10.30.05
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:36 pm by Think-Tink
SB and PR were out with more costumed doings this weekend. I spent yesterday mostly in a daze as I felt cruddy. The weather needs to change and stay that way!
Felt better today and went to a basketball exhibition. It was good until 2 ladies playing on opposite teams for the day crashed into each other and went down, with 5 seconds left in the game. Both got up and walked mostly under their own power, but we aren’t sure what was wrong. Hopefully they just bruised each other.
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10.27.05
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:33 pm by Think-Tink
When did we become a group of people in so much of a rush that we can’t wait to make turnsuntil we are sure it is clear? Especially if children are in the car?
When did it become wrong to stand in the middle of the street and talk to a woman who was hyperventilating and crying so she could calm down enough to get her car over to the side?
Why are cookies fresh out of the oven sooooo good? Gooey chocolate, melty in your mouth…
Why is 68 in the Summer comfortable but now when it is getting cold, it feels cold?
Why don’t people lose weight evenly?
Why do good ideas come along right as you wake up or go to sleep and can’t write them down?
Why do most soups have so much salt?
What happened to carefree childhoods?
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10.25.05
Posted in Job at 8:22 pm by Think-Tink
I went to a Grad Fair today at another local institution for CHK today. It is a private school. The people were nice, the food was decent, but there were somethings that left alot to be desired.
First off, every other Grad Fair I have been to that has parking what seems like miles away, has a place to off load the various bags, boards and give aways, except this one. Luckily, we don’t take alot to these fairs, so everything fit into a suitcase with wheels. Parking is always an issue, but this pace it was messed up. We had to go see security about a pass (normally these are mailed to us) then make u-turns and go back to a parking lot we passed. There was no direct route from the parking lot to the building. This was alot of fun going over pavement, cement and grass with a heavy suitcase on wheels. This was our first cold day of the fall and it was sprinkling too. OK, at least it wasn’t all uphill.
I get in and get settled, sort of. The people in charge have screwed up the names as there are 2 different parts of CHK attending. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be the one up front, so I moved. Good thing I did, as there was truly the other part showing up. I found out what they did with the signs, they did the other one 2 times using 2 different parts of the registration card. This wouldnt have been a big issue, but with the wrong thing people were just walking by my table thinking they knew what I had. I talked with the person in charge and she was more worried about me messing up her $25 sign that she can use again if that part of CHK ever comes (highly unlikely, that dept. doesn’t even do things on OUR campus).
I left a few minutes early because in 4.5 hours I had talked to only 5 people who wanted our degree. I was ready to go.
I did get something accomplished today…I took Piper Boy’s birthday present to the post office. He should get it before his birthday and before he leaves Biloxi.
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10.23.05
Posted in Here at 8:21 pm by Think-Tink
Gym Mom and I went shopping yesterday. WE didn’t buy alot but we had alot of fun. Gym Mom is trying to make a difficult decision, she knows which way the decision will go, but the timing of it is what is being decided now. WE talked, ate, (Chili’s Philly Cheesesteaks are good! so is there chocolate chip pie thing), and wandered. We used to fight like cats and dogs when younger but now I think we are good for each other. I listened when she needed to talk and she egged me on to do something that I had been thinking about. We went to a Gem and Jewelry show. They had a type of bead there that I was going to buy some of and make anklets. She told me why wait when the items were there and I could use little quantities. So, she and her hubby will be my first victims wearers. If they like them, then I will probably start selling them at some little craft fairs and such. The profit margin that I saw at this show on magnetic hematite bracelets and anklets was 100-200% from what I have seen for costs.
I came home and took a nice nap. I think that has to happen for it to be a good weekend.
My evening was quiet and I didn’t do much.
Today, it took me alot to get moving. Of course, I look forward with no glee to doing laundry. I hadn’t done it since before my trip, so I was down to the point of the scary undies. It was almost 2 by the time I finished reading the paper, exercising, showering and getting the majority of the clothes washed.
Target was a zoo this afternoon. I usually don’t go so late on Sundays and now I know why. I must make sure to remember that.
I have found a way that I will eat cauliflower. There is a Green Giant mix of broccoli and cauliflower with a garlic and herb sauce on it. It is really good.
On Friday I mentioned that the chocolate pudding with fake sweetener wasn’t very good, but as someone who hates to throw things away, I figured I would eat the rest of the cups. I have to say it is growing on me.
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10.21.05
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:44 pm by Think-Tink
Why do all the healthy things taste like cardboard? I got chocolate pudding today in serving size cups made with Splenda and it is ok…but lacks alot of something.
Why isn’t work quiet all the time? I got so much done today.
Why would anyone want to put breadcrumbs on meatballs?
What has got Mother Nature so angry that she is sending us all these hurricanes?
Should I ask someone out that I know from work?
Why isn’t Revog saving some home made apple pie for me (I visit her in about a month)?
Why is there a yarn sale NOW when I have to start thinking of Christmas presents?
Why is there a $.30 difference in gas between Hampton and Virginia Beach?
Why is Disney World so far away?
Will the skies be less safe with Blondie as a flight attendant? Go to sleep with that as your last thought….
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10.20.05
Posted in There at 10:03 pm by Think-Tink
Saturday morning, we were all so not wanting to leave. The girls put on their bathing suits and we went down to the pool. We should have scheduled more time so the girls could have gone to the big pool, but that is a lesson for next time. Also, when everything says the pool opens at 8am, it means just that, the pool, not the water slides or any of the fun things.
We packed, checked out and headed back to the airport. Returning the car was very easy. It went into a return area, the bar code was scanned and boom it was all done. Checking for the planes was more of an adventure. REvog’s group and I came in on different airlines so it was different parts of the airport. We said our goodbyes at the elevator to take me to my level. We all didn’t want it to end.
The trip home was ok, and luggage was fine and made it back here. There were some pieces of work on my flight though. These women had like 10 pieces of luggage for 2 of them and when one came out ripped they were talking quite loudly that Airtran would be paying them for it. It’s an airplane for goodness sakes, it if can’t take the abuse, don’t use it! SB was nice enough to come get me.
If you are going to Disney World, here are some suggestions…
Wear bright colors to keep track of the other people in your group. Tans and whites really fade into the surroundings.
If you have little ones along, bring or rent a stroller. You will be doing alot of walking. Little one, who is 5, wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near as much done if she had been walking.
Bring snacks. Disney has food but only some of it is what your family will eat. The restaurants/fast food places have mostly the same things.
The Park Hopper upgrade it worth it. It lets you pick and chose and go to several parks in one day.
FAST PASS! I don’t know why more people weren’t using this. This is a thing where you stick your overall park ticket and it gives you a time to come back for a popular ride. We saved over half an hour on Space Moutain and more time on other things.
Make sure you have some type of communication available to all members of your party. Be it cell phones or radios or having meet at specific place at specific times something needs to be in place.
Even in October it was freaking HOT! Bring a water bottle to fill up at the water fountains or be prepared to spend lots on somethng wet.
I guess I have to leave the Land of the Mouse now, until the next trip that hopefully won’t be too far in the future….
PS….THANK YOU REVOG FOR INVITING ME! I HAD AN ABSOLUTE BLAST!
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Posted in There at 9:47 pm by Think-Tink
Friday of last week, we lazed around and were taking our time getting to a park. We had a buffet breakfast and then we were off to Epcot again to finish what we didn’t get to before.
The Land was interesting and the Living with the Land ride was really interesting. Disney people are looking at aquaculture, and plants and veggies growing in water only. We were going to try to do Soaring but there was a long wait. The Circle of Life movie was ok.
Imagination was alot of fun. The Honey I shrunk the Audience was very creative and kept us involved. Watch out for those mice though! The Journey with Figment was alot of fun. The Imageworks was a neat place to take a digital picture and mock it up.
From there, we went to see Canada and that was it for the countries as that wouldn’t keep the girls interest at all.
We left Epcot and found a Ponderosa for lunch. I had a good steak, and other things. Their ice cream was good and they had chocolate chips to put on it. I had a triple chocolate sundae. Chocolate ice cream, chocolate chips and chocolate sauce. This definitely made me ready for the rest of the day.
Back to the Magic Kingdom and parade and fireworks. We went to Fantasyland and Mickey’s ToonTown Fair and got Little One on a roller coaster her size. She was scared but did just fine with me hugging her right to me. Before that, we went and did something we absolutely HAD to do…the Mad Tea Cup Party! I remember this ride as a kid at Disney Land. The girls and I let Trucker Geek and Revog have their own cup. It is a good thing we did as REvog turned out to be a WIMP! We are spinning as fast as we can, and the girls are wanting me to go faster, and TRucker Geek had to stop spinning because Revog couldn’t take it. Snow White’s Scary Adventues were ok, you could tell it was aging.
By the time we were done with all of that, it was time to go get a space for the parade. We got to the parade area about an hour early and we barely got a decent space. We took shifts, some of us staying at the space and talking with the people around us and others going to shop or whatever. We were right on Main Street and this was a perfect place for both the fireworks to follow about half an hour later. The parade was good and a big improvement on the old Electric Light Parade. It was neat seeing the characters all lit up. Chip and Dale were playing a piano and had light all over their tuxes.
The parade was just an appetizer for the fireworks. They were amazing! They started and ended with a bang. Tinker Bell even appeared as a part of them. To watch the fireworks explode over the castle was something I don’t think I will ever forget. One of those things that sent chills up and down my spine.
We thought that getting out of the park after the fireworks would take forever but it didn’t. Disney sure knows how to move people. It was a good thing because at 9:30 by this point we had 2 very tired girls on our hands and 3 tired adults. About getting out…watch your signs carefully as all of the parks don’t come out on the same roads.
Back to the hotel to have everyone collapse.
Awww, almost over…Part 6 is the last…Coming soon to a computer screen near you!
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Posted in There at 9:20 pm by Think-Tink
Thursday of last week, Revog et al and I were at MGM-Disney Studios. I can not say enough about this place. Out of all the parks it was the one with the most interesting stuff for adults. I really can not say we hit every area of every other park but I think we did at MGM. We should have stayed to see the fireworks show but we were all really tired by about 7.
The shows were amazing. Indiana Jones stunt show was really interesting in how the stunts were planned out and how the timing has to be just right. MuppetVision 3-d was good for those of us old enough to remember the Muppet Show on tv. They even had the 2 old guys in their box seats. Beauty and the Beast was true to the story and the costumes and adaptations for the stage were realistic and believeable. Light, Motors Action was another stunt show, this time using cars. The stunts were quite impressive and it was fascinating to see how some stunts are put together. I was disappointed to learn that when I car is in a chase scene going in reverse for quite a while, it is probably a car with the engine and driver facing the rear of the car. Voyage of the Little Mermaid was really good. It combined puppetry, animation and a real Ariel. The one disappointing thing show was Drew Carey’s Sounds Dangerous. I guess with Drew Carey in it I expected more humor or something…
Ride was I was told that Tower of Terror was awesome. I chose not to go on that ride. Star Tours was fun and had robots being fixed and had R-2 D-2 as our navigator. I think how the “ship” aka room moved in this ride was what I was expecting from Stitch’s Great Escape in the Magic Kingdom.
The Honey I shrunk the Kids movie set was a blast for the girls to play on. Even for me, it was kind of fun being in grass way taller than me.
Looking at the map, we didn’t hit 2 places. The Magic of Disney Animation and PLayhouse Disney. The girls were too old really for PLayhouse Disney and Magic of Disney Animation didn’t seem to appeal to us at the time.
Soon! Part 5! Don’t Miss it!
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10.19.05
Posted in There at 9:22 pm by Think-Tink
Wednesday was Magic Kingdom day. This is the oldest of the Disney World Parks and you could tell it. The water fountains didn’t have cool water like the others, and everything was compact. The Haunted Mansion was fun the second time we rode it but the first it broke down. REally interesting to be sitting in the dark for 20 minutes or more. I definitely recommend going to see Mickey’s PhilharMagic. It was 3d and very good. Cinderellabration was good and brought all of the Princesses in one place. I got Ariel’s autograph for Gym Rat and Crash. I will say that we didn’t see that many characters in Magic Kingdom as we did in the other parks.
We got the littlest member of our party onto Big Thunder Mountain. That was a little too much for her. Would have been for me too at 5. The Country Bear Jamboree seemed very dated. The animatronics were good for when they were started.
The Swiss Family Robinson TRee House still fascinates me. To take an author’s written word and make it into a movie and then to bring part of that to a theme park is amazing. It was also quite interesting how the pathways were to keep the crowd moving.
The Enchanted Tiki Room was fun as the Imagineers updated the Tiki Room with Iago and Zazu from the Lion King. That was fun. Pirates of the Caribbean was good too. I thought it was alot scarier going through it as a child.
Tomorrowland is where we spent alot of time on Wednesday. Stitch’s Great Escape was something of a let down as it really didn’t do much. Space Mountain was cool. I was disappointed in that I got Mr. and Mrs. Incredible’s autograph and it was a stamp! what fun is there in watching the character do a push down stamp like I use every day at work?
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin was hilarious and interactive. After “training” you get into your “ship” and help to shoot down the bad guy. I was the high scorer somehow for our group. I basically just shot at everything I could.
We took the shuttle from the hotel to the Park. I don’t think I would do that again. We didn’t for our last 2 days there in fact. With the girls, it was much easier to have something there for our schedule than have to wait on someone else’s. We were ready to leave at about 7:30 and the next shuttle to the hotel wasn’t until 8:30. So we waited and tried to keep everyone awake and not too grumpy until the shuttle came. The shuttle did come and we got on, next thing we knew we were on our way to Animal Kingdon to pick up people there. It was after 9 by the time we got back to the hotel. Everyone was definitely ready for bed at that point.
During the day, Revog told me I snore! Can you imagine that?
More fun on the way, stay tuned for Part 4, Disney MGM Studios!
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10.18.05
Posted in There at 8:58 pm by Think-Tink
Let’s see, we are up to Tuesday. Tuesday was get up in the dark and get to the airport early in case there was traffic. CM and I made it to the airport by 6:45. We were a little early for my 9:30 flight. 
Airtran’s check in seemed screwed up as you had to get an electronic board pass (I didn’t do the online check in at CM’s since I had a bag to check), then talk to a real person to check your bag anyway. It did go quickly. CM thoguht she should feed me something so I didn’t claim she was a bad mommy for dragging me out of bed and then not feeding me. The Wendy’s in the airport served breakfast. It was ok. Normal biscuit fare. CM left me at the security point about 8:15. It took me a while to get through security (was smart and wore shoes that came off easily). Then to find the terminal (I did mention that Atlanta’s airport is frewaking huge right?) and gate. Of course it was the one all the way at the end of the terminal.
This flight I didn’t have a talky person beside me. It was pretty quick too. Blondie was nice enough to meet me at Orlando. We talked and waited for REvog at the wrong side until Blondie said they might be at another part. REvog and all were coming out of the bathrooms when we met. Baggage claim was easy and very well coordinated for all the people that seemed to be there.
Revog and the car rental was weird. First place I have been where the company doesnt tell you which car you are getting. They told REvog to go to a certain parking garage and floor and get a car in this certain section. Well, we got there and there were not any cars there. The attendant said go get a minivan. Turns out since there were no cars in what she paid for we got an upgrade. It was a very good thing since between luggage and people, I doubt we would have fit in a smaller car.
I can not say enough about the Nickelodeon Suites. Good size suites that the 5 of us fit comfortably. Ok, Trucker Geek wants to be in the living room where I was sleeping when he was awake and Revog wasnt. The kids room was done in Fairly Odd Parents and the other choice was SpongeBob. We checked i , got settled, and then decide to go to Epcot for a while.
We didn’t make it very far at all into the Park. We did Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy and Innoventions. That was all we had time for as everyone had been up early and was tired.
Universe of Energy was interesting. Ellen Degeneres wasn’t as irritating as she normally is to me. The ride was very informative and attention holding.
The suite also had a microwave and refrigerator in it. Revog and TRucker Geek found a WalMart and got some snacks, breakfast things, and the ever present milk. These were very good to have on hand as it seemed that none of us are really morning people.
We all collapsed into the various beds assinged to us and slept…
Stay tuned… Part 3 is the Magic Kingdom!
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