A Sensible Dinner - Pearlieq's Journal

[pearlieq]

12/2/05 - Last Friday before WDW!

9:00am

--2 pieces of toast w/raspberry jam and 1/2 T butter
--1 med bowl panda puffs w/2% milk

Lots of work today, but it feels more under control. Hopefully it all goes well. My mom is driving me just the tiniest bit batty. She originally had tickets to go to holiday concert sponsored by a local oldies station with her fiance, but since he had to leave, she asked if we would go with her. It's not something I would ordinarily do, but it sounded kind of fun and I thought it might take a bit of the sting out of her fiance having to go. She's going all nuts about it. Doors open an hour before the show starts, so she's insisting we get there the minute they open so we can get good seats. She then wants DH or I to run out and pick up up dinner to eat in the theater. Should be a fun night.

TTNW: Last day. I plan to get us up early to head to MK for EMH. We'll have a fun morning of Buzz Lightyear and Peter Pan and BTMRR and all of our old favorites!

1:00pm

--2 egg & cheese tortilla rollups
--1 PB&J

I don't know why, but this sounded good. Work is frustrating as usual, but I'm trying to deal.

TTNW: I thought maybe we'd try Columbia Harbor House. They had some yummy-sounding veggie options

2:00pm - 3:30pm

--1 peppermint ice cream cone
--1/3 tub kettle corn
--1 box Junior Mints
--1 piece garlic bread.

Yet another stressed out carb binge. Since things aren't going to be changing anytime soon, I really need to come up with a better way of dealing with all of this.

TTNW: I'm hoping we can catch some of the Christmas shows at MK this afternoon. Otherwise we can just go through some of the more low key attractions until it's time to leave for the airport.

7:00pm

--house salad
--italian bread w/garlic butter
--5 large spinach ravioli w/a light coating of alfredo

What a godawful meal!!! It was next to the venue for the party tonight, so we hit it up because it was convenient. Our waitress was the pits--she walked off in the middle of us talking to her, rarely checked our drink glasses, and generally took forever!! The salad and bread were great, but my entree was average at best. The kicker was when I got the bill, there was a $12.75 beverage charge!!! We had 2 diet cokes and an iced tea for my mom. It turns out they charge per glass for soda. This was never mentioned, and free refills on fountain drinks are standard now. Worse, the soda was served in 12oz glasses literally filled to the rim with ice!!! I was incensed! Once we realized we were being charged by the glass, we cancelled DH's last refill, but the waitress brought it anyway and charged for it. I finally found a manager and complained, but she couldn't have been less helpful if she had tried. She took of the one drink we cancelled, but that was it. I was furious!!!

The show itself was OK. It was very crowded and there wasn't enough seating, but the show was nice and the people-watching was tons of fun!

TTNW: Back to the airport and back to the Chicago cold. Time to start looking forward to the cruise!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi pearlieq!

I'm sorry to hear that work has been stressful lately. Just think... You'll be in WDW soon!

I've got soooo much to do before we leave Sunday. I just wanted to stop by, say hi and say, "We'll see ya at Earl's!"

Have a great weekend!

 

[Mykelogan]

Yay! See you wednesday at Earl's!

Mike

 

[pearlieq]

12/3/05 - Last day before WDW!!!

9:00am

--2 eggs
--1 1/2 slices 2% cheese
--2 pieces toast w/light coating of butter
--1 orange
--1 cup milk

Breakfast before the errands start!

12:00pm

--1 bean burger w/cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce & ranch
--1/2 order fries
--1 strawberry lemonade

I sent out my last work emails and set my Out of Office, I did the second to last load of dishes, the last load of laundry, I sent emails to folks, I got more kitty food and litter, replaced the Junior Mints I've been filching out of my stash for mom's gifts, and stopped at Home Depot to pick up a door brace and light timer. We're well on our way to being ready!

DH is now putting up shades and I'm about to write up notes for the neighbor who's watching our cats while we're gone. This time tomorrow I'll be riding the monorail around Seven Seas Lagoon admiring the Christmas Decor!!!

 

[Lesli54]

Sorry, I haven't been around lately. Things were just beyond hectic and I think I saw myself walking out the door as I was walking in.

Anyway, I really hope that you have a great time at WDW. Too bad, I couldn't be there with you guys because it is much too cold up here right now. Anyway, say "hi!" to everyone at the WISH meet and make sure you guys take some pics.

Enjoy the holiday decor, I bet it is really beautiful. More importantly, RELAX! It sounds like both you and your DH can really use some R&R with your hectic work schedules lately.

See you at the end of the week, if not before.

 

[Jane E.]

Pearliq, I hope you're having a wonderful time at Disney. I've heard the decorations are beautiful at Christmas time. Enjoy yourself - I know you'll get enough exercise with all of the walking there is to do. If you go to CP at Epcot let me know how it was. Originally we were supposed to go up to Disney tomorrow. I'm homesick for the mouse!

 

[pearlieq]

Hello from WDW!!!

We've been having a lovely time, and I'm feeling great! The weather was in the high 70's the first couple of days, now it's in between 65-70. It's been somewhat cloudy, but we haven't run into much rain (yet!). We've been taking things at a very leisurely pace and have been doing a lot of fun, smaller things that we haven't done before. Crowds are manageable, but I think the days of the first 2 weeks of December being a ghost town are over. Crowds are actually pretty close to what we had last May.

We got in on Sunday--the flight was smooth and we had an easy time getting here. After we checked in I happened to stumble across the DIS meet at OKW. They looked to be having fun. DH and I got lunch at the GF cafe (best.veggie.burger.ever.) and then I rented my first water mouse (first time under the weight limit!!!!) which was fun. Mostly we just enjoyed being together, the lovely weather, and the giddiness of being at WDW.

Monday morning we headed to EPCOT. EMH was pretty crowded, so we only got 2 spins on Soarin, but it was still a blast! That ride is such a winner! We spend some more time in Future World before heading over to our lunch PS at Chefs De France. Our food was really good and the ambiance was nice, but our table wasn't so comfortable. We were in a tiny 2-top wedged between 2 other rows. But no matter--it was still good. After that I ate my way around the World Showcase (3 desserts!!!) and we headed back to the room. DH took a nap, and I went for a walk around OKW. I finally dragged DH out of bed and we hit Fantasmic. I figured we should get in as soon as we could seeing as how they were calling for rain for most of our trip. We enjoyed the show, then went to POP for a quick dinner. Back at the hotel we took a quick dip before turning in.

Yesterday we had a breakfast PS at Boma. It was wonderful as usual--their pastry chef is a god!!! We did a little shopping in the resort store. I got this beautiful decorative bowl from Zimbabwe. It's hand painted with a bunch of colorful, stylized Mickeys. After that is was off to AK. We didn't do much--I took a couple of spins on Primeval Whirl, then we did the safari (complete with a total idiot behind us who wouldn't shut up and kept making comments about mounting the animals we saw on his pick up. Classy fellow...) After that it was of to ITTBAB, which was fun as usual, and then a breathtaking performance of Festival of the Lion King. That show just leaves me breathless and I really respect the fact that it's more than it has to be. They could have gotten away with a much less elaborate show, but I'm glad they didn't! After AK, we went out and did a little offsite shopping. Then we got some lunch at POP, played some arcade games for fun, and headed to OKW for a bike ride. The biking was tons of fun and we were doing really well. I felt strong and powerful. Unfortunately, the chain popped of DH's bike on the way back, and he flipped. Luckily a golf cart was coming and they picked him and his bike up. I felt so bad for him, but fortunately he was just bruised and sore--no major injuries. We came back in for a rest after that, and then wandered over to DTD. We checked out some of the West Side shops (including the Pop Art store, which I loved!!!) before taking in a movie. DH saw Just Friends, which he said was great and I saw Pride and Prejudice again, which I thoroughly enjoyed save for the idiot couple who brought not one, but TWO toddlers to the show!!! I can't think of a single good reason on earth you would bring a toddler to an English period piece, but what's worse is when they got bored and started screaming and babbling, the parents did almost nothing to shut them up. UGH!!! Once the movie was over, we headed back offsite to a restaurant on 192 called Pacino's that DH remembered faintly from his one trip as a child. We mostly went for old-times sake, but the food was pretty good even if the atmosphere was a bit skeevy.

We've had a leisurely morning so far today. We'll head out as soon as I finish here. I'm going to do some shopping before the WISH meet. I can't wait to see everyone and I promise I'll make DH take pictures!!!!

 

[Lesli54]

Good evening, Pearlieq!

I am so glad that you are having a good time. It definitely sounds like you are getting the R&R that you deserve. Way to go on doing things that you have never done before. That must really feel impowering!

Enjoy all the great weather that you can. It was only 2 degrees this morning up by Kenosha and it is not much better know that we are back home. I hear that they are calling for 2-5" of snow. Come to think of it, why do you want to come back here.......maybe I could just join all of you WISHers down there and skip the cold weather altogether!

Hope that the rest of your trip is a good one. Can't wait to see the pics.

 

[pearlieq]

12/7/05

It's been a very nice day! DH and I got going around 10 or so, and made our way to DTD for some shopping and the WISH meet. I puttered around a little bit, but didn't actually find much to buy. I don't know if I'm getting jaded or what, but everything just seemed to be overpriced and not all that compelling. No biggie, though, it saved me some money!

We made it to the meet a little early and I had fun chatting with Mike and Russ until the rest of the crew trickled in. We comandeered some tables and went through the legendary Earl of Sandwich line in shifts. I had a super-yummy meatless All-American and we had some great conversation and lots of laughs! <<Check out the WISH Meet thread for a pic!>>

After the meet broke up, DH and I headed to Ghirardelli for a little treat. I had a kids smores sundae that was amazing! Once we finished our ice cream we headed for Wide World of Sports. DH loves football and it sounded like fun to take in a couple of the Pop Warner games. DH watched the main games and I checked out the cheerleading. When the main events were over, DH and I met up and saw the Tiny Mights game, which was just the cutest thing in the whole wide world. They're just so tiny--it looks like their helmets are going to topple them over! And yes, one little boy did score a touchdown for the other team. It really was fun to watch.

We were both kind of tuckered after that, so we're hanging out in the room now. I'm sure we'll venture out for dinner in the near future for dinner, but other than that it will be a quiet night!

 

[keenercam]

Pearlieq -- so glad you had a nice day! I didn't know they made kids' sundaes at ghirardelli -- maybe I won't have to avoid the place in January. I promised my secretary some chocolate from there. Thanks for the heads up on a treat I can enjoy.

I agree with you about how less tempting the merchandise has become. Some of it may be because it's not your first or last trip, but you are so right about pricing compared to quality.

Can't wait to hear about your fun day today! Enjoy!

P.S. Thanks for posting the WISH meet picture. You guys all look so happy and great! It was wonderful to connect a face with your journal. I knew you must have a sweet smile -- any furbaby mommy would! Hope your furbabies are doing fine without mom & dad and not driving the petsitter too crazy with games of "beat the snot out of your sibling"

 

[eeyore25]

HI there,

Reading how things are going in WDW is making me long to be there!!! It sounds like you are having so much fun. Thanks for keeping us up to date on what is going on.

I hope you continue to have a wonderful time!

Keep up the great work!!!!

 

[pearlieq]

12/7 - 12/8 The End of the Trip

I hate to say it, but I'm totally drawing a blank on what we did on Thursday. I know it was raining all day, so we didn't venture into the parks. I know we did some shopping offsite and we had dinner at Coronado Springs, but that's about all I recall. Sad, isn't it!

Friday we did some last packing and headed out to MK. We didn't expect to do much since we'd gotten there late on EMH day, but we did get to ride Buzz Lightyear, the TTA and Peter Pan's Flight and we took in the Hall of Presidents. Wow, is that all? It felt like more. Our last stop was a Dole Whip, then we caught the boat over to the Polynesian to grab some lunch at Captain Hooks. I just love the Polynesian--I hope we get to stay there again someday! After lunch, DH and I checked out flight status again (delayed, of course) and then took ourselves on a driving tour of WDW. We got a closer look at home of the resort and even wound up on an impromptu backstage tour when we took a wrong turn! DH never knew about the Crossroads shopping center, so he was all excited when he saw it.

Finally it was time to head to the airport. We had a pretty smooth trip back, and managed to return the rental car and check out bags pretty quickly. We got our gate and settled in for a long night. There were three other flights coming in and out of the gate ahead of us. We finally departed Orlando around 9:30pm, which was 2 hours late. Not fun, but it could have been a lot worse. I semi-dozed on the plane and we were back to Chicago pretty quickly. DH and I split up--I went to retrieve the bags and he went to dig out our car in economy parking. Poor guy! It took him almost 15 minutes to get it cleared enough to drive. I felt so bad for him. He finally collected me and our bags and we made it home around 12:30am. I was so happy to see my kitties!

All in all, it was a nice trip, though we didn't do as much as I'd hoped. The first few days were pretty good, food-wise, but I eventually slipped back into bad habits and I paid for it by feeling somewhat listless. This trip did prove that I'm in pretty good shape, though. I wish the same could be said for DH. He didn't seem to have much stamina or energy and he started complaining like an old main about his hips, his legs, etc. I've really got to encourage him to get to the gym!

I did also learn that there aren't many studios in our future. I really peferred the 1 bedroom layout. DH and I don't really sleep on the same schedule, so it would be nice to have another room where I can read or watch TV without disturbing him. Plus, I missed having a fully stocked kitchen. Cereal in a cup isn't too inspiring...

With all that being said, I think it will be at least a year or so before we got back. I think we both figured out that we're a little Disney-ed out. Nothing seemed all that exciting or compelling, possibly since we'd seen it 6 times in the past couple of years! I think it's time for a little Disney break.

 

[pearlieq]

12/10/05 - Happy to be home!

8:30am

--1 piece garlic bread
--1 nsa ice cream sandwich
--1 handful raisins

This is what breakfast looks like when you're ravenous and there's no food in the house because you cleared it all out to go on vacation. Must get to the store today!

Actually I have quite a bit to do. I've decided to really go all out for my party on Friday, so I need to start dreaming up decorations and getting my shopping done. I'm going to make little holiday soaps as favors, so I need to get cracking on those. I'm really excited!!!

 

[Lesli54]

Glad to have you back home!

Someone else needs to share this cold weather with me.

I was wondering if you two would get "stuck" coming home from FL. Thursday was a nasty night. What a shock to the system to go from FL weather to Chicago snow.

Make sure you get out to the grocery store soon, I sure would hate to see what you scrounge for lunch. The kitties food is not an option.

Have a wonderful day!

 

[eeyore25]

HI there!!!!

Glad to hear that you made it home safe and sound. Sounds like you had a good time!!!!

My DH and I went to DL every year and last year we were Disney'ed out. Then we went to WDW and that was so much fun. That was our first time and then we went this year and are going to go again next year. But I hear ya on needing a break. We were like that with DL.

Hope you get to the store soon, it really is no fun to have to scrounge for food!!!!

Have a great Monday and keep up the good work!

 

[Lesli54]

Good morning, Pearlieq!

I just thought I would check in and see if you have gotten back to "normal" since returning from your trip. Hopefully your weekend was a good one.

Have a wonderful day today and try not to stress too much about work.

 

[pearlieq]

12/13/05

8:30am

--1 sm piece leftover lasagna

I'm going to try my darndest to follow my plan today. I've been feeling so icky and sluggish from all the overeating in the last 2 weeks. Why do I keep doing something I know feels bad and is bad for me?

My only goal for the day to eat only on my hunger signals. I'm not even going to worry about what I eat, as long as I wait until I'm actually hungry to do it. This really is key for me.

I would almost say I've been kind of depressed the last couple of days. I haven't been treating myself well, which makes me feel bad, and then there's all of the outside factors. Work is still stressful and annoying. There's so much to do for this party and some of the people I've invited haven't been behaving all that well. There are so many expenses coming at us right now. It's not that we can't cover them, it's just that I'm having to divert money away from goals I'd like to accomplish and I'm annoyed by that. Plus, I tend to get a bit of a seasonal depression since I can't get much light or outdoors time.

I'm trying very hard to get the energy to push myself out of this rut. I'm hoping today will be a better day.

 

[Lesli54]

Good morning, Pearlieq!

I am trying to send you as much as possible, but it's hard to come by around here. I really understand the depression mood due to lack of light and the outdoor air.

You are so right, looks like we are in the same boat. Too much work, too many extra things to attend to, too many temporary expenses, too little time to treat ourselves properly, too much cold weather, too......well, you get the picture.

BTW, I think you looked great in the WISH meet picture. You looked so relaxed and happy.

Hang in there today and remember that we are struggling through this together.

 

[Lesli54]

Good morning, Pearlieq!

Just checking in. I hope that work is not stressing you too much and that you are hanging in there.

Hey, at least there is today!

Have a great day!

 

[pearlieq]

12/17/05

One of my favorite books is called A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. The main character, Francie, used to describe a day that happened every year where nothing tasted good and she couldn't find any joy. Luckily for her, all she had to do was buy a penny pickle from one of the Jewish merchants a few blocks away and that cured it for her.

I fear I'm not so lucky. I'm feeling very meh at the moment. The party was...OK. I wouldn't ever do it again. I mean, there were some fun moments and laughs, and most of the guests were very appreciative and complimentary, but it just wasn't worth all of the expense and effort. It really felt more like work than fun and I didn't really get a chance to be "in the moment". I'm never cooking for another big party like that. I'm either having it catered or ordering pizza. It was literally days worth of work. Plus I sooooo much food left, and that doesn't even count all the food that got thrown away. Anybody want 4 packs of wine coolers, a pack of mini wine bottles and a pack of those little Smirnoff twisted things? I was worried about running out of drinks, but apparently people liked the punch so much (it was good--and easy!) that they didn't really drink. So I'm stuck with all of this now.

I think it would have been a lot better if it hadn't been for my old friend from high school. Before the party when we were trying work out who was bringing what cookie, I had to tell her that her first choice was taken. She sent me back this really snotty email saying that she didn't think this was the kind of party where she'd fit in, and frankly she didn't have time to bake 4 dozen cookies. It was just really rude and it took a lot of the wind of of my sails about the party. She eventualy wrote me back saying she'd found a recipe and "sorry about my outburst" but she never really apologized or acknowledged how dumping that on me made me feel. It took a while for me to get excited about the party again.

Anyway, I was prepared to let that go, but she showed up last night and something was just really, really off. She was very subdued and wouldn't interact with anyone. Normally she's very sociable, but she just sat there most of the evening staring into space and very rarely cracked a smile. I spent most of my evening worrying about her and trying to draw her out. I honestly spent so much time focusing on her that I barely remember most of the party. She was very clearly telegraphing "I don't want to be here and I'm not having fun" and made almost zero effort to either hide it or join in on the fun. She knew a few of the people at the party, and even so, there were a couple other people who knew no one and they managed to join in and have fun. It's not like this is an unfriendly group! Strangely, she was one of the last to leave. I had figured she'd bolt early. I don't know why this was bugging me, but she didn't hug me when she left. Even the people I barely knew did the girl-hug thing. She walked out with another woman, the woman hugged me, and then my best friend just walked out the door.

I'm worried about her. I think something's really wrong. I know she's had problems with depression in the past and I wonder if it's coming on again. I want to be a good friend to her, but the truth is we're not all that close anymore. Get togethers, as infrequent as they've been, have been somewhat strained over the past couple of years. I don't know if we've grown apart and she still feels obligated to see me even though she'd rather not or what. Part of the problem is that I'm also angry with her. I'm angry about her little email snit and for how she behaved last night. I know I need to be a good friend and reach out to her, but I'm having a little trouble getting past my own upset right now.

Anyway, that's probably enough rambling for the moment. It does feel good to get it out--writing it out helps me process it. I actually feel a little better just for having unloaded, even if it's just in my own little dusty corner of cyberspace.