5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 11

[mickeymo]

Good Morning Everyone!

We had a full, fun day with John's aunt, uncle, cousins and their neighbors. Maggie was in 7th heaven dragging the cute college senior cousin outside to practice lacrosse - she wants to play with the club next year instead of soccer...

The tradition is a picture of all the kids on the stairs watching the kids grow over the last 12 years. This year, a girl friend and a fiance joined the photo. And one brief moment I felt really old - Even though John and I technically are in the cousins' generation - we weren't included in the "kids" (the cousins and neighbor girls are in their 20s) photos - John's aunt announced the "old farts" photo time - and wanted John and I in the photo...

 

[mickeymo]

No "Black Friday" for me - not a tradition I care to participate unless I can let my fingers click the mouse. This morning I'm off to substitute teach water aerobics. - at least it's warmed up from earlier in the week.

John's off flying with a friend as part of the Coast Guard Auxillary.

Then it's time to settle in front of the TV and watch the traditional Texas/ Texas A&M football rivalry.

The kids want to put the tree up - but, that'll wait until John returns home. He's in charge of the the tree and lights.

 

[mickeymo]

Monica - I think it was you who suggested the Home of the Brave tour. We're going to book it today. It means we have to drive into Waikiki to pick it up but we think it will be worth it. Thanks for telling us about it.

Good memory - we felt it was well worth it and we drove into Waikiki from almost the north shore at the crack of dawn. If anything, it was worth it just to get into one of the first two waves onto the Arizona. There was so much to that tour - getting the big picture of D-Day and the various airfields involved made it an interesting day. I think you'll enjoy (don't think that's the right word - how can you enjoy a D-Day tour? ) appreciate the history - even more through the tour.

I do have to mention - the added bonus - getting to sit in Ben Aflack's seat in the jeep used in the movie Pearl Harbor (Yes, he did point out the inconsistancies in the movie...) back at their little gift shop/museum.

 

[MarkRG]

Good memory - we felt it was well worth it and we drove into Waikiki from almost the north shore at the crack of dawn. If anything, it was worth it just to get into one of the first two waves onto the Arizona. There was so much to that tour - getting the big picture of D-Day and the various airfields involved made it an interesting day. I think you'll enjoy (don't think that's the right word - how can you enjoy a D-Day tour? ) appreciate the history - even more through the tour.

I do have to mention - the added bonus - getting to sit in Ben Aflack's seat in the jeep used in the movie Pearl Harbor (Yes, he did point out the inconsistancies in the movie...) back at their little gift shop/museum.

My first thought on reading the description of the tour- look! it's a tour by Disney, it ends in a gift shop!

I am soo looking forward to this trip. And yes, I think this tour and the engineering tour of the Mo are going to be two highlights of the trip , for the historical aspect. I one went out to our local private airport to go see this: http://www.arizonawingcaf.com/pages/touring.html

That and just immersion in the Hawaiian culture, with a day at the Poly Center is goign to hmake this a fun trip for us.

 

[tinksdad]

Tis true - we heard it on the news. It did not reach the ground but it did snow.


So, no wonder Jim is sitting by the Fire.....and am cold....

Hope it is better weather for all our friends celebating Thanksgiving at WDW.

Holy Cow!! That is amazing...... Hope you guys can warm it up a bit towards the middle of December!!

 

[justmestace]

Absolutely no BLACK FRIDAY shopping for me! I *think* my shopping is all done already....not sure if I have something for Jared...will have to go through the pile and look.....and if I hadn't hurt my hand, they'd all be wrapped already! Can we say "OCD"?????


Ahhh...just remembered....we took Jared a week or so ago and bought him his own computer. Merry Christmas, Jared!

 

[justmestace]

Just for fun....we spotted these two beauties down at the creek on our way home from the funeral on Wednesday. I had my smaller Pentax with me...wish I'd had the Canon:

 

[justmestace]

And.....you asked for it....you may not remember asking, but you did.....

The makeover pictures that my dentist gave me. Can't say as I'm thrilled. I NEVER have ever worn this much makeup in my entire life...and I hate (hate hate hate) the way they fixed my hair...but these two are the only ones that I considered halfway decent:

 

[justmestace]

Was reading the Main boards...I know, I shouldn't...but I was good and didn't respond.
There's a thread about having two rooms and only using one of them..and tipping.
Seems the family of 5 found it cheaper to book an inside Cat 12 and a Cat 6 than to get a Cat 3 or 4...which is true, I suppose. Anyway, they're all going to squeeze into the Cat 6 and leave the Cat 12 empty, and wanted to know if they had to tip the room steward for the empty room. My opinion on that is, yes...I still think they should, because the steward could have been counting on that money. But...the tipping aside.....am I the only one who finds this fundmentally WRONG??
Now....if your kids are older...near teen age...and they're going to stay in that room, then no, that's not wrong. I don't know. It just seems as though they are taking a room from someone else who may have wanted to cruise. Or making it harder on the steward in the Cat 6 room by having more people to clean after and more towels, etc. Not to mention, it's just flat-out against the rules.

When we were still a family of 5 and went anywhere...Disneyland in particular...we booked a room that fit ALL of us. Granted, we couldn't go often, because it IS expensive, and they just really don't make it easy for families larger than four.....But at least we did it "legally" so to speak.

 

[mickeymo]

Stacey, Step away from the main boards...

I'd definitely tip extra for the 5 an "itty bitty" or not - and the steward is still doing a basic check list on the other room...Can't even imagine putting 5 in an interior room - we're cramped with 4. Luggage in one down the hall would be a pain. I'd have kept the upper category - if I didn't want to (or couldn't) split my family.

If I really wanted to save the $ - I would have invited grandparents to book the 2nd cabin and put a child in with them. Could even rotate and then a child would have a special sleepover.

 

[mickeymo]

Stacey - I like the photos!!! I know it's tough to like your own photos.

 

[WDWLVR]

Stacey I love the pictures!

As for that other thread - just stay away!

 

[WDWLVR]

A nice mix of both relaxing and productive day here.

We have all the decorations down from the attic and the tree is up.

We have two tours booked for Hawaii. One is the Home of the Brave tour (going to the Arizona). The other is the Explorers tour of the USS Missouri. With this one you get to go down into the engine room and machine shop. Mark is going to love that. We are doing the first on Monday and the second on Tuesday. Wednesday we'll be planning a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center and Thursday we'll be booking a snorkeling excursion near the resort.

 

[justmestace]

A nice mix of both relaxing and productive day here.

We have all the decorations down from the attic and the tree is up.

We have two tours booked for Hawaii. One is the Home of the Brave tour (going to the Arizona). The other is the Explorers tour of the USS Missouri. With this one you get to go down into the engine room and machine shop. Mark is going to love that. We are doing the first on Monday and the second on Tuesday. Wednesday we'll be planning a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center and Thursday we'll be booking a snorkeling excursion near the resort.

I'd love the Explorer's Tour...oddly enough, that stuff fascinates me. Jay and Jared would especially love it...Jay's dad served on the Missouri.

 

[WDWLVR]

I'd love the Explorer's Tour...oddly enough, that stuff fascinates me. Jay and Jared would especially love it...Jay's dad served on the Missouri.

We are on the 2/27/07 tour - come on over!

 

[justmestace]

We are on the 2/27/07 tour - come on over!

How I WISH!!! And probably Jay, too. But there's definitely a "down side" to having kids...especially kids in school!

Nah...I shouldn't complain about the kids. They did a great job yesterday. I'm pretty proud and pleased with all of them.


Thanks for the nice comments about the pictures. Jay likes them. I just really wish they hadn't used quite so much makeup...it's so not me. But Monica's right, I don't think I'd like ANY picture of myself.

 

[mickeymo]

Unproductively productive day today - the only decorating I finished was my signature

Taught two very sparsely attended water aerobics classes - 2 people in each. Then sat and watched the UT/A&M game with Maggie. Great game and major upset by A&M !! After that, watched some of the Nebraska game, and then firished Harry Potter 2 & 3 - We watched 1 on Wednesday but, we discovered we never bought 4 only rented it - One of us may be headed into the fray tomorrow and pick up #4.

 

[mickeymo]

Mary and Mark - did you make reservations for the evening shows at the Cultural Center? The luau was nice - but, the show was very good - John has some great pictures of the various island dancing and the flame dancers...

 

[WDWLVR]

Mary and Mark - did you make reservations for the evening shows at the Cultural Center? The luau was nice - but, the show was very good - John has some great pictures of the various island dancing and the flame dancers...

Not yet, still looking to see if we can get a tour from our area. Otherwise we'll book directly with the PCC for the whole package including the night show and leave from Waikiki.

 

[BWVPam]

Stacey --


love,love, love the pictures. Ithink you look great!