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Steve's Jan/Feb 2012 Trip Planning

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Steve Russo

unread,
Feb 10, 2012, 10:32:21 AM2/10/12
to
January 29 – February 3, 2012
Participants
• Steve –Your humble narrator.
• Barb – My bride of 39 years.

Beach Club Villas– Studio

Preamble (or Pre-Ramble might be more accurate)

Has it really been a whole year?

First, an admission… I typically introduce myself in these reports as a
strapping, virile, handsome epitome of masculinity. Sadly, I’ve come to
the realization that the years are becoming less and less kind. While I
used to claim I was aging like fine wine, I fear the reality is I’m
aging more like milk. I wouldn’t exactly say I’m falling apart, but
there are aches where there never were and I sometimes let out an
“Okey-doke” when rising from a chair.

What’s prompted this deterioration? Old age in general or, as Indiana
Jones once said, “It’s not the years… it’s the mileage.” To top things
off, last summer brought a torn meniscus, torn quadriceps tendon, torn
patellar tendon and a small fracture in the patella in my right knee –
previously known as my “good knee”. It’s a long, boring story but I’ve
managed to ward off surgery thus far. I’m a little concerned with how
the knee will hold up considering the amount of walking at Walt Disney
World. There are good days and bad but I’ve yet to determine what causes
one or the other. I’ve walked the golf course a few times after the
diagnosis and continue to take 3-4 mile walks from home (on the good
days and when the weather permits) so we’ll see.

This past year has also been big for major milestones: we survived an
earthquake, a hurricane and two weddings. Our son, Stephen, tied the
knot last July at a big wedding. Daughter, Stephanie, married just a
couple of months ago in November at an even bigger celebration. Oh… and
did I mention I’m retired? After a few false starts and two concessions
to “stay on a little longer”, I managed to (finally) retire completely
just prior to Christmas 2011.

One might think that after raising three children, getting them through
college, gainfully employed, out into the world and married, that Barb
and I would now be done. Retired, empty nesters free to travel on a
whim, right?

Not so fast. You all remember Pop, my (now) 96-year old father? He’s
still with us and despite being placed on “home hospice” last summer,
he’s doing reasonably well health-wise. We also had a number of issues
with our black lab, Gunnar. He was also placed on a version of “home
hospice” and the vets didn’t expect him to last the summer; then the end
of the year. But Gunnar was strong in heart and will and continued to
brighten our lives.

I tell you all that just to explain that vacations for us are hard to
come by. Hell, getting out of the house for more than a couple of hours
at a time has become a rarity. By my estimation, we haven’t been out of
the house together for more than two hours in about 12 months – with the
notable exception of the two weddings I mentioned. We’re REALLY looking
forward to this trip.

Unfortunately, just prior to the trip we were dealt a huge blow. I like
to keep these trip reports somewhat upbeat and humorous but I need to
get this in here. If you don’t want to hear this sad news, please skip
the next paragraph. I promise to try to mention this only once.

The ravages of multiple tumors and laryngeal paralysis had really begun
to take a toll on Gunnar’s quality of life. The escalating circumstances
forced us to make a very, very difficult decision and Gunnar left us
just a few days before this trip. The most difficult part was that, even
though his body was failing him, his mind and spirit were still that of
the pup we knew. Right to the end, he was Gunnar. I can’t begin to
describe the heartache; how much we miss him and how his passing has
impacted our family. Barb and I briefly discussed postponing this trip
but really felt we should go. Being here at home brings constant
reminders of our life with Gunnar. We’d usually get out of bed each
morning distributing the tasks: “I’ll make the coffee, you let Gunnar
out.” All around our home are reminders of his favorite chair, where he
liked to lie in the sun on our deck, where he stood, wagging his tail,
to greet us whenever we returned home – from anywhere, etc. We knew
Gunnar would always be in our thoughts and our hearts but truly believed
a change of venue would help us begin the healing process. I know this
might sound cold to some but it’s truly sincere. I feel this trip will
truly be termed “bittersweet”. OK… I’ll try to be a bit more buoyant
with the rest of the story – thanks for listening.

Planning
This trip had originally been planned for the week just after
Thanksgiving. We reserved a Boardwalk studio at the 11-month window and
booked everything else months in advance. We were really looking forward
to visiting during the Holiday season and all it has to offer. Just a
couple of weeks prior to leaving, Pop took a fall. While he didn’t do
any serious or permanent damage, he was one large bruise. Neither Barb
nor I felt comfortable leaving him so we canceled that trip and
eventually rebooked it as this one.

I had no difficulty rescheduling flights but this was my first
experience with the DVC Holding Account – where your points go to die
when you cancel within the 30-day window. It’s actually not that bad but
you can only book a reservation within 60 days of arrival. I found there
was no availability for a standard view studio at the Boardwalk. If I
have to pay for the Boardwalk “preferred view”, my preference swings
toward the Beach Club or, as a backup, Animal Kingdom Villas. I got a
little lucky when the DVC agent on the phone found the last remaining
Beach Club studio for me. Done!

You’re probably wondering, and justifiably so, how I can financially
justify a Disney trip so soon after two weddings and a retirement?
First, we have our Annual Passes. Second, as DVC members, there’s no
real out-of-pocket cost for the room. Lastly, I signed us up for a
Southwest VISA card and, for an annual fee of $39, received two free
roundtrip tickets. My only costs will be food, beverages (uh, oh) and
souvenirs. Therefore, this trip will be a frugal one – not quite “Disney
on a Dime” and I could never term a Disney trip as “inexpensive” but as
close as we can get.

Our two daughters, Michelle and Stephanie, will share the load of
tending to Pop in our absence. Stephen would normally contribute as well
but he recently earned a promotion that, unfortunately for us, mandated
a move out of state.

I made just a few Advanced Dining Reservations and… we’re ready to go.

Whoops, one more thing. I always check rental car prices before a trip.
I somehow managed to hit on a full-size car with Alamo for $57 – or $92
after taxes and fees. That’s a very good rate but, in the end, we
decided to stay with Disney’s Magical Express. Staying at the Beach Club
means our only bus usage is to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and
Downtown Disney. We walk to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I just
didn’t think the car would be worthwhile – even at that great rate.

--
Steve

Rudeney

unread,
Feb 13, 2012, 2:12:07 PM2/13/12
to
Steve Russo <sru...@nycap.rr.com> wrote:
> January 29 – February 3, 2012
> Participants
> • Steve –Your humble narrator.
> • Barb – My bride of 39 years.
>
> Beach Club Villas– Studio
>
> Preamble (or Pre-Ramble might be more accurate)
>
> Has it really been a whole year?
>
> First, an admission… I typically introduce myself in these reports as a
> strapping, virile, handsome epitome of masculinity. Sadly, I’ve come to
> the realization that the years are becoming less and less kind. While I
> used to claim I was aging like fine wine, I fear the reality is I’m aging
> more like milk. I wouldn’t exactly say I’m falling apart, but there are
> aches where there never were and I sometimes let out an “Okey-doke” when
> rising from a chair.
>


Okey doke? Mine is more of a "ughhh". And if it's getting up off the
floor or out from under a car I'm working on, it's usually more of a
Tourette's outburst.


> What’s prompted this deterioration? Old age in general or, as Indiana
> Jones once said, “It’s not the years… it’s the mileage.” To top things
> off, last summer brought a torn meniscus, torn quadriceps tendon, torn
> patellar tendon and a small fracture in the patella in my right knee –
> previously known as my “good knee”. It’s a long, boring story but I’ve
> managed to ward off surgery thus far. I’m a little concerned with how the
> knee will hold up considering the amount of walking at Walt Disney World.
> There are good days and bad but I’ve yet to determine what causes one or
> the other. I’ve walked the golf course a few times after the diagnosis
> and continue to take 3-4 mile walks from home (on the good days and when
> the weather permits) so we’ll see.
>


My new things the leg elbow...it's been whining at me since December. They
cant seem to find e cause, so I'm going to try physical era this week,
which means it hurts seriously because I really don't believe I. Physical
therapy unless it's post-surgery rehab.


> This past year has also been big for major milestones: we survived an
> earthquake, a hurricane and two weddings. Our son, Stephen, tied the knot
> last July at a big wedding. Daughter, Stephanie, married just a couple of
> months ago in November at an even bigger celebration. Oh… and did I
> mention I’m retired? After a few false starts and two concessions to
> “stay on a little longer”, I managed to (finally) retire completely just
> prior to Christmas 2011.
>


Congrats on the retirement! Now you'll have more time fro RADP!
We went to the beach the day after we buried one of our cats. That was
hard in and of itself, but even worse because we left the other one at home
alone. It all worked out and helped us get on with life, but there were
sill moments that week where we thought we should go home. And we probably
would have had we not been there with Katie and her friend from Atlanta.



>
> You’re probably wondering, and justifiably so, how I can financially
> justify a Disney trip so soon after two weddings and a retirement? First,
> we have our Annual Passes. Second, as DVC members, there’s no real
> out-of-pocket cost for the room. Lastly, I signed us up for a Southwest
> VISA card and, for an annual fee of $39, received two free roundtrip
> tickets. My only costs will be food, beverages (uh, oh)


Rethinking that retirement, huh?



--
- Rodney

Steve Russo

unread,
Feb 13, 2012, 2:59:10 PM2/13/12
to
On 2/13/2012 2:12 PM, Rudeney wrote:
> Steve Russo<sru...@nycap.rr.com> wrote:
>> January 29 – February 3, 2012
>> Participants
>> • Steve –Your humble narrator.
>> • Barb – My bride of 39 years.
>>
>> Beach Club Villas– Studio
>>
>> Preamble (or Pre-Ramble might be more accurate)
>>
>> Has it really been a whole year?
>>
>> First, an admission… I typically introduce myself in these reports as a
>> strapping, virile, handsome epitome of masculinity. Sadly, I’ve come to
>> the realization that the years are becoming less and less kind. While I
>> used to claim I was aging like fine wine, I fear the reality is I’m aging
>> more like milk. I wouldn’t exactly say I’m falling apart, but there are
>> aches where there never were and I sometimes let out an “Okey-doke” when
>> rising from a chair.
>>
>
>
> Okey doke? Mine is more of a "ughhh". And if it's getting up off the
> floor or out from under a car I'm working on, it's usually more of a
> Tourette's outburst.

LMAO. Yes, a Tourette's outburst is fitting for getting off the floor.

>
>
>> What’s prompted this deterioration? Old age in general or, as Indiana
>> Jones once said, “It’s not the years… it’s the mileage.” To top things
>> off, last summer brought a torn meniscus, torn quadriceps tendon, torn
>> patellar tendon and a small fracture in the patella in my right knee –
>> previously known as my “good knee”. It’s a long, boring story but I’ve
>> managed to ward off surgery thus far. I’m a little concerned with how the
>> knee will hold up considering the amount of walking at Walt Disney World.
>> There are good days and bad but I’ve yet to determine what causes one or
>> the other. I’ve walked the golf course a few times after the diagnosis
>> and continue to take 3-4 mile walks from home (on the good days and when
>> the weather permits) so we’ll see.
>>
>
>
> My new things the leg elbow...it's been whining at me since December. They
> cant seem to find e cause, so I'm going to try physical era this week,
> which means it hurts seriously because I really don't believe I. Physical
> therapy unless it's post-surgery rehab.

I think this paragraph sets a new personal best for you in typos. "leg
elbow"? Left elbow? "Physical era"? Did you get a new Auto-correct feature?

>
>
>> This past year has also been big for major milestones: we survived an
>> earthquake, a hurricane and two weddings. Our son, Stephen, tied the knot
>> last July at a big wedding. Daughter, Stephanie, married just a couple of
>> months ago in November at an even bigger celebration. Oh… and did I
>> mention I’m retired? After a few false starts and two concessions to
>> “stay on a little longer”, I managed to (finally) retire completely just
>> prior to Christmas 2011.
>>
>
>
> Congrats on the retirement! Now you'll have more time fro RADP!

Funny thing... I've been busier than when I was working.


--
Steve

Rudeney

unread,
Feb 14, 2012, 11:52:41 AM2/14/12
to
On 2/13/2012 1:59 PM, Steve Russo wrote:
> On 2/13/2012 2:12 PM, Rudeney wrote:
>> Steve Russo<sru...@nycap.rr.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> What’s prompted this deterioration? Old age in general or, as Indiana
>>> Jones once said, “It’s not the years… it’s the mileage.” To top things
>>> off, last summer brought a torn meniscus, torn quadriceps tendon, torn
>>> patellar tendon and a small fracture in the patella in my right knee –
>>> previously known as my “good knee”. It’s a long, boring story but I’ve
>>> managed to ward off surgery thus far. I’m a little concerned with how
>>> the
>>> knee will hold up considering the amount of walking at Walt Disney
>>> World.
>>> There are good days and bad but I’ve yet to determine what causes one or
>>> the other. I’ve walked the golf course a few times after the diagnosis
>>> and continue to take 3-4 mile walks from home (on the good days and when
>>> the weather permits) so we’ll see.
>>>
>>
>>
>> My new things the leg elbow...it's been whining at me since December.
>> They
>> cant seem to find e cause, so I'm going to try physical era this week,
>> which means it hurts seriously because I really don't believe I. Physical
>> therapy unless it's post-surgery rehab.
>
> I think this paragraph sets a new personal best for you in typos. "leg
> elbow"? Left elbow? "Physical era"? Did you get a new Auto-correct feature?

DAMMIT! (Actually, blame Steve Jobs - I was on the iPad when I posted
that so it does it's own creative version of spell check).


>>
>>
>>> This past year has also been big for major milestones: we survived an
>>> earthquake, a hurricane and two weddings. Our son, Stephen, tied the
>>> knot
>>> last July at a big wedding. Daughter, Stephanie, married just a
>>> couple of
>>> months ago in November at an even bigger celebration. Oh… and did I
>>> mention I’m retired? After a few false starts and two concessions to
>>> “stay on a little longer”, I managed to (finally) retire completely just
>>> prior to Christmas 2011.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Congrats on the retirement! Now you'll have more time fro RADP!
>
> Funny thing... I've been busier than when I was working.
>

I know how that goes! I semi-retired back in 2003. The plan was to see
if we could make it without my full time salary, and things were going
fairly well, but I was bored, which meant I needed hobbies, which meant
I needed money...at least we did get to make a bunch of trips to WDW
that year. And several parts of the house got remodeled. I tried again
in 2009. And it was going well as I put my need to keep up with my
hobbies into something that would make money instead of spend it (I
started a one-man tile business). Of course wouldn't you know it, but a
friend died and I decided to help his wife keep his company going. That
lasted a few years until another associate called on me for a job I
couldn't refuse, so here I am - still in the 9-5 grind! Heck, my dad is
in his 70's and is still working (albeit form home, as a contractor).
He'll soon have 50 years in with the same company. You don't hear about
that much anymore.



--

- RODNEY

Next WDW Vacation?
Who knows!

Need to know more about RADP (rec.arts.disney.parks)?

http://www.radp.org
http://allears.net/btp/radp_bk.htm
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Steve Russo

unread,
Feb 14, 2012, 12:37:10 PM2/14/12
to
That's sort of what I did. I cut back to 4 days per week and did that
for about 10 months, then cut to 3 days per week. By the way, IMHO,
that's a very civilized workweek - Tuesday through Thursday with a 4-day
weekend. ;-)

It showed us we could live on less income without resorting to crime or
a diet of Ken-L-ration.

I was bored, which meant I needed hobbies, which meant
> I needed money...

That's the one thing I haven't quite figured out yet but I still have my
fingers in a few income-producing things so, hopefully, this will work out.

at least we did get to make a bunch of trips to WDW
> that year. And several parts of the house got remodeled. I tried again
> in 2009. And it was going well as I put my need to keep up with my
> hobbies into something that would make money instead of spend it (I
> started a one-man tile business). Of course wouldn't you know it, but a
> friend died and I decided to help his wife keep his company going. That
> lasted a few years until another associate called on me for a job I
> couldn't refuse, so here I am - still in the 9-5 grind! Heck, my dad is
> in his 70's and is still working (albeit form home, as a contractor).
> He'll soon have 50 years in with the same company. You don't hear about
> that much anymore.

No, you don't. There was a time that I loved my work and probably could
have stayed right up to the end. Sadly, those days are gone and the last
8-10 years was more of a "job". There was a fairly large sense of relief
when I finally walked away.


--
Steve

Laura Gilbreath

unread,
Feb 14, 2012, 4:08:33 PM2/14/12
to
In article <jhbq2i$s5b$1...@dont-email.me>,
Steve Russo <sru...@nycap.rr.com> wrote:
>On 2/13/2012 2:12 PM, Rudeney wrote:
>>
>> My new things the leg elbow...it's been whining at me since December. They
>> cant seem to find e cause, so I'm going to try physical era this week,
>> which means it hurts seriously because I really don't believe I. Physical
>> therapy unless it's post-surgery rehab.
>
>I think this paragraph sets a new personal best for you in typos. "leg
>elbow"? Left elbow? "Physical era"? Did you get a new Auto-correct feature?

I just figured that he typed that paragraph with his "leg elbow". :-)

Laura
**************************************************************************
Email: lgil at lgil dot net or remove "REMOVETHIS" from "Reply to" address.

Visit Tigger's Vacation Page:
http://www.travelswithtigger.com

Rudeney

unread,
Feb 14, 2012, 4:33:30 PM2/14/12
to
On 2/14/2012 3:08 PM, Laura Gilbreath wrote:
> In article<jhbq2i$s5b$1...@dont-email.me>,
> Steve Russo<sru...@nycap.rr.com> wrote:
>> On 2/13/2012 2:12 PM, Rudeney wrote:
>>>
>>> My new things the leg elbow...it's been whining at me since December. They
>>> cant seem to find e cause, so I'm going to try physical era this week,
>>> which means it hurts seriously because I really don't believe I. Physical
>>> therapy unless it's post-surgery rehab.
>>
>> I think this paragraph sets a new personal best for you in typos. "leg
>> elbow"? Left elbow? "Physical era"? Did you get a new Auto-correct feature?
>
> I just figured that he typed that paragraph with his "leg elbow". :-)

Keep it up and you'll be removing a "leg elbow" from your posterior! :-)

Steve Russo

unread,
Feb 15, 2012, 8:10:05 AM2/15/12
to
On 2/14/2012 4:33 PM, Rudeney wrote:
> On 2/14/2012 3:08 PM, Laura Gilbreath wrote:
>> In article<jhbq2i$s5b$1...@dont-email.me>,
>> Steve Russo<sru...@nycap.rr.com> wrote:
>>> On 2/13/2012 2:12 PM, Rudeney wrote:
>>>>
>>>> My new things the leg elbow...it's been whining at me since
>>>> December. They
>>>> cant seem to find e cause, so I'm going to try physical era this week,
>>>> which means it hurts seriously because I really don't believe I.
>>>> Physical
>>>> therapy unless it's post-surgery rehab.
>>>
>>> I think this paragraph sets a new personal best for you in typos. "leg
>>> elbow"? Left elbow? "Physical era"? Did you get a new Auto-correct
>>> feature?
>>
>> I just figured that he typed that paragraph with his "leg elbow". :-)
>
> Keep it up and you'll be removing a "leg elbow" from your posterior! :-)
>
That's an image I didn't need ;-)



--
Steve

Rudeney

unread,
Feb 15, 2012, 3:06:57 PM2/15/12
to
Technically, wouldn't a "leg elbow" be a knee? That's not so bad, now
is it?

Steve Russo

unread,
Feb 15, 2012, 5:53:44 PM2/15/12
to
On 2/15/2012 3:06 PM, Rudeney wrote:
> On 2/15/2012 7:10 AM, Steve Russo wrote:
>> On 2/14/2012 4:33 PM, Rudeney wrote:
>>> On 2/14/2012 3:08 PM, Laura Gilbreath wrote:
>>>> In article<jhbq2i$s5b$1...@dont-email.me>,
>>>> Steve Russo<sru...@nycap.rr.com> wrote:
>>>>> On 2/13/2012 2:12 PM, Rudeney wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My new things the leg elbow...it's been whining at me since
>>>>>> December. They
>>>>>> cant seem to find e cause, so I'm going to try physical era this
>>>>>> week,
>>>>>> which means it hurts seriously because I really don't believe I.
>>>>>> Physical
>>>>>> therapy unless it's post-surgery rehab.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think this paragraph sets a new personal best for you in typos. "leg
>>>>> elbow"? Left elbow? "Physical era"? Did you get a new Auto-correct
>>>>> feature?
>>>>
>>>> I just figured that he typed that paragraph with his "leg elbow". :-)
>>>
>>> Keep it up and you'll be removing a "leg elbow" from your posterior! :-)
>>>
>> That's an image I didn't need ;-)
>
> Technically, wouldn't a "leg elbow" be a knee? That's not so bad, now is
> it?
>

Technically... there's no such thing as a leg elbow. It's a knee.

--
Steve
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