The One Where They're Actually Going To WDW!!! TWO MORE SLEEPS!!! 9/30/08

[dis75ney]

It's so close! I can't believe it!

I know! I'm getting so excited...if anything for the fact that I can now work on Disney-trip-stuff when I'm supposed to be working! Just don't tell my boss that...I'd get into trouble...

And on a side note, I love your tag about the burnt popcorn! One of the things I'll be ecstatic about when working from home is that I no longer have to smell burnt popcorn every day on my way out of the office. That darned "Popcorn" button was the worst thing to ever put on a microwave, IMO. Pushing said "Popcorn" button does NOT allow you to leave the microwave for five minutes while your afternoon snack takes on the appearance of charcoal and leaves those of us near the breakroom nauseated!

*Clears throat* Moving on...

I just started reading your stuff. Very funny. I live in the very distant suburbs of chicago although I have lived in like 8 different suburbs over the years.

Thank you very much! I always enjoy being able to corrupt new readers...

Which distant suburb do you live in? I'm up in the WAY northern suburbs by the WI border (seriously, you could throw a baseball and hit a Cheesehead)...

 

[dis75ney]

Hello my loyal and faithful readers!

Well, since my last update, our lives are in the process of turning completely upside-down (in both a good and somewhat-bad-but-good-in-the-long-run way)...let's start at the beginning, shall we?

Goofy informed me last Thursday that he is being let go from his job effective Friday. He will continue to be paid through the end of September, though, and his boss is helping him find another job quickly (hopefully by the time we come back from vacation). Keep your fingers crossed that Goofy finds something quickly!!!

Now, normally I would say "Scrap the trip!", call Disney for an immediate refund, and hunker down until Goofy is working again. However, Goofy and I talked it over, and we've decided that we are going to go ahead with our plans. Natepoo has been looking forward to this trip for so long, and since it's paid off in full, and Goofy is still going to be paid for the last two weeks of this month, we decided to throw caution to the wind and go!

OK, not throwing caution to the wind, exactly, but you get the general idea...

Here's the exciting part. Goofy has finally realized that he is not cut out for the business part of the computer world. I roll my eyes because I knew pretty much from the moment I met Goofy 12+ years ago that he wasn't cut out for the business world. Don't get me wrong, Goofy is awesome wth computers. He can take one apart and put it back together like nobody's business (while I would be seconds from chucking the darned thing out the window ), but he can't deal with people not getting their act together and sending him info he needs to get his job done. So, with this knowledge, Goofy will be going back to school in January for his teaching degree! He has such a great way with kids, and also loves science and math, so he'll be going for his Masters in Elementary Education with a concentration on science for middle school.

We have found a program offered through an area university that allows Goofy to take classes on Saturdays and online, so he will be able to find a job in the meantime. He is actually looking into working retail at this point...he reasons that with the holidays coming up and his availability during the day, he shouldn't have a problem finding a position relatively quickly. And now that I'm working from home, we don't have to pay as much for daycare, either!

So while I was upset and crying over this a few days ago, I feel like God is telling me to calm down and that everything will work out according to His plan. Yes, this puts my plans for a nursing degree on the back burner, but that doesn't bother me so much. Heck, my grandmother went back to school to get her RN degree at 65...another two years shouldn't be a big deal for me, right?

That's what I thought, too...

So, that's where we stand right now. We have decided to scrap our plans to go to Kennedy Space Center - tickets for the three of us would run over $100 for a bus tour and looking at old rockets. We have Adler Planetarium and the Cernan Space Center here in the Chicagoland area...and both are a heck of a lot cheaper to get into...

We are now considering driving to Atlanta and spending the night there on October 3, arriving in the World on 10/4. I'm also debating whether to add an extra day onto our tickets...or just taking it easy our first afternoon/night there and be raring to go on the 5th...

I'm also attempting to make dinner reservations for 1900 Park Fare on the 5th. I think this would be a blast for my birthday dinner (and a possible hit-up to MNSSHP - another fun birthday treat! Yes, still $120 for the three of us, but we don't have a Disney World around Chicago).

Decisions, decisions...wonder what will happen next?

 

[Hedy]

Well, I'm glad Goofy's found his passion.
And normally I'd be in the cancel wagon, but given how many times you've rescheduled, I say go for it!

 

[dis75ney]

Hello my loyal and faithful readers!

Well, we are officially at the single digit mark!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Natepoo wants to see the dancing banana when he gets home from school today...

Anywho, T-minus 9 days and counting until our road trip! Things have been a-flyin' in the Tigger/Goofy household...mainly clothing and papers as Goofy and I attempt to pack at the same time while I'm printing journals, passports, and t-shirt transfers. My poor printer has been working overtime, so I've been doubling its salary...

And on that note, I must apologize for my massive goofball-ness. It seems that my office chair was possessed with the spirit of my ex-boyfriend, who was quite the prankster while on this earth. My office chair just so happened to roll out from under me while I was attempting to sit down after fixing my office phone, which resulted in my tailbone having direct, forceful contact with my very hard concrete basement floor.

And 12 days before Disney!!!

Darn you, Eric!!!

So I have been hopped up on Advil for the past three days, which is alternately making me loopy and sleepy (go figure). I am starting the weaning process today, and so far I must say I'm actually doing okay. Keep your fingers crossed that my backside can handle a 15 hour road trip...

ROAD TRIP! ROAD TRIP!!!

Speaking of, we have made a slight change in our schedule. Goofy's mom has been making a gradual move to an assisted living facility over the past several weeks, and while most of her stuff is at her new apartment, there is still some cleaning to be done, along with a lawn mower that needs to be picked up for Goofy's sister-in-law. So, Goofy will be heading down to southern IL on October 1 to help with the cleaning and final moving of possessions. Goofy will be driving our trusty Jessi and spending the night there. I will be pulling Natepoo out of school around noonish on October 2 in order to make the 12:54pm train to Chicago. Natepoo and I will then be train-hopping and taking the 4pm train to Centralia, IL, which is one town away from Goofy and his mother. Goofy will pick us up around 8pm (I'm assuming that Amtrak will be on time ), and we will spend the night in the old house. October 3, Goofy, Natepoo, and I will take Goofy's mom out to breakfast and from there head out on our magical adventure! We will pick up the previously mentioned lawn mover on our way back from Chattanooga...

We have also made the decision to spend the night of October 3rd in Marietta, GA. With the Natepoo being awake for most of the trip, we figured we'd knock driving down to a reasonable 8 hours per day. We still get to eat at the Varsity , and we get a decent amount of sleep before FREE BREAKFAST at our hotel and the remaining 8 hours of driving...

Of course, I'll be so excited I might make that journey in six hours rather than eight...

In addition to being allowed to do the single-digit-dance, today is also the "Day of Reckoning" regarding my grandmother's will. As you may not recall (mainly because I didn't say anything about this), my mother's brother (henceforth known as "Butthead" ) and my mother are to split my grandmother's estate - with some amounts set aside as special gifts to my two cousins and myself - down the middle. The estate is composed pretty much only of my grandmother's house, which Butthead has lived in since he was born. Butthead, as executor of the will, had 180 days from the date of my grandmother's death to either sell the house or buy out my mother and us special gifters. If he does not prove to my mother and our attorney that he is ACTIVELY looking for a mortgage (and not going to a mortgage lender today to attempt to get one), the house goes on the market tomorrow. Now, given the state of the housing market, I would normally worry about this, but given the house's location, this sucker will probably sell within the week it goes on the market. Yes, the location is THAT good.

Now, normally I wouldn't wish bad things on anybody, but for Butthead I'll make the exception... He's not a very nice man, Butthead. I'm hoping that the house goes on the market, sells, and I get my inheritance, mainly so I never have to deal with Butthead again. He's no longer my family, as far as I'm concerned. I won't go into details, but let's just say that he lives up to the more vulgar version of his nickname...

OK, away from the family drama...on to engagement drama!!!

My best friend and her fiance have been convinced (by me, of course) to honeymoon at Disney World! Tee hee!!! We (Goofy, my DBF April, her DF Randy, Natepoo, and myself) went to dinner at the Olive Garden - where breadsticks were violated - and then came home to watch the planning video and see where April and Randy wanted to stay. Hence commenced the drama...

I will excuse April because she has pregnancy brain-and-emotions...

Their conversation basically went like this:

April: "So do you want to do this?" (Referring to putting down the deposit )
Randy: "Do you?"
Natepoo: "Do you want to look at my DS, Randy?"
Me: "Natepoo, we're trying to discuss Disney World. Can you give us a few minutes?"
Natepoo: "Hmpf!!!" Stomps off...

A few moments of silence, then...

Repeat above conversation...word for word.

*Le sigh*

So finally, April and Randy, the big music freaks that they are (and also the cheap people that they are), decided on All Star Music. They put down the deposit and have until tomorrow to make the final decision - even though we all know that's not really true...

So anyway, my plan for this afternoon (aside from working ) is to bring my camera down to my office and take pics of all the fun stuff I've been making for our trip. I have to do this before Natepoo comes home from school, since most of this stuff involves surprises for him... I will be sure to post said pics so you may see what I have been doing instead of working...

Oops...should have said "in addition to working." Yes, that's right.

Up next: PICS!!!

 

[Hedy]

 

[dis75ney]

Good morning, loyal and faithful readers!

We are T-minus three days and counting to our Disney trip!!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And in the less-than-a-week time span since I last updated, woooo doggie, have things changed!

Fasten your seat belts...it's gonna be a bumpy ride!

(Yes, I know I promised pictures. But since I am the author of this PTR, I can change things at will... )

(Also, Goofy took the pictures off my camera and I have NO idea where they went. Darn technology... )

First off, I need to introduce two members of our supporting cast:

Mom - AKA Hippie
Loves all things related to British history, but does not love the food from across the pond. Was supposed to spend two weeks in England last month, and had to come back early because she was starving. I swear, the woman lost about 20 pounds in the week and a half she was there! Truly believes that if life were to go back to the times of free love and Woodstock, that all will be right with the world, economic crisis be damned! Just became eligible for AARP membership on her last birthday (a fact I greatly enjoy rubbing in her face), and is starting to go senile in her old age...

Dad - AKA Beast
Takes after his nickname. Big, huge, stocky brunt of a man, but such a teddy bear. Do NOT insult his family in front of him...he will rip you limb from limb. Enjoys bargain hunting and would LOVE to beat me to a bargain one day (sorry to say that I will never let that happen!). Is responsible for pulling the Hippie back down to Earth at least once daily. His wish is to one day win the big event at the World Series of Poker. Has also taught my 86 year old grandmother how to play poker and was responsible for holding up her skirt while she did her annual headstand at her birthday party in June. What can I say - my grandmother rocks hardcore!

So, onwards with the story!

I also need to mention that I have been cast as Mrs. Potts in a community theatre production of Beauty and the Beast. If I did not mention this, the beginning of my story would make no sense whatsoever...

I come home from rehearsal last week to this:

Hippie: "Why didn't you tell us you were in another show?"
Me: "You didn't ask." Duh!
Hippie huffs away and flips to her DVR of Dancing with the Stars...she doesn't like it when I'm logical and stuff...

Beast: "Were you still planning on driving to Florida?"
Me: "Last time I checked. Why?"
Beast (puffs out his chest): "I found a great deal on airfare that would probably save you guys money instead of driving..."
Natepoo: "Hi Mom!!!" Runs full speed at my knees. I slide out of the way, so Natepoo slides on the carpet-that-is-older-than-dirt and crashes into the couch. This is a favorite activity of his lately...that, and climbing on Daddy...

I hop onto Susie the downstairs computer (we currently have five computers in the house and counting, so we have nicknames for them all) and log onto Orbitz. I pull up our dates, and prices are running into the $300s...

Me: "How is THIS a good deal?"
Beast: "Here, let me try something..." Beast switches to the flexible fare finder and punches in dates...we wait with baited breath...and the matrix pops up...with...

$166 round trip airfare! From O'Hare!!! On American!!!

HOLY CRAP!!!

But, there is always a catch, and this is no different. Beast had plugged in October 2nd to October 14. We had not planned on staying for that long...

But $166 round trip? Too good a deal to pass up, right?

So I booked that puppy. However, because I was determined to outdo my dad, I booked directly through the American Airlines website and saved an additional $20!

The Beast was subsequently humbled, but determined to beat me at my own game next time!

So, driving is now nixed. We are flying into MCO October 2, with our flight leaving from O'Hare at 7pm and arriving at 10:30pm. We are leaving from MCO October 14 at 7:05am, arriving at O'Hare at 8:55am.

The Tigger clan is SO not looking forward to coming back home...especially at that time!

But we are now left with a dilemma. Our WDW package is for arrival on 10/4 and departure on 10/12. What to do?

Call 407-WDISNEY!!!

I spoke with the most wonderful cast member named Angela (which reminds me, I must write a compliment letter for her). After several agonizing minutes - OK, more like 30 minutes - I was informed that I could extend my Pop package from 10/2 to 10/12 for an additional $155.

I jump on that baby, and Angela goes to work, determined to find something for 10/12 through the 14th.

She comes back on the line, I thank her for saving me from the awful hold music (am I the only person that can't stand the modern-day remakes of the Disney songs that sometimes come up on the hold music?), and Angela informs me that the only resort open for our remaining dates was Animal Kingdom Lodge. She can book a room-only reservation for $300, with the rest due upon check in.

I think for several seconds and remember that I originally was going to shoot for AKL before the lure of the monorail tugged me over to Contemporary. We only live once, right? I jump on AKL, and Angela gets cracking on her keyboard of destiny. Several minutes later, I have confirmation of both the extension of Pop and room-only at AKL!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

I loves me some David Bowie! *Turns on iPod and starts jamming to "China Girl."

So that's the rundown as far as our vacation plans go. I should have learned that NOTHING is ever set in stone when it comes to vacation!

On the home front, however...

Guess who managed to come down with the sinus infection from H-E-double-hockey-sticks on Saturday, RIGHT BEFORE WE LEAVE???

Yep, that would be me...

I swear, this allergy season has got me begging to move to a desert location where there is no such thing as rain! My doctor, who was gracious enough to work me into his schedule on Saturday, said that this has been one of the worst allergy seasons on record for those of us allergic to pollen and mold. We had an extremely rainy spring, and all the standing water did not help any of us at all. Then throw in remnants from Ike (yep, we got hit by Ike up in Chicago!), which adds more standing water, and you get the general idea. Thanks to this, I suffered my third sinus infection of the summer!

I SO did not need this to happen right before flying...

I flew with a raging sinus infection once, which resulted in my head exploding and me chasing someone out of the plane because he was delaying my exiting and finding a bed. I refuse to do that again - mainly because I would probably be arrested for bioterrorism...and that is NOT how one should start their vacation!

I highly doubt the cops would give me Sudafed to deal with the sinus congestion, anyway...

Oops, I digressed...

So my wonderful, caring, humanitarian doctor gave me a prescription for a KILLER dose of antibiotics. So powerful were these horse pills that within 30 minutes of taking the first one, I was on the floor in WalMart declaring that I was perfectly fine...the room was spinning and THAT was what was wrong!

I also declared this last night after a dance rehearsal that involved lots of spinning...

I got these wonderful drugs on Saturday, and I am proud to say that I woke up today with NO cotton stuffing up my sinuses! I can actually breathe through my nose again!!! I still have a little chest congestion, but that should be resolved with the remaining seven days of antibiotic goodness...and my inhaler...

But Natepoo has now come down with the stuffies...thankfully, he has an immune system like his daddy's and those white blood cells will detroy anything that comes in their path. I swear, between the two of them, I've known them to catch approximately 3.92 colds since I've known them.

Darn those boys and their killer immune systems...why can't I have a killer immune system???

So combine sore tailbone from last week with violent fits of coughing from post-nasal drippage (TMI, right?), and it makes for a not-very-happy Mommy...and add in packing, and Mommy becomes especially miserable!

But packing is done (except for last-minute things...glasses, contacts, laptop...the essentials), and Goofy has volunteered to carry all of our bags to my mother's van for our train ride to the airport, so all is well in the Tigger household.

We'll see how well this holds out...we still have three days until our trip...leave it to me to break a bone or something...

 

[julezdisney]

Hi Stacy! Love the PTR! You leave so soon- can't wait to hear all about your trip. What are your final ADR's? We'll be there some of the same days.... 9-13th.

12 day w/ending at AKL! Wow-that's awesome. Have fun!