Day one

But wait... we had to get there...Seattle to Orlando, an early morning flight

We have a favorite place to  park and then shuttle to the airport

On the way, in the shuttle, 

We were chatting with the couple in front of us and I said " God is good"  and the gentleman in front of us said "Yes He is". and a few more comments to confirm that he knew Who he was talking about.

A sweet way to start the day...and it is a long day..  5 or 6 hour flight 

Then on the plane a couple ladies behind Darrell were talking about Esther & Mary Magdalene, and Hannah and... sure enough they knew Jesus too. " Could not live without Him" one said to me. 

So we are ready.

Stepping out of our room at Riverside.

The weather was comfortable,  a quietness in the air...and the view.....  this is what I love 

Hollywood studios

Arrived in good time but it took a long, long time to get through “security”

( remember to pull charger and sunglasses case and hold them high in the air )

On the bus someone told me how to get fast passes.. so we did

First stop. Muppets…

Next. Buz light years

Indiana Jones

Lunch at a favorite   Prime Time Café 

Waiter  Gerome . Did a nice job and we ended up with a free dessert

Lots of congratulations …wearing our Celebrating 50th anniversary.

Our little corner table 

Our celebration dessert 

Then, the picture that we take every year.  But this year there are no more turquoise chairs. Darrell is holding a picture taken about 31 years ago and Damon was sitting in a turquoise lounge chair.  We have many more memories in "that chair" but this year it is "different"  

Then Beauty and the Beast  

While waiting for Darrell, a lady came up and sat by me and told me “You look darling”

( Yellow, bright yellow pants and white top with Minnie and little yellow polka dots on bows at the shoulder...making a note for next trip )

Feeling sleepy and all of our favorites were checked off the list

So back to motel

Rested

Boat to Disney Springs

Shopped

5:15 Boathouse Restaurant

We ate on the patio and had a wonderful view 

  some Disney Spring buildings and several amphibious cars “driving” along on the water.

This is the starting point, just outside our restaurant

Very nice. No free dessert

I had a pasta dish, key lime pie in a mason jar

Back to the resort

Bob was in great form.. announced our 50th and kept the crowd very engaged

He sings, he steps on the piano bench, he plays the harmonica 
all while playing the piano
and
engaging  the audience 

I live an exciting life

Memorial

 Saying goodbye..

but first,  hello...

It must have been about 38 years ago when our little Anita was taking swimming lessons, at the Y, and her teacher, Ann, was getting married.  Ann invited us to her wedding.  Turns out, Ann and her family lived just three houses down the back trail.

The family had connections in Hawaii and there were lots of Orchids.   That is the main memory we have of that occasion

No, these are not orchids,  but i do like to add a picture 

Soon hubby made his way down the path and was able to do some tree cutting.   And more tree cutting.   

Around Easter, he went to the woodpile and there were lots of colored eggs tucked in between the logs.  

The men got pretty well acquainted through the years. But  it was not long ago we heard that our neighbor lost his struggle with hard health issues.

We learned quite a bit at his memorial

Just down the road is a park.  Bridle Trails Park. That is where our neighbor spent many hours watching and helping his girls ride ponies, then horses. 
And, that is where we gathered.

Lots of pictures.   Coffee and treats. 

Then we were seated around the corral.  Our neighbor was a good neighbor.  He was a physician at our nearby hospital.  He loved to garden. He loved to share.  He was fun, positive and cheerful.  He was generous.  

His younger brother, living in Hawaii, sent a tape. Pretty special  to listen to some "stories" about this fun loving and adventurous man.  Oh, and he loved animals.  Collected animals... ducks, then pigeons, then rabbits ( not for long, they kept multiplying) Loved kites. Made them. Model airplanes, the list goes on

 And a few others shared about this special man.

At the end, a tape by the Odle Middle School Orchestra  ( made while his granddaughter was first chair violinist )   Concerto in D- J S Bach

( I am listening to a version right now on Youtube)

We paid our respects  to the family and went home

There was something missing.  His faith.  And that is something I hope to find out.  I have invited his wife to come by, and I hope she will do that, soon.

 

I live an exciting life 

nothing going on

 

Hi Marti

I was thinking about you, and any local readers looking for something interesting going on in my life

and well.. not today

But wait

Out on this chilly morning ...first stop Post Office

First suprise..no line !

Second surprise... the lady behind the counter took my package and after pressing down on the corners of the sticker she said  " Don't want to lose your prayer" 

(  there was one sticker on the front and one on the back, but I don't have any more to show you so I just copied off google ) 

And I said    "Thank you "

and she said: " I always remember those words, I learned as a child.  I could never remember what to say after holy Mary but I always remembered the Lord's prayer "

And I said " And He is still there for you

And she said  " Yes He is"

And now I can say

1.  That is something to write about

2.  A sticker on a package is not just for the recipient

3.  God's Words speak loud and clear 

And...I live an exciting life

( just can't figure out how to delete this extra "sticker"   

    

it happens

 

yes,

prayers are answered

Our sweet friend Janet was concerned 

She had paid for a chest of drawers at the Thrift store, but since it was too big for her car, she had to leave it and come back with "help"   

She checked on it a time or two, waiting for the needed pick up, and then, today, she went by and it was gone.  She asked about it and the sales person could not come up with any answer.  Did not know where it was and informed Janet that you cannot leave it longer than two days.

But, previously, no mention of this two day "storage" was mentioned.

No chest of drawers.  No refund. 

So Janet told us about it and Hubby was on it.
That is not right!  You gave them $300.00 in faith and now it is gone!

The two of them went up to the Thrift store, together

I was praying.  Hubby was praying

Hubby said " I would like to speak to your manager"

"Well he is at the bank, he should be back any minute"

In comes a gentleman...he looks at hubby..."I know you, you delivered wood to me"

I am at home. praying. thinking ..it has been way too long. I hope hubby is not getting upset.  He can get angry.  I hope they did not call the police ( Yes, those thoughts went through my mind )

Back at the Thrift Store...
It took a minute,  ( mask, new location )  but sure enough, hubby made the connection 

They explained the situation. Janet did not have a receipt with her, only a photo. The manager said that they only hold items for a month ( it had been at least that long, but...)  It would be hard to find the billing information.   He said he would do what he could

AND he did... He found it !  The information !  $300. was returned to Janet.

giving thanks !!

I live an exciting life

Anthem Arizona Awaits

 

Our main purpose ( we thought ) was to gather with friends for Bible study and fellowship

Little did we know that a baptism would take place...truly a highlight

We gathered to watch, pray and sing 

It is always a good idea to document the gathering with a shoe picture

Another highlight
Meeting this couple that we had only seen on Zoom  
Hope to get to know them even better 

The girl with the smile is the hairstylist
She is good, very good 


And how did we work in a lavender foot massage!





 

 
Then there was this game

hard to explain and

I don't want to talk about it

They look harmless...but.....





will try one more time

I could start over, but, not going there

something goofy is going on and I can't seem to put the pictures where I want them.

So

I quit.



I live an exciting life 

there are gardens

 

and there are Gardens

The botanical gardens in Phoenix, are desert but, add the art of Dale Chihuly, from Tacoma and you have a picture of color ! 

Cute polka dots, but they are sharp 

I call this
Bee U Te ful 

little leaves growing right out of the trunk 

Yes, this is desert  
Thankful for blue skies 

 and then

The little hole is from the woodpecker 
I forget with the little growth on the side is about
Holly, will remember, she was great to have along 

The reflection of the cactus is on the water
This is a fountain, of sorts 

this is the only colorful cactus in the park
but, maybe at another time of year there is more color 

This proves we were there, together  

These guys had fun...but John's  wife is much cuter 

She provided extra entertainment by reading some of the signs and pointing out notes of interest
Well done Holly ! 

One more favorite...

Ok.  they were not with us at the gardens
but we had a great time later for lunch

Hi Larry and Louise   

I live an exciting life