Embark on an epicurean adventure as the 13th Annual Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival showcases the flavors of the world. Explore marketplaces featuring regional foods and wines, learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe. Plus, be sure to savor the sizzling sounds of the "Eat to the Beat" concert series that stars a stellar line-up of popular musical acts!
Butterbeer Season at Universal Orlando
6 months ago
Sunday, August 02, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
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Monday, July 20, 2015
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Monday, March 09, 2015
Monday, March 02, 2015
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Old Friends. It is amazing how you maintain contact with friends through the years and the ones who are always there when you are going through struggles. They are the ones who send emails, cards, special packages that arrive in the mailbox and even phone calls to make sure all is well.
I often wonder if I am as good a friend to them as they are to me and remember each of them in my prayers each night. So where are they, none of them are next door, some are in the same city I live in and many are as far away as Japan but in my heart they are all so very, very close.
I often wonder if I am as good a friend to them as they are to me and remember each of them in my prayers each night. So where are they, none of them are next door, some are in the same city I live in and many are as far away as Japan but in my heart they are all so very, very close.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A Warrior and I continue to survive. This past year has been one of fear, courage, family, friends and support. It is amazing how hearing the word cancer mouthed again after over 20 years of surviving can strike fear right down to the marrow in your bones. It is something in the breast that must be identified and so once again facing surgery becomes reality. Wondering about the outcome, the stress of knowing all the implications of anesthesia and the fact that I live alone and have a hard time asking anyone for support.
But support was what I received. My youngest son Tom immediately started planning on how he would get home from Indianapolis to ensure he was with me for the surgery. Tim made plans to interupt his life to ensure he was with me once the surgery was complete to provide support and assistance while I was home. A friend Cathy Allman, RN jumped in whenever the boys could not be with me and was a god send through the different stages of this battle.
My employer PWC was amazing and provided support in so many ways including disability, recovery and accomodation so I could work from home.
I am now recovering from the second surgery and am now back in balance...physically..something I have not been for over twenty years. It is strange to have breasts and not have to deal with a prosthesis slipping, sliding and requiring adjustment...or floating out when swimming. You do have to maintain your sense of humor in all of this.
Recovery will continue as the implants settle in and the surgery heals but each day improves both attitude and physical well being.
What does all this mean to anyone else? Well it means that no matter how old you are giving up is not an option, fighting the good fight is always worthwhile, and you have more internal strength than you ever imagine. There is no question in my mind that I am given strength to make it through each day and the things that are challenges are provided to give me the opportunity to demonstrate that strength.
What are some of the things that surface when you are fighting Cancer? Family strength and support, friends who are there that you can count on, work goes on and you can contribute something of value even when in the midst of the fight, being old is a challenge and an opportunity. Look at each day through different glasses when you recognize how terminal we all are.
But support was what I received. My youngest son Tom immediately started planning on how he would get home from Indianapolis to ensure he was with me for the surgery. Tim made plans to interupt his life to ensure he was with me once the surgery was complete to provide support and assistance while I was home. A friend Cathy Allman, RN jumped in whenever the boys could not be with me and was a god send through the different stages of this battle.
My employer PWC was amazing and provided support in so many ways including disability, recovery and accomodation so I could work from home.
I am now recovering from the second surgery and am now back in balance...physically..something I have not been for over twenty years. It is strange to have breasts and not have to deal with a prosthesis slipping, sliding and requiring adjustment...or floating out when swimming. You do have to maintain your sense of humor in all of this.
Recovery will continue as the implants settle in and the surgery heals but each day improves both attitude and physical well being.
What does all this mean to anyone else? Well it means that no matter how old you are giving up is not an option, fighting the good fight is always worthwhile, and you have more internal strength than you ever imagine. There is no question in my mind that I am given strength to make it through each day and the things that are challenges are provided to give me the opportunity to demonstrate that strength.
What are some of the things that surface when you are fighting Cancer? Family strength and support, friends who are there that you can count on, work goes on and you can contribute something of value even when in the midst of the fight, being old is a challenge and an opportunity. Look at each day through different glasses when you recognize how terminal we all are.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 03, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
Friday, May 01, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Someone reminded me today that it has been a long time since I have posted anything on my blog. Seems time zips by and the busyness just overcomes us. The warm weather is here in Florida and it is Football Season for Kelly. That means every Saturday morning at 10 Grammy is sitting in her lawn chair cheering for his team. Hard to believe he is getting so big. Hunter is also growing like a weed and of course, the prettiest girl in town. I am attaching their chicken dance videos so you all can enjoy them as much as I do.
I am working from home for a few weeks and not having to travel all the time is a nice respite I also get all the medical stuff done, PET scan, ECHO, Stress test etc. Sort of like getting a car overhaul once a year.
Talk with my sister Ann in Big Fork and they are still having snow. Tom, my Indy son is planting their garden and Mitch, my Seattle Friend is enjoying tulips, daffodils and all the wonderful flowers we can't grow in Florida(unless in pots).
Planning a trip to Orlando this week so may have some updated Park pictures. Epcot is having the flower festival which is always awesome.
I am working from home for a few weeks and not having to travel all the time is a nice respite I also get all the medical stuff done, PET scan, ECHO, Stress test etc. Sort of like getting a car overhaul once a year.
Talk with my sister Ann in Big Fork and they are still having snow. Tom, my Indy son is planting their garden and Mitch, my Seattle Friend is enjoying tulips, daffodils and all the wonderful flowers we can't grow in Florida(unless in pots).
Planning a trip to Orlando this week so may have some updated Park pictures. Epcot is having the flower festival which is always awesome.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
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A Saturday morning game. Nothing like winning, a green mouthguard, new football shoes and a sunny day in Florida. It doesn't get any better than this.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Ayn Rynd Atlas Shrugged
The following quotes are from Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. This book has resurfaced and is being read more than ever. I read the book while in college working in the area of Philosophy. The quotes that follow depict values that were prevalent the many years ago when I was in college and again are prevalent now as we look at the economic and political situation in our country.
“I work for nothing but my own profit—which I make by selling a product they need to men who are willing and able to buy it. . . . we deal as equals by mutual consent to mutual advantage and I am proud of every penny I have earned in this manner.”
“My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.” Productive achievement is a value that is critical to a philosophy of success. Producing a product that is needed and sold to another is a fundamental to value of self. To sit idly by and collect, live on and bask inthe achievements of others is of no value.
“Whoever you are, you who are hearing me now, I am speaking to whatever living remnant is left uncorrupted within you, to the remnant of the human, to your mind, and I say: There is a morality of reason, a morality proper to man, and Man’s Life is its standard of value.”
There was a gasp, not of indignation, but of astonishment, in the crowd behind him and silence from the judges he faced. He went on calmly:
"I am rich and I am proud of every penny I own. I made my money by my own effort, in free exchange and through the voluntary consent of of those who employed me when I started, the voluntary consent of those who work for me now, the voluntary consent of those who buy my product. I shall answer all the questions you are afraid to ask me openly. Do I wish to pay my workers more than their services are worth to me? I do not. Do I wish to sell my product for less than my customers are willing to pay me? I do not. Do I wish to sell it at a loss or give it away? I do not. If this is evil, do whatever you please about me, according to whatever standards you hold.
Ayn Rand advocated a system of capitalism, by which she meant “a full, pure, uncontrolled, unregulated laissez-faire capitalism—with a separation of state and economics in the same way and for the same reasons as the separation of church and state.”
“I have held the same philosophy as I hold now, for as far back as I can remember. I have learned a great deal through the years and expanded my knowledge of details, of specific issues, of definitions, of applications and I intend to continue expanding it—but I have never had to change any of my fundamentals. My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute."
“I trust that no one will tell me that men such as as I write about don’t exist. That this book has been written—and published—is my proof that they do.”
Ayn Rand was both a novelist and a philosopher. She developed a full philosophical system, which she named Objectivism and it had a big impact on those of my generation who read it.
“Man has been called a rational animal, but rationality is a matter of choice—and the alternative his nature offers him is: rational being or suicidal animal. Man has to be man—by choice; he has to hold his life as a value—by choice; he has to learn to sustain it—by choice; he has to discover the values it requires and practice his virtues—by choice." Do you take responsibility for your choices?
“A code of values accepted by choice is a code of morality.
“Whoever you are, you who are hearing me now, I am speaking to whatever living remnant is left uncorrupted within you, to the remnant of the human, to your mind, and I say: There is a morality of reason, a morality proper to man, and Man’s Life is its standard of value."
“All that which is proper to the life of a rational being is the good; all that which destroys it is the evil."
“Man’s life, as required by his nature, is not the life of a mindless brute, of a looting thug or a mooching mystic, but the life of a thinking being—not life by means of force or fraud, but life by means of achievement—not survival at any price, since there’s only one price that pays for man’s survival: reason."
Ayn Rand wrote “I am not primarily an advocate of capitalism, but of egoism; and I am not primarily an advocate of egoism, but of reason.”
—Ayn Rand
The following quotes are from Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. This book has resurfaced and is being read more than ever. I read the book while in college working in the area of Philosophy. The quotes that follow depict values that were prevalent the many years ago when I was in college and again are prevalent now as we look at the economic and political situation in our country.
“I work for nothing but my own profit—which I make by selling a product they need to men who are willing and able to buy it. . . . we deal as equals by mutual consent to mutual advantage and I am proud of every penny I have earned in this manner.”
“My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute.” Productive achievement is a value that is critical to a philosophy of success. Producing a product that is needed and sold to another is a fundamental to value of self. To sit idly by and collect, live on and bask inthe achievements of others is of no value.
“Whoever you are, you who are hearing me now, I am speaking to whatever living remnant is left uncorrupted within you, to the remnant of the human, to your mind, and I say: There is a morality of reason, a morality proper to man, and Man’s Life is its standard of value.”
There was a gasp, not of indignation, but of astonishment, in the crowd behind him and silence from the judges he faced. He went on calmly:
"I am rich and I am proud of every penny I own. I made my money by my own effort, in free exchange and through the voluntary consent of of those who employed me when I started, the voluntary consent of those who work for me now, the voluntary consent of those who buy my product. I shall answer all the questions you are afraid to ask me openly. Do I wish to pay my workers more than their services are worth to me? I do not. Do I wish to sell my product for less than my customers are willing to pay me? I do not. Do I wish to sell it at a loss or give it away? I do not. If this is evil, do whatever you please about me, according to whatever standards you hold.
Ayn Rand advocated a system of capitalism, by which she meant “a full, pure, uncontrolled, unregulated laissez-faire capitalism—with a separation of state and economics in the same way and for the same reasons as the separation of church and state.”
“I have held the same philosophy as I hold now, for as far back as I can remember. I have learned a great deal through the years and expanded my knowledge of details, of specific issues, of definitions, of applications and I intend to continue expanding it—but I have never had to change any of my fundamentals. My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute."
“I trust that no one will tell me that men such as as I write about don’t exist. That this book has been written—and published—is my proof that they do.”
Ayn Rand was both a novelist and a philosopher. She developed a full philosophical system, which she named Objectivism and it had a big impact on those of my generation who read it.
“Man has been called a rational animal, but rationality is a matter of choice—and the alternative his nature offers him is: rational being or suicidal animal. Man has to be man—by choice; he has to hold his life as a value—by choice; he has to learn to sustain it—by choice; he has to discover the values it requires and practice his virtues—by choice." Do you take responsibility for your choices?
“A code of values accepted by choice is a code of morality.
“Whoever you are, you who are hearing me now, I am speaking to whatever living remnant is left uncorrupted within you, to the remnant of the human, to your mind, and I say: There is a morality of reason, a morality proper to man, and Man’s Life is its standard of value."
“All that which is proper to the life of a rational being is the good; all that which destroys it is the evil."
“Man’s life, as required by his nature, is not the life of a mindless brute, of a looting thug or a mooching mystic, but the life of a thinking being—not life by means of force or fraud, but life by means of achievement—not survival at any price, since there’s only one price that pays for man’s survival: reason."
Ayn Rand wrote “I am not primarily an advocate of capitalism, but of egoism; and I am not primarily an advocate of egoism, but of reason.”
—Ayn Rand
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Buy Four, get three free.
Plan a vacation that's as affordable as it is memorable.
Buy a discounted 4-day/4-night package, that includes select Disney Value Resort accommodations and Theme Park tickets, and get three additional days and nights, with tickets, free.
Stay in a standard room at a select Disney Value Resort--for stays most nights May 22-August 8, 2009 for:
$1421* For a family of four. That's like paying $51 per person, per day for this 7-night package.
AND RECEIVE A $200 DISNEY GIFT CARD FREE**
Book through March 29, 2009. For rated for travel February 15-March 8, March 22- April 4 and August 9-August 15 2009. Ask Destinationsinflorida.com and tell them I sent you:-)
* Price based on two adults, one junior and one child. The number of packages allocated for these offers is limited. Magic Your Way Base Tickets are for one Theme Park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. NO group rates or other discounts apply. Advance reservations are required.
**One gift card per reservation provided at check-in. Disney Gift Card valid at select locations in Walt Disney World, Resort, Disneyland, Resort, Disney Cruise Line. U.S. Disney Store locations and Disneyshopping.com. Not redeemable for cash. Will not be replaced if lost or stolen without proof of purchase. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Disney Gift Card Program. Issued by Disney Gift Card Services, Inc. gift cards may not be used toward the purchase of Disney Dollars or Disney Gift Card. Other restrictions may apply. Use of card is acceptance of its terms and conditions.
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Five years ago today I watched a little baby with feet kicking and arms waving penetrate the very depth of my heart. Today he is five years old and continues to hold that place in my heart and has all the love possible from his Grammy. It seems five years have gone by so fast and he is growing into a very special little man. He still loves to come and visit at Grammy's house and I hope that will continue forever.
I am so fortunate to live close and see him and his little sister Hunter often. What a blessing to be a Grammy with close proximity to the grandchildren. Kelly has learned to walk, run, play tennis, swim, read, paint, and give love. He is the best there is and of course, I will always think just a little bit better than anyone else. That is a Grammy's view and you will not change it. My heart just swells when I hear the little voice on the phone.."Grammy, where are you?" and the happiness when I say I am at home so he can come over and visit.
Five years have gone by so fast and it is hard to imagine how strong love can grow in such a short time but he has my heart, love grows each day, and I am truly blessed.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The minute I stepped off the airplane in Indianapolis, I knew this was not the time of year to visit the North. I could see my breath as I walked down the jetway into the terminal and the weather deteriorated from that point on. I had left New Orleans on an alternate flight as the one I was scheduled on with Delta was so late I would miss the last connection in Memphis. They moved me from a first class on Delta to a middle seat on a US Scare and then to a bullet shaped object that resembled a toy airplane. One seat on one side and two on the other. I was fortunate as I was in the side with two seats, on the aisle and had enough knee room to keep my kneecaps out of my front teeth. As I said, it was cold when I landed. My son Tom, met me at the plane and we proceeded down to the luggage retrieval area to find my bag with my hat, coat, gloves and all the warm clothes I had packed.
Guess what, US Scare could not find my bag...of course, they blamed Northworst and the saga started. Tom had the foresight to bring me a jacket, gloves and a hat so we proceeded to the parking lot. OMG(Gosh to those of you who think I would say something bad), it was COOOOOLLLLDDD. Memories came rushing back of North Dakota and Minnesota...the frost on the windshield, the cold seats, the necessity to warm up a car, not pleasant memories.
The rest of the visit was wonderful, a visit to the Indianpolis Children's Museum with trains, dinosaurs and my favorite, Chihuly Glass was a great part of the trip.
We went to a USA swim meet to see Nora race in the free, fly, back and breast stroke and had some great dinners, did a little shopping and just hung out together. It was great seeing Tom and hearing of all his achievements but I can't help but wish he were closer to us in Florida.
What do I miss most when I travel, Kelly and Hunter of course. I am anxious to hear the little voice say to me.."Grammy, where are you?" and I will know I am in their thoughts too.
And the airplane book you ask? Gitomer this time with wonderful advice. I have read this before and probably had it on this site, but recommend several reads of any Gitomer book.
Guess what, US Scare could not find my bag...of course, they blamed Northworst and the saga started. Tom had the foresight to bring me a jacket, gloves and a hat so we proceeded to the parking lot. OMG(Gosh to those of you who think I would say something bad), it was COOOOOLLLLDDD. Memories came rushing back of North Dakota and Minnesota...the frost on the windshield, the cold seats, the necessity to warm up a car, not pleasant memories.
The rest of the visit was wonderful, a visit to the Indianpolis Children's Museum with trains, dinosaurs and my favorite, Chihuly Glass was a great part of the trip.
We went to a USA swim meet to see Nora race in the free, fly, back and breast stroke and had some great dinners, did a little shopping and just hung out together. It was great seeing Tom and hearing of all his achievements but I can't help but wish he were closer to us in Florida.
What do I miss most when I travel, Kelly and Hunter of course. I am anxious to hear the little voice say to me.."Grammy, where are you?" and I will know I am in their thoughts too.
And the airplane book you ask? Gitomer this time with wonderful advice. I have read this before and probably had it on this site, but recommend several reads of any Gitomer book.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
JOHN CHOW IS HAVING A GREAT GIVE AWAY!!!
OIO Publisher Direct Give Away
written by John Chow on January 5th, 2009
Make $5,000 per month from home!
OIOPublisher is the best solution for bloggers trying to sell direct advertising. Before this awesome piece of software came along, I would always recommend new bloggers use 3rd party ad networks instead of selling ads directly because you need to concentrate on producing content when you’re starting out.
What OIOPublisher automates the ad buying process so you can concentrate on blogging instead of selling. By using OIOPublisher, advertisers can order, pay for and upload their ads directly to your blog. The only thing you have to do is approve the ad. If you get a sale, then great! If not, then OIOPublisher will run ads from the ad networks or your own house ads until you do. Some of the other features include:
* Possible to integrate the ad platform with any website that uses PHP
* Purchase / account pages are now templated, editable within the admin area
* Text links are now controlled via zones (like banner ads)
* Works with PayPal and PayPal Subscription
* Full javascript ad display support
* Entrecard Payment option integrated
The software will work on any website that use PHP. Wordpress users get an easy to install plugin. OIOPublisher Direct sells for $47 and is worth every penny. However, I have two copies to give away.
How To Enter
To enter for a chance to win one of two copies of OIOPublisher Direct, simply reply to this post. It doesn’t get easier than that! You only need to reply once. Replying multiple times won’t get you more entries. However, if you blog about this contest and link to this post, I’ll give you five more entries. I give you three more entries if you send the following tweet to your followers.
Win a copy of OIOPublisher Direct from @JohnChowDotCom. It automates ad sales for your blog. Enter here! http://xr.com/lnf
The contest deadline is Friday, January 30. The winners will be drawn on Saturday, January 31 at Dot Com Pho. Good luck and enter now!
Download OIOPublisher Direct
OIO Publisher Direct Give Away
written by John Chow on January 5th, 2009
Make $5,000 per month from home!
OIOPublisher is the best solution for bloggers trying to sell direct advertising. Before this awesome piece of software came along, I would always recommend new bloggers use 3rd party ad networks instead of selling ads directly because you need to concentrate on producing content when you’re starting out.
What OIOPublisher automates the ad buying process so you can concentrate on blogging instead of selling. By using OIOPublisher, advertisers can order, pay for and upload their ads directly to your blog. The only thing you have to do is approve the ad. If you get a sale, then great! If not, then OIOPublisher will run ads from the ad networks or your own house ads until you do. Some of the other features include:
* Possible to integrate the ad platform with any website that uses PHP
* Purchase / account pages are now templated, editable within the admin area
* Text links are now controlled via zones (like banner ads)
* Works with PayPal and PayPal Subscription
* Full javascript ad display support
* Entrecard Payment option integrated
The software will work on any website that use PHP. Wordpress users get an easy to install plugin. OIOPublisher Direct sells for $47 and is worth every penny. However, I have two copies to give away.
How To Enter
To enter for a chance to win one of two copies of OIOPublisher Direct, simply reply to this post. It doesn’t get easier than that! You only need to reply once. Replying multiple times won’t get you more entries. However, if you blog about this contest and link to this post, I’ll give you five more entries. I give you three more entries if you send the following tweet to your followers.
Win a copy of OIOPublisher Direct from @JohnChowDotCom. It automates ad sales for your blog. Enter here! http://xr.com/lnf
The contest deadline is Friday, January 30. The winners will be drawn on Saturday, January 31 at Dot Com Pho. Good luck and enter now!
Download OIOPublisher Direct
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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Merry Christmas. What a beautiful time of the year in Florida. I am looking forward to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Kelly and Hunter, Tim and Allison. Tom will be in Indianapolis with Brenna and Nora. They are having weather that is much worse than ours. I've been making fleece hats to keep us warm at night here in Florida. Yes, it does get cold in the evenings this time of year. We had to wear hats and jackets to St. Augustine last night to view the lights and visit Winter Wonderland. After a great dinner at the Columbia restaurant we wandered through Elf Village and Candy Cane Lane.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Great fun at Mousefest 2008. We had an opportunity to go on a tour with Steve Barrett who wrote the Hidden Mickey guides for both Disney World and Disneyland. I had no idea how many hidden characters, mostly Mickey's, are in the parks. Steve suggested there are close to 1000 so finding them could be a really fun challenge when visiting the parks. If you plan to visit the parks don't forget to go to Destinationsinflorida.com to find tickets, hotels, food venues, and other information. The owner of the site lived in Orlando, did her residency at Disney and is now one of the top agencies for Disney.
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Saturday, November 22, 2008
I spent three wonderful nights on a Disney Cruise recently with my oldest son and two grandchildren, Kelly and Hunter. It was the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation and one that I could recommend to anyone. It would be especially great for consultants who work Sunday through Thursday as you can leave Thursday from Port Canaveral at noon and return by Sunday at 7 am in time to fly out to your next engagement. The cruise went to Nassau in the Bahamas and then on to Castaway Cay. Castaway Cay is the Island that Disney owns. It had a pirate ship, beautiful beaches and a great bar-b-que.
Disney has fantastic attention to detail and the customer service is incredible. Everyone stopped to make sure our cruise was going as planned. They also stopped to talk with the grandchildren and every character on the ship stopped to say Hello to them. They also stayed in the children's area one night while we went to an adult dinner. The caretakers provided regular messages so we knew how the grandchildren were doing in the play areas.
My cabin was on the outside of the ship with a very large port hole window which gave me the opportunity to lay in bed at night and watch the waves and other ships go in the opposite direction. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets added to the enjoyment. To see all the pictures from the cruise, go to my flickr site.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Working in New Orleans at the National Finance Center. We stay downtown at one of the Renaissance Hotels so we are within walking distance of many wonderful restaurants. It is hard to diet in New Orleans.
I have been learning a new skill and am now a pretty good UPK developer. We have a very small team so it is easy to get to know one another.
The flights are not bad and certainly better than the coast to coast flights on the last few projects.
The pictures are some of the destruction that has not been addressed. Bourbon and Royal are pretty much as usual with the smells on Bourbon and the Antiques on Royal. Still lots of music and street people.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Working In New Orleans again and noting some of the changes. There are many buildings still in a state of disrepair scattered among those that have been totally rebuilt. We went down to Jackson Square last week and Royal and Bourbon have changed very little. Still dirty, smelly but lots of activity.
Kelly and Hunter are preparing for the upcoming Halloween Party. They are such a joy and truly give life meaning. They had sleep overs at Grammys and we went to St. Augustine, rode the "Red" train and played miniture golf. What a great day.
Kelly and Hunter are preparing for the upcoming Halloween Party. They are such a joy and truly give life meaning. They had sleep overs at Grammys and we went to St. Augustine, rode the "Red" train and played miniture golf. What a great day.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
I went back to New Orleans this week. It was an interesting week and Metairie really hasn't changed much. The drive to the NASA building brought visions of empty homes, broken windows, damaged buildings and in many areas just general disrepair and destruction. It is hard to believe that areas still have not been cleaned out and many homes look as though they may never be rebuilt.
I read a book on the plane Which I can recommend. It is called "Shut up, Stop Whining & Get Life" By Larry Wingate. I thought it might be edgy but really had some good information. Like all books, you don't agree with everything but fundamentally it is a good book with information that can make you better. Many of the things he states, cannot be argued with and he has an approach to business, relationships, religion, money and stress that is a "get er done", results based approach. Worth the read
We didn't make it downtown so I am hoping next week our travels will take us at least to Jackson Square for a cup of Louisiana Coffee. We are working at the NASA facility which is out past the old six flags amusement park. The park is closed but the large rollercoasters and other rides stand abandoned like large dinosaurs or a forest of with large streams of metal trees and streams.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
I have a grandson who loves pirates. I thought others might be interested in the pirate cake and party as well. It is such fun to be able to do the little extra things for grandchildren, things you may not have been able to do with your own children. When my children were growing up I tried to spend as much time with them as possible, but being the primary support, this wasn't always possible. It is difficult for a working parent to do the little extra things that are such fun. I did manage to have parties for them and it was always such fun and brought them such joy. They are older now with their own children and are doing a better job than I did at parties for the wee ones. I am grateful they both have loving partners to help them provide for and give love to my grandchildren. Take some time out today to do some little thing for your children, your grandchildren, or just have a party for yourself:-).
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Having a pirate party? Celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19? Ahoy there matey, this pirate cake will be an instant hit with any budding swashbuckler. This article assumes that you already have the cake (madeira sponge); you can either make one or purchase one.
How to Make a Pirate Cake
from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Having a pirate party? Celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19? Ahoy there matey, this pirate cake will be an instant hit with any budding swashbuckler. This article assumes that you already have the cake (madeira sponge); you can either make one or purchase one.
Ingredients
- madeira sponge cake
- buttercream
- chocolate sticks
- chocolate coins
- mint imperials (round mints)
- sugared miniature gems
- yellow cocktail sugar or yellow sherbet
Steps
- Add the buttercream. Cover the whole of the madeira cake in buttercream using a palette knife. This will help the chocolate sticks stick to the cake.
- Add the chocolate sticks.
- Stick chocolate sticks to the long side of the cake.
- Alternate them from side to side, as shown in this image.
- Fill the gaps by cutting more chocolate sticks to length. Repeat on the other side.
- Fill the ends with more sticks cut down to size.
- Stick chocolate sticks to the long side of the cake.
- Make "sand". Spread a rough layer of buttercream on the cake board around the chest.
- Use a spoon to sprinkle the yellow sugar over the buttercream.
- Use a spoon to sprinkle the yellow sugar over the buttercream.
- Place the treasure on top.
- Cover the top of the cake with chocolate coins, and place a few around the sides of the chest to make it look like the treasure's overflowing.
- Use mint imperials and mini gems to make necklaces and jewels.
- Cover the top of the cake with chocolate coins, and place a few around the sides of the chest to make it look like the treasure's overflowing.
- Place the characters amidst the treasure. Complete the scene by positioning a few pirate characters and toys around the chest.
- If wished, put a few bits of toy treasure in the cake. Just be sure to take anything inedible off the cake before you serve it, especially if this is for very young children.
- If wished, put a few bits of toy treasure in the cake. Just be sure to take anything inedible off the cake before you serve it, especially if this is for very young children.
Tips
- If you cannot find some of the candies/sweets/lollies mentioned above, substitute with ones that you have in your region, using your imagination to find suitable shapes.
Things You'll Need
- Clean workspace
- Palette knife
- Clean pirate figures
- Serving platter/cake stand
Related wikiHows
- How to Make a Fire Breathing Dragon Cake
- How to Make a 3D Dinosaur Birthday Cake
- How to Have a Pirate Party for Kids or Adults
- How to Have a Pirate Costume Party
- How to Act Like a Pirate
- How to Talk Like a Pirate
Sources and Citations
- VideoJug. A video of making a pirate cake; original source of article. Shared with permission and appreciation.
- Original creator of cake: expert Sugarcrafter Jan Clement-May and sugarcraft school, Squires Kitchen.
Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Pirate Cake. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Going to Kansas City....what a great week. The weather in Kansas City was great and the training went well. It was a time to get to know our team better and we all enjoyed the evenings out.
You can tell by the smiling faces that is wasn't all work. Colin and Bob enjoyed sitting on the Fish Bench in front of Red Lobster on Metcalf Road. Sharon provided the navigation system to get us there and we all enjoyed a great dinner.
Those of you who have worked with Bob Patti remember he was called 212 because he was from New York. New Yorkers have a certain approach to the world and work that sets them apart.
If you want to set yourself apart from the crowd, read the book 212 and see that a single degree can make all the difference. Sometimes it is not the big things that make a difference but the small steps that make the difference big. Buy it and read it on the airplane between stops. Very easy read.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
I just finished reading The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn. It is a great book and a quick read. After reading it I think I want to be a Fred and follow the idea that everyone can choose to be exceptional. This is a book about Fred the Postman and I would recommend it to anyone who is building a team, managing a project, or wanting to make a difference in their lives. Some great concepts.."Measure what you Treasure", "no unimportant jobs, just people who feel unimportant doing their jobs." Go read it tonight and look at the world through glasses of awareness with a change in attitude, moving forward with action and making sure you accomplish something.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Another day in Dallas. Last night we went to dinner at a restaurant that had a slide. Yes, I did give it a try as the attached video will demonstrate. The food was excellent, and the company was fun. Too bad I didn't have my cowboy boots with me to do the boot scootin boogie as they had a great dance floor and even a band.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Flew into Dallas yesterday with only a one hour delay in Atlanta. It is Delta after all!! The location in Dallas is great and we are walking distance from the hotel to the office.
Tom is going in for surgery on his arm this morning. Brenna will be with him. They are doing twilight sleep so I am afraid he will hear some of it, but they did ensure his arm would not feel anything for about 12 hours. They will be putting an internal pin and an external pin and adjusting the external pin over the next few months to put the wrist back into position. I hope this is the end of the mountain bike urban assault adventures.
Tom is going in for surgery on his arm this morning. Brenna will be with him. They are doing twilight sleep so I am afraid he will hear some of it, but they did ensure his arm would not feel anything for about 12 hours. They will be putting an internal pin and an external pin and adjusting the external pin over the next few months to put the wrist back into position. I hope this is the end of the mountain bike urban assault adventures.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
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Friday, August 22, 2008
We are now under a tornado warning in our area. Rain just keeps pouring down and there seems to be no let up. The beaches are eroding and homes near Vilano Beach are threatened. I've put a few videos up to give you an idea of what it is like here but I am in a pretty protected area, although it is close to the intra-coastal so flooding is more likely here. The kids are losing trees and trying to keep the pool drained as it is continuing to overflow. This was supposed to end at noon but it is well past that and Fay seems to like our area as she is not moving away.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
OK, where does time go and why do the days go faster and faster as we age? Probably because there are so many more important people in your life as your children age and you become a Grammy. I have been attending tennis lessons each week with Kelly and it is just such a joy to watch all the little ones playing tennis. The heat in Florida this week is pretty unbearable as the ocean winds are blowing in the wrong direction. Minnesota was bearable however, when a bear ran across the hood of Uncle Mac's car while he was driving toward Grand Rapids, MN. Then I got a great email from a friend in the Northeast who sent pictures of baby moose running through a sprinkle as Mommy moose looked on. Are baby moose called meeses? Enough for today. Trying to improve on the blogging so hopefully you are following.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Raining in Florida today but still a nice day. The rain is just enough to make everything green and cooler. Just finished a book on web design and continue to work my way through the PMP exam book. Don't forget if you want to order books, use Tim's url to support the family business:-) http://astore.amazon.com/gatooutdandtr-20 I have been putting all the old books on Amazon to try to clean out some of the clutter. It is amazing the number of books that one collects in a year. I don't remember having that many books growing up...instead we went to the public library. Barnes and Noble, Books a Million have become the libraries of today. The Florida Family is in Charlotte and the Indiana Family is preparing for the 24 hour bike race in Wisconsin.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Time, Where does it go? Lately my time has been spent working on a PeopleSoft presentation and taking Kelly to tennis. We also spend time at the pool and I love swimming with Kelly and Hunter. Pretty exhausting but fun. Planning a trip to Indianapolis for July 4 to see Tom, Brenna and Nora.
Since I can't find LUSH stores on this side of the world that are close, I have a url to shop with. If you love fine bath and shower "stuff" take advantage of this link to shop LUSH. http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3057697-10416067 or if you are an Omaha Steak person, try this link http://tinyurl.com/4lovnl.
Since I can't find LUSH stores on this side of the world that are close, I have a url to shop with. If you love fine bath and shower "stuff" take advantage of this link to shop LUSH. http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3057697-10416067 or if you are an Omaha Steak person, try this link http://tinyurl.com/4lovnl.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Great weather in Florida today. A dermatology visit is in the plans. All those years of sitting in the lifeguard chair results in frequent visits to check out the spots. Sometimes I think I am related to a Dalmation but have been fortunate that none of the spots are dangerous...just irritating. Another aspect of growing old. How does this happen when one is only 26? Spent last night with Tim, Allison Kelly and Hunter. What a great salmon dinner. A strawberry topping that I never would have thought of but is was Delicious. Tom has started a new blog on biking. He is now riding for Cannondale and is a member of the Cannondale midwest team. His picture is on the Cannondale Midwest Riding Team site. Take a look
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
I am definately developing my survivor skills in Seattle. I have found the bus route so I don't have to walk up the hills to get to the hotel. I have also found which ones go to the shopping areas, Pike Market and other points of interest. I do continue to walk to work as it is all downhill and good exercise. Today is a grey day after a couple of sunshiny days. Think this is more the standard in Seattle. I love the flowers as the tulips, daffodils etc. are all blooming and enhance the environment on the way to work. I did purchase flowers at Pike's Market which add to the ambiance of the hotel room. Only three days and then the red eye home. Anxious to see Kelly and Hunter. We are putting together a detailed project plan for PeopleSoft Version 9. Huge undertaking but going well.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
The title survivor is an accurate one. Each time I visit a Doctor or have another test, I realize how fortunate I am to have survived to see children doing well, and grandchildren growing like weeds. The thought of survival is brought to mind as I had my MRI and still remain Cancer free. It has been lots of years now but the thought still remains huddled in the dark corners of my mind. Each time there is apprehension and then relief when the results come back. The results this time indicate a visit to the neurosurgeon is necessary so we attack that hurdle when it presents itself. Right now I am in Seattle and dealing with cold and wind....but thankful each day my feet are above ground when I look down. We all have hurdles, barriers, and challenges that we must jump, overcome, and meet. But if we do it with a positive attitude and belief, somehow they are easier to jump, overcome and meet. Thanks to friends, family and just the general person in the street you meet each day that passes you with a smile or a hello gives youu a reason to keep moving along. A brief chat in an elevator, a pleasant clerk in a store, and a phone call from a child checking to make sure you are safe is what makes it all worthwhile. Today, I am proud and happy to be a survivor.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
A little bird brought me a rumor from my travel site Destinations in Florida, that Disney World is going to bring back it’s FREE dining promotion for August and September of this year! As you know this is a very popular promotion that everyone looks forward to each year. The details are still a bit sketchy, but it sounds like it will be announced early next week to begin booking late in the week. My Destination Diva thought the dates would be August 23-September 22, 2008. This is a fantastic promotion that books VERY fast every year, so keep checking back for more updates and please, use destinationsinflorida.com for booking your vacation!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Did you grow up in North Dakota, Minnesota, or even Wisconsin? If so, you have to have bits and pieces of Garrison Keilor in your head. I just read Pontoon and found it to be not only entertaining but reminiscent of my youth in Minnesota and North Dakota. Sorry Montana, you weren't even close when it came to stoic Lutherans, Norwegians or even the Irish Catholics who took on the persona of the culture.
How does Keilor know my mother spent a great deal of time feeding sunflower seeds to the birds? How did he learn the off-beat sense of humor we all grew up with? And how did he know Aunt Alice had a tire in her front yard filled with Petunias and Pansies accompanied by two plywood cutouts of fat folks bending over? Thank goodness he has learned to write it down so none of us forget our upbringing and what motivated us to Fly!! Just a few quotes...
“Life is so dear, dear heart, Live it with Gallantry.”
“Life is unjust and this is what makes it so beautiful. Every day is a gift. Be brave and take hold of it.”
“Don’t sink boy. Fly. That’s an old lady’s advice. Fly.
How many of us flew and left the north country for warmer climes but feel a real loss when we think of the culture?
Of course there are those who stayed and continue the ways of the stoic Lutheran. They are the ones who believe everything they read and only read what is dismal and depressing. For them , my recommendation is read Pontoon and skip snoopes for today. Become enlightened and laugh for that is what makes life worthwhile.
Be sure to visit Chahinkapa.com for fun and fancy gifts from Florida. Also read all the blogs and don't forget destinationsinflorida.com if you want to get away from it all and spend some fantasy time at Disney. I wonder if Disney has every considered a Keilor section for Epcot...right near the Norwegian center. Just a thought for the day.
How does Keilor know my mother spent a great deal of time feeding sunflower seeds to the birds? How did he learn the off-beat sense of humor we all grew up with? And how did he know Aunt Alice had a tire in her front yard filled with Petunias and Pansies accompanied by two plywood cutouts of fat folks bending over? Thank goodness he has learned to write it down so none of us forget our upbringing and what motivated us to Fly!! Just a few quotes...
“Life is so dear, dear heart, Live it with Gallantry.”
“Life is unjust and this is what makes it so beautiful. Every day is a gift. Be brave and take hold of it.”
“Don’t sink boy. Fly. That’s an old lady’s advice. Fly.
How many of us flew and left the north country for warmer climes but feel a real loss when we think of the culture?
Of course there are those who stayed and continue the ways of the stoic Lutheran. They are the ones who believe everything they read and only read what is dismal and depressing. For them , my recommendation is read Pontoon and skip snoopes for today. Become enlightened and laugh for that is what makes life worthwhile.
Be sure to visit Chahinkapa.com for fun and fancy gifts from Florida. Also read all the blogs and don't forget destinationsinflorida.com if you want to get away from it all and spend some fantasy time at Disney. I wonder if Disney has every considered a Keilor section for Epcot...right near the Norwegian center. Just a thought for the day.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Friday, March 07, 2008
This was sent to me in email and with just a little editing...it sure applies to how I grew up.
You could hardly see for all the snow, Spread the rabbit ears as far as they go. Pull a chair up to the TV set, 'Good Night, David. Good Night, Chet.'
My Mom used to cut chicken, chop eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn't seem to get food poisoning. My Mom used to defrost hamburger on the counter AND I never ate it raw..but my cousins did and they all seem all right. Well mostly.
Our school sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper in a brown paper bag, not in ice-pack coolers, but I can't remember getting e.coli. Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in the lake instead of a pristine pool (talk about boring), no beach closures then. Well some of us like the pool and became pool rats who lived at the pool. That didn't prevent us from those week-end trips to Fergus Falls where we invaded the Lakes...or a real adventure to Ottertail.
The term cell phone would have conjured up a phone in a jail cell, and a pager was the school PA system. We all took gym, not PE .. and risked permanent injury with a pair of high top Ked's (only worn in gym) instead of having cross-training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built in light reflectors.
I can't recall any injuries but they must have happened because they tell us how much safer we are now. Flunking gym was not an option . even for stupid kids! I guess PE must be much harder than gym.
Speaking of school, we all said prayers and sang the national anthem, and staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention. We must have had horribly damaged psyches. What an archaic health system we had then. Remember school nurses? Ours wore a hat and everything.
I thought that I was supposed to accomplish something before I was allowed to be proud of myself. I just can't recall how bored we were without computers, Play Station, Nintendo, X-box or 270 digital TV cable stations. Oh yeah ... and where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I got that bee sting? I could have been killed!
We played 'king of the hill' on piles of gravel in Cuff's Cement Lot and anything left on vacant construction sites, and when we got hurt, Mom pulled out the 48-cent bottle of Mercurochrome (kids liked it better because it didn't sting like iodine did) and then we got our butt spanked. Now it's a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10-day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics, and then Mom calls the attorney to sue the contractor for leaving a horribly vicious pile of gravel where it was such a threat.
We didn't act up at the neighbor's house either because if we did, we got our butt spanked there and then we got butt spanked again when we got home.
I recall Hog Helgeson from next door coming over and doing his tricks on the front stoop, just before he fell off. Little did his Mom know that she could have owned our house. Instead, she picked him up and swatted him for being such a goof. It was a neighborhood run amuck. To top it off, not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a dysfunctional family. How could we possibly have known that? We needed to get into group therapy and anger management classes? We were obviously so duped by so many societal ills that we didn't even notice that the entire country wasn't taking Prozac! How did we ever survive? LOVE TO ALL OF US WHO SHARED THIS ERA, AND TO ALL WHO DIDN'T; SORRY FOR WHAT YOU MISSED. I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING.
You could hardly see for all the snow, Spread the rabbit ears as far as they go. Pull a chair up to the TV set, 'Good Night, David. Good Night, Chet.'
My Mom used to cut chicken, chop eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn't seem to get food poisoning. My Mom used to defrost hamburger on the counter AND I never ate it raw..but my cousins did and they all seem all right. Well mostly.
Our school sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper in a brown paper bag, not in ice-pack coolers, but I can't remember getting e.coli. Almost all of us would have rather gone swimming in the lake instead of a pristine pool (talk about boring), no beach closures then. Well some of us like the pool and became pool rats who lived at the pool. That didn't prevent us from those week-end trips to Fergus Falls where we invaded the Lakes...or a real adventure to Ottertail.
The term cell phone would have conjured up a phone in a jail cell, and a pager was the school PA system. We all took gym, not PE .. and risked permanent injury with a pair of high top Ked's (only worn in gym) instead of having cross-training athletic shoes with air cushion soles and built in light reflectors.
I can't recall any injuries but they must have happened because they tell us how much safer we are now. Flunking gym was not an option . even for stupid kids! I guess PE must be much harder than gym.
Speaking of school, we all said prayers and sang the national anthem, and staying in detention after school caught all sorts of negative attention. We must have had horribly damaged psyches. What an archaic health system we had then. Remember school nurses? Ours wore a hat and everything.
I thought that I was supposed to accomplish something before I was allowed to be proud of myself. I just can't recall how bored we were without computers, Play Station, Nintendo, X-box or 270 digital TV cable stations. Oh yeah ... and where was the Benadryl and sterilization kit when I got that bee sting? I could have been killed!
We played 'king of the hill' on piles of gravel in Cuff's Cement Lot and anything left on vacant construction sites, and when we got hurt, Mom pulled out the 48-cent bottle of Mercurochrome (kids liked it better because it didn't sting like iodine did) and then we got our butt spanked. Now it's a trip to the emergency room, followed by a 10-day dose of a $49 bottle of antibiotics, and then Mom calls the attorney to sue the contractor for leaving a horribly vicious pile of gravel where it was such a threat.
We didn't act up at the neighbor's house either because if we did, we got our butt spanked there and then we got butt spanked again when we got home.
I recall Hog Helgeson from next door coming over and doing his tricks on the front stoop, just before he fell off. Little did his Mom know that she could have owned our house. Instead, she picked him up and swatted him for being such a goof. It was a neighborhood run amuck. To top it off, not a single person I knew had ever been told that they were from a dysfunctional family. How could we possibly have known that? We needed to get into group therapy and anger management classes? We were obviously so duped by so many societal ills that we didn't even notice that the entire country wasn't taking Prozac! How did we ever survive? LOVE TO ALL OF US WHO SHARED THIS ERA, AND TO ALL WHO DIDN'T; SORRY FOR WHAT YOU MISSED. I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Working from home this week. Put in more hours at home than when I am on the road. Working on training documents for PeopleSoft 9.0. Down to St. Augustine today to purchase some shells for the eclectic_doodahs store on ebay. WOrking on learning more about googles webmaster tools at night and trying to get caught up on the web building project I have been working on.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Ok, I am into the second week in LA and thought the weather is ok…not great…but ok and I am in downtown LA, I would rather be home in Florida with two grandchildren. I am doing a PeopleSoft ELM fit gap for the Metropolitan Water District and enjoying the project and great people. I work right behind the Union Station which brings back many childhood memories as this is one of the stations we used to come into when we traveled to California with Mom and Dad. Right across the street is Olvera Street which seemed much bigger when I was much smaller. The candle maker is not longer there but I did find some fun Mexican gifts for the grandkids. ]
I have done a lot of walking and made it to mass at Our Lady of the Angels yesterday. To get there I walked past Bank of America building where they were filming a movie or tv something. Also past the new Disney Center which is incredible architecture.
I also walk to the metro station each morning and home every night. Only about four long blocks from the Westin Bonaventure where I am staying to the Metro Station.
I was sent an absolutely great site about Penny Postcards and have had a great time looking the old picitures. If interested, take a look at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/special/ppcs/ppcs.html
I have not been able to do much with my ebay store and have relied on Tim to take care of orders. Next week will be a big one to go out and find new inventory. Don’t forget to take a look at http://wwdestinationsinflorida.com for your travel requirements, mouse books and more store on ebay for great Disney gifts and of course my blogs at http://wwwChahinkapa. com/blog and http://sanborns.blogspot.com/ Next week you can go to my ebay store eclectic_doodahs.com for updates to inventory.
I have done a lot of walking and made it to mass at Our Lady of the Angels yesterday. To get there I walked past Bank of America building where they were filming a movie or tv something. Also past the new Disney Center which is incredible architecture.
I also walk to the metro station each morning and home every night. Only about four long blocks from the Westin Bonaventure where I am staying to the Metro Station.
I was sent an absolutely great site about Penny Postcards and have had a great time looking the old picitures. If interested, take a look at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/special/ppcs/ppcs.html
I have not been able to do much with my ebay store and have relied on Tim to take care of orders. Next week will be a big one to go out and find new inventory. Don’t forget to take a look at http://wwdestinationsinflorida.com for your travel requirements, mouse books and more store on ebay for great Disney gifts and of course my blogs at http://wwwChahinkapa. com/blog and http://sanborns.blogspot.com/ Next week you can go to my ebay store eclectic_doodahs.com for updates to inventory.
Monday, February 11, 2008
OK for those of you who read my Google Blog..I'll try to do better at keeping up. I am currently in Los Angeles for two weeks working on a PeopleSoft ELM implementation. It is beautiful here but definately changed since the last time I was in LA. The weather is gorgeous and I have a great view of the mountains from my room. Dad would love that I am only two miles from Union Station...a place where we spent many happy times either arriving in or leaving LA. Tim and Allison brought Kelly and Hunter to Disneyland for the week-end. I wasn't able to meet them there but I know they had a great time. They won a stay in the Disneyland Suite and the kids had a great time. Brought back memories of Ann and I at Disneyland. She still isn't excited when she sees the teacup ride...hmmm I wonder why. I talked with Ann and she said she thought the tickets were about 18$ when we went to Disney. Signs of the times.
Must run, my consulting partner is picking me up in the lobby of the Westin at 9 a.m. I am still on Eastern Time so will probably fade around 5 pm today. ACCHHHH.
Don't forget to check out our eBay sites at Eclectic_Doodahs store or Magical Mouse Books and More.
I am off to experience LA and it's wonders of the metro.
Must run, my consulting partner is picking me up in the lobby of the Westin at 9 a.m. I am still on Eastern Time so will probably fade around 5 pm today. ACCHHHH.
Don't forget to check out our eBay sites at Eclectic_Doodahs store or Magical Mouse Books and More.
I am off to experience LA and it's wonders of the metro.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I title my blog survivor because I have survived many difficult times. I've conquered cancer, rid myself of an abusive husband, raised two boys, traveled as a consultant for the last 12 years, overcome financial diasters and all the pains of watching growing children make good and bad choices. And so I continue to survive, travel, learn and enjoy the adventure called life. Last night the adventure included firetrucks at the front of the hotel and a deluge of water falling through the ceiling of the fitness center...which incidently was located directly across from my room. The sirens were blaring, the fire alert lights were flashing and people were running frantically about to see if they could get the water turned off. Finally, a brave fireman in hat, boots, jacket and gloves proceeded up the ladder to find the turn off valve to stop the flow of water into the exercise area. Then the clean up began so it was a night of vacuums and suction devices getting water up off the floor. I felt so sorry for the hotel staff as they just really didn't know what to do so I was happy to see the arrival of the firemen. And for me, I am working today, a bit more tired than usual, but happy the water pipe above my room didn't burst. There is always something to be grateful for and always an adventure when you are a traveling consultant.
Monday, January 21, 2008
This just is not the place to be...Detroit in the winter...ACCHHHH. This is my last week in the cold for awhile. Well, next week I go to Teaneck, NJ but plan to be inside most of the time since it is for training for PeopleSoft ELM. Week-end plans are to celebrate my grandson's birthday at Disney World, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and any other park we can get to in the time allowed. I love Animal Kingdom and staying at the lodge is incredible. Nothing like waking up in the morning and looking out the patio door to see the giraffes walking by the opening. My grandson is four years old on the 24th of January. The last four years have gone by at breakneck speed so spending as much time with him having fun is critical. First thing you know he will be in school, have new friends and drift away from Grammy"me". It all goes too fast. Want to enjoy time with your children or grandchildren...take them to Disney and get back to the love of fantasy.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Back in Detroit and back to work. The weather is mild and no snow. It was raining and foggy when we landed last night and the rain eliminated all the snow. It was hard to come back after a few weeks in Florida. Disney World for one day, Epcot for one day and exhaustion the third day. Tom, Brenna and Nora were home from indianapolis and Tim, Allison, Kelly and Hunter went to the parks so it was a wonderful family event.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Ho Hum and HO HO HO...it is getting closer to Christmas. I was the face painter at MouseFest this year and had a great time. I met lots of fun people from Minnesota, California and other parts of the country. I sat next to the Destinationsinflorida.com travel group and really enjoyed talking with them. They certainly know the travel business and are very well versed in Disney and Universal activities and packages. If you are planning travel or a cruise, this is the website I would visit.
I wore my Gold Sequined Mickey Ears and had everyone asking where they could get some like them. They are designed for Mickey's 50 but would make a great statement for New Year's eve.
Get them at:
http://stores.ebay.com/Eclectic-doodahs
or
http://stores.ebay.com/Magical-Mouse-Books-and-More
I wore my Gold Sequined Mickey Ears and had everyone asking where they could get some like them. They are designed for Mickey's 50 but would make a great statement for New Year's eve.
Get them at:
http://stores.ebay.com/Eclectic-doodahs
or
http://stores.ebay.com/Magical-Mouse-Books-and-More
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Wow, what a day, snowing in Detroit and I am anxious to get home. This weke-end is Mousefest at Disney. If you haven't been there and are a Disney Fan, you should plan to go. It is held each year and is a fun time for died in the wool Disney fans. And if you like Disney you will love the eBay store at: http://stores.ebay.com/Magical-Mouse-Books-and-More Great fun collectibles, some great Christmas presents for the younguns and guides to Disney. Couldn't ask for more.
It sure beat the snow in Detroit...it is definately boot weather...also hats, coats, scarves and any other item to maintain warmth.
I found this great poem online today and since it is written by anonymous, thought I would share it....
The Train of LifeBy Anonymous Some folks ride the train of life Looking out the rear, Watching miles of life roll by, And marking every year. They sit in sad remembrance, Of wasted days gone by,And curse their life for what it was, And hang their head and cry. But I don't concern myself with that, I took a different vent, I look forward to what life holds, And not what has been spent. So strap me to the engine, As securely as I can be, I want to be out in the front, To see what I can see. I want to feel the winds of change, Blowing in my face, I want to see what life unfolds, As I move from place to place. I want to see what's coming up, Not looking at the past, Life's too short for yesterdays, It moves along too fast. So if the ride gets bumpy, While you are looking back, Go up front, and you may find, Your life has jumped the track. It's all right to remember, That's part of history, But up front's where it's happening, There's so much mystery. The enjoyment of living, Is not where we have been, It's looking ever forward, To another year and ten. It's searching all the byways, Never should you refrain, For if you want to live your life, You've gotta drive the train. All Aboard Everybody...
My Dad would have loved this poem, an old railroad man..he knew how to drive the train.
It sure beat the snow in Detroit...it is definately boot weather...also hats, coats, scarves and any other item to maintain warmth.
I found this great poem online today and since it is written by anonymous, thought I would share it....
The Train of LifeBy Anonymous Some folks ride the train of life Looking out the rear, Watching miles of life roll by, And marking every year. They sit in sad remembrance, Of wasted days gone by,And curse their life for what it was, And hang their head and cry. But I don't concern myself with that, I took a different vent, I look forward to what life holds, And not what has been spent. So strap me to the engine, As securely as I can be, I want to be out in the front, To see what I can see. I want to feel the winds of change, Blowing in my face, I want to see what life unfolds, As I move from place to place. I want to see what's coming up, Not looking at the past, Life's too short for yesterdays, It moves along too fast. So if the ride gets bumpy, While you are looking back, Go up front, and you may find, Your life has jumped the track. It's all right to remember, That's part of history, But up front's where it's happening, There's so much mystery. The enjoyment of living, Is not where we have been, It's looking ever forward, To another year and ten. It's searching all the byways, Never should you refrain, For if you want to live your life, You've gotta drive the train. All Aboard Everybody...
My Dad would have loved this poem, an old railroad man..he knew how to drive the train.
Monday, November 12, 2007
OK, it is grey and dismal in Detroit but that is not a reason to be down. I found two great sites on ebay today. One sells Disney Stuff and the other has great outdoor items. Right now the outdoor items would be great in Michigan during the hunting season. The other site has guides to Disney and Universal and this is a great time of the year to visit the Orlando Parks. It is cooler so even if the lines are long, they are not unbearable and you know how quickly Disney moves us through the lines. What are the stores you are asking? http://stores.ebay.com/Gator-Outdoor-and-Travel and http://stores.ebay.com/Disney-and-Orlando-Vacations
If you are just looking for "fun Stuff" take a quick visit to my new ebay store at the http://stores.ebay.com/Eclectic doodah . Only a few items right now but it is going to have lots of fun unique items just for you.
So what keeps you motivated on down days like these? I try to visit all the travel sites and look for better weather.
If you are just looking for "fun Stuff" take a quick visit to my new ebay store at the http://stores.ebay.com/Eclectic doodah . Only a few items right now but it is going to have lots of fun unique items just for you.
So what keeps you motivated on down days like these? I try to visit all the travel sites and look for better weather.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Snow arrived today and I am on my way back to Florida. I enjoy looking at the large flakes of snow from inside the building...but am not wild about the cold wind. The leaves are almost gone from the trees and that makes for a pretty depressing environment. I see it in the workplace as employees seem to get more and more depressed. Must be time for an adventure to Florida. Go to find some tickets to the parks and take a trip to look at the holiday parades and decorations. This is a great time for a visit...beaches aren't crowded(no one from Florida ventures out when it gets Cold). Go to http://www.orlandotickets.storesecured.com to get your tickets before going to the park. If you want a great vacation package visit my favorite travel agency at http://www.destinationsinflorida.com. If you can visit us...keep us in your dreams
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
The holidaze are upon us and it is time to go to the Disney and Universal Parks in Orlando. This time of year the decorations come out and the parks become a fantasy of lights and beauty. Do you need a ticket before you get there..I certainly would recommend it and you can go to http://orlandotickets.storesecured.com to get them ahead of time. Avoid the lines...have fun at the parks. If you plan on staying I can recommend the best travel site out there for packages, lodging, guides, events etc. go to http://www.destinationsinflorida.com You will find the latest and greatest information on what is going on in the parks. WHOO HAH..it's time to get in the Spirit.
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