August 7, 2004 Magic...who's going?

[musicalSaranader]

Hey Cay, like my dad said, I'm right near you at Towson (during the school year, anyway). Need a babysitter??

 

[eye R.N.]

We charged at three different stores. Two were on the approved shopping list. The third store I didn't like at all. The guy whined about the agreed on price when andy pulled out the card saying that credit would cost him more money. I'm betting that is the store that sold our number.

 

[gometros]

First off, who is Ferdinand?

Denise - sorry about the CC troubles. Judy and I can relate, since we recently had similar problems when someone lifted her CC in a local Pathmark. It was before we got the DIsney VISA and were using Wells Fargo and they were very quick in catching the error and we weren't liable for a penny.

I know the only place we used our card in Cozumel was at Mr. Sanchos, and they already got enough money from me

 

[sbennett]

Sandy:
Ferdinand was our server from the Philippines. He was wonderful, the kids loved him and he loved "The Princess" aka Courtney. He asked for our email address so he could write to the kids while he was home on vacation, but he never gave us his email and the kids haven't heard from him and are somewhat disappointed. They wanted to ask him questions about customs and his country.

 

[gometros]

I have some good news (finally). remember that job I thought I had, but found out I didn't have when I got back? Well, it finally came through. I've been working on it for the past two weeks now and was reluctant to say anything until it was definite. Well, I just got the signed contract today and I start Monday. What's cool about is is that the company I'll be working for is based in Houston and I'll be working from home. They're shipping me a fully-loaded laptop.

It's interesting how it came around. I was really upset about it and the recruiter wasn't clear on how it turned sour. So I called the hiring manager two weeks ago to make sure that there wasn't something I did or didn't do that screwed it up and to let him know I was still interested in working for him if the opportunity came up. He reassured me that it had been a real job, but due to project rescrambling, their resource needs had changed. Two days later I got a call from the recruiter that I was back in. Of course, I wasn't goping to get too excited until I could be sure it was for real this time. So now I can start saving up for next year's cruise while I pay off this year's cruise

 

[sbennett]

We want to be the first to say Congratulations!!!

I was wondering how things were with the new job.....exactly what will you be doing (unless it's top secret stuff!! Then I don't want to know)

Again ....Congrats!!!

 

[eye R.N.]

This is great news. We are all very happy for you. Persistence does pay off.

Jeanne, I mailed the poster today so you should be getting it soon. Let me know what side you decide to put up.

 

[gometros]

My background is Software Quality Assurance. Ironically, I'll be working for the company that indirectly made me unemployed to begin with I was working at Prudential Financial in Human Resource Systems, when they outsourced us and made our whole area redundant (I learned that term from my British friends, Wendy). I'm going to be consulting for the company they outsourced us to and on the Prudential project!

Denise - did I forget to give you my address for the poster (I did ask you, didn't I?)

 

[wendym]

Sandy
Congratulations! Mum and I are absolutely delighted that everything has turned out right and you have the job - you certainly deserve it.
Wendy

 

[gometros]

Btw, one thing this break did for me was got me looking at getting back into my first love. Before Judy and I got married, I was a sports photgrapher and I'm looking at leveraging that background into a new business using digital technology. It's something I can do on the side and who knows what might happen if it proves fiscally succesful. Only problem is, the start up cost. Professional digital cameras run a few grand with the lenses and accessories. Any of you want to help finance an up and coming business?

 

[wendym]

I would love to Sandy but you know how poor teachers are and I have a Disney addiction to support!!!

 

[sbennett]

Ditto for us (Wendy's reply) We can all be the people that say "We knew him when....."

 

[jeanneg]

I always knew things would work out for you!

Thank-you, Denise! I'll be anxiously awaiting it!

Shelley: When you stayed at the Radisson, did you also do the shuttle? Denise has me convinced that maybe we should give it another try and a thought occurred to me..... If we all leave for the port at the same time maybe the men could return to the hotel and take a cab back together. It couldn't cost more than a buck or two each and we wouldn't be at the mercy of the shuttle schedule. Plus, we could send the kids to hold our place on line and all be together while we're waiting to board.
Let me know what you think of it. And put me down fo the wine again......only this time we're gonna drink it!

 

[martinez03]

Do all of you rent cars or drive down? I rented a car from MCO and then took it back Sat. morning and then they shuttled us to the port and that worked out great. I am sure all of you are more experienced than us, so I will go with your advice.

 

[sbennett]

Jeanne:
We drove ourselves to the port and parked the car there...we had sooo much stuff and didn't want to be at the mercy of the shuttle when we got there or when we wanted to leave so we payed the $70 and parked at the port. It was great...got right near the entrance to the terminal and terrific porter packed the car when we returned. I refuse to take as much stuff the next time....I know what I need and don't need now. Don't think we doing the Tuxedo thing next time...for 5 people it's another big suitcase full of clothes plus shoes that you don't wear any other time. We'll just wear our regular nice dinner clothes.

Cay:
We drove our own car down....Jay's not thrilled about flying....of course 22 hours in a car with 3 kids is frightening too!!

To All:

We need your prayers again...Corey has to go see the Pediatric Cardiac Electrophysiologist on Monday. He had another Holter Monitor done since we've been home and it's showing many
APC's and irregular rhythms. We're probably looking at him having a cardiac ablasion done soon. They've increased his heart medication to twice daily. We'll keep you informed. Thanks in advance for your prayers.

 

[martinez03]

Shelley, my prayers will be with you and your family. Thanks for the advice on the trip.

Cay

 

[gometros]

Shelley - you know you have our prayers too. Between us and the rest of the crew, you have most of the major religions covered

Cay - we take the auto train. My wife is also a non-flyer, although this time she may go on the train with one of the kids while ther rest of us fly down. I suspect that with work schedules, we won't be able to take the extra time off needed to train down.

By the way, Shelley, have you guys ever tried the auto train? It's not necessarily cheaper, but it's less stressful that driving all the way. We love it.

Since we'll already have a car with us, we're flexible of how we get to the port. If we leave out car at the Radission, I'm open to your idea, jeanne.

 

[wendym]

Shelley - you most certainly have our prayers.
Cay - what a lot of people do is take the car to the port to drop the luggage and most of the people off. Then one person takes the car back to the car rental place or Radisson and they only have 1 person to fit in the shuttle with no luggage. I think the cab back is an excellent idea.
Wendy

 

[eye R.N.]

Sandy, got your e-mail so the poster will be on it's way soon.

Jeanne, I love the taxi idea. I wonder what disney would do if we brought any leftover wine to consume in line. Think, we might start a new tradition, the DIS pre-board party.

Cay, we usually drive down, it's about 14 hours from Annapolis. Depending on who goes this trip (not sure about husband and one daughter) we might do the Auto train. We normally have 5 people so air fare and the cost to go back and forth to the airport get pricey.

Shelly, prayers are yours as always. Let us know what is happening.

 

[sbennett]

Okay...I know Sandy's on 5 hours ahead of us because he's using the 12 "get on board" time vs. the 5pm Sail time.....but Cay when does your time start.....you're 12 ahead of Sandy!

Sandy:
One word response....."derailments" .
Plus, my parents took the auto train when it first started what was that about 25 years ago...and their car bumpers (remember the olden days of chrome bumpers" got so banged up and scratched plus since the auto train didn't have the right of way or top priority they got "sided" alot and sat on the siderails waiting for freight trains that were hundreds of cars long etc. We figured it only cost us about $60 in gas and one nite at a less expensive motel $65 to get to FL from NY. plus roadside food McD's or whatever. Overall the drive was good, DVD player for the kids plus gameboys kept the fighting to a minimum!