Category Archives: Disney

Time warp

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I’m excited for the new version of  Beauty and the Beast coming out this Friday. To get into the proper mindset, I decided to watch the earlier version from Disney last night.

My husband and I were sprawled out on the couch, and our teenaged daughter was in the recliner. We watched the movie on Blu-ray together in the living room.

As the movie the opening credits rolled, I suddenly flashed on the first time I watched this movie, in the early 90’s. I was so excited to buy the video! The VCR was in our bedroom, and as soon as we got home we popped it in and got into bed to watch it. Our then-infant son (who is now twenty-five!) was lying on the bed between us as we watched.

I was completely transported back to that room and for just a few seconds, felt those feelings. What an amazing gift.

I was struck by how many lines from this movie have made their way into our everyday life!

Such as:

  1. ‘It’s over, Beast!’
  2. ‘You have a library?’
  3. ‘…promises you don’t intend to keep,’
  4. ‘If she doesn’t eat with me, then she doesn’t eat at all!
  5. ‘I’m especially good at expectorating…’ What can I say? I like big words! I cannot lie!

I use these quotes all the time! Beauty and the Beast, the gift that keeps on giving… on so many levels.

I leave you with the official trailer to watch here:

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My first public reading of my book

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I was at the local library recently to read some passages of my first novel, One Brave Thing. It was my first time reading aloud from my book in front of other people. I am not someone who loves public speaking. Actually, I am someone who hyperventilates at the thought of public speaking. Most of my life, I have avoided speaking in front of a group with focused determination.

Until now. I wasn’t over-the-top nervous at first, because it was booked so far in advance. When I thought about it, I thought, oh! Plenty of time! Breathed a sigh of relief, and stopped thinking about it. Suddenly though, the day loomed large. I was feeling distressed. I tried Bach’s Rescue Remedy gum that I found in my desk drawer, left over from when I took my daughter to Florida last year (don’t ask). It helped  a little, but I was still feeling so very nervous.

I confided in my friend Stephanie about my angst. She said, “Just tell yourself: ‘This is going to be fun!'”

Could it really be that easy? I had nothing to lose, right? So I tried it. Every time the ‘OMG! OMG!’ thought popped into my head, I stopped, took a breath, and replaced it with ‘This is going to be so much fun!’

library talk 4

And you know what? It was!

To boldly go, part two

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bon voyageSo a funny thing happened after I decided to go to Disney with  my daughter. You know how they say that the universe starts lining up to help you when you are on the right track? Well, it’s TRUE! I saw it happen with my own eyes!
First I thought, no way can I make this happen. Then my husband Bill said, “Of course, you can do it! You’ll figure it out.”

I was nervous about arranging getting there and back. Like, which airline? How do you book a flight? How much is reasonable to pay? Which airport? Then my son Anthony and his girlfriend Hannah, my friends at work (you know who you are!! Thank you!!!), gave me information that helped make this whole process easy.
I was overwhelmed with the thought of figuring out where to stay. My brother Patrick and his wife Andrea came through for me big time with this too, offering to let us stay at their amazing time share.

How would we get to the airport in time for our flight? We would have to get there by, oh, 6am or so and the airport is an hour and a half away. Also, I am directionally challenged. I can’t read a map. What if I got lost and we missed our flight? Then I my friend Ann said, “Hey, I want to help you and your daughter with your trip to Disney.” It turns out that she can see the airport from where she lives. She offered to let us come down the night before, eat dinner and stay over at her house, and then she would drive us to and from the airport on our departure and return days.

My friends Cindy and Laura offered to help in as well with anything else we might need. I am sorry if I have not named everyone who came forward. I appreciate you all!

My coworkers surprised me with a card with money to have a meal on them. Thank you Lynn, Christine, Charlotte, Lori, Laurie, Catherine, Pauline, Annette, Therese, Patti, Barbara, Carol, Sue, and Sheila. 🙂

Almost forgot: Shawna, thank you for the maps! And your advice!  🙂

I have no words.