Christmas Cruising 2005

[tiggerwannabe]

Nan, I coulda told you package prices were more expensive than doing your trip piece by piece.

If your willing to do the work and can take the time to check all the sites you can save alotta dough.

I buy all my vacations in pieces. When we took our girl scout troop there and stayed at asmovies, we got tax free on top of group rates on top of discounts. How else do you think we took 41 people?

 

[nskjerven]

Kris: I hear your pain, darn tests don't make smart kids...parents involved with their children make smart kids. I think the issues are so basic that people just don't spend time with their kids and take the responsibility on their own hands, but try to stick it back on the teachers/schools/governments...My words to you are hopefully to encourage, and tell you that you are appreicated by those moms & dads(like us) that are engaged with our kids. We need good caring teachers like you guys. Take the weekend and play with your babies and hubby, that's ultimately what it's about anyways.

Wilson and I are enjoying some good old fashion Clifford on PBS as we speak...

Later,

N

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I agree with you again Nan! 100%

My world is my children, and unfortunately there are many parents who think its all about them. They put responsability everywhere but on themselves.

The system puts down so many rules that the education of these children gets lost. And you, who are there to make a difference, turn into a glorified, test giving, babysitter.

I also agree that you should commit your attention to the family on the weekends...forget you're a teacher. I know its hard, but leave it at school. You do what you can and I know you are appreciated by those who want to be there.

I know your appreciaed more by those that you love and those that love you. THAT is what is important.

 

[nskjerven]

I knew from the start that it would be more packaged, but I kept thinking that I get this warm feeling of not having to deal...but after being on the boards and making all the ressies and stuff anyways you may as well just buy it by piece and try to save some money.

So, now some not good news, Molly got thrown from her horse. They are on the way home, I haven't seen her yet. Paul tells me she took most of the fall on her face, she had a pretty bad bloody nose and split lip. Wish us luck for the night on this one. I'm just not sure that I'm making the right call on having her ride or not. Molly has a motor skill disability coupled with weak muscle tone. We decided to do horse lessons this year in lui of OT. Last year we had OT once week, during which Molly would do a series of motor strenghting exercises and end with some hand writing exercises. The horse riding lessons are to give her the enjoyment aspect, but more for the muscle strenghting. Most sports programs at this age level around here are alot of standing around and waiting for your turn unless you are really good (which due to her poor coordination she is not) so it's been a bit hard to find a program that would be fun and exercise that would mean something for her body. So, I've been worried and concerned if this was the right choice, as each week we've seen a girl get thrown off her horse. I'm sure it's a learning curve, but I'm not sure that she should be doing this. Paul just called and is worried about her swelling in her nose, I think we're headed to urgent care, check in later.

Nan

 

[tiggerwannabe]

P&PD coming your way skjervens... give her an extra hug for me.

IMHO, I would ask Molly if she wants to continue, you know the old cliche, she may wanna get back on. I have always let my kids make their decisions like that. Unless you really feel its dangerous for her.

 

[havencruiser]

Hello,
My daughter, aged 15, would also like to join the swap if you still have room.
Thanks,
Sharon

 

[nskjerven]

We're back. She's ok. Not sure if her nose is broken, won't be able to tell until the swelling goes down, sometime next week. Her lips are twice normal size. A bit of a tear to her gums. No apparent damage to her teeth, but lots of ground in dirt which is going to be a bit hard to get out. She is fairly bruised and and the doctor said to expect black eyes. Good thing school pictures were yesterday.

She of course tells us now, I'm not riding again, but I think she'll brave thru it. We on the other hand may look for a different place. Not sure that this is the right fit. As I mentioned seems like each week a girl has fallen off the horse. As for Molly's fall, she wasn't holding the reins correctly and as Pippin(the horse) lunged his head down, she pulled back on the reins he did it again, she pulled harder, last time she really pulled and he did too and down she went.

Gonna go try to clean out the teeth now.

Back later,

N

p.s. PF Changs lettuce wraps are dinner tonight....they were next to urgent care....

 

[nskjerven]

come on, you should know by now what lazy surfers we are (especially me)

what's the link???

N

 

[nskjerven]

Tiggie: My dearest crapo collector, can you do me another favor???? If you can grab some maps of AKL & GF. I'm trying to get an understanding of the hotels too...most importantly I'm trying to see where the kids club(aka day care is on site)

Thanks my dear.....ya got a week, now you have an excuse to go get a drink in the longue....remember to submit your signed expense report for travel related expenses

N




p.s. Grim I figured it out, sometimes I'm pretty slow for a tech girl from the valley huh?

 

[LynnTarrant]

Poor Molly
I hope she recovers soon and is able to get back up on her horse next week.

To all you US teachers the world is such a small place the things you were saying are being said in every staffroom through the UK, if we get it why can't the powers that be!!! In our case the document is called 'every child matters' which of course as teachers we've always believed , but their idea of one size fits all, that tests are the way to measure an individual's worth and that schools and other institutions should be where a child spends their life from 8am - 6pm with no responsibility for the parents is scarey! Nice to know it's not just the UK education system gone mad but the whole world, still scarey but I don't feel so alone!

 

[trinibjill]

OK Grim
went to the site & printed the Nav's. It seems that the band and the comedians are pretty much the same as last year. That's good because so are they.

OK MOlly, now you know what to do the next time this should be no reason not to get back on the horse.

The first time I fell with my mc I made it a point to get back on it. aw:

 

[LynnTarrant]

I promised you a bunny picture Nan, maybe you could show Molly to cheer her up.

 

[nskjerven]

Lynn: So adorable. Molly got a big grin when she saw them. What are their names??? Do they play in the house? How old are they, boys or girls or each?

Molly isn't ready to talk but she sends a to everyone. Thanks for the concern, she hears all from the boards (from me) and knows you all and is very excited to met all these new friends when we cruise.

Below is a quote from Wilson

" "

only he understands what and why these????

Back to watching our movie might still go to Fairyland latter this morning if we get motivated....

N

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Nan! I got my chickens! They're in the cupboard!

In english, that means La Nouba tix have been recd along with the envelope I have to fill with park media and a LYMI PIN!!!!!

Thank you Nan!!! I love it!



I wanted to tell you real quick, I'll be back after I put my bathroom back together...I have a few things written up and will post them in a little bit.

 

[nskjerven]

So cute huh???? I loved Delswife so much I had to have those and you did too!!!

clean the bathroom...


Nan

 

[jgalecpa]

Lynn,

To quote Elmer Fudd, famed American hunter "MMMM, Hosenfeffer"


Oops.

Is that too soon.

These people don't know me yet, do they lynn?






Jim

 

[KKB]

Busy pleasant day here...Jazzercise (proud of myself...been about 10 days!)...Michaels Kids Club w/ Hailey & Jack (we'd never done it...kinda fun...kids enjoyed it anyway)...Hailey & I to haircut/color...off to sample day at new local gourmet food store ($20 for 3 bottles of some pretty yummy looking stuff I don't really need! Hey, trying to support local businesses!)
Husker game ready to start! Promised the kids we would get fall decor up this weekend! Date w/ Dan tonite! Sure helping to alleviate my stress from the week!
Nan, Tig & Lynn--THANK YOU! Teachers hear these things SO infrequently, it nearly teared me up. I do love teaching, and I try to do what is best for kids. But I gotta have a life ( & sanity!), too. Lynn, TOO wierd that UK has gotten sucked into this crap, too. Ah, well, education is like a pendulum, about every 10 years things change...I'm just trying to wait it out!
NAN--OH, MOLLY! Many thougts to you! Feel better soon & show that horse who is boss!
Well, I AM going to do a bit of school work this weekend in an effort to ease some work stress. Luckily Dan helped to get the house in order today, kids showered/bathed, so I am feeling like my house is under control. AMAZING how working out makes me a MUCH happier person...I MUST remember this when I feel too tired to go! I think routine helps me, too.
Well, Tig, off to evaluate your schedule for the cruise. Is your spreadsheet in one of your links, or do you know the message #? I might print that too, so I can stalk you on the cru...I mean so I can follow your lead and create my own! (It is so funny how I have researched and know SO much about this cruise, and the rest of the clan has zippo idea! )
Well, I'll will check in later or tomorrow!
Kris

 

[minniegrl]

Kris: I hear your pain, darn tests don't make smart kids...parents involved with their children make smart kids. I think the issues are so basic that people just don't spend time with their kids and take the responsibility on their own hands, but try to stick it back on the teachers/schools/governments...My words to you are hopefully to encourage, and tell you that you are appreicated by those moms & dads(like us) that are engaged with our kids. We need good caring teachers like you guys.

N

AMEN SISTA!

 

[minniegrl]

Hi everybody!

Nan~so sorry to hear about Molly's accident, and glad she has only minor injuries. Hugs to Molly!

Lynn~you're so right. It is so scary to see some of the parents of my students. They don't give a rip about what's good for their kid. Instead they want their kid out of their hair so they either ignore them or let them do whatEVER they want! And then I'm supposed to tell them that they have to be respectful of others and do their work? Yeah, right!

Kris~ I agree with everyone that teachers need to forget that we're teachers on the weekends, and spend time with our families, but I know how hard it is to do that. I see other teachers in my building who never go home with work, but I am just not that kind of teacher. I don't sit at my desk and make my kids do seat work, and the bottom line is that you can be up teaching all day and then not have stuff to take home at night. BUT, to quote myself, hehe, "You chose your job, so suck it up and quit b**ching!"

We met the people who are buying our house today. They came over to see the house, since they haven't seen it yet. They're buying it for an investment, and just bought it on the recommendation of the realtor. Anyway, very nice couple a bit younger than us, I'd say. Makes me feel better.

Well, I'm off to enjoy my weekend. Everyone else do the same!


Dede

 

[Aisling]

Hi Gang,
Poor Princess Molly! Molly, I took a spill like that when I was 11 years old, the day before my elementary school graduation ceremony! Not only was my nose all swollen, but I had two black eyes! I wore sunglasses to the graduation to cover my eyes, and all the kids thought I was just trying to be cool! Get back on the horse as soon as you can. That's what I did, because my dad told me the horse felt bad that I fell, so I wanted to cheer the horse up. I know you girls today are smarter than when I was little, but I really did believe what my dad said!

Yesterday I found out that Jesse has a deviated septum, and has to have the minor surgery to repair it. He had a bump on thr bridge of his nose that seemed to be getting bigger. He also said he couldn't breathe as well from that one side than the other. So we got it checked out. Specialist next week, and then we'll decide when we're going to have the procedure done. I need to do some research first. I want to wait until Feb., when they have their midwinter school break, but we'll see what the doctor says. It's not causing Jesse a lot of trouble...only the last week or so because he was stuffed up from seasonal allergies, which have cleared up now. Anyway, if any of you have experience with this, I'd be much abliged to hear about it.

Soon I'll be able to book excursions. I cannot wait! I think I have it decided.

St. Maarten Mountain Biking for Chad and Mel. Jesse wants to do it, too, but it's 35 miles!!! We'll see. It ends at Friar's Beach on the French side, so I'll have an adventure and work my way across the island to meet them, shopping along the way. That's in the morning. Then back to the ship, shower, lunch, and back out for some general on-our-own sightseeing. I threatened Mel that he better not lay down after his shower, because I know he won't get up after that!

St. Thomas is going to be a trip to Trunk Bay for snorkling and enjoying the beauty of "one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world". Close by, there's the ruins of a sugar plantation, so we'll do that, too. We only plan on staying on St. John's for 4-5 hours. Later in the day, we'll do some exploring back on St. Thomas, the tram, the castle, the town, ect.

Castaway Cay is the tough one, because I want to get a hammock. But how am I going to hold onto it while we're banana boating, submarining, snorkling, parasailing, etc. I might have to rent a gramma to lay in it for me while I'm on my adventures.
There are also other activities going on on CC, like sports, contests, etc. There's just so much to do.

Tig, I saw the announcement for the meet, 4:30 starboard side, deck 10 was it?? Don't worry, I'll re-read the post and get it right. We'll be there. There's a basketball game/contest (freethrow?? not sure what), and I was wondering if any of you men were interested. My guys are.

Tig, to answer your question, yes you sure can see Ellis Island from the ferry to the Statue. The ferry stops at both, and the boats run continuously all day.

The Yankees are in the playoffs, saw it today on TV. Those stinking bums also known as the Mets are basically out of it all. I never lost hope in them, and they let me down again this year.

The weather is beautifull today, sunny and on the cool side. I'm going to go out for a walk before my crew gets home from their various jaunts.

BBL