The LONGEST PTR ever...2012 here we come! :) *DATES!! PG 10*

[DenGrampy]

I like the 21st - 31st best, provided Mom stays with her job.

 

[*Seanaci*]

I like the 21st - 31st best, provided Mom stays with her job.

I seriously doubt Ken would be able to stay the whole time. Month end, year end, quarter end. So, we'll have to just wait and see.

 

[*Seanaci*]

It's been 20yrs next month

Wow...I knew it was getting close to 20 years. You're old.

 

[DenGrampy]

Of course I'm getting old, just look at the age lines above your ticker.

 

[*Seanaci*]

I am truly touched by the open letter from the founder/creator of these amazing boards.

I have read many of the WISH trip reports...and think it is such a great thing that GKTW does for WISH kids.

I have posted a link to the website for the Power of 10 website on my facebook...and would encouarage all of my followers (as few of you as there are, hehe) to do the same. I will also be posting the link on my twitter.

Not to mention, donating $10 this Friday after DH gets paid.

I find myself every year donating to at least one Child-centered worthy cause (locally, one of our radio stations holds a 36 hours for kids in where they cease music broadcast for 12 hours each of 3 days to raise money for our local Children's Hospital; I know that without Children's Hospital, our kids wouldn't get the level of care they need; my sister grew up having to visit Children's yearly for blood draws for her Hypothyroidism...it was great that she was able to go in and tell the nurse how to draw her blood as she has tiny veins that roll...and the nurses would listen; I also know that my son got fabulous care when we had to take him back in August for a foot sprain...my mom went back with him for x-rays and the technician started to be stern with him, my mom quickly took over and the tech was impressed and didn't say another word to my son; so I know that GKTW serves the same purpose...to give kids a once in a lifetime experience).

So please...if you haven't done so already, read the open letter and lets be the caring, giving DISboards we all know we are by reaching (and perhaps SURPASSING) the 1 million dollar goal.

 

[PirateKate]

Hi! It's never too soon to start a PTR! You guys are going to have so much fun. I think Keegan would love to ride the Monorail and I definitely think it is a good plan to not have too many table service meals. How old will Keegan be on the trip? Four or five, I guess? Very cute Keegan pictures with the pumpkins.

All your dates look great, except possibly for the one where you'd be checking out on Christmas Eve. That just seems too sad.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Hi! It's never too soon to start a PTR! You guys are going to have so much fun. I think Keegan would love to ride the Monorail and I definitely think it is a good plan to not have too many table service meals. How old will Keegan be on the trip? Four or five, I guess? Very cute Keegan pictures with the pumpkins.

All your dates look great, except possibly for the one where you'd be checking out on Christmas Eve. That just seems too sad.

Yup. He'll be 5 when we go. And thanks. We think he's pretty cute too.

And yeah...the checking out on Christmas Eve would be sad. BUT when we went (back in 2003, just mom dad and i), we actually checked out and went home Christmas day. So that was sad.

Anywho!

Welcome!

 

[*Seanaci*]

Someone call PETA on me now. As what I'm about to say is fully worth reporting me. However, you'll understand why after I tell my story.

I'm buying a gun...or some sort of trap...or poison and killing the frakking squirrels in our neighborhood.


So, we are a 4 car family (most of the time). When I say most of the time, we were a 4 car family until last July when my DH started working a new schedule (he works 3 12 hour days one week with 4 days off, and then works 4 12 hour days one week with 3 days off; I think I talked about this actually somewhere on this thread, but I digress)...then we pretty much became a 3 car family because he is always off on Friday's now...meaning I can use his car when Keegan and I go for our weekly lunch with my mom on Friday's.

ANYWHO! The car I drive (it's a 98 Ford Contour) now just sits in the driveway...being driven only on rare days that DH actually has to go work a few hours on Friday. So, in the last 6 months, it's been driven maybe half a dozen times (oh wait, that's a lie, we had swim lessons in Sept and Oct...so it got driven a couple times a week back then). The last time the Contour was driven...or even started before this last Wednesday, was back in December (one of those rare Friday's DH had to go in and work part of the day).

So. The car is up for emission testing and new license plate tags. We have until the end of February to get everything in order. This has been a busy month so far. The car hasn't been used much. Needs to be driven a bit before we take it in for testing (most of the time, driving it for about a week blows all the cobwebs out so to speak and it passes with flying colors).

So. That brings me to Wednesday. My dad got called early that morning saying they didn't need him at work that day...so they gave him a day off. Cool. Mom wanted him to bring her lunch. No big deal. He figured he'd take the Contour...blow out some cobwebs. Well, he starts it, and I'm in the house sitting with the boys eating lunch. And I'm thinking "God. Is that my car? It sounds AWFUL!" I kind of shrugged it off. Until dad started pulling down the driveway and it got LOUDER! I ran outside and asked him what was wrong with it. Cause it certainly hadn't sounded like that when I drove it last month. He said the check engine light was on and the radiator light was on. I asked him not to drive it (so as not to do any more damage to it before we get it looked at). So, he obliged...backed it into the driveway (it hadn't backed in before cause I was lazy and tired the last time I drove it). He took mom lunch and had to stop at the store for a few things before coming back home.

When he got back home, he opened up the hood and couldn't see anything, and assumed the squirrels had chewed the vacuum hose/tube/thingy. So, he went and got our neighbor (who is a mechanic) and had him take a look at the car.

Well, what do you know. Those litte rat $%&^#@! squirrels had chewed 3 of my spark plug wires. The neighbor looked some more. They also chewed the line from my windshield washer fluid to the sprayers AND they chewed a line/wire/something that hooks to the radiator somehow.

Those little...@@#&%*(!&#$^%. I was sooooooo mad. Little buggers have now cause me even further stress over getting the car emissioned and new tags on it. Because now we have to replace the spark plugs, AND the other two wires they chewed...and pray they didn't chew anything else.

However, if worse comes to worse, and the damage is more than the car is worth, we junk the car...and make do with 3 cars. Heck, warmer weather is coming...and if DH runs into any more rare Fridays of having to work, Keegan and I can always walk to mom's school and take her to lunch in her van (I'm not willing to give up my Friday lunches with her just because I don't have a car (theoretically speaking)...we LOVE our Friday lunches with her).

So. Dad says he should be able to replace the spark plugs easy (and cheaper than a mechanic). And the other stuff...no idea on the cost of replacing/fixing those things.

On the plus side, my neighbor said depending on the insurance coverage on the car, car insurance should cover it. So, dad, if you're reading this, you may start looking into it.

So, that is why I am going to kill the squirrels in the neighborhood. And why if anyone is offended, I'm sure I'll be getting a visit from PETA or Animal Control or the Department of Wildlife.

Also. I am taking a week off this summer. I haven't had a solid week off EVER since keeping the baby. So, I am taking a week off. Mom wants me to do 4th of July week. But, I have an idea in my head. One that I won't even run by her until AFTER the aforementioned car is fixed and tested and tagged. Once I run it by her, I shall post again and let ya know what she says.

Until next time, dear followers.

 

[DenGrampy]

Would this idea involve DL or WDW?

 

[*Seanaci*]

Nope. Neither of the two. Something else.

 

[PirateKate]

Stupid squirrels. PETA won't hear about it from me...

 

[*Seanaci*]

Ok. Not really. Lol

My SIL posted on her facebook the other day that she is planning a nice weekend for her and my borther for their anniversary in March. AS WELL AS planning a Spring 2012 trip to DLR for all four of them.

Now. I don't remember if I posted about this somewhere already or not on this thread, she had mentioned wanting to take them this Spring...to which I had suggested to her saving their money and taking the kids in December 2012 when we go. Part of the reason for that is because my mom has expressed a desire to be able to enjoy WDW (if only once) with all her grandkids while they are little (before they outgrow the magic...I know I know...some of us never grow up and outgrow the magic; and while I know my son will be like myself and not outgrow the magic, I am pretty sure my niece and nephew will outgrow the magic eventually).

So, now it appears they are saving up for Spring 2012 (after the Cars Racers attraction opens, which I've read won't be till June 2012; but you never know I guess)...totally throwing out the window a grand vacation to the best place on the earth...WDW.

Don't get me wrong...DLR is great...but, it's so much closer to us and relatively cheaper to go for us (roughly half the price for a 5 day trip; which is a bit much since there are only 2 parks at DLR, but I digress). And I think if you're going to save up and take your kids to a Disney park while they are 6 and 4, (as my niece and nephew will be next Spring) you save up and go BIG!

Anywho. So while I am a bit disappointed, I'm also not disappointed. Why? Because them not going at the same time as us is kind of nice as well. Let's just say that the kids can get kind of out of control at times...and while it would be a dream come true for my mom to have all her grandkids at WDW together, the stress level it would create would not be worth it in the end.

So, I'm not really disappointed in that respect.

 

[*Seanaci*]

This just blows! But, it's not putting a damper on the trip.

I was attempting to cube potatoes for dinner tonight (PChef knife). Got a fourth of a potatoe cubed before I sliced my thumb open right by my finger nail. >_< It's painful. It bled a lot...probably needs stitches. BUT, I'm not paying $75-$150 for a copay (urgent care or ER) to go sit for who knows how many hours to have them stitch it. Or worse yet, glue it closed (I can do that myself for free, thankyouverymuch).

Plus, about 8 years ago, I was putting away a knife (it's PChef...super sharp) and sliced my pinky open. Went to my regular doctor for that...and all they did was bandage it...very poorly. Mom and I ended up hitting the drugstore on the way home for gauze and paper tape. Kept it covered for a few days back then until the flap of skin had reattached/readhered. So, I plan on doing the same thing with this. Unless of course it starts bleeding again. Then I'll head to my doctors office and have them stitch it (cheaper to pay that copay than er or urgent care).

Ok. That is all!

 

[PirateKate]

Sorry to hear about your thumb. It sounds pretty bad. I think you're probably right that there's not too much the doctors could do.

On a somewhat cheerier note- I took your recommendation on the Graco Ipo from a stroller thread I was reading and ordered two of them. They haven't come yet, but I'm very excited.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Sorry to hear about your thumb. It sounds pretty bad. I think you're probably right that there's not too much the doctors could do.

On a somewhat cheerier note- I took your recommendation on the Graco Ipo from a stroller thread I was reading and ordered two of them. They haven't come yet, but I'm very excited.

Thumb is looking much better.

Yay for the strollers. They are fabulous! Like I said, we still put our DS3 in his when he's too tired to walk...or freaked out by the big crowds wherever we go.

Another update shortly.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Wow. I am louzy at updating this.

Guess that's what happens when life gets crazy.

Outside of the trip, here is a life update:

Did our taxes. Ended up getting back just under $2000 between federal and state. State hit our bank account first...which was a blessing cause we were running short and pinching pennies before it hit. Federal hit on Monday morning. YAY! That means $1000 went to pay on the CC...the other $800 went into savings. So, what are our plans with that money?

Well, tomorrow morning, we're taking the car to the mechanic to drop it off and have it fixed. Hoping and praying it's under $500. However, if it's not, we did find out insurance will pay anything over $500 (our deductible). The only hassle with that is submitting the claim and getting paid...or having the money sent directly to the mechanic. So really praying it's not over $500.

We are also looking into getting a new couch for our living room. Right now we have an over-sized love seat and oversized couch. Both pieces have recliners on either end. So their over-sized and take up lots of room and their heavy and difficult to move when I need to vacuum under them.

What else...oh, DS has been asking to take swim lessons again...so I've got to get him enrolled this month. Not to mention he'll be starting pre-school in the fall and sign up for that begins next month. So sad to know he's going to pre school. And what's even more sad is that in the state of Colorado it used to be kids had to be 5 by mid-september to enter kindergarten. Now, they extended it...and kids have to be 5 on or by the 1st of October. Which is Keegan's birthday. So, there is a good possibility he'll be going to kindergarten beginning fall of 2012. It's a sad time as a mommy to know your only kiddo is growing up so fast and starting school. But it is exciting that he is starting school.

Ok. I think that's it for the update. I'll try to have a trip related update posted soon.

Thanks for sticking with me.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Oh. Wait. Trip update.

So, it looks like school districts have to make cuts again for the 2011-2012 school year. So, like last year at this time, we are currently sitting on our hands waiting on news regarding mom's job...and whether she'll be saved or cut...well RIF'd (reduction in work force).

This will play heavily on going on this trip in 2012. Well...kind of. My dad doesn't know it yet...and my husband doesn't know it yet...but, if DH and I can get our CC paid off between now and this time next year, we'll be paying for the whole trip...room, tickets, airfare (everything aside from mom and dad's food/spending money). I also look toward next June when we are putting away an extra $600 a month thanks to DH's car being paid off and our credit cards being settled (as of today, both of my CC's are paid off and we now just have DH's left to settle; knowing we pay $309 a month toward our savings account to settle these CC's, and the amount the debt settlement company was able to negotiate to pay off my cards, I'm positive we'll have DH's settled and paid off by no later than June next year). The good news is, we'll be able to pretty much pay off the trip by the time the trip rolls around anyhow...which will leave DH and I with plenty of spending money and food money.


I really would like to take this trip before we get to a point with Keegan in school where we don't feel we can pull him out for a day or two to take a trip to Disney.

As it stands right now, a concrete date still hasn't been set (due to not knowing work schedules this far ahead yet; not to mention mom's job being on the line again). However, dates COULD change to earlier in December if mom does get RIF'd...because we wouldn't have to wait for her to be on Winter Break...then again, if we do start Keegan in Kindergarten next year, dates could still be an issue. So, we'll see.

Also, as of now, we will still be staying (fingers crossed) at Disney's Art of Animation resort...in the Cars section. However, I'm open to going back to an All-Star should we not be able to get into the new resort. Which is another reason DH and I are trying to get our CC paid down...so we have the money on it to book the new resort when booking dates open (I don't know how it works with new resorts as far as just paying a deposit to book and having it paid in full 45 days before the trip, or having to pay up front the entire total; so having the amount on our CC to pay out right if that's what we have to do is important to me).

I think that's it for now on the trip update front. If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to post.

Again, thanks for sticking with me.

 

[DenGrampy]

You secret is out.....LOLOLOL!!!

 

[PirateKate]

I would think that booking a new resort would be exactly the same as booking an old one. Would you be booking a vacation package or room only? We do room only, unless we have a discount that only works with a package, since the cancellation policy is better and the payment is due later.

It's exciting that Keegan might get to start school soon. I know a lot of moms are sad to see their kids go to school, but I always think it is kind of cool. A chance for them to show their quality and see what they can do. Of course, I'm still three years out from Kindergarten, so I might feel differently once the time comes.

 

[*Seanaci*]

I would think that booking a new resort would be exactly the same as booking an old one. Would you be booking a vacation package or room only? We do room only, unless we have a discount that only works with a package, since the cancellation policy is better and the payment is due later.

It's exciting that Keegan might get to start school soon. I know a lot of moms are sad to see their kids go to school, but I always think it is kind of cool. A chance for them to show their quality and see what they can do. Of course, I'm still three years out from Kindergarten, so I might feel differently once the time comes.

You know...that's a good question. The two times we've been we booked a package. I guess it wouldn't hurt to price room only vs package.

haha. I'll bet you'll feel the exact same way when yours gets to kindergarten age.