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

[saintstickets]

Great TR! DW and I did a split stay the week after Thanksgiving last year and stayed at AKV and then at BWV. We loved BWV!! There is so much to do there at the resort and so many things are a short walk away. I can't wait until we go to F&W and stay there. Keep the pics and reviews coming!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

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

We are getting locker number three delivered on the girls trip in October. It's going to be half Jen's and half for our over flow...
Marc has to sit on both of ours to get them closed!

I agree! Vera's are quite fashionable to carry on flights. Who cares how practical they are?

 

[shannn]

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.



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

Okay, I'm naming my new weekender and hipster in blue rhapsody after you... (Thank goodness for ebay, huh?)

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!!

The peer pressure is making me check out ownerslocker.com!

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

F&W post coming up! I adore my rolling tote. It holds all my toiletries perfectly. I never go anywhere without it anymore.

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!

I've never been to ESPN club, but my brother & husband did. They loved it because we were at Disney during March madness! Walking from BW to Epcot is wonderful. Blink and you're there!!

 

[shannn]

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.

Glad you made it through! Yes, I had a lovely monster in my class this year. And, I'll stop there in case his mother decides that she should suddenly take up DISin as a hobby!

I drink Champion Whey Protein, chocolate flavor. I mix it up with some milk in a blender bottle and then add it to my coffee. It makes for a mocha type taste, and I get a good portion of my daily protein from it. Since I malabsorb a great deal of the protein that I eat, I have to get about 120 grams of protein per day.

Thanks for the comments about my pictures. I still am not really comfortable with myself at this point. In fact, I wouldn't share this with most people (except of course the whole internet...) but I broke down in a dressing room today when a size 10 fit me for the first time. It's surreal since I started at a size 28!

Great TR! DW and I did a split stay the week after Thanksgiving last year and stayed at AKV and then at BWV. We loved BWV!! There is so much to do there at the resort and so many things are a short walk away. I can't wait until we go to F&W and stay there. Keep the pics and reviews coming!

Love the Boardwalk!! It's such a great atmosphere!

We are getting locker number three delivered on the girls trip in October. It's going to be half Jen's and half for our over flow...
Marc has to sit on both of ours to get them closed!

I agree! Vera's are quite fashionable to carry on flights. Who cares how practical they are?

Yep, it's all about fashionable. (See my comment to Kat about the new Veras I have on the way here!) OH, and this is what Lily asked for to carry her school stuff this year:

Honestly, it wasn't that much more expensive than a good backpack is! And Sooo much cuter, so that's what she has!!

 

[shannn]

When we last left off, we were poised at the door to the International Gateway, birthday button on, APs and TIW card tucked safely in my purse. All was right with the world. I was ready to get my World Showcase on!

As we walked over the first hill, what did we see but ... nothing! There was no one in Epcot. I mean, like, tumbleweeds tumbling and Mickey twiddling his thumbs... no one. Now you've got to remember~ the last two times I'd been in World Showcase was 1) October 2009 on a Saturday during F&W Festival (drunks as far as the eye could see!) and 2) December 2009 the week before Christmas (gorgeous decorations and people everywhere); so this was like I'd been set forth in my own private playground. Amazing!

I wanted to do a Kim Possible mission without having to fight my kids for the Kimmunicator or yell to be heard over drunks so we first went and got our Mission to help save the world. Then while we waited for our time, we decided to check out the food booths. First, Ireland for the Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie I'd heard so much about:

This was good, but not outstanding to us. There wasn't as much lobster/scallop as we would have liked to offset the heavy potato taste.

We headed around toward Argentina, but first I ran into this guy:

(Not a particularly flattering picture, but fun just the same )

Sam saw the beer flights and had to stop to try one. It was 3 for 7.25 and he got La Fin Du Monde (Belgium golden ale); Widmer Drifter Pale (American) and Viru Pilsner (Estonia). He got the Viru because I pointed out that it was from Estonia (just seemed strange) and it ended up being his favorite one!

While I was waiting for Sam to get his beers, I saw a distinguished looking gentleman with a lime green Mickey head on his hat. I started talking to him about DISing and found out that he was jerseydisfan on the boards. He agreed to a picture and that I could post it so here's a shot with my new friend:

As we were walking Sam took this cool pineapple picture:

I love how pineapples grow!!

At the Argentina booth, we had to stop for an empanada. I have a very good friend from Argentina and when I first met her she decided to cook some empanadas for me. She kept saying that they were filled with jam. I was imagining some decadent pastry type dessert. When I took the first bite of that flaky little thing, I realized it wasn't jam, but HAM in there. That's how I learned the hard way that things are pronounced differently in Spanish sometimes!

These were Roasted Corn & Cheese Empanadas. We also got the Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce.

The empanadas were just okay to me...a little too heavy on the corn and light on the cheese. Of course, I love cheese so I always want more cheese. The beef skewers were awesome~ yummy sauce and cooked perfectly!

Making our way around the circle, we came upon the Karamell Kuche (Caramel Kitchen) in Germany. It had just opened, and while I couldn't partake of many of the goodies, I ADORE caramel and I wanted to look around.

When we got in, we realized that they were giving out tiny little samples that were just the right size for me.

It was a perfect little bite of caramelly goodness and I was so happy we had stopped in!

In Germany, I went up to the counter to get us some plates and Sam took this picture of me:

this picture is really special to me because ;ater on that night, I was looking through our pictures from that day and I asked him why he took that picture. He looked at me like I had lost my mind, and I asked him again why he took a picture of strangers buying food. He smiled a funny smile and said, "Girlfriend (his name for me...I should tell y'all that story sometime), that's you." I truly didn't recognize myself. This was an AHA moment for me in my weight loss journey...one that still brings on some tears.

Anyway, in Germany we got the Spätzle Gratin with Ham and Cheese, and Nürnberger Sausage in a Pretzel Roll.

The spatzle was basically macaroni and cheese (didn't get much ham taste) and it was pretty yummy.

The sausage was so funny looking that I had to get this shot:

I took a small bite and it was fine, but I think Sam really enjoyed the pretzel roll.

Then it was time to save the world in Germany so we picked up our Kimmunicator:

Saving the world was tiring, so we got our final choices of the day. A good old American Lobster Roll (YUM!)

AND, of course (Kat) no trip would be complete without a stop in France for my precious Grey Goose Slushie! Apparently, I have no picture, but check out any of my other reports if you need to see one! I could only have a sip, but Sam was willing to help me out and finish it off.

Food & Wine Festival was the perfect place for me to eat. Sam & I shared everything and I was able to sample without eating too much. I was so newly out from my surgery that there was a lot that I couldn't even try (alcohol!) so I'd love to go back when I could try more. It was affordable too. For the whole afternoon we spent $28.25 for food and $16.75 for alcohol for a total of $45.

We walked back through the beautiful sunshine eager to checkout our new home!

the Beach Club across the lake~ one day we'll make it back there!

Our studio home for the next 4 days!

Continued in the next post

 

[shannn]

The view out the window to the right:

Straight ahead:

And to the left:

Sam was exhausted and headed off to dreamland, but my adrenaline was still pumping (it was my birthday! In DisneyWorld!) so I took off to explore and shop a bit. The ability to just wander without children following my every move? Priceless!!

Here's a photo montage:

Lights for Leslie:

And, my favorite...the carpet!!

I was looking for a journal to write in because I had forgotten to bring one. I really wanted it to be spiral but this was all I found:

WHY in the world would anyone want that ugly thing?? It looks like somebody's cousin Cletus who went on Springer to find out the results of the paternity test. (For anybody who bought it...um....I'm sorry and bless your heart?)

I ended up with these:

After I finished my shopping/walking, I realized that it had been a long day already and my birthday celebrating had just begun, so I climbed in bed next to Sam and drifted off to dreamland myself!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Just as I was looking at those pictures I realized that we were down for our Halloween trip just after you were there and stayed at the BWV... They had a great party out on the lawn on Halloween with a DJ. You do have a wonderful home!!!

How perfect that you were able to nibble your way around f&w! I happen to know a group of ladies that will be doing the same in October should you want to join in!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Nibbling my way around World Showcase sounds like the perfect way to spend a birthday!!

Mmmmm...lobster roll. I adore lobster. Let me count the ways....ha! Just kidding.

I know how you feel about realizing a picture is YOU. I have one on Facebook right now and when I look at it I can't believe how good I look.

 

[Native NYer]

Sampling food around the WS sounds perfect!
I agree with you. That notebook is not my thing. The journal you bought is cute.

 

[DisneyGuy758]

I have a love/hate relationship with trip reports.

I love reading them and enjoying peoples experiences in the World that are so different from my own.

I hate reading them because I realize I am not in the World and it makes me immensely jealous.

But, I keep reading them because my love overrides the hate in the long run.

When that first picture popped up of the fishermans pie I was a bit put off. It didn't look too appealing...but then my mind started thinking about just what COULD have been in it....and...well now I'm hungry. I hope you're happy.

I would LOVE to be at the WS for F&W fest. I love to eat, and I love to...enjoy an adult beverage, responsibly.

Looking forward to the next installment.

 

[jenjolt]

I'm going to join in with Kat on the enabling...I have a weekender and I have flown with it and I SAY BUY IT LOL!!! Oh it is a fantastic bag!!!

 

[TarzansKat]

Okay, I'm naming my new weekender and hipster in blue rhapsody after you... (Thank goodness for ebay, huh?)

 

[TarzansKat]

I am in love with your trip. Is that okay? For me, a (somewhat) stranger, to be in love with your trip? Food and Wine. Grey Goose Slushie. Your aha moment.

I'm loving this. Thank you for writing it.

 

[ddstratton]

I am loving your report! I especially love your AHA moment. I've been losing weight as well, and have lost just over 60 pounds. But I've done it slowly, so I don't see the difference. I can wear smaller clothes but don't SEE the difference.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

What great pictures, and a great story!!!
I love your AHA moment as well!
What a great way to spend your birthday! I will get to F&W someday and nibble my way around. I'll probably be dragging kids with me though. It will be a while before we get to go to WDW without them.

 

[tlenzendorf]

I just started reading your TR. First I want to say I'm sorry about your mom. I hear alot about you and your family over on Dawn's threads. Second, congrats on all the weight loss! You look amazing.

 

[tlenzendorf]

I haven't even made it that far back in your story and I'm sitting on my couch just absolutely bawling now. My very best friend's mom is in hospice right now with only a few days left of metastatic breast cancer. I know what she is going thru right now and it must have been so hard for you. I'm glad you got the extra wonderful time you did while she lived with you.

 

[kate_wdw]

Shann, I'm so glad to see you back on the DIS! I love reading your trip reports and I'm really looking forward to following your amazing transformation (and your trips, of course).

 

[kate_wdw]

WHY in the world would anyone want that ugly thing?? It looks like somebody's cousin Cletus who went on Springer to find out the results of the paternity test. (For anybody who bought it...um....I'm sorry and bless your heart?)

 

[shannn]

Just as I was looking at those pictures I realized that we were down for our Halloween trip just after you were there and stayed at the BWV... They had a great party out on the lawn on Halloween with a DJ. You do have a wonderful home!!!

How perfect that you were able to nibble your way around f&w! I happen to know a group of ladies that will be doing the same in October should you want to join in!

I'm so tempted to join in to your October trip. I've spent my last 2 birthdays in the world and I'm going to miss it dreadfully this year. Unfortunately, it's looking like I'm going to have to take at least a week off sometime soon for another surgery which might curtail any other plans for missing school!

Nibbling my way around World Showcase sounds like the perfect way to spend a birthday!!

Mmmmm...lobster roll. I adore lobster. Let me count the ways....ha! Just kidding.

I know how you feel about realizing a picture is YOU. I have one on Facebook right now and when I look at it I can't believe how good I look.

LOVE lobster roll. Sooooo yummy!! I made an appointment for us to have new family pictures taken next week. Honestly, pictures are so funny~~ I just can't believe it's me when I see them. For some reason, they show the truth even better than just looking in the mirror does.

Sampling food around the WS sounds perfect!
I agree with you. That notebook is not my thing. The journal you bought is cute.

Thanks. I'm definitely a classic character kind of chick!

I have a love/hate relationship with trip reports.

I love reading them and enjoying peoples experiences in the World that are so different from my own.

I hate reading them because I realize I am not in the World and it makes me immensely jealous.

But, I keep reading them because my love overrides the hate in the long run.

When that first picture popped up of the fishermans pie I was a bit put off. It didn't look too appealing...but then my mind started thinking about just what COULD have been in it....and...well now I'm hungry. I hope you're happy.

I would LOVE to be at the WS for F&W fest. I love to eat, and I love to...enjoy an adult beverage, responsibly.

Looking forward to the next installment.

The Fisherman's pie picture isn't so great because I forgot to take it before we started eating. It looked more like a Shepard's pie originally. If you want to be hungry, more food porn coming right up!

I know what you mean about trip reports. We're going on a cruise next summer and not planning on hitting the parks. Reading about people's trips has made me second guess that decision!!

I'm going to join in with Kat on the enabling...I have a weekender and I have flown with it and I SAY BUY IT LOL!!! Oh it is a fantastic bag!!!

I bought the weekender and I think I'm quietly in love with it. I'm going on a short trip this weekend so I'll know for sure then. Hopefully Sam will appreciate that I got it resale instead of buying it new??

I am in love with your trip. Is that okay? For me, a (somewhat) stranger, to be in love with your trip? Food and Wine. Grey Goose Slushie. Your aha moment.

I'm loving this. Thank you for writing it.

It was a trip to be in love with, honestly. I'm glad to share the love with you though. (It's only fair that I can have the 21 Jumpstreet Johnny Depp love whilst you claim the Captain Jack kind though.) It was just exactly the kind of trip to take for our first adult WDW experience. Just wait~~ birthday dinner and DIS meet coming up!