Trip of Extremes and Dreams! Tons of Pics! 11/30 -12/10 Update Highlight to the End

[SkyGirl]

Hi All!!

The oncologist found ::: NOTHING!

The way my luck is going, I was surprised and thrilled and totally relieved. He set up my testing Mamo/Sono for July and I'll see him again in August. Thank the fates that everything was just fine. My blood count is off, but with everything going on, he's not worried about it at all.

First thing he said was that I needed a pulmonary specialist. He was very glad when I told him I was going to one. The oncology staff was so supportive and loving as they always are. That visit is almost always filled with a lot of laughter and good vibes.

The big test is tomorrow. For some reason, I thought it was today and was thrilled to find that I had a day off, which I truly need. I'm beyond exhausted.

I am going to end the TR today. Although we have several days of our trip left, there is no way that I can do it, or do it justice. Too much on my mind and too many fears are taking up the little space available. So I'm going to do a highlights and finish late this afternoon.

to everyone

 

[jaycns]

Hi All!!

The oncologist found ::: NOTHING!

The way my luck is going, I was surprised and thrilled and totally relieved. He set up my testing Mamo/Sono for July and I'll see him again in August. Thank the fates that everything was just fine. My blood count is off, but with everything going on, he's not worried about it at all.

First thing he said was that I needed a pulmonary specialist. He was very glad when I told him I was going to one. The oncology staff was so supportive and loving as they always are. That visit is almost always filled with a lot of laughter and good vibes.

The big test is tomorrow. For some reason, I thought it was today and was thrilled to find that I had a day off, which I truly need. I'm beyond exhausted.

I am going to end the TR today. Although we have several days of our trip left, there is no way that I can do it, or do it justice. Too much on my mind and too many fears are taking up the little space available. So I'm going to do a highlights and finish late this afternoon.

to everyone

I am SO HAPPY about the news from the oncologist! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. AND, I am looking forward to reading a highlights update! Who knows, maybe one day, you will have a hankering to write more. OR better yet, I may be reading about a healthy Heidi planning her next trip to WDW! Hugs to you and DD. We are all pulling for you here!

 

[DisneyJo]

Wooooooohoooooooo that's fantastic Heidi, I'm so pleased

 

[momoftriplets]

"NOTHING" is GREAT!!!!!!

I'll miss you when you're done with the TR. Selfish of me that I would love to hear all the detail, isn't it? I can understand wanting to be done with it, though.

What "big test" is tomorrow?

Hugs ~ B

 

[SkyGirl]

HIGHLIGHTS!

It's weird to start a highlights portion. I really love writing the TR but I just don't have enough energy. After making two hot dogs, for me and Granny, for lunch and throwing in a load of laundry, I had to lay down for an hour!! Crazy fatigue!! There's just no way that I can do this or give it the justice it deserves. Even now I'm sitting in bed -- DD set everything up for me so I can do it.

So what I've decided to do is take each park, the remaining day, and put up some of the pictures of the best times. And of course, tell you stories of what happened.

EPCOT

DD and I were SOOOOOOOOOOO excited to meet DisneyJo at Epcot. We couldn't wait. As soon as we walked in past security, I heard my name being called and it was Jo!!! We all hugged and kissed and giggled. It was like meeting an old friend, none of that new friend awkwardness that can happen. The park wasn't open yet, so we sat and talked and took pictures.

Jo is just beautiful and even nicer than she is pretty and her accent is just to die for!! We talked about our trip, about her exciting news as a Disney Mom, about our families. It was such fun. When the park opened, we rushed in, got Mater, and then headed off for rides: Soarin', Living with The Land, and Test Track (her families favorite!). Unfortunately she had to go to meet a few people and we were very sad to separate. DD and I both wanted to spend all day with her -- just talking and laughing and having so much fun!! Hopefully we'll get the chance again someday! Love you, Jo!

DD and I were starving and although we planned lunch at a different CS, we ended up back at Tangeriene cafe in Morocco. We loved that food so much that we just had to have it again.

This time we skipped the chicken and went just for the lamb platter. Again, I can't say enough how super delicious this was.

After lunch, I was starting to feel really tired (didn't know yet what was happening to me). I knew there was no way I could stay at the park, so after talking and talking, (DD wanting to come with me) I insisted she stay and that I would go back to the hotel and rest. We agreed to meet much later in the day.

DD visited the Epcot Resorts and had a wonderful time.

We spoke and texted often during our separation and I got a lot of good rest. On my way to the bus, my phone rang and DD was so excited I could barely understand her. DAVID COOK, the winner of American Idol was at Epcot and DD, being my daughter, was stalking him!!!

Up next ... stalking pictures and two more celebrity meetings!!!

 

[SkyGirl]

EPCOT continued!

I was so surprised that DD had seen David Cook. I had forgotten all about the Disney Holiday parade and that he was appearing there.

I have to explain something. I am a rock and roll girl and have been since forever. I fell in love with all the bad boy rockers from the 70's and that love has not changed one iota. I had posters of Robert Plant, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Rolling Stones, Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, Steven Tyler all over my walls and then came Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Motley Crue. Even now I still have art pictures of Jim Morrison framed in my bedroom. A rock and roll girl never truly gives up her bad boys.

I met many rockers in my teens -- either by introduction or because I was able to figure out things that other people took for granted. One story -- I, along with at least sixty kids, were wanting to see Van Halen. This was in the early 80's. Everyone was insisting they were in a bus that was parked near the Pittsburgh Arena. I kept thinking about this -- why on earth would this huge rock band be in a bus??? And then I looked and saw a small airport shuttle pull into a hotel across the highway. I knew, knew, knew, they were in that bus and took off, leaving my boyfriend and everyone else, running across six lanes of traffic (EEEKKKK -- I would beat me to death if I had been my mother) to the shuttle. Sitting just inside next to the driver, was David Lee Roth (my hearththrob)!!!! The bus pulled around to the back and I followed. It was one of the best afternoon's of my life -- I met the band, I met Valerie Bertinelli who was married to Eddie Van Halen at the time.

So I've been a stalker since the very beginning and as DD was growing and began to lover her own good boy rockers like Backstreet Boys and Hanson, I began to teach her of how to look for busses and hotels, where to stand after concerts to try and get backstage .... all important lessons because it is possible to be a "groupie" and a good girl at the same time. As I said, I met a lot of amazing rockers and I never gave up my very high morals to do so. It was always in innocent fun.

And here we are now -- DD is stalking David Cook around Epcot, waiting for me to catch up!!!

He's the one in the flannel shirt.

I finally got to EPCOT and caught up with DD at the Cafe in Mexico. David was inside eating.

We tried to be cool and not stare, but it was impossible! We watched him and he was our favorite for all of that season of AI. I listened to his music a lot and one of his songs, Innocent, had truly helped me with my treatment and other things. His brother had cancer and that song had touched him in the same way.

He left the Cafe and I couldn't take it anymore and when he was alone, I called his name. He came right over and shook my hand and I told him what a huge fan I was. He shook DD's hand, who congratulated him. He was sooo nice, just very down to earth and sweet. I was wearing my "Cancer Sucks" tee-shirt and he smiled and told me he loved it.

As DD and I left, we were giggling at our stalking, at how exciting it was too meet him after all those weeks of AI and that we'd keep our eyes open for more celebs to meet. (ONE MORE COMING UP RIGHT NOW!:

DD and I went back to Mexico and saw a flash of a hot pink wig -- it was Sanapunk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were so excited to meet her and no stalking had to happen!! How great to meet someone you feel so comfortable with and really enjoy from the DIS!

Doesn't she look so great? I told her I wished I had known her when I was bald -- she could have been my wig expert!!!

More EPCOT coming right up ............

 

[SkyGirl]

EPCOT continued

Dinner at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

Remember that DD's worst meal was at Liberty Tree Tavern. I can't even begin to tell you how DISGUSTING and REPULSIVE this meal was!!! Princesses -- great -- Food -- horrific!!!

Princesses and the restaurant and the wait staff were great.

This was the same Alice as from the night before and she recognized DD!!

The FOOD

DD loved hers, absolutely loved it. She had Mustard-Glazed Grilled Salmon
with salad greens, roasted potatoes, and corn tossed in a Zinfandel vinaigrette

And mine .......... seriously, to this day, it turns my stomach.

Traditional Kjottkake
Ground beef and pork patty served with garlic mashed potatoes,
seasonal vegetables and Lingonberry sauce.

The waiter asked me to pronounce it. Of course, it was nearly impossible but I tried. He laughed and said I did very well but it was (and I am NOT exaggerating, this is what he said!) shhitee-kaka

I AM NOT KIDDING

and that is exactly what it tasted like.

Frozen dinners (although we've been eating a lot lately) are not our favorites and this was similar to a very cheap version of a frozen salisbury steak. I put a ton salt and pepper on it to try and make it edible but no way. THE WORST thing I've ever, ever eaten.

I will never go back for dinner. NEVER

EPCOT continued ...........

 

[momoftriplets]

OMG, Heidi! Even if you were feeling good, I'd tell you to take a rest right about now. Talk about getting this thing done. You're knocking it out of the park.

Loved your "stalking". How fun. We'll have to do that together someday, huh?

Loved the pictures Figment took of the Epcot Resorts.

Can't wait for the rest.

p.s. Thanks, Figment, for setting Heidi up so she can finish this!

 

[SkyGirl]

EPCOT highlights

It was our last EPCOT day.

One of our favorite moments -- we even won a certificate for it!!

In the UK we saw a chalk board with Harry Potter questions. We are both huge fans, but I tend to read the books again and again and DD has moved on! I began answering some of the questions, and the CM came over. He started asking them and I answered. I'm shocked and sorta embarrassed I knew them!!!

1. What are the names of the three main characters? (Surnames included) **he joked that middle names were not necessary but I knew them!!* Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley

2. At what address do Harry's Aunt and Uncle live? 4 Privet Drive, Little Whining

3. What spell would you use to open a locked door? Alamahora (sp)

4. What is the name of the Wizarding bank? Gringotts

5. What do the letters O.W.L. stand for in the end of year exams? Ordinary Wizarding Levels

6. Can you name all seven Weasley children? **he gave me a hint for one with a P** Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny

7. How would you end a game of Quidditch? Catching the Golden Stitch

8. What are the three deathly hollows? **I missed one of these** The Invisibility Cloak, the Ring that brought back people from the dead and I forgot the name of the *Elder Wand

9. What is Ron's biggest fear? Spiders

10. What class does Professor Snape teach? Potions

Bonus:

Can you name the four founding heads at Hogwarts? This was a struggle!! I got Helga Hufflelpuff, (although I said it should be Heidi!) Godric Gryffindor, and Rowena Ravenclaw, and could not remember the first name of Slytherin ... Steve? The CM burst into laughter and said that was right -- Steven Slytherin!! I gave up and he told me it was Salazar but because I did so great, he was giving up both certificates!

Lunch that day was at Rose & Crown. We spent so many hours in the UK -- it is one of our favorite places and when we suddenly move in on Jo and her family, she'll know why!

We both got the fish and chips and it was incredible! We can't wait to go back and have it again!

Dessert and the views were amazing!

A little more EPCOT to come

 

[SkyGirl]

whew! This is a lot more work than I realized! I just love our pictures sooo much!!!!

THE END OF EPCOT!

We saw the British Invasion twice and absolutely LOVED it! If you love the Beatles or just good music, go and see them!

Dinner that night was at Tutto Italia. The restaurant was gorgeous! Just stunning. I talked with the chef about my allergy to Ramono cheese and he basically said I couldn't have anything because it was in the pasta! I couldn't believe it. But we stayed and I'm so glad we did. DD is still talking about the pasta she had. They gave me chicken that was super yucky and only charged for a kid's portion. They were wonderful and really tried hard. But I would recommend this based on DD's love of it.

My chicken:

DD's was a pumpkin pasta.

This was in the lobby

Goodbye sweet Epcot, we'll miss you and see you again someday

 

[SkyGirl]

OMG, Heidi! Even if you were feeling good, I'd tell you to take a rest right about now. Talk about getting this thing done. You're knocking it out of the park.

Loved your "stalking". How fun. We'll have to do that together someday, huh?

Loved the pictures Figment took of the Epcot Resorts.

Can't wait for the rest.

p.s. Thanks, Figment, for setting Heidi up so she can finish this!

I didn't realize how much would go into it!!! But it has been fun revisiting those memories.

We will definitely stalk together someday! LOL

 

[SkyGirl]

ANIMAL KINGDOM HIGHLIGHTS

Fabulous animals!

CHARACTER MEETINGS

 

[SkyGirl]

ANIMAL KINGDOM ENDING

The food!

Yak & Yeti for lunch. It was wonderful and the restaurant was beautiful!

See you next time, AK!!!

 

[SkyGirl]

MAGIC KINGDOM

So sad whenever you have to leave Magic Kingdom. But such good memories are made!

The beautiful scenery and decorations:

So much fun and snacks!!!

Surprising shows!!

More to come and one more celebrity!!!

 

[SkyGirl]

DD and I met Disney Wanderer and had such a great time with him! We got to hang out a lot and even had lunch together!

Lunch was at Pecos Bill. We ordered online and this time I got the Taco Salad because of the evil buns! It was super yummy!!

Saddest dessert ever: a pudding I can buy in my grocery store but wouldn't because it is too cheap!

After saying goodbye to Disney Wanderer, DD and I did a tour around the park.

I was getting exhausted and knew I needed some sort of break, but didn't want to go back to the resort. DD and I decided to go to Wilderness Lodge. We were excited!

 

[SkyGirl]

WILDERNESS LODGE

We took the boat over and the ride was lovely. It was nearing twilight so the atmosphere was just beautiful.

It was just gorgeous and I can't wait to stay here someday although I have to say it reminded me of Stephen King's super scary book, The Shining, but that was a fabulous hotel, too!!!

So farewell, Magic Kingdom and Wilderness Lodge, we love both of you!!!

 

[DisneyJo]

Jo is just beautiful and even nicer than she is pretty and her accent is just to die for!! We talked about our trip, about her exciting news as a Disney Mom, about our families. It was such fun.

Oh Heidi you are too kind, I loved touring with you and your DD it made my day

DAVID COOK, the winner of American Idol was at Epcot and DD, being my daughter, was stalking him!!!!

Thanks to my Mom's panel friends I now know who he is

I began to teach her of how to look for busses and hotels, where to stand after concerts to try and get backstage .... all important lessons because it is possible to be a "groupie" and a good girl at the same time.

OMG Heidi you're a great Mom

Who's Sanapunk???

In the UK we saw a chalk board with Harry Potter questions. We are both huge fans, but I tend to read the books again and again and DD has moved on! I began answering some of the questions, and the CM came over. He started asking them and I answered. I'm shocked and sorta embarrassed I knew them!!!

You did great

We spent so many hours in the UK -- it is one of our favorite places and when we suddenly move in on Jo and her family, she'll know why!

It's the lure of that Castle 5 minutes from me isn't it?

I talked with the chef about my allergy to Ramono cheese and he basically said I couldn't have anything because it was in the pasta! I couldn't believe it.

That sounds very strange glad they sorted you out though!

 

[SkyGirl]

MGM the very last highlights!

I have a few things to say about MGM this year. First of all, it has always been a favorite, maybe my most favorite. It has a laid back attitude and it is just a different feel there than anywhere else on property. This year, I guess the CM's took that to heart. It seemed many of them were too young, didn't care that much, forced a smile, never truly engaged at all. It was a huge let down. We had planned two days at MGM and cut that back to just one. I hope it will improve because it is a great park.

Other than that, we loved it.

Pixar Place and the new ride are just FABULOUS!

I had that when I was a little girl -- the Disneyland one! I also had the Brady Bunch in Hawaii and in the Grand Canyon! LOL

Tower of Terror and the great queue

Now, other CM's were fabulous, from the Steetmosphere performers to the Army guys!! (They told me to come forward with my Humvee!!!!! Soooo funny!)

They would all call me by name and talk about how I was a big shot in my convertible (Mater!) LOL

A little more coming up next and then I'm done!

 

[SkyGirl]

The parade. HORRIBLE. I have to say, we hated it. It isn't even a parade and you are mostly watching younger performers jumping around and dancing and if you don't like sweat on you, don't sit in the front. We did get some pictures but we will never watch it again.

We went into the AFI building and DD was thrilled to find her favorite movie "Alien" still represented.

I almost forgot this guy! He was so brilliant! He never moved, holding that Christmas tree in front of him. We loved him!

For dinner we ate at 50's Prime Time. It was delicious, the food was just sooo good. Our server was an absolute blast. She kept catching DD with her elbows on the table (she wasn't doing it on purpose for attention from the waitress like the idiot next to us that was sooo annoying to everyone) and would yell at her and make us laugh. At one point she asked me how I did such a bad job raising her. I told her I was drunk most of the time. We all burst into laughter and the waitress patted my back and told me she was going to start using that from now on!! She was great.

DD had the pot roast and LOVED it. It is just good All American comfort food.

I had the fried chicken. I was worried the southern greens would be gross but they were super yummy!

We had fun ordering dessert.

On our way in, the girl who is on Wizards of Waverly place was on her way out. Selena Gomez? Anyway, pretty girl. And sitting next to us was the little girl who is starring on Broadway in "Mary Poppins". She was just darling. Although I do think if these celebs didn't have VIP guides with the, most of them would never be noticed. But that was fun!

So ends our trip to Disney. I'm so sorry I had to do the end this way, but I didn't have a choice. We had the best time and look forward to even more fun in the future.

Thanks for being such great friends.

 

[momoftriplets]

The parade. HORRIBLE. I have to say, we hated it. It isn't even a parade and you are mostly watching younger performers jumping around and dancing and if you don't like sweat on you, don't sit in the front. We did get some pictures but we will never watch it again.

Isn't this the one Jay hated, too?


For dinner we ate at 50's Prime I told her I was drunk most of the time.



We loved 50's PT, too. Have you read my review of it? (post #47 in my TR, below)

DD had the pot roast and LOVED it. It is just good All American comfort food.

I enjoyed the pot roast, too. yummmmmmm

So ends our trip to Disney. I'm so sorry I had to do the end this way, but I didn't have a choice. We had the best time and look forward to even more fun in the future.

Thanks for being such great friends.

my responses are in red, of course.

LOVE the condensed version!

So proud of you for doing well on the Harry Potter questions. Great photos.

Next time, we'll explore together.

Go take a nap.

B