tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78819917805438614262024-03-14T00:51:39.740-04:00Carpe Diem*****Seize the day*****
Yesterday is history, tomorrows a mystery, today is a gift, that's why we call it the present*****
Everything that's happened in my life, good or bad, has brought me to where I am right now*****Genius is an infinite capacity for taking life by the scruff of the neck."
- Katharine Hepburn*****Don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it. -Jonathan Winters*****
To get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done*****Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-5901320996101724582011-09-15T07:18:00.003-04:002011-09-15T17:51:14.418-04:00September 15, 2011 Snuggles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfli-21mTW8/TnJXQFjqeXI/AAAAAAAABak/TasW8a6C9t8/s1600/302174_2332494440789_1502615783_2438251_99676153_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfli-21mTW8/TnJXQFjqeXI/AAAAAAAABak/TasW8a6C9t8/s320/302174_2332494440789_1502615783_2438251_99676153_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I find it interesting that an instinct of even a very young child is to want to die when something bad happens. When snuggles (the baby squirrel) died last night Dan wanted to kill himself. His reasoning was that he wanted to be in heaven with him. I calmly explained that you can't go to heaven if commit suicide. Looking defeated he lowered his head and walked away. Sometimes I don't understand where some of our laws come from, but in just a couple of seconds in an exchange with my son I told him that killing himself wouldn't get him where he wanted to go...maybe I do understand a little bit better after all.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-4087669000846773702009-04-08T19:50:00.004-04:002009-04-08T19:56:35.698-04:00April 8, 2009 Easter Egg coloring<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sd05daz0kkI/AAAAAAAABKw/rMmWDgDnh44/s1600-h/4_8_09+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322473512197460546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sd05daz0kkI/AAAAAAAABKw/rMmWDgDnh44/s320/4_8_09+002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>The days are passing and we're watching our schedules and calendars quickly fill up. With no time on the weekend to color Easter eggs we alotted time on Wednesday night. We had a quick left over dinner then got down to business. Two dozen eggs were quickly colored in various pastel colors and everybody had a great time. Dan had terrific time at school hunting for eggs that the <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sd05l-UJF2I/AAAAAAAABK4/2__bXzRikoA/s1600-h/4_8_09+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322473659167217506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sd05l-UJF2I/AAAAAAAABK4/2__bXzRikoA/s200/4_8_09+004.JPG" border="0" /></a>Easter bunny hid very early this morning. He also enjoyed seeing all his friends yesterday at school for picture day. He was 4th from the last to have his taken, but he wanted to stay to see his friend Cora have hears taken. Dan and Cora will be singing a duet in the spring play, they'll both be dressed as sailors and will sing Bell bottom trousers together, very cute...we can't wait!</div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-87355426402044989272009-04-06T14:32:00.008-04:002009-04-07T08:12:07.747-04:00April 6, 2009 Boston Aquarium<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdswfUTlFVI/AAAAAAAABKg/qIghdDWW6W4/s1600-h/4_5_09+018_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321900699253282130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdswfUTlFVI/AAAAAAAABKg/qIghdDWW6W4/s320/4_5_09+018_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><p>So, I wrote this blog yesterday, but just as I was getting ready to hit the publish button, gmail went crazy and deleted everything except for the letters sl. I don't remember what those letters were part of, but at this point I guess it doesn't really matter....so I'll start this again, and this time save as I go...it's happened before, you'ld think I'd learn. </p><br /><p>Saturday was good, Dan and I went to the gym early, I was happy to see that the day before wasn't a fluke and I again did more then a mile in 10 minutes. Its funny to think that the body learns, grows while I'm seemingly unaware...I like that the machine quantifies my progress. I returned home for a quick shower and laundry hanging before a mandatory Dunkin meeting that only 4 of us bothered showing up for. Nothing exciting, just rules, rules and more rules, then 4 hours of freedom before my shift that night, and Mike, Dan and I made use of it by taking Bricky and Marley over to Boyden conservation area for a run. Work was ok, Jeff and I with a trainee and since we were done early, set Jeff up with some training in the office.</p><br /><p>Sunday was scheduled to be a busy day. I didn't sleep well Saturday night and awoke several time with a sore throat. 6:30 came early and I rushed out of the house to be at the gym for 7am. A quick workout, then home to hang two loads of laundry, let Maddie (our neighbors dog) out and give her some breakfast, then shower and out of the house for our trip to Boston.</p><br /><p>Mike made the ride a pleasure and we, including Brownie, enjoyed our ride into Boston and directly to the parking garage closest to the Aquarium. Usually Dan and I ride the train, it's cheaper and he likes the adventure, but as soon as you add one more person it becomes cheaper to drive in and park. We bought or tickets, for both the Aquarium and the 11am IMAX under the sea. With 45 minutes till the show we enjoyed watching the penguins and the fish, turtles, etc <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sds1PlZ1NuI/AAAAAAAABKo/hH1FEhxO85Q/s1600-h/4_5_09+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321905926523139810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sds1PlZ1NuI/AAAAAAAABKo/hH1FEhxO85Q/s320/4_5_09+020.JPG" border="0" /></a>swimming in the huge tank in the middle. We exited then entered the theater only to be turned away when the film jammed the projector. It was now after 11am so we decided it was time for lunch over at Fanuil Hall. Dan had a corn dog with chips and a sprite. Mike had two slices of Regina's pepperoni pizza and a diet coke, and I had a vegetarian dumpling soup from the sushi place. We took it out to the steps and sat. Lunch was followed by checking in at the IMAX to see if they're issue was resolved and we might be able to see the 1pm show. It was fixed and with another 45 minutes to wait we revisited the Aquarium and actually found a jellyfish exhibit we'd missed the first time around and was well worth going back in for. 12:50 and back to the theater we went, sat down, and the show began. It was 3D and a little scary for Dan, I fell asleep a couple of times during it as the cold, and the lack of sleep from the previous night set in. Mike enjoyed the show though and glad he finally saw an IMAX, I think we actually sat too close to the screen, because it was blurry at times. Next time we'll know. We headed back to the garage, got everybody buckled in and Mike expertly drove us home. I think I may have seen China town before my eyes closed. Next thing I saw was our pond in front of us, looking back I realized that Dan was asleep as well. A little rested and feeling somewhat better I went to work. Relatively easy night with Jeff, but glad it was over and a warm bed was waiting.</p><p>I arrived home to find that Mike had filled in Brownie's book and thanked him profusely. He also took the camera to CVS and printed a collage to be included in the book. He did a great job and i was happy to not have to do it in the morning before school...what a terrific Dad!</p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-32994958848198572152009-04-03T20:36:00.003-04:002009-04-03T21:19:51.350-04:00April 3, 2009 - Mom and Mo return and anniversarySo we didn't end up going to RI. I hadn't considered that the truck might not be unloaded yet and since it was raining didn't want to force them to do it earlier then they were ready. It turned out fine. I had some strange blister like bites that appeared on Emily and I shortly before we left Florida, Em's are mostly healed, but I broke out with a new patch and decided a call to the MD might be in order since some airport employees were reported to have scabies. Turns out it was nothing, maybe sand fleas, but no worrisome parasite. Jen and I had talked about taking turns with the Seneca and Dan on Thursdays after story time so Jen said she's take Dan....it was 11am, Dan was gone, my MD appt was at 2:15pm and I had NOTHING to do. I decided to go get gas over at Stop and Shop in Wareham because you earn points from buying groceries..I was very excited when I paid $1.35 a gallon. $24 to fill the van from empty. From there I went up to 195 at Wareham crossing to visit the target store since I'm on a mission to find fun spring clothes. It is so much fun to fit into clothes I've become nearly obsessed, I'm not buying alot but I love just trying things on and think I've visited just about every clothing store in a 30 mile radius. I did some shopping, then headed back to the MD. Usually I'm in and out with Dr. B, there's usually not anyone esle in the office, but today I sat for 15 minutes before I was called in at which time I told them I'd have to reschedule. I'd told Jen I'd pick Ruby up at school at 2:45 and it was already after 2:30. The receptionist said no problem and told me to do what I had to do and come back. Ruby was very excited to see me and I was glad to have some alone time with her, I miss them all. Dropped Ruby off at home and quickly went back to the MD, to find out that I had nothing. Back to Jen's to visit with them for a while, then we went home. It was just about 5:30 when we got there, Dan decided he wanted to play up in his room while I cooked dinner, after a few minutes I realized that it was awfully quiet, looked up stairs and Dan was in his bed fast asleep. I made an attempt to wake him with no luck, he growled and rolled over. He'd been up early and had a full day playing with the girls, so I thought maybe he was really done for the night. Mike came home and tried to wake him as well, but no luck. We decided we'd just let him sleep. We had dinner, cleaned up , and retired to the living room for survivor. Derek and Omayra even showed up and watched with us but Danny never stirred...until 5am. I was happy he'd slept that late and reluctantly joined him in the living room for a new episode of Magic School bus.<br />Our day today was fairly uneventful. I took Dan to school, the letter of the week was O and wanting to be a trickster twice this week he brought in Oatmeal to share with his class. Wednesday he took Olives. I went to the gym, broke 10 minute miles on the elliptical which was a first. Did the stairmaster when I realized there was a great breeze. Who knew they could open the garage doors behind our machines, what a huge difference it made to have cool air circulating. I showered there and then went to Marshalls to see if I could find a tan skirt to match the white and tan top I bought at filenes basement, no luck but I did try on some really nice dresses. Picked Dan up from school, and found out that Dan was picked to bring home Brownie the teddy bear. Dan's been talking about Brownie for a long time, and what's he's said all along was that when Brownie came home with him he wanted to take him to the Boston Aquarium. Hmmmm....Since we had to go to the Mashpee Library anyway I checked for a pass. No good, they were out. However I sat down on one of their computers, quickly brought up the Sandwich Library website and checked to see if they had passes available. Sure enough, one pass left, I reserved it and told Dan the good news. Boston Aquarium on Sunday. Afterwards we walked across the street to the consignment shop, and I tried on a few more dressses and was happy when I found a skirt for $4.50 that fit perfectly. I decided that with my spring/summer wardrobe all set there was no more reason to shop and have now sworn it off....it's like my new obsession, who knew I'd turn into a shopaholic!<br />Oh and the anniversary? 6 years ago today I quit smoking...which is a good thing since cigarettes are up to almost $10 a pack!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-59426161256444238402009-04-02T06:55:00.004-04:002009-04-02T07:11:52.948-04:00April 2, 2009 What's happened in the last month....<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdSbL1r52tI/AAAAAAAABKI/F25zmr6dBQg/s1600-h/4_1_09+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320047687523490514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdSbL1r52tI/AAAAAAAABKI/F25zmr6dBQg/s200/4_1_09+014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>It seems hard to believe nearly a whole month has passed. There has been lots going on here and as spring approaches we find our calendar quickly filling. Emily returned to work at Mahoney's part time the weekend after we returned home. I spent two days with Anna and Cindy from Healthy Childrens taking a lactation class upon our return and quickly remembered how much I loved the field and how much I missed them! I'm now looking at working on a bachelors in lactation through the Union Institute, so more classes, lots of online work but since it's mostly distance and online learning I'm looking foward to it. I've also been asked to take the position of Assistant manager at work, and have been accepted into the CNA program at 4C's for the fall. It's all very exciting and I'm thrilled to out of the house more. On that note I had a terrific time at a Sandwich Women's club event which very closely resembled TV's dancing with the stars. Jen and Buzz had an extra ticket and thought of me, I had a terrific night out with friends, dancing the night away. It was a great time! </div><div> Emily is a great help with Dan, and he's taken to the juggling quite well. Danny's doing about the same. While we were in Florida Emily was feeding him a strawberry but instead of biting the strawberry he bit Emily's finger. Suddenly he frowned and we noticed some blood. He'd loosened his tooth on her finger. Yesterday he said, Mom...I have something in my mouth. I looked in and sure enough, his first adult tooth is poking through behind the baby tooth. Where did the time go? He also went with Daddy last night to Mike's woodturning meeting, he's getting big enough to understand when he needs to settle down and just sit and/or listen and he and Dad have really been spending alot of time doing guy things together. It's a beautiful thing.</div><div>As for Mike, he's been busy too. Still has some art in the Color Obsession gallery and was asked to speak at a round table discussion last Thursday for the artists guild. It was a long day but he came home happy with lots of contacts, and having done lots of networking.</div><div>What's in store today. Well, the gym first...my new favorite place and since I signed on to babysit two three hour shifts a month my membership is now free and so is the cost of the daycare for Dan when he comes with me....I love that!!!! I'm doing 20 minutes on the elliptical, 15 minutes on the stair master on level 11 fatburn and 10 minutes on the stationary bike every day along with alternating days of nautilus either upper or lower body. I'm currently in a size 6 and weigh 138lbs. Trying to tone up the legs and back side since they are still a little jiggly! Dan has Mr. Parsons at Sandwich Library at 10pm then we're headed to RI to welcome Mom and Mo back since they either returned yesterday or the day before. Should be a good day!</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-9011925926893460342009-03-10T06:35:00.001-04:002009-04-02T06:54:47.999-04:00March 10, 2009 End of Disney<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdSXasBFB2I/AAAAAAAABJw/1UE-aDgSDts/s1600-h/3_10_09+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320043544579475298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdSXasBFB2I/AAAAAAAABJw/1UE-aDgSDts/s200/3_10_09+001.JPG" border="0" /></a>I was vigilant about blogging every day but as the end of our trip neared and the stomach bug that effected my lower body took hold, I lost my resolve. Dan and I did indeed spend most of Thursday at the pool after making a stop at the comfort station to wash all the laundry we took with us to the ghetto hotel, and ourselves as to not infect our hosts or tent with any unknown and/or unpleasant stowaways. Emmy contracted the stomach bug as well, and brought our disney park hopping to a stand still. Emmy spent most of Friday night and Saturday<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdSXmDxpYII/AAAAAAAABJ4/fYjU9pkXz7g/s1600-h/3_10_09+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320043739935760514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdSXmDxpYII/AAAAAAAABJ4/fYjU9pkXz7g/s200/3_10_09+023.JPG" border="0" /></a> morning throwing up. We did manage to squeeze in a evening boat ride into Magic Kingdom to see the Spectromagic parade, the fireworks and tinkerbells flight from the ice cream shop right on Main Street, one of the most coveted spots. Dan loved them and Em and I took some pretty good pictures. We attempted to go into Downtown Disney on Monday morning but just as we were getting ready to board the bus, the stomach bug hit Dan as well and instead he and I went back to camp, while Mom and Em went to picked him up some legos for the plane ride home with the Disney dollars Susie gave him for Christmas.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdSXvEmyiRI/AAAAAAAABKA/QwI5rtjr7qQ/s1600-h/Fireworks4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320043894777481490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SdSXvEmyiRI/AAAAAAAABKA/QwI5rtjr7qQ/s200/Fireworks4.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tuesday morning came too soon and at 7am we were riding in the back of Mo's truck down to the Outpost to check out bags, get our boarding passes and ride the magic express back to MCO. It was an uneventful ride and a quiet wait at the airport until our flight was called. Mike met us at Logan shortly after 2pm and before we knew it we were home. We had a great trip, spent too much of it under the weather, but hey, it's Florida and it was warm....I can't complain. In the end we spent two days in each park. More then enough really, it's not like Disney is going anywhere and if we'd done everything, there wouldn't be any reason to return.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-77193414029397690872009-03-04T19:38:00.009-05:002010-08-14T15:16:07.674-04:00March 4, 2009 Disney Day 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy5UI0ohe1A7gQTb7ubl0486jQUV00N_7pM2EoJ9qfR2mHfjgfeDyJOxb-GLrnodCalu4ktOXMcrGFhSkoglw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8lbybH4eI/AAAAAAAABIo/qX8IfrjClos/s1600-h/3_4_09+001.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309503645015335394" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8lbybH4eI/AAAAAAAABIo/qX8IfrjClos/s200/3_4_09+001.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a>Quite a luxury tonight, our ghetto hotel has come a long way since we got here (3 days ago) and they now provide WiFi to the rooms, so hurray, I'm blogging from my bed, my absolutely favorite place to blog from.<br />
<br />
<br />
The kids and I were excited to first see our favorite shuttle bus <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8pyZ9AjpI/AAAAAAAABJo/zOmtl-H5Yhg/s1600-h/3_4_09+004.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309508431630077586" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8pyZ9AjpI/AAAAAAAABJo/zOmtl-H5Yhg/s200/3_4_09+004.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" />driver</a> Giovanni this morning and second to see our favorite Spanish family climb aboard. Dan and Alejandro commenced their <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8lcMK_uII/AAAAAAAABIw/xKH-AhVv25E/s1600-h/3_4_09+002.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309503651927013506" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8lcMK_uII/AAAAAAAABIw/xKH-AhVv25E/s200/3_4_09+002.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a>lingual lessons, this time colors and us Mom's kept them busy for most of the ride. We parted ways, they were going to Hollywood Studios, we were going back to Epcot. We arrived shortly before 10am, and called Mom on our way to Soarin and <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8ndORaOSI/AAAAAAAABJA/01mgATezqhQ/s1600-h/3_4_09+007.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309505868693911842" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8ndORaOSI/AAAAAAAABJA/01mgATezqhQ/s200/3_4_09+007.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>found out she was already there. We each got a fast pass then hurried into the 30 minute line for the first of two rides of the day. Dan was thrilled to do it again and even more excited to share it with Emily now that she was nervous and he was a pro. Em thought it was great and we departed for the Seas to see Nemo and Crush. On our way out we spied Mom and Fran doing what they do best....eating. Caught in our sights they joined us for undersea adventure, Fran positioned Dan right in front at Turtle talk and Danny was thrilled when Crush picked him to talk to...video down below. We then went back to Soarin to use our fast passes before we said goodbye. We ate at the land and road the agriculture ride per Emily's request. Then started <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8pTLJouFI/AAAAAAAABJY/hqwynnAh9lM/s1600-h/3_4_09+039.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309507895080564818" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8pTLJouFI/AAAAAAAABJY/hqwynnAh9lM/s200/3_4_09+039.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a>the long trek around the worlds. Our hotel "concierge" Sherry recommended we see Off Kilter so that was our only agenda. We browsed <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8oJ3YGzDI/AAAAAAAABJI/Dqc_TRcMcTw/s1600-h/3_4_09+013.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309506635642096690" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8oJ3YGzDI/AAAAAAAABJI/Dqc_TRcMcTw/s200/3_4_09+013.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>Canada, sat for a very funny show in the UK, and watched a movie in France that had a wrap around screen very much like Soarin but with technology 20 years in the past. It was still great and the scenery amazing. We walked into Morocco where Dan saw Genie and actually wanted to stand in line to have his picture taken. Since it was approaching 3:30 we chose the boat as our transportation back to Off Kilter in Canada. Sherry was right, we weren't disappointed. With the day mostly done we decided Space ship Earth would be the last ride. It's come a long way since I was there in 95 and we all had a good time, especially <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8pTadRjOI/AAAAAAAABJg/3potrtZ7dIA/s1600-h/3_4_09+041.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309507899189464290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8pTadRjOI/AAAAAAAABJg/3potrtZ7dIA/s200/3_4_09+041.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a>afterwards powering a city and building a body.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8oKICc8bI/AAAAAAAABJQ/GsDV3YMW6F8/s1600-h/3_4_09+019.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309506640114676146" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa8oKICc8bI/AAAAAAAABJQ/GsDV3YMW6F8/s200/3_4_09+019.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a> Back on the monorail and the big blue bus home. Dominos pizza for dinner, and most of the packing done for our move back to the campground tomorrow. Glad we've designated tomorrow as an off day, we've been very busy and since the temperature is steadily climbing we're hoping for some pool time!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<object class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="FAILED" height="266" id="BLOG_video-FAILED" width="320"></object>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-5996131727993065362009-03-04T07:04:00.008-05:002009-03-04T07:45:27.573-05:00March 3, 2009 Disney Day 8<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Another slow morning and other then the fact that Emily has been bitten by what we think might be bed bugs and after a hasty change of bed linens at 8 o'clock last night the kids settled in for the night. I awoke at 6:30, took another hot bath and <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa50BFssacI/AAAAAAAABHY/v6X23H_oGWA/s1600-h/3_3_09+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309308572774721986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa50BFssacI/AAAAAAAABHY/v6X23H_oGWA/s200/3_3_09+011.JPG" border="0" /></a>although the bathroom has several cracks, crevices and other various holes to allow critters to come <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa506-i8MgI/AAAAAAAABHw/JIZCGmkH76c/s1600-h/3_3_09+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309309567287177730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa506-i8MgI/AAAAAAAABHw/JIZCGmkH76c/s200/3_3_09+021.JPG" border="0" /></a>wandering in, I've yet to see any. Emily now refers to our abode as the ghetto hotel. On the upside, it was only a meer week ago that she didn't want to sleep in a tent, now she can't wait to get back to it, my how things change given a little perspective. We decided we'd spend day 8 back at MGM, Danny thought he wanted to learn how to be a Jedi until he saw the show and realized Darth Vader was involved, at which time he decided maybe he didn't. We went right to the toy story ride, got three fast passes for later on and then stood in the 30 minute line for the ride. It moved quickly and Em and Dan had a good time riding it together. Emily had a run in with a silent<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa50BZnmeMI/AAAAAAAABHg/T0b8_qHSHq0/s1600-h/3_3_09+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309308578122070210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa50BZnmeMI/AAAAAAAABHg/T0b8_qHSHq0/s200/3_3_09+015.JPG" border="0" /></a> but persistant green Army man as we made our way over to the Power Rangers and the Honey, I shrunk the kids playground, <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa507MkjhtI/AAAAAAAABH4/q9GHGFnE9vM/s1600-h/3_3_09+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309309571052046034" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa507MkjhtI/AAAAAAAABH4/q9GHGFnE9vM/s200/3_3_09+024.JPG" border="0" /></a>which Dan really liked, except for the enormous sniffing dog nose. We decided to grab a bite of lunch since the little debbie breakfast snacks at the hotel only held their charm the first day. I had the Asian salad, Dan the chicken nuggets and Emmy a cheeseburger at the commissary. Mom met us there, where she and Em decided they wanted to see American Idol. Dan and I unsure but optimistic about Rockin Rollercoaster took all the passes over there to get a fast pass then, went in search of the Incredibles, and Danny's new tattoo, he picked at squid daggar. We found Freeze guy and took a picture. Dan was also happy to see Handy Manny and gave him a mighty karate chop, don't <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa50BjKamxI/AAAAAAAABHo/U-17yyC5diE/s1600-h/3_3_09+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309308580684012306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa50BjKamxI/AAAAAAAABHo/U-17yyC5diE/s200/3_3_09+020.JPG" border="0" /></a>think Handy Manny saw it coming! We met Mom and Em back under the hat for the High School Musical <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa507dIf0JI/AAAAAAAABIA/WroDdP-6-7A/s1600-h/3_3_09+025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309309575497765010" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa507dIf0JI/AAAAAAAABIA/WroDdP-6-7A/s200/3_3_09+025.JPG" border="0" /></a>parade. Dan wanted to see Lights, Motors, Action a stunt show, and Indiana Jones again and since Mom had seen them both headed for Rockin Rollercoaster then back to the campground. Dan was too short for it anyway and without Mom as motivation Em and I quickly decided to hand our fastpasses off to some friends we met at the block party parade at 3pm. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa52X9zMKAI/AAAAAAAABII/hUUqUhFXCz0/s1600-h/3_3_09+042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309311164814731266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa52X9zMKAI/AAAAAAAABII/hUUqUhFXCz0/s200/3_3_09+042.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The stunt show was amazing and Dan had a blast, we made it over to Indiana Jones just in time to see the beginning and I think Dan <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa53PP8muPI/AAAAAAAABIY/pwQHGtEcOrA/s1600-h/3_3_09+053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309312114578864370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa53PP8muPI/AAAAAAAABIY/pwQHGtEcOrA/s200/3_3_09+053.JPG" border="0" /></a>was glad that Em was there to see it to. We enjoyed a leisurely bucket of popcorn before the toy story block party which was fun, then wrapped the day up with the our fast pass toy story ride and the Little Mermaid show which was cute. Back to ticket and transportation, and the big blue bus ride back to Knights inn, which I driver forgot and drove right past. Thankfully we've made some friends from Spain, who have a little boy Alejandro who only speaks spanish. Dan and he have started tr<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa52YA87xpI/AAAAAAAABIQ/F5f0zWM4b9Q/s1600-h/3_3_09+043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309311165660907154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa52YA87xpI/AAAAAAAABIQ/F5f0zWM4b9Q/s200/3_3_09+043.JPG" border="0" /></a>ying to talk to one another, with his mother and I translating and teaching the boys the other language. It was really pretty remarkable to see Danny speaking Spanish and Alejandro <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa53PXvmd4I/AAAAAAAABIg/LAx6YlW3-S0/s1600-h/3_3_09+056.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309312116671805314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa53PXvmd4I/AAAAAAAABIg/LAx6YlW3-S0/s200/3_3_09+056.JPG" border="0" /></a>speaking English. Another night wrapped up and since I'd drank my one a night quota of mini wine bottles spied a liquor store within walking distance. Took the kids orders for dinner, placed it then picked up my new supply. Dinner was good, we were all exausted and I'm sure asleep before 9pm. Dan and I are still battling Em's cold and hope it lets up soon!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-42785184998074607172009-03-03T07:49:00.003-05:002009-03-04T07:01:00.929-05:00March 2, 2009 Disney Day 7<div><div><div><div><div><div>We started off the morning quietly. I enjoyed a nice hot bath, the kids slept in. We eventually <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5sQOApIHI/AAAAAAAABFs/-O94CGDnYV0/s1600-h/3_2_09+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309300036610891890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5sQOApIHI/AAAAAAAABFs/-O94CGDnYV0/s200/3_2_09+005.JPG" border="0" /></a>made our way to the lobby for some breakfast and then caught the shuttle to the Ticket and Transportation center for our connection to Animal Kingdom. We'd decided during the morning that we <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5tNB4btGI/AAAAAAAABGE/VzHMwhSlT3g/s1600-h/3_2_09+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309301081327252578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5tNB4btGI/AAAAAAAABGE/VzHMwhSlT3g/s200/3_2_09+015.JPG" border="0" /></a>would buy a ticket for Emily and with a 5 day costing only $7 more then a 3 day bit the bullet and ordered one up. We immediately headed for Dino land where Dan had fun playing at the playground, then found a dinosaur version of the Aladdin's carpets and Em agreed to accompany Danny on it. Mom met us there shortly after and with a ride on Dinosaur and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nemo</span> show in our sights decided to get a fast pass for Dinosaur then get seats for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Nemo</span> show. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nemo</span> was great, Dan was nervous during the shark part but had fun during the rest of it. It was nearing lunch time so we decided to head to the camper for lunch. Em made some chicken salad, I had a tomato, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">avocado</span>, onion and boiled egg salad, and Dan had Mac and cheese and applesauce. Mom <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5sQlxToeI/AAAAAAAABF8/os4AmnqxPWc/s1600-h/3_2_09+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309300042989019618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5sQlxToeI/AAAAAAAABF8/os4AmnqxPWc/s200/3_2_09+008.JPG" border="0" /></a>had a huge chocolate covered rice crispy treat...oh, the example she sets!!! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LOL</span>. With bellies full we went back to animal kingdom. First on the list was <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5tNcThU3I/AAAAAAAABGM/FcZS51KAWhE/s1600-h/3_2_09+022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309301088420189042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5tNcThU3I/AAAAAAAABGM/FcZS51KAWhE/s200/3_2_09+022.JPG" border="0" /></a>the Dinosaur ride we didn't make it to earlier, Dan was nervous but had a great time, then a speed run over to the Mickey/Minnie camp got us to the Lion King show just in time. We had top row in the Lion section. Dan loved it. Next we headed North to the safari which was amazing in the late afternoon sun. We made the slow trek back to the gates past the anteater which Dan had been wanting me to see all day. He was taking a nap but a handler was gently trying to coax him into thinking he was hungry. We said goodbye to Mom and went back to Ticket and transportation for the ride back to the hotel. On the way <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5sQr2-RNI/AAAAAAAABF0/3o5dpuc5I4g/s1600-h/3_2_09+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309300044623398098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5sQr2-RNI/AAAAAAAABF0/3o5dpuc5I4g/s200/3_2_09+013.JPG" border="0" /></a>we saw a car that had apparently missed a turn and gone right over an embankment and into a pond. Very exciting stuff. I took the kids to the room and went <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5tNuYIFmI/AAAAAAAABGU/Nb6b_jyShn0/s1600-h/3_2_09+034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309301093271344738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5tNuYIFmI/AAAAAAAABGU/Nb6b_jyShn0/s200/3_2_09+034.JPG" border="0" /></a>back over to the Perkins restaurant <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">that's</span> in front of our hotel for a salmon <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Caesar</span> salad for me and burgers with fries for the kids. We watched Monday night shows while Dan watched <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Brer</span> Rabbit on my laptop...I'm getting soft, laptop for kid entertainment...sometimes it's gotta be done....</div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-49786439864000298592009-03-02T07:38:00.005-05:002009-03-02T08:01:51.770-05:00March 1, 2009 Disney Day 6<div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>We woke up this morning to clear skys and warm humid weather. Our low temp overnight was only 60 and even though the weather reports predicted rain and cold, I somehow found it hard <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU4s8f6dI/AAAAAAAABEU/F1t-oPr6KfI/s1600-h/2_28_09+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308570656388934098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU4s8f6dI/AAAAAAAABEU/F1t-oPr6KfI/s200/2_28_09+004.JPG" border="0" /></a>to believe. Dan and I optistically took our ration of ibuprophen/acetominiphen and headed for the bus stop going to Epcot. We made it there with only the occasional bus wait and excitedly took the necessary<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWJe9vVRI/AAAAAAAABE8/h1qNBvHyido/s1600-h/2_28_09+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308572044205446418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWJe9vVRI/AAAAAAAABE8/h1qNBvHyido/s200/2_28_09+006.JPG" border="0" /></a> pictures in front of the "big ball" With Soarin as our primary goal we quickly made our way to the land, and stood in the relatively short 20 minutes line. Soarin was AMAZING, neither Dan nor I was sure if we'd like it but both agreed it was unbelieveable. We walked out after that and the weather had changed <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU46icxDI/AAAAAAAABEc/DfwZ-XQwieE/s1600-h/2_28_09+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308570660037772338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU46icxDI/AAAAAAAABEc/DfwZ-XQwieE/s200/2_28_09+008.JPG" border="0" /></a>dramatically, it'd gone from being a little drizzly to down pouring and the temperature had dropped at least 10 degrees. We went the the Living sea next and rode the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWJxepe6I/AAAAAAAABFE/X5xUp7ddKis/s1600-h/2_28_09+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308572049175313314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWJxepe6I/AAAAAAAABFE/X5xUp7ddKis/s200/2_28_09+010.JPG" border="0" /></a>Nemo ride, which Dan really liked then went to visit Crush at Turtle talk which was lots of fun. </div></div></div></div></div><div>We tried to go into the charecture spot so Dan could see Mickey but the line was just too long so with a few things done, cold and <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU5uR1DSI/AAAAAAAABEk/To38QY6PMRs/s1600-h/2_28_09+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308570673926704418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU5uR1DSI/AAAAAAAABEk/To38QY6PMRs/s200/2_28_09+011.JPG" border="0" /></a>wet we headed back to the camper. The sky's cleared just as we were arriving back at Fort Wildreness and with the new realization that Florida can indeed get cold I <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWKDAYvwI/AAAAAAAABFM/nETYYWxGd48/s1600-h/2_28_09+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308572053880225538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWKDAYvwI/AAAAAAAABFM/nETYYWxGd48/s200/2_28_09+012.JPG" border="0" /></a>checked availablility and prices with the conceirge at some of the value hotels for the next few nights since temps were forcasted to get down into the 30's and the cold that Dan and I have is showing no signs of letting up. With the lowest price of $150 a night we went back to the camper, grabbed the laptop and went over to Meadow Trading post. Logged onto the Knights Inn, which I ha<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWKPIqvOI/AAAAAAAABFU/UQBYcrcdCso/s1600-h/2_28_09+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308572057136184546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWKPIqvOI/AAAAAAAABFU/UQBYcrcdCso/s200/2_28_09+014.JPG" border="0" /></a>d <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU6KPbDNI/AAAAAAAABE0/6BuYtTQPNmY/s1600-h/2_28_09+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308570681432804562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU6KPbDNI/AAAAAAAABE0/6BuYtTQPNmY/s200/2_28_09+015.JPG" border="0" /></a>scoped out prior to the trip, made a phone call and within minutes were booked Sunday through Wednesday nights. A Lynx bus from Ticket and Transportation would take us to and from. Perfect. Broke the news to Mom and Mo who I think were probably relieved in a sense considering I'm quite sure the idea of 5 of us crammed into their little camper passing germs around didn't sound like much fun to them. Dan and I took a walk to hunt alligators while Em and Mom went to see the movie Push at Downtown Disney. We were pretty excited when we found three of them, tiny as they were...I was a little lesss nervous about Dan playing by the creek. Em and Mom returned and the kids and I made our way over to Magic Kingdom, climbed aboard the monorail to ticket and transportation and found our bus which <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWKVJcQaI/AAAAAAAABFc/k9890c2XK-E/s1600-h/2_28_09+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308572058750042530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavWKVJcQaI/AAAAAAAABFc/k9890c2XK-E/s200/2_28_09+020.JPG" border="0" /></a>magically took us right where we needed to be. Love it when that happens. The first room we were in blew <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU55g8IFI/AAAAAAAABEs/lXeNfm3Qa6o/s1600-h/2_28_09+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308570676942872658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavU55g8IFI/AAAAAAAABEs/lXeNfm3Qa6o/s200/2_28_09+013.JPG" border="0" /></a>only cold air from it's heater but we contacted the front desk and we were quickly moved to another room. We settled in, the kids watched TV while we waited for Chinese food to arrive. I guess we let the room temp get up to a comfortable 80 or so degrees before we turned it down. Emmy's cheeks were a lovely shade of pink. </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavYB9Xp5TI/AAAAAAAABFk/bSemLCCj1-8/s1600-h/2_28_09+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308574113951507762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SavYB9Xp5TI/AAAAAAAABFk/bSemLCCj1-8/s200/2_28_09+021.JPG" border="0" /></a>Home sweet Home!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-48153716470987492462009-02-28T17:54:00.004-05:002009-02-28T18:27:23.794-05:00February 28, 2009 Disney Day 5<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SanGGaDGXxI/AAAAAAAABD8/Oy8A3q90bSY/s1600-h/2_28_09+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307991449206677266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SanGGaDGXxI/AAAAAAAABD8/Oy8A3q90bSY/s320/2_28_09+001.JPG" border="0" /></a> High temp 82, Low 60....perfect...<br /><br /><br /><div>Today started off as has become typical of Fort Wilderness. I awoke around 5:30 and rolled around and enjoyed the silence until about 6:15 when my bladder couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed my bathroom bag, robe and towel and headed for the showers. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">There's</span> something completely blissful about walking barefoot just as the first light is coming through the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Spanish</span> moss. I didn't feel very well and judging by Danny hacking cough didn't figure he was going to either. I arrived back at the camper just as the coffee was done brewing and sat and enjoyed the early morning with Mo. Mom awoke shortly after, followed by Emily and eventually Danny at 8am. The weekenders had arrived and the stream running behind our house was filled with boys playing war games. We decided we have a quiet slow morning and shoot for the S<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pectromagic</span> parade and the fireworks at Magic Kingdom provided Dan took a nap. He and I went down to the settlement so he could play at the <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SanG3UGLtVI/AAAAAAAABEE/JphNsmG4iZs/s1600-h/2_28_09+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307992289422587218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SanG3UGLtVI/AAAAAAAABEE/JphNsmG4iZs/s320/2_28_09+002.JPG" border="0" /></a>playground and I caught up on uploading some pictures and blogging. Mom called after about half an hour and said she and Em were headed to Downtown Disney, and Mo was going for a bike ride. Dan and I decided since it was lunch time that we'd eat at the Trails Inn all you can eat buffet. We played a huge game of connect four, Dan won twice, I just once before our pager rang letting us know our table was ready. The buffet was nice but geared for those that eat meat. I had a nice <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Caesar</span> salad and green beans with onions. Dan had macaroni and cheese and an ice cream sundae. We decided it was time to go home. Danny went over to the other side of the creek to play with the boys and had a great time. At 2 o'clock I called him home for a nap. I put on my suit and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">laid</span> in the sun....and fell asleep. Dan however didn't nap and at 3:45 we decided he'd tried for long enough. Mo said he'd seen an alligator further down the creek so Dan and I <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SanHEWQ7qkI/AAAAAAAABEM/QYDCwbqNMP4/s1600-h/2_28_09+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307992513342843458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SanHEWQ7qkI/AAAAAAAABEM/QYDCwbqNMP4/s320/2_28_09+003.JPG" border="0" /></a>went for a walk. We found a few lizards, a deer and some fire ants (the hard way), but no alligators. We returned home to find Em and Mom back. Dan decided he wanted to play with the boys for a while longer and ran off. The other boys must have been called in for dinner because Dan returned looking for something to do. Mom suggested they try fishing, but was worried about taking the fish off the hook if they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">actually</span> caught something. I told her I'd blog and stand by for fish hook removal. They didn't catch any fish but I did assist with a couple of tangles. Mom and Dan returned the fishing rod while Em and I caught up, computers <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">dueling</span> behind the Meadow trading post. Aunt Fran had been given an arcade gift card that she passed along to us, so that's next on the nights events. It's been a slow <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Disney</span> day but with 15 days and a 10 day pass we knew we'd have some down days. This was a nice one.</div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-16371881496006064462009-02-27T12:42:00.005-05:002009-02-28T17:43:11.232-05:00February 27, 2009 Disney Day 4<div>Started out this morning at 5:30 with Emily needing to pee and Danny complaining of a sore <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SalnpyHC66I/AAAAAAAABCU/WYdLhW6po0k/s1600-h/2_27_09+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307887603356461986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SalnpyHC66I/AAAAAAAABCU/WYdLhW6po0k/s200/2_27_09+031.JPG" border="0" /></a>throat, at that might hopes of making use of the warmest day yet and going to Blizzard Beach quicklly went out the window. The kids fell back to sleep while I scanned via cell phone light the brochures for Animal Kingdom and decided we'd do that instead. The kids both fell back to sleep but I got up showered and returned to Mom who <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Saln9MRdkjI/AAAAAAAABCc/42edo6gkH68/s1600-h/2_27_09+052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307887936796987954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Saln9MRdkjI/AAAAAAAABCc/42edo6gkH68/s200/2_27_09+052.JPG" border="0" /></a>had coffee waiting. She and I decided that we'd go into town and do some shopping, pick up Dan another air mattress and come back and take Dan to the park. What I hadn't expected was that Emily would summon enough courage to do it alone. About midway into our shopping trip I texted her and sure enough she and Dan were waiting for the bus at the outpost for Animal Kingdom, what a terrific thing! Mom and I finished shopping, and returned. I made the beds in the tent, returned the pillows we'd been using as a mattress to Fran and started two loads of laundry. And am now...well... you guess it...blogging...The kids returned from Animal Kingdom at about 1pm, they did a Bugs life and took some pretty cool pictures. Em sucessfully got herself and her brother to and from Animal Kingdom. We fed them lunch and since Em didn't feel very well put her and Dan both down for a nap. With 2 hours at l<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SalqAjqeQ4I/AAAAAAAABCk/WttH_6ni6Lk/s1600-h/2_27_09+076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307890193638769538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 147px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SalqAjqeQ4I/AAAAAAAABCk/WttH_6ni6Lk/s200/2_27_09+076.JPG" border="0" /></a>east to kill Mom and I decided to make use of the pass and go into Animal Kingdom ourselves. I have a knack for buses and no sooner did we arrive at the first the first bus stop we were stepping off at hour destination. We decided we'd go see the Lion King <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam9516Kw1I/AAAAAAAABDU/ZcKDwPHEyJg/s1600-h/2_27_09+077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307982437254087506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam9516Kw1I/AAAAAAAABDU/ZcKDwPHEyJg/s200/2_27_09+077.JPG" border="0" /></a>show since Dan would probably be more intersted in Nemo. It wa sgreat, lots of singing, dancing and acrobats. I managed to get a pretty good video. Next we walked up to the train so Mom could show me a huge Cicada she'd found but on the way noticed that the safari only had a 10 minute wait and decided to do that as well. The train was next. I texted my dear friend Elias with a picture of the huge Giant Malaya <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SalqcokIY-I/AAAAAAAABCs/nBsw7OeUS64/s1600-h/2_27_09+079.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307890675990684642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SalqcokIY-I/AAAAAAAABCs/nBsw7OeUS64/s200/2_27_09+079.JPG" border="0" /></a>Cicada...always impressive. It was nearing 5pm and the park was preparing to close so we made our way back to the buses, as usual one was waiting for us and promptly departed once we climbed aboard. We were back at the camper by 5:30. We figure it's probably the first time in over 20 years that we've spend so much time alone together in one day. It was very nice. We made some dinner, then I took Dan down to take a shower, before the campfire. We had cowboy Bill tonight and he was great fun, Dan and I took a picture with Dale and stayed for half of Toy Story before Dan was treatening to collapse from exhaustion. I took him back and tucked him into the tent alone, he quietly went off to sleep on his new Lightening Mcqueen air mattress. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-49325532200787198032009-02-26T16:33:00.011-05:002009-02-28T17:41:11.401-05:00February 26, 2009 Disney Day 3<div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam8-Fr1LxI/AAAAAAAABC8/zo-_UXTTGtk/s1600-h/2_27_09+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307981410696769298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam8-Fr1LxI/AAAAAAAABC8/zo-_UXTTGtk/s200/2_27_09+015.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ah....Home Sweet Home......<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam899JfHmI/AAAAAAAABC0/1sYFufxZzVY/s1600-h/2_27_09+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307981408405233250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam899JfHmI/AAAAAAAABC0/1sYFufxZzVY/s200/2_27_09+014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Dan and I had Oatmeal for breakfast and since we knew Aunt Fran was planning on going to MGM decidedc to walk up doward the purple bus stop to see if they were up and out yet. Uncle <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaggQJfZ_PI/AAAAAAAABCE/0bHfXHzqJIg/s1600-h/2-26_09+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307527622653770994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaggQJfZ_PI/AAAAAAAABCE/0bHfXHzqJIg/s200/2-26_09+001.JPG" border="0" /></a>Gary was waiting outside and said they were just getting ready to go. Aunt Fran handed Danny an envelope with $10 for him to spend at Disney. He was very excited and thanked her. Dan and Uncle Gary looked for alligators while we waited for the bus. Eventually it arrived and we took the uneventful ride over. Fran was very excited to ride the new Toy Story exhibit and once there we knew why. It was crazy and fun. It's a two person 3D ride where your driven by different ranges and you accumulate points by shooting at targets. I scored 118,000 my first time, pretty high <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sagfb42_5-I/AAAAAAAABBs/6T-4UD_tUTk/s1600-h/2-26_09+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307526724836124642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sagfb42_5-I/AAAAAAAABBs/6T-4UD_tUTk/s320/2-26_09+006.JPG" border="0" /></a>considering. Dan had better accuracy however. From there we went to the Great Movie ride, which I've done before but forgotten, Dan liked that one as well. Next on our list was Star Wars and with at least three rides under their belts Aunt Fran and Uncle Gary decided to say good bye. Dan had a great time in Star Wars, I think he really thought we left our planet. On our way out we realized that Mom had called, so we called her back. She was on Rocking Roller coaster and would be right over. Dan tried with all his might to be chosen to learn how to be a jedi with no luck. With the same plan as the day before we got some lunch. Mom had an Asian salad that she took a few bites of then passed on to me. I had some fish sticks and apple slices and Dan had a cheeseburger, grapes and <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SagfuH4YrLI/AAAAAAAABB0/AVUE70ro9CQ/s1600-h/2-26_09+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307527038106119346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SagfuH4YrLI/AAAAAAAABB0/AVUE70ro9CQ/s320/2-26_09+010.JPG" border="0" /></a>applesauce. We made it over to the Indiana Jones set just in time to find three seats. The show was great, three stages moved away and a dozen or so volunteers from the audience were properly embarrased. Mom had a fast pass for rockin Rollercoaster so we went back over there before heading back to the campground. The ride home was uneventful, I quickly put Dan down for a nap, and went over the the meadow trading post to blog. Unfortunately Dan snowed his Grandmother into thinking he'd napped and within 30 minutes I was summoned home. With most yesterdays blog complete. We had some more lunch, and hung around for a while. Mo took Dan to look for alligators. Emily must have been bored because suddenly I was attacked with sunscreen because my face looked a little pink. I ran away to the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaggAO9zVcI/AAAAAAAABB8/YKa2Bdrb0GY/s1600-h/2-26_09+014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307527349245531586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaggAO9zVcI/AAAAAAAABB8/YKa2Bdrb0GY/s320/2-26_09+014.JPG" border="0" /></a>trading post for a few quiet <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaggaOMkFDI/AAAAAAAABCM/ASWyp4i9rgA/s1600-h/2-26_09+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307527795715609650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaggaOMkFDI/AAAAAAAABCM/ASWyp4i9rgA/s200/2-26_09+015.JPG" border="0" /></a>moments in the sun. I arrived back at the camper just as everybody else was returning. We decided to take a walk down to the settlement. Perfect, I thought....Dan can play at the playground, and I can blog....that's what we're doing right now....until my battery died anyway. Once back at the camper,Mom, the kids and I <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam9KsJXIDI/AAAAAAAABDE/XJ6MNAIPsOI/s1600-h/2_27_09+018.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307981627179606066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam9KsJXIDI/AAAAAAAABDE/XJ6MNAIPsOI/s200/2_27_09+018.JPG" border="0" /></a>shared a huge strawberry shortcake before heading over to the Chip and Dale campfire. Dan has stood in line twice to see Chip and Dale and <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam9VBYPKNI/AAAAAAAABDM/-4Uhhx3tQAY/s1600-h/2_27_09+026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307981804677834962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sam9VBYPKNI/AAAAAAAABDM/-4Uhhx3tQAY/s200/2_27_09+026.JPG" border="0" /></a>ushered away because the lines were just too long. He was pretty excited to know he'd have a chance with them tonight. Cowboy Anthony sang some songs, and called us up to do the Hokey Pokey and chicken dance which Dan excited and I not so excitedly joined. Dale made his way to over to us and gave Dan a great big hug. We made it back to the camper in time to see Survivor which Dan barely made it through, then off to bed. We were all pretty exhausted.</div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-91015580583727781722009-02-25T16:56:00.007-05:002009-03-04T07:03:51.547-05:00February 25, 2009 Disney Day's 1 & 2<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5tyCfQL1I/AAAAAAAABGc/W6ky502rygo/s1600-h/3_2_09+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309301717145235282" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5tyCfQL1I/AAAAAAAABGc/W6ky502rygo/s320/3_2_09+001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>I'm sitting at the Meadows trading post, in a rocking chair facing the sun. My new laptop quite effortlessly picked up the wireless signal and whallah, blogging I am.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5uD5JlXOI/AAAAAAAABGk/rPllhrIEadU/s1600-h/Disney+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309302023876074722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sa5uD5JlXOI/AAAAAAAABGk/rPllhrIEadU/s200/Disney+002.JPG" border="0" /></a>We had a terrific trip yesterday. Mike dropped us off at the airport, we checked bags, went though security, and made our way to the gate with only a half hour to kill before boarding. Dan and I went down to a little side market and picked up a couple of tuna sandwiches, bags of chips and a container of fruit and joined Emily who was <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SabpSsE5slI/AAAAAAAABAs/YTXzxWom3oA/s1600-h/Disney+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307185718181343826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SabpSsE5slI/AAAAAAAABAs/YTXzxWom3oA/s320/Disney+009.JPG" border="0" /></a>keeping watch over the bags. We boarded the plane, and Dan sat between Em and I, Em chose the window. The flight was uneventful, Dan spent <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaXEOQ3DUqI/AAAAAAAABAk/ghWKGFH_Dvc/s1600-h/Disney+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306863485249082018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaXEOQ3DUqI/AAAAAAAABAk/ghWKGFH_Dvc/s320/Disney+003.JPG" border="0" /></a>most of the time building and playing with a star wars lego set we'd saved just for the trip. Our flight arrived early, and we quickly deboarded, claimed our luggage and we're on the Disney Magic shuttle. Just an hour and a half later we were safely and happily at Fort Wilderness where Mom and Mo were waiting.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sabp12NRftI/AAAAAAAABA0/ssqEmwKU6a0/s1600-h/Disney+016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307186322196233938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sabp12NRftI/AAAAAAAABA0/ssqEmwKU6a0/s320/Disney+016.JPG" border="0" /></a>We settled in for a bit, then asked Dan what he wanted to do first. With Lego land as his answer we quickly made our way over to Downtown Disney. Mom and I ate some dinner, while Dan played. We bought a tub of legos for $7.99 quite a deal considering Dan probably chose 100 very small pieces. I knew they'd be worth their weight in gold during the trip.<br /><br /><br />Em, Dan and I climbed into the tent at about 9pm. Em didn't feel well and grumbled about the early hour but it didn't take long before we were all asleep. Dan woke us up at 3:30 needing to pee, out the door he went and since his airmattress had deflated during the night brought him onto the big air mattress with Em and I where we <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SabqLynuy7I/AAAAAAAABA8/OPxo57rAgHo/s1600-h/Disney+020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307186699190586290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SabqLynuy7I/AAAAAAAABA8/OPxo57rAgHo/s320/Disney+020.JPG" border="0" /></a>pretty much slept until 6am when the birds started chirping. Dan and I grabbed our stuff and made for the showers, dressed and were returned to a hot cup of coffee, thanks Mo! Mom arose shortly after and after a short discussion decided that Dan and I would take the boat over to magic kingdom and Mom would meet us there later. Em decided to take a bike ride and Mo did some grocery shopping, again...thanks Mo. Grocery shopping was the last thing I wanted to do. Dan and I arrived in Magic Kingdom right on time, quickly went through security, and slid our passes through the machines just as the 9am clock rang. The attendants eagerly covered us in mickey shaped confetti.<br /><br />Dan and I made a bee line for Great thunder mountain but were side tracked by goofy at Splash mountain. Dan decided he wanted to try that first so on we went. I think it was a little more excitement then Dan anticipated but agreed to then go on Great Thunder mountain. By the end he was getting the general idea that Disney might have some surprises in store for him. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SabrEowD5NI/AAAAAAAABBE/TGad0Vf3a0w/s1600-h/Disney+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307187675793712338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SabrEowD5NI/AAAAAAAABBE/TGad0Vf3a0w/s320/Disney+024.JPG" border="0" /></a>Next we went to over to the Jungle cruise which Dan liked but was still a little hesitant about. Just as we were considering our next move, probably the Magic Carpets which I was less then thrilled to ride on, Mom called saying she was in the park and on her way. We decided to meet her at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, Dan was thrilled she'd come and gleefully took her hand. He really liked the ride and after Mom treated him to a sword fight in the store that Disney every so <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SabsYUOHA6I/AAAAAAAABBU/b9Fa5eb-ASo/s1600-h/Disney+032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307189113391612834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SabsYUOHA6I/AAAAAAAABBU/b9Fa5eb-ASo/s320/Disney+032.JPG" border="0" /></a>cleverly dumps you into after their big rides. Little did we know that right outside, THE captain Jack Sparrow was enlisting a new crew, and Danny was chosen as one of the four. He was pretty excited. Dan, much to my excitement, decided he'd rather have Mom join him on the magic carpets. We explored the Swiss Family <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sabrdz8RdPI/AAAAAAAABBM/w2YEDrlUzEM/s1600-h/Disney+028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307188108294452466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sabrdz8RdPI/AAAAAAAABBM/w2YEDrlUzEM/s320/Disney+028.JPG" border="0" /></a>Robinson tree house next, then decided that since it was already 11am that eating before the mad lunch rush might be a good idea. Mom and Dan shared mini corn dogs, a hot dog, and some french fries, and I went next door to the bakery and took out a fruit salad, a mozzarella, pesto, and tomato sandwich. Mom found a nice outside dining area and we enjoyed our lunch while watching a parade pass by down Main Street before heading over to adventureland to Buzz Light year.<br /><br />The line for Buzz was long so we got ourselves some fast passes and killed time in Stitch's escape, which has probably been Dan's least favorite ride so far since Stitch spit at him and the people mover which he thought was pretty cool. Finally it was time for Buzz and Dan loved it, the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sabu0b_07sI/AAAAAAAABBc/rSOEMirYozw/s1600-h/Disney+041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307191795538783938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/Sabu0b_07sI/AAAAAAAABBc/rSOEMirYozw/s320/Disney+041.JPG" border="0" /></a>shooting was right up his alley and there was nothing scary. We decided to call it a morning and went back to the campsite to change into bathing suits. On the way back Danny found a little girl his size, sat down beside her and before you knew it they were best friends. They were going to the pool to and as we seperated promised to see them later. Mom and Em decided to go to the Wilderness Lodge Villa pool, but Dan found it a little dull and was drawn to the slide at the other, so off we went. He found his friend Aubry, and learned how to do the limbo, and play musical bear claws. He had a great time, but was clearly peetering out. Home for a nap, then a bus ride to Wilderness Lodge to walk the exercise path back to the Settlement in search of deer and armadillo. We saw a few deer in the distance but Em and Dan really got excited about the armadillo. We saw 4 or 5 of them, and you can actuallly get pretty close to them. Em named one Demetre and Dan named one fireball, the same name as the pelican he saw earlier at the boats going to Magic Kingdom. We ordered a cheese and pepperoni pizza from the Trails End restaurant ate it outside on the porch then walked down to the beach to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. The end to a perfect day. The kids and I went to bed around 10am and slept straight through until about 6am when I awoke to the first of the bird calls. Em slept in while I showered and we had to wake Danny up at 7:30 to get him up, fed and out the door in time for our adventure into the MGM Hollywood Studios.<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzgSzhGs8W13299sotanHnchBhpN4a6HCzD1i5eKGAu3ah5MXSlRkHyXp2uwjDYYG2_VkZ0zrLQfCL1LbMS9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-12411619787737664332009-02-24T07:26:00.003-05:002009-02-24T07:30:34.441-05:00February 24, 2009 Our bags are packed, we're ready to go!Just a quick note this morning. Everything is packed, the suitcases sit waiting to be loaded and all we have to do now is wait. It's 7:30, we estimate that we need to leave at 8:30 and we're all ready to go. I was up at 3:30, Emily who has a cold anyway was up and down all night and Dan greeted us at about 5:30. To say we're excited is a bit of an understatement. Dan and Mike are killing time playing Mario galaxy and me, well...of course, on the new laptop. Hopefully I'll be able to hook up to Disney WiFi and be able to blog and post pictures during our trip. We'll have to see what happens!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-11650171035956495752009-02-22T16:59:00.005-05:002009-02-22T18:16:48.064-05:00February 22, 2009 Valentines, Birthdays, Disney<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHL1pEAzSI/AAAAAAAAA_0/uBAI4PHIhx4/s1600-h/2_7_09+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305745958435343650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHL1pEAzSI/AAAAAAAAA_0/uBAI4PHIhx4/s320/2_7_09+002.JPG" border="0" /></a> Things have been slow and steady here. We've made it half way through winter, and are now enjoying the days getting longer. The boys did try to go out ice skating on the pond one particularly warm day but there was a layer of slush on top that made it nearly impossible. Took the token picture as proof of their efforts. I'm lucky in that my birthday is just three<br /><div>days after Valentines day so for me, it's almost like having a birthday week. Since I had to work Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights Mike gave me my Valentines day roses and dark chocolate bar on Friday...one whole day early, thus extending the usual birthday week celebrations. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>A card came on Saturday along with a little something from a store called Secrets in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Wareham</span>, and my Birthday present. I'd asked for an MP3 player for the gym and after consulting with the <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHL2LUw7bI/AAAAAAAABAE/Esg_J5wFzfE/s1600-h/February+22,+2009+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305745967632412082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHL2LUw7bI/AAAAAAAABAE/Esg_J5wFzfE/s320/February+22,+2009+004.JPG" border="0" /></a>guys from work Mike ordered a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sansa</span> from Amazon, which <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">conveniently</span> arrived on Saturday as well. Surprisingly enough he said I could have it early , he usually likes to torture me, and happily went off to the gym on Sunday morning with my tunes playing. Very happy, but too much Mama Mia, had to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tweak</span> it just a bit later on. </div><div></div><div>I'm still doing well at the gym, have sort of gotten into a routine and have gone just about every day since joining. I spend 20 minutes doing a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">glute</span> elliptical workout. about 2 miles and 200 calories, then climb on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">StairMaster</span> for a 15 minute fat burner workout which involves 68 flights of stairs at varying speeds. I started at level 7 and am at level 9 now. About 150 calories and 1.5 miles. From there I go on to the nautilus machines and alternate upper and lower body. If I'm really feeling brave I do some squats at the captive bar...I always feel those the next day. Dan loves going to the babysitting room because there are always new friends to play with, he's so very social. </div><div></div><div></div><div>On Sunday (February 15<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Th</span>) Marie and I took a trip to Newport. Had a nice salad at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Coddington</span>, tackled Hanging rock, toured the Breakers, dined at Brick Alley for dinner and finished the night with the movie, He's just not that into you. It was a good long day, and we were exhausted but had lots of fun.* Unfortunately I forgot the camera, the view from Hanging rock was amazing, and the Breakers beautiful, it's always fun taking someone who's never been.<br /></div><div>Tuesday quickly arrived and so did 39. Emily surprised me with the Mama Mia DVD, which is right now safely packed in my suitcase...Thanks Em...that was nice! Thanks also to the many who e-mailed, sent cards, virtual or real, called or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">texted</span>. You really made the day special. Mike and I had made tentative plans to go to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Wimpy's</span> <a href="http://www.wimpysseafoodcafe.com/">http://www.wimpysseafoodcafe.com/</a> for dinner. Emily agreed to watch Dan providing she get to have Buffalo chicken wings and Margarita pizza for dinner. With the deal sealed, Dan and I headed off to the store. Dan decided since it was my birthday he was going to do the shopping. He ordered from the deli, "a quarter pound of bologna please" he picked out some birthday flowers for me, and even unloaded the grocery onto the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">conveyor</span> belt. What a nice boy! The tulips he picked were beautiful and I was pleased with the gesture. M<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHNZ3bVy8I/AAAAAAAABAc/d9Sd-44EsrQ/s1600-h/February+22,+2009+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305747680278203330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHNZ3bVy8I/AAAAAAAABAc/d9Sd-44EsrQ/s320/February+22,+2009+005.JPG" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">ike</span> arrived home just in time to change and head out for our 8pm reservation. As I got into my seat he handed me a fairly large box, told me to hold it on my lap. I could open it at the restaurant. I had absolutely no idea what could be inside, but sure I'd already received my big present was intrigued. We sat down, ordered coconut shrimp, a couple of Irish coffees...we talked about our day. The box sat, patiently and waited. Finally I asked for it, started opening it and was absolutely astonished at what was inside. Right now I am typing on my brand new laptop, in my bedroom on my nice warm bed. No more sitting at the cold desk for me! No more blogs that freeze just as I'm getting ready to save. I was so excited, and immediately <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">texted</span> Em who I knew would be green with envy. She was...and still is. Have I ever said I have the greatest husband ever??? Well....I do. Thanks Honey! We enjoyed a great meal. Mike had the end piece of Prime Rib, I had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Cioppino</span> which for being in a red sauce was excellent. Way too much food, but we took the rest home. I couldn't wait to try out the new laptop....haven't put it down since, and still haven't let the kids touch it, much to Emily's dismay. I had a great birthday. </div><div></div><div></div><div>The rest of the week and weekend we spent preparing for the upcoming trip, trying to stay busy and make the time go by faster. </div><div></div><div>As of today, I think everything is done. Mike has enough human and dog food, clean clothes, cream and coffee to last him well into our vacation. The kids and I are mostly packed. A few loose ends to tie up, but we're ready. Dan and I went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Walmart</span> this morning and while there remembered I had wanted to have a bracelet with his name and my cell phone number made up just in case he got lost. With no time to order one, I spied the dog tag maker and called Mom for the campsite address. He now proudly wears around his neck a rainbow dog bone shaped tag with his name, mine and Em's cell numbers and the address of our campsite. It's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Disney</span>, I'm less worried about him being abducted and more worried about him just getting caught up in the crowd....he's just one of those kids...he likes to wander. Now I won't worry quite so much, and he loves it!</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHNZjqm71I/AAAAAAAABAU/2FThGWRylbo/s1600-h/February+22,+2009+006.JPG"></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHL128oG6I/AAAAAAAAA_8/91IkH0GP1o4/s1600-h/February+22,+2009+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305745962162461602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHL128oG6I/AAAAAAAAA_8/91IkH0GP1o4/s320/February+22,+2009+001.JPG" border="0" /></a>On an up note. Mike our neighbor is doing a demo job on an old church and asked us if we wanted the old stove and dishwasher. I've dreaded parting with my stove, but this </div><div>0ne is old too, and the same kind so since the price was right </div><div>(free) I accepted both. Free isn't always free because Mike </div><div>has probably 10 hours invested in fixing the oven. But now it works and although it's brown I don't care! The </div><div>dishwasher will take a little work to get it going, plumbing, electricity etc, but I'm in no hurry, </div><div>we've been this long without one!</div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The pond has steadily melted and as of today there is only an ice flow left in the middle of the pond that stubbornly refuses to melt. Hoping to see it gone before Mike takes the kids and I to the airport on Tuesday.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHL2eCVtyI/AAAAAAAABAM/VFq7LM9XiTY/s1600-h/February+22,+2009+003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305745972655404834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SaHL2eCVtyI/AAAAAAAABAM/VFq7LM9XiTY/s320/February+22,+2009+003.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-34973151434549399172009-02-04T14:35:00.003-05:002009-02-04T14:49:05.366-05:00February 4, 2009 Gold's gym, Star wars, and DisneyIt's Wednesday, the sun is shining and although it only early February I can already feel winters hold starting to lift. The days are getting longer, the sun warmer. I removed the covers from the sky lights in our bedroom this week. It's just about this time of year that the sun is positioned just right that in the early afternoon the sun will stream in onto the bed and warm it nicely. I love to lay there when the opportunity arises. <br /><br />I've faithfully gone to the gym every day and except for the day after working out with Pam have felt no pain. I think that means I'm not pushing myself hard enough. Emmy printed out a pass as well and has been joining me. It's nice to have her there, and Danny loves to go their childrens room. It's even more satisfying when everybody is happy!<br /><br />We had an eight inch snow fall yesterday. It was a classic north easter so Dan and I went out early. Went to the gym, then headed over to the KC Coombs school to sign him up for kindergarten in the fall. We came home and thanks to Matt, who borrowed from his friend Paul all the the Star Wars DVD's, watched the first 4. It was a nice quiet day, curled up on the couch, in front of the stove while the wind and snow blew outside. I strategically planned a roast chicken for dinner, there's nothing better on a cold yucky winters day then the smell of roast chicken in the house.<br /><br />With Disney just 20 days away I decided to retrieve the paperwork from the safe and familiarize myself with the times and dates that were set forever ago. We're all getting very excited. I feel sorry for Mike who will remain here in the hum drum while the kids and I have a fun adventure in the warmth for two whole weeks!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-12433821887328836972009-02-01T08:25:00.002-05:002009-02-01T08:27:13.772-05:00February 1, 2009 Gold's GymPam and London go to Gold's gym so last Monday I decided to check it out. I walked in for a free trial and felt right at home! Climbed onto an elliptical machine and didn't look back. I've been every day since. Usually do 20 minutes on Glute elliptical, then 15 minutes on the stair master. On Friday Jason trained me on the nautilus machines. On Saturday morning Janni joined me and we convinced Pam to meet us there as well.<br />We all did our own cardio the met at the nautilus equiptment and started doing rotations. Pam is fairly fit and I definitely had to work to keep up with her. We're going with London today, and since most of my muscles are already sore I'm worried what he's going to do to me!!! I'm sure it'll be fine, it's definitely been great for beating the winter blahs!!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-63549139191910842242009-01-30T17:33:00.012-05:002009-02-01T08:22:56.051-05:00January 30, 2009 Bacon ExplosionI was surfing the web on Thursday afternooon when the picture on Yahoo struck me, and with nothing planned for men's night dinner, I thought aha! They want meat...I'll give them meat. Little did I know that in giving them what I thought they wanted, I'd be accused of trying to kill the neighborhood... The pictures below are of Bacon Explosion, the recipe which is causing sparks in internet lines everywhere. One site alone was said to have had over 400,000 hits last week alone, with superbowl coming up it's no wonder....I had to try it.<br />I used...<br />2 lbs thickly sliced bacon<br />1.5 lbs sweet italian sausage minus the casings<br />2 tbs dry BBQ seasoning<br />3/4 cup BBQ sauce<br /><br />Take one pound of bacon, and laying it on aluminum foil start a basket weave pattern, until you have a square similar to the one below. Sprinkle some BBQ seasoning on top. Take your italian sausage meat and carefully lay it over your bacon. Fry up remaining bacon until crispy, break into pieces and sprinkly over the italian sausage. Generously drizzle some BBQ over the entire sheet. Without lifting the bottom bacon layer carefully roll the sausage toward you until you reach the bottom. Gently knead to remove air pockets and seal the ends closed. Working backwards roll the bacon along with the sausage roll in the opposite direction until the seam is on the bottom of the roll. Sprinkle with BBQ seasoning and bake in the over at 350 degrees until internal temp reaches 165 degrees. Generally 1 hour for each inch of thickness. Glaze with remaining BBQ sauce, slice and serve as is or as a sandwich filler.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYOBMGkdsCI/AAAAAAAAA9c/ahBvZ9n2s5E/s1600-h/1_30_09+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297219631639801890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYOBMGkdsCI/AAAAAAAAA9c/ahBvZ9n2s5E/s320/1_30_09+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYODSvm_X_I/AAAAAAAAA-E/FOcCCTrfpN0/s1600-h/1_30_09+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297221944758722546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYODSvm_X_I/AAAAAAAAA-E/FOcCCTrfpN0/s320/1_30_09+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYQ8VCHmBeI/AAAAAAAAA-s/_oefQ9KeDDI/s1600-h/1_30_09+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297425393738188258" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYQ8VCHmBeI/AAAAAAAAA-s/_oefQ9KeDDI/s320/1_30_09+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYQ8VNoQlaI/AAAAAAAAA-0/9rYIReAIAlE/s1600-h/1_30_09+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297425396827985314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYQ8VNoQlaI/AAAAAAAAA-0/9rYIReAIAlE/s320/1_30_09+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYQ8VRSLs1I/AAAAAAAAA-8/-e1LBckyesw/s1600-h/1_30_09+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297425397809132370" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYQ8VRSLs1I/AAAAAAAAA-8/-e1LBckyesw/s320/1_30_09+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYOBMx-ebkI/AAAAAAAAA98/NHX-QNf3Ncs/s1600-h/1_30_09+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297219643291627074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYOBMx-ebkI/AAAAAAAAA98/NHX-QNf3Ncs/s320/1_30_09+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYQ8VqFDvCI/AAAAAAAAA_E/3M2otdWBpnw/s1600-h/1_30_09+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297425404464970786" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYQ8VqFDvCI/AAAAAAAAA_E/3M2otdWBpnw/s320/1_30_09+019.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYWhYtQ3CsI/AAAAAAAAA_k/gGN2GDObh10/s1600-h/1_30_09+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297817982510500546" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYWhYtQ3CsI/AAAAAAAAA_k/gGN2GDObh10/s320/1_30_09+021.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-76400088424369122242009-01-24T07:20:00.009-05:002009-02-01T08:26:34.725-05:00January 24, 2009 Cold and playdatesEmily arrived home from Virginia uneventfully. We took Dan to play in the children's room until only minutes before Em's flight was due. By the time we got down to her gate my cell was buzzing. It was her asking where I was! She was down stairs in baggage claim. Mike went to get the van, Dan and I went to get Em. 10 minutes later we had her and were on our way. Stopped at Chili's on the way home and she talked endlessly. Called Vavo to let him know she'd arrived safely and to ask him if he'd kept her gagged the entire trip, she was just verbally vomitting. He said she barely talked the entire time she was there! Always strikes me when someone says my children are quiet.....because No, really...they're not!<br /><br />Saturday morning started off as usual. My friend Marie has been encouraging me to join USA Fitness for women down the street but it's really expensive, like $200 for 3 months plus paying for childcare. I told her I'd check it out but wasn't opptimstic. I'm pretty happy with my weight loss and seem to be holding steady despite not exercising on a regular basis, however I don't expect that will continue for very long and I can't feel my diet starting to slip back into familiar patterns....warning, warning!!! I did go shopping this week one morning while Dan was in school and found a dress I really liked. I'm not sure where I will ever where it but it felt really good on! I bought it and saved the reciept so I can return it if I change my mind.<br /><br />My neighbor Pam found my on Facebook this morning, befriended me and before we knew it we were scheduling play dates with her son Justin and Danny. Dan's been dying to play at Justins house but he's in Kindergarten and is not home much during the week. Pam and I decided to let them play at their house and see how it went. They did great, Dan and Justin played fairly well <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYWhOIdZNBI/AAAAAAAAA_M/j30T6eLppVo/s1600-h/1_30_09+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297817800832267282" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYWhOIdZNBI/AAAAAAAAA_M/j30T6eLppVo/s320/1_30_09+001.jpg" border="0" /></a>together considering they have similar temperments...ie..both like to be the boss. The play date went so well, and since Pam was sick we decided to ask Justin over to our house to play on<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYWhOA7OfpI/AAAAAAAAA_U/Eu4jN-Dy2Q8/s1600-h/1_30_09+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297817798809910930" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYWhOA7OfpI/AAAAAAAAA_U/Eu4jN-Dy2Q8/s320/1_30_09+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sunday. It was a lousy cold day, but between playdough, legos, the smart cycle and wii we kept them both entertained. Emily had a play date too, her friend Ben came over and showed her some notes on the new electric guitar Mike brought home and sold Emmy and amp for it. It was a fun weekend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYWhOfrzOvI/AAAAAAAAA_c/Mz_J7LDDQIU/s1600-h/1_30_09+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297817807066708722" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SYWhOfrzOvI/AAAAAAAAA_c/Mz_J7LDDQIU/s320/1_30_09+004.jpg" border="0" /></a>The weather continues to be cold and I can't remember such a long stretch. The pond has been frozen for weeks, still I haven't taken my overactive preschooler ice skating despite him having skates and a new snowsuit...Derek our neighbor did volunteer to take him out one day, I don't think they made it to the pond but since the whole world is pretty much covered in ice these days, the neighbors yard worked just as well.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-59916353819353636212009-01-21T13:36:00.001-05:002009-01-22T07:41:20.285-05:00January 21, 2009 PalpitationsSleeping with the monitor wasn't that bad and I awoke this morning around 7:30, got Dan up, ready for school and out the door right on time. I feel pretty good so far today, still having a racing heart from time to time, but no more feelings of passing out, so far so good. Dan and I had a discussion about what he'd do if the situation happened again and although he didn't want to talk about it, am now confident he'd be able to at least find my phone and call 911. Hopefully GPS tracking would do the job and we'd get the help we needed. I hope we never have to find out. Just one of those things I never thought he'd need to know....now he knows...<br /><br /> Dan and I spent the afternoon hanging around playing games. Mousetrap is his new favorite and he plays it relentlessly. I think he has more fun setting it up then actually playing so sometimes he just does that, without playing the game. We played Mario galaxy for a while before it was time to make dinner, at which time he switched to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wii</span> cars, one of the games he can play by himself. I made <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">rotini</span> with meatballs for the boys, a seared tuna steak for myself with garlic bread and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cesar</span> salad. We finished dinner and the guys resumed their game of cars. I impatiently counted down the minutes until I could remove the monitor and take a nice hot bath, then tucked Dan into bed and climbed in myself. I couldn't use the electric blanket the night before so I was thrilled to curl up under it, with a good book.<br /> Emmy comes home tomorrow, the plan is for Dan and I to drive up to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Braintree</span>, meet Mike there, drive into Logan together, I'll run in and get Em and her luggage, while Mike and Dan drive around avoiding paying the $12 parking fee.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-68399779581775445082009-01-20T09:09:00.009-05:002009-01-21T13:56:16.552-05:00January 20, 2009 President Obama, Danny's first date, PalpitationsIt's Tuesday morning here, and although from where I'm sitting it feels just like any other Tuesday, today is going to be written about in history books, as the day that the United States of America swore in it's first African American President. We've really come a long way in a short amount of time. Although he wasn't my first choice, I hope with everything I've got that he gets in there and does some really great things, fast. America could certainly use some good news right about now.<br /><br />Friday we awoke, back in 6 degree Massachusetts, and I cursed my decision to drive north. I should have thrown caution to the wind and followed my gut. I might have had to drive all the way to the Southernmost tip but warmth I would have eventually found. Dan and I did a little shopping then went over the the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mashpee</span> Library for 1pm <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">story time</span>. The Waldorf school was there doing a little play, and there was a raffle for movie tickets that I quickly scrawled Danny's name onto. He sat and watched the play, I logged onto one of the library computers. A half hour passed quickly and I suddenly realized that someone was calling Danny's name. A bit alarmed I walked over to the corner and was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">surprised</span> to find out that Dan had won the movie tickets to see Hotel for Dogs, he was very excited. We checked out a couple of books and since Buzz had the girls decided we'd go over there for a little while to let the kids play together. On the way, Danny asked if he could ask Seneca if she'd like to see the movie with him, like a date, he said. I laughed and told him it would be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">OK</span>.<br />We arrived, took off our coats and shoes and the kids proceed to play. Dan asked Seneca to the movie. Very cute. Buzz and I decided we'd take them Sunday at 1:20pm. Saturday passed, and Sunday arrived. I asked Dan if we should met Seneca and Buzz at the movie and he said, usually the boy picks up the girl. I laughed, the boy is TOO much. We got Dan in the bath and dressed for his date, picked up Seneca and Buzz right on time. Walking into the movie Danny asked Seneca if she'd like to hold his hand, she said <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">OK</span>. Very cute. Dan gave the attendant their tickets, we got some popcorn and found a seat. The movie was cute, at one point I looked over at Dan and Seneca sitting side by side and swatted Buzz's arm. Dan was puckered up for a kiss, Seneca wanted no part of that and Dan went denied. We drove them home, visited with Jen and the other girls for a few minutes before we had to say good bye, so I could go to work. Fun day.<br /><br />Monday was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MLK</span> holiday but Mike had to work, Dan and I went to Kmart to pick up Big Brain academy for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Wii</span>, brought it home and played for a while. Pretty cute game, and Dan can play by himself, we're doing all we can to promote some quiet alone play, as Dan will exhaust us otherwise.<br /><br />Tuesday morning we planned for Buzz and the girls to come over here for the morning while their cleaning lady made their house sparkle. The kids played for a while, Buzz and I watched as much of the inauguration as possible with 4 children 5 and under running around. Ruby had school so Buzz and the girls had lunch and said good bye, the kids wanted to continue playing so we decided he'd bring everybody back after school and Joey's nap, and I'd make dinner. Dan and I ran out to the store. While there I felt <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">strangely</span> weird and my heart was racing. Not sure of what was going on, and having palpitations on a pretty regular basis, I decided to call my primary from the parking lot since I was already out and these episodes were starting to make me nervous. He was on vacation, I got the number of the on call doctor and decided to head home.<br />On the way, I felt my heart start racing again, and suddenly felt like I might pass out, not a good feeling driving 45MPH down a single lane road with no shoulder and a 5 year old in the back seat. I suddenly thought what might/would happen if I really did go out, would Dan know to find my phone and call 911, would someone stop to help, would that person really help. I think my panic might have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">exacerbated</span> the issue. I remembered that if you were having a heart attack that you should cough hard and long and gave it a few tries. I did seem to help and the feeling was lessened. I immediately called Laurie who wasn't home, then Derek who lives next door. Quickly asked him if he could watch Dan when I got home, explained what was going on and thankfully he stayed on the phone with me until I pulled into the driveway. The feeling had passed but I could still feel my heart racing.<br /><br />Once home, Dan safely with a friend of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Derek's</span> who was visiting, I called Elias, my dear cicada loving cardiologist from NY. Told him what had happened, he reassured me I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">OK</span>, but would need/want to see somebody today. Derek and I unloaded the groceries and put them away. I called Dr. Bowers' on call doctor who very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">coolly</span> and calmly took my name, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">birth date</span> etc. I found myself getting very frustrated with them, and realized it was starting again. Derek agreed to drive me to the hospital, we packed up Dan, made a quick call to Mike to let him know what was going on and we were on our way. Elias called en route and agreed if it was happening again I needed to be seen immediately. How lucky am I to have such a great friend. We arrived at the hospital only minutes before Mike, Derek agreed to take Dan home with him and watch him as long as we needed him too....lucky again, another good friend.<br /><br />We were eventually taken into the ER and met there by the two best nurses Jane and Mary, ever. I was assessed, blood was drawn, and port left. Hooked up to a blood pressure cuff, oxygen sensor and heart monitor, and seen by the doctor who quickly ordered a chest X-ray. It was amazing how quickly things happened once I was in, and it was only a minute or two from the time it was ordered until I was being pushed down the hall.<br /><br />The X-ray was uneventful and I was back in Room 3 in no time. I'd asked Mike to run down to Stop and shop to pick me up some lunch since I hadn't eaten all day, so he'd returned and I enjoyed some sushi. Then we waited. X-ray came back normal, one of the blood test was a little off and the doctor said it could be an indication of a blood clot, and ordered a chest cat scan which I was again quickly whisked away to. This time dye was injected into my port and within seconds I felt warm and tingly all over, an interesting sensation. Back in my room and just waiting I was happy to see Jen who had just finished her shift upstairs, she came down to see what was going on and ultimately lifted my spirit and made the wait for those results <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">bearable</span>. (you never know what they'll find when they start looking) before too long and PCT came in with a portable heart monitor which was my cue that I was being sent home. 7 electrodes were stuck to my upper and lower chest and a playing card sized box was fastened around my waist by a belt, the CAT scan came back normal, there some question about a possible thyroid connection but the results weren't back yet.<br /><br />I'm to return the monitor after wearing it was 24 hours and a cardiologist will assess the results and send them to Dr. Bowers. So I'm to follow up with him next week unless I hear from the hospital sooner or I have another episode. I was released about 9:00 and while calling Derek to check on Dan was told that he was making us dinner. Nice, we were hungry. Dinner was great, Dan was sad to leave but exhausted and was asleep before his head hit the pillow. I curled up next to Mike on the couch and fell asleep.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-14546791679772610892009-01-16T08:43:00.008-05:002009-01-16T21:11:31.210-05:00January 16, 2009 D&D, Virginia, US Air flight 1549Here it is, Friday and Dan and I have made the trek south and north again.<br />We left here at 7:05am on Tuesday. Made an uneventful and speedy trip south and arrived in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mechanicville</span>, VA just after 4pm. 9 hours. Dan traveled beautifully, only had to stop once in Delaware for gas, food and a pee break. Dad, Kat and Em had spent the day in DC touring the department of agriculture, treasury and the botanical gardens. We actually arrived at their house before they did. Dan behaved remarkably well, and during the drive I weighed the pros and cons of spending the night in VA then continuing south to Florida Wednesday morning. Dan's <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SXE9suN-wII/AAAAAAAAA9E/zm2Sj86Lxtc/s1600-h/MomDanTV.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SXE9suN-wII/AAAAAAAAA9E/zm2Sj86Lxtc/s320/MomDanTV.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292078875667251330" border="0" /></a>reaction upon arriving in Virginia changed my mind. He was frustrated and unruly upon arrival, obviously overtired and overwhelmed. Dad and Kathy picked Red Robin for dinner, a good choice and he made it through. We got him home, dressed him for bed, and tucked him in. He was asleep within minutes.<br />We awoke Wednesday morning. Dan and I took a walk/bike ride down to the end of Dad's drive way, quite a ways, and back, then a walk through Dad and Kathy's nicely manicured woodland paths so Dan could collect gum balls. (Seed pods from the gum tree) Dad and Kat had some things to do but Dad, Em and I ultimately agreed to meet Kathy in Richmond at the museums. Dad and Emily went to the science museum <a href="http://www.smv.org/">http://www.smv.org/</a>while Dan and I checked out the Children's museum <a href="http://www.c-mor.org/">http://www.c-mor.org/</a>which was right next door. Kathy met Dad and Em sometime during their visit. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SXE9y5L7WWI/AAAAAAAAA9U/MyOiP1tL5To/s1600-h/WorldBall.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SXE9y5L7WWI/AAAAAAAAA9U/MyOiP1tL5To/s320/WorldBall.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292078981690644834" border="0" /></a>Everybody had a great time, We all climbed into the van and drove down Monument Ave, and the around the corner to a restaurant called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kuba</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kuba</span>. <a href="http://www.kubakuba.info/">http://www.kubakuba.info/</a>It was very eclectic, a highlight was the fresh squeezed lemon and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">limeade</span>. Dad had a crayfish omelet (obviously not called that, but it's what it was) with vegetables. The girls Turkey, spinach and tomato sandwiches, Dan macaroni and cheese and I had a fishcake sandwich which was very good. Dad, Dan and I drove past the Richmond speedway on our way to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">BJ's</span> for trail mix. One ingredient of our later dinner. Kat and Em headed for the library, then met us at home. Dad retired to the garage for a cigar, Dan and I curled up on the couch to watch Tarzan and Jane, one of the movies we borrowed from the library and he watched at least 5 times on the ride down. I don't understand how someone can watch the same movie over and over again but it works for him. Admittedly it was pretty cute...once. Dan and I thought we'd try a computer game called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Qbeez</span> that Dad, Kat and Emily have really taken a liking to...and Dan and I were quickly addicted as well. Dad, Kat and Emily prepared dinner. Since we ate lunch at 3pm or so we weren't really that hungry and decided to have cut melon, pineapple, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SXE9sokPTTI/AAAAAAAAA88/CYpNKqnKRk4/s1600-h/DannyDinosaur.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SXE9sokPTTI/AAAAAAAAA88/CYpNKqnKRk4/s320/DannyDinosaur.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292078874149997874" border="0" /></a>grapes, pears, apples, trail mix and popcorn for dinner. It was very good and just enough. We all found a spot in the living room to watch Pirates of the Caribbean. Dan really liked it but before the final battle couldn't keep his eyes open. He and I went off to bed figuring we'd watch the end in the morning.<br />I woke up Thursday morning and with no plans for the day considered leaving. It was about 15 degrees. I considered that the inauguration was the following Tuesday, and that DC was probably only going to get busier, and harder to get around. Talked to Dad, and decided that would be the plan. We'd <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">leave</span> at 10am. One thing about split second decisions is that very often things are forgotten. An unhappy Danny waved goodbye to Em, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Vavo</span> and Kathy and we were on our way. I did have a unsure moment as I debated t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SXE9y2V43TI/AAAAAAAAA9M/EOctKHBRBSo/s1600-h/DanCar.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SXE9y2V43TI/AAAAAAAAA9M/EOctKHBRBSo/s320/DanCar.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292078980927118642" border="0" /></a>he wisdom of taking a right onto 95N or a left onto 95S. Both presented delights and pitfalls. But deciding not to push my luck with Dan and traveling took the right and headed north. It wasn't until we'd navigated the mixing bowl that I got the dreaded text from Emily notifying me that her carry on backpack was still in the back of my van, or that we'd completely forgotten to reload Dan's bike into the van. Whoops. With 2 hours behind us and bad weather in New England I briefly questioned <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">continuing</span> on. We did however and decided we'd mail Em's wallet, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ipod</span>, etc back down to her, and get Dan's bike on some later trip. The ride was great and except for some pretty significant snow <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">squalls</span> in New Jersey uneventful until Port Elizabeth at about 3:25pm. Dan said "Mom" from the back seat and I look back to see him wiping blood from his nose. He'd woken up with a slight bloody nose that morning so I wasn't all that surprised but driving 80 MPH in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">high speed</span> lane with a child leaking alarming amounts of blood from their body is unnerving. I managed to make a few quick lane changes and pull over <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">regrettably</span> to the breakdown lane. Not my favorite choice but I didn't have the luxury of choice at that moment. I made my way into the backseat and did what I could to contain the bleeding until it subsided. We started our trek North after about 10 minutes. What I didn't know was that had I been looking to the right I might have seen US Air flight 1549 make it's final landing into the Hudson river. Dan and I were on the George Washington Bridge at exactly 3:37. The time of the crash was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">estimated</span> at 3:26, The plane cleared the bridge by an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">estimated</span> 900 feet. Sometimes I'm very sure that everything happens for a reason. Had we not been pulled over for Dan's bloody nose we might have been right there when it happened, and although the outcome was good, it could have been different. Miracles. We made the slower trip through rush hour Connecticut, stopped at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">McD</span>'s for dinner, gas and a pee break and made the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">relatively</span> simple drive through RI and Mass. We saw no evidence of the storm until we were driving down Rt. 130 in Sandwich, the further south we went the more snow there was. Nearly nothing at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Sagamore</span> bridge, 4 inches at our house. Very bizarre. We arrived home a little after 8pm, (10 hour trip home) to Mike who was completely surprised to see us. We did a quick unpack, got Dan in the bath since he looked like he'd been in a fight with his bloody hands, face and clothes. Mike built a puzzle with him and we tucked him in. I quickly followed. It was a good long day, I was very interested in seeing the images of the plane that I'd been listening to on the ride home, and so glad that everybody was rescued safely. We had a good trip and a quick adventure. No warmth to speak of. Wished I'd kept my motivation and left Wednesday morning for Orlando. But then again I'd still have 24 hours of driving to not look forward to...<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">OK</span>, maybe I'm glad to be home.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-38589442679955150922009-01-12T15:25:00.002-05:002009-01-12T15:36:31.606-05:00January 12, 2009 Virginia for Danny and I?I was sitting watching TV this morning, it was shortly before 7am. Mike and I were navigating the day each in our own way. Mike is usually very quiet in the mornings, like to take an hour or so to meet the day and warm up to what it holds. Generally it takes me only a few minutes and my mind is in high gear and about as sharp as it will be for the entire day. Yes, sometimes I do feel bad for Mike. The morning of New Years Eve for example, then again this morning.<br /> So we sat on the couch and watched as our sweet local weather woman JC Monahan told us that it was going to be so cold in the next few days that even the snow birds were going further south....and I thought...hmmmm....I don't have to work again till Saturday. Dan only has one more day of preschool this week due to an administrative day anyway. Em's in Virginia. Dan and I could leave early tomorrow morning and be in Virginia by suppertime.....I turned to Mike and spewed my plan. Yup, he thinks I'm nuts but being so understanding and knowing how much I hate the cold he agrees it's a good idea. We decided to keep the plan a secret from Dan until all parties were in agreement. I dropped him off at school, then called Dad, Kat and Emily to make sure it was ok with them. They all said sure and the plan was set. Danny was very excited that we were going and he and I spent the afternoon getting ready. He really enjoyed shopping for snacks for the trip, something he never gets, and helping me shop for stuff that we know Daddy likes so he'll have plenty to eat while we're gone, and picking movies from the library for the ride down. We packed up everything we needed, and headed to work. Emily usually watches Dan for us between 5pm when I go to work and 6:30 or so when Mike gets home, but with Emily gone we decided I'd take him in with me and Mike would come home a little early. It'll work! And this time tomorrow we'll be in temperatures very similar to what we're in now, at least its not 5 degrees!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881991780543861426.post-27084584570534859642009-01-11T08:53:00.003-05:002009-01-11T09:17:39.375-05:00January 10, 2009 Emily flies to VA, and Museum of Science<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SWn6LclkP5I/AAAAAAAAA8M/BIw_xmkqP5Y/s1600-h/354597770_1219601549_0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290034311882620818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SWn6LclkP5I/AAAAAAAAA8M/BIw_xmkqP5Y/s200/354597770_1219601549_0.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our day started very early. Mike woke me up at 4am with a cup of coffee. I climbed out of our nice warm bed (thanks to our electric blanket) and out into the cold world. Quickly dressed, woke Emily and started the van while Mike showered. I carried Dan down from the loft and directly into the van, we left the house at 4:35am.<br /> The trip to Boston was uneventful. Danny didn't fall back to sleep, but rather kept himself busy with his Leapster. Emily seemed calm and happy. We arrived at Logan a few minutes before 6am. Checked Emily's bag in at Jet Blue and sat to wait at the airport D&D until the boarding of Emily's flight was imminent. Then we ushered her to security, gave her a hug and watched her as she entered and exited the checkpoint. She was on her way. Mike, Dan and I went in search of the observation area, unfortantely when we finally found it we couldn't see her plane. With no time to move again, we waited to see her plane in the air, since we did have a good view of the end of the run way. That's her plane airborne just as the sun was breaching the horizon. I couldn't help but think what a wonderful adventure and what a great day for flying. Another first for my not so little girl. <br /> Mike, Dan and I found the car. Paid the $12 it cost to park for 2 hours and headed for The Boston Museum of Science. While in route, Dad called and since I'd neglected to find out what <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SWn6E1FLpvI/AAAAAAAAA78/a_RBvrqhPso/s1600-h/354597842_1219601801_0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290034198198593266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SWn6E1FLpvI/AAAAAAAAA78/a_RBvrqhPso/s200/354597842_1219601801_0.jpg" border="0" /></a>time the museum opened enlisted Dad to check for us. We ended the call with love and thanks, and asked him to let us know when Emily had safely landed in Richmond. We went to the museum and even though the exhibits didn't open until 9am the museum itself was opened so we strolled and took advantage of the bathrooms, and the sights to be seen from the outside. Dan did find a sign that said Live animals this way, so following the signs we made our way to the basement where sure enough the animals lived. There were snakes, rabbits (not in the same cage) two white ferrets and our favorite a Meercat. She was really cool, obviously very aware we were there and very <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SWn6LNWCHXI/AAAAAAAAA8E/7_jgQ8X31Zg/s1600-h/354597895_1219601988_0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290034307790937458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SWn6LNWCHXI/AAAAAAAAA8E/7_jgQ8X31Zg/s200/354597895_1219601988_0.jpg" border="0" /></a>curious. She blinks from the bottom lid up, very strange to see. We liked her and I sent a picture text to Em knowing she would like her too. We made our way back upstairs a few minutes before 9am and just as we were shoving our coats into lockers got a text from Emily saying she'd landed. I was relieved and continued to text back and forth with her until she'd found Vavo, claimed her bag and were on their way home. The boys and I bought our tickets, decided we'd see a 3D shark movie at 10am and started exploring the museum. As always lots to see and do. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SWn6Ej9j8MI/AAAAAAAAA70/YHF-lqlRmVE/s1600-h/354597958_1219602218_0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290034193603227842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ecImZ5xzXys/SWn6Ej9j8MI/AAAAAAAAA70/YHF-lqlRmVE/s200/354597958_1219602218_0.jpg" border="0" /></a>Our collective favorite was the taxidermy room. We were all very impressed by the saber tooth tiger skull, and the Kodiak and polar bears. Dan loved the shark movie, the guys looked pretty daper in their glasses. We finished exploring just about noon. Paid $13 to park there for 4 hours. With the $5 per person library pass and the movie admission for all of us the total was $28. Not too bad for a morning at the museum. We quickly found the highway and made our way home, with a brief stop at Old McDonalds in Plymouth for an on the road lunch. We arrived home at 1:30pm. Full and tired and we all layed down for a nap. It was a good day. Emily's happily visiting her grandfather and Kathy for 12 days, Dan had a great time at the museum and I had a night of work to look forward to. Unhappily another snow storm as well. Winter in New England.....Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565063754895970743noreply@blogger.com0