tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82880602024-03-14T02:12:56.030-04:00Simmy's PlacePictures, events, humor and mental doodling...Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-53137084874581750342019-03-15T17:31:00.001-04:002019-03-15T17:33:07.916-04:00Candle<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>here are so many writing cliché's out there to describe common objects. In my first writing class we were tasked with writing a few paragraphs about a Candle using words that aren’t usually used to describe </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>one. </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </b><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">C</span></b><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">reative and specific descriptions make a clearer picture and interesting writing. I also love to make inanimate objects characters, it’s a thing. So, this is my homework for that assignment:</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Y</span><span style="font-size: large;">ou amaze me. You are serene, quiet, relaxing and soft. Yet your flame has the power to destroy. It is also so sensitive; standing there straight and at attention one moment, wavering and bopping the next. Any variation in the air and it flickers in one direction or the other. </span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #f79646; font-size: x-large;">A</span><span style="font-size: large;">s I watch this interaction of wind, flame and heat, my eyes get heavy and the wax begins to melt. I melt into my chair and the stress of the day goes away. I guess your power to destroy worked on that, and I thank you.</span></span></h1>
Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-47648981609683722332019-03-03T15:00:00.000-05:002019-03-06T15:05:43.686-05:00Conversation With A Bouquet Of Roses From My Garden<h4>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #9b00d3; font-size: x-large;">S</span>o this is a little something I wrote as an assignment during my first writing class. The object was to sit down and just write a conversation with anyone or anything. I had just planted my first Rose Garden and there was a bouquet of them just sitting on my desk just looking smug. All of the pictures in the post are flowers that came from my garden. I hope you enjoy it.</b></span></h4>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6rPY7-dRcs/XHmA9_bvn8I/AAAAAAAABhw/9ZwgZpHBM3QSyqeU9TOmycoKXxoQxXNewCEwYBhgL/s1600/bouquet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1008" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6rPY7-dRcs/XHmA9_bvn8I/AAAAAAAABhw/9ZwgZpHBM3QSyqeU9TOmycoKXxoQxXNewCEwYBhgL/s400/bouquet.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;"><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </span></b>Gee you came out pretty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>Of course I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>You don’t have to be so conceited about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>I’m a plant I don’t know what that means.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>You’re a plant but you know how to be sarcastic?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>I don’t know what that means either.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>I don’t believe this, you know exactly what I’m talking about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>No, I don’t. Up until today, no one has ever talked to me like this. In fact, why ARE you talking to me like this?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span></b> Now you’re just toying with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>I still don’t know what you’re talking about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>Aw, forget it. But, gee, you really did turn out pretty.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wt4pi4Jh4U/XHmBATLNYoI/AAAAAAAABh0/1sRaQiT0T9kJymUzGnF-7FdG6oQ3c5N_wCEwYBhgL/s1600/20180522_143748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wt4pi4Jh4U/XHmBATLNYoI/AAAAAAAABh0/1sRaQiT0T9kJymUzGnF-7FdG6oQ3c5N_wCEwYBhgL/s200/20180522_143748.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>Well, thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>(eye roll) now you say thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>NOW who’s being sarcastic?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>(straight face)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>Let’s move on… Why do you think I’m so pretty?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>For many reasons really, first, I arranged you in a nose gay; it’s my favorite arrangement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>Why is it your favorite?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>Well, I love color, and I love flowers, so it gives me the most of what I love about flowers, more of you I suppose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>You know or you suppose? Which is it?</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otsmlLX6gBs/XHmBDvMc6BI/AAAAAAAABh4/aENR_ThqQrMEX24P9xmZz0ppebJ7AtcTACEwYBhgL/s1600/20180517_121757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otsmlLX6gBs/XHmBDvMc6BI/AAAAAAAABh4/aENR_ThqQrMEX24P9xmZz0ppebJ7AtcTACEwYBhgL/s320/20180517_121757.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>You’re doing it again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>Sorry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>I’ll let that pass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>What else? Continue…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>Also, you remind me of my mother. I miss h<b><a href="file:///C:/Users/Simmy/AppData/Local/Temp/OpenLiveWriter1975801977/supfiles590FC63/20180522_1439425.jpg"><span style="color: white;">er, and you help me remember her fondly.</span></a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;"> Roses:</span> </b>Does she live far away?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;"> Me:</span> </b>No. She’s no longer with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;"> Roses:</span> </b>Oh, she moved out?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;"> Me:</span> </b>No. She passed on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>Oh, I see, like she passed on- moving in with you, and moved into her own place?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>No! She’s taking the great dirt nap!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>Well I take a dirt nap every day, it’s really quite lovely…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>NO! NO! (face in palm) She’s dead OK? My mom is dead! Her favorite flower was a rose. A BEAUTIFUL, PINK ROSE. Although YOU’RE not looking so beautiful to me right now.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngtbFS30oRo/XHmKwXC8pvI/AAAAAAAABiY/fVDIBDC9VIoxly2p4WnBIdQc-onxGrzHgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180522_143942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ngtbFS30oRo/XHmKwXC8pvI/AAAAAAAABiY/fVDIBDC9VIoxly2p4WnBIdQc-onxGrzHgCLcBGAs/s200/20180522_143942.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>I remind you of your dead mother? Pardon me but I don’t feel very flattered by this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>Ya know what? Forget I said anything. In fact, I don’t even think it was roses that my mom liked, it was pink camellias, that’s it. Pastel pink camellias!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>Aww, now don’t be like that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>No, she only liked roses because they were more COMMON.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>HEY! There’s no need to get insulting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>Me</b>:</span></span> How could you know what an insult is? You didn’t even know what sarcasm was a few minutes ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>I’m a fast learner. Have you seen how fast I grow a bud?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>You’ve got a point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot, can’t we just be friends?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: magenta;">Me:</span> </b>Only if you apologize.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #ff80ff;">Roses:</span> </b>I will…. Just as soon as I learn what that means…</span><br />
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Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-39901024273645760772019-03-01T14:17:00.001-05:002019-03-01T14:17:24.882-05:00Welcome Home<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Dear Internet Peoples,</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know there's probably no one or maybe just one of you out there that will read this. I’ve picked this ball up many times over the past 8 years and put it back down, so who could blame you if you’ve given up on me. I certainly don’t.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All I can say is that I am here again, with new energy and a whole new look at life, the universe and the world as we know it.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6f2rl8WKwR8/XHmAY_sF49I/AAAAAAAABgs/6gIgIZxGQVU4h5U1yFg2LYJL_Pa3udYQgCLcBGAs/s1600/fountain%2Bpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1000" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6f2rl8WKwR8/XHmAY_sF49I/AAAAAAAABgs/6gIgIZxGQVU4h5U1yFg2LYJL_Pa3udYQgCLcBGAs/s200/fountain%2Bpen.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqnlOG0ARtw/XHmAcGwkE0I/AAAAAAAABh0/su4W3IDLhu41ppQLChYdP9CNdE9Xf4sGwCEwYBhgL/s1600/c-minus2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vqnlOG0ARtw/XHmAcGwkE0I/AAAAAAAABh0/su4W3IDLhu41ppQLChYdP9CNdE9Xf4sGwCEwYBhgL/s200/c-minus2.png" width="181" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that is what I mean to share with you. There is something I’ve come to realize since I started this blog so many years ago. I am a writer. Yup, I’m a writer. There, I said it, it’s out there now and, well, I’m living up to that statement. Simmy Bredal-Bell, self-confessed, left handed, dyslexic, average C- student in High School is a writer. And a late blooming natural at that.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, so I’m not here to brag, more to just pinch myself because, who knew? A few people, myself not included.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here is where I’m going to share my works, thoughts, mind doodles, essays, stories – you name it.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_tZ3A2eA7U/XHmAf1DH6pI/AAAAAAAABhM/3DXWlIsjatkvdrVUyi5Kc8kykvKk06SZQCEwYBhgL/s1600/han%2Bsolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_tZ3A2eA7U/XHmAf1DH6pI/AAAAAAAABhM/3DXWlIsjatkvdrVUyi5Kc8kykvKk06SZQCEwYBhgL/s1600/han%2Bsolo.jpg" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started school last May, but my writing started long before that. When I was 12, I took a trip with another family, it was my first trip on my own. We went to Carlisle, IL to visit friends. One of our stops included places like St. Louis, MO to see the Arch. It was a long car ride and I had a spiral note binder. I was, what I considered, the worlds biggest Star Wars fan and Han Solo was my favorite character, so I set out to write a Han Solo story. I finished it it by the time I got home. I held on to it for a few years, then felt embarrassed by it so I most likely threw it away. What I wouldn’t give to read that thing now.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never took myself for a serious writer. I became comfortable with being called a lazy student, so I had no curricular aspirations, I got by in school and I never had passion for any subject except for Music. What I loved was making up stories. I was one of the last teenagers to stop playing with her action figures. Let’s face it, I was one of the few girls who played with action figures, but I know there was more of us out there. I lived in my fantasy world. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an older teenager, I told bedtime stories. Humorous ones because those got the most attention. I once made up a Cinderella type story where our princess wannabe wore depression glass slippers because she was, well, depressed because of the cards she was dealt.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When that died down, I settled into getting lost in the movies and great Animated Films of the 90’s and 00’s. What would I have done without those golden years of the silver screen? My cousin and I wrote a screen play in 1992 but we never finished it. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But in my mind, I wasn’t a writer.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward to April of 2017. I was nursing a broken heart over the deaths of the characters of Rogue One, I mean it was a great ending, but those poor people were robbed, and Disney knows it. Why else would they be bringing Cassian Andor back for his own TV series? </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, I’m getting distracted. Blame Diego Luna.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I had a story inside of me that had to be written. So, I sat down at my computer and wrote Chapter 1. I’ve been writing ever since.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Since May of 2018 I have been taking college level writing classes. My instructors have been so encouraging and inspiring. All of them have encouraged me to continue with various stories I’ve pitched, and I’ve made each of them laugh. Mission accomplished. More school is in the future. But for the next semester, I will be taking a break so I can just write. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I’ve written a bit already and I will share a lot of it with you, I hope you enjoy it. Some of it is sad, some of it is funny, some of it, just is.</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, if you are up for the ride, I promise it will be fun and consistent. I have made a promise to myself to write every day, and you will be privy to some of it.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the infamous words of my new favorite Star Wars Character, Cassian Andor, I bid you and myself a warm ‘<b>Welcome Home’.</b></span></b><br />
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Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-40314548624683467582017-10-05T22:47:00.001-04:002017-10-05T22:47:13.433-04:00No Longer MIA<p>Hello to whoever is still around to read my mind doodles.</p><p>I’ve been missing from here for a few years. A lot has happened. Mostly health issues. </p><p><br></p><p>Since my last post I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Survived surgery as well is 6 weeks of Radiation Therapy. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cZSyiXC9m00/WdbupQfaDrI/AAAAAAAABdY/MzNeeJXp3-cW6VLn9N_OYHEb1P0aBuAbACHMYCw/s1600-h/breast%2Bcancer%2Bnails%255B4%255D"><img width="119" height="176" title="breast cancer nails" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="breast cancer nails" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zgFkDekVTRg/Wdbup1L2G-I/AAAAAAAABdc/kUi26bZxuQkAeHbmphgcLg6LW3H3yUPdgCHMYCw/breast%2Bcancer%2Bnails_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month so I’m going to get on my soapbox for a moment and encourage all of my fellow females to get a yearly mammogram. I’ve been faithful since I turned 40 and if it wasn’t for that, they would not have caught mine early. You DON’T want to find out too late. Yes, mammos are uncomfortable for all of us and downright painful for some of us. But what is your life worth? OK, so every October and May I will be nagging all of you to get your yearly mammogram! Off the soapbox now.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m5XKtHQMgnM/WdbuqOQ4U3I/AAAAAAAABdg/BwijYBBslF0btZji5O-sqiYfRu3D-W9PgCHMYCw/s1600-h/breast%2Bcancer%2Bnails%255B3%255D"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rD7yPngtB7s/WdbuqUT1NwI/AAAAAAAABdk/lWka1ZiZDuwDVZ2K30PtBhlGvagKmPRFQCHMYCw/s1600-h/diabetes_support_ribbon_by_lolaistoocoolforyou-da8b47w%255B4%255D"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WPCgSsnCaHU/WdbuquyvOfI/AAAAAAAABdo/4Yyh4oJQREg0GQoBR6fE2Xe6k5ZOu4n3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/195868502.1%255B4%255D"><img width="155" height="155" title="195868502.1" align="right" style="float: right; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="195868502.1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-paxPdRYZ4t8/WdburGkLSNI/AAAAAAAABds/S1MGfXc7qroiDBzVcpMNkPfft7yDVX2DgCHMYCw/195868502.1_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"><br></a></a></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iSdt6OEyvDs/WdburSC-9YI/AAAAAAAABdw/PnGCOWK8TZAwOxpPbXz_kGFQQWRGJKYvgCHMYCw/s1600-h/diabetes_support_ribbon_by_lolaistoocoolforyou-da8b47w%255B5%255D"><img width="110" height="218" title="diabetes_support_ribbon_by_lolaistoocoolforyou-da8b47w" align="left" style="float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="diabetes_support_ribbon_by_lolaistoocoolforyou-da8b47w" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GKp2N_yZHa0/WdburiWxnFI/AAAAAAAABd0/9ONzJxpgw8QvFP4XtqFfdyN7ALP1c1e2QCHMYCw/diabetes_support_ribbon_by_lolaistoocoolforyou-da8b47w_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>I was also diagnosed with Diabetes and Neuropathy (usually related to each other but not in my case). November is Diabetes Awareness month to watch for more on this subject then.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>My latest pain is Depression. <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TjmlZGIO5As/Wdburz_Ti4I/AAAAAAAABd4/cpRNLLmVPY47FSiDNgpjfMeWfcnVBi_fACHMYCw/s1600-h/72093682.1%255B3%255D"><img width="166" height="166" title="72093682.1" style="display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="72093682.1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R4ayc1iMZu8/WdbusA5gVCI/AAAAAAAABd8/t6QsEy-laCUMFe7Kpgn-E3FtNW9cCeyqgCHMYCw/72093682.1_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Hmmm…I wonder why? It’s not a stretch really. It’s been a long three years.</p><p>But here’s the good news. I’m two years cancer free. My A1C is normal and the depression has lifted. It’s been a long road but I’m ready to share it with you. Stay tuned for updates on my success story.</p>Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-61706497185881574562014-11-17T22:10:00.001-05:002019-03-01T15:13:06.350-05:00England AdventureHello. Well. No story to share yet. My “partner in crime” hasn’t sent me her comments to share. But take care…I will insert our adventure after it’s all done. <br />
Until then, I have more pressing things to share… <br />
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Update March 1, 2018<br />
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I apologize for not following through with this. Life got in the way. But there are new things on the horizon and a lot to share coming up.Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-57464506485515741932014-01-05T14:02:00.001-05:002014-01-05T14:02:54.752-05:00Eshton’s Twins Storm the UK<p> <p>Dear Readers, <p> “Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” - Anne of Green Gables </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-veZqy-prczA/UsmsUUXsr3I/AAAAAAAABZA/ODW-_l6Z-BY/s1600-h/anne%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="anne" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="anne" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FCzDDqyLNko/UsmsVZqI-mI/AAAAAAAABZI/Dl4uPHTUVJs/anne_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="154"></a></p> <p>This past year Abby and I have become such good friends. It has been a very long time since I have come across a person with so much love, understanding, compassion and patience toward people. Nobody’s perfect mind you, but people like Abby make the world a brighter place. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LaLKdFqdHeE/UsmsWX_ig6I/AAAAAAAABZQ/tM9q5QUDvio/s1600-h/aaaEshton%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="aaaEshton" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="aaaEshton" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZRV_pc4u0Yk/UsmsXCvXptI/AAAAAAAABZY/YQ5oJSvWYJg/aaaEshton_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="104" align="left" height="164"></a>Those of you familiar with the novel Jane Eyre, will recognize the expression “Eshton’s Twins”. While I, as Eshton puts it, “don’t think it possible that two minds can be so in tune that they communicate across the country and call out to each other across space and time”, I do believe that two people can form a such a bond that they share thoughts, feelings and ideas with just one look. It’s that sort of connection I find with my new dear friend. I know the feeling is mutual which makes it even more precious.</p> <p>What a grand thing to have a “kindred spirit” with you on such an Epic Adventure! It’s with this sentiment we name ourselves Eshton’s Twins for Story we are about to share. We invite you to experience our “Jolly Holiday” through our eyes.</p> <p>This is all in fun, we don’t take ourselves too seriously, but share this experience with you in the spirit of wishing you all could have been there with us. Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-15354035928488513282013-11-22T17:25:00.001-05:002013-11-22T17:25:07.196-05:00Planning to Visit the Past…<p> </p> <p>To those who just met me, it would be good to know that I lived in the UK from 1994-1995. As with most experiences living in a foreign country, it was life changing.</p> <p>I’ve had to live vicariously through British TV shows and movies since I moved back to the states in 1995. </p> <p>As my new friend and kindred spirit Abigail and I sat in the new Irish Pub here in Hackettstown about this time last year, we planned a trip to England. We spent a long afternoon sitting by the fire eating and drinking Irish Food finding out just how much we had in common. We share a love of all things British and Irish. Particularly Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte’, Sherlock Holmes and various other pieces of literature, film and music.</p> <p>With Abby just having been to Ireland with her sister this past February and me having been there in 1994 with my dear friend Laura, I longed to share the experience of showing her the beautiful place I consider to be my second home. So without even a blink, we agreed to take this trip together. </p> <p>You can’t go back in time. (Unless you have a Tardis!) You can’t live in the past. (Unless you BLINK!) You can’t go home and expect it to have not changed. (Only in a bad flash back movie…or if your name is Peggy Sue…) </p> <p>You CAN revisit a place you’ve been before and reflect on how it helped mold you into what you are today. Or just experience a blast from the past and bring a friend! Take care reader, you may be surprised at the range of emotions that swell inside of you when you least expect it…</p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-26020722731436319312013-11-21T21:07:00.001-05:002013-11-21T21:07:53.715-05:00Life in a Nutshell<p> </p> <p align="center">So, here’s the deal, life has a way of changing at the drop of a hat. </p> <p align="center">Mine kind of goes like this:</p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><font size="2">Married at 19. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kmWHwHtKQRU/Uo68S8UBi-I/AAAAAAAABXA/flgiUI9sNkY/s1600-h/Mom%25252C%252520Simmy%252520and%252520Grannie%252520Annie%2525201985077%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mom, Simmy and Grannie Annie 1985077" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Mom, Simmy and Grannie Annie 1985077" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cfWukclKRgg/Uo68Tn0w20I/AAAAAAAABXE/H34yWC3dfow/Mom%25252C%252520Simmy%252520and%252520Grannie%252520Annie%2525201985077_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="244"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="right"><font size="2">Moved to Florida at 21. </font></p> <p align="right"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">New Career at 22. </font></p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2">Home owner by 25.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="right"><font size="2"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bDXv7-YFIDk/Uo68UZdHcWI/AAAAAAAABXQ/OylpvcGPWSc/s1600-h/1993%252520FL%252520DL%252520Photo%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="1993 FL DL Photo" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1993 FL DL Photo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eiTxABiwbQc/Uo68VG9t2EI/AAAAAAAABXY/j4jhc03cxrU/1993%252520FL%252520DL%252520Photo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="244"></a> Divorced at 27. </font></p> <p align="right"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XKL-GF5G3tw/Uo68WDA_sHI/AAAAAAAABXg/I4-Ut5NNCMU/s1600-h/Paris%252520Booth%252520Photo%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Paris Booth Photo" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Paris Booth Photo" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xAJGNpx5XHw/Uo68XN_uuNI/AAAAAAAABXo/lscfuldy-Q8/Paris%252520Booth%252520Photo_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="244"></a></font><font size="2"> Living in a Foreign Country at 28.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pGzkhPx_cMI/Uo68YHgtEHI/AAAAAAAABXw/ugw1saYtWoI/s1600-h/Bredal-Bell_Simmy%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bredal-Bell_Simmy" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Bredal-Bell_Simmy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6dbLFs5GgUM/Uo68Yyu2JVI/AAAAAAAABX0/vRIa8bOvncU/Bredal-Bell_Simmy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="170" height="164"></a></font></p> <p align="right"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="2"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-swHk5sCiSaA/Uo68ZWF1KkI/AAAAAAAABYA/5WVk3eQrI_M/s1600-h/Booth%252520Photo%2525203%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Booth Photo 3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Booth Photo 3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cvj00j_AkFg/Uo68aEmYOLI/AAAAAAAABYI/MuH4B00NFU0/Booth%252520Photo%2525203_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="244"></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Married for the second time at 30.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HuR9ecmA6MI/Uo68bZMABMI/AAAAAAAABYU/w0A5giw1rGs/s1600-h/102%252520-%252520Us%252520looking%252520downward%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="102 - Us looking downward" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="102 - Us looking downward" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vkeDT23n9nM/Uo68camjiZI/AAAAAAAABYY/G_r-yzSuR8s/102%252520-%252520Us%252520looking%252520downward_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" align="right" height="181"></a> </font></p><font size="2"></font> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="2">Business owner by 32.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">New Career Facet at 33.</font></p> <p align="right"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="right"><font size="2">Move back to New Jersey and semi-retire at 39.</font></p> <p align="right"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="2">Caretaker for parents by 40.</font></p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">New Career at 41.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="right"><font size="2"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iPs0G-lWGEU/Uo68dP10zaI/AAAAAAAABYk/wF1AS7TsX2c/s1600-h/2010-12-22_17-01-55_105%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2010-12-22_17-01-55_105" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2010-12-22_17-01-55_105" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8Z7KNg7pjrc/Uo68dxgA_JI/AAAAAAAABYo/8pXdn-QauOQ/2010-12-22_17-01-55_105_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="139" height="244"></a>Burned out and midlife crisis by 45.</font></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Motherless by 46...</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"></font> </p> <p align="center">I’m 47. I’ll be 48 in a week. I’ve started a new life. </p> <p align="center">But it begins by visiting the past…</p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-35750486408189977562012-05-21T00:18:00.001-04:002012-05-21T00:18:48.391-04:00Another fresh start...Has it really been two years since I've posted? <br />
<br />
So much has happened. The most dramatic change is my mom's passing. <br />
I'll write more about that another time. But for now I'll just say it was the most horrific / beautiful thing I've ever experienced. Rest up Mom, we have a whole slew of trouble to find in the new world!<br />
<br />
Rich and I moved to Hackettstown, NJ a year ago. We live in a 125 year old Victorian home and have the best landlords! More on that later too.<br />
<br />
I'm traveling a lot with work so I'll be posting from the road a lot from my new iPad! Lots of new ventures and experiences and lots of stories to tell! <br />
<br />
See you from the road. Next stop - Orlando and Star Wars Weekends!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n0YeLmH6wdI/T7nCJIiTuCI/AAAAAAAABVc/T6vRbVYjrLw/s640/blogger-image--1700698343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n0YeLmH6wdI/T7nCJIiTuCI/AAAAAAAABVc/T6vRbVYjrLw/s640/blogger-image--1700698343.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5Jr-D8abSpA/T7nCJdCh5dI/AAAAAAAABVk/YvhvgIDSS6o/s640/blogger-image--799197079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5Jr-D8abSpA/T7nCJdCh5dI/AAAAAAAABVk/YvhvgIDSS6o/s640/blogger-image--799197079.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UnvVnkLI5II/T7nCJjyUmDI/AAAAAAAABVs/kl_ihBnvYmA/s640/blogger-image-1606154388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UnvVnkLI5II/T7nCJjyUmDI/AAAAAAAABVs/kl_ihBnvYmA/s640/blogger-image-1606154388.jpg" /></a></div>Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0Hackettstown Hackettstown40.850434 -74.830499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-18506936975196614222010-11-21T17:54:00.000-05:002010-11-21T18:24:13.358-05:00Fresh Start<p>OK, so the end of the year is almost upon us.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/TOmpTkIosJI/AAAAAAAABUw/Ds6afHoSC7s/s1600-h/anne%20and%20marilla%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="anne and marilla" border="0" alt="anne and marilla" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/TOmpUJHHOVI/AAAAAAAABU0/Kug9KvIDLUA/anne%20and%20marilla_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="97" height="97" /></a>A new year, symbolizes a fresh start for many people.  I’m of the opinion that you do not have to wait till the end of anything but the day for a fresh start.  Being a lover of movies and literature, I’ll use a quote from one of my favorite family films “Anne of Green Gables”, “tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes in it.”  So, today is my fresh start for my blog.  </p> <p>In the past, I’ve posted long novel posts with photos etc…  I’m guilty of putting a lot of pressure on myself to create the perfect post which has a beginning, middle and end.  Well, that’s writing and publishing at it’s best…and I’ll continue to try and achieve that, but since I’ve tagged this as also my doodles…well, you’re at the mercy of the ramblings in my mind.  I hope you enjoy it and as always, I’ll try to make it entertaining! </p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-26967989735259244752010-09-28T13:05:00.001-04:002010-09-28T13:05:27.819-04:00Edge Nail Demo in Three Parts<p>I’ve never really talked about this on my Blog.  But I’m a Nail Technician.  Now, I know what you are thinking, gum popping, shallow bubble head women.  Or maybe perhaps the more racially motivated “discount” salon image.</p> <p>I’m a different breed.  I’ve been in the nail business since 1987 and I have to tell you there is a lot more to doing nails than meets the eye.  I’ll share more about that later.  I’ve progressed from being a nail tech, to an educator for the industry.  I’m what you’d call an “independent” or “Non-Product Specific” educator meaning my classes are more about technique than pushing a product.  That being said, I do sell products but I don’t push them.  I’ve found that people want to buy what they see you using so why not have them available for sale.  But I do work with a Variety of different products so I’m not stuck selling just one brand.  </p> <p>OK, so you’ve got a little background on WHAT I do for a living.  I’m going to be posting a series of “How To” videos for my students to access.  This will show you HOW I do WHAT I do.  At least in part.  </p> <p>Below are three videos demonstrating HOW TO create the latest nail shape called an EDGE NAIL.  It’s not a shape for EVERYONE but it’s pretty cool and creative.  It is done by Greg Salo of Young Nails, he’s a really giving and fun educator!  Enjoy if you are so inclined…</p> <p><u><font color="#0000ff" size="5"><strong>Creating The Edge Nail, Part 1</strong></font></u></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9bb9c3df-d4d7-4ded-8008-0c866da9b621" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CLTfWt_ZXKs?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CLTfWt_ZXKs?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p><u><font color="#0000ff" size="5"><strong>Creating The Edge Nail, Part 2</strong></font></u></p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:d6170f9e-f09e-408b-95db-de15181ae783" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2k0Fpihl2o?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2k0Fpihl2o?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="5"><strong><u>Creating The Edge Nail, Part 3</u></strong></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:5ad02874-c23a-4dec-bc8a-1b245f9d905c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j7xo8-w5hYo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j7xo8-w5hYo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-81270740655140134742010-02-27T21:40:00.000-05:002010-03-05T21:44:37.521-05:00Buttermilk Crumb Muffins<p>No translation needed!!!!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5HBXHR04BI/AAAAAAAABTc/G7IdqQZAm8M/s1600-h/Buttermilk%20Crumb%20Muffins%2015_exposure%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins 15_exposure" border="0" alt="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins 15_exposure" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5HBXUFH7uI/AAAAAAAABTg/dYbDfnFpOMw/Buttermilk%20Crumb%20Muffins%2015_exposure_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="268" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>This is my first “Baking with Julia” recreation.  I made it for breakfast on a Saturday Morning and they were a hit!<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins 8_exposure" border="0" alt="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins 8_exposure" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5HBX3IK1gI/AAAAAAAABTk/-0r9EwBHMMA/Buttermilk%20Crumb%20Muffins%208_exposure_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139" /></p> <p>This recipe was in the episode of “Baking with Julia” with cooking teacher and author of "The New Fanny Farmer Cookbook" Marion Cunningham.  She shows Julia Child how to make a series of easy and delicious quick breads, an <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5HBYMQWzQI/AAAAAAAABTo/VoXe4bWOy-k/s1600-h/Buttermilk%20Crumb%20Muffins%2010_exposure%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins 10_exposure" border="0" alt="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins 10_exposure" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5HBYh9vtdI/AAAAAAAABTs/RJc1IvMeqH8/Buttermilk%20Crumb%20Muffins%2010_exposure_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" height="171" /></a>American bakery staple. She makes moist buttermilk crumb muffins from a hundred year-old recipe that are good enough to eat on their own.  Then she bakes scones, half done in the traditional shape, half made in a roll-up style, served with butter, whipped cream and raspberries. Finally, she creates unbelievably easy- to-make Irish soda bread, and fluffy popovers served with a drizzling of honey.</p> <p>This recipe made me revisit a project I started a few years ago. I started making Recipe cards out of old family recipes.  I decided to make cards for the new recipes I’ve been making.  So this was the result:</p> <p><strong><font size="3">Side one -</font></strong> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5HBZIS5BYI/AAAAAAAABTw/P7Xiywe8zsA/s1600-h/Buttermilk%20Crumb%20Muffins%20side%201%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins side 1" border="0" alt="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins side 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5HBZa8AaSI/AAAAAAAABT0/aWkPty-clDw/Buttermilk%20Crumb%20Muffins%20side%201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="275" /></a>  </p> <p><strong><font size="3">Side two -</font></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5HBZ0bJkoI/AAAAAAAABT4/4uvwJ4AE0C4/s1600-h/Buttermilk%20Crumb%20Muffins%20side%202%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins side 2" border="0" alt="Buttermilk Crumb Muffins side 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5HBaNH0waI/AAAAAAAABT8/xOCWQ3N7dCk/Buttermilk%20Crumb%20Muffins%20side%202_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="277" /></a> </p> <p>What do you think?  Does it look professional?  </p> <p>coming soon…POPOVERS!</p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-68577552319334415132010-02-03T20:44:00.000-05:002010-03-05T21:07:04.293-05:00Escalopes De Veau A La Crème<p>Rough English Translation:  Sautéed Veal Scallops with Mushrooms and Cream. The sides are Risotto and French Style Green Beans.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5G4xZsViiI/AAAAAAAABTQ/fDQ-TEH6DBY/s1600-h/Veal%20w%20shrooms%20in%20cream%20sauce%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Veal w shrooms in cream sauce" border="0" alt="Veal w shrooms in cream sauce" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5G4x1stCXI/AAAAAAAABTY/z59qIOZgxtI/Veal%20w%20shrooms%20in%20cream%20sauce_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="265" /></a> </p> <p>Who doesn’t love mushrooms and cream sauce? This is not your American Variety dish made with Cream of Mushroom Soup from a can!  I must stay this dish was extremely delicious.  It was the first time that I made Risotto.  If you are not familiar with “Risotto”, no need to feel inferior.  Until a couple of years ago, I didn’t have the faintest idea what “Risotto” was.  The common question is what is it, rice or pasta?  The answer is RICE.  The name “Risotto” is the finished dish not the rice itself.  The common rice used is called “<em>Arborio”</em> which is the rice frequently used to make rice pudding.  However, my research (yes I researched it being the geek that I am) showed that Europeans also are known to use<em> Carnaroli </em>or<em> Vialone Nano </em>rice.  </p> <p>Making Risotto is a long painful process and can very easily become a congealed lump of starch!  So find a good technique and follow the direction EXACTLY!  Mom had a box of “Risotto” in the house and the directions were on the box.  But you can use “Arborio” rice and find a reliable recipe online.</p> <p>The Veal Dish Contains:</p> <p>veal scallops, mushrooms, butter, shallots, dry white wine (I used Chardonnay) but you can also use dry white vermouth or Madeira, beef bouillon, whipping cream, cornstarch and salt & pepper.<em> </em></p> <p align="center"><strong><u>“Mastering the Art of French Cooking”</u></strong></p> <p align="center">Escalopes De Veau A La Crème (Sautéed Veal Scallops with Mushroom and Cream – pg. 366</p> <p align="left">Pretty quick recipe.  A nice treat during the week or a quick meal to make for company.  They’ll think you spent all day making it!</p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-11395380240609058532010-02-02T20:21:00.000-05:002010-03-05T20:46:25.054-05:00Gateau Fourre' a' la Crème au Bearer a' l'Orange<p>Roughly translated in English: Orange sponge cake iced with Orange Butter cream Icing and filled with Orange-Butter Filling.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5GxD5V5p4I/AAAAAAAABSo/EgNn4l8j1As/s1600-h/P1000668%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1000668" border="0" alt="P1000668" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5GxEE5sWzI/AAAAAAAABSs/R63Lhr8D5kA/P1000668_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="259" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5GxEef430I/AAAAAAAABTA/Y4FIK3TnMeo/s1600-h/P1000669%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="P1000669" border="0" alt="P1000669" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5GxFAhD_II/AAAAAAAABTE/GwPVpY9Ie3M/P1000669_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="209" height="136" /></a>This FANTASTIC cake I actually made on Christmas Eve this past December.  Why Christmas Eve? Probably due to boredom and the fact that Mom shelled out $42.95 for a copy of “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”.</p> <p>Little did I know that this cake would start a landslide of decadent cooking and baking that would pull me out of a deep, dark, depression!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5GxFqWsSQI/AAAAAAAABS4/quKTbZUUsjo/s1600-h/P1000671%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="P1000671" border="0" alt="P1000671" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5GxGL8ivNI/AAAAAAAABS8/eTAE5PQjWnc/P1000671_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="265" /></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><u>“Mastering the Art of French Cooking”</u></strong></p> <p align="center">Gateau A L’Orange (Orange Sponge Cake) pg. 671</p> <p align="center">Gateau Fourre a la Crème d’Orange (Orange-Butter Filling) pg. 672</p> <p align="center">Crème au Beurre a l’Orange (Orange Butter-Cream Icing) pg. 674</p> <p>Despite it’s rich sounding name, this cake is very light and fluffy and only contains 3/4 of a cup of cake flour.  I highly recommend setting aside a few hours for making this cake.  It’s labor intensive and time consuming but well worth it!  </p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-45465803013704379402010-02-01T20:09:00.000-05:002010-03-05T20:12:19.851-05:00Inspired by “Julie & Julia”<p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5Gr4n8RenI/AAAAAAAABSI/LOj26tAS8Y0/s1600-h/image%5B2%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5Gr5C1SRzI/AAAAAAAABSM/uGddD5JQ5D4/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="194" height="244" /></a>OK, so maybe I’m a bored housewife.  Maybe I’m a desperate caretaker who is having a mid-life crisis.  Or maybe I’ve fallen in love with cooking, GOOD cooking and scrummy food!</p> <p>I think if you talk with any woman in their 40’s who finds a new passion and sit her down and make her watch the movie “Julie & Julia”, she will find similarities between her and Julia Child.  No, not every woman turns a past time to help with housewife boredom into a midlife career or changes home cooking forever.  But this delightful film certainly romanticizes an ideal that most of us would like to see come true.  I think that Julia Child would be pleased with the resurgence of her “French Cooking” techniques and the inspiration it has given to a whole new generation of home cooks.  Both men and women.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5Gr5usxTyI/AAAAAAAABSQ/9Wl0RFBT3I0/s1600-h/image%5B5%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5Gr6nKi-OI/AAAAAAAABSU/aNclI38-AtY/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="228" height="244" /></a> </p> <p>I remember watching Julia Child with my mom in the kitchen when I was a little girl.  I don’t remember much other than her warbly voice and the fact that she always seem to have a glass of wine at the ready.  Little did I know that Julia would help me through a tough time while taking care of my sick mother.</p> <p>Then there is the “parody” that Dan Aykroyd made famous on SNL on December 9, 1978. Classic!</p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:48683c60-6fda-4e2a-88f8-0f0db0c3295d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WaASyRFXTj4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WaASyRFXTj4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> </p> <p>Mom discovered two old shows of Julia that are now being aired in the middle of the night.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5Gr6yUNYSI/AAAAAAAABSY/CyWDCwbt3Ec/s1600-h/image%5B8%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5Gr7kc-K0I/AAAAAAAABSc/zrhxuHQ-0aQ/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="204" height="238" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5Gr8XJswfI/AAAAAAAABSg/yaZeAZCB-QI/s1600-h/image%5B17%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S5Gr83BPd1I/AAAAAAAABSk/Xyv1w94x9_w/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="191" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Both shows have corresponding cookbooks.  I’ve been cooking and baking up a storm.  I’m gaining weight and need to get some self control back, but my family is THRILLED with my new passion.</p> <p>From time to time, I’ll be sharing some of the results with you.  So stay tuned… and Bon Appétit!</p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-45881117404192090002009-11-16T10:56:00.000-05:002010-02-25T11:49:32.905-05:00Orlando Vacation Part Deux<p><font color="#0080c0" size="5" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Day 3: Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios</u></font></p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="5" face="WallowHmkBold"></font></u></p> <p><strong>Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009</strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3"><u><font face="WallowHmkBold"><font color="#0080c0"><font size="4">Breakfast of Champions</font> <font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><font color="#000000" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m5hQMCh_I/AAAAAAAAAm4/Ew262fjHRx4/s1600-h/001%20Richard%20eating%20Orange%20Rolls.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="001 Richard eating Orange Rolls" border="0" alt="001 Richard eating Orange Rolls" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jVmspRJrI/AAAAAAAAAm8/WoM7uA9TtdY/001%20Richard%20eating%20Orange%20Rolls_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="141" height="108" /></a></font></font></font></font></u></font></strong><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><font color="#000000" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" face="Trebuchet MS">A late night made it difficult to get up at the crack of dawn to greet the animals.  But we managed!  This is our first day at Disney in three years so we were ready to go!  The morning started off with Pillsbury Orange Rolls (a delicacy we can’t get in NJ), scrambled eggs & cheese and coffee.</font></p> <p align="right"><font size="3"><font color="#000000" face="Trebuchet MS">                                       </font><font color="#0080c0" face="WallowHmkBold"><font color="#000000" face="Trebuchet MS"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>The Tree of Life... </u></font></strong><font color="#0080c0"><font color="#000000"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpUc9LHII/AAAAAAAAAnA/vtO6tMnXF-g/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20204%5B4%5D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 204" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 204" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpUn0x4hI/AAAAAAAAAnE/O0uNG4Y-IyM/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20204_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="222" /></font></a></font></font>           </font></font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" face="Trebuchet MS">My niece works at Epcot so we scored once more in getting into the parks. (Thank you Cynch, we could not have done this vacation so well without you!!) Here she is doing her best “Vanna White” impression… </font></p> <p><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><font color="#000000" face="Trebuchet MS"><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><font color="#000000" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpU-vSAXI/AAAAAAAAAnM/AGAMesjQC18/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20243%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 243" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 243" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpVjOPaDI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/CzC_CxEt5dQ/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20243_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="159" /></a></font></font></font></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" face="Trebuchet MS">One of the things you learn from going to Disney World repeatedly is to always look up…and down…you never know what you’ll see.</font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS">(Just in case you didn’t know which direction the park is in…)</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3"><strong><u><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"></font></u></strong></font></p> <p align="left"><strong><u><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"></font></u></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><strong><u><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold">White faced Tree Ducks</font></u></strong></font></font> <strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m5luVuC6I/AAAAAAAABCQ/cZaXRSZYZtE/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m5mVWs15I/AAAAAAAABCU/X87wxA4N-Lo/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="230" height="185" /></a><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S4amosoSd8I/AAAAAAAAA9M/ddI0OIMPzJ4/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20133.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 133" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 133" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jYobLyN6I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/9B56aO9KQAk/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20133_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="331" /></a></u></font></strong></u></font></strong></font></font></font></u></font></strong></p> <p> <font face="Trebuchet MS">First stop: Whistling White Faced Tree Ducks.  These guys sound like a rubber ducky when they speak!  Unfortunately, we got there too late to hear the morning chatter but I did get a nice photo of them sleeping… click the link below if you want to hear them:</font></p> <p><a title="http://www.wikiaves.com/som.php?m=106276&tm=s" href="http://www.wikiaves.com/som.php?m=106276&tm=s"><font size="4" face="Trebuchet MS">http://www.wikiaves.com/som.php?m=106276&tm=s</font></a></p> <p><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Flamingos<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jbCPG3alI/AAAAAAAAAfU/9hs7tkNaUQ4/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20136%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 136" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 136" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jbCYEmojI/AAAAAAAAAfc/re7y-wYZalo/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20136_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></u></font></strong></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">The Flamingo’s gave us a show.  One of them was feeding what seemed to be their almost grown baby! If you are really fortunate, you can catch the male flamingos doing their mating march.  The older males gather the group by squawking and turning their heads left to right.  The rest of the males in the flock fall in and imitate them. When the group is finally in unison, they spread their wings and then march around.  It’s amazing to watch! I love my “mingos”!</font></p> <p><font size="3">                                     </font><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Expedition Everest</u></font></strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jbCywt_bI/AAAAAAAAAnk/Aw5XvdmyOFk/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20138.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 138" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 138" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jbDB0-fII/AAAAAAAAAno/vPFvWG2U0bA/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20138_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="426" /></a></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">Animal Kingdom never disappoints.  It’s not the type of place to go to if you are looking for thrill rides and fantasy.  But for any animal lover it’s paradise!  But speaking of thrill rides, there is one really good one there.  It’s called Expedition Everest and it’s located in Asia. Waaaaay fun!  My tip to get on quick is go get into the “single rider” line.  You may not be able to sit with your friends, but you get on within 10 minutes when the line is over an hour long!  Rich doesn’t “do” roller coasters, so I’m always a single rider when it is just the two of us.  On this day, my niece Cynthia was with us so we rode together…on the same train anyway!</font></p> <p align="center"> <strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Africa</u></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS">(That’s Rich and Cynthia standing under the street signs!)<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 145" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 145" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpZgL3VpI/AAAAAAAAAns/jHgzZzA3QtQ/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20145_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="272" /></font></a></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpZ3dK_II/AAAAAAAABOQ/-E9X41Bw8vc/s1600-h/FloridaOctober25292009148.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpasMTeWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/G9AMZ3cBhyI/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20158.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font></font><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpasMTeWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/G9AMZ3cBhyI/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20158.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></a></font></font></font></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpasMTeWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/G9AMZ3cBhyI/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20158.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font></font>“I am Rhino, here me roa<font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpasMTeWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/G9AMZ3cBhyI/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20158.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font></font><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpasMTeWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/G9AMZ3cBhyI/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20158.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font></font></font></font>r!”<font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpZ3dK_II/AAAAAAAABOU/knmwcBM0sJg/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20148%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 148" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 148" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpaAETH_I/AAAAAAAAA9g/PvnvXQp8Pw0/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20148_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="246" /></a></font></font></font></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"> <font face="Trebuchet MS">No</font><font face="Trebuchet MS"> trip to </font><font face="Trebuchet MS">Animal Kingdom is complete without a ride on the Kilimanjaro Safari!  Its great fun.  Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to get great photos during the ride due to the bumpy nature of the roads.  </font><font face="Trebuchet MS">However, we did our best… <font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpasMTeWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/G9AMZ3cBhyI/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20158.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font></font></font></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS">Look at the BABY HEFFALUMP!!!!  Too cute!</font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpba4EyOI/AAAAAAAABOY/Ypl6nApuCHo/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20162%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 162" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 162" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpbmjDcAI/AAAAAAAAA9s/-gPGjebw0_o/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20162_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="329" /></a></font></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpba4EyOI/AAAAAAAABOY/Ypl6nApuCHo/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20162%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></font></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpba4EyOI/AAAAAAAABOY/Ypl6nApuCHo/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20162%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></font></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS">I<font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpasMTeWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/G9AMZ3cBhyI/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20158.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font></font><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpasMTeWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/G9AMZ3cBhyI/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20158.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font></font></font></font> love how this giraffe is camuflaging in the trees!<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 158" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 158" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpayCYhRI/AAAAAAAAA9w/rH4yT56jcDM/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20158_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="499" /></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">Afte<font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpba4EyOI/AAAAAAAABOc/e4FoFeHaVnc/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920091621.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font>r the</font><font face="Trebuchet MS"> Safa</font><font face="Trebuchet MS">ri</font><font face="Trebuchet MS">, ther</font><font face="Trebuchet MS">e is a walk</font><font face="Trebuchet MS">ing trail which giv</font><font face="Trebuchet MS">es you closer views of some of the animals.  One of my favorites is the Okapi.  It looks like a zebra mixed with a giraffe.  It is the cousin of the giraffe.  They are very shy animals...perhaps that’s why I love them so much!</font><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpb_Cb38I/AAAAAAAAAoI/yEGHMBvx__U/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20193.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 193" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 193" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpcQOktZI/AAAAAAAAAoM/F9Q72DEtz9Y/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20193_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="257" /></a></font></p> <p> </p> <p> <strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Yak and Yeti<font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><strong><u><font color="#0080c0" face="WallowHmkBold"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpWiEt9iI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/A_2i1uA0Fog/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20218.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 218" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 218" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpXKYsvII/AAAAAAAAAoU/SAp-bQcbRkY/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20218_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="173" /></a></font></u></strong></font></u></font></strong><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">OK, so let’s talk food!  It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 12 years since Animal Kingdom opened.  One of the things that it seriously lacked when it opened is a good restaurant.  Well, the wait was worth it!  In 2007, the “Yak and Yeti” Restaurant opened it’s doors in the Asian section of the park.  I’m a huge fan of Asian food, I love all aspects of each region.  Wonton Soup was, what I thought for many years, a Chinese dish.  Well, my horizons have been broadened in recent years.  The Wonton Soup at the Yak and Yeti is by far, one of the best I’ve ever had.  The noodles melt in your mouth and the crunchy noodles are the best I’ve ever had!  This is just a small sampling of what you have in store should you dine there one day.  Everything on the menu is great!  BTW – my niece scored a job there due to our lunch that day.  It turned out to be a great place to work as well!</font></p> <p> <strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Asia<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 233" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 233" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpX1SVZNI/AAAAAAAAAoY/vrbbGaZ98mY/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20233_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" height="272" /></u></font></strong><font size="3"><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS">Asia in Animal Kingdom has one of the most beautiful Tiger enclosures I’ve ever seen!  And as you can see, it’s easy to get a great photo of these majestic creatures! It’s probably not a secret that cats (big and small) are my favorite animal.  We stood and watched these guys for a while and the thing that always strikes me is how much these big cats act like my small kitties at home.  I just want to rub their ears!  We stayed long enough to see one hack up a hairball!  Poor kitty!Glad I don’t have to clean up after them!</font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpYHLhtQI/AAAAAAAAAoc/ERt-ikOqqUo/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20235%5B1%5D.jpg"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 235" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 235" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpY_5O6UI/AAAAAAAAAog/719ZllBmK0E/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20235_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="267" /></font></a></font></p> <p> <strong><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Next stop: Disney’s Hollywood Studios<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpcoAcQPI/AAAAAAAAAok/EJKaWzkLCLY/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20284%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 284" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 284" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpdP6MeEI/AAAAAAAAAoo/St188R0OTsc/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20284_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="352" /></a></u></font></strong></p> <p><font size="3"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="2">I was there on opening day:</font> </font></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">May 1, 1989</font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">Mom and I used to sneak into the parking lot when they were building the park.  Of course back then it was called “Disney’s MGM Studios” and we had high hopes for Orlando being the next </font><font face="Trebuchet MS">“Hollywood”.  </font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">“The Studios” hold a very special place in my heart.  I’m a frustrated performer, but my better judgment prevented me from getting into show business.  So when the studios opened, I WAS STAR STRUCK!!!  </font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">This is also the place where Richard proposed to me.  That’s a story for another time (with pictures).  </font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">There have been many changes since then, some good, some bad… but I’m hoping for good things.  We didn’t have a lot of time to get to all of our favorite places, but here are a few of the highlights:</font> </p> <p><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>The great movie ride</u></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in “Mary Poppins”<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpdVxOsyI/AAAAAAAAAos/HB2KIZddAeo/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20253.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 253" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 253" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpdgZPaAI/AAAAAAAAAow/9vw4NSDvpHE/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20253_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="208" /></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">John Wayne in “The Searchers”<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 259" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 259" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpez1F35I/AAAAAAAAAo0/7zcIMxbXI7o/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20259_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="233" /></font><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">Harrison Ford & John Rhys-Davies in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”</font><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3nUU7jszoI/AAAAAAAABOg/pUVjUdpcgu8/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920092644.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 264" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 264" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpf1ew_WI/AAAAAAAAAo8/85yvs_ZFj7c/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20264_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="231" /></a></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></a></font></p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3nUU7jszoI/AAAAAAAABOk/6R-kjNQmk6Q/s1600-h/FloridaOctober2529200926421.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></a></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3nUU7jszoI/AAAAAAAABOk/6R-kjNQmk6Q/s1600-h/FloridaOctober2529200926421.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3nUU7jszoI/AAAAAAAABOo/fU3tqeyX96U/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920092642.jpg"></a></a></a></p> <p align="right"><font color="#ff0000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3nUU7jszoI/AAAAAAAABOo/fU3tqeyX96U/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920092642.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></p> <font color="#ff0000"></font> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3nUU7jszoI/AAAAAAAABOo/fU3tqeyX96U/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920092642.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a><font color="#ff0000"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></font></p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpgOqtAxI/AAAAAAAAApI/4CgX8MBx5zE/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20268%5B2%5D.jpg"></a></font></p> <p align="right"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="right"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in “Casablanca”<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 271" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 271" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jphbKkAvI/AAAAAAAAApM/SxnLKRn7Yak/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20271_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="426" /></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">“The Wizard of Oz”<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="275" border="0" alt="275" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpjXnZYeI/AAAAAAAAApQ/I2-cOKzr-G8/275_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="337" /></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpiyytG1I/AAAAAAAABOs/RMleCbJOUQA/s1600-h/2752.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpiyytG1I/AAAAAAAABOw/XSUz8Xze1LE/s1600-h/2751.jpg"></a></a></a><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">“…fol</font><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">low the yellow brick road!”</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">“I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!”<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="277" border="0" alt="277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpj0kNrhI/AAAAAAAAApY/FEETeNF8z6A/277_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="449" /></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">“We’re off to see the Wizard…</font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpjh0detI/AAAAAAAAAiM/pYuWhlyAdVM/s1600-h/277%5B2%5D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">“</font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpkWYT6bI/AAAAAAAAApc/1tFYjG0iMbk/s1600-h/279%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="279" border="0" alt="279" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpkq7pQBI/AAAAAAAAApg/BJcKsAoyr-g/279_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="536" /></a></a></a></p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jphyt67II/AAAAAAAAAjk/3Sfz9031XIE/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20272%5B3%5D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jphyt67II/AAAAAAAAAjk/3Sfz9031XIE/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20272%5B3%5D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jphyt67II/AAAAAAAAAjk/3Sfz9031XIE/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20272%5B3%5D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"> </font><font face="Trebuchet MS"> </font><font face="Trebuchet MS">(Great shot eh? I LOVE my new camera!)</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS">Campy but classic! It wouldn’t be Disney without Audio Animatronics!</font></font> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u></u></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Pixar studios<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpkytfkNI/AAAAAAAAApk/VhTIz7P0UMg/s1600-h/244%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="244" border="0" alt="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jplRAQ8UI/AAAAAAAAApo/L_5nuA5YbSI/244_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="259" /></a></u></font></strong><font face="Trebuchet MS">They did a beautiful job converting part of the backlot to Pixar Studios.  I hope there is more excitement in the works!  But in the meantime, we have…</font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m5zc6iKWI/AAAAAAAAAps/qqq-nMgQRmY/s1600-h/image%5B11%5D.png"><font color="#333333"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m5z7Y-deI/AAAAAAAAApw/xrwsCImKN_U/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="310" height="212" /></font></a></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS">Toy Story Midway Mania! The line for this ride is incredibly long but worth it just for nostalgia sake. </font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"> </font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpmt4gwbI/AAAAAAAAA6A/grQIYh_GhEI/s1600-h/IMG004271.jpg"><font color="#333333"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpmt4gwbI/AAAAAAAAA6A/grQIYh_GhEI/s1600-h/IMG004271.jpg"><font color="#333333"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="IMG00427" border="0" alt="IMG00427" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpnEyzLpI/AAAAAAAAAp8/z2hCp1rAN2U/IMG00427_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="179" /></font></a></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS">Mr.. Potato Head is located in the queue.  He interacts with the people queuing up for the ride and insults and teases them.  Pretty cool!</font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">The rest of the queue contains giant renditions of all the games we grew up with and a few our parents did.  The time does go by fast and most of the time people interact with each other reminiscing about their childhood.  Great fun!<font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpnaLEwyI/AAAAAAAABO4/fNT1tzYzAYE/s1600-h/IMG004262.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpnaLEwyI/AAAAAAAABO8/J9H47wX4sZs/s1600-h/IMG00426%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="IMG00426" border="0" alt="IMG00426" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpngPK4DI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/c6jOW7IEHjY/IMG00426_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="294" /></a></a></a></font></font></font></font>  </font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">As for the ride itself.  Well, I was too busy “playing the game” to take photos, but if you want to see it along with the queue line,  play this link from YouTube.  Did I mention that the ride is in 3-D?????</font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 425px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:a95c46ad-4b14-407e-9e3f-c4384472ba06" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wUjbI_P0k6E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wUjbI_P0k6E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m51wqsacI/AAAAAAAABPA/m6ljuNi8oDA/s1600-h/image20.png"><font color="#333333"></font></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m51wqsacI/AAAAAAAABPA/m6ljuNi8oDA/s1600-h/image20.png"><font color="#333333"></font></a></a></a></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">I think I see a new wii game in my future…<font face="Trebuchet MS">(Hint! Hint!)  OK, we’ll wait till the price </font></font><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS">comes down!<font face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m51wqsacI/AAAAAAAABPA/m6ljuNi8oDA/s1600-h/image20.png"><font color="#333333"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m51wqsacI/AAAAAAAABPE/6GJHcQ1btWs/s1600-h/image12%5B1%5D.png"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m52JsdYGI/AAAAAAAAA-k/eV1i0wLVFE4/image12_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="175" height="175" /></a></font></font></font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u></u></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>The Backlot Tour<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="245" border="0" alt="245" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpmW51IPI/AAAAAAAAAqU/wAODrKkBwf4/245_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="221" /></u></font></strong><font face="Trebuchet MS">There are rumors that the Backlot Tour may be going away. Although it will be no great loss to lose the “current” tour,  I have to admit that I miss the original tour.  Remember <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpn39LuJI/AAAAAAAAAqY/Jw28R5jhTRU/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20246%5B1%5D.jpg"><font color="#333333"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 246" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 246" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpoI2kkhI/AAAAAAAAAqg/ijQmd1FmtZA/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20246_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="481" /></font></a></a>the “Golden Girls” house, seeing “Herbie the Love Bug” rev his engine and seeing tons of huge props including some from the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies?  They even had cool costumes and you could see the costume department in full use.  They’ve really destroyed the Backlot and used the land for dumb things but one can only hope for better things to come.  </font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">Originally the Studios were a working studio where they filmed things like “From the Earth to the Moon” and “The Mickey Mouse Club” (the show that gave us performers like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.  OK so those are not shining examples of good talent but you get my point…)  Orlando just didn’t work out for Disney or Universal for that matter, but we do have parks like this one as a result.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jppQvw4aI/AAAAAAAAAq4/iHyr301Sbjc/s1600-h/288%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#333333"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="288" border="0" alt="288" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jppmEJiyI/AAAAAAAAArA/GDfZNDxhXbg/288_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="423" /></font></a></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">I really miss the days of the super fireworks show at the end of the night.  Vincent Price announcing the next spectacular display of fireworks supported by an emotional movie themes.  A golden time period for this park.  But for now, the only light spectacle to enjoy is the neon lights of Sunset Blvd. at night. At least we still have emotional Movie Soundtracks with it!<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="290" border="0" alt="290" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jppJlEF1I/AAAAAAAAAuE/YkxEpBWYgK8/290_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="343" /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpokt4goI/AAAAAAAAAjE/dkKrkKMo2iU/s1600-h/290%5B3%5D.jpg"></a></a></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3jpokt4goI/AAAAAAAAAjE/dkKrkKMo2iU/s1600-h/290%5B3%5D.jpg"></a><font face="Trebuchet MS">It’s times like this that I really miss living in Florida.  Rich and I used to visit Disney a few times a month.  Sometimes just to eat, other times to take pictures like these.  Then there were the times we had company and we played tour guide.  We would have made great tour guides for Disney.  Perhaps if we get to retire someday…  I just wish it wasn’t so darn hot in Florida!  This was another great day! </font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><strong><u><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></u></strong></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font color="#0080c0" size="5" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Day 4: Epcot</u></font></p> <p><strong>Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009</strong></p> <p align="center"><font face="Trebuchet MS">Waiting for the perfect shot... </font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">We found the perfect place to get the perfect photo and like a professional photographer who waits days and hours for a lion to walk by... we waited for the Monorail... we shoot, we SCORE!</font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>The PERFECT SHOT!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0un60AYI/AAAAAAAAA-o/bVlJUUC7OgI/s1600-h/400%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="400" border="0" alt="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0vOngWfI/AAAAAAAAA-w/L9WVaN6RFuE/400_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="338" /></a></u></font></strong></p> <font size="3" face="tre"></font> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">So, like I mentioned before, my niece works at Epcot.  She had some great coupons she had to redeem for food so we thought we’d help her out a little.  Today, we dined at “The Coral Reef” Restaurant located within “The Living Seas” attraction.  </font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">Since Pixar joined the Disney family, they’ve been beefing up the existing attractions.  “The Living Seas” is now with “Nemo and Friends”.  Our favorite scavenging sea birds greet you as you approach…</font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Mine! Mine! Mine!</u></font></strong><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0va8slJI/AAAAAAAABPI/n42afZ9vv2k/s1600-h/350%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="350" border="0" alt="350" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0vj025UI/AAAAAAAAA-4/XLAxuU1n3dk/350_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="229" /></a></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">Great photo of the entrance, the restaurant is to the right.  But I couldn’t resist trying to get a recording of our one “mine”ded friends…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p> <font face="Trebuchet MS">The video below was shot with my new camera, not a video camera… </font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 425px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:90c36f4b-e102-4b92-8594-dd9d846f075a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TjZdiPZxPlo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TjZdiPZxPlo&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0va8slJI/AAAAAAAABPM/m6TwPATiAh0/s1600-h/3501.jpg"></a> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font size="3"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font size="2">Lunch... OK, we did not have a “liquid” lunch but liquids were involved.  I can never resist a “glowing” drink.  Great table eh? That’s me and Cynthia enjoying our libations…</font><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="310" border="0" alt="310" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0wfxdZ0I/AAAAAAAAAuU/TFbvCSLgNh8/310_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="333" /></font></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">Here’s the video of my “Blinking Drink”... </font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:c05bbb58-91fa-4a4a-b7f5-9063fe9d839b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rmkbkzIO-lA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rmkbkzIO-lA&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">Crème Brulee for dessert...<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG00430" border="0" alt="IMG00430" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0yAxUfwI/AAAAAAAAAuc/-uJz1G-xRP0/IMG00430_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="328" /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0xyyYsCI/AAAAAAAAA_A/8QEPLVVtitQ/s1600-h/IMG004302.jpg"><font color="#333333" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></a></a></font><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">Cynthia left us after lunch but we stayed around to see what we could “sea”…</font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0ybU3rSI/AAAAAAAABPQ/YJPP0xnPhrU/s1600-h/3372.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0ybU3rSI/AAAAAAAABPU/LwQ4jBt3rp0/s1600-h/3374.jpg"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0ybU3rSI/AAAAAAAABPY/AxLbUvb4-FI/s1600-h/337%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="337" border="0" alt="337" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0yhKiPyI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/3NHYVhg2fng/337_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="357" /></a></a></a></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0ybU3rSI/AAAAAAAABPY/AxLbUvb4-FI/s1600-h/337%5B2%5D.jpg"><font color="#333333" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></a><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">Marlon, Nemo and friends...<font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0zb41ehI/AAAAAAAABPc/_VuvUBKeYfM/s1600-h/339%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="339" border="0" alt="339" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0zvT0qOI/AAAAAAAABAE/JAcGSnuvXl0/339_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="358" /></a></font></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">Question:  </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j0zb41ehI/AAAAAAAABPg/wVq47DDTOBg/s1600-h/33921.jpg"><font color="#333333" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">How many fish do you see in the photo below?</font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j00BZAPWI/AAAAAAAAAlM/tLfNQAEqmy8/s1600-h/346%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#333333" size="3" face="Trebuchet MS"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="346" border="0" alt="346" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j00de7aZI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/6Njp1k4q0rE/346_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347" /></font></a></a></a><font size="3" face="Trebuchet MS">Answer: Four!  (Rock Fish… they camouflage well!)</font></p> <p><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Next Stop: Spaceship Earth!</u></font></strong></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">It’s been completely updated.  The ending is kind of cool with new computer graphics that include...YOU!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j005cyY7I/AAAAAAAABPk/RtLjqUzOmZU/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920093833.jpg"><font color="#333333"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 383" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 383" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j01OFxAqI/AAAAAAAAAvE/Rwvd6gSLJFs/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20383_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="220" /></font></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j005cyY7I/AAAAAAAABPo/KK4z2KLy9uU/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920093832.jpg"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></a></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS">That’s our heads on those cartoon bodies.  They take your picture at the beginning of the ride.  As you “descend” down the middle of the “globe” we call “Spaceship Earth”,  you are treated to a cartoon “The Beginning of Your Future” starring… YOU!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j012SoXDI/AAAAAAAABPs/XrmeRBJGKhE/s1600-h/3842.jpg"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j012SoXDI/AAAAAAAABPw/_YnezpBQ6uw/s1600-h/3841.jpg"><font color="#333333"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="384" border="0" alt="384" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j02AZCDYI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/BUPrLIZw188/384_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="241" /></font></a></a></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS">I wish I looked that good in a space suit in real life!  Come to think of it, I would be nice if they actually MADE spacesuits that made you look that good! LOL!  </font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS">The whole thing is very “Jetson” like.  <font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j01e31lkI/AAAAAAAAAvU/ocSxQBtBhD0/s1600-h/379%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#333333"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="379" border="0" alt="379" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j01vxwppI/AAAAAAAAAvY/GzfBZ_LkwRE/379_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="251" /></font></a></font></font></font>When you walk out of the ride, you can see yourself on a huge screen and go to a kiosk and email your photo to your friends and family...and yourself.  Great fun!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j02SUhiTI/AAAAAAAABP0/z89w9oO-DHk/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920093852.jpg"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></a></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS">Hang Ten Dude!  </font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS">Epcot was the place that Rich was originally going to propose to me.  <font face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j02SUhiTI/AAAAAAAABP4/drq5cab_VIQ/s1600-h/FloridaOctober25292009385.jpg"><font color="#333333"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 385" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 385" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j02wtZRII/AAAAAAAAAvg/UaQowCzIxTk/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20385_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="230" /></font></a></font>The plans didn’t work out that way, but we have a great story to tell our friends.  It was going to be at sunset just when the torches were lit around the “World Showcase Lagoon”. </font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j03c69F1I/AAAAAAAABP8/x4R4iRNkpJ4/s1600-h/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20405.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 405" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 405" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j03vT_qqI/AAAAAAAABBA/3KcmUAX5V8s/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20405_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="374" /></a>Next: A walk around the world to watch the sunset.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j03c69F1I/AAAAAAAABQA/4FsXrVg8cKA/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920094052.jpg"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j03c69F1I/AAAAAAAABQE/4jwVV6Q8dsc/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920094056.jpg"><font color="#333333"></font></a></a></a></a></a></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">Rich gave me a quick lesson on photography “perspective”.  The temple here in Mexico looks much taller thanks to the lesson he gave me.  I took it from the side and low.  It was hard to get a good shot because this spot is very popular at sunset.  the photos below makes you see why… SUNSET!!!</font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="423" border="0" alt="423" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j04PUdyTI/AAAAAAAAAvw/BP6WiqGNsq4/423_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="247" />I love this shot with Richard to the right taking a photo.  I have to brag that my “sunset” photos came out better than Richards.  This new camera has goof proof settings that make the professionals envious.</font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS">That’s the “Swan and Dolphin” Hotels in the distance.  Boy do I miss those “Florida Sunset” skies!</font> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="420" border="0" alt="420" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m6M1rFC2I/AAAAAAAAAv0/tvh9SEU2UwM/420_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="276" /></font><font face="Trebuchet MS">Below:  A close up of the hotels in the distance.  A Golden Sunset!<font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m6NAVuP0I/AAAAAAAAAv4/A4znqEmKpBI/s1600-h/408%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="408" border="0" alt="408" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3m6Nit-gCI/AAAAAAAAAwA/TN1uWUFmfks/408_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="272" /></a></font></font></font></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>China at night…</u></font></strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j04XkTjaI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/kZvUCTCsBUk/s1600-h/FloridaOctober252920094312.jpg"><font color="#333333"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Florida October 25-29, 2009 431" border="0" alt="Florida October 25-29, 2009 431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j04mXj4AI/AAAAAAAAAwI/SbP-A1Kih6I/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20431_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" height="358" /></font></a></a></a></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><strong><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Classic Epcot!</u></font></strong><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font color="#333333" face="Trebuchet MS"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j04237VqI/AAAAAAAABQM/qrk3iKoIB4o/s1600-h/4441.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="444" border="0" alt="444" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j05UAVeNI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/OX8CB6Aa9MU/444_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="266" /></a></font></font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/S3j04237VqI/AAAAAAAABQQ/5iHqxKuzwAk/s1600-h/4443.jpg"><font face="Trebuchet MS"></font></a></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS"><font face="Trebuchet MS">Another great day full of food, fun and beauty.  Tomorrow is our last day, I was getting sad because I wasn’t ready to go home yet, but this was a welcome break for both of us.</font></font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">Tomorrow...swimming, packing and a visit from an old schoolmate.</font></p> <p><font color="#0080c0" size="5" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Day 5: The voyage Home</u></font></p> <p><strong>Date: Thursday, October 29, 2009</strong></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">So, we slept in.  My Junior High School buddy Mike Murray came to have lunch and get caught up.  We went for a dip in the pool and packed to go home.  I wish this day were more exciting to talk about, but – not really. </font></p> <p><font face="Trebuchet MS">It was a great trip, but it was good to get home to my cats. What’s the next adventure?  Perhaps back to Colonial Williamsburg, VA...</font></p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-33212745614322075952009-11-14T18:36:00.001-05:002009-11-16T14:11:47.614-05:00Orlando Vacation<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:27a1f1a7-a22a-45a4-bfbd-237146dac8a0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="216" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv9BCbwGurI/AAAAAAAAAds/0Wxg8PZBc44/s288/TackyFabFlavors.jpg" width="288"></a></p></div> <p>Well, I’ve been home from vacation for two weeks now.  I’m just getting around to posting photos and short movie clips of my vacation.  I am carving time out of my crazy life to share the 5 days of relaxation Rich and I took to get us through the next 365 days! LOL! ;)</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:5f5db347-703e-4eb9-9f8e-ba3ce600683a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="99" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv9BvWTo_iI/AAAAAAAAAdw/MwLUesGkOiI/s144/dollar%20sign.jpg" width="98"></a></p></div> <p>First let me start by saying that I totally rocked in planning this trip!  It started with the daily e-mails I get from <a href="http://www.spiritair.com">www.spiritair.com</a>.  Check your local airport to see if they fly to your city.  They have a $9 Fare Club that really makes travelling economical. (That is, if you know how to work it!)  Yes, you DO have to pay to check luggage.  Yes, you DO have to pay to pick your seat.  The trick is to bring a carry on and don’t forget the rules of 3 oz. liquid bottles for carry on bags.  We decided to each bring a carry on with clothes, a personal item like my purse and Rich’s camera bag.  And we checked one bag with all of our liquids.  One of our carry on bags was almost empty so we could bring home lots of goodies!  </p> <p>I joined a “Discovery” Time Share last year so the hotel was covered.  My niece works at Disney and Sea World so there were our “Theme Park” entries.  The most expensive thing we paid for was the rental car.  So the airline tickets were $90.00, taxes & insurance included for the two of us.  $0.00 for lodging and theme parks.  My niece came through with all sorts of discounts for food, merchandise and such.  We could not have done as much as we did without her!  Now, here’s how the trip went:</p> <p><font color="#0080c0" size="5" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Day 1: Getting There</u></font></p> <p><strong>Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009</strong></p> <p>An afternoon flight made getting to the airport a breeze.  Mom and Dad drove us and we decided to get there two 1/2 hours before the flight to see if we could get seats closer to the front due to the fact that my ankle was still in a cast.  This detail worked to our advantage many times during the trip!</p> <p>We were moved to the front of the plane, got on first AND they asked for volunteers to check their carry on luggage since so many people had some.  Score!</p> <p><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Beautiful Skies!</u></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:21cfd863-f1d8-4efc-b9c1-55c8e617706f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="225" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8IX-nE28I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/o5C4x_g8zNo/s400/5%20Airpolane%20Window%204.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <p>Great day for flying!  Did I mention that Rich bought me a new camera so that I’d have it for this trip?  Up till now, I’ve been taking pictures with my Blackberry Curve!  FYI, if you are looking for a great pocket camera that takes great Macro pictures and captures color vividly, here’s what I have:  </p> <p>Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15  12 mega pixels</p> <p><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Driving to the Resort</u></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:99fa8aaf-058c-4606-af21-9de7dae0b120" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8Iar21jJI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/bhjNnn-lNxo/s400/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20052.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <p>BTW – Most of my pictures of Rich are usually from this angle!  I love snapping his picture when he’s driving!</p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Great condo at the Bonnet Creek Resort</font></u> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:9349f161-b2bd-4c28-a721-1266c49b1de5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="225" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8WSh4XV7I/AAAAAAAAAbc/Ua4j54uRCoU/s400/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20062.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <p>The right on Disney Property!  But more on that later… the first thing we did was meet up with old friends!  (at least MY old friends)</p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Susan kjoniksen chancey</font></u></p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:d39b8dfa-8cb4-4fc5-aac6-f0f5ab7c82a3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="258" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/SwGbwrmHc_I/AAAAAAAAAd0/4JNciM5R--w/s288/Susan%20K%20Cowboy%20hat001.jpg" width="288"></a></p></div> </p> <p> </p> <p>I can’t even remember how old we were when we met.  I know that we were really young.  And you know how people come in and out of your life in different stages for some odd reason or another, but in 1977 Susan came back into mine in a big way.</p> <p>Photo above:  Susan shooting her “air gun” at me from behind the couch in my parents basement in Belford, NJ.   Circa: 1978</p> <p>Photo below:  Susan and I playing with our “Star Wars Junk” and listening to music in my room in Belford, NJ.    Circa: October 1978</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:c0b045a5-8cc3-41ea-aa9d-ece763b9bfc6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="288" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/SwGfz8-1fcI/AAAAAAAAAd4/IhUwVocjpvo/s288/Susan%20and%20I%20playing002.jpg" width="283"></a></p></div> <p>Susan had just spent a bunch of time in Norway with family that lived there.  Mom and Jean (Susan’s Mom) were good friends and it seemed that as soon as Susan got home from Norway, I had an instant friend!</p> <p>Star Wars was my passion.   I immediately took Susan to the movies to let her in on the phenomenon.  Little did I know the monster that was created that day!  I think she is probably a bigger Star Wars fan than me…which was pretty hard to beat especially then…what can I say, we were 11 years old!  </p> <p>I guess you could describe our relationship as “inseparable”.  We even told people we were cousins because both of our families are related to the King of Norway.  That’s just a small amount of background to our connection.</p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:3e995e3f-caee-4fe4-a2d5-5fe1a25cadcb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8VTLbR7zI/AAAAAAAAAbY/iUWC8MxIh6I/s400/Suzie%27s%20Bye%20Bye%20Party001.jpg" width="341"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p>We took this photo at her Moving Away Party in my parents basement in Belford, NJ.  circa: December (?) 1981.               <font size="1">(See my Facebook Albums for the entire collection of photos from this party.)</font></p> <p>So Susan’s daughter Katrina e-mailed me to see if we would pull off a “surprise” visit while I was in Orlando.  I figured the first night, since it was a Sunday, would be the best night to pull it off.  Well, Susan guessed what was happening about half way to Orlando but it was a great surprise and a nice reunion just the same!  </p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Here we are 28 years later…</font></u></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:2c67630c-d634-4684-8991-c3002c318a12" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="225" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8IdJ4icnI/AAAAAAAAAaA/PIR4TxUu14I/s400/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20057.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p>Susan. me, my niece Cynthia and Susan’s daughter Katrina @ Raglan Road, Downtown Disney.  OK, how can it be 28 years later when I’m only 29? ;)</p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Cynthia and her Uncle Richard</font></u> </p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:f49dd2f5-991a-45a0-aa0b-f5b424cc3cf5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="225" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8IgkFFp4I/AAAAAAAAAaE/kAIVWvqp-j8/s400/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20059.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p>@ Raglan Road, Downtown Disney.  Dinner was great!  Dessert even better! Bread pudding! The price was great too thanks to Cynthia’s Cast Member Discount! (and so the savings begin! Thanks Cynch!)</p> <p>It was great seeing Susan and meeting her daughter Katrina.  What a lovely young woman she is.  Getting older, I realize how many friends I’ve lost touch with over the years.  But when you can just pick right back up where you left off, that’s a sign of  true friendship!  I’ve missed out on so much though!</p> <p>Susan and I plan to stay in each others lives now.  I’ll be back in FL next year and a visit to her in her new home is on the agenda!</p> <p>Long day! Long, fun night!  We have a big day tomorrow!</p> <p> </p> <p><font size="5"><font face="WallowHmkBold"><font color="#0080c0">Day 2: Discovery Cove!              </font></font></font><font size="5"><font face="WallowHmkBold"><font color="#0080c0"><font size="2"><u>(and a visit with another old friend)       </u></font></font></font></font></p> <p><strong>Date: Monday, October 26, 2009</strong></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:46d9e4de-fb15-4ffc-b52b-f7287047373d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="191" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8gPKXBXrI/AAAAAAAAAbg/7oIfPWPIdLE/s288/Discovery%20Cove%20Advert001.jpg" width="288"></a></p></div> <p>Cynthia came through again!  I was going to pay full price to SURPRISE Richard with a day at Discovery Cove. (without the dolphin swim)</p> <p>But when I booked this trip, Cynthia was working at Sea World and we were able to get admission for $39.00 each! Score! (Thank you again Cynch!)</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:12a56c03-8e9d-4697-98e0-4708ea3c6219" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="211" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8gQCqtNoI/AAAAAAAAAbo/PI72pNIE3_s/s288/Discovery%20Cove%20Photo002.jpg" width="288"></a></p></div> <p>This photo was complimentary with your admission.  They have photographers (and I use that term loosely) all over the park ready to snap a photo of you but the prices they charge is highway robbery!  We bought a refillable diving camera with us..those photos I will post when we get them developed.  So the following pictures are one’s we took OUT of the water!</p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Rich at the Entrance</font></u></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:11166c57-e645-4c66-9a22-60b4fc55c6a0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="225" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8IhqpEobI/AAAAAAAAAaM/hgbroWGcitA/s400/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20063.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p>It’s a beautiful Paradise!  They only let 1,000 visitors in per day so it beats the hustle and bustle of theme park crowds!  I wanted to start out with a nice, slow, relaxing day with lots of sun and water! Mission Accomplished!</p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">“Fred Flintstone” map!</font></u></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:2e03459c-f52c-4d7c-af84-d47fffeeebdc" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="162" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8jc60k3qI/AAAAAAAAAbs/Na0JYXT7IHI/s288/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20064.jpg" width="288"></a></p></div> <p>The only map of the park is this one made from ceramic tiles!  </p> <p>There are dozens of employees to direct you.  And did I mention that all of your food and beverage is included? Including Beer! </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:f2fe6cf6-97ad-4685-b492-637d3142715a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="162" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8jeboVuFI/AAAAAAAAAb0/eRycug3RDdo/s288/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20067.jpg" width="288"></a></p></div> <p>That’s the pavilion for the steel drum band that plays all day long.  It’s in the court yard where you eat breakfast and lunch.  You heard me: breakfast AND lunch…</p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:15e9867d-4558-421e-9206-21aba9a8d9a7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="81" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8jfASoexI/AAAAAAAAAb4/PpvC3YNLLrk/s144/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20068.jpg" width="144"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p>Beautiful scenery all around! Including all of the flowers!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:1417029f-46e9-41b2-bcc4-2c06de6de393" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="81" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8jdrDdr1I/AAAAAAAAAbw/XyW4e8XMtcc/s144/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20066.jpg" width="144"></a></p></div> <p>And of course the people running around in wetsuits! (yes there is a picture of me in my wet suit, and NO you will not be seeing it anytime soon! LOL!</p> <p>After breakfast, we decided to head to the Aviary before the heat set in.</p> <p><font color="#0080c0" size="4" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>The Aviary</u></font></p> <p>Discovery Cove has a FANTASTIC aviary!  What’s really cool is that the lazy river that surrounds the whole park goes through the aviary too.</p> <p>Here are some of my favorite photos:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:3ecff513-f5cb-4901-a088-1db704ceee9f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8ImL-NoRI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/5AVtVn3x4O0/s400/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20078.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:9803a3d5-2529-460c-86c5-fb10813d4d84" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="288" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8Io1sdUEI/AAAAAAAAAaY/EDThYBYjMp0/s288/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20090.jpg" width="162"></a></p></div> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:6592212b-9266-4695-9a27-ae51177c710a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="81" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8Irn-103I/AAAAAAAAAac/wD_Set4qPa4/s144/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20089.jpg" width="144"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p>Some of the most exotic birds I’ve ever seen!  Most came from Asia.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:03db4f54-3db5-4952-bc0f-6265b80e084b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="96" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8tYTucseI/AAAAAAAAAcU/3g-GyPC1BF0/s144/IMGP0474.JPG" width="144"></a></p></div> <p>This guy on the right looks like an alien from Star Wars!  Can you hear the Cantina music?</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:3d854aae-31e5-412a-a9f7-c16ec4c0f10f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="288" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8I9bkyFRI/AAAAAAAAAa0/ieF5z1hwOBw/s288/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20105.jpg" width="216"></a></p></div> <p> </p> <p>Why do birds with such beautiful plumage have such ugly heads?  </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:e8cf04e1-40c2-4546-89e5-19290cc13d70" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="108" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8JHpZJ2XI/AAAAAAAAAbA/dg0gwI6nkpA/s144/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20123.jpg" width="144"></a></p></div> <p>Such beautiful coloring! And I love the punk rock hairdos!  We humans are such copy cats.  Check out the “attitude” on this guy!</p> <p>Most everyone was willing to take food from us.  But this guy below was the exception.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:f29092e7-9cdd-4bf2-9863-e21741157f2c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="300" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8JCL-cdGI/AAAAAAAAAa8/_OlSrQEwyZc/s400/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20121.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <p>This little guy, who I found out later is in the “tern” family, kept cheeping at me but would not take any food.  Later I learned he wanted to play AND only eats fish!</p> <p><font color="#0080c0" size="5" face="WallowHmkBold"><u></u></font></p> <p><font color="#0080c0" size="5" face="WallowHmkBold"><u>Video #1:  Playful Tern</u></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:47c71cf8-635c-45fd-abf6-ffb60ca56aaa" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zv36x-_GABA&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zv36x-_GABA&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p>One of the lifeguards had three of these guys lined up on his “float” and they were dancing and fetching sticks! Soooo cute!</p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">“Diva”</font></u></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:84af8b34-4bce-4fa8-b4ee-f05d2bd89b6e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8I4DGHCnI/AAAAAAAAAaw/9Hk6TJBxADY/s400/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20098.jpg" width="300"></a></p></div> <p>This little girl was posing for us like crazy.  That’s why they call her Diva!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:05694ef5-70c1-4cf7-ba91-3d2c5dde9eeb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv8IzK_a3nI/AAAAAAAAAao/CUHURgFX-8A/s400/Florida%20October%2025-29%2C%202009%20096.jpg" width="300"></a></p></div> <p>She matches my house! Brown and Blue!</p> <p> </p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">The Coral Reef…</font></u></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:5b02be95-36ac-4691-902f-b1e66afdb14c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="193" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80VvAg86I/AAAAAAAAAcs/P54ETtvcPRY/s288/IMGP0615.JPG" width="288"></a></p></div> <p>The Coral Reef was AMAZING!!!</p> <p>I played with a school of fish for 45 minutes.  We swam with sharks and barracuda (with glass separating us </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:9369e37e-5e6b-42ee-bd74-f53a56e26595" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="193" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80YFRk0mI/AAAAAAAAAc0/Ij17JDR_dJs/s288/IMGP0616.JPG" width="288"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p>of course!) And the colors and different variety of fish were probably more plentiful than if you went snorkeling in the ocean.</p> <p> </p> <p>(underwater photos to be added later)</p> <p> </p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Swimming with the “Rays”…</font></u></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:b7a37c50-c586-4aed-b41c-48d54e270d05" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="193" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80RYRVoHI/AAAAAAAAAcg/fYwyIIl9B7E/s288/IMGP0606.JPG" width="288"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p>Yes, they are Sting Rays. No they do not have barbs!  You are completely safe with these “birds of the sea”.  Feeding them is a lot of fun but don’t forget to tuck your thumb or you will probably  </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:e1e748cc-c91b-4520-b387-afa31fa953aa" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="193" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80TgzqXPI/AAAAAAAAAco/61tNTLIBQ28/s288/IMGP0612.JPG" width="288"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p>lose it!  The disappointing part was how shallow the tank was.  I’ve seen footage of people swimming with rays and it looked like they were flying!  In the wild that is very dangerous because they could feel threatened and sting you in the chest.  This is what happened to Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter) and it proved fatal.  Someday we’ll be able to share the ocean with these graceful creatures and not fear them as they fear us.</p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">The rest of our day…</font></u></p> <p>Lunch was good.  We managed to get a piece of real key lime pie for dessert.  We floated around the lazy river for much of the afternoon.  And we even had some interaction with some British Tourists.  It was a lovely day.  But it was not quite over yet…</p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold"></font></u></p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Rosemary Saunders Morrison a.k.a to me: “Rosie”</font></u></p> <p>Dinner at Wolfgang Puck Cafe’ with an old friend!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:09b10a47-75df-4a1f-8a53-10be99e29384" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80iEc832I/AAAAAAAAAdE/d4zRHm_7naI/s400/IMGP0630.JPG" width="400"></a></p></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It was exactly 30 years ago this Christmas that I met what would become one of my oldest and dearest friends.  She was always a little grown up and I was the forever child, but in our case opposites attracted and out of that came the kind of friendship that time doesn’t change.  </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:b5efb217-fa4e-4cf9-971c-d203b6a98cbc" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80enLcQOI/AAAAAAAAAdA/m7i0AhQ1QIU/s400/IMGP0621.JPG" width="400"></a></p></div> <p>Rosemary came from St. Petersburg not just to see us, but to pick up her son that was going to a concert at the “House of Blues” in Downtown Disney.  It was a coincidence that was great due to the fact that we will celebrate our 30 year friendship this December and probably would not have seen each other.  It was great to reconnect and I’m looking forward to renewing our relationship and making plans to see each other more often.</p> <p>In 1989 we met on Christmas Day,  like I mentioned, during a visit my mother and I made to some friends who had moved to St. Petersburg, FL from NJ.  Quite by coincidence, we ended up going to Walt Disney World on New Years Eve and I asked “Rosemary” to come with us.  We were 14 so silliness ensued.  Someone had bought one of those colorful lollipops with Mickey on it and we blamed our “silliness” on what was from then on called “Brandy Candy”.  One year later, I returned to FL and once again we went to WDW and of course bought some “brandy candy”.  Below is the photo we took in 1980 in the “Magic Kingdom”.</p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Brandy Candy in 1980…</font></u></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:b08fb312-418c-4272-ab00-e9c8ec951dbe" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="352" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv85P-3h8BI/AAAAAAAAAdk/sTwXP42vs3A/s400/Brandy%20Candy001.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Rosemary and I @ WDW with Brandy Candy  Circa: December 1980</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:76ed6df6-1c4e-4b4a-bfc8-02f4c8b3fec1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="331" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv85Q3CuDoI/AAAAAAAAAdo/OhZdaXSZw3w/s400/Brandy%20Candy002.jpg" width="400"></a></p></div> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Brandy Candy in 2009…</font></u></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:885a5305-2a6e-4549-99ae-f9333c480b11" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80l1dXOcI/AAAAAAAAAdM/AXU-7BDQT-w/s400/IMGP0652.JPG" width="400"></a></p></div> <p>Rosemary and I @ WDW w/ Brandy Candy    Circa: October 2009</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:e476b7f5-c855-49a3-b735-8ba3b2166409" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80pa0dfrI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/4DYciSrxmdc/s400/IMGP0653.JPG" width="400"></a></p></div> <p> </p> <p><u><font color="#0080c0" size="3" face="WallowHmkBold">Downtown Disney @ Night…</font></u></p> <p><font color="#000000">Shopping for pins…</font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:763d5f9a-4755-4341-a7f8-6173cdcb42ea" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="268" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80shdruzI/AAAAAAAAAdY/JLuJg8sJ8jw/s400/IMGP0661.JPG" width="400"></a></p></div> <p>The Architecture of the Restaurant “Bongos”.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:51CF81A4-8F44-4a2c-8837-198C090B9994:d3722a07-58f2-417d-83aa-640e92475583" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><p><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/yimmis/Orlando2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCKi9yqnIkqa9Pg" atomicselection="true"><img style="border-right: 2px; border-top: 2px; border-left: 2px; border-bottom: 2px" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sv80wNmBfiI/AAAAAAAAAdc/zxH8dqQir70/s400/IMGP0664.JPG" width="268"></a></p></div> <p>Great first day!  Day two coming next!</p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-15591068621226345072009-10-31T11:49:00.001-04:002009-10-31T11:49:14.735-04:00One of my Favorites…<p><font size="3" face="Wacky Action BTN"><strong>George D. Lucas, Jr. presents:</strong></font></p> <p><font size="5"><font face="Wacky Action BTN"><strong>The Making of “Attack of </strong><strong>the Clones”!</strong></font></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:d5436aea-66e2-423f-af00-084c089e4049" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/r2hqXYxIDJc&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/r2hqXYxIDJc&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p><font size="6" face="Wacky Action BTN"><strong>Enjoy!</strong></font></p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-10207620841342351482009-10-21T13:44:00.001-04:002009-10-21T13:44:58.309-04:00Who says people don’t just “break out into song” in real life…<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:6c66d2dc-2a3a-49fb-840d-4bc384b9d093" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7EYAUazLI9k&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7EYAUazLI9k&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p>It seems to be contagious, there’s more…</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:abca2224-a1cf-4355-a4c5-86b2cb146dde" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s71GFfdbYfo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s71GFfdbYfo&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355"></embed></object></div></div> <p>Fun Stuff! Hope you enjoyed!</p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-39395106270911528292009-06-21T19:04:00.001-04:002009-06-21T19:04:52.952-04:00Frisky Business at the Hospital<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sj68lKnvoXI/AAAAAAAAASc/BS9K_52jqDA/s1600-h/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAyNDMuanBn%3F%3D-792954"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sj68lKnvoXI/AAAAAAAAASc/BS9K_52jqDA/s320/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAyNDMuanBn%3F%3D-792954" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349920754054963570" /></a></p>See what happens when I leave the room to make a phone call?<br>Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerrySimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-55776069380194937422009-06-19T21:23:00.000-04:002009-06-19T21:32:30.541-04:00A Sad Anniversary and a New Beginning<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sjw8LhYZBpI/AAAAAAAAASU/kKPEl3PtoQY/s1600-h/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FTWVldCBOaWZmLmpwZw%3D%3D%3F%3D-750543"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zhdbino1EhU/Sjw8LhYZBpI/AAAAAAAAASU/kKPEl3PtoQY/s320/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FTWVldCBOaWZmLmpwZw%3D%3D%3F%3D-750543" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349216626046207634" /></a></p>This Sunday, June 21st, will mark one year ago that I lost my beloved cat Onyx. It has been a long, lonely year living in a home where each person has "their own" kitty. Now I know what you're thinking, "just go out and get another cat"! While that SOUNDS logical, I felt that I needed to give myself some time to grieve and time for our other cat, Clouseau, to adjust and enjoy my exclusive attention.
<br>
<br>During this time, I thought long and hard about what type of cat to get. Do I go with a pure breed or rescue another poor soul who needs a home? Do I want another black and white ball of fluff or something different? I did have three stipulations: it had to be a female, it had to be long haired and it had to be a kitten! My thinking was that Clouie, Hunny & Sugar (mom & dad's cats) would be more likely to accept and possibly mother a kitten rather than a full grown cat.
<br>
<br>Six months ago I started looking for this new kitty. Although I told myself (and everyone else) that all it needed to be was a long haired female kitten, in my heart of hearts I secretly longed for another Onyx! A black and white Maine Coon Mix.
<br>
<br>Little did I know on Wednesday, June 17th in the afternoon, my secret desire of the heart would come true double fold!
<br>
<br>Meet NIFF and KATO!
<br>(part two of the story coming shortly...)
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<br>Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerrySimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-80274430596020866222009-06-15T18:15:00.000-04:002009-06-15T18:16:11.827-04:00House Bunny!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zhdbino1EhU/SjbIK7S6BMI/AAAAAAAAASM/1hNeXdfX2-s/s1600-h/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FQnVubnkhLmpwZw%3D%3D%3F%3D-771829"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zhdbino1EhU/SjbIK7S6BMI/AAAAAAAAASM/1hNeXdfX2-s/s320/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FQnVubnkhLmpwZw%3D%3D%3F%3D-771829" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347681697590281410" /></a></p>Not what you were thinking when you read the title eh?<br>This little guy keeps our backyard free from dandelions and weeds eating them like spaghetti. Its He's been living in our back yard since he was a baby. Now if he'd only eat the carrots I throw out for him!<br>Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerrySimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-38774994560846007872009-06-13T12:17:00.001-04:002009-06-13T12:17:44.302-04:00Blast from the Past<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zhdbino1EhU/SjPRKKOuK-I/AAAAAAAAASE/Nd-zQJYRzj0/s1600-h/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAxNjQuanBn%3F%3D-764303"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zhdbino1EhU/SjPRKKOuK-I/AAAAAAAAASE/Nd-zQJYRzj0/s320/%3D%3Futf-8%3FB%3FSU1HMDAxNjQuanBn%3F%3D-764303" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346847155093908450" /></a></p>It's amazing how you can't keep crappy product down! This is the MMA acrylic I learned how to do nails with in school a zillion years ago. Seeing the logo on this gallon bottle reminded me what a "nail hag" I am. (Nail Hag is an affectionate term to describe someone in the business 15 years or more) It gave me a chuckle...<br>Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerrySimmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-4643270878895263582009-04-10T23:55:00.001-04:002009-04-10T23:55:07.259-04:00Wwhil Wwheaton<p><strong>Few things seem to crack me up these days.  And then this piece of silliness hit me…</strong></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9e34f709-ebc7-48a6-8d04-56997e712778" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><div><object width="449" height="260"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/RWKsl6a0C6_awrc-scEXsA"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/RWKsl6a0C6_awrc-scEXsA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" width="449" height="260"></embed></object></div></div> <p><strong>Long live Stewie!</strong></p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288060.post-50645055575160410742009-02-08T11:08:00.001-05:002009-02-08T11:08:02.761-05:00Elephant and Dog - Best Friends!<p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:05e730bb-9d69-4a5f-b2b9-e56d916ce9fb" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><div><embed src="http://www.cbs.com/thunder/swf/rcpHolderCbs-prod.swf" width="370" height="361" allowFullScreen="true" FlashVars="link=http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4696315n&releaseURL=http://release.theplatform.com/content.select?pid=rTWsE623_gPFc9MmpIIPDtZIH_xNjUH0&partner=newsembed&autoPlayVid=false&prevImg=http://thumbnails.cbsig.net/CBS_Production_News/938/472/evening_hartman0102_480x360.jpg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></div></div> </p> <p align="justify">This is way too cool!</p> Simmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421837245877475509noreply@blogger.com0