Splash Trash

It's getting late on Tuesday night here, but I had to update the blog and give a great big shout out to Splash Mountain.  Splash turned 20 today!

I vividly remember standing in line by myself in the early days, since my mom and dad refused to go on it way back when, could be due to the 3 hour wait.  I loved it that much.

I traveled to Disney a few times there after never skimping out on this gem, always waiting the full queue.

I interviewed to work for Disney in 2002.  When asked what my favorite ride was, there was no hesitations.

I got the job, and traveled on an unforgettable journey to Orlando not knowing a single detail of where I'd be working.

I was assigned to none other than... Splash Mountain.

In the first week, I rode that attraction 60 times.  No joke... It was a training I'll never forget.  I cried, I laughed, I cried.  I never thought I would "get" it.  Before long, I knew that attraction like the back of my hand... all 3 lifts, 5 drops, 15 doors, 36 cameras, and a multitude of animatronic friends.  The songs How Do You Do, Laughing Place, and Zip A Dee Do Dah are engraved in my memory.  I am familiar with all hidden Mickeys.

I learned the stupid things people did on this ride and saved many lives.  I also learned the power of a magical moment.  I learned that when a little girl dressed as Tink says that Tinker Bell is in her clasped hands, she really is... I learned the true meaning of what 40 inches is, try telling a kid who is 39 inches they can't go on... I learned that a Make A Wish kid comes before any other kid... I learned the phrase "2 feet and a cheek" would be the best form of advice when working... I learned to answer, "yes, you may get wet on this ride!" with a smirk.

Besides all the wonderful people I met on that ride, above all and most importantly, I met a boy.  The boy that started out as my friend, soon after my boyfriend, a while after that my fiance, and then my husband.  One day, we will take our kids there, and let them know that this is where their parents met.  (when they are 40 inches tall, of course)

I am apart of the Splash Mountain legacy, I have a hand print on the wall there. (never mind that it has since been painted over!)  It's there in my heart.

Splash Mountain will always bring back many memories, perhaps more than anything else in my life.  I am grateful for the Imagineers who imagined it.

So Happy 20th Birthday Splash!!

beth

Beth is in town for an entire month on business and stayed over at our house last Saturday night.  Beth and Adam are good friends from Hyatt days.  Beth still works there.  We made dinner and then lit the bonfire for the first time to roast smores.  The following day we went to church and then we made her a believer of Portillos.  No one can resist a good beef.

Heaven?

The new 5 part series at church is called "When The World Ends."  I was excited about it, but sad because we will be missing 2 of the 5 weeks.  I am pretty sure, religious or not, everyone wants to know what will happen to them the minute they die.  Each part of the series is taught to us directly from the Bible and no opinions of the pastors are shared with us.  I still don't know exactly what I have to do to get to heaven.  My sister once told me that I can't get there just by doing good, but by asking God to take me there.  I was so confused, hurt, and angry about this.  I mean, so what she is telling me is although I may not be a criminal or a murderer, or steal, or do horrible, horrible things others do in this world, it doesn't matter.  I still can't get there by doing good, staying out of trouble, paying my bills, or being nice to others.  I mean what the heck.  How will any of us get there then?  I have been struggling with this concept for years, because I really really want to spend my eternal life in heaven, and not the opposite.  Which is why I was excited to hear about this series.  You can't put your name on the list, or make reservations,  so what do I have to do??

I found the Pastor who spoke on Sunday incredibly touching.  He spoke about his mom, and her last days.  He was called to the hospital by the nurse telling him he needed to get there right away, "she only has a few hours."  He stated, "it's kind of weird, everyone just watching her and waiting for the inevitable."  Turns out his mom wasn't quite ready to go yet, they waited all night and in the morning she woke up, asked why everyone was staring at her, and wanted to order breakfast.  She later went home on hospice care, and lived another 2 weeks.  Her idea of dying was going to be at home and in a white night gown he said.  He talked about her last hour before death, and how amazing it was.  In my profession, I have been the one taking care of the patient before they have died.  It's a humbling experience.  I have been in a room with a dozen people, and just once I have been the only one in the room.  The Bible tells us that angels come right on down and take you(r soul) to heaven.  While most of us might think that this is weird or not right or made up.  I can justify that the feeling in the room minutes before and after is just out of this world.  It's super quiet and usually peaceful.  You can't concentrate on much else when that person gives their last breath, and all you can do is bow your head.  Charting and all the numerous other tasks you have to do can wait.  It's almost as if you are giving those angels some space to do what they have to do.  Comforting the family is perhaps the hardest job, you did not know this person like they did, and usually you just saw them in their final days, not ever when they were well.  In any event, he said that one by one they went in to see her, his brothers and sisters, and last his dad.  Once his dad was there, she passed.  I can't tell you how often this occurs.  Nothing happens until their other half is there, holding their hand.  What a beautiful thing.

Needless to say, I was one big mess of tears.  I couldn't help it.  All I could think about is all the times I have already had to do this with my patients.  And I thought about the day I will have to do it with my own parents and possibly my husband. (I hope I go first on that one!)   Each and every person forward, I hope that they are right with God.  That they talk and pray with him.  That's really all it takes.  I believe.  I will try extra hard to listen for those angels as they take them up and away.  

.alex.

I met with Rachael and Alex today for lunch.  He's the funniest, isn't he?

I can't wait till he starts talking because he is going to be smart.  I can just tell.  

.color.

These are all the pretty flowers that I planted this year.  Just found this picture on my phone and forgot to post. I like to see how far I have come by the end of the summer and how big they all get.  On top of this, I have 3 dahlia's growing from Dr. Sales and 2 flats left to be planted given to us by the builder of the homes here.  It's amazing what a little bit of color will do.

Memorial Day Weekend 2012

Adam and I spent 100% of Memorial Day Weekend together and I am sad it's over.  Saturday we ran a few errands.  We went to a couple stores to get Adam some clothes for Italy.  I may have picked up a few things as well.  We ended with lunch at Five Guys.  Check out that cheeseburger!!!

Sunday morning we were up bright and early for Gavin's Christening.  Here we are doing what we like to call the "transfer," from me to Adam.  It is the most tedious parts of holding a baby for me, having to give the baby to someone else with out dropping them.  

God Bless Gavin

Gavin and Adam

Later that night we went to the city to a new restaurant called Brazzaz.  It's a Brazilian steakhouse and we had a Groupon so we strayed away from Texas de Brazil to give it a try.  Not to mention, we were also celebrating 3 years of wedded bliss a few days early.  

Afterward we took a 8:15pm Architecture Tour, since Adam has never been and I have never been at night.  It was drop dead beautiful in the city, with a small breeze and clear skies.  We couldn't pass it up.  

After the cruise, we went to Navy Pier.  I love the beer garden all the way at the very end of the Pier, and so we dodged around all the people to get there.

Here's us using the timer on the camera.

Monday morning we were up early at the local forest preserve.  It is 3 miles of mostly prairie, but there is a short part where you get to walk thru these trees.  It's my favorite.  We took the boys.  The last time they were there it was fall and they were wearing their sweaters and they did fine.  This time needless to say Charlie could barely make it a mile.  He was so hot and overheated.  Half way thru there is a water fountain for humans and canines.  I just shoved his whole body under the fountain, and then we took a long rest at a picnic table.

With all the fun and relaxing, I took time to think about the real reason for the weekend.  The sacrifice that so many men, women, and their families make, so that I can be with mine.

Thank you.

Possum

 It's 7am in the morning, and I am getting out of the shower.  I hear Luigi our neighbor dog barking up a storm, therefore my dogs are  barking up a storm.  I look out the window and what do I see.  

THIS GUY.

 I was starting to think no one was ever going to believe me, that THIS is the animal that keeps showing up to aggravate Lucas.  And now I have POSSUM PROOF.  Isn't he just the ugliest grossest thing you ever saw?  ICK.  

The fun of living in the country.