2006 ~ June 16-July 15, Four weeks of therapy in Melbourne, Florida

Day 1: Friday, June 16, 2006, 

I watched Andy's kids from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. 

Andy's kids went with us to get Lora's driver's license and to take Meadow to the doctor. 

I did not walk today.

Day 2: Saturday, June 17, 2006 

I washed my clothes at O'Bryan's for lunch, at Walmart, and at the dollar store. 

At 5:30 P.M., we loaded Lora's car and headed for Orlando, Florida. 

At 7:30 P.M., we were 10 miles outside of Birmingham. 

I walked two miles today.

Day 3: Sunday, June 18, 2006 

We arrived at the RMH in Orlando at 7:30 A.M. Eastern time.

I drove from 1:30 P.M. until 7:00 A.M. 

The  Ronald McDonald House is at 2201 Alden Road, Orlando, FL 32803, 407-898-6127.

After Lora unloaded the car, Meadow, Lora, and I took a nap. Madison and Buckeye then went to the playroom to play.

We had muffins for a snack, then took Meadow and Buckeye to the emergency room at Florida Hospital to see a doctor. 

Meadow had to have several tests. 

We ate supper at the hospital. 

This was our first night at the RMH.

I did not walk today.

Day 4: Monday, June 19, 2006 

Today is Meadows's first day of Physical Therapy at Ability Plus in Melbourne, so we had to get up at 6:30 A.M. to be at Meadows's appointment at 9:00 A.M. 

We had to take the interstate, which was very busy at this time of morning. We also had to pass through three toll booths, which cost $2.50 a day. 

Meadow in Therapy 

Ability Plus Therapy Inc. is located at 4450 West Eau Gallie Blvd, Suite 208, Melbourne, FL 32904, and can be reached at 321-255-6627. 

Laura Joslin is the owner and a therapist.

We arrive at Ability Plus at 9 A.M., where Meadow has three hours of therapy. 

Roberta Neves is Meadow's therapist. Roberta is very good with Meadow, but Meadow does not like some of the therapy. Their motto is: EACH SMALL STEP IS A GIANT LEAP.

Roberta works with a rubber ball, a horse, bungee cords, and a suit, among other things.

I walked around the strip mall, which was about 1/4 mile and took 5 to 7 minutes.

After eating lunch at Steak and Shake, we stopped to buy a car charger for our cell phones because the one in Mr. Beasley's van was broken, and we couldn't charge them.

The one that I bought could be used by both Sprint cell phones.

Meadow had therapy at Doctor Bradstreet's from 1:15 to 2:15.

Lora got into the soft chamber withMeadoww.

We went to Melbourne Beach after the therapy.

Melbourne Beach 

Lora, Madison, Marcus, Jr., and Meadow entered the Atlantic Ocean. 

We stayed about an hour at the beach and then returned to the Ronald McDonald House.

We took a different route back to the RMB to avoid the toll roads.

This was our daily journey from Rothe nald McDonald House to Melbourne, Florida, for four weeks. The journey took one hour and five minutes.

1. West on East Princeton Street toward McRae Avenue. 

2. Merge onto I-4 West via the ramp on the left.

3. Take the SR-408 Toll exit 82A

4. Take the East-West EXPY east exit

5. Merge onto FL-408 E/East-West EPXY (portions tolls)

6. Take the SR-417 Toll S exit 18b toward Int’L Airport

7. Merge onto FL-417 S/Central Florida Greenway (portions toll)

8. Take the SR-528 Toll E/bee Line exit 26 toward Cocoa/Kennedy

9. Merge onto FL-528 E (portions toll)

10. Merge onto I-95 S. Via Exit 42 A toward Miami.

11. Take SR/518 Eau Gallie Blvd exit 183 toward Melbourne

12. Turn slightly left to take the ramp toward Melbourne

13. Turn left onto FL-518 E /Eau Gallie Blvd W.

14. Ends at 4450 W. Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32934

International Child Development Resource Center, located at 1688 West Hibiscus Blvd, Melbourne, FL 3290,1, 321-953-0278. 

This is the address whereMeadoww received Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for four weeks.

Day 5: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 

Up again at 6:30 A.M. and on the interstate to Ability Plu, where Meadow will be from 9 to 12 P.M.

Meadows Therapy at Ability Plus

We ate lunch at Burger King. 

Today was my first day getting into the hyperbaric oxygen chamber with Meadoww. (1:15 to 2:15).

Madison was sick all night, throwing up, and she slept all day long

Meadow was ill on the way back to Ronald McDonald's house.

We had Hawaiian food for supper at the Ronald McDonald house, brought by a Dance Club.

No, I'm not seeing you today because Madison is sick.

Day 6: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 

Meadow had three hours of therapeutic therapy with Roberta. (9:00 to 12:00)

MeadTherapying therapy

Madison and I walked two rounds around the strip mall. 

We ate lunch at Olive Garden. 

We went to Andretti Park after Meadow finished with her hyperbaric oxygen therapy. (1:15 to 2:15) 

Lora, Madison, and Buckeye rode the ducks. Lora and Buckeye also rode the cars, played some games, and enjoyed other rides.

Riding the ducks in Andretti Park 

It was a very hot day, so Meadow and I found some shade and sat there, watching Lora, Marcus, and Madison have fun.

The management had given us four tickets to play miniature golf.

Day 7: Thursday, June 22, 2006.  

Meadow Therapy at Ability Plus (9 to 12).

MeadTherapying therapy

Madison and I walked two laps around the strip mall near Ability Plus.

We ordered a personal pizza from an Italian restaurant, which made my stomach sick.

Meadow had Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy at (1:15 to 2:15) with Dr. Bradstreet. After the hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we rode to Dixie Stampede, where we enjoyed dinner and a show.

Picture of us with the Dixie Stampede in Orlando, Florida

We arrived early, saw the horses, and took pictures.

The manager of the Dixie Stampede gave us free tickets that included dinner and a show.

We ate chicken, corn on the cob, rolls, soup, and apple turnover.

Madison and Marcus were picked to be on the show. They were on the Union side, where they had to go into the arena to chase chickens. After the show, they were given medallions.

After the show, we were taken into the arena to have our picture taken with the crew.

The picture was developed, and we were given a copy.

Lora was also mailed another picture and a book about Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors.

The crew was very friendly, and we talked to them while the arena was cleared. 

The manager said he came from the Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Our ticket number was section C3-93363. 

Day 8: Friday, June 23, 2006 

Meadow Therapy at Ability Plus from (9 to 12 P.M.)

We ate lunch at Denny's, where I ordered a BLT. 

Madison and I walked two laps around the strip mall today.

Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 1:15 to 2:15 at Dr. Bradstreet's. 

The management of Pinocchio Marionette Theater gave us tickets to see Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp today at 6:30 P.M.

Pinocchio Marionette Theater

Lyrics were by David Eaton at Pinocchio Marionette Theater.

They are located at 525 Semoran Blvd. Winter Park, 32792. 

The telephone number there is 407-677-8831, and the web address is www.pinocchios.net.

We spoke with management, who said one of the puppeteers was from the Howdy Doody show. The kids bought souvenirs.

Day 9: Saturday, June 24, 2006 

I walked from the Ronald McDonald House down Princeton Street to the Science Museum, along one of the lanes behind the Art Museum, and back up Princeton Street.

RMH in Orlando, FL

I stopped in front of the Mennello Museum of American Art, where I saw the oldest tree in Central Florida, over 300 years old. 

I walked back up Princeton Street to the Ronald McDonald house in front of the Science Museum.

Loch Haven Park is nestled between three lakes and is home to several arts and sciences museums. 

It is a 45-acre cultural park. Other attractions include the Museum of Art, the Mennello Museum of American Art, the Orlando Repertory Theater, the Orlando UCF Shakespeare Festival, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and Orlando's Science Museum.

The Ronald McDonald House staff gave us tickets to the Orlando Science Museum.

Later that morning, we went to Orlando's Science Museum. 

Lora had forgotten something in Meadows and had to return to the van. 

It was a good day for indoor activities because it was raining outside, so we went to the science museum.

Marcus and Madison had their faces painted, and we all got a free ice cream.

We watched the Wild Safari, Star Quest, and Greece IMAX movies on the CineDome.

There were six levels, and the observatory with a height-powered telescope was at the top. 

We looked through the telescope, but it was very cloudy, so we couldn't see the stars. However, we could see the top of the city, and in the distance, we saw a bird.

Science Museum at the observatory

In the exhibit halls, we saw dinosaurs (DinoDigs), the human body (Body Zone), turtles, and snakes (Nature Works). There was also an underground sewer system, orange groves, and a kids' play area (Kids Town) with electricity [Science City]. 

We saw TechWorks, Showbiz Science, Cosmic Tourist Earth and Beyond, Wired Science, Serious Science with a Twist, etc.

This is a wonderful place, and I recommend buying an annual pass if you live in or around Orlando, Florida.

The museum has a large café that seats 200 people. We each ordered chicken fingers and a drink.

Day 10: Sunday, June 25, 2006 

Today, we are going to Gator Land, which is open from 9 to 5 P.M. 

The web address is: www.gatorland.com

They are located at Gatorland, 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida 32837, and their telephone number is 407-855-5496.

Gator Land

We received 20% off for two adults and free tickets for Madison, Marcus, and Meadow.

We saw three shows: the Gator Jumparoo, Gator Wrestling, and Up-close Encounters.

We visited Alligator Island, Snakes of Florida, and Breeding Marsh. We took the train ride, took the swamp walk, visited Allie's barnyard, saw Flamingo Lagoon, and at the gift shop, Lora bought Marcus a Gator t-shirt.

At about 5 P.M., it started raining hard for about an hour. People were rushing to get dry, and Madison got stuck in the crowd, being pulled away from us.

Lora went to look for Madison while Meadow and Marcus stayed with me.

The floodwaters started to rise, and I decided we would run for the gift shop.

We ate supper at the Ronald McDonald House.

Day 11:  Monday, June 26, 2006 

Meadows's second week of therapy at Ability Plus Therapy. (8:45-12:00)

Meadows therapy

We had lunch at Smokey Bones Restaurant. 

During the week of (26-30), Meadow had to have two treatments a day, so Lora and I both went into the Oxygen Chamber twice a day.

Lora had an ear infection, so Dr. Bradstreet gave her some ear medicine and advised her not to enter the chamber for a few days, which meant I would arrive with Meadow. 

We went to the Winter Park movie theater to see Monster House, but it was packed. 

Marcus was distraught that we could not go see the movie.

We went back to Ronald McDonald's house and ate supper.

Day 12: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 

Meadow has therapy from 8:45 to 12:00 today. 

Madison and I walked three laps around the strip mall.  

Meadow has hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 1:45 to 2:45 today.

We had lunch at Road House Grill. 

We drove to Downtown Disney and ate supper at McDonald's.

Address: Walt Disney World ® Resort - Orlando, Florida 32830

Phone Number is 407-828-3056

Downtown Disney

If you like shopping and want the kids to have fun at little to no cost, take them to Downtown Disney. 

They have a waterspout where the kids can get wet, a McDonald's for eating, a store where they can make their own potato head, many shops, candy stores, a movie theater, and more. 

We went twice, and I bought two T-shirts at the Rainforest Café. Lora bought Madison two T-shirts and shorts. She bought Marcus a T-shirt and a hat. She bought Meadow a bib and a T-shirt for herself.

Day 13: Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Meadows Therapy (8:45 to 12:00) . We ate lunch at Subway, and Meadow had another hour of hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 1:45 to 2:45. 

I walked two laps today.

Downey Splash Park

We stopped at Downey Splash Park for the kids to cool off. They played in the water spraying from the ground, and buckets fell on their heads. 

We walked down to the sandy beach so the kids could play in the sand.

Downey Park is at 10107 Flowers Avenue, Orlando, FL 32817, Orange Parks and Recreation.

We ate supper at the Ronald McDonald House.

Day 14: Thursday, June 29, 2006 

Meadow physical therapy (8:45 to 12) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (1:15 to 2:15 and 6:30 to 7:30)

This is the seat that Lora brings home for Meadow.

I walked two laps today. 

We ate at Aloha Eatery in Melbourne and had Mahai, pasta, and Coke.

We went to the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida.

Madison lets a butterfly land on her arm.

The Swallowtail Festival was in full swing, and we saw many different butterflies. The address is Brevard Zoo, 8225 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940, 407-254-3002.

All I remember about the zoo was that it was hot and smelly. We saw several different animals, and after about an hour, Meadow and I went to the gift shop to cool off.

We had grilled chicken salad for supper at the Ronald McDonald House.

Day 15: Friday, June 30, 2006 

Meadow therapy from (8:45 to 12) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy from (1:15 to 2:15 and 4:45 to 5:45). I walked four laps today, and we ate hot dogs for lunch at Aloha Eatery.

Marcus was being ugly today. 

We rode back to the RMH and went to bed early.

Day 16: Saturday, July 1, 2006 

Meadow and I walked down to the Art Museum and back. 

We all visited the art museum to see "The Art of the Motorcycle." Based on the landmark Guggenheim Museum exhibition, it explores the motorcycle as both a cultural icon and a design achievement. It offers a thought-provoking challenge to conventional assumptions about art and popular culture in the modern age. 

The exhibition will run from January 22 to July 23, 2006, and will feature over 70 historic and contemporary motorcycles. 

Madison and Marcus did arts and crafts from 9 to 12, and then we rode down to Coco Beach. 

Today is the Space Shuttle's launch, and we rode down to Cocoa Beach to see it launch.

Coco Beach is waiting for the shuttle to launch.

Lora parked the car along the Banana Riverbank. While we waited for the spaceship to launch, the kids got in the water, where we saw some rays.

We met a family from Ireland who wanted to take a picture of our van's license plate.

We waited over two hours, and the weather canceled the launch.

So we returned to our van and rode into Coco Beach, stopping at Ron John's Surf Shop. 

We ate lunch at Red Lobster.

Day 17: Sunday, July 2, 2006 

Madison, Meadow, and I walked in Loch Haven Park for about one mile, where we saw three men sailing their boats in the lake. 

We ate breakfast and lunch at Ronald McDonald's house.

We went to Winter Park for a scenic boat ride, but it rained out.

Later that day, we went to Winter Park, where Madison and Marcus painted pottery at Pottery Barn. 

We left the Pottery Barn, walked to the Regency Theater, and bought tickets to see Cars. 

After the movie,  we rode to CityWalk at Universal Studios.

City Walk at Universal Studios Orlando, FlFLora bought Madison and Marcus each a red T-shirt with writing that said, "Thing One" and "Thing Two."

We wanted to eat dinner at Jimmy Buffett's in Margaretville, but we would have to wait an hour and a half.

We walked around looking inside many of the shops, then rode back to the RMH.

Day 18: Monday, July 3, 2006

This is the third week of therapy. 

Meadow has two hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions today: one from 8:45 to 12:00 and one from 1:45 to 2:45.

I walked three laps around the strip mall today. 

Lora got into the oxygen chamber withMeadoww.

After Meadow's therapy, we rode to Downtown Disney and had dinner at Rainforest Café.

Downtown Disney

The kids got wet in the spraying fountains before we left Downtown Disney.

Day 19:  Tuesday, July 4, 2006

There was no therapy today because it was the 4th of July, a holiday. We rode to the Magic Kingdom and spent the entire day there. Purchased two tickets with unlimited dates and gave one to Lora. She bought Madison and Marcus a one-day ticket, and Meadow got in free.

We watched the Hall of Presidents, went into the Haunted Mansion, rode through the Small World, took a flight with Peter Pan, and rode with the Mad Hatter in her teacups. 

We rode the Guffy's Barnstormer and the Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster.

We saw Snow White's Scary Adventure, rode Stitch's Great Escape, and took the Astor Obiter transit.

We rode Buzz Lightyear Storm Commander and saw Cinderella's Spectra Magic.

We watched the grand fireworks show and ate turkey legs at Pinocchio's eatery.

We went to Mickey's House and rode down the speedway. 

To end the day, we watched the Magical Mickey Parade. 

We left the park at about 11 P.M. Lora and the older kids walked ahead, and I was pushing Meadow in her stroller while the crowd kept pushing us back. We finally reached the bus waiting area. Lora and the kids got onto the bus, and I was left behind to fold the stroller and load it onto the bus. However, my thumb got caught in the stroller's handle while folding it down.

I could not release the latch, so Lora had to get off the bus and release the latch so I could get my thumb out, and it was bleeding. Someone on the bus gave me a brandade, and the bus left the waiting area, and we were taken to our van. 

We loaded into the van, and Lora drove us back to the RMH.

Day 20: Wednesday, July 5, 2006

Meadow has therapy from 8:45 until 12:00 and hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 12:30 until 1:30 P.M. 

I walked four laps around the mall today. 

We ate lunch at Aloha Eatery and supper at Ronald McDonald House. 

Day 21: Thursday, July 6, 2006

Meadow had therapy from 8:45 until 12 and hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 3:15 until 4:15. 

We went to Walmart, bought some chicken, and then found a park to have a picnic lunch.

I walked three laps around the mall today. 

In between Meadows appointments, we went to Melbourne Greyhound Park to watch the Greyhound race. The kids got to pet one of the greyhounds wearing an overlap that read, "Adopt Me." There were rows and rows of empty seats when we were there.

Greyhound Dog Track

Day 22: Friday. July 7, 2006

Meadow had therapy from 8:45 until 12:00  and her hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 2:15 until 3:15.

Meadow's nurses at Dr. Bradstreet's 

MeadTherapying therapy

I walked four laps around the mall. We ate hot dogs at the Aloha Eatery. 

This was Meadow's last day at Ability Plus.

They give her a Meadowan achievement card and a special seat to take home and use. They also give Madison and Marcus a toy for being good. 

Day 23:  Saturday, July 8, 2006

We went to SeaWorld from 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M., where we ate lunch at Sharks Under Water Grill. We watched several water shows, took a helicopter simulator ride, and saw polar bears, walruses, and manatees.

Sea World  

We ended the day by watching Shamu, the killer whale, perform. 

Day 24: Sunday, July 9, 2006

Today, we walked around Loch Haven Park near the RMH. We then rode to Winter Park and took the Scenic Boat Ride. After the ride, we went to the Regal Theater in Winter Park and watched Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

Scenic Boat Ride, where I had taken off my hat to keep Meadow from getting too much sun

Day 25: Monday, July 10, 2006

Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 11:00 until 12:00 P.M. and no walk from 2:45 until 3:45 today. We went shopping at the mall, and I bought Jake and my husband some shorts  —Montana and Nevada  — and Sierra a shirt. We ate breakfast at the Ronald McDonald House. 

Day 26: Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Monster Truck Ride

Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 2:45 to 3:45, during which we went on an airboat ride at Boggy Creek and a monster truck safari.

Boggy Creek Airboat Ride

I walked for twenty minutes today. 

Day 27: Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Meadow has hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 2:25 until 3:15 P.M. I walked for twenty minutes in Loch Haven Park. We ate supper at the Ronald McDonald House; the food was from the Hard Rock Hotel. 

Day 28: Thursday, July 13, 2006

Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 12:15 until 2:45 P.M. We went to Coco Beach, where 

Lora and the kids got into the water, and I watched. 

Day 29: Friday, July 14, 2006 

Meadow had hyperbaric oxygen therapy from 9:45 until 12:15.

I'm inside the chamber with Meadow before the door is closed

We left for home at 2 P.M. 

We stop at Taco Bell on the way home for dinner. 

Meadow ate some food from Taco Bell. She had a reaction that made her turn red all over. 

Day 30: Saturday, July 15, 2006

Saturday, we arrived home.        

2008 ~ June 26-29 18th Annual Cher’s family Cranial Facial Convention in Wheeling, IL

Day 1:  Thursday, June 26, 2008

18 ANNUAL CHER'S FAMILY RETREAT

JUNE 26-29, 2008 MYRTLE BEACH, SC

SHERATON MYRTLE BEACH CONVENTION HOTEL

Thursday, June 26

2:00-5:00: Registration

6:30-10:00: Ice Cream Social (dinner on your own)

Friday, June 27      

7:30-9:00: Breakfast

10:00-4:00: Ripley's Aquarium & Broadway at the Beach

Buses will begin loading at 9:30. We will go to the aquarium and then stay at Broadway at the Beach, which is loaded with fun places. Buses will run throughout the day to take you back to the hotel. Lunch is on your own.

www.ripleysaquarium.com  www.broadwayatthebeach.com       

6:30-10:00: Family Night with Talent Show and Chance Raffle (dinner provided) & CCA Teen Luau Party (at the hotel)

Saturday, June 28

7:30-9:00: Breakfast

11:00-4:00: Beach Party

Boxed lunches will be served at the hotel from 11:00 to 1:00. Buses will start taking families to the Beach at 11:00 and can return them to the hotel throughout the day.

6:30-10:30: Dinner/Dance with DJ

Sunday, June 29

7:30-9:00: Breakfast

Thursday morning, I woke up at 3:30 A.M., dressed, and called Lora at 4:30 A.M. We left her house at 6:00 A.M.  It was still too early for the kids, so they all went back to sleep.

We stopped at Steak and Shake just off I-20 for lunch.

I ordered a hamburger with unsweetened tea, Lora and Madison split a hamburger with fries, and Marcus and Madison both ordered milkshakes. 

Meadow ate some of my hamburger, and she drank a cup of milk.

We again loaded into the van and onto I-20 toward Atlanta.

For a snack, we have been eating cheese rice cakes and drinking sodas.

We stopped to fill up with gas and ordered a sandwich at Subway, which was in the same building as the service station.

We ordered two twelve-inch subs, each of us ordered a Coke, and Madison ordered three sugar cookies.

I spent seven dollars. 

Marcus was starting to get restless from all the riding. We had been on the road since 6 A.M., and he kept saying, "Are we there yet?"

Finally, we arrived at Myrtle Beach, but the GPS system had taken us to the wrong address.

We will be staying at the Sheraton Hotel on Twenty-first Street, and the old one was along the Atlantic Ocean.

While Lora had gone inside to get the correct address, the kids got out of the car, threw the sand, and jumped into the Atlantic Ocean. 

I took Meadow out of the van, and we sat in the sand along the Beach. 

When Lora came out of the hotel, she started looking for u. She saw that Marcus was soaking wet, so she made him take his clothes off and wrapped him in a towel. That is how he was dressed when we arrived at the Sheraton Hotel.

Lora checked us into the hotel at 7:00 P.M. After freshening up, we took our luggage to the room. Then we took the elevator to the lobby, where a social gathering of families attending the cranial facial convention was underway.

Lora registered all of us for the CCA Convention. 

Everyone gets tickets for Ripley's Aquarium and a CCA T-shirt to wear when we visit.

We spent a few hours getting acquainted with some of the families. 

We were exhausted from the trip, so we went back to the room and went to bed.

Madison slept with me, and Marcus and Meadow slept with Lora.

Day 2: Friday, June 27, 2008

Breakfast was served outside from 7:30 to 9:30 A.M. at the Sheraton Hotel and included cereals, bagels with cream cheese, and fruits such as strawberries, pineapple, muskmelon, cantaloupe, and grapes. To drink, there was orange juice.

At 9:30 A.M., everyone dressed in matching CCA tee-shirts, and we took the bus to Ripley's Aquarium, located at Broadway on the Beach.

The Sheraton Hotel, where we stayed

Standing behind the hotel

Waiting for the bus 

Shallow Lagoons is at Friendships Flats, where everyone is encouraged to touch the different types of Rays.

There was an attendant to help the children with the  Atlantic Rays, the Southern Rays, the Cow Nosed Rays, the Spotted Eagle Rays, and the Bonnet Head Shark. 

We saw Sandtiger sharks, nurse sharks, southern stingrays, cow nose rays, sawfish, sea turtles, snapper, tarpons, goliath groupers, moray eels, green moray eels, schooling jellyfish, seahorses, squirrelfish, and octopus inside an 87,000 square foot aquarium filled with 750,000 gallons of water.

We were guided along on a moving sidewalk. 

Marcus is holding a horseshoe crab.

The kids pick up the horseshoe crabs at the Sea-For-Yourself Discovery Center. 

In the freshwater Rio Amazon exhibit, we saw piranhas and other exotic species unique to the Amazon Rainforest. We saw octopuses, sea anemones, Jellyfish, and weedy sea dragons in the Living Gallery.

Once outside the aquarium, we walked to Pavilion Park, where Lora bought t20tickets for the kids to ride the attractions.  

Marcus and Madison rode the flying pirate ship.

Marcus, Madison, and I rode the caterpillar and the merry-go-round.

Marcus and Meadow rode the boats, and Lora, Madison, and Marcus rode the swings. 

Lora had 9 tickets left and said we could use them tomorrow at the NASA Park. Marcus, Jr., wanted to ride the go-carts. 

We ate lunch at Jimmy Buffett's, Margaretville 1114 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

(843) 448-5455

Lora and I split a Caesar salad and the Catch of the Day, which was Mahi Mahii, grilled with fresh vegetables, island rice, and mango salsa.

Marcus and Madison ordered grilled Mahi from the children's menu. 

Wendelyn from Faces came with us; she ordered the cheeseburger in Paradise. Lora and I both ordered unsweetened iced tea and the kids' sodas.

In Jimmy Buffett's Restaurant, we sat at the first-come, first-served table, just below the brewing hurricane that held a large orange bottle of margarita.

When the hurricane hit, it caused a gigantic pitcher to fill up with margarita. It was more than enough for everyone to drink his or her fill.

Brewing a hurricane that contained a large orange bottle of margarita.

We went through Jimmy Buffett's gift shop, but we did not buy anything.

We stopped at River Street Sweets, tried their samples, and bought some chocolate-covered pretzels. 

We went to the Disney store, and I bought a Minnie tank top, a pair of shorts, and a Tinker Bell tank top.

Lora bought Marcus some pajamas, which he put on and wore all day, and she purchased Meadow a Finding Nemo one-piece suit and wristband.  

Disney Store 1308 Celebrity Cir # B. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 (843) 626-2610

We rode the bus back to the hotel and swam in the pool on the third floor. 

We talked with Brittany, who has Nager syndrome, and Harlena, her mom, who are from Philadelphia, Pa.

Supper will be from  6:30 to 10:00 P.M. with a talent show and a raffle. 

Tonight is pizza night, where we can choose from several varieties of pizzas, along with a salad, fruit, and sweets.

The little girl without a face, Juliana Wetmore, along with Tammy, her mother, her grandmother, and her sister, sat at our table.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/health/2014/05/21/born-without-face-juliana-treacher-collins/9336489/

Juliana's birth defect is called Treacher Collins Syndrome.

The doctors said it was the worst case they had ever seen. 

Juliana has no upper jaw, no cheekbones, no eye sockets, and she is missing the corner of her ear. 

In the lobby, I talked to Samantha Klinger's parent. Samantha has Apert Syndrome and is from Convoy, Illinois.

Lexie Adams has Crozn Syndrome. They came here from Tacoma, WA. 

Olivia Sandborn has Pfeiffer Syndrome, and her parents, Mark and Laurel, are here from Richmond, VA. 

Our room is on the fourth floor with an ocean view. It has two plush double beds, a shower,  a coffee maker, a television, and a refrigerator.

View from our room

Marcus Jr and  Meadow slept with me.

Day 3: Saturday, June 28, 2008

Breakfast will be from 7:30 to 9:30 inside. 

They are serving eggs, bacon, biscuits, fruit, jelly, and orange juice. 

It is almost 9:30 A.M.  Madison and Marcus are still in bed, and Lora takes them to breakfast.

Boxed lunch will be passed out from 11:30 to 1:00 P.M.  

The box lunches include ham, roast beef, and turkey sandwiches, along with apples, chips, cookies, water, or Pepsi.
Everyone is going to the Beach, it is within walking distance.

We walked a few blocks, but it was too hot, so we walked back to the hotel, loaded the van, and drove to the Beach.

I played with Meadow in the sand while the older kids played in the ocean.

When we were ready to go, Madison started jumping up and down because she had gotten into the bottom of her swimsuit and it was burning her butt.

We rode back to the hotel, where everyone showered to wash off the sand.

We loaded back into the van and rode to NASA Park, where the kids used the remaining 9 tickets. Meadow rode the Ferris wheel, Madison rode the cups, and Marcus rode the go-carts. 

A strange man gave Meadow & Madison a necklace and a picture.

We went to the 3-D IMAX to watch the Sea Monsters.  

We watched the stunning photo-realistic, computer-generated animation that transported us back to the late Cretaceous when the great inland sea divided North America into two. 

The film follows a curious and adventurous dolichorhynchops f, also known as a dolly t, that travels through the most dangerous oceans in history. 

Along the way, she encounters long-necked plesiosaurs, giant turtles, enormous fish, fierce sharks, and the most dangerous sea monster, the mosasaur. 

This was a forty-five-minute show with special seating at the top for wheelchairs. The cost was $11.50 each, no cost for Meadow.

We walked back to the Disney Store, where I bought a pair of Tinker Bell shorts and a Tinker Bell T-shirt.

Disney Store

Lora bought Meadow a Minnie one-piece suit with a matching wristband and a bubble blower. She bought Madison some pajamas. 

In the Disney store, we got separated. I looked everywhere for Lora and the kids, but I couldn't find them. 

I walked to RideMakerz because I knew Tarcus wanted to build a car, but they weren't there.

I thought to myself that they might be at RideMakerz and had walked back to the van, but they were not there. 

I called Lora on her cell phone, but she did not answer. 

I decided to sit down at the waterspout near the IMAX and the exit. 

I sat near the waterspout for about an hour. I thought to myself that Lora and the kids had more than enough time for them to walk around Broadway on the Beach, but they were nowhere in sight. 

While I was sitting at the waterspout, I watched several kids running, jumping, and playing in the water. 

I saw a man with his two daughters, they were getting ready to leave when I heard him tell his girls to make a run for it to beat the water. 

The man took off running, slipped, and fell right on his butt.

No running signs are everywhere. 

I decided to walk to RideMakerz, where Marcus was just finishing up making his car. 

Marcus and his Ridemakerz

We rode back to the hotel. Dinner was from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M., and dancing lasted until 10:30 P.M. 

We were running late and couldn't find a handicap parking spot, so Lora parked along the side of the hotel. 

Dinner was a sit-down event where we were served grilled chicken, chicken fingers, fries, potatoes, green beans, salad, and carrot cake, with tea and iced water.

TADJ played a variety of music until 10:30 P.M.

The dance floor was full of people dancing. Scott was in his hover dancing.

Everyone joined in making a train on the dance floor.

Jaci did a solo country dance. 

We went to our room at 10:30 P.M. after a night of dancing and socializing.  

Madison turned on the TV. Marcus and Meadow went to sleep. I read Song of the Exile, and Lora went upstairs to meet with other CCA parents, staying until 12 P.M. Madison slept in the bed with me. 

Day 4: Sunday, June 29, 2008

We missed breakfast because we slept until  9:00 A.M.

We checked out, loaded the van, and headed to Broadway on the Beach. 

Marcus picked what he wanted to do yesterday. Today, Madison gets to decide what she wants to do.

Hard RoCaféafe

Madison says she wants to eat lunch at the Hard RoCaféafé.

The Hard RoCaféafe is designed like an Egyptian Temple. 

The front of tcaféafe has several stone steps leading to the top. Once inside, you have to climb down several stone steps to get to the dining area of the restaurant.

The side of tcaféafe is wheelchair accessible with an elevator once inside.

For lunch, we ordered the Jumbo Combo appetizer, which included Santa Fe rolls, hickory-smoked chicken wings, onion rings, potato skins, and Tupelo chicken fingers served with four different sauces.

Lora and I split a 7-oz. Angus beef HRC burger with fries. Madison orders a kid's hamburger with fries, Marcus eats all the hickory-smoked chicken wings, and Meadow eats the chicken fingers. 

Lora and I ordered unsweetened tea, and the kids ordered sodas.

Hard RoCafé é  1322 Celebrity Circle Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 843-946-0007

Lora and Marcus are at RideMakerz, where Marcus is getting a wheel for his car.

Madison and I are walking to the Build-A-Bear Workshop, and Lora, Marcus, and Meadow are meeting us there. Madison chose a Panda Bear, which she named Yoyo. The clothes she chose for him were a pair of khaki shorts, a Myrtle Beach Tee, and brown sandals. 

Build-A-Bear Workshop is located at 1301 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 (843) 445-7675.      

Madison and Yoyo

We then walk to River Street Sweet, where we buy some saltwater taffy, chocolate pretzels, and the kids each get a bag of candy. 

I spent $5.95 on taffy, $2.50 on chocolate-covered pretzels, and $2.00 on an orange drink. 

Senior Frogs 

At 2:00 P.M., we leave Broadway on the Beach and start the long ride home.

Somewhere in Alabama, we stopped at McDonald's for supper, where Lora ordered a couple of chicken wraps, two apple pies, and a tea.

Before we leave McDonald's, Lora spills her tea and walks inside to get a refill. 

Lora drives until she says she is too tired to continue, so I take over at 10 P.M. and drive us home.

We arrived home around 1 A.M., and I was so exhausted that I went right to bed.

2014, Wednesday, May 15, Workshop Florence Library with Bill Huddleson UNA Front Porch Storytelling Festival

12:30–3:30 P.M.

I attended a workshop with Bill at the Florence Library. Bill said, "I am not Dolores," and he was right —he was not —but that did not mean he was not good.  

He used a different storytelling approach and made it fun. 

We broke into several groups and did various activities.

One activity was" Making the Right Move."

This was an activity involving two people, A & B. 

The next activity included the following: singing, mimicking, looking at one another, reading, standing back-to-back, reading while sitting, and reading while standing. We whispered the words, and we lip-read the following:

Dropkick me, sweet Jesus, over the goalpost of life!

All my ex-s live in Texas, so I live in Tennessee. It's been so lonesome in the saddle since my horse died!

Another activity we were given was to read a story and retell it to our partner.

King Solomon and Fate was the story that I had to retell to my partner. The moral of my story is that when death looks you in the face, no matter how hard you try, you cannot outrun your fate. 

The story my partner retold was about a bird and a Turtle.

The bird and the turtle needed to go east for the winter, but the turtle could not fly, so the bird said," I will help u, but you must not let go of the stick. 

When the two animals were in the air, flying, they looked down at their friends, and the turtle thought, "I am flying!" 

So, the turtle lets go to tell his friend goodbye, and when he does, he falls to the ground. 

The moral of this story is you cannot fly without wings!!!!!!

We were told to tell a story about growing up.

We split into a large group and retold our story to everyone.

One woman told me about growing up and going to a one-room school, about not getting her favorite teacher until the third grade. 

Another told about growing up in Canada, how cold it was, and her father was a Canadian Soldier. 

Another woman told me about family ties. How some relatives had moved up north to work but always came home for family gatherings. 

She told a story about a young couple who were expecting their first child, and the child died shortly after birth. 

Her relatives did not have the money to come home, but came home anyway. They packed as many as possible into their small car and drove all the way home just to find that the infant had already been buried.

I had fun and was given a certificate of attendance. Those three hours went by fast, and I would love to do it again.