20051123 - November 23, 2005 Thanksgiving Wonder Cruise

[BethC1952]

Still no documents here, but DH suggested that our TA may be holding them until she gets the documents for our second cruise, too, and then send us both at once. I had completely forgotten that I should be getting TWO sets of docs!

Oh, well, I know they'll be here sooner or later. I've actually gotten them as late as the day before I left home (Dec. 2003).

 

[genmasjoy]

The roofer came yesterday and repaired the hurricane damage. We've cleaned up the yard, washed down the house, etc, and are ready to have some fun. This cruise couldn't come at a better time.....see you all Nov. 23.

 

[ImMarcik]

Wow, that's great. Our insurance adjuster isn't even coming until next friday and Rita was Sept 24th. One day we will get a new roof.

 

[slindamood]

Our TA emailed about 6 PM Friday to say the documents had arrived!! She will get them out this coming week, so only a few more days.

Can't believe it is only two weeks and a few days. I am so ready to go in my mind, but so not ready in reality - all the early planning, and now, it is for real, and real clothes need to go in that suitcase. What to pack?

See you all soon.

 

[BethC1952]

I finally had to make two separate packing lists. I need to pack for my trip to Atlantic City next week--business suits, dress shoes, and all the "professional stuff" (and my bathing suit--the Tropicana has a great pool!). I had some stuff in my suitcase, but realized that I probably won't need shorts and tee shirts here in New Jersey in November (although that's what I wore today). Most of my time in Atlantic City will be tied up with work, but I want to have enough casino time to win some money for my cruise. I usually do win a little (never more than $100), so I'm hoping to keep up the winning streak!

I have so much to do at work, and only three more days in the office until the cruise! We have two holidays this week, next week I'll be in AC all week, and then...it's time! Two weeks from tomorrow I will be flying to Orlando. Actually, we leave home at 12:20 on the morning of 11/22 heading for Newark Airport!

 

[BethC1952]

For anyone who's interested...

My new kittens have finally emerged from their nest (hidden away deep in the corner behind my bed), and have graciously allowed me to have some "camera time" with them. The first photos are posted here. As yet, we haven't officially determined their genders, although at a quick glance they all appear to be male.

See you all in slightly more than two weeks!

EDIT 11/13/05: The two gray kittens are female (Patches and Dusty) and Ginger (the orange one) is male!

 

[ImMarcik]

Your kittens are adorable. I showed them to my DD this morning and she wanted to see how old they were, so i went back to where you posted they were born and we realized they were born on my DD's 12 bday.

 

[BethC1952]

Tell your DD we wish her a slightly belated happy birthday. The kittens are growing by the minute--you can almost see them getting bigger while you watch. By the time we sail, I will have lots more pictures. You're welcome to watch their progress!

 

[thegales]

TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY WE WILL BE BOARDING!!!!!!

 

[BethC1952]

I'm ready (well, psychologically, anyway!) Tomorrow was supposed to be my last day in the office until after the cruise, but we have a last-minute emergency which means I will have to work Monday of next week. Then I'm off to Atlantic City for four days (business), to my SIL's house for the weekend for my neice's Sweet 16, then off to Florida! I have to pack and repack so many times in the next week that I'm afraid I'll wear out the zipper on my suitcase!

I haven't received any other suggestions yet for a meet, so I'll be waiting (luscious tropical beverage in hand) all the way aft on Deck 10 on 11/23 at 3:15 PM. Of course, I haven't given any thought to the possibility of rain that day--we don't want to get wet .

 

[BethC1952]

OK, now I'm REALLY ready!

I got my documents--I think! My DIL just called and told me she got a package in her mail from DCL! We are next door neighbors, and our husbands have the same name...except of course, hers is "Junior"! Our addresses are the same, except for the apartment number. She didn't open the package, but she figures since she's not going anywhere, it must be mine! I don't know yet whether I've got one set or both of them, but I'll know as soon as I get home. Now I'm ready...I've got my ME stuff, my documents, all I need is for the next two weeks to move along!

 

[BethC1952]

Hmmm, I'm not quite as ready as I thought I was! The documents I received yesterday are for the 11/27 sailing, not the 11/23 sailing. My TA said that they "had to make a few changes" to my docs and they're being run and mailed and I should have them Monday or Tuesday.

 

[ImMarcik]

Wow! That will be cutting it close.

 

[BethC1952]

Two years ago, I got my docs at 5 PM on the night before we left (at 5 AM). If my docs don't arrive, I know that I can pick up a set at the port, or download them and fill them out here. I'll be out of town next week until Thursday, so it won't matter whether they come on Monday or Tuesday (or even Wednesday). I can't do anything with them until I return late Thursday night.

 

[BethC1952]

Single digits everyone! Let me be the first to say (officially)--SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK!

I posted my countdown with 297 days left to go. I thought I'd never get to double digits, and couldn't even imagine single digits!

I'm packing now for my trip to Atlantic City this week, then will repack for my trip to my neice's Sweet 16, then, in only 1/2 day, I will repack for the cruise.

See you all next week!

 

[ImMarcik]

Beth I hope you have a good trip, or should I say good trips in the next week. I have 3 more days of work after today, we are leaving Friday.

I just called the Beach Club to confirm that they offer the AK transport and they said yes. I got to tell the lady "see you this weekend". I'm pretty much packed up now, just a few things left to do, but wait.

thegales, did you end up getting a limo to bring you to the port? We ended up getting one to take us to the airport.

 

[BethC1952]

Marcie: Thanks for the good wishes! I'll be so glad to get on the ship so I don't have to repack again for a few days!

My boss just asked me if I could work Friday and Monday. I told him no--and that was the greatest feeling! He'll just have to wait until I get back!

Have a safe trip, everyone!

I'll be waiting on Deck 10 all the way aft (outside Palo) at 3:15 on embarkation day (even if it's raining--my mom always taught me that rain makes you beautiful).

 

[BethC1952]

OK, now I've gotten my docs! Strangely, they were mailed directly from DCL rather than from my TA, and I got two printed booklets instead of one. For the second cruise, I got one booklet with both of our names. I also got a second set of ME stuff, only this time, just for my return trip from WDW. The first set I received was for the round trip. All the information is correct, however, so now I can leave for my business trip in the morning and not have to worry about my vacation!

 

[thegales]

thegales, did you end up getting a limo to bring you to the port? We ended up getting one to take us to the airport.

We changed our flight on Tuesday to be a direct, so we now land at 9:30 am. We think we are going to go to WDW and play a round of miniture golf, and maybe go to Boardwalk or DTD. We will head down to Cape Canaveral late afternoon.

My DD's are a bit disappointed that we are not getting the limo, but I couldn't figure out how to do logistically.

 

[thegales]

One week from today!!!!!!!!