Christmas Cruise 2005!!!

[nskjerven]

I had to laugh when someone posted that they say that they met their SO at a museum (sorry, can't remember who posted it, and it's about 20 pages back by now). My wife and I met online, which is kind of embarassing, so we always say we met at the Louvre!

Grim: You got part of it right...I say we met at a museum we really met in a biker bar!!! Much more real life huh? I have to ask did you meet thru Match.com? I'm good friends (used to date) the guy who founded that company. It amazes me to see what has become of it from the original concept in his bedroom in Los Altos, CA.

Jill So sorry for your loss. Dogs & cats do become family members and losing them is very hard. I lost my first, Kowdog, (doggie) 9 years ago this summer and I still cry over her, she was my baby. I hope you find a new pet to share your live with soon. Even though I believe you can not replace a lost pet with a new one there is always more love in your heart for a new one.

Girls: How come I'm never around for those back and forth chats???? I read them and

I was just telling DH that I really have to get back to school to finish my degree, 2 classes short of Poly Sci BA degree at SJSU (San Jose State Univ). I of course won't get any added value out of completing this in my work life, but I feel like a slug going all the way to the end and not finishing. I just need 6 units of anything, not even upper division stuff, so I really better do it before my kids make it to college or I'll never here the end of that one.

As for well behaved children, funny thing, a few months back we had about 3 people in the course of one weekend tell us how great our kids behaved (at resturants mostly) and then we hit that dry spell and wonder if they will ever behave again. I know they test the bounderies with their parents and then behave in public, but once in a while I'd love to be treated like a stranger just to see those perfect manners. The fights we have when I bring DS to pick up DD at school, arggghhhh.

Only 10 more school days for DD I'll be so glad when this year is over, cuz then we're going to DISNEYLAND . Did I mentioned that before okay just rubbing it in a little.

Speaking of Dland does anyone want anything from the Happiest Place On Earth? I'm always happy to shop as long as someone else is paying. If any of you want anything let me know. Which reminds me, do any of you have My Pal Mickey (I think that is what it is called) He is the plush Mickey that talks in WDW when you take him to specific places. I'm trying to decide if I want to order one before we get there or buy him on site. Any suggestions from anyone who has one or has seen one???

Big Brownie Awards today, I must get inside and make a veggie tray (whoppie, can you tell I'm not excited about that).

Hope you are all enjoying the lovely weekend, it's sunny with a slight breeze here, just the way I like it

TTFN

Nan

 

[Aisling]

Is it safe to come in now???

Grim, a bamboo headboard sounds so romantic. And making it yourself makes it even better. How about a photo???

Check your countdown clocks...tomorrow we'll be out of the 200s!! :thewave:

Hi Dede!

It's very hot/humid here today, and DH is on the tennis court!! It's funny, I really can't stand this weather, but in WDW it doesn't bother me at all. Remember the feeling of walking out of the cool WDW hotel in the morning and being hit by the hot humid air? I miss it so much!

 

[grimgrinnin]

Grim: I have to ask did you meet thru Match.com?

Nope, AOL.


grim

 

[KKB]

First official day of vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grim--glad you are back. Sorry about all that scary conversation!
Funny you guys mentioned how many days...DD just asked how many! It was nice to be able to tell her exactly (I happened to even be here when she asked!) She thought it was very cool I could tell her exactly!
Does anyone bring a robe? I didn't on last cruise, but it was DH & I. Pretty hot-blooded, so don't need it for warmth. But thought since sailing w/ family...not that I wear one when we all stay together...hmmmmmmm....but then again, always a good excuse to shop!!
Well, HOT HOT HOT here the next few days. May need to start on my tan for the cruise! Friends joined a "country club" (FAR more impressive than it sounds---more like the neighborhood pools many join, though w/ golf & tennis, public restaurant), but w/ our schedule (and budget! ) this summer, I said not for 2 years. Sad, but it doesn't make sense to dish out the cash if we can't take full advantage of it! Of course, met all for dinner last night, and they were all brown & smelling like sunscreen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, better get kids breakfast & off to their destinations...off to Jazzercise!!
Have a WONDERFUL day!
Kristin

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I was thinking :...

Hey!!! No giggling in the peanut gallery...

Kristin: I was thinking that I will have to make a point to hit the family & kiddie pool areas every once in a while to see some of you...

and then I realized the ice cream and hot dogs are over that way.

Grim: (John, thank you for the names-I have edited the list)
You are funny :*looks around*: It is safe now

I need a new headboard and thought about revamping my full to fit our now queen bed...but that's just too much work. Bamboo sounds like an awesome idea, may I ask HOW you made it?

[invisible ink--I have more to say but will be posting this in pieces because of the thunderstorm that's outside right now---end invisible ink ]

 

[Aisling]

Only 10 more school days for DD I'll be so glad when this year is over, cuz then we're going to DISNEYLAND

Nan, I'd love to go to DL, Walt's original creation. I hope you write a TR for us all to read.

Friends joined a "country club" (FAR more impressive than it sounds---

Kristin, you're so cute! Did you think we thought you meant a club where you're all named Jethro and Ellie Mae?? Anyway, you know your priorities...a Disney Cruise first, and THEN the Country Club! Happy Start To Your Vacation!

Tig, it thundered and lighteninged (is that a word??) here for about 10 minutes, and now it's all done.

Be back later.

 

[KKB]

When I wrote "country club", I should have said far LESS impressive than it sounds--gee whiz I sound like a snob! It's not on the level of the Clampett's, but this is NOT an invite only, anyone who is willing to up the cash can join! And this I can easily cover w/ my summer work, so it won't break the bank!
Sorry about that
Gotta go get Hailey!
Kristin

 

[3xthecharm]

Don't worry we knew what you meant.

Our kids have three more days left of school! One is a field trip and the last is a fun day, so only one real day left. My fourth grader had 14 tests and quizes this last week. I'm not sure who needs the vacation more, him or me.

 

[dclcruzer]

Hey everybody!!
My name is Tori....I will be traveling on the cruise with all of you fine people! I will be traveling wiht my parents my brother of 9 and me of course at age 14! We have cruised wiht Disney 2 times this will be our 3rd! We have been up on the 6th deck with a verandah but now that the cost has gone up and we are part of the Disney Vacation Club we could not get a room with a verandah this time but instead we got a room on deck 2 wiht a huge ocean view window! We will be staying in room 2000 so come on and knock on our door and we can hang! I hope someone plans a Diser meet in the terminal or somewhere on the ship! But as for Tigegrwannabe she is planning something I think at the Radisson (sp?) right down the street from port canaveral! I have stayed there the night befopre we board 2 times.. I hope that my family will get to meet wiht you guys!! I am just getting even more excited by the second!!! You can instant message me or e mail me at ultimateheat (aol.com)!! Can't wait to chat wiht you all some more!!!

 

[grimgrinnin]

I need a new headboard and thought about revamping my full to fit our now queen bed...but that's just too much work. Bamboo sounds like an awesome idea, may I ask HOW you made it?

I got the idea from hgtv.com with this picture:

I'll post a picture of mine the next time the 'good' bead spread comes out of the closet

This WOULD have been very easy to make, so you can learn from my mistakes if you really want to attempt this. When I first started, I looked all over town for some place that sold bamboo poles. I couldn't find any. I went everywhere - Home Depot, Lowes, Michaels, Pier 1, fabric stores, lumber yards - nothing.

I found several sellers on eBay with them. I ended up spending over $100 on 10 poles, most of the cost was shipping to AZ.

When I got the poles, they were disgusting - completely covered in mold. I put them out in the hot, dry AZ sun to kill it all off. That worked, but then the poles started to split in the hot, dry AZ sun. I then started to sand the poles to remove the mold - which had stained the bamboo badly. That was taking forever, so I bought an electric sander (about $60). That still took a long time (spent about 2 days sanding). I then stained the poles with a dark mahogany finish.

Right about the time that I had them all sanded, my wife calls me from Pier 1 and says that they have sets of 3 bamboo poles for $10, already stained and everything. I don't know if we just missed them the first time we looked, or they had just got them in. I bought 2 set of these to replace the poles that were cracked too badly. They matched the ones I had already finished pretty well. I would have saved a lot of time and money had I found these earlier - they are perfect.

I then cut them all to size, drilled 2 sets of holes in each one (more holes in the top and bottom poles to wrap the wire through and around to hold them together), and 'strung' them together with 14 gauge electrical wire. I drove 2 bolts into the studs in the wall and hung the finished headboard by the first pole. We both really like it.



grim

 

[dclcruzer]

Thats very creative...It looks very nice...

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Yay! We are officially under the 200 day mark!!!!

Grim: Great Job on the headboard!! Don't you just hate it when everything falls into place...just a little bit late

I may use your idea and go just a hair further...I will probably take it all the way to the floor on mine...It really looks nice with the mahogany finish.

Nan: I have my eye on a couple souvies for this year... I like the golden mickey ears antenna topper and the golden mickey ears hat! They're on my list to get in December. How much longer to DL?!?!?!

Aisling: That thunderstorm kept me off the computer all night last night! We were hit straight on by the storms. It lighteninged and thundered for two and a half hours!!! Oh well, at least we didn't lose power and had no damage...I'll count my blessings with that.

Tori: So far I'll be looking for DISers at the Radisson the night before, at the terminal before boarding, at the sail away party (I'll be on deck 10 overlooking the party) and at our formal dinner Christmas night. More to follow on those...

Kandice: We're almost at the end of our school year. Brittany has full days the rest of this week and finals (which means 1-2 hours a day) next week. They're done on thursday.

Then the real fun can begin.

 

[Aisling]

Hi Everyone,

Grim, last year, I found bamboo poles in a fabric/craft store for $2 a pole, and I bought 10. I then went to Coney Island, brought home two big pails of sand, put the sand in terra cotta pots, stuck the poles in, added a few stones on top of the sand, and I have them in two corners in our dining room. We have a zen thing going on in our living room, alcove, and dining room. So when I saw your bamboo idea, I thought I may have to borrow it, not as a headboard, but as a wall decoration!

Tori, I'm happy you found your way over here again! Why don't you tell us some highlights of your previous trips...what you liked best, least, etc. It may give us some ideas. You're a lucky young lady, with 3 cruises soon to be under your belt!

Are you all sick of my cruise clothes announcements yet?
Well, I think I've decided to mostly wear sundresses instead of shorts! You know, those thin-materialed, tropical-looking, gauzy, cute little (or longish) dresses to flounce around in and stay cool in! <----------------not like him, but ah-that-breeze-up-my-dress-feels-so-good cool. I don't even have to go to a real store to buy them, because it seems like there's a vendor on every street corner selling these dresses for $3 each. They're practically disposable! No laundry!

I wanna pack already! But I really have to calm down and not try to rush the time to go by. I do have a quick trip planned tp Kentucky with my priest-friend to spend a few days visiting a certain monastery, something I've wanted to do for years. My friend isn't in the best of health, so now's the time. So I have that to look forward to. Chad's going to visit my brother in Texas this summer; my brother is stationed there in the AForce. Jesse is going to stay with my sister for a week in the Catskills, to visit with his cousin who's going to China for the month of July! Imagine a class trip to China for a 14 year old kid! And two years ago, his brother went to Australia for a month! I give my sister a ton of credit for her nerves of steel, but there's no way I'd let my 14 year old travel across the world with what's going on in this world, unless there was a family member or CLOSE friend going with him, not just a group of school chaperones. No offense to the chaperones, I'm just overprotective.

It's almost midnight, I have to get to sleep! Disney dreams, everyone!

 

[nskjerven]

Tigg: We leave on Wed 6/22 stay until 6/26 Sun hmmmm that's only 2 weeks from TOMORROW!!!! I guess I better get packing next week. (that means sticking the clean clothes out of the way so I don't have to wash them at the last minute) Trying to figure out how to do that without the kids seeing it. Of course they are still at the ages that they don't really see all that is in front of them. So I'm sure I could just stick the suitcase in my room and pack it in there.

So....tonight was the last T-ball game for DS. It was fun. DH coached tonight, as the "real" coach is on vaca. We went out to pizza dinner after the game with neighbors (we call them the 3rd set of grandparents) they are a bit older than us, and their kids haven't married and had kids yet, so our kids get the attention that should be going that way. It's nice to have such good friends so close to enjoy the kids events with.

I'm tired out from the first part of the day, DS & friend & her DS went to Tech Museum. We saw some neat stuff. I got to go on an "earthquake" ride for lack of a better description. It was so real feeling. Even though we knew a quake would happen, even saw the clock countdown when it hit I gasped and said "hey it's an earthquake" Felt just like a real one. I've been thru quite a few. They don't scare me, they are just weird. I'd freak out if I was in the tornado, huricane situtation. The earthquake happens quick with out warning and then they are over the others seem to loom until they hit then they seem to hang around for a while. I guess grass is greener from one coast to the other, eh? The other cool thing we did was sit in a seat that was like a jet pack machine. Like you are in space and floating around with a jet pack on your back. You lean back into this chair, legs propped up and then with hand controls push the chair thing left/right back/forth. Floating in air. It was really cool.

ok, I'm done for the night...check back with you guys in the morning.



Nan

 

[KKB]

Enjoying the summer here--working out each morning (I am SO proud of myself!), accomplishing a few things each afternoon, then the kids & I are out on the driveway later in the afternoon to splash in the pool. I have a bit of a tan already! Then each night to ball games. Dan & I have even each snuck in a late game of bar poker the last 2 nights. Fun for all!
Marcus is driving me NUTS! This happens every summer. He doesn't like change (like his father...), even though he was ready for summer. Plus he is a "the grass is always greener" kid of kid--whatever he is doing, he thinks about what else he could be doing! Mom & I were discussing this, and realized he gets this from my dad! Has to complain about everything! Now, I love my dad a lot, but I don't want to live w/ him for the next 8 years!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, got my ticket to Salt Lake for my scrapbooking workshop in August.
Ticket was $500! What is that all about??!! Luckily I had $200 in vouchers to offset, plus I have gotten into contact w/ a gal I met 2 years ago who is going again this year, so I don't need a rental car, plus she & a friend are rooming w/ me, so it will still be cheaper. I LOVE to fly, but these prices these days are insane! I did see $200 RT Omaha-Fort Lauderdale from now to Oct. 28...hmmm...wonder if I could sneak in a cruise before Disney...
Well, kids are pestering me to head out to the pool (It's like 18" deep, but when the neighbor kid is out, I feel a little obligated to supervise.
Better go work on my tan
Kristin

 

[tiggerwannabe]

...
Are you all sick of my cruise clothes announcements yet?
...

That is too funny!

It's the first thing I read and guess what!?!?! It's what I wanna do today!!!

So far I have my Mickey cooler, Mickey swimsuit cover-up, yesterday I bought the double size Mickey/Minnie Hawaii towel and someone...sent me a special suprise in the mail today!!!
[size=+4]Thank You NAN!!!!!! [/size]


I even took a picture of it!!! I'll post it as soon as I get it uploaded

I missed a bit over the last 24 hours, so now I have to go read up a little...brb.

 

[Aisling]

I even took a picture of it!!! I'll post it as soon as I get it uploaded

Upload, girl! We all wanna see!!!!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

OKAY!!

I was waiting for her permission but her ten minutes are up

[size=+2]Isn't it Perfect!?!?!?! [/size]

 

[Aisling]

OMG Tig!!!!!!!!!!! What a beautiful surprise!!!! Now there's no denying it..you're a real princess! That was so SWEET of Nan! Thanks for posting the photo so quickly!

Nan, you're a doll!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

OMG Tig!!!!!!!!!!! What a beautiful surprise!!!! Now there's no denying it..you're a real princess! That was so SWEET of Nan! Thanks for posting the photo so quickly!

Nan, you're a doll!

Ayup! I absolutely agree!

Nan and Molly and me will match!

She told me she had a surprise for me...I was thinking something small...like an antenna topper...I got the package today-all fat and stuffed-and was very pleasantly surprised!!!