2006 DVC Member Cruise - SSMC06 - October 22, 2006

[alikat99]

Okay, this has got to stop. I've been talking to myself.

I guess everyone else is busy. That would be an understatement in my house these days. Gosh, it must be December. We are always so busy in December around here. April too for some reason?

Cameron had a music performance last night. It's their "formal" affair once a year. Last night was 4th, 5th and 6th grades. They make a big deal about the kids coming in nice, dressy clothes, no jeans. I can't tell you how many kids looked rather shabby. It was kind of an eyeopener. Cameron looked really sharp in his "cruise clothes" as did Walker who took it upon himself to wear his "fancy clothes" because Cameron did.

There was one boy, a bigger boy, who wore a bright red tee-shirt. The boys location on the stage was smack dab in the middle of the top row. No one in the audience could miss him --- especially with the wording on his t-shirt --- "Take my parents please". I wondered what type of parent would allow their child to go to that performance not only wearing a t-shirt but one like that? Sometimes, I don't get it. It must be because I was born in the dinosaur ages?

Things have been a bit crazier than usualy in my daycare. With the holiday's coming, we're working extra hard on those special packages for the little ones to take home and put underneath their Christmas trees. I love to do things with their hands and feet so the parents have a concrete measurement of the size they are each year. We're in the process of making cute little angel ornaments using a tracing of their feet and hands. Good thing I'm not using paint right now to do prints with their hands......the babies absolutely hate that. I always find it amazing how strong the little ones can get when I try and paint the inside of their hands. Most of them close it up into a fist and become little Tarzans who are stronger than me to try and open it. So, we wait and wait for them to relax and open it on their own so I can make their handprints. It's pretty comical.

Amy, have you made a chain yet for Emily to count down the days until Christmas? It is Decmeber 1st now and I'm certain she's getting excited.

My kids shopping list grows more and more with every commercial they see on TV. Cameron wants a Civil War bugle......he left us a Christmas list. The only problem? Cameron found it online someplace and didn't leave us the website. So, that's on my list of things to do.....figure out exactly where I can find the one he's looking at? Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky.

I can't believe call in day is just around the corner. Gosh, it feels like we've been waiting forever.

That's ok, I think that I'm talking to myself right now.

Anyway, I would love to see the boys all dressed up. Did you take pictures?? It's amazing what some parents will allow their kids to wear to occasions like that. Oh well!!!

I haven't made a chain for Emily yet, but we do have a Disney Christmas tree advent calendar with little velcro characters for every day. I'll need to dig that out of the garage, because I think that it starts today.

 

[alikat99]

I have no clue what the post count will be on cruise day, but it will be quite high. I figure the posting in this thread will drop a few day after call in date and will pick way up in September.... Whaddya all think?

No way will this group slow down in the posts. I just don't see it happening. We may have a slow day or two, but it usually picks up after a slow day.

 

[alikat99]

To all my friends trying to get on SSMC06. I've seen this before but it was forwarded to me today and I think as we start the holiday season it is an important reminder.

That was beautiful, Mary!!! Thanks for that reminder. It brought tears to my eyes.

 

[alikat99]

As usual, I agree with Amy!

Maybe we were twins separated at birth, or long, lost sisters.

 

[alikat99]

Ok, now I realized that I really AM basically talking to myself. Oh well.

Hey guys, we have a friend that has been reading this thread. Hi Tim & Michelle. They are our friends that just joined DVC and they are still considering this cruise. Chris keeps trying to tell them how fun it is, but I don't think that we have them convinced. They have 2 kids, Clark is not quite a year older than Emily and Cassie is just a few weeks younger than Maddie. So, I know that they will have a blast on this cruise.

Come on guys, come out of the woodwork and say HI. I promise, this group does NOT bite (except for Diana and she doesn't bite hard).

Everyone say HI to Tim & Michelle!!!!

 

[ohanafamily]

Hi Tim & Michelle...

OK, I admit it, I am probably wrong about the post count, but who knows.....

BTW, if you look below Jeff's TAG, it says the city he lives in. If you do a Google search on the first 4 letters of his city name, you will find it is an acronym for a very bad work... Mothers I Love to ****. NOT a Very Disney Sentiment...

 

[sanddune]

hi! Tim and Michelle! Come on in and have some fun!
Amy and Chris are telling it how it is! These member cruises are a blast! I hope to be on my 3RD Member Cruise ! Any questions come on and ask.

 

[chipscinderelly]

Mary - wow that was awesome! Stop making me cry at my desk!

Cindy/Amy - talking to yourself - now that's funny!

So I reminded Matt that call in day is Saturday (I was explaining that all our otherDVC friends we were trying to convince to cruise with us bailed) and since he has to work he wanted to know if I wanted him to leave his cell phone home to help me dial in. Um geez baby that would be great but last time I checked I only had 2 hands to dial with and we have a home phone and I have a cell phone

 

[Diana Lyn]

Mary - wow that was awesome! Stop making me cry at my desk!

Cindy/Amy - talking to yourself - now that's funny!

So I reminded Matt that call in day is Saturday (I was explaining that all our otherDVC friends we were trying to convince to cruise with us bailed) and since he has to work he wanted to know if I wanted him to leave his cell phone home to help me dial in. Um geez baby that would be great but last time I checked I only had 2 hands to dial with and we have a home phone and I have a cell phone

Oh come Julie, you are a woman, and women are queens at multitasking! I'm sure you can do it!

 

[Diana Lyn]

BTW, if you look below Jeff's TAG, it says the city he lives in. If you do a Google search on the first 4 letters of his city name, you will find it is an acronym for a very bad work... Mothers I Love to ****. NOT a Very Disney Sentiment...

I just find this hysterical that it got block out though! I believe the acronym became popular by it's use in the American Pie movies! Not a very Disney sentiment for sure, but I don't think we should be lobbying to have the town name changed because of it!

 

[Diana Lyn]

Come on guys, come out of the woodwork and say HI. I promise, this group does NOT bite (except for Diana and she doesn't bite hard).

Everyone say HI to Tim & Michelle!!!!

Hi Tim & Michelle! Apparently, I'm the biter of the group!

 

[sanddune]

Julie that sounds like something my husband would say. I guess he thinks you are Super Woman!

 

[curtdennis]

WELCOME Tim & Michelle

I'm Curt (not the most creative when it comes to screen name creation), and Karen (4Gus-Gus&Figaro) is my DW. We are acknowledged Disney nuts that have been on three cruises, all on the Wonder. One time we took a back to back three day/four day and never even got off the ship at Port Canaveral (by the way that is the PERFECT TIME to explore the ship - including the suites....) We are planning our next two cruises for 2006. One of the "double dips" to Costa Maya and the 06 Member Cruise (I hope, I hope, we hope). If looking for advise on cruising? One Word - DOIT!

My wife and I are "child free" but one time we cruised we paired up with a couple who practically had to pry their child's fingers off the door jamb to get him away from the activities at midnight. So kids are covered. Now I've NEVER been bored on the ships, swim, read, go to the movies, whatever.

I can't say it enough - CRUISE CRUISE and CRUISE again. Oh and maybe stop at the parks while your down there, they can be fun too.

 

[Diana Lyn]

WELCOME Tim & Michelle

I'm Curt (not the most creative when it comes to screen name creation), and Karen (4Gus-Gus&Figaro) is my DW. We are acknowledged Disney nuts that have been on three cruises, all on the Wonder. One time we took a back to back three day/four day and never even got off the ship at Port Canaveral (by the way that is the PERFECT TIME to explore the ship - including the suites....) We are planning our next two cruises for 2006. One of the "double dips" to Costa Maya and the 06 Member Cruise (I hope, I hope, we hope). If looking for advise on cruising? One Word - DOIT!

My wife and I are "child free" but one time we cruised we paired up with a couple who practically had to pry their child's fingers off the door jamb to get him away from the activities at midnight. So kids are covered. Now I've NEVER been bored on the ships, swim, read, go to the movies, whatever.

I can't say it enough - CRUISE CRUISE and CRUISE again. Oh and maybe stop at the parks while your down there, they can be fun too.

Oh, yea....you guys are going to fit in GREAT around here!

And--I'm right with you about not being creative with screen name creation too!

 

[cgcw]

Did Someone want a Cruise ship Smiley?
I think Geffric has one in her Siggie...

Her it is...

Is Geffric a he or a she? I always thought Geffric was a he but this is the 2nd time I've heard the reference that Geffric was a she?


Whichever, cool smiley!!

 

[curtdennis]

How many posts does a person have to have to "earn" their ears? I'm getting tired of this URL glitch when posting.

 

[WDWLVR]

Hi Tim & Michelle! Any friends of Amy & Chris are friends of this group! Hope you join the fun!

Curt - which double scoop cruise are you and Karen doing? Mark and I are doing the May one!

 

[sanddune]

My post counter doesn't work half the time. Every time they change the boards.I have to start over. I hope you have a better one.

 

[RRBB]

2 days until call in!


:thewave: :thewave: :thewave: :thewave:


​

WOOHOO!!!!

Just getting caught up here - not an easy feat with an active baby wanting all the attention these days.

 

[cgcw]

To all my friends trying to get on SSMC06. I've seen this before but it was forwarded to me today and I think as we start the holiday season it is an important reminder.


A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr.. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."

Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.


"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.


"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.


As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.


Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time.


The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.


"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.


"The box is gone," he said.


"What box?" Mom asked.


"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most, '" Jack said.


It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.


"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.


Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention.


"Mr. Harold Belser" it read.


Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.


"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.


Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.


Inside he found these words engraved:


"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."


"The thing he valued most...was...my time."


Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.


"I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet...thanks for your time!"


"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"


Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.


* At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.


* At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.


* A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't know you.


* Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.


* You mean the world to someone.


* If not for you, someone may not be living.


* You are special and unique.


* When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.


* When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.


* When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.


* Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.


* Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.


* If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.


Send this letter to all the people you care about, if you do so, you will certainly brighten someone's day and might change their perspective on life...for the better.


To everyone I sent this to "Thanks for your time"

I was in need of a good cry.

* If not for you, someone may not be living.

This is the one that hit me the most. Besides my two children, I know for a fact of one person who wouldn't be here today had they not reached out to me when they were at their lowest point in life. Lower than anyone could ever be -- on the verge of suicide. I personally helped this person through her darkest hour and moved on with my life. Fortunately, she moved on with her own -- getting the help that she so desperately needed.

Up until this moment, I knew I helped her through that time, but I never realized the impact that had. WOW!