A Happy Dog's Summer of Sea and Shore - *cough,cough, nudge nudge* 7/11

[Happydog]

Let me be the first to say...

HAPPY SINGLE DIGIT DANCING DAY!!!

Jackie, THANK YOU!! It was so great to type that, and then holy cow it was already another week past!!! Tomorrow it will be on ONE hand!!!

Crazy busy week for me, too. Not even allowing myself to think trip thoughts, because I will get too off track. So little time on the DIS this week, but if we get a snow day tomorrow, I will designate half the day to work stuff and half the day to play! That means I can catch up.

Cold here, too. Mr. Marc and Miss Anita Wigd, givers of many gifts, seem to be giving us the gift of snow and cold from their state. My weatherman said as much this morning. Showed all those snow clouds over Kansas right on the map and said it was coming straight for us.

I usually like their gifts, but I'm not sure about this one...

That is so funny! I saw your exchange about the gifts from Kansas!!! That was making me laugh last night! Well, that storm went right past us, we have only had that one bit of snow that kept us out three days. and one day earlier last month... Not sure what the next few weeks will bring. I just have to get through this next big work event, and then I can PARTY!!!!

HAPPY SINGLE DIGITS DAY!!!!

THANK YOU!!!! SO close now!!!

 

[Happydog]

I'll be curious to see what you think of the inside stateroom. The virtual portholes look so cool, but I think I would feel too closed in - like a sardine in a can I went with a verandah room for that exact reason.

I was getting a bit nervous reading some of the initial reports from the christening cruise & the maiden voyage, but the newer reports from the people that just got back are better, I think everyone just needed time to settle in, I can't wait to hear your experiences!

Oh, I know! There are people refusing upgrades to stay in the inside rooms! I would NOT have done that mind you, but if I was going to do it, as a couple is the only way I could! too for my taste otherwise... I think it will be fun.

I have heard lots too, got me a little nervous, but I think it will be smooth sailing ...

Love your sparkly pink flip flops & new coverup, very cute!

Congrats on taking the first step to next HD family adventure! The Eastern Caribbean cruise sounds awesome!

Love the pic of the boys, too funny, trying to be all serious and tough.

Thanks!!! YES all this will be great fun, I can walk around the deck in style, hopefully! I am starting to fret about the weather.

I think the Thanksgiving cruise will be great fun. We have a plan at least!

They are characters, those two!!

I'm really bad about actually checking the board for new reports, I tend to look for links in the previous TR. Thankfully I saw your banter on CP's PTR and figured you must have started, then I saw the link your siggie

NO worries, I always think I am missing one too!!!!

Well I'm late to another party!! Not that it should shock anyone anymore!!

Love your cruise plans!!! Loved the flip flops and cover up!! VERY VERY NICE!!!!!

You and DH are going to have a great time!!!!

OOOH Thanksgiving week sounds like a blast!! I wish we got the whole week off, but a last we only get a few days!!!

Your boys are too cute!!!!

NOT late, right on time, I'm just getting warmed up over here!!!!

We don't get a whole week off, either, but the impact to missing days and schedules will be the least damage, only 2 1/2 days off...

Seven Day cruise sounds like the perfect Thanksgiving to me. This cold weather is just too much, I am sick of it already and figure another month to go!

Love the coverup, very cute. Nassau did nothing for me either, I would stay on the boat too!

Good luck with the to do list... vacation is right around the corner!

Tell me about the cold!!!! I am ready for warm. Though we are to warm up here a little this week... Hope it isn't followed by a bad storm again!

Starting to check things off the list! Suitcases are upstairs!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Oh what exciting news! Thanksgiving will be a great time to cruise!

I know what you mean about the dining rotations and Palo reservations being confusing - definitely a juggling act. I agree, you could easily skip Animator's Palette in favor of a second Palo and then experience it with the kids next time.

BTW, love the sparkly flip flops and cover up!

I am hoping it all works out according to my plans Hey, I know I will eat well I am looking forward to seeing the ship and everything I have been reading about!

I love your new cover up and flip flops. So pretty!

Orlando for Thanksgiving sounds like fun. Can't wait to see if you decide on the cruise. Or will Disney pull you back into the parks?

Your boys are too cute! Weapons bin Doesn't every little boy have one?

I was really happy with them too, I can't wait to use them!

I am looking forward to being there in November, it will be fun... I know, I know, we are somewhat torn. But we are both holding out for good weather...

Weapons bin, closet, room, garage... They get older and the "collection" of boy stuff just gets bigger! Boy toys get bigger and more expensive.

Hope you are having a flour flinging fun Sunday

Love the cover up and sparkly flip flops Adorable!!

Are you going to check out the Enchanted Garden dining room? That is one that I want to see

Your boys crack me up!!! My oh my...those goggles!!!

Tracy

Oh I want to see that dining room too! YES want to go there for one evening for sure... Flour is always a messy proposition in my house.

I can't wait to sport those flip flops let me tell you!

They are very good at imaginative play...

Wow - Lots of fun plans on the horizon! I think it's great that you already bought plane tickets. Now there's no turning back. I never feel like a trip is definite until I have those tickets.

Can't wait to hear about the FE.

Thanks! Yes, I agree, no turning back!!!

Those pics of the boys cracked me up and looked sooo familiar! It's a good thing Ben didn't have any bling or eyewear at Christmas (only a gun purchased at POTC dump shop) or Anita and Marc may have stopped walking around with us!

I am so excited to hear all about FE and all your cruise plans. We are booked on the Dream but not until April 2012. It's crazy to be so excited for something so far away but I am!!

After how cold we were in Disney at Christmas, I don't blame you one bit for taking the cruise at Thanksgiving. That way you know you will get warm weather and still Disney-fied.

They love those goggles, they are "night vision" goggles... I got them at the Discovery store two years ago. they love them in the basement with the lights off! Hey, we booked this cruise last February so it will come around quickly!

I know! That is why we are really thinking the cruise will be the best bet.

You have that many applicants??? Wow!

YES. It is

Whatcha baking? I made oatmeal cranberry cookies to keep our strength up during soccer.

I just barely squeaked in my update before the deadline expired. I knew I had to since I was the one who struck the deal in the first place. LOL!

Hey, I always am good for an update "throwdown"

Baking baking... cookies for Valentines day... I made more this weekend. For teachers and such. Mailed some to my parents last week, and some this weekend. icing and sprinkles everywhere! Let alone the little cookie dough mouse who keeps lurking... his eyes at counter level...

 

[Happydog]

well I'm a day late and a dollar short as usual but the side benefit to my tardiness is I got a twofer...an intro and a real update!

I LOVE the idea of a Thanksgiving cruise. Or anywhere warm at Thanksgiving. I'm ready for a year off to be honest, this years holiday entertaining sucked the life out of me a bit. It will be so very very interesting to me to see if the bug bites my crew this summer and we book another one while on the Wonder in Alaska. Which will NOT be warm.

2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YES, it did take me a while to get started!! Glad you came over for the start of the fn!!!!

I know, that is why we thought the cruise... warmth was on our mind that weekend when it was 26 degrees outside!!!

I am curious about my kids, and how they will respond as well. We are going on the cruise for spring break, the one in the Med, so it will be their first experience on a ship. They have seen the ads for Disney Cruise though, so I know they are aware there are Disney boats... it really is great fun for kids. They will be far more excited about that trip vs. the spring break one.


But Alaska is beautiful I am sure. I would love to go on that cruise, DH not interested. I think it will be really neat. I think my kids would enjoy it, too, So your boys will probably find it fascinating and really like everything on and off the ship

I love that cute pink cover-up, with matching flips. You'll look great! Your boys are adorable. My oldest son is always running around, ready for some sort of battle. Boys!

Thanks! That is the idea, I don't know I will wear much else during the day Boys in general are ALWAYS ready for some sort of battle

 

[Happydog]

I do believe it is getting very, very, very close to your cruise, HD!

Have you been dreaming of a hammock on Castaway Cay?

Or perhaps a Konk Cooler?

CP, you know me too too well.

MOST definitely!!! I am so very excited, but I have to concentrate JUST a little longer on all the "must do's" before I can be in full vacation mode!!! "just keep swimming, just keep swimming...."

Though I must say, that picture of the Konk cooler, and all this talk about my lemon fizzes... makes me want to break out the blender... I just happen to have all the ingredients... Cynthia got me thinking about them last night when I was reading her TR!!! No, those would NOT help me in any fashion right now!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Your trip is so close!
You must be so excited. In less than a week, you'll have a cocktail in your hand, relaxing on the Dream.

HA! Try a cocktail in each hand. Oh it is going to take forever for this week to end!!! VERY exciting though!!

Less than a week!! Oh you guys must be so excited!!! I so can't wait to hear about your trip on the Dream!! I've been lurking all over the Cruise reports lately!!!!

Thanks Jen, we are!!!!!! You let me know if you want any special photos.. if there is something you want me to check out for you...

5 days! I can't wait to hear about your get-away!!

I know I know! I just need to make it through the week!!!!

How exciting that your cruise is right around the corner. Your Thanksgiving cruise sounds like a blast. So much to look forward to.

Cute picture of the boys. I remember that age and there are many times that I wish my boys were still that age. The teenage years are definitely not as fun.

Cute pick flip flops!

Thanks! It is exciting.. I can't wait to be basking in the sun. I hope the weather cooperates!!!

I see daily reminders about teenagers... I work with them Yes, I will have to move to a deserted island in a few years

 

[eandesmom]

I always wondered what fish extenders were!! Very fun. How do you know how many people are participating and when do you go around and fill them up?

Love your color ideas.

 

[Native NYer]

The whole FE idea sounds like so much fun!
Your color choices are great.
What kinds of goodies are you thinking of leaving for other guests? What do people typically leave?

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Thank you for demystifying the fish extenders. What a cute idea. I like all of your thoughts on a design. I think I'd go with the mickey head/ship wheel but the DCL logo is cute too.

So obviously it would vary from cruise to cruise but if you signed up to participate in the fish extender exchange how many of your gift might you have to end up making? I bet the boys will have a blast delivering these around the ship! Can't wait to hear more about what you're planning!

Good luck at work this week. 4 days and you're free!!

 

[jenjolt]

I love those FEs they are so cute!!!!! I think either way you go they are going to be awesome!!!!!! I so want to do a cruise in the future!!! They seem like so much fun!!!

I would love for some details after you went to spa and of course Paolo!!!! You guys are going to have an amazing time!!!

Next week you will be just relaxing enjoy life!!! Hope this week goes by fast for you!!!

 

[MeMom]

So in one week, I will be sitting in the Disney Cruise Line terminal, WAITING to board THE DREAM!!!!


Okay. I am a little excited...

As you should be.

Then I have to prepare all the stuff for the boys for the three days -- thankfully Monday is a holiday so their grandmother only has to get them to school three days. This means piles of clothes for each day, food for snacks and lunch that can be pre-packed in baggies that just have to be assembled with sandwiches in the morning. All the notes and directions that are required when leaving the kids... reminder that homework MUST be done, etc!

What a good Mommy you are, and a thoughtful, organized daughter (or daughter-in-law, whichever grandmother you are talking about) to have everything so well planned out.

 

[Happydog]

I always wondered what fish extenders were!! Very fun. How do you know how many people are participating and when do you go around and fill them up?

Love your color ideas.

Well on the cruise boards there are usually PTRs for each cruise, and someone basically volunteers to be the "coordinator". I have never been involved, but I have read enough to see that it would be fun, so I am going to try it out. I have been told that I have to PM one DISer and then she will add me to the list and email it to everyone... I guess we just go around whenever, all at once and deliver the gift... there are lots of threads on the cruise board that I have read about the whole idea.

The whole FE idea sounds like so much fun!
Your color choices are great.
What kinds of goodies are you thinking of leaving for other guests? What do people typically leave?

You know I am just getting started on this, I hadn't thought too much yet, but I was thinking of chocolate with a custom candy bar wrapper -- something I can print and put around the candy bar... Maybe something else like that... it sounds that some make very elaborate gifts, other buy things, sounds like it can be lavish or less so... it is only one gift not daily or anything like that.

 

[Happydog]

Thank you for demystifying the fish extenders. What a cute idea. I like all of your thoughts on a design. I think I'd go with the mickey head/ship wheel but the DCL logo is cute too.

So obviously it would vary from cruise to cruise but if you signed up to participate in the fish extender exchange how many of your gift might you have to end up making? I bet the boys will have a blast delivering these around the ship! Can't wait to hear more about what you're planning!

Good luck at work this week. 4 days and you're free!!

I am leaning towards the mickey head/ship's wheel, too. regarding the gifts, etc. I dont know how many families are going to actually sign up, so I have to find that out first... The kids will enjoy this, so that also makes it fun! That and Pirate night Argh!

I love those FEs they are so cute!!!!! I think either way you go they are going to be awesome!!!!!! I so want to do a cruise in the future!!! They seem like so much fun!!!

I would love for some details after you went to spa and of course Paolo!!!! You guys are going to have an amazing time!!!

Next week you will be just relaxing enjoy life!!! Hope this week goes by fast for you!!!

I know I am excited for the cruise, and it will be a vacation I am ready for! I like DCL, they do such a nice job. I bet you would love it!

 

[Happydog]

What a good Mommy you are, and a thoughtful, organized daughter (or daughter-in-law, whichever grandmother you are talking about) to have everything so well planned out.

Aww thanks MeMom! Well that would be daughter in law! I have to do this b/c I know how hard it is to get everything organized when DH and I are both home! She is so kind to come up when we want to take off for a few days, or when we have other travel opportunities. She loves coming to take care of them, I just try to keep it simple, and that way I know they are getting what I would want them to. And that makes it easier for everyone too!

Hey! Just a week for me means TWO weeks for you!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Well on the cruise boards there are usually PTRs for each cruise, and someone basically volunteers to be the "coordinator". I have never been involved, but I have read enough to see that it would be fun, so I am going to try it out. I have been told that I have to PM one DISer and then she will add me to the list and email it to everyone... I guess we just go around whenever, all at once and deliver the gift... there are lots of threads on the cruise board that I have read about the whole idea.



You know I am just getting started on this, I hadn't thought too much yet, but I was thinking of chocolate with a custom candy bar wrapper -- something I can print and put around the candy bar... Maybe something else like that... it sounds that some make very elaborate gifts, other buy things, sounds like it can be lavish or less so... it is only one gift not daily or anything like that.

cute idea, that's what evan is doing for his valentines in class tomorrow

I did check out my cruise link and it does look like there is one planned but only 3 families signed up so far. I am going to keep an eye on it and definitely think about it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Today is almost over, so you are almost at just three more days of work! Hurray! Hurray!

The Fish Extenders sound so neat, but my mind is spinning from all the design possibilities. I need visuals to choose from. LOL! I am sure whatever you decide on is going to look fabulous!

At least having a busy week will make time fly and before you know it you will be collapsing into a deck chair!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I found the thread for our cruise last night and am hoping that they have a FE group organized! I'd love to join up!

Ebay has some cute FE's for sale not that you would need to buy one, the Miss Crafty that you are!

By the way, THANK YOU for the tasty treat that was waiting for us when we arrived home from school!

I had vowed that I would leave all of the Valentine candy alone but those cookies?
No way!


You must be so darned excited that you are so close to a tropical getaway!

 

[manntra]

Love the FE idea....whatever you pick will be fabulous....too many choices for me I remember meeting up with a bunch of Disers when I cruised but I don't remember anything about the FE. Very fun and the boys will love it!!

We decorated our door something fierce though!! There were some boys down the hall from us with their grandparents... they had put up basically a piece of paper with their names on it so I stuck a bunch of our MH's on their door for them

Almost cruisin' time!!

Tracy

 

[Happydog]

I found the thread for our cruise last night and am hoping that they have a FE group organized! I'd love to join up!

Ebay has some cute FE's for sale not that you would need to buy one, the Miss Crafty that you are!

By the way, THANK YOU for the tasty treat that was waiting for us when we arrived home from school!

I had vowed that I would leave all of the Valentine candy alone but those cookies?
No way!


You must be so darned excited that you are so close to a tropical getaway!

OH I am so glad you got them!!!! I was worried they'd arrive late! I know I know I am crafty, but not enough to make one myself, I am going to cave and leave that type of sewing to an expert. I want the appliques and such, and I can't do that! So I am going to buy one. I am looking forward to it. Have you listened to the Dream review on the DIS Unplugged? Very good info! I listened to it while I was icing cookies...

 

[Happydog]

cute idea, that's what evan is doing for his valentines in class tomorrow

I did check out my cruise link and it does look like there is one planned but only 3 families signed up so far. I am going to keep an eye on it and definitely think about it.

Valentine's day is so funny in elementary school!

Well think about it! I am trying to get my hands around what to do, so the candybar idea is one of a few. We'll see! still looking and thinking.

Today is almost over, so you are almost at just three more days of work! Hurray! Hurray!

The Fish Extenders sound so neat, but my mind is spinning from all the design possibilities. I need visuals to choose from. LOL! I am sure whatever you decide on is going to look fabulous!

At least having a busy week will make time fly and before you know it you will be collapsing into a deck chair!

I know! We are getting there, it will be here soon! There are lots of choices, that is the problem! I will figure it out. YES, a deck chair sounds fabulous!

Love the FE idea....whatever you pick will be fabulous....too many choices for me I remember meeting up with a bunch of Disers when I cruised but I don't remember anything about the FE. Very fun and the boys will love it!!

We decorated our door something fierce though!! There were some boys down the hall from us with their grandparents... they had put up basically a piece of paper with their names on it so I stuck a bunch of our MH's on their door for them

Almost cruisin' time!!

Tracy

Awwww that is sweet of you! I didn't know you had done a DCL! Isn't it fun!! I am looking forward to this ship. The FE I had only heard about after this last cruise when I stumbled upon it on a thread. I think it is neat, and I know the guys will have fun. I hope I can stay organized enough!