Happy Easter, everybody! While I am waiting for my potatoes to bake in the oven so that I can make twice baked potatoes, I thought I'd get back to blogging about making travel plans for Disney. Once you arrive at the airport you have two main choices, as I see it. You can rent a car or you can rely on Disney's Magical Express. The first time we went, we rented a car; the second time we drove our own minivan the whole way down. This time we will use Disney transportation. At least 10 days before your flight, (AllEars.net recommends at least six weeks before your flight), contact Disney at 407-W-DISNEY and inform them of the name of your airline, your flight number, and your arrival time into Orlando. You can also let them know your departure information. You will receive special luggage tags in the mail that you place on each of your bags so that the Disney staff will know which bags to take from the baggage claim area once you arrive in Orlando. This means YOU get to bypass baggage claim and go straight to the Disney Airport Welcome Center where you will board a motor coach which will take you to your resort. Disney staff (cast members) will then deliver your luggage to your room for you. If your flight arrives after 10 p.m., however, you will need to gather your own luggage. This way you will have immediate access to it once you reach your resort.
If you choose not to rent a car during your stay, you can use Disney transportation to get from your resort to the parks and back, your resort to another resort and back, and even to Downtown Disney. Depending on where you choose to stay, you may have the option of using a boat, monorail, and/or the bus. If you are depending on Disney transportation, like we are this time, you can still easily rent a car for one or two days if you want to venture away from the parks. You may want to visit Universal Studios, Sea World, or even Kennedy Space Center. MouseSavers.com has a great web page that details options for renting a car once you've arrived at WDW.
Have you opted to rent a car so that you don't have to depend on the bus or the monorail? You will feel a bit freer to plan your days, but you will have that added expense (which is why we are choosing to forgo the car this year). Located in terminals A and B of the Orlando International Airport are the major car rental companies. There is no need to have a shuttle transport you to any of these. Some of the companies are Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. (We rented from Thrifty when we went to Disneyland in California last year and were very happy with that experience.)
The size of the vehicle you rent and how long you will be using it will determine your cost. Most companies have specials listed on their websites. You can also sign up to receive emails about specials they may be running. Some, like National, have huge discounts if your trip is within just a couple of weeks of the special they're offering. Some also have free membership programs that can fetch you a deal. You can also find coupons in various places such as the Entertainment Book. Whatever you do, DON'T PAY FULL PRICE FOR A RENTAL!! There are so many companies vying for your business that you really can get a great rate if you are willing to shop around and watch for the latest specials.
We got an added bonus when we went to California last year. I got the best rate on a vehicle I could find. When we got there, the Thrifty employee asked us if we'd be willing to drive a Ford Edge with Arizona plates on it since we were planning on flying home from Arizona. The edge was an upgrade and would have been a lot more expensive, but he was willing to give it to us for the same price. Would we mind? Of course not! It was a nice surprise. I almost didn't believe him. I figured there had to be some catch, but there wasn't. We were just doing them a favor.
So, it's up to you. If you are a planner and don't deal well with things out of your control, like how long it may take to get back to your resort after a long, hot day at the park, rent a car. If you are willing to be completely laid back and don't care how long anything might take, forgo the car and use Disney transportation. If you plan to go when the parks are not crowded, Disney transportation may be a breeze. It all works together. Make sure you plan what will be best for you and your family.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Unfolding another Good Disney Movie
I love free stuff! Have I said that before? I joined Disney Movie Rewards a couple of years ago. When you buy Disney movies that have a small red star that says, "Disney Movie Rewards," in the lower left hand corner of the DVD case, there is a sheet of paper inside the case that has a reward code on it. You can also enter information from your ticket stub for certain Disney movies that you see in the theater. You, then, get reward points which you can redeem for free items. There are figurines, posters, keychains, and more, but my personal favorite is the free movies. I just recently received three free movies with the points I had accumulated.
One of the movies is called The Other Side of Heaven. It stars Anne Hathaway and Christopher Gorham. I didn't know anything about this movie when I chose it, but it was free so at least I wouldn't be out any money if I didn't like it. I just watched it today. It is the true story of John Groberg, a missionary to Tonga. I'm always a bit leery when "Hollywood" makes a movie about a missionary. It turns out this movie was well made. I don't think I want my kids to see it because there are some issues that Groberg deals with that aren't appropriate for young children, such as cultural norms that are discussed or a couple of gory situations. I appreciated the fact, though, that Disney wasn't at all afraid to let the story of Christ be told or show a missionary who wasn't afraid to stand by his convictions no matter what situation presented itself. A couple of times I was sure the movie was going to end in tragedy. I wasn't familiar with Groberg's story, so I found myself praying he'd make it back home. I really enjoyed this movie. So, if you are looking for an inspirational, clean movie, I recommend The Other Side of Heaven.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Unfolding a Garden
We are moving!! Sometime...maybe next year around this time...hopefully. I have an issue with being decisive. How about this? We want to move next year around this time. We met with Sherry Tom on Tuesday night who is a Century 21 agent and friend of ours to see how much our house is worth and find out what we have to do to get our current house ready to sell. We have to paint most of the interior of the house and mulch the backyard. Mulch is the preferred covering since grass doesn't grow in our backyard. I guess if we hadn't dug down 12 feet so that our yard would be flat we might be able to grow grass back there. It's doubtful, since we have trouble keeping it alive in our front yard. We just don't have the green thumb that our neighbors have. Hey, but we have a pool! Hopefully that'll be a selling point.
Why are we moving you ask? We want to buy a small farm, a farmette. Why a farmette? I would like to have a huge garden to grow all the things I love to eat. You may have noticed the contradiction - I don't have a green thumb, but I want to grow a garden. Did you read my blog when I talked about how I'm a visionary? This is probably another case in point. I think once I got it started and scheduled the time to get out into it to plant and weed and water, etc., I could be good at it, though. Once I saw the fruits, or vegetables, of my labor, I'd get excited and want to do it the next year.
We also would like more land than the 0.2 acres we have now. Why? I don't really know. Paige wants a horse. She is a visionary, too!! LOL! That horse will probably never materialize. The kids all want a dog, but I don't like cleaning up dog poop. They say they'll do it. We all know how long that will last. Maybe if we get enough land, the dog can do what he needs to do at the back end of the property, no pun intended, and it won't need cleaned as often. We came from 2 acres, but it was a bowl of unusable land. We will be looking for something relatively flat.
I will post my progress of readying this house. It should be interesting to watch what happens from the first stages of painting to the packing to the sign going in the front yard to finding the house we want and then the move. I'm glad we have a year. This is probably the best planning we've ever done in our almost 17 years of marriage.
Why are we moving you ask? We want to buy a small farm, a farmette. Why a farmette? I would like to have a huge garden to grow all the things I love to eat. You may have noticed the contradiction - I don't have a green thumb, but I want to grow a garden. Did you read my blog when I talked about how I'm a visionary? This is probably another case in point. I think once I got it started and scheduled the time to get out into it to plant and weed and water, etc., I could be good at it, though. Once I saw the fruits, or vegetables, of my labor, I'd get excited and want to do it the next year.
We also would like more land than the 0.2 acres we have now. Why? I don't really know. Paige wants a horse. She is a visionary, too!! LOL! That horse will probably never materialize. The kids all want a dog, but I don't like cleaning up dog poop. They say they'll do it. We all know how long that will last. Maybe if we get enough land, the dog can do what he needs to do at the back end of the property, no pun intended, and it won't need cleaned as often. We came from 2 acres, but it was a bowl of unusable land. We will be looking for something relatively flat.
I will post my progress of readying this house. It should be interesting to watch what happens from the first stages of painting to the packing to the sign going in the front yard to finding the house we want and then the move. I'm glad we have a year. This is probably the best planning we've ever done in our almost 17 years of marriage.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Unfolding Organization
I was asked by a first-year homeschooling mom to post something about organization, but when people mention my organizational skills I laugh so hard I cry. Well, at least on the inside. It would probably be rude to laugh in front of them. Maybe I shouldn't feel that way, but I don't think I have any organizational skills. Organization is definitely not a gift OR ability God gave to me. I love to research and teach; these are my gifts.
However, I will try to give you an idea of what I do. As I have thought about writing this, I have already come up with things that may help me. You probably already do these things, but for me it will be a new experience.
I work 39 hours a week as a medical language specialist (aka medical transcriptionist), and I homeschool our three kids. I also teach two classes at our homeschool co-op on Fridays and lead a 4H project one Thursday a month. I write my blog. I sometimes teach Sunday school. I sometimes sell on eBay. I try to get laundry and dishes done. Have you ever read an ingredient list on a packaged food product? The ingredient that is most abundant is listed first; the item that is least is last. That is how my list of my activities is ordered. Do you notice what is last? The house. That is what gets done when I have time or when it absolutely has to be done, like when we have no spoons to use to eat our cereal in the morning or the kids begin to say, "Mom, I have no clean pants." You may wonder where in that list are the things I do for me such as reading or crafting. The time spent doing these things is negligible so they aren't even included. LOL. I'm just kidding. I get around to doing at least one thing I enjoy at least once a week...sometimes. I digress.
For my job, I keep to the same schedule every week. This ensures that my work gets done. I'm sure if I didn't have a schedule I'd be working 39 hours straight starting Friday at 12:01 a.m. in order to get done by Saturday midnight. I also schedule school. It fits in between my morning and afternoon hours of work. My preparation for co-op and 4H happens usually in the evenings before I start working at night. So, it seems that I am organized to a point, and it is because all those things are scheduled.
Perhaps scheduling is the key to organization? It seems to work in order to accomplish all of those tasks. I will try scheduling the rest of them. Maybe Monday becomes laundry day, and Tuesday becomes a day of vacuuming. Of course, the kids can help with these things. I can't be expected to do all of the chores (refer to previous post on the chore chart). I have also decided to create a to-do list. This is the thing that most of you probably already have. I'm a little slow. :-(
A few months back, I finally realized that because of my aging brain, or because I just have too many things to do, I need to write all of our activities and appointments down on a calendar so that I don't forget anything. It works. If I write down all of the other things that need done, maybe they will get done, too. I'm one of those people who thinks of everything that needs done and feels so overwhelmed that I don't do anything. I think I would function better if I could check things off of a list. When one thing is erased, the list would then become smaller and feel less unsurmountable.
I will write my lists and mark my calendars and let you know how it goes. Maybe when someone asks me in the future how I can be so organized I won't laugh but will be happy to share my secrets.
However, I will try to give you an idea of what I do. As I have thought about writing this, I have already come up with things that may help me. You probably already do these things, but for me it will be a new experience.
I work 39 hours a week as a medical language specialist (aka medical transcriptionist), and I homeschool our three kids. I also teach two classes at our homeschool co-op on Fridays and lead a 4H project one Thursday a month. I write my blog. I sometimes teach Sunday school. I sometimes sell on eBay. I try to get laundry and dishes done. Have you ever read an ingredient list on a packaged food product? The ingredient that is most abundant is listed first; the item that is least is last. That is how my list of my activities is ordered. Do you notice what is last? The house. That is what gets done when I have time or when it absolutely has to be done, like when we have no spoons to use to eat our cereal in the morning or the kids begin to say, "Mom, I have no clean pants." You may wonder where in that list are the things I do for me such as reading or crafting. The time spent doing these things is negligible so they aren't even included. LOL. I'm just kidding. I get around to doing at least one thing I enjoy at least once a week...sometimes. I digress.
For my job, I keep to the same schedule every week. This ensures that my work gets done. I'm sure if I didn't have a schedule I'd be working 39 hours straight starting Friday at 12:01 a.m. in order to get done by Saturday midnight. I also schedule school. It fits in between my morning and afternoon hours of work. My preparation for co-op and 4H happens usually in the evenings before I start working at night. So, it seems that I am organized to a point, and it is because all those things are scheduled.
Perhaps scheduling is the key to organization? It seems to work in order to accomplish all of those tasks. I will try scheduling the rest of them. Maybe Monday becomes laundry day, and Tuesday becomes a day of vacuuming. Of course, the kids can help with these things. I can't be expected to do all of the chores (refer to previous post on the chore chart). I have also decided to create a to-do list. This is the thing that most of you probably already have. I'm a little slow. :-(
A few months back, I finally realized that because of my aging brain, or because I just have too many things to do, I need to write all of our activities and appointments down on a calendar so that I don't forget anything. It works. If I write down all of the other things that need done, maybe they will get done, too. I'm one of those people who thinks of everything that needs done and feels so overwhelmed that I don't do anything. I think I would function better if I could check things off of a list. When one thing is erased, the list would then become smaller and feel less unsurmountable.
I will write my lists and mark my calendars and let you know how it goes. Maybe when someone asks me in the future how I can be so organized I won't laugh but will be happy to share my secrets.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Unfolding a Disney Vacation, Part IV - Flying
Just sprinkle the pixie dust and you're off! Oh, wait. Call Dumbo. Maybe he can get you there. Hmmm. You'd think a trip to Disney would give you access to some of those flying characters. That would make getting there a little easier. Until imaginary characters become an option for travel arrangements, we must choose another means of transportation. I will try to detail some of your choices for airline travel. I am not an expert on this, as I have only flown Southwest into Orlando for reasons I will detail below, but I will do some research so that you know what is available.
There are quite a few options for flying into Orlando (MCO airport code). Airlines that fly into Orlando that are most likely to be accessed by people living in the continental US include AirTran, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, United, US Airways, Virgin America,and Virgin-Atlantic, to name a few. There are international flights and other smaller airlines that fly into Orlando as well. I have provided the link to each airline. Just click on the name of the airline to go to their website.
Now, each airline has its own rules as far as paying for your luggage to fly, how far in advance you can make reservations, check-in arrangements, etc. We have flown Southwest in the past because they do not charge you for your first 2 checked bags, and their prices are some of the least expensive around. They have a "Ding" widget you can place on your computer and an app for the iPhone that informs you of current deals based on where you live and the destinations you choose. You can find them by going to the Southwest savings page. They post their airfare 6 months in advance, and you can sometimes find one-way flights for as low as $49. These are usually the "Wanna Get Away" deals and are not refundable. So, be sure you want to travel on the specific dates you choose.
American Airlines charges $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second bag as do United, US Airways, and Delta. AirTran charges $20 and $25. Frontier charges $20 and $20. JetBlue does not charge for the first bag but charges $35 dollars for the second bag. This airline could be a good choice, especially if you have small children who wouldn't need a lot of room in a suitcase for their clothing. You could use the excess room for souvenirs and not have to pay for a second piece of luggage on the way home. If you do choose to take an extra suitcase for souvenirs, try to make sure it is a suitcase that can fit inside another one so that you aren't paying for that bag both ways, especially since it'll be empty on the way down. In my previous post where I talked about accommodations, I mentioned that some rooms have a washer and dryer. Some resorts also have laundry facilities available even if your room does not have them. With the ability to do laundry just once during your stay, the need for more than one bag per person can be reduced.
Seeing as there are so many options when it comes to airfare, I suggest you begin looking at the different airlines' websites to get an idea of up-front fees and decide what you are unwilling to pay for, such as baggage. Your location will also determine what airline you cannot fly on. I live in Pittsburgh, so Virgin airlines are not a possibility since they don't fly into Pittsburgh. Once you've narrowed your search, try the widgets and savings apps for each airline left on your list. You'll most likely get the best prices through these programs. Otherwise, starting about 6 months out from your planned travel, begin checking the websites of your top choices almost daily by inputting your itinerary. I have gotten great deals in the morning which are gone by the afternoon. It pays to check back often.
You can also go to websites like Expedia or Orbitz and input your information. You will then get a list of all airlines and flights, including the number of stops the flights make, how long the layovers are, and prices. I usually just check Southwest, though. I trust their quality. I know I'll get a great deal at some point if I am persistent, and I am familiar with their check-in policy. That reminds me...whichever airline you choose, become familiar with their boarding procedure. You may be required to check-in online (this could give you a better seat if it is open seating than if you waited to check in at the airport). You may be required to print out your boarding pass. Just check the airlines' websites for additional information.
There are quite a few options for flying into Orlando (MCO airport code). Airlines that fly into Orlando that are most likely to be accessed by people living in the continental US include AirTran, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, United, US Airways, Virgin America,and Virgin-Atlantic, to name a few. There are international flights and other smaller airlines that fly into Orlando as well. I have provided the link to each airline. Just click on the name of the airline to go to their website.
Now, each airline has its own rules as far as paying for your luggage to fly, how far in advance you can make reservations, check-in arrangements, etc. We have flown Southwest in the past because they do not charge you for your first 2 checked bags, and their prices are some of the least expensive around. They have a "Ding" widget you can place on your computer and an app for the iPhone that informs you of current deals based on where you live and the destinations you choose. You can find them by going to the Southwest savings page. They post their airfare 6 months in advance, and you can sometimes find one-way flights for as low as $49. These are usually the "Wanna Get Away" deals and are not refundable. So, be sure you want to travel on the specific dates you choose.
American Airlines charges $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second bag as do United, US Airways, and Delta. AirTran charges $20 and $25. Frontier charges $20 and $20. JetBlue does not charge for the first bag but charges $35 dollars for the second bag. This airline could be a good choice, especially if you have small children who wouldn't need a lot of room in a suitcase for their clothing. You could use the excess room for souvenirs and not have to pay for a second piece of luggage on the way home. If you do choose to take an extra suitcase for souvenirs, try to make sure it is a suitcase that can fit inside another one so that you aren't paying for that bag both ways, especially since it'll be empty on the way down. In my previous post where I talked about accommodations, I mentioned that some rooms have a washer and dryer. Some resorts also have laundry facilities available even if your room does not have them. With the ability to do laundry just once during your stay, the need for more than one bag per person can be reduced.
Seeing as there are so many options when it comes to airfare, I suggest you begin looking at the different airlines' websites to get an idea of up-front fees and decide what you are unwilling to pay for, such as baggage. Your location will also determine what airline you cannot fly on. I live in Pittsburgh, so Virgin airlines are not a possibility since they don't fly into Pittsburgh. Once you've narrowed your search, try the widgets and savings apps for each airline left on your list. You'll most likely get the best prices through these programs. Otherwise, starting about 6 months out from your planned travel, begin checking the websites of your top choices almost daily by inputting your itinerary. I have gotten great deals in the morning which are gone by the afternoon. It pays to check back often.
You can also go to websites like Expedia or Orbitz and input your information. You will then get a list of all airlines and flights, including the number of stops the flights make, how long the layovers are, and prices. I usually just check Southwest, though. I trust their quality. I know I'll get a great deal at some point if I am persistent, and I am familiar with their check-in policy. That reminds me...whichever airline you choose, become familiar with their boarding procedure. You may be required to check-in online (this could give you a better seat if it is open seating than if you waited to check in at the airport). You may be required to print out your boarding pass. Just check the airlines' websites for additional information.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Words of the Day
Today, I decided to define two words.
1. grace: the free and unmerited favor of God
2. mercy: leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person charged with administering justice
(These definitions came from google.com)
The reason I chose these words is because last Sunday, while listening to a friend teach the Junior High Sunday School class, he talked about Rahab, who was a prostitute in the book of Joshua, who was shown grace and mercy by God. This caused me to think about other people in the Bible who were, by today's standards, completely sinful yet were accepted into God's family in spite of everything they had done in their lives.
Even though Rahab had been living a life where she was regularly selling herself, God used her to hide the spies who were sent to scout out the Promised Land. We later see her in the genealogy of Jesus Christ himself. She had been forgiven.
Do you know the story of King David? He was already married, but he committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed to try to cover up his sin, yet David is regarded as one of the godliest men in Scripture. How can that be? God showed him grace and mercy. He deserved to die for his sins, but God knew what was in his heart. We can read in Psalm 51 David's prayer to God, asking forgiveness for his sins, asking God to cleanse him. This is what God requires - a penitent heart.
Think about the Apostle Paul. He was a horrible, horrible person. He persecuted Christians. He had them arrested and even gave his approval to the stoning of Stephen. On the way to Damascus to arrest more Christians, he had an encounter with God. He was shown grace and mercy. He was forgiven. God knew what a powerful witness he would have and what great things could be done through him for the Kingdom of God. Paul, however, was humble as a Christian. He gave God all the glory for what his life had become.
We all do things in our lives which separate us from God. In God's eyes, one sin is no worse than another. The only sin that could truly separate us from God's love forever is never accepting His GIFT of salvation. A gift implies that it is free. We can never earn it. On the flip side, there is nothing we can ever do that is so repulsive to God that He would turn His back on us. The Scriptures are full of people who have been accepted into God's family despite all the things they have done. Don't let your past be your stumbling block. Don't miss out on the richness and joy of a life with Christ.
1. grace: the free and unmerited favor of God
2. mercy: leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person charged with administering justice
(These definitions came from google.com)
The reason I chose these words is because last Sunday, while listening to a friend teach the Junior High Sunday School class, he talked about Rahab, who was a prostitute in the book of Joshua, who was shown grace and mercy by God. This caused me to think about other people in the Bible who were, by today's standards, completely sinful yet were accepted into God's family in spite of everything they had done in their lives.
Even though Rahab had been living a life where she was regularly selling herself, God used her to hide the spies who were sent to scout out the Promised Land. We later see her in the genealogy of Jesus Christ himself. She had been forgiven.
Do you know the story of King David? He was already married, but he committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed to try to cover up his sin, yet David is regarded as one of the godliest men in Scripture. How can that be? God showed him grace and mercy. He deserved to die for his sins, but God knew what was in his heart. We can read in Psalm 51 David's prayer to God, asking forgiveness for his sins, asking God to cleanse him. This is what God requires - a penitent heart.
Think about the Apostle Paul. He was a horrible, horrible person. He persecuted Christians. He had them arrested and even gave his approval to the stoning of Stephen. On the way to Damascus to arrest more Christians, he had an encounter with God. He was shown grace and mercy. He was forgiven. God knew what a powerful witness he would have and what great things could be done through him for the Kingdom of God. Paul, however, was humble as a Christian. He gave God all the glory for what his life had become.
We all do things in our lives which separate us from God. In God's eyes, one sin is no worse than another. The only sin that could truly separate us from God's love forever is never accepting His GIFT of salvation. A gift implies that it is free. We can never earn it. On the flip side, there is nothing we can ever do that is so repulsive to God that He would turn His back on us. The Scriptures are full of people who have been accepted into God's family despite all the things they have done. Don't let your past be your stumbling block. Don't miss out on the richness and joy of a life with Christ.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Unfolding a Vision
There are so many things I love to do; some of them I do well. I often think about how I could earn a living doing the things I love to do. That's where it ends for me most of the time. I have come up with ideas for different events that have come to fruition, but I have not been a part of them myself. I love to brainstorm and create. Why is there a gap between the vision and the implementation?
I love to bake. I love to do crafts. I love to write. I think I could make money doing any of these things. I have gotten good feedback on some things I've written lately, which encourages me to write more. I enjoy writing this blog...most of the time. There are so many topics I'd like to write about that they are all swimming around in my head. I need a fishing pole to catch just one. That would make things a little bit easier. I think I could write three posts a day on this blog, but I'm sure that would be a bit overwhelming to those who read it. Tonight, I wanted to write about a book I read, about a movie I just watched, about something from Scripture that has been on my mind since last week, about spending time with family yesterday and today. It was hard to pick one, so I chose to write about not being able to choose something to write about.
Many years ago, John and I went to a marriage conference. The only thing I remember from the whole weekend was a description of the difference between a man's mind and a woman's mind. The speaker said, "If you think of your mind as a closet, when you look inside a man's mind, each specific event or issue in his life is in its own little box placed neatly on a shelf. Not so in a woman's mind. Everything is just scattered all over the floor." My issue right now is that when I open the door everything spills out into the open room because the number of visions and ideas have gotten to be too much for my closet.
Today, I entered a recipe into the Pillsbury Bake-Off. It is a version of a recipe I have had a vision of for 2 years. I finally did something about it. Now I need to get moving on some of these other visions I've had, like writing a book. But, again, I have an issue. The longer I sit around thinking about writing a book instead of actually writing one the more ideas for books I come up with. Now I have to pick what type of book I want to write. It never ends.
I enjoy being a visionary, but I'm getting to the point where I'd like to do something constructive MYSELF with the ideas that I have. Well, perhaps tomorrow I'll pick just one of those blog ideas I mentioned earlier, just to get something done and to make more room in my closet.
I love to bake. I love to do crafts. I love to write. I think I could make money doing any of these things. I have gotten good feedback on some things I've written lately, which encourages me to write more. I enjoy writing this blog...most of the time. There are so many topics I'd like to write about that they are all swimming around in my head. I need a fishing pole to catch just one. That would make things a little bit easier. I think I could write three posts a day on this blog, but I'm sure that would be a bit overwhelming to those who read it. Tonight, I wanted to write about a book I read, about a movie I just watched, about something from Scripture that has been on my mind since last week, about spending time with family yesterday and today. It was hard to pick one, so I chose to write about not being able to choose something to write about.
Many years ago, John and I went to a marriage conference. The only thing I remember from the whole weekend was a description of the difference between a man's mind and a woman's mind. The speaker said, "If you think of your mind as a closet, when you look inside a man's mind, each specific event or issue in his life is in its own little box placed neatly on a shelf. Not so in a woman's mind. Everything is just scattered all over the floor." My issue right now is that when I open the door everything spills out into the open room because the number of visions and ideas have gotten to be too much for my closet.
Today, I entered a recipe into the Pillsbury Bake-Off. It is a version of a recipe I have had a vision of for 2 years. I finally did something about it. Now I need to get moving on some of these other visions I've had, like writing a book. But, again, I have an issue. The longer I sit around thinking about writing a book instead of actually writing one the more ideas for books I come up with. Now I have to pick what type of book I want to write. It never ends.
I enjoy being a visionary, but I'm getting to the point where I'd like to do something constructive MYSELF with the ideas that I have. Well, perhaps tomorrow I'll pick just one of those blog ideas I mentioned earlier, just to get something done and to make more room in my closet.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Unfolding a Disney Vacation, Part III, Deluxe Resorts
The first time we went to Disney World (WDW), we stayed at Port Orleans - Riverside, which is a moderate resort. During that trip, as I mentioned before, we purchased a time share. When we went back to WDW the following year, we stayed in the Beach Club Villas portion of the Yacht Club and Beach Club which is a deluxe resort. This year we will be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, which again is a deluxe resort. The other deluxe resorts are the Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Boardwalk Inn, and the Swan and Dolphin.
Since the Disney Vacation Club (time share) gives you points that you can use to purchase accommodations, it makes sense to purchase the most comfortable places available - places with a great deal of room, a complete kitchen, washer and dryer, and at least 2 bathrooms. Villas that are available to DVC members are also available to everybody else, but they are quite pricey.
The deluxe resorts offer rooms that are the same as other hotel rooms, but they offer more in the way of amenities and ambiance. Some of these resorts have the monorail system running through them: Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. Probably one of the biggest advantages of the deluxe resorts is their close proximity to the parks.
If you check AllEars.net, you can see the listing of each of the deluxe resorts and what they offer, as well as photos and most current pricing. Click http://allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm and scroll down the left side and choose a resort.
My recommendation is that if you are visiting Disney for the first time choose a moderate resort. They have a great deal to offer including a lot of activities right there at the resort. They have wonderful full-service restaurants, and the pools are spectacular. If money is not an object, choose a deluxe resort. I do recommend a villa. Having a bedroom for John and me that is separate from our children for the week we are on vacation is priceless, and we do enjoy all the extra room.
I like the idea of having a kitchen while on vacation. Some have said that while they are on vacation they don't want to cook. I understand that, which is why I buy items at the grocery store that are simple to prepare. We have cereal for breakfast. We may have pancakes one morning. Pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc., are items most likely to be served for dinner. Having a full kitchen with a refrigerator comes in handy at WDW where the meals you order at full-service restaurants can feed two people. So, unless you plan on splitting a meal, you end up with leftovers. A quick trip back to the room to put them in the refrigerator will ensure a delicious meal when you heat it up in the microwave at some point later in the week. We usually eat lunch in the parks because we are so busy enjoying them that we don't want to go back to the resort.
Some have also said, "I don't want to have to do laundry while on vacation." I understand that, too, but when you are trying to cut down on luggage or space in luggage in which to pack souvenirs it is convenient to do maybe 1 or 2 loads in the middle of the week and just wear those same clothes again later in the week.
So, have you made a decision as to where you'll be staying? Next time, I'll discuss airline reservations and car rental.
Checklist:
1. When should I go?
2. Where should I stay?
Since the Disney Vacation Club (time share) gives you points that you can use to purchase accommodations, it makes sense to purchase the most comfortable places available - places with a great deal of room, a complete kitchen, washer and dryer, and at least 2 bathrooms. Villas that are available to DVC members are also available to everybody else, but they are quite pricey.
The deluxe resorts offer rooms that are the same as other hotel rooms, but they offer more in the way of amenities and ambiance. Some of these resorts have the monorail system running through them: Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian. Probably one of the biggest advantages of the deluxe resorts is their close proximity to the parks.
If you check AllEars.net, you can see the listing of each of the deluxe resorts and what they offer, as well as photos and most current pricing. Click http://allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm and scroll down the left side and choose a resort.
My recommendation is that if you are visiting Disney for the first time choose a moderate resort. They have a great deal to offer including a lot of activities right there at the resort. They have wonderful full-service restaurants, and the pools are spectacular. If money is not an object, choose a deluxe resort. I do recommend a villa. Having a bedroom for John and me that is separate from our children for the week we are on vacation is priceless, and we do enjoy all the extra room.
I like the idea of having a kitchen while on vacation. Some have said that while they are on vacation they don't want to cook. I understand that, which is why I buy items at the grocery store that are simple to prepare. We have cereal for breakfast. We may have pancakes one morning. Pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc., are items most likely to be served for dinner. Having a full kitchen with a refrigerator comes in handy at WDW where the meals you order at full-service restaurants can feed two people. So, unless you plan on splitting a meal, you end up with leftovers. A quick trip back to the room to put them in the refrigerator will ensure a delicious meal when you heat it up in the microwave at some point later in the week. We usually eat lunch in the parks because we are so busy enjoying them that we don't want to go back to the resort.
Some have also said, "I don't want to have to do laundry while on vacation." I understand that, too, but when you are trying to cut down on luggage or space in luggage in which to pack souvenirs it is convenient to do maybe 1 or 2 loads in the middle of the week and just wear those same clothes again later in the week.
So, have you made a decision as to where you'll be staying? Next time, I'll discuss airline reservations and car rental.
Checklist:
1. When should I go?
2. Where should I stay?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Unfolding a Movie
While I wait for my work computer to boot up again after crashing on me, I thought I'd post about a movie John and I watched recently..."127 Hours." The idea of someone being trapped in a chasm for 127 hours and amputating his own arm to get free was intriguing to me, simply because it was based on a true story. I love movies that are based on true stories. They are usually very inspiring - emphasis on usually.
"127 Hours" is rated R and for very good reason. I didn't count the number of times the actor portraying the main character used the F word, but it was a good thing most of the movie didn't include any conversation because then I could turn the volume down as low as it could go without muting it. I didn't have to worry then that my kids were trying to sleep in the room right above where our television sits in the living room.
There were also things he did while he was stuck that would fall under the area of TMI (too much information). Do we really have to know that he almost peed his pants? Do we really have to know that he "relieved himself," while he was by himself (if you catch my drift)?
How about when he cut his arm off? Did we need to see him ripping out his nerves? I don't usually have a problem with blood. I even thought about going to med school while I was in college. I've seen animal guts in my grandfather's garage, as he was a taxidermist, but why does it make for good TV to have so much blood and swearing?
Right before watching "127 Hours," we sat through "Secretariat" with the kids. There wasn't one single swear word that I can recall. There was no indecent exposure of one person in the movie. Nobody was cutting anything off in this movie either. It also was based on a true story. This movie was so incredibly inspiring I almost cried at the end. It was inspiring to watch the story unfold of this woman who believed so much that she could turn around her father's horse farm that she didn't let the negative attitudes or the practical solutions deter her from a seemingly impossible outcome, and she did it all with dignity and class. Maybe she did swear in real life, but it wouldn't have made the movie better if they had shown that. Maybe there were some inappropriate relationships or things done that happened with other people involved, but it wouldn't have made the movie better to tell us that. What is this Hollywood philosophy that says people will only really enjoy a movie if it has swearing and s_ _ and gore in it? I can tell you that it doesn't make me enjoy a movie more. It detracts from the impact the movie might otherwise have had.
"127 Hours" is rated R and for very good reason. I didn't count the number of times the actor portraying the main character used the F word, but it was a good thing most of the movie didn't include any conversation because then I could turn the volume down as low as it could go without muting it. I didn't have to worry then that my kids were trying to sleep in the room right above where our television sits in the living room.
There were also things he did while he was stuck that would fall under the area of TMI (too much information). Do we really have to know that he almost peed his pants? Do we really have to know that he "relieved himself," while he was by himself (if you catch my drift)?
How about when he cut his arm off? Did we need to see him ripping out his nerves? I don't usually have a problem with blood. I even thought about going to med school while I was in college. I've seen animal guts in my grandfather's garage, as he was a taxidermist, but why does it make for good TV to have so much blood and swearing?
Right before watching "127 Hours," we sat through "Secretariat" with the kids. There wasn't one single swear word that I can recall. There was no indecent exposure of one person in the movie. Nobody was cutting anything off in this movie either. It also was based on a true story. This movie was so incredibly inspiring I almost cried at the end. It was inspiring to watch the story unfold of this woman who believed so much that she could turn around her father's horse farm that she didn't let the negative attitudes or the practical solutions deter her from a seemingly impossible outcome, and she did it all with dignity and class. Maybe she did swear in real life, but it wouldn't have made the movie better if they had shown that. Maybe there were some inappropriate relationships or things done that happened with other people involved, but it wouldn't have made the movie better to tell us that. What is this Hollywood philosophy that says people will only really enjoy a movie if it has swearing and s_ _ and gore in it? I can tell you that it doesn't make me enjoy a movie more. It detracts from the impact the movie might otherwise have had.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Unfolding another Recipe
I am scheduled to make the baked goods for the adult table at our homeschool co-op tomorrow. I told my friends I'd make cinnamon cheesecake squares. When I taught a cheesecake class at our 4H group last semester, it was the last recipe we made before the class was over. I was told by one of the mom's a few days later that "it was to die for." I cannot take the credit, as I found the recipe on the internet. So, before I give you the recipe, let me give you the website where I found it, http://www.food.com/recipe/leslies-cinnamon-cheesecake-bars-323521.
Leslie's Cinnamon Cheesecake Bars
2 8-oz. tubes crescent roll dough
2 8-oz packages cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Layer 1 package crescent rolls on bottom of an ungreased 9x13-inch pan (press it to fit). Mix cream cheese and 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add to top of crescent rolls. Layer the second package of the crescent rolls to fit on top. Melt margarine. Pour over top. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Sprinkle on top. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Yield: 24 bars
*I use reduced fat crescent rolls and only 6 tablespoons of butter instead of 8 (1/2 cup).
These really are so good it'll be hard to eat just one. There are a lot of calories in them, though. You can't say I didn't warn you!
Leslie's Cinnamon Cheesecake Bars
2 8-oz. tubes crescent roll dough
2 8-oz packages cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Layer 1 package crescent rolls on bottom of an ungreased 9x13-inch pan (press it to fit). Mix cream cheese and 1 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add to top of crescent rolls. Layer the second package of the crescent rolls to fit on top. Melt margarine. Pour over top. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Sprinkle on top. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Yield: 24 bars
*I use reduced fat crescent rolls and only 6 tablespoons of butter instead of 8 (1/2 cup).
These really are so good it'll be hard to eat just one. There are a lot of calories in them, though. You can't say I didn't warn you!
Word of the Day
There are a lot of different and interesting words in the W section of the dictionary. Today's word is:
wunderkind: a child prodigy
It is from German and is pronounced like 'voon-der-kint.
Were you a wunderkind? Do you know a wunderkind? Do you think they know what the word, wunderkind, means?
wunderkind: a child prodigy
It is from German and is pronounced like 'voon-der-kint.
Were you a wunderkind? Do you know a wunderkind? Do you think they know what the word, wunderkind, means?
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Unfolding a Disney Vacation, Part II
Have you decided when you want to go to Walt Disney World? Now, let's try to decide where to stay. There are many different options. You can obviously stay off site in a hotel or rental home that is not on Disney property. You will pay $14.00 to park every day when you get to the park. If you stay on property, your parking is free, and you also have the option of using Disney transportation.
The resorts at Disney are divided into Value, Moderate, and Deluxe resorts. The price is the major factor in this distinction, as there are activities galore at every resort, and there is excellent Disney theming every where you can stay. Again, AllEars.net has a page that describes all the resorts and amenities that are included in them. It is located at http://allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm.
The value resorts are All Star Movies, All Star Music, All Star Sports, and Pop Century. The All Star Movies and Sports resorts can only accommodate 4 people, but the All Star Music resort has family suites that can accommodate up to 6 people. The price per room at any of the resorts depends on what time of year you go, which is why that was my first step in this process. The seasons are broken down into Value, Peak, and Regular, for different times of the year with more expensive periods being during holidays. Weekends are also a different price than weekdays. The value resorts do have food courts and pizza delivery, swimming pools, and bus transportation. They do not have full-service restaurants, room service, or on-site recreation.
The moderate resorts are the Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Port Orleans - French Quarter, Port Orleans - Riverside (where we stayed in 2008). Again, each of these has a different theme. At Fort Wilderness, you can pitch a tent or stay in an air-conditioned cabin. Port Orleans has a jazz feel to it and is very picturesque as it sits along the Sassagoula River which has a boat that can transport you to Downtown Disney.
Tomorrow I will discuss the Deluxe Resorts, as there are more of them than Value and Moderate, and they offer many more amenities.
The resorts at Disney are divided into Value, Moderate, and Deluxe resorts. The price is the major factor in this distinction, as there are activities galore at every resort, and there is excellent Disney theming every where you can stay. Again, AllEars.net has a page that describes all the resorts and amenities that are included in them. It is located at http://allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm.
The value resorts are All Star Movies, All Star Music, All Star Sports, and Pop Century. The All Star Movies and Sports resorts can only accommodate 4 people, but the All Star Music resort has family suites that can accommodate up to 6 people. The price per room at any of the resorts depends on what time of year you go, which is why that was my first step in this process. The seasons are broken down into Value, Peak, and Regular, for different times of the year with more expensive periods being during holidays. Weekends are also a different price than weekdays. The value resorts do have food courts and pizza delivery, swimming pools, and bus transportation. They do not have full-service restaurants, room service, or on-site recreation.
The moderate resorts are the Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Port Orleans - French Quarter, Port Orleans - Riverside (where we stayed in 2008). Again, each of these has a different theme. At Fort Wilderness, you can pitch a tent or stay in an air-conditioned cabin. Port Orleans has a jazz feel to it and is very picturesque as it sits along the Sassagoula River which has a boat that can transport you to Downtown Disney.
 |
| Port Orleans - Riverside |
 |
| Boatwright's Restaurant at Port Orleans Partially made boat hanging from the ceiling |
 |
| Port Orleans - French Quarter This was taken during a horse and buggy ride, so it is a little bit blurry. |
Word of the Day
Has anybody been to the turnverein lately? MW says it comes from the Greek language.
turnverein: an athletic club
It is pronounced like turn-ve-rin (long i).
Wouldn't it just be easier to say the athletic club? Perhaps that's why we don't use this word anymore. :-)
turnverein: an athletic club
It is pronounced like turn-ve-rin (long i).
Wouldn't it just be easier to say the athletic club? Perhaps that's why we don't use this word anymore. :-)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)