A Croc For All Seasons - It's done! Epilogue, p. 52

[LurrrvtheDuck]

ooops...wrong thread

sorry!

 

[boysmom5150]

So was the highlight of your trip meeting those 2 Jersey girls?

Yeah V, was it????
Im alittle afraid of that answer!!

 

[HKinDC]

V, you and your mom have the same smile - it's just the biggest, happiest thing!

Good call on the meal in Morocco! I love to eat at Restaurant Marrakesh and the food is always so good...I feel like Morocco sort of gets the dis on the Dis...I don't see many reviews of the place or the restaurants.

Love the TR, Leo with the bubbles was adorable.

 

[Disneygrl36]

I'm finally all caught up again V & it's almost over....
Really glad to hear you are considering a report for August........a WDW wish come true....now you know you have to write about that.

 

[praisehisname]

The food…. was delicious once again! Gone were the yummy stuffing and bread pudding to-die-for , but the new menu delights nonetheless.

Rolls and honey-orange blossom butter:
Flank steak:
Turkey with cranberry relish:
Fried catfish:
Scalloped potatoes:
Vegetables:
Berry pastry puff:

I wasn't able to fit Garden Grill into our September trip, but I definitely want to try it someday. Your December trippie got me interested, and this just sealed the deal!

Unluckily for V, the rain poured right through the mesh seat. Into the bag with my friend’s Tink clock. The clock was fine, but the packaging was a little rough.

Phew! I was worried that the clock was going to be stolen or ruined by the rain!

Dining Review 11 – Tangerine Café

Mmmmm, sounds yummy! I'll have to try that for one of our CS meals.

So adorable! The look on his face is priceless!

Those crepes look yummy!

For now, I'll just say that I'll be making a long-awaited WDW Wish come true.

You DO realize, don't you, that there will be a HUGE uprising if you don't write a report and explain this????

Denise

 

[boysmom5150]

For now, I'll just say that I'll be making a long-awaited WDW Wish come true.

Ummm what does this mean???!!??!!!
Whose dream, you,Leo, Gramma????help a girl out here
This will drive me crazy.I'm already on the edge of my seat, please dont make me fall off

 

[PrincessV]

We had a great crepe on the Champs Elyesse (sp?) it was enormous with sugar and lemon, yummy

We discovered a creperie right next door to our hotel - DANGEROUS, I tell you!

This last day was when I saw you there! You must have been heading for your crepes. We missed all the rain because it was the day we got there...it started to POUR while we were on the bus from POR, and cleared up just as we walked into Epcot!!

Excellent weather timing! Sorry that we missed running into you, though.

I think they should put some sort of play area in permanetly. My kids enjoyed this area so much and with a spot for them to "let loose" they toured EP so much better.(OK so is there a spot like this already that I dont know of??)

I agree. I'm kind of wondering if it wasn't left there after the F&G Fest - it certainly looked like it could be a permanent fixture, and there wasn't anything but grass there anyway. I'll let you know after Aug

I get sad when I leave the world, but it usually doesn't last too long, because when we get home I am ususally starting to plan the next years trip

Good point! That's pretty much my routine, too.

Might have to check this out too because I haven't really explored France either.

Okay, I'm hoping that's what you're doing RIGHT NOW!!!

Beautifully done, V.

Awww, thank you!

So how are the Capri Crocs? I love mine. I wore them to Vegas for a long weekend and they are great. I do find that they end up getting a callous or an almost blister on the bottom of my pinkie toes! A precautionary band aid helps me and I have no problems!

I wore mine all weekend and I'm still in LOVE! Another bit of cautionary advice: don't do any heel sloughing before wearing them - the nubs on the Capris seem to do quite a bit all on their own!

i love the movie in france too, the imagery and soundtrack are just lovely. and though it's already been said many times, i must tell you that the first picture of leo with the bubbles is absolutely adorable!

Thanks! Isn't that movie just amazing, despite its age?

OK so I should really go see the movie in France right!

YES!!!!!

I'm not going to sulk yet that your TR is just about over. I mean you said you were coming back with more and I'll be anxiously awaiting that. Your TR is one of my favorites and I'm not going to tell which ones are my not favorites (the ones I don't read and post on). I guess I just told you!

Oh DM, thanks so much!

Hmm Love Boat, anyone ever play Chug Boat. Oh yeah fun times while watching Love Boat. Each player pics a regular character and everytime they are on screen you take a drink, if your character kisses someone, you chug what's left in your glass

OMG, I love this idea!!!

I see your travels to France didn't end up with a visit to the Bastille, good for you.

Nope, but my mom (Gramma) did wind up in a co-ed restroom without knowing it. You should have seen the look on her face as she was washing her hands and a guy came out of a stall, zipping his fly!

I'm highjacking here....My DD11 is finally back from the beach. Yea!!!

YAAY!!!

Just in case ya'll were dying to know....the country folk in these parts say, "rootabager" or "rooterbager" But still YUK! When I forced to eat them as a youngin, I would drown them with vinegar.

And this made them better???

V---those bubble pics are just too cute! If only those smiles stuck around while they are not in WDW!

True that!

Coul not have expressed the feeling better!!!

Thank you princess!

I love your pictures...again! Were you using your wide angle zoom in EPCOT?

I dragged that ridiculously heavy lens all over this trip. Was it worth it? Not really; I jsut never had enough time to really make use of it. I'm thinking of just bringing the - GASP - point-n-shoot in Aug.

Ummm....so will Jo and I get to read the epilogue before we leave.

Since you're gone now.... not so much. I'm sorry!

 

[PrincessV]

Here there, V!

Hi Melinda!

I felt so sorry for D with the little yakkin' man! Is he OK? Just an upset tummy? Hopefully not a flu bug that he passed along to mama! I always feel so sorry for the yakkin' babies because you really never know when they're gonna blow and neither do they.

Yep, all was well by the next day, amazingly, though he continued to run a fever for a few days. I think the yakking and fever may have been separate maladies, with the tummy stuff due to a more varied diet than normal. He did eat a LOT of steak!

But....tell me where is the place that you took the cute outdoor pictures of Leo...with the bubbles? I don't know this place!?

It was between Morocco and France... or between Morocco and Japan? Somewhere in there. Put up for the Flower & Garden Fest, but I'm hoping it might be a permanent installation

BTW....Did I tell you there's this little boy at our church? I looked at him a few weeks back and thought...he looks so familiar. YES! That's it! He looks like V's boy! And guess what his name is....LEO! No ship!

GET OUT!!! That's so funny!

How does the Dole Whip compare to the Citrus Swirl?

Hmmm... I'd say the consistency is similar, but the Dole Whip blows the Citrus Swirl out of the water!

So you mentioned picking up FP for Soarin but did you finally get on the darn ride??? Its my fav!!!

I can't beleive I left that out! Thanks for the reminder - I'll add it inot the Epilogue

What do you do with your pics when you get home?

I use flickr.com, which is a division of Yahoo. If ou have any interst, you can find my page here. I can't say enough about it - easy to upload, fast, lots of interesting groups... But most, importantly, I buy a Pro account and for $25 a year I can archive my photos with them at full size. Living in Hurricane Central, I feel so much better knowing my stuff's archived somewhere else. In addition to my 2 back-up CD's.

So was the highlight of your trip meeting those 2 Jersey girls?

Yeah V, was it????
Im alittle afraid of that answer!!

It was definitely up there!

V, you and your mom have the same smile - it's just the biggest, happiest thing!

Thanks!

Really glad to hear you are considering a report for August........a WDW wish come true....now you know you have to write about that.

But no pressure, right?!

You DO realize, don't you, that there will be a HUGE uprising if you don't write a report and explain this????

Okay, you guys are worrying me...

Ummm what does this mean???!!??!!!
Whose dream, you,Leo, Gramma????help a girl out here
This will drive me crazy.I'm already on the edge of my seat, please dont make me fall off

Heh, heh...

 

[sorul82?]

And this made them better???

Just a little.

 

[Miz Diz]

Great TR! Are you ready for your next trip? Only a few more days.........

 

[Lauralee131]

Yes, we're all - Gramma, Leo and V - going back in two weeks, but just for a 3 day weekend. Long story to that one - check out Lauralee131's pre-trippie for the lead up. My story follows hers pretty accurately. Minus the husband and plus a Gramma. WIll I have a TR from it? Well, a few weeks ago the answer would have been a definite "No." But we've added on to that trip in a weird way and a decent TR may come of it. We'll see. For now, I'll just say that I'll be making a long-awaited WDW Wish come true.

Don't worry, an Epilogue is still to come. Soon. ish.

Hi honey! I've started 3 or 4 different replies and get interrupted in one way or another so I'm going to keep this short and sweet...loved the last couple of installments...thanks for the tip on Tangerine...I've been a little leary to try it, but will definitely hit it next time!

And again you've reminded me of LWTL...ya know, it's been YEARS since I've ridden it - Michael will be excited to try something new!

And loved the pics of Leo with the bubbles...what a cutie!!

Not long now till we're sipping drinks!!! Can't wait to see you again my friend!!

 

[PrincessV]

More than three months have passed since this trip and we’ve all had lots going on.

A week after our trip, Baby B celebrated his first birthday, surrounded by family and friends. It was a lovely day – perfect temperatures, not a drop of rain. But. It was bittersweet and, yes, some tears were shed as we all sang Happy Birthday. My tears were, of course, for D and B and the one person who should have been there but wasn’t. But I also cried for my own loss. See, four years earlier, it was Leo celebrating his first birthday. And I cried then for the loss we’d both suffered when his dad left. D was there that day for us and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of déja-vu as history appeared to repeat itself.

It hasn’t repeated, of course – D’s and my losses are incredibly different. She lost a man she loved and who she knew loved her. I, well…. didn’t. But we’re both facing life as single moms, for the time being, and I, for one, am so grateful to have her friendship by my side as we navigate the mysteries and revelations of raising boys.

We talked about this, D and I, a few weeks after the trip. On our way to Epcot.


Oh yes, we needed a re-do and weren’t about to take any chances by bringing the kiddos. We set out with no plans, no ADR’s and a boatload of nerves. Maybe that was just me. With the nerves. Prior to the May trip, we’d last visited EP together with a group of grown-ups for the Food & Wine Festival last November. D’s husband had been with us. So, heading into the big trip, I’d been concerned about visiting EP. Would the memories be too much? Baby B and his yakking took care of that nicely. No time to reminisce about what once was when you’re helping a sick baby, right?!

But it was just D and I on our re-do and I wasn’t sure what would happen.


What happened was this:
We enjoyed a bunch of rides.
We got into Rose & Crown with no ADR and had a lovely lunch, accompanied by a beer. Or three.
We bought candy in Germany and margaritas in MX.
And we laughed. A lot.

It was a good day. No, it was a great day! EP was not to be cursed by memories and I was so very glad of it.


E enjoyed the rest of her vacation at D’s house before returning north. She purports to have had a wonderful time and hopes to do WDW with us again someday. Next time, she gets a schedule ahead of time.


Gramma still says she hates WDW. But I saw the look on her face as she tackled Sorain’ for the first time. She was HAPPY, I tell you! We’d made it back to use those FP’s just before leaving that last day and Leo mustered the courage to not only ride again, but to hold Gramma’s hand and tell her “it’s not scary”, too. I still say Gramma had potential.


Leo spent the summer in day care before starting Kindergarten last week. He loves it! He’s still at the same school, with his friends and teachers he’s come to know and love. He talked about Disney a lot for a few weeks after our trip, especially about Typhoon Lagoon. He played “water park” in the bathtub for weeks, until he clocked his head on the faucet whilst sliding down “Crush-n-Gusher” and I called a halt to any more bathtub waterslide activity.


As you may have noticed, my hairdo had deteriorated to something resembling a pony tail by the last day of our trip. The heat and humidity has only become more oppressive since then and when I saw my stylist a few weeks ago, I told her “No more blow-drying, no more flat iron. We’ve GOT to work with what I have. At least through September.” So, I’m back to curly and it’s grown out enough to get it off my face and neck. Oh well – it was a fun experiment!

As for the Crocs, I believe the old, Lime Green Beach clogs are history, as are the Niles. Both are good for running the garbage out to the dumpster, or walking to the pool, but that’s about it. The Mary Janes were the clear winners in the Croc-a-thon.
But.
They have some competition. In the form of my new Capris. They’ve been a dream, tooling around town, but can they hold up to the rigors of WDW touring, V-style? Only time will tell…


The past few months, for me, have been tough. Really, really tough.

This summer’s been the most challenging yet in my quest to finish my Art History degree – virtually non-stop research and writing. Florida’s massive budget cuts spelled layoffs for my municipal employer, and I spent a couple months wondering if I’d still have a job. At the same time, insurance hikes meant an extra $300 a month to cover the deficit in my condo’s building insurance fund. Of course, all of this transpired within weeks after I took the plunge and bought into DVC. V’s Fuzzy Disney Law strikes again.

Do I regret it?


Not one stinking bit!!

Disney, once again is coming to my rescue. After a long, difficult summer, I’m going Home. I’ve got a date with The Mouse to look forward to. Not to mention a date with three lovely friends I’ve met in my past year with the DIS and one I get to see for the second time (Hi LL! ).

Oh yeah – I completely missed my one-year anniversary with the DIS! And what better way to celebrate than with a WDW trip taken with the express purpose of meeting fellow DISers? In just 11 non-Fuzzy days, Gramma and Leo will join me on our first DVC stay at Saratoga Springs and meet up with some of the dear people I’ve met on the DIS: Lauralee131, Disneyland_Mama, sorul82? and DisneyJo.


And here it comes full-circle: I met these fine folks right here, on the Trip Report boards. Whether it was through my trip, their trips, or someone else’s trip I can’t remember. But meet we did and found so many connections. No joke – some of you know more about my life than friends I’ve known for 20 years! Who’d have thought an online community of Mouse addicts could produce legitimate friendships? I sure didn’t. And I’m so glad to have been proven wrong.


So THANK YOU everyone.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for chiming in with your anecdotes, questions, and comments.

Thank you for worrying when I’m not around for a few days. Thank you for asking if I’m okay when storms have threatened FL.

Thank you for bringing the funny into my days. And for allowing me to think I’m funny, too.



Thank you. For making me want to write more.

 

[PrincessV]

Great TR! Are you ready for your next trip? Only a few more days.........

Thanks Miz! Ready? In what capacity? Mentally - YES! With things packed and organized? Not even close!

Hi honey! I've started 3 or 4 different replies and get interrupted in one way or another so I'm going to keep this short and sweet...loved the last couple of installments...thanks for the tip on Tangerine...I've been a little leary to try it, but will definitely hit it next time!

And again you've reminded me of LWTL...ya know, it's been YEARS since I've ridden it - Michael will be excited to try something new!

And loved the pics of Leo with the bubbles...what a cutie!!

Not long now till we're sipping drinks!!! Can't wait to see you again my friend!!

THERE you are! Thanks so much for coming along for the ride once again. I am SO ready for you all to get down here already! And I can't wait to get the kids together - they're gonna have so much fun Here's a little sumpin' to whet your appetite:

 

[mlill]

What a wonderful end to your best TR yet. I hope you all have a wonderful time when you go back to WDW. I can't believe it's almost here! I'm really looking forward to reading about your new adventure when you get home.

Take care,
Michelle

 

[Lauralee131]

More than three months have passed since this trip and we’ve all had lots going on.

A week after our trip, Baby B celebrated his first birthday, surrounded by family and friends. It was a lovely day – perfect temperatures, not a drop of rain. But. It was bittersweet and, yes, some tears were shed as we all sang Happy Birthday. My tears were, of course, for D and B and the one person who should have been there but wasn’t. But I also cried for my own loss. See, four years earlier, it was Leo celebrating his first birthday. And I cried then for the loss we’d both suffered when his dad left. D was there that day for us and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of déja-vu as history appeared to repeat itself.

It hasn’t repeated, of course – D’s and my losses are incredibly different. She lost a man she loved and who she knew loved her. I, well…. didn’t. But we’re both facing life as single moms, for the time being, and I, for one, am so grateful to have her friendship by my side as we navigate the mysteries and revelations of raising boys.

We talked about this, D and I, a few weeks after the trip. On our way to Epcot.


Oh yes, we needed a re-do and weren’t about to take any chances by bringing the kiddos. We set out with no plans, no ADR’s and a boatload of nerves. Maybe that was just me. With the nerves. Prior to the May trip, we’d last visited EP together with a group of grown-ups for the Food & Wine Festival last November. D’s husband had been with us. So, heading into the big trip, I’d been concerned about visiting EP. Would the memories be too much? Baby B and his yakking took care of that nicely. No time to reminisce about what once was when you’re helping a sick baby, right?!

But it was just D and I on our re-do and I wasn’t sure what would happen.


What happened was this:
We enjoyed a bunch of rides.
We got into Rose & Crown with no ADR and had a lovely lunch, accompanied by a beer. Or three.
We bought candy in Germany and margaritas in MX.
And we laughed. A lot.

It was a good day. No, it was a great day! EP was not to be cursed by memories and I was so very glad of it.


E enjoyed the rest of her vacation at D’s house before returning north. She purports to have had a wonderful time and hopes to do WDW with us again someday. Next time, she gets a schedule ahead of time.


Gramma still says she hates WDW. But I saw the look on her face as she tackled Sorain’ for the first time. She was HAPPY, I tell you! We’d made it back to use those FP’s just before leaving that last day and Leo mustered the courage to not only ride again, but to hold Gramma’s hand and tell her “it’s not scary”, too. I still say Gramma had potential.


Leo spent the summer in day care before starting Kindergarten last week. He loves it! He’s still at the same school, with his friends and teachers he’s come to know and love. He talked about Disney a lot for a few weeks after our trip, especially about Typhoon Lagoon. He played “water park” in the bathtub for weeks, until he clocked his head on the faucet whilst sliding down “Crush-n-Gusher” and I called a halt to any more bathtub waterslide activity.


As you may have noticed, my hairdo had deteriorated to something resembling a pony tail by the last day of our trip. The heat and humidity has only become more oppressive since then and when I saw my stylist a few weeks ago, I told her “No more blow-drying, no more flat iron. We’ve GOT to work with what I have. At least through September.” So, I’m back to curly and it’s grown out enough to get it off my face and neck. Oh well – it was a fun experiment!

As for the Crocs, I believe the old, Lime Green Beach clogs are history, as are the Niles. Both are good for running the garbage out to the dumpster, or walking to the pool, but that’s about it. The Mary Janes were the clear winners in the Croc-a-thon.
But.
They have some competition. In the form of my new Capris. They’ve been a dream, tooling around town, but can they hold up to the rigors of WDW touring, V-style? Only time will tell…


The past few months, for me, have been tough. Really, really tough.

This summer’s been the most challenging yet in my quest to finish my Art History degree – virtually non-stop research and writing. Florida’s massive budget cuts spelled layoffs for my municipal employer, and I spent a couple months wondering if I’d still have a job. At the same time, insurance hikes meant an extra $300 a month to cover the deficit in my condo’s building insurance fund. Of course, all of this transpired within weeks after I took the plunge and bought into DVC. V’s Fuzzy Disney Law strikes again.

Do I regret it?


Not one stinking bit!!

Disney, once again is coming to my rescue. After a long, difficult summer, I’m going Home. I’ve got a date with The Mouse to look forward to. Not to mention a date with three lovely friends I’ve met in my past year with the DIS and one I get to see for the second time (Hi LL! ).

Oh yeah – I completely missed my one-year anniversary with the DIS! And what better way to celebrate than with a WDW trip taken with the express purpose of meeting fellow DISers? In just 11 non-Fuzzy days, Gramma and Leo will join me on our first DVC stay at Saratoga Springs and meet up with some of the dear people I’ve met on the DIS: Lauralee131, Disneyland_Mama, sorul82? and DisneyJo.


And here it comes full-circle: I met these fine folks right here, on the Trip Report boards. Whether it was through my trip, their trips, or someone else’s trip I can’t remember. But meet we did and found so many connections. No joke – some of you know more about my life than friends I’ve known for 20 years! Who’d have thought an online community of Mouse addicts could produce legitimate friendships? I sure didn’t. And I’m so glad to have been proven wrong.


So THANK YOU everyone.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for chiming in with your anecdotes, questions, and comments.

Thank you for worrying when I’m not around for a few days. Thank you for asking if I’m okay when storms have threatened FL.

Thank you for bringing the funny into my days. And for allowing me to think I’m funny, too.



Thank you. For making me want to write more.

Sniff, sniff....I'm.... speechless!! What an awesome ending...And am I first???

Back atcha my friend...LOVE YOU, MEAN IT!!

Thank YOU for sharing your journeys with us!!!! I couldn't have said any of that better myself!!

 

[MeLaNie9]

PrincessV - What a lovely epilogue. Really, I think of no other way to describe it. You and D are lucky to have each other through your tough times and to enjoy the good times too! I am so glad you went back to Epcot and had fun!
I think its wonderful that you are going back and to meet up with friends that you met on the DIS. Really, you can meet kindred spirits anywhere - this just proves it, huh?
And...you've inspired me to do a trip report (you and some of those buddies you're meeting up with) - because I am SURE we will have it all - good, bad, and ugly - on our upcoming trip! I just hope it will be a fraction as interesting as this one
Good luck working on your degree and enjoy your trip!!!!

 

[boysmom5150]

Oh V,
That was one of the nicest endings I have ever read(in books and TR's). You are an amazing writer and I want to THANK YOU for sharing your family and life with us. I have truely enjoyed every little bit.I am sad that this is over but look forward to the next TR. Cant wait to hear about your 1st trip home.
May the rest of the year and upcoming years bring you joy and happiness .
Glad you and D got to redo EP.
We dont start school here till sep 6th and DS5 starts a new school and will know no-one. He is looking forward to it though. Its great that Leo is enjoying school.
Thanks again for sharing
Theresa

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

OMG! I'm all verklempt! I can't even get the words I need to say right. They're all jumbled in my head.

I've loved going along on the journey with your family and friends. I think this one was my favorite, with all it's ups and downs and laughter and tears. It was real and gave us all such an honest picture of who you truely are... a wonderful friend, mother, daughter. I can't wait until next week!

I'm so glad to hear you and D got back to Epcot all on your own! That's fantastic! I'm sure you both needed it!

Here's to 12 more days!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Great ending V........but you made me all misty.
Thanks for going to the trouble to let all of us come along on your Disney adventures.
I hope you girls have a wonderful Lapu-Lapu PAR-TAY!!!!! I am sure it will be a night to remember.

See you on your next trippie as I am now a devoted Princess V fan.

 

[packerbeth]

...