You'd think some of us would learn right?
Actually-the 2014 trip was our learning curve-too much, too little time left me wanting more. Which is why I immediately booked for 2015. Then took the next 6 months to convince my DH it was HIS idea to go back, then convince him 2 weeks were optimal...and why AP to Disney made sense for us this past year -->well-we have til August before those big boys expire...and I have a trip booked in June...and I just looked for our timeshare for second week and Sheraton Vistana Villages is available
. I did put in request for my "unicorn" of Marriott Lakeshore Reserve though. And it was DH idea for Universal annual passes...reminds me I need to look at the different levels and put budget together!
I've been going to Steak n Shake for years, but I have a new appreciation now after your trip reports!
Wow your countdown is getting close to double digits!
And I think the steroids helping the breathing/energy will out weigh any less sleep you may get. Although I am always ravenously hungry when on steroids! The downside to being able to breathe
Well, I can tell you that the steroids have definitely not made me hungry
. Just the opposite...they've done a terrible number on my stomach (though I have a tender tummy at the best of times....so I suppose I should not be surprised). But, on a happy note, they are definitely helping to dry up all the yuck that's been going on for the last 2 months, and I've hardly been coughing at all today. So, I declare it a win!
You guys should get some great mileage from Universal AP's
. We loved having ours for two years, and always found something new to do on each visit. You should definitely go to Volcano Bay at some point, too.....it's a gorgeous water park!!
We have been to Obama 2 or 3 times for dinner and loved it each time! It is way too expensive, but we were celebrating our anniversary, so it was a nice splurge. I want to go back in June if we can get a reservation.
Being big Ohana fans for breakfast, Steve has always wanted to do dinner there.....but we could never seem to snag an ADR on a day that would work for us. I was flabbergasted when I got one for May. I hope we have as great an experience there as you have!! It seems people are either totally in love with it, or woefully disappointed. Of course, the internet is full of critics, so maybe I should just take all the negative with a grain of salt
.
I hope you're feeling better Gina and wrapping your head around the 'new' trip for2. You and steve will have a great time together. Hopefully your run of luck is now set to improve
Have you had 3? totally not the same but before Christmas we had the microwave, washer and dishwasher break. The new year has seen a leaking tap, broken shower and a cracked window. The Florida holiday seems like a dream at the minute so it's great to be following your plans.
My mom always had that same saying, too ..... "bad luck comes in three's" . I think our two is enough, though, thank you very much
. Let's say Jake's broken engagement was bad enough, it counted for double
.
I am so sorry you've had such a crappy string of frustrating issues!! One of my momma's other favourite sayings is "poor start, good ending". Hopefully that summarizes your 2018.....all the issues out of the way in the beginning, and the rest of the year will be smooth sailing
.
Ok...so way too much to quote/delete
The vacay is only 21 days away. To say I'm excited is probably an understatement. I don't think it's the weather making me feel that way....it might if I had been having to go out to work everyday. It's the fact that I found a brand new, luxury resort and because it's so new (opened Dec.1) the prices were rather low. check it out.....
https://www.hotelxcaret.com/en/ I'm pretty sure that I will never be able to afford this place again. The price is rapidly climbing on a daily basis and now approaching double what I paid.
On the work front....I'm still off and we are going into week 4. I've gotten past the lost revenue(it's gone, can't get it back) and now stressing about getting the work caught up before I go away. If I have to go away leaving a back log I will not feel good at all. At this point the best I can hope for is getting back to work on the 19th but it is literally a day to day thing.
Philosophising...that's a good one. I'm not at all the person with wisdom. Wish I was. Could really use some right now too....I'm dealing with a nephew who is in a world of trouble at the moment. I get to have my first experience in bail court tomorrow....first experience in court period.
Gatorland....I went as a kid on our very first trip to FL. I was five and it is one of those things that stuck in my memory. I didn't go again until about 4 years ago. I had been wanting to go for years just to see if it was the way I remembered it. We had a great time but unfortunately it started pouring rain so we only saw half the park. I find gators fascinating and loved the ponds at the front where there are dozens of them.
So sorry to hear about your nephew
. That sounds like it's got to be a tough one for your whole family. Sending you a big hug
. I hope he made out okay in court, and that his parents (your sister? brother?) are doing alright under the circumstances.
Sounds like you NEED that vacation badly, my friend. That, and a fruity margarita or two with little coloured umbrellas peeking out of them.
Aww Gina, I was so excited for your family, catching up on this trip report, then sad to read about Jake. I'm glad he's got a great support system and happy you have your upcoming trip to plan to help you keep your mind off of it!
As someone else mentioned, you also inspired me to see the other side of Orlando. Not sure when our next trip will be, but will definitely have to give Discovery Cove a second look. My daughter wants to save the environment and animals and is planning on some kind of education and career in that field, so something with the Manatees is on my list as well. She's going to Sri Lanka this summer for her grade 12 biology credit, visiting an elephant orphanage and experiencing some national park safaris, so I have a feeling Orlando theme parks will be at the bottom of her travel list once she experiences that! Lol
What a cool opportunity for your daughter!! She must be SO excited! Does it make you a little nervous to know she's venturing so far from home?
I wish I had considered a similar career path, back when I was young and had the energy to conquer the world
. I guess it just wasn't my destiny. Of course, my school didn't offer such amazing trips, either!!
Wow, momof2gr8kids, what an amazing opportunity for her!
Hi Gina,
I don't usually post, but always enjoy your reports. I started reading and was so surprised that you are now fellow Michiganders! Welcome to MI! My first thought was - but we won't get to hear your crazy park-n-fly stories anymore! As the mom of two boys I read your first posts with excitement and the last with great sadness and empathy. I think you were terribly gracious, considering. Whatever consolation it is I really think women near college age haven't figured out yet that a kind man is a catch. My DH was always in the friend zone with women he knew in college which I've always been really grateful for, since he was miraculously still single when I met him at 28! I think somewhere out there is a better match who will truly appreciate your sweet son...
Thank you Lisa!! A big
to the thread!
Which part of Michigan do you hail from? Maybe we're neighbors?
Thank the Lord, our wacky park and fly days are (hopefully) behind us
. We don't even drive to the airport now.....we have a driver from Motor City Transportation pick us up in a town car and whisk us home after our trip, and its beyond marvelous (and not much pricier than parking at DTW for a week). I gotta say, I LOVE being this close to a major international airport. Now, if only Jetblue would offer nonstop flights to MCO from Detroit!!
Thank you for the kind words for my Jake
.
I finally found the PTR!!
I will say- hopefully you are feeling better, and I'm really sorry to hear about Jake
Thanks Joanna. Happy to say, he's bouncing back quite well. I guess people learn they're stronger than they realize they are, when their strength is put to the test.
A big
to the thread, by the way! So glad to have you joining in!
I just read your latest update. What a terrible week this has been for you. I do hope you are feeling better now. As someone else mentioned , the steroids can be a necessary evil. They make me sleepless and anxious but they will help you heal quicker. I hope this week turns out to be much better. Happy Belated Birthday to Jake.
Thanks pigletto. I must have an odd biochemical mix, because they haven't affected my sleep or energy level at all
. The drug warnings said they would make me dizzy, but negative on that score as well. Just a horrible, upset, unhappy stomach.....so I guess I should count myself lucky, all things considered.
I am definitely feeling much better this week. Jake is doing well, the meds are kicking in and the cough is finally subsiding, and I'm seeing the good in the world again
. Finally shaking my funk.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/awesome-day-at-dc-trip-report-with-pics.3646195/
Hi Gina I hope my link worked!
I just caught up with your posts. I am so sorry to hear about your son and his break-up. I agree it is horrible as a parent to see your child going through so much pain and you can't help but just being there for him in any way.
I agree it's better it happened now but she absolutely should have given him some kind of reason to why. There is no reason to do that to him. I make sure I teach my DD 16 about how to treat someone with respect, morals and values. I always tell her to treat people as you want to be treated. She needs to think about other peoples feelings. You are absolutely entitled to feel the way a mamma bear should feel about her cub. I know I would
I hope he gets an answer at some point. It will be easier for him to move on at some point. I will keep you in my thoughts
I am sorry you have to make all those changes but glad you are making the best of it. I understand about your friends and I agree with you about doing one park family at a time. I did Universal and Disney back in 2012 and it was way to expensive to do both. I also learned my lesson this summer by not taking advantage of the 14 day ticket with Discovery Cove. Gator land sounds cool I will have to look into that sometime.
Hope you are feeling better and I will keep checking in!
Thanks for the link!! I will definitely check it out
. I thoroughly enjoy reading about other people's experiences at my favorite places. It's so fun to see things through other people's eyes
.
Thank you for the good wishes for Jake, they are much appreciated. I think every mom can relate in some way, can't we? We'd all love to keep our children safe inside a bubble for their whole lives, shielded from the hurt and injustices of the world, but alas....they seem bound and bent to lead their own independent lives
. Silly kids.
Gina I've said this before, but it deserves repeating--- your enthusiasm and positivity, even in the face of life disappointments and cancellations by dear friends, is why I love your reports!
Hope the meds have you feeling better, and I hope you and the hubby enjoy a nice, EASY trip just the two of you!
Dawn
Aw, thank you!
To quote my mom (yes, again....it seems to be happening a lot today!!
) : "It's never so bad that it can't be worse". I try to keep that in mind, even when things go sour. I have so, SO much to be grateful for
.
And ya know, I'm starting to see the blessing of having a just-the-two-of-us trip, too. Much as it would have been awesome to have our boy join us, and wonderful to have our friends come along, we will savor the opportunity to enjoy 8 beautiful days together in our favorite vacation place in the world. What better way to mark our 25th anniversary. I'm getting excited again
.
108 days to go!