Deb looks back at 2013 …..

Deb's Digest Blog

Every year is amazing… is it not? Things you expected, things you didn’t, the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. 2013 was no different. Personally it was a much more difficult year than I would have liked, but that’s part of living! As I reflect back, much of the year now blends/blurs together. Here are a few miscellaneous thoughts …… These are not all inclusive, far from it, but some things I’d like to share.

Team All Ears
The year began with Team AllEars running strong during the WDW Marathon Weekend in January. This amazing group of folks raised over $78,000 to fight breast cancer and continued to make themselves healthier! A fantastic group of folks with hearts bigger than you can imagine.

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Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
In May, I participated in the Washington DC Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. 13 miles on Saturday and 13 miles on Sunday. You all have been tremendous supporters of my efforts and always come through when I hold my Collectables for a Cause Auctions!!!!! Thank you!

With your help and that of Team AllEars, I reached the $500,000 mark in donations raised since 2001. Here I am with Elosie Caggiano, the head of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

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Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
I loved the Flower and Garden Festival this year and especially enjoyed the addition of the food and beverage kiosks. They weren’t over whelming but added a nice touch to spending a few hours enjoying the beautiful flowers and topiaries! Plus, I got to share the Festival Try It Foods with 2 of my favorite kids!

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Limited Time Magic
The Disney Parks theme of 2013 was Limited Time Magic (LTM). I really enjoyed some of it, others I thought were lacking. While I didn’t necessarily mind the merchandise LTM, I felt it really overshadowed the entire experience. My favorite part was the special Character Meet and Greets. In fact my favorite moment was during Long Lost Friends #2 when I did a virtual ride on Splash Mountain with Brer Bear and Brer Fox.

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I love Animal Kingdom
and taking photographs in the park.

In February I was so thrilled to see both Collared Lemurs out and about. In my many many visits to Animal Kingdom, I think I have only seen them 3 or 4 times.

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This is one of the Cotton-top Tamarin that I took in April, when the exhibit reopened.

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Raglan Road

In March I began my love affair with Raglan Road I had gone once when it first opened and didn’t have such a great experience. I can’t even tell you why… and from then on when someone said “Let’s dine at Raglan Road”, I gave it an immediate thumbs down. But in March, a colleague invited me to experience Raglan Road during the official Mighty Festival for St. Patrick’s week. Well, that’s all it took. I fell in love with the whole experience (and it is an experience). From the music (sometimes live) to the incredible dancers, to the food it’s now on my “Let’s Go” list, instead of thumbs down.

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Adventures by Disney Scotland!
By far, the best Disney part of 2013 was taking the Adventures by Disney to Scotland. I know I kept promising to blog about it but everytime I started, it was overwhelming. It was an AllEars hosted Adventure with the help from our friends at MouseFanTravel!

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Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival
The Cranberry Bog – Yes, I put on those heavy rubber waders and went into the Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog during the Food and Wine Festival. What a fun experience that was indeed!

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As I said at the top, there was so so much that I experienced in 2013 (Disney Fantasy Cruise, D23 Expo and Disneyland, weekly visits to my laughing place) I couldn’t possibly mention everything.

I do want to take the time to thank all of you for being such wonderful AllEars fans. It is always a pleasure meeting you.

I also want to thank everyone who works for AllEars and the advertisers that support the website and newsletter.

I’d like to end with this….

I played around with some photo collage programs and this might just be my favorite.

It’s from the July 4th Voices of Liberty Show at the American Gardens Theater.

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May 2014 be the best year yet. I wish you all a Happy New Year – one filled with precious memories, health, and happiness.

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5 Replies to “Deb looks back at 2013 …..”

  1. Happy New Year Deb and the whole team! Thank you for all that you put into this website. I look forward to logging on each day. Here is to another year of pixie dust and anything Disney! Cheer! :o)

  2. Happy New Year Deb.

    Thank You for all the work you do to keep this site updated and filled with current information. I’m an ALLEARS “lifer” meaning I’ll be visiting this site until I can’t!

    Your PA friend

  3. Happy New Year Deb and Linda! You bring so much joy with your meets, newsletter and just plain being you. I’m so proud to call you a friend. Until we meet again.