The ABC's of Trip Planning, Pt 1- K is for Keeping Things Kooky- Drinks V-Z; pg. 197 + New Link

[Steppesister]

The job I'd applied for is a no go. Pressing on and applying at more places over the next few days. Thanks for praying for me in this search!!

 

[GoofyFan1515]

The job I'd applied for is a no go. Pressing on and applying at more places over the next few days. Thanks for praying for me in this search!!

The place that will now get you.....just got lucky! Continuing to send thoughts and prayers that the right door for you will soon open!

 

[KathyM2]

I'm sorry that one didn't work out but I have no doubt that there will be lots more out there!! Love the costume!!! I can't wait to see pics!!! I totally agree that you should dress up to go to the MNSSHP...however....it's an added bonus if you can have a costume that looks great AND is comfortable to be at the parks in...which is why my costume was pretty lacklustre last year because I was way more concerned about the comfort factor - there is nothing worse than not being comfortable in your outfit and having to wear it for a long time...yours will be amazing though!! Good call probably on the black sneakers for comfort too!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

The job I'd applied for is a no go. Pressing on and applying at more places over the next few days. Thanks for praying for me in this search!!

Sorry to hear this but I am sure that there is another job out there that will be just right for you. I do sympathize with you as writing cover letters is the absolute worst!

 

[franandaj]

The job I'd applied for is a no go. Pressing on and applying at more places over the next few days. Thanks for praying for me in this search!!

Sorry to hear this, but I'm sure there will be others and hopefully you find the one that is the right fit.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[jedijill]

Good luck with the job hunt. The right position will come around.


Jill in CO

 

[pkondz]

Keep your chin up! Some job is going to come up that needs someone of your caliber.

 

[glennbo123]

Keep your chin up! Some job is going to come up that needs someone of your caliber.

Human cannonball, for instance.

Kidding aside, I echo what everyone else has said -- hang in there; wherever you are eventually hired, they will be very fortunate to have you!

 

[irene_dsc]

Bummer on the job, but I'm sure you will find a great opportunity soon, and as everyone else agrees, they will be lucky to have you!

 

[cinderkelly]

Sorry the job you applied for didn't work out. I'm sure there is some reason it wasn't the perfect one for you yet. Something will come along soon that is going to be even more awesomer!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Managers are barely engineers, so you've aced yourself out of that excuse now.

But managers have no soul, so I'm still good.

The job I'd applied for is a no go. Pressing on and applying at more places over the next few days. Thanks for praying for me in this search!!

Dang. I'm sorry to read that. Well, I think we all agree that it's their loss! Something else will pop up. Really, it will.

 

[Steppesister]

Since you're all captive to my road to Disney- which sort of, kind of involves finding a great job as well as graduating from Nusing School- you'll have to bear with the highs and lows of that search.

This week's search includes: a local Surgi-center, a hospice company, and 2 more smaller hospitals which would be a further commute.

Responses soon. And hopefully an update.

 

[Steppesister]

I is for: I Have a (Food) Dream​

I confess. I confess I am a foodie at heart and love a well thought out, well presented, well served meal made from fresh ingredients, in a quiet, peaceful place with good company. Over a glass of good wine (or 2), it's not just a meal, it's therapy, restoration of mind, body and soul, and usually needed on a regular basis.

Obviously, not every meal can be all that. Some of mine, especially lately as I've gone through school have been as pathetic as a Taco Bell burrito wolfed down while cruising at 55 mph on the way home or to the next Clinical. Others are WYSIWYG; I can't imagine that there are very many of you who aren't familiar with that term of endearment for "a half can of chili for you, a PB&J on stale bread for you over there, and last night's taco salad for the runner up late to the kitchen." Others are ho hum, commensurate with the lack of enthusiasm to either shop, prepare, or cook anything more than tuna casserole, which can actually be a mighty tasty delicacy if done right- it just generally lacks presentation, and on nights its made are generally devoid of a peaceful, restful atmosphere.

Normally, this is also the case even on vacation. Not every meal can be WOW at Disney, although one can get a heck of a lot closer by the theming alone. Unless you are the CEO of a start up or hedge fund manager, which I am not- then you can have WOW every time. Some meals will be on the fly, some will be in more "lively" establishments, and some promise to knock my socks off. That's okay; I'm excited for them all. I know you probably couldn't give a give a crap, but I've thought long and hard on those upcoming Nomathons. I completely realize that some of you might be abhorred at my overzealous planning. I mean what's to say I'll be in the mood for XYZ at 2:00 137 days from now? Isn't that really being a bit anal, Steppe? Why lock yourself in? Nay, my friends, I have definitely NOT locked myself in, and these choices I lay before you are simply the fare that sounds most delicious to me/us now given past (and current) food choices, price, reviews, and perusing the menus over the last 6 months. If something sounds better in the moment, things will change; I'd like think I'm a rather flexible gal. My kids have been raised as adventurous eaters (actually, yes Dear, you DO have to eat that sheep eyeball and the fried guts put in front of you) and so will try and eat most anything. Scoff and tease all you like; for the others who simply want a session of parade-o'-food, please, enjoy!

I present to you in several parts:

I Have a (Food) Dream
​

Part I: (All photos shamelessly pilfered from the interwebs)

Meal 1)

Our very first meal after traveling all night may go one of 2 ways- "I'm really not all that hungry" OR "I could eat a cow!" (because beef). We definitely won't be going any further than Landscape of Flavors since we'll go straight to the room, dump our crap, assuming it's ready. (Hope the bathroom's clean) and head to food so we can nap or hit the pool quickly. Here's what looks good:

Create Your Own Pasta - Choose from a variety of your favorite sauces and fresh ingredients, including chicken or shrimp $11.99

We'll likely get one of each since one kid doesn't love shrimp and the other would rather have it. I'll nosh on some of each.

Let me say it once again: we are not big eaters, and I'm quite possibly the biggest tightwad on earth, but even more so a MAJOR stickler for eating what you order; my mantra is, "We can always order more if we need it." There is no way I think we can eat more than 2 servings, if that. If that doesn't strike our fancy right around then, there's a crapton of sammies that look equally amazing at this joint.

Meal 2)

Raglan Road will be our next stop. After swimming or napping off our red eyes from our red eyes, we'll head over to the new and kinda, sorta improved Disney Springs. (I haven't seen it in person yet, but the reviews are definitely mixed with most being, "meh".) Although the entire menu looks divine, I think I've settled on this:

Bangers and Booz - Guinness and onion banger on mash, topped with caramelized onions and beef stew $20

By adding one, or possibly 2, of these:

Soul Soup - made fresh daily, your lovely server has the info $6

we should be good to go.

I'm not leaving without this:

Ger's Bread & Butter Pudding - Like no other pudding you have ever tried. Believe us $8.50

(No, Children. If you value your hands and fingers, please keep your forks at a safe distance.)

For $40 + tip, we ought to be rather stuffed like little piggies.

Meal 3)

Breakfast at LoF

This (x2):

World Flavors Breakfast Platter - scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, sausage, bacon and mini naan bread $10.99

I *MAY* get a GG order of juices, yogurts and stuff to help with filling in breakfast holes... stay tuned. We are DEFINITELY not big breakfast eaters. We usually eat pretty light, but are pretty famished around 10:30-11:00. That may factor into what we end up with.

Meal 4)

Lunch at F&W (I'm going to save this topic for an entire different post- just haven't done enough research yet on this so again, more to come...)

Meal 5)

Caseys and Dole Whips. I'm thinking we all know that this will be a grab and go meal or even better an: Eat-While-We-Wait-On-the-Curb-For-the-Parade-Meal. But I'll deliver up another shameless pilfered photo of a hot dog, because Casey Dogs are just... better.

Can I throw in a Dole Whip? Pretty please...

That takes us through Day 2. My mouth is watering probably because I did this update at 6:30 while dinner is cooking. (Brats and scalloped potatoes if you're interested. Calm down, the kids are safe.)

More meal picks coming up over the next few days... I hope you enjoyed Installment #1 of I Have a (Food) Dream.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[KathyM2]

I completely realize that some of you might be abhorred at my overzealous planning.

I don't think anyone here would have a problem with that lol. We (or at least "I") totally love dreaming about food. Agree that sometimes it is hard to decide so far out what you "might" feel like eating on any given day...but when there is SO MUCH food goodness at WDW....well it's fun to think about anyway...and good that you are flexible. I love your strategy of ordering less food with the option of getting more if anyone's still hungry. I wish that my usual travel companions would let me go with a plan like this...unfortunately we are the ones usually left with a boat load of leftovers that no one wants to look at later...sigh...

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Some of mine, especially lately as I've gone through school have been as pathetic as a Taco Bell burrito wolfed down while cruising at 55 mph on the way home or to the next Clinical.

Taco Bell? That could give you some extra turbo power down the highway.

Others are WYSIWYG; I can't imagine that there are very many of you who aren't familiar with that term of endearment for "a half can of chili for you, a PB&J on stale bread for you over there, and last night's taco salad for the runner up late to the kitchen."

This is called "weeknights" at my house.

Others are ho hum, commensurate with the lack of enthusiasm to either shop, prepare, or cook anything more than tuna casserole, which can actually be a mighty tasty delicacy if done right- it just generally lacks presentation, and on nights its made are generally devoid of a peaceful, restful atmosphere.

Presentation is overrated!

My kids have been raised as adventurous eaters (actually, yes Dear, you DO have to eat that sheep eyeball and the fried guts put in front of you) and so will try and eat most anything.

Oh, man. There's a Constitutional Amendment against cruel & unusual punishment, you know.

"I could eat a cow!" (because beef).

Mmmm...cow.

Hey, that can double as my "H" photo!

Can I throw in a Dole Whip? Pretty please...

Of course! No justification required.

Here's an "I" photo for you--my ice cream sandwich from France.

 

[pkondz]

Human cannonball, for instance.

<slow clap>

Since you're all captive to my road to Disney- which sort of, kind of involves finding a great job as well as graduating from Nusing School- you'll have to bear with the highs and lows of that search.

But of course.

 

[Flossbolna]

Love all your food dreams!! Everything looks delicious! I hope your sharing plans are working out. I seem to have picked up a few comments recently how portion sizes have been cut down quite a bit (while making everything a few dollars more expensive) recently. But as you say: If it is not enough, you can just always get some more food.

My I picture:

 

[Steppesister]

Well, how did this Tuesday turn into a Monday? Not hearing back about your great resume, trip shenanigans, ugh. I sympathize - ended up working a 12 instead of an 8 hour shift today, and gobbled my turkey stroganoff in the back room in my spare 5 minutes today. Well, we'll always have stroganoff. Here's looking at you kid!

And now here it is.. almost another Monday. And a holiday to boot.

WHOA, and a Casablanca reference to add to the amazingness of this reply. NICE touch! Definitely one of my top 10 faves.

Had to. It's a rule.

Is this some sort of DISDads tomfoolery?

The place that will now get you.....just got lucky! Continuing to send thoughts and prayers that the right door for you will soon open!

I love how you put a beautiful and encouraging spin on things, my friend. I'm certain the right door will open and all will be well. God never makes a mistake- and sometimes, as hard as it can be, we need to find patience to let His Plan unfold.