Disney Again

Yes we are going again. This time it will be Scott, me, Drew, and Scott's mom ML. We are going October 21-28. I have spent a lot of time planning our ADR's (Advanced Dining Reservations) and our days in the park. I have many friends and family who ca't quite understand why I plan so much before we go. They think it is vacation and I should go with the flow. Going with the flow at Disney can be a bad thing. When you are dealing with that many people in a relatively small space it is best to plan. And plan well.

I follow one of the touring plans online. Last year when we went Scott was amazed that in less than 90 minutes we had done 8 rides at MK and had fast passes for 2 others where the stand by wait was 2 hours. We had done the Tea Cups, Small World, Dumbo, Philharmonic, Snow White, Winnie the Pooh, and Peter pan. Those are all in Fantasy Land and fill up fast with little kids. By the time we got off of Peter Pan the standby line was 45 minutes. No Thanks. We then headed to Splash Mountain but first grabbed FP's for ThunderMountain. Scott was SHocked that we were able to ride both in 30 mintues.

As for meals since the Dining Plan it is a must to get ADR's for the places you definelty want to eat. Most are booked 180 days in advance. I can't even book my reservations until April 24th but I have my grid with parks/parades/ and where we want to eat cetain meals. Sit down meals I never leave to chance but I don't worry to much about counter service meals. So see I can be spontaneous. But I do research which ones are better than others.

As for those who comment "you are going to Disney AGAIN?" "Yes we are going again - don't you go to the beach/mountains every summer/winter?" Same difference. It is our vacation and we choose to go visit a Mouse/Duck/Dog/power angers/Beast/Princess/Monsters/THe Incredibles f(the list goes on)or 7 days as opposed to watching the same waves or skiing the same mountain. We do take other vacations - last year we went to Colorado and this year we are headed to NM and also Chicago.

My MIL has never been to WDW and I hope to show her a magical vacation. She has decided going on vacation with me is better than hiriing a tour guide. She is just sitting back and letting me go. 190 days and counting.

Trust and Pixie Dust
Cathy

Sister

I left my ex husband many many years ago. For a long time things were good between us and we were friends. At one point we talked about getting back together. In fact we were such good friends when Phil was 5 we went on vacation - the 3 of us for a week. Then out of the blue he remarried. His new wife wanted no reminders of his past - Phil. She made his life a living hell. After a while of this torment Phil asked Scott to adopt him. Surprisingly Mike agreed. Found out years later it was because he was wanting to buy a new business and his DTI was off due to the child support he was paying. That is another thread.

Mike has a sister who was closer to me than my own sister. We could get into trouble so fast and have so much fun. I always laughed when I was around Lisa. We were inseperable before and after my divorce. Then when Mike remarried Lisa felt that she had to go with family loyalty and we quit speaking. I understood but boy did I miss her. Things were also difficult between my former in laws and me.

Last year Lisa's youngest child was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Last month they were told he had Type 1 and Type 2. That is very rare. Less than one half of one percent of adults with diabetes have both and that number is even smaller in children. It has been a long year for them. T has been in the hospital 11 times in the past year, the longest stay was over 2 weeks. We almost lost him twice. I have reached out to Peg (former MIL) She and I have become friends again. T went back in the hosptial a couple days ago. I took Phil over yesterday. Before we left for the hosptial I made copies of all the DVD's of Phils performances that I had. I gave them to Peg and she cried. And I cried and Lisa cried. It was like a flood gate of emotion. A bridge had been built. I have been calling Lisa and Peg for the last few months. I just wanted to reach out to them. I know how difficult times like this can be. It is scary and I have been there with my son and my mom.

Yesterday while we were standing around T's hospital bed we started reminicening about my years in the family. I had forgotten so much. Peg, Lisa and I laughed so hard. I was cryingfrom laughter about some of the stories from my past. It felt good. Peg knows about the troubles with my dad and she has listened to me. When my mom died she was at the funeral and held me while I cried. The walls are coming down and we are friends again. Lisa and I want to go to lunch like we used to. I am hoping soon that can happen. We just have to wait till summer someone can stay with T.

My ex still does not speak to me and don't expect that to change. For that I am regretful. But at least I have my sister back.

Life

It amazes me how time gets away from me. I would have sworn that I had updated in the last few weeks but SURPRISE! it has been almost a month.

Seniors at Phil's school are trying to convince parents to excuse them on Friday for a skip day. Forget the fact that they just had a 2 week spring break, Good Friday off, and next Friday they leave for 4 days in Orlando. Plus there is an offical Sr. Skip day in May when the Seniors get to go camping with no chaperones. Plus they don't have a full week of school until graudation because of events. AND they get the last 2 weeks of school off. While the underclassmen are still in school and taking finals the Seniors don't have class.

Trying to explain this to a know it all Senior is very difficult. I told Scott I was waiting till he got home tonight to give him the news that we will not excuse him. I don't want to listent to him whine about it without reinforcements.

On other Phil notes. He has decided to go to Washburn. The Sig Ep house is coming to take him out to dinner next week. They have invited him to spend the night before orientation later this month. I thought for sure he would stay in the dorm but it looks like he may surprise us and go Greek. But that is for him to decide.

Family Test Drive

Phil is skiing in Aspen this week with friends so it is just Scott Drew and I. It is really strange with out Phil around. I keep telling my self this is a test drive for what it will be next year when he goes to college. Phil left this morning so we are in the very early stages of this test drive. It should be an interesting week. I am not sure how I am going to handle this. But in just 5 short months Phil will be headed to Drake and it will be the 3 of us most all the time. So I guess this is the first of many firsts for me.

On another note. I was readmitted to KU this week. I am in Pre Social Welfare. I have gotten my initial advising done and look pretty well set to have my BSW in the Spring of 2010. I plan to go into my MSW right after I finish my BSW. Looks like there lots of changes in this house in the next year and a new normal is almost upon us. I know I am apprehensive about going back. I can only imagine how my 18 year old feels about going out in the world. But that is a post for another time.

Trust and Pixie Dust
C

Prisoner in my own home

Well today is a lost day and I am a prisoner in my own home. I am waiting for the dryer repair man. some companies give you a 2-3 hour window for the repair man to show up. NOT SEARS!!! I was told sometime between 8-5. I am scared to even go take a shower for fear I miss the call saying he is on the way. Because if I miss the call I am sentenced to another day here. I do hopefully get a 15 minute repreive when I race downtown to take Drew to school. They do have my cell so hopefully the repair man will use it. So here I sit with 5 days worth of laundry waiting for the repair man. Guess it could be worse....it could be 7 days worth of laundry.

Get em while they are young

We took Drew to see the Doodlebops this weekend. For those who don't know who the Doodlebops are - they are the Rock group for the very hip PreK age. What an expensive afternoon. First tickets for 3 were 120.00 (not including Ticketmasters usual and customary handling fees.)

Drew was so excited. We got to our seats and I go to peruse the merchandise and food. I got off lucky (cheap). I bought one shirt 25.00 (even Talbots is cheaper) one light up toy (that all other the kids had) 20.00 and one program 12.00 (but it came with a free Kazoo!!!)

I skipped the food and went back to our seats. The show started and Drew had a great time dancing in the aisle. No mini mosh pit like at a Mr. StinkyFeet concert. But dancing works up a hunger so off Scott went in search of noursishment. He comes back with some cotton candy 10.00 (it did have a felt hat to hold the plastic bag in) and a non Doodlebop soda 3.50. Lemonade ina Doodlebop cup was 8.00. Drew did not get lemonade.

The concert started at 1 with 30 minute intermission and ened at about 2:45. I haven't done the math but it was over a 1.00 per minute for the concert. If this were a Mastercard commercial I would say priceless but since it is not i can say OVERPRICED.

It is going to be cheaper for Scott and I to go to the Blue Man Group the end of the month. I learned my lesson. While this was fun - Drew would have had just as much fun going to grandma's house, eating Tortilla Jacks and watching the KU game. AND it would have been much cheaper.

Trust and Pixie Dust

C

life gets in the way

Does this happen to you? You have every intention of doing something regularly - exercising, blogging, paying bills, cleaning house and life gets in the way. You know the kids need your attention - or money, spouse needs your attention or your attention if you know what I mean. Your friends need your support, your kids school needs your time.Well now you know why it has been so long since I have been here. But due to some good friends I am making a resolve to get back here at least twice a week. I am not as ambitious as some I know (hi Randy) and say 3 times a week twice is all I can commit to.

HMMM updates since last time. Phil has the lead in the school play. He is Horton the Elephant in Suessical the Musical. One of his first shows as a 7th grader he played the cow in a "A clown's Play - Jack and the Beanstalk" He couldn't talk but had to get his point across to Jack thru mooing. so now he is an elephant. I wonder if there is a hidden meaning in this. But he does have several solos using real words this time. He graduates in about 2 months and mom is not ready for the world to have him quite yet.

Scott has been busy with work. I suckered him to remodeling the bathroom so he isn't too happy with me right now. but it has to be done. the bathroom has god awful yellow tiles on the walls from the mid seventies. it is hideous. Next month the "big wigs" will be in the office to present him with his 10 year anniversay gift - a watch. I'd rather have the cash. We have been together 10 years (dating) and married 8 years this April.

Drew is the sunshine and roses of everyones life. I taught him to sing "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" He sings it with such 4 year old feeling it is wonderful. He helps me to remember that there is more to life than stress.

Pixie Dust and Trust.

Did you vote?

That seems to be the question. Yes I did. I did a mail in ballot a few weeks ago.

I am going to a visitation in a little while for my best friends mother. She died last week. And yet the visitation is tonight and the funeral is tomorrow. Dragging it out that long to me just seems to prolong the pain. Nest week will be bad. C will no longer be running on adrenaline and her husband will be gone on business and her family will be gone. She will CRASH hard. Phil and I are going to the visitation. Scott can't get home from work in time. I personally like how my family does funerals. We have a very short memorial. and then certain people are invited to a luncheon to celebrate the deceased persons life.

I got some good news this week. Sung and Yoo Sung - our 2 former exchange students will be here for part of the holiday. Sung will be here December 16-22. Then Yoo Sung will be here December28-Jan 4. I miss my boys. I think Phil and Aaron filled them in on the problems with my dad and convinced them to come. I will write about my dad in a few days. I don't have the energy to explain that one today.

This weekend is Phil's last fall play. Another last. Boy they seem to be coming fast. Next week is the award ceremony for the fall sports. He should letter again in soccer.

life goes on

Got back from Disney a week ago today. Finally feel like I have caught up on most everything - except laundry. We came back to Reality World with a THUD.

Monday we got a call from our close friends and attorney. They are adoptoin attornies. They might have a baby girl and were we interested. We had decided we were finished with adding to our family but ..... I called Scott and decided no not right now. We needed to find out what is wrong with Drew first. He is going to a behavior peditrican in December. He may have FAE or Asperger's. Scott wants to wait until we get it figured out with him. He doesn't want to add anymore to my plate if Drew is going to need all my time. But Peg told me there is a good chance that there will be a little girl in January if we are interested. Even Phil is on board if we go forward.

Tuesday - Phil had his regional soccer game. I am still trying to figure out how the goalie(phil) could come out of the game with a concussion, strained neck and knee as well as a bruised liver. i think they decided they were playing football instead of soccer. He is better now. Scott was home with food poisoning. He couldnn't take care of Drew while I was at the hosptial with Phil so I had to have Scott's mom come take care of Drew.

Thursday I noticed that Phil's eye was red again. So I took him to the doc on Friday. The doc sent us back to the eye doc. Phil had an ulcerated cornea in June so I was worried. the eye doc discovered another infection in Phil's cornea. So phil is on antibiotic drops every hour and steroid drops every 4 hours. He went back on Saturday and he said it was better but needs to go back on Tuesday. He may not be wearing contacts for a while.

To top it off my BF mom is dying and I am trying to help her thru that.

I think I like fantasy land better than reality world.

Pixie Dust
c.

Another First of Many Lasts

I have always had tradtions with my kids. With Phil on the first day of school since Kindergarten I have taken him to breakfast before school. This year after breakfast he looked at me and said this was the first of many lasts. Next year on his first day of school I will more than likely be 7 hours away. He will be in Minnesota and I will be in Kansas. When he said that I cried. It was bittersweet.

Today was Headmaster's Holiday. A wonderful tradtion my son's school has. It is a day that no one knows but a few special (elite) members of the school. It is announced at morning meeting and there is pandimonium after. A rush of phone calls to parents and wonderful excitement. In the past it has always been in the spring. The school has done things like take the whole school to a baseball game, rented out a movie theatre to watch new release movies etc. This year they changed it up and moved it to the fall. They are headed to the Renassaince Fesitval in Kansas City. Every kid will have admission paid, a small amount of spending money as well as lunch. It is another last.

Drew has become addicted to Playhouse Disney. He would watch it all day long if he could. I think it is the excitement of the upcoming trip.

getting ready for this trip is horrid. I have more laundry than any 4 people need. I asked everyone to help do it over the weekend but everyone had other plans. So I am getting it folded now but everyone has to pack for themselves. I want to enjoy my vacation too so I am about done doing for everyone so I can enjoy it too.

Pixie dust to everyone.

TOOO EXCITED

Have you seen the comerical of the kids who are going to Disney and the little boy says he is too excited to sleep? We are leaving in 6 days and I know what he is talking about. i have a ton to do before we go but it is Disney World for goodness sake. Who wouldn't be excited? My family thinks I am crazy but where else can I enjoy being a kid for a week? I have had to promise not to push everyone while we are there to see and do everything. DH has promised we can go back. I was there once 10 years ago when Phil was 5. I remember the look on my exhusbands face when he saw the castle for the first time. Even he who never knew how to ahve a good time changed into a little kid who wanted to give Mickey a Hug. There is something about the place that lets every adult relive their inner child. And let's every child believe in every bit of magic that could ever be. I have some special surpirsed for my boys but I can't reveal them here incase DS17 has found this and some of the surprises are for him.

Sending everyone pixie dust to have a magical day
Cathy

Tired

Boy, changes in weather do a number on me. I can hardly hold my eyes open. We went from 96 yesterday to 70 today.

so much is going on but I can't get my thoughts together enough to type. Scott was named to the Principals Professional group for his company. Only 76 people in teh company are named to this group. The next CTO will come from there. Scott is an engineer. He is currently finishing his Masters and starts his PhD in the spring. He is brilliant even if he doesn't realize it. I guess that is part of his charm.

I haven't told anyone about my blog. Guess it is my chance at anonimty. I feel like everyone knows me and here i can talk/write and noone knows who I am so I can say what I want. Kind of like a diary but everyone but my family and friends can read/know about it.

I am not a political person but one day soon I plan on commenting on the recent school shootings. i have kids in high school and it scares the beejeesus out of me. I will also comment on the jerk Foley (how dare he use is position to abuse kids) I honestly don't believe he was ever abused - great cop out. won't even go into drinking while voting on bills in congress. but I can't be this tired or I will ramble and it won't make sense.

till tomorrow.

Day Two

Why do kids love shock value? Phil calls on my cell phone today and says he wants to fill out one more college application. The Air Force Academy. UH NO!!!! His health would keep him from it. He has asthma, a heart condition, plus possible Chrons. Not to mention ADD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Executive Function Disorder and panic attacks. I told him we would talk tonight. Called the college counselor - he agreed that it wasn't a good match for Phil and would talk to him. Sometimes he just doesn't get what is not possible. I always want to encourage my kids but I just don't think this is possible. He is so much like is biological dad it is scary. I look at him and see Mike sometimes. They rarely have contact but he sounds like him and says some of Mike's catch phrases. I have to stop and pause and really wonder about Nature vs. Nurture. I would love to talk to Mike about it sometime but he refuses to talk to me. Like it is my fault he gave up his rights to Phil. It was actually a blessing because Phil got a normal life without being shuttled back and forth. But I know deep down Phil was crushed when Mike agreed to it. I can be in the same room with Mike at a school function and he looks right thru me. HELLLOOOOO!!!! We shared something once - the least you can do is say HI. Phil wanted out of that house so much because of Mike's wife. She doesn't have a maternal bone in her body. Phil feels so helpless when it comes to H(his half brother) and how she treats him. He wants to protect him and let him know what unconditinoal love is. B (Mikes wife) was raised when she did something wrong her mom withheld hugs and refused to speak to her. Phil worries that is the way H is being raised. Phil is a rescuer. He is like his mom (me) he wants everyone to be OK. It can't always be that way. It took me a long time to learn that. Hopefully it won't take him as long.

Day One

Like I don't have enough to do - I decide to start a blog. I am Cathy I am 39 and this is my life. I have a husband, Scott and 2 sons. Phil is 17 and Drew is 4. Also living with us is Aaron an exchange student from S. Korea. He is the third exchange student we have had. Yoo Sung is at Penn State and Sung is at Indiana. Both are college students. Also in residence are Kayla, the dog, Tilly and McCavity, the cats and a tank full of fish. I like to knit, cook read and spend time with my family - you know the usual mom stuff.

We live in a small town in the Midwest where is life is pretty calm. My life on the other hand is busy. Or at least I think it is. Currently we are planning a 10 day vacation to the MouseHouse in Florida. We leave in less than 2 weeks.

Phil goes to a small private school and I do volunteer work for them. He is involved in soccer and theater. Currently we are doing the college search for next year. We were to be in Minnesota this week looking at schools. Instead Phil decided to get sick and loose 17 pounds in 2 weeks so that put the trip on hold. The docs think he may have Chrons.

Drew is wonderful. Full of energy. Sometimes too much energy. He keeps us on our toes with his sense of humor and his antics. We never know what is going to be next with him. He has a stuffed monkey that is very real to him. Monkey goes everywhere and is Drew's alter ego.

Just for the record. I also have one sister who is my polar opposite and we rarely see eye to eye about anything. My mom died just over 2 years ago after along illness and my dad has remarried. I don't have much dealings with them as our values are totally different. It is hard because we used to be a very close loving family. Little did i realize it was my mom that kept it that way.