The 5oz Foodie

You can't fix stupid.... ;) I have spent so much of my life being a people pleaser. I am the one that settles arguments even when I may not be the one that started it,  I agree to do things for people or I go with what they want to do; as not to upset anyone, I have done things in my life to make others feel more comfortable and accepted even when it has gone against everything I believed. It's crazy to think that I have wasted so much emotion and energy trying to make everyone else happy and not worry about my own happiness. When the end comes and I have to give a report for my life I don't want to say I wish I would have lived more for what I believed, rather than what others believed for me. Do I regret things I have done in my life? I try not to because those things that happened made me who I am now. Love, peace and finding peace in myself Musicsongbird Some people try to listen to the bottom of a bottle Some people try to listen to a needle in their arm ...

I may offend or upset a few people with this but, when did we become such a people of political correctness? Where people are no longer allowed to have their own opinions about things without being threatened with law suits or boycotts or splits in friendships or families, or being called racist or intolerant or hater? If I say I don't like the President, that I don't like his policies and the job he has done and the decisions he has made for our country or what he has said about our country... I am called a racist. If I say I love chicken sandwiches from Chick-a-fil and will continue to frequent their restaurant... I am said to be a supporter of a Gay bashing company If I eat Campbell's Soup while surfing Google on my Apple computer... I am a supporter of Gay marriage. I am human, I am an American, the constitution says I am allowed Free Speech. So I have the right to my opinion. It doesn't matter where I eat or where I shop, my beliefs are mine and I shouldn...

 I received some great advice from a friend when it comes to dealing with people: “In every situation when you are dealing with an unpleasant person, you always have 3 choices,  call them  TLC.      You can  T ake It – “for this particular moment in  time, I can let this pass, it will not be important in a year” You can  L eave It – “this relationship, encounter, person is just not worth my time and energy. I am walking away” You can  C hange It – “I can advise this person of the consequences I will impose the next time this happens, i.e., will walk away or I change my response” I think this is the same for everyday situations... When things get rough or complicated you can Take it, Leave it or Change it.  Those are the choices you get in life. Once you've made your decision live it out loud and don't look back.  Love, peace and live out loud... Musicsongbird

I finally got to see the end of the Olympic opening after work today. All I can say is wow. The torch lighting was amazing; it was very touching to see Muhammad Ali symbolically pass the Olympic Flag and sweet at how Sir John McCartney got chocked up as he began singing "Hey Jude. " I honestly don't remember being this excited about the Summer Olympics but today at lunch we were all crowded around the TV watching of all things Archery. It was so enjoyable though because we were all really getting into it. When we started watching it, it was between Women's Basketball and Men's Team Archery. From the first 10 point shot we were drawn in. We saw South Korea win the Bronze and then we watched the US compete against Italy for the Gold. It was crazy because when you think of Olympic Athletes you think thin and athletic, but when we saw the teams competing that wasn't necessarily the case.   It made me excited to know that not all Olympic athletes have to be super ...

I heard a great quote today and then of course I had to add my spin on it. The quote came from a new movie called, "The Odd Life of Timothy Green." A coach asks him why he is smiling and Timothy's response is, "I can only get better." Isn't that what all of our answers should be when we mess up at something or we aren't good at it right off from the beginning. Instead of whining and complaining that something is too hard or saying I can't do it... Wouldn't it be better if we tell ourselves, I can only get better. Instead of getting down on ourselves when, for instance, if I have a pig out night, I can stop and say I can't do any worse than I did today, tomorrow I can do better. Maybe when we are trying to teach someone something that they aren't really grasping we can tell them, they are going to get better. Again putting a positive spin on it. I have a very close friend that has been frustrated lately about the lack of time we have h...

It is so nice to be back to my regular day to day. I love going on vacation but coming home is nice too. I loved being back at work yesterday and out with my team tonight. It's nice that we get these opportunities to hangout now and then. Well, earlier to day my car broke down and we had to call AAA. The nice guy came out and checked everything out and even brought us ice water.  It turns out that the battery posts needed a little cleaning up and now the car is running fine. Thank God we didn't have to spend the extra money on a new battery. I have been feeling a little achy today so I think it is time to say goodnight. Love, peace and sweet dreams Musicsongbird

I experienced my first professional back massage today. All I can say is.... Amazing. There was a health fair at work today and so my shadow and I explored and learned some great information on how to get ourselves healthy and we each got a 10 minute back massage. Another check off of my wish list! Another thing I learned was my muscle mass index and my nasty BMI, but it was good to see these numbers. It put them in my face and made me really aware of how bad things have truly gotten. I also had my BP checked, the top number was good but the bottom number, not so good. I am at my highest weight ever and it has to stop now. So, my new mantra is to the left. :) I am not saying I won't indulge now and then but it can't be everyday. I need to go back to being sensible with my eating and get off my tush. So, I a,m challenging all of my readers to the following... 1. F ind at least 10 minutes each day to raise your heart rate. 2. E njoy the food you are eating, don't rush...

So I had an interesting thing happen as I was boarding the plane tonight... As I was half way down the gang way the gentleman checking tickets called me back and asked if I had ever been on their airline before and if I am able to sit with both armrests down. The old me would have been insulted and hurt by this remark but I simply turned back with a smile and said, "I understand, and yes I have no issues." Then I went merrily on my way to find a seat.  My trip home has officially come to an end and I have gone through many emotions while here; happy, confused, bewildered, crazed, sad, delirious, pained, hunger hurt, ecstatic and content.  I saw many people that I didn’t know if I would ever see again and honestly some I kind of hoped I wouldn’t. ;-) My brother and Sister-in-law were very gracious hosts and I appreciate all they did for me and for allowing me to stay with them for the extended weekend. I am so glad I was able to spend time with several of my nieces a...

My trip home is quickly coming to a close and I have had a really great time with my family and friends. I have learned so important things along the way as well.... 1. If you have special food you crave that you can at only get at home, then try and eat that special food and enjoy it while visiting home, savor it and don't dog yourself for it later. This a treat! 2. When you are staying with your family or even with friends, be sure to offer to help with things and don't expect anyone to wait on you hand and foot or entertain you non stop. You aren't the Queen Mum and they aren't your servants. 3. You can't change the past... Who I was 20 years ago is not the person I am now, and that doesn't mean that other person you knew back then is the same person they were either, but amazingly enough some people can be. Just move forward and except them for who they are (still) and appreciate the person you have become. 4. There are no do overs in life... If you ...

I woke up a little worse for the wear this morning. After a great day of visiting with remembered friends at the Reunion and than worshiping with remembered family at church I had a tremendously enjoyable evening with my brother, sis-in-law, niece and her boyfriend. So I have to apologize for the less than acceptable blog... It's amazing what forgiveness and moving on will do for you. I know many past friendships were mended yesterday and renewed. I am so excited to know that some of my best gal pals from high school really want to stay in touch this time around. Today I had the great pleasure of meeting my brand new (6 weeks last Thursday) Great Niece. She is so beautiful and it was such a joy to get to hold her and snuggle with her. My Niece is such a good Mom and we all love her so much. I have to thank my other sister-in-law for taking care of me, since my Mom is at home on FL. I was suffering a severe migraine again today and she made sure we nipped it so I can...

What a great day! The day started with Breakfast and to my surprise, two of my friends we there to join us! Then we headed toward our alma mater for a tour. It was incredible to see all of my former classmates and a little surreal. But I reconnected with some great people.  It's been a long day and I saw some more amazing people when I returned to Sanctuary, my home church, and I look forward to seeing them again in the future. Love, peace and Back to the Future... Musicsongbird

What a day...It began way too early, 4am Eastern Time early, a mere 5 hours after going to bed. I sprang to work finishing packing and getting ready to leave on my adventure that would bring me to St. Louis. I had the perfect experience getting through OIA, the TSA agent even thought she had seen me earlier in the week. I told her I hadn't been in a plane in a few months, it must have been my doppelganger. We both laughed and I moved onto the Que where I was escorted to the shortest line and was through within minutes. The train quickly arrived and whisked me to my terminal. I love the A Terminal, they have cushy chairs that have plugs so you can charge your electronics so as I watched the horrific news of the shooting in Colorado over and over again on HLN, I was also able to play games on my phone and text everyone in my address book, whether they were awake or not. Once we were called to board, B33, the lines went quickly and efficiently. I found a seat o...

Pain in the hips and ankles and feet, these are the things I was suffering from today. I had another appointment with the acupuncturist and I have to explain the best way I can what it felt like since so many of my friends ask me what it is like. So, when you go in you lay on a message table but it is covered in white sheets and there is two pillows for your head and a pillow to elevate your legs. Today it was especially uncomfortable due to the hip pain and so my body over all just felt tight. The acupuncturist does her thing to determine how many needles you will need and where they go by asking your body a series of questions. (I know it sounds strange but it's fascinating) Then she preps the areas that will get needles. I believe it's rubbing alcohol to clean the areas. I lost track how many places she cleaned on my feet, ankles, legs, hands and forearms but I know I got the one in my forehead again. When she began to put the needles in I knew this was going ...

Who is the real you? Are you the Monday through Friday workaholic? Or are you the wild and crazy life of the party? Or are you the quiet and inner thinking person? We are all a combination and depending on the situation that is put before us we change. At work I am the crazy attention seeking clown, with some friends I am the comedy relief, with some I'm the planner; when I am home I am dutiful daughter or the introspective writer. The great thing is we don't have to be just one person as long as we are true to ourselves. Each of those sides of me are all who I am. When I was younger my friends parents used to ask if I had to take my batteries out and recharge them, because I had so much energy. But they only saw me in that way. Most of the time we have those multiple sides to ourselves because it's a form of protection.  We are afraid if others see the weirdness in us or the quietness in us or the sadness in us than they will reject us. I began this bl...

Not much for excitement today, just another day in the magical land of Disney. Had a great evening training a new cast member. Got to practice my four words I know in Portuguese, since the Brazilians just kept coming, and got to end the night with a bang by watching Illuminations with my trainee. I love when guests see us doing fun things, like playing with plush (stuffed animals) and we ask them, "Can you believe they actually pay me to do this?" Normally the guests get a good chuckle out of it and sometimes they ask how they can get a job like that too. I am anxiously awaiting my reunion on Saturday and tonight my trainee reminded me what a cool job I truly have. For awhile I have been stressing about going to see all of these former classmates and how many of them work as lawyers or doctors or make a ton of money and have big homes and families and how do I compete with my hourly job as a retail trainer? I know it's petty but we can all get that way at times. Well, t...

Can't understand why people that don't do their job get away with it and the rest of us are left behind to clean up their mess. Why they aren't held up to the same standards as everyone else and having to be accountable for what they do. All I know is that I will not continue to clean up their mess any longer. They will be held accountable and have to give an answer for why things didn't get completed like they were supposed to.  A friend of mine said something very insightful the other day. They told me when it comes to people like this, I may have to work with them, but I don't have to be personal with them. I come in and do my job and nothing more when dealing with that person or persons. Now that I have that out of my system, I had a great day. Heard another great story from a trainee today and their journey to becoming a cast member. It amazes me how people just open up and share things that you wouldn't always share with someone you just met or have on...

I love the training days when I get to see my fellow trainers with their new Cast Members. It's fun to get to meet the new cast that will be working over the next months and year. Four members of our Team were able to meet with our trainees for lunch and when we were there so were most of our World Show Case trainers as well. At one point I was over talking with our Mexico trainers when I heard giggling and laughter coming from behind me, only to turn around and see it was coming from my team. As I turned to come back one of them mocked me and pointed to a random table and said, "Why don't you go talk to that table too?" I said that the other table were attraction cast members that I didn't know, his response was something about you didn't know all of our trainees but you talked to them and I replied I didn't want to talk to them. We all started laughing and I sat back down. After a few minutes we decided it was time to head back to our respective areas an...

I love those days where you can spend a little time and sit with members of your team and have time to let loose and laugh and enjoy being together. I re alize as I look back on some of the conversations we had today, so many times we spend too much of our lives complaining about things... How people behave, how circumstances are bad, what we dislike about how things are being done. We end up wasting so much of our lives complaining that we can miss out on the joys in our lives.  For the first half of this year I spent a lot of time complaining about my problems, now I want to try and share more joys in this second half. I believe if we focus on the happiness and the joys everyday, our days will be better and so will our over all well being. Even when we go through what we feel is our hardest day, we have got to realize that it was only one moment in time and we can't let that one moment ruin our lives. So take some time each day to talk about the joys in your life, ...

So back to last night... We all gathered in a conference room over looking the ocean and sat in a huge circle. There were My mom and I and 22 youth and 13 leaders present. It was sharing time for the week. You see the youth group traveled for over 20 hours in a charter bus from St. Louis to Daytona to come to Church Camp. When I was a leader with the same church group, we had made our first trip to Daytona in 2005. Now, over 7 years later I am back in a room that is familiar with a group of kids that aren't but they are excepting me being there as if I have always been with them. The night was full of emotion for everyone. These sweet teenagers opened their hearts out and weren't afraid of what people would say. It honestly blew me away, some of things that were shared and it made me hurt to know that they had carried this around with them for so long. Yet, I related to many on what they have been feeling and thankfully they are crying out now, while they are still young, s...

What a long and amazing day it was. So after five years, I was reunited with 5 of my original youth group members and my youth pastor and my pastor in Daytona. This morning Mom and I made the hour and half drive up to Daytona to take part in the last day of Student Life at the Beach 2012. We didn't make it for the morning service, but we met up with the group for lunch just as the skies decided to open wide and pour out over the coast. To get across the road to the restaurant we put on trash bags and scurried across the busy street, stopping for cross walk lights of course. My favorite part was waiting to cross, when a car came speeding by and drove directly through the two feet of water on the side of the road sending brown dirty water up at us. Thankfully we were wearing our "tailor made" Hilton special trash bag rain ponchos so all that really got wet was our legs. Which was still gross. After a BBQ inspired lunch it was off to the beach to ride the waves, and wave...

I heard from a friend of mine that haven't heard from in months. She was out on medical leave and now she is back home with her family in her home state, where she has wanted to be since she came to Florida. Her health isn't the best but she is back with her Doctor as well, so i will continue to pray for her. God only gives us what we can handle and I know He is with her helping her handle what lies ahead. For someone so young she is facing a huge illness and I am so glad she was able to get home so she doesn't have to face it alone anymore. Her friends here have tried to do whats best for her, but nothing is ever the same as family. Not to short change friends at all, because when family is thousands of miles away your friends are your family. I thank God every day for the friends I have made here in Florida because for almost three years they were my family and we took and still do take care of each other. Love, peace and hold your friends close... Musicsongbird

So I have been struggling with getting exercise in this week but you know what, I have been doing pretty good at not over indulging. I have minimized my snacking thanks to crafting and blogging. When I get on the scale the number seems frozen but when I look at myself in the mirror I am starting to see subtle changes. When I start to lose weight I start to notice it in my face and neck first, and I am starting to see a slight difference.  I have a friend that has recently lost an amazing 22 pounds and is looking fantastic but sadly I didn't notice it until she said something. The problem is that when you see people on a regular basis you don't always notice things like you should. So, my friend I am truly sorry. You do look great and keep up the good work! I am being reminded about so many things that I learned in all the time I spent in Weight Watcher's meetings and my health coach appointments. I just need to put them back into practice. I am ready to kiss the fat ...

Today I was in my home location where I have trained many College Program cast members over the past 4 years. The first group that started in January of 2008 became like a second family to me. We went to the parks together and late night dinners after work, many called me Mama. When their programs ended I had to say goodbye and it was so hard. Tear were shed, email addresses exchanged and Facebook friends were added. After the last of that group left I vowed to never get that attached again, and I really didn't end up with too many more that were as close as that group was. These days I get moved from area to area, maybe getting to train a new cast member more than one day and then I am off again to another location. But as I stated at the beginning, I was back where it all started today training a new International Cast Member. As we walked the area we ended up in Strollers, my favorite place to work, and cast members I had trained months before started coming up and tell me...

I hate when I have a day where I let someone else's mood or attitude get the best of me. I need to learn to let it go and not worry about what they do and just focus on what I need to get done. Let them think whatever they want to and if they have a problem, then it's their problem and not mine. Not with that being said I will let it go and move forward, so thank you to Porip and Ms. Sugar Cane for allowing me to vent. You are great friends. (Big adventures await us...Maybe one that will take us around the world...) As I was going through Pinterst tonight I saw this fantastic pin. I already feel like part of dreams have some true living where I am and working where I am, but there are other parts to my dream I want to see fulfilled. I am a firm believer of writing a list of the things you would like to do or try in your lifetime and keeping track when they happen. I started my list last summer and I have done several things on it already... Some of them were: Eatin...

Sometimes in life you come to place where you just decide, OK no matter what today brings good or bad I am going to face it head on and make the best of every moment. I have written about my Safety class many times and how bored cast can get in it; well I taught it twice today and both classes left smiling and more educated on how important safety is for themselves and the guests that they serve.  If I bring the same excitement and passion to Safety as I do to train the trainer or my everyday regular cast training, then I see cast really understanding why safety is truly important and not just tag line they are taught. I want to set an example to my fellow cast, of course falling down the steps a few days ago is not the example I am referring to, but the fact that I called out for help when it happened and didn't try and blow it off like I am guilty of doing in the past. (falling in front of Test Track backstage rings a bell) And yes, I will repeat, I was holding the handrail w...

So the battle of the bulge continues. I did start the day with a swim and I did not over indulge today either. I helped mom move some bags of mulch and watered the hanging baskets. I saw the fantastic movie Brave and if you haven't seen it yet, it's an absolute must. I loved it so much I cried several times. It really made me realize how important my mother is to me. There are times when we battle, head to head, her will against mine, and then we stop and take the time to talk it out and everything is OK again. I know too many people who have had or currently have strained relationships with their moms and it is hard. I thank God every day for mine. Now back to this battle of the bulge. It's so funny or sweet or both, the comments I am getting from people in real life. I appreciate the encouragement, and please know this is a huge undertaking. I feel like the tortoise right now, when my mind really wants to be the rabbit. But I can only do what my body will allow. ...

What a long day I have had. I woke early this morning with a splitting migraine which I believe stemmed from  some a sugar free dessert I had. This was a horribly painful lesson to learn. I need to make sure I ask before I eat things. You see I suffer from severe migraines when I have sweetener. If you have never suffered from a migraine , imagine the worst headache you've ever had and then add light sensitivity and nausea. It took me almost 12 hours to get rid of it and then I suffered from the migraine hangover. Thankfully I had a human pin cushion appointment. (acupuncture) I love going because I feel so relaxed afterwards. I have the best friend ever. When I was sick this morning, my BFF went with my mom to the grocery store for our weekly trip and then offered to drive me to my appointment since I was still feeling wonky. I feel so cared for today. Between my BFF doing all those things for Mom and I and my mom taking care of me, I know I am loved. So, I have to say how t...

"It's a salute to all Nations but mostly America..." - Sam Eagle Today is the United States of America's  236th Birthday! I hope that everyone had a safe day and evening celebrating our countries birthday and the freedom that it has brought us. Never forget those that lead the way before us so that we could stand here today. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -- Declaration of Independence God Bless the United States of America

It must be a full moon... Today I tried to fly...It wasn't on purpose either. I was walking down the stairs in one of our merchandise locations and misjudged the bottom step and before I knew it I was airborne and then crash landing. When I opened my eyes I was on my hands and knees and I heard a voice call down if I was OK. My response was I fell and then the tears came. The next few moments were a blur of voices and faces and hands helping me to sit on the stairs. I totally appreciate my two team members that got me laughing and trying to forget that my knee hurt and that I felt like a totally idiot for falling and also that they insist that I go to health services to get it checked out after the paramedics came. I have some great friends and co-workers. I am so thankful for all of them as I have said before. They made a possible horrible situation into something where I felt safe and taken care of. It's so nice to know that when you are in need of help there are people t...

I love training the new trainers one on one because you really get to share with them the stories from your craziest stories working for the company; or your most moving stories as well. I often wonder if true life work stories would appeal to anyone else besides people that work at that place. But like everything else I am sure it's all in how it is written and what it stirs in it's readers to draw them to it time and again. If I were to write my Disney stories or as I like to call them, adventures, I would have to write them just like I lived them, full out not holding back anything! Something I have definitely learned in the past almost five years is to let loose and have fun and not care who is watching. I have belted out Birthday songs at the top of my lungs, had shoot outs with tiny pirates, bowed grandly to princesses and threw temper tantrums in front of long lined attractions and haven't regretted or worried what other thought of me and still don't. I am he...

Happy Canada Day!!! I had the pleasure of being invited to the Canada Pavilion's Celebration today. We had traditional Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, Papa John's Pizza, Coca-Cola, Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars and Nestea Canned Ice Tea. It was fun to see the cast members as well as the guests out in the park that were celebrating their countries heritage. When I asked one of my Canadian friends what they do on Canada Day, he said they eat and party and end the night with fireworks. So it's basically like the 4th of July celebration in the US. Which totally reminds me of a funny story. So last year one of my English college program cast members was sent to work on Main Street USA for the 4th of July, so she put on an I'm Celebrating button and she wrote on it, "My 1st 4th of July!" As she was waving to guests going in and out of the park, one guest stopped to talk with her. They where from "Anytown, USA" and we talking about their day when they n...