When you wish upon a star...

On October 7, 2018 I was able to reap the rewards of my previous six months of planning, scheduling and dreaming of a most wonderful Disney experience for the Colorado girls. I had been wanting to make this happen since last year, but somehow it never came to fruition; so this year, as I made my New Year's Resolutions I knew what one needed to be. 

Every year, besides a resolution, I always try to "challenge" myself to do something I've never done before and that fete (zip lining - see last post) was accomplished with my other three grand kids in North Carolina. So last New Year's Eve found me with two big things to accomplish in 2018.

A lot of time and effort were required in the planning of a trip to Walt Disney World for four individuals who had never seen it and were HUGE Disney fans. I compiled lists that I checked twice (actually about twelve times), drew maps to plan out our walking routes, printed detailed calendars of each day, chose between rides and attractions at each park and kept track of about a dozen confirmation numbers!

The "Wonderful World of Disney" works like no other attraction I know. Sixty days in advance of your arrival, a "window" opens for you to go to their website to book "Fast Passes" for the rides and shows. This is crucial to seeing as much as possible, because with those magical passes, you get to go on the "express" waiting line. Sometimes, it shaves over an hour of wait time or more per ride. 

At the 60-day mark we were camped out in a KOA near Niagara Falls that had limited cell service and no WiFi. To ensure I would not fail, at 7:15 a.m. I gathered all my lists, laptop, cup of coffee, pen and pad and headed up to the porch outside of the office to connect to their internet. Don't let me leave out the fact that I needed to grab my umbrella too, as we were experiencing torrential rain. It sounds like the old saying of having to "walk uphill both ways" to get somewhere - and that's just how it felt.

Four hours later, all my boxes were checked off - and I could breathe. Let the official countdown begin for Walt Disney World. Sixty days and counting! Oh my....such a long....

time.....Fast forward 60 days and OMG, it's THE day and I can't believe it's here. The girls were already on the plane heading to Florida, believing they were going on a business trip with mommy to California.  I had wanted the trip to be a surprise, and I'm not sure it was a TOTAL surprise, however, there was enough excitement all around to make everyone happy and they really had no idea how special it was going to be.

George and I checking into Fort Wilderness

The trip officially began at the airport where I told them they were going to be staying in Florida with us and going to Walt Disney World together. I had a pair of ears for each - just to make it official.

Once everyone had their "Ears," it was time to get to the hotel to settle in and get ready for dinner at The Rain Forest Cafe in Disney Springs. Let's get this party started!

Lola at Disney Springs

Papa George smiled the whole trip!

Ready for the magic!

Getting ready to enter Magic Kingdom

The first day found us boarding a boat to the Magic Kingdom. We were able to get on many rides and see loads of characters at the parade down Main Street. We had a special visit with Belle, rode the Barnstormer, Peter Pan's Flight, Mad Tea Party and - of course - It's A Small World. You can't go to WDW without riding that one!

The Mad Tea Cup Ride WAS mad.

Nina and Belle

Emma and Belle

Lola and Belle

Nina with Mommy on the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train

After a long and exciting day we headed to Fort Wilderness' Trails End Restaurant where we had a great buffet dinner.

On day two we drove to Animal Kingdom where we got soaking wet on Kali River Rapids  We got even more soaked while on the Safari ride. A rogue storm blew in, we got drenched and Papa George lost his good Tilly hat. Some lucky worker is now wearing the best safari hat at Animal Kingdom. 

We had dining reservations for Tiffin's Restaurant and it was amazing food for adults, but skip this place if you have kids or picky eaters.  After dinner Meily, Nina and I went on Avatar Flight of Passage! What an amazing ride; I can't wait to do it again! 

On Wednesday, we returned to the Magic Kingdom and got to ride Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and Meema's favorite - The Enchanted Tiki Room where, "All the birds sing words and the flowers bloom." 

Today's lunch was at the Diamond Horseshoe. The girls also waited on a very long line to meet the famous Buzz Lightyear in person and were able to get some great photos. Meema is starting to feel a little tired. A quick check of my Fitbit had me passing my greatest number of steps ever. It was flashing at over 15,000 steps!

Meema and the girls waiting for the bus to Epcot

Lola pointing to Remy!!!!!

Thursday found us heading into Epcot. We had a full day planned here along with a break for dinner at Chef Mickey's, located in the Contemporary Hotel. Entering Epcot, Lola was able to take her picture with a figure of Remmy (from Ratitoue) in the background. Remmy is "our" special thing. 

The morning at Epcot was spent riding Soarin', Living with the Land, watching Pixar Film Shorts, as well as an  "up close and personal" visit with Minnie Mouse and Pluto. 

If you look close, you will see us all.

 

Outside Under the Sea With Nemo

The "Fake" Mickey at The Contemporary's Chef Mickey Restaurant

The "REAL" Mickey

Daisy with Lola and Emma

Silly and Goofy

After dinner, we headed to the World Showcase where we visited Norway and Mexico. We rode the Frozen and Three Caballeros rides. At this point, I am starting to feel my age. Tonight, besides recharging my body I'll need to recharge my Fitbit - I wore it out!

Hollywood!

Entrance to Hollywood Studios

I awoke Friday morning extremely tired, but then realized that it would be our last day visiting a park. Today was Hollywood Studios. Due to height restrictions, this park had us splitting up often. Nina and Meily went on Star Tours and Rockin' Rollercoaster and Papa George, Emma and I visited Olaf (who seemed to like Papa George a lot) and then had lunch. All the girls got to participate in the Frozen Sing Along and everyone got on our last ride, Toy Story Mania. 

At Minnie's Diner

Mickey and the girls

Donald in his Halloween costume.

The best part of the day was our lunch at Minnie's Diner, located at Hollywood and Vine. Besides getting a great buffet lunch, we got to see Minnie, Mickey, Daisy and Donald. Each one signed autograph books and posed for pictures. 

It turned out that Meema was not the only one who was tired. Our last ride was to be Slinky Dog Dash, but the ride was closed for mechanical problems. I don't think anyone was disappointed, because returning to the hotel for a swim sounded like the perfect activity.

Saturday morning as Papa George pulled up stakes and checked out of Fort Wilderness Campground, I drove over to Port Orleans for breakfast with the girls. It would be their last chance for "Mickey Head-Shaped" Bignets. Everyone was tired, but happy. 

The trip was a success. All the hours of planning, adjusting, changing and double-checking went off without a hitch. The only complaint we all had was actually nothing we could have controlled anyway - the putrid, hot and humid weather. We experienced 92-95 degree temps every day with 100% humidity, yet we all trudged through like (storm) troopers.  

True to "Florida Weather," it rained at some point each day, but instead of getting cooler, it only got hotter.  My glasses kept fogging up and slipping off my face. We only got caught in one deluge at Animal Kingdom and rain ponchos I bought back in May sure came in handy! A very handy item besides hand sanitizer!

Sadly, the magical adventure drew to a close. It seemed like it had just started, yet here we were giving hugs and saying our goodbyes. After they boarded the Magical Express Bus for the trip to airport I headed to my car to make the short trip back to our home-site to crawl into bed for a long nap with a heart full to bursting. My life is blessed.

Sorry all for the lengthy post, but I had to get it all documented before I forgot the little details.

Deep thought for the day: 

When you wish upon a star, 

makes no difference who you are. 

Everything your heart desires 

will come to you.

Click HERE to be serenaded by Cliff Edwards, the voice of Jiminy Cricket singing Disney's most magical song.

Raleigh, NC - Pushing It

Florence as it approached Willimgton, NC

We arrived in Raleigh, NC on Thursday, September 20th with no problems to speak of, which was fortunate since we headed down in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. We were lucky to get a site at the Raleigh State Fairgrounds as it was already packed with Coastal Evacuees, First Responders and Insurance Adjusters. 

This detour on our journey south is to get in some much-needed "Grand kid" Time with our North Carolina Crew. These kids are always doing fun and wonderful things with their family and friends, so I tried to think up some exciting things to do together with them. I chose two experiences I have never done, but have wanted to try. The first one is a visit to an "Escape Room." For those of you who don't know what that is, it's similar to the game, Clue, where you need to g a bunch of clues to solve the mystery that will get you the "Key" to get out. You get an allotted amount of time to accomplish the task in order to "Escape," or "Survive." They have done escape rooms before, so I feel quite confident that we will survive.

My beautiful inspirations. Cooper, Summer and Savannah.

The second adventure is  a trip to a zip lining - ropes course. This is a "pushing it" activity for me as I'm afraid of heights. I booked the "Junior" course that is geared for first-timers and kids figuring that if a 5-year old can do it, so can I.  George reminded me that 5-year-old kids have no fear, so I'm questioning my decision...but I will give it a try anyway. My three NC kids inspired me to go on a very high water slide on a Carnival Cruise Ship, so I'm depending upon them to help push me to new heights once again.  

I've started a new "bucket list." This one consist of things I want to do before I collect Medicare - things that I may regret not trying before I'm too old to do them. I did see where a man jumped out of an airplane for his 100th birthday, so I guess it's never too late to attempt fate, but I can guarantee you this - skydiving is NOT on my bucket list.

Here is a link to the places we will go...("Oh, the places you will go...")

Cipher Escape, we're doing the "North Carolina Photo Hunt Escape."

Go Ape, We're signed up for the Junior Course."

Here's a link to a YouTube video of the course.

So, let the fun begin with three kids who are growing up way too fast. Another item on my bucket list, "Do a third daring challenge with these three before they are all taller than me."

Deep thought for the day: This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Whenever I read it, I get chills:

“Come to the edge," he said.
"We can't, we're afraid!" they responded.
"Come to the edge," he said.
"We can't, We will fall!" they responded.
"Come to the edge," he said.
And so they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.”

― Guillaume Apollinaire

Happy Valentine's Day 2018 - Florida Style

"Howwwww-dy" to all the dedicated followers of my blog. Yes, all seven of you.  As you know, it's been FOREVER since my last entry, which was from way back in the spring of 2017. I'll eventually finish up my draft of our "Summer Sojourn," but for now, I'm feeling creative so I'll try to generate something worth reading now.

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and George and I hosted our first official, big bash, dinner party on our pretty little piece of heaven here in Florida. We started with a small list of tried-and-true friends and little by little my list grew to allow us to fill our lot with old, new, newer and newest friends who melded together ever-so-smoothly.

I'm my own worst critic, but even I have to admit the night was totally enjoyable, made possible by the food, the friends and fun. Can't beat that combo.

Thanks to Charlie, one of the "old" (Webster Dictionary Definition: adjective - long-time) friends, a photo documentary of the evening follows. Today, I had a less-busy day than he, therefore the publishing of my blog entry will beat out his, however, it's his photos that will tell the actual story in the end. A huge thank you, Charlie, the longest-known friend of the bunch.

This first group of photos consists of the appetizers. I came to find out that, in the future, I need to instruct my friends to NOT make spectacular "main course" appetizers.

Veggie "Pizza"

Spinach Dip

Dungeness Crab Dip

Uh, just a little Italian Antipasti....

Picured left, Amanda.  Not pictured: Amanda's delicious appetizer - just simple rounds of  Polenta topped with caramelized onions, cranberry jam and goat cheese.  OMG - simple, yeah. The caramelized onions alone took 8 hours in a crock pot and the homemade cranberry jam...yummmmm  Remember folks, we're living out of RVs. There were leftovers of this app, but I ate those before composing this entry.

George, Tricia, Me, Connie, Randy and back of  Rob's head.

Randy and Alonzo

Kristin, Connie, Ray and Leona

Bob, Rob, and Randy-not a musical trio, but entertaining, nonetheless

Tricia and Leona

Dinner followed just as the sun set.  I failed to realize that it would be difficult to see the food on the black tablecloth.  A handy-dandy flashlight saved us from having to feel our way down the table of food.

Meat sizzling on the monster grill

Surf....

and turf.

Healthy sides: Green and yellow squash, mushrooms and onions.

Craig, The "Great Grill Master."  I heard a comment that he resembled Mark Wahlbergh and that he smelled good.

Kristin and Connie

Leona, Bob, Kristin, Alonzo and the back of Amanda's head.

"Fair Weather" friends. Me, Tricia and Charlie.

Last, but not least, Kathy!

Tricia's Crumb Cake

Tricia's back-up cake, just in case the crumb cake was a flop - it wasn't

Recreation of the bride cutting the cake. PS:  Husband waiting for a piece - of cake!!!

Kathy's Healthy and Tasty Fruit Salad

Connie's "Cupcake Lover's Heaven."

Lucy, the only one happy to see the night come to an end.

At the end of our official "first big bash," we got the site cleaned up with "a little help from our friends." Miss Priss (AKA Lucy) was the only one happy to see the night come to a close. She was hankering pretty badly for her daddy's lap. 

Now to start planning the next.....

Deep thought for the day:  It's the friends we meet along the way that helps us appreciate the journey. ~ Unknown source.