Viva La Mexique!!

Well, we are back from Mexico, and I must say: I done good!

We stayed at the Grand Princess Riviera from Jan 6-13 in a Junior All Inclusive Deluxe room (room 8230). We were traveling with my bestest of best buds Meaghan, her wonderful husband Rob and my brother & sister in law, Jungle Rob & Bryanne.



This resort was completely stunning - I will definately be back and will recommend it to anyone I know looking for a sunshine getaway. I have no idea where the people who gave the hotel negative reviews at TripAdvisor were staying but it must have been in another dimension. Either that or they are incredibly rude and are getting bad service because they are doling out ignorance. Either way, every single staff member I spoke with was nothing but uber-friendly and always willing to lend a hand and offer service with a smile. We are not big tippers but still received exceptional service wherever we went.


The things I enjoyed most: Spending an ENTIRE week with Ms Campbell,the food, and the unlimited supply of wobbly pops. Nothing says Amazon Women like bathing suits, booze, and guacamole!!




I have officially decided that ignorant and whiny people drive me nuts, I do not have the patience for it. Negativity just sucks the air out of a room and leaves a lead weight in my stomach. I wish people would take a lesson from that great Monty Python song and "Look on the Bright Side of Life." Why freak out and bitch when you can soak in the sun and atmosphere. Have a drink and move on people!!

All in all it was a great vacation!!! I highly look forward to my next one! Maybe, just maybe, we can convince the 'Frew Crew to join us again :)

Goodbye Snicks!!!

Well, the time we have dreaded has finally arrived.

We have known for about a year now that Ethan is allergic to cats. The allergist told us that it was no problem keeping my beloved Snickers as long as we kept E's bedroom door closed and made sure we were uber-diligent with cleaning.

Well, when Paul took Ethan for his yearly Dr visit, I guess the good Dr was pretty adamant that we get rid of Snicks.



I absolutely refused to send her to the Animal Rescue League (akin the the SPCA), which Paul completely understood as we all know what happens to most adult cats who end up in a shelter. I also did not want to put out a classified Ad to find her a new home. I did not want to give her away to just anyone!!

We have been putting the word out there for several months to everyone we know that we were looking for a nice home for Trix. Well, my entire family was over for Boxing day dinner (and when I say entire I mean like 40 people or so...). My lovely cousin Ally convinced her Mom & Dad to let her have T-Bag!

Ally stopped by last night with her Mom to pick up my kitty. While I am VERY happy she will be with Ally and we can visit whenever we want, it was a bittersweet goodbye as I will miss the fat little furball.

Ethan, the poor dear, sat on the stairs with a sad little face and big wet tears when it was bedtime... he said he couldn't sleep without Snicks meowing once in awhile. (I did not remind him that she never meowed at night... :)

On a lighter note, I am quite pleased I no longer have to clean stinky cat litter!!

Ally also sent me a message this morning that all is well with Fatty at her new home - she cuddled with Ally most of the night!!

Listen to Leo! (and Tom, Will, Julia, Natalie, Steven, etc...)

Nov 4th is just around the corner! Get out and do your part!!

I want to see a major party when I am in Chicago!!!

So Proud!!

Two years ago next week, my cousin Laura and her husband Greg were killed by a drunk driver in a head on collision. They left behind two beautiful children Kali and Jeremy. Their strength and resiliance truly amazes me.

Kali has always been very creative and has begun pouring herself into music and making videos to not only memorialize her parents, but also to raise awareness about the hazards of drunk driving. She never wants to have anyone else experience the pain that she and her brother have had to suffer.

Please take a moment to view Kali's video below. And please, for your sake and everyone else's, never EVER let you or anyone you know, drive drunk.

Disappointed...

Over the last several days I have been member of an online forum that includes a thread devoted to Walt Disney World's Moms Panel that I mentioned in my previous post.

This has been the "virtual waiting room" for those of us waiting to find out if we made it to round 3, as well as those kind enough to cheer us on.

Today, Disney contacted those who have been selected to move on to Round 3 of the Moms Panel selection process.

While I am disappointed and sad that I was not chosen to move forward this year, I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to apply and make it to the second round. I know that any one of the "potential moms" that I have been lucky enough to msg over the last week will be a great addition to the panel.

I look forward to seeing who gets selected and (of course) to applying next year!

Now, I must eat Cheesecake :)



Don't forget to check out Walt Disney World Moms Panel!!!

2009 Disney Mom's Panel

As I mentioned in my first post, and as those of you who know me already know, I am a 100% Disneyphile :)

We are DVC members and go to Disney World usually about once a year. I get great joy from helping people plan their own Disney vacations so that they can experience its joys first hand. I also love bringing different family members with me when I go to Disney so I can see their emotional first response to viewing the Castle as we cross the lake on the ferry on the way to the Magic Kingdom (only way to go IMHO for your first visit - you really get the full impact of the beautiful park as it comes into view).

Needless to say I was very excited when I found out about the Disney Mom's Panel.

The panel was created by Disney last year and consists of 12 members. These 12 "Moms" offer advice to folks about Walt Disney World vacations. The advice given is unofficial, but it is sanctioned by Disney. I guess in these days of 1,000,001 websites devoted to advice for Disney Vacations, Disney itself decided to offer a venue for real Mom's (and a Dad) to give real unbiased advice for vacation planners.

This year, Disney has expanded the panel to 16. They opened up the 3-step application process this fall. Round 1 was to write 3 short essays in response to provided questions. Based on these responses, a number of "potential Moms" were chosen to move into Round 2, which also consisted of essay questions. Round 3 is a phone interview which is to take place the week of Oct 27, 08.

Well, me being me, I went ahead and applied. I got confirmation that I have moved on to Round 2 on October 7. The selections for Round 3 have not yet been announced so I have been patiently (or not so patiently) waiting to hear!! I am assuming we will here this week as the phone interviews are to start next week.

I really hope that I am chosen for the next round... cross your fingers and spread some pixie dust my way.


I really think this would be a perfect fit for me...

Ignorance

How can there still be people who think like this in the world?