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

[suziemva]

ohsodisney - I live 15 miles south of DC....not on the MD side but the VA side...ask away! Yes, there is country area here but we're losing it fast due to new construction! It's not unheard of for people to live an hour outside of DC and schlep through monstrous traffic to get to work there!

I live in Woodbridge/Lake Ridge. Cost of living is high here. Housing is going through the roof. We've lived her 9 or 10 years (we can't remember) and our house has tripled in value. It's over $475000 now but go 10 miles north to where my mom lives (Springfield) and you can't touch a townhouse for that much! It's crazy! If you want to talk with a sales agent, let me know. My mom works for REMAX Allegiance and can get you in touch with someone.

BTW - you can pm or email me if you want further info.

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Hey all, up early and was just thinking there is a secret (well really not so secret if you read the boards) deck on the back of deck 7. We went out there last cruise and it is big enough to hold 50 easy, and there wasn't anyone out on it. Just an idea if you want to see a picture of it you have to go to castaway club dot com (of course no spaces). and look under Deck 7 and 8 secret areas.

We are up for a busy day, Linds has a softball clinic this morning that goes from 8 till 1, Abby has soccer from 10:40 until 11:35, Sarah has a soccer game this afternoon, and the Queen and I are going to see the Lion King at Michigan State.

Alright before I get to my question of the day, I have an observation first.

Why is it when you are driving and looking for an address, we always turn down the radio?

QOTD:

Why are Semi trucks bigger than regular trucks?

Tom

 

[STEVEMED]

ohsodisney...my brother is the Deputy Press Secretary for the mayor of baltimore.If you have any question you would like to ask him I would be glad to send them along.

 

[ohsodisney]

Thanks Suzie , we will take you up on that .

PP , I'm not quite sure whether to be a touch offended or not . I honestly am not quite sure we know eachother that well yet to really put a label on us ,I may even label a little differently . I am unfortunatley still smoking due to a few reasons which is personal . But I have to say in my neck of the woods I am more more know for my silly antics ,and just an all around light-hearted person . But I'm not so sure I need to be know by everyone here for smoking , thats unfair .

Sorry everyone if this seems to be coming off badly but I have alot on my mind right now , And yes I guess I should be allowed a Pi~!- day too !

 

[PhillyJen2006]

Hi gang! I talked to mermaid patty last night and she suggested that she may possibly be able to arrange a meet somehwere on the ship(perhaps a private room) and have a cash bar available since she is a TA. I know that is kind of defeating the purpose of the "wine tasting" but since we are SUCH a large group, maybe our initial meet should be somewhere "planned and organized". She said she ususally does this when she has large groups traveling. I think it cost her about $100 for the private room last time, but she might just be able to reserve a space somewhere else not necessarily private. Let us know if that would be something you'd all be interested in.

Also-Patty reminded me last night that LeGallion beach had lots of "natural type" beach debris(leave it to her to remember this) on it and some glass. We aren't sure whether it was from the uncharactaristically windy conditions or not, but just and FYI for those of you thinking about going there. So now- after I didn't pay attention to the St. Maartin discussion, I have to go back and look. I am all for Philipsburg-we hung out at "Everything Cool" the first few times we went, not sure if it is still there- great Mahi Mahi and Flying Fish sandwiches! It is right on the beach that TT and Julie were describing!

Does anyone else who plays bunco feel like they are being held hostage sometimes. I just wanted to come home last night and the damn game didn't end until midnight! Arghhh.

Coffee PLEAASSSSEEEEE Of couse- I am already disappointed with the snow- now it isn't coming here until later today! I was SOOOOOO looking forward to having my entire days worth of scheduling conflicts cancelled as a result! HGP has to work-but thankfully-he arranged for work to come here and get things taken care of instead of him having to go to DE where the snow is expected to start early!

Ohsodisney- I can't remember if you are a CNY girl? I have to post this then go check, but we moved to Phila from Syracuse about 7 years ago. The housing market had already taken off in Phila, not quite yet in Syracuse! I don't know if VA and MD are the same, but we technically got a huge "RAISE" just because the property taxes in NY are so high. We had to triple our mortgage just to upgrade 500 sq ft, but what we saved in taxes really made it much more tolerable. It is hard to leave a place that you love and have spent your whole life. I was not prepared for how sad I was to leave our first home together. I went back into the house after the truck left and just cried and I was TOTALLY excited to move. This was our first house, the house Hannah was born in....blah blah blah. BUT we made friends fast(HG and I are really shy so it was tough.... ) and the kids are very happy here. It sounds like you have plenty of time to make your decision.

Alright- HG's work buddy is on his way over(this I just found out) and my pink flower jammies aren't exactly acceptable for company! So gotta run. Have a great day!

Think SNOW!!
PJ

 

[OHJulie]

Grumpy - congrat's on paying off the cruise. Hope you get all of the reservations you are hoping for.

Partypat - did you get my PM? If you have an e-mail address for your nephew, my DS Kyle can get the ball rolling and send him an e-mail.

Tom - let me know next time your in town - perhaps my DH and I can meet up with you for a drink.

Well, I better get some housecleaning done!

I may even get out a suitcase and start some packing.

OHJulie

 

[ohsodisney]

Thanks Stevemed , wOw your he has a great job .My DH would like to know if Baltimore is really the murder capital of the World ? Just kidding :O)

PJ , thats a wonderful idea , I was thinking the same thing because on most cruises there is some sort of Meet & Mingle which was so nice expecially when there is this many people . I am not playing Bunco anymore , but it was fun because the girls usaully went out to see a band after the game , I volunteered at work to do Friday nights since noone else wanted to so no more Bunco for me for now .

DH got our Alien Green luggage tags . I think he is going to try to be clever and laminate them , hole punch and tie them to our bags . My idea was to Duct tape the Hell out of them to our bags HEHE .Suzie I'm with you duct tape we even have the book 1000 uses for duct tape .

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

Oh so,

I know things in life can be stressful, and I don't mean to offend, but I believe Party Pat is one of your biggest supporters. This is a post I found by her back on page 52, in response to your post on the same page about how tough it was to quit smoking.

Ohsodisney: I quit smoking on August 5th after smoking for the last 31 years.
I gained 8 pounds right off the bat and thats what got me on this diet and exercise plan. I was afraid I was going to turn into a blimp. When I saw that this group had the biggest loser contest going I thought it would be great to have the support, but to also have someone who recently quit smoking is great. I'm sure we can help each other out, especially on the ship. It always helps to commiserate with someone else who is going thru the same thing.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Partypat

Again don't mean to offend,

Tom

 

[ohsodisney]

No offense taken . Pat PM me :O) , she is an amazing lady !!! Love you Pat !

Just it is something you don't want to to down in history for :O) . I'd much rather be known for a couple of my drunken stoopers on my previous cruises , No not that either ! I did partake quite heavily in the Captains welcome party with free Whiskey sours one time . I figured since we were young , broke and single that this is the best solution to a great party night on the cruise , I was so wrong , didn't even make it to 10:00 !!!

Anyways , I am probally going to be doing a disappearing act for awhile , last week was hectic especially with DH away .

2 more days till we can make reservations !

 

[ohsodisney]

Pat ,
I went back to look at everyones pictures they posted . Do you live on a ranch ? We use to have horses , I did some training back in the days ,my Teekee girl was very very green when I got her and spooked at leaves blowing in the wind . I just sold my Arabian/Saddlebred and Thoroughbred right before the girls were born . We would love to get the girls an Appalossa or Quarter horse , but I think if we did move to MD that is out the window !

 

[mketting]

Jen- My bunco usually last till about 10. We eat, play a round, eat, play a round and then just socialize, that way those who want to go home can while others stay as long as they want.

 

[The Roses]

Hi gang! I talked to mermaid patty last night and she suggested that she may possibly be able to arrange a meet somehwere on the ship(perhaps a private room) and have a cash bar available since she is a TA. I know that is kind of defeating the purpose of the "wine tasting" but since we are SUCH a large group, maybe our initial meet should be somewhere "planned and organized". She said she ususally does this when she has large groups traveling. I think it cost her about $100 for the private room last time, but she might just be able to reserve a space somewhere else not necessarily private. Let us know if that would be something you'd all be interested in.

That would be great!
We were thinking that Saturday afternoon would be a good time. From reading posts, it seems like there's time between embarking/lunch and the lifeboat drills, or right after the Sail Away Party. (Might get us goofy enough to dance with Goofy!). When we were thinking about hosting a verandah party (before we realized how big our group was), we realized that Day 1 was probably the only time that there wouldn't be other events going on.

An added benefit: if you fall overboard, you will still be close enough to swim to shore

The Roses

 

[ohsodisney]

The Roses
I told my Barry about your party , he is trhilled . That is so nice of you !!!
We too would be willing to pitch in for the get together . Yup, I am so ready for a drink , don't be suprised if I have a drink in my hand as soon as we board !!!!! . I told Barry that our bar bill will probally be much more then the RCCL cruise , thank goodness there is no casino . I'm thinking somewhere is the range of $300.00 - $400.. for drinks , that includes buying a few for those who are like me and love to try all the different coctails . Phillyjen , I will be looking for the beads to fall from the ship when you arrive to LOL , thats too darn funny .

Anyone here addicted to Bingo ? My DH doesn't care to go .

I know a tanning question was brought up awhile back . I cheat before we leave , this way I don't burn , believe it or not I am quite a ghost myself . I tan easily but burn almost immediately . I don't seem to be doing a very good job with my disappearing act but it is too hard to stay away :O)

 

[suziemva]

That would be great!
We were thinking that Saturday afternoon would be a good time. From reading posts, it seems like there's time between embarking/lunch and the lifeboat drills, or right after the Sail Away Party. (Might get us goofy enough to dance with Goofy!). When we were thinking about hosting a verandah party (before we realized how big our group was), we realized that Day 1 was probably the only time that there wouldn't be other events going on.

An added benefit: if you fall overboard, you will still be close enough to swim to shore

The Roses

That sounds great!

Sue - I really was only kidding! It's my sick sense of humor - always gets me in trouble!

I'll probably start a poll about when everyone would want to meet up ON the cruise. Most people find the first day is the easiest and that way we get to know each other.

Last cruise we met at 2:30 ish at the bar on deck 10 (not open so there was no one else there). Gave us time to meet up with plenty of time before the lifeboat drill. I can't remember what the name of the bar was and don't have my book handy - sorry!! Anyway, I will try to figure out how to do the poll. If anyone has a better place to meet, email/pm me.

I like the idea of the deck 7 thing too! I'd forgotten about that place! The only problem I can see is that these were the "smoking" areas for some people. I also like the idea of a private room with a cash bar. Could be really cool!!! Mermaid Patty has some great options we could explore!!!

Let me try to look at more options. Ed wants to watch National Treasure while Tori is napping, so I'm off to the movies - popcorn, anyone? Get me some while you're at it! ah-hahahahaha!!! Okay, I thought it was funny......

ps - my tanning method is this - I wear sunscreen the first day but I burn anyway. The rest of the cruise, I burn then tan and never wear sunscreen the rest of the summer....just tan, tan, tan....

Here's a picture from our first full day (I'm really embarassed cause I hate myself in pictures - especially in my bathing suit! Hey, wanna look thin? Come sit by me! At least this was 40 pounds ago!!!)
You can see how much my SPF 30 did....yeah, that's right. Tori and I share sunscreen!

 

[mketting]

Got back part of our tax return today so I put some of it on our stateroom credit, so when we go, everything we do onboard will already be paid for!!! What a great feeling

I asked the tan ? but don't know if I ever answered. I plan to do some before we go, I'll probably start about 3 weeks before the trip, to get enough to give me color but not enough for people to notice to much. I cover my face up for most of the session, I have enough wrinkles already.

I told Meghan I would take her with me to get a pedicure before the trip. Never had one myself but my neighbor always get them and her toes look great for weeks.

Anyone have experience with contacts for kids? Meg has worn glasses since she was 3 and so wants contacts. She is the super responsible type (the opposite from my son) and I know she would be careful but am not sure.

OHSODISNEY- Last Summer Kirk interviewed for a job near LA. The sticker shock for housing costs out there was unbelievable. The harder part for me was the thought of moving so far from my family. It took me a long time to get used to being in NY, just 4 hours away from them all, 3000 miles would have been unbearable. I was glad I supported his decision to check it out though, which was tough for me, luckily it turned not to be something he was interested in after all but was glad for the experience. Good luck with your decison.

 

[OHJulie]

MK - We tried contacts for Kyle when he was 11, but he was too young. He just could not seem to get them in. I got the impression that 11 was pretty young for contacts. He really wanted them and we tried again at 12 and has been wearing them ever since. One of my best friends is an optometrist, I'll ask her opinion - is Meghan 8?

I like the idea of a meet on Deck 7 - it probably won't be that busy on the first day. Not too many people would have found it yet, and we can be outside and enjoy the (hopefully) sunshine!

OHJulie

 

[partypat]

Just came back on after having my computer off for the day to move furniture.

As I PM'd Ohsodisney, open mouth, insert foot....I really wasn't trying to be offensive and obviously left my better judgment in that last cocktail I had. So wanted everyone to know that I wasn't trying to put a label on anyone who smokes. I still love the smell and seek it out, on occasion...so, Ohsodisney (Maria) I hope you accept my sincere apology.

 

[The Roses]

I know one other thing I will be doing....looking over the ship's edge for phillyjen to board so I can toss some mardi gras beads to her.

We fell over laughing when we read this, uh, titillating thread....

But I have a bone to pick with you. After reading the board awhile, my dahling husband has now taken to referring to himself as a Pirate. He used to be articulate, but Ohhhhhhh NOooooooooo, now he just walks around and grunts "Aaarrrrrr!"

Thanks Stevemed. Thanks alot.

The Pirate (and his wench) formerly known as The Roses

 

[suziemva]

The Pirate (and his wench) formerly known as The Roses

So, we'll be able to pick you guys out on Pirate Night, eh?!

 

[ohsodisney]

Hey there , pirate and ( his wench ) , oh my god I am LMAO