10/02/04 Antigua Cruise

[@GoofyNut]

Big Red ... got the documents first ... now doesn't it seem real! My favorite time is when they get here and are in my hands.

Guess it's time to start being reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllly nice to the Fed Ex Dude!

Nancy e-mailed me that her sciatic nerve is acting up and it's hard for her to sit too long. But ... NANCY, WE MISS YOU. PLEASE "COME OUT AND PLAY"!

Yesterday I had all the name tags at work so I could hole punch them on our "MASH Era" puncher. (It's real heavy duty to get thru the laminate and not destroy what is left of my wrist.) My co-worker said I was crazy BUT my rebuttal was "Hey, just how would you go about figuring out who was who?"

Wonder if we will have Princess Diaries #2 as a movie on the ship. That's where we say the first one!

Well back to work ..................

 

[@GoofyNut]

JeanneG ... Last year I wore a long black skirt with different tops to dress it up. The skirt is one of those that you can ball up and it still won't wrinkle. Also this way I only need one pair of black fancy sandals!

ALSO ... not sure if any of you saw the news about Emm'sGrammy and their family tragedy, but that is why I aded the purple ribbon to my thread signature. Let's all say a little prayer for baby Sophie. Here is a link to the article on the fire. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04236/366140.stm

 

[twhipple]

I'm going very formal this year. I've lost about 40 pounds total so far (only 10 to go ) so I found a couple dresses for formal/semi-formal nights. I could hardly pass up the dresses (one was orig. $170 that I got for $35!). They were in sizes that I have never worn before I can't wait! We don't dress up much around here so I "make" DH wear a tux (just bought one!) so I thought what the heck!

Tracy

 

[disneybride96]

Originally posted by jeanneg
We may have had this discussion before, but are any of the ladies choosing comfort over glamour for formal/semiformal night? I have a long formal dress that travels very nicely, but if I take that I'll have to take another pair of shoes and some more accessories. Last cruise I wore the same basic outfit for formal, semi-formal and Palo night with just a few accessory changes and I was so comfortable. It really helped towards packing light as well. Anybody else out there willing to forego the glitz?

DH rented a tux, and I am going basic black on the dresses....I have one that is long and one that is short. I'm like Tracy. Don't dress up much around here!

 

[fridayfun]

I've got to admit I am excited about going formal! We don't have occasions to get dressed up very often (NEVER!) so I am wearing a long formal, DH a tux and then a long black dress (DH picked out) and he will be in a black suit for semi. It is ALL about comfort at every other meal though! I'm thinking of wearing a wheel barrow and potato sack!

Is it normal to get docs so early? DH keeps asking and the DCL rep I called last week (ordering up a few extra surprises for DH) said 2 weeks out. I just started our suitcases and getting with niece and nephew to iron out house and pet sitting arrangements and DH is going crazy checking the mail! Plus, on top of looking for docs, our yearly evals at work (which have been put off 3 times already) are now scheduled for 3 days prior to our vacation. If our 4 legged partners don't pass first time (they have bad days just like us humans!) we have to retest - which puts us VERY close to our departure date! STRESS has arrived!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I got a new formal dress for formal night. Jim will wear a suit. I've asked him to check to see if the pants still fit but well hey we have a month to go so it's too soon to see. Actually he probably is not sure where the suit is hanging up -- can you tell he doesn't wear suits on a regular basis? He is so relieved we aren't doing Palo as it's one less time to wear a suit.

We actually do have one charity ball that we have to attend in November of each year as one of my clients is a major sponser. One word for this evening is boring, food average and we are crushed into the ballroom for dinner. All this for $250/person (which thankfully the firm pays for cause there's no way I'd pay $500 for dinner).

Anyone needed a new dress for that event as it's the same people and yup they seem to remember what you wear year to year so am bringing it to wear formal night. Might even convince Jim to get a picture this year (would have to be prior to dinner as by the end of dinner his tie will be off and his shirt unbuttoned).

It's Friday thankfully.

Funny for me this morning -- two different clients are buying properties. Both asked if they had to bring in $ and if they didn't bring it in til later today would that interfere with them getting their keys. Oh well yeah!!!

It's been a long week but the cruise is creeping closer.

Fiona

 

[Viking]

What four-legged partners? Did I miss something

These are the different stages Anja & I went through after opening our mailbox upon our return from the gym. Here comes the explanation:
We live in a former American housing area, which was bought by the City of Frankfurt when the majority of GIs left after the Reunification of our country. As Anja works as a nurse at a hospital which is completely owned by the City, we qualified for getting one of those appartments at a very reasonable rent. As those appartments are kind of subsidized they check from time to time wether we still meet the requirements for paying that relatively low rent. The first years we were considered newly-weds and qualified, but now that's over and we have to pay an additional rent of €169 ($204) per month But the 'best' is yet to come: The letter states that this raise started at 02/01/04 So we have to pay them €1183 ($1430) immediately and €169 monthly starting 09/01
My parents who got a similar appartment, because my Dad is a federal employee, have been paying this amount now for 10+ years. So I checked it with my Mom, scrutinized all the calculations and guess what: Everything is correct - I HATE SURPRISES LIKE THAT!!!!
We wouldn't have complained if they had sent the letter in time. Say in January with the payments starting in February, but not that way. Additionally they sent that friggin' letter on a Friday, so that you can't call them and complain before Monday!!!
The money we will be paying is going to be used to support people who can't afford decent appartments otherwise or to build new subsidized houses. I do think that this is OK, as we have quite good salaries - but their timing SUCKS

OK, I just needed to vent a bit The big venting will come Monday - when I call those bureaucrats.

 

[Viking]

But her's some good news:
We scored big time in Athens today and should now have overtaken or friends to the West (For those of you not so firm in European geography: The French) in the medal-count:thewave:
And while we were at the gym running we watched the handball-semifinals: Our boys desintegrated the Russians and will now play the finale against Croatia on Sunday. It was very close in teh first half, but coming back from the lockerrooms our boys threw in a higher gear and humiliated the Russians. Now we can try to make good for last year's defeat in the World Championships, where the Croatians gained a victory.
For those of you not knowing what I'm talking about (I guess handball is as popular in the USA as baseball in Germany ), it's a teamsport with six man + goalkeeper per side. The ball is smaller than a volleyball, but heavier. The game is even quicker than basketball, but harder as bodycontact is allowed - within limits of course. It is very popular in Europe.

 

[@GoofyNut]

Look out, I think Eric has gone AMERICAN on us. Sorry about the increase in your rent and retroactive yet but your post sounded like such an American way of expressing yourself.

 

[Viking]

Fiona,
did you see the Olympic Ladies' Mountainbiking? A german placed third behind a Canadian - Conratulations to Canada (Gold was won by a Norwegian).

 

[Twinave]

Formal nights..don't know what I'll be wearing yet. I like the black skirt/blouse idea. Did basic black last year. DH will wear the same suit. (It's the same one he wore when we got married 15 years ago.) We just keep changing the shirts and ties.
We will probably hit the consinment shops in the next week or two to find DD something.
Eric...SO Sorry about your rude rent raise! So much for all your budget planning! Would not like to be the person you talk to on Monday!
Just found someone to watch my animals while we cruise. A good friend of mine has been looking for a new place to live and will be "homeless" for a few weeks. She will be staying with friends, but, will gladly stay at our house while we are gone. Big Plus, she works just 3 miles down the road.
Just got a call from my new boss at job #2. Looks like I'm working Sat. and Sun. 7A-3P. I should know better then to answer the phone on a Friday afternoon. Oh well, more money for the cruise.
Get well soon Nancy! We miss you.
Later, Avé

 

[twhipple]

Eric, at least now you know where to spend your tax refund Just kidding. I wouldn't want to be faced with that bill. If it were me, I'd argue until I'm blue in the face to get them to waive the charges up until now, you had no opportunity to pay on time.

 

[disneybride96]

Originally posted by Viking
.
For those of you not knowing what I'm talking about (I guess handball is as popular in the USA as baseball in Germany ), it's a teamsport with six man + goalkeeper per side. The ball is smaller than a volleyball, but heavier. The game is even quicker than basketball, but harder as bodycontact is allowed - within limits of course. It is very popular in Europe.

I saw some handball the other night. The announcer said to forget everything you know about handball...not a problem! Very interesting sport!

 

[usetheforceluke]

(would have to be prior to dinner as by the end of dinner his tie will be off and his shirt unbuttoned).

I figure that when Canada abolished hanging there was no real logical reason to put tight things around one's neck.

I also made up my packing list:

1) Socks.
2) Underwear.
3) Stuff.

It just struck me that I don't really know where The Tie is at this current moment in time unfortunately.

Oh well. Guess I can do without it.



Jim.

 

[Viking]

I will wear my tux for formal, but haven't yet decided what to wear on semi-formal.
Just to prevent somebody from trying to land that joke again: No, I won't wear Lederhosen!!! I'm German not Bavarian
I will only wear Lederhosen, if EVERY gent in our group will show up in a 10-gallon-hat and high-heeled cowboy boots and mokassins and a furhat for Jim, off course

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Originally posted by usetheforceluke
I figure that when Canada abolished hanging there was no real logical reason to put tight things around one's neck.

It just struck me that I don't really know where The Tie is at this current moment in time unfortunately.

Oh well. Guess I can do without it.



Jim.

Course he has just confessed to me that he can't find the pants to his suit either -- the jacket he has located.

Fiona

 

[Viking]

Originally posted by twhipple
Eric, at least now you know where to spend your tax refund Just kidding. I wouldn't want to be faced with that bill. If it were me, I'd argue until I'm blue in the face to get them to waive the charges up until now, you had no opportunity to pay on time.

Tracy,
there's no chance to make them waive it It's a governmental agency
But I'll tell them that I'm only willing to pay it in three payments. Usually they're satisfied with deals like that. I could also play dumb and just write them a letter asking for this. With the usual snake-like speed of German bureaucrats they'd probably need six weeks or more to reply, but that would only let more payments pile up.
We have to see it positive: Usually the exemption for newly-weds is only valid for the first 7 years of marriage, but as we were married for 10.5 years in February we were granted 3.5 years without paying that amount, which results in savings of €7098 ($8520) But I guess they didn't mean to give us a gift, it just superannuated because they were simply too slow to do their job properly.

 

[Viking]

Originally posted by cdnmickeylover
Course he has just confessed to me that he can't find the pants to his suit either -- the jacket he has located.

Fiona

I think the jacket will be sufficient - You just have to get him into the restaurant before everyone else arrives and stay until everyone's gone

 

[usetheforceluke]

Course he has just confessed to me that he can't find the pants to his suit either

Not true.

I know where the pants are.

I even tried them on.

They have shrunk considerably since the last time I wore them.

The jacket fits o.k. I even found a whole pocket full of candy, which was o.k. as long as you picked off the fluffy bits.

No sign of The Tie.

I think we should call off the effort to locate The Tie. Don't want to turn this in to a government job and spend hours looking for something that has no useful value.

Jim.

 

[Viking]

Folks,
I found a name for our CanUSA-dining-group:
UgotMeal
Now you may ask yourself how I came up with that one? Here come the explanation - Just read Kim's mail thoroughly:
Hi Eric,
Out table for mail seating includes, Bettemom, Cdnmickeylover, Piglet33, JeanneC & Fridayfun. We do ot have an established name, everyone knows how great we are so a name is not needed... Are you tossing your cookies yet ??

I hope you'll like it, Folks And I hope even more that I didn't forfeit our lift to the Port and Back, Fiona