Bring us a Shrubbery!! May 25-June 1, 2007!!

[oybolshoi]

I am sad today...

It has nothing to do with feeling cruddy - that would be more an "I'm feeling sorry for myself" today kind of statement, and there's really no place for that because there are plenty of people out there who are in far worse shape than me. All things considered, I've got it pretty good.

No, I am sad because I miss my brother. Today would have been his 44th birthday, but he died from lung cancer six years ago.

He never made it to Disney World - not that he was a huge Disney fan, but he always wanted to go just to see what it was all about. I sometimes feel guilty that Jay and I have been to WDW on three separate occassions just with his kids when it was something he should have been experiencing with them.

Then again, knowing my brother, he would have had an adverse reaction to all the pixie dust floating around WDW... Chronically cheerful people and places made his butt twitch - at least that's what he always said.

I miss having a sibling to share Grimace with...I miss having pun-a-thons...I miss being told that I'm a snob because I think micro-brewery beers are better than Anheuser Busch products (they are!)...I miss having a big brother.

I guess I am feeling sorry for myself after all, aren't I? D'OH! Well Mike, this one's for you - I love you man:

Trivial Pursuit - Genus Edition

Question: What is a Mexican Hairless?

...


...


...

Wait for it...

...


Answer: Bald.




Everyone in my family is a comedian.

Thanks for letting me share. I should be back to my normal wacko self tomorrow.

Brenda

 

[jakenjess]

Brenda,

I'm so sorry about your brother. What a terrible loss for your family.

It's so wonderful that you shared a fabulous sense of humor! May your warm memories help you through the difficult days.

 

[cntkg1]

Just can't give you enough of these B.

 

[oybolshoi]

Brenda,

I'm so sorry about your brother. What a terrible loss for your family.

It's so wonderful that you shared a fabulous sense of humor! May your warm memories help you through the difficult days.

Thanks so much Lori - yesterday was a hard day, but life goes on.

Just can't give you enough of these B.

Thank you, my dear friend - I'll take as many as you want to send.

I'm feeling better today - the darvocet took the edge off a lot of physical pain last night and it helped me sleep so that I am less cranky and tired today. Add that to the fact that in three weeks the hubby and I will be in WDW... woo hooo!! Life is still pretty darn good, wouldn't you say?

BTW, thanks for letting me get that off my chest...I know this may not be the most approporiate place to post something like that, but I just really needed to talk about my brother for a minute. So thanks to all of you for letting me share.

Now, let's get back to the WDW-love

 

[oybolshoi]

When you're feeling sad and lonely... or just bored at work... there's nothing like picking through a menu for dinner on an upcoming trip.

Did I mention that in three weeks we'll be in WDW? Look for me in 21 days and I'll be stuffing my face at Ghiradelli's, Crohns Disease be damned!

I think the only reservation that I haven't discussed here is the one we have at Wolfgang Puck's Grand Cafe - the upstairs dining room.

We picked this because we're staying at Saratoga Springs and it will be easy to get to this restaurant. Also, we thought it might be kind of cool, especially since they do offer a tasting menu.

From what I have seen during my research it doesn't look like their tasting menu changes, and this disappoints me because I'm not thrilled with the choices. Here, take a look:

Chef's Tasting Menu:

1st Course: Pan-seared Diver Scallops with White Corn Polenta;
2nd Course: Tender Bibb and Watercress salad;
3rd Course: Sweet Corn & Mascarpone Stuffed Agnolotti;
4th Course: Togarashi Seared Ahi Tuna with Miso Vinaigrette;
5th Course: Chinois Rack of Colorado Lamb;
6th Course: Ashed Chevreaux Cheese with Roasted Beets;
Patisserie: A Dessert Sampling.

Price per person - $74.95. with wine pairings add $34.95 per person. Total Table Participation Requested.

Jay would probably enjoy this but I wouldn't - I wonder if I can ask nicely and see if they'll let him get it even if I don't? They let us do that last year at Tchoup Chop and it worked out well for all parties involved.

So, what will picky-but-not-as-picky-as-she-used-to-be-Brenda order for dinner?

Hmmmmm....

This sounds pretty tasty for an appetizer: Sauteed Maryland Crab Cake - Marinated tomatoes, basil aioli and micro greens salad.

And for an entree, I think I could be happy with this: Shrimp Garganelli - Giant shrimp sauteed with garlic, tomato sauce, and shrimp stock; tossed with baby arugula, tomato confit and garganilli pasta.

And for dessert...how could I choose anything other than this:

For Chocolate Lovers - Chewy fudge brownie, Triple chocolate mousse tower, Chocolate gelato and Chocolate phantom cookie.


I don't know about you my friends, but that sounds like a great meal to indulge in before heading over to late EMH at the Magic Kingdom.

 

[jakenjess]

I agree, that tasting menu doesn't do anything for me, either. I'm fairly picky, though. Being a non-seafood eater really narrows down my choices .

But for the chocolate lovers . . . now you're speaking my language!!

 

[DisneyJo]

Brenda so sorry about your brother

I didn't even know some of those menus existed And I would only eat about 2 of those courses so wasted on me

 

[nts4wdw]

Brenda

Can I just tell you how much I love hearing what other people eat?!? Does that make me wierd? No, wait, I don't want to know.

 

[zweihund]

Sorry you are feeling sad.....here's hoping thoughts of chocolate make you feel less blue.

 

[oybolshoi]

I agree, that tasting menu doesn't do anything for me, either. I'm fairly picky, though. Being a non-seafood eater really narrows down my choices .

But for the chocolate lovers . . . now you're speaking my language!!

I like some seafoods and others I don't - crab and shrimp are two of my favorites. But I am concerned about the garlic in the shrimp dish - I only like a hint of garlic. And on an anniversary trip I do not want my breath to smell as if I am trying to ward off vampires.

Doesn't that chocolate dessert sampling sound divine?

Brenda so sorry about your brother

Thanks Jo, I appreciate that.

I didn't even know some of those menus existed And I would only eat about 2 of those courses so wasted on me

I am a menu freak...half of the fun I get out of planning a trip is pouring over menus to figure out what I'd like to eat when we get to our destination. It's a sickness that has no cure.

Brenda

Thanks Lynn.

Can I just tell you how much I love hearing what other people eat?!? Does that make me wierd? No, wait, I don't want to know.

I totally love to hear about what people eat on vacation...I love it even more when there are pictures of what they ate. I promise to deliver both when this pre-trippie goes post-trippie. I may not be the best person to answer your question... But I think you're in great company on this thread!

Sorry you are feeling sad.....here's hoping thoughts of chocolate make you feel less blue.

Thanks Erica.

It will get better - it always does, and actually I was planning on a stop at a local French confectioner tomorrow who makes the best chocolate covered raisins I've ever had.

Love you guys - you're the best!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Brenda - (((hugs))) on the sad day. It's a great thing to remember outloud someone we loved.

Sent up a little prayer for your upcoming tests, and that you would be feeling better all over, especially for your trip.

I need to go to a meal like the chef's table at V&A just once, and here's why: It would take the decision making out of my hands. I think if someone else chose what I was to eat, I would try more adventurous foods. I have always had a fantasy of a chef preparing food especially for me.
But until dh and I could go alone or the seven kids are old enough to be left alone at the hotel for an evening...not happening.

OT: I also LOVE The Riches. It is on a bit too late, but it's very clever. I also like Hustle on AMC, especially because it's so very British, but it's on the same time as LOST, so I haven't seen much of this season. Love a good Con. LOL

 

[cntkg1]

Disneymom5

I'm lovin' the title of your next TR!

 

[rentayenta]

Brenda, I hope you are feeling less blue today. I bet your brother was missing you too. You have the cutest sense of humor.


I ordered the maps you suggested! I can't wait until they get here!

 

[oybolshoi]

Brenda - (((hugs))) on the sad day. It's a great thing to remember outloud someone we loved.

Thanks so much - all these on-line hugs have helped a lot.

Sent up a little prayer for your upcoming tests, and that you would be feeling better all over, especially for your trip.

And thanks for that, too. I already told my GI doctor that I wasn't changing meds until after we come back from WDW. He looked at me like I was nuts (nothing new there!) but I said waiting three more weeks couldn't possibly hurt after all this time. And there's no way I'm going to have something muck up our planned "Good Eats."

But if I wait until we get back then I can share the med-joy with my co-workers and won't we all have fun then? They thought it was just going to be a one-shot deal last summer with the Lupron...joke's on them!!

*Seriously, I have great co-workers.*

I need to go to a meal like the chef's table at V&A just once, and here's why: It would take the decision making out of my hands. I think if someone else chose what I was to eat, I would try more adventurous foods. I have always had a fantasy of a chef preparing food especially for me. But until dh and I could go alone or the seven kids are old enough to be left alone at the hotel for an evening...not happening.

I agree - someday you must go and you will love it!

Disneymom5, I'm lovin' the title of your next TR!

It's a riot, isn't it? I can't wait to start reading it!

Brenda, I hope you are feeling less blue today. I bet your brother was missing you too. You have the cutest sense of humor.

Thanks so much.

I ordered the maps you suggested! I can't wait until they get here!

Good for you! You will love them, I know it. I was surprised when we received ours by just how nice they really are - printed on wonderful paper with lots of detail. Disney just doesn't do a lot of stuff like this for free anymore so it took me surprise, very pleasantly.


I've been cleaning house like mad today - I can't believe how much crap two people can accumulate over one year. And the dust...the dust...where does it come from???

It's going to be a busy couple of weeks but I'll try to pop in and get a few more updates going before we leave.

Only 19 more days to go!!!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Hey, did you know that you are going to WDW... THIS MONTH? I am mucho jealous!

I hear you can buy human organs on the black market in various Asian countries.... wanna go shop for new digestive systems together?

And in keeping with the trip report theme...

 

[cmp1111]

Finally caught up! First off, let me repeat everyone else and say good luck with the upcoming tests and big hugs about your brother.

Your trip sounds fantastic! I wish I could plan around the food this way, but with the short people... Maybe someday! DH has given me the green light to do a "friend trip" at some point, and I am trying to figure out if my best friend & I could meet at Disney for a girls' trip. Then, let the food and drinking commence!

I think I mentioned it on my pre-trip, but I'm a huge Cardinals fan! Went to my first game at 6 months, or something. They're struggling a bit now, but surely they will prevail! Living here in Red Sox Nation takes a bit out of a girl...

I'm at the 3 week mark today! I'll be on the lookout for ya!

 

[oybolshoi]

Hey, did you know that you are going to WDW... THIS MONTH? I am mucho jealous!

Crystal! Where you been, girl? I hope you're feeling better...and guess what - you're going to WDW very soon, so don't be jealous!!

I hear you can buy human organs on the black market in various Asian countries.... wanna go shop for new digestive systems together?

Just let me put up a month-long supply of cheeseburgers and I'll be ready. I'm really interested in a new intestinal tract, how about you?

Love the picture!

Finally caught up! First off, let me repeat everyone else and say good luck with the upcoming tests and big hugs about your brother.

Thanks so much.

Your trip sounds fantastic! I wish I could plan around the food this way, but with the short people... Maybe someday! DH has given me the green light to do a "friend trip" at some point, and I am trying to figure out if my best friend & I could meet at Disney for a girls' trip. Then, let the food and drinking commence!

It's great to be able to experience WDW with the little ones, but let me tell you - it's a whole other world when you take an adults only trip. You will have a terrific time when that day comes.

I think I mentioned it on my pre-trip, but I'm a huge Cardinals fan! Went to my first game at 6 months, or something. They're struggling a bit now, but surely they will prevail! Living here in Red Sox Nation takes a bit out of a girl...

They're definitely struggling right now, it's going to be interesting to see how they respond to all of the challenges they're facing.

At least living in Red Sox Nation puts you in contact with good baseball and smart fans, even if it is the American League (snore....)

I'm at the 3 week mark today! I'll be on the lookout for ya!

Woo Hoo for both of us!! Not long now!

 

[oybolshoi]

Did I mention that we leave for WDW in 18 days?

Gotta start getting organized or we will have a huge mess on our hands since we're both working a full day prior to the day we fly to Orlando. And our flight leaves early on Friday morning...maybe I just won't go to bed on Thursday night.

 

[oybolshoi]

I have nothing interesting to say...now we're just in the countdown stage...

17 more days!!


Tomorrow night I'll be getting my hair trimmed up and then on Friday after work I will be indulging in a facial. My skin is just awful...hormones and long-term drug therapy do not a pretty picture make so I try to get in for a facial every 6-8 weeks.

I think I'm going to get my eyebrows worked on, too. Gone are the days of the unibrow but my eyebrows still grow like crazy and I'm a firm believer in letting someone else work on them. As nearsighted as I am I'd probably end up stabbing myself in the eye if I tried to work on my own brows.

Ouch! That was perhaps a little more graphic than any of us needed, but it's the truth.

This weekend my window to further weight loss opportunity opens up as I begin the requisite purging for Monday's colonoscopy. I'm going to try to be a good girl between then and May 25th, when all dieting and good eating habits will prompty be tossed out the window for a week of culinary and alcoholic indulgence.

Do you guys think that 7AM is too early to start drinking on the plane?

We have all these free drink coupons from Southwest and if we don't use them soon they're going to expire. And that would be a shame.

 

[jakenjess]

Do you guys think that 7AM is too early to start drinking on the plane?

We have all these free drink coupons from Southwest and if we don't use them soon they're going to expire. And that would be a shame.

It's never too early to start drinking! My favorite saying is, it's 5:00 somewhere!