*8/7 Chp.7* The Incredible Shrinking Woman Turns 40...TWO trip reports in one!

[wigdoutdismom]

We need to take a packing class. I do the exact same thing... Do you use everything you take? I don't.

 

[TarzansKat]

Dude. I see a Vera and a Dooney.

No joke, I have both those patterns in other items.

I know what you mean about the new normal. It's so hard. And it's really nice to hear you talk about the paranoia...not because I want you to feel that way, but because I am working through some worries as well. We definitely cling to those who are with us, that's for sure.

 

[GaRain]

I love your purple Mickey shirt in that picture!
I have that same Mickey Dooney bag!
Am looking forward to more posts!
(I avoid Applebee's - ugh!)

 

[njtinkmom]

Welcome Back - you look fantastic!!! I can relate to agonizing on going away... My step mom who was like my mother passed away suddenly 3 weeks before our 1st family trip to Disney in 2009. Myself and my children were devastated to say the least. We decided to go on the vacation for the kids and it was the right choice. I know she was with us, as I am sure your mom is with you. Just take every day one step at a time - you are definately going in the right direction!

 

[shannn]

I still feel that way when I see pictures of myself at weight loss but not as far as I've come, it's amazing how our perceptions change.

Well of course you have to cute toesies for Mickey!

I remember feeling soooo tiny then~~ those jeans I had on were size 22 (down from size 28 at my biggest) and they had been my goal jeans forever. Now I'm wearing size 12 and they're falling off!

I always overpack, so I get it! LOL
How long is your drive to WDW?

Our drive is about 10 hours if we don't stop a lot (not that that ever happens....)

HI Shannon!! Oh it's been ever so long since we've connected here!! I'm so glad you're back and healthier too!!

I will have to catch up soon, as I myself am on a mini-self-imposed ban right now- just so much going on...

Great to see you again!!

Liesa

Oh Liesa!! I'm so glad to see you again, and I'm thrilled that your epic trip report is still going so that I could join in.

We need to take a packing class. I do the exact same thing... Do you use everything you take? I don't.

The sad thing is ~~ out of those 5 bags, one was my clothes, one was Sam's clothes, one was my toiletries, one was my coffee/protein drink/etc, and one was books and school stuff for the drive. I just don't seem to know how to travel light!

Dude. I see a Vera and a Dooney.

No joke, I have both those patterns in other items.

I know what you mean about the new normal. It's so hard. And it's really nice to hear you talk about the paranoia...not because I want you to feel that way, but because I am working through some worries as well. We definitely cling to those who are with us, that's for sure.

We are having a lot of trouble with renorming ~ our whole family dynamic is different. I still am trying not to expect the worst even now. I keep looking at my loved ones and wondering who's next.

I love that Vera pattern. My brother gave me that suitcase and I adore it even though it's completely impractical.

I love your purple Mickey shirt in that picture!
I have that same Mickey Dooney bag!
Am looking forward to more posts!
(I avoid Applebee's - ugh!)

Thanks! I got that shirt on ebay, believe it or not!
I also love that Dooney although it's too big for everyday carrying. I have another one that's great for carrying normally - it's a denim pattern.

Welcome Back - you look fantastic!!! I can relate to agonizing on going away... My step mom who was like my mother passed away suddenly 3 weeks before our 1st family trip to Disney in 2009. Myself and my children were devastated to say the least. We decided to go on the vacation for the kids and it was the right choice. I know she was with us, as I am sure your mom is with you. Just take every day one step at a time - you are definately going in the right direction!

Thanks! It's hard to go back towards living my life without thinking of mom every day. She's everywhere around me, and I'm waiting for that to become comforting. It is sometimes, but at times it's agonizing. I hope you're doing as well as you can.

 

[TarzansKat]

I do the same thing. I worry about the baby, I worry about my six year old, I worry about my husband, my father...I think eventually you just kind of have to let it go. It's hard to do, but the more I worried, the worse I felt. I just have to smother them with as much love as I possibly can because we only get what we get, and nobody knows how long that is.

I love that pattern too. I remember buying a hipster in that pattern with my mom. She totally convinced me to purchase it, she said, you never treat yourself, and you know you'll use it. She was right. I use it every Disney trip, and sometimes at home when I'm feeling like I need a little Disney. She then proceeded to buy me multiple other items in the pattern, including the Weekender. I love that bag, but you can really only use it for those weekend jaunts, I totally get the impractical comment.

 

[shannn]

I was up by 5:30 ~ just couldn't sleep. I lay there listening to Sam sleep and wondering how these things happen. How am I 40? How have been married for 18 years? (I was 18 when I met Sam...really? We've been married for as many years as I lived not knowing him.) How am I the mother? How am I a grownup? All those thoughts that run through your mind...or at least my mind....when contemplating life and such. I used to think that my mom was so mature and responsible, and now I just wonder if I'll ever feel that way. Life is so surreal sometimes.

Ever since my surgery, I start off each day with a protein shake made with coffee and chocolate protein powder. Sam got up and went out to get me some coffee about 6'ish so that I could make my shake. We were on the road by 7:00. If you remember, last time I drove to Disney I went all back roads because Sam had changed the GPS to no-tolls. This time I made sure we were on the fastest route and pretty soon we were seeing this

and then this:

and then THIS:

and finally, at 10:30 am

WELCOME HOME!!

This was our first time coming "home" since we bought into DVC and our first time staying at our new home resort. I was so excited to be there. I went to check-in and my photographer husband took in as many details as he could:

(The same pictures that everyone checking into the Boardwalk takes... )

We left our luggage (I think it took a couple guys to get it alll ) and headed out onto the Boardwalk on the bright sunshine. We had researched and researched when we were trying decide where to buy our home resort, but we were still nervous about whether we had made the right decision. As soon as we hit the Boardwalk, I loved the atmosphere! It's such fun to see people strolling around, in and out of stores/restaurants/ and look at the sun on the water. We had loved staying at Beach Club and come really close to buying there, but unless you're going to the pool you don't have a place where you can just hang out by the water. I instantly fell and love with the Boardwalk vibe and was so happy just standing out there.



We got on a boat since we weren't sure how to walk (I'm a bit embarassed by that...easiest walk EVER, but at least we got this gorgeous shot of our new home:

We thought we needed to go to the front of the park for guest services, but after worrying about that, we found out that there's a guest services right at the back of the park. The CM there was great! We bought our APS, tickets for MNSSHP on Thursday, and of course he handed me a birthday button!

We were there. I was 40, and I was ready to eat some Food & Wine Festival Delights!!

 

[TarzansKat]

Wonderful! I love your new home.

And isn't it great to have your own private entrance as well?

In all seriousness, I love going into Epcot through the International Gateway. I've rarely hit a bottleneck there, and the guest services line is usually slim to none. Plus, there's nothing wrong with being dumped in closer to champagne in France, is there?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Wonderful! I love your new home.

And isn't it great to have your own private entrance as well?

In all seriousness, I love going into Epcot through the International Gateway. I've rarely hit a bottleneck there, and the guest services line is usually slim to none. Plus, there's nothing wrong with being dumped in closer to champagne in France, is there?

I have to agree - to all of that!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I stayed at Boardwalk in January and I am convinced it is the best location, I truly loved staying there. I really need to buy DVC so I can actually afford to stay there.

 

[pooh06]

Loving your heartfelt trip report!!! Sorry to hear about your mom. That must be a horrible loss.

I am DVC member of the Boardwalk also. I can reassure you that you are going to absolutely love it time and time again. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom on our last trip just to try something different and missed the Boardwalk the whole time. Not that the Animal Kingdom isn't nice, but it just wasn't the Boardwalk.

I am looking forward to the rest of your trip report.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Boardwalk is just lovely since the refurb! We've stayed there a few times and just love the location. We love our Beach Club too, but if we aren't really using the pool, I'd take Boardwalk anyday!

I can see such a difference in you in that picture. I understand why you were feeling good about yourself...

I know you must be feeling a whole lot better now! A size 12 falling off? WOW!!!

One more thing...
A purple locker would really help with packing. We love ours!

 

[Native NYer]

The Boardwalk is just beautiful!
It's so relaxing just strolling near the water. And the private entrance is fantastic!

And I agree with Anita. A purple locker is WONDERFUL.

 

[jenjolt]

Isn't BW just lovely!! I stayed there in January and LOVED LOVED LOVED every minute!! I will own points there some day so I can have it as a home resort!!

WOW I'm so impressed with your weight loss...such a motivator and inspiration for me!!!

 

[shannn]

I do the same thing. I worry about the baby, I worry about my six year old, I worry about my husband, my father...I think eventually you just kind of have to let it go. It's hard to do, but the more I worried, the worse I felt. I just have to smother them with as much love as I possibly can because we only get what we get, and nobody knows how long that is.

I love that pattern too. I remember buying a hipster in that pattern with my mom. She totally convinced me to purchase it, she said, you never treat yourself, and you know you'll use it. She was right. I use it every Disney trip, and sometimes at home when I'm feeling like I need a little Disney. She then proceeded to buy me multiple other items in the pattern, including the Weekender. I love that bag, but you can really only use it for those weekend jaunts, I totally get the impractical comment.

Wonderful! I love your new home.

And isn't it great to have your own private entrance as well?

In all seriousness, I love going into Epcot through the International Gateway. I've rarely hit a bottleneck there, and the guest services line is usually slim to none. Plus, there's nothing wrong with being dumped in closer to champagne in France, is there?

I was searching on ebay today for other things in that pattern, and I saw a weekender. I might have to jump on that....obviously I love impractical!

We love love the Boardwalk. This trip was obviously just a studio, but we stayed in a 2 bedroom in March and it was incredible. And, I definitely love the International Gateway. It just feels like waltzing through the backdoor. Such a fun walk across the bridge too. It doesn't feel at all like a walk! Anything that gets me closer to Grey Goose Slushies is officially a "good thing"

I stayed at Boardwalk in January and I am convinced it is the best location, I truly loved staying there. I really need to buy DVC so I can actually afford to stay there.

We were so nervous, but we fell in love. It was a lot cheaper than Beach Club too! Buying DVC with my inheritance was a great decision for us! My grandmother was not a pleasant woman a lot of the time, but at least she did fulfill one of my dreams!

Loving your heartfelt trip report!!! Sorry to hear about your mom. That must be a horrible loss.

I am DVC member of the Boardwalk also. I can reassure you that you are going to absolutely love it time and time again. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom on our last trip just to try something different and missed the Boardwalk the whole time. Not that the Animal Kingdom isn't nice, but it just wasn't the Boardwalk.

I am looking forward to the rest of your trip report.

Thanks so much for your kind words.

I can't imagine staying someplace out of the way right now. I love being in the middle of it all. We were on a wait list for BLT for our March trip, and I think we would have loved it; but even then being on the Boardwalk was just great!

Boardwalk is just lovely since the refurb! We've stayed there a few times and just love the location. We love our Beach Club too, but if we aren't really using the pool, I'd take Boardwalk anyday!

I can see such a difference in you in that picture. I understand why you were feeling good about yourself...

I know you must be feeling a whole lot better now! A size 12 falling off? WOW!!!

One more thing...
A purple locker would really help with packing. We love ours!

We have GOT to learn to slow down and take advantage of the pool. It's crazy how little we really have used the Disney pools, and usually it's because the kids are begging us. When we stayed at BC when the kids were little, we actually only went to SAB once! (can you believe that? What were we thinking??)

The Boardwalk is just beautiful!
It's so relaxing just strolling near the water. And the private entrance is fantastic!

And I agree with Anita. A purple locker is WONDERFUL.

I need to look into a purple locker. It probably would be great for us!

Isn't BW just lovely!! I stayed there in January and LOVED LOVED LOVED every minute!! I will own points there some day so I can have it as a home resort!!

WOW I'm so impressed with your weight loss...such a motivator and inspiration for me!!!

Thanks Jen. We really do love our BW home. The only small complaint I might have is those are some looooong corridors.

 

[TarzansKat]

I was searching on ebay today for other things in that pattern, and I saw a weekender. I might have to jump on that....obviously I love impractical!

Actually, although impractical because I don't think I'd ever fly with it, you can fit a ton of stuff in the Weekender!

Just sayin'.

I may like to enable.

A little.

Okay a lot.

We love love the Boardwalk. This trip was obviously just a studio, but we stayed in a 2 bedroom in March and it was incredible. And, I definitely love the International Gateway. It just feels like waltzing through the backdoor. Such a fun walk across the bridge too. It doesn't feel at all like a walk! Anything that gets me closer to Grey Goose Slushies is officially a "good thing"

I'm with you! Anything that puts me closer to fun adult drinks is certainly welcome!

 

[njtinkmom]

Oh my God I just saw your Boardwalk pictures and eveh though we just got back from there on Sunday I am absolutely HOMESICK!! Even though Bay Lake Towers is my home - I loved loved loved the Boardwalk!!!

I also Love my Vera Bradley hipster and everything else VB that I have, and this trip we did get a purple locker!! I can't wait to go back now so that I can enjoy not packing all that stuff!!

 

[manntra]

Yes...you do need an OL I filled mine up with so much I had to sit on it to close it!! Such a great idea and can't wait to see it again

I love the Boardwalk too....only stayed there once (before I had DVC) and loved the location and atmosphere. I totally get why you made that your home

I use that Vera (purple punch) as my carry on and yeah it is a bit impractical. But it looks good.

I am excited to be going back to last years F&W with you now as I prepare for this years F&W. Perfect timing!!

Tracy

 

[DisneyGuy758]

So far so good! If I could afford a DVC, I think Boardwalk would be my home as well. I would have the wings at ESPN club for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I too have never walked from BW to Epcot, but from what I've read on here, yes, it is easy and quick.

I'm liking the short and sweet entries in this TR. Keep them coming!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Ok, I'm finally all caught up!

Shannon, I adore those pictures of your mom with your kids. She looks SO happy and it makes me so happy to see that. Makes me think back to when I still had my grandma. My grandma also passed in her sleep. It's good to know they passed peacefully.

You look incredible right now by the way. I saw Dawn's pictures and I was like, "Wait, that's Shannon???" Almost didn't recognize you there!

You have a kid in your class that throws stuff at subs? Oh boy...I hope the sub was ok.

It's too bad the Applebees food didn't sit well with you. I had Applebees for the first time ever this past weekend and I love their garlic bread.

Which brand of protein shakes did you drink?

The Boardwalk looks really nice. I still haven't visited it, but it seems like a really chill place to just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere.