LuvLuvLuv's Memories TR Starts Pg 73 - Honeymoon Day 6.1

[Deb loves Disney]

I'm so sorry that you are feeling stressed. I agree that you should go to the bridal showcase. Don't feel like you have to dress to the nines. Like the poster above said...this is Disney! You can wear what you feel like wearing!

Please don't stop posting, I also enjoy your updates. This should be the one place that you feel comfortable venting. We totally understand and have been through some of the same situations. We will not judge you!

I am not crafty! The only thing I attempted to do my self was the programs and they were a simple design and cost $10. I also did one newsletter but it was more of an informational/ timeline newsletter so everybody at least had the details and our phone numbers in case they needed us. We did not have any extra parties, rehearsals, etc and I still felt like it was an awesome wedding.

I did not share any details with anybody (family) before the wedding and left it all up to them to see on the wedding day. They should be ashamed of themselves for making fun of you! I agree that they are probably jealous!

I hope it all works out and I know you will have a great trip even if you don't go to the wedding showcase. I think a vacation will be a very good thing!

 

[sw33t_angel]

Whoa girl, whoa. I'm not sure what made you feel so down but whatever it is, it will get better. Here's a hug from me to you.

Have you read my PJ? I'm the anti-bride. I have zero creativity. My family hates pretty much everything I have planned for my wedding. It has not been easy.

These kinds of things happen to every bride. There are ups and downs. It sounds like you are really having a bad day and I'm not sure what to say to make you feel better. Sometimes, we just need someone, even if it's a stranger, to reach out and say "everything will be alright."

Please don't stop posting. I have enjoyed reading your journal. And journals are for posting the good and the bad. Everyone has a "vent" post as part of their journals.

As far as the showcase, how FORMAL do they expect you to be? I was supposed to wear FORMAL when I went to club 33 and I wore nice jeans and a sweater. They let me in because guess what?? As long as you pay and look nice they will probably let you in. I don't know anything about this showcase but I bet that as long as you look nice, they will let you in.

And as far as family making fun of your DIY, that's just rude. Don't listen to them and don't let them ruin your day. Do what you want to do for your wedding, as the only people you have to please are you and DF.

Please don't stop posting! I love coming on here and seeing where you are in your planning and seeing your vision take shape. There's nothing wrong with not being the DIY type. I constantly feel overwhelmed with getting all these fabulous little details put together (I need to stop reading Style Me Pretty). And it's just not going to happen. I don't do this for a living. There's nothing wrong with not being the type of bride that the wedding industry/blogging community seems to think is the ideal. And no one is going to critique you on here for not having a fabulous DIY post or even just posting sporadically when you do have something to say. We are your sounding board. So when you think your family doesn't care about the details -we always do!

And as far as the bridal showcase - all I have to say is - it's Disney. People wear Mickey t-shirts and flip flops to fine dining locations. I don't think anyone will scoff if you wear jeans. It's not a job interview or anything - you have no one to try to impress there!

I'm hoping when you get back you'll choose to post about your observations and experience (I know you'll be honest if it was worth it or a total waste of time).

I agree: you should keep posting. I have really enjoyed reading your PJ thus far, and I was looking forward to seeing everything come together.

I third the opinion about the showcase. Be comfy and look nice, and you should be just fine. I think it might be the thing to get you re-excited about getting married. Plus, your step-mom will be there, and she's excited, too.

As far as the family making fun of you, they might just be jealous that your wedding will be more fun than there's were/will be. A wedding id about you and your fiance making a life-long commitment to each other. If no one wants to be there, or be on time, forget about them. The most important thing is that you get married to the man you love.

Life goes up, and life goes down, but it all levels out eventually. You always have us DISbrides, and we don't judge you if you can't DIY. I would bet that most of us get lucky that a project works. There is absolutely nothing wrong with not being creative and using Disney to make you wedding easier. No one would argue with you for convenience.

I'm so sorry that you are feeling stressed. I agree that you should go to the bridal showcase. Don't feel like you have to dress to the nines. Like the poster above said...this is Disney! You can wear what you feel like wearing!

Please don't stop posting, I also enjoy your updates. This should be the one place that you feel comfortable venting. We totally understand and have been through some of the same situations. We will not judge you!

I am not crafty! The only thing I attempted to do my self was the programs and they were a simple design and cost $10. I also did one newsletter but it was more of an informational/ timeline newsletter so everybody at least had the details and our phone numbers in case they needed us. We did not have any extra parties, rehearsals, etc and I still felt like it was an awesome wedding.

I did not share any details with anybody (family) before the wedding and left it all up to them to see on the wedding day. They should be ashamed of themselves for making fun of you! I agree that they are probably jealous!

I hope it all works out and I know you will have a great trip even if you don't go to the wedding showcase. I think a vacation will be a very good thing!

What they said!!!

I too enjoy your posts, and you are not a bad bride! Just because DIY isn't your thing, doesn't make you any less creative! I would love to just buy everything if I had my way (and money.. lol), but it doesn't make your day any less special!!

We are hear to give you support and hear you out when everyone else isn't being very friendly or supportive! Not everyone is going to understand your vision for your wedding, but don't let yourself lose sight of what you want. If you want it- they can just get over it. It is your day and you are marrying your prince.... and at the end of the day- through all the moaning and complaining they will be happy for you.

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Aw girl! I wanna give you such a big big big big big hug right now! I'm sooo sorry to hear all of this! I hope that you can still come back here and post because I love reading your posts and seeing what you're doing!

As far as family criticizing I would seriously just ignore them. I know it's rough. But I've dealt with a LARGE majority of my family criticizing me since I've been about 16 years old and seriously allowed to express myself other than just using my mouth. ;D My family mocks the Disney wedding in a way too, but more so with the fact that I'm NOT doing the Disney wedding.. go figure?? They're like you mean Mickey and Minnie won't be at your wedding? But I just give them a smart a$$ remark back. ha. ;D

I really hope things work out for you love. I'm so sad to hear about all of this. I need my Maggie girl! ;D Keep your head up and just focus on you and your DF. You two are the only ones that matter. It's YOUR day, do it right and do it the way you want it to. If people decide they don't want to go because of stupid reasons, than they don't deserve to be in your presence anyways! If in Disney the only people there are you and DF than that's the way it's meant to be and it's a clean and clear start for the two of you to start the rest of your life! <3 <3

I hope it all works out for you and I hope we hear from you soon. If you ever need anybody to talk to... feel freee to find me!

 

[KristiLyn]

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today I'm feeling discouraged. I'm realizing I'm running out of time to get ready for our little trip. I've been throwing a few things here and there into my suitcase, but I'm nowhere near ready to go. Even though we're all paid and everything.... I've almost decided today to not even go to the showcase. I know--the whole purpose of the trip. When I take time off of work that means I don't have to wear a suit (one job), a dressy black outfit (other job), heels or panty hose. If this is going to be a formal affair, then it should have been outlined as such. I'm not saying I would show up in a Mickey Mouse T-Shirt... I'm just saying that a dress and heels isn't in my vacation vision--especially at night when it's cold at the dessert party. I'm thinking of trashing the day and hitting the pool and the parks. I think that officially makes me the worst DisBride ever. I'm over it.

I hate to say this (it's kind of making me tear up).... but I'm not real sure I'll be writing anymore. Sure I'll follow everyone else, but I just don't think I'm cut out for the whole fancy bride thing. I don't want to be married anywhere but at Disney--and we will try our best to make it happen. All I ever have to update is how things aren't progressing. I'm not a DIY type girl, I'd rather buy new than make something myself or fix something that's broken or dirty. I won't have projects like other brides, I will probably purchase everything thru Disney to make my life easy. My family makes fun of me when I try to do something creative like a newsletter or a party program.... and I don't mean a cute make fun of... like they really think I'm stupid. So I won't be doing any of that, just to get made fun of on my wedding week. We'll all communicate thru text and no one will be where they're supposed to be--and we'll all fight. I'll cry. It's just how it goes.

As a visual... I'm sobbing at my desk, tears are dripping down my navy pinstriped pant suit as I'm realizing I suck as a bride. The only thing saving this situation is Diorshow Waterproof Mascara right now. I should be more excited than this, but when you don't have friends or family that are excited with you... it's really hard... and really all I have are you guys to listen to my plans. My stepmom was married at the JOP and I never saw 2 people more in love than her and my father. Her idea of a party is at an American Legion with plastic tablecloths and fold around bells while YMCA is playing in the background. I appreciate that she's the only one almost/kinda interested... but she has no idea. This is Dave's second wedding, so I almost excuse his lack of interest and his only requests are that we either do it at Disney or at the JOP. My friends still ask if Mickey and Minnie are the MOH/BM, if we're staying in the castle, and that they think Disney is only for children. Some members of my family suggested somewhere more tropical so they could drink on the beach and fish. I don't drink, I'm not a huge fan of sand, and I don't fish. My aunt recently said she's not getting on a plane. His mom said she might not be able to come because of her cats. Of course this is now, while they're all telling me it's too early to even think about solid plans. Then once we get closer they'll give me another story. I'm seriously done with people. I wish me, Dave and my little Baxter could just live in our own little world sometimes.

Maybe after it's all over I'll do a trip report. Maybe after things get rolling, I'll have a change of heart. All I want is to marry the person I love, progress on with my life, and above all--be happy. I appreciate everyone who has followed along and supported me. You've honestly been my only signs of support. If I do end up going to the showcase, I'll probably come back and dish about it. Who knows, it may give me a change or heart. It could also make me feel like I'm not good enough, or deserving to be in the presence of people who are all "bridal" or that may come from better off situations than myself. I'm nervous of the latter.

We'll see how it goes......

I'm sorry you feel this way
I know exactly how you are feeling. I have not a creative bone in my body. I feel like I can't make anything! And everything I do turns out terrible! If you read my pj, it's actually very boring. I read it the other day and got a little depressed that it's so boring. I take the buying route with everything, and money is not exactly rolling in!
And as far as the family thing goes, I completely understand! My family could CARE LESS about my wedding, and probably wont even go. It'll probably just be df's fam. But whatever.
Anyways, the point of this is that there are people here going through exactly what you are, it's ok! We non creative people have to stick together...haha! I hope you feel better... a little

 

[Bewitch324]

Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry that you are feeling so bad!! You are NOT a bad bride!!!! You are you, and you are a bride!! I wish you wouldn't judge yourself so harshly!!! Whatever YOU want is what is right for you, and no one else has the right to judge that at all--and honestly, at least here, I think you have a pretty safe place to share your thoughts and plans and frustrations. We are all on YOUR side. I've really enjoyed reading about your plans and your ideas about changing them as you go along, and I hope you continue to share them with us.

It sounds like your family is not very supportive--use us for that support when you need it.

Hang in there, and know that there are a lot of us here that care about you and want to help in anyway we can. I hope you decide to go to the showcase, I think you will have fun, and maybe it will help you to start getting excited again about the wedding. You will only do this once, I want to make sure you end up doing exactly what you want to (and can afford) so you can have a wonderful day to remember, whatever that ends up meaning for you and your fiance.

Hugs!
Brooke

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

Awwww I'm sorry too! I really wish I could stay a day later in Disney so we could meet up---

But DON'T feel like a bad bride, and I totally understand not wanting all this fancy shmancy stuff. You have to do what makes you and your DF happy!!

 

[Princess SarahK]

Awwww Deena Love, cheer up! I know you've not been feeling well and that Im sure added to all of your stress. I hope you continue to post here, you will certainly be missed if you choose not to come back. I understand where you are coming from. It seems like you've got a pile of negative factors around you and that really doesnt help! We've all had bad days, and crappy family members who just dont get it, it really sucks that these things do put such a damper on us. I think its because our weddings are so personal and we take everything so seriously and when others just laugh and poke fun...it really hurts. I completely understand how it can make you want to change things. Either way you and Dave will be married and will have the most perfect day for the two of you. Do whats best for yall, and everyone else can shut the heck up!

Take a deep breath. This too shall pass. Things will work out and one day it will all seem irrelevant. Whatever you decide, Im here for you. Ready to listen whenever you need to vent.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Le Sigh.

I'm still here... at least 9 hours a day while I'm at my first job

I can't even begin to say how much I appreciate all the kind responses to my crazy outburst. Everyone's advice has been seriously taken! I'm still in a mass state of confusion and have yet to figure it all out. The past 2 weeks have been chaotic and I'm behind on everything (Sarah I still owe you an Email!). I am debating on taking my ginormous laptop with me to catch up in the airport.

Tomorrow morning at 7:45, I leave for the airport. I haven't packed yet, and I work until 9:15 tonight. This makes me want to panic. I've also been practicing my happy bridal face for my stepmom. She has no idea about any of my doubts, or ideas or anything--I don't want to let her in on any of that either

In my current state of mind, the thought of spending an entire day around bridal and wedding mess made me want to cringe. This is the reason I'm going! This is why I spent $2000 on a random trip! My stepmom has been so excited about this trip. She's keeps saying how excited she is to spend a weekend alone with me and not having to share me with anyone. It means a lot, but then I was thinking that I have her running all over the place with activities filled with strangers.

I came to a compromise with everything and I canceled our dessert party and my dress fitting. I'm in no shape to put on a dress at the moment. All the meds they put me on that they said should help me lose, actually made me gain--and I'm so over all of that. I don't even want to see myself in a dress right now--so that gives us a half hour we didn't have before The dessert party takes up the better part of the night. Hollywood Studios added Fantasmic! on Saturday night only and I really wanted her to see it. So we're having dinner at Ohana and going to Hollywood Studios for the evening. They close at 10 (we'll have our own dessert party at Starring Rolls ), then the MK is open till 1. We'll probably even hit AK after the showcase until dinner! That gives us another (almost full) park day and more quality time that we never get. I'm happy with this. The only thing I'm sad about is the new Cinderella dress will be there... it looks pretty. I'll be taking plenty of pictures for everyone's viewing pleasure

Dave and I have seen each other about 4 hours in the past 2 weeks. We're working opposites and although he's not the type to say that bothers him, he genuinely said that he misses seeing me and spending time together. It's sweet, but I miss him too His bosses have told him that they're going to re-submit a request for a raise since his job requirements have changed. I'm not holding my breath... but it would help sooooooo much!! My annual review is next week... my check will probably go up $1.50 if I'm lucky My Dillard's review is the week after and I'm up for a 10% paycut. Yeah, they cut your pay if you don't make your numbers. I work the crappy hours where there's no traffic in the store and they hired an extra/un-needed person which is another person to share sales with, so yeah... one will go up, and one will come down---I'll break even.

I've had weddings on my brain, but it hasn't taken over my life recently. I've been pretty focused on this weekend's trip and busy with work. The few things that I have thought about are how I can compromise with my dreams to make this Disney Wedding a reality. Little things like the fact that I'm in love with Calla Lillies, but an arrangement of them costs close to the cost of a 10 day park hopper The custom aisle runner that is $1000 that I want more than anything may be something I need to give up? I just got my hair cut and if I keep it short, I can do my hair myself with a headband.... and I'm definately doing my own makeup. I just need to justify all the little things and see what stays and what goes.

Well I have an hour and 45 minutes of web surfing to do before I get to switch jobs. I'm thinking I may come down with a stomach flu and call off. I have too much to do and it's stressing me out. I want a good night's sleep before my 4 days of madness. Speaking of madness, lol. While I'm stressing and working, Dave took the day off to drink and watch basketball at the bar. He's in a better place than me

I'll update when I get back Enjoy the weekend everyone!

 

[tnkr mom]

I just caught up on everything! I know it will all work out for you; I remember saying "this is suppossed to be the happiest point of my life, why does it suc*! Hope you have a great time and please catch up with us when you get back. Know that we will be here for you - unconditionally!

 

[belle2211]

The custom aisle runner that is $1000 that I want more than anything may be something I need to give up?

I don't know if this helps any, but I had the custom aisle runner that I wanted on my BEO, but I finally decided the $750 could be better spent. But after looking around, I've found several sites that can make me the same one for about $250 so maybe that's an option?

 

[Sccrmnky2005]

I don't know if this helps any, but I had the custom aisle runner that I wanted on my BEO, but I finally decided the $750 could be better spent. But after looking around, I've found several sites that can make me the same one for about $250 so maybe that's an option?

Also if you have a design in mind or something you have that can be printed out I would be willing to paint one for you, I'm in the process of doing mine, it's half way done. I actually bought the aisle runner at joann with a 50% off coupon making the runner itself $15, paint and such is under $10. I would definitly be happy to help you out in any way I can.

 

[liltinkerbell25]

Things will get better, just take a deep breath and one day at a time. Can't wait to hear how your trip went!

 

[Bewitch324]

I'm hoping getting away from work for a few days with your stepmom and having some good quality time together at the World will help your spirits and help you feel a little happier.

No matter what happens, please remember that there are lots of people out here who care, and are willing to listen and try to help you stay sane in the midst of all the craziness!

Take care of you!
Brooke

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Hello hello! I'm at MCO getting ready to board my flight home. I can't wait to get home to Dave and Baxter! I'll give a full update tomorrow when I get to work. My main goal is to get home without throwing up on the plane. Sanaa and I did not exactly get along. It's been a long day Be back to update tomorrow!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Well I've been putting this off all day... and it's time. Don't you want to know all the details of my 4 day extravaganza?? Of course you do. So here we go. Of course I'm at work, no access to pictures so I'll add them someday

Day 1:
I was all ready the night before, no problems on the plane, took a few little cat naps, got off the plane, straight on to the ME bus and that's where the adventures started. While on the bus on our way to Kidani Village, I was texting with my stepmom who was already at the resort. I had sent her 4 newsletters that she brought with her on vacation. They outlined everything from step by step instructions on checking in, to what was going on in Fantasyland, and an hour by hour itinerary of our 4 days. What more could I have done? So our room wasn't ready yet, but it didn't matter because we had to get to lunch and we only had a few minutes to get there. I had my tickets added to my KTTW card and we were off to EPCOT for Chefs de France lunch. She asked me 6500 questions on the way. All of which were in her newsletters, then she'd ask them again 5 minutes later, then 5 minutes after that, repeat it all back to me wrong. I didn't pack my anxiety meds because I thought I wouldn't need them in the happiest place on earth--WRONG!! My hands and my neck were tensing up and I wanted to put her in a stroller and tell her to just go along with the ride. So we finally get to Chefs de France. Because she wanted to stop and look at everything, we missed Remy and that made me kind of mad. I like Remy, I like him a lot. Lunch was awesome as always, she loved her meal. Toward the end of the meal is when the party really started. She had to smoke. She's a hard core smoker and of course there are only certain areas this can happen. This is a change since the last time she was there and she was not happy. We looked at the map and found where it was, but it was a few countries down and I still wanted to go into the France shops, etc. Well she wasn't having it so we missed those I can see how this is all going to go. So she "relieves" herself, we walk a little more... I want to go into shops... she's asking where the rides are. So I gave up looking. So I take her into Mexico and we ride the boat ride in there. We get out of there... she has to use the RR and smoke. We only made it a few countries down. So we stopped by the Odessey building and I went in the Duffy store. I couldn't believe how much time this took out of our day. Somewhere in the mix, AKV texted our room was ready. We rode Nemo and Figment, I went to check Soarin while she relieved herself again... but fastpasses were gone (@3pm) and standby was 2 hours. Forget that. So I could see we weren't going to get much done at this pace. We went into Club Cool, went to the Butterfly exibit, took pix of the topiaries, went into a few stores...then she needed to..... REALLY!!! So I said we should go back to the resort and get our stuff in our room before dinner. As we're walking what seems like forever, I asked when she checked in if she asked for "close to busses/lobby". She's like no, why? I said it was on ALL FOUR of the newsletters. It was a 15 minute walk from the lobby to our room. I even told her the night before--no retention. I told her the time we needed to leave because the resort is so far away.... somehow she didn't retain because when I said lets go, she said she still needed to get ready... so I called a cab. We needed to get to the Yacht Club, and we'd have to go to EPCOT and walk thru, or AK and get a bus--we didn't have that kind of time. So $17 later, we get to the Yacht Club. We check in, request my favorite server Oscar, take the buzzer and go outside so she can smoke. They came out and said it would be an hour wait for Oscar, but we could be seated now if not. She said she wanted to be seated now. Fine.. but I love Oscar So our server comes, he's nice. Oscar came over, I got a hug and a kiss, I introduced him to her, he stayed and walked her thru the menu--she loved him and said we should have waited for him No one listens to me. We have a fabulous meal that she interruped twice to go outside. I'm glad I don't have habits like that because we weren't even thru day one and I was severely annoyed. She was in love with the restaurant. She said she would pay for my reception if I had it here. Although I love the restaurant, and I'm not ruling it out--I'm doing the planning thank you. So she's all over the reception thing--I mean alllll over it. She's asking me 7800 wedding questions that I refused to answer because I knew she wouldn't retain them. I told her to wait for the showcase and her questions would be answered. She kept asking, I kept refusing to answer. At one point I was trying to explain Escape and Wishes. She only heard 2 things: $5750 and $12000. I tried explaining that after you upgrade and add a reception that you're at 12... but she only heard those 2 figures and made her decision. I quit explaining. What's the use? So we were supposed to go to MK after dinner, but because we missed most of Epcot, we decided to go back. She got a snack in France, but I was holding out for caramel popcorn in Germany, and a Peach Bellini in Italy. We get to Germany... they're out of popcorn , we get to Italy--the kiosk is closed . Then she says... I have to smoke. So we rush back over to the Odessey area. I was done with this day. I told her I was tired. She said she spend $297 on tickets and she wanted to see everything she could. I told her the way things were going we were only going to see all the smoking areas. We rode Spaceship Earth (dumbest ride ever) and went back Kidani Village, took the neverending trek to our room and I was ready for bed. I hurried up to change and get in bed, but she wanted to talk, and unpack, and rustle bags, rave about Yachtsman/Oscar, and talk. I made a cup of tea, which was as close to Ativan as I could get I finally told her.. you have to stop, we have to go to bed, we have to get up in 5 hours. She said she was going back outside to smoke. At least it was quiet and I fell asleep I never heard her come back in This was only day 1... I still have all day Saturday, Sunday and half of Monday. How do you think this is going to go??

Day 2 (Bridal Showcase Day) Up Next.

 

[Princess SarahK]

TOO FUNNY! --but its not cause its at your expense, but still! I have a feeling thats how DF's parents are going to be if they ever even go into a park at our wedding. They smoke...ALOT! Im interested to know how that will work. I never thought about it since I dont smoke, but wow!

I hope your trip got better, cant wait to read more. Oh and sorry about my frantic text, I was freaking out!! Mini Meltdown definitely happened!

 

[Deb loves Disney]

The mental image of your stepmother in a stroller made me . I actually saw a grown man in one "relaxing" after leaving the Animation building in DHS. Very strange sight but also very funny!!! I wonder if his family put him there after a day of complaining?

Your story of your day with your stepmother made me realize that I am not the only one with relatives who don't listen/retain anything when visiting Disney and who have to stop a million times for a smoking break. I am soooo glad that I don't have that addiction! I remember being stuck with my aunt once in an aquarium, it started pouring down rain right when we were supposed to leave and we were stuck inside. She was like a tiger stuck in a cage, I was so shocked at how she just had to smoke!

I really can't wait to read your day 2!!!!

How did you like Kidani? We stayed there for the first time in January in a 1 bedroom and were just amazed at the quality of the room and decor! I wanted to live there.

 

[elleinad16]

I know exactly how you feel! You poor thing. My mother is the smoking addict and I get so pissed off because of it. We've missed busses and boats and monorails and fast pass tickets and dining reservations, etc. all because of her smoking habit! It really irritates me...you can't lallygag in Disney...you have to keep a schedule! But I digress...
I can't wait to hear more about the trip! I hope you had some good experiences and had a good change of heart about the wedding stuff!

 

[neener3]

ARRRGGHH I can totally relate to the newsletter thing. Nobody read mine. Frustrating. On our wedding trip, even DH was reduced to snapping "It was ON the newsletter!"

And my mother smokes too. Except on the wedding trip? She decided to quit. Cold turkey. Oh, and since she DIDN'T retain the newsletter (I know she read it because I made her lol), she was shocked that the coffee was so awful and ended up giving up cigarettes and coffee. In Disney.

She lasted a day and a half before I begged her to just go buy a pack of smokes.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

Day 2:
So the alarm goes off at 6. I hit snooze twice because I felt like death. Mental and physical exhaustion had already worn on me. I knew I had to get up and get ready. If it was a park day, I throw a hat and a t-shirt on... but today was a bit more proper. Kona breakfast was scheduled for 8. I attempted to wake her up, let her know that we needed to leave at 7:20 and I would need to approve of her clothing choice. She said she needed to go down and smoke before getting ready. I told her that between walking down there it would take her 30 minutes and we didn't have that time. Before I could turn around, she was out the door. This day would be screwed. I continued to get ready. I was sitting on the bed with shoes on, purse packed. She comes in the room and asked when we needed to leave, I told her 5 minutes ago. Boiling Blood--Seriously. I had paid for a cab the night before, and I knew the Poly was much further resulting in a more expensive fare. I was determined to take the bus. I kept telling her what she couldn't wear. There was a tie-dyed dress in there, a skort laughing, purple leggings??? Nothing in her bag made sense together. Finally I come up with an outfit, and she puts an unmatching cardigan over it. What can you do? So I tell her we have to go. The HS bus was there when we got down to the bus stop and I told her to just get on it. We went there, to TTC, over to the Poly... not terrible. We get to Kona about 8:30. They try to seat us in one of those half booth things that are attached to another half booth with a family of 2 parents and 4 kids throwing food. No thanks... we'll take a private table please. Plus I haven't mentioned yet... she has a mouth like a sailor. She doesn't care that we are in public, or that there are 75% children around... it flies. I can yell at her, but it won't do any good. Sigh. So breakfast was refreshing as always. I love Kona coffee... I think it calmed me down a bit. All of my emails and paperwork said that the showcase started at 9... so I moved breakfast along and said we had to go. She went and interupted our waiter who was waiting on another table to give him our check. I was turning maroon, red, and a few shades of purple. We left there and worked our way to the Grand Floridian. She had to smoke. I told her I didn't want her going in there reaking of that... but she didn't care. It really is offensive. So we get over to registration and they advise everything starts at 10. My stuff says 9... but now we have to wait 30 minutes. Lame. She goes back outside. Finally.. it's 10. We go in and everything is beautiful. First I introduced her to Bill, but she didn't seem interested as she was looking at cake. I shrugged it off and went to the cake. She was in awe. She said that she wanted to get mini cakes for everyone. I told her they were about $25-35 a piece and that would be dumb. I said if it was just me and Dave for an anniversary, or birthday... yes awesome... but not one for everyone at the wedding. She apparently didn't hear me say all of this because she picked one out that she loved and said, so we'll have all of these set up on a table for everyone, I like this style, but we can do it in black instead of red, and....UM HELLO!! Didn't I just say no mini cakes? I had to walk away. I was taking pictures of the table set ups that I was just in love with. They were passing drinks and h'or dourves--just fantastic. They had a set up to try different foods, but I was stuffed from breakfast and couldn't fathom eating anything at the moment. I look back, and she's grilling the cake castmember with questions. Stupid questions I'm sure. I've tried to show her pictures of cakes I liked, but she obviously doesn't remember because when she saw the mad hatter they had on display she thought it was the coolest thing on earth. I've shown her about 10 of them, and have also said we're not doing Mad Hatter now that we're going with the crystal ribbon. She took over the cake topic and continued about having a mad hatter cake, with mini cakes... and I walked away. She continued to grill the cake lady and I felt terrible for her. I walked around and took some more pictures. I was taking pictures of the cake and mini cakes and ran into the fabulous and famous Lurkyloo. I introduced myself and since I was the first to find her... I got a print copy of the Passporter book I was so excited I couldn't stand it. She took my picture for twitter and I decided it was time to save the cake lady. By the time I got over there, they were calling everyone to sit for the Panel of Experts. We get a seat and it starts. I loved the actress they had MC'ing. I forget what they were calling her because I will forever think of her as Vera Tidy from Bride-to-Be's wedding She was great. I had questions, but I was afraid to ask them. I was afraid she would interrupt and be like "what is that" "where" "when"..... while all this was going on. So I stayed quiet, and my questions went unanswered. We listened to the questions. Some were answered well... some were answered Disney-style--a backhanded "maybe if you have enough money" -or- we don't really know. The guy who helped design the Disney dresses was there, and he gave a little presentation on them and the new Cindy dress came out. It was stunning on the model. I have a few pix of it. We had an 11:45 lunch scheduled at the G-Flo Cafe, but I wasn't terribly hungry, and I kind of wanted to try some of the offerings they had out. So we decided to skip on lunch. I had the scallop and risotto, and the short rib with mac and cheese. Both were so good, but the risotto I could have eaten an entire bowl of and still wanted more I was hoping they would have the peanut butter cup icing on one of the cake offerings, but no luck... I had lemon cake with raspberry icing. Good for a bite, but not for the whole cake. It was a nice snacking instead of a big lunch. Well now that we didn't go to lunch we had an abundance of extra time. I thought we could go down the hall where they had the dresses and just look around. They had 3 local Alfred Angelo stores come in, and they had lots of AA dresses, not just Disney, some jewelry, veil, accessories, bouquets and BM dresses. I had canceled my appointment for the sake of time, and that I am uncomfortable with my current weight. My stepmom insisted that I try to work my way in because she doesn't get the opportunity to go dress shopping with me. So she asked, I was prepared (and kind of hoping) for a no. Since it was during the luncheon, there was room for me and they took me in about 10 minutes. I wanted to quickly try on Snow White, Tiana, and a regular AA dress I kind of liked for her.... then go to the parks--I wanted to cover a bit of Animal Kingdom before dinner at Ohana. So they take me into a dressing room and we get started. Snow White was first. I kind of liked this when I tried it on for the trunk show in town, but I did NOT like it on me now. No one did--it was unanimous. Next was Tiana. It looked better. I liked that they had it in bigger sizes so I had a clue what it would look like. It wasn't bad at all. So the AA designer, Michael, came over to talk to us. I said I liked the dress, but I didn't like the strappy thing on my big shoulder. He agreed and tucked it under. He said that depending on shapes, pieces like that can look like 10 chairs at a table for 8. I liked this--I will use that analogy in the future. After he tucked it in... I liked it lots better. There were lots of other girls in there, but he for some reason took a shining to me. He told the AA rep that was working with me 3 other style numbers that he wanted me to try. What? I thought we were 20 minutes in and out Blah. So my stepmom is all into this, she is loving it. I said I wasn't wearing a veil. The look on their faces were flabbergasted. Michael said I was going to wear a veil. They had me in veils, he was poofing my hair with jeweled combs, putting bouquets in my hand---then costume change, do it again.... I felt like a rag doll--but my stepmom was LOVING IT. They even took the BM dresses off the manniquins and made her try them on because they said her figure needs something more modern than MOB dresses. She found the one she wants, she looked great in it--though I was rather embarrassed, lol. So we came to a dress I didn't like, everyone loved it so I said I did--but I lied. I kind of wanted to go see Nemo, and I wanted a chocolate covered banana after seeing my whale-like figure in revealing dresses--that's exactly what I needed. So then he says--okay, one more. This dress had bling, the assymetrical rouching (sp?) and drop waist like the Maggie's I love---it was like the 2 dresses I loved rolled into one. I really loved it. I came out, I loved it, Michael loved it, my AA rep loved it... stepmom liked the previous... but after I was jeweled and veiled she loved it. This could be my dress... no lie... I love those Maggie dresses, but $1381 vs $899 is almost a confetti cannon. I really, really, really liked it. I got all the information for it, we all talked for a few minutes, exchanged info, got pictures.... then I was giving the signals that we HAD to go. We were in there for 2 hours. 2 HOURS! The appointments were only for 20 minutes. How did this happen? It's not like I was bridezilla-ing saying that I wanted to try this, now this, now that----the designer was telling me what he wanted to see me in--so I went with it. Really it was a great experience to have a pro tell you what's good for you, what isn't good, etc... I'm glad we did it. So looking at my phone, I realized there was no time for AK. We had to go back to resort, drop our goodie bags from the showcase, change from our showcase clothes and get ready for Ohana. Of course there was smoking in between all this, but what I can't understand is how she made it from 10am-2pm without one. She was occupied I guess. Since we had a little time before dinner, I thought we should take the boat the the G-Flo, walk thru places I want pictures (not like she'll retain that), go past the WP and see if there are any DVC markers ((for Sarah, lol)) and thru the Poly which is really pretty. I've walked this many times. I like the walk. When we got off the boat, she interrupted the boat driver who trying to help someone in an ECV and said, "excuse me sir, how do I get to the wedding pavilion from here?" This threw me off the edge. If I've been telling you for 2 hours that the walk is so pretty, it goes right past the WP, Dave and I walk it all the time.... why would you interrupt someone to ask directions if I know where its at?? It was one of those *** moments for me. We passed a bridal party on a golf cart. I loved the pink and black BM dresses... very pretty. Since the wedding was starting soon, we couldn't go in, but she got the idea. We kept walking to the Poly and we were a little early, but I stood in the check-in line while she was outside. I'm so glad I did because the line filled up fast. About 10 till, they gave me the buzzer and said they opened in 10 minutes. I asked about a window seat--not for the view, because I've been near the aisle where your food gets hit with a broom, coconuts roll under your feet, and you get knocked over by dancing children. I like to be by the wall. Lots of buzzers went off right at 5:00 sharp. They were doing their opening ceremony and I was patiently hanging back because there were people everywhere. Well she thought since our buzzer was going that we needed to be right in the front. She mauled thru people and knocked over a guy's martini he probably paid $15 for. She had no clue she did this and he was screaming at her, and she didn't turn around--she wasn't even paying attention and had no clue he was talking to her. This made him more mad. I went to apologize to him, but she grabbed me by the wrist because they were seating us and she felt we needed to be right up the host's tail. I mouthed that I was sorry and I shrugged my shoulders. Some people are just hyper? They seated us in the absolute prime seat. Window seat, directly across from the castle, it couldn't have been more perfect.... well I guess if we were seated there during Wishes maybe--it was 5pm and I couldn't camp that long So lucky... it put me at peace to look at the castle. So she keeps talking about the dresses and the cakes and the dresses and the dresses.... blah blah blah. Then she goes back to the mini cakes Why? Is there a point where one can explode out of frustration? Luckily the food started coming. This kept us busy. It was delish. I will, from now on, make a 5pm ressie here. When I've been later, have been just meh for me... but it was all fresh and I was impressed. Then the wedding questions start again. Wishes vs Escape, cake, reception, hotels. I was exhausted. I told her that I couldn't talk about it anymore until she read the Passporter book. I told her she could have it for now, and read it... then ship it back to me. Maybe she needs the visual? I was out of patience and I felt this was the best option. We ate, and ate, and ate some more--that's what you do there! I was uncomfortable when I left, which is probably normal. She went outside to relieve herself, I dipped into the gift shop then we were off to the MK. It was open until 1am we had some time to get things done! We saw Philarmagic, Pirates, HM, Peter Pan, Pooh, Space Mountain, Monsters Inc, Buzz, Country Bears, Thunder Mountain and the Peoplemover... not too bad! I staked out a spot for Wishes while she relieved herself. Before she left, she asked if I wanted popcorn--I said no, I don't want it, I want to go to Casey's later. She comes back with 2 tubs of popcorn, then asks why I wasn't eating it? She talked during Wishes... that's a nononononono for me, lol. I wanted to have my moment, I wanted to have my Wishes cry, and just look up in the sky and watch. That wasn't happening, After, I staked out a spot for the Electrical Parade, sat there alone while she went back to her little spot. I told her the way the EP would come up Main Street, but she felt the need to go ask a CM the route. Okay So we watched, she tried to take pictures, but doesn't know how to work a digital camera so they were all blurry. She doesn't know how to work a computer so she'll take them to Walmart and have someone show her what to do. --Side Note: What would my life be like if I still lived at home?? -- After the parade was over, we went back to finish some of the rides listed above and we went towards Main Street. She was insisting on using her snack credits so I told her to have at it. She went for ice cream, I went for fries and cheese and a coke. It was 1:15am and we were just leaving the MK. We waited for the bus, got back to Kidani around 2, I made the trek to the room (all she had to say was-- is there a room close to the lobby?), she stayed outside until about 2:30... I got a shower because I felt gross, got a cup of tea--and passed out. I can't go to bed dirty. We had a ressie for Hollywood and Vine at 8:00am--I advised her the alarm was going off at 6:30. I also tried to prepare her for the "Toy Story Running of the Bulls" If she knocked the guy over at Ohana to get in front of him... imagine what happens here. Just wait.

Well I'm leaving work... so.... To Be Continued.............