Will You Chill Out if I Sprinkle You With Pixie Dust? The End p136 *New TR Link* p138

[MEK]

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo was recommended to me, but I'm not too sure about thta series. I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy & really enjoyed it a lot.

It really was a good book. It took me about 100 pages to really engage with it, but page 180 I couldn't put it down and the print I bought had over 600 pages. It really was good.

I should try the Hunger Games now that I have decided to get back into reading.

Glad you enjoyed the beach & kayacking. I love the beach, but don't like boats, ships yes!

We had a great time. The kayaking was really fun.

So, if you don't like boats, does that mean there will not be a cruise in your future?

Whew! Just found your TR and am now all caught up! Family makes for an interesting trip. Can't wait to read more! Although, I was a little disappointed that some of the pictures would't load, but it was a fun read anyway!

Thanks Karen

Cinderella909 Karen! Thanks so much for joining in. Atleast my inability to update for the past two weeks has gained me another reader. I hope to have a new update this weekend. I just keep pushing it further and further back.

After you finish the series, books two and three, you can watch the series on Netflix, if you have it. It is about 12 hours long, but It was really well done and stayed close to the books.

I already told my DH to move the first movie up in the queue. He rented it once, but I had only finished about 100 pages of the box and that was all of the first 15 minutes (if that). We sent it back and now I'm ready to watch it. But I do plan on reading the rest of the trilogy. I just wish I had another vacation to do it during.

Glad you are home safe and looking forward to more!!

Thanks! I will definitely update this weekend.

 

[MEK]

Hi DIS friends:

I am so sorry it has been so long without an update. When I got home from vacation I was determined to unpack, do all the laundry, clean the house, and finish my book. Then we spent a day visiting relatives and the next day (Monday) we toured the University of Md.

I have had something to do every night this week, so I am hoping to do an update on Saturday. Then, hopefully, I will return to my regular update scheduled of 2X a week.

I am not caught up on all my subbed TRs yet. Please forgive me if I haven't caught up on yours. I read them in a purely random order, so its super easy to overlook someones. I will get caught up though - promise!

 

[Pinkocto]

No worries, we're here whenever you have time

 

[annmarieda]

I totally understand... believe me. I still have several threads that I am sub'd to that I have to catch up on from the week I took off in July.


I am not sure where this summer is going... Personally though, you being slow to update works well for me... it means I am still caught up on your TR .

 

[vamassey1]

If you didn't see my response earlier, I just wanted to comment again that I loved the first book and I am definitely ordering the others. I really got addicted to it. I wanted to go back and read it again when I was done.

I was so disappointed when I finished them all and realized I couldn't read more since the author had passed.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

There may be a cruise in the future, I like ships, but not boats! There is a difference!

 

[amandaw]

Don't worry about the updates! We will all be here, ready when you are! It's so hard to catch up on the DIS after being away. And life just has a way of getting in the way sometimes.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Don't stress out about updating/catching up! I'm glad to hear that you had a nice trip!! Catching up on the Dis after being away can be hard!!

 

[natebenma]

Like everyone else is saying- don't stress yourself out about getting to comments and updates. I'd hate to think that you wrecked all of your well-deserved vacation relaxation mood by getting worked up trying to keep up. We'll all be here when you have the time!

on the FP FP (thats Fast Pass Faux Pas)

Wow - that would have been a great name for my update. Do you think it's too late to change it?

You are certainly welcome to use FP FP! I incorporated it to describe my situation at the MK.

 

[MEK]

No worries, we're here whenever you have time

Thank goodness for patient DISers. I almost started an update last night, but glad I didn't because I fell asleep with the computer in my lap. I burnt my legs once doing that.

I totally understand... believe me. I still have several threads that I am sub'd to that I have to catch up on from the week I took off in July.

Wouldn't it be nice if your sub'd threads were arranged by alphabetical order and not by the last update. Some threads I will miss until they pop up at the top of my list and then I think "on my, how did I overlook that one?"

I was so disappointed when I finished them all and realized I couldn't read more since the author had passed.

OMG. I hope that's now how I feel when I get to the end of the last book? I already have them in my queue at Amazon for when I place my next order. Denny got a $50 amazon gift card. Do you think he'll let me use it?

There may be a cruise in the future, I like ships, but not boats! There is a difference!

Yes, there is quite a difference. A BIG difference. I am glad a cruise ship is in your future. Looks like I am settling in on October 27,2013. That is my target cruise date with a day or day in Disney before departure and 5 days in Disney after departure. I was figuring out my point situation today, as a matter of fact. I would book it now, but we are planning to cruise with another couple and I don't know if they are ready to "lock-in" right now, so I can wait a few more months. But not many.

 

[MEK]

Don't worry about the updates! We will all be here, ready when you are! It's so hard to catch up on the DIS after being away. And life just has a way of getting in the way sometimes.

It feels like I am never going to completely get caught up, but I know I will. I think I just need a better system. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out what it is yet. Definitely updating this weekend.

Don't stress out about updating/catching up! I'm glad to hear that you had a nice trip!! Catching up on the Dis after being away can be hard!!

That is the ONLY bad thing about going away. It takes me over a week to catch back up again. I have done a lot of catching up, but I know there an new TRs that I started recently that I haven't gotten too yet. I hope I get all caught up this weekend.

Like everyone else is saying- don't stress yourself out about getting to comments and updates. I'd hate to think that you wrecked all of your well-deserved vacation relaxation mood by getting worked up trying to keep up. We'll all be here when you have the time!

Believe me, I am not THAT worked up. Getting back in the regular life routine messes with my relaxation much more than anything else does these days. I think I am a little stressed with the start of the school season and Nick's senior year. I feel a lot of pressure to make sure he gets his college apps in in time and picks the "right" schools to apply to.

You are certainly welcome to use FP FP! I incorporated it to describe my situation at the MK. !

Believe me, if I hadn't let my update go so long under its current name, I would take you up on that offer. It's perfect! Don't be surprised it I borrow some part of it for a future update. I see how nice you encorporated. If I had to carry around 20 FPs I can see a lot of FP FP's in my future.

 

[MEK]

This & That

I am naming this update "This & That" because that's exactly what I am going to do with this update- talk a little bit about "this & that". I mean, I haven't updated in two weeks, so it has to be a hodge-podge of ideas, right?

First - Can I get a shout out for 2 months to F&W????????? Cynthia (eandesmom) and I have been madly emailing back and forth this week trying to "tweak" our park plans and ADRs. I'll do a separate update on that at some point, but right now I just want to say that I am very excited to be returning to the world in just two months for my first ever F&W!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second - Although I don't have a ticker yet, I booked our HHI trip yesterday. Denny and I will be going for 5 nights starting March 17th. I thought our travel buddies from our May 2010 VWL trip were going with us, but they never committed, so I booked a studio for Denny and I instead of the 2BR. (A 1BR is 4 points less a night than a 2 BR, so that didn't make sense). Here's hoping that they don't change their minds a couple months down the road. I was actually going to charge them a small amount of the stay (about $75 a night), so I hope that's not why they bailed.

Oh well, I think this may work out better - more room in the car and Denny and I are more physically active then they are, so it will be easier for us to walk around Savannah and Charleston. Right now I am planning to stay in Charleston on the way home, so we can do an overnighter there.

Third - you are not going to believe who emailed me saying they wanted to go back to Disney and was I "in". Yup - that's right - they even signed the email Mickey and Minnie (insert last name). Can you say . I can only assume by asking if I was "in", it meant was I in with my DVC points. I skirted around the issue until they outright offered to pay for a portion of the points. Even then, I explained that I really don't have enough points for my HHI, a summer trip, and an October 2013 trip. They would all be in my same use year and I really hadn't planned on a June 2013 trip. In fact, I had decided I was pretty much done with summer trips now that I won't be traveling with my kids anymore.

I pointed bro and family in the direction of Bonnet Creek and they are looking at that. That's not to say that if they had extra room, I couldn't be convinced to join them for a few nights. If I paid for myself it could certainly be a cost effective trip. And I've always wanted to stay at Bonnet Creek. I think it would work out great for the size of their family. Anyway - we'll see what becomes of their trip planning. I really don't think they are quite ready to tackle Disney without an escort, but you never know.

Fourth - I am pretty much settled that I want to do the October 27th 2013 four night Dream cruise. It returns on Denny's BD, so we could spend that evening in Disney world and then hang out until we start seeing the Christmas decorations go up. I would love to do a 2 week trip. And if driving to HHI works out well (because Denny and I tend to bicker in the car), I "might" consider driving to Florida.

Moving On..........

So, remember how I told you I developed a fear of thrill rides after hanging upside down in a "Salt & Pepper" Shaker. Well, I was pretty sure they no longer existed. That is - until I saw one of these the other night at a local carnival in Maryland.

And, YES, they DO go upside down

My marching band did a parade there and I HAD to get out my phone and take that picture.

I posted this picture, just because I think it looks cool

So, I am sure you are all wondering how my trip to the BEACH went . Well, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable week. I usually do not go to the Delaware beaches during prime time because I don't enjoy crowds, but our rental was on the bay in Bethany Beach and it was very relaxing. The only not relaxing part was the 2 1/2 hour drive there. It should normally take about 1.5 hours. Ugh.

Here are a few pictures taken with my phone. I have not uploaded my regular photos yet, so these will have to do.

Here's my arrival drink. Hey Eeyore - who said I was sharing?

We went to the beach at the Indian river Inlet state park. Here is the new bridge in the background

No, I wasn't hitting the adult beverages when I took this one

Ah, that's better. Typical crowd level, which actually doesn't look too intimidating in this picture.

We have had this umbrella for ever and its still going strong

Here is the pool at the complex where we stayed

The front of the clubhouse. It was a gorgeous building

The inside. It was really lovely in there. Definitely Disney standards

The inside of the condo (not the best pictures)

Nick's room

Our bedroom (pretty plain, but nice and big)

Continued In Next Post.........

 

[MEK]

Continued.....

I took this picture as we were getting cleared off the beach for a thunderstorm

We arranged a private kayak tour. I loved this because it was just the four of us and our guide. Our guide is a teacher during the school year in PA, but runs this business in the summer. He took us through a back bay network that enters the Assawoman Bay. It was very cool. I got brave and got my own boat. I loved it. It was an Ocean kayak and very easy to control. Now I want one.

Can you guess which one was mine?




If you guessed the pink one, you are correct!

Our guide Allen from Adventures in Kayaking. I would recommend him if you ever want to do a private tour. $40 a person and you can find a $15 off coupon in Sunny Day

There's Denny in the green and our friends in the orange.

Now I have a special surprise for you. I actually had a DIS meet in Rehoboth Beach. I posted on FB that we were eating at the Green Turtle (which is right on the boardwalk) and I got a message from Chloe777 (Dawn) that she was right next door in Funland.

Of course, I had to go meet her and her gorgeous daughter Meadow. Naturally, my friends and Denny thought I was crazy for leaving right before our food was served. But they just don't understand. I told them its like being part of a secret society and when a DIS meet calls you just gotta go!

Photographic proof

How cute is this?

I was so glad I got to meet Dawn and her daughter.

Funny story - on Thursday night Denny asked me jokingly if I had another DIS meet arranged. I told him, Well, yes I do. I am going to OC, MD to meet some DISers tonight". I totally had him going for about 30 minutes. It was too funny!

So, all in all, it was a great week. I have more pictures, but I want to move on to a TR update.

So, let's see, where was I?

Oh yeah - We just finished lunch and now I was waiting to get a Star Tours FP. After lunch we headed to one of my personal favs

We got there early enough that I was able to take some random pictures

I can't help. These boxes always crack me up!

Finally, it was show time and we didn't have anyone stop in the middle of the row during seating!!!!!!!!!!!

These guys crack me up every time!

All the kids (and the adults) enjoyed the show and before we knew it, we were back on the street.

It was finally time to grab the FPs for Star Tours! Yeah

Continued in Next Post........

 

[MEK]

Continued......

FPs in hand, we went here next.

I really thought this was a great place to get out of the heat. Personally, I thought my brother's family might enjoy the movie.

A few picture ops

I am just a sucker for the inner workings of an animatronic figure

I think you've figured out by now that I was taking pictures of EVERYTHING today. Watching the movie in One Man's Dream was no exception. I decided to continue my no-flash obsessive picture taking during the film. If you've never seen it, you really should. It's a moving tale of Walt's life.

They showed several clips from the classics

I remember this. We watched it every Sunday night at 7pm

Back in the day.....

I think this is a good place to take a break. Up Next.....Star Tours and the Rest of the Afternoon..........

 

[natebenma]

Love your This and That update. In fact, I stopped reading before your Disney update so I could comment.

May I say that I am very jealous of your upcoming F&W trip. That is going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!

Too funny about your brother's family getting the bug to go back to Disney so soon. Looks like you not only sprinkled them with Pixie Dust, but you slipped them some kool-aid, too!

Your thoughts about a future Dream cruise are intriguing.

What fantastic pictures from the fairgrounds. Seriously, are all of those from your phone? Gorgeous!

Love the pictures from the beach. The condo and the complex look great. How far were you from the beach? Walking distance? Short drive?

for your impromptu DIS meet. What a cutie Willow is.

I'll come back and read your Disney update soon. Taking a little break from household tasks.

 

[Nermel9]

Yay, your Food and Wine trip is so close! I can't believe this will be your first F&W trip, you're going to love it! My November trip is only 12 weeks away, which, when you say it like that, sounds really close, but when you realize we still have August, Sept, Oct, and part of November to get through, then it still seems SO far away!

I'm shocked that your brother and family want to go back to Disney again! Bonnet Creek sounds like a good option, in fact, if I can ever bring myself to not worry about magic hours, I'd like to stay there someday, it looks really pretty!

OMG that ride looks terrifying...that's what you got stuck on??? I used to love carnivals when I was younger, but now, no thank you, they just look so scary now!

Your beach vacation looks like it was so much fun, and yay for a surprise DIS meet!

Glad everyone liked the Muppets and One Man's Dream! I have still not watched the movie at the end, but now after seeing your pictures, I really want to!

 

[dawnbu40]

All our your upcoming Disney plans sound wonderful! Since we're thinking of going in June next year I think you should go with your brother and hopefully our vacations would finally overlap

Love the pics from your beach vacation. The complex and condo look very nice

As for your Disney update...great details pics. The queue area for the Muppets is so cute and has so much attention to detail!

I love One Man's Dream. Our family used to watch Wonderful World of Disney too. The whole family would sit on the floor with a big bowl of popcorn and it was the only time we got pop!

Thanks for the update!

 

[ljcrochet]

Great update and pictures.
How exciting to have all those trips planned. I can't wait to read your trip report from food and wine. We used up all of our points from this year already (or will when we go next week) and had to borrow points for our anniversary trip.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

They want to go again!!!!! I'm glad you suggested Bonnet Creek. I've heard good things about it. You have your points planned like us - we've got three years of trips scheduled in our minds!!

I am excited for you F&W countdown too! Since I'm just a few days ahead of you!! And I get to meet you and Cynthia and hopefully lots of others!

Your beach pictures are great! As for that scary ride - yup, we still have them at our local fairs too. No way in H-E-double hockey sticks would I ever set foot in one!!!

I like the Muppets - I used to watch their show all the time as a kid. And Sunday night for the Wonderful World of Disney. Now it's so different. Disney channel is on 24/7. Especially at our house!!!

 

[MEK]

Love your This and That update. In fact, I stopped reading before your Disney update so I could comment.

May I say that I am very jealous of your upcoming F&W trip. That is going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!

I am very, very excited for the F&W trip! I think it is going to be totally different from any other trip I have taken. I am looking forward to seeing other DISers, eating at food booths, attending a few seminars, and trying a new Signature restaurant. Plus we are staying at BWV for the weekend portion of the trip.

Too funny about your brother's family getting the bug to go back to Disney so soon. Looks like you not only sprinkled them with Pixie Dust, but you slipped them some kool-aid, too!

I'm not quite sure if they are at kool-aid stage, but they definitely want to go back and now that they've priced a few on site stays for a family of 5 they realize what a nice advantage there is to staying DVC. I told them I think they should just buy.

Your thoughts about a future Dream cruise are intriguing.

We are going to do the cruise portion with the same couple we went to the beach with. I just hope they will be able to make an advanced commitment so I can start booking stuff soon. The cruise is easy, but booking the DVC portion always becomes tricky when the other people are totally committed.

What fantastic pictures from the fairgrounds. Seriously, are all of those from your phone? Gorgeous!

Yup - you can tell because the motion one is bad, but some other the others turned out pretty cool.

Love the pictures from the beach. The condo and the complex look great. How far were you from the beach? Walking distance? Short drive?

It was a 5 minute drive to the state park. I really wanted to hit the beach in Bethany but it is so hard to get a meter and most of the side streets are seasonal parking permits. The state park charges $4/day for an instate car and they have bathrooms, which is always a plus.

for your impromptu DIS meet. What a cutie Willow is.

That child is so pretty. I couldn't believe how cute she was in person.

I'll come back and read your Disney update soon. Taking a little break from household tasks.

Ugh - I hear ya. I just ran, now I have a million and one chores to do.

Yay, your Food and Wine trip is so close! I can't believe this will be your first F&W trip, you're going to love it! My November trip is only 12 weeks away, which, when you say it like that, sounds really close, but when you realize we still have August, Sept, Oct, and part of November to get through, then it still seems SO far away!

12 weeks still sounds close to me. At least its not a year. I am really looking forward to F&W. I have traveled to Disney in June, August, Sept, November, December, Jan, and May, but NEVER October, so this is definitely a first. I really can't wait.

I'm shocked that your brother and family want to go back to Disney again! Bonnet Creek sounds like a good option, in fact, if I can ever bring myself to not worry about magic hours, I'd like to stay there someday, it looks really pretty!

I almost fell off my chair the day I read the email. I do think BC is a good option for them. I have not read one bad review about the place. The location is awesome. For a family of 6 it is probably half of what rack rate Disney is. I see no reason for them NOT to do it. I found one other property off site that looks pretty good. I forget the name. I also told them to consider VRBO for a house rental. I checked out some lovely properties. yeah - its not the same as staying on site, but its got some distinct advantages.

OMG that ride looks terrifying...that's what you got stuck on??? I used to love carnivals when I was younger, but now, no thank you, they just look so scary now!

It was very similar to that, but somehow that top car had me strapped in upside down.

Your beach vacation looks like it was so much fun, and yay for a surprise DIS meet!

I really enjoyed it. I had a lot of pool and beach time, exercised every morning, and we cooked and went out for some good food. I was so happy Dawn saw my FB post and messaged me.

Glad everyone liked the Muppets and One Man's Dream! I have still not watched the movie at the end, but now after seeing your pictures, I really want to!

Oh - you MUST. You would love it. It brings a tear to my eye every time and makes me have the utmost respect for Walt. He was an amazing man.

All our your upcoming Disney plans sound wonderful! Since we're thinking of going in June next year I think you should go with your brother and hopefully our vacations would finally overlap

You must definitely keep me posted as to your June trip plans, because I have a feeling I could be "enabled" into a June visit if all the conditions were right. I just would have to stay off-site, which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I know its going to be hard to wait a whole year between Disney trips, since HHI is not quite the same.

Love the pics from your beach vacation. The complex and condo look very nice

It was a very nice complex. I am happy that it turned out well because I really tried to pick a place that was cost-effective, yet large enough and nice enough for 6 people.

As for your Disney update...great details pics. The queue area for the Muppets is so cute and has so much attention to detail!

Thanks. I actually need to see that queue with someone who really knows it well. I know there's a lot of cool stuff in there that I don't even know where to start to look for.

I love One Man's Dream. Our family used to watch Wonderful World of Disney too. The whole family would sit on the floor with a big bowl of popcorn and it was the only time we got pop!

The good ol' days - right! There our days when I would like to go back to that feeling. I used to get so excited when it was time for that show and so sad when it was over because it meant the weekend was over. Boo! And that was probably the only time we had "pop" too!

Thanks for the update!

You're welcome!