Post 50 RX

The One Year Blogoversary Ride- #UBP12

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Ultimate Blog Party 2012
Yup- I’m on the other side of 50; a time to take stock and redirect. Using the roller coaster analogy, I am potentially on the other side of the hill.  My mind is immediately drawn to my first serious coaster ride- the Cyclone in Coney Island.  Essentially, the highlight of the ride is the slow ascent up the initial 85 foot hill.  At the precipice of this climb is a post that reads “stay seated”. Gulp.  The steep plunge that follows is a 60 mph drop, and after that, anticlimatic bumps.  Double gulp.  Surely the best that life has to offer is not behind me on that hill.  I’m hoping my next 50 years more closely mirror the Expedition Everest attraction at Walt Disney World; after reaching the top of the mountain, you are thrust backward, in darkness, only to change direction once again, looping twice with twists and turns along the way.   Life should continue to be a wild ride!
This blog will pull the threads of my journey “til now together- a means to share my experiences and loves, build a like-minded community and steel myself for the next drop.  Thanks for the therapy!

That was my first-ever post on :DIStherapy published during last year’s Ultimate Blog Party.  Speed ahead one year, and boy, did the therapeutic “powers” of blogging come in handy!  I tried to stay true to my personal mission of pulling the various “tracks” of my life together, despite roadblocks and near-derailments.
DISabilities

My 17 year old son and I were fortunate to be able to travel to Athens, Greece this past June to volunteer at the Special Olympics World Games.  Devin worked with special athletes at the softball venue, and I put my physical therapy training into practice.  I shared Maria Shriver’s inspiring message about the “power of one” in The Top 10 Highlights and Lessons From the Special Olympics World Games.

Dissert
As in talking turkey.  (Not a typo!)  From Athens, we headed for Paris, France, where we proceeded to sample every culinary pleasure in sight.  10 Things Walt Disney World Fans Will Love About Disneyland Paris ticks off those gastromic pleasures (add in our meal at Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower which you see above).  Mais oui!

Running!
Yup- I took my 53 year old self and ran my first 5K, then Half Marathon Relay, and finally, my first full Half Marathon for Team Up! Autism Speaks at January’s Inaugural Disneyland Tinker Bell Half Marathon.  I bare my soul (and tutu) at I Won’t Grow Up… 53, Tinker Bell and Me

40 Days to 40 Years

20 Days to 20 Years

Disney
In the past year, I have been blessed to have met many, many wonderful Disney bloggers.  I have to thank the over 50 bloggers from 11 different countries, who participated in two separate series hosted on my blog;  40 Days to 40 Years and 20 Days to 20 Years.  Talk about sharing the love!  My Disney high point was participating in this year’s Disney Mom’s Panel Search, and  in reaching the final round.  Boy, you learn quite a bit about yourself when you are in a pool of 30,000 other passionate, talented Disney lovers.  I am so thankful for that experience.

Bring on the G-forces in the year ahead!  Who’s with me?!

I’m hoping that one of my readers will win my $50 Disney Gift Card through the Ultimate Blog Party 2012.  Won’t you enter to win here?  

Comments

  1. Hi Dee! Great post … my 1st UBP this year, fun idea and enjoying it already.

    You've come a long way in just one year! It's inspiring 🙂

    Much Pixie Dust to you … fellow Disney lover!

    Tami
    Colorado Mountain Mom

    Reply

  3. Happy Bloggiversary!!!

    Sounds like you've had a busy year!

    I'm so jealous of all of you bloggers who get to experience Disney on a regular basis. My first trip there was when I was 21 and I hope to be able to take my son when he is about 5.

    Have a great UBP!

    Reply

    • Why thank you! I can't believe it's been a year since this particular journey began- time really is flying. I sincerely hope you do get the chance to take your son to a Disney Park; it is one of the best memories you'll have once he is grown. Enjoy!

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  4. Wow! What a busy year! Hello from the UBP, it's nice to "meet" you. 🙂 I recently turned 40, and I started running just about a year ago too. I've completed just one race, but it was a 12k, and it's coming up again in 3 weeks so I'm up for a PR hopefully! Athens sounds wonderful. What a great experience for both of you. Happy UBP!
    ~ Dawn @ TheMommaKnows.com

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  6. Hi! Just dropping in from the UBP! I've grabbed your site button from my blog button exchange page and am also following you on Pinterest now. I've been to DisneyWorld twice in my life and my kids still haven't been there. We hope to be able to save up for a vacation before they get any older (they're now 5 & 9). Have a great weekend and feel free to follow me @ any of these locations:
    http://allaroundthecircle.blogspot.com/2012/04/welcome-ultimate-blog-party-hoppers.html
    https://twitter.com/#!/CraftWithKids
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftwithkids/
    http://pinterest.com/craftwithkids/

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  7. What a wonderful first post! Your a great writer, and I can tell I'm going to love following your blog! Found you through the blog party! Looking forward to the ride!

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  9. I totally forgot that this is how we met! So…this is our anniversary. It's been a really fun year…and I look forward to possibly running a Disney race with you some day! …or at least catching up to you at the after party. ;o)

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  13. Hello,
    Nice to meet another new blogger who is over 50, but man am I impressed that you ran a 5K on the ground and not on the eliptical. I know that at 52 I have learned to accept my faults and do not expect that I can change others,no matter how much I love them. Certain freedom in that don't you think. I am happy to have found you and will be back.

    http://www.practicallyperfectprincess.com

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  14. Hooray!! I knew there were more of us out there! Yes, this side of 50 is a liberating space in many ways. I will certainly be paying you a visit shortly…

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    • Ellen, Thank you for stopping in. Both of my boys have special needs (one diagnosed at 18 mos, the other 18 years. Don't ask!) We are part of a special sorority; I'll be visiting in shortly…

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  16. I'm so glad I stopped by – I just recently booked a trip to Disney so I will be trolling around to learn more. I also love the Eiffel Tower picture – we weren't so creative about our pictures when we were there. I always feel like to oldest one around here, glad to know there's more than 20 and 30 somethings out there. I hope you are having fun at the party. PArty ON!

    Reply

    • Oh, fun! When will you be at Disney? Thanks for stopping by- feel free to ask any Disney questions you might have. Hooray for the older generation!!

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  17. Feel like I just joined you in a vacation! And let me just sat that Everest is the BEST roller coaster ever. I love it!

    Glad to have found you through UBP12 special needs. Look forward to reading more!

    Reply

    • Thank you! They're not all like that, but with our younger son going off to college soon, we crammed in as much as possible. Stooping by shortly…

      Reply

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