12/19/2009 - 12/26/2009 Magical Christmas Cruise! It's not that far Away?

[Peaceableone]

Hi Everyone.. Those DB's were calling to me.. had to put some out to greet everyone.


So, Kim, what are you packing that I might not think of. Dry run packing.. won't be happending with me. Dang, Christmas is right around the corner. I need to think of something for Santa to bring on the cruise for either the kids or the family. Ideas anyone?

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hi Everyone.. Those DB's were calling to me.. had to put some out to greet everyone.


So, Kim, what are you packing that I might not think of. Dry run packing.. won't be happending with me. Dang, Christmas is right around the corner. I need to think of something for Santa to bring on the cruise for either the kids or the family. Ideas anyone?

Hey Francine! For our last cruise, I had to pack at least 3 times to "weed out" what I didn't really need just so I could close my suitcase! And I didn't need all the stuff I did take - LOL! So I'm going to try to cut way back where I can and have stuff cleaned so I can wear some things more than once since this time I am bringing Christmas gifts and FE gifts.

Kimberly

 

[bpescar]

Hey everyone
Space bags are the answer. You can pick them up at Bed Bath and Beyond or look on the internet. They are the greatest. They help you condense everything and fit everything you need into your luggage. A good friend told me about these when I told him about the FE gifts plus all we were going to try to bring(There is only two of us). He was right. We are trying them out now. There are two kinds. One kind you suck the air out of the bag with a vacum hose. That is not necessary. You can easily purchase the kind that you roll the bag and the air compresses out. This is the best invention ever. Our luggage and trip is insured so I want everything kept with us in case of loss at least we will be reimbursed.

 

[shannonetherton]

Kimberly I am so glad the boil was a success. I could smell the Old Bay from here (JEALOUS!) The triathlon was not that bad and I am committing to another longer one in June. Everyone cross your fingers on that one! It is tough running when you are built like a fire plug!

I acutally wash clothes every time we go. I hate coming home with a suitcase full of dirty laundry. It is really easy and I can just do it walk away and come back later. That is the only way I can get away with so few suitcases. So if you see me in the same clothes I promise they are clean!!!

As for gifts I am taking Emily Wii games, DS games and stocking stuffers and Ipod Touch. All small flat stuff. I tried to find the smallest stuff I could find. I need a trip to trader Joes for the stocking stufferes! I am mailing my FE gifts, as well as my door decorations and such. It is just too much to carry! I usually try to pack us in one suitcase so it goes against my habits to add too much more! I know I will be way over my usual this time but maybe not too bad. I think I will try to space bags. You guys have great ideas!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Barb, I have seen those space bags and hear they are great! However, I am too cheap to spend the money on those - LOL! Last time, I packed mine and DD's outfits in large plastic ziploc bags. What I did was iron the clothes before I packed them, then put them together by outfit in a bag. The end result was less wrinkles and more seemed to fit in the suitcase. Also, it eliminated trying to figure out what DD would wear together since it was already matched up for her. I can't remember where I learned this trick, but it worked well for us. Our overpacking had more to do with wanting to pack twice as many outfits as there were days on the cruise, not the size of the suitcase. I just need to get better at mixing and matching so I can carry less. I also feel like we'll need to pack lighter since we'll be in a smaller cabin this time. In April, we were in a cat 5 and had a set of drawers on two sides of the desk plus a set of drawers next to the closet. Will we have that same set up in a cat 12? Anyone know?

 

[Peaceableone]

Whenever we travel we pack for 1/2 the trip and do laundry. Sometimes I do laundry again before we come back, but either way, it is not a big deal. I think my new problem is that my kids are becoming more adult size. For example, their cute little, small jeans are BIG jeans now and take up MORE room!! How dare they . I am really looking forward to this trip. The boys are 11 and 13, and I think they'll be doing a bit more of their thing. I, "think" I am not going to worry if they want to sit in the room and watch T.V. (where I normally would be like, hey, you can do THAT at home). Anyway, trying to step back and let them do what they want. They are going to be so stuck together like glue..I'm liking that bonding idea.

Oh, and I think you guys just helped me with Chirstmas. I think I'll just do stockings on the trip, and the gifts when we get home.

And also, we are not the dressy up'y type people. So, I dont have to worry about packing the dress clothes. Casual all the way.

 

[Peaceableone]

Hey there.. I know that our group has a lot of young girls...so I thought I would see if anyone here was interested..

Last weekends paper had 3 coupons for Build A Bear. Each coupon had $5 off $10 (valid for store or web order, valid only for a make-your-own stuffed animals) and Free Shipping on a Purchase of $30 from BuildABear.com. They expire 12/16/09. The two coupons are on one page together, and I have three of each. I am just noticing that the Free Shipping is the same code for all of the coupons (94476).

I can send them to who ever is interested. Let me know.

 

[3DAN]

Good mornin, Shannon, Barb, Kiki, Francine, and Kimberly. WELL,,,,, I saw Miley Cyrus Monday night. Lots of controversy. Overall , Angela and I loved the concert. She is catering to the older crowd. Younger kids didn't have a clue what to do and didn't know the songs. Some of the things she did apparently even made the TV news. I didn't see the stuff Billy and Kathleen saw and were embarressed by. 31 days to go,,, I think.
Bill

 

[riggins]

Hi Bill - I'm glad you had fun at the concert. We're going Tuesday night with our 6 and 8 year old DDs (and Kimberly!) here in Charlotte. Did she play The Climb, Hoedown Thowdown or Party In the USA? If my girls don't hear at least a couple of those, they're going to be disappointed!

Happy Wednesday!
Leslie

 

[bpescar]

We have learned from previous trips to cut way back. I like to dress up since this is the only time I get to do that although it is not too dressy. One suitcase usually works for both husband and I for the week. Our day clothes we are each packing in our carry ons. Then we will have one large suit case left for FE and other essentials plus goodies to bring home. We will be gone a total of 10days so yes we are laundry people. We also found ourselves buying tshirts and stuff on the trip.
Bill I am glad you had fun.
Peacebealone I sent you a PM.
Kim The space bags were not expensive we managed to hit a sale and had 20% off coupon. Got to go teach for now.

 

[disneyday3]

Hi Everyone
It's really cold and miserable here, can't wait for some Florida sun.
I'm with you on the laundry thing Barb. Even though we are allowed 2 pieces of luggage each weighing 25kg per person I find it easier to pack light. I weighed my FE stuff last night just out of curiosity and it weighed 9 kg!

Speaking of FE, could someone PM me the final list, as I haven't received one yet. Is it still the same as on page 1?
Sue

 

[Peaceableone]

Peacebealone I sent you a PM.

Bpescar: I responded to your email yesterday. Did you not receive it? PLMK

 

[3DAN]

Leslie,,, Most of the songs were more recent. Yes , she did hoedown and Party in the USA and they went over BIG. You know, Miley is only 16. 17 in a week or two. She dressed with suggestive clothes , short shorts, and only a couple of songs from old. The controversy was during one song where she did some grinding with one of the musicians. I did not see it , but Billy and Kathleen did. It also apparently made all of the TV stations here. I guess a lot of Moms were very unhappy overall with the whole concert. I suggest you get on the internet and look up reviews of her in Indianapolis.
Now, on a lighter note.

Bill
PS Two little girls and a mom were next to me in the seats. We had great seats, only about 30 feet from the stage diagonal and about 20 feet up on the first riser seats. The kids were jealous. I was very happy. The little girls didn't seem to have any understanding of what was going on . They left before the encore.

 

[itutorfortravel]

You guys are good! I need to learn about light packing from y'all...I know I will be struggling with it, I always do

Who still needs a final list for the FE exchange? I have a list that Tina sent out to all of us, and I think I can forward it....if you need it, just let me know and I'll try to do that.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hey guys!

The votes are in for the slogan...

Looks like we have a tie between

Teachers Gone Goofy

and

Goofin' Around the Holidays

What should we do? I think after we started the voting some people expressed a desire to have a non-teacher themed slogan because there are adults and of course kids who are not teachers and we didn't want anyone to feel excluded. So should we do the Goofin' Around the Holidays slogan, do a tie-breaker for these two, or either start over or just not do a slogan?

Of course, there is always the option of doing two??!!

I don't want to make anyone feel left out. And I want to be fair. I'm looking to the rest of you to give me some input...

Thanks!

 

[3DAN]

Kimberly,, are others really unhappy. I think Jack sparrow's mom was a teacher is great. Others too. go with two if it helps. Who isn't a teacher of sorts? As doctors, that is all we do all day long.
Bill

 

[bpescar]

Bpescar: I responded to your email yesterday. Did you not receive it? PLMK
Yes I received it and replied tonight.

 

[bpescar]

I thought I would take another poll to see who is interested in getting the wristbands mentioned in earlier postings. If you would like to participate in this please send me a PM so we can get a count in order to see if it would be worthwhile to do. Peacebealone and I are trying to figure out if this is something you all want to do.

 

[riggins]

Hi guys - Guess what showed up on my doorstep today? Cruise docs and luggage tags!! We're getting close!!

Only 30 more days!!​

Happy Thursday!
Leslie

 

[michellemb]

Hi guys - Guess what showed up on my doorstep today? Cruise docs and luggage tags!! We're getting close!!

Only 30 more days!!​

Happy Thursday!
Leslie

Mine too