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

[Mjasp]

Diane...I agree, 93 days does sound good. Good luck in MS with your DD, I have an 8th grader in her last year of MS. That first year is tough and remeber girls are ruthless. They torture each other mentally. But then the 2nd year is better and the 3rd is a piece of cake.

Dori...I know what you mean, I have 2 gifted kids, one is a perfectionist and is so hard on herself, the other goes with the flow and is a scatterbrained genius LOL She stayed after school yesterday and she never informed us, she said she told her friend (our neighbor) to let us know. Just an FYI, we bought her a cell phone so she can keep in touch with us DUH.


Doreen...Do get better, enough is enough.

Lyn...How is Matt today? What did the doctors say it was.

Terry...It feels like only 5 weeks ago you started the countdown at 98 weeks

Cindy, Bobby...What about the house sale?

Joanna

 

[Reenieny18]

Joanna,, thats what the cell phone was for right,, DUH,,,,, lol. Daniel is already doing homework not due till the week after next. I think they have a whole 12 days of school for NOVEMBER.

Trust me If I could get better, I would give my life to feel no pain again. I felt great in the sun. Of course I had all my loved ones with me, and yes Karen, that includes you too.. The cold weather does play havac on the joints and the muscles.

Is it 5 0'clock yet ... Hey Karen New Process Gear had a Fire today...

Jaclyn will be home soon.. Winds are really whipping around here.. looks like Labor day storm here again... glad we have a generator..

Have a safe night everyone
Doreen

 

[sandygirl]

LYN - I am so sorry to hear that Matt is in the hospital! Is he in JFK? Let me know if I can do ANYTHING. West Jersey never gave me a hard time about staying with Stan. I never stayed all night but pretty darn close. I pretty much came and went as I pleased. Let me know if you need any help storming the gates or creating a diversion for you.

DOREEN - Hang in there. We will be lying in the warm sun again soon, baking our poor weary bones (and muscles and joints!). I feel your pain.

DORI - You hang in there, too. MS is a transition for everyone. I try to remember that school is a false environment created for the purpose of education, not for life. If Devin can maintain his integrity and a good heart he will be just fine. There are worse things than being absent-minded. He'll be fine and so will you.

TRAVIS - Welcome to our motley crew!

DIANE - It isn't easy going to school and taking care of a family. Remember to give yourself a break. Good luck with your assignments!

Darlene

 

[sandygirl]

Ginny...where are you? How are things?
Darlene

 

[ElliotFan]

Darlene,

I try to keep a balanced perspective on things, but it would be a whole lot easier if the behaviors I described were isolated to the school environment. It gets hard for me to keep my cool when the dogs are continously bugging me to go outside for a drink because the kid has forgotten (yet again) to fill their water bowl in the house. Keep in mind, this has been one of his chores for about 2 years and he still can't be bothered to remember.

I think that I came up with a great consequence the other day. I told him that he had 'forgotten' one too many times. Since he has trouble remembering "dogs" and "water' in the same thought, that I would give him some incentive to remember. He gets to give both dogs a bath for me this weekend. Maybe that will help him to associate those two words on a more regular basis. (Either that or I'm gonna have the cleanest dogs in the county by the end of winter! Because I intend to apply this consequence regularly until it sinks in.)

By the way, the kid's dad loves the twisted logic of this consequence.

Dori

 

[sandygirl]

Originally posted by ElliotFan
Darlene,

Since he has trouble remembering "dogs" and "water' in the same thought, that I would give him some incentive to remember. He gets to give both dogs a bath for me this weekend. Maybe that will help him to associate those two words on a more regular basis. (Either that or I'm gonna have the cleanest dogs in the county by the end of winter! Because I intend to apply this consequence regularly until it sinks in.)

By the way, the kid's dad loves the twisted logic of this consequence.

Dori

I love it! Creative parenting rules!
Darlene

 

[sandygirl]

WOW! Where is everyone? Hope everyone is off enjoying a wonderful Saturday.

Darlene

 

[mickeymom923]

Just got back from taking Lindsay shopping for her Homecoming Dance. After going to 2 malls, she decided that she doesn't know what she wants to get - casual or semi-dressy. Any suggestions what a 17 year old wears to a HS Homecoming Dance?

I have to admit that I have no willpower with the diet. I just can't seem to get in the mindset of giving up the junk food that I like. I was hoping to lose at least 5 pounds before my cruise next month but I doubt it. How's everyone doing with their diet?

Hope everyone is feeling better.

Bev

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone

We've been out shopping since this morning!! Our first stop was Filene's where we bought two "Milestone Mickey's". They are huge, 22" plush Mickey Mice. hehehe There are 4 of them all together; starting with Steamboat Willie, and going up to the current version of Mickey today. Actually, here's what they look like:

I got the Steamboat Willie one (I LOVE Steamboat Willie), and I also got the "Mickey Mouse Club" one. It's so cute, Mickey is wearing a Mouse ears hat and Mouseketeer outfit.

They usually cost $40, but with a $25 purchase they cost only $15.99. So...we did a little shopping too. John bought a CuisineArt electric carving knife, and I bought a peppermill, and we bought a Quesadilla maker. LOL Then we went to CompUSA and bought the kids each a computer game, then we went to BJ's and bought a ton of stuff! No junk though, so we were pretty good.

We just got back and tried out the quesadilla maker. It actually works pretty well!! It was on sale for only $19.99, so that was a good deal. We saw a couple of smoothie makers while we were out, but didn't get one (yet). lol

When I picked Robby up after chess club yesterday he said he had a bad headache. I got him home and found out he also had a fever and chills. I gave him Advil, got him bundled up, and he's feeling a little better today, but not all better. (We didn't take him out today; the kids stayed home, just John and I went out shopping).

So....that's been my day so far! It's only 4:10pm and its getting dark already

Hope you're all having a good weekend!!

 

[mickeymom923]

Terry,

We went to Strawbridges in Philly and they were offering the same Milestone Mickey's for $15.99 with a $25 purchase. I wanted to get the Mouseketeer one and the one wearing the Top Hat. They are sooooo cute. I figured I'd get Lindsay a dress and buy the Mickey's but like a typical teenager, she didn't know what she wanted so I didn't get anything. Last week, I got the Madame Alexander dolls from McDonalds kids meals. I got Wendy as Minnie Mouse and Wendy as Mickey Mouse.

It's a shame that I'm not as obsessed with losing weight as I am about Disney. I even applied for a part time job at the Disney Store. My kids think I need help.

Bev

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by mickeymom923
Just got back from taking Lindsay shopping for her Homecoming Dance. After going to 2 malls, she decided that she doesn't know what she wants to get - casual or semi-dressy. Any suggestions what a 17 year old wears to a HS Homecoming Dance?

I have to admit that I have no willpower with the diet. I just can't seem to get in the mindset of giving up the junk food that I like. I was hoping to lose at least 5 pounds before my cruise next month but I doubt it. How's everyone doing with their diet?

Hope everyone is feeling better.

Bev

Hi Bev,

We are just across the river in Gloucester County, NJ. Our DD 14 went to her first Homecoming Dance last Saturday. Over 600 kids were in attendance at the dance, all the girls I saw coming out were all dressed to the 9's. Some kids even had limos waiting for them out front, a little much for a Homecoming Dance if you ask me, maybe for the prom, but for Homecoming? By the way our DD talked this style of dress is now the norm.

 

[mickeymom923]

Hi Everyone

I know I'm obsessed with Disney and I'm curious - how or what got everyone hooked on Disney? What is your story if you don't mind sharing?

Bev

 

[Verandah Man]

I've been hooked on Disney ever since I was about 7 or 8 years old and watched The Mickey Mouse Club and Disney's Wonderful World of Color on T.V., now I'm really aging myself, LOL!!!

 

[allshookup]

Hi everyone!

I was busy trying to catch up on laundry all day and I even did a little packing for our trip to DW in 2 weeks. I had a nightmare last night that it was time to drive to the airport and I forgot to pack. I figured it must be really weighing on my subconscience.

Thanks for all your words of encouragement regarding school, it really helps believe me!

My DH and I both (luckily) got hooked on Disney the first time we took my then 2 y/o DD to DW. We had gone a couple of times before we had children but it made all the difference when we got to see it thru her eyes and eventually my DS's. We found we loved it even more when we actually stayed inside DW. We usually just commuted from my DM's house an hour north and usually only to MK but it became so much more enjoyable when we stayed at a DW resort. Now my goal is to eventually stay at EVERY DW resort. I also want to visit DL someday. We never tire of anything Disney. It's like that family said in the Fan's guide to DW....we mark our lives together by all our Disney trips!

Diane

 

[SeaSpray]

I went to Disney World with my mother when I was about 15 years old, back in 1976. Just her and I, it was a wonderful time! I think that, along with watching the Disney shows when I was a kid, like Andy mentioned, that planted the "seeds" for me to become a Disney fanatic. lol

Two years later, my mother, my sister (age 27), my niece (age 7) and I (age 17) all went to Disney World together. Again, it was a wonderful time, lots of great memories

In the early 80's I went with my (now ex) DH and another couple. We only went for about 3-4 days, but we had a great time! During that trip, we bought a few Disney Babies accessories which eventually we put into the bedroom that became DS16's baby nursery It was totally themed with Disney Babies

After that, I didn't go back to Disney World until May of 2001, when we took both DSs. (I did go to DisneyLand though). We stayed onsite (my first time ever onsite), split between the Caribbean Beach Resort and the Grand Floridian. This may sound bizarre, and probably something only other fellow Disney lovers would understand, but I always wanted to take my sons to Disney World, it was a goal of mine, in a way. lol I thought to myself, "I will have been a good mother, once I've taken my children to Disney World". That sounds hysterical now, but I really felt that way! All 4 of us had the best time ever. A perfect family vacation.

It was actually AFTER that trip that I became totally addicted to going back to Disney World, and wanting to take a Disney cruise. Even though we have another Disney Cruise booked, I STILL want to get back to Disney World! I can still remember the exact bench, near Tom Sawyer's Island, where my mom waited for me while I took the raft ride over to the island

 

[sandygirl]

Sounds like you all have had a great day!
Bev, I'm sure Lindsey will find the perfect thing to wear to her dance. Is it soon?
J
ust like Andy, I remember watching the Wonderful World of Disney (in black & white). The Mickey Mouse Club was re-runs for me. Do you remember one of the girls was named Darlene? I always thought that was so cool.

My 1st trip to WDW was in 1976 for my Senior Class Trip. It was only the Magic Kingdom back then and the Contemporary and the Polynesian. I spent my 1st honeymoon at the Polynesian in 1978.

Terry, I vividly remember Tom Sawyer's Island. Wasn't it fun?
I never made it back until 1996. I can't believe it took so long. Like you, Terry, I also dreamed about taking my DS's to WDW and thought it would be a "good mother" thing to do. I tried very hard to figure out how to afford it as a single mom, even considered camping in a tent at FW. Before I could make it happen, my former DH beat me to it. I guess it helped that his new in-laws lived in Kissimmee and they could stay there for free. I can't explain how cheated I felt that I couldn't take them for their first experience. Somehow I think Terry will understand what I mean.

Sandy went for the 1st time when she was 2 yrs old. And she has been so many times I would have to really think about it to list. I took her to Disneyland last year. We have cruised DCL 4 times and have 2 more planned. Hooked? I guess you could say that.

Darlene

 

[Mjasp]

Interesting stories everyone. I went to WDW the first time as a married adult, My sister moved to Orlando in 1986 and when we went to visit her was our first WDW visit. I still remember the awe of that first visit, when I went back the following year, although it was good the awe of the first time wasn't there. There is nothing like the first time.

Now we go so much, that sometimes my kids just want to hang out at the resort. And relaxing is OK by me.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by sandygirl


Terry, I vividly remember Tom Sawyer's Island. Wasn't it fun?
I never made it back until 1996. I can't believe it took so long. Like you, Terry, I also dreamed about taking my DS's to WDW and thought it would be a "good mother" thing to do. I tried very hard to figure out how to afford it as a single mom, even considered camping in a tent at FW. Before I could make it happen, my former DH beat me to it. I guess it helped that his new in-laws lived in Kissimmee and they could stay there for free. I can't explain how cheated I felt that I couldn't take them for their first experience. Somehow I think Terry will understand what I mean.

Sandy went for the 1st time when she was 2 yrs old. And she has been so many times I would have to really think about it to list. I took her to Disneyland last year. We have cruised DCL 4 times and have 2 more planned. Hooked? I guess you could say that.

Darlene

Darlene: I definitely understand what you mean. And actually, something similar did happen with me. In 2000, my older DS, Craig, did the Land/Sea trip with his dad and their family. (Ex-DH isn't remarried, he went with his dad and brother and family). So....DS Craig DID go to Disney World and went on the Wonder before we took him and Robby. In a way, that's what really got me thinking that we needed to take the kids SOON. I was married twice, before John, so Robby didn't go on that Land/Sea trip with Craig, and that bothered me a lot. So... it was the fall of 2000 that we had so many health problems in our house (Craig was in the hospital with pneumonia, Robby had fluid in his hip joint and was on crutches and seeing specialists, I had to have my gall bladder out, AND had my wisdom teeth out the same day we had to admit Craig to the hospital, and I had pneumonia, too...etc.!) So....that winter, early 2001, I decided that we all deserved a GREAT vacation, and that's when I found these boards and started planning our May 2001 trip!

That trip was very special. Not only was it John's first time ever to Disney World (he was a deprived child. ), but it was Robby's first time. AND since Craig was only at Disney World for a couple of days with his dad, he didn't see much that first time, so we ALL had a very special trip. It was also the first time that ANY of them had ever ridden on the monorail, AND I was able to get us in the front of the monorail with the driver, for their first ride That was a tip I had read on these boards. I had no idea, before that, that you could ask to sit up front!!!

Thats why I said it was basically that trip in 2001, with John and my sons, that got me "hooked".

 

[florida sun]

Hi Guys

Hope you are all well, It's been great reading all about your memories about WDW.

Mine started a few years ago and was an absoulte turning point in my life. I had just gone through a nasty divorce and was feeling really low, so I was thinking of a way of cheer Vicki and myself up, so we booked a fornight spring break in the sunshine in Spain. What a mistake!!, Vicki joined the kids club and I spent most of the two weeks sat on the beach or by the pool on my own. The evenings were the worst as we would just sit on the balcony with nothing to do, as I really did not want to go to far on my own with a child in the evening.

When I got back a friend of mine told me I should try Florida. At that time I thought I would not be able to travel all that way on my own with a small child.But after a while I convinced myself that if I ever wanted to see a bit of the world I would have to give it a go. So in 2000 I booked for the 2 of us to stay at the All Star Movies. To cut a long story short we had a ball. The laughter that came from Vicki who was then 10 brought tears to my eyes after everything she had been through. We did not want to come home as there was so much for us to do day and night. So we went back Christmas 2003 and this year included a 4 day cruise on the wonder.

Now we are absolute addicts with next August booked at the pop and our wonderful 7 day cruise in 2006.

I have so many wonderful memories of Florida and it gave me the independence I never ever thought I would find at my age.

Speak soon


Sue

 

[mickeymom923]

Hi everyone.

It's great to see the responses and for me to get to know some personal things about my new friends. Atleast I know I'm not crazy and that others share my feelings about Disney.

I wasn't hooked on Disney as a kid although I occasionally watched The Mickey Mouse Club and shows like Bertie the Bunyip, Captain Kangaroo, Soupy Sales, and Sally Starr. (Andy, now I'm dating myself) I doubt that anyone remembers these shows. I first went to the Magic Kingdom shortly after they opened and stayed for 3 days at the Contemporary Hotel. It was nice but I didn't appreciate it. In 1980, I purchased 2 weeks of timesharing at the Poconos and after Harley was born 18 years ago, I exchanged my timeshare every year for Lake Buena Vista. Lindsay took her first steps at Orange Lake Country Club (Fla timeshare). To see the looks on their faces being at DW is truly priceless. I guess I enjoyed seeing it through their eyes. My ex left before Lindsay was 2 and I continued taking Harley, Lindsay and my mom to DW every year. My ex was a deadbeat dad who didn't pay support or see the kids etc etc so for 2 weeks every year I was able to forgot the reality of what I had to deal with back home. I just enjoyed the Magic of Disney.

Years ago, when I was on the Fantasy docked next to the Disney Wonder, I promised myself that one day I would take my family on the Wonder. (Thank goodness for plastic). We finally did it last year and this past August. In August, people were talking about the Magic and I promised Harley and Lindsay that someday we would go on the Magic. I can't tell you how excited I get as we drive to Port Canaveral to DCL and just seeing the Wonder at the port before we get on, is an unbelievable feeling. I can feel the Wonderful Magic just looking at the ship. As I am getting younger, I seem to be more obsessed with Disney. Everytime I see Mickey I remember all the great times I've shared with my family and I hope I've created memories that my kids will share with their kids.


Bev