Fah Hoo Forres

What's the best way to get out of here?

Take me to get some Butter-beer, see a parade and top the evening off with the Mannheim Steamrollers! (I'm not demanding.)

Butter tashes:

Turns out gigantic balloons in parades really aren't exciting.

However the balloon holders are super cool. Especially the balloon director. I was far more interested in them and their excellent jumpsuits than the stupid balloon.

How do I get me that job? Purchase a jumpsuit and practice my balloon directing in the mirror?

They copied my exact tree I have at home:

The Mannheim Steamrollers were brilliant. Especially as they did arrangements of music from the Grinch!

I just love me the Who's! They have taught me so much. Did you know Christmas comes without packages, boxes and bags?

And this is why Kevin is not allow to film, because I always mange to act a fool in front the camera, I belong behind:

Everyone loves Carol of the Bells!

With 12 days till Christmas we are now definitely in the Christmas spirit! I just need to try not to eat my weight in Christmas goodies between now and then.

'Appy Fanksgiving

After 6 years of being in America, I finally had my first Thanksgiving with my sisters. And to celebrate that fact we made t-shirts! What is more Thanksgiving than a Cockney accent? Due to my parents love I was able to go to a school that taught me how to speak properly and was able to avoid this awful accent. For those of you unsure how this sounds please seek Eliza Doolittle or any Woodford County alumni.

The Campbell family was kind enough to welcome the Saltzman Sisters + Kevin into their home as well as hosting the first Annual Campbell Regatta.

It was the Indians vs the Pilgrims. Object - build a boat out of PVC piping, card board and duct tape. Goal - make it across the river and back, with boat still in tact.

Team Pilgrim decided they wanted to go for the look of the oringial Mayflower and came up with this saavy design:

Team Indian AKA Team Tomahawk came up with this truly flawless design, complete with tomahawk!

It has been said that we found the perfect hybrid of a John boat and a kayak.

Once the boat/flawless hybrid had been made, it was time to take them off to the races!

Turns out the Mayflower didn't quite fit through the gate.

Or in the truck!

Just an everyday sight around the Campbell's neighborhood:By the time we had made it to the river the sun had completly gone down. Seeing as the Pilgrims braved far worse than this and the Indians aren't scared of anything (except White progression) we decided to race anyway.

I can't believe Michelle was brave enough to get into that thing. Please note that she had to sit on a chair to be high enough to row the oars....and yes, she had to row.

And now video footage of the Regatta!

(Sometimes I marvel at my commentating skills.)

We also did other things like eat, shop, watch Harry Potter, eat and play games, but in true Saltzman fashion, we only took one photo!

Perhaps it's time to make this an annual tradition?

Boston

We got to go visit the Critchfield's in Boston last weekend to partake in some Fall fun.

As soon as our plane touched down my Boston accent came on thick. Unfortunately the only thing I was able to master saying was "A bumpah stickah on your cah." For some reason I never got the opportunity to use it.

Since a picture is worth a 1000 words, I'll save myself some time:

Boston brought out our artistic side:

The highest apples were the sweetest:

Making the boys do all the hard work:

While we relaxed:

Now I'm no photographer, but come on, this is pretty good:

They are without a doubt some geeks in Boston:

If you have ever wondered what Kevy looked liked eating an apple, you're in luck!

We went to check out Salem, which is by far the strangest place I've ever been to:

Please note the witchy singing in the background and Katie's scared expression!

A beautiful Sunday walk and some great reactions to the camera:

We had such a great time in Boston, it is such a beautiful place and our hosts were fantastic. It made me sad I live in Orlando, although I think once the first winter storm hits, I will feel much better about life.

Ageism

Normally when it comes to women, people tend not to try and guess ages. This doens't seem to be the case for me.
People love to pin on an age on me. I've heard it all, including if my parent had signed my permission waiver at a local tumbling gym (that was 4 months ago.)
But the ageism that took place this weekend takes the Gold.

One of Kevin's deacons from church, who I have never met before, approached us Saturday evening, as Kevin and I were talking and asked Kevin (100% sincerely) if I was his wife or his daugther.

Granted he is 12 and his judgement is clearly off-whack.....but seriously!?!

Kevin doesn't look 40 and I surely don't look like I'm 15.

Or do I.... or does he?

Mini Adventures

We love our mini adventures. This past Labor day we decided that we should take 2.

First - we took the jet skis and jetted along St. John's river to Blue Springs National Park with the Hoggards. I finally wasn't afraid to get into Florida lake water as it was clear and you could see that there were no gators! But turns out no gators = freezing water! The temperature was about 75 degrees. I submerged my body up to my shoulders and swam for a couple strokes and called it good!

Please note the colour difference in the water. Above, St. John's river murky and gross = gators hiding everywhere. Below, clear Springs water = no gators hiding anywhere!

Second - we headed to the West coast, where the beaches our beautiful! White sand, unbelievably warm ocean water and tons of shells for me to collect (yes I have started a shell collection, don't judge me!)

We are dinner at a delicious fish restaurant on the sea while the sun set. My flounder was so deliciously fresh that I am pretty sure it was caught upon my order.

There was a wedding taking place at the same restaurant. The bride was getting some amazing photos, which of course I decided I need to try and recreate. Kevin was very embarrassed, I was having a great time.... until a stupid wave hit me and soaked me from my waist down

Hopefully our next mini adventure will be as beautiful as this:

(Don't tell anyone but Florida is starting to grow on me.)

Not Your Average Cold

You know your sick when this is your daily line up:

The Eastern States

The past weekend Kevin and I headed up to PA to spend time with the Danville Jones' and then headed down to VA and DC for Katie's wedding. After visiting and driving through these beautiful states I have realized that Florida is a flat swamp.

Even though Danville has a population of 4,000 we still managed to find lots to do. We went to Knoebles which may be the best theme park/fair/gypsy/carnival ever. Who doesn't love fair rides with minimal safety? Kevin and I went on an old wooden roller coaster that I nearly fell out of multiple times.

Being stopped on a roller coaster that looks like it should have fallen down a century ago is somewhat nerve-racking.

The following video sums up the roller-coaster. Please look out for the: eye bulging, neck-vein popping, head snapping and girly cackling.

The boys were far too distracted for a video interview.

Katie and Matt got married at the DC temple which is beautiful!

As it turns out I had cousins at the wedding, one of whom I have never met before. Nothing like family. Can't you see the third cousins resemblance?

In-between the wedding and reception we ran down to the Mall and took in the sights.....Us and 50,000 boy scouts! Who's idea was it to host the boy scouts 100 year something or other the same weekend I wanted to see DC?

We had a great time and I would go back in a heart beat, just waiting on an invite.....anyone?

Ridiculotard!

Kevin and I were out running errands down by Universal one evening and decided we needed more magic in our relationship. And who better than to help with that but Harry Potter! As is turns out, The Magical World Of Harry Potter is FANTASTIC! Even at 8pm at night and a huge rain storm could not deter the crowds...crazy Potter fans.

As Kevin snapped this shot of me he must of cast the following spell: "ridiculotard" - as surely I don't act that goofy on my own free will?

Kevin and I decided to stop in at the Three Broomsticks and guzzle down a butterbeer. Turns out that it is delcious. All the stores, such as Ollivander's, had pretty decent size queues outside of them, so we decided to put those off until after the summer holidays.

They did a great job on Hogsmead village. My only complaint: too many bloody muggles. I am 95% sure I saw a mud-blood. Filthy mud-bloods.

We also went for a ride on the Chinese FireBall:

My wise friend Albus Dumbledore once said: "It is our choices, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

And our choice to go to HP World goes to show that we are AMAZING.

Rules to Live By

1. Always dress for the occasion - extra points for subtlety.

2. Always be the loudest to "ooh" and "ahh" over the fireworks.

3. Try to learn the National Anthem of the country you were born into.

4. Share the story of Francis Scott Key to make other Americans feel lesser about their knowledge of their country.

5. Never voice opinions on American geography. It will always end badly.

DIY

Over the past couple of years I have been following some blogs of very creative people. Generally this just made me feel bad about myself....till one day I decided that I too can DIM (Do It Myself!)

For my first attempt of creativity I wanted to do something that wouldn't require too much effort. So I started with ones that were already semi cute.

Here they are half way through the process. It's amazing what a bit of sandpaper can do (and a LOT of arm strength)

I asked for a sky blue paint but once painted it just looked white, which is slightly disappointing. But I love the way the drawers look, with the dark wood showing through.

TA DA! Guess which bedside table belongs to whom? Or it it who?

Next: A Headboard!!

(Mum this would be a great time for you to come visit)