Some things you should know . . .

. . . about Florida. Their tollways are not well marked. In most of the states we've traveled through, they take credit cards or are well marked leading up to them that they are cash only. Florida does not do this and then acts surprised that you do not know this. I find this surprising due to the fact that they are in a huge tourist area--I'm sure people are as surprised as we were. Anyway, it must happen a lot because they have this whole process for those who don't have cash. Anyway, carry cash in Florida.

Here are some favorite memories of our trip. English iced tea. Magic Kingdom's fireworks. Canadian cheddar cheese soup. 360 degree movies of China and Canada. Amazing movies of France and America. Yummy mufongos. Epcot fireworks. Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. An African safari. Dinosaur ride. Buzz Lightyear ride. Mad Hatter teacups. Flying Dumbo ride. Peter Pan ride. Dinner at Jiko. Hanging out with my husband for a week.
Now we are meandering our way home. We had a ton of fun shopping today at Downtown Disney. Tomorrow we will wander through Georgia on our way home. I haven't really spent that much time in GA. I'm looking forward to it. I love our hotel tonight! It is decked out for fall. I love the fall! It's pretty fun. More pics and memories to come.

Dinner in Germany

Today we walked around the world in Epcot. We were able to eat food from the Dominican Republic, France, America, England, and Germany. We walked from the D.R. to the United Kingdom to Mexico. It was so much fun! We watched amazing videos about Canada and China. We saw and heard terrific "street" performers.
We met some people from Brazil at our German Biergarten buffet dinner. Our waitress was Sylvia from Germany. She has been here 20 years and her mom and son and daughter-in-law are all back in Germany. While we were at the "patisserie" in France, we met a neat couple from Rugby, ND. Todd, they said if you're going to the dance at the bar in Kenmare in November (I think) to tell you we met one of the guys in the band here in FL.
We did tons of shopping--window shopping that is! Japan, France, Italy, the UK, Morocco, Mexico, Norway--just to name a few of the places we went shopping today. It was a ton of fun! Epcot is definitely at the top of my favorite places. We also took a rocket to Mars while we were there. I was the
navigator! Ralph was a little nervous to say the least. ;-D Then on the bus ride back we met this neat couple on their honeymoon. They are from WI and are on a similar honeymoon to ours. They took a week here and now are taking a road trip up the east coast and then across to home. Sounds like fun to us! We're headed back tomorrow to hit all the rides, etc we missed at "Future World." We may even take the more intense training mission to Mars. We'll have to see. Well, it's off to bed for now!

New friends

I think one of the best parts of being on vacation are all the fun people that you get to meet. Take yesterday for example. While Ralph was out taking these pictures, because he gave up his seat to a very pregnant woman, he gave me an opportunity to meet that very neat pregnant woman. We were on the river boat cruise around Tom Sawyer's Island. This adorable red head, with an even more adorable 2 yr old, sat down next to me. Her son was named after one of my favorite Bible characters and was wearing a shirt that said "I do all my own stunts." I think I am going to look for that shirt for a certain couple of nephews. ;-D
Anyway, we got to talking and I found out her baby is due in 9 wks, they don't know the sex and have the most adorable names picked out. She has her doctoracte in speech therapy and works with autistic children and is a Mary Kay Director. Now, the fun thing about Mary Kay is, it gives you an instant bond and sisterhood with other woman who are in the business. She and her sister started out a little bit like me, just dabbling. But, both have started to build their businesses and eventually will switch to Mary Kay full time. It was fun to hear how Mary Kay had changed her life and given her options she didn't have before.
I also found out that her husband had proposed to her at Epcot during the fireworks! How romantic is that! She also strongly encouraged us to join the vacation club. It sounds like a great deal. Overtime it saves you a lot of money and you can use it at all the Disney locations around the world. Now, if Ralph and I only ever did the same thing twice! Anyway, by the time the cruise was done I felt as if I had a new friend. I may never meet her again but it was fun to know her. These are things that make vacations special. I still treasure the memories of the special people we met in Colorado earlier this summer and from vacations past.

I hope you all have a magical day (as they keep telling us here) and that you meet a new friend today (or take some time for an old one)!

Character pics

Favorite character

I am planning on posting pictures later tonight, but first a question? Who is your favorite Disney character? We met quite a few of them today. It was a lot of fun! Who would be on your must meet list if you were here? Tigger was one of mine and we met him yesterday. I would love to meet Tinker Bell, but so far I have only seen Wendy, Peter Pan, Hook, and Mr Smee. I didn't wait in line to meet them as they did not have Tink with them. ;-) Looking forward to your replies! We're off to dinner in Africa!

More dreams coming true . . .

Another "dream" came true today, I had my picture taken with characters from Disney's "The Jungle Book." In addition to being one of my favorite childhood books, it was also the first movie I ever saw in the theater. Kim and I went with either Connie (I'm pretty sure it was her) or Aunt Debbie right before/after Bobby was born. Ahhh, I remember it well. ;-D

Today I also got to go on my first safari! Despite being to Africa twice, I have never been somewhere I could go on a safari. We had a great time despite the fact that it rained. Actually, today was really the first day we had to deal with rain. I really thought this place was magical when on our first day here, it only rained when we were inside some place. Yesterday was dry and pleasant. Today it started to rain while we were on our safari. After the safari, we attempted to wait it out in a store, but got impatient. As soon as we bought ponchos, it stopped. Now I've decided that the rain is just a ploy by Disney to make more money. :-D
What may be an even bigger miracle, I rode a roller coaster today. I survived! I had to sit down for a little while afterwards because my legs were like rubber. Ralph and I are working on compromise. He goes on the spinning rides with me, where he gets sick. I go on some roller coasters with him and risk having a heart attack due to my fear of heights!
Tomorrow, we will finish seeing the magice kingdom--my favorite place so far! Friday and Saturday will be dedicated to Epcot. See you all soon!

Where dreams come true . . .

So this is the place where dreams come true they say. Well, for me it's true! One of my life long dreams came true today. I got to see something that was not only in one of my favorite movies but in one of my favorite books--The Swiss Family Robinson's Tree House!! Bit of trivia for those who don't know, there are actually 3 versions of the book. Each son remembered the story as told by their father a little differently (all with slightly different endings) so they each wrote their own version. I, of course, read all 3 as a child. :-D
We have met some really fun people here! We are exhausted at the end of each day but it's worth it. We're trying to take it easy and not rush and just enjoy ourselves. There's more to come. Stay tuned. Hope you are all doing well! We'll see you soon!

Ten Years in Ohio

So, I have been in OH ten years. I can't quite believe it. Where have all the years gone?! When you say "ten years," I think a long time. When I look back, it doesn't seem that long. Of all the people that came tonight, there was one or two who have been around for a good part of that time. Every one who came has been a blessing to me in one way or another. Each person here helps contribute to making OH feel like home (away from home). ;-) Speacial thanks to Ian for making most events at our house possible!

Frustrating!

So, I am at the end of my contract, and working on the new one. Initially, I was really stressed because this new company wanted me to take a HUGE pay cut. We're talking more than $10,000/year. I think we have that worked out now--still a few bugs re:OT. There are a few other issues, but I think it will get worked out. I am keeping my options open, just in case. However, I think the worst part is all the paperwork. They want all this stuff--some of this stuff I haven't seen in 2 years! I'm trying to take care of all of this, work 3 nights in a row, get ready for a party here on Friday and try to leave for FL on Saturday! I think I might be overdoing it. I do have someone coming to clean the house tomorrow. That is a huge weight off my shoulders. I just want all this off my shoulders before we leave! It doesn't help things are stressful for Ralph at work this week either. I am convinced we will make it! Just pray we work together and don't take out our stresses on each other. We're doing great so far, but we're only half-way there. My next post should be of pics from Friday night! We are "celebrating" my 10th year in Ohio! I can hardly believe it, but it's true. It's a good thing I didn't see that coming when I came out here--I might never have come. :) Good night! I'm off to bed! Have a great day!

Church, Mexican Food and Ballywood!

Ok sounds like a strange combination, I know! That is exactly what I did tonight. We went to Apex tonight and Rob gave a terrific sermon on Nehemiah 10. I am always amazed at how the Lord works! The sermon so fit the conversation the Lord and I had last night as well as an ongoing conversation I am having with a friend. The sermon should be up on the web in the next week to 2 weeks. Check it out if you have some time--in fact the whole series has been amazing! It's not just Rob, several of our pastors/elders/etc have had a part in bringing this book to us. I've studied Nehemiah in the past and really enjoyed it. It's nice to revist it with new perspective.




Ok, for the Mexican food side of things. Ralph and I went to dinner with our friends Amy, Chris and Tracy.

We hadn't hung out with them in awhile! It was really fun. Ralph and I both commented on the way home about how blessed we feel with all the friends God has given us here.

Then I went to my roommate's house to watch Bride and Prejudice. Basically, it's a Bollywood version of Pride and Prejudice. It was corny, ackward, strange and fun, if you can believe those all go together. I'm not sure I would have, but the ice cream and brownies we had to go with it sure didn't hurt anything! :) All-in-all I'd say it was a good day!

Mexican Lasagna

For the first time in ages I cooked today! It was fun! I started out thinking I would make Ufda! Taco's. I had been craving them for awhile. Then I decided what I was really craving tonight was Mexican Lasagna. I know it will be a shock for all who know me, but I used a Rachael Ray recipe. :) I found the recipe on The Food Network's website.
I made her Mexican Lasagna andFruit and Vegetable Fiesta Salad. They were both terrific! I made brownies for dessert. They were the new Pillsbury Brownie Batter--ones you just spread and bake. Even though there was no mixing involved--just cut and squeeze. I still managed to get covered in brownie batter. How do I do that?! Of course, that's why I got my apron, but who knew I'd have to where it when I wasn't really cooking, just pretend cooking! Craziness!

Here's a cute picture Ralph took of Kenya today! I love the tongue thing! She always has it sticking out just a little bit. :) Oh, and I am so proud, she can go up and down the stairs all by herself now. Unfourtunately, that means the cat, Jedi, has nowhere to hide now. Kenya thinks it's fun to go upstairs when she's bored and terrorize Jedi. Hopefully, the demon side of her doesn't come back because of it! :(

Crazy Sexy Cancer

So if you didn't catch the film, Crazy Sexy Cancer on TLC--then you missed out. Kris Carr was diagnosed with this crazy incurable cancer on Valentine's Day, 2003 and as an outlet videoed her journey with cancer. It was very well done. Ralph and I both enjoyed it. I, of course, as soon as I heard there was a book, bought it the same night (along with 2 others by her "Cancer Posse"). As a nurse, who often deals with cancer patients, it was helpful to be reminded of what the patient sees, feels, hears, experiences, etc. It was also very touching as it was about women in my demographic dealing with cancer. The book had a ton of great tips and resources (though it may be possibly offensive to those who have similar moral/religious/personal views with me). However, it was written by a young woman who needs the Lord and is looking in her own way. I do think He is chasing her. If you get a chance, check it out!

On a lighter note, we had a great end of summer cookout at our good friend's, Jeff and Sarah's, house yesterday afternoon/evening. Ralph was able to go and enjoy it for several hours and I was able to go for an hour prior to going to work. It was fun to just hang out and chat. I also think it's fun to hang out with friends and their friends from different parts of their lives that don't necessarily include you. I love it when worlds collide! I think we are going to have part 2 of that summer cookout at Amanda and Kelly's tonight. We are so blessed with amazing friends here! They are truly answers to prayer. I used to pray for God to surround me with friends and a community--all the while not really wanting to be here or have roots, and He answered that prayer above and beyond what I ever could have imagined. We serve a great God Who is always there--in the good times and the bad!