Aug 03 2008 Magic (West Coast)

[dleyel]

IceSk8ersMom, good luck and have fun with the party! Can't imagine planning a party on top of packing for a week long trip. What a wonderful week+ this will be for your family!

vossjemi, isn't it amazing how things work out? We're doing the dolphin swim through DCL, but your tour in the wild sounds great, too. I can't wait to hear all about it.

We just went over to Downtown Disney to get a pirate costume for DS9's bear at Build-A-Bear. I'd bought DD6 one for her bear for her birthday in June. I should have figured DS9 would want one too. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, but we've been so busy this summer. We were pretty much in and out with a quick stop at the Lego store. Took an hour and 15 minutes including a stop for gas. We're all dressing up for pirate night (except my in-laws who just have pirate shirts), so I guess the bears will be making public appearances that night.

I didn't make pedicure appointments for us, although I have a hair appt in the morning and the boys have haircut appts tomorrow afternoon. I'll just have to do our toes myself, so no pretty flowers for us.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

we're doing pedicures today too!! DDs are very excited.

My toes are pretty. And my DD's toes and nails are lovely. She got her eyebrows waxed for the first time. Wow! What a change. She looks older

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

The pedicure places in SoCal will be hopping today! That's our plan too. My girls are pretty excited as well. DD5(6) is counting the days.

We won't be staying overnight in San Pedro, so we plan to get up very early, eat breakfast on the road, and get to the port around 10:00 am as well. At least, that is the plan. Based on our record, we never make it to Disneyland before noon. So, this is very ambitious for us! Pixie dust please. We'll need it.

M&C

If your family is like mine, usually before a trip they are too excited too sleep so getting up is no issue. I am sending you a whole bunch of pixie dust. Maybe, we'll meet at the port at 10:00 A.M.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I think you are right! We had actually decided against caletas/marietas (too long...7 hours). So it was either walk to Krystal and let the children play in pools/water stuff while dh & I took turns getting massages, get on waitlist for Pirate Ship, or possibly a wild dolphin excursion if we could find one.

Well, guess what? Open Air Expeditions, the company I was originally trying to do wild dolphins with found me another group of biologists who have an open tour. Yeah!!! Its $65pp, but $ goes to research and preservation. They have a little class in the beginning in a classroom to teach the kids all about the dolphins. Then, off we go to search Banderas Bay. I realize there is no guarantee we'll find them, but I'm told that there are several pods who live in the Bay so its not normally a problem (but then my dh is 1 out of 3 on deep sea fishing trips too!). Anyway, I'm so excited now that we found what we really wanted to do in the first place. You are right! Things happen for a reason. Now, I just have to convince my kids its going to be ok and no sharks will be out to get them. They caught a little of Shark Week last night and now are swearing they won't get in the water! LOL

I am so happy for you that it all worked out for you. How exciting is it interacting with dolphins in their natural habitat.


Enjoy your excursion.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

IceSk8ersMom, good luck and have fun with the party! Can't imagine planning a party on top of packing for a week long trip. What a wonderful week+ this will be for your family!

vossjemi, isn't it amazing how things work out? We're doing the dolphin swim through DCL, but your tour in the wild sounds great, too. I can't wait to hear all about it.

We just went over to Downtown Disney to get a pirate costume for DS9's bear at Build-A-Bear. I'd bought DD6 one for her bear for her birthday in June. I should have figured DS9 would want one too. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, but we've been so busy this summer. We were pretty much in and out with a quick stop at the Lego store. Took an hour and 15 minutes including a stop for gas. We're all dressing up for pirate night (except my in-laws who just have pirate shirts), so I guess the bears will be making public appearances that night.

I didn't make pedicure appointments for us, although I have a hair appt in the morning and the boys have haircut appts tomorrow afternoon. I'll just have to do our toes myself, so no pretty flowers for us.

It is overwhelming at times if I think about the entire picture. So I break it down. Today is food and cooking; tomorrow is banking and setting up; and Saturday is the party, and Sunday is the trip. I am just thankful that I packed earlier; we could leave right now.

You are so lucky that you were able to visit Downtown Disney. I wanted to go this week for dinner and fireworks to get into the Disney Mood, but it did not work out that way.

I also love Build A Bear! I cannot wait to see your DD's pirate bear.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

I am just trying to bump this threat to another page.




I am determined to get to 50! My DH says that when I set my mind on something there is no stopping me, so when I could not get online this morning, I woke him up to fix it quick.




No more work for 11 Days! I am so looking forward to this vacation. This is my first year as an administrator so since I've graduated from college I've only worked 10 months! Now, I work 12 months, and it is an adjustment. My mind has been programmed to not work when it is HOT! This retraining is difficult!





I look forward to meeting you all, and I cannot believe it is almost here.






Does anybody have any interesting stories to share about their cruise prep experiences?

 

[dleyel]

IceSk8ersMom, I admire your determination with getting this thread to 50, especially with all you have going on. So I'll try to help you out.

It would have been nice to spend more time at Downtown Disney to get more in the mood, but I was in a hurry to get home as we hadn't had lunch and I didn't want to eat there. Since we'll be "eating out" all next week, I figured I should save the money and eat at home. Plus I still had more errands to do. Finally got all the FE gifts purchased, now just have to put them together.

I'll try to post more later after I get some laundry and other stuff done around the house.

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

I am just trying to bump this threat to another page.


Does anybody have any interesting stories to share about their cruise prep experiences?

Besides visiting the message boards and posting occasionally, my cruise prep so far has been limited to gathering some of our clothes, shopping for last minute necessities and gathering a few toiletries. I'm hoping to actually begin packing tomorrow. Waiting until now hasn't really been by choice. First, I decided to become an Avon representative since many members in my family like the products, but haven't been able to find a reliable "Avon Lady". Then, I decided to go back to school, online, for my Masters. I didn't think much of it until I found out that my first day of "class" would be July 29th. So, I've spent the last month applying, learning all I can about the program, ordering the textbook, downloading the reading materials, etc...all before class started on Tuesday. So now, I'm posting answers to discussion questions and writing graduate papers. And the best part is...I get to do it while I'm on the ship too, because it's only a 3 week class, so I can't miss anything!! Yippee!! Because of all this, and some other unexpected events, packing just hasn't made it to the top of my list! You'll know me on Monday...I'll be the frazzled one with the laptop!
Boy...do I need a vacation!!
Nancy

 

[BabyFavorite]

Must be the day for pedicures! I had one today, too. You'll all be able to see me a mile away with my obnoxious hot pink toes! My husband said he'd hoped I'd pick something classy.

My daughter (8) gets a manicure tomorrow, but I think I'll be doing her pedicure myself.

I can't believe it's almost TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

My toes are pretty. And my DD's toes and nails are lovely. She got her eyebrows waxed for the first time. Wow! What a change. She looks older

I want my toes to be pretty...but I'm not sure when I'll have time to get a pedicure!

Nancy

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

IceSk8ersMom, I admire your determination with getting this thread to 50, especially with all you have going on. So I'll try to help you out.

It would have been nice to spend more time at Downtown Disney to get more in the mood, but I was in a hurry to get home as we hadn't had lunch and I didn't want to eat there. Since we'll be "eating out" all next week, I figured I should save the money and eat at home. Plus I still had more errands to do. Finally got all the FE gifts purchased, now just have to put them together.

I'll try to post more later after I get some laundry and other stuff done around the house.

Thanks for the encouragement. Go 50 Pages!

Laundry NEVER seems to end. I am doing laundry so we have clothes when we get back to wear.

We are trying to eat in too. Since there will be plenty of food next week, we are trying to eat healthy.

I just completed my last errand for the party this evening. OOPS! I forgot about the ice that we need to get Saturday morning. But oh well, errands are pretty much done.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Besides visiting the message boards and posting occasionally, my cruise prep so far has been limited to gathering some of our clothes, shopping for last minute necessities and gathering a few toiletries. I'm hoping to actually begin packing tomorrow. Waiting until now hasn't really been by choice. First, I decided to become an Avon representative since many members in my family like the products, but haven't been able to find a reliable "Avon Lady". Then, I decided to go back to school, online, for my Masters. I didn't think much of it until I found out that my first day of "class" would be July 29th. So, I've spent the last month applying, learning all I can about the program, ordering the textbook, downloading the reading materials, etc...all before class started on Tuesday. So now, I'm posting answers to discussion questions and writing graduate papers. And the best part is...I get to do it while I'm on the ship too, because it's only a 3 week class, so I can't miss anything!! Yippee!! Because of all this, and some other unexpected events, packing just hasn't made it to the top of my list! You'll know me on Monday...I'll be the frazzled one with the laptop!
Boy...do I need a vacation!!
Nancy

Avon Lady and Student...Wow, you do need a vacation! My hat goes off to you. I received my special education and my administrative credentials at National University. They were online programs. The format was similar to your program. I wish you all the best with doing your school work during the cruise. Last year when we were in Europe, Clayton was in school. He was typing on his laptop as he looked out at Mount Vesuvius from deck 9.

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Must be the day for pedicures! I had one today, too. You'll all be able to see me a mile away with my obnoxious hot pink toes! My husband said he'd hoped I'd pick something classy.

My daughter (8) gets a manicure tomorrow, but I think I'll be doing her pedicure myself.

I can't believe it's almost TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pedicurists all over California loved us today. Even though hot pink is one of my favorite colors, I selected pearl. Basically, my toes just look shiny, and there is no true color. It was somewhat of a disappointment, but I had a meeting; so I had no time for a redo.

I hope your daughter enjoys her manicure. I glad to hear that she is doing better. I cannot wait to meet her. Is your husband feeling better?

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

7 More Pages until the MAGIC number! I am so happy to be almost in the mid-forties.

Almost 2 days left to our MAGICAL voyage!

0 days left of work! Today was certificated and classified contract 101 for new administrators. My mind was ready to explode. I am so glad that I am on vacation. I need some time to recover. Wait...No relaxation time here. Now, I am thee Party Planner.

Just returned from purchasing the last of the last items for the big party. We took all the party supplies to my parents' this evening. So the only mess that is left is the luggage. The bags are still in the office and living room. Cannot wait to get them out of here on Sunday morning, then my house will appear to be clean.

Since we do not have to be at my mom's until 2:00 P.M. tomorrow, we are sleeping in!

I will touchbase with you all tomorrow.

FYI--In 25 minutes I will be able to hear the fireworks from Disneyland, and I will be wondering how many of our fellow cruisers are there living that Magical Experience.

 

[BabyFavorite]

Pedicurists all over California loved us today. Even though hot pink is one of my favorite colors, I selected pearl. Basically, my toes just look shiny, and there is no true color. It was somewhat of a disappointment, but I had a meeting; so I had no time for a redo.

I hope your daughter enjoys her manicure. I glad to hear that she is doing better. I cannot wait to meet her. Is your husband feeling better?

You're so sweet to ask.

YES, she's doing MUCH better! My husband is walking with a cane, but he is probably 70% better. Thank you for asking!

Can't wait to meet you guys!!

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

Here's the updated list for our meeting on Monday, Aug. 4th at 10:00 at Topsiders:

DL_DCA_fans
amanuensis
Icesk8ersMom
sylnbry
M&C
MNDisFans
FirstTimer
dleyel
DisneyMom92
HeelMD
vossjemi
mvan
BabyFavorite

Anyone else??? We'd love to meet you!

 

[IceSk8ersMom]

Well, sleeping in was 4:00 A.M. My mind is just filled with party details, and if not party details, my mind is cruising.



Today, we are setting up; hopefully, the rental furniture arrives somewhat on time. The delivery window is 2-4. I requested delivery as close to 2:00 P.M. as possible.



I am also going to meet with Nic's parents to get her cruise documents in order. They had to get a DCL paper notarized. And we are also going over the rules with the girls and both sets of parents so there is no confusion later. I typed the rules to be posted in our stateroom (just a friendly reminder). As my DH said, once a teacher always a teacher.




I do not know what my DH did after I went to bed last night, but his suitcase is open and many of his clothing items are spread out all over the sofa.



I think I may go to the gym to work off this anxiety that I feel. I just want tomorrow to be very special for my parents. I am not too worried about the Renewal Ceremony. How can you go wrong with Disney? When it comes to planning a party, they are the experts! I am just glad that your party is
first !



BabyFavorite: I am so happy for you and your family. I am glad everybody's health has improved.



DLDCA FANS: Thanks for organizing the meet on Monday. I appreciate it even more after you shared all that you presently have going on.

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

so I got a head start on packing a few weeks back. couldn't stand the waiting. i figured if I packed some then it'd seem closer. bad idea. I forgot exactly what was packed and what I still needed. so had to take everything out of the bags, take a recount on what was there, and start over. At least it kept me busy, this count down is agonizing! 2 more days...

 

[DL_DCA_fans]

DLDCA FANS: Thanks for organizing the meet on Monday. I appreciate it even more after you shared all that you presently have going on.

Thank you. Bob has helped a lot too...we take turns updating the list, and he made the table tent signs today...but I did buy the stick-on name tags myself!

I hope your party goes well and everyone has a wonderful time.

Nancy

 

[vossjemi]

Packed/driving up to Grandma's tonight. Flight tomorrow. Last time checking in. See you all there!