Christmas 2003 - Who's sailing (20-27 Dec 03)?

[LynnTarrant]

I don't know Jim it could be worse, friends of ours Neil and Wendy have 4 daughters 20,18,16, 14 imagine what poor Neil goes through I think he often just retires to the shed!!!

Mind you I often feel sorry for very close friends of ours Penny and Anthony 5, yes 5, boys. 27,25,23,19,17... and not one of them has properly left home yet. Poor Penny!!

 

[jgalecpa]

Lynn,

One word: AAAGGGGHHHH!

One of my clients had SIX girls. Wanted a boy so bad, finally got it on the seventh try.

Now of course, the girls are older so he has Boys all over his house!



jim

 

[LynnTarrant]

Jim - Penny for the Guy
Not many children do this anymore, there are many more official displays, I think thats why trick or treating has caught on suddenly.
Do the youngsters in the States ever abuse it.
I guesss it's not such a big tradition here and alot of older folk don't realise what's happening. This year a group of young teens threw eggs and flour at an old man's (74) house because he didn't give them anything. He came out of the house and chased them away and had a heart attack and died. it's been all over the news here and the boys have been arrested.
I think that's why I have my reservations because it's a dressed up threat give us sweets( treat) or else (trick).
Does everyone in the States take part? What happens to you if you don't give out sweets?

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Lynn, that is absolutely awful --

In my experience, everyone everywhere in the US observes the Halloween tradition of trick or treating.

Occurences such as what you have described are extremely rare, at least where we live. I can remember when I was a young teen, egging and shaving cream and toilet paper were very common - but the police cracked down heavily and that type of thing seems to have tapered off.

In our neighborhood (about 110 homes), we generally don't see too many children over the age of 13-14 trick or treating. There are the odd ones - but they generally live in the neighborhood and are just out having fun with their friends -

Because our community is gated (a bit safer to be out walking at night) and has nice wide sidewalks, we have children coming from everywhere - We do get a few kids from other neighborhoods which aren't quite as properous, who come with a pillow case and no costume - We always give them candy - either their families cannot afford a costume or the parents don't care enough to help the kids put something together. They are not rude or obnoxious, and make no trouble, so we don't think they come just to get free candy!


I am not familiar with the Penny for the Guy tradition-

 

[jgalecpa]

(Lynn, Correct me if I'm wrong)

There was a member of British Parliament named Guy fawkes who was caught trying to blow the houses of parliament up by planting explosives under the House of Parliament.

To this day, Britons commemorate this day with fireworks and bonfires.

Children used to go around the neighborhood collecting money from neighbors to buy fireworks with.

They would say "A penny for the guy".


it is kind of a combination of the US's 4th of July and halloween.

Jim

 

[LynnTarrant]

You got it Jim, 10 out of 10 for British History
Remember Remember the 5th of November, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.

The children would make an effigy of Guy Fawkes which they would take with them to collect the money, it was then burnt on top of the bonfire.
When i was little everyone had their own fireworks you watched your own and all the neighbours. Now with cost, safety and other factors coming into play most people go to an organised display so the act of collecting for the guy is a dying tradition.

 

[Ginny]

Okay, so I am guessing that none of you are hiding a spare daughter anywhere and I will just have to punt for Erin. I'm sure she will meet some lovely little girl in the lab!!

Zach called & left a phone message at 11:45PM on Saturday night and his High School Soccer Team WON their State Championship. His message was incredible and we are so excited for him. He has been playing for many, many years but this news really is a show-stopper. Erin is taking the article from the Chicago papers in for her "news" story tomorrow.

I am struggling with the Evening Wear issue and hoping for one of those "ambush makeover's" where you walk out looking 30, thin and toned. No, huh??? Okay, if the truth be told, I would settle for simply looking 46 and elegant!!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Ginny - congratulations to Matt!! Soccer is a big sport here and for his team to have won their state championship is awesome!!

I am sure you will look absolutely elegant - and I can't imagine that anyone would even think of you as a candidate to be considered for the "What not to Wear" type shows!! I think that a stop at the Clinique counter for a makeover would be lots of fun!! They should have all kinds of fun things for the holidays!!

I have looked in my closet, and while I thought I had a lot to wear, most of it is "winter" - so I guess I will have to shop!! Going to Winston-Salem this weekend as a chaperone for Megan's State Honors Choir concert. I think I will be able to get some shopping done at Hanes Mall while the kids are in rehearsal on Saturday. I haven't shopped for myself since since last spring -- that should be fun!! Is Chuck wearing a tux or suit?

Thanks for sharing your thrilling news with us!

Bonnie

 

[jgalecpa]

So let me get this straight:

Daughter's names include:

Megan,
Caitlin
Shannon and
Erin

Irish I had a dollar for every Irish name!

Ginny,

Congrats to matt on his soccer.

I'm sure Erin will have the time of her life.

Bonnie,

I'm wearing a tux.

I have a couple different vests. Is the Mickey Vest formal or semi-formal?

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Jim - the real question is does anyone have red hair to go along with those names???

I believe the Mickey vest and tie would be considered formal, yes --

Are you wearing it on Christmas, also??

 

[kolakdaw]

Ginny--I also stressed over the formal wear issue. 95% of my clothing is casual and I haven't worn a gown since my wedding day some 22 years ago! I did get lucky and found a lovely two piece gown at David's Bridal (which I think is a big chain). I tried the big stores like Filenes, Macys and Penney's but didn't have luck. Every gown there seemed to be designed for 5'10" slim models! So I went to David's thinking they could alter it to fit. But--with the two piece, I can just pull the skirt up a little higher on my waist and it fits fine! The top is beaded and looks very festive. The bottom is a solid color--navy. I had read on one of the sites that the photographer does formal family portraits on formal night, so I wanted to find something that didn't clash with my daughter's lavender prom dress. This will go nicely. Even DD15 thought it looked good--which is saying something! Now to find something for her!! She tried on a size 2 (the smallest David's carries) and it was huge on her. That's next week's chore! I'm sure you will find something lovely. It seems like they are starting to put out the holiday wear now. Let us know what you find! Dawn

 

[kyravw]

Hi everybody!
I'm glad that i'm not the only one fussin' over what to wear. In Holland we don't have your "prom" tradition so wearing my prom dress is out of the question. ( I don't have one) But,... i've come up with a good alternative... my dark blue chinese dress ( one of the ankle long ones with the short sleves and high collars). I'll work something out with chopsticks for my hair and... voila! A chinese-dutch -X-mas special !!
See you all at the ship!

Kyra

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Kyra - sounds fabulous!! Can't wait to see you!

Bonnie

 

[jgalecpa]

Bonnie:

No red heads in my family, though my mom, two nieces and one nephew have flaming red hair (read: orange).

(One of the read headed nieces is named "Keara" which is pronounced the same as "Kyra"!)

As to dress, I believe these times call for dressing up. I will probably wear the MM vest on Xmas. I've seen some people's pics with them on, and they photograph very nicely.

If I wear the tux more than once:

a) please don't snicker, and
b) it will reduce the packing I need, and
c) the vertical stripes on the pants makes me look taller!

Jim

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Jim - I am surprised there are no redheads - it is recessive and usually skips a generation --

Snickering is just not the Disney way -- I am sure you will look quite handsome in your tux (will we recognize you without the fish?)

If you reduce your packing, does that mean Rieann gets to bring more shoes??

and as for the third -- everything I can think of to reply with would be subject to a BD response, so you can fill in the blanks yourself!

Bonnie

 

[Ginny]

Chuck and Zach will both be wearing tuxes (which we will rent for both when we receive our docs). Chuck did this last cruise and it worked out great - he wore it for both semi and formal night. The tux and all accessories were already in our closet when we arrived. Plus, as Jim pointed out (probably inadvertently).............more room for me.....more room for me!! Chuck, too, has a Mickey cumberbund and tie and will be packing them. I also gave him a beautiful tie last year for Christmas with Mickey on it. He wears it and it looks gorgeous.

No true red hair on my family tree but I am a purebred Irish lass. My mom did dye her hair red once once in about 1930 for her prom..................and it came out green!! Jim, do we get any extra points for trying???

Dawn - I am so excited for you - your dress sounds lovely. I will go shopping in the next couple of weeks.

Kyra - I have always loved the high neck style with the cap sleeves. I am sure you will look beautiful.

I am getting so excited!!

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

OMG -- did you see that someone posted they received their 12/13 Wonder Docs!!!!

ANY DAY NOW --- WHO WILL BE THE FIRST????

 

[jgalecpa]

Jim, do we get any extra points for trying???

There are ALWAYS points for trying;

[quote[ who will be first [/quote]

Someone on the east coast who Booked directly with DCL.

I used AAA.



Who did everyone book with?

Jim

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

www.Mouseearsvacations.com -- the only travel agent who had any cabins left for the soldout 12/28 sailing - the one we had originally planned to go on --

They are national, and our agent is in Raleigh, NC

 

[kolakdaw]

I booked with BestPriceCruises.com--one of those internet cruise travel agents. I looked at ALL of them and this place was $1200 less than Disney for the same category (5). It seemed to be the lowest of the online agents. I still can't believe I'm spending this much money, but I think it will be a very special cruise! Dawn