I guess after two months of silence is as good a time as any to finally update everyone on the happenings of my life. A lot has been going on and I haven't felt much like taking time to sit down and think about it all. I am finally at a place, though, where I can look back a little.
I guess I should start with September. My mom and aunts came to see me and it was great. I was able to get a day off to spend with them, which was nice. They also came to visit me while I was hanging out with Minnie Mouse at Animal Kingdom. We enjoyed lunch together that day and then met up after I was finished with work. It is hard for me to have people visit. I struggle with being at work, knowing they're here, but not being able to see them or spend time with them. I'm always grateful for the time I do get though. The week after they left, I got to flutter around with Tinker Bell and some twinkling lights in the electrical parade. My roommates and some friends came to watch us. Unfortunately, it rained all evening, so the first parade was cancelled. I was so sad and so nervous the second parade would also be cancelled. After sitting for two hours, waiting, the second parade was able to go out! Was I thrilled? You bet. Was it magical? More than you or I could have possibly imagined.
I was able to attend one of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Parties! We all dressed as various characters from the movie Tarzan. I have to admit, we looked adorable. It was such a good time. In true Orlando fashion, it poured on us for the first hour and a half. After that, it was pretty nice though! We got to meet lots of characters and watch the parade both times.
In the middle of October, I was able to visit home for a couple days. It wasn't a long trip, so I wasn't able to see everyone I would have liked, but I did see several people that are very dear to me. My primary motivation for visiting home was to see my sweet dog, Dazey, one last time. I am so grateful I was able to make that trip. She passed away just two weeks later. I like to think she was waiting for me to say goodbye. I'll admit, that was the hardest time I've ever had leaving that house. I'm just thankful for the hand I had to hold in the car as we drove away. There are moments in life we will never forget. All the times I was able to hold onto Dazey that weekend and then lay my head on Michael's shoulder as he calmed my tears will not be forgotten.
On a happier note, I FINALLY got to super greet for an entire shift. I was sent to the Monsters Inc Dance Party a few weeks ago. It was fantastic. I just helped the characters when they needed it and danced with them the rest of the time.
I called my mom two weeks ago because I was really struggling here. Various things contributed to this and I don't need to get into that on the internet. Just know that I was having a really tough time and felt like it was time to ask Mom for help. She and I talked for a while and the conversation ended with her booking a flight to Orlando, arriving three days later. Let me just say, I felt like the sun was shining a little brighter when she said that. Two days later, I had a doctor's appointment regarding a wrist injury I have acquired over time. That appointment resulted in mandatory physical therapy and me temporarily being put on light duty at work. For the last two weeks, I've been standing in various entrances and exits, waving and handing out Mickey stickers. It has been a much needed break. I'm kind of nervous for it to end and me to return to my usual 6 days a week schedule. (Let me take this moment to say that I am LOVING Taylor Swift's new album.)
My mom coming to see me was such a great surprise. We were able to spend time in the parks as well as relaxing. It was a nice weekend to just do whatever we wanted to. Sometimes, all you really need is Mom to come hang out with you (and feed you lots of yummy foods). And saying goodbye was pretty easy because she's coming back at the end of this week. So... we will have seen each other 4 times in the last two months! No complaints here! It also helped me to see some ways I can deal with everything I'm going through. That's a work in progress.
This weekend was the twins' birthday! Naturally, we had to spend two days celebrating. The festivities began Friday with lunch at Trails End, which is at the Fort Wilderness resort. The food was great and the company exceptional. What really made everything special though, was the adorable, kind couple that paid for our meal. They told us to get whatever we wanted, dessert included. In that moment, not only was I incredibly humbled, but I felt extremely blessed to have such wonderful friends that I knew appreciated this gesture just as much as I did.
The afternoon was devoted to nail appointments and shopping adventures. That evening, we all went to dinner and then the girls of The Blue House walked around Downtown Disney and finished out the night with bowling at Splitsville! The good news about the bowling adventure is: we are all equally wonderful(terrible) at bowling, so we had a lot of fun! The next morning, we got up and went to Animal Kingdom to watch Festival of the Lion King and ride Expedition Everest and Dinosaur! We then made our way to Magic Kingdom to watch the Festival of Fantasy Parade! That night, the girls of The Blue House went to a concert at House of Blues. The performers were Sam Hunt, Charlie Worsham, and Kip Moore. I must say, we had so much fun! Each artist was fantastic on stage. We ended up making our way up toward the front of the crowd. I'm lucky to have such considerate friends. Whenever we are watching something, they always make sure I get to stand in the front since I'm smaller than most twelve year olds. We returned home, autographs in hand, and fell asleep with happy hearts. It truly was a wonderful and much needed weekend.
