AshleyMWC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2006
- Messages
- 1,181
Hello and welcome to what I hope will become at least a somewhat successful first pre-trip report. Ok, well technically speaking I began one last year for my last trip, but then, as fate would have it, my computer took a giant poo and said No Pre-Trip Report for you, come back one year 
So, thats exactly what I did (well, actually I came back about 9 months later but whos keeping track?)
So, I guess before I go any further I should introduce this cast of characters. Ok, the cast is small--- but powerful!
Me- Disney planning extraordinaire (if I do say so myself). I am 26 and have been to Disney 8 or so times. I cant nail down exactly how many times it has been, but I know that I need two hands worth of fingers to count the trips. I love pretty much everything about Disney, well except the cost. I heart planning for Disney- almost as much as I heart being there. I have already begun to collect things for the trip and my DBF thinks I am losing my mind. My favorite park is probably Animal Kingdom- not because it has the most to do, but because 1. I like animals, and 2. The whole park just seems so immersive and not Florida-like. Heres a picture of me with my favorite character- its not the most flattering pic of me ever taken but it will do for now.
DM- Best mom in the world, hands down, not that I am partial or anything. She is, lets just say, mid 50s, and acts younger than that! The last time she was in Disney was after I graduated from college in 2003. The trip was my gift, and it was great- minus the ridiculous heat in August! Mom is not a big ride person due to some inner ear/motion sickness issues, but she still loves everything Disney. Her favorite park is MGM because of the shows. Here is a pic of her I took last week. I promise she is not feeding the plant milk, it's a sad version of a watering can, but she loves it so who am I to stop her?!
SO, I guess this is as good a time as any to explain my title- although I guess its pretty self explanatory. My mom and I are essentially 2 peas in a pod. We think alike, look alike (to some degree now, but I look just like her when she was my age), act alike- you name it we do it alike. We are those people who finish each others sentences, not on purpose, and can communicate as well without words as we can with them
. We are SUPER close, and since we live about 20 minutes apart that works out swell. I kid you not, we talk on the phone half a dozen times a day- not for long periods of time, but just to check in and say hi. 
WARNING: TANGENT/FAMILY BACKGROUND COMINGUP- if youd rather skip to the next part, I wont be offended- please proceed to the next paragraph, otherwise known as the chicken exit- gotta love a good Disney reference now and again.
Ok, so my mom and I have always been super close, but in the past 3 or 4 years it has really skyrocketed. Shortly after I graduated college my dad began having trouble at work, and was eventually let go. We finally found out why- he was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia. The beginning stages mimic Alzheimers. He was 54 when he was diagnosed. My parents divorced around the time all this was happening, so it was extra hard. My mom however, following the diagnosis, still took care of my dad, not wanting to leave the burden to me- the only child- see great mom!! To tell you the whole story of the last 3 years would take about 3 years, so Ill summarize. Frontal lobe dementia acts fast, and has 3 stages. Stage 1 = Alzheimers type symptoms. This stage was about 1 to 2 years long. Stage 2 = Aggression and Anger. This lasted about 1 year. Stage 3 = severe health issues. This lasted about 2 months. My dad passed away on July 12th of this year.
My dad was in and out of hospitals and nursing home facilities, because no one anywhere knew how to deal with this rare disease. It was frustrating then, but now things are settling down and he is in a much better place. So, to summarize, my mom and I have been through a LOT. Between my dads health, financial issues, and job issues, we both need a vacation together.
OK, BACKGROUND OVER- PLEASE READ AGAIN!
So, with all the stress in mind, I decided to plan the ultimate mother/daughter vacation. We threw around dates like nobodys business, and FINALLY decided on October 15-21. (Oh, p.s. we leave two months from today!) Tune in next time to see where we are staying, itinerary plans, and what special treats I have in store for DM!!!
I may update later today at work- my boss is out all week so productivity is at an all time low ..
Oh, and just for good measure, here's a pic from my trip with DBF last year that I just like and thought you might enjoy
So, thats exactly what I did (well, actually I came back about 9 months later but whos keeping track?)So, I guess before I go any further I should introduce this cast of characters. Ok, the cast is small--- but powerful!
Me- Disney planning extraordinaire (if I do say so myself). I am 26 and have been to Disney 8 or so times. I cant nail down exactly how many times it has been, but I know that I need two hands worth of fingers to count the trips. I love pretty much everything about Disney, well except the cost. I heart planning for Disney- almost as much as I heart being there. I have already begun to collect things for the trip and my DBF thinks I am losing my mind. My favorite park is probably Animal Kingdom- not because it has the most to do, but because 1. I like animals, and 2. The whole park just seems so immersive and not Florida-like. Heres a picture of me with my favorite character- its not the most flattering pic of me ever taken but it will do for now.
DM- Best mom in the world, hands down, not that I am partial or anything. She is, lets just say, mid 50s, and acts younger than that! The last time she was in Disney was after I graduated from college in 2003. The trip was my gift, and it was great- minus the ridiculous heat in August! Mom is not a big ride person due to some inner ear/motion sickness issues, but she still loves everything Disney. Her favorite park is MGM because of the shows. Here is a pic of her I took last week. I promise she is not feeding the plant milk, it's a sad version of a watering can, but she loves it so who am I to stop her?!
SO, I guess this is as good a time as any to explain my title- although I guess its pretty self explanatory. My mom and I are essentially 2 peas in a pod. We think alike, look alike (to some degree now, but I look just like her when she was my age), act alike- you name it we do it alike. We are those people who finish each others sentences, not on purpose, and can communicate as well without words as we can with them
. We are SUPER close, and since we live about 20 minutes apart that works out swell. I kid you not, we talk on the phone half a dozen times a day- not for long periods of time, but just to check in and say hi. WARNING: TANGENT/FAMILY BACKGROUND COMINGUP- if youd rather skip to the next part, I wont be offended- please proceed to the next paragraph, otherwise known as the chicken exit- gotta love a good Disney reference now and again.
Ok, so my mom and I have always been super close, but in the past 3 or 4 years it has really skyrocketed. Shortly after I graduated college my dad began having trouble at work, and was eventually let go. We finally found out why- he was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia. The beginning stages mimic Alzheimers. He was 54 when he was diagnosed. My parents divorced around the time all this was happening, so it was extra hard. My mom however, following the diagnosis, still took care of my dad, not wanting to leave the burden to me- the only child- see great mom!! To tell you the whole story of the last 3 years would take about 3 years, so Ill summarize. Frontal lobe dementia acts fast, and has 3 stages. Stage 1 = Alzheimers type symptoms. This stage was about 1 to 2 years long. Stage 2 = Aggression and Anger. This lasted about 1 year. Stage 3 = severe health issues. This lasted about 2 months. My dad passed away on July 12th of this year.
My dad was in and out of hospitals and nursing home facilities, because no one anywhere knew how to deal with this rare disease. It was frustrating then, but now things are settling down and he is in a much better place. So, to summarize, my mom and I have been through a LOT. Between my dads health, financial issues, and job issues, we both need a vacation together.OK, BACKGROUND OVER- PLEASE READ AGAIN!
So, with all the stress in mind, I decided to plan the ultimate mother/daughter vacation. We threw around dates like nobodys business, and FINALLY decided on October 15-21. (Oh, p.s. we leave two months from today!) Tune in next time to see where we are staying, itinerary plans, and what special treats I have in store for DM!!!
I may update later today at work- my boss is out all week so productivity is at an all time low ..
Oh, and just for good measure, here's a pic from my trip with DBF last year that I just like and thought you might enjoy
My grandma, who was living with us, was diagnosed with dementia. She is 87 and is now in a nursing home...we couldn't take care of her anymore. Very sad.
) but we are hopeful. I'm an only child too, so I am trying to help my mom out with everything with her. You and your mom have earned this vacation - I know how rough it can be 
, and I decided that we might also enjoy the fall in Disney. Neither one of us had been in October, and 
- for the long haul!! (Ok, I cant spell a word thats not a real word, so youll have to sound it out- I think you get the idea).
. Between hanging new curtains and going to a FABULOUS Keith Urban concert last night, the Dis was neglected- I know, gasp!!! But alas, I am back today, miserable at work as is often the case, and turning to the Dis and my pre-trippie to brighten the day. 
) 
. Until next time....
That's exciting! I'm partial to the teacup one too...apart, together....that's cute!
I always have the kids with me, and talk loud and pretend we are making plans to paint their bedrooms. They always manage to say just as loudly "But we aren't painting, Mom!" 
. Wow, this may not bode well for the next 50 days. I dont know what it was, but I as just overcome with excitement last night. Anyway, my DBF went on to bed and I stayed up and looked through an old Disney cd of pictures. I guess the cd was from 2005 since there were a ton of pictures of the Boardwalk Inn, where we stayed that year. Anyhoo, I stumbled across a couple pictures that made me even more excited (which in turn kept me up another 45 minutes!!) Here is the first one that got me excited. 
