April 17, 2004 -- anyone going with us?

[rae519]

I could use a big favor from everyone....

Today is my Mom's 75th birthday - if you have the time to drop her a quick note/e-mail card, I'd really appreciate it!!!

Her name is Lilly and her address is:

bluebird406@insightbb.com



Thanks!

Rae

 

[M&CKing]

Good morning everyone! My family & I are counting down. The kids discuss/argue how much longer everytime we get in the car. Since we are driving down on the 16th, DD says it's one less day than DS says. Part of it is because they like to argue, and the rest is anticapation.

Rae, I just sent your mom a card. I hope she has a great day! I am working on filling out our docs & putting them in our carrry on. The race is on!! Let's see who gets to the shrimp first.

I have the kids clothes packed & working on mine & DH's. It hasn't been warm enough for the kids to wear shorts yet, so I felt it was perfectly alright to pack them, instead of them sitting in a drawer in their rooms.

Carolyn

 

[rae519]

Thank you!

I have done my documents - I keep them in a separate envelope, as I do the airline, hotel and limo. Saves time and energy! Plus I rubberband everything and it's all together. Ohhh, pat me on the back, I am sooooo efficient (GAG!)

Anyway, this morning they are putting the steeple back on the Catholic Church, so we are going to go watch that. It needed repair and was removed a long time ago - finally, it's going back up. IF Mr. Michael ever decides to get out of bed, that is! He fell asleep at 9PM and is still sleeping (8:30!) Guess he either needs it or is sick.....for joy! Looking forward to another bout of the flu.

Anyone going over to St. John Trunk Bay with us?

Rae

 

[RobinMarie]

Rae - I sent your mom a quickie note from my work email address. I hope she has a fabulous day!

We went shopping for me last weekend and bought several new dresses for Victoria. The child has more clothes but we just HAD to have this dress in a tinkerbell green color that shimmers and has a full skirt. I thought it would look good for one of the dressy nights. She'll probably be more dressed up than we will!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by outahere
We starting getting the "incidentals" together yesterday. I would add Immodium (with all that shrimp and other rich food, ya never know!), Anbesol and an emergency dental filling kit. Dentists are really tough to find at sea!

Ed

I think we can term those items the "Accidentals"!!!!

Good choices!!

Rae

 

[dianthus]

Rae~ I'll send your mom an e-card! Happy 75th !

Here's some of the things I pack from my experience on the cruise. I always make photocopies of passports, or other ID, Disney tickets and anything that is hard to replace if lost on vacation. I pack the photocopies in my checked bag, originals are in carryon. I take an extension cord for the vanity area for digital camera battery charger. The big square things on the end of my blow dryer never fit in the plugs too, so the EC helps. I bring a small bottle of Downy wrinkle releaser so I don't have to iron, a shout stain stick & a laundry kit in a zip lock. I put a few laundry tablets, $5.00 in quarters & dryer sheets in there, so if I need to do laundry- I'm prepared. I don't bring those shoe holder things. There are plenty of drawers to keep things organized, but that's me. Bring a highlighter for your navigator & I always bring a pad of post it notes. I bring antibacterial wipes to use when we get to the stateroom. I wipe the phone, remote control and doorknobs & drawer handles off with them before we unpack. With the small amount of time stewards have to clean- these are the things overlooked... I don't want the previous occupant's germs, or worse viruses, so I do this to stay well. I'm not a clean freak, just careful when I'm on a cruise ship. I also pack a small umbrella & couple of camping ponchos that you can get in the dollar store. Lightweight & easy to use if a rainstorm catches you. If you bring them, you usually don't need them - trip insurance! Also, bring some dollar bills for room service.

I fill out docs the night before the cruise. This way, if docs are lost someone doesn't get credit card & other personal info. I agree, there's nothing worse than being stuck behind a "clueless" unprepared ( non DIS) family at Port... We sailed through last time in 3 minutes flat. That's the way it should be! You're right Rae, the Castaway Club seems to be the longest one. You think they'd know better...

10 days to our 10 day trip! Woo Hoo! 7 days DCL, 3 days BWV! The only excursion we are doing is the St. Maarten Beach Riviera thing to Orient- family side- no raisin butts... LOL! We plan on shopping in St. Thomas.

~ Linda

 

[ZebraStripes]

Linda, what store do you find the Downy wrinkle releaser? I've looked all over and can't find it. What other products are around it? Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

 

[ehtpnt]

Rae--sent your Mom a short email from Phil and I wishing her a happy birthday.

A couple of things that occured to me after reading everyones extras to bring. If you have anything battery opperated extra batteries would be a good idea. I use a battery opperated toothbrush so there is an extra battery needed. Various sized plastic zip lock bags are a good idea. And from personal experience if you get Migraines or even just bad headaches don't forget whatever you take for them. Did that once never again.

ZebraStripes-- the Downy is probably in the same area as Fabreeze. In our super markey it is in the aisle with the softeners and bleach. It could also be in the aisle with the Tide and other detergents. I think it depends on the store where they put it.

Speaking of laundry off to fold the underwear and put the ironing in the basket for tomorrow. Then to the dentist for a temp. cap. Talk to you all later. Estelle

 

[jeanie]

Not to worry I had the docs filled out the day I got them....
I just didn't know what the Bahama Immigration papers were...
In 2002 I didn't remember filling this out....


But it wouldn't matter if I didn't fill them out ahead of time...
I don't think there will be very many people in the terminal around 1:30

 

[rae519]

thnaks everyone for the great cards for Mom - she was shocked! And her surprise party went off perfectly! She was floored! We had a great time and boy was I tired because I rode trail for a few hours yesterday! But it's that happy kind of tired that being on a horse brings!

Hugs,
Rae

 

[dianthus]

Rae~ Glad the party went well! I saw she picked up our card. I put from Rae's cruisin' buds so she wouldn't say- who are these people?!

Zebrastripes~ I get the Downy wrinkle stuff in Stop & Shop, near the Febreze as Estelle said. I found a smaller travel size one in CVS last year & I just refill it now- it's great stuff. Takes the wrinkles out of shorts, polos, shirts really well. I don't use it on the good clothes though. I send those out to be pressed. Those irons are pretty scary ( way too hot) in the laundry room. Bring a press cloth to protect your clothes if you plan on using them.

Estelle brings up a good point- zip locks. I bring a bunch- all sizes. I get the big 2 gallon Hefty bags & pack with them. Keeps everything organized & less wrinkles on the way there. You can reuse them for the dirty stuff on the way back too. Stop & Shop has them. Cheaper than those space travel bags.

I also bring 2 pieces of 12 X12 cardboard & put it in the bottom of the luggage, so I can put the pictures I buy from Shutters between them. Then they get home with no damage.

One more travel tip. If you're hair is highlighted, or if you use color, make sure you bring a shampoo w/ sunscreen, or spray sunscreen for your hair. The first time I went to the Caribbean, I didn't use any & my blonde hair turned almost white, it lightened so much from the sun! If any of your girls are planning on getting their hair braided, use it on them too. They will get sunburn between the rows on their scalp! I use Redken Spray Sunscreen for hair - $8 a bottle- works great. Sea & Ski Spray SP30 works great too. Get on line for ship hairbraiding early! They do the best job- very clean & they are pretty gentle. Don't waste your time on CC. St. Maarten hair braiders are sceevy ( not clean). The times/place are printed in the navigators- small print, so look for it. I think the sign ups for our Nov. western were right after safety drill by WDW theatre entrance. The sea day slots go quick!

Enough travel/packing tips. I gotta start packing soon! Hope these help everyone!

~ Linda

 

[Skuba2]

Ok--a week from now I will be boarding the plane. Yikes. I am getting the butterflies in my stomach. I always get them---no matter how many times I fly----can't get away from them. I know I am going to miss and worry about my son. I am glad we go down a few days early. It allows my mom to call if there are any immediate problems with my son adjusting to her being there. He is a mommy's boy by trait and not by choice.

So, besides packing, I am trying to get my house organized also for my mom (from FL) and her sister who is coming down from Boston. They are both clean freaks and with 3 kids and 2 dogs--I am not. And the spring shedding is starting slowly but it is starting. Oh what fun. I am spending the next few days getting all my directions, schedules and instructions written and printed for them.

The one problem I am finding is with my older daughter who is 95th percentile in height and weight. She is nicely proportioned at the ripe age of 9 1/2 but tall for her age. She is too big for the large sizes of little kids clothes but too young for the junior dresses that plunge down to places I'd never go. So finding her any kind of dress for Easter or the cruise has become a difficult task. I am still searching though. Gonna try the Clinton outlets this weekend.

Man--if I am this jittery now--can't wait for next week.

Deb

 

[lsutiggeratwk]

Thanks to all for the packing tips. This first timer can use all the help she and DH can get!!

Rae: Missed your mom's special day yesterday, but am planning to send a greeting in just a few. It was also my mom's b'day yesterday! She was 83!!

Later folks, got to get to work - only 5 more working days till we leave!! YES!!

 

[dianthus]

Forgot to post before:


HUSKIES RULE! Men & Women! Woo Hoo! They are awesome!
We are a small state, but a powerhouse none the less!

I have a theory on this- since there was so much snow & cold this winter here, everyone stayed inside and played basketball! At least some good came of it!

~ Linda

 

[lsutiggeratwk]

Congrats to the Huskies!! That is really awesome that both men's and women's teams won! Our women (Lady Tigers) were in the final four and only lost in the last 6 seconds of the game. Soooooo close! It was a heartbreaker!

I agree on your cold weather theory. That is why our baseball team has won five national champions! It is warm enough down here to practice almost year round. There was a game a few years back that was snowed out, I think. I wasn't there, inside where it was warm!!

Have a great day.

Janie

 

[ehtpnt]

Deb-- as a Mom and Granny to girls I thought maybe your daughter would be willing to go the fancy blouse and nice slacks or skirt route. I've even seen t-shirts with sequins on them that would be nice. Of course the one I own my two fashion police took one look at and went, "you aren't wearing that are you?" So of course I wore it the next day. My fashion police are a bit older 37 and 23.
Rae-- glad to hear your Mom had a great birthday. I would have been unable to walk if I had been trail riding.
Linda-- I'll have to try and find some of the Downy stuff. I can use it on DHs' shirts. Hadn't even thought of it till you mentioned it being good on shirts.
Congratulations to the Huskies. It must have been the weather. Although I had to laugh one day last winter when there was around 8 inches of snow and the little boys next door. Aged 10 and 8 were outside in their snow clothes throwing baskets. They were either crazy or hoping spring would come really soon. This was in early January.
Talk to you all later. Estelle

 

[outahere]

For all you shrimp lovers, take a look at this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=543890

Sounds like a great place for shrimp.

Rae...... maybe if you go there the night before, you would be more willing to share at the embarkation lunch?

Ed

 

[Luv2Dream]

TWO DAYS, TWO DAYS, TWO DAYS !!!!! We are leaving so soon I can't believe it.....Major packing frenzy is happening tomorrow. It's just a matter of organization at this point.

Rae, glad your mom had a nice birthday. I looked at her card here for so long and then I had a panic that I lost it and didn't send it. Gosh, I hope I sent it. I would feel like a fool if I didn't. With all the chaos around here with the office move, I've been so disorganized. That's why I haven't gotten the packing done yet. This is SO unlike me.

I wish everyone a safe journey and I look forward to meeting you all. At least by the time I see everyone I'll have a little color and not be so New England ghost-like.

 

[sheilacat]

I filled out my docs, see you all by the shrimp, with no fear of unsightly stains!
1 week to go, just have to make it through my stores opening on Monday and I'm free to go!

Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!

Have a wonderful, safe trip Lynn. See you there!

Rae, I sent your Mom a belated b-day card, glad she had a nice day. Thanks too for all the great packing tips, especially the antibacterial wipes. love that one!


We are going to St John's Trunk, St Martin Dolphin swim and Hubby and the kids are going fishing on CC. Glad to hear that some of you have the same ideas.

See you all soon!
Sheila

 

[ehtpnt]

Lynn-- Have a great time at WDW. Hope the packing goes well and nothing gets forgotten. See you in 10 days!

I only have 4 days of laundry and then I'm off one and then we're outa here. And to top it all off Spring seems to have arrived at last. Of course the way this year has gone so far we will have sleet or somesuch tomorrow.

I have the dog tonight, girls are at a concert at a local bar. So I'll talk to you all later. Estelle