| # | Author | Message |
51
| gottaluvdavillains
Wed 9/19/2007 10:54a | Okay I understand the pool thing - we went one summer without is and my kids drove me crazy!! I would however put a vacation fund jar on that new ourdoor kitchen - with that many people over you should charge a cover charge!! Last year I got my hubby one of those keg refridgerators at Costco - he loves it and now I don't look like the town slush recycling all those bottles (oh yeah hubby has a band that practices at our house - hence the need for lots of beer) especially since we all know I don't do beer just TGIF blenders.;D...
We too are getting ready for a major redo of the backyard (woo hoo getting a hot tub) and tons of remodeling in the house (adding a room). We joined that Direct buy club since we are doing so much all at once....
Now you know why I NEED to go to DL - who wants to be here while all that work is going on... That's the hubby's job - well except for the new deck that has been handed off to the teens - hubby will frame (to make sure it is level) but the boys will have to step up and do some hammerin!!
I think your choice for the DL hotel even though will be pricey will make it more enjoyable - plus you can try all the pools if your are staying in any of the hotels there. Although in July we stayed at the raddison, and on the Sat. I took most of the kids to Knotts (blocked DL day) and my SIL took the two youngest with her to DTD and such - she had them wear their swimsuits and she took them to the DLH pool. She just walked in when someone was walking out and let the kids swim for about an hour!! My daughter said she felt guilty since she didn't think she was suppose to do that - but the pool sure was fun!! I would have never thought to even try that - I would have been happy with the pool where I was staying!! |
52
| MOLLYSMOM
Wed 9/19/2007 12:01p | Ya..a tip jar is a great idea. I'm gonna put one in the INDOOR kitchen, too. I spend all night every friday cooking for the weekend crowd, and get up at the "rear end crack of dawn" saturday to finish.
We have a lull in company now until the snow hits. Then, it's everyone back up for sledding, snowmobiling and bonfires every weekend.
What??? You don't help with the construction??? Got my own tool belt, I do. DH gets me power tools for my birthday and mother's day. My mom doesn't appreciate it, but my dad does. I got a lathe this last birthday, and a radial arm saw for mother's day. I am a pretty popular chick amongst my DH's buddies. DH says they're NOT drooling over me, they're drooling over my power tools! :) My dad taught me all about building things, and I have been hooked all my life. I LOVE remodeling our house, and in the winter, I spend all my weekends in the shop. DH is actually drawing up plans for a woodshop for me because I take up too much room in his auto area. Fine with me...he uses my tools, gets grease all over them, and never puts them back. I'll take my own shop.
Direct Buy is a great thing to join...but dangerous. Once you see how much money you can save, you wind up buying stuff you didn't even know you wanted.
Costco keg fridge or not, I bet they still call you the town slush. I am embarrassed to say it, but I can see your keg fridge and raise you....we are so lazy that we hava a remote control operated pool cooler. One touch, and your beer paddles itself over to your air mattress. I'll bring it down with me when I come test out your hot tub. A bit of background music from your hubby will be wonderful...fill the keg fridge with Corona, please.
Even though I hate to admit it (because I know you'll rub it in), you are absolutely correct about staying in the money pit (AKA DL Hotel) in the summer instead of at christmas. Good suggestion. And, if your SIL wants to bring your DD down, I'll let her scam in on the cool pool!! I LOVE that she did that. Something that I myself would consider, but never have the guts to do. :) |
53
| gottaluvdavillains
Wed 9/19/2007 2:08p | See I jused to be real handy (built things with my dad, Stage Manager in High School) then after my mistake left me to be a single parent I did everything myself for 2 years and then I met my prince charming - well not always charming - you see he's from the backwoods of Ohio and somehow out there women just mess things up!! SO anytime I start something he comes in and messes it up - okay not messes just takes it over - Power Tools please I am not allowed (okay he has hid the power supplies) to use his tools!! SO if he wants to be that way he can just do it all himself!!
Yeah the Direct Buy thing scared me a little but once we figured out all the things we need to do (2 bathrooms, kitchen, adding a great room, floors, new fences, hot tub, and all new appliances - oh and a new bed and matress for the queen of the house,me) we figured it was a good investment! I figure he can do the first bathroom while I am in DL in Oct, the next in Nov!! We can start the kitchen in Jan!!
Too much - but the house is very old 50 (funny it was built the same year as hubby was born)and alot of the stuff is original and needs updating, hmmm, just like hubby!!! :D |
54
| MOLLYSMOM
Wed 9/19/2007 3:53p | You're not allowed power tools...I'm banned from super glue. Glued my sunglasses to my hand, glued my office chair to the floor, and my personal favorite...glued my front teeth together. I have had a mis-hap or two over the years with power tools as well. Broken ribs from the table saw, and I cut the end of my finger off with a planer just last spring.
With all the work you've got planned you REALLY need Direct Buy.
My "Mr. Ray of Sunshine" just turned 48. Wouldn't a Direct Buy for men be great? I could fix mine up with some hair on top, a new set of 6-pack abs, and a good knee to replace the one that bothers him. |
55
| allthingsdisney
Wed 9/19/2007 6:55p | You guys are such a fun read i find myself looking forward to all of your posts and then feeling so lite hearted after i read them i hope someday to meet all of you fine LP'ers a few of whom seem to live rather close to me, well relatively close :) in Wa anyway.... looking forward to some more of your wonderful banter keep em comin :) |
56
| yipee
Thu 9/20/2007 7:41a | Sorry to barge in, but your topic sure hit close to home! We've been planning our Dec trip, and the stage we're at right now is waiting for the right airline seat sale. (we already have AWESOME AP4 rates booked for PPH and GCH - where we've NEVER stayed)
Unfortunately, we've had alot of expenses in the last week (School fees, supervision fees, dog surgery), PLUS our contractor finally contacted us regarding our bathroom renos...
My DH has been getting that "OMG, we really can't afford this trip" look to his face!
I need West Jet to put on a seat sale RIGHT NOW! so that I can book it before DH changes his mind! So, you all gotta send those "seat sale now" vibes my way! Thanks! |
57
| MOLLYSMOM
Thu 9/20/2007 8:20a | allthingsdisney...if you see myself, tink819, gottaluvdavillains or mickeynew on the same thread, you can be sure of two things. One...that we usually have answered the thread topic DAYS ago. And two...that we have now hi-jacked the thread for our own enjoyment.
I'm with you...I SO want to meet all the fun people that I have made friends with over the years. I threw out the possibility to DH that perhaps our next summer trip to DL could be in July for the big meet. He said that we should consider that...he knows how much I look foreward to chatting with all of you each day.
So, do I read this correct...you live in Washington? Where abouts?
Yipee...you DIDN'T barge in! I think SOMEWHERE in here we started griping about airfare, and you surely DO have airfare issues. :) I hear ya, there...me, too.
As much as I'd like to go this christmas, the airfare is nasty, nasty, nasty. I flew this summer for $160...spending almost $400 to go in december makes me nuts. So, like we decided...we'll wait until next year.
Ok...share your awesome AP4 rates. We are toying with the idea of buying APs...mostly so we can MAYBE afford one of the resort hotels. We always stay at the BWPPI (which we love), but I always take a peek at the rates at the Grand, DH, and PPH just for fun...and to jump start my heart.
We've never had APs before, but are planning to go to DL christmas of 2008 and summer 2009 so we are thinking that an AP might be a good idea. The kicker to that would be being able to snag killer rates for a resort hotel. I know it's a ways off, but I am an anal vacation planner, and obviously have nothing better to do.
I am sending out good vibes to you for rock bottom airfare, and I will keep my fingers crossed. |
58
| yipee
Thu 9/20/2007 9:37a | We live in Canada, so have never really considered APs before, but I managed to snag the PPH at $149 premium theme view, and the GCH for $199 standard view! We stayed for under $100/night on our last two trips,(BWPPI and Carousel) but this year, we thought those rates were such a great savings (relatively speaking, I guess) that we would splurge and see what we think of the Disney properties.
If we can get the airfare to work out, we'll buy one AP to get the rates. Which of course led to the debate about get 4 APs instead of one...:)
So much for going to DLR because it's so affordable, hey? It's so easy to keep inching up all the expenses. (Oh, what's another $50 here or there :P )
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59
| MOLLYSMOM
Thu 9/20/2007 10:26a | I feel the same...we get the BWPPI for under $100, but I wouldn't hesitate to go for a resort hotel if it only ran another $50 or so. I can't at all justify the regular rates of $300 plus, though. |
60
| gottaluvdavillains
Thu 9/20/2007 11:07a | Okay wait a minute - MMOM(new shorter version...)I thought the plan was to go THIS summer and then next christmas!!! I have contacted your local Child Welfare agency and they should be contacting you soon...They agreed with me on the fact that your lovely DD so graciously put up with YOUR half-wit family (remember you brought her into what you already knew about them) and now you are going to make her wait all that time to go again!!! ;P
Okay back to Hubby's mine scored points today so I have to be nice - He gave me tickets for Jersey Boys for tonights show! AND he's even going with me....SO after 18 years together (17 1/2 married - yes a very quick romance) he finally got me something I really want for my B-day - plus he finally is over the grudge about me having my ONLY daughter at DL for her birthday next week (yep the band ended up with a gig offered on her b-day so he can play without the guilt!!)
I don't understand the flying problems as it is only $50 for us to fly to LA. I know direct is easier - but could you all save some money if you flew to a different place in CA and then fly or drive into LA? |
