Even I am hard pressed to come up with a relation between my chapter title and what this update is going to be about. Unless we'd like to go with the spiritual aspect, in which case it could easily be said that guarding the boat is the way in which I protect my family, minding the tide is keeping us on a good course, and not touching the dirt...well...I'm keeping everyone clean in the process?
Anyhoo, it was time for an update. And I liked that quote. So there you go.
I do have lots to report, and lots of shopping has been done for the trip. I'm actually getting my preparations done much earlier than last year, and I blame it all on the DIS boards. You all get me so a-tingle with anticipation over my trip, and we're all sharing the excitement of our adventures in the World, it makes me want to be ready! That, and the fact that we'll most likely be waking up between 330-400am on our departure day really puts a rush on things, savvy?
I feel blessed to have found such a great group of supporters here. People who read this discourse, look forward to what I'll write next, and wait for (and insist upon) my trip report. That you all care enough about the three of us to read about us and share in this process, listening to my highs and lows, and taking it all in stride...and that you're all cheering us on to enjoy ourselves on this pirate's life for three...well, it means a lot to me.
It means so much to be able to share these things, and to know that in various corners of the US (and the world, 2SP) there are people who know our story.
With that in mind, I feel even more like I want to be prepared for this trip, that I want everything squared away as early as possible. Not only so I'm ready, but you all are too. Ready for the adventure of a life time, and hoping that my last update before our trip won't be about last minute packing but something beautiful and profound about my family and the trip we're about to embark on. However, don't hold me to that. It's highly likely you could have some sort of mostly incoherent gibberish that early in the AM.
On to the preparations, dear friends.
And I know how you all love the photos, so here goes.
First we have the countdown calendar. Unfortunately, DS is still stuck on the whole stickers are for potty training concept, even though we did retire the potty power chart (full of stickers I may add), and have a (mostly) accident free kid, he just doesn't get the idea of the countdown calendar. I'll trying explaining it again, but if not, you know what?
I like it!!!!
So today, I put my own sticker on yesterday's date! And said woo hoo! And go me! But all in my head, because I'm really, really under the weather, and DS is napping. One day closer to the Wilderness Lodge and my Pirate's Life for Three.
So what will we carry all our stuff in?
As we mourn the loss of old and busted backpack, I proudly, and respectfully introduce new hotness:
This is a lovely backpack from
WalMart. I used the site to store shipping, so it cost me $16.96. Lovely black backpack. So pretty. So deserving of more photos.
Like this:
I know that's a weird angle, but there's two, well three things I want to tell you about the side of the bag. One is that cool detachable cell phone holder up there, which I actually think could be great to put my camera in. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't leave it hanging off of the bag like that, but it's a great size to keep it extra protected in one of the pockets. Also, check out that side pocket. It is just the right size for holding DS' action figures and toys we take with us to occupy him during table service meals, and there's one on each side. Also that mesh net is to hold your water, etc, but we use it for DS' straw cups, and it looks to be a great size. Very excited about that.
Also:
Check out that nice handle! So much easier to pick up and hold than a fabric one, and I didn't even realize it had that feature when I bought it. Also, that smaller pocket is the perfect size for my sunglasses.
And:
That straps are padded. I mean, a lot! They have very nice cushioning, and on the bottom part, that's an air pack you can blow up to alleviate the pressure on your back while carrying.
I mean, who knew backpacks could be so souped up? I didn't. I'm behind the times, folks. Behind the times.
The only thing that bothered me about it initially was I thought it had two main compartments, and there's only one. I liked the two for separating different items, but my ocd planner side has already come up with a solution. Ziplock bags. Anything that needs separating will go in Ziplock bags, that way we can just pull out the appropriate bag without digging through to find what we're looking for.
For example, I know we'll be carrying some of DS' outfits, overnight diapers, perhaps a swim diaper, wipes, etc. The clothing will go in its own packets and we'll carry extra ziplocks in case we have accidents to contend with. But for the flight, this bag will need to hold all our swimsuits, etc, in case our room's not ready. So there's that to consider as well. I'm confident this bag will work for us. I really prefer the separate backpack compartments, and I'm pleased with this purchase. Great bag, great price. You're welcome to WalMart for the huge plug.
Now, since we're talking about what's going into bags, there were some toiletries/items that we were missing or I just needed more of.
Let's take it from the top shall we?
Swim diapers. We've already discussed my feelings on this, even though DS is a good boy, and very well trained, I think swim diapers are a good idea in public pools. Just my two cents. We call them "swim undies."
On the right we have my contact solution. I printed out a coupon online and nabbed that now so I can just pack it with the other tolietries. Also picked up some shave cream, BATMAN (hey have to throw out some props to DH somewhere) bandaids, and infant tylenol. Why infant, why not childrens' you may ask? Well, DS is not the best medecine taker. And the infant Tylenol you can squirt into the mouth with the provided dropper. And it comes in yummy grape. So we use that. Also, batteries. Batteries for my MP3 player, and for digital camera. And, one of those packs has a mail in rebate on it!
Now my next step, inevitably is to dump my memory card. In order to do this, I need to get all my images that aren't burned onto CDs and ordered from the photo developing place of my choice. I do this every year before we go to Disney. Change the batteries, burn the images, dump the card, develop the photos, scrap the photos. I like to be up to date on my scrapbooks before I leave for Disney.
It makes me feel good, satisfies my OCD, and gives me the overall relief of knowing I can scrap my trip with absolute abandon when I get back. So much fun! Although this year, it's highly possible I may go digital with that as well, and get a printed scrapbook.
Which brings me to another point.
In the next couple of weeks, I'll need to pre-purchase the photopass CD.
And I have totally forgotten to call Debbi at the Coral Reef to set up the customized menus! Bad, bad TK.
Thank goodness I have LL to keep me on track. So hopefully, the ordering of the photos and whatnot will get done today, and the calling to Coral Reef will get done tomorrow while DH isn't home.
And that's where we're at right now folks. Other than the lovely summer colds we picked up (I'd love to blame Tink, but seeing as how you can't transmit the cold virus through the computer, it was most likely my dad) the fam is doing just fine. Of course, DH isn't sick. He never gets sick. Well, except that one time. NOPukefest2008.
Amazing how far we've come since then.
And how far we have to go.
"Guard the boat, mind the tide...don't touch my dirt."
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Sorry, ladies.
Right now I have 3 memory cards that need to be put on my computers, and I'm over a year behind with my pages. Maybe I should set some goals?
