August 20, 2005 - L.A. to Port Canaveral - Eastbound Repo Cruise - The SHIP OF FOOLS Part 2

[Bmwdsny]

Oh man, am i so beat!! ran around like a lunatic all day..I am more tired at home for the past week than i was in Disney!!
Yes, my kids had school today, last day today. Many school here in the northeast don't have as much school off at Christmas time than other parts of the country. They go back on 1/4/05.

Welcome aboard Lou.. As you can see, the crazy fools you are dealing with...Just watch out for Mark!! He can be sneaky!! and for Kmiles, he WOULD adore your state!! He just love the politcal people there!
( Now don't start debating or i would put that picture back on here again to remind you WHO is still president!! LOL!!! (but if i did that, i will never hear the end of it from DonnaDavid!!) hee hee

Val, you will love SSR!! By the time you go, the whole area will be just completed. Ask for the DD view. It is awesome!! What type of villa are you getting?? I had the 1 BR, but had the corner one, and it was bigger than a regular 1 BR. Got a much bigger foyer and extra closet!! It was great..had much more room for stuff and suitcases. I also find that the master BR was bigger than the other DVC resort BR. Maybe it was just an illusion, but it seems to be..My DH agreed also. But the room itself was beautiful!!

Yes, that is true that the Christmas parade in NOT live...I just found that out myself last year. Instead, they tape usually around the 1st weekend in Dec. That explains why it was crowded in MK that Sunday, my DH went with the kids. He said there were couple of stars at the Castle area, and there were sooo many people there watching them. He said it was neat to see a glimpse of the parade that will show on Christmas day. Too bad i missed it!! Stupid sinus!!

We as a family opened our gifts tonight since we will be with relatives the whole weekend..Good thing my kids don't believe in Santa, otherwise, how the heck do i explain why we got the gifts so early!! LOL!!!
Guess what Bob got me as one of the gifts??
"NORTH AND SOUTH" DVD!! (I thought we chatted about that a few posts back) I saw that when i was a teenager and i loved it!! Can't wait to watch it!! Love Patrick Swayze too!!

I am not sure when i will be back here since it will be a whirlwind for this weekend. My parents and family tomorrow and CMas day, Bob's parents and family on Sun and Mon... Good thing they both live in NJ!!
soooo..I am going to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I take this holiday very seriously and thank the Lord above as i wouldn't be able to live day to day without him!!

All of you have a wonderful weekend. Not sure if Bob is bringing the laptop..If i got the time, perhaps a break from the family, i tuned in here otherwise, be back next week.

Janet, again, have a wonderful trip and see you in 2005!!
Mark, Grumbo, BEHAVE YOURSELVES, act like gentlemen for once!! LOL!!
Arlene, Barbara, and all other Sisters, Enjoy your week and relax. But get gear up for 2005!!!! We will have lots of work to do to prepare for the cruise and the LOONEYHOODS!!

GOOD NIGHT!!

BTW, My dd saw the dog picture and laughed!! I thnk it is still spooky, both of them!!

Oops, had to get back here again...Barbara, i forgot...Thanks for the PM..It was informative about the RI!! I appreciate it!!

Don't look for my PM, didn't send it to anyone for now! LOL!!

 

[DenverVal]

Melinda thanks, I'm writing all this down, since I get to book several days of our trip on Monday! I appreciate the info! We're trying for a 1BR, need to use the points up before we lose them. I guess I'll book a late flight on that Saturday so I can see the parade...what time did they have it? Morning or afternoon? Now that I think of it, last time we were there the first week of December we ducked into the Yacht Club to avoid a downpour and a CM pointed out the guy who played Bernard in the Santa Clause 2 and said he was there for the parade...we had no idea what parade he was talking about, but I guess I do now! Have a wonderful holiday!

I called disney dining to find out how far ahead I can book LTT for Thanksgiving next year and was told 90 days out...which will put us at August 27, when we will be at sea on the Magic, the day before we go through the canal. That'll be some trick Guess I'll have my sister book it for me! Anyone know if Member Services will do it for me??

My thermometer is a piece of junk. It read 20 degrees all day, but when jeans freeze stiff while you're wearing them, it's way below zero...put out a different thermometer, and yep, -5, air temp. Brrrrrrrr!

 

[mississaugamom]

Hi everyone I'm up late tonight trying to get some of the last-minute preparations done (presents wrapped, etc). My office is closed tomorrow, so I can be at the mall at 7:00 am opening! The irony is that I'm not even shopping for myself! I got a phone call from my nephew begging me to check area stores for "Care Bears Checkers". It's apparently the only thing his 5 yr old DD keeps talking about that she's getting for Christmas AND HE HASN'T GOTTEN IT!!!! He assumed it would be easy, but it's sold out everywhere in their town. He's hoping a "bigger city" will still have some. I wouldn't count on it, but I still feel like I should try before little Jordy is disappointed.

Janet - have an awesome time at WDW. Enjoy your night at the GF, and especially your dinner at V&A! I've never been, so please tell all about it when you return! All the best to you and Tanya for a special holiday season together.

Melinda - have a great Christmas holiday with all your family! Sounds like you'll be on the move a lot for the next few days!!! Our very best wishes for a Blessed holiday to you, Bob and your darling children.

We'll be going to the children's mass at 6:00 Christmas Eve, followed by a nice dinner for the three of us, then to Martin's sister's for Christmas Day. We always make it a full day get-together; having lunch, opening presents, having dinner, opening more presents, having dessert, finally heading home sometime after midnight! Then I follow it all up with my early morning Boxing Day shopping!!!!! By noon Sunday, I'll be curled up in front of my fireplace, not moving for a couple of days. It's a great chance to just relax, play some board games, and enjoy some family time. (Just as long as my cell-phone doesn't ring from the office )

Barbara - how nice that you'll all be gathering at your Mom's house for Christmas Day! You come from a big family! We had 5 kids in our family, and I thought that was a lot! Enjoy these special times with your parents while you can - my parents have been gone for nearly 20 and 26 years and I still miss being able to spend time with them at Christmas. I hope you and Brian have a very Merry Christmas and special times with your children and your extended family.

"Merry Christmas To All, And To All A Good Night!"

Arlene

 

[Grumbo]

Melinda (BMWDsny) said

I am not sure when i will be back here since it will be a whirlwind for this weekend

Not sure if Bob is bringing the laptop..If i got the time, perhaps a break from the family

Hmmmm OK guys this going to be more than, or less than five posts a day???? Guess it all depends on how tight a leash Bob has on her this year

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Scratch42]

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!

It's down to the wire and Santa is getting ready to leave!

He knows who has been naughty, Mark, Grumbo, Bob, and those that have been nice, Melinda, Barb, Arlene and the rest of our Sisterhood!

May Your Holiday Celebrations be the best yet!

See you All on the Flipside in 2005!



Scratch


PS Mark/Seth/Vedan/Sybil ~ Step away from the computer! You have been working too hard and need a much deserved rest! Man I am so not going to miss those photos!LOL

 

[Bmwdsny]

Melinda (BMWDsny) said


Hmmmm OK guys this going to be more than, or less than five posts a day???? Guess it all depends on how tight a leash Bob has on her this year

Cheers,
Grumbo

OH MY GOSH!! Did my post statistics go down????? This is terrrible!! Well, i just can't have that!!! We get a divorce if we have to!! LOL!!

(I knew somehow Grumbo was going to comment...That is why i said it!! Got satisfacation out of him!! hee hee!!)

Happy Christmas Eve!!
Baking my famous cookies now...We will leave later this afternoon.

 

[Grumbo]

Got satisfacation out of him!! hee hee

Oh for God's sake this is a family board Melinda. Please!!! Sheesh!!

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Have a MAGICal and safe trip Janet with you dd!!! Can I be in your suitcase when you are at the GF?! ...that is so wonderful! Also, I too want to hear about V & A!!!

Everyone, wishing you special and blessed days with your families and friends! Arlene, hope you find that game, what a great auntie you are!!! You have a big family too...sorry your dear parents are no longer with you, I cannot even imagine...keep those memories close to your heart. We go to the children's mass tonight too, but it's early...3:30 p.m. So, that gives us some good quality time tonight as a family.

Mel, have fun...fun...and more fun!!! You will be busy! Not much more to say except HUGS!!!

As this year comes to an end, we have so much to be thankful for. Perhaps in the midst of all this happiness and joy, we can take a moment to say a prayer for Lynda, Mike, David and their daughters.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE to all my SISTERS and to the LOONEYHOOD too!!!

Barbara

 

[carolsherman]

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!

 

[wide awake]

Merry Christmas All !!!

 

[eye R.N.]

And cleared me and DD13 off the wait list, mind if we join you?

 

[DenverVal]

And cleared me and DD13 off the wait list, mind if we join you?

Wecome, welcome! Come join our crazy thread, check out the first page to see all of us going! PM Grumbo if you'd like to add your info too. There's also a kids' thread going and lots of girls your DD's age are on this cruise.

Merry Christmas to all!

 

[mark & sandra]

Welcome aboard eye R.N.- All you need to do is read the entire thread and you're in!!

Watch out for some of the "unkept" you'll find on this thread. There is a group of fanatical woman who want all the women traveling with us to join their cult movement, called "The Sisterhood", they are a wacko bunch, so steer clear of them!!

Go to the first page and either PM or post a message to Grumbo to add you name to our list. He a fine gentleman and he won't steer you wrong. Others that you'll find helpful are Jazzman, Izzinmac, Paulcrsb and Mark. Any one else be leery of!!

As you can tell we are becoming fast friends here. There is another site that we also post on, it was started by one of our group members that was banned. The kids have a thread started too and some are e-mailing each other. bmwdsny is linking the early diners together, so we can all be in the same rotation and the same part of the dining room. When are you dining, main or late. My daughter will be 13 when we cruise too, maybe they can e-mail each other too...Mark

 

[mark & sandra]

PS Mark/Seth/Vedan/Sybil ~ Step away from the computer! You have been working too hard and need a much deserved rest! Man I am so not going to miss those photos!LOL

Just what are you trying to say Scratch?!?!

 

[mark & sandra]

First Ride

by Baer Charlton
Copyright 1985

Like a puppy snuffling into a pile of week old laundry, her nose was burrowed in between the beaver fur collar and the musty worn leather of his jacket. Her green eyes were shut against the wind and cold as she huddled closer to the tawny frame bundled against the winter night. The smells of burning fireplaces and freshly snowed evergreens, melded with the deep stew of the old worn leather, years of saddle-soap, mink-oil, and sun baked oil and road fumes. If she moved her nose a couple inches higher to his neck and hair, she knew that she would still breath deep the scents that went with his motorcycle.
He had ridden motorcycles since he was 12 years old. Perching on the back of his older brothers’ for rides bummed to school or just to go riding in the summer. At the earliest age allowed by his parents he had secured his very own. Through the years he had owned one kind of bike or another, always moving up and getting larger. Now after much hard work, and saving, it was a six years old 1965 Harley Davidson, salvaged from a police auction.
Over the many months of their dating he had patiently, while washing or polishing the machine in her parent’s driveway, explained to her the many features of the motorcycle. Why it was called a “74-inch”, what cubic displacement really meant, and what made a “Pan-Head” different from the neighbors Honda; other than sounding sooo different.
Removing the top of the motor, he had carefully cleaned all of the now exposed parts. Then guided her slim young fingers over the little moving pieces as he slowly turned the motor over by pushing the kick-starter by hand. With his other hand, gentle as a baby sparrow's breath, flowing over the moving tappets, her fingers sandwiched between his, he identified each felt piece of machinery as it moved, and explaining its part in the success of the workings. She put the “Pan” on top of his head and crowned him Charlie Chaplin for the day; they wrestled and tickled all over the grass of the front yard. Then she carefully polished chrome as he quietly reassembled the engine so he could go home, across the valley.
The motor thrummed gently in the night as they sat stopped at a light. Her hands pushed deeper into the pockets of his leather jacket. Reaching the bottom of the pockets she pulled back into his stomach and hugged him, flattening herself across his back. His shoulder blades flexed and slid, acknowledging the hug and it’s communication. The light winked green and the Harley chuffed and barked as the tableau slid away from the intersection, sinking into the inky night of the street; a warm bubble of humanity.
The bike had always sat, cold, in the driveway of her parent’s house. His tawny hair only blown about from the open window of her mothers borrowed Rambler. It was fine that they dated, he had become like one of the family, but she was not allowed to ride on the motorcycle. So they had always taken the car.
The seat had been shockingly cold when she had first sat down, and the throbbing of the motor was not what she had expected. It had never been so . . . intense, before when it had been only her hand, resting on the gas tank. Placing her feet safely on the buddy-pegs was a job first done by him grabbing her ankles and planting her feet. The excitement tingled inside her as she exchanged ‘be carefulls’ and ‘we wills’ with her parents standing in the front doorway. The unsteady wobble, as he backed out of the driveway, clamped her hands tighter in his pockets. Nerves, warring to call off the ride she had bargained for, and the fear of the unknown.
“A”’s and “B”’s were the price she had paid, for the ticket of tonight. Her 16th birthday, one month before had come and gone without so much as a candle on a cake at dinner; all given up without a whimper, for this one ride. A short mile and a half each way. A lifetime away from anything she had ever done. The cold December night rasped against her one exposed cheek, an experience never felt in her sheltered world, so she turned her head straight to expose both cheeks. The lone street light flashed off the chrome as the trio crossed Teller Road at quarter till midnight.
The parking lot was packed with people. With hushed greetings to friends, they all quietly moved toward the building. The lone motorcycle rumbled slowly across to a corner and stopped. Sliding the kickstand down he turned off the key. Motor and headlight burbled to silence as the night wrapped around the couple sitting on the bike.
As he moved to dismount, she squeezed him softly in restraint. “Shhh," she whispered. In understanding, he relaxed as they both snuggled into the after-roar of silence. Each bump of the ride being remembered. Each sound cataloged and preciously wrapped-up and stored away in the treasure throve of her memory. Knowing, that the chance to savor the ride, would not be given on the ride home. For now the two sat silently, as the organ in the church started the Midnight Mass for the blind.

Originally published by Canada Inspirational, 1986

 

[ehtpnt]

Wow Mark, great story.

Got home from church had dessert and now we are enjoying the quiet music of the season. Hope everyone here has a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with happiness.

Estelle

 

[mark & sandra]

Christmas Roses
by Anonymous


Bobby was getting cold sitting out in his back yard in the snow. Bobby didn't wear boots; he didn't own any and he didn't like them anyway. The thin sneakers he wore had a few holes in them and they did a poor job of keeping out the cold. Bobby had been in his backyard for about an hour already. And, try as he might, he could not come up with an idea for his mother's Christmas gift.

He shook his head as he thought, "This is useless, even if I do come up with an idea, I don't have any money to spend."

Ever since his father had passed away three years ago, the family of five had struggled. It wasn't because his mother didn't care, or try, there just never seemed to be enough. She worked nights at the hospital, but the small wage that she was earning could only be stretched so far. What the family lacked in money and material things, they more than made up for in love and family unity. Bobby had two older sisters and one younger sister, who ran the house hold in their mother's absence. All three of his sisters had already made beautiful gifts for their mother.

Somehow it just wasn't fair. Here it was Christmas Eve already, and he had nothing. Wiping a tear from his eye, Bobby kicked the snow and started to walk down to the street where the shops and stores were. It wasn't easy being six without a father, especially when he needed a man to talk to.

Bobby walked from shop to shop, looking into each decorated window. Everything seemed so beautiful and so out of reach. It was starting to get dark and Bobby reluctantly turned to walk home when suddenly his eyes caught the glimmer of the setting sun's rays reflecting off of something along the curb. He reached down and discovered a shiny dime. Never before has anyone felt so wealthy as Bobby felt at that moment.

As he held his new found treasure, a warmth spread throughout his entire body and he walked into the first store he saw. His excitement quickly turned cold when the salesperson told him that he couldn't buy anything with only a dime.

He saw a flower shop and went inside to wait in line. When the shop owner asked if he could help him, Bobby presented the dime and asked if he could buy one flower for his mother's Christmas gift.

The shop owner looked at Bobby and his ten cent offering. Then he put his hand on Bobby's shoulder and said to him, "You just wait here and I'll see what I can do for you."

As Bobby waited he looked at the beautiful flowers and even though he was a boy, he could see why mothers and girls liked flowers.

The sound of the door closing as the last customer left jolted Bobby back to reality. All alone in the shop, Bobby began to feel alone and afraid. Suddenly the shop owner came out and moved to the counter. There, before Bobby's eyes, lay twelve long stem, red roses, with leaves of green and tiny white flowers all tied together with a big silver bow. Bobby's heart sank as the owner picked them up and placed them gently into a long white box.

"That will be ten cents young man," the shop owner said reaching out his hand for the dime.

Slowly, Bobby moved his hand to give the man his dime. Could this be true? No one else would give him a thing for his dime!

Sensing the boy's reluctance, the shop owner added, "I just happened to have some roses on sale for ten cents a dozen. Would you like them?"

This time Bobby did not hesitate, and when the man placed the long box into his hands, he knew it was true. Walking out the door that the owner was holding for Bobby, he heard the shop keeper say, "Merry Christmas, son."

As he returned inside, the shop keeper's wife walked out. "Who were you talking to back there and where are the roses you were fixing?"

Staring out the window, and blinking the tears from his own eyes, he replied, "A strange thing happened to me this morning. While I was setting up things to open the shop, I thought I heard a voice telling me to set aside a dozen of my best roses for a special gift. I wasn't sure at the time whether I had lost my mind or what, but I set them aside anyway. Then just a few minutes ago, a little boy came into the shop and wanted to buy a flower for his mother with one small dime.

"When I looked at him, I saw myself, many years ago. I too, was a poor boy with nothing to buy my mother a Christmas gift. A bearded man, whom I never knew, stopped me on the street and told me that he wanted to give me ten dollars.

"When I saw that little boy tonight, I knew who that voice was, and I put together a dozen of my very best roses." The shop owner and his wife hugged each other tightly, and as they stepped out into the bitter cold air, they somehow didn't feel cold at all.

 

[mark & sandra]

Gold Slippers


It was only four days before Christmas. The spirit of the season hadn't yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lot of our local discount store. Inside the store, it was worse. Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles.

Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head. My list contained names of several people who claimed they wanted nothing but i knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn't buy them anything.

Buying for someone who had everything and deploring the high cost of items, I considered gift-buying anything but fun.

Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and proceeded to the long checkout lines. I picked the shortest but it looked as if it would mean at least a 20 minute wait.

In front of me were two small children - a boy of about 5 and a younger girl. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans. He clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands.

The girl's clothing resembled her brother's. Her head was a matted mass of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face. She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers. As the Christmas music sounded in the store's stereo system, the girl hummed along, off-key but happily.

When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a treasure. The clerk rang up the bill. "That will be $6.09," she said.

The boy laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he searched his pockets. He finally came up with $3.12. "I guess we will have to put them back, " he bravely said. "We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow."

With that statement, a soft sob broke from the little girl. "But Jesus would have loved these shoes, " she cried. "Well, we'll go home and work some more. Don't cry. We'll come back," he said.

Quickly i handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, after all, it was christmas. Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and a small voice said, "Thank you lady."

"What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?" I asked.

The boy answered, "Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus."

The girl spoke, "My sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won't mommy be beautiful walking on those streets to match these shoes?"

My eyes flooded as i looked into her tear streaked face. "Yes" I answered, "I am sure she will."

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Still Christmas Eve here, 11:26 PST! Merry Christmas to all you in CST and EST!!! Just a quick check in. Mark, I see you have some good stories to read. I will enjoy them tomorrow...my eyes are drooping. Dh and I are ready to put the Santa gifts under the tree. I don't dare put them out sooner, I used to open mine as a teen and re-wrap them ... shame on me!!! So, I know better.

The singing by the children was heavenly at mass this evening (actually early afternoon).

Happy Holidays all!

Barbara

 

[ivanova]

Spoke to Janis back on Wednesday ... she will need to know around August 1st who needs a shuttle from the H.I. to the cruise terminal (cost is $3 per person) ... she does not need to know now (I know how anal we all are about our vacation planning ) but start contacting her in July to let her know and in early August she'll make the shuttle arrangements for us with the H.I.