Epcot Center

Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to go to Epcot Center.  I was so excited to finally go.  Here I am in front of the "huge golf ball", as my girls call it.  This is my first moment in Epcot, notice the smile.

I liked the auto ride, Fast Track. We rode Soarin';( really Florida doesn't have enough cool about it to have it's own ride?)  We were "soarin" over California.  Afterwards, we quickly made our way to the different countries so we could have lunch at the Japanese Teppan Edo, where chefs cook your meal in front of you on  a grill.  I was the only one who hadn't been to Epcot and couldn't convince the other adults to explore all the "countries".

After lunch is when my experience at Epcot took a turn.  We hadn't been able to find the bathrooms, so when we saw a family restroom I decided to use it.  I promised I locked the door.  Okay remember this is a single room with just an outside door, a minute later the door opened and 2 boys came in.  They were so shocked they just stood there.  I was so surprised I just worried about covering myself up.  Then the dad followed the boys in the room.  Luckily, he quickly ushered the boys out and apologized.  I could have died!! I never wanted to see them again.  Then when I walked out they were at the door. I was mortified...but have since had time to reflect and realize that he was guarding the door to make sure that didn't happen again.  So, thanks for that mister.  When I got back to my group a step or two from the man I was a little miffed at them for not noticing and acting.  Though they were all right at the door, everyone was on their cell phones and oblivious to their surroundings.  Thanks guys!

Snow White was on the other side of building from the incident

After that we walked to Maelstrom. It a ride in Norway and was Brandon's favorite as a child. Then we went on his current favorite ride, Journey to Mars at the Mission: Space pavilion.  All I can say is JR and I were so sick afterward we had to go back to our hotel room.  Ugh, I don't even like to think about that.

So, in the end I was very happy to say good-bye to Epcot Center.

The Animal Kingdom

  My favorite kingdom was the Animal Kingdom.  We got to go on "Safari"

Then as we were walking we ran into Flick.  There was no line, so we took a picture.  I think I have seen Bugs Life maybe 1000 times since each kid has gone through an obessed stage with it.

Here is a picture of our favorite ride.  It is Expedition Everest.  I think we really liked it because we had no idea what we were getting into.

Once we were able to ride it back to back.  Actually, we could have gone as many times as we wanted.  JR was smart and didn't keep riding it.  He went to watch his favorite monkey pals (I know it's hard to see in this picture) The rest of us were done after 2 times and ready for a break. Ugh, our tummies.

Okay, here is a random picture of JR and me eating popcorn with Everest in the background.  The day we were at the park was my friend's 40th birthday.  We ate popcorn in honor of her.

  Other things we loved at the Animal Kingdom were the Dinosuar ride, the Gorilla exhibit, going on the water ride and watching Brandon get soaked (but he couldn't complain.  That was the rule.  Plus, it was his idea to go.  That was really hard for Brandon).  Also, it was cool going on the Safari ride multiple times and seeing different animals in the morning compared to the afternoon, the bongo leaping the fallen tree, and the cheetahs staking us when a storm was approaching.

Fun in the Sun--shine State Continues

  So, what should two parents that have just spend a few days in West Palm Beach do?  If you said  head home your wrong.  No, we extended out trip and like great parents headed to Disney World without the kiddos.

  We went with our friends, business partners, cousins, Brandon and Tajee.  Our one rule was that we were not going to do anything that we would only do if our kids were with us.  So, that meant no waiting in line to see characters or worrying if a ride was too scare and it meant no complaining in line and moving at a fast pace.

  Our first stop was the Magic Kingdom.  We headed straight to Pirates of the Caribbean and got right on.  Here is a picture from the lights in Space Mountian.

  Going in January was fantastic.  We never had to wait very long for a ride and were able to ride everything we wanted in no time.  Splash Mountain was closed, but it was January.  I really didn't miss getting wet.  Even though we didn't have our kids we felt like no trip to the Magic Kingdom would be complete without riding It's a Small World.  H the panda is for you.

Here is a very fuzzy picture of JR and me in front of Cinderella's castle

We stayed and watched part of the fireworks.

  One night we did leave early to from the show to avoid the crowd (again we had no kids with us to protest the decision).  We were able to watch them as we rode our boat back to the hotel.  Dare I say it was romantic.

Don't Cry Laura

Growing up I loved Little House on the Prairie.  I loved the book series.  I loved that Laura Ingalls was born in the same state as I was.  I loved watching it on tv,  and I faithfully watched the shows.  Today, as I saw the stories pop up as I checked my email I saw that Merlin Olsen had died.  I was stunned and clicked on the article.  It took me to the sport page. There were paragraph after paragraph about his football career, but this isn't why I loved Merlin Olsen.  Then, near the end of the article that said ,"After his football career ended, Olsen began work on television as a color commentator for NBC's NFL coverage. He also dabbled in acting, including roles on Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy"

What that is it?! I watched this man almost every afternoon and that it? Just an afterthought?  I knew him as Jonathan.  He was Pa's best friend.  He was always there to help the Ingalls in a tough situation, or give a listening ear to Half Pint.

Though many will remember Merlin Olsen for his accopmlishments on the football field I will remember him for something else.  Thank you Merlin Olsen for your role on Little House in the Prairie.  You and the whole show helped teach me what a true friend is.  Also, that hard work and choosing the right always pays off in the end.  Finally, it taught me to dream as big as the prairie itself.  Jonathan, you'll be missed...but now you can be with Pa.

Fun in the Sun--shine State

In January JR and I headed to West Palm Beach, FL for a few days.  JR had to attend meetings during the day.  I just had to attend the dinners with him at night.  The first day I was there it was stormy. 

 Here is how the ocean looked.  I love to watch the ocean during a storm.

After that, the days were gorgeous!  Every day I went walking with my travel buddy, Tajee, on the beach for at least an hour.  I loved the seashells we found there.

The last night is a formal dinner.  I had really stressed this year on what I would wear.  I was pleased with how it all turned out.  I talked to my mom awhile after we were back in our room and she asked if we had taken a picture-- Oops we hadn't.  So, here is what I looked like at the end of the evening after I had laid around the room .

So, I didn't take my own pictures but here are some pictures of the hotel.

My favorite thing we (Tajee and I) did was go to the Eau Spa.

There was the waterfall shower over the hot tub, the heated stone chairs, the steam room, and sauna.  I was able to have a hot stone massage.  Then Tajee and I had lunch in the relaxation garden.  Aaah, it was like paradise.

Oh, I didn't even mention the must enchanting Italian resturant we found there.  I can't remember the name nor do I have pictures.  But that was such an experience.

How to treat your partner

How to treat your partner

I saw this on a friend's blog and loved it. Hope you enjoy it too!

"My Mom sent this clipping last week ... It's a good thought and if applied, could really improve relationships. 'If you treat a person as he is, he will remain that way: if you treat the person as he can become, he will tend to become that person.' Food for thought."

(click on the article to enlarge)

"I Looked Out the Window and What Did I See?

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!

Spring had brought me such a nice surprise,

Blossoms popping right before my eyes.

I could take an armful and make a treat,

...It wasn't really so, but it seemed to be Popcorn popping on the apricot tree."

- "Popcorn Popping" by Georgia W. Bello

This is the view I have these days while I am cooking.  Lucky me!