12/09/06 Geeks.... Lost, but not forgotten

[Jhalkias]

Hi, Gang!

I just got in from a trip to WDW, yes I was in Toronto on Friday and in WDW until noon today. I spent Saturday evening at the Adventures Club and had a blast, got back to my room at PopC at 3am on Sunday morning, lol. Did Epcot for the Food and Wine and MNSSHP yesterday, MK was empty by 5 pm, felt very odd. I would say there were less then 3000 people at the event, every ride was a walk on, I did the rides, saw the parade and fireworks by 10 pm and was back at the resort by 10:45pm for a well deserved rest. Then had a wonderful flight home in business class on Airtran this afternoon, I upgraded at the airport and had a wonderful sleep on the plane.

On the tour times, it was announced here in Toronto on the morning show for the three days before the event.

Love and hugs to all my geek family
Pj

We are so, so envious PJ . . . no trips in our immediate future though . . .

Just popped on to say hi to Angie and Dennis, PJ and John and Amy. Miss you all.
We're in the Canary Islands having a lazy holiday in the sun.

We miss you too Marilyn! And everyone else too!

I am at the hospital with Dad. It has been up and down with him, and a very difficult week. We thought he was gone last Saturday, and they called me to the hospital. Then he got better and then later when they realized he had a urinary tract infection. By Monday, he had stabilized, and they told me he had to be transferred to a nursing home.

He has been angry with me, and asked me why I brought him to that GD place. As I was finally getting him acclimated, he had another bought with edema in his legs, and the nursing home on Friday had him transported to the hospital ER again. Six hours later, we are again admitted to the hospital. While this morning he was angry with me again, tonight he is more himself, and we are watching the football game together. He fades in and out of sleep.

Dad is suffering from congestive heart failure, and the doctor does not expect dramatic improvement due to his age. He told us it is important now to keep him comfortable.

Sophia is suffering from Daddy withdrawal, but thankfully this weekend her aunt is home to spoil her. She is upset with how much time I have to spend at hospitals.

My brother is improving day by day, but still in recovery and therapy.

I've got to say the last couple of years have been especially difficult and challenging.

Miss all of you guys!

 

[lbgraves]

John, while it is good to hear from you, I am very sorry to hear that you are still struggling with so many challenges with your family and their health. I hope that you are taking care of yourself while taking care of so many and dealing with the added stress of illness. I almost called you today to see how you guys are doing. I will keep all of you in my prayers and hope that your father is able to be kept comfortable and your brother continues to improve.

 

[brack]

John we'll continue to pray you and your family.

 

[lbgraves]

Good morning geeks!!!! Hope that everyone is having a wonderful day!!! Mike had DD ask me if I would like to spend Christmas in WDW this morning in Church. Who has plans to be there this year?

 

[lbgraves]

OK...since Brack pointed out that 30000 was coming up I made sure that I posted it here with you guys...the best cyber friends a person could have. I still smile when we look at the pictures from the cruise nearly 2 years ago. The scrapbook has been amazing to work on because I am remembering everything as I go. Thank you all for being such wonderful and supportive friends.

 

[brack]

Mike had DD ask me if I would like to spend Christmas in WDW this morning in Church. Who has plans to be there this year?

Annette and I arrive on the 28th for the week prior to our cruise.

 

[brack]

OK...since Brack pointed out that 30000 was coming up I made sure that I posted it here with you guys...the best cyber friends a person could have. I still smile when we look at the pictures from the cruise nearly 2 years ago. The scrapbook has been amazing to work on because I am remembering everything as I go. Thank you all for being such wonderful and supportive friends.

We love our fearless geek leader.

 

[klineyqueen]

I love you guys!!!!!

 

[klineyqueen]

Lisa - congrats on your big post!!! That is amazing!

 

[klineyqueen]

John, I am so sorry for the troubles you have been having. Give Sophie a big hug when you get home. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[klineyqueen]

Brack - I am glad you had a fun "boys" weekend!



As for Disney in Christmas...we will be at Disney's Hilton Head Resort.

 

[Jhalkias]

John, I am so sorry for the troubles you have been having. Give Sophie a big hug when you get home. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks Brandi and everyone else . . .

Dad's days and moods go up and down. We had a nice night the other night, but his memory is going and the doctor said he is also suffering from dementia.

Hope all is well with everyone and your families.

John

 

[lbgraves]

Lisa - congrats on your big post!!! That is amazing!

It wouldn't be possible without all of you. BTW....it has been so long since I snagged one that I didn't even notice that I got the 900 pirate!

Enjoying the little things in life these days since IDK when we will be cruising again.

 

[brack]

It wouldn't be possible without all of you. BTW....it has been so long since I snagged one that I didn't even notice that I got the 900 pirate!

Enjoying the little things in life these days since IDK when we will be cruising again.

Once a always a ..... even by accident!

This cruise coming up may be our last for awhile; maybe until the new ships are built. We'll see once we get onboard if the tempatation is too great not to rebook again. The deal is that we are now 9 years from retirement and need to get serious about it.

 

[MrsMork]

Once a always a ..... even by accident!

This cruise coming up may be our last for awhile; maybe until the new ships are built. We'll see once we get onboard if the tempatation is too great not to rebook again. The deal is that we are now 9 years from retirement and need to get serious about it.

Brack, retirement happens whether you are serious or not! I am anxiously awaiting the 2010 announcement today. Wondering what they have in store for us.

Today is our 41st wedding anniversary. We have no plans except to enjoy yet another day together. I really am loving being with DrHug 24/7. I did leave him for a few minutes day before yesterday and went to the grocery alone.

There is a ghost town (Garnet) nearby and DS, DDIL and DGS want to go there Friday....a day off for all of them....we will likely tag along.

We need to get crackin' on getting the MH ready to hit the road...snow's coming soon! But for today we will empty a couple more boxes, read, watch a little TV, sit and hold hands, and of course DIS a bit.

I'm starting to feel retired, finally!

Rambling post by Angie.

 

[MrsMork]

2010 info is out. Too expensive for us....we are on a fixed income! So, guess we will be saving our money for the new ship in 2011 or 2012. That is a long time between cruses!

 

[lbgraves]

Angie, I miss your rambling posts...especially about the two of you.

I am sad about the confirmation of the cruises too. If we could get a cat 10 for the baltic, which is the one I would be most interested in doing based on the ports and my college studies, it would run us over 10k for the cruise alone, 6k for flight to Heathrow and transportation to Dover, then 3 days before and after the cruise [I can't see spending that much money and NOT spending time in the area to explore...don't forget DL Paris...so you are probably talking close to $25k. We will not be doing this eihter. Now, the repo cruises sound great starting at 1k a person BUT they are timed terribly for kids and school.

 

[lillygator]

I agree the repo would be cheaper than the repo we just did! But don;t coincide with school. Still the April one looks good!

 

[bubbasmom99]

Hello geeks - just checking in.

First of all, prayers for your family John... and big hugs for Sophia.

I'm not caught up reading but just wanted to say hello... Our cruise is in 60 days and I cannot wait. Should be another month and we'll find out if we got another upgrade (hoping but not expecting!). I'm in full planning and freaking out mode now, lol.

It's a terrible time to be in financial services but I'm doing okay. Our company is strong and in a growth mode so we are just taking it day by day. Scott is doing well and likes his job so we are thankful he is employed, even if only part time. Nick has been having some trouble at school - we suspect he's been the subject of bullying for some time now -- trying to get it sorted out. And Sarah is just happy Sarah -- getting sassier by the day.

Photography is keeping me busy - I'm booked almost every weekend leading up until mid-Nov. which is my cutoff for getting everything done before our vacation. It is fabulous to have a writeoff for buying all my new equipment this year

I was just pulling up some video clips on YouTube of the ship's horn and the horn battles and I am tearing up... I love that ship... and I love everything a Disney cruise vacation represents... and I wish we could all cruise together again right now. Seems to be a very therapeutic group of people to hang out with, don't ya think?

 

[pjpoohbear]

Lisa, congrats on the big post and the mini pirate! Love the graphic, so true.

John, huge hug coming your way, I miss the whole family! Have an Apple package to send your way and our spare blue DVC hat will be included,

Angie and Dennis, hope everyone is doing well, give Aaron and Jessica a hug from me.

Brandi, how do you keep going, teaching, two little ones and time to keep up with your online friends?

Joy, so happy the photog business is going well!

V, how did the girl's do on the flight home from the repo, would they be good for the flight home from the TA? That would be a great cruise, but Lisa's quick budget has me Especially since we have lost our budget TA airlines recently.


On the 2010 cruises, DM and I talked and unless we hit a mini jackpot and do a five day Wonder cruise, we are going to hold off and do a 2011 cruise, hopefully on a new ship. Early May or June would be great for her, or October, November, which ever works for the Grand Geek Clan.

Pj