2/15/2013 - 8 Night Western Cruise, Galveston, TX

[dgmommie]

Hi Natalie,
Remember to watch out for roaming charges if your DH checks in with work. My DH says he won't check in but I'm pretty sure eventually he will. I heard roaming charges are brutal.

My husband plans to check in while at WDW and Key West.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Drat! Forgot about that! Ok, will settle for no fog on departure day.

I was thinking about something today and thought I'd share for those folks who haven't sailed before. They have soda/juice machines up on deck nine so you can go and get drinks whenever you want; however, they don't have straws or lids due to the hazards they pose if they blow overboard. My 3-year-old struggles drinking out of a cup with no straw so we're bringing a cup for her to use while out and about. Just thought I'd mention it in case anyone else has little ones with the same problem.

Thanks for this! I had just told my mom that I wasn't going to bother with extra cups for the boys because I assumed they would have lids and straws. They can drink fine from a regular cup at meals but I'd rather not have to deal with spills etc in the room or try to carry lidless cups around so I think I will bring a couple along with a bigger cup for me too.

Well, yesterday my mom and I attempted the last part of our FE gifts. We were planning on putting oreos on a stick with mini oreos for Mickey ears and covering with chocolate. Let's just say it was an epic pinterest fail! The oreos broke so we couldn't dip them. The sticks didn't want to stay in and when we spooned the chocolate over them it pooled as it was drying and well, they didn't look much like Mickey! So yeah, sorry about that, but we quit after about 10-15. We have plenty of other stuff to give anyway and didn't want to spend hours trying to make it look like the picture!

And then my husband and I are here at winter camp with our Sr. High students (Andrew is a youth pastor). We were here all of one hour last night and I twisted my right ankle badly attempting to play volleyball. It hurts so bad. Fingers crossed that wrapping it, staying off it, and ibuprofen will do the trick and I'm not still limping a week from now. I'm especially worried about the WDW day. Sigh. So no taboggans or snow shoeing for me. Thank goodness they have good WIFI and that I brought my computer!

 

[juliefsu]

Thanks for this! I had just told my mom that I wasn't going to bother with extra cups for the boys because I assumed they would have lids and straws. They can drink fine from a regular cup at meals but I'd rather not have to deal with spills etc in the room or try to carry lidless cups around so I think I will bring a couple along with a bigger cup for me too.

Well, yesterday my mom and I attempted the last part of our FE gifts. We were planning on putting oreos on a stick with mini oreos for Mickey ears and covering with chocolate. Let's just say it was an epic pinterest fail! The oreos broke so we couldn't dip them. The sticks didn't want to stay in and when we spooned the chocolate over them it pooled as it was drying and well, they didn't look much like Mickey! So yeah, sorry about that, but we quit after about 10-15. We have plenty of other stuff to give anyway and didn't want to spend hours trying to make it look like the picture!

And then my husband and I are here at winter camp with our Sr. High students (Andrew is a youth pastor). We were here all of one hour last night and I twisted my right ankle badly attempting to play volleyball. It hurts so bad. Fingers crossed that wrapping it, staying off it, and ibuprofen will do the trick and I'm not still limping a week from now. I'm especially worried about the WDW day. Sigh. So no taboggans or snow shoeing for me. Thank goodness they have good WIFI and that I brought my computer!

Sorry to hear about your ankle. Praying for quick healing. WDW day isn't for a week and a half so it will probably be better. Stay off it, ice it, keep it up and that anti-inflamatory.

I have had many Pinterest fails. Pinterest makes things look so easy. At least you tried.

We are in cruise mode this weekend. Packing, haircuts, errands getting all the little stuff. Can't wait! DD teach was happy for us DS not so much. I asked if he could take his test early and the teacher said no he'll have to take it when he gets back.

- Julie

 

[KPetty725]

I'm not a weather expert - how does a higher temperature increase the chance of fog? We've been in the 20's for weeks. The fog has been so thick that the visibility has been 50 feet most mornings on my drive to work. The airport has even closed here a few times. Finally once we started to get into the 30's it seems to have subsided a little bit.

LOL! I don't think there is such a thing as a weather expert in Texas! Basically, we go from really warm (like 80) to pretty cold (40s) all in the span of a day. When the temps start to warm up and even out (60s-70s), in comes the fog. I assume it has something to do with warm ground / cold air? Maybe the other way around? I just know its the milder mornings that we get the worst fog. The cooler it is on the day of sailing, the less likely there will be fog. Welcome to Texas! Hehehe

I think we're going to end up picking up the last few things we need today. I made my packing list this morning and wrote down everything I need to do for school/work/cruise next week. It's a long list. Definitely going to have to prioritize!!! It doesn't help that my daughter's Destination Imagination group is gearing up for completion so they practice 4 times per week. And of course this would be Girl Scout week too so my afternoons/evenings are full! Still happy dancing that all the rushing around will end with us sailing away on the Magic!!!!

6 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[duck_widow]

MCKQuilt we are neighbors (sort of). We are in San Jose. We moved her almost 2 years ago and love the weather! DH and I always say, after living here where do you move? Anywhere else would be a weather down grade (well, maybe SoCa would be a little better)

Yay! We're from San Jose too. Bay Area represent!

 

[fatfish]

Drat! Forgot about that! Ok, will settle for no fog on departure day.

I was thinking about something today and thought I'd share for those folks who haven't sailed before. They have soda/juice machines up on deck nine so you can go and get drinks whenever you want; however, they don't have straws or lids due to the hazards they pose if they blow overboard. My 3-year-old struggles drinking out of a cup with no straw so we're bringing a cup for her to use while out and about. Just thought I'd mention it in case anyone else has little ones with the same problem.

We always bring our own cups because the ones at the soda station are so small. I think they are like 8 ounces. You can use your own cups, you just need to dispense from the machine into the paper cups, and pour the paper cups into your cup. This is for sanitary reasons. We have 16 oz Tervis "knock-offs" with their own lids and straws. In the past we have used the refillable cups from WDW, and they work well too.

And as for the fog, right now there is no fog forecast for Friday in Galveston, but as it gets warmer the risk increases. There is currently fog forecast for Saturday morning in Galveston, so we don't want that moving up a day! The weather this time of year is very variable. Galveston is usually a bit warmer that Houston. Just so you know, the low Friday morning in Houston is forecast to be 37 degrees, with a north wind. So bring your coats!
The high in Houston on Friday is expected to be 50 degrees. But all of this could change, several times, in the next week.

6 days!!!!

 

[duck_widow]

Hi,

Well it's 5 days before we leave and we're all sick, FE not made, FE gifts not done, not packed and I can't find a formal night dress.

I'm recruiting my 12yo DD to make a duct tape FE.

I sure hope our luck turns around!

 

[betsy2010]

We're from the Bay Area too (Tiburon) so we know our fog! hoping for clears skies next Friday. We're staying at Harbor House and are hoping to wake up to seeing the ship in port!

Yay! We're from San Jose too. Bay Area represent!

 

[betsy2010]

ok, did anyone else notice that castaway cay the day we're supposed to be there is forecast to be 66?! what? that sounds crazy, doesn't it?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/bs/castaway-cay/2292502/daily-weather-forecast/2292502?day=10

LOL! I don't think there is such a thing as a weather expert in Texas! Basically, we go from really warm (like 80) to pretty cold (40s) all in the span of a day. When the temps start to warm up and even out (60s-70s), in comes the fog. I assume it has something to do with warm ground / cold air? Maybe the other way around? I just know its the milder mornings that we get the worst fog. The cooler it is on the day of sailing, the less likely there will be fog. Welcome to Texas! Hehehe

I think we're going to end up picking up the last few things we need today. I made my packing list this morning and wrote down everything I need to do for school/work/cruise next week. It's a long list. Definitely going to have to prioritize!!! It doesn't help that my daughter's Destination Imagination group is gearing up for completion so they practice 4 times per week. And of course this would be Girl Scout week too so my afternoons/evenings are full! Still happy dancing that all the rushing around will end with us sailing away on the Magic!!!!

6 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[moniman01]

I'm hoping that will change. I can tell you weather in Orlando, Houston/Galveston is so unpredictable. It's been in high 70s for 2 weeks and now supposed to be in 60s the day we sail.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

ok, did anyone else notice that castaway cay the day we're supposed to be there is forecast to be 66?! what? that sounds crazy, doesn't it?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/bs/castaway-cay/2292502/daily-weather-forecast/2292502?day=10

This is not what I've been seeing at all on weather.com. It only goes out 10 days but it hasn't been below 70 for Castaway Cay. Same is true for Orlando. I will be happy in the 70's but 60's would be a total bummer. Fingers crossed its nice and warm.

http://m.weather.com/10day/BFXX0018

 

[elmo2200]

We are taking reusable water bottles too! I picked up a bottle of gluten free amaretto and I figure I could use my water bottle to take drinks to some of the adult activities at night. With my food allergies I can't have regular sweet and sour mix so I plan to make my own using lemon koolaid. We'll see how it goes...

 

[Ichiban]

Just watched the Magic leave Galveston. Only 6 more days and that will be us!!

Carol

 

[elmo2200]

I just discovered that my kids' passports are EXPIRED!!!!!!! Thank God I got an appointment for Monday by phone at our regional passport office. Now I need passport photos!!

 

[Wshop]

Yay! We're from San Jose too. Bay Area represent!

We are from the Bay Area as well.. Flying out Thursday afternoon from SFO I will wear my green mickey ring (it can't be missed). Finally got seats together on the airplane with my son..yeah!

 

[Gina]

I just discovered that my kids' passports are EXPIRED!!!!!!! Thank God I got an appointment for Monday by phone at our regional passport office. Now I need passport photos!!

Holy smokes... I know you must be freaking out!! What can they do at that office, though? I thought even expedited passports take like a week... I hope they can help you out!!


Got the last few things I needed today, after visiting my poor daddy in the hospital. He has sepsis, but they can't seem to find the source. They've just been throwing every broad-spectrum antibiotic at him, and it seems to be helping -- he finally didn't have a fever today, for the first time since Wednesday night when it was 104+. He had a kidney transplant 2 years ago, so that really ups the ante on infections like this. But the docs said he's doing much better, and that so far they see no signs of organ damage.

The local TV weather gypsies seem to be throwing darts at the forecast wheel again. Local ABC forecast shows a high of 68 and a low of 41 on Friday... Local CBS channel says 49 and 37. WTH?? Going straight to the source, the HOU-GAL Nat'l Weather Service says highs in the mid 60's and partly cloudy for Galveston itself on Friday.

We should still be okay fog-wise. Fog here this time of year happens when it's unseasonably warm with a south wind, and the warm air moves across the much cooler Gulf water. I think you had it, Katie.

dgmommie ~ I just told Tyler Dean to keep an eye out for a boy his age named Connor.

duck_widow ~ I hope all y'all are feeling better very soon!! It sounds like you definitely need a cruise!

SnipsNSnails ~ I hope your ankle feels better very soon too!! How is it now, did the ibuprofen and ice help?


Off to pack!!!


-gina-

 

[FloridaFun]

Stephanne, I hope your ankle is feeling better tonight. Are you planning to do the driving? A number of my Pinterest attempts also failed, but I finally came up with a couple that I liked. I guess that is what prototypes are for.

Kathy, I hope you are all feeling better soon. No fun to be sick and trying to get ready for a vacation.

Tracey, OH NO! I sure hope you can get them new ones quickly. I wish kids Passports were good for the same length that the adult ones are. It would make one less thing to remember.

It sounds like predicting the weather in the Houston/Galveston area is as hard as here. They frequently get our weather wrong too. I make the kids go stand on the porch each morning and then pick what to wear.

I also have a true sign that our Disney cruise is coming very soon. I asked all 3 boys to clean their rooms today (on a Saturday). Not even a sigh, whimper, or eye roll and they all cleaned them to my satisfaction. Made me think I should take Disney cruises more often!

Beth

 

[KPetty725]

I just discovered that my kids' passports are EXPIRED!!!!!!! Thank God I got an appointment for Monday by phone at our regional passport office. Now I need passport photos!!

Gah! That makes my stomach hurt just thinking about it! Fingers and toes crossed for you! I hate that kids' passports expire so much quicker. Of course, looking at my 6-year-old's passport photo that was taken when she was 2 makes me understand why but its still a pain in the fanny!

Gina - thank you for the much more scientific weather explanation. I knew there was a reason. It was so foggy here today (outside San Antonio) that we couldn't see our neighbor's house across the street. Blah.

Beth - I'm so glad I'm not the only one who sends her kid outside to check the weather in the morning! I can't tell you how many times we've walked out the door to go to the bus stop only to turn right back around and grab jackets before heading to the car because its too cold to walk!

Picked up most of the items on the shopping list today. Got sunscreen, after sun, pool floats (we bring our own for Castaway Cay), and a valet for my toiletries because I've outgrown my old one! DH is going shopping on Monday for a few last minute clothing items and I'm going to pick up some extra shoes on Tuesday and that's it! My six-year-old and I have been dancing (yes, literally) everywhere we go with ridiculously huge grins on our faces. Of course, the three-year-old doesn't understand that we're excited the cruise is so close and gets really upset when I tell her we're not leaving yet. She thinks every time we walk to the car were going to the "cooz"!

 

[betsy2010]

We are from the Bay Area as well.. Flying out Thursday afternoon from SFO I will wear my green mickey ring (it can't be missed). Finally got seats together on the airplane with my son..yeah!

We are also flying out from sfo on thur afternoon. The 4ish united flight to IAH. Would be funny if we are on the same flight
Betsy

 

[Chrisira2001]

5 more days! Anyone from San Diego, CA? We are We're flying out from LAX though... We got the valentines day $100 offer for each way.
Almost done packing, now I just need some last minute idea door decor

Christy