DISer chapter of NKOTB anonymous, part deux... we don't want an intervention!!!

[hmdavid]

Kim... Another great installment! LOVE that you were a contestant for NKOTB feud. So cool! Do you think you will go again if there is another one?

Karen... I love your savings jar! So cute! my BFF is coming to town on Saturday to help me with the twins' bday party. I think we will have to decorate our savings jars after the party!

Anyone see Shawn win DWTS? Yay for the Iowa girl!!!

 

[eh24fan]

Ok, this has nothing to do with Disney OR NKOTB, but I wanted to talk about it and you guys are the people I wanted to talk to. LOL

So, here's the deal. I haven't worked since August, when I was laid off from my part-time job at Big Brothers Big Sisters. It was completely unexpected, to say the least. I've been looking for a job since, so Jay is the only one working.

We want to go on a cruise next year, in late April. My mom found one on Carnival out of NY that we all want to go on and it's reasonably priced for an 8 day cruise. Well, we aren't struggling, but we don't have tons of extra money floating around either. We both REALLY want to go on this trip...even Wyatt said he'd rather do the cruise than go to Disney (he hasn't ever been to Disney, but has ALWAYS wanted to go). So I'm excited, we're all onboard with the idea.
But I feel bad. Jay is going to work over-time whenever he can, which is pretty much whenever he wants at this point. They are begging the guys to work extra, even going so far as to threaten them with mandatory overtime this weekend if people don't volunteer. I feel bad because the weight of all the bills is already on Jay's shoulders as it is...now we're adding to it with the weight of trying to go on this cruise. It's going to cost us about $4k (maybe less) for just the cruise, then we'll have to have spending money, etc. We won't need to fly since it leaves out of NY.

$4k might not seem like much to a lot of people, but to us, that's a mint. LOL So far the plan is that Wyatt and I will go through all of the stuff we have in storage from when he and I moved out of the house we had when I was married to my ex. We will weed out what we don't need and have a yard sale. I try to do ChaCha every day and that is only a tiny bit, but better than nothing. Jay is having money taken directly from his check and put in savings just for the trip. We are saving change, as always, which I think will be for some of our spending money.

Even so, I feel guilty because I'm not working. I hate that I can't just deal with that. I've always worked and it's hard for me to not even have a part-time job. I even tried working at Sonic this fall...didn't last long. I liked it because I was in the back doing prepwork, but they wanted me to work afternoons and I couldn't, he was on 2nd shift at the time. But now, I don't want to work nights or weekends. I'm a grown up. LOL

I just had to vent!!

 

[eh24fan]

double post...stupid boards

 

[hmdavid]

Erin... your job might not be paid, but it is the most important job in the world. No one can take better care of your boys than you! I know about the guilt associated with not working. I had worked since high school, worked my way through college, when we moved to Germany. Finding a job was not easy when you are limited to what is on post. It took a long time to adjust to not working or making money. When we moved to another post, I was excited because there would be more job opportunities. Shortly after I found out I was pregnant with twins. So then the problem was childcare, and then moving and so on and so on. I have gotten used to Brian's money being "our" money, but it has taken a long time!!!

I can't tell you whether or not to go on the trip, but you have a while to save up and it won't have to be paid in full for awhile. Karen will know this one, but I am pretty sure that cruises don't hve to be paid in full until 45 days out. AND the great thing about cruises is that all of your food is included, so it is already figured into the cost!

 

[N&B'smom]

Kim - where were you for this part that happened on the cruise? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f597jhYLPr4 I absolutely LOVE your trip report...it sounds like you had a BLAST!!!

Erin - I'm sorry you're so stressed. I understand your feelings completely, believe me. I've been a SAHM since Noah was 2. I still struggle with the money issues since I'm not contributing. BUT if my husband who is the one making the money is okay with things then I am too. If Jay wants to book it knowing he'll be working some OT then I say do it! You can always cancel if you need to at some point. But if he's on board then why not?

 

[eh24fan]

Thanks guys...just what I needed to hear.

It's not so much stress as that I'm just not used to not making money of my own. LOL He is excited and wants to go. I forgot to add that we want to get married right before...so thsi will be our "honeymoon" we'll just have kids and family with us...which is fine with us. I think we are going to go ahead and book it, that way prices don't go up on us. We'll see.....

 

[N&B'smom]

I forgot to add that we want to get married right before...so thsi will be our "honeymoon" we'll just have kids and family with us...which is fine with us. I think we are going to go ahead and book it, that way prices don't go up on us. We'll see.....

Awwwww! You HAVE to go now!!! This isn't just a vacation, it's your HONEYMOON!!!! BOOK IT and have a fantastic time!!!

 

[cruiserkaren]

Erin , I know I sometimes struggle with not brining in income but I look at it like Heather does. It is my job to take of my children, make sure they are in clean clothes, have a tidy house and healthy meals (relatively!!). If Jay is good with it then go ahead and book. You will still have plenty of time to save and cancel if need be.

8 day cruises need to be paid in full 76 days prior to sailing. 75 days to a month before you'd lose your deposit. I haven't been on the Miracle. Which itinerary would you be doing? I'd recommend the one stopping at Half Moon Cay. It is a private island and gorgeous. One of the most beautiful beaches I've been to and the the kids would LOVE it!! It has play animals anchored to the bottom in the ocean for kids to play on and a waterplay area with a small waterslide, squirting fountains and things.

If you have any questions or anything I'd love to try to help.

 

[Marshmelo]

Here are some great pics from the cruise that cheers01 posted on Twitter:

http://bit.ly/Mj4Ma

 

[walkerag]

Like, I saw this one girl in a black lace up teddy...a short tutu...lace up thigh high boots. The second I started snapping, she turned around, so I had to play it cool.

Wow! Lady GaGa was there too?

The cruise sounds like so much fun!

 

[amyup]

Thanks guys...just what I needed to hear.

It's not so much stress as that I'm just not used to not making money of my own. LOL He is excited and wants to go. I forgot to add that we want to get married right before...so thsi will be our "honeymoon" we'll just have kids and family with us...which is fine with us. I think we are going to go ahead and book it, that way prices don't go up on us. We'll see.....

Erin, I think you should go....especially if its going to be your honeymoon! Think of how fun its going to be.


Try not to feel guilty about money. I'm in the same boat as the other girls, I'm a SAHM and haven't worked for almost 9 years now. But I've never had a problem thinking of my DH's money as mine though.

 

[kte28]

So glad you guys are enjoying my TR. It's fun for me to re-live it since I'm having SEVERE withdrawls now that it's over. I'll see if I can sneak in the next installment later, but it's a busy day back at the office.

Shelby, for that video you posted...I was actually in the same area it looks from the angle. I have a couple clips from that as well in the same webshots album as my photos. Heather pointed me to some vid clips ktsummer posted that I have to steal as they are of me during the Feud!

And to anyone who asked, I would soooooooo do one again, although, I'm not sure anything could possibly live up to this past cruise! The chances of being able to do and see everything I saw are almost slim to none. But yes, I would 100% do it all again.

 

[Marshmelo]

Kim, I think you're in this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93d_3FDilMo

 

[cruiserkaren]

Yeah she's in there a lot!

What do the track jackets say underneath the 09? I can't tell in any pics or videos.

 

[Marshmelo]

Erin, I am a SAHM too. It is very hard to get used to not bringing money in, but I do know that men love to work to support their family. Just because you aren't working a paying job, what you do is better than any job out there. Here's a little something to maybe help you look at it from another perspective:

http://www.salary.com/aboutus/layoutscripts/abtl_default.asp?tab=...12&ser=ser041&part=Par499

 

[angey77]

Erin, I am a SAHM too. It is very hard to get used to not bringing money in, but I do know that men love to work to support their family. Just because you aren't working a paying job, what you do is better than any job out there. Here's a little something to maybe help you look at it from another perspective:

http://www.salary.com/aboutus/layoutscripts/abtl_default.asp?tab=...12&ser=ser041&part=Par499

While I'm not a SAHM yet, we have sacrificed for the past two years so that I could work from home for when the time came. I easily could be out in Houston making twice what I make now, but the finances are not worth it when compared to being home with your own children. If I can keep working from home after the baby is born, that's great ... if not, I seriously doubt Jason will be complaining about my lack of financial contribution (shoot, he doesn't complain now ... lol).
Erin, don't feel bad at all ... you have one of the toughest and most influential jobs in the world and you can't put a price on that!

 

[kte28]

Kim, I think you're in this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93d_3FDilMo

LOL, yuppppp. That's me in the turquoise dress behind Joe. I completely forget what Jonathan was point to and trying to tell me in the beginning of it.

 

[kte28]

Ok...we left off going to bed after the pj party.

So the next morning we woke up around 8:00-8:30. We had laid out our swimsuits and beach bags the night before so we'd be good to go. We got up and ready relatively quickly. We were just going to a beach, so there wasn't much to do except throw my hair in a ponytail. We then decided to eat down in the main dining room for some breakfast. I had some french toast and mom had eggs benedict. It was probably the best meal of the trip. I was REALLY disappointed in the quality of food on the ship. Only completely delicious thing to eat was warm chocolate molten cake with ice cream. It was heavenly. Anyway, we were seated at a table with 6 other women who were very nice to chat with for the meal.

Once we finished breakfast, we headed downstairs towards the gangway area. We ended up having to wait a bit before they got it all situated and we could leave the boat, but mom and I ended up being the very first passengers off. We walked through the port area and found a man who would take us to the Sheraton/Wyndham to enjoy Cable Beach. He dropped us off at the Sheraton. It was so confusing! We went to desk to buy the day pass to just use the pool and private beach. Well the woman tell us the Sheraton day pass is $99 for 2 people and includes a hotel room. We didn't WANT a hotel room. So we had to find our way to the Wyndham to get the actual $40 beach pass with buffet lunch we heard about. It was a maze trying to get over there. We eventually found it but couldn't find the front desk. There was a door to the outside pool/beach area, so we just decided to wander out. No one was around...staff...nothing...just some guests. So we plopped down on a lounge chair to relax on the beach as if we belonged there. Here is a brief look at Cable Beach:
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2029402580083770231kLsovc
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2594033950083770231GnTdmr

Notice the lovely clouds above. TEN minutes after we sit down, it starts to rain...then pour. We ran for cover to the cabana and decided to have a drink to see if it would pass. It was REALLY windy, and it was getting quite irritating. So we decided we would go back to the ship. We didn't want to have to end up paying all this money for a pass that would get rained out. We figured if it cleared up, there's always the pool on board and maybe the spa would have some openings. So we found our way back to the Sheraton and caught a cab back to port. Sure enough as we started driving along, the clouds broke and sun shone through. We were kind of irritated we left at first, but it paid off...

So anyway, we get back to ship after a quick stop to pick up t-shirts for my brother and father. We went directly up to the spa and found they openings for 2 massages at 2pm. Perfect! Then, since it was sunny, we went in search of a spot by the pool. Quite a few people were on board, so there weren't many open chairs. We had about 1.5 hours or so til we had to get ready for the spa. Half hour after we laid out, it started POURING again. REALLY pouring. Then just as quickly, it had stopped, so we decided to go up to our cabin (it was up one flight of stairs from the pool) and get some towels. At this point, since everything was wet, I decided to just leave my beach bag and camera in the room. I only had about 45 minutes left before the spa...what could I POSSIBLY need my camera for...

So we went and dried off some lounge chairs and got settled back down. A few minutes later I hear a couple girls go, "Oh look! It's Joe." My eyes snapped open. I glanced up. He was on the deck above looking down to the pool. He was all by himself (well with one staff member) just hanging out. A few people waved, and he waved and smiled back. My mother goes, "We should go up there." I said that he was probably leaving any second and besides, I didn't have my camera. (I KNOW...I FAIL.) A few more minutes pass...he's still there. And we see a fan go over and get a pic. Still not many people around. My mom says AGAIN, we should go up there. I wave her off. (WHAT is WRONG with me?!) A few more minutes and she turns to me and goes, "Look, this may be your only chance. At least TRY." So I hastenly grab my stuff and start to HAUL it to my cabin. THANK GOD my cabin was on my way up to that deck. I grab my camera, now slighly shaking and race upstairs with mom in tow behind me. We get up there and there's a small group of girls getting pics. Just as I get there, Joe starts to say, "Ok I really need to get going." My dear sweet mother jumps out and says, "No! Wait! You HAVE to get a pic with the Boston girl!" So he stops and poses with me!
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2515677690083770231jaHewM
Then he turns to me and goes, "Wait! You were in the feud last night!" Swoon...he remembered. I know, I'm SUCH a dork, but it's these little things that get me.

After that we headed down to our cabin to get ready for our spa treatment. As I waited in the spa I kept thinking wouldn't it be funny if one of the New Kids was here? So I'm getting my massage and the woman giving it was chatting away about the New Kids. Then she says, "Oh, some of them are here." WHAT?! She wants me to relax when there's potentially a New Kid getting oiled up in the room right beside me?! I swear, I have NEVER enjoyed a massage less. Usually I never want them to end...this one couldn't get done fast enough. She FINALLY leaves the room and I got dressed faster than I ever have in my life. I open the door and my mother is waving at me frantically. "There's Jonathan!" So my massage therapist is trying to get me to sign my receipt. Which I proceed to fill out COMPLETELY wrong because I was so flustered. This woman could NOT stop laughing at me. I was such a dork. My mom is whispering at me, GIVE me your camera. I saw quite a few security people around and could tell by the way no one was around him, he did NOT want to be bothered. So I was all set to leave quietly. Mom being mom, snatches my camera and caught a pic on the way out.
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2667263110083770231SHZjRf

So after all that excitement of the day, we got ready for dinner and Dress to Impress Night.

After dinner it was time for the Q&A. I honestly wish I could remember all the questions, but I do remember some. So I'll do my best.
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2062505370083770231UQcJYk
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2206842250083770231mCCjsW
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2782156320083770231rRyAYz
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2640459870083770231frzQtV
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2211015470083770231ioJmZi
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2713845220083770231wAuakg

Jonathan was NOT in a talking mood still. Didn't answer a single question. Spoke maybe 5 words the whole time. I could tell he wasn't feeling comfortable because in addition to the sunglasses, he looked down the whole time and played with his shoelace obsessively. I really just wanted to reach out and hug him. It kills me to see him like that sometimes.

Anyway, Q&A begins. I forget how or why by The Girl in the Red Dress made a quick appearance. I've seen her on the Cruise Boards a lot and even looked up her twitter quite a bit before the cruise. She was WAAAAAAY over the top. Kept getting up and dancing suggestively, trying to dance her way right onto the stage, which security was NOT having. The guys all made fun of her...politely...but they were aggravated. Joey kept telling her, "Like I said, sweetheart, there's coffee in the back." And Jordan told her to "Sit DOWN." She actually almost got thrown out.

Back to the Q&A. So one question was "If you were standed on a desert island and could only bring one thing? What would it be?" Joey answered after a pause: "Jon Knight...because he could build me a house! And we could pick coconuts and stuff." That got a laugh even out of Jon.

Another question was "If you could have dinner with 3 people alive or dead, who would they be?" I can't remember all 3 each said, but Joey did say one would be his wife. He goes, "I ain't even looking for brownie points. She really just popped into my head and I realized I'd want her there." My love for him grew right then and there. He's just SO FREAKIN' CUTE. Jon answered nothing. Forget the others except either Donnie or Danny said Jesus...think it was Danny. So Jordan kind of makes fun and decides he's going to have the three of all three so he goes, "Well I got God...maybe I'll get some Zeus in there...God of Fire and Water..." And Joey interupts to say, "My, that's quite a religious dinner you got going on there."

Yet another question was: "What do your kids think of your music?" Joey's son is a little young. So Danny calls Chance over. (His daughter.) And asks her.
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2364338510083770231VmlUGr
Chance: I think it's awesome.
Then he gave a kiss and sent her on her way. So sweet. I loved watching them interact. She was kinda lying around the stage at one point, and you see him look over, and sternly motion for her to sit up like a lady. So sweet! And then Jordan says, "My son, Eric, he's 2, and he has an iPod touch. And The Block is one of the albums on there. And if any other album is on he goes 'No, no no no!...Daddy, daddy, daddy daddy!'" Then Jordan continues to say that he skypes home a lot while he's on the road. So Eric has gotten used to seeing him on a screen. So a couple weeks ago they were on the Today Show and Eric was watching. And he starts talking to the tv! "Daddy, daddy...watch this!" And does a little dance pose. "Daddy, daddy...watch this!" And strikes another pose. SO cute to see Jordan act it out.
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2562020100083770231WMljYR

I can't really remember all the others, but I promise if they come to me I'll pop in and add them ad hoc to this report.

The rest of the night was low-key. Mom and I found one of many sign boards to pose in front of:
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2273982360083770231ctgCZw

And we went out to the deck party. The guys weren't scheduled to make an appearance, but very late Jonathan, Jordan, and Donnie showed up in the VIP section on the upper deck overlooking the pool. I was over by the main stage so wasn't anywhere near to get a pic. But Jonathan made his way to the stage to be a sweet older brother and get us all to sing Happy Birthday to Jordan once midnight had passed.
http://travel.webshots.com/video/3033017920083770231yGSdIT

And that concludes Day 3!

 

[amyup]

I have a vacation question for you girls. My DH and I are planning on going on a kidless vacation this Sept/Oct. Unfortunately my money tree has not begun to bloom so I need to make it on a shoestring budget. I found a deal for 7 nights to Puerto Vallarta in a nice hotel for a great price. But for only a few hundred more I can get a trip to Oahu for 5 nights. We've never been to either place (we've been to Kauai and Maui not Oahu) so I'm just looking for what you girls would pick.

Mexico or Hawaii??

 

[cruiserkaren]

Kimberly, your mom rocks!!

amy, I'd go for Mexico. Seven nights is always better then five.