Keeping busy and other ramblings plus a giveaway on my FB page

Let me tell you...keeping up with a website, 2 blogs (yes, I know I've been on my Disney one a lot more than this one, apologies and that'll be changing soon), multiple Facebook pages, Twitter...plus trainings for my TA business (travel agent)...in addition to regular life stuff like my regular Mon-Fri job...I get sleepy just thinking about all that.  There's a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on for all the web and social media stuff-not just the tech things, but learning how to do the tech things too.  It can make your brain spin.  But I'm learning a lot for sure ;-)

The weight loss is going slow.  Like turtle through quicksand slow.  The last several weeks it's been down 0.2, down 0.2, down 0.2.  At this rate I might meet my goal by the time I retire.  I'm hoping as I add back in my workouts as my marathon training starts to pick up that it'll kick start something.  See, that huge 4.2 lb loss at the beginning was just a tease--I must have freaked my body out or something.  I'm thinking I might add hill training at a local park once a week to help change things up.  But at least the trend is still downward...much better than the alternative.

Before I forget ('cuz ya know, if I don't write things down they just totally fly out of my mind), my TA Facebook page is co-sponsoring a $100 Disney Gift Card giveaway with a bunch of other Disney-themed pages, so if you're interested (of course you are, who doesn't love free Disney money???), head over my Facebook page and check out the giveaway tab...liking my page will get you 2 entries to the giveaway--just make sure after liking my page that you log your entry on the Rafflecopter form on the giveaway tab.

And to celebrate my one-year anniversary as a TA, I'll be doing a separate giveaway on my other blog, The Disney World Files starting next week...it'll be a good one with several fun items going to the winner, so keep an eye out for it-I'll post it here once the giveaway is live.

That's it for now...be back in a couple days, I promise :-)

Busy Busy Busy

Sorry for this kinda boring post, but just wanted to let everyone know what I’ve been up to since I haven’t posted for a couple of weeks.  Gotta get back on a schedule, keep poking me people!  ;-)

Been staying busy working on behind-the-scenes stuff for my blogs (this one and The Disney World Files), website and business (you remember, I’m an independent travel agent specializing in Disney destinations).  I’ve been working on the travel deals newsletter that I’ve been wanting to get started and sent out my first test issue.  I know it needs much critique and polishing up.  I’m not sure what layout, formatting and elements people would like to see...though DH has already told me he’s not fond of the social networking buttons at the top.  

But this is my first try at a newsletter so I know it’s a little rough around the edges.  If you’d like to help me out (please please please), I’d appreciate it if you’d check out the first issue...if you go to my business Facebook page and then click on the newsletter signup button at the top (you’ll need to “like” my page to see the newsletter if you haven’t already), in addition to the signup box you’ll also see the first issue.  Any and all feedback is appreciated-I’m looking for technical feedback more than content.  Since this is the first issue and was meant as a test issue, I limited the topics to concentrate on current/upcoming WDW deals.  Oh, and thanks in advance for any feedback you can provide :-)

Anyway, figuring out how to set up the newsletter, then figuring out how to add the newsletter app to my FB page, how to “fan-gate” the app (meaning you can only see it if you’ve “liked” the page first), how to put a picture in the little box, etc etc etc...the time flies before you know it.  I’m a detail-oriented person and I research everything before I start it, then go step-by-step for every little thing so I don’t miss anything so I probably take longer at stuff like this than more tech-type people would.

As for my weight loss progress?  Slow and steady, averaging just under 2 lbs per week for the first month...down 7.2 pounds total for June.  But the past week and a half have been yuck.  Last week was up a pound even though I was within my calorie range for almost every day and definitely for the week (I did go slightly over on my bday and the day after, but made up for it before and after)...so I don’t know why that pound came back.  I fear I may not have chased it back off this week either.  *sigh*  And only 2 more weeks until my “official” marathon training plan begins.  

And so this weekend is a planning, catchup and get ahead weekend...and oh yeah, a clean out my closets weekend (I promised DH, they’re kind of disorganized and overflowing).  Any volunteer helpers?  Anyone?  That’s okay...I wouldn’t volunteer to help with this project either.  

Any helpful closet organizing tips?

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Ya Gotta Have a Goal Part 1

I’m addicted to Disney.  Most of you already know this...after all, my blog description up there at the top of the page does mention my “Disney obsession”.  One of my favorite things to do is plan my next trip to Walt Disney World.  I’ve even start planning (and booking and paying deposits on) trips that come after ones I haven’t even taken yet.  Many of those trips have been for runDisney events (8 events, 7 trips to run them with two more coming up); even more-LOTS more-have been just to go have fun in the parks.  I’ve been going to Walt Disney World for 35 years now, usually several times a year since I’ve been an adult.  Being at WDW just makes me happy-whether I’m riding the rides or just wandering around the parks people-watching; the whole Disney atmosphere just draws me in.

I love the planning and booking so much, I’ve started an additional career centered around it.  In case you missed it in a previous post, I became an independent travel agent, specializing in Disney destinations.  I can actually book any kind of travel (and have), but Disney is my main concentration.  Do what you love, right?  And lately I’ve been laying the groundwork to start really growing that business...more on that in a bit.

I also love doing Disney races (that fact I’m positive you already figured out...you have, right?  Well, unless this is the first post of mine you’re reading).  Races in general are fun for me and I’m one of those people who loves the bling.  But being able to do races at my favorite place in the world?  That makes it a thousand times better.  But Disney races don’t come cheap and certainly aren’t going to start going down in price.  I know there are many people out there that are thinking twice about them due to how costly they are becoming.  I may eventually become one of those people if the prices go too high, but that’s a decision for the future...hopefully far in the future.  Though even if the cost of the races themselves get to high, I’d still go to volunteer (my new favorite thing to do at Disney races when I’m not running one) and to cheer my friends on with my sparkly Running of the Ears sign.

GO ROTE!

A ROTE friend who was running snapped this one of me (thanks Gina!)

Anyway, the point is one of the reasons I went into business for myself was to help earn money to pay for my Disney (and Disney race) obsession...among other things.  And that’s where the growing-my-business part comes in to play.

So that is my goal right now-growing my business.  I’m working on a few things regarding marketing.  And I want to create a tie with my other blog, The Disney World Files as well--I believe that my blog and my business complement each other and each can help the other thrive.  It takes a lot of time to do the behind-the-scenes stuff; but for me it is so very worth it.  If you have the time and inclination, I’m always looking for feedback on my website, www.enchanteddreamvacations.com as well as my blog at www.thedisneyworldfiles.com (don’t worry, as long as you’re offering constructive criticism you won’t hurt my feelings-I know there are things I can do better).

And while this is an important goal for me, it’s not the only one I have-hence the “part 1” in the title of this post.  Part 2 will be coming shortly...stay tuned friends...

Getting motivated for short races; A new adventure

So right now I only have two races on my schedule-the Tower of Terror 10 Miler at the end of September and the Disney Full Marathon in January.  If I was only training for the full, I wouldn’t need to start my “official” training plan until the last week of August.  With the 10-miler on the schedule, my plan started two weeks ago.  Now I will admit, I kinda stink at cross-training days...I always have (even though I KNOW those days will only help me overall).  I don’t mind yoga or upper body weights so much, it’s the lower body (meh) and core (UGH UGH UGH) that I’m not fond of.  But, I do usually stick pretty close to my mileage days, maybe with some flip-flops here and there--meaning flip-flopping miles with cross training days--when needed due to weather or work or life.

What gets me is my thinking about the 10-miler.  “Oh, it’s ONLY a 10-miler, no biggie”.  And so the motivation to actually DO the training is quite a bit lacking.  Well, at least the cross training part.I even look at the mileage days and think “Eh, just 2 miles today...whatever”.  After completing 9 half marathons and one full marathon, 10 miles just doesn’t seem like something to get excited over.  Is that crazy or what?  When I tell a non-runner friend/co-worker that I’m doing a 10-mile race, they can’t fathom going that far--but then again, neither could I when I first started out.

So the question now is, how to motivate for those shorter distances?  And how to motivate for cross-training in general?  I also train solo-both cross-training and mileage.  That makes it all too easy to blow off a day since I don’t have anyone in my face to be accountable to.  I’m not at all concerned about the full marathon portion of the training.  I actually enjoyed that last time (well, at least the mileage part...), though I still ran into the same motivation issue for the cross-training.  What’s a good way to motivate?  I was thinking of using a rewards system...has anyone ever tried that as a motivation tool for their training?

Okay, now on the the new adventure.  If you’ve been reading my blog for a bit, you probably know I am a Disney freak.  It is my favorite place in the USA to vacation, whether just for a quick weekend or something much longer.  I’m always looking to plan my next trip (often because there’s a Disney race going on!).  Because I love Disney so much...and just travel in general...I decided to work on becoming a Disney Vacation Planner.  After weeks (well, almost two months actually) of comparing host travel agencies, then choosing my agency and getting set up, I am now able to plan and book vacations-Disney or pretty much anywhere else you can think of!

I’ve set up my own Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MagicalMomentsVacationsbyCarraSaigh and today launched my very own website, www.enchanteddreamvacations.com.  Let me tell you, putting together a website is HARD work!  My brain was totally fried.  I did have lots of help from my techie DH (thanks honey!) without whom I’d have floundered around for ages.  I did teach myself some new tricks but am glad DH IS a techie because if he wasn’t I probably wouldn’t have attempted the website (or if I did I’d be working on it for months before it would be presentable).

Anyway, please take a look and tell me what you think.  I want to make sure the site is user-friendly and appreciate any and all feedback!  Oh, and if you need a vacation quote......  ;-) just let me know.  I’ll be adding a link of some kind here (or maybe a page, like my training calendar is a page and “My Races” is a page, etc) for anyone who may need vacation planning/booking assistance.

Looking forward to January and this again...

Sometimes you just need a break

I’m tired of thinking about training...tired of thinking about how I’m eating... and after a busy January (WDW Half & Marathon Relay on back to back days, then ING Miami Half 3 weeks later), and then adding in the Princess Half at the end of February...well when I went to Disney World for the Expedition Everest Challenge, I just wanted to have fun (mission accomplished on that...just bummed about the loss of my Running of the Ears red hat which flew right off my head on the EE ride and which Disney has not found yet *sniff sniff*).  And now it’s time for a break.  

You may have noticed I posted my EEC report on May 7th and haven’t posted for the last week and a half.  That was on purpose.  I’m taking a break from running/walking, not watching my diet too closely (though I’m not off the rails, just enjoying some things I normally try to stay away from) and not constantly thinking about those same things.  I’ve been working some more on my other blog (The Disney World Files-which by the way if you have any ideas for some topics that not every Disney blog in the world has already done to death, please share and I’ll see what I can whip up *wink*) and work has been crazy busy-I’m in Human Resources and am a mostly one-person benefits team with our annual open enrollment coming up next week plus we've had some wacky problems cropping up during this payroll week that had me working overtime.  

I’ve also been researching into becoming a home-based Disney travel agent (using a host agency, not on my own) to supplement my regular job and help support my run/walk/race habit.  I’ve got a couple of offers to consider, just wish there were more responses so I can really see what’s else is available and do a really good comparison before deciding to jump in.  It’s something I can do at home and is something I already enjoy doing.  Since I’ve been doing Disney for about 35 years and go so often, I’ve got the knowledge...and being able to share Disney with others-bonus!  If anyone out there has some feedback or info to share, please let me know (thedisneyworldfiles at gmail dot com).

This weekend I’m helping my brother at his cafe during the indoor flea market at the Pembroke Pines Senior Center...then the following weekend (Memorial Day weekend), I’ll just be resting and relaxing, maybe go to the pool (and catch up on race reports!).  After that, it’s time to get back to business to get back into the right healthy shape for the WDW Tower of Terror 10-miler at the end of September.  Until Memorial Day weekend is over, my mind is switched off of race training and strict eating.  I need the break...sometimes we all do.

Looking forward to watching the sunsets on the beach.....