When you wish upon a star....

I'm not sure how many of you realize this, but I am a fanatic when it comes to all things Disney. I love the parks, Disney films, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and if I could afford it, I would vacation several times a year at Walt Disney World. I will admit, I am a wee bit obsessed with the Mouse and his House.

Today, I took the first step toward fulfilling a dream I've had for three years. I applied for the Disney Mom's Panel. The Mom's Panel is a group of moms - and one dad - who answer questions in an online forum about planning a vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando (and the Disney Cruise Line). Today was the first day to apply for the 2010 panel -- and so at 9 a.m. this morning I started answering three questions in (100 words or less per answer) about me, my family, and any expertise I might possess that would be useful if picked for the panel.

And for the rest of the day I have been second guessing my answers (or at least the portion of those answers that I can remember!). I just wanted my answers to be 'right' and I know that I should stop stressing, but this is something that is really important to me. I have wanted to be part of this panel since it started. I applied in 2007 and 2008. And, if I don't make it this year, I will apply again next year.

I love planning trips to Disney. I love reading the guide books and 'unofficial' Web sites, researching the best resorts and restaurants. I have a notebook that is quickly filling with ideas, lists, and 'must do' items for our next family trip to WDW (which isn't until 2011...but you can never be too prepared!). I spend time every day 'tweeting' with other Disney fans, dreaming about being at the parks. And to be part of this panel would mean I would have the chance to share my thoughts, ideas and tips with parents around the country (and the world) - helping them plan a great trip at the happiest place on Earth.

It's hard to express how much I want this or how much it would mean to me to be picked. It would be amazing - sort of how I feel every time I walk through the turnstiles at the Magic Kingdom and step onto Main Street. I would be overjoyed.

They accept 20,000 applications, and this year they are only picking 10 moms and/or dads to be on the panel. Yes, I said 10. Out of 20,000. So yes, I understand that I probably have a better chance of being hit by lightning than I do getting picked....but I am hoping and wishing upon s star that I've been sprinkled with some extra pixie dust today!

If I make the cut this year and become a real Mickey Mom, it will be a dream come true.

What I really want....

As I drove to work today, looking at the very snowy landscape that is northwest Ohio, I thought: "I wish I was driving to Florida, rather than to Bowling Green."

It's been THAT kind of winter. The kind where a 2-day, 18-hour car trip with my husband and two small kids (all of whom I love dearly....) sounds better than staying here in the cold and snow for one more freakin' day. Yes, you heard it here first: I would rather listen to 18 hours of Disney movies and crying kids...it sounds so much better than say, freezing my ass off every day, watching them forecast more snow for Friday and counting down the days until the grass turns green again.

Anyone else with me on this? Florida sounds so much better than 10 below zero, don't you think?

If I was independently wealthy....

....I'd buy a new pair of shoes every week.

Like these beauties.

They are Christian Louboutin Patent Platform Pumps. Only $660 at Neiman Marcus. [Insert very sad sigh here].

I love this designer's shoes. Why? Because of the flame red soles. It's just damn cool.

Yeah, Jimmy Choos are hot and Manolo's rock...

...but I can't afford any of them.

So I'll dream about Christian Louboutin shoes.

I wish I had just one pair of really great shoes. You know, the kind that make you smile when you put them on, just because you know you look HOT. See, shoes are great -- you don't have to be model-thin to wear a great pair of shoes.

My current shoes of choice -- either my old, ratty Nikes or my very comfortable and practical Clark's slip-ons.

Sexy shoes? Not so much.

So, I dream about $600 patent leather pumps.