April 19, 2008 - Western - VERY Early Roll Call - Anyone??!!

[Hypermommy]

Marion, you looked quite beautiful in your wedding gone and Michael, you looked quite handsome too. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I'm sorry I didn't get to meet Connie. I kept missing her by minutes

Yeah, I didn't see Connie very much either. Wonder where she kept herself? But then again, I did get to know Marion quite well. I know that smoking's a dangerous thing and bad on so many levels, but I gotta tell you, you meet some great people when you spend time together every morning over coffee and a smoke

Sorry I haven't gotten the photo out. Been pretty bad right now.
Wifes car died, and had to go sign my life away for another. Work
has been bad, and trying to keep mortgage company off my back.
I will get the photo done, and out to everyone very soon.

Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!! You don't worry about the photo. It'll get out when it gets out. You've got much bigger fish to fry right now. Tons of prayers and pixie dust heading your way right now!!!

 

[AddictedtoMickey]

Am I the only one who still checks this thread daily hoping there are going to be more entries?

I've read the trip reports, enjoyed them all!

It is kind of depressing that after a year of reading a very 'active' thread, our trip is over. We had a fantastic time and wouldn't have changed anything.

Well, maybe a few things, we thought the kid's graduation was Friday so they missed 'graduating' on Thursday! Also, I thought all of the martini tastings, beer tastings, etc. were free. No big deal, just a rookie mistake. And one more thing, our Dismeet. It was great meeting everyone but I wish we planned some more events together (with the kids) as the week went on.

We actually spent about 8 days at WDW at the end of the cruise. It would have been too depressing to head home

I did book another cruise for Dec. 2009 but will probably push it to April 2010. Maybe some of you will be on the same cruise?

And if you're wondering about whether anyone is reading our thread, you know I'll be checking

Take care everyone, it was great meeting all of you. Even if it was only briefly. Hypermommy and all of the 'organizers' of our thread, thanks for all your hard work! It was a great year leading up to our big trip.

Frank

 

[Hypermommy]

Nope, you're not the only one. I don't get to check threads as often as I'd like these days (too busy scrapping the trip and working on other designs) but I do check it still. Actually, from what I've read about other cruises, the fact that we're even still getting hits on our thread six weeks after the cruise is rather amazing. You're right, it's a great group of people!!!

You lucky dog booking another cruise. I've tried everything I can think of to talk King Charming into that. But he's probably right. I know he'd like to go on another cruise too but our wallets just won't permit it. Maybe once we get the continual-eating-machines moved out of the house, we'll have a bit more disposable income I'll keep checking the thread too. I've enjoyed meeting everyone and would still like to know what's going on in your lives.

Speaking of which, DS14 joined the Young Marines recently and LOVES it. But his CO told him something the other day that I didn't like AT ALL. He's got these 4-6 little short hairs on his chin and the CO told him he needed to form a closer friendship with Mr. Gillette. Did you hear what I said?!?! My baby needs to shave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How come they keep growing up and I'm still 21?

School ended yesterday around here. At least traditional school did. I've decided to homeschool DS14 again so he'll be taking classes over the summer. But DS12 thinks he's done for the summer. Of course I've told him (although he doesn't believe me) that he will be doing some learning over the summer. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see schools go year round. We don't need to give the kids months at a time off for them to forget everything they learned. And I don't need them home in the summertime to help pull in the crop. So they should go to school year round! Anyway... mine will be doing something over the summer.

What do you guys have planned for the summer?

 

[MassDisLovers]

I still check, too. Not as compulsively as I once did, but I try to check in every few days. The "subscribing" notification seems to be hit or miss at best, so sometimes I'm pleasantly surpirsed when I check and someone has posted.

School doesn't get out here until June 19th. Watch what you say about year-round schools, Hypermommy, remember we have a lot of teachers on this thread! Meaghan graduates tonight at 6:00. Three down and one to go! She is going to college in the fall to be a teacher.......maybe she'll be teaching in a year-round school someday!

In the JrROTC (Marines) that Kelly is in the boys are allowed to have their hair long(er) for the first year, then they have to have a pretty short cut. They always have to be clean- shaven. For liberally-thinking parents like us, Hypermommy all the rules and regulations are sometimes a bit much. But she loves the program and the structure is really good for her. I'm interested to hear that you've decided to homeschool your older son. Send me an e-mail anytime around that issue if you think I can offer any thoughts!

Hope everyone is well -

Karen

 

[rantnnravin]

Watch what you say about year-round schools, Hypermommy, remember we have a lot of teachers on this thread!

YEAH!! Remember that pic of me when I got the DCL litho??!! I'd look like that permanently if I had to deal with 14-15 year olds all year-round

 

[rantnnravin]

For those fiending for more, I've started our trip-report:
the PiRANTs in the Caribbean

 

[Hypermommy]

For those fiending for more, I've started our trip-report:
the PiRANTs in the Caribbean

Woot! This should be a really good one!!!

And, since I finally found three unclaimed moments to string together, I was able to get a scan of the wonderful litho that Karen was kind enough to send me. Now we can all see why rantn had that look on her face. Shoot, we all wanted that litho!!!!

Thanks Karen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, I think the rules and regs are going to be a good thing for James. I'm too much of a free spirit for this kind of thing and I think the same would go for Joey. But for James, he's eating up the structure. And his CO said something to him the other night about failing 7th grade and how his only job right now is school and a Marine doesn't shirk his duty and all that stuff. It was really all the same stuff that I've told him before but maybe coming from his CO he'll listen a bit better.

I might just take you up on your offer of emailing you. The first one would be rather long becuase I'd have to give you the whole backstory. So if you see an email from me sit back with a cup of coffee. But we're using Florida Virtual as his homeschool curriculum. I love FLVS! James was there before and the only reason we pulled him out was because some guys came to the house asking for him by name. He'd apparently given out contact information online (not through the school) and we decided it wasn't safe for him to be home by himself anymore. But he's matured a bit in six months and we're ready to give this another try. I love the fact that he still has teachers and assignments and tests but he can work at his own pace (as long as he completes a certain number of assignments each week) and we can do it anywhere we want. And we don't have to deal with all the "stuff" (tried to find a good family-friendly word that would fit) that we have to with public school. I swear the more dealings I have with the public school system the less I like them. Ever give a listen to Pink Floyd's The Wall? I swear we're just putting these kids through a meat grinder.

Oh, and before I tick off all the teachers, I know it would be a huge adjustment for you guys to have to work year round. And I totally respect that you deal with all those kids on a regular basis -- I know I couldn't do it.... I'd have to knock a few heads together. But I do think it'd be much better for the kids and that's what cements my opinion. Worse for the teachers, maybe, but definitely better for the kids. And in my book any kid counts for any 10 adults.

Okay... I'll shut up now. Hopefully I haven't ticked you guys off too much.

 

[lilo62]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to check in. I'm bummed the thread has died down - how depressing. I do check in from time to time tho not as much.

All is well here it CT. Summer is proving to be a busy one. Just had DH's suprise 40th a few weeks ago - went off without a hitch! Fellow cruisers Anty andEd attended - always good to see them!

Really missing being on the cruise ship with you all - seems like so long ago!

I hope everyone is well

 

[AddictedtoMickey]

Glad the BDAY went off so well! I'm currently in St. John's Newfoundland training a bunch of air traffic controllers on new software. Actually missing my oldest daughter's 11th BDAY today...

Cold weather here, still icebergs in the water floating by occasionally. I sure would like to jump back to Key West or Grand Cayman right now to enjoy the heat!!!!

Hope everyone is well.

Frank

 

[anty30]

I miss all of you guys too. I wish we were still planning to go soon!

Gina & Jeff, as alwayas a blast. Lots of laughing at Jeffs big 40th.

It's off to work I go.

Ant

 

[Mass-cateer]

Did anyone notice the comic that we saw on the cruise in April (Heath Hyche) was on Last Comic Standing last night. In fact, he made it on to the next round, so I have to keep watching to see if he makes it.

 

[wdhinn89]

Yes, I saw it too. I posted it on the Cruise Line Forum and someone also said there was another comedian from their cruise on also. It was pretty cool seeing Heath on TV. My kids got pretty excited

 

[4newtocruise]

Hello, greetings and salutations!!!!! Hope everyone's begining of summer is going well. We are on a countdown till the kid's are out of school - 3 more days! It's funny, I can't wait for them to get out, then I can't wait for them to go back.

We still talk of our DC memories often and say we can't wait till we can go on another one. It will be a long time before we book again.

We bought the DVC when we were onboard, we are planning to go to WDW on 12/31 - 1/5. Can't wait.

Miss you all, talk to you soon.

Joan

 

[Hypermommy]

Wow! Y'all are still in school? Our guys got out at the end of May. But then again, they go back in midAugust... when do you?

 

[mom_rules]

Ours go back day after labor day.

 

[anty30]

Hi everyone. We are still in school too. Until Thurs.

Then summer can begin.

Friday we leave to go camping at Jellystone with 6 other families. It has become a tradition for all of us to kick off the summer season. 14 adults, 20 kids.
Of course we stay in a lodge, no tent for me!!!!!

In August we will hit Myrtle Beach which we do every year.

Then we go back to school right after Labor Day.

Still have our RCCL cruise booked for April break. Have not gotten airfare yet.

Hope you are all doing well. Miss being on the Magic and seeing friends.

 

[Hypermommy]

I love camping! (but I do the tent... you should see this 3 room tent I have and queensiized blow up mattress that sits up on legs like the fold out chairs).

And funny you should mention Myrtle Beach. Spent a lot of time there as a kid since I grew up in Columbia (middle of the state)

 

[lilo62]

Hey everyone!

Just checking in to say hello. Hope everyone's having a great summer so far. I feel like us New Englander's live in FLA with these thunderstorms almost every afternoon and the humidity!!!

We still are going to take a year off from cruising with DCL and are all set with trying Princess in May. We are excited and we know it's definitely going to be quite a different experience then what we are used to. But I'm looking forward to doing some things on board that aren't offered on dis ships.

We do miss everyone that we met on this cruise tho and hope we will have an opportunity to do it again sometime!

Joan - we should do a reunion for us who live close. I'll PM you my email addy.

 

[4newtocruise]

So nice to hear from you all!!

The kid's got out of school last Wednesday! My son graduated from Kindergarten, it was soooo cute!

Rebecca just went to her first overnight camp! I'm sooo stressed about it But she is having fun. She went with her gymnastics team. I think I need a drink. Did anyone say Bahama Mama!!!! You know I never got to have one?!?

Anyway, I'm glad you all are good!!!

-Joan

 

[anty30]

Hi Joan,

I remember when Ava went away to her first sleepaway camp.
This summer will be her 3rd time and she loves it. Gets alot out of it. Gains independance, learns how to make do with very little. She goes for 2 weeks only, thats enough.
Your daughter will love it. I am sure she is having a blast.

Antoinette