While He's In The Shower

So it's our second day on our honeymoon and we are getting ready to go to Flagler College to see the Tiffany stained glass collection along with a tour of San Sebastian Winery. I'll give you an up date over the past few days.

We got married on Pass-A-Grille Beach in St. Pete where we had our first date... in the exact same spot where we had laid down our blanket and spent those first 6 hours just talking the night away. It was wonderful. It was a quiet little ceremony with Paster Larry, my brother and his wife, our parents, our kids and two friends of mine. Then we went back to Mom's house for the reception which was cute. After that - off we went on the honeymoon!!

Traffic from the backside of Orlando was HORRIBLE! Just proves that there is no point going past Disney, as nothing good can happen - at least not on I4. It took us two hours just to go that short distance and it wasn't even supper traffic yet. We managed to somehow get to Alexander Homestead just before her 7 p.m. check-in cut off time.

We are spending our first few days here in St. Augustine with Ms. Bonnie at her Bed and Breakfast, or as we keep saying "Bread and Beckfast" because let's face it, it's hard to say!! Yesterday we wandered the entire city, looking at all the shops on St. George street and buying some really cool things. Our favorite purchases were the paintings we bought for the house. I'll take some pictures once we get them hung up. We've decided that this trip we weren't going to eat at any chain restaurants so hunting down places to eat has been fun.

The whole B&B thing is an interesting experience. The hardest part is not having coffee when we get up. We seem to be rising about 6ish but coffee doesn't get delivered until 7:30 so we've been hanging out on our own private front porch. During our stroll yesterday we found a place called "Crucial Coffee - Nectar of the Gods" and it's our small town Starbucks fix. They can do all the specialty drinks we love and the people are so cute!!

I've added a few photos but now I have to get ready since he's almost done in there. I just wanted to tell everyone good morning and let y'all know that married life is absolutely wonderful... now if I can only remember to actually answer to my new name!!

I Was Right - He Was Up To Something!

He was up to something, I just knew it. Craig always comes over as soon as he can from work but last night was a bit odd. He had to "do something" before coming over and it would take him an hour and a half to get here. I know there's traffic over the Howard Franklin Bridge but good gravy!

I picked up Anastasia from school for him so he could come straight to the house. Dani, Sami and I drove the hour to go get her because my mom had a function at her work that she wanted us to go to... okay. It was fine and it gave Dani someone to play with instead of being the brooding bored teenager.

Craig finally shows up and I fix him a cup of coffee. He then gives me a kiss and says that he wants to talk to Annie, which I assume is about taking Friday off of school and the responsibility factor that would come with it. Yes, we're all going to Disney but it's a special treat that one must earn... blah, blah, blah... yadda, yadda, yadda.

After about twenty minutes the girls come running out of Dani's room hollering "Mom, Mom, Mom"... I am completley puzzled but fuss at them stating that I just put Sami down to bed and please lower their voices or they will wake her. I am quickly snatched by each child and rushed to Dani's room. Okay, they're freaky teenagers so that's nothing new. Odd to be this excited about a discussion but whatever.

In the room the girls sit attentively on the bed and Craig explains how they were talking about Anastasia staying out of school Friday to go up with us early instead of waiting for him to get home from work. Annie looks at me with her blue puppy eyes that resemble her father's so much it's scary. He then asks me what I think so I go into full mommy mode, interupted twice by the now awake and active toddler that is Sami.

After honest and lengthy ramblings on responsibility and school, I then admit that the reason she has gotten off so easily lately is because her father and I have been selfish. Craig then stands up and puts his arm lovingly around my waist as he always does. I look over at him and he is nodding while he states how much easier it would be if we all lived together. I agreed and said that one day it will be easier but right now we need to be better or the kids will turn out rotten and we will have no one to blame but ourselves. Craig then looks down at me and says "Well, I guess we'll just have to get married then so the kids don't turn out rotten" and produces a ring from behind his back.

I was right, he was up to something... and I couldn't be happier for it!!

Last Resort... or Lost Mind...

So I was telling my tale of whoa to a girlfriend of mine and she suggested to sign up for this site called "Match.com"... Dr. Phil's site... you're kidding right? She swears that there are no psychos on there and that everyone has to have thier "portrait" and pictures approved before it will even go on the site. It's free unless you want to actually email and then there is a monthly fee.



Guess what... I said what the heck and went for it. No laughing, because seriously, where am I going to meet someone with the crazy schedule and life I lead... and what can it hurt? So do you know what I posted in my "portrait"? My letter to Santa!! Oh, and I added a post script... Here, read it. I picked it up right where I sign it:



"Thank you, Santa. Be sure to find the extra special home made cookies on the entry table... I made them just for you.

Love,

Amy



P.S.



Here is what you can tell him he can expect from me. I am a good semi-old fashioned Southern girl next door. I know how a lady is supposed to act and conduct myself accordingly. This doesn't mean I am not up for a game of touch football in the backyard after a good cook out. Count me in with my jeans, ponytail and ballcap ready to go! I also know that if you tell me we are fixing to go somewhere, I can be ready in about 10 minutes. I don't need to "put on my face" because God gave me one that works pretty well and doesn't need to have a bunch of goo slapped on it to make it presentable. If I ever do wear make-up, you really can't tell... and isn't that the point? I love to wear skirts and 3" heels but I have an even greater love of wandering around barefoot. I know how to treat a man the way he needs and wants to be treated, in all areas.



I am comfortable with who I am and where I am in life. I have been single for three years and where it does have it's advantages, I am ready to find the love of my life. I am ready to settle down and build a lasting relationship. My parents are great role models since they have been happily married for almost 40 years. They still hold hands, my mom is still the sexiest thing my dad has ever laid eyes on, he is still my mom's hero and she giggles like a school girl when they whisper together in the kitchen. That is what I want... do you?"



What do you think? I figured I would try anything once...

Leadership Conference & The Meeting of a Legend!

So I was at the Leadership Conference from Tuesday, Sept. 4 through Thursday, Sept 6th. Then on Friday the 7th I had to go back to DRC for my interview with the panel of my peers for the full time CTIS spot.

I must say that I have been energized by the people I saw and the presentations I heard. There are so many great minds working for our organization that sometimes you get a little star struck. For example; I met, listened to and literally ran into during a mad dash across the conference center to make it a session... are you ready for this... MARTY SKLAR!!!

Please don't break my heart and tell me that you don't know who he is... PLEASE don't do that to me. To save myself the heartache, I will give you the completely abridged version, how's that? Marty is the last living link to Walt Disney himself!! Yes, that is right. Marty, who is currently the VP of Imagineering Ambassador and has been with us for over 40 years, physically walked our FL swamp land with Walt and placed the big yellow "X" on the ground where the castle was going to placed. He looked at the maps, worked with Walt in Anaheim as an Imagineer and is still with us today. Now do you understand my being star struck? Goodness, I hope so.

Here are a few pictures that I took during the conference. We were at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center. I got to stay in the Casitas and it was wonderful.
The sunrise view from my room was spectacular and since I was on the corner (with the entire side of the building to myself I might add) I had double corner windows... yeah, it made up for the wrongs that resort has done to me in the past three years.

Enjoy and as soon as I hear back about the panel decision regarding the CTIS FLL spot, I'll post it.

Deepest Apologies

I know it has been a bit since I have last posted. Things have been busy with the start of summer vacation and all. Hoping to have things in a routine by the end of this week. Want a silly update? Try this on for size:

I usually get home around midnight and some nights I stop at this 7-11 to get gas in my car or grab something to drink, you get the idea. Well, the past few nights I have stopped and there is this really cute blonde guy that works there. He started up a conversation on Saturday about where I work (yeah, I forgot to take off my nametag and lanyard). He was very sweet and seemed genuinely interested. Sunday night I needed to get some petro so I stopped again at my usual station because they are about five cents cheaper than anywhere else on my route regardless of if you pay cash or credit. He walked outside and asked where his ears were. I smiled and said that I forgot. He told me that I was warned not to come back unless I had his ears. This is a light banter so I promised I would not forget again. He smiled and went on about his duties. On my way out, I pulled up next to him and rolled down my passenger side window. I asked him if he worked Monday night. He said no but he was here on Tuesday. You know the question I asked next (how many ears do you need). He leaned in and gave me a really big smiled, kind of sheepishly asked for three for his nieces. I smiled and told him that I would see him Tuesday night.

Last night I brought home six sets of ears: 3 tie-dyed and 3 gold. Each set is autographed with "Your Pal, Mickey Mouse" on one ear and when I get there tonight I will ask for the names of his nieces for the other ear. You think he will like them?

The things I will do for a sweet disposition and cute smile.

Earth Day - April 22nd

Hello all ~ Earth Day is April 22nd I wanted to let everyone have a "cast exclusive" desktop wallpaper for the day. There are four "flavors" so please click on the one you want, when it loads in the window you need to right click and then save as... all of these are 1280 x 1024, I thought it better to be safe than sorry. Your computer will make it fit!

Happy Earth Day and do your best not to be Environmentally challenged!!

Disney Legends

I work in a place where legends are made. They do phenomenal things that no one ever thought would be possible. They were laughed at for the ideas and were told that they were "follies". People waited for us to fail, time and again we were told we would with complete conviction.


There are times when my position as a cast member simply becomes "a job" and I hate it when that happens. People come in without pixie dust and stupid things get in the way. I don't want to ever feel like what I do is "a job" because I know that no matter what happens in the future ~ I will never find "a job" that I love as much as this one.


All of my life I wanted to work at Walt Disney World. I used to joke around and tell my friends that I wanted to be Dopey when I grew up. People laughed at me and said that it wouldn't happen, at least not the way I was thinking. They said that I would never get to work at Disney because things like that just don't happen. Guess what, they do!


So the next time you watch one of my spots, or see one of my billboards, or hear one of my songs you can bet the I am pretty much swelled up with pride. Our Year of a Million Dreams celebration ad spots make me want to cry. They touch me and not just because they are really good but because I am a part of that magic.


I try to get on the phone every day so that I can continue to make magic. Do Leaders normally get on the phone ~ shoot no!! They avoid it all costs. I could probably count the number of Leaders (and Leaders of Leaders for that matter) who can still book a reservation on one hand and still do the Disney Point. They lose the Guest feel and excitement because they don't interact with them. When I go to the parks I always say hello to the princesses I pass (calling them by the name of the princess costume they are wearing), I give directions if I see a group huddled into a map, I take pictures for couples and families so at least one shot will have everyone in it, and I celebrate whatever button they have on that day.


Do they know I am a cast member ~ nope. Do they care that I am a cast member ~ probably not. Do they appreciate what I have done for them ~ yeah... Because I am the magic of Disney.

Johnny and the Sprites

Perks of being a Cast Member

We cast members have a site that we can log into from home to get to our work email and stay in touch with what is going on all over property. We also use it at work because it is just a great source of information regarding anything you could possibly want to know regarding us. It's called The Hub.

This magical, mystical website is only available to cast members and one of the other things we get is called The Disney Newsreel. It is a really cool online newspaper that is put out for us to see what is going on all over property (US, Hong Kong, Japan, Paris, etc).

Here are some of the really cool images that I was able to capture from different volumes of "the reel" and once you see them, you'll understand why I had to use some of my "magic" to keep them forever.

Be good poppets until next time.

Yeah to my Friday...

Thank God this week is over. I must say that I have felt like I was at a dog fighting contest wearing milkbone underware all week!! I think I am going to curl up in my bed and read a good book - not one of those stupid ones for work either. Enjoy my little "Cast Only" happy and I will see you all on the other side. Be good poppets while I'm gone.

The Last Little Bit...

Alright - 3 more and I am all caught up on my "Days of Christmas" wallpaper present to everyone. I was going to write a really cheesy poem but I just can't think of one at the moment. Enjoy the paper and I will more than likely write more later on, especially if I can't sleep.

Love you and be good poppets til I return.

Apology Continued

Apparently you can only post five images at a time with this program... will work on learning HTML and web design so I can be a 'mini MK' but for right now, on with the show... and it is officially my birthday - I heard the clock chime midnight... good thing I'm not Cinderella!!

So Sorry...

I know it has been forever since I have posted anything. Between my bronchitis/allergies/asthma kicking my ass and working 70 hours a week at my part-time job I have been a bit run down. So, by the time I get this uploaded it will be my 34th birthday and in honor of such a momentous occassion I have decided to post a wallpaper for each day I have missed!

Happy downloading and I promise to get better, minus my upcoming vacation to Disney with my best friend but other than that I will be good - I swear!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

The Second Day of Christmas...

On the Second Day of Christmas your P88hBear gave to you... a wallpaper of Donald being Scrooge for you to view! (It's late ~ not sure if they are going to get any better through out the month so just laugh, download and enjoy!).

The First Day of Christmas...

On the First Day of Christmas, your P88hBear gave to you... a wallpaper of Pooh, Tigger and Piglet too!

Bit of Christmas Cheer

Even though I rear-ended a car on the way home tonight (some teenager decided that he was going to slam on his breaks to take a drink from his soda while exiting I-75), I have decided that if I might need some cheering up (my front end is cracked and will need to be replaced - and the car isn't even a year old yet!) then some of you might need cheering up too!

Who can be sad with Mickey staring at you so sweetly. Car accident, Greg Page retires (my longest post to date)... just not a good day. Work you magic Mickey, like you always do, my friend.

Be good poppets and I'll talk to you soon.

27 Days Til Christmas!!

I know there are "12 Days of Christmas" but I have way more Christmas themed wallpaper than that to share!! I thought I would start the season off with a view of Belle's Castle in Disneyland Paris. It just makes you think of how magical it would be live in such a beautiful place...

Wish on a Star Wednesday #9

I know I missed a Wednesday or two in there but I think there have been plenty of wallpapers in between (the majority of the images I post are desktop wallpaper size). This is an official Wednesday posting so we are wishing on a star!!

Today we are getting ready to say good bye to our Happiest Celebration on Earth. We celebrated from 05/05/05 until 09/30/06. It has been a wonderful 18 months so full of history, tradition and memories that I hate to see it end. This paper celebrates the life and times of Walt Disney's first dream - Disneyland.

Don't forget - 10/01/06 is the first day of a Year of a Million Dreams!! I can't wait to make even more dreams come true...

Be good poppets while I'm gone.

Happy Fall Y'All!

I thought that I would post these little beauties for y'all to celebrate the season! Enjoy - more to come later on today. Be good poppets and I'll see you soon.