This ACTUALLY has nothing to do with Disney, except the continuation of the lost phone saga...In case you missed it, here are the details...Lost iPhone 4 at Disney's Hollywood Studios Wednesday, December 4th, 2012 around 6 PM
Filed a report at Guest Services at 9 PM upon park closing
[completely legibly wrote my name, the phone's number, gave my mom's number for contact info and her address to mail it back to.
Description of the phone, small case, picture of me dressed as a Santa with 3 little elves around me. Other identifying factors, if necessary, which apparently wasn't tons of pics of twin babies, baking failures and most recently Cinderella's castle. The last picture taken was of the Scrabble board over the Toy Story area in Hollywood Studios.
Call as soon as 9 am rolls around the next morning, December 5th, Thursday, the day we left to go home. Took literally 15 minutes to get to a representative who told me that no, there was no phone there with that description but took down all of my info again in case it came in. THIS must be where the misinterpretations came in.
Get to Alyssa's around 7 that night, lost and found is closed, and learn how to track my phone. Lo and behold the phone has been found and appears to be moving (over a lake) toward guest services. Praise the lamb. Call the next day to confirm, Friday the 6th. Here we are present day...
Call. 15 minutes on hold, listening to Disney classics nonetheless, until a man answers. Oh, yes, it showed that that phone had been mailed early the morning of the 5th. Whew, great...but I [compulsively] track the phone again and it hasn't moved. Who is right, Disney or track my iPhone. I decided to research the whole thing and was pretty convinced that if the phone was powered off/battery died/etc., the last know location of the phone would be displayed for awhile before it couldn't be tracked at all and that MUST be what the dilemma was...and I would call Disney again Monday morning [just to be safe].
All weekend long I felt lost. I felt compelled to have my computer with me at all times so I could email or facebook from there if needed. I wasn't able to make any spontaneous social plans, and I attempted to gather a few numbers so that whenever I encountered a phone I could borrow, I could attempt to get a little text fix or her another human's voice over time and space, of course...to only discover that I could no longer use a phone. I kept trying to touch the screen...when I had an old flip phone at my disposal, it took me an hour to type one text message because I had to tap the 5 THREE times just to get one "L" for love of God! When I moved on to a phone with a keyboard my fat fingers pressed ALL of the tiny buttons around the letter I was choosing and wouldn't EVEN correct itself. I mean who even knows how to spell anymore?!? And my phone is supposed to know come on, haven't we been over this, I ALWAYS mean "y'all" when I type "yall" and don't mean "tall." I'm disappointed in this behavior, I expected more out of you." I seriously couldn't take it anymore. Basically, I was starting to lose it. I had to use my real alarm clock...luckily I didn't throw it away like I've done with many other things I deemed no longer necessary like a real dictionary...map...CDs...sigh...
I had to make my computer play my music for me, and only had [gasp!] the regular radio in the car--no AUX jack that I usually plug into my phone...I even had to rely on the radio to tell me the weather!!! And really, how accurate could that be?!? I TRIED to get books onto a borrowed iPad, or just my computer. That ended in tears and storming upstairs to make Alissa try FOR me...still with no result. I may or may not have cried, screamed, flung myself on my bed, on other's couches and mentioned how AWFUL my life without my phone was every 5 to 10 minutes or so. Mind you, this was day 4. I was pathetic.
Monday morning rolls around again and I just needed to call again to make sure they hadn't missed my daily phone call over there at Guest Services...This time I got a male representative, now after wasting 45 minutes of my life on hold, who confirms the package was mailed the 5th. Good, good, I believed that somewhere deep down inside but OK...
"Now why didn't anyone call me and tell me it had been mailed?"
"Well it appeared the number had been disconnected."
"What number did you dial?" WRONG.
[oh no...] "Can I get a confirmation number and/or tracking number on that and can you confirm the address...?" [More holding] Something about tracking only available upon receipt or some bs...and the address...ALL MIXED UP!!! I.Fell.Apart.[Again.]
"Well that's incorrect as well, now what? I guess the phone will be mailed back to y'all? Am I correct?"
[Stupidest response of the century...] "Well the address is very close, it might still get to you."
Right, how could I be so negative!?!
"Can you just change the contact number and let me know immediately if it arrives back y'all and if it does DO NOT attempt to mail it again." I had already asked for overnight shipping and he informed me that they don't do anythign but standard ground shipping so I had made up my mind I would have someone personally pick it up from them and overnight it to me...or drive to Orlando and get it myself. I was not above that at any point.
SO...I don't know where the heck my phone is, or when it will arrive. I have gotten a temporary phone to use in the meantime since I've mentally given up hope that I will ever see my phone again...and have decided that WDW has no idea what this little blunder is costing my sanity. I decided they NEED to realize that they have done a VERY poor job of getting my personal belonging back to me. They need to know how much information and a persons life is wrapped up in a phone that really just cannot be lived without for 2 weeks or more at this point. What do they plan on doing to make this better for me? (Their ideas will be more efficient and reasonable than mine. Season tickets for life would be deemed acceptable. A job being Tinkerbell or a one day park hopper pass is the least I will accept.) I would also strongly suggest they get some capable people on the lines at Lost and Found... The letter might read "Dear Walt Disney World, I figured out where you can afford to hire me and my friends, if not as beautiful princesses...your lost and found department needs some quality brain power. Thanks."
And if they are kind enough to NOT take my suggestions, because firing people is really mean and HARD...I suggest the invent and implement some kind of online form or a kiosk even, to report lost items where the owner types in the information so that if it is wrong it not their fault. And I could update the contact info and etc...AT LEAST they need to go back to the "Charlie-Alpha-Tango" system or ask "G-as-in-goat-girl-googoo-goggles-G-G-G" system in place. Lastly, they should allow guests to be able to opt for additional shipping costs if desired. And be able to track my package. The end.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Disney World 2012 Recap Part I
I'm a list maker and a planner, and I make grand plans down to the tiniest details like playlists and snacks...so GRAND plans for this trip, I was starting 2012 the BEST way possible, in sunny Orlando, FL!!!
And although it isn't saying much, since I wasn't all by myself this trip and it didn't dip into the 20's, rain torrentially, and end in my crying and convinced that I was going to be arrested for running through tolls on 408 in a borrowed car...this year was WAY more fun than last time! Best of all it was shared by friends who are equally as enchanted by the magic as well!
We rode the Teacups--always my fav, and we rode all 3 mountains: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain rides. We ate lunch in line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad which is something I would HIGHLY recommend if you are like me and do not like to waste one second or dime on getting park food and stopping for lunch breaks...
We rode the Teacups--always my fav, and we rode all 3 mountains: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain rides. We ate lunch in line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad which is something I would HIGHLY recommend if you are like me and do not like to waste one second or dime on getting park food and stopping for lunch breaks...It was unseasonably and quite unreasonably cold and so no one [in their right minds] wanted to ride Splash Mountain and be wet...so the wait time was historical--5 minutes. Have you EVER seen a single digit number on that wait time. Never.
We watched Mickey's Philharmagic show, and rode Pirates of the Caribbean (and I jumped out of my seat as a particularly life-like animatronic Jack Sparrow caught me off guard. I did not, howwever, shriek. #accomplishments #itsthesmallthings #notlikeseeingharrypotterinthetheaters).
We heard a little of the Celebrate parade...which looked magical, as we left the park that day and the next day I was going to Animal Kingdom for the first time EVER! We went on Everest two times in a row and it was awesome! Then, we went on Dinosaur, which I liked because it was so similar to the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland--and nothing at Disney World has compared to that yet! I loved it. I would've like to have ridden the Dinosaur Land carnival rides be we were trying to do all 3 parks that day so we had to MOVE!
We did the safari, which made me think how much my mom would like this park (she wants to go on a real safari one day) and I almost fell out of the cart. I know they say to stay seated at all times, but that warning is obviously for children who may fall out...but just as the driver pointed out something we were driving over, I rose from my seat a bit to get a better look at what he was talking about, the truck lurched over to that side and I was almost pitched out. Luckily, someone grabbed me by the shirt and tugged me down just in time.
We watched Mickey's Philharmagic show, and rode Pirates of the Caribbean (and I jumped out of my seat as a particularly life-like animatronic Jack Sparrow caught me off guard. I did not, howwever, shriek. #accomplishments #itsthesmallthings #notlikeseeingharrypotterinthetheaters).
We heard a little of the Celebrate parade...which looked magical, as we left the park that day and the next day I was going to Animal Kingdom for the first time EVER! We went on Everest two times in a row and it was awesome! Then, we went on Dinosaur, which I liked because it was so similar to the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland--and nothing at Disney World has compared to that yet! I loved it. I would've like to have ridden the Dinosaur Land carnival rides be we were trying to do all 3 parks that day so we had to MOVE!
We did the safari, which made me think how much my mom would like this park (she wants to go on a real safari one day) and I almost fell out of the cart. I know they say to stay seated at all times, but that warning is obviously for children who may fall out...but just as the driver pointed out something we were driving over, I rose from my seat a bit to get a better look at what he was talking about, the truck lurched over to that side and I was almost pitched out. Luckily, someone grabbed me by the shirt and tugged me down just in time.
The Tree of Life is AMAZING, I loved it and seeing it in person is kind of surreal. And then, the best part of all...The Lion King show. We sang along and watched the amazing acrobatic monkeys and the dancing animals of all kinds...and then the birds. In the video I took, I captured the moment I decided, "I want to be her." and my life goal expanded from just being Tinkerbell-who-flies-from-the-castle-to-start-the-fireworks to beautiful-ballet-dancing-bird-on-a-wire by day and Tinkerbell by night. If these things could happen, I would die the happiest person on Earth, I think.
THEN we left and went to Hollywood Studios. My girls got Mickey Mouse Ear Ice Creams, we excelled at the Toy Story arcade ride and we rode Rockin' Roller Coaster, me for the first time. Since it wasn't open the only other time I had been to Hollywood Studios. And Tower of Terror...'nuff said...I'm just going to go ahead and say that there aren't many years of roller coaster and frightening experiences like that left in me. I've started getting much more motion sick from these things...and the drops, I really think make my heart stop beating in my chest. Its not one of those thrills like it used to be. Now I just get scared to death and cry. With that being said, lets plan a great theme park adventure before I turn 30 and do some MAJOR DAMAGE to Islands of Adventure or Six Flags or something.
Then the magic stopped...also the heart stopped and the wind was knocked out of me when I realized...I had lost my phone.
I had this thought earlier in the morning that "I am going to lose my phone today." But, as I am supposed to do, I told myself that was an irrational thought, I had no reason to believe that I would really lose my phone today...but I'd kept it even in my inner jacket pocket that zips shut most of the day. Everytime I thought about it I put my hands on it to make sure it was there. I had been texting and taking pictures the whole afternoon...and then, right after Rockin' Roller Coaster... I couldn't find it. We were heading to do Tower of Terror and I just forced my self to relax...but my night was over. No Voyage of the Little Mermaid, no Beauty and the Beast show...just dread at losing my phone. I had a little trouble breathing, but I didn't panic or even cry once. We looked all the places I remembered, the bathroom, one wall we waited on, the curb on Sunset (more waiting), and then the worst thought, it might've fallen out on Rockin' Roller Coaster...so no phone, we tried calling it and texting...but that was it...So we walked through the street that had all the Christmas lights still lit up everywhere and the [incredible] fake snow falling and headed for guest services at the front of the park for closing. I filed a report and we left...for...the last little bit of magic--the fireworks at Magic Kingdom...
I didn't have a hard time having fun, even though I was really upset about my phone...I mean there was the BEAUTIFUL castle, all lit up like a sparkling icicle, Tinkerbell FLYING from the castle, and FIREWORKS--my most favorite things EVER!!! I was practically bursting with joy and excitement as we watched. Alyssa got to pick new shoes from the Emporium, missing the first bit of fireworks, but had awesome new kicks to walk around in. And THEN we watched the coolest light show projected on the castle. I LOVED it all! It was truly freezing, had been a REALLY long day...but we couldn't leave yet. After the parade and fireworks and light show, DROVES of people left. The people with young kids, the ones there just for the fireworks...it was almost like the park vacated even though Magic Kingdom was open until MIDNIGHT that night. So we rode Small World and were trying to make a plan for the next things to do...but we ended up just leaving because we couldn't decide on anything as a group and everyone be happy. I think that's all I can say about the situation here...
Back at the hotel, I started to feel the reality of being without my phone and got really worried. I don't think I slept at all that night, again, for like the 4th night in a row for one reason or another, and when I did sleep I kept dreaming that people were dragging me back on Tower of Terror against my will. I woke myself up crying, "I don't want to!"
We left the next morning, shopped at Downtown Disney for a bit before heading out for real. It was a long, sad, car ride. I began to feel like a spoiled child though, because I was having such a hard time not having a PHONE. It's a phone, right? Yes, but it is so much more than that! I can't check the weather without my phone, I don't know the time without my phone, I know a grand total of three people's phone numbers to call without my phone. I can't check email or facebook or twitter or instagram or Hanging or Words or ANYTHING without my phone. No music, no camera, no Kindle/books to read...no TV without Netflix. My LIFE is contained in my phone...and it felt like I had just been severely disabled. We could barely even navigate without my GPS. I know, #firstworldproblems, whatever.
We'd called lost and found to check this morning and they hadn't received anything matching my phone. I had sent a facebook message to a friend hoping a friend of hers could have tracked my iPhone via an app that both of us have, Find Friends...but that didn't work, and they suggested I use Find My iPhone app...but I didn't have that app. Eventually around 7 PM the next night we arrived at Alyssa's house, the first chance we had with Wi-Fi in awhile...so I decided to try to track my iPhone...
It took awhile to figure out what to even do and finally, with the information it began to blink saying, "Locating my iPhone" When it finish I just started at the screen and couldn't believe what I saw. It didn't make since, it was nowhere close to where I had left it, was the app wrong? I had no ideas except that I couldn't handle the information. I needed to leave the room, but Alyssa followed, so I just turned around and burst into tears crying, "IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF A LAKE SOMEWHERE!!!" She busted out laughing and went to go try and figure out what was happening and brought me her phone so I could call the person I call [every week] when I have my life crises...
In the meantime they realized that my phone was MOVING, likely, OVER a lake, toward Guest Services and Park Lost and Found. Whew, it had been located, they had my info, it would get back to me. Luckily, I didn't overreact at all...
I had this thought earlier in the morning that "I am going to lose my phone today." But, as I am supposed to do, I told myself that was an irrational thought, I had no reason to believe that I would really lose my phone today...but I'd kept it even in my inner jacket pocket that zips shut most of the day. Everytime I thought about it I put my hands on it to make sure it was there. I had been texting and taking pictures the whole afternoon...and then, right after Rockin' Roller Coaster... I couldn't find it. We were heading to do Tower of Terror and I just forced my self to relax...but my night was over. No Voyage of the Little Mermaid, no Beauty and the Beast show...just dread at losing my phone. I had a little trouble breathing, but I didn't panic or even cry once. We looked all the places I remembered, the bathroom, one wall we waited on, the curb on Sunset (more waiting), and then the worst thought, it might've fallen out on Rockin' Roller Coaster...so no phone, we tried calling it and texting...but that was it...So we walked through the street that had all the Christmas lights still lit up everywhere and the [incredible] fake snow falling and headed for guest services at the front of the park for closing. I filed a report and we left...for...the last little bit of magic--the fireworks at Magic Kingdom...
I didn't have a hard time having fun, even though I was really upset about my phone...I mean there was the BEAUTIFUL castle, all lit up like a sparkling icicle, Tinkerbell FLYING from the castle, and FIREWORKS--my most favorite things EVER!!! I was practically bursting with joy and excitement as we watched. Alyssa got to pick new shoes from the Emporium, missing the first bit of fireworks, but had awesome new kicks to walk around in. And THEN we watched the coolest light show projected on the castle. I LOVED it all! It was truly freezing, had been a REALLY long day...but we couldn't leave yet. After the parade and fireworks and light show, DROVES of people left. The people with young kids, the ones there just for the fireworks...it was almost like the park vacated even though Magic Kingdom was open until MIDNIGHT that night. So we rode Small World and were trying to make a plan for the next things to do...but we ended up just leaving because we couldn't decide on anything as a group and everyone be happy. I think that's all I can say about the situation here...
Back at the hotel, I started to feel the reality of being without my phone and got really worried. I don't think I slept at all that night, again, for like the 4th night in a row for one reason or another, and when I did sleep I kept dreaming that people were dragging me back on Tower of Terror against my will. I woke myself up crying, "I don't want to!"
We left the next morning, shopped at Downtown Disney for a bit before heading out for real. It was a long, sad, car ride. I began to feel like a spoiled child though, because I was having such a hard time not having a PHONE. It's a phone, right? Yes, but it is so much more than that! I can't check the weather without my phone, I don't know the time without my phone, I know a grand total of three people's phone numbers to call without my phone. I can't check email or facebook or twitter or instagram or Hanging or Words or ANYTHING without my phone. No music, no camera, no Kindle/books to read...no TV without Netflix. My LIFE is contained in my phone...and it felt like I had just been severely disabled. We could barely even navigate without my GPS. I know, #firstworldproblems, whatever.
We'd called lost and found to check this morning and they hadn't received anything matching my phone. I had sent a facebook message to a friend hoping a friend of hers could have tracked my iPhone via an app that both of us have, Find Friends...but that didn't work, and they suggested I use Find My iPhone app...but I didn't have that app. Eventually around 7 PM the next night we arrived at Alyssa's house, the first chance we had with Wi-Fi in awhile...so I decided to try to track my iPhone...
It took awhile to figure out what to even do and finally, with the information it began to blink saying, "Locating my iPhone" When it finish I just started at the screen and couldn't believe what I saw. It didn't make since, it was nowhere close to where I had left it, was the app wrong? I had no ideas except that I couldn't handle the information. I needed to leave the room, but Alyssa followed, so I just turned around and burst into tears crying, "IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF A LAKE SOMEWHERE!!!" She busted out laughing and went to go try and figure out what was happening and brought me her phone so I could call the person I call [every week] when I have my life crises...
In the meantime they realized that my phone was MOVING, likely, OVER a lake, toward Guest Services and Park Lost and Found. Whew, it had been located, they had my info, it would get back to me. Luckily, I didn't overreact at all...
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Happy New Year!
Alright, I haven't blogged in 6 months or something ridiculous. I hate it. It's not for lack of things to say, just time and work...
Since July (the biggest picture recap ever) I have really gotten good at and have been enjoying sewing.
I did play as a tap dancing mouse in the Gala mentioned in my last blog. Tap dancing, not my thing, but I was cute and it did get me involved with Cornerstone Productions and a little bit more theater in my life. More later...
I moved back to Athens into an apartment and out of Greensboro where I had been living with my mom. Super happy to be on my own again!
I started a full time nanny position for [currently] 8 month old twins...BEST JOB EVER! But keeps me SO busy!
Went to see Wicked at the Fox with my beloved Chittoms, continuing the 2011 Theater theme of my life. LOVED it.
I decided to do the Christmas play with Cornerstone and got to play a China dancer, a Santa (1 of MANY in the same scene) and an angel (my favorite). So rehearsals consumed my weeks it seemed.
I totaled my car...my paid for car
I don't know, that's probably a good enough recap to start off the new year right and with that little introduction, I will be posting the "traditional" [that I skipped last year] inventory for 2011. I also MIGHT throw a few things in from 2010 just to make sure I remember...
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Drove a moving truck, sewed a skirt, kept infant twins [full time], played a tap-dancing mouse, flooded a kitchen, totaled a car…made the airbag come out, played a dancing Santa, made cake pops.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I seem to make monthly "resolutions" or at least at the begging of a month find a new resolve to get my life back together...so obviously I don't keep them, but I refresh my trying every few weeks :) His mercies are new every morning...
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Ashley and Christina both had beautiful baby girls, Brylee and Kate
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My mom’s dog, Dale, died
5. What countries did you visit?
None…again. Boo, so sad. I need to get back to Jamaica
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A husband, to be debt free, mad ballet skills, a softball team
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 7, I moved back to Greensboro, March 14, my birthday and Sarah came home to begin cancer treatment, August 12, the Gala
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Teaching myself to sew, getting involved in Community Theater
9. What was your biggest failure?
Flooding my kitchen, wrecking my car, another speeding ticket...losing my phone at Disney World
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was sick for about 3 months with some mysterious respiratory thing that made me miserable. I got bruises and a burn from my airbag when I wrecked my car.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My serger, I think. I’m also pretty happy with my iPhone 4…but I already had one, I just upgraded…I didn’t buy the awesome things for myself…my TV, my car, my Ninja, etc. my mom bought for me. My mom is awesome.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I have no idea
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My boss at the preschool, some of my "friends"
14. Where did most of your money go?
Gas, food, and rent, paying off debt… Closely followed by fabric and craft supplies
15. What did you get really excited about?
My play people, dancing again, my skirts...and that my new car has an AUX jack. It's the little things. I feel like I have to say going to Disney World here, even though it was technically already JAnuary 2012 when I went...but I was SUPER excited.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Maybe "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars, "Hey Soul Sister" by Train "& Things I Hate About You" by Miley Cyrus...or the Wicked, Gala, and Overnight Christmas songs I love. Oh, no, maybe also "Firework" by Katy Perry
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
(a) happier or sadder? Happier
(b) thinner or fatter? umm...thinner?
(c) richer or poorer? Richer... sort of... working hard toward paying off debt…
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
The fun things I love with people I love. Going places, mission trips, six flags, camping, adventurous things; game nights and card playing, having people over and parties, DANCING, sports, blogging…
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Driving, worrying, crying
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I went to two Christmas Eve church services, spent the night Christmas morning with the Chittoms and then dinner and playing piano with my mom It was great.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Maybe.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Ringer is the only new thing I’ve watched on TV. I did finish watching the seasons of Buffy that I’d never seen before on Netflix.
24 is always my fav though.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I probably do, the same person whose behavior appalled and depressed me.
24. What was the best book you read?
I read the new series by Francine Rivers this year, A Mother’s Hope and Her Daughter’s Dream or something…but probably haven’t read anything else I hadn’t read before…
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Wicked, One Step Closer from The Little Mermaid on Broadway
26. What did you want and get?
To move back into an apartment, a job, a serger, a new phone, tv, car…
27. What did you want and not get?
To go on a mission trip, an iPad maybe…a husband
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 and 2
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 27, Ashley and Tate came from out of town and several friends took me out to dinner at Mirko, a delicious pasta place I’d never been and then we all went back to one of their houses and watched the Bachelor or something and stayed up late. It was so much fun and I felt very loved!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not questioning my decision to move back home, away from the beach all winter; a husband
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Skirts that I made and dresses as often as possible, or else the perfect pair of jeans and basic tops with lots of fun accessories
32. What kept you sane?
David and Carolyn, their girls, my other kiddos, 3-day weekends, dancing and rehearsals, sewing
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Fancy...? I love Tony Almeida on 24, and Zac Effron, and I’m still a big fan of Reese Witherspoon...and I do still love Miley Cyrus...Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to the list with Ringer this year. Those are my favs.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hmm…don’t even know any political issues.
35. Who did you miss?
Madelynne, Allison, Sheila, Charlotte, Caren, Lindsay, Laura
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Laura, Alyssa, Heather, Stephanie, Cornerstone people, Donna
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Hmm...
"You can't always get what you want,
but if you try sometimes,
you just might find,
you get what you need"
Oh wait, should that be #38? Nope, it's my lesson learned.
Also, that God is bigger than everything I mess up and everything he allows to happen happens for a reason, even if I do not understand it, and for my good.
Also, that life is just worth living.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn
and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them
and we help them in return.
Well I don't know if I believe that's true,
but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you...
...who can say if I have changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good..."
-Wicked, For Good
Since July (the biggest picture recap ever) I have really gotten good at and have been enjoying sewing.
I did play as a tap dancing mouse in the Gala mentioned in my last blog. Tap dancing, not my thing, but I was cute and it did get me involved with Cornerstone Productions and a little bit more theater in my life. More later...
I moved back to Athens into an apartment and out of Greensboro where I had been living with my mom. Super happy to be on my own again!
I started a full time nanny position for [currently] 8 month old twins...BEST JOB EVER! But keeps me SO busy!
Went to see Wicked at the Fox with my beloved Chittoms, continuing the 2011 Theater theme of my life. LOVED it.
I decided to do the Christmas play with Cornerstone and got to play a China dancer, a Santa (1 of MANY in the same scene) and an angel (my favorite). So rehearsals consumed my weeks it seemed.
I totaled my car...my paid for car
I don't know, that's probably a good enough recap to start off the new year right and with that little introduction, I will be posting the "traditional" [that I skipped last year] inventory for 2011. I also MIGHT throw a few things in from 2010 just to make sure I remember...
1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Drove a moving truck, sewed a skirt, kept infant twins [full time], played a tap-dancing mouse, flooded a kitchen, totaled a car…made the airbag come out, played a dancing Santa, made cake pops.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I seem to make monthly "resolutions" or at least at the begging of a month find a new resolve to get my life back together...so obviously I don't keep them, but I refresh my trying every few weeks :) His mercies are new every morning...
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Ashley and Christina both had beautiful baby girls, Brylee and Kate
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My mom’s dog, Dale, died
5. What countries did you visit?
None…again. Boo, so sad. I need to get back to Jamaica
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A husband, to be debt free, mad ballet skills, a softball team
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 7, I moved back to Greensboro, March 14, my birthday and Sarah came home to begin cancer treatment, August 12, the Gala
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Teaching myself to sew, getting involved in Community Theater
9. What was your biggest failure?
Flooding my kitchen, wrecking my car, another speeding ticket...losing my phone at Disney World
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was sick for about 3 months with some mysterious respiratory thing that made me miserable. I got bruises and a burn from my airbag when I wrecked my car.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My serger, I think. I’m also pretty happy with my iPhone 4…but I already had one, I just upgraded…I didn’t buy the awesome things for myself…my TV, my car, my Ninja, etc. my mom bought for me. My mom is awesome.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I have no idea
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My boss at the preschool, some of my "friends"
14. Where did most of your money go?
Gas, food, and rent, paying off debt… Closely followed by fabric and craft supplies
15. What did you get really excited about?
My play people, dancing again, my skirts...and that my new car has an AUX jack. It's the little things. I feel like I have to say going to Disney World here, even though it was technically already JAnuary 2012 when I went...but I was SUPER excited.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Maybe "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars, "Hey Soul Sister" by Train "& Things I Hate About You" by Miley Cyrus...or the Wicked, Gala, and Overnight Christmas songs I love. Oh, no, maybe also "Firework" by Katy Perry
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
(a) happier or sadder? Happier
(b) thinner or fatter? umm...thinner?
(c) richer or poorer? Richer... sort of... working hard toward paying off debt…
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
The fun things I love with people I love. Going places, mission trips, six flags, camping, adventurous things; game nights and card playing, having people over and parties, DANCING, sports, blogging…
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Driving, worrying, crying
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I went to two Christmas Eve church services, spent the night Christmas morning with the Chittoms and then dinner and playing piano with my mom It was great.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Maybe.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Ringer is the only new thing I’ve watched on TV. I did finish watching the seasons of Buffy that I’d never seen before on Netflix.
24 is always my fav though.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I probably do, the same person whose behavior appalled and depressed me.
24. What was the best book you read?
I read the new series by Francine Rivers this year, A Mother’s Hope and Her Daughter’s Dream or something…but probably haven’t read anything else I hadn’t read before…
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Wicked, One Step Closer from The Little Mermaid on Broadway
26. What did you want and get?
To move back into an apartment, a job, a serger, a new phone, tv, car…
27. What did you want and not get?
To go on a mission trip, an iPad maybe…a husband
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 and 2
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 27, Ashley and Tate came from out of town and several friends took me out to dinner at Mirko, a delicious pasta place I’d never been and then we all went back to one of their houses and watched the Bachelor or something and stayed up late. It was so much fun and I felt very loved!
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not questioning my decision to move back home, away from the beach all winter; a husband
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Skirts that I made and dresses as often as possible, or else the perfect pair of jeans and basic tops with lots of fun accessories
32. What kept you sane?
David and Carolyn, their girls, my other kiddos, 3-day weekends, dancing and rehearsals, sewing
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Fancy...? I love Tony Almeida on 24, and Zac Effron, and I’m still a big fan of Reese Witherspoon...and I do still love Miley Cyrus...Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to the list with Ringer this year. Those are my favs.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hmm…don’t even know any political issues.
35. Who did you miss?
Madelynne, Allison, Sheila, Charlotte, Caren, Lindsay, Laura
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Laura, Alyssa, Heather, Stephanie, Cornerstone people, Donna
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Hmm...
"You can't always get what you want,
but if you try sometimes,
you just might find,
you get what you need"
Oh wait, should that be #38? Nope, it's my lesson learned.
Also, that God is bigger than everything I mess up and everything he allows to happen happens for a reason, even if I do not understand it, and for my good.
Also, that life is just worth living.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn
and we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them
and we help them in return.
Well I don't know if I believe that's true,
but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you...
...who can say if I have changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good..."
-Wicked, For Good
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
One Step Closer
Pretty much anyone who knows me knows that The Little Mermaid is my favorite...everything. First of all the music was in that brilliant era of Disney animated musicals like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King... beautiful, wonderful scores of music.
Second probably because it was the first movie I remember watching over and over, every.single.day. of my first grade life. I remember watching it every day with my cousin Merrie, singing Ariels songs and arguing (everyday) about who could do it better. [Obviously me. Not only because I was older, but because I said so. That was all. And who needed more than that. I WAS 6.] And we could only agree to disagree [everyday] that it didn't really matter which one of US was better, but that we were BOTH just better than our other cousin. Truly though, Merrie was too high, Emmy was too low and I was, well, perfect. Just LIKE Ariel. (Not the Three Bears. Get that reference.]
Prince Eric is a great Prince [not only because he has trained fireflies] and Ursula is an amazingly evil villain! They have a Jamaican crab, I mean, what's not to love!? And...
I also am in love with fireflies. I think they are so romantic PROBABLY because of the "Kiss the girl" scene in The Little Mermaid. I've always secretly wanted fireflies around for my proposal. [You can ask my college roommates exactly to what extent they would be needed in the elaborate plan...] and maybe instead of rice at my wedding. That one hasn't always been the stronger desire because of the idea of a massive number of flying insects being released in my vicinity [in my wedding gown] kind of sounds like the worst idea ever. But in theory (and covered in a mosquito net veil) quite romantic!
SO...why the title One Step Closer? Unfortunately NOT to the proposal or wedding...ahem. BUT to the Broadway musical. I confess I had no idea there was such a thing, except deep down inside somewhere, until this week.
The next big shocker, I really, really, really want to be a singer and dancer on stage. It was kind of a huge disappointment when I realized after I turned 25 8 that I really will not ever be Annie at some point. I always just hoped, "maybe one day..." It was just a harsh reality...Unlike the dream of being a cheerleader. That one comes a little easier to give up, when you try and very evidently can no longer tumble without personal injury to your bones, back, neck, etc...I digress...
But I still like to sing and I LOVE to dance and so I decided to sign up to be a part of a musical theater performance that is supposed to be no big deal, a few rehearsals and a gala 3 weeks later. Not a big time commitment, etc...
So, I was pumped! I got my CD and it listened a few times through and learned some new songs...because, although I love plays and stuff, I haven't seen MOST of them... Of course I loved the familiar favorites and several were cute and will make cute numbers, but this one song...I fell in love with. I knew by the music it was from the Little Mermaid story so I searched for it on Youtube as soon as I got home and here you have it. My absolute dream. I want to be Ariel, I want to waltz and wear the ruffly, sparkly, pink dress and not be great at the dance steps necessarily but the dancing be expressing my heart and my Prince be falling in love with me without ever hearing me [while he has been conscious] say a word...Be still my heart, it is about to swell up and burst as I think about it--I feel like I feel on the fourth of July!!! Please watch it and tell me you love it, that it is exactly as you picture me deep down in my heart and that someday my prince will come and my dreams will come true as we dance THIS song at our reception. [Among other, of course choreographed, and so far, Disney :)]
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
When it rains, it pours...
Well, since January I have been living at home...where I have had close to zero cell phone coverage. I have been with ATT for 11 years (well, Bell South, Cingular, etc.) and have never had a desire to change until now. When I was in highschool, of course there was no cellular coverage anywhere I was (read boondocks)...school, work/pool, home and never on the road to those places or on the road to those places...(which totally defeats the purpose of a mobile phone, guys, I know...)....just not great, but cell phones were new and there was no other networks, no Verizon.
When Verizon was invented ;) my mom switched over and has been satisfied ever since, but I was in Athens and SSI so ATT was still fine with me. I went to the iPhone, and there was no Verizon option for that either...so when I moved back, I was just trying to deal with it--and I have for 5 months. BUT it has become ridiculous to be paying $100/mo. for a phone I can use about 45% of the time... Now that Verizon has an iPhone option and the same plan I had at ATT...it seemed like something to consider. But nothing is every really that easy.
I contacted ATT first to see how much it was going to cost me to break my contract, which is not up until January...$90...ok. Not the worst news, not a deal breaker... New iPhone (because my iPhone is an ATT phone, I cannot use it at Verizon if I WANTED to...) Data plan, minutes plan, prorates and other things I don't care to understand...accessories and case that aren't compatible with my old phone's accessories and case... $250. Alright...again, not ideal...but might turn out to be worth it if I can use my phone now.
So I have no contacts, pictures, songs, nothing until I sync it to my computer...and wouldn't you know...things get more complicated. Error...we can't sync this iPhone with this version of iTunes...you need to go to this site and download our new and improved--but FREE version. Ooookkkkkk. Minor [free] setback.
Error...ohhh we can't down the newest version of iTunes on this computer because your operating system is too old. You need to download the newest version of Snow Leopard [which you should have done when it came out...several years ago...] Ok, I get it, I'm behind...I've been meaning to do the whole Snow Leopard thing anyway...sign me up...where can I download THAT.
Ohhh, it's not a downloadable thing, you have to buy it in a store or have it shipped to you. No thanks. I went to bed. I carried 2 phones all day, one for contacts, the other for use.
So I get renewed resolve to make this all work, plan on buying the OS, all that jazz and when I pull out my computer to do some work I notice my power cord isn't lighting up. It isn't charging the computer at all...it seems like it too is a piece. I checked several outlets on several different walls and alas it was the charger. SO I carried it in to Peach Mac and had them just confirm that the cord was the only problem. Yes, and no, of course. The cord is the problem, but I "really need to replace the battery as well." Oh really? You know what I will not be replacing? The battery. Well, it will run if it plugged in but... yeah, I'm usually never in a place where I need to use it that I can't plug it in, so maybe next month...or better yet, never.
SO power adapter $80. New operating system $29.99--ohhhhh, wait. "What OS are you running now?" Tiger, 10.4... Yeah, you are going to need the boxed set... Good. Fine, please ring me up now... But it's not $29.99...it's...$170. Oh yeah. [Expletive] $270, heading home. To cry about how stupid I am to even think I need a phone that is worth all of this trouble and money, when people have lived for centuries with out them...and I don't even have a friend to my damn name to call anyway.
$270+$250+$90+$610. NOT COUNTING the monthly bill to ATT that will be at least $95 and the first one to Verizon that "looks like it will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $170." That's the phone/computer. Now let's talk about the car.
Due for an oil change, needs it's "90,000 mile check up"... (though Honda probably uses the word diagnostic test rather than check up...) probably needs new tires... [I'm prepared to pay $400 for the diagnostic thing...but I'm probably putting off new tires (again).] "wait, it's at 105,000 miles?" Clearly. Well it needs new spark plugs and valve replacements. Ok, how much are those? (Surely not enough to make my already over $400 check much more, right?) $230. Ugh! alright.
"Ohhhhhh...." [long pause] "Have you had your timing belt replaced?" Um, you can guess... Well above ALL ELSE he would say that the timing belt needs to be replaced at 105,000 miles. BECAUSE if the timing belt breaks your car DIES...and there is no telling how much damage it will cause WHEN it breaks. HEAD damage. [Oh. NOW it all makes sense...so again] "Fine, do that too, how much is it?" [A belt won't be more than what like $18...] $975. The belt itself.
I just had to walk out of the place and cry. And call my mom. Who says we can get it done cheaper elsewhere to leave. I walked back in and told him to change the oil and that's it. Then I went to lunch. Which was as equally pleasant an experience as the car dealership...and returned to pick up my car a couple of hours later.
I was greeted by a rather sheepish looking man, the same one from earlier in the day who promptly asked me to pardon him but, "You don't need a new timing belt after all, your car doesn't even HAVE a timing belt." [It has a timing chain...]
WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE TRYING TO DO TO ME?!? I AM SERIOUSLY HAVING A MASSIVE STROKE-HEART-ATTACK-ANXIETY ATTACK-EMBOLISM and could you please just GET IT OVER WITH MORE QUICKLY AND JUST RUN OVER ME OR SHOOT ME OR SOMETHING ELSE LESS PAINFUL.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Sewing
I mentioned that I have been sewing a lot...well, here's the line!
(one strip)
Basic Skirt*
Custom measured elastic waistband
19”-22” in length
40”-55” around
*Provides the basic structure and fit for all skirts
Classic
Print or pattern skirt with coordinating solid 2”-3” hem, solid skirt with coordinating patterned 2”
-3” hem, and/or added accents* at hem.
*Ribbon, bias tape, lace, piping, etc.
Ruffle
Print or pattern skirt with coordinating solid 2”-3” ruffle at the hem, solid skirt with coordinating patterned 2”-3” ruffle, pattern skirt with same pattern ruffle with added accents*
*Ribbon, bias tape, lace, piping, etc.
Triple Ruffle
Print or pattern skirt with three tiers of coordinating ruffles. Option to space or overlap the rows of ruffles.
Straight Accent
Print or pattern skirt with coordinating solid ½” -1” ribbon or bias tape accent* strip. 1 or 2 strip options available.
*Ribbon, bias tape, lace, piping, etc.
(one strip)(two strips)
Straight Laced
Print or pattern skirt with a simple laced-edge hem.
Scalloped
Print or pattern skirt with scalloped hemline, lace trimmed.
Apron
Print or pattern skirt with coordinating patterned top layer which is 2”-3” shorter than bottom layer creating the apron-like effect. Apron can come with or without lace trim.
Convertible
Two simple coordinating straps can be added (snap or button) to any skirt to become a dress or top, depending on length. Straps can have accents added or be made of accents entirely. Eg. Ribbon, lace.
Pillowcase
Pillowcase-style dresses can be made into most* of the skirt styles. Simple ribbons create the shoulder straps and can be tied into a bow only at one shoulder or two bows, one at each shoulder. Ribbon sizes and length vary, can be worn as a dress or a “top.”
Button dress
(Baby and Child sizes only)
Classic dress can be made into many* of the skirt styles. Bows at the shoulders are removable. Can be made into dress or top lengths, matching bloomers or diaper covers are available. [Will add matching fabric as ruffles to existing pants or capris.]
*Both dresses can be made with the following styles:
Classic
Ruffle
Triple Ruffle
Scalloped
Straight Accent
Straight Laced
Apron
Monday, May 2, 2011
April Recap...?
I don't guess I care about goals... I have once again missed my blog-goal of 2/month AGAIN. Failing miserably. I feel like 2 posts per month is NOT that HARD... once every two weeks... Well, it didn't happen.
Resorting to bullet point lists again, the April recap:
Can NOT believe it's MAy, I'm not sure where April even went AND nothing really even happened. (I started to make a fake post that said, "April recap:" and purposefully leave it blank...then I decided I should TRY a little to chronicle my life a bit better--and I found that I DO have some things to update about! Woo!
I have really enjoying reconnecting with SO many friends! From lunch and dinner, to the Botanical gardens and more, it has been so nice being back in proximity with friends :) I have been very encouraged by the things that are happening in their lives. (yes, four) Sarah, Sarah, Sarah and Sara; one of MY baby-sitters, Mary Jo; the DPH family, and a couple of random run-ins have made my day!
The aforementioned family has also "dragged" me back to church the past month. I LOVED the first series about seeing God as a perfect Father and so far, I've enjoyed the first part of the current series.
Although I failed at giving up something for lent (as I usually do--not because I start and fail but because I can never really figure out what would be worth it to give up for those 6 weeks.) I did do something special for Good Friday. I attended my first Secret Church--which was incredible. It was intense and late, but it was so good. We basically did 6 hours of Bible study, went through this whole guide, and learned about the Crucifixion, Salvation and the Glory of God. What I loved best was that it was TRUTH. Not sugar coated, not careful-not-to-offend or trying-not-to-step-on-toes...just God's Word. He was funny--my favorite part of the humor was when he was telling about an article that was written about him or one of his messages in the paper and quoted him quoting the Bible and everyone getting mad saying, "He said God hates sinners!" (versus God hates the sin, LOVES the sinner...) and he quoted the verse which actually says the word "abhors" in it and he laughed when he read it out and said, that's it "maybe I should have said 'abhors.' ANYWAY. It was real funny.
Secret church, talking with friends, and lots of other things have just super encouraged me, validated, somewhat justified a lot of things I have been feeling lately and just wondering what God is doing here in Athens and in my heart--I am loving it! A lot of times in several of the places I have been in the past I haven't ever felt quite "on board" with things other people were saying, thinking, feeling that the Lord was saying or doing...and I think this kind of might be how it feels to be "on board"--although I'm not sure WHAT exactly it IS that He's doing...
I've been having an increasingly hard time trying to find somewhere to lay out. Come on friends, step up to help people in need when they no longer live at the beach. A quiet grassy area in direct sunlight will work. I come with my own chair.
I had a super fun weekend with my "sister" Erika, she blogged about the weekend here, but the great part was that at the said "yard sailing" I happened upon my very own, most coveted, serger! A serger is a type of sewing machine designed to finish edges a little more professionally than I typically can. Well, seeing as how I wanted one for my birthday but couldn't really justify spending so much money on something I had never ever tried to use before, I had decided to by a used one first to practice/learn on...I just hadn't found one yet. [You know, like getting a 16 year-old a brand new car, or a kid who wants to try piano lessons a baby grand...] Erika asked if I was looking for anything in particular that morning and I said "no, I can't think of a single thing I need/want." We walked into the first sale and BAM. There it was. So I bought it! I was thrilled! AND if I had thought, "I hope to find a serger..." I never would have found one! So I have been sewing like mad and I LOVE it!
Let's see...work...Well, I have bee solely in the 2's room for I think about a month now and haven't been told anything official like I'm the teacher or anything...so up until last week I just was in there and did what I could. But then I had had enough of skipping calendar time because it still said "March" and took a little ownership of the class and it's been going well. The kids are responding a little better...though on any given day I have at least one of the "terrors." (Of which there are 4...) BAD days involve more than one or ALL of them. But most of the rest of them are cute and funny and good. Management on the other hand is difficult. I have on 10-13 kids by myself (against the law). I usually don't have the supplies I need to run a sanitary classroom (hand sanitizer, disinfecting spray/lysol, or general disinfectant for tables, counters, toys, diaper mats, etc. Again, against the law.) But I am not 100% sure who governs her so I'm not actually going to contest it... SO I just broke down and bought my own supplies and bring them in and out everyday (including a little step stool so my kids can reach the sink and we can use soap and running water (which is required for children over 2 anyway :) ).
The main thing that has helped is consistency and boundaries. It took pretty much constant work in the beginning, and since most of them don't come everyday making a different group everyday, it's not always smooth no, but they at least know what they're supposed to be doing (whether they do it or not...) They know that they sit and play at the table during arrival, toys are closed except those which have been put out on the tables [manipulatives]. We clean up, set up out chairs for group and line up to go outside. (All of these transitions have songs that we sing.) The playground is the worst for "rule breakage" mostly because there are so many rules. No climbing on ropes, no sliding down the slide, no monkey bars, (basically the playground is for bigger kids). No playing in the bushes, no swinging on tummies, no sticks, no throwing mulch, out of the swing area if you aren't swinging, away from the fence, plus all the other no hitting, scratching, biting, pushing, kicking; share with your friends rules. It's exhausting.
I've also started using themes with them, art, story and songs all supporting whatever theme we are talking about and it at least makes me feel like we are doing something more than just pulling some stupid "art" project [read: craft that requires WAY more teacher prep and participation than children actually experiencing any medium or process of art...(soapbox)]. Group time is consistent and fun, they participate well, I think some of them get the concepts anyway. We sing a lot, do lots of movement exercises (and spend as much time outside as possible!)
Basically because it is 9-1 and pretty good money for part time I will stick it out but I am praying a new job will happen pretty soon. I'm praying about something specific but I will give an update as soon as there is anything real to update on--but you can pray with me!
Part of the "new job" needs to involve a move. I never intended the Greensboro thing to become permanent and I can't believe I have been home for four months (next week). But though the time is going by fast, I feel really unsettled and have had way more anxiety than is healthy again.
I did finally break down and paint the room--trying to remember not to make it "home" and resign to stay but to make it better while I am here. I'm trying SO hard to keep the anxiety at bay but it is just NOT working. I can give exciting details if you ask me in person. And all I can report as far as health goes is that allergies. are. a. bitch. I've decided that my sinuses must be so inflamed that they're not stopped up all the time, they are just the size of a capri-sun straw and just CAN'T let that much air in anymore! I am ready to breathe again. I'm also ready to get some insurance so I can go to an allergist and figure out WHAT it is that I am deathly allergic to and determine and appropriate action (that is not OTC seasonal allergy relief.)
Last point...I have said I will never be dog sitting again...but I took back that word and agreed to today. It isn't until June...and I am hoping that it is a redeeming dog-sitting experience. But that's just a cute little example of how you should never tell God you'll never do something...
Bye.
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