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Day 1:  De-Stress, Just Enjoy Being Home

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Up until a week ago, I was supposed to be traveling tonight to Walt Disney World, but once again I found my sucked into the Twilight Zone with the floor dropping out from under me.  Instead of ending up with another anxiety attack over it, I gave myself one more Disney day and really treat myself because it is well deserved and VERY earned!

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Today is about de-stressing and being home, but still within the  perimeters of new experiences…

Plans for today include:

  1. Breakfast at Be Our Guest (I hear they now mimosa’s)
  2. Massage at Senses in the Grand Floridian

-I might end up at All Star Pool, hotel room for a nap. or Food & Wine in the afternoon.  All of these options are on the table.

  1. Dessert Party and VIP Seating for Fantasmic!

-Afterwards, the night is still relatively young in terms of Disney time so I might go to Disney Springs or enjoy All Stars at night.   

Remember that I am doing a full out social media blitz this week to make you part of my “working vacation.” Content will be different on each site to make it fresh, so you will want to follow me on…

ta social page

I am also going to be giving everyone* following along and interacting, a chance to win up to $200 in a Disney Vacation Credit* as well as a few daily giveaways as a thank you for being a part of my “working vacation.”  The more you interact, the better chance you have to win.

“Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho It’s Off to Work I GO” Contest Rules & Details

There is so much magic waiting for me that I need to get going, I will C U real soon and remember that life is always better when you are wearing ears.

Tuesday’s on the Run: Totally Spoiled & Blessed

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It’s Tuesday, so that means I am linking up with Patty, Erika & Marsha for Tuesday’s on the Run.

Baby, it’s cold outside today and snow is lightly falling, apparently Mother Nature and Santa Claus were not on the same page for Christmas 2017 nor the day after (today)  when all I want to do is head out to play with one of my new run toys!

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Mr. Grumpy and the kids were generous in feeding my running midlife crisis. I can’t wait to try out these wireless headphones. From all of the running groups that I “stalk” on Facebook, the TREKZ was mentioned post after post as the choice for cutting that earphone chord.  Let’s just hope they fit my head better than does darn Flight of Passage ride goggles!

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It looks like I will be heading out to the big city next week to get a proper shoe fitting, since they also supplied me with some cold hard cash to buy that badly needed pair of running shoes. It has been quite a while since I have been fitted properly, and I am anxious to find a pair that can meet me ever changing left leg issues.

IMG_3930Now I know that it is not technically a “running” present but I have playing around with the idea of spending an entire summer walking the El Camino in Spain when I get runDisney out of my blood.  I am so excited to read this book and start making notes for that adventure.

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Of course I did a little shopping for myself!  I am loving my FitBit that I bought a few weeks ago and getting this run journal ready to go for the new year and the journey that I have planned out for 2018 (great tease to read lifeinears.blog January 2).  

IMG_3888While I was totally spoiled this Christmas, I was also blessed with a family that supports this midlife run crisis that I am in the midst of…

I hope you were spoiled and blessed this Christmas! Did you get any running related gifts for Christmas this year? If so, what was your favorite?  Please share in the comments!

I am going “Home” tonight…

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I am going home tonight…

 “Ummm Tammie…. Most people do go home after work on a Friday.”

Let me be a little more specific.  Tonight I am going home to the most magical place on earth, Walt Disney World.

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I love being greeted by Cast Members with the phrase “Welcome Home” when I return to my Walt Disney World Resort either after an extended period of time away or just after a day in the park.  It is one of those special touches when you stay at a Walt Disney Resort that leaves you with that warm fuzzy feeling.

When I tell people that I am going back to Walt Disney World I am often met with that “look” and I know they are thinking “Why does she keep going back there?”  Make sure you check out yesterday’s blog “Tammie’s Take Thursday:  Going Home” for some of the reasons why I keep going “Home.”  This trip “Home” is a little different for a couple of reasons, mainly who is going along and why I am going.

This is my first SOLO trip to Walt Disney World.  That’s right there is no husband, no kids, no girlfriends, or even runDisneyBFFs. This trip did not start out that way, in fact it was going to be our first couple’s trip but due to circumstances, i.e. a senior in high school playing his last Friday Night Lights that our plans had to change.  To be honest, I am pretty giddy about (for the most part) doing what I want to do for an entire week at Walt Disney World.

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Heigh-ho Heigh-ho it’s a “working vacation” for me.  It’s a hard job I know, but I will take one for the team.  I will be attending Academy Travel’s Agent Education Program (or AEP) onsite training for Walt Disney World.  I am looking forward to connecting with fellow affiliates of Academy Travel, members of the home office staff as well as Cast Members from the Disney Travel Agency, but more importantly working together to make your next vacation even more magical.

There will be some down time from the conference for a little personal fun time and looking back at my last couple of trips, I have in a Disney vacation rut…doing the same things, eating the same things, riding the same rides, visiting the same experiences, etc. My plan is also to make my down time an “informal working vacation.”  Each day I have created a NEW EXPERIENCES BUCKET LIST where I am challenging myself to expand my Walt Disney World knowledge, again to be able to give you honest advice, feedback and planning ideas to make your trip even more magical.  Look for my bucket list to be posted each morning across my social media platforms as well as here in Life in Ears blog!

While I cannot take you physically on vacation with me, I can take you along virtually through my social media platforms. I am planning a full out social media blitz this week to make you part of my “working vacation.” Content will be different on each site to make it fresh, so you will want to follow me on…

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I am also going to be giving everyone* following along and interacting, a chance to win up to a $200 in a Disney Vacation Credit* as well as a few daily giveaways as a thank you for being a part of my “working vacation.”  

For complete rules and details…

Heigh Ho Heigh Ho Contest
Get ready by following me and then be on the lookout starting about 4 pm CST as we begin this “working vacation HOME” to Walt Disney Word.

I will C U real soon and remember that life is always better when you are wearing ears!

(almost) Wordless Wednesday: Disney Details

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It’s (almost) Wordless Wednesday!  Each week I join Focused on the Magic and other fellow Disney bloggers to share our Disney vacation photos and memories by blog hopping. This week’s topic is…Details.

There are so many perks that come with staying at a Walt Disney World Resort including

  • Early Access to FastPass+ Planning
  • Extra Magic Hours
  • Complimentary MagicBands
  • Complimentary Transportation & Parking
  • Disney Dining Plans
  • Early Access to Advanced Dining Reservations

But one of the reasons I love most about staying on property is that I may leave the park, but I never leave the magic because Disney knows it’s all about the details!  Welcome Home has new meaning when you step into a Disney Resort Hotel.

One of my favorite stays was at Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Not my normal taste in decor and Disney knew how to make me feel at home on the Savannah from the beautiful rich earth tones to animals outside my balcony…

Animal Kingdom Lodge was home!

With a resort to fit every budget and personal taste, along with all the perks who would want to stay anywhere else?