An unexpected surprise on our trip to FL

Isn't this a great picture? I've posted about Princess Diana on her birthday or anniversary of her death on my blog, but probably didn't go into detail how much I loved following her life from age 11 on. I'm talking glossy books, videos, homemade scrapbooks documenting her life, etc. She was only 9 years older than me, but when I was a child she seems so much older. Now I'm 3 years older than she was when she died. Hard to comprehend. It still breaks my heart that she died so young and with two young sons.

Imagine my surprise when, en route to our dinner reservation at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney last week, I saw HUGE flowing banners with her pictures, larger than life, on the side of a nearby building. As we walked closer we saw that it was a traveling exhibit I had heard some mention of, but had no clue that it was in Orlando! After dinner we all went into the exhibit. What an unexpected treat! I got to see 5 of her actual gowns purchased at a Christie's auction shortly before she died in '97. One being the below black velvet gown she wore for an official portrait in 1985 (below). It had a unique black rosette at the neckline in the back. The other one that I really remembered her wearing was the stunning long white, sequined halter dress she wore on a solo visit to the US in '95 or '97 (can't remember at the moment). To see it in front of me was really awesome. I saw an actual piece of her wedding cake (it was fruitcake so not even moldy, just VERY DRY looking) in a special gift box someone had taken home from the reception. I saw letters she had written, furniture she had and a china doll of her in her amazing wedding gown and train. I felt 11 all over again seeing all of this up close and personal. This really made my vacation. My oldest son really enjoyed it, too because he knew what a "fan" I was of her. Don't you just love it when you stumble across something you weren't expecting?

Where the magic happens....My Kitchen

One Fabulous Mom shared her kitchen yesterday and asked us to share ours. So I'll post photos of mine, but I need to explain. Our kitchen is in the center of our downstairs and then the eating area is in another room just to the side of it. Kind of strange, but we really like the separate rooms. However, the minis eat breakfast every morning at bar stools (not pictured).

Like all the crap on the side of my refrigerator? I need a bulletin board. Notice the nice butterfly masterpiece by mini#2 that I had to display on the side of our cabinets!
This is Mr. Pink's coffee station and our stove. I do have a little picture of mini#1 taken by his 1st grade teacher on the first day of 1st grade (2 yrs ago)in a handmade rocket frame that rests on the stove. I enjoy looking at it as I cook. The picture below is of my FAVORITE little lamp I've had in various places over the years. I love anything with a harlequin print.
The following 2 pics are in our "eating area" room. This Bombay chest used to be my mother-in-law's. It was one of her favorite pieces so we're happy to enjoy it in our home now. That plant is one of those you can't kill if you tried (can't remember the name). I have had it since 1990!!!

And that's it. Show me your kitchen!

We met the mouse, slept little, saw it all and have pictures to prove it!

We definitely had a "magical" time last week as you can see. Ages 8 and 4 seemed to be perfect ages. I could post more and more, but these are some of my favorites. The castle, the colors, mini#1 in front of the Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios (his favorite. me, not.so.much. I screamed like a little girl), mini#2 after he built his own sundae one night, seeing Alice in Wonderland at Epcot, meeting Pooh, seeing the great animals at Animal Kingdom, Remi from Ratatouille coming to our table in the French restaurant at Epcot (hilarious, he moved and spoke from atop a silver platter), beautiful topiaries....on and on I could go. I guess mini#1 said it best the night after we saw the fireworks right in front of Cinderella's castle. We were holding hands and had just started walking towards the exit when he said "Mom, this is the best day of my life." Good thing it was dark because mommy sure teared up at that statement! I agreed and squeezed his hand. It really was a great week.

See ya real soon...

We're off to see M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E and friends. Have a great week!

Five on Friday

Fall is almost here and I'm ready for it. I love this time of year. And, even though we're leaving for sunny (HOT) Florida tomorrow on our quest to find Mickey, I have a fall reader participation activity.

1- Candy corn or candy apples?
2- Ballet flats or boots?
3- Halloween or Thanksgiving?
4- Pumpkin Spice latte or pumpkin pie?
5- College football or NFL football?

My answers:
1- Candy apples. Yum!
2- Tough one. I like both, but wear flats a lot more often running around with kids.
3- Another tough one. I like both for different reasons. Love the kids getting so excited about Halloween and how I always go overboard on decorating the house, but I love the tastes and heavenly smells of Thanksgiving.
4- Starbucks pumpkin spice latte for me (but my kids would eat pumpkin pie year-round!)
5- NC State football of course. We have season tickets. Go WOLFPACK!

Can it be?

Can it be? He's 25? Happy Birthday Prince Harry- the "ginger" Prince or the "spare heir" to the throne of England. He was just shy of 13 when he lost his beautiful mother. I remember feeling so sorry for him that year because my mom also lost her mom at age 12. It's had to have been just as tough on him to continue on without a mom's guidance (as with my mom). He's grown into quite the charismatic young man though. I think it's because he's never had the pressure his older brother has. Nonetheless, I'm sure Princess Diana would be proud of both of her (preppy)sons. I just can't believe he's 25 today!






Can it be that this man is gone? I really ached when I heard the news that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May '08. My mother-in-law had just finished chemo/radiation and had the Whipple procedure surgery (AWFUL huge surgery) for pancreatic cancer and was staying with us when I heard. She passed away 16 months after diagnosis in January of this year and he also had it for 16 months (which is considerally long for this fast spreading cancer). I can't help but think of all of his great parts he played that will live on with us. He was so likable wasn't he? He will be missed!

Manic Monday and other ramblings...

Fun weekend filled with Wolfpack football (Mr. Pink and mini#1), soccer (mini Beckham scored 3 goals!), and the lake where we didn't have success pulling either kid up on skis. Oh well. We tried. Mr. Pink was happy. He trick skied and was doing his college tricks of 360's and jumping. Impressed the kids and me, too 'cause he is 43!

After the lake I snuck out to the mall to go to the Disney Store to buy fun items for the minis. I'm making them (surprise) travel bags for our 8-9 hour drive to Orlando on Saturday. Yes, our first trip to House of Mouse is this weekend. I found some cute Mickey t-shirts, travel cups, sunglasses, etc. and have already bought some new dvds and dollar store items to keep them occupied/excited.

Today I made flu shot appts, ironed clothes forever, dropped off dry cleaning, stopped the mail for our trip, cleaned house and paid bills. Crazy Monday. I also called to get dining reservations at Disney because I gave up on the website a few weeks ago. I have a place for us to eat every dinner so I'm happy. I cancelled a couple of the reservations I had made because they didn't fall under the "meal plan" we have, but kept the Rain Forest Cafe' for lunch one day at Animal Kingdom. Heard it was fun. I just feel unprepared, like for a test or something. This Disney business is stressful if you haven't done it all before. Or if the responsibility is all on your shoulders to ensure loads of fun every minute of the day. So what can we not MISS for you experienced Disney travelers? Maybe I can squeeze it in.

Ok, back to work. Did I mention that mini#1 is having his first friend sleepover tomorrow as well? What was I thinking? We're tracked out of school FYI. It's not a school night for us. I hope I can keep them under control and in bed at a decent time because we're all out of here at 8:55 to get him home and mini#2 off to pre-school. Wish us luck!

Addictions

These. are. the. best. ever. Go get some! Addictive. Almonds are my mid-afternoon "snack", but I could eat the whole container of these. Not good. What are you addicted to these days?

I may or may not have watched the new "Melrose Place" last night. Was I the only one? I got all excited to see Michael from the original cast on there. That was a surprise. Doesn't look like he's aged a bit. Jerk (thinking another word)! I had only heard Sydney was returning. Don't think this will be an addiction, but it may be a slight vacation from my reality TV addiction. Did you watch?

And that's all I've got on this 09.09.09. Love dates like this don't you? I saw Nicole Richie and Joel Madden had their baby boy (Sparrow) this morning. Cool birthdate!

What did he just say?

I just overheard mini#2 say to mini#1, "Great. Now I have swine flu because you licked me." Cracked me up. Can you tell we're talking more about germs and washing hands a lot these days? Seriously though. I heard a doctor on the news say to wash your kids' hands for them (no matter if they're old enough) when they get home from school. Keep wipes/gels in the car and just make this an everyday thing. I have been more lenient in the summer, but swine flu is a scary thing so we're back to being cautious. What are you doing these days?

Random

I dropped off a forgotten lunchbox at school this morning. Went almost 2 months before this happened.

I met preschool teachers with mini#2 today in his new turtle class. He starts pre-k tomorrow. Tiny hand claps and silent cheers. I think he's tired of me anyway these days.

Just read that the Duggars are expecting #19. WTH? People's site wanted me to vote on a "J" name for this child. I didn't vote. Had there been a write-in vote I would have voted BIRTH CONTROL. I'm just jealous. Her 18 are better behaved than mine on most days!

Basketball class ended today. Mini#2 received a medal. LOVES it. I anticipate him wearing it to bed!

Is Whitney Houston really making an appearance on GMA tomorrow? Has she straightened out her life? Must squeeze this in before preschool drop off.

Got to run. Bus time.