December 2009 - A Celebration of many things

[MyMuse]

Just wanted to pop in and say that I've been following your PTR but I don't think I posted before.

I liked your post about Disney magic alot. I'm not sure why people seem to think that magic has to be created by someone else; magic is created by what it inside you.

I realize that Disney does create a very high expectation as it is a super-duper-ultra-cool theme park and it is expensive, but people need to take it down a notch, breathe, realize it's people working behind the scenes and they are trying their best.

I did see your cards and I think it's a great idea and have heard about them, but I don't think I have enough time to do something now. In the middle of reading your post, I'm thinking, I can probably find mini-candy canes to bring with me and then poweee! It struck me! All my mickey paint chip heads, I can give out as "thank yous"!!! That's a decent idea, right? Thank you, Nic!

I still have to fully form the idea, but it's something. And it gives me the warm fuzzies. I always write a letter to compliment the people who did things right. I like to focus on the good stuff and not the not-so-good stuff.

Anyways, your plans are certainly forming! So close!!!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

 

[crissy1974]

Hi there! I am very very very new to this. I usually just read and never post. So, who knows - I could be doing this all wrong. Anyhow, I really am enjoying your PTR. We will also be in Disney around the same time (12/5 - 12/12). It's a surprise for my DD4 (her 2nd Disney trip). It's an early Christmas present for her. Let Santa top that!! Ha ha.

I love all your ideas! I am going out this weekend to buy my daughter and I white shirts and a tie dye kit. I can't wait to make our shirts. My boyfriend on the other hand has opted not to have one. He likes Disney, but is not into wearing it on his chest. He likes Disney for the FOOD! Anyhow, can't wait to try the shirts, but need to keep it hidden from my DD4.

I also love your card idea for the CM's. I was trying to think of something for for our room service and that would be perfect. They always make those cute towel animals. Yes, money is nice for them, but I wanted to make something besides. Something like this will be perfect.

I will say that my reason for posting a response is because of your "magic post". It was absolutely wonderful and so so true. We live around a bunch of theme parks (Dorney Park, Hershey Park, Knoebels, Great Adventure, Sesame Place) and NONE of them compare to the wonderful magic of Disney. Disney just sucks you right in and you want to be magical when you are there and you want everything to be wonderful.

Also, I LOVE your countdown. I have my own little countdown at work, but didn't do anything fun since it was just for me.

Will keep following and am thinking of doing my own PTR. I get so much out of reading everyone else's reports. I am so happy that I found this site! Great information/tips from people like you. Thanks!

 

[Elevationist]

1 more week to go now, lady!!! JoJo leave tomorrow, it's getting time for ALL of us!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

I hope everything went well for your turkey day!!!!!!

I just had leftovers tonight for dinner and they were still yummy!!!

I wanted to comment on the CM cards. I LOVED getting the cards from guests!!
When I worked at BBB, I would get them as tip envelopes from a Princess and I would always show it off to all the other FGIT. I would have to remove the money and put it in the tip jar but I always kept the envelope and hung it in my room that night!! At AK, we would sometimes get little business card type of thank-you cards at the KDCs (kids discovery clubs) and they were nice and small to fit in our vest's and we would always show them off in our end day meeting I enjoy making/printing the tip envelopes and I should start making the little business card type ones too!!

 

[nic100308]

Looks like you've got a great weekend planned! I'll be looking forward to hearing all about it!

Enjoy your family and friends! Happy Thanksgiving Nic!

Thanks, Jen!!! And I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your Dad and the rest of your family. The day went wonderfully and I will update you next on the happens.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Nicole, and say hey to Mickey for me! I can't wait for your trip report!

Thanks!! I will definitely tell Mickey you said hello!! Funny I was thinking about how my TR should be formated the other day. LOL I'm always a step ahead!! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving as well!!

Just wanted to pop in and say that I've been following your PTR but I don't think I posted before.

I liked your post about Disney magic alot. I'm not sure why people seem to think that magic has to be created by someone else; magic is created by what it inside you.

I realize that Disney does create a very high expectation as it is a super-duper-ultra-cool theme park and it is expensive, but people need to take it down a notch, breathe, realize it's people working behind the scenes and they are trying their best.

I did see your cards and I think it's a great idea and have heard about them, but I don't think I have enough time to do something now. In the middle of reading your post, I'm thinking, I can probably find mini-candy canes to bring with me and then poweee! It struck me! All my mickey paint chip heads, I can give out as "thank yous"!!! That's a decent idea, right? Thank you, Nic!

I still have to fully form the idea, but it's something. And it gives me the warm fuzzies. I always write a letter to compliment the people who did things right. I like to focus on the good stuff and not the not-so-good stuff.

Anyways, your plans are certainly forming! So close!!!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Thanks for following, even if you didn't post I'm glad you have been enjoying my PTR. I'm glad I could inspire you! I think the paint chips are PERFECT!! I'm totally into recycling nd reusing so that is right up my ally! From what I hear the cards will be a big hit.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter and food!! I'm glad I have people with me on the "You have to be realistic!!"

Hi there! I am very very very new to this. I usually just read and never post. So, who knows - I could be doing this all wrong. Anyhow, I really am enjoying your PTR. We will also be in Disney around the same time (12/5 - 12/12). It's a surprise for my DD4 (her 2nd Disney trip). It's an early Christmas present for her. Let Santa top that!! Ha ha.

I love all your ideas! I am going out this weekend to buy my daughter and I white shirts and a tie dye kit. I can't wait to make our shirts. My boyfriend on the other hand has opted not to have one. He likes Disney, but is not into wearing it on his chest. He likes Disney for the FOOD! Anyhow, can't wait to try the shirts, but need to keep it hidden from my DD4.

I also love your card idea for the CM's. I was trying to think of something for for our room service and that would be perfect. They always make those cute towel animals. Yes, money is nice for them, but I wanted to make something besides. Something like this will be perfect.

I will say that my reason for posting a response is because of your "magic post". It was absolutely wonderful and so so true. We live around a bunch of theme parks (Dorney Park, Hershey Park, Knoebels, Great Adventure, Sesame Place) and NONE of them compare to the wonderful magic of Disney. Disney just sucks you right in and you want to be magical when you are there and you want everything to be wonderful.

Also, I LOVE your countdown. I have my own little countdown at work, but didn't do anything fun since it was just for me.

Will keep following and am thinking of doing my own PTR. I get so much out of reading everyone else's reports. I am so happy that I found this site! Great information/tips from people like you. Thanks!

WELCOME!! And there is no wrong way to post. Thanks for stopping by and posting! I do have to agree, there is nothing like Disney! I'm glad you liked my Disney magic post, it really gets to me too. I wrote it from my heart and even now when I reread it it gets the tears flowing.

Countdowns don't have to be special. LOL I just had a little too much time on my hands. My mom and m brother laughed and Greg and I when I told them what that tree was. Honestly, even at 27 and 29 we really enjoyed the countdown. Every morning we would tare one off the tree and ask the trivia question. We stopped keeping track, I think it just became more fun to learn more about Disney than to make it a competition.

1 more week to go now, lady!!! JoJo leave tomorrow, it's getting time for ALL of us!!

YAY!!!! I think the best part is that since I've been busy the countdown is down to 3 days!!!! Isn't that so wonderful!?!?!?!

I hope everything went well for your turkey day!!!!!!

I just had leftovers tonight for dinner and they were still yummy!!!

I wanted to comment on the CM cards. I LOVED getting the cards from guests!!
When I worked at BBB, I would get them as tip envelopes from a Princess and I would always show it off to all the other FGIT. I would have to remove the money and put it in the tip jar but I always kept the envelope and hung it in my room that night!! At AK, we would sometimes get little business card type of thank-you cards at the KDCs (kids discovery clubs) and they were nice and small to fit in our vest's and we would always show them off in our end day meeting I enjoy making/printing the tip envelopes and I should start making the little business card type ones too!!

OH YAY!!!! I am so excited about these "Thank yous" now!!! We have 50 cards, I hope I don't run short, but I really felt like it was just a little something to brighten a CM day that brightened our day!! I'm really excited to give them out!!

 

[nic100308]

Hello friends!!!
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! I hope that everyone had a holiday filled with things they could be grateful for. Most of all I hope that you had a day filled with love, laughter, famly, friends, and FOOD!!!

So, Thanksgiving actually went off without a hitch!! Greg and I prepared EVERYTHING the night before (except my turkey). I made all the side dishes, except the squash, mashed potatoes and broccoli. But Greg did help me out and cleaned and cut all of that stuff so it just went in to be cooked the next day. Everything actually went really well. It was a nice unstressful day.

I woke up at my normal 7:00. We cleaned up a little bit, watched the parade, and I put the final touches on my table. Beacause we don't have a real dining room I made due with what we have and some borrowed folding chairs.

The kids table

My turkey went in as scheduled and was done on time. It really came out wonderful, LOL if I do say so myself! Funny side story. Thanksgiving morning before I put my turkey in I pull it out of the brine and start to rinse it off. Now I'm looking for gizzards. I find the neck, but for that life of me I cannot find the rest. I literally stuck me arm in and was searching for this bag, NOTHING. So I assumed it fell out. My dad goes to carve the turkey and was like, "Uhhh Nicole, You're suppsed to take this out." I swore I looked for it. Greg even attested that I looked very extensively for it.

So the day went wonderfully. Since I cook, Greg deal is that he cleans. Oh I was so grateful, because I so did not want to clean up. He i the best. Plus I spent the time before the meal cooking so I should get to socialize after the meal. Everyone had left to go home by 8:30 and Greg and I spent the rest of the night talking, sipping wine and listening to music (I put together a really nice dinner music mix on my ipod) It was the perfect end to our day.

Friday I had every intention of getting up and decoration. I WAS BEAT!!! So that didn't happen. I slowly cleaned up whatever was left (not a lot) and rested/napped/became hooked on the Real Housewives on NJ. WOW! There was a marathon and I was totally into after the first episode!!

Saturday I did decorate!! Last year we were in a smaller apartment (same community but we were in a 1 BR. We got a recession steal on this place so decided to upgrade to a 2 BR) Anyway, now our apartment doesn't seem as decorated. Everything is so spread out compared to last year. LOL that just means I can buy more decorations in DISNEY!!!

Some pictures of my holiday house!!

I LOVE PENGUINS!!!!

This is my holiday village. My mom started it for me forever ago. It's sort of a pain to put out but without it I think everything would look super bare (in the Christmasy respect)

Our stockings. These are all hand made by Greg's mom. She's good like there. Even B has one. (Yes Santa visits our dog and stuffs her stocking.)

My 3x3 foyer

I also packed Greg and I for Disney. He had gone out with his mom, so after I decorated I turned up the Christmas music and got to packing. I ws much easier doing both bags while I was alone. Greg even went through it and only replace one thing. LOL if he were doing it himself we would still be packing. He's very indecisive.

Disney bags!!! YAY!!!

Even Brynn got into the Disney Spirit

No puppies were hurt during this photo session. I bribed her with lots of treats!!!

ATTENTION!! SUNDAY 11/29 ON HGTV AT 8:00 PM BEHIND THE SCENES: DISNEY HOLIDAYS!!! ANYONE THAT READS TONIGHT SHOULD SO WATCH THIS!!!!

PS- So because everything on Thanksgiving pretty much went as perfect as you could hope for, I have a renewed hoe for Disney. Like Disney, Thanksgiving was planned as logically and organized as possible. The day was really perfect. And I realized that our Disney approach was completely similar, if not the same. Plan as much as you can, do what ever you can do, and then that day is in Gods hands. Do your best to make it a great day.

I CANNOT WAIT FOR DISNEY!!!!!!! 3 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Where to start...? 3 DAYS - WAHOOO!!!

I love the bit about the gizzards - too funny! I am on your side, I trust that you did indeed look for them! Glad to hear T'giving went off great! I too have high hopes for our Disney trips!!!

Penguins are such cute little animals!

Thanks for the bit about HGTV tonight!

I too am feeling that our decorations are lacking... the tree is up and decorated and the stockings are hung... but everything else just looks so bare

See ya a week from tomorrow!!!

 

[creativeamanda]

Love your decorations! I just put up our tree today. (Pictures to follow soon).

 

[DisneyMom14]

Your Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations are so cute!!! I can't believe you are leaving in 3 days!!!!! Good luck with the last minute details! We'll all be watching Disney tonight and wishing we were there.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Hey Nic!! Sorry I have been missing a bit...lots of running around! Decorations look great! Your Thanksgiving tables were beautiful! Yay for three days! Can't wait!!!!! You sat sipping wine with DH last Thursday and this Thursday you and I will be sipping something together!!! WooHoo!!!

 

[disneyaddicted]

Hi Nic,
Your Thanksgiving day sounds so lovely. Your table setting was gorgeous, you and my sister Bo would get along great, she adds all the extra touches like you do, you really have an eye for decorating.

Seeing as it is after midnight, officially we have 2 days left, well 2 days and a wake up, but still it's so close. I have to work tomorrow and I can't seem to fall asleep, I lay there with Disney thoughts running through my head.

I will be seeing you soon, can't wait. I will either be in a white T-shirt with lime green Diser logo, or a dark purple tinkerbell shirt, Can't seem to make up my mind. but either way, you watch for me and I will watch for you.

 

[nic100308]

Where to start...? 3 DAYS - WAHOOO!!!

I love the bit about the gizzards - too funny! I am on your side, I trust that you did indeed look for them! Glad to hear T'giving went off great! I too have high hopes for our Disney trips!!!

Penguins are such cute little animals!

Thanks for the bit about HGTV tonight!

I too am feeling that our decorations are lacking... the tree is up and decorated and the stockings are hung... but everything else just looks so bare

See ya a week from tomorrow!!!

We were all standing in my kitchen hysterical laughing. LOL a bit of a funny memory from my first Thanksgiving. At least I didn't set anything on fire. I asked Greg to make dinner a few weeks ago and he set our fish on fire!!!

I think because our space last year so so much smaller (like half the size) I felt a lot more decorated. But our tree will go up the Sunday we return, 12/13, and I plan and getting some things at Disney. I also plan to make myself some garland for my stair case. I think the tree will help, LOL but I love to be embraced by Christmas everywhere I go in my home!!

Love your decorations! I just put up our tree today. (Pictures to follow soon).

Thanks!! We get a real tree and we'll be going on 12/13, the day after we return. I'm already excited to put my new ornaments that I don't yet have up!!!

Your Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations are so cute!!! I can't believe you are leaving in 3 days!!!!! Good luck with the last minute details! We'll all be watching Disney tonight and wishing we were there.

I'm a festive personality and I like to make the house look festive too. Well, our apartment, force of habit to call it our house. Anyway I am super excited about leaving!! I just have a few things to pick up during the next few days, but we're pretty much set!!

So loved that Disney show. Greg was afraid it was going to ruin things, but I assured him there is nothing like BEING there.

Hey Nic!! Sorry I have been missing a bit...lots of running around! Decorations look great! Your Thanksgiving tables were beautiful! Yay for three days! Can't wait!!!!! You sat sipping wine with DH last Thursday and this Thursday you and I will be sipping something together!!! WooHoo!!!

No worries, Erin! I know you're super busy!

You are so right, we will be sipping our drinks this Thursday!! WOO HOO!!!!!

Hi Nic,
Your Thanksgiving day sounds so lovely. Your table setting was gorgeous, you and my sister Bo would get along great, she adds all the extra touches like you do, you really have an eye for decorating.

Seeing as it is after midnight, officially we have 2 days left, well 2 days and a wake up, but still it's so close. I have to work tomorrow and I can't seem to fall asleep, I lay there with Disney thoughts running through my head.

I will be seeing you soon, can't wait. I will either be in a white T-shirt with lime green Diser logo, or a dark purple tinkerbell shirt, Can't seem to make up my mind. but either way, you watch for me and I will watch for you.

Thanks!! I was so unrushed and unstressed that morning that I went into my craft bin and started to pull out my leftovers from wreath making. It was kind of fun to just mess around with the table and watch the parade. I have to tell you, I don't know why everyone doesn't just make everything the night before. That morning was nice and relaxing.

I am so excited, I really can't contain myself!! It is so close it's almost torturous. I will be wearing a black t-shirt with a bunch of Mickey's walking around the world and my red velour zip up hoody. I am almost positive I'll be able to spot you so no worries. Then we can do our "We're in Disney" happy dance!!!

 

[nic100308]

I'm not sure if you guys are familiar with this story, but it's such a great story that really embodies the spirit of the season.

Courtesy of newseum.com: "Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps. "

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?"

VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

That story always gets me a little teary eyed!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

3 days!!!??

Man I'm getting super jealous of all you Dis'ers who will be to WDW and back before I get to leave!! I'll be spending the Xmas weekend going over everyone's TR's that I missed!!


HAVE A GREAT TIME AND SAFE TRAVELS!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I love that story!!!! Want to know what's sad??? I still somewhere deep down believe in Santa and my oldest two do not! It is so hard when they stop believing...it shows they are growing up!

 

[nic100308]

That story always gets me a little teary eyed!

Awww, me too!!! Just one of those really great timeless stories!

3 days!!!??

Man I'm getting super jealous of all you Dis'ers who will be to WDW and back before I get to leave!! I'll be spending the Xmas weekend going over everyone's TR's that I missed!!


HAVE A GREAT TIME AND SAFE TRAVELS!

No worries, you'll be there before you know it. I must say that now that it is so close these final days are just grueling!! I'm actually really excited to start a TR, not that I want to rush this or anything. I thought it would be nice to open with some pictures of our Christmas tree.

I love that story!!!! Want to know what's sad??? I still somewhere deep down believe in Santa and my oldest two do not! It is so hard when they stop believing...it shows they are growing up!

ME TOO!!!!! I think that Christmas takes on a new meaning when you look at it like that. I think that this story is so great because it's just proof that you should always believe because Santa really does exist. I like the thought of Santa always existing as long as there is good in the world.

Sad little side note, when I was 5 there was a really mean girl that lived down the block from me. I lost my tooth and went outside to show my brother. He told me to put it under my pillow and that the Tooth Fairy would come to take it. Well, this nasty little thing turns around and says, "There is no Tooth Fairy, there is no Easter Bunny or Santa Claus either." Yeah, that's right, all of them in one shot, ruined. My mom did her best to restore my faith but I was never the same. But, I feel like as I get older I have a new faith in the spirit of Christmas and Santa. My kids will believe forever, LOL I'll do whatever I can to make sure of that.

 

[exwdwcm]

love the pics and your decorations. The holiday table was beautiful! lol on the turkey!

and you are all packed- pretty good!! you guys packed pretty well too- we are going to have way too many bags for us 3.

love the Virginia/Santa story. always a favorite.

and I LOVE penguins too. as a kid, we all had our favorite animal- my sister loved raccoons (go figure) and the other teddy bears. Penguins were my thing, so mom always bought me penguin stuff.

only 2 days left! so what else do you have left to do- anything? are you all ready now. i am so so excited for you guys!

3 days!!!??

Man I'm getting super jealous of all you Dis'ers who will be to WDW and back before I get to leave!! I'll be spending the Xmas weekend going over everyone's TR's that I missed!!


HAVE A GREAT TIME AND SAFE TRAVELS!

i'll need to read your PTR too- we are there at the same time- we leave on 12/10-12/20~!

 

[DisneyMom14]

Thank you so much for posting that story. This year I have an 8 year old little girl who is having certain little friends telling her that there is no Santa Clause. I've been doing my best trying to get her to still believe but let's just say that she is the type of child that if I say it's black, she'll say its white just for the heck of it. So, I'm not sure if I am getting through to her. I just want to hold on to her innocence a little while longer. I don't think I could ever confirm that he isn't real. I read her that story just now and we talked about God and how we can't see him but we believe. It's all about faith and we can choose whether to have or not have that faith. Thank you again for reminding me of that wonderful story!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

I hate nasty 5 year old neighbor girls!