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!!

The Power of Frank Sinatra

So I was coming home from taking Sami to preschool and Frankie came on the radio singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". I smiled inspite of myself, and who wouldn't listening to his silky voice.

Coming into my neighborhood I saw an older couple taking their morning stroll. They were around late 60ish if I had to guess. That isn't what struck me as I live in Florida, late 60ish couples are everywhere. This is what struck me ~ they were holding hands and smiling at each other.

They have probably been together for almost 50 years and outwardly appear to still be madly in love. They looked like a couple of kids and so happy to be together. He even did a cool side step so that he would be on the side of the sprinklers so she wouldn't get wet. When the sidewalk ended, he looked behind them and placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her towards the side of the street she would be protected by him against the traffic.

How wonderful it is to see that even though we are living in an age of divorce and violence, that two people whom I don't know could restore my faith that happily ever after truly does exist.

Calm Before the Storm

So this past week I have been lucky enough to get out extremely early... about four hours early most nights! This is because, historically speaking, this week is always very slow and my entire team has been ER'd every night. ER stands for Early Release ~ if we are having a low call volume day then the agents because a liability more than an asset so we usually send them home to lower the overhead.

I know that I only have a few more weeks of wonderful like this before we hit our Peak Season (January through March) and I will be working 60 or more hours a week with one day off if I'm lucky.

I really wish this week would have been busy but I was not that blessed.

21 Days Left

Until my birthday!!

I know it's late...

but it was way too funny not to post!!

2007 Disney Legends

This story is from the Disney Insider but is well worth reposting here. To be a Disney Legend is something we all dream of and I hope that one day, I too will be among those who will live forever in our history. This past September I had the honor of meeting a Disney Legend, Marty Sklar, and I must say that my dream is a pretty lofty one indeed! Enjoy!

The Newest Disney Legends Join the Family

It felt like a family reunion. On October 10, when the 2007 Disney Legends were inducted at the heart of the Disney Studios, there were no paparazzi on the red carpet, and no posh posturing. The crowd was largely composed of Disney Legends - both newly minted and those named in years past - their families, and their colleagues past and present. There was plenty of hugging and laughter as old friends recognized each other across Legends Plaza, where the ceremony was held.

For 20 years, the Disney Legends induction ceremony has been how Disney honors its own - the brilliant, hardworking men and women who have created the magic. This year's inductees include broadcasters and animators, executives, and songsters. Many of them have been showered with awards over the decades, but it was clear on that sunny autumn afternoon that this honor was especially meaningful - because it came from those who know them best.
"This is actually one of the nicest days on the Disney lot, in my opinion, and I think that's shared with many here," said Disney CEO Bob Iger in his opening remarks, summing up the feeling of the event. "You all know that The Walt Disney Company has a very rich heritage, founded in Walt's extraordinary imagination and creativity. This heritage is kept alive by artists and designers, performers, musicians, technicians - and yes, even executives! - whose outstanding work has brought us to where we are today."

No one knew better than Bob how influential two of the honorees have been - at various times in his career, he has worked for both of them. Roone Arledge headed ABC Sports and then ABC News during his long and distinguished career, while Tom Murphy piloted ABC from a single TV and radio station into an international media conglomerate.

Tom commented, "I'm very proud of Bob - of the great job he's doing here. And I'm a very happy stockholder because of the great job he's doing here! It's nice seeing Roy Disney here, and Jane Eisner. And going back many years ago, I haven't seen Art Linkletter for maybe 45 years!"
Art was far from the only Legend on hand to welcome the new inductees - also in the audience were X Atencio, Kathryn Beaumont Levine, Virginia Davis McGee, Richard Sherman, Dick Jones, and about a dozen more. And almost all of them had been helped over the years by 2007 Legend inductee Lucille Martin, who rose from the Disney secretarial pool to become Walt's personal secretary, and finally a vice president of The Walt Disney Company.

The Disney Parks would have lost some of this magic without inductees Ron Logan, long the man behind the entertainment at the Disney Parks around the world, and Walt Disney Imagineering treasurer Carl Bongirno.

Walt Disney Pictures chairman Dick Cook described Floyd Norman as follows: "Our next Disney Legend is an animator, a writer, and a self-confessed troublemaker - which is another way of saying that he's a Disney artist!" Troublesome the animators might be, but this enormously talented group yielded three Legends for 2007:

• Floyd, who says of his Disney years, "From 1956 until now has been a long time, but I'll tell you - every year working with Walt, working with a great bunch of people, it's been a ball."

• Art Babbitt, remembered by his wife Barbara as follows: "He was a great artist and an intellectual, and he was such an honorable man, and very deserving of this award."

• Dick Huemer, whose son Dr. Richard Huemer greeted Donald Duck at the podium when accepting his father's award with "My dad drew you, you know!"

From the other side of the drawing board came Legend Marge Champion, the live-action model for Snow White, the Blue Fairy from "Pinocchio," and even Mr. Stork in "Dumbo." Receiving her statuette, she said "I can't tell you how moved I am today - not only with thanks and gratitude for this extraordinary award, but also because it brings back so many memories. Seeing so many of you here is very, very comforting!"

A Legend we at the Disney Insider were especially happy to see recognized is our friend Disney Archivist Dave Smith, who has a regular spot in the Insider answering your questions about all things Disney. Dave said, "I'm not an actor, I'm not a composer, I'm not a filmmaker, I'm not a Theme Park designer, I'm not any of these creative categories who have usually been named as Disney Legends in the past. But over the 38 years that I've been working as the archivist for The Walt Disney Company, I've been privileged to know and work with almost every single one of the 200 people who have been named Disney Legends in the past. It's a tremendous honor for me today to join their illustrious group."

Bob Schiffer was long a legendary name in Hollywood thanks to a long career film makeup, but his son Douglas told us, "My father was in the film business for 65 years. I can say that the 36 years that he spent at the Disney Studio were his happiest. He was deeply honored to work here and he forged great friendships. He received many personal awards and accolades over the years, and I'm sure this would be his finest accomplishment."

The final honoree was film composer Randy Newman, who was escorted to the podium by his good friends Buzz and Woody from "Toy Story," and who said to the assembled crowd, "I've never seen anybody work harder than the animators and crews who make animated pictures do. It's an honor to be among that company."

Then Randy performed "You've Got a Friend in Me." It's a song that surely caught the spirit of this event, which was a reunion of long-time friends and colleagues with diverse gifts and talents, and one big thing in common - all of them are part of the Disney family.

Lack of Blogging Reprimand

Erin has been reprimanding me for not blogging so here is a quick update and I will elaborate more later (we all know that I have problems keeping it short but I am going to attempt)...

1. Had date a couple dates off of that silly little profile I put up. One thought he would get laid on first and second date... apparently he can't read. The other has been a complete gentleman.
2. Doug, the complete gentleman, has been wonderful. We went out on Saturday night last week and he calls me every day. He can't wait until our date on Sunday to see me so he is going to stop by my work on Friday night. Yeah, I keep grinning over this one. He is 6', nice build, salt n' pepper hair, 41 and has a great job. He understands my work and is not overbearing. I may have lucked out but we'll see.
3. Went to Leader Appreciation Luncheon yesterday. It was a lot of fun. We started at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa "Summer House" and about 30 minutes into it, Pirates stormed the shores. The captured our executive staff and we had to take a 30 minute boat ride to have lunch on the beach of Disney's Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground. They celebrated all the Leaders and we each got an engraved statue of Chip n' Dale (who were there in Pirate outfits as well) that said "Thanks for an exceptional 2007" or something close to it and our names underneath.
4. I RSVP'd to the DRC Celebration (aka Christmas party) as "bringing an adult guest". If Doug behaves, I'll bring him with me... and I have feeling that he will.

That's all I've got for now. I could go in greater detail, like my MVMCP date, but I will save that for those later posts that Erin will beg me to write... LOL. Be good poppets and I will try to find something creative to post... Oh, I'll share my 'boat' experience tonight and then everyone can hunt down Devika to kick her tail... evil little monster that she is, and not in a good way. Even Doug said that "no one makes my girl upset, I'll kick her @ss"... yeah, my knight in shining armor keeps getting shinier and shinier.

Interesting Fodder

As you know, I posted that silliness below on a Personals website out of... what really? Anyway, it appears as though in the past 24 hours I have been "viewed" 35 times, received 2 emails (though I swear one has to be from the company saying 'ha, we made you pay for it now') and compiled 4 "winks". Now let's break this down...

• 11% of the time someone thinks I am cute enough to "wink" at but not actually contact. Could it be that they are shy or perhaps to lazy too actually make honest effort to write a little note.



• Are the emails sitting in my Inbox real or perhaps is it a way to make this poor little girl pay them money for their service?



• I seem to collect older men, roughly an average age of 38, that range from 35 to 42... which to me just says what I have thought all along ~ younger men are just out to laid.



• I also seem to collect men who are about 6' tall (which is good for me) and a bit on the stocker side (also okay with since they are more like teddy bears... although The Rock is not someone I would throw away should he show up).

What does all of it mean? What am I supposed to do with all of this now? Do I pay money for one of their limited amounts of time and actually attempt this fodder which scares me to death? Sometimes being analytical and a bit anal does not help...

Confession

Yeah, I have a guilty little secret... I actually am getting a kick out of watching The Bachelor. I never watched it before but the previews for the season premiere caught my attention (for something I can't even remember now) and I have been hooked ever since. It's amazing what being a night owl will do for your mental capacity some times... although he is one of the cutest, sweetest, most normal men ever. But then you have to wonder ~ we make magic so how much of him is real?

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...

Dear Santa...

I have been a good girl all year and I only want one thing for Christmas ~ a good guy. So here is my wish list of all things I would like for you put into him and then place him under my tree on Christmas Eve. Oh, and I promise to take good care of him too! Here goes:

1. As you know, I am a good Southern girl so please do not put anyone under my tree who is expecting to "score" on the first couple of dates. I love sports as much as the next person and I get that it is a back-handed compliment of sorts but that is one goal that will not happen. A gentleman will understand this and remember that good things come to those who wait.

2. Please make him light-hearted and easy going. I love to indulge in the relaxing things in life and take pride in the fact that I am a bit goofy. I have never met a stranger so he needs to be comfortable in his own skin, just as I am in mine.

3. He must love kids. Some of his own are good but he has to love mine, although he won't meet them until I think it is right. Nothing to take offense by, just don't want random men meeting the most precious people in my life until I'm sure of everything.

4. I like to be spoiled so please give him a romantic heart. Spoiling doesn't even cost any money, just a bit of effort. Like those sweet text messages when I wake up, a call just to say he was thinking about me or a random note left where I will find it unexpectedly, kisses on my forehead just because... they all make me melt with a sigh. Curled up on the coach with my head in his lap while he strokes my hair is the sweetest thing to me... I guess I believe in fairy tales and romantic comedies, all I want is my own happy ending.

5. Please make him stable, intelligent, financially secure and funny. I have supported many a man and would rather know that he can take care of himself. I want someone who "wants" me, not "needs" me... I know you understand the difference.

That's all I am asking for and I know you can deliver, you've never let me down before! Just remember these things are my top priority and very dear to my heart. The rest of it will fall in place since I don't really have a "type"... just an ideal.

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

What's Up With That?

So here is the deal... I had that date the other night, right. Well I just received an IM from Jeff that said he was there but not (been showing offline for a few days) since he had some things that he had to take care of before he goes to work tomorrow. He also said that he wasn't sure where things were going to go with us be he wanted to be friends. Plus, he met someone the other night and he wants to see where it goes. Horrible timing but things happen. All of that in an IM... can you believe it.

Here is my take on it... one simple fact rules the deal. The fact that I wouldn't have sex with him on the first date! Trust me, that has to be it because he said that he had a great time and that I was the cutest thing ever. All things were great but when I shot him down and said "not yet" he went out the next day and found someone who would sleep with him... now he wants to see how it progresses.

Perhaps I am too old fashioned, or perhaps I am too Southern to date Yankees with no morals. I don't know but when did it become the norm to have sex within a few hours of meeting people. Don't relationships start with getting to know people, building solid foundations and letting things grow from there? I didn't know it started with meaningless sex and then you see if you are compatable.

I guess if that is the new way things are done, I will die old and alone. There will never be another relationship for me since I refuse to do things in that order... and that to me is very sad.

Rocking the Boredom Scene

So yeah, I'm bored out of my mind... and broke beyond words. I have enough money to get gas in my car to last me (I pray) until payday on Thursday... that is what we call EPCOT (Every Paycheck Comes On Thursday)... because we are all so broke and live paycheck to paycheck.

I am torn between behaving or going to take my little bit of money and treating myself to the movies. I really want to see "Dan in Real Life". It looks flipping hilarious... knowing me, I'll be right here doing nothing but checking work email when I should be having fun.

I have no idea why I am in a funk. Actually, I do but is it something that I really want to blog about to the entire world? Perhaps later tonight, when I feel like I am the only one in the world still awake... perhaps then, but not now.

2007 Cast Holiday Celebration

The time is upon us, Cast Holiday Celebration time!! Many of us wait all year for our little packets in the mail that hold such goodies as discounted rooms, food and fare! I know I get like a kid standing outside the candy store with my nose pressed against the glass... just waiting to be allowed access to all the yummy goodness.

We also have a DRCelebration in December and they just announced the date today! The celebration will be held this year on December 15th ~ my birthday! I am not sure if I am going to go but I do have a room on hold because it is better to be safe than sorry... and I would love to spend my birthday at WDW since I have actually never done it. Our celebration is being held at Disney's Contemporary Resort but I couldn't get a room there so my lodging is at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort which is still pretty (they have bay windows). I also did something I would have never done before in a million years ~ I booked it for 2 Adults... who knows, I might have a date.

Perhaps I will know more before the deposit is due on November 8th... perhaps.

Stranger Things Have Happened

Alright, y'all, prepared to be floored... are you sitting down? I actually had a date last night! I know, stranger things have happened, but it's true.

His name is Jeff and we actually met online of all places. I always told myself that I would not go on a date with anyone I met online but to be honest, he was really sweet... and cute! He is a single father of 2 (12 and 7, girl and boy respectively) and works in IT. He seemed very smart, funny and for some odd reason, attracted to moi... go figure.

We were IMing on my blackberry before the Diversity session yesterday and he asked if I wanted to watch a movie with him. I said sure and we decided that he would come to my house when I got home around 9ish. Jeff was actually prompt which impressed the stew out of me and we watched "Ghost Rider" which was awful!

We had silly banter and such but it was just nice. And yes, he did kiss me good night and yes, butterflies and teenage stupidity insued... all in good fun. The question then becomes whether or not there is a repeat performance. He has already IMed me today and is currently out riding his motorcycle because it is beautiful out... I do like the fact that he talked to me today but I am being realistic. My life was great before last night and it will be great if last night does not happen again. It was just nice to feel pretty again.

Excuse Me?!?!

Dumbledore is not gay!! What the hell is she thinking stating that he was gay? Now don't get me wrong, I have many gay friends... I work at Disney for crying out loud... the majority of the people there are gay... but Dumbledore... hell no!

7 Random Facts I Must Post... per Erin

"7 Random Facts I must post.
So read them, comment them & then check to see if your name is in the 7 I tag.
If it is, list 7 Random Facts about yourself & pass on the tag to 7 people."...

That is how my day started. I wanted to hop on the computer and work on my PCP (Performance Connection Plan) so I can put it to bed but nooooo... Erin said that I have to post these seven things and we all know that we can't let Erin down... that would be wrong. So as the directions say, here are 7 Random thing that I must post and then there will be tags at the bottom for those of you who must post new items to your blogs as well... but I will allow MySpace blog entries since very few of us use our Blogspot any more... one thing I don't think I could get rid of... okay, off we go.

1. I hate to wear shoes and take them off whenever possible, whether appropriate or not.
2. I daydream while I drove home at night. I run scenarios in my head about what I want to happen in my life and how I would react... the scary part is that some have actually come true.
3. I am extremely proud to work for Disney and have a head full of knowledge that won't be useful anywhere but my job. I actually get offended when people say awful things about anything regarding Disney and will argue the fact we are fabulous. I even get teary-eyed over our new ad spots... aren't they wonderful!
4. Sometimes when I don't know the answer to a question of the top of my head, I tell the cast member that we will "find it together so they will be better able to find the information in the future".
5. When I have to stay on property for work-related things, I always talk a big game about being able to spend some quiet time alone but in reality, I miss my kids so much I could cry.
6. I see couples walking around together and I make up stories about their life. I figured since I don't have anyone I will make up fairy tale endings for all the other people who do have someone to grow old together.
7. I love Starbucks coffee and there are days where I will justify going more than once. Plus, if you drink enough coffee, you won't eat and perhaps I won't have such a fat ass if it is full of scrumpdillyumptious coffee instead of other things.

Alrighty, there are my random things and now for the posting of the tags... be ready to spill it all because I am going to throw this on my MySpace blog now that I've thought about it.... I tag:

1. Chris Corley
2. Betty Anne
   
3. Tracie
4. Boo - a.k.a. Katie Ray
5. Melissa
6. Daryl
7. anyone who has now read this... evil, I know but hey what can I say.
   

Walt Disney Flashback

I needed something to make feel better with the stupid flu... look what I stumbled on...

Promised Post

Last night I promised a posting but that was before I was bitch-slapped by this cold and am sitting here trying to sound coherant with a fever of 101... so I'm sorry that this isn't as wonderful as promised but after I get rid of the fever, I am going to fix Dani's homecoming pictures and post them... after the fever though because there are somethings I don't quiet get...

I feel better