You're Livin' the Dream, Mater Boy! *Aug 2010*(WE'RE HOME and HAD A GREAT TRIP!!!!)

[MommyMcQueen]

Wow - it's amazing how many days have gone by since I last updated...like many of you, regular life has just gotten in the way of my Disney planning!!!

But I have been busy and actually accomplished lots over the last week or so. I was able to finish up several ongoing, lingering projects:

1. Finished editing the DC pictures, over 500 total
2. Finished my moms DC photobook
3. Finished going through and editing the last 2 months of my family pix
4. Made mothers day and fathers day photo cards
5. Ordered all the above photo-realted items on Friday! Phew...that was a project! Now they just have to get here before Mother's Day.
6. Scrapbooked! Finished up about 10 layouts over the weekend! YEAH! I'm almost back to being caught up!
7. Bought and planted sunflower seeds (kids love to grow sunflowers each summer) - got those done this weekend.
8. Worked on weeding my yard...I HATE dandylions! They gotta go! I do a little every day.

In between all that I managed to do like 15 loads of laundry - I honestly don't know WHERE it is all coming from, we never have this much laundry - it is just constantly piling up!

I also managed to exercise almost every day and increased my walking route to 4 miles, so it takes me about an hour now to go each day...but it is good "me" time and I've really been enjoying it. Still doing the Couch to 5K thing - I'm on week 4 now and it has me running 3 and 5 minute intervals for 20 minutes - I was amazed when I made it through my first 5 minute run - I haven't run 5 minutes straight in my entire adult life! So it was really good to be able to do it, I have to go again tonight, we'll see how I do. Last night DH and I took a walk with the kids (they rode bikes) and we talked about signing up for a 5K in June or July, after I'm done with the C25K program - if I can actually run it all! We'll see, I'd like to do it but really nervous - I still don't fully believe that I'll be able to run a 5k nonstop. But then again 3 weeks ago I could barely run 1 minute, now I'm doing 5...so I guess anything is possible! I know I could easily walk a 5K, but if I do one I want to run it. Anyone done a 5K? How is it?

 

[Charlefours]

Hi Karen: let's see...I went and picked up paper from the KI Memories Line belive. There is also a line from Doodlebug Designs I would like to get for AK or zoo pages in general. We got to the zoo so often--one of our family favorites. I am sure the 3-rings will be great. I hope to get to moving things and scrapbooking again once my classes are over. I always have a to do list a mile long but this summer I am also taking classes so we will see how much I get done. Have you thought about Digital Scrapbooking? I think I am going to toy around with it between now and then. I have been downloading some free kits to try before I will buy any. I don't think I would ever be able to give up "traditional" scrapbooking though. You got so much done!

I want to start the C25K program this week...I have been saying I am going to for the last two weeks but this week I am going to do it! We went for a long walk today (family, DD in stroller) so that is good. Tomorrow I am meeting my pal to walk our course--there is a hill that is a killer.

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Hi Karen: let's see...I went and picked up paper from the KI Memories Line belive. There is also a line from Doodlebug Designs I would like to get for AK or zoo pages in general. We got to the zoo so often--one of our family favorites. I am sure the 3-rings will be great. I hope to get to moving things and scrapbooking again once my classes are over. I always have a to do list a mile long but this summer I am also taking classes so we will see how much I get done. Have you thought about Digital Scrapbooking? I think I am going to toy around with it between now and then. I have been downloading some free kits to try before I will buy any. I don't think I would ever be able to give up "traditional" scrapbooking though. You got so much done!

I want to start the C25K program this week...I have been saying I am going to for the last two weeks but this week I am going to do it! We went for a long walk today (family, DD in stroller) so that is good. Tomorrow I am meeting my pal to walk our course--there is a hill that is a killer.

Hi! Thanks for the info on the scrapbook supplies, I'll have to go look for those. It feels good to be almost caught up on the scrapbooking again, I still have a few layouts to do, but much closer to being caught up now. I too have thought about digital scarapbooking - also downloaded a couple freebie kits to see how they work. I have a super old version of PhotoShop Elements, and not sure how it would work with that - I know Elements pretty well and saw an online demo of the newer Elemets and how to digital scrapbook with it, but my version looks totally different and I really don't know how to use the layers very well. I suppose I could take some time and try to learn but I really do still like traditional scrapbooking. So I don't know if I'll get into digital or not.

Good luck on the C25K!!! I have never been a runner, not even a little bit...but I really find myself loving this program! I'm on week 5 now and doing all 5 minute intervals - tomorrow I start some 8 minute. Each week I look at the schedule and wonder how I'm going to get through - but each week I somehow do! Yesterday was probably my hardest run - all 5 min intervals and my legs were really tired/sore at the end...I wasn't as winded as usualy but my legs were feeling it much more. I really need to do some squats and leg exercises and get them stronger. I still feel like I don't know if I'll actually make it through all 9 weeks - but I'm trying and plan to give it my best! Let me know how it goes!!!

Karen

 

[MommyMcQueen]

WHAT A GREAT MORNING!!!

I am just having the most wonderful morning today - as much anticipated, Free Dining for fall was announced this morning! I called at about 6:45am and was on hold for about 35 minutes, and then got through to a CM!!! She was super friendly and nice, and added Free Dining to my reservation!! I also gave her my flight info to add, so we're all set on transportation now.

I am sitting here still feeling exhilirated!!! We just saved over $750 on our trip! I just can't believe it, that is a lot of money. I thought about upgrading to a mod but we actually really want to stay at Pop so I didn't. Next trip we'll do a mod for sure. I'm sure we'll go again when the kids are a little older and won't have as much height requirements to worry about, or strollers, naps, bedtimes, etc.

I called DH at work after I got off the phone with Disney and he was excited too! Of course his alterior motive is that now we have money in savings that he can go spend on some landscaping stuff he wants to do!! Where we live is like a wind tunnel and all of our mulch blows out of garden beds (and into the yard, the neighbors yard...we're constantly raking it up and back in) so this year we're getting stones...I told him to go ahead and call the stone place...looks like we BOTH get to be happy today!!!

Yeah for Free Dining!!! and Thank You Disney!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

WHAT A GREAT MORNING!!!

I am just having the most wonderful morning today - as much anticipated, Free Dining for fall was announced this morning! I called at about 6:45am and was on hold for about 35 minutes, and then got through to a CM!!! She was super friendly and nice, and added Free Dining to my reservation!! I also gave her my flight info to add, so we're all set on transportation now.

I am sitting here still feeling exhilirated!!! We just saved over $750 on our trip! I just can't believe it, that is a lot of money. I thought about upgrading to a mod but we actually really want to stay at Pop so I didn't. Next trip we'll do a mod for sure. I'm sure we'll go again when the kids are a little older and won't have as much height requirements to worry about, or strollers, naps, bedtimes, etc.

I called DH at work after I got off the phone with Disney and he was excited too! Of course his alterior motive is that now we have money in savings that he can go spend on some landscaping stuff he wants to do!! Where we live is like a wind tunnel and all of our mulch blows out of garden beds (and into the yard, the neighbors yard...we're constantly raking it up and back in) so this year we're getting stones...I told him to go ahead and call the stone place...looks like we BOTH get to be happy today!!!

Yeah for Free Dining!!! and Thank You Disney!!

Hi Karen!

Yay for you for FREE Dining! I read about it this morning on Facebook and thought of you! WOW $750 is ALOT to save! Have you made your ADRs yet? (i cant remember)
Our trips our getting closer....cant wait...we are getting rather excited around here!
About the mulch....have ya'll ever tried rubber mulch (they sell it at walmart and lowes or home depot)?? The company my DH works for recycles old tires and turns it into mulch and playground material...they dye it red, black, brown for mulch and for playground material...blue, purple...etc... It's really cool and stays in place in the flowerbed!!!
DH is is FL right now for work (only about 2 hrs away from WDW) and I am so jealous!! He was complaining about how bored he was yesterday.... I told him well WDW is only 2 hrs away.....he kinda laughed at me. I would sure go! 2 hrs sure beats 12 hrs or so!!

 

[Charlefours]

for free dining! I am so excited you got it!! I might see if I can convince DH to book a bounceback trip if the dates work for us--especially if they do offer FD with the bounceback so no more waiting around for it to be released. :

I don't think I would be able to give up traditional scrapbooking either. I have PSE7--I got it for the holidays a few years back. I am still learning how to use it though. I need to get online and find some good tutorials for it.

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/doodlebug-designs/78406-zoofari-12x12-accent-paper/

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/sho...pes-wild-life-collection-paper/?filters=_zoo_

The links above will take you to two of the papers from the lines I mentioned. I have the zebra one but still need to see if I can find the Doodlebug design line. I will need to pop back up to Archivers, perhaps on Friday.

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Hi Karen!

Yay for you for FREE Dining! I read about it this morning on Facebook and thought of you! WOW $750 is ALOT to save! Have you made your ADRs yet? (i cant remember)
Our trips our getting closer....cant wait...we are getting rather excited around here!
About the mulch....have ya'll ever tried rubber mulch (they sell it at walmart and lowes or home depot)?? The company my DH works for recycles old tires and turns it into mulch and playground material...they dye it red, black, brown for mulch and for playground material...blue, purple...etc... It's really cool and stays in place in the flowerbed!!!
DH is is FL right now for work (only about 2 hrs away from WDW) and I am so jealous!! He was complaining about how bored he was yesterday.... I told him well WDW is only 2 hrs away.....he kinda laughed at me. I would sure go! 2 hrs sure beats 12 hrs or so!!

Hi Heather!! Thanks! Yes, I have been just on cloud 9 all day today - I just can't believe we got free dining. We got the Quick Serve dining (offered at Values) and we could have upgraded, but I really don't want to be tied to ADRs all day. We are for sure doing 1 character meal but all the rest will be Quick Serve - and that is great for us - I still get nervous with kids in what I feel is a "fancy" restaurant! Strange, I know...

Thanks for the tip on the rubber mulch - I have seen it - I think I saw bags of it at Walmart. I guess I didn't think to use it in garden beds - I've seen it used on playgrounds and under swingsets but never in garden beds....I'll take a look into that! Two years ago we did regular mulch - that all blew away, so last year we got the bigger (heavier) bark nuggets and over time that has blown away too! The bigger chunks stay but anything smaller and lighter just blows away. We can use bark in our back yard since it is fenced in and doesn't blow as much, but our front is terrible - the wind just swirls into our front alcove-type area and the bark goes 3-4 feet out into the yard!! Poor Dh always has to rake it back up...

If I were 2 hours away from WDW and bored I'd sure be over there in a heartbeat! Hope he has a good trip! And you're under 2 months away!! Wow that is getting close! I think these next couple months will just fly by - summer always does!

for free dining! I am so excited you got it!! I might see if I can convince DH to book a bounceback trip if the dates work for us--especially if they do offer FD with the bounceback so no more waiting around for it to be released. :

I don't think I would be able to give up traditional scrapbooking either. I have PSE7--I got it for the holidays a few years back. I am still learning how to use it though. I need to get online and find some good tutorials for it.

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/doodlebug-designs/78406-zoofari-12x12-accent-paper/

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/sho...pes-wild-life-collection-paper/?filters=_zoo_

The links above will take you to two of the papers from the lines I mentioned. I have the zebra one but still need to see if I can find the Doodlebug design line. I will need to pop back up to Archivers, perhaps on Friday.

Thanks so much for the links!!! Those are CUTE!!! I'll have to get over to Archivers this week too - it's been a while! I have thought about upgrading to the new PSE to do digital too...but I have not looked at it enough to know if I'll actually use it! I think since I don't have any huge passion right now to go digital that I won't...not for a while anyway.

Free Dining! I still can't get over it! Now I understand all the of the people last fall who posted about it! I read all those posts and thought it was great they got it, but now I know how it FEELS to get it for myself! Defenitely worth it to book a bounceback - save all those months of waiting and wondering!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Yay Karen, Free Dining!!! I am so glad you were able to save all that $$$. That is wonderful!

Great job on the yard work. I would be ashamed for anyone to see my beds right now. They look green at the bottom from the weeds. I started working in them last night but it is going to take a while.

Erika

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Yay Karen, Free Dining!!! I am so glad you were able to save all that $$$. That is wonderful!

Great job on the yard work. I would be ashamed for anyone to see my beds right now. They look green at the bottom from the weeds. I started working in them last night but it is going to take a while.

Erika

Thanks Erika! I finally feel like all of the trip is now falling into place - we're almost 3 months out and everything is booked, flights are booked, and I have a pretty good handle on the itininery and stuff.

I have not touched my yard in like a week now and the weeds are taking over!!! Maybe this weekend I can get to some of it - been a busy week with sick kiddos here!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

With Free Dining now announced, I’ve been thinking a lot about what restaurants we want to eat at and been spending some looking at some of the menus. I know a lot of people probably don’t plan out Counter Service meals, but I have read that there are a lot of decent counter serve, and I’d like to try to have some variety of food, so of course I want to plan them out! Here are some of the restaurants I am looking at trying out at the various parks:

MK:
Casey’s Corner – I know it’s probably not the greatest food in the world, but my kids love corndogs and we’ll probably grab a bite to eat there our first night since we’ll be trying to see the Dream Along stage show and Move It Shake It right in that area. Gotta at least try it, right?
Main Street Bakery – gotta try some snacks from here! Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches here we come!
Cosmic Rays – looked good
Pinoccios Village Haus – I was not totally sure on this one – but was looking for somewhere in Fantasyland to eat – we’ll be spending the morning in FL and wanted to try to eat lunch there. Thoughts?
Pecos Bill – this one also just looked pretty good – variety of sandwiches

AK:
Flame Tree – have ready so many good things about this place, can’t wait to check it out!
Pizzafari – If we’re in the mood for pizza…again not sure about this one – just looking for something other than burgers and nuggets.

EPCOT:
Sunshine Seasons – also read great things about this one, menu looks like lots of variety!
Electric Umbrella – looked okay, kind of basic though
Kaka-Gori – shaved ice for a snack!

I was really hoping to be able to eat in Mexico at Cantina de San Angel, but it is closed until fall for refurb. So…I’ll have to look at some other options for WS dining –I’m sure we’ll find something! Kringla looked like they had some interesting choices? Also Boulangerie Patisserie – for dessert/snack or sandwiches?

HS:
Pizza Planet: Kids want to go there of course (we’ll do lunch there), again I know is not the greatest pizza in the world, but it should be fun for them.
Starring Rolls – heard they have good sandwiches…not sure about kids menu though – it’s not posted.
Farifax Fare – menu looked interesting – ribs, chicken, beef brisket – but is it good?

I’m sure we’ll also be having some meal at the Pop food court, which I also read is pretty decent - good variety.

So what am I missing?? Anywhere else that is good for CS or snacks?? I would love any tips!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

With Free Dining now announced, I’ve been thinking a lot about what restaurants we want to eat at and been spending some looking at some of the menus. I know a lot of people probably don’t plan out Counter Service meals, but I have read that there are a lot of decent counter serve, and I’d like to try to have some variety of food, so of course I want to plan them out! Here are some of the restaurants I am looking at trying out at the various parks:

MK:
Casey’s Corner – I know it’s probably not the greatest food in the world, but my kids love corndogs and we’ll probably grab a bite to eat there our first night since we’ll be trying to see the Dream Along stage show and Move It Shake It right in that area. Gotta at least try it, right?
Main Street Bakery – gotta try some snacks from here! Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches here we come!
Cosmic Rays – looked good
Pinoccios Village Haus – I was not totally sure on this one – but was looking for somewhere in Fantasyland to eat – we’ll be spending the morning in FL and wanted to try to eat lunch there. Thoughts?
Pecos Bill – this one also just looked pretty good – variety of sandwiches

AK:
Flame Tree – have ready so many good things about this place, can’t wait to check it out!
Pizzafari – If we’re in the mood for pizza…again not sure about this one – just looking for something other than burgers and nuggets.

EPCOT:
Sunshine Seasons – also read great things about this one, menu looks like lots of variety!
Electric Umbrella – looked okay, kind of basic though
Kaka-Gori – shaved ice for a snack!

I was really hoping to be able to eat in Mexico at Cantina de San Angel, but it is closed until fall for refurb. So…I’ll have to look at some other options for WS dining –I’m sure we’ll find something! Kringla looked like they had some interesting choices? Also Boulangerie Patisserie – for dessert/snack or sandwiches?

HS:
Pizza Planet: Kids want to go there of course (we’ll do lunch there), again I know is not the greatest pizza in the world, but it should be fun for them.
Starring Rolls – heard they have good sandwiches…not sure about kids menu though – it’s not posted.
Farifax Fare – menu looked interesting – ribs, chicken, beef brisket – but is it good?

I’m sure we’ll also be having some meal at the Pop food court, which I also read is pretty decent - good variety.

So what am I missing?? Anywhere else that is good for CS or snacks?? I would love any tips!

Karen:

You have some good choices there.

As for MK, we love Casey's. The hot dogs and fries are great. It really has a nostalgic feel. The boys will like the baseball theme and there is a piano player outside a lot of the time. Plus, they give cracker jacks for dessert! Jeremy loves this.

We also really like Peco's. They have great sandwiches with a condiment bar section. There is a great variety to choose from there. I always get a chicken wrap while DS and DH get burgers. This place also has where you can order via a kiosk which we always do and it seems like it goes faster if you are in a hurry.

It was several trips ago when we last ate at Pinocchios. I remember it was good but it is pizza. All Disney pizza tastes the same to me.

Our favorite at the Main Street Bakery is the cinnamon rolls. They are to die for. But, they are huge. You can easily split one.

Epcot-I have only ate at the Electric Umbrella once but my sandwich was very good. I would definitely go back.

DHS-Honestly, we have only ate in this park once and that was pizza while waiting for Fanstasmic.

AK-We love Flame Tree BBQ. It is all good. We also like Pizzafari but the last time we were there the menu had changed. I know they had a sandwich I used to like but it was not the menu the last time. Jeremy has had spaghetti and meatballs there that he liked.

I can't wait to hear what you decided on when you get back. It will be here before you know it.

Erika

 

[Charlefours]

I want to go through the CS menus too and have a good idea of where we would like to eat. It may not work out as it may depend on where we are at when we are hungry.

Main Street Bakery: definitely on our list. I have it on our list to go there for breakfast on the morning of DD's birthday but we will want to pop in there perhaps for a snack at some point too.
Pinoccios Village Haus: I hear the fries are good here but not the healthiest treat.

AK: hard one for us. We are eating at TH for breakfast so we may not need anything else other than a snack.

Sunshine Season is my choice for lunch up in FW.
Cantina de San Angel is our choice too if it is open.
Boulangerie Patisserie would be another option for a snack/lunch for us too. We got a snack there the last time we we went. I also want to go to the Tutto Italia kiosk for the tiramisu--one of my favorite desserts.
The American CS, Liberty Inn, looks pretty good so that is always an option for us too.

Since we are eating at a weird time (for us) for our F! dinner package, I am not sure how we are going to eat the rest f the day. I want to pop into the Writer's Shop for a snack but the cupcakes are suppose to be so good!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Karen:

You have some good choices there.

As for MK, we love Casey's. The hot dogs and fries are great. It really has a nostalgic feel. The boys will like the baseball theme and there is a piano player outside a lot of the time. Plus, they give cracker jacks for dessert! Jeremy loves this.

We also really like Peco's. They have great sandwiches with a condiment bar section. There is a great variety to choose from there. I always get a chicken wrap while DS and DH get burgers. This place also has where you can order via a kiosk which we always do and it seems like it goes faster if you are in a hurry.

It was several trips ago when we last ate at Pinocchios. I remember it was good but it is pizza. All Disney pizza tastes the same to me.

Our favorite at the Main Street Bakery is the cinnamon rolls. They are to die for. But, they are huge. You can easily split one.

Epcot-I have only ate at the Electric Umbrella once but my sandwich was very good. I would definitely go back.

DHS-Honestly, we have only ate in this park once and that was pizza while waiting for Fanstasmic.

AK-We love Flame Tree BBQ. It is all good. We also like Pizzafari but the last time we were there the menu had changed. I know they had a sandwich I used to like but it was not the menu the last time. Jeremy has had spaghetti and meatballs there that he liked.

I can't wait to hear what you decided on when you get back. It will be here before you know it.

Erika

Thanks Erika! I do think Casey's looks cool, I'm sure we'll like it, kids love corndogs and it will just be fun to go there. Thanks for the tip on the Main St. Bakery cinnamon rolls - we'll have to grab one and split it for breakfast! It will be a lot of fun to try out all of the food down there!

I want to go through the CS menus too and have a good idea of where we would like to eat. It may not work out as it may depend on where we are at when we are hungry.

Main Street Bakery: definitely on our list. I have it on our list to go there for breakfast on the morning of DD's birthday but we will want to pop in there perhaps for a snack at some point too.
Pinoccios Village Haus: I hear the fries are good here but not the healthiest treat.

AK: hard one for us. We are eating at TH for breakfast so we may not need anything else other than a snack.

Sunshine Season is my choice for lunch up in FW.
Cantina de San Angel is our choice too if it is open.
Boulangerie Patisserie would be another option for a snack/lunch for us too. We got a snack there the last time we we went. I also want to go to the Tutto Italia kiosk for the tiramisu--one of my favorite desserts.
The American CS, Liberty Inn, looks pretty good so that is always an option for us too.

Since we are eating at a weird time (for us) for our F! dinner package, I am not sure how we are going to eat the rest f the day. I want to pop into the Writer's Shop for a snack but the cupcakes are suppose to be so good!

Hi Charlefours! It is fun to be able to look through all the menus - a lot of stuff seems the same 'ol stuff, but a lot of places do look to have some unique meals! It is kind of hard to plan since you don't really know how hungry you'll be - sounds like a lot of the servings are huge! But it is still fun to think about and plan for!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great dining choices! We don't ever do the dining plan but some of our favorites are Casey's, Cosmic Ray's, Pizzafari, and Pizza Planet. Just be warned Disney portions are HUGE that even though my sisters and I are all older now we still split food.

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Well again it has been a while since I've really had an update. I haven't been doing much Disney planning, and we had a pretty nasty cold roll through our house last week and weekend, so I haven't been doing much but tending to sick kids and resting myself!

On a positive note I did manage to get all of my walk/runs in for the Couch to 5K program, so I am really excited and happy for that. Jogging with a cold/cough wasn't easy but I didn't want to fall too far behind, so I made myself go out and do it (I did take 2 days off when I was at my worst). So, I'm starting week 7 of the program, it is a 9 week training program, so only a couple of more weeks! I really can't believe I've made it this far - tonight I jogged 25 minutes straight...it was a little tough in the middle but I made it through. My distance tracker said I went 2.23 miles, then I jogged another .75 mile after I walked a bit, so I jogged about 3 miles total tonight! I'm sore tonight but it was so good to do!...still can't believe I made it...just a couple weeks ago I could barely run 1 minute.

I did get an updated invoice emailed to me from Disney reflecting the Free Dining promo - I was really glad to get this as I had read that some people did not, and it was nice to see and confirm that free dining is on the reservation.

One of these days I swear I will get back to the kids autograph books! I also have been looking through the DISigners threads looking for tshirt ideas too - want to make a bunch of T's for the kids and even a few for DH and I! Hope to have updates on those soon!

 

[Charlefours]

Hello! I have not been on much lately and wanted to pop over and say hello.

I hope you had a great mother's day!!

for FD!! I am so glad it was offered after all the speculation that it was not going to be offered.

Will you share what shirt designs you decide on making? I know I would love to see them.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Karen:

I wanted to pop in and say Hi! I hope you are doing well.

Erika

 

[Cory's Gal]

HI KAREN!!!!!!! I finally got caught up and back over to the PTR boards!!! CONGRATS ON FREE DINING AND SAVING MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For CS we LOVE Sunshine Seasons!! Great variety of foods!! If you like salmon I suggest the grilled salmon with green beans and garlic mashed potatoes, or my hubby likes the lo mein too!!!!

Starring Rolls is AWESOME if you are looking for some yummy pastries!! The cinnamon rolls are HUGE and I had one of the turnovers, YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pizza Planet is really fun for the kiddos, the pizza was pretty good too and my parents loved the salads they got! Lots of nice shaded outdoor seating too!!!

Awesome job on your walk/runs!!! I hope you all had some beautiful weather lately, we were in West Bend and Mayville this past weekend and it got soooo hot on Sunday!! If you are a Brewers fan sorry the Twins won 2 out of the 3 games Your plans look great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise to keep up more now!!!

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Hi all! Thank you all so much for sticking around - I know I haven't posted in a while...I'm such a bad PTR mom! Life has been C.R.A.Z.Y. and we've been working through some issues that could potentially impact our Disney trip.

Basically what happened is that DH applied for a new job that he was a very decent chance at getting. He works for municipal government (public works) and he was approached by a board member of a nearby community a few weeks ago and made aware of a job opportunity there. (I should add the he's been looking a while - each opportunity we pretty heavily scrutinize, because most communities have a residency requirement, so we have to move for any new job he would get). So, after a week of deliberation he decided to apply for it, and he has a good chance of getting it since he worked closely with a board member and has that person's recommendation. The problem is that they want to have someone in place by August 1...so we're not sure if we'll be able to do the trip on Aug 19. We may be looking at bumping it back...we just don't know right now. He would try to negotiate in the vacation time if offered the job, but if it becomes an issue we'll do what we have to do for him to get the job of course. But I'll be so heartbroken if we have to move it back a few months. I know in the end we still get to go, but we've been waiting so long already, a few more months feels like eternity! So with that in mind, I haven't been doing any Disney planning and honestly not trying to think about it a lot - just waiting to see how this all works out, it'll be a few weeks before we'll know anything. Once I know we're going my planning will kick into hight gear!

On top of that we're trying to sell our camper (it is on a permanent site at a campground an hour away), so we've been spending our weekends up there and getting that ready, we put it up for sale last weekend. Hopefully we can unload that thing early this summer.

Kids started T-ball 2 weeks ago - it has been fun and super cute! It is Mater's first year and he is hilarious out there - has no concept of what he's supposed to be doing...the coaches are great and they do help him, he just doesn't pay much attention! Last night he was playing 3rd base and when the kid from the other team ran from 3rd to home - he ran in along with him!! It was hysterical...he is such a goof.

On a great & postivie note, I'm going to do my last C25K run tonight and then I'm finished with the program! I can't belive I've been doing this 9 weeks already - my runs have been going great and I truely love it - I'm actually able to run 3 miles! I signed up for my first 5K next weekend - so excited for that. I'm going to start a 7 week program for training for a 10K - there is a 10K in July that I may register for if I feel like I'm ready. We'll see...

But I will do better on my PTR!!! Thanks again for checking in!

Hello! I have not been on much lately and wanted to pop over and say hello.

I hope you had a great mother's day!!

for FD!! I am so glad it was offered after all the speculation that it was not going to be offered.

Will you share what shirt designs you decide on making? I know I would love to see them.

I have some shirt designs that I saved from the DISigners - I have to get the transfers and pick up some t-shirts - it should be fun!!! I'm sure the kids will love them!

Are you doing the C25K? How is it going?

Karen:

I wanted to pop in and say Hi! I hope you are doing well.

Erika

Hi Erika! Thanks for checking in! I feel so bad that I haven't been posting! Gotta get back into it! I promise I'll do better!

HI KAREN!!!!!!! I finally got caught up and back over to the PTR boards!!! CONGRATS ON FREE DINING AND SAVING MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For CS we LOVE Sunshine Seasons!! Great variety of foods!! If you like salmon I suggest the grilled salmon with green beans and garlic mashed potatoes, or my hubby likes the lo mein too!!!!

Starring Rolls is AWESOME if you are looking for some yummy pastries!! The cinnamon rolls are HUGE and I had one of the turnovers, YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pizza Planet is really fun for the kiddos, the pizza was pretty good too and my parents loved the salads they got! Lots of nice shaded outdoor seating too!!!

Awesome job on your walk/runs!!! I hope you all had some beautiful weather lately, we were in West Bend and Mayville this past weekend and it got soooo hot on Sunday!! If you are a Brewers fan sorry the Twins won 2 out of the 3 games Your plans look great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I promise to keep up more now!!!

Hi Beth! I'm behind on your TR too so don't feel bad! Thanks for the tips on the food - it all sounds SO good!

DH is a HUGE Brewer fan but is missing out on the Brewer action since we dropped our cable a couple weeks ago (they cranked up our bill over $40 in the last year , so we dropped it). We probably won't make it to a game this year, we usually do a game but this summer we are just packed busy on our weekends...I should look at the schedule though, maybe we could get one in ! We were at the beach on Sunday baking in the sun when you guys were proabably at the game .

 

[MommyMcQueen]

Well tonight I must say that I am very proud of myself. And I don't generally say things like that about myself, so if feels a little wierd. But 9 weeks ago I started the Couch to 5K program as a person who could literally not even run or jog for 60 seconds. I was an avid walker and could easily walk 4-6 miles no problem, but when it came to running I had every excuse out there:

I have bad shins. I'm too out of shape. I've just never been a runner. It's just not for me. It's too hard. I can't do it. Blah. Blah. Blah.

Tonight I did my last run of the Couch to 5K, and made my 5K time in 33:10, just over 11 minutes a mile. It was a great run, and my first mile was my fastest ever at 10:05, then I had to slow it down a bit for the rest of the run. I walked for 1 minute after I finished the 5K route and stretched a bit since I was having some pain in my back, and then jogged the rest of the way home, total of 4 miles in under 45 minutes.

I have always been so envious of people who were "runners". Just that they could do that and be able to run long distances, since I never believed that I could do it. It's been hard and there were a couple of days that I really did not want to go out and run, but I made myself go. There's been days I've been beet red and dripping with sweat and gasping for breath, but I just kept going. There's been days when my legs have hurt and I felt like I could barely lift my feet off the ground, but I just kept going. And there have been many days, like today, when I couldn't wait to get out there and run, and didn't want to stop.

I'm so happy and so glad I challenged myself. I NEVER in a million years thought I would finish this and be able to actually run 3 miles.

Well, thanks for reading and for letting me share "my" moment!
Karen