How Much Do You Ladies Charge to Haunt the Castle? -- Departure Day up (See index

[goofy4prez]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Today was BEACH day!!!

We drove to Starbucks (yes, Andy, Mark, Tim and anyone else who wants to chime in, we went AGAIN) as I can't start my day without my coffee.

I thought of you yesterday when I heard on the news that Starbucks is now offering a $7 cup of coffee in the Pacific Northwest. It is a Costa Rica Finca Palmiera. Starbucks says it's a very rare bean and traces it's roots back to Ethiopia.

They can call it what they want, I call it insane!

We then drove to the parking area for the beach, parked the car, hit the restroom (as there are none on the beach) and walked the two blocks to the beach. And this is what we saw:

Who needs a restroom at the beach when all you have to do is walk out into the ocean until you are waist level and then just let it go...

(now of course this only works for one of the two bodily functions)

Kathy, I have loved this report and can't wait to read about the surprise you have for Mark in the next few days.

[pas130]

Originally Posted by goofy4prez

Kathy, I have loved this report and can't wait to read about the surprise you have for Mark in the next few days.

[afwdwfan]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Sunday we slept in a little and then took a ride to Starbucks for coffee for the two of us.

Originally Posted by KatMark

We drove to Starbucks (yes, Andy, Mark, Tim and anyone else who wants to chime in, we went AGAIN) as I can't start my day without my coffee.

Originally Posted by KatMark

Gee, I wonder how this day started off? If you guessed going to Starbucks, you win a gold star.

You might as well just stop mentioning the Starbucks part. I mean you don't tell us the sun rose in the east every morning.

Originally Posted by KatMark

I got no other pictures of dinner (yes, I know&bad DISer), but I did get desserts.

Ok, I could just skip the meal and go for some of those desserts. They look amazing.

Originally Posted by KatMark

I think in all of the years we have been together, I have beaten him ONCE! He cheats at mini-golf, just like he cheats at TSM and Buzz. In mini-golf he cheats by using a little kids golf club. Seriously, you are almost 60 years old, use the right kind of golf club.

No, no, no. Clearly you haven't tried to play with a club that is way too short. That is definitely a competitive disadvantage. If anything, he's trying to let you win.


The zoo looks nice for not being great. I guess some are better than others, but it looks like they at least had a nice selection of animals there to see. Who needs a zoo though when you can see giant man eating jellyfish any time?

[WDisneyMom]

Another fun update! Always love the hat pictures!! So Kathy, who has your favorite pizza here in Chicago?

[marvali]

Originally Posted by afwdwfan

You might as well just stop mentioning the Starbucks part. I mean you don't tell us the sun rose in the east every morning.

Glad I wasn't when I read this!!!

[brookelizabeth]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Yes, Brook, I did get them all on and still have room (and there is NOTHING but Disney ornaments an two little ones for my puppy on the tree):

It looks beautiful!!!!

I LOVE your beach pictures....ah!!!! Soooo nice. I would love a little escape to the beach right about now, it's starting to get really pretty chilly here and I'm already ready for it to be over!

Originally Posted by KatMark

We were meeting Nicki and Todd at the Sand Bar, the Marco Island sports bar. In ALL of the years that Nicki and Todd have lived in Naples and Nicki has worked on the Island, Todd had NEVER been to the Sand Bar.

Oh that stinks that his food was awful then! Hopefully he gives it another shot.

Great zoo pictures! Looks like a pretty decent zoo with the added animals.

[emmysmommy]

Now I'm caught up here too! Fun times with food, mini golf, zoos, more dining, friends... and of course the adorable dump shop headgear!! You two certainly know how to enjoy life!

[englishrose47]

I am all caught up to !! Was the giraffe's name CAROL!!!?Loved the Zoo Hats !! Way to go Mark!!! That garlic bread did look good !! We have VERY good Pizza here in WNY too and also Italian food !! Hard to beat it !!!

[KatMark]

Sorry for the lack of replies. I've been sick since Sunday and trying to fight it and get rid of it before we leave in four days (I'm not counting today as it is almost over). I'm feeling better and hope to do responses tomorrow after I go for my massage and pedicure. I'll finish the TR up from work on Monday and/or Tuesday.

Thanks for hanging in there.

[mommy2mrb]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Sorry for the lack of replies. I've been sick since Sunday and trying to fight it and get rid of it before we leave in four days (I'm not counting today as it is almost over). I'm feeling better and hope to do responses tomorrow after I go for my massage and pedicure. I'll finish the TR up from work on Monday and/or Tuesday.

Thanks for hanging in there.

oh no Kathy...feel better! you can't be sick on your trip! get lots of rest and fluids too!

[that's nice]

I hope you feel better tomorrow. You can't be sick on your trip!

Originally Posted by KatMark

Nicki’s salad

Salad? That looks like a few pieces of lettuce with a couple croutons thrown on for garnish.

Love your relaxing days.... I need a vacation like that someday. Maybe once my kids are out of the house. I guess I have a long time before I get to do that.

[goofy4prez]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Sorry for the lack of replies. I've been sick since Sunday and trying to fight it and get rid of it before we leave in four days (I'm not counting today as it is almost over). I'm feeling better and hope to do responses tomorrow after I go for my massage and pedicure. I'll finish the TR up from work on Monday and/or Tuesday.

Thanks for hanging in there.

That stinks that you were not feeling well. Glad to hear you are feeling better. I guess looking at it in a positive spin is that you got sick this past week instead of in the next few days.

[englishrose47]

Feel better Kathy!!!

[KatMark]

Originally Posted by PhoenixStrength

Don't you just love the Gulf Beaches? They are truly the most beautiful I have ever seen.

Too bad Todd's pizza was bad

We used to go to Daytona Beach; it pales in comparison to the Gulf Beaches!

Todd's pizza was awful, not just bad.

Originally Posted by mommy2mrb

so happy you had some great weather to enjoy the beautiful beach! your photos of the flowers are so pretty! wow that looks like it was a big steak, desserts look yummy!

It was a stunning day; the floral is beautiful there.

Originally Posted by mickeystoontown

Awww, I love the picture of Mark and Nicki! Not that I don't love the one of you and Todd.

The beach looks absolutely beautiful and not very crowded either.

It is a good picture of them; I talked to Nicki on the phone today and when I told Mark someone was on the phone to say hello to him his face lit up...he loves his Nicki.

Originally Posted by Poolrat

I get real nervous in rain like that. If I am the one driving I just stay focused until I can get out of it and if I am NOT the one driving I just try to distract myself and not look.

If I'm not driving, I close my eyes.

Now for the updates.
A little slice of heaven to be able to hit the pool and the beach and just relax.
The food looks incredible, so hungry right now.
eveything looks great ( well except for Todd's Pizza) and my dessert would have been that Key lime pie I spied. MMMMMMM

What the HECK was Todd drinking ?!?!?!?! Looks like a beer full of pickles.

It was a perfect day for the beach and the pool and the food was outstanding. We've only had one really bad meal in all of our trips there. I was surprised Mark didn't go for the key lime pie...it's his favorite.

Todd was being a goof and pretending to drink it; yes, they give you a full mug of pickles...he was in heaven.

Originally Posted by pas130

For you



Kate was in the chair to the left...she wouldn't partake in the pic, WAY to happy with her cookie and the view

They are absolutely adorable; and Kate is a smart girl!

Originally Posted by MEK

You mean there is worse pizza than Domino's? Is that possible?

OK - I am pictureless, but just chiming in that you San Marco days sound wonderful and I can't wait to see your beach pictures. I love how September is just so dead everywhere. Nothing like having a whole pool to yourself!

Yes, there is worse pizza that Domino's and Little Ceasars and we found it.

September is the perfect month and I'm kind of regretting that we can't do September next year.

[KatMark]

Originally Posted by marvali

I see you've been hanging around Pat too much..........going for your own Tumble Monkey!!!

Hey, Pat wouldn't share, so I had to find my own Tumble Monkey.

I sincerely hope she had already eaten some.......

Nope that was the size of salad and she shared it with Todd.

Hey, you can't go wrong with dessert pictures! I see about, uh, six things that look really good there...........

I have to learn to NOT order those desserts or I'll never get in a dress for the wedding.

Okay, so where are the pictures of the "borrowed" couple and the "blue" couple???

Good one, Marv.

Great pictures of everyone! You guys always look like you're having the greatest of times when you are all together! Maybe one day I can join in and ruin it for you...........

We do have the best of times when we are together. Rather having known each other only four years, you'd think we grew up together. Well, not quite since Mark is 20 years older than Nicki, but you know what I mean.

Oh wait, would that be a Starbucks cup I see? When did you start going THERE????

Hey, I needed a pick-me-up so that I could go watch the fish with Mark.

Appropriate.....................

after all that food that is how fast I would have been moving!!!

And that's why I needed my coffee.

Like anyone around here would pile on..................

You would be the leader of that group!


Oh great........how did you EVER find a spot to claim as your own.......???

It was really hard fighting off the mine mine birds for our spot.

Somehow I'm guessing she will have a Disney themed Christmas tree one day too!!!

Trust me...if I have anything to do with it, she will.

Nothing better than having your own "fairly" private ocean and pool in the same day!!!

It was perfect.

Some great pictures of the local vegetation!

Thank you.

I see the family resemblance..........

Not much of a resemblance, but unconditional love.

Happy to help wherever I can...........

Thank you, friend

Well, I don't know about Starbucks, but I can usually get my fill of crab legs......

It would be a toss up for me.

Originally Posted by glennbo123

Okay, so I'm caught up! The Stepsisters look like a riot. I've seen them in several TRs, but haven't had the pleasure to meet them in person. They seem like the best characters in all of DisneyWorld. (Sorry Big Guy. ) Plus, you had the Fairy Godmother, dinner at the Plaza, the departing balloon tribute , Nicki and Todd, and lots and lots of coffee (and a couple of resulting bathroom breaks). And I think I saw that you're planning on posting 2 or 3 more updates in the next couple of days!

Glenn, we had so much fun with the Stepsisters and hope to see them again. It was a perfect last day at the MK. Yes, I posted four more and hope to finish it up at work tomorrow.