Dec 27/08 NYE Western Cruise - Really New Thread

[nskjerven]

dude you are famous. Looks like a good thing for the town as far as being responsible for the budget, but terrible to not have services. this economy sucks

 

[artman]

when you're not being famous on TV (just finished watching a Tivo'd clip of Rus' TV interview last night)

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, whatca gonna do, whatca gonna do when they Cut Back you.

Good Job Rus.

 

[Aisling]

Here's the link to see the story. http://www.kionrightnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=9495117
http://www.ksbw.com/cnn-news/18248149/detail.html
There is video with each story.

Woo hoo, we get to hear Rus speak. Now I can relax...he sounds normal!

 

[Aisling]

Hey Guys,
Can I join the FE group at this late date?
There's just 1 (me) in the cabin.
I think I recognize some of you from the TransAtlantic cruise - I helped with the Banner!

Kathy

Kathy, what's your stateroom number? I have a little something for you.

 

[artman]

Now I can relax...he sounds normal!

Ya right, a lot of us sound normal.

 

[Aisling]

Ya right, a lot of us sound normal.

Yeah well that has yet to be determined until I hear your Canadian accent!

 

[artman]

We speak the Queen's english here in Canada. It's you yanks that have the accent.

 

[KathyInCitrus]

Kathy, what's your stateroom number? I have a little something for you.

Cabin 7563
Thanks

 

[tiggerwannabe]

National Geographic Traveler has an article on Key West this issue. It's *very* informative! I'll scan it later and post it as a picture for those who want to read it...

Happy Friday Magic Mateys!

 

[Aisling]

Cabin 7563
Thanks

We're having a little Dis meet at 3 in the Promenade Lounge before the lifeboat drill. Can you come?

 

[Aisling]

National Geographic Traveler has an article on Key West this issue. It's *very* informative! I'll scan it later and post it as a picture for those who want to read it...

Happy Friday Magic Mateys!

Thank you!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I'm done already...the pictures say alot, I hope it's not too big, the last pic (of the Dry Tortugas) is phenomenal...

~

~

 

[nskjerven]

Woo hoo, we get to hear Rus speak. Now I can relax...he sounds normal!

he always sounded normal you are the one that comes from New York...

Ya right, a lot of us sound normal.

I was thinking the same thing

 

[nskjerven]

Hey Guys,
Can I join the FE group at this late date?
There's just 1 (me) in the cabin.
I think I recognize some of you from the TransAtlantic cruise - I helped with the Banner!

Kathy

Kathy:

We did decide a little while back to close the FE groups because people needed head counts to buy stuff. With that said I'd like to suggest that of course you are welcome to give the gifts (duh) and can we add a supplemental to the first list because some of us do have extras to pass out.

Just want to make it clear that some people already purchased their stuff and we can not make it their job to get more at this late date.

Powers that be, what do you think???? (kelly, that's you the list keeper)

 

[Anjelica]

Hey Guys,
Can I join the FE group at this late date?
There's just 1 (me) in the cabin.
I think I recognize some of you from the TransAtlantic cruise - I helped with the Banner!

Kathy

I'll add you to the FE extender list. Kelly can add you to a day as well to give our your FE gifts (for those that counted on doing only 15 don't sweat it).

Thx,
Anjelica

 

[nskjerven]

I'll add you to the FE extender list. Kelly can add you to a day as well to give our your FE gifts (for those that counted on doing only 15 don't sweat it).

Thx,
Anjelica

Can you please make note with her name that she is an "extra" I know from experience with our repo people can be upset at running out of gifts, so we really need to have her noted as an extra. thanks

 

[Anjelica]

Can you please make note with her name that she is an "extra" I know from experience with our repo people can be upset at running out of gifts, so we really need to have her noted as an extra. thanks

Will do!! Going to put those updates out there this evening along with the Promenade Lounge Meet time and anything else you guys can think of.

 

[Anjelica]

All - I wanted to update everyone on my brother as I know several people have asked and have been very supportive (Thank You).

He is still up at Walter Reed. He was moved from the hospital to the Malogne House (which is on the Walter Reed establishment). His days are filled with Physical Therapy and many doctor appointments. His spare time is sleeping, shopping (he didn't get to do that alot and likes comics/video games).

He got measured several weeks ago for his prostethics. He was hoping to get the first this week (so at least when he is on crutches/wheelchair people don't stare as much) but some of the pieces for the prostethic is on backorder - so hopefully it will still come in the next few days.

Ironically, he got to go down to GITMO to scuba dive for 7 days this past week. It's part of the Wounded Warrior project for people up at Walter Reed. As long as they are healthy (other than the limbs missing) and have all stiches/things have healed they can go. I say its ironic because our mother still lives down there and he got to spend a few days with her as well. He truly enjoyed the visit - we used to live down there back in the day when my parents were still together and while my brother wasn't old enough to scuba dive back then (he was 7) both my sister and I were Junior certified. I used to love scuba diving there as its untouched waters (no tourists) and was something we could do every weekend.

He gets to come home for Christmas on Tuesday the 16th and will be here through the 10th of January. He is very excited about getting out of there and spending time back here with the family (although we will be gone for two weeks). He already has me tasked with running him around next Wednesday to finish up some Christmas shopping.

Physically he is doing great. They did tell him he will probably never see combat again due to how high the amputation occured. But as long as he works for it he will get to stay in the Army - which is what he wants. There is actually a Colonel that my dad met who invited both of them to dinner one night - was very impressed with Chas and said that he has a job with him once he gets healed. (The Colonel runs a program to test out vehicles/equipment before sending over to Iraq/Afghanistan). While in Iraq, Chas got certified on driving 18 different vehicles and many of those in combat situations so they were very interested in his expertise.

All in all - his emotional state is getting better. He told me a few weeks ago he wished he didn't remember the feeling, looking down - basically the whole incident because he has nightmares about it. I know in talking with his SGT and SGT's wife (SGT was hurt very badly as well) that they saved each others lives. Chas got the turnakit (sp?) on SGT's leg because SGT couldn't do it and was told had he not helped SGT would have lost to much blood by the time the other troops got there to help out. I reminded him about that - I said that had you been knocked unconscious you would not have been able to help SGT. Hopefully that helps.

He's doing good and every day is just that much better. It will be good for him to be back here for the Holidays and will keep him motivated to get through those bad days. It's already been more than 3 months and he's come along way so it only goes up from then...

Thanks to everyone for keeping him in your thoughts. He's a great kid and while this sucks it happened he will come out good in the end.

 

[nskjerven]

thanks for the update. I bet it is hard for you to write the words as it makes it all very real when you tell friends. I'm sure you are still grieving as well.

OT I called DCL to set up our transfers (I just don't want to have to think about any outside arrangments once on site) so we are now going on the BUS

I also asked to have Doneval requested as one of our servers. It dawned on me that we will need at least 2 of not 3 with the crazy group of 25 that we are

Curious what you all think will be our plan for din din. I'm sure we will be grouped together, because the biggest table I saw (& sat at on the repo) was ~14. Will we just have a first come first sit rule??? I know on our last cruise we liked to mix up our seats to talk with different friends each night, and therefore the first come worked well. Everyone ok with that???

Artie, I do suspect it will be hard for us to keep our boys apart from each other (that said expecting they get along) so I'm sure if Wil gets to the table first he will save a seat for Owen and vice versa...Gotta expect those boys will look out for eac other.

Also, Artie will you let Owen check out of the club on his own? We did let Molly & Wil on the repo but they were together and this time they are going to be in different club levels...What are you thinking here????

 

[artman]

Also, Artie will you let Owen check out of the club on his own? We did let Molly & Wil on the repo but they were together and this time they are going to be in different club levels...What are you thinking here????

I was going to ask you the same thing. Our plan is not to let Owen check himself out, this will be our first ever cruise and we wouldn't feel right not knowing where he is.

I think Owen and Wil will get along great, he is excited to meet Wil.

Owen was telling me last night that he couldn't wait for vacation so he could go swimming. I explained to him how crowded the pools on the ship would be, but promised to get him in everyday at WDW before the cruise.

It's always a sad day in the fall when we close up our pool for winter. Here is our little showoff in action.