ABCs of a Nursing School Grad Trip + FL Keys Mini Report;D is for: Dang! Last Chapter of this TR...

[mom3sonstt]

nd we’re just over here not-so-nonchalantly spying on her (that’s what families do). “MOM!! Stop them! She’’ll move to Seattle!” “Ummmm, nope. She’s 21 and has never had a date.” <keep talking, Hone

Hmm maybe I should introduce her to my youngest. He's 23, the only dates I recall him going on were his jr and sr proms. Both times his dates were just friends who already had boyfriends.

Back to Plan A: the VOL CD for $21 overpriced dollars. Why did I splur

Maybe I should introduce "you" to my youngest...he's got a couple of their cds too. (Ryne is my middle)

You see a pattern here, right….? I went down to the Friendship in Morocco, and kept texting and calling, and texting and calling, and…. You get the idea. I waited and waited; luckily the boat was still over at the Gateway and I had time to keep waiting.

I don't think I have ever taken the Friendships...possibly on our honeymoon. They just don't look like they save time unless you catch them as they arrive.



I thought I quoted when you were talking about your time in Thailand but apparently not. My husband traveled a lot for work. He hated Europe, enjoyed Japan, loved Thailand. He always tells of arriving at the airport, his contact met him there with security (carrying, not just wearing, guns) who took him past the regular incoming lines and into an office in the airport without speaking the entire way there. Once they were in the office his contact introduced him to the security who was his brother in law, but that it could have been "not good" had they spoken. This was many years ago (pre 9-11 and then some). But he said the people there were the nicest, friendliest prople he met on any of his travels. He's brought back many many rolls of film from his visits there.

 

[Steppesister]

Hmm maybe I should introduce her to my youngest. He's 23, the only dates I recall him going on were his jr and sr proms. Both times his dates were just friends who already had boyfriends.

And she went to neither of those either. LOL! She's just super focused on her degree and karate and being independent, honestly, it would surprise me if she ever married.

Maybe I should introduce "you" to my youngest...he's got a couple of their cds too. (Ryne is my middle)

Thanks for clearing that up! I thought Ryne was your youngest.

I wish I'd gotten a Mo'Rockin one while they were still there. But VOL is so nice to listen to.

I don't think I have ever taken the Friendships...possibly on our honeymoon. They just don't look like they save time unless you catch them as they arrive.

I think they're to save the feet more than time.

I thought I quoted when you were talking about your time in Thailand but apparently not. My husband traveled a lot for work. He hated Europe, enjoyed Japan, loved Thailand. He always tells of arriving at the airport, his contact met him there with security (carrying, not just wearing, guns) who took him past the regular incoming lines and into an office in the airport without speaking the entire way there. Once they were in the office his contact introduced him to the security who was his brother in law, but that it could have been "not good" had they spoken. This was many years ago (pre 9-11 and then some). But he said the people there were the nicest, friendliest prople he met on any of his travels. He's brought back many many rolls of film from his visits there.

They ARE very friendly people! Very polite.

 

[orangecats2]

I really do need to get to Seattle one day soon! I'm thinking about spring 2018. A lot depends on if I can get this new job as a Disney World reservation specialist and if I do how much I make. You already know I don't do seafood so I skipped those pics. But the fruit logs looked really good. We have those chocolate shops here too. I love their caramel apples! The older I get, the less I like chocolate. No idea why. DH and I went to the Il Fornio in Vegas at NYNY. He wasn't very impressed and I thought it was fine. No need to ever go again really. We have a really good family owned Italian place close to us and not much beats it.

I really like your Japan and Morocco gift items. Teal is my favorite color. I really want one of those lamps they sell in Morocco! So much stuff I always want and never get!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Love your girl's adventure! I know we have been to Pike's but I feel like we missed alot. I only remember a popcorn place and the fish place. Maybe that is all Jim had patience for

Your meal looked delish. What a yummy treat! Good thing you didn't lose those tickets

Love the Japanese dish! Too bad the Cyprus Sun was disappointing. I was thinking I must go back and try that one. Thanks for doing the taste test for us!
​

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

What a lovely annual girls trip you had! The trip to Pikes and the chocolate shop nice pit stops. That parking sounds like some places in hospitals here or London..

Nice the price came down for your dinner location. What a lovely choice Italian. Lol re the apie choice by your daughter. One scallop? What's that about. Lovely photo of you all

Glad you enjoyed the play.

Nice day at EPCOT. Love the goodies you bought. Such good prices also! I love Japan. It really wows me everytime.

 

[rndmr2]

Glad you had fun on your Girl's day trip! I am doing one of those with my MIL and SIL in March, we are going to see The Sound of Music. It was my DH's idea and he and my SIL and her BF all chipped in to get the 3 tickets, and they presented them to my MIL and I at Xmas. (My DH's plan to not have to go see it with me, LOL)

That Market looked awesome, I have heard great things about that place.

Glad you accomplished your goals at Morocco, Japan and USA. I really like the dish from Japan. Love the Voices of Liberty! You didn't go to the American Adventure show?? I love that show, one of my favorite things about Epcot.

 

[franandaj]

Yes, but for the amount of shopping you and Fran do... I"m sure you've run circles around most everyone around here.

True. And I only buy something if I really know I'll use it.

I tend to agree 100% with your assessment.

And people wonder why I keep up with the DIS on vacation. It gives me something to do while she is browsing through all those stores!

Browsing... just no.

I'll do a cruise through and then I'm usually sitting outside the store in the shade playing on my phone.

I can see her just ogling over all the art. And actually, I do love those types as well. I, for the first time, discovered that shop near the entrance to EPCOT, kinda by SE, know which one I'm talking about? It has a TON of Disney art, and even had an artist on duty. I aaaaaaaaaaaaaalmost splurged BIG time on something. BUT, then remembered of have the original sketches that my cousin did while working for the Studio in Burbank and still need to get them framed. So that first.

Oh yeah, we've been in that one a lot. The one thing that is nice about her art pusher is now that we are getting all of these original art pieces direct from the artist, she isn't as interested in the x/300 type of pieces that Disney sells. In fact we are listing quite a few of those on eBay now.

That's exactly what this was all about. Just one little, inexpensive thing to serve as a fun reminder. And now, as you'll see, I've started 2 little "collections" that can keep growing.

We have too many collections that keep growing!

Well, if one's destination is ALL the way back to where you started... then clockwise ends your day at The Ditch, no?

That does make sense!

I'd agree, but they only serve pre-mixed, weaker ones from what I remember. I don't think you can get the top shelf liquors out there.

Well they did have a Patron margarita that I used to order, it was a couple dollars more than the other ones.

LOLOL! Crap= "precious items" Now, that's rich!

Ah, an Outlander fan! I have a few of those friends; never took the plunge. Then again, I just don't read much anymore.

I actually don't read, except on the DIS and other online sources. I've self diagnosed myself with ADD. When I read, my mind wanders and I'll have "seen" the words on 3 pages go by, and not comprehended a thing! We listen to audio books in the car. It helps with traffic in LA and makes those long drives go by more quickly.

Oh!? You think I didn't?! Oh... still LOTS more TR to come. I chose to NOT weave the concurrent F&W goings on in these chapters.

Soooo confusing!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[amazingact21]

Very interesting idea to "shop around the world." Keeping it under ten dollars and authentic sounds like one heck of a challenge in Disney. I applaud your success in the Canada, UK, and Morroco pavilion.
And I hear you about Paris. France as a whole is pretty, but I have zero inter st in going into the city. I'll end up doing it just to say I did, but I'm afraid I'll just be waiting for the return train home.

Your girl's night sounded wonderful. Dinner and a show is the perfect way to spend an evening with loved ones, in my opinion. My mother, her two sisters, and my femal cousin used to take trips together every summer, and it was a highlight of my summers. I already looked forward to creating those memories with my own daughter.

 

[Steppesister]

I really do need to get to Seattle one day soon! I'm thinking about spring 2018. A lot depends on if I can get this new job as a Disney World reservation specialist and if I do how much I make. You already know I don't do seafood so I skipped those pics. But the fruit logs looked really good. We have those chocolate shops here too. I love their caramel apples! The older I get, the less I like chocolate. No idea why. DH and I went to the Il Fornio in Vegas at NYNY. He wasn't very impressed and I thought it was fine. No need to ever go again really. We have a really good family owned Italian place close to us and not much beats it.

Good luck on the new job. I had considered that at one point too. Seattle is a great place to find stuff to do. Loads of museums and yummy restaurants and stuff.

We considered a caramel apple but it was too close to dinner. We'd have had to eat it on the way home and I didn't want a sticky mess in the car. Nope.

Funny, the older I get the more I'm liking it. Still can only eat about 1 small square at a sitting and never anything but very bitter and with nuts. I didn't get anything, just not a big fan. But it's growing on me especially with a small glass of red wine.

We have a great Italian one here too by the creek. It's my favorite place to go in the summer and sit outside with friends and a load of appetizers and cocktails. We watch duck wars which are always entertaining.

I really like your Japan and Morocco gift items. Teal is my favorite color. I really want one of those lamps they sell in Morocco! So much stuff I always want and never get!

I know! Morocco, IMHO, has the best selection of stuff. Super exotic and unique. It's the one shop I actually DO like to just browse in.

Love your girl's adventure! I know we have been to Pike's but I feel like we missed alot. I only remember a popcorn place and the fish place. Maybe that is all Jim had patience for

It was a lot bigger than I thought! So much to see! Definitely could have used more than an hour there, especially if you grab a snack like the fresh bagels they had or some of the gourmet popcorn or fresh roasted nuts.

Your meal looked delish. What a yummy treat! Good thing you didn't lose those tickets

What I didn't say, was that as I was racing into the bathroom, a lady was coming out of the stall holding them, presumably to turn them in. I intercepted her just in time to claim them. OY!

Love the Japanese dish! Too bad the Cyprus Sun was disappointing. I was thinking I must go back and try that one. Thanks for doing the taste test for us!

I like it! Goes nicely in my kitchen and looks great with garlic on it.

Yeah, steer clear of that one. I should have known that the booze would have been "light" considering which pavilion it was coming out of....

 

[Steppesister]

What a lovely annual girls trip you had! The trip to Pikes and the chocolate shop nice pit stops. That parking sounds like some places in hospitals here or London..

It's outrageous! I wish I had a bunch of money laying around. I'd totally buy one and participate in the biggest extortion racket going on today.

Pike's is definitely a place worth going to. So much to see and take in!

Nice the price came down for your dinner location. What a lovely choice Italian. Lol re the apie choice by your daughter. One scallop? What's that about. Lovely photo of you all

I KNOW!! 1 measly little scallop! What a rip off. Totes makes me want to cook them for dinner this weekend. Maybe blackened.

Glad you enjoyed the play.

It was fantastic!

Nice day at EPCOT. Love the goodies you bought. Such good prices also! I love Japan. It really wows me everytime.

I was very pleasantly surprised with the prices as well. I think $5 for a pretty little dish is very reasonable! I agree Japan is a nice pavilion- I think they really did a very good job with it.

Glad you had fun on your Girl's day trip! I am doing one of those with my MIL and SIL in March, we are going to see The Sound of Music. It was my DH's idea and he and my SIL and her BF all chipped in to get the 3 tickets, and they presented them to my MIL and I at Xmas. (My DH's plan to not have to go see it with me, LOL)

You'll have such a great time! I always enjoy giving "experience" gifts over more "stuff". LOL! But had to laugh at your DH's plan not to go see it. Too bad, I think a lot of men like stage after they've given it a try.

That Market looked awesome, I have heard great things about that place.

Definitely a fun destination.

Glad you accomplished your goals at Morocco, Japan and USA. I really like the dish from Japan. Love the Voices of Liberty! You didn't go to the American Adventure show?? I love that show, one of my favorite things about Epcot.

Me too! Very pretty on my counter and I love that I see it every day. I wonder how long it'll take my family to break it.

Not this time. We needed to pretty quickly get back to the resort to get changed for our party. Late night ahead, so cut EPCOT short.

 

[Steppesister]

True. And I only buy something if I really know I'll use it.

Keeps the true clutter down. Good for you.

And people wonder why I keep up with the DIS on vacation. It gives me something to do while she is browsing through all those stores!

No shaming from this quarter. I'd be doing the same thing.

I'll do a cruise through and then I'm usually sitting outside the store in the shade playing on my phone.

Yeah, I can see myself doing that too.

Oh yeah, we've been in that one a lot. The one thing that is nice about her art pusher is now that we are getting all of these original art pieces direct from the artist, she isn't as interested in the x/300 type of pieces that Disney sells. In fact we are listing quite a few of those on eBay now.

NICE!! I hope you can make some nice cash on those. You should post your favorite originals for us to drool over!

We have too many collections that keep growing!

I do too! Dust bunnies, dirty dishes, laundry piles....

Well they did have a Patron margarita that I used to order, it was a couple dollars more than the other ones.

I wonder if they will still do that? Will check it out. I've just not had good luck with the frozen pre-mixed anythings at Disney- the GG slushies, the margs, the Cyprus Sun, etc... all have been not worth the money.

I actually don't read, except on the DIS and other online sources. I've self diagnosed myself with ADD. When I read, my mind wanders and I'll have "seen" the words on 3 pages go by, and not comprehended a thing! We listen to audio books in the car. It helps with traffic in LA and makes those long drives go by more quickly.

I just don't have time. Well, I mean I guess I do, but I'd rather be doing other stuff. When spring comes, I'd like to get out more with my camera, and finally after 6 years of living here, got through the very full attics of crap my FIL left here.

Audio is the way to go! Good move!

Soooo confusing!

Just keeping you on your toes.

 

[Steppesister]

Well, now I'm considering myself very lucky that no one (that I know of) took advantage of me in Paris. Might have been an advantage of being alone - they mostly assumed that I was local. And very quiet!

I"m glad you had nice experiences there! Truly! I do think you had an edge with speaking some French and yeah, being a solo traveler. I hope you get to go back someday and have the same lovely time!

Amen. Although I am jealous of stiletto wearing at the moment. I did wear two inch heeled boots on Sunday for 3 & 1/2 hours and didn't expire from lingering broken toe pain, so progress is still being made...

One day at a time! Broken toes take soooooo long (have had a couple myself) because they just don't get the rest they need. Unless you can be perfectly off it the foot... not likely. You'll get back into heels...hang in there!

Now that's the ticket for this unadventurous palate!

Pasta...Mmmmm! Even for adventurous palates. Nothing like a heaping Plate 'O Carbs.

Also love the garlic plate, I might have to keep an eye out for whatever version they have a few years from now. Glad you picked up your CD, I especially like the young brunette singer in the dark blue dress. My Wishes CD is the best Disney souvenir that I have!

There were dozens to choose from. The colors on this one caught my eye, and at $5 totally worth it.

I need to get the Wishes CD, but listen to the soundtrack on YouTube pretty frequently.

Very interesting idea to "shop around the world." Keeping it under ten dollars and authentic sounds like one heck of a challenge in Disney. I applaud your success in the Canada, UK, and Morroco pavilion.

Thanks!! This was my 2nd SAtW and had nearly the same success rate. Well, actually, France was the deal killer this time, but next time, I shall conquer!

And I hear you about Paris. France as a whole is pretty, but I have zero inter st in going into the city. I'll end up doing it just to say I did, but I'm afraid I'll just be waiting for the return train home.

It think it's worth seeing for sure. If you have a limited time, stick to a couple of the sites and call it good. Maybe Sacre Coeur and Notre, or the Louve or Pampadou.

Your girl's night sounded wonderful. Dinner and a show is the perfect way to spend an evening with loved ones, in my opinion. My mother, her two sisters, and my femal cousin used to take trips together every summer, and it was a highlight of my summers. I already looked forward to creating those memories with my own daughter.

Experiences always > Stuff

Your summer trips sound great. Our family has traditionally taken a winter/New Years' trip together but haven't in a long time. Start when she'd young and she'll have quite a collection of wonderful memories. Take lots of photos and make a scrapbook or photo book to give her when she leaves home.

 

[franandaj]

OK, trying to stay caught up, so I'm biting off a little bit at a time.....

Let me begin by giving you a bit of background… Every year for the last 7, since coming “home” from Crapistan in 2010 (see I can do basic math), I have set aside one day for all of the girls in my family to be treated to a special day including a high end meal of some ethnic variety and a Broadway-style show, concert, or perhaps a ballet.

Sounds like a great girls night out!

We left our house for the 4 hour trek up to downtown Seattle at 10:00. We’d gotten ½ mile when I’d realized I’d forgotten the tickets. Yay.

Did you go back for them?

About 10 years ago, servers stopped carding me. While devastating in its own way, it does make forgetting your ID less painful.

Yeah, it's been a while since I've been carded too. The last time I was carded I got really excited!

About an hour up the road, the hangries struck and we ended up at McDonalds. Dollar crapfee for me and a Junior Mac (yes, Mickey D’s food pretty much belongs in a garbage can) but it worked to tide me over until our dinner.

Yes, I'm actually doing that same thing today.

We arrived in Seattle around 2:00 and our plan was to visit Pike’s Place Market since we’d never done so. Or at least we thought we hadn’t. Parking costs just shy of a 3 day stay in a hospital in downtown Seattle, but we found a spot 2 blocks away for only $8 an hour.

Yeah, we had a heck of a time parking there. We ended up with dumb luck and getting a street spot just as someone else pulled out.

It was BUSY! And bustling. And had a FUN atmosphere! Packed in were row upon row of fresh fish on ice, colorful fruits and vegetables, handcrafted wines, art, and the flowers!

Those seafood prices! Nice pictures, so colorful!

After some online research, I’d picked this one, the Il Fornaio, which has several locations in the West,

My mom told me they were having a special on Bresceola, but I think that was last month.

“Ummmm, nope. She’s 21 and has never had a date.” <keep talking, Honey….>

So, that’s what we did. I let the kids choose the appetizer, and since Mikki is my only real foodie, she did. And, of course, she picked the one appie that only she and I would come close to eating. I had to wonder how deliberately that was done. She KNOWS that her sisters hate fish- so that’s what she went with- the Antipasto di Pesce.

You have to wonder what she was thinking here.

I got the most heavenly hand rolled cannelloni with smoked bacon you can imagine. Smothered in cheese sauce and topped with oven-roasted mushrooms. Da bomb.

That sounds delicious!

Concerning the play itself. My girls were appropriately mesmerized.

The drive home was fairly uneventful, except that driving on I-5 at 2:OO AM is dull. And I’m pretty sure when we pulled into Taco Bell we were cast into the Midnight Muncher Stoner stereotype.

Somehow I highly doubt this.

 

[Steppesister]

Sounds like a great girls night out!

I hope there's yet many more to come!

Did you go back for them?

Yeah, I figured it was easier than hassling with it at Will Call/Box Office and such. I did have the receipt in an email, but that would take time away from dinner.

Yeah, it's been a while since I've been carded too. The last time I was carded I got really excited!

HAHA! Me too! I told the server that s/he'd just made my whole week.

Yes, I'm actually doing that same thing today.

Disgusting. But at times necessary.

Yeah, we had a heck of a time parking there. We ended up with dumb luck and getting a street spot just as someone else pulled out.

The BEST kind! Nice!

Those seafood prices! Nice pictures, so colorful!

High? Low?

I saw a lot of locals buying there, so they couldn't be too bad. I don't buy a huge ton of fish so hard for me to know.

My mom told me they were having a special on Bresceola, but I think that was last month.

Aw, poop. I didn't even think to check specials. Dang.

You have to wonder what she was thinking here.

I didn't wonder too terribly hard or long.

That sounds delicious!

Somehow I highly doubt this.

Well, maybe the evening wear saved our reputations.

 

[mom3sonstt]

I actually don't read, except on the DIS and other online sources. I've self diagnosed myself with ADD. When I read, my mind wanders and I'll have "seen" the words on 3 pages go by, and not comprehended a thing! We listen to audio books in the car. It helps with traffic in LA and makes those long drives go by more quickly.

That sounds like me. I used to read hours on end. I developed cataracts a few years ago and was tired early every night, apparently from straining my eyes. If I tried to read I'd fall asleep. I got in the habit of just playing a game on my phone instead of reading, and subscribed to audible so somebody else could read to me while I'm driving. Got the cataracts removed, am not as tired anymore, but never got back to actually reading.

 

[Poolrat]

Last stop... potty break. I will not interject my own opinion here into the Great Bathroom Debate, but this was highly amusing... and to think... in Seattle:

Now being in Charlotte I find that interesting.

And just being a dork.

I love this picture!!! I also love how amused the guy behind you seems. Of course I want to comment more but right now the DIS seems to acting up and locking up on me. Hope this can post.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Good luck on the new job. I had considered that at one point too. Seattle is a great place to find stuff to do. Loads of museums and yummy restaurants and stuff.

We considered a caramel apple but it was too close to dinner. We'd have had to eat it on the way home and I didn't want a sticky mess in the car. Nope.

Funny, the older I get the more I'm liking it. Still can only eat about 1 small square at a sitting and never anything but very bitter and with nuts. I didn't get anything, just not a big fan. But it's growing on me especially with a small glass of red wine.

We have a great Italian one here too by the creek. It's my favorite place to go in the summer and sit outside with friends and a load of appetizers and cocktails. We watch duck wars which are always entertaining.



I know! Morocco, IMHO, has the best selection of stuff. Super exotic and unique. It's the one shop I actually DO like to just browse in.



It was a lot bigger than I thought! So much to see! Definitely could have used more than an hour there, especially if you grab a snack like the fresh bagels they had or some of the gourmet popcorn or fresh roasted nuts.



What I didn't say, was that as I was racing into the bathroom, a lady was coming out of the stall holding them, presumably to turn them in. I intercepted her just in time to claim them. OY!



I like it! Goes nicely in my kitchen and looks great with garlic on it.

Yeah, steer clear of that one. I should have known that the booze would have been "light" considering which pavilion it was coming out of....

Oh more excitement! You had to arm wrestle a fellow guest to get your tickets back!

What if she was thinking, "Score! I was wondering what I was going to do tonight!"

 

[Terra Nova guy]

Hello again. Well, I'm just trying to get caught up on things after traveling back from my work overseas (and I know you can relate to the travel and jet lag). I got home Sunday night, had a snow storm Monday that closed schools and I spent most of the day shoveling (welcome home, eh?), then DD9 has been feeling a bit stomach sick the last couple days, so that's been a distraction. Thankfully things are starting to get back to normal now.

Now, you had asked some thoughtful questions about the Commonwealth that @pkondz was kind enough to answer better than I could. You had also been pondering a trip east someday.

So, ok, that's when I should get up that way. I see a t-shirt on in this photo VV, so I assume it gets somewhat warm. Although for a Canadian, that may mean all the way up to 62 F- still UNBEARABLY cold for a PNWer.

If you ever do find yourself coming this way, late June/early July would be nice since the icebergs are still around and the whales have arrived for the summer, so you can usually see both on a boat tour. As for weather, the warmer time of year is late July and August. The picture of DD sitting on the rock in t-shirt and shorts was taken in August and the temperature was around 25C/77F, which is fairly typical for that time of year. In June, it's anyone's guess. See, being as far east as you can go in North America, we are greatly affected by the wind direction. If the wind comes from the south the days are warmer around 20C/68F (yes, for us that's warmer). But if the wind comes from the north, particularly when the ice is on the coast, it really cools off to about 15C/59F and we get fog. To be honest, if you're coming here having nice weather is just a bonus and the focus is on the natural beauty and culture. Regardless, I think you would enjoy it. I would also suggest visiting our neighbouring provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island which are very nice places and generally have warmer weather since they are not as affected by the northerly winds.

I enjoyed reading about your day in Seattle. I can imagine how The King and I would bring back some memories of Thailand for your family. And you can never go wrong with pasta. Your dish looked wonderful. I enjoy a good cannelloni now and then.

I'm not sure if Morocco is my favourite pavilion (I don't really know if I can pick one) but I really do like the back passages too. There's a nice room back there with a fountain that I always seek out because I find it so quiet, cool, and relaxing in the middle of a busy day.

 

[afwdwfan]

We’d gotten ½ mile when I’d realized I’d forgotten the tickets. Yay. The good news is that I remembered before we were in Portland; the bad news is that had the tickets been in my purse, I wouldn’t have forgotten that too.

I'm surprised you remembered the keys. Or the car.

About an hour up the road, the hangries struck and we ended up at McDonalds.

Well that's always my pick for ethnic cuisine.

After some online research, I’d picked this one, the Il Fornaio, which has several locations in the West, because not only was it near the Paramount Theater, but we’d not done Italian yet for one of our Girls’ Day outings. That, and who doesn’t love pasta?

Italian is always a winner for me!

Let me just say that Rebekah took full advantage of the arrival by noting that the calamari rings looked like “sphincters”.

She wins. As a non-calamari fan myself, I love it!

Even had time to pee, where I promptly forgot the tickets on the TP holder.

This is when I have to ask myself would I trust you to care for me in a life or death situation...

the lady next to me, I guess, notices I’m short. “Let me get you a cushion.” “Oh sure, thanks!” <wonders where these have been all my life> <proceeds to sit up 6 more inches with no obstructed view on a soft pillow for entire show>

Better than a phone book!

She remembers getting amoebic dysentery and her hospital stay.

Well how you could you forget something like that?

I'm glad the annual girls' day out was a success!

Sadly, this one was disappointing. It was VERY watered down and hardly had any taste at all, let alone any liquor in it. If it had at least tasted good, I’d have been happy. But just, no. Waste of $12; Steppe gives it a 2 Thumbs Down

Thanks for saving me the trouble. Not that I'd get that anyway, it just doesn't look like something I'd enjoy.

And that was my quota for the day. No more until tomorrow, and see? Still 100% sober. It CAN be done, Friends.

But where's the fun in that?

My kids were appropriately blown away, because A) Period costuming B) How can a human voice go that high?! And C) Acoustics.

and D) How can you not be if you even have a single patriotic bone in your body?

Somehow, I lost the kids, while I stopped at a F&W kiosk (BIG MISTAKE!) and it took quite a while to hook up again. You see a pattern here, right….?

Yeah, the pattern is, you stop at a kiosk/booth, they think "oh boy, mom's getting liquored up, let's get out of here."