Rescue

 So it wasn't enough that on the way down to Mexico on our cruise, we were able to rescue four people.  A few days later, on our way back from Mexico, we felt the boat turning, and sure enough, another "boat" was spotted in the water.  After altering our course and careful observation by the officers, it was determined that the raft was empty, there was no one to rescue, and the "vessel" would be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Wouldn't it be great if we were always aware of what goes on around us and on the lookout for someone who might need rescuing?  And wouldn't it even be neater if we knew that no matter what they were doing, that somebody would always be around to rescue us if we needed it?

Maybe that's the point of rescue - there is Someone out there - we just need to trust that He will be there when we need Him!

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Today's blessings:  beautiful day at sea; Palo brunch

Wednesday

Tonight:  Palo, which is Remy's little sister.  Which means there are fewer courses but with more plates because you keep choosing everything on the menu.  Which also means that on Friday when we arrive at Castaway Cay, there will be a whale sighting:

I just realized that tomorrow is brunch at Palo.   This is going to get even worse ...

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Today's blessings:  another great cruise day

Tuesday

Tonight was all about Remy, which you should know about if you've traveled on the Disney Dream or Fantasy.  If you haven't, then let's just say it's a surefire way to induce a food coma.  Basically, it's a 5-ish course meal (or more if you add the pre-dinner cocktail and the cheese wagon course and the post-dessert kicker).  I ate buffalo and quail and maybe fish and pork and who knows what else.  But perhaps some photos will explain better:

 

Besides, I need to keep up my strength, in case I need to point out some people in the water to rescue (yes, that was our ship, and yes, I saw the boat - after the announcement was made over the loudspeaker).

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Today's blessings:  another great day on the cruise!

Monday

 

So apparently this will be the cruise where I didn't take any pictures.  Thank goodness my nephew David is on the cruise and will take great pictures that he will then transfer to my computer!!

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Today's blessings:  beautiful day at Cayman Islands; princess time with Lindley

Sunday

Go to Royal Court for breakfast and have omelet.  Go to DVC Member meeting and listen to spiel and play games and have a few mimosas. Go to Gold/Platinum reception and have snacks and mimosas and Bellinis.  Go to lunch in Royal Court and have some kind of fish dish.  Wait with Lindley for photos with the princesses.  Go to High Tea with the ladies and eat finger sandwiches and scones and cute little desserts, all while drinking tea.  Go to dinner in Enchanted Garden and have another fish dish and an appetizer that I don’t remember.  Meet up with Lindley and her parents and go to Cabanas and have a cup of soup.  Return to room to put on  stretchy pants and babysit.

Still no pictures – I can’t hold a spoon/fork and take pictures at the same time!

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Today's blessings:  good food, good times with family; cute Everley pictures

Saturday

Load up the car with 6 large suitcases and 6 small.  Load up Steve, Luanne, Molly, John, Anne, David, and Michael into the car.  Meet Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley at the airport.  Unload bags and check in at DCL desk.  Wait for bus, get on, and head to port.  Get off bus at port and wait to board.  Board ship and head to lunch.  

We’re on vacation!!  (Sorry for the lack of pictures – loading and unloading people and suitcases was enough for today!)

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Today's blessings:  boarding the Disney Fantasy!

In Training

For the cruise, that is.  As any seasoned WDW goer knows, it might behoove you to check periodically for reservations at Le Cellier, the steak place in Canada.  Other than Cindy's Place, it's probably the hardest place to score a meal.  So, imagine my surprise when just a few days ago, I was playing Dining Roulette online with Disney Dining and up popped a reservation for four at Le Cellier for lunch - that is, if I was willing to imagine lunch being at 2:35 pm.  Naturally I nabbed it, not knowing which three other lucky ducks would be dining with me.

Fast forward to today.  At 2:30, we (that would be me, Nephews David and Michael, and Brother John as in relative brother not religious Brother) stepped in the celler and dined.  We trained for the cruise by eating two orders of their delicious breadsticks, shared a bowl of potato soup and an order of macaroni and cheese, and finished out lunch with filets and our choice of side items (french fries, macaroni and cheese, and/or risotto).  By the time we were finished, we needed a scooter to haul our butts back up to the main drag of Epcot.

But we're ready for Remy and Palo and The Enchanted Garden and Animators Palate and Cabanas and Royal Court.  And of course the ice cream place.

Now to figure out where can I rent that scooter aboard ship ....

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Today's blessings:  a tediously slow mile and a quick swim at Pop Century; Epcot-ing with the Lewis family; Le Cellier; chatting with Maribeth and pics of Everley; safe travel to Orlando for Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, and Molly

Let the Vacay Begin!!

Left a den looking like this, with a dumpster scheduled for delivery, hoping that Remodel Man Bill will tear it all out for reconstruction.  Moved the litter box from upstairs, hoping Maggie and Minnie are smart enough to figure out where it is (odds aren't too great for that mental feat).  Finally got enough stuff in the suitcase (still need to do a little shopping in Orlando) to get me through the next week. 

So, I guess I'm ready for vacation?

I guess I had better be, because I'm sitting at the Nashville airport waiting for my flight south.  I am planning to blog about this adventure everyday, so I thought I would introduce you to my cast of characters.

Arriving today around noonish will be Steve and me.  Steve will mostly be by the pool (any pool), so I can probably just take one picture that will pretty much represent each day for him.  We will pick up the mini van and head to Pop Century for a few days (staying there so my nephew David can view the progress on Art of Animation resort, which unfortunately won't open until the end of this month).

Arriving this evening around 5:30ish will be my brother John, his wife/my sis-in-law Anne, and their two sons David (20) and Michael (17).  They will join us at Pop Century, and an assortment of 4 of us will eat at LeCellier tomorrow for lunch.


Arriving Friday night will be Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, and Molly (by the way - Happy Birthday Molly!) - you should know who they are.  Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley will check into the Airport Hyatt for the night and we'll pick up Molly for a night at the Pop.

Saturday morning Steve, John, Anne, David, Michael, Molly, and me (hence the reason for the mini van) will head to the airport to meet up with Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley and check in for our Disney Cruise Line bus to the port.  (Yes, for all you DCL experts, it would probably be cheaper to rent a limo, but we have several first-time cruisers, and I wanted them to have the whole experience).  Once we get to the port, we will check in, board the ship, and begin our week of fun, sun, and food!!

Let the vacay begin!!

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Today's blessings:  Molly Morgan Davidson - 26 years ago today!!

Once Upon Time There Was A Tree

It was a nice tree.  In 2010, it was supposed to get a "trim" for a backyard wedding.  Instead, it got a butchering.  The wedding went on as planned, although the tree had no chance to offer any shade, as all its leafy branches were cut off by complete idiots who were posing as tree people.

The next year, the tree tried to recover and offered a few green shoots to perhaps suggest that it might come back.  Alas, it was not to be.

This year, the tree gave up.  And so the owners, who were very sorry that they had ever tried to consider trimming the tree in the first place, decided to put the tree out of its misery. And then there was no tree.

And although there was no longer a tree, the memories of the tree will always be there.  Memories of a swing that Opie the dog used to chase and catch.  Memories of grass that wouldn't grown under the tree because the tree was too shady.  And memories of a warm October wedding that was still beautiful under a tree that deserved better.

Good bye tree and thanks for the memories - they were all great!

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Today's blessings:  walky-talky with KB at the park; talking to Contractor Scott and Bill; Urban Timber dudes; cruise chatting; picking up Lindley at school

There's An Echo In My Den

The upstairs and den have been cleaned out, boxed up, and stored in the storage unit.  I would take pictures to show you, but my arms refuse to lift - I had to lie on the floor in order to brush my teeth.  Now all I have to do is pack for my Disney vacay that starts on Thursday.  I sure hope the clothes I need are in the bottom drawers ...

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Today's blessings:  4 miles with KB; finishing clearing out the rooms; Arby's cashier, chicken salad sandwich, and orange cream shake; finalizing various Disney plans

Cosmic Unanswerable Questions

Today as I loaded yet more junk in boxes to take to the storage unit, I thought to myself, "What if the entire storage unit burned to the ground with my junk in it?"  I was not alarmed at the thought.  My next thought was, "Then why in the blue blazes and I keeping so much of this junk?"

Of course, I knew yet refused to answer my own question.  Which led me to think about other questions that I probably could (and do) ask myself, often knowing the answer yet acting as though there is no answer.  Some of these questions are:

1.   Why, if I know all the rules of dieting and know which ones work for me, am I not busting my rump getting with the (or any) program?

2.   If I know what I want and my voice still works, why do I not say what I want out loud to whomever seems to be in the way of my getting what I want?

3.   If the potato chips are in the kitchen and I know I shouldn't eat them and I don't even really like them, then why do I get a hankering which turns into "I must eat them NOW" kind of thing?

4.   Why do men not get the concept of a clean and sanitary bathroom nor understand how that concept can be achieved?

5.   Why does January seem to turn into May overnight, yet the time between the point you disrobe to put on the paper gown and when your gynecologist appear seem like an eternity?

6.   Does deciding to no longer color your hair an example of laziness, cheapness, or being comfortable with your own body image?

There are probably many other questions that I should be asking myself, but it's probably time I really started answering the questions I have.  I would, but I have other stuff to do.  Like pack boxes and go eat the rest of those wretched chips.

It's a vicious cycle, people!!

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Today's blessings:  working out with KB at the park; clearing out more of the upstairs; picking up Lindley from school and reading Curious George books; afternoon rain; pictures and phone chat with Maribeth; clean driveway via Bill Crocs

I Hate Stuff

As I am packing up my college annuals, six kabillion un-albumed photos, and various other things that once lived in my den but now must be packed into storage so that the aforementioned den can get a face lift, I realize how much stuff I have.  Of course, this would be a good time to go through it all and purge.  But that would be overwhelming and frustrating and exhausting.

Instead, when the den/upstairs overhaul is complete (sometime in the year 2020), I shall go though every piece of treasure that I have so lovingly thrown in a box with absolute disregard and decide that piece's fate.

I smell a yard sale a'coming ...

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Today's blessings:  6 miles with the Karens, Sharon, and Cindy; breakfast at Athens with KB and the waitress who forgot us; KB and her little red truck; Sam helping with storing stuff; Lindley time; phone chat with MB; chatting with Ned and Allison and their sweet gift for fence work; Molly and Steve cooking dinner; finalizing 3-Day travel plans

The Time Next Week ...

I will have ridden this:

In order to board this:

However, in the next several days, I need to lose 25 pounds 

to make up for the 30 I will probably gain due to eating this: 

 I also need to clean my house, because when I return I will no longer 

have my new friends to clean my room twice a day and turn down my bed:

It's going to be a busy week ...

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Today's blessings:  Saturday morning shopping; visiting Rambo and Blackie; Pie in the Sky with Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, and Steve; Everley pics sent by her mom; getting stuff boxed up; afternoon rain

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow - Housewise, That Is

We are on the cusp of some house renovating.  Mainly it's the upstairs that needs it.  When we bought this house back in the Dark Ages, it had stairs leading up to the attic.  Unlike the knuckleheads on House Hunters who apparently can not only buy a house but have oodles of money left over for major renovations, when we bought the house we used up all our available money just getting into the house.  It took us several years to save enough pennies to turn the upstairs into actual living space.

When that time came, of course we hired the cheapest home renovators possible.  There were issues of putting drywall on backwards (which happens when your workers do not speak or read English), the disappearance of the work permit they supposedly obtained, and the lack of a dumpster which facilitating them strewing construction debris all over my front yard.  If only Uncle Jed had come by and checked up on the boy.

Anyhow, it ended up being perfectly fine for Maribeth and Molly who were in middle school at the time.  Jethro Inc decided that they could not put a full bath upstairs, but the half bath worked fine except for the time that Maribeth would not get out of the bathroom and Molly decided to kick a hole in the door.  Not to worry, though, because Jethro Inc also decided that the roof/ceiling was too pointy and they would not be able to put doors on the bedrooms which actually saved a lot of teenager door slamming, but it would have been nice to have at least a closet door - the bedroom closet that ended up being out in the hall.

Anyhow, after the teenager/college years, both girls eventually grew up and moved into their own homes, leaving the upstairs in need of a facelift, which is where we are now.    It is great to think of an upstairs with no stains on the carpet, maybe even some doors, and drywall that is not cracked and falling off.  Those happy thoughts are what is getting me through this part - the packing up and moving stuff out of the upstairs and den (which is being included in this reno because of its location under Molly's old room).  I have had to move the 385 piece sectional and the 593 pound television and am currently packing up the 6 billion DVDs and books that were on the shelves in the den.  Of course all this moving and packing facilitated the renting of a storage unit, which I swore I would never rent again - another lesson to keep my mouth shut and never say never.

Anyhow, it looks like it's going to be a fun couple of months.  Or years, depending on how long this reno takes.  I just hope I remember to request a steel door on the bathroom - you never know when Molly might want to spend the night ...

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Today's blessings:  working out with KB at the park; Bill Cox helping move the sectional into the living room; Steve, Sam, and Bill Cox moving giant TV to the living room; boxing up stuff; KB stopping by for garage sale crap; Sam picking up burritos for dinner; Molly bringing lunch; Lindley time; pictures of Everley in Wyoming sent by Maribeth

What Can You Theoretically Do Without?

Since it seems like only this morning that I last blogged (but it was yesterday - check the date), I thought I would elaborate on yesterday's (theoretically) topic.  Maybe it's because without the TV blaring, I seem to have extra time on my hands, or that if I blog now, then theoretically I have REASON and not an EXCUSE to ignore that chore list I have.  As you can tell, I like theories - they keep me from doing real stuff.

Anyhow, I thought I would list stuff that I would like to give up one day.  And maybe a list that I would like to give up on an even later day, but that might only happen when I get to Heaven.   So here goes:

List Number One:  Things That I Would Like To Give Up (but it ain't gonna happen this week)

1.  Diet Coke/Coke Zero/Diet Dr. Pepper.  Yes, I would like to be one of those people who drinks water.  At every meal.  And in between.  Because it is better for their bodies.  But right now I am thrilled that I am down to one a day.  Because six a day seemed a bit excessive.  And if I went cold turkey right now, I'm pretty sure my head would explode.

2.  Dressing like I'm entering a bag lady fashion show.  My theory is "if it fits and feels good, wear it."  I do have a few limits but those limits are pretty wide (as is my posterior, which could account for my fashion tastes).  Most of my wardrobe consists of workout capris (whose biggest workout is getting over my hips) and either a race t-shirt or a polo that probably has some grease stain on the front.  I compliment the outfit with either flip flops of various style statements or bare feet.  Maybe I just need the gun for the perfect accessory ...

3.  Buying excessive crap, particularly Disney crap.  I'm sorry, but have you met me?  Yes, I could save a lot of money.  Yes, I could have much less doo-dad clutter in my house.  But this should probably be on the "When I Get To Heaven" list, because I just don't see it happening. Besides, how else is Lindley going to fund her college education on her one share of Disney stock if LaLa doesn't keep contributing to Disney revenue?

 4.  Mayonnaise.  Frankly, I could put it on everything, but I also think it's sort of gross when you see some on the outside of the jar and it's sort turned all greasy.  And I thought it was bad for you until I read this.  So now I'm all confused as to whether it's good or bad.    And now I've found out that you can purchase hair mayonnaise which seems even grosser.  I still think I'll give it up, probably before the Diet Coke/Coke Zero/Diet Dr Pepper - although after all this mayonnaise talk, I feel sorta sickly.

5.  My flowery dress.  It's in my closet.  I've had for a very long time.  I've never worn it.  Like so many other things, I bought it because one time I had a goal of actually fitting in to it.  It's probably out of style (for me, a non-issue), but I still have a dream of wearing it.  Wearing it to where is a whole other question, since I can think of no one who would choose to be seen with me in that outfit (although it might be a trade-up from the dirty t-shirt).  Maybe it will be my victory dress because I will finally be able to put more than my pinky finger through the waistline.  But I also think that one day I will have to pass it along.  I'm sure there's a bag lady somewhere that might want it.  Or not.

Anyhow, that's about all that I can think of that I could do without but just not do without right now.  For today, not having my third Diet Dr Pepper of the day with Jack McCoy is enough of a challenge!!

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Today's blessings:  2 miles with KB; planning home improvements with Bill Crocs; getting started on unloading the upstairs

What Can You Really Do Without?

I always like it when I can steal an idea for a blog post from somebody else.  Today I've noticed a few links where people list the top ten or more things they can do without.  I started thinking about all the things I could do without - but refuse to do without.  Herein lies my dilemma - if I can do without them (and probably would do better without them), when why don't I do without them?  Good question!

So, in my unending attempt to get my dookey together, I decided to make a list of things that not only can I do without, but will now attempt to do without.  It's going to be a small list - mainly because I really want it to work.

1.  Watching TV 24 hours a day.  Okay, so maybe I don't watch it that much, but I do watch it a lot.  I watch it when I am doing stuff around the house because I like the distraction.  I watch it when I want to take a nap because it occupies my brain so that it is lulled into sleep.  (Note to family - this does not count the hours spent watching Rapunzel with Lindley - that would be Lindley time which is exempt from any rules).  Anyhow, I figure I will limit myself to a max of 3 hours a day.  That gets in prime time or a movie.  And perhaps a few of my brain cells will regenerate.  Oh, and there will be no rollover minutes.

2.  Eating food just because it is available in my kitchen.  Perhaps this could be a roadblock in my never-ending weight loss plan?  Here's the deal:  It is mealtime (somewhere in the world) and I decide that it is time to eat.  I go to my kitchen in search of food and end up eating junk that is there, rather than try to create a healthy, edible meal.  Last night I had some kind of pita/dip frozen food thing that was in the freezer (wasn't a fan but I ate it anyway), followed by pretzels with my own dip of mayo/ketchup/mustard, followed by a rather inedible burger (broiled and then put on a stale bun).  Instead I should have taken the time and fixed something yummy.  Perhaps that would have prevented my inhaling the chocolate Kisses that someone left on the counter.  So, I will now attempt to make a meal rather than just eat what's there.  This is going to involve a trip to the dreaded grocery store ...

3.  Excuses, excuses, excuses.  Making is excuses is one of my greatest talents.  I don't push myself when working out/wogging because I am afraid of injuring myself/I am tired/it is hot/it is cold/it is raining somewhere in the world.  I don't thoroughly clean/pick up/organize my house because I have something else I have to do (like next week or next month or next year).  I don't do (fill in the blank) because (fill in another blank).  This madness must end!  Therefore, I shall put forth new effort and energy into doing and not excusing.  Wish me luck!

This list was much harder than I thought because of the "can do without, so do without" theory.  But maybe if I get these three under my belt, I can keep the forward motion into doing more.

Now, what to do since the TV is off - clean or cook?  At least I'm up to date on the blogging front!!

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Today's blessings:  Mathieu, Maribeth, and Everley's safe travel to Wyoming; working out with KB at the park; picking up Lindley at school and going to the park; Bill Crocs moving the fence; tree dude planning for tree work in yard

It's Tuesday (although it's really Thursday)

Yes people, it is again Tuesday/Thursday.  I once again have gotten severely behind in my literary efforts.  And while I have searched both my recent photographs and scoured the internet for cute kitten pictures, I have instead decided to blog.  Mainly because I may need that for my Wednesday/Thursday post.

Anyhoo, I would love to have an excuse, but I don't.  It's sort of like wishing for any excuse for not doing something - losing weight, exercising, cleaning the house, etc.  The only true excuse is this - I'm too tired/lazy/watching a Law and Order marathon to make myself do it.

But that's the reason I insist on having a daily post, even if it is a few days late.  Because if I waited until I had something worthy (at least in my opinion), then there were never be any posts.

So, what shall I leave you with today?  Here are three blogs that I read that inspire me:

   Camille, a former middle-school student of mine who is now a 3rd grade teacher, writes about learning to cook the way her granny does.

   Sam, my son, writes about everything.  You can also get a Daily Dose of Sam by subscribing on his website.

   Denise, whom I've never met but we share a particular affection for all things Disney, writes about and shares pictures about the amazing quilting that she does.  It's like looking in an art gallery.

I have some others that I read, but maybe these will keep you busy while I'm looking for a kitten in a paper bag video!

P.S. A special shout-out to my friend Anita who inquired about my well-being - isn't it great to have such good friends?!!  And Everley, who apparently asked her mother to text about the absence of my blogs!

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Today's blessings:  Giving a pint at the Red Cross; sitting with Everley while her parents pack for their trip; 4 miles with KB; picking up Lindley at school and going to the park

Bloom Where You Are Planted

A few years ago, we hired a dude to come in and plant some stuff (I think they call it landscaping).  He planted some hydrangeas at the front of the house, since they were "Endless Summer" hydrangeas, I looked forward to pretty flowers all summer.

That first year, I had a few blooms, but didn't expect much since they were new.  But the next year and for the next several years, I began to wonder if I had the "End of Summer" variety, since I was lucky to have even one bloom by the end of the year.  Last year I waited and waited, only to have one puny little flower in early fall.

Yes, I did my research.  I googled and looked up websites and asked the landscape dude.  I tried to figure out why my hydrangeas didn't bloom.  But I could find no resolution to the non-blooming problem. I was about ready to just dig them out and try something else.

Then, the other day I looked out my front window and was greeted by Hydrangea Heaven.  Not only did I see the beginning bud of a flower, but I saw several.  This week the blooms have been popping out all over. I wish I could say I knew why they bloomed this year.  I wish I could say it was something I had figured out and fixed.  But I can't.  For some reason, this year they finally decided to bloom.

I guess the lessons to the hydrangeas are simple - I'll bloom/perform when I'm ready, and not a second sooner, and when I'm ready, I'll knock your socks off.  If you're patient with me, I'll surprise you with what I can do.  I will live up to my name/my purpose, if you will just give me the time to get my act together.  Have faith in me - the me that I should be is in there somewhere.

Wait - I was talking about the hydrangeas, right?

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Today's blessings: safe travel back for the Ms and E; safe travel for Steve to FL; getting task completed

Happy Mother's Day!

This is what happens when mom's blessings multiply!

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Today's blessings:  Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, Maribeth, Mathieu, Everley, and Molly - always!!

Mother's Day Eve

The little joys of being a mom, that don't stay little long.

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Today's blessings;  7.75 miles and Bongo Java with KB and Molly; spending the day with all the family; pizza party dinner

Friday

Okay, so I accomplished this ...

 

So I decided I needed to do this ...

This may even be on the agenda ...

It's been a busy week ...

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Today's blessings:  working out with KB at the park; sweet card from Kay; visiting Everley and her parents; Wal-Marting and Wendying with Steve

Thursday

I still should be unpacking this ...

 

but instead I will choose to do this ...

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Today's blessings:  slow three miles with KB; spending the day with Everley

Wednesday

 I should be unpacking this ...

I think I'll do this instead ...

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Today's blessings:  Steve's safe travel home; being at home; Lindley and Lynnette visit; car wash people

Home. Yay!!

Well, we made it home.  It only took eight kagillion hours and we only made six kabillion stops for food, gas, diaper changes, meltdowns, and Redbox movies.  We had great driving weather and shared the road with mostly sane drivers.  The car didn't explode with all its contents now we get to unpack and really realize what we bought.

We were all glad to be home, but I think Everley was the most excited - when we took her out of her car seat at home for the final time, she had not only pooped, but pooped out of her diapers - all the way up to her armpits!  Now that's happy to be home!!

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Today's blessings: safe road trip home; Molly coming over to unload the car; Maribeth picking up dinner

If It's Monday, I Must Be In Canada

At least for lunch, anyway.  At Epcot.  Maribeth, Everley, and I dined on steak, potato soup, risotto, and chocolate mousse (just to name a few things) before walking through the butterfly house.  Then it got a little warm and Everley decided she had had enough and it was time to call it a day, just after a cast member asked me if Everley was my first - I told her no, that I had another granddaughter at home, to which she replied, "Oh, a granddaughter."  I'm not sure how crazy she thought I was, although if I were crazy enough to have a baby at 54, then bringing a 5-week-old to Epcot just might make sense.

Anyhow, since getting back to the resort, I have been working on loading the car with all our "treasures."  There's hope we will have just enough room to squeeze ourselves in tomorrow and go home.  Here's to hoping the car won't pop open and spew our stuff along the road on the ride back!!

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Today's blessings:  Epcot and Le Cellier with Maribeth and Everley; safe travel for Steve and Molly; dude at Osprey Ridge; loading the car

My Disney Weekend

Expedition Everest Challenge and Mickey Bars and Pooh - Oh my!

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Today's blessings:  MK and Crystal Palace with Steve, Molly, Maribeth, and Everley; Molly taking care of shopping errands; Steve bringing Mickey Bar

And God Said, "Let Them Be Friends"

Many moons ago - okay, in 1957 - God decided to create an unusually good crop of girls.  He gave each of them many special talents and qualities that He knew would make them unique.  Two of the girls He created that year - one in May and one in August - were given a special blessing.  God decided that even though he had created them in families who lived very far part, one day they would meet and become friends.  And one day, they did.

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Karen - your friendship was certainly worth the wait, and truly a special blessing in my life!!

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Today's blessings:  Shopping with Maribeth, Molly, and Everley; Expedition Everest with Steve and Molly; seeing Aisling at the last clue location

Friday

Everley took us to Epcot for the Flower and Garden Festival, where she encouraged us to buy this (among other things):

Can't wait until we see what she wants us to purchase tomorrow!!

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Today's blessings:  shopping with Maribeth, Molly, and Everley; 5 year bonus for Expedition Everest 5K; getting burger with Steve; elevator people interactions