Stella&Dot: A New Beginning

Yesterday I decided to take a plunge into an unknown world, the world of independent sales. My good friend and future bridesmaid currently works for this fast growing, successful business. Her great sense of style and eye catching jewelry left a mark on me. I loved the look and I was curious about her career as a Stella & Dot Stylist. She was very informative and explained the inner workings of this successful, stay at home, do as you please career. Work as hard or a little as you please, it is up to you how much you make! I was instantly hooked and decided to sign up to become a Stella & Dot Stylist as well. So far it has been a wonderful opportunity. I will see how long it will last and if I can make it as a S&D Stylist. I hope I will be as successful as my wonderful sponsor and mentor! She has been so wonderful helping me out and I cannot wait to see where this new adventure will take me next!

Lucky Me

After spending a nice weekend in South Carolina to visit my family I was lucky enough to have my sister come up and stay with me for the weekend. I am so happy to have her here with me and to bond with her. I have missed having her in my life so it has been really nice being able to spend so much time with her lately. It is going to be tough to say goodbye when she leaves because I will not see her until Thanksgiving, but it was perfect.

Also on my arriving home from South Carolina, my sweet fiance surprised me with a wonderful birthday gift. I was not feeling well, so he was comforting me. He asked if we could go somewhere real quick before we went back to the house. Confused, I agreed without hesitation. He drove across the Severn towards the Naval Station. I asked where we were going and he replied with, "I need to pick something up from the NEX real quick before we head home." When parking the car I asked what we were here to get and he smirked at me with the reply, "Your birthday present." Excited, and anxious to see what he was getting me, I kind of skipped into the building. I walked towards the Vera Bradley section thinking he was going to buy me a bag and he laughed at me. At this point I was really confused. He said  he was getting off really easy if that is what I really wanted he would get it for me. So I said no, and kept following him. My excitement was growing by the minute. We walked past the shoes, which was my second thought of what I would get. He walked right past that and continued on. By this time I was really confused. I was wondering what was going on. He walked towards the electronics, and on the inside I was screaming! I was for sure thinking I was getting an iPad. Squealing with delight I ran to the counter, but Adam walked past the counter walking to another isle. I followed him when he stopped in front of the Macs. I was so confused. He told me to pick one while explaining the specs for both. I could not breathe and I was literally freaking out. I could not believe my baby was buying me a MacBook for my birthday! Such a wonderful, loving fiance. I am such a lucky, lucky girl! :)

Can I See Your ID?

21 at last. I have been waiting such a long time for this age. Today is such a milestone in my life. I am finally able to go out with my friends to bars! And drink legally! So exciting! I visited my first liquor store today called Total Wine and More! A cute wine and liquor store. It was like the Walmart of wine stores. They had everything that you could possibly imagine. Isles for chardonnay, red, white, dessert, pink, everything. They even had isles for beer! And a separate part of the store for liquor. It was so cute and I was so happy when I bought my first bottle of wine! Such a memorable moment!

The end of my vacation is near. Tomorrow I board the plane to return to Annapolis. I am sad to leave my family, but glad to get back to Adam and my puppy. The good news is my sister, Adam's mom, and grandmother will be up to visit on Friday. So I do not have to wait that long before I see my family. I am excited to go out in Annapolis with friends and family this coming weekend!

Over It

I am not ready for fall, but I am ready to move to Charleston. After a short, but sweet visit from my dad and two youngest brothers it made me miss home. And I feel like I am missing so much of their lives by not being close to home. It breaks my heart not being able to watch my brothers grow up. And it hurts to hear them say that they miss me and wish I could be there cheering them on. Only one more year until we move to Charleston... If not sooner. I cannot wait.

My two weeks was put in at Buffalo Wild Wings, while it was fun at first, I lost respect for management and half the staff that are employed there. It is time to move on with my life and to focus on school and wedding planning.

Speaking of wedding planning, I never knew how much went into planning a wedding. I haven't even booked a venue yet, let alone set a date! I have been compliling a notebook of pictures and articles for ideas for my dress, bridesmaid dresses, ceremony, reception, honeymoon, and much more. I look forward to receiving my bridal magazines each month so I can tear out new pictures and add them to my idea log. I also bought a bunch of colored pencils to sketch out any ideas that come to my head. If I had more time I would be devoting myself to wedding planning. And soon I will. I need to make a decision on how many bridesmaids I will have and how I will ask them! Keep checking back because I will soon be creating a wedding blog on my planning progress as well as any of my DIY projects. I am very excited for this next chapter of my life.

I am still shocked and cannot believe that Adam will be graduating this year. And I thank God everyday that I already know that he is going Subs. I cannot imagine not knowing the fate of my fiance and I until last minute. I guess I will experience some of that once Adam graduates from Nuke school and Prototype. I am hoping we get somewhere tropic, but great thing about the NAVY is... You are always on water. And anyone who knows me, knows that I love my ocean and bodies of water.

As for me I am jealous of all my friends who will be graduating next year (2013). I wish I could be graduating along side of them, but I gave up certain things to follow love. And look where it landed me. Not bad at all. I am happy, but part of me regrets leaving a well established nursing program to chase after love. But love is sacrifice, and sacrifice is love. And I have love.

I also cannot believe that Adam and I have been dating for four and a half  years. We have grown so much since those first few dates in high school. We have both matured and together grown. I am so glad I met him that day in English class. So much has happened in our lives and I am thankful for every thing that has happened along the way. It has truly shaped and guided us, as well as prepared us for a life and future together.

Sayoonara!

Changing of the Seasons

Temperatures a cooling down, and the leaves are beginning to change colors and fall towards the ground and slumber until winter. But my heart is not yet ready for the changing of the seasons. I am stuck in summer and quite in love with the warm weather, bright colors on clothes, and floral, summery scents. I do not want to give up my shorts, tank tops, and sundresses. And I cringe on the inside when I think about having to put away my rainbows until next spring. With the change of the seasons, my heart begins to sink to think about the "Dark Ages" in Annapolis. The lonely, dreary, dark months of winter. Where it will be cold and windy, and often snow almost daily. Just thinking about winter makes me depressed. The only thing I am looking forward to is wearing my Uggs, NorthFaces, hoodies, and sweats. Oh and my 21st birthday which is only a month and 1 day away.

This weekend is the first weekend I have off in a long time. I am excited to do nothing but plan my wedding and hang out with my fiance. I bought a sketch pad and colored pencils to design and sketch out details of my wedding. I am excited to embark upon this adventure and to create the picture, perfect wedding. A wedding that I will remember and look back on for the rest of my life.

The first dilemma I come to is the date. Adam and I cannot begin to set a date that will please us, our families, and allow the most of our family to join us in celebration. I am really set on keeping our original anniversary dating date. But in order to do that, I would have to wait another entire year before tying the knot with my high school sweetheart. The second dilemma is the weekend versus weekday argument. I want to do the wedding on a weekday in order to save money. Our families prefer weekend in order to make it to the wedding without taking much time off from work and so they can continue to party after the wedding. Dilemma? Quite. Solutions? None so far. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I also have my heart set on a certain venue for our ceremony and reception to go along with my theme. The only problem is the rehearsal dinner is required to be on a weeknight and there is a time limit constraint. The weeknight rehearsal dinner becomes an issue with the wedding party that is traveling from out of town to make it to the wedding. They might need to come early and pay for a hotel room longer than normal. There is a time limit constraint because the venue is at an aquarium. The aquarium does not close until 5:00pm and we have to be out by 11:00pm. Which only allows time for a 4 hour event. In my eyes, that is plenty of time for a ceremony and reception. My family does not party and would mostly be socializing. Adam's side of the family, however, loves to party. All. Night. Long. Which I can see it being an issue that I do not have the extra hours into the night for the partiers. Oh well. It is MY wedding! :)

I guess I have a lot to figure out since I am planning it all on my own! Tah-tah!

DYI Wedding Ideas

A few DIY Wedding Ideas:

Most of my family is spread out across the United States, It was really hard to

tell all of them at one time about our engagement. I bought a set of cards with envelopes

at our local Michael's and created an engagement annoucement.

I bought packs of stickers to go along with our nautical/under water theme. I also used

a caligraphy pen to write out our annoucement. Adam's mom took the picture.

I printed out a bunch of pictures and put everything together. Very simple and only cost me about $12 to put it all together.

A glimpse of my wedding notebook. I have complied a notebook of cut outs, articles, and ideas of what I like and want to include in my wedding. I bought a few planners to keep things organized and to write out my thoughts and ideas during the process of planning.

A Bride's Dream Come True

The number one question to newly engaged couples, or women, is "have you started planning yet?" My answer... Yes and no. Yes because I have so many ideas of what I want and how I want to do things. No because nothing has been set in stone yet. Why? I didn't want to start planning and get my heart set on something that was not affordable to my family, or to me and Adam. Last night my parents finally came up with a budget of what they could afford to give me my dream wedding. That number was not what I was expecting and brought me to tears when they told me they could contribute $10,000 to my wedding. To make my day special. I thought I would have to have a small and simple wedding because I was going to be paying for most of it, but it is so wonderful to know that I have that much to create the most perfect day ever!

This past week I started a new job working at the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen Store. I love it. So far, I have my weekends off and I have federal holidays off. The same schedule as my fiance makes it so much easier. On Tuesday night I fractured my wrist working at Buffalo Wild Wings. It has been rought especially because they won't let me off work. It is really hard to serve with a brace on. We will see how it works out so far.

I am off to start planning my wedding! Tah-tah!

Hurricane Irene: The Aftermath

Hurricane Irene. I am slightly sick of the name. And terribly upset that she did not "do" anything. I know it sounds terrible to say that but, if I am going to miss work and have to stay inside I atleast want SOMETHING to happen. I was out walking around during most of the storm. I hate to see what happened to North Carolina, but I would not have minded if Maryland got wiped off the map... ;)

On the flip side I am praying for the families affected in North Carolina and glad that nothing too bad happened to my hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina. The most damage we had was a fallen branch and a couple of blown up transformers. Which was the most exciting event of the whole evening. Annapolis freaked out its citizens for no reason. To be honest I almost think they did that to try to boost the economy. Now I have a TON of water in pitchers and bottles on my kitchen table that might take me a month to drink. And water is too precious to waste...

On a more positive note I was able to spend the whole weekend with my fiance. It was so wonderful to be able to spend so much time with him and plan parts of our wedding. We had an amazing time bonding together. I love just being able to snuggle up next to him and watch a movie. We hardly have to say anything, but we know that we are growing closer by the moment. It was also nice to be able to spend so much time with our dog Tora, or better known as the "gopher". She spends so much time under the bed that we joke around and call her a gopher instead. Poor animal. Two natural disasters within one week and she does NOT want to come out from underneath the bed.

So far classes have been wonderful. It is so nice taking online classes so I can devote more time to wedding planning, work, and my fiance and dog. My newest obsession of Pinterest and theknot.com is also helping me plan our wedding. These websites have been so helpful with ideas and inspiration, it helps me get an idea of what I want our wedding to be like. My old roommate Keri Powers Pye has also helped me in my inspiration. She gave me a HUGE stack of Bride magazines. I love looking through the magazines reading articles, getting ideas, and trying to pick out THE PERFECT wedding gown. I am supposed to go to a Bridal Convention in DC in September with my sister to get more ideas. I cannot wait to set an appointment to go try on dresses.

Enough wedding talk for now, I really need to finish my homework before I play. I hope everyone is ok from Irene!

Hearts on Fire

On August 10, 2011, my best friend and lover asked me to marry him. He proposed to me on the top deck of the Carnival Fascination with the Grand Bahama Island and sun rise in the background. It was such a beautiful scene and such a picturesque moment. Pure perfection. I don't think he could have chose any more of a perfect moment for the proposal. I am just so happy to begin this stage of our lives together.

So far wedding planning has been a cinch. Everything has fallen into my lap. Adam's mom and grandmother are doing our engagement annoucements in the newpapers. I have access to the most beautiful country clubs, beach clubs, and wedding sights in Wilmington, NC and almost all of North Carolina. My mom's best friend offered to travel 5 hours from Greenville, SC to Wilmington, NC to do my flowers for dirt cheap. And Adam's best friend, a future Culinary Institute of America graduate, called me and offered to do the catering and cooking for the reception. So many things have come together without stress and without me "looking" into those options. It has been so wonderful and I am thoroughly enjoying engaged life. I love having a ring on my finger and to be honest I cannot stop looking at it. I am so amazed at how it shimmers and sparkles in the light. It is amazing how a small ring can change your attitude and your whole outlook on life.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful fiance like Adam. We think exactly alike with what we want for our wedding and reception. It is so nice that we don't have to argue or compromise with what we want because we both want the same thing. It is SO amazing! I am so excited to continue to plan the rest of our wedding and excited to see how things come together! Stay posted for blips of my wedding details!

Today I just started a new chapter in my life. It was my first day of work at the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen Store. I LOVE it! It was so amazing and super easy! Plus I get to see my fiance every day, have weekends off, and holidays, AND the same schedule as Adam. HOW PERFECT?! I can't wait to see what next week brings me!

As of right now, Adam and I are just hanging out before the storm hits. He is not allowed to leave Annapolis, and I personally, do not want to leave or go anywhere without him. I am hoping things will not be entirely too bad, but I am not sure and slightly worried. I just looked at pictures of my hometown in North Carolina and it does not look good. And the storm has not even hit yet. My prayers go out to them and to us here in Maryland. The eye of the storm is supposed to pass over Ocean City, Maryland. I am stocked up on food, coke, candles, and water. I hope I will be ok, but we will see. I have survived hurricanes before. I am slightly worried about flooding and downed trees. That will not be a fun event to take care of. I am not looking forward to power outages and no air conditioning. I hope the storm passes quickly and without too much damage. Atleast I have the whole weekend to plan wedding details! :) Stay safe y'all!

Dear Maryland

Dear Maryland,
I am overly frustrated with the lack of health system in this state. I am sick and tired of being sick and not knowing what is wrong with me. I know what is wrong, yet you who have a DR. infront of your name do not. I am really perplexed at how you graduated Medical school in the first place. I know that I have a kidney infection and I am your common, everyday kid off the street studying nursing. If I could write myself a prescription, I would. All I have to say is if I die from this kidney infection I will have my parents sue you and revoke your title for passing me on to someone else to be someone else's problem. I am disgusted with your lack of effort and professionalism. I am so frustrated with the fact that you did not even try to diagnose what is wrong. I am angry that you don't know the signs and symtoms of Kidney infection and that when I told you that I have had kidney problems before you wave your hand at me. SO dear Maryland, if I have to miss my cruise because of you, it will not be good... I am so ready to be OUT of this state and in a state that has a GREAT health care system! One more year of this hell hole.

On a more positive note I leave for the Bahamas in three days. I have started packing, but I have not finished. I put together a look book of outfits I have packed and now I just have to decide what I want to wear on which day.

Yes, I might be a slight OCD freak for doing this, but I think it is so cute and such a great idea. I only packed outfits with a few to spare. I always over pack and this way I will not overpack my bag and be able to wear everything that I pack. But I did over pack bikinis. I have about a million! I plan on wearing at least two a day!

I am so excited, nervous, anxious, and happy to FINALLY see my boyfriend! I cannot wait and I am soo stoked! I am also really nervous. I had a day dream about seeing him for the first time in a month and I got butterflies. Cute right? I just can't wait to run into his arms and feel them wrapped tightly around my body.

So I've had a bad day, or two, or twenty.

Why must everything happen at once? When you run out of things, you just don't run out of one thing. You run out of ten things all at once. Or something breaks, everything breaks. For instance, today not only did I run out of toothpaste, but I also ran out of deodorant, contact solution, laundry fabric softener, shampoo & conditioner, razor, dog food, tampons, and medication. Really? You all had to run out at the SAME time? And these things aren't cheap. They add up to an expensive bill. Which I have to pay. Which takes away from my Bahama spending money. And another example: during a power surge, two of my strip outlets blew. My laptop is broken, my phone is broken, and Adam's car broke down. Joy. More bills and things to pay for. And unlucky for me... Money doesn't grow on trees. I know some people might say, "Well don't go to the Bahamas and use that money to fix things and pay bills." Well... I really need this vacation. I need to get the hell out of Annapolis so I can survive another year away from the beach, my family, and my friends. I also need this vacation to motivate me through school and work. If I didn't have a vacation. I would have numberous mental breakdowns throughout the year. Why? I just don't get it. Blah.

On a positive note. During my "emergency" last night, I ran for an hour straight. I want to say I almost ran 5-6 miles. And now I am sore, but it went towards my Bahama body workout plan. I also only have 10 more days until I leave for the Bahamas with the love of my life. I am so excited and I wish I was packing up and boarding the ship already. But I guess I can wait 10 more days. It will make the trip and wait all the more better.

Tonight I will be going to dinner with a few (maybe 6-10) NAVY girlfriends and wives. I am really excited because I need a good girls night. A night where I have friends to talk to and confide in. Friends who understand my situation and what I am going through. I am so excited! :)

Hopefully my days start looking up as my countdown shortens! Carpe Diem!

Our Story

Our Story. How Adam and I met and a little background information.

Me
I was born on October 10, 1990. I was raised in Greenville, SC. I am the oldest of five children. I attended Southside Christian School for most of my life. When tuition was raised I was sent to Riverside Middle School, where I made some of the best friendships I have ever had. After completing two years at Riverside, I transferred back to Southside for 1 year and almost 2 semesters. I lived in South Carolina for 16 years before moving to Wilmington, NC, where I met the love of my life.
Adam
Adam was born in Anderson, SC on October 17, 1989. A year before me. He lived in Greenville, SC for a few years. In fact, his family lived just down the road from me. His father being the manager of a restaurant meant frequent moving. And so they relocated to Fredericksburg, VA. Shortly after Adam's parents went through a nasty divorce. His mom moved to NC and moved into her parents old house. In order to maintain contact with his children, Adam's dad followed.
How we met
I was so nervous. Growing up going to Southside were my graduating class consisted of 57 students. Most of them growing up together our whole lives. So meeting new people, was going to be interesting. I can remember what we were both wearing. How we looked. The exact details. Wednesday, April 11, 2007, I walked into English 3. A class normally for juniors in high school. At the time I was taking an American Literature class at Southside which was the equivilent of English 3 at John T. Hoggard High School. I introduced myself to the teacher and to my surprise, all she cared about was some stupid "Junior Paper" and sent me to the back of the classroom to a desk in the corner as my punishment. With much confusion, I turned to the kid next to me and tapped him on the shoulder, "Excuse me, can you please explain to me what the heck a 'Junior Paper' is?". The blonde head slowly turned toward me and laughed. "It's only the most important paper of your junior year. It prepares you for Senior Project." Whelp. He got me. Instantly with that blonde hair, blue eyes, surfer boy look. I feel in love instantly. So I just smiled and nodded my head like I understood completely. In reality, I was even more confused than before.

Thursday and Friday I looked forward to going to English class. English meant getting to see Adam, and hanging out after school before I went home. On Friday during class when we were supposed to be working on our papers I asked Adam to borrow his phone because "I was looking for a  new one and wanted to see how his worked." He agreed and handed over his phone so he could continue his nap. All I really wanted to do was give him my number. After playing around I handed him his phone back and got back to working on my paper. He looked at his phone, laughs and says, "What am I supposed to do with this?" "Call me." After class ended I walked out to meet my sister to head home. And my phone started ringing. Yes he called. And we talked for hours. The following Saturday night we talked for 6 hours straight. And Sunday the same. The following week we were assigned a group project. Adam and I were put in a group together. So we set a time on Wednesday afternoon (April 18) to get together to work on our part of the project. Adam came over to my house where we baked cookies and worked on our papers and projects. When it was time for him to go, I walked him out to his car, hugged him to say goodbye. When I was caught by surprise by a kiss planted on my lips. Short and sweet. And he hopped in his car and drove off.

We have been inseperable ever since. :)

12 days.

Free

Nothing is ever free. Everything has a price. Life, love, politics, clothes. The list goes on and on. Everything costs something. And money doesn't grow on trees. So hjow do we achieve the things we desire? Simple: work. Working to achieve a goal might be one of the most satisfying things in life. The end goal becomes more appreciated and has a higher value. Because of the cost. Giving up your time, energy, and effort. Of course we all want free things. Who doesn't? But when we work hard for something, we enjoy it more. It means more to us. I cannot stand when people just expect everything to be handed to them. Yes, I know. I used to demand my parents to buy me new clothes, shoes, etc. when I was in middle school and high school. But living on my own has opened my eyes to a whole new level of appreciation for the value of things. The past year I have been working two jobs almost everyday. Killing myself to pay bills and make ends meet. A few weeks ago, I ended things at one of my jobs. I want to enjoy life more and slow down. So far things are going well. I have been doing considerably well serving. And I am really enjoying it.

I cannot believe that Adam will be a senior this year. Time has really flown by so fast. It feels like just yesterday that we were sitting in English class together talking about our summer plans. And now, here we are, four years later planning our lives around each other. People keep asking me (mostly my family) when we are going to get engaged. The answer is: I don't know. Don't get me wrong, we have talked about it, and we talk about getting married. But I believe that Adam wants the moment to be absolutely special. Something that we will remember and cherish forever. We are just trying to live our lives in the moment, thankful for each breath we are given. Because you never know when your last day may be.

On another note, the Bahamas is only 12 days away! I am so excited and each day I can hardly contain my excitement. Each day I make a little more money for my Bahama money spending fund. I am also on the search for the perfect dress to wear to our formal dinner on board the ship. So if you have any ideas I am open to suggestions. Only 12 more days! AHH!

Major Confusion

After finishing my devotion this morning, I was left in a state of confusion. After thinking about my devotion and what it said. I started to get so irritated. I sometimes get confused and mad about what Christians say and do, and what they tell other people is right and wrong. For example, my devotion said that it is wrong to date and to save yourself for the person you are going to marry. Well excuse me? How are you going to find out your "husband" is the person you want to marry without dating him? And HOW do you know that it's ok to date "this guy" because that person is going to be your future husband. HOW DO YOU KNOW? Gah sometimes Christians really irritate me. I mean, I understand saving yourself for your husband sexually. And waiting for the marriage bed, but really? Dating? Common. Had I not dated all those losers in middle school and in high school I would have never known that Adam would be the perfect guy for me and make the perfect husband. I would have never known that there is nothing better than Adam and would have wondered the rest of my married life if I could have done better. I just don't get it. It's like saying the past 4 years of my life have been in sin because we are not getting instantly married. The past 4 years of my life have been spent getting to know and growing to love this man that will one day be my future husband. I have learned how to get along and how to sacrifice. How to fight and how to make important decisions together. I would have never learned any of that without spending so much time with this one man.

And I am tired of all these crap books being put out like "I Kissed Dating Goodbye". So you kissed dating goodbye, then what? You're ok with dating multiple girls at one time and sleeping around? Yeah right. All these books are so stupid. There is really no way to find out who you should be with in your future without reaching out and dating people. No way. You are not a mind reader, and even if you knew that persons thoughts you wouldn't know their reactions to certain situations. Or how they treat you around friends and family. I mean... Really. So irritated with some of the Christian population right now. It's a wonder why people push Christianity away for some of the insane, bizarre rules they create.

Look at the bigger picture people. It's about YOUR heart and YOUR relationship with God. If dating someone takes away from that, then it is wrong. But if dating someone encourages that, then it is right and good.

Shoe Fettish

I believe that almost every American girl can admit that she has a problem: a shoe problem. Most girls love shoes. I, am one of them. I love shoes and I cannot get enough of them. I buy shoes all the time, and most of the time I barely wear them. Now I never buy shoes full price (unless they are TOMS). So I DO save money.

While I was relaxing after work I decided to google wedding shoes. And here are the super cute shoes that I found. I want ALL of them.

21

21. Twenty-one. Vignt-et-un. Nijuuichi.

The number of days left until my Adam comes home. I feel like he has been gone a whole year already. I cannot stand this no talking to him thing. I hate not knowing where he is or if he is safe out on the dangerous waters of the Atlantic. I am doing everything in my power to keep busy and to keep my mind off of him. But it's impossible not to worry about my lover and best friend. Yes it is just a month, but it is just THE longest month of my life so far. Atleast when he was at Plebe Summer he was able to write. I can't even get a letter in the mail! Not so much as a small text either. I have gotten a total of 5 emails while he was in Canada. But they were short. I miss talking to my love. I feel like I am in a trance, just going through the motions until he comes home to me. I am trying to prepare for our trip and keep busy with working, but I can't keep my mind off of him.

Enough whining for now. I am off to workout and work for the night.

Walt Disney Studios History

Walt (bottom row, right) and his staff at the Hyperion studio.

The Walt Disney Company started in 1923 in the rear of a small office occupied by Holly-Vermont Realty in Los Angeles. It was there that Walt Disney, and his brother Roy, produced a series of short live-action/animated films collectively called the ALICE COMEDIES. The rent was a mere $10 a month. Within four months, the ever-growing staff moved next door to larger facilities, where the sign on the window read "Disney Bros. Studio." A year later, in 1925, the Disneys made a deposit on a Hyperion Avenue lot in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles. Construction began on the new studio shortly thereafter. During the next 14 years, many changes took place at the Disney studio: Mickey Mouse was "born" in 1928, followed by Pluto, Goofy, Donald Duck, and the rest of the Disney gang.

In 1937, Disney's innovative first full length animated feature, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, was released to critical acclaim and worldwide success. In order to expand and meet the expectations of his audience, Walt saw a need to increase the size of his studio. With profits from SNOW WHITE, he made a deposit on 51 acres of land in Burbank and began designing a modern studio specifically for the purpose of making animated films. Walt was personally involved with all aspects of designing the studio. From the layout of the buildings to design of the animators' chairs, nothing was left to chance. His main concern was to produce a self-sufficient, state-of-the-art production factory that provided all the essential facilities for the entire production process.

Walt and company discuss the progress made at the new Studio lot.

Employees in front of the Animation Building.

The Animation Building, housing the Disney Artists and animators, was planned in the center of the lot. Across a small street were built the Inking and Painting and the Camera buildings, where the artwork was completed and photographed. Next to Camera, in the Cutting building, the post production process occurred. Sound facilities included dubbing, scoring, effects, and voice recording studios. Many of the buildings were linked together by an underground tunnel, so even in bad weather, the process of making animated films was not disrupted. To enhance the campus-like setting, all of the utilities were placed underground which was an innovation for 1940.

During the 1940s and 1950s many prominent animated features were produced in Burbank, including FANTASIA, BAMBI, CINDERELLA, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, and PETER PAN.

James Mason is menaced by a giant squid during the filming of 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA.

Beginning in the late 1940s, Disney launched into the production of live-action features and television programs. The Studio lot was subsequently expanded during the 1950s, to include sound stages and production craft facilities. Sound Stages Many of the interior scenes for Disney films were shot on five live-action sound stages. Stage 1 is part of the original lot that was built in 1940. It was first used for filming the live-action scenes for FANTASIA. Stage 2 was built in 1949 in conjunction with Jack Webb, who used the stage for the filming of the television series DRAGNET. A popular television show filmed there was THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB. Stage 2 is one of the largest sound stages in Los Angeles at approximately 31,000 square feet.

A live-action reference for a scene in LADY AND THE TRAMP.

In 1954, Sound Stage 3 was built specifically for 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, complete with watertank. Stage 4, completed in 1958, was first used for DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE. In 1988, it was divided into two television stages, thus creating Stages 4 and 5.

Well-known tenants on our stages have included Disney classics such as DAVY CROCKETT, MARY POPPINS, POLLYANA, THE LOVE BUG, BLACKBEARD'S GHOST, PETE'S DRAGON, and BEDKNOBS & BROOMSTICKS. Other well-known tenants have included ARMAGEDDON, HOME IMPROVEMENT, ELLEN, MTV, MADONNA, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, NATIONAL TREASURE 2, and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN I, II & III.

Riverside Lot
Across the street from the Studio now stands the new Feature Animation Building and The ABC Building. This is where Walt was planning to build a place called Mickey Mouse Park. There were to be lifelike statues of Mickey and Donald, and guests could take pictures with their favorite characters and enjoy a train ride. However, as Walt's ideas continued to grow, he realized more space was needed to fulfill his dreams. Shortly thereafter he acquired more than 200 acres of orange groves in Anaheim, California. Those orange groves became the site of Disneyland.

Shops
The back-lot shops were built to provide the many crafts and services required by live action productions. The Machine Shop, which is no longer in use, housed machines and equipment that produced innovative camera and projection objects for the film industry. During the construction of Disneyland in the mid-fifties, this shop's engineers designed and hand-built many of the automobiles, train parts, boats, trams and carts that were required by the new park. Hollywood Records now occupies the building.

Close by you'll find the Electric / Plumbing building containing machines and equipment for repairing and maintaining the many systems within the Studio complex.

Nearby was the Staff Shop where they made molds, plaster casts, and fiberglass figures, many of which are in use at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Walt looks on as a set piece is fabricated in the Studio Mill.

The Electric/Plumbing building has its own machines for installing and repairing all plumbing and mechanical equipment within the Studio, along with equipment for work in sheet metal, welding, and plastics.

Next to Electric/Plumbing was the Special Effects shop, where our craftspeople created the myriad of unique effects that have come to be associated with Disney films. Flying cars, spaceships, miniature paddle wheelers, and medieval armor that comes to life are just some of the effects produced by this department.

The Paint Shop, which is in another large metal building, does everything from spraying cars and furniture to be used on a movie set, to spraying the set itself.

Other prominent shops throughout the back-lot include Sign Graphics, Craft Services, and the Mill.

Back Lot
For more than 30 years, the back-lot featured exterior sets used for outdoor live-action filming. These consisted of a Western Street, Zorro Pueblo, Residential Street, and Town Square.

Most of the buildings on the Western Street were constructed in 1958 for the ELFEGO BACA and TEXAS JOHN SLAUGHTER television shows. Other productions which modified the structures for filming were DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE, THE LOVE BUG, THOSE CALLOWAYS, and THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG. The last major feature films to utilize the street extensively were HOT LEAD AND COLD FEET and THE APPLE DUMPLING GANG RIDES AGAIN.

Sets representing a downtown area were constructed in 1965 for THE UGLY DACHSHUND and FOLLOW ME BOYS. They were changed extensively for various films, and then completely demolished in 1981 to make way for a new town set for SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES.

There were four original buildings on the Residential Street originally constructed in 1960 for THE ABSENT-MINDED PROFESSOR, including the main house and garage used for the laboratory. Other houses were used for THE SWAMP FOX and the original THAT DARN CAT.

A well-known set was constructed for the ZORRO television series in the 1950s. This was once the Pueblo de Los Angeles with a fort, a jail, a square, an inn, and a church. Later, one of the old Spanish squares was redesigned to become a French village. Hills, pools, berms, and caves were built nearby for other productions.

With the increased use of "on location" shooting, the back lot sets were gradually replaced by the Property building, the Zorro parking structure, the Frank Wells office building, and Stages 6 & 7.

The Golden Oak Ranch
Walt Disney first leased the Golden Oak Ranch, which is situated in the nearby Santa Clarita area, in the mid-1950s for the SPIN AND MARTY segments of THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB. Because of the variety of natural settings available there, the Studio purchased the 700-acre property in 1959. Disney films shot at the Ranch include: OLD YELLER, TOBY TYLER, THE PARENT TRAP, THE SHAGGY DOG, FOLLOW ME BOYS, and more recently THE SANTA CLAUSE, PEARL HARBOR, PRINCESS DIARIES II and the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN II & III.

A western street was created for the renowned television miniseries ROOTS II in the late 1970s, and remained an active filming location until it's removal in 2008. Other ranch sites include a rural bridge on a lake, an entertainment and event venue, "THE GOLDEN OAK HALL," farm houses, barns, fields, country roads, tree groves, a forest area, a creek bed, and a running waterfall. Currently being developed is a pine lake designed to give the feeling of a High Sierra setting.

The Golden Oak Ranch is used by the entire industry and has been seen in LASSIE, BEVERLY HILLS 90210, CHARMED, RED DRAGON, MURDER SHE WROTE, DIAGNOSIS MURDER, BONANZA, INDEPENDENCE DAY, PROFILER, CSI, MY NAME IS EARL, ENTOURAGE, BOSTON LEGAL, BONES, SONS OF ANARCHY, GHOST WHISPERERS, AMERICAN IDOL and so many more.

Imaging
Film imaging facilities have existed at the lot from its earliest days, starting with the Process Lab, building which was adjacent to Inking and Painting. Through the years the building housed a motion picture laboratory, primarily employed for animation, and photo/visual effects facilities.

Fred MacMurray flies in this process shot for THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR.

In the 1950s, as live-action films increasingly played a major role in the success of the studio, so did the inclusion of visual effects. Such memorable films as 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA and DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE began a tradition of combining complex optical effects with miniatures and matte paintings to create rich fantasy worlds on the screen. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Process Lab, renamed Photo Effects and then Visual Effects, was home to the distinguished artists and technicians responsible for the effects seen in MARY POPPINS, THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR, BLACKBEARD'S GHOST, BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS, PETE'S DRAGON, and TRON.

During the 1980s, the unit was named Buena Vista Visual Effects Group and expanded its facilities into the Camera building to include a motion-control stage. In 1990, the unit became Buena Vista Visual Effects (BVVE) and shifted rapidly to digital-imaging technologies. Rooms within the Camera building, which formerly housed multi-plane cameras used to shoot animation, were filled with computer equipment. BVVE transitioned to Buena Vista Imaging in 1996.

Today, Buena Vista Imaging occupies the Camera building, providing a full range of photo-optical and digital-imaging services, which include a black and white lab, digital workstations, film recorders and scanners, optical printers, and title graphics.

Post Production Sound
The Main Theater is a state-of-the-art digital sound dubbing and screening facility that was first used to mix the sound for FANTASIA. Sound mixers blend dialogue, music, and sound effects tracks to the various levels appropriate for a movie theater. The acoustics are designed to simulate a theater that is three-quarters full. Although the theater is empty during the mixing session, extra padding in the seats and specially designed walls absorb and reflect the sound. This helps the sound mixers to know what the final product will sound like when it is released to the public.

A sound recording session on Stage A.

Stage A, situated next to the Main Theater, was originally used for scoring. For many years, the music for innumerable Disney movies and cartoons was recorded here. In 1985, the stage was converted to a dubbing stage and theater. Like the Main Theater, Stage A is an all-digital, state-of-the-art dubbing facility.

Stages B & C were designed to provide sound elements for the animated films. Because of the Studio location near the Burbank Airport, special priority was given to soundproofing with "building within a building" design for noise reduction.

Stage B is known as the dialogue stage, where character voices were recorded for many animated classics including ALICE IN WONDERLAND, LADY AND THE TRAMP, PETER PAN, and THE JUNGLE BOOK. The tradition continues today, as Stage B is still used for such recent films as ALADDIN, THE LION KING, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Today, that tradition continues not only on Disney films, but also with Pixar hits such as TOY STORY, BUGS LIFE, TOY STORY 2, and MONSTERS INC. Stage B accommodates Automatic Dialog Replacement (ADR), a process that allows the talent to re-record their dialogue. One such use is for scenes shot on location, where an talent's lines were destroyed by outside sound or noise, such as a plane flying over at the time of filming.

Stage C was originally used for the recording of various sound effects for the animated features and short subjects. Many of the unique sound-effects props and gadgets for these processes were invented by Disney technicians. Today, Stage C serves as a dubbing stage for film and television. It was recently renovated in 2001 and like the other stages it features an all-digital, state-of-the-art film console.

http://studioservices.go.com/disneystudios/history.html

Leftovers

There are a few "food" words in the English dictionary that make me cringe on the inside. Lunch meat, cold cuts, meatloaf, casserole, and leftovers. Leftovers. It is such a terrible word. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I hate the word leftovers and I hate leftovers. I hate eating the same thing over and over again until it disappears, or spoils. Why do I hate leftovers? I think it is simply because I hate eating alone. I cannot stand preparing a meal for only one person. Because then I have to eat leftovers for a week. I would rather not eat at all or just much on crackers than prepare a meal for one person and have to eat leftovers. It is sort of depressing thinking that I still have 24 days until Adam comes back into town. Then after that I have to cook for one person from Monday-Thursday. After that it will be for months at a time while he is on deployment... I really, really hate leftovers.

On a positive side note I am starting to prepare my body for the Bahamas. I am trying to stick to a strict workout and tone up. The cruise is going to be rough on me because it is all you can eat, whenever you want to eat. Not the greatest things to know when you are trying to eat healthy and workout. But I am very excited to go back to the Bahamas and hopefully have much nicer weather.

24 days until I can see Adam again. It has been hard not being able to communicate with him. Although I am lucky he has email for a week, but email and being able to hear his voice are two completely different things.

Tomorrow marks my last day of work at the USNA Gift Shop. I am so relieved that that chapter of my life has closed. I am looking forward to what the future will bring for me. As of right now I will just be working at BWW and see how I can do with one job. If not I will start applying somewhere else. For now I am using my free time to crochet and knit. It is so nice that I finally have time to crochet and knit. It is my best stress reliever and it is so nice to be able to be back at it and create some cool projects.

Until next time.

Plebe Summer- Plebe

In honor of Plebe Summer and all of our new USNA girlfriends I decided to create a "Plebe" doll. Here is the process I went through to create this cute guy in uniform.

This is the beginning of his head and body.

This is his head and body.

I made the arm by attaching a pipe cleaner through his body in the arm area. I then made both arms and slipped the pipe cleaner through them and sewed the arms to the body.

After both arms have been sewed on.

I did the same process for the legs. I decided to make the shoes black to stick out from the all white uniform.

The beginning of his pants. This part was fairly difficult.

His pants are finished. They do not come off his body though.

The front of his shirt, yes he is wearing a Blue Rim underneath! ;)

The back of his shirt.

Back of his shirt finished.

Front of shirt finished.

The finished doll. I might add a mouth, belt and pocket. But I am still debating it.

This doll was a lot of fun to make. It was really difficult to think up my own pattern. This is the first pattern I have created on my very own without the use of other patterns. Good luck to all of the c/o 2015 girlfriends!



Life Without Technology

Life without technology is hardly life at all. Especially when society solely relies on technology to communicate and get along with each other. On Saturday, my phone was destroyed by a tray of ice water. I was carrying a tray of ice water at work to a table when a drunk guest bumped into me. It knocked the whole tray over into me and I spilled all 8 waters on myself. My phone happened to be in the front pocket of my apron and did not make it through. Lately I have been using my phone for internet and to communicate. But the past 4 days I have had nothing. No way of telling Adam when I was coming home or off work. No way of talking to my sister. No way of calling someone if I ran out of gas or got in an accident. And NO way to get on the internet.

Today we got Comcast internet installed AND my brand new cell phone arrived in the mail. It was a glorious day and I cannot tell you how excited I am to FINALLY be able to communicate with the world again!

Princess Belle

The past few days I have been working hard to create the perfect Disney Princess. One of my all time favorites, Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast. This was not an easy project. Infact, it was really difficult and time consuming, but I am so happy with the finished project.

This is the body. I borrowed this body shape from another pattern, adapted and created the perfect body for a Disney Princess Doll. I named the Body pattern "Disney Princess Doll".

I then began to personalize the doll. Giving her character and her own unique look of a Disney Princess. I chose Belle first because it was the latest Disney movie recently watched.

This is the finished body shape of a Disney Princess Doll. The top of the head is flat to accomodate the cap of "hair".

Belle is now beginning to take a personality. The hair was difficult, but with the help of a amigurumi blog I was able to create the perfect hairstyle for Princess Belle.

After creating a pattern for the Princess body, I began working on her wardrobe. Which was no easy task. I created two of Belle's most well known outfits with the help of a book I bought at Michaels.

Belle's Dress

Belle in her dress.

And the finished product.

Here she is in here traditional outfit.

I plan on making the rest of her outfits. But for now this is it. Keep checking back for my next creation!! :)