We left for the Auto train station in Lorton VA after picking my mom up from her apartment. I had already packed all her clothes and just needed a few more items, plus her in the van. We arrived in plenty of time to pick up some lunch from their diner and board the train. I made reservations for a handicap room on the train for my mom. The kids and Tom had their own rooms located in the same car. We took off a bit early and enjoyed the evening ride through small towns lit up with Christmas lights. Mom and I opted to have our meals brought to our car to avoid having to navigate several cars to the dining car. We had a wonderful attendant, Kevin, who brought us both our dinner and breakfast, and made up our beds. We had ridden the train before with my mom, but she had a more difficult time sleeping on this trip. Every bump woke her up and she would try to get out of bed, put on her shoes and head for the door. Basically, I did not get much sleep! I did have to climb down from my bunk bed a few times to assist her to the toilet. At least we had one right in our room with grab bars. We sure needed it! The other bathrooms are basically like the ones you have on a plane, and not much space to move around.
Needless to say, none of us got that much sleep overnight and we were all pretty exhausted when we arrived in Sanford, FL just outside of Orlando the next morning. But we decided to make a go at visiting Epcot Center on Christmas Eve. Of course the place was packed, so we mostly had to assist Mom B with driving her power scooter to navigate through the crowds. We actually spent most of the day near the front of the park, and even took Mom B on a few of the rides. Most were handicap accessible, but we had a terrible time getting her out of the Planet Earth cars in the big Epcot ball-seats were too low and narrow. Tom and I had to pull her to her feet to get out of the car, but that was the only ride we had problems with.
Epcot was also hosting a Holiday Around the World tasting, so we tried a few gourmet items along with a late lunch before heading out around the park to visit all the different countries. We stopped at the American Bandstand in the evening to listen to the yearly Candlelight Processional Christmas concert with host Joey Fatone from the NSYNC band and movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. So beautiful as the sun set and the holiday lights came up before heading out of the park. Before we left however, the kids managed to get on the newer Frozen Ride in Norway. We have tried many times in the past and there is always a 2+hr wait. Fortunately with my mom, we were able to get disabled passes, which they don't really use anymore. They prefer to give people a fast pass+-come back in 30 mins or so and then board. With the disabled pass, we were all able to board, or just some of us and limited wait time. So we got Mom B on several rides right away. And some of the rides we did ourselves, or rode them to see if she would like it. She seems to enjoy the rides that are not too bumpy or fast. We like the rides where she can sit in a wheelchair and we just push it onto a moving car. The kids really enjoyed the Frozen ride, but did not think Mom B would manage getting in and out of the boats, and probably would not like the two drops along the way.
So we called it quits and headed to our Hilton hotel to check in across from Disney Springs shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Mom and I had a handicap room, but I think they needed to consult an OT. We had a very high bathtub that Mom B could not step in or out without my help, and a large, low swivel chair with no arms to sit in. Plus a rolling desk chair and no shelving space to place your toiletries next to the sink. Not well thought out. But we did have a nice balcony and I watched the Disney and Epcot fireworks show that night from our room.
On Christmas Day we woke and had a leisurely buffet breakfast which was amazing! I fell in love with the chocolate covered Krispy Kreme donuts. And they had fresh asparagus, mushroom and
On Weds, Boxing Day, we split up. Allison and Scott used the early entrance pass from our hotel to visit Disney World for the day. They arrived at 7am and quickly made their way through the park and all the big rides. Plus they picked up a few Fast Passes ahead of time. They had a wonderful time on the rides and caught the Disney Christmas parade. They were just too tired to stay for the nighttime fireworks and headed back to the hotel on the shuttle bus at 8pm. Meanwhile, Tom and I took my mom to the Disney Animal Kingdom. We thought it would be less crowded-we were wrong. Crazy busy and very difficult to maneuver mom's scooter through the crowds and narrow walkways. We did manage to get right on the Safari ride and really enjoyed all the live animals. Afterwards we toured the nature trails and then headed over to the newest area, Avatar. The lines for the rides were very long. We only planned to take mom on the boat ride through the land of Avatar so we got a FastPass and planned to return We caught a bird show and had lunch before our boat ride through Avatar and then headed out. We were unable to get into several shows as they were filled up or playing at the same time, and the park is very to travel through. Nothing is easily connected, and with the crowds it was difficult to run from one area to the next, especially with a power scooter. Plus we did not want to sit around for an hour or more to get into the shows, so we decided we had seen enough and headed out. There definitely is more to see in the park since the last time we were there(and Allison and Scott were very little). The live animal safari was the best part.
On Thursday it was time to pack up and head south to Venice. After breakfast we packed the van and then walked/scootered over to Disney Springs for some shopping and sight seeing. I also wanted my Ghiradelli salted caramel hot cocoa, and Tom wanted to try some Iron Chef sushi. We picked up a few Mickey Mouse souvenirs and then headed out on the road. We arrived in Venice in time for dinner with Tom's parents at their house. Afterwards we checked into our hotel in Nokomis near the Bozyk house.
On Friday morning, we stopped into the house after I got a key from the realtor office. The house is empty and up for sale. The renter moved out in September and we had one offer on the place that pulled out. Waiting to hear about another possible offer. The house is in need of serious renovation, but the lot is beautiful. Located on a canal that goes out through a bay into the Gulf of Mexico. And right down the street from a wonderful beach. Perfect location. Just needs a new house! And seawall. We noticed a window pane had fallen out, so Tom and his Dad went to pick up some supplies to fix it. Meanwhile, the weather was beautiful with temps in the 80s. Allison and I took a swim in the Seitz community pool while my mom lounged in the beach chair. After a wonderful dinner with Mom and Dad Seitz, we headed over to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota to walk through their evening Christmas light displays. The whole place was decorated with flowers and butterflies and lots of string lights hanging from the banyan trees. They had a live band and several activities for kids along with food carts as needed. We took both Grandmas and left Dad Seitz home for a break from caregiving to Mom Seitz. She did well with the walk through the park, but soon wore out and we headed for home.
We also received some sad news this day from our neighbor in Baltimore. Our cat, Pika, passed away. She was not looking well and I had taken her to the vet the week before. They said since she was still eating, they recommended I just continue to monitor her status and prescribed some medication to settle her stomach. I was worried she would pass while we were gone and of course it happened. Thankfully, our wonderful neighbor buried her in our backyard. Pika was 19 years old. She had a long, happy cat life.
Saturday I had the van and I took my mom to the local nail salon for a mani/pedi for the upcoming wedding. We also dropped into Walmart for a little shopping before stopping into the cemetery to visit family members, including Dad Bozyk. Tom and the kids spent the day with Dad Seitz before we all joined up for dinner at their house. It was nice to have a laid back day. And quite toasty. I could not get the kids to go for a bike ride since it was so hot.
On Sunday we all went to church in the morning and in the afternoon, we took a tour boat ride on the local Myakka River. We were excited to spot a few alligators, along with lots of Herons and a few turtles! Tom's sister Susan and husband John joined us. The tour boat ride leaves from a local Fish Camp restaurant, Snook Haven, with outdoor bands and picnic tables. They also rent out kayaks and canoes, but I was not interested in paddling that close to alligators! We were surprised to hear that they fish for bass, catfish, mullet and tilapia in the river. After the boat tour, Susan and John invited us to their house along with Tom's parents for pizza and to watch the Raven's football game. We were so excited that the Ravens made it into the AFC Championship! Finally! Our football teams have not been doing so well lately. The Ravens brought on a new rookie quarterback. Joe Flacco is out/retired? We were excited to hear that Western Michigan made it to the Potato Bowl in Iowa! But lost. MSU and Uof M both had bowl games and both lost, with MSU losing by 1 point! Not our year for football. Think we will stick to hockey.
We also enjoyed meeting Tom and Sue's new coon hounddog, Blue. He seemed to have a great time playing with Allison and especially Scott. Someone to run around with and wrestle on the floor!
No comments:
Post a Comment