Our Disney Itinerary!

Yesterday, I booked our ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) for our Disney trip! I am so freaking excited. Barring any unforeseen problems, this trip WILL be better than the last trip - I will make sure of that!

So, here you'll find a rough draft of our itinerary - please feel free to give any suggestions!

Wednesday, April 29th

Check in at the Polynesian Resort - mid afternoon

Check out Downtown Disney to shop a bit and get a bite to eat
Eat at either Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck Express
Check out Ghirardelli's for ice cream!
Back to the resort
Check out Wishes fireworks from beach at our resort?

Thursday, April 30th

Visit Animal Kingdom - get there when it opens
Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ
Back to resort mid afternoon to relax and freshen up
Dinner at Kona Cafe (5:30 pm)
No evening plans - maybe see Illuminations fireworks at Epcot if everyone is up for it

Friday, May 1st

Visit Magic Kingdom
Character breakfast (Tigger and Pooh and friends) at The Crystal Palace (8:25 am) we're there before the park opens!
Late lunch at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland
Back to resort to relax and freshen up
Grab dinner at Captain Cook's and enjoy the resort grounds!
Get ready to board a boat from our resort for a Wishes Cruise - we are all super excited for this!

Saturday, May 2nd

Visit Hollywood Studios - arrive when it opens
Lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater (12:50 pm)
No evening commitments - stay at HS or back to Poly - depends on kids' moods!

Sunday, May 3rd

Character breakfast (Lilo and Stitch) at Ohana's (8:20 am)
Free late morning/early afternoon
Head to Epcot around 3 pm
Dinner at Coral Reef (5:30 pm)
Finish out the evening at the park, maybe see the fireworks?

Monday, May 4th

Sleep in? (hahaha)
Lunch at Teppan Edo in Epcot - Japan (12 noon)
Hang out in park? Go back to resort?
Character dinner (Cinderella, Prince Charming) at 1900 Park Fare - Grand Floridian
No evening plans - maybe go to MK to watch Wishes fireworks

Tuesday, May 5th

Breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe - Wilderness Lodge (9:05 am)
Free day - go anywhere we want to see things we may have missed
Character dinner (Mickey Mouse and Pals) at Chef Mickey's (8:05 pm)
See if we can catch any fireworks - maybe from the beach at our resort?

Wednesday, May 6th

Return home - try not to cry

I thought eating at chef Mickey's last would be a great way to wrap up the trip! I hope I have enough down time scheduled! Next I am going to be going over the parks and mapping out rides and attractions we definitely need to see/experience!

With Vacations Come...Dieting

CJ and I both want to loose about 40 pounds by the time we go on our Disney vacation. We've really committed to this. He more so than me. He has been on the treadmill every single day for at least an hour since January 1st. I have missed a few days here and there. I was spending my time searching for helpful diet products instead. Then it happened...

One night, in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, the stationary bike turned itself on:

You may be wondering how I got a photo of this phenomenon when it happened in the middle of the night, huh? Well, I use my phone (which is also a camera phone) as my alarm, so since my phone was right next to me, I quickly snapped the photo.

It eventually turned itself off but uhhh, yea, I got the message. Stop searching for quick fixes and just exercise!!

Tomorrow is the Day!

The other week, my BFF Jenn came over so we could 'plan' Disney itinerary since we're both going with our respective families this Spring. I had a feeling we wouldn't get much done with the kids here bugging us, LOL

It was a great time though, we sure had a lot of chatting and catching up to do! We talked about our Disney trips and such but we didn't get much set in stone. That's okay, it was a good 'brainstorming' session!

That being said, tomorrow is the DAY! Tomorrow I can call to make my ADRs! I will be on the phone at 6:58 am - heeheeeee
Wish me luck that I get reservations where and when I want!

Atlanta Luxury Real Estate

CJ and I were just discussing our next trip to Walt Disney World and I mentioned to him about maybe becoming a DVC (Disney vacation club) member - which is basically investing in real estate. CJ mentioned how he's not sure if he wants to commit to Disney. So, I started looking around at other real estate, just for fun.

I came across this Atlanta Luxury Real Estate site and wow, I was blown away! Check out this bathroom!

There are so many different aspects of real estate to choose from. It sure is very different from what I am used to seeing with the Disney stuff. Sovereign Buckhead combines art with architecture and turns ordinary life into extraordinary!

Currently, there are only 82 residencies, starting on the 28th floor. This place looks so modern from the outside;

The interior is surprisingly traditional, check it out, you'll be pleasantly surprised! I am not completely sure that buying onto real estate right now is the best thing for CJ and I to invest in but I am having fun looking at all the possibilities.

Student Hit by Bus

Tragedy happened today in this town. A school bus stuck a student shortly after the kids were dropped off for school.
From what I hear, it was a case of kids either fighting or just screwing around but one pushed the other and that's how this whole thing happened.

News Story - as of 2 pm EST

"School Superintendent Linda Firestone held an impromptu news conference outside the middle school about 1:30 this afternoon and said many students told school officials that the boy was pushed. She said police are interviewing students to determine if that is what happened.

She said declined to identify the victim, but students said the his name is Dakota Galusha.

Firestone said the victim had been dropped off near a back entrance to the middle school by someone in a car just minutes before the accident. While all of the facts are not yet available, we do know that the victim was a middle school student. The accident occurred at approximately 7 am this morning. The driver of the school bus had a clear background check and driving history."

I know who pushed him but I don't know why. I do know this kid never reported to school and as of yet has not been found.

Testing Ping.fm

Trying out a new application, http://ping.fm/

We Need a Night Out!

Sometime in February, CJ and I need to get out! There is a local trade show going on that will have some industrial exhibits, which I think CJ would be interested in. I wouldn't care if we went somewhere to watch paint dry for cripe's sake, I 'd just like to get out!

I think sometimes we just go through the motions, so to speak. We're here and we're together but besides exercising and making dinner, we don't do anything together. Date night is long over due!

Disney Meal Plan

I finally have a rough draft of a meal plan for our Disney trip:

Arrival Day: Wed. 4/29
Check in at Polynesian mid afternoon
Visit Downtown Disney
Eat at one of these:
Rainforest Café
Earl of Sandwich
Wolfgang Puck Express
Ghirardelli for milkshakes!

Day 1: Thurs. 4/30
Animal Kingdom - morning to early afternoon
Flame Tree BBQ - lunch
Back to Poly to relax and freshen up
Chef Mickey’s for dinner

Day 2: Fri. 5/1
Magic Kingdom
Crystal Palace – breakfast
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe lunch or dinner
No evening plans

Day 3: Sat. 5/2
Hollywood Studios
Captain Cook’s at Poly for quick breakfast
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater - at Hollywood Studios - dinner



Day 4: Sun. 5/3
O’Hana’s – breakfast
Epcot for the day
Coral Reef – dinner

Day 5: Mon. 5/4
Teppan Edo – Early lunch (Epcot – Japan)
Free day – stay at Epcot, go to Magic Kingdom, hang out at resort?
1900 Park Fare – dinner (Grand Floridian)

Day 6: Tues. 5/5
Free day
Whispering Canyon Café – dinner (Wilderness Lodge Resort)

Departure Day: Wed. 5/6
No plans!

My Bowling Diva

Olivia attended a bowling birthday party over the weekend for her friend, Zachary. She adores this boy - he's all I hear about when she gets home from school. It's cute and all but seriously, she is 5!!!!
Here they are:



More Pictures N Stuff...







She was really shy when she first got there and wouldn't even bowl. After a while, she gave it a shot and LOVED it! I always liked bowling so we'll have to go again soon!

Thinking of Spring

Now that I've made enough money to pay for our next Disney trip (yay- excited squeals) AND we just bought a new treadmill - I am starting to plan out the next thing to save for. Well, I know what it should be and I know what I want it to be, hahaha.

It should be another vehicle. CJ's truck has something seriously wrong with it but because I work from home and rarely need to go anywhere during the day, we've just ut fixing the truck on the back burner. However, today Dante had to miss pre-school because CJ is working and my mom is at work too, so I couldn't even borrow her car to take him to school. There are also a few things this house needs.

What I want is a yard makeover! We have this really cool play area for the kids bit all around the area is yucky grass, mud and bareness, no trees, no shrubs and no flowers.

I would LOVE some wild flowers, even those pretty Wildlife trees and some nice shrubs - oh and have the grass fixed! I hate the dry patches and the muddy areas but I suppose I can thank Angus for that, Grrrrrr

Freezing at the Bus Stop

It's cold here - seriously cold. We normally have chilly winters, but when I say chilly I mean in the 30's - rarely ever in the single digits!

Here's a picture of my pretty Livi at the bus stop on Thursday:

Sexy Lingerie and Me

I haven't worn sexy lingerie in a long time - mainly because I have been uncomfortable in my own skin and even though many places carry plus size lingerie, I just didn't want to buy it.

Well, CJ and I have been doing really good with exercising and eating healthier since the start of the new year. I know, it's only been a little over 2 weeks but I already feel so much better. I have even been peeking at lingerie sites like flirtylingerie.com and have actually found stuff I love and would seriously get into!

This is a huge deal for me because I have been hanging around at the same weight for over 5 years now and it's time I start to feel happy and sexy again!

From California to Minnesota?!

My boss lives in sunny California and recently she told me she may be moving back to Minnesota! Now, I was like, "why the hell would you want to do that?!" However, that is where her mom is, so of course, it makes sense now.

She said she's going to miss all the cool trade show displays in Southern California she gets to go to and of course, the beach! I don't know, does snow outweigh earthquakes? I hate snow but I've never really felt an earthquake.

My Cool Dudes

Last weekend my friend Shannon's son Austin had a birthday. The boys and I went over for a bit to celebrate. My guys found some shades and thought they were cool!

Where to eat in Disney?

Last time we went to Disney, I was the one who chose all the places to eat at. It was difficult for me because I was trying to please 4 other adults and 3 kids. I asked for help, I even gave my mom a book The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008, which included all the restaurants but nope, I don't think she even picked the damn thing up.

This time is different! Fawn (CJ's mom) has already sent me a list of places she'd like to try and even CJ gave me some ideas! Yippie! One place all of us agree on is the Coral Reef restaurant!

I gotta give credit to my BFF Jenn, she was the one who brought up going here (she and her family will be in Disney around the same time we are)

This place has an aquarium wall with 8 foot high windows giving incredible views of the Living Seas. Seating is tiered which assures everyone is able to see this aquatic display.

Lighting is subdued. The interior is decorated in soothing shades of blue and green which enhance the underwater effect.

I am SOO excited!

Olivia Quit Dance

Well, Olivia was in hip hop and she seemed to like it BUT as time went on she started getting clingy. It was weird. One day I had the toughest time getting her IN the class. She cried and cried and told me she just wanted to be with me.

Now, she does spend a lot of time with me so I have no idea where this came from. However, after 3 weeks of the crying and the whining, I decided enough was enough. It was getting ridiculous. Of course I don't want my children to think they can just start things and then quit for no reason but at the same time I don't want to force them into anything.

Luckily we got a refund for the class. Jeff paid the full amount up front, we got $170 back and so Jeff told me to just keep the money. Now I can use that money towards some new spring clothes for Livi so she has something to wear on vacation. Then, the money I originally did have aside I can use to get a new crib for Wyatt. The one he is in is old and I'd like to get a crib that turns into a toddler bed. I never thought I'd still be buying baby furniture for Wyatt at this point - I was hoping I would be for another baby! Oh well, there's still time, 'm not old yet!

Mens Wedding Bands

Holidays are over and it's back to my routine. Back to running kids to school, working and helping to plan a wedding. I'm actually starting to like doing this, it's fun.

I took a peek at what's out there in the world of mens wedding bands and wow, there is a lot of gorgeous stuff! I saw a mention of Titanium-Jewelry.com on OneWed's Wedding Chat forum.

This site comes highly recommended and so of course I passed this info along. I think I totally scored big this time!

Clostes and Doorknobs

CJ and I completely cleared out our main walk in closet over the holiday break. It's awesome since now we can actually walk IN the walk-in closet and get things! It's not so awesome because the kids think they can just go in and out of the closet, play in there, use it to hide in, etc. While some parents may not care of their kids are playing in their closet, I do. My kids have a bunch of other places to play, my closet, as well as my room, is off limits.

So, the other day, all 3 of them were upstairs playing in Olivia's room. They loos all cute and innocent, don't they? (oh, and blurry, LOL)



Well, the handsome frog (Dante) decided to play i the closet and PULLED THE DOORKNOB OFF! I don't know what the hell this kid did but some metal piece was stuck inside the doorknob hole and CJ had to use those really powerful magnets to get whatever was stuck out so he could fix the doorknob.

Seriously kids, STAY OUT OF MY CLOSET!

The Bear Project

Olivia had a project over Winter break. She had to cut out a cardboard bear and then dress the beaar up however she wanted to.

This is her bear:

So cute! She even put a necklace on the bear. It was her necklace. This is one art project I am keeping. Sorry Jeff!

Resolutions!

Yes, I made a 'New Year Resolution' and so did CJ - we made it together and we WILL do it together. We both need to lose at LEAST 40 pounds before our next Disney trip. In fact, CJ even blogged about this already!

We have already started. This morning! He went on the treadmill for about 15 minutes while I was on the bike, the we switched. It was only about a total of 30 minutes of exercise but we both felt like we were going to die, LOL - guess it's time to look into some key man life insurance - just in case!

We both know it's a lifestyle change and we both have a pretty good idea how to achieve our goals, it's just a matter of doing it.