any November 15th eastern 7 ngt cruisers out there?

[kimszath]

Wow. Have spent the past 30 minutes catching up on all your posts! Sorry, Mary. Hope you get good news. I've been dealing with a family emergency of my own. My dear Mom, who is scheduled to cruise with us, had quite a scare last week... landed her in ICU for a couple of days, and she finally went home today. Long story short--she had a "mini-stroke." After nearly a week of tests, MRA's, CAT scans, and constant monitoring, they couldn't find anything (thank GOD) and sent her home with medication to hopefully prevent it from happening again. I think it was "somebody's" way of getting her attention, and maybe making her take care of herself a little better now that the trip is approaching. Of course her health comes first, but we were relieved that her Doctor said nothing about NOT going on the cruise. That would have probably given her the big one, as much as she's looking forward to it! Thanks for letting me vent. I've been so stressed about this all week.

Now... where can I find a Tropical dress and and shirts for hubby/child/Mom online??? You guys crack me up with the dish about the makeup... I wear it everyday... HAVE to, since I work with nothing but men. In this career field, you just about have to go out of your way to look feminine so that nobody lumps you in with the butch crowd (alot of female officers look alot like the men...) I like to look like a girl when I get off work!

Can't wait to meet you all! 36 more days until I get on the plane!!! Oh, and make that 14.5 pounds below... working hard, but my little ribbon hasn't caught up!

 

[mkauffman]

Kim, you were scaring me there for a minute! I know how much you're looking forward to taking your mom along! I'll be saying a little prayer every day that this really was just a wake-up call for her! I talk about this with my girlfriend all the time.....getting older really stinks!

On a brighter note, congrats on the 14.5 pounds! You deserve a new ribbon! As for the online shopping, www.hilohatties.com has some really nice tropical wear. Some of the prices aren't so bad, either.

You were cracking me up with the butch comment. We just watched the USA vs. Germany World Cup game and I swear if I wouldn't have known better, all of the German women looked like men! I'm not kidding. I was a little confused for a minute. I saw your picture...you're definitely feminine looking, don't worry!

Michelle

 

[nedleycan]

All of my clients are men, and I feel the same way as you Kim. Since I work in the automotive industry I can choose to act like a man (them) or act like a woman (myself). Although I don't wear pink suits (I don't think my clients would like that, plus it isn't me) I always do the make-up and hair thing. I think they appreciate the woman's point-of-view.

So, Cam was off school on Friday with a fever, and he still has a slight fever and is very congested. DH stayed home on Friday with him, so it is my turn today. Good timing, as I am so busy and have a large proposal to write, and when I am working from home I usually get more work done. But poor little guy, he is fasinated by his "funny voice".

 

[mkauffman]

We're in the 30s now!!

I get that queasy feeling in my stomach just thinking about how close we are!

I was talking to some people in my group today about what we're wearing to the airport. Silly, huh? We're not taking any coats along!

Michelle

 

[lbgraves]

Gosh the weekend was long. We had fun but I have been catching up. I am trying to load the stuff that I prepared last week to Ebay but their listing system is not working now & another one that I signed up for is taking so long. I really wanted to ahve these things end this Saturday so that I could get them all out of here before we leave on 11/10. I need to list all my toys once I figure this stuff out. Well, it is keeping my mind off the cruise. I only keep up with this thread now. No time for the rest of the stuff going on. This weekend was nice. I can't wait until our trip!!!

 

[Jo-Anne]

I'm finding it hard to believe too...I remember when we were over 100! I've still got Jury Duty to get through and a business trip to Cincinnati and then I'll be able to totally focus on getting ready! I took my dresses in for alteration yesterday and DH took pants in to be hemmed, so we are getting slowly into the mindset. Told DH that our group is meeting up on Sunday morning and that all family would be going (as I thought he might balk!!), but he actually showed interest in learning more about who this DIS group is, so I showed him the photos & data from Alex's site (Steve & Kim (others?), we need your photo!). He was also asking about what the spouses do! To tell you the truth, I wasn't following this thread too thoroughly early on, so maybe this was discussed, but if you don't mind sharing, what do your spouses do? My DH is Dave and he is an Industrial Engineer by trade and is currently working in Robotic & ID Equipment Sales. In the past he has done IE work for Nestle, Molson and Nabisco.

 

[nedleycan]

Wow, it really is close. I still haven't done any of my "cruise wear" shopping, just some fall clothing shopping... I better get going!
My kids talk about the cruise every single day now (and sometimes I am not even the one starting the conversation!) For all of you who have never gone on the cruise, your kids will be hooked... good luck! haha

 

[nedleycan]

My husband Brian went to school for Mechanical Engineering and more recently got his MBA. He works in the e-commerce/IT/software/manufacturing industry as VP Sales and Marketing for an up-start here in Toronto.
More about him: He loves skiing, mountain biking, SCUBA diving and cars. I am fortunate that he is not a TV sports watcher. He loves CSI, West Wing. Hates reality shows (we clash here) and canned laughter on sitcoms. He is 6 feet tall and just lost 10 lbs. (same diet as me) and is now 170 lbs. (lowest he has been since our wedding 13 years ago). He is quiet and we are more into fine wine and good food than partying and staying up late.

Wow, what a Bio!

 

[lbgraves]

Mike is an aerospace engineer working on the development of the V22 Osprey. He has been at this office with the civil service since we moved to NC in November 1994. WOW! It has been a long time!!! He was with the F14 program in A before this for a few years. He is now the lead systems engineer so he pretty much knows & works on all aspects of the aircraft and has been overseeing the inspections. His travel schedule pretty much stinks. He just found out that he has to go to TX tomorrow for a week...messing up our plans to go to the local festival this weekend & also leaving me to handle Kaitlyn at William's soccer game solo on Saturday. This happens quite often but we have been telling his supervisor all year that he can forget about him going anywhere or doing anything in November. That 3 weeks is going to be the first time we haven't taken the office cell phone or even laptop with us. We all really need this time to reconnect.

 

[nedleycan]

Too many engineers! We should have checked this out earlier! haha
I assume by the end of the week, they will have redesigned the ship!

 

[lbgraves]

LOL! The DHs will have more to talk about than they think.

 

[SINK]

To make matters worst. I'm a tax accountant while DW is a full time college student (nope, she's not a co-ed, but went back to school after years of being a flight attendant straight from high school).

My hobbies are planning vacations, and playing with excel spreadsheets. DW likes to do everything new and is very big on keeping ties with the family. Remarkable.

Imagine, in exactly six weeks, we will be having a blast on St. Marteen.

 

[mcampbell_22]

Kim, so sorry to hear about your mom. Glad to know that it wasn't too serious. I'm very familiar with strokes (my mom had a bad one when I was @10 yrs old) and one of my sisters just had a bad one a year ago. Sis recovered with only minor losses. My best advice is to heed the "wake up" call and make whatever changes (lifestyle, diet etc) that the doc says are necessary. Also at the first signs of stroke, seek medical attention immediately. This is the most important thing. The most effective treatment needs to be administered within in first 3 hours.

Now for the happy stuff. Contrary to my best intentions, the "pile" is still in the corner of the bedroom. Hoping to start packing it in the next day or two. Hair appt set for Saturday. Eye doctor appt set for next week (need more contacts) and halloween costumes under control.

The Campbell family bio: Brian and I met in college lo these 20 years ago and wil be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary on the cruise (as well as Conor's 7th birthday). Brian was an accountant but changed gears and careers a few years ago and went back into trucking. Now drives a truck for a national LTL carrier. I worked for a land conservation non-profit until 5 years ago when Devon was born and I became a SAHM.

DH loves cars, motorcyles (basically all men toys), mountain biking, weight training and football. My interests include gardening, reading, cooking (eating!), decorating/crafting (a must for any mom with young kids!) and bargain hunting (flea market/yard sale junkie!).

We both are looking forward to meeting you all in person and getting "personal." Can't believe how quickly time is passing. I keep checking the mailbox in eager anticipation of receiving the cruise docs. Nothing today Boo Hoo!

Oh well, maybe tomorrow...

 

[nedleycan]

The docs will be coming soon! Probably in the next week! Yeah! That is when it all seems real. I think it is time to watch the cruise video again... hey, maybe now!

 

[mkauffman]

No docs here, either! I just sent the TA an email yesterday and was bugging him (although he always says I'm not bugging him but I know he HAS to say that! ) . He's trying to tell me that the docs won't come until about two weeks out and I know from my last cruise that we got them about a month out. We worked with a different TA at that time, but I wouldn't think that would make a difference.

Our BIO: DH is in the construction biz.....has been since graduation from high school. His dad was in the business and I guess he just followed suit. He's done everything from road/bridge work to buildings and now his biggest job is basically managing other people. I work in my company's IT department...tech support. Josh is 15 and Garrett will be 9 on Saturday. I'd say we're fairly normal people.

We're having a minor heat wave in Central PA today and tomorrow. We went from freezing our *** off at last week's soccer games to wearing short sleeves again. I think this is our "Indian Summer" and by next week we'll be freezing again.

Oh, and Garrett and I just watched the cruise video again last week.

Michelle

 

[lbgraves]

Well, we should do quite well with plans on the Magic with all the guys working together. We have the engineers to analyze & plan, the builder to implement the changes, the accountants to take care of the finances, and the driver / captain to take us where we want to go. (A ship can't be that much more than one of those big rigs, right? )

 

[sherry]

Hi,
My dh is a customer relations liason with Honda. I am a home daycare provider. My children are almost 17 and 21. We are celebrating our 25th anniversary, so the kids stay home this time. Also waiting for the docs to arrive. Have a good Wednesday

 

[mkauffman]

We could take over the whole ship!

I've always admired truck drivers (except when they pass me in a rain/snow storm and I can't see anything!). I have trouble backing up my Explorer....I can't even imagine what a big truck would be like! My dad drove truck (he'll be with us, too) when I was little and all I remember is him being away from home all the time. Mary, I sympathize. Is Brian home every night?

Michelle

 

[mkauffman]

Originally posted by sherry
My dh is a customer relations liason with Honda.

So, we can assume that you drive a Honda?

I am a home daycare provider.

God Bless You! You've probably got the toughest job of us all!

Michelle

 

[sherry]

Thank you so much Michelle. Right now it is 8:55 and my first guest is just getting here, I was pretending I was off!!!Lol In less than 6 weeks I will be. I do drive a Honda CRV, it is my third. I was the first one in the area to have one (dh didn't work there then). It was leased, I then went to a Civic Si, which was my sporty one, it was a lot of fun, but not much room. I went back to a used CRV, wasn't real happy with color and performance. I had the opportunity to get the one I have now, which I absolutely love. I am the only one in the family who drives a Honda!!