Day 3: Happy Days

We spent the weekend before last at SeaWorld (Orlando).   It was awesome.   I know there is a documentary coming out about how bad it is for the Orca's to be kept in captivity.  I know I am going to see it and likely change my tune.   But, for now, OMG what an awesome place.

We went down Friday evening so that we could get an early start on Saturday.

Saturday morning, after riding a couple of the roller coasters (not me, I knit) we met the daughter of a friend for a private behind the scenes tour of the Antarctic exhibit.    Wow!   That was wonderful.   We got to see, and pet, hold penguins.   It was an amazing, once in a lifetime, experience that we are all still talking about.

This was the first time we have gotten their meal plan.   We were given wristbands that allowed "all you can eat" and, more importantly on a hot day, drink throughout the park.   This made it less worrisome to let the boys take off on their own.   I did not have to worry about them having enough to eat or staying well hydrated (a particular concern for T2 who was recovering from an upper respiratory thing).

We did and saw everything, somethings twice.    My favorite part was (and has always been) the dolphins.    I got to see the show, the babies, and feed them both days.   As I texted to a friend on Sunday, "It is impossible to be sad while feeding dolphins".

So today, I am feeling pretty happy about living just a couple of hours away from SeaWorld.

This post is part of a 31 day series.
Find all the posts in this series here.

We're home....

Yes, we came home early.  Our first couple of days in Orlando were very cold.   The accommodations were not what we had hoped.   By Wednesday, it had warmed up nicely but by then T1 was sick.  We were already considering not doing a Disney New Years.  According to a very nice cast member, you have to get into Magic Kingdom or Epcot by 10am, you must not leave (even to visit your car) or you may not be able to re-enter, and it is unlikely that you will leave before 2am.  Love Disney, but 10am to 2am?.  Hubby, T2, and I were appalled (fuddy duddies that we are).   T1 was up for it until he got sick.  By the time T2 came down with T1's cootie, we just decided to call it a trip and come home.

There were a some of high points, however.    We visited the Titanic Experience.    What fun that was.  Even the boys liked it.    We had a really engaging guide.    Later that same day, Hubby took me over to the Black Sheep.   In addition to some needlepoint threads, I treated myself to a Helen Hamann "Mile-Long Scarf" kit .   I love this shop and so wish it were closer to home.  On a friends recommendation, we had dinner at Cariera's Cucina Italiana one night.   We all agreed that this was the best pizza we have had since we moved to FL.   The owner is from Michigan, go figure.   My back has been bothering me quite a bit making the hot tub heaven sent.

So, in the end, we spent a nice quiet New Years at home.   I went to sleep at 9:30.   Hubby and the boys stayed up to see the ball drop and eat junk food.   A good time was had by all.

I'm Baaack....

The Black Sheep

1322 N. Mills Ave.

Orlando, FL 32803

407.894.0444

Yesterday morning we found ourselves with a couple of hours to kill until Disney Quest opened.   Because my hubby is a prince among men, we took a ride over to The Black Sheep needlepoint & yarn shop.   I am so glad that we did.   The shop takes up several rooms of eye candy.   The front room has tons of gorgeous canvases along with the threads and accessories to show them off.  There is also a big table & comfy chairs where visitors are encouraged to make themselves comfortable (where I met a gentleman who self identifies as "Trouble"), and some the nicest tote bags I have seen.  

The rear couple of rooms are where the yarn lives.   To my delight, they carry lots of luscious cottons along with their other yarns (natural & not).    One, in particular, caught my eye.  I don't remember the name but it is a hand-dyed worsted (maybe aran) wt.    Another favorite of mine was a Filatura de la Rosa lace wt. at a very reasonable price.  I left with a small canvas that when finished will be a luggage tag, a belt canvas that will be made into sandals and a key chain when done, and some very pretty sock yarn called Silky Sock by Great Adirondack.  Even though it is two hours from home,  I will be back..