Battle of the Theme Parks

Our Sunday newspaper had a huge article about what Disney World is doing to try and brace itself for the attendance drain that will come as a result of Universal Studios opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - a theme park within a theme park. Or at least that's how the Universal folks describe it. I have to say, this is the very first time I've seen a legitimate threat to Disney's theme park dominance in Florida. But don't worry fellow Floridians, it will all be good for us. Because Orlando will be overrun with tourists when that Harry Potter World opens next year. Little muggles and wizards from all over the world will be flocking to Central Florida to experience Harry Potter world. More tourism for Universal means more money for Florida. The travel and tourism of our state will definitely get a boost from Harry's magic wand. 

So what's Disney doing to prepare for the spell that Universal will cast on tourists near and far? It's overhauling Fantasyland. This Fantasyland redesign will rely heavily on the Disney Princess franchise, which is a powerful force, speaking from experience. Between the Little Mermaid, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and now Tinkerbell, if you're the parent of a little girl, you cannot escape the Princess Fantasyland! 

I can't wait for the Harry Potter - Snow White throwdown! It's going to be magical!

the board game that's never boring

Left hand RED! Right foot GREEN!

How many kids can you see in the photo? It's like a giant, 6-legged kid spider!

TGIF!!

What a very, very long week. Now that the weekend is here, my family is up to its usual tricks.

Stepson has taken off for a two-day fishing trip. There will be junk food, fishing, lots of silly young guy hi-jinks and no parents around. I think they're gonna camp or sleep in the bed of the pick up truck. 

Beloved is itching to get out on his new surfboard. When my motorcycle loving man found a used surfboard that had red and gold flames painted on it, I knew it was a mute point to put up any argument on whether or not he should splurge on the purchase. 

My soccer crazy teenage stepdaught is .. .playing soccer this weekend. What else? 

And MiniMe and I are going to ride our bikes and enjoy a family reunion of sorts. My mother's side of the family, whom I haven't seen since I was probably MiniMe's age, is all coming into town with their kids, grandkids. So it will be a Florida Native family reunion. I figure there will be a lot of good southern homecooked food. Count me in ...burp!

Boil Water

I arrived at Wondertwin's house tonight for Gin Night. Head Gin Girl & I found a notice hanging on her door knob warning that she should boil her water because of possible contamination.

"Hmmm, I don't think Wondertwin knows how to boil water," I said. 

"I know. How am I supposed to keep a straight face when delivering this news to her," responded Head Gin Girl.

So when Wondertwin arrived (we have a key and had made ourselves at home), we broke the news.

"Does that mean I can't use my ice cubes?" she asked.

Gotta See - Alien Milk

What do you get when you combine a big black dog, a bowl of milk and some dry ice? A great video from Florida Cracker. See it now. 

Thanks for Crushing Our Dreams Obama!

So I asked MiniMe if she got to watch the President's address to school children in her classroom today. Of course they did. And if you're one of those whack job conspiracy theorists who made an anonymous call to your school district demanding that the school not expose the kids to the speech . . .you wasted your dime on that call. Idiot!

Anyway, MiniMe said she thought it was a good speech and that her favorite part was when Obama "told a little about his life." She also said that there were a few audible groans from some kids in her fifth grade class when Pres. Obama spoke about not counting on becoming professional athletes, rappers or reality show stars when they grew up, because most likely they wouldn't. 

"Thanks for crushing our dreams Mr. President!!" MiniMe giggled. 

I listened to the speech on the radio today. I only caught about 20 minutes of it. He didn't say anything new, at least nothing I haven't already heard him say before. I appreciated the straight talk he doled out to kids about "doing their part" for themselves and their country by staying in school, staying out of trouble and giving their best. Somebody has to remind kids that success doesn't just fall in your lap. You have to work for it. And the fact that U.S. kids got to hear that fantasy-crushing, soul-sucking, reality-smacking pep talk from the President of the United States, well, all the better. Cause let's face it, they don't listen to their parents. 

My first beach cruiser

MiniMe got her first beach cruiser this weekend. I had been trying to get her to ride bikes with me for a few weeks, but she just kept saying she didn't like riding her bike. To her credit, her bike is a few years old and is getting a little too small for her. So I took her out to shop for a new bike on Saturday. MiniMe was very reluctant. Didn't even want to get out of the car when we got to the bike shop. Eventually I coaxed her inside (which means I ordered her out of the car). 

Once she sat on one of the cool, new, bright colored beach cruisers she began to warm up to the idea. And when the bike shop manager selected one that would be just right for MiniMe (not too big, not too small, not too expensive) and lowered the seat, she agreed to take it for a test drive. 

The humongous smile on her face let the bike shop manager know he's made his sale. We switched out the seat for one that was a little softer. Adjusted the new seat and the handle bars. Then loaded up the purple beach cruiser and headed home.

Even though it was sprinkling just a bit, I convinced her to break in the new bike with a ride with me to the park. We rode for nearly an hour. On this bigger bike, she can actually keep up with me. In fact, she passed me several times. 

"Mom, I love this new bike! It's so easy to pedal and I sit up straight, I'm not all hunched over," MiniMe exclaimed as we toured through the neighborhood. "I just love the feel of the wind in my hair!"

I guess having the right size bike really made a difference. Should have thought of that before. So now I have a new bike riding buddy and maybe I'll get in shape and put in some quality mother-daughter time, too.

VOR Needs Wine!

So my friend VOR called this afternoon. She is really ready for this 3-day weekend to get started. She invited me to accompany her to a wine tasting this evening. Unfortunately, MiniMe has a friend spending the night, so I can't just disappear and leave MiniMe and her friend home alone. 

Not one to give up so fast, VOR came up with a solution. She quickly (a little too quickly if you know what I mean) offered up her own teenage daughter as a babysitter so I could attend the wine tasting with her. She even offered to PAY for the babysitter herself. 

Wow, that woman really needs wine! So, looks like I've got a (free) babysitter and us ladies will be out on the town tonight after all. Woo, hoo!

The power of the internet

Wow! Never underestimate the power of the internet. I took in a foster dog this week and built this dog a blog to promote adoption. The blog has spread like wildfire and I've had 2 people contact me this week inquiring about her. We've got a couple of meet & greets with prospective owners set up for this week. Thanks to all you NativeMom readers for passing along Misty's request for a family. Go Misty!! Plain Brown Dogs Rock!

Introducing Plain Brown Dog

I took a big step this week. 

Animal rescue is close to my heart. I've been a volunteer for the local humane society for about 3 years. I adopted my dog Boo Radley 2 years ago, and although he's a velcro dog (he's stuck to me 24/7) and afraid of thunderstorms, he brings me a lot of joy. I'm an energetic advocate for adopting pets and I try to walk the talk. 

Last week my humane society called me and asked if I would consider fostering a dog. Misty has been at the shelter since February. She's a good dog. A senior dog whose owner surrendered her due to job loss. But like many dogs at the shelter, she hasn't been adopted because she's simply a plain brown dog (PBD). No particular breed. She's not teacup size, she's not a puppy. She's a medium sized PBD. So despite the fact that she's housebroken, very gentle, doesn't bark much, is good around dogs and kids, she still goes unnoticed. 

And lately she's gotten depressed, has stopped coming to greet the volunteers when they visit her kennel. She even started pulling her toenails out in distress. It was time for a change for Misty.

So I took Radley down for a doggie meet and greet last week. It went well. My stepson has agreed to help me out with the fostering by working with me to find a home for her and by helping out with her care. I brought her home today after she had her surgery (spay and neuter folks!!!). She's confused. A little sad. But I figure in a few weeks she'll be happy & healthy and ready for a forever home.

In the  meantime, I'm putting on my PR hat and marketing this great PBD out in the community. Of course, she now has her own blog, which I will use to help attract a new family. To raise money for her adoption and for adoption of PBDs like her, I've opened an online store. You can find the link to my store at the bottom of NativeMom and on the new website PlainBrownDog.

If you, or someone you know, would like to adopt a friendly, sweet, gentle, kind, low maintenance PBD, let me know! She deserves a forever home. Don't we all? Wish us luck!