The 20th Anniversary Trip... Smothered in Pixie Dust ! About This Page:

[figmentintime]

Cast: Me Jane..Completely in love with Disney since birth
Shan: Big Disney fan..introduced me to the
joys of an AP on our first date!

Evening One..Leaving the children
Shan and I both decided that we simply could not take off the Friday before we flew out, so we both "worked" our usual schedule. My special friends at my school were clued in to the fact that since I had 56 sick days in my account, I was going to develop a simply dreadful virus on Sunday, rendering me incapable of teaching small children to read until Wednesday. They all spent the day loudly discussing how pale I was, how tired I looked, how my hand was actually shaking...I began to feel sorry for myself! As I was practically flying out the door, a good friend with the memory of an ant (and I apologize to all ants if they have tremendous memory capabilities!) called out to me, "Have a WONDERFUL anniversary! See you on Wednesday!" The principal came out of her office and said, "Is this your anniversary?". I attempted to glare at Sandy out of the corner of my eye, while maintaining a pale, tired and shaky appearance to my boss. "Yes, but I am feeling a little low, so we are not doing anything here for dinner." NOT A LIE! She calmly wished me a happy anniversary, and I headed out to find and destroy Sandy. She had wisely exited and was probably at her house closing blinds and locking doors. Good idea, actually.
Shan got home early, and we lugged our one suitcase down the stairs. Now I have to say, I fought mercilessly to have my own suitcase. I knew that since the kids were not coming, I would need the space for "things" I was planning on picking up for them. Shan sweetly assurred me that he was only taking a very few items, and we really did not need to stand around a luggage carosel waiting for 2 items when we could grab and go with just the one. It seemed so reasonable when he said it in his engineering voice.
Note to self: Shan's engineering voice is usually wrong
We sat the kids down, and gave them the details, the extra cell phone, the location of our bodies for every moment of our trip, and cash so they would not starve. They kept longingly looking towards the den, where a Survivor special was on. The only time their eyes unglazed was when we handed them the money with stern instructions to be frugal. Our eldest, a 21 year old college senior, smiled and urged us out the door. "Everything is fine! You two just go on and enjoy yourself! Call us when you get there!" As the door shut, I heard yelled instructions, "No one mentioned to Mom about the paint color, did they? Josh, your dog has Emily's stuffed rabbit! Rian, pick up the nail gun and follow me!..." I gasped, looked at Shan, who pretended he had heard nothing, and we weakly got into the car and headed to Greensboro, our stop for the night.
Note to self: ASK someone if paint and nail guns are being used while parental units are gone from the house
It was a quiet ride for awhile, until I realized we were on our way to WDW, we were flying, we were going to be able to eat at a restaurant that did not offer chicken fingers and pizza as the central entrees, and I was fairly certain we did not even own a nail gun! It took Shan a few more miles, but he was feeling great by the time we hit the hotel. We called to see if we could reserve the emergency exit seats for the morning flight, and they were available! Since Shan is 6'6", THAT was extremely important to him! I am normal sized, 5'3", so leg room is never an issue for me. I asked about movies, and was informed that on flights under 2 hours, you actually have to entertain yourself! Hmmmm.
Shan decided that he needed a Subway sandwich. We trotted to Subway, where he chowed down on a 12 inch, and I made my way through a yogurt parfait from the TCBY located in the same building. You gotta love these restaurant partnerships. As we were cuddling in a booth, giggling and smooching, a high school wresting team came in. They had won, and were quite thrilled about it. They told ALL of us EVERY single detail about almost all the matches. I was sensing the romance leaking out of Shan's demeanor, as he chatted with the coach about positions.
Note to self: There is a comedy just waiting to be written using all the names of each hold and position
I patiently waited for the conversation to end, and after 15 minutes, I gripped Shan's upper thigh with my, "Mom is separating the 2 of you until you behave like brothers who love each other" grip, looked at his pain filled eyes, and sweetly mentioned our early flight. Imagine how thrilled I was to hear that the team was staying at our hotel. No problem. We were leaving first!
The room was really nice for an airport hotel, and I snagged the little shampoo, soap, shoe shine and shower cap for my youngest. Don't you just love it when they are young enough to think those are the coolest things in the world?
We took turns in the shower, and then I set the alarm for 4:15 A.M. Our flight was leaving at 5:35, and we needed to be there an hour early. Shan was asleep in minutes, but I lay there, just savoring the moment. All the planning, and efforts, and even fibbing to my school was so worth these few days alone! I really did try to sleep, but I would look at the clock, then turn over, then remember something I was excited about, then see the clock and get stressed because it was late and I was still awake...The cycle was awful! I did finally fall asleep about 1:00.
Note to self: 3 hours of sleep is PROBABLY not enough to wake up looking like the blushing bride you were 20 years ago

Coming up...Official Day One...Airport Magic and Car surprises!

[pparm]

What a great start! Can't wait for more!

Paula

[Diz]

Nail gun! Don't you just your kids?! They know exactly what to say to drive you crazy!

Maybe you could use that nail gun to stick a note to Sandy.

Great start to your TR.

[Colexis Mom]

What a great start Jane Hurry back with more

[jakenjess]

This sounds like it's going to be a great trip. Looking forward to more!!

[Jillybean]

Hey! You just can't leave us hanging like that!

Come back, Come back!!!

Jill

[MontiMouse]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey! You just can't leave us hanging like that!

Come back, Come back!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

[Tara O'Hara]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey! You just can't leave us hanging like that!

Come back, Come back!!!

[/ QUOTE ] :yeahthat!

[luvnwdwgal]

Great start! Congrats on your escape!!