Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Contest for Yummy Beads
Head to Karin's blog for an awesome contest. Hope she doesn't mind me linking pictures of the yummy prize beads!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thunder Beach
Click now for JiffNotes
Three weekends ago, Michael's parents took us to Panama City in celebration of Michael's birthday. We stayed in a wonderful place right on the beach!
Little did we know when we picked the weekend, that it was Thunder Beach Weekend!
And here is where the blog is going to totally fail you. I took pictures of the beautiful beach, with its sugar-white sand that was so soft to walk in, and "squeaky" when you scuff your feet. I took pictures of the cute wee sandpipers frolicking in the waves...
...Michael even got great closeups of them... 
...we got a blurry picture of the pool, with its Hawaiian shave ice stand (mmm, peaches 'n' cream!) 
...I even let pictures of my alabaster legs continue to exist... 
...but I did not get any pictures of the bikes. Or the bikers. Not one shot of the custom, skull-incrusted, flame-infused paint jobs nor of the winged helmets, nor still yet any of very overtanned overage women in short shorts.
I had a feeling I'd get beat up if I tried it.
But I think I had the wrong idea about bikers, or at least the kind that show up to ignore helmet laws and cruise around at the beach. I thought they'd be going about 78 miles per hour on the road that runs along the beach, and I thought they'd be lookin' for trouble.
Seeing as how I saw a pink scooter (pink! SCOOTER!) parked, unashamed, in the midst of the mass of hogs outside our hotel, I'm guessing these guys are more in the camp of "if you're an enthusiast, you're OK with us".
But back to the beach...I cannot explain to you how wonderful stepping out on that sand was, even after arriving late at night and finding out that we were not going to be on an upper floor as promised (and paid for), but on the second floor, really close to all the engine noise (read: my anticipated level of engine noise...which was practically non-existent). It was a glorious temperature, the sand felt glorious, and THERE WAS THE OCEAN. A few minutes later and we were all digging in the sand, practically in the dark, to repair someone else's sandcastle that an unfeeling jerk had stomped upon. All was right with the world. And to make up for the room problem, the hotel gave us free breakfast and moved us the next day to a room with a fantastic view.
Saturday morning we hit the beach, swam out to the sandbar and had a great time until we saw the first Moon jelly (dinner plate sized) floating in the water. Uh-oh. Then we saw a second, and a third...and then we decided the hotel pool looked pretty good. After lunch, we headed out to find some miniature golf, but we got distracted by this wonderful maze.
This is me at the observation tower at the start. You timepunch a ticket when you enter, and then you have to make your way to the four raised platforms to punch your card. When you exit, you timepunch your ticket again for bragging rights. =) You can see that things look pretty uniform throughout! 
We beat Michael's parents, but if I had been left to myself I might still be in there. =) After the maze, we were too hot to golf, so we went to the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum (sic). I'd never been to one before. When I was a kid, if I had suggested such a thing, my dad would have said, "We're not wasting money seeing that junk." I have to say, I think he had the right idea! =D
Sunday morning we got up and hit the beach again and Michael had a lot of fun searching for shells.
The ones with the holes are, obviously, for attaching to stitched pieces. =) I love the piece of coral he found, and the teensy spiral shells.
On the way out of town, we finally had our game of minigolf.
I had one bad hole that put me out of the running, but I still did not end up in last place. =) 
It was a great weekend and so nice to just see the sun and be warm!!
Three weekends ago, Michael's parents took us to Panama City in celebration of Michael's birthday. We stayed in a wonderful place right on the beach!
Little did we know when we picked the weekend, that it was Thunder Beach Weekend!
And here is where the blog is going to totally fail you. I took pictures of the beautiful beach, with its sugar-white sand that was so soft to walk in, and "squeaky" when you scuff your feet. I took pictures of the cute wee sandpipers frolicking in the waves...
...Michael even got great closeups of them... 
...we got a blurry picture of the pool, with its Hawaiian shave ice stand (mmm, peaches 'n' cream!) 
...I even let pictures of my alabaster legs continue to exist... 
...but I did not get any pictures of the bikes. Or the bikers. Not one shot of the custom, skull-incrusted, flame-infused paint jobs nor of the winged helmets, nor still yet any of very overtanned overage women in short shorts.I had a feeling I'd get beat up if I tried it.
But I think I had the wrong idea about bikers, or at least the kind that show up to ignore helmet laws and cruise around at the beach. I thought they'd be going about 78 miles per hour on the road that runs along the beach, and I thought they'd be lookin' for trouble.
Seeing as how I saw a pink scooter (pink! SCOOTER!) parked, unashamed, in the midst of the mass of hogs outside our hotel, I'm guessing these guys are more in the camp of "if you're an enthusiast, you're OK with us".
But back to the beach...I cannot explain to you how wonderful stepping out on that sand was, even after arriving late at night and finding out that we were not going to be on an upper floor as promised (and paid for), but on the second floor, really close to all the engine noise (read: my anticipated level of engine noise...which was practically non-existent). It was a glorious temperature, the sand felt glorious, and THERE WAS THE OCEAN. A few minutes later and we were all digging in the sand, practically in the dark, to repair someone else's sandcastle that an unfeeling jerk had stomped upon. All was right with the world. And to make up for the room problem, the hotel gave us free breakfast and moved us the next day to a room with a fantastic view.
Saturday morning we hit the beach, swam out to the sandbar and had a great time until we saw the first Moon jelly (dinner plate sized) floating in the water. Uh-oh. Then we saw a second, and a third...and then we decided the hotel pool looked pretty good. After lunch, we headed out to find some miniature golf, but we got distracted by this wonderful maze.
This is me at the observation tower at the start. You timepunch a ticket when you enter, and then you have to make your way to the four raised platforms to punch your card. When you exit, you timepunch your ticket again for bragging rights. =) You can see that things look pretty uniform throughout! 
We beat Michael's parents, but if I had been left to myself I might still be in there. =) After the maze, we were too hot to golf, so we went to the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum (sic). I'd never been to one before. When I was a kid, if I had suggested such a thing, my dad would have said, "We're not wasting money seeing that junk." I have to say, I think he had the right idea! =DSunday morning we got up and hit the beach again and Michael had a lot of fun searching for shells.
The ones with the holes are, obviously, for attaching to stitched pieces. =) I love the piece of coral he found, and the teensy spiral shells.On the way out of town, we finally had our game of minigolf.
I had one bad hole that put me out of the running, but I still did not end up in last place. =) 
It was a great weekend and so nice to just see the sun and be warm!!| JiffNotes |
|---|
| Bikers like pink, too. |
Friday, September 25, 2009
Let the vacation gauntlet begin!
We are leaving in about an hour for Panama City for the weekend to celebrate Michael's birthday with his parents. I am really looking forward to the beach. I'm hoping for sun, but I'm just happy it will be WARM! We'll be in town the next weekend, then the weekend after that I'm going to the mountains with my sisters, and Michael's having a "guy weekend" with some friends. I'm back for a weekend, then I travel to Hilton Head Island for a stitching weekend (planned since last year).... Then, the big trip: The VERY NEXT WEEKEND, we're flying to Istanbul to embark on a cruise that will take us to Croatia, Greece, Italy and finally to Barcelona, Spain!! I'm very excited about the cruise, but I have no idea how I'll manage work, laundry and packing for all this.
As far as work goes, I've finished my big project, and the software releases on Tuesday. However, the user community has been very whiny and I'm sure I'll have more work to do.
I have finished a stitching project and a sweater (tank, just in time for Fall :p), cast on two socks, and worked on various and sundry. I promise pictures...at some point!
My lack of blogging is not likely to improve...but hang with me. The Winter's got to be better, right??!?
As far as work goes, I've finished my big project, and the software releases on Tuesday. However, the user community has been very whiny and I'm sure I'll have more work to do.
I have finished a stitching project and a sweater (tank, just in time for Fall :p), cast on two socks, and worked on various and sundry. I promise pictures...at some point!
My lack of blogging is not likely to improve...but hang with me. The Winter's got to be better, right??!?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
QED
Your result for Howard Gardner's Eight Types of Intelligence Test...
Logical
51% Logical, 49% Spatial, 25% Linguistic, 8% Intrapersonal, 18% Interpersonal, 41% Musical, 14% Bodily-Kinesthetic and 31% Naturalistic!
"This area has to do with logic, abstractions, inductive and deductive reasoning, and numbers. While it is often assumed that those with this intelligence naturally excel in mathematics, chess, computer programming, and other logical or numerical activities, a more accurate definition places emphasis less on traditional mathematical ability and more reasoning capabilities, abstract pattern recognition, scientific thinking and investigation, and the ability to perform complex calculations.
Careers which suit those with this intelligence include scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and economists." (Wikipedia)
Take Howard Gardner's Eight Types of Intelligence Test at HelloQuizzy
Unsurprising for me, yes? I'd love to hear your results if you take the test!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Checking In
Click now for JiffNotes
I've been trying to write this post since the beginning of the month! Thank you for all your comments. Work is still "terrible"...I'm quoting that because it's not terrible that I have a job, nor is it terrible that everyone has so much confidence in me that I get put on projects that are running behind, but it has been very stressful and will continue to be until October. Then it will just be regular stressful. =) The other big work news is that Michael's office is moving, so he's been working from home while they find another location. (Cart, horse, anyone?) As a result, we can no longer carpool to the office...he used to work 5 minutes from me. =( So, I have been riding MARTA (Atlanta's mass transit). Now, I could drive if I wanted to. But I hate driving in traffic, and I don't love driving the PT Cruiser even in no traffic. The worst part has been the walk from the station to the office in the heat! I really, really want a Segway, but they're much more expensive than I'd thought.
I have so much backlog, it's not even funny. But I'll try to start moving forward and filling in the gaps later. All I've got right now is this picture of a finished ornament...it was the next-to-last one for our annual kit exchange, which happened in July. It's the Cherished Stitches biscornu from last year's JCS ornament issue.
I've been trying to write this post since the beginning of the month! Thank you for all your comments. Work is still "terrible"...I'm quoting that because it's not terrible that I have a job, nor is it terrible that everyone has so much confidence in me that I get put on projects that are running behind, but it has been very stressful and will continue to be until October. Then it will just be regular stressful. =) The other big work news is that Michael's office is moving, so he's been working from home while they find another location. (Cart, horse, anyone?) As a result, we can no longer carpool to the office...he used to work 5 minutes from me. =( So, I have been riding MARTA (Atlanta's mass transit). Now, I could drive if I wanted to. But I hate driving in traffic, and I don't love driving the PT Cruiser even in no traffic. The worst part has been the walk from the station to the office in the heat! I really, really want a Segway, but they're much more expensive than I'd thought.
I have so much backlog, it's not even funny. But I'll try to start moving forward and filling in the gaps later. All I've got right now is this picture of a finished ornament...it was the next-to-last one for our annual kit exchange, which happened in July. It's the Cherished Stitches biscornu from last year's JCS ornament issue.
| JiffNotes |
|---|
| Work. That's pretty much all I've got. |
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Independence Day!!
Thank you to everyone who dedicates their time to keeping us safe and free! 
I promise there will be updates soon...work has been a bear!
I promise there will be updates soon...work has been a bear!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Surprise Ornament
I finally finished my Surprise ornament for the exchange in July! It seems like it took FOR-EV-ER!
First Snow
by The Drawn Thread
available here
This scan is just a bit washed out. The colors are still subtle, but a little more saturated than this. Michael said he really liked it when he saw it finished. I'm feeling rather uninspired about how to finish it. Any good ideas? I picked up a book on kumihimo at Stitches South. (Egad, I still need to blog about that!) How weird would it be to use an ancient Japanese braiding as a border for a primitive cross stitch design??
by The Drawn Thread
available here
This scan is just a bit washed out. The colors are still subtle, but a little more saturated than this. Michael said he really liked it when he saw it finished. I'm feeling rather uninspired about how to finish it. Any good ideas? I picked up a book on kumihimo at Stitches South. (Egad, I still need to blog about that!) How weird would it be to use an ancient Japanese braiding as a border for a primitive cross stitch design??
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Ritzy Tea
Click now for JiffNotes
A couple weeks ago, Michael and I went to tea at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. This is actually where he proposed to me (at tea), after a morning of surprises (but that's another post for another day). The atmosphere would kind of remind you of an old English manor house. 
They currently serve Mighty Leaf (loose) tea. We're huge fans of their tea bags, since we are, as I may have mentioned, tea snobs and don't generally like bagged tea over loose.
The sandwiches were wonderful. From bottom to top, we had cucumber-cream cheese-topped pita with hummus and asparagus, a sun-dried tomato, feta and olive tart, salmon and egg on toast, a bacon and gruyere quiche and a dual-layer wheat sandwich filled with a pesto and curried chicken salad, separated by brioche. They were all good, but we raved over that last sandwich, so our server brought us each another! This may explain why we didn't quite make it through the pastry tower.... 
We had to take the entire bottom layer (all chocolate!) home! The best thing on that layer was the black forest cup: a chocolate cup filled with a brownie square and brandied cherries, topped with white chocolate mouse and chocolate shavings. *drool* I must also mention the seven-layer bars, because this is one of the places the Ritz goes above and beyond: You could tell the pecans in the bars were toasted. Sure, it might not make that much difference to some people, but I can totally taste the difference!
Even though the scones were not served warm (precious few tea rooms do this, although they should be served first, before the sandwich course, just out of the oven), they were very good. And the best part...
The Ritz has Devonshire (clotted) cream!! When I was taking the half-jar that Michael left home with me (notice I did not have any left!), our server asked if I'd like a fresh jar (!!) to take with me. Yes, please! When she returned, she not only had a fresh jar of clotted cream, but also another jar of strawberry preserves...and another scone!! 
Yummmmmmm.....
A couple weeks ago, Michael and I went to tea at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. This is actually where he proposed to me (at tea), after a morning of surprises (but that's another post for another day). The atmosphere would kind of remind you of an old English manor house. 
They currently serve Mighty Leaf (loose) tea. We're huge fans of their tea bags, since we are, as I may have mentioned, tea snobs and don't generally like bagged tea over loose.
The sandwiches were wonderful. From bottom to top, we had cucumber-cream cheese-topped pita with hummus and asparagus, a sun-dried tomato, feta and olive tart, salmon and egg on toast, a bacon and gruyere quiche and a dual-layer wheat sandwich filled with a pesto and curried chicken salad, separated by brioche. They were all good, but we raved over that last sandwich, so our server brought us each another! This may explain why we didn't quite make it through the pastry tower.... 
We had to take the entire bottom layer (all chocolate!) home! The best thing on that layer was the black forest cup: a chocolate cup filled with a brownie square and brandied cherries, topped with white chocolate mouse and chocolate shavings. *drool* I must also mention the seven-layer bars, because this is one of the places the Ritz goes above and beyond: You could tell the pecans in the bars were toasted. Sure, it might not make that much difference to some people, but I can totally taste the difference!Even though the scones were not served warm (precious few tea rooms do this, although they should be served first, before the sandwich course, just out of the oven), they were very good. And the best part...
The Ritz has Devonshire (clotted) cream!! When I was taking the half-jar that Michael left home with me (notice I did not have any left!), our server asked if I'd like a fresh jar (!!) to take with me. Yes, please! When she returned, she not only had a fresh jar of clotted cream, but also another jar of strawberry preserves...and another scone!! 
Yummmmmmm.....| JiffNotes |
|---|
| Even though the Ritz's tea service is somewhat pricey, it gives you a large volume of very, very good food. The strawberries and champagne add-on aren't worth it, in my opinion. |
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Ornamentified
Click now for JiffNotes
I hope you all had a good Easter! (This was my Luna bar Saturday morning before choir practice, visiting Michael's parents, architectural tour of Sovereign and running tons of errands.)
A couple weekend ago I was able to "ornamentify" my latest finished ornament.
Stitching around all those corners was not exactly fun, but I love the result! Here's the copious back personalization again:
Then I started thinking, Gee, could I have picked a more boring background? Surely I have something Asian I can photograph this next to? 
Aaahhh...we have a winner! 
I hope you all had a good Easter! (This was my Luna bar Saturday morning before choir practice, visiting Michael's parents, architectural tour of Sovereign and running tons of errands.)A couple weekend ago I was able to "ornamentify" my latest finished ornament.
Oriental Splendor
Cindy Valentine Designs, from JCS 2008 ornament issue
22 ct. Ariosa with Anchor #8 pearl cotton, Watercolors and Kreinik #4 braid
Cindy Valentine Designs, from JCS 2008 ornament issue
22 ct. Ariosa with Anchor #8 pearl cotton, Watercolors and Kreinik #4 braid
Stitching around all those corners was not exactly fun, but I love the result! Here's the copious back personalization again:
Then I started thinking, Gee, could I have picked a more boring background? Surely I have something Asian I can photograph this next to? 
Aaahhh...we have a winner! 
| JiffNotes |
|---|
| One ornament down, three to go...before July!! Yikes!! |
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Who says...
...there's no wildlife in downtown Atlanta?? 
I wish you could've seen these guys dashing around. It was hard to get a decent picture of them because they were constantly in motion!
I wish you could've seen these guys dashing around. It was hard to get a decent picture of them because they were constantly in motion!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Vacation the third part: To infinity...and beyond!
Click now for JiffNotes
Alas, our time on the Disney Wonder had come to an end.
After an early breakfast (though not as early as the suckers who had the early dinner seating...this was the only time I was glad we had the late seating for dinner), we disembarked with so little fanfare it was amazing. The other cruises I've been on, everyone was stuck on the ship until they called your deck, milling about and crowding into the "lobby", then a big herd of people would run to the gangplank. Pandemonium. Not on the Disney cruises...you can leave whenever you want. (Well, outside of "never", which is what I would have chosen.) It works shockingly well. Take note, other cruise lines! Or, you know...don't bother. I'm not going to be cruising with anyone but Disney ever again.... (I kid. Or do I?)
Next stop: KSC!
The whole day, I couldn't get my brain to stop thinking of chicken every time I saw that written down. Anyway. We started with the bus tour, which the guide brochure said would take "2.5 to 3 hours".
Yeah.
We decided the only way you could do that tour in 2.5 hours was if you didn't like science even remotely. There are two or three stops on the tour. The first stop, after driving by the VAB (vehicle assembly building) and launch control, is at a small exhibit and the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry (a tower where you can view the launching platforms). The shuttle was on one of the platforms, but was completely obscurred by the servicing rig (so, the picture just looks like a bunch of scaffolding...so I didn't bother to post it here). Second stop is the Apollo center. WOW.
They have an entire Apollo rocket (would have been Apollo 18) in there, split out by stages, with a great small model with transparent sides that explains what everything is. And LOTS to read. Some good "shows", too, including a simulation of a launch while you stand in front of the old school computer equipment they used to use. The final stop of the tour is the International Space Station center, where you can actually look into the clean room at equipment that will be going up.
Post-bus tour, we walked through a shuttle replica (Explorer), more exhibits, and saw an IMAX movie. We would have liked to go to the Astronaut Hall of Fame (which, though it sounds cheesy, is supposed to be really good), but there just wasn't time. We drove over to Orlando and checked in to our hotel, the Gaylord Palms.
Once again, I had a major picture-taking FAIL. This hotel is sister to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. It has an enormous atrium. "Atrium" isn't even the right word! There are waterfalls, streams, trees, even alligators!! We avoided those!
The next morning, we got up and headed to Disney's Hollywood Studios (still have to pause to remember not to say "Disney-MGM Studios"!) This day was my actual birthday, where I could get in any park free! Well, since we always buy 10 day Parkhopper passes (which take us about 5 years to use), I opted for option #2: A Birthday Fun Card! What is that, you may ask? Well, it's the price of a one-day, one-park ticket on a debit card that can be used for Disney merchandise! Um, yeah, twist my arm to shop, LOL!! I also got to wear a button that said it was my birthday, with my first name printed on it. This turned out to provide the most entertainment of the day. Not only did cast members constantly call out "Happy Birthday!" to me, but other guests would as well...especially other guests who had the same button on! I started scanning for buttons as well.
The first order of the day was to procure caffeine, since we had not had a chance to get any at the hotel. With my tea, I was given a free Mickey-shaped sugar cookie dipped in chocolate! Maria took a picture on her camera, but let me tell you, that sucker was BIG!
One of the new attractions at Hollywood Studios is "The American Idol Experience". We had briefly looked at information about it before going; I toyed with the idea of auditioning, but decided that was too much stress. Plus, I was unlikely to make it, which would be a big downer. If I *did* happen to make it, it would have messed up our schedule a bit, since I would have had to show up at an appointed time for pre-show prep. I had actually decided I didn't even want to go to the show; I figured that we might have to sit through eight crappy contestants to see a couple good ones, and even then they probably wouldn't be very good! Well, Michael really wanted to go, so I recanted. When we went in, this is what we saw:
A (very entertaining) pre-show guy was working the crowd and explaining the voting system (there're numbered buttons on your armrest; you can change your vote until they call time). I have to give props to the cast members in the show and the contestants: I enjoyed every moment! There were only three contestants. One had a very "nice" voice, one would not have met the age requirements of AI, and the one that we voted through to the nightly final show was awesome! The judges are apparently former Adventurers' Club cast members (and if you never got a chance to go to AC, you missed a great "show"...Kungaloosh!!) Here are some highlights:
After visiting a few favorites--Voyage of the Little Mermaid (I agree with Erin that it's lame after "Under the Sea"...especially since our Ariel had the wimpiest voice ever!) and Muppet*Vision 4D--we headed to my request for lunch, 50's Prime Time Cafe. We probably won't ever equal the experience we had the very first time we went there, but it's always fun, and I love their pot roast very much!! My tip: Get a female server if you can. The Aunts seem to be a lot "bossier" than the Uncles...and that's the fun. I don't have a good picture of the four of us (it seems Uncle Tim doesn't know how to focus very well), but here's a picture of the ice cream fudge brownie we got for dessert:
Yes, it is topped with
After lunch, we waddled off to use our FastPasses on the other big new attraction at Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Midway Mania!
We are HUGE Pixar fans, and HUGE fans of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in the Magic Kingdom, which is a somewhat similar ride. (You may recall how I continually beat Michael.) On Buzz, you are two-to-a-car with a trigger "laser" gun each, the ability to control which way the car is pointing, and are aiming at basically cardboard cutouts with targets on them. On Midway Mania, you are still two-to-a-car, and shooting at things for score, but there is where the similarity ends! You wear 3D glasses and are pointed at a screen, with a string-pull gun in front of you. There are about 6 screens through the ride, and each one is themed differently. And your gun shoots different things on each screen! The practice screen has you shooting paint balls (in the color of your gun) at targets each time you pull the string. Then, you might be shooting plunger arrows at duck targets that are swimming across the screen. On one, we were shooting rings at squeaky aliens!! You had to get a ring around an alien to score!
Anyway, the queue was awesome..."unfortunately" we had fast passes, so we didn't get to see most of it...like the cool talking Mr. Potato Head. But what we did see was so fun.
As Alpha Gams, we had to get the bushy-tailed squirrel shot! 
It was like a carnival exploded in a toy box! 
Loading zone! 
Sadly, my skillz needed another ride to develop. Pulling that string fast enough is tough work! I think I didn't "get" it until the third or fourth screen. 
I instantly wanted to ride again, but there were no more FastPasses, the standby line was about 90 minutes, and we were trying to make it to Epcot in time to see the Voices of Liberty, so there was no more time to dilly-dally.
I think they were already prepping for the annual Flower and Garden Show. Gorgeous!
The other main goal at Epcot was to check out the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. All the KP villians have started plots at once, so Kim needs your help!!
You get a cell phone (only works with the game) which Wade uses to communicate your missions to you. Each mission takes place in one country's pavilion. You have to find different spots in the country, answer some multiple choice questions, and then use the phone to interact with the environment. For instance, in Japan, we triggered a fiber-optic kanji character on a rock in the Zen garden... 
This one fit into the environment quite well. I don't want to post any spoilers on the game, so I don't want to share any other pictures, but there were definitely some things we triggered that had me wondering what other park guests might be thinking!
This squirrel, though not part of the game, was bowing almost as politely as the deer at Nara do.
Alas, we had no snacks to give him!
Among the three missions we did (in Germany, Japan and Mexico), we managed to catch the Voices of Liberty twice.
If you've never heard them, PLEASE do yourself a favor next time you're at Epcot and catch a show. And make sure to park yourself in the middle of the floor in the American pavilion, right at the edge of the red circle. Or at least get yourself under the dome. The acoustics are a-maz-ing!
Due to time constraints and the vast quantity of free birthday desserts, we had to miss some of my favorite Epcotactivities snacks like schoolbread from Norway, bubble tea from China and Napoleons from France (trust me, if you've had Napoleans before, they're nothing like the "real thing"!) We did manage to cart back a nice supply of Pocky from Japan, though. =) We also found another alebrije... 
...well. We found quite a few, as usual. I think we only took a half hour to decide on this one, though...vast improvement from last time!!
We did get to spend a little time in Future World, and due to teensy lines, managed to ride Spaceship Earth (a most EXCELLENT refurbishment!) and the Finding Nemo ride. The Soarin' line was too long to consider, and there wasn't enough time for the World of Energy (sorry, Dad!), so we headed back to the World Showcase to hunt down some dinner. First choice was Japan, but both restaurants were slammed--and with the wait, there would not have been enough time to catch the bus back to our hotel. So we opted for the most-overlooked restaurant in Epcot: Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco! I say "most-overlooked" because, no matter how slammed the park is, we have never, ever encountered a wait there before. And the food is EXCELLENT. Check out the goat cheese appetizer:
Their Roasted Lamb Meshoui is to die for, but we weren't that hungry, so we just got appetizers...if you go, you MUST try either the Beef Brewat or my all-time favorite: Chicken Bastilla (in the background above). That is, hands down, one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. There were a LOT of birthday people there, but I didn't get the free birthday crepes...you had to purchase an entree. No worries, I was stuffed as it was!
It turned out that we missed the bus anyway, so we took a cab back to the hotel. Since we were staying at such a "fancy" hotel (another Priceline triumph for Michael...only $85 a night!), that was probably the only cab that had ever set tire on the property...the only vehicles waiting at the hotel were Lincoln Town Cars, LOL!
The next morning we got up an headed to Downtown Disney for a while so I could finish off my Birthday Fun Card. I got a pin holder, a couple hats and a beach bag. Pretty good haul due to some sales. Then, with a sniff and a wave, it was time to head home. Where it snowed the next day!
Until the next sunny day in Orlando...
Alas, our time on the Disney Wonder had come to an end.
After an early breakfast (though not as early as the suckers who had the early dinner seating...this was the only time I was glad we had the late seating for dinner), we disembarked with so little fanfare it was amazing. The other cruises I've been on, everyone was stuck on the ship until they called your deck, milling about and crowding into the "lobby", then a big herd of people would run to the gangplank. Pandemonium. Not on the Disney cruises...you can leave whenever you want. (Well, outside of "never", which is what I would have chosen.) It works shockingly well. Take note, other cruise lines! Or, you know...don't bother. I'm not going to be cruising with anyone but Disney ever again.... (I kid. Or do I?)Next stop: KSC!
The whole day, I couldn't get my brain to stop thinking of chicken every time I saw that written down. Anyway. We started with the bus tour, which the guide brochure said would take "2.5 to 3 hours". Yeah.
We decided the only way you could do that tour in 2.5 hours was if you didn't like science even remotely. There are two or three stops on the tour. The first stop, after driving by the VAB (vehicle assembly building) and launch control, is at a small exhibit and the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry (a tower where you can view the launching platforms). The shuttle was on one of the platforms, but was completely obscurred by the servicing rig (so, the picture just looks like a bunch of scaffolding...so I didn't bother to post it here). Second stop is the Apollo center. WOW.
They have an entire Apollo rocket (would have been Apollo 18) in there, split out by stages, with a great small model with transparent sides that explains what everything is. And LOTS to read. Some good "shows", too, including a simulation of a launch while you stand in front of the old school computer equipment they used to use. The final stop of the tour is the International Space Station center, where you can actually look into the clean room at equipment that will be going up.Post-bus tour, we walked through a shuttle replica (Explorer), more exhibits, and saw an IMAX movie. We would have liked to go to the Astronaut Hall of Fame (which, though it sounds cheesy, is supposed to be really good), but there just wasn't time. We drove over to Orlando and checked in to our hotel, the Gaylord Palms.
Once again, I had a major picture-taking FAIL. This hotel is sister to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. It has an enormous atrium. "Atrium" isn't even the right word! There are waterfalls, streams, trees, even alligators!! We avoided those!
The next morning, we got up and headed to Disney's Hollywood Studios (still have to pause to remember not to say "Disney-MGM Studios"!) This day was my actual birthday, where I could get in any park free! Well, since we always buy 10 day Parkhopper passes (which take us about 5 years to use), I opted for option #2: A Birthday Fun Card! What is that, you may ask? Well, it's the price of a one-day, one-park ticket on a debit card that can be used for Disney merchandise! Um, yeah, twist my arm to shop, LOL!! I also got to wear a button that said it was my birthday, with my first name printed on it. This turned out to provide the most entertainment of the day. Not only did cast members constantly call out "Happy Birthday!" to me, but other guests would as well...especially other guests who had the same button on! I started scanning for buttons as well.
The first order of the day was to procure caffeine, since we had not had a chance to get any at the hotel. With my tea, I was given a free Mickey-shaped sugar cookie dipped in chocolate! Maria took a picture on her camera, but let me tell you, that sucker was BIG!
One of the new attractions at Hollywood Studios is "The American Idol Experience". We had briefly looked at information about it before going; I toyed with the idea of auditioning, but decided that was too much stress. Plus, I was unlikely to make it, which would be a big downer. If I *did* happen to make it, it would have messed up our schedule a bit, since I would have had to show up at an appointed time for pre-show prep. I had actually decided I didn't even want to go to the show; I figured that we might have to sit through eight crappy contestants to see a couple good ones, and even then they probably wouldn't be very good! Well, Michael really wanted to go, so I recanted. When we went in, this is what we saw:
A (very entertaining) pre-show guy was working the crowd and explaining the voting system (there're numbered buttons on your armrest; you can change your vote until they call time). I have to give props to the cast members in the show and the contestants: I enjoyed every moment! There were only three contestants. One had a very "nice" voice, one would not have met the age requirements of AI, and the one that we voted through to the nightly final show was awesome! The judges are apparently former Adventurers' Club cast members (and if you never got a chance to go to AC, you missed a great "show"...Kungaloosh!!) Here are some highlights:- The fortysomething balding dad absolutely killing "Superstitious"
- The "Paula" judge dancing from her seat with her arms over her head (though she did give actual constructive comments as well)
- The "Simon" judge saying, "Your performance was like an elephant with diarrhea--" [lots of booing] "Wait! ...very hard to follow."
- The female host doing a very Ryan-worthy pause before announcing the results.
After visiting a few favorites--Voyage of the Little Mermaid (I agree with Erin that it's lame after "Under the Sea"...especially since our Ariel had the wimpiest voice ever!) and Muppet*Vision 4D--we headed to my request for lunch, 50's Prime Time Cafe. We probably won't ever equal the experience we had the very first time we went there, but it's always fun, and I love their pot roast very much!! My tip: Get a female server if you can. The Aunts seem to be a lot "bossier" than the Uncles...and that's the fun. I don't have a good picture of the four of us (it seems Uncle Tim doesn't know how to focus very well), but here's a picture of the ice cream fudge brownie we got for dessert:
Yes, it is topped with - hot fudge
- whipped cream
- a maraschino cherry
- Mickey-shaped sprinkles
- M&Ms
- and CARAMEL POPCORN
After lunch, we waddled off to use our FastPasses on the other big new attraction at Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Midway Mania!
We are HUGE Pixar fans, and HUGE fans of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in the Magic Kingdom, which is a somewhat similar ride. (You may recall how I continually beat Michael.) On Buzz, you are two-to-a-car with a trigger "laser" gun each, the ability to control which way the car is pointing, and are aiming at basically cardboard cutouts with targets on them. On Midway Mania, you are still two-to-a-car, and shooting at things for score, but there is where the similarity ends! You wear 3D glasses and are pointed at a screen, with a string-pull gun in front of you. There are about 6 screens through the ride, and each one is themed differently. And your gun shoots different things on each screen! The practice screen has you shooting paint balls (in the color of your gun) at targets each time you pull the string. Then, you might be shooting plunger arrows at duck targets that are swimming across the screen. On one, we were shooting rings at squeaky aliens!! You had to get a ring around an alien to score!Anyway, the queue was awesome..."unfortunately" we had fast passes, so we didn't get to see most of it...like the cool talking Mr. Potato Head. But what we did see was so fun.
As Alpha Gams, we had to get the bushy-tailed squirrel shot! 
It was like a carnival exploded in a toy box! 
Loading zone! 
Sadly, my skillz needed another ride to develop. Pulling that string fast enough is tough work! I think I didn't "get" it until the third or fourth screen. 
I instantly wanted to ride again, but there were no more FastPasses, the standby line was about 90 minutes, and we were trying to make it to Epcot in time to see the Voices of Liberty, so there was no more time to dilly-dally.
I think they were already prepping for the annual Flower and Garden Show. Gorgeous!The other main goal at Epcot was to check out the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. All the KP villians have started plots at once, so Kim needs your help!!
You get a cell phone (only works with the game) which Wade uses to communicate your missions to you. Each mission takes place in one country's pavilion. You have to find different spots in the country, answer some multiple choice questions, and then use the phone to interact with the environment. For instance, in Japan, we triggered a fiber-optic kanji character on a rock in the Zen garden... 
This one fit into the environment quite well. I don't want to post any spoilers on the game, so I don't want to share any other pictures, but there were definitely some things we triggered that had me wondering what other park guests might be thinking! This squirrel, though not part of the game, was bowing almost as politely as the deer at Nara do.
Alas, we had no snacks to give him!Among the three missions we did (in Germany, Japan and Mexico), we managed to catch the Voices of Liberty twice.
If you've never heard them, PLEASE do yourself a favor next time you're at Epcot and catch a show. And make sure to park yourself in the middle of the floor in the American pavilion, right at the edge of the red circle. Or at least get yourself under the dome. The acoustics are a-maz-ing!Due to time constraints and the vast quantity of free birthday desserts, we had to miss some of my favorite Epcot
...well. We found quite a few, as usual. I think we only took a half hour to decide on this one, though...vast improvement from last time!!We did get to spend a little time in Future World, and due to teensy lines, managed to ride Spaceship Earth (a most EXCELLENT refurbishment!) and the Finding Nemo ride. The Soarin' line was too long to consider, and there wasn't enough time for the World of Energy (sorry, Dad!), so we headed back to the World Showcase to hunt down some dinner. First choice was Japan, but both restaurants were slammed--and with the wait, there would not have been enough time to catch the bus back to our hotel. So we opted for the most-overlooked restaurant in Epcot: Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco! I say "most-overlooked" because, no matter how slammed the park is, we have never, ever encountered a wait there before. And the food is EXCELLENT. Check out the goat cheese appetizer:
Their Roasted Lamb Meshoui is to die for, but we weren't that hungry, so we just got appetizers...if you go, you MUST try either the Beef Brewat or my all-time favorite: Chicken Bastilla (in the background above). That is, hands down, one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. There were a LOT of birthday people there, but I didn't get the free birthday crepes...you had to purchase an entree. No worries, I was stuffed as it was!It turned out that we missed the bus anyway, so we took a cab back to the hotel. Since we were staying at such a "fancy" hotel (another Priceline triumph for Michael...only $85 a night!), that was probably the only cab that had ever set tire on the property...the only vehicles waiting at the hotel were Lincoln Town Cars, LOL!
The next morning we got up an headed to Downtown Disney for a while so I could finish off my Birthday Fun Card. I got a pin holder, a couple hats and a beach bag. Pretty good haul due to some sales. Then, with a sniff and a wave, it was time to head home. Where it snowed the next day!
Until the next sunny day in Orlando...| JiffNotes |
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| Post cruise space center visit was out of this world; free birthday stuff at Disney abounded. And even off the ship, we managed to keep ourselves well-fed, thankyouverymuch. |
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Heather is...
Click now for JiffNotes
Tintocktap had a cool meme on her blog that she translated from another blog.
Do this: Google your name plus "is" in quotation marks. ("Heather is" for me.) Copy the first five matches that have sentences containing "Heather is ...." and upload them to your blog.
Bonus round:
These come as no big surprise; when I was a kid I was constantly searching for one of those bookmarks that have the meaning of your name that didn't say "a flower". I love my name, but I've always envied those whose names "mean" something. For instance, Michael means "one who is like God". COOL! Anyway, the only one I've ever found that didn't say "a flower" was one, which I really should have bought, which said, "Cover of Beauty". LOL!! <wipes eyes again>
Tintocktap had a cool meme on her blog that she translated from another blog.
Do this: Google your name plus "is" in quotation marks. ("Heather is" for me.) Copy the first five matches that have sentences containing "Heather is ...." and upload them to your blog.
- HEATHER IS WATCHING Scary.
- Far from a low-lying, dense shrub that excels in harsh environments, Heather is actually quite tall and brainy. Tall=only in Japan. Brainy=yes.
- In Scotland, heather is said to be stained with the blood of clan wars... Yikes!!
- Heather is a beautiful woman that has entertained us for decades, thankfully she is okay. You're too kind. And yes, I am OK.
- Heather is an important food source for various sheep and deer which can graze the tips of the plants when snow covers low growing vegetation. um...yeah
Bonus round:
- Aside from managing a talented team of staffing professionals, Heather is probably best known as a blogger. Google irony
- The roses would drop their petals and be dead in a day; but the heather is a thing that endures. Poetry. Not usually associated with me.
- Heather is 'The Queen of Calm'... Bwahahahahahaaaa!!! <wipes eyes>
These come as no big surprise; when I was a kid I was constantly searching for one of those bookmarks that have the meaning of your name that didn't say "a flower". I love my name, but I've always envied those whose names "mean" something. For instance, Michael means "one who is like God". COOL! Anyway, the only one I've ever found that didn't say "a flower" was one, which I really should have bought, which said, "Cover of Beauty". LOL!! <wipes eyes again>
| JiffNotes |
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| Heather is amused. |
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Vera Score!
Wednesday night I went with DF Jill to the Vera Bradley store at Phipps for the introduction of their new patterns and styles. There was a raffle for four prizes, and I won the first one!
The prize was the large and small bow cosmetic case, and that teeny case standing up is a nailcare kit with clippers, file, scissors, cuticle pusher, etc. The card case and pocket note pad were free gifts to all who attended! This now more than doubles the number of things Vera that I have.
I must say that I let out a very embarassingly high squeaky squeal when they called my name. I think it was because I was chanting, "pick me, pick me, pick me" before they called my name. At least I got the festivities off to a rousing start with lots of laughter for all. =)
The prize was the large and small bow cosmetic case, and that teeny case standing up is a nailcare kit with clippers, file, scissors, cuticle pusher, etc. The card case and pocket note pad were free gifts to all who attended! This now more than doubles the number of things Vera that I have.
I must say that I let out a very embarassingly high squeaky squeal when they called my name. I think it was because I was chanting, "pick me, pick me, pick me" before they called my name. At least I got the festivities off to a rousing start with lots of laughter for all. =)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Finis
Click now for JiffNotes
The crack scarf, she is finished!
I'm so blissfully happy with the pretty, pretty colors. 
I cannot explain how beautifully it blocked. Well, let me try. While I was knitting, I worried a bit that the scarf would be kind of scratchy, and that the slipped stitch edges would stick out too much, or look too holey, and that the varying yarn thickness would make the scarf look semi-transparent in places, or at least thin-feeling. I wet the scarf and laid it out on a towel, and all those problems were solved!! It's now so soft and floppy.
...and the back side of yarn... 
I pretty much finished these socks in the car on the trip to Orlando, I just didn't have the directions for EZ's sewn cast-off with me (duh, I know they're super-easy, but I'd only done it once before).
I also finally finished the first ornament (of FOUR!) for the exchange in July (yikes! I need to get going!) It only took me so long because the dark fabric is nearly impossible to stitch on with my current lighting scheme at night while watching TV (which is practically the only time I can stitch). That's also why there seems to be a whole lot more knitting going on than my usual stitching/knitting mix.
I spent an excessive amount of time on the back personalization! I do like how it turned out, although I might have done the gold accents on my initials differently. This is the Cindy Valentine Designs ornament from the JCS 2008 Ornament Issue. I emailed her about the finishing instructions in the mag (they're a little vague!!) and she emailed me right back with things beautifully explained! She was so gracious to help me out! The personalization is stitched with a Victoria Clayton mystery silk and Kreinik #4 braid in 002HL using a couple alphabets from an Omnibook.
The crack scarf, she is finished!
I'm so blissfully happy with the pretty, pretty colors. 
I cannot explain how beautifully it blocked. Well, let me try. While I was knitting, I worried a bit that the scarf would be kind of scratchy, and that the slipped stitch edges would stick out too much, or look too holey, and that the varying yarn thickness would make the scarf look semi-transparent in places, or at least thin-feeling. I wet the scarf and laid it out on a towel, and all those problems were solved!! It's now so soft and floppy.
...and the back side of yarn... 
I pretty much finished these socks in the car on the trip to Orlando, I just didn't have the directions for EZ's sewn cast-off with me (duh, I know they're super-easy, but I'd only done it once before).
I also finally finished the first ornament (of FOUR!) for the exchange in July (yikes! I need to get going!) It only took me so long because the dark fabric is nearly impossible to stitch on with my current lighting scheme at night while watching TV (which is practically the only time I can stitch). That's also why there seems to be a whole lot more knitting going on than my usual stitching/knitting mix.
I spent an excessive amount of time on the back personalization! I do like how it turned out, although I might have done the gold accents on my initials differently. This is the Cindy Valentine Designs ornament from the JCS 2008 Ornament Issue. I emailed her about the finishing instructions in the mag (they're a little vague!!) and she emailed me right back with things beautifully explained! She was so gracious to help me out! The personalization is stitched with a Victoria Clayton mystery silk and Kreinik #4 braid in 002HL using a couple alphabets from an Omnibook.| JiffNotes |
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| Well, at least knitting is happening! |
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