Tag Archives: Magic Kingdom

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Conquering Fear

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Day 248 in my inner journey to Mickey (6 months to go)

My plan for today was to continue to turn away from the fear that kept me frozen and on the sidelines for so long.  I dug back into our upcoming Cafe Chocolat women’s retreat materials.  It took me about an hour and a half to read through all the materials again.  Now I feel better and more familiar with how things are put together.  I am so excited about sharing this retreat with women from my St. James family!  However, I have had a nightmare two nights  in a row, about big blunders at the retreat that were my fault.  It’s only a matter of time before I have the “standing naked in front of the group” dream.  But you know what?  It’s OK.  Because God is in charge, and he is ever faithful.  I will just keep praying for this retreat and for all those who attend it.  May God’s grace become more real for each of us.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: My friend Mickey was on Dancing with the Stars tonight for Disney night.  What a treat!  Yay, Mickey!

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To Market, To Market…

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Day 246 in my exciting adventure of getting ready to meet up with Mickey

My plan for today was to go and grocery shop on my own and get us ready for the week ahead.  I was worried about going because I am having a lot of hip pain.  But, I thought, don’t let a little pain stop you.  Go and do.  So I did.  I painfully limped into the store.  But, wonder of wonders, I found that if I leaned onto the grocery cart, my hip did not bother me. Hooray!

I picked up groceries for Chicken and Bean Stew, Chunky Vegetable Chowder, Grilled Tuna and Low-fat Provolone with Veggies, and because I love my husband and he loves spaghetti, Spaghetti with Whole Wheat Noodles and Veggie Sauce.

It feels so good to get re-engaged with planning and preparing healthy, low-sugar, low-fat meals.  And the bonus of shopping by myself is I got a lot more steps in than I would have otherwise.

The sun is shining and the temperature made it to nearly 70 degrees today here in Lake Bluff.  Life is good, and God is even better.  (That is a loose paraphrase of Philippians 1:21)

Meet you at the Kingdom!

Special shout out to the Carlson Clan.  I’m thinking of you everyday and smiling to think of where you are and what you are doing.  🙂

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Confession Time

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Day 245 in my muddling my way to Mickey

My plan today was to step on the scale to get an idea of what’s up.  So I did the deed this morning and was shocked to see that I have gained a few pounds.  Not surprised, but still shocked to actually see the number.  They say that relapse is a part of recovery.  Alcoholics often drink on their way to recovery.  Drug users use.  Smokers smoke.  (My own son told me he had to quit smoking four times before it really worked.)  And, apparently, eaters eat.

In my cancer pity-party, I let my guard down and made some bad choices.  And for every bad choice I made, I felt ill…actually physically ill.  I find I am tired, just plain weary, when I don’t eat well.  So back to plenty of fresh veggies, lean proteins, complex carbs, and lots of water.

I am sugar-free, so at least I have that going for me.  🙂  It is my BIGGEST addiction.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Scare Me, Mickey!

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Day 244 in my hankering for hauntings at the Magic Kingdom when I meet up with Mickey (6 months and 4 days to go)

As I was eating my lentil soup at lunch today, I was checking out Facebook.  I was just about finished eating when I saw a post from Disney Dining that said “Tickets on Sale Today for Hard Ticket Events.”  And below it said, “Tickets on sale today for Mickey’s Fall Events!  GAH!  I quickly swallowed the last of my soup and made a mad dash for my office.  I logged onto My Disney Experience and booked our tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on October 15.

That was not my plan for today to get ready for Walt Disney World in October, but it quickly became my plan!

This trip has always been something to look forward to, but now with my health issues, it has become a finish line of sorts.  When we are there and celebrating being together in the Happiest Place on Earth, I will be beyond the moon!  Woo hoo!

And speaking of health issues, my doctor called with good news for a change.  My thyroid biopsy shows that the nodules on my thyroid are benign.  What a lovely word…benign.  🙂

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Beginning Again

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Day 243 in my dash toward Disney and Mickey

The thing about having cancer is: it makes it so easy to feel sorry for yourself.  I want to make a concerted effort to STOP.  I don’t accept that cancer is now my life.  NO.  Philippians 1:21 says, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  So cancer is not my life; Christ and opportunities for him, are my life.

Today I rededicate myself to healthier living.  I will plan the next week’s menu.  I have to get back to more veggies, lean proteins and complex carbs.

No more pity eating.  No more giving in to sympathy pains in other parts of my body.  No more.  Nope!

Today is the day that I reclaim my life.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Dreaming Disney

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Day 241 in dreaming about Disney and meeting up with Mickey

My dear friends the Carlsons are at Disney World today.  As a matter of fact, they just texted me a photo of them sitting at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.  I can feel myself relax just looking at the photo.  This week I will live vicariously through them.

This is what Jean Carlson had to say about their trip: Heading out in the a.m. to see Mickey for a week at WDW…we’ve planned a little divine purpose into our trip. It has to do with you and your battle against cancer. Every ride we go on will begin with us lifting you up in prayer; strength, healing, and joy in Jesus name. When we see the Mouse in black, we’ll let him know you all are coming in October!

I can’t quit smiling.  That is the sweetest thing.  I am touched beyond words.  So my plan is to hold them up in prayer this week.  I pray they will have a time of relaxation and fun, and they will be blessed each day with the warmth of the sun, the warmth of being with family, the warmth of God smiling on them.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Taking Time to Unwind

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Day 239 in my ambling toward the Magic Kingdom and Mickey         (6 months and 9 days to go)

Well, I went all out yesterday and got my hair cut, treated myself to lunch AND had a manicure.

  1. Marina at JC Penney’s Styling Salon washed and trimmed my hair.  Isn’t it amazing how a haircut can make you feel like a new woman?  It was wonderful pampering.  As I was paying, I noticed they were selling nail polish themed on the new live-action Cinderella.  I bought “Ella of a Girl” which is a light pink and “Watch your Step, Sister” which is a darker pink.  Very Disney and very fun.
  2. Next it was lunch at “On the Border.”  They have a delicious “Tex Mex Cobb” salad.  Yum!  I wanna go back for a repeat!
  3. Finally I went to “Graphic Nails” and had the manicurist put “Ella of a Girl.” on my nails.

**Sigh**  It was a great day of pure pampering.

Today’s plan?  My plan today is to not have a plan for a change.  Just rest up and enjoy my day.  Just me, Kitty and some Disney TV.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Preparing…

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Day 230 in my preparations to get healthier to meet up with Mickey at the Magic Kingdom in October (6 months and 17 days to go)

Today my plan is to tie up some loose ends:

  1. Quick Taco Skillet Casserole–I promised to tell you what I thought of this recipe.  Mike and I really liked it.  It easily made enough for two dinners for the two of us, so we’re having the leftovers tonight.  It is basically glorified Spanish Rice.  But it does use quick brown rice and no added spices, so it didn’t shoot my blood sugar level up.  That is always a win!
  2. Thinking about and planning for our new kitty.  My friend Joan has two cats that fight something fierce.  Mike and I have agreed to give Mary Ann a  home with us, so by this weekend we will have a fuzzy friend living with us.  Pretty excited about that one!
  3. Organize a few more things for the Women’s Retreat (Cafe Chocolat) at our church next month.  I want to get as much ready as possible before my surgery.  (See #4 below)
  4. I see my oncologist tomorrow.  Hopefully after that meeting we can get my surgery scheduled.  The sooner that part is behind me, the better.  Talk about doing something to improve my health, right?  I’m pretty sure my health will improve dramatically when they cut out the cancer!  BTW: I wonder how much a uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries weigh…instant weight loss.  😉  However, I do NOT recommend this type of weight loss!  Honestly, People, if I can’t laugh about this whole thing, then I’ll just cry all the time.  I like laughing much better!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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October Game Plan

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Day 228 in thinking about hanging with Mickey in October

Today’s plan is to think about what I definitely want to experience at the parks in October.

Magic Kingdom (My absolute favorite park!)

  1. Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid
  2. 7 Dwarves Mine Train
  3. Peter Pan’s Flight
  4. Mad Tea Party
  5. Splash Mountain
  6. Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road
  7. Pirates of the Caribbean
  8. The Haunted Mansion
  9. Carousel of Progress
  10. And the best ride ever-It’s a Small World

EPCOT

  1. Soarin’
  2. Spaceship Earth
  3. The Seas with Nemo and Friends
  4. Universe of Energy
  5. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
  6. France’s Movie

Disney Hollywood Studios

  1. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  2. The Great Movie Ride
  3. Muppet Vision 3D
  4. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
  5. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
  6. Toy Story Midway Mania
  7. Voyage of the Little Mermaid
  8. The Magic of Disney Animation

Animal Kingdom

  1. Dinosaur
  2. Festival of the Lion King
  3. Finding Nemo-The Musical
  4. Kali River Rapids
  5. Kilimanjaro Safari
  6. Primeval Whirl

I get so jacked up thinking about it that I can hardly stand it.  And there’s even something that I am more excited about than all of the above: shaking Mickey’s hand and having my picture taken with him.  Woo hoo!

Meet you the Kingdom!

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Snow???

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Day 227 in my slogging toward meeting up with Mickey

Today’s plan is to survive another day. 😄  Today we are getting our “St. Patrick’s Day Storm” a week late. It’s not really so much a storm as it is just plenty of snow. I detest driving in snowy conditions, and I wouldn’t have driven today except for work. So my plan is to get to work. Already accomplished. And to get home from work. Yet to come. AND to make healthy food choices and stay sugar-free. 

As Edith Ann would say, “And that’s the truth!”  (Dated Laugh In reference)

Meet you at the Kingdom!