Ellen & Pods alone at last at F&W-with a twist of Vero!9/25-10/1/09 Update12/14 p.15

[praisehisname]

OMGosh, Vero Beach looks soooo amazing! I want to go there so bad now!

Denise

 

[podsnel]

Happy Halloween, hope you all had a fun one! A few pics of my 2 trick-or-treaters (my oldest hates to dress up, he is glad to stay home and raid his brother's stash for lollipops and swedish fish!).

Well, that's not a costume, that's after football practice, but doesn't DS12 sport a SWELL 'stache???

Again, not a costume, he went to a Bar Mitzvah this morning. Sans 'stache.

DS10 and his buddy. I proudly call that nerd my son!

Back from the party, he gets ready to dazzle the candy givers with his award winning costume being groomed.

A nerd and Tom Selleck? A geek and the Frito Bandito minus the hat? Can't really say- they come up with this stuff on their own. $2 to the first DISer to correctly guess what DS12's costume is!

Have a great one!

Ellen

 

[MEK]

. We really had a BLAST!!! And someday, when i find the safe place I put their addresses in, I'll send them a link to this report just like I promised I would! DOH!

That is so funny!

.

This is the greatest picture. Seriously, you and Lonnie look so cute! You guys are having such a great time! How fun!

On a side note......I didn't copy the bartender picture - but the one on the left looks like she's a laugh a minute.

. But it looks like we were done having fun for the night!

Really, that night goes down as one of the funniest, bestest times I have ever had with Lonnie (and that's sayin' a LOT considering we were college roomates!), and I wouldn't change a thing. Loved Sonyas, loved GCR, REALLY love my friend.

OH NO! Not home to the boring men watching TV. So glad you guys had the perfect evening. It's so great that you guys are still such good friends after college. That's really special. And its great you can have these trips together.

.
Next up....the morning after....ugh.

Oh no.....this is going to be bad, isn't it?

 

[podsnel]

OMGosh, Vero Beach looks soooo amazing! I want to go there so bad now!

Denise

Uh-oh...that's how I ended up there- reading everyone's trs!! And I can absolutely say, I am so very, very glad we went- just want to go with the boys now. I'm thinking maybe next year after the cruise.....

That is so funny!

Ya know, I had it in my back-pack for 2 weeks and then I did the STUPID thing- thought, "oh, it will get LOST in here!!! I'll put it in a SAFE place!" I should know by now, the SAFE PLACE is where IT FREAKIN' ALREADY IS!!!!!!!

This is the greatest picture. Seriously, you and Lonnie look so cute! You guys are having such a great time! How fun!

On a side note......I didn't copy the bartender picture - but the one on the left looks like she's a laugh a minute.

She was great- don't let that pic fool you, but it does look the way you say!!

OH NO! Not home to the boring men watching TV. So glad you guys had the perfect evening. It's so great that you guys are still such good friends after college. That's really special. And its great you can have these trips together.

Yes. Home to the MEN. And I am so lucky to have her around- she's the BEST!!!

Oh no.....this is going to be bad, isn't it?

Well....for one of us it wasn't so great, but we survived!!

 

[englishrose47]

Loved the costume pix Ellen !!!! My camera isbroken so no pix excepton DD 's phone

 

[CRdisMom]

that is a tough guess. The shirt is really throwing me.

Love the bar pics!

Hmmm I think I am pretty lucky to have the 2 smartest DISmom as a friends. but wait where does that leave Cammie???

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I'm going to guess the DS12 costume is Jack Black My first thought was Burt Reynolds, but I'm sure he doesn't know who that is!

I wanted to post a pic of my little grandson's costume, but when I plug the camera in the computer thinks it's an XB0X! I have no clue why.

 

[podsnel]

Loved the costume pix Ellen !!!! My camera isbroken so no pix excepton DD 's phone

Oh no!!! How awful to have a broken camera!!

that is a tough guess. The shirt is really throwing me.

Love the bar pics!

Hmmm I think I am pretty lucky to have the 2 smartest DISmom as a friends. but wait where does that leave Cammie???

SOL because the title is already MINE!!!!

I'm going to guess the DS12 costume is Jack Black My first thought was Burt Reynolds, but I'm sure he doesn't know who that is!

I wanted to post a pic of my little grandson's costume, but when I plug the camera in the computer thinks it's an XB0X! I have no clue why.

That's weird- do you have a card reader to try instead?


And Tyler was (and I quote)...........



"I'm a guy with a mustache."

Seriously, ya just can't make this stuff up! Next year we will be on a DCL Western on Halloween, and I wanted all of us to dress up as hippies. He is NOT into this AT ALL. He thinks we should go and buy 5 mustaches- "it's the best costume ever." Thank goodness I don't have twins and only have to deal with ONE 12 year old boy at a time.

 

[podsnel]

Believe it or not, I was up AGAIN at dawn (remember- I'm on DISNEY time!) to take sunrise pics. Except....when I looked out the window, all I saw were clouds over the ocean. So that made my decision to get back in bed and catch some more zzzzzzz's an easy one! When I did wake up, I went downstairs to fill my mug with coffee and walk around to take a few more photos that I just hadn't gotten around to this weekend. Most important, I wanted to take a picture of the Inn from down on the beach.

Then I went down to the beach, and THIS happened-

My camera screen proceeded to turn completely BLACK!! I have a Canon Rebel xsi, it's a DSLR. Now, it had been very humid the entire time we were there, and the lens etc would fog up when I went inside or outside, which could be wiped away, repeatedly, no problem. But this? This was INSIDE the camera. It didn't hurt the camera, it was fine later, but unfortunately it meant no pic of the Inn from the beach today. That's ok- I'm sure I'll be back one day, and it WILL be the first photo I take!

Went back upstairs to pack up, eat the leftover fruit from yesterday's breakfast, and were ready to say good-bye. Lonnie & Mike were packed up, too- we met them downstairs in the lobby. And my DBF was NOT feeling too terrific!! So they were taking things a little slow.....

Lonnie had purchased her VERY cute dress in the gift shop- and I decided I needed one, too! So I ran in to make a last purchase, and then went into the ladies to put on my new dress. While I was walking back, i nosed around some more and took a few more pics-

I just love all the memorabilia back in all those little rooms off of the lobby-

One of my favorite places-

We took a walk outside to fill our mugs up one last time for the road. Pods and I had to get to WDW for a 2:00 Caymus wine seminar, and Lonnie and Mike were going to take a leisurely drive home up the coast and stop for lunch on the way.

The gym-

One last group photo before hugs and kisses goodbye-

And then down to the parking garage where we had NO trouble finding our car!!!

Next- lesson learned, why I will never, never, EVER leave Vero early for a wine seminar again!!

 

[podsnel]

I was sad to leave VB, we really had a lot of fun! The resort was beautiful, the CMs couldn't have BEEN any nicer, the restaurants were very good and the Green Cabin Room- well, I think I've made my opinion of THAT place pretty clear! I can absolutely see us going back with the kids, either after our next cruise or after a WDW visit. Sad as I was to see our weekend at the beach end, it was fairly easy to recover- we were, after all, headed to WDW!!! We got there in a little under 2 hours and headed straight to EPCOT. A quick stop at Guest Relations to pick up Pods' DVC AP (which I had purchased before the $ increase, Thank-you DIS!!) and we were on our way to the Festival Center for the Caymus tasting. On the way we saw the Chefinators, they were excellent-

A quick tour inside-

We were famished, and decided to share some cheese and fruit. Which came right out of the icy cold refrigerator, so it was a little hard and flavorless- I kind of prefer my cheese at room temperature. Hopefully this was corrected as the festival went on.

Soooo...this was our first F&W without the kids. It was also our first time doing anything other than eating our way around the WS booths. So I was very eager to see what these seminars were all about. ESPECIALLY this one. I left VB early for this one. Because THIS was a CAYMUS tasting. Have you ever had CAYMUS wine? They produce the most delicious, full bodied, rich, yumolicious cabernet sauvignon- it almost tastes like there is melted chocolate in the glass. Mmmmmmmmm.... and it is pricey- somewhere around $80 a bottle, which is a little (read a LOT!) more than we usually spend on wine. I had read about the "thimblefuls of wine" offered at these tastings, but, how bad could the pours be?

Oh, they can be pretty bad. Pretty, pretty bad. See for yourself-

It's basically 2 sips per glass. But it gets worse. Look closely. At the paper under the glasses. Because it does NOT say Caymus. It says Belle Glos. This wasn't a CAYMUS tasting. This was a Belle Glos Pinot Noir tasting!! And I don't care how nice the rep from Caymus was while he was talking about the Grandma this wine of theirs is named after- I was looking forward to Caymus NOT Belle Glos! Never, never, never would I have EVER left Vero if I had known that this was what was being poured. The pinot was nice, but it was no CAYMUS!!! (And FWIW, Sanford Pinot Noir is a hundred times more complex and luscious than these wines were, IMHO). Oh well, live and learn...

Next- don't worry! We have a great time at F&W, even in the rain!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wow! What a great trip! I have had such fun catching up this morning while I'm home . Vero Beach looks awesome. And what better way to experience it than sans kids and with your best friend!

I think I'm going to have to introduce myself to your "friend" Kim and invite a few bottles to my next dinner party!

Looking forward to hearing more about your F&W experiences!

 

[praisehisname]

I love the dress you got at Vero! Sorry you were disappointed with the wine seminar. What a bummer after hurrying out of the beach...

Denise

 

[podsnel]

Wow! What a great trip! I have had such fun catching up this morning while I'm home . Vero Beach looks awesome. And what better way to experience it than sans kids and with your best friend!

I think I'm going to have to introduce myself to your "friend" Kim and invite a few bottles to my next dinner party!

Looking forward to hearing more about your F&W experiences!

I'm sorry you're not feeling well! Unfortunately, i think I might be coming down with something, too- and we're leaving in 2 days!! I just got some vitamin C- think I'll start by taking a bunch of that-

Kim is the BEST girl to invite to dinner!!! She makes EVERY party a smash- and I just love her Kiwi accent!!

Get well soon!!

I love the dress you got at Vero! Sorry you were disappointed with the wine seminar. What a bummer after hurrying out of the beach...

Denise

Thank-you! Those dresses were very reasonable, they had just gotten them in right before we arrived, and they said they were flying off the shelves. One woman bought one in every color (and it came in a LOT of colors!!!).

That's ok about the wine thingee- I just know better for next time. Although next year DH & I are just going straight to WDW. Saving the next visit to Vero with the kids.

 

[MEK]

OK....no pic viewing for me right now, but I love the last two updates. Do you guys look hung over ?....I can't tell. I, however, know I would be after two bottles of wine at dinner and the green cabin cocktail hour!

So what's this about the wine tasting? No Caymus wine? Do they put a disclaimer on the seminars that say they can substitute at their own descretion? I am sure that seminar was not exactly pennies to purchase. Pffffft! That's ridiculous, especially since you cut out of Vero early to get there.

Anyway - I can't wait until I get a chance to go back to Vero with just my DH or another couple. I had fun with the kids, but a couples trip is definately more to my liking. We didn't eat at any of the restaurants there because I had read some mixed reviews, but I know I really want to try those scallops. I hope they keep them on the menu, just for me, whenever I end up getting back there - say 2012.

 

[podsnel]

OK....no pic viewing for me right now, but I love the last two updates. Do you guys look hung over ?....I can't tell. I, however, know I would be after two bottles of wine at dinner and the green cabin cocktail hour!

So what's this about the wine tasting? No Caymus wine? Do they put a disclaimer on the seminars that say they can substitute at their own descretion? I am sure that seminar was not exactly pennies to purchase. Pffffft! That's ridiculous, especially since you cut out of Vero early to get there.

Anyway - I can't wait until I get a chance to go back to Vero with just my DH or another couple. I had fun with the kids, but a couples trip is definately more to my liking. We didn't eat at any of the restaurants there because I had read some mixed reviews, but I know I really want to try those scallops. I hope they keep them on the menu, just for me, whenever I end up getting back there - say 2012.

Caymus owns the wine we drank- but had we not been told that, I never would have known- as it doesn't say anything about Caymus on the bottle, or at least not on the front of the bottle. Kind of like going to a Coca-Cola tasting and sitting down to 3 different sips of Sprite. And it wasn't expensive- this was one of the seminars that used to be free- this year they started charging- $8 or $5 (if you had an AP, DVC, or TIW card- so I got the $5 tickets).

I don't think we look hungover- I felt fine, I drank a gallon of water before bed!!

 

[MEK]

Caymus owns the wine we drank- but had we not been told that, I never would have known- as it doesn't say anything about Caymus on the bottle, or at least not on the front of the bottle. Kind of like going to a Coca-Cola tasting and sitting down to 3 different sips of Sprite. And it wasn't expensive- this was one of the seminars that used to be free- this year they started charging- $8 or $5 (if you had an AP, DVC, or TIW card- so I got the $5 tickets).

I don't think we look hungover- I felt fine, I drank a gallon of water before bed!!

Up to date on the pics now. You guys look great! (no hint of a hangover) and I Love the new dresses. Very pretty.

I have to stay that I am surprised the wine tasting was so inexpensive. Having never been to any F&W events, I figured everything extra was pricey. But that is one meager serving of wine. Howsabout a real glass of wine?

I am thinking of purchasing the canon rebel because I've read/heard a bunch of good things about it. I'm surprised the screen went black on you. I'm glad its OK.

 

[podsnel]

The rain was pretty heavy for a bit, so we waited it out in the FC before going out to eat the world!!! Our first stop was Ireland for the Lobster & Scallop Fisherman's Pie-

Sorry, took a bite first, shame on me! This was delish- lots of seafood, and who doesn't love mashers? We shared a Guinness. And we had the great joy and pleasure of timing it all with an Off-Kilter performance. Who, when you've left your kids at home, you actually get to sit down and WATCH!!! They are AWESOME!!!!

Next was Greece, we had Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki and a white wine-(sorry i forget which one!)

I love that sauce, I could eat it on a tire and it would taste great! Also had Spanokopita, which was crunchy, flaky and yummy-

And right then, it started to POUR!!!! And so we huddled under the F&W retail kiosk along with a hundred other people- what a riot!! And DH started complaining about the rain- and I was like, you have GOT to be kidding! This is WDW!! Helloooooo??? I was just here for monsoon week of May '09 and THIS is NOTHING compared to THAT!!! Besides, now that I had my DVC extra special rain gear jacket, I was well protected from the deluge, so the rain is no problem, Mon!!

Soon it slowed to a drizzle, plus our wine and food ran out, so we braved the elements and headed to Brazil & Argentina to snarf down a Grilled pork Skewer , a grilled beef skewer with chimichurri (WOW), and a Leblon Frozen Caipirinha. All were delicious, but I have no pics because of the drizzle- sorry! Anyway, it was time for us to take a little stroll over to the front gates- because we were havin' a DISmeet!! Karajeboo & DD Ally were on their way via monorail from MK and would be arriving any second!!
A little backround- Kara is one of my DISmom pals....she is actually a woman who I invited to stay in our AKV concierge room last May, even though I had never met her before...well, except for here, on the DIS. Her husband Jeff is I think STILL convinced I am an ax murderer just waiting for the right moment to bring her to her unfortunate demise....well, we'll just have to see, because we're doing another DISmom trip this May, so there IS still a chance...MWA-AH-HA-HA!

Pods waits-

Ahem...anyway, I was really excited because today I'd be seeing not just Kara (who HAS to be one of the funniest people on any forum ANYWHERE) but also her darling daughter, Ally!!! I couldn't wait! After all, so far I had only ever met Ally-on-a-stick, and well, quite frankly, she's just so one dimensional. Although still entertaining! (If you haven't read the DISmom TR, you are probably thinking I'm crazy right about now, if so, I apologize).

Here they are, the Sparkly Girls at long last!!

This was the last thing these two were doing before heading home- so we were very honored we got to spend this time with them. Of course, Ally IS Kara's child, cute as can be, sweet as can be....with a bit of a devilish twist! We whisper to her that Pods has never been to Club Cool before...so guess who was leading the charge!

""Oh sure, Mr Pods, I just love this Beverly and so will YOU!"

Ohhhh...that was hilarious!! That little cutie was so SMOOTH!

Sadly, the laughter died a little too soon, because it was time for the Sparkly girls to hit the road-

Awww...don't be that sad! They were coming back the next weekend!! It was time for us to go too...to check-in at OKW. But would we ever find the car in the ginormous EPCOT lot????

You betcha, Baby!!!

Well, that's it for now, i think- we do LEAVE in the morning for vacation, and although I am packed, I still have three thousand details to address today. Please remember to say a prayer tonight before bed and again in the morning tomorrow that Sean comes with us!!! Because we really and truly won't know if he's going until he gets out of the van at the airport.....

Ellen

 

[podsnel]

Up to date on the pics now. You guys look great! (no hint of a hangover) and I Love the new dresses. Very pretty.

I have to stay that I am surprised the wine tasting was so inexpensive. Having never been to any F&W events, I figured everything extra was pricey. But that is one meager serving of wine. Howsabout a real glass of wine?

I am thinking of purchasing the canon rebel because I've read/heard a bunch of good things about it. I'm surprised the screen went black on you. I'm glad its OK.

Thank-you- glad we don't look like crap!

I really like my rebel- I got the xsi because it had more mega-pixels and was faster- also offers more than the regular rebel to grow into. The screen went back because of all the humidity and temperature difference between our room (which we like c-c-c-c-cold) and outside. It all was fine, though!!

 

[MEK]

What a great final update before you leave on vacation. Please tell me that Sean goes with you! My fingers are crossed and my prayers have been said.

And that Ally.....so cute, yet so sly....Seriously, was that the first time pods ever drank the Beverly? Haha ....priceless.

Have a MOST EXCELLENT VACATION. Can't wait to read two TR's when you get home!

 

[CRdisMom]

that is a priceless picture of Pods. You had it timed so well. My fingers are crossed and I will say a prayer that all goes well with Sean and that everything is where it should be.

best of luck!