Calling All 8/19/06 Special Western Cruisers! AKA "The Cruisin' Castaways" Part 2

[Dizzyworld]

Since we are revealing who are secret families were, here is our info:

We had the delightful Karen (aka KAP158). I had a lot of fun making things for Karen's package.

And we were very lucky that Moire, John, and Caoimhe (aka Walsh Clan) had our name. The package they sent brought as much excitment as Christmas morning. First, we were trying to figure out who we knew in Ireland? (The package arrived about 2 weeks before the mail deadline for the packages, so we didn't put anything together mentally.) There were countless packages inside for all of us to open. To name a few, there were shirts, hats, lanyards, a journal, bags, a shamrock, a craft kit (which my DD has been making things out of to the point she is almost out of the items) and many more things. We are already enjoying many of the items now. Included with the package was a lovely introduction letter.

This package came at a perfect moment since an hour before we opened it, we had received a call that my mom had a stroke. Since she lives alone in FL and we live in MD, this has been a difficult juggling act for all of us. She is getting as better as someone that is 83 can get, although she recently tried to escape from the rehab hospital and broke her arm. This will be a long summer trying to figure this all out. The DISboards and planning this cruise provide much needed escapism. So we were grateful to have a wonderful package to take a break from our lives and focus for a few minutes the joys of being a family doing even the smallest thing together. And it is nice to have new friends in Ireland. So now we can say we do know someone in Ireland.

I hope this isn't TMI?

Okay back to work on other special things for the cruise and then go to a retirement/end of the year staff luncheon. I teach preschool (and adult ed. too), and I work with the best group of women ever. So the afternoon should be lots of fun.

I hope everyone has a Magical day!
Shirley

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Verandah Man 1143
SeaSpray 636
castoff 605
Ct_TiggerFan 526
sandygirl 397
Reenieny18 354
Mjasp 285
newholidayx2 270
mickeymom923 252
florida sun 202


HI all,
Time for me to get caught up, I was higher on the list one time.
Its a pain when work gets in the way lol


Sounds like some great gifts you all got.

Catch you later
Ed

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

BUmp



sorry couldnt help myself

 

[princess crazy]

Hi everyone!

Just checking in---it's been a busy last few weeks. Glad school is finally going to be over this week for our DD--although she isn't --she would really be excited if she had school all the time--she loves it that much. I'm sure now this summer will fly by with this trip anticipated. I've got to get busy!

Was wondering if anyone here could help me with a huge surprise for our DD this weekend. We really wanted to surprise her and tell her on her birthday the day before we leave about this trip---what a birthday gift that would have been---but... we've decided we can't wait that long and it would be fun for her to be able to plan and look forward to this all summer. Plus she's really up on things and has almost caught us a few times giving this away. I can hardly wait to tell her!!

Anyway--We were thinking of trying to do this on Saturday and somehow tying it in with an early birthday gift. This will really be a surprise for her since it really is for all of us with my folks being so generous.

We've thought of the fortune cookie idea-and I've seen some other surprise ideas here but nothing seems to be really coming to mind. I thought of maybe wrapping an early bday gift but can't come up with a creative idea. Thought too of somehow baking a cake and inserting a slip of paper in her piece of cake with the surprise. We actually can do it with 2 different surprises with the WDW portion seperate from the cruise but I just can't come up with anything great.

I wish I would have seen a post earlier where someone asked for Disney to send them a birthday pin --that would have been a great way to do it.

If anyone has any great surprise ideas I'd love to hear them. We are really ready to tell her and I'm ready to be done with the whispering conversations to my mother on the phone --it's fun but it will be even funner to see the look on her face and start planning with her. She thinks we are not going anywhere this summer and knows that we will not be going back to WDW or a cruise for a loonngg time

This will be a great ending to a very harried last few weeks. Last week we were in a tornado on the highway and our DD had to go to the emergency room this past Saturday night to get stitches in her finger---she was very blessed that she did'nt loose her finger --slammed it in the van door Sat . night.

Thanks to everyone and it's fun to check in here to see how everyone and everything is coming along.

 

[PoohJen]

Ed: re: "Bump"

Shirley, very sorry to hear about your mother; hoping that her recovery continues to improve. I know I owe you an answer re: linking ressies, I was waiting to see if anyone else on early seating wanted to link! Will get back to you today!

PrincessCrazy: What fun! Have you thought about a scavenger hunt, where she finds and pieces together clues?

Beautiful day in the 80's here today! (or, so I gather from looking out the window and at weather.com! ). I'm going to make myself actually leave for lunch today and check Marshall's for suits for the twins for Formal Nite!

 

[famof8]

Was wondering if anyone here could help me with a huge surprise for our DD this weekend. We really wanted to surprise her and tell her on her birthday the day before we leave about this trip---what a birthday gift that would have been---but... we've decided we can't wait that long and it would be fun for her to be able to plan and look forward to this all summer. Plus she's really up on things and has almost caught us a few times giving this away. I can hardly wait to tell her!!

What about a singing telegram? You could have them do a Happy Birthday or a Disney themed song. I'll bet they could even write one for you if you give them some info.....

I remember telling our kids that we were going on our first Disney trip on a Friday afternoon and then we left on Sunday. It was great to have them be so suprised! It was also great to not hear "when are we going to Disney?" for months in advance! There were five of them then and it would have been torture for me.

Good Luck!
Joyce

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

You could get one of the Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids by Kids! books and then include a mini toy boat or ship.
Maybe add some sunscreen and autograph books

Wrap this up and give it as a Gift.

Then why she asks why you can tell her about the trips

 

[Walsh clan]

Shirley, your note was lovely and not TMI.. and we are glad too that we got you as our family! Hope you are keeping it all together, sounds really tough. Thinking of you....

Welcome Princess Rella!

Joyce and Ed loved your ideas for Princess Crazy. PC, what age is your DD? Few ideas but it would be dependent on age!

Jen/Shirley - I am also on early dining and both Denise (AbouttheMouse) and myself linked ourselves with a bigger group who got in touch with us. I was meant to be on late but rang and changed cause I know my two hungry monsters (aka DH and DD) would not wait and would chomp on anything around them prior to meal time! When I booked originally the system automatically put us on late....


M

 

[Princess Rella]

Hello Everyone!

I am new to this group, but not new to Disney cruising. This will be my second cruise, but the first with my daughter who is 1 1/2. Anyone out there with children around her age?

I am looking forward to this vacation. It can't come fast enough. It seems like it's taken forever to get to this point especially since it's was booked in October, 2004.

 

[Buddy Bear]

Hello Everyone!

I am new to this group, but not new to Disney cruising. This will be my second cruise, but the first with my daughter who is 1 1/2. Anyone out there with children around her age?

I am looking forward to this vacation. It can't come fast enough. It seems like it's taken forever to get to this point especially since it's was booked in October, 2004.

Welcome Princess Rella! Yup, I have a little Stitch...um...er...I mean Sarah who is 27 months. Perhaps our two little ones can meet sometime.

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Hello Everyone!

I am new to this group, but not new to Disney cruising. This will be my second cruise, but the first with my daughter who is 1 1/2. Anyone out there with children around her age?

I am looking forward to this vacation. It can't come fast enough. It seems like it's taken forever to get to this point especially since it's was booked in October, 2004.

Welcome ABoard.
Glad to have u with us.

 

[Dizzyworld]

Moire,

Who is heading up the linking for early seating? I've only seen the 4 of us. Hmmm...................

Thanks,
Shirley

 

[princess crazy]

Thanks for all of the ideas everyone!! I'm up for anything so I'm considering all of your ideas.

Moria--do I have that right?? Our DD is 8 and will be turning 9 on this trip. Any ideas you have I'd love to hear!

A welcome to Rella from us ---wow there seems to be so many people on this cruise from the boards--is this unusual or just maybe the double dip and time of year we are going??

I do sorta like the scavenger hunt idea but have no idea where to start or what to include---I'm hoping to have everything decided by Friday so we can do this on Saturday. Just how to include the hunt with an early bday gift.

Thanks for all your help everyone!! Have a Great night!!

 

[Reenieny18]

Well I have to catch up on DARLENE>> and speaking of which,.. where is she.. did she go off and become a grandma??? If you did please let us know.. I am concered about you..

WELCOME to Princess Rella fell free to jump right in..

TERRY you sound a bit busy now.. CONGRATS to CRAIG<<

As far as the cruise exchange... I had a great family that thought of me and my smoothies from last cruise.. they got us a large cooler that had a spout on it that I can put premade smoothies ( that I make in the room) in it and take it up to the deck intead of looking for an outlet.. (WHICH I KNOW IS NOW BY THE ELEVATORS)!!!!
Anyway.. we went to the beach on MONDAY as did half of SYRACUSE.. and well I took that with CRYSTAL LIGHT in it.. MARTY decided to pick it up by the top and crash it went... broke in several pieces.. Man was I MAD>>.. He was darn lucky I also brough a HUGE cooler of H2O as well.. and that was my DISNEY CRUISE GIFT...

Well my wonderful family lives about 20 minutes from us and bought it from a great store called the CHRISTMAS TREE STORE.. I have to go there on FRIDAY and see if I can get it replaced... and OUR FAMILY WAS LINDA zachandalexmom

Thanks so much for the great gifts,. we even used the cooler back back already too!!

DOREEN

 

[Reenieny18]

ok adding to my numbers here.

Please think special thoughts for my DD tomorrow.. she is having a very serious sugery.. and she is very scared..as well as I am.

We have to be there at 730 and may not be back until 4 pm,,, so much for one day surgery,,lol

We took our MUSTANG to the CAR SHOW tonight.. all the muscle cars there were there.. LADIES the TESTOSTRONE was so high... OMG.. it was so funny. MARTY was in his glory..

Ok some friends were asking about TEENS talking to one another.. if you want to PM me ... my 13 yr old son DANIEL said he wants to IM or email to some teens too.. He just turned 13 in APRIL...and he knows that chip by heart..

JOANNA.. that is funny that you still have more post than some of the regular people on board.. What kind of dog did you end up getting again.. BISON??? How much does he weigh??

DIZZYWORLD... let me tell you my sister KAREN was so very pleased with her package.. you couldnt have guessed her likes better if you knew her for life. She was so thrilled and fillled with excitedment when she was telling me what she received..I cant wait to see her door signs.. CAN SOMEONE MAKE ME ONE>??? or can I still EDS??lol

DOREEN

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Moire,

Who is heading up the linking for early seating? I've only seen the 4 of us. Hmmm...................

Thanks,
Shirley

I'm also linked with some friends for early seating
Some from this board


Ed

 

[Reenieny18]

The Wonder and the blessing of Heaven... this is a heartbreaking and beautiful thread. Our prayers from this house are being heard, Bless this family and all those who touch their lives. I have a neighbor who has a 10 year old son with a rare cancer and The Make a Wish foundation is sending them on a DCL cruise on August 19th. Thank you for this thread, that we remember those in need of healing and comfort

I just read this on another board.. We are going to be truly blessed.. Does anyone know who this young boy is? I would truly like to know who this family is to help them feel welcomed to the DIS BOARDS and make this a wonderful cruise to remember...

If you know.. please forward them my email address..

Thank you
DOREEN

 

[Dizzyworld]

Doreen,

I read that post too. It would be nice to know who the family is and have this group through some pixie dust their way.

Thanks for the kind words about your sister's cruise exchange package. I have the most fun making the custom Hershey bar wrappers. I've done if for my DD's soccer team, but I had never done a vacation theme wrapper. Her box was lots of fun.

And many wishes for you DD's surgery. I had something like that done about 7 years ago. The hardest part was waiting for the results which at that time took up to 2 weeks. I was told I would have the results in 3 days. What I should have been told was it usually takes 2 weeks but can come back as early as 3 days. It would have saved my nerves a lot everytime the phone rang. Good luck to all of you.

Hugs,
Shirley

 

[Dizzyworld]

Ed,

Who did you link with for early dinner? Are there many of you?

Thanks,
Shirley

 

[Walsh clan]

Doreen, you are in our prayers.. thinking of you today... .

Shirley, sent you on a PM earlier today... please excuse my spelling... rushing!

Princess Crazy...it's Moira (pronounced Moy Rah!) but don't worry, I'm not fussy at all! How about putting something up on screen of your computer?, with a message underneath? As a screen saver and when she logs in she will see it! You could be behind her with a camcorder or camera!

You could post her a letter today with a little ship or something like it inside! She won't have a clue that it came from you initially...

I could come out now with all kinds of ideas but I can see you need something short and fast for tomorrow so maybe the two above would be the easiest!

Hope this helps in some small way!

Moira.