Disney | The Angel Forever

Category Archives Disney

Shoe shopping x 4

Posted on May 4, 2009 8:38 am by TheAngelForever

While in the middle of three giant loads of laundry and packing it as everything was dried, I suddenly remembered something. We never went shoe shopping this weekend. Sure we each had a pair of sneakers to take along on our Disney World trip, but that was about it for hubby and me. Nothing else really qualified as a comfortable walking shoe.

So, I left the laundry behind to be finished later and we went to the mall. Our first stop was to Pay Less Shoes to get some new sneakers for the boys. Each of them got a new pair of velcro Smart Fit shoes for quick and easy on and off. Next, we tried the LLBean store where JL and I tried on some Keens. They did not have the right size for JL in the ones he liked. When I tried mine on I seemed to be right in the middle of a size and was not spending SO much money on something that was not quite right. After that we tried another shoe store in the mall. I tried on a pair of Teva per my father’s suggestion. Both of my parents have owned them, along with countless friends over the years. I put them on and oh my were they comfortable. Of course, I did not want to rush into things. I waited for JL to try on a pair of sandals and then we went to a department store that had a big shoe sale.

For some reason said store did not have many shoes for women. Everything was dressy, but not casual and comfortable for walking. JL quickly found a bunch of shoes to try on. He even tried on Crocs that he liked a lot. In the end he picked out a pair of sandals that were closesd toed and very different than anything he has ever had.

When we were done there I went back to the shoe store and bit the bullet. I finally bought myself my own pair of Teva shoes. Here they are:

Last night I put them on for a power walk to help break them in. I walked for 38 minutes while watching Pushing Daisies on the DVR. In 38 minutes I walked 4,065 steps. Love my new pedometer and the Teva shoes were VERY comfortable! Here is a view of all of the shoes that we bought while shopping yesterday:

When all was said and done we had accomplished our mission. In fact, this weekend we managed to get a lot done. Almost all of our clothes for Disney World are washed and packed, shoes bought, haircuts for all of us (yes I had mine significantly chopped), traveler’s checks purchased, lists made and brain working at warp speed!

Categories:
decisions Disney photos shopping travel weekend

Laundry and packing galore

Posted on May 3, 2009 6:47 pm by TheAngelForever

This weekend we ran a lot of errands and managed to start packing. Not only did we make lists of items that we need to pack for each of us, but we also began a list of what we hope to see at each of the Disney World parks.

Today, I started the day off by tossing in three monster loads of laundry. It was time to get all of the t-shirts and shorts ready to go. JL helped me to open up our new luggage (early anniversary present from my parents) and I directly deposited items neatly in them. So far, I have almost all of the clothing for the boys in one, and the pile is quickly growing with JL and my items. I figure we will have one suitcase for the boys, one for us, one that will have swim gear/shoes/toiletries, and a last one with diapers/wipes/snacks.

Of course we will need a few carry-on bags. The boys will each a small backpack with their entertainment items like the Travel Aqua Doodles seen here with NHL:

Then we will need a diaper bag for JSL and one other bag with spare clothing and emergency items.

So many things to remember and one brain buzzing a mile a minute! On that note, I am off to work on more laundry and packing. We went out to get more comfy walking shoes and the laundry did not finish itself.

Categories:
Disney losing my mind nhl photos shopping travel weekend

Lovely lilies and tulip treasures

Posted on May 2, 2009 4:31 pm by TheAngelForever

On all of my visits to Walk Disney World, I have never seen the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival in person. Our upcoming trip will be the first time that I will have the opportunity to see the amazing displays that only Disney could create. I have often sat and looked at photos that others have taken and marveled at the creations. Soon, it will be our turn to take photos to share with others.

Until that time I will have to be satisfied with our new flowers. Last week during the 80-90 degree freakish heat, our tulips finally opened and we planted some new lily plants. Of course the poor daffodils did not fair so well by mid week. So for now, I invite you into our little flower garden.

In the fall we hope to plant some tulip bulbs so we can have more for next spring. lilies

If you have any tips on planting tulip bulbs, we would greatly appreciate them.

Categories:
Disney flowers and plants house photos weather

Pre-Disney travel stress

Posted on April 30, 2009 8:15 am by TheAngelForever

We head to Disney World very soon and there is a ton that need to get done. Lists need to be made and items need to be bought and packed. If I sat and really thought about it long enough I think my head would start to spin.

Can you tell a big family vacation is new to this mommy of almost 6 years?

Seriously, I know I just need to sit down with JL and we have to make a "game plan" of sorts. The lists of items to pack has to be done. From there, we will determine whether we have all of said items. Then I have to get my rear in gear and pack things. Thank goodness we are going on an airline that still allows two checked pieces of luggage per passenger. That means IF we wanted we could haul eight suitcases stuffed with things. Of course, that is not my plan. I would like to stay with 4 or under. Please realize that one of them will likely be filled with diapers, wipes and breakfast supplies/snacks. The great part of that is it will be ready to load up with items we take home from Disney.

I must admit that our Vice President, Joe Biden, did not help matters this morning when he went on the Today Show and basically said he would not advise his family to travel by plane anywhere these days. Thanks Joe!

*shaking head*

I can not wait to see the damage control that comes out of the White House on that one.

Seriously, Swine Flu is in the back of my mind since we are traveling to a place that packs in a ton of people, including many international visitors from Mexico. Of course, I worry more these days about JSL and another ear infection on our trip since it will be a little over a week after he is done with his antibiotic. I won’t even mention my fear of bedbugs at hotels since those are raging out of control all over the country.

So, for those of you that have traveled with kids a lot. . . how do you stay settled and make sure you pack everything that you need? Any words of wisdom and thoughts on items that are a must to take for the vacation, or to entertain the kids on the airplane, would be greatly appreciated.

Now I am off to think about the fun we will have exploring Disney World with the boys for the first time.

Categories:
Disney jl losing my mind photos real world news travel vacation

Lots of lists

Posted on April 17, 2009 12:03 am by TheAngelForever

I admit it, I am a list person. For some reason I do better when I have lists of items that need to get accomplished and can manually cross them off as they are finished. In the past, I have made the following lists:

Things to do during a given day
Groceries needed
Questions to ask the doctor
Coupons needed for a store run
Presents that we need for upcoming birthdays/holidays
Meals for the upcoming week
Items to do at home (when I was teaching)
Phone calls that need to be made

As you can imagine we had a lot of lists for Passover. Now that Pesach is officially over, I can concentrate on the lists that need to be made for our upcoming trip to Disney World. Off the top of my head I need to do the following:

Documents that need to be taken with us
Clothing that needs to be bought before trip (shorts for everyone)
Questions for TSA about bringing medication on the airplane
Items we need to pack (clothing, diapering needs, food, medicine, toiletries and the like)
Things to bring on the airplane to keep the kids entertained (this will be their first flight)
Rides/shows we hope to see at each of the parks

Call it the teacher in me, but lists work well for me. It helps me to organize my thoughts and work toward the goals needed. So my question for you this week:

Are you a list person? Why or why not?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the Mr. Linky there if you are participating.