Check out the photos on the right.  We met BT (comedian) last night (Fri, Apr 18th) at the Tampa Improv.  He was hilarious!!!  We were there for Gary Gullman who was ok (but adorable).  We didn't wait around to see if Gary would come out afterwards for photos/autographs.  We did get to see him eating supper at Fresh Mouth burgers before the show though!!!

 

The other photo is Jared Padalecki from SUPERNATURAL.  Yes, that is a REAL PHOTO and YES he is that hot in person.  Rachel said the whole Eyecon convention was worth it just for that photo.

To kind of back-track here, here is my history with kidney stones...   Feb 4 (2008) I had severe pain and ended up going to an urgent care doctor who diagnosed that I most likely had kidney stones (very likely I passed one that day).  I had a CT scan done that same day where a .3cm stone was seen.  I was referred to a urologist who had me do an IVP instead where the stone was still seen (2 x 3mm) in the beginning of March.  Since 3mm equals .3cm I'm guessing the stone hasn't changed in size which is a good thing; but it hasn't passed either, which is a bad thing. 

 

So to help it pass I have decided to attempt the Kidney Stone cleanse.  The one that I have chosen is the olive oil & lemon juice mix.  Today (15 Apr 08) is day 1.  I mixed 2oz (which is 1/4 cup) of extra virgin olive oil and 2oz (1/4 cup) of lemon juice in a small glass and drank it down.  Note that this mix is not for those with senstive stomachs (or sensitive tastebuds!).  I QUICKLY 'downed' it and QUICKLY drank a large glass of COLD water.  I also had alittle bit of ice cream to help kill the taste which really helped.

 

So we'll see how it goes (no pun intended).  My next urologist appointment is next week so I'm hoping to pass it (and catch it which will be the 'fun' part) before then.

Alex is doing well in soccer.  He scored his first goal in his game last Saturday (March 1st).  If you check the photo album I have added photos of him playing soccer.  Enjoy!

See the photos added to the photo album.  We attended the Pirate and Princess Party this past weekend.  We didn't get to the Capt Jack Meet & Greet (actually didn't see a place for one) but we did get to meet up with Snow White!!  We got her autograph on her doll (when we walked up she said "Oh my, that's my doll."  She was so cute.  The doll is signed "With a song and a smile.  Love, Snow White".   We got to see the parade (photos of that later) and the fireworks (no photos of that).  We also went to the Crystal Palace and got a 'meet & greet' with Tigger and Piglet (photos of that later too).

Once again (and again) we were off to Disney.  We went there in December 2007 to see the castle decorated for Christmas (see photo in photo album, so pretty!).  It was just Rachel, Alex, and I.  It was so very busy there that it almost wasn't worth going.  We didn't get to go on much but did get to see the Spectro Magic parade (posting those pictures on Photobucket).  But we can always go back...which we did last week (Jan 08).  This time it was Nicole and her boyfriend, Alex, and I.  This time we went to Epcot and Disney MGM Studios (just recently renamed to Disney HOLLYWOOD Studios...go figure!).

 

In December we stayed at the All Star MUSIC hotel and this last time we stayed at the Boardwalk Villas (that place was HORRIBLE...never recommend them to anyone).  Again, still busy oddly enough, but at least we got to go on the newly renovated Spaceship Earth (the 'golf ball' at Epcot). 

 

And, of course, we have plans to go to Disney again in Feb...this time to go to the Pirates & Princess party!  Staying at Coronado Springs this time.

Finally got around to adding the photos from WICKED that we saw in Chicago in Oct 07.  We just happened to take the wrong trolley while shopping and Rachel saw the posters and wanted to get out and take pictures of them.  When we got out we realized we were right down the street from the theatre so Rachel insisted on checking it out.  She had promised to get a t-shirt for a friend so we thought we would check it out and see if we could get into the store to buy anything.  When we got there we just thought we would see if they just happen to have tickets to the show that afternoon.  Turns out they did!  We got 'limited view' seats but they were so close to the stage it really didn't matter.  We had to go shopping to get a different set of clothes to wear to the show (we were in our Cubs t-shirts for the playoff game that afternoon!).  The show was amazing, of course.  We did end up being alittle late to the Cubs playoff game (beginning of 2nd inning) but it didn't matter--they were already losing.  At least Wicked was good that day!  Enjoy the photos.

Well, at least the Cubs clinched the National League Central Division....too bad they didn't come to play baseball in the playoffs.  The game was ok and the fans were FEDUP (aka, EVIL).  Not a game for kids (or those who have a low tolerance for swear words!).

 

ANYWAY, received the best Chicago Souvenir EVER....see the photos of the card we received while in Chicago.

My playoff tickets arrived in the mail today.  WHOO HOO!!!!  Going to the cubs playoffs this Saturday in Chicago!  GO CUBBIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

Check out the CUSTOM LIST on the left with the info PHOTO LINK...it's a link to my on-line photo album found at: http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff35/rob_mikkid/ .  It has all of my DISNEY photos (current ones anyway, adding more every day). 

We made a reservation for the Akerhaus Banquet Hall in the Norway part of EPCOT.  We attended the character lunch that included the Disney Princesses so we could HOPEFULLY see Snow White.  They rotate characters so you're never 100% sure who you will see.  Well, of course Snow White (nor Mulan, the only other one I wanted to see) were there.  But we DID track down Snow White...at Magic Kingdom in the Dreams Do Come True Show.  Check out the photos and comments about the pictures in my photo album! 

Just a quick update and some quick upload of photos.....well, the evening at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) was ALMOST a wash out!  It rained (HARD) until about 10pm and after that it still sprinkled off and on.  FINALLY around 10pm they did the halloween fireworks then around 10:30pm they did the halloween parade and then around 11pm they did the Villains Mix & Mingle.  So we got to see everything we came for (the queen of hearts in particular).  We are going to Epcot and MK (we DIDN'T get to ride Haunted Mansion last night!) today.  More photos laters on!  I'm posting the entire MNSSHP photos on photobucket since this account has a limit.  I'll send the link when I figure it out!!!

Rachel was lucky enough to be able to meet up with some CBS soap stars this past week at UCF.  In attendance at this event were: Ashley Jones (Bridget Forrester on Bold & the Beautiful), Agim Kaba (Aaron Snyder on As the World Turns),  Bryton McClure (Devon on Young and the Restless), and *MY FAVORITE* Marcy Rylan (Lizzie Spaulding on Guilding Light!).  Check out the photos and the autograph that Rachel got for me!

 

COMMENT (FROM RACHEL):  Marcy (aka Lizzie), Bryton, and Ashley were all super nice.  Bryton really appreciated the fact that she knew that he has just won a daytime emmy this year for his role on Y&R.  Marcy mentioned the fact that she DOES read the blogs and postings about her!  All really nice 'kids' (though Agim wouldn't take a photo...hmmmm).

Just thought I'd post some 'old' photos that I found on the computer.  These are ACTUAL PHOTOS (the one that impresses me the most is the one taken in London....it's my favorite photo ever).  Just thought I'd share some amazing scenes of Europe.  Though I am also going to add the CBS soap stars photos afterwards so it won't be the most recent/active photo set but make sure to check it out!   AND I also found some photos that I took from Althorp.  This is the family home of the Spencers.  Diana lived there for awhile and there is now a memorial for her on their grounds.  Plus she is actually buried there out on a little 'island'.

Robert is back in Baghdad...safe and sound from his trip to Southern Iraq.  I can't say exactly where he was during his travels but it WASN'T a safe place!  I had read on-line about how they constantly bomb this particular base that he was at.  Wasn't too thrilled to hear about that and what made it even worse was that he didn't have internet access or access to a phone.  So I didn't hear from him the whole time he was traveling.  Very scary.  Thankfully while he was there they had a 'cease fire' in effect so everything was 'ok' and he's now back safe and sound in Baghdad (never though I would think being in Baghdad was SAFE, but compared to where he went...guess it is!). 

Well, Rachel did her first auditions for the theatre program at UCF.  They have ONE massive audition at the beginning of the year for ALL of the plays that they are going to have all year long.  To see the current season schedule check out: http://www.theatre.ucf.edu/currentseason.php.  So Rachel had her audtion along with all of the UCF theatre majors (and a few, very few, non-theatre majors).  She got called back for TWO of their plays-- Piano Lessons and Alice Experiments in Wonderland.

 

She went back to the call back for Piano Lessons but was not chosen to be a part of the cast because she was 'too short'.  She also went back to the call back for Alice and was called back for the part of the Queen of Hearts.  Her and a couple of other girls read for the part and she was told that she would have to wait a couple of days until the cast list was put up.  She was also told that priority goes to theatre majors (which her major is Digital Media)

 

Well, she actually got an email with the entire cast list and she was selected for the part of the Queen of Hearts!!!!!  So she will be in her first play at UCF next year.  This is a very interesting and unique play as it will be the first time ever that a play has been done with VIRTUAL CHARACTERS.  It's being performed in conjunction with two other schools: Bradley University (in Illinois, of all places) and a school in Canada.  There should be some media attention (local and national) because of the unique nature of the play.  Here is some info on it:

 

Lewis Carroll's ageless fantasia receives an electronic overhaul in which virtual characters interact with live ones, leaping on and offscreen, and from one venue to another with lightning speed. Created in partnership with Bradley University in Illinois and University of Waterloo in Canada, and thanks to broadband computers and 2-D and 3-D sets, this digital-age recreation of Alice In Wonderland uses technology to offer a new twist on Alice's surreal journey.

SHOULD BE VERY INTERESTING!!!! 

Well, it's not REALLY Alex but the girls insist that this is JUST LIKE ALEX! 

 

RACHEL AND UCF.....Things are going good at UCF.  Rachel started her classes on Monday and has already switched some (i.e., bought more textbooks!).  She also did her first audition for the plays at UCF (which I will update/announce the results of later).  We already found that her meal plan is probably not enough so we may have to increase it already.  She already came home but it was because we had tickets to see KATHY GRIFFIN in St. Petersburg, FL.  In typical college student fashion she drove right back to UCF right after the show was over (i.e., 11pm at night!).  To check out her college (and possible see Rachel!) you can view the UCF web cams at: http://webcam.ucf.edu/ (best possibility of seeing Rachel is in the Rec Center).

 

NICOLE AND VIRTUAL SCHOOL.....something completely new (to me anyway) and so 21st Century; but Nicole is going to high school--all on-line.  She is part of the Accelerated Degree Program out of Blake High School (YES, the SAME SCHOOL Rachel graduated from!).  She can do all of her required high school classes on-line and possibly get her HS diploma one year yearly.  To check out the Hillsborough Virtual School on-line home page go to: http://online.mysdhc.org/.

 

ALEX AND KINDERGARTEN (AGAIN).....seems like we just went through this last year.  Oh wait, we DID!  Yes, he's back in Kindergarten.  Alex has a hard time learning his letters and numbers and wasn't promoted to 1st grade.  He had a tutor over the summer that worked with him specifically helping him learn just his letters.  It actually really did help and now there are only about 3 letters that he does not recognize on a constant basis.  He's really sad that he isn't going to 1st grade but really likes his new Kindergarten teacher (Ms. Bell).  We have requested that he be tested for learning disabilities (LD) as soon as possible.  Hopefully that will be done SOON.  He is very much a VERBAL learner (versus visual leaner which Kindergarten really seems to focus on).  His new teacher co-teaches with the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher so that will help as well.  Hopefully the testing will show us where the main issue lies (besides the fact that he has been 'diagnosed' with borderline ADHD).  To check out his elementary school, Tinker Elementary, their web site is: http://tinker.mysdhc.org/.

 

So what a year for the kids and school!  Rachel in a new college, Nicole in a new virtual high school, and Alex back in Kindergarten (though if I don't think he's being taken care of at his current school he will be going to a new (elementary) school too!).

Today's the day!  We are driving up to Orlando to stay overnight and then move Rachel in to her dorm at college!!!!  I will post pictures of our weekend adventure.  The first photo I have is of all of her items that she is packing for the room (wonder how much will be coming BACK when she finds she can't FIT it in her room?!?).   

Well, it's already been a whole month (and then some) that Robert has been in Iraq.  What a month it's been!  Let's recap what has happened to so far:

 

-Air conditioner had major 'leak' that had to be looked at by a/c tech (the day after Robert left).  It was only a clogged line which was EASILY flushed out.  Cost $150 for service call.

 

-Hot tub had a major "leak" as well that had to be looked at by hot tub tech (again, the  day after Robert left!).  Again, it was actually a minor issue.  Appears that the waterfall was not turned off all the way and with the cover on the hot tub the water was flowing over the side and underneath the hot tub and out onto the floor.  Cost $40 for service call (cost for embarssement factor priceless).

 

-Garage door falls off it's track at the top, leaving a nice large gaping opening.  I was able to partially fix this myself (along with Nicole's boyfriend--Stephen) so it's now closed but I have finally put a call into the garage door company to have them come out and properly fix it so I can actually open and close the garage door itself.  Waiting on actual cost.

 

-Circuit breaker flips and shuts off power to various areas of the house.  I was able to move the breakers back for all BUT ONE.  It would not move what-so-ever.  Went on-line to find that it was an indication that there is something with the electrical lines in that area--which was the laundry room.  Thankfully the washer/dryer still work just not the lights in the laundry room, garage, or ANY of the lights outside (!).  Finally figured that a new broom/mop holder that was previously installed earlier that day might be touching one of the lines, so I remove it and was FINALLY able to switch the circuit back.  Cost...more grey hairs; but saved a ton of $$$$ on a service call!

 

{SIDE NOTE:  Talking about grey hairs, all 3 of us (Rachel, Nicole, and myself) did come across one GOOD thing...CHUCK.  No, he's not a our new 'pool boy'  (our new pool boy's name is Miguel); but Chuck is an amazing hair dresser!  Anyway, he does an amazing job with hair color and all 3 of us got our hair colored.  Nicole's is the most improved--black now.  Will take pics of the hair (maybe even mine...a copper red now...and short!).}

 

-Talking about Nicole she did get a new job at a place called Buffalo Wild Wings (http://www.buffalowildwings.com/index2.asp).  Great thing that she got a new job and is now WORKING.....however, after her 2nd or 3rd day on the job she got off work and stopped by a friend's house and ran up to their front door.  But it had been raining and she slipped on their wet grass and then landed in a hole in the yard and TWISTED HER ANKLE.  We ended up taking her to the doctors the following day and thankfully nothing was broken...just torn ligaments.  They put her in a splint and on crutches.  So much for her job.  She is now recovering ok and will be going back to work on Monday (8/12).

 

Well, if the rest of the remaining months are anything like this last one then I don't think any hair coloring anywhere will cover my grey hairs (if I even have hair left!). 

We finally picked up Nicole's "new" used car last month 7/23....being the Ford family that we are it is--in keeping with tradition--a Mercury Sable (twin to the Ford Taurus).  It LOOKS like it's in good condition...but after driving it for awhile not so sure now.  The 'perfect' trunk that seems to have never been used might be that way because it was REPLACED.  Of course we did a CARFAX search but it showed NOTHING REPORTED....unfortunately if they don't report an accident it doesn't show up on CARFAX.  Oh well, no used car is perfect and at least it's driveable...for now.  SEE PHOTOS OF THE CAR!