May at the Poly! Home & catching up on work...TR to come soon!

[407-W-DISNEY]

It is weird that the Wildlife Service & (at least I find that here in MA) the Environmental Police are so quick to kill animals. They shot a bear here rather than tranquilize it a few years ago. It made a lot of people- including me- VERY upset. I am such a wimp- I can't handle it when any animal dies.

I don't remember that story...I would have been fuming as well.
I was litterally sobbing at work today cause of a story about an abused pit bull found just about starved to death in New Jersey....so AWFUL! makes me sick.

 

[aprilisis]

I don't remember that story...I would have been fuming as well.
I was litterally sobbing at work today cause of a story about an abused pit bull found just about starved to death in New Jersey....so AWFUL! makes me sick.

I'm the same way!

 

[aprilisis]

Ok, so I'm trying to find some May meets. I'm guessing my stepmom isn't going with me this time, because she texted me yesterday at work saying she was at the airport. She went to Disney for the weekend!!! I'm SO jealous. So I am guessing that I'll be solo on this trip. It is good because I don't have to worry about anyone but myself, but bad because I know I will want SOMEONE to talk to or hang out with once in a while. The only meet that I saw listed for May will be 2 days before I get there. And I think everyone that I want to meet (Like Lisa & Dana) arrive after I leave. I DO know that servers in the table service restaurants are great about keeping solo diners company when they can, so that will be nice. All of my reservations are for a party of 2, though...I may keep them that way just in case my stepmom changes her mind or in case any other solo travelers want to share a meal. What do you think?
Well, that's it for me today. Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I would have been so jealous when your step-mother called. I so wish that our trips overlapsed. It would be nice to meet up with you "in person". Last year, I was involved in a May Dis Meet thread and we all became good friends. This year, I haven't found one that I really felt comfortable in. But, I also must say that I just haven't had time to really become involved in the threads either.

 

[aprilisis]

I would have been so jealous when your step-mother called. I so wish that our trips overlapsed. It would be nice to meet up with you "in person". Last year, I was involved in a May Dis Meet thread and we all became good friends. This year, I haven't found one that I really felt comfortable in. But, I also must say that I just haven't had time to really become involved in the threads either.

Someday our trips will overlap! At least this time I can fill you in on crowd levels & stuff as soon as I get back & right before you go! It just seems to me like there are no meets planned at all between the 17th & 23rd. I'm not sure if I should try to plan something, though. No one I "know" from the boards will be there at that time. Just call me Mrs. Indecisive! I have 52 days to make up my mind!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Sorry no DIS Meets when you will be there...from what I have read from other TR that soulds like it would be really neat.
maybe your stepmom will decide to join you.

I'm jealous she went for the weekend...lucky her~
My DH and I are on vacation this week.....we keep joking we are going to head to the airport and go to Disney....LOL would be nice.....

What about John joining you? did I miss that part about why he's not going..

 

[aprilisis]

Sorry no DIS Meets when you will be there...from what I have read from other TR that soulds like it would be really neat.
maybe your stepmom will decide to join you.

I'm jealous she went for the weekend...lucky her~
My DH and I are on vacation this week.....we keep joking we are going to head to the airport and go to Disney....LOL would be nice.....

What about John joining you? did I miss that part about why he's not going..

You guys should totally go!! How awesome would that be to take a last minute trip like that!?!?
John definitely won't go. He runs his family's restaurant, so he NEVER takes a vacation without serious arm-twisting.

 

[aprilisis]

So this is going to be a very different trip than I am used to. It will be my first trip with a DSLR camera with multiple lenses. I'm taking a tripod with me, too. I am still bringing a point and shoot, though. I think I will try to go to each park with the ability to change lenses at least once. Other times I may just bring one lens at a time. This makes me think I should find another case in addition to the backpack I got to hold all of the camera equipment:

I think it is going to be really warm & heavy to carry that pack around all day, every day. I am really looking forward to photographing everything in sight, too.

So I'm also getting back on track with my diet & exercise routine. I do 30 minutes on the treadmill every night after work no matter how tired I am. I also lift free weights every other day- just 10 pounds, though. I only took a couple of months off & I feel like I am starting all over again. So far, I have been eating rye toast in the morning with smart balance light and fruit. For lunch I usually have a veggie burger (I love the Morningstar Farms black bean burger) and steamed veggies. For dinner, it varies. I love veggie stir fry with "fake" chicken: http://www.quorn.us/products/Chik'n_Tenders.aspx . I don't know- I make a ton of different stuff for dinner. I just try to keep it low-carb, low-fat, and mostly veggies. I need to lose a significant amount of weight- I would like to lose 60, but I have a feeling I will hit a plateau at 40 pounds lost. That's what happened last time...but at least it is something. That's enough diet talk.

I'm going to re-cap my plans: Tuesday May, 17: Leave home at about 3am to make my EEEEArly flight. Dilly dally around the airport until it is time to board the flight. Hopefully, sleep for 3 hours- but I know I'll be too excited to sleep. I can read Southwest's Spirit magazine & flip through the Skymall catalogue until we touch down in Orlando. I will then head right for Magical Express- let's hope I have a better ride than I did last January!!! Scroll down in this post to read how fun that trip was.
I'm hoping my room at the Poly may be ready when I check-in (so far every online check-in room has been ready for me) & that my Garden Grocer order gets there early-ish. I plan to walk around the resort and take it all in before taking a bus to DtD. I have an early dinner- or late lunch- at Portobello. This will be a "first" for me. I love to wander around DtD & slowly shop around, so that should be a nice first day. I'm going to set up my camera & tripod on the balcony of my room to try to capture the MK fireworks.

Wednesday, May 18: The only thing I have planned for the entire day is a late dinner at Artist Point. Other than that, I may go to a spa, resort hop, or go to AK...or all 3!

Thursday, May 19: I have an early breakfast at 1900 Park Fare & I plan to spend the day at DHS. I have dinner scheduled at Brown Derby- and I scheduled it so that the park will be pretty empty when I leave. You know what that means- photo opportunities!

Friday, May 20: I plan to spend the evening EMH at Epcot. I have dinner scheduled at Via Napoli. I might spend the morning at AK. I'm not too sure yet.

Saturday, May 21: This is the day I plan to wake up at the crack of dawn & head over to check out SWW. I have dinner scheduled at California Grill.

Sunday, May 22: Epcot in the morning, lunch at Les Chefs de France, then evening EMH at MK!!

Monday, May 23: Departure day. I won't have time to do anything before ME picks me up.

I suspect I will be working from home this Friday- if we get the ton of snow they are predicting, I will definitely be working from home. Have a great week! I should be back on Saturday with snow photos.

 

[mickeystoontown]

That's a cool bag. I like how it has all the compartments for the various camera lens.

It sounds like you are doing great with your exercise routine.....much better than I am. It's hard to make yourself exercise after a grueling day at work. I say I'm going to walk on the treadmill every day but I'm doing good if I get on it once a week.

I like all of your plans so far including all of your restaurants picks. Isn't Artist Point one of your favorites?

 

[aprilisis]

That's a cool bag. I like how it has all the compartments for the various camera lens.

It sounds like you are doing great with your exercise routine.....much better than I am. It's hard to make yourself exercise after a grueling day at work. I say I'm going to walk on the treadmill every day but I'm doing good if I get on it once a week.

I like all of your plans so far including all of your restaurants picks. Isn't Artist Point one of your favorites?

Trust me- I fight with myself through every excuse in the book to NOT get on that treadmill every day, but I have learned to just get it done as soon as I get home (and after I take Isis outside). That's the only way I can do it! You are 100 times more fit than I am, though! I have to say that I have a long road ahead of me.
I love Artist Point. You know, I think part of it is the "old Northwest" decor. Potobello & Le Chefs De France are new for me and I haven't been to Brown Derby in 6 years, so I am looking forward to them. I still wish our trips overlapped! I swear I will make it happen next year- even if we can just squeeze in one meet.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hey April!
sorry I have not checked in lately...
you will be in Disney so soon, sorry to hear your DSM decided to visit earlier without you.

you have some wonderful pictures of the wildlife and pets, I love the fox shots!

sorry to hear you guys are still in the throws of winter, you will be in summer temps before you know it!

have a great day!

 

[aprilisis]

Hey April!
sorry I have not checked in lately...
you will be in Disney so soon, sorry to hear your DSM decided to visit earlier without you.

you have some wonderful pictures of the wildlife and pets, I love the fox shots!

sorry to hear you guys are still in the throws of winter, you will be in summer temps before you know it!

have a great day!

Thanks! You know- I haven't seen that fox since I took that photo. I hope he (or she) comes back. Our little cat is so wacky- I get the funniest shots of her.
I CAN'T BELIEVE we are going to get a foot of snow. I mean- tomorrow is April!!! We are 2 weeks into spring!!! Ugh. Sorry for the rant! I will have some snow photos up tomorrow, though. At least one good thing will come out of this storm. I'm just hoping the roads aren't bad when I leave work tonight.
I think I will be ok in WDW alone. I'm going to request a second floor room because it will make me feel a little more safe. I will be so caught up in my first time in WDW with an SLR camera, that I will be too busy taking photos to realize I am alone!
You have a great day, too!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

HI April,
Sounds like a healthy meal plan...have you tried Eggplant bites by dominex? they are 3 for 90 calories....they are REALLY small but yummy.....they are breaded so that may be too many carbs for you...good for you for doing the treadmill...it is so hard to get motivated after work...I used to work 1pm - 9pm....I loved it! I went to the gym every weekday....
I think we up here are going to miss the storm...I hope it misses you as well....
Happy Spring

Your plans sounds great! I'm gonna have to go back and read your trip report for last january

 

[aprilisis]

HI April,
Sounds like a healthy meal plan...have you tried Eggplant bites by dominex? they are 3 for 90 calories....they are REALLY small but yummy.....they are breaded so that may be too many carbs for you...good for you for doing the treadmill...it is so hard to get motivated after work...I used to work 1pm - 9pm....I loved it! I went to the gym every weekday....
I think we up here are going to miss the storm...I hope it misses you as well....
Happy Spring

Your plans sounds great! I'm gonna have to go back and read your trip report for last january

I've never tried those eggplant bites, but they sound great! Where do they sell them? I will have to check them out.
I'm so glad we only ended up with about 4 inches of snow. It has mostly melted, too. All I know is that I am SOOO ready for 60+ degree weather!
I hope you had a good weekend!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

I was trying to remember where I buy them, since I go to like 3 grocery stores since no one store has everything I use..LOL, but I'm pretty sure I pick those up at Market Basket...near the veggie/Boca burgers.

Yeah, for ONLY 4 inches of snow!

Oh, 60 degrees...will it ever get here????

 

[aprilisis]

I was trying to remember where I buy them, since I go to like 3 grocery stores since no one store has everything I use..LOL, but I'm pretty sure I pick those up at Market Basket...near the veggie/Boca burgers.

Yeah, for ONLY 4 inches of snow!

Oh, 60 degrees...will it ever get here????

I LOVE Market Basket!!! They are so reasonable with their prices. Thanks for the tip!
Thank goodness we have only had some flurries for the past few days. Everyone was complaining about the rain- until I reminded them that it could have been snow if it was just a little cooler. I'm so happy that we are into the 50-degree temps this week!!!
Any trips planned to WDW yet??

 

[aprilisis]

Well, I am finally on track with my diet & exercise plan. It has been 2 weeks & I'm running at least 1.6 miles per day and eating well. It doesn't feel like I have lost any weight at all, but I will weigh in at the end of this week & find out. The "no coffee" thing didn't last too long. But now instead of getting hot coffee with cream, I'll get black iced coffee with one splenda. Ugh- I can tell you that I really miss cheese pizza!!! That is my one "bad" food that I could eat every day forever.
41 days to go! I have to finish my shopping for this trip. I have to make a shopping list, a packing list, and put in my garden grocer order. I just dug out my suitcases that I will be using for this trip. I have a roll-on carry-on that I will be using. I know I will put it in the overhead bin, so I think I will be taking my camera backpack as my "personal item" so I can stow it under the seat. I'm afraid to pack it in the carry-on because I'm afraid a million people will smash their bags into it in the overhead bin. I bought 2 dresses on sale for 2 of the dinners I have while in WDW:
I actually got this one in black:

And I got this in red:

I don't know why I will bother to dress up while I am by myself!

I have also made up my mind that I will be going to WDW for the Festival of the Masters and for the last Food & Wine weekend. I was thinking of going November 10-14 or maybe a little longer. I haven't decided yet. I was thinking of staying at POR or POFQ. I just want to be close to DtD. This decision was just made MUCH easier because Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is playing at Epcot that weekend!!! I'm really going to book this ASAP.

So that's about all that's going on here. I'll leave you with some photos of my attempts to liven up the office...
My photos:

I have jury duty tomorrow, so I won't be online. Have a great week!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

great dresses! April they are both cute and why not dress up even alone; when I was smaller I loved to get dressed up, just makes you feel nice and special. Love the beautiful yellow daffodils nice way to brighten up office and remind you spirng should be coming your way soon!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Remember to go into jury duty asking all sorts of questions and basically say "off with their head!" so you'll get dismissed.

I really like the two dresses you have ordered. I see no reason why you can't dress up even if you are alone.

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Hi April,
Oh, I hope you didn't get picked for Jury Duty.......YIKES!

Love the dresses...they are really pretty. Go ahead and dress up when your alone! Do it for yourself!
Yeah, for the fall trip! How exciting! No trips for me yet.

I keep forgetting to respond that I feel bad that John has to work so much, but I totally understand. When it's your business no one runs it like you do..hopefully, you can get him to take a vacation sometime soon.

Love your bulletin board. My cubbie is directly over the one place inthe entire ceiling that will spontaneously leak! go figure....I have to cover my pc and keyboard with a plastic bag every night... I do have some pics of my DH and I at Disney as well as a pic of my girlfriend and I the time we bumped into them on our trip...that's about it