Dreams Really Can Come True

What do Disney Parks, Steve Harvey, Essence Magazine and Wifey all have in common?

How's that for a teaser? Come see.

Winks & Smiles,

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Friday’s Confession: I’ve Got a Crush on Buzz

Friday’s Confession …

I’ve got a crush on Buzz Lightyear. Not really, but I fell in love with Disney On Ice’s Toy Story 3 when I attended the show at Phillips Arena in Atlanta on Wednesday. It’s not like someone had to twist my arm to get me to go since I’m a princess and all, ahem, but I didn’t realize how much fun I would have. When I was invited to attend I thought the kids would love it, and they did, but secretly they were my cover so I could go and get my inner child on – guilt free.

The night started with a private meet & greet where several Atlanta-area bloggers and their families enjoyed food, arts & crafts and of course some personal time with Buzz and Woody.

Somehow Miles always seems to find the food

Milan and The ChatterBox’s mini-me coloring before the show

My heroes! Yes, I really took a picture with them. Don’t worry the kids did, too.

My guys making real Mr. Potato heads

Baby girl and her creation

After the reception we headed down to our seats to see the show.

We should’ve brought our skates ‘cause we were on the ice!

All of the characters looked awesome and the skating was impressive.

I was thrilled to pieces when my girl Minnie made an appearance.

I think Christie and I were having too much fun.

Kudos to the folks at Disney On Ice for a wonderful production and thanks for treating me my kids to an awesome night of family fun.

Winks & Smiles,

Disclosure: I was invited to attend this event, but I was not paid for this post. My thoughts and opinions are all my own.

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The Stress Factor Eliminated

I never thought I’d be so happy to say that I have a bone spur on the top of my left foot. Truth be told I’m not happy about the bone spur but I’m ecstatic that it’s not a stress fracture.

Phew!

I don’t mean to be dramatic folks, trust me, I’m extremely thankful that I wasn’t waiting on life-threatening results, but with that said the stress factor is gone and I will be back in the game after a week of rest, ice, and lots of ibuprofen; and that makes me feel like this …

A running princess in all her glory

Hell, I’m so excited I might go breakout my tiara right now.

Winks & Smiles,

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My Favorite Bling: How Do You Reward Yourself?

I ran. Far. Now I’d like a little bling. And, for you to watch my vlog.



How do you reward yourself? Motivated Moms would love to know!

Oh, and after you share your secrets here, head over to my girl LizzieB's.

Guess who today's Get Your Vlog On pick is? Ahem, ahem.

Winks & Smiles,

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It's Time to Get Moving!

Friday’s Confession …

I’m excited.

No, elated.

Actually, I’m beyond thrilled that tomorrow is our first Get Moving! Race & Relax event. In the morning, 20 lovely ladies will get together to support, encourage and run (or walk) the Virginia Highlands Summerfest 5K in Atlanta. Afterwards, we’ll celebrate our accomplishment with a fabulous brunch and will be rewarded with spa gift certificates. *insert running-man dance here*

I’m so appreciative of the women who signed up to launch this event and to the wonderful sponsors – Walt Disney World Resort, The Cherry Marketing Institute, Wine Sisterhood, Pampered By Adrienne – who are helping to make it possible.

My goal for Race & Relax is to encourage women to get active and take care of themselves – and I’m so pleased to say we’re off to a great start. I’m looking forward to fun-filled morning and will make sure to take lots of pictures to share with you next week.

What are your plans for the weekend? Hopefully you’ll “Get Moving,” too!

Winks & Smiles,

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Just Call Me Paula Deen

Friday’s Confession …

I cooked dinner tonight for the first time in … um, a long time.

So, Paula Deen might be a bit of a stretch since I just made some spaghetti – but I did add ground turkey meat to the sauce that I doctored up after I poured it out of the jar – ahem. Look, it’s more than what’s been happening at Wifey’s House, but trust me everyone is being fed. Thank God for pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.

Between traveling, writing, event planning, the kids, the house, the dog, tennis, marathon training, did I mention Husband in there? Who am I kidding, you all know better than anyone else how life can have you spinning in circles. By the end of the day all I want to do is this:

Yup, husband caught me knocked out the night I got back from running Disney’s Princess Half Marathon, and quite honestly I’ve wanted to do a lot of that lately – sleep that is.

Am I by myself? Surely I can’t be the only sleep-deprived mama who hasn’t seen her kitchen in awhile. How do you make everything happen in your house and still get food on the table? Hungry wives want to know …

Winks & Smiles,

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Did Someone Say Free Trip To Atlanta? Get Moving with Race & Relax

Run Wifey Run

My BlogRollin’ partner, Christie, and I are feeling so much love surrounding our upcoming event Get Moving! Race & Relax that we decided to give a little back. We are holding a contest over at The BlogRollers where one lucky lady will win registration, airfare and a two-night hotel stay to join us for the fun. What do you have to do to enter? Simply leave a comment on The BlogRoller's post here. That’s it.

It’s with the support of the wonderful blogging community and our fabulous sponsors – the Cherry Marketing Institute, Walt Disney World Resort and Pampered by Adrienne – that help make all of this possible.

Um, wait. Why are you still here? I’d love the opportunity to see you in Atlanta. Head over to The BlogRollers now. Good Luck!

Winks & Smiles,

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Get Pampered Like a Princess

Since I’ve clearly strived to become a princess over the past year, ahem, it’s no surprise that I was more than thrilled when the good folks at Walt Disney World Resort signed on as The Rest & Relax sponsor for Get Moving! Race & Relax. Participants will be pampered like princesses as they enjoy a post-race celebratory brunch and receive a spa gift certificate courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort.

Get Moving! Race & Relax is bringing together 15 women who will get moving by walking or running in the Virginia Highlands Summerfest 5K Road Race on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

In addition to the brunch and spa gift certificate, the ladies will receive a training/work out schedule, the race registration and official t-shirt, Train to manage your pain with the Red Recovery Routine and a tart bottle of cherry juice courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute, A Get Moving! Race & Relax, "Powered By Red" race-day T-shirt sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute, a swag bag full of other goodies including spa products from Pampered By Adrienne, and the support of other fabulous women just like them.

I’m also thrilled that after just two weeks of registration Get Moving! Race & Relax is almost sold out! The Race & Relax beauties are already preparing for the race and supporting each other via blogging, Facebook, e-mail and Twitter. You can follow our tweets, we’re using the hashtag #RaceRelax. Or, better yet, join us! There are still a couple of coveted spots left. For more information, visit http://theblogrollersraceandrelax.eventbrite.com/.

Winks & Smiles,

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The Need For Speed

One of the many highlights from my Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend was the opportunity to ride shotgun in a NASCAR-style stock car going 140 mph at The Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway. To say it was an awesome experience would be an understatement. It was thrilling, exhilarating and I actually felt very safe. I loved it so much I dipped into my pocket and bought the video of my ride so I could relive it over again, and … so I could take you along with me.

Something tells me I might regret this (I’m still counting how many times I said "wow," “awesome,” and “ooooohhhh”), but here’s the split-screen video of my Richard Petty Driving Experience:



Fun, right?

The princesses trade in their tiara's for shades and jumpsuits

Maybe next time I’ll take the wheel.

Winks & Smiles,

Disney paid for my travel accommodations, several meals, attractions and gifts during this trip, however they did not pay for this post or the video. My thoughts and opinions are all mine.

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Hangin’ with The Vacation Gals

Run Wifey Run

I’m hangin’ out today with the fabulous travel divas – The Vacation Gals. Well, not really, but my post, “Discovering Disney’s Sport Side,” is featured on their site.

I’ll continue sharing some of my adventures from my Run Wifey Run Tour with the Gals and their readers under the handle – RunningGal. *insert big smiles here*

Come on by, see some new pics from my trip and learn about some of the sporty attractions waiting for you at Disney.

Winks & Smiles,

Today's Workout: Running, Legs, and Abs. How about you? Make sure you do something active today to take care of you!

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Disney's Princess Half Marathon Recap

Run Wifey Run

I’m officially a princess. Well maybe not, but the good folks at Walt Disney World Resorts did everything they could to make me and 13,000 other women feel like princesses during Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend – and it worked.

At the risk of sounding cliché, I have to say it truly was a magical weekend. Not only because of the pixie dust they sprinkled to ensure that this was a weekend I will always remember, but also on a personal note. I set a goal to run a half marathon and after only three months of training I did it – and I can still feel my legs.

I was super excited when I received the invite to attend Disney’s Sporty Blogger Media Mixer because I knew it was the perfect event to kick off my Run Wifey Run tour (a series of road races to support my mission to become the healthiest I can be and hopefully inspire others to do the same). Also, having been to one of Disney’s mixers before I knew I was in for a special treat. And, ooh boy, was I right.

I flew in Saturday morning and checked into Disney’s Polynesian Resort. It’s my second time staying at the property and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. The rooms are spacious, I had a great view of Magic Kingdom and the Kona Café rocks – big thumbs up for Beef Teriyaki Salad.

That afternoon I met up with the other mixer princesses and we headed over to the newly renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to hit up the race expo and visit the facilities. Massive in size, the complex boast 220 acres of courts, fields, courses and sports technology where amateur and professional athletes of all ages from all around the world come to compete.

Sounds like the perfect place for me!

Entering the Expo

They had lots of goodies

I picked up this cute headband. And, yes, it’s so true!

The princesses pause for a picture

After a yummy meal at celebrity chef Cat Cora’s Kouzzina we hit the sack early to be up and ready to go at 3:45 in the morning. Gasp!

I just love seeing this in writing: Princess Lorraine

My pre-race picture

Waiting to catch the bus to the race in all our pre-race, throw-away clothes (No, we don’t actually throw them away, we dressed in layers to stay cozy then took them off and threw them on the side of the course once we warmed up; and the best part – Disney donated them to charity.)

At 6 a.m. fireworks flew and so did the first group of princess as they took off from Epcot to Magic Kingdom and back. Being greeted by Disney’s most popular characters and a wealth of entertainment made the miles zip by and I soaked in every moment of this special race. I stopped to take pictures, send a few tweets and took a bathroom break, too. Would I do that in a regular race? Hmm, probably not, but this was no ordinary race. Where else can you run right through Cinderella’s castle?

Me in Magic Kingdom, in front of my new crib

Hanging out with Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen and Louis

Excited to see mile marker 12, the finish line is near!

Three hours and one minute after the fireworks began I ran, ahem, jogged across the finish line. Husband was there with the video camera to capture the moment. It’s a little shaky, he started to wave and cheer me on, but don’t worry, it’s only 17 seconds. (I’m the tall one with the tiara in the hot pink shirt and that’s the fabulous Princess Laura next to me.)



After the race I felt great. Tired, ahem, and a little stiff, but I was enjoying the moment and looking forward to the 50 minute Swedish massage that was waiting for me at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Hmm, how can I describe the massage? It. Was. Off. The. Chain. It was incredible, relaxing and something everyone should do after running for 13.1 miles.

Amazingly, the day was far from over. We visited Typhoon Lagoon, one of Disney’s two water parks, and Sammy Duvall’s Watersports Centre at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, before returning to Epcot for dinner at Tutto Italia Ristorante, and a dessert party under the stars. The famous Illuminations fireworks, laser and water show was absolutely spectacular. Then, to top the night off when I got back to my room I saw this hanging on my door:

And inside my room was this:

And this:

And all of this:

Talk about making me feel like a princess. My gracious hostesses sent me an in-room celebration complete with decorations, balloons, a certificate, a Triumph medal and Mickey himself. The perfect way to end the day.

Before heading to the airport on Monday, the folks at Disney had one more treat for us. We had a fabulous breakfast buffet at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway, and then had the opportunity to do a ride-along on the track. It’s hard to put into words how 140 mph feels going around a 1 mile track so I won’t. I’ll save this awesome experience for another post. I will say it was so damn awesome I ordered and paid for the $40 video tape of my ride – gasp – and will post it in a couple of weeks when it comes.

Me, NASCAR ready

In the meantime, if you’d like to read more about the sporty side of Disney, I’m putting together a post highlighting many of their active attractions for The Vacation Gals and will provide a link once it’s up.

So, who’s game to be a princess next year? In fact, the Princess is just one event in Disney’s Endurance Series that also features the Expedition Everest Challenge (June 12, 2010), the Inaugural Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Oct. 1-2, 2010), the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon (Jan. 6-9, 2011) and Champion 5k at ESPN the Weekend (February 2011).

Wait. Did someone say Wine & Dine?

Winks & Smiles,

Disney paid for my travel accommodations, several meals, attractions and gifts, however they did not pay for this post or my written account of the weekend. My thoughts and opinions are all mine.

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Mission Accomplished

Run Wifey Run

Me showing off my medal after running Disney's Princess Half Marathon

A race recap and details to come later this week. Today's workout? Rest, more speed packing and running through the airport.

Winks & Smiles,

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Ready, Set, Pack!

A Sneak Peek Inside Wifey's House

Friday’s confession…

When I first started Wifey’s House every Friday, for some strange reason, I felt compelled to tell on myself about something I probably shouldn’t have thought, said or done. Go figure. Well, here I go again.

As you may already know, I’m headed to one of my favorite places tomorrow to run in Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.

I’ve put in the sweat, blood and tears (ok, I’m feeling a little dramatic today – cue the Rocky music here), and I’m prepared to run the 13.1 miles.

I’ve shopped, ahem, and tore-up my closet to put together the perfect outfit to match my tiara. Every princess should run with one.

And, I’ve made arrangements to ensure that my children will have a fun-filled weekend while I’m off running through Walt Disney World. No guilt here, they just were there.

I’m on it, right? Right … except I’m leaving in less than 24 hours and I haven’t packed one thing. Yikes!

I confess, I’m a procrastinating, last-minute packer.

Some of it stems from my childhood. My mother was a flight attendant and we used to take spur of the moment trips all the time – "Lorraine, throw some things in your bag, we’re going skiing this weekend." It was later compounded by the years I spent as a publicist in the music industry – “um, Lorraine, we need you to fly with Usher in the morning to MTV’s Spring Break. Yes, I know its 11:45 p.m. and we want you to leave at 6 a.m. Have a good trip.”

I’m used to winging it – no pun intended – but I’m getting older and dare I say a little slower. And, it’s a little more challenging when you have four people to pack for instead of one. No, they’re not going with me, but they still have to wear clothes this weekend.

So, I’m off to do ... some more things before I pack. It’s still a tad bit too early for me. How about you? When do you start packing for a trip? Packing procrastinators want to know …

Winks & Smiles,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Workout: Speed-packing … and rest!

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Is It Too Early to Rock My Tiara?

Run Wifey Run

Is it too early to rock my tiara? Yes, I’m serious. Well, sort of. In four days I’ll be running Disney’s Princess Half Marathon to kick off my Run Wifey Run tour (a series of road races leading up to my first marathon) and to say I’m excited would be an understatement.

See, my daughter and I have no problem pretending we're princesses. I'll just have to make sure it stays on while I'm running.
 

The good folks at Disney have invited me down for their Sporty Blogger Media Mixer so I’ll be running with some fabulous princesses including her, her, and her. We’ve been supporting each other on Twitter so I’m looking forward to meeting them and the other princesses, too.

As I’m only a few days from boarding the plane to Orlando, I can honestly say that I’m prepared to run the race. I started running again about three months ago and have worked my way up to 13.1 miles. What I haven’t prepared yet is my wardrobe. Gasp! I know ladies, where are my priorities? Aside from rocking the tiara I don't have my princess running gear together. I’m thinking a running skirt, it is the Princess Half Marathon, and a fun running shirt with something motivational written on it like “Girls Run Faster Than Boys.” Can I still wear that if I’m slow as hell?

Ahem.

Sounds like a shopping spree is in order.

Winks & Smiles,

Today’s workout: A three mile run; and a mixed doubles tennis match this evening with my favorite partner, Husband. What are you doing today to become a healthier you?

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13.1 Done!

A Sneak Peek Inside Wifey's House



One of my fellow Princesses doing the run with me at Disney asked me how I feel.

Accomplished.

Tired.

Excited.

Giddy.

Tired.

Exhilarated.

And, a little crazy, ahem, but mostly I feel proud and inspired; and I hope that can rub off on someone else, too. Trust me when I say if I (the former self-proclaimed, and family confirmed, laziest person ever) can do it, so can you!

Winks & Smiles,

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I Believe in Magic

I believe in magic – Disney magic.

When I registered to attend the Social Media Moms Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resorts I knew that $350 was a small price to pay for all the fun and surprises the good folks at Disney would have in store. Already having a great relationship with my Disney friends, I was certain they would sprinkle pixie dust all over the place and neither I, nor my family, were going to miss it!

Not to be cliché, ahem, but the conference was truly magical. It was the perfect combination of good information, enlightening speakers, exciting entertainment and plenty of time to enjoy the parks. We kicked things off Wednesday night at ESPN Wide World of Sports with a media conference and Tailgate Dinner Party for the entire family. Thursday morning Guy Kawasaki taught us how he uses Twitter as a marketing weapon; then we celebrated the contributions of community volunteers at Epcot where we were able to do some volunteer work ourselves. Disney is celebrating volunteerism with their Give a Day, Get a Disney Day initiative that offers one Disney theme park ticket for a day of community service. We ended the night at a dinner party in Epcot where Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato performed their new single “Make a Wave.”

Friday our families played in the parks while we were treated to a day of inspiring speakers including Maxine Clark, Founder and Chairman of Build-A-Bear Workshop; Marissa Jaret Winkour, Tony Award winning Broadway actress and TV star; supermodel and business mogul Kathy Ireland; social media guru Chris Brogan; and comedian Maryellen Hooper. We wrapped up the day at a private party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios where they opened the Toy Story Mania attraction just for us to ride over and over and over again – my high score was 119, 000.

In addition to all of that, they spoiled us. The resort, the Polynesian, was fabulous. The food was scrumptious. They showered us with goodies from laptop bags to pretty pink jackets to watches and game sets. When it rained they handed us umbrellas. On a cold evening they passed out hand-warmers. Disney magic at its finest. However, I’m confident that if you ask any attendee, the prize possession would have to be the special media Fast Pass that allowed us to skip the lines at all the parks and ride the attractions immediately. Ooh, it was priceless.

My BlogRollin' Partner, Christie; My Girl, Minnie Mouse; and Me

Miles planting a tree for Disney's Friends for Change Project Green

Milan volunteering with her little tree

The Kids hangin' with Buzz Lightyear and Woody

Milan and I ready to take on Toy Story Mania

Husband and the kids on the Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom

Rain or shine, no trip to Magic Kingdom is complete with out a picture in front of Cinderella's Castle

Kudos and many thanks to the wonderful folks at Walt Disney World Parks for putting on such phenomenal conference; I’m already counting down the days until next year.

Winks & Smiles,

A $350 registration fee was paid to attend the conference that included the conference sessions, hotel accommodations, meals, and 7-day park hopper passes for four people.

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