Oh Florida! An East Meets West Girl's TR: 8/9 p56 & 8/17 p57

[MEK]

I am signing up for this! I somehow never got around to follow your previous reports, but I will try to keep up to date with this one!

Magadelena! So happy to have you here for a MEK / eandesmom TR! Thanks for joining in.

Mary Ellen, the subscribed threads are now called "Watched Threads" if you go to the bar on the top this is one of the options to click on. There you will get a list with all your former subscriptions that have new posts. At the bottom of the page you can chose to see all watched threads. The ones with new posts are bold, the other ones are normal. At the moment everything is set as if you had not read anything since about January 6th or so (unless you have read the thread since the update). The great thing about this software is that it remembers exactly where you left off in a thread, it does not set everything read after a certain time of being logged in like the former software. Hope this helps!!

Cool - I did not know that about the bold versus normal. I am going to do an update here in a minute and them I am going to catch up on my "watched" threads. I just really liked that user CP feature. That was all I used, but I really didn't have a system for when I looked at updates so hopefully this will help.

Yeah, when I get home my brain clicks off for sure Just ask Michael. Really though, I forgot to add lunch money to Joshua's account and got that dreaded call! I never forget things like that. We're putting in for a PRN but that won't help me much. It'll help the other PRN folks mostly. Thanks goodness we've got Spring Break to look forward too. I'll tell you what's lacking: my bs meter. Ain't nobody, especially this girl, got time for that.

When you forget to do stuff like that you know you are on overload. I like to pride myself by thinking I can handle everything when more is on my plate. Unfortunately, stuff like that reminds me that I can't.

I just can't believe the fatigue you must have from helping people deal with their mental health problems all day long. That must be really exhausting. Hang in there and look forward to that spring break!

 

[MEK]

SURPRISE MEK!

So guys - it’s two weeks until we run through the castle. I am excited and nervous all at once. The bulk of my training is done. It’s taper time now. Time to ease off the long runs and let my muscles rest and rejuvenate so they are ready for 13.1 miles. I did my last long run today - 10 miles. Last Sunday I did 12.3. From here on out its just short runs, which for me is usually a 5k on the treadmill. I’m not sure what I’ll do next weekend. I’m thinking between 4 and 6 outside miles.

Realistically I think I will run 11 minute miles for the PHM. I would like to start out faster, but I want to finish. I’m not sure how much extra time will be needed for breaks- food, water, and bio. Cynthia and Ann are in a corral way ahead of me and they run at a faster pace, so I am not sure when I will see them. Or how long they will have to wait for me at the finish. I just want to do my best - mentally and physically. It’s a game now.

I have to admit that I am concerned about weather. I have traveled a lot in the winter and have never had a flight cancellation or delay. Call me a pessimist. Call me a realist. Call me whatever. But we fly out Friday night 2/20 (because I could not get Friday off from work). If there is any weather where SWA sends out a message that we can rebook, I’d like to just take the loss or the credit and drive. I don’t care about the fact that I can’t have off Friday. If I need to leave, I will. I’ve put far too much training time and money into this race to not get there in time Saturday to pick up my race packet. The only possible scenario that would affect the driving plan would be a storm coming from the south. Then all bets are off.

Anyway - enough about my PHM plans. I am sure you would like me to get on with my update. To keep myself entertained during my long run yesterday I tried to write my TR in my head. It worked. A little. I mean as a distraction. I probably zoned out for a few tenths of a mile here and there. Better than nothing.

So I left off here, waiting for the boat to DTD.



I found myself a nice seat with an unobstructed view and took a few pictures of the buildings on the way to my destination.



Have I mentioned how much I love this resort?



I mean what’s not to like? Pretty pastel buildings. Laid back vibe. A home away from home!



And check out the size of the verandah on the 1 and 2 BR units. Gotta love that. You could have a party out there.



The foliage isn’t too shabby either.



This must be the balcony from the master bedroom.



It really makes me want to go back there. Like NOW!



I know this picture is blurry, but I really think that top balcony on the left is our studio. I know we had a nice water view shaded by trees.



On the way to SSR and DTD!



Passing the edge of the golf course



The bridge to the treehouses (located on the left)



I tried to take a picture of the treehouse I stayed in summer of 2012. I really can’t say with any degree of certainty if this is the correct treehouse or not.



Looks like we have company.





A hasty picture of SSR. I really like this resort, too. It’s funny that I never stay here much despite the fact that I find the building facades really attractive and the resort rather lovely.



As we neared DTD I realized that given the construction I really wasn’t sure where the boat was going to dock. It was one of those moments where I really wished I had paid better attention to the forums other than just the trip report section. I knew if we docked at the Market Place I was certain to be late.



I soon realized that we would be docking much closer to my dinner destination.



A picture of the construction just to show how unappealing it all looked.



I disembarked and practically walked right into my destination.



In case you don’t recognize it, it’s House of Blues. And as luck would have it, my DIS meet partner was outside as I arrived.

So who was my mysterious DIS meet for the evening?

Well, the picture stinks (but at least we have one), but it is none other than Rosie (aka EnglishRose) and her dear friend Carol.

This is what happens when you forget to put your camera back to the auto settings and you hand it to the server. *sigh*



You can recognize us, can’t you???? hehehe

For dinner I had a glass of wine (not pictured) and I think this was a chicken sandwich, although I’m not entirely sure. It was tasty. Nothing special, but it certainly hit the spot. The fries were good.



For dessert did we split a bread pudding or did I have my own? Or did I take a picture of Rosie’s? No clue here!



Continued In the Next Post

 

[MEK]

We were in a booth, so it was hard to take pictures but I managed to get one of the ceiling



and the (weird) artwork on the wall



This was near the entrance. It was really cool looking (although you can’t tell from this picture). At all!



After dinner Rosie and Carol said they were going shopping and invited me to hang out with them. Sure. I’m game.





I love DTD in the twilight. It looks so cool and there’s this electric vibe in the air.



Do any of you enlightened DISers know what I just took a picture of here? I have not a clue.



At least I know what this is!



Our first stop on our shopping spree was here





While Carol and Rosie were intent on looking for some type of gift (that they never did buy), I busied myself taking pictures.





I have to admit, this is sort of cute!



Wall of gas tanks?



After our Harley Davidson expedition we set forth to World of Disney



We passed the balloon, which seemed to be retired for the evening





We passed Raglan Road.



This place looks like it was hopping.



Portabello



fulton’s



TRex





The Lego Store

 

[MEK]

and finally - drum roll please -



I don’t know about you guys, but I sometimes find World of Disney a bit overwhelming. It brings sensory overload to a whole new level. Plus Rosie and Carol were tarting to act a little strange. They huddled together from time to time and they kept moving to areas of the store farther away from me. Hmmmm...

So I took pictures.







After WOD we passed this and headed to the Christmas shop.



I wish this hadn’t turned out so blurry. It’s a cool perspective!





Once we hit the Marketplace I knew I was pretty much done for the evening.



A classic!



Another classic!





I couldn’t resist a pic of the merry go round



or two



I told myself I could make it through the Christmas shop, but after that I was going to leave.









Who ca n resist the pickles, especially in so many different varieties?



Rosie and Carol got in line with some purchases. When they were done I told them I was heading back to OKW.

We said our goodnights and made plans to meet up the next day in Epcot.

As I was heading to the bus stop I got a quite unexpected text message from Poolrat Pat that said “Don’t leave yet. I have a surprise for you.”

Huh?

“head shake”

Poolrat Pat was home. We had talked about her coming to the world several times and, due to her crazy summer pool work schedule, she couldn’t swing it.

I responded in the most logical way possible, “Are you HERE?”

She said, “Just go back and find Rosie”.

So I did.

And a few short moments later there was Pat.

SURPRISE MEK!

I was thrilled to see her and then I noticed she was not alone. She had some strange guy with her. Well, really not a stranger at all. Just someone I didn’t expect to see.

I won’t leave you in suspense much longer. I tried to get a passerby to take a group shot of the 5 of us. Unfortunately, I picked the wrong person. She could not grasp the concept of just putting her finger on the button and WAITING for the camera to flash and take the picture.

She got SO frustrated. Like down right upset and exclaimed, “I can’t do this”.

I looked at the camera after her several feeble attempts and said. That’s OK. You got it. I lied because I didn’t want to wreck her self esteem anymore.

And then I took the picture myself.

SURPRISE MEK!



Apparently I was the last person to know that Pat and Marv were in the world together. Even Cynthia was like, “Yeah - they wanted to surprise you”.

OK, mission accomplished. They really did.

We hung out chatting for a bit and Rosie kept apologizing. She wanted to make sure I didn’t think that was her regular approach to shopping. Actually, I didn’t question her shopping habits at all, but now it makes sense why she and Carol would go off together, huddle up, and whisper.

We did stop at the rita stand and I was VERY sad to find out that they no longer make a grapefruit margarita. That thing was the bomb. It was actually my third favorite drink at WDW.

In case your wondering about my favorite list:

#1 Jalapeno margarita
#2 Turtle Krawl
#3 Pink grapefruit margarita

But I digress!

So hugs all around and I headed out with plans to meet not two DISers, but four DISers in the morning.

By the time I got on the bus it was



and I was home in my OKW bed at 12:15.

Up next - Cynthia’s travel day (er I mean night) and then my morning at Epcot.

 

[jedijill]

What an awesome surprise!

Jill in CO

 

[vamassey1]

I always get sensory overload in WOD too. And I usually get a little lost too.

What a great Dis meet and extra surprise. I'm glad you didn't leave too early.

I have to ask, did you find any poles for dancing?

 

[MEK]

What an awesome surprise!

Jill in CO

More like a shock. Seriously! I had NO clue Pat was there and that she was there with Marv.

I always get sensory overload in WOD too. And I usually get a little lost too.

Same! I always get all turned around.

What a great Dis meet and extra surprise. I'm glad you didn't leave too early.

I have a feeling I would have gotten called back no matter what time I left. I think they had that surprise planned for awhile!

I have to ask, did you find any poles for dancing?

I wish! I know Rosie would have kept us all entertained. Sadly, there were no poles to be found, except for on the Merry-Go-Round!

 

[PrincessInOz]

What a great surprise to end up meeting extra Dis-sers at DTD. That's a fantastic surprise.

Glad you made it to dinner in time. That was fortunate that the ferry dropped you off at the right spot.
Love the Harley memorabilia shots.
I know what you mean at sensory overload at WoD store. I always have to push past that feeling in order to get any shopping done. If not, I'd be walking straight out!
Such a shame that the stranger couldn't help you out with a pictures. It would have been cool to see all of you together; but I love the picture of the others that you took.

 

[Poolrat]

So sorry we had to keep you shopping. I guess not knowing your plans really kept us up in the air. We knew you had dinner but unsure if you were going over to a park after with MK being the guess. When we found out Rosie and Carol were stalling you we hightailed it over but as you know, the bus to DTD is a slow one.

We had dinner at The Wave and then over to the Poly to watch EWP and see the construction. I am sure Marv will remind me as I think there was a walk to the TTC for a bus since bus service from the Poly just stinks sometimes and as a result we just missed a DTD bus pulling into the Poly.

I am glad you stayed and we got to surprise you!!!

 

[Dugette]

Fun night! Nice pics of Downtown Disney while it was getting dark. What an awesome surprise DIS-meet!

 

[shan23877]

What a fun surprise!

WoD can be very overwhelming. Somehow I end up spending a ton of time in the princess area there LOL

Love the Christmas shop. I always spend way too much there.

How strange that woman would offer to take the picture if she was that uncomfortable with cameras!

 

[natebenma]

What a fun trip to DTD!!! I don't spend much time there, so I really appreciate seeing all of your pictures. On our last few trips there it has been Lego Store, T-Rex, out!

Your meal at House of Blues sounds like it hit the spot, but that's about it. Doesn't matter, though when you are with friends.

What a SUPER surprise at the end of your visit there! A stealth meet-up with two wonderful DIS pals.

:woooo:

Let's all toast with a round of Grapefruit Margaritas... Never Mind!

 

[Tracy161]

I'm here a bit late but not as late as I often am to TRs these days... Going back to catch up. More soon!

 

[afwdwfan]

Call me a pessimist. Call me a realist. Call me whatever. But we fly out Friday night 2/20 (because I could not get Friday off from work). If there is any weather where SWA sends out a message that we can rebook, I’d like to just take the loss or the credit and drive. I don’t care about the fact that I can’t have off Friday. If I need to leave, I will. I’ve put far too much training time and money into this race to not get there in time Saturday to pick up my race packet. The only possible scenario that would affect the driving plan would be a storm coming from the south. Then all bets are off.

Yuck... I totally understand your stress. Unfortunately, you just never really know until a day or 2 beforehand what the weather will look like. Hopefully it will be clear and you won't have any problems.

As we neared DTD I realized that given the construction I really wasn’t sure where the boat was going to dock. It was one of those moments where I really wished I had paid better attention to the forums other than just the trip report section.

I know that feeling all too well.

This is what happens when you forget to put your camera back to the auto settings and you hand it to the server. *sigh*

Well, at least we can tell that there were 3 people in the picture. We might have to take your word for it as to who is in it though...

I don’t know about you guys, but I sometimes find World of Disney a bit overwhelming. It brings sensory overload to a whole new level.

That place is crazy. I really don't even like going in there. I much prefer Mouse Gears or the Emporium due to the fact that they aren't as crowded or as easy to get separated from your group.

Apparently I was the last person to know that Pat and Marv were in the world together. Even Cynthia was like, “Yeah - they wanted to surprise you”.

OK, mission accomplished. They really did.

Wow! Nice surprise! Sounds like it was quite an effort made to surprise you.

In case your wondering about my favorite list:

#1 Jalapeno margarita
#2 Turtle Krawl
#3 Pink grapefruit margarita

Favorite drink lists are always a welcome addition to a TR. I'm always collecting new ideas for something to try on vacation.

 

[glaserjm]

I had a feeling that the strange shopping behavior was going to result in a good surprise for you! How fun!

I have never availed myself of the margarita stand at DTD...that's something I'm going to have to try in the future, but now I'm sad because I love grapefruit drinks!

I love the pictures of OKW from the boat, that's such a relaxing ride...I can't wait to take it again in about 33 days!

 

[eandesmom]

Happy Birthday, Cynthia!!! ​

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Cynthia!

Thank you!!!

Hi Mary Ellen and Cynthia! I'm so glad I caught this TR at the beginning. It sounds like it will be a ton of fun. I love flying SW because I hate the thought of paying baggage fees. Most of my trips are girls only because DH doesn't like Disney trips but he definitely enables me in Disney. LOL

so happy to have you here

I know girls, I would have loved to make it. Life is bananas right now and I'm not sure I see any relief for a while. Nothing bad just busy busy. They still haven't fully staffed us with therapists and between me, you, and the DIS I'm starting to feel a little fried.

Anyway, back to your fun report and I'm glad im here.

One of these days...OH WAIT! There is a trip one of these days soon

I am all caught up...not that far behind does help. Glad to see you both are still enjoying the travels together.

We are! Very much looking forward to seeing Mary Ellen NEXT WEEK!

Sorry I am so late, but I am still trying to figure out the ways of the updated DIS. I looking forward to reading how East meet West.

it is a bit odd to navigate, I am slowly getting there but really have not even attempted an reply at all from the phone.

Hopping on to an MEK/Cynthia combo trip report on page 7? That seems like a pretty good proposition... I'm already caught up- so now maybe I can figure out how this board actually works these days...

Ahhh Mary Ellen- flying out of BWI? You really do dislike the Phila airport- don't you? Well I do think that right through Md. is definitely prettier...

Looking forward to your take on OKW... and all the other shenanigans you'll be getting up to...

Cynthia- HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

So- Is there anything between the 5K and the half marathon to run at Disney now? It's on my bucket list to run there but not a marathon or even a half (at least not in the foreseeable future) a 10k or a 10 miler would be great but I feel like there aren't any? (I could be totally wrong about that though...)

Looking forward to this ride...

Patricia!!! Yes, all of the races have 5 and 10's! Or at least almost all of them. Wine and Dine may not have a 10K but all the rest do. There was the Tower of Terror 10 miler, it's not on next year but everyone hopes it will be back.

I am signing up for this! I somehow never got around to follow your previous reports, but I will try to keep up to date with this one!

I am so happy you are here!!!!

It will probably move a bit faster than mine but not anything crazy, life is just too nuts! I'm perpetually behind everywhere, including your thread. Though in your case I'm not that far behind reading, just commenting as I keep reading on the phone and posting from it is...BLEH.

Yeah, when I get home my brain clicks off for sure Just ask Michael. Really though, I forgot to add lunch money to Joshua's account and got that dreaded call! I never forget things like that. We're putting in for a PRN but that won't help me much. It'll help the other PRN folks mostly. Thanks goodness we've got Spring Break to look forward too. I'll tell you what's lacking: my bs meter. Ain't nobody, especially this girl, got time for that.

Glad to hear the BS meter isn't lacking!

And girl, I forget that stuff all the time, there just isn't enough slots up there and things have to give.

 

[eandesmom]

I don’t know about you guys, but I sometimes find World of Disney a bit overwhelming. It brings sensory overload to a whole new level. Plus Rosie and Carol were tarting to act a little strange. They huddled together from time to time and they kept moving to areas of the store farther away from me. Hmmmm...

So I took pictures.

Once we hit the Marketplace I knew I was pretty much done for the evening.

I told myself I could make it through the Christmas shop, but after that I was going to leave.

Rosie and Carol got in line with some purchases. When they were done I told them I was heading back to OKW.

We said our goodnights and made plans to meet up the next day in Epcot.

As I was heading to the bus stop I got a quite unexpected text message from Poolrat Pat that said “Don’t leave yet. I have a surprise for you.”

Huh?

“head shake”

Poolrat Pat was home. We had talked about her coming to the world several times and, due to her crazy summer pool work schedule, she couldn’t swing it.

I responded in the most logical way possible, “Are you HERE?”

She said, “Just go back and find Rosie”.

So I did.

And a few short moments later there was Pat.

SURPRISE MEK!

I was thrilled to see her and then I noticed she was not alone. She had some strange guy with her. Well, really not a stranger at all. Just someone I didn’t expect to see.

I won’t leave you in suspense much longer. I tried to get a passerby to take a group shot of the 5 of us. Unfortunately, I picked the wrong person. She could not grasp the concept of just putting her finger on the button and WAITING for the camera to flash and take the picture.

She got SO frustrated. Like down right upset and exclaimed, “I can’t do this”.

I looked at the camera after her several feeble attempts and said. That’s OK. You got it. I lied because I didn’t want to wreck her self esteem anymore.

And then I took the picture myself.

SURPRISE MEK!



Apparently I was the last person to know that Pat and Marv were in the world together. Even Cynthia was like, “Yeah - they wanted to surprise you”.

OK, mission accomplished. They really did.

We hung out chatting for a bit and Rosie kept apologizing. She wanted to make sure I didn’t think that was her regular approach to shopping. Actually, I didn’t question her shopping habits at all, but now it makes sense why she and Carol would go off together, huddle up, and whisper.

OMG I was dying! You would not believe the sheer volume of texting going on keeping me updated as this all played out. It was hysterical I felt so bad for you as I knew they were stalling big time!

We did stop at the rita stand and I was VERY sad to find out that they no longer make a grapefruit margarita. That thing was the bomb. It was actually my third favorite drink at WDW.

In case your wondering about my favorite list:

#1 Jalapeno margarita
#2 Turtle Krawl
#3 Pink grapefruit margarita

But I digress!

So hugs all around and I headed out with plans to meet not two DISers, but four DISers in the morning.

Really? I am surprised it is gone, it was there on my last trip to DTD but then again that was over a year ago. You were robbed!

My travel night coming up soon

 

[TheMaxRebo]

best of luck with the rest of your training and then the race. I generally only run when chased so definitely am impressed with anyone who is commited to running and can finish the race

OKW and SSR seem like resorts that if you haven't stayed there you don't think about staying at but once you have people really get the feeling of "home" from them

What a great surprise! Though I am sure you were a bit tired at that point for it to fully sink in

 

[cheryllarsen]

Wow great reading!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Have I mentioned how much I love this resort?

Maybe once or twice?

I really can’t say with any degree of certainty if this is the correct treehouse or not.

Just go with it. Even if it's completely wrong. That's what I do.

This is what happens when you forget to put your camera back to the auto settings and you hand it to the server. *sigh*

I might know a thing or two about bad random photographers...

I don’t know about you guys, but I sometimes find World of Disney a bit overwhelming.

Especially when you need that one t-shirt you forgot 2 hours before you're supposed to be at the airport.

Plus Rosie and Carol were tarting to act a little strange. They huddled together from time to time and they kept moving to areas of the store farther away from me. Hmmmm.

"She keeps taking photos of weird stuff in the store..."

A classic!

We have that one on our minivan!

And a few short moments later there was Pat.

SURPRISE MEK!

Apparently I was the last person to know that Pat and Marv were in the world together. Even Cynthia was like, “Yeah - they wanted to surprise you”.

Don't feel bad. I didn't know, either.