The McSparklesons are BACK and they are CRUISIN! COMPLETE 10/4

[nenner1]

What video program do you use? I just upgraded my Roxio program (which I have used for years and LOVE for photos) before the cruise, and while it's very user friendly for making movies - I've added videos, photos, and my own songs - I cannot get it to burn!!! That is the only process that is NOT user friendly at all!!! AARRGGHH!!!! And because I use my work laptop for everything, I really want to get these photos and videos OFF here because it's slowed it down quite a bit and I don't think my customer enjoy me taking this long to help them.......

Well, I use Proshow Producer which is actually more of a slideshow software, but you can interchange the photos and videos and it has some amazing (if pricey) add ons. Funny though that you should mention:

So Saturday we bought our first Mac. Just because of how much I love making movies with photos and video, and I've never had a program that really allows me to do what I want. My company laptop just didn't have the juice to make a 40 minute video with over 500 photos and video clips, plus about 15 songs synced. And despite loving Roxio photo and video program, it wouldn't burn or save or anything. Part of it is my laptop. And our family laptop is a few years old and just not cutting it anyway.

So after preparing our taxes and realizing that there will be a nice little refund, Jeff suggest getting a Mac.

In only 6 hours yesterday I created and burned a 35 minute video of the cruise. Youtube will only allow me to post up to 15 minutes, and I think facebook will allow 30. So I'm thinking of paring it down so I can post on facebook. Even though I went ahead and burned to disc, it's still my "rough" draft. I forgot a couple things that I had on my laptop version, so I need to fixe it up. But SOOOOOO easy and fun to use this new computer!

I. LOVE. iMOVIE!!! But I don't have a Mac. Ron refuses to let me buy one because I am jinxed and every laptop I touch has turned to brick. I swear we've gone through like 4 laptops this year and I wish I were exaggerating. (Yes I am aware the $300 ones are not intended to be disposable. The upside is I never have to upgrade my software! )

So I even bought imovie for my iphone so I could do it the hard way and make little clips to import and edit in to my Proshow movies but I can't get the themes to work on my phone. Which ...duh...that's the whole point.

So anyway how many months later I am still plugging away (actually I have totally scrapped my video 3 times now and started over but that's because in my head I am Spielberg or Lucas and when I can't get it just *perfect*, into the bin it goes. Eventually I'll lower my standards and get it DONE! )

Can't wait to see yours, friend request coming!

And Kristi, I curse you for putting Jimmy Buffet's "Lovely Cruise" on that cd you gave out as an FE gift!!!! I can't watch that segment without crying!!!! After using songs like "Boat Drinks" for all the DOTD shots, and "St Maarten is Nice" for , well, if I have to explain what photos went with this son........ Then using "You've Got a Friend in Me" for shots with characters and friends made on the cruise..... plus many others, I go and use "Lovely Cruise" for a recap at the end. What was I thinking?????? It's quite painful to watch. And Jeff and Ally just laugh at me.

Note: Make therapy appointment for ME!!!!![/COLOR][/FONT]

Oh my gosh, is that not THE BEST SONG?!?! I used it in my epic RCCL production which I don't advise anyone attempt to watch unless they need a nap and are out of ambien.

We were just at the JB concert here Saturday night and he did that song as his last encore song, it was awesome. Took me right back onboard!!!

We land at 10:27. 3 1/2 weeks from today!!!

Oh my gosh! I have so much to do!!!! I really need to get on and order Sarah's bday outfit! Order the cake! We still need a hotel! (unless you guys have extra room...BWAHAHAH just kidding!) I can't wait to meet up with you guys and wreak some havoc !

 

[CRdisMom]

You'll be an hour ahead of us.

Jen- chop chop lady. Mayhem won't create itself. Lol!!!! Cant wait to see everyone!

 

[karajeboo]

I see an ECV in your future....do they have remote control so we can steer you?

Like I'd trust YOU to steer me by remote control when there is a big LAKE nearby!!!!


We land at 10:27. 3 1/2 weeks from today!!!

You'll be "happy" by the time we get there......

You will have to curse Steve - he picked that song . Glad the cd was helpful in making your movie. I will have to become a friend on Facebook so I watch it - it sounds great.

He can consider himself cursed...... and I'm sending you a friend request. Jeff and I were just talking last night about how y'all seemed a lot like us and we wish we'd figured that out on the ship!!! It would have been nice to have hung out together a bit.....

[/color][/font]

I. LOVE. iMOVIE!!! But I don't have a Mac. Ron refuses to let me buy one because I am jinxed and every laptop I touch has turned to brick. I swear we've gone through like 4 laptops this year and I wish I were exaggerating. (Yes I am aware the $300 ones are not intended to be disposable. The upside is I never have to upgrade my software! )

GET OUT!!!! You are going to be in WDW with us too????

This is my rough draft. Just learning imovie but with a little patience, I will master it!

Just trying to clear a spot in the bookcase for my Oscar....... I still need to tweek my music transitions and get rid of some redeye. I was so antsy to start the movie that I forgot to edit all my photos first! Doh!

And we got a desktop. The laptops really are not made for this kid of work. And with a 27" screen, it's easier to show the movie to people there, rather than burn and play on our 52" - plus I swear the sound on this Mac is incredible!!!!!

Stupid JB sounds incredibly sad lamenting on his "lovely" cruise. Lovely my behind! It sucked, right? Maybe if I keep telling myself that I won't be so miserable.....

 

[CRdisMom]

yup, Jen is meeting us for one of the days. Which one again???

 

[KristiMc]

He can consider himself cursed...... and I'm sending you a friend request. Jeff and I were just talking last night about how y'all seemed a lot like us and we wish we'd figured that out on the ship!!! It would have been nice to have hung out together a bit.....

We should have - darn it! Next cruise!

 

[nenner1]

.

Jen- chop chop lady. Mayhem won't create itself. Lol!!!! Cant wait to see everyone!

I know, right? We were looking around last week and can get ASMo or Pop at a decent price but man those tiny beds...then it was down to between a couple of Country Inn and Suites locations. Not sure we've decided yet. One has a better pool than the other not that it will matter much since we'll be in the parks. As long as it's not Best Western Lakeside...

GET OUT!!!! You are going to be in WDW with us too????

My arm was pulled!

This is my rough draft. Just learning imovie but with a little patience, I will master it!

Just trying to clear a spot in the bookcase for my Oscar....... I still need to tweek my music transitions and get rid of some redeye. I was so antsy to start the movie that I forgot to edit all my photos first! Doh!

And we got a desktop. The laptops really are not made for this kid of work. And with a 27" screen, it's easier to show the movie to people there, rather than burn and play on our 52" - plus I swear the sound on this Mac is incredible!!!!!

Yep with my awful luck that usually revolves around some traumatic accident including but not limited to concrete, vehicles, my foot, and big tall cups of kool-aid a desktop should be my solution. My mom has been telling me for years to give it up and get a desktop.

I will say I am delighted ..we are *THISCLOSE* to getting rid of Sarah's changing table in our room and that is where my new Ikea desk will go, perfect for a Mac desktop. But don't tell Ron. He won't let me go into Ikea either.

Stupid JB sounds incredibly sad lamenting on his "lovely" cruise. Lovely my behind! It sucked, right? Maybe if I keep telling myself that I won't be so miserable.....

LOL! I know, right!

yup, Jen is meeting us for one of the days. Which one again???

DATW baby! Sunday May 15th! Like I told Ellen if you need to find me just take a look in the Karamel Kuche!!!

 

[karajeboo]

When I woke up at 7am, Jeff was nowhere to be found. And despite the fact that DCL has large staterooms compared to other cruise lines, there is STILL no place to hide. Believe me. I tried......

I stepped out onto the balcony, wondering how I would feel and I was pleasantly surprised. There was nothing to see but the big blue.... and I was totally fine with that. It was so peaceful to look out and see.... NOTHING.

Ally was totally sacked out and there was no point in waking her. I knew Jeff was out roaming the ship, hopefully bringing his beloved a much needed cup of coffee........

I turned the TV on low and discovered my nirvana.

I am a Weather Channel junkie. I love weather. I love storms. I love blizzards. I love hurricanes. Lightning - the more the merrier. If it's gonna thunder, I want it LOUD! Love it when the power goes out......

Yes. I am afraid pirates are going to attack the Disney Magic or we are going to just tip right over from the 1-2 foot swells...... , yet I love a good hurricane...... ok, so I have issues. Let's move on......

Walking by the Buena Vista Theater on Deck 5, I would stop EVERY time to check this channel that was always on. And I think it was showing somewhere else, too.

And of course it was the last thing I checked on my TV at night, and the first thing I checked in the morning. Oh, channel 19-3, I think I love you......

And not only did it give us longitude and lattitude, it told us how fast we were going (FYI 21 knots is approx 25mph). It gave wind direction, and wind speed. And it showed our course and where we were on course.

Well, we all came to the conclusion that Goofy was driving this big ole boat, cause we were NEVER on the line! Or maybe I'm thinking of Fidelity...... either way, I was waaaayyyy off the line!

And while channel surfing, I found another channel that offered a plethora of information (Ellen, that's for you! ), I learned something very valuable. It appears that pee is about 2 deg warmer than body temperature. After all, the adult pool was reading 86 degrees. The Goofy pool was ready 87, and the cesspool (aka Mickey pool) was reading 88 degrees? Coincidence? I think not.

There's a reason the water appeared green in all my photos......

So now you know and you too can be a wealth of information at Book Club with the knowlege that pee is indeed warmer than body temp. You know you're gonna do it........

After about 15 minutes of Channel 19-3, and not much changing at all, Jeff walked in with a nice warm cup of coffee. He wanted to head back up on deck so I hopped in the shower while he woke Ally. We were dressed in our swimsuits and coverups and on our way up to Topsiders in no time.

Topsiders had basic breakfast fare, fruit, breads, pancakes, eggs, pig parts, etc. I was starving after not eating much the night before, so I had to make up for it at breakfast. And I made Jeff proud......

We ran back to the room and grabbed the pool bag and off we went up to Deck 10 to grab a couple lounge chairs. Time to stake a claim.

I see all sorts of threads on here about people who can't find chairs, people hogging chairs, people saving chairs, etc. Well, I just didn't see that at all. Maybe down right by the Goofy or Micky pools, but fortunately with Ally 10 years old, we didn't need to be right with her, and thankfully we didn't need to spend any time in the cesspool.

But I saw lounge chairs all over the place. Unless of course it was 2pm and you're just now venturing out on deck. Then yes, they were probably all in use. We only kept two chairs, because Ally never sits still long enough anyway. And it was never a problem if Jeff and I got up to look over the railing (yup, still a bunch of water out there), or go take a dip in the adult pool. Nobody was freaking out because there was a shortage of chairs......

We were still trying to get our sea legs, but quickly learning to relax onboard. Not that we had much choice. Again..... lots of blue out there and no green.

After awhile Ally and I left Jeff to catch a nap on deck and we headed back to our stateroom to get our FE gifts to deliver.......

I tried to be organized but we were still doubling back all the time. And for the life of me I could not get off an elevator or come up/down a staircase and know which way to turn. I had a 50/50 shot each time and went the wrong way every time. I didn't know my port from starboard or my aft from a hole in the ground!

But we got them all delivered and I was so relieved when that was done. After delivering FE gifts, it was time for Ally to go to the Lab to make flubber.

As I was checking her into lab, I overheard Lise (who I assumed was the head mad scientist in the Lab) telling a child that she loves to leave her flubber in her mum's purse. At this point, Ally is rubbing her hands together saying, "I think I"m going to like this......"

Now I forgot to mention the DISmeet that I attended before we even cast off in Port Canaveral. I met about 10 out of the 15 families in our FE exchange, and Ally hit it off immediately with two girls her age. She had been emailing Tori for a couple of weeks, so they were somewhat acquainted, and they were inseparable for the whole week.

Tori and her family were right down the hall from us, so she and Ally each used whiteboards on their doors to communicate with each other. So we knew that Tori would be making flubber too......

Once I dropped Ally off, I made a beeline back to Deck 10 for some child free sunshine time! Jeff and I headed down to the QC pool and grabbed a couple of drinks.

Even though I felt a lot better, I still felt the need for a bloody mary. And a couple men at the bar changed their orders when they saw this......

I'm thinking I was not the only one feeling a bit wonky this morning......

Actually, since I was so out of sorts the night before, I never heard our Dobo explaining that the first night is always like that. Kids falling asleep on tables, everyone looking a little glassy eyed. Between catching flights, driving, and general anxiety, apparently it's the norm.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous but it was very windy. The apparent wind speed, apparently, was head on and it actually made it a little chilly at times.

It's been so long since Jeff and I have been to a pool without Ally..... it was kind of nice!

Soon it was time to grab our cover ups and head to the Lab to pick up Ally for lunch. Imagine our surprise when she informed us she wanted to stay!

She wanted to eat lunch in the lab with her new friends so we were on our own..... And we'd only been gone less than a day into a week long trip,.....

So off to Topsiders Jeff and I went alone..... for an Italian buffet.

We stopped in the lab after lunch but Ally didn't even see us. Once we saw that she was happy, we were happy.

As Jeff said, "the love connection has been made." She had her new friend and we were chopped liver....... Since she's an only child, nothing makes me happier than to see her comfortable in settings like this. She's never been shy, but she does complain a lot that she doesn't have a brother or sister.

And even though I know I"m the world's coolest mommy.... what? I AM THE COOLEST MOMMY!!!!! Or since we moved back to SC, I'm the world's coolest Mama now.......

We notified the lab that we would be in the spa at 3:30 for an hour. VERY IMPORTANT to let the Oceaneers Lab or Club know if you will be in the spa as they do not allow wave phones in the spa........

It was starting to get busier out by the pools after lunch....

The cesspool

Goofy's pool

And.... the I'm so glad my child loves being in the lab and I have the afternoon to myself pool.......

Quiet Cove Pool - VIDEO!

Feeling even better after lunch, it's time for what????

The DOTD!!!!

I call it the Drink of the Day.... Jeff refers to it as $8.00!!!!!!

Soon we were gathering up our things and heading to the Vista Spa for our Exotic Rasul appointment. Or as Jeff now calls it.... the "Kara is too much of a clock watching control freak to relax and enjoy herself" appointment.....

But along the way, we had to stop to declare...

I'm the King of the World!!!!!!!

Up Next: Who is this Rasul dude?????

 

[KristiMc]

I am a Weather Channel junkie. I love weather. I love storms. I love blizzards. I love hurricanes. Lightning - the more the merrier. If it's gonna thunder, I want it LOUD! Love it when the power goes out......

We had this channel on a lot - Matt loved it. I am a Weather Channel junkie also.


After awhile Ally and I left Jeff to catch a nap on deck and we headed back to our stateroom to get our FE gifts to deliver.......

I tried to be organized but we were still doubling back all the time. And for the life of me I could not get off an elevator or come up/down a staircase and know which way to turn. I had a 50/50 shot each time and went the wrong way every time. I didn't know my port from starboard or my aft from a hole in the ground!

But we got them all delivered and I was so relieved when that was done. After delivering FE gifts, it was time for Ally to go to the Lab to make flubber.

Thank You for our lanyards! I loved mine and used it every day. I had the Castaway Club one, but yours was much better! Lots of little pockets for all my cards - (kids cards, cove cafe card, picture card). I was always getting turned around when I came out of our room also. I finally figured it out a day or 2 in.


Even though I felt a lot better, I still felt the need for a bloody mary. And a couple men at the bar changed their orders when they saw this......

Steve had a bloody mary during our brunch at Palo. Our server asked him how strong he wanted it - he said strong. That thing knocked me over.


So off to Topsiders Jeff and I went alone..... for an Italian buffet.

I loved that gnocci with sundried tomato sauce - yummy.

.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I noticed your bracelet, is it all Disney? I have one that I'm doing just Disney, I have the Dreams charm that you have. I love my bracelet.

The ship looks so cool! I want to cruise again!

 

[podsnel]

yup, Jen is meeting us for one of the days. Which one again???

Sunday, sunday, SUNDAY!!!!! (I'm channeling Al Roker because we're so similar)

KARA-...is there a lake? Oh. I'm sorry. I did not know that.

I expect to have a full 45 minute version delivered to BWV with you attached in 25 days. Can't WAIT to watch it our first night!!

 

[luvndizny]

And while channel surfing, I found another channel that offered a plethora of information (Ellen, that's for you! ), I learned something very valuable. It appears that pee is about 2 deg warmer than body temperature. After all, the adult pool was reading 86 degrees. The Goofy pool was ready 87, and the cesspool (aka Mickey pool) was reading 88 degrees? Coincidence? I think not.

I loved that gnocci with sundried tomato sauce - yummy.

We totally agree! So good!

Oh and ditto on the thank yous on the lanyards!! I still use it to keep my Visa debit card in, etc. Occasionally I accidentally pull out the cruise KTTW card and smile...then sigh....

Okay, I FINALLY started our TR too:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2703849

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Kara, looks like a beautiful first half of the day!
Let's see - check daughter in to club - check
Have a nice adult beverage in a quiet place - check
Check on daughter in club - check
Have a nice lunch Al Fresco for two - check
Check in with staff at club to tell them please don't check in with us - check
Have another adult beverage - check
Have an adult spa appt - double check

Just livin' that McSparkelson life!

 

[CRdisMom]

i love that idea of watching the whole 45 min that first night.

 

[karajeboo]

I noticed your bracelet, is it all Disney? I have one that I'm doing just Disney, I have the Dreams charm that you have. I love my bracelet.

The ship looks so cool! I want to cruise again!

Right now it's almost all Disney. Jeff was all done with my Christmas shopping and just happened to spot these in a jewelry store.... The "Disney" logo is what caught his eye! So he got me the Chamilia bracelet and three charms, Mickey, Minnie and Tink. But the Tink is a long dangly charm and she really gets in the way a lot..... Darn pixie! What I love is that I get a new charm for every holiday! You know, Arbor Day, Secretaries Day, Presidents Day.....

Sunday, sunday, SUNDAY!!!!! (I'm channeling Al Roker because we're so similar)

KARA-...is there a lake? Oh. I'm sorry. I did not know that.

I expect to have a full 45 minute version delivered to BWV with you attached in 25 days. Can't WAIT to watch it our first night!!

I actually will have two DVDs.... can you say DISmoms Round 2 all over again????

We totally agree! So good!

Oh and ditto on the thank yous on the lanyards!! I still use it to keep my Visa debit card in, etc. Occasionally I accidentally pull out the cruise KTTW card and smile...then sigh....

Okay, I FINALLY started our TR too:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2703849

Funny thing about those KTTW cards. They don't work in Greenville, SC......

Kara, looks like a beautiful first half of the day!
Let's see - check daughter in to club - check
Have a nice adult beverage in a quiet place - check
Check on daughter in club - check
Have a nice lunch Al Fresco for two - check
Check in with staff at club to tell them please don't check in with us - check
Have another adult beverage - check
Have an adult spa appt - double check

Just livin' that McSparkelson life!

It's good to be a McSparkleson.... CHECK!

i love that idea of watching the whole 45 min that first night.

And then some......

 

[Wicket's Mom]

So far I have quite a few charms, but since I decide which days are holidays I buy myself gifts of Disney charms! I'm wanting th eTink, so probably it will be next. Let's see,Tink Charm Day, good enough holiday, don't you agree?

We have Microsoft Movie Maker & DH has made some cool dvds. he coordinates music with the photos, some can be quite funny!

 

[nenner1]

Wow- what an awesome start to a sea day...and I have a feeling it's only gonna get better!

I'm glad Ally had so much fun in the lab! Sav did not like it at all this time around, mostly because she wanted to be in the Edge with the tweens, and also she didn't like the ankle biters invading the lab space, even though they mostly kept to their own activities.

Wow that cesspool sure does look busy, I've never seen so many butts along the rim!

I love that channel too! Sav prefers the bridge view- she calls it "The Eleven Show" from back when on the old TV system it was on Ch. 11!

Ready for more, reading Rasul segments really brings out the exhibitionist in me!

PS- oh and speaking of, although I will be meeting you guys Sunday! Sunday! SUNDAY! we will be there Sat and Mon too, although our schedules didn't really mesh well those days. (You never know though, I am a stalker extraordinarre!)

 

[luvndizny]

Check in with staff at club to tell them please don't check in with us - check

Funny thing about those KTTW cards. They don't work in Greenville, SC......

They don't work here in Aberdeen, NC either! I guess we should have read the fine print. By the way, if you tell the cashier at Walmart to "put it on my tab" you will get the strangest looks...

 

[anewmac]

how the h- e- double hockey sticks did i miss your trippy? ahh now to catch up!

 

[999ghostslover]

I am so glad that I read these last two updates in the wrong order because OMGawd I would have canceled our cruise right then and there. And I have been on one before! I am going to try really hard not to look at people's beverages sway back and forth. I do remember that cruising just made us so tired last time. The swaying, the sun, the alcohol. We were like the walking dead!

 

[karajeboo]

So far I have quite a few charms, but since I decide which days are holidays I buy myself gifts of Disney charms! I'm wanting th eTink, so probably it will be next. Let's see,Tink Charm Day, good enough holiday, don't you agree?

We have Microsoft Movie Maker & DH has made some cool dvds. he coordinates music with the photos, some can be quite funny!

Oh, I like that idea..... "Kara Day!" Well, in the McSParkleson household, I make EVERY day Kara day!

Wow- what an awesome start to a sea day...and I have a feeling it's only gonna get better!

I'm glad Ally had so much fun in the lab! Sav did not like it at all this time around, mostly because she wanted to be in the Edge with the tweens, and also she didn't like the ankle biters invading the lab space, even though they mostly kept to their own activities.

Wow that cesspool sure does look busy, I've never seen so many butts along the rim! I love that channel too!

Sav prefers the bridge view- she calls it "The Eleven Show" from back when on the old TV system it was on Ch. 11!

Ready for more, reading Rasul segments really brings out the exhibitionist in me!

PS- oh and speaking of, although I will be meeting you guys Sunday! Sunday! SUNDAY! we will be there Sat and Mon too, although our schedules didn't really mesh well those days. (You never know though, I am a stalker extraordinarre!)

It wasn't the butts ON the rim that concerned me nearly as much as what the little tiny butts IN the cesspool were doing.......

And I am looking forward to Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

They don't work here in Aberdeen, NC either! I guess we should have read the fine print. By the way, if you tell the cashier at Walmart to "put it on my tab" you will get the strangest looks...

In case you haven't noticed..... and you didn't hear it from me <looks around to make sure nobody sees me giving you this confidential info>...... Walmart employees seem to have gone to a different customer service training school that Disney employees..... SSHHHHHHHH! This is all on the QT......

how the h- e- double hockey sticks did i miss your trippy? ahh now to catch up!

Slacker!!!!! Chop chop, you are still early, we are only one day 2!

I am so glad that I read these last two updates in the wrong order because OMGawd I would have canceled our cruise right then and there. And I have been on one before! I am going to try really hard not to look at people's beverages sway back and forth. I do remember that cruising just made us so tired last time. The swaying, the sun, the alcohol. We were like the walking dead!

Let's just say I am SOLD on cruising. It just took me, myself, and I to have a little talk and convince each other that everything was normal..... It was Myself that was the problem. Me and I were okay, but Myself was a little crazy.... if ya know what I mean......