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

[castlegazer]

The Queen is going to ride the Banana Boat at Castaway Cay

Tom

Turnarounds fair play, man.

 

[rubysmom]

I've really enjoyed the rollicking wit on the last few posts...Tom (&Steve's) bananas, CG's footwear vow, Ohjulie & Ohsodis...that's why I finally decided to join in this thread aways back, because you are all so darn FUNNY!! I am cracking up!!

Do they still make garment bags? I swear I haven't seen ANY and have been looking for all of DH's traveling. We will have:
1 large horizontal rolling suitcase (the kind no one uses anymore, lol)
1 large very cool red mickey rolling suitcase
2 medium bags for the kids
2-3 carryons

this is between myself & 3 kids...I hope to stick to it! I will try very hard to not overpack with your advice...and after spending a ton on a pair of Tevas for WDW a few years ago, I find that good ol'fashioned flip flops (aka thongs ) work just great, no blisters as long as the sole is thick enough.

At any rate, this has got to be easier than packing for a ski vacation, which is what we're more accustomed to!

--Trish

 

[STEVEMED]

cg..Whar ever you decide about the bracelets is fine with me.

tom..I was going to go with the banana hammock on the banana boat but my wife said this was a family cruise.

 

[rubysmom]

Oh yeah...I'll plan to bring cash for the bracelets and happy to pitch in for the unsold ones.
--Trish

 

[mketting]

I have so been looking forward to saying the trip is NEXT MONTH!!!! This month is so busy that it will fly by.


OHJULIE- That really stinks.

CG- Any price is fine with me for the bracelets just let me know. My friend just got back from Universal and brought me the Park maps. I can see what you mean and that we will be able to easily do all we want to do. I am hoping since we will be there after Spring Breaks and before schools are out that it will be slow enough that we won't need the Express Passes but will keep them in mind just in case. I have 12 coupons for the Movie and Meal deal from the entertainment book. We can all eat each day in one of the restaurants included in that deal for free.

QOTD
1 very large for me
1 garment bag for tuxes/suit and dresses
1 large for the 2 kids
1 medium for Kirk (he always packs for himself and said that will be enough)
2 Backpacks/daybags

I love summer shoes but I think CG is right and I don't need to bring a different pair for every outfit.

OHSO- You're not the only one, I have mine and Meghan's wardrobe pretty much planned out in my head.

My parents always took my sister and I out of school at least one week every year to go to Florida to vist my Grandparents winter place and we turned out just fine. I have no problem taking my kids out for family trips. School is important but family always comes first.

Another QOTD. How many days of school/work are you going to miss to go on this trip?
We will all be missing 8 days. The only reason I feel a little guilty is that the kids and I have Good Friday off and then a week for Spring Break. We'll go back to school for 2 days and then head out and miss 8. Two good things are both the kids teachers said they will give them their work so they can do it over Spring Break and will not have to worry about it on the trip. Also I will have an entire week off to get everything ready for the trip.

Banana Boat- What dirty minds some of you have. it really is an absolute blast and not to be missed on CC.

 

[suziemva]

Suzie - Don't know if you noticed, but I put our contact info. on the other site so you have an address to send the bands.

I picked up a new book today that sounds interesting. It is actually for my son, but I am sure that I will read it also. It is a fantasy thriller novel that takes place in Disney World. The main characters are five teens that fight Disney villains to save the future of WDW. It's titled " The Kingdom Keepers" by Ridley Pearson.

This might be fun for those of you going to WDW next month. Yes, we can say NEXT MONTH now!!!

OHJulie

Julie! Kingdom Keepers was soooo good! I loved it and passed it on to a friend who is a Disney fiend but nowhere near my level. She loved it too! We're waiting for the next book and yes you can tell they left it wide open for another! It's really cool to me because I know the parks and totally see in my mind's eye the story unfold as I'm reading it! IT'S A MUST READ FOR ANY DISNEY FANATIC!! I'm going to be rereading it before the cruise and hoping for the new one to come out soon!

 

[PhillyJen2006]

Hi guys!!! It has been awhile!

First of all- AWESOME to all of you who are losing weight. I can't.....nuff said. I am working out, eating well, the scale isn't budging. I suppose I am just doing the right thing and the scale will catch up sooner or later.

Our luggage will consist of 1 suitcase for each of us(kids will share) so 3 total. They each have a "garment bag" in them and probably a backpack for carry on for each of us. Shoes are my weakness as well, but I don't have many pairs. I will have a pair of sandals in black, brown and white and formal shoes in silver and black and sneakers, some flip flops. I really prefer sneakers for walking around the islands. I will save my thongs for under my clothes! and for putting into rogue souvenier bags...

Ok- hold on to your horses....here is my coup for the day! Remember ladies I mentioned Marshalls for formal dresses??? Well, I had to make a return today and this is what I came home with!!!!

$29.00!!!!! I am so happy. It was one of those situations where it was the only one there, and I just happened to be there at the right time. And-it is BELLE yellow! YAY!

Now I can't remember who was running into a scheduling conflict wiht Music, but I fell your pain. That is the heart of what our conflict was with our neighbors. I am nervous to take Hannah out for a week, but she hasn't missed any school yet, more than 1/2 here and there for her oral surgeries in August and September. As soon as I have an hour free, I will type up my rant, which is seemingly calming down as the days pass. Anyway, DON'T let the school make you feel guilty, I totally agree with you. There is no replacement for quality family time, not even school-especially k-4th!! My kids learn WAY more in a week on the cruise than they will at school!

Have a nice evening!
PJ

 

[suziemva]

My aunt just called to tell me that they are releasing my grandma from the hospital tonight! That is so awesome! I'm really happy that she will be going to be with my aunt for a while.

I feel like little Suzie Homemaker today! Did the grocery shopping with my little helper, went to the park with her today (nice enough weather but certainly not summer like), dinner is all ready to go just waiting for Ed to get home from his meeting. I marinated pork chops, cut up the brussel sprouts (sauteed with a bit of butter, kosher salt and lime juice - yum!! WE ALL like them!), chopped p fresh strawberries and sugared them for strawberry shortcake tonight, bought some plastic tubs to put some of Tori's clothes away (doing that right after I get off the 'puter), got the laundry mostly put away and cleaned up the kitchen! Aaaahhhh, life is good!!

 

[suziemva]

PJ - that is an awesome dress and what a great deal! You are my hero! A shopping guru - oh, great teacher, teach me thy ways!

 

[ohsodisney]

Wow PJ , I love her dress !!!!!! Marshalls is one of our favorates , we did some damage there in the shoe department . I also got my Liz C rolling bag there for the shoes .

We are not going so formal I don't think , in fact you may laugh because I have no dress shoes and I don't intend on buying any , so hopefully my dress will cover my sandals HEHE . If it doesn't I amy have to borrow a pair from soemone . I don't like being taller then DH and I'm 5'8 without heels already .
There is only 1 formal night right ? Please tell me just 1 !!

Mketting .I glad to know I'm not the only one planning out our daily attire .I did buy the Mommy top from Gymboree from theri new Easter line and I am getting the girls matching tops . We are probally going to be easy to pick out of a crowd since I will be matching my girls 3 nights .

Tom , I think CG ment to say she will be wearing thongs with her speedos .

Stevemed , tell your wife, yes it is sweetie but there is an adults only beach at Castaway Cay

Glad to see the guys back on the board !

 

[ohsodisney]

U know , I am never going to think of this little banana guy the way i use to !!!!!

 

[PhillyJen2006]

Ohso- I am NOT going as formal as her.....I just couldn't resist. I need to go to therapy!!! Kate is a little miffed, cause she doesn't have a dress that spins like that....soooooo she might be wearing her Belle dress up dress to dinner that night.

There is only 1 formal night, and a semi formal night which can be as formal or as casual as you want. I have short cocktail length dresses for the "formal" and Semi formal nights and a Palo dress, I don't like floor length for me as I am short and everything has to be tailored which adds to the price(cancels out my bargains!!). I just buy and buy before the cruise(remember I said I wasn't going to do it???) and then return stuff that we don't need right before we leave. I still haven't gotten Kate's clothes out from the basement yet. I KNOW we have plenty of stuff for her and she is the one who has the most stuff new too. She is so easy to buy for, she likes pink and sparkles!!! And her little body fits into everything! H on the other hand has a more "compact" body and is a little harder to buy for.

We are really getting excited for our trip to FL in 37 days. We are literally packing in a big garbage bag....Since 5 of us are packing ourselves into my moms Acura MDX for the trip. She lost the coin toss. My car is more of a gas guzzler, and larger(read:more comfortable) but it really is goign to be more economical to drive hers and besides, it saves me the 2000 miles. And my grandma has a washer and dryer. I need to be realistic about this, we will wear our bathing suits and probably get dressed up 2 times during the week.....AND I don't want to come home and do laundry for 2 weeks getting ready for the cruise.

Alright- almost American Idol time. I was NOT impressed with the girls last night. I hope the guys do better tonight!

HGP had his annual review with his boss today(who is going to on the cruise). He was very positive about her feedback to him, which is good. After he told me all the stuff they talked about....I asked him in my most serious voice...."Does she know to bring a power strip on the cruise?" Like they are talking about that at work.....Turns out she has a 4yo daughter and a second grade son! That should be fun!

Gotta run. Have a good night!
PJ

 

[mketting]

Jen- I love the dress!!!!! Meghan's dress for the cruise is cut just the same way but is Burgandy with a little more beading on the front, she has a shawl too. Maybe I'll post a picture. If Kate just has to have a similar dress check out the ebay store Ducklings and Daffodils or Angelic Kids.
Last year when a friend of mine told the school she as taking her kids out for vacation the teacher said "I have a real problem with parents taking their kids out of school to go to Disney World" my friend said "Well, I have a real problem with the school trying to dictate how my family lives our lives!" My kids school has never given me any hassel.

OHSO- Meghan and my neice Jenna will be wearing some matching outfits on the cruise too. Girls clothes are just so much more fun to buy than boys. I did get Jared 2 cute "tropical" shorts outfits, not that he really cares at all.

Suzie- Your dinner sounds great. We had to go to the swimming poster making and Pasta party tonight. I didn't get to stay to eat because I had to be at a meeting a church. I ended up eating something from Taco Bell on my way home. Definitely not diet food.

Gotta go to bed the next 4 days are very busy

 

[partypat]

Wow, you guys have been busy posting while I was slaving away at work. I closed my big one today. Yup, Coppola is now officially in my town. Hope they kick me back a bottle or two of the vino. That would be awesome.

PJ, that dress is to die for. How come the children always seem to get the good stuff.

CG, However you want to handle the $$$ is fine. I think we should all absorb the total cost and let you and Suzie peddle the extras for pocket change or coctails on the cruise.

Can't believe its next month..... Anticipation is killing me.

As to question of the day....as many suitcases as it takes to get me there in style.

Loved your dust bunnies. My old room has plenty as I haven't cleaned it since I moved out. Just closed the door. My main bathroom is also being remodeled, so plenty of sawdust to land in all the rooms

I think we should all take a ride on that banana boat together SteveMed can lead the pack.

My son is in Prague. I hadn't heard from him since Saturday when he said he might go to Isreal or Jeresuleum. That was a scary thought So was glad to hear he was in a peaceful country.

 

[The Roses]

...but if I rounded up The Roses...

Hey! We're already round! Didn't you see our pics?

However, I would be rounding everyone up too if that is the plan...

OK, but it seems to me that there're a whole lotta folks that are on diets just so they don't get too round....

I am getting the high neck miraclesuit for the water sports

Personally, I'm hoping for the high neck-push in the flab-power water suit, and hoping it comes with a liposuction attachment.

And what's all this talk about speedos, and thongs, and bananas? Are you sure this is a family cruise?

As for luggage, we've been saving our cardboard boxes and duct tape for quite a while now. The pirate just says he's bringing the old bag, which I think is a reference to me


NEXT MONTH, holy cow, it's almost here! We are going to our favorite vineyard next weekend to do some serious wine tasting so we can bring appropriate refreshments. If it's ok with all of you, we'll just ship a case of wine (12 bottles) to the ship - I read a thread that says how to do that. If any of you would rather have mixed drinks, you're welcome to bring a bottle of whatever, but the wine is on us.

If you ever notice how much I spill on myself when I try to pour drinks, you'll know I'm being quite literal when I say "drinks are on me" ....

The Roses

 

[Belle&RellasMom]

 

[castlegazer]

I am getting sooooo excited!

I also just figured out a way to pay for the cruise with cash, found out my bonus is actually existent, and am losing weight!!!! OH, man, so many good things are happening, maybe I do need to pick up that laundry by the door in case HGTV does show up. I pissed my overly stressed husband off last night by saying, hey now that I have this money, I am going to head right over to the counter at the terminal and find out about suites! Yeah, that went over like a lead balloon. He's a bit more conservative than I am.

Well, apparently we also will be floating in booze since I will not let The Roses bring everything - I will still be bringing a bottle of wine to share. That is exceedingly nice of you, though.

Personally, I'm hoping for the high neck-push in the flab-power water suit, and hoping it comes with a liposuction attachment.

PJ - Love the dress!!! I had something really important to say to you and was thinking about it on the way to work and it's now left my vacuum of a brain. I will be back with it, though, cause it was important. That much I remember - watch it be something like, what color underwear will you be wearing when you board? or some other nonesense - but right now, in my vague recolection, it was important. I hate when this happens - it happens daily for me.

PP - Prague is amazing!!! I think he should go to Isreal also - when in our lives do we get that opportunity? I would be a wreck too, though.
AWESOME on closing out that escrow. I never e-mailed you back so I'll just out it here. I am very familiar with the escrow system of CA - do you remember House2Home (aka Waban, aka HomeBase)? I was in charge of the disposition of all the locations that our company had guaranteed. 80% were in CA. We can talk shop more on the ship.

Suzie - This is for you, girl

 

[suziemva]

We got the guest room bed taken apart last night, now just waiting for my aunt to come get it. Then I can start moving my craft room stuff downstairs to clean out the baby's room. Not something I am looking forward doing but it must be done and now is a better time than later - I am a major procrastinator on some things!

Have my first OB appt today. Can't wait to hear him tell me I've put on weight - DUH! I feel like I've eaten my whole house lately! I do know the cravings will stop soon and I'll be able to concentrate on weight issues within my parameters. Not that I've eaten bad just a lot of red meat and chicken wings! Y'all be so proud of me Tuesday night! We went to Glory Days (instead of Wednesday) and I had a chopped chicken salad! Without the bacon on it! It was so good! That was one of my cravings with Tori - salad! Nice cold bowl, fresh romaine, warm chicken, ....yummy!!! Anyway, I didn't even touch a wing that night!!! Now it seems my milk craving is coming on - two glasses at breakfast already! Here we go again! I'd drink 1/2 gallon a day before with Tori! Good thing it's skim!

Sue - you're killing me! Too funny!!

I've picked up a coat to wear on the ship. It's from NY and has lots of little hanging things on the inside. So, I can just go up to someone, open my coat and sell the bracelets right out of it! Cool idea, yeah? Yeah, thought y'all'd like that!

OOOHHH!!!! The Fedex guy just came! I'll be right back!!

Ladies and Gentleman - and everyone else! May I have your attention, please? This is the unveiling of the 4-29-06 MAGICal Memories cruise bracelet! Soon to be arriving at your doorstep!

May I just say, AWESOME JOB CG! They are really pretty cool!!!!

 

[suziemva]

Partypat - Israel is AWESOME! I went over in 1996 for Christmas. My choir was invited by the government. We performed Christmas Eve in Bethlehem (Manager Square), Christmas Day in Jerusalem and the day after Christmas in Nazareth. It was a very cool place and I felt very safe while we were there. Tell your son, if you get a chance, try the falafel! It's awesome!!!!

Okay, the natives are getting restless, gotta go!

 

[castlegazer]

Did that last post come with a photo????

Oh, I am dying to see them.

OK, next post will be the orders and the amounts due either now or later - whatever you choose.