09/08/07 Early Check in September 8, 2007 Western

[MamaKoss]

Hello, hello to all! I try to keep checking in every so often to see what everyone has been up to since I last saw you partying and having a great time on the Magic!!!

Stina, hope your move was easy and that you are up and running. I am very jealous of all those who have booked their next cruise already! I may just book mine sometime next year for 2010 so I have a long time to pay for it. I hate the debt when you get back to reality. I'd rather live in lala land forever! But, I know we'll get to go again. That's what keeps me hanging on.

Dan, very excited for you and DW....I hope you have another GIRL! I have two of them...both of course teenagers now. It was fun when they were little. I guess I'm paying for all that fun now. Ugh! They're expensive! haha...just kidding. Doesn't matter which sex, children are God's little treasure chest to us. That's how I see it. To answer your question, am I ready for the snow? Bring it on! I'm a Clevelander. Snow doesn't phase me. I hate the rain more than the snow. Go Tribe...no more. Congrats to all you Bostonians or fans of Boston Red Sox. I won't be watching the World Series because I could give a #@$#@% who wins now! It won't be Cleveland, so I guess I'll work some more on my scrapbook (which I haven't even started!) haha.

My daughters have stayed in contact with all the new friends they met in The Stack on the Magic. My DD15 had to do a speech in her English class, and she chose to write and speak about the cruise. She did a great job! Got an "A" on it too! Some of the stories they tell me about what went on with the "teen" group on the ship just amazes me! We hardly saw them during the whole trip, except at dinner and breakfast, so we didn't really get to hear about their experiences until we got home. You would be amazed at what these kids do! Sounds like so much fun, I'm kinda jealous I didn't get to go to The Stack.

Oh well. I guess I should get back to work. It's rainy today and the weather is getting cooler (in the 50's today). We had a streak of hot weather over the past couple weeks, and I'll be glad when we stay in the 50's and 60's for awhile.

Hugs and Kisses to all my Disney friends. I miss you guys! "When you wish upon a star..." (just pretend you just heard the horn!)

 

[sgtslovak]

Hi All,
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Are you all settled in your new locale, Stina? Congratulations Dan on your upcoming addition to the family. And Mama Koss play the lottery & you just might get to cruise prior to 2010. We just hit NY Lotto for $1100 & that's going right towards next years cruise!
Chris

 

[MamaKoss]

Oh my gawrsh! How lucky are you Chris? I'm not much of a gambler, and unfortunately any money I possibly could win (unless it was way up there) would have to go to paying down some debt right now (not because of the cruise mind you; we had built up debt before). Again, with both my daughter's in private schools, two car payments, the cost of living being sky high, and the use of the plastic too much, it's a killer. But, if I won say over $20,000.00, the first thing I would do is book the next cruise next year! I've been scrapbooking the September 8th cruise and it causes such heartache to see those beautiful sunsets again and just soaking up the atmosphere onboard. I don't even care if I didn't get off the ship or not. The memories are nice ones though. I truly enjoyed this cruise; it was extremely peaceful with my kids being teenagers and having The Stack to hangout in. It gave my hubby and I the opportunity to hang in the adult sections more often and it was very nice. We were discussing our next cruise and hubby said something about another cruise line. My daughters and I all poo-pooed that idea immediately! I like the Disney line because there are no casinos, you have your adult areas, the kids have their areas, and it's just a class act. He was like "okay, okay." I know he enjoys it too. Keep in touch. I do check in every now and then to see what everybody's been up to. Hugs and Kisses!

 

[shoes99]

Hi All,
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Are you all settled in your new locale, Stina? Congratulations Dan on your upcoming addition to the family. And Mama Koss play the lottery & you just might get to cruise prior to 2010. We just hit NY Lotto for $1100 & that's going right towards next years cruise!
Chris

Yippee for you and Janet. Make sure you save the $$ and not spend it on PINS.
Your good friends.....Michele & Milton

 

[JJCJFL]

Hi All,
Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Are you all settled in your new locale, Stina? Congratulations Dan on your upcoming addition to the family. And Mama Koss play the lottery & you just might get to cruise prior to 2010. We just hit NY Lotto for $1100 & that's going right towards next years cruise!
Chris

Congrats, Chris on your winnings. I would definitely roll it into vacation as well. It is found $$$ and needs to be spent on something fun!

Hope everyone is doing well.

Jill

 

[sgtslovak]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all our former shipmates!

Chris & Janet

 

[Grandma4ever]

Hope all are well. We had a wonderful dinner at church and then visted with Ladyemmaann's family. I am stuffed. Stina I keep meaning to call you. Hope you are all settled in in your new home. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Lois

 

[sgtslovak]

It's freezing here in NY. Just thinking about the warm weather we had on the cruise & missing it. We want to wish all our cruisemates a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year & hope all are doing well.
Chris & Janet

 

[stina]

Hope you are all enjoying this frenetic week before Christmas. For those of you in the Northeast and Midwest being dumped with snow... I feel for you! I used to live through that so I feel your pain! But it's nothing but sunny skies for me now. It was actually chilly today here in Tampa, in the 50/60s, so brisk, but still sunny. The only snow here is the "magical" snow on Main Street USA!

Happy Holidays cruisers!!!

 

[Bareacuda]

I'll be the next to pop it...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Ann

 

[Grandma4ever]

Sounds like most are doing well. I also wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Lois (& Janet)

 

[JJCJFL]

Hi!

Just wanted to stop in and wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday and new year. We are looking to do a three night in the next few months with my daughter and her boyfriend. We did it for Christmas last year and it was a big hit. Just waiting for it to hit the Cast Member site.
My friend was visiting from NY last week and we hit all the parks. They really are beautiful this time of year. They did a new overlay on the castle and it is fantastic! Now we are waiting for the week of Christmas for the crowds to begin. I will be out in the park all week. All hands on deck during that time.

Take care all!

Jill

 

[MamaKoss]

Wow. It's been a long time since I checked in last. Had to catch up on all the chatter. I'm glad all of you are still posting here. Keeps the vacation alive, if you know what I mean.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! Now that it is 2008, it is that much closer to the next cruise vacation! Can't wait.

It's been a weird winter here in Ohio. We have been going up and down with the temperatures; when it snows, it dumps on us (but no little snows in between); and the sun doesn't want to make its appearance too much. Blah! Spring will be here soon. Yeah!

Nothing really new to report in my Disney family. We are STILL working on getting the family room/bathroom room/garage back in order since BEFORE we cruised in September. DH has been VERY lazy lately! I just want the bathroom back together. It's really hard living with one bathroom and 4 people (2 of them teens!). At least the 2 teens are girls and I can interrupt whatever if need be. I don't remember what it was like sharing a bathroom with everyone in the house. Our last house had 3 bathrooms! I had one all to myself! It was great! DD15 is preparing for her driver's test. She will turn 16 in March, but can't get her license until April because she was delayed in getting her temps due to vacation (we were cruising!). DD13 is the same. Me? Same.

Hope everyone is feeling good, hope everyone is healthy, and hope everyone has a very prosperous year (so you can cruise more...haha)

Until later, Hugs and Kisses

 

[sgtslovak]

Wow. It's been a long time since I checked in last. Had to catch up on all the chatter. I'm glad all of you are still posting here. Keeps the vacation alive, if you know what I mean.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! Now that it is 2008, it is that much closer to the next cruise vacation! Can't wait.

It's been a weird winter here in Ohio. We have been going up and down with the temperatures; when it snows, it dumps on us (but no little snows in between); and the sun doesn't want to make its appearance too much. Blah! Spring will be here soon. Yeah!

Nothing really new to report in my Disney family. We are STILL working on getting the family room/bathroom room/garage back in order since BEFORE we cruised in September. DH has been VERY lazy lately! I just want the bathroom back together. It's really hard living with one bathroom and 4 people (2 of them teens!). At least the 2 teens are girls and I can interrupt whatever if need be. I don't remember what it was like sharing a bathroom with everyone in the house. Our last house had 3 bathrooms! I had one all to myself! It was great! DD15 is preparing for her driver's test. She will turn 16 in March, but can't get her license until April because she was delayed in getting her temps due to vacation (we were cruising!). DD13 is the same. Me? Same.

Hope everyone is feeling good, hope everyone is healthy, and hope everyone has a very prosperous year (so you can cruise more...haha)

Until later, Hugs and Kisses

Mama, Just fill up that big DCL souvenir beer mug & hold it in front of Jim and tell him he has to get that bathroom in if he wants any beer. I know that would motivate me!
Chris

 

[MamaKoss]

HAHAHA! You are right Chris! However, the beer mug only holds Magic while we are cruising. He doesn't really use it at home. He's good with just the can or bottle!
I just got back from the Upper Penninsula in Michigan yesterday. Had to travel up there for a funeral. Went with my Dad. We arrived on Tuesday, 2-5-08 and stayed overnight for the funeral on 2-6-08. We left on 2-6-08 afterward for home. Unfortunately, the Lower Penninsula of Michigan was hit was a horrible snow storm. After 5 hours on the road, we finally got off and stayed overnight in a Motel. In my opinion, the storm was a blizzard. The Motel room was alot to be desired, but kept us safe nonetheless (the cockroach we shared the room with was safe as well. Yuk!). I don't ever want to visit Michigan in the winter again! I just kept thinking about those lovely days on the ship, sitting drinking pina colada's, and watching the sunset over the water. Ahhhh, now that I'll visit time and time again.

 

[shoes99]

Have a beer on us. We just wanted to pop in and share our happiness,
The New York Giants Won The SuperBowl.

 

[stina]

Christine and I made our Disney dreams come true this weekend and became annual passholders for the first time EVER!!!!

We handed over nearly $800 and got two tiny paper tickets that look just like regular tickets. I have to say, it was a little anticlimactic. I was expecting something plastic and gold and glittery and exciting. Oh well! At least it's an entire year of WDW fun. We also signed up for the Disney Dining Experience which we think will pay for itself in only 3 visits, so that's very exciting too.

We had a fun-filled weekend at Disney and when we were at the Grand Floridian eating dinner noticed a model of the Magic in the lobby. Oh, it brought a tear to my eye! Even though I was in the heart of WDW, I missed the Magic so much, my home away from home!!!

Hope y'all are doing well and keeping the magic in your hearts all year long.

stina

 

[Grandma4ever]

Christine and I made our Disney dreams come true this weekend and became annual passholders for the first time EVER!!!!

We handed over nearly $800 and got two tiny paper tickets that look just like regular tickets. I have to say, it was a little anticlimactic. I was expecting something plastic and gold and glittery and exciting. Oh well! At least it's an entire year of WDW fun. We also signed up for the Disney Dining Experience which we think will pay for itself in only 3 visits, so that's very exciting too.

We had a fun-filled weekend at Disney and when we were at the Grand Floridian eating dinner noticed a model of the Magic in the lobby. Oh, it brought a tear to my eye! Even though I was in the heart of WDW, I missed the Magic so much, my home away from home!!!

Hope y'all are doing well and keeping the magic in your hearts all year long.

stina

Janet and I would love to see you two at the world this fall. We fly in on 9/20 and leave for the Magic on 9/27. So if you have a good day somewhere in there let us know and we can plan a mini meet. Anyone else who might be in the area is welcome as well. We plan on being at MGM on Sunday and Magic Kingdom on Monday. Then my sister and the girls will join us and we are visiting MK, MGM, Epcot and then AK before we sail on Saturday 9/27. Drop us a note if interested. Lois

 

[stina]

Sounds awesome! Email me closer to the date and we can set up a time to meet. Glad to hear you are cruising again! We have no cruise plans...yet. We'll see.

I also forgot to add that I made yet another one of my Disney Dreams come true this year... I got my very first vanity plate!

It's a Florida Sunshine State plate and it says:

DIS GRL

 

[sgtslovak]

Hey Stina, We'll be down at WDW from Oct 30th thru Nov 8th (when we leave for our Eastern cruise on the Magic!). We'll be down with a group of about 20 of us Disney nuts from around the country who get together every other year & do stuff like MNSSHP, Haunted Hayride, Miniture Golf Tournament, Party for the Senses at F&W. Why don't you & Christine join us? You could lead us in a pub crawl around Epcot during the Food & Wine festival!
Chris