any November 15th eastern 7 ngt cruisers out there?

[lbgraves]

Mary, OK first of all we have it arranged to have William get his birthday cake the first night too. What a festive table we will have! The party favor idea sounds great!!!

Secondly, it is too scarey how much alike we are!!! I have 3 medium boxes of party stuff in the garage. Over the past 2 years I have collected a full set for Barbie including edible cake topper, 2 Harry Potter parties (1 for each kid) and alot of any theme stuff. I also have tons of party favors that I go thru to fill up the gift bags with all for under $1 each & these are real toys. I just picked up the party favors for the HP parties last month at WM. They had the kites on sale for .50 each and there were HP ones. I bought 34 of them.

 

[mcampbell_22]

Lisa,

It is scary! I'm sure our DHs think that we are the only ones that act this way. I also have a huge stash of "party favor" gifts. For this party Conor will have helicopters and Z-cards along with pencils, candy, stickers etc. All the kids friends love to come to our parties because they know they'll leave with enough stuff to make it seem like it's their birthday! Brian kids me and says that I'm cheap, miser etc. I like to think of myself as "savvy." He certainly doesn't mind when he's the beneficiary of my bargains (i.e. the $1.00 tux). Although now he wants a motorcycle. I'm sure he'll bring it up with the guys on the trip trying to garner support and try to convince me that it's "an investment." Ha big LOL!

I did realize after writing the last post that we should probably have Disney themed party goods! I'm such a dingbat sometimes. I mean how funny would it look to be on a Disney cruise and have X-men, spiderman or other character party goods! LOL

What did you have to do to arrange the cake? I would love to do the same thing for Conor and maybe even have one for our anniversary if they do that too.

Are you and Mike exchanging gifts for anniversary? We usually end up getting one big purchase item that we both have been wanting. No, this year WON'T be a motorcycle!

 

[mkauffman]

Mary my dear........you admitted your addiction. That's the first important step to recovery. Of course the key is that you have to WANT to recover!!

My MIL's birthday is on the 18th. We're going to have a cake for her, too. This is going to be a grand celebration!!

My mom found the 2 gallon Ziplocks today at Wal-Mart (that's been a household word today because of the news!). She also bought us the Purell hand gel and the Lysol wipes. We should be good and santitized!

No docs yet......how much longer must I suffer?

Michelle

 

[lbgraves]

Michelle...You have NO idea how much I shop & save. LOL!!! I look at it as my job and last year just with groceries, diapers for 2, HBA, & cleaning stuff I saved over 8k with coupons & sales. I figure it is my way of being "paid" to stay home & manage the kids & house...although they think that they are controlling me.

Mary ~ you are right about the party stuff. What the heck! I'll try to find something at the party store in the am with Mickey. You know, if we just had plain horns & stuff it would be fine too. We could make the guys birthday crowns or something like that. DS will love all the attention. LOL! Better make his adjustable.

All I did for the cake was mention it when I called for the reservations at first. They asked me if it was a special occasion & I told them not exactly because we didn't want to be ending our cruise on DS's birthday & the person told me that they could do a cake & sing to him anyway our first night out. You should be able to have your TA call Disney & arrange it.

As far as gifts...this cruise is my Anniversary gift this year. It also covered last Christmas, Vday, bday, Easter...well you get the picture. I'm not complaining at all though.

 

[lbgraves]

OK guys! Here is an example of my deal hunting. LOL! I got the link from another board but here is something that the kids will bring for their friends on the ship at the DIS meet. They love giving gifts & trust me this isn't costing alot. I am getting them a full set for stocking stuffers and thought that I would pass the info along since all the kids will have one...they may want more. Anyhow, these are selling for 5xx on sale for 2 packs & this is a much better deal. LMK if anyone in Canada wants them & I can get them here & pack them up to give you when we see you in a few weeks.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...gfordeals/103-2728623-4539836?v=glance&s=toys

 

[Tonydana]

good morning everyone!!!

3 weeks from today, i will be flying out on that jet plane to come and meet all my new dis friends.. can't wait

anywho.. going shopping for the day with my stepmom and bringing stephen.. doing our annual christmas shopping trip.. i want to be done before the cruise - hopefully.. i am usually done by thanksgiving though..

lisa, a woman after my own heart.. i feel the same way about saving money.. makes me feel like i contribute since i stay home with stephen too.. as a matter of fact, went to our local grocery store a few weeks ago, had all my coupons, knew how much i should save and watched this young kid try to scam me and not scan all of my coupons, then when i said something, he had the nerve to say "oh, you were paying attention".. anyways, alot more happened in the store that day too, but i was so mad - i wrote a letter to the manager and he sent me a gift cert for the store to apologize.. free money.. thank you.. can always use that..

sounds like each one of us is celebrating something on the cruise.. happy birthday to all those kiddos.. they will have a blast i'm sure..
well, just wanted to say hello.. wish me luck shopping today.. hopefully i can pretty much finish except for stockings..

have a great day everyone..

dana

 

[mkauffman]

Dana, have fun shopping. I hope you finish everything you want to finish. It's still really cold here, but at least the sun is shining. 3 short weeks and we'll be soaking up the sun.

You guys are like the master bargain finders! I love it. I'm learning so much about saving. I really need to get better at my coupon clipping.

Michelle

 

[lbgraves]

I FOUND DD A TROPICAL DRESS!!!! I ran into GW just to see if they had anything & I found 2 that might work. The one I like is pink with island sceans on it. That may be a little big but the other is cute too. I know that I want to find a blue one for her in St Marteen but if we don't end up making it to that port I will have something. Little kids don't exactly have to match us anyway if they look cute...right?

I also found the 2 gal bags at WM. They were behind a huge concrete post. I picked up a couple space bags & a neat fold up laundry basket/bag. I was going to get a mesh bag but now I can fold the clean clothes up & carry them back to the room easily. All these things are investments that we wont have to buy again for the next cruise.

Hope you have a great shopping day Dana & finish everything up. I was suppose to wrap everything this week but that didn't happen. This house has gotten away from me with all the Ebay stuff so I have to clean it.

 

[sherry]

Congrats on your finds.

I received excursion info today, not as good as documents, but it will hold me for a few days!

 

[Jo-Anne]

Yikes just 3 short weeks to go! We'll be setting off on our journey on the Thursday to get to Buffalo to stay overnight before catching Friday morning plane to Orlando! Got lots to do from now til then! Going for my pre-cruise hair cut tomorrow morning...needs 3 weeks to look "normal" again! Also must book precruise manicure and pedicure and maybe leg waxing if I can stand the pain! I've actually stopped biting my fingernails in honour of the cruise, so just need to last a few more weeks without chipping or backsliding! I sure type a lot slower now with nails!! Katie and I tried on a lot of her clothes last night and I'm thinking she's going to need a new pair of sandles...do you think the Targets in Florida carry white sandles year round...all Canadian stores have long packed up any summer shoes! What beaches are folks heading to on St. Marteen? This is one stop where we haven't figured out which beach to hit. Think we'll be going to Meghans Beach in St. Thomas. Well back to work for me! Jo

 

[mkauffman]

Sherry, you've not received your docs yet, either??

Jo, I would say the stores in FL have sandals year round. You should try shopping online first just in case. How about the outlet store at JCPenneys.com?

I found pants today that I just fell in love with. I can't explain them, so I won't try, but I love them! They're kind of like a black crepe, flowy material. Now I just need a top!

I also have my manicure/pedicure appt. set for Nov 14. It's been set for months. My nails are also getting way too long but I don't want to trim them now. I was going to tan last night and I just didn't feel like getting undressed and dressed again. Talk about LAZY! I'm planning to go tomorrow morning. I have thought about the leg waxing thing. I haven't found the courage to do it.

Michelle

 

[Jo-Anne]

Michelle - if I lived in the States, I'd be all over the internet shopping thing. However, the shipping to Canada (we're considered international!) is a killer. I really saw a lot of good stuff on Coldwater Creek.com at 50% off, but it would probably cost me another $30 USD to ship it...whenever they say free shipping, its also only to US locations! Not sure if you're aware of the exchange rate difference, but every price we Canadians see in US dollars, we have to add another ~35% onto it for Canadian dollar conversion! Guess I'll have to wait until day before cruise to see if we can get her sandals..we'll take the old just in case! Glad you found a great pair of pants. I'm spending so much time preparing and shopping in advance, hope I don't get that let-down feeling when the trip starts!! Planning is half the fun! JO

 

[mkauffman]

You're right...I wasn't even thinking about the exchange rate and shipping! What size does she wear?

I know exactly what you mean by the let-down feeling. I'm terrified of being depressed as we disembark the ship! I guess that's how they get people to rebook before they leave!

Michelle

 

[sherry]

Yes, Michelle, I am still waiting . I will probably call DU if I don't see them by the middle of next week.

JoAnne, I never thought about how much things cost to ship to Canada, I don't order online unless I think the shipping is fair.

I cut my fingernails the other day, so I hope they are a nice length when we go, don't want to scratch the little ones I watch!
Haircut due next Thursday!!

I am a total basket case, because already I am thinking at this time next month, I'll be home (not that it's a bad place, just would rather be in Florida )

Have a good weekend all

 

[lbgraves]

DON'T RUSH IT GUYS!!! We will be on Castaway Cay in four weeks! That is a wonderful thing to think about. I guess that the wedding & family week for Thanksgiving will help us ease out of the vacation mindset. Such depressing things to think about.

 

[mkauffman]

Ok, you're right!! Thanks for bumping us back on track, Lisa! We still have 3 weeks to enjoy the planning and then a whole, wonderful week onboard.

No negative thoughts...no negative thoughts...no negative thoughts...

I feel like Dorothy.

Michelle

 

[sherry]

Ok, think 3 weeks away, not 4!!!!

 

[SINK]

Ha.

Even in four weeks, we will be staying at Old Key West's Grand Villa!!! A significant increase in living space, from 214 sq ft to over 1,000 sq ft. Had this GV booked with the 11 months window.

We will be returning home five weeks from today. However, we will be taking a short weekend cruise six weeks from today.

 

[nedleycan]

I have had such a bad week... can't wait until the cruise. I run a program for our client, which employs 9 people. I had to let 5 of them go today. I was horrible! But... finally it is done!

3 weeks! Yeah! And only 1 more week before I go to Vegas... for a little pre-cruise fun!... oh ya, and work! haha

A friend at work lent me some dress shoes for Cam that are perfect! They are like "little man shoes". He didn't like them when he saw them, but when I put them on him, he seemed okay. She also lent me a vest and dress pants for him. They might be a little big, but if they work, he will look great!

We will stay at the beach right where the cruise ship lands in St. Martin. I like that beach, as there is lots of action (and planes flying over-head which Cam will like). In St. Thomas, we are probably going to go to Coral Beach and Magen's bay. We will be renting a car in St. Thomas, but not St. Martin (the streets are so busy there, that it takes forever to get anywhere.

 

[sherry]

Docs arrived today!!!