piercedqt78

Mary, the link I provided has some info on Disneyland, but she is just getting started with that section. The woman that runs the site also sends out a newsletter and there are always good deals in it. Also check out www.mousesavers.com she has some great deals and a newsletter too. She always has codes and promotions listed. I can try to help anyway I can, let me know when you want to go and I will see what I can do. ~Mandy

How about 1:00, just in case you hit traffic? And the lunch croud will be slowing down by then. ~Mandy

Ok several people have asked about the deal I am getting. In the fall from mid august-Late Sept Oct 1st Disney offers great deals to get people in for hurricane season. We go this time every year and knoc on wood have never had any weather problems. We were there 6 weeks after Charlie and everything was fully functioning. Sometime later this month (the rumor is the 12th) Disney will be announcing a code for free dining when you book a package from Aug 19th- Oct 1st. You have to check in during that time, you can stay as long as you like. The dining plan includes 1 snack, 1 counter service (fast food type stuff) and one Table service (includes most buffets and character meals) for each night that you are there. You must book the room and at least 1 park ticket for each person on the reservation. We are going for 10 days, 9 nights. 2 adults and 1 child, and I am paying for the option to park hop and I paid for preferred room (closer to the bus stop, less walking at the end of some very long days) We fly Southwest, as they are always the cheapest, usually about $150 round trip each. So for just over $2,000 we are going to Disney for 10 days. I have a great resource for more information and menus www.allearsnet.com I am also willing to help anyway I can. I am a Disney geek and plan trips for everyone around here. I have some great ways to save money, and have a great time. We have been 6 times in 3.5 years. We usually go for 7-10 days in the the spring and then Dave and I go for 4-5 days in the fall. This year we did house stuff with the spring trip money so we are doing the family trip in the fall. My entire family is going at the same time. There will be 11 of us there in Sept. I can't wait. Let me know if anyone wants help planning I am good at it. ~Mandy

Oakbrook Panera, Sat the 7th. What time? ~Mandy

Again, I am not saying to stop new people from posting. I am saying stop new people from posting LINKS. I am the one that suggested the "already reported" idea. I am all for new people posting as much as they want. I know I jumped in with both feet from day one. I am just saying don't allow someone to create an account and then post 40 links 5 mins later. ~Mandy

I am active on another board that has a senior member forum, you have to be there 90 days without being in any trouble. Then you are granted entrance into the senior forum. I wonder if making a restriction on lins would be possible here, like the waiting period is there? ~Mandy

Abi is doing pretty good this week. Today was our last day of school before spring break. We are supposed to go tomorow, but Abi has an appointment with the doctor, we are going to ask about an ultasound of her bladder. She is having frequent accidents and she says she can't feel that she has to go. I am concerned that it is a medical problem not a psychological issue. Orlando summers are HOT but it's doable. Loads and loads of water, and make sure to plan breaks often. I use Staples for water delivery, they are reasonable, and they deliver for free. I joined their rewards progam (it's free) and they waive the delivery charge. Last year we ordered 3 cases of water and it was $18 total, for 72 bottles of water. They deliver to your room, just give them the address from the back of the confirmation letter that you have and the ressie confirmation number, along with a name, and arrival date. They do this all the time so it's easy. The water is delivered to package pick-up in the lobby and then we just take it to our room. I bring crystal lite, kool-aid and aqua sensations to make flavored drinks and we really don't buy a ton of drinks in the parks, saves time and money. We do however get a dole whip and Dave must have a pretzel in MK. I must have a Turkey Leg from Toluka Leg's in MGM (they are better there than any other place on earth). I look like Fred Flintstone with my huge smoked turkey leg.....I refuse to pay $2.50-$4.00 for a bottle of water. ~Mandy

I can't do the summer, too hot for Abi's seizue problems. Also her meds keep her from being able to sweat so she is a high risk for heat stroke. Besides the fall has the Not So Scary Halloween Party and food and wine festival.....woohoo!!~Mandy

We are going Sept 15-24. We are doing a Grand Gathering, my mom and dad are going along with my sister her hubby and their 4 kids. ~Mandy

I'm not saying to not let them post. I'm saying to not let them post links...that would seriously slow down the spam. ~Mandy

Yenken, welcome!!! Just to let you know most of us are not really from Jersey, but we all play well together. You will find love and support here, but no fighting or drama. We are a group of girls that support each other with banding and life stuff too. We had/have high winds in Chicago today...yuck! Here is my forecast for today: Today: Gusty winds. Snow flurries developing this afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds WNW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph Yep, it's spring to Chicago, we had the air on a few days ago and are expecting snow flurries today....LOL. Anyone wanna come and play in my Easter snow? It's hard to hide brightly colored eggs in White snow....LOL I laugh of I will cry I swear. I started planning my DISNEY VACATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! last night. I didn't think it was going to happen and then a friend told me about a package deal that is going to be released in the next 2 weeks that includes food, lodging and tickets for my family, 9 nights 10 park days, $1600 WoooHooo!!! I just have to figure out air travel. My whole family is going so we are going to book Southwest group rates, it's usually about $159 round trip per person. I am already making dining ressies, that's the former fat girl in me...... I am also going to attempt to buy a gasp.....bathing suit. For the past several years I have made excuses to shop, do laundry or take a nap while Dave and Abi swim, not this year. I am going to swim, and maybe even lay out and get some sun...ok so really I am going to get close to the egde of the pool, take off my coverup, and jump in quickly. But I will be in a real swimsuit.....no one piece with built in shorts, no skirt over the front, none of that for me. I might even be so brave as to let Dave take a pic. maybe not. How is everyone else today? ~Mandy

I personally think any kind of nutrition shake needs to be icy cold to be drinkable. ~Mandy

What if we made people be a member here for a month (active member) before being allowed to post links? ~Mandy

I lost a bunch of weight on the gall bladder diet. Bland chicken, steamed veggies and buckets of water. ~Mandy

I was denied 3 times, in 6 months. Keep after them, it will happen for you. Look at it this way, they are giving you a set reason for denial. I was denied with the ins company saying the band was experimental. I had to change the companies policy, you just need to fit into the criteria.....~Mandy

I too had a vacation just 9 weeks post-op. I was filled 2 days before leaving for my trip. I got a small fill and was fine. I did 5 days in Disney (usually adding 5-7 pounds with a trip like that) I managed to lose 8 pounds from all the walking. Make sure you are going to be able to do the post-fill liquids/soft foods. I had to start back on regular food a day sooner then the doc suggested but he said to take it easy and all would be fine. ~Mandy

When I do shakes I use atkins or the generic from walmart. Both are much lower in calories. ~Mandy

I can't do rice at all, not even in Soup. When I make stew or anything that should have rice with it, I make the rice as a side. For myself I make mashed potatos (I hide a little Protein powder in them). When we go to Popeye's I get red Beans, with mashed potatos in place of rice. They look at me funny but they do it. I also can't do bread. If I am really craving bread/starch I have wheat crackers. I can't even look at banana bread, or zuchini bread. I have pretty much cleared bread off my list all together. I don't do tortillas either, unless they are fried. (chips) There is a chat room but we are never on here at the same time. There is a list of who is on here and when and it's usually just 2 or 3 of us. It would be nice if we could all do lunch, or something but we are all so far apart. I am lucky I have a local group here in Chicago that I go to lunch with every month. That is the only face to face support group that I have. My family is great, they support me and my banded lifestyle, but they don't always understand what it's all about. That is what I have my NJ sisters for. ~Mandy

Are we doing Panera again? Where? ~Mandy

Darcy, my miles for March are around 30, I walk Abi to the bus stop each day but when she was in the alternative school for 8 days I drove her, so that shortened my miles for the month. I promise to do more next month, it's finally warming up here. ~Mandy

I am in Romeoville, but hang out in Plainfiled with my sister. You are welcome to come to the luncheon and meet other bandsters in the area. ~Mandy

That is why I started the thread. I didn't want to miss out tomorrow. I would be posting in March far into June if I didn't get the emails. ~Mandy

Oh for that age, look into Mickey Mouse Club House or Little Einsteins. Both are great for the pre-school aged kids, lots of color, shape recognition, music and fun. Abi is getting Mickey Mouse Clubhouse the movie and sound track in her basket. ~Mandy

Here is the April thread...http://www.lapbandtalk.com/april-chat-nj-t32493.html?p=431245

Kat, how old is Conner? Abi got Flushed Away, it's funny but I would say for 5 and up. It has some toilet humor in it. Peter Pan is also very good. I thought Happy feet was cute and funny but also a bit sad. Another great movie was Night at the Museum. ~Mandy