~~ They're leaving the nest, sew it's time for a trip - or two - or three...~~ D~'s bag ~9/22 ~~

[FantasiaMagic]

The Dis was acting up for me, so I had to reload a bazillion times.

I hate when that happens! Glad you got it to work eventually...

Josh went up to get my dad yesterday... I am so thankful for that!!!!

Gus came down yesterday too.... He is staying nearby for the weekend.

Sounds like you have a busy, but a very good day/weekend a head of you. Enjoy!

 

[KathyM2]

Here's V in the rotunda - waiting in the (then) short line. Bottom right corner. I was headed off to find Chipotle for us for dinner.

Trying to get caught up with everyone around here! This made me laugh because it made me think of Disney (since I just came back lol) ie: finding out something is happening...rushing to go sit in line for a long time...lol you are such a nice mom to do this!! And how awesome that your DD got to spend more than a few mins with her idol and chat about her awesome drawing.

Love all your outfits and bags too...very cool.

Also - I'm so impressed by your will power with running and eating well. I'd like to know what that secret meal is that you get a Chipotle that is a reasoable amount of calories! Because I love that place...although the lime chips kill me too!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

One more question for you then.... If, perhaps, we might be going to MK that first night - I have to go to the TTC to activate my AP, correct? Otherwise I can't get into the park.... If I had an existing one, I could do it at guest service? I just want to clarify.

If you have a voucher than you have to go to a ticket window or Guest Relations window and turn the voucher in for the AP card/ticket. If you are taking a resort bus to MK then you will have to go to Guest Relations rather than TTC. If you want to buy the Tables in Wonderland card (TiW) then you can only get that at Guest Relations. The ticket booths don't sell it.

Going through a park touch post for the first time will start the clock ticking on your one year AP. Even though they gave you the AP card when you turned in your voucher, I think you can use your MB to enter the park instead. I can't exactly remember how it went.

In other news - my new Flex Fitbit arrived today. I put it on just before going downstairs to do some laundry. Although it is only about 70 steps there and back, all the movements I made pulling clothes out of the dryer and hanging them up brought my total steps to 336. I think I'm going to like this FitBit.

 

[DMGeurts]

I hate when that happens! Glad you got it to work eventually...


Sounds like you have a busy, but a very good day/weekend a head of you. Enjoy!

Yup - LOL... Thanks, me too!

Thanks!!! I hope you have a nice weekend as well.

Trying to get caught up with everyone around here! This made me laugh because it made me think of Disney (since I just came back lol) ie: finding out something is happening...rushing to go sit in line for a long time...lol you are such a nice mom to do this!! And how awesome that your DD got to spend more than a few mins with her idol and chat about her awesome drawing.

Love all your outfits and bags too...very cool.

Also - I'm so impressed by your will power with running and eating well. I'd like to know what that secret meal is that you get a Chipotle that is a reasoable amount of calories! Because I love that place...although the lime chips kill me too!!

Oooho - are you back? Did you have a nice trip? I need to hop over to your PTR/TR.

LOL Yes - she was very happy to get to meet Kristina Webb - she is still on cloud 9 a few days later.

Thanks!!! I am so excited to wear them in Disney! I think it's almost time for a new Donald bag for me too...

Hehehe... No secret... But I love their website, it allows you to "build your own burrito/bowl" to figure out the calories and nutrition info. Now I must caveat my quote with a little info.... I like the rice there so much - I cannot go completely with out it, so I compromise and do half rice - but there is no "half rice" option on the website... So I built it with rice and with out - then I halfed the difference - so it's very close to accurate - close enough for me, but maybe not close enough for you? Just wanted to make sure you knew. So, what I order is a Steak bowl: Half rice, steak, lots of cilantro, regular tomato salsa, green salsa, sour cream and lots of lettuce. No beans, no cheese, no guac... I am not big on beans... Cheese - well, with all of the other stuff on there, it's just adding extra calories, and you can't really taste it, and I love guac - but not that much these days - so I just leave it off - it costs extra anyways. Info on this particular meal is 455 calories, 18 fat, 31 carbs, 3 figer, 9 sugar and 36 protein. And the chips are not included in this quote... I misread the nutriton info on those babies... It's 570 calories for half the bag - so if you are like me and can easily chow down a full bag (guilty) - then it's 1140 calories - which for most people is a half-day worth of food! YIKES!!! Yes, must resist the chips at all costs!!!!

If you have a voucher than you have to go to a ticket window or Guest Relations window and turn the voucher in for the AP card/ticket. If you are taking a resort bus to MK then you will have to go to Guest Relations rather than TTC. If you want to buy the Tables in Wonderland card (TiW) then you can only get that at Guest Relations. The ticket booths don't sell it.

Going through a park touch post for the first time will start the clock ticking on your one year AP. Even though they gave you the AP card when you turned in your voucher, I think you can use your MB to enter the park instead. I can't exactly remember how it went.

In other news - my new Flex Fitbit arrived today. I put it on just before going downstairs to do some laundry. Although it is only about 70 steps there and back, all the movements I made pulling clothes out of the dryer and hanging them up brought my total steps to 336. I think I'm going to like this FitBit.

Thank you so much Sue... Ok - so what I have is a hard "ticket-like" card - looks just like a gift card. So, I am assuming I have a voucher. So, even though I turn in the voucher, my time doesn't start until the first time I go through the turn styles? So, if I exchange my voucher for my ticket the night we arrive, but we don't actually go into a park until the next day, my timer starts the day I actually go through the turn styles?

As far as I know, we are taking the bus to MK that first night, but not necessarily going into the park. Isn't the guest relations window inside the park? Or am I thinking of something else? Sorry for all of the questions, but I am slightly confused by this process - I know that once I do it, it will make perfect sense. I just want to make sure I go to the right place the first time and not have to run all over.

Yay!!!! I hope you love it... I am so addicted to seeing how I do every day, but the thing I love the most is tracking my sleep - to me, that is the coolest thing ever!

So, my thought on the "extra bonus steps"... There are times when I legitimately work out - and it's not recorded, like when I lift weights - it gives me NO steps, and NO active time... Because I am not physically moving aerobically... but my body is doing a HARD aerobic activity. So - when I am hand cranking my machines or cutting fabric, and the fitbit is giving me steps for that... Well, I am going to take those steps and consider it a "wash". LOL There are so many times, and things I do that it doesn't record for me - yet there are things I don't do and it does. So, in the end - I am going to take credit for what it will give me. If that makes any sense? Enjoy it!!! And have fun with it! I love mine and I love seeing what I do every day! It's very motivating!

**********************************************************************************

OK all... Yesterday was so crazy!!!!

Well, as you all know - Josh went up to get my Dad on Friday... Then he slept over. The game plan was to have him stay until this afternoon and bring him home... but... I didn't find out until 20 minutes before we were to leave for the funeral that he forgot his insulin/glucometer - by then, he had already missed his insulin shot the night before. So, I put calls into the nursing home - by the time the on call nurse called me back, we were late for leaving - but she just said to find somewhere to test his blood, get his prescription refilled and which signs of distress to watch for. So, we went to the funeral, and went to lunch after - my aunt had a glucometer, so we were able to check his blood - he was fine. So, I drove home (1 hour south) - went to the pharmacy (which is hooked to his pharmacy back home) - waited for an hour, finally telling me that they couldn't fill it, because he is in assisted living and they can't fill those on this regular computer - so they needed a NEW prescription called in by his Dr... Called the on call Dr. for a new prescription - I waited for another hour, the Dr. never called me... So, I made the decision to bring him home. Thankfully Josh offered to ride with me, so I drove another 30 miles south to go 3 hours north. I would have been so much better off just driving him home from the funeral earlier in the day - but I didn't know that. Oh well... He is home safe... Insulin and glucometer with him. All is good. A little sad that our time together was cut very short... I was looking forward to spending some time with him last night and just hanging out with the girls and him. Lesson learned... Make sure everything is packed - including ALL meds.

But I do have pictures to show you all... Thanks to the miracles of Facebook - I am friends with many distant cousins... Some of which I have NO memories (or very few) of as a child, but as an adult and in recent years, we've formed friendships. As much as many people hate facebook - I love it for this reason... I would not have relationships with people outside my immediate relatives, so to be able to extend out to others in my family is really just a great thing! And trying to figure out family trees yesterday and how we were all related to the others was kind of fun... In all reality - I would not have gone to this funeral, or known this person died with out the miracle of FB...

So, the person who died - Uncle Dick - is my Dad's first cousin. My Dad's brother Gary (my Uncle) and Dick were bff's. My uncle Gary and Dick married sisters... Christy and Margaret. So, not only were their children 1st cousins twice removed, they were also first cousins. Make sense?

I have ONE memory of Dick's daughter Stephanie from when we were younger... We all went on a HUGE family camping trip together... I was about 10 or so, and Stephanie was a year or two older. I'd never seen her before or since, but through the miracle of FB, we became "friends" and we are now involved in eachother's daily lives... How cool...

Then there is my cousin Kim... I can't even begin to explain how we are related, but essentially we are 1st Cousins, twice removed. Kim has many memories of me as a child - but I do not remember her at all. We do talk a lot on FB, and she is just a really neat person. I thought she lived further away from me than she does - but I found out yesterday we are only about an hour from each other. Which is cool.

Also, a photo of my dad holding Kim's grandson... He is just the cutest little heartbreaker! And he LOVED my dad!

My dad and his youngest brother Randy... I love this photo!

Finally - kind of a sad one... My uncle Gary (mentioned above)... I love my uncle Gary and his wife Christy so much! As many of you know - I lived with many relatives and in many foster-homes growing up... Well, my jr. year in high school, I lived with Gary and Christy... I was not an easy child in any way, and they put up with a lot from me - I've always felt very badly about it, because through it all - they showed me great love and compassion. I was also living with them when my mom died - so on top of the "normal" teen-ager stuff, they were with me during a very difficult time and transition in my life. It was not an easy time for any of us. Probably the most important and meaningful thing these people taught me, was the ability of a genuine HUG to heal someone's soul... These people could wrap anyone in a hug and just make you feel so loved. Anyways.... A few years back, Gary and Christy moved to WA state, so I have not physically seen them in almost 7-8 years. We "see" each other and talk frequently on FB though. Gary has not been in the best of health lately, and seeing him yesterday really hit me hard. In my eyes, he has always been such a strong, large and amazingly compassionate person - and yesterday was very hard for me. These days, he is very unsteady on his feet and he had a fall on Friday night - landing him in the ER and 10 stitches in his chin... He just wasn't himself yesterday, and it was a huge reality check for me... So many of the prominent and meaningful people in my life are aging. It's hard. And it's heartbreaking.

So, a picture of Gary, Christy and I - circa 1991 - Duluth, MN...

And then yesterday... My Dad, my Uncle Gary (seated) and my uncle Randy... The 3 remaining living brothers.

Sorry for the kind of sad post today... It's just so hard sometimes. Growing up the way I did - I always felt sorry for myself - for the "normal life" and "normal family" I was missing out on... Growing up - it was my determination and my GOAL to give my future family and children a "normal childhood". It wasn't until recent years - like when my girls were hitting grade school age and beyond, that I began to look at my childhood as a blessing - and how VERY fortunate I was. Yes - I had a LOT of moving around, a LOT of schools, a LOT of transition all of the time, and it was very scary, sad and heartbreaking... but to come out of that and be able to look at my childhood - I had almost every experience imaginable, and when my girls threw me for a loop - or I didn't know how to deal with something... I didn't have ONE childhood or ONE set of parents to pull life experiences from - I had MANY - MANY... And it was that realization that made me feel so fortunate for the life I was given. It is ALL of those people - ALL of those experiences - ALL of that love and family that has made me the person, the mother that I am... And my girls are SO LUCKY that I had the childhood I did, I firmly believe with all of my heart, everything happens for a reason - and this was my reason. I love each and every one of my parents - and the life, the family that each of them gave me. I was so very lucky!

Anyways... There is always a silver lining - there has to be.

Aside from the pictures and people I posted above... There were so many others I was able to meet yesterday and it was a lot of fun - exhausting, but a lot of fun!

Today... It's a long run day for me... You can bet I will be thinking a lot about the above, and the meaningful people in my life.

Then I will be sitting in my recliner all day - maybe with a nap... I may run up to my sewing room for a while and work on some side project stuff. Then it's the tater-tot hotdish I've been promising Josh for 3 days...

***********************************************************************************

In Disney related news... Swoozie recieved our Magic Bands!!!

It's getting soooo close!!!!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend!!!! Prayers and pixie dust to all!

D~​

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Beautiful pictures of you and your family D! The smiles just say it all!

He is home safe... Insulin and glucometer with him. All is good. A little sad that our time together was cut very short... I was looking forward to spending some time with him last night and just hanging out with the girls and him. Lesson learned... Make sure everything is packed - including ALL meds.

Glad your dad is home safe and is ok.

Probably the most important and meaningful thing these people taught me, was the ability of a genuine HUG to heal someone's soul... These people could wrap anyone in a hug and just make you feel so loved.

My heart just melted reading this. How beautiful. This is so true, and something I think more people need to realize...

Sorry for the kind of sad post today... It's just so hard sometimes.

It is, I know, it's hard when you see the ones you love getting older when it just seems like yesterday you remember them up and healthy and 100% all the time.

I didn't have ONE childhood or ONE set of parents to pull life experiences from - I had MANY - MANY... And it was that realization that made me feel so fortunate for the life I was given. It is ALL of those people - ALL of those experiences - ALL of that love and family that has made me the person, the mother that I am... And my girls are SO LUCKY that I had the childhood I did, I firmly believe with all of my heart, everything happens for a reason - and this was my reason. I love each and every one of my parents - and the life, the family that each of them gave me. I was so very lucky!

You were. Again this is just beautiful. And from all of that - you have turned out to be a wonderful person, so full of life, caring and just awesome!

Anyways... There is always a silver lining - there has to be.

Then it's the tater-tot hotdish I've been promising Josh for 3 days...

That sounds yummy!!!

In Disney related news... Swoozie recieved our Magic Bands!!!

You are really getting close now!!!

 

[KathyM2]

Steak bowl: Half rice, steak, lots of cilantro, regular tomato salsa, green salsa, sour cream and lots of lettuce.

This sounds really good. I'm going to play around with the website - I wonder if you can have cheese instead of the sour cream and still come out ok calorie wise... I will check that out.

So many of the prominent and meaningful people in my life are aging.

This is the saddest thing. I can relate. It is so hard to see people you love aging. Also makes me fear aging too sigh.

It's getting soooo close!!!!

But this...at least you have this to look forward to!!!

 

[DMGeurts]

Beautiful pictures of you and your family D! The smiles just say it all!

Glad your dad is home safe and is ok.

My heart just melted reading this. How beautiful. This is so true, and something I think more people need to realize...

It is, I know, it's hard when you see the ones you love getting older when it just seems like yesterday you remember them up and healthy and 100% all the time.

You were. Again this is just beautiful. And from all of that - you have turned out to be a wonderful person, so full of life, caring and just awesome!

That sounds yummy!!!

You are really getting close now!!!

Thank you - I had a lot of fun seeing everyone, even if it was for a sad occasion - they really wanted to emphasize the togetherness of family too.

Yes - I am glad I made the decision to bring him home, even if I didn't want to - I knew it was best.

I think so too... It is so hard when the people we love are aging.

Thank you - I have my moments, but I try very hard to be a good person.

I know!!! I am so excited!!!

This sounds really good. I'm going to play around with the website - I wonder if you can have cheese instead of the sour cream and still come out ok calorie wise... I will check that out.

This is the saddest thing. I can relate. It is so hard to see people you love aging. Also makes me fear aging too sigh.

But this...at least you have this to look forward to!!!

Probably? I am not sure? I just know I like the "soupiness" that the sour cream gives.

I agree - I am also afraid to get old, it's just so sad and heartbreaking. I don't mind aging - but there is a point where our bodies fail us to the point where life is no longer enjoyable.... I am not sure I would enjoy that stage of life very much?

Yes!!! I am very excited to go to WDW - only a few more weeks!

*******************************************************************************************

Yesterday was a pretty decent day... I was late getting out for my run because I forgot to charge my Garmin - so I had to charge it before I could go out.

I did have a really good run though - Not a fabulous pace, but I did go longer than I've ever gone at 5.5 miles. It was quite cold at 39° when I left, but only a mile or 2 into it, I was shedding layers, until eventually I was running in a tank top and capris. By the time I got home, it was up to 48° - so that would explain why I was able to run comfortably - considering there was very little wind yesterday and my running path was pretty protected.

After my run - I came home, had some lunch and took a nap... It wasn't a very good nap.

I finally made Josh's tater tot hotdish for dinner (ground beef, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, hashbrown potatoes all mixed together, then tater tots on top - baked at 400° for about 30-45 min) - he was very happy to finally get to eat this.

I was lazy for the rest of the night and went to bed fairly early.

Today... I will be working out to something on BBOD - then I will be upstairs for the remainder of the day.

Josh's dad is spending the night tonight - so at some point I have to figure out a decent dinner and tidy up a bit. I do have to run to the store - so I'll take any and all dinner ideas.

I hope you all have a great day! Prayers and good thoughts go out to all of you!!!!

D~

 

[nowellsl]

I tried to quote your post, but way too complicated on the IPad . So, what we did was go to guest relations at magic kingdom (outside the entrance) and upgraded our unused 2 day hopper tickets (bought with the free dining package) to Annual Passes. We did this on our way to the Grand Floridian and did not enter a park that day. I just checked and our passes expire 09/12/16 which is one year to the day we did this. We didn't enter a park until 09/13. So it looks like it was activated the day they were purchased. Don't know if it's the same with a voucher, but just thought I would share our experience!

Your dad looks great, I know you enjoyed his visit, aside from the medicine issue

 

[Chicago Mo]

hey there,
I adore the pictures of you Dad. He looks so happy and cute! especially with the baby!!

See you in 26 days.

 

[ljcrochet]

Looks like you had a great visit with your dad. Sorry it was shorter than you would have liked. Have you looked into having him move closer to you?

Make sure you check the date your AP expire. I have never used a voucher- most of my AP purchases are unplanned so we wind up upgrading tickets we had been using on the trip on the last day of the trip. I know when we went December 2013, DH's AP expiration date got screwed up. The girls and I started our trip on 12/21, DH didn't join till 12/23 ( i think) yet his pass expired the same date as ours. Since he wasn't going to go into the parks those 2 days without us, we didn't fix it.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

You continue to inspire me in so many ways...your ability to look back on a difficult childhood and adolescent period with grace and a heart open to finding the lessons and the positive and focusing on that, where many would have become angry and bitter. To be able to find the blessings among trials and challenges is a gift, indeed.

 

[Terkina]

What a shame that your dad didn't have all his medication with him when he visited you.
How great that you got to meet so many relatives. Yes it is sad when people around you are aging and you realize that they are getting old.

I had an exhausting but very fun weekend. Sadly it rained the whole weekend so they didn't get to see the Northern Light. My geocaching friends came to town and we had a great time together. We only meet each other 2 times a year in person, but we have almost daily contact via the Internet.

I can't wait to hear your questions about Tromsø.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

It was quite cold at 39° when I left, but only a mile or 2 into it, I was shedding layers, until eventually I was running in a tank top and capris.

I'm glad you enjoyed your run. Yes, yesterday was freezing - especially here in NY I think it reached 28 past night?. I'm laughing to myself because even if I was running outside, you would not see me shedding layers way too cold!!!

I finally made Josh's tater tot hotdish for dinner (ground beef, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, hashbrown potatoes all mixed together, then tater tots on top - baked at 400° for about 30-45 min) - he was very happy to finally get to eat this.

That sounds really good- and fairly easy as well!

 

[cajunfan]

Dinner...Pork Roast (lean cut or trim as needed) Mix 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup GOOD Balsamic vinegar with tablespoons steak seasoning (any variety you like). If you can let it marinate for an hour (or overnight when you can). Cook in a covered roaster at 350 for an hour...let stand 10-15 min when it comes out. This is such an easy recipe and SOOOOO GOOD! The pork is tender and the "gravy" is so yummy on top of broiled tomatoes, potatoes or dressing oh heck just about anything! The trick is having a well aged balsamic...grocery store ones sometimes tend to be a little too strong. (I buy mine from a specialty olive oil store, a little pricey, but lasts me a month and I make this recipe at least once a week) Particularly liked it with stir fried cabbage (3 strips of bacon sautéed add a little crushed red papper to taste and stir fry chopped cabbage in it. But would also be wonderful with your stir fried broccoli slaw!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Ok - so what I have is a hard "ticket-like" card - looks just like a gift card.

I just checked the Disney website and it sounds like they are issuing something called pass certificates instead of vouchers. Once you get your real Annual Pass then your card will say Walt Disney World Passholder on the front and the expiration date will be on the back.

my timer starts the day I actually go through the turn styles?

Maybe I'm wrong about that and it starts when you go to guest relations to get the card. The expiration date of your annual pass will eventually appear in your MDE account.

As far as I know, we are taking the bus to MK that first night, but not necessarily going into the park. Isn't the guest relations window inside the park?

It is outside the park. Just look for that really long line on the right as you head for the entrance. The line will be short at night, a lot shorter than it will be in the morning, so it is worth it to get it at night. And for the heck of it you should walk through the touch posts and enter MK just to make sure your pass works.

Yay!!!! I hope you love it... I am so addicted to seeing how I do every day, but the thing I love the most is tracking my sleep - to me, that is the coolest thing ever!

I am already addicted to it, I got it Saturday afternoon. I love the way it monitors my sleep, too. I tossed and turned more last night then the night before. Now I just have to figure out why.

So, my thought on the "extra bonus steps"... There are times when I legitimately work out - and it's not recorded, like when I lift weights - it gives me NO steps, and NO active time... Because I am not physically moving aerobically... but my body is doing a HARD aerobic activity. So - when I am hand cranking my machines or cutting fabric, and the fitbit is giving me steps for that... Well, I am going to take those steps and consider it a "wash". LOL There are so many times, and things I do that it doesn't record for me - yet there are things I don't do and it does. So, in the end - I am going to take credit for what it will give me. If that makes any sense? Enjoy it!!! And have fun with it! I love mine and I love seeing what I do every day! It's very motivating!

Since it registers steps when you swing your arms, so I've made sure I'm not carrying anything with the FitBit arm. I want those steps to register. I hit my 10,000 step goal today with my regular work schedule. I take a commuter train to my job in downtown Chicago, so I have the walk from my car to the train, the train station to the office, the trips to the bathroom which is four flights up or down a long hall, a trip to the bank, a trip to Target for Disney gift cards, walking around the office, then to another bank and then the commute back home. I hit the 10,000 mark just as I was about to board the train to go home. It was great. Now I'll probably have to set a higher set goal since today wasn't a running day.

We are leaving for WDW on Wednesday so it will be fun to see how many steps I take there. I hope the FitBit doesn't clash with my cute MB's.

You can bet I will be thinking a lot about the above, and the meaningful people in my life.

It is great that you can see all the good things that came out of your childhood. It must have been hard to go through all that.

 

[DMGeurts]

I tried to quote your post, but way too complicated on the IPad . So, what we did was go to guest relations at magic kingdom (outside the entrance) and upgraded our unused 2 day hopper tickets (bought with the free dining package) to Annual Passes. We did this on our way to the Grand Floridian and did not enter a park that day. I just checked and our passes expire 09/12/16 which is one year to the day we did this. We didn't enter a park until 09/13. So it looks like it was activated the day they were purchased. Don't know if it's the same with a voucher, but just thought I would share our experience!

Your dad looks great, I know you enjoyed his visit, aside from the medicine issue

Hi Stephanie! It's great to see you!

OK... I think I know which window you all are talking about, because I remember passing it - isn't it right at the exit they only open at the end of the night to help with all the foot traffic?

I guess it doesn't matter when I activate it - I was trying to be cautious and save myself a day, just in case I decide to do the Wine N' Dine half next year before my AP expires - since the Lord knows I'll never be able to afford another one.

I did enjoy my visit with him, I felt horrible that we had to take him back home so early though.

hey there,
I adore the pictures of you Dad. He looks so happy and cute! especially with the baby!!

See you in 26 days.

Yah - he had a good day, and really enjoyed seeing his family. He was VERY TIRED though by the evening.

Looks like you had a great visit with your dad. Sorry it was shorter than you would have liked. Have you looked into having him move closer to you?

Make sure you check the date your AP expire. I have never used a voucher- most of my AP purchases are unplanned so we wind up upgrading tickets we had been using on the trip on the last day of the trip. I know when we went December 2013, DH's AP expiration date got screwed up. The girls and I started our trip on 12/21, DH didn't join till 12/23 ( i think) yet his pass expired the same date as ours. Since he wasn't going to go into the parks those 2 days without us, we didn't fix it.

I did... I wish I could move him closer to me - it would make MY life so much easier. But my handicapped brother still lives up near my dad, and he still visits/stays with my Dad every other weekend - so if I move my Dad down here, he will rarely get to see my brother - which wouldn't be good for either of them. So, for the time being - my dad will be staying put.

I will double check the expiraton - I know, for sure, that it won't expire until one year from activation... But since it's possible that I will be activating it on a different day than I go into the park - I am not sure which day will be my expiration... I am pretty sure it's the day I activate it?

You continue to inspire me in so many ways...your ability to look back on a difficult childhood and adolescent period with grace and a heart open to finding the lessons and the positive and focusing on that, where many would have become angry and bitter. To be able to find the blessings among trials and challenges is a gift, indeed.

Awww... Thank you. it took me a LONG time to get to this place in my life. Trust me when I say - there were many years of regret for the life "I missed out on"... Something that used to be terribly embarrassing to me, has become something I am now comfortable with. I guess, it's all perspective. And just a really big part of finally "growing up" and seeing my childhood through the eyes of an adult, and being a mother myself - KNOWING with out a doubt that my parents made every decision out of love for me, and what was best for me. Then realizing - this was my childhood - I didn't have a choice - I can let it haunt me forever, or I can learn and grow from it... I chose the latter.

What a shame that your dad didn't have all his medication with him when he visited you.
How great that you got to meet so many relatives. Yes it is sad when people around you are aging and you realize that they are getting old.

I had an exhausting but very fun weekend. Sadly it rained the whole weekend so they didn't get to see the Northern Light. My geocaching friends came to town and we had a great time together. We only meet each other 2 times a year in person, but we have almost daily contact via the Internet.

I can't wait to hear your questions about Tromsø.

I know - I am so sad about it, but next time - we will be double checking for all of his meds.

It was a lot of fun to meet so many people ,and to try and figure out how they are related to me.

Sounds like you had a great weekend! I love that you get to meet so many people through your geocaching!

I know - I've been so terribly busy trying to wrap up orders/auctions and general trip stuff before my trip - I haven't forgotten about it, I promise.

I'm glad you enjoyed your run. Yes, yesterday was freezing - especially here in NY I think it reached 28 past night?. I'm laughing to myself because even if I was running outside, you would not see me shedding layers way too cold!!!

That sounds really good- and fairly easy as well!

Hahaha... I guess I am a hot runner? I just get so warm out there - there has been times where I am wearing long sleeves to run and I get so hot - I debate with myself if I can pull off running in my sports bra. LOL It's at that point - I realize how desperate I am. LOL Thankfully - I haven't actually done it yet.

It is pretty easy... Josh loves it... I used to like it a lot - but now that I am so picky about the foods I eat - I get the heebie-jeebies from the soup/green beans/tater tots - so I eat it, but grudgingly... And the girls both hate it. So, I don't make it too often anymore.

Dinner...Pork Roast (lean cut or trim as needed) Mix 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup GOOD Balsamic vinegar with tablespoons steak seasoning (any variety you like). If you can let it marinate for an hour (or overnight when you can). Cook in a covered roaster at 350 for an hour...let stand 10-15 min when it comes out. This is such an easy recipe and SOOOOO GOOD! The pork is tender and the "gravy" is so yummy on top of broiled tomatoes, potatoes or dressing oh heck just about anything! The trick is having a well aged balsamic...grocery store ones sometimes tend to be a little too strong. (I buy mine from a specialty olive oil store, a little pricey, but lasts me a month and I make this recipe at least once a week) Particularly liked it with stir fried cabbage (3 strips of bacon sautéed add a little crushed red papper to taste and stir fry chopped cabbage in it. But would also be wonderful with your stir fried broccoli slaw!

This looks soooooo good Lynn! I wish I would have seen this yesterday. I think I am going to try it. I wonder if I have a good olive oil store anywhere nearby? I know there is one in the MOA...

I've been doing a lot of stir fried cabbage lately too... It's so good - I substitute it for my broccoli slaw all the time (I rarely buy the broccoli slaw anymore) and eat it with my eggs on top in the morning, it's delicious!

I just checked the Disney website and it sounds like they are issuing something called pass certificates instead of vouchers. Once you get your real Annual Pass then your card will say Walt Disney World Passholder on the front and the expiration date will be on the back.

Maybe I'm wrong about that and it starts when you go to guest relations to get the card. The expiration date of your annual pass will eventually appear in your MDE account.

It is outside the park. Just look for that really long line on the right as you head for the entrance. The line will be short at night, a lot shorter than it will be in the morning, so it is worth it to get it at night. And for the heck of it you should walk through the touch posts and enter MK just to make sure your pass works.

I am already addicted to it, I got it Saturday afternoon. I love the way it monitors my sleep, too. I tossed and turned more last night then the night before. Now I just have to figure out why.


Since it registers steps when you swing your arms, so I've made sure I'm not carrying anything with the FitBit arm. I want those steps to register. I hit my 10,000 step goal today with my regular work schedule. I take a commuter train to my job in downtown Chicago, so I have the walk from my car to the train, the train station to the office, the trips to the bathroom which is four flights up or down a long hall, a trip to the bank, a trip to Target for Disney gift cards, walking around the office, then to another bank and then the commute back home. I hit the 10,000 mark just as I was about to board the train to go home. It was great. Now I'll probably have to set a higher set goal since today wasn't a running day.

We are leaving for WDW on Wednesday so it will be fun to see how many steps I take there. I hope the FitBit doesn't clash with my cute MB's.

It is great that you can see all the good things that came out of your childhood. It must have been hard to go through all that.

So, once I activate my card/voucher, will I be able to use my existing MBs to get through the turnstyles, or will I have to carry my AP card with me? Thank you for being the "all knowing" AP person in my life.

Hmmm... Maybe it's best if I activate it the night before then... That way I won't have to mess with a line so early in the morning.

Hahaha... Sounds like you do a LOT of walking throughout the day? Yes - you might need to adjust your step goals? I don't move nearly as much as I thought I did... I mean - I know I work a sedentary job, but I just thought I moved more. In a way, I am glad I've added running in my life, because it does get me out there and give me more activity.

And I am "that person" who pushes a shopping cart with one arm, so my fitbit registers that walking. LOL I don't get enough steps in as it is, so I might as well get what I can, when I can get it. LOL

Thank you - It wasn't an easy childhood, by any means - but I am sure most of us didn't have a stellar childhood, so I try not to focus on it too much, but there are days that I do think about it a lot.

*****************************************************************************************************

Yesterday was a bit crazy for me - along with the remainder of the week.

I did Insanity Max 30 yesterday morning - that was a good work out.

I ate breakfast and then I went up to work.

I made a scheduling error - so I am working on two bags simultaneously this week. I will be working every possible moment this week to try and catch myself up in time for my trip. I have a custom order next week and one the week after - and then I am done until after I get home from WDW. It's getting so close - I can hardly stand it!

Today... I will be doing my heavy lifting...

Then I will be working all day... Squeezing in a run at some point before dark.

Suzi mailed my MB yesterday... So, I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

I hope you all have a marvelous day! Prayers and good thoughts to everyone!

D~

 

[Tinkercc]

Hey D,

I bet you are so excited about your upcoming trip. That sounds like fun. All of your outfits look amazing!!! Your Dad is adorable. It's great you got to reconnect with so many people. Sorry it was at such a sad occasion!

That's so cool that V got to meet her favorite author/artist and that she spent so much time with her. We took our daughter to meet Chris Colfer. He writes the series called The Land of Stories. We drove almost an hour to meet him, waited an hour even though we had a number. He literally said "Hi, how are you." To my daughter, signed his book and that was it. She was thrilled but I was a little bummed. We couldn't take a picture of them together. I have one of her back and him signing her book. She was happy so that's all that mattered! What we don't do for our kiddos!!

Great job on your running and working out! I did my five mile run last week. That last half mile as a killer. You continue to be such an inspiration to so many, me included.

Have a great day!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

So, once I activate my card/voucher, will I be able to use my existing MBs to get through the turnstyles, or will I have to carry my AP card with me? Thank you for being the "all knowing" AP person in my life.

Your MB will work for park entry. You won't need to use the card. But you'll want to keep it with you anyway, because you will have to show it when getting the 10% passholder discount for merchandise and some restaurants.

Sounds like you do a LOT of walking throughout the day?

I have a desk job so I make a point to get up and move around. I work in an office building with the bathroom about 3/4 of a block away which adds steps. And I usually use a bathroom located a few floors up so I can get the cardio workout.

And I am "that person" who pushes a shopping cart with one arm, so my fitbit registers that walking.

I can tell that you are competitive like me.

Suzi mailed my MB yesterday... So, I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

It looks like you ordered a grey band. Do you have plans to make a cover for it?

 

[Terkina]

I hope your day goes better than you fear it will.
Your trip to WDW is suddenly so close.

I went to the doctor last week to try and find out if am allergic to any food. I'm struggling with diarrhea at home, but when I was in USA my stomach was fine. So that tells me it must be something with the food I'm eating. I got the results from the doctor today and everything came back ok. I know something is not right and I know it has to do with the food I'm eating since my stomach is fine as soon as I eat junkfood.

 

[Sweetly]

I feel like I missed so much, but I am catching up! Congrats, on being an aunt. It is a wonderful thing!! This weekend we had the baby reveal party......it's a GIRL!!! We would be happy either way. It was great spending time with the family and the little one again. Miss them terribly, as they went back home. I probably won't see them till Spring, but with the new baby coming it might give me the push to go sooner to visit and meet the new little one.
We had a great time at our college visit and we did drive out to spend time with family.

How was your visit with your dad? The weather here is chilly, we had snow coming down over the weekend. I am not ready.

Trip is coming soon, I am so excited for you. Loved the Goofy bag, and all those lovely outfits.

Have a wonderful day!