My Disney Park Bag Essentials

I envy the people who can go into a Disney Park with just what they have on them. I like to bring everything that I could possibly need to be comfortable for the time I will be in the park.

So what are those things? I'm here to share that list with you today!

1. Personal Care Items
Deodorant wipes, feminine wipes, body spray, Lactaid pills, Advil, Tide Pen, antibacterial baby wipes, and eye drops.

2. Park Specific
Ponchos, Bandanas, nice pennies and quarters for the penny pressing machines, and Ziploc bags.

3. Tech Essentials
External Battery and appropriate charging cords.

4. Weather Necessities
March-December: Handheld Fans, and Cooling Towels.
December-February: Layers.

And that is it!

What am I missing? What do you think I should leave out of my bag?

Housewife Life: Ordinary Time

As I took my Christmas decorations down this year, I was really sad. I said goodbye to them and really looked forward to seeing them again later this year. It was a weird feeling I don't remember.

But now that the holidays are officially over, it's time to get down to business on 2019.

As you have probably read by now, I have a list of 19 (+) things I want to accomplish in 2019. This week, I am taking the first step to getting new glasses...I have an eye doctor appointment.

I am doing some big things for my travel agent business...I am heading to Walt Disney World for a few days to try some things I have never tried before and when I get back, I have my first in person networking event. I am possibly starting a YouTube channel about Disney and other travel...I'm a little nervous about that and have been practicing filming as I walk and watching vlogs to see what I dislike in other people's vlogs.

I decided the other day that I need to do a 19 for 2019 in regards to my mother-in-law to help keep me on track and remember to handle certain things for her. I want to make one for Christmas to help me plan Christmas a little bit better.

I don't know about you, but I am always so inspired and feel so creative in January.

What do you have on your mind this month?

2018 Word of the Year: Flourish

I think the best way to describe 2018 is bittersweet.

I had a fantastic year, but some not so fantastic things happened.

Let's cover the not so fantastic first...

In February, my grandmother had a stroke and passed away. I was able to make it to her bedside and spend most of the last 24 hours of her life with her. After the funeral, I was able to spend several extra days at her house with my mom helping the family clean out her cabinets, closets and dressers.

In June, my 18 year old cat went blind very suddenly. After a rush to the vet, we found out she had developed chronic kidney failure since her last yearly check up and it had caused her blood pressure to spike. On July 6, we made the decision to say goodbye to her. I was able to spend her last few days on the couch cuddling her.

We lost a few others through the year also.

On to the Fantastic...

For Easter, we traveled to Las Vegas to witness our friend's children be baptized, confirmed and receive their first communion at Holy Saturday services.

In June, I achieved one of my biggest dreams...to become a travel agent.

In August, we remodeled a bathroom, spent a week in Destin, and spent a week in Las Vegas. Chris was in Las Vegas for a conference and I just tagged along so I could relax poolside and visit our friends.

In September, I took my mother-in-law to visit her sisters-in-law in Akron, Ohio.

In October, we adopted Ellie, the cutest, cuddliest, smartest dog and I spent at week at my parent's house.

In November, we hosted Thanksgiving and in December, we hosted Christmas and New Year's Eve.

So, Did I Flourish?

I really think I did. I am in a happier, healthier state of mind and body. I accomplished a lot of things I wanted to accomplish. My house is in pretty decent shape. My cleaning routine is sustainable. I have maintained my weight loss and lost some more pounds. 

How did your year go? 

Housewife Life: I Got My Dream Job

Years and years ago, I had a fleeting thought...I want to be a travel agent. I honestly thought it was a dying industry and shoved that thought out of my mind.

A few years ago, I started to realize that the travel agent industry had not only survived, it had thrived. I was in the middle of planning our second trip to Walt Disney World and started to hear of thriving travel agencies that specialize in Disney vacations and I thought...hey, that sounds fantastic.

After a bunch of starts and stops, I achieved my dream and am officially a Vacationeer with Ear to There Travel!!!

So, what does that mean for my housewife life?

I was able to complete my training while my husband was out of town last week and am working on carving out an hour every day to dedicate to working, which right now is mostly setting up social media accounts, watching more training videos and learning the programs I need to use.

See, the thing is, that as a stay at home wife, I need something to give me more of a purpose. I love being able to be a homemaker and to serve my family and community. But I also need an outlet, something to do to add value to the family budget. Granted, right now this dream of mine is a drain on the family budget, but soon, it will pay off.

Are you a housewife with a side hustle? Do you have any hints for me on how to make it all work? Share in the comments!