8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 11

[tom31b]

DD had first day of school Wednesday (her birthday on Tuesday), we were lucky to get flight out Tues night, but it was insane at the Airport. I do know people with flights out over the weekend had a hard time rebooking - some waited until Thursday. We went back and forth about trying to get out ahead of the storm, but figured it would be too hard and we had just got there Tuesday. We were lucky enough to have decided to splurge on three nights at Poly concierge - I swear it was kismet...so we were there for the lock down, but had the run of the building and lounge. The crowds: Friday we had EPCOT to ourselves despite being the only place open in the evening (besides DTD, I believe)...it was so quiet, it was eerie...

If it hadn't been first day of Kindergarten I would have stayed. Funny story - I wasn't sure about what the storm was doing, so I was using crackberry to e-mail a meteorologist on our emergency management staff for advice. Her initial advice is to get out ASAP (comforting) when I explained that MCO was already closed (3 days before landfall) her response was "take lots of pictures." Later the same day she gets on the national hurricane call with the National Hurricane Center and while waiting for everyone to join, asks the folks at NHC "hey, I have this friend who's stuck at WDW, any ideas on getting him out?" The senior (some title or other) person from the NHC jumps in and says "try Tampa first, Jacksonville second, he should have no problem." Well, they were right. Of course, I'm not sure that was the official intended purpose of that conference call, but it worked for me! Until she moved on to bigger and better, anytime she needed anything, I was more than glad to help!

 

[DisneyVegas1]

You don't take your time, you jump all the way into the deep end. Most of us buy and add and add and ....


lol

I always do things above and beyond ...LOL but if you have been around here long enough , I am sure you knew that ...

 

[PBader]

The whales are up here with me in July! Turtles were cool. I hope it turns out - I took a photo of one from about 5 feet away with a disposable waterproof camera.

Your jet lag from HI sounds like our jet lag when we visit WDW from here. I actually like flying, but I have the attention span of a 3 year old, I couldn't handle Atlanta - Hono. How long is that??

M. my ticket says we leave Atl @10:30 am and arrive Honolulu @ 2:20 pm sounds great until you figure in the time change and the almost 4 hour flight jumps to an almost 10 hour flight!

The Mauni Lani has a big turtle celebration on the 4th of July where they release small ones back into the water that are raised in their fish ponds. I don't know if this is the reason they are so abundant there. But every time I snorkeled they would surprise me and these big dudes would be right at my face.
These are a couple of turles from our trip in 04

Hurry up with your pics now, I am looking forward to seeing them.

 

[PBader]

On Getting Stuff Pre-Cruise


When we were on the Magic last year we rented from Mens Warehouse. We were able to pick up at home (CA) and return them in FL. No problem. It was slightly cheaper as renting on board, but gave use more options - and higher quality. Though was less convenient.

Renting them was really rather funny. I was ready to have the boys (who were with me) measured when I made the selections and the ressie. The tuxedo guy looked at me and said "Boys grow. Come back 3 weeks before your trip." Since this was the same wise man who recommended vests rather than cumberbuns - "Vests still look good when the boy can't stand to wear their jacket any longer. And cumberbuns have a tendency to go spinning around little boy middles." I decided to take his advice.

We got them fitted closer to the cruise - and when we picke them up two weeks after the fitting? They had to let down DS9's pants by nearly an inch!

Through a kink in your preplanning didn't it! They do grow like weeds. Whenever we have used the tuxes on board, I did it more so because that was one less heavy thing to pack around.

We certainly could. They'd be silk screened, not embroidered. The quotes are for 4-color screening. I'm not certainl how stiff the design will be. If the printer can't get the pillow cases, I can get them through my dye catalog. In addition to some really outstanding pens for the signing - they use dye not ink. Color fast and wash safe.

Last year, we had them sign Laundry Bags rather than pillow cases. We figured the boys would get more use out of them. NOT!

That would be a great Esteri to be able to get the pillowcases.

 

[justmestace]

We're home too....just too tired to post last night! I was so frustrated at not being able to logon while we were gone. I guess the Boards suffered a few technical difficulties? Seems at lot of attractions at DLand did, too.

What a great time! We had the most fun with Todd and Melissa and the boys!! Super family. Just makes me wish for the cruise to come even sooner now.

 

[PBader]

Crash....oh, dear sweet Captain Crash....


I suddenly realize....




you are one of THOSE parents.






Just out of curiosity, if I said, "When do your kids have time to play?" would you answer, "I have that scheduled in at ______"?




Oh...good choice about the piano lessons. Trust me on this.

Enna, you said my thought exactly! I thought my DS kept me busy with his sports and karate. It amazes me at how busy life can become with 2 or 3 or even 4.

 

[PBader]

Not "Axe," but along the same lines, did anyone catch this news a few months back?

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/09/21/onion.tag/

TOMS RIVER, New Jersey -- A weekend spillage of Tag Body Spray being described as the worst personal fragrance-related natural disaster in the history of the Eastern Seaboard continued to spread along New Jersey's Atlantic shore late Tuesday morning as disaster-management crews worked to contain the slick before it reached international waters.

Thanks for the laugh this morning.

 

[PBader]

But for the fact that it was younger DS first day of Kindergarten on Tuesday after Labor Day, we would have rode it out. MCO was predicting a Wed or Thurs reopening. We were in SSR, which were built to latest hurricane standards. The crowds the day before .... well put it this way, we went to Dis Studios at opening, did TOT (2x), RnRC, Great Movie Ride, some shopping, one other ride/thing I forget which, then took boat to Epcot, did Test Track, Mission Space, Spaceship Earth and one of the others right in that area and then stopped for a 12:30 lunch....

Don't you just love the parks when you can do that. makes you feel like you are the only one there. We were at Disney in Dec 2001. It was the emptiest I have ever seen it. It is great for getting all the rides in, but also a little sad at the same time. You just expect crowds to be there.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

If it hadn't been first day of Kindergarten I would have stayed. Funny story - I wasn't sure about what the storm was doing, so I was using crackberry to e-mail a meteorologist on our emergency management staff for advice. Her initial advice is to get out ASAP (comforting) when I explained that MCO was already closed (3 days before landfall) her response was "take lots of pictures." Later the same day she gets on the national hurricane call with the National Hurricane Center and while waiting for everyone to join, asks the folks at NHC "hey, I have this friend who's stuck at WDW, any ideas on getting him out?" The senior (some title or other) person from the NHC jumps in and says "try Tampa first, Jacksonville second, he should have no problem." Well, they were right. Of course, I'm not sure that was the official intended purpose of that conference call, but it worked for me! Until she moved on to bigger and better, anytime she needed anything, I was more than glad to help!

our decision might have been different with that kind of advise - we just figured at that point we should just sit tight !!!

 

[PBader]

I've been hanging out here avoiding mentioning this since yesterday afternoon and DH may kill me for posting this, but being the boss's wife can be a very helpless and lonely place and I need to weep somewhere.

Our Alaska CG family could use as many prayers as you can muster. I can't/shouldn't go into details, but the situation is very, very sad and DH had the awful task yesterday of being one of the men in dress uniform knocking on the door that every military wife dreads seeing in the bottom of her soul. It is just an awful, terrible, situation & a stark reminder of how dangerous the military can be, even for the men and women who aren't overseas.

If you're in Seattle, check your newspaper.

So sorry for your CG family. I feel for your DH, what a difficult task he has to do. And we do "Support our Troops" no matter if they are overseas or not. It takes many special people to make and keep or country safe.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I've been hanging out here avoiding mentioning this since yesterday afternoon and DH may kill me for posting this, but being the boss's wife can be a very helpless and lonely place and I need to weep somewhere.

Our Alaska CG family could use as many prayers as you can muster. I can't/shouldn't go into details, but the situation is very, very sad and DH had the awful task yesterday of being one of the men in dress uniform knocking on the door that every military wife dreads seeing in the bottom of her soul. It is just an awful, terrible, situation & a stark reminder of how dangerous the military can be, even for the men and women who aren't overseas.

If you're in Seattle, check your newspaper.

for you , DH, and that family!!! Such a sad and terrible tragedy!

 

[PBader]

We're home too....just too tired to post last night! I was so frustrated at not being able to logon while we were gone. I guess the Boards suffered a few technical difficulties? Seems at lot of attractions at DLand did, too.

What a great time! We had the most fun with Todd and Melissa and the boys!! Super family. Just makes me wish for the cruise to come even sooner now.

Glad your back Stace!
How is your wrist doing?

 

[tom31b]

Don't you just love the parks when you can do that. makes you feel like you are the only one there. We were at Disney in Dec 2001. It was the emptiest I have ever seen it. It is great for getting all the rides in, but also a little sad at the same time. You just expect crowds to be there.

We were there immediately post 9/11 (arrived on 16th) and on many rides were told just to stay in our seats if we wanted to ride again. Was sad in a way, but "way cool" for kids....

 

[allshookup]

Warning multi quote ahead...read at your own risk! Sorry I got that nasty cold that seems to be going around & I never logged on last night so here goes:

Howdy Crew!
I'm back online and playing ketchup. Just 100 pages?? The boards must have been down a lot. Though I can't say I'm sorry...

We had our school auction last night. It looks like we're down from last year - which was expected, but will still top $100K in proceeds, which was unexpected. It was an excellent event. And, we got out of there 2 1/2 hours earlier than last year - which we were all grateful for. The chairpersons were on site from 8:00am until midnight, or a little later. That's a freaking LOOOOONG day! It was a surfing theme, which made getting dressed easy.

Kaiya is doing great. She "woke up" today. She's been sleeping a lot since she got home - the really deep, deep sleep of puppyhood and old age. Of course the pain meds may have something to do with it. Today she's chewing on bones and doesn't want to spend as much time in her crate. And her incisions look great!

Well, off to page 3176. Catch you later.

Great news! Thanks for sharing!

Most of the time I'll send it out to be pressed on the cruise. It's half of the cost of cleaning and gives me extra pool time. I really try to pack stuff that doesn't need it, but some of that linen just doesn't pack well.

We send out our formal wear to be pressed & the rest I just wrinkle spray.

Mostly I stand right by the dryer and wait for the BING and Voila! Wrinkle-Free clothes

My new dryer has a touch-up mode. I use it quite a bit!

We do that, too. The first trip, DH thought it was silly, but on the last trip he was handing me things to have pressed . . . LOL. We even had his suit cleaned. It's pretty cool to hand the steward everything the first day and not have to worry about it the rest of vacation (or even when I am packing for vacation . . .LOL).

I don't iron at home.. . .why would I start on the ship .. .LOL We're on vacation!

I couldn't agree more!

Hello Everyone.. Boring TV night here.. we are watching TY here on ABC..
Busy day here with the kids... as usual.

Mary Rose.. Marty has been sick for a weel with a cold/bronchitis type thing.. We have used the perscription cold meds/zicam/nasal sprays and still 102.2 fevers. I have never changed my bed sheets so often.. We send John get well wishes..

I am so tired from all the laundry. Wish it was a bit warmer to hang them outside. I am happy for those that got to clean out their flower beds.. send me your warm weather .

Doreen

Doreen sorry to hear about Marty. Hope he feels better soon!

DD aka my ST

Attended her 2nd student show at the farm she rides at.

She rode in two divisions in the intermediate level.

First was walk trot cantor..... She came in 3rd place out of 10 kids. (She would have been 2nd but one of the advanced riders was put into the lower division for some reason.)

Second division was jumping. .... She came in 5th there...

We're so proud... I remember a couple yrs ago when she first started riding and would jump off if the horse even hit a trot....

Congrats for your DD!

I've been hanging out here avoiding mentioning this since yesterday afternoon and DH may kill me for posting this, but being the boss's wife can be a very helpless and lonely place and I need to weep somewhere.

Our Alaska CG family could use as many prayers as you can muster. I can't/shouldn't go into details, but the situation is very, very sad and DH had the awful task yesterday of being one of the men in dress uniform knocking on the door that every military wife dreads seeing in the bottom of her soul. It is just an awful, terrible, situation & a stark reminder of how dangerous the military can be, even for the men and women who aren't overseas.

If you're in Seattle, check your newspaper.

That is awful for the family & your DH! Sending out prayers!

They were selling AK but our points wouldnt be active till Sept of 07 ....We bought 2 160 point contracts at SSR cause the deal was great ....Points were active as of Dec 06 ..the reason for the 2 contracts was to split evenly amongst the boys and or if they had no interest with it when they had kids we could sell one contract and keep one for Melissa and I ...But the deal was really really good ...

Congrats on your DVC! That is the exact reasoning we used for buying two 150 pt contracts at SSR!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Don't you just love the parks when you can do that. makes you feel like you are the only one there. We were at Disney in Dec 2001. It was the emptiest I have ever seen it. It is great for getting all the rides in, but also a little sad at the same time. You just expect crowds to be there.

We were there immediately post 9/11 (arrived on 16th) and on many rides were told just to stay in our seats if we wanted to ride again. Was sad in a way, but "way cool" for kids....

Evening just checking in.

I Stayed in the Contemporary that year, it was so sad, WDW relativly empty, all rides less than 15 mins. The porter at the contemporary shook our hands and said than you for coming at this time. We said we have had our troubles and you must just go on.

Disney cut early entry suddenly one day whilst we were there, and cut park hours, I felt the magic went a bit and the accountants took over.

It was very sad to see WDW, in this light.

 

[cykojoe]

Has anyone been on a cruise lately and purchased liquor onboard? How were you able to get it back home if you flew? I really don't want it to go in my checked luggage.

Thanks

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Has anyone been on a cruise lately and purchased liquor onboard? How were you able to get it back home if you flew? I really don't want it to go in my checked luggage.

Thanks

Since the new security checks in August 2006, all we could do is purchase drink at Orlando Airport and they gave it to us as we went on the plane.

They took everything off us including unopened water.

 

[atakaratemom]

I've been hanging out here avoiding mentioning this since yesterday afternoon and DH may kill me for posting this, but being the boss's wife can be a very helpless and lonely place and I need to weep somewhere.

Our Alaska CG family could use as many prayers as you can muster. I can't/shouldn't go into details, but the situation is very, very sad and DH had the awful task yesterday of being one of the men in dress uniform knocking on the door that every military wife dreads seeing in the bottom of her soul. It is just an awful, terrible, situation & a stark reminder of how dangerous the military can be, even for the men and women who aren't overseas.

If you're in Seattle, check your newspaper.

M, I just read the article and my heart goes out to you and to his family. You know I have a very special place in my heart for our seafaring men and I have been touched by similar tragedies over the years. Every time DH goes out I say a special prayer for him and for all those at sea. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your DH and the young man’s family. I know that this must be very difficult for you and your DH especially after just returning from your beautiful vacation. Hugs to you both!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Forgive me one more Doctor Who pic,

For CAPTAIN CRASH.

 

[ChrizJen]

Good Afternoon, everyone!!!

WHEW!! Whirlwind week/weekend!! I hope to have a slower, more relaxed week this week. (Thanks goodness!! )

I'm going to try to ketchup. I'll post as I go along.

Inventory last week ended up going pretty well. It was a bit scary at first, because after first counts were finished and entered, we were showing $1.4 MILLION SHORT!!!! REALLY REALLY BAD!!!!
But upon further investigation, we found that one of the folks keying the data into the system was doing it incorrectly, and none of his entries stuck. So I was here (along with a team of several others) Friday night until almost 8pm fixing the stuff he messed up. So after all of the goof-ups were fixed, we ended up $9800 over. (which, fortunately, accounts for some of the amount that we were short on last inventory!! ) So overall, we came out looking MUCH better this time than last!!
OKAY, I'll stop now. I know inventory stories are NOT exactly entertaining...

We're REALLY moving along with the adoption process. We had a bit of a stanstill for a little while, because we've started looking more into possibly adopting a slightly older child (like age 2-4) instead of a newborn. We've discussed (extensively!) that while we would LOVE to have a baby , we just feel like our purpose right now is to give a home to a slightly older child. These are the children who are a little harder to place because everyone wants newborns.
We will DEFINITELY look into adopting an infant later on, but for some reason right now we feel really compelled to adopt a slightly older, harder to place child. Our biggest stipulation though is that we DO still want to have a few good Christmases while he/she still believes in Santa!!
I know that may sound a bit self-seving, but I REALLY cannot wait to give a child his/her very first HUGE, no-holds barred, super blow-out Christmas!! I cannot wait to see the look in their eyes when they walk out into a living room full of stuff!!

Anyhow, so that's where we are right now. Our worker is going to forward a listing to us this week of some of the children now available in our desired age range. Our child is probably out there right now just waiting for us! It feels pretty good to know that we could be giving a child a brand new chance at a good life!!

OK, REALLY! I'm going to go ketchup now!!
-Christal