9/23/06 Let's go!!!! Who's with us???

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi Heidi,
my DD works with mentally and physically challenged kids at school. They are the ones in the worst shape that she deals with. They cant teach them anything, you are lucky to even have them look at you.
so she as done lots of crazy colors with her hair and the kids love it. Even those who cant speak or walk or hear ,smile when she enters the room with her hair colored brightly. These kids never smile, they are almost like vegetables, it is so sad, but some do respond to her and that makes it worth it to her. Unfortunately the child she has had the past 2 years is blind, deaf, mute, cant walk, is fed with a tube plus worse things, so he doesnt know or respond to her, but others do.She is so use to doing it now it stays that way even in the summer when she has time off. Last time when she cruised with us she had put a purple stripe in her blonde hair, but her shampoo had a bad chemical reaction and turned it HOT PINK the night before we sailed.
so it has been an adventure when she is along. everyone thinks she is a party animal and are always shocked to find out she is a nice mom of two.
I have got use to it,but I wish she was a blonde but that is her choice and it is helping others, so no complaints from me.
Hope that answers your question.
I will let everyone know when or If i get those capt jack pictures on the computer to post.
Kathy

P.S. I have been reading some of your posts the past few weeks and as soon as I left you started growing like crazy. Guess I did you a favor by changing our date

 

[yazee1]

Hi, Kathy. Thanks for the info! I'm the Jack Sparrow fan in our house, but nobody knows that. Shhhhhh. I don't want to hurt Dh's feelings. I look forward to reading your trip report a little later.

Heidi, I was thinking of you when we cut our trip chain today. I thought about you leaving soon for your marathon "vacation". We don't leave for five more weeks, but I know it's going to go fast.

We might not have to concern ourselves with finding someone to take care of our chickens while we're gone. Dh accepted a job offer back in our home state of Maryland. He starts in 2 weeks. We're putting the house up for sale very soon. The real estate agent said it would be best to get rid of the chickens first.

 

[strawberryblonde]

What a sweet story about your DD Kathy . She didn't look wild to me, you can tell she is a sweetheart. The purple is eyecatching though, and I just had to know why .

You did us NO favor at all changing your cruisedate! The idea! You were OUR grandmaX4 before you were theirs (this was as close to a "tantrum" smilie I could find). We are glad to have gathered new folks to our thread. I think your catchy thread title works wonders .

Monica - that is so funny how you put vacation in quotes. You SO understand what I'll be going through. I have to pay before I play, all is fair after all, sigh. It will be good to see family but work as well. I don't like being gone from home for too long and a month tends to be my limit.

I won't tell about your secret Capt. Jack crush. Who can explain taste? I have a secret crush on Owen Wilson ever since seeing that silly Jackie Chan movie my DH dragged me to years ago. I don't dare tell him about my attraction, there is no explaining it for one . "Blonde?! You like a blonde? Why?" My DH had jet black hair, which is really what I prefer, I think.

 

[yazee1]

Who can explain taste? I have a secret crush on Owen Wilson ever since seeing that silly Jackie Chan movie my DH dragged me to years ago. I don't dare tell him about my attraction, there is no explaining it for one . "Blonde?! You like a blonde? Why?" My DH had jet black hair, which is really what I prefer, I think.

Go figure. I spent my entire teen years dating mostly tall or medium height, skinny, dark haired, clean shaven Jewish boys. I married a blond haired, muscular gentile man with a beard and mustache.

I admit I had to Google Owen Wilson. I just watched Wedding Crashers on dvd, so I recognized him from that movie.

Time to read Kathy's trip report.

 

[yazee1]

How was everyone's weekend? Who's going to be first to get their documents in the mail? If I know my travel agent, it won't be me! LOL.

 

[memickee]

I didn't get my cruise documents, but I did get my reservations for our hotel...which means our vacation is just around the corner. I am holding my breath for the 23rd because I am reading all over these boards thats when GTY ressies usually get their room assignments.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Great weekend. We're all getting excited. Had dinner with my parents over the weekend and all the conversation tended to focus toward what we have left to do or purchase before the cruise next month.

One month from tonight we'll be flying to Orlando for two nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge before we set sail!

 

[datsyukchick]

I'm glad to hear that not everyone has their cruise docs! I was starting to get worried that my DH accidently threw them away or something! Is anyone driving to the port? If so, where are you staying the night before (if anywhere)? We are driving from Ohio, and are thinking about staying at the Residence Inn.

 

[Euphscott]

Nope - no travel documents here either, but there is no need to worry. We won't need the lugagge tags and the rest is available in the terminal once we arrive. I always find it amusing when people get real worked up over the lack of a document package. While it's nice to get mail that psychologically indicates vacation is coming, they will not deny boarding if you don't have something from those docs.

I had to take Brooke into school this morning for her first day of Pre-K. We drive through the airport to get to school, so we always notice airplanes. We had a discussion about getting on the plane - she's ready! She also drew some pictures of the Mickey Ship yesterday. We've talked enough about, I think she's just as ready as the rest of us!

 

[sftnslky]

I'm glad to hear that not everyone has their cruise docs! Is anyone driving to the port? If so, where are you staying the night before (if anywhere)?

Hi, we also haven't received any documents yet... But I've been told if we register online and check in the kids online that we won't need to get any actual "paper" documents?

While we are not driving down...since we live in California. We will be flying down a full day and half before we sail...We will be getting in Thursday evening around dinner time. We will be staying at the new Nickaloden Hotel in Orlando....We will rent a car to drive down to the port, turn in the car and they will drive us over to the ship. We orginally made reservations about 2 months ago for the New Residence Inn, but saw the advertisement for the Nick Hotel and just knew we had to stay there.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend...Have a great week... I'm off to our Super Walmart to pick up some [more] back to school stuff, and some ingredents I need to make homemade pumpkin/walnut bread xoxoxoxo to all.

 

[memickee]

I think it's more of an excitement/milestone thing than getting confirmation that you have a valid reservation. It makes vacation more real
I know that I will be doing the cruise jig when I get the documents in the mail.

Datsyukchick - We are flying in a full day before and staying at Port Orleans on the Disney campus. We will be renting a car to drive to and from the port.

 

[memickee]

Just looked on line - was assigned a sideways room on deck 6. Didn't get an upgrade per se' but what I read is that the layout makes it feel bigger.

 

[datsyukchick]

Well... I just heard about some great airfare deals ($100 round trip) so we might be flying. Do you have any idea what it costs to rent a car?

 

[memickee]

Wow thats awesome! Is it with Southwest? We are renting through AVIS @ 28.99/day going from MCO and 43.99/day from Port Canveral.

 

[yazee1]

I'm off to our Super Walmart to pick up some [more] back to school stuff, and some ingredents I need to make homemade pumpkin/walnut bread xoxoxoxo to all.

How did the bread turn out? I love pumpkin bread, especially toasted.

I downloaded Ding a few weeks ago. I was hesitant about doing it because I thought it would be annoying to get dinged all the time, but it's not all the time and it's just one low ding. We don't have any plans to fly anywhere in the next year or so, but I like keeping an eye on what kind of specials come up, how often and when. For instance, if we were flying we'd fly out of BWI or Philly. It's interesting to me that in the last three weeks, I could have gotten last minute tickets to Tampa or Jacksonville for 39.00 one way. Orlando flights at this price or close to it have been rare.

Datsy, We're kind of driving down. We live in South Jersey and we're taking the Auto Train from Virginia to FLorida, leaving on Thursday and arriving Friday morning. God-willing. We've yet to ride the Auto Train and not had some kind of minor delay. We're staying at the Residence Inn. Last year, we stayed at the Radisson. It was nice but the difference in price was pretty drastic between the Radisson and the Residence Inn when we considered not just the room rate (2 bedroom since my mom and her husband are going to drive over from the Tampa area to see us off) but the breakfast situation for a family of our size.

We're planning on either him or me dropping the family off at the port and then driving the car back to the hotel and taking a taxi or shuttle to the port.
I'm assuming only one adult is needed to check in the family, right?

 

[vpalmer]

ONE MONTH TO GO!

The excitement is really mounting here! Eva talks about it almost daily and was super excited when our magical express tags came on Monday. No cruise docs yet, but no worries I know they will come soon.

So let's see all those to do lists. What does everyone need to do before the cruise?

I feel like I could finance a small country with all the pre-cruise shopping I have done.

I think I have all the main things covered: all travel arrangements are finished and most major things have been purchased. I can't wait to start soaking up the Magic!

 

[sftnslky]

How did the bread turn out? I love pumpkin bread, especially toasted.

It was really good.... I add chrushed pineapple in mine instead of water..it just makes the bread a tad more moist and much tasiter...I also add twice the ammount of walnuts.. I made a brown sugar-walnut bread the other day...it was really good as well. Its funny my kids are so "spoiled" by my baking that they take it for granit...and would rather buy hostess instead LOL

I love making homemade goodies..I specalize in homemade candies...ie peanut brittle, almond rocca, peanut butter cups, etc... Two years ago I used to sell my candies in a small boutique...but sadly the owner died and they sold the store..And I haven't really wanted to get back into it again, but do make stuff for my neighbors, hubbys co-workers and family members. My favorite ingredents to use are pecans, lemons...would love to find a recipe that combines both.

Hope every]one has an awesome Wednesday.

 

[sftnslky]

ONE MONTH TO GO!
so let's see all those to do lists. What does everyone need to do before the cruise?

Oh gosh I feel like a million things still need to be done, but in reality there isn't "that" much LOL I still need to find a pretty semi-formal gown... It is VERY tough for me... I am a BBW [big beautiful woman] but am VERY short 5' even. I have a hard enough time finding normal clothes, let alone a nice dress. I know hubby still needs to buy some shorts and a few new shirts..I need to buy some new/pretty sandles for the girls....Their summer ones are shot.

I actully found a nice rolling tinker bell suitcase at walmart a few months ago for $15 and got the girls each one, and at the same time walmart had disney brand clothes..so I got the girls 7 new outfits each... will pack them into the tink cases and they are pretty much done...Remember the girls have no idea that we are going.

I've gotten all the Dramamine tablets, band aids, tums, tylenol, and frist aid stuff ready and together.
I got a cute beach tote bag, and a sun hat.
I've made hotel and flight reservations.
I bought the small over the door "shoe" organizer that will hold all of our small stuff...to keep it off the beds, counters and floors.
I've been putting $120 in a "secret" savings account for the past 8 months...I will hand hubby $800 and $80 to each of the girls for spending money. But hubbys will be for excursions and photos as well

I know i'm forgetting a ton of stuff but i'm a HUGE list maker and will be adding stuff on a daily if not hourly basis i'm sure. Can't wait to see all of your list... Have a great Wednesday everyone

 

[chalex]

Oh gosh, I feel totally unprepared!

Only 1 month to go

I have done nothing. Other than brought a suit for DS on ebay. it arrived today and as soon as I pulled it out of the packet I knew it was going to be too small. I measured him and everything before purchasing it. Now I am going to have to list it myself and hope I can resell and get my money back

Today is DD 10th birthday. We are going out for ice-cream after soccer practice but really don't have time to have a party for her. Do you think anyone will mind at DCL if we celebrate it exactly 1 month late on 9/23.

Actually this cruise was booked to celebrate my 40th. It was back in June but we couldn't afford the prices to cruise then so took the opportunity to book in September as DD and DS have a 3 week break from school.

Angie

 

[iluv2lose]

Hi Again. I'm Paula from Colorado.

Angie, where do you live? We will also be on a 3 week break from school so I figure you are on a year round track system?

We are so excited! DS is 11 and can't wait. DH and I are just as excited!

I am starting to panic about having everything ready. I have spent a small fortune on clothes but at least I waited until late in the summer to hit the sales.

I have read most of the board now except for about 7 pages in the middle so I feel like I know you all.

I do have a queation about formal night. How formal are you going to dress? I keep thinking I'll be the only one dressed formally. True?

4 weeks from Friday we fly!

Can't wait to meet you all and I think a "meet and greet" for this thread would be great.

See you soon,
Paula