Animal Kingdom!!

I would tell you about our day, but I think the pictures tell enough of the story.  And besides, I needed a nap once we got back to the hotel!!

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Today was a great day because:  Lynnette and I finally got the Magic Band/park ticket issue resolved; lunch at Tusker House; safari and seeing the tigers; afternoon naps; Epcot and Illuminations

Back To Reality - Or At Least Some Version Of It ...

Our girl cruise being over, we all had to leave the ship today.  Molly left first since she had an early flight out.  Lynnette, Lindley, and I hopped a bus for Bay Lake Towers at Disney World, since we decided they might as well spend the weekend there since Sam is out of town (we can just about justify any Disney vacation of any sort).  Maribeth, Everley, and Anne hopped a bus for the airport, but had a much later flight.  So long, Disney Dream - until next time!!

The Ls arrived at the resort and checked in - but our room wasn't ready.  No problem this time, since we were within walking distance to the MK.  We managed to store our bags with bell services (after a bit of natural confusion - after all, it's a Davidson trip).  We went to the MK, had some lunch, looked around a bit, and headed back to the hotel.  Since our room wasn't ready, we spent some time in the Community Hall room, coloring pictures and magnets and making a stencil t-shirt.  Finally we got the call and headed up to our room - to take a nap (after all, it's a Davidson trip).  And since the temperature was about 40 degrees cooler than yesterday, it was a great way to warm back up!!

Later we headed back to the Magic Kingdom for a bit of dinner and to watch the Electrical Parade and the fireworks (Lindley's first time for both).  Afterwards we headed back to the hotel to go to bed - well, at least until Steve arrived around 11:30pm. 

Tomorrow - more Disney!!

 

 

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Today was a great day because:  All the girls got safely to their destinations; lunch and dinner at the Magic Kingdom with Lindley and Lynnette; Electrical parade and Wishes watching; Steve's safe arrival at the hotel

Scenes From A Cruise

I just hope you can take the cuteness ...  and the jellus-ness!!

  

 

 

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Today was a great day because:  beautiful day at Castaway Cay!!

Princesses, Princesses, Everywhere!!

So Luanne, you've finished the Princess Half Marathon!  What are you going to do now??

Why, get more pictures of princesses, of course!!

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Today was a great day because:  Lindley and Everley time; and just about any day on a Disney cruise is a great day!!

Da, Da, Da, DONE!!

So, in the last seven weeks, I have done the following:

5Ks – 5 at 3.1 miles = 15.5 miles

10Ks – 3 at 6.2 miles = 18.6 miles

15K – 1 at 9.3 miles = 9.3 miles

Half Marathons – 4 at 13.1 miles = 42.4 miles

Marathon – 1 at 26.2 miles = 26.2 miles

According to my 3^rd grade math, this is a total of 122 miles.  If you figure my pace, it probably took seven weeks to complete.  At any rate, I am done – for a while.  And to commemorate this achievement, I am on a Disney cruise.  With these two (among others along for the ride), what better way to recuperate!

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Today was a great day because: I’m on a Disney cruise!!

Princess Half Marathon

Ugh.  Another early morning race at 5:30am.  But today was different, because we were going to have to catch a bus, since the main road to Epcot would be blocked off, thus preventing Steve from taking us to the start.  That translated to one thing - we were going to have to be on the bus AT FOUR AM.  You just decide which math you need to figure out what time we needed to get out of bed to perform all the activities needed to get on a bus at FOUR AM.  Again, I say – ugh.

But somehow we made it and could still form fairly intelligible sentences.  Anne, who arrived last night for two reasons:  1) to cheer us during the race, and 2) go on the cruise with us -  was going to get to sleep an hour later, since she didn’t have to be on the bus until 5am to get to her cheering positions.  Some days an hour extra sleep means more than other days …

Molly, Marilyn, Katie, and I found our starting corrals and eventually we were off.  It was still dark-thirty and warm and muggy (100% humidity).  Did I mention that 25,000 people do this race?  I would give you the statistics on how many people are behind me at the start (I got an early corral) and how many are behind me at the finish, but that might be depressing (mainly to me), so I won’t.  Let’s just say that I am not fazed by people passing me.

Soon the main gates of the Magic Kingdom were in sight – as was the winning runner lady as she was making her way to the finish line.  I think we were at Mile 2 and she was at Mile 10.  Oh well, hours later I was also at Mile 10 – tired, sore, and wet from sweat and the cups of water that I had poured over my head.  Eventually I found the finish line and got my medals (yup that’s right – medals).  Not only had I earned my Princess Half Marathon medal, but also the Glass Slipper Medal (for the 10K and the Half), and the Coast to Coast Medal Pink Edition (for doing the Tinkerbell Half in January and this one today).  And just to rub it in, I got a special lanyard for being a perfect princess (doing this race every year since its inception).  To put it bluntly, I was blinging.

Anyhow, today’s race is for my sort of unmet friend Sarah.  She friended me on facebook, mainly because she is Kat’s sister, and she was curious about who the heck I was.  She’s a runner and a wife and a new mommy (which she has used as some excuse for not doing some races, which I think is totally lame because I am also a new mommy –well maybe for 28 years a new mommy).  She’s been thinking about which half marathon to do, and of course I think she should talk her big sister into making another princess running outfit and both of them come down for the 2015 edition of this event.  But the biggest and most important thing about her is that she’s NEVER HAD A MICKEY BAR!!  Oh, the injustice of it all.  So she could remedy all of this by showing up at the start line next February.  Where I will wave as she and Kat kick up the dust to get to that finish line while I am still lacing up my shoes.  Oh well – at least she will finally get that Mickey bar!

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Today was a great day because:  we finished the Princess Half Marathon and headed for the cruise!!

Enchanted 10K

Today’s race started an hour earlier than yesterday – that would be 5:30am, for those of you so mathematically inclined. That meant that we needed to be out the door at 4:30, in order for Steve to drop us off in time for our record-breaking 10K (I’m not sure which records we would be breaking, but I’m sure there are some somewhere).

Anyhow, we managed to rouse ourselves, finish dressing ourselves (some of us prefer to sleep in most of our racing togs, as that saves valuable sleeping minutes on race day), and feed ourselves before getting in the car. Katie (who is residing in a room down the way with her mom Nancy), Molly, Marilyn (who is running for KB), and I loaded up, Steve took us to the drop-off place, we disembarked, and headed to the start. Where we waited for 45 minutes to actually cross the start line (10,000 divided into five corrals with an interval start between each one – well, that’s probably advanced calculus by now to figure out when exactly it was our turn to start). And once again, we got to see the winner finish before we even started.

Eventually we all did finally start and finish, in varying order (I won’t bother telling you what the finishing order was – I’ll just let you imagine who finished when). Because we are such sweet people, we did wait for each other after getting our medals, wristbands (because we are doing the Glass Slipper Challenge – a 10K today and a half-marathon tomorrow), and snack boxes. We boarded our stinky bus for the hotel and rode helplessly as the driver (NOT a Disney driver or bus, but some contracted goofball) who went the wrong way to the hotel and then ended up doing a u-turn in the middle of a busy Disney street, narrowly missing a car who was passing behind him - I think he only missed him because of the yells of the passengers/runners on the bus). As one fellow bus rider commented, “I think we’re on the Tower of Terror.”

We did make it to the hotel, had some Chick Fil A furnished by Steve (complete with chicken this time), and planned out the rest of our day – which involved the taking of naps, shopping a bit, watching a Redbox, and napping some more. On to tomorrow!!

And whose race is today? Today’s race is for my brother John, who’s done a 5K or two. But he’s never done a Disney race, and this one would double up his previous record. And wouldn’t it be fun if the three Lewis siblings did a race together! On our very first trip to Disney World back in 1974, our father made us leave before we got to see the fireworks. A Disney race would be the perfect circle for rectifying that – because the fireworks are at the beginning of the race! So lace up your tennies little bro – Sistas 1 and 2 are waiting at the start line for you!!

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Today was a great day because: Enchanted 10K with Molly, Marilyn, and Katie; KB’s mom’s improvement; watching “The Heat” with Marilyn and Molly; Anne’s safe travel to Orlando and eventually getting her bag; Chick Fil A with the gang and chatting with KB on the phone

Cinderella Royal Family 5K

Today's race was at 6:30am, so we all planned to meet in the kitchen (we have a 3-bedroom place) at 5:15 to get our act together and get out the door.  Marilyn's bag had not arrived (nor had someone snuck it in in the middle of the night) so she called bell services who said that it had just arrived 30 minutes ago and they were bringing it down, so Marilyn had her race stuff.  Everyone managed to get up after only a few hours sleep, and we were pinning our bibs on, having a bit of breakfast, and chatting.  Then KB's phone rang, which at 4:15 Nashville time, is not a good sign.

KB's mom is in a retirement home, and as it turned out, her mom had fallen while going to the bathroom.  She was disoriented and having trouble catching her breath.  In other words, KB was going home.  While she was talking with the lady at the home, Molly and Steve were making her a flight reservation for Nashville, which thankfully was at 7:20am and would get her home around 8:20 Nashville time.  So she grabbed her purse and we all headed out the door - Steve dropped us off at the 5K and headed to the airport with KB.  As of this press time, her mom had been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia - KB said she would send more information later.  Certainly our thoughts and prayers are with KB and Ruth and pray for healing, health, and comfort.

Meanwhile, back at the 5K, we and 10,000 others waited for the start.  There were five corrals and we were in the fourth.  This meant that by the time our corral was released to start, the winners were finishing. We cheered them on since we could see them finish - the finish line was right by the start.  Anyhow, since everyone else in our corral seemed to be walking, and with the morning's events on our minds, we decided to do the same.  We took a leisurely stroll around Epcot and finished in time to get on the bus back to Old Key West and breakfast with Steve, Katie, and Nancy.

This 5K is for my former student/now adult friend Camille.  She is now an elementary school teacher and food blogger (go here) and I don't know how she grew up while I stayed the same age as when she was in my class.  Anyhow, this race is for her because I have bugged her consistently about coming to Disney for a 5K (she is also a Disney fan).  One day she (and maybe even with mom and friends) is going to come down for this race - and hopefully will wave to me as she speeds past!!

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Today was a great day because:  success in getting quick flight for KB;  5K-ing with Molly and Marilyn; breakfast with 5K-ers and Steve, Katie, and Nancy; Downtown Disney with Marilyn; catching up on sleep

A Little Bit of Everything

Today was the day to go to the race expo to pick up race stuff.  Since everyone else is getting in late and we have a 5K in the morning, I volunteered to pick up their stuff.  Basically, that ended up being about 12 bibs, 14 shirts, and all the other stuff that one manages to acquire at an event like this (vendors everywhere selling stuff and the usual race merchandise).

Anyhow, after two hours all that was accomplished.  Just in time for lunch and to take Steve some lunch (he spent his morning by the pool, which of course had two people there and plenty of chairs and a cool breeze, unlike yesterday's pool convention).  Then it was time for Steve to clean up and go play golf, which I took him to so I could have the car and go get some groceries.

Meanwhile, the travel for some of the rest of our group started.  Marilyn was delayed out of Charlotte and her flight was full so she had to gate-check her suitcase.  She had a tight window to change planes in Baltimore, which meant her bag might not make it to Orlando with her.  Which wasn't a big deal, unless you factor in the thought that she might need her packed running shoes for the 5K in the morning ...

Meanwhile, back in Nashville, KB and Molly were at the airport waiting for their flight to leave.  They were also waiting for the thunderstorms/tornadoes/high wind/bad weather to pass through.  They got the plane loaded and then sat because of a code red which said that because of the lightening, the ground crews had to go inside and there was nobody to push the plane out.  So Molly and KB (and the rest of the passengers) were on the plane, watching the storm around them.  These were some of the text messages Molly sent:

"A child just said 'stop it God.'"

"Same child just asked his mother if we are all going to die."

"I'm pretty sure the plane is close to blowing over."

"Another 20 minutes.  Storm is directly overhead.  Then we have to get a few thousand pounds more fuel for the evasive flying we will have to do."

"Door shut!  Time to fly through the storm!"

Anyhow, meanwhile, in Orlando, Marilyn landed and started looking for her bag.  Apparently it did not make it on the plane, so hopefully it would arrive on the next flight, in which case somebody would bring it to the hotel.  Meanwhile, Steve went out shopping and was considering buying her some shoes for in the morning.  He then headed for the airport to wait for KB and Molly, who had gotten past the storm line and were headed for Orlando. 

And the rest of the story:  Marilyn's bag did not arrive - Rosie the bag lady said that when it arrived, they would bring it to the resort.  When Marilyn arrived at the resort, she talked to bell services who said that when it arrived at the resort, someone would bring it to the room - and if it was in the middle of the night (it was already after midnight), they had a key and would just slip it inside the front door.  That's reassuring ...

Meanwhile, after a bumpy flight (according to KB but not according to Molly who slept for the first 30 minutes of the flight), KB and Molly arrived and were picked up by Steve and brought to our place.  We all greeted and chatted and finally got to be around 1am - just in time to get a few winks before our 5K in the morning (or should I say later in the morning)!

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Today was a great day because:  nice people at expo and finding some good stuff; nice clerk and manager at Winn-Dixie; quick dinner with Steve; Marilyn's safe adventure to Orlando; KB and Molly's safe adventure to Orlando

And Here I Am

So after a few hours sleep, I got up and got myself together and Steve took me to the airport.  We left the house at 5 for my 6:30 flight (Davidsons get to the airport early).  The flight was only half-full, so I had an entire row to myself.  The flight was fairly smooth and we landed safely, so that was another plus.  The weather was warm and sunny - a perfect start to the trip and the day.

I was riding the Magical Express to the resort, so I headed that direction.  I walked right onto the bus, and didn't have to wait too long before off we went.  My resort was the first stop - another plus!!  I got off and headed to the front desk.  All of a sudden I heard someone calling my name - it was a cast member with an ipad, calling my name.  Apparently her job is to greet guests as they get off the bus.  Since her records indicated that I would be arriving with five other people, she was confused, but then got it all together and started chasing after me.  Anyhow, we met, we chatted, and she directed me to the check in lady.

Of course, our room isn't ready.  So I devise ways to pass the time before it gets ready (hopefully in five minutes).  I shopped in the little gift shop.  I decided to ride the resort bus to our building, so when the room is ready (hopefully in 5 minutes), I will be right there (you get your room key, but they don't tell you your room number - just the building it's in - they will text you your room number when its ready - hopefully in five minutes).

Once I got to the building, I decided to go sit by the pool (my suitcase was being picked up by the Magical Express people - all I had was my carry-on satchel with a 908 pound laptop in it).  But all the chairs were taken and/or in the direct sun (I don't do direct sun).  So I went back to the building and found a bench.  And played computer games/read magazines/checked email/read face book.  For the next two hours.  At some point I went back to the main building and ate lunch, then returned to our building.  After more piddling around on the bench including a nap and another visit to the pool (no improvement on the chairs), I eventually got the message that the room was ready.  I finally had a place to dump my satchel and take a break.

Now to wait for Steve to show up.  Hopefully in 5 minutes ...

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Today was a great day because:  safe, smooth, uncrowded flight; great room that was eventually ready; Steve's safe travel to WDW

Almost There ...

Today's agenda was to do everything that needed to get done in order for my departure tomorrow.  That included fixing last year's sparkly skirts for the half marathon, cleaning/clearing the house, and packing.  I can safely say that all that got done and by midnight.  Of course, I'm not sure what clothes I packed and whether they will be the ones I need.  And I'm hoping the skirts will hold up for 13.1 miles.  And while the house is not "clean," at least I could walk through it without falling over something.  So I guess it's been a successful day.  Now to get a few hours sleep before I leave in the early am ...

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Today was a great day because:  skirts done; bag packed; house picked up

The Hurrier I Go ...

Wait - haven't I already used that title?  Oh well - it may end up being my mantra for life!  But I digress ...  Let's chat about today, which for all you know is Monday. 

Today's agenda was to clean the house.  I might have done some of that - but clearly not enough.  The countdown is T-2 days until I leave town for Princess Weekend.  Speaking of which, here is the schedule for the comings and goings:

Wednesday
I leave in the am for Disney World
Sam takes Steve to the airport in the pm for Steve's flight to DW

Thursday
Marilyn (my sister) leaves Charlotte in the pm to fly to Orlando (with a stop in Baltimore)
Sam takes KB and Molly to the airport in the pm for their flight to Orlando                 
These three get to the resort via Magical Express


Friday morning
Marilyn, KB, Molly, and I participate in the Cinderella 5K
Who knows what will go on the rest of the day ...

Saturday morning
KB, Molly, and I participate in the Enchanted 10K
Pretty much the rest of the day will go as well as Friday's

Saturday afternoon
Mathieu (Maribeth's husband) will take Lynnette and Lindley to the airport for their flight to Orlando.  They will spend the night at the airport hotel.  Don't get all discombobulated because Lindley is not coming to the World - she'll do that next weekend.

Saturday evening
Anne will catch a flight from Jackson, MS, to Orlando where she will Magical Express it to the resort

Sunday morning
Maribeth and Everley will take Steve's car to the airport for their early morning flight to Orlando, where they will meet up with Lynnette and Lindley at the airport and locate the bus that will take them to the port
                             
Meanwhile, Marilyn, KB, Molly, and I will be participating in the Princess Half Marathon, after which we will load ourselves and our stuff in the giant rental car that Steve rented, pick up Katie, Nancy and Anne, and head to the port - well, except for Marilyn, who will sit by the pool until her flight home - she has a work conference to attend.

Steve will play a round of golf until he has to go to the airport to board his plane home, where he will pick up the car that Maribeth left earlier this morning
 
Hopefully all the happy Princess Disney Dream cruisers will meet up and spend the next four days aboard the Disney Dream having a blissful cruise until Thursday, when ...

Thursday morning
KB and Molly will skeedaddle it off the ship ASAP to catch their early flight back home where somebody will pick them up.

Meanwhile, Sam will have boarded a plane in Nashville to head to California, but first leaving his car at the airport so that

When Maribeth, Everley, and Anne fly home from Orlando later that day, they can pick up Sam's car.

And then Steve will take his car to the airport to fly back to Orlando where he will rent a car and drive the the resort to meet Lynnette, Lindley, and me, where we are because we took a bus from the port to the resort.

And everything is good until Saturday night, when

Saturday evening
Lynnette, Lindley, and I board a plane to fly back to Nashville, where we will pick up Steve's car and head to our respective homes.  At least until later that night when I pick up Sam and take him home.

And everyone is settled at home, except for Steve, who is still in Orlando for a work conference thing.  Sure hope somebody knows when to pick him up the following week!!

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Today is a great day because:  got some stuff done that needed to get done; Lindley time

Yup, I'm Behind ...

This upcoming weekend is our annual "Princess" weekend in conjunction with Disney's Princess Half Marathon.  Beginning on Sunday, various friends and family members will arrive in Orlando to participate in various races (5K, 10K, Half Marathon).  So, the reason I am behind is because I have stuff to get done.  Oh, and did I mention that part of Princess Weekend is that some of the race participants, accompanied by some additional family members will be boarding the Disney Dream cruise ship on Sunday for our girls cruise?  So add some more stuff to be done for that.

Since there is still stuff on the floor of my bedroom leftover from wherever I was last, I have some putting-away to do.  I also need to make/remodel some sparkly race skirts, clean (relatively) my house, pack for the race weekend and the cruise, and various other assorted stuff.  I'm not complaining - I know how blessed I am to be able to do all this stuff.

But it just sounded like a good reason for being so behind in my blogging.  At least it got me through this post ...

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Today was a great day because:  Lindley and Everley time; Steve's safe travel home; chili lunch with some of the family; Molly's new freezer delivery; visit at Molly's wth MB

Hot Chocolate 15K

Last September, when we signed up for this race, it seemed like such a great idea.  The race was scheduled for the week before the Princess Half Marathon, and a 15K (9.3 miles) would be a great warm-up for that event.  We were walking by the Hot Chocolate booth at the Women's 5K expo, and it was hot outside, and doing a 15K in February when it wouldn't be hot and you got hot chocolate at the finish, and you got a terrific hoodie rather than a race t-shirt - well, what could be better?  Fast forward to today, and just about anything would have been better!

Yes, our faces froze this way

By "we" I mean KB, Molly, and me.  We were still living in oblivion about the 15K until yesterday, when we started sending text messages about race day weather.  Oh, didn't I mention that on race day it was 21°,  felt like 11°, 9 mph N wind, and humidity of 73%?  We texted things like "Should we," and "Won't it be cold," and "Really - should we?"  Molly said we should, so at 6:30am we headed for the race start.  To put it bluntly, IT.   WAS.   COLD.   Luckily the race had a merchandise booth, where most of the participants huddled together waiting for the start of the race.

Anyhow, at some point, the race started and we were off.  I had several concerns, like the usual "will I be able to finish this race" and similar thoughts (especially since we saw several people during the first few miles that had turned around and were headed back to the start), but mostly I was concerned that my toes felt like they had turned to ice and were in danger of breaking off.  Sam and Lynnette live in the neighborhood of the race, and he and Lindley (in the stroller, bundled up like an Eskimo) met us just after the start and jogged a bit with us.  Eventually the blood started circulating in my feet again and I warmed up (relatively).  This race course took full advantage of Nashville's "rolling hills" and for 9.3 miles we wogged up and down and up and down, eventually finishing and receiving our finisher's bowl (instead of a medal). 

The hot chocolate was yummy and the hot chocolate fondue was delightful.  Were we glad we did it?  After finishing, of course we were.  It seemed like a great idea again.  Will we do it again?  Probably, based on our penchant for doing dumb stuff.  Are we ready for next weekend's races?  Of course not, but we want to believe we are.



No, we were not a cult -
we were just super cool!

So who is today's race for?  Well, when I think about hot chocolate, I think of my high school friend, Madeline.  One of her favorite things is frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity.  While I've never been to the NYC establishment, I've been to the one in Miami, and always imbibe in her honor.  But hot chocolate also reminds me of the old days when my church would have revivals, and we would have a service in the mornings before school started.  They would always serve hot chocolate and doughnuts and we would get together and worship and head off to school.  I remember my friends from church and how much they meant to me - Pam, Laura, Anita, Carol, Martha, Debbie, Lynn, Janet, Suzanne, Elizabeth, Denise, and many more whom I've probably forgotten.  These girls were the ones in my grade and we have great memories of parties and trips and Sunday School.  This race is for my hot-chocolate girlfriends - I hope maybe one day we can all do a 5K together - maybe in our hometown of Starkville, Mississippi!  Meanwhile, here's an oldie but goodie that we used to sing back in the day:

We are the Starkville girls, we wear our hair in curls.

We wear our dungarees, way up above our knees.

We wear our daddy's shirts, we are the biggest flirts.

We are the Starkville girls, hip hip hooray - HOORAY!!

 

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Today was a great day because:  we froze but finished the 15K; sonic with KB and Molly; hot shower and warm bed recovery; taking Everley and Mathieu to Nissan shop; Sam picking up CF for dinner; Lindley and Everley time

 

Finally Friday

As usual the week has flown by and I've gotten three things accomplished out of a list of 1,893 things that I need/wish to do.  No matter, it's been cold and I don't work well in cold.  In six months I will be telling you that it's hot as blue blazes and I'm getting nothing done because I don't work well in hot.  Obviously I only work well in certain temperatures - if only I knew what those temperatures were ...

Anyhow, today the weather has warmed up a bit.  The snow that has plagued much of the South had made its way around us, so we're thankful for that.  It's hard to believe that spring may be just around the corner.  Of course, Nashville spring means hot, cold, wet, dry, windy, sleet, and dry - often within 24 hours.  My cold that fought so valiantly to stay in my body but was finally convinced to leave, is attempting to return.  Oh spring, wherefore art thou?

Oh, and here is Exhibit #2 in my future litigation to prove that Disney's "Frozen" was my idea.  This is Molly on your left and Maribeth and their snowman friend.  Just wait - I'm sure that place in Florida will soon be renamed LaLa Land!!

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Today was a great day because:  did some shopping at JoAnns and had coupons for savings; visited with Molly and we went to pick up Everley at school; Lindley and Everley time; Steve's safe travel to Columbus; Mathieu's safe travel home; beef tips medallions dinner with most of the family

Hello Boys and Girls - And Today Is ...

That's right - today is Thursday.  Since today is "Throwback Thursday" and everyone around us has snow but we don't, here's a picture from yesteryear. 

 

I'm the adorable cherub on your left and that's my sister Marilyn on the right.  My little brother was probably inside. 

 

Actually, I think this is probably the original story behind Disney's "Frozen."  

 

I have to go now - I need to call my copyright attorney ...

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Today was a great day because:  I accomplished some travel planning; quick visit with KB; dinner with Everley and Maribeth and Molly and Rambo; taking Molly and Rambo home and running errands

As Long As We're Naming The Days of The Week ...

Today's Wednesday (for all you know).  Today I am going on an old-lady rant about Bob Costas.  Why?  Because his eyes are grossing me out. 

First of all, let me say that I know it is not Bob Costas's fault.  Whether it's pinkeye or a severe eye infection or cooties of the eye - it certainly wasn't something he planned or wanted to happen (would anyone?).  But frankly, the worse it got, the less I wanted to look at him - even the blurry shots via the internet.

I'm sorry Bob was afflicted with whatever his eye condition is.  I hope it clears up soon with no permanent damage to him.  I hope he feels better soon.  But here is my rant - do you think for one second that if Meredith Vieira showed up for work with the mere hint of some redness in her eyes, that she would get near a camera?  Do you think she would want to?  Do you think the producers/directors/moneybags in charge would allow a camera near her?  And do you think that if her eyes were so pink and swollen and ickified that she could barely see that she would be hosting anything on network tv?  I think the answer is no, for about a zillion reasons.

I'm sorry Bob is sick.  I'm sorry his streak of hosting every Olympics since the beginning of time is in jeopardy.  I'm sorry that the image of his pink swollen oozing (well maybe not oozing but they probably are by now) eyes are still in my brain.  But sometimes you've got to know when to call it and go somewhere and recuperate - away from the camera.

Even I can see that ...

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Today was a great day because:  I got a few things accomplished; Everley time

And Now It's Tuesday ...

Let me see, the Olympics are on, the Westminister Dog Show is on, and I have 60 bazillion things I need to be doing.

Now where's that remote ...

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Today was a great day because:  no bad ice/snow experience in Nashville; travel plans adjusted; Everley time and sleepover; a project mostly completed

Just Another Monday

As usual, there's a whole lot of stuff to get done.  KB and I were going to wog this morning, but as we got out of the car and headed out, we discussed the temperature and decided that a better course of action would be to go eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  I invited Steve, who immediately accepted.  Upon leaving, as the cold wind blew right through our well-fed bodies, KB and I decided we had made the correct decision.

Meanwhile, my suitcase is still open on the floor, waiting to be unpacked so that it can be repacked in another week for Princess Weekend.  But more about that next week. Before that can happen, bills must be paid, mail must be sorted, and bread and milk must be purchased.

As I said, it's just another Monday in the Davidson household ...

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Today was a great day because:  breakfast with KB and Steve and the Barrel; Everley time; airport run for Steve; car place run for MB; furniture haul to Molly's office

Sunday

Not here ...



Or here ...

But here.  And I think everyone is happy about that!!

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Today was a great day because:  Udderly Pink Philly team breakfast with KB, Molly, Bruce, and Sharon; Lindley and Everley time; catching up on stuff a tiny bit; Steve's safe travel home; Sonic visit with Molly to see Charity; dinner at the Barrel with Steve, Maribeth, and Everley; MB's new vehicle





LaLa Land

Last night Everley spent the night with me.  Although I did not take the pink Sharpie away from her in time, I did catch and take away the scissors.  Apparently she is fascinated with the drawers in my nightstand and desk in my room.  And the contents that are contained in said drawers.  She also found sunglasses, as the light in my room at 10pm is just way too bright.

Oh well, at least she got some semi-healthy Cheerios for breakfast.  At least until the pancakes were ready ...

I like to think of this as a lesson in cause and effect.

 

This was an art lesson in pencil drawing.  To complete the pink Sharpie drawing lesson.

 

Cheerio breakfast. 
In Disney cereal bowl.
In complete Disney attire. 
With Buzz Lightyear toy.
No question who's her LaLa!!

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Today was a great day because:  Lindley and Everley time; Molly bringing Amerigos lunch; leaving car at airport

Time And Temperature Travel

Today I had to get off the ship - they apparently rented out my room to strangers and I was no longer welcome.  Oh well, I guess the warm temperatures and beautiful weather needed to go to some new deserving, frozen folks.

We were some of the first off the ship.  We had a before-noon flight and weren't sure of how long it might take us to get to FLL.  As it turned out, we made it in plenty of time.  We knew that the Nashville weather was still cold, so we wore our jeans and long-sleeved shirts, and stowed our jackets in our carry-ons.  Sure enough, as we flew North, we gained an hour and lost around 60 degrees.  And just like we had a shock when we landed in Miami last week and walked out to an oven, today when we landed we walked out to a freezer.

Nevertheless, it's always good to be back home.  We drove home, unloaded the car, and tried to assess the situation.  Naturally the cats were confused as to whether to go outside or stay inside and chide us for leaving them.  Steve had to unpack his bag and quickly repack it as he was soon out the door to go spend the weekend with his dad.  I had about an hour or two to unload the dirty clothes and find something for lunch before it was time to pick up Everley from day care.  Back to regular life - at least for a few weeks before it's Princess Weekend!!

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Today was a great day because:  safe, smooth flight home; car left at the airport by Molly; being home; picking up Everley at school; Lindley and Everley time; McAllister's dinner debacle

Castaway Cay 5K

By the way - everyone was a "winner"

Today we docked at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.  It was a beautiful day - and warm (78 degrees when we got off the ship).  Anyhow, DCL has this activity on the island - a 5K - so of course I had to do it (I've done it before, but since Molly did it this week on her cruise, I had to do it on mine!)  The deal is that everyone who is crazy enough wants to do this gathers in the sports bar, signs up, gets a bib, and heads off the ship together.  We all walk down the dock about half a mile, and we're at the start.  The 5K is not timed, but the cast member in charge says he will be there for only so long handing out medals at the finish - after that you have to go to the Fish and Fins place to retrieve your medal.  With a few more instructions, we are sent on our way.  Basically the course is run a loop around then turn around and head back.  Some of the course is in shade, but there a long stretch that is in the direct son.  Which isn't too bad unless one forgot her sunscreen (no names mentioned here, but if you see me, I'm not embarrassed - just sunburned).  Anyhow, eventually I made my way to the finish where Medal Dude was still waiting (and he was going to have to wait a little longer for the even-slower-ones-than-me).  I then walked over to Serenity Bay (for adults only) where Steve had gone to nab a good chair and umbrella.  I went for the water and it was lovely - brought my body temperature down at least 269 degrees!!

Speaking of Steve, this 5K is for him.  Not that he would do this one again (he did it once).  It's because he's my principal backer for all things Disney and cruising racing and especially those times that all three come together at once.  Also, it's on Castaway Cay which is his happy place - at least for today.  He says he's given up doing half marathons and will do only 5Ks from here on out - we'll see how that works out.  Even so, I'm not sure if he'll ever do this one again - too much beach time migh be missed!!

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Today was a great day because:  beautiful day; finishing the CC5K; sitting on the beach under an umbrella; cookout on the island; watching "Gravity" and "Captain Phillips" on the boat; last dinner with our cruise family