We made it!!

Well, we made it back home!!

What a trip!!  Mickey got silly and laughed herself to sleep at the hotel.  It was really cute to see.  You could tell she was wiped out.  We all were wiped out, they were days filled with excitement!  She drove the car at the Grand Prix in Disney, and she told us that was her FAVORITE thing!!  I sat with her in the small car and at one point she let go of the steering wheel and said "Babs, help me I can't do this"  I grabbed the wheel for her and held her hands on it and told her we'll do it together, then she was fine and started screaming " look at me!!  I'm driving this car!!!"  It was too cool!!

She told us she likes Florida,  I don't think it was because of the weather, it was strictly because of WALT DISNEY WORLD.  She was able to wave and say "good morning" to ANYONE she wanted!!  If you all remember Mick is quite the little socialite!!  Everyone treated her so kindly.  Being liked by everyone was actually very important to her.

I will be posting more pictures so you all can see.


babs

PARTY ON THE LAST NIGHT AT A MOTEL!

Boy oh boy oh boy OH BOY!

Mickey is the one who suggested that we should have a party.  We stopped for lunch in Chatannooga, TN at a place called City Cafe.   They had the most amazing display of cakes and cheesecakes that, of course, Mickey saw.  During lunch she asked me if I had seen them.  Her way of asking for a piece.  Now, how did she know that those displays had also caught my eye?  Did she know that I baked?  Did she know that it was my weakness?   OF COURSE SHE DID, THE MASTER MANIPULATOR!  I tell you this because I want you to realize that we know she's not perfect. She is an incredible woman.  End result?  I picked up 3 pieces of these lovely cakes at $6.00 each.  One was peanut butter blast.  One was called a hummingbird cake and the third was a white chocolate raspberry.  OMG!!! Well worth every single penny, we each only ate half and are saving the rest for tomorrow.  Wow, manipulation has its' payoff, huh?

I learned something this mind-boggling adventure.  It was my intention to fulfill a wish Mickey had told me years ago, one I thought would never be possible.  The idea was that we 3 sisters would gift her with this trip.  Now here is where it really gets sappy!  I know now that the gift wasn't ours to give, but hers.  I have received much, much more than I gave.  Today, as we were driving through Tennessee, it was snowing as we were going through the northern part.  All I could thing of was the legions of angels that have kept us safe this entire trip, surrounding the car.  As she touched the hearts of so many people, she so touched mine.  I have a new respect for her and I love her so much, well you know, grab the kleenex with me.  All together now.   Thank you, Lord.

With great love,
Cheri

stopped here in Lexington, KY



lunch in Chattanooga



What a beautiful drive today!!  Despite the rain to begin this morning, turning into flurries, then a hard snowfall, it coated the evergreens on top of the mountains, and I thought to myself what a perfect photo for a beautiful puzzle----5000 piece one!!
Mick is so funny!!, she kept putting her dalmation dog stuffed animal ( her love of animals ) she named "big-girl" on my shoulder because big girl had something to say to me.  Of course it was " I LOVE YOU BABS "
Actually the car is filled with love, it blows me away.  Mick is really special. So sweet.............
I really wish everyone was with us.  I can only imagine all the sounds of laughter. 

Babs

Jules and Mick just chatting at Disney World

swim, swim, swim!!

Hi everyone,

Well, we did it!!!  Mickey got into the pool last night, of course there was some "coaching" but none-the-less she did it!!  She thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub, especially when we put her dangling legs in front of the jets.  "that tickles!!" 

She was so concerned about us stopping at the Hotel on the way home, and Cheri was able to not only get us the same Hotel ( from the way down to Florida ) but she got us the same room!!  So when Mickey walked in the room she said " I've been here before " it was actually true!!  ssshhhh don't tell anyone but I saw the small stream of tears dripping down Cheri's face!!  I think by now she should be pretty dehydrated but I'll keep a check on her.

So far this has been such a heart warming, humbling, fantastic experience and I cannot come up with any words to express properly. But if you catch our drift I hope you catch that this is just simply GREAT!!

We'll be leaving Atlanta today, and will touch bases tonight. 

Babs

Me and Steph felt Cheri needed her Mickey Mouse Ears!!!!




  To the left of me:  Julie, Cheri, Mick, Steph, Chris

Mickey's park

Okay, once again, sorry for the computer problems!  Very frustrating. I hope I can remember things properly.  WE HAD A BLAST!  It was a very happy day!  Mickey had a button that said "Happy Birthday" and boy, did she ever milk it!  Our first stop was at a bakery on Main Street where on 2 separate occasions she was given a giant cookie!  I'm talking a foot round cookie!  It happened to be Walt Disney's birthday!  When everyone saw the button (or saw Mick pointing to her button )they assumed that this was her actual date of birth. She was especially paid attention to and was such a sweetie pie!  The day was a joy!  She is such a great traveller, too.  We didn't  go on many rides, but the ones we did were memorable.  Mickey drove a car!  I don't know the name, maybe Gran Prix, but Mickey drove!  At one point, after she hit the car that Stephanie was in, she froze and said to Babs, who was sharing the car with her, you drive.  Babs said "no, you are doing fine".  By the end of the ride, while we were waiting to get out, Mickey had her arms raised and was yelling "I'm driving this car!!!"  The people that were waiting on the little bridge that goes over it, all clapped and smiled at her.  When she got a "meet and greet" with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, it was golden.  She gave Mickey 3 hugs and told him that she loved him.  At the end, Minnie was tapping her foot with her arms crossed and NOT very happy with Mick!  Of course, our sister was totally unaware, but us 3 sisters loved it!  When we had the same thing with 3 princesses, They were the most unbelievably kind young ladies I have ever met, and I know they are taught to be that way for the job!  I was just crying my eyes out.  Well, we went from having breakfast with Chef Mickey this morning at 7ish, to our destination of Atlanta Georgia arriving here around 7:30 p.m. We are not sure if we will make it to home tomorrow or not, but we do not care.  There's lots more to tell. The three of us just returned from the pool/hot tub.  Great pictures will be posted.  Thank you so much for your support and love.

Cheri

What fun!!!!

Sorry I didn't write yesterday, computer problems.  All fixed now.  Today was so much fun, it was awesome!  Disney really did not come through with "magic" for Mickey, but regular people did.  We took the bus to go to Downtown Disney and it was pretty crowded.  As soon as people saw that Mickey didn't  have a seat, two women jumped up and offered their seat!  And you know Mickey, she announced "I'm Michelle".  We then explained that we were sisters on our first vacation together for her 50th birthday and you wouldn't believe it the entire bus started singing Happy Birthday to her!  Then the bus driver made an announcement.  "If I could have your attention please.  I have an announcement." And then,God  bless her SHE started singing a song to Mickey, kinda like an army song - something like "sound off, 1, 2, 3 4 and the entire bus caught on to that and we all ended up joining in!  The look on her face was priceless!  I almost started crying, it was so precious.  But you know how Mickey would have reacted to that, so once again I had to stuff my feelings and give thanks to the good Lord for people like us in the world.  It was a beautiful experience.  A woman gave Mickey a Mickey Mouse pair of shoelaces.  Another person exchanged a pin with her.  Just beautiful and that was just the bus ride!  She has been nothing but pure gold on this trip.  And she loves us so much that I know Mom would be so proud.  Just as we are.  You know what a people person Mick is. The freedom she has to say hi to whoever she wants and wave at everybody just fills us with such tenderness for her.  Babs was with her when a group of at least 15 people, assorted ages, walked by and they ALL said "Good Morning" to hr.  Mickey of course, said good morning to them.  She turned to Babs and said" Goodie, They  all like me". So important to her.  It is what she strives for. That's it in a nutshell.  It's all about loving each other. How can she make it look so easy?  I am so humbled.

Cheri

a little pooped out!!!!

she is soooo HAPPY!!!!

Atlanta Georgia

Here we are in Atlanta! Having a blast with Mickey and Babs.  Today we milked a mechanical cow at a dairy called Mayfield Dairy with the cow.  We ate dessert before lunch today! The sundaes were great.  We decided to stop early today because we over did it yesterday.  Since check in isn't until 3 on Saturday, we thought - why not?  There have been many sweet moments.  Just now, Mickey was in the bathroom talking to herself.  When we asked her what that was about she replied "I was talking to Mom in heaven and I told her that I loved and missed her."  She is so excited about Florida!  When we checked into the room tonight, she kept telling Babs and I "thank you".  She doesn't really understand the concept of time.  She thinks the vacation doesn't start until we reach Florida!  We have had many conversations and she keeps saying things like "this is great, now next year..." Very Mickey.  She absolutely loves going to hotels.  And she needs constant reassurance that we are spending each night at one.  She spends a lot of time bonding with her stuffed dog she calls BeeGirl.  Any concern is voiced to the stuffed animal and when we ask what she said, then she will tell us what it is.  Are we hard to talk to?  She is in her element with being in a strange environment - she gets to talk to "strangers". She always introduces herself "I'm Michelle".  She expects all to know and love her  Babs and I are there as her P R agents making sure they do.  She is a real hoot.  She believes that everyone at Disneyworld knows her and are waiting for her to arrive.  Only a Macier could have such confidance.  When she was at my house we were watching X Factor, you know how she is with singing, and when she loved a female singer she looked at me and said "Is she a Macier?"  Bob and I laughed and laughed over that one.  You know I have to kind of agree with her on that one, who could be better than a Macier?  Babs posted new pictures today and tried to download the little movie on Thursday morning when we finally broke the news to her we were going on this trip.  For some reason it could not be done.  She says she'll try again.  It is too cute.We are having a much better time today than yesterday what with the blowout and all.  We think it was just too much for her and we think we have it all figured out.  Anyway, the three of us are having a wonderful time.  Loving the leisurely pace.  Gotta go.  After all, tomorrow is another day!

Cheri

Friday

Good  Morning to all! Awoke in Corbin Kentucky. Did not get as far as we had hoped for, but as far as we are concerned it is all good.  Found out that the traffic stoppage yesterday was even worse than we thought.  An DOT employee lost his life.  Evidently a car slid on ice on a bridge and hit the worker, then hit a semi. Terrible for this man and family. Terrible for all.  We are very safe.  Babs did a great job driving 12 hours yesterday.  The only  photo opportunities were at rest areas.  Today will be different.  Since we don't check into Disneyworld until 3, we are going to take the days drive at a leisurely rate. And not worry about deadlines.  Kentucky is gorgeous!  Today the temp. is supposed to be 58! We are so searching for the warmth. We are less than 80 miles from Tennessee. Enjoying breakfast and relaxing before we jump back into the car. Babs and I have mild hangovers, but it is okay.  More later

Cheri.

All this and ice cream, too!

Took off at 4:45 A.M.!!!!!  It is now 8:53 {no time change yet} and we are now on pit stop #4!  Not yet to Indianapolis!  The first was when we were in downtown Chicago!!!   Babs and I are using terms to describe Mickey's condition of frequent peeing.  Blow out means an actual accident.  Near-miss means a little too close for comfort.  (ours, not hers)  Right now we are at #4 and we are at the rest area in Lebanon, Indiana.  (1/2 tank of gas used) We are on Rte. 65 when suddenly traffic come to a complete stop.  (Good thing we had #5 right before!) Stopped one hour and Mick has to go BAD. We are on a 2 lane highway with ABSOLUTELY no exit, no privacy, etc...Twenty minutes and we just had our first Blow-Out!  Now, after just being held for two hours on the road, it is time for stop #6.  It is 2:30 (time-change in effect) about one half hour after our last stop. We just read a flashing sign informing us that Rte 64 is closed for bridgework.  That is the road we were going to take to get to Rte 75. Time to re-group.  Stop#7 occured in rest area just past Louisville, Ky.   More later.  

Cheri