After the Dark, Is the Light

Happy Friday Friends!!!  The sun is shining, I'm in a good mood and I woke up today feeling like a giant weight had been lifted off my shoulders.  Obviously, August 13th has become a very hard day for me, but I never seem to realize how much it weighs on me until it's past me once again.  I've been trying to get stuff accomplished all week... and instead, I've had a Manifest marathon on the couch most afternoons.  Still, this morning I woke with a bit of pep in my step that I definitely haven't had.

And it's a beautiful day for other reasons too.  While we obviously aren't at it this year, the 2026 D23 Expo begins today.  I'm sad that we're missing it... especially since a few of my favorite companies are on to the show floor this year.  (Little Words Project, Girls Crew, Her Universe, Build-A-Bear, Cakeworthy, Crocs, RSVLTS, Spirit Jersey... etc.)  There are also all of the Disney shopping experiences... including my favorite Mickey's of Glendale- which always has the Imagineering stuff.  Then there's the artwork, the walk-through experiences, the exhibits, the panels, the big theme park announcements, the fashion show, the costumes and the fans.  It's always a magical weekend.  

Photo Source

I'm definitely a little but bummed that Eliot and I weren't able to make it work, but our trip to London and our upcoming cruise were more important to us this year.  And I did find someone on eBay who was doing a pre-sale of the few Sorcerer Mickey Imagineering items that I absolutely had to have from Mickey's of Glendale.  At this point, the greatest merchandise that we're missing out on is the Duffy & Friends collection also available at MOG.  But I'm hopeful that it will find it's way to us if it's meant to be!

And speaking of our upcoming cruise... today was our check-in date!  This morning, I got our shiny new passports ready and completed that.  Now we're just waiting on someone to verify our photos and documents and we're all set!  Only 34 more days!!! 

Photo Source- Disney Cruise App

As if that wasn't amazing enough, I also got an email from one of my favorite small shops that they just released two new Disney cruise hair clips.  It was literally sent right after all of our cruise check-in emails from Disney, and it made me giggle at the timing.  I guess the universe is telling me to order those for our cruise!

Another half an hour later, I got an email from Little Words Project about a Mickey & Minnie Mouse collection being dropped on Monday with new bracelets, necklaces, a ring and a few bag charms... and some of them are rainbow!!!  Oh my dear wallet, I'm so sorry.  Perhaps it's a good thing we're not at the D23 Expo this weekend... 

Photo Source- Email From Little Words Project

Anyways... I just wanted to pop in quickly to document today and the lightness that I'm feeling.  Maybe it's just because the rest of the week has felt so heavy.  Or maybe the universe really knew I needed some light after all of the dark.  

Whatever it is... I'm grateful for it. °o°