Thursday, February 28, 2013

And Then We Returned to Reality ...

In other words, no more housekeeping staff, no more wait staff, no more prepared meals, no more clean rooms, no more turn-down service ...  But just to remind you, here are a few pictures of our all-girl princess cruise:

A little hair-styling ...

A little Cinderella ...

A little too much at times ...

A little Snow White ...
In other words, it was great but a little too short.  Guess we'll just have to go back again soon!!!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  safe, smooth bus ride to airport and flight home; sleeping in my own bed

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

It's A Small World After All - On A Disney Cruise!

So in some ways, it's been Old Home Week at Disney.  First of all, while we were doing the Family 5K on Saturday, one of the volunteers was Lu Anne, a lady I had manned a volunteer booth at a Disney race several years ago (we called our booth the LuAnne booth).  Then a few hours later, it was Aisling who was the volunteer coordinator for The Golf Channel at the PGA golf tournament at Disney (technically I didn't see her, until she pointed out that in Everley's diaper dash photo that I posted on fb, Aisling was the one passing out medals).  Then on the course, I saw Jeanne and her sweet sign.

Then, as our group had just boarded the Disney Dream ship and were walking to Cabanas for a late lunch, we were walking down the hall.  We passed a few people, but with boiled shrimp on our brains, we really didn't notice anybody.  At least until a lady said, "Luanne, is that you?" (or at least something like that to get my attention).  I looked over to her and it was SUZANNE BOATMAN!!  At least it used to be Suzanne Boatman about a zillion years ago when we grew up together in Starkville, Mississippi.  Of course, somewhere in those zillion years we both got married and had kids, but never really kept in contact until recently, and that was through fb.

Anyhow, we quickly got a little caught up, and then we each went our own way - she and her adult daughter one way, and our group the other.  I hoped that we would see each other again so we could catch up even more (and we probably could have, had I written down her stateroom number).  But it always seems on these cruises that you always see the same complete strangers, which we did.  We didn't see Suzanne and Jessie Elizabeth again - until we were all sitting on the beach at Serenity Bay and guess who walked past - you got it!  S and JE!!

They joined us in our spot, and we spent the next few hours in the sun and over lunch catching up.  It was a great treat, to see a friend from the by-gone days and see how life has turned out for them.  We had hoped that we might catch up another time, but with different dinner schedules and a short cruise, it didn't work out.  I'm just so thankful for those two chance encounters that we did have.

What were the chances that out of 4000 passengers, that there would be two childhood friends that would happen to catch up on old times?  What were the chances that one would just happen to be passing the other at just the right time?  What were the chances that one would even look up and notice the other, and then speak and jolt the other one into recognition?  What were the chances that one would be walking on the beach and another member of the group notice and call her over (let's face it - observant I'm apparently not).  What were the chances that any of this would happen?

It wasn't chance - it was God.  He thought a special treat on this trip would be a connection with a friend from the old days.  He was right - it was a treat that I really enjoyed.  Thanks Suzanne and Jessie Elizabeth - you made this cruise a special one!!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  Palo brunch; Pink snacks; Bingo

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Joy From The Race Course

There are a lot of happy times during the race.  The first one comes when I finally hit Mile 1.  I know - Mile 1?  But as I spend that time getting to Mile 1, I'm always wondering if I'm going to get there, much less 12.1 more.  So when I finally reach that mile marker, I get a boost that says maybe, just maybe, I will actually finish the race.

There are many other happy times during a race.  Different mile markers give me encouragement, the spectators cheering the runners urging us on, Disney characters and/or regular people on the sidelines who are dressed in costumes for the event, and the runners themselves as they encourage each other (including me) to keep going.  There are the water stations and treat stations and Gu breaks for some extra energy.  And of course there is the ultimate happy time - seeing that finish line and actually making it across - upright and not in need of medical attention. But Sunday's race I had an extra-special, wonderful, unexpected joy.  And this is how it went ...

Marilyn, Karen, and I had started the race together.  Karen and I decided to jog a little, but during a bathroom break, Marilyn caught back up (the rest of our crew - Molly, Katie, and Kathy were long gone by this point).  We had wogged past the Disney racetrack, through the parking lot, and were headed toward the TTC of the Magic Kingdom.

I was on the right side of the crowd, as people my pace are supposed to do.  There were lots of spectators on both sides, yelling encouragement and waving signs for their people.  I happened to look off to the right and said a sign that had the name "Luanne" on it.  Being race-brained, I thought, "Oh, cool - there's somebody in the race with the name Luanne, spelled like mine!"  I looked a little closer at the person holding it, and it was my good friend Jeanne!!  I was thrilled and started squealing like Celie and Nettie in "The Color Purple."  (yeah, go ahead and watch it if you need a little heart-warmer today).  

Jeanne and her husband Ken, who live in Clearwater, Florida,  had gotten up at who-knows-what-time to come over to Disney in hopes of finding me in a crowd of 25000 runners (although hopefully they knew I would be nowhere close to the front runners).  Jeanne had made a sign (which I have no idea of what it said, nor did I, with my race-brain, get a photo of the sign, or me with the sign, or me with the sign and Jeanne).  It was an unbelievable act of friendship, an act which is normal for Jeanne, that has been a highlight of my race, my week, and my friendship with the very kind and thoughtful Jeanne.
The Awesome Jeanne and her sign!

Although I eventually finished upright and without need of medical attention and received my race medal, I know what was my true reward.  It was a simple sign on the side of the road - which was the true medal of something so precious and important - my sweet friend Jeanne!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  dinner at Palo with Maribeth, Molly, Karen, and Marilyn; Everley and the nursery; booking Lindley's May potty-celebration cruise

Monday, February 25, 2013

I'm Baaack!!

So you may be reading this today, but it's actually dated for Monday.  That's because although I am writing this as I wait on my flight back to Nashville, because I am so anal-retentive about blogging every day that I have to actually back-date this to Monday.  In other words, I am blogging on Luanne Time.

Anyhoo, I have been out of town on a cruise.  With two daughters, one granddaughter, one sister, and one sista-frum-anutha-mutha.  We've had a great time, gotten a little sun, and eaten way too much.  In other words, it's been fabulous.

But it's time to return to the real world once again, where there is no one to clean our rooms or prepare delicious meals and bring them to us.

At least until we go again ...
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The Good Stuff From Today:  Not having to get up and go do a race; beautiful day in Nassau

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sunday in Pictures

Pre-race - way too early in the morning!!
Post-race celebration - Kathy was already finished, showered,
had a 2-hour nap and was at the Magic Kingdom!



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The Good Stuff From Today:  The Princess Half Marathon and all the participants, volunteers, and everything else associated with the race; getting on the Disney Dream cruise ship with Maribeth, Everley, Marilyn, Molly, and Karen

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Saturday in Pictures

Family 5K at 6:30am - yep, 6:30 am.

Everley's Diaper Dash.  She's the one high-fiving Goofy.

Everley at lunch at Cinderella's Castle.  Attempting to bibbidi bobbidi more teeth.

Mother-Daughter love at lunch.  It's the soup that causes that face.  Really!!

"Princesses, Shmrincess.  I'm thirsty ..."
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The Good Stuff From Today:  5K with Molly, Karen, and Marilyn and seeing all the costumes; Steve bringing Chic Fil A for breakfast; Everley's diaper dash and subsequent lobby nap at the Poly; lunch at Cindy's castle with Molly, Maribeth, Everley, Karen, and Marilyn

Friday, February 22, 2013

The Fun Has Begun!!

As of this writing, everyone has arrived for the Princess weekend.  Some are already in bed and some are still out shopping the outlets.  Some are getting up for the 6:30am 5K in the morning, and some are sleeping in.  Some will be eating in Cinderella's Castle for lunch and some will be riding the rides at Hollywood Studios.  One will be doing her first diaper dash and some will be cheering her on.  I imagine there will be more shopping and more eating.  Eventually some of us will have to face reality and go to bed - it's an even earlier call on Sunday morning.  But once we get through those 13.1 miles - then the fun really begins!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  helpful peeps in the merch store at the race expo; nice bib volunteers at the expo; dinner with Steve, Maribeth, Everley, Molly, Karen, and Marilyn

Thursday, February 21, 2013

In Case I Get A Little Busy ...

I thought I'd give you a preview of this weekend.  Of course you know that I arrived last Sunday and have had a few days to myself.  That all ends today when Maribeth and Everley get here a little after lunch and Steve gets here tonight.  Then tomorrow Marilyn and Molly and Karen fly into town, and Kat and her family drive in.  On Saturday we'll meet up with Katie.

On Saturday, Molly/Marilyn/Karen and I will do the 5K, then wait for Everley to do her diaper dash.  We have lunch with Cinderella at the castle later that day.

On Saturday, Molly/Marilyn/Karen/Maribeth/Kat/Katie and I will do the Princess Half-Marathon.  Some will finish well ahead of others, but that will be a story for Sunday.  Then Molly/Marilyn/Maribeth/Everley/Karen and I will board the Disney Dream for a 4-day cruise.

I guess you could say it's sort of a girls weekend, with Steve along to be our go-to guy.  Time to get started!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  Safe arrivals of Maribeth, Everley, and Steve; lunch at Olivias with Maribeth and Everley

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Ate It!

Why did I eat it?  Because I only eat it on select WDW trips.  Because it is dark chocolate.  Because I skimped on lunch so I could inhale it with as little guilt as possible.  Because there's not a Ghiradelli in Nashville.  Because I was having a meet-up with my cousin Elaine and I wanted to treat her to something good (she had a banana split so she sinned as much as I - except for the fact that she is about half my size).

But really, why did I eat it?  Because it is goooooood!!  Hello Midnight Reverie!!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  procuring Everley supplies; a little more outlet shopping; ice cream with Elaine

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Tuesday With Kelly and Michael

Well, actually it was more like an hour of watching Kelly and Michael.  And Howie.  That was after spending an hour standing, waiting to be seated while some K&M marketing dude sold K&M mugs and t-shirts (I didn't buy any - must save all $$ for useless Disney stuff).  Anyhow, it was fun to watch the show.  It was a beautiful day and they both chatted with the audience during the commercials.  Oh, and you know how small Kelly looks on TV?  That is her actual size in person, too.  I didn't win the $500 gift card, but I did get free entrance into the MK, so I guess that was supposed to be just as good. 

Anyhow, once the show was done and we were ushered out quickly (because they had other taping to do), we joined the other jabillion people entering the park, most of whom had no idea what was going on and naturally stopped to gawk which further clogged the already slow-going traffic pattern up Main Street.  Eventually I made my way to The New Fantasyland, which was very crowded.  So, I wandered around a bit, had lunch, and called it a day.  Kelly and I apparently will not be BFFs - I just hope she can cope with the loss.

I spent the middle of the day doing a bit of shopping at the outlet mall, apparently leaving just before they closed the entire mall because somebody found an anti-theft device in a trash can and thought it was a bomb.  Darn those shoplifters - they need to be more vigilant about disposing of those things.

I finished the day by going to Epcot for a bite to eat and to watch "Illuminations," my favorite of the fireworks shows.  After it was over, the mom next to me said the following to her kids - "I don't know how they got that globe to move - remember going up in that?"  Apparently she thought the globe in the water was Spaceship Earth.  Now that's a true Disney believer!!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  Eavesdropping on the guys behind me in the K&M line; Kelly, Michael, and Howie show; Illuminations; finding bargains

Monday, February 18, 2013

Just A Little Vacay

I know, you're probably thinking, "Another vacation?  From what?"  Well, you need to think about more important things.  Because then it gets me off the hook.

Anyhoo, let me explain about my vacation.  First of all, it was planned last year before Steve decided to return to work.  The plan was that I would do the Donna Half-Marathon last weekend and then we would head to Orlando to spend the week before the Princess.  And then Steve went back to work, so I had the decision to cancel the hotel, fly back home for a few days, and then fly to Orlando.  OR just stay by myself for a few days.  What would you choose?  Okay, so we're on the same page now ...

So today was the first day of my vacation.  I have no messy house to shuffle, I can't go rescue any family member who needs something, I can't go pick up anything from the store.  Mainly because I'm far, far away.  That also means I don't get to see Everley or Lindley, but that can be remedied upon my return.  With lots of prizes.

So what did I do with my first day of vacation? 
  • Slept in a little because there were no cats jumping on my bed wanting to be: let out/fed/watered/let in/watched while they ate/irritating.
  • Watched "Life With Kelly and Michael" because I hope to be in the audience tomorrow morning and I wanted to get a preview.  It should be fun - not as fun as being on "Oprah's Favorite Things" show, but fun nevertheless.
  • Did a little outlet shopping.  At least until every family in the proximity decided to do the same with all the neighborhood kids.
  • Ate a burger and fries at Five Guys.  Because I did a half-marathon yesterday and figured I earned it.  It wasn't as wonderful as I had hoped ...
  • Got tired of all the traffic so I tried to make do for supper with some stuff I picked up yesterday.  It didn't even come close to wonderful.  Should have made the effort to go and get something better.
 Tomorrow I plan to spend some time with my soon-to-be BFFs Kelly and Michael (check your local listings),  putter around the Magic Kingdom for a bit (having a better lunch there), and then let the rest of the day unfold.  Because I don't have to fold laundry!!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  successful shopping; beautiful day; boat ride to DD; Steve's successful derm appt

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Gotturdun!!

After spending most of yesterday in bed and consisting on pretzels and juice, I was a little doubtful about participating in today's half marathon.  My stomach was still doing loop-d-loops after Friday's foodpalooza, and although the Tylenol had taken care of the chill-sweats, I was still not up to par.  And certainly the lack of decent sleep last night (you know, when you look at the clock and say, "If I go to sleep this instant, then I will get four hours of sleep," but then it happens every hour after that) did not make today's choice a particularly good one.

Alas, I am not always known for my good choices.  Although I did not really think it was a good idea, I got up at 5 to get ready and catch the hotel shuttle to the start line.  I couldn't stomach the idea of eating anything, so I had my usual Breakfast of Champions on race day (that would be two Tylenol and a Diet Coke chaser) and headed off to the bus.

So why did I push myself out the door?  Mostly because for the 26.2 With Donna The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer, I am a streaker.  And no, that doesn't mean I wog sans clothing.  It means that I have participated every year since its inception, this being the sixth year, which happens to be my friend Emily's breast cancer diagnosis anniversary, so it makes it even more special.  It's also a great race since it allows you a half-marathon pace of 32 minutes/mile, which today I was counting on needing every minute.

Anyhow, back to the bus.  About a dozen or so ladies and I boarded a school bus and headed for the start, about five miles away.  Already feeling icky, the bumpity-bump of the bus did not help.  I debated whether, should the need arise, should I hurl out the window or attempt to make it to the door, pleading with Ms. Bus Driver to open the door ASAP.  It didn't help that a traffic jam slowed our pace to about two inches an hour (which coincidentally is my race pace), which meant even more bumpity-bumps.   Eventually, about an hour and a-half later, we finally made it to the start.  Which was delayed for 30 minutes while the rest of the traffic jam cleared and all the runners finally arrived.

Soon it was time to begin, and we did!  Of course my corral, the orange (or last, or slow-pokes) was allowed to start, 15 minutes after the official start.  Did I mention it was 34 degrees with 10 mph winds?  In Jacksonville?  So, if you factor in the day-before-illness, the cold, the wind, and oh yeah - the lack of training, it was going to be a slow race.  No prob, as I had plenty of time to move my feet!

Steve, Kitty (his sister), and Ray (her friend) planned to be at Mile 5 to cheer me on.  Kitty and Ray have been there every year, and it really is a boost to see them.  I texted Steve when I finally arrived at Mile 1 to let him know I would be there eventually.  And eventually I made it and saw their smiling faces.  Which also meant I only had 8 more miles to go.  Which probably wouldn't have been such a big deal if my stomach at that point was trying to figure out whether to puke or poop its contents, or maybe a massive dual display (note to self - Gu and Gatorade are not an advisable menu if your stomach is having issues).  But somehow I managed to calm it down, and after a mile on the beach, we turned back and headed to the finish, where each mile got longer and l o n g e r  and l  o  n  g  e  r.  But yes, I finished and got my medal.

So why did I keep going and not quit, even though there were several points where I could have quit and headed back to the house in a taxi?  Simply this - breast cancer does not quit, nor do the women who have to fight this disease.  Thirteen little miles is nothing compared to those who fight against this disease.

Why didn't I take a shortcut, when my peeps were headed down one road and we could look a block to the left and see the fast people headed home?  Because there are no shortcuts in breast cancer.  While those with breast cancer can look and see those who are ahead of them in their fight, they can't get there without taking each step.  I owed it to them to take each step with missing a single one.

Why did I keep walking, even though the blisters forming on the bottoms of my feet were getting more pronounced with each step?  Because they were just blisters.  They were not a mastectomy or radiation or chemotherapy.  The blisters will go away in a week - if only the others could be dismissed as easily.

So why do I do this walk as a streaker?  For all those I saw today with "survivor" bibs on their back.  For all those who wore bibs that said, "I walk in memory or honor of ..." and have names to complete that sentence.  I walk for Marilyn and Emily and Janette and Kelly.  And Mary and Debbie and Aunt Laura and Amanda.  I wogged today because my entry fee goes to the Mayo Clinic for breast cancer treatment and research.

Today I finished the half-marathon.  One day we'll finish breast cancer.

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The Good Stuff From Today:  chatter from the ladies on the bus; chatting with the two Georgia ladies pre-race; the fast marathon runner stopping to take water from an upset toddler who was passing out water with her mom and sisters (and was clearly upset because nobody was taking her water); seeing Kitty, Ray, and Steve at Mile 5; making it up the JTB last hill; fellow woggers who would ask how I was doing; beautiful cold day; drive to Orlando and room location


Saturday, February 16, 2013

And Then It Was Saturday ...

After yesterday's ridiculous food choices, I knew there would be consequences.  I was just hoping they wouldn't be too bad.  So, we got up and headed to downtown Jacksonville for the Family Fun 5K that's part of the 26.2 with Donna weekend.

The best part is Chick Fil A providing their chicken sandwiches before the race.  Since I hadn't had breakfast (as if I needed some), I took one and pretty much wolfed it down.  A little later, the race started.  We had probably gone maybe a half-mile when I became aware of the brick in my stomach.  We were headed up Mt. Everest (or so it seemed), so I stopped the jog and walked.  The brick seemed to settle a bit, and we eventually finished the race.

The next questionable choice was joining Steve for breakfast.  Not so much the joining part, but the decision to go ahead and eat breakfast.  Even though it was only some yogurt and granola, the brick was not happy about sharing space in my stomach.

Eventually we made it back to the hotel, where I took a hot shower (for about four hours, or so it seemed) in an attempt to get warm.  That didn't seem to work, so I got out and dressed and headed for the bed, only after cranking up the thermostat to rain-forest temperatures.  After downing a couple of Tylenol, the shivers/heat waves seemed to abate so I could focus on today's activity - sleeping through/watching the NCIS marathon.  At some point I recovered enough to sit up, hoping that I am on the road to recovery.

Anyhow, I've had pretzels and rice today, hoping it will fuel me for tomorrow's 13.1.  The good news?  The race pace you have to stick to is a 32 minute mile (a great thing about this half marathon is that they give you the entire marathon time to finish).  Here's hoping the brick is gone by the time we hit the beach!
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The Good Stuff  from Today:  5K with Steve; Chick Fil A sandwiches and cows; breakfast place and toy store; spending the day in bed; housekeeping lady; response to my medal donation inquiry; Steve taking care of whatever I needed


Friday, February 15, 2013

I Ate This Today ...

Unfortunately, it was after the mushroom burger and onion rings that I had for dinner. 

Unfortunately, that was a few hours after the Carolina shrimp and grits that I had for lunch that looked like this:


I wouldn't say it's been a stellar dieting day ...
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The Good Stuff From Today:  safe, smooth flight to Jacksonville; lunch at Metro Diner and dinner at Col Mustard's Phat Burgers with Steve; race expo; outlet shopping

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Perspective

I've been watching the Carnival Triumph for the last few hours as it limped into port in Mobile.  It's sort of like watching any Southern news channel after a tornado as they interview those affected.  It's almost like the news reporters are foaming at the mouth, waiting for any bit of insipid piece of conversation to make their newscast come out on top.  It's been the same news as different reporters talk to passengers on the ship - things were bad, they had to poop in bio-bags, and the crew was fantastic.  And while I am glued to the television, I am also sort of ticked at those news people.

Mostly I hate it because they speculate entirely too much.  I hate because they ask the same questions over and over and over.  I hate it because they act as if this were a huge event instead of what it was - a vacation gone really, really bad.  But I think I hate it the most because just the other day I saw this online:


I know the passengers had a rough time of it. 
But by comparison, they had it pretty good, too.
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The Good Stuff From Today:  getting enough stuff done so that I feel I can leave the house for a week; dinner with most of the family; Lindley and Everley time; packing

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

It's Wednesday ...

... and tomorrow is Valentine's Day and I'm having the family over for dinner and then the next day Steve and I are leaving for the weekend in Jacksonville.  Where I hope to complete the 26.2 with Donna Half Marathon. 

So I guess I'd better pack ...
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The Good Stuff From Today:  getting stuff done (I know, but it's so great to get stuff done!); Everley time; consuming a entire box of Girl Scout cookies

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

I Gots Thangs To Do ...

Like cleaning and putting away and washing and filing and sewing and sweeping and mopping.  Just to name a few.  Oh, and there's packing a suitcase before Friday morning.

But instead I've been watching "Dance Moms" and "Double Divas." Because there's nothing like putting off what you need to do to watch really ridiculous television instead . . .
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The Good Stuff From Today:  breakfast at the Pantry with the Karens, Molly, Sharon, and Bruce; running errands and getting things accomplished

Monday, February 11, 2013

It's Monday ....

... time for a cartoon...


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The Good Stuff From Today:  getting stuff done; cleaning off desk; Steve picking up Applebees for dinner

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Sundays - Just Another Cousin Day!!

Lindley spent the night with us while her parents were in Austin to visit friends.  Last night she might have gone to bed later than usual, and then only if PawPaw read her some books and waited until she finally dozed off.  Later, LaLa went in to snuggle awhile until morning - which was still a few hours away.  Anyhow, we got a few projects done and some tricycle riding completed.  The best?  A portrait created by Lindley herself (completed while sitting on the potty, of course).  The yellow blob in the middle - me.  The red blob on the left is PawPaw and the one on the right is Moo and Bobo.  I know - a young Picasso, right?!!

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The Good Stuff From Today:  Steve's steaks on the grill for lunch; Joanns and Target with Molly; Lindley and Everley time

Saturday, February 9, 2013

A Beautiful Saturday

A beautiful day for playing and wagon rides.  Maybe the groundhog was right!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  Lindley and Everley time; spaghetti dinner with Mathieu and Maribeth; airport run with Lynnette; 90 second Molly visit

Friday, February 8, 2013

A Good Friday

First of all, I got a lot of our upcoming Princess Half-Marathon trip planning done.  Mostly getting room reservations changed and added and requested.  I also got waivers printed out and flights coordinated.  Now it's just a matter of getting our outfits together and figuring out what to pack (like that's gonna happen beforehand!).

The next good thing took a few weeks to come to fruition.  A week or so ago, I read on a Disney blog that the Kelly and Michael morning show was going to tape at Disney World the very week that I was going to be down there.  All you had to do was request tickets, and maybe you would get them.  So I requested them.  And waited.  The website said the tickets would be sent out the week of February 5, which was this week (seriously - look on your calendar).  Anyhow, it did not say if the tickets would come email or snail mail.  So I waited and checked both mailboxes every day this week, but received nothing.  By today, I had pretty much decided that I must have not gotten any tickets.  At least until I went out to the mailbox this morning and THERE THEY WERE!  Actually, it's two bracelets and two one-day/one-park tickets to get into the park (sorry - already have a potential taker for the other ticket).  I'm pretty stoked about it - but what shall I wear?

The other good thing is that Molly ordered, and then accompanied me to the Apple Store for pickup, my new iPhone 5.  I had passed the hand-me-down iPhone 3 and 4 tests (meaning I didn't run it over with the car or drop it in the toilet and showed some proficiency at using it), so because I was tired of using the stuck button on my current phone, I got my new phone.  I didn't get the insurance protection plan (as the Apple lady kept reiterating), so I have to carry it around in a padded container until Monday or Tuesday, when my protective Otter Box should be here.  I won't even bother discussing my new bestie, Siri, who is also fairly judgmental when I don't say things as she thinks I should.

Anyhow, it's been a good day.  Thank you God, for such a good day!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  Princess trip planning; DVC lady help; new iphone-ing with Molly; seeing Everley's new pink car; Kelly and Michael tix; long soak in the tub

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Hello Thursday!!

The thing about being stuck in a rut of being a blog-day late, is that you tend to forget what happened the day before and what great ideas you might have had.  Of course, some days it's hard to remember a good idea that you had that morning.  Or maybe even the hour before ...

So, instead of trying to remember anything, I'll just give you the Cliff Notes of Luanne's Current Events.

1.  Girl Scouts are getting ready to push their cookies.  Bad news for anyone who can scarf down a box of Thin Mints before she knows what has happened.  Not that I know anybody like that.

2.  The groundhog didn't see his shadow, so we're going to have an early spring.  Obviously he's never been to Nashville, where the weather fluctuates about as often as a person's menopausal mood swings.  Not that I know of anybody like that, either.

3.  Not that it has concerned you, but you might have noticed that my recording of my food intake has been lacking.  Just in case you were using it as inspiration for your own healthy eating habits (now that's really funny!), my choices have not been recording-worthy.  Or maybe somebody has been too lazy (and/or shamed) to write it down.  No comment.

4.  I actually watched a DVD this week.  It was "Flight" with Denzel Washington.  I was not overly enthused about it, as it's about a pilot who flies a plane upside down, and flying right-side up is not all that appealing to me in the first place.  But it was pretty good, once the nekkid woman part in the very beginning was over (I really don't see the point is seeing the nekkid lady's boom-booms and hoo-ha - I could have gotten the message of the scene with less nekkids and certainly less nekkid time).  It was a good movie that left me feeling pretty good.  But not about flying upside down.

Well, I guess that's about all the catching up I will do for today.  Planning another trip out of town in a week, so I guess I'd better start thinking about it - some people wait until the last minute to pack.

Not that I know of anybody like that ...


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The Good Stuff From Today: picking up Lindley at school; Lindley and Everley time; chicken dinner with some of the family; checking on Molly's house remodel; KB's donation; UP supplies delivery

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

When Good Ideas Come

It's often just before you fall asleep.  And it's not that the ideas are necessarily that good - they're just good enough to get your brain going.  All of a sudden, all your brain pistons start firing and not only does your brain need to explore every aspect of the idea, but all of a sudden more ideas based on (or maybe not) the original idea start popping into your head until you begin to wonder if they are going to start trickling out your ears.  It would probably be an excellent idea to write some of these ideas down, but you're so tired that you couldn't, even if you could locate a pen and paper in the dark.

This great explosion of ideas wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't already 1am and you're tired and you want to go to sleep.  Which you eventually do, just before the sun comes up.  Which is also about the time that all those great ideas that were so earth-shattering now dissolve into oblivion, never to be remembered.

And you?  You're just happy if you remember how the coffee maker works ...
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The Good Stuff From Today:  Everley time; errand running

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

The Question For Today

Last year's efforts
Should more be less?  In this case, it would be my sparkly pink "running" skirt that I assembled for the upcoming Princess Half-Marathon.  Last year our group wore tutus, but since this year's group is boarding a bus for a cruise right after finishing (hopefully) the race, we thought running skirts would be more packable. 

Since time is running out (as usual), today I decided to attempt to make my skirt.  When I bought the material, I knew I wanted a lot of material to be "full" around my rumpus area (having seen too many woggers my size in running skirts that were entirely too tight for my comfort, although they were obviously very comfortable).  Anyhow, I made it, and it does have quite a bit of fullness.  It's also long, since another issue I have with well-endowed-back-cheek women such as I, is when the skirt is so snug that it inches up the back so it looks like you have a belt on over your bike shorts.

Yup, it's a big-un!
Anyhow, here it is.  Hopefully it is flowy enough to cover everything.  And it won't slow me down (like THAT is possible). 

Which leads me back to my original question - should more be less?  I'll let you know in a few weeks when I put this little creation to the test.  Let's hope it just stays together to the finish line!!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  completing a few sewing projects; hanging the shelf above my desk; Steve getting free Pei Wei and bringing it home for dinner

Monday, February 4, 2013

No Walky Day

We (that would be KB and I) were going to walk (train) today.  But it was below freezing (okay, so maybe just a few degrees, but it was cold.  And a Monday.), so we decided not to.  Instead we decided to meet for breakfast and catching up.  Hash browns and french toast made their way to our table - carbo loading, anyone?

Anyhoo, just thought I would confess.  Because confession is good for the soul.  But so is walking and training ...
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The Good Stuff From Today:  Everley time; Mathieu's return from Guard; Bongo breakfast and surprises from KB

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Super Bowl

Watched it.  Ate a Sonic burger, as there was no party here nor did I wish to prepare anything.  No chips and dip, no chocolate football-shape cake, no veggie tray.  Watched some of the commercials on television (watched some others on the internet) and liked several.  Watched some good play by the Ravens, the team I'm basically for, mainly because of Michael Oher and the fact that my sister lives in Baltimore.  Listened to the pre-game singing and the half-time spectacle singing (and shimmy-ing).  Watched the lights go out and the football commentators talk. And talk and talk and talk.  May stay awake for the end, hoping some dude, when asked, "Dude, you just won the Super Bowl.  What's next?", he will say, "I'm Going To Disney World!"

And there you have it.  My take on the Super Bowl.  You're welcome.

UPDATE:  AND HERE IT IS!!

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The Good Stuff From Today:  Lindley and Everley time; safe travel home for Steve, Sam, Lindley, Lynnette, and Molly; Sonic car hop; having a laptop and wireless during the Super Bowl show

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Groundhog Day, Bill Murray Style


Babysitting.  I think I did this yesterday.  In fact, I know I did.  I am one lucky LaLa!!
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The Good Stuff From Today:  Everley Day; texting with Jeanne; morning snowfall

Friday, February 1, 2013

What I Did Today


Take care of this little precious thing and keep her from falling and hurting herself or getting a cut or putting something in her mouth that doesn't belong there or getting a diaper rash from an overripe diaper or any one of the bazillion things that could happen when babysitting.

Thank goodness for naps - for everyone involved!!

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The Good Stuff From Today:  Everley day; Zappos gift card; visiting Rambo at his house