Dackel Princess

Busy Day, Happy Day!

Going to Disney is not for sissies! Nor is it a place to go if you cannot deal with crowds.

Usually, I worry about my personal safety. But Disney is amazing. They have probably the best security of any place in the world. Quite honestly, I sort of feel like a member of the Royal Family. To get into any of the parks you must go through Security, and when leaving, there are many officials making sure that all is well.

However, I have to say one thing. Some of the people visiting are pretty rude and brutal. By the end of today, while I’ve been pushing a wheelchair, I became slightly aggravated and therefore a bit more aggressive than this country girl likes to be. But getting from point A to point B is important.

Today started with temperatures in the low 60’s. We all could handle that okay, but by the end of the day the cold front had moved through and we had just 48 degrees with a stiff wind. By the time we got back to the hotel, we were all frozen to the bone.

Mary and I turned on the heat in our room, got out the extra blankets and made hot cocoa.

I turned on the TV, and the Patriots game is on.

It was a fun day and we did do a lot. Star Wars ride that was like being in a flight simulator, a Toy Story ride where everyone is shooting at targets.

And we saw the Frozen Sing-a-Long and the Indiana Jones Stunt Show. It was a lot of fun!

The kids met Lili and Stitch,

and I got to meet Mickey Mouse!

A very nice time was had by all!

Cheers!

Pictures

Our Hotel, The Polynesian Resort at Disney World.

Our Darling Quinn being a ham! He sure loves to go in the boats.

During her makeover.

Savannah after her make-over!

Savi and Rapunzel.

Tiana and Savi dancing.

Forgive me for not writing more. I am exhausted and need rest. I am hopeful that I can have time tomorrow to write a good post.

It’s Magic!

Well folks, after getting up in the middle of the night to get our shuttle to Boston’s Logan Airport, we easily made our first flight.

The kids were so excited and happy to be on their way to Disney.

Mary and I chatted up a storm, joking and laughing the entire way.

When we arrived in Orlando FL, I was shocked at how much the airport had changed!

We actually got to our hotel quickly and Mary and I checked in and our room was all ready.

Mandy and Matt’s room was not. So we dropped the bags we had in our room and went and found some lunch.

Now, this is when things got tricky.

Mandy and Matt’s room was ready, their suitcases arrived as did their grocery items.

Back at our room, our groceries arrived, but still no suitcases, which was odd because the four big bags were all checked in together.

I attempted to resolve the problem on the phone three times. After no luck, I went down to Bell Services.

A young man named Tyler heard me explain my plight, and he did something unique.

He went and found our two bags! Then he helped me up to our room.

Problem solved and we both gave Tyler big hugs!

We volunteered to babysit the kids so Mandy and Matt could have some quiet alone time.

And I did what I do best…settled Quinn in for the night and now Mary and I are all snuggled with our grandchildren! The best.

Tomorrow is Princess day and we sure will have fun. It’s supposed to be the warmest day we will have here.

Maribeth

On Our Way

This will automatically post, while I am working my way through Logan Airport, in Boston, with Mandy, Matt, Savannah, Quinn and Mary (Matt’s Mom) heading to our Disney Destination!

I have never traveled with my grandchildren, and I am looking forward to watching their faces during all of our trips.

I selected the name for the category where I will post all about our trip, as Disney Dreams. Certainly, it is a dream come true for me to share in this wonderful experience!

Jack is home with the doggies keeping the home fires burning, so to speak. He just isn’t able to handle long trips anymore. But, he told me to go, enjoy and have fun! And I surely will!

It’s Time!

Life is amazing, isn’t it? It seems like just the other day I was beginning to plan the trip with Mandy and the kids, and now, here we are. This afternoon I will be dropped off at Mandy’s house and tomorrow we will be flying to Orlando to begin our adventure at Disney World!

I’m psyched! I got my hair done, and Wednesday around noontime my dentist called and told me that my crown had arrived! My new tooth is beautiful and I am ready for any pictures there are to be taken!

I shopped on Wednesday and got dog food, people food and a few last minute things for my trip. I am ready!

The bags are packed and I am ready to go!

Now I am praying for a happy, healthy time. Husbands who stay in the pink, and homes that stay safe while I away!

I have places to go, people to see and adventures to conquer! Say a little prayer that I accomplish all I have planned!

Excitement!

The Wednesday Medley

We’re joining Terri at Your Friend From Florida

Wednesday, January 16th, is National Do Nothing Day!! National Nothing Day was proposed in 1972 by columnist Harold Pullman Coffin. This day has been observed annually since 1973. Of course, the way to celebrate it is to do nothing!

1. To commemorate Do Nothing Day in SOME way, tell us something about your life (or the life of someone close to you) in 1973!!

1973. Hmmmm. I was a teenager, sort of drifting in life. Incredibly insecure, and trying to figure out who I was and where I was going.

Me in 1973.

2. Now that we are thinking back, please tell us what your favorite past time was as a child.

As a small child, I had several. I loved acting in plays and was in our Community Theater’s productions of both “The King & I” and ‘The Sound of Music”. Here I am singing a solo at the very top of my lungs!

I loved to sing and pretend and it was wonderful. I seemed to have no fear of crowds back then.

3. What is the best way to cheer you up on a bad day?

Just put me in a car and bring me to my grandchildren. They make every day, sheer heaven for me!

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4. How old were you when you first started dating? Do you remember your first date?

I was 15. My first date was with a guy I only dated once. He picked me up in his car, we had pizza and he brought me home. I guess I was too boring for him! He never called me again.

5. Today is also National Fig Newton day. Do you like figs/Fig Newtons?

Love Fig Newtons! But I do not buy them or eat them anymore. They are so addicting!

6. Tell us something random about your week.

Well, I am nearly to the blast-off point for my trip! The bags are packed and I am ready!

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Maribeth

Vets & Victoria

I drove the twins out to the Vet on Monday, as Anneliese needed her stitches out. She did fine, and both Arnie and his sister enjoyed the ride, despite below freezing temperatures.

I felt quite calm, despite the frigid weather and actually got a lot of organizing done for my departure later this week.

I’m excited because today is my hair stylist appointment. I sure hope she is a magician and can whip my somewhat out of shape hair back into shape!

I also decided to download a new book for reading on my trip. I will spend time on airplanes, in airports, and at various other times, so I decided a new book was just the thing.

I downloaded the biography of “Queen Victoria”. I’ve watched mini-series and movies, so decided to read a historical biography to learn more. The book looks good from what I perused on my kindle.

Happiness

My daughter put up two pictures today of my darling grandchildren, Savannah and Quinn. As I gazed at their beautiful, happy, faces the world became a better place and I felt even more excited about the trip I am about to start this week with them!

Beautiful Savannah!

Handsome Quinn!

I look at their faces and I am so thankful that I am their Oma! These two kids are not just my much-loved grandchildren, but they are both really nice, interesting children, that I enjoy spending time with.

I’m looking forward to going on the rides, watching their faces when they see the different Disney characters, and even watching them crash out in the evenings after we are done with the theme parks for the day.

Stay tuned for pictures and a travelogue which will begin on Saturday Morning on this blog. The activities will all be one day after, and I will try to write and post each night before I crash.

Being Prepared

I admit that on Saturday I just wasn’t feeling like myself. I felt oddly paralyzed and the only thing I accomplished was washing down our bathroom and setting up our coffee maker to brew fresh coffee for us on Sunday. Aside from that, I was mostly useless.

I believe I am one of those people who is great during the crisis and then falls apart afterward. At least, that is how it felt today.

I am in the final countdown for my Disney trip. This has helped me turn things around over the course of the day. From now until I depart, I have something happening as I get ready to begin my adventure.

Monday, Anneliese gets out her stitches. Hopefully, her infection has healed. It looks much better to me.

Tuesday I go and get my hair done. I also need to go and get the canned dog food for Lili. Anneliese and Arnie are all set.

Wednesday is my finish the laundry, change the sheets, and finish the last bits of packing day. Then put my bags in the car.

Thursday I blast off to Mandy’s for the night for an early departure out of Boston on Friday morning!

Poor Jack and the dogs will be left behind to hold down the fort while I am off on my own. I’ve got all sorts of meals frozen for Jack and kibbles measured out for the dogs, so I think everything will go off here at home without a problem.

Maribeth

German Shepherds Are Wonderful!

My Friday began like any other Friday. I got up, made breakfast for Jack and I and started a load of laundry.

Jack got ready and headed off to a physical therapy appointment at the VA, and a few minutes later I got a phone call and sat chatting.

About a half an hour after Jack left I heard the door in the basement slam shut. That’s odd, I thought. Maybe Jack had car trouble.

I went to the window in my room and did not see a car, a UPS Truck or anything!

It was then I heard footsteps coming up the stairs from the basement.

“Hello! Anyone home? Hello!” said a strange man’s voice.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Lili began to growl and bark! I raced to the cellar door and turned the lock and wedged my foot on the bottom.

“Who is there? Who are you! Tell me your name!”

There was no response.

“I’m calling the police!” I shouted again and again, as I dialed 911!

I didn’t hear the door slam shut. I didn’t hear him leave. I was frozen at the door waiting until the police arrived. It was just seconds until they drove into my driveway.

The police searched the basement and the perimeter of the house. I’d seen a white SUV below us and so they put out an APB for any car matching that.

I filed the report, got the policeman to give me a few tips on how to protect my home (I need a few deadbolts and a long piece of wood to block the sliding glass door.), but he told me again that Lili was amazing and the two of us had done a great job under the circumstances.

Lili was amazing. She growled and barked and sounded so fierce. I guess it’s what makes German Shepherds such wonderful police dogs!

My Hero, Lili!

Yes, I did okay, but I have to tell you I didn’t start breathing again for a while. After the police left, and I locked every door I could, I sat down and slowly drank my coffee and tried to relax.

I don’t understand why people break into other people’s homes. Why people think it is okay to steal. Today, I am just glad that Lili protected me, and that I wasn’t harmed.