your house organized. I seriously need to get mine done. My sister and her dd moved out in November, after living with us for 5 years, so we have reclaimed all that space. I just keep putting off all that needs to be done. It is so overwhelming, yet the longer I don't do it the more it makes me crazy.

Amy, I absolutely loved Alyssa's Jojo Party. You did a great job. I am going to make your cookies for Molly's actual birthday, which is the 13th. I doubt they will look as great as yours though. I do not do cut out cookies very well at all.

Hope everyone going on the DDA trip in May has a great time. What I wouldn't do for a few days in Disney without my kids or DH

Loved seeing everyone's trip down memory lane. I love looking at old snapshots.

And all the discussion of what restaurants you all like/don't like is a great help. We are going in Dec. and will definitely use your ideas. Last time we stayed offsite and didn't eat in the world alot as my family was with us and it was just not going to happen with them. We are staying on site this time and getting the dining plan, only wish we could swing it earlier to get it free.

I know I missed a lot so here is , & for everyone.

 

[babytrees]

It is, but you have to be hired first. DH and I think that me subbing in the school system while I get certified might be better. Then I can pick when I work, not have a stressful first year with teaching and going to school, and let my "face be seen" by the administration. I have been told that is the way to get hired around here.

So another debate is keep teaching pre-school next year or quit that and be a full-time sub in the 3 elementary schools closest to our house. My friends have told me it will NOT be a problem working 5 days a week if I want.

WWYD?

I would sub and be seen!! That is the best way to get hired in any school district. Plus you can say no any time you want. Abi's favorite teacher started as a sub and has now been full time at the school for ten years. And maybe not just sub in elementary but at the middle school science level also.

 

[ReAnSt]

I'll send you some if you'll send me some! I've got 2 final projects to get done along with 2 more minor assignments. I'm getting a little stressed out about getting it all done!

Good luck on your assignment!

Take some deep breaths and relax. You will do great on them. Sending you .

Becky

 

[Tinkaroo]

It is, but you have to be hired first. DH and I think that me subbing in the school system while I get certified might be better. Then I can pick when I work, not have a stressful first year with teaching and going to school, and let my "face be seen" by the administration. I have been told that is the way to get hired around here.

So another debate is keep teaching pre-school next year or quit that and be a full-time sub in the 3 elementary schools closest to our house. My friends have told me it will NOT be a problem working 5 days a week if I want.

WWYD?

Hi, Denise,

I toyed with getting certified for a while, as well - even went so far as to take all the tests necessary to be enrolled in the certification program. I decided at the last minute to wait a while, and see if it was more a whim than anything else. Still trying to figure that out!

I would do as you're proposing - I had a good friend go through the process, and she put in to sub full-time while she was doing the certification process, and rarely did she not spend a day at one of the schools. I think that's also a good way to get "real world" experience and see what it would be like day in, day out. If you have good availability, too, schools are more likely to put you in for longer-stint subbing, like if someone is out for maternity leave, an operation, etc.

Good luck with what you decide!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Beth -

I am not sure what airline you are flying and if this applies in this situation but there is a Rule 240 that applies to all airlines

If your flight is cancelled or delayed for any reason other than weather, rule 240 says airlines should put you on the next available flight on any airline at no extra charge.

I use this rule a lot - if I am on a flight that is delayed - I always ask what other flight they can get me on (this is how I end up flying non-stop a lot even when I booked with a layover)

It seems to me that if you have a confirmation in hand that says you are on a non-stop flight that they have to keep you on one even if it is not on their airline and regardless of cost - I would call and ask them what happened to your flight and if they say they cancelled it - I would say that you booked a non-stop and you do not want to arrive any later than originally planned and that you either want an earlier non-stop on their airline and if they don't have one then you would like one on another airline

at the very least I would tell them that you paid for a non-stop flight and if they are not able to provide one you would like some sort of compensation

here is a link to rule 240 - you should always carry a copy of it for your airline when you fly
http://www.mytravelrights.com/travellaw.cfm?ai=3

 

[ReAnSt]

I have really enjoyed all the pictures everyone is posting!

Here's a picture of me wearing some Mickey ears on my first trip to MK in 1982 (I was 10):

Can you believe I went to MK in 1982, Epcot in 1983, and MK in 1986 and I never saw a character?!! Must be why I'm so crazy about them now!

Amy

Cute Picture. You never saw a character in your first three trips. I have been to WDW more times than I can remember or count and have never had a set of Mickey ears. My first trip was in 1989 when I was 6. Later I will have to sort through pictures and scan and post some.

I think I am going to attempt to sleep now. I haven't done so since abot 7:30am on Sunday.

Becky

 

[ReAnSt]

On my way to work I pass by Y & S Candies and they make the cherry twizzlers. What a marvelous smell. When I go into the one little town about three miles from us, I can some times smell M & M chocolate. The best is when going to Hershey. I think I am in heaven

Still reading haven't tried to sleep yet. I know where Y & S is.

Speaking of Hershey, if anyone is going to Hershey or Hersheypark this summer please let me know. I have a season pass to Hersheypark. Even if I can't go for the whole day I might be able to go for a few hours to meet up with a DDA.

Becky