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on November 11, 2019 ·

Introducing Melanie Rose

Melanie And her daughter, Tia

Hello everyone!

My name is Melanie Rose.  I was pleasantly surprised when Joann asked me to be a guest writer for her blog while she is off on her family trip to Disney World.  We have been friends for 30 years!  Hard to believe!  I’m hoping Joann has the most magical vacation possible as she has been looking forward to this trip for a long time!

My instructions from Joann were quite simple in regards to what she wanted me to write.  She simply stated, “Write about yourself.”  Seems easy but I was a little overwhelmed when trying to put pencil to paper.  (Yes, I literally wrote this out prior to typing!)  I don’t typically like putting myself ‘out there’; however, I guess I’m going to have to get over that.  Typically, I’m that person who refuses to go to a restaurant on my birthday if I think someone in my party will have the restaurant staff sing to me.  I hate that!  I get so embarrassed.  I’ve never liked being the center of attention and I’m very shy.

I was asked awhile back to be a contributing author to a book titled, “Gratitude 540.”  I was a bit hesitant at first but it ended up being a great experience.  I wrote an abbreviated version of my journey to China to adopt my daughter.  It’s a story I’ve wanted to share for a long time and considered writing a book at one time.  For now, the short story will have to do.  If you’re interested, the book is available on Amazon and Kindle.  I hope you check it out!

Writing my adoption story has rekindled my love of writing.  With Joann’s encouragement, I’ve decided to start a blog that I hope to have up and running within a couple of months!  It will be titled, “The M Word,” and I have to thank Joann for helping me come up with that name!  I love it!  I have a few topics I plan to tackle on my blog.

Like Joann, I love all things Disney!  I have a trip planned for my daughter and I in 2021.  With over 400 days to go, I’m sure I will be sharing all kinds of tips and suggestions on traveling to Walt Disney World.  I will also welcome any tips from readers.  This will only be our fourth trip but I have done so much research and have learned a great deal; however, there is always so much more to learn!

My daughter is currently going to a local community college so I was able to have her home one more year after graduation!  Sadly for me (but happy for her), she plans to go away to a major university next year.  At that point I will officially be an empty nester.  As a single parent, it has been just my daughter and I forever.  It’s going to be a very difficult and emotional time for me.  Again, maybe the blog will help keep me somewhat occupied when she leaves.  I expect to be writing often about what I’ll be going through emotionally and the life changes that go along with being an empty nester.

Another thing I expect to explore is my health.  I’ve gotten older and some health issues have crept up on me.  Some of it has to do with weight.  I’ve been on every diet imaginable over the years.  My thinking is if I go public with my goals and my quest to establishing a healthier lifestyle, I will me be more accountable for my actions.  As much as I need to do it for me, I also want to do it for my daughter.  I want to be around for many more years in the hopes of seeing her graduate college, fall in love, marry and have a baby(ies).  I would LOVE to join the ‘Grandparent Club’ at some point!

If you’ve made it to the end of my article – bless you!  I hope some of what I talked about interests you and that you will consider following me once my blog launches.  I’m sure Joann will let everyone know when that happens!  So, out of love and great respect to my special friend, Joann, I will simply say:

Until next time …

Love always,

Melanie

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lovealwaysjoann

Lovealways,Joann
What a morning! First day of school and the school What a morning! First day of school and the school bus never showed up.  I had to drive Michael in and race back home to start work in time.  Every year it’s the same. 😩 I hope you all have a great day! #FirstDayOfSchool #goodmorning
It was awesome getting to meet my friend @bygregma It was awesome getting to meet my friend @bygregmarine at Epcot last month! I hope we get to meet again Greg! #disneyfriends #epcot #disney #epcotfoodandwinefestival #disneyfamily #wdw
I love exploring all of Epcot’s World showcase P I love exploring all of Epcot’s World showcase Pavilions! This time I spent a little more time in the U.K. Pavilion at The Tea Caddy.  Who doesn’t love a good cuppa tea? I went home with some goodies and my favorite has been the Twinings cold infused flavoured cold water enhancer in the peach and passion fruit flavor! So good! A new Disney haul coming soon on my YouTube channel! Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already. 😉 and thank you! #epcot #epcotfoodandwinefestival #twinings #twiningstea
Happy Saturday! Have a great day! #saturday #goodm Happy Saturday! Have a great day! #saturday #goodmorning #mickeywaffles
I have never had so many questions and messages ab I have never had so many questions and messages about me being so short since I started my blog in 2018.  My husband and I have been hysterical laughing at the comments over the last few weeks because I must come across very tall on YouTube. 😂😂😆 Yes, I am short! Or I always like to say I’m a very tall 5’! 🤣  My husband is 6’3” and my boys are on track to be just as tall as their dad.  It’s okay, I’ve adjusted nicely to being the shortest in my family. 👍😃By the way, last week was our first time Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and we loved it! Michael was hysterical the entire ride! #epcot #ratatouille #
I still can’t believe I did it. I never realize I still can’t believe I did it.  I never realized how much my fears are holding me back from doing fun things.  When I was younger, I wasn’t afraid of heights.  There was no way I was going to let my fears hold me back from enjoying myself with my family.  Face your fears, big or small, you can do it! #faithoverfear #disneyskyliner #wdw #disneyworld #ididit
Good evening! We made it safely home earlier this Good evening! We made it safely home earlier this afternoon and we are all really tired.  I’m happy to be home but we arrived to find out there was a water main break a few streets over, so we have no water right now.  Hopefully it’s fixed soon! I did vlog as much as I could and I will try to start editing soon.  Enjoy the rest of your evening! #home #goodevening
Good morning ☀️ We have been on the road since Good morning ☀️ We have been on the road since early this morning.  Hopefully we will be home by early evening.  I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed but dreaming of our next vacation! Have a wonderful day everyone! #roadtrip #jerseybound #spaceshipearthsunday
Good evening friends! Our vacation is coming to an Good evening friends! Our vacation is coming to an end and we are back on the road tomorrow.  Today, we had a nice relaxing day at our resort.  We spent a few hours at the beach and a few hours at the pool.  I’m exhausted but leaving with so many wonderful memories.  I will share more once I get back home.  Thank you for following along and I hope you all have a wonderful evening.  #floridavacation #vacationmemories
Good morning ☀️ We had such a great time yeste Good morning ☀️ We had such a great time yesterday at Epcot!! We are sad to leave but excited to start our next adventure on the West Coast! We know we will definitely be back at Disney! I loved the skyliner! A huge thank you to Roberta, Matt and Jake @medlingworld for having us as their guests!! ❤️ And now we’re on the road again and will check in later.  Have a great day! #florida #roadtrip #wdw #epcot #epcotfoodandwinefestival
It’s been so much fun spending time with our fam It’s been so much fun spending time with our family here in South Florida.  A big THANK YOU to my brother-in-law Angel & sister-in-law Yvette @ymysonny for having us!! We hope we didn’t wreck your beautiful home too much 😂🤪🤣 please send all home repair bills to my husband. 👍😁 We love you 🥰 ❤️ We leave tomorrow morning for Disney.  Be sure to follow along as I attempt to get on that dam skyliner! 😩😂 Have a great evening! #familyiseverything #disneyherewecome #disneybound
Spent a fun afternoon at @baysidemarketplace with Spent a fun afternoon at @baysidemarketplace with family! Tomorrow we hit the beach! #baysidemiami #miami #bubbagump
I’m gonna soak up the sun - Sheryl Crow ☀️🌞🕶️ #poolday #soakingupthesun #florida #floridavacation
Traveling as a special needs family can be challen Traveling as a special needs family can be challenging but we think we are getting pretty good at it.  We  know overstimulation and a lack of schedule can sometimes be difficult for Michael but we do our best to navigate the situation.  Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather, and the pool being closed for maintenance 👩‍🔧Throw in the fact that he somehow got his tablet wet, (we think he threw it in the wet grass) and now it’s no longer working, it’s a recipe for disaster.  Tuesday wasn’t the best day and by Wednesday we knew we needed to adjust our plans for the day because the pool was once again closed.  Our day yesterday in the  Key’s  was exactly what we needed.  Thankfully the pool was open today and a new tablet arrives tomorrow! Alleluia! 
If you are traveling with a child on the spectrum, do your best to prepare ahead of time and remember that you can’t control everything.  Take a deep breath and don’t sweat the little stuff.  You got this! ❤️#autism #autismmom #autismtravel #autismfamily #floridavacation
Today we spent a few hours at the @theater_ofthe_s Today we spent a few hours at the @theater_ofthe_sea. After exploring the animals and watching a bird show, the boys all went swimming in their beach front area.  They were able to do a little snorkeling while I relaxed in the shade. 
We worked up quite the appetite and headed over to one of our favorite places in Islamorada,  @wahoosbarandgrill The food and drinks were delicious as always! I highly recommend the shrimp fajita wrap! Our waiter Fernando was awesome too! 
Our day wouldn’t be complete without stopping at @shellworldflkeys for a little shopping! 
There are so many places to explore in the keys, we missed a few other favorite spots, we hope to have time to go again before we leave the area.  Overall, We had a really nice day in the key’s. 
#islamorada #wahoosbarandgrill #shellworldkeylargo #theatrebythesea #floridakeys #vacation
It’s just a little hot here in Florida 🔥😂☀️ Luckily we were able to enjoy a few hours in the pool today.  I hope you all had a wonderful day! #poolday #family #floridafun
We had an awesome first full day of our vacation! We had an awesome first full day of our vacation! We took the boys to a trampoline park and they had a great time! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! #jump #familytime #floridavacation
We are here ❤️ Now the fun really begins! Have We are here ❤️ Now the fun really begins! Have a great evening! #roadtrip #vacationvibes #florida
We got into Florida around 11:30. A quick stop at We got into Florida around 11:30.  A quick stop at Buc-ees and we’re back on the road.  Another 4 hours to go! #floridavacation #roadtrip
Good morning from the backseat again! 😂. Everyo Good morning from the backseat again! 😂. Everyone slept well last night, and we are on the road again! See you soon Florida! #roadtrip #floridabound
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