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

[marcij]

Barbara - Im sure Marci and myself could give you a few pointers on shoe buying

Oh yeah...

I was up till 11.30pm last night sorting all the paperwork out

I have 6 folders -
Airlines -(which has all the various plane e tickters, & ESTA forms, pre flight hotel and parking arrangements

WDW -disney tickets, online checkin, hotel reservations, discovery Cove tickets

NY - car company email, hotel reservation, Green Day concert email, Wicked tickets, dinner cruise email,

Cruise - Cruise docs, online cruise contract printed, itinery, Palo brunch group email confirmation, extra set of Esta print outs, towncar email

Other important docs - Passports, travel insurance, traveller cheques, money, letter from gp about my medication, our 10 page hiloiday planner (which I made)

Vouchers - Shopping vouchers I got from online for the airport and Orlando premium outlets


What do you think? Have I forgotten anything?

The only think I've not had time to do is make the posters for my cruise door but I think I'll survive.

I'd say we are about 95% done packing now!

Wow -- that's a lot to remember all by itself. Do you guys leave tomorrow? If so, have a great trip across the pond. I'll try to remember to print out an extra door sign or two so your door isn't naked. Well, except for your DVC magnet you'll get.

 

[joycsk]

Helen -- I think that's pretty reasonable for the amount of time you are traveling, different locations you are going to, and your shared passion of mine -- shoes! I hope Floss is still doing great.

Wow -- I can't believe how many of you are packing or know what you are taking. I have bought most of what we needed to and my boys will be easy, but I'm nowhere close to narrowing down clothing /shoes/accessories for myself. That's so hard for me. I have finished buying FE items and toiletries etc. though.

Dave and Kim -- I hope all goes well with Melissa's wedding. What a special time for you guys, and with your son's wedding this year as well.

I apologize if I sounded critical. I am trying (and utterly failing) to pack light. At 5, my son isn't helpful at carrying baggage. Helen, I wish you and Dave a safe trip. I hope that Saturday is perfect for Dave, Kim and their family! I'm thrilled I made people laugh! Colin is in swim class right now-and Helen and Marci I'm typing on _my_ new/old iPhone! (We got the 3g ones after they released the 3gs.)
Anyway, we just took the tux pants to be shortened and are off to buy Colin dress shoes and a tie for his suit. Sigh. I'm starting to wonder what the real cost of the cruise is if we add in the new clothes tab
Got our docs yesterday. This is really going to be real! Now if I can just decide whether I can leave behind oneof my pairs of Britain's greatest export 'cross the pond - my Fit-flops!

 

[joycsk]

Ok, you've all figured out by now that I am a total sucker when it comes to my kids. However, I'm also kinda cheap. Colin's tux came from ebay and his suit from the local mother of all thrift stores. After buying his dress shoes, he insisted on going into the Disney store. Ok, I agree. When we arrive, I explain to the cast member that we are NOT buying today, since we're boarding the Magic in 16 days! Anyway, as I'm dragging Colin out of the store, I see, on sale for 5.99, a set of Dis sand toys. There is a car that looks like it is from Mickey Mouse Club House, with a small bucket that goes inside where seats would go; a _small_ sand sifter; a _very_ small shovel with a mickey head at the top; and three _small_ sand molds of Mickey, Donald and Goofy. So I made myself into a liar. I had planned to take some sand molds and sand scoops with me, but these molds are much smaller than the ones I had on my list. (The car is staying home.)

And I'm such a sucker for gift giving. I _thought_ I was done with my FEs, but then I saw something that I thought would be so neat! Sigh. FWIW, some of my gifts are individual, and some are per cabin. It should make sense, but I figured I'd warn.

Happy Thursday!

 

[disneymom8589]

Can you believe the cruise is just a bit over 2 weeks away?!

Helen - you sound nice and organized (a woman after my own heart!) Have a safe flight tomorrow!

Sounds like everyone is having fun getting all the clothes, shoes, toys, etc. needed for the cruise! I'll be able to concentrate more on the shopping starting next week.

Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes for Melissa's wedding on Saturday. The rehearsal is tonight and the rehearsal dinner is tomorrow night.

 

[SpinDisc]

Can you believe the cruise is just a bit over 2 weeks away?!

Helen - you sound nice and organized (a woman after my own heart!) Have a safe flight tomorrow!

Sounds like everyone is having fun getting all the clothes, shoes, toys, etc. needed for the cruise! I'll be able to concentrate more on the shopping starting next week.

Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes for Melissa's wedding on Saturday. The rehearsal is tonight and the rehearsal dinner is tomorrow night.

Congrats on your daughter's wedding! I hope everything goes smoothly and everyone enjoys the weekend. We're getting into the home-stretch for ours, and the emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved is beginning to wear on us Can't wait to be on that boat!

 

[marcij]

I apologize if I sounded critical. I am trying (and utterly failing) to pack light. At 5, my son isn't helpful at carrying baggage. Helen, I wish you and Dave a safe trip. I hope that Saturday is perfect for Dave, Kim and their family! I'm thrilled I made people laugh! Colin is in swim class right now-and Helen and Marci I'm typing on _my_ new/old iPhone! (We got the 3g ones after they released the 3gs.)
Anyway, we just took the tux pants to be shortened and are off to buy Colin dress shoes and a tie for his suit. Sigh. I'm starting to wonder what the real cost of the cruise is if we add in the new clothes tab
Got our docs yesterday. This is really going to be real! Now if I can just decide whether I can leave behind oneof my pairs of Britain's greatest export 'cross the pond - my Fit-flops!

You didn't sound critical. Just unrealistic to me... Just kidding. I don't even really try to pack light on trips like these. With WDW beforehand, requiring the lightest clothes possible and most comfortalbe shoes, and the cruise needing a little bit nicer, plus dress shoes, I have thrown in the towel on "light".

Ok, you've all figured out by now that I am a total sucker when it comes to my kids. However, I'm also kinda cheap. Colin's tux came from ebay and his suit from the local mother of all thrift stores. After buying his dress shoes, he insisted on going into the Disney store. Ok, I agree. When we arrive, I explain to the cast member that we are NOT buying today, since we're boarding the Magic in 16 days! Anyway, as I'm dragging Colin out of the store, I see, on sale for 5.99, a set of Dis sand toys. There is a car that looks like it is from Mickey Mouse Club House, with a small bucket that goes inside where seats would go; a _small_ sand sifter; a _very_ small shovel with a mickey head at the top; and three _small_ sand molds of Mickey, Donald and Goofy. So I made myself into a liar. I had planned to take some sand molds and sand scoops with me, but these molds are much smaller than the ones I had on my list. (The car is staying home.)

And I'm such a sucker for gift giving. I _thought_ I was done with my FEs, but then I saw something that I thought would be so neat! Sigh. FWIW, some of my gifts are individual, and some are per cabin. It should make sense, but I figured I'd warn.

Happy Thursday!

It sounds like you got a great deal at the DS!

 

[marcij]

Congrats on your daughter's wedding! I hope everything goes smoothly and everyone enjoys the weekend. We're getting into the home-stretch for ours, and the emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved is beginning to wear on us Can't wait to be on that boat!

Hang in there. I'm sure the wedding will be spectacular! Can't wait to hear more about it.

 

[disneymom8589]

Congrats on your daughter's wedding! I hope everything goes smoothly and everyone enjoys the weekend. We're getting into the home-stretch for ours, and the emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved is beginning to wear on us Can't wait to be on that boat!

Hang in there, Spin (and fiancee')! Last week was probably our most stressful. We were knee deep in final wedding things plus Melissa was working, packing up to move into their new apartment, and took an education test last Saturday. She was about at the end of her rope stress-wise, but this week has been a little more relaxing, believe it or not!

I'm excited to hear all about your wedding on the cruise!

 

[joycsk]

Congrats on your daughter's wedding! I hope everything goes smoothly and everyone enjoys the weekend. We're getting into the home-stretch for ours, and the emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved is beginning to wear on us Can't wait to be on that boat!

Dear Spin,

Your description reminds me a bit of my wedding. It sounds like you are doing really well at "hanging tough" and keeping your "eye on the prize." The good news is that the next two weeks will FLY by and then you can get to the fun of your honeymoon. We wish you a calm and spectacular day. (Is that an oxymoron?)

Looking forward to meeting Mr. and Mrs. very soon!

 

[joycsk]

Hang in there, Spin (and fiancee')! Last week was probably our most stressful. We were knee deep in final wedding things plus Melissa was working, packing up to move into their new apartment, and took an education test last Saturday. She was about at the end of her rope stress-wise, but this week has been a little more relaxing, believe it or not!

I'm excited to hear all about your wedding on the cruise!

Dear Kim,

I'm curious as to what Melissa took last weekend. Praxis or national? I was first certified in 1991 and had to take the NTEs. A few years back I took the Praxis in Middle Level English. I have some pretty strong opinions on these tests and was curious about what she took and how she felt. . .

 

[MrsJobba1]

Oh yeah...



Wow -- that's a lot to remember all by itself. Do you guys leave tomorrow? If so, have a great trip across the pond. I'll try to remember to print out an extra door sign or two so your door isn't naked. Well, except for your DVC magnet you'll get.

Thanks Marci - We leave for the airport tomorrow - we actually fly out on Saturday.

Not sure if I'll get on very much.

Im looking forward to seeing everyone on the cruise -

Dont forget the Dis meet 3pm on embarkation day (prom lounge), bring a long your gift bag.

Also for those who has brunch booked we'll meet 10.20am on the Sunday.

Good luck with the weddings Spin and ScubaD

Try and get some more pirates before the cruise!

Take care
xx

 

[MsLeFever]

Bought two pairs of shoes today - one for the cruise and one for the fall....although I may end up bringing them both! I have a student who works at a shoe store who got me a great deal!

 

[MelissaLG]

Bought two pairs of shoes today - one for the cruise and one for the fall....although I may end up bringing them both! I have a student who works at a shoe store who got me a great deal!

I'm jealous - I'd love to know someone with shoe store "connections"!

I'm the one with the "wall of shoes," as my husband puts it, so I will probably have to eat my words that I'm only taking 5 or 6 pairs!

We leave 2 weeks from tomorrow! I'm already in the beginning stages of vacation mode and having trouble focusing on anything at work.

 

[disneymom8589]

Dear Kim,

I'm curious as to what Melissa took last weekend. Praxis or national? I was first certified in 1991 and had to take the NTEs. A few years back I took the Praxis in Middle Level English. I have some pretty strong opinions on these tests and was curious about what she took and how she felt. . .

She took the WEST-E test, which is the Washington state education state. She also took the Oregon state test (Orela) since that's where she went to school and got her degree. The OR test is good in Oregon and California, but unfortunately, not in WA, so that's why she had to take another one.

 

[joycsk]

She took the WEST-E test, which is the Washington state education state. She also took the Oregon state test (Orela) since that's where she went to school and got her degree. The OR test is good in Oregon and California, but unfortunately, not in WA, so that's why she had to take another one.

Being an easterner, I don't know anything about those tests, but I appreciate the info.

Have a GREAT weekend!

 

[lostatdisney]

Just two weeks away now!

I really had an agonizing decision to make this week, one I never thought I'd be dealing with in July. DD 13 was scheduled to leave in them morning for one week of camp in Missouri. I knew that two other girls from our area who go to this camp came home with the flu about two weeks ago, so I called about ten days ago and talked to the camp nurse. It sounds like they were doing everything humanly possible to stop the spread of the flu. I decided that I would see how it went the term before my daughter's. I talked to the nurse on Wednesday, and they had sent 16 home with flu (out of 300). I was thinking I shouldn't send her, but still wondered if I was overreacting. But then when I talked to the camp yesterday, that number had increased to 40!!! So I felt like that was confirmation that she should not go. Fortunately, they will just transfer the tuition over to next summer.

If it weren't for the August 1 cruise, I wouldn't worry so much about it. My kids rarely get sick. But I just could not risk it! And since we are traveling with cousins and grandparents, obviously they would go on without us, and my kids would be heartbroken.

I am still sending my older boys to church high school camp. We have had instances of flu around here, but I don't feel as worried. My kids are around these kids all the time, and mine were exposed to flu that some of these kids did get when they went on a mission trip a couple of weeks ago. My kids are all taking Tamiflu right now, so that should help some too.

Anyway, what a crazy, crazy summer! I'm glad I have travel insurance, but I'm praying I won't need it!

 

[LadyRob]

Just two weeks away now!

I really had an agonizing decision to make this week, one I never thought I'd be dealing with in July. DD 13 was scheduled to leave in them morning for one week of camp in Missouri. I knew that two other girls from our area who go to this camp came home with the flu about two weeks ago, so I called about ten days ago and talked to the camp nurse. It sounds like they were doing everything humanly possible to stop the spread of the flu. I decided that I would see how it went the term before my daughter's. I talked to the nurse on Wednesday, and they had sent 16 home with flu (out of 300). I was thinking I shouldn't send her, but still wondered if I was overreacting. But then when I talked to the camp yesterday, that number had increased to 40!!! So I felt like that was confirmation that she should not go. Fortunately, they will just transfer the tuition over to next summer.

If it weren't for the August 1 cruise, I wouldn't worry so much about it. My kids rarely get sick. But I just could not risk it! And since we are traveling with cousins and grandparents, obviously they would go on without us, and my kids would be heartbroken.

I am still sending my older boys to church high school camp. We have had instances of flu around here, but I don't feel as worried. My kids are around these kids all the time, and mine were exposed to flu that some of these kids did get when they went on a mission trip a couple of weeks ago. My kids are all taking Tamiflu right now, so that should help some too.

Anyway, what a crazy, crazy summer! I'm glad I have travel insurance, but I'm praying I won't need it!

I think you made the right decision. Is your daughter ok with missing out this year? I'm praying that all of our kids stay healthy.

 

[lostatdisney]

I think you made the right decision. Is your daughter ok with missing out this year? I'm praying that all of our kids stay healthy.

DD is fine with the decision. She's disappointed to miss camp, but she would be DEVASTATED to miss the cruise. She is as crazy about Disney as I am!

 

[MsLeFever]

You made the right choice - I'm going crazy with the airbourne starting very soon!

I've got to see my doctor on Monday because I've been limping for a few days - it just may be no 5k for me!

 

[disneymom8589]

Post #800 - I'm the next !

Just a short note that our daughter's wedding was beautiful (hopefully, I'm not being biased! ) Will post a few pictures at another time. I think I'm ready to collapse.

LostatDisney - It sounds like you made a tough, but wise decision regarding your DD's camp. Hopefully she will be able to enjoy it next year!