We're taking a day off today to relax since I caught a nasty cold. I powered through it yesterday, but we finally left Epcot at 4. I just couldn't walk any further. It seemed so busy and the lines for any of the food booths were crazy long. We did enjoy looking at all the art and they had a few special spots set up for photopass.
We were able to meet up with my sister's family at MK on Thursday. Two of her three grandsons got their faces made up as pirates and she had bought costumes for them. The older one got called up for the pirate show and did so well. The youngest who is only 1 1/2 loved my phone with the Minnie case I got just for Disney. He tried to trade me his Mickey hat and was really sad when I took it back to leave. Her son-in-law had to fly back to Minnesota. If you saw a young girl was shot and killed in St. Paul Wed., that was his niece. They stayed until their regular flight on Sat.
Having a great time swimming now that the weather has warmed up and our pool is warmer. It had a hard time keeping up those nights where the temps dropped to 40. We had mainly used the hot tub, but it's so nice to swim now. Looking forward to just basking in the sun today and trying to kick this cold with a little rest.
I am glad you were able to take a day to relax - I sure hope you are feeling better now - colds in Disney are no fun!
It's also nice that you were able to get some extended time with your family - it sounds like you had a great time together and how cool about the pirate show... Cute story.
That is so sad about the girl in St. Paul - to be honest - I have not been watching the news, so I didn't know anything about it. Sending prayers up for the family during this time - I just cannot imagine what they are going through!
It sounds like you had a great day off!
How great that you got the time for a few DIS meets on your last day at WDW.
Sounds like the travel back home went well.
Yes - I squished all of them into our last hours. LOL
It went well - it was a very long day though.
I'm glad you had time for those last few meets at the Poli.
I hate last days at Disney especially when you don't know when you're going back.
It sounds like you had a good trip home even if it was long.
I'm glad Allison found a job she likes but sorry she had to learn that changing about what you wan to do is not always a good thing when it involves paying back all those grants.
Some kids just have to take a year off to figure out what they want to be when they grow up. My daughter changed majors some many times. She finally ended up with a degree as a paralegal and works for an insurance company.
Your lazy day sounds good. I worked all day and ended up staying a half hour past my shift because a customer thought she didn't enough screws for her tv. The manager and opened another on it had the exact same number of screws so we're still not sure if that was right. All the customer problems seem to come at the end of my shifts.
I hope you have a good Sunday
Liz
Yes - it was a lot of fun to do all of the meets and say good bye to everyone! I am glad we had the chance!
Well - after 3 LONG trips in a year - I was honestly OK with leaving... And this seems like a good time to take a little break from it all... There are so many changes going on there - I can't hardly keep up!
Yes... This is going to be a tough life lesson for her... She seems to almost be excelling because of it though - I honestly think that maybe she did need this break just to breathe for a bit. She will go back to school - I know that without a doubt, as she is a kid who has always enjoyed learning.
Figures - it seems that way for us too - especially when I worked in electronics.
I did - same to you!
Thanks for taking us along on your trip. I really enjoyed it! Leaving is always so hard. In fact, while I was reading about your last day and the sadness that comes along with it, I started getting that ache I get when I leave Disney. It's just so sad. I always need to have another trip on my radar to lessen the blow.
Speaking of another trip, I had asked a few pages back about attending
MNSSHP and I think we are going to go for it. We are looking forward to it and a two night stay at BLT. That will be a new resort for us.
I've been following Dave Ramsey for years! I'm not gazelle intense as most; DH and I do what works for us but his plan does work.
Sure - I will probably always write TRs for our trips - it makes them last longer for me, and it's fun to go back and remember it all.
I was sad to leave - but not nearly as bad as other times... After 3 long trips over the course of a year, I was kind of done with it - as sad as that is.
Yay!!! I honestly think that fall is the best time to go - the weather is perfectly warm and enjoyable, most of the time.
We've gone gazelle-intense many times... and then we slack off... And then we build up again... This time I am determined - it won't take long honestly.
And it means that we can travel and enjoy life more often if we sacrifice a little bit now.
What a fun trip! How nice that y'all were able to fit in one last Disney meal before heading back to the real world. I feel for V--going to school the day after Disney is the WORST!
Yes - it was a great trip... I do still regret not going into Epcot that last night, but with both of us not feeling the greatest - it was the right choice.
I honestly cannot even remember if I actually sent her or not? I think I felt bad and let her stay home, but I can't remember. LOL
Awwww D - I cannot believe "last day" was on your TR; bittersweet right? So many memories made; what an awesome gift you have given to each of your girls their Senior year. What awesome Dis meets you had that last day. Your breakfast at the Poly sounded amazing.
Yes to a "maybe" PTR! Go for it!
So, I lost a chunk of tuition with Shane; due to his misstep at college. When he went off to college out of town a few years ago he knew it wasn't right for him, which is the short story. Being that it was early October when he came home, the payment had been due late August, which came out of our "Texas Tomorrow" plan which each son had/has which pays the tuition hours for that semester and is non-refundable. It is good for tuition only at a set rate of hours. So, I did not get a refund on the fees I paid and he lost 15 hours of the plan total. It was a hard thing to swallow but each child has to find their way somehow and this wasn't right for him and cosmetology school wasn't right for Allison. Like I say, some children have a meandering path to follow until they find the way. I know it's there, they just have to find it, and we have to encourage and pray. I keep saying Shane is on the 20 year plan for college
Yay for a lunch with Myrthe. Enjoy! Please share pics!!
Have a wonderful week D! Sending a huge hug and prayers.
Yes - the last day is always so sad, but I was honestly OK with it this time - after 3 long trips over the course of a year, I was ready to be home and relax... I'd put in a LOT of OT to make these trips happen and honestly I was exhausted!
We created wonderful memories though and it's something we will always look back on and enjoy!
I'll try to do a PTR - it's hard to do it without dates though... I really need to be concentrating on getting some debt paid off before I go on another trip.
Even though I don't put our trips on credit, it's still $$ that could be used to pay off debt.
I know how you feel Carol - it's so hard, but in the end - no one wants to pay for college if they aren't going to enjoy the field of study - so I get that. I just wish, now that she would change her mind and go back to finish - as at least she would get something for it, rather than nothing. Ahhh... but it will be OK. She is working hard and I think it's turning into a good life lesson for her.
I will! We are all so looking forward to seeing her!
Thanks Carol - same to you!
Seeing all your bracelets reminded me of the one that was damaged. Did you ever get a replacement? So sad your trip is over. I really enjoyed seeing and hearing about it. I'm already sad that we're not taking one next year and this one isn't even over yet. I keep trying to think of how we could swing it, but I know I have to be responsible.
So funny about your luggage stuffed in Allison's car. It was lucky you had room for Victoria. At least now that we drive I don't have to worry about room for souvenirs. One year the kids had won a bunch of stuffed animals somewhere. So we had them in a big shopping bag. My husband didn't have a carry on so he took it for my daughter. It got hung up in the machine at the airport. Security kind of freaked out when my daughter went back to help and they didn't like that it my husband was carrying it for someone else.
I'm usually the first one up and I like to sit outside with my coffee too. Just to soak as much Florida sun that we can before we go home. It's too bad that you were feeling sick from the food. We usually just eat one meal in the parks and I think that helps. Especially since we're here so long.
Going back to HS this afternoon to ride Rock 'n Roller as that was down and we didn't want to wait. We also want to see the fireworks so my son decided that's how he wanted to use the 5th day on his ticket. We were kind of amazed when we went to Toy Story to use our fast passes and the standby wait was only 25 minutes, and this was at 10:30. Feeling a little better so looking forward to it.
Oh yes - I forgot to update... My bracelet finally came last week! Now I am afraid to wear it because I am afraid the beads will chip again. LOL I'll probably only ever wear it for special occasions.
I agree - it's hard not to have a trip planned, but I keep telling myself... If I take a break now... I'll be able to go whenever I want to later. I think it's a good trade off.
Hahaha... I was a bit concerned about getting V into the car... It was a bit dicey there for a bit. LOL
I wish we could drive - but it's just so easy to fly.
I love being the first one up and just enjoying the quiet with my coffee - it's honestly my favorite part!
I probably would do better with the food issues if we only ate one meal a day in the parks... but 3 meals a day in parks/resorts really gets old after a bit!
Enjoy DHS! I've heard, now that they have the extra line at TSM - the lines aren't nearly as terrible - which is a good thing. I Just think they need a whole new park - they need to disburse some of these crowds some how.
Enjoy your trip!
I remembered reading that somewhere in one of your TRs, so I followed suit and gave myself this weekend off!!
You aren't kidding!!!! I did Level 2 this morning and felt like a crazy person trying to keep up. I'm still doing walking push ups and they're already almost done with the next thing....it will take some time to get the hang of this one for sure!! And those ab workouts are insane!
I feel like this quote should be stitched on a sampler and hanging in people's homes!!! Words to live by, and SO true!!
I can't believe your TR is over Let's hope for a new PTR on the horizon!! After all, I booked our last trip 500 days out--you can plan for the way way future!!
I am glad you took the weekend off - I really enjoy my weekends off a lot.
I also allow myself 2 cups of coffee on the weekends, rather than one.
Yah - level 2 is a bit crazy... Lots of tears for me when I do it. LOL I usually just do as many as I can do in the time that they do their bazillion more. LOL and then I move on to the next thing - otherwise I'd never finish.
Hahaha! Life isn't easy - that's for sure!
Ahhh - it's not quite over yet... I still have a few updates to do.
I think I can drag this one out for another month. LOL I"ll likely start another PTR - though I don't have any idea of dates yet.
I feel sad for the end of the trip too. I will have to remember about the food overboard when planning our meals. Last time, we were on the QS meal plan and it was great, but we were still overloaded with desserts. Our first trip, we ended up cancelling the majority of our TS reservations near the end of the trip because we just couldn't handle another big meal. I will try to do special dining near the beginning.
It is so hard to watch your kids make choices that you don't agree with. It will be a hard lesson, but it might open doors that you can't even imagine at this point.
Glad you will get to see Myrthe. Even a short visit is better than none. Have a great time.
Yes - keep that in mind... Even though I KNOW this every time I plan a trip - I still do it to myself. LOL There are too many "must do" places to eat!
I know - it's so hard... She is a good kid with a good head on her shoulders - she has earned the right to forge her own path - and I always have to remember that her path is not my path.
We are very excited to see her! It will be a lot of fun!
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Sorry that my life updates have been pretty sporadic... I just feel bad coming here to say "I worked and I did nothing" which is pretty much what I am going to do today. LOL
I am still working out every day... My eating hasn't been terrible - it hasn't been great either... Right up the middle, I guess. I do need to be better with it or I will never lose what I gained last year. Grrrr...
I have been putting in crazy hours in my sewing room and getting TONS accomplished - which is fantastic!
Organizing life has been going well... If any of you haven't noticed - I've pretty much overhauled my entire life over the last years... Starting with my health... And then my house... And then my budget... I am still committed to all of them and trying hard to have a good balance.
It isn't always easy, and I am doing my best.
That's about all... I am trying to find some time to head up to Dad's in the coming week... It gets really hard at this time of year... Not only am I swamped with work and having a hard time taking time off - but I also have to factor in weather and every one else's work schedules... I am hoping - since I don't think we have any plans this weekend, that maybe Josh and I can run up then?
I hope all of you are doing well - as always, sending prayers and pixie dust out to you all!
D~
Let's hope for a new PTR on the horizon!! After all, I booked our last trip 500 days out--you can plan for the way way future!! 
My hands even hurt from always being on the floor.....hopefully it gets better. Thankfully I have people here who understand because no one else wants to listen to me! 
