Time in a Bottle

"If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
'Til eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you"

That's a little excerpt of "Time in a Bottle"  by Jim Croce.

Our baby girl is growing up so so so fast.  I can't believe that in just 3 months she'll be celebrating her 4th birthday.  Like what?!?

It feels like forever since I was pregnant.  When I see photos of baby Persephone, I try hard to remember those times in my head and it honestly seems like a blur.  All those times our elders told us to enjoy the time we have because it all passes by so quickly is so true.  You don't realize it usually until you have a child yourself, but old people are wise y'all.

In two years she'll be in kindergarten.
In ten years she'll be a pre-teen.

I'm ready to cry right meow

Travel Agent

For anyone who hasn't seen my recent Facebook posts...I am now a travel agent!  I signed up recently under Discover the Magic Vacations based out of Summerville, SC.  Of course I specialize in D-I-S-N-E-Y.  But I've recently registered to quote/book Carnival Cruises too.

So if YOU or anyone you may know is looking for information and pricing on a Disney vacation (this can be Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani - A Disney resort and Spa and/or Adventures By Disney) or Carnival Cruise Lines please send them my way!

I graduated the College of Disney Knowledge in May.  It's a program Disney provides to any agents wanting to sell Disney Destinations.

This is all still new to me, so I thank you for your patience as I continue to learn the ropes.  Feel free to "Like" my page on Facebook  and visit my webpage Discover the Magic Vacations with Amanda 

 

#ElsaandPersephone

I’ve lost my marbles y’all.  A co-worker had 5 kittens mature enough to leave their mama and I said “I WANT ONE”.  

Initially I requested a boy, I just assume they’re sweeter than girls…at least as far as cats are concerned.  All of the kittens were some variation of gray and white.  So when I found out there was possibly a boy who was gray with white paws – I said mine, mine, mine.  I already decided I would name him Thumper, which is Flower’s friend in Bambi (both male).

On Friday I got the sweet fur ball.  I left work a little early and ran to the vet.  Our new baby weighed 1lb and they confirmed she was approx. 7 weeks old.  A little underweight for her age, but nothing to worry about.  They said generally 1lb 3oz is normal – wow…3oz in a kitten must mean a lot.

Turns out IT’S A GIRL!  So after we all got home, we changed her name to Elsa…err Persephone changed her name.  I was sitting on Lady or Alice, but Elsa works.  I guess it’s appropriate to have the name of a Queen, as technically Persephone is Queen of the Underworld in Greek mythology.

They tested her for feline leukemia and hiv – she was clean!  We also gave her a dose of Revolution which not only treats fleas and eggs – it also protects against heartworms, ear mites, roundworms and hookworms.  She did have some fleas on her so I wanted to get those handled before we brought her home.  She also received her first distemper booster – which is funny.  A lot of people think cats are assholes, they aren’t…but they’re so independent it makes them seem that way.  So I’ve heard people say before that the shot didn’t work on Tinker Bell because she was always so sassy – well it’s a vaccine for a viral disease not literally for their temper hahaha.

We go back July 9^th for a re-check and her next booster shot.

Anyway – she warmed right up to Persephone, Hardy and I….Flower not so much.  I forgot how funny kittens can be to watch.  She’s entertainment without the boring commercials.  Flower and Elsa are slowly getting closer each day, he still hisses and growls but he’s not out for the kill.  I have hope things will be smooth in another week or so!

So…without further ado, please meet Elsa

Hello from the other side

I fell out of blogging, just haven't been feeling the need to write.  #sorrynotsorry

What's new?

I got my daith pierced on both sides back in March.  I'd been reading online that there were some results of migraine relief when having gotten the daith pierced.  Apparently that area of the ear is used in acupuncture to soothe head pain.  Well I've had a couple of migraines since then...so I can't say it's worked for me.  But I refuse to take these out because I paid for them.  Mine were pierced using an eyebrow barbell to allow for swelling/healing, not the captive ball as shown below.

I got Persephone signed up with a children's modeling/acting agency (thanks to a friends recommendation).  She's been on two auditions so far, and she's actually booked as a "back up" for a shoot next week!  Back up's are commonly used for child acting/modeling in case the first pick doesn't work out.  It doesn't cost us anything, but time and gas to take her to the auditions.  I'm lucky enough my mom doesn't work, so she's been the chauffeur since this all began.

She's doing great in school, I think, haha. At least if she weren't, I'm sure I would hear about it.  Unfortunately, and maybe fortunately she'll be in class with the 3/4yr olds another year because of her birthday.  She won't be 5 until after the cut off, so she'll be 6yrs old by the time she starts kindergarten.

We're battling impetigo...A G A I N.  This time I think we caught it early enough though.  Last year as you may recall, it was under her right arm and on her chest some.  I didn't notice it until they were already blistering/popping.  This time I caught a small bump on her cheek, tried to use neosporin on it one night and nothing changed.  We went to CVS Minute Clinic Saturday morning and confirmed it was impetigo.  She prescribed bactroban gel and cephalexin (oral antibiotic) to help nip it in the bud.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed it works.

We miss Disney World terribly and can't wait to go back, I don't know when that'll be.  We are setting sail on a cruise at the beginning of June with Hardy's family.  This will be our first time on MSC Cruise Line.  But I'm looking forward to the vacation.  Unlike Disney, you can actually just BE STILL on a cruise haha.

We've officially lived in our home for a year (in February) and still love it very much.  Persephone is best pals with our neighbors son.  Every day we come home she's asking if he's home.  Hopefully we can get a fence installed in the next few months or so that way they can both play and be corralled at the same time.

I turned 31 on April 8th - feels the same as 30 actually so no harm.

Hardy and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary last weekend.  We ate dinner at Pappadeux's and saw Captain America: Civil War...but I feel like it could have been called The Avengers: Civil War because everyone pretty much shared the same amount of screen time as Captain America.

We are participating in The Color Run: Birmingham the weekend of Memorial Day at my moms and I'm looking forward to it!

Threenager Transition

While Persephone still takes naps at daycare, she's dropped her nap on the weekends.  This used to be my favorite time...I love naps and I got to cuddle with her.  I guess they're a thing of the past.

Now that she's no longer napping on the weekends, she's turning into a real "Threenager".  Full on, cranky, whiny, testing-the-limits girl.  Hardy got on to Persephone and myself twice this weekend for fussing back and forth.  At one point he sent us both to our rooms, respectively.  Then Persephone started crying for me (because Daddy was being the "mean" one) and he had to remind her to be quiet when in time out.  I thought I was being well behaved, then he came and snatched my phone.....

I think it's like bickering back and forth with your BFF.  I'm right, she's wrong, yet she's defiant and then I'm angry which continues the vicious cycle.

I remember posting on Facebook over a year ago about Persephone and the terrible two's and I had so many responses from people saying "Just wait until she's three" or "Three is much worse".  Haha, you guys were right...

Still I love her to pieces and we are probably to blame for most of her snobby-ness.  She definitely has her sweet moments that make us LOL, tear up and even pout sympathetically.  We sure do love you silly girl!

She's got us wrapped

This evening after I picked up Persephone from daycare, she went on a full  alligator tear cry about missing Disney World and wished she could have stayed....she didn't want to leave.  Well Hardy and I never want to leave.  I guess this is what happens when you breed a Disney-loving-kid.

Disney Movie Club!

Do you love Disney movies like I do?  

Are you a member of the DMC?  

Well...what are you waiting for?  Hardy and I joined in 2007 and have never looked back!  To become VIP status you just have to purchase 4 full price movies within a 2yr period.  After that you can cancel if you like.

But the discounts are pretty awesome.  Usually right now we can buy 1 movie at regular price and get any other movies within the same order for 60% off!

The club offers movies you don't generally find in stores anymore.  Plus you get first offers on pre-orders for new releases!  Once a month they send you an offer via mail and email for a "featured title".  You can decline the offer if you choose to, no obligation.  And if you receive a move you don't want or forgot to decline, you can return it!

They sell both DVD and Blu-ray options.  Check it out!

JOIN DISNEY MOVIE CLUB

Happy New Year!

Well it's been a while since I've posted...I just haven't had much to blog about I suppose.

We had a nice Christmas.  My brother and sister in law were kind enough to help haul off some well overdue "donation" toys to Goodwill for us prior to the holidays.  All I did was make room for all the new junk she was going to get.  I'm glad I did it though, I didn't realize how much crap we were hoarding.  Most of the stuff she never even touched anymore.

New Years Eve we spent with our friends, Shannon, Teddy and their daughter Olivia.  We set off fireworks around 9:30pm and Persephone kept saying "it's just like Disneeee wold"  I love to hear her say that.

We went home a little before midnight because she was getting tired.  I love to see her and Olivia play with one another it's adorable.

Mid-January myself and three co-workers went to Orlando for a users conference.  It was actually pretty fun.  The first night there, Tabitha and I (who shared a room) played Heads Up.  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.  Even now I can re-watch the ridiculous videos and bust out in laughter.  It's good to laugh..you know?  Like it's just good for the soul I think.

I learned a lot about the program we use at work and some tips/tricks.  One night we went out to eat at Buca di Beppo, it was within the mall our hotel was attached to.  Family-style Italian dining...super duper delicious.  But I have never felt so miserable after a meal as I did that night.  I don't know if it was the pasta or what...but I think we were all pretty bloated hahaha!

The last night of the conference, we took one of our co-workers to the airport and then my BFFLADYI Tabitha and I headed over to Magic Kingdom!  They were open until midnight that night so we got a good 6.5hrs out of the quick trip!  We lucked out because the crowds were pretty darn low.  We even got to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in less than 30min!

I was back at work for a week and then...Hardy, Persephone and I took our own trip to Disney.  More on that in the next post!

For Your Information

20 days (and some hours) until Christmas

Are you prepared?

I can say with 100% certainty that Persephone's gifts are complete. 

But we still have several to buy for other people.

World Class Customer Service

Of course I’m biased about Disney, because I love it.  But when you hear people talk about the pride Disney has for their customer service – it aint no joke.  We’ve always had pleasant experiences for the most part at Disney parks and Disney Store.  Only once did we experience an unfriendly cast member.  We were getting on Mission Space and I was carrying my EMPTY resort mug.  The lady at the beginning of the line stopped me to tell me drinks aren’t allowed – I explained it was empty.  She huffed and mumbled something about me ruining the ride for everyone else.

When we finished the ride, I made sure to tell the next cast member I saw how rude this woman was.  It’s one thing to hear/see/experience rude vacationers, but I would never expect that from Disney employees.  

Just before we left for our trip in September, I placed an order on www.DisneyStore.com for some Christmas presents for Persephone.  At the time, they were offering a promotion for the Cinderella Castle Play set (see below) on sale for $49.95 (regularly $89.95) if you spent $50.00 or more.  I’ve read some reviews on the castle about it not holding together very long and that the figurines looked funny, but I decided for ½ price I couldn’t pass it up.

UPS delivered the castle while we were still at WDW.  Once we got home, I began to stow away the goods and noticed the box containing the castle had several holes and a rather large slash.  So big in fact, I could stick half of my hand inside it.  I never completely opened the UPS box because I automatically assumed the castle was damaged.  I emailed DisneyStore, they said they could issue a replacement and would pick up the damaged one.  After several weeks of miscommunication, I finally got a return label and UPS picked it up.  A week passed and I still hadn’t seen the replacement castle, I sent another email to DisneyStore and was asked to call - this can't be good.  

Sadly, during my call I was informed the castle was out of stock and they weren’t sure if/when it would be replenished.  I was upset to say the least, but had a little hope because I KNEW I saw several of the same castle within the Disney parks when we were just there.  I made a post on a Disney group I’m in on Facebook asking if anyone was willing to check for me and have it shipped to my home, I would be willing to pay for the trouble.  A few people replied letting me know the castle was G O N E.  Discontinued gone.  When I started searching for the item online (Amazon and Ebay) the price for the damn thing was triple the Disney price.  Obviously something was going on – why else would the item be so expensive?

::insert bulging eye balls::

Desperate and sad, I went searching.  Found that Disneyland has a castle inspired by their Sleeping Beauty castle and Amazon had it for $104.  It's essentially the same, only the castle is different - duh.  But each light up and I think make noise and came with 10 figurines.

I went ahead and ordered it.  But just to be 100% sure, I decided to reach out directly to Disney Parks Merchandise via email.  I received a reply on Monday telling me the exact sku# for the item I wanted WAS available.  There might be hope at the end after all.  Wednesday when I had time, I made the call to Disney Merchandise explained what I was looking for and that I was told it was available through email.  She was sweet, but gave me the dreaded news that the item was no longer in stock.  In fact, they had been completely out for over 2 weeks.  She even said she’s only sold 2 of those Cinderella Castle play sets this entire year.  But earlier this month, Disney released a brand new castle design and everyone jumped on the old model.  They’re ALL GONE.  ALL.GONE.  WAHHH!  At that moment I realized two things…no wonder it was probably on sale in September for $49.95 with a $50.00 purchase and no wonder the prices had skyrocketed on other online outlets.  She felt bad, and gave me an email address to file a complaint if I wanted to.

Once again, I typed up the dilemma that was nearing its 2mo mark.  I didn’t really expect a personal response.  Maybe just something like “We’re sorry, thank you for your feedback.”

But do you want to know what happened?  This morning I received a phone call from someone with Disney Merchandise who apologized profusely about the entire mishap.  She did explain that because of the new castle, Cinderella has been given the boot.  But she understood the error was on their end (or at least whoever wrote me the email on Monday) and she said:

“So we would like to send you the new castle free of charge.”

::insert bulging happy eye balls::

Are you kidding me?

A castle of $99 value….FREE for us?  Hip Hip Hooray!

So although I won’t be getting the Cinderella Castle Play set.  I already ordered (and received) the Sleeping Beauty castle play set and the new castle is on its way.

I guess it just goes to show, if you never try…you’ll never know if a resolution can be met.  From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU Disney for making this as right as you possibly could.  A lot of people feel Walt's vision has been forgotten, but clearly not the case this time.  I know our daughter is only 3 and has no idea and could care less if she got a castle or box of sticks for Christmas.  But the excitement on her face makes this worthwhile!

Thank you pal!