Pics from Disney

Here are a few pics from my recent trip to Disney...

Movie Review: Confessions of a Shopaholic

Overall I liked this movie. I was a little worried in the beginning because the minute it started you knew it was going to be totally different than the book (and I adored the book!) and that was a disappointment. I'm still disappointed that they didn't follow the book more closely and place the characters in the UK - some of the movie was a little over the top (with the mannequins "speaking" to her, etc.), and her overall personality was more ditzy than the book.

However, I think anyone who had not read the book would find the movie enjoyable and especially hilarious in parts. If you haven't read the book - see the movie first! :)

THE BOOK:

In control

With everything going on in the economy today, it's a true blessing to have a job in a stable company. My husband is just fine since he's in healthcare and they are not so easily foiled by the declining state of our country...however, I am not in the same position.

The retail business is getting hit (and hard) and I'm not sure how much longer we can continue to be beat down and still survive. My particular department may be shut down entirely by the end of the summer.

I know that ultimately God is in control of all, and He knows His plan for me - so I can't be worried. However, I really feel for the hundreds of people that could be effected.

I'm sure everyone out there knows someone right now who's currently unemployed. Please pray for them. I know they and their families would appreciate it.

E-Z Meals....Really! I'm making dinner planning easy!

I just found this most awesome site where I signed up to get a planned out menu (along with shopping list) for only $5 a month. There's also tips on coupons, etc. and many options for different kinds of diets, etc.

I like the fact they let you choose a grocery store too, so your menu will follow their sale dates, but unfortunately Aldi's is the only grocery store in my area until my new SuperWalmart opens up next month!

Here's the link...

Check it out! :)

Cookie Diet

DH (Dear Hubby) is doing the Cookie Diet (Smart for Life's version) and so far it's been 2 days. He was really cranky the first day (who could blame him eating 6 bland cookies, some chicken and veggies for dinner and no dessert!), but seems to be settling into it.

I'm really hoping that this will help me to get through my next 30 pounds considering we won't be going out to eat anymore (or ordering fast food/pizza), so the pounds should just melt off me too! :)

I will keep you updated as to how it goes...

Cheating

While away on vacation I was unfortunately (secretly hypnotized and) convinced that I needed to eat three large meals a day, with snacks to make sure that I had enough energy to do all that walking at Disney. I of course also needed one trip to the Infamous Boston Lobster Company restaurant for all you can eat seafood and had to indulge in desserts because they were "southern" and you just can't eat that kind of dessert up here in the North. (LOL)

So anyway, I gained at least 4 - 6 pounds - not really sure because I weighed myself at odd times, but anyhow, almost a week later I'm still up almost 3 lbs so I couldn't possibly go weigh in at work for our Biggest Loser contest. I mean, that 3 lbs will be gone by next week (because I'm really going to buckle down) and then I'll only owe $2 for missing two weigh-ins instead of having to pay $4 today. It's all just strategic you know...

Well, my cube mate says I am cheating...am I? She says the person that's going to win deserves to win all the money and I'm taking away from that. Well I disagree! :o{) I mean, they're going to get plenty of money why should I contribute more than I need to!??!

Right?????

Vacation review

After being soooo nervous about my trip to Disney - it actually turned out wonderfully. We had a marvelous time and hit 5 parks in 5 days.

We left Friday (the 5th) at 1:00 a.m. which was the perfect time to drive I-95. There was virtually no traffic and because it was raining, no construction (hooray).

We got to Savannah exhausted around 1:00 pm and checked in to LaQuinta. The hotel was very nice and immediately me and the kids jumped in the pool (it was hot out!). We swam for about an hour until rolling clouds came in and it started thunderstorming. I was hoping to get out and see some of Savannah, but even though we tried and went down to Riverstreet, it was just too rainy and miserable to do a "real tour".

We ended up trying to find a place to eat that was local and found a real "country" buffet restaurant (not the chain but a mom & pop place). It was really tasty though I didn't help my diet at all with that meal! LOL Fried Chicken, Fried Catfish, fried okra, turnip greens, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, country dressing, green beans (in bacon), corn on the cob and some other stuff I don't remember. It was so good!

My poor little guy had developed a horrible case of poison ivy (which literally was head to toe), so after running out and buying all kinds of stuff (again), we ended up having to call the doc to get a prescription for a steroid which worked great.

After getting up and having a great breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and followed my BIL & SIL down to their timeshare in Orlando. Very nice place called Westgate Lakes. We ate dinner at the restaurant there, Smokehouse Grill, which was very good and gave too much food! :)

Thankfully, there was a Walmart right down the street so we then went out shopping for groceries (and birthday presents and a cake for my niece). After settling in, we sang Happy Birthday and it was so cute!

Here's our schedule for the week:

Sunday - Animal Kingdom - great park with some really cool things. The Safari and Expedition Everest were my favorites.

Monday - Epcot - Soarin' was the best ride I think I've ever been on; what an experience...then the Test Track where you're in a little car that goes fast!

Tuesday - Hollywood Studios - Toy Story Mania was my fave, with the Studio Backlot tour coming in 2nd. This park was extremely crowded though and one of the hottest days!

Wednesday - Magic Kingdom - By far the busiest park, and it was sooo hot that of course Splash Mountain was top of the faves list. Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor was the best too - there was so much there it's totally my favorite park. We stayed for the fireworks finale which was just beautiful with the music and story....awesome.

Thursday - Islands of Adventure (Universal Parks) - This had two phenomenal water rides, which was great for such a hot day (95 F), the Popeye's Barge and Ripshaw falls. I really liked Spiderman too, even though it broke down the first time on us but they let us ride again. Jurassic Park was also down for awhile, but we did get to do it. Universal wasn't as organized as Disney (or clean), and seemed to have problems with not only the rides, but also moving people in and out (this goes for both their parks).

Friday - Universal Studios - I'd been to this one before (like Epcot), but didn't remember much. Of course these parks have expanded so there's more here than 12 years ago. I loved the Simpson's ride the best even though I don't care for the TV show - my husband couldn't ride cuz' it's one of those motion type rides (he gets sick), but me and the kids had a blast! We also loved most all the other rides too - this was a great park. We got the meal plan which worked out for us and paid $74 for all of us to eat all day.

Saturday we left and drove all the way to Emporia, then came the rest of the way on Sunday. Lots of traffic and accidents on I-95, we actually had to detour a couple times, but made it back safely! :)

As soon as I get some pics, I'll upload them.

Away on Vacation

I will be away from Friday, June 5th to Tuesday (probably), June 16th. I will not be blogging while I'm away, I'll be soaking up the muggy hot sun in FL and running my kids all over Orlando to the parks! :)

Meanwhile, pray for my sanity while I pack....

I feel sick....

I'm so stressed and overwhelmed thinking about the trip...we've decided to leave Friday morning about 1am, so I'm in a rush to get packed, my kids last week of school is here and they have lots of tests I need to help them with, piano lessons on Wednesday, Awards night is Thursday, the house is a disaster, and I'm sick with stress.

Ugghhhh!!!!

Dear God,

Please take away my anxiety and replace it with peace.

Thank you!!

C