10 rules for Disney World

When you go to Disney World, there are some simple rules everyone should follow. 

1. Go into training mode at least 1 month in advance. Do not sit down for 16 hours a day and power walk on your treadmill for at least one hour every morning, noon and night. 

2. Look in the mirror before you leave the house. Front and back. Know your body and what makes you look good. This is not it.

3. Have a plan. Research the parks and where you want to go but be willing to change said plan because things do not always work out the way you want.

4. Don't walk 6 people across on the walkways. Blocking traffic will not make WDW the Happiest Place on Earth for many people. 

5. Learn about the Fast Pass system and how to use it to your advantage. 

6. Don't eat chicken nuggets and fries. Disney offers some of the best food I've ever tasted. If you need a recommendation, let me know. 

7. If your child is screaming bloody murder, take a break. Find a corner to sit down and let them explore whatever fascinates them. Believe me, you'll both be happier. 

8. Talk to people. Disney is a melting pot. Listen to the languages. Learn about people. Everyone has a story. 

9. When our kids were younger, we busted out of our hotel at the butt crack of dawn. Now that they are all almost teenagers we don't leave the hotel until noon and enjoy and quieter parks in the evening. 

10. Have fun. Disney is a great place to create memories. Stop and savor the moment. It may be your last opportunity to create a truly magical moment. 

Menu Plan Monday 12/7/9

Monday - Chicken parmesean
Tuesday - spicy chicken
Wed - leftovers
Thurs - chimis (from Tuesday's leftovers)
Friday - crockpot enchilada
Sat - dinner out
Sun - grilled turkey filet mignon
- make a batch of veggie soup for the week

Workout plan for week of 11/2/9

MONDAY - rest (ran 8 miles Sunday :))
Tuesday - 5 miles moderate pace
Wednesday - FIRM Body sculpt
Thursday - 5 miles easy pace
Friday - yoga
Saturday - 10 miles easy pace
SUNDAY - and the Lord said "Rest"

Wordless Wednesday - James K.P. Liggett

1850 U.S. Federal Census: George "Liget" household in Cain Township, Fountain County, Indiana










1860 U.S. Federal Census - James Liggett was working as a "servant" on James Thompson's farm in Cain Township, Fountain County, Indiana









1880 U.S. Federal Census - James Liggett with wife, Susan, and daughter, Amanda, living in Grayville, White County, Illinois


















Death certificate of James K.P. Liggett who died shortly after performing his daughter, Eva's, wedding. The informant is listed as Kittie Gillespie, who is always listed as his daughter in his obituary. Who is the mysterious Kittie Gillespie????????(Anyone?)












Final resting place of James K.P. Liggett in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa





(I think he only lived in states that began with an "I".)

I feel like a runner

For the first time in my life, I feel like a runner. I've never aspired to be a runner before. I've always exercised. I've run from Memphis to Peoria 2 times, from Champaign to Peoria 3 times. I've run for fitness. I've run for volleyball. I've run to chase my kids, but I've never tried to be a runner before.

On Sunday, I became a runner. Why? I ran 5 miles last Friday. After doing the Firm Body Sculpt on Thursday, I was plenty sore, so I took Saturday off. I woke up Sunday morning with a sinus headache. Ugh. I was supposed to run today. How was I supposed to follow my training program today if I could take a step without my head hurting? After church, I came home and took some rest. I flopped on the couch and started transcribing some old obituaries I've had in my file for quite some time. Something easy. Something brainless. Just what I needed. About 3:45 p.m. the need for a nap took over and I laid down for a cat nap. Of course, DH just couldn't stand it and had to ask me a question right then. 10 minutes- the perfect cat nap.

At 4 o'clock, I knew it was do or die time. Run or forget it. I didn't want to be running at Twilight and with yesterday's changing of the clocks I was already pushing my luck. But after a little nudge from my nephew-in-law (Thanks, Mark!), I knew I had to get up and get my run in. I didn't want to throw off my training program and a little sweating would probably help with my sinuses. The training plan for the day......8 miles......a long one.

But once I had my plan centered in my head I knew I would not settle for anything less. I started out on my run....and completed my 8 miles in 1:22, a little slower than a 10 min mile pace, but it was done and my sense of accomplishment was fantastic. For the first time in my life, I felt like a runner.

Surname Saturday: HORNBACK

The surname of Hornback, also knownas Hornbeck, Hornbeek, van Hornbeeck (and many more variations) seems to have originated in the Netherlands. By the mid 1660s, the Hornbacks came to America first settling around Ulster, NY.

In the mid 1700s, the family started migrating to explore more of the Americas settling around Hampshire, Virginia. At the age of fifteen years, Abraham Hornback enlisted in the 8th Virginia Regiment for a two year period. He was listed as a member of the company in April & May of 1777. Abraham was mustered out of the regiment at Romney, county seat of Hampshire County, Virginia.

Following the Revolutionary War, many members of the Hornback family moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky. staying in the area until at least 1780 before moving to Bourbon County, Kentucky. In the fall of 1825, Abraham and some of his children ventured to Sangamon County, Illinois. Other members of the Hornback extended family followed. Simon and Margaret HORNBACK moved their family to Illinois settling in Sangamon County. Their 4th child, Hiram, was born in December of 1830. The winter of 1830-31 was known as the Winter of Big Snow by the early pioneers of Illinois. “A cold rain started December 20, 1830 occasionally changing to sleet or snow until the day before Christmas, when large soft flakes fell to a depth of six inches. This was followed by a furious gale and a driving snow that piled up to three feet. Then came a rain that froze as it fell, forming a crust.” Storms with high winds continued for sixty days. Families were snowbound in their homes and travelers were trapped in the open.

At the legislature session of 1838-39, Menard County was formed from a part of Sangamon County on 15 February 1839 which included the area where the HORNBACK family had settled.

Abraham died January 29, 1833 and is buried in the Hornback Cemetery just outside of Petersburg, Menard Co. then Sangamon Co, IL. Abraham set aside the land for this cemetery for family burials and he was the first to be buried in this Cemetery. His grave is also marked by the Pierre Menard Chapter of the DAR. I obtained a copy of his will in Sangamon Co, IL. The Hornback Cemetery is the burial place for only a few of the Hornback family members. The cemetery is in a secluded location and most of the stones have been demolished over the years.

Tuesday's workout

On Tuesday, I went out for my run. I decided to take my new fancy, dancy GPS Garmin, or "Gary", out to Ropp Road. Now that I had a GPS I didn't need a specific route. I just needed Gary to show me the way. I had a 4 mile run planned. So I thought I'd do a loop - 2 miles out and 2 miles back. I parked my car and took off on my run. It was a beautiful fall day to be out running and not really windy. That was a shocker.

About 1 1/2 miles into my run, I came across a pasture full of cows. They looked at my fear as if I was coming to butcher them for tonight's dinner. I watched the cows. The cows watched me.

I continued on my run. WOW! Ropp Road was really hilly! Not major hills. Not gonna' kill you hills. Just up and down and up and down. At 2.5 miles, I came across another pasture, but this time it contained horses. One of the horses galloped at me as if I was ready to play. Nope, not now. Got work to do. I'd love to play later though. I galloped with the horses. They galloped with me.

I turned around at 1.84 miles- not wanting to run down and hill and have to run around and go right back up that same hill. As I ran by the horses, they ignored me this time as if to say they were mad at me and didn't care for my lack of play time. Finally, I came across the cow pasture again. The cows stared at me with a certain lack of trust. One brown cow decided I was definitely worthy and took off running (Do cows really run?). I think I started a stampede! Naw, not really. Just one cow who didn't want to be my steak dinner for the night.