The "I've Waited Forever to Go Solo" Mom's Leaving Everyone Behind Trip! Updt 3/11

[Muffinygood]

Hi Allyson! Uh, I texted you that day! No mention of me either....

LOL.

Kidding you! I remember you said that you had done the tour and you were BEAT. We did finally meet and that is all that matters to me!

Hope things are good, and that training is going well. Is it snowing at your house yet?

MEL

 

[KatGarcia]

i'm all caught up.... and we are about to get to a good part...i say that because I was there...but still... where'd ya go?

 

[MomofCKJ]

Thanks folks, thanks for hanging on with me. I'll be back, I hope soon. Belle was diagnosed with mono last week and thankfully is recovering quickly but it has just been busy. I am not feeling 100% myself and am very much looking forward to next week (I took the entire week off).

I'll be back! On a side note my mural is 95% done and my training is coming along. I've been having some pain in my side that is hindering things but I am trying to stay on track.

Allyson

 

[CJsMom]

I hope Belle is better soon! Wow, you only have a little over a month to go until your trip!

 

[earthfaries]

We'll be here waiting when you're ready to come back I've really enjoyed your TR so far

 

[scottny]

hope everyone is feeling better soon.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I hope Belle is feeling better soon -- mono can just wipe a person out!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Glad Belle is recovering quickly. Hope everyone bounces back and is ready to celebrate turkey day next week. Can you believe it is next week?? Enjoy your week off!!

 

[Quacktatty]

Giving you a bump up!

I bet you are as busy as I have been, hope to see you back again soon!

 

[Muffinygood]

Oh Allyson! Where are you!?

MEL

 

[MomofCKJ]

I'm ashamed I've let this go.

I'm sorry. I will try to at least finish it up.

We had a huge ice storm on 12/11, we lost power for 2 days, our school lost power for a week! My kids have had 6 snow days in a row. It is a little nuts.
My race is in 3 weeks, we leave for Disney in 19 days, I have not had my dress altered, I have not written my vows for our Bahamian Vow Renewal, we never got our will done like we wanted (this has been on our To Do list for what 11 years now?), I feel like it is all coming so fast.

Thanks for giving me a bump from the depths!

Allyson

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hi Allyson!

Great to hear from you! Certainly sounds like busy times at your household! 6 snow days... the kids must be loving that!

Good luck with the race and have a great trip to WDW! 19 days!!

PS- no reason to be ashamed! Life is crazy!

 

[kschafer]

I'm ashamed I've let this go.

I'm sorry. I will try to at least finish it up.

We had a huge ice storm on 12/11, we lost power for 2 days, our school lost power for a week! My kids have had 6 snow days in a row. It is a little nuts.
My race is in 3 weeks, we leave for Disney in 19 days, I have not had my dress altered, I have not written my vows for our Bahamian Vow Renewal, we never got our will done like we wanted (this has been on our To Do list for what 11 years now?), I feel like it is all coming so fast.

Thanks for giving me a bump from the depths!

Allyson

Life is busy, we'll still be here when it slows down a bit!

Will your kids have to make up all those snow days? Wow!

 

[ILuvCrush]

I know how crazy it gets!! Akll those snow days, when i'm sure you had planned to get lots of Christmas stuff done while they were in school That would have made me crazy!!

If you don't get on to finish this up before you leave... have a wonderful 2nd honeymoon and best of luck in the race!! I couldn't even dream of being able to finish it... i'm so proud of you for going for it!!!

paula

 

[CJsMom]

Ugh - the weather has really a put a kink in everyone's plans around here. We were lucky with the ice storm - only lost power for about 24 hrs. - but our phone, cable and internet were out for a few days. My mom knows a couple of ladies at work from Holden and Lunenburg who still don't have power. And of course we're getting socked again this weekend - those poor people! Anyway, have a great time on your trip - I'm sure all the things will get done that you need to do and you will have a wonderful time. Then you can spend the early part of next year writing two trip reports for us!

 

[Hsminnie]

Hey, life is what it is. Give us what you can and enjoy!!!

 

[donaldsgal]

I have read your previous TRs and found this one tonight. I started reading around 10 PM (it's now near 1 AM) and have gotten all the way through. I do want to let you know that the link in your first post in this thread to the post that includes your awkward feelings about being solo only shows up as the Tree of Life picture - no words. I found it in the thread, though, so no worries.

Happy New Year! Hope your Christmas was good. Looking forward to the end of your report. Please don't give up; I too have wandered away from a TR only to have fellow DISers encourage me to finish! It feels good to finish, so do it at some point without feeling guilty about taking too long or letting readers down. We just like your stories.

 

[MomofCKJ]

Hey thanks understanding readers! I thought I'd try to get in an installment and redeem myself.

We left off where I was leaving MK and heading back to Pop. Note: being that this trip is now 4 months ago, my memory is fuzzy. I don't think I'll remember all the details as I usually do but I am trying!

I got to Pop and it was so stinkin' hot. Not to complain or anything. I mean, at least it wasn't raining right? But it felt like a sauna!

I was supposed to be meeting some DISers at the pool bar Petals. I really had only seen a few pictures so I was hoping I'd be able to ID them. They were a group that was getting together and were kind enough to invite me to crash their little poolside gathering. I had conversed online with a few of them in the weeks prior to the trip.

I went and sat at the bar. According to my receipt I ordered a Hula Hoop for $7 and I do recall it was good. I finished it and got a Coke as I didn't want to catch a big buzz in the heat before meeting my new friends. I was looking around this whole time and just not sure. I was nervous to just go up to people and be like "Are you so and so?". There was a group sitting nearby, was it them? It might be? Then I recognized KatGarcia and I knew it was. I got my confidence on and went over. Kat was there and Lessa and her Mom came by and some other folks that I think post on the DIS and somewhere else. It was nice and they were very welcoming to me. We all sat at the table and chatted. It was nice to have some conversation in the middle of a solo trip, and with people who get the whole Disney thing. You know us DISers are a unique bunch! Then Mel came over and it was so great to meet her (Muffinygood). You see in conversation we discovered that we lived in the same town in our elementary years! We didn't know each other but we knew the same places and so it was just this neat connection to have.

I got some goodies, a pin, a bracelet (these were items they had all made for their get together) and a group picture was taken but I didn't have a camera with me (just came from the KTTK tour remember) so I don't have a copy. After about an hour and a half I think I excused myself to go shower and take a little break. Mel and I made plans to possibly meet up at MK for EMH later. We would text each other to figure it all out.

I got to my welcomed air conditioned room, showered and took a short break. I was heading to DHS tonight to see Fantasmic for the first time. It was something we always missed on our trips before.

*Here is where the memory is fuzzy. I know I went to DHS either this night or the next and it was an incredible lightening storm. I am thinking it was Monday night. But for all I know, it could have been tonight. Let's pretend it was Monday night, okay?*

I went over to DHS and had time to spare before Fantasmic. I was hungry so I headed over to Pizza Planet. I had originally gotton an ADR at Mama Melrose but I cancelled it. And then I was going to have dinner at the Tune In Lounge at Prime Time but I bagged that idea too. I was in the mood for theme park pizza. Yes sometimes one really craves that. So off to Pizza Planet. And you know what? I loved it. It hit the spot. I got a seat outside and thoroughly enjoyed my pizza, salad and coke for $10.53.

Satisfied I headed to the Animator's Studio again because the last times I had tried I had never gotton in. While I was waiting I was talking with the CM, I think his name was Raul. He was very nice and we had a nice conversation about how long he had worked there, how my trip was, etc. He asked if I had been on Toy Story Mania and I said yes and how I loved it. He reached in his pocket and gave me a FP for it! He said in the mornings when the machines open he grabs a bunch, puts them in his pocket and gives them out to happy guests throughout the day. I was thrilled! Thanks Raul! The Animator Studio was great and we drew Chip, or was it Dale? It was one of them! It was fun, I love going in there!

After drawing I ran right over to TSM and happily presented my FP. The time was long overdue, it was like 9:30 am or something crazy like that. I think I recall saying to the CM "Raul over at the Animator's Studio just gave this to me" but it didn't seem to be a problem at all. I got to ride again and it really is just so much fun each time.

Now it was time to head over to Fantasmic. I stopped along the way according to my receipts (which I still have in a little pile on my desk!) and got some MM and Chocolate dipped Pretzels. YUM! Love those dipped treats.

I had never been to Fantasmic. Oh my gosh what a long walk to an enormous venue! I was not terribly early I recall and I think my seats were waaaaaaay over on the left, in the Beast section perhaps? The good thing about being alone, you don't need much space. I walked down a row and asked the man there if the seats were taken. He told me they were not. So I sat.

Now here is where it gets weird. This guy was in his late 30s, my age. If I had to describe him in a way that you would understand I would have to say, George Costanza but in a nice way. He ended up striking up conversation, a lot of conversation, and he was certainly harmless enough but I was sure to announce that I was married quite early on in the conversation. He was not married and there with his brother and sister in law and nephews. He was an accountant with like the Department of Labor or something like that. He talked and talked and talked. It has been a long time since someone asked me what my major was in college, I think he was just trying anything to keep the conversation going. LOL! But I never felt unsafe or threatened in any way. Like I said, he seemed quite harmless. So me and my new pal chatted till the show started.

My thoughts, it was really good but would not be a must see each trip for me. I really hate how large it was and how it took f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get out of there once it was over.

Once over I said my goodbyes to said new friend and began the slow shuffle out. Somehow he caught up to me. More chit chat and then I lost him for good.

Now I had a decision to make. MK EMH? Or bed? Hmmmmmm what do you think I chose?


Stay tuned!

And we leave Thursday for our next trip! Yes the Half Marathon trip! WAHOO!

And, and, get this....my TA emailed today with some good news and bad news. Bad news, Disney called her today to say there was a computer glitch that allowed CSR (where we are staying) to be overbooked. Good news, they moved us to the Yacht Club at no extra cost! Can you say THANK YOU UPGRADE FAIRY? I have never had something quite this cool happen to me! LOL! So Thursday when DH and I arrive at 12:45pm we will head to The Yacht Club and enjoy a little Stormalong Bay till our friends check in! I'm so excited!


I'll be back soon!

Allyson

 

[donaldsgal]

And, and, get this....my TA emailed today with some good news and bad news. Bad news, Disney called her today to say there was a computer glitch that allowed CSR (where we are staying) to be overbooked. Good news, they moved us to the Yacht Club at no extra cost! Can you say THANK YOU UPGRADE FAIRY? I have never had something quite this cool happen to me! LOL! So Thursday when DH and I arrive at 12:45pm we will head to The Yacht Club and enjoy a little Stormalong Bay till our friends check in! I'm so excited!


I'll be back soon!

Allyson

Congrats on getting back to your TR! I hope the holidays were good for you.

BIG CONGRATS on the Yacht Club. We've stayed at the Beach Club and the Beach Club Villas and loved both (BC being the first place we ever stayed when we went to Disney). I really, REALLY don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but I wanted to give you a heads-up: Storm-A-Long Bay is being renovated starting on Monday. It will only be closed in sections, though, so I'm sure you'll still get to enjoy part of it. It is really amazing and plenty big enough that, even with sections closed, it will be awesome! If nothing else, the easy-breezy walk to Epcot will be amazing in and of itself.

Anyways, thanks for the update to the TR. Good stuff!

 

[MomofCKJ]

LOL! Thank you for trying to break it to me gently! I had seen that today in my frantic searching for info on YC. The big slide will be closed when we are there according to the info I have found. And that I can deal with! LOL! Apparently the lazy river portion will be after that. I think we'll enjoy that more than the slide so it is all good!

Allyson