ABCs of Trip Reporting, Pt. 2-Life Can Be Crappy and Then You Move On (3/7)

[glennbo123]

Yes! HDDR is a super fun show for a large group- well actually it can be pretty fun for a small group of really silly women too.

Is that "small" as in number, or stature?

 

[Millie12591]

Hey Fellow Dis Sisters and Brothers....Liesa called me this evening to ask me to come on here and ask y'all for prayer.

She didn't go into great detail, but did say enough to know that there are some disputes over her mother-in-laws things that were left behind in the house Liesa is now living in with her family. Apparently Liesa's DH's siblings and he are "sorting," through who get's what and it's not going as well as it could be. I think we all know how hard this can be.

I think most of us know.... Liesa just went on a camping trip with her family and extended family, she's been around a lot of people over the course of the last week. I think we can all guess she's in dire need of rest from the trip, all the noise, people and bickering as well as the mess that's been left behind by her SIL's. It seems they've torn through cabinets, cupboards, and rafters (literally) looking for what ever has been left behind by Liesa's FIL to see if they want it or at the very least....bicker over it.
I can't imagine how tiring this must be for Liesa. All she really wants is a home that's finally hers and for her to be able to finally move into it the way she's needed to for over a year or so now.
As if this wasn't enough to deal with.....just last Tuesday Liesa tried to have a heart to heart with someone she cares about and thought was a good friend, it didn't turn out so well.
This person didn't receive with an open heart what Liesa needed to talk with them about, and now the friendship is broken.
As well all know, Liesa has a heart of gold and cares deeply for her friends, we've all experienced that from her in some sort of fashion over the last couple of years.
So, as you can imagine it's breaking her heart, Liesa had no intentions on losing a friend, but that decision was decided differently by this other person.

Liesa didn't ask for prayer specifically for herself as much as for her family and this situation with her friend, but I'm asking for her as well. I prayed with her this evening and my prayer will continue to be for peace, love and understanding to blanket over Liesa and her situations, as well as her family.
We love you Liesa, hang in there babe! And just know that we've got your back!

 

[Flossbolna]

Camille, thanks for your very caring post, Liesa has a wonderful friend in you ! I will keep Liesa, her family and her friend in my prayers!

Liesa, I hope things will look brighter for everyone involved very soon!

 

[glennbo123]

Thanks for posting that Camille. Unfortunately, those squabbles over inheritances happen very frequently and can leave lasting rifts. I'll keep Liesa and the situations you mentioned in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[lovealldisney]

Many hugs and prayers headed your way. Uggg... dealing with family can be so HARD! It may be in your best interest to step back and let your DH and his siblings handle this YWIM? I don't know the whole situation but I have found from experiance the more hands in the situation, sometimes it turns out even worse. Just be there for your DH, love him and support him during this difficult time.

If you need anything! PM me I will help in anyway I can....

 

[Millie12591]

Camille, thanks for your very caring post, Liesa has a wonderful friend in you ! I will keep Liesa, her family and her friend in my prayers!

Liesa, I hope things will look brighter for everyone involved very soon!

Magdalene, thank you-your such a sweet friend too. One of these day's I'm going to give you one of the biggest real hugs! Texas style! (which is big incase you didn't know )

Thanks for posting that Camille. Unfortunately, those squabbles over inheritances happen very frequently and can leave lasting rifts. I'll keep Liesa and the situations you mentioned in my thoughts and prayers.

No problem Glenn, anything for my friends. And yes your right about the squabbles, I hope for the life of their relationship's it will end soon, and on a good note.

 

[All7OfUs]

In about an hour, I went from this:

To this:

Everyone know where we were headed??

Does this help?

Up, up, up to the California Grill, one of the best places we ate at during our 12 day stay! I had long visited and re-visited the menu, and had early on decided that I would probably settle in with a couple of smaller offerings rather than one large meal. But we’ll get to that in a moment. First let’s set the stage. At first, we had a bit of a hard time finding the place. And not only that, but each other as well. When we got off the monorail (of COURSE we went by monorail, we were at the Poly after all!), Mary headed for an elevator off the platform to get somewhere, and in the process we got utterly separated. All I can say is, “Thank heavens for cell phones!”. We checked in below (I say that because I actually have NO idea which floor check-in happens) and were immediately taken up (I have no idea which floor that is either) to the restaurant level.

We didn’t wait too long at all for our table which was right up against the rail next to the show kitchen. If we couldn’t get a window seat, this was certainly a WONDERFUL second! All the action of nearly a dozen skilled chefs was in full speed ahead; orders being shouted for this or that, plates being served and carefully wiped clean of accidental spills on the sides, flames shooting from pans in which all manner of yumminess was being seared to perfection.

Not too long afterwards, our server, Becky, stopped by with water, and to take our drink orders. I immediately pulled the “let’s almost spill our water” trick (just like I did with Jen, but was vastly more successful at all over her). Apparently, we all thought that was pretty hilarious, because the following series of shots ended up on my laptop later that night. Scroll through quickly to get the full effect- it’s pretty funny!

** A side note: dumping photos onto a laptop is a Disney vacationer’s MUST! I’ve known too many tragic endings to precious vacation photos**

Now, I never purported to be a wine connoisseur, so took a stab in the dark when I ordered a glass to chase my cheese with. She brought out the bottle and gave a taste. OK, here’s a BIG question for those in the know… Is it okay to make a “gag me with a fork” face and say you’d like something else if you don’t like her choice? Because, I’m pretty sure that’s what I did. I went with a Riesling in the end, and was pretty happy with my second choosing. I think she was happy with me that there would be no more sneering from our table. So let’s see, so far we’ve been seated, gotten some water, a better glass of wine, and had a VERY near miss with water. It was already 8:30 or later, after having checked in at 7:40. Obviously, this was going to be “an experience” to last the entire evening. Time to settle in and get cozy; we were going to be there quite a while.

(The wine of snobbery)

Sometime later, Becky came back to take our orders. Mary had been hankering for a flatbread for quite some time, so we all decided to share one. Again, no hurry here, so I’m not even sure we put our order for dinner in at that time. Let me just say right now that this “pizza” (ummm, I don’t care how fancy-schmancy this swanky place is, thin bread with toppings is a pizza) was simply NOMTASTIC!!! It was cheesy good and huge! It could easily have fed one person for a meal, or even 2 if they ordered a salad or appie to go with it. Seriously, this would be a perfect choice for someone who’s already eaten and wants to go tippy-top for a late night nosh to watch fireworks by.

After we filled our bellies with the “pizza” and our table with a few more belly laughs, Becky came to take our order. Mary went with a full meal of filet mignon- medium-well, I believe. You can guess about the side dishes, if you care to peek closely enough. I’m pretty sure there may be a veggie on her plate… that she may, or may not, have eaten.

Continued in Next Post!

 

[All7OfUs]

I was not super hungry, so went with something I had been eyeing for months- the cheese plate. I love cheese. That is all.
For you fellow cheese aficionados, here’s what I got, from left to right:

(Your personal cheese tour)

Reypenaer VSOP; Nancy’s Hudson Valley Camembert; Truffle Tremor; Fromage d’Affinios de Brebis; and Caveman Bleu. Some I loved more than others; some were just seriously too rich to even finish. The way they were paired with nuts, honey, figs, etc… was truly a piece of heaven on a plate. Someone in the back really knows what they are doing with cheese! And for $20, it was a great choice!

LeeAnn got some sort of salad with mystery balls. I have ZERO idea WHAT those are made of, but am certain they are not cheese. If memory serves, crab rings a bell? But there’s nothing like that on the menu anymore.

While LeeAnn ate her salad, I enjoyed the other dish I was really looking forward to: The Goat Cheese Ravioli. It was out-of-this-world, just as I had expected, and just as many others who’d gone before had reported. If you like a tang in your taste, this is for you! The sauce was amazing and light, the interior creamy and slightly tart.

Stuffed silly, we asked for our bill, which arrived about 9:40. Yup. 2 hours of relaxing and laughing over dinner. It was fabulous in every way.

And it was about to get better… sort of. By 9:45 we were out on the balcony standing on the rail at the observation deck waiting for Wishes to start. It came. It went. It was tiny. And far away. I have to be honest here: I really like Wishes SO much better from Main Street where they’re meant to be watched from. The music is louder, the concussions are bigger, the colors brighter, and what would Wishes be without some confrontation with a mother who wants to shove her 9 year old in front of you?

Anyway, all in all, we had a fabulous meal full of yet more good times with good friends. The food was delicious, the restaurant in good taste all the way around, and we happily left for “home” where the better was just about to be revealed- such a simple act of luxury that only might take someone about 30 seconds, but sends warm fuzzies right on down to the toes. Take a peek at how pampered we were while rounding out DAY 5:

(Tate didn’t mind being left behind at all)

 

[KatMark]

What a great update, Liesa. We've never been to California Grill (I just can't see spending the money when I'd rather watch Wishes from the beach at the Poly), but it looks like the three of you had a fun-filled evening together.

I love the "surprises" in your room -- for both you and for Tate.

 

[All7OfUs]

Camille, thanks for your very caring post, Liesa has a wonderful friend in you ! I will keep Liesa, her family and her friend in my prayers!

Liesa, I hope things will look brighter for everyone involved very soon!

Thanks for posting that Camille. Unfortunately, those squabbles over inheritances happen very frequently and can leave lasting rifts. I'll keep Liesa and the situations you mentioned in my thoughts and prayers.

Many hugs and prayers headed your way. Uggg... dealing with family can be so HARD! It may be in your best interest to step back and let your DH and his siblings handle this YWIM? I don't know the whole situation but I have found from experiance the more hands in the situation, sometimes it turns out even worse. Just be there for your DH, love him and support him during this difficult time.

If you need anything! PM me I will help in anyway I can....

Thanks guys!! I really appreciate your thoughts for me/us. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed yesterday. I had so wanted to come home to a quiet house with no drama, and it hit me right in the face. Things were pretty charged at one point, but all seems to have quieted down for now. Of course, the one room I had wanted cleared out most (my sewing room) hasn't been touched one iota, so I will have to take a stand, box it all up, and they can deal with it later. Honestly, I do NOT understand how people without The Prince of Peace deal with this stuff! I cannot fathom how horrible things may have gotten had a spirit of greed and covetousness been around.

So, I intentionally took the mornning off, and wrote an update for therapy

 

[All7OfUs]

Camille, thanks for spending some time on the phone with me and praying with me! You're a true gem of a friend!!

You did a great job on the post; I appreciate you doing that!

 

[All7OfUs]

What a great update, Liesa. We've never been to California Grill (I just can't see spending the money when I'd rather watch Wishes from the beach at the Poly), but it looks like the three of you had a fun-filled evening together.

I love the "surprises" in your room -- for both you and for Tate.

Hi Kathy! Honestly, I would recommend the restaurant mostly on the view and the fabulous food. Wishes was "meh" from there, but I have to say, the food was some of the best on prop! YUM!!

 

[onelilspark]

Dinner at Cali Grill looks lovely! I'm actually excited to try it!!


And since you asked...the reason the server will pour a little bit of wine first is so that you can make sure it isn't spoiled or "corked." They'll also show you a bottle to be sure that it is what you ordered, especially if you ordered the bottle because it's a certain vintage, and it might be a typo on the menu for example. So basically you're examining the wine for it's color first, then the smell (if it smells like vinegar, it's corked) and then taste. If it tastes "off," you're okay to send it back. But you're not really supposed to say that you don't like it and then send it back. BUT if you're not really sure if you'll like the wine and you're hemming and hawing, a good waiter/waitress will offer to bring you a taste of the wine that they think you'll like for you to try. So I don't really think it's the end of the world and less of an issue if you order a glass vs. a bottle. And if they offer for you to try it (which it sounds like she might have?) then you're perfectly fine to make a "gag me with a fork" face and ask for a different wine!

Anyway, you go through the whole tasting of the wine to be sure it's not spoiled. Now you know!

 

[MEK]

I have to be honest here: I really like Wishes SO much better from Main Street where they’re meant to be watched from. The music is louder, the concussions are bigger, the colors brighter, and what would Wishes be without some confrontation with a mother who wants to shove her 9 year old in front of you?

OK - That's funny (but so true)!

Your meal sounded amazing ( I almost wrote looked, but I haven't seen the pictures yet). I love when a meal sounds spectacular even when I can't see the pictures. I love cali Grill and I am psyched to be eating there in December!!!!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Everyone know where we were headed??

Does this help?

Chef Mickey's!!

Not too long afterwards, our server, Becky, stopped by with water, and to take our drink orders. I immediately pulled the “let’s almost spill our water” trick (just like I did with Jen, but was vastly more successful at all over her).

So why did you bother getting changed? You could have kept your other clothes on and then spilled all the water you wanted. Oh well...next time.

OK, here’s a BIG question for those in the know… Is it okay to make a “gag me with a fork” face and say you’d like something else if you don’t like her choice? Because, I’m pretty sure that’s what I did. I went with a Riesling in the end, and was pretty happy with my second choosing.

You whined about your wine? A smart-alecky waitress could have shot back, "You want some cheese with all that whine?" And then you could have said, "Yes, please!"

(The wine of snobbery)

Much better than the Diet Coke of Regret.

Let me just say right now that this “pizza” (ummm, I don’t care how fancy-schmancy this swanky place is, thin bread with toppings is a pizza) was simply NOMTASTIC!!! It was cheesy good and huge! It could easily have fed one person for a meal, or even 2 if they ordered a salad or appie to go with it. Seriously, this would be a perfect choice for someone who’s already eaten and wants to go tippy-top for a late night nosh to watch fireworks by.

I agree: it's pizza. And it looks great!

I’m pretty sure there may be a veggie on her plate… that she may, or may not, have eaten.

Veggie? What is this?

I was not super hungry, so went with something I had been eyeing for months- the cheese plate. I love cheese. That is all.

Reypenaer VSOP; Nancy’s Hudson Valley Camembert; Truffle Tremor; Fromage d’Affinios de Brebis; and Caveman Bleu.

Gesundheit. Actually, it's pretty cool that one of them has "Caveman" in the title.

LeeAnn got some sort of salad with mystery balls. I have ZERO idea WHAT those are made of, but am certain they are not cheese.

Goodness...so many directions to go here... At the very least, I'm swiping the term "mystery balls" to use in future TR's.

I have to be honest here: I really like Wishes SO much better from Main Street where they’re meant to be watched from. The music is louder, the concussions are bigger, the colors brighter, and what would Wishes be without some confrontation with a mother who wants to shove her 9 year old in front of you?

But if you watch if from the Poly beach, you get reflections on the water. And nobody to fight in line for the monorail, so you can get on it and wait through a breakdown much quicker.

(Tate didn’t mind being left behind at all)

Tate makes friends quickly, doesn't he?

Liesa, I'm sorry to hear that life is making unwelcome intrusions lately. It would be so easy without all of the people we have to deal with, wouldn't it? But then again, they say the same things about us! I hope and pray you have some peace...and soon.

 

[jenbear123]

I'm so glad to hear you loved the cheese plate. It's totally okay to turn your nose up at wine you don't like. You're paying for it after all!!! Riesling would be a good choice I have to agree with you on Wishes. It's not the same without the crazy mothers throwing kids around

 

[pinkxray]

Fantastic update

CG looked amazing. I would rather watch Wishes from Main St too, but the food and company at CG looked great.

 

[Flossbolna]

Liesa, what a wonderful update! I love long and leisurely meals like that - I think that's why I end up eating at the signature restaurants at WDW so much... And yours sounds like a perfect event. And I fully agree with you on Wishes. I won't bother anymore with trying to see it from CG, one of the most overrated experieneces in my opinion. But if others want to go there for it, they are welcome to it! I just rather be there for sunset over the GF...

 

[Millie12591]

Camille, thanks for spending some time on the phone with me and praying with me! You're a true gem of a friend!!

You did a great job on the post; I appreciate you doing that!

You couldn't be more welcome my dear. I just hate you had to go through all of that. Hopefully now you can totally have your house to yourself and you can get on with life as it should be.
And thank you for your nice words about the post, I love you my friend and I'm here for you any time you need me.

Cali Grill looked pretty good. I'm surprised to hear the fire works seemed small and far away considering how close you are to them, I will keep that in mind when and if I make an ADR there in the future. Looooove the pics of you laughing, I love seeing people have a good time.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Sounds like a wonderful meal at California Grill! I especially liked the sequence of laughing pictures.