In search of my body...not the one I ate! Part Deux... We sit at the popular table!

[goofyfan-12]

Dawn - my tears were good tears.... no worries there...

OK - dining reservations are for dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern, California Grille (to celebrate my parents' anniversary), Hollywood Brown Derby (Fantasmic package) and Le Cellier (Candlelight Processional package). We also made a breakfast reservation at Chef Mickey's for the day we leave.

Once we get our flights settled, I need to make a reservation for dinner on our arrival night for somewhere at Downtown Disney or one of the hotels.

We are also going to Universal for a day and Sea World for a day, but I haven't done too much with that yet. One thing at a time I guess...

Talk to you all later,
Paula

 

[goofyfan-12]

I need ideas for a 3-4 day trip.
Specifics- Me, Mom 72 and Aunt 67. and maybe Sara 21 (if it sounds fun to her- she is a big help and they love her)
We want to fly. We need transportation and preferably a tour, that picks you up, takes you around and brings you back, etc.
They want to wait till next year to do Disney again. It worked great. Magical Express, boat or bus, etc. KWIM?
This year, we/they have done: Washington DC, Alaska Cruise, Branson, MO, Vegas, Shreveport, LA, Nagadoches(sp) LA, Nashville, San Francisco, and San Diego. Denver, Co. Several driving trips in Texas- Athens, Fredricksburg and lots of museum, touristy day trips.
We need transportation, remember I hate to drive! The best way to describe our traveling style is "herding turtles" They both love to see everything, will do most anything, and will go from early till late. But they are really, really slow! I get to pick, plan,and schedule everything. They pay and enjoy . Just the way I like it.
Any ideas?
My mom won't shop, they don't do spas. Adventures by Disney are too long.
We have a Carribean cruise, Los Angelos trip, and several Casino trips planned through 2008. The goal- one trip a month, not counting casino trips, and day trips. I don't go on all of them. They have sufficient money, but are not "fancy types" as my aunt would say.
So, it's a random request. Any suggestions? Maybe where you live? They have suggested Chicago, New York, Fall leaves tour, Hershey factory, and Norman Rockwell museum.
Oh yeah, I lost 2 pounds !!!!! Drank tons of water, made ok choices, Never went to the gym, but got lots of exercise....

Boston is a fun town to visit with lots going on. I'm sure there are tour groups that have something local. If you come to the Berkshires for the Norman Rockwell museum, there are some other things to do, but there is not much in the form of public transportation so you will be doing a bunch of driving.

Also - have you thought about Savannah, GA. If they are food types, you can go to Paula Dean's restaurant there... Beyond that, I am at a loss for someplace new. Sounds like you have been a bunch of places already...

Of course, there is always NYC. Driving is actually discouraged there. You could take cabs or the tours pretty much everywhere you go...

Hope this helps,
Paula

 

[Dizneydawn]

Believen - How bout San Antonio?? Seattle?? Charleston with all the homes and eclectic shops...walking tours everywhere as well as guided tours...plus you could do a bit of Disney at Hilton Head Island... Cape Cod with golf carts only...

Goof - Got the 12th of Dec for Chefs De France...

What is your exact dates you will be there??? I know that we will maybe run into each other a few times...

 

[goofyfan-12]

Believen - How bout San Antonio?? Seattle?? Charleston with all the homes and eclectic shops...walking tours everywhere as well as guided tours...plus you could do a bit of Disney at Hilton Head Island... Cape Cod with golf carts only...

For what its worth - My sister absolutely loved Seatle.....

Goof - Got the 12th of Dec for Chefs De France...

What is your exact dates you will be there??? I know that we will maybe run into each other a few times...

I arrive on Tuesday, 12/2 and leave on Tuesday, 12/9...

I hope we run into each other while we are there. I am going to be bumming if we don't...

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Okay, a big reply!

Vicki - Trips - Well, of course I say NYC! No driving, tons to do. Lyz is right, Deerfield is nice, and I love Ann Arbor. Also, Boston is fantastic. Do the Duck boat tour, it's super fun. We did the Berkshires, and Paula is right, a lot of driving, but it's so pretty. I am also all about Maine, so I think people should go there! I am sure there are tours for all of this - oh! Williamsburg, VA. You MUST go. It's wonderful. Let me know if you pick that, or NYC, as I have lots of info about both.

Congrats on the two pounds!

And, before I forget, I like Hershey but it's the amusement park that really rocks. We are going in August, just us, no kiddo, because we are seeing Springsteen there, too.

Dawn - WW. I do flex. Core is very good, it's a list of foods you can eat and then you have points to spend on fun stuff. I think if you want to teach nutrition, it's awesome - all non-processed foods. BUT, as a teen, you need to eat pizza. And I am basically a kid, so I do flex. I am sure there are exceptions, like your SIL, but few. You have to make better, healthier choices on flex, or you won't be full. You can have pizza, but then you have to have a salad. So, I just like flex because of the freedom, and I think it will teach your daughter good choices. After all, most raw veggies are free!

I love WW. It's changed my life - no, I changed my life - but with WW's help. You have to go to meetings, but you get great support. You have to track, but I don't mind that. And, it's a way I can eat for the rest of my life. I do the monthly pass and it's $40 well spent.

Good luck to you and your daughter - if you follow it, you will lose weight!

DawnAlso, I have had two people comment on my shirt today and how figure flattering it is, including my QA lady who was like, you have lost so much weight that the shirt doesn't even look the same anymore. That is always nice.

TOM is in the house this week, so I am not expecting any weight loss. As long as I can control the cravings and wait until next week, I should be fine. Here's to hoping that I see 5s in my number next week....

I love that feeling! I went to a birthday party this weekend and my friend's mom was like, Liz, you look so good! That was nice. Also, I wore size 12 shorts and a medium top! Whoo-whee! Some 12's still don't fit, but I'm not buying any more 14's.

Paula, let us know how it goes tonight. I like all your dining choices! Yum!


Yesterday I went to the gym - one hour fitness class, aerobics and weights. Today, one hour step class - almost died - and one hour weight lifting class. Goddess crown, please!

 

[3DisneyKids]

OMG, you totally get a goddess crown! You OWN it! Way to go...I am super impressed!

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Can you believe *I* went to the gym for 2 hours??? You know, two hours at the gym takes like 3, because you have to get there and back and also saying hi - so I left at 9am and got home at 12pm. But, yes, I exercised for 2 hours. And what did you do, run 7 miles and do 45 mins of core? Because I know you, Erika, and you with your three kids, 3 jobs, and myriad of social responsibilities STILL kicked my a$$ on exercise today!

Sad, but true.

 

[HockeyKat]

WOW Liz!! I am super-impressed.

I have no gym scheduled for today... it is a hockey night.

I'm tired.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Erika - I am impressed with your, um, activity levels! Way to go!

And I maintained those levels all week-end! Just start calling me Steph!

I need ideas for a 3-4 day trip.

So many ideas! As others have said...NYC! Great choice. You can do shows and great food. Plus historical stuff if they are interested in that stuff. Boston is another great choice. I am only about an hour and a half away so we go all the time. Public transportation is not as great as NY and there is often a bit of walking involved. However, there are lots of tours, so I am sure you could find something.

As long as we are talking about the Northeast....hello?!? MAINE. Gorgeous. Come here. And/or NH and Maine for leaf season. You can do all walking stuff or all driving stuff. Again, it is beautiful. And since you said these are not super fancy folks, anywhere in New England makes great sense. A great wool sweater and a pair of jeans will get you in anywhere.

Newport, RI. Beautiful. Coast. Big boats. And the mansion tours! (Lyz, this is a must for you as well!)

DEFINITELY Williamsburg, VA. This would be my first choice for your group. It will be a home run without a doubt.

I also love the Outer Bank of NC.

What about a Mississippi River Boat cruise type of thing? These are VERY different from regular cruises, but there would be no walking, everything is all right there, and there is gambling on board (which sounds like this crew would want).

I love the idea of Seattle and Puget Sound as well.

Southern California! Yes! San Diego is the most amazing city. Great Mexican food, sparkling clean city, and tons to do.

Are you wine drinkers? 3-4 days is the perfect length for a wine tasting trip. Top coices: Napa and Sonoma in N. California (and you can also do San Francisco), the Temeculah region of S. California (which you can pair with San Diego), or the Finger Lakes region of NY.

Ok, I'm out!

Although, I was a bad girl and was bored about halfway through my last session (it was something that I thought I might be interested in but wasn't; just a rehash of an earlier one), so I left and went to the gym.

No, no, no. You have this all wrong! Blowing off a boring meeting to go to the gym is being a GOOD girl!

Also, I have had two people comment on my shirt today and how figure flattering it is, including my QA lady who was like, you have lost so much weight that the shirt doesn't even look the same anymore. That is always nice.

GREAT compliment! Yes, the 150s are in your future!

Hi Everyone...

I am back from my whirlwind trip to Rochester for a two day board meeting / eating fest.... Unfortunately, I did not make the best food choices in the world while I was away and will likely pay for it on the scale tonight. For some reason, I am in a rut where I don't want to eat the JC food anymore. I think it is just the monotony of it all, but I need to find a way to push through this so I can get back on track again... I also think all of the summer activities are taking a toll. The picnic food is just plain better than my food so I don't want to eat my food. I will be talking to my JC consultant today about this.

I can understand this, Paula. When on that type of program for so long, you are bound to get bored with it. I am sure it is wonderful and super easy to stay on program if you live in a vacuum with no one else around ever. But when you have a life...

Hang in there. And keep a critical ear open for what your JC counselor says. They are paid to keep you in the program as long as possible, so don't take everything she says as Gospel as she is not impartial, kwim? Let us know...we are here to support you!

OK - dining reservations are for dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern, California Grille (to celebrate my parents' anniversary), Hollywood Brown Derby (Fantasmic package) and Le Cellier (Candlelight Processional package). We also made a breakfast reservation at Chef Mickey's for the day we leave.

Why 3 character meals? Just for fun? Basically all 3 of these character meals have the classic characters. Just pointing it out in case you had not realized it. WOO HOO for Brown Derby. Great choice. Any particular reason for LTT? They are known for poor food (but great character interaction). And FYI--Le Cellier has a new chef and food quality has gone down. It is decent, just not wonderful.



Ok, I more to report, but I also have hungry kids. Back in a few to finish!

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Paula - just jumping in - Erika and I totally disagree about LTT - I love it. We dig the food, maybe we have bad taste, but for we do it every other trip, if not every trip! We are all about LTT!

 

[3DisneyKids]

Can you believe *I* went to the gym for 2 hours??? You know, two hours at the gym takes like 3, because you have to get there and back and also saying hi - so I left at 9am and got home at 12pm. But, yes, I exercised for 2 hours. And what did you do, run 7 miles and do 45 mins of core? Because I know you, Erika, and you with your three kids, 3 jobs, and myriad of social responsibilities STILL kicked my a$$ on exercise today!

Sad, but true.

Ok, since you asked....

I did 2 hours at the gym today, but I rode my bike both ways, so that makes it 2:40 of working out. And I have tennis for an hour and a half tonight. So by the end of the day I will be at 4:10 for the day. But I am a freak, don't forget...

 

[3DisneyKids]

So after the gym, I went out to the club to sign my kids up for swimming lessons and various other summer activities. I swear I just wrote a check the size of which could feed a small developing nation for 6 months! And this is on top of the *main* summer sign up that I did 6 weeks ago!

And the crazy thing is that my kids aren't even over-scheduled. Sure, cumulatively there are a ton of activities, but lots of them are just one week here or one week there. Or an hour once a week. That type of thing. But do that for 3 kids and you have a TON of activities and me carting them around.

On the one hand, I am thrilled that they have so many interests and want to be active all summer and not just sit in front of the tv. But on the other hand...sheesh...with gas prices I am going to be seriously hurting at the pump!

So I will spend the afternoon pouring over the summer schedule to see where I can combine things, carpool with friends, eliminate something, etc.

And once again, I am behind at work! The good news is that I should be able to get caught up tonight (please don't invite me to IM tonight! If you are my friends, make me get some work done! ) Once I get caught up tonight, I should be able to cruise for a couple of weeks, so that will awesome!

DAWN--I agree that WW is great and likely a very good program for both you and Carsyn. I vote for flex. While some people CAN manipulate it to live on french fries and beer, most people quickly learn that if you want to eat more, you have to maximize your points and that means eating healthy calories. And that is the lesson you want Carsyn to learn. Core is very like South Beach...and while it works fast, that speed doesn't last. And I think it is way too much fat in your diet. I could go on, but I will wait and see what you decide.

The bottom line here is that ALL of these programs work. WW, flex, core, NutriSystem, Jenny Craig, SlimFast, etc. They will all work if you follow them. The trick is finding one that you CAN follow for the long haul. And WW seems to be the best of those since it allows you "real" food. Meaning, if you want an ice cream, have it. Just account for it and make it up somewhere else. If you want to go to the family picnic--go and eat. Just count it and track it and know how many points you have for the rest of the day/week.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Hi. Trying to work. I need to be paid.

E - glad your having fun. And...camping in tents! Count me OUT!

Liz - 2 hours of gym? You're crossing over my friend.

Meant to post this yesterday, yes to Kat's Ashville plug, the Biltmore, oh my!

 

[goofyfan-12]

OMG - I totally forgot about Rhode Island. Between Newport and Providence there is so much to see. There is also Block Island (think Nantucket but not as exclusive). I think there are tours, but you will still have some driving involved as their public transportation system is buses only. PM me if you want info. I spent my college years there). As an added Bonus, Boston is about an hour away from Providence...

Dining choices were decided on by the group. My sister is a fussy eater so we tend to favor the classics as opposed to the exotic. Friends of mine have been to LTT and loved it so we thought we would give it a shot. My mother has her heart set on Le Cellier so I doubt I can revise that one and I picked Chef Mickey's because it sounds like a fun way to wrap up the trip. I don't have three character meals planned, just the two so I am a little confused by E's comment. Am I missing something? Character meals have always been pretty important and fun for our family over the years. I still remember how funny my dad and Pluto were on our first trip. Don't ask me the restaurant because I don't remember, but I do remember laughing so hard that I was crying. The same thing happened at Crystal Palace not too long ago with my dad and Pooh, so these are important to us even though we are all adults now...

I'll let you know how things go tonight and will post more from home. For now - I have to get back to work...

Paula

 

[Dizneydawn]

Everyone - Thanks for the WW input - should be able to start on Thursday...got the appointment in for Carsyn -

I agree - I need something that works - and I need that scale and that person each week looking at me...

I have to be honest...I know you guys notice I have not been posting as much...but again...I feel kind of creeped out that Dan's ex is reading everything...and using it to whatever will help her POV...even if not accurate...

It's like having a diary that isn't bad or good...just your private thoughts...and some stalker neighbor is reading every time you take a sh!t and although you don't mind sharing it with your friends...it is your news to share..and someone stole that privacy.

So I will continue to work on not caring...but I want to puke right now that I talked about Carsyn to my friends and she could turn around and use that in some way to discredit me or Carsyn...or something to gossip about to her family...

Think about what you all write here daily...and give me advice on how to deal with that information being in the hands of someone who hates you...cause that is what I am trying to cope with...Treyner had a beautiful college week in Colordao...and Dan was a small part of that simply due to the fact that he was working there...

Treyner had wanted Colorado in his sights since he was 5...since him and his best friend thought hey would drive a Scoobie Doo van and live in ski resorts...teaching snowboarding...before Dan existed in my life...the trip was not about Dan...it was about MY SON...and she tells Dan's mom in front of their girls that Dan did not come home for a weekend to see the girls because he choose to spend time with Treyner.

Not true at all first off...he cannot book himself anywhere for work...he is told where to go and when...and Treyner and I went with less than a months notice because of his team cancelling a tournament...and needing to see soccer coaches...The trip would have been planned if Dan was in Zimbabwe...

but according to her...the stars align up and the gates of heaven open to screw her over continually...and then I feel bad because I wasn't carefull enough to not tell friends things...or wrote too much here...because no matter what is said...what I want to share...whatever good, proud moments I can gather through this divorce and sometimes crappy life...what may be completely joyous...can be twisted into something awful and hurtful...even if that means hurting their children...

These are her problems...but they affect Dan and their girls...and me...so what do I do???

I was debating on writing this...but it is the reality of what I live in...so let's hear some advice please...

 

[3DisneyKids]

Just got this e-mail from John Bingham (famous running guru and author)--

All of us take ourselves, and our training, too seriously from time to time. I know I do. Despite my best efforts, some days it's hard to avoid thinking that I exist at the center of the universe. The best way to shake this feeling of importance is to put on my running shoes.

As I straighten the toe seams of my socks, as I adjust my running shorts so that I'll look as trim as I can, and as I put on my lucky hat that any normal person would have thrown away, as I make sure that my short coordinates well, I begin to see the folly in my vanity.

It occurs to me that if I were choosing the person around whom the universe would revolve, I wouldn't choose me. I wouldn't choose anyone who could argue the relative benefits of one type of running shoe over the other. Somehow, I figure, if you've gotten to the point where you use words like CoolMax and calories expended and perceived exertion rate with a straight face, the center of the universe has probably moved past you.

Lighten up this week. Don't take yourself so seriously.

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Dawn, have you thought about blogging? i know you like to write. You could write it all out there, and she'd have to be super sneaky to find your blog. As long as you don't use your real name, or a name you use on the DIS, she can't google you and find it. Also, if you needed to, you could make some entries private and give passwords to your friends. Then you could just post the basic stuff on here and not have to worry about invasion of privacy. Just a thought.

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Just got this e-mail from John Bingham (famous running guru and author)--

All of us take ourselves, and our training, too seriously from time to time. I know I do. Despite my best efforts, some days it's hard to avoid thinking that I exist at the center of the universe. The best way to shake this feeling of importance is to put on my running shoes.

As I straighten the toe seams of my socks, as I adjust my running shorts so that I'll look as trim as I can, and as I put on my lucky hat that any normal person would have thrown away, as I make sure that my short coordinates well, I begin to see the folly in my vanity.

It occurs to me that if I were choosing the person around whom the universe would revolve, I wouldn't choose me. I wouldn't choose anyone who could argue the relative benefits of one type of running shoe over the other. Somehow, I figure, if you've gotten to the point where you use words like CoolMax and calories expended and perceived exertion rate with a straight face, the center of the universe has probably moved past you.

Lighten up this week. Don't take yourself so seriously.

See, this is a great argument against exercise! If I was picking the center of the universe, I would totally pick someone who liked to hang out and never stressed about eating chocolate. Who's with me?

 

[3DisneyKids]

Dining choices were decided on by the group. My sister is a fussy eater so we tend to favor the classics as opposed to the exotic. Friends of mine have been to LTT and loved it so we thought we would give it a shot. My mother has her heart set on Le Cellier so I doubt I can revise that one and I picked Chef Mickey's because it sounds like a fun way to wrap up the trip. I don't have three character meals planned, just the two so I am a little confused by E's comment. Am I missing something? Character meals have always been pretty important and fun for our family over the years. I still remember how funny my dad and Pluto were on our first trip. Don't ask me the restaurant because I don't remember, but I do remember laughing so hard that I was crying. The same thing happened at Crystal Palace not too long ago with my dad and Pooh, so these are important to us even though we are all adults now...

I'll let you know how things go tonight and will post more from home. For now - I have to get back to work...

Paula

My mistake, Paula! You clearly said California Grill and I thought Garden Grill (which is a character meal at Epcot). Go with LTT! I was just passing along info. Liz loves it, your friends love it, so give it a shot! I say that about any restaurant. It may not end up being your favorite of the trip, but you won't know that unless you try it.

 

[3DisneyKids]

DAWN--my advice on this is to forget about the troll and live your life. Period. Why are you giving her so much power over you? That is exactly what you are doing...giving her power and control in your life. And when you think about that way, it is utterly crazy, right? Why would you let someone whom you detest to have any influence on how you live your life?

She has no affect on Treyner or your kids. And her affect on Dan is only what he allows (and p.s. even though you are in a relationship with him, you can't control him either. He will work this out his own way...you just need to be there for him while he does. And we will be here for you both). The girls are a different story, but not your story, so again. Let it go.

Talk about a fast way to drop 400 pounds!