April 17, 2004 -- anyone going with us?

[rae519]

Linda, thanks for owing up to the name! I love that story, "The Bats"! Funny! Amazing how kids will say things thinking they are being so clever and it's something we wish they wouldn't say!! When Kayla was about 5, I was in a play with a woman I didn't care much for but Kayla really liked. Kayla said to her, "I don't know why my Mommy doesn't like you. You are so nice!" And to this woman's credit her reply, "Honey, it's not that your mommy doesn't like me. We are both strong women and have strong opinions that sometimes don't agree. And that's okay because we can agree to disagree."

She is now a good friend and I learned a lesson - you can agree to disagree!

So are you now friends with the Bats?!

Jan - thank you for saying that since you know us all so well, it means a lot to me to have your words to live with. God bless you!

Just can't wait til our cruise - we did priceline and are at the Holiday Inn at MCO, taking the Happy Limo to the Port in the AM.

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Oh Jan, You know the shoulder is always available. And I know what you were going through at Thanksgiving. Don't worry about not sayin anything. I understood, you know that.

Nice of Jan to say I lost lots of weight. It wasn't really that much although I do have to wear my Star Trek belt with more pairs of pants than I used to. I think that having the two knee replacements took a bunch of weight off. You know stainless steel weighs less than bone. LOL Any way you can all recognize me I'll be the one with the 7 inch scars up my knees, and putting off the bells and whistles at security. Hope they don't kneed (Haha) to xray them, before they let me on board. I had a nightmare about that the other night.

Weather wasn't as bad as expected...yet. We got about 1/2 to an inch of snow. This morning there was very light sort of rain. But tomorrow they are forecasting more snow and then sleet, freezing rain, or possibly heavy ice. Went to the grocery store this morning and stocked up. Yeah got cat litter and all the things Rae got. So we're ready too.

Talk to you all later. Estelle

 

[rae519]

Amazing what you think of when you are concerned about being stuck inside your house for any length of time......my Mother's first words were, "Do you have enough toilet paper?" I think that's up there with "wear clean underwear in case you get into an accident"!!!

For those who want to go to brunch and or High Tea - I need to have your full name and stateroom number. You can pm me.

I plan to be one of the first on the ship even if I have to sit there from 10AM til boarding - I will get my Palo reservations this time for dinner, brunch AND high tea or else!

Rae

 

[lsutigger2]

Hi everyone! I had checked in a couple of weeks ago, have been keeping up with everyone's news, but haven't posted since I've been too busy - Yucky!! But it does make that count down counter go faster - NOT!!

luv2dream - we had chatted once on the DVC board, and I remember that your DH is a golf fan. Is your DH planning on trying to play golf?? Don't know if mine is, can't get him to read any cruise materials yet! Told him he can't go if he doesn't read the stuff! but would love to hook up with you sometimes during the trip so they can "golf talk".

Know you guys don't want to hear this, but in the south today the weather was probably 65 or 70, had to turn the AC on this afternoon for a while! It is suppose to be 35 tonight and 25 tomorrow night. I feel for you!

Take care - Oh, a question?? Can you pay for your on ship charges with Disney Reward Dollars at the end of the cruise?? Sure hope so, we have quite a few accummulated and wanted to use them for that.

Rae - remember dogs/cats/and young children are usually right. But I admire you for your acknowledgement that the future DIL may not be what you would have picked, but there is something there for your son. I have a cousin who married someone who no one else could understand why and they've been married a long time and have a grandbaby now!

 

[rae519]

Welcome back lsutigger2!!! Ohh no, you had to turn on the A/C?!
Poor baby! All we have to do is walk out the back door to cool off!!! BRRRRR!

I got my Disney Rewards card in the mail today - 275 Dollars that I plan to use as payment for tips, miscellaneous purchases on the ship. Yes, they do add up - I put everything on the card, groceries, gas, and as long as I pay it off monthly, I have no interest accrued so it's a wonderful program. We used to use Discover but I have to be loyal to DCL!!

Regarding their relationship, for whatever reason they are together, it's been three years so far - God must have a reason for it!

Rae

 

[dianthus]

No, Mrs Bat didn't like her name, but Batman thought it was a hoot! Their huge dog ( over 200 lbs ) running unleashed crashed through our screened in porch one summer evening trying to go after our cat... Needless to say, that didn't help things any... They moved about 3 yrs, ago & we got really nice new neighbors that never shut their lights off. He works for an energy company- kinda ironic isn't it?

LSUtigger2- A/C!!!! Wow, Look at all the money we're saving on A/C -freezin' our butts off for free up here! Now heating is another story...I am very jealous of you & the sunny south! We are expected to get 12" inches or more before the storm is over tomorrow, or Wednesday. Since we buy toilet paper at Costco by the boatload, we are prepared for anything! CC is not soon enough... How many days Estelle?

I don't use Disney Visa. I must be the only Diser that doesn't. I got the inaugural offer + 50,000,000 mailings since, but I have given the mouse enough money... I use Amex for everything & had enough points for 2 free Delta tickets, so I'm happy. Considering the fares were $481 each, I'm pleased I had the miles... I did book this trip a little late... But I'm glad we did.

Rae~ I pm'd you

Have a good one!

~ Linda

 

[ehtpnt]

80 DAYS TODAY!!!


A/C what's that? Oh yeah I remember that's that thing you turn on if it gets hot. Haven't thought about that in monthes. Just watched the PP&L (electric company) bill climb higher and higher. Thinking about CC does help though.

Ah yes neighbors, we have great ones on one side and not so great on the other. All three houses have Invisible Fencing for our dogs. Only trouble is that one side it isn't working and they don't seem to care that their dogs are in our yard and all the other neighbors yards too. DH is talking about putting up a temp. fence. They also have two cats that are outdoors all the time. Well maybe not all the time but most, as are the dogs. They have 5 children too, at least they keep the kids inside. And I have to admit that they don't have loud parties. But checking every time we put our dog out is a pain.


Linda-- you are not the only Diser who doesn't use the Disney Visa. We don't have one either. Several years ago my sister in law mentioned that she had an LL Bean Visa. Since I do a lot of shopping there and visit at least once a year I talked Phil into getting one. Love those 10 dollar certificates.


Rae-- as soon as I get the room numbers and names I will pm you. By the way I have to admit that I was the DiL from hell for Phils' mother. I was divorced and had two children. Oh Horrors. The day we got married she told my mothers' best friend, who had known me all my life, that " He's making the worst mistake of his life." I got lucky however, Phils' brother married one considered even worse. Besides by that time my MIL
had discovered that I made a great place to complain about the men in her life. And it will be 30 years in September so she was wrong about the mistake.

Off to check the Weather Channel, see how much white stuff we are going to get. So far it is 5 to10 inches. Well at least we shouldn't have a drought this summer.

Estelle

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by ehtpnt
By the way I have to admit that I was the DiL from hell for Phils' mother. I was divorced and had two children. Oh Horrors. The day we got married she told my mothers' best friend, who had known me all my life, that " He's making the worst mistake of his life." I got lucky however, Phils' brother married one considered even worse. Besides by that time my MIL
had discovered that I made a great place to complain about the men in her life. And it will be 30 years in September so she was wrong about the mistake. Estelle

Sounds like we have a lot in common - 22 years ago I was Tom's mother's worst nightmare - a woman who had been in the military, divorced with a child! Didn't matter that I had a new car that was paid for, a house full of furniture, no bills plus a nice bank account AND I was a Registered Nurse!!!

Like I told her, it didn't matter if she liked me or I liked her, I loved her son and he loved me - and that was all that was important. (Gee, sounds like some good advise for me about my future DIL, ehhhhh?????)

Rae

 

[JLSE50]

Sounds like a lot of us got off to less than great starts with our in-laws---

We were "too young" to get married. Both sets of parents agreed on that even though they never met each other until the weekend of the wedding. (We were both 20 and in college.)

I found out later that MY MOTHER asked my BEST FRIEND FROM HIGH SCHOOL when they were driving to my shower what is done with the gifts if the marriage folds after a month.
!! A month !! My mother!!
Gee--hmmm--in August it was 34 years. But I do have the list of who gave us what so I know who to send them back to if it folds....

I was so happy that I wanted to cry at my wedding but I knew that if I did, my Dad would walk down the aisle and tell people that the wedding was off as I was being forced into it.

At least we did not have any major confrontations, but we did have some skepticism and coolness. My folks would call me in the morning at college and ask me "How I could do this to them?" I went to classes crying. All I wanted was to get married. [Now I wonder what they would have done if I told them we wanted to move in together.... ]

A year later, the aforementioned Best High School buddy told her parents that she and her intended were going to elope the next weekend. Her folks said not to do anything, come visit like normal and they would talk. In that week they figured out how to pull off a wedding, gowns and reception, between Christmas and New Years. Turns out that is when they wanted to get married but knew if they suggested that, based on my experience, they would be badgered into waiting until June.

Parents are such funny people.

It makes sense to recall these events when we deal with our own kids--thanks for the insight Rae.

We got 4 to 6 inches of snow. How is everyone else doing?

Jan

 

[rae519]

Amazing how we "all made it" past that ill fated prediction from our loved ones and future in-laws!

Got about 5 inches here total - no big deal, but wind makes it worse on the country roads. US 31 is clear though. NOt crazy about getting out in it since some people don't realize that they have to drive slower and safer on the roads that are snowcovered.

Got my taxes done and ready to mail out!!!! Now ask me what I am going to do with my refund?!!!

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Hey maybe we should start a thread for DISers whose in laws didn't like them.
Was going to post yesterday but middle daughter arrived from work with news of a nasty virus going thru all the computers. Somehow connected to emails. So we stayed off the computer until DH down loaded the virus tables. And by then I couldn't get near the computer.
Depending on where you are in our yard we got 6 to 8 (front yard) or 10 to 12 (back yard). Doberman wants to go to CC RIGHT NOW!! Yeah she says she knows there's a cat there. Even that would be preferable to SNOW.
Rae--read the thread about the invitational cruise in 2005. Laughed as I thought to myself yeah she won't invite me. I'd eat all the shrimp. But would sign up in a heart beat if I thought I could persuade DH that we should do a third cruise. Now if it turned out they were moving the ship to California for DLs' anniversary, and going to do Alaska. That might just work.


Rae-- NO ONE finishes their taxes before February 1st. Congratulations!!! Very impressive. I know what you are going to do with your refund... buy shrimp to bring on the cruise...

Estelle

 

[dianthus]

Hi Everyone!

I read a thread the other day where someone said they were putting some kind of spices on the shrimp at the embarkation buffet... hmmmmm Hope it's good! You guys can have most of the shrimp- we just want a few. Now talk to Taylor & I about the lobster tails... That's where we get greedy! ( and chocolate lava cake too! )

We got about 12" of snow, but it stopped earlier than expected, so this is good. Started about 9PM, but came down very heavy for a while... My plow guy did an outstanding job, so we're in good shape. So, no Ann Morin style hits have been issued! My driveway is a bit more than a quarter mile long, so we're at his mercy, even though we do have 4 wheel drive on both cars. Haven't left the house yet, but I wonder if our mailbox is still standing. Last storm, a new plow guy from the City took out every mailbox on the street! It looked like carnage up and down the road- LOL! At least the City comes & fixes them!

Wow! Taxes are done! I'm impressed. I don't get everything I need until July every year! I'm always on extension to August!

I would love it if they do a California Baja/Alaska route for 2005. I was thinking this is the last Magic cruise for us for a while, as the RCCL & HAL ships look so nice & friends rave about them too. I would definitely be up for a new route though! I rented some of our points this time to pay for this cruise. I couldn't believe how quick and smooth it went. So if that happens, I'm definitely booking cash & renting points to pay for it- it's much cheaper. Rae~ your "invitational B day thread" is a hoot. So many people are so serious, aren't they?...

Doug & I just celebrated our 25th in November ( on the Magic). About 15 minutes before I was going to walk down the aisle my MIL to be came up to me & said " There's still time to back out you know. Do you really want to get stuck with him?..." Jokingly, of course...I've been very fortunate, as we hit it off since day one & have a great relationship. We lost my FIL 2 years ago & I truly felt like I lost my Dad all over again. My parents also loved my DH from day one too. I think based on your stories & those of many of my friends, this is the exception & this is not the norm. I am very grateful, as our relationships with them has enriched our life together. Rae~ Pehaps this girl will realize what she has in you & your DH & will come around. If she truly loves your son, she'll make it work.

Have a good day!

~ Linda

 

[rae519]

Okay, I'll confess.

With our tax refund and a few dollars from savings, we are paying for our son's honeymoon. They are flying from Indy to San Juan, Puerto Rico and cruising for 7 nights around the Islands.

So just how "awful" can we be?!!!!

I am starting my Mom's taxes tonight - by the way. Just an obsessive personality disorder with me - have to do! Do! DO!
(tee hee hee - potty humor!)

By the way, if anyone cares - the "By Invitation Only" in my signature for the "Andy and Rae" cruise is a joke. But if you want to believe that Andy and I are going to rent the entire ship for our birthday celebration, then please do so - but either way, you can come along when we figure out where and when we are going (up to Disney right now to put the remainder of the 2005 dates on).

Michael shovelled our two car garage driveway (about 5 inches of snow accumulated) - what a kid!! I tried to give him $5.00 and he said, "Mom, I don't need to be paid to do things as part of the family." I think I'm going to cry!

Anyone else staying at Holiday Inn at the Airport besides us?

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Rae--sounds like Michael is a definate keeper. Unfortunately our DDs are a bit too old for him. At 37, 35 and 23 they are way old in his view. Can you be my mil? I'd like a free honeymoon and I'm way nicer... Actually my DH and I had a very nice honeymoon when we got married. Nova Scotia is a beautiful place. Nice enough that we went back for our 25th anniversary. This year will be the 30th and I haven't heard anything about any special trips so maybe that cruise next year... You know the one where you have taken over the whole boat...!
The weathe continues bitter cold even with the Sun out, and very windy. So of course we have blowing/drifting snow. And now to top it all off they are forecasting rain for Monday. I may go into hibernation and not come out until Easter. Just in time to leave on the cruise. Hey that sounds like a really neat plan.

Unfortunately it won't work. I still have to do the day care laundry every day. Oh well the dream was nice while it lasted.

Talk to you all later. Estelle

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by ehtpnt
special trips so maybe that cruise next year... You know the one where you have taken over the whole boat...!
Estelle

Oh please do think about joining us! It is dependent upon Andy's daughter's school schedule so it will most probably be summertime (not my favorite time of year to cruise, but a child's education is more important).

We have had about another 1/2" of snow accumulating this morning on the ground - steady and light so it will pile up. I used to love winter, but as time passes (read AGE here), I am finding that I like it and tolerate it less and less.

Well, since I finished our taxes, I am starting on Mom's today. Hope she does as well. I told her that if she would just adopt a couple of kids, she'd be fine....(I'm an only child) - she laughed.
She is on the no white flour, no sugar diet right now and doing well. She is also only about 10 lbs overweight, so where did I get my fat genes from?!!!

Back to guzzling black coffee.....

Also, my bladder repair surgery is 2/2 so prayers would be appreciated - it's an overnight stay only, but still....I would greatly appreciate them.

Rae

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Hi everyone! I am not going to be on your cruise, but I wanted to let you know that I will be sending you of at the dock. I am sailing on the April 18th Wonder and it is our intention to be arriving at the Radisson Saturday afternoon, so we can see you guys off.

Can you believe only 12 weeks?

 

[dianthus]

Rae ~ Prayers, good thoughts & pixie dust coming your way. 2/2/04 is a good date- 2+2=4 Good luck!


12 weeks- wow! Disney1fan2002 you'll have to go over to - I think it's Grill's & have a drink & wave to us as we sail away! It'll be fun for you, as you'll be doing the same thing the next day!

~Linda

 

[rae519]

Thanks Linda - and Disney1fan2002, I wish we could take you with us instead of waving good bye to you! Maybe if you are somewhere along the way with a sign we can take a picture of you from the ship - hey, just a thought!!!!

Okay, folks, winter has to be over soon - 12 Saturdays away.....now will I ever last?!

Rae

 

[JLSE50]

RAE: Keep us posted on the surgery and recovery. Know that you have a fan club and prayer chain going!

Originally posted by rae519
Disney1fan2002, I wish we could take you with us instead of waving good bye to you! Maybe if you are somewhere along the way with a sign we can take a picture of you from the ship - hey, just a thought!!!!

Maybe Disney1fan2002 can stand at the railing at THE GRILL and take a picture of the ship leaving. If a bunch of you stand on deck 10 starboard by the fore funnel (red smoke stack) she could take that picture and then post it on your thread for you to retrieve when you get back. You can take her picture and post it here too. You will recognize each other as there will be a person in each picture holding a camera to her (his) face.

The thermometer says it is 70 degrees in here. I have the gas log burning, and am wearing a sweater which is topped with a fleece vest from my DS#2's college Taylor University, and a Disney blanket around my shoulders and back and I am freezing. What's wrong with me?

Jan

 

[DisneyDmom]

My DD(16) and I are going with you! This is our very first cruise and we can't wait!