Book it. Buy it. BELIEVE it! - TR is started! link posted 8/11

[Sunset Cliffs]

Thank you! I will have to figure out the names of the surgeries that I am having. From your description, it sounds similar. I'm interested to hear your pros and cons.

 

[rentayenta]

I'm painfully behind so can I get the Cliff's note version of the news? Are you retiring in FL? I read seaplane, Florida, and margarita.

 

[eandesmom]

Thank you! I will have to figure out the names of the surgeries that I am having. From your description, it sounds similar. I'm interested to hear your pros and cons.

Sent you a PM, feel free to ask any questions!

I'm painfully behind so can I get the Cliff's note version of the news? Are you retiring in FL? I read seaplane, Florida, and margarita.

seaplane, florida, margarita about sums it up. As to the retiring, given that it's a couple decades away, who knows but it was a very fun conversation and interesting to see where Jeff's mind was going!

 

[eandesmom]

I left off with jaws dropping and visions of incredibly effective margaritas and exotic excursions dancing in everyone’s heads.

Sadly, reality does intrude at times. For us, in the form of leakage. Multiple leaks that is. Since the last update we’ve had three.

1. Water leak in the garage/landing inside a wall…so had been there for a while before it became visible(due to really bad welding by the original installers)
2. Water leak in the roof, in our master bath (due to a failed vent)
3. Leaks in two of Jeff’s tires​

This has resulted in the following.

1. Plumbing and structural repairs out of pocket (rest covered by insurance)
2. Nothing out of pocket, thanks to a decent warranty
3. Two new tires for Jeff​

These may put a damper on some of the excursion plans. As have our taxes. Though we’d like to think we are rather smart, fact is we’ve made bonehead tax moves the past few years and just when we think we’ve fixed it, well..we haven’t. While it won’t impact any excursions necessarily it will probably impact (or curtail) any DVC addonitis for a bit lol!

Right now, our plan is as follows.

Vero
Nothing booked or planned…will likely play it by ear once there

Cruise
Still plan to try and book Palo, Cabana and Atlantis and then as it gets closer see what is really in the budget and adjust if needed. I will also be ordering a little special something for the stateroom, since the cruise DOES start on Kendall’s 16th Birthday! Here's what I'm looking at.

Happy Birthday
Surprise your loved one with a decorated stateroom & birthday cake. Package includes:
• 1 birthday cake
• 1 cascade
• 1 banner
• 1 centerpiece
• 1 door magnet
​

Now, what isn’t clear is if you can choose the kind of cake on this (beyond nut free, sugar free or gluten free lol) so I’m going to call to find out. The prices on an 8” cake are not that much more so assuming the package one is a 6”, I may see about an “upgrade” as there are more flavor options. Not that she will care. Cake is cake and chocolate wins so she’s pretty easy that way! I do want to confirm that it at least says Happy Birthday in the basic package.

AK/AKV
Backstage is safari booked for Kendall and Jeff! For those who may not know what the backstage safari is, here’s a little synopsis. You have to be 16 to participate so we need to show proof of age, kind of cool that she becomes eligible just in time. Another very cool fact is that thanks to DVC, we got a 15% discount on the tour…now Jeff just needs to remember his member card. Or as he told me, I need to remember to give him my member card, with his name on it. LOL! It's pretty cool, check it out.

Find out how on this behind-the-scenes walking tour that offers a revealing look at the new and creative ways Disney's wildlife specialists meet the unique challenges of animal care and behavior—all while running a lushly landscaped Disney Theme Park and promoting wildlife conservation.

Get up close to a variety of spectacular and majestic animals in their backstage habitats. Talk with animal keepers as you visit the Animal Nutrition Center, explore the state-of-the-art veterinary hospital and discover other backstage facilities. Learn the story of how every day 3 tons of food is prepared, distributed and fed to the animal residents of Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park.​

​

In other news, I’ve been BUSY! Sandie visited for 5 days over Easter. I was a bit nutty getting ready and finally painting Kendall’s room to have it done before the visit. I’d repainted the E’s rooms in the fall, and K was supppsed to be next. My neck flared up and the next 4 months were a whirlwind of Chiropractor, Physical Therapy and Sinus Surgery. While things had drastically improved thanks to my triage approach/attack, I was/am by no means back where I was. I’ve been a bit terrified to work out for fear of re-injury. I’ve been doing the basics but it’s all been cardio and lower body weights, and I’ve been feeling like the rest of me is turning to mush. But the original PT had been pretty adamant about no upper body weights or even cardio that involved a lot of movement so even though I was no longer in pain and could turn my neck, I was scared and quite confident that the trainers at the Y, where we go, weren’t really the right people to teach me what to do, without hurting myself. Nor was my original PT, Chiro or Osteopath.

While whining about it to my massage therapist (who sadly, insurance doesn’t cover and should as it is definitely orthopedic/medical massage and at times resembles torture but does really really help) he gave me a fabulous idea. A local PT outfit that absolutely specializes in just this. Rehab on steroids really. It’s like being with a personal trainer, but one that knows your injury very specifically and will help you truly work with it, around it, to get not only the rehab goals but your fitness goals. Just before I started with this new PT group, I hit a wall in a different way. An overall fitness wall. Just before St. Patricks Day, as most of you know, I’d made that amazing bread pudding thanks to Tracy and Raglan Road. At the dinner club where I served it (and it was INHALED, no leftovers much to the disappointment of my household) we spent some time talking with one of my friends. Who has been doing this crazy expensive “best 10” program. Ok, I don’t have time or the money for it but you can’t argue with the results. She’d lost about 20 pounds and looked better than she had in years. She mentioned an app that had me intrigued. Thanks to months of decreased activity the reality was that well, things just fit a bit different. I’d done a little trip shopping (more on that later) so, at the same time I started PT, I also started for the first time in my life actually tracking calories and exercise via this neat little app.

I admit. I’m selfish. I don’t want to give up wine on our wine nights (Thurs, Sat and Sun) or beer on Fridays. I don’t want to live on carrots. But I do want my body back. I am happy to report, one month into it, I’ve lost 5 pounds (reasonable and slow but doable without giving everything up) and more importantly, a few inches in key places. Just as nice, those shopping purchases made a month ago? Fit SO much better now it’s a bit mind boggling. They’ve got me doing stuff I’d have never tried before (kettle bells, benches presses) or thought I was capable of. And I’m eating better. I ate well before so it’s not a huge adjustment but the balance is better; I’m more aware of things like total calcium, vitamin A&C, iron, etc. I am working out more, not a huge amount but the reality is I am motivated. I am motivated by the fact that I can have wine with dinner, or that one piece of garlic bread and not feel guilty, if I’ve burned enough calories. It may be shallow but I can’t argue with the results.

After Easter I headed straight to Vegas for a work trip. Non stop 7am-8pm type of thing followed by client dinners etc. Not a lot of time for working out. In fact, no time. Not to mention the fact that a day pass was $40! No thanks. But thanks to my little app (my fitness pal), I did ok and didn’t really have a huge setback.

But, back to the painting. I’ve been scared to do it, feeling like that is what set off the downward spiral of my neck. I’d done both E’s rooms and the kitchen in the span of 3 weeks and clearly over did it. K’s room is HUGE and we were going for very bold colors and a fair amount of heavy furniture that needed to be moved (I of course wanted it rearranged as well). I am happy to report that we have a VERY teen girl bedroom, colored in Cherries Jubilee and African Violet, entirely rearranged without much help and my neck did great! It is a bright rich and bold room and actually looks rather stunning if I do say so myself. Taylor did a double take on Easter, definitely not his room anymore! My PT gave me tips and exercises to do before and during and wow, did they help! I am sore today from PT but was pushed harder than ever yesterday. I do see my massage therapist tomorrow for the 1st time in 6 weeks and can’t wait for that, it will be interesting to see how the neck is doing by Tuesday when I see PT again.

Now, I know you guys…you’ve been busy reading all my rambling but really just want to see the shopping! Ok, the girls do, maybe not so much the guys.

First off, the E’s.

Thanks to DismomAmy, I was tipped off about a Lands End deal. Both boys needed new rashguards, Eric really needing 2. He burns if you look at him!

We picked out these.

Eric

for some reason I can only get the front image in the small pic, annoying. it's got a slightly longer sleeve and I really like it!

and this one

And for Evan

Then, a dinner club friend who just happens to be a buyer for Tommy Bahama, looped me in on a friends and family discount. Who can say no to that? Not me!

I picked up this

And this

There was another one I really wanted but they didn't have my size and I talked myself out of a new suit. Much as I'd like one, I don't need one! I need to focus on fitting into the ones I have lol.

The madness continued in Vegas. Jeff had bought me some very cute sandals recently; it’s his version of flowers or jewelry. I really really like them! Unfortunately I was idiotic enough to wear them day 1 of my work trip. I have weird skin, sensitive and fragile and highly annoying. I have to “break” my feet in at the beginning of sandal season. They don’t do well transitioning from socks to exposure. I get blisters every year, no matter how worn or not worn the shoe, just part of the transition even if I’m only here in Seattle. However as I’ve gotten older dry heat seems to be even worse. Every time I’ve gone to Vegas, or Palm Springs I get blisters, almost immediately without hardly even walking, like my feet just “break”. It happens in Cali and FL too, but not as bad or as quickly. So, just walking through SeaTac, to baggage claim in vegas, checking in and then hauling my stuff to the tradeshow floor (decided to do that before heading to the room since most of my bags would be staying there) got me two nasty side blisters. What’s a girl to do?

Buy more shoes.

Two pairs of sandals and one flat later I can truthfully say that at least one of the pairs is going on the trip.

these in black

these in a super cool neutral/gold very subtle pattern. My new favorite work shoe!

These in silver as shown. These are definitely going to florida! Super comfy but a little dressy.

Next up….dining plans! I know you’ve been waiting.

Oh and just in case anyone wants to still give a guess…no one has guessed where we are going after we land yet. Just sayin, there’s a slushie credit out there! I think only MEK and Dee have guessed so far.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Yikes. Why is it these household expenses happen just when we have other plans for the $?? And why do they always happen in threes?????

I did the backstage safari ~5 yrs ago and loved it. I think they will too!!!

May I ask what app you've been using to track calories, activity etc? Congrats on seeing results!

Looks like you scored in the shopping department!

 

[winkers]

I left off with jaws dropping and visions of incredibly effective margaritas and exotic excursions dancing in everyone’s heads.

When I first read this I didn't notice the "excursions" so it looked like exotic dancing...

You've been busy lady! I'm tired just reading about it!

Can you share the recipe for the bread pudding? When D.Jay tried it at Raglan Road he had a "moment" with it....I told him to get a room.

 

[MEK]

I lOVE those sandals - the ones in green in the picture but black in real life. I want them!

So funny you mentioned the diet/exercise app. Denny and I both added the same type of app to our phones last week. I am actually on Day 9 and I love it simply because I stop when I get to the designated calories. I have also been doing well with the exercise.

Nick laughed at us the other day saying, "I thinking its so cute how you both are counting calories together. Look at you, hanging out discussing your next calorie intake. AWWWWWH!" Denny goes around scanning all the food in the house. I hope I can stick with it when I go to Williamsburg on the girls weekend.

Sounds like the trip planning is going along really well.

 

[englishrose47]

Cynthia we dis the Backstage Safari in October on my Free Trip it was great !!

 

[Happydog]

HELLO!!!!

I have been soo missing in action that it has taken me a while to get back into my reading and we'll see about writing!!! BUT it was great to come and hear all about how your plans have evolved!!! Now would it be totally snarky of me to say, yep, you completely stole my vacation from last year??!! OKAY, okay, okay, not completely! The tour! How fun! It will be nice for K and Jeff to do that together! And having a day for just a park is really quite nice, in a way limiting it makes you actually enjoy the resort! We didn't do the park, but a water park and the resorts for two days made it a special ending for our big extravaganza too. So it looks like you have all kinds of fun lined up!

Oh your Oregon pics bring back such memories! My boys never get past Bend and Portland, I am afraid... But ONE day we plan to do some regional cross country trips and the southwest is one region we will do, and then of course the Pac NW... Gotta take them to Rainier!

Looking forward to more updates, and getting back to DIS more frequently, my biggest hurdles are almost over with, and after the dust settles I will share all!

Keep up the great fun on your TR!!!! Vero, Cruise, and a little AK... man that is soooo familiar??!!

 

[Poolrat]

i certainly due


how else do you think i married up

smart man

and lucky

I LOVE this.... Where can I find one just like you????

Hope all is well Dan.


Cynthia,
You sound as busy as I am. YIKES. Sorry about the leakage and taxes. I am sure it will all work out.
Cute shoes and yes I get blisters too. I like the dresses. I am getting in a dressy phase.... Maybe a hot summer is coming and I will have to live in them.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow, sorry about the leaks. It stinks when things like that happen.

Congrats on the painting and the weight loss. I hope your neck continues to improve - it can take awhile. Cute purchases!

Hmm, I thought I had posted where you would go - I think you will go to DTD and eat at Earl of Sandwich.

 

[Chilly]

You can never have too many shoes.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Sorry to hear about all of the leaks! Life always seems to get in the way of a perfectly fine vacation… Love all of your new shoes! You can never have too many… I'm glad to read about your good health! Losing a few healthy pounds and your neck making it through the painting - you must be so happy!

 

[eandesmom]

Yikes. Why is it these household expenses happen just when we have other plans for the $?? And why do they always happen in threes?????

I don't know, but they definitely do! Sadly, not in threes. I am currently without a car (my window fell into the door!) but luckily that's covered by warranty.

I did the backstage safari ~5 yrs ago and loved it. I think they will too!!!

We won't tell Kendall till probably that day I think although who knows, it could change. Currently the entire AK/AKV part of the trip is a surprise so we can't really tell about the safari until we tell about all of it!

May I ask what app you've been using to track calories, activity etc? Congrats on seeing results!

myfitnesspal is the app, but you can also do it online even if you don't have an iphone so sometimes I'll enter recipes there versus the phone, it just depends.

Looks like you scored in the shopping department!

I did. Shouldn't have but I don't really have any regrets either.

When I first read this I didn't notice the "excursions" so it looked like exotic dancing...

Only you Cherie!

You've been busy lady! I'm tired just reading about it!

Can you share the recipe for the bread pudding? When D.Jay tried it at Raglan Road he had a "moment" with it....I told him to get a room.

Oh my, I couldn't agree with D.Jay more! It really is unbelievable. My entire dinner club thought so too!

Here you go!

A couple of cooking notes.

The recipe as written made way more spread and sauces than needed for a one loaf batch even with layering the spread on the "sandwiches" really thick. I could easily have made 1.5, possibly 2 loaves worth and fit it in the dish so would definitely use more bread in the future and make a bigger batch. Because I made a large batch versus the individual servings, I think it took a lot longer to rise. I ended up following the directions below (35 and 10 in the water bath) but then had it on warm for another 20 which puffed it up beautifully and then a quick/low broil to brown.

I used salted butter and dark brown sugar although it didn't specify (but can tell by the picture that they probably used light brown in their sauce). Apparently Irish Mist either isn't imported anymore or our local liquor stores don't carry it. I substituted drambuie. I was able to find Texas Toast (bread) and Kerry Gold Butter at my local store, who knew! I used a large oval baker versus the smaller dishes, my other options were longer rectangular ones and I was worried I didn't have enough to really layer it right so went with the oval. The longer ones probably would be fine if I'd had a 2nd loaf of bread. Both sauces were absolutely to die for. Jeff ended up eating all the leftover caramel sauce in some very creative ways. Probably his favorite being dipped trefoils!

Disney Recipe of the Month: Bread and Butter Pudding
A famous dessert served at Raglan Road!

Ingredients

1 loaf Pullman or Texas toast
1 pound Kerry gold butter softened
1 pound Sugar
1 quart Crème anglaise (see below)
1 cup Raisins soaked in Irish mist or water

Instructions

1. Combine the sugar and butter, spread evenly on the bread slices to make sandwiches, stack together and cut of the crust.
2. Cut the "sandwiches" in ½ on an angle (from corner to corner)
3. Butter the inside of 8 oven proof cups or preferred baking dish. One by one dip the "sandwiches" in the anglaise and place in the baking dish, layer the bread and a sprinkling of soaked raisins as you go until done.
4. Bake covered in a Bain Marie at 375 degrees for 35 minutes until it rises a bit. Remove the cover and bake an extra 10 minutes until slightly brown.
5. Carefully remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly serve warm or at room temperature with anglaise and caramel sauce.

Sauce Anglaise
Ingredients:
6 each Egg yolks
2 cups Sugar
1 each vanilla bean split or a teaspoon vanilla extract
1 quart Heavy cream

Method of Preparation:
1. Heat up the cream and the vanilla bean on the stove until it almost starts to boil. Meanwhile combine the egg yolks and sugar in a bowl and whisk well.
2. When the creams reaches the almost boiling point, turn off and remove the pot from the flame. Temper the yolks, by ladling a small amount of cream to the bowl and mixing well. Then add the yolk sugar mixure to the cream, whisk well so that it does not curdle. Place over a low flame for 2 minutes whisking until it starts to thicken. Strain and allow to cool at room temperature.

Caramel Sauce
Ingredients:
½ pound Butter, chilled
½ pound Brown sugar
1 cup Heavy cream

Method of Preparation:
Combine the sugar and butter in pot and cook over a medium high flame. Whisk well to combine, when sugar is melted and it starts to boil turn off the stove, remove from the flame and whisk in the cream to combine. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Source: Kevin Dundon

My version. When it was put onto the plate and had both sauces drizzled on it you could really see the triangles, it was lovely. Too much butter for the amount of bread though, as you can see in the picture.

Official version. I think they may use golden raisins.

I lOVE those sandals - the ones in green in the picture but black in real life. I want them!

They are very cute, a brand I really like and was on sale. I really wanted the silvery ones but they didn't have my size and needed a black sandal so got it anyway!

So funny you mentioned the diet/exercise app. Denny and I both added the same type of app to our phones last week. I am actually on Day 9 and I love it simply because I stop when I get to the designated calories. I have also been doing well with the exercise.

Nick laughed at us the other day saying, "I thinking its so cute how you both are counting calories together. Look at you, hanging out discussing your next calorie intake. AWWWWWH!" Denny goes around scanning all the food in the house. I hope I can stick with it when I go to Williamsburg on the girls weekend.

Sounds like the trip planning is going along really well.

I'm finding myself trying to enter the full day of meals so I can plan around it and keep on track, don't want to find myself having to stop if I haven't had dinner yet. It has also helped me to see the impact an extra 5 or 10 minutes even can make for the daily total. I was bummed last night as I hat PT scheduled and couldn't make it due to my car issue and that meant that much less that I could eat since I didn't get any exercise in. Sad. Really sad as it was a 3 hour in the freezing rain baseball game evening after the bad tax news and well, we needed wine. LOL!

Cynthia we dis the Backstage Safari in October on my Free Trip it was great !!

Jeff is super excited about it. I'm a little bummed I can't go but it will be nice to just be with the boys for a little bit, we won't have had much of that on the trip so it will be cool.

 

[winkers]

Thanks for the recipe! I'm going to surprise D.Jay this week end with it. What is Irish Mist anyway?

 

[englishrose47]

Thanks for the recipe! I'm going to surprise D.Jay this week end with it. What is Irish Mist anyway?

I remember him having it at Raglan Road !!!

 

[eandesmom]

Thanks for the recipe! I'm going to surprise D.Jay this week end with it. What is Irish Mist anyway?

A liqueur that apparently my liquor store, since they are going out of business as you know, didn't have in stock or on reorder. I substituted Drambuie as that's close. Irish mist (I think) is whiskey based whereas Drambuie is scotch based. You might be able to soak them in watered down honey and get a similar effect without the booze.

 

[mousescrapper]

Sorry about the house/car repairs

But looks like you did some fun shopping

 

[eandesmom]

HELLO!!!!

I have been soo missing in action that it has taken me a while to get back into my reading and we'll see about writing!!! BUT it was great to come and hear all about how your plans have evolved!!! Now would it be totally snarky of me to say, yep, you completely stole my vacation from last year??!! OKAY, okay, okay, not completely!

Not at all! You, Anita and Glenn can all take credit for parts of our trip. Why reinvent when you can copy something very fabulous? I do wish Glenn's trip and ours overlapped, the kids are the same ages and that would be wonderful but oh well.

The tour! How fun! It will be nice for K and Jeff to do that together! And having a day for just a park is really quite nice, in a way limiting it makes you actually enjoy the resort! We didn't do the park, but a water park and the resorts for two days made it a special ending for our big extravaganza too. So it looks like you have all kinds of fun lined up!

I'm actually excited that we will only have 1 day one park passes as it will keep us from being tempted to shortchange AK yet again. We'll end up with almost 2 full resort days plus the park day based on arrival and flight times so I'm pretty psyched about that. I have a feeling some of that time will be spent at DTD as we tend to rush through it and really don't have to this time. I just need to make sure we don't get talked into adding Disney Quest. LOL! I'm excited that Jeff and K get to do this together, just them.

Oh your Oregon pics bring back such memories! My boys never get past Bend and Portland, I am afraid... But ONE day we plan to do some regional cross country trips and the southwest is one region we will do, and then of course the Pac NW... Gotta take them to Rainier!

You do! Hit the coast and then drive north!!!! The boys have spring break next week and while we have no plans I think I'll play hooky one day (not really, I'll take a vacation day) and go do a local hike and maybe go up to our cabin for 1 night. If the weather warrants it that is. Spring is a roller coaster around here!

Looking forward to more updates, and getting back to DIS more frequently, my biggest hurdles are almost over with, and after the dust settles I will share all!

Keep up the great fun on your TR!!!! Vero, Cruise, and a little AK... man that is soooo familiar??!!

I do think it's funny that AK is a recurring theme for so many with similar trips.

Cynthia,
You sound as busy as I am. YIKES. Sorry about the leakage and taxes. I am sure it will all work out.

Yeah, the tax thing is a mess and frustrating. We've spent the last 2 days strategizing for next year and I'm not sure we can really make the headway we need to truly fix it.

While we are paying 1/2 of T's tuition, which would have helped our situation considerably, b/c his mom has him as her deduction, we can't claim it. We'll get to claim 100% of the next 3 but need to survive until then. My biggest complaint is that there should be a deduction for saving for college. Squeezing the middle class is an understatement to be sure.

Cute shoes and yes I get blisters too. I like the dresses. I am getting in a dressy phase.... Maybe a hot summer is coming and I will have to live in them.

I definitely go through phases on dresses but lived in them on our 2010 trip with the heat so am thinking that I'll get one more, maybe a few new tops and at most 1 pair of shorts. And another coverup, I'm eyeing one but haven't ordered it yet (since I blew it all on shoes lol).

Wow, sorry about the leaks. It stinks when things like that happen.

Congrats on the painting and the weight loss. I hope your neck continues to improve - it can take awhile. Cute purchases!

Hmm, I thought I had posted where you would go - I think you will go to DTD and eat at Earl of Sandwich.

Thanks Tammie, the neck has been sore this week but I think it's really a combo of the flight, tradeshow hauling and then being pushed pretty hard on Sat at PT. It seems ok today and doing my exercises last night really helped, I think I need to try to do them daily as it makes a huge difference. Should do them in the morning but finding time for that is really hards. You probably did say EOS, which had at least one other vote as well. I have to go look but I think it was 2 for EOS and 1 for WPE.

You can never have too many shoes.

You can't!!!!!! It is possible, though not planned, that another heel could find it's way into the collection. Specifically either a neutral or silver wedge.

LOL!

 

[eandesmom]

Sorry to hear about all of the leaks! Life always seems to get in the way of a perfectly fine vacation…

Well I suppose that's why we all need the vacation in the first place. LOL!

Love all of your new shoes! You can never have too many…

Definitely not!

I'm glad to read about your good health! Losing a few healthy pounds and your neck making it through the painting - you must be so happy!

Thanks, I am pleased, it's been very encouraging. Not to mention opening up my wardrobe options lol! My closet feels more friendly these days.

I remember him having it at Raglan Road !!!

It is honestly one of the best desserts ever in my opinion. Probably 1000 calories per bite but oh oh oh so worth it.

Sorry about the house/car repairs

Thanks! Hopefully after this weeks episode (my car window "fell" into the door!) we are done for a while.

But looks like you did some fun shopping

Nothing better than retail therapy! And, as important, nice to spread those purchases out.