Yippieeeeee... I finally get a chance to get on here again!!! It's been so busy around here. A couple of weeks ago everyone at the office had to work all weekend so we could make this deadline for a demo that we had. And then last weekend I had to work to try to make a deadline on a project I had. I was hired on with the company three weeks ago (woot!) but one of the conditions of my hiring was that I finish this project. So it had to be done. Ugh! But it's done and I'll move on to the next thing at work and we'll just see what happens. I was getting all hyper about it (not me!) but then I decided all I can do is do my best and either it'll be good enough or I'll be finding another job. God's always taken care of me in the past so I have no reason whatsoever to doubt that He'll do so again. But some prayers and pixie dust wouldn't hurt if you feel like sending some my way.
But enough with the real life... back to the cruise and the fun TR and all the fun I'm having with folks chiming in!
Oh Denise, Please say it ain't so!
It's that cold in Orlando?
We're coming down in Feb. for a week (like we didn't already give the mouse enought of our $ in November)
We gotta use our week at the timeshare before it expires. Please try to have 75 -78 degree weather for us in Feb. No snow.
I wish we could have had those temps for you and maybe you hit the weekend that we did? No snow, of course, but most of February has been below average temps. From what I hear there have been snow flurries in N. Fla. Of course, you know that's how it'd go... we move and they get snow flurries 2x this year. And yes, the kids are just THRILLED with me moving them out of town the one chance they get to have snow. Oh well.......
We've been talking about getting out of the northeast for some time now and are ready to do something about it.
This year is definitely the year to think about getting out of the NE. If this year doesn't convince you then I guess nothing will, huh? So let us know when you're coming down to look around and/or PM me. I can let you know some really wonderful areas of town. One of the cool things about living up here in Sanford is that "the attractions" are close enough that I can get to them quickly and easily but far enough away that I don't have to be affected by them all the time. You know what I mean... tourists on the road that don't know where they're going (hey, I can pick... I was one of them not that long ago) and everyone in a vacation mindset. So if you're thinking of moving, hit me up PM and I'll be happy to give you an idea of the feel of some of the towns around me.
Awww, KC... you flatter me. However, working with an outstanding candidate like you is always a pleasure.
Oh, THAT'S what he needs... a bigger head. C'mon girl... you know KC's head's about to fall off his tiny shoulders as it is!
SO excited to becoming to your fair city this weekend, but MOST EXCITED about visiting with your lovely wife. Another great thing about these boards.....
I'm just so sick that I missed you! I really had no problem working that weekend with the exception that it just RUINED my plans to see you. I guess you'll just have to come down again sometime soon, huh?
Hey y'all!!
Look at me Hypermommy, gettin all southern on ya!!
Ok, so I'm all caught up and I only have one thing to say...well I have a lot to say most times, but right now the one thing I have to say is ....I WANT TO GO ON A
DISNEY CRUISE!!!
Your pictures are beautiful....I wasn't lovin the one where your snuggling a little to closely to my boyfriend Jack, but because your my friend, I'm gonna let it slide....this time
Can't wait to read more and see more pics
You definitely want to do a cruise. It is sooooooo much fun being so pampered. And your Southern sounds great!!!!!! But you know you're gonna have to share your boy Jack... he's just way too much man to be tied to one lady, you know?
Where are you, King Charming? It's been a week since we've heard from you..... You know your fans don't like to be kept waiting like that!
He was probably waiting for me to show up. But I'm learning from my mentor, PurplePeg. Now, Queen you make sure to tell her for me, okay? LOL
I hope you all are okay. I've been lurking. Enjoyed being with you on this one. Denise, you are THE BEST Secret Mickey!!
Looking forward to hearing more.
-vicki
Awww, thanks! I'm glad I could find things you liked. You should have seen me shoppng for the SM stuff. I walked around the World of Disney for like an hour putting things in my basket. The I found an unused counter and laid everything out and decided what I'd keep. Believe me it was hard work -- and I can't wait to get a chance to do it again!
Okay, so back to the TR. On Wed morning we split up and EM#1 and KC went to the zipline and I met up with the other DISsers that were doing the dolphin thing with us. Now I know I'm preaching to the choir here but it's soooooooo much more fun to do things with folks you've gotten to know over the years. I wasn't near as concerned about us being split from KC/EM#1 in Mexico as I thought I'd be because we were with friends. Now, that's not to say that I wasn't happy to find them in the room when we got back
So the whole mess of us Double Dippers that were doing the dolphins met up at the Mariner Mickey statue. We'd booked this on our own instead of through Disney so getting there on time was our responsibility. But why mess with a perfectly functional system... excursion mates meet on the ship and progress from there. So everyone shows up and leave it to me to entertain the kids. You know how hard it is for kids to wait so I sat 'em all down in a circle and we played a game I picked up through Scouts. Basically someone says a compound word (campfire) and the next person has to come up with a compound word that starts with the end of the last one (fireplace)... and it just keeps going from there. Of course, since we had very young kids, the rules were somewhat relaxed. And besides, it was just a time killer. While we were sitting there playing I had my little redheaded EM#2 put on sunscreen. Until one of the Double Dippers reminded me that we weren't supposed to have sunscreen on (I guess it gets into the water and all). So I had him go wash it all off. But at least some of it made it into his skin. Then another Double Dipper reminded me that we needed our paperwork so back to the room I went.
Finally we were all ready to leave and so we did. Headed out into port through the mall (fantastic design, having to go through the mall to get out.... truly smart design) and out to where the taxies were. We needed a few taxis but we all headed over there.
The view getting off the ship
In the mall
This was hilarious! This guy would stand there like a statue and then when folks went by he'd startle them. It was hilarious!!!!
Between the various ports, Cozumel gets a bit grittier.
EM#2 at Chakanaab
When we got to Chakanaab (sp?) the first thing we saw was a pavillion where we go and get tix or wristbands if we'd already bought tix. There was also a guy there with an iguana and a parrott. He put them on EM#2's shoulder and all and I was just about to snap a picture when one of my DISfriends told me it was like $5 to take a picture with my own camera. Ha! I don't think so. But I went and stood a bit away and zoomed in as good as I could. Was it stealing? I don't know... but $5 for a picture with my own camera is just that stupid!
Best I could get without being noticed
Yeah, there's my child's face in there somewhere. I do love his hair, but it'd be nice if it were out of his face for pix. But, of course, he's much more interested in being cool.
Here's where he gets to swim with dolphins
Yep, he's big enough (Mom made him stand there... doesn't he look happy about it?)
See... he does have eyes
Learning the commands to use with the dolphins
More commands... and look, there's MouseMom. Oh, I hope I remembered the DISname right... I've got her real name written down but I did definitely want to make sure to publicly thank her. I had no idea how far away from my child I'd be (turns out, I was within eyesight) and she agreed to look after him while they were with the dolphins. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Training... check. Life vest...check. Now bring on them dolphins.
Playing with the dolphins
Getting pushed along by the dolphins
They had a WONDERFUL time. And Becky (okay... forget DISNames) was sweet enough to order the video for all of us. And Annie surprised me completely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd told Joey we couldn't get the pictures (remember, we still have moving expenses to deal with when we get back to reality) and he understood (the kids have been fantastic about that). Well, Annie was sweet and got him a copy of the picture!!!!! He loved it soooooooo much and was sooooo appreciative.
(ran out of space for pix.... continued next post)