For Fun

Sharing My Disney Mugs to Spread Some Joy

Blog Post Title Graphic with 8 Disney Mugs in the background and a bow in front with the words #disneymugs = joy by denise m. colby

Who knew I had that many Disney mugs in my cupboard and it would be so much fun to post a different one each day? And did you know #Disneymugs was an actual thing?

The idea came from a friend, who had posted about her morning coffee, her missing Disneyland and her mugs from her trip. I had one similar and joined in with her that morning. And then something clicked. 

With us all homebound, I saw how people were sad to not go to Disneyland or not be able to go anywhere for that matter. I pulled out a mug I hadn’t used in a long time, put my tea in it, then took a picture of it and posted it. People commented and fun interaction ensued. The next day I choose a different one and I knew I wanted to keep sharing. It seems so small, but in that first post, I found something that added much needed cheer to my day. And it seemed to do the same for others.

And as it turned out, I had way more Disney mugs than I thought! And I wasn’t using them!

When I picked the hashtags, I didn’t know #Disneymugs was a thing. Nor did I know #mugshots was, either. It was just something I thought would be fun, especially with all of us home self-quarantining ourselves. A little way to be creative and change up the routine each day.

And my friends liked it and joined in.

Who knew I could get so much joy out of selecting a new mug to use every morning. And taking a picture to share. And then having it sit on my desk all day and make me smile every time I looked at it.

Oh the joy that comes from the little things, right?

Some of our mugs are really old. To the point I have no idea where or when we got them. With others, the memory is burned into my brain because of how we came to acquire it, whether it was on a special trip or to celebrate a specific event.

Whatever the occasion, it’s been fun to reach way back into my cupboard and actually use all of them.

So without further ado…

…here is our family’s collection of Disney mugs: 

Do you have any of these? or see a favorite?

Our current favorite is the Baby Yoda one, which is a brand new addition. We gave that one to my husband for his birthday.

Hope this gives you a little bit a cheer, much like the cheer I’ve felt in putting it all together.

Blessings,

Denise

For Fun

Dating Lessons from WALL-E

Blog Title Graphic of Wall-E and Eve Dating Lessons from Wall-E by Denise M. Colby

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought covering a special Disney couple would be fun. Our family loves Disney movies and WALL-E is no exception. We’ve watched it several times and this last time, several things struck me about the way WALL-E and EVE find their Happily Ever After.

So I wrote down what I observed.

Yes, they are cute and all the antics are quite entertaining, but with three teenage boys in my house, I asked myself would I want them to follow WALL-E’s path to love?

 Approach a girl and she fires at you, ignores you and then breaks your things.

Show her something beautiful and she takes it and doesn’t give it back.

 Try to teach her to dance and she throws you against the wall.

 Be romantic and get no response. Zip. Zilch. Natta.

 Try to hold her hand and get hurt in the process.

 Chase her and she’ll carry you out of your world.

 Help her save her world and lose yourself in the process

 And then finally, she rushes to save you. And when she kisses you – the spark is large enough that your old self comes back again.

I love when Eve finally sees all that WALL-E has done for her and how it changes her view of him. We all want someone to see the true us and love us for who we are. WALL-E never wavers in his caring for Eve. He loves her unconditionally. And in the end, they both grow, open their hearts and find their Happily Ever After.

Romance stories are a lot like this. Our poor characters are pushed and pulled through some rough times, but in the end they change and grow, and they and their world are a better place because of that.

I’m just not sure I want to watch my boys go through all that in real life…well, maybe if they find someone who loves them as they are and brings out the best in them and they have a happily ever after. Then, maybe I would.

Happy Valentine’s Day Blessings!
Denise

 

Parts of this post was originally published Feb. 2018 on A Slice of Orange titled with the same name: Dating Lessons from WALL-E

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For Fun

Disney Christmas: Two of My Favorite Things

Title Graphic for Denise M. Colby Blog Post Titled Two of My Favorite Things: Christmas and Disney with background pic of Disney Christmas Train Stocking Holders

My family has a huge affinity for Disney Christmas decorations. It’s fun each year to open up the tubs and go through everything as we joyfully pull them out to enjoy during the Christmas season. Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out where to put them all.

Disneyland is quite the magical place on its own. It’s even more magical to us (always has been and always will!).

See, we met at Disneyland and got engaged there. But that’s a story for another time.

Christmas in Disneyland is magical. My first Christmas in the park was in 1991 (hubby and I met in 1992). I was performing in the Christmas parade. My parents spent the day there watching me perform, so we could be together. In between parades, I was able to go into the park and eat with them.

It was a time I will always treasure.

Hubby and I spent many date nights before we were married in Disneyland and shared many new traditions at Christmastime. Our first Christmas married, we picked out candleholders for our tiny apartment.

Mickey and Minnie heads Candle holder
Ceramic Mickey & Minnie Candleholders

These are the first Christmas decorations we added to our household. We also picked out our stockings.

Mickey & Minnie Christmas Stockings purchased in 1995
We purchased these stockings our first year we were married (1995)

Getting Mickey and Minnie stockings was so fitting for us. We were able to find Pooh, Tigger, Pluto, and Goofy after our oldest was born so that we could have matching styles. It’s hard to believe these are over twenty years old now. They can hold a lot of stuff, and the heads help hold those items that stick out when it is filled.  

Pooh, Tigger, & Pluto Christmas Stockings
Pooh, Tigger, & Goofy Christmas Stockings

A few years after we moved into our home we picked out these stocking holders (see above photo) that include three parts of a train with several Disney characters inside. It’s so sturdy and never feels like it would tip over. It even plays music and a few arms wave back and forth (unfortunately said arms didn’t pack away well one year). Who knew that we would have three kids and all would be huge train enthusiasts. It’s so appropriate for our family and it’s still one of my favorite pieces to bring out each year. 

Mickey Santa Stuffed Doll
Mickey Santa

And what would Christmas be without Mickey Santa? I purchased this guy when I worked at the park. He isn’t the reason we celebrate Christmas (Jesus is that reason), but it’s still fun to dress up my Mickey bathroom in Christmas Mickey.

I also have these Mickey Christmas towels. I’m not sure where I found them or when, but I’ve had them a long time. They work perfect in making the bathroom be just a bit more Christmassy.

Mickey Christmas Towel
Mickey Christmas Towel

Some other pieces we’ve collected through the years include this figurine.

Mickey Figurine pulling a Christmas tree

And these candlesticks.

Mickey & Minnie holding presents candlesticks

I have a mini-tree that I hang these small wooden ornaments of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Donald. I think my mom got them for me when I was in college. It’s one of the things I put out every year.

Tiny Christmas Tree with mini Disney wooden ornaments of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald
My Little Disney Tree

So there’s a few of our Disney Christmas items. Our Disney Christmas items make me smile when I look at them, I hope they make you smile a bit too!

Merry Christmas!