tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16526762619889862822024-03-18T23:03:11.198-04:00Suzi's Ice Box Art!a handy place to hang my creative stuff.Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-11294524764602447082016-04-30T13:16:00.002-04:002016-04-30T13:16:43.689-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter Z<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Zip-<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A-</span>Dee-D<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oo</span>-Dah</u>- <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">What seemed to be such a nightmare last fall has turned into much more of a pleasure in 2016. We have time to plan, to make our reservations for the things we really want to see and do like the Grand Floridian Tea and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and actually go to them on the day and time of our choosing. There are a few more venues open this year that we may want to do and all around more freedom for us to organize ourselves.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Table setting for afternoon tea in Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa" class="finderDetailsExperienceImage pepde-span-34" data-alt-src="" height="180" role="img" src="https://secure.parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/resize/mwImage/1/630/354/90/wdpromedia.disney.go.com/media/wdpro-assets/things-to-do/dining/resort-dining/grand-floridian-resort-and-spa/garden-view-tea-room/garden-view-tea-room-00.jpg?24072013124753" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Floridian Tea Room.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Both of us are eating healthier and exercising more. I am determined to strengthen my legs so I don't have to consider a walker.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><img alt="Mickey dressed in seasonal holiday clothing dancing in formation between two life-size nutcrackers" src="https://secure.parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/resize/mwImage/1/170/96/90/wdpromedia.disney.go.com/media/wdpro-assets/parks-and-tickets/special-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-01.jpg?15082013113038" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The best part of the whole "adventure" was I was there for her when she needed me the most. I was able to hold her hand and tell her we would get through this when she was the most scared.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When we get to Disney this year, the trip will mean a lot more to us because of what we went through last year and it will <u>be</u> a trip of a lifetime for us.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thank you to all who visited my blog during the 2016 challenge<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, especially Jo-Jo who hung out for the whole story.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Hope to see you in next year's challenge.</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-77313064193979836102016-04-29T17:14:00.002-04:002016-04-29T17:14:33.560-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter Y<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">: <span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am happy to say that Alison is recovered. I stayed for about a week after she came home from the hospital. I watched her sleep on the couch a lot and gave her her meds. Then her grown kids started coming home for the Holidays so I took my two big red suitcases (</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">the Disney one I never even opened) and went on home</span></span></span></span></span>. She struggled through the holidays with a houseful of family but she left most things to her grown children to do and slept.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In January, when she saw her regular doctor for a followup, he told her that she was very lucky that it turned out to be a viral infection, which is less serious than the bacterial type. The virus takes several months to clear out and although the medicines she took in the beginning were helpful, he said the best thing for her to do was let her body heal itself by resting and sleeping any time she felt tired. He said our bodies have these viruses all the time and when our immune systems get weakened they attack. He said she probably got this from having the bad cold she caught from her grandson.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It took several months for the headache to disappear, for her ears to clear and for the overwhelming tiredness to pass. I was there in March for a visit and she was probably 85% back up to speed.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">But what about Mickey Mouse you, my faithful reader, ask? And our beautifully planned trip? Stay tuned for tomorrow's final episode and find out.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-5689144970193646462016-04-28T13:02:00.002-04:002016-04-28T13:02:47.318-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter X<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">X</span>traneous</span> Circumstances and Xtra <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Vacation- Thank heaven for trip insurance. We managed to reschedule the Disney trip for December 2016 with <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the help of the travel ag<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ent</span>. As sick as she was, Alison managed to cancel all the reservations for the activities we had planned.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> A nice young man on the phone <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">who wasn't even in the right department</span> at Disney looked up her number and worked with her as soon as she said she was in the hospital with <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">meningitis. That was such a blessing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As far as the airline trip was concerned, we had to postpone the reservation but they only let <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">us</span> postpone to the day we ordered the flight. So, we get to travel somewhere by plane until the middle of October on those tickets and we have to get new tickets for Disney for the end of the ye<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ar. That will ultimately give us an extra vacation together (not switchable)</span>. We haven't decided wh<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ere we will go.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And how is she feeling... </span></span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-85368509891953959042016-04-27T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-27T07:00:10.774-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter W<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>What</u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>, Where, When, Why and sometimes Who</u>- Questions, questions and never any answers. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alison was admitted very late that Tuesday<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> night, with the help of her husband (the admitting people said they had no info from her doctor). I stayed back at her house to unpack my s<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">tay</span> at her house suitcase because I realized I was going to be there for a while. I would be driving back and forth to keep her company<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and translate the hospital<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ese for her (I am a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">former <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">RN and have <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">personally</span> been in hospitals more times <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for operations and procedures than you can shake a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">thermometer</span> at<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alison ended up staying there until Saturday. They kept her in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Quarantine, with everyone entering her room gowned, masked and gloved,</span> until late <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thurs</span></span>day when the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Infectious</span> Control doctor came in to announce that "It is Viral", and took out her iv with the meds in case she was bacterial and got rid of the masks. He acted as if he had <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sav</span>ed her single-handedly. He came back several times during the next days to confirm as other test results came back that "it's Viral." That has become a catch phrase for us.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">everyone was wonderful during her stay, no one explained about <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">what the illness really was. I had my daughter and husband google information about it for us because I was vague on the details. It is an infection in the covering of the brain- the meninges. The infection causes <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">swelling and puts pressure on the brain and the nerves serving the brain. That is where the intense headache and confusi<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on </span>was originating. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It also affected her ears and eyes, th<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">us the loss of hearing and sensitivity to bright lights.</span> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She was given meds to reduce the swelling and some pain meds to dull the headache and some to help her sleep and some other stuff- well you get the picture. She found no matter how hard you try to sleep in the hospital there is always someone there in a mask to scare the heck out of you by waking you to see if you need anything or give you a pill.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I found despite being a less than eager driver, I could make the trip <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to and from (in the dark- oh my) the hospital with ease. I spent <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hours</span> keeping up with family and friends who were stunned to hear Alison had <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Meningitis,</span> "where would she have gotten that?" I remembered to ask all the questions that Alison and I had thought of<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> and translate the garbled answers back to her. We did find out near the end of her stay that this hospital almost never saw ca<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ses of Meningitis so Alison was a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rarity</span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">B</span></span>est of all, I had found a </span>Tim Horton's Coffee Shop (like Starbucks<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> but way better) at the en<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t</span>rance of the hospital so I had <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">coffe<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e and food at hand for both of us.</span></span> </span>Now if there had been a Cold Stone Creamery, I would have considered moving in.</span> </span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-21311600725609272772016-04-26T15:36:00.001-04:002016-04-26T15:36:46.322-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letters U and V<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Due to unforeseen technical difficulties, U is combined with V today; the unforeseen technicalities being a gremlin who took my completed and published U article off into the ether yesterday never to be seen again.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Unbelievable</u>- Continuing our story... bright and early </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tuesday</span> morning</span></span></span> , I drive Alison back to the medical complex that is close to her home. We have managed to get an appointment with a neurologist who will see us right <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">away. She listens to Alis<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">o</span>n's longer and longer story- when she thinks she got the cold, the meds she's taken, the he<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">adache<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> which is now the worst she has ever had, the ER doctor (no help there) the confusion (I am really stressing the confusion). The doctor walks across the room<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, feels Alison's neck, asks her to move her neck and says "I am sending you to the hospital, I want you to have a lumbar puncture<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">; i</span>t will give us a definitive answer. I think you have <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Meningitis</span>."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We mention<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that we are supposed to leave for Disney with the vague hope we can still go and the doctor <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">immediately</span> squashes that hope<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"You are a very sick woman, with a very compromised immune system right now- you can't be thinking you are going to get <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on a plane and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">possibly be infected by <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">other passengers or have them infect you. And Disney- that has be be the most germ filled place in the world. You<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'ll get there and be so sick you'll be in be<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d, and what- your sister will have to show herself around? You are in no shape to go anywhere.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Viral or Bacterial</u>- To make the story move along for you, my faithful reader, I will skip the fact that Alison has been lucky in her life and has had little contact with the ugly side of medical care and hospital<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s. I will over<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">look that she is very scared to have anyone mess with her spine. I won't talk about <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">her resources that are very low and she needs to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rest and she is so easily brought to tears now.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We drive 30 minutes out of our way (there are other hospitals closer to home but this is the one the doctor is associated with), have the test done (which is very painful for her) and meet in the lobby with Tony, her husband. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Realizing how sick she is, he has called the travel agent to find out what we can do about the trip. </span>We can postpone into 2016.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alison is sobbing, she is so afraid and Disney gave her something to hold on to. Ultimately, we decide to postpone the trip of a lifetime and concentrate on getting her better (<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">one</span> of us could see this coming when <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">she</span> stepped off the train Sunday night, to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">another</span> of us it <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i</span>s a big surprise. She just doesn't realize how sick she is).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Around 4 o'clock, I drive her home on <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a</span> major highway and two things happen simultaneously 5 minutes from home, we run out of gas ( a story for another day) and we get a call from the neurologist. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She says she is surprised the hospital <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">released Alison. She says since we are so close to home we should go there, get Alison <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">some di<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nner <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and then Alison should pack a bag and go back up to the hospital<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> because she is being ad<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mitted.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"You have Meningitis... now we have to determine whether it is <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Viral- serious but treatable or <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bacterial- <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">contagious</span> and possible deadly and harder to treat."</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-6885351804113056142016-04-24T12:41:00.004-04:002016-04-24T12:41:34.390-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter T<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>To the ER and Beyond</u>: The next two days are mostly a blurry nightmare to us both. I am<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>driving her car (because she can't) and Alison is <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">navigating</span> with some confusion while she talks a million miles an hour. "Why is this happening, what should I do, why hasn't the medicine helped, why won't the pain stop, Turn right at this corner, now I can't hear<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- my ears are clogged, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the sun hurts my eyes- OH, NO, I meant t<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">urn left at the corner."</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Dr. Office Monday mid A.M.</u>- Alison's doctor hears her symptoms and that Alison has gotten worse with the medicine <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">prescribed</span> and that she now has "the worst headache <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of</span> her life<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">" (with me trying to get her to realize that Alison is a sharp cookie and right now she is having trouble remembering her name). Alison mentions that she looked on line and her symptoms are similar to <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">meningitis<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span>The doctor looks worried, stays far away from Alison, leaves to consult with some <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">else, then </span></span>says she is </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sending us to the ER for tests and </span></span>has called ahead so they know Alison's information. (You know we are leaving for Disney on Wednesday morning.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>ER around noon</u>- Everyone here asks the same questions that the original doctor did (<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t</span>his place is just down the hall). They have none of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alison's</span> information. Alison explains how this all started 2 weeks or so with a cold that she might have caught from her grandson.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">do </span>a cat scan of her head, they draw blood, they give her some meds, they give her some fluids and we wait and wait<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span> Every once in a while, the ER doctor, english is a second language, comes in <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">to assure us that<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> her tests are being evaluated. He also repeatedly says she does not have <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">meningitis</span>, <b>he himself</b> has seen me<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">i</span>ngitis and Alison wouldn't be able to move her head, her neck would be very stiff. When we remind him again that we are leaving for Disney he <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">thinks</span> that Alison should see a neurologist before we go. </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He prescribes some new meds and sends us home around dinnertime.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Home Monday night</u>: Everything takes longer because Alison can hardly move. We <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">have to call and cancel our babysitting duties for tomorrow. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She takes a dose of her new medicine and gets sick to her tummy. She takes a different new med and now I can hardly get her off the couch. My concern from Sunday night has turned into real worry now. This is my baby sister whom I love like my own childre<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We go to bed with Disney on a far horizon.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To be continued<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">....</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-25867852259024945672016-04-22T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-22T07:00:00.910-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter S<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So Sick:</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Alison, who sounded awful on the phone despite several days of antibiotics, is scheduled to pick me up that Sunday night at the station. The train is late, she is late. I stand outside in the almost dark parking lot, knowing I am safe because I have my handy, dandy umbrella in my hand. We often joked that I could valiantly fight off any assailant with my umbrella- stemming back to a time when as a young mother I had protected my kids from an attacking dog by knocking him around with a loaf of bread until he ran off (I was fierce).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The little Sebring convertible I've been watching for drives up and parks. I hardly recognize her when Alison somewhat stumbles out of the car. She is pale and weak looking and mumbling about a trolly car that she almost really hit.She drives home but I realize later she was in no condition to be behind the wheel.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Long story short, her head and neck ache, she is running a fever and she is still planning to go to Disney but she has no idea what the next step is. Over dinner, (with some help from Tony, her husband) I convince her that before we do anything else, we go to the Doctor tomorrow, Monday. Obviously, the medicine is not working. We'll get some new medicine and she'll feel much better. I'll help pack and we will be all set. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">She is confused in speech and it doesn't appear she has been able to do much the last few days.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am really worried about her.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span> </span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-60342696557843777882016-04-21T12:50:00.001-04:002016-04-21T13:22:24.526-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter R<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Riding the Rails, Taking the Train: <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Long, long time ago, my husband would drive the almost 400 miles to get to Alison's house. He loved to drive and it was no big deal for him. However, because of work schedules, we seldom visited.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Then, the last few years of my career, I had more time off and I made the drive myself. I would push myself to get there arriving stiff and sore. On the way home, I'd be exhausted from the non-stop schedule Alison and I had kept up for a week. Once, I had a bad cold and missed my exit and ended up lost in Syracuse for several hours. I was always afraid of detours, flat tires, and falling asleep.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enter the Amtrak train. Gary drives me East for an hour to Poughkeepsie, I board the train and I leave the driving to the engineer. The price is comparable to driving and there is no wear and tear on the car. The conductors are friendly and extremely helpful with luggage. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I sit on the left side of the car so I can see the rivers, first the Hudson until Albany and then the Mohawk and even the Erie Canal for awhile. The train weaves through towns called Rhinecliff, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Rome, Rochester and finally Buffalo on its way to Niagara Falls. Most of the time the scenery is wonderful. Lots of times I am looking at the backside of the towns and neighborhoods I pass, with all the garbage, trashed cars and discarded furniture that brings. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am allowed two suitcases weighing 50 lbs. or less and a carry-on that will fit in the overhead. I am always right at the limit. I am always looking for more efficient ways to pack and while researching what to bring to Disney on Pinterest, I have found some great ideas to try out. Hopefully I've learned to leave the kitchen sink at home.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Amtrak trip around the country! the perfect way to elope!: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/db/b8/a8/dbb8a8cccd469f6e85d96588cf22e070.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the ever changing views of the rivers.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some trips, the train is full to capacity with little kids roaming the aisles, babies crying, people talking loudly on their cell phones. Other trips, the 1/2 filled coach allows the college students and myself to stretch out in two seats, napping and reading. I bring my lunch, water and a few snacks. There is a snack car located on the train with essentials where I occasionally get hot tea at $2.00</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> a cup</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Amtrak Northeast Corridor: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/38/2a/4b/382a4be6b4a447fed60572a643a56d11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train allows me to travel to Buffalo and back all year long.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There
are two restrooms to a car but I wouldn't call them restful. Balancing
as the train changes tracks can sometimes be an exciting and dampening
experience.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I color, read, play scrabble, talk to sisters and children on the phone. The train provides wi-fi and you can also charge your devices. I nap a lot. There is no stress on the train and I find that rhythmic moving very conducive to sleep. Before I know it, I've arrived at my destination and someone is meeting me...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">7 more days of Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016. <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please stay with me to find out what is the cause of our <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">postponement</span> and what we do about it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Photo credit Pinterest: Amtrak trains) </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-61072604666803825892016-04-20T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-20T00:48:08.538-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter Q<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All's QUIET on the Western New York Front: <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's Saturday and I am not hearing the usual chatter from Alison. When I am going for just a few days, we are always talking and texting together right up til the last minute. We should be burning up the wi-fi between here and Buffalo.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I call. She sounds all stuffed up. She's had this earache and the headache for over a week. She went to the doctor and got stuff to help her feel better. Doctor thinks it's a sinus infection. Alison is sure she will be better before Wednesday. She is so happy I am coming up early so I can help her pack and do last minute things at her house. She is just so tired.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I leave tomorrow on the train. </span></span> </span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-7370599184897423232016-04-20T00:27:00.001-04:002016-04-20T00:29:47.079-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter P<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Packing<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> to go North and South:<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I've never been a light packer<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">;</span> why take one blouse when I might need two. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In December, maybe it will snow, may<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">be it will rain. If <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I</span> take the gray sweater, and I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">drip</span> ice cream on it, then should I take a black sweater in case I needed the gray to wear with the <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">black capris. Or maybe throw in a blue in case....</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Instead of buying packing cubes I used those zippered plastic bags that comforters, sheet sets and curtains come in. I was able to pack a weeks worth of clothes for my son, my daughter and myself. The bags that curtains came in were perfect for all of the toiletries for everyone. Instead of spending $30 on a set of 3 packing cubes I'm buying myself a pair of summer sandals.: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/24/d7/d1/24d7d176a5306dcdef18391c2c173d07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="239" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">cannot tell you tonight what I will wear tomorrow. I can plan ahead, but until I wake up and see what my mood is, I <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">don't make a final decision. I may have picked a yellow shirt but now this morning it is blue or nothing at all<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Some people pack each day's outfit in a plastic bag to save room and time. I look at those neat bags for 6 or 7 days in a suitcase and I am envious.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have tried picking 2 or 3 colors <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">with hopes that it will limit my choices. Let's say black, white <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and</span> red. By the second day I am upset and uncomfortable because there are no other choices in the suitcase. Does not bode well for the day. Yes, I have a problem.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="25 Tips for Perfect Packing: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/06/dc/11/06dc119a5fe753d432cb9be74cf87900.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="273" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinterest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So two suitcases, two different temperature zones. In one, I put long pants, turtle necks, medium sweaters, boots, hat, scarf, gloves and coat in early winter and Christmas colors. In the other, I put capris, short sleeve, mid sleeve, no sleeve tops, light weight sweaters, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">light weight jacket, sneakers, sandals and scarves</span>, a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">big sun hat.</span> These are all in warm weather colors<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. I pack jewelry with a <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Christmas theme</span> for both places. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I do this <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a few days ahead of when I'm leaving, and then <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">second guess myself by taking things out to lessen the load and then putting things back because I'm afraid<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. Maybe another pair of pants or a pair of shorts. Maybe I should take the bathing suit and cover up.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I text Alison, I call Alison. She says she's gotten some of the small essentials we can share. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She says she hasn't started to think about what she will pack. Granted, she has 3 days longer than I do because I have to travel to her ho<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">use and we don't leave until Wednesday at 6:25 am.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She's a little more vague than the last time we talked. She says she thinks she caught a cold from her grandson. She has a bit of a headache. She's going to take a nap. I think I'll go have a drink!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-80434538175589315572016-04-18T12:28:00.000-04:002016-04-18T12:28:17.791-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter O<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Orlando<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">: <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was wondering how big Disney World actually is. I did a little exploring and found out the amusement park is about 30,000 acres, give or take a few. That's about twice the size of Manhattan, or the actual size of San Francisco. Luckily for me, the parks only take up about a 1/4 of the property.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The land was originally swamps, pasture, forest and orange groves. Some of the property was set aside as a Nature Preserve. Much of the land is still undeveloped. There is lots of space between everything. Just getting from your room to the entrance <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">of</span> the resort to catch th<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">e bus </span>can be many footsteps.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, that brings me to actually <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ME</span> getting around. I am overweight, I haven't done any long distance walking since my husband started to have very bad pain in his back, hips and feet, and I don't have good muscle tone. I huff and puff going up a flight of stairs. How was I going to do the miles required? And although my sister is in better shape, she hasn't been walking at regular intervals, either.</span></span></span></span></span><img alt="Pride Portable Electric GoGo Scooter Rental Orlando: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e1/2b/16/e12b164decde5fb6d131ad902155918e.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe I should rent a walker or a electric scooter. We could share the use so neither one of us would be worn out. I looked up scooters and the price is about $50.00 a day for a scooter and it must stay in the park that you originally rented it from. Then I began to think about how I would <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">maneuver</span> it in the crowds and have to worry about leaving it outside when we went in to attractions. EEEEEK.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> If there was just some more time to get myself in shape.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-19450573054454825392016-04-16T15:29:00.002-04:002016-04-16T15:29:25.373-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter N<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nature VS Fantasy: <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">the two parks </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am really excited about visiting are Animal Kingdom and Epcot.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love to tour zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums. Sounds like Animal Kingdom will be a fantastic combination of all three. What a thrill to be up close to all the wonderful animals (over 1,000) that reside there. According to the guide books, the enclosures are built to bring the animals up close to the tourists but still maintain a peaceful setting for the inhabitants. If I get to see giraffes in Africa and tigers in Asia, I'll be set. Maybe some lions, too.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="If you have 1 day in Epcot at Walt Disney World, here's our plan for doing rides, eating, and enjoying the park. This strategy guide contains tips, and daily itinerary!: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/96/11/21/961121670108f6b1585ea3df74a373f4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="209" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Epcot would be special, too. It is compared to the 1964 New York World's Fair. I visited the Fair several times as a teenager and it was a memorable experience. Probably the best memory was the idea that some day you would be able to see the other person when you would talk on the phone. What a fantasy. I remember thinking that you would always have to look your best when you answered your phone otherwise someone would see you in your pajamas and curlers. Now a days, my sister and I FaceTalk all the time and who cares how we look, we are just happy to see each other.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Epcot, has two sections, one called Future World, where science, technology and industry meet to educate and amaze. Sounds like an all day tour.The other section is World Showcase, with a collection of pavilions highlighting 14 countries. I remember this was great at the World's Fair. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">What I am most interested in is how the Disney creators have mixed all the Fantasy in with the Real, how they mesh and enhance each other. I wish we had more than a day each to do these Parks. </span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-82463474105842088472016-04-15T10:07:00.000-04:002016-04-15T10:07:02.044-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter M<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Midway through the Challenge: <span style="font-size: small;">I thought I'd meander a moment<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, release some mid-morning stress and mention<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> that<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span> this monologue does have a monumental 3rd quarter and a momentous end. To be continued tomorrow when <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my muse</span> will be over the mump or rather the hump.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">moseying</span> on over and tha<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nks for all the mindful <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">comments</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-66162390234133200202016-04-14T13:31:00.000-04:002016-04-14T13:31:05.297-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter L<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast: <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so ready.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had chosen the middle meal plan called The Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining. What a mouthful! This gives you a lunch, a dinner and a snack. We figured we'd eat light for breakfast, yogurt or fruit, when we grabbed a cup of coffee and that would be less expensive than the next plan up.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="#Disney Ice Cream Gallery - Pictures!!!!! #DisneyFood" class="pinImg fullBleed loaded fade" height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/c8/d7/77/c8d7776d7cb08d3386989ea23ce61167.jpg" style="height: 475px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 300px;" width="126" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch can be a variety of things but this turkey leg is definitely something I want to try. My husband and I used to cook these all the time and do so much with them. There are plenty of spots for hamburgers, and quick lunch favorites within the plan.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/da/ce/50/dace50d1b947aae5fd549981cbd784a3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Disney snack credit use: Turkey leg! You can find these in all the parks at Disney World, and in Disneyland. They are huge, filling, and my husband loves them. I've noticed a lot of people grab them right before they go sit in front of the castle to watch the evening fireworks." border="0" class="pinImg fullBleed loaded" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/da/ce/50/dace50d1b947aae5fd549981cbd784a3.jpg" style="height: 500px; width: 310px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Might need two of these to replace my legs from all the walking.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The dinner part of this deal features a wide variety of dining options.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Signature Dining Restaurants- excellent food served with style and elegance.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Casual Table Service Restaurants- sure to please food plus special creations.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disney Character Dining- up close and personal dining with Disney friends.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dinner Shows- Song and Dance Reviews with family style dinners.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /><img alt="Gonna have breakfast with the Mouse on our last morning in the parks." class="pinImg fullBleed loaded" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/8f/81/74/8f817425f3e09554c31718de631e3200.jpg" style="height: 611.797px; width: 564px;" width="294" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="High Tea at The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa ~ Walt Disney World Resort l Lake Buena Vista, Florida: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/28/c0/bf/28c0bf36a97ef5606523400bc0ca1695.jpg" />You even can have high tea at the Grand Floridian although because we were so last minute in making our plans, this was one of the treats that was not available to us.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of the above photos are posted in Pinterest under Disney World Food Pictures. </span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-46255045822435796302016-04-13T16:59:00.001-04:002016-04-13T16:59:46.001-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter K<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Keeping the story going:<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> It was now the week before Thanksgiving and I was looking at my clothes, trying to make outfits in my mind. I had to pack two suitcases, one for the time before and after the trip when I would stay at Alison's house for about a week and one suitcase for the trip.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Everything I read about what to wear at the Parks talked about layering in December. We had already been shopping for some lightweight 3/4 length sleeve tops that we could layer under a light sweater or jacket and some nice scarves to liven up the outfits. We planned to wear capris and take several pairs of sneakers.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am obsessive about coordinating my clothes. I started making lists. If we were going to be there for 6 days, should that be 4 or 5 capris? What colors would I go with. Navy, black and gray with colored tops or white tops and different color sweaters. What about jewelry- you'd think I had never packed for a trip before. And what to do if it was colder than we planned or hotter. I had too many clothes in too little suitcases. I was a wreak and driving my husband crazy.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Meanwhile, when I would talk to Alison, she seemed distracted and vague and told me she couldn't think about what she was gonna wear until after Thanksgiving.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-13893695708851595242016-04-12T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-12T07:00:08.015-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter J<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Jump for Joy</b>:<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No one would say I am in good shape. I am overweight, have bad knees, bad feet, and sleep a lot. I was very worried about how I was going to be able to keep up with my sister. I mean if I was traveling with my husband,there wouldn't be a problem. He uses a cane and walks slower than I do and we take a lot of breaks.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, it was November, I had no time to start an exercise program or change my food consumption in time to make a difference for the 9th of December. Although I was very excited to go on the trip, ecstatic in fact, I was very depressed about walking for hours and spending long hours in the Parks. How was I ever gonna do it???? </span></span></span><br />
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-54893927932729489352016-04-11T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-11T07:00:10.069-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter I<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disn</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">ey W</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">orld Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Internet, Websites and Pinterest:<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When you want the latest and most up to date information available, who you gonna call- Disney? Naw, go on line.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I never realized what a huge experience going to a Disney Park is for people. I must be in my craft room too much. Bunches of people go every year. Many go several times a year (where do they get the money?) And lots of people who go regularly write blogs or administer websites or post pictures on Pinterest to <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">aid novices like me</span>, its amazing!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Fun Disney Facts and Tips | Top 10 Restrooms at Disney World | There's no limit to the Imagineers' creativity!: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="213" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/23/94/31/239431369e1e7131e45eb8f1083b8bb7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Ten Toilets At Disney (Pinterest)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="What to put in your Disney World park touring bag - different categories of items to pack + what to do with your bag while you're on rides: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/a4/70/09/a47009accaa0842f3a8bc2d32a37d28d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="174" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are statistical charts about the temperature history for any given month. People tract the attendance flow from year to year. There are reviews of the best, most costly, the most family friendly restaurants and times of day you can get seated the quickest. Some sites </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">help you pack your suitcases, some </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">give lists of what to carry in the bag you will take into the Parks each day.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> How about times when a certain Park opens early or closes late. There are even places to find what attractions are closed for refurbishing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="10 Best Uses of the Disney Dining Plan: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="263" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/df/99/d1/df99d1330938d46c2bfbfcc528df981c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinterest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Price Finder- Animal Kingdom Lodge.</td></tr>
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You don't have to be a whizz at computer research to find any of this information. Type in "Disney Vacation", "Christmas at Disney", "what should I bring to the Resort" and more than you can ever read will pop up for your perusal. This is marketing at its finest.</div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-8864629540542442062016-04-10T16:50:00.002-04:002016-04-10T16:50:17.314-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter H<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Holiday Hype<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">: <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Alison and I booked the 9th through the 14th of December for our trip. Disney World would be decorated for the Christmas Holiday, the weather would be cool but not cold by Orlando standards and that week has a history of low crowds. Seemed like a win-win situation all around.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">We both go all out in our home decorating so we were looking forward to seeing how Disney handles the bigs and littles of outfitting for the winter holidays. We had managed to get tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party which is an all evening affair. Fantabulous.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">All photos below were found on Pinterest under Disney World Christmas Decorations. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><img alt="Information for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort. This event is held in November and December each year at Magic Kingdom.: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/f4/ae/b8/f4aeb81a4e13dd044f4a8e1fb278b738.jpg" width="212" /><img alt="Christmas and the holidays at Disney World are special. This Ultimate Guide to Disney Christmas 2012 has tips for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Candlelight Processional, Osborne Lights, and everything else Walt Disney World has to offer at Christmas!: " class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/5e/10/e7/5e10e79fe4b10b48c3442e6f47387a6c.jpg" /><img alt="" height="212" src="http://tombricker.smugmug.com/Disney/Disney-Resorts-1/i-xpGqJ2k/0/M/Wilderness%20Lodge%20Trees-M.jpg" title="" width="320" /></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-28043508822967462812016-04-08T13:12:00.002-04:002016-04-08T13:12:37.858-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter G<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">G<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">oofy Characters<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">: <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have a great dislike of clowns. Don't know when this happened (don't like parades either with the same sort of feeling), but I figure somewhere back in the dark mists of childhood something must have happened. So I am choosy about the cartoon characters I admire. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I was a</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Children's Librarian, I used to hire a performer who would don costumes and entertain the kids. Winnie the Pooh was my favorite, I was comfortable with that persona although it was the same person under any of the big heads and paws.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I noticed I was
planning on spending 6 days in a place populated with big heads worn by
cast </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>members (employees) who would be acting with clown like motions. So I made a mental list of those to avoid if at all possible. Goofy came up at the top of the list. In fact, after reviewing the books and websites to look at as many Face Characters (those who don't wear head covering costumes) and head covered characters who populate the streets of Disney World, the only one who seemed to cause that uneasy sensation to rise along my spine was poor Goofy. Poor half man/half dog/half witted clown like guy.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After some thought, I have decided to track down Goofy while I am at the Park and give him a hug and have my picture taken with him. He won't know, but I will feel better.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="irc_mi" height="393" src="http://www.magicalears.com/clipart/Classic%20Characters/Goofy/goofy-09.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" width="276" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www. magicalears.com</td></tr>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-43164261523278339062016-04-07T08:49:00.003-04:002016-04-07T08:51:59.267-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter F<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fast Pass +: <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think you begin to get the idea that Disney and all its Magic was beyond my imagination. Alison explained about the great airport to airport service that staying on Disney property affords you. A shuttle bus meets you at the airport, takes you straight to the resort you will stay at (we had booked the Port Orleans Resort- Riverside) and then at the end of our stay we meet the shuttle and it takes us back to the plane.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking through the brochures and books, I found that Disney Parks personnel don't want the thousands of visitors a day to wait on long lines; if visitors are willing to book themselves for certain times to tour an attraction, climb on a ride, watch a show, then </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">those times are reserved for you through Fast Pass +and there is a much shorter wait. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/82/61/d4/8261d49daad3dea6e085ec65ba494e5a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Walt Disney World has been testing out their MyMagic+ system for a while now, but many families still haven't had the opportunity to experience the new FastPass+ system. It's so different from the ...: " border="0" class="pinImage rounded" data-load-state="pending" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/82/61/d4/8261d49daad3dea6e085ec65ba494e5a.jpg" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Located on Pinterest from Family Travel Magazine.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, while sitting in the relative comfort of Alison's kitchen, with cups of Tim Horton's delicious coffee at our elbows, we planned the fun part of the trip. I deferred to her expertise and we set up each day of our visit with what Alison recommended and what was still available now that it was the middle of November. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A typical day looked like this-</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We would be in the Animal Kingdom theme park.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">9:30am-Lion King</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">10:30- Finding Nemo</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">12:40-Kilamanjaro Safari</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2:45- Flights of Wonder</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3:30- It's Tough to be a Bug</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4:15- Dinner at Yak and Yeti</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Evening spent at Disney Springs- the other side of the world from this park.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In between we would be seeing the other attractions in Animal Kingdom and eating breakfast and lunch. Oh, and watching the wild animals (definitely my choice).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-31242525393615256852016-04-06T23:15:00.000-04:002016-04-06T23:15:08.724-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter E<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Excursion</span>:</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We went to Journeys Unlimited on Oct. 21, 2015 to make our reservations. The travel agent was very helpful and listened to our ideas. Alison wanted 6 days, flying out from Buffalo on a Wednesday morning and coming home on the following Monday night. We needed to babysit for Nicholas on Tuesdays so our time was fixed. Alison was worried about how much we could jam in on our first and last day!??!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We had decided on moderate priced accommodations, after all, how long would we actually be in the room each day. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Alison and the agent, Debbie, began to talk about how w</span></span></span></span>e would be up at the crack of Dawn and getting to the parks early to beat the crowds and then staying in the parks each evening to see the shows and all the fireworks (we would??). They talked about Fast Passes+ for scheduling all the attractions and Magic bands and Food Plans, and creating a chart to keep track of all the times.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It began to dawn on me that I wasn't going on a leisurely vacation to see a few beloved characters and read a book by the pool. No, my sister was taking (dragging) me on a life-changing excursion to jungles and fairy castles and future worlds, Oh my...</span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-14987198345972126882016-04-05T12:31:00.000-04:002016-04-05T22:52:37.172-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter D<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decorations<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">: </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She has been to Disney in late winter and in the heat of summer; what Alison has been dreaming of is Disney dressed up for the Christmas Holidays.</span></span> And since it was already October before we started seriously planning our trip, we knew we'd be blocked out of some of the attractions Alison wanted to share with me.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-55072597649867636912016-04-04T13:12:00.000-04:002016-04-04T13:12:30.554-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter C<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Celebrate the Magic: <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let
me tell you a little about us sisters. We are both in our sixties (I'm heading
out of them this year) and although we have always been close, in the
past several years I've been visiting her every few months. She lives
up by Buffalo, I live just above Manhattan. It's an hour or so by plane
but 6 1/2 to 7 hours by car or train (my recent form of travel, but that's another story). When I retired, I would go help
out in her first grade class several times a year. Now that Alison is retired, we spend a
week or so each season doing craft projects, going to classes, shopping, talking incessantly, solving
world problems and babysitting for her one year old grandson, Nicholas.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mty9Vj7ti07cwHgllMdGiDSE5Hlq7smSNfrYwwTQJ_PRQyXtfp96IsF2N12BwIKMoff_YWbRbSUkQFP6XL-A7bI2QO4FsomiYDQ8X3byH9i39zhfhgdgaX-2atoTo_pHM3WVOU7RXnA/s1600/IMG_9089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mty9Vj7ti07cwHgllMdGiDSE5Hlq7smSNfrYwwTQJ_PRQyXtfp96IsF2N12BwIKMoff_YWbRbSUkQFP6XL-A7bI2QO4FsomiYDQ8X3byH9i39zhfhgdgaX-2atoTo_pHM3WVOU7RXnA/s320/IMG_9089.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coloring Book, Copyright 1964, Walt Disney Productions</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Going to Disney had always been </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">on the back burner for me.<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I am much more of a beach person when I vacation- Mystic, CT; Newport, RI; the coast of Maine. I've also taken three cruises- Bermuda twice<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and up the coast <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">and into the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City. <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Travel</span>ing to the heat of Florida with <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">my husband</span> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">to walk around acres of an amusement park wasn't high on the list.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">H<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">owever, exchange my husband for my sister and add in Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan and <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cinderella with colors, music and fireworks and that's when you <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">create</span> the Magic. Alison and I are very much the product of our childhood. We both were young when television first came into households. We watched The Mickey Mouse Club originals after school and the Sunday night Disney program faithfully. We saw the original runs of the fairy tale films in the movies. We colored in Winnie the Pooh coloring books and had fashion paper dolls of Snow White.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, a <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">six day trip to Disney with Alison was certainly something to celebrate...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-18299390499635554002016-04-02T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-02T14:25:07.963-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter B<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Barnes and Noble:<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, as soon as we heard we were planning a trip, Alison and I stopped at her local book store to stock up on travel books. We spent several hours studying various series of books about traveling to Disney- The Official Guides, The Unofficial Guides, The First Time to Disney, The Disney with Kids, The Disney with Seniors. We didn't find a volume titled 2 Crazy Senior Overweight Sisters out for a Lark, so we had to buy several books each to cover all our bases. We did very well with the ideas and tips in the Unofficial Guide series.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I'll be dropping some hints <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">along the way...</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hint:<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Always get trip insurance. So worth the money because you <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">never know what's coming up in your future.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Alison</span></span>,
my sister, retired from teaching last June.She had devoted herself to
her students, giving them her all for many years. When she left
teaching, she was really worn out and her husband, Tony, wanted to do
something special for her. Since I had retired two years before, her
husband thought it would be a great idea to send us both to Disney
World. Alison has been there several times and it is her happy place.
This would be my maiden voyage. We began to plan...Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652676261988986282.post-18796283853156270352016-04-01T07:00:00.000-04:002016-04-01T07:00:01.645-04:00Blogging from A to Z April Challenge 2016 - Letter A<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Disney World Vacation:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> Planning, Prepping, Packing and Postponing a trip of a lifetime and things I learned along the way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Alison</span></span>, my sister, retired from teaching last June.She had devoted herself to her students, giving them her all for many years. When she left teaching, she was really worn out and her husband, Tony, wanted to do something special for her. Since I had retired two years before, her husband thought it would be a great idea to send us both to Disney World. Alison has been there several times and it is her happy place. This would be my maiden voyage. We began to plan...<br />
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<br />Suzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04417448178851493743noreply@blogger.com6