...and a happy New Year! 12/30/2010

[Relaxin']

Wow, lot's of chatter over the past couple of days. I have had two moments of "yes, I really am going on vacation", and then I am back to the real world. I am not feeling overwhelmed, but that concerns me because I should - way too many things to do in 8 sleeps ... worked late tonight to prepare for a major presentation tomorrow AM, once noon hits tomorrow, I can focus on vacation. I have the material for the FE, just need to sew it. Should do that now, but I have to get up in 6 hrs to go to work to put the final touches on my presentation. After tomorrow, I can focus on the trip. Well better get reading my son's essay before I call it a night. Yes, I have only 5 days of work, and then I am going on vacation, and will be able to meet a great new group of people.

 

[twokats]

Wow, lot's of chatter over the past couple of days. I have had two moments of "yes, I really am going on vacation", and then I am back to the real world. I am not feeling overwhelmed, but that concerns me because I should - way too many things to do in 8 sleeps ... worked late tonight to prepare for a major presentation tomorrow AM, once noon hits tomorrow, I can focus on vacation. I have the material for the FE, just need to sew it. Should do that now, but I have to get up in 6 hrs to go to work to put the final touches on my presentation. After tomorrow, I can focus on the trip. Well better get reading my son's essay before I call it a night. Yes, I have only 5 days of work, and then I am going on vacation, and will be able to meet a great new group of people.

Yes, oh so looking forward to meeting all of you. I only have one day off (besides weekends til we leave. Thank goodness, I don't have any extra appointments next week (at least not right now!!) We will be in FL in 12 days. . . .

Is anyone else starting to feel a bit overwhelmed? This is the first time we have traveled during the school year, let alone holidays, and I'm starting to feel the stress!

I am a teacher, and generally we vacation in the summer when I have plenty of time to prepare and pack etc. plus recovery time when we get back!

With this trip, I'm really starting to feel the pressure! Still lots left to be done at school before Christmas break starts, not done with my shopping or plans for Christmas dinner, worrying about keeping everyone healthy, worried about snow keeping us from getting to Orlando...

Haven't even started packing....

Uggg.....I may be a basket case by the time NYE arrives!

That was one advantage of changing our vacation times once all our kids graduated from school. We have been trying to schedule a family trip that includes the grandkids, but DD's work schedule, DS's Army Guard schedule and the grandkids school schedule have so far made that one a hard trip to work with. Maybe someday!!! This will be the first holiday trip for us. We have been to WDW the first 10 days of Dec (last year) and when we vacation for the last two times as a family, we go in early to mid May. Great time to go.

Hey, I will be on this cruise too!

Welcome, glad you are joining us.

 

[sdchickie]

Nicna! Glad to see more people are joining us here.
I'm still working on my FE's and I know what you mean by not having enough time, this is a crazy time of year anyway and add to that packing, FE's, and trying to hide all this from the kids it does make it hard.
On an unrelated note...anyone from a snowy region can understand my frustration right now, I just went online and found out that school is closed today. Not from the foot of snow that we have on the ground, but for the inch and a half that we might get that isn't supposed to start until 10 or 11AM. Does anyone else think that's a little over cautious? Why not just let the kids get out early? Silly Marylanders!

 

[lucky1]

WooHoo... My FE gifts finally arrived... Sorry folks, I decided not to be crafty, but getting things that represent my state and home as the gifts.

So... now have to figure out when I can have time to do the Magnets... But since we are in an very small hallway with little traffic, the magnets will not serve the purpose that generally are used on our other cruises, by identifying our door on a long hallway. So.. I probably will only make a few this trip, probably just to save some time and $ on magnetic paper for the printer.

DH still does not have his dress clothes, he recently lost weight and needs to get new ones... Of course he hates to shop.

Nutcracker is almost over, Tonight is the 3rd night of dress rehearsals and then we start performances tomorrow night, Saturday and Sunday DD and I have been exhausted. Work all day for me, school all day for her. Get to the theater at 4:30pm, get her hair and makeup done and then rehearsals until 8 or 9pm.

I am going to take vacation tomorrow, just to get some things done in the morning around the house.


I am so ready for the cruise!!!!!

 

[niklynn1]

Where are you guys flying from?

We're flying from Iowa. Last year was the WORST winter ever, literally burying us under snow. Last weekend we had our first blizzard of the year. I just can't stop worrying about having bad weather that keeps us from getting to Orlando. We're flying in the day before, but we have a layover in Chicago too.

 

[flightrn]

I live in Tennesse and we haven't had any snow in years. In the last two weeks we've had two snows and we woke up this morning to an ice storm that is continuing into tonight. I'm a nurse and manage the emergency department. I apologized to my staff today because I had wanted the weather to be kind of ugly before we left so we would enjoy the 80 degree weather and I told them it was my fault because I had asked for this, lol. I'm not asking for anymore and I am so ready for our cruise. I wish it was tomorrow.

 

[Relaxin']

On an unrelated note...anyone from a snowy region can understand my frustration right now, I just went online and found out that school is closed today. Not from the foot of snow that we have on the ground, but for the inch and a half that we might get that isn't supposed to start until 10 or 11AM. Does anyone else think that's a little over cautious? Why not just let the kids get out early? Silly Marylanders!

Terri - this makes me laugh. We would be shut down daily.

We have been the lucky ones in SW Ontario with only a few inches of snow. An 1 - 2 hr West of us has had 5 feet of snow in less than 48 hrs. The highway was shut down the other day and the military had to come in to rescue stranded drivers.

On a brighter thought only 7 more sleeps until we leave this winter wonderland.

 

[Rose Quartz]

Hi Everyone!

So~ DH is finally engaging the DISers and has a question for the wise ones...where is everyone planning on spending NYE? In the clubs? On Dec? Is there a big party somewhere? I know there are fireworks, but right at midnight?

Just makin' conversation...

 

[Relaxin']

Hi Everyone!

So~ DH is finally engaging the DISers and has a question for the wise ones...where is everyone planning on spending NYE? In the clubs? On Dec? Is there a big party somewhere? I know there are fireworks, but right at midnight?

Just makin' conversation...

It has been quiet for a couple of days. Guess everyone is busy. We had our last Christmas party last night before we meet up with family in Florida.

If the events are the same as last year, my DH and I will be having early seating dinner in our assigned restaurant with special NYE menu, check out the Theatre followed by the deck party at Goofy's pool at 9:30. There is a great "you tube' of last year's party that I included a link at some point my chatting. And yes, the fireworks are at midnight. As for the kids, the one will be all over, and the other, I hope will be out of the room. I think she missed her boyfriend last year, and she spent the evening sleeping. I remember trying to get her on deck, but can't remember if it ever happened, just remember DH and I partying the evening together. And the countdown is on.

On the other note, my FE needs one more piece added, the gifts are all bought. Today I will finally retry on the clothes, and lay out to pack.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

We plan to be on the deck and might have DD with us. I figure DS will want to be in the kids clubfor the party.

We left o our 10 day Christmas home leave yesterday and will be in DC (and DH defending his master's project at John's Hopkins) and Ohio visitning family until we get home for 36 hours before we fly down for the cruise! At the time it made since, now not so mcuh, but it will be great once we get there! Might just be us in our swimsuits, though.

My FE's are done and I have somethings pulled out and staged to pack, but with the 10 day trip for Christmas I had to pack for that first.

 

[first timers]

Hi Everyone!

So~ DH is finally engaging the DISers and has a question for the wise ones...where is everyone planning on spending NYE? In the clubs? On Dec? Is there a big party somewhere? I know there are fireworks, but right at midnight?

Just makin' conversation...

For us it depends on what is being offered for NYE. If Wavebands has a good band and they will be playing till midnight, we might be there. If the "party" is on deck, we will probably be there. Definately on deck for fire works. Alex

 

[lucky1]

Hi Everyone!

So~ DH is finally engaging the DISers and has a question for the wise ones...where is everyone planning on spending NYE? In the clubs? On Dec? Is there a big party somewhere? I know there are fireworks, but right at midnight?

Just makin' conversation...

Hi....
The Nutcracker is finally over and now we can start thinking of the cruise.....

We plan to spend the evening dining in main dining at our assigned table, assuming it will be formal night, we will have party clothes on. Then The show and probably any parties. If the kids clubs have something good DD will go there. If the rumors Are correct we might be around the magic and dream that night for fireworks, we will not miss that.

Laura

 

[twokats]

DH is known for sleeping the new year in, so I am not sure about him, DM will depend on how tired she is or if she has the energy to party anywhere, but DD and I will probably be on deck for the fireworks and party.

DD and I have started packing and finally have bought everything we plan on getting. Bought some more bling (ie. . jewelry) at Sam Moon's yesterday so that we can add some sparkle to the New Year!!!

We are all so excited for the cruise, that Christmas preperation is getting a little lost. Had to make a special effort to finish my shopping for that yesterday also. Have been so tired today from all the walking in the madhouse crowds we endured in Dallas.

Hope everyone has a good week and a very Happy and Merry Christmas!!

 

[sdchickie]

We'll be out on deck enjoying the fireworks. Kids are back at school today and I don't think I'm working so I can finally pack a few more things. I got my FE's almost all the way finished, my print head went out on my printer so I'm waiting for a new one that I ordered to come in. I hope it will get here soon so I can finish all the FE's, if not I'll be heading up to kinkos for some quickie copying of the ones I did finish! We just got new surround sound system for our living room yesterday and it was a bittersweet moment for me. My dad passed away several years ago and the old system was mostly his stuff. I was at the Best Buy almost bawling because I didn't want to part with his speakers so my hubby told me we could keep the front 2 speakers and just replace the rest of the surround ones. I guess I'm ok with that, but it is hard to let go. But the happy thing is we leave in under a week to go to my happy place!!! I'm so excited to see the castle all lit up again!

 

[sdchickie]

Well the cats out of the bag. At least the part about us going to Florida. I was telling my son this morning that he needed a haircut and that maybe we should go get that done today after school, he looked at me and said "I think I should get it cut the day after, the day after Christmas." I looked at him and asked why then and he quickly changed the subject. He likes to get his hair cut at the barber shop in the MK so I knew what he was thinking, but I didn't think he knew we were leaving on the 26th. So when I told my husband later that I think Jake knows, my hubby told me well duh, last night you were going on and on about having to see if there's a Kohls in Florida so you can use your Kohls cash that is only good the 26th through the 1st. I didn't even realize what I was doing until my husband told me this morning, I can't believe I did that! Well at least I wasn't talking about having to use it before we get on the cruise. I couldn't wait 5 more days to say something stupid!

 

[sdchickie]

For those of you in the FE, are any of you driving? My FE is breakable and there are 3 of them that I don't have a box to keep them safe. I figure if you are driving there is less of a chance of it getting broken on the trip home than those flying. So if you're driving and in the FE can you please let me know. Thanks!

 

[ladypoo]

For those of you in the FE, are any of you driving? My FE is breakable and there are 3 of them that I don't have a box to keep them safe. I figure if you are driving there is less of a chance of it getting broken on the trip home than those flying. So if you're driving and in the FE can you please let me know. Thanks!

We are driving and in the FE, if that would help you out!

Got mine partially finished. Haven't even thought about packing yet. Will have to look for the cruise clothes, LOL... they stay packed up, as we never wear them anywhere else.

 

[Relaxin']

We'll be out on deck enjoying the fireworks. Kids are back at school today and I don't think I'm working so I can finally pack a few more things. I got my FE's almost all the way finished, my print head went out on my printer so I'm waiting for a new one that I ordered to come in. I hope it will get here soon so I can finish all the FE's, if not I'll be heading up to kinkos for some quickie copying of the ones I did finish! We just got new surround sound system for our living room yesterday and it was a bittersweet moment for me. My dad passed away several years ago and the old system was mostly his stuff. I was at the Best Buy almost bawling because I didn't want to part with his speakers so my hubby told me we could keep the front 2 speakers and just replace the rest of the surround ones. I guess I'm ok with that, but it is hard to let go. But the happy thing is we leave in under a week to go to my happy place!!! I'm so excited to see the castle all lit up again!

After a long day at work, this gave me quite the chuckle. The cat may be partially out of the bag, but your story was worth it for me. As for FE, we are driving, but my in laws will be driving home in April, and I will see them before we return home, so if worse comes to worse, I can give it to the in laws to bring home. My FE gifts are all pulled together. Two more days of work and we are out of this cold country.

 

[TXCruisemom]

Absolutely laughing about the Kohl's Cash!! I was thinking the same thing about mine!! Find a Florida Kohl's!!

We are also driving!

And we have another person coming with us! Very last minute but DS18 will be cruising too!! He's cruised several times and is really looking forward to going and meeting some people his own age. Please, don't anyone worry about him with regard to the FE! He'll be in another cabin anyway.

Practically counting the minutes until we can tell the kids Christmas morning! Then it will be a packing frenzy around here!

Sharron

 

[sdchickie]

Absolutely laughing about the Kohl's Cash!! I was thinking the same thing about mine!! Find a Florida Kohl's!!

We are also driving!

And we have another person coming with us! Very last minute but DS18 will be cruising too!! He's cruised several times and is really looking forward to going and meeting some people his own age. Please, don't anyone worry about him with regard to the FE! He'll be in another cabin anyway.

Practically counting the minutes until we can tell the kids Christmas morning! Then it will be a packing frenzy around here!

Sharron

Yes, they do have Kohls in Florida. Just in case anyone was wondering. I hope we make it to Florida, I just found out that we might get a noreaster on X-mas eve. I've lived in this area for over 20 years and it's never snowed on X-mas and it picks this year to snow! I was going to leave early on the 26th, but now I don't know. Send me some anti-snow pixie dust!