The Crazy Life of a New Floridian & Ongoing TRs

[DisneyJen]

So what weekend works best for you? I'll put you down for the Bucky room, next Labor Day weekend - I'm sure we'll have a big hurricane brewing up then. You will be my first guests!!!! And I'll make sure to leave the windows open to ensure some "guests" in your bed! Wow, you're so generous to volunteer to be our first guests!!!!!

Oh please PLEASE put us down ... as long as the Hurricane Preparedness kit includes vodka

We'd be honored to let you work all the bugs out of the B&B on us

 

[karajeboo]

Oh say it ain't so! Is our trip really almost over?

Up late today - about 8am, and off to visit MK on our last morning. So we packed up, loaded up the car and checked out.

Now off to catch the bus to Magic Kingdom. Along with everyone else at the YC bus stop....

The obligatory photo....

OK, how pregnant do I look???? I thought black was slimming! Why did I suck in that gut? Or was I sucking in?

Back to Jenny Craig as soon as I get home, that's for sure!!! Must be the slushies, and wine, and beer - that darn World Showcase!!!!

Anywho, this was going to be a very leisurely stroll through MK, so off to Frontierland, and BTMRR - no wait. Then on to Splash Mtn - no wait.

I'm totally loving WDW in September!!!

As we left Splash Mtn, we saw these guys heading out into the park...

It was Woody's Roundup - never seen this before, but we were front and center - very cute. That Woody always gets me....

When we passed through Adventureland, PoTC was shut down for some reason, so we needed to get back. After all, it's Pirates!!!

So we hopped into line, got down to where we could see the boarding, and the boats were at a dead stop. We waited about 10 minutes and then bolted. After all, we were leaving in a few hours, and we needed to get back to Epcot one more time. But first....

I may not have gotten my audio animatronic Johnny Depp, but I did get me some Capt Jack...

While he was choosing kids for his pirate tutorial, Jeff smacked me a couple of times as I kept raising my hand to get chosen. Finally he dragged me away - after all, I wouldn't let him watch the Stormtroopers at HS during the Jedi training..... It's not the same. Jedi training is geeky. Capt Jack is HOT!

We almost forgot our one must do for MK this trip. Until we passed Aloha Isle. Or nearly passed....

The quest. Must have Dole Whip. Only because of the DIS. I've never had a Dole Whip but I know it is a must do.

And alas. We ordered. It was served. The heavens opened up. And out came a collective "Ahhhh!"

This shall be a new must do for every trip. Yummy!!! We shared and had this thing gone by the time we hit the rose garden outside the castle.

We still needed to see Monster's Inc Laugh Factory. We have never seen it before.

OK, so we saw it.

I was a nervous wreck during the whole thing. What if the spotlight hits me. What if I have to get up and dance? What if a cartoon talks to me? I'll be the laughing stock of Disney World! I'd be better off in the Pirate Tutorial making ga ga eyes and drooling at Capt Jack!

So it was cute, but I couldn't enjoy it for the fear of being called out in front of bazillions of people! What if I wasn't funny. What if the monsters couldn't fill the canister with laughs? I would fail the whole monster world!!!

OK, so I've got issues. Who doesn't?

We headed on to Space Mtn, since we were right there, but it was a 30 minute standy. Been there, done that, so didn't really need to do it right then.

Besides, Jeff just finished a book about Disney. He said he can't believe it's actually sold at Disney World because it's not exactly that flattering - kinda like my picture in front of the castle this trip!

Anyway, apparently Space Mtn is the most dangerous ride. Why? Because the way the tracks all wind through each other, there can be a car on one track, and another car can be passing right below at any given time. So if Mildred's camera goes flying out of the top car, what's to stop it fron smacking Bertha in the head in the car below?

I guess CMs clean out the bottom of the ride each night, and let out a lot of "whew"s and "boy, we dodged one today" kind of comments. According to this book, there have been more injuries on SM than any other attraction at Disney.

So when we saw the long wait, I said, "Good. Didn't want to ride that death trap anyway!"

Now what Disney trip is complete without a ride on the monorail?

Over to Epcot of course. Can y'all guess which park is our favorite?

A few pics of Epcot from aboard the monorail...

And did you know how many monorails WDW has in their fleet? 16. And do you know how we know? Because there is a series of monorail pins, all different colors, to reflect each monorail in the fleet. And it is possible to have each one running at the same time during peak season.

OMG, we are true Disney geeks. But I love us. We're fun. Fun geeky pin collectors now.

As we walked through the gates for the last time this trip, I tried my hand at a little creativity...

We'll call that setting the scene. Or some such crap. I just love Spaceship Earth!

Now remember the little amulets I found in Japan that I thought would be great for the gals at Jeff's office? Yeah, we had to go back and get them. All the way at the far end of WS.

So we stopped and ate lunch at Cantina de San Angel in Mexico. I love this place for lunch. Big portions for a good price. And closer to Americanized Mexican food than San Angel Inn.

We left Epcot around 1:30 by way of the IG, back to our car and on for our traditional final stop at DTD. We wanted to stop at the pin store again, plus we needed to use a couple of more snack credits at Goofy's Candy Co!

I grabbed some stuff for Ally and then promptly ate it after we'd been on the road for 1/2 hour!!!!

When we got home around 6ish, all sweaty and grumpy, we called our friends who had watched Ally and asked if they wanted to meet us at the clubhouse for dinner. We were so NOT good company!!!!

Especially after I pulled out the bill from Disney while we were waiting for our friends, and I figured how much we spent on drinks in WS!!!!!!

Anyway, it was a great trip, just the two of us, and we so enjyed every minute of it. Yacht Club was soooo wonderful, and I know it got me one step closer to a DVC. Even though we are perfectly content at Pop Century, when we go for a week as a family, the deluxe resort just made us realize what we could get EVERY stay for the same money, if we'd go DVC.

Hopefully, one day soon. Stupid economy. Messin with my DVC plans!

But don't worry, this isn't the end, it's only the beginning. Or the middle. Or somewhere in between!

After all, I've got my girls weekend planned in about 6 weeks with Ally!!!!

 

[DisneyJen]

Thanks for taking us along Kara

Glad you got to enjoy your first Dole Whip ... don't you think it would be extra tasty if it had some vodka or Grand Marnier in it

We absolutely our DVC. We looked at is a pre-paying our Disney vacations. We love calling the BW home!

Looking forward to the next adventure

 

[askelton]

OK, how pregnant do I look???? I thought black was slimming! Why did I suck in that gut? Or was I sucking in?

Yes, Kara, that's exactly what I thought whilst looking at your picture.

Anyway, it was a great trip, just the two of us, and we so enjyed every minute of it. Yacht Club was soooo wonderful, and I know it got me one step closer to a DVC. Even though we are perfectly content at Pop Century, when we go for a week as a family, the deluxe resort just made us realize what we could get EVERY stay for the same money, if we'd go DVC.

Sounds like perfect reasoning to go DVC.

 

[JaxJags08]

Oh no - the end already? Living in FL can be a blessing and a curse. So close to WDW so you can take frequent trips, but it seems like the trips we take are so short. I really enjoyed your TR and you definitely need to get started on the PTR for your trip with Ally.

 

[karajeboo]

I'm actually thinking of a day trip in a couple of weeks. Jeff is meeting a bunch of his SC golf buddies for a weekend golf outing somewhere in Deliverance part of GA - if ya know what I mean!

I just won a 20 pin collection of traders on ebay, so we may need to try 'em out and head down for a day of pin trading! Ally said she wants to go to AK - so that would work out perfectly! We've never seen the afternoon parade there, and since it closes early, we could be home before dark!!! With no temptation to stay later!!!

That would also help us out when we go in November, so we might not have to go to AK - cause right now Ally wants to go to all 4 parks in 2 1/2 days!!!

Our only expense would be gas and a couple of quick meals.....

 

[JaxJags08]

Do it! We were home by 9 after our AK day - and that was with a stop at Krispy Kreme.

 

[DisneyJen]

I'm actually thinking of a day trip in a couple of weeks. Jeff is meeting a bunch of his SC golf buddies for a weekend golf outing somewhere in Deliverance part of GA - if ya know what I mean!

I just won a 20 pin collection of traders on ebay, so we may need to try 'em out and head down for a day of pin trading! Ally said she wants to go to AK - so that would work out perfectly! We've never seen the afternoon parade there, and since it closes early, we could be home before dark!!! With no temptation to stay later!!!

That would also help us out when we go in November, so we might not have to go to AK - cause right now Ally wants to go to all 4 parks in 2 1/2 days!!!

Our only expense would be gas and a couple of quick meals.....

Do it! We were home by 9 after our AK day - and that was with a stop at Krispy Kreme.

You two are killing me

At least you have gas in Florida. For some crazy reason people in our part of NC are hoarding gas ... doesn't help that we live about 75 minutes from Charlotte, where gas is truly at a premium. I talked to my Mom in PA this afternoon. Gas there is $3.39 a gallon. I paid $3.79 when I found gas this afternoon.

And since I am in a whining mode ... which will be a wine-ing mode when DH arrives home ... and we have introduced death into this post ... let me share this afternoon's wildlife adventure.

So while I am on the phone with Mom I have the backdoor to the screened porch open as it is one of those beautiful Carolina blue sky low humidity days.

A big scary bird chases a baby Cardinal that we have been watching grow right into the windows in the breakfast room. CRASH!!!

Ginger, the younger of our two goldens, charges out the backdoor, through the dog door on the screen porch to the deck and gently picks up the bird to bring into the house to me

I yell "Ginger drop it" which she does right away since she is so well trained ... and sulks away as I hurt her feelings.

Now this same bird is the one who, when it was really young, flew into the same window. He was stunned but eventually recovered ... and he flew away.

Not happening this time. So I get the wildlife removal tool (which looks a whole lot like the snow shovel that I never use) and gently move the bird to the front lawn under a holly tree near the driveway but not too obvious because DD will have a cow if she sees it when I pick her up from school.

I think I deserve more than a glass of wine ... something like a Citron or Grand Marnier slushie ... don't you think?

 

[JaxJags08]

You two are killing me

At least you have gas in Florida. For some crazy reason people in our part of NC are hoarding gas ... doesn't help that we live about 75 minutes from Charlotte, where gas is truly at a premium. I talked to my Mom in PA this afternoon. Gas there is $3.39 a gallon. I paid $3.79 when I found gas this afternoon.

And since I am in a whining mode ... which will be a wine-ing mode when DH arrives home ... and we have introduced death into this post ... let me share this afternoon's wildlife adventure.

So while I am on the phone with Mom I have the backdoor to the screened porch open as it is one of those beautiful Carolina blue sky low humidity days.

A big scary bird chases a baby Cardinal that we have been watching grow right into the windows in the breakfast room. CRASH!!!

Ginger, the younger of our two goldens, charges out the backdoor, through the dog door on the screen porch to the deck and gently picks up the bird to bring into the house to me

I yell "Ginger drop it" which she does right away since she is so well trained ... and sulks away as I hurt her feelings.

Now this same bird is the one who, when it was really young, flew into the same window. He was stunned but eventually recovered ... and he flew away.

Not happening this time. So I get the wildlife removal tool (which looks a whole lot like the snow shovel that I never use) and gently move the bird to the front lawn under a holly tree near the driveway but not too obvious because DD will have a cow if she sees it when I pick her up from school.

I think I deserve more than a glass of wine ... something like a Citron or Grand Marnier slushie ... don't you think?

Oh no - that's so sad! You definitely deserve more than a glass of wine! How about a pitcher of mojitos? Yummy....

 

[karajeboo]

You two are killing me

At least you have gas in Florida. For some crazy reason people in our part of NC are hoarding gas ... doesn't help that we live about 75 minutes from Charlotte, where gas is truly at a premium. I talked to my Mom in PA this afternoon. Gas there is $3.39 a gallon. I paid $3.79 when I found gas this afternoon.

And since I am in a whining mode ... which will be a wine-ing mode when DH arrives home ... and we have introduced death into this post ... let me share this afternoon's wildlife adventure.

So while I am on the phone with Mom I have the backdoor to the screened porch open as it is one of those beautiful Carolina blue sky low humidity days.

A big scary bird chases a baby Cardinal that we have been watching grow right into the windows in the breakfast room. CRASH!!!

Ginger, the younger of our two goldens, charges out the backdoor, through the dog door on the screen porch to the deck and gently picks up the bird to bring into the house to me

I yell "Ginger drop it" which she does right away since she is so well trained ... and sulks away as I hurt her feelings.

Now this same bird is the one who, when it was really young, flew into the same window. He was stunned but eventually recovered ... and he flew away.

Not happening this time. So I get the wildlife removal tool (which looks a whole lot like the snow shovel that I never use) and gently move the bird to the front lawn under a holly tree near the driveway but not too obvious because DD will have a cow if she sees it when I pick her up from school.

I think I deserve more than a glass of wine ... something like a Citron or Grand Marnier slushie ... don't you think?

Oh I'm so sorry!!!! First of all, the crash would have had me running for cover, thinking it was a teradactyl or something!!! Then having the dog bring in a dead bird.... Oy vey!!!!

Here's hoping your sipping (or chugging!) something strong right about now!!!

So what happened with the little cardinal after you put it in the front yard with your "wildlife removal tool" - btw, I need one of those!!!!

 

[DisneyJen]

Sorry to say the last I saw Baby C he was not moving ... When DH got home last night I dispatched him to take care of the disposition of the body. I told him I didn't want to know.

After taking care of that bit if business we did enjoy a vodka martini.

 

[karajeboo]

OK, so all yesterday I hunted for the recipe for a cold lentil salad that I had at Tangierine Cafe, some wonderful DISer found it for me and posted it, I went out and got the lentils last night, boiled them this morning, and poof!

I totally overcooked them so they were mush! And the whole house smelled like burnt beans!!! I was so excited to make this, it looks so easy and it was so good and refreshing. I'm a sucker for cold bean salads in the summer. So I go back to the store just now and they are out of dried lentils!!!!

But I'm determined to eat healthier, so I picked up some fresh green beans and leeks, and I'll have Jeff grill some chicken.

Also, does anyone drink Soy milk? I picked up some to try, but I'm getting concerned about all the hormones in foods. On another thread where I post a lot we were talking about how girls are maturing so much earlier these days and I think it has a lot to do with the hormones in foods!

I'm not real bit into organic or anything like that, because I think that there is some danger in everything - pesticides vs disease, etc. But we'll try this soy milk and go from there I guess.

 

[DisneyJen]

Sorry to hear about the burnt lentils ... isn't it amazing how long that scent lingers

I don't drink a lot of milk to begin with ... a spot of cream in my coffee (has to be cream) is about all the dairy I drink so I can't help on the soy.

I noticed that Costco is carrying organic deboned chicken breasts. Might be worth a try.

 

[askelton]

When my nephew started on milk, the doctor said it didn't matter what type he had as long as it was full fat. That helps you, doesn't it? I usually shop at the Navy Exchange close to us, but it's small and doesn't have lots of variety. When I shop at Publix, I do try to buy more organic though. Not sure why, just do.

 

[podsnel]

Hey Kara-

To drink something with no hormonal effects, you should go with organic milk. Soy doesn't have the same kind of hormones as reg milk, but it does mimic estrogen in the body and can be an issue that way. There is also Rice milk, but I'd still go organic if you're that concerned.


So where's the link to the lentil recipe?

 

[karajeboo]

Oh, yeah, the lentil salad - the DISer who got this for me said she found it from Marakkesh, but it looks like the same as Tangierine Cafe...

12 oz lentils
3 oz mayonnaise
1 oz chopped green bell pepper
1 oz chopped red bell pepper
1 oz chopped red onions
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt
pepper

Boil lentils (do not overcook like stupid Kara did!!!!), wash, drain, and let cool.
Add all ingredients and mix well. Serve chilled.

This was so refreshing, yet filling because of the lentils. I loved it!!! I'm going to try to make it for a little cookout we're having this weekend!!!

 

[DisneyJen]

Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Sounds delicious and looks easy ... except for the boiling part

DD and I would definitely like this but no so much for DH. Guess I will have to try it when he is out of town.

podsnel ... thanks for the info on milk. I always learn something new every day I DIS!

 

[JaxJags08]

I used to drink the Silk brand of soymilk, but only the chocolate flavor. I couldn't stand plain or vanilla soymilk. I'm back to plain ol' skim now, though.

 

[karajeboo]

Holy cow! I can't believe I haven't ventured back here for so long!

Be prepared for more pics this weekend! Ally and I have firmed up our day trip to AK on Saturday. We've got our pin lanyards all filled up and ready to trade!!!

Seriously, I got 33 pins on ebay for $2.07 each. We got a couple that we researched and found were each worth about $25 each!!! Yea! We've got our collections we're trying to find, plus Ally's list of must-dos at AK.

1. Ride Everest between 5-7 times. I swear. Her plan, not mine!
2. See Nemo.
3. Ride KRR whether it's sunny and warm or not. Again, her plan, not mine.
4. Get the poo poo scared out of her for the first time on Dinosaur - MY plan!!! She wasn't tall enough in May so I"m looking forward to this!!!
5. See Flights of Wonder - this is a new one for us, so we might not catch KS or FOTLK this trip. We want to do some new things.
6. Catch the parade - never seen it before!

Hoping to get on the road between 6:30-7 Saturday morning, which would put us there between 9-9:30. And since AK closes early, we won't be tempted to stay later. I don't drive very well at night, so this should work out for us.

She's already picked out what she's gonna wear, and I've got my baggalini packed up for the day!

 

[podsnel]

Don't forget to grab a 'Rita before you head into FOW- an AWESOME show!!! I have to say- I am exTREMELY envious of your ability to just go to WDW from home for the day- and I am impressed by your ability to actually SEE your home- I don't know if I ever would if I lived that close!