Joining in the fun too!
We have 3 out of the house and our last will be in college in 6 years so we are not quite empty nesters yet but looking forward to hearing about your trip and dreaming for the future!
Joining in an hoping to stay caught up with this report. I really need to make a list of the ones I start reading.
You had a bad 2013 too. Here's hoping we all have a better 2014.
Is that the bridge over the Delaware Bay? I avoid that bridge at all costs. Absolutely terrifies me.
Being an empty nester actually starts to become fun. I've been one for about 6 years and love it now. My kids all live close so I can see them and the grandkids easily but I love the peace and quiet at home.
Looking forward to reading more.
Jus waiting for the next update !!!!!
Mary Ellen I modified the ressie
Ooo, I love the idea of being in Disney from one month into the next! It just sounds so luxurious to say, "Yeah, we'll be there October into November!" But man, you had to go through some stressful times to get to your trip! I'm glad you had the opportunity to vacation for some time after all that!
i made it!! I love the pic of you both at epcot,very nice!
[SIZE="4" OH MY !!! that bridge is creepy we don't have anything like that here.[/SIZE]
Oh Mary Ellen, 2014 has got to be better for you than 2013. Yes I agree, you just kept getting hit last year.
You needed that trip.
You're so sweet to say that, thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it
There's just something about vacation
I hate when it's windy, it really freaks me out. I even have a 'get out of the car if I go over a bridge plan', I really really don't like high bridges. Thankfully the fear isn't bad enough to keep me from driving on them but I'm pretty scared when I'm up there.
I'm so glad!
Joining along!
Also, wanted to say a quick howdy neighbor..
We also live on the beautiful Eastern Shore in Denton. I'm very familiar with the dreaded Bay Bridge.. I don't know which is worse that or the tunnel! My husband drives over it everyday to go to work in AA county.
Good intro - it really gives a sense of where you were, approaching this trip. I'm sorry you had so much crappiness in 2013 - here's to a well deserved getaway, and a great 2014!
I understand the empty nest thing very well. Great idea to go on a trip right away!
Joining in! My DH and I were there at the same time as you. I kept an eye out but I don't think we were ever in the same park at the same time.
I'm following along! I love your TRs...looking forward to another one.
I'm sorry 2013 was such a rough year for you, sometimes it just feels like those things just all happen at once...here's to a better 2014
I'm here! I promise to keep up with this one better than I did with your last TR, totally failed on that one...
Anyway, I'm so sorry your life was so stressful last year! It seemed like 2013 was just a pain in the you know what for everyone, I'm so glad it's over! And it sounds like your trip was just what you needed to relax a little!
Great start! That bridge does look a little high and scary, lol! I'm not normally afraid of bridges, but sometimes they can be a little terrifying! Can't wait to read more!
Thanks for the heads-up! Can't wait to read along about your trip.
Keeping up Mary Ellen !!!!
Yay i'm here and will be back to read later!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has found the DIS slow. Between that and my son's surgery and mom in the hospital, I got behind again (and we will be gone all weekend so trying to catch up everywhere before we leave early Friday morning).
Love your intros, and sorry you got lost finding your hotel (we did that one year when we got in really late and stayed at a LaQuinta...yep, we ended up at the wrong one.
The Fairfield's are nice...but they can be a bit pricey.
I look forward to the next update, but I'm even more looking forward to our lunch together in 28 days.
Joining in!
Sorry you had such a rough year, hoping 2014 is much better for you.
Sorry you had such a hard time finding the hotel, couldn't have been much fun in the dark either.
Looking forward to hearing about this trip!
You had me at empty nester! Always enjoy your reports , just had to jump in and comment on this one . We too our empty nesters ,on our 2nd year. Never thought when we bought our DVC back in 1999 we would still be loving it just as much now. And probably even more ,eventually, with grandchildren !The DIS is SO slow right now! So I'm going to quit and be back with more replies tomorrow!
I'm sure it will be Pat. It was just weird how a lot of things happened at once and I think they say that job changes and deaths are really major stressors. I think a change in living situation is also a major one. So I guess Nick leaving would fall into that category.
Yup - we both needed that trip!
That has lessened my stress considerably. Going into those really long OT stretches was really stressful for me. I am grateful that is over.
I have this theory that one of two things happens when you kids grow up. You either realize you can't stand you spouse or you get closer, but your relationship does change. It's almost like - "phew, we made it".
I think its good for adults to go on child-free vacations, but the planning can be stressful. I know we had trouble getting child supervision a few times and thought we might need to cancel, but we managed to pull it off.
I am here and ready to read!
The big bridges don't bother me as much as the underwater tunnels. No way am I driving in there!
I'm joining in. My husband and I are a long way away from being empty nesters (we have a preschooler and a toddler), but after their behavior lately it makes me dream of the day they are both grown up and out of the house, so I'll live vicariously through your TR for now.
You had me at empty nester! Always enjoy your reports , just had to jump in and comment on this one . We too our empty nesters ,on our 2nd year. Never thought when we bought our DVC back in 1999 we would still be loving it just as much now. And probably even more ,eventually, with grandchildren !
Checking in, trying not to get too far behind.........
Hi Mary Ellen!
I'm not up to full commenting speed yet, but just wanted to drop in and say I'm reading along!
Hi ME! Thanks for the heads up.
Wow reading your intro, i remember each event as it happened but when you realize everything was so close. Well, thats how 2006 was for me. And yup, a Disney Trip was much needed!! (Our first trip was Jan 2007).
Sounds like a fun trip and some beach time is just what the doctor ordered! Looking forward to hearing about the St. Augustine leg. We did a quick stop in 2012 that made me want to visit there for a day or two at least.
When you sum up your year like that, it seems like it was such a tough year for you and your family Hoping 2014 brings LOTS of happiness!.
Okay, that's EXACTLY why i'm never on my phone or reading in the car when DH is driving. He gets sidetracked so easily so I'm definitely the 'back-seat' driver! .
I've done the, "Where is this place at?" after looking on the phone map and having to backtrack when realizing, it's tucked away. Definitely annoying.
Oh yes, lots of "major life stressors" there. Or lots of "upset to the applecart" as I like to say. Gets you off balance and sometimes hard to get back in balance.
The long meet weekends do me in too. I just have my cranky panties on all week after that until I get some time off to catch up.
I agree with you totally and well I tell you I know I didn't do too well in that area. With a child who seemed to get sick every time we left her, it was harder to leave them than take them.
Judy says every time I go away something happens !!!Let me see First trip to Lake George she got so sick she almost died , had emergency surgery the day after I got back, next year Samatha dislocated her thumb ( not that serios ) the next year the little dog was lost for 3 days then this year Samantha had an accident , not hurt just her car !!So do you think she is right I told her they all needed to stay inside the whole time and take vitamins and avoid any dngerous activities No mention of me NOT going away !!