Owl Baby Shower To Be A Hoot May 10, 2013

Owl Baby Shower To Be A Hoot--For Mother's Day

 

May 10, 2013

 

These babies are Eastern Screech owls. 

Photo Credit:  Raptor Center Staff

 

      For Mother's Day, this Saturday, we will go to the Audubon Center's Birds of Prey to attend an owl baby shower.  What?  Yes,there will be a baby shower to help all the baby raptors that are brought to the raptor rescue and rehabilitation center in Maitland, Florida.

 



Here are two baby eagles, eaglets in their nest.

Photo Credit:  www.eagles.org

 

      Here is part of the article link which appeared in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper this week.  We won't be bringing baby clothes and toys.  We'll be bringing needed supplies to help feed and maintain the lives of the raptors, including babies and all other ages. 

 

 "Spring is coming and with it brings baby bird season.  During “baby season,” as the Center calls it, the clinic receives approximately 20% of our annual patient load.  Most of these young birds have been temporarily displaced from their nests. The Center’s ultimate goal is to get all these babies back into the wild where they belong, and we need your help!  Many of these babies will be reunited with their families or placed in foster nests. Others that are orphaned or that cannot be returned with their families are being raised and prepared for life in the wild.  Center staff spends many hours educating the public on what to do if they find a baby bird and if the bird is in need of help.  The best procedure is to get the baby back up into the nest with its parents if at all possible."

 



Baby hawks, older than the newborn size.

Photo Credit:  www.trianglewildlife.org

 

      Some of the requested baby shower gifts include cases of paper towels, king size bed sheets, washing detergent, and much, much more.  In exchange for the baby shower gifts, we gain free admission to see all of the raptor center's inhabitants for the day.  Here is the complete list of requested baby shower gifts:

 

Click here to see the complete wish list of baby shower gifts.

 

 

       If you live anywhere near Maitland or Orlando, consider attending the Owl Baby Shower to honor Mother's Day by helping orphaned baby raptors. 

 

Happy Mother's Day To All Mothers!

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. You might like my "Fashion Finds" board to choose your gift for your mother.

 



 

 

 



Making More Plans Today For Retirement May 7, 2013

Making More Plans Today For Retirement

May 7, 2013

 

 

     Because I am unable to acquire my dream home at this time in Celebration, Florida, I am once again absorbed in additional options for retirement.

 

     Thank you to everyone who saw my dream home photos.  Thank you to my Google+ friends who gave me +1s for my posts.

 

     Life isn't about having a perfect home; life is about living a peaceful life, isn't it?  So now I am back to searching for the peace I want for my future. 

 

     For now, my life consists of working my best every week.  That will continue into the next school year.  However, once November 1 comes around, my life will consist of being peaceful on a permanent basis.  I don't believe that not working will bring me peace. 



 Photo Credit: www.barnesandnoble.com

 

     In the summer months, school is not in session.  Most teachers use these 60 days for vacations, relaxing, home improvement, or part-time jobs for a little extra income.  I usually spend my summers at home or at our theme parks, waiting for school to begin again.



Photo Credit: www.salon.com

    

     After November 1, I will live the life of the "endless summer."  I find that thought most disturbing and unsettling.  In truth, it is causing more and more anxiety as the days go by.

 

     From my list of retirement activities, I can say that taking that train trip is the most appealing.  So instead of looking for another perfect retirement home, I'm going to escape to somewhere by train this summer.  Train costs are far more inexpensive than cruising on the Queen Mary II. 

Photo Credit:  Bob Reck



 

     Maybe I'll discover the peace I seek from the window of a train going somewhere far away. 



 

Photo Credit:  www.traintravelconsulting.com  

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. You may like my "Lovely Things" board.     

 



Cannot Get My Retirement Cottage--Maybe Someday May 5, 2013

Cannot Get My Retirement Cottage--Maybe Someday

May 5, 2013

 

Here is the lovely living area...Perfect for me.

Photo Credit:  Allan Thomas

 

      I visited this lovely cottage and met the owners, a young professor and his attorney wife.  The cottage was like a dream I had wished for, but it cannot be for me at this time.  Maybe in the future, things will work out for me.

 

      In the meantime, I will continue to look for my "forever" home near Disney World.  Thank you for following my search with me.

 

      I did go to Disney World after the viewing, and I met with my family and grandchildren for a few hours of Disney fun.  Beautiful day, blue skies, not too many people, and so peaceful.

 

      It was sad to say good bye to them as I left for home, but I know I will see them again in a few weeks, back at Disney World.

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. Please read some of the pins on my "Life Advice" board.

 



I'm On My Way To See My Retirement Home May 5, 2013

I'm On My Way To See My Retirement Home

May 5, 2013

 

 

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone!

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests.

 



Found The Home I Want In Celebration, Florida May, 3, 2013

Found The Home I Want In Celebration, Florida

 

May 3, 2013

 

 

Here is the ideal home for me when I retire.  I want this little cottage to be my new home.  I'll make plans to go take a tour of it this weekend.  Adorable.

 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. Look at my "Wishes and Dreams" board to see other homes.

 



Like Watching Live Eagle Cams? Here's Another One May 2. 2013

Like Watching Live Eagle Cams?  Here's One With Two New Eaglets, Harmony and Hope

May 2, 2013

 

Dad and Mom keep a sharp lookout for intruders.

Photo Credit:  www.popscreen.com/mnbound

 

Click here to watch live streaming video of eagle family in Minnesota.

Hope and Harmony bobbing and stretching their little wings in the nest bowl.
They are about two weeks old now.

Click here to see a recent example of what you will be able to see. Amazing nature!


Dad flies in with another gigantic stick to build up the nest and startles nesting Mom again.

     I truly hope you will watch the Minnesota Bound eagles and their tiny eaglets.  The camera is solar powered by day, but there is no infrared camera at night. 

 

     A Google+ friend, +Saleem Khan, sent me the Native American symbolism of the eagle:

         spirit, spirituality, renewal, intelligence, courage,

      illumination of Spirit, healing, and creation

 

     Here's wishing that watching this eagle family raise their young will raise your spirits and bring you peace in your heart.

 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests, especially my "For The Birds" board.

 

     

 



 

Harry Potter Helped Clarify My Retirement Goals Yesterday April 28, 2013

Harry Potter Helped Clarify My Retirement Goals Yesterday

 

April 28, 2013

 

"You're a wizard, Harry Potter"

 

Inside Hogwarts stairwell, watching the paintings having their conversations with each other.

Photo Credit: www.fanpop.com

 

I joined the hundreds of Harry Potter fans approaching the entrance to Hogwarts.

Photo Credit:  www.ieadc.blogspot.com

 

Waited an hour to see the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang Wizards perform their highly different displays of powers.

Photo Credit:  www.blogsmeadevillage.com 

 

Enjoyed my lunch of pasties and salad at the Three Broomsticks Pub.

Photo Credit:  www.fanpop.com

 

Saw Professor Dumbledore up close and personal as he gave his lecture from his Headmaster's office.

Photo Credit:  www.fanpop.com

 

Adored seeing Harry, Ron, and Hermione give their warnings and use the invisibility cloak for all the visitors to watch. 

Photo Credit:  www.fanpop.com

 

I strolled the streets of Hogsmeade as I sipped my delicious butterbeer.

Photo Credit: www.favim.com

 Lots of other people visited the shops of Hogsmeade as well.
Photo Credit:  www.caroghobrien.com


Moaning Myrtle wasn't visible, but you could hear her in the restrooms warning and annoying everyone.  Loved that.
Photo Credit:  www.harrypotter.wikia.com

     The visit to Hogwarts yesterday, and the memories of all of the seven Harry Potter novels, completely restored my abilities to focus on retirement goals.  I knew it would work its wizarding on me.

 

      I'm refreshed and ready to return to opening my thoughts to new ideas and new possibilities for my future.  My horoscope was right.  Thank you, Harry Potter.  You're a wizard!

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. Lots of Harry Potter on my "Our Theme Parks" board.

 

 

 



 

 

 



Do You Follow Your Horoscope? April 27, 2013

Do You Follow Your Horoscope?

 

April 27, 2013

 

This is totally me, the Scorpio, and most other Scorpios.

 

"You have a day of profound reflection ahead. While you may be tempted to think about how far you've come, your time would be better spent thinking about what the future holds. You've entered a period of rethinking your identity and objectives. These aren't small things. You will need every ounce of energy at your disposal to make it through this time of transition."

 

      The quotation above comes from my horoscope for today, from www.horoscope.com  , and it just goes to show that all of my introspection and overthinking my retirement is appropriate for this time in my life.  That makes me feel good.

 

      So, instead of sitting at the computer, googling every retirement idea that pops suddenly into my head, I'm going to take a little day trip.  I'm hopping into my reliable yet ancient car, then I'm going to speed straight to "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," at Universal Studios Orlando, less than 15 miles from my home.

 

Click here to go to the virtual Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Photo Credit: www.Extravaganzi.com

 

      I feel that hanging around Hogwarts for a few hours, plus a nice butterbeer and lunch, will help me focus on the real future that faces me.  Just being near Professor Dumbledore will inspire me to remember what my goals are.  Right now, my goals are a plate of spaghetti.

 

      After that little luncheon and tour, with a visit through Hogwarts itself, I'll travel the 8 or so miles on to Disney World, for another visit to a land of magic. 

 

Photo Credit:  www.news.investors.com 



 

      Reality is draining my brain.  Have you checked your horoscope today?  Well, I hope it gives you something to think about.  My advice is to get out of the house and do your thinking somewhere lovely and full of fantasy.  

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. You'll enjoy all of the pins on my "Our Theme Parks" board.

 



24 Positive Small Sentences That Will Change Others April 24, 2013

24 Positive Small Sentences

(That Will Change Others)

 



24 Positive Small Words (Sentences, really)

1. I love you.
2. Thank you.
3. Excuse me.
4. I care.
5. You are special.
6. Good morning.
7. How are you?
8. That was very nice.
9. I understand and admire your courage.
10. Your smile is like sunshine.
11. You have such a good listening ear.
12. The things you do are important.
13. You did a great job.
14. We can do this together.
15. You inspire me by trying.
16. I appreciate you.
17. Your sharing makes a difference.
18. You were missed when you were gone.
19. You have brought joy into my life.
20. You can do it.
21. I noticed your kind deed.
22. I enjoyed being with you.
23. You are never alone.
24. You touched my heart.

Credit:  www.boomerplaces.com

Click here to see my pinterest interests. Look at my "Helping Others" board for more inspiring ideas.

He Is Impossible To Resist--Even At My Age April 24, 2013

He Is Impossible To Resist--Even At My Age

 

April 24, 2013


Shahrukh Khan
Photo Credit:  www.india-forums.com


Shahrukh Khan
Photo Credit:  www.shahrukhkhanofficialsite.blogspot.com

Click here to watch Shahrukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor, "Chammak Challo."

Click here to watch Shahrukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor, "Dildara."


Shahrukh Khan and his beautiful family
Photo Credit:  www.todaynewz.com

"Namaste," to all of my friends around the world. 


Click here to see my pinterest interests.




 

 



So Many Choices--So Little Time April 21, 2013

So Many Choices--So Little Time

April 21, 2013

 

Bike riding

 

Bowling

 

London, England

 

Cruising on Queen Mary II

 

 

Teaching in China

 

Condos in Celebration, Florida

 

Fishing Florida waters

 

Senior Centers

 

Working at Disney World

 

Working at home

 

Working at the beach

 

Not working at anything

 

     In 6 months, work will be officially finished for me.  I can sit perfectly still on Sunday evening, every Sunday evening, and my brain will not be focused on the work for Monday morning.

 

     In 6 months, work will cease to be part of my social conversation.  I will officially have absolutely nothing to discuss on a professional basis.

 

     In 6 months, I will be the same person, but not the same professional.  Who will I be and where will I be on the day after I retire?

 

     This is the same question I asked myself when I started writing this blog in November of 2012.  I have come full circle with no definite decisions or exciting plans for my future. 

 

     What I have come up with is an endless pool of possibilities for my future.   However, I just read a quote that goes something like this:  "A goal without a plan is only a wish." 

 

     It is time to make a plan.  Or a fresh pot of decaf coffee. 

 

Note:  All images are from searches on Google and not my own. 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. View some of my favorite videos on my "Really Good Videos" board.

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



I Took The Big Leap---Applied To Teach In China April 15, 2013

I Took The Big Leap--Applied To Teach In China

 

April 15, 2013

 

 

 

 

     Way back in February, I wrote about an opportunity to apply to be a Foreign Trainer for Disney in China.  Several people have asked me if I ever applied, but no I didn't.

 

      Last night, I received another notice to apply for this position, so I did:  I filled out the Disney application to work for a year teaching English to children ages 2-12, using the Disney specialized curriculum. 

     Here is a quote from part of the job description:
"No one speaks the language of children better than Disney, and nothing captures their imaginations more than a great story. Disney English combines the art of Disney storytelling, breakthrough language learning methodology and innovative technology to inspire learners’ passion for English. Since the opening of our flagship Center in Shanghai in 2008, Disney English has been sharing the gift of English with thousands of children across China. By providing an award-winning academic curriculum and engaging children with their favorite Disney stories, songs and characters; Disney English creates a fun, lively, and highly effective learning environment."

 

      My motivation came from looking at so many traveling choices to fill my time after retirement.  They all looked lovely but they all cost a small fortune.

 

      I recalled how my grandfather, from London, England, met my grandmother, from Ft. Gaines, Georgia, while both were working in China in the late 1800s.  My grandfather was an interpreter for a British exporter there, and my grandmother was a Baptist missionary.  Soooooo, I thought that at the very least, I owe my very existence to China in some small way.

 

      In any event, I submitted my application to Disney, and I'll see what happens next.  Thank you to my friends who kept asking about this job opportunity for me. 

 

 Click here to see my pinterest interests. I'll have to create a board all about China now.

 



"The Birds," Tippi Hedren, and Ladybugs April 14, 2013

"The Birds," Tippi Hedren, and Ladybugs

 

April 14, 2013

This movie scared everyone in 1963, including me and my friends in high school.

 

I didn't know much about newcomer Tippi Hedren, Alfred Hitchcock's newest actress in his horror films.

 

     In March of this year, 2013, "The Birds" turned 50 years old.  I was privileged enough to attend a screening at the Florida Film Festival on April 12, 2013.  After the film ended, Tippi Hedren, now in her 80s,  was onstage for a wonderful hour of sharing her memories, good and bad, of working with Alfred Hitchcock on that film.  Here is Tippi Hedren as she shared her thoughts and memories with her audience.  We sat about 15 feet away from her.

 



Photo Credit:  Mark Baratelli, www.thedailycity.com 

 

    Photo Credit:  Mark Baratelli, www.thedailycity.com

 

 The film festival was held at the Enzian Center in Orlando, Florida, and lasted 10 days, and featured many original films, all new and all intriguing.

 

Click here to read the story of "The Birds," and to see video clips of Tippi Hedren talking about the making of the film.

 

 

Click here to see Tippi Hedren's original screen test for "The Birds," and read all about it.

 

 

     I learned several things new about the film:

 

    1. It was based on a real-life incident that happened near Alfred Hitchcock's home.  Scientists discovered through research in 1991 that the incident was caused by the gulls having eaten seafood that had been tainted with a poisonous chemical, altering their brains.

 

    2. Alfred Hitchcock became obsessed with Tippi Hedren and made her life a living hell.  Recently a movie has been made about her experiences and the tragedies he caused her for so long.  I believe it is titled, "The Girl."

 

   3. Tippi Hedron, mother of Melanie Griffith and mother-in-law to Antonio Banderas, is still lovely and charming and very intelligent, as well as very funny.

 

   4. I was immediately transported back to my high school days, during the movie, when I was a horror movie fanatic.  Ah, memories.

 

     Now as to those ladybugs:  I bought a package of live ladybugs the day after seeing the film, 1500 of them, to put on the plants in my butterfly garden to eat all the little pests that live on the plants. 

 

 

 

     You have to keep them in the refrigerator to keep them dormant until you want to release them.  Warning!  You only release as many as you wish; do not release all 1500 of them at once.  However, once you remove the package from the refrigerator, they warm up immediately and all start moving and trying to get out of the bag.

  



 

     It was like being attacked by the birds, but in miniature, and I only released about 50 of them, and they started crawling up my arms.  I dread going into my refrigerator to release more of them, as they wait in dormancy...creepy.  Alfred Hitchcock would have loved seeing this.

 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. Look at my "Gardens" board for more ladybug photos.