friends – Bless Your Heart

Bachelor Finale

March 26, 2024 Shanny

It’s the finale BBs!!! Let me tell you that I have been avoiding social media since last night trying not to spoil it for myself! Anyway, let’s dive in!

We are in Tulum, Mexico to meet Joey‘s family. There’s his mom, his dad, two sisters and a brother-in-law. Daisy meets the family first. She looks so cute in a pretty red dress. Daisy tells Joey’s sisters that she loves Joey and would say yes to a proposal. Then Daisy is talking with Joey‘s mom and they’re both crying and Daisy says I’m so sure and confident in him. Joey‘s mom says she would be honored to be Daisy‘s mother-in-law which is really sweet!

Next, on the same day, Kelsey goes to meet Joey‘s parents and family which is unusual. I thought that they would do these on different days, but apparently not. So, Kelsey comes in and she looks beautiful. She has the best hair! When Joey’s sisters ask Kelsey, are you ready for an engagement? Kelsey says I think so. They tell Joey what Kelsey says and he’s concerned about it, because she didn’t say yes for sure.

The next day there’s a date with Daisy, the final date, and they go on a spiritual journey with a shaman. Daisy is all in her head worried that it’s not going to be her at the end. That night during the nighttime portion of their date, Daisy tells Joey she loves him.

Next is Kelsey‘s date with Joey. They have a spa day and everything is pretty normal. Kelsey says that she’s fully aware that Daisy is still in the picture and she’s worried about it because she knows how great Daisy is and she knows that Daisy and Joey have a really good connection.

So then we come to proposal day. Daisy goes to see Kelsey after they’re both all dressed up and Daisy tells Kelsey that her date with Joey just felt off, and she knows that it’s not her and she wants to step aside and let Joey and Kelsey be happy.

The next shot is of both of the girls riding together in the SUV!!! Presumably going to see Joey! They’re holding hands and supporting each other and it’s just amazing because this whole show is so often seen as a competition, especially between the women and it’s not. It’s just supposed to be about finding the right person for the bachelor or the bachelorette.

Daisy goes to Joey first. She says I love you but the thing is you’re not going to choose me and I’m going to do what’s best for me and I’m going to go. They talk for a little bit more and he says can I walk you out and she says no this is something I need to do on my own. So she walks out by herself. Daisy goes to Kelsey and they hug and Daisy says I know your mom is looking down on this moment and she’s going to be so happy! Daisy is a queen!!!

Then Kelsey walks up to Joey by the beach and he proposes and it’s beautiful and she says yes and they’re crying and it’s really sweet.

Then we cut back to LA for After the Final Rose. Daisy comes out onto the stage looking amazing. She joins Joey on stage and she’s so poised and positive and they have nothing but the nicest things to say to each other and about each other. Then Daisy leaves and Kelsey joins Joey on stage and she is wearing a similar dress to what Daisy is wearing. They are very happy and Joey says how lucky he is. It’s very sweet.

Daisy comes back out on stage and Kelsey joins her. They hold hands and support each other again, talking about their futures.

Next they announce the next bachelorette is ….. Jenn!!! I’m so excited for her! She’s the first Asian bachelorette and she’s so cute and witty and I think she’s going to have a fun season!

Jesse said Jenn’s season won’t air until July. I’m wondering if we will have a Golden Bachelorette first?? And that’s it for now BBs! xo 🌹

pop culture, tv

Bachelor Week 8

March 6, 2024 Shanny

It’s week 8 BBs & that means Hometowns! One of my FAVORITE episodes! I love meeting the families!!!

Joey goes to New Orleans first to see Kelsey A. They ride a tandem bike and explore the city. That night they go meet up with her family. Kelsey’s mom sadly passed away a couple years ago from cancer. Tonight we meet her Dad, sister, and brother. Dad brings out a photo album filled with pictures of Mom and it’s so special to see her. Dad needs to be the next Golden Bachelor! He and the rest of Kelsey’s family are just lovely people!!! They are all so loving and supportive of the Bachelor process.

Next Joey goes to Rancho Cucomonga, California to see Rachel. Rachel’s family is multicultural as they are Filipino but are from Hawai’i. Rachel teaches Joey how to show respect to her mom by placing her mom’s hand on his forehead. It’s v sweet and Mom is impressed! There’s a big backyard bbq with loads of Rachel’s family in attendance. Mom and Dad are pretty skeptical of the whole process. Rachel’s whole family is just so loving and lovely too! Rachel tells Joey she’s falling in love with him.

Then Joey goes to Becker, Minnesota to visit Daisy. They tour around the Christmas tree farm where she grew up. Daisy’s friends surprise her with a visit. Daisy tells Joey if her family isn’t on board with him that she won’t be able to move forward with their relationship. We meet Mom, Dad, sister, brother, and Grandma and Grandpa. Another great family that’s so welcoming and full of love! And luckily for Joey they all like him a lot and can see how happy Daisy is. Afterwards, Daisy tells Joey she’s falling in love with him.

Lastly we go to Niagra Falls, NY to meet Maria’s family. OMG it’s the best! First Joey and Maria ride the Maid of the Mist into the falls. Then we meet the family. Bless the editors who put the mafia music on anytime Maria’s family is on screen!!! Dad is Nick. Nick has longish dyed black hair. All wisps and feathered. V 80s. He’s all unbuttoned shirt with pinky rings and big gold watch and a heavy silver chain around his very tanned neck. It’s all V Greek and Italian. Her 2 brothers are mini versions of Nick. Joey sits down with Nick for a chat and Nick gives Joey his blessing to marry Maria. Later, Joey and Maria go outside and sit on a bench. They are chatting when the camera pans to the house and her entire family is pressed up against the windows watching them! DYING!!! SO weird and funny!!! Maria says she’s falling in love with Joey but she doesn’t tell him! She says she froze! Uh oh!!!

Rose Ceremony

There are 3 roses tonight and the ceremony is at an airplane hangar in LA. Just as Joey picks up the first rose, Maria asks to speak to him. They walk over to a plane to chat. She tells him she’s falling in love with him. He says Thank You. They walk back. It’s odd! No hug or kiss. V formal and stiff feeling.

Daisy gets the first rose, then Kelsey, then ….. Rachel. Maria is going home. She’s all smiles as Joey walks her out. Doesn’t shed a tear. But she says she’s confused and sad.

Next week looks v v emotional!!! Until then BBs!!! xo 🌹

pop culture, tv

Bachelor Week 6

February 20, 2024 Shanny

It’s week 6 BBs and this week we are ALL in our feels in Montreal! Buckle up because it’s an emotional ride!!!

We start with some one on one time with Joey and he’s worried the women won’t accept him for himself if he reveals to them that he’s falling for them. He’s got a feeling deep down that this whole thing won’t work out! So sad!!! I hope that’s not the case, but the preview of the season ending didn’t bode well!!!

Group Date

The women and Joey go on a scavenger hunt of sorts throughout Montreal. They make poutine, play some street hockey, and generally have a fun day touring the city. Jess is bummed she hasn’t received a 1-1 date yet and is annoyed with the group dates. That night all the women are feeling v subdued and a bit down. In fact, every single woman shown with Joey in 1-1 time with him cries! Katelyn feels like she’s falling behind the other women. Lexi asks Joey about his timeline. Joey says he wants a 2-3 year engagement!!! Then he wants to be married a few years before children. Lexi is worried about this because of her endometriosis. Kelsey A feels like she’s getting lost in the background. Kelsey A also tells Joey she’s falling for him. As does Jenn. Most of the women are having a hard time seeing him with other women since real feelings are now involved. Jess also tells Joey she’s falling for him. Joey says he can’t get there with Jess and just can’t picture it with her. He walks her out. Jess sobs in the car as she’s leaving. I honestly never saw it with them either. No chemistry.

Joey feels really bad about sending Jess home and rejoins the group. He gives Jenn the group date rose.

1-1 Kelsey T

Kelsey and Joey go to a gym and train with an aerialist member of Cirque du Soleil. It looks so fun! They are spinning and twirling in the air and on those big metal wheel things. But Joey gets super dizzy and has to quit all the acrobatics. That night over Fake Dinner Kelsey tells Joey about her complicated relationship with her father. For some reason, her father did not support her decision to go to college and not only did she have to move out of his house, he even stopped speaking to her! Rude! Because of all this, Kelsey now has trust issues with men. She gets the rose.

Maria 1-1

Next is Maria’s one on one date where Joey picks her up at the hotel in a vintage stretch limo. V cool. It’s the classic Bachelor shopping date. They go to a boutique and pick out a fancy dress and shoes for Maria. Joey changes into a dapper suit. They then take a helicopter tour of Montreal. V cool city- I’d like to visit! Later that night Maria tells Joey she’s falling for him. He gives her the rose.

Back at the hotel Lexi goes to see Joey in his room. Lexi tells Joey that they are on different timelines due to her endometriosis and fertility concerns so because of that she’s going to go home. This shocks Joey.

I noticed during this episode that EVERY single time a woman cries, they apologize to the person they are crying in front of. Why? Why do we feel the need to apologize for our emotions? There’s not a thing wrong with showing emotion. Especially in the Bachelor environment where things are super charged, sped up, and v emotional!!! Let it out Ladies and stop apologizing!!!

The cocktail party goes well, even if it is v subdued. The women line up for the rose ceremony and notice there are only 3 roses to be given out! Daisy, Kelsey A., and Rachel get the roses. Katelyn and Lea (yay!!!) go home.

And that’s all until next time BBs!!! xo 🌹

pop culture, tv

Bachelor Week 3

February 6, 2024 Shanny

It’s week 3 BBs and we are neck deep in drama!!! But we’ll get to that later!

First up is a Group Date. It’s the Mrs. Right Pageant! (WHY does ABC constantly feel the need to have the contestants of these shows parade around on these pageant type “dates”??? It’s not like Joey and the girls get to know each other during them!) I digress. April, Susan, Kathy, and Nancy from the Golden Bachelor help with the pageant. There’s a fashion show element, a Q&A, and a talent portion. Edwina wrote a song for Joey that she sings a cappella, and she sounds great! Sydney, who’s been boasting about how she’s been in pageants before, does a cheerleading routine and there are CRICKETS afterward! Whomp whomp Syd! Lexi’s talent is … kissing. So she spends her talent segment making out with Joey. She must be pretty good though because Lexi wins the pageant!

At the After Party later, Maria makes a remark about how the pageant was a kissing contest when she’s chatting with Joey. Maria also says she’s an introvert! Could have fooled me! Then Joey asks Madina if there’s anything going on in the house that she’d like to talk about to him. She tells Joey she’s feeling bullied, but won’t say by who. Kelsey A. gets the group date rose. Then Joey addresses the group about the alleged bullying. Joey then leaves and Maria and Madina start talking about the situation. Sydney jumps in with “I’m feeling bullied too!” Sydney then states that Maria is catty but can’t provide examples. Syd says she needs to remove herself from this toxic situation and is going back to the house if anyone wants to join her. Again, CRICKETS! It’s hilarious! The next day everyone at the house is talking about the bullying situation. It’s all a non-situation though because this whole thing stems from last week when Madina made a comment about her age (31) and being the oldest in the house. Maria said “she’s not old”. That’s it. That’s all that happened. But Sydney doesn’t like Maria for some reason so Syd has latched on to this and is squeezing every drop of drama she can out of it!

Jenn 1-1

Jenn is so cute! Joey and Jenn go to a surf store and pick out wetsuits and surf boards. Then they spend the day at the beach having a wee picnic, making out, and surfing. That night over Fake Dinner, Jenn shares that her parents’ relationship was v v tumultuous and there was tons of fighting. Jenn didn’t feel like her father loved her and she felt very unwanted by him. He is no longer in her life. Afterward, Jenn and Joey go outside and there’s a super cool drone display that writes in the sky “Jenn will you accept this rose?” It’s v sweet!

The next Group Date is a tennis date- the Bachelor Open. But it’s not just regular tennis. All of the girls have to wear ridiculous costumes while playing. Think hotdog and bun, lobster and giant stick of butter, etc. It’s pretty funny and the girls are all great sports about it! That night at the after party, Rachel’s earring gets caught in Joey’s sweater when they hug. Daisy shows Joey her cochlear implant and let’s him touch it. He has a few questions about it and remains respectful and supportive while asking them. Daisy says “I know, it makes me different”. Joey says “NO. It makes you special.” OMG can we PLEASE just skip to their wedding already??? They are so cute I can hardly barely stand it!!! Katelyn gets the group date rose.

The next day Jesse announces that there will not be a cocktail party that night, that instead, Joey is coming over for a pool party sponsored by KFC. So all the girls run outside and chow down on some chicken while they wait for Joey to arrive. Sydney pulls Joey aside and tells him that Maria has been verbally attacking her. Joey pulls Maria aside to chat about the allegation and Maria gets v emotional talking about how she was bullied growing up and how she would never do that. Meanwhile Syd is running around the house talking to whoever will listen about what a Mean Girl Maria is and how Syd hates the drama and just wants a peaceful journey. Joey leaves the house and all the girls are gathered together. Every time Maria speaks Sydney tells everyone not to be manipulated by Maria, gaslighting everyone. Syd keeps saying “I’m trying to squash the drama.” and “let’s get the drama out of here”. GIRL!!! YOU are the drama!!!

Rose Ceremony

Sydney gets the last rose (which you KNOW Joey only gave it to her because the producers made him)! Going home tonight: Evalin, Chrissa, and Starr (who I swear I’ve never seen before in my life!!!).

Just in case y’all couldn’t predict it with all the drama, it looks like next week is a 2-1 date with Maria and Sydney! Eeeek! Gird your loins!!!

Until then BBs! xo 🌹

birthday, fun, travel

50th Birthday Mountain Girls’ Weekend!!!

August 11, 2023 Shanny

Friday afternoon two of my besties joined Sara, Morgan, Lauren, and me in Valle Crucis for my 50th birthday celebration! We got Michelle and Jennifer settled in their rooms and spent a little time on the front porch then went across the street to do some shopping at Mast General Store. We came back and had a fantastic dinner of salad and shrimp & grits!!! My favorite dinner! My sister Sara cheffed it up and it was delicious! We all wore these gorgeous 1920s inspired headbands & Mardi Gras beads.

After dinner, the girls gave me my birthday present- a Silhouette Cameo 3!!!

Then we played bingo. A custom game made by Jennifer that was all about me!

Jennifer also brought a great variety of prizes for us all to win when we called bingo! After bingo we moved into the living room and played Scrawl. Laughed soooo hard!

Lo & Jennifer concentrating on their drawings

After Scrawl we went to bed- big day tomorrow!!!

Saturday morning we woke up and had a bit of breakfast then watched Grease 2– a classic! It was so fun singing along to all the songs in our PJs! Then we all showered and got ready. I walked out of my room to find the dining room transformed!!!

Sara & the girls turned the dining room into our own Paint & Sip!!! Paints, brushes, water cups, and canvases for us all! Sara pulled up a tutorial of a mountain scene on YouTube.

I love how all of our paintings came out different from each other’s! They are all beautiful!!!

After we painted we went into town for an early dinner at Basil’s. Cocktails were half price so I enjoyed a couple! They make their own pasta at Basil’s and we each got a pasta dish for dinner- soooo good! We asked the server to snap a group picture.

We all wore our beads and headbands again so we were all sparkly!

After dinner we went back to the house and played Never Have I Ever (the board game- not the drinking game) while the original Grease played in the background. We sang along again and had so much fun learning about each other’s poor life decisions! We went to sleep then woke up early Sunday morning to clean up and pack up to leave. We were on the road to home by 10:30 am! I had the best time with my favorite people! A wonderful way to celebrate 50 years!!! 💜

friends

Ghosts

June 6, 2019 Shanny

Being ghosted is no fun. Being ghosted by a BFF, dear, or close friend is even worse. I am a good friend. I’m kind and thoughtful and keep in touch. But over the last 3 years I’ve been ghosted by 2 close girlfriends. It hurts. Especially when you don’t know why.

Friend 1 and I texted almost daily and met for lunch monthly, then every 2 weeks, then once a week as our friendship grew. We met about 8 years ago when we were both working on the same team. We hit it off immediately. I even went to her husband’s milestone birthday party. Then she and her family moved about 2 hours away about 2 years ago. There were promises of meeting up in the middle and visits to both cities. But that never happened. She moved and then I just never heard from her again. It was so odd to me. How can you go from talking (via text) almost daily and seeing each other once a week to nothing? We didn’t have a falling out or argument or anything. Trust me I overanalyzed everything trying to figure out if I had done something wrong, something to offend, anything. Last December, when I posted on social media the end of our adoption effort she commented out of the blue her condolences. But nothing since then.

Friend 2 and I met just over 12 years ago at a Bunco party. We also hit it off right away. We became fast friends. She lived just around the corner from us and we started hanging out to watch movies, and tv together. We went out to eat, shopping, and even went on a couple girls trips together. She was my best friend. We talked all the time. Then she and her family moved 1200 miles away about 4 (?? I’m so bad with time) years ago. We still talked on the phone regularly and texted daily and even wrote old fashioned letters to each other. We sent care packages on birthdays. Then about a year ago she went through a divorce. It was really traumatic for her, but we stayed in touch. Until about 6 months ago. Again, nothing happened. No argument or event occurred that would end our friendship. She just stopped answering my texts, or would answer weeks later. A month or so ago I finally asked via text why are you ignoring my texts. She wrote back immediately and swore she wasn’t. That she was just busy and would forget to reply or would think she did reply when she didn’t. So I texted her back and caught her up on all the goings on in my life. I haven’t heard back.

It’s awful. I loved these women like sisters. Especially friend 2. I knew and cared about their families. It’s funny, I still keep up with an ex family member of Friend 2 on social. I miss these ladies. Especially Friend 2. I miss my best friend. I have other girlfriends, but not a BEST friend and that stings.

So if you’re reading this and are currently ghosting a girlfriend, please don’t. Please just be a grown up and tell her what’s going on. No one likes to be left hanging.

adoption, family, friends, holidays

Mother’s Day

May 12, 2019May 11, 2019 Shanny

I received this card the other day, just in time for Mother’s Day. For most people Mother’s Day means brunch and flowers and merriment. And that plays into my day too as I celebrate my mom and my sister (who’s a mom). But Mother’s Day is also bittersweet for me. Because I’ve always, always, as long as I can remember, wanted to be a mom. Every year since I turned 30 and the Clomid didn’t work for us I’ve sort of dreaded this day. But there was always a glimmer of hope for us to become parents so each Mother’s Day I get up and get dressed up and join my mom and my sisters and we spend the day together.

But today is different. Today my mom is out of town helping my youngest sister move. So Mother’s Day has a different sort of feel. But mostly today is different because my glimmer of hope is almost faded out. I’m 45 now and still childless. But not because we didn’t try, that’s for sure. We tried international adoption (2 different countries) and that didn’t work out for various reasons. Then we were matched up by a friend with a birthmother who, after a few months, changed her mind. We took a year off after that, to heal. Then we joined a domestic foster to adopt program. Our social worker told us “Give me a year and I’ll have you matched with a child.” EIGHT years later we still didn’t have a match. We came close a few times. Last year we even drove 8 hours to Northern Virginia to be interviewed for a child who ultimately went to another family. Then in December of last year our home study expired again and would require more money, more time, more paperwork, more effort. And by then CSP was worn out. He was over it. I was tired too, but I always finish what I start so I was willing to go through it all again. But I can’t be a married single parent. I can’t do it alone. So we let our home study expire. And my heart broke into a thousand little pieces.

I was watching a tv show the other day where a lady (we’ll call Susie) was having twins via surrogate after 8 miscarriages and 13 failed IVF trials. She was talking with another lady (we’ll call Karen) who was 35 and unmarried with no prospects and was considering freezing her eggs. Susie told Karen “If you want to be a mom, you’ll be a mom, whether it’s through biology or adoption, you’ll find a way.” That really hit home because I thought when my body failed me and I had to have a hysterectomy, that I’d found my way- through adoption. But now I don’t know anymore. I don’t know if I’ll ever be a mom. I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know what God’s plan is for me. I do know that my heart hurts. That some days I feel useless, like my life doesn’t have much purpose or direction if I can’t be a mom. That I’ll end up all alone, forgotten in some nursing home somewhere when I’m old. So when my dear friend sent that thoughtful and sweet card that reminds me that I AM strong, brave, beautiful, cared about, and loved, it was just what I needed! I have faith and friends and family who love me and my story isn’t over.

fun, travel

Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean Day 9

February 6, 2016February 19, 2016 Shanny

Today we woke up extra early to get ready, pack last minute items and disembark. There are 2 ways you can disembark on Disney Cruise Line. You can meet early in the lobby, tote your own luggage, and leave the ship on your own. That’s Express Walk Off. Or you can go to breakfast at an assigned time and have the ship handle your luggage. Then you’d pick up your luggage in the terminal on your way out. We chose to do the Express Walk Off because we like to hit the road early so we can get home at a reasonable time. Because we have late dinner we would have late breakfast so we wouldn’t even sit down to eat until 8 am. Because of the mechanical troubles, we were still moving when we woke up! We weren’t able to leave the ship, even with express walk off, until 8 am because of being late to the port. Even still, there were NO lines in customs so we breezed right through and were out to our car within 20 minutes of leaving our room! Love how organized Disney is!

I forgot to tell you something! When your ship is sailing away, your loved ones at home can watch via the Port Canaveral web cam! Mom of CSP watched us sail away and took some screen shots of the Fantasy.

Back to our last day of vacation… the drive home was uneventful except for Blanca (my trusty RAV 4) turned 100,000 miles!

Now the Fantasy was scheduled to leave today for a Western Caribbean cruise at 5 pm. But because of the mechanical troubles she had on our cruise she didn’t leave until 7:15 pm!!!

Even with mechanical troubles we still had a magical vacation and we can’t wait for next time!!!

fun, travel

Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean Day 8

February 5, 2016February 19, 2016 Shanny

Today was our last sea day. We were bummed we weren’t going to be able to go to Castaway Cay, but we decided to make the most of it! First we went to breakfast at Cabanas. Then we went to the spa to use our Rainforest Room day pass. The Rainforest Room is really lots of rooms and awesome amenities available for use. There are aromatherapy showers, saunas, hot tubs with views of the sea, and heated tile loungers. Ahhh the heated tile loungers! The best place on the ship to read your book. We made great use of the Rainforest Room all morning until we had grumblings for lunch.

We dried off as best we could then went to Royal Court for lunch. Afterward we decided to put our free $200 to good use and stopped by the gift shops. All week we’d been eyeing BB8. And now we could get him guilt free! Plus we were able to use our 10% discount for being Gold Castaway Club members! We dropped BB8 off in our room and CSP went to play another round of the golf simulator with Kevin. I took a nap while they golfed then got up and started organizing and packing since today was our last day on the ship. CSP came back to the room and we went up to Satellite Falls. It was closed due to extremely high winds so we went back down to the Quiet Cove adult pool for a while. We hung out in the pool until I got too cold then we went back to the Rainforest Room for a couple hours until it was time to get dressed for dinner.

Dinner tonight was at the Enchanted Garden. We had a great dinner and said our goodbyes to our serving team of Diartha and Yami. Then back to our room to pack where we found a rhino! We watched Lilo and Stitch (Stitch is my favorite) while we packed and filled out our comment card. It was time for bed. We have to get up early tomorrow!

fun, travel

Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean Day 7

February 4, 2016February 17, 2016 Shanny

Today was another sea day! I like sea days because they give you time to enjoy the ship. Today we woke up and showered and got ready for brunch at Palo. Palo is on the back end of the ship with gorgeous views of the sea. We went up to Palo and Luca, our server, met us in the Meridian Lounge. The chandelier at the entrance of Palo. There is a big debate amongst Disney Cruisers as to which is better at Palo- brunch or dinner? I love them both! Brunch is amazing. First your server gets your drink order then walks you through the brunch buffet,explaining each section and giving recommendations. Then you are on your own to explore the buffet. Your server will check in on you from time to time and will place orders for the larger entrees and pizzas. Today CSP got the orecchiette with salmon, salmon and risotto (he loves seafood!), and lasagne. Luca brought us both lasagnes even though I said I didn’t want one. He told me trust me, you want this lasagne. The portions are on the smaller side compared to dinner so you can try many things. Luca said he wanted us to try everything! I ordered a goat cheese and sun dried tomato pizza, chicken parmesan, strawberry soup, and of course, the lasagne. CSP picked the sun dried tomatoes off the pizza and tried some of it too. I don’t order chicken parmesan anywhere else- it’s incredible! And Luca was right about the lasagne. It melted in your mouth. It was made with a béchamel sauce instead of cheese and the meat sauce had carrots in it, so it was quite different from the lasagne I make at home! I wish I could make lasagne like that! One of the touches that makes Palo special is how they present their iced tea. Instead of frozen water ice cubes they use frozen tea! So your tea never gets diluted. Arguably the best part of brunch though, is the dessert. They offer an array of tiny little sweet masterpieces and they always remind you that on vacation calories don’t count! They even give you the tiniest of spoons to taste everything with. Love.

After brunch we waddled back to our room to relax for a bit until it was time to meet up with Amy and Kevin. On the way we heard bits and pieces of an announcement from the captain, but we didn’t know the full story. We found out more about that later.

Kevin and CSP went up to the sports deck to play in the golf simulator while Amy, Ellen and I went to the Royal Court Royal Tea Party. We were seated at a table with Ruby (age 4), Ruby’s mom, and Ruby’s Godmother, all from Dublin, Ireland. They were fun to talk to. The event was too cute. Each girl was deemed a Princess and was announced to the room upon entering. At the table there were gifts waiting for each princess. They received a Cinderella doll, a jewelry box with a charm bracelet and necklace inside, a gorgeous autograph/memory book, a fancy pen for getting autographs, and a cookie with their name on it. Once we were all seated Lady Chamomile came out and welcomed us. Then Chef Brule (pronounced like creme brule) came out and the two of them sang songs and worked the room. Next it was time for the princesses to arrive. First came Belle, then Tiana, then Cinderella. Each princess stopped by the table twice. The first time to chat with each girl, then the second time to sign autographs and take pictures and chat a little more. They were all so beautiful and sweet to the girls. And each princess brought the girls a gift- a charm for their charm bracelets. We were served teas of our choosing (the girls received apple juice), and they brought out a serving platter full of tiny finger sandwiches and sweets. Then the adults were brought warm scones with clotted cream and jam while the little girls each got a cupcake in a tea cup. It was all just lovely and I’m sure any little girl’s dream!

After the tea I went down to O’Gills Pub to meet up with the boys. I visited with them for a while then went to the Future Cruise Desk. By this time Amy had filled me in on that captain’s announcement. One of the ship’s motors was out and it meant we would not be able to stop at Castaway Cay tomorrow! Boo! This is the second cruise in a row where we’ve missed Castaway Cay! In October it was because of Hurricane Joaquin, and now this. Because of missing Castaway Cay and it was technically Disney Cruise Line’s fault, they offered us compensation. Each stateroom received a $200 onboard credit and 20% off a future cruise. Normally when you book a future cruise on board you get a 10% discount. So you can imagine the line was pretty long. I found Amy in line ahead of me, and got in line behind a couple we’d met during the cruise. Chatting with them made the wait more bearable. I booked our cruise and went back to the room to meet up with CSP and get ready for dinner.

Dinner tonight was back at Animator’s Palate. Tonight everyone drew a cartoon person on a paper we were given. They were collected by the waitstaff and animated on the big screens around the room. It’s really cute how they do it.