8/17/2008 Double Dip 4-day Wonder

[Lynda Silk]

We've been hit with bad weather up here too! Thursday, it was beautiful in the morning but then we got dumped with snow in the afternoon and then freezing rain during the night. At least Friday was warmer and the ice melted and the roads weren't bad at all. We're all sick of the winter weather here (although the skiers are happy). January was very mild but February was brutal and March doesn't seem much better. Next week, we're experiencing minus 21 C weather again.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend! And hope your son's feeling better, Ski-and-Sea! But you're right, kids do bounce back quickly. Often, it's the parents who are exhausted for days while the kids are back to normal so quickly.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Ouch......my lastest credit card bill had our cruise deposits on it.

So what's a person to do.....go out and buy a new washer and dryer. For the past year DH has been bugging me about getting a new washer and dryer. The ones we have now are almost 12 years old. They are still in working order so I'm been reluctant to shell out the money for new ones.

But since we couldn't ski this weekend because of DS's concussion AND that Sears very conveniently was having a sale, we took the plunge.

Yeah, I'll admit DH is right on this one as I was doing laundry over the weekend and all our jeans came out of the wash still very, very wet and all the undies/bras come out all knotted. And we have to run the dryer twice to get everything dry.

Now its time to get all our income tax stuff off to the accountant.

Hope everyone has a good week. Looks like we might get some more snow this week.

 

[Lynda Silk]

I have to agree with your DH on the laundry issue! Laundry is a huge chore and if your washing machine or dryer breaks down, it's chaos (or at least it is in my house). And they always choose a great time to break down like just before a trip or when you need a lot of clean clothes. I went to Spain and Morocco in January (my cousin won the trip and asked me to go with her!) and about 5 days before I left, my dryer stopped working. So I ended up lugging wet laundry to the laundrymat for a few days which I needed like a hole in the head! Although I have to say that it was kind of peaceful being at the laundrymat. You are forced to wait for about an hour in a quiet, warm environment smelling of clean laundry and it forces you to calm down and de-stress! However, given a choice, I'd rather not have to trek out to the laundrymat!

We've got those freezing temperatures again; -31 F with the wind chill. We've also got ice falling off the buildings so they've closed a major highway into Toronto and a few areas downtown where there are a lot of very tall buildings. We're all so sick of winter up here. It wasn't so bad until mid-January but then the weather has been brutal! Although I guess I can't complain considering what happened in Indonesia yesterday and the big storms in the US.

Ski-and-Sea, hope your son is feeling better!

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

DS is feeling much better. He's tired when he gets home and the advil just barely makes it through a full day at school. But now he's itching to play sports.

Yikes with the wind here. Yes, its brutally cold. The wind caused a fire outside our house last night. Thank goodness our new neighbor smelled it because we were all in a deep sleep.

The electrical wires got tangled in a tree and caught fire sending embers onto the leaves on the ground and igniting the leaves. This was on the edge of our lawn away from our bedrooms. But not our neighbor's bedroom. The husband smelled the smoke and came over banging on the doors.

DH heard this and woke up and saw our ground on fire. This was around 5:00am so it was still dark. The neighbor had already called 911 and a policeman showed up quickly. He used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames and DH stomped some out as well. Then three firetrucks showed up and doused everything.

Then the electric company showed up to look at the wires and extinguish what was still smoldering in the tree.

Myself, DS and DD slept through the entire thing.

All the water sprayed on the ground is completely frozen. And we never lost power.

We're expecting some snow tomorrow. March has come in like a lion right now.

Yeah, we needed the new washer/dryer. I will admit I like to risk it and wait until the things die of old age. But the old ones were getting too small that I had to split loads to fit everything in.

It was just the timing.....credit card bill in January had all the Christmas charges and February saw the DCL charges. And the stock market is acting crappy right now.

 

[Lynda Silk]

Glad to hear that your DS is feeling better. And if he's itching to play sports, I'd say that that's a really good sign.

I hear you re timing. I just got my credit card bill in too. In addition to the cruise deposits, I had a lot of charges from my trip to Spain and Morocco, so I'm counting my pennies right now!

My gosh, you were so lucky re that fire! It's a good thing there wasn't much damage and that no one was hurt. And thank goodness for your neighbour! Fire can spread so quickly (within seconds) so good fortune was definitely smiling on you and your family. I would have been like you and slept through the whole thing too!

At least you can't say that you lead a boring life! But thank goodness, everyone was okay!

 

[msteddom]

Hi all!
I haven't made it official yet, but I think I am going to be joining you on the Wonder! I have never cruised DCL before, but it has been a dream for a while now, so I am considering just going solo! Looking forward to getting to know all of you!

Melissa

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Hi all!
I haven't made it official yet, but I think I am going to be joining you on the Wonder! I have never cruised DCL before, but it has been a dream for a while now, so I am considering just going solo! Looking forward to getting to know all of you!

Melissa

Welcome, welcome, welcome.....

We have a good group of experienced cruisers here. We're really looking forward to this cruise (I'm already thinking of my CC excursions).

I think the Wonder's crew will be really excited, too. They always seem to miss out on the special cruises and I'm sure they are happy to be hitting CC twice, too.

Ask away if you have any questions.....

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Okay.....update on our fire......yikes.....I went out this afternoon to look at the damage. The wind was directed perfectly to the spot in our front yard where all the autumn leaves were piled. So plenty of fuel for the sparks.

It is an old oak tree that got ignited and both the primary and secondary electrical lines ignited the tree.

We are so thankful it was not worse. The wind was blowing the flames right at my neighbor's house - that's why they could smell the smoke and we couldn't. And we live in a very heavily wooded area. If the wind was blowing in a different direction it could have blown the flames right into the woods.

That said, I've got a wide area that is burned on the edge of the lawn - right where I planted a bunch of things. My azeleas, boxwood and hydrangeas and various small vegetation are all burned. They should recover nicely once spring comes.

Tomorrow I'm going to send a gift basket over to my neighbors.

 

[msteddom]

Thanks! Glad to be here! Sorry about your fire. Sounds like it could have goten very bad very quickly had your neighbor not smelled the smoke. I'm glad everyone is alright!

Melissa

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

Ski & Sea - You've had quite the week! Sorry to hear about your son! Glad he is on the mend. And a fire to boot??!! I think you should take a cruise - soon, to relax and destress!

We've got snow here again in PA. Schools are closed, which really ruined my plans for the day. I was supposed to be at a seminar. Oh well.

Hey, if it makes you feel any better about your credit card bill, I have the charges from my cruise and WDW trip from January on the same bill as my deposit for this next cruise!

Welcome aboard, msteddom. Hope to have your join us!

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Its snowing here, too, but very, very lightly so the kids have school.....so far. We'll see about an early dismissal.

Well, glad to hear our credit card bills are high because we're doing fun things. Thank goodness February was a short month.

Yes, I do need another vacation....Smuggler's Notch for the first week of April. And that vacation is dirt cheap since its off-off-off season. And since we're returning customers for this season we get the lift tickets for free. And its been snowing almost nonstop there so the conditions are epic.

 

[rileysmommy]

Morning everyone!!! Hope all is well. My dd has got the puking virus. Started yesterday at 4:30 and continued until 10 last night. I slept most of the night on the floor in her room. Ugh!!!! And my ds still is having runny diapers which I think may be due to teething since I found a new molar yestersday. I'm actually looking forward to getting out of the house and going to work today since I didn't go the last 2 days. And my sister and I are going away for the weekend tomorrow. I can't wait!!! Anyone else with fun weekend plans???

 

[disnutz]

So we have a snow day here in PA yesterday, and what's a person to do? Check the disboards of course. And what to my wondering eyes did appear? Double DIps!!!!! Now - you have to understand, we did the 4 night WOnder last August (06) and DH and I agreed that we would not do another Disney cruise for a few years. (I may have had my fingers crossed).

Also understand that DH's only complaint about last year's cruise was not enough time at CC. So I tell him about the Double Dips. I would love to do a 7night, but that will be DD's first year of high school, and I am afraid to take her out knowing how much she misses even in middle school. So we discuss and DH says "Book it Danno!!" So today we will book the cruise.

Either Cat 5 or 6, not sure which (any thoughts?)

It will be me, DH, DD (who will be 14) and DS (will be 8).

Can't wait to learn more about you all!! Off to go read the thread!

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

Welcome disnutz.....

We, too, would never pull our kids out of school for a 7-day cruise. So we only cruise in the summer and its so frustrating having the Magic away from the Caribbean for two summers in a row.

So here we all are on the double dip Wonder. I'm glad DCL gave us summer Caribbean cruisers some consolation. And rumor has it a new stage show based on Toy Story. And isn't 2008 the 10th anniversary of Castaway Cay?

Seems like you guys in PA are getting all the snow. We got about an inch and now half of it evaporated. I think we're looking a record LEAST amount of snow in a winter.

I think the difference between cat 5 & 6 is stateroom location.

My DS will be 13 for this cruise and will be old enough for the teen program.

 

[msteddom]

Wow...snow. We don't get snow here in Los Angeles. I think I've only seen it about 10 times in my life. I don't think I would enjoy it. I have a fun weekend coming up. My best friend is visting from Arizona and a group of us are going to drive to Santa Barbara and go wine tasting. I'm looking forward to it! Hope everyone is doing well!

Melissa

 

[disnutz]

I do enjoy the snow, but I am done with it. I mean, it is March already!!!

Thanks for the welcome. I agree that its a bummer about the Magic being gone, but I do think we will have a blast for two days on CC.

Does anyone know if they will change the day for the Palo brunch on the 4 night because of the CC day? I got to try palo for dinner, but would love to try the brunch this time, but I am completely unwilling to give up CC. I would ditch nassau in a minute however!

I can't wait to meet everyone on this thread!

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

I do enjoy the snow, but I am done with it. I mean, it is March already!!!

Thanks for the welcome. I agree that its a bummer about the Magic being gone, but I do think we will have a blast for two days on CC.

Does anyone know if they will change the day for the Palo brunch on the 4 night because of the CC day? I got to try palo for dinner, but would love to try the brunch this time, but I am completely unwilling to give up CC. I would ditch nassau in a minute however!

I can't wait to meet everyone on this thread!

What is going to happen to Palo brunch is the million dollar question. People have called DCL about it and DCL admitted they are undecided at this point. I think there will be a mutiny if brunch is not offered.

I think one solution is to offer Palo brunch on the Nassau day. Let's be honest about Nassau - a lot of people either don't get off the ship or just go off for a few hours and return quickly. DCL could offer brunch without really intruding on people's Nassau time.

We will probably go with a private snorkeling trip on Nassau. Last time we were on the Wonder we did the one through DCL and it was just okay. I think there are other tour operators that go to better sites.

We did a private snorkeling tour in Cozumel and it was just 12 of us - all from the Magic. That was outstanding. I'm considering making the "investment" and buying a real underwater camera. Those disposable Kodak ones just don't take decent underwater pictures if its a cloudy day.

 

[disnutz]

I would love to look into the snorkling trip as well. My kids just loved snorkling (much more than I thought they would) and I think that would be fun.

Palo's - every trip report I read about brunch makes my mouth water. I am not a big breakfast person, but the sound of that food - yuuuummmm!

 

[disnutz]

1. What do you do for a living? In House attorney with an insurance company. Would love to to make a joke about that, but really, why try?
2. What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? I love to knit as much as possible, I got a new bike for Christmas that I can't wait to ride, and I am ever in search of the perfect martini. (Martini tasting anyone?)
3. What is your favorite Disney character? Mickey, no question. Although my DD and I both have a huge place in our hearts for all the princesses,.

4. What is your favorite Disney movie? I think Little Mermaid will always be a favorite (but Johnny in POC - whew! fan me!)
5. Are you a Pepsi or Coke person? Truly, it's all about the Diet Dr. pepper, but second choice is Diet pepsi. Who said they ship it onboard? I need details!!

6. Would you rather vacation to the ocean, lake, mountains, or city? All of the above. Really, truly, I love them all. When I win the mega millions, I am going to be the world traveler.
7. What is your favorite flavor of icecream? Vanilla - with as many toppings as humanly possible. I probably shouldn;t mention that i am known by those who love me a the "condiment queen." They seem to think there is something wrong with a refrig full of condiments?

8. How many cruises have you taken? (DCL or not)Only 1 - last year on the Wonder - 4 night

9. What kind of car do you drive?Gas guzzling - please shoot me in the head because I could be parasailing for the price of that tank of gas - Envoy.

10. Are you a morning person, or a night owl? Usually morning by necessity. But I have vowed to make it past midnight on at least one night of this cruise. (I did manage to stay up once for 24 hours straight in Vegas. I think I can manage it!)

 

[delauzons]

1. What do you do for a living?SAHM to 3 DDs. My husband is in construction.

2. What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? I go to the gym-love kickboxing.

3. What is your favorite Disney character? Belle , Minnie and Tinkerbell
4. What is your favorite Disney movie? Beauty and the Beast

5. Are you a Pepsi or Coke person? Coke-can't stand Pepsi

6. Would you rather vacation to the ocean, lake, mountains, or city? Disney World! (land)

7. What is your favorite flavor of icecream? Coffee and mint chocolate chip

8. How many cruises have you taken? (DCL or not) None, it's our first and we are very excited! We usually go to Disney World once a year

9. What kind of car do you drive? Toyota Sienna( I told you I was a SAHM!)

10. Are you a morning person, or a night owl? definately morning!
Looking forward to an awesome cruise with hopefully great weather!
-Stephanie