PTR-Cheating on Mickey w/Harry!...OMG! Only a month to go!

[franandaj]

So I'm sorry not to respond to everyone's comments yet, but I will do that hopefully tomorrow. Today was kind of an intense day. I realized when I woke up this morning why I normally ride the scooter in the parks. I walked to the club Saturday night and then on Sunday there was quite a bit of walking involved to get to the stage, A LOT more than I realized. This morning I woke up with my shin splints BURNING! There was a point walking to the bathroom when my legs almost buckled!

I didn't realize that just walking from the Villas to the Club and then the amount of walking backstage to the stage, and then again to the Lost and Found was going to make me almost crippled the next day. YIKES, getting old sucks, but I guess it beats the alternative!

So everyone keeps asking me if Fran is getting better. She has had bandages on for almost a week, but today she really wanted a few hours to let the wound breathe, so if you aren't squeamish here it is. The Doctor also recieved the same pictures and said that she is healing well. The first one is before they put bandages on last week.

The second is before I cleaned it and scraped off the dead skin and the last ones are after I rubbed her skin with lotion and cleaned the wound. The nurse comes tomorrow to redress and check the wound again. You'll notice in the later pictures that her leg actually looks like a leg and not some kind of swollen nasty thing!

 

[franandaj]

Wow, talk about living in whatever, I just looked at these pictures againg and regardless, her leg looks like living in nasty things.


It will be a while until it it gets better.

I guess I have Stockholm syndrome because I thought it looked better.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Glad to see the leg looking like a leg.

 

[franandaj]

Glad to see the leg looking like a leg.

So you're kind of agreeing with the doc that even though it has nasty leisions the fact that it is not all swoolen up and stuff it's cool? She said it looked better, but UGH all those leisions! I guess it looks like they are healing now instead of just inflamed. Gosh, this has definitely amped up my queasiness factor. In the past changing her bandage I would have ralphed, but I was able to do it without incident. Maybe I'm finally becoming an adult.

Perhaps that also means I should go to bed since it's 12:25!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sleep well. I'm glad we managed to cross paths, albeit briefly.

Another day in the office tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll catch up on Thursday sometime.

 

[franandaj]

Yeah well for whatever reason I am still up and DISing. I am hoping that tomorrow i will launch the new PTR. Arline was busy with helping friends on midcal things, so hopefully tomorrow she can sub into the new PTR and we will have new adventures and food porn to druel about!

I need something to look forward to that is closer than 11 months away!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yeah well for whatever reason I am still up and DISing. I am hoping that tomorrow i will launch the new PTR. Arline was busy with helping friends on midcal things, so hopefully tomorrow she can sub into the new PTR and we will have new adventures and food porn to druel about!

I need something to look forward to that is closer than 11 months away!

Dang! I'm at work so I'm going to miss out on page 1.

 

[Pinkocto]

I'm here for the party, will go back and read all the wonderful links you made.

I hope you got my PM, I still can't figure out how to see if they got sent.

 

[Hawleys]

After a whole lot of hurry up and wait, we finally got on stage. Hawleys and her crew showed up right before we started with perfect timing. In the past they assigned a photo pass photographer to the group and we all got photopasses. I must have been the only one who bought the CDs because they didn’t do that this year. Our group photo taken backstage was only available at the photo store on Main Street, and since I didn’t go into the park, I didn’t get it.

I did video the concert and it went GREAT! What a swansong! Our director doesn’t like Disney and he’s using the whole thing about the logistical problems as a way to get out of doing this in the future.

Just wanted to chime in and say what a great time we had visiting with you. For someone who doesn't like Disney, your director sure put together a great concert. It's funny because the three of us all liked different pieces best. I loved the the Sousa march; Katie loved "Under the Sea" from the Little Mermaid and Stephanie raved about the Lady Gaga medley. That's right folks, you heard me correctly, Lady Gaga. It was the finale piece and it was amazing! I have nice pictures of both you and Fran but I can't find the darn piece that connects camera to computer. Give me a day or two and hopefully I can post them soon.

 

[franandaj]

Ah my two favorites...crab cakes and a filet of chatuaubriand, heaven! Sorry to hear you lost your phone, that really stinks.

I've spent my day daydreaming of a New England/Canada cruise for Oct 2013 with a side trip to Niagra Falls.

Upon our return from our Dream cruise my sister announced we might be cancelling the March Mexico cruise that has over 14 of us booked. Evidently she hasn't told that to anyone else going, so we'll see what happens.

We've wanted to do that New England Cruise for a while. Fran keeps saying when she's better. I think we should just go ahead with these things and quit waiting! Well she should heal up from the current thing.

Thanks for the pics. Sorry you lost the phone. If I ever go back to club 33 I would order what you had. YUMMY!

You're welcome! It was very Yummy!

You look so pretty in that purple color!

Sigh, that blueberry-peach dessert. Looks. Amazing! Ugh, that stinks about your phone. Good thing you turned the service off of it right away

Thanks I like purple and have a lot of dress outfits in that color.

Glad you had a good time, hopefully you will get phone back.

The food looks amazing!

I can definitely say that I have NEVER had a bad meal there, it's always fabulous!

Sorry for the late response. I did read it when you posted but I must have forgotten to post a response.

Love the food porn and I can practically taste that chateaubriand! And I really should stop looking at sweet type porn....the fat just slaps itself on my thighs every time I see a dessert picture. Need to go back to Boo to ME!

Believe it or not, I need to go back to Boo and gloat a little! My hovering weight is about four pounds less than it was a month ago. Go figure!

Dang! I'm at work so I'm going to miss out on page 1.

Not necessasarily....She was supposed to call me yesterday afternoon and I never heard back from her. I've got lots of errands to run after the nurse leaves today, so it may be a while before I do actually get to it.

I'm here for the party, will go back and read all the wonderful links you made.

I hope you got my PM, I still can't figure out how to see if they got sent.

Glad to have you join in! This PTR was supposed to be all wrapped, but due to the circumstances I have a whole nother batch of planning to go through! It will feel like deja vu!

Just wanted to chime in and say what a great time we had visiting with you. For someone who doesn't like Disney, your director sure put together a great concert. It's funny because the three of us all liked different pieces best. I loved the the Sousa march; Katie loved "Under the Sea" from the Little Mermaid and Stephanie raved about the Lady Gaga medley. That's right folks, you heard me correctly, Lady Gaga. It was the finale piece and it was amazing! I have nice pictures of both you and Fran but I can't find the darn piece that connects camera to computer. Give me a day or two and hopefully I can post them soon.

Thanks! It's always so much fun to play there and this time we had a really good audience. And the director, let's just say he had some help. Remember that spa day I posted at the Grand Californian? One of the phone calls that I took while sitting poolside was the one where he and I figured out what music to keep in the folder from the October 9th concert and use a potential Disneyland Concert music.

Fran and I convinced him to program Under the Sea and the Young Persons Guide to John Williams on the October 9th concert so that we would have them "in shape" for the Disney concert. Sneaky aren't we?

 

[franandaj]

OK so here’s a real PTR update! Yesterday I booked the Beach Club Villas for 5 nights starting 10/12/12! Brandi will also be checking in that same day too!

That weekend is the Food and Wine Classic at the Swan/Dolphin and a number of the Jamborinis (from the AKL Lite thread) have made plans to attend and have a meet. From what I gather it is both Friday and Saturday nights and is sort of like the “Party for the Senses”, with a “beverage seminar” for the first hour and the remaining three are for snacking and tasting wines.

http://www.swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com/

On the menu last year was:

Todd English
Friday & Saturday: Browned Butter Basted Lobster Roll

Shula’s Steakhouse
Friday & Saturday: Carved New York Strip, Creamed Spinach

Cib’s Smoke Shop
Friday: Carolina Style Pulled Pork, Southern Coleslaw, Parker House Roll, Fried Pickles, Ranch
Saturday: Smoked Pork Belly, Texas Toast, Baked Bean Foam

Todd English’s bluezoo
Friday: “Shrimp Cocktail” Steamrollers
Saturday: Heirloom Beet Salad, Goat Cheese Fondue, Candied Walnuts, Ice Spinach

Cabana Bar and Beach Club
Friday: Pork Carnitas: Braised Pork, Sofrito, Pita, Pico de Gallo, Iceberg Lettuce
Saturday: Crab Eggroll: Blue Crab, Cabbage, Ginger, Sweet Thai Chili, Soy

Fountain
Friday & Saturday: Falafel: Chickpea Fritter, Tahini, Traditional Garnish

Il Mulino New York Trattoria
Friday: Italian Meatball Sandwich
Saturday: Hand Cut Tagliatelle, Braised Lamb Ragu, Pecorino Romano

Garden Grove
Friday: Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Sliders, Shredded Iceberg, Pickle Chip, Old Bay Aioli, Sesame Rolls
Saturday: Rock Shrimp “Po Boy”, French Bread, Tomato, Old Bay Remoulade

Kimonos
Friday: Dragon Roll: Crispy Shrimp,Tuna, Avocado
Saturday: Spicy Yellow Fin Tuna, Nori, Seasoned Rice

Laurent Branlard
Friday & Saturday:

Saint Honore …. Vanilla Cream Puff, Whipped Cream
Coconut Macaroon ….White Chocolate Coconut Mousse, Lime Cream
Lemon Berry Bubble…….Lemon Curd, Berry Compote
Orange Caramel Baba …..Caramel Cremeu,Caramel Sauce
Intense Dark Chocolate Cake…..Flourless Sponge, Dark Chocolate Mousse
Choconut Tartlet…..Chocolate Cremeux, Peanut Mousse, Caramelized Peanuts
Station: Banana Foster, Vanilla Ice Cream and Coconut Fondant Cake​

These were the beverage seminars that were offered.

WINE BLENDING SEMINAR
Our certified sommeliers believe there is no better way to truly learn about wine than to taste it! During this hands-on seminar, we will break down the components of barrel samples while discussing the origins of the wine, review the plush varieties of grapes, and take a step-by-step look at the delicate wine making process. The real fun begins with an opportunity to blend your very own meritage! Become more adventurous and knowledgeable about the art of wine and always purchase the right bottle for any occasion.

Instructor: Tony Porcellini
Certified Sommelier / Director of Food & Beverage

RIESLING RENDEZVOUS
Discover the broad range of Riesling styles. Known mostly for its highly aromatic and sweet honey flavor profile, we will discuss (and taste!) both dry and sweet variations as well as light to full-bodied alternatives. The versatility of this noble grape allows for pairing with anything from salads to seafood to sweets.

Instructor: Luciano Sperduto
B.A.R. Certified, Certified Sommelier / Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

SPANISH WINES
Add some Spanish flare to your wine tasting experience! This class will teach you what is in a bottle, how to read wine labels, Spanish wine grape varietals, and different regions of Spanish wines. We'll also introduce the new generation of Spanish wines and their creative blends!

Instructor: Maria Marcano
Certified Sommelier / Catering Sales Manager

MODERN MIXOLOGY
Learn the science behind our mixologists’ methods as we play with aromas, temperature and texture. We apply the same concepts as some of the world’s most innovative chefs - Ferran Adria, Jose Andres, and Thomas Keller - to create our unconventional libations. We’ll balance out your experience in this course with tasty treats from our bluezoo chefs’ culinary laboratory. Impress guests at your next social gathering with these clever cocktail tips!

Instructor: Lindsay Skillman
B.A.R. Certified, Certified Sommelier / General Manager of Cabana Bar & Beach Club

ALL THINGS SAKE
Dive into the history of sake, the current trends in the industry, and a hint at what we can expect tomorrow. Topics include vessels, labeling, when to warm your sake and how the production and milling of sake produces different grades and taste profiles. This class will be filled with opportunities to taste many different types of sake and demonstrate how simple it is to pair with food. Kanpai!

Instructor: Chad Lobner
Certified Sake Expert / General Manager of Todd English’s bluezoo

BEER, PLEASE!
Does your beer knowledge start with “Bud” and end with “weiser”? Expand your beer horizons with micro brews and craft beers from around the world. Discover the process behind different brews and their impact on the food and beverage industry during the past few years as well as future trends. After completing a lesson on the brewing process, enjoy a personal tasting of the multiple styles of beer and perfect food pairings for any meal.

Instructor: Brian Exner
B.A.R. Certified, Certified Sommelier / Assistant General Manager of Il Mulino New York Trattoria
Instructor: DJ Robertson
Assistant General Manager of Todd English’s bluezoo

BASE TO BUBBLES
Learn the basics of champagne, including the importance of the grapes, land, climate, and viticulture to the process. Be introduced to the five key regions of Champagne and the different champagne styles in all areas of the world. Hone sight, smell and taste as we finish with a blind champagne tasting.

Instructor: Olivier Zambaux
Certified Sommelier / General Manager of Shula’s Steakhouse​

If the schedule for Disney F&W Festival is similar to last year, I’m hoping to sign up for the Grand Mariner Tasting on Saturday afternoon and the French Regional lunch on Sunday afternoon in addition to the Food & Wine Classic events. This will give me Friday afternoon, all day Monday and Tuesday, plus Wednesday afternoon to sample the Food & Wine Kiosks at Epcot. Who knows we might also sign up for a Signature Dinner. In two days, I plan to call Member Services again to book my three nights at the Wilderness lodge.

Don’t forget, when we canceled this year’s trip we randomly picked two days in October to shift our reservation at Loew’s Royal Pacific Hotel. So the trip begins at IOA for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter on October 10th (well we check into the hotel around 6PM that night, the park will be in the morning), Beach Club from October 12 -17 and hopefully Villas at the Wilderness Lodge from October 17-20. I tacked an extra day onto the 2012 trip because when I worked through all the kiosks in this PTR trying to sample everything in the four nights/five days (avoiding the weekends), I realized that we were not going to get through all the foods, much less get seconds on the ones we like best. An extra day is not a lot of time, but I’m hoping that we can pack more into our mouths that way!

So here we go again!

 

[dgbg100106]

I wanted to let you know that David and I did the new England cruise for our honeymoon and went the middle of October. The leaves were changing and everyhing was so beautiful


You will love that cruise.

 

[dgbg100106]

OK so here’s a real PTR update! Yesterday I booked the Beach Club Villas for 5 nights starting 10/12/12! Brandi will also be checking in that same day too!

 

[franandaj]

So for our performance on Sunday, it turns out that one of our band members who has a torn rotator cuff and hasn't been able to play for the past 6-8 months was in the audience and he emailed me these pictures yesterday.

 

[Leshaface]

Geez, you're updating left and right!

Holy moly about Fran's leg. It looks painful! Glad that the Dr said it's healing well

Yay for booking the Beach Club Villas! Do you feel somewhat better knowing you have something booked?

You all look SO good in the concert pictures! I didn't know there was that many band members. Are you SURE this is the last year to do it at Dland?

 

[franandaj]

I wanted to let you know that David and I did the new England cruise for our honeymoon and went the middle of October. The leaves were changing and everyhing was so beautiful


You will love that cruise.

I hope I can convince Fran to get out more and just do things, and not wait for everything to get "better". But we won't be able to do it for another two years becuase I'm committed to go to F&W for 2012 and 2013!

Geez, you're updating left and right!

Holy moly about Fran's leg. It looks painful! Glad that the Dr said it's healing well

Yay for booking the Beach Club Villas! Do you feel somewhat better knowing you have something booked?

You all look SO good in the concert pictures! I didn't know there was that many band members. Are you SURE this is the last year to do it at Dland?

The nurse just left and he said that she is really recovering quickly, he is very pleased. Now he wants her to start doing some walking.

I have three things booked, DLand in Feb, AKL & BLT in May, and now this. What would really actually make me feel better is if she would be all better and we could GO somewhere, not just plan going somewhere.

Not everyone in the pictures plays with all the time, but we always have that many for a performance. It's easy to get them for Disney since people get into the park for playing, we open this gig up to anyone who will come do it.

The Disney people were really adamant about us only being able to play if we arrived in a bus with all our instruments on the bus. For years we have just showed up and parked in the Cast structure and walked backstage with our instruments, performed and then walked back out and moved the cars. They claim that security doesn't like it, blah, blah, blah, all sorts of mumbo jumbo. They've been giving us a hassle for a few years now. Each year it gets worse. We were going to play at CA Adventure, but they moved us to DLand because we could walk from backstage to the stage. In the past they have trammed us over to DCA. Oh well!

But our director is secretly thrilled. He used to work at DLand and he's one of those people who call it Mauswhitchz.

 

[Pinkocto]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about your plans even knowing the trip had to be postponed until next year. I do so hope they still have your favorite dishes to enjoy. It doesn't seem like the have very many vegetarian options?

How wonderful you were able to move your Harry Potter days to next year. That place looks so fantastic! Ever since they announced the idea I've been wanting to go, I'm hoping in the next few years to be able to.

Also, what fabulous news that both contracts came through! A few months after buying I was already dreaming of what needs to be done to be able to buy more! The vacation and Disney obsession have both been amplified by DVC

 

[franandaj]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about your plans even knowing the trip had to be postponed until next year. I do so hope they still have your favorite dishes to enjoy. It doesn't seem like the have very many vegetarian options?

How wonderful you were able to move your Harry Potter days to next year. That place looks so fantastic! Ever since they announced the idea I've been wanting to go, I'm hoping in the next few years to be able to.

Also, what fabulous news that both contracts came through! A few months after buying I was already dreaming of what needs to be done to be able to buy more! The vacation and Disney obsession have both been amplified by DVC

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed reading about all our exploits! Are you a vegtarian? They don't have a lot at F&W although there are a few. The one thing that has kept me in sanity is that at F&W they seem to keep the favorite dishes so that when I finally get back they will have the same ones. I am just sad that I missed out on the ones that were new for 2010 and 2011.

But Fran is healing and that is the important thing. Food will always be there and if I miss something, if it is good it will be there next year, if not there will be something great to replace it. The other thing that keeps me going is that F&W will come back to CA in 2013 when all the rennovations are done. With that in my mind, I can also deal with not going to Florida this year.

The nurse wants Fran to start walking a bit so we may start taking trips out into the neighborhood or who knows where, but we may start getting out of the house and I won't be so dependent on the DIS for my interactions. For the last month I have been relying on my "friends in a box" as PIO says, and you all have been so supportive and instrumental in my sanity.

If I didn't have you all to converse with I don't know what I would have done. I would have been so bored, and defintely gone stir crazy. I don't know how I will keep up once we start trying to get a llife again!

Thanks to eveyone! But now i better go to bed since tomorrow we need to start cleaning the house. We are not going to my parents for Thanksgiving since it will be too much for Fran. There are way too many packages on the dining room table that have come in from eBay that need to opened and dealt with (her compulsive buying) that I need Darcy to help me open and put away so when my parents arrive we have a place to have diinner!

 

[PrincessInOz]

OK so here’s a real PTR update! Yesterday I booked the Beach Club Villas for 5 nights starting 10/12/12! Brandi will also be checking in that same day too!

So here we go again!

Looking forward to it! You and Brandi....posting pictures and reviewing the food concurrently.




Those pics of you and the band were fabulous. Thanks for sharing.


And I hope that Fran and you do get out a bit more. Friends in a box are nice and all that...but 3D friends have that added dimension.

 

[dgbg100106]

Loved the pictures of the band and of you and fran especially....