Last Friday was April 13...Friday the 13th. I thought nothing of it. Just not into superstitions: I love black cats, think nothing of walking on cracks on the sidewalk or spilling salt. Perhaps I should clarify, I am selectively superstitious as I purposely avoid passing anyone on a staircase, I touch wood to avoid jinxing something I've said, and opening an umbrella over one's head while indoors is something I avoid.
Last Friday was our first experience in Texas with a major storm front that produced tornadoes We've seen the tornado warnings on the local Dallas stations, but they have usually been for rural areas beyond DFW...until last Friday.
The air last Friday was thick with humidity and dreadfully still. When the air is humid and still you know a storm is on its way. I didn't really think much of the tornado warnings late that afternoon, although I did ask hubby to try and leave work a bit early to avoid the storm. When they announced that sirens had been sounded in Ft Worth I developed a sinking feeling in my stomach. (I had a dream about a tornado Wednesday night.)
When I actually heard the sirens in Dallas my pulse started racing. I tried to stay calm, but I was worried about hubby who was picking up take out at Blue Orchid on Oaklawn. He was home within minutes and we ate downstairs in the spare bedroom huddled in front of the tv watching the local weather people trying to predict where the tornadoes might touch down. Then we lost electricity, although luckily it was only for about 15-20 minutes and when it came back on the possible tornadoes had passed us by heading on an eastward path. We were lucky. What a freaky Friday the 13th.
On a side note, the movie Twister was shown on one of the movie channels the next night. After Friday night I have a new appreciation for the film. (I was surprised to see Philip Seymour Hoffman in a supporting role as a storm chaser.)
Monday, April 16, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Orlando
Last Sunday hubby and I finally returned from a trip to Orlando. Hubby was there for a trade-show and I tagged along to keep him company....as well as checking out Disney World. The anticipation of the journey also helped me through the in-laws visit. Of course now that it's all over -- the in-laws visiting and the Orlando trip -- I am zonked.
We stayed at the Swan -- not an 'official' Disney hotel, but it is a Starwood Hotel (http://www.starwoodhotels.com) and we like getting those SPG points (although we have yet to use them). The hotel has these giant swans on the roof, which helped immensely to spot it as we traversed the maze of Disney roadways that mysteriously lack street signs. Hubby was disappointed by the hotel's inability to deliver packages without signatures, as I was disappointed by the decor (the rooms need a fresh coat of paint and the bathrooms need new tiles). The benefit was its close proximity to EPCOT and Disney-MGM. Another plus was the Todd English restaurant Bluezoo (http://www.thebluezoo.com) at the neighbouring Dolphin Hotel.
Hubby and I managed to spend a few hours exploring EPCOT the Sunday before the trade show (he was quite pleased with the Guinness at the UK pub). Then I explored EPCOT the next day with my parents as they joined me for part of the day. They just happened to be in Florida (Daytona Beach) that same week. My Mum couldn't get over "how fat everyone is down here"! Of course I can't say much since my size 4 years are long gone. It was lovely to see them and spend time with them.
I visited Disney-MGM Studios on Tuesday. Fun place for adults, but I can't understand why people bring babies and young toddlers to this park. On this note, visiting Disney has been an excellent form of birth control. While I did see some well-behaved children with excellent parents, the vast majority were ill-behaved and lacking manners. It's unfortunate that "Nanny 911" can't be cloned and sent to homes on an 'as needed' basis.
Wednesday was spent purchasing Disney souvenirs and then lounging by the pool and swimming a few laps. Foolishly I forgot to put sunscreen on my legs and got a nasty burn. Sitting down was a bit uncomfortable for a few days.
Thursday evening we arrived early at the airport and eagerly awaited our flight to Dallas, which was first delayed and then finally cancelled due to inclement weather at DFW. We scrambled to find a hotel close to the airport, a Hilton Garden (I think), and then to re-book a flight. The earliest flight hubby could find was 8:50 a.m. on Sunday, three days later!!! We made the best of it and luckily Orlando is not a bad place to be stranded. A clunky air conditioning unit at the Hilton Garden made us switch hotels to the Sheraton Suites (http://www.sheratonairport.com) just up the road. The outside of this airport hotel belies the freshly refurbished interior. It was a pleasant and much 'nicer' room/suite than at the Swan (especially the bathtub/watercloset). Only bad part was the breakfast room/buffet.
Hubby rented a car Friday (fire-engine red Ford Mustang -- must be a guy thing) and we were off to visit my parents at Daytona Beach (after he finished a phone meeting). They were staying with my Mum's childhood friend (this friendship goes back more than a half-century) at her time-share. We spent the afternoon there and joined them for dinner at a buffet. My parents had gone on about the buffets earlier in the week so I really wanted to try one. Unfortunately, my tummy was upset later that evening so buffets are not for me.
Saturday was spent sleeping in as hubby was exhausted from the trade-show, and exploring Kennedy Space Center (hubby was in his glory). I made hubby take the long-way there so we could drive through Cocoa Beach. Ever since watching I Dream of Jeannie http://www.idreamofjeannie.com after school as a child I have wanted to visit Cocoa Beach, home of astronaut Tony Nelson and Jeannie. Hubby, who has never watched I Dream of Jeannie, did not share my excitement but indulged me nonetheless. He was very excited about Kennedy Space Center and it was really neat to see the Saturn rocket.
We were so happy to get back to Dallas on Sunday!!! There's no place like home.
We stayed at the Swan -- not an 'official' Disney hotel, but it is a Starwood Hotel (http://www.starwoodhotels.com) and we like getting those SPG points (although we have yet to use them). The hotel has these giant swans on the roof, which helped immensely to spot it as we traversed the maze of Disney roadways that mysteriously lack street signs. Hubby was disappointed by the hotel's inability to deliver packages without signatures, as I was disappointed by the decor (the rooms need a fresh coat of paint and the bathrooms need new tiles). The benefit was its close proximity to EPCOT and Disney-MGM. Another plus was the Todd English restaurant Bluezoo (http://www.thebluezoo.com) at the neighbouring Dolphin Hotel.
Hubby and I managed to spend a few hours exploring EPCOT the Sunday before the trade show (he was quite pleased with the Guinness at the UK pub). Then I explored EPCOT the next day with my parents as they joined me for part of the day. They just happened to be in Florida (Daytona Beach) that same week. My Mum couldn't get over "how fat everyone is down here"! Of course I can't say much since my size 4 years are long gone. It was lovely to see them and spend time with them.
I visited Disney-MGM Studios on Tuesday. Fun place for adults, but I can't understand why people bring babies and young toddlers to this park. On this note, visiting Disney has been an excellent form of birth control. While I did see some well-behaved children with excellent parents, the vast majority were ill-behaved and lacking manners. It's unfortunate that "Nanny 911" can't be cloned and sent to homes on an 'as needed' basis.
Wednesday was spent purchasing Disney souvenirs and then lounging by the pool and swimming a few laps. Foolishly I forgot to put sunscreen on my legs and got a nasty burn. Sitting down was a bit uncomfortable for a few days.
Thursday evening we arrived early at the airport and eagerly awaited our flight to Dallas, which was first delayed and then finally cancelled due to inclement weather at DFW. We scrambled to find a hotel close to the airport, a Hilton Garden (I think), and then to re-book a flight. The earliest flight hubby could find was 8:50 a.m. on Sunday, three days later!!! We made the best of it and luckily Orlando is not a bad place to be stranded. A clunky air conditioning unit at the Hilton Garden made us switch hotels to the Sheraton Suites (http://www.sheratonairport.com) just up the road. The outside of this airport hotel belies the freshly refurbished interior. It was a pleasant and much 'nicer' room/suite than at the Swan (especially the bathtub/watercloset). Only bad part was the breakfast room/buffet.
Hubby rented a car Friday (fire-engine red Ford Mustang -- must be a guy thing) and we were off to visit my parents at Daytona Beach (after he finished a phone meeting). They were staying with my Mum's childhood friend (this friendship goes back more than a half-century) at her time-share. We spent the afternoon there and joined them for dinner at a buffet. My parents had gone on about the buffets earlier in the week so I really wanted to try one. Unfortunately, my tummy was upset later that evening so buffets are not for me.
Saturday was spent sleeping in as hubby was exhausted from the trade-show, and exploring Kennedy Space Center (hubby was in his glory). I made hubby take the long-way there so we could drive through Cocoa Beach. Ever since watching I Dream of Jeannie http://www.idreamofjeannie.com after school as a child I have wanted to visit Cocoa Beach, home of astronaut Tony Nelson and Jeannie. Hubby, who has never watched I Dream of Jeannie, did not share my excitement but indulged me nonetheless. He was very excited about Kennedy Space Center and it was really neat to see the Saturn rocket.
We were so happy to get back to Dallas on Sunday!!! There's no place like home.
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