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

[rieggman]

Hi all,

We all made it home safely here in RI. Trip was uneventful and we're doing laundry and all the same things everyone else is doing back home.

Just want to say that this had to be the best vaca I (we've) ever taken. It was so much fun that it will be the "standard" by which all our vaca's will be compared to now.

It was a great time meeting all of you. I'm just sorry that we never hooked up(for some strange reason) with a few. Lisa - would you believe I talked to you in BUDGET Car Rental on our way out and it wasn't till I got home that SteveMed told me it was you I was talking to! We talked about the Gloria Gaynor Diva thing - remember!?

Jon and Sue - Thank you for letting us all meet in your suite on day one. What a great way for us to start the week. It was so fun to meet you and how wonderful that you were able to make it after all. You looked great Sue for someone who was recovering. I'm just sorry that I didn't make it on the last night. I planned to go, but went back to the room and guess what - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Too many Carribean Dreams I guess???

Tom and Julie: Great meeting you two. Why don't you move to RI? We have great Lobstah here!

Trish, Jen, Suzie and Shyla I sincerely hope we can meet up again some day. Suzie, I can honestly say that if Steve failed as your taste tester, I definitely took up the slack. I'm in detox this week!

Favorite things this week:
1. Red Speedos in Palo
2. Buckets of VooDoo juice on Saphire Beach
3. Chocolate souffle
4. Martini tasting
5. Castaway Cay with family and friends
6. Rocking to sleep
7. Seeing my kids all dressed up
8. Magens Bay
9. Being announced onto the ship
10. Sail away party
11. Making new friends!!!

Well it's been fun, but got to get back to work so we can save up for the next one. Didn't rebook, but do hope to go again someday.

TTFN
SUEegg

 

[suziemva]

Just a quick note...we just got home and are exhausted! Two days at the parks should have been more relaxing! Steve, must say that we put a huge dent in the buffet at Cape May Cafe for you! Tori ate 3 dozen clams!!! She loves her clams! Pants are definitely tight but also realized that my feet and legs are swelling like crazy! Must make doc appt soon to check the blood pressure (this is what happened when I was pg with Tori due to high bp/toxemia). Gotta keep this under control!

Sunburn, what can I say?! Much better, a few little blisters and a bit of peeling but at least I don't look like a lobster anymore! So, I may have to pass off my Lobster Award.....

Now, off to figure out what's for dinner.....no menus or servers to help me out! Boy, you get spoiled so fast!

Ta-ta for now!

 

[rubysmom]

We're back too! (sorry to say )

Always an adventure, we did MGM on Sat and AK on Sun, followed by a mad rush to the airport in Tampa, a few interesting airplane problems and delays, and finally arriving at home at 3 am this morning, which is 6 am eastern time, which is about the time I woke up on Sunday to get ready to go to AK! This pattern of very little sleep all week caught up with me by debarkation day and I hit the wall that afternoon, but I was determined to keep going, so now here on Monday afternoon, I should probably be in bed trying to kick this awful cold and earache. Is anyone else still 'moving'? I didn't feel anything on the islands or even at the parks on sat/sun, but since I woke up today, I feel the movement of the ship. It's not bothersome, but I wonder how long it will last?

I also enjoyed meeting you all so much. It's difficult to explain to people the emotional attachment I felt to the ship and all the great friends and great times we had.

We did okay w/the waves on the first night or two, just a little dramamine for Isaac is all. The only downside to this trip is 'single-parenting' two 12 year olds--how much energy did I expend just trying to keep track of things in the room and especially trying to convince them that dressing for dinner is important. They just weren't used to dressing up even to the degree of 'cruise casual'. Neither am I for that matter, but Emma & I enjoyed it! Guess it's a girl thing!

My only other complaint is that I never once met you, Michelle (mketting)! I know you had a huge group too, but I'm sorry we never met and I do hope you'll rebook! We did...BTW, Roses, did you get a specific date? I had to just choose an arbitrary date in Dec '07 and transfer it later. Let's all keepintouch and recreate this awesome party! This time, it will be no kids--just DH and I--and a VERANDAH!

So my favorite things were (in no particular order):

• The Hospitality Suite--walking in to a room full of vaguely familiar faces, being welcomed so warmly to the cruise! Jon and Sue, you guys are as entertaining in person as online--thank you SO MUCH for hosting in your cabin! Please, will somebody digitally insert me into that farewell photo?? I really screwed up with the whole suitcases outside the doors before 11 pm thing. I was there at 10 and again at 11:15, does that count? Suzie, hon, thanks for waiting for me!!

• Rockin' Bar D and all that that entails...

• Having so many friends on the ship that you could smile & say hi whenever you turned a corner

• Jogging on the promenade (ok, so I only did it twice, and I didn't see anyone from the DIS out there, but the alone-ness of it was actually lovely--watching the morning sun rising and not an island in site. aaaahhhh....!)

• *Almost* winning $3000 at Bingo...I know it didn't count but it was fun anyway! ("C'mon Michael!"..."Yeah, baby!")

• Dressing up for pirate night...LisaD, I needed one of your ESPN mugs to complete my outfit!

• Beach time at Coki & Castaway Cay w/Phil & Lisa, Suzie & Ed, and everyone else!

• Seeing Mike, Emma & Isaac make friends with your kids

• Being seated right next to the Mattern/Matthews table

• Brunch & dinner at Palo--yum! Thanks again, Shy for arranging that brunch.

• Our server, William, whom Kathy and I both wanted to pack home in our suitcases, and not just because he can cook & serve meals!

• Parasailing--so peaceful up there, gazing down on the beautiful Disney Magic and watching countless stingrays racing along the ocean floor through crystal clear blue water, going through my digital camera to delete pix from my full memory card so I can take more while I'm up there... Emma & the boys loved it too, and we'd do it again in a second!

There are lots more, but my favorite thing about this whole trip was getting to meet you all in person and share fun times together. Kathy enjoyed getting to know some of you as well. Thanks for welcoming her in!

I LOVE the pictures already posted, but let's get this picture thing figured out so we can all share! Yahoo is fine, but it would be nice to use a site that we can just choose pictures cafeteria style, just check the box next to the pictures you want to download and click download. Something like that. So we all could post any pictures we want to share (and video ) and then go from there. Suzie, do you think snapfish would work or does anyone else have a suggestion?

I checked my weight this am and it seems to have not changed at all!! I think it may be due to the miles and miles of walking we did all week & esp at the parks on sat/sun and the fact that I'm probably a bit dehydrated. We'll see how it holds up now that I'm back to reality.

Packed suitcases are calling my name, as are the 6-plus tapes of transcription I have to catch up on, so I better run. Later!

 

[Lisa D]

Reality really kicked in today with kids back in school and Phil back to work. I go back to work tomorrow - teaching Spinning will probably kill me!

Sue , that was a funny moment at the Budget office. It helped ease the depression of leaving the ship! I will never live that one down!

Sorry so many of you are not feeling well. Trish, , I know what you mean about the rocking feeling! I didn't feel it while in Florida but I did here this morning, in fact, I almost felt seasick again! Phil and I had a great time hanging with you and Kathy and Suzie and Ed on all the beaches, and Jonathan enjoyed meeting Mike and Isaac. I want to share photos too - I have some good ones and I know some of you have some great ones that I missed having my camera for.

Suzie, welcome home, honey! Keep an eye on that swelling! Hope your sunburn is better.

Shyla, I need to thank you for initially inviting me to this thread. Sorry we didn't see each other more often. Glad to hear that your 10 lbs came down to just 5 lbs. Phil gained 5 lbs. as well - I'm afraid to even find out! I'll weigh myself after Spinning tomorrow.

We didn't rebook onboard but definately plan to do another cruise in 2008. I think Phil was afraid I'd pull another fast one on him (we were intially going to change this cruise to 2007 - thank God we did not!).

Have a great night everyone - hope you all feel better.

Lisa

 

[suziemva]

I do have an account with Snapfish that isn't used - I have one that is very used too! Don't ask. No idea why I have this unused site. Anyway, we can use that one for picture uploading, if you want. It's free to upload and share pics. You can check off ones that you want printed, etc.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Yes, I do feel the ship rocking tonight. Didn't until I sat down at the 'puter now. Might be that I'm still so tired. Night all.

 

[BLBCB]

We left for the airport at 10:00 am (9:00 am home time) yesterday morning. We arrived in Minneapolis around 3:30 and our flight out wasn't until 7:15. The flight was less than half price so the layover didn't seem too bad. Turns out, the plane was late getting in so we were over an hour late boarding. We then spent over an hour waiting on the tarmac for some repairs to be completed. We didn't get into Winnipeg airport until 11:30 pm. We were the last seat on the plane, so the last ones clearing customs. As we clear, we find out one of our suitcases is missing. We wait the extra 1/2 hour to see if it might be on the next flight. No luck. We then start for home and don't arrive here until 4:30 am. I'm sure I'm a walking zombie today. They did end up finding the suitcase and we should get it by bus sometime tomorrow. I want to turn the clock back and be back on the ship.

Suzie & Ed, you are the best and I will be in touch.

Jon & Sue, thanks for making us feel like part of the family.

Trish, Ben kept asking if he could meet up with the boys at the parks on Saturday. We should have gotten them together before the last night! How did that picture of the "Village People" work out? The only time I didn't bring my camera.

Lisa, I will always remember you with an ESPN mug or blue feathers!!

Shyla, I'll take your advice and give the lobster another chance.

PartyPat, the trip back was fun. After we left the airport, we all layed down on our own benches.

Julie, I know what you mean about the seas the first night. I was praying for dry land, but I can't wait until we go back again. Give him a bit of time to get back into the humdrum of regular life, and he will be happy to rebook!

Tom, thanks for the official welcome at the port. I've never seen Len so confused. He couldn't figure out how you knew who he was!

Steve, you were such a great sport with the whole banana hammock thing.

Once I've had some sleep I'll reply to everyone else I've missed. Have a great night everyone. By the way, we came home to trees budding and grass turning green.

Barb

 

[STEVEMED]

Hi all....I got home two days ago but was to depressed to post.This was the quickest vacation of my life. It was great getting to know everyone and I will post more when I can get myself off suicide watch.

 

[PhillyJen2006]

Barb, Whatever happened to Len's knee? I realized on the last night that you were sitting right behind us at AP but didn't see Len walking.....

PJ

 

[castlegazer]

Barb, Whatever happened to Len's knee? I realized on the last night that you were sitting right behind us at AP but didn't see Len walking.....

PJ

Very good question.

STEVE, did a family member of yours testify at the trial yesterday?


I just am sad that I didn't know the Caw/Coventry Rhodies before now. Julie, did you get enough Rhodies to last for a little while?

SueEgg, western Mass girls stick together so we'll meet up again.

Did anyone lose anything?

For the damn life of me I can not find a black hat, my aloe gel, a white sweater, and I know Catrina threw off one of her hats while in the parks and we never found it again.

My desk is still rocking today.

 

[BLBCB]

Barb, Whatever happened to Len's knee? I realized on the last night that you were sitting right behind us at AP but didn't see Len walking.....

PJ

Ben wanted to snorkel over to the "sunken ship" so I floated along with them. About half way there Len's knee went out on him. He has been having some trouble with it since we started building this house. He usually just stands on in and it will pop back in. When it happened on Castaway Cay he was in deep water and couldn't stand up. I had to pull him back to shore and by that time it was starting to swell. We happened to come up on shore right in front of our table-mates. They helped me get him out of the water and someone else came up to help. She was a nurse I think. She went and got the medics who then took over. I never did get her name and I would like to thank her. All I remember is that she was wearing a blue bathing suit. Anyone know who she is ?!! pretty good description Anyway, they brought one of those sand buggy things and took him back to the ship. Of course all of our stuff was at the other end of the beach from the ship and Len needed his key and ID to get back onto the ship. Basically the doctor says he will need surgery. I haven't seen him in that kind of pain. About 3 hours later he happened to move a certain way while laying on the bed and it snapped back in. He was off the crutches but limping.

Jon couldn't figure out how you could put your knee out snorkelling, so I told him that us Canadians aren't used to all the salt in the water and it's harder to paddle through.

It's raining here today and is only 46 F. I rub my sunburn every once-in-a-while just to remind myself that I did have sun a few days ago.

It looks like quite a few are rebooking for 2008. Should we just keep this thread going and just all rebook together?

Barb

 

[partypat]

I'm back to work today and my desk is also rocking. I like it tho...it makes me feel that there really was a vacation and I wasn't dreaming.

I could easily live the island life. It's true what they say about Island Time.

Have a great day everyone.

 

[STEVEMED]

Very good question.

STEVE, did a family member of yours testify at the trial yesterday?


I just am sad that I didn't know the Caw/Coventry Rhodies before now. Julie, did you get enough Rhodies to last for a little while?

SueEgg, western Mass girls stick together so we'll meet up again.

Did anyone lose anything?

For the damn life of me I can not find a black hat, my aloe gel, a white sweater, and I know Catrina threw off one of her hats while in the parks and we never found it again.

My desk is still rocking today.

Thank goodness it was not a relative.

 

[STEVEMED]

Hey pj...Myself and a couple of my fire buddies are going to philadelphia next week to see the Red Sox play the Phillies.Any good places we should not miss?

Barb... I hope len gets better soon.

Where is Tom? We should make sure he made it back to Port Canaveral.

 

[castlegazer]

Oh Thank God. A Woman with your last name had me quite shaken up.


OK - so I am not ChardonnayJen, but you guys would all fit in quite nicely at Rock Lobster - or Lobstah. Down on the water front. I am insanely jealous.

 

[rubysmom]

It looks like quite a few are rebooking for 2008. Should we just keep this thread going and just all rebook together?

I vote YES!! Well...perhaps we would have to rename the thread? Oh, and after careful review of the evidence, Len may have been at increased risk due to a certain dance number...I'll post the video soon and y'all can decide for yourself.

I'm back to work today and my desk is also rocking. I like it tho...it makes me feel that there really was a vacation and I wasn't dreaming.

I like the extended rocking too. The kids haven't said anything about feeling it. Wonder what that means? BTW, Partypat, thank you SOOO much! You are a dear and I loved seeing your smiling face around the ship!

Tuggles & Metzlers, be sure to give me a heads-up when you're coming out this way...we'll get The Roses and Ulittletinker and maybe even Partypat & her boys together for a little reunion. Heck, maybe Suzie & Tori can fly out at the drop of a hat again! We had a blast last time! (ok, ok you can come too, Ed ) Emma would love to see all the girls again.

Suzie, if I really do come out and visit you, we will have to gather the troops & make that a meet too!

back to typing now

 

[BLBCB]

Trish,

Is it possible to email me that video? How big is the file? This I've got to see. The only time I didn't have my camera with me.

 

[rubysmom]

Yes, Barb--I'll do that as soon as I can...I just have to get this typing caught up and I'll get it to you then.

Suzie, what do we have to do to use your extra snapfish site? Anything special?

 

[mketting]

I'm a rocking too... Been driving me crazy. Kirk got sick on the ship but doesn't feel a thing now. I am right there with you steve on the depression thing.

My whole family said they want to go again in 2008 too so we'll see.

QOTD

How many pictures did you take? Counting our 3 days in Universal I took over a 1000 pictures!! At dinner the last night my 3 year old nephew said "Aunt Michelle's taking pictures again" I took pictures of everthing including the food.

 

[partypat]

QOTD

I took 348 on my camera. My son got a new camera in St. Maarten and I have no idea how many pictures I took or had him take on his camera.

Justin is off on another adventure up the East Coast, so I probably won't be able to see the pictures and videos on his camera until the first of June.

 

[suziemva]

Trish, I will post on the yahoo site. Want to keep these "just us" too. Login and password to be provided.