Tag Archives: Disney

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The Return

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Day 392 in prepping to meet Mickey

Today’s plan was to read the fall version of Disney Files Magazine.  It is the official magazine for Disney Vacation Club members.  The cover features a picture from the new Kingdom Keepers book The Return.  See below.

The Return (Kingdom Keepers #8)

With the defeat of the Overtakers behind them, the five teenagers known as the Kingdom Keepers should be celebrating. By all accounts, they saved Disneyland from certain destruction. Why then did their mentor leave one last puzzle for them to decipher? The Keepers must solve a puzzle of the past, or be crushed under an evil that makes the Overtakers seem like gentle souls.
I thought the series was finished.  I am very excited about this preqeul/sequel (and how is a book a prequel and a sequel??).  So this will be my first souvenir from our trip this October.  I will make my way to The Writer’s Stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and purchase a copy.  Yay!
Meet you at the Kingdom!
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Force Friday

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Day 391 in dreaming my way to meeting Mickey

Today is Force Friday, and so I say, “May the Force be with you.”  Today’s plan is to remember Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Here is what Touring Plans says about the ride:

Description And Comments

Based on the Star Wars movie series, this was Disney‘s first modern simulator ride. Guests ride in a flight simulator modeled after those used for training pilots and astronauts. You experience dips, turns, twists, and climbs as your vehicle goes through an intergalactic version of the chariot race in Ben-Hur. The ride film is projected in high-definition 3-D and has more than 50 combinations of opening and ending scenes. You could ride Star Tours all day without seeing the same film segment twice.

I can’t wait to ride it in October!!  We have a Fastpass+ booked for it.    So in honor of this special day, I am going to watch Star Wars tonight, and dream Skywalker dreams tonight.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: I’m pretty jealous of Daniel right now who is there is experience the excitement first hand!

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Check!

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Day 389 in planning my way to meeting Mickey

Today I checked into Disney’s Old Key West Resort.  I had completely forgotten that I could check in online 60 days before my arrival date.  I am 41 days out.  I have two words to say to that:  WOO HOO!  It was exciting to say the least.  Now when I arrive on October 13th, I’ll show my ID at check-in, and off to my room I’ll go.  Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to my room I go.  *whistle* heigh-ho, heigh-ho…

I am so ready to be there!  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Top 10 Things I Am Excited To Do at Walt Disney World

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Day 386 in my excitement on my way to meeting up with Mickey

Here are the 10 things I am the most excited about for our trip to Walt Disney World in October:

#10 Riding it’s a small world.  It is my favorite ride!!

#9 Celebrating one year’s-worth of birthdays with “the dip” (see below) and birthday cupcakes.  We have been saving up to celebrate our birthdays together in Florida.  Woo hoo!  Happy birthday to us!

#8 Exploring EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival.  Looking forward to tempting tidbits of tasty treats.

#7 Experiencing Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party for the first time ever.  See comment from number 8.

#6 Spending the better part of a day at Disney Springs exploring and shopping.

#5 Eating at Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. This is by far my favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World.

#4 Experiencing Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween for the first time ever.  I have my costume now.  I ordered it from the Disney Store.  I will wear a Mickey Mouse Skeleton Tee and a Minnie Mouse Ears Headband.  🙂

#3 Spending plenty of resort time and pool time at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.  It is, seriously, my Happy Place.  When I’m chilling at Old Key West I can actually feel all stress leaving my body.  It is the ultimate in relaxation for me.

#2 Meeting and greeting Mickey at Magic Kingdom. This has been the driving force behind this blog.  I am anxious to shake Mickey‘s big, white-gloved hand and get a picture.

And the #1 thing that I am excited about…Looking at the faces of my husband and children and their spouses and spending some quality time together in this beautiful place.  This will be a family reunion extraordinaire!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

*The dip: In a pie plate spread 8 oz. of cream cheese.  Next sprinkle 6 to 8 cut-up green onions on top.  Then spread a can of No Bean chili on top.  (We usually make a second dip with Vegetarian chili with lots of beans.)  Finally sprinkle 8 oz. of grated cheddar cheese on top.  (We prefer sharp cheddar.  The shaper the better.)  Microwave for five minutes and serve with your favorite chips.  (We usually heat it in the oven t 350 degrees for 30 minutes instead, because it seem to hold it’s heat longer.)

 

 

 

 

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Taco-licious!

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Day 385 in healthy eating on my way to the Magic Kingdom to meet up with Mickey

Today’s plan was to write up this week’s menu and get my shopping list ready for tomorrow.  Done!  Yay!  So since that’s already behind me let me share tonight’s dinner recipe with you.  It’s from my favorite cookbook: Betty Crocker’s 30 Minute Meals for Diabetes.

Quick Taco Skillet Casserole

Prep time: 25 minutes-Makes 6-1&1/3 cup servings-3 Carb Choices

  1. Ingredients:
  2. 1 lb. extra lean (at least 90%) ground beef
  3. 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
  4. 1&1/2 cups uncooked instant brown rice
  5. 1 cup chunky-style salsa
  6. 1&1/2 cups water
  7. 1 can (14.5 to 16 oz) diced tomatoes, or whole tomatoes, cut up UNDRAINED
  8. 1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, UNDRAINED
  9. 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • Directions:
  • In 12-inch skillet or 4-quart Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain well.  Return beef mixture to skillet.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients.  Heat to boiling over high heat.  Reduce heat to medium high; cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently, until water is absorbed and rice is tender.  Stir before serving.

It’s just that easy.  And it is so tasty!  Try it; you’ll like it!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Dunkin Donuts Blues

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Day 384 in my eating my way to a healthier me to meet up with Mickey (1 month and 16 days to go)

Today’s plan is to NOT go to Dunkin Donuts.  Dunkin Donuts has recently built a shop in the lovely town of Lake Bluff.  This is not good news to someone who is a sugar addict and who loves butter crunch donuts, Boston cream donuts, apple fritters, French crullers and more…  Also I can’t ever buy one donut.  I want 2 or 3 or 4 with my cup of coffee.  So today’s plan is to NOT go there.

I shared a delicious salad for lunch today with Mike.  So far, so good.  For dinner I am making baked salmon and baked sweet potato with grilled asparagus.  Just thinking about how it will look on my plate: pink salmon, soft orange sweet potato, complimented by green asparagus delectably seared to perfection, makes me salivate.  Color means a lot to me on my plate.  I like lots of color, and when that color turns out to be a delicious combination, it’s a win-win situation.

Today’s plan is to concentrate on the healthy foods that I will treat myself with today.  Truly treat myself, because my body will LOVE these foods for fuel.  And to just get through this day without hopping onto my car and heading to Dunkin Donuts.

Pray for me, Dear Readers.  I am not good at resisting when the sugar cravings come.  I think today is a minute by minute deal.  I won’t get into my car for the next minute, then I’ll opt to not go in the next minute, etc…  I believe I can do this one minute at a time.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13  Help me, Jesus!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Sugar Funk

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Day 376 in my realizations on the way to meeting Mickey

Well, dear friends, today I have been in a funk for no apparent reason.

  1. The weather was a cool 65 to 74 degrees, and that’s my kind of weather.  Perfect.
  2. I had a busy and successful day at work, accomplishing all that I hoped to.
  3. Mike’s sister came into town , and I always enjoy visiting with her.

So here’s what I think.  I think that sugar has crept back into my diet, slowly and insidiously.  I haven’t been as careful about reading labels and tracking down nutritional information on my food choices. And most telling I been craving sugar again something fierce.

That’s got to be it now.  I am back on it, and I will be tenacious in my food choices.  Back to label reading, back to cooking more and ordering in less, and less eating out.

Hopefully in the next week this sugar-funk will lift and I can get back to enjoying this journey.  I’ll keep you posted.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Making Smart Choices

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Day 370 in eating my way to a healthier me to meet up with Mickey (1 month and 28 days to go)

Today’s plan is to create my menu for the week, making it as heavily veggie centered as possible.  I need to pack in the water and veggies this week to try to purge all the salt I took in during our vacation.  We ate out and carried in a lot, and unfortunately, these types of foods have much more salt than I cook with at home.  I am bloated with water weight, and I am anxious to get rid of it.  I can feel it in my shoes and clothes.  Yuck!

So this week it’s back to fruits and veggies, lean proteins and complex carbs.  ( And I will stay sugar-free.)  And I really need to refocus on portions size.  It’s so easy to eat too much when you are given such large portions.   I will fill my dinner plate like this: half vegetables, one quarter meat (3 to 4 ounces), one quarter complex carbs (brown rice, quinoa, brown pasta or spinach pasta, rye bread, etc…)

Thank you for reading, Dear Friends and Family.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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FastPass+ or Slow, Frustrating Pass?

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Day 369 in my planning my way to meeting my pal Mickey

Today’s plan was put into motion at 11:01 pm Central Standard Time last night.  That’s when my Walt Disney World vacation became only 60 days away.  Disneyphiles will know that because I am staying at Disney’s Old Key West, a Walt Disney World resort,  I at that moment became eligible to schedule our FastPass+ picks.  (For those not in the know: FastPass+ is a system that lets you basically preregister for attractions and shows.  it allows you re sign up for three a day.)

If I hadn’t gone to the gathering to show love and support for a friend yesterday, I wouldn’t have realized that this was the case.  I would have gotten up at 6:00 am CST this morning and gone online to schedule FastPass+.   But a church friend who was there is going to The Happiest Place on Earth at the end of September and she made me aware of this particular fact: the system updates at midnight Eastern Standard Time which is 11:00 pm where I live,  (Thank you, Ann!)  So I started my scheduling at 11:01 pm and I finished at about 1:35 this morning.  zzzzzzzzz

Here’s my one gripe: even getting on it as early as I did, I could not get FastPass+ for Seven Dwarves Mine Train nor Toy Story Mania.  Argh!  Something is seriously flawed with the system…SERIOUSLY!  That is so-o-o-o-o frustrating!!

But even at that, I am very pleased with the selections we have.  Here they are:

FastPass+ for the Jarvi/Carmichael Clan

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 – Magic Kingdom® Park

  1. Peter Pan’s Flight®—9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
  2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad®—10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
  3. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid—11:35 AM – 12:35 PM
  4. I’M VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT WE COULDN’T GET SEVEN DWARVES MINE TRAIN.

Thursday, October 15, 2015 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

  1. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith—11:35 AM – 12:35 PM
  2. Voyage of The Little Mermaid—12:35 PM – 12:50 PM
  3. Muppet*Vision 3D—1:45 PM – 2:45 PM
  4. WE REALLY WANTED TOY STORY MANIA.

Saturday, October 17, 2015 – Epcot®

  1. The Seas with Nemo & Friends®—9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  2. Test Track® Presented by Chevrolet®—10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  3. Spaceship Earth—11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  4. SERIOUSLY, WE CAN’T PICK TEST TRACK AND SOARIN’???

Sunday, October 18, 2015 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

  1. Kilimanjaro Safaris®—11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  2. Festival of the Lion King—12:30 PM – 12:50 PM
  3. Finding Nemo – The Musical—3:30 PM – 3:50 PM
  4. I COULDN’T GET DINOSAUR IN A TIME THAT WORKED FOR US.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios®

  1. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™—10:05 AM – 11:05 AM
  2. Star Tours® – The Adventures Continue—11:50 AM – 12:50 PM
  3. Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage—1:30 PM – 1:50 PM
  4. ONCE AGAIN…WE REALLY WANTED TOY STORY MANIA.

I think we’ll get the chance to ride Seven Dwarves Mine Train at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.  At least I hope so.

So that’s how it all shakes out, Dear Readers.  I am so excited; we are 1 month and 29 days away from out trip.  Woop, woop!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

 

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Putting Myself Out There

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Day 368 in dealing with my hang ups on my way to meeting up with Mickey

OK, here’s the deal.  I have a nervous stomach.  I always have had it.  Today I am invited to a friend’s condo to help celebrate another friend.  I’ve never been to my friend’s condo before.  I have known about this event for a couple of weeks, so I thought I would be ready to go.  Now, however, my stomach is tied in knots, and I have diarrhea just thinking about it.  Whenever I have to drive to a new place, my system reacts this way.  I don’t know why.

When I was a little girl, my mom would wait to tell me we were going on vacation until the last minute.  Otherwise, I would become so excited that I got an upset stomach…every time.  Maybe this is the result of those early days.  I don’t know.  I just know it happens every time.

Today’s plan is to suck it up, get in my car and drive myself over to the gathering.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV  I believe that verse, so I am going to step out in faith and believe that God will guide me and be with me.   This does not come easy for me.  Fifty pounds ago, I would have found an excuse to not attend.  I don’t want to be that sedentary, closet eater (not eating closets, but hiding and eating) anymore.

I really want to attend this particular event, because I want to show my love and support for the Guest of Honor.  And once I am there, I know I will really enjoy it.  So, Dear Readers, into the fray I go!

Meet you at the Kingdom!