VWL Lovers & Groupies thread: It all started with a Moose

[stopher1]

Thanks for the pics Stoph. Mickey is back!!!

Soooooo. It looks like we are outgrowing this thread too! 23 more pages and we are history.

4 jobs.

1. The starter of the thread

2. The keeper of the travel dates

3. The announcer of the birthdays

4. ALL OF US!!!!

I was the keeper of the dates and passed it on to Stopher (who rocks!).
Rumor has it that he still wants to do it!

I do the birthdays. But if anyone else
(maybe someone who is good at graphics!) wants to do it, please feel free.

Eliza has been the official thread starter since our first thread was started
(how many versions has it been??? 6.0???). Eliza?? Anybody??

And with text messages (which I receive occasionally from a certain someone when he is at the world) those involved might want to use the great technology so that it can start, then the dates, then the birthdays. Do I have too much time on my hands???

Eliza has done a fabulous job - if she's ready to stop, I'll be happy to take that one too... I've started both the VGC and Aulani threads, and have no problem starting a new VWL one too.

And regarding that texting fool ... ... I just can't imagine to whom you are referring ....

I love it! I text with folks all the time. Of course having unlimited text and a qwerty keypad on my smart phone helps too.

 

[Muushka]

Did I tell you that I have the T9 on my phone!
My cousin taught me how to do it (goes against everything I believe but it works!) and now I can text and not lose my mind!!

 

[stopher1]

Did I tell you that I have the T9 on my phone!
My cousin taught me how to do it (goes against everything I believe but it works!) and now I can text and not lose my mind!!

That's awesome!

 

[DiznyDi]

Thanks Stopher for the pictures! Your family is certainly growing fast. Enjoy them while you can. Much too quickly they'll be grown and out of the house.

 

[stopher1]

Thanks Stopher for the pictures! Your family is certainly growing fast. Enjoy them while you can. Much too quickly they'll be grown and out of the house.

Thanks Di!

I hear you on the growing thing... though mine aren't yet grown like yours are... they're getting closer all the time. My eldest got notice last week (while we were at WDW) of being hired for his first summer job. He'll be working at Summer Camp this year - which means he'll pretty much be gone the entire summer, with a pre-camp weekend in May as well. He's pretty stoked about it - and in his young world, thinks the $700 he'll earn is terrific. Of course in the real world, that wouldn't support anything... but hey, he's 15, and suddenly thinks he's on top of the world! He'll be a Counselor-in-Training (roving grunt), working at whichever stations or classes they need him at most. We're proud of him, but torn about him being gone at the same time. He's already talking about NEXT summer (2012) when he can be a full-fledged Counselor and teach different classes... Both DW and I were talking the other night about how when they're young you celebrate all of those "first" milestones... but when they get older, you never quite know which will be the "last" time for something. Already this trip last week feels like it might have been the "last" full-family trip - even though it won't be - it sure smells like it. He wants to go to Hawaii with us in 2013... but even then he'll be 17. We've begun talking about some Florida trips without him ... and #2 won't be too far behind. He wants to start working at camp as soon as he's old enough. SIGH. Soon enough our trips for 5 will be trips for 4, then 3... then back to just the two of us... until any of those 3 ragamuffins get married and suddenly want to start traveling on mom & dad's wallet again... and perhaps someday (hopefully not too quickly - but with an 8 year difference between my eldest and my youngest who knows how quickly it might be, and even IF we'll have any time back at just 2 travelers or not even) they'll start bringing their own ragamuffins along.

 

[sleepydog25]

I worked two summers at a camp as a jack-of-all-jobs and master-of-none. That was the best job I ever had.

Where is the temp bus stop at the Lodge now? And, though I'm sure it's mentioned somewhere, how long will the old one be out of commission? Nice pics!

 

[stopher1]

Thanks.

The temporary stop was out in front of the lodge, in the parking lot. We walked from the actual stop, followed the sidewalk towards the porte cachere, then crossed the street and down the path to the parking lot. There were several signs up pointing the way, and a security CM helping direct the crosswalk once down at the parking lot area.

I didn't see anything saying how long it would be operational or when the regular stop would come back.

 

[jimmytammy]

Hey folks

Its been a tough week around here. We are having to put our dog to sleep this afternoon. Her hind end is no longer going, and sadly, she cant make it anymore. She would be 15 this Fri. Its like letting a child go. And on top of that, DDs graduation is fast approaching and we are dealing with that stuff too.

Anyone that sees fit, please lift our family up as we deal with life issues.

 

[Muushka]

Hey folks

Its been a tough week around here. We are having to put our dog to sleep this afternoon. Her hind end is no longer going, and sadly, she cant make it anymore. She would be 15 this Fri. Its like letting a child go. And on top of that, DDs graduation is fast approaching and we are dealing with that stuff too.

Anyone that sees fit, please lift our family up as we deal with life issues.

Oh Jimmy. I am so sorry about your pup. 15 years is a longtime friend and family member that will be missed. I've been in your place and it is sad place to be. May the happy memories of your dog quickly replace the sad ones that you have now. We will lift up your family and pray for peace and comfort.

 

[stopher1]

Oh Jimmy. I am so sorry about your pup. 15 years is a longtime friend and family member that will be missed. I've been in your place and it is sad place to be. May the happy memories of your dog quickly replace the sad ones that you have now. We will lift up your family and pray for peace and comfort.

You can count on me praying too Jimmy!

 

[eliza61]

Hey folks

Its been a tough week around here. We are having to put our dog to sleep this afternoon. Her hind end is no longer going, and sadly, she cant make it anymore. She would be 15 this Fri. Its like letting a child go. And on top of that, DDs graduation is fast approaching and we are dealing with that stuff too.

Anyone that sees fit, please lift our family up as we deal with life issues.

No need to ask JT. Sending mines up as we speak. It is very much like letting a child go. Pets bring us immeasurable joy.
Wrapping you up in some virtual love. Stay well my friends.

 

[DiznyDi]

JT, DDad and I have been where you now are. Our 4 footed friends engrave their paw prints on our hearts. You are indeed losing a member of your family. Prayers heavenward for all of you during this difficult time.

 

[Granny]

Jimmy...prayers for you, Tammy and your young adults (no longer children, are they?). Best wishes to all of you this week.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Jimmy - lifting you, Tammy and the family up to interrupt heaven with our songs of sorrow, and as Muuska hoped, we sing of the happy thoughts that will fill your hearts with happy memories.

We had a rock engraved with our pup's name and a couple of paw prints. It sits on our porch near our "Rocking Chairs". It reminds us to tell her story to each other and to those that will listen.

The happy memories will displace the sad ones in His time.

 

[jimmytammy]

Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts. Its been a tough few days, and there are a lot of sad faces around here. We will really miss her. She grew up with the kids. Never knew I would lose so many tears over a pet. It was like letting a kid go.

 

[horselover]

Hey folks

Its been a tough week around here. We are having to put our dog to sleep this afternoon. Her hind end is no longer going, and sadly, she cant make it anymore. She would be 15 this Fri. Its like letting a child go. And on top of that, DDs graduation is fast approaching and we are dealing with that stuff too.

Anyone that sees fit, please lift our family up as we deal with life issues.

Oh Jimmy. I am so sorry about your pup. 15 years is a longtime friend and family member that will be missed. I've been in your place and it is sad place to be. May the happy memories of your dog quickly replace the sad ones that you have now. We will lift up your family and pray for peace and comfort.

JT - Muush has said it so well. Lifting up your family in prayer during this sad time.

 

[stopher1]

Morning Groupies.

Last week while in the World, I did something I've done every single trip down there... spend some time in the Art of Disney store at DTD. When I was young and a CM at Disneyland, I spent countless hours in the Disney Gallery admiring the artwork on display. (in my early youth I wanted to be an architect, so all of the concept work for attractions, lands, the park, etc have always fascinated me). I've also met numerous Disney artists through the years, and have several pieces signed by them hanging in our home (or in boxes of various Disney memorabilia). While I enjoy museums and regular art galleries, I've always been, shall we say, a "Disney art lover" - and will flock to it like a moth to a flame!

I have never been very skilled at art, having never taken any lessons, but have always wanted to try my hand at it. Drawing straight lines has never been easy for me, which is part of why architecture never would have worked out for me! My mind's eye sees so many wonderful things, but somehow the translation between mind and hand have never really worked out very well. I've always been envious of those who can draw, paint, illustrate, etc. My DW suggested watercolors, since as she says, it's a "very forgiving format". (She draws very well).

So over the past few days I've tried painting a few images by printing out some photos and going freehand. They are nothing to write home about, but I wanted to share this one feeble attempt with you, since the subject is something we all love, and why I felt comfortable sharing it with you. I thought, even when you laugh at it, you might see what I was trying to go for.

I really need to get better brushes, especially tiny brushes so I can work on better detail - and I think I'm going to find an art course to sign up for. I found it so relaxing doing this. All the stresses of the day seemed to wash away as I was blending colors and trying to capture what I was seeing in the photograph. There are some details from the photograph that I botched because of the too big brushes - and others that I left out, simply because the brushes were too big to even attempt, but since it's my drawing, I felt comfortable doing so.

Are any of our Groupies painters? Do you find it relaxing?

I've now found myself pouring back through photos to find other things to try to paint. My DW thinks I've found a new obsession. I don't know about that, but I want to get better. This one isn't very good, but it was fun to do.

 

[Muushka]

I love it Stoph. Watercolors are my favorite (although you would never know it to see the art in our house) and you did a great job.
I love the way you did the flowers and your perspective (not sure if that is the right term). Love it!

Forgot to add that we always spend at least an hour at the 2 Art of Disney (Epcot and DTD) locales.

 

[Granny]

Stopher...I think you did great! Kind of a Monet effect going there.

I can't even draw a stick figure, so I'm very impressed!

 

[sleepydog25]

Creativity resides in the soul, so I'd say you've done a wonderful job of creating. I don't paint, but I do love to cook, and like painting, it calms me and nurtures me all at the same time.