Growing old is mandatory;

 growing up is optional...

and when you take a trip to Disney World...

EVERYBODY is five years old.

Disclaimer: RL blathering mixed with SL
and some RL photos

The reason for the break in daily photos was our vacation to Walt Disney World.  For me, it has always been a magical place.  I was five the first time my family visited the Magic Kingdom. I could not tell you the number of times I've enjoyed going to Walt Disney World. It might be close to twenty. Really, honest...  I live in Florida and if someone visits they want to go to Mickey's World.  I'm not complaining.  I love going.  I love watching others become infected with the magic.  So, you might be wondering... what makes this trip so special?   It's the little ones that we took.  Our little girls ARE our little princesses and sometimes pirates.[Arrrrrrrr]  We fought off good intended grandparents for almost seven years.  They kept hounding us to let them take their granddaughters.  We had decided when our first child was conceived that we would wait until we didn't have to worry about diapers for the first trip. Fantastic plan but difficult to uphold.  It was the longest period of time for me to not visit.  The excitement and thrill increased the closer Merrick and I came to Orlando.  Our daughters had no concept of what they were about to experience.  We joked that their heads were going to explode with the overload.  Waves of squealing and jumping up in down commenced as the main gate approached. [wicked grin...Merrick included] I promise this will not be an exact recount of our adventures. I just needed to express the joy. This was the best vacation....by far to Disney World that I've EVER had, nothing marred it in any way.

Mermaid Anya and Princess Dagny

We returned home and it was full steam ahead....  Holiday celebrations to prepare for, school winter break for our girls and all the other daily chores.  Study time for Merrick... with a few breaks. 

These weeks have flown by too quickly.  Most important, everything worked out well...  Merrick graduated.... yay!!!!!

Unfortunately all the activity and stress took a toll... all the females in our house have been under the weather since the winter break began from school.  We are only starting to see the end of Doctor visits, mountains of tissues and medicines with the start of the new year.  AND I only have six weeks remaining before I tackle a marathon.  [mumbles what did I get myself into?]   

Oh yeah...ummm I feel some guilt in not posting pictures since... NOVEMBER 14th! Will I ever keep to a challenge??? 

Maybe...

  I'll just pick up where I left off and justify the blip-snag-gaff and missing posts by my own logic.  I stopped for a little bit cause I NEEDED/WANTED to stop. There is only so much time everyday to do everything.

For the new year, I resolve to not let time slip through my fingers and be wasted.  I hope you make the most of everyday.  This song by ABBA is one that I had forgotten. Thank you Merrick for bringing it home to me,  for me it speaks volumes.   

365days: 11 of 365 Pictoral Reminiscence

"Her mind seemed wholly taken up with reminiscences of past gaiety" (Charlotte Brontë).

Krissy posted some photos from her archives. It's an excellent idea worth copying. The next few entries will be a look back, starting with this lovely photo.  This is my avatar, first day in SL. [state the obvious... jeez]  I was very proud of the skin I manipulated and all the details I put into her... then I was booted out... crashed... confused and unsure of myself. I thought I did something wrong.  When I could NOT log back into SL I was certain I messed up. I was so naive.  Lucky for me, I knew someone in SL. Merrick helped me get back in and introduced me to people who could change my look. [de-NOOB] 
This is the result. I loved the red hair and new skin. The photo was taken at "The Lost Gardens of Apollo". I was 9 days old.

Look at that Facelight!

  

Taking the plunge: BBBC 09 & First Post

Oh man, the water is cold. [*Shivers and has goosebumps all over while typing this*] My first EVER blog entry AND taking up The Big Bad Blogger Challenge 2009, created and organized by Alicia Chenaux.
[*big smile*] Thank you Ali.

I accepted this challenge for a number of reasons, but the main one is ... I need to be challenged. I thrive on challenges and tests ... I may be quiet and reserved, on all outward appearances, but inside is an aggressive competitive spirit. Writing and posting my thoughts for others to read, if anyone will read besides Merrick, frightens me. English classes and writing formal papers.... ugh I hate them. My brain never works out logical clear concise thoughts. My brain is a multi-tasker that jumps all over the place. See...see I've lost where I was going with this. [groans] It's going to be a long bumpy challenge. I might have a photo collage with little quips as my posts. I have no idea what I'm doing.

So this is how it works. Alicia's challenge is to update your blog at least once a day for a week. She even gives a subject or question to answer in your blog.
Today's topic is: How long have you been a blogger? How has it enriched your life?

I started blogging today, June 14th!!!

Ummm ... we will have to wait and see how it will enrich my life. Come, explore with me.

~ Photo taken at: Miriel
FYI-Miriel disappears from SL June 20th, so hurry.