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Five Minutes More

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I head to Walt Disney World in twelve days, so I upped my daily walk by another five minutes today…thought I was gonna die! My walk yesterday was on a cool, overcast day. It was a pleasure. Today it was hot, humid and sticky again, and I was not prepared for it. Notice the red face and knackered hair in today’s featured photo. But then I had a think about it and realized that I’m vacationing in Florida…sunny, hot, humid Florida. I better learn how to suck it up.

Tomorrow it’s supposed to be hot here again. I will bring along some water and take it nice and easy. Lord, give me strength!

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Once in Awhile Life Just Feels Right

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Only thirteen days now until my Walt Disney World vacation. Whoop, whoop!

I have now lost all the weight I had put back on and am down to my lowest weight in years. Since my stroke in 2017, I have lost sixty-five+ pounds. I notice it everyday. I notice it when I get in the car and buckle up my seat belt. I notice it when I slide into a booth at a restaurant, and I don’t have to move the table out. I notice it when I go to bed at night, because I can turn over much easier, and I am sleeping better. I notice more energy when I take my daily walk. And I notice it when I put on my clothes in the morning, because I’m two sizes down.

So my thanks to Diabetic Living Magazine for great tips on managing my blood sugar and for the delicious, nutritious recipes that are expanding my horizons. And I am thankful for Southmead Hospital in Bristol, England, and to Advocate Condell in Libertyville, IL, USA, for education about managing life with my limitations, and for encouraging me to reach beyond my limitations. I am thankful for Noom for helping to get my metabolism kick-started and for providing such helpful coaching and behavior modification methods. (Thanks to Emi, my beautiful daughter, for getting me excited about Noom.)

I’m happy to be in my saggy, lumpy, sixty-two year old body. This is the best that I can be for now, and I am very pleased to be here. Here’s to tomorrow and the next long walk and the next healthy meal and to staying the course.

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Play Disney Park Mobile App

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With only fourteen days until my Walt Disney World vacation, I researched the new Play Disney Parks app. This app looks like so much fun! It only works when you are at a Disney Park. And apparently it works at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The article below explains how it all works. (Edited for content that applies to WDW)

Play Disney Parks App Debuts at Walt Disney World Resort on June 30

Thomas Smithby , Editorial Content Director, Disney Parks

 

We’re so excited to share this news with you! The all-new Play Disney Parks mobile app will make its official debut at Walt Disney World Resort on June 30. The app will be free to download, and guests can pre-order today on the App Store and Google Play to have the app automatically downloaded on their device.

As we previously shared, the #PlayDisneyParks app was designed for families and guests to enjoy together. With group play that enables everyone to join in on the fun, guests will turn wait time into play time with all-new interactive experiences and activities created for select attraction queues, including: “Playset Party” at Toy Story Mania! in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Off to Neverland” at Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom, “Rocket Race” at Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom, and “Andy’s Boardgame Blast!” at the new Slinky Dog Dash coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And there’s even more to explore in the app!

Guests signed into their Disney account (available to guests 13 and over) can also earn, collect and share uniquely themed achievements, rewarded for playing games, answering trivia, completing challenges and experiencing select attractions across Walt Disney World Resort. And with the Disney trivia feature, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy as guests can discover fun facts about their favorite theme parks.

This first-of-its-kind Disney app will also allow guests to celebrate the songs of Disney in a whole new way. Access Apple Music®* from within the app to tap into a curated audio experience featuring official playlists inspired by beloved theme park lands, attractions and characters – and some favorite memories too. Apple Music subscribers will even be able to add favorite Disney tracks direct to their Apple Music library allowing them to live and re-live the magic of Disney parks music at home.

And this is just the beginning. The Play Disney Parks app will evolve over time with new experiences and offerings, including the eagerly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, coming to Walt Disney World Resort in late fall 2019.

For the latest information and updates, follow the dedicated Play Disney Parks pages –Walt Disney World Resort – and be sure to order the app.

Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations, and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Some features require separate theme park admission.

*Some features require Apple Music subscription and are only available on iOS devices. Separate terms and conditions apply.

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and Apple Music are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC.

This will be a great way to pass the time while waiting in line for attractions. I’ll let you know how it all works out.

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

PS-Thank you to Disney for today’s featured photo.

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Meeting Mickey At Last

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Only fifteen days in my quest to encounter Mickey. Here’s my plan to meet my favorite mouse:

Saturday, Magic Kingdom

  • Lunch at Tony’s Town Square 12:40 pm
  • FastPasses-
  1. Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater 9:20am-10:20am
  2. Jungle Cruise 10:20am-11:20am
  3. Dumbo the Flying Elephant 11:25am-12:25 pm

On October 27 (Lord willing and the creek don’t rise!) I will meet up with Mickey in the Magic Kingdom at the Town Square Theater.  I am so-o-o-o excited when I envision it.

Me: “Thank you, Mickey, for inspiring me to get healthier in the past few years!”

Mickey: Silently nods head and shakes my hand.

Me: “Mickey, you have been a true friend.”

Mickey: Silently nods and rocks back and forth from foot to foot.

Me: “OK, g’bye, Mickey.”

Mickey: Silently gives me a hug and waves goodbye.

But even better I’ll be there with the grandbabies and the kids and Mike. It’s just too good to imagine. 🙂

Meet you at the Kingdom!

Donna

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My “Magic of Tomorrow” Prize

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There are only 16 days now until my Walt Disney World Family Reunion. Woo hoo!

A couple weeks back I won a competition on magicoftmrw blog, (magicoftomorrow.info). I received my prize package this week. It was so much fun to open the box and see what I had won. Here’s a rundown of what I won:

  1. A beautiful, yellow Belle mug, from Beauty and the Beast. There’s a pretty picture of Belle on one side, and the other side says, “It’s hard to be a Beauty when mornings are a Beast.”
  2. A cute keychain shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head. In the middle there is a die (one dice? One side has Cinderella’s castle with the words “Disney Parks”, the other side have, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald. I just the cutest! I put it straight on my keychain.
  3. A pretty lei from Disney’s Polynesian Resort. It’s colors, pink, lilac, yellow, orange, light green, and white add a festive decoration to the lamp by my favorite chair.
  4. A bag of Disney’s Halloween Candy Corn Popcorn. It looks so yummy! It has orange and yellow popcorn in the bag with a few actual candy corns thrown in. I had already decided to try this popcorn while in Florida. Now, I will save it to share with Mike, my main squeeze, on Halloween night as we watch “Hocus Pocus.”
  5. A very cute Mickey Mouse thank you card.

It was wonderful timing to get me all juiced up for my vacation. So thank you to Magic of Tomorrow!

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

 

 

 

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Making Lemonade from Lemons

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There are only seventeen days until our Old Key West Family Reunion. Seventeen days until I can hug my daughter, son-in-love and granddaughter. How exciting!

I am exhausted tonight:

  1. My increased walking has my muscles sore and tired.
  2. I watched my sweet baby granddaughter today, so I am weary.
  3. I tried a new recipe tonight for dinner, which took way longer than I expected, so that by the time we finally ate, I was super hangry (hungry + angry).
  4. And I am grieving for our dear friend and patron who passed away two days ago.

But here’s the thing:

  1. My muscles are sore, but it’s good sore. They are sore from exercising, instead of sore from being sedentary. Result!
  2. Each minute with Linnie, my baby granddaughter, is precious. It’s exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. I always feel so blessed after my time with this amazing baby!
  3. I tried a new recipe (my assignment from Noom) from Diabetic Living Magazine called Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole. There was a lot of pre-cooking, chopping, measuring, mixing, and finally baking. We ate over an hour later than usual, and by then I was cranky and famished. But dinner was absolutely delicious, and it turns out, well worth the wait. I will make this recipe again and again. It will be perfect for a cold winter’s night.
  4. I am grieving, This recently departed soul gave us so much, including a wonderful place to raise our kids and encouragement for Mike to be the best furniture designer and maker possible. But I am not without hope. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”-Romans 5:5

And so I carry on. Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

PS: I highly recommend Diabetic Living Magazine. It has been such a help for healthy eating. And Noom is working out very well, too.

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Life’s Pendulum Swings

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There are only eighteen days now until I head south from Illinois to Florida and Walt Disney World.

Well, Friends, we are in the fire. Mike (my loving man) has a theory that life is a pendulum swinging back and forth, so that the highs in our lives are balanced by the lows in our lives. This Disney trip is a dream coming true, so if Mike’s theory is correct, then there is probably a nightmare to balance it out. There may be something to his theory.

Last night Mike’s boss passed away. He lost his battle with cancer even though he had fought valiantly. We are deeply moved and saddened at his passing. He and his family have been great friends and benefactors to our family. Mike has worked very closely with him, so he will feel this most deeply of all. I pray that God will comfort Mr. B’s family in this time of mourning.

Now just this morning we heard that Mike’s sister was rushed to the hospital with some health issues. She is in our prayers. We believe in a God of miracles. He who created this universe cares about each cell in our bodies. I pray for healing for Mike’s sister. I pray for wisdom and competence in those who care for her. I pray for peace for her and the family.

So, it’s been quite a 24 hours here in Lake Bluff. But we remain ever in God’s hands, believing in His mercy. We know that nothing can happen to us that He does not allow, and all things work to the good for those who love Him.

Peace to you and yours, Dear Readers. Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

 

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Upping the Ante/Satisfied DVC Member

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In nineteen days, I get on an airplane and fly to Orlando International Airport. Then I get to transfer to Magical Express and head to Disney’s Old Key West Resort. Hot-dang! So…

  1. Today I upped my daily walk by five minutes. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but to me it is a lot. (Thank you to Noom for encouraging me to walk further!) The featured photo for today’s blog was taken about ten minutes after my walk. I was pooped, hot, sweaty, a little bit cranky, yet invigorated. It felt good to push myself that extra five minutes.  So that is one of my major accomplishments for today.
  2. Also today, I took care of some vacation business. I called Magical Express directly, because only five of the eight of us traveling for this trip received our luggage tags. (We want them all because it is so nice to drop your luggage at your home airport and have it delivered directly to your hotel room. Man, I LOVE this service! Disney Vacation Club, [DVC], you rock]) I had a three minute wait for a rep, who then reissued our tags, so we will receive a new set of eight tags in seven to ten days. Mischief managed!
  3. Then I called DVC Member Services and waited fifteen minutes for a Cast Member who helped me to tweak my reservation. Cribs are sorted out for the little ones. We don’t need the Pack n’ Plays that Disney provides, because the kids rented cribs to be delivered and picked up instead. And I requested to be in a building with an elevator. Usually our three bedroom grand villa in one story up. After a day in the parks, I am absolutely dragging and climbing those steps can be the last straw. There is no guarantee we’ll get that request, but if it is available, then we’ll get it. (Please, please, please…)

So anyway, it’s been a good day so far. I hope you are having a good day, too.

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

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That Magic Kingdom Smile

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I am twenty days away from flying to Walt Disney World and that most magical of Kingdoms. I’ve been planning, saving, researching, and preparing for three years, and now I am within three weeks. Wow. Just wow!

There is something that happens when I get near the Magic Kingdom. Something almost magical. There is a sign announcing the Magic Kingdom that spans the highway leading into the park. When I see that sign, my heart speeds up, I have an adrenaline rush, and I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face. My family inevitably notices it and chuckles. I can’t really explain it, but it happens in spite of myself.

It really is a magical kingdom. It makes me feel like a kid again, even though I’m sitting on an EVC or a wheelchair. The years melt away, and the pure joy of untainted childhood takes over. It’s a small world after all… In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room… There’s a great, big beautiful tomorrow… In Magic Kingdom the songs are hopeful with positive messages about possibility. Possibility about a world where we are more alike than different. Possibility for the fun and oneness of all creatures on Earth.  Possibility of a brighter tomorrow. How can that be bad? I love the bright, colorful decorations, and the happy music throughout the park. Bliss!

Most of all, I look forward to sharing days in the park with my family. Whatever else happens, we will be together, and therein lies even more magic. Rides aside, decorations aside, delicious meals aside, I will be with the people I love most in this world. Thank you, Lord!

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

 

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WDW Radio Podcast

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Twenty-one days from now I leave for Walt Disney World and Disney’s Old Key West Resort. It’s just three weeks from today, Baby! (Insert Happy Dance here.) 🙂

Usually when I walk or work out, I listen to my favorite music to help the time to pass and make it more enjoyable. It’s usually Bubble Gum Pop or Contemporary Christian music. Today I wanted something new for my walk, so I joined my first Podcast. Jake, my son, (see photo above) has been talking about Podcasts and how they help him when he works out for quite awhile now. Well, I finally took the plunge.

Since we’re so close to our vacation now, I wanted something Disney-entyishtic. I landed on WDW Radio, Episode #529-Olivia’s at Old Key West LIVE Dining Review. Boy! This is right up my alley! The Podcast is over an hour long. My walk went by so quickly, and I’m ready for more tomorrow. I’m getting some great ideas about new things to try this time at Olivia’s, my favorite, WDW restaurant.

I am a Disney Vacation Club Member, and my home resort is Old Key West. My HOME resort, oh yes, it really does feel like my home away from home. So I’ve eaten at Olivia’s Cafe many times. I usually order the same thing each time, but this time I’m branching out. I hope to share entrees with Mike, my honey, so we can try more dishes. This Podcast has me all jacked up. 🙂 I am so excited to make some alternative choices this time!

Anyway, if you are a Disneyphile, as am I, give WDW Radio a listen. You won’t be sorry.

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

 

Pilgrimage to better health to meet Mickey. A 14 month Quest.