"Where did y'all get those shirts?" Fried, Tie-Dyed, and Places Mickey Hides.

[trennr]

OK a little pre-trip info on the WHY...

Back in November 2008 Disney had just started advertising the 4/3 deal which a bunch of people took advantage of...but I didn't get to.

I had a week all planned at the POP the week of MLK day in Feb. The kids would only miss 2 days of school...would have been perfect. We had some extra Money from working at a local Cornfield Maize. (Which on a side note if you have a corn maze near your house be sure to visit it...they are so much fun.) Was ready to hit the button and spring it on the kids at Christmas.

BUT November 6th Mel finds her dad in the floor at his house...totally out of it and...well...very messy...next stop our local ER. Followed by 2 weeks in the Hospital. He had been fine earlier in the week Mel even took him to vote on the 4th.

After many test and "what-not" for Strokes...they find a Tumor on his petuitary gland...also this thing is wrapped around his carodid artery. They release him to a short term skill care center...where he's pretty comfortable...but the man's short term memory is shot...and he has episodes of "sundowners".

They don't think this tumor is cancerous...but is has allot of effect on his mind, memory and reasoning. They recommend putting him in a nursing home for the level of care he requires. And there's one 2 miles from our house which...without much research...Mel and SIL decide to put him in.

WRONG...I get a call that afternoon they transport him to the Nursing home from a very frantic and upset Mel...saying she can't leave him there. I calm her down and we talk about it when I get home...we all go visit him.

I'm certain they are very good to those people there...but this was a human dumping ground. So our family votes and we decide to bring "Bampy" home with us. Dec. 8, 2008 we change from a family of 4 plus a dog to a family of 5 with a dog and a 13 year old Poodle. (Poodles are not dogs...they are cats disquised as dogs.)

Needless to say I never "pushed the button"...the kids never knew...so they are not disappointed.

Mel spends the next 6 months taking care of a 70 year old toddler. This man has more ailments than you can shake a stick at...a basic walking case study in poor health. The kids are so good with this intrusion in their house...and it's a big adjustment for us all.

We spent allot more time at home. We get one day off (more like 8 hours) most Saturdays when SIL makes herself available to "baby-sit." Typically we would see a movie then run errands and get groceries. Outside of taking the kids to school and back Mel is stuck at our house...She's a trooper.

In April FIL has a brain scan and their is no change in his tumor...his memory patch seems to help his clairity...and things are going as well as can be expected...given the situation. FIL wants to pursue a knee replacement. After many doctors visits to get approval...he gets it...again I'm like Once it is scheduled (June 10) I start planning...as I knew FIL would be in rehab for several months...and this may be our only shot at some family time for sometime to come.

First I plan a quick trip to Myrtle Beach, SC the week after his surgery. This is to help Mel relax and forget about the last 6 Months. (and we had a blast! )

Second I plan this trip...
I must have spent 100 hours trying this and that...researching on the DIS Boards...making "spreadsheets form hades"...Oh yes!... I'm a spreadsheet guy!

Finally I get this trip planned out...11 Nights at the CSR...7 Day Tickets...Quick Service Dining...with the Summer Rooms Deal they were running it wasn't that much more than what I had planned for Febuary...at the POP.

So some night in Mid-May while the kids were in bed and I was playing the Wishes soundtrack...I PUSHED THE BUTTON! My wife was like "you did what!?!" I pushed the button!!! We don't tell the kids until we are packing for our Myrtle Beach trip.

There was much excitment...poor Tiny...he started to cry.

Thanks for enduring the long winded "why" to our Family Celebration!

BTW
FIL is doing well and rehabbing nicely...though he took a step back mentally from the extra pain meds.

Next installment "EAST BOUND & DOWN" -Day 1 Part 1

 

[jbbt]

More...more...more!!!! I love reading reports from dad planners!!!

I also understand the ellipse thing because I love exclamation points!!!!!

I can't wait to see pictures of the shirts - I hope there's more!

 

[KatMark]

Dec. 8, 2008 we change from a family of 4 plus a dog to a family of 5 with a dog and a 13 year old Poodle. (Poodles are not dogs...they are cats disquised as dogs.)

Oh...I am so loving this...and my favorite is the part I quoted from you above and bolded! We have a bichon frise which sometimes is mistaken for a poodle. You had me

I am glad your FIL is doing okay. We went through this last year with my dad--seven months in the hospital/nursing home/hospital. Although not at home, it was still strenuous on us all. Our oldest DS went to the hospital EVERY SINGLE day until my dad passed away.

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

I am glad your FIL is doing okay. We went through this last year with my dad--seven months in the hospital/nursing home/hospital. Although not at home, it was still strenuous on us all. Our oldest DS went to the hospital EVERY SINGLE day until my dad passed away.

We went through this with a family friend's mom when I was little. I can tell you, it was a powerful experience for me as the 8 year old going to the hospital all the time, and doing things like showing her my Halloween costume and all of that.


Can't wait to hear more about your trip!!!

 

[onelilspark]

Oh...I am so loving this...and my favorite is the part I quoted from you above and bolded! We have a bichon frise which sometimes is mistaken for a poodle. You had me

I am glad your FIL is doing okay. We went through this last year with my dad--seven months in the hospital/nursing home/hospital. Although not at home, it was still strenuous on us all. Our oldest DS went to the hospital EVERY SINGLE day until my dad passed away.

We had a poodle who was mistaken for a bichon frise! And thought she was human

 

[dvczerfs]

im in !!! EAST BOUND AND DOWN!!!!

 

[kthshh]

I rarely ever post but your trip report has me intrigued. I'm looking forward to the remainder of your posts!!!

Savanah

 

[trennr]

Count me in too! We went in 2007 and stayed at CSR and LURVED it. Its our favorite place by far! Last year was full when we booked and so we ended up at AKL. Interesting but CSR is still our place and always will be!!!!

Sharon

We LURVED it too.

More...more...more!!!! I love reading reports from dad planners!!!

I also understand the ellipse thing because I love exclamation points!!!!!

I can't wait to see pictures of the shirts - I hope there's more!

Maybe my support group should just be Over Punctuaters Anonymus! There's a whole group of us DIS Dads over on the Family Board 300+ Strong and growing!

Oh...I am so loving this...and my favorite is the part I quoted from you above and bolded! We have a bichon frise which sometimes is mistaken for a poodle. You had me

I am glad your FIL is doing okay. We went through this last year with my dad--seven months in the hospital/nursing home/hospital. Although not at home, it was still strenuous on us all. Our oldest DS went to the hospital EVERY SINGLE day until my dad passed away.

I'm sorry about your dad. And Poodles really can't be dogs...really...especially this one...I often encourage him to play in traffic. (insert evil laugh)

Can't wait to hear more about your trip!!!

I'll try for some more tomorrow.

We had a poodle who was mistaken for a bichon frise! And thought she was human

Our English Cocker thinks she's Human.

im in !!! EAST BOUND AND DOWN!!!!

Another DIS Dad on board. The title for the next segment is a tribute to the YouTube link you left me on the the Dads board.

I rarely ever post but your trip report has me intrigued. I'm looking forward to the remainder of your posts!!!

Savanah

I'm Honored!
Was it the title...ellipses...or the Tie-dyed shirts???
Or my sharp as a butter knife wit???

 

[mousebymarriage]

So far so good! I look forward to reading the rest of your trip report!

Sorry to hear abour your FIL.

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

Hope your FIL continues on the path to recovery!

 

[KatMark]

I'm sorry about your dad. And Poodles really can't be dogs...really...especially this one...I often encourage him to play in traffic. (insert evil laugh)

Thanks for the thought on my dad.

Cookie, our bichon, thinks she is a human. Mark is currently in Vegas on business and she will sleep on his pillow for the next six nights with her butt in my face!

 

[gemmybear83]

Great start - and loving the t shirts!

More please!

 

[ehstrojette]

Always in for a fellow East Tennessers trip Report. What school is your son starting into. Mine graduated from Volunteer last year and I have my youngest starting Kindergarten this year along with my 2nd grader. We are doing our first on site stay in 2011. Going to Myrtle Beach next summer to camp at Pirateland. Well off for our Lakeview RV park campout this weekend. Hope to see an update I can read while relaxing.

 

[dobball23]

My wife and I stayed at CSR from July 18-27 and it was outstanding. It was our second trip to WDW (other was 2007) and our second time calling CSR home. We can't wait to go back (hopefully in 2011!).

 

[trennr]

So far so good! I look forward to reading the rest of your trip report!

Sorry to hear abour your FIL.

Thanks...Thanks...and Thanks.

Hope your FIL continues on the path to recovery!

Thank you.

Thanks for the thought on my dad.

Cookie, our bichon, thinks she is a human. Mark is currently in Vegas on business and she will sleep on his pillow for the next six nights with her butt in my face!

Great start - and loving the t shirts!

More please!

More Trip report...or More T-Shirt...or Both...or Ellipses... ... ...

Always in for a fellow East Tennessers trip Report. What school is your son starting into. Mine graduated from Volunteer last year and I have my youngest starting Kindergarten this year along with my 2nd grader. We are doing our first on site stay in 2011. Going to Myrtle Beach next summer to camp at Pirateland. Well off for our Lakeview RV park campout this weekend. Hope to see an update I can read while relaxing.

Welcome fellow Northest Tennessean! BOTH went to Lamar (Wash. Co.)..."Tiny" will still be there in the 4th..."Boy" starts going to the Telford Technological Institute...better known as David Crockett High School...

My wife and I stayed at CSR from July 18-27 and it was outstanding. It was our second trip to WDW (other was 2007) and our second time calling CSR home. We can't wait to go back (hopefully in 2011!).

Wow...that was the same time!
We were in the Cabana's 8B...While at the resort you could usually find us at the Pepper Market or at Panchito's. We only made it to the Dig Site once.

 

[trennr]

OK...technically...I'm Starting the Day before...for a little bit.

I get up early...go to work early...so I can leave early...so I can pack the van and get to bed early.

I get home around 3pm...and the van, wife, kids are not.

So I do what any good planner would do...I stage the luggage in the living room and wait for my help....while checking out the WDW weather and the DIS Boards.

Finally they get home about my regular getting home time...and I load the van....with the help of Boy and Tiny.

Yes that's detergent...11 nights = laundry.

I'd like to take a moment and comment on how much I LOVE our new 2008 Chrysler Town and Country (named Bessy). We bought her last fall. The Stow and Go seating is great...I mean look at how much room we have left.
Great Van...Great Price.

Anyway I eat dinner...take a shower...and get ready for bed. Mel takes the boys to their Bible School Finalle at 6pm and I go to bed around 8pm...in FIL's room...with the Heat Pump Fan on to drown out most noise. I hear them come in around 9:30 something, but go back to sleep.

Nature wakes me up at 2:46AM...my plan was to wake-up around 3:15AM to leave by 4AM...so I lay back down until 3:00...an I quitely get up...Boy gets up too as his room was across from where I was sleeping. ( I don't think he went to sleep. ) I sneak into my Bathroom via our Master Bedroom and see Mel and Tiny asleep... (Little sneak...taking Daddy's spot.)

I'm quite until 3:30. Then I start making noise in the Kitchen while packing the Cooler. Tiny had slept in his travel clothes so he and I head out to the Van about 3:50AM...and we wait. 4:06 Mel and Boy finally finish their OCD checking and double checking the house...and we Pull out of our Driveway at 4:09 AM. (Great 9 Minutes behind schedule. )

From where I live it's about 15 Minutes to pick-up I-26 East over in Erwin, TN...and another 30-40Minutes from there over the Mountains to Asheville, NC.

It's I-26 in TN...but once you hit NC It's called "Future I-26" until you get through Asheville...We make great time...I'm crossing the NC/SC Boarder in about an Hour and a half. When we reach Spartinburg, SC I can see the sky getting a little hint of blue to the East.

According to Peter Pan you follow the second star to the right and go straight on 'til Morning. Well I did that and that would put Neverland somewhere around mile marker 87 on I-26 between Spartinburg and Columbia.
Must have forgotten to sprinkle my pixie dust on Bessy.

It's about 3 Hours in...we reach Columbia I finally start seeing a little traffic on my side of the road. My Family is gone . And I start having visions of the Griswald's you know where they pan through the car and everyone is asleep including Clark. I often tell people I can't sleep in a car when someone else is driving... (Think about it...)

Around Exit 145 (Orangeburg, SC) I pull off to get some Gas...stretch and get some breakfast. We spend about 1 hour topping off the tank, and eating at Hardees...but everyone is awake now. We get back on the road...I notice a significant traffic increase...but before you know it there's I-95...then Georgia.

You ever been somewhere and seen something and when it's too late say, "Dang! I shoulda taken a picture of that!" That happens to me all too often.

Anyway a few miles north of Florida in Brunswik, GA you can see a most stunning Bridge to the East. So here's the Wikipedia link to it. LINK

We hit the Florida line at 11:25AM and a long standing tradition...we stop at the welcome center for some free OJ and Reading material.

As soon as we get back in the Car the skies open up. It's raining Poodles and Dogs. I usually take the Jacksonville by-pass just to go over another awsome Bridge that is 3 miles long...but I miss the turn as there is construction all around it. The trip through Jacksonville looks pretty straight on a map...but trust me...from construction and traffic and rain I felt like I was on the most nerve-racking rollercoaster from heck!

We get through Jacksonville and the rain quits...but traffic is pretty heavy from Jax to Daytona. We pick-up I-4...and its' a quick 60+ miles to Orlando. and finally we see this!!!!

Yep!...It was raining...but not for long. then we pull into this place.

We park at exactly 2:30pm...That's 10Hours 21minutes...Whoever coined the phrase "Getting there is half the fun!" ...never drove from Tennessee to WDW.

But I was thrilled to see this!!!!

then this...

And this...

Next Episode...
Ooooh...Me (we) Likey!!! Day 1 Part 2

 

[KatMark]

As soon as we get back in the Car the skies open up. It's raining Poodles and Dogs. I usually take the Jacksonville by-pass just to go over another awsome Bridge that is 3 miles long...but I miss the turn as there is construction all around it. The trip through Jacksonville looks pretty straight on a map...but trust me...from construction and traffic and rain I felt like I was on the most nerve-racking rollercoaster from heck!

 

[gemmybear83]

Yeahy you have arrived, I am currently bedridden with swine flu - and catching up with trip reports to keep me going!

 

[KatMark]

Yeahy you have arrived, I am currently bedridden with swine flu - and catching up with trip reports to keep me going!

You poor thing....feel better soon.

 

[dobball23]

We were close to you since we stayed in Cabanas 9B! I could be found in the fitness center in the morning and then walking on the path around the lake afterward as I waited for my wife to wake up so we could go to the parks.