The Princess Weekend
I'm happy that I finally got there. First, I had just an *okay* time. I loved the race and finally meeting everyone. But I felt I couldn't go without seeing my parents who on holiday in Florida. My father acted like I was taking him hostage to drive on over. Honestly, he acts like he's not a WDW fan at all but then has fun. So ??? But good on him for doing it - and cancelling some plans - my parents, despite my mother's state are VERY social. He had dinner plans with two female friends and a in condo massage set up for him and his childhood friend and daughter! My parents kill me.
Anyway, that totally clouded my time and emotional stance and sleep. But had to be in my head. I had a great time with them but was exhausted. I wanted to take over for my father with my mother. So I was up all night with her. She was up about nine times that night. Her average is about four. So I got about an hour an a half. She got more because she has an ability to go back to sleep - I don't.
Wait! Let me back up.
I flew in with no Tuesday night, Wednesday night on my last borrowed points - I somehow snagged BW BW view!!
but
. No Thursday night and no Friday night. And then was Erika's points at OKW. I just thought I will figure those non - booked nights out later alligator. So on Tuesday morning the prices dropped into my range. Got someone to cover my Wednesday work (already booked). Phoned my father and told him what were plans were but would not go without seeing them. I wanted to fly into their airport and stay with them but nothing came anywhere near my $$$. He caved.
Thank you Dad.
So I ran and booked the flight before SW made it disappear. It was for that night in Buffalo. I live in Toronto.
. Buffalo is the States. Toronto is in Canada.
My passport, of course
, was expiring because I stupidly wasn't on it. And was expiring the day of return. But still booked Cause that's how I roll (stolen from a Goddess). I had the return booked for about a week but gave up on finding outbound and then there is was!
Unbelievable. I WAS OVER THE MOON.
I ran and shoved sh!t into my luggage. I always pack and the last minute but not throwing things. I only do a carry-on. But I gave up and took two carry ons sized pieces.
Phoned Jean and she drove like the dickens towards the border. I knew I didn't have a lot to give the girls - so I wanted something to share and make sure they knew that I was so happy to be with them and grateful - so Jean literally shoved the car in a parking spot in Niagara Falls
Walmart. I ran - sprinted actually for Smarties for all of them(Canadian chocolate - Kelly???) and Jean ran for cans of salmon so that I could eat. Yahoo.
We were running out of time and got to the bridge and it was backed up.
What? On a Tuesday? What is going on? This rarely happens at the bridge! A border officer was out and about and said they had no clue why is was so busy and were not prepared. (Remind me to tell you why - drop in SW day of was used by more than me!). I fretted but was calm. I thought whatever will be - will be. I often think what if I'm racing to a bad flight. Just let it be Lisa. Just let it be. And I did.
We took a long time and didn't have a a$$hole guard. Yeah! Sometimes some of them take their authority too far - I'm all for doing their work - keeping us all safe -so not that - not time used but sometimes very sarcastic remarks to you. Few and far between but does happen. And you can't be mouthy back, of course because they have the power. But we had ours just doing his job. Yeah!
And success!!!!!
It was a while and nail biting but did it!
Buffalo was a dream at night. No lines. I've been there many a time but the last couple of times I've had to use Pittsburgh because it's so much cheaper. They know we are coming - Canadians - to Buffalo so it's not as cheap. But forgot how much smaller BUF is - lovely. PIT is small compared to our monstrosity here (Toronto Pearson) so both are a dream.
Oh wait. Here's what might have made a crowded border - not really but good story. I heard 4 guys from Toronto tell someone they booked that day to FOR THAT DAY at 4:30 and rushed for the border and barely made it. Many a spontaneous people around. THey were going to Daytona. I love spontaneity.
My plan was to sleep in the airport that night. And then I got smart. It was close to midnight and I went HMMM it's really my BW day now so maybe they would let me take Magical Express in and I'll walk the BW - go into Picabu (Tubbi's) at the Swan - wait Dolphin? I can never remember. And then sit in a chair on the BW porch. My BW porch. YES IT WAS THAT WARM THAT NIGHT.
So I thought I would have to talk my way onto DME. The girl goes "we don't care when you choose to go in!" SAID IN THE MOST WE DON"T CARE WOMAN! VOICE. Funny.
"You want to go in now?". NO talking myself on. YES PLEASE!
So I go in and someone wants me to check-in. I think they were bored because it was the middle of the night. I explain it's okay - I'm early - I'm here today but tomorrow as in 7AM in 5 - 6 hours. Oh I forgot to tell you there was a Wednesday flight for a tad more $$ but I chose the late night because Buffalo was calling for snow. And when it snows there it SNOWS. But they said "no problem come over and let's check if the computer is up". What? I thought it was a 7 am turnover - still think so. So she goes "it's not come back at 3 AM". So I walk the BW and go back at 3 AM. And new person there is confused. Of course she is because I know it's not 3 am turnover. Long story and a manager overhears and says "take her name and I'll scan". I don't have a cell but sit down near in the lobby. I know I should have clued in here but I thought "scan what?" I thought she was merely waiting for the computer to turn over ro something.
I think "wow" they are being SO lovely and I'm early. And shut my eyes. I could because I'll already checked my bags. And thought about sleep and tomorrow.
Suddenly I jump in the chair. A manager had come to find me. "Lisa I have an empty BWI room - no sense of you waiting - come get a key and SLEEP". Just go sleep. I thought I was dreaming - literally. What? I almost started crying. Can you believe that? CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? I thought I was hearing incorrectly. But I wasn't. It's just before 4 AM. And a BW manager is finding me to tell me to go sleep for free on the inn side. What is going on here?
MAGIC is going on for me! Unbelievable. Still blown away.
This was such a beautiful part of my trip. YOu all know I had so many errors on my last trip - daily errors and was beyond tiring and not magical - mostly IT train running out of control all over the place - which makes me scared for
MDE. We can't even get it in Canada yet? Can you believe that? The IT department has yet to figure that out. It's probably their smallest issue. LAUGHING.
. WDW was MAGICAL to me this trip. So many lovely moments. I can't even explain to you how that impacted me!!! MAGIC AGAIN.
THank goodness.
I thanked her profusely. And went to my BWI room. Tried not to disturb a thing for the maids. Didn't sleep much. But slept. Woke up a 8:30 and left the room. I wanted to be respectful since I was awake and felt so thankful.
Went down checked in for BWV and went on my way. It's a blur but I *think* I went to DD and ate breakfast at WPE. I had some money left on gift cards. They have changed the breakfast menu. OH NO. NO Spinach and Mushroom Omelette - NO Crispy French TOast. Why oh why do they take favourites away? Still very bitter about my BW Bakery fruit plate demise.
Funny story. I'm over near the
Disney store and that open area. And I look around. Hey! They've made some changes here. What are they? Something is different. And then OOOOOOH.
And laughed and laughed. Something WAS different. There were not 10 million people in a 100 square foot space!!!! Laughing. We went with Annie and Nathan this holiday and the last time two years ago on the holidays. So I'm not used to low times. Same as Megan's photo and I do it again: What's changed? Hmmm. Ummm, nothing. Just people. Laughing.
I took the bus to the CR and walked over to MK. MAGICAL. It was HOT. I took the train around - haven't done that in YEARS. Lovely. And did a few other rides and it was time to meet my parents. Took the long way monorail to Epcot monorail and walked through Epcot.
I walked over and they had just arrived. We were both early and VOILA our room was ready early. The walk was too much for my mom with her walker so I talked my father into getting a wheelchair for the next walk back in. (Isn't WDW lovely - free at BW for stay). That was hard to do but I realized I needed to give in because it was absolutely necessary. She can walk it with her walker but her head takes over and gets upset when she thinks she can't. So good on the BW and WDW. I thought I recognized the room #. OMG, I knew it was one of those rooms. DID I GET IT? Opened the door - I did! It was those rooms - the one I had two Christmases ago. Wt H? Last minute and I get the best room. GLORIOUS room. I felt a tad bad but GOT OVER IT (I have realized in the last year that I have picked up typing styles from other goddesses without even knowing - look at me cap it out like Erika all the time!!!
and picked up *this* from someone -so strange!)
We had such a lovely time in our BW room. I got that on my points and then my friend got me another BW view room for the next night when I told him "CHECK - CHECK NOW!!". Witch like powers. I mean BW view two nights in a row - what are the chances days out and day before!!! I made life heavenly for my parents and I - now they could stay two full days. No room change - I went downstairs and had them link it.
We had a good time. I talked to my mom after and usually she can just repeat. As in "Did you have a good time, Mom?" and she will say G- OO - D TIME. She must have such a good time that she said slowly but said "I had a wonderful time!"
We hung out. My dad rented a pontoon. We rode the monorail b/c they haven't been on it in awhile. When they come with me they have no park passes and have been at AKL/BC/SSR so not near there. So lovely. They took me to Kouzzina (never been) and Big River Grille - sitting outside. I let my Dad sleep during the afternoon and I wheeled my mom around the BW/YC/BC. It was difficult emotionally to wheel her and I almost started bawling as memories of her fully there at WDW and walking and talking came flooding in. Most where she had dementia but still.
We looked for a new outfit at the YC at my father's request which is quite the feat since she doesn't know how to lift her limbs anymore and such. Didn't find anything that looked good on her. I rolled her into SAB.
What did I just say? Yes, I rolled her into SAB.
How the he!! could I do that? Well our pool was rehab. SO SAB for BW stays. Booyah and had a lovely sit by the pool. Really lovely. She enjoyed watching the children play and splash and we were in the shade! Hallelujah! Really lovely couple of hours. She actually asked to go back the next day.
And said "you're good" "you're good to me". Lovely lovely moments.
Oh and probably lost weight. Salmon and pushing that chair up numerous inclines does the body good.
And returned to catch up with my father.
I have NO CLUE why I just wrote all that! And I'm not even at the marathon info.
Whoopsies.
So that's part one....
I totally understand doing the TR for yourself, that is why I do my TR's as well. I forget things so easily as I get older, so having a TR to go back to and read my thoughts and experiences is great. Same reason I journal as well.
(of course it's just 3am and you posted at 11pm! Early bird gets the worm, right?!?!) 
hug: Karen and Megan) (And to you Liz)
He was chatting up four marathoners that were getting off so when I got on I was all alone and he says "Of course I'm still chatting it up. One man - four women - a man dreams of such an arrangement". That's the PG version. I can't even remember the X rated one!!!! Or I'd totally tell you. 
Taking it all in. The energy, vibe and music. Magical. Totally magical. 
Karen.
