Spring break 2009. Originally, I thought Nikki and I would just hang out at home. Nikki spoke to Paul in Orlando and they decided we should come visit once more. Paul's apartment is becoming out timeshare, but instead of paying, we feed him dinner. Anyhow, with a few days of getting our act together, we loaded up the truck and move to Beverly, I mean we loaded up the SUV and headed out to the big "O" town. Crazy us, not thinking it is spring break, left Friday after school and made our way to Valdosta, GA for our usual pit stop. That was around 9pm. No room. Try another place. No room. One more. No room. Ok, ok, it is only 9pm, we will go down to Lake City. No room. Uh-oh. Thank goodness for technology, I got on my internet on my cell and started calling hotels I had googled. Gainsville, no room. Ocala, no room. Now it is 1am and we are only an hour from Orlando. Call Paul. No answer. We make one more feeble attempt at a room before leaving Ocala- ahhhhh, a dank little Ramada Inn with one non-smoking room. Not our usual choise for a place to stay, but so completely grateful. A good nights rest and then on to our destination. We got to Orlando Saturday afternoon and got settled in, then headed over to the Mall of Millenia and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Paul, finally got out of class and met us (with a special friend...hmmmm?) and we had a fun night of coversation and laughs. The next morning we headed out to the Magic Kingdom. A beautiful fun day. A long day. We were there by 8am and had ridden all of our favorites by lunch time. Nikki, Paul (his special friend) and I spent a wonderful time riding, eating and seeing shows.
" Celebrate You!" This years theme- I loved the decorations on the lampost, so I took a picture.
We've been so much (four times already this year!) and I love to find different ways to take pictures.
Nikki and I love Splash Mountain- Paul and his special friend were not so brave. They are still at the age where they are worried about their hair getting wet. We rode before 10am and got soaked... and loved it! Later in the day we rode again and didn't get as wet. We noticed the water levels were much higher in the morning. Space Mountain- we are too old for that- instant whiplash. Had a nice dinner, said goodbye to Mickey and the gang and came to Pauls house exhuasted. Nikki was a real trooper and fought through her fatigue. But she will outright say she was so the inhumility counteracts the compliment.
" Celebrate You!" This years theme- I loved the decorations on the lampost, so I took a picture.
We've been so much (four times already this year!) and I love to find different ways to take pictures.
Nikki and I love Splash Mountain- Paul and his special friend were not so brave. They are still at the age where they are worried about their hair getting wet. We rode before 10am and got soaked... and loved it! Later in the day we rode again and didn't get as wet. We noticed the water levels were much higher in the morning. Space Mountain- we are too old for that- instant whiplash. Had a nice dinner, said goodbye to Mickey and the gang and came to Pauls house exhuasted. Nikki was a real trooper and fought through her fatigue. But she will outright say she was so the inhumility counteracts the compliment.A few weeks ago, not knowing we were going to Orlando, I found online and article about an exhibit of Jim Henson memoribilia. I rembered yesterday that I read about the exhibit and looked it up on line. Just so happens, it was about 15 minutes from Paul's place.
Nikki and I loaded up- Paul took a nap, he's been entertaining a special friend and going to class- and headed over the The History Museum in downtown Orlando. Speaking of downtown, it is pretty cool, a place I haven't explored, but would like to and plan to more.
The exhibit was called Jim Henson's Fantastic World was great- not just because I got in free for being a teacher- but because it was so interesting. We saw an original Kermit, Bert and Ernie, Rowlf the Dog and Fraggles! There were lots of sketches and samples of equipment and conceptual drawings. I loved it and could have stayed all day. The best part about the whole experience was realizing how "normal" it all was. Sometimes when you see things in the movies or on tv, you think on what a grand scale it must all be, but those puppets were made from the same things I have in the scrap box- foam and paint. Makes me feel smart and at the same time so ready to be creative.
The best part- this is only the beginning of the week!
Nikki and I loaded up- Paul took a nap, he's been entertaining a special friend and going to class- and headed over the The History Museum in downtown Orlando. Speaking of downtown, it is pretty cool, a place I haven't explored, but would like to and plan to more.
The exhibit was called Jim Henson's Fantastic World was great- not just because I got in free for being a teacher- but because it was so interesting. We saw an original Kermit, Bert and Ernie, Rowlf the Dog and Fraggles! There were lots of sketches and samples of equipment and conceptual drawings. I loved it and could have stayed all day. The best part about the whole experience was realizing how "normal" it all was. Sometimes when you see things in the movies or on tv, you think on what a grand scale it must all be, but those puppets were made from the same things I have in the scrap box- foam and paint. Makes me feel smart and at the same time so ready to be creative.
The best part- this is only the beginning of the week! 
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