Pirates as Friends

During our visit to Disney, we had the privilege of dining with Lee Arenberg and Katie at the steak house in EPCOT's Canadian pavilion. We had a great time talking and laughing and being silly with a blue ice cube....long story. My point of this short post is that the media exploits all of the bad decisions and antics of Hollywood stars all the time...and rarely do they mention the nice ones. Lee was definitely a great guy and Katie, who is due on Dawson's birthday for their little guy, was absolutely adorable and sweet.

A big star, who has been in multitudes of films and TV shows, Lee was as down to earth and as awesome as they get. He and Lindsay are keeping in touch now and have communicated several times since our dinner together. So....who says Pirates can't be friends.

Anyone who knows Lindsay, or shall we say the "Pirate Princess", knows that she is all about the arghhhhh and the pirates.....so having this opportunity to learn so much more about her favorite flicks and the people in it and to have that special kind of communication is pretty phenomenal. I get so tickled at her being so tickled....

Friends and Taking the Heat

I love GCC. I have some really great friends there. My air conditioner isn't working so I called my good friend Butch for some diagnostic advice. Butch is a great guy that is married to one of my best friends from high school. We have an interesting history and this couple means the world to me. So after figuring out what might be wrong and equipping me with the right questions to ask, I am now ready to call someone to come out.

Then this morning, I was going to go work out with my good friend Lori but due to no sleep because of the heat I just couldn't get up early this morning. Lori's husband Bob (these two are the best friends ever) texted me that Lori couldn't go either so it worked out well. In a text exchange about companies to call, Bob said the funniest yet profound things.....and I might add that I broke out laughing because it was so funny.

Me in referring to the heat "boy am I grouchy lol"

Bob "Heat can do that to a person.....good thing Jesus saved us from hell"

My friends.....I love em!

Memorial Day & Memories

Thank you to all the brave men and women serving in all branches of the service both past and present. You are always in our prayers!

Memorial Day 2007. Just the beginning to fun times at Silver Beach and many of the other beaches in Michigan. Seems like they are the perfect spots to chill, read, sleep, play in the sand, play in the cold water, eat icecream, and spend some good quality time with family and friends both old and new. Funny how the "Florida" sun gave just a good base and the "Michigan" sun kinda of felt like I was in a Fry Baby....cuz I am a little toasty and red after a full day. We finished with Music & Lyrics, a fun film with Hugh Grant and one of my favorite actresses, Drew Barrymore. Great Fun!

Shiver Me Pictures!

Lindsay at the Beach!

We are on a flower kick!

The rest of the Three Muskateers!

Playing with our icecream is so much fun!

Superman Icecream...does it get any better?

Arghhhhhh...."ello poppet"

What a great time we had in the land of Mickey. I must say that this trip was my favorite for many reasons. I discovered amazing information about this amazing place, I now have a deeper love of and committment to the dream of Walt Disney. Here are some of the highlights:

• Got to spend quality time with the most wonderful daughter in the world

• Learned so much about Walt Disney, Disney World, and spent a great deal of the four days interviewing folks, talking to guests, and video taping, taking pictures, and learning for a presentation I am doing for work.



• Went on Tower of Terror four times in a row. Went on Expedition Everest for the first, second, and third time. Best ride at Disney by far!



• Spent time reading "Be Our Guest" and also hanging out by the pool



• Had dinner with one of the actors that played one of the main pirate roles in Pirates of the Caribbean. His significant other, Katie, and their personal Disney VIP Guide, Kimmy, and us enjoyed an hour and a half conversation. Check out Lindsay'site for more details and pics. What a great time we had.



• Got to come home to the best little guy in the whole world after his week with his daddy. Wow, we missed him so much. We couldn't even watch the parade because he wasn't there with us.

So as you can see, it was a memorable few days. How I love that place and the man that had a dream and worked hard to see that dream come true, and how his memory creates memories for all of us. God Bless Walt Disney.

What do I Take On Vacation?

Well, you have heard the television commercial that asks, "What's in YOUR wallet?". Packing for vacation has to be strategic and well planned. It starts way in advance. You buy the travel size items like toothpaste, the little fold up tooth brush, the iddy biddy bottles of shampoo and mousse and the list goes on and on. Then you pack the clothes and repack about eight times until you get the absolute perfect combination of outfits in case you are having a bad hair day, feel sloshy from drinking too much water, or long sleeved shirts in case you get fried and have to cover up to maintain any layer of skin at all. Oh yes, then you prepare your itinerary so that you can have as much fun as you possibly can in the shortest amount of time. That is about it, right? Wrong. That is, in my case it is wrong because you see, I am very social and love to talk to people so I am sure to bring the one thing with me that is a sure fire, proven magnet for people to make their way to me so I can socialize. Can you guess what that might be?

I will give you a hint. She is about 5'8" tall, has long brown hair, big hazel eyes, a smile that melts butter, and well, she is just a magnet for all that is good in Disney. You should get one for yourself, oh wait, there is only one like her and she is mine so you are on your own. Having a great time. You should be here with us in this very magical place!

I Feel Like I Am Home!

My trip to Disney is quite different this time as I am on a mission. I'm here to experience Disney but this time, I am here to document it for a presentation in August. My son and I will be bringing the "Magic" to our Indiana team in a way that hopefully will inspire, encourage, and motivate each and every leader. There are a lot of familiarities between Disney and U.S. Cellular. I am the "woman on the street" as I attempt to uncover the magic behind the magic. All I know is that as the car approached the Disney area, my expression pretty much told the story. More to come!