Misc. Disney Photos

Date Night

Tonight Michael and Melissa had a date night to Downtown Disney, so Luke and I took a boat ride to Fort Wilderness Campground.  We met up with Amy Tippit there.  First there was playtime with Chip and Dale, then S'mores and a Sing Along with Cowboy Bob.  The evening ended with an outdoor movie: Tangled. 



Day 5 - Back to Magic Kingdom

Today we had the whole day to finish the Magic Kingdom attractions.  This afternoon Luke became a pirate at the Pirate League!  What fun!



Day 4 - Animal Kingdom

Today felt like a day in the woods.  I loved being so close to the animals.We started with the Kilimanjaro Safari, then went on to Camp Minnie/Mickey, a train ride to the Conservation Station and a visit to the Tree of Life. We had front row seats for the Festival of the Lion King.  I have come down with a bad cold, so ended up leaving early to go back to the hotel to rest.  I hated to miss the Kali River Rapids and the Dinosaur ride.

 

Day 3 - Hollywood Studios

An incredibly fun day!!  I loved the Great Movie Ride and the Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show was spectacular.  We all enjoyed the Backlot Studio Tour where you are a part of some action scenes.  The best part of the day was when Luke participated in the Jedi Training Academy and was able to fight Darth Vader with a light saber.

Lunch was at Hollywood and Vine where we had our first Character Dining



Hidden Mickeys

One thing we all had fun with was finding hidden Mickeys... here are a few we found:

Day 2 - Epcot

This is my favorite of all the parks and we caught it at a good time.  The Epcot International Flower and garden Festival was in full swing with some incredible topiaries!

Day 1 was fabulous!!

After meeting Melissa, Michael and Luke at the airport, we took the Disney Magic Express to our resort... the Port Orleans French Quarter.  We checked in, had lunch, picked up the scooter I had rented and headed for the Magic Kingdom.  We only had time for about a third of the attractions, but we will return to the Magic Kingdom on Thursday.
We had supper in Tomorrowland, visited a few more attractions, then headed back to the resort for the evening.  When we got there they were showing an outdoor movie, The Princess and the Frog, in the courtyard right outside of our room.  Luke was able to watch it from the doorway.  There will be a different movie each night.

Magic Kindom... Finally there!!!

First character sighting: Peter Pan and Wendy.  First ride: Mad Tea Party.

I've arrived in Orlando!

I spent the night at Days Inn, and will leave soon to meet Melissa, Michael and Luke at the airport.  We will take the Disney Express to the Port Orleans French Quarter to check-in and get lunch.  The we'll be off to the Magic Kingdom!!

Because I am having so much trouble with my knees, I have rented a scooter for the week.  I am sure it will help.

Meeting interesting people

On the flight to Atlanta I sat next to a lady with a 16 month old baby girl.  Across the aisle was her husband and 2 children under 6.  They are on their way to visit grandma in Ontario.  While sitting in the Atlanta airport,  I met a group of college students also traveling to Orlando.   They taught me how to play "Draw Something" on my phone. One of the girls is knitting a pair of pants!

On my way!

I'm sitting at the gate in the Pensacola airport.   Will fly to Atlanta to catch my flight to Orlando!! 

1 WEEK AWAY!!

Here are the plans for our Disney Celebration for Luke's 5th Birthday.  It will be magical!!

10 days to Disney!

Wow!  When I started this blog 10 months ago, the trip to Disney World seemed so far away... but the time has flown by and we are just 10 days away.

My excitement was overshadowed today by the sudden death of one of my dogs.  Lefty has been with us 9 years.  She developed a huge mass in her abdomen and had emergency surgery.  The mass involved too many organs to save her.  I miss her terribly already.

Starting Again!!

Yes, I am back and restarting.  The good news is that I didn't gain back ALL of the weight I had lost... only a little of it.  The bad news is I am WAY behind schedule on what I wanted to lose by March.  So my goal right now is to get into the best shape possible, as far as eating and activity go, before March 17.

Last night I joined a group of ladies at church in starting the Daniel Plan!  The goal is Glorifying God in the way we eat, move, and think!  The Daniel Plan focuses on "The Simple Six" Core Principles, including the following:
CONNECT for Success - Get in touch with your health and with others!
RELY on God's Power - Willpower is not enough. You need God's power.
EAT Delicious Whole Foods - Imagine the Garden of Eden as your food source.
MOVE Your Way to Health - Get going. The more exercise, the more energy!
THINK Sharper and Smarter - Better brain health = better life!
HEAL for Life - Make a game plan for permanent changes that heal

I am excited about being back on track and having a support group to do it with.

Give Yourself the Best Gift Challenge Update

This challenge is called the "Give Yourself The Best Gift" challenge, this challenge will run from Sunday September 18, 2011 until Saturday December 31, 2011. The point of this challenge is to be mindful all through the Fall and the Holiday Season ahead, be mindful of what you really want. Do you want good health, or do you want second helpings of that holiday feast? Do you want to see some weight loss, or do you want to eat a third piece of fudge? You get the idea. Join the challenge on the “Less of Me, More of Him” blog.

My Statement:

"This Holiday Season, I want to give myself the gift of healthy habits for a lifetime. I will stay consistent until the actions listed below become habit. I will give myself the behavioral/emotional change that will help me overcome the vices and bad habits that prevent me from experiencing a completely healthy lifestyle. As a result, I will have the gift of a thinner fit body; a more active lifestyle; and a longer life.”

This week, nothing's changed. I refuse to quit, but life keeps throwing me curve balls. My best friend lost her 2nd son last week, which was very emotional for me. I was with her for the wake and funeral and then trying to keep her spirits up afterwards. Then this weekend was our 35-year class reunion... another emotional event. Between extreme emotions and lots of stress, I lost sight of my goals. So I am once again going into the new week with the same plan....

This week I did not stay with the action points that I laid out at the start of this challenge. But I will not quit!!! This week I am renewing my commitment to my action points and will post SparkPeople reports documenting my daily calories, exercise and water consumption!

My 7 action points:

1. Each day I will read from “The Traveler's Gift – Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success” by Andy Andrews, and journal a response for each reading at http://the7decisionschallenge.blogspot.com/
2. I will keep my calories under 11,000 each week. This is approx. 1600 calories a day. My daily meal plans will include at least 5 servings of fruits/veggies per day.
3. I will make the time to exercise for at least 180 minutes each week.
4. I will track calories eaten and calories burned daily on SparkPeople.com
5. I will stay hydrated aiming for 64 ounces (or more) of water each day.
6. Every week I will post to my blog at least 3 times, including challenge update posts. I will also visit at least 3 other challenger's blogs and leave supportive comments.
7. I will stay consistent with these goals for the entire length of the challenge without yo-yoing!

CHRISTMAS DRESS COUNTDOWN CHALLENGE

Last week I wrote:
I am worried... I've lost motivation, not being consistent, and just playing at doing the right things.  I eat right... sometimes, I work out... sometimes, I drink enough water... sometimes.  And as I play around with it, time is passing... FAST!!  I want my drive back!  I am tired of having good intentions, but not following through with the plan.

This week, nothing's changed.  I refuse to quit, but life keeps throwing me curve balls.  My best friend lost her 2nd son last week, which was very emotional for me.  I was with her for the wake and funeral and then trying to keep her spirits up afterwards.  Then this weekend was our 35-year class reunion... another emotional event.  Between extreme emotions and lots of stress, I lost sight of my goals.  So I am once again going into the new week with the same plan (Just moved last weeks post up and edited)


This week I did not follow the goals laid out at the start of this challenge.  But I will not quit!!! Here is my plan for the coming week for each of  my weekly goals:

1500 to 1600 calories per day with at least 5 servings of vegetables daily.  I will log my foods on SparkPeople this week and post a screen shot of the weekly report here next week for accountability!

Exercise a minimum of 3x a week, but I am shooting for 5 times per week.   I will go to Curves at least 3 days (they are only open 5 days a week), on alternate days I will workout at home to DVDs, and will log my exercises on SparkPeople and post a screen shot of the weekly report here next week.

Be consistent with healthy challenge habits. I will do it this week!!

Hydrate sufficiently. I will stay hydrated aiming for 64 ounces (or more) of water each day.   I have my water bottles filled and in the fridge... I will also log my water consumption on SparkPeople and post the report here next week.

Choose 1 (or more) books and work on your main obstacle-to-losing issue(s). I am reading from “The Traveler's Gift – Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success” by Andy Andrews.  I will post responses to daily readings on my "The Traveler's Gift Challenge" blog.

Every week I will post to my blog at least 3 times, including the challenge update post on Sundays.   This week I will post a daily update!

Link up to your weekly updates. It will be done today and every week!!

Every week I will visit at least 3 other challenger's blogs and leave supportive comments.  I will do this daily!!

This week I will get back on track!!!

Give Yourself the Best Gift Challenge Update

This challenge is called the "Give Yourself The Best Gift" challenge, this challenge will run from Sunday September 18, 2011 until Saturday December 31, 2011. The point of this challenge is to be mindful all through the Fall and the Holiday Season ahead, be mindful of what you really want. Do you want good health, or do you want second helpings of that holiday feast? Do you want to see some weight loss, or do you want to eat a third piece of fudge? You get the idea. Join the challenge on the “Less of Me, More of Him” blog.

My Statement:

"This Holiday Season, I want to give myself the gift of healthy habits for a lifetime. I will stay consistent until the actions listed below become habit. I will give myself the behavioral/emotional change that will help me overcome the vices and bad habits that prevent me from experiencing a completely healthy lifestyle. As a result, I will have the gift of a thinner fit body; a more active lifestyle; and a longer life.”

My 7 action points:

1. Each day I will read from “The Traveler's Gift – Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success” by Andy Andrews, and journal a response for each reading at http://the7decisionschallenge.blogspot.com/
2. I will keep my calories under 11,000 each week. This is approx. 1600 calories a day. My daily meal plans will include at least 5 servings of fruits/veggies per day.
3. I will make the time to exercise for at least 180 minutes each week.
4. I will track calories eaten and calories burned daily on SparkPeople.com
5. I will stay hydrated aiming for 64 ounces (or more) of water each day.
6. Every week I will post to my blog at least 3 times, including challenge update posts. I will also visit at least 3 other challenger's blogs and leave supportive comments.
7. I will stay consistent with these goals for the entire length of the challenge without yo-yoing!

This was a much better week!!  I am back down 3 pounds to 270 again!  So glad to be losing again!

CHRISTMAS DRESS COUNTDOWN CHALLENGE - Week 4

Yay!!!  Down 3 pounds to 270!!  Back on my way down again.   

Here is how I did on my weekly goals:

1500 to 1600 calories per day with at least 5 servings of vegetables daily.  Did it!!

Exercise a minimum of 3x a week, but I am shooting for 5 times per week.   Worked out 5 times... knew I had to catch up.

Be consistent with healthy challenge habits. Did it!!

Hydrate sufficiently. I will stay hydrated aiming for 64 ounces (or more) of water each day.   Did it!!

Choose 1 (or more) books and work on your main obstacle-to-losing issue(s).   I am reading from “The Traveler's Gift – Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success” by Andy Andrews.  No time to read this week, though.

Every week I will post to my blog at least 3 times, including the challenge update post on Sundays.   No time to post more than this challenge.

Link up to your weekly updates.   It will be done today!!

Every week I will visit at least 3 other challenger's blogs and leave supportive comments.  I visited from my smart phone but couldn't comment.

Give Yourself the Best Gift Challenge Update

This challenge is called the "Give Yourself The Best Gift" challenge, this challenge will run from Sunday September 18, 2011 until Saturday December 31, 2011. The point of this challenge is to be mindful all through the Fall and the Holiday Season ahead, be mindful of what you really want. Do you want good health, or do you want second helpings of that holiday feast? Do you want to see some weight loss, or do you want to eat a third piece of fudge? You get the idea. Join the challenge on the “Less of Me, More of Him” blog.

My Statement:

"This Holiday Season, I want to give myself the gift of healthy habits for a lifetime. I will stay consistent until the actions listed below become habit. I will give myself the behavioral/emotional change that will help me overcome the vices and bad habits that prevent me from experiencing a completely healthy lifestyle. As a result, I will have the gift of a thinner fit body; a more active lifestyle; and a longer life.”

My 7 action points:

1. Each day I will read from “The Traveler's Gift – Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success” by Andy Andrews, and journal a response for each reading at http://the7decisionschallenge.blogspot.com/
2. I will keep my calories under 11,000 each week. This is approx. 1600 calories a day. My daily meal plans will include at least 5 servings of fruits/veggies per day.
3. I will make the time to exercise for at least 180 minutes each week.
4. I will track calories eaten and calories burned daily on SparkPeople.com
5. I will stay hydrated aiming for 64 ounces (or more) of water each day.
6. Every week I will post to my blog at least 3 times, including challenge update posts. I will also visit at least 3 other challenger's blogs and leave supportive comments.
7. I will stay consistent with these goals for the entire length of the challenge without yo-yoing!

I failed this week on ALL of my action points!  I had a 1 pound gain... now I am up to 273 pounds.  I am going in the wrong direction, but I do know why, and I know how to fix it. 

I used my trip to Florida and catching up from the trip as a reason to go off plan and stay off plan.  How crazy was that??  Soooo...I went grocery shopping yesterday and restocked my kitchen with healthy, low fat foods: whole grains, sugar-free, lots of fruits and veggies, fish and chicken breasts!  I plan on going to Curves every morning this week... be there when the doors open.  And I am going to drink my weight in water!!  I am so angry with myself!  I have great reasons for losing weight and want to get back to meeting my goals.  No more finding reasons to fail.