10/02/04 Antigua Cruise

[Viking]

Jeanne,
congratulations to your DD. The event would be called a Duathlon, because the term Biathlon is already taken for the combination of cross-country skiing and shooting. But as this event goes over to comparatively short distances they just call it Swim'n'Go. We Germans are very fond of using Americanisms or Anglicisms to 'improve' our language We aren't language-chauvinists like our neighbors to the West, but sometimes the English influence on our language gets admittedly a bit strong. A little consolation is that a lot of German terms found their way into you language like 'Kindergarten', 'Angst', 'Schrecklichkeit' etc.

So far we've been to Florida six times, spend a day in Pittsburgh, switched planes in Cincinnati, Detroit, Philadelphia and Newark. And I spent three weeks in Denver last year with a coworker for a training at my company's headquarters.
New England is -together with the Rockies and the West- on top of our list for future vacations.
If we win the lottery we're gonna rent a Winnebago or a similar RV and travel the 48 states for a year or so But until then we have to split them up and distribute them over the years.
Normally we would have travelled to the Mediterranean this year, as we always do in even years - odd years are US-years for us. But the win of a free cruise broke this chain and so we ended up going to the States in an even year No plans for next year so far, it also depends on the development of the exchange-rate after the elections, because in the past the Dollar often soared to a peak after the election.

OK, gotta catch some Zs now, I just picked Anja up at the hospital (She really has it good, Mike ) and have to get up early tomorrow. The forecast predicts lots of snow for tomorrow morning, which will make for some fun in the rush hour

 

[Windermere]

Ave',

The new new house is becoming a pain in the (well, you know what). Lots of little things that still need to be done and trying to schedule them is a whole other issue. I never realized that (for instance) plumbers specialize in pipes versus fixtures.
I'm trying to keep my sense of humor but we are now over 2 months in the house with boxes still in each room.

At this point we are still planning a three-peat for September. We will be getting of the boat when you guys get on. Rodney and Susan are planning for 2 weeks after your cruise.

I was just able to make it to the boards finally this weekend and saw that people are planning an April 3rd meet in DC. I'll be working that weekend in Baltimore. Too bad.

Also plan on getting a preview of our cruise to Puerto Rico by doing a week next month on the Island. Any tips from anyone?

My niece just sent me a Flat Stanley to travel with for the next 2 months so I'll be taking him along too. ( Think Pinky ). I started a diary for him already. Maybe her 3rd grade class will get a kick out it.

Must do some lurking for now. Will check back in a little later.

Nancy

 

[Windermere]

Just figured out that we will be getting off the boat Sept 25th not 10/2 so I guess there's no chance of a meet this year in Florida.

Although we are planning a Dec trip to the world for our wedding anniversary.

 

[papa]

Kathy is under the weather. I took her to the doctor toady as she had a bad cough, athletic nose and a little bit of a temperature. She has a bad case of bronchitis and symptoms of a cold. Three prescriptions later and she is looking forward to getting some rest tonight.

It has rained all day and most of tonight. A short break tomorrow morning and then three more days of rain. Mike

 

[Viking]

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* to Katie.

Nancy,
that you & George and Rodney & Susan aren't coming with us. We'll be in PanamaCityBeach when you come off the boat and in Charleston,SC when you will get on the boat.

 

[RellingTwin]

Mike...Pixie dust to Kathy!Hope she's better soon.

Nancy...wish you were sailing with us again!Maybe next time?
Puerto Rico was very nice. We did a bus tour of the "old" city, then went back to tour the forts.The old city reminded me of Charleston/New Orleans. If I had more time there I would have done a bit more sightseeing of the historic district.Ave and her family did a snorkel tour they enjoyed very much.

jeanneg...your trip sounds like it was fun. Congrats on your DD swim meet!

Time to get to work.

 

[@GoofyNut]

Kathy (Mrs. PaPa) hope your bronchitis isn't a severe case. MIKE, make her chicken soup.

Didn't get change to get on the boards this weekend cause ... Well I was planning on enjoying doing the laundry ... yeah right My washer threw up and died. (I guess I shouldn't complain too much it was only our 2nd one in 32 years!) SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sunday we had to go to Home Depot and get a new one ... we get home and the hubby decides we should re-do the shelving and house clean the laundry room ..... made work on Monday something to look forward to! OK ... I'm off the soapbox - feel better now.

Back to work ...................................

 

[piglet33]

Boards are awfully quiet today. Guess everyone is busy at work.

Renee'

 

[cdnmickeylover]

It's a boy!!! My SIL had an ultrasound yesterday and although the baby wasn't totally cooperative they are 98% sure that it's a boy -- she has to go back in 4 weeks for another one just to confirm it but it looks like I'll have another nephew in July -- due on my brother's birthday!

Now the name game starts -- first name will be biblical ending in "ah". Could be interesting although he'll be known by his middle name.

Kathy hope you're feeling better soon.

I feel for you Cathy -- our washing machine is leaking -- just started on Friday so we'll have to get the repairman in to look at it. It's not that old though so hopefully it can be fixed.

Take care everyone.

Fiona

 

[Viking]

Fiona,
how far is Thornhill from Toronto? I'm asking because the other day I was looking for something on Frankfurt's homepage and stumbled over the list of our partner-cities. I knew that we had partnerships with Lyon, Milan and Birmingham, but I also discovered that Toronto is our partner-city as well!!

Yesterday during lunchbreak I ordered our Visitor's Cards for London (Tube & buses) fram the British Tourist Info and this morning shortly after breakfast our in-house messenger brought them That's what I call speed!! Now we're completely set. Today I called Lufthansa (Our airline) and inquired about our check-in time as we will fly at 0730am and they told me to be there at 0530am due to the heightened security measures for flights to the UK. Fortunately they're offering an 'evening-before check-in', which allows us to check in on Friday evening between 6 and 10pm. This way we can comfortably pop up at the airport at 0630am with our carry-on and go directly to the gate via security, but don't have to get in line for our main luggage in the morning.

Tonight I watched a classic: "The Caine Mutiny" with Bogart, based on one of my favourite books by Herman Wouk. We're in kind classic-frenzy right now: We just bought three ancien Doris Day/Rock Hudson-DVDs, An American in Paris, Gone with the Wind, Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang and some more. And Amazon Germany now has a special with several Disney-DVDs as low as €12.99, which calls for another big order

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Eric -- Thornhill is exactly north of Toronto. Our house is one block north of the border with the City of Toronto. Toronto itself is huge as a couple of years ago all of the cities around it amalgamated so we used to live just north of the City of North York but now it's all Toronto. Thornhill is actually not a city unto itself but is actually part of the Town of Markham officially. Thornhill was settled in the 1790's and was it's own town/village but then in I think the early 1970's half of it was incorporated into the Town of Markham and the other half was incorporated into the City of Vaughan. The dividing line is Yonge Street (still, I think the longest street in the world at like 1000 miles). Even though it's now split into two different municipalities Thornhill still has it's own identity which is quite distinct from the Town of Markham -- proper.

Actually a German founded Thornhill in 1794 -- William Moll Berczy. The part of Thornhill that we live in was actually originally the hamlet of German Mills and we have an old school house still in use as a co-op nursery that was originally opened in 1874.

Ok, I've rambled long enough. I was a history major.

Fiona

 

[RellingTwin]

I just realized that Eric and Anja are under the 200 day mark! And the rest of us are just over 30 weeks until we sail!

Eric, an 'evening-before check-in' is a FANTASTIC idea! I do not fly too often, but the last time I did it was a 6am flight and we had to be there at 4:30am!

Speaking of "classic" movies..."Rockey" was on a few nights ago and my kids had never seen it. Now they have

Fiona...congrats on the upcoming birth of your nephew! Could the name be Joahna?

 

[@GoofyNut]

Anyone see "Life According to Jim" - 2nd part, last night? I almost cried when I saw them walking on deck 4 ...... I WANNA BE THERE, I WANNA BE THERE RIGHT NOW! That is heaven. Then when they were on the top deck and about to kiss and the horn sounded ... Art and I couldn't stop laughing.

One big ? Our group didn't misbehave as much at Palo and they still didn't like us! That part I really enjoyed - seeing the rath of Jim set loose on Palo.

DayDream is over --- back to work.

 

[piglet33]

I totally forgot about Life According to Jim and went shopping. I can't believe I forgot to watch it! Were there more scenes on the Magic this week than last week? Guess I have to wait for reruns and watch it then.

Renee'

 

[jeanneg]

I watched "Jim" last night just to see the Magic again......what a dumb show! Now I know why I watch so much reality TV....everything else is bad! BTW, the scenes inside the cabin were shot on a set....there's no way the crew could get in there with all their gear. That's why it didn't look exactly right to those of us who know better. My son messed up the taping of "Survivor" (why am I not surprised?) I need to borrow a tape from someone else and hope I get it before Thursday evening. I still have no clue who was voted off, but if I don't get to see the tape, I'll just have to read the episode online. I just saw coming attractions for this weeks show and saw several people who are still there. I did not see my boy, so I'm getting scared (don't tell me, though.....I hate knowing ahead of time.)

Big weekend coming up......I'm leaving Saturday morning for a "girls only" trip to WDW! Both my daughters have spring break at the same time, so we decided to do a little female bonding. My DD calls it "Girls Get Wasted '04"........I wonder what she has in mind! This will our first time riding Mission Space so I don't know what to expect. The parks close really early because it's not yet the height of spring break, so we need some evening activities that don't require a car. We've already done Cirque du Soleil, so we were thinking of catching the show at House of Blues. Willie Nelson will be there Sunday night and even though I'm not a big C&W fan, the guy is a legend so we may just go and do that. I'm really interested in seeing that guitar of his. Has anyone ever done any of the House of Blues concerts? How does the seating work and do they serve dinner during the show?

Congratulations, Fiona, on the upcoming blessed event!

Hope you're feeling better, Kathy!

 

[@GoofyNut]

Looking over my little diary of last year I came across Eric wearing that Scooby Doo blue wig with the horns and couldn't stop lauching Just maybe that's why the crew remembers us when we return to sail each year!

Then there was the group photo op-M I C K E Y M O U S E should we make up song sheets and practice for this year's picture.

 

[bettemom]

Hi guys,

We could always "SHOCK" the DCL cast and I am sure a few guests, and sing the theme song from Gilligan's Island....


Bye, Kim

 

[bettemom]

Hi guys,

We could always "SHOCK" the DCL cast and I am sure a few guests, and sing the theme song from Gilligan's Island.... I think one of my favorite cast member saying was " oh you're one of them" boy we must be a popular group....


Bye, Kim

 

[Viking]

Originally posted by @GoofyNut
Looking over my little diary of last year I came across Eric wearing that Scooby Doo blue wig with the horns and couldn't stop lauching Just maybe that's why the crew remembers us when we return to sail each year!

Then there was the group photo op-M I C K E Y M O U S E should we make up song sheets and practice for this year's picture.

Dear Lady of the Backwoods,
it is my duty to inform you that what you call "Scooby Doo's Wig', is the official Buffalo Lodge Hat of Fred Flintstone I guess I have to wake up one of my carnivorous dinosaurs and send it after you

Scooby Doo, I D-O-N-T B-E-L-I-E-V-E I-T

I think I have to write to DCL and take care that YOU get one of those extra-durable life-jackets - Made of orange-painted lead

 

[Viking]

BTW,
talking about photographs: When I checked my camera-bag this week I found two not-yet-developed films I shot with my waterproof Minolta-APS-camera on Cozumel, Grand Cayman and CC. I should get them back on Friday . And there's another film with 8 exposures left in the cam. I'm gonna use them soon and have it developed then. I ordered CDs with the development, so I can easily mail you some. This goes especially for the Twins, Dave'n'Ellen and the FFFF (Insider-joke) as we spent some quality time on aforementioned islands in the water.

OK, gotta hurry now: I have to pick up Anja at the hospital at 1015pm