Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Disney Here We Come


 Monday March 2- Today was a busy day. I'm getting things washed and packed up. Tomorrow we leave after work for Orlando. We are going to meet Justin, Molly, Maddyn and Tammy there. They have a condo so we had to bring not just clothes but food as well. We are leaving the dogs here and Sandie and Ken are going to be watching them. I had to make an instruction list for them. Our dogs are quirky. I didn't leave such detailed instructions when I left my kids. We are crazy about our pups. We have never left Ruby overnight before. I gave Jeff a haircut and I finished the last row of my latest quilt. I still have some more quilting to do but it should be a lot easier because all the basting pins are out. It's good that I'm taking a few days off because my fingers need a break.





















Tuesday March 3- We got up early and I put some of our stuff in the car. The food will have to wait until we are ready to go. We got to work and was hoping everyone would leave early. We had all the work done and was just waiting on 2 sites. Then we had a big problem....we couldn't find the radio. So we spent the next 1/2 hour running around the park looking for it. Luckily someone found it and turned it in to the rangers station. Boy that was a relief. I think we were on the road about 1:30. Off we go to Orlando's Marriott Harbor Lake. Justin had informed them that we would be arriving. So we got a parking pass and a key. The kids were at Animal Kingdom when we arrived. We had time to unpack and walk around to see the resort. It is a perfect spot for families. The have 2 different pool areas, with giant hot tubs also. The have a nice putt putt area, ping pong tables, foosball and lots of other games to play. There is also a lake there. They have a dock you can fish off of. You shouldn't get bored here.






















I think the kids got back around 6:30 or so. We weren't sure how Maddyn would react but she warmed right up to us. So the hugs and kisses were great. We ordered some pizzas for supper. After Maddyn went to bed we played farkle. Jeff or I had never played, it was a really fun game. Then off to bed with us.

Wednesday March 4- We got up and had our coffee. Then we went down to the pool area. First the pool area with a pool and a water play area. Maddyn is definitely not afraid of the water. We had a blast watching her having so much fun. When we first arrived there was a water aerobic class going on. Maddyn liked that because there was fun loud music.























We spent quite a bit of time here then Maddyn wanted to go to the other pool. The one with the big pirate ship so....we crossed the street and went to that pool. She didn't hesitate to get right in. She liked going down the slide here and we liked watching her.























After some time here we went back for lunch and Maddyn needed a nap. Then us girls, Tammy, Molly's mom, Molly and I went down to sit by the pool and soak up some sun. The guys went and got stuff for us to make our supper here. After supper we walked down to look at the water and sit in the swing on the dock. We saw this little fellow on our walk back.





















We just hung around the resort all day long. Then someone had the idea to go play putt putt. It was almost Maddyn's bedtime but that didn't stop us. It should have because she made it quite difficult. We still had a great time but only got in 12 holes before we surrendered. She needed to get to bed because tomorrow we go to The Magic Kingdom. We adults needed to rest up too.





















Thursday March 5- It's Disney Day! We got up and got ready early to get there when they opened. The weather was sunny and plenty warm. We planned ahead and made some sandwiches to take along with some snacks. We were ready to take on Disney.























We got in and waited in front of the castle for the opening and Maddyn was so excited when all the characters and the princess's came out.






After the show was done, the park was open. We made our way in and the first stop was the teacups. I usually don't do the spinning rides but today was an exception. I just made sure to lock down the spinning wheel. Molly, Maddyn and I jumped on...no wait. Then we saw no line to drive the race cars, so we jumped on them. We weren't far from Dumbo, so that was next. We didn't have to wait very long on that one either.

Riding the teacups
waiting to get on the race cars



race cars
we are being followed


Dumbo with Papa and Scrappy
After leaving Dumbo we spotted Pluto. Well Maddyn spotted him while we were on Dumbo. So we got close enough to wave. She loves them but from a distance. We walked a little bit and saw where you could meet Ariel. So we did. Then we went on her ride.





















We knew that there was a parade coming up and we found out it parks in the circle in front of the castle. Then they come out to dance with all the kids. Did I mention that Maddyn loves to dance? Well she does and we didn't want to miss this.































We had a bite of lunch and continued on. We went on The Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean. We had a fast pass on one and the others line was't bad. It was nice to sit and get off or our feet.

We are definitely starting to wear down now. We got in line to meet Jasmine and Aladdin...We could tell that Maddyn was getting tired by now. She was a impatient with the line. She really liked meeting them though. She went right up to them.




















After this we looked up and the parade was starting, we had planned to watch that next so we found a spot to watch. Maddyn waved at every single float. She was a blast to watch.




















Next on the agenda was a fast pass to meet Mickey. We had to wait for the parade to finish. While we were the way Maddyn fell asleep. She didn't really want to meet Mickey when they woke her up, but she did. You can't come to Disney World and not meet Mickey.


After that, us old folk were done. Justin and Molly had a fast pass to space mountain. We found a bench in the shade to take a break and chill out. It gave me a chance to get some pictures of Maddyn in her new crown...




















When Justin and Molly came back we headed to the car and made our way back to the condo. Oh boy what a busy fun day. So glad we were able to make it.



Friday March 6- Everyone got up early. The kids left for the airport around 7 a.m. We weren't far behind them. We made a couple stops and still was home around 11. We went in to see the dogs and unpack stuff. The dogs were happy to see us, but I think Ruby was mad. She peed on quite a few things to let us know she didn't appreciate being left at home.



Saturday March 7- It is cooling off again. Today I went in to get prescriptions and went ahead and ordered up some pictures, well a lot of pictures. I got busy marking my quilt so I can get back to work on that. Stayed around here the rest of the day. It's very gray and cool.

Sunday March 8- It was spring forward day. So morning rolled around very quick. It is amazing how the 1 hour switch can throw us in to such a dither. Again with the gray cloudy, super windy weather. I want some sunshine. We haven't really been doing much. With a busy few days in Orlando and springing forward we are exhausted. 

Monday March 9- Another super windy day with a side of sprinkles. Man this wind is relentless. I did the laundry and we ran to Aldi's for some supplies. Tomorrow we go back to work.


Tuesday March 10- Back to work, we still had the wind but we saw some sunshine today! We finished up in good time. I went back to my quilting. I have finished the quilting on the quilt but still have to quilt on the border. I finished one side of that today. We also have 1 month to go here at Jonathan Dickinson.

Wednesday March 11- Today the wind laid down, the sun is out and it is a beauty of a day. It is also getting crazy with this corona virus. They have started cancelling things that are going on. Things with big groups of people. Some schools are closing too. We had a good day at work done early. I did more quilting, another side of the border done. I also marked the rest of it. We stayed here for supper.

Thursday March 12- This corona virus thing is now a pandemic. It's getting a bit scary now. They have cancelled March Madness, NBA, NHL, Spring Training, Broadway, and some of the major theme parks are closing as well. I don't ever remember anything like this before, People are going crazy at the grocery stores. After work I sat outside and quilted some. We had some entertainment because we had 3 pileated woodpeckers show up. I grabbed my camera and got some pictures.




Stayed around here and I finished the quilting process. Tomorrow I will start on the binding. I'm getting so close to being finished.

Friday March 13- The virus thing just keeps on getting crazy. They closed Disney World. Jeff went to play guitar with Phil. He comes down every year and Jeff loves to play with people. I started cutting fabric for binding. Then I ironed it and pinned it. Sewed it on with the machine and then started the hand stitching. I also made some deviled eggs. We have a volunteer potluck tonight. The party started at 6. Before we ate the park manager stood up and told us that they are closing some stuff here. The Kimball center is closed as well as the concessions. The boat trips, horse back riding all shut down until further notice. The park will remain open until he hears something else. Its like everyone is going crazy with this stuff. We listened, then enjoyed each others company and food. It was a really nice evening.





Saturday March 14- We got up for coffee and decided maybe we should go to the store and get supplies before everything is gone. We went fairly early but it was crazy busy when we got there. We just got a few things but the shelves were empty. No pasta, soup, eggs and paper products. We got everything we needed and came on home.  Stayed around here the rest of the day and I finished my quilt. Now I will have to get another project started.


Sunday March 15- We got up and decided to take our coffee to the beach this morning. It was a beauty of a day. With all the craziness going on it was a great way to start the day. Just very peaceful. I got some pictures. I also noticed a manta war by the waters edge. I took a closer look and notices it was moving. I looked closer ad I noticed a claw in there moving around. Pretty neat, I just never looked that close before.





We left the beach and came on home. We watched church service online today. It is another nice day out there. We had plans to meet some friends at Blue Point for lunch today. A bonus was The Leafy Greens was playing there too. Wasn't sure about going out but it is an outdoor facility. We found a table but the place was hopping. We were joined by Ron and Ann, they are volunteers here at the park too. They brought some friends John and Debbie. We had a nice lunch and the music was great.























We hung around for a couple hours and headed back. To finish up the day I stayed and worked on the blog. Jeff practiced guitar with Phil. Then after supper we went to Phil's campsite and they went over the play list for tomorrow. We will see if the show goes on...until then.