Introducing Sunkissed Wishes Travel

Hello Lovely Readers,

Here I go again. Cross Professional Business Services, or Cross Pro Biz, was supposed to be my last company. The one I could retire from. Having a bookkeeping and accounting company seemed the way to go just a couple of months after I became a widow. We were deep into the pandemic, so I researched what I could comfortably do from home. I knew wedding planning was out of the question, but what else was I qualified to do? I went back to school for a year and earned a vocational accounting certificate at my old community college, relearning the basics and diving into new innovations since I last ran a business. However, I really never had a passion for it. I mean, I like the idea of helping women business owners and all that. I was even flirting with the idea of coaching a couple of years ago, but I could never figure out a niche that would work for me. That was then. 

Then, a couple of months ago, I was scrolling through socials, and I saw an ad about the travel business, and I was like, "Oh my God, yes!" I do love to travel, and I have been in the travel/hospitality business for most of my adult life. Being a travel agent/advisor never dawned on me while I was doing the research in the winter of 2021. I mean, we were deep, deep in COVID, and traveling was not on my radar. But the more I thought about it, the more I researched it, the more I realized that yes, this is something that I can get behind and be passionate about. 

I have always loved to travel, but I just haven't done as much recently. What kinda fired me up was taking my son on a cruise in June 2025. The passion was always there, but I just pushed it down. I lost my glimmer. I finally reawakened it, and I have discovered myself again.

After reminding myself how much I love to travel, how I love all things Disney, and how I really enjoy going to places by myself. I have decided to start a new business all over again from scratch, and follow a long-dormant passion of mine, and make a living doing it. I'm super excited about this new venture!

The name of my travel company is Sunkissed Wishes. The idea is based on pursuing sunny{sunkissed} locations with a bit of Disney whimsy. What are your Sunkissed Wishes? It's my first business that is not named after a family member or myself: Me & My Sis Pet Sit {with my sister, obviously}, A Joyeux Day Weddings & Events {used my mom's middle name of Joy}, C & E Catering & Events {last name initials of my husband and me}, Cross Professional Business Services {my last name}.

I am going to niche down since there are so many options in the travel industry. I decided to focus on: planning Disney Vacations along with trips to Florida & California, plus warm and tropical places in the US, Caribbean, Mexico & Europe, especially island locations.

My ideal clients are solo women and Disney adults. I might full circle it and add honeymoons/destination weddings, but that's a whole market in itself.

In the meantime, I'll be chasing those Sunkissed Wishes...

Stay sunny🌞

Caricture via Chat GPT!

Lunar New Year

Hello Lovely Readers,

It's the year of the Fire Horse!

Every 60 years, or five cycles of the Chinese zodiac, the regular year of the horse becomes a rare, violate, high-energy Fire 

Symbolizing intense passion, rapid change, independent spirit, and potential disruption, favoring bold, action-oriented, and transformative pursuits. Historically, these years are associated with significant societal shifts. 

🔥The Fire element intensifies the Horse’s natural traits, leading to a dynamic, fast-paced, and sometimes chaotic year

🔥It is considered a time to break old patterns, embrace, and take risks. 

🔥 Encouraging confidence and speaking up for one's desires

The Fire 🐎 Woman

 @ China Pavilion, Epcot

A Fire Horse woman (born 1966, 2026) is characterized by a bold, independent, and passionate personality, often described as fiercely self-reliant, intelligent, and rebellious.

Due to the intense combination of the fire element and the horse sign, we are considered natural leaders, highly energetic, and driven, though historically criticized for being "too much" or defying traditional gender roles

Key Personality Traits

🔥 Fiercely independent, seeking freedom and rarely backing down from challenges

🔥 A high-energy, fiery, and sometimes volatile temperament

🔥 Sharp intellect & charisma

🔥 Rebellious & non-conformis, often challenging existing norms and societal expectations

🔥 Stubborn & headstrong

Strengths and Challenges 

🔥  Strengths: Courageous, fast-paced, magnetic, and highly productive in pursuing goals

🔥 Challenges: Potential for impatience, recklessness, and burning out due to excessive, fast-paced action.

Cultural Significance and Misconceptions 

🔥 The "Unlucky" Myth: Traditionally, this sign was considered unfavorable for women, with superstitions claiming they would bring bad luck to husbands or be unsuited for traditional marriage. 

🔥 The Reality: Modern interpretations see this as a symbol of power, independence, and strong leadership rather than bad luck. 

I was born at the tale end of the last 🔥 🐎 year. Which does mean I'll be 60 this year! Since I was a baby last time, I didn't realize any of this beforehand. 

And I will say, quite a bit of the Fire Horse Woman description does apply to me 😉 

Do you know your Chinese Zodiac sign?

Until next time

Stay Sunny 🌞 

Minnie Ear Collection

 Hello Lovely Readers,

So when I was growing up, Minnie Mouse earbands were not a thing! Of course, the classic cap with ears, on which you can have your name embroidered on the back in yellow. Although I can't remember if I got mine as a child or an adult. I really didn't have a desire to buy them until I became a passholder at Walt Disney World. Now, I feel naked going to the parks without them

And I do know I bought my first Minnie ears in 2024 on my second visit as a passholder. I purchased them at Animal Kingdom. They were less than $20 with any purchase. 

My first pair!

Mickey is embossed on the ears, and the bow is pink snake skin

Borrowed these

& these

Princess Ears

My 2nd pair. 

Their silhouettes are imprinted all over the ears 

Haunted Mansion ears

The Medusa portrait is in the center of the bow

 Cinderella's 70th Anniversary ears

They are SUPER heavy. The ears are hard plastic

These were less than $20, how could I not?

 Red sequin ears

EPCOT ears

The Epcot symbol is the center of the bow, and Mickey is dressed in clothes that match all the pavilions in EPCOT. This is the only selfie, because the Photo Pass photos did not capture enough detail

Yes, I'm eyeing a few more, but I can't have them all!

Do you have Minnie ears? How big is your collection?

Until next time

HRT

Hello Lovely Readers,

I started HRT last Monday. I have a twice weekly estrogen patch, and I am taking a progesterone capsule nightly

I was a little apprehensive about it, but I've almost gone a year without a period, and I don't really want to go without those ever so important hormones.

While in the throes of perimenopause I was also grieving the loss of my husband, so some things overlapped, and I couldn't really tell you what was what.

It's been almost five years since I lost him. I'm in a much better place emotionally, so some symptoms I've been experiencing I need to chalk it up to me being perimenopausal, and not grief

So let's see if they help with~

• Sleeping better
• Hot flashes
• Hair loss
• Peeing way too much
• A weird smell, like fryer grease
• Brain fog
• Forgetfulness 
• Mood swings
• Dry eyes
• Itchy skin
• Anxiety 
• Runny nose
• It probably won't solve, but I now have a gut

I'll get back to you about it...

xo,

Steph

Wicked

Hello Lovely Readers,

I just saw Wicked: For Good. There are very few films that I will go to on opening day/ weekend, anymore. I can wait a bit. However, I made an exception for the second Wicked. 

And I saw both of them in 3D. This time we received souvenir glasses, in pink or green

I was always a fan of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and watched the yearly showing with my mom, growing up.

I have yet to see the musical version of Wicked, because the first time it came to California, I was still mourning my mom...

I actually didn't attend a Broadway production for close to 20 years before seeing Hamilton, for the 1st time, in 2022.

Anyways, I loved the movie. I really didn't read spoilers for either before watching, but knew a couple of things beforehand.

Are you a fan? 

What movie brings you back to your childhood?

Until next time

 

Disney Birthday

Hello Lovely Readers,

The last time I spent my birthday at a Disney property was in 2001 at California Adventure during their opening year. 

Not sure if buttons were a thing then, but they are now, and it was fun wearing one for the day, even if it was a day late.

I couldn't go on my actual birthday since my pass is blocked out on weekends & Federal holidays. So on my actual birthday, October 13th, I ventured over to Disney Springs for a photo shoot, lunch at Earl of Sandwich, and a cookie at Gideon's before heading over to my off-property hotel.

My plan on the 14th was to rope drop Epcot and ride the Guardians of the Galaxy. Well, that didn't happen! I did get there right at opening but the wait was already at 105 minutes, and I had a breakfast reservation at The Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort at 10:45, so on to plan B.

While eating awesome macadamia nut pancakes with pineapple sauce and bacon, I came up with the plan to visit all four parks and use the four modes of transportation to travel to all of them. My car was parked at Epoct. 

While at each, I would get a photo at their icon with my button, then do a reverse one with my arms in the air. I also went on one ride, or went to a show at each park. I didn't since I was full from my delicious pancakes, and knew I was ending my night at Epcot. The Food & Wine was in full swing, and I was making my way through my list

       

I always take advantage of having a photopass, so besides these photos, I stood in line for character shots at Magic Kingdom & Epcot.

I also rode two roller-coasters, which I really shouldn't. Everest at Animal Kingdom & Guardians at Epcot.

A busy day, more hours than I usually stay, but all in all a fantastic, solo 59th birthday trip!

Instagram reel~ Birthday @ WDW

Until next time,

WDW 1st Visit

Epcot

 Hello Lovely Readers,

The first time I visited WDW was in 2022. I was at a Family Reunion, and only went to Animal Kingdom & Epcot, plus Disney Springs. Two parks that I heard a lot about, that really didn’t have an equal in California. 

Disney Springs 

I kinda went under duress, and didn’t do any reasearch and boy, did I miss out on a lot of things...

At Animal Kingdom, I completely missed the Tree of Life. I look back now and can't see how I did

I was with a group and was rushed around AK, and didn't really see much, even though we rope-dropped {didnt know that was a thing}, to go on Flight of Passage. We left early, because "not much to see"

It was my first time in Florida, and it was the middle of July, and I now know, but what the hell was up with the heavens opening up around 2 in the afternoon, and then suddenly stopping about two hours later??

At Epcot, we went in the afternoon to make our queue time at Guardians of the Galaxy. Was soaked, because of the aforementioned rain, and went into a fully air-conditioned building dripping wet.

Epcot

The Food & Wine was going on, so that was cool. Got the tip to buy a festival gift card to wear, so I didn't have to reach for my cc at every booth. I also had fun doing all the Kidcot activities, and checking out all the Pavillions

What I know now is

1. You need the app

2. You should have a magic band

3. A photopass/memory maker is so worth it!

4. Epcot has four festivals

5. Where the Tree of Life is

6. How cool Animal Kingdom is

7. I should have taken more pics

8. That Pandora in Animal Kingdom is really cool at night

9. I like all the different shows

10. Single Rider lines!

I learned there's quite a bit of a learning curve when it comes to Walt Disney World 

Stay ☀️ 

 

Written after becoming a passholder, and 3 years after the trip

Broadway in SWFL

I was able to catch five Boadway shows thus year. The closest theatre, The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, about 46 minutes away on a college campus. 

The first one of the 2024-2025 season that I went to was "Jersy Boys" with my boy. This one is close to my heart since they are the ones that wrote & sang my 1st dance song, " Can't Take My Eyes Of of You"

It was even more special because I got to go with my favorite date to his first Broadway Musical 

Next up, " Funny Girl"

I went a bit early and scored Rush tickets. A reduced price ticket, available a couple of hours before the show.

Then, the "Book of Morman" a very raunchy show, by the creators of "SouthPark"

"MJ" was a great show! 

The season finished with "Les Mis" on Easter. It was my first time seeing it. I didnt realize it was show without dialog. They sang everything. But wow, I understand why it's still touring.

Since I'm somewhat frugal, and sit in the nose bleed section, I invested in a pair of opera glasses so I can see some of the details from way up high.

Cant wait to see what's coming to town for 2025 2026.

The Everglades

Spring Break Fun in the Everglades 🐊🐍🌿🚤

My son is only un Florida for a week, and the Everglades are just 3 hours away, so we had to make time to go during the dry season

We visited Shark Valley. We got a bit of a late start so we were in line for over an hour, then we drove a few miles east of that & took an airboat ride

There's a gator among the lily pads, and our first sighting 

Yes, we were that close, and no there wasn't a fence

This one kinda scared us

On an airboat 

Just basking in the sun

Alligator sightings while gliding through the grass

A fun day with my favorite person learning about my adopted state's infamous wildlife.