My First Mickey Bar

My first Mickey bar!

My parents first took me to Walt Disney World in 1990, when I was two and a half years old. In doing so, they passed their love of all things Disney to me and gave me the first of what I hope to be a lifetime of Walt Disney World Memories. Having been only two my first Disney memories are a bit fuzzy, but a few very distinct ones come to mind, including my very first Mickey bar. It was purchased at Dinosaur Gertie’s at what was then MGM and enjoyed from my stroller, and as soon as I bit into one of the crisp, chocolate-y ears, I was hooked. Is there anything like the joy of the first bite of the ear of a Mickey-shaped food? The smile on my face in this photo suggests not. I remember the ice cream melting down my hands when I didn’t get to it fast enough-who knows how many wipes it took to clean it all off!  Still, the classic combination of cool vanilla ice cream and chocolate shell on a warm day in a Disney Park is about as good as it gets, as I learned on the trip when this photo was taken. The Mickey bar and I have both changed in the last 24 years, of course. I’ve gotten married, moved out of my parents’ home, and can now (usually) eat an ice cream bar without getting it all over my face. The iconic Mickey bar has replaced the chocolate ice cream face and is now totally covered in delicate, delicious chocolate. The excitement of that first bite, however, has remained as I’ve gotten older and the Mickey bar has evolved. For me, that is representative of Disney World as a whole-the parks change, those who visit grow, but the excitement and magic of a visit to Walt Disney World never goes away. In the nearly quarter of a century since this photo was taken my family has grown, but I know that every time I go back, the first bite of a Mickey bar will be just as special as it was for me when I was two. 

My husband's first Mickey bar!

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At Christmastime. That was two months ago.

I pulled out the nativity that my parents got me way back in 1989 for the first time this year. Actually I think this is the first year that it's been in my possession since as soon as I purchased a house my mother showed up with boxes of stuff that "is yours," including all Christmas decor that was tangentially related to me. Anyway, when I opened it I found this:

A note from my mother, reading: "Where ever you may be when you next unpack this nativity set, remember all the Christmases we shared it together. In its new home it will make many more memories."

I texted my mother as follows:

Me: I opened the nativity :)

Mom: I know I put a message in it. But I have no idea what I wrote anymore.

Me: About remembering its memories and making new ones.

Mom: Oh, how nice of me!

I dunno if we broke the angel or it it didn't come with one but that's the angel we have, so there she is.

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Halloween was four months ago.

But I'm posting about it now! I will never not be a Disney character for Halloween; this is a given. This year I wore not one, but two costumes: a work appropriate Minnie Mouse and a less work appropriate Snow White.

Did I have my annual review at work that day? Yes, yes I did. Did I wear my Minnie ears? Absolutely.

The world's most cutest museum dog was a 50's lady, complete with poodle skirt.

And Tesla and Truman were reluctant but fabulous Meowsketeers, as usual.

 I had some Disney Halloween decor, of course (some of it prompted by yet another Disney trip contest that I did not win. One day I will be victorious.)

I marvel at my artistry.

Ben managed to get me out of the house to a party thrown by his friends. I crashed by 11 and went home.

I tried, I really did, to do Snow White hair.

Because he's that cute.

Because we are an adorably Dis-nerdy family, my mother and I wore the same costume.

Don't you just love it?

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The Longest Disney Day

On December 31, 2008 I unexpectedly spent 18 hours in the Magic Kingdom, and it was pretty. freaking. awesome.

We had spent New Year's Eve 1999 in Disney, and at that point in time you could enter the parks, leave, and come back in even if the park was at capacity, as long as you had been in before the limit of guests was reached, so when we were there again for New Year's Eve 2008 we thought great, we'll get to the Magic Kingdom early, head back to our base at the fort Wilderness Campground for dinner and a nap, and re-enter the park in time for a few more rides and the fireworks. Brilliant.

We got to the boat dock at Fort Wilderness around 7 a.m. to ensure we made it in, as we knew this was sure to be a peak day.

Lots of us had a similar idea.

Except, when we went to leave sometime in the early afternoon, we noticed that the park was already at capacity and they weren't letting anyone through the turnstiles, so we asked a cast member to verify that we could get back in later. The answer was an emphatic no. Or at least, that there was no guarantee as there had been previously. I believe we were told, and I more or less quote, that "If Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie walked up to the gate right now I couldn't let them in, that's how full we are."

We weren't dressed for a chilly evening, as we had assumed that we could grab our light jackets when we went back for dinner. We also hadn't planned on buying another meal in the parks that day. It was put to a vote. I of course voted to stay, figuring that we had come all this way and to miss the New Year's Eve celebration would be, well, lame. My brother wanted a nap (he was 16 and sort of over the family vacation). My parents offered to split up, but I was convinced that the one who left would regret it, so I talked everyone into staying. 

It was around 2 p.m. With 7 hours of fun behind us, we had 10 hours to go till the fireworks.

So we rode some more rides. 

 And watched the parade (we're not usually parade people). 

By late afternoon we were flagging. We headed for the TTA, which is always a great place to take a break. My father claimed a bench around the corner of Space Mountain, near the gift shop entrance, and laid down for a nap. As my mother, brother and I rode circuits on the TTA, we looked down on him as we passed...sound asleep amid thousands of people. 

As darkness fell, I started to get cold. While the rest of my family rode the Haunted Mansion, I happily abstained (see my previous post) and slipped into the Emporium and purchased a hoodie, which is still one of my favorite Disney souvenirs.

Around 10 p.m. people were already staking out their spots for the fireworks show. Having ridden most things twice, we grabbed a snack and hunkered down on the bride from Tomorrowland to the castle hub. And waited. I may have fallen asleep there. I know my brother did. We both laid right down on the ground. Several days going full speed at Disney had left us all ready for bed by 10-but by goodness we were going to see those fireworks. 

Disney piped party music through the park at around 11 which helped perk things up (at least for those of us who weren't already hyped up on soda and cotton candy). It seemed to work-witness below my brother and I doing the Cha-Cha Slide.

Excuse the horrible quality of this photo but it was LATE.

And then, as they do, the fireworks came. Tinkerbell came flying down from the castle tower, and we counted down to 2009 with thousands of Disney's favorite guests, and then we sleepily slogged our way back to our camper with the crowds.

Worth it.

And it was awesome. The sheer joy of being in the Most Magical Place on Earth from sunup to sundown. The absurdity of my father sleeping on a park bench, and of doing the Cha-Cha Slide on a bridge in the Magic Kingdom with my brother at 11 p.m. The camaraderie of all the guests waiting excitedly in their spots for the fireworks to start and the new year to begin. You expect certain things at Disney, most of them good. But it's those unexpected things that are truly the very best.

Even if they require several cups of coffee the next morning.

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Conversations with my grandparents.

Mom-mom: "What is Ben doing today?"

Me: "He's taking himself to the movies."

Mom-mom: "You have a weird relationship."

Pap-pap: "I couldn't sleep, so I was trying to watch TV. I didn't know they tried to sell pornographic things then."

Mom-mom (under her breath): "Not that they'd do anything for him anyway."

Me: "I was listening to a comedian who said that you should ask your grandfather about the last time he had sex, and it will be the funniest conversation you ever have."

Pap-pap: "Heh. Heh heh heh."

Mom-mom: "...it's been quite a while."

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27

I love cake. Hence, I love birthdays. Especially my birthday because I get to pick the cake. Or the foods of celebration in this case, since I'd already had birthday cake last week. My birthday was on a Thursday this year and it was pretty darn awesome. Casual and fun.

At work, my boss gave me flowers, and my awesome interns surprised me after work with cupcakes from Hello Cupcake on Capitol Hill. They were so good I ate two.

We had dinner at Red Robin with my little brother and father (toasting with their bottomless root beer floats).

The boys helped me unwrap my gifts.

My mother is very crafty, so she saves a lot of things. This is the first time she's left me a note on a birthday gift to save things though.

B was disappointed to find out that he had given me the exact same birthday card two years in a row (and I could prove it, since he always dates his cards). His words were "Damn it, Hallmark!" But it's a nice card, so if he thinks of me when he sees it I have no objections.

I felt really loved with all the well wishes and little things my friends and family did (texts, cards, gifts, Facebook posts) to let me know they were thinking of me. And that's the best part of any birthday.

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Weekend Recap

B was away for the weekend on a motorcycle trip, so I took the opportunity to fill my weekend with other friends and family.

Friday night I had pizza and beer with my little brother while watching World's Dumbest.

Saturday I indulged...a lot. Since B doesn't like to eat junk food and I love it, I tend to go a little overboard when he's away. Ice cream by myself, and then dinner and wine with my girlfriends while we watched wedding shows. We capped off the evening with a cupcake tasting.

Sunday morning I got to have snuggles with my fur babies.

Sunday myself, my brother and one of my cousins took my grandmother out to dinner for her upcoming 75th birthday. 

Party shoes.

In my hometown there's a rather unique restaurant built in an old chicken coop on a farm, and it is THE PLACE to go to celebrate something (it's also one of THE ONLY PLACES to go, but that's beside the point). They serve food family style, and the only thing you choose is your main dish. In the "appetizer" round they bring out cottage cheese and apple butter, coleslaw, fruit and sugar biscuits or "hush puppies". The hush puppies are not the kind you get in the south. They are simply biscuits fried and rolled in sugar, and they are one of the best things you will ever put in your mouth.

Mouth-watering goodness.

We made her sit with a birthday balloon. Thankfully no one sang.

After you are full of fried carbs, they bring you your entree (my cousin and I split fried chicken and eggplant parmesan) along with green beans, corn, french fries and, at our request, more hush puppies. And if you aren't done (which you aren't) they top it off with a dish of ice cream. Afterwards, as tradition dictates, you roll yourself out onto the grounds of the farm to visit the pond and the ducks that live there. If you are in the know, you save some of the non-sugared dinner rolls (since no one eats the non-sugared ones, there are plenty) to feed the little guys.

Such a great weekend, but glad to have B home safely for snuggles.

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Awesome Grandmas.

This last weekend B and I went camping with my grandparents. When we got to the campsite, my grandmother was inside her camper reading. I asked her what she was reading, as she's not really a "reader" per se. Her response?

Fifty Shades of Gray.

My 73 year old grandmother is reading Fifty Shades of Gray. 

Me: "What? Mom-Mom!"

Her: "I didn't know what it was about when I bought it! I just knew that it was a best-seller. Don't tell your grandfather what it's about."

She seemed scandalized, however...I noticed she continued reading it throughout the weekend. Then she offered to give it to me when she was done because, as she says "You might learn something."

I love her.

Other prettiness from the weekend:

I haven't been posting much lately because honestly, I just haven't been feeling it. I want to make sure I only post when I want to and this doesn't become some sort of obligation that I start to hate. And that I'm not getting boring and documenting what I had for lunch, etc. So I'm only going to post things that I find amusing, things that I want to remember, and cool pictures. I'm not going to worry about doing so on a schedule, especially since not many people read anyway. That being said, if you do read this...I hope you enjoy it.

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Peaches and Ice Cream Deliciousness.

Turns out that one of the upsides of the massive drought the country has faced this summer is that our peaches are sweeter. Counter-intuitively, the less water they get, the juicier they are when they ripen. And what is better than a ripe, juicy peach on a perfect summer afternoon? 

This, my friends. This:

I'm jealous of my past self in this picture for being about to enjoy this ice cream.

Homemade vanilla ice cream topped with sweetened peaches.  I only get it once a year, at the flea market held annually by the church I grew up in, which happens to be an adorable country church notable for its red roof.

The flea market is the only fundraiser the church does during the year, with the exception of passing the plate on Sundays, and it is quite a big to-do. Almost a hundred vendors pack into the little church lot, and there's pit beef, hot dogs and of course, the ice cream and peaches that people stop in for specially, even if they have no interest in the market itself. Since I was little, it's been my job to ladle the peaches onto the ice cream that my mother had dipped.

My grandmother enjoying her ice cream.

And my dad doing the same.

This year, I still served up peaches, but next to me was my brother, making good use of the muscle he's put on since he's grown up. I got to hang out with my parents, my grandparents, great aunt and uncle, cousins, second cousins, etc. (it's a little country church and we're all related, ok? I'm ok with it), spend the day outside on the very first day that the humidity broke, and stuff myself with ice cream. So you know, it was a pretty awesome Saturday.

My great-aunt and myself.

My mama directing traffic. Excitedly.

Family friends hamming it up.

We also took the kittens to their first vet appointment. We got some news there which I will be posting about tomorrow.

 Linking up! Check out the other blogs at the link and make some new friends. Welcome anyone from the link-up!

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My weekend was great, thanks for asking!

Had an awesome awesome weekend. We FINALLY got a bit of a break in the heat (which is not to say it was cool. There is a difference) and took the chance to go down to Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, where my parents happened to be camping for the weekend.

Harper's Ferry, in case you didn't know, is a National Park, the site of quite a lot of history, including three Civil War battles and John Brown's raid. Also, the town itself is adorable.

We hiked the Maryland Heights Trail. Let me tell you, it made me feel really out of shape. It's only 2.8 miles, but it is up the side of a mountain, and there were several points where I thought I might die. The view from the lookout, however, is pretty fantastic.

Harper's Ferry from Maryland Heights. Looks like a little model train town.

Much, much needed rest.



The river looked so very inviting and I was drenched in sweat and felt disgusting so I did something I don't know that I've done before: stripped down to my sports bra and waded in.

The water was warm and it felt delicious. I did, however, jump in the chlorinated pool at the campground when we got back to kill whatever I had picked up from the river.

Speaking of the river, it is very popular with tubers. See below:

Can you see the tubers? They're there.

And I was very seriously thinking I would like to go tubing there sometime until I got to work this morning and my coworker informed me that several years ago she was tubing in that very spot and ran into something with her tube. That something was A DEAD COW.



Via



I mean, I'd still go tubing. But seriously. I'll be much more wary of dead cows now.

Still, we got to spend the rest of the evening eating, sitting by the campfire, making s'mores and watching a man try to park his tractor-trailer sized RV in a compact car sized spot. Ah, the joys of recreational campgrounds.

Sunday we ran errands and got ready for the week. I'd say that the weekend was the perfect combination of relaxation, working out, family and productivity. Rare in a weekend, don't you think?

Plus, the week is off to a great start as I got to begin my Monday by helping open up an exhibit case to remove an object for photography. Always a fun time, at least for me ;)

Happy Monday! Also, if you're posting about your weekend, why not link up?

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