December 12 - 19, 2009 Western Magic

[disneyfan19712006]

Wow, MemoryMakers, you win the prize for the most thorough Black Friday shopper I know! I can't believe you his all those stores by 6. We did Toys R Us only, and it took over two hours to check out. Heck, it took 45 minutes to get let in! The line wrapped all the way around the building. I got home around 4:30. Great deals, tho. I got all of both kids' Christmas done, plus all of Kate's birthday, at great prices. Happy Black Friday!

What a day we were at Walmart at 3:45 to get in line for a camera. that was all we went for ended up costing me 400.00 by the time the rest of the family picked up what they wanted. Then on to half price books, Macys, Target, Back to Walmart and then to Payless shoes. I slept good that night.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

Ok, I've been doing my best to read up on the threads. I finally figured out what an FE is. Now just have some questions:

Who all takes part in the FE thing? Is this for certain people only?

What are some ideas for FE gifts? My daughter and I want to take part and not be left out of anything onboard.

Do I need to make advance reservations for my daughter to take part in the kids club? Once again, I don't want us to be left out of anything.

Thanks, all!

I think I have enough extras PM me your room number.

 

[the3lowes]

Disneyfan,

I think we have opted out of doing the FE exchange. From reading others' posts I realize that I do not have the time to make gifts that could compare. I was just afraid that not taking part would leave my daughter and me feeling left out.

Thanks so much for the offer, and thank you to EVERYONE for all the advice and tips! It has helped SO much!!

 

[disneyfan19712006]

im 22. and yeah im single.

My DS is 28 and single traveling with us. I'm sure he would like someone else to talk to other than his parents and his married sister and her husband. You should be fine. Hope you decide to join us. You are also welcome to join our family my daughter is 25 and traveling with her husband and baby. Myself and my husband and our oldest son. We are doing the island tour in Grand Cayman, DS is cave snorkeling in cozumel. Daugher and husband are going hiking and we are taking the baby for a stroll in Cozumel. Key West will just be wandering around seeing the sights. Oh and checking out Sloppy Joes.

I also have a Tea, Brunch and Dinner scheduled at Palo. since we are an odd sized party it should be no problem adding one more.
Let me know you can PM or email and I will get you my phone number. We are arriving on Wednesday night.

 

[kcashner]

A single 22 would be welcomed into the college group....how good that group is varies from cruise to cruise.

Sand toys on CC are available to borrow from Scuttle's Cove--they have stuff that previous cruisers have left. Course that doesn't help at the other ports.

Yes, the single surcharge is nasty....but that's where I am much of the time now. If you are comfortable in your own skin and can entertain yourself, go for it. I always meet people on board when I'm not with DD. Table mates are great. Servers will fuss over you no end. You're doing the right thing to meet people on the boards. Come to the cruise meet, but don't get discouraged if the college gang doesn't attend it (DD usually doesn't). Do hit the college social the first night, and check the Navigator for "single parent or sailing solo" activities--usually a luncheon hosted by a member of the Cruise Staff.

 

[Juney]

just called. movies to be shown on our cruise

race to witch mountain
hannah montana movie
earth
up in 3d
the proposal
gforce
surrogate
toy story 1 and 2 in 3d
a Christmas carrol in 3d
old dogs
princess and the frog

Thank you so much for this list. There are several on here we really want to see. We missed the special showings of Toy Story 1&2 so I know my daughter will be thrilled to catch them while at sea.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Just going to vent for a minute.....

If I have to pass by one of the Salvation Army bell ringers again, I might have to shove the bell down the guys throat. It may be me, but the ones in front of Walmart and Sams Club seem a little over zealous with the bell ringing.

I'm sure they are doing great things, and are a great charity, but they really could tone down the bell ringing. I have to admit there is something totally grating on my nerves about a constant hard ringing bell being rung as loud and obnoxiously as a volunteer can.

Phew, I'm just thinking I can't be the only one who thinks like this.....

I love Christmas and the Christmas season, especially giving....just not to the bell ringers.

I wonder if I offered him big money to not ring the bell the rest of the day if he'd stop.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We love the bell ringing. Amelia is always anxious to put money in their bucket.

 

[bevtoy]

We love the bell....that being said, one year when I was young I worked in a mall and we took up a collection at the nearby stores and paid them not to ring fore two hours .LOL
Oops I might be off topic so I better post a guess where picture.
this one is blurry but guess where you will find this?

Just going to vent for a minute.....

If I have to pass by one of the Salvation Army bell ringers again, I might have to shove the bell down the guys throat. It may be me, but the ones in front of Walmart and Sams Club seem a little over zealous with the bell ringing.

I'm sure they are doing great things, and are a great charity, but they really could tone down the bell ringing. I have to admit there is something totally grating on my nerves about a constant hard ringing bell being rung as loud and obnoxiously as a volunteer can.

Phew, I'm just thinking I can't be the only one who thinks like this.....

I love Christmas and the Christmas season, especially giving....just not to the bell ringers.

I wonder if I offered him big money to not ring the bell the rest of the day if he'd stop.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I too hate the bell ringing! It's the bell itself..we SEE you man, so just shut up already!

Kidding!

Well, not really!
hahaha

 

[Scooby3x1y]

I too hate the bell ringing! It's the bell itself..we SEE you man, so just shut up already!

Kidding!

Well, not really!
hahaha

I know, I feel guilty, but again, if it was just a ringing bell, no biggie, it is just ringing it as hard and fast as you can that makes me want to scream!

A bit of irony for everyone.....Our family is trying to coordinate volunteering to help feed the hungry on Christmas day while staying in Daytona Beach. One of the charities I was directed to is.....you guessed it....The Salvation Army. So with a smile on my face and love in my heart, I'll contact them regarding volunteering! (I will draw the line at ringing a bell )

 

[bevtoy]

I know, I feel guilty, but again, if it was just a ringing bell, no biggie, it is just ringing it as hard and fast as you can that makes me want to scream!

A bit of irony for everyone.....Our family is trying to coordinate volunteering to help feed the hungry on Christmas day while staying in Daytona Beach. One of the charities I was directed to is.....you guessed it....The Salvation Army. So with a smile on my face and love in my heart, I'll contact them regarding volunteering! (I will draw the line at ringing a bell )

Our church volunteers each year to take turns ringing the bell at the local Walmart...

arent you going to guess the photo? LOL (On topic)

 

[HallsofVA]

Our church volunteers each year to take turns ringing the bell at the local Walmart...

arent you going to guess the photo? LOL (On topic)

I'm thinking that photo is near one of the desks on Deck 3. Either the excursion desk or the guest services desk.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

arent you going to guess the photo? LOL (On topic)

Uh Uh, I'm not sure I can move past the bell ringers yet!

I do have a question, did you just ring the bell or were you obnoxious about it?

 

[Scooby3x1y]

DH was laughing at me as I was telling him what I wrote, and the responses. He added that he had heard once that they make around 80% of their funding for the year from bell ringing.

 

[bevtoy]

Uh Uh, I'm not sure I can move past the bell ringers yet!

I do have a question, did you just ring the bell or were you obnoxious about it?

the church volunteers rang the bell...I never did that LOL... I hate being cold it makes my arthritus hurt a lot more .

 

[poohfriend]

but I always chuckle because it reminds me of the Bob Hope Movie, "The Lemon Drop Kid." Bob Hope and friends end up dressing up as a rag-tag-batch of santas who ring bells for their own (made-up) charity.

The movie also has the song "Silver Bells" in it. I don't know if it was the debut of Silver Bells or not. But it's a pretty version

Definately not a politically correct movie, but it's become a tradition at our house to watch it once during the season.

My suggestion....RUN, don't walk past those who ring too loudly! you can't usually hear them once you get into walmart. DID you hear they now accept CREDIT Cards at the kettles? there's something wrong about donations on credit...just me!

 

[poohfriend]

We made the decision for A LOT of reasons...and it feels good to make the final choice to fly.

and it's crazy. I was able to book through Southwest Vacations. With a hotel it was cheaper than booking directly through Southwest Airlines. I could purchase Bulk Fares and only have one hotel room night (which we of course will NOT be using!) Our fare is about the same as the first time I checked with Southwest.

This changes our plans. Now I have to work out transportation to the port.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Just a little more irony........then I promise, I'm done...

I contacted the local Salvation Army, where we'll be staying, and the director kind of chuckled and said, "well, we usually have quite a bit of help at Christmas"..... Okay....I said, I can't even type this with a straight face... She said if you don't have anywhere else to go volunteer, we'll have something for you to do......

It's not just me, right?

BTW....28 hrs till the party starts, I promise to be back to normal on Thursday

 

[pamrob]

BTW....28 hrs till the party starts, I promise to be back to normal on Thursday

But why be normal? That's not alot of fun.

BTW, I completely understand. I am finishing up a gift drive for 140 kids in foster homes as well as the Christmas party for the homes on Saturday and two of the girls in The Nutcracker on Sunday. Ready for the stress to be over and the vacation to begin.