8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 2

[mjy]

STUNNING!!

Thanks.

I'm pretty impressed with the volunteers. Each year things look so different for Christmas and Easter. And each year they seem to be better than the last. Never know how that happens, but they always manage to top themselves while still keeping everything elegant and tasteful.

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all had a Wonderful Christmas yesterday. We have a very busy day on Christmas - we start out at home and see what Santa brought and open our own gifts, then we go to my parent's house (about 3 miles away) and open gifts with them and have our 1st Christmas dinner (Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding) and then we drive to DH's Mom's family (about 1 hour away) and do it all again. The 2nd dinner is Turkey and all the 'fixins'. We made it home by 8:30pm and managed to get DS8 to bed by 10pm - and then I promptly collapsed!

This morning, I had to finish getting DS packed for his trip to Northern Minnesota The hardest part was getting him to pick only a FEW of his new toys to bring with him! Thankfully, even he didn't think it was practical to bring the Wii! It is pretty difficult for an 8 year old to leave the day after Christmas - particularly when he doesn't get much time to play with the new stuff on Christmas.

I got TWO iRobot Rooma vacuums. It was on my Amazon wish list and DH found a good deal at Buy.com, he claims he checked to make sure it was still on my list - went and bought it at Buy.com - then when he went back to Amazon (maybe 1 hour later) to delete it - it was gone. Turns out my parents ordered it from Amazon and it must have been during that hour. What do you think the odds are? I'm now trying to decide if I should return one or just keep them both and have one upstairs and one downstairs. With 6 cats, there isn't any such thing as too much vaccuuming!

I didn't get my dream camera, but my birthday is a week from today so there is still a chance.... January 2nd isn't a great day for a birthday, but since the 1 year DH forgot it he has been very good about it! My FIL always forgets and calls sometime in February to appologize - every single year - it has become pretty funny! When I was a kid, even my grandmother occasionally forgot my birthday! We had to give up on birthday parties - we would hand out the invites at school before the holiday break and people would RSVP that they were coming - and then they would forget to come by January 2nd! (My father always said that they were still recovering from their hangovers )

Pamela (pdarrah)

 

[pdarrah]

Jolly Pirate Sail/Snorkel in Aruba

We just booked yesterday as well for the 9:30 trip.

Just went back and skimmed through 100+ pages. I know I missed some people. Not sure how many spaces that they have on this excursion but if you are thinking about it I would not wait too long. There are other groups of cruisers and space will fill up. I know 8 months out and we are pushing signing up for excursions, but remember that all of us signed up for this cruise back on 1/31. As time gets closer we will put together a list of all who signed up and see if we arrange to all be on the same boat.

I was about to sign us up and DH started asking me what the policy was if DCL misses taking us to Aruba (they change the ports, weather, whatever...). Does anyone know? I couldn't find a policy on their website, but maybe I wasn't looking in the right place....

Pamela (pdarrah)

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Jolly Pirate Sail/Snorkel in Aruba

We just booked yesterday as well for the 9:30 trip.

Just went back and skimmed through 100+ pages. I know I missed some people. Not sure how many spaces that they have on this excursion but if you are thinking about it I would not wait too long. There are other groups of cruisers and space will fill up. I know 8 months out and we are pushing signing up for excursions, but remember that all of us signed up for this cruise back on 1/31. As time gets closer we will put together a list of all who signed up and see if we arrange to all be on the same boat.

Thanks for the reminder Roger. I just booked for the 5 of us, plus our friend who is sailing with us. Now I'll be keeping my fingers crossed til we get our confirmation!

Speaking of which, our friend Betsy, who is a fellow DIS'er as well, starts her new job tomorrow. She hasn't posted on the thread yet, because she wanted to be sure that everything worked out and that she will be able to cruise with us all. She has the official OK on her vacation time for August, so hopefully she'll be posting on here soon to introduce herself! (Betsy, if you're reading this...quit lurking and get to posting!)

 

[cruisin'Mike]

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, and that you got everything on your wish list. I'm sure we were all on the Nice List (well OK...most of us ).

This was the first Christmas Eve in 16 years that Linda and I both had off from work. You would think that would have been relaxing? Not quite, we were on the go all day, but it was really nice. We spent about 4 hours visiting with old friends who live an hour away for lunch and exchanging presents. We got back home in time to prep a little food, then get changed and run out the door for church. We got home just in time to see Santa on the fire engine coming up our street, with the firefighters handing out candy canes as he went by. Then we went to my aunt's to wait until midnight to toast in the holiday and exchange presents with all of my cousins' and their kids. We finally got home about 1 am and got the kids right to sleep. DW and I finally made it to bed after 2 am.

On the plus side, the kids slept til 8:00 before waking us to go downstairs. Sanat came! We spent the entire day at home, relaxing with the kids and playing with their presents. Then my parents came down for dinner and spent the night. Again, another great day, but we were exhausted by the time it was all over.

Now it will be back to work tonight, but at least it's just a short 4 hour shift, before the 12 hour shift hits tomorrow.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

It's so nice having the day off after four days of services (Saturday/Sunday and Monday/Tuesday.) Just wanted to post some pictures of our church to show you how well the volunteers decorate for Christmas!

Your church looks beautiful. I especially love the white pointsettias.

 

[goofyforlife]

Your church looks beautiful. I especially love the white pointsettias.

I have to admit i bagged on going to church on xmas.....

In PA we belonged to a large old church that decorated and had candle services...

Our church here in MD only has a gymnasium (church to be built in a few years but even then it will be a social hall type area built first)

They didn't even sing traditional songs last year.... Most were comtemporary something or other eek: yick) No candles No nothing....

It just lacked the appeal for me.....

 

[goofyforlife]

Our group of three would like to go to...

But i have to say they don't list any kind of cancellation policy...

So i'm kinda leery to plunk down $150 this far out...

BUT I REALLY REALLY WANT TO GO... (DH don't swim or snorkle. Is there beach time on the trip?)

 

[goofyforlife]

Our group of three would like to go to...

But i have to say they don't list any kind of cancellation policy...

So i'm kinda leery to plunk down $150 this far out...

BUT I REALLY REALLY WANT TO GO... (DH don't swim or snorkle. Is there beach time on the trip?)

 

[DisneyVegas1]

Sorry everyone , Havent been on much ...We switched all of our computers from PC's to MAC ....Yeah ...finally

So Merry Christmas ...Hope Santa was good to everyone , he was here ..

 

[Celestine]

Today the NHS has lost a lot of patient records!

Payslips are bad, but as long as the money turns up in your account hopfully it isnt too bad.

Money...hmmm, I am a civil servent so I'm not sure that you can use that in the same sentence!

 

[got2travel]

Our group of three would like to go to...

But i have to say they don't list any kind of cancellation policy...

So i'm kinda leery to plunk down $150 this far out...

BUT I REALLY REALLY WANT TO GO... (DH don't swim or snorkle. Is there beach time on the trip?)

I agree. I'd really like to know the cancellation policy. At this point I'm not entirely sure who will be sailing with me. I can't book anything yet unless I know I can cancel.

 

[Celestine]

I agree. I'd really like to know the cancellation policy. At this point I'm not entirely sure who will be sailing with me. I can't book anything yet unless I know I can cancel.

This is my worry too for all the ports and booking independent excursions. At least if it is booked through DCL that is one less thing to stress over. Also have no idea what to do about Acapulco as we are still shown as having such a short time in port although the excursion list does not appear to preclude any of the excursions!

Hope everyone had good CHristmas's. Once Dh has uploaded the photos I'll post one of the girls wearing their pirate dresses from "MIckey Mouse". Hermione (2.5 years) was so into Christmas this year & even now is looking at the fireplace to try & work out how Santa does it!

Hit the sales this morning for a couple of hours as DH was not working & bought a couple of bits for TOAL. Still have a few more bits I want to get, but I've got a little while before I need to panic!

 

[Celestine]

As promised, two photos of the girls on Christmas day. Hopefully you will not need to turn yourselves through 90 degrees to look at the their "pirate fashion parade" as I've been having trouble uploading it as a portrait rather than landscape photo.

 

[goofyforlife]

aww those ARGGGGGGH cute!

 

[Stepht5]

This was the first Christmas Eve in 16 years that Linda and I both had off from work. You would think that would have been relaxing? Not quite, we were on the go all day, but it was really nice. We spent about 4 hours visiting with old friends who live an hour away for lunch and exchanging presents. We got back home in time to prep a little food, then get changed and run out the door for church. We got home just in time to see Santa on the fire engine coming up our street, with the firefighters handing out candy canes as he went by. Then we went to my aunt's to wait until midnight to toast in the holiday and exchange presents with all of my cousins' and their kids. We finally got home about 1 am and got the kids right to sleep. DW and I finally made it to bed after 2 am.

That sounds like fun!

I'm so glad that your entire Christmas time was so nice for all of you!

 

[Stepht5]

aww those ARGGGGGGH cute!

Oh, I have to agree!!! They are adorable!

 

[micmse2003]

We do, here in the UK - another day off !!!

David

David.....John still thinks you never work with all your holidays. We are so glad you are back with us!!!!! E-mail your phone number to me. Arlene said she can call England free and we can three way and talk to Helen.

How is SHE??????? I miss her!!!!!

I hope she can take the time off to come on the cruise...otherwise who will Jon drink Tequila with?

Crystal if fine but I would be glad to drink Tequila in her place.

Thanks for the reminder Roger. I just booked for the 5 of us, plus our friend who is sailing with us. Now I'll be keeping my fingers crossed til we get our confirmation!

Speaking of which, our friend Betsy, who is a fellow DIS'er as well, starts her new job tomorrow. She hasn't posted on the thread yet, because she wanted to be sure that everything worked out and that she will be able to cruise with us all. She has the official OK on her vacation time for August, so hopefully she'll be posting on here soon to introduce herself! (Betsy, if you're reading this...quit lurking and get to posting!)

Hey Besty.......Come and join us!!!

 

[micmse2003]

As promised, two photos of the girls on Christmas day. Hopefully you will not need to turn yourselves through 90 degrees to look at the their "pirate fashion parade" as I've been having trouble uploading it as a portrait rather than landscape photo.

I love the outfits!!!!

 

[pdarrah]

It is quiet at the office today (what a surprise! ) so I have uploaded a few holiday photos. There is one of my "main" tree. We have this one in our living room and the "blue" tree in what will be our family room if it ever gets finished (right now it holds toys - DS8's traditional toys and DH's tools!)

There is also a photo of our fireplace. This is where my Saint Nicholas collection is displayed during the holidays. It has DH's glass the rest of the year....

I also included a shot of DS checking out what Santa brought and another of him modeling the crazy earmuffs and mittens sent to him by my Aunt who lives in Florida - I wonder where she found earmuffs in Florida?

Pamela (pdarrah)