We're back! 6 days of rain and extended family 8/17-8/23! updated 9/29, day three!!

[Eventer98]

Tara, I can't believe (or maybe I can ) that those people had the nerve to ask you back. I am glad you DH is so understanding and suggested u not go back. I completely agree. Don't worry.....other opportunities will come knocking!!!

And I am so glad Stefan is going now! You all will have a great time!!!

I am considering getting an annual pass and the DDE for 2009. I might go twice so I am trying to figure it all out. Too bad I can't just move there every summer and go everyday....

Smart decision to order stuff for Ty and for breakfast. You did get water too right?!

Yeppers...water for DH. I don't drink much water (I know...shame, shame!) so I'm usually ok with whatever I drink with meals and some OJ in the AM.

About an hour after I called my boss today to tell her to find someone else, DH called to say he got one of the larger contracts he was working on. I guess it all works out huh? We won't see money from it until Jan. but that's ok...at least I know it's coming!! My boss did try to ask if there was anything the dad could do to make it better...ie. apologize. I said no. I felt bad but once that trust is broken it can't be fixed. She was really upset...at him of course. Said she understand how I felt.

Did you figure out if the AP would be worth it? We get $100 for having DVC so with tax I think ours come to $740. I guess two for you would be $940 but a 7 day with no PH is $219. Punkin413 has used the DDE I think and loved it. The DDP is still cheaper for us though. At least it was for our upcoming Dec. trip b/c the DDE has a lot of blackout dates around Xmas.

Tell me more about your trip details!!!!

I did not know that you had started a PTR! I am certainly onboard and cannot wait to see how your little guy enjoys the World!

As for your job situation... that dad is crazy. Childcare is so important... he was lucky to have a nanny like you.

Thanks for stopping by! I know...everyone keeps saying he took me for granted, played games and now, poof, I am gone. Like Punkin said...kharma sucks.

 

[VandyFan10]

Punkin413 and Vandy are going for it in early Sept I think!

YES MAM!!!

36 DAYS!!!

 

[Alysa]

Really enjoying your trip report so far. Your son is adorable! We are staying at SSR too - can't wait to hear your review!

I am sorry to hear about your bad luck with the family you work for. They are crazy. Good childcare with someone you trust is worth it's weight in GOLD!

not knowing what the fall holds kinda scared us

I know how you feel. I am a freelancer and am always worried about next month. But everything happens for a reason and I am sure you will find a new great family who appreciates you! And my Dad used to sell insurance and I know how hard that is. Hang in there. It will all be okay, you'll see!

Best wishes!

 

[disney-inspired]

It wasn't until a few months ago that my sister was added to the trip. She is a recovering alcoholic with about 120 days sober! I told her back in April that if she stayed on track through August DH and I would pay for half her trip. So far so good. She booked her flights last month and is saving up for spending money. DH and I will take care of her ticket and food. She'll also be staying in our room. Honestly though, sales have been tough lately for DH so I am regretting my offer but a promise is a promise and I will make it work.

That's really sweet of you! It's a great motivation to know that your family is rooting for you and that she has something to work towards.

On to more drama.....
My dad's fiance called me the other day and said her X-husband, who lives in CA, is giving Stefan a hard time about going to Disney. Telling him he shouldn't go b/c my dad is going and that means he is choosing my dad over him. Also saying that if he goes to Disney then he will no longer communicate with him. What horrible things to say to a 20yo! Stefan is actually considering NOT going b/c of these guilt trips...guilt trips that Christine said she left him for. She has two older kids as well..one is telling Stefan to go and the other is telling him not too. Christine has already bought his plane ticket but luckily not the park ticket so she wouldn't be out too much. I just feel bad for him..just last week DH and him were talking about all the thrill rides and what Stefan wanted to go on first. We also told him about all the great food we're going to eat. So I don't know what will happen...he obviously has to make up his own mind.

That's SO messed up! Idk but he might be better off without his dad if he's acting so childish and immature.

 

[Eventer98]

Really enjoying your trip report so far. Your son is adorable! We are staying at SSR too - can't wait to hear your review!

I am sorry to hear about your bad luck with the family you work for. They are crazy. Good childcare with someone you trust is worth it's weight in GOLD!



I know how you feel. I am a freelancer and am always worried about next month. But everything happens for a reason and I am sure you will find a new great family who appreciates you! And my Dad used to sell insurance and I know how hard that is. Hang in there. It will all be okay, you'll see!

Best wishes!

Thank you for reading! They told DH when he was hired it would take up to 3 years to get going. It was hard going from a very generous salary in the Navy to the insurance. But things seem to be coming together..it's just been hard for him since has never had any other job except being a recruiter for 11 years. I appreciate the uplifting thoughts!

That's really sweet of you! It's a great motivation to know that your family is rooting for you and that she has something to work towards.




That's SO messed up! Idk but he might be better off without his dad if he's acting so childish and immature.

So far so my sister is still doing good! She told me the other day that she is going to be divorcing her husband. He was way worse then her and claims he is getting help but she doesn't believe him. I guess she met him when she was an addict and now that she is sober so doesn't like him or trust him. He has lied to my dad and I over and over again. She wants to keep in civil b/c they have a 3 yo but it's tough b/c she thinks he is still using. His drug of choice was cocaine!

 

[Eventer98]

OK....I fretted and fretted over my ADRs this weekend. I just didn't like the late Ohanas (9:05pm) I knew Ty would never make it, as I mentioned before. I have been calling for an earlier time but no go. So I canceled it. I made an MUCH earlier ADR for Trails End. I also canceled one of our OOP meals at Rainforest Cafe. Ray and I are hurting this summer and if we can save $60 (the price for about 3 of us) it will help. I am a little bummed b/c I haven't been there in 2 years but we are going to awesome other TS places! Not taking the DDP makes it hard to get there every year. So here is an updated itinerary...I was suprised I was able to make any changes at all with only 17 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Eventer98]

Sunday, 8/17
Travel, 6:15am
Arrive SSR around 12pm
Lunch-Artist's Palette
Pool/Nap
Dinner-CMC 7:25pm



Monday, 8/18
MK
Lunch-Cosmic Ray's
Dinner-LTT 7:35pm
Wishes @ 10pm (only if Ty will sleep well in stroller)


Tuesday, 8/19
DHS
Lunch-Pizza Planet
Dinner-Sci-Fi 4:55pm
Fantasmic! 9pm


Wednesday, 8/20
OPEN DAY!!
Lunch-WCC 12:30
Pool/Nap/MK?
Dinner-Pecos Bills

Thursday, 8/21
AK
Lunch-Rainforest Cafe 11:30am
Dinner-counter service

Friday, 8/22
EPCOT 9am-9pm
Lunch-Electric Umbrella
TS-Biergarten 5:45pm
Illuminations @ 9pm

Saturday, 8/23
Lunch-50's Primetime Cafe 11am
go home

 

[Eventer98]

Sad update...........my dad called me today to tell me my sister had fallen off the wagon. Apparently she has been drinking for 2 months now and hiding it from us. He found out from her estranged husband, who has been known to lie to us. My dad wanted proof so he just showed up at her apt. unannounced and confronted her. She told him she was and started to blame everyone else except herself. He told her Disney was off.

My heart is broken....I was looking fwd. to her going. But she knew the terms..she had to stay sobor. I can't give in and let her go...I have to show "tough love" since she had lied to us SOOOO many times in the past. It's just really sad. I haven't talked to her yet..I just don't know what to say. I am so angry. Especially since I changed many parts of our trip to accomodate her. Now i have an extra ticket. Since I never opened it I hope to be able to return it to Undercover Tourist. Luckily she bought her own airfare so she's out that. But it's more then that....my dad has been battling his own demons lately and now he has this. He said he doesn't know what to do b/c she's his daughter but he can't go through this again. So I don't know what will happen......I am a little sad tonight.

 

[VandyFan10]

Tara I am so sorry to hear that

I will definitely keep you, your sister and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm sorry your trip is being shuffled around, but I know you guys will have a great time!

 

[Wonders10]

Tara - I'm so sorry your family is going through this again. I have been there. My cousin has battled alcoholism and drug addiction for over 20 years and since she lives down here (and her parents are in NY), my mom is the one who gets to deal with all of her dramas - much like your father. And since I've been living at home, I've also seen firsthand what she has done to herself and her life. She has nothing. It's sad, but only they can turn their lives around - and even then, something can trigger a setback. Definitely do not give in and allow her to go on this trip - which it seems you are a strong person and would not do that. Hopefully she will be able to get the help she needs to stay on the wagon for good.

 

[shaunaday]

I am sorry about your sister. ;(

As someone who has dealt with alcoholism in the family, I know that it is difficult. No matter how badly you try to seperate yourself from the illness, it is always hiding just around the corner, waiting to jump out and ruin things.

I am not an expert on the matter, because even today I have a hard time loving the person/hating the illness, tough love/no nagging...it all seems contradictory at times. But I also know that trying to control it and concentrating on it will consume you!! It is a small victory, but I have found peace with the fact that it is not in my control.

I hope that you can find some peace in this and that you can enjoy your trip with your family. Hang in there.

~shaunaday

 

[Eventer98]

Tara I am so sorry to hear that

I will definitely keep you, your sister and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm sorry your trip is being shuffled around, but I know you guys will have a great time!

Thanks...I know we will have a great time too. I canceled our 1900 res. and switched it to Rainforest Cafe in AK for breakfast. We were only going to 1900 b/c my sister has Alice in Wonderland tattooed all over her back. At least I get RC back..so that's something.

Tara - I'm so sorry your family is going through this again. I have been there. My cousin has battled alcoholism and drug addiction for over 20 years and since she lives down here (and her parents are in NY), my mom is the one who gets to deal with all of her dramas - much like your father. And since I've been living at home, I've also seen firsthand what she has done to herself and her life. She has nothing. It's sad, but only they can turn their lives around - and even then, something can trigger a setback. Definitely do not give in and allow her to go on this trip - which it seems you are a strong person and would not do that. Hopefully she will be able to get the help she needs to stay on the wagon for good.

I don't know where she will go for help now...she can't go back to the 90 day treatment program she finished in the early spring. I guess you aren't allowed back if you fall off the wagon?? I just canceled her flights..she isn't eligible for refunds b/c the tickets were less then the price to use them again later. So it's official now..she isn't going. I don't think I would have given in though..my dad and DH would not have let me.

I am sorry about your sister. ;(

As someone who has dealt with alcoholism in the family, I know that it is difficult. No matter how badly you try to seperate yourself from the illness, it is always hiding just around the corner, waiting to jump out and ruin things.

I am not an expert on the matter, because even today I have a hard time loving the person/hating the illness, tough love/no nagging...it all seems contradictory at times. But I also know that trying to control it and concentrating on it will consume you!! It is a small victory, but I have found peace with the fact that it is not in my control.

I hope that you can find some peace in this and that you can enjoy your trip with your family. Hang in there.

~shaunaday

I appreciate your kind words. It is hard to have tough love...I know my dad is going to battle with it. I am good at blocking things out (although not always a good thing) so I will be better at it. I just can't let it bring us down. DH told me that since we go to Disney 1-2 times a year there will be PLENTY of times in the future she can earn a trip back.

I know you guys can all appreciate how excited I was to "show" someone my happy place and see it through their eyes since the last time she was there was when she was 2. I am just glad I found out now rather then after the trip was already over.

 

[punkin413]

tara......i'm so sorry. i understand more than you know! i will PM you about it.

i just noticed in your earlier post that you aren't doing the DDP this trip. did i read that right? have you thought about buying the DDE card? it was really great for us last time! as long as you have an AP you can buy it and it saves 20% on parties up to 8, i think (or maybe 6?)

 

[Eventer98]

tara......i'm so sorry. i understand more than you know! i will PM you about it.

i just noticed in your earlier post that you aren't doing the DDP this trip. did i read that right? have you thought about buying the DDE card? it was really great for us last time! as long as you have an AP you can buy it and it saves 20% on parties up to 8, i think (or maybe 6?)

We are doing the DDP for sure...I think I confused you when I mentioned that since the R.cafe doesn't take the plan it makes it hard to get there every trip since we have to pay OOP. Thanks for the PM..I will be looking for it.

 

[twob4him]

Hi Tara,
I am really sorry about your sister and all of the changes I hope everything works out ok and as you said theres always the future to hope for!

 

[Eventer98]

Hi Tara,
I am really sorry about your sister and all of the changes I hope everything works out ok and as you said theres always the future to hope for!

Thanks.....my dad just came over to help DH with something and I can tell he is super depressed about it. I didn't bring it up though.

 

[twob4him]

Hi Tara! I gotta question for you. I am probably going to be getting an annual pass for 2009. I am going for a total of 13 days. For the first trip I am going for 4 days and I wanted to make a room-only ressie and then add basic dining. Since I don't have the ap yet, I can't check the procedure for doing that on the special ap spot on the disney site. Have you gone into the AP section on the disney website??? When you sign up for a room-only with an AP does it give you an option of adding dining?? Or perhaps I should call?? Thanks!

 

[Eventer98]

Hi Tara! I gotta question for you. I am probably going to be getting an annual pass for 2009. I am going for a total of 13 days. For the first trip I am going for 4 days and I wanted to make a room-only ressie and then add basic dining. Since I don't have the ap yet, I can't check the procedure for doing that on the special ap spot on the disney site. Have you gone into the AP section on the disney website??? When you sign up for a room-only with an AP does it give you an option of adding dining?? Or perhaps I should call?? Thanks!

Hi Cathy! I don't think I am one to ask....I have never reserved anything through the website since I do all my reservations through DVC. I have a feeling you won't be able to reserve anything until you have your AP in your hand and can then enter the info on the website. I am sure you are able to add dining though later on! I would call..I don't want to tell you the wrong information!!

 

[punkin413]

9 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Eventer98]

9 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!

I know!!!!!

I was just telling DH today that we are in single digits now!!