Handy Mandy and a Pillow Fight

Watching Handy Mandy on our last morning here.

Taco Night

It's all white ppl taco night n it's delicious.  I like authentic or gringo...all tacos welcome here!  - Lisa

Aaron Carter

Aaron Carter, the pop star of the early aught and the troubled brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, has apparently drowned at his home. He was 34.

Voting

After work today I picked up Junie and the exchange students and headed to the library to cast an early ballot in Tuesday's election. 

While we were there I caught up with an old friend and former coworker and got the exchange students a library card. 

100 Years Ago Today

A century ago today, on November 4th 1922, Howard Carter discovered the long buried tomb of King Tutankhamun.

My Thoughts on No-Hitters

Just to be clear, a combined no- hitter is a no-hitter but not a real No- Hitter. A No-Hitter is a measure of a pitcher's dominance, certifying that for 27 outs he was literally untouchable. It's a personal accomplishment more than it is a statistical milestone. 

To me, a combined no hitter - esp ones where 3 or 4 pitchers were used - is on the batters. It means that for 27 outs the opposing team couldn't piece together a decent swing even when facing arms of differing quality. That's on them, not the pitcher.

Just my opinion. 

Voting

3 generations of early female voters right here.

A Great and Varied Day

While the kids napped Lisa and I took a walk to the arcade, where I earned a free game of pinball (natch) and miraculously beat her at air hockey. 

Then it was on to Hollywood Studio's, where we met three other families from WI. Although we only had ninety minutes to spare before a dinner reservation at Magic Kingdom, the fast passes did the trick.

We bypassed a 50 minute line for Tower of Terror and were rewarded by scaring the bejesus out of LK. Smiley was scared too but refused to scream or admit it. Midway through the ride LuLu yelled out to me in the dark "I love this ride!".

Then on to The Great Movie Ride, where the kids really seemed to soak up the atmosphere. I think a viewing of Raiders of the Lost Ark is on the horizon, and Smiley recognized Alien from the commercials for the new video game.

We did our first Team Slap pics in front of Mickey's hat (more on that later). We then headed over to an all Frozen store (!) where an overwhelmed LK struggled to narrow down her choices before getting an art set, snow globe, and a singing Elsa doll. That doll sang and sang and sang lol. Smiley also got a pin of that snowman character.

While I was there I stopped to check out some black and white photos of 30's-40's era actresses on the wall. An elderly man came up and dared me to name just one of the stars.  I quickly identified all eight of the women, to his pleasant surprise, then spent a minute  mutually talking about old movie stars and lusting over Veronica Lake. Frankly, such movie knowledge should be universal. 

From there it was a rush to the shuttle bus to get to Magic Kingdom, a ride where LK met 2nd grader from Ohio and OJ and I suffered when a rude couple refused to move towards the back of the bus and left us standing and squished up front. They were the first unpleasant people we've encountered here at WDW.

The Light Parade

Watching the light parade at Magic Kingdom

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All Smiles Here

The best part of vacation is that you are divorced from the calendar. If I think about it I can tell you the day of the week or the date, but for all purposes it is simply and wonderfully Day Three.

Fast Passes are the Best!

Just got two Fast Passes, one for Tower of Terror, one for The Great Movie Ride, good until park close, just by stopping at the front desk and asking about it. YAY Disney!

Day Two At Disney

Day Two

Epcot with Yaya on Day Two

Not Your Typical Disney Moment

We are, at this moment, stuck on a malfunctioning "Living with the Land" boat ride at Epcot lol :)

Carol Zolinski

My Aunt Carol passed away overnight, going to her maker at around 2:30 am - only 7 months after my Uncle, her husband of 37 years. 

She was alway super nice to my kiddos, made sure to include Lisa in the family when others pointedly did not, and usually had a cheerful, happy countenance. She will be missed :(

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Hello

Jerry Lee Lewis

For the second time this week (the first being a hoax) Jerry Lee Lewis has died. The rock 'n roll pioneer and rebel was 87. 

It's that "rebel" label that sticks in my head when I think of Lewis. He was far too out there for '50's audiences, no question. And let's be real, some of his choices would get the same response from society today - deservedly so. 

It's a shame he couldn't have traveled a smoother path, because I think all that bs cost him a career of unimaginable heights. 

RIP

I'm banned on r/Wisconsin on Reddit. Boohoo

Why was I permanently banned? 

Bc when a commentator blasted someone for spending their own money and demanded they be taxed to oblivion, I responded simply "Taxation is theft.  She can spend her money where she likes.  This is still a free country. "

That's it. No vulgarity.  No abuse. Just an opposing opinion 

Alas, the moderator cares neither for Wisconsin, civil discussion, or, apparently, the spelling of the word "trespassing."

 LOL

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 26th Anniversary babe. I love you Dan! - Lisa

Happy Birthday Yaya!

happy birthday bestie boo - LuLu