Tkers...Killing threads seven days a week!

[MagiKitty]

Good morning ladies! Today is supposed to be the last of the "cooler" weather, mid-70s, before heading into the 90s next week. Just anither excuse for me to put off doing laundry.

JO--honestly, we like staying offsite better. But we also go offsite and explore Orlando too. Even if there's just two of us, we like the space. I like the kitchen for my leftovers and to make coffee, and we like having more than one tv. We're also not people to spend the entire day at the parks....we usually go early, then go home to relax and go back at night. But we've also never stayed at a moderate....we've pretty much decided that we'd only stay onsite if we had free dining. Otherwise, we can save some money staying elsewhere. And you're going to have a car anyway, so that'll be good for you.

In terms of driving there, its not a hassle at all...the only issue is paying for parking. If you're staying more than five days, someone may consider getting an AP....with parking being $12/day (I think), that can add up. If you do manage to get a crappy parking space, just consider the tram your first ride!

I think our next trip will be offsite. I'll use my timeshare and we'll do Universal and Sea World. Maybe do a special party to get our Magic Kingdom fix. Nothing really planned though....

I've heard of swagbucks but never looked into it myself. Is it something like Sunshine Rewards? I joined that but never really got into it. I mostly limit myself to MyPoints--an email click thru, get points, exchange for gift cards site---and to Ebates, in which whatever you shopping you do online you get a certain percentage back.

Sukie....congrats on getting a day off!

JO--sounds like you're going to have a busy holiday weekend. Don't forget to have a little fun and enjoy it with all the other stuff going on.

I have no fruit. I have to brave the supermarket today. I'm scared.

 

[MagiKitty]

JO...I just read about this. Maybe it would be something you'd consider? Kids breakfasts included, on Disney property and uses Disney transportation....

http://www.hiltonbonnetcreek.com/packages

 

[JOCAmom]

Morning! Our weather here is very much like spring..cool and breezy. But it looks like we are going to be getting the hot weather back too.

MK, I do MyPoints also and love them. I usually get enough points for one or two gift cards per year just be remember to click the emails. Easy, free money for basically doing nothing at all.

I've been looking at Windsor Hills for placed to stay. From looking at the map, it seems to be not much farther away than the All-Star resorts. And since we won't have free dining, I keep wondering if it's worth it to try and cram us all into one room. I guess I've gotten sucked into the mindset that you have to stay on Disney property to experience all the Magic. Maybe it's time for something new and a more calm vacation to Disney.

As for park days, we are only doing 3 parks and we already have Give a Day tickets for one day. We are doing MNSSHP one night so we may only buy one day tickets and leave it at that. Need to talk to the family and crunch the numbers.

 

[MagiKitty]

I've read wonderful things about Windsor Hills. It would be something I'd definitely consider if we had a family with us. I love the idea of a private pool too! I think with teens also, having a little space would be good for everyone's sanity. And considering your new houseguests, I think some private space for you and DH would be much welcome.

I will say too, if you're going to stay offsite, start looking now for restaurant coupons and join restaurant clubs. Often they'll send you free entrees or appetizers. I always have ambitions to cook, but it rarely happens. We usually eat in for breakfast then out for lunch, when its just too hot to walk around and the lunch portions are cheaper. We're also well familiar with a late night Dennys run!

Yeah, I just got a $25 gc from Macys with MyPoints. I save them for my holiday shopping or to use on things that Macys coupons won't cover. Its practically a bargain at 3500 points.

Have you considered Pinecone research? Its a survey company that gives you $3/survey. There are some weeks I get three or four, and sometimes none at all. They're not overly long and those checks (they have PayPal too but I never figured that out) go straight into my vacation fund. I usually wait until I have several before I deposit. Its seems measly, but when you consider its $3 for about 10 minutes, its not so bad....plus its nice to get mail that's not a bill!

 

[D&DDisney]

Morning!

The sound of roofers and building has now filled the air. TAking the place of chainsaws and helicopters. Maybe now some of the boarded up windows and blue tarp roofs will be gone.

DH called me from work to tell me that his co-workers all chipped in and bought the kids a new pool. Ours had big holes in it and bent poles from the storm. We are so touched. We were going to get another one soon, but now we don't have to. The kids will be so thrilled when he comes home tonight with pool in hand. Guess I know what we'll be doing this weekend.

JO - I have to chime in about off-site. We have always stayed off-site except for the past few times because we had free dining. I much prefer off-site. Better qaulity for the money. The money we save and the extra space we have more than makes up for the parking fees. For us it is more magical to drive into the grounds under the WELCOME sign each day. Heck, once you get to the hotel/condo and fall asleep who knows or cares about the "magic" anyway. We've also saved money eating at restaurants off-site and getting take out. Places like Olive Garden, Applebees, etc. have great take out menus and we save money bringing it back to the room by not having to buy drinks or give tips. It sounds cheap but that stuff really adds up. Plus I search for coupons and bring giftcards for these places too.
Plus, if the hotel has a free full breakfast (Buena Vista Suites) we eat more for breakfast and have a lighter lunch at the parks, thus saving more money.

 

[JOCAmom]

D&D, the construction sounds must be like music to your ears right about now. And how wonderful of DH's co-workers. I'm sure the kids will be absolutely thrilled.

And thanks for your opinion on the off-site/on-site debate I am having. Staying on-site is becoming way less than ideal for all of us even with the discounts. I keep thinking about Jackie and I having mood swings at the same time and then being trapped together in one room. It would not be pretty.

I've been looking at restaurant.com for some deals for food too.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

D&D, that is WONDERFUL about the pool. Such kindness!

I'm enjoying reading the on-site/off-site insight. It will help me plan out next trip, too, that's much further away than JO's.

I've started frequenting survey sites recently. I'll have to look into the ones you use, Kitty.

 

[MagiKitty]

The pool story is so sweet! Its so good to hear there are still good people in the world.

So I ventured out to the store. Bad idea. It was a madhouse in there. To make it worse, I forgot to pick up my creamer that's on sale this week. So I have to go back out there. I'm going after dark, after all the Orthodox have started observing Sabbath.

My lover Mr. Watermelon has returned to me in all his pink juicy goodness. Yum.

 

[JOCAmom]

MK, we have to run out to the store today too. I know it's going to be crazy busy.

Kerrie, I'll keep notes on what I find on the different places.

 

[D&DDisney]

The pool story is so sweet! Its so good to hear there are still good people in the world.

My lover Mr. Watermelon has returned to me in all his pink juicy goodness. Yum.

Mr Watermelon... You need to be alone now??

Yes, we are VERY touched by the pool gesture. It was heartbreaking for the kids to have to take ours down and put it at the curb. We knew we'd get another one, just hadn't got to it yet.
I am having the kids make a Thank You card for them. Just such a sweet gesture.

Someone is coming to fix our garage door next Wed. Might be able to park the cars in there again. Also got someone to come give us a quote on siding and windows. Next week is going to be quite busy here.
Now I just need someone to come check out our kitchen and go look for new trees for the yard.

 

[MagiKitty]

Ah, the joys of holiday weekends....it took me way too long to get through the aisles today. Didn't really bother me that much, I tried to be as kind as possible and always say "excuse me" to get by. Too bad more people don't do that.

Some nasty woman did honk at me in the parking lot, when she was in the wrong...I was going straight, she was turning into the lane. Last time I checked, I had the right of way. She was lucky I was dreaming of my fudgecicles in the backseat or else I would have lost it on her.

Again, I'll venture out again after dark....(evil laugh here....)

I do try to do one site called Surveyhead, but its really hard to qualify for surveys with them, so I'd avoid that one. And, you need $25 to cash out. Right now, I'm at $45, but I'm afraid to cash out and start at zero again. A lot of the other ones I work on have a point system and you cash out for either gifts or gift cards. I mostly do it for the free stuff they send. I'm waiting for my free dog treat that are in the mail.

Have you tried BuzzAgent? You basically try to qualify for free home trials. I've gotten a lot from them. But also, if you fill out surveys and post opinions about some items they send you, you can earn MyPoints. Its another way I boost my points to get more gift certificates. In recent weeks, I've done CoverGirl makeup, Alexia foods, Dove shampoo. My next ones are Covergirl mascara and Barely There bras.

 

[D&DDisney]

DL55 called me last night. We talked for about 15min. They are camping in Iowa right now and enjoying their drive home. They should be home by the 4th.

 

[MagiKitty]

DL and her DH are just so darn cute. I'm so glad we got to meet up with them. I'm excited to hear how her DH liked Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame.

D&D...I keep forgetting to tell you, if you sign up on Home Depot or Lowe's website and get on their lists, they'll send you coupons for 10% off your purchases. I joined them right before I had to buy Dad's lawn mower and was able to use it on everything. Or you can go to your local post office and get their movers kit and there's a Home Depot coupon in there. So glad that you're getting things in order!

And you're teaching those boys a very good thing by getting them to send thank you notes....

 

[D&DDisney]

Hey...that's a great idea. Thanks Kitty!!! I'll check it out.

Hey, did you see my post before the meet about Targe having Hello Kitty ice packs (or boo boo packs as they are called)? About $5.99. They are in the isle with the band aids and kids first aid stuff.

 

[MagiKitty]

Thank you for reminding me! I meant to say thank you! We found them in Target in Kansas...we were in Target A LOT! They also had lots of Kitty stuff in their dollar section, stuff I hadn't seen here. I picked one up--its so cute! I put it with my liquid baggie carryone stuff. I was so nervous they'd confiscate it. But its here! And I love it! Thank you thank you again!

BF's niece had her 2nd b-day party while we were there. We could not find age-appropriate toys for her. Everything was 3 and up. We finally found a Sesame Street playset that we both thought was pretty cool, but then we were worried--do kids still watch Sesame Street? Elizabeth liked it though and I was really relieved. Target pulls through again! BF's family was teasing him--he never brings gifts for anyone. So they knew that it was totally my doing, but that's ok, you only turn 2 once!

 

[D&DDisney]

Thank you for reminding me! I meant to say thank you! We found them in Target in Kansas...we were in Target A LOT! They also had lots of Kitty stuff in their dollar section, stuff I hadn't seen here. I picked one up--its so cute! I put it with my liquid baggie carryone stuff. I was so nervous they'd confiscate it. But its here! And I love it! Thank you thank you again!

You're welcome. I am glad you found it and were able to take it on the plane. I wanted to bring it to you at Hershey but was worried for that same reason - they'd confiscate it.

 

[BKMETV]

Hi all:

Just thought I'd stop by and say hi...things are finally calming down and we are settling into summer vacation.

Oh...and to top it all off we have canceled our Disney vacation in Aug.

The repairs are just going to be too costly (even w/ insurance help) for all the things insurance won't cover (landscaping etc.) Plus I won't have my job in fall and with DH losing his at the end of the year, we thought our priorities should be on getting ourselves in shape to weather the next "storm" so to speak.

Sorry to here you have to cancel your vacation.

We had ALMOST gotten on board with our own souvenir when we had the children from he** on our flight. Actually kinda scared me too....two little boys sat behind us....and kicked us our entire flight from Kansas to Detroit. Would've been tolerable if the littler one didn't have issues with seat belts. Hated it. Screamed at the top of his lungs constantly. Even the flight attendants had to get involved--and she was scary!

BF's sister has three girls...so there should be little boy somewhere in there. BF's father is very involved with his step-daughters, which causes some tension between his own children and him. Even went to far as to brag that one of them and her husband both had gotten their masters this past year. UNCOMFORTABLE!

Essentially, I understand BF a lot better now that I've witnessed his family dynamic. He knows that when we start a family, his family will not be very supportive and can't be relied on. We have my family and their over-involvement to deal with too.

We both know that I really want a baby sometime soon and we'll have to make accomodations. We're both really worried about finances and paying for college. Silly, I know when we have to figure out how to pay for diapers first!

I was at the Detroit airport on Monday...don't tell me you were there too!!

 

[D&DDisney]

BF's niece had her 2nd b-day party while we were there. We could not find age-appropriate toys for her. Everything was 3 and up. We finally found a Sesame Street playset that we both thought was pretty cool, but then we were worried--do kids still watch Sesame Street? Elizabeth liked it though and I was really relieved. Target pulls through again! BF's family was teasing him--he never brings gifts for anyone. So they knew that it was totally my doing, but that's ok, you only turn 2 once!

My boys still watch Sesame Street from time to time. Some of the humor they have on there is for the adults or older kids to get. I think more kids should watch it. That show has come a long way over the years and it really is good for learning. They are teaching more science and reading now and adding/subtracting too.
Glad your niece liked it.

 

[D&DDisney]

Hey Ev!!!

DH and I are toying with the idea of coming to MI for the Aug race. Would Team Canada be able to make it to Detroit???

 

[MagiKitty]

Hi Ev! How are you doing? How is summer treating you?

I was in Detroit rather briefly on Tuesday. I ran from B terminal to C terminal.

Oh! I knew I forgot something! There was a handcuffed convict on my plane who was accompanied by two escorts. These weren't just regular guards either, they screamed Blackwater ops. So scary! I wondered why they were heading to Harrisburg...