Tasty Planning Time with ZeBrook! A 2 for 1 PTR - 12/24 - All our bags are packed

[lazydoxy66]

Congrats on the gift cards and the cruise!!!! You are one lucky lady.

 

[moparop]

Wowwie!!! I so want to do a cruise, especially a disney one! Enjoy!

I am looking up Mushies right now... I need something that I can fit these swollen pregnant feet into!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I've been eyeing the podcast cruise too

And I just ordered some mushies!

Happy 4th of July, Brook!!

 

[MeMom]

WE ARE GOING ON A DISNEY CRUISE! The DIS PODCAST CRUISE! I’m so stinkin’ excited! I need lots of dancing smilies!


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Neither Joe or I have ever cruised before, so I pretty much know NOTHING about it. I’ve been lurking and reading on the Cruise boards and already learning so much. It’s 15 months away, but I think it will take me that long to feel confident in understanding it all.

And meanwhile I have this PTR, a September TR, a December TR, and then the Cruise PTR to keep me busy!

You must be livin' right, girl!

 

[disneyfan61]

Wow Brook-an added trip in the fall & now a cruise!!! Do you have room in a suitcase??? That is great!! Will keep us entertained with all the TR's!! My DH has no desire for a cruise and he was in the Coast Guard . My sister on the other hand is addicted to cruises like I am to Disney. Great Mushies. I had never heard of them either but they look very comfy!!

 

[jenseib]

I am so jealous of the cruise. I REALLY want to do one, but DH thinks that one of us will fall off or something..so we have to keep working on him. We have cruised before (not Disney) just not with a child.

 

[PopArtGal]

Great news about the cruise!!!

Lucky you!

 

[Flossbolna]

I am amazed that Joe might actually be interested in joining us on the Ultimate Touring Plan! I am sure we will be able to work something out until 2011, we still have a bit of time to plan that!

Shoes look wonderful! I just ordered myself a pair of those Teva Mushs, too, but I chose the blue ones:

I really had a hard time deciding on a style, but since the summer shoes season is coming towards its end, the availability rather decided for me...

And booking the podcast cruise sounds great!! You really have a lot of exciting things to look forward to!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Wow Brook-catching up on your pretrippie- lots of exciting stuff between the 2 Dis trips and the cruise-Henry is going to be quite the traveler before he even gets out out of preschool (or in...)...

We want to do a Dis Cruise too...sound like so much fun-have never cruised before but would trust Disney to do a really great one......lucky you......wish those dates could work for us... I'm a little confused by the dates...Dec 12-16-that seems like a 4night, 5day but the link lists it as 3nights? Is is 3 nights or 4 of Disney cruising goodness?

Interested in this whole shoe conversation-I wear Clarks as my comfy shoes but usually a 2 inch heel-and I think I need a flatter really comfy shoe-but I don't want to do a traditional athletic sneaker cause I don't normally wear them except for excercise-they feel too I don't know heavy or bulky to me for walking the parks...plus they remind me of the treadmill and weight lifting...(i want a little escape from that when I vaca...) so tell me

about your Keenes (sp)-I went on line and they look cute...are they really comfy...? the Teva mushies are really cute but how much do they differ from flip flops? Do they provide real support to walk the parks-omg-I sound like my mother...


I've never done one before but I'm feeling inspired to start a pre trippie and then do a trip report-we are leaving in six weeks......I just realized...if I'm going to do one I should bite that bullet soon...

Thanks for the inspiration...

 

[brookelizabeth]

YAY for going on a cruise!! You guys are going to have the best time ever Brook!! I can't wait to hear your perspective on the cruise!!!

Oh I keep seeing those Teva Mush Flip flops and I keep thinking I need to get a pair for the fall...so I might just cave although I'm considering another pair of tennis shoes (Asics) so we'll have to see!!!

Congrats on the $100 gift cards though that is amazing!

Thanks Jen! We are very excited about the cruise. Joe keeps telling Henry about it.

Congrats on your gift cards! Getting new shoes is fantastic, but getting FREE new shoes - now it just doesn't get much better than that!

AND, you get to go on a cruise A Disney cruise is on my list of things to do, but I promised DH that if we went to WDW in December that I wouldn't mention another Disney trip of any kind for awhile, so that is a dream that is going to have to stay on the back burner for now. BUT, I can live vicariously through you!

I agree! FREE shoes are the best! And I still have about $20 left on that gift card...so I might get another pair almost free.

How long is "awhile"? Couple months?

I am so excited for you about the Podcast Cruise!! That will be so much fun for you! Yayayayaya!

I am so glad you love the mushies. I have tried to find themin 12's all over the place but I can't. The 11's are just too small and the Men's mushies feel way different on my feet than the woman's. Curse my big feet! On a side note, Shoebuy is like my favorite shoe website! It is has the best customer service and super fast shipping!

That STINKS about there not being 12's! Just silly. My cousin wears a size 12 and her feet went up to a 13 while pregnant, it was the dead of winter and she literally had to wear flip flops!

My sister in law has Mushies.. wears them all the time!

Huge congrats on the Cruise. We did the 3 day Disney cruise for our honeymoon it was a fun time!

We looked into doing a cruise for our honeymoon as well, but we were B-R-O-K-E at the time, plus we were looking at crazy cruises we STILL wouldn't be able to afford! I'm so glad we went to Disney though, it started the love/obsession!

WOWZERS!!!! You're one busy girl! Surprise after surprise (and trip after trip) on this PTR!! A cruise... how awesome is that! And how fun to plan something totally new! Exciting stuff!

And I have to commend you in your choice of shoes. I Teva Mush sandals. A whole lot of love for them! Never wore flip flops before I tried them and I brought them along last year on our trip along with my Chacos. The Mush never left my feet! So comfy during all those miles of walking. I've made converts of my whole family and a bunch of friends and their kids! I think all the women and girls going on our August trip have at least one pair!

I know! We have gone a bit crazy lately with vacation planning, but really-this is about IT for trips through 2010. We might do something smaller in 2010, but as for now, this is it. Maybe we'll do that Black Hills trip...

ANOTHER rave review of the Mushies!!

Congrats BE! I'm so exicted for you guys! Can't to hear all about your many adventures on the open seas!

Thanks GB! I'm really looking forward to it. It seems so far away-to think that Henry will be THREE by that time blows my mind.

Brook! You never cease to make me laugh or lighten my day!!!

I LOVE your mushies!! I've never heard of these! I have to check them out now! They look very similar to my favorite 2 pairs of flip flops! they're tidewaters! I have one with a flip flop print and one with a pink pirates prints! I wore both at WDW in march and me feet were fine!

I'm freakin jealous of the cruise!!! Can I come?! I so want to do a Disney cruise and DH just isn't down with the idea of a cruise of any kind! He gets sea sick! Strange that he's a sailor I know but a small sailboat doesn't make the crazy man sick! The closest I'm ever going to get to a cruise is a few years ago when my cousin got married on the Norwegian Dawn before it left the dock in NYC! I was hoping the beautiful ship might change DH's mind but it didn't! Poop!

Enjoy planning!!!

I was away this weekend...You have a new PTR I see...

I've never heard of Tidewaters, I'll have to check those out!

I've heard that people that get seasick usually DON'T on cruises because you can barely tell you are moving due to the size of the boat. There are quite a few threads on it over on the Curise Boards... but you said he DOESN'T get sick on a small boat, but only on big ones?? Maybe you could sneak away on a solo cruise?? The Podcast cruise is deeply discounted. (and there are threads about having a roomie for the solo travellers to save money! )

 

[brookelizabeth]

I have the Mushies, or I had the Mushies....I have one Mushie actually. I lost one of the pair when we switched bedrooms in early spring. I'm hoping it shows up before my October trip because I really don't care for the Speedo flip flops I got to replace them.

Oh I hope you find it too! That stinks!

Congrats on winning for good deeds! And what great ways t spend the winnings!

You will loooove the cruise! I have been on two Disney cruises, and they are so very magical; it will spoil you for any other cruise line!

You need to start researching door magnets and fish extender gifts on their boards. Both are so much fun!

I'm SO excited about the door magnets and the fish extenders! I had to explain the fish extender to Joe the other day and he doesn't fully get it, but I think he'll love it once he realizes. I know there are already huge threads on the Podcast Cruise Board about them both!

A Disney cruise?! OK, that is so not fair!

Wow a cruise too!

YEP!! So excited! It's a bit unreal!

Woo hoo for the cruise!!! That is super awesome!!!

I have been looking at the Mushies, too -- I just don't know if I can switch to them for park touring...

I don't know how I'll do in flip flops for park touring either...both my Crocs and my Keens have backs. But, I figure it's worth a shot with all the rave reviews, and if anything I can use them and quick slip on/off bumming around the resort/pool shoes.

You just keep adding and adding to this PTR. How exciting! I am going to have to try out those flip flops!

It's hard to believe all this has happened so quickly!

Goodness!!!

I was just thinking, "Wow, great flip-flop find", and then I was like "Wow-ee!! A Cruise!!!"

That was a real bombshell!!! Congrats!!!


Kathy

Thanks Kathy! It's very exciting - and kinda strange to have a year and a half of vacations already planned!

You are funny. I thought I was just going to read an update about cute new shoes and then I read that you are going on a CRUISE! Very fun!

He he!

Ooh, those Mushies look comfy! Congrats on the cruise - it sounds great!!

So far they are really great. They even have arch support and the bottom molds to your foot.

Hi Brook! I finally finished your last TR and I'm almost caught up on this PTR. Love the pattern you chose on your mushies. I'm going to have to try them on, because I agree, a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes!!

Thank you for reading all these reports! They have quite a few fun patterns for the Mushies, I thought this one was a tad funky. I might end up with another pair too...we'll see how I blow the remaining money on the gift card!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Congrats on the gift cards and the cruise!!!! You are one lucky lady.

Thank you! I am blessed with a wonderful job and a great (Disney obsessed) husband!

Wowwie!!! I so want to do a cruise, especially a disney one! Enjoy!

I am looking up Mushies right now... I need something that I can fit these swollen pregnant feet into!

I think the Mushies would be PERFECT for pregnant feet! I wore cheap crappy flip flops, but they had a great foam bottom, almost my entire pregnancy and they were JUST what I needed. The Mushies are very comfy and would help you through the hot summer months!

I've been eyeing the podcast cruise too

And I just ordered some mushies!

Happy 4th of July, Brook!!

Ooooh, ooooh! COME ON THE CRUISE!! Have you checked out the boards for the 2.0 cruise?

And YAY for the Mushies! Let me know how you like them!

Thank you for the holiday wishes-we were out of town all weekend, spur of the moment camping trip/family party. We had a GREAT time. I'll share pictures at some point. I still have to finish up that Wisconsin Dells TR too... I hope your holiday was a good one!

You must be livin' right, girl!

I try to!

Wow Brook-an added trip in the fall & now a cruise!!! Do you have room in a suitcase??? That is great!! Will keep us entertained with all the TR's!! My DH has no desire for a cruise and he was in the Coast Guard . My sister on the other hand is addicted to cruises like I am to Disney. Great Mushies. I had never heard of them either but they look very comfy!!

Our suitcase is HUGE, so we just might have room.

My cousins are addicted to cruises too, they belong to a cruise program to get major discounts. Every time they share pictures I get jealous...and now, I can finally join them! (well, in 15 months I can join them )

I am so jealous of the cruise. I REALLY want to do one, but DH thinks that one of us will fall off or something..so we have to keep working on him. We have cruised before (not Disney) just not with a child.

I actually just read a thread the other day about someone asking this VERY question. Disney has NEVER had anyone ever fall off board. Even from the staterooms with verandas. Everything is high enough that it would be very difficult to accidently fall off. Not sure if that would reassure him...but, I'm trying!

Great news about the cruise!!!

Lucky you!

Thank you! I'm really excited about it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am amazed that Joe might actually be interested in joining us on the Ultimate Touring Plan! I am sure we will be able to work something out until 2011, we still have a bit of time to plan that!

Shoes look wonderful! I just ordered myself a pair of those Teva Mushs, too, but I chose the blue ones:

I really had a hard time deciding on a style, but since the summer shoes season is coming towards its end, the availability rather decided for me...

And booking the podcast cruise sounds great!! You really have a lot of exciting things to look forward to!

I was a bit amazed at Joe wanting to join us too!! I think it would be just a blast to do.

I really like those blue ones! I debated on those, I like the flowers. I do have about $20 left on the card, so we'll see....

Wow Brook-catching up on your pretrippie- lots of exciting stuff between the 2 Dis trips and the cruise-Henry is going to be quite the traveler before he even gets out out of preschool (or in...)...

We want to do a Dis Cruise too...sound like so much fun-have never cruised before but would trust Disney to do a really great one......lucky you......wish those dates could work for us... I'm a little confused by the dates...Dec 12-16-that seems like a 4night, 5day but the link lists it as 3nights? Is is 3 nights or 4 of Disney cruising goodness?

Interested in this whole shoe conversation-I wear Clarks as my comfy shoes but usually a 2 inch heel-and I think I need a flatter really comfy shoe-but I don't want to do a traditional athletic sneaker cause I don't normally wear them except for excercise-they feel too I don't know heavy or bulky to me for walking the parks...plus they remind me of the treadmill and weight lifting...(i want a little escape from that when I vaca...) so tell me

about your Keenes (sp)-I went on line and they look cute...are they really comfy...? the Teva mushies are really cute but how much do they differ from flip flops? Do they provide real support to walk the parks-omg-I sound like my mother...


I've never done one before but I'm feeling inspired to start a pre trippie and then do a trip report-we are leaving in six weeks......I just realized...if I'm going to do one I should bite that bullet soon...

Thanks for the inspiration...

I didn't notice a link that said 3 nights...I am pretty certain it's 4. Maybe a typo...? I'll have to look into that!

That is funny about the tennis shoes reminding you of working out! I think I would feel the same way (even though, I don't work out!), and my feet would just get too hot, but it seems to work really well for a lot of people-my DH included!

My Keens are GREAT. We did veryyyy heavy touring for 10 days in Israel and they held up the entire time and I don't recall my feet ever aching. The inside is so soft, it's like a pillow, but INCREDIBLY supportive. I have nothing negative to say about them. And they are waterproof-which comes in handy! The Mushies are comfy - they don't differ a ton from regular flip flops, but they do have more support and the bottom forms to your foot after wearing them for a bit. I don't know if I could wear those day in and day out at the parks, but I know I could with my Keens.

If you do a PTR please post your link here! 6 weeks!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

How long is "awhile"? Couple months?

In my mind, or in his?

Actually, I've already got another trip planned in my head - I'm hoping to talk my mom into going with me next May for the Flower & Garden Festival. She's never been to WDW, and I know she would love the F&G. I'm pretty sure DH would be okay with it as long as he doesn't have to go.....

 

[blessedby3]

I am getting greener and greener with each of your updates!!! A cruise
I would love to have just ONE ticker at this point! You are a blessed lady
My 14 yr old son just asked yesterday when we were going back to Disney. Sadly I had to tell him Im not sure
Things are just harder as the kids get older. Enjoy these frequent trips anytime during the year. Once Henry gets in school it will be harder

Oh, and I love my Teva Mushies too!

 

[jenseib]

What are Keenes like? I can't do croc or flipflops, they both kill my feet, and I can't stand anything between my toes. I usually do tennis shoes. I have such horrid feet and it's har to find anything to fit, let alone be comfy.

 

[Flossbolna]

What are Keenes like? I can't do croc or flipflops, they both kill my feet, and I can't stand anything between my toes. I usually do tennis shoes. I have such horrid feet and it's har to find anything to fit, let alone be comfy.

I'd be interested in getting to know more about the keens. I googled them yesterday and there seem to be a lot of different types. Which do you have?

I have some Teva Pretty Rugged sandals and those are great for park touring as well.

 

[brookelizabeth]

In my mind, or in his?

Actually, I've already got another trip planned in my head - I'm hoping to talk my mom into going with me next May for the Flower & Garden Festival. She's never been to WDW, and I know she would love the F&G. I'm pretty sure DH would be okay with it as long as he doesn't have to go.....

A F&G trip sounds wonderful! Epcot is so beautiful during that time. Joe and I hope to go during this time too some year - he acutally priced a surprise trip for me for my birthday during it this year, but it was just not going to work with the budget.

That is so nice that your DH doesn't mind you going at least!

I am getting greener and greener with each of your updates!!! A cruise
I would love to have just ONE ticker at this point! You are a blessed lady
My 14 yr old son just asked yesterday when we were going back to Disney. Sadly I had to tell him Im not sure
Things are just harder as the kids get older. Enjoy these frequent trips anytime during the year. Once Henry gets in school it will be harder

Oh, and I love my Teva Mushies too!

I truly am very blessed that we are able to swing these trips. And having a DH who is just as eager to go as me!

I understand about how much more difficult it is to go when the kids are older-we keep talking about taking advantage as much as we can while Henry is young and FREE!

And love hearing that about the Mushies!

What are Keenes like? I can't do croc or flipflops, they both kill my feet, and I can't stand anything between my toes. I usually do tennis shoes. I have such horrid feet and it's har to find anything to fit, let alone be comfy.

My Keens are very similar to this pair:
http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss09/shoes/women/trailhead/newport

You can see Joe's pretty good in this picture:

They are sold at outdoors type stores-and are considered "walking sandals". They have really great support, and are VERY comfortable. There is nothing between the toes (they might have styles that do, but ours don't), and are almost like a sneaker in style-the toes are completely covered and there is a thick back strap.

I'd be interested in getting to know more about the keens. I googled them yesterday and there seem to be a lot of different types. Which do you have?

I have some Teva Pretty Rugged sandals and those are great for park touring as well.

Mine look like the Newport ones above, but are a few years old-so I think the style has slightly changed.

I didn't realize they had so many styles! I like those Rotan ones...hmmm... I've seen those Teva Pretty Rugged shoes around quite a bit-they look like they would be really great! I might have to look into those for the future too.

 

[brookelizabeth]

As you know, we have elected to purchase the QSDP on this trip. That includes TWO snacks a day.

In my mind I'd like to say we will use one snack credit for breakfast each morning. A bagel. A pastry. Something nummy. Save on the money.

HOWEVER, knowing me, the plates-o-eggs and potatoes will be calling my name each morning from the Pepper Market, "Brook, ooooh, Brook! Come and eat the breakfast goodness that awaits you!"

Have I mentioned I can't wait for our breakfast ADR at CP? Breakfast Buffet. Drool.

Alright, back to the point of this post.

Snacks.

Nosh.

Nummies.

I have budgeted to purchase my breakfast each morning OOP. If I for some reason find myself just wanting a quick muffin, so be it-snack credit. However, I want the bucks there should I hear the breakfast platters. While also frees up the snack credits!

I've tried quite a few different snacks through the past trips, but with two snacks a day-it's time to branch out and hunt out some new options! And this my friends, makes me very, very excited!

DONE:
* Dole Whip
* Mickey Ice Cream Bar
* Mickey Rice Krispy Bar
* Itzakadoozy!
* Main Street Bakery Ice Cream Sandwich
* Goofy's Pretzel Rods
* Cappuccino Float
* Sweet Pretzel
* Frozen Lemonade

WANT TO TRY AT SOME POINT:
* Gealto
* Churro
* Goofy's Gingerbread Man
* Hot Preztel (Germany)
* A soda float (root beer or Diet Coke)
* Hot Fudge Sundae
* Vanilla Shake
* Fruit Smoothie
* Crepe (France)
* Kaki Gori (Japan)
* Popcorn (everyone raves about WDW popcorn, I've never had it!)
* Lemonade Slushi
* Strawberry Shortcake (Sunshine Seasons)
* Worms and Dirt (Sunshine Seasons)

The problem with this, many of my DONE list is also on my HOPE TO list for this trip.

HOPE TO IN SEPTEMBER:
* Dole Whip: Tried the float, it was devine! I want to try just the ice cream this time around. If we happen to eat a meal at Cap'n Cooks for some reason this WILL be my dessert!
* Mickey Ice Cream Bar
* Mickey Rice Krispy Bar
* Itzakadoozy!
* Main Street Bakery Ice Cream Sandwich: Almost bigger than my head!
* Sweet Pretzel: Ideally while watching Illuminations.
* Gealto: I believe they serve this at CSR, it would be lovely if it qualified as dessert with a meal
* Germany pretzel
* Kaki Gori
* Giant Lollipop: For H - It will take him forever to finish it (or at least until Mommy hides it...), I think he'd be THRILLED!
* Mickey cookie: Again, for H. He'll flip!


We'll see how many I get to...and if I can resist the consistent lure of the Itzakadoozy.

Is it bizzare to have a list for snacks??

 

[brookelizabeth]

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July holiday! Joe, Henry and I made a bit of a spur of the moment trip. We went CAMPING! If you recall, we cancelled our camping trip to Mount Rushmore and added the September trip. One day at work he commented to me about how he still wanted to go camping...so we literally picked a random spot on the Minnesota map about 2 hours from our home, found a campground and went for it! We camped Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning we left...much to the surprise of other campers...who leaves on the 4th of July???

Well, we had a family party to attend-which is always a great time and this year did not disappoint! I feel like over the past couple years America has been changing a bit - getting a bit more of a grasp on what truly matters, other people, family and friends, rather than things. The holiday just seemed to have a bit more meaning, with the war still going on, the uncertainity of our economy...it was certainly a time of a bit of reflecting for Joe and I and our family.

I'll try to share some pictures at some point. I know I still have the rest of the Wisconsin Dells TR to do and sharing a bit more about my birthday getaway weekend. Someday I'll catch up.

We had a really wonderful time camping and spending the time with our family. I hope you all had a GREAT HOLIDAY! (and for my overseas friends, I hope you had a great day too! )



And I also wanted to comment on the tragedy that occurred at Disney World with the monorail crash. Both Joe and I were horrified. Our prayers instantly went out to the families involved and for those of the deceased CM. I was happy to read that the monorail is back and running; however, I know when I ride it in September, my thoughts will wander to the CM and his family for a few quiet moments.

It is such a shocking thing to happen in what most all of us consider our "happy place".