A Dream is a Wish my Visa Makes.... stories & pictures from shopping & laughing

[JMat]

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping over to read about my life & adventures My plan is to drag this out for awhile to keep the magic going from my recent trip to WDW - and being a photographer - I can promise a picture heavy TR (along with some stuff from our life too...) This is my first ever TR, so im still figuring out how to best handle the chapter link posts, etc. So bear with me! It will be worth it. The cast of characters is below, and the PTR link is in my signature.

Myself: Jessica. Im a wedding photographer in southern MA, and connoisseur of all things Disney
My Husband: Kristopher, some kind of IT specialist and consultant. He works for a major environmental company - and has recently succumb to my passion for the house of the mouse.

Just a fun pic of us for reference:

And my new favorite. Laughing at his wife on the water taxi, taken by me on our trip earlier last month.

My brother Eric: I usually call him Ero. He's the best & one of my most favorite people on the planet - he helped me create the DXC (Disney XTreme Challange) on one of our trips with our parents as kids. How many rides can you possibly do in a day? Take the DXC and find out. Like the amazing race for those obsessed with WDWorld. a few pics from previous trips:

Putcha' Game Face On! DXC TIME!

Glowtini. Booze with lights inside. I mean, really - is there anything better?

Mom & Dad of course: Also known as Ellen and Jim, and the ones who started it all. Polynesian for our first trip in 1999, and Ive been a Disney snob ever since. Dont blame me, they set the standard They are the best people I know.

And the newest addition to the adventures, my cousin Allie: (Alsagirl) Shes almost 13, newly infatuated with princess-dom, and my current mini-me.

So, there you have it. Lots more info and fun stuff in my PTR as well! Im so so so glad youre here & reading Please share your thoughts & ideas with me, as I love having the ability to share this with others.

Big Update on trip AND life -- coming right up!

 

[JMat]

Introductions: Hey, Thats Us
Chapter 1: Time To Fly!
Chapter 2: Its a Disney Day
Chapter 3: Little Life Update & Disney Office Detais
Chapter 4: Dreaming of a Disney Princess Pink Christmas
Random Question: Anyone using a Cricut?
Chapter 5: Return to Main Street
Chapter 6: The Fastest Way To Boma...
Chapter 7: Back In Action
Chapter 8: Disney Puppy
Chapter 9: Craft Projects & Snowmageddon
Chapter 10: There are HOW many beers at this Festival?
Chapter 11: Italian Update
Chapter 12: Snapshots from Magic Kingdom
Chapter 13: Best Birthday Card Ever
Chapter 14: Favorite Pics from Italy
Chapter 15: DVC: Step One... we have to start somewhere, might as well be with crafts
Chapter 16: Italy Pics, Cont. (Delaying the end of my TR because I dont want it to end without future plans!)
Details, passing the time during a mega Photobucket upload
Chapter 17: Where Was I...? Back to the TR!
Chapter 18: I went on a shoe bender in Italy
Chapter 19: My own pair of glass slippers

 

[natebenma]

OK, love the title! I'm in! Dee

 

[JMat]

The day prior to our departure was jam packed with stuff to get done. I woke up early and grabbed Ero to head over to Target for some last minute things before we left... because the best time for men to get necessities is at the eleventh hour you know. Like a science they leave the most important things to wait for the last "ohmygoditstimetogo, thecarisrunninginthedriveway" moment. /sigh. I left the house with my husband packing, to get into a car with my brother scratching his head trying to make list on his cell phone of "junk I need" while I drove.

After that, I left Eric to pull tags off of a few clean TShirts and socks & head back home (we live 5 mins away from eachother) to see if Kris was ready to go. Sure enough, he was all (over)packed and ready to go. We stacked the suitcases in the living room and had just enough time to put the Magical Express tags on before Allie & her mom were pulling into my driveway. From there, the rest of the night was a whirlwind: I ended up painting Allie's nails and gluing rhinestones in the shape of Mickey Heads on her ring finger. It wasnt bad for a first attempt if I do say so myself!

Then we brought her over to my parents place- where we all gulped down some Pizza and griped about trying to sleep for a 4am wakeup call. Sure enough, no amount of Sportscenter or reading could get me to sleep.... Bah. Finally, around midnight-ish- I was out dreaming Main Street dreams until 4am. At which time, I was awake & clinging to promises of Disney and Coffee if I'd just stumble into the car. One hour, 3 Dad-Phonecalls & a heated front seat nap later - we were at Greene Airport in Providence. There are Starbucks at Greene airport. Can I get an AMEN?! Baggage claim was a breeze, we beat my parents & Allie there, so I grabbed a few photos.

See the Magical Express Tag on my pink suitcase?! After this past experience, im calling it Miracle Express. This is the best service ever. BYYYEEEE Suitcase!

This hilarious image is my brother on the right, and Kris on the left. Yes, wearing matching flannel. YES to fly into 85 degrees. Why? Because they were going to the Wilderness Lodge.... and wanted to look the part. I cant make this stuff up.

Using the Magic & Power of the internet, im going to jump ahead in time to landing at MCO. You're not really missing anything, just me watching TV on my ipad (real housewives & Glee if you must know... ) and had this for scenery for 3hrs:

if you read my trip report, you'll recognize this sleepy posture from trips prior:

That cannot be comfortable.

Okay - so Miracle Magical Express Time. No bags to claim and a luxe bus waiting to play me a movie and take me home? Rough life I've got here.

Headed off into the Wilderness! Maybe I should have worn that flannel...

 

[JMat]

So, once inside the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge - I'll confess I did not stop to take pictures. (Fret not, I did later!) I grabbed Allie and ran her straight to the center of the lobby, while Kris stood in line for Check-In. Just then, the first bit of crazy Pixie Dust happened....

Kris and I were assigned the EXACT same room that my family and I were in on our second trip to WDW. We know this because my parents are as enthusiastically obsessed with Disney as I am, and have copious notes to prove it. Room 4151 was our room then, and was assigned again to us now - over 10 years later. I can now say, I have a 'usual' room at the Lodge. Cant I?!? Mom & Dad's adjoining room with bunkbed for Allie wasnt clean yet, so we headed up to check out the room and at least drop the bags... I took a few photos on this journey to the room at least!

Apparently I was stuck on the lighting at this point - who knows.

After that, rather than cramp all of us in one hotel room, we made tracks (heh heh) for the Roarin' Fork! In no time, we were experiencing the Dining Plan for the first time (LOVE by the way) and I was taking this photo as fast as I could before tearing into this little beauty:

Eric and Kris ended up with Giant blocks of chocolate cake, which I bet Ero a dollar he couldnt finish.... which of course he did.

"Text Message Received: Your Room Is Ready!" Sweeeeet Drop that stuff, get your shorts and lets go to Hollywood Studios! Allie & Mom had their pins on before the bags hit the ground - and we were off to Hollywood Studios. (Is there anyone out there who still says "MG...ImeanHOLLYwood Studios...."?) Great Movie ride was a nice trip through some Air Conditioning and we were seated at the 50s PrimeTime Cafe. Our waiter was absolutely hysterical and immediately zeroed in on Kris. Twice the entire section had to yell "Naughty, Naughty, Naughty Cousin Kris" and "Cousin Kris.... Shame, Shame, Shame." Once for something I cant remember, another for trying to tattle tale on me for not finishing my green beans. Mom has a photo of him standing in the corner holding a napkin up with his nose.... it was AMAZING and totally worth it, and I will forever say "Kris.... Naughty! Shame, Shame." Cant wait for THAT flip out to come when he finally has enough Ill post that pic for you later tonight.

For the record: I had fried chicken for dinner. Kris had steak and humility.

After dinner the family headed back to the resort, and Kris and I waited in line for Toy Story Midway Mania. It was listed as a 90 minute wait, but in only 42 minutes we were seated on the ride. Yes, we really did get that intense on timing it to the minute. Excellent ride, and the air cannons coupled with 3D made me lose it laughing... which caused me to really blow it and miss out on a ton of points... so I abandoned reason and stopped trying to win, and tried to sabotage Kris from getting any MORE points. It was a 5 Star, must do again.

We're off to sleep - tomorrow is a Magic Kingdom day & promises more fun & hilarious antics.... stay tuned - Ive got a life update coming at'cha too before we get there!

<3 Thanks for reading

 

[Tickanee]

Hey, Jessica! Great start. I have yet to make it over to the Wilderness Lodge to take a look. It looks so beautiful.

I just read your PTR and wanted to say "HI" since we do live in the same town, LOL!

Can't wait for more!

 

[Racemom17]

Yay you started the report.

I wish I had a princess to take to Disney...One Grumpy old man and three boys allow for no princess time :-(

 

[disneybarbie]

I'm here! looks like you're off to a good start.. I love of all your photos too!


Emma x

 

[JMat]

Just a quick life-update for fun, since Im on a real update-rampage this afternoon!

First: I got a call from my mom this morning - they opened the new Times Square Disney Store today, and there was a feature on Good Morning America. It was a great highlight, and looks like I'll have to make sure I stop in sometime soon. I think Emma (DisneyBarbie) is heading to NYC soon - so if you're reading this girl - you should check it out!!

Click here for the link to the video highlight Disney NYC

Other than that Ive been winding down on photography. Wedding season is coming to a close, and I shot a few more weddings & engagement shoots before it got really brutal cold up here. Just in time to come home to I guess Bah Humbug.

But, in between shooting and mourning the return from a Disney trip- I painted my home office! It used to be this really nasty burnt red color. We bought the house over a year ago, and the family that lived here had a ton of Baseball stuff and computer junk in here - and it was really dark and kind of oppressive. So finally, after a long time waiting - Mom and I painted it so I could brighten it up and claim it as my office. We painted it Eeyore's Raincloud from the Disney Behr paint collection and I love it. Its bright and Ive been working on fun girly details to go inside it. I figure while Im Disney planning or Photo Editing, Ill be in a nice feminine zen place Check out a few of my favorite details from the room so far:

Fun, right?! Wait until you see the final before and after's.... pretty big change!

Lastly: Kris quit his job! This is great news, because his job and boss were really killing him and he wasnt being treated (or compensated) fairly... but, before we left on our trip - he heard from a great company here in MA and they offered him a really fantastic position at their company in their IT department. This is a great chance for us, and exciting times ahead! His last week at his old job is this week - then he's off to Indiana to visit family for a week... in which ill be so bored and lonely ill be living on the boards And then he starts up after that!

Big Stuff! Back to the Dis after this.... hope you're having a great week!

 

[JMat]

OK, love the title! I'm in! Dee

HAHA!! Thank you so much, Ive been rolling ideas around for days, and wanted one that would get a laugh and some attention!! Glad to have you

Hey, Jessica! Great start. I have yet to make it over to the Wilderness Lodge to take a look. It looks so beautiful.

I just read your PTR and wanted to say "HI" since we do live in the same town, LOL!

Can't wait for more!

Thanks!! Whenever you can, you should at least stop at the WL for a walk & some food. Maybe a quick walk and some Whispering Canyon?!

Seems like there are several Plymouth people around here, and even more southern MA ladies.... maybe we should make a plan to meet for coffee??

Yay you started the report.

I wish I had a princess to take to Disney...One Grumpy old man and three boys allow for no princess time :-(

Dont be sad, boys are fun too.... and besides, ANY time you need a princess to take to DisneyWorld, you just call me right up!!!

I'm here! looks like you're off to a good start.. I love of all your photos too!


Emma x

Glad you're here Emma!! Thanks for all your help in my PTR too... cant wait to hear more details from all your upcoming plans! Wedding keeps looking better and better <3

 

[Holly324]

Love your updates so far....and that room looks absolutely beautiful!

 

[princess&her4princes]

I'm here, I'm here! And you're on a roll!! going back to read now!

 

[Heluvsme]

Welcome back Jessica! Can't wait to read all about your trip!

Dawn

 

[.:allisonr:.]

I'm here!!

 

[francis6306]

Fun stuff! Can't wait for more! Love your office! ANNNND... Love that you have a Mac. Oh yeah... my hubby totally got me into it!

 

[Disneymoon09]

I really love this TR so far, and I am super jealous of your new home office! So awesome!

 

[Shannon84]

I LOVE the title of the your TR and I am loving reading along so far as well!! That is too funny you were assigned the same exact room like that! I am at work right now so can't comment much, but I cannot wait to read more

 

[IheartDDuck]

Love your TR so far.

I have to say, I call it MGM all the time still. Just can't get Hollywood Studios into my head.

My brother and I had an extreme Disney challenge of our own once. Ours was can we go on all of our favorite attractions in all four parks in one day? We did it once. It was rough!

 

[heathers4um]

Ok, first of all - LOVE THE TITLE!

So excited you began your TR and cant wait to read more! We, also, left in a cab at 4 am for our trip!

your new office is awesome and beautiful and so girlie!!! I am sure there will be many happy photo editing jobs and lots of magical disney planning going on in there! Congrats to Kris! You dont get anywhere being led around by the unjust - good for him!

 

[JMat]

Love your updates so far....and that room looks absolutely beautiful!

Hey, Thanks! Its a pretty drastic change from the old office. ill post a before and after of the cave it was and the room now... once I get curtains up, etc. If not - my mother will be very upset

I'm here, I'm here! And you're on a roll!! going back to read now!

Glad youre here! If we can all ever tear ourselves away from the computer, we should schedule a Southern MA girls meet!

Welcome back Jessica! Can't wait to read all about your trip!

Dawn

Hi Dawn!
Thanks- we're back safe, and im secretly trying to decide when its best to ask about going back... but maybe ill ride this "Kris/DVC" wave for now. More details in my TR later - Glad youre here!!!

I'm here!!

Welcome & enjoy the pending hilarity~

Fun stuff! Can't wait for more! Love your office! ANNNND... Love that you have a Mac. Oh yeah... my hubby totally got me into it!

Oh I'm all Mac now. iphone, ipad, ipod, imac It started out with the computer (a photographers staple in life) and its branched out. Could never go back!! Im sending you digital Mac-HighFives right now

I really love this TR so far, and I am super jealous of your new home office! So awesome!

Thank you so much, Im touched that someone is loving it as much as I'm loving writing it. I keep thinking of my little stories and one liners like two days in advance.... cause im a tremendous nerd like that. Im really glad you're here & keep sharing --

I LOVE the title of the your TR and I am loving reading along so far as well!! That is too funny you were assigned the same exact room like that! I am at work right now so can't comment much, but I cannot wait to read more

Hey Lady - good to hear from you Best way to procrastinate is to get sucked into disboards... Ive gone on for "just five minutes" and looked up to see that its been forty. Yikes. Either way, psyched to have you here & checked in! lol - Im constantly checking out your updates too!!!

Love your TR so far.

I have to say, I call it MGM all the time still. Just can't get Hollywood Studios into my head.

My brother and I had an extreme Disney challenge of our own once. Ours was can we go on all of our favorite attractions in all four parks in one day? We did it once. It was rough!

See?! Im telling you, its actually a really fun challenge right? Even just to say you did it. I think we skipped hall of presidents and things like that because it would just slow us down (I know, doofuses that we were - would have been nice to take a 20min break in AC). And im glad to know that a safe-place exists for my "MGM" habits ... Im not sure CMs like it very much!

Ok, first of all - LOVE THE TITLE!

So excited you began your TR and cant wait to read more! We, also, left in a cab at 4 am for our trip!

your new office is awesome and beautiful and so girlie!!! I am sure there will be many happy photo editing jobs and lots of magical disney planning going on in there! Congrats to Kris! You dont get anywhere being led around by the unjust - good for him!

There you are! I missed you woman, glad to know youre back safe & I cant wait to read about your trip! How did he like his personalized gifts?! Did you already fill your owners locker?! Kris's last day of work is TODAY and the man is practically prancing around the house. Me? Ive got a client meeting, two hours of editing, and a Christmas party to plan.

... wanna take bets on how many hours I procrastinate on disboards instead?!?


Thanks for the love everyone - It really is awesome to share stuff like this with you! Hope you have a great Friday - and ill have a serious MK update for you no later than Sunday.