Ahoy! Sailing the Wonder 2/8/09

[2gr8brits]

Kathryn - Glad to hear that you have heat! The older I get, the more the simple things in life keep me happy!
I'd love to help decorate your door! I'll see what I can come up with and by the looks of everyone else's responses - you'll have the best door on the ship!
This is a wild week, but I am looking forward to the end result!

 

[jedijill]

Ok, We are leaving tomorrow!!! I hope I don't forget anything. I have a huge to do list to get done, and then who cares...we are headed to WDW!! Have a great week....c u onboard!!

Drive safely! See you on Sunday!

Jill

 

[2gr8brits]

Well yesterday it was in the 60's and now they are forecasting light snow for Tuesday and Tuesday night! What gives!! As far as snow goes - I've had enough for 1 year. I just keep reminding myself where I will be 1 week from now! We had a staffing this afternoon on a student at school and I'm sorry to say it was a rather difficult one. The parents don't think that we have their child's best interest at heart - but we really do, It's just getting the parents to realize where the problems lie. During one of the parent speaches about how we aren't doing our job, I wrote a note to a friend sitting nearby and reminded her that "this time next week I'll be in Nassau cooling my heels! "
Well now, let me step off of my soapbox . . . and speaking of heels, my feet are in aweful shape - really looking forward to the mani/pedi at the end of the week. I've enjoyed reading all the ideas for toes - I thinks I'm going for "bling" Mickeys! - that could change if the week gets much wilder though!
For those of you traveling soon - be careful!

 

[dsjmeadors]

Jill have a GREAT Saturday in WDW!!!!

 

[jedijill]

Jill have a GREAT Saturday in WDW!!!!

Thanks! I will! Found a room at the La Quinta near the airport for $55. Not bad at all. Now I have to decide what to do with all that time.

Jill

 

[jedijill]

Well yesterday it was in the 60's and now they are forecasting light snow for Tuesday and Tuesday night! What gives!! As far as snow goes - I've had enough for 1 year. I just keep reminding myself where I will be 1 week from now! We had a staffing this afternoon on a student at school and I'm sorry to say it was a rather difficult one. The parents don't think that we have their child's best interest at heart - but we really do, It's just getting the parents to realize where the problems lie. During one of the parent speaches about how we aren't doing our job, I wrote a note to a friend sitting nearby and reminded her that "this time next week I'll be in Nassau cooling my heels! "
Well now, let me step off of my soapbox . . . and speaking of heels, my feet are in aweful shape - really looking forward to the mani/pedi at the end of the week. I've enjoyed reading all the ideas for toes - I thinks I'm going for "bling" Mickeys! - that could change if the week gets much wilder though!
For those of you traveling soon - be careful!

Hang in there! Sunday will be here soon! Have fun with that mani/pedi. They are the best.

Jill

 

[anetnmike]

Kathryn, glad to know you are ok!
Everyone travelling soon-be safe. Pretty soon our biggest decision will be if we have enough room for more food or not.

 

[kcashner]

Kathyrn, consider it done. I have downloaded the names and am working on them now.

Plaid'smom, thank you so much! I'm slowly but surely getting things done. They've downgraded our snow prediction for today--they were saying 3-5 inches, now saying 1-3 inches. Better! Power went out for about an hour yesterday...did anyone see me freak out?

My packing is beginning to take shape...since we're driving, I'm not doing too much thinking....more like just putting stuff in. Most of the house stuff is being completed. a little at a time. I'm so thankful for the stuff I did 2-3 weeks ago (when DD was laughing at me for being so anal about it!)

Jill, I'd go to Disney World for the day. If not a park, at least go to Downtown Disney. Consider a trip to the Boardwalk area in the evening--there's always something happening there. Our favorite restaurants are in the parks, but you could always do a character dinner at Chef Mickey's (better atmosphere) or 1900 Park Fare (better food). I'd have other suggestions if you decide to go to Epcot. Or you could go to Character Outlet and replenish your wardrobe.

 

[cemeb4dk]

Jill did you check the prices for pop century or one of the other value resorts. You can usually find them for around 100 or so. Then they will move your bags to your other hotel. If your an annual pass holder the rates at pop can get down in the $79 range.

 

[cemeb4dk]

Jill, I just checked and all the values are filled up none available. Wow I never would have thought this is such a busy time. But its to the point that Disney is busy all the time.

 

[kcashner]

When I'm just there for an overnight before a cruise, I usually bid a 2.5* room on Priceline. I typically pay $31-35, with taxes and fees, that's about $43. At the 2.5* level they all include a complimentary shuttle to/from MCO and most include a free breakfast. We've been very lucky with these--the Quality Suites was lovely on our last trip with a FULL breakfast.

 

[2gr8brits]

Is the water in the pool onboard heated? I know it might be a crazy question, but I thought about that one in the middle of the night.
Kathryn, I need Koren's full name initials please(ie KAB for Krista Abbott Byrd) -a parent of a child in my class has something in the works for her
Well our chances of more snow are down to a slight chance, but if the behavior of the kids in any indication, we will got lots!! They are really unusually active today and that is a good indicator that the barometric pressure is unsteady = drastic weather - wish us luck

PS. I can also tell you the phase of the moon by how children (and men - sorry) are behaving!

 

[nokidz]

Is the water in the pool onboard heated? I know it might be a crazy question, but I thought about that one in the middle of the night.

yep, they are heated.........

 

[jedijill]

Jill, I just checked and all the values are filled up none available. Wow I never would have thought this is such a busy time. But its to the point that Disney is busy all the time.

Thanks....I called Disney last night and the only availability was at SSR or WL club level. A little bit out of my budget for a late arrival.

I ended up with the La Quinta near the airport for $55 with breakfast then will be moving to POR for Saturday night.

Jill

 

[jedijill]

Jill, I'd go to Disney World for the day. If not a park, at least go to Downtown Disney. Consider a trip to the Boardwalk area in the evening--there's always something happening there. Our favorite restaurants are in the parks, but you could always do a character dinner at Chef Mickey's (better atmosphere) or 1900 Park Fare (better food). I'd have other suggestions if you decide to go to Epcot. Or you could go to Character Outlet and replenish your wardrobe.

I will probably head to DTD to get my AP and my TIW card. Need to do some shopping for my nephew and his brother or sister that is due in June. I should know by the 13th which it is--boy or girl--so I can go back and pick up the appropriate color. I don't know if I'll hit a park or not but I do have a reservation at Yachtsman Steakhouse Saturday night. I'm looking forward to it. I probably won't stay out too late...need to get up early to head to the port Sunday morning.

Jill

 

[elmo2200]

When I'm just there for an overnight before a cruise, I usually bid a 2.5* room on Priceline. I typically pay $31-35, with taxes and fees, that's about $43. At the 2.5* level they all include a complimentary shuttle to/from MCO and most include a free breakfast. We've been very lucky with these--the Quality Suites was lovely on our last trip with a FULL breakfast.

Thanks for the info. We weren't sure what to do our last two nights. A surprise hotel could be an adventure...and save $$ too.

Off to laminate my magnets. And run all over town finishing stuff up.

 

[kcashner]

Is the water in the pool onboard heated? I know it might be a crazy question, but I thought about that one in the middle of the night.
Kathryn, I need Koren's full name initials please(ie KAB for Krista Abbott Byrd) -a parent of a child in my class has something in the works for her
Well our chances of more snow are down to a slight chance, but if the behavior of the kids in any indication, we will got lots!! They are really unusually active today and that is a good indicator that the barometric pressure is unsteady = drastic weather - wish us luck

PS. I can also tell you the phase of the moon by how children (and men - sorry) are behaving!

Yes, the water in the pool is heated. However, it takes a while to warm up if they have to drain it to clean the pool....this is usually a problem only in the Mickey pool. It is cleaned and the water replaced between cruises. Also, it is chlorinated fresh water (not sea water as on some lines).

Koren is KRC as in Koren Rose Cashner. Her middle initial is fine, but don't put her middle name on anything (she hates it!) Don't you love teens....

Our 3 inches is more like an inch so far.....hooray!

College admissions office called....Koren wants to pick up a class at the local campus this summer before starting full time in the fall....and they totally screwed up the paper work. So...after 4 phone calls, I have it fixed. One incompetent clerk can certainly make a mess.....They don't know that this mom has had teaching appointments at 3 different universities and knows how to make the system work! Take that, dumb clerk!

Thanks to EVERYONE for all your good wishes and concern. I really am getting life back together, and you guys make me feel great!

 

[jedijill]

College admissions office called....Koren wants to pick up a class at the local campus this summer before starting full time in the fall....and they totally screwed up the paper work. So...after 4 phone calls, I have it fixed. One incompetent clerk can certainly make a mess.....They don't know that this mom has had teaching appointments at 3 different universities and knows how to make the system work! Take that, dumb clerk!

Thanks to EVERYONE for all your good wishes and concern. I really am getting life back together, and you guys make me feel great!

WTG on getting all the paperwork straightened out! At least you won't have to worry about that on the trip. That's awesome that Koren is getting a head start on college. Every little bit helps get you towards graduation!

Jill

 

[jedijill]

Bad news on the shuttle launch.

NASA delays shuttle launch
Posted: 11:18 PM ET
(CNN) — Launch of the space shuttle Discovery has been delayed at least a week, NASA has announced.

The shuttle will now lift off no earlier than February 19 because of concern over a valve in the main engine. A decision on the launch date will be made February 12, after more analysis and testing of the part.

NASA said Tuesday night: “The valve is one of three that channels gaseous hydrogen from the engines to the external fuel tank. One of these valves in shuttle Endeavour was found to be damaged after its mission in November. As a precaution, Discovery’s valves were removed, inspected and reinstalled.”

 

[pjpoohbear]

Thanks for the update Jill, but kind of sweet and sour.

Those that hoped to tour KSC can now do so without worrying. And those that looked forward to seeing the launch won't get to.

Pj