Disney -- Part 1 of ???? (Many!)

We really had a magical time at Disney!

We love it there and feel

totally transported to another world and, 

while it is very busy,  it is still relaxing (somehow) for us!

So, let's get this Disney vacation recap going, shall we?

We had an early flight out of town at 6 AM! 

I usually don't schedule those early flights, but

we wanted to get out of the chaos at home,

so headed to a hotel next to the airport the night before.

It was perfect -- no getting up at 3 AM to drive an hour and half to the airport,
no early, early morning scrambling

and rushing to get to the airport on time.

Brilliant decision!

This is one of my fave Disney hotels -- we didn't stay there, but very close in the same area.

It's a bit off the beaten path and close to both Epcot (a fave)

and Hollywood Studios too!

You can take these fun boats to both Epcot and

Hollywood Studios.

Buses are available to Magic Kingdom and

Animal Kingdom.

Since we arrived around 1 PM, we hit some shops and

some rides later.

And, if you know Maddy, you know she loves

seeing characters and getting autographs!

And Mickey is her most favorite of all!

To be continued . . .

The Great Flooring Project - Part 2

When I last left you, we were here -- DisneyWorld!

and shopping was the first order of business!

When we left, this was our dining room

(look, it was April and there was snow on the ground outside!)

Floor had been done about 15 years ago and was light honey stain.

Living room -- Muffy liked the old carpet!

But, there really was no way we could have stayed home

the whole time as we would have had to walk

on the floors to get out . . . so

it was a necessity that we leave town! :)

Anyhooo -- I hesitated just a minute

upon our return to peak at the floor before we

went in and . . . drumroll please . . .

Loved it!

Living room now -- no more carpet! Reflections make it a little tricky to see the real color.

We had to wait an extra day

to let it totally dry (?) before having the furniture

and appliances moved in.

Maddy and I went to the zoo that day and

out to eat -- yes --we know how to

extend a vacation!

On moving-in day -- it rained on and off!

What a relief -- it wasn't raining when the

guys were bringing in the furniture 

or the appliances.

As expected

 (like Eeyore - I always expect the worst!)

there were some issues with the dishwasher,

refrigerator AND the bathroom.

After a few hours of work, the plumbers

successfully got everything working again!

Yippee! 

Now, it's time to clean up the layers and layers

and layers of dust and 

get set up again.

More on the fun Disney trip next time!

The Great Flooring Project of 2014 - Part 1 - the Destruction!

Hello Friends!

I am a wee bit behind on posting.

I have some very good reasons, of course!

The destruction and re-do of the Great Flooring Project of 2014

 started last week or was it the the week before?

I think the dust has addled my brain a bit!

We live in an older home. It was built in 1924!

I think that was a very good year as that was the year

my Dad, Al, was born!

We knew we had original wood floors in the living room and dining room.

We believed there was some wood in the entry way and maybe in the kitchen and hallways
under a few (4+) layers

of vinyl (vinyl was so good in its time, wasn't it?).

So, we decided to refinish the wood wherever it was,

tear out the vinyl and replace with new wood and have all the flooring 

on the main floor be the same.

What a project!!

First, we had to have all the furniture and appliances moved to the garage.

Remember -- the house is old . . . the garage is not attached and 

has 5-6 stairs down to the driveway and garage.

Then the tear-up started.

Two phone calls at work that morning made me nervous . . . very nervous!

There weren't 4+ layers of vinyl -- after 3 layers, there was concrete!

Seriously -- concrete!!!

So, that had to be jackhammered out and a new subfloor installed.

Oy vey!! 

Every day returning home was a mystery as to what we

would find.  After the 2 calls that first day, the flooring guy decided to

spare me and stopped calling. 

Thank you Pete! :)

The dust and mess was everywhere and there was no dishwasher,

no refrigerator, no first-floor potty and no way to find anything.

So, we did what anyone with a sane mind would do 

. . .

we left for Disney World!

To be continued!

Deja Vu All Over Again!

In the immortal words of  Yogi Berra . . .

It's like deja vu all over again!

Snow in April!

This time even later than last year --

snow on April 13th!

Seriously old man winter -- give it up already! :)

xoxo

jboo

Warming Up to Spring!

Hello Friends!

Are you enjoying spring?

Time to get the scooter out!

We're having some warmish days

and it is lovely and so cool in the mornings that I have 

re-started my early morning runs!

Ok, I admit, I do have to talk myself out of a warm and 

toasty bed at 5:15 am,

but once I am out running

 (or run/walking is more like it),

I never regret it.

So sweet to hear the birds singing and greeting the morning.

Muffy - wishing for a side-car on the scooter!

Mr. Tennis planted some pansies and
put up some new little solar lights!
They look so cool twinkling at night!

The decluttering project is in full force for
the flooring project that starts on Monday!
Yikes -- will I be ready??

Movers are arriving on Saturday morning to
move all the furniture from the living room, dining room
and kitchen to the garage!
So, I had to clean the garage too to make space for the refrigerator
and hope it can be plugged in --
 you just know I'm
going to need some liquid refreshment!

Acrodance!

Hello Friends!

Happy April 1st!

Maddy has tried various

gymnastics, dance, cheer and back to gymnastics classes

through the years.

This year, she is doing a class called 

Acrodance!

It's a combination of gymnastics and dance - 

though mostly gymnastics!

She loves it 

and is very flexible!

She laughs when I tell her that 

I can barely do a somersault!

Unfortunately, she just

had to have a little ingrown

toenail surgery.

I will spare you that photo!

She's so brave and tough

but may have to miss acrodance this week.

She hates to miss class, but that 

toe is much too painful right now.

Would love a few prayers for some 

speedy healing if you have a moment!

Thank you friends!