Welcome to the CAROUSEL of PROGRESS challenge for December 2015!!

[pjlla]

Hi everyone...P's DD here again with your post for today. Have a magical and Star Wars filled day!! She'll be on to chat again soon!! ........................L


Dun-dun-da-da, dun-da-da, dun-da-da..... * Imperial March* It's coming! Can you feel the excitement?? If you have a Star Wars fan anywhere in your life, you know exactly what I am talking about! Yup..... “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens nationally TOMORROW !


Are you caught up in the excitement? Is anyone in your house or in your life excited about this?

I'm not a big fan, but DS is and we have tickets to see this movie tonight at 11 pm. I'm not sure how I am going to stay awake, but I will try!


Do you like going to the movies? What do you like more.... the movie or the goodies (popcorn, candies) that seem to go along with a movie? I know for myself, movie theater popcorn is a big temptation! How do you handle these events that seem to go hand-in-hand with eating temptations??

 

[Lady Marie]

Hi Friends, if anyone wanted to know how my exam went, you may want to read this article:

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/university-696250-chapman-put.html

Yep. Active shooter situation.... I am safe and okay, but more angry that I was 20 minutes into the exam and the professor had to collect the papers. He now has to figure out a way to get us all to take the exam - which is awesome because I leave Friday for Disney World.

So... i'm not quite done with my MBA program.

BREAKING NEWS: FINAL EXAM UPDATE!

The professor offered us two options and in lieu of taking the final exam, I am opting to take the midterm grade plus 3 percentage points (giving me a 97% on the exam).

It's over! I'm done! It was dramatic and insane. BUT I AM NOW AN MBA!!!

That's crazy-- what a dramatic finale to your final! But congratulations!!!! Enjoy DISNEY!!! And I am quite interested to hear how the metal detectors go. When we were in DLP, we didn't think it was too terribly inconvenient. But they aren't doing the volume that WDW does!

 

[JacknSally]

@courtneybeth i just watched a periscope from MK and the metal detector checks are random. Not everyone is going thru them. Bag checks are supposedly more intense, though, but I always had every section of my bags gone through so I'm not sure how that's different now.

I'm super bummed that they aren't allowing adults to dress up for the Halloween party anymore. That will definitely keep me from going to the party in the future. They've scaled back on party stuff so much already and my favorite part was getting to dress up.

 

[courtneybeth]

@JacknSally -- darn, I wanted to go through the metal detector. It's an E-ticket experience!

In all seriousness, I don't think it's been confirmed yet about the Halloween Party? We're going next September for Food and Wine AND the Party, but.... it's still 9 months out. Things can always change very fast. The rules they're implementing were already in place: no selfie sticks and no costumes. The problem is that it turned into an every day for some people.

 

[JacknSally]

@courtneybeth oh, I definitely hope it turns around. I think Disney is smart enough to know they'll lose a lot of money with that rule. They just need to tweak AND ENFORCE the guidelines for their costumes. Orlando Sentinel confirmed this morning that the rule does include the MNSSHP, but who knows. I know several people are already writing to Disney about it. I wonder how it will affect the Star Wars event at DHS tomorrow, though, as they were allowed to wear costumes but not face paint or masks.

 

[SarahDisney]

Are you caught up in the excitement? Is anyone in your house or in your life excited about this?

My parents want to see it, but they're not over-the-top excited about it.
Personally, I couldn't care less.

Do you like going to the movies? What do you like more.... the movie or the goodies (popcorn, candies) that seem to go along with a movie? I know for myself, movie theater popcorn is a big temptation! How do you handle these events that seem to go hand-in-hand with eating temptations??

Last time I went to the movies, I brought a small baggie of grapes with me. It was actually a great snack, and I ended up barely having any popcorn. I'll definitely do something like that next time I go - bring a small baggie of fruit or nuts so that I don't feel a need to buy popcorn or chocolate.

I'm super bummed that they aren't allowing adults to dress up for the Halloween party anymore. That will definitely keep me from going to the party in the future. They've scaled back on party stuff so much already and my favorite part was getting to dress up.

Yeah, that's a pretty big deal.
There's also some question as to whether this applies to the runDisney races.
I'm sure they have a really good reason for doing this, but once they extend it to those events that people look forward to partially because there's an opportunity to dress in costume ... it's kinda depressing.

 

[pjlla]

Hello To All My Supporters over the past months. I'm afraid I have to withdraw my volunteering for January. My life has taken a dramatic turn, very emotional and I'm off the rails with food right now as well. I don't have any reserves to even read these posts to catch up. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have causes and I hope you will welcome me back in the future. For now, I have to disappear.

I am SO VERY sorry to hear this and PRAY that you aren't going through anything terrible. We totally understand and will be thinking of you and sending prayers and PD to you. PLEASE come back when you are able. Virtual hugs to you today my friend.

BREAKING NEWS: FINAL EXAM UPDATE!

The professor offered us two options and in lieu of taking the final exam, I am opting to take the midterm grade plus 3 percentage points (giving me a 97% on the exam).

It's over! I'm done! It was dramatic and insane. BUT I AM NOW AN MBA!!!

MAJOR congratulations! That business about the exam is INSANE!! SO glad you are safe and sound! What a scary situation to be in!

I'm so sorry and I, too, hope things turn around for you quickly. Know we're here if you ever need us.

I know I've been less involved the last couple of months, but I'd be happy to host January and help kick off 2016 for all of us, if you all would have me again.

I, for one, would be DELIGHTED to have you host January!! Or even co-host if anyone else wants to jump on board! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

Hey friends! I PROMISE I haven't forgotten you all completely, but life is just getting nuts and I absolutely totally FORGOT to post before leaving for work yesterday AND again today. My bad! Thanks to DD (and the fact that I pre-wrote the entire month's worth of posts) you did NOT have to do without a QOTD!! But I feel badly I haven't been around for SO MUCH news, both good and bad! I'm off tomorrow and PROMISE (cross my heart!) that I will NOT leave this house in the morning (going out for new snowtires) without posting!! Are you all ready for ANOTHER FRIDAY? I cannot believe the way that December is FLASHING BY!

I don't have time right now to catch up with everyone, but these particular posts seemed important enough to not pass by for now! Hope I didn't miss anything important!

We are off to STAR WARS tonight!! Yowza! DS is so excited! TTYL.................P

 

[pjlla]

I realize it's more than half way through the month but I just found this thread and it looks right up my alley!

WELCOME! Glad to have you, no matter what when it is on the calendar! Tell us a bit about yourself, read about how things work here on page one, and then get right in on the chatter!!.........P

 

[Flossbolna]

I realize it's more than half way through the month but I just found this thread and it looks right up my alley!

We are always happy to have more people joining in!!

 

[DisPup75]

Having tons of problems with the boards tonight! Just typed out a big long response with lots of quotes, my summary of my first week on SmartPoints, etc. Lost it all. And now nothing will quote. Grr.

Too tired to rewrite so I'll just keep it short and say good night!

Daughter of @pjlla - thank you for taking part of your winter break to keep things running around here!

@courtneybeth - have a wonderful wonderful wonderful trip!

@JacknSally - I think you would be a marvelous January hostess!

@Flossbolna - I hope today was better and you get some dream free sleep tonight! Or at least sleep that is only filled with good dreams.

@Ursula's Apprentice - welcome!

 

[courtneybeth]

@courtneybeth - have a wonderful wonderful wonderful trip!

Thank you! we are all packed and heading to bed shortly. 330am will come very early.

@JacknSally - look for an Instagram post from me with Croque Glaces and Hollywood Studios - just for you

 

[courtneybeth]

We are on our way to LAX - but I wanted to share this bit of good news with everyone:

Goal Weight: Mission Accomplished.

I'm sure I'm going to gain a few pounds this week at WDW, but it's nice to see that number

Week 3 results:
Pounds lost: 5/3
Percentage: 167%

 

[bigsis1970]

@courtneybeth YAY & have a great trip!!!

@pjlla Big Star Wars fan here but I have to wait till I can get to go with my Dad.. He never had a boy so I was the one he took to the see the all the movies it's our thing, so I am trying to be very careful about what I see on FB, hear on the radio and hear other talking about.. Don't want to spoil it too much for myself.. Likely I won't get to see it till Mid Jan.. I hope you really enjoyed it

 

[pjlla]

FRIDAY, Dec 18
Another Friday is here! Remember, report your PROGRESS TOWARD GOAL as a percentage.... and either post it here or send me a PM. I'll take reports until Monday and try to have the results updated by Monday night.

We are heading into the home stretch, both regarding our challenge AND the holidays! Christmas is one week away and New Year's Eve is two weeks away.... but there is STILL TIME to make positive progress this month!!


On this day in Disney history, in 1971, Walt Disney World's very first Candlelight Processional is held. The processional travels down Main Street to the Cinderella Castle forecourt where a performance featuring 1200 carolers from across Florida takes place. Film star Rock Hudson narrates the Christmas story. (Hudson would go on to narrate the processional at Walt Disney World again in 1973, 1974, 1977, and 1980. The processional stayed at Walt Disney World until 1993 when it moved to the American Gardens Theatre in EPCOT.)



How many of you have been LUCKY enough to attend the Candlelight Processional at Disney? Or any other Disney special event or party? Is it worth the extra money? Which one have you attended and how did you like it? Share pictures if you would like!

 

[pjlla]

I have been very grich-y this season and haven't even put up my tree! So Christmas cards are on the bottom of my list right now, and probably won't get done this week. Whoops!

Sounds like me! I think being CRAZY BUSY makes me feel "grinch-ier".... hard to get excited about decorating the tree when it feels like a CHORE to be squeezed in between work and cooking and laundry!


The benefits I envision are being able to climb the stairs to my apartment without getting winded, being able to get more done at work without feeling like an old lady when I'm done, and having the energy to get out and do more on my days off work. However, this has not been super motivational lately Maybe once I'm out of my funk I will be more motivated.

What could you do to pull yourself OUT of that funk? Anything WE could offer here to help??


The hardest thing is not giving in to my old routine, stopping for donuts on my way home from work in the morning, picking up a pint of Ben & Jerry's every time I go grocery shopping, not getting popcorn or a pretzel at every movie.

And forgive yourself if these habits take YEARS to truly 100% change! I hit my goal weight nearly 7 years ago and I am STILL noticing gradual changes in my "bad" habits.... like movie popcorn issues (more about that in a minute!) JUST KEEP WORKING ON THEM! Instead of beating yourself up for every bad or unhealthy choice, take a moment to think about whether that choice was an IMPROVEMENT on a previous bad habit.... like maybe grabbing a pint of light ice cream instead of B&J..... or perhaps you had one donut hole instead of an entire glazed donut.... those are IMPROVEMENTS!


I have a small arsenal I watch every year: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Santa Clause, Polar Express, Elf, The Holiday, and It's A Wonderful Life. On Christmas morning, it is customary in my parents' house to watch the WGN Chicago broadcasts of Suzy Snowflake and Hardrock Coco and Joe. Living near Minneapolis-St Paul, I haven't been able to see them the past couple years, and Christmas just doesn't feel quite the same!

Ask for them on DVD for Christmas or see if they are available on Google Chrome or Netflix!



The scents of pine trees, roasted nuts, and cinnamon take me right back to my parents house. The scents of sugar cookies and gingerbread take me to my grandmother's kitchen. I have tried to recreate each, but they never smell quite right, so I just wait to happily stumble upon them Also, I love the smell of falling snow any time of the season!

I love stumbling upon smells that make me happy..... every once in a while DD and I will encounter a "Disney" smell that makes us smile!


I'm doing okay so far, though not great. For the rest of the month, I will make sure to get at least 6000 steps each day. This is pretty easy on days I work, not so on days I do not!

Great goal!

Just a brief check-in. I am starting to be in the mood that I really don't want to be bothered with work anymore. There is not that much that needs to be done before I go on vacation next week, but the little that needs to be done I just don't want to get started with... Arg! I actually don't hvae fixed hours, so once I am done, I can go home. Instead I decided to go shopping for new trousers (my only nice pair of pants is starting to be too wide. The last time I wore it, it was rather tight, so it went back into a dark corner of the closet, yesterday I took it out and wore it and I should have worn a belt with it...).

HEY! That sounds like GOOD news (pants too big)!! Sorry you aren't feeling into work though.... that is tough when it can't be put aside and ignored (like I am doing with the vacuuming!).

Hi everyone...P's DD here again with your post for today. Have a magical and Star Wars filled day!! She'll be on to chat again soon!! ........................L


Dun-dun-da-da, dun-da-da, dun-da-da..... * Imperial March* It's coming! Can you feel the excitement?? If you have a Star Wars fan anywhere in your life, you know exactly what I am talking about! Yup..... “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens nationally TOMORROW !


Are you caught up in the excitement? Is anyone in your house or in your life excited about this?

I'm not a big fan, but DS is and we have tickets to see this movie tonight at 11 pm. I'm not sure how I am going to stay awake, but I will try!


Do you like going to the movies? What do you like more.... the movie or the goodies (popcorn, candies) that seem to go along with a movie? I know for myself, movie theater popcorn is a big temptation! How do you handle these events that seem to go hand-in-hand with eating temptations??

Thanks to my sweet girl for bailing me out!!!

I did NOT stay awake the entire time.... oh well. I think I was awake for about 90% though.... just dozed a bit in the middle (the kids had to kick me because apparently I had started snoring!!! How embarrassing! But I blame the theater for installing those great reclining seats!!).

Movie food temptations were handled fairly well.... I notice that EVERY TIME I go I make more and more progress on getting a handle on the "addiction" to movie theater popcorn. Usually if I plan to eat anything, I bring my own popcorn/treats.... but I was concerned about bag checks last night so I only brought a liter of plain seltzer. I did have a few handfuls of popcorn, 3 Twizzlers, and a handful of M&Ms.... but that was it! It wasn't a 3 hour "shove-popcorn-into-mouth-at-alarming-rates" type of movie, as I have had in the past. We all shared the bucket of popcorn, so I wasn't sitting there with it like a TROUGH in front of my face.... and I bought a SMALL bag of M&Ms to share with DD.... not the party-size bag that we have shared in the past. And I finished the full liter of seltzer (although I still woke up feeling like I slept in a salt mine!). While it could have been better (did I REALLY need to eat at 11 pm????) it DEFINITELY could have been worse. And I did plan for it with a very light supper and no snacking during the day.

Having tons of problems with the boards tonight! Just typed out a big long response with lots of quotes, my summary of my first week on SmartPoints, etc. Lost it all. And now nothing will quote. Grr.

Too tired to rewrite so I'll just keep it short and say good night!

Daughter of @pjlla - thank you for taking part of your winter break to keep things running around here!

@courtneybeth - have a wonderful wonderful wonderful trip!

@JacknSally - I think you would be a marvelous January hostess!

@Flossbolna - I hope today was better and you get some dream free sleep tonight! Or at least sleep that is only filled with good dreams.

@Ursula's Apprentice - welcome!

How frustrating! I've had it happen many times (sometimes more than once in the same day) and I STILL haven't learned how to avoid it..... although since the DIS updated a while back it is definitely HARDER to lose a post entirely.... but not impossible!

I would LOVE to hear more about your first week with SmartPoints!!

We are on our way to LAX - but I wanted to share this bit of good news with everyone:

Goal Weight: Mission Accomplished.

I'm sure I'm going to gain a few pounds this week at WDW, but it's nice to see that number

Week 3 results:
Pounds lost: 5/3
Percentage: 1.67%

SUPER, SUPER good news!! Congratulations!! Have a WONDERFUL time at Disney and tell Mickey I said hello!!

@courtneybeth YAY & have a great trip!!!

@pjlla Big Star Wars fan here but I have to wait till I can get to go with my Dad.. He never had a boy so I was the one he took to the see the all the movies it's our thing, so I am trying to be very careful about what I see on FB, hear on the radio and hear other talking about.. Don't want to spoil it too much for myself.. Likely I won't get to see it till Mid Jan.. I hope you really enjoyed it

No spoilers from me, I promise!! But I imagine it will be tough to avoid them until mid January! But you will still enjoy it! I'm not a huge fan and DD has never even seen all of the previous movies in their entirety.... but we still liked it!

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

Hey all! I promised to be here before leaving to buy tires and here I am! Amazingly DD is awake and claims she will be coming out with me shortly..... I really hope so because after tires we can head straight out for the VERY VERY last of my shopping!

Have a wonderful day! I'll be back tonight to chat!....................P

 

[DisPup75]

We are on our way to LAX - but I wanted to share this bit of good news with everyone:

Goal Weight: Mission Accomplished.

I'm sure I'm going to gain a few pounds this week at WDW, but it's nice to see that number

Week 3 results:
Pounds lost: 5/3
Percentage: 1.67%

Woohoo!!!!! Way to go @courtneybeth! So proud of you!!!!

 

[dsnyfn1022]

We are on our way to LAX - but I wanted to share this bit of good news with everyone:

Goal Weight: Mission Accomplished.

I'm sure I'm going to gain a few pounds this week at WDW, but it's nice to see that number

Week 3 results:
Pounds lost: 5/3
Percentage: 1.67%

WOOHOO!! Congrats!! Have a great trip!

FRIDAY, Dec 18
Another Friday is here! Remember, report your PROGRESS TOWARD GOAL as a percentage.... and either post it here or send me a PM. I'll take reports until Monday and try to have the results updated by Monday night.

We are heading into the home stretch, both regarding our challenge AND the holidays! Christmas is one week away and New Year's Eve is two weeks away.... but there is STILL TIME to make positive progress this month!!


On this day in Disney history, in 1971, Walt Disney World's very first Candlelight Processional is held. The processional travels down Main Street to the Cinderella Castle forecourt where a performance featuring 1200 carolers from across Florida takes place. Film star Rock Hudson narrates the Christmas story. (Hudson would go on to narrate the processional at Walt Disney World again in 1973, 1974, 1977, and 1980. The processional stayed at Walt Disney World until 1993 when it moved to the American Gardens Theatre in EPCOT.)

View attachment 140322

How many of you have been LUCKY enough to attend the Candlelight Processional at Disney? Or any other Disney special event or party? Is it worth the extra money? Which one have you attended and how did you like it? Share pictures if you would like!

I haven't been lucky enough to attend CP but I would loooove to. This time on our trip NPH was the narrator for the day that we were in EPCOT but because we came in late in the afternoon after a very long day of travelling we decided that we didn't even want to hit WS. So my goal is to one day by the CP dining package so that I can see it.

I have been to the Fireworks and Pals cruise, MNSSHP, MVMCP, and I did a wishes dessert package before. IMO, MVMCP and MNSSHP are worth it although MNSSHP has lost of lot of its draw over the years. MVMCP was AMAZING. I hadn't been since 2008 and I wish I could go every night. I loved it! But Christmas is my favorite holiday so I could be biased.

 

[pjlla]

Forgot to report that I FINALLY made some scale progress (despite last night's treats) and have hit 35% of my December goal! Now I just want to hold onto it, even if I don't make further progress!................P

 

[meghammy]

Hi everyone...P's DD here again with your post for today. Have a magical and Star Wars filled day!! She'll be on to chat again soon!! ........................L


Dun-dun-da-da, dun-da-da, dun-da-da..... * Imperial March* It's coming! Can you feel the excitement?? If you have a Star Wars fan anywhere in your life, you know exactly what I am talking about! Yup..... “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens nationally TOMORROW !


Are you caught up in the excitement? Is anyone in your house or in your life excited about this?

I'm not a big fan, but DS is and we have tickets to see this movie tonight at 11 pm. I'm not sure how I am going to stay awake, but I will try!


Do you like going to the movies? What do you like more.... the movie or the goodies (popcorn, candies) that seem to go along with a movie? I know for myself, movie theater popcorn is a big temptation! How do you handle these events that seem to go hand-in-hand with eating temptations??

DBf and I went to the Marathon Event, started at 2am with Episode 1, finished at 9:30pm after Episode 7! We both love going to the movies, and go multiple times a week. In order to avoid the food temptations, we usually pack my large purse with snacks for the entirety of the marathon, and settle on 1 bucket of popcorn for the day; once it's gone, it's gone. We also only get popcorn once a week instead of each time we go to the theater since we're there so often.

 

[SarahDisney]

Reporting in with a not-very-exciting gain of 3 lbs ... so I'm at 0%
I'm really disappointed. Now I have 13 days left in the week, and instead of trying to lose a manageable 3 lbs, I'm now facing 5 lbs, which will be really hard for me.