The Real World ... yuck.

Walt Disney World is a truly magical place. I love it. Apparently, I go every ten or twelve years (not exactly a frequent visitor) - but my feelings are always the same: absolute, child-like delight around every corner. There are so many things to see - places to go - fireworks to watch - food to eat - music to hear - flowers to see and smell. I don't believe in heaven, but if I did, it would be like Epcot in DisneyWorld. Our one day NOT in Disney was spent at Clearwater Beach, FL - my first time on the Gulf side of Florida. I played in the water, watched the kids have fun, got a great sunburn. Happiest moment while I was in Florida: when James surprised Jessica. Happiest moment back in NC and VA: when Chuck surprised ME at the airport after protesting that he just couldn't meet our flight - that he had a church picnic to go to - that he didn't know the area - that he'd see me when I got home. I had given up hope of a surprise, decided I wasn't as important as a church picnic, sighed and resigned myself to riding home with Jes & Elisha, Mel and Noah. And there he was. I've heard some cliche about a heart bursting with joy or something like that ... my heart didn't burst, but came near to overflowing with happiness. Apparently I AM as important as a church picnic after all. {picture me with GIANT GRIN!} He continues to shower me with attention and affection, care and tenderness. Not sure what I did to deserve him, but I'm hanging on!

After rejoining the real world at work Monday, my special project all finished, I was floundering for something to do & my boss seemed not too concerned. The reason for that, I found out Tuesday, was that management was laying off fifteen people from the facility where I work. I was very close to two of those let go, and I'm very sad about that. I miss them and their smiles and craziness that helps the workday pass. Jobs were shuffled around to cover the loss of three people from my department - and I wound up with my old job back. Full circle. ho hum.

I am trying to figure out a way to post Florida pictures here - or at least link to them. I took over two hundred photos myself (plus Jes and Lesa and Mel taking pictures too!). There are many shots of the Epcot geodesic sphere, because you just can't HELP taking pictures of it! And Cinderella's castle looms in most Magic Kingdom shots. This is the URL for my Disney album at Snapfish:

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=378342022/a=316592022_316592022/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

Me and Mickey

Having a Magical Time in Disneyworld. It is nearly impossible not to have a Goofy grin on your face all the time. So wonderful here - to be with family - loving my Jes & Elisha!

Springing along

I love the way the world goes from gray to green in spring. The weather goes from hot to cold on a daily basis, but trees are starting to get leaves, flowers are coming up, and the winter is on its way out. At last. And in a week I'll be visiting my old pal, Mickey Mouse! It's been a while, but I'm sure he'll remember me.

I've been reading like mad - my latest favorite author is Neil Gaiman. I've read and loved three of his books so far. Also read "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls - the memoir of a family as different as any American family could be from my own. An amazing story. I've been going through "The Wire" from Netflix - I'm about to watch the final DVD of Season Four. One more season to go & I'm dreading the end. I have been listing and grading the books and movies for 2009 in the sidebar to my blog - if you're wondering.

My honey continues to be outstanding in many many ways. It's been three months now, and I'm enjoying myself so very much with him. I admit to holding back a part of my heart - after the fiasco last year, I don't want to let myself get hurt like that again. But he doesn't put on airs, or try to be something he's not, or try to impress me with unimportant accomplishments - and my radar hasn't told me he's lying to me. He's a nice guy with a kind heart and we seem to be so compatible. Fingers crossed on this! I will miss him fiercely while I'm off carrying on with Mickey Mouse, but it warms my heart to know he'll be here waiting for me to come back. He puts up with me, and he has me out bicycling and hiking, and he tells me I'm beautiful. We go visit my friends and he fits right in. We went to the Carolina Craftsman show in Greensboro last weekend and had a great time together. He makes me happy every single day.