Vacation Continues

It's been a few days since I have written as we have gone from dusk till dawn trying to squeeze every minute into our fleeting vacation days that are left. Doesn't seem possible that we go home day after tomorrow. We sure have done a lot and the grand kids have been excellent. Son and DIL went out for a date night a couple nights ago so we had the grands all to ourselves. We went over to Universal and caught a few rides before they closed for the night. They close early this time of year where it isn't prime time. So by 7 everything in the park shuts down but there is a big place with shops and restaurants you can walk around and find a place you want to eat. We went into the Nascar Restaurant and had a nice meal and then brought the grands back to the rooms for baths and jammies. We have a pull out sofa that we don't use but that night we did pull it out for them as I felt better having them right in our part of the suite and not in their room till their parents got home.

Yesterday went to Sea World and they put on a great show for everyone. One in particular is a show with cats, dogs, rats, ducks and a few other furry creatures running around. It is just adorable and is something new since we were there last. Of course the star of the park is Shamu and that show is always incredible to watch. How those trainers interact with something that weighs three ton just boggles my mind.

We went to the Dixie Stampede and again it was just a joy to watch. You don't have to be a horse lover to appreciate the training that goes into these beautiful animals. They go at breakneck speed in this arena that is totally dust free and do the most incredible tricks. We just absolutely loved it, so much in fact that went again tonight! We requested the same waiter and our grandkids got chosen for the chicken race which was a hoot. You're not allowed to take any pictures or video or I would have had them to post. They took two youngsters from the South and two from the North and they chased four chickens to see who could get them over the line first. T. got hers over first so the North cheered for her. All four got medals which was nice. The food is great, a whole small chicken, potato, corn on the cob, biscuits and apple turnovers for dessert. Just a great show, I would recommend it to anyone. A lot of viewer participation which makes it even more fun.

Went to a water park today also. Typhoon Lagoon. Now let me tell you something, you will see some sights to behold there. It never ceases to amaze me the get-ups people will get on to go out in public. You see everything and I mean everything! I have seen every stretch mark, surgery scar, pierced belly button, you name it I've seen it. Now a pierced belly button doesn't bother me in the least but when said belly is hanging almost to the knees it is a little gross. Time to hang up the belly button ring!

Found a great designer outlet mall and have hit that a couple of times. Found some pretty good buys, DIL found some school clothes for T. at 70% off.

Ate at a cute restaurant at Universal one night called Bubba Gumps after Forrest Gump. Lots of shrimp dishes naturally.

More dog barking last night until after 11 o'clock. I just put in the new ear plugs and went to sleep but husband kept hearing people on the house phone outside our suite calling security. No barking tonight. It must be the one chance only policy.

Would I stay here again, no, but it is very convenient to the two parks and all the other things around International Drive. IF I did decide to give it another whirl I would ask for the back side of the building away from the pool area and I would certainly insist on not being on the Kennel
Wing as we fondly call it now.

Tomorrow is our last day and haven't decided what is on the agenda. Saturday we leave here at 7:30 am and will be home around 3:30 in the afternoon. It's been a great time and I wouldn't trade these precious times with my kids and grandkids for the world. There's something about those two little cuties coming in and getting in bed with me in the morning for a snuggle and a story that just can't be beat.

The Saga Continues

Well it's Monday and we spent another day at Universal and now are getting ready to go to the Dixie Stampede Show. It's put on by the Dolly Parton Association so should be fun and anything with horses in we will like. it's a dinner show and the food is supposed to be down home cooking and yummy. Probably fried everything.......

Well I can now hear again. The doctor made a house call and came to see me at our room and came in with her Vera Bradley doctor bag so I knew I was in good hands. After a ton of personal questions including my weight ): she looked in my ears and low and behold they both had half an ear plug in them so far in you couldn't see them without the little light thingy that all doctors have. When I had taken them out in the morning they broke in half leaving half deeply embedded in my inner ear. They were very old and obviously brittle.

She took some long tweezers and rammed them in my ears and hauled the offending plugs out and I could instantly hear again. YIPPEE! I guess.......now I can hear the bass thumping from the music that is screeching out by the pool that will thump until the pool closes at 11 pm. Sigh...I'm too old for this hotel.

Vacation continues

The saga continues. To say we have the neighbors from he** would be an understatement. After having to call down to the front desk twice due to the blaring music, at 3:30 AM they decided to have a knock down dragout, name calling FIGHT! I was asleep with ear plugs stuffed in my ears but poor Husband was woken up and heard the whole mess. Why he didn't call security I will never know but he didn't.

When I got up this morning and took out the ear plugs I could here NOTHING! It felt like my head was in a bottle with the cap on. You know how you feel when you are in a plane and your ears pop, well mine wouldn't pop, they just feel plugged! Great. I think I drove them in my ears so far that I did something to them. I thought if I gave it some time things would straighten out but no I still can't hear.

Husband put a call in to the front desk and they are sending doctor over. To be continued....

Busch Gardens was all we hoped it would be and more. There were lots of new things since our last visit especially things for the grandkids to do. It is beautiful there with all of the animals and beautiful gardens. T. wanted to feed the birds so we headed over there and purchased our little cups of whatever it is the birds like and went in. Well I guess the birds weren't hungry as you could hardly pay one to lite on your finger to eat the stuff. Last time we did this they flocked all over you but I guess these birds aren't into it. We finally got one to land on my finger and he bit me! Well......that wasn't very nice. Poor T. was chirping her little heart out trying to get one to land on her finger but to no avail. Finally she went up to one that was on a branch and she held the stuff up to him and he ate it. They are beautiful birds, I will post some pictures of them when I get home.

The kids went on a lot of rides that turn you inside out and upside down and loved it. I stayed with the grands when they did that as I'm not into that stuff any more. Husband went on a few of them as he is a braver soul then I am. There is a new place with little water fountains and other things that the little ones can go in so we stayed there awhile so they could cool off in their bathing suits. Everything is so colorful there and spotless clean.

We took the train ride all around the facility to see all of the wild animals and they are just majestic standing out there in the big pastures. One gorilla mom had a new five month old baby and he was adorable. He was pestering her and she would give him a little swat.

Well here I am waiting for the doctor. I have showered off the days sweat and grim so that I wouldn't scare her off.

Continued.........

Here we are in Orlando at the Hard Rock Hotel. There is a concert going on outside at the pool and Husband is less then impressed with it. lol! I guess it wouldn't be my first choice either but hey we're at the Hard Rock so what can I say?

Things started out a bit rough when we arrived.....We went to check in and what was supposed to be a two bedroom suite on the first floor by the pool was on the fifth floor beside nothing. Thankfully I had all my information written down even the name of the lady that I talked with and after going back and forth with the hotel manager the desk clerk got us our room on the first floor by the pool.

Now the story doesn't end there.......we get to our room and all of a sudden we are being serenaded by BARKING! Now I don't mean a little woof woof but mad barking and scratching on the door of the room two doors down. Then we see a man with two dogs going down the hallway outside. these were different dogs then the one madly barki ng in his room........THEY HAD PUT US ON THE DOG WING! Now I like dogs as much as the next person but I DON'T WANT TO SPEND MY VACATION LISTENING TO THEM BARKING IN THEIR ROOM! Finally when we were ready to go to bed after being up since 5 and flying all day we gave in and called the front desk to complain. they said they would take care of it. They didn't. An hour later there is still barking. Now Husband gets on the phone and calls the front desk. The barking stops.

Today has been bark free so far. I don't appreciate them putting us in the KENNEL WING without telling us but as long as I can sleep I don't care I guess.

Yesterday we did the Island of Adventure and it was fun. The grand kids loved it and it was nice to be out in the warm sunshine with all of the beautiful flowers around us. Today we did Universal and it was even better. The rides were just unbelievable with all of their detail and animation. Once again the grandkids loved it and we did too. They went swimming in the afternoon, I took a nap....ahem.....I was tired from all of the excitement I guess.....

Tomorrow we head to Busch Gardens which is always a delight. We have been there many times in the past but this will be the first time the grandkids have been there. I'm sure they will love all of the animals. I especially like the meercats.

Time for bed, lots to do tomorrow.

This And That

Still haven't packed for Florida and time is getting short. Did get my hair cut yesterday and went a little shorter so that it would be easy to deal with while there. With the Florida humidity my hair really curls up so with it short I can just kind of wash and go. Different ones have asked me if we are going to bring home any more cats on this trip and the answer is NO. With these two young ones in the house that is enough for me to keep up with. They are so funny, they are like two naughty little kids getting into everything and exploring every nook and cranny of this house. It's like having two year olds again. We enjoy the entertainment, they are just a hoot and now that they are going outside it's fun to watch their antics chasing the squirrels and racing and tearing around. Our old cat just watches them probably thinking of years gone by when he was out there with all of that energy.

Going in for another spraying tomorrow. Now that I have disgraced myself by telling the world about my first experience there is nothing to hide. lol! I'm wondering what she would do if I really did insist on just having my legs done? It's worth a try, I'll let you know!

It's rather cold here today, in the 40's but should warm up a bit by afternoon. My daffodils are coming up, they are brave in these temps. Did notice a few buds on some of my plants on the south side of the house behind the garage. That area gets full sun all day long and is protected from the wind so we get a few things early there. When I look at all of the beautiful pictures that some of you post of your flowers I really get the itch to start digging in my gardens. We work so hard on our gardens here in Maine but only get to enjoy them for a few months then the frost steals them away from us in October.

My kids were here for dinner last night and Old Mimi (that's what they call my mother) gave them May baskets filled with goodies. They call her Old Mimi as my daughter in laws Mom is Mimi and it was confusing for them to have two the same name. They were excited about their May baskets as they had never had them before and of course the M & M's and Gummy Bears were a hit. I remember as a child we used to spend days making our May baskets and then hanging them on doors, knocking and then running so that the recipient would have to chase us. I guess kids don't do that any more, at least around here, and I think they are missing out on a really fun activity. We used to make the fancy ones out of crepe paper and you could fold and and cut a certain way and they would unfold and be so pretty. I can't remember how to do that any more, wish I could so I could show my grandkids. Any body out there know how??????

Was going to go trail riding this morning but my friend that I ride with is sick and I have too much to do to get ready to go on Friday. She and Funsize will take care of my guys while I'm gone, brushing them and giving them their treats and nose rubs. We will be moving them home when we get back so there will be more excitement around here. I love sitting on the back deck watching them out in the pasture grazing and playing. They too are naughty little boys getting into things in the barn that they shouldn't as they have the run of the place. I guess I mentioned once that they ate my husband's straw hat..........after a game of tug of war............ The two little ones are way too fat so are on an (almost) treat-free diet. That's hard because I love taking things out to the fence and having them run over to see what I have for them. They really liked the watermelon that I grew in my garden last year, they ate every bit of it even the rind.

Well this isn't getting things done so I'd better get at it. Husband is taking his laptop to Florida with us so I will be able to keep up on my blog reading, don't want to miss anything ya know!