August 1st 2009 - Eastern 8/1/2009 The Eastern Caribbean Castaways

[MsLeFever]

Joy

Hi! Cool - another teacher. I teach theatre and humanities to college students and occasionally also work with middle schoolers. I'm the poster with the 7 year old girl - her b-day is in Oct so she'll still be 7 when we cruise but I'm going to move her up an age group so she'll be with your daughter. I've also got a 10 year old son who will be 11 when we said. PLUS we just live on the other side of PA which is neat.

Jack and I used to live in Allentown - and are now in Pittsburgh.

After your kids are "in the know" maybe they can exchange letters with mine!

 

[joycsk]

Joy

Hi! Cool - another teacher. I teach theatre and humanities to college students and occasionally also work with middle schoolers. I'm the poster with the 7 year old girl - her b-day is in Oct so she'll still be 7 when we cruise but I'm going to move her up an age group so she'll be with your daughter. I've also got a 10 year old son who will be 11 when we said. PLUS we just live on the other side of PA which is neat.

Jack and I used to live in Allentown - and are now in Pittsburgh.

After your kids are "in the know" maybe they can exchange letters with mine!

My Dad teaches secondary Ed and now runs the theatre program at Cabrini College - near Villanova PA. My daughter, whose bday is _also_ in Oct., has become a HUGE theatre (musical) addict thanks to him. She's seen the final tour of Cathy Rigby in Peter Pan; Wicked -Twice; Annie; the new Dr. Doolittle; Lion King and Little Mermaid. (Yes, my Dad is well versed in the meaning of spoiled.) In fact, my Dad is putting on _Once on this Island_ in the spring and hoping to have Alison win the role of one of the young Ti Mounes. -Please forgive my bragging.

When we did the 4 day cruise last year, two of the kids club cast members who came out to greet us in the terminal were blown away at the thought that a 6 yr old's favorite musical was Wicked. It certainly leant itself to some instant bonding!

As for the kid's clubs, your kids might help Alison to move to the older room. She kinda likes to hang with her younger brother - who also clings to her! But I'm sure that Alison would be happy to exchange letters - or even emails. My husband is a professional geek (programmer) - so we own our own domain and Alison has her own email account!

Ok, I'll try to stop babbling for now. Glad to hear from you, Ms. LeFever! And go Phillies!!!

(Helen, they are the local Philadelphia baseball team who are one game away from winning the World Series!)

 

[joycsk]

The curse lifts!! (Sorry, I was 10 when the Phils last won the World Series!

 

[joycsk]

The curse lifts!! (Sorry, I was 10 when the Phils last won the World Series!

 

[MrsJobba1]

The curse lifts!! (Sorry, I was 10 when the Phils last won the World Series!

Congratulations

Happy Halloween everyone

 

[joycsk]

1) It's nice to have "outside" support. (The curse is that no Phila. sports team has won a championship since the city permitted buildings to be built taller than city hall and William Penn's hat. Compared to most modern cities, Philly is very "short" - only about half a dozen sky scrapers.)

2) It's also nice to hear you say Happy Halloween. Have we exported that holiday now across the pond, or is it still an American thing?

 

[MrsJobba1]

1) It's nice to have "outside" support. (The curse is that no Phila. sports team has won a championship since the city permitted buildings to be built taller than city hall and William Penn's hat. Compared to most modern cities, Philly is very "short" - only about half a dozen sky scrapers.)

2) It's also nice to hear you say Happy Halloween. Have we exported that holiday now across the pond, or is it still an American thing?

Glad the curse is broken

We have always celebrated halloween -or at least the last 30 yrs or so since I was a young girl however we tend not to do the trick or treat thing like you. Oh and only those with chn tend to do something -its not normal for adults to do anything -

November the 5th is a big celebration over here
5th November - bonfire night in the Uk- it celebrates when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the houses of parliment back in 1605 (see http://www.bonfirenight.net/) so a lot of people buy fireworks and set them off at this time of year -we've heard a few so far - but the majority will be next week. Bad time for pets

Gem my new pup has really settled in really well

She is the most confident pup I've ever known. The other day she got out the front room and saw the stairs for the first time - well without hesitation she ran and climbed right up to the top and then back down again - bearing in mind how small she is and that shes at full strech to go up one - dave and I were amazed.

Here's some pictures I took yesterday

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi Guys -

Hope you are ok - Happy Friday - its the weekend

Can you tell its been a hard week.

Time is counting down till our cruise



I was looking at excursions yesterday with Dave and deciding on what to do.

I just booked Discovery Cove for the day before we cruise - thought it would be a relaxing day

HAs anyone thought about excursions yet?

Take care going to have my tea

 

[MrsJobba1]

Just thought when is thanksgiving? Hope I haven't missed it.

 

[marcij]

Just thought when is thanksgiving? Hope I haven't missed it.

Helen -- the pics of your puppy are darling! How did she do with the Boxing day celebrations?

I have only just begun looking at excursions. We will do the stingray thing at CC, as we always do, but other than that, no clue.

No -- you haven't missed Thanksgiving. It's late this year -- not until November 27th. You are always so nice to remember -- I'm impressed! I'm not nearly as good at British holidays.

 

[joycsk]

Hi Guys -

Hope you are ok - Happy Friday - its the weekend

Can you tell its been a hard week.

Time is counting down till our cruise



I was looking at excursions yesterday with Dave and deciding on what to do.

I just booked Discovery Cove for the day before we cruise - thought it would be a relaxing day

HAs anyone thought about excursions yet?

Take care going to have my tea

Dear Helen,

I'm also on board with stingrays at CC. Earlier I mentioned that the butterfly house on St. Maarten is wonderful. However, there is a new one that opened in St. Thomas that is supposed to be right near the pier and easy to get to on one's own.

I'm hoping to do a lot of snorkeling. I do want to get our kids off the boat when I can, though. We are again traveling with 3 generations, so it's a bit tricky finding things for all of us. Plus, on the four day cruise, I learned _just_ how much Disney charges us for the priviledge of making the reservations for us, so I may try to book some things on my own without their help.

My MIL did Discovery Cove last year. I'll see if I can post some of her pictures. She loved swimming with the dolphins. There is a sneaky secret that I know about snorkeling in their lagoon that I'll share if you want me to, but otherwise I'll let you find out for yourself.

And the puppy is GORGEOUS. I hope that all of you are well and happy!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Happy Thanksgiving from across the pond

I have always wondered about your 'pumkin pie' as its a desert isn't it? I would have expected it to be savoury

Have fun

Helen & Dave

 

[MsLeFever]

I'm making a pumpkin pie today! Using Martha Stewart's recipe for it - which includes chocolate - yum.

Usually pumpkin pie has a fair amount of brown sugar which makes it desserty - but it isn't a very sweet dessert. Here's Martha's

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/triple-chocolate-pumpkin-pie

Oddly - I'm also making sweet potatos that call for bourbon and brown sugar - but they are considered a side dish and not a dessert!

 

[Liltx]

Hi all,

I know I have been MIA for a while. Well, we have found out some really great/surprising health related news but will have to cancel our cruise because of it. I am sure you can read between the lines. We are very sad to miss the cruise but hope to reschedule in a few years.
Have a wonderful trip!

Monica

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi all,

I know I have been MIA for a while. Well, we have found out some really great/surprising health related news but will have to cancel our cruise because of it. I am sure you can read between the lines. We are very sad to miss the cruise but hope to reschedule in a few years.
Have a wonderful trip!

Monica

Hi Monica,

If its what I think it is -Congratulations I wish you and your hubby the very best.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi Guys-

Sorry I've not been very on top of things at the mo -I've been in bed with Flu. I'm starting to turn the corner but it really knocked me for 6.

Hope you are ok - I'd done most of my christmas shopping but I still have all the wrapping to do - something that I can't stand.

I have a big counter set on my laptop, counting down till 18th July - (the day we fly to the states) and its showing 210 days

It won't be long till its 2009

Then the planning will really start

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi Guys

I'm just checking.

With Monica now not cruising with us I have 10 of us down for the Palo brunch.

Me and Dave

Marci & Randy

Barbara & Jack

Rich & Kay

Dan & Ann

The private room holds 14 so we have 4 places left.

In the New year I will fax DCL with an amended list

Anyone want to join us -just PM me

I hope DCL will be able to make this happen.x

 

[marcij]

Hi all,

I know I have been MIA for a while. Well, we have found out some really great/surprising health related news but will have to cancel our cruise because of it. I am sure you can read between the lines. We are very sad to miss the cruise but hope to reschedule in a few years.
Have a wonderful trip!

Monica

Monica -- it sounds like congratulations are in order.

Hi Guys-

Sorry I've not been very on top of things at the mo -I've been in bed with Flu. I'm starting to turn the corner but it really knocked me for 6.

Hope you are ok - I'd done most of my christmas shopping but I still have all the wrapping to do - something that I can't stand.

I have a big counter set on my laptop, counting down till 18th July - (the day we fly to the states) and its showing 210 days

It won't be long till its 2009

Then the planning will really start

Helen -- I'm sorry you have been sick. I have another friend from the UK, and she also had the flu lately. I asked her about a drug we use over here in the states --Tamiflu. If you start taking it 24 -48 hours after you come down with the flu, it will cut your recovery in half. She said she had never heard of it. I wonder if it's not an accepted drug in the UK? Anyway, I hope you feel better ASAP and get all those presents wrapped. I'm pretty much through.

Just need a graduation gift for one of Randy's nephews to take with us to their family Christmas.

Hi Guys

I'm just checking.

With Monica now not cruising with us I have 10 of us down for the Palo brunch.

Me and Dave

Marci & Randy

Barbara & Jack

Rich & Kay

Dan & Ann

The private room holds 14 so we have 4 places left.

In the New year I will fax DCL with an amended list

Anyone want to join us -just PM me

I hope DCL will be able to make this happen.x

Please add my neighbors, Scott and Anisa Moretti. I'll get their ressie number for you. Thanks for coordinating this!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Monica -- it sounds like congratulations are in order.



Helen -- I'm sorry you have been sick. I have another friend from the UK, and she also had the flu lately. I asked her about a drug we use over here in the states --Tamiflu. If you start taking it 24 -48 hours after you come down with the flu, it will cut your recovery in half. She said she had never heard of it. I wonder if it's not an accepted drug in the UK? Anyway, I hope you feel better ASAP and get all those presents wrapped. I'm pretty much through.

Just need a graduation gift for one of Randy's nephews to take with us to their family Christmas.




Please add my neighbors, Scott and Anisa Moretti. I'll get their ressie number for you. Thanks for coordinating this!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!

Hi Marci,

Thanks for the get well wishes - we've not got Tamiflu here in the UK - but boy could I do with some.

I'll add your neighbours Scott and Anisa with pleasure - just PM the res number to me when you can.

Off to eat some more garlic

Take care
x

 

[MsLeFever]

Hello all! I just finished all of my shopping! Now - that is not to say that I might not....

crap - I just remembered something else I need....but it is only gift cards so it isn't like I need to search for something!

Mom and Dad are coming here for Christmas so now I need to get the place clean. It doesn't matter if you could eat off the floors though, my mother will come in and start cleaning something. It doesn't bother me - she never really cleans at her place (she has a cleaning lady) and she only does it here to "take care" of us.

I bought pashminas for her and Anne (SIL) to take on the cruise if it gets chilly!

Barbara