Camping was a success!

Well, we are back! Our first official camping trip as a family at Fort Wilderness was a great success! The weather was perfect and the kids had a blast! We arrived just before sunset on Friday evening and spent a few hours getting things set up! Scott was the "man of the day", of course, by getting our tent erected and all the accessories installed (yes, we brought our own mini-fridge), including outdoor lights and even some strands of Christmas tree lights for decoration.

On Saturday morning, we made scrambled eggs and bacon on the propane travel stove Scott brought. Then, we headed off to the nearby bus stop to catch a ride on a Disney bus to the Tri-Circle D Ranch, where they had pony rides for the kids to enjoy. Amanda was too scared to ride on one, but she walked with Scott & I as we each took Sierra and Chandler on their ponies around the walking area. After that, we headed over to a really great playground they had for the kids to slide on and swing. After some playground time, the nearby boat sounded its horn which will take you on a free ride either to the Magic Kingdom or the Wilderness Lodge. We hopped on a boat to Wilderness Lodge, and enjoyed browsing the humongous accommodations there! I have posted a picture of the kids sitting outside in front of the Wilderness Lodge which backs up against a picture-perfect waterfall with stones.

Later on Saturday night, we joined a small group for tacos for dinner and old-fashioned smores for dessert! This was a special treat for the kids! We then hopped on yet, another bus to a campground site where they show Disney movies outside in a stadium-like setting. You can order popcorn and drinks from their concession stand and even roast your own smores outside on their firepits as you watch the movie on a large outdoor screen! It was a great ending to a perfect day and the kids and Scott & I were very tired Saturday night after that!

Sunday morning we packed up and came home. We were all pretty tired but enjoyed the rest of Sunday at home after unpacking. I loved camping at Ford Wilderness because even though the surroundings make you feel as if you are totally away from urban society, pretty much anything you need is right there! They have bathroom and shower facilities within walking distance from your camp site, there is running water and a hose and spigot on each site, in addition to an electricity hook-up unit. You can enjoy eating at restaurants if you want simply by hopping on a bus! And, of course, while you are "roughing it", if you happen to forget something from home, such as food items or toiletries, you can purchase them from one of two trading post/sundry stores they have in the resort. I would definitely recommend this simple vacation away from home for anyone looking to spend only a small amount of money on a relaxing and fun adventure away from home!

Fort Wilderness, Here We Come!

Well, I can't forget to post about our upcoming weekend at Fort Wilderness! We are taking the "Zoo Crew" camping at Disney's Fort Wilderness resort on Friday afternoon and will be there until Sunday! I truly am excited because we have never taken the kids camping before. We do have a tent with two rooms. I think the weather should be pretty favorable...let's hope there's no rain and no sudden cold front. But, right now, the weather is sunny and breezy for a wonderful November week! I am just glad to be "getting out of dodge", as they say. I need a mental break from our current life and a change of scenery for a few days will be very refreshing for me! I will post after we return and hopefully will have some great photos to share!

PMDD

Well, since I haven't posted a new blog in about two weeks, the only thing I feel like posting right now is about a condition that I feel plagues me every month or so...PMDD. It stands for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. It's like a magnified version of the infamous PMS. The label PMDD has only recently been recognized as a real condition that effects some women right around that "time of the month". It's very cyclical for me and I notice the symptoms easily now that I have diagnosed myself with it. It is literally like one day I am fine and then the next I am in a mental slump that typically lasts 7-14 days. I am already on medication regularly to deal with symptoms of depression that come and go. But, for me, PMDD is markedly more intense in terms of the way it affects my mood. It truly does color my perception of the world and things in a much more negative light. Fortunately, my physician told me that it is perfectly o.k. to double my medication dosage during the week or so prior to my "time of the month" when the symptoms seem to be at their worst. This has definitely helped me the past few months. What I don't like is knowing the difference that the meds make in how I view things as opposed to how I view things if I skip a dose or forget to take it. What's also frustrating is seeing the physical symptoms that surface when I am experiencing PMDD symptoms. I literally feel tired, even if I have gotten a decent night's sleep. I feel totally glum and unmotivated to do anything. I feel as if I can't really think or remember things too clearly either. But, if I double my dose of meds, then it does relieve a majority of those symptoms. I hate that it appears that I function at my best with certain medications. But, I suppose that it is like any other ailment or health problem. Certain things need certain meds to function properly. At least we have science and technology in this day and age to come up with things that help those in need.

Well, that's all I wanted to say about that issue. I just have been in a mental slump for about a week and this, too, shall pass...as they say!