Beating the Winter Blues - I Hate When That Happens! 21/4

[blue_river]

I've read that some of the best ways to beat the winter blues are to exercise, eat a healthy diet and get some sun. Welp...I'm not big on exercise and there's no point even discussing my diet and as far as getting some sun while living in Canada during the winter means I'm practically doomed

Not this year!!!!

I'm going to WDW


This will be my first trip to the world during the winter months. Our last three trips have been in August during free dining and I can't tell you how excited I am to experience the parks during cooler temperatures.

My winter trip also includes some "firsts" for me. This will be the first time I've gone on vacation without my DH. It will be just me and my oldest DD JoJo and her best friend, who by the way, has never been before!

Some of you may remember me from previous trip reports but for those who don't I'll post my introductions in my next installment.

There have been some big changes for the "Blue" clan over the last year which I'll also get to at a later date!




Links


Introduction Me, DD and DD's BFF
Freaking Out I'm not ready!
To Trade or Not To Trade My Addiction
This Is NOT Your Trip Mother! JoJo Plans Our Vacation
Leaving in 4 Hours! I Was Swindled!!!

*************************************

Part 1 Arriving at ASMo
Part 2 My Sanctuary
Part 3 Dashing Through MK
Part 4 Are We Back In Canada?
Part 4 - Continued
Part 5 I Hate When That Happens

 

[pirate<3rocks]

FIRST!!!!!
I mean ARGHHHH

 

[Phibbles]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Count me in.

 

[blue_river]

FIRST!!!!!
I mean ARGHHHH

Yahooty!! My pirate is here

Sounds like a lot of fun. Count me in.

It will be interesting .... that's for sure! LOL
Good to see you around again Phibbles

 

[blue_river]

As I mentioned in my previous post there will be three of us going on this trip.

Me (Blue): A forty-something Mama of two loving daughters and numerous pets! Oh yes...we've added to the pet department

JoJo: A total Disney freak - not that there's anything wrong with that but it can be annoying at times currently employed as a Dog Stylist. Sometimes a little over the top and a mildly obsessive at times but I wouldn't trade her for the world

JoJo's best friend: I haven't given her an alias yet so for now she'll be known just as the BF - not to be confused with boyfriend. Said BF has been friends with JoJo as far back as public school and this will be her first trip to Walt Disney World

You may be wondering why my DH and youngest DD are not going on this trip and I'll get to that soon or you can find out by reading JoJo's PTR although the facts may be somewhat distorted just sayin'

 

[Phibbles]

If you use BFF in stead of BF, we won't get confused.


I like the dueling reports with you and JoJo. It is fun to see two sides of the same story.

 

[blue_river]

If you use BFF in stead of BF, we won't get confused.


I like the dueling reports with you and JoJo. It is fun to see two sides of the same story.

BFF it is!!! Good thing I have a lil helper

I imagine those two will go off on their own at times as well so we'll have different stories to tell.

I'm reaquainting myself with the DIS and photobucket and finding myself a wee bit slow. Sheesh - that's what happens when you stay away too long.

 

[carissanboys]

Hey Heidi I am here.

 

[momrek06]

HI EVERYBODY!!!

I'M IN, BLUE, I'M IN!!!

 

[blue_river]

Hey Heidi I am here.

but I'm not so sure about the angel part

HI EVERYBODY!!!

I'M IN, BLUE, I'M IN!!!

Hi Karen!!

 

[scottny]

I am going to read along too.

 

[blue_river]

I'm sooooooo NOT ready for this trip!!!

For our last three trips, I was packed and ready to go far ahead of schedule but this time around is different. I've been too busy and left everything till the last minute.

I haven't packed a thing! As a matter of fact, I still need to borrow a suitcase from my Dad which I hope to get on Wednesday. I need to dig out a few summer shirts and try to find my bathing suit. Our WDW package has not arrived yet and we need that for the luggage stickers......waaaaaaaaaaaa! Oh and go to the bank to take out my American money. Then there's the issue of shoes! I totally ruined my sneakers this summer in the barnyard and I'd like to pick up a pair at least a few days before leaving so I can break them in.

Speaking of barnyard, now would be a good time to mention one of the big changes for our family this past year. We bought a hobby farm last May with 91 acres!!! It's been quite a learning curve for all of us and an enormous amount of work

JoJo was able to stop boarding her horse elsewhere and DH and I bought two Standardbreds in June that were going for slaughter! Shortly afterwards we bought a colt for our youngest DD and the donkey came with farm which meant we needed to bring in enough hay to feed 5 of them for the winter! Haying was quite an experience! I learned how to drive the tractor pretty quickly so that I was able to help my DH bring the hay in.

We needed to modify the cattle barn for horses and built some stalls and also put in more fencing for the pasture.

Anyways...along with all the chores that come with owning a farm, we've also been renovating the farm house - making changes to our own liking. It was built around 1870 and the decor was quite outdated.

All that being said, we LOVE the farm life! I haven't even had time to miss our property on the water which we plan to sell this summer. We put it up for rent just in case the whole farm thingy didn't work out for us.

OH! One more thing before I move on...we named the farm "Enchanted Acres"!! Very Disney - very magical place indeed

Here are a few pics of the farm:

 

[blue_river]

I am going to read along too.

Hi Scott!

Good to see you

 

[pirate<3rocks]

You forgot to mention two things

# 1 With all the renovations and farm chores you lost weight and look fabulous
# 2 You really deserve this vacation :nods:

ummm carry on

 

[carissanboys]

I didn't realize you have 91 acres! Wow! Can I just take the 1 acre so you'll have an even 90?

 

[blue_river]

You forgot to mention two things

# 1 With all the renovations and farm chores you lost weight and look fabulous
# 2 You really deserve this vacation :nods:

ummm carry on

Welp...with regards to #1, I didn't mention it because I think I've gained it all back over the Christmas season

and yes, you're right, I do deserve this vacation!!

I didn't realize you have 91 acres! Wow! Can I just take the 1 acre so you'll have an even 90?

Maybe I never mentioned it on FB but yes we do! Our riding trail goes back almost a mile

and sure you can 1 acre - in the back 40 (where all the coyotes are)

 

[Phibbles]

Jeez louiz! Your very own farm? That is so cool. I would love that. My wife not so much. I keep telling her she would learn to like it, but she doesn't convince easily.

I have threanted a couple times to run away and live with the Amish. Now maybe I'll threaten to run away and hide in your back 40. I don't mind the Ki-yotes. I would just shush their *** like the dog whisperer.

 

[OhMari]

HI Heidi ,it's been a long time.

I finally vacationed in Canada, Ontario. Saw all 5 great lakes, Niagra Falls, fly fishing, Saullte Locks and a train ride.

Looking forward to you TR.

 

[scottny]

that is a lot of acres. congrats to you. sounds wonderful.

 

[blue_river]

I didn't realize you have 91 acres! Wow! Can I just take the 1 acre so you'll have an even 90?

Um...I stand corrected by DH. We have 97
I guess that means you can have 6 since I didn't even miss them

Jeez louiz! Your very own farm? That is so cool. I would love that. My wife not so much. I keep telling her she would learn to like it, but she doesn't convince easily.

I have threanted a couple times to run away and live with the Amish. Now maybe I'll threaten to run away and hide in your back 40. I don't mind the Ki-yotes. I would just shush their *** like the dog whisperer.

Yes our very own farm!!!

I can understand your wife though, it is a lot of work and thankfully the girls help out or I'm not sure we'd own many horses. I'd really like to get a goat and a miniature horse...perhaps down the road.

The coyotes are plentiful around here and the howling can be heard most evenings, however, we've mostly only seen pictures of them from our trail cam.

HI Heidi ,it's been a long time.

I finally vacationed in Canada, Ontario. Saw all 5 great lakes, Niagra Falls, fly fishing, Saullte Locks and a train ride.

Looking forward to you TR.

Hi Marissa
Yes it has been a long time!! Stuff happens, life gets busy and all that. Deciding to write this TR was a spur of the moment thing and I hope to do most of it "live" since I won't have much time once spring rolls around.

When were you in Ontario, which month? Did you visit any other attractions in NF (other than the falls) and where was the train ride?

that is a lot of acres. congrats to you. sounds wonderful.

Thanks Scott

It is certainly enough to keep us busy! We have 5 hay fields to manage and the rest is mostly bush & trails.