Life Happens

Yep.

Life happens.

Between the good {my Origami Owl business taking off, working 40 hours at my "part time" job during Spring break} and the bad {the snow, my recent bout of the flu and my mother's hospitalization (again)} life happened.

I have not had the time to sit and blog.

In fact, I am sitting in on an O2 webinar while I am writing this.

I am glad that life is happening, but I need a break!!!

Girls trip to New Orleans June 1 - 5.

That will be a nice break.

Origami Owl "Annua-Owl" conference in Phoenix, AZ from July 17 - 21.

Work???  A little.  Fun???  A LOT.

A family trip to Walt Disney World for Christmas...ON CHRISTMAS???

Yay!!  Yes, this is supposed to happen. 

Mom {while lying in her hospital bed} contemplated an ENTIRE family trip to The World to celebrate Christmas {ON Christmas}.  Daddy wasn't going to argue. 

We have been before Christmas.  We have been after Christmas.  I was there on Christmas {when I lived in Central Florida}.  This will be the first time the entire family will be there.

You know, even if the whole Christmas Day thing doesn't happen...I will be happy going whenever we go.

It has been too long. 

My Happy Place is waiting.

Love to All.

...Disney and Vera Bradley...

...all right...so Facebook and twitter are all a flutter...over *more* new Disney bags.

Nope...not Disney Dooney & Bourke bags.

Vera Bradley bags.

Hmmm.

Now, I will admit that I have never *owned* a Vera Bradley bag.  I honestly thought they looked a little old-ladyish.  They are sold at Hallmark stores.  They just weren't my style.

Until today.

Now, I am NOT giving up on my Disney Dooney & Bourke collection obsession.

Not at all.

But come on, how CUTE is this pattern?!?!?  {the black pattern on the right is the one that I am in LOVE with!!!}

source: Disney Parks Blog

Now...what I think still *weirds* me out a bit about the Vera Bradley bags is that they are quilted.

Of course, this is coming from a woman who carries a DD&B Sketch the size of a small suitcase.

I realize not everyone likes every style...and that is why I love that Disney is offering so many different options for adults.  We now have Dooney & Bourke, Harvey's Seatbelt Bags, Le SportSac and now, Vera Bradley.  I can't say that I am going to run out and buy the largest bag available.  I think I have to "ease" into these.  Maybe I will try a cosmetic bag first, and go from there.

I must say, Disney must be listening to their fans.  Every Dooney & Bourke Facebook fan page I belong to, has always had women *begging* for Vera Bradley

Good job, Disney for listening to what your fans want.  Thank you for bringing more stylish, fashion-forward options to us women {really, who wants a boxy old tee-shirt?!??!}.  Thank you for bringing us quality products.  Products that we don't mind investing in.

Thank you, Disney.

According to the Disney Parks Blog, these pieces will be available this fall at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.  There will be a "sneak peek" of the collection at the Festival Center at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival that runs March 6th through May 19th, 2013.

source: Disney Parks Blog

If you see these bags up close, let me know what you think!!!  I am crossing my fingers that I get to go see the Flower and Garden festival this Spring...who knows!!!  I might get to take a closer look myself!!!

{Love to All}

New, Exciting Food Offerings at Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival

I am so excited for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival this year.  I am even more excited than usual, because I actually might have an opportunity to experience this wonderful event again this year.  {I am keeping my fingers crossed that this might happen}

One thing that caught my attention while doing my research was the tie-in of new and exciting foods to sample at the Flower and Garden Festival.

To quote the Disney Parks Blog,“What a natural progression (it is) to go from the garden to the table,” said Michael Jenner, Epcot Park Event Content Development Manager.

That makes sense to me, for sure.  Just looking at the wonderful photos of the offerings makes my mouth water!!!

source: Disney Parks Blog

 

source: Disney Parks Blog

Holy smokes, those drinks look incredible.  The colors even scream "Spring" to me!!!

There seems to be plenty to sample, and something for every palette.  The Disney Parks Blog assures us that there will be NO repeats from the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, and that each marketplace will have three to four dishes.  Dishes I am excited to try are: the Pig Slider with Cole Slaw from The Smokehouse at American Advenure {YUM} and Heirloom tomatoes with house-made mozzarella, vinegar and basil from The Cottage in the United Kingdom.

Oh my goodness!!!  I will have to top it off with a "grown-up" Dole Whip with Florida-made spiced rum.

Luckily, there is plenty of walking around this incredible festival to burn off those calories!!!


Disney is not forgetting the kids during this event.  Disney chefs have chosen some new and fun dishes to encourage children to try as part of Disney's new TRYit! campaign.  TRYit! is part of Disney's ongoing Magic of Healthy Living campaign.  I know I have been able to get Little Man to eat more better and become more active because of their efforts.

I think I might be inspired to try some of these "kid's" dishes, myself!!!  The Wild Berry Slush, Frushi {fruit sushi}, Lasagna Primavera, Watermelon Salad and Angel Food Cake with Florida berries sound delightful.  I think Little Man would like these, as well.

Are you planning a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort this Spring???  The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival runs from March 6th to May 19th.  Need help planning your trip???  Contact me for a free, no obligation quote!!!

{Love to All}

...I have a new attitude...

{my outlook has changed dramatically since my blog post last night...a good night sleep, being with my family, food in my tummy (I think being hungry/not eating right doesn't help my situation)  It truly shows the highs and lows of this mental illness}

I am a creature of habit.  I am set in my ways.

I am co-dependent.

I can tackle this.

One day at a time.

I regret not going out with my friends last night.

I regret making my self sick with anxiety.

Today is a new day.

This is going to happpen.

{Love to All}

...apparently blogging is the cheapest form of therapy...

...so, here it is...Saturday night.  I am all dressed up with someplace to go.

However, I am not there.

I am trapped.  Trapped by my own anxiety.  My own illness.

Yes, I said illness.

Big Daddy is working.  Little Man is at a sleepover.  I am *supposed* to be at a going-away party for a co-worker.

A co-worker who I love, a co-worker who I adore, a co-worker whom I will miss.  Greatly.

I am showered, dressed and have my make-up just right.

However, I am sitting on my couch.  Paralyzed.

I got the text asking if I was making it to dinner.   I said I wasn't feeling well {it isn't a lie...I'm not felling well.  I am making myself sick.} and would try to make it to bowling.

However, I am not going to make it to bowling.  My mind is all over the place.  Irrational fears.

Some of my anxiety is tied to my weight.  I am certain of this.

I used to go out and have fun all of the time.

That was over 100 pounds ago.

Now I am afraid to talk to people.  People that I see every day.  I do not understand this.  I am afraid that they think I am stupid.  I am afraid they think I don't know what I am talking about.  I am afraid that I won't have anything to say.  There I'll be, the fat girl in the corner...with her Diet Coke and chicken nachos.  Everyone will be watching the fat girl eat.  Thinking how dare she go out with her friends.

This is not limited to my co-workers {whom I consider friends} but my dearest friends in the world.  Friends whom I have known for 25+ years.  Yes, we are spread out over the country...but my dearest friend lives a mere 20 minutes away...and I don't see her all that often.  That is wrong.  I even avoid my extended family.  I don't understand.  I can stand in a room full of twenty women and chat up jewelry.  I can talk to the person in line at the supermarket about how to plan the best Disney vacation ever.  People I see everyday.  They judge me.

I am embarrassed and ashamed.

I can take my meds.  I have been taking my meds.  They make me loud.  Loud and chatty.  That might help me in my current social anxiety situation.

However, I don't think it will.

When I take my pills, I start talking to the girl at the Costco photo center about my love of WWE's Edge.

Seriously.

One extreme to the other.

So here I sit.  On the couch.  In hiding.  

Avoiding life.

Something has to change.

{Love to All}

...Now it's Time to Say Goodbye...

In addition to slacking in my blogging, I was neglecting the Disney Parks InsidEARS site, as well.

Apparently, many InsidEARS were.

The site is closing.  This week.

I am honored that I was chosen to be part of the Beta Testing program over the past year.  I was invited 2/10/12.  Something told me to log in yesterday, and I am glad that I did.  There was an "important announcement for InsidEARS" announcing the end of the program.

In the release, posted at 12:07 pm by "admin", it reads:

February 2013
Greetings from Disney Parks,
We appreciate you taking an active role in our Beta Test of the Disney Parks InsidEARS program.  During the testing phases, we met new friends and enjoyed seeing, hearing and sharing your enthusiasm about Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
As we move forward with our Disney Parks social channels, we have decided to discontinue the Disney Parks InsidEARS program, effective this week.
As digital media evolves worldwide, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort have become active in more and more online channels.  Two of the newest examples are our parks’ presence on Pinterest and Tumblr.  Combined with the continued growth of the Disney Parks Blog, the Disney Parks Moms Panel, the parks’ Facebook pages and Twitter feeds, we’re seeing a renaissance of sorts in the online world.
Each day we’re finding new online ways we can communicate with you, our Guest.  There are more specialized Twitter feeds for various areas of Disney Parks than ever before, and our family of individual & specialized Facebook pages has grown to include everything from pixie-dusted endurance races to attractions featuring 3-D space adventures.  Not to mention specific feeds for fans of Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and more.
Our Disney Parks social and digital efforts are still growing.  With our current and future plans, the original goals of the InsidEARS program will be met (and hopefully exceeded) with these channels and new opportunities.
While the InsidEARS program is coming to a close at this time, we hope you will stay active with our social and digital media channels – and perhaps be introduced to some you may not have yet visited.  We appreciate your support and for taking part in this program.
So until next time, as the song goes: “…see you real soon!”


I am all right with this.  The news was the same as you could read at the Disney Parks Blog.  The discussion boards seemed a little clunky, and a bit outdated.  While I don't participate in a lot of the Disney Fan Community Boards {for personal reasons}, I will continue to support and share my love of ALL things Disney via Pinterest, Facebook, and twitter.  Until the site is completely gone, I will proudly display my InsidEARS badge.

Just some snapshots of my Disney Parks InsidEARS profile.

Are there any Disney Fan communities you are an active part of???  Why do you like them???  Would you recommend them to a Disney-newbie??? {an important question, I believe...would they be nice to someone who is not "experienced" in all-things-Disney-Parks???}  What Disney blogs do you follow???

Love to All

...Short, Sweet and To the Point...

Oy. 

My goal to blog every day tanked. 

Again.

Life got in the way. 

I am trying to find the balance.  It is getting better.  It is getting easier.

My little business is taking off like wild.  It, however, is consuming a LOT of my time.

I am finally getting the ball rolling on my travel planning business!!!  I love it!!!  I actually purchased a domain last week{!!!} 

My mother's health has been iffy over the past month.  She had surgery just this morning.  She was hospitalized in mid-January, and I don't think she has fully recovered.  I am NOT ready for my parents to age.

While Big Daddy's inheritance from his mother is a blessing, the tax headache involved is a nightmare.  I don't know how if we'll recover.

That being said, January through April are always rough for us, finance-wise.  This year, is particularly hard.  I think it is the combination of my cut in hours, which led us to have to pay {out of Big Daddy's paycheck} to insure Little Man and myself. 

It was *so* nice when Big Daddy and I were both full time employees of the same school district!!!

Big Daddy has taken on a second job.

Yep.  He is working 16 hour days, three days a week.

I love that he has stepped up for our family.  I hate that he has to do it, though.

Little Man is doing okay.  I am not going to candy-coat it.  His anxiety is off the charts.

I blame myself.

I blame the fact that therapy is $85 {AFTER insurance} for a forty-five minute session.  Once a week, it adds up.  Insurance stinks.  Once we meet the d*mn deductible, he can go back.  Until then, I can't afford to pay full price.  He loves his therapist, and I hate that it is so expensive. 

I see him slipping back.

Yep.  That is just the tip of the iceberg.  There is SO much more going on, but that is what I am limiting myself to this evening.  I have to set limits, or I begin to let things consume me.

I am setting a realistic expectation when it comes to blogging.  I. Can't. Do. It. Every. Day.

Yet.

I am going to do my best, and if it isn't an every day thing, then it isn't.  I am all right with that.  Hopefully it will bloom into something bigger and better, but for now I am content.

Love to All.