WDW part two

The Magic Kingdom

Country Bear Jamboree
Sitting down in this attraction, I said to hubby
"What is it that  makes us want to attend this "show"?
The man on the other side of me responded
"It's tradition, we have to come"
Right !
And it always makes us smile 

America is represented in many places
The Liberty Bell
The Presidents
America ( at Epcot )
Paddle Wheel boat 

Water that comes out of nowhere, somehow 

Dad's with daughters

one of my favorite  things  

A ride we have never taken, but looks like fun 

Wearing ears, only in the Magic Kingdom 

He rides, because it please me 

The water show
Musical
Moves along from the Grand Floridan to the Contemporary Resort

back to the Magic Kingdom
for the nightly fireworks show 

The Castle looks different at night

Ok. a little hard to describe but
you swipe your hand over the wall and
the picture appears

And that ends day two of our visit.

a need for a smile

two things made me smile this weekend

Saturday evening we were leaving the mall and ran into a friend.  A senior citizen who loves football and does not have a TV.   He was just leaving a nearby pub, had a burger and watched the UW game.
"I usually go to Nordstrom, men's department and watch there, but they could not get that channel"
We have seen him there a time or two. He brings some snacks, the sales staff know and like him and he enjoys a little football excitement. 
Makes me smile to think of this widower staying active and happy with a very simple "date"


Sunday morning, Sunday School.
Try to imagine a boys school, 40 years ago, taking honesty and discipline  very seriously.
During his first year in high school, he was surprised to see the teacher pass a magazine to each student.  His family did not have magazines in their home and he was overwhelmed with the Motorcycle issue that was handed to him.   He was thinking about how excited his younger brothers would be to see it and he decided to take it home. He slipped it into his school bag.
At lunchtime, his class was asked to stay behind.   He was horrified.  The boys lined up as the teacher and headmaster proceeded to meet each boy and open their school bag.  As they got closer, our friend bolted out of line and threw up his hand and told them he had taken the magazine. He was given the written punishment.  4 hits with the cane in the headmasters office, at 3:00 after school.
He tried desperately to find his older brother to tell him he would not be able to meet with him at 3:00 to walk home together.  He told him the circumstances.
At 3:00 our young man walked into the headmasters office.  The headmaster stood before him and told him.  " Your brother came to me and asked if he could take the punishment for you, but I told him no, it had to be given to the person who deserved it".     Four whacks, on his tender palm, ripping the skin. 
On the way home, a 3 mile walk, he asked his brother why he had done that. He said he did not want him to go through such an experience.

Rest of the story:  brother never told Mom, never told Dad and never received discipline in the headmasters office. 

( Smiling, but eyes swimming, thinking of a brother, so loving )


On his drive this morning, he was stopped by a police officer because he did not have his licence tabs updated.   He pulled out a package his wife had given to him with the note:
"Sweetie, don't forget to put on these tabs"
The officer asked how long he was married
Over 30 years
And your wife still calls you Sweetie?
Yes
Are you on your way to Church?
Yes,
More people should be going to church.
( no ticket this time )

I think I want to meet his wife.

WDW 2017 -Part one

did you know WDW = Walt Disney World, as in Orlando Florida ?!?

and have you ever been there?

Well, if you haven't there is lots to know and maybe you just like surprises, so in that case, just scroll real fast

If you have been there you might scroll super fast, or not at all, BUT, I will never know

This is the first trip to WDW that I have journaled about with photos and dialogue and more details than usual.  I know some of you just like to "read all about it".  I don't have to tell anyone how to "read" however, I am putting some of the more detailed info in smaller print. 

enough said

Off we go to Orlando

Started off with a bang.  Well let's just say a little excitement.
We left the house about 5 in the morning. Not the right time for breakfast, but always the right time for coffee,    Brought the second cup in the car .  So on the flight we ordered our usual cheese and fruit platters and yes, another cup of coffee. For some reason the coffee did not taste good. .     So after finishing " brunch " I thought I would dump what was left.  By now I am feeling sick to my stomach .  I am just thinking I hope I don't feel like this for the next two hours....Wait, where am I?   ( seems I fainted and "gently " fell into the lap of a passenger. Nurse jill was sitting across from him. And jumped into action  got me to the galley seated in the jump seat and soon two flight attendants and hubby are surrounding the patient ) this is when I make use of the black bag hubby puts in front of me. And again.
 I am now aware that Nurse  jill is taking my pulse and  B.P.  Flight attendant Scott administers  oxygen. (I think that's just what the book tells them to do ).
Patient is feeling good. Back to my seat with a cup of ginger ale.   No more excitement 

Landed in Orlando. Sent texts to kids. They sent texts to get to the ER.  Mom decided to take it easy and try to be good.

Port Orleans, Riverside

One of the reasons we like to stay here is because it is along a little river and you can take a boat ride to Disney Springs.  Shops, restaurants and entertainment.

So that is what we did. Shopped. Ate.  Wolfgang Puck 

Summer squash soup 

 Rode the merry go round

 and enjoyed the activity of musicians, children and oh yes a free sample at  ghirardelli's.

Boat ride back.  

try to imagine twinkling lights along the water 

  A really nice evening







Friday, first park day

Hollywood Studios 
 Beauty and the Beast play.  We watch it every time we come, the acting is amazing. 
 Rides come and go and right now there are just a couple other attractions we like, so after lunch at
Prime time cafe

The wait staff treats you like family
keep your elbows off the table
no dessert unless you eat all your vegetables

And after an update of a photo 20+ years ago
 with Damon 

January visit with our little man 

Revisited, but not sure when and will try to put all of the together
some day 

We are ready to move on to Epcot Center 
This is like two parks in one.   You enter the future world.
This is the only place where Disney offers free beverages. Well, it is really, Coke. They have a building that has maybe 10 varieties of Coke, from around the world and dispensers and cups for all the refreshment you can hold. 

Several attractions  and here is one of them 

Living in the Land
Growing plants without soil, just plenty of water

Our memory and an email to send to family and friends
Free ! 

Then you cross over to the nations. 11 countries are represented and this time of year is the food and wine festival and another 15 or so. Countries have food kiosks .  Plenty of variety and entertainment for more than one day.

So today we do a couple attractions on the future side and then move on to the nations.  China, France Canada ....all have beautiful 360 circle vision presentations for their country.

Just a taste of the nations and the employees who make it all come to life 



And since I don't have a good handle on blogs, I will move on to day two ...tomorrow 
P.S. enjoying the park means less photos worth sharing  

The " I " word

ok, I admit it.
I used a bad word

You know, the "I" word !


well, it could be an ok word if you were describing your neighbors child
He is challenged, he is an idiot.
Wikipedia says:   intellectually disabled.  A low IQ.  They are born that way.
Then there are some who just act like they are challenged.

like

the intellectually disabled motor cycle driver who  whizzzed by me in a 30 mph zone.   I can only assume the intellectually disabled person was on a cycle, but that flash of red was not a low flying drone.

I could not help myself ...I YELLED    INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED PERSON ! at the top of my lungs
Pretty sure he did not hear because, he kept going and then switched lanes and back again and right in front of a very large vehicle.

I am breathing normally now, but, at the time, all I could say was.    INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED PERSON            INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED PERSON  

Of course there are other words like moron, imbecile  and yes, it's like a  real "diagnosis"

It's ok, you can call me challenged, you can call be a person that stretches the truth, but please do not call me  intellectually disabled person.

wait....did you see him.....he just whizzed  by AGAIN .....WAIT

liz

My Friend

Liz  

Being leaders in BSF puts you in a group of amazing women.  That is where I met Liz.  Leaders, together.   It took a while, but when my mother passed away and Liz came to her memorial,  I got a a little picture of her passion for others.   

  Then, I had my own episode in the hospital and Liz popped in to see me Sunday Morning. She brought a little vase of flowers.

That was 11 years ago, and the relationship has grown.

Luncheons

BSF retreat 

More Luncheons

a little game of scrabble 

Fun friends 

Always Fun with Liz 

A gathering too fun to say goodbye 

More Luncheons
2012 

at Liz's place
I could just drop by
2013

Had to be summer
Always a reason to get together 

Our friend with our friend 

Entertaining  her favorites  

Well some of her favorites
2014 

With baby Alistair 

More Luncheons

Looks like Christmas 

Saying goodbye to our friend
Juanita 

Always smiling
a great sense of humor
One year training day for leaders was on Mercer Island

and a little awkward to get to.   One morning she arrived

rather late  ( BSF means discipline and being on time)
Well, she walked in, the room kind of quiet,  she said
 " I know I'm late and I don't want to talk about it" 
 The room erupted in laughter.
She could bring a  smile to just  about any situation

Dinner party with small group 

                 this must be a selfie...but a cute one

Engagement party, more friends 

Luncheon in 2016 

She loved her family very much.. I know because we prayed for them on  Monday afternoons.



She  knew the  Bible and was comfortable  sharing..   I  know because we  were  in  Wednesday  night Bible study together.

In July we went on trips - she went to see her sister and I went to visit a friend. As she made her plans, it seemed like details just fell into place for her travels.  She felt like her trip was a final time to visit her sister. Sue's health had been failing.
Liz was very thankful to make that trip

We flew home on the same day, July 10

I am pretty sure she loved her cabin.  She really, wanted us to go there with her.  Our evening Bible Study group had plans to go there for a summer gathering. That would be July 22.  A week before the anticipated date, she realized she could not do it.


  That was just the beginning of changing plans.

Her Sundays started with 9:00 sermon and then to Talk Time . It was that  third Sunday in July when she was walking into church and she felt like her back was not supporting her.   She made it through the morning, but needed some help in getting into her car.  Once she got home, she was pretty much flat on her back for the next two weeks.
We talked about her BSF group and  she was waiting to call her women until she felt better. 
It was August 9th, while I was in Chelan with my family, that she called.  " Robin brought me to the ER and I think I will be here for a while. Will you please call Roberta and tell her I don't think I can take my class?"

I called Liz that evening to see how she got along.  Home phone, no answer. Cell phone no answer.  Evergreen Hospital, yes she had been admitted.

I called the gift shop in the morning and had them send her one of those chatty little bears.   It was Monday morning before I was able to visit her. The family had said no visitors, so I was taking my chances, and brought along fresh scones.
She was alone, cheerful, but in some pain.  We chatted and prayed together. Nicole the nurse came in and it was time to hook up for a platelet transfusion.    There was a little discussion about symptoms and treatment...looked like a full schedule.  The word Oncologist was mentioned.  At this point, no diagnosis was to be shared. I told her if the doctors didn't help, I would call Doc Martin.  ( She  laughed. She is the one who got me started on that series she loved ) 

That night, I returned.  I wanted to confirm I had heard correctly. Her daughter was there and explained that the family wanted to wait until test results were in and then she would give the ok to tell her friends.   Of course, that was very understandable. and to be respected.

Wednesday, I returned again.   This time I brought chocolate chip cookies.  Liz was sitting up in bed. She asked me to read Acts 3 from her ipad. Then she quoted a verse and we prayed together.   

One more visit in the hospital.  Her daughter gave me permission for a brief visit.  As I walked in Liz said " Kathy, I am loopy ".   Her daughter confirmed that she was not going to be with us much longer.  

I leaned over and kissed her forehead and told her " I'll see you in my dreams"   Liz said " Kathy, you smell good ". Well I told her " I'm the Avon lady, I better smell good".   As I was leaving she repeated " Kathy, You smell good "

And those were her parting words to me. 

A few days later, Robin said a brief visit to hospice would be ok.  Tuesday morning I slipped into her room. She was alone.  She looked like she was asleep. So calm.  No longer in pain. She was alone. I held her hand and sang to her " Jesus loves Me this I know".  I told her how we all love her and Jesus loves her more. I noticed the little white radio on her night stand. It made me smile, like a little piece of me was in the room with Liz.  I talked to her  for a little while and then left the room.  

The facility has  beautiful gardens. I was not ready to leave so I walked around the garden and spent a while in the serene surroundings.  

That night, the call came,  Jesus had called Liz Home.

I wish I could remember some of her stories. Often it was just her style that made us laugh. Such a good sport. Such a fun lady. Such a good friend.   

I will always, always, remember my friend and the love and joy she brought into so many lives, 
especially mine. 
A grand farewell, in exuberant Liz style !

There is Liz, in little red Sabrina, waving a grand goodbye.

But, it won't be long and we will hear the shout. The Lord is coming back soon.  Be ready.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

 

it's in the bag

So, I was just shopping at our local T J's   ( Trader Joe's)  
Those employees all look like they like their job. 
Like the gal who serves samples and coffee.
She was smiling, but yes she was little cold
But " we have our coffee"

I just had a couple items to buy and was soon checking out.

Once again, a happy, and I might add cute, checker
He said his name was Aaron 
   and he like to pronounce it the Spanish way,  Aaron 

So, Aaron says to me " Welcome back"

and I say "How do you know I am coming back?"  ( in just a tiny sassy way )

He says "  your purse. When you were here before,I told you I liked your purse "
Again he smiled 
and I smiled
and said thank you


One more reason to shop at T J's 

Oh
here's the bag

and it is cute
don't you think? 

hammocks

There is another name for this

but

we will just call it

hammock adventures 

in the park in Minneapolis 

In Chelan by the beach 

Canadian sweeties 

Cherry Crest play ground 

Where oh where 

When I remember, I will add the location 


and then..

from my own back yard...into that secret spot



and 2019 addition...

Oh to be young and carefree and hand from a tree





Such an exciting life