Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay....My oh My Zoo's family is coming to stay!!!

[Zookeeperof4]

So I should really start by saying our last trip I planned for three years off and on before my darling HUBS agreed to go. Truthfully I think he just really never thought we would actually make it happen so refused to hold my dream. LOL.... So when I last year said to him at income tax time can I make a depsoit he said sure why not. We had great intentions....he had a great job blah blah blah. About three weeks after we booked he was laid off. I asked should we cancel the trip? He said no we will be fine and keep planning. Thankfully his unemployment was enough to pay the bills but had little left afterwards so mommy did a good thing...got a J-O-B!!! The short version of this is that we did in fact go to WDW. We-the kids and I, had a great time. The first day was madness at the MK and the darling HUBS announced we will never come back here. (The first day was very rushed we arrived and did a park right off the bat and forgot our plan for the day...the rest of our stay went without event, I woke up two hours early and made sure of what we would do each day and the rest of the trip flowed smoothly for us) And we managed to come home with money....even with all the pretrip disaters....

Since we have been home the HUBS has talked randomly about AK, how it was his favorite park and how he loved the Nemo show. (I am left thinking did I get him hooked to the mouse?) Sat night over dinner he tells me..."I am thinking I would like to go back to WDW." I just about choked on my dinner. So I hid my smile and I tried to not do my Carlton happy dance and pee my pants as I said REALLY????

The plan is we will go back the same time we did this last year...during thanksgiving break. He had to only take off 4 work days and we had 12 days off....thanks to his jobs holiday schedule.

Now for me...well I was planning on going anyway. I just had planned to tie him up and throw him in the trunk as we drove away towards WDW...now that he wants to go, I can do my obsessive planning and start a NEW vacation planning binder. When we went this time the guy at the first hotel for our overnight asked me whats that binder..your homework? I said no my Vacation planner. He flipped through it and said OMG I have never seen one this thorough...NOPE..and you wont. Cause when I hear the words Walt Disney World I am like a addict...I want to know everything I can. I even buy retired tour books so I can compare years back to more current issues.

Its sad really....but quite fun. So let the planning fun begin....

The cast of characters is myself....to local Disers I am known as the Zookeeperof4...to family and friends I answer to Tina and sometimes will even respond to Hey YOU!! I am 31----GULP---and will turn 32 very soon. I have been to WDW three times.
Then there is the HUBS..Eddie. He is 38 and is the stubborn one, it takes him time to come around to my way of seeing things..ok honestly who am I kidding. He never sees things with my Disney themed glasses, but he is willing to humor me. This will be his second trip, both to disney period and with me.
Then I have three kids...JJ, Ashley, and Gracie. They are amazing and love anything that has a thrill ride. My DD Gracie shares my Disney planning enthusiasm so this trip may be a hard one to keep from her.

So thats the cast....I promise to try to be Factual, and Satisfactual...LOL

 

[Zookeeperof4]

I realized after posting how boring a TR could look with a lack of photos...so to introduce the crew and review some of our past WDW experience I am trying my luck at adding a few pics. Bear with me....LOL

This is the family in the AK in Dec of 2009. We managed to luck out and stumble upon a sign that said "character meets" this day. I kinda looked down the path that had the sign beside it and saw no line. I stood thinking to myself hmmm oh well we must have missed it. After a shoulder shrug and thinking better luck later I felt a tippy tap to my back and a kind CM whisper...they are down there....so to whoever that kind CM was...thank you a million times thank you. There was literally 5 people with us and we got to spend a relaxing time with Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore and ended up with great memories.

I have to share my greatest memory of this last WDW trip for me. I am addicted to Amereican Idol. I know that they have the AIE in Hollywood studios and for literally months I contemplated whether or not I should try out. I watched videos upon videos of past "contestants" and thought I do not compare, however I also saw some pretty so-so ones who won so I thought Ehhh we'll see. I practiced for a weeks and had gotten sick just prior to our vacation so it was out for me..or was it?

I dont know if it was good luck or not but I managed to get into the show. I met some amazing guys who shared my stage. I still chat with them on facebook here and there. I didnt make it to the next round BUT...after the show the judges came and said how I was very good, and that they were shocked I didnt get through to the next show...blah blah blah...mind oyu the winner was right there..LOL Anyway I told them it was an awesome experience and how I was just anxious to get back to my family as they had patiently waited for me to fullfill this dream of mine to be on the American Idol stage. They look at each other and say hold on one second. Umm OOKKKAAYYYY....
They come back with a stack yes a stack or fast passes, placed them in my hand and said I was a pleasure and great sport. Hotdog-hotdog-hot-diggity dog!!! No return time or ride name...we got to choose when that day to use them and where. From what other CMs there told me...that NEVER happens.
In fact our entire vacation came with surprises of fast passes....it was like we had something tattooed on us that said to give us them because we literally got handed them EVERYWHERE. CMs would just say hi would you like a fast pass? Ummm YES!!!
Needless to say it made of first trip very magical. Quite a great memory. It leaves big shoes to fill on the next trip...can we do it????
Only time will tell....and as time goes...well we have plenty of it. The trip is tentively planned for Nov of 2011....so we are awaiting now the dates to open for booking but I started the budget plans already.
The brain train is in motion...Toot-Toot....WDW here we come...AGAIN!!!!

 

[Zookeeperof4]

Well I was trying to load pics and after many unsucessful attempts figured out just how to add images....thanks for the help!!

 

[MainStMandy]

I'm in!! What a beautiful family you have!! I love to meet people like me...I've had my Disney binder for quite a while now. Df laughs at me but let me tell you it PAYS off!! You gotta have a plan...so from one OCD planner to another...I'm in!!!

 

[MHTeacher]

Joining in for the fun. Sounds like you all had a wonderful trip this past year. Don't you just love Pooh and his friends dressed up in their winter scarves and hats? Too cute!

Wow on the American Idol experience! I think I would be terrified to be singing on that stage in front of that many people .....Kudos to you! And the surprise FPs were fantastic!

 

[Zookeeperof4]

Welcome to my crazy world and thanks for posting!!! I was so excited to see someone other then myself was reading..worried I was to boring!!!

 

[Zookeeperof4]

So forgive me if you are a man reading or have man in your life who easily makes decisions....mine does not.
For the last month we have been down to one car as the day we put 200$ into mine(mind you a month prior to this we had to shell out 600 before the last Disney trip..more on that one later) because that day his transmission decided to take a Ka-put on us. So being the nice woman I am....well try hard at being on most days....I called around, and for a USED transmission it was 900$ not including labor. Oh plus we would also need a clutch and they are not available used and the total for that job is another 500+. Oh at least that day I was able to give quite a few mechanics a laugh when I called asking for prices on a stick shift transmission..ok who the heck knew they were called Manual Transmissions. Not I, that was darn sure!

So I suggest we look into a used car just for him to get to work. He leaves at 430 am to go to work and comes home at 330 pm...I go to work for 430. I am literally trapped in my house all day with three kids....we homeschool. The oppurtunities for outside education grew quite slim this month. (I dont mind being home with my kids at all...I would just like to be able to buy a roll of toilet paper without someone sitting on the toilet in need of some and saying to my son run down the street to the gas station..I dont care much it costs..) So he agrees to junk this car and put the money to a used car.

So I find a deal on a used Eagle Summit(we never heard of it either..LOL). Ends up I know the people selling it and the deal is to good to pass up. I say to the "D"H....quotes are cause right now he is not so "darling"...I have the money for the deposit today but you need to take the car to the junkyard this week. And he says...drum roll please....

I am not quite ready to dump the car.



Maybe to some people this is like oh well ok. Not to me. We have been dealing with some huge life unexpecteds...none of them mine. All his. Without shelling out his past life history its just all Ex wife related....Grrrr.....
So I try to regain some sanity and say "Well Sweetie, just how do you plan on paying for the car when you owe me money for bills this week, you need to finish paying for the car, and have the money for the title and registration..plus this is the week they are taking out 470 for Ex-wife expenses....so just how on earth can you do this without junking that car?"

He has no idea...

So fine....I take huge breath and chalk it up to the game and remind myself that life is what we make it and lets make it rock...(umm yes the girls are listening to Hannah Montana right now..), until...another drum roll please....

I open my gas bill.....597$ for one month!!!! Why on earth can a grown rear ended man not put on sweat pants and a sweat shirt when he is chilly. All day my kids dress in winter clothing...daddy comes home and decides to make it hotter then WDW in the middle of August and wear a tank top and shorts to lounge in while I am at work. I work really hard to stay on budget...we are like vampires in the day and work by the light of the moon..errr sun..LOL, I turn down the heat to 65...we do not freeze by far, and remind the kids to turn off Tvs when not watching and the "D"H puts the heat up to like 80. I came in last night gasping for air and opening a window. Yes, I had to sleep with an open window....kinda defeats that heat purpose huh?

So I am going to pour myself a hot cup of Joe, and open some of my daliy TRs I read and see if someone elses day is better.....OMG I so cant wait for my income tax to come. Then the WDW plans can calm me...yes I feel calm planning Disney, go figure!

Otherwise when he comes home I will say Ed I am not your Wife....


Well off to school again....lunch is over. (YES we homeschool and no I can't spell...well i can my fingers just go faster then my head and I am to lazy to check it even with spell check, and anyway its the thought that counts..HA!) Then when I am done I will start that mundane task of

I am going to go watch of Waverly Place later and hope some pixie dust comes flying out of the screen....

 

[Shmily01]

I'm just joining in. I've been cracking up at the situation with you hubby! Hope the day gets better for you!!

 

[Zookeeperof4]

I am happy to have you all! I can promise you my life is very entertaining...we grew up with a father that loved Dances With Wolves. If you remember that movie Elden from Murphy Brown was in it....escorting Kevin Kostner...at one point as the Kevin character was writting in his book/journal "elden" toots...err...farts, put in the publicly correct form passing gas if you must ..LOL..and says "put that in your book". My dad ruined the tape from replaying that...and laughing his laugh that is silent but turns his face bright red with tears falling.....
Thats our life, in fact that whole personal gas is an issue for giggles here...my daughter 7 will do it on command, or just to irritate. (My dad told her when she grows up to go work for the gas company..LOL) My sister tells her "Proper young ladies pass gas in the bathroom" Ashley says "oh mommy does it anywhere"....Choke Choke....forgive me for being human. I am not always close to a darn bathroom and I say Excuse me...thats kinda proper..anyway like my grandmother says..Its the milk.....

I'm just joining in. I've been cracking up at the situation with you hubby! Hope the day gets better for you!!

 

[Jazzylolo]

I was hooked when I saw you did the American Idol show!! I did the show during our trip this past June and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Something I never thought I would do and probably will never do again! I was sort of pushed into auditioning when we entered DHS (the were auditioning on the street) and thought I would never make it past the producer but lo and behold...I was ing Terrifying but so much fun!

That story of your DH is hilarious. I know what you mean though. My DH has a crappy old truck. We are moving across country this June and I do not think it is worth taking nor do I think it will even make it the whole trip. He is stubborn and will not sell it! Men!

 

[Zookeeperof4]

And since we are so "entertaining" I decided to go into my archives and find a dream I had sent my sister as an email. Being that you all love American Idol and all...wink wink....stay tuned!!

I was hooked when I saw you did the American Idol show!! I did the show during our trip this past June and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Something I never thought I would do and probably will never do again! I was sort of pushed into auditioning when we entered DHS (the were auditioning on the street) and thought I would never make it past the producer but lo and behold...I was ing Terrifying but so much fun!

That story of your DH is hilarious. I know what you mean though. My DH has a crappy old truck. We are moving across country this June and I do not think it is worth taking nor do I think it will even make it the whole trip. He is stubborn and will not sell it! Men!

 

[Zookeeperof4]

So I decided hmm could I find my American Idol dream if I searched long and hard. Answer was why, yes...Yes I could! So here it is...back in 2008...this was the dream I woke up to.....ENJOY!!!

Hollywood Week, and I was there! I'd made it through and woohaa, I was going to get to sing up on stage and all that jazz.... problem was, the thing was being held in a hospital and for some reason, they'd put me and three other girls (including Kelly Clarkson) on the psych unit instead of in the auditorium, and they wouldn't LET US OUT!
So Simon comes storming in, grabs Kelly and leaves.

Thanks a lot, buddy.

We finally get out and get to the auditorium where an Avril Lavigne look-alike was sitting next to me... nice girl, but when we opened up our folders to check out the music we were to pick from, most of it was Avril ****.

Guess who doesn't sing like Avril?

Rats.

So I'm frantically looking for something that will fit my voice... anything.... any Madonna in there? Sheryl Crow? when it's announced that someone is working against American Idol and Simon in particular (cue Mission Impossible music, here). He gets all agitated wondering who it could be.

Now, this is MY dream, so it's only natural that he'd suspect me. And he did. Came right out and said "Is it Tina?" in his nummy Brit accent. I almost forgot to take offense, so heart-fluttery did I become. I'm sure you understand.

But, it wasn't me, it was the Avril look-alike (woot!) and she was hauled away, kicking and screaming and pouting like her doppelganger on a bad day.

It was my turn to go up on stage next, and uh oh, I'd been so fixated on the commotion(are you shocked by that one??) that I forgot to pick a song. Panic. Panic. Panic.

Luckily, Simon was so grateful that I hadn't been the one conspiring against him (because Simon and I are like THIS (fingers crossed in a best-friend fashion... tight, ya know?)) and he calls for a break.

The break room is FULL of banana cream pies and lemon wedges. I had to choose - milk based product that will cause my voice to crack with phlegm, or lemon wedges that will make my voice rise pure and sweet?

The fat chick within me won and I gorged a bit on Banana cream... but, to my credit, I did grab a container of lemon wedges to atone.

Back to the auditorium, which has been transformed from Hospital Auditorium to my own Jr. High School's Auditorium (what's with my Jr high school always making an appearance in my epic dreams?? I'm 30 for crying out loud....yet Poquessing still haunts me) and we sit again.

It's still my time to go up, but I find it appropriate to announce my pregnancy at this point. Desperate attempt for leniency and time? Probably, because at no point during my dream was I aware that I was one month pregnant until that point, lol.

I'm not pregnant, by the way.

So I was about to go up and flub my way through, mourning the fact that I was soooooooooooo not making it through Hollywood week, when I woke up because I had to pee.

Damned bladder.

Going back to bed now, lol. Maybe there's still time to get back into that dream, it was pretty interesting. And even if I screw up my song, I'll still get to hear Simon say my name again




What can I say??? It was a dream....but for those few mins the AIE stage it was the reality...and can I say all those people who approached us the rest of our trip saying Hey were you on Idol was Priceless!
But that is yet another post...I cant give you all the stories now...what fun is that???

 

[MainStMandy]

Lol how funny!! Lauren got recognized all day too!!

 

[Jazzylolo]

That is a hilarious dream!!

I totally agree...being recognized was one of the best parts! We had about 3 more days of our trip left after being on the AIE and every day at least one person recognized me. It was weird because I am not super confident or anything so I was completely out of my element! Definitely a lot of fun though!!!

 

[disneylovin24]

Can't wait for more Sounds like it will be a great trip

 

[Zookeeperof4]

I had written a long post here about the family. And our little girl. My angel. I dont know that I am ready to do that yet though. Just for the record....I have 3 kids listed in the intro. But I have a 4th, my little who suffered for 26 months before earning her wings. One day she will get a intro for you all....but for now thats what you get.

Well I have a Yay-me kinda moment. 85$ of expected money will be falling into my hands soon. Its WDW money and noone knows about it but you all and I..shhhh....it is WDW money. Not pizza money, not cigarette money, not for dog or cat food money....its for the Mouse. Mwahh-ha-ha....ok that didnt sound like an evil laugh when I read it back...rats I tried..LOL

So I only need now for 115$ to fall into my lap and WDW to decide that my money is worth it to them to open dates sooner for 2011..LOL.

Originally this trip was supposed to be a disney cruise. Why you ask are we not doing that? Well the truth is....the deposit. Yes I am looking at that huge 1000$ ammount that has to be put down for the cruise and thought umm...200 sounds much better. Dont get me wrong we would have loved it and will still someday restart those plans...its just 1000$ is alot of money to put down now. I need a couch, and a new kitchen set. They superceed a cruise.

This morning I woke up to "D"h...yes I am still mad at him...calling and he says did you call to ask how much the title transfer is gonna be? Umm no. Its 630 in the morning. Then he says why have I not been going grocery shopping? confused3 I dont know..maybe because you have my car all day?) and why he got peanutbutter and jelly for lunch (again cause you have my car all day?) Well when do you plan on shopping as we have almost no milk what other response can I give? I did plan ahead for the week...I went shopping on Sunday and bought three loaves of bread and 2 gallons of milk and three boxes of cereal. And then dinnery things. This week they decided to eat sandwiches for snacks at night, the milk they suddenly all decided they like milk and made chocolate milk every night....they NEVER drink milk, and the cereal, well thats gone to. Its only Wed!!!!!

I love the man dearly but sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself. And guess what happened yesterday? Just as I..the fortune teller saw in the future....a little girl was sitting on the potty saying MOM!!!..and a boy running for dear life to buy some paper. This time he got two rolls....just in case. Dear boy..you did well on your mission.

And then he says to me today..oh my family may come this weekend. What are you gonna make for dinner? (For the record he is not worshipping....he is slamming his head on the floor saying why me?) another and then my comment, Well I guess you will all have to fend for yourself...the Disboards will be calling

 

[Zookeeperof4]

I will do an entire post outlining our trip later because it truly was the most magical time. This was a post on another group I belong to:
For us it must have been the year of a million and one dreams because we went with very little expectations but to have a good time and let me say the fast passes were being handed to us like they were leaves on trees. And by handed I mean literally HANDED..in fact I dont even know how to use a fast pass kiosk....LOL....

MY Cinderella story started in Hollywood studios. I had heard they let people audition for American Idol Experience. I made a joke to my sister about how I was all over it when I made it to Disney. (I love Karaoke and my dream has always been to be on Idol...alas my birthday year makes me to old....boo hoo..isnt age just a number??) I really had very little expectations of being chosen but at park opening rushed our way over. They said it would take about 10-20 mins for an audition. Well 90 mins later I come back to the hubby who was FUMING!!!! Umm hello do you want the news....I am going to be in the SHOW?????!!!!! (Ok he was just flipping about how I was ruining the day, and Disney was supposed to be for the kids....ummm hmmm....wait til the end of this story..)

So I made it to the 12 noon show on Dec 1st. Here was my story. (BTW if anyone has taken any illegal pics of this show let me know as my camera decided to grow legs and walk away from us the last day of my trip...yes 700+ pics of our trip..POOF gone....and yes I know pics are not allowed but hello...some people break rules...and I hope some one here did..LOL)

I tried out with the song from Mulan....Reflections. I instantly made it to the producers round.(they let me take one person with me..so I took my son JJ...they kept calling him Jage my manager..LOL) I was taken to a sound room to prepare for my next audition for 10..yes 10 mins. Its not long at all that you get to choose a song. I stuck with Mulan as my first choice and Kelly Clarkson Moment like this as my number two. I went into the producers alone and auditioned.. He then put on a video of Ryan Seacrest and it says how less then 10% of those who audition get chosen & get to go to the producers audition and less than 10 percent of those make it through to the show so he cant say if you made it and then....the producer stands up and says ",but I can...you made it to the next round!!!!!" OMG I am going to Hollywood!....studios that is...LOL

I came out to do my video taping since I was the second act in my show. They pick 15 people in a day to do 5 shows-3 in each show. The winners of each of those shows go on to the night show for the chance to win a ticket for a spot to do a city audition for the show. And all it means is an audition with a show person there..not necessarily THE judges. ( I am to old for the show so this was my American Idol chance) I taped my show interview...pretty cool...and you know at the end where they show the people in front of the sign doing their little dance? I did my moves....the running man, the Roger Rabbit and the cabbage patch....it was a riot, the camera guys were cracking up saying I cant believe she just went there..LOL...believe it guys, I am a Super Star. HA!

I was told to come back at 10:30 for hair and makeup. My family had to be back at 11:30 for the 12 noon show for their own special treatment. We quick ran to ride Star wars and then it was time for mommy to go to get "her hair Did" as Missy Elliot says. Daddy was still griping about how it was supposed to be for the kids in Disney not us and how I was taking away time today...ummm daddy shush it up and make sure you are back in time for the show. At this point I was thinking will he come back, but pushed gthe thought aside....hair and makeup....oh how I will be in heaven!!!

I got my hair put up by a fabulous girl from Texas....cant remember her name but she was awesome. Did my makeup to...god just for the hair and makeup it was a great experience..as I looked like I just got up that day...hmm come to think of it thats me every day. LOL. Then on to my Voice lesson. (Mind you each of these sessions is 10 mins....YIKES....) Then at 11:30 they started the dress rehearsal. Thats where the families get the special treatment..up to 6 family members get to be escorted into the VIP seating for a preshow dress rehearsal.

The stage is amazing. It is truly the exact set the show is on. Complete with lights and everything.they walked us through the show and said what would happen and we each got a practice run of our song. The guys I was with were awesome.....Ben Parissh who auditioned for the real show and Philip Duncan who BTW went to school and was friends with Taylor Hicks...OMG I was in heaven with these people. And we all had a great time together back stage...truly funny guys.

Then on with the show...again you cant imagine the show until you are there. It was just like the real thing.


My cinderella dream came true. At the end of the show we went in front of the judges and they all made their comments....I had the most positive responses from them. Then came the moment where the audience votes.....

At the end they drug out the winner announcement just like seacrest does. We all laughed. Then they announced the winner......Philip Duncan.....rats....

Ahhh it was a great time and he was good...I will just say he had a advantage over us and leave it at that. If you were at the show you know what I mean. But it was cool...as I cant use the ticket to the real show anyway(to old...umm but they say you are as old as you feel..that could be good or bad..LOL).

After the show the judges came back and said that they thought I got cheated...umm hello the winner is behind you..LOL..and how they really thought I made it to the next show. (Again I was not that sad...as I cant use the ticket for the real show....was I disappointed? a little..but not when I realized that we would have lost another 2 hours for the return show later.....I was on to fun with my family!) Then the best part...they handed me fast passes!! First place we used them? The Toy Story Mania that had a stand by line of 90 mins....YIKES! (the back stage guy said I cant believe that....he never does that..they must have really liked you....but of course they did..I was awesome!!!! )

So would I do it again.....heck yes. It was an awesome, amazing, butterfly in my belly time.....and as for Daddy.....well he said he almost cried he got so choked up when he saw my video and saw me on stage. Umm hmmm.....so much for that Grinch I was with earlier..LOL


LOL
So yes as it said above..we lost our camera. Last day at MK every picture I took gone. I had more Idol pics and most of all the kids character meets on it. Some of the character meets do not have Photopass so those are gone. My Character meals..gone...poof. Thought some kind WDW family person would be honest..no instead they saw a free camera and ran.
Thank god for Photopass!!!

Next post will have the Idol pics....I am doing vocab with JJ and I am to grumpy to load them to photobucket..LOL

 

[MHTeacher]

I open my gas bill.....597$ for one month!!!!

YIKES!!! I think I would pass out if I ever saw a gas/utility bill like that!

 

[Zookeeperof4]

YIKES!!! I think I would pass out if I ever saw a gas/utility bill like that!

Oh I am...and now last night he had our bedroom window opened. I said why on earth is the window opened...he said its warm in here. I was like then turn down the heat....So he said well then it will be CHILLY!!!!!!



One day...I know he will wake up out of the DUH stupor he seems to be stuck in.....

 

[Jazzylolo]

So did the guy that won your show have like 300 people in the audience because that is what happened to me!!! He was there with a theater group from his high school. It was ridiculous! I had 3 people in the audience...not gonna sway the vote much I agree though...if I had made it to the next round I would have had to waste my whole day on it and I didn't want to do that to my DH and friends. Although...Amanda's DF I think was more excited about the whole thing than me LOL!