Well after our four days in NYC over a week ago, I am finally caught up.
I've read (okay...okay...skimmed) every single one of the 2273 pages on this thread. I think I have a disorder.

Created a signature. check

Still no cabins. check

Requested vacation for August 2008. check

Created a TOAL fund. check

Reminder to pay Disney Visa Deposit. check
Re: NYC trip --> We had a great time with our DS9 and DS13 over the four day President's Weekend. We went to the Natural History Museum. We enjoyed the whole day there. We saw Wicked, Mary Poppins, and Rent. Wicked would be good for kids 10 and up. Mary Poppins 6 and up. Rent for kids 15 and up. My sons had seen the movie (Rent) and we'd listened and discussed the music for months in advance and they loved it, but it isn't for everybody.
Re: Pre-Cruise Planning --> In 2005 we stayed a few days in San Diego and enjoyed
Legoland and the beach. Legoland was awesome for my boys. I remember finding cheap tickets somewhere -- I think Costco. We followed up with four days at the Grand Californian. I would recommend it if money isn't a factor. We only stayed there because of the
AAA perk of unlimited fast passes. If that perk is still gone in 2008, we will stay at one of the recommended hotels across the street for a third of the price. We rented a car from the Long Beach airport and dropped it off near the port. We then got a taxi to the cruise terminal. It was easy and so convenient to have the car...especially with all four of us.
Re: growing up family --> My mother has been addicted to pain medications since I was little. She's gone through many a diagnosis over the years, but she will never make an effort to get off the painkillers. She's migrated from the milder drugs to the drugs people on the street would pay big bucks for -- MS Contin (a form of morphine). She hasn't/doesn't understand the impact this had on my life as a child and adult. She's never been a mother to me or a grandmother to her grandsons. She is so absorbed with getting and maintaining her fix, that she can't see the world around her. She never was abusive physically or mentally, but we were just ignored isntead. I was the fourth of five children and we basically had to raise ourselves. I don't know what I would have done without my older sister (5 years older) or my younger sister (18 months younger). We took care of each other. We now cruise together.
Re: occupation --> My husband and I both work for a large information technology firm. We've both have worked for the same company for 20+ years. We recently started working from home when the company decided to close the small office in rural Washington State. We love working from home, but miss the comradarie of working in an office. My husband is the techie type and I am the analyst who plans vacations on the side.
Re: proposal --> We picked out the ring together; but my DH proposed on a ridge while backpacking in the Olympic Mountains. I had no clue he had brought the ring into the wilderness. It was a beautiful moment. That was in 1989.
Re: Hawaii --> Our favorite place to vacation is Hawaii. We've now been 4 times with three trips planned in the future. We've been to Oahu (fair), Maui (great), Kauai (fine), and Big Island (favorite). We rent a condo and spend a week or two enjoying the beaches while snorkeling and boogie boarding.
Re: Cruising --> It only took this 15 night cruise to convince me to try cruising again. We really enjoyed the 14-night repo in August 2005, but weren't as thrilled with the 7-night last summer. I am slowly going to re-introduce the subject of cruising again with my DH. I hope by August 2008 he'll be convinced.
Re: Lurking --> I am primarily a lurker because I never seem to be caught up for more than a moment. I hope to get more involved with cruise activities once I am certain we are cruising. I have a huge project due in March of 2008 that could very likely get delayed and I wouldn't be able to go.
Lastly,

Welcome to all those needing welcoming.

Thoughts to all those needing comfort.

Happy birthday to all those with birthdays.

Smiles for all the great posts.