Outrageous Farming at EPCOT

We went to Magic Kingdom this morning and rode a lot of rides that we haven't been able to in a few years because the lines have always been out of control. Embarrass myself I will - Snow White's Adventures, Peter Pan, The Jungle Cruise and yes - yes - It's A Small World.

Then we headed over to EPCOT - rode the clam shell in Nemo's Adventures, Spaceship Earth (we call it the golf ball), the Norwegian ride, the Mexico ride and then my all time favorite - the ride in The Land "Living with the Land". I love it not for the hokey keep the earth beautiful stuff but for the experimental farming.

Fish farms, food farms, fish and food farms together. I love it. Tomato "trees". 9 pound lemons. Herbs grown hydroponically - it was all there. if it was possible i would get out of the boat, touch every blessed plant, knock on the door of the laboratory and ask 5 million questions. However they escort you out of the park for such actions.

We had a great dinner at Jiko at the Animal Kingdom. Now I am dog tired.

Delicious Disney

This morning we slept in. I woke up to a fresh - right -out-of-a -Disney oven cinnamon bun. It was delicious.

We went to Downtown Disney this morning. The cup with the two mice in the picture above is going to be coming home with me. It is sooo very cute. We ate "lunch" aka chocolate sundaes at Ghiradellis. Delicious.

Off to Epcot - we went on many rides and had dinner at the Italy Pavillion. Pizza to die for. Delicious. Of course the carafe of sangria that haskell and I split didn't hurt either.

A lot of walking today and tomorrow morning it is off to the Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom

We had a wonderful morning at the magic Kingdom. We were able to go on all the rides that we really enjoy with minimal wait time. We even thought we would give Space Mountain a try. The last time I was on Space Mountain was probably 1975 when it opened. My dad took me on it and told me that I better not throw up because it would shoot backwards and land on him. I remember the ride being terrifying. But, hey, I was 10 years old at the time - everything is terrifying to a 10 year old - right?

The next time I doubt my childhood memory I want someone to come over and smack me in the head. Possibly everything is terrifying to a 10 year old - however it is even more terrifying to a 45 year old whose body is not really great at taking the whipping turns and jolting pop ups of Space Mountain. Not only was the ride itself just as terrifying as I remember it but at the very end I was saying a Hail Mary that the next tight curve spiralling downward would be the last.

Why? You may ask. Because I calculated that I had only moments before one of two things was going to happen. 1. I was going to throw up (thank God no one was behind me) or 2. I was going to pass out. Now I'm pretty sure that #1 happens all the time but #2 was probably going to get me an ambulance ride and possibly some news time.

Thank God neither one happened. As our car came to a sudden stop and we were told to unload, I unsuccessfully attempted to get out. Of course my husband and daughter bolted for the exit and yes, mortifyingly, the attend had to give me a hand. Yes and said "Have a magical day MAAM."

We're Here!

We made it! The ride from Georgia was uneventful. The weather was on our side - no rain and sunny skies. We arrived and went right to EPCOT. We walked around for a few hours and headed over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for dinner (fufu was delicious). Afterwards we went over to the Disney Studios and then took the long walk by the lake back to the Boardwalk.

I can tell you this much - I will sleep well tonight!

Georgia on my mind...

Okay, the picture to the right is a beautiful scene in Georgia. Savannah to be exact. Technically I am in Savannah. very technically I am staying in the Wingate Hotel off of the off ramp of Interstate 95 at the very north border of Savannah. So my view is more of the Interstate, a parking lot and a questionable Shoney's and not the beautiful picture you see before you.

However, since I choose to envision my own reality (lol) I am choosing to envision the beautiful moss covered trees arching over a rural lane leading to a historic cemetery on a lush plantation. Not the tar covered line less parking lot surrounded by eighteen wheelers and the smell of something -I -don't want- to-know billowing out of various restaurants.

When we wake up tomorrow morning it will be to head south in to Florida and then -- Disney--or as I lovingly call it, after one of my favorite movies "Vacation" -- Wally World! I can't wait - lots of pictures tomorrow!

Oh and by the way Gus and Trudy are still loving their adventure. Don't forget to look in on them at gusandtrudy.blogspot.com.

Meet Gus and Trudy

I have started a new blog. Gusandtrudy.blogspot.com. Everyone knows of my love for gnomes. I love watching the travelocity gnome and I loved watching the gnome on the movie "Amelie". Based on those two gnomes and because we were leaving for Disney World today I hatched a plan to bring Gus the Gnome and trudy the Owl on the trip.

In one of my previous posts I told you about the neighborhood kids and how they found gnome jewels in my yard. They had left a note for the gnome to leave them candy - and he did! Well now Gus and Trudy have decided to let the kids keep track of their adventures. I am going to enjoy blogging the adventures of Gus and Trudy and I encourage you to peek in on them every once in a while!

Meanwhile I am so excited for our trip to Disney. We did sit in traffic for a while on 95 but at least we did not have to detour off the road (as we did one infamous year).

I hope to keep you posted on our trip. Don't forget to say hi to Gus and Trudy!

Sara Jane is a Substitute Teacher!

Today was a very special day for me. My daughter, Sara Jane, had enough college credits to begin subbing at school with me. her last final exam was on Monday and she started teaching today.

Sara Jane subbed in Spanish class today for 5th and 7th grades. I think she handled herself beautifully. I tried very hard not to go and keep checking her in the classroom. I always try to remember that little birds have wings.

I was subbed in the Science lab today with 4th and 6th grades. I always enjoy myself in the science lab. I had some free time today so I took a few pictures. You can see the teacher's demonstration table, the microscopes and our friendly classroom skeleton - Bones.

It was such a pleasure to be ale to drive in with Sara Jane. I have to admit that I did make her stand on the front step and have her picture taken, just like I always did at the beginning of every school year and for every special occasion.

She looked so very mature in her suit. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the both of us together! Did I mention how very proud of her I am?