Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-a-Dee-Ay

"My, oh my! What a wonderful day! "

Disneyland still is a magical place.
One would think after all this time Walt Disney's dream would be tarnished and faded with the increase of commercialism, crowds, and cost. Yes, all those factors are present, but there is an underlying theme of magic that still comes to the surface. This joy and happiness is reflected in the faces of street sweepers, performers, ride operators, and children.

Our littles were no exception:





We were thrilled to have a Jedi-in-training in our family. Thank heavens Carson was there to save us from Darth Vader:


We've grown large enough to warrant an official family reunion - cool matching T-shirt included. We have one opening for a tall, dark, and handsome male - size L.

We didn't have plenty of sunshine but that didn't deter us from fun at the beach. Everything was satisfactual:

Wonderful feeling.Wonderful Day!

Ti adoro l'Italia

Italy.
Everything you've read, watched, or dreamed about is true.
Italy is lovely. I am grateful to have visited Italy three times. The most recent visit was just 2 weeks ago. My friend Liz and I spent the first five days exploring Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio with a rental car from a home base in Soriano nel Cimino. The final three days were spent in Rome. I loved driving in the countryside exploring villages and towns. Our little yellow Fiat served us well. (I am so grateful we returned the car before our days in Rome. There are some crazy drivers there! I also loved that we took the train to Florence. There is something perfect and charming about riding a train in Europe - it doesn't matter where. A trip to Europe wouldn't have felt complete without it.)

I thought I'd try these collages. It'll be easier to get an idea without having to scroll through a ton of photographs. You may click each collage to see it a bit larger. If there are any individual pictures you would like to see full size, let me know, and I'll send them to you.

Day 1: Soriano nel Cimino

charming, quiet, small, perfect

Day 2: Viterbo, Montefiascone, Bolsena, Orvieto

All were charming in their own right, but I've had a soft spot for Orvieto since I visited with Lissy and Mom on a frozen January afternoon years ago.

Day 3:Pienza

My favorite. It's everything I dreamed a Tuscan village would be. Perfection.

Day 3: Siena (which I don't have pictures of, yet. I left my camera in the car, outside the old city center walls. It was lovely and the main square reminded me of Piazza San Marco in Venice.)

San Gimignano and Volterra

S.G. is a mideval city with multiple tall towers, which sits on a hill above vineyards
Volterra was known for its alabaster craftsmanship before the days of Stephanie Meyer. My drive to Volterra was the most fun because it was a really winding two lane road, which made me feel like a superstar because I was the one doing the passing.

Day 4: Perugia, Assisi, Bevagna

Perugia is home to Baci and other chocolate delights, Assisi is home to an astounding concentration of churches for a small town, and Bevagna is just a small village that is home to small number of Italians. We stopped there last and it was during the siesta hours of 1:00 pm and 5:00pm, so we were out of luck.
Speaking of which: The Italians are serious about their summer siestas. Liz and I became somewhat used to it. It is a bit strange because there is a ghost town feeling. In a more romantic light, it feels like a fairytale when the whole village is put under a sleeping spell. The streets are empty, stores are closed, and there is no noise. The only people I would see were one or two other whispering tourists walking around aimlessly.

Day 5: Florence

The beauty of Florence is its artistic heart. I was so grateful Liz was a repeat visitor as well, so we breezed past queues and only visited the Uffizi Gallery. We wandered the streets, ate gelato, and tried to avoid the overwhelming swarms of tourists

Last 3 days: Rome

Cliched, but I do feel this way about Rome:
"Each, in its own way, was unforgettable. It would be difficult to - Rome! By all means, Rome. I will cherish my visit here in memory as long as I live. " Roman Holiday

I have always loved Rome. It came as a surprise on my first visit over 10 years ago. This visit was full of familiarity. Liz and I were easily deterred from the museums because of the crowds. Three hour long queues are not how we wanted to spend our holiday. We, again, wandered streets, taste-tested gelato, sipped frizzante water, and lounged at meals for hours.

Grazie per la vostra ospitalità, Italia.

technical difficulties

I am apologizing for my lack of posts. It's not that I have nothing to post, just the opposite, but my trusty netbook is on the fritz. Lame. It's just enough of an annoyance, that I have been avoiding typing. My iphone has been my mode to internet communication as of late.

I have enjoyed a week in Italy. I can't wait to share pictures. I also had a week of fun with my brothers at home. I'll be writing about both of these in the next couple days. Stay tuned, while we pause for technical difficulties. :)

Goodbye to an old friend

Pleasant Ridge Elementary School said goodbye to its last batch of Roadrunners this year.
After 50 years of operation, the need for budget cuts was too great to keep PR afloat. It makes me sad.
Three years ago Pleasant Ridge was facing closure. I sent a letter to Mrs. Rooney (Gallager) to share my feelings at the time. Here's some of what I wrote:

....My mother just mentioned the possibility of P.R. closing in the next year. I am saddened to think of our beloved Pleasant Ridge closed. It holds many fond childhood memories for my family and me. All of my five siblings, from Trevor (who will be 39 this year) down to Adam ( who is 28), attended Pleasant Ridge. We all have so many experiences there that are part of our personal histories. It is the place that helped make us what we are.

I have many memories from my own time there, and in the subsequent years when I would visit my mother. If I close my eyes I can visualize opening one of the the heavy double doors that led to the office.The hot outside air would mix with the distinct air from inside the main building. I used to soak in the change of temperature in the cool, dark foyer. I loved looking at the bulletin board to see which students had artwork displayed. Before lunch, the office would smell of hot lunches. There was always a loving and familiar face to greet me: Gayla, Mrs. Fowler, or any of the teachers passing through. I guess that is one of the hardest parts in the prospect of Pleasant Ridge closing. The staff has changed a little, but has always been outstanding and a constant source of support.

Visiting there has always brought a feeling of returning home. That is the benefit to growing up in a small community. We tend to have familiar faces in familiar places doing familiar activities. I loved making acorn bread on Pioneer Day, or enjoying the end of the year assembly on the outside stage, or having the Fun Day BBQ in the front - down near the fence.We even had a hot air balloon launch from the soccer field. I cannot imagine how much time was spent outside on the playground. I know the crunching sound and feel of the gravel, from hopping off a swing. I know the feel of the bars in the jungle gym. I know how hot the pavement gets in the spring when we would play four square. These are memories that have lasting effects. I felt like I could be anyone and do anything. I was inspired by the atmosphere created for me.
As an adult, I realize that these places of safety and freedom for a child are rare. I know that I am not the only student of Pleasant Ridge to feel this way. I want Pleasant Ridge to last longer. There are more years of imagination to spark and of dreams to fulfill in that very special place. I wish I had children to send to Pleasant Ridge, but I do not. I know that there are many parents in the community who do. Please allow them the time and opportunity to try to save their school. Pleasant Ridge is worth the effort.


I know that my little letter wasn't the reason it stayed open, but it still felt good to write it. I am so grateful that the local kids had a few more years of Pleasant Ridge magic. More than anything, I want to say thank you to the fantastic faculty through the years. It's amazing how little things changed. Thanks for the memories -you terrific old school.





















Trev's kindergarten teacher Mrs. Byerly, Mrs.Tucker, Mom, and Cindy Tucker


Mr. McVicker, Mr. Smart, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Hale


Mr. Reynolds and Mr.Butler



Patti Evers, Mrs. Hunt, Pete, Mom, Mrs. MacTaggart, Al, (and a lady I don't know)


The sweet janitors Pete and Al



The old stage now


and then... (Laura or Lissy getting an award)


Mom, Curtis, Lissy, & Adam 10 years (or more) ago

It is fitting that Pleasant Ridge is closing because I cannot imagine it without my mom. After 27 years, Mrs Sanders is retiring. Mom is an integral part of PR. She was never scary or stern. She is quick to laugh and smile, yet she still was clearly there to teach and help kids. Students respected and loved her. She has been the recipient of many hugs followed by, "You are my favorite teacher."
Mom, you're my favorite teacher too.


Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

USS MIDWAY

On my overnight in San Diego last week, I finally went to tour the USS Midway aircraft carrier. It was in service from 1945-1992.
It was pretty awesome afternoon with my crew.

Oh, Mexico

It sounds so simple I just got to go

The sun's so hot I forgot to go home
Guess I'll have to go now
-James Taylor

I had a fantastic week in Cancun, Mexico with my friends Liz and Kristine. We stayed at a Westin. Not too shabby of a view from our room, eh?






swimming in a cenote

Chichen Itza and Ek Balam













Good times

The Happiest Place On Earth

I love road trips. I think because I can fly so easily, I miss the conversations and interactions of hours on the road. Almost two weeks ago some of my closest friends and I headed to SoCal for the weekend.We rented a house in HB and spent a day at Disneyland and day at the beach.

The boys really hadn't been to Disneyland since childhood, if at all.
They were really good sports.

(Why is it that girls still want to be princesses?)


Pu-lease. What am I saying?! The boys got into it just as much as us girls:


We thought we'd have a bit of fun....






California Adventure was a great break from the larger crowds at Disneyland. Plus, Soarin' over California just makes you (me) proud to be from the Golden State.





It was a fantastic time with really great friends.