20040131 ~ Cruising Jan 31 2004 Western Who's with us?

[Cap]

Hello to everyone. It took me and hour and 45 minutes to catch up with the posts. Judi and I are now in Lake City, FL. Palm trees, 70 degree weather at 8 PM. We drove down from Sparta, TN today in mostly heavy rain. Cleared up just past Macon, GA.

Welcome back from hospital, Randy. I guess they just couldn't stand having you around any longer. Hope you got their emails, so you can send a picture of you recovering on the ship in your speedo with one of those glasses with the little umbrellas.

 

[Cap]

OK. I'll try to catch up with some replies from last two days of poss.

Renae, I think the idea of a quiet "book" meet on the aft deck is good. Perhaps on one of the "at sea" days.

Nikki, you said that your kids wanted to know why they had to come to dinner with you on the first night. Try telling them that the servers need to have them at the table to get paid and any tips. Or tell them you want the other nearby people in the dining room to be able to recognize them and report to you if they see any mischief. Or, you could say it's so you don't have to eat your meal and theirs too.

Steve and Lisa, sorry to hear that you've not been well. It's scary, I know. We pray that all will turn out well.

Karyn, you said you wanted to keep Randy as DH AND be married to a chef. I see two ways to accomplish this, probably both are difficult. First possibility = retrain Randy. Judi keeps saying that I have potential, she's just having difficulty getting me to live up to it. This may be Randy's problem on becoming a Chef. Second possibility = get a second husband. Didn't you say you were moving = maybe it needs to be to Utah.

Gary = GREAT hats. I can't wait to get ours.

Shingle - If the PMs are not showing, look to see if you are just displaying the last 5 or 10 days worth. If you set the display to since beginning, you may find a lot out there.

 

[Cap]

Karyn or Nikki - did you make reference to Ender's Shadow? Is is any good? I don't think I've read it, and have a Border's Book Store gift card in my wallet. I've liked most of his other books.

I'm reading Cussler's Trojan Oddysey now, but will like be finished by Tuesday. I've got a few more books to take, but will need more. Sitting on the cruise deck in the sun reading is very appealing to me.

 

[Annie12345]

Jill, I laughed so hard at your post... my daughter is saying the same thing about Randy (my Randy, that is...) She doesn't want to be anywhere near any speedos, especially if they are on her dad...

Dean, it's going to be tough... with the weather only in the mid '80s on our trip ... I think we'll be able to suffer through it... I shovelled again today and the snow just keeps coming down... it's like little energizer bunny snowflakes...

Karyn, we just watched the Golden Globes, you must have pleased with LOTR winning all those awards...

HADN!!

 

[jedokids]

When in the halls on the ship if you look at the floor doesn't the color of the floor mean something? This just was bothering me thats all.

Cap- glad to here that you made it to Fl.

Randy- glad to hear that your out of the hospital.

Bobby

 

[Juli]

Hi! I had a blast at our Mom's Night Out. We saw a great play at Jeff Daniel's theater, The Purple Rose, in Chelsea, Michigan. It was called "Leaving Iowa", and it just had us in tears we were laughing so hard. What a crazy night. Of course all us Mommys stayed up to the "crack of doom" talking. The hotel was jammed with a bunch of high school hockey players in town for a tournament. At 3:30am, someone pulled the fire alarm and we had to clear out of our rooms. There was no way we were going outside b/c it was -5F. Oh, that wasn't someone in our group that pulled the fire alarm.....that's my story and I'm sticking to it.


Randy - so glad you are better and back on the board. Did the hospital say anything about us keeping the bedpans? It looks good on me, and I'd like to keep it for the sail away party.

Welcome Back Steve & Lisa! You've had your share of illnesss, and now it's time to look forward to the cruise! I spent my summers up by Inverhuron Beach on the Bruce Penninsula as a kid. Is that close to you? My cousins still live in Kincardine and Toronto. Gotta love those bag pipe parades on Saturday Night.

Oh, Oh, a lime green kilt as a cover-up for all you speedo wearing types. Lovely!

Karyn - I can't imagine how you are holding it together! I have so much going on before we leave on Tuesday morning and if I added packing my house up as well.....

Karyn & Renae - I would love to join in the book reading get together. You were reading my mind when you mentioned the cheese from Room Service. Early am, late afternoon, or whenever we can get it in on the at sea days. I always say, if you're willing to plan it, you get to pick the time. Right now, I couldn't devote the bandwidth to thinking about one yet another thing. So, I'll just go along with whatever transpires.

I can't believe how little sleep I'm operating on, so I better crash. DS is taking Hetti, our dog, to the kennel for me in the early am, and I want to make sure I'm up to say, "Goodbye" (Sniff-Sniff.) To both the dog and my son of course.

Good-night ladies and gentlemen. Have a terrific day tomorrow.

Juli

 

[dheller97]

Good morning, all

Cold and windy here today - really blowing the new snow around. It was good hearing from you, Cap. Glad you and Judi made it with no problems.

I probably won't get to post much today, so don't wait around for me. Have at it and build those post numbers up so we give others a goal to shoot for on their cruises.

Talk to you later.
Dean

 

[Cap]

Hope everyone is ready for a fun Monday.

We learn from experience - hopefully other's mistakes. Things to remember to pack (which Judi or I forgot):

: Red Bow Tie
: New toothbrush
: Door magnets
: Long (e.g. 20') Ethernet cord. A six foot one doesn't cut it when the high speed Internet port is on the other side of the room from the desk.
:$1 bills - lots of them for tips, etc.

We're off to drive from Lake City Fl (near north border), to Naples FL (south on Gulf side). I'll catch up again tomorrow.

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by Cap
Karyn or Nikki - did you make reference to Ender's Shadow? Is is any good? I don't think I've read it, and have a Border's Book Store gift card in my wallet. I've liked most of his other books.

I think that Karyn read it and I've always wanted to - I was surprised to see it offered in my son's reading club at school, marketed like a kids book...is it, Karyn?

I've read Scott Card's books about the women from the bible, they are AMAZING...I've read 2 of the 3 he's going to write - Rebecca and Sarah. After "The Red Tent" by Diamante, I've been looking for an experience like that one, but haven't found it yet...those two came close tho...

 

[Kabuli1]

Good morning! I woke up to the sound of snowplows! I hate that sound! Anyway I don't see any new precip, so maybe it was salt trucks and it's coming our way. Just let me out of here first thing Wednesday morning.

Wow, lots to respond to!

Yes I was very excited that "MY" movie won all awards it was up for. It's about time! I can't wait to hear the Oscar noms on Thursday - just hope just hope the rest of the world gives LOTR it's due!

Juli, your Mom's weekend sounded great, glad to see you picked up mu favorite expression: "the crack of doom"!! Don't even talk to me about operating on little sleep . . . . sleep? who needs sleep??? Last year when we cruised I couldn't sleep for the first three nights. I sure hope that's not going to be the case this time.

Oh, and Juli, are you suggesting I need to plan this meet & read???? Y'think I have some free time to do party planning? Renae???? I think this one is your baby!

Juli, I always wondered what they wore under kilts!

Cap, I hope you're enjoying yourself down where it's warm! "Ender's Shadow" is Bean's story and it takes place at the same "time" as "Ender's Game" but it's told from Bean's point of view. It's good.

Dean, don't desert us today! We need you!

Bobby, yes, the anchors in the design on the floors of the halls indicate which direction is which - just don't ask me whether blue points forward of if red does!

Mary Jo, wow, Lamont! That's such an easy distance from Midway. I have a good friend that lives there. I'm sure everyone groaned when you asked where I'm moving - they've had to put up w/ my whining for 145 pages! But to keep it short we're moving to Western Washington (state that is) and my DH, one of the Randys - the one that doesn't post - is already out there. So I'm packing the house w/ my DS#1 and his DF in the way; and my DD who is coming with us on the Magic is packing all her life to move to a friend's for a few months later to go to FL for college. So two days after we get back, the movers are coming; and a few days after that I'm driving across the country - leaving my kids behind! There - the short version!

The really good news is that with a little more cleanup and packing some small stuff, I'm pretty much done - to the point that Monday and Tuesday after we get back should be not too painful as far as packing goes. I think I actually have time to do lunch w/ friends and relax a bit. I've got a lot of garbage to get out today and quite a bit of cleaning and tidying - but the final pack out should go smoothly! I'm almost there . . . Remind me to NEVER do this again! (unless I'm moving to FL to retire!)

I'm so excited that we're all going to meet so soon!

Renae, I'm going to send you a pm!

Karyn

 

[OKWMEMBER]

Welcome to the 5 day Shuffle!!! For those of you who haven't started packing yet, it's a fast trot, soon to be a sprint to the finish line!!!

We're putting the finishing touches on our packing. I was even trying on clothes this morning before work!

Jami, Gail and I, along with Randy, Ann and JJ, will be in the same parks at WDW on Friday!!! Look for the Lime Green and Carribean Blue hats!!!

HADD!!!

 

[Kabuli1]

Gary! I want to find yous guys on Friday! I want my hat!!!!! Come online soon and I'll im you Jill's NEW cell phone number. I'll be hanging around the computer for a couple hours. I will admit freely in front of everyone here, tho, that I will NOT go on Mission Space again! So if you don't mind, I'll wait outside or ride Test Track in the single line while I'm waiting for everybody! There are only a few rides I won't do and that's one of them. Done it three times and it got progressively worse for me. I LOVED it the first time. Everyone should try it once.

I've got some finishing touches to do on the FL/DCL packing but am oh so close to being done! I am so ready to boogie!


Karyn

 

[dheller97]

5 days to go!

Important things left to do:
1. Don't miss the plane
2. Don't miss the plane
3. Don't miss the plane

Got the picture, eh?

 

[dizmomof2]

We're waiting for a big storm here today. It is supposed to hit sometime this afternoon. The kids are in schol and I'm hoping it waits until they get out. We're also supposed to get a big storm with ice and all on Friday. We fly out Friday. Can you feel the panic!!! Start thinking heat wave everyone! I will not miss that boat.

Now to start thinking about packing...

 

[Kabuli1]

Dean, I hope you post the final list tomorrow! I want a copy before I leave!

Thanks, Gary!

dizmomof2 - thinking very WARM thoughts for you! Nasty ice go someplace else (just not here)!

Karyn

 

[PrincessAuroraInBlue]

Originally posted by OKWMEMBER
Welcome to the 5 day Shuffle!!! For those of you who haven't started packing yet, it's a fast trot, soon to be a sprint to the finish line!!!

Geez, I've been so busy packing my room to go to THREE places (Washington, My new "home", and The cruise!) I have a pile of... well, STUFF shoved in the corner of my room but i haven't even begun to THINK about putting everything in plastic baggies yet!! I wonder if i'll have room for all 6 pairs of my shoes!! Anyway, i got a highlighting appt this morning and i also have to worry about getting my SENIOR PICTURES taken tomorrow afternoon... AHH!!! Everything's happening way too fast- at least i'm not in school anymore or i might self-combust!! Just today and Tomorrow left and then we leave!! Ahhhh, Florida: my home away from home!!

See Ya, Kiddies!!

 

[dheller97]

Yep, it is REALLY nasty here today and unfortunately, it is headed your way.

Karyn-I will post the list for the LAST time no later than tomorrow morning. Then it is time to see everyone face to face!! Yahoooooo

 

[OKWMEMBER]

LES, it would be in your and my best interest for you to stay the heck out of here Thursday and Friday!!!

You're welcome, Karyn! I hope we meet up!

I'm with you, Dean! I'm not really on vacation until the wheels touch down in Orlando. Then I cellin' everybody!!! Can you hear me now? GOOD!!!!

 

[KofPShannon]

Good morning all. Welcome back, Randy. Busy weekend. Lots of birthday parties.

I got the Costco snorkel gear!

My back hurts from shoveling snow this morning.

No school for the kiddos. Supposed to have ice and freezing rain tomorrow and more snow forecast for my leave date, Friday. Yuch.

Shopping center catstrophe of the week...da da da dah...power outage!!!

No power, no heat, no heat, frozen pipes. I got my call about 8:15 last night. Thought I was going to actually squeak through a weekend without a problem. Spent the night with the police, the electric company, ALL THE TENANTS, the owner...my poor, patient DBF. I haven't told the owner yet that I will be unreachable on the ship (or $6.95/minute reachable.).

Since I've worked the last 3 weekends, the shooping center is letting me work from home today. That means, unless a tenant calls or there's another catastrophe, I can pack.

I'll check in during the day.

 

[The4OfUs]

=/ That STINKS that there were more frozen pipe issues...we're expecting snow tomorrow/Weds, and then possibly some on Friday, but I'm thinking positive.

Hey, I'm trying to write up contact/itinerary info for family and friends, does anyone know what # someone would call if there were an emergency, to get through to me on the ship? I know I can call OUT, but can they call IN, and if so, what's the #???

Gold star on the forehead for anyone who can come up with that!