The only way to have a friend is to be one." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[DisneyGirl4188]

Ashley, your ADRs look good. I have read that they release limited seats for days that are more than 90 days out. So, if you call back they should have more times available.
Just let me know what day you want to meet up.

Lin, congrats on your trip!

Nicole, have fun in Wisconsin! I would love to go north; it was around 95 again today.


I haven't been feeling well the past couple of days; I think it may be due to the heat. I have been so tired.
Spencer wants to play outside all day and is starting to run, so it keeps me busy. He is also very into climbing EVERYTHING; I swear the child has no fear.

 

[hellokitty86]

I haven't been feeling well the past couple of days; I think it may be due to the heat.

Tell me about it! I went to Miami today with my Grandparents. According to the car it was 94 degrees! We were in an outdoor mall and the sweat was just pouring off me, it was so gross! It was a lot of fun though. I think the humidity makes the heat soooo much worse. I guess I'm just getting prepared for Disney in Sept.

Thanks for letting me know about the limited seats being released. I've never heard that before. I will definitely be calling back to get an earlier time.

Nicole, I think gold will look great! I didn't even think of that color with the dress but it sounds wonderful!!!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Yikes, I haven't even given a thought to ADR's! I'm not too worried about it though, we have done the "popular" restaurants and definitely like to try different places each time, and stick with just a few favorites. We are pretty flexible and usually like a really early dinner so I'm sure it'll turn out fine. I just need to start on the spreadsheet. Things have been so busy around here. I would LOVE to be able to make ADR's online, how convenient is that?! I hate talking on the phone so that would be perfect. I almost don't even want to make ADRs because I really like doing a flexible trip like I did the girls last time but that doesn't work during free dining or with my parents along.

Ashley, your ADRs sound great. Definitely try back in a while if you're not happy with some of the times, there are always cancellations. If you still don't get what you want, you can always try right before the trip or even that same day. If you want to PM me your itinerary I can make sure we will be in the same park(s) to make a meet easier. Maybe we could try to all have a meal together? Just not a character meal

Emma had a rough night last night, she kept waking up & didn't quite make it to the bathroom -- twice. We're all pretty tired today.

I've been trying to read my homework but keep falling asleep. It's not exactly fascinating reading, although my Wills Trust & Probate class is pretty interesting. The Intro to Law book looks like it will get more interesting, but the beginning (history of American government) is stuff I didn't really learn in high school due to all the moving around we did, and it's slow going because I have to keep looking up & writing down vocabulary words. It's pretty funny that I sit and do my homework while the girls sit & do their summer workbooks!

We drove my parents to the airport ridiculously early this morning. They will be in NY today & then leave for Egypt tomorrow afternoon. Is it bad that I'm really looking forward to 16 days of limited contact with my parents? When we dropped them off, Emma said to my mom, "Grammy, I hope you have fun and that you come back from your vacation less crabby than usual."

Have fun in WI, Nicole! It's always nice to get away for a little trip. Have you left yet? Wave at us when you fly over KS!! I'm glad things went well for you at the temp agency too. Hopefully they will have lots of work for you.

Yesterday I had an interview at the call center where my brother works. I didn't know it was going to be a group "assessment." It was basically a computer test and it took almost 3 hours! There were about 15 people there. I have a one on one interview on Monday, I have no idea what to do about babysitting! I don't really want this job but the pay is pretty good and the benefits start right away, and there is a month of training. I get the feeling they hire a lot of people because they have a high turnover so there's a good chance I'll get the job. They want people to be available 24/7 and I obviously am not so I hope that won't be a problem. The place is a huge cube farm, it reminded me of Dilbert and looked pretty depressing. As long as I keep reminding myself that it is just until I get through school it should be fine. Who knows, it may end up being better than it seems.

Amber, are you feeling any better today? The heat & humidity in FL always made me feel so gross.

 

[hellokitty86]

Lyzziesmom, I will PM you my itinerary!! I was thinking that about a meal too. We will have to figure something out! I'm not 100% on our trip plans yet, I was totally stressing out when I was making our plans when normally that is something I love! So if you have any suggestions after you see it let me konw. I basically just said the park that has evening EMH is the park we will be in that day, but I'm not sure if that is very effective park touring. I don't want it to be crowded but we usually wake up alittle later and we like to be in the parks as late as possible in the evenings.

That's great that you had an interview! But it seems like bad timing that your parents are going out of town! If I was in the area I would be happy to babysit Lyzzie & Emma! Yes, that job does sound depressing- but you are on the right track about it being temporary, so keep telling yourself that!!

My computer just had a weird problem. It is new (got it in February) so I was hoping it isn't anything serious! When I tried to restart it today it was saying how it can't restart and it needs to do something to repair that. Then when that worked and they repaired it, it restarted and then my Norton's looked like it was turned off manually and uninstalled! Maybe I had a virus!

Any plans for the weekend? It is SOOOO hot outside so whatever we plan, I think it will be indoors! Tomorrow my Dad's band is playing at a bowling alley. We always go when they play there because its nonsmoking and thats always more enjoyable for us, plus we can bowl too!!

 

[Linzybrooke]

Ashley, I'm still getting nothing at Ohana, but everything else is wide open. Its wierd. I wonder if someone has booked it for a wedding reception or private party for the night. I checked times from 5Pm-10Pm and it says there is no availability at all. Maybe call Ohana directly, rather than the dining hotline, to see if they can give you more information on why it is showing no availability.

Lyzziesmom, enjoy your parent-free weeks.

Amber, feel better!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Lyzziesmom, good luck with the job! I know it's not ideal, but it should be too bad (I've worked in similar places).

Have a nice, relaxing time without your parents around!

Ashley, I hope nothing serious is wrong with your computer.

Today has not been a good day.

Spencer choked this afternoon. Luckily, I was able to flip him over and smack him on the back and the food came out. I was so scared. He was doing fine a minute later though.

My grandmother is in the hospital. They did a CAT scan and she is under observation. I really hope she is OK. Usually, I talk to her a couple times a week, but due to my phone issues, I haven't been able to get a hold of her. I feel terrible and really guilty about not making a bigger effort to call.

Then, I had to deal with Sprint yet again. My phone arrived today, so I called to activate it. Well, after three HOURS on the phone (speaking to multiple people and getting disconnected twice), they figured out that when they ordered the phones, they did so incorrectly. So, they had to cancel both orders (even though Mike's phone is working and mine was in my hand). Apparently, the orders were still showing as "upgrading" and wouldn't let them do anything. So, I have to wait another 3-5 business days for the office to fix the problem.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Ugh, Amber, that's so frustrating about the phones!! Someone dropped the ball for sure. They had better give you a credit on your bill for all the hassle, and all the time that it's not working. I'm sorry you had such a bad day. Is today getting better?

Lin, good luck getting your Ohana reservation! I think they get so busy because the meals take sooo long there - ours took 3 hours - so there's just not that much available. That's my theory anyway.

Ashley - do you have park hoppers? If so, you might want to do a different park during the day then move over to the EMH park in the evening. Sometimes the park with EMH can be pretty crowded with people who don't have hoppers. We like to do an early-ish dinner and use that as our "break" in between switching parks. It also makes each day feel like 2 days (but not in a bad, "OMG today was sooo long" kind of way, more like a "wow we got so much done I can't believe it was all in one day" way if that makes any sense) so we feel like we get more done and it's less overwhelming. Of course we have to visit each park multiple times that way, but we attack one or two sections of each park and if we get anything else done it's a bonus. Like, if DHS has EMH, we will go to MK and do 2 lands, then have dinner either at MK then hop to DHS, or hop then eat at DHS, or eat at a resort in between. Then we go do all the EMH stuff in the evening while the crowds are lower. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is! As long as we stay flexible it works really well. Of course there are also some days we just stay put for the whole day -- usually AK since their hours are so reduced and there's not that much open during the EMH.

Wow I don't think I've ever used that many acronyms in one paragraph before!

I have to figure out what we're going to do today, the girls have been SO crabby! I think it's because we've been staying home (at least until this unemployment crap gets worked out) and they're getting cabin fever. I keep kicking them outside and they are still driving me nuts! At least the weather is nice. I wanted to go to the farmers market but it's getting too late, my back was too sore this morning to get moving early.

Hope everyone's having a great weekend!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Amber, sending good thoughts to your grandmother.

 

[hellokitty86]

Amber, I'm so sorry about your Grandmother. I'll be thinking about her (and you)!! Try not to feel guilty that you couldn't call her because of the phones. She knows you love her!! That must've been so scary with Spencer! I'm sooo glad he was ok!

Lyzziesmom, we are getting the Florida resident seasonal pass so we will be able to park hop. I will have to think about that more so we can have the parks be as empty as possible!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Thanks for the well wishes all. My grandmother is doing OK, but they are keeping her another night. Her blood pressure has gone down, so that is good . She does have multiple bruises though (face, arms, and legs) because she fell yesterday morning.

Sprint did give me another $20 credit for my troubles. Still, I would just like a working phone.


I hope everyone is having a good weekend!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Amber, how is your Grandmother doing today?

We went to the local arboretum yesterday. It was pretty neat, we had never been there before. The most interesting thing (besides all the weird bugs) was that there were 2 weddings going on on opposite sides of the gardens. It was interesting to see everyone getting ready. I had the girls do a scavenger hunt and bark/leaf rubbings and that made it a lot more interesting to them. We've been "homeschooling" every day (mostly just doing workbooks but I'm trying to keep them up on their skills over the summer) and they were thrilled to get out and do something different than worksheets.

I'm so frustrated today. I bought The Sims 3 yesterday and still haven't been able to get it to work. I think my computer is just too old. I've really been wanting a laptop - it would be great for school! - and Sam's had some pretty affordable ones that look really good, but now is NOT the time for me to be spending that kind of money, no matter how good the deal is. Help talk me out of buying a new computer!!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Well crap. I think my computer has a virus. So I might end up having to buy a new one anyway. Time to back up all my photos before it gets too bad.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

Hi everyone!

Amber- I'll say a prayer for your grandma. I hope she has a speedy recovery.

I just got home and am so tired! The wedding was nice, and the weather was great! I wasn't happy to return home to this hot weather!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Welcome back Nicole! Sounds like you had a good time.

I have my job interview tomorrow -- wish me luck!

 

[hellokitty86]

Just cause I haven't shared a new Ruby picture in a while.....

 

[hellokitty86]

Good luck Lyzziesmom! You are going to do great, I just know it!!

 

[lyzziesmom]

Holy crap, I just had a baby possum in the house!!

We put in pet doors last weekend and it must have gotten in through them, or else it came in when the girls were playing outside and the doors were propped open. I was sitting here playing the Sims (which I FINALLY got working & fixed my virus too, yay!) and I saw something in the corner. As soon as I looked at it, it ran under some cabinets. It was like something out of a horror movie, it was just a blur of fur & eyes and I wasn't sure what it was! And of course this stuff happens when my parents are out of town. I was really freaked out! (Not too much to take pics though, I'll post them after I get some sleep.)

I set up this complicated trap involving boxes, a laundry basket, a broom and a cookie tray. In the end, I had to grab the little bugger with an oven mitt! He was pretty small and so terrified he peed himself (blecch) but I was still imagining him jumping out from under the furniture and heading straight for my eyes. Totally forgot I have my glasses on!

I have no idea how I'll get any sleep now.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Ok so I am totally WIDE awake so here are the photos:

Possum hiding under the cabinet. Please excuse the dust & lost toys.

Possum in MY HAND! (No worries: said hand is safely covered in my lovely oven mitt.)

 

[hellokitty86]

I woke up with a stomach ache so I'm here!

Lyzziesmom, that is crazy!! I'm glad nobody was injured and the cats didn't get hurt or injure the possum either! Poor guy, I'm sure he was as scared as you were (are)!!! Hopefully he will stay outside now! If it were me I think I'd think twice about that pet door.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

Nicole, glad you had a good time.

Ashley, I hope you are feeling better. Love the picture!

Lyzziesmom, you are much braver than I would have been. I don't think I could have picked it up, oven mitt or not! Still, he's kind of cute.

Congrats on getting your computer working and MUCH luck at your interview (and now you have a back up career as possum hunter ).