20041218-cruise-friends-memories Part 5

[WDWLVR]

Vent Alert - In-laws

Ok when we booked this cruise a year and a half ago we knew we'd be away from family at Christmas. Family basically means my MIL, FIL, BIL and his wife. FIL is all about the gifts and within 5 minutes they are opened and he's done. MIL is bah humbug from working retail for so many years and BIL's wife does not believe in God and the reason behind Christmas and has been insulting about it in the past.

Now please don't get me wrong - they are all really nice people and I love them all, but Christmas is not their big thing. So a few months ago when they were over we were talking about what to do and I suggested that we just drop the presents off and they could open them Christmas eve as always and we would call them Christmas Day. That didn't seem to sit well so (and I don't remember this part but Mark tells me it is true) I say "well then lets just skip it". Which they took to heart. This wasn't the intent and Mark informed me I was being a witch about it and they want to do a family Christmas before we leave. So all the presents are bought and I ask Mark today when are we getting together. He hasn't heard from FIL. FIL calls later in the day and says they were waiting for us to invite them over. What? The place is a mess. He says he'll talk to MIL but she's working next weekend. Fast forwad to 4 pm and he calls and says "let's get together tonight - 5 pm as usual". Ok so the presents are bought, but not wrapped. So I go in fast wrap mode (they were all big presents not many presents). We get in the car thinking we are going over to celebrate Christmas. Not quite.

They haven't decorated except for a little on the outside. BIL and wife come down (they live upstairs of my in-laws) with no presents in hand. We have pizza and in a while FIL asks about the gifts. We give them ours and they hand us two envelopes.

The good news - wrapping is done, presents are out.

The better news - our presents were stateroom credits for the cruise.

The bad news - it was only our gifts - they are still doing theirs on Christmas eve which is what I suggested in the first place!

Ho Ho Ho - our family Christmas is done. I'm so looking forward to celebrating it with all of you on the ship!

 

[WDWLVR]

okay 100 More Post

Tonight is the night!

 

[tksbaskets]

Yep! Flavor of the week is Star Wars: Battlegrounds.

Guess what!!






You know what time it is.





TOP!!!!!!!!!!!!
That makes Top #27!!

Mark, that is Nathan & Scott's favorite game right now! I am very used to hearing that from the basement here.

 

[tinkfan]

Okay, can someone tell me how I can show you my door sign? Remember I am the tech challenged one!

 

[tksbaskets]

ARE YOU SURE YOU REALLY MET VICKI DW THIS VICKI WHOS DIS NAME I'M USING??????


WHERES THE PICTURES TOO PROVE IT.


WAS THERE A MEET IN MICHIGAN THAT I DIDNOT GET INVITED TOO


gaRry

Ahhhh no, it must have been another Vicki that I met...I hope your Vicki is nice too. Isn't it funny that they both have the same DIS name too???

No pictures taken but I do know what she has for an antenna topper.....

must be someone else who's DH was home working around the house......

 

[DVC4US]

Mary - I know just what you mean about in-laws and family in general. Don't get me wrong, I love my family but with some of them not talking to each other and Rich's parents not wanting to celebrate Christmas because of all the problems they are having with Rich's sister it has become a very strained season. I am so looking forward to getting on this cruise and celebrating Christmas with all my DIS friends. We are going to have so much fun.

Hope tomorrow is better for you.

 

[DVC4US]

And I got an unexpected T.O.P.

Sorry Mary, I could have quoted you and then it would have been shared.

 

[WDWLVR]

Mary - I know just what you mean about in-laws and family in general. Don't get me wrong, I love my family but with some of them not talking to each other and Rich's parents not wanting to celebrate Christmas because of all the problems they are having with Rich's sister it has become a very strained season. I am so looking forward to getting on this cruise and celebrating Christmas with all my DIS friends. We are going to have so much fun.

Hope tomorrow is better for you.

Thanks LeiLani - actually today was a very good day. Got a lot accomplished for the cruise. I feel good that the exchange is over too - now we won't have to worry about that.

It is going to be a very magical and very special Christmas and I can't wait to celebrate it with all our DIS friends.

 

[scuba.mom]

Here's a question that's probably been asked & answered a million times:

Can we use our Disney Reward Card for purchases on the ship?

If I wasn't so lazy, I'd look in my Reward booklet.
But that's what WE'RE here for, right??

Of course. I have done this on the last two cruises. Just load up your rewards card before you leave and give your card to guest services on the ship. They will apply to your account. It's best I start with a credit on my KTTW account. It's easier to look at the ending statement when we leave that way. I need to do this my self soon.

 

[DVC4US]

We are trying to come up with a meeting time and place. I am including the schedule below and I wanted to get suggestions from everyone. I was thinking about maybe having a meet before Wishes or the late Parade and then watch them together. What does everyone think?

 

[WVMD]

I'm in....

Oh by the way, just a thought.....is this a form of gambling?

Is anyone interested in meeting at one of the casinos on one of the islands for a DIS meet at a black jack table?

Gus

You're going to get Stacey and me into trouble........

Virgil
TFD

 

[WDWLVR]

Well we aren't going to MVMCP but I do have a couple of suggestions for you.


If you want to meet and see the first parade I suggest meeitng in front of the Christmas shop. It is right around the corner from Liberty Tree Tavern, right across from Hall of Presidents (where you get your picture taken).

If you want to meet before WISHES I suggest the old Swan Boat landing. Watching from the Rose Garden is beautiful and that area won't get too crowded (like say trying to meet in front of the castle).

 

[DisneyPinDiva]

Good evening everyone.... live from just outside WDW.... watching the MK fireworks as I type!!
Okay... you guys are WAY too prolific with the posts! I can't sign on for a couple of days and have 70+ pages to catch up on?? NO WAY! If I missed anything important or something I have to sign up for... PLEASE someone let me know!
Mary: I know exactly what you mean about the in-laws ... I refer to mine as the OUT-LAWS...LOL The last time I spent Christmas with them was 1992 and we have since referred to it as " The Christmas From HELL"
My parents are both deceased and have been for many years so it's just DH, the two kids and of course my four legged kids too.

Now... I am in preparation PANIC! I still have no idea what to pack, no lists made ( does anyone want to share one?? LOL) Did get some phone cards at Sams for the crew members for Xmas... Debating on using my reward points now or keep on accumulating for the Repo cruise in May. I think I might need them more then...okay.. rambling too much here.. .but helping towards 20K at least!

 

[WVMD]

We are trying to come up with a meeting time and place. I am including the schedule below and I wanted to get suggestions from everyone. I was thinking about maybe having a meet before Wishes or the late Parade and then watch them together. What does everyone think?

We're up for anything... just tell us when and where... We have 4:25 PS at Liberty Tree Tavern.... and then nothing else secheduled......

Virgil
TFD

 

[WDWLVR]

Leslie - how cool is that - checking in from the Magic Kingdom! Way to go!

 

[WDWLVR]

If we are going to get to 20,000 tonight we need to get Stacey and her twin Lisa here posting!

 

[justmestace]

Finally home for good. Still raining. I thought for sure you'd be past 20,000 by now!

Going back to read....I can hardly keep my eyes open, but am definitely staying till we hit the big one.

 

[justmestace]

aufwiedersehen

Gus

I only missed it by a couple of letters! Not bad for someone who took French....

 

[justmestace]

Is the men's group going to hear it as well sometime?

Gus

Only if they let me come to the movies with them! Or....if the wives tell!

 

[WDWLVR]

Wow - ask and ye shall receive. Good timing Stacey!