See ya later alligator....

On our way to Wal Mart (don't pick on me...I had to get a prescription filled!) yesterday, Salt exclaimed, "wow, look at that alligator"! I of course said, "yeah right it's probably just a blown tire". Salt is always seeing imaginary things that turn out to be bushes or bales of hay. We turned around and went back to check it out and yep it was a gator. I think he had been trying to cross the road and was hit by a car. However, I wasn't about to get out and see, just in case he was napping! The comical part was that about a foot in front of him was a big sign indicating a hiking trail. I don't think so!

We are on a major cleaning spree yesterday and today. Windows, screens, etc. Emmy will be in this afternoon and once she arrives we plan to do nothing but visit!

Some memories just don't fade...some feelings last forever!

The 28th of November is always a day filled with ambivalence. It was one of the happiest days of my life but also one of the saddest. 31 years ago Michael was born...it is also 20 years ago today that Bill passed away. Happy Birthday Michael. We still miss you Bill!

I can get the same damn thing on a Wal Mart shelf half price...

I constantly hear people complain about Wal Mart....I LOVE Wal Mart. It seems whenever I really need something I can find it at Wal Mart. I go other places and either can't find what I need/want or else it is thrice the price. Besides, I have concluded I am a cheap skate when it comes to myself (except of course for good food or books). I don't mind going to the mall and paying top dollar for something the kids/grand kids want but I have just never been a "label" type person!!


SO....Salt kept asking what I wanted for my birthday and I keep telling him I don't need any more "stuff". When we sold our big house I found out how many things we had that were just not needed, and had caused me actual grief for many, many years.....collectibles that had to be considered every time we wanted to leave for any length of time, and most of all crap that had to be polished an/or dusted.


This morning when I woke up Salt had my birthday present ready....a Wal Mart gift card
(now I can help Santa buy stocking stuffers!). We also found that the chemicals and supplies we need for the RV are half the price of what we were paying at Camping World. He did buy me one other tiny gift I had been wanting.... a pedometer. I am always curious after a day like yesterday (when we walked EPCOT for 6 hours) just how far we actually walk. It should really be interesting while the family is here for Christmas!

Ewwww, me who is very seldom sick ended up with a bug on my birthday. We cancelled dinner plans and Salt ordered a pizza while I laid on the couch with the Eric Clapton autobiography.

I know how freedom feels...I've heard that sound beneath my wheels!

One more day and we are on the road again. We will spend my birthday here tomorrow and then early Tuesday we will leave for Jupiter, FL.

Since this was our last Disney day, we decided to do EPCOT and also purchase the tickets for Christmas. ($$$$$$). I am just praying the weather is nice while the kids/ grand kids are here. But, since the tickets are not refundable, we have 8 rain parkas stored!!!

I have done EPCOT before but never without kids, nieces/nephews or grand kids. Therefore, I had actually missed a lot of the attractions that are more geared to older children or adults. Since we had the entire day to ourselves, Salt and I did several we had missed in the past. Salt who said he never wanted to do Europe, now is reconsidering! We spent most of the day in the World exhibits. Christmas was everywhere.

Norway's version of Santa...

Mexico
And of course M I C K E Y...

A life size Gingerbread House!

And just in case any of you are interested in making one for the holidays, I included the recipe!

The strolling minstrels....

I act a little crazy...because I can!

I forgot I was supposed to post some pictures of our new screened "patio room". We had it installed at Camping World while we were in Myrtle Beach. We are definitely going to enjoy the added space. We have already used it a couple of times for a spare bedroom ( There are privacy shades for evening or in the event of rain). Amazingly, it folds into a very small bag which fits in one of the basement compartments for traveling.

I like the fact that we can put a pretty large Christmas tree in the corner.


After dinner on Thanksgiving , Salt and I went up to the mall to catch a movie. We couldn't believe it when we drove in the parking lot and it was deserted. Even the grocery stores closed for the entire day. We ended up coming home and spending a quiet evening touching base with many of our friends and family.

We went back on Friday and did see August Rush. I am so glad I don't pay attention to reviews. People magazine had only given it 3 out of 5 stars. I was more concerned whether Salt would like it, as I thought it might be more of a "chick flick". We both LOVED it. On the way out of the mall we stopped to catch a glimpse at Santa. This was the REAL Santa...definitely not a mall "wannabe"!! Check out the real beard and hair.

This morning when I logged on AOL to check my mail, they had an article on the Top 10 cities with the best Christmas lights display across the US. Orlando was one of the top contenders with the Osborne Family display which is featured at MGM studios at Disney World. Of course, we had to go check it out to see if we wanted to put it on the "to do" list when the kids come. It will definitely be on the top of the list! There were over 5 million lights in the display. About every 10 minutes they would all start twinkling (choreographed) to Christmas songs. It was so awesome...especially when they started blowing snow through the air. www.allearsnet.com/tplh-osbr2.htm It is a very interesting story on how the display actually ended up at Disney.

This tree is spectacular..it actually is 3 trees within one. Smaller red and green ones blink on and off.

It's a certain kind of "magic" a doctor can't prescribe...

Everyone is wondering why I haven't blogged in a few days....believe me it's not lack of material. We did in fact come to Orlando and the weather has been in the 80s. It is very difficult for me to be inside on the computer.

We left Myrtle Beach on Sunday morning and drove all the way through to Orlando; about a 9 hour drive with stops. Salt always comments on this bridge as we go through Charleston, SC. It is the Arthur Ravenel Peace Bridge and really is a pretty neat suspension bridge.


Right before we left Myrtle Beach, I hit the Barnes and Noble store and stocked up on some new best sellers I have been wanting to read (and yes, one of them was Whitewash). I still had about $25 left on one of my gift cards. I have hinted very strongly to my family that the only thing I want for Christmas is more book store gift cards.I know this sounds crazy but I hate paying for hard cover books if I have to pay for them myself but if they are a gift I love buying them....weird huh?

The day after we arrived in Orlando we made a trip to Downtown Disney to pick up a few things for the kids for Christmas. We ended up not being able to make any decisions so will give them each some spending money and let them pick out their own souvenirs. Besides, if you all remember I have finished my Christmas shopping at least 3 times now.


We loved walking around window shopping and enjoying all the Christmas decorations. We always get a kick out of the Lego shop and their amazing statues. I particularly love the family vacationing. I wonder how many Legos it took to build this???

Today we decided to go to the Magic Kingdom, walk for 4 hours and watch the parade. We have Season Passes from last year so we like to just go to the different parks and browse. It's a great way to exercise in a happy environment. I still LOVE Disney.

M I CK E Y
I think Clarabelle was flirting with Salt????

We kept taking pictures on the cell phone and sending them to Emma...she is getting excited. A month from today and they will be here. Mike, Robin and the girls will be in the following day.

Salt talked to Rich Heck today. He has settled in Ocalla, FL for the winter so will be about 30 minutes from us when we get to Umatilla. We also heard from Emmy Sorth (who just returned from her trip to Africa) she will be staying with us for a couple of days at the end of this month.

I received an e-mail from Anneliese Strube yesterday. Anneliese's husband Art passed away a couple of weeks ago after a very long illness. Art and my deceased husband Bill were great friends and worked together at IBM in Vermont. Anneliese who now lives in PA is planning a trip to the island next summer. It has been way too long since we have been able to get together. It will be great catching up!

Below is a picture of 3 generations of deer hunters (more of my cousins). Danny Burlew, his son Daryl, and grandson Daniel. Today was Daniel's first day of hunting! Check out the trophy deer... quite a prize for his first day! Congratulations Daniel!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Salt and I have decided to keep low key. Steaks on the grill and then on to a movie. I have been waiting for August Rush. .. It opened yesterday!

Kids say the darndest things....

We woke up very early this morning....some idiot came in during the night with 4 yapping puppies and had them out in a cage at the crack of dawn. Fortunately someone immediately called Security (so I didn't have to!) and he had them in his motor home in minutes. Are people like this rude or just DUMB????

This morning there was an advertisement for the Disney Thanksgiving Parade....led by none other than Chip and Dale. It immediately reminded me of a picture we took last year when Emma was getting their autograph. When we were reviewing them on the computer, Emma says "Grandma, I just love that picture of me with Chip and Dip". She is so funny!

Well, about 3 minutes after the advertisement they went to the weather and it is 80 degrees in Orlando. It's beautiful here, but a little cold for the beach. I came up with this brilliant (well maybe not brilliant but certainly cool) idea. I broached the possibility of heading to Orlando and spending Thanksgiving at Disney. Our season passes are still valid through March of 2008. We had wanted to spend a couple of days there before the kids arrived for Christmas. We like to get the maps and know exactly what we want to do so we can avoid the long lines. We have such a system now that is is way more enjoyable than novices experience.

This is what we love about the motor home. Get an idea; get up and go!This RV resort is so good about giving your money back if you decide to leave early. So....it looks as though we will be leaving in a day or two and heading for Thanksgiving in Orlando.

Now, I am going to start designing our 2007 Christmas Card.

And call your cousins cause I know you got dozens....

My cousin Hazel Burlew from New York traveled to Virginia to watch her grand daughter perform in a play this weekend. She drove down to Myrtle Beach to spend a couple of days with us. Fortunately the weather was beautiful, so we got in some good beach time as well as a lot of walking.

We always meet such nice people in these resorts....RVers are the greatest people!!
This is Tom and Linda McElwain. They were parked next to us here in Myrtle Beach and will be about 2 hours from us in Florida. They will also be back here in April when we return. Linda made me dishcloths like the ones my Aunt Jenny used to make for me over the years. Aunt Jenny passed away a few years ago so I was tickled to receive some again! Salt enjoyed visiting with Tom as he knows where all the bargains are!!


Salt and I spent the day out shopping and window shopping. We needed to get out of the motor home as I had arranged to have all the carpets and furniture cleaned.

What a great job this guy did. He walked in and asked if I watched FOX news a lot (the TV was on). When I told him I was somewhat of a FOX News junkie he got laughing and said he already knew a lot about me...especially my political views. He was a very interesting individual. Being a Viet Nam vet he is very involved in the VFW here in Myrtle. He said they raised over $36,000 last weekend and yesterday put 150 WWII Veterans on a private plane. They payed all their expenses to go to Washington to see the WWII memorial. The youngest member of the group was 79 years old. He lied about his age and entered the army at 14. I love stories like that!

Oh, yes....I finished my Christmas shopping again!! I think this is the third time I "finished" it.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Saturday evening we took the girls to the Carolina Opry. We all loved it but of course now we are both way too excited about Christmas.

Emma was so funny at the show! They had this comedian come out and he was such a hoot that he had everyone in stitches. Emma of course didn't get some of the more "adult" jokes so she turns to me and says..."It really makes me mad that all these people are laughing at that poor guy". Then they did a beautiful rendition of Away in a Manger and I looked at Emma and she is crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said she was sad because she knew that when Jesus grew up people were going to kill him. Kids are so funny!

Here are a few pictures from the show.

Emma before.....

Emma after....I love it when I get to play Barbie with her!

The Grand FinaleWhat is a Christmas show without a "Grinch"

Part of the family. Can't wait til Christmas when we are all together!

Livin in the moment....

Well, even though they are supposed to be on vacation, the "Grad Students" brought their homework with them and cracked the books before going to dinner.



When Emma and Betty were here last Spring we went to the Japanese restaurant (Miyabi).
We liked it so much that we decided to go back again this fall. The food is excellent and Emma loves to watch these chefs "play with their food". I call it a dinner show!

This flame gets every one's attention!

Sponge Bob (rice).

Tomorrow night the Carolina Opry Christmas Spectacular!

People said it wouldn't last long...we're sure having fun proving them wrong...

Sorry about no posting this week. Salt and I received all three of the granddaughter's Christmas lists over the e-mail. We wanted to get our shopping done while we were in this area since the shopping is so great here. We also wanted to have it wrapped and hidden before Emma got here. It's much harder to hide stuff in a motor home!


The kids arrived around lunch time yesterday and Emma had her "Poppy" on the run. Actually Grandma was playing too but you know the photographer never gets her picture taken!!

We are having so much fun with the kids; unfortunately they have to leave tomorrow. We will manage to cram a bunch of fun in before then!


Miles of great bike riding which is fun for Emma since she is on a main road in town and bumpy dirt roads on the island.

Pop and Emma after their stop at the ice cream shop.

The inside pool is always one of Emma's favorites!

Seeing Grandma for the first time in 2 months....she couldn't let go of me!

Snow at home...sun in Myrtle Beach....YEAH!

Emma hit the jackpot at the arcade. She is such a sweetie. .. She spent her tickets on a gift for her teacher . She loves Ms Berg which always makes the school year so nice!

You know I'm here for the party.......

Yesterday did NOT start out too well. I went to the Recreation Department first thing in the morning so I could purchase tickets to the Christmas show at the Carolina Opry. I was there about 15 minutes before they opened, so, I stuck my credit card in the back pocket of my jeans and Salt and I decided we would take a walk down the beach. We walked for probably a mile and a half and of course I had to bend down a half a dozen or more times to pick up shells or examine some sea urchin. When we went back to the rec department my card was GONE. I have never lost a credit card and I panicked. I of course envisioned that someone had already purchased a new BMW or something like that with it.



Salt retraced the entire route while I put out the alert at the offices. Finally after about an hour I called Smith Barney and had a hold put on it still hoping it would show. Soon after I had placed the hold, the girls from the office showed up in their golf cart with the card. What a relief! I know I have a guarantee that if anyone did use it I wouldn't have to pay but it is just such a hassle to get a new one issued since I pay all my bills on line with that card.



The day did get better. We decided to go catch the new show at Legends (impersonators). The stars last night were Jerry Lee Lewis, Louis Armstrong, Garth Brooks, Barbara Streisand and of course Elvis. The guy that impersonated Jerry Lee Lewis was better than Jerry Lee...amazing! Louie Armstrong was very good but Barbara Streisand was not good at all. She wasn't really a bad singer, she just didn't sound much like Barbara (my personal opinion). However, when you think about it anyone who takes on the role of imitating Streisand has got to have some guts and a LOT of talent. Garth Brooks was good, very comical but not great. I think maybe one of our problems is was we saw such great talent in Branson, we are being critical. Elvis was of course, perfect!



We rushed home from the show so we could see 48 Hours since they were going to do a segment on the Michelle Harris case.... A woman who mysteriously "disappeared" from my hometown. Bill and I were friends with her husband Cal's father, so I have been very interested in following the case and wanted to see what take 48 hours had on it. Michelle's husband is (was) sentenced to life in prison, even though they had no body and really no tangible evidence. He was released just a few days ago and will have a new trial. Very interesting case!!! Anyway, the football game on CBS ran into overtime so the program was cancelled until next week, when of course I won't be home. Hope Betty knows how to program our VCR since we have no instructions for it.....



Here is a picture I received from Betty this morning. Emma is modeling the outfit we bought for her at the Dick Clark Theatre. No ham in her is there????

We went to church this morning at the RV resort where we are staying. The service is held in the recreation hall right across the street from our motor home. We absolutely love it. It is nondenominational and all the offerings go exclusively to a children's home. The church is maintained by the owners of the park and they do not ask money for upkeep.

After church we grabbed a latte and the Sunday paper, headed for the beach and a great afternoon with some of our new friends.

It should be illegal it gets me so high.....

Last night we received a phone call from my cousin Shane. I forgot I had promised to post a picture of the fish he caught while at the river this summer. He took it home to have it mounted and mentioned he had just picked it up from the taxidermist. Shane is the ultimate bass fisherman. He cracked me up after he caught this one. He called me and asked if I could do him a huge favor, as he had a big problem. I of course thought he had either hit a shoal or run out of gas. His problem was he had no one to take a picture of him with his fish!

Shane held the privilege of being known as our favorite cousin....until he brought his brother Daryl to the river....now we can't decide which one is the favorite. We have opted to call it a tie.

This is Daryl trying to manage Salt and Shane in the construction of Salt's new shop. You know darn well there is no way anyone gets to be the "boss" when these 3 are working together!

We always look forward to the boys' visit...they are wonderful guests!

Doctor, Doctor give me the news....

For the last 3 weeks I have been dreading going to a doctor and having a rather large lump on the left side of my face checked out. I wanted to wait until we settled in Myrtle Beach so if I needed more than one appointment I would be able to follow up.


It turned out to be a cyst which has to be removed surgically. The doctor says they are common and they don't know what causes them???? So...now I wait until they clear it with the insurance company and the surgeon calls me with an appointment.