4/29/06 Eastern Magic...We're Going!!!!!

[Belle&RellasMom]

Wow! Everyone must have had a busy weekend because here we are on page two again!!!

We took the girls to the MSU/Wisconsin football pounding on Saturday...what a great day! The Spartans clobbered the Badgers, it was cold, but at least sunny, taught the girls the ins and outs of tailgating (they liked the beer better than the Jack Daniels!), enjoyed the first half of the game, but then had to leave because Lindsey had a double header indoor soccer game. I'm proud to say that she scored one goal in the first game and had a hat trick in the second game...her team played awesome...they're really starting to get the whole "teamwork" and passing thing! Finally!

Tom left for sunny Florida yesterday morning...he gets to spend four days there (he says he's working), come home for four days and then we all get to go back in SEVEN days!!! That's right...seven more days until we're enjoying turkey (make that sushi) with Mickey!!!

 

[castlegazer]

Sounds like a fun weekend. I have a Spartan's hat - I like it because I like Michigan State (my Dad however, went to Michigan), but it also has just an S on the front which is the first initial to my name.

I used to play indoor soccer - it made me feel like my lungs were bleeding and this was in my prime days of playing soccer in college about 12 years ago. I played indoor for a very professional co-ed team and league down in Atlanta. Man, that was the toughest sport I have ever played and I was a college soccer player and Lacrosse player. Its great exercise - that's for sure.

We did have a super busy weekend - although, you will rarely find me here at the DIS on weekends. We got SNOW friday!!! About 7 inches if you can believe it! It also stayed, unlike most first snows that melt that day. It is still with us. I hope this is not a foreboding sign of things to come. I love snow, but we have leaves still on the ground in our backyard that are in desperate need of raking.

We also had new windows installed. COOL!!! We have had really good luck with contractors in our home improvement saga thus far. I am doing the upstairs bathroom next month - hopefully our good luck streak in maintained.

So that's our weekend in a nut shell. Oh, forgot to say we also did some test driving of minivans - I am moving into this car segment. I currently drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee and its just not big enough its super sad to say.

Anyone have minivan advice for me.

 

[lsutigger2]

Yep, fellow travelers, I'm still around! Been out of town - HAD to go to Anaheim for a conference and just happened to stay next door to Disneyland. It's just not the same as WDW but still fun. Took a group of 7 to spend time there on Saturday afternoon/evening. A couple of them had never been to a theme park! What fun! All had a good time and I have pics to prove it!

B&R's Dad: Nick is ours and here's hoping he stays for a good long time! We go through the "is he going to leave?" stuff every year. Hadn't heard that he denied that he was going to the Dolphins. I'll ask him Sunday when I sit next to him in church!

Take care all - Later

 

[JenLynn]

Hi all!!
I haven't been on the thread lately because i didn't want to get my hopes up that we'd be able to join ya'll on this cruise and then have those hopes dashed by a change in plans. But, i have been working hard on convincing our gang that the 4/29/06 Eastern is the way to go ... and i think i have got just about all of them convinced .... still need to work some "JenLynn magic" on Camera Chris and the wife.

I am exhausted now ... today and tomorrow are parent conference days at school and i had to work 12 hours today ... talking to parent after parent about their children .... by 7pm i was brain-dead!

I am bummed we aren't able to make the WDW thing work for early December (was looking forward to seeing all the Christmas decorations), but BowTie has said that we can take a nice long trip in June '05 so i am excited about that! Maybe next December.

Hey Philly Jen, i meant to tell you that i loved the jewelry pics!! Great work! I love all the beautiful details you add to them.

Oh Laura and Julie, one of my selling point for this cruise (to my friend Kathy) was that her daughter Lauren is the same age as Lindsey and Madelyn ... other girls her age!

Hope everyone is doing well ... i think i am off to collapse into a deep sleep (at least until i have to get up tomorrow morning and do the parent conference thing all over again) .... and parents- please be nice to your child's teacher on conference day!!

 

[castlegazer]

I was so nice to my son's teachers - and granted its much different for a pre-schooler than a school age child - that we got all the parents to revolt against the conferences that were scheduled at night. We all didn't sign up and instead talked to the teachers on our time during their work hours.

We all felt it was unfair to keep them at night to discuss what was our responsibility to be informed about.

I know its totally different when he gets to school, but just thought I'd tell you that I fully respect the agony you must go through to have these conferences.

Question of the Day:
OK - so all you May cruisers (and LSUtigger2 too), tell me what is your favorite cruise drink. Now see, I would know this had I cruised with you all before, but since I didn't I will need to start from square one. If you want to add where you like to drink it at on the ship to make it more fun for you, please do.

As I said before, I am a Pina Colada gal and having not been on the Magic prior to now, I can't make a reference to a point on that ship, but I loved sipping them in the beautiful adult pool area of the Grand Princess and on our balcony and on the back area of the ship..... hell, I liked sipping them wherever.

 

[lsutigger2]

Okay, I guess I'll go first. My DH and I are not "big" drinkers. An occasional one now and again are good for us. I did have a Konk Kooler at Castaway Cay and it was pretty yummy. Could go for more of those.

Next --

 

[JenLynn]

well, bowtie joe is a beer drinker, through and through. occassionally he will do something harder, but beer is his drink of choice. (thus Tom's permanent image of BTJ with the refillable beer mug in his hand).

as for me, i love all the fru-fru drinks! pretty much anything with an umbrella and some fruit stuck at the top is wonderful. i like the drink of the day (is it the sail away special?) that is the strawberry daiqueri and pina colada layered. and nothing beats Kadir walking along singing "Ole Ole" with a tray of Bahama Mamas in his hand. Oh, and yes, i like the Konk Kooler. And although we didn't go to Paradise Point and try the real thing, BTJ made me one of their wonderful drinks when we got home (what is that one called?). Oh, and i had several delicious Melon Balls at dinner on semi-formal night (i was feeling fine that night!).

Umm... but believe it or not, i am not a big drinker!

 

[castlegazer]

I really like melon balls too. I haven't had one in years.

Well, it goes without saying that I am not much of a drinker now too. But I am of German descent so I am pretty much a beer drinker too when not pregnant.

I don't want a bill that doesn't fit under the door, though.

 

[Belle&RellasMom]

Well castlegazer, you've finally brought up a subject that I know a little bit about!!! Not that we're a bunch of lushes or drunks (well, maybe we are), but we spent a good portion of the cruise sampling all of the yummy drinks. On the "at sea" days, our favorite place to be was up on deck 10, overlooking either the adult pool or the goofy pool...this is when we usually had the drink-of-the-day...these tasted even better when we could beat-the-clock and get them two-for-one! Everyday there was a different drink (Bahama Mama, Cool Breeze, Rum Runner, etc...), but they all tasted about the same...I myself am a beer drinker at heart (didn't do the refillable beer mug like BTJ because I prefer bottle to draft), but I did feel the need to drink the tropical drinks by the pool.

We did the Wine Package with dinner, but probably wouldn't do it again...we split it with Pango and his Queen, so it was a little bit more economical, but sometimes after drinking all day we really didn't feel like drinking a bottle of wine at dinner...we needed to save ourselves for the Rockin' Bar D after dinner! That's where we went back to drinking our "usual"...beer for me, Jack & Coke for Tom.

We did the Wine Tasting on Sunday afternoon...it was fun.

On the semi-formal night we went to Palo (not to eat) after dinner and just sat at the bar. We enjoyed the atmosphere, had some laughs with our friends, and had fun talking with the bartender...he was spilling Disney cruise secrets to us while he was making us drinks!!! I don't even remember what we drank up there...we just told him to whip us up something and he did!

The Bushwackers at Paradise Point in St. Thomas were AWESOME!!! Unfortunately they made Pango a little bit sick (not bad ingredients, just tooooo many drinks). We also enjoyed the Konk Koolers at Castaway Cay. Another cool thing at Castaway Cay was beer by the bucket...I'm pretty sure it was Corona and we got 4 or 6 bottles (can't remember) in a bucket of ice...our awesome server Natalie (from Rockin Bar D) was our beach server that day and she even gave us her bottle opener and let us keep it!!!

And last, but certainly not least, I can't talk about drinks on the cruise without mentioning Headgear Pat's Key Lime Martinis...they were delicious...in fact, we have tried to order them since then, but they are never as good as HGPs were!!!

While it may seem like we did a lot of drinking, our kids were always well taken care of...our older girls loved being in the kids clubs (it was hard to get them out of there most of the time) and our two year old was with us or with my parents (who also cruised with us), or in Flounders Reef Nursery (really only a couple of the evenings so we could go out)...So don't take us out of the running for Parents Of The Year...we still qualify!!!


FIVE MORE DAYS! FIVE MORE DAYS! FIVE MORE DAYS!!!
We're going to Disney in five more days!!!

 

[castlegazer]

tell me more about the two for thing.

 

[PhillyJen2006]

Hi gang,

I know I have been absent from the boards for a few days. I guess no one missed me because I haven't seen too many posts at all!

I guess it is time to end the charade of Head Gear Pat. I know you all loved hanging out with him, he did make good drinks. But that is all he did well.

It pains me to say this, but actually I hired him to come on the cruise with us. I didn't think the pictures would look as good with just me and the girls. We needed a man to fill out that family pic. So, a few months before the cruise, I went to the local bartending school and put up a flyer in the back asking if anyone wanted to be "hired" for a week to pose as my husband. He called, seemed to be pretty sane, so he was hired. Not a bad l@y either.

I know this sounds freaky, but hey, this is what you get when you make friends on the internet. And Tom, one of the reasons why he didn't want his picture on the Three Circles website is that he is wanted in the state of KY for a few minor felonies.....nothing real big except that issue with the barnyard animals.... But that is a whole different story. And he swears it was legal in KY at the time....

So I'd appreciate it if we could just stop calling for HGP. It is just me. Cute little me(ok big). HGP won't be joining us in 06- probably another 1-800-dial a dad will have to do.

I hope you guys understand, we didn't want to hurt anyone. Again, I did it for that invaluable Embarkation photo, that I will of course treasure forever.

PJ

 

[DisneyJam]

Now that is just a way to wake up on a Friday! PJ - you must have been drinking again last night!!

I haven't been around either. Been a little hectic the past few days but JenLynn has been stopping by. And as she said, beer is my drink of choice. If it wouldn't screw with my typing ability (being a computer professional it's rather important that I type), I would have my Disney beer mug permanantly fixed to my hand.

PJ - How's HGP feel about the impending defeat of the Cowboys?

Good old Vinny Interceptaverde vs. the Ravens secondary... It's gonna be cruel!! I don't even think we are going to need an offense this week.

This is Teddy's game to go and he is very excited!

cg - Julie will have to expand, but Tom had mentioned something abotu getting the drink of the day specials 2 for 1. Tom being quite the sales man, I'm sure, won some type of bet on this.

I will post later this evening on the drink stuff, since this post is already getting long.

 

[castlegazer]

I figure if I don't convince my husband of the importance of posting here on the DIS prior to this cruise I will have a very good story for you all as to where he came from too just to show him.

If you all can pull off 2 for one drinks of the day - I am sticking very close.

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Alright, it has been quite a while since I have posted something (well not as long as it has been for Pango, Pango's Queen, HG Pat, and of course all of our lame cruisemates, except for you PotJuicer), so I need to get this thing off page 2 because we are not page 2 people. BTW can anyone say 1 Day , before we leave for the World, I am sorry to rub it in but since State lost to Penn State and the Lions will likely lose today it is all I have to look forward to.

As for drinking on the ship while I am no expert, I have trained to become one, my favorite would be the drink of the day wherever I am at that point. The mystery of the 2 for 1's will now be solved so everyone get ready to take notes, I do consider myself quite a salesman (thanks Joe for the reassurance) after all I did talk my Queen into marrying me. There was never an advertised special in the navagators or anything, we would end up on Deck 9 or 10 and say to James from Jamacia "What is the Special" he would tell us and then let us know that up until 2 that they are 2 for 1. It was usually a two hour block of time either from 10 in the morning or starting at noon, and I believe it was only on days that we were at sea (another reason not to go on the Western, more days at sea).

Philly Jen, I am not buying the hire a husband thing, because there is no way a babe like you picks a guy at that age with Braces. Tell your boy Ralph that if he doesn't acknowledge us soon we will post the Tongue Monkey picture, I am sorry but he leaves us with nothing else.

Joe and Jen, have fun with Teddy at the game, sorry I have been deliquent on my drunk dialing, but you should know that you can expect numerous calls from the BIG O in the next couple of weeks. I am also glad to hear that since Joe couldn't get it done that you JenLynn have taken over the convincing of the Cruise thing to your friends, if you want it done right get a lady to do it (at least in my house with all these women that is how it works).

CastleGazer, stick as close as you want I think you will find that we are not that bad of people to hang with at least I am sure that there are worse.

LSU Tigger2, I hope your right about Nick, but if you do see him in Church tell him it is 86 degrees in Miami today. I am sorry if I sound bitter but I think some people would call him a Carpet Bagger, enjoy it while it lasts. BTW I thought I saw a post of yours over on the DVC board, are you a vacation club member?

Diver Dan and Lisa, there is a name for you guys, we call them Lurkers so you just keep reading and then e-mailing us with all your updates and we will introduce you when we get on board.

Tom

 

[lsutigger2]

B & R's dad: Have a great time at WDW! don't you just love those long trips! Yes, we are DVC'ers. Just love it. Our last trip was at VWL for 9 nights in mid-Oct. It was the best. It was also warm in BR today, so no need to tell Saint Nick (as he is known around these parts) how warm it is in Miami. My hope is that he is happy here and would much rather work with college kids than spoiled, highly paid pro players. Only time will tell. Fans around here have to remember how many years we would have been really happy with an 8 (hopefully 9) and 2 season.

Hope to meet you on the cruise!

 

[castlegazer]

 

[castlegazer]

HAPPY TURKEY DAY! (early - I don't plan on posting during it)


Hey, It's getting tough keeping this thread up all by myself. I am not in the best shape for this type of heavy lifting.

Maybe I'll just keep hanging out in hopes of seeing someone.

 

[DisneyJam]

I'm not booked yet, but I will help you lift.

Happy Turkey day to everyone as well. It's going to be busy here in MD. We have JenLynns fam coming early afternoon and then my fam coming in the evening. Going to be one crazy day.

Well cg with Tom and Julie down in Disney, I will guess this thread will be a bit quite the next few days.. not like it has been really hopping the past few days, but I will be around.

Have to get moving on more turkey day stuff, but everyone have fun and be safe!!!!!

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

I am on Vacation and you guys can't keep this on Page 1? Come on, people this can't be happening, how about a little activity so when I log in to check my e-mails I can at least see a little progress. Alright I did my job now someone else please participate .

BTW we are at disney having a great time, the weather is great especially since everyone at home got 6 inches of snow last Wednesday. Talk to you all soon,

Tom

 

[PhillyJen2006]

Ok This is scary! I got a Not So Drunk Dial from Tom kind of giving my husband an ultimatum......I must really suck if I warrant a call from Tom prior to the festivities!!!

Do we see him giving Pango and Laura an ultimatum? Noooooo.....What about Castlegazer and LSU? Noooooo.....then why does my hubby have to post and suffer the guilt from Tom, other than the fact that he is about the cutest braces wearing adult you have ever met!!!!

Just kidding. Big week here, so I probably won't be around.... My jewelry show is next Sunday(first one!) I am so nervous! I will keep you posted. My website should be done by then......providing that HGP is able to continue......

Love,
PJ