I guess I can do this like Karen is going it. LOL
Day One Wednesday, April 5, 2006
We left our house at 6:30 am to drive an hour to Charlotte International. The children stayed at my IL's the night before so on our way we call them to say bye to them. I never have gotten emotional before when we have gone without them on vacation but for some reason while speaking with Mac I was overcome with emotions and cried. Now do not get me wrong I was so looking forward to this trip but for some (still) unknown reason I had a bad emotional break down for about 10 minutes. I think I know the reason behind it. Tuesday I went to have my toes painted and to get a tan. While I was there Robin told me about one of her client Joyce. Joyce's son (in his 30's) had been in a motorcycle accident around noon and was not expected to live. I know Joyce's sister somewhat and her cousin was Mac's teacher last year. I think the upset of all of this really got to me. Because after talking to the kids I had to discuss this accident with Jeff. Thank goodness for my husband because he made me feel so much better about it.
Anyway we get to the airport and find our parking. We parked in the remote parking which in Charlotte really is just as good as the daily parking at half the cost. I put money in the glove compartment to pay for our parking. I learned a long time ago to leave money because I tend to spend all that I have with me. That is another long story for another time. LOL
We get in line to get our eticket and check our luggage. I was rather worried about my luggage because it was very full and very heavy. We get our ticket and weigh our luggage. You will not believe but my large Red piece was 49lbs.

We check the luggage and go to security. After almost stripping to go there we pass on with flying colors. BOth Jeff and I had hoped to stop on the way for breakfast and Starbucks but since we left late and knew we would be hitting rush hour in Charlotte we waited. Finally we were able to see those beauitful green letters
STARBUCKS. While in line I meet this nice lady who had the sweetest puppy in this really nice expensive carrier. That puppy was so sweet. I feel in love with her. The lady is a breeder and was delivering her to the new owner. The little puppy was so sweet her name was Chloe and she was a Maltese (sp). Very sweet doggie.
Anyway we get to our gate and wait about an hour. Finally on the plane. All excited but we leave late and are about 30 minutes late arriving in Ft Lauderdale. No big deal though. We find our luggage and a cab and pack it to the Hotel, Embassy Suites by 12:45. We checked into one of the two rooms we had reserved. We were in and out of the room very quickly. Jeff was hungry. We had planned to make it 15th Street Eatery but Jeff's shoes were hurting his feet so we stopped in at a nice Raw Bar on the Marina. We had a nice table outside. Jeff and I shared Couch salad, oysters of thehalf shell and a blacken Mahi Mahi sandwich. He had a few beers and I had a couple of glasses of Chardonnay. We had a real nice lunch.
We walk back towards the hotel. Make a stop at a liquior store for some wine and head back to take the wine to the room. Our other room was still not ready. We leave the wine and head back out. There was a nice shopping center behind the hotel. We browse around there for a while and then come back to see about our other room. Still it is not ready. My friends are due in around 5 and I was getting concerned because I wanted into the room before them. I had goodie bags and some decorations to put up. Finally at 5:15 they let us check in. Jeff and I run back up and decorate the room and come back down for the Mangers Reception. I was impressed with the drinks that were available. They served anyone ove rthe age of 21 any drink they wanted for free. Those drinks were very strong too!! But the food was really lacking. Normally at these things they have a nice array of food but they only had popcorn and pretzels.
Around 6 Janet and Annmarie finally arrive. We all sit at our table and drink until the reception is over then we go to their room. Janet gives me my Freedom Bag. We are going on the Freedom in November together. She had already sent me my Enchantment bag. She is great. She has these really nice canvas bags embroidered with the ships name and our name on them and she fills them with very nice presents!!
In my Freedom bag she had a Freedom tank top and all kinds of goodies I would be needing for the Enchantment. She is such a great friend. She also had Jeff a Freedom baseball cap and a candy bra for him to have me wear. LOL That was so funny.
We then go over to an Irish Pub across the street for dinner and more drinks. LOL There are so many stories behind that walk over and back. I will tell those after this post. We had a nice time there as well. Our last friend was due in about midnight. I could not make it. I fell asleep at 11:30.