August 16, 2011, Disney Dream - Part 4

[elgerber]

Beth your dog is so darn cute!! How big is she?

 

[lovesDCL]

@Beth
Your dog is adorable!

 

[jenanderson]

Today's Update:

Magnets are now totally done - printed, laminated and magnets on back.
Went to the bank and finances are all in order and the right amount of cash is on hand.
Laundry is well under way - 3 loads done and the suitcases are open and being filled.
Went to Target - Done with DS school supplies, picked up treats for the cats, got the card and gift for the wedding this weekend.
Done at the High School - DD finished her last behind the wheel class and as soon as it was done we registered her for fall athletics.

Sad thing is....there is still so much to do!

I was going to go into school today and work on my classroom but have decided that I will stay home and work on the basement while I do laundry. The basement is holding all of my classroom stuff and I am sorting through it to see what should go to my new job, what should be saved in case I teach elementary again (this would be my goal in a couple of years) and what should be donated or thrown away. It is a huge job but one that has to get done.

Tonight DD has try-outs for her dance studio competitive line. She is spending the day practicing her dances. Emily will have to do one dance that her teacher choreographed and one that she did on her own along with her leaps and turn combinations. We will be crossing our fingers for her but she will not find out how she did until after the cruise.

Alright, tine to get back to chores. I hate to let up now since I feel like I am actually being pretty productive.

 

[lauriegs]

hi all! just got back from my cut/color, feel fabulous! going to work on packing shortly....

have you guys been watching the weather? I noticed on weather.com that they've got 3 "tropical waves" they're watching, but don't really see that on NOAA hurricane center...trying to think positive thoughts that we are going to have great weather!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[acomasdiaz]

We had a countdown chain too until, in one of her friskier moments, our goldendoodle grabbed it in her mouth and went running around the house. So our chain went kaput about 50 days ago!

Here's a picture of our shaggy countdown canine (since then she has had her summer cut!):

Beth

Too cute!

 

[acomasdiaz]

Jen - wishing Emily lots of luck tonight!

 

[kritter]

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy your days in FL before our cruise! We will see you soon!



We have also had the paper chain since 100 days out. It is so fun to see how short it is now!

Our chain only has one link left.. It is not even a chain anymore according to the girls!!

We decided to skip a Palo dinner this time because we wanted to have all our regular dining nights with the kids. It is hard to decide what to do on the shorter cruises. If you do have a chance to try for a night...I say go for the last night. DH and I did that one time and it was so nice walking around and just soaking it all in on that last night. We had a long dinner and then walked the decks when we were done. It was so peaceful. The down side to the last night is that you have to have all of your luggage ready and you might end up with all your nice Palo clothing stuffed in your carry on but it was my favorite night to have a Palo reservation.

We had a countdown chain too until, in one of her friskier moments, our goldendoodle grabbed it in her mouth and went running around the house. So our chain went kaput about 50 days ago!

Here's a picture of our shaggy countdown canine (since then she has had her summer cut!):

Beth

Your dog is soo cute!!

hi all! just got back from my cut/color, feel fabulous! going to work on packing shortly....

have you guys been watching the weather? I noticed on weather.com that they've got 3 "tropical waves" they're watching, but don't really see that on NOAA hurricane center...trying to think positive thoughts that we are going to have great weather!!!!!!!!!!!

I bet your hair looks great. Just got my nails and toes done....

I just checked the weather...http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Thanks for all of the doggie compliments. She is half English golden retriever and half miniature poodle. We thought she would be 30-45 lbs but she is almost 60lbs of boundless energy. She doesn't shed and we have no allergy issues. She is a great family dog and we will miss her on our vacation! We will be hunting around for a Mickey gift for her at DTD!!!!!!

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Your dog is soo cute!!



I bet your hair looks great. Just got my nails and toes done....

I just checked the weather...http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Hi Kristin, Did you do the gel thing? My nails are in such bad shape with all of the swimming this summer that I'm a bit embarrassed to walk into a nail salon! I do love French manicures though....

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Some more comments live from the Dream...

Computers - bring your own, or borrow a laptop from guest services...no more using ship computers...though response time is noticeably better...

Tall people...like me...a big negative to the seats in the theater...they have a ridge to support the seats in front cutting off leg room...and they slope down, so your full drinks will spill if they are in the cupholders...also, the showers are a bit tougher and the seats, except booths, at evolution are awful for tall people...

Palo - brunch was still very good and we have dinner there tomorrow...

Our wait staff has been excellent in main dining rotation

Mini-Golf is cute and fun...

Shutters - huge improvement here....they assign you a binder and you can check back for all your photos...they even use recognition software for beach shots and the like where they do not swipe your card....no more massive crowds trying to stare at the same pictures...

Women - nice cruise only Dooney / Bourke purses....yes Lisa already bought one....

Pirate night...place to view fireworks is deck 12 starboard...if you insist on being on deck 11, you will have a great view of the stage, which you can see just as well from deck 12, but you will also have a great view of the Aquaduck in front of those fireworks...

Fe's are now SE's if you are starboard...if you are port side you have a fish...if you are starboard, you have a seahorse...and if you are concierge, think the movie Titanic, b/c you have a locked gate blocking access to your rooms, but alas, that also means no FE/SE for you b/c no one can get there to deliver...

Pirate night show after fireworks was ok, but not spectacular..earlier show was rained out and held indoors so i cannot comment.

Chuck

 

[TiggerAllie]

This site makes it look like we are in the clear.. should get out of the Bahamas before anything develops there!

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/ghazards/index.php

 

[kritter]

This site makes it look like we are in the clear.. should get out of the Bahamas before anything develops there!

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/ghazards/index.php

Lets hope we are in the clear!!

 

[kritter]

Some more comments live from the Dream...

Computers - bring your own, or borrow a laptop from guest services...no more using ship computers...though response time is noticeably better...

Tall people...like me...a big negative to the seats in the theater...they have a ridge to support the seats in front cutting off leg room...and they slope down, so your full drinks will spill if they are in the cupholders...also, the showers are a bit tougher and the seats, except booths, at evolution are awful for tall people...

Palo - brunch was still very good and we have dinner there tomorrow...

Our wait staff has been excellent in main dining rotation

Mini-Golf is cute and fun...

Shutters - huge improvement here....they assign you a binder and you can check back for all your photos...they even use recognition software for beach shots and the like where they do not swipe your card....no more massive crowds trying to stare at the same pictures...

Women - nice cruise only Dooney / Bourke purses....yes Lisa already bought one....

Pirate night...place to view fireworks is deck 12 starboard...if you insist on being on deck 11, you will have a great view of the stage, which you can see just as well from deck 12, but you will also have a great view of the Aquaduck in front of those fireworks...

Fe's are now SE's if you are starboard...if you are port side you have a fish...if you are starboard, you have a seahorse...and if you are concierge, think the movie Titanic, b/c you have a locked gate blocking access to your rooms, but alas, that also means no FE/SE for you b/c no one can get there to deliver...

Pirate night show after fireworks was ok, but not spectacular..earlier show was rained out and held indoors so i cannot comment.

Chuck

Thanks,, for the update Chuck!! Hope the weather is GREAT for you!!

 

[sherreis]

Yea! I love pixie dust stories.

We have officially entered the 'clean out the frig because I am not going to the grocery store' phase.

And now the older two are only allowed to play Disney songs on the piano. I need The Tiki Room sheet music.

So, now I can't get the Tiki Room song out of my mind....
Good job on the cleaning out the fridge. We've been doing the same thing and keeipng a good eye on the garden to make sure we are picking everything that is ripe. Except that cantaloupe that is sitting out there and just won't ripen quick enough. I think my neighbors are going to get to enjoy it while we're gone.

Evening Kristin! I will have to come back on a bit later. It is time to go on a walk with my sister who is hear visiting....we are walking to go get ice cream! I love ice cream!

Just think .... next week, you can have all the soft-serve ice cream you want.

Haven't made as much progress with the actual packing, but we are doing a lot of laundry!

No mani pedis for Beth and I ...no time. We are going to buy some nail polish and do it ourselves.

Working all week is really messing up my pre-trip organizing! Yesterday after work we went and picked up Beth's new glasses, today was Ben's haircut, tomorrow we have to finish up the school supply list purchases. Hopefully Thursday I can devote to actually finalizing the suitcases!

Off to finish up our FEs!

I normally do my own nails too but have been getting the gels this summer to help my nails grow. I had a pedi in beginning of July to use my Mother's Day gift certificate so figured I would treat myself to some relaxation the day before we left.

As for work, it is sooooo hard to concentrate.

Today's Update:

Magnets are now totally done - printed, laminated and magnets on back.
Went to the bank and finances are all in order and the right amount of cash is on hand.
Laundry is well under way - 3 loads done and the suitcases are open and being filled.
Went to Target - Done with DS school supplies, picked up treats for the cats, got the card and gift for the wedding this weekend.
Done at the High School - DD finished her last behind the wheel class and as soon as it was done we registered her for fall athletics.

Sad thing is....there is still so much to do!

I was going to go into school today and work on my classroom but have decided that I will stay home and work on the basement while I do laundry. The basement is holding all of my classroom stuff and I am sorting through it to see what should go to my new job, what should be saved in case I teach elementary again (this would be my goal in a couple of years) and what should be donated or thrown away. It is a huge job but one that has to get done.

Tonight DD has try-outs for her dance studio competitive line. She is spending the day practicing her dances. Emily will have to do one dance that her teacher choreographed and one that she did on her own along with her leaps and turn combinations. We will be crossing our fingers for her but she will not find out how she did until after the cruise.

Alright, tine to get back to chores. I hate to let up now since I feel like I am actually being pretty productive.

Good luck to DD. I have to keep reminding the boys to bring down their laundry and reminding DH to do it. How can I pack when there are no clean clothes????
Jealous of all of you who have started packing. None of that going on here yet. I will be printing my magnets out tonight and hopefully help DH work on laundry while he takes DS11 to football practice.

Oh well.... break time is over. Back to work. Only 1 more work day until vacation!!!!! I am so glad that I took off on Friday.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We have no excursions booked but I've been thinking about getting the 2 Day Getaway package for CC.

The one day package is $32A/$16C for the snorkel equipment, a float/tube, and 1hr bike rental. That is a $5 savings over doing them separately.

The two day package is an even better deal at $40A/$20C, for all the same stuff.

I was thinking that Bethany and I would be the only people to actually snorkel, and the family can share two floats/tubes. So if we got two packages and just added on the 2 day bike package ($6/pp for one day, $7/pp for two) that would be best.

Does that sound right or will we not use it?

The problem is that the two day packages have sold out. Today I saw the package show as available so I went to book it for Beth and I...turns out there is only ONE available. So we only have one.

Has it been anyone else's experience that more of these packages will be available once we are on board? I would also like to book the two day bike package, but that is sold out as well.

Any thoughts from Castaway Cay experts?

Mario, Beth, and I are all strong swimmers, Ben is not but we have his "bubble" for deeper water. We like beach time as well as biking so I am expecting that we will use all three..but I just don't know what we will end up doing until we are there!

 

[Minniemouse07]

Jen do you use just regular clear contact paper to "laminate" your magnets or something else?

 

[sherreis]

This is map boy ....aka Joey.....aka DS15......taken last year at our hotel at Niagara Falls. See the maps in his hands while waiting for the elevator?

 

[Minniemouse07]

This is map boy ....aka Joey.....aka DS15......taken last year at our hotel at Niagara Falls. See the maps in his hands while waiting for the elevator?

Bethany is the same way. She was ticked at me last year when I told her that I knew how to get around MK and she didn't need to be "map girl."

 

[sherreis]

Bethany is the same way. She was ticked at me last year when I told her that I knew how to get around MK and she didn't need to be "map girl."

I just have learned when I am getting a map, get a 2nd one for him. He likes to know what is coming. I got excited when I told him I had gotten the link with the deck plans on it and would give it to him to look up on his computer.

 

[jenanderson]

Jen - wishing Emily lots of luck tonight!

Thanks! She is very nervous as this is the year she should be moving up to the highest line. There is really tough competition though so we will see.

Some more comments live from the Dream...

Computers - bring your own, or borrow a laptop from guest services...no more using ship computers...though response time is noticeably better...

Tall people...like me...a big negative to the seats in the theater...they have a ridge to support the seats in front cutting off leg room...and they slope down, so your full drinks will spill if they are in the cupholders...also, the showers are a bit tougher and the seats, except booths, at evolution are awful for tall people...

Palo - brunch was still very good and we have dinner there tomorrow...

Our wait staff has been excellent in main dining rotation

Mini-Golf is cute and fun...

Shutters - huge improvement here....they assign you a binder and you can check back for all your photos...they even use recognition software for beach shots and the like where they do not swipe your card....no more massive crowds trying to stare at the same pictures...

Women - nice cruise only Dooney / Bourke purses....yes Lisa already bought one....

Pirate night...place to view fireworks is deck 12 starboard...if you insist on being on deck 11, you will have a great view of the stage, which you can see just as well from deck 12, but you will also have a great view of the Aquaduck in front of those fireworks...

Fe's are now SE's if you are starboard...if you are port side you have a fish...if you are starboard, you have a seahorse...and if you are concierge, think the movie Titanic, b/c you have a locked gate blocking access to your rooms, but alas, that also means no FE/SE for you b/c no one can get there to deliver...

Pirate night show after fireworks was ok, but not spectacular..earlier show was rained out and held indoors so i cannot comment.

Chuck

Thanks for the update Chuck. I hope you guys are having a nice cruise.

This site makes it look like we are in the clear.. should get out of the Bahamas before anything develops there!

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/ghazards/index.php

This is good news! Let's hope that it stays clear!

So, now I can't get the Tiki Room song out of my mind....
Good job on the cleaning out the fridge. We've been doing the same thing and keeipng a good eye on the garden to make sure we are picking everything that is ripe. Except that cantaloupe that is sitting out there and just won't ripen quick enough. I think my neighbors are going to get to enjoy it while we're gone.

Just think .... next week, you can have all the soft-serve ice cream you want.

Good luck to DD. I have to keep reminding the boys to bring down their laundry and reminding DH to do it. How can I pack when there are no clean clothes????
Jealous of all of you who have started packing. None of that going on here yet. I will be printing my magnets out tonight and hopefully help DH work on laundry while he takes DS11 to football practice.

Oh well.... break time is over. Back to work. Only 1 more work day until vacation!!!!! I am so glad that I took off on Friday.

Funny thing is....I don't ever eat any of the ice cream on the ship! I just crave it some nights at home but the other desserts on the ship are far better then just ice cream.

I am working on the laundry as well. I would love to be packing more but the clothes are still wet and some are waiting to get in the last loads.

Jen do you use just regular clear contact paper to "laminate" your magnets or something else?

Yep, I put clear contact paper over the front and the back. Then, I trim it down and put the magnets on the back. It is super cheap and works out great. I have been using the same roll of clear contact paper for 2 cruises now.

This is map boy ....aka Joey.....aka DS15......taken last year at our hotel at Niagara Falls. See the maps in his hands while waiting for the elevator?

Nice! I am hoping we don't come home with too many maps this year....how many maps does one need of the MK?