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

[ohsodisney]

Hi Everyone , were home
I just went back and read a couple post and we love the wrist band idea !!!!
Since I still do not know how to post pictures on here I am doing another link to our cruise photos . We had a wonderful time but we are always glad to be home plus Holly and McKenna are ready for Christmas .

Here is the link
http://www.kodakgallery.com/AlbumMenu.jsp

 

[partypat]

Hi Ohsodisney, Welcome back......hoping you give us a trip report. How did it go with the no-smoking. I'm still struggling here in no-smoke land. It helps to have diversions. A new computer at home helps. Every time I think about a smoke I just get lost in cyberspace. And thats not hard to do. I thought smoking was addicting. This computer just keeps reeling me in. I've found shopping online!!! I realized I don't have to leave the house and battle the traffic in the BIG CITY. I love to shop, but not if it means looking for the perfect gift. Its much easier to let my fingers do the walking and save my energy for all the Christmas Parties.

Hey to all of the rest of you...WE'RE ON THE 2ND PAGE. Whats up with that. Is everyone else out spreading the Christmas Cheer

PartyPat

 

[PhillyJen2006]

We HAVE SNOW!!!!

Good Morning all! Welcome back Ohsodisney. I couldn't get to your pictures. It kept asking me to sign in? I am computer illiterate-for the most part Headgear Pat keeps me up to date but I have him organizing the music for my show today.

PartyPat! I am addicted to online shopping. I did almost everything this year online. My girls are into American Girl- and since it costs me $30 in tolls and another $30 to park in NYC it is just easier to order online! And thankfully all the clothes always fit the dolls. What a racket!

Big show today-my house....I didn't do hardly any cleaning ahead of time because it would just make me resent the kids everytime they messed it up! And with them....that'd be alot!

We like the wrist band idea as well....HGP might not wear his-but we will be flying the pirate flag from our balcony!!!! From day 1!!! I need to order that soon. I will get it for Xmas for him!

Magical Mayhem 2006

Alright-got to price my jewels cause after a glass of wine or 2, I don't remember what costs what!!! I just yelled at my husband for doing nothing and I can't pretend that I am doing something worthwhile for much longer--- so wish me luck! Chat later!

We have SNOW!!!

PJ

 

[ohsodisney]

Sorry about that . I think I will need to give you the password which I don't mind . It is Simmiteekee

Hi Pat , the non-smoking is going well , I did run out of patches and I will say i did cheat the last day and had 1 . The weight thing on the other hand is not so good , I gain 4 pounds HEHE .

The only way I shop is on-line also . I am not crazy about the malls . My UPS, USPS and Fed-ex guy is here at least three times a week LOL .
I am going to cheat and pasts my review from my RCCL board so some things may not make sense to you , but I have so much to do today .
Hi Everyone
Well we just got home and i am going to be doing a full review of the cruise by tomorrow . We have only been home 2 hours so lots and lots of unpacking to do
I will answer any questions you may have about the ship . I also took over 300 pictures for you .
We had a junior suite AFT cabin and I will say it was well worth the money !!!
Oh Heck I'll write a short one now
Embarkation was a breeze since we had a JS we were able to go right to the special fast check in line , they even let my parents come through with us .
Day 1 was a bit rainy so we decided to explore the ship starting with lunch at the Windjammer , which yes it has been refurbished with lots of different stations where ypou can get salads , cheese , sandwiches and all kinds of dishes , chicken marsala was one I remember .
The ship is in wonderful shape for her age . Our cabin 8082 did show some wear but I will say the balcony was bigger then those on the side I looked , it has 2 cushioned chaise lounges , a table and 2 chairs . The tub was great my girls love their tubbies ! The bed I thought was pretty comfy too .
I signed up for a full body massage which was worth every penny ! All of our shore excursion tickets were ready for us as per we did purchase them on-line prior to sailing .
Sea day was also wonderful . I played Bingo and won a spa treatment .We dropped the girls off in the Oceaneers Club . Kudos to the Oceaneers Club what a fantastic program , a different theme for the kids every day !!!!!!!! We proceeded to the casino , WOW I have never seen more winnners in any other casino , the bells were going off constantly , my Dad won $375.00 and I well didn't win but stayed even WOOHOO!
I am however I must say an Eastern and Southern iternerary girl , not that the ports were not nice I just prefer the others .
Grand Caymen , we did the Stnigray swim , that was wonderful except fpt the fact they swarmed us as soon as we got in , I did jump into hubby's arms LOL , after a few mintues I was fine .
Costa Maya , we did Mahjaul Beach , we didn't care for it . It was very small and only a few feet of beach , we stayed for a few hours and ate nachos with cheese and nachos with salsa , that was really really good and no we did not get sick !
Belize , we did the aerail trek and cave tubing , the cave tubing was canceled due to rain the previous day . I did get half the money back but it took 2 days ! The aerial trek was amazing !
Cozumel , was wonderful , it rained really hard the first hour so we shopped , I knew it was going to clear so we decided not to tender back to the ship with my parents . It did clear and we went to Paradise Beach .I have to say good job Tom the beach was beautiful and it really seemed as thou the hurricane never touched your beach ! They were still sifting the sand and fixing up things but it was so nice to see all the hard work done . The beach was gorgeous with lots of sand ! Great food and drinks too , we had nachos again and I had 2 peach daquiries , the girls had french fries and Barry had 2 beers . The bill was $35.00 and worth it !
Our last day at sea was the best , so relaxing , I lounged alot on our balcony because the top of the ship where the pool is was a cool wind and our balcony was perfect !
Dinners were good , we loved our waiter Mario and his assistant Naana .They were so good with the kids the head waiter even fed our daughters LOL . some nights the food was better then others as to be expected .
The shows were definelty not very good . they said they are still getting acts and preformances together since they just started the Western Caribbean a few weeks ago . But I have to say do not expect top notch entertainment !
I will answer any questions you have
I will also be posting pictures tonight or tomorrow
__________________

 

[ohsodisney]

http://www.kodakgallery.com/AlbumMenu.jsp?
I will have to give you my e-mail , bbourgeo@twcny.rr.com and the password is simmiteekee . Hope it works now

 

[castlegazer]

OK - good choices for our band name comin from you guys!

welcome back ohsodisney! I will have to look at you photos from home.

Good report too. I loved cruising in the suites on Princess. Funny, I was just watching Ship Reborn on Discovery for the second time last night and they showed the new Windjammer area.

Big show today-my house....I didn't do hardly any cleaning ahead of time because it would just make me resent the kids everytime they messed it up! And with them....that'd be alot!

We like the wrist band idea as well....HGP might not wear his-but we will be flying the pirate flag from our balcony!!!! From day 1!!! I need to order that soon. I will get it for Xmas for him!

You know Jen, I need to adopt your attitude here. I was super resentful of my kids all weekend long because I was struggling to clean the house and decorate it for Christmas and every time I got the living room clean the toys magically appeared again all over. I was going insane.

Hey, are you going to get that pirate flag with the martini?

So, on that note, can all you SAHM tell me your secret for success. How do you clean your house, how do you manage the toys? We have a toy room off the living room so it should be easy, but its not. I felt all weekend like I was treading water in a whirlpool. I could not get anything done at all. My kids didn't nap at all Sunday so the tree sits with no lights on, the boxes of decorations remain unpacked and my bathrooms remain uncleaned.

I've pretty much determined that its all not worth it and I am going to find a way to come up with the money to pay a maid. We used to have one, but long before day care bills bigger than my mortgage.

 

[suziemva]

BL weigh in: down 2.2 pounds!!! YEAH!

CG: We're trying to get Tori to not pull out other toys until the one she is finished playing with has been put away. I also make her clean up her play room (I do help but she does most of it). The one thing I learned - don't try to keep it clean! Pick up just once a day and it keeps you sane! I can't be forever picking up toys all day - that's all I would do! The BIGGEST lesson I've learned is this: I DO have a child, she DOES live in this house, and IT DOESN"T HAVE TO BE A PERFECT HOUSE! This was a big one for me. I'm a very A type person and for things to be out of order is a stresser for me. But I was killing myself trying to be the perfect mom and housewife. I like to play with my daughter and that means more to me than a sparkling clean house. I do have the UTMOST respect for those that can do it all! I call those women SuperMoms! Me, I just can't do it. It keeps me sane which keeps the family happy. My two cents, take it for what it's worth.

BTW - we are getting snow right now! 4 to 6 inches tonight and more on Friday! Winter is here!!! Tori is so excited and wants so bad to go out and play in it. Hard to tell a three year old that you need to wait for the snow to accumulate before you can go sledding....go figure. :shrug:

 

[PhillyJen2006]

CG-Funny..you'd think SAHM's had a secret to success but apparently you've never been to my house! I was WAY more organized even at home when I worked outside the house. Now that I had to give up my cleaning lady- this is a strange one- my house is cleaner but less organized..... I am a train wreck, truly. I was telling my girlfriend this morning that I have baskets and baskets of laundry that just pile up and never get put away, then we can't find any clothes, so we ruffle through those baskets of laundry and mess them up again....then mysteriously....dirty clothes start appearing in that basket and we can't tell which are dirty or clean so we wash them all over again!!! Oh lord help me! I think it is because I work at home now and when it is your own business- it is very hard to stop working....ever.... My kids room's have doors that can be shut in the event of a mess emergency. Out of sight, out of mind!

Drives my mom certifiably insane that I can live like this but.....there's always tomorrow! HA HA HA HA !

Jennifer

 

[ohsodisney]

I was a SAHM for 3 years . I was driving myself and family nuts , I was the type that would clean myself silly . I use to clean light fixtures , our beer stein collection , and nick nacks twice a week . The house was spotless . My girls bedrooms are on the second floor and you go trough their playroom to get there . It seems no matter how often I cleaned up the toys two minutes later it was a mess . Now that I work a few hours a week I don't find myself being that rideculous anymore . Like Suzie I have learned that picking up the toys at the end of the day made me more sane . The girls help but they seem to help even more when they want something LOL

We have 6 inches of snow also , what a change from 80 degrees ! The girls are dying to go outside but they caught a cough while on the cruise and I will not let them out yet .

We did all our cruise laundry and decorated the house for the Holidays yesterday , thats done . I am even packed for our next cruise , only because it was easier then putting them away !!!!!
you will recognized us only because we are taking the same clothes on the next vacation !

 

[partypat]

Well all you SAHM's enjoy it while it lasts. Your children will grow up way too fast. There is light at the end of the chaos. Right now I have an empty nest and I'm loving it. I've always had children (mine and grandchild) living with me up until last spring when they all found their way into their own homes.....so to leave the house for work and come home to have it just like I left it...clean and straightened...is awesome. Two of my children and 1 grandchild (DG6) live a few blocks away and are in and out at different times during the week. They still know where the refrigerator and washer and dryer are. I don't miss stubbing my toe on all the toys at all....but sometimes the house is way too quite. At those times I just crank up the music and start another project. I also have a great group of friends that keeps me quite busy going here and there, so haven't had time to miss the everyday life of living with children.

Ohsodisney, your trip report was great. I took a cruise with a bunch of girlfriends last February out of Tampa. We stopped at the same ports as your cruise. I loved Stingray City in Grand Cayman (I'll try to post of picture on another post) and the snorkling tour to a small island off of Belize was beautiful. I do have to say that Costa Maya was a bit disappointing. Upon leaving the ship everything was so commercial and the town had a lot to desire. We should have taken an excursion at this port, but decided to just wing it and were very disappointed in what the town had to offer.

Snow, Snow and more Snow...thats what I hear from the weather report for all of you back East. Winter has finally arrived here, as we had frost last night and it dipped down to 31 degrees. Tonight its dropping again as I hear my heater cranking up.

Well off to see if I can post a picture. I'm still learning, so bear with me.

PartyPat

 

[partypat]

<img src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c295/pmlekus/BelizeIsland.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c295/pmlekus/Belize.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

Ok lets see if these attachments work. If not, I need help CG.

This was on the snorkling trip to the barrier reef in Belize.

 

[castlegazer]

I don't think it worked, but I am blocked from Photobucket here at work. I will have to work on it at home tonight if I get to it and given my level of sanity right now, I may not get on-line tonight. I am trying to tick away at the decorating at night - last night it was lights on the tree.

Thank you so much guys. One of my girlfriends posted this poem - it's an oldie but goodie for all of us:

Excuse This House



Some houses try to hide the fact

That children shelter there;

Ours boasts of it quite openly,

The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,

Little smudges on the doors;

I should apologize, I guess,

For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children

And we played and laughed and read;

And if the doorbell doesn't shine,

Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to choose

The one job or the other;

I'd like to cook and clean and scrub,

But first I'll be a mother.


When I got home last night I looked around and realized that we had made a lot of progress and the house really didn't look that bad. My MIL picked the kids up last night and I wasn't mortified that she was in my house. I totally live by the motto of "Kids live here" in my house. If you ever need a pickmeupper, just turn on Clean House - it always makes my mess seem, well, not a mess at all.

 

[castlegazer]

I think today is mental siesta day - and quote of the day day too if Tom comes on around and post one as a pick me up for us all as we enter this deep dark winter.

 

[suziemva]

When you hit reply there is an icon that looks like a mountain with a yellow back ground. Click on this icon and enter the URL for your pic. Click enter and it will add your pic! Good luck and may I say that this is the EASIEST website to add pics - at least it is for me! Others can be nightmares!

partypat: does this help you at all with pictures? It looks to me like you are entering the img src code. Try this and see how it works.

 

[suziemva]

I like this one.....aaaaaahhhhh......

 

[partypat]

[/IMG]

Lets see if this works.

PartyPat

 

[partypat]

WELL its bigger than life!!!!And Twice ....oh my, I guess I've got it....now for the other picture I meant to send.

[/IMG]

And this is Sting Ray City with my girlfriends

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

PartyPat

 

[suziemva]

Did you all get the email from DCL with the macromedia flash countdown to the holidays? I must say I am drooling over the CC pictures and the island music!! If you didn't get it, PM me and I can forward the email to you (need your email of course!) OH, boy! Complete with surf sound, nice video, the hammocks,......this is the life!!!

 

[castlegazer]

let me go check - I'll be back

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Hey everyone,

I just checked into my hotel up in beautiful Traverse City Michigan, where it snowed six inches last night. Some great pictures, and Suzie I did not get the e-mail from DCL, I will send my e-mail, if you could forward it on I would appreciate it.

CG: I will try my best for a QOTD, but I am really sort of pulling this one out,

QOTD:

Why do they call it an asteroid when it is outside of our hemishere, but call it a hemorrhiod when its in our A*S.

Sorry BUTT I warned you guys.

Tom