The ABCs of Another Steppe Into Adventure!- Last Africa Ch. + World Showcase Pt. 2

[DISNEYMOON10121991]

Merry Christmas!!!!

We got a little snow today too, but not enough to cover the grass. Just enough, like you said to make you drive carefully.
I put in the most hours this season ever in my 26 years at work. I (crazily) volunteered to work two Sundays, which was 20 days straight. Then during the week we had 12 hour days. In one pay week I had 78 hours!
The paycheck will be nice When I finally got a Sunday off I started my shopping. I'm looking forward to next weekend, since I took a couple extra days off to make it a long one. Hopefully I will be able to look at all the TRs I have been missing out on.

Have a wonderful Holiday! And Congrats Grandma!!

 

[franandaj]

Have a Merry Christmas with your bunch! No snow or ice here, just sunny and chilly, it almost gets down to 40° at night!

Enjoy your family!

 

[Chrystmasangel]

Hope you have a VERY MERRY Christmas! We may actually wake up to a white Christmas this year. It will be the first in a long time.

 

[pkondz]

A very Merry Christmas All Y’all!!

While ours isn’t “white”, it is icy. Which makes the driving hard and the guests late. Which gives me some moments to wish you and yours a happy Holiday Greeting!​

​

Merry Christmas, Liesa!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We were allotted 2 checked bags apiece and were able to get the thousands of dollars-worth of donated medical supplies in, without compromising the packaging or cleanliness.

Perfect! It should all be smooth sailing from here.

So, the logical (?) thing to do naturally was take every suitcase (and box) and re-arrange the entirety of their contents from suitcase to suitcase and from OUT of our boxes into suitcases so that a) there would be fewer of them, and b) each would be 50 lbs. or less. We took up approximately half of the IAD Departures Hall.

The things airline rules do to us.

As for our personal items, now parsed out to 14 other bags, time would tell us whether we’d see them again.

What could possibly go wrong?

I kid you not! The second it had processed on the check-in lady’s handheld device, one of the women who was sending a suitcase filled with foodstuffs ran up to Ahmed and had changed her mind. She didn’t want him to pay for it and take it after all.


Are. You. Kidding. Me?

Urge to kill...rising...

It was also the last red meat I ate for 10 days.

I'd be going through withdrawal!

I also played my usual “How many times can I bother my seatmates to pee?” game. I didn’t count, but am guessing it was probably 14- just to be consistent.

Did they eventually just hand you a cup?

How normal do you think it would have been to find Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, or Trump on a commercial flight a few months before a major presidential election? Sierra Leone’s leading candidate was.

Not normal at all. They wouldn't be caught dead in coach with the rest of us.

First of all, I have NO idea about this guy, what he stands for, his history, CV, character, nothing. To me he’s just a candidate running for office. Secondly, I was fairly unsure I wanted my photo with this guy not knowing much about him. And lastly, the flight attendants were in a bit of a frenzy at this point as they were trying to get the last bit of cabin service done. They were pleading with people to clear the aisles and make way for the carts, but NO ONE was listening. At all. But, as would become a pattern, things were pretty much out of my control at this point and I had no choice. Stand and be seen, or risk offending. So, here is our team with the leading presidential candidate.

I get that. I'm not a big fan of fawning over celebrity. They put on their pants the same way I do. And I'd definitely be self-conscious over messing up the flight attendants.

The airport happens to be on an island an hour by ferry away from the capital city, Freetown.

So it's like the Denver airport.

And the Freetown Team brought the TV crew. And a light was shone in my face. And a microphone was shoved up close. And I went mute. Or nearly so. I never had a stutter before. Huh.

Oh, sure. After 20 hours with barely any sleep, I'd want a camera stuck in my face too.

But remember that Presidential Candidate on our plane? Yeah. He arrived to his own throng of thousands of admirers, so we were soundly stuck in the lobby of the port. It was hot. Like 29 billion degrees hot. And the air was wet with humidity and soon my shirt was too. In fact, once it got wet, it never dried out until I took it off for bed. And we sat. And sat and sat and sat. Meanwhile, there was dancing in the streets, music and singing, a general cacophony. Basically, a political rally, African-style.

Make it stop...

There are no words to describe the massive free-for-all that is W. African city traffic, where the rule is simply find a way through paying zero mind to anything or anyone else- be it motorbike, pedestrian, policeman, curb, or any other barrier. Mind you this is on roads meant more for 4-wheel drive vehicles, not 2 door sedans with 4 in the backseat and 3 in the front. But, I will rant about the driving more another time.

I don't know how more people don't die doing this. But I secretly wish everyone here could experience it so they stop complaining about our roads!

Time to eat our first meal on African soil. Which meant it’d be fish and rice. And groundnut stew. Don’t get me wrong; I like both. But… I wouldn’t want lasagna for 10 days in a row either. Which makes me sound utterly ungrateful and spoiled. Look… I’m just being real here. Honesty is the best policy, so that’s what you get here.

I completely understand! You don't want to be ungrateful, but anyone would be tired of it after 10 days!

My dinner...it's fine, but...you see, it's smiling at me.

Yep. We even had a fan! Too bad there was only very, very rarely electricity to go with it.

Man, we take so much for granted.

Beds. Note the single pillow. I played the I’m-the-Mom-card and won it for the 10 days.

Whoa, that actually works? I need to take advantage of this dictatorship thing more often.

A very Merry Christmas All Y’all!!

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!

 

[Steppesister]

is for: Expedition EPCOT!​

Steppe awakened each morning to the glorious feeling of being alive and free- full of the excitement for what the day would hold. Disney holds magic like no other place and her heart was ready to explore the wondrous new world of adventures she would find there and treasure each moment.

Aside from spending time slowly getting ready in the mornings, after the most restful and comforting sleep imaginable, the best way to start the day is with a hefty dose of humor. When it happens to be on a Disney bus headed to EPCOT, all the better! Chugging along, I noticed an odd sign at the back:



Two of the symbols were no problem to decipher. “No smoking” and “No eating or drinking” are pretty standard no-no’s, although I’ve seen plenty of noshing happening on every bus I’ve ever been on at Disney. (Do not stand between Steppe and her morning java.) The 3rd, however, was an enigma that I pondered for quite a while. So much that I also asked my neighbor what he thought it meant. No radios? (Who’s carried a radio or boom box around since 1985?) No toasters? No clue!! My curiosity got the best of me and, as we pulled up to EPCOT, I stopped at the front of the bus to try to solve this dilemma.

“Bus driver, Sir, can you tell me what that sign at the back of the bus means?”

“Ma’am, we’ve been debating that for 20 years. We have no idea!”

Buahahahahaha! Okay then.

While a saunter and a mosey have their places, getting to RD is not one of them. Especially EPCOT’s RD. This is an occasion that demands at least a skip. Or possibly even a full-on canter. Because while EPCOT Security jokes abound, it is no joke. EPCOT Security lines rival those of any opening day of a Star Wars movie. (How many of you just stood in one?) But, wait! There’s more! You get to stand in the tapstile one too as an added, bonus feature. And the one Steppe always, ALWAYS chooses is the one that has 14 little kids whose MBs don’t work on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 8th time of trying.

While I rolled my eyes, I noticed this cool garland and took some photos of it to pretend like I really didn't want to get in the park 15 minutes ago.

E is for: EARTH!!!



But, once she is in, tracks are made... Test Tracks, Moon tracks, raked tracks…

Come along with Steppe as she explores Future World- presented to you by #thisholidayhostessisexhausted (I'll bet you looked at that one twice), sponsored by #nodishestoday, and brought to you by the Letter E.

EPCOT, as you know, is Steppe’s 2nd favorite park. Traveling and exploring and learning new stuff is her kinda thang, and this park does a great job at indulging that side of her. Disney for Geeks!

Let’s turn left first, with 'Steppe the Learner' in the lead, and head to the Moon and beyond. While not her favorite attraction, it does merit taking a spin once every few trips. It’d been a year, so why not? Besides, Steppe has a nice, thrice-recovered camera, and has a lot more fun finding photos than searching for barf bags. Nevertheless, orange-side called. She rode. She spun. She didn’t even feel more than mildly woozy for more than 5 minutes. And then she found a few more photo worthy views:



My favorite on the wall of quotes:



Originally, Steppe thought these were moon tracks, but had a duh moment. Being that it SAYS Mars on it ... But Steppe is smart (sometimes) and started digging....

Ummm, REAL Mars Lander tracks?! No (as Steppe's trusty editor pointed out, not tracks FROM Mars- nothing's ever come back from Mars), but they ARE Lander tracks from a real NASA Lander. Check out this article she dug up and enjoy the read if you're a nerd like her.

https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2004/apr/HQ_04114_disney_mars.html

BUT!!! Speaking of Moon Landers... I have a story to tell! I recently met an elderly gentleman at work with a very strong British accent. After some talking with him, we learned that he was one of the electrical engineers for the Apollo Projects Moon Landers! He emigrated over from the UK in the early 1960s to work on the project(s). Along with his degree in math and "half a degree in physics", he had some of the driest, wittiest humor I've come across in a very long time.



But she didn’t hang around long. Next door held a few thrills of its own. And who wouldn’t be thrilled on a Test Track in a car like this?!




Some piece of work, eh?! But, the best thrills weren’t even on the ride itself. Steppe appreciates that Chevy has taken over sponsorship of TT, because GM had sucky cars to try out. Here she is getting ready to take this one out on a spin around the world. Only a few tourists got in her way as she took her 1.2-mile circuit.

**No cronuts were hurt in the making of this test drive.



Ellen’s was closed (10 years too late), so the next tracks had to be found across the park. But on the way, there are plenty of photos-opps to be found. The golf ball seems to be an irresistible draw every trip. Never mind the fact that approximately 2,000 photos are stashed in long-forgotten folders that are never looked at. By now, a full saunter was in bloom and Steppe had slowed down… and there is no better way to saunter than with a (good) cup of coffee in hand. WAIT! Even better is a latte! And while $ixbucks ain’t her favorite cuppa, it works. (Food court coffee has caffeine, but tastes like crap.) Steppe invites you all to take a short tour of Innoventions Plaza- better known as “The Place Where Everyone Takes a Photo, Then Quickly Asks, ‘What’s Next?’”





If one saunters there is time for a few extra photos for posterity’s sake and to fall in love all over again.








Eventually, your hostess made her way to the West Side, where Land and Sea and Skunk Farts converge. There is no recollection honestly of whether she made it into the Seas this trip, but that’s okay, a fair amount was spent there not long ago. (Remember when NariPoo pantsed herself in front of the entire patronage of Coral Reef? ) Yes, Steppe Soar’d (they like apostrophes in there, so let’s get creative), but no photos. Instead, because Steppe has FAR too many photos of the test gardens where she ended up next, she thought she’d add a few dozen more.









Some people want to be a professional ice skater or ballerina or pro-footballer in Heaven. Steppe just wants to plant and maintain a garden and enjoy yardwork even a little bit up there. And have a beautiful yard for once. Or, be in charge of a legion of landscaping angels. Meantime, the blackberries have won: Steppe- 0; Weeds- 1.

After being once more impressed with the fact that people actually enjoy weeding and gardening and can make stuff grow, Steppe toddled off to pay homage to the purple dragon. Sadly, 45 minutes worth of other line cloggers did too. That’s how busy the parks were. 45 minutes for FIGMENT!!!!! For reals?!?

Being the impatient sort, there are only a VERY small handful of attractions Steppe will stand in line more than 30 minutes for. Eau du Skunk ain’t one of ‘em. Cute, but not that cute. (And to be clear, it’s not THAT great a ride- just holds some nostalgic memories that keep her going back.)

Fine. Let’s watch some Shorts. Completely forgot this was even here. A quick glance up after some time spent here:





revealed this little gem:

<insert imaginary photo of the entrance to the Pixar Shorts Attraction here>

Three little Pixar shorts with some quaint 4-D effects. Not a bad way to spend 15 minutes getting off the feet. (Did I mention it was air conditioned?)

Admittedly, while not the best Christmas decorations Steppe saw displayed at WDW, these were fun to see and added something to EPCOT that was new and fun. She loved the uniqueness of each park’s tree:





Plus, EPCOT always has the best topiaries. Hmm… maybe the only topiaries? Alright… the only ones she noticed or remembers, or took photos of. Was kinda groovin’ on this Dusty Miller snowman:



And Steppe’s a sucker for poinsettias. Easy insta-decorating! (Check out Steppe’s Christmas formal dinner table covered with them this year.)



Clearly EPCOT has class.



While there are some things to see and do in FW, there’s always a time (11:00 AM in case you were wondering) that other, better parts of EPCOT call Steppe’s name.

<Steppe where are you? The World is calling you…!>

Time to head north and transform into 'Steppe the World Traveler' and see what one can see. On the way...



Maybe. I literally have no idea where those two ^^ were, but thought it was a good place to stash them being topiaries and all. (The cement blocks tell me I'd be heading out of the park, so wrong end, but I still want them where they are in the update.)

And quite possibly my favorite photo of this bunch:



After a long day of exploring the world, it's good to look back to where you came from, taking time to reflect and enjoy where life has brought you and to be thankful for what you have now. (Yes, I'm trip reporting in metaphors in honor or New Years.) Here's looking back to some views that I thought were pretty nice of FW on one very magical and fabulous evening.

The sun reflected off of this juuuuuuust right. Oh, how I loved photographing this:





I hope this New Year brings you all the joy and happiness you can imagine. I hope you can find some moments to look back on what made you happiest and are able to chase your dreams and goals. I hope you find and spend time with the people that make you truly contented and bring you peace.

All for now,

Your Friend, SteppeSister

********************

And now, for some Contest Questions for those who are paying attention:

These first 6 need to be PM'd!!!! Posting answers could be very bad for your overall chances of winning. Ever.

1) How many printed Letter 'E's can you find in this update's PHOTOS?

2) Did you find the raked tracks? Tell me where.

3) How many places can you see that dog (or one juuuuuuust like him) at WDW? (If you give me a total count and how you got it, which is a slight variation of that question with a different answer, I'll throw in another point.)

4) How many spherical ornaments can you see on the tree with the lamppost?

5) What place did Steppe's car come in?

A. 1st
B. 2nd
C. 3rd
D. 4th

6) Your Letter E Mystery Photo:



Where can you find that? For those of you new to playing Steppe's games, your Mystery Photo is something somewhere ON Disney property, and might be something IN the photo and starts with the Letter of the Chapter.

And THESE need to be posted here in the replies!

7) Give me your best guess on the 3rd Mystery bus symbol. Any answer works for a point.

8) For a bonus point, what did Mickey give Minnie in the box? **Think like Steppe.

9) And for the entertainment of everyone here and more bonus points: What was your favorite gift you received this year? From whom? And why? (1 point for each part)

10) Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Do you make them? Do tell!!

 

[docsoliday1]

is for: Expedition EPCOT!​

I thought "E" was for Expidition Everest, but wrong park.

It is quite obvious. It's depicting the rear of WDW bus (stoplights, license plate and grill). Duh!!! I can't believe you couldn't figure that out.
Now, the reason it's a sticker on the back of the bus has differing theories.
Some say it's because they're trying to say this is the rear of the bus, you can't go any further back
Some say it's you cannot take the rear of the bus with you when you leave
Some say it's don't get too close to the rear of the bus (tailgate) because, well, you're ON it
Some say it's this bus can't work without wheels (hence the red circle and slash through the bus missing it's wheels)

Cool looking car.

And THESE need to be posted here in the replies!

7) Give me your best guess on the 3rd Mystery bus symbol. Any answer works for a point.
See above

8) For a bonus point, what did Mickey give Minnie in the box? **Think like Steppe.
Ummm, this is a FAMILY board...thinking like Steppe and answering what Mickey gave Minnie in the box is well....

9) And for the entertainment of everyone here and more bonus points: What was your favorite gift you received this year? From whom? And why? (1 point for each part)
Time off

10) Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Do make them? Do tell!!
Nope, never done them. I feel if it's important enough to do, why wait until a new year to do it.

 

[Steppesister]

I thought "E" was for Expidition Everest, but wrong park.

Just a little play on words there.

It is quite obvious. It's depicting the rear of WDW bus (stoplights, license plate and grill). Duh!!! I can't believe you couldn't figure that out.
Now, the reason it's a sticker on the back of the bus has differing theories.
Some say it's because they're trying to say this is the rear of the bus, you can't go any further back
Some say it's you cannot take the rear of the bus with you when you leave
Some say it's don't get too close to the rear of the bus (tailgate) because, well, you're ON it
Some say it's this bus can't work without wheels (hence the red circle and slash through the bus missing it's wheels)

Oooh, of course! HAHA! Why didn't I think of that?!

Cool looking car.

Why thank you. LOL!

Ummm, this is a FAMILY board...thinking like Steppe and answering what Mickey gave Minnie in the box is well....

Hmmm... I suppose we could go down that road, but wouldn't get too far.

Time off

WOOT!!! Lovely!!

Nope, never done them. I feel if it's important enough to do, why wait until a new year to do it.

Very wise you are!

 

[pkondz]

My dinner...it's fine, but...you see, it's smiling at me.

Very timely quote!

 

[pkondz]

is for: Expedition EPCOT!

Expedited, too!

Steppe awakened each morning to the glorious feeling of being alive and free- full of the excitement for what the day would hold. Disney holds magic like no other place and her heart was ready to explore the wondrous new world of adventures she would find there and treasure each moment.

That sounds... just heavenly. What wouldn't you do to wake up to that feeling every day?

the best way to start the day is with a hefty dose of humor. When it happens to be on a Disney bus headed to EPCOT, all the better!

Nah. You know what's better? Dad jokes. Nothing's better than that.

No toasters. yep.
Those things are dangerous. Ever dropped on in the tub?
Of course not. If you did, you'd be toast.



(See? dad joke)

So much that I also asked my neighbor what he thought it meant.

I can't do that. I'm not as outgoing as you are.
Ask a neighbour? Nope!

(Who’s carried a radio or boom box around since 1985?)

Isn't that coming back into style? Everything does.

“Ma’am, we’ve been debating that for 20 years. We have no idea!”

Which makes me wonder.... maybe he knows... but won't say.

While a saunter and a mosey have their places,

Not sashays. Sashays are always de rigueur.

Especially EPCOT’s RD.

Yeah, okay.... hull butt to get to that one. It's... interminable.

EPCOT Security lines rival those of any opening day of a Star Wars movie. (How many of you just stood in one?)

Well... considering we had reserved seats.... there was no line.
Is that what you meant? That there was no line? Wow!

And the one Steppe always, ALWAYS chooses is the one that has 14 little kids whose MBs don’t work on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 8th time of trying.

You should go with me next time!!
I'll follow you and pick a different tapstile.

Good eye!

#thisholidayhostessisexhausted (I'll bet you looked at that one twice),

Well... uh... umm.....

Traveling and exploring and learning new stuff is her kinda thang, and this park does a great job at indulging that side of her.

So... if you'd done Africa before Epcot, you would've run screaming in the opposite direction?

While not her favorite attraction, it does merit taking a spin once every few trips.

Yeah, that's about how i feel too.

Steppe has a nice, thrice-recovered camera,

ahem....

Is this foreshadowing???
It better not be!

and has a lot more fun finding photos than searching for barf bags.

Well.... yeah.

Nevertheless, orange-side called. She rode. She spun. She didn’t even feel more than mildly woozy for more than 5 minutes.

Not bad!

Now ride it again. And let me know how you feel.

Cool shot! Haven't seen one from that perspective before.

I noticed those plaques too on my last trip.

Ummm, REAL Mars Lander tracks?! No

No.

(as Steppe's trusty editor pointed out, not tracks FROM Mars- nothing's ever come back from Mars),

Correct. But maybe some day.

but they ARE Lander tracks from a real NASA Lander. Check out this article she dug up and enjoy the read if you're a nerd like her.

https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2004/apr/HQ_04114_disney_mars.html

Okay, that was cool.

he was one of the electrical engineers for the Apollo Projects Moon Landers! He emigrated over from the UK in the early 1960s to work on the project(s). Along with his degree in math and "half a degree in physics"

Really! I would've yacked with him for a loooong time.

Can't I just have a simple Lambo or something?

**No cronuts were hurt in the making of this test drive.

Well than goodness! They have a higher purpose than serving as speed bumps.

Well, someone looks awfully happy! And pretty, too!

The golf ball seems to be an irresistible draw every trip. Never mind the fact that approximately 2,000 photos are stashed in long-forgotten folders that are never looked at.

No idea what you could be talking about....

Steppe invites you all to take a short tour of Innoventions Plaza- better known as “The Place Where Everyone Takes a Photo, Then Quickly Asks, ‘What’s Next?’”

That place had so much potential...

Nice shot!

I think i like this one even more. Love the B/W treatment.

Eventually, your hostess made her way to the West Side, where Land and Sea and Skunk Farts converge.

(Remember when NariPoo pantsed herself in front of the entire patronage of Coral Reef? )

Steppe just wants to plant and maintain a garden and enjoy yardwork even a little bit up there

Um... no.
Not for me. Not unless you want a Heaven full of dead plants.

Wait.... it's Heaven... wouldn't that already make them dead?

45 minutes for FIGMENT!!!!! For reals?!?

No. Just... no.

(And to be clear, it’s not THAT great a ride- just holds some nostalgic memories that keep her going back.)

In its present form, it does?

Fine. Let’s watch some Shorts.

<insert imaginary photo of the entrance to the Pixar Shorts Attraction here>

She loved the uniqueness of each park’s tree:

I did too. It was the first time I'd seen them. I think I mentioned that to you when we met.

Hmm… maybe the only topiaries?

I do remember there are some outside of DHS, but... that's it.

Beautiful table!

While there are some things to see and do in FW, there’s always a time (11:00 AM in case you were wondering) that other, better parts of EPCOT call Steppe’s name.

That's where I wanna be.

Maybe. I literally have no idea where those two ^^ were

Well, I was gonna say... but it looks like you figured it out...

(The cement blocks tell me I'd be heading out of the park, so wrong end, but I still want them where they are in the update.)

... by saying that. ^^

Gorgeous shot! How did you get that one?

Beautiful.

I hope you can find some moments to look back on what made you happiest and are able to chase your dreams and goals.

I hope you can too!

I hope you find and spend time with the people that make you truly contented and bring you peace.

I wish the same for you. May you find much happiness with the ones you love.


I'm out of time so will come back later with the contest.

 

[pkondz]

​

7) Give me your best guess on the 3rd Mystery bus symbol. Any answer works for a point.

8) For a bonus point, what did Mickey give Minnie in the box? **Think like Steppe.

9) And for the entertainment of everyone here and more bonus points: What was your favorite gift you received this year? From whom? And why? (1 point for each part)

10) Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Do make them? Do tell!!

7. That's really quite simple. It's obviously "No danger detected."

8. Either a rose or an ornament or just a cup of coffee.

9. From my folks. Tickets to see Come From Away
I think if you've heard of it (or just read the description in the link) you'll know why.

10. Be a better person. Be kind. Help those in need of a shoulder to lean on.
And of course, the ever popular "lose weight". Christmas was not kind.

 

[Chrystmasangel]

Disney holds magic like no other place and her heart was ready to explore the wondrous new world of adventures she would find there and treasure each moment.

So true. I don't know exactly what it is about that place, but the moment you step on property, it's like everything else is forgotten.

The 3rd, however, was an enigma that I pondered for quite a while.

No radios (why they used a radio from the 1940s instead of a modern day ipod or similar device I have no clue)

“Ma’am, we’ve been debating that for 20 years. We have no idea!”

That's some good info there!

EPCOT Security lines rival those of any opening day of a Star Wars movie. (How many of you just stood in one?)

We pre-payed for our tickets online the day after Christmas and now adays, you pick your seat when you pay for your tickets, so no line standing for this Starwars crazy family.

And the one Steppe always, ALWAYS chooses is the one that has 14 little kids whose MBs don’t work on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 8th time of trying.

Hey, that sounds like me and walmart checkout lines! I'm so good at picking the wrong line, that my daughter won't let me when she is with me. HAHA

While I rolled my eyes, I noticed this cool garland

Good thing you had to roll your eyes. See, there is something good in everything.

#thisholidayhostessisexhausted (I'll bet you looked at that one twice)

I didn't until you bet me I did.

Love this pic. The reflection of the sun on the very top and the view point is amazing.

After being once more impressed with the fact that people actually enjoy weeding and gardening and can make stuff grow

Not I. I kill everything I touch. I have no plants in my house because I always kill them. You wouldn't know I was a certified Horticulturist by looking in my house.

45 minutes for FIGMENT!!!!! For reals?!?

Holy poop Batman!

(And to be clear, it’s not THAT great a ride- just holds some nostalgic memories that keep her going back.)

Not any more. Bring back Dreamfinder and then it will be great again. Used to be my favorite ride on property until they wrecked it.

I can see why you spent so much time on it. Amazing!

7) Give me your best guess on the 3rd Mystery bus symbol. Any answer works for a point. – It means no radios. The radio is one of the old radios from the 1940s.

8) For a bonus point, what did Mickey give Minnie in the box? **Think like Steppe – obviously the poinsettias spilling out all over are the gift because there is no better decoration for Christmas!

9) And for the entertainment of everyone here and more bonus points: What was your favorite gift you received this year? From whom? And why? (1 point for each part) – a hand made glass charm of a meeple holding a heart. My husband got it for me because we both love spending time playing board games together. I have only 1 gold chain that I have worn for 20 years. I wear no other jewelry (can’t wear my wedding rings any more because of the RA swelling). He decided I needed something new and hoped I would wear it.

10) Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Do make them? Do tell!! – No, and no, I do not make them. Things that need to be fixed, can’t be fixed with a single “new year resolution” but need to be focused on every day, not be forgotten just a few days, weeks, or month after the stroke of midnight on January 1st.

 

[pkondz]

a hand made glass charm of a meeple holding a heart.

Had to Google that. Never heard of a meeple before.

 

[Steppesister]

I'm like butter.
Smoooooth.

Nice one. I see what you did there!

Yes I can! I can so!!!!


Okay... I can't.

And the consensus is, it seems.... no one can.

Hmmm... specialty shop, maybe?

P'raps. We have several Asian stores- those would be the first I tried.

PAPI and MALSR too. And in ILS on 22.

Hmmm, I wonder if 22 is open again? I think that's the one that was being re-done. Sigh.... I need to get back into this.

Cool! And you've got the Spruce Goose!!

And you know the sad part? I"ve never seen it! I"d better hurry as that company is going belly up... FAST.

Merry Christmas Steppe (and everyone)!

Thanks, Doc! And now a brand new year is upon us just like that.

 

[Steppesister]

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Thanks, Meghan! Hope it was wonderful and more! And I WILL get back to your thread soon. Traveling tomorrow to see Grandbaby, but am hoping to find time soon.

Ours is both! We're venturing out to our Christmas Eve service with care tonight...

Trusting you made it safely to and fro! While I don't mind a little bit of dicey driving, I was glad to have my company come to me this year. EEK!

 

[Steppesister]

Merry Christmas!!!!

We got a little snow today too, but not enough to cover the grass. Just enough, like you said to make you drive carefully.

Was it just enough to let you call it a "white Christmas"? Was it pretty? Or just pretty stressful with the roads being yucky?

I put in the most hours this season ever in my 26 years at work. I (crazily) volunteered to work two Sundays, which was 20 days straight. Then during the week we had 12 hour days. In one pay week I had 78 hours!
The paycheck will be nice When I finally got a Sunday off I started my shopping. I'm looking forward to next weekend, since I took a couple extra days off to make it a long one. Hopefully I will be able to look at all the TRs I have been missing out on.

That sounds INSANE!!! Just.... no!

78 hours?!!! Shelly! That's nutso. But like you say, a good and hefty paycheck. I'd think that'd pay for.... I dunno... annual passes or something?

Glad you get a couple extra days off and can just relax. Enjoy them; you deserve it!

Have a wonderful Holiday! And Congrats Grandma!!

Thanks! I get to finally see her tomorrow.

Have a Merry Christmas with your bunch! No snow or ice here, just sunny and chilly, it almost gets down to 40° at night!

Enjoy your family!

WHOA! Not 40* at night. Brrrr! LOL! We're lucky if we get that in the day anymore. Which reminds me, I should probably be back on my Vit. D.

Family was enjoyed. And we get Round 2 starting tomorrow. Leaving the house at 3:00 AM for our flight out.

Hope you have a VERY MERRY Christmas! We may actually wake up to a white Christmas this year. It will be the first in a long time.

What a cool photo! I'll never ever see them. Like many other things at Disney. Ah well...

So did you? Did you get a bit of the white stuff?

 

[Steppesister]

Merry Christmas, Liesa!

Thanks, pkondz!! And now we have a whole new year to live big in!

Perfect! It should all be smooth sailing from here.

Uh huh....

The things airline rules do to us.

Or lack of planning on the traveler's end.

What could possibly go wrong?

Oh nothing. Nothing at all.

Urge to kill...rising...

Very much.

#whenyoujustwalkaway

I'd be going through withdrawal!

You and my #4 would starve to death.

Did they eventually just hand you a cup?

It was close.

Not normal at all. They wouldn't be caught dead in coach with the rest of us.

Correct. If they'd be on a commercial flight at all.

I get that. I'm not a big fan of fawning over celebrity. They put on their pants the same way I do. And I'd definitely be self-conscious over messing up the flight attendants.

Exactly. I felt really badly for the staff trying to put order back to their flight.

So it's like the Denver airport.

Ummm... sure. Let's go with that.

Oh, sure. After 20 hours with barely any sleep, I'd want a camera stuck in my face too.

I don't think I could give a good interview with a full 10 hours on board.

I don't know how more people don't die doing this. But I secretly wish everyone here could experience it so they stop complaining about our roads!

In SL's case, it's not just the roads but the complete lack of order and lawfulness as well. Every man, woman, and child for him or herself.

I completely understand! You don't want to be ungrateful, but anyone would be tired of it after 10 days!

I think Westerners are conditioned to expect variety that most people in the word don't enjoy. Makes me very grateful for what we have.

Man, we take so much for granted.

100% truth.

Whoa, that actually works? I need to take advantage of this dictatorship thing more often.

Must be started while very young. "This bed here, young son? You're only borrowing it."

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!

Thanks, Mark. We did. Always far too much food, noise, and dirty dishes, but fun.

 

[Steppesister]

Very timely quote!

I thought it was a quote, but I couldn't find it. Can someone clue me in here?

Expedited, too!

Hey, no one told me I had to use the letters from where I'm talking about. I almost used "Where is this letter found? as one of my Contest questions.

That sounds... just heavenly. What wouldn't you do to wake up to that feeling every day?

Yeah... then you get on the DUD and it all evaporates.

Nah. You know what's better? Dad jokes. Nothing's better than that.

Hmm....

Okay, yeah, always a sure bet.

No toasters. yep.
Those things are dangerous. Ever dropped on in the tub?
Of course not. If you did, you'd be toast.



(See? dad joke)

Groan.

I can't do that. I'm not as outgoing as you are.
Ask a neighbour? Nope!

But, why? You'll never see them again, so if you look like a dolt, you won't have to worry. Not saying you'd look like a dolt. That's reserved for when I do TV interviews.

Isn't that coming back into style? Everything does.

Please. Please no avocado or goldenrod kitchen appliances ever again.

Which makes me wonder.... maybe he knows... but won't say.

Maybe. Maybe it's just a giant bus conversation conspiracy scheme.

Not sashays. Sashays are always de rigueur.

You wear your sashay well.

Yeah, okay.... hull butt to get to that one. It's... interminable.

And hot in it.

Well... considering we had reserved seats.... there was no line.
Is that what you meant? That there was no line? Wow!

We don't have reserved seats in any of ours. So no.

You should go with me next time!!
I'll follow you and pick a different tapstile.

Then wouldn't I have to follow you?

Good eye!

Aw, shucks. Thanks.

Well... uh... umm.....

See?

So... if you'd done Africa before Epcot, you would've run screaming in the opposite direction?

No, but maybe I'd have eaten more than I did.

ahem....

Is this foreshadowing???
It better not be!

Time will tell....

Not bad!

Now ride it again. And let me know how you feel.

Only if you hold my barf bag for me.

Cool shot! Haven't seen one from that perspective before.

Thanks!!

I noticed those plaques too on my last trip.

There are quite a few really nice ones.

Okay, that was cool.

Of all my readers, I knew you'd be the one who actually read it.

Really! I would've yacked with him for a loooong time.

I didn't have a long time. "You're safely recovered? Buh-bye."

Can't I just have a simple Lambo or something?

Sure. When I get my '63 split window 'Vette.

Well than goodness! They have a higher purpose than serving as speed bumps.

If you eat enough of them, they become speedbumps. Right around the middle.

Well, someone looks awfully happy! And pretty, too!

No idea what you could be talking about....

You have those folders too, huh?

That place had so much potential...

It's a large amount of sadly wasted space now. Such a shame.

Nice shot!

Thank you. NO, thank you! One of my favorites.

I think i like this one even more. Love the B/W treatment.

Seemed like a good candidate to mix it up a bit.

Um... no.
Not for me. Not unless you want a Heaven full of dead plants.

Wait.... it's Heaven... wouldn't that already make them dead?

Are you saying we're dead when we get there? I was hoping for... not that!

In its present form, it does?

It's the only iteration I've ever seen, so yes. But I understand that everyone raves about its former life.

I did too. It was the first time I'd seen them. I think I mentioned that to you when we met.

Yes, you did!

I do remember there are some outside of DHS, but... that's it.

Did not even see them. At all.

Beautiful table!

Thanks! I have fun with it every year.

Well, I was gonna say... but it looks like you figured it out...

Sometimes I can be a real dolt.

Gorgeous shot! How did you get that one?

Well, this one actually has a really neat story. But I will wait on that one.

Beautiful.

This one also has a bit of a story... and will save it as well....

 

[Steppesister]

7. That's really quite simple. It's obviously "No danger detected."

This is a really plausible option! Good one!

8. Either a rose or an ornament or just a cup of coffee.

Aw, Mickey knows Steppe pretty well! Minnie would be very pleased with any of those.

9. From my folks. Tickets to see Come From Away
I think if you've heard of it (or just read the description in the link) you'll know why.

I've heard of this in passing and it sounds very poignant. I'd like to see it someday. What a really nice gift from your folks.

10. Be a better person. Be kind. Help those in need of a shoulder to lean on.
And of course, the ever popular "lose weight". Christmas was not kind.

Very wonderful goals! Yeah, umm... way too much eating in this household too .

 

[Steppesister]

So true. I don't know exactly what it is about that place, but the moment you step on property, it's like everything else is forgotten.

Yes. And it lasts right up until you have to get on the DUD.

No radios (why they used a radio from the 1940s instead of a modern day ipod or similar device I have no clue)

WHOA, that is quite a likeness. I might be convinced.

That's some good info there!

LOL! They probably get a kick out guests asking that.

We pre-payed for our tickets online the day after Christmas and now adays, you pick your seat when you pay for your tickets, so no line standing for this Starwars crazy family.

Why does everyone but us have reserved seats? We have to just suck it up and stand in line or wait.

Hey, that sounds like me and walmart checkout lines! I'm so good at picking the wrong line, that my daughter won't let me when she is with me. HAHA

ME TOO!!!

Then again Walmart is horrid at having enough open in the first place.

Good thing you had to roll your eyes. See, there is something good in everything.

Sometimes I wonder if my eyeballs are going to get stuck back there.

I didn't until you bet me I did.

Love this pic. The reflection of the sun on the very top and the view point is amazing.

Thanks! I was pretty lucky on this one. Then again, most of my photography is point and pray.

Not I. I kill everything I touch. I have no plants in my house because I always kill them. You wouldn't know I was a certified Horticulturist by looking in my house.

I have exactly 2 houseplants. One is a Christmas cactus that I"m going to completely miss blooming while we're gone to Kentucky. Kinda sad about that. I wait all year (and sometimes 2) and then miss it.

Not any more. Bring back Dreamfinder and then it will be great again. Used to be my favorite ride on property until they wrecked it.

They seem to do that a lot lately.

I can see why you spent so much time on it. Amazing!

Again... kinda lucked out in where I happened to be at that moment.

7) Give me your best guess on the 3rd Mystery bus symbol. Any answer works for a point. – It means no radios. The radio is one of the old radios from the 1940s.

And like you said... why they used that??? A complete mystery.

8) For a bonus point, what did Mickey give Minnie in the box? **Think like Steppe – obviously the poinsettias spilling out all over are the gift because there is no better decoration for Christmas!

A very good speculation! Another point!

9) And for the entertainment of everyone here and more bonus points: What was your favorite gift you received this year? From whom? And why? (1 point for each part) – a hand made glass charm of a meeple holding a heart. My husband got it for me because we both love spending time playing board games together. I have only 1 gold chain that I have worn for 20 years. I wear no other jewelry (can’t wear my wedding rings any more because of the RA swelling). He decided I needed something new and hoped I would wear it.

I too had to Google. But wow do I feel dumb! I've played Catan for YEARS and never knew these were even called that! What a neat and meaningful gift.

10) Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Do make them? Do tell!! – No, and no, I do not make them. Things that need to be fixed, can’t be fixed with a single “new year resolution” but need to be focused on every day, not be forgotten just a few days, weeks, or month after the stroke of midnight on January 1st.

Very good answer!

All noted!