Not too shabby for a consolation prize! A Dec 2013 TR! Update 5/3 p. 28 COMPLETED!

[Pinkocto]

An excellent beginning! Great picture of you and M, you look ready for an adventure! That pink sky was breathtaking, sometimes my heart just aches when I see something like that

 

[Sherry E]

Hi, Jenny! You asked me to pop in here a while back, and it certainly took me a while to get here, but here I am!

Even though you must hate living in and dealing with the snow, as you said...it makes for some pretty pictures. You once posted a photo in the Christmas/Holiday Superthread to show me what you were dealing with as far as cold temperatures and snow, but it was a gorgeous photo! I wasn't thinking, "Ooooh...I'm glad I'm not living in that." Instead I was thinking, "Wow! That's awesome and I'd love to get some of that snow in Los Angeles! I want to make snow angels in the middle of the Farmers Market!"

I love the orange-pink shade of the sky. I always love it when skies turn those fantastic, brilliant, vibrant colors -- like someone just took a paint brush and created a masterpiece. Nature is a wondrous thing.

I must admit that you caught my attention with the mention of...Shakey's!!! Oh, how I miss Shakey's. That was a weekend staple of my youth and early teenage years, when there used to be more Shakey's restaurants around town. I can still smell and taste their pizza and Mojos now. It's probably been a good 25 years since I've eaten Shakey's food, and I wonder if it still smells and tastes the same!

 

[rentayenta]

YAY. You started.


What a great update.

I have to admit to enjoying seeing the trip from your place (which looks lovely), through St George (I think I recognise that Texaco and the shops behind it!!), through Vegas (definitely stays in Vegas) and the gorgeous sunset. It was gorgeous with the phone camera so it must have been brilliant in 3D life. Loved the drive down Katella. You're making me very envious!

Your friend's home is beautiful.

Looking forward to more.

Hi ya.

I do love my house, just wish it was located in California. But if we lived in California right now, I wouldn't be able to afford my beautiful house.

It was the most amazing sunset. I have more photos on Michael's phone but he's at work...which leads to a super cool story I'll tell after I reply to everyone.​

Yay! Great start to the TR!

I haven't had Shakey's in forever! Sounds yummy!

We love Shakey's. The sauce is on the sweet and spicy side. It's pretty sad/cool when I'm in their system for So Cal. When I called, they asked for my phone number. When I gave it, the girl said Jenny Sheets right? ​

I am glad that the roadtrip was uneventful. The sunset is beautiful.

Corinna

So glad you're here. I love an uneventful road trip. One of my friends posted on FB tonight some ragged pics of her family on their 6 hour road trip. Cracked me up.​

An excellent beginning! Great picture of you and M, you look ready for an adventure! That pink sky was breathtaking, sometimes my heart just aches when I see something like that

Always ready for adventure, even local quick adventure. Michaels makes a little fun of me but really, I can find the fun in most situations that have even a slight element of cheer in them.​

Hi, Jenny! You asked me to pop in here a while back, and it certainly took me a while to get here, but here I am!

Even though you must hate living in and dealing with the snow, as you said...it makes for some pretty pictures. You once posted a photo in the Christmas/Holiday Superthread to show me what you were dealing with as far as cold temperatures and snow, but it was a gorgeous photo! I wasn't thinking, "Ooooh...I'm glad I'm not living in that." Instead I was thinking, "Wow! That's awesome and I'd love to get some of that snow in Los Angeles! I want to make snow angels in the middle of the Farmers Market!"

I love the orange-pink shade of the sky. I always love it when skies turn those fantastic, brilliant, vibrant colors -- like someone just took a paint brush and created a masterpiece. Nature is a wondrous thing.

I must admit that you caught my attention with the mention of...Shakey's!!! Oh, how I miss Shakey's. That was a weekend staple of my youth and early teenage years, when there used to be more Shakey's restaurants around town. I can still smell and taste their pizza and Mojos now. It's probably been a good 25 years since I've eaten Shakey's food, and I wonder if it still smells and tastes the same!

Glad you made it over. It smells and tastes exactly the same. You're in So Cal right? They've got them all over I believe.

Snow is fun to visit for like two days. Only. Trust me. It sucks to live and drive in. When it snows on a weekday, it can take me a good hour to get to work which is only 22 miles away. I don't hate a lot of things and am a pretty positive person but I hate living in the snow. Thankfully we've got a few things planned to keep me from becoming Jack Nicholson's character in The Shining.

Speaking of movies, I counted and watched Love Actually 13 times on the last month.



Okay so check this out friends. Michael is at the FD today and a man comes in from an FD in Florida asking to trade dept. patches, which is very common practice in the world of firefighters. We have traded patches from all over. Anyway......they tell the guy sure, he comes in, starts talking with M, when M asks what dept. in Florida? The guy replies WDW FD! Michael is like no way. They ended up chatting for an hour, trading info, patches, and the gentleman gave M this:





How cool is that? Its a WDW FD coin. It's blurry but it says: Protecting The Magic. He told M his schedule and said when we visit next, he'll get us a VIP backlot tour, not one you can buy. How fun is that?! Michael has finally admitted to someone not related to me somehow how much he loves Disney. It's a pretty special coin. He said the only other one he's ever given out was to his son.

I always tell Michael Disney brings folks together and yet again, it's proven true.

Then Michael asked me this: where is the 5 legged sheep in WDW located? I cannot believe my muggle knows Disney trivia that I don't. ​

 

[jedijill]

I'm with you on the snow as it is starting to snow again here. . Is it May yet?

You can't watch Love Actually too many times.

How cool about the WDW visitor! You guys get all the hookups!

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

I'm with you on the snow as it is starting to snow again here. . Is it May yet? You can't watch Love Actually too many times. How cool about the WDW visitor! You guys get all the hookups! Jill in CO

You feel my pain. May sounds wonderful. March sounds livable even. January makes me want to punch myself in the face. Hard. The British guy's storyline is the best. Colin, God of Sex, headed west on Shag Highway. Isn't that crazy cool about the coin? I told Michael he needs to apply for the Mom's Panel next year. He'd be perfect, his tale is great, runs, Disney convert.... He thinks the coin is pretty special. I agree. I asked him to send me a pic of the patch too.​

 

[rentayenta]

And I feel grateful and lucky for our Disney experiences. ​

 

[franandaj]

I'm sorry that you have to live where you do. I can't even imagine. My parents live in the Bay Area where I grew up and that was idea compared to where you live. I can't imagine show, and don't want to. Now that I live in So Cal, I am so adverse to even slightly cold weather. We don't get cold here. It snowed here like 25 years ago and that was amazing.

I understand you wanting to move back here, but you're right that beautiful house you posted would cost so much more here. I wish you the best of luck! and hopefully you can relocate and have great trips to DLR.

So glad you folks made it here safe and looking forward to your next update!

 

[rentayenta]

I'm sorry that you have to live where you do. I can't even imagine. My parents live in the Bay Area where I grew up and that was idea compared to where you live. I can't imagine show, and don't want to. Now that I live in So Cal, I am so adverse to even slightly cold weather. We don't get cold here. It snowed here like 25 years ago and that was amazing. I understand you wanting to move back here, but you're right that beautiful house you posted would cost so much more here. I wish you the best of luck! and hopefully you can relocate and have great trips to DLR. So glad you folks made it here safe and looking forward to your next update!

You're words are sweet, thank you for the empathy. When we moved here I knew it wouldn't be forever but I most certainly thought it wouldn't be for 20+ years. Love the summer, hate the winter. We're working on a plan that will take a few years and some decent sized sacrifice but I need to be home. Home is where the heart is so I'll take my hearts with me. Snow is total crap. On the days I can stay home, I make the best of it; sledding with kids, fireplace, warm cocoa....it's all neat but nothing beats the ocean and after the boys surfing/boogie boarding this last trip, Michael sees what I see. Somehow we raised So Cal kids in BFE Utah. Utah has been kind to us but it's time to move home. We'll make it happen. I've got a dream and a working plan! ​

 

[PrincessInOz]

:
Okay so check this out friends. Michael is at the FD today and a man comes in from an FD in Florida asking to trade dept. patches, which is very common practice in the world of firefighters. We have traded patches from all over. Anyway......they tell the guy sure, he comes in, starts talking with M, when M asks what dept. in Florida? The guy replies WDW FD! Michael is like no way. They ended up chatting for an hour, trading info, patches, and the gentleman gave M this:





How cool is that? Its a WDW FD coin. It's blurry but it says: Protecting The Magic. He told M his schedule and said when we visit next, he'll get us a VIP backlot tour, not one you can buy. How fun is that?! Michael has finally admitted to someone not related to me somehow how much he loves Disney. It's a pretty special coin. He said the only other one he's ever given out was to his son.

I always tell Michael Disney brings folks together and yet again, it's proven true.

Then Michael asked me this: where is the 5 legged sheep in WDW located? I cannot believe my muggle knows Disney trivia that I don't. ​

OMG! How cool is that coin? It's Amazing. How fantastic to meet someone like that and to have the promise of a VIP backlot tour to WDW.

Looks like you HAVE to go now.

And is that a rhetorical question about the 5-legged sheep or did you want an answer?






On the other matter.

I'm sorry that you don't like the snow. As someone who loves going to the snow for a week's skiing at a time, it is something that I look forward to. But I can imagine how hard it must be to live real life with snow all around. It's alright for a week; but I can't imagine driving in snow; nor having to shovel snow or even living with the muddy mush when it is melting. It must be hard to do.

Perhaps we could consider a house swap for a week or so one of these years. Come thaw out in Melbourne and enjoy the heat before heading back to the snow.

 

[Pinkocto]

That coin is too cool!!!! Disney totally brings people together, no doubt about it!

I hope your plan to move happens, it's no good to be somewhere you're not happy

 

[rentayenta]

OMG! How cool is that coin? It's Amazing. How fantastic to meet someone like that and to have the promise of a VIP backlot tour to WDW.

Looks like you HAVE to go now.

I know, right?!

The coin is really neat from the photos. I'm going to go see it in person today. That's what he gave Michael in trade for his LFD patch.​

And is that a rhetorical question about the 5-legged sheep or did you want an answer?

Answer please. DH finally told me last night. I suppose I could have Googled it but it was much more fun trying to guess.​

On the other matter.

I'm sorry that you don't like the snow. As someone who loves going to the snow for a week's skiing at a time, it is something that I look forward to. But I can imagine how hard it must be to live real life with snow all around. It's alright for a week; but I can't imagine driving in snow; nor having to shovel snow or even living with the muddy mush when it is melting. It must be hard to do.

Perhaps we could consider a house swap for a week or so one of these years. Come thaw out in Melbourne and enjoy the heat before heading back to the snow.

It takes 30 minutes from our doorstep to Snowbasin Resort, where they held a lot of the Utah Wnter Olympic events. Our dear friend, whom we're traveling with to Mexico with is a snowboard instructor there too. I would house swap with you in a second!

We're just under 45 minutes to Park City and Deer Valley too.

I'm in the perfect spot for winter sports. Wished I enjoyed them. ​

That coin is too cool!!!! Disney totally brings people together, no doubt about it!

I hope your plan to move happens, it's no good to be somewhere you're not happy

I can't say I'm not happy, I'm very happy, I just don't love Utah if that makes sense. I love my family and friends and my home and the life we've created. I just don't enjoy the location and feel we could have the same life nearer the water. Utah has served it's purpose; supplied DH with a dream job with good retirement benefits, we've got wonderful friends here and Michael's folks, but we're warmth and water people. I don't get a kick out of the seasons. While they're beautiful, they don't inspire me like being on the beach does. I hope I don't sound whiny or ungrateful because I'm very grateful....Utah just sucks. It's fairly repressed, bigoted, and generally not extremely welcoming if you're not in the majority. My kids have undergone cruelties for being Jewish. It's made us stronger in our faith though which is a good thing.

​

 

[franandaj]

Oh, and I forgot to say, that coin is awesome! How cool to meet someone in the Reedy Creek Fire Station. I love that firestation! You guys have seen it right? I would imagine that would be "sightseeing" for Michael on vacation!

 

[rentayenta]

Oh, and I forgot to say, that coin is awesome! How cool to meet someone in the Reedy Creek Fire Station. I love that firestation! You guys have seen it right? I would imagine that would be "sightseeing" for Michael on vacation!

We have seen the stations and always wondered who was smart enough and lucky enough to work there. This gentleman retired from another FD and then began his career with WDW FD.

It was so random that he stopped into little old LFD yesterday and happened to find a true Disney convert. They exchanged info which was fun. His son lives in Utah so that's why he was here, for the holidays.

I have no idea what that backstage tour means but heck, it's another bone to tempt DH with. Keeps his mind on Disney. Plus he loves to tour other departments. And what a fun experience for Michael; Disney and fire.

When is your next WDW trip? I think we all need to make a private Google doc so we can keep track of everyone's trips. I'd love to be a part of one of the BIG fun WDW meets.

I think Cynthia should be in charge of the document as she thrives in that kind of stuff. Me, not so much. ​

 

[emmysmommy]

Ahhhh the arrival. So funny that you at least had to cruise by DTD just to see it! I'm on the other side of the winter weather equation since I'm grabbing my jacket here when it's 59 degrees. I'm a winter wimp.

What a great exchange with the Reedy Creek FD FM. How coincidental is that? And to be invited to a private back stage tour... not that you need a carrot to book another trip at all but very nice!

 

[franandaj]

When is your next WDW trip? I think we all need to make a private Google doc so we can keep track of everyone's trips. I'd love to be a part of one of the BIG fun WDW meets.

I think Cynthia should be in charge of the document as she thrives in that kind of stuff. Me, not so much. ​

My next trip is end of May/beginning of June.

I would make the Google doc, if I knew how! That meet we did with PIO was two years in the making. Maybe even more because we had to settle on the time frame, and then I threw a wrench in the mix when I found out the Annual band conference started on the 9th, I was planning on going from the 2nd to the 10th and had to move it up. Crazy!

 

[Sherry E]

Glad you made it over. It smells and tastes exactly the same. You're in So Cal right? They've got them all over I believe.

Snow is fun to visit for like two days. Only. Trust me. It sucks to live and drive in. When it snows on a weekday, it can take me a good hour to get to work which is only 22 miles away. I don't hate a lot of things and am a pretty positive person but I hate living in the snow. Thankfully we've got a few things planned to keep me from becoming Jack Nicholson's character in The Shining.

Speaking of movies, I counted and watched Love Actually 13 times on the last month. ​

There are not any Shakey's in my immediate area of L.A. -- at least not that I'm aware of. There used to be a kind-of-close location but I thought they closed a while back. There are a lot of other things in my immediate area, but Shakey's is not too close, sadly. I remember when Shakey's was much more prolific back in the old days.

Ahhh, we always want what we don't have (that would be me, wanting snow!). I can totally see how driving in snow would be a huge pain. Just getting out to run errands and do daily things would be a pain. If it ever were to snow here in the middle of L.A., it would probably be a catastrophe -- literally. People would panic. No one would know how to drive in it. There would be accidents and mayhem in the streets. Rain is bad enough here because it causes all kinds of mudslides and flooding of over-saturated streets and inefficient storm drains, not to mention the horrible driving.

Still, though, because I have never lived anywhere where there is snow, and I have only encountered snow accidentally, en route to Las Vegas one time, and another occasion when I was a child that I barely remember, I would love love love to have a "white Christmas" one day, or have enough snow to play in for a few days. Also...I hate hot weather. I've never liked it, not even when I was a child. I get sick and miserable in the heat... so, naturally, I tend to gravitate towards scenes of the colder climates, but I fully realize that all of that snow would get old, real fast!

Love Actually aired a lot on assorted channels for the better part of this year, and then it kind of dropped off the radar in time for the holidays! It has popped up a couple of times on maybe AMC or Bravo in the last couple of weeks but that's it.

As you know -- because we have discussed this before, and you do the same thing -- even though I have Love Actually saved on the DVR in its unedited format, I will still watch it whenever I see it's on TV. Whether it is the edited version with commercials, or whether it is unedited and commercial-free, I will always stop and watch Love Actually. There are a few movies that I will always stop and watch, no matter how many times I've seen them, and that is at the top of the list.

Speaking of holiday romantic comedies... I have to agree with your assessment of Window Wonderland, which you posted in the Superthread a few weeks ago -- it was one of the 12 new movies on the Hallmark Channel this holiday season. I could not get into it. I tried several times to sit through it and it never grabbed me. I loved Snow Bride (as far as being a good-for-the-Hallmark-Channel-holiday-type-of-movie). I loved A Very Merry Mix-Up. I adored The Christmas Ornament and Let It Snow! I also loved A Snow Globe Christmas on Lifetime this year. But Window Wonderland was sub-par! I don't know if it bored me or what was happening. Maybe I just didn't like the leads in it?

 

[PHXscuba]

I totally agree with your "I love my house, but I wish it was in SoCal" comment. Ours is sort of the opposite problem -- the extreme heat makes me long for the cool breezes of the beach, which is why we visit my parents every summer!! The weather is always perfect when we go and I start thinking, "why don't we live here?!" ... but then I ask my father how much the house down the street sold for, and I recall why. Plus we own a business here and really couldn't just move. Oh well.

I haven't thought about Shakey's in years ...

Awesome story about your husband and the WDW firefighter. We can always use another carrot to get our spouses back to Disney!

PHXscuba

 

[PrincessInOz]

Answer please. DH finally told me last night. I suppose I could have Googled it but it was much more fun trying to guess.​

Let's hope it's the same answer.

The only 5-legged animal I'm aware of is the 5-legged goat (or is it mountain sheep) in the Mary Blair mosaic at Contemporary Resort.

Is that the one you mean?

 

[dolphingirl47]

What a stroke of luck that your DH was about when the firefighter from WDW visited. The coin is amazing. I hope that you get the chance for your special backstage tour.

I keep my fingers crossed that you get your holiday trip to WDW. I was lucky enough to get one the last two years and all the decorations and special events just take my breath away.

Corinna

 

[rentayenta]

Ahhhh the arrival. So funny that you at least had to cruise by DTD just to see it! I'm on the other side of the winter weather equation since I'm grabbing my jacket here when it's 59 degrees. I'm a winter wimp.

I was a winter wimp, being from So Cal, and now 60* in late December feels like heaven.​

What a great exchange with the Reedy Creek FD FM. How coincidental is that? And to be invited to a private back stage tour... not that you need a carrot to book another trip at all but very nice!

Isn't that crazy? It was such happenstance that Michael would be there. He told him he would take him through department and into the underground tunnel system they use. Michael is actually pretty enamored by this.​

My next trip is end of May/beginning of June.

I found your report. First poster. Michael says I'm top geek. I think of it like Top Chef but way cooler. ​

I would make the Google doc, if I knew how! That meet we did with PIO was two years in the making. Maybe even more because we had to settle on the time frame, and then I threw a wrench in the mix when I found out the Annual band conference started on the 9th, I was planning on going from the 2nd to the 10th and had to move it up. Crazy!

Two years is actually a reasonable time frame. When is PIO's next visit to WDW? I really would love to be a part of the next one. I like how casual it is and how everyone comes and goes. Looked like a great time.​

There are not any Shakey's in my immediate area of L.A. -- at least not that I'm aware of. There used to be a kind-of-close location but I thought they closed a while back. There are a lot of other things in my immediate area, but Shakey's is not too close, sadly. I remember when Shakey's was much more prolific back in the old days.

I didn't know you are in LA. I haven't been to LA for years aside from Manhattan Beach. We'll be there for a night in Feb after our trip to Mexico. Speaking of, I need to find a decent hotel with a shuttle near LAX.​

Ahhh, we always want what we don't have (that would be me, wanting snow!). I can totally see how driving in snow would be a huge pain. Just getting out to run errands and do daily things would be a pain. If it ever were to snow here in the middle of L.A., it would probably be a catastrophe -- literally. People would panic. No one would know how to drive in it. There would be accidents and mayhem in the streets. Rain is bad enough here because it causes all kinds of mudslides and flooding of over-saturated streets and inefficient storm drains, not to mention the horrible driving.

No one here knows how to drive in it either. Big tires only make for crazier drivers. We don't have the infrastructure to really handle the snowfall in the streets. It's odd. ​

Still, though, because I have never lived anywhere where there is snow, and I have only encountered snow accidentally, en route to Las Vegas one time, and another occasion when I was a child that I barely remember, I would love love love to have a "white Christmas" one day, or have enough snow to play in for a few days. Also...I hate hot weather. I've never liked it, not even when I was a child. I get sick and miserable in the heat... so, naturally, I tend to gravitate towards scenes of the colder climates, but I fully realize that all of that snow would get old, real fast!

Before coming to Utah, I had never lived any further than 20 minutes from the beach. You may like a visit here then, not loving the heat. We've got friends who love love love the seasons and living here; some are locals and some are transplants.​

Love Actually aired a lot on assorted channels for the better part of this year, and then it kind of dropped off the radar in time for the holidays! It has popped up a couple of times on maybe AMC or Bravo in the last couple of weeks but that's it.

As you know -- because we have discussed this before, and you do the same thing -- even though I have Love Actually saved on the DVR in its unedited format, I will still watch it whenever I see it's on TV. Whether it is the edited version with commercials, or whether it is unedited and commercial-free, I will always stop and watch Love Actually. There are a few movies that I will always stop and watch, no matter how many times I've seen them, and that is at the top of the list.

Mine too. When Harry Met Sally and Titanic and Grease are the others I have a heck of a time passing up even though we've got them all on DVD. ​

Speaking of holiday romantic comedies... I have to agree with your assessment of Window Wonderland, which you posted in the Superthread a few weeks ago -- it was one of the 12 new movies on the Hallmark Channel this holiday season. I could not get into it. I tried several times to sit through it and it never grabbed me. I loved Snow Bride (as far as being a good-for-the-Hallmark-Channel-holiday-type-of-movie). I loved A Very Merry Mix-Up. I adored The Christmas Ornament and Let It Snow! I also loved A Snow Globe Christmas on Lifetime this year. But Window Wonderland was sub-par! I don't know if it bored me or what was happening. Maybe I just didn't like the leads in it?

I loved Snow Bride too. Even Joshua sat and watched it and got mad when the girls walked in an interrupted.​

I totally agree with your "I love my house, but I wish it was in SoCal" comment. Ours is sort of the opposite problem -- the extreme heat makes me long for the cool breezes of the beach, which is why we visit my parents every summer!! The weather is always perfect when we go and I start thinking, "why don't we live here?!" ... but then I ask my father how much the house down the street sold for, and I recall why. Plus we own a business here and really couldn't just move. Oh well.

Our friends from Utah moved to AZ a few years ago and once May hits, the feel the same doom and gloom about summer that I feel about winter. They know that they're going to sticky, hot, tired, and sweaty for the next 5 months. I'd choose AZ over UT anyway. I much prefer the heat to cold.​

I haven't thought about Shakey's in years ...

Awesome story about your husband and the WDW firefighter. We can always use another carrot to get our spouses back to Disney!

PHXscuba

That's my plan though he seems very interested without my prodding.​

Let's hope it's the same answer.

The only 5-legged animal I'm aware of is the 5-legged goat (or is it mountain sheep) in the Mary Blair mosaic at Contemporary Resort.

Is that the one you mean?

:yes:: I told Michael you knew and he felt deflated. He's says he's going to find out more *secrets* and quiz us. ​

What a stroke of luck that your DH was about when the firefighter from WDW visited. The coin is amazing. I hope that you get the chance for your special backstage tour.

I keep my fingers crossed that you get your holiday trip to WDW. I was lucky enough to get one the last two years and all the decorations and special events just take my breath away.

Corinna

I guess it's more of an underground tour of sorts. He said there are walking tunnels under every park. It's crazy. I can't even imagine. Disney is so high functioning, I bet their EMS services are stellar.

What was the best part? I think the countries in Epcot all decked out for Christmas would be unreal. The CP would be pretty terrific too and the Osbourne Lights. Thanks for crossing your fingers. ​