Keebles World

Happy Blogoversary Cathey...these are for you!!! Go to DaffyCat 's site to see all the other posts for Cathey!

Today is my Birthday and I've been reminiscing a bit on my childhood. Since my sister reminded me of a man who was one of the most important figures of said childhood, I figured I'd make my Birthday post a tribute of all the musical artists I've swooned over in my days. Like them, I may not have aged well or be as thin as I once was (well, actually I've never been thin), but hopefully someone can look at me today as I do them and still see the hot 20 year old residing within! First up, the specific man that Amber reminded me of, Mr. Robert Smith and my all time favorite song ever...Just Like Heaven: Then, of course, what 80's New Wave chick could do without Dave Gahan and my second favorite song...But Not Tonight: Finally, the cream of the crop, the end-all be-all, Mr. Perfect himself, Simon Le Bon and my all-time favorite Duran song...Serious: But, of course, we all grow up and new influences come into our lives. For me it's two in particular...fi...

Last post of this series, and what would a Disney trip be without the "Pack"? Are you wondering what the "Pack" is? It's actually a combination of things that I spend weeks preparing...the final icing on the Disney cake! I start off with a plastic tub for the current year's stuff. I did manage to buy a bunch of these while they were still readily available (so they would all match): Here is last year's tub after it's complete (the sticker design is that year's "theme"): There are certain things bought to only go in the tub: A Birbaum's for that year (they aren't good for much else-worst travel guide ever, but has great photos and is a good memory of what the parks were like that particular year). I also get a free vacation planning DVD directly from Disney for the same reason (also pictured are some of my documents mailed by Disney) as well as the Food and Wine Festival Passport which you get stamped at every boot...

We're almost done with this blog series, so I guess I should talk about the most important aspect of any trip...the pet sitter. My boys don't like to be boarded (what dog does?), so stability and their own environment is very important when I'm not here. My Mother has graciously stayed with my "kids" for many years (although we have had our "moments" because she thinks she can sneak them down to her house for a while...she ALWAYS gets caught). Plus, it's always good to make sure your house is safe (especially where I live). I do have a security system, but I feel much better knowing that my stuff is protected. I also have friends in the police force, so the extra police presence always makes my Mother feel better about staying in my trailer (I'm the poor one of the family and my better-off relatives have issues with coming near my neck of the woods...someday when I win the lottery those roles will be reversed!). I have boarded them in the...

What could you possibly need with boxes? Well, not so much if you're driving, but flying, it's a Disney shopping necessity! We buy a lot of junk. So much so that it definitely won't fit in our luggage (and, since the baggage handlers are the most trustworthy lot, I wouldn't dare put anything valuable in my checked bags anyway). We ship a huge box filled with other huge broken-down boxes as well as packing supplies to Disney a few days before we leave. As long as you put your arrival date and put "guest", the resort will happily store the box until you arrive. Then, everything we buy goes in the boxes and then we ship them home from the resort's front desk the day of departure. Granted, Disney will ship things home for you (and you don't have to pay sales tax if you ship outside the state of Florida, only the shipping charges), but they don't pack them well and things get broken (especially with our local UPS delivery people...I still swear ...

Camera battery chargers, iPhone chargers, iPod chargers, laptops, tablets, yada, yada, yada. There aren't enough plugs in a hotel room to accommodate all these items plus hair dryers and Chi irons, and whatever else. That's why a power strip tucked in your luggage is always a good idea! I actually have one that has two USB ports on it as well so that I'm not taking up valuable acreage with plugs. Especially since I have more than one camera battery charger to be able to keep them all charged. I also bought one for Am (which doubles the plug situation since she has the same stuff I do). In the past couple of hotel rehabs, Disney has added USB ports in their desks/tables to help out (or at least every resort I've stayed in), but it's still not enough if you have just as many electronics as well do. Definitely plan on adding the power strip, you won't regret it!

I went to the post office today! I did cheat and had a coworker go with me, but I guess as long as they are mailed, it doesn't matter! Once you guys get your pins, let me know so I won't worry and enjoy!

I don't think people realize how massive Disney World is and just how much walking a person does. Plus, I come from Amazon women (which I am not), so I have to walk fast just to keep up with them! Yep, I'm also pooh-sized...which means footwear in Disney World is a very particular thing. I've spent years trying to find the "right" pair of tennis shoes, only to always end up with blisters, no matter how good the shoe. I have always made it home without any serious damage to my feet, but I usually can't walk for a couple of days once I'm home. It's always been extremely frustrating. That is, until the miracle that is Teva Mush came into my life. Am has pretty much always worn flip flops or sandals in Disney (although I do remember the occasional tennis shoe day) with very little blister problems. She talked me into trying Teva's one year when I didn't think I could take another day of tennis shoes, and I don't think I've ever lo...

Although I would never use an iPod in the parks and find great offense with those that do, it's definitely one of those "must pack" necessities I can't live without. But as far as in the parks goes, Disney sounds are as big a part of the experiences as is the sights and smells. The subtle transition changes from one land to the other in the Magic Kingdom or the tropical ambiance sounds in Animal Kingdom are really amazing if you stop to listen. And you can't forget about the songs that make up the Disney library...Grim, Grinning Ghosts or Yo, Ho A Pirates Life or even Zip A-Dee Doo-Dah, even someone who has never been to Disney knows at least one of these songs, and they are playing everywhere! During the "getting there" part of the excursion, the comforts of the right music, music that is important to me, control my nerves almost as good as Xanax (and lots of Xanax and driving don't mix well - although lots of Xanax does mix well with airports...

I'm a girl, therefore a purse I must carry. I have meds, camera gear, credit cards, and valuable trip documents that need a home (and the occasional extraneous Disney purchase). I do tend to over-carry supplies though and comfort in a bag is a big issue. Throughout the years I've tried them all; backpacks, sling bags, shoulder bags, and even the occasional tote bag (well, all but fanny-packs...I'm convinced there is a demon somewhere in hell laughing his ass off at his creation). Messenger bags tend to work best for me. They can go cross-body deflecting weight off of a single shoulder (although they do make for interesting tan lines). I like the thought of a drawstring backpack (especially since they are so light), but being a "pleasantly plump" girl, drawstrings don't fit so good over my arms. I did carry a backpack for years, but having my stuff away from convenient reach made me incredibly nervous. The sling bag is just weird...it's like a back...

Disney time is almost here! The closer it gets, the more the smaller, but no less important, details of Disney planning comes into play. For me, there is nothing so important as a camera. Pictures are the best memories simply because, no matter how many years pass, one glance at my Disney pics stirs the sights, smells, atmosphere, and all the feelings in a specific second of life. There is nothing else that has that power. It's the one accessory I will never go to Disney without. Having said that, you'd think I'd be a total camera geek, but picture taking is very hard for me in more ways that one. Obviously, everyone that goes to Disney World takes pictures, but, for those that have been, have you ever seen this rampant picture taking by thousands of people? Probably not because you are too busy taking pictures of your own. But I notice everything and actually seeing cameras left and right is rare (makes you wonder where are the pictures come from). So, for me to ...

Congrats again to the winners of my first ever giveaway! I've got the pins sorted and ready to go, I'm just waiting on Heather Cartwright and Lauren at Ambitious Stitches to send me their info so that I can get it all mailed together! So, in the meantime, how about a little update of my chitlins...Bam and Zachary (oh, and I took these right after they ate, so they are a bit messy)!

OK, enough suspense! How many times has Keebles been to Disney World already? The answer still isn't ready to be revealed...let me wander just a bit before I give an actual total. My first ever trip to Disney World was 1981. I was 10, almost 11 years old and, once it was finished, I swore I would never take another family vacation as long as I lived! Not because Disney was bad, but because my Step-Dad...well, let's just say he isn't the nicest person on the planet. Back then, the only park was Magic Kingdom (Epcot was only a model in Tomorrowland and we had no idea they were actually building it-pre-widespread internet usage). We stayed off-site because there were only a couple of resorts then (and staying on-site wasn't such a big deal like it is now). We also did Sea World, Circus World (R.I.P.), Cape Canaveral and NASA, the beach, and probably other things I don't remember...all in one week! Plus, not only was it the middle of summer, but I was also cut...

Just last week, I received my Magic Band for my upcoming October trip to "the World". It came in a huge box (the same size box that four usually fit in-which I think is a massive waste of space). My name is on the back of the actual band as well. I did actually choose the gray (the color given when you don't pick a color) because, as of now, they don't have purple as an option (BAD DISNEY!). I really hate pink and also green, orange, red, and yellow and I thought the blue might be too boyish, so that left me with gray. I'm cool with my choice though, you can decorate them up with gibbits or sleeves and such, so no worries there. To tell you the truth, I'm not jazzed about the whole Magic+ concept. It is still in the testing phase as of now, but since every upcoming resort guest is "being chosen" for testing, one might as well just say they are in full use. The only thing that might change after testing is that more options could be added to th...

It's done, kaput, finito, fin, ende, terminado, wrapped up, sqashed...well, you get the point. While no one hit the proverbial nail on the head, Siobhan got the closest with 13 and Heather was second with 15. I only wish I had been in the 30's like Lauren and DJH guessed, but their Disney-lovin comments put a huge smile on my face! So, since I only had four total entries, let's just say that EVERYBODY WINS!!! I have enough for everybody anyway. Heather and Siobhan will get a couple of extras thrown in because they were first to guess and top of the class and Lauren and DJH will get their handful for just being Disneyfied! Everyone, please send me your addresses (and my UK friend will need to send me her phone # as well for the shipping document). I do ask that you guys be patient with me...going to the post office is one of the hardest things for me, so it might take me a bit to gather up the courage to get there. I'll email you when I make it! CONGRATULATIONS ...

Today is the last day to get your entry in for my Blogoversary Celebration-Disney pin giveaway! I've really only gotten one serious entry (thanks to Heather Cartwright!), so I figure I'd give it one more shot! Oh, and Heather, just because you were the "real" first entry, I'm giving you a handful of pins even if someone else beats your guess! Congrats!! Send me your details when you can and I'll get them shipped out A.S.A.P. (there is an email link in my "About Me" section-currently to the lower right of this post). Anyone interested in winning a handful of Disney pins, you have until midnight tonight to guess how many times in total (solo or with family) I have been to Disney World (not including the two upcoming trips). Oh, and I forgot...here is the LINK to the original Bloversary Giveaway post for you to sign up!