Busy and adjusting

I have to say in many ways we are busier in Denver than we ever were in California.  We still have our family time but it is different.

Last weekend we stayed close to home because of snow but the last few days have made me go WOAH!.  Monday Drew now has Lego Club and rock climbing.  Wed we headed to Children's to meet with the Rehab Doc who will be administering the Botox treatment in a couple weeks.  a story for another post. Thursday I got to help with Drew's class Valentines party in  his Gen Ed and after that I am more convinced than ever  the school district is wrong and that the placement is so incorrect it is not funny.  We now have an advocate but that is a story for another day.  Friday Scott stayed in the City for the evening and got to spend time with people from his old company.  He had a wonderful time.  Drew and I hung out at home and watched TV.  Yesterday we had a late brunch, did some shopping and then went to our friends house for a wonderful dinner.   Today I am taking Drew swimming with a friend of mine who I have not seen since JR. HIGH.

We are still adjusting to life here and a new normal when it comes to routine.  Sometimes we have to stop our selves and say "we have been here less than 3 months and things are still shaking out"  Is some ways it feels like we have been here for a long time and this has always been home.  Maybe it is because of the Midwest feel and life style?  I know I feel more at home here.  More relaxed, more in control. Still adjusting but this feels like where I belong.

Breakfast

One of the most important things when you move to a new city is to find a new place for weekend breakfast.  We have found a place.  It is called Breakfast on Broadway.  The have a great menu.  We found it by accident last weekend.  Scott and I had dropped Drew off at a Scout event last week and decided to take some couple time and were driving down the road and saw this place.  The parking lot was pretty full so we figured it must be good.  We were right.

Drew has been having trouble eating lately.  With the weight loss, we are willing to let him eat things he normally doesn't get to eat.  This morning we went to Breakfast on Broadway and Drew had the S'more Pancakes.  Panckes with chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, marshmallow syrup and graham crackers.  He did eat more than he has in several days.  We talk to the doc tomorrow about where we go from here.

He is now having some insomnia as well.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as we figure this out.

medical stuffs

Everyone who reads my blog knows about Drew and his Tourettes.  It has been a source of frustration for  him.  We had a great doctor in San Francisco who Drew loved.  Moving to Colorado meant a new doctor and building new trust.  Not something easy for Drew.

Drew and I met with Dr. C on Monday.  First thing we learned she trained under Drew's doc in San Francisco!!! As much as I liked the doc in SF I like Dr. C for other reasons.  She is younger and has embraced new techniques that might help Drew.  Week after next Drew will be getting a small amount of botox injected into  the back of his neck.  The hope and theory is that it will relax the muscles and decrease the neck tics. Drew was not too happy about the thought of shots but when asked which would be worse Tourettes or injections every 3 months that could stop the tics.  He decided the injections would not be so bad. We are also adding Magnesium to his diet as this been showing signs of helping decrease tics as well.

Dr. C also suspects from what Drew is describing that he may be having seizures again.  So next week we will be doing a sleep deprived EEG.  If that doesn't show anything than he will be admitted for several days to the epilepsy unit for observation.

He is also being evaluated for his sleep.  It has been proven that kids with Tourettes don't sleep well because their bodies don't shut down and they tic in their sleep..  This leads to an increase in behavior issues as well as decreased learning. Drew wakes up exhausted every morning no matter what time he goes to bed.

We are currently waiting for blood work to come back.  Drew has lost 10% of his body weight in the last 17 days.  That has me and everyone else pretty worried.

It appears that Drew also has ADD but we knew that.  he can't be put on meds for it because they will aggravate the tourettes.  He now carries a water bottle at all times because dehydration can increase tics.

Next week Drew will be giving a presentation to his class about having Tourette's.  They will watch this video and then do a Q&A about the condition.  I will be with him but this is his to talk about.

right now all I can do is have

Faith Trust and Pixie Dust.

Cathy

What has Drew been up to?

Yes I am back.

Wondered where I have been?  We moved from California to Colorado.  It has been an adjustment for all of us but we have been here 2 months and things are getting better.  I think.

In other news I graduate in 3 weeks.  Trying to decide about getting my Master's.  I am going to be an Aunt.

So I am back and ready to start blogging again.

Spur of the moment

It was a spur of the moment decision. A chance to make a memory and I jumped on it. We had been hearing for days about the space shuttle Endeavor heading to LA to become part of museum. But first it was going to grace the northern California sky. It was to fly over the capitol at 930 this morning. I was literally getting Drew out the door to head to school when the enormity of the event overtook me. I sent Scott a message that we were headed down town. Called Drew's teacher and told her he would be late. So we loaded up. We got downtown about 815 and heard on the radio that the shuttle had just left Edwards AFB and was headed toward us. I managed to find some 1 hour parking and hoped I would not have a ticket when we got back. There were people scattered around the back of the capitol and Drew and I took up spots. I chatted and Drew ran off to check out the turtles and fish in a nearby pond with other kids.

Here is Drew waiting. about 915 people started coming out of office buildings and waiting. One lady was talking to her husband who was on a near by roof top. 930 We heard the shuttle was flying over Stockton 937 it was over Highway 99 in Elk Grove HERE IT COMES!!!! I was so focused on making sure Drew saw it I forgot to take pictures. OOPS. We saw it momentarily before it disappeared behind the other side of the Capitol. WHAT A GYP! Would it come back? The crowd starting disperrsing. We waited. And were rewarded. The pilot flew back over our side. It was huge - but I was shocked at how small it was. Once again I forgot to snap a picture. I was in awe of this incredible machine that had orbited the Earth 4671 times, went on 25 missions, traveled almost 123,000,000 miles, spent 296 days, 3 hours, 34 minutes, 2 seconds in space, and docked with the International Space Station 12 times and MIR once.

This is what we saw the first time it passed by  Pictures courtesy of KCRA.

We were here somewhere.

This is what we saw the second time.

It was memorable and to share it with Drew was wonderful.

THAT DAY

This is what i post every year on this day. May God bless and keep all those involved.

9 years ago I was driving my son to school after a dentist appointment. We were listening to the radio when the announcer announced someone with really bad direction had flown a small aircraft into the World Trade Center. WOW that is crazy I thought. We kept driving. A few minutes later the announcer came back on and said - it happened again - another plane had hit the other tower and it was a commerical aircraft carrier. WOW that is even crazier. Phil asked me what it meant. I had no idea but I assured him (with the confidence that every mother has in moments like this) that everything would be all right and he was safe.

I got him to school and walked in and told the secretary something crazy was going on and she needed to find a radio. I explained what we had heard on the radio. At that moment all of her phone lines started ringing with concerned parents. I hugged Phil good bye and said I would see him after school. I remember calling Scott on my way home and telling him he needed to find a way to get some news. This was 9 years ago before constant, instantious internet news coverage.

I went home and turned on the TV. My sister called (or maybe I called her) we sat watching the TV trying to figure out what was going on. We were 60 miles away from each other and it was one time in our life that I truly felt close to her. Our parents were on the way to DC on vacation. They were driving. My cell rang and it was mom. Amie called Dad on her cell. One most of my vivid memories is my sister yelling "OH MY GOD it is going down" as the first building fell. We watched in horror connected by that phone at what was happening before eyes. We begged them to come home. Finally they realized this was major. They were driving and only had our accounts and the radio to go by. They did turn around and head for KC.

The other day I was talking to Phil about what he remembered. He recounted what happened as the school day continued. I remember fighting the urge to go get him and bring him home (that safe haven every parent feels about their house for theirchild). As Phil and I talked the other day it hit me. For his generation, this is the first "I remember where I was when...." they will have. He was the about the same age I was when I had my first one of those moments,John Lennon being shot. Somehow, now that memory doesn't compare to his first of those memories.

I remember that day, 9 years ago wondering about the world my child was growing up in. 9 months later we adopted Andrew. He doesn't remember a world where you don't have to take your shoes off at the airport, or packing all your liquids in your checked bags. This is the first year I have exposed him to what happened that day. I wanted him to maintain his belief that the world is inherently good as long as possible.

I pray for Phil, his generation has VERY few of the "I remember where I was..." moments. I hope for all of us there is never another day that causes such fear. But like my friend Allan said... If you give into the fear, you let them win.

Where have I been?

Where have I been? Let's see....School started so trying to get Drew back on track has taken time.  Scott is starting to recover and looking forward to his new bike being here in a couple weeks - that makes one of us.

Mainly I have been.... OPENING MY TRAVEL AGENCY!!!! I got my final approval last week and have since been working hard to get all of my certifications lined up and registering for all the companies that i want to do business with.  Each one has different criteria so that has taken some time. But we are up and running. I have my Disney, Universal, Sandals/Beaches, Princess Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line tests done.  But that doesn't mean I am limited to selling just those packages.

I have the ablity to book car rentals, hotels, air, you name it I can book it. so for a weekend get away or a colorado vacation or a 117 day trip around the world on Princess I can get it done for you.

I am doing a travel blog right now check it out Destinations By Cathy 

I am posting travel goodies as well as deals.  If you see something that catches your eye leave me a message of click the envelope in the upper right hand corner and I can get back to you in 24 hours or less.

Wanted to share my business cards - what do you think?

The back says but it won't let me put it on here for some reason:  


Why do you need ME as YOUR travel professional?

...Expert Insight on Family Destinations
...Save YOU time and Money
...Personalize YOUR vacation
...Be there when YOU need ME

So that is where I have been.

so you want to be a travel agent....

I decided I wanted to have my own home based business as a travel agent. I have wanted it for a long time. I actually wanted it 25 years ago but wasn't at a point I could be a travel agent then.  So I decided it was time.  I knew there were rules and laws and fees to pay.  What I didn't realize is what a racket the state of California makes it to do this.  Actually this is for any business but travel consultants have EXTRA hoops to jump through.

I started researching. Here is what i found.

First fee I found was at the California Insurance commission.  Yes you read that correctly.  INSURANCE COMMISSION.  Because I offer travel insurance I have to pay a fee to register there.  PLUS I have to be fingerprinted for the California Department of Justice as well as the FBI.  So there is another fee.  BUT since I don't have to take an insurance test of any kind i have to go to a LIVE SCAN place like UPS to have my prints done.  Another fee.

Then I keep researching and find I have to have a Seller of Travel license from the Attorney General.  OK this one I understand.  10 page application plus a fee.  As I am filling it out I discover the HIDDEN FEES.

There is a large one time fee to pay into the Travel Consumer Restitution Corp.  This is a Corporation that refunds travelers who fall for the if it seems to be good to be true vacation schemes. Haven't figured it out exactly but it sounds like they had a great lobbying group behind them. I can't turn in my Seller of Travel request with out that number.

Then as I go further in the SoT I find I have to have a trust account in my business name. So I call the bank.  They tell me I need proof that I am a registered DBA before they can open any business account.  Back to Google.  In California it is not called DBA it is called Fictitious Business name.  Great how do I do that?  You guessed it yet another fee.  So Drew and I head down to the Department of Finance to pay the fee.  Guess what not only do you  have to pay a fee for that THEN you have to run an ad in a newspaper for 4 weeks to show the DBA and make sure no one else has it registered - you guessed it another fee to run the ad.

While I am there, the lady tells me I need to file for a business license even for a home based business. According to what I have read a business license is to cover things like street maintenance and wear and tear on sidewalks from customers - as a home based business I won't have that.  But guess what I have to have the license anyway.  I have a couple weeks to get that one turned it. It can wait.

Back to the trust account.  Off to the bank I go.  I explain the situation to them that even tho I don't accept checks and there is no cash in my business (except my commissions - which go into yet another account) the state of California requires me to have an account just in case someone writes me a check even tho I don't take checks and am basically a middle man. Someone gives me a CC # to give to a travel company and I never see that money. BUT I have to have an account that has the word TRUST in it that I can never ever touch. That account number and bank have to be on the SoT application as well.  Are you following that one? Thank Goodness for the patience of my Wells Fargo Banker who helped me figure out how to do this for the least amount of money.

Oh yea and then there is the fee to belong to the OSSN which is similar to IATA and CLIA so I can get a travel number so I can do business.  (that fee I understand)

Per the state I can't do business until everything is approved and set to go.  So on all my forms I put September 1 as my start date. It can't get here soon enough so I can start making some of the fees back.

It will be worth it in the end but WOW California you could make it a tad easier!

Destinations by Cathy

Yes you read that correctly.  I have opened my own travel agency.  I realized that I could do what I was doing for the other agency but on my own terms.  I contacted Disney and talked to some one from inside sales.  She told me that I had been given incorrect information and that I could indeed become my own agent for Disney - and other places.  After all how did the other agencies get their start?

So I contacted the State of California and they walked me through what to do to be legal in the state.  I had to have a travel agent number so the inside person at Disney told me who to go to for home based because I don't make enough yet to qualify for IATA or CLIA (the big two in the travel world.)  I am a member of OSSN and have a TRUE number.  So I guess I am open for business. Still have to go get fingerprints tomrrow.

So I am now in business for myself.  I own my own travel agency!!!!!!

Destinations by Cathy is open for business.

Protector/for my boys

When Phil was little, before Scott, it was just us.  From the time he was two until Scott and I started dating,when he was seven, all we had was each other.  We had several songs we would sing to each other at different times.


Last night, Drew was having a rough time.  He was scared.  He has a fear that he can't over come.  He is scared of gollum from Lord of the Rings.  I can't say it is irrational because we all have things we are scared of.  This is his.  It is a paralyzing fear.  When Phil was scared as a kid I sang him a song - this was before the days of YouTube and Ipods.  he had to endure my voice.  (Sorry Phil).  I hope both my boys know that Nothings gonna harm them when I am around.

Last night when Drew was so scared to go down stairs the song came back to me.  I played it on my phone and sang to Drew at the same time.  He was finally able to go down and do what he had to do.
After he came back upstairs he said "thanks for making me brave mom"  That is what a mom is to do isn't it?

This song will be true for my boys for ever and I hope someday they sing it to their children. I like this version better because the first time I saw it Barbara Streisand was singing it to her son.

Love Mom

LIFE

There are 70 wedding pictures on FB.  I am trying to wait and put them together in a slide show and unveil them at once on here.  If you want a sneak peek do a search on Phoenix images on Facebook. Or wait a week and I will get creative.

There is no rhyme or reason to this post.  I realized that i had not posted in 2 weeks and so much has been going on - just life but just life can be exhausting.

We have seen an increase in Drew's anxiety level - he is getting very nervous about school starting.  He has the same teacher but there are some unknown factors in his life so that makes it hard.

I have lots of inquiries about vacations especially Disney ones.  booking one today.  That makes me happy.  Disney World has a great deal right now - FREE DINING for dates in September, October and  December.  Also a wonderful deal on a California Coast cruise with many of the Pixar characters.

Scott is recovering well.  Most of the road rash is gone.  His knee looks pretty bad and so does his ankle but his head has healed pretty well.  the most visible sign of the collision is the bright pink cast he wears on his right wrist.  It is due to come off August 15.  He seems better recovered than Drew and I.  Mentally at least.  The thought of him getting on a bike again TERRIFIES me.  I wish he would take up long distance running.  for some reason that doesn't seem as scary to me.

The newlyweds are back from Estes Park and had a wonderful time.  They seem to be settling into married life pretty well.

lots more but time is short.

the first wedding photos

And now the moment everyone has been waiting for.  Here are the pictures from our wonderful friend Bill Keslar.  He and his wife Lori have known me since I was 3.  We have been most fortunate to have him record very memorable times in our lives.  It would not have been the same without him this past weekend.Wedding slide show

I held it together through out the whole wedding BUT when I saw him singing THIS to her during the first dance I LOST IT!!!!!

We did not dance to Tupac.  We danced to THIS.  Not sure if anyone cried.  I was too busy crying and looking at my wonderful son and the man he has become.

The only damper to the day was THIS.  But that is for another post.  The weather was HOT, the bride beautiful, the groom handsome and this mama PROUD!

The kids went to Estes Park on the honeymoon and had a great time.  But the got a dose of reality when they were driving home.  Phil's transmission went out about an hour from home.  So the car was towed to the mechanic, and while Betsy has a job interview in the morning Phil will be dealing with that..

I remember when I was young and people would call my mom "Mrs. Wolff" she would reply "I am Nancy.  Mrs. Wolff is my Mother in Law"  Now someone can say that about me.  Not sure how I feel about that.

I will post more pictures when the are up.

Free Dining at Disney World in Florida

Now through Sept. 29, 2012, buy a non-discounted Magic Your Way Base Package for 6 nights and 7 days at select Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts at the Walt Disney World® Resort for arrivals most nights Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 9-15, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, and get the Disney Dining Plan FREE!*

Or, buy a non-discounted Magic Your Way Base Package for 6 nights and 7 days at select Disney Value Resorts for arrivals most nights Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 9-15, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, and get a FREE Quick-Service Dining Plan.

Booking Window:
July 12 – Sept. 29, 2012

Travel Window:
For arrivals most nights Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 9-15, Nov. 23-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012

Sample Pricing:
Buy this 6-night, 7-day package with FREE Disney Dining Plan for $86 per person, per day, for a family of 4, at a Select Disney Moderate Resort in a Standard Room for stays most nights Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 24-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, for a total package price of $2,421. That's a savings of $1,017!

Or, buy this 6-night, 7-day package with FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan for $69 per person, per day, for a family of 4, at a Select Disney Value Resort in a Standard Room for stays most nights Oct. 19 – Nov. 1, Nov. 24-29 and Dec. 10-13, 2012, for a total package price of $1,922. That's a savings of $701!

*Prices based on 2 Adults, 1 Junior and 1 Child. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same package. The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets valid for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. No group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations required.

Offer excludes campsites and 3-bedroom villas and is not valid at Disney's Art of Animation Resort - Little Mermaid Standard View Room.

Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from children's menu if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Email me at travelnwithtink for more information.

RIP Sheriff ANDY

I love Andy Griffith.  I loved Mayberry.  I wanted to live there.  Everyone knew everyone, watched out for each other, had their disputes but got over being mad.  I found this on Youtube.

So take down your fishing pole and sing along as a tribute to the Sheriff of Mayberry.

old friend first talk

Before Andrew was born, I belonged to an online adoption group.  We were in various stages of the process.  Some were waiting, others matches, others had just gotten their babies and some were old pros.  These women had been through everything with me when my mom was dying. I had been through a lot with several of them. One evening a friend named Karen posted her husband had died that day.  It was horrible to read something like that hand not be able to do anything.   I left the board as adoption left the forefront of my life.  I stayed for about 5 years after Andrew was born.  We became a VERY close group even though we were spread across the country.

Introduce Facebook years later.  I started to reconnect with some of my old adoption friends.  I was so glad when I found Karen on FB.  We always knew we would have been drinking buds, life long friends and that our boys would have been dangerous together.  We reconnected.  But we only talked through the IM part of FB.  She has been a very encouraging source on my quest to be come a travel consultant.  She has also been my first client.  She booked a trip to DisneyLand yesterday.  She is taken her almost 10 year old son for his birthday in December.  We had a couple details to work out and we needed to talk.  She called and we talked for almost 2 hours.  It was like we had been friends for ever.

It used to be that you wanted to put a face to a name, I have wanted to put voice to a face.  I see her pictures on FB and I see her son growing up!  We have decided that we need to go somewhere that we can meet in person.  WE are thinking Vegas - because of their motto and we don't have to worry about anyone finding out what trouble we get in to!

My kind of traffic jam!

 

I did it!

Last night I told you that I had earned my Disney Travel Agent Ears?  Today  I booked my first Disney vacation for a client and good friend.  I think that makes me an official travel consultant! What do you think?  AND my business cards came today.  It says I am a travel consultant.  I think that backs up my claim.

Drew and I got all the errands done this morning.  Tomorrow the house sitter comes to check things out.  AND we start packing.  One stack for camping, another stack for Kansas.  Worried about the stuff that needs to go to both.  Guess Sunday night and Monday I will be doing laundry and making yet more stacks.  It feels never ending at this point.

I am getting excited to see my wonderful son marry his best friend.  I have so many feelings going through me.  Proud,  happy, melancholy, nostalgic.  Phil says there is a pool going to see who cries first, me or Betsy's dad, Bruce.  Any thoughts?  Contact Phil if you want in.

I am really tired tonight.  Been a busy day.  Gonna go up and veg and see what bad reruns are on the tube.

C

Plans changed

Well after I posted my post this morning plans chnaged DRASTICALLY! For the better but it did mess up my week.

I got a call from Cheryl the owner of the travel agency I work for.  She let me knwo that it was time to begin Disney College of Knowledge!   I wanted to get it done before we left so  I sat at the computer ALL day and got it done!  Drew didn't want to go anywhere today because his tics were acting up.  So we stayed home I finished my course and Drew watched TV, watched a couple little videos on Disney with me.  I took a couple breaks to swim.

It is OFFICIAL I am a Disney Authorized Travel Agent.  I thought I knew A LOT about Disney.  I breezed thru the Disney World stuff.  I was most fascinated by Adventures by Disney.  I had heard about it before but had no idea how impressive it was.WOW!!! That is something to look into for everyone.  I am going to blog about them exclusively in the next couple days but check out this link for a sneak peak.  This has got to be the most impressive set of guided tours for families (they also have adult only versions) I have ever seen.

Talk soon
C

My lists have lists

How did we get to 19 days until the wedding???? Someone tell me where the time and my planning skills went!  I sat down yesterday to make my to-do list.  Stop mail, mail stuff to home office, pick ups scripts, call caterer, call cake decorator, order clothes, get camping equipment checked out, grocery shop, order clothes, change date of house sitter.... It goes on.

All of a sudden I had to make a grocery list for camping, a list of what needed to be replaced or added to camping gear, what clothes to pack for both trips. How do lists end  up with sublists?  I draw the line at microlists for the sublists.

I am slowly crossing stuff off the master list.  But adding to the sublists. How is that possible?

Not sure if I mentioned that Scott is heading to San Francisco for meetings on June 25 and 26.  Which is why there is some urgency to get everything done in the next four days before we go camping to unwind before getting wound up again.  The latest plan is for Scott to take the train to SF on Monday.  Tuesday Drew and I will pack the car and head to my haircut.  As soon as it is over we head to SF.  Meet up with Scott and go to the hotel.  We leave at 645 Wed AM so it made the most sense to stay in SF.

I found this great site  PARKSLEEPFLY  In searching for a hotel in SF I found many charged to leave your car when you fly out.  This site has great deals on hotel/parking combos.  It was going to be MEGA bucks to stay at a hotel and then put the car in airport parking.  Most hotels only allow a 7 day park your car and fly then they wanted to charge 8-15 dollars a day after that.  When I found this site I found a room AND 14 days of parking for 109.00.  I like that price.  Granted it is not the RITZ but the reviews indicate the rooms are nice and clean and it is only for one night.

Thinking about a quick trip to Disneyland in August.  My friend Elaine is going to be in SD with her family and is going to drive to Anaheim to meet us.  I am so excited to see the new CARSLAND and Buena Vista Street.  Lines are reported to be horribly long but I can get around that.  Not focusing on that until after the wedding but I think after all of this I (we) deserve a couple days of down time - don't you?  Besides it is really for my clients that I am going.  So I can give them my honest opinion of the new attractions. (SURE)

Well the items on this list won't cross themselves off.

C