February 7, 2009 Western early check in!

[deedeedubbs]

I got to check some things off of my to-do-list today. Sunglasses for all of us...check, my hair cut...check, cut my DH's hair...check, have him color and highlight mine (isn't he wonderful!)...check

and...

When I was cutting and cleaning up his hairline I joked about using the shaver to cut his chest hair in the shape of Mickey's head ...he said go ahead. I'll have to have him clean it up just before the cruise so he can be picked out from the crowd at the beaches and poolside It's not the best Mickey head but it's my Mickey head :

~ Dee

 

[JRandAJsMom]

Dee-- I can't believe he let you do that!!! What a sport!!! I would have to get mine while he was in a coma. Speaking of mine...

Looks like we're getting the stomach bug out of the way before the cruise... I came home from work (I have youth group on Sunday nights) and he was in bed with "the" bucket next to it and was like "you might want to re-locate for the night." Sooooo... I've been displaced for the evening, haha I'm just glad it's now and not later. Plus, the boys are at grandma's for the night, so they are away from the germs.

If anyone is interested, if there are any boys size 7/8 and up, JackSparrowCostumes.com has Davy Jones and Macchus (Sp?) costumes on sale (BIG SALE!!!). The first is usually $78 and it is $8.99 + shipping and the second is usually $47 and it's $4.99 + shipping. Can't beat that! My kids won't be either though cuz they're bad guys and they are completely stuck on being Jack Oh well!

 

[JRandAJsMom]

Just spent $62 (+ shipping = $90) on pirate costumes for the boys. Grant it-- I did get 4 costumes and accessories out of the deal. EVERYTHING was bought on clearance, so I really got $210 (+shipping = $238) worth of stuff. DH is borrowing a Jack Sparrow costume from someone at work. Now I just need to find something to put together for myself and I'm set!

 

[marieeb]

I just looked at Jacksparrow.com with envy. I would love to order some but don't trust that I could have them shipped to Canada in time. I used to make costumes but haven't had time to pull it together. I have some pieces in mind and will just have to just have to root around. We have a couple of 'buffer' days in Orlando/Cape Canaveral before we sail so maybe I will find things to tie a costume together with then.

Before I had to scamper this morning I wanted to mention that I hope that you little buddie is doing okay Dee. 6 stitches! Must have been quite a gash!

May I vent?....I had a day of reality that has me yearning for fruity cocktails, sun and carefree days. DH awakened me today after 4 hours sleep with the news that a shelf had fallen and that some things had broken. (I'm a critical care RN. I've just come off a string of shifts and so am rather sleep deprived) After assessing the damage this evening I decided that the rest of the shelves needed to be emptied and sent him to the basement to get a solid box into which I could pack things. There ...he came upon a plumbing tragedy. I will spare you all the details but, after meeting my new best friend the 'emergency call plumber', I have found out that the solution to the problem involves a backhoe.......in Canada.....in the winter.....

My new best friend has promised that it will be fixed in the next few days. Thank heavens that we are on very good terms with our neighbours or we would be staying at a hotel.

What a nightmare!

After a day like this I had to jump on the board and see what was going on so that I could dream of really getting away from it all. I would be interested in martini tasting! Especially right now....a double! I learn useful things here too! I was considering acrylic nails but I had no idea that they hurt! I may give it a pass after all. And the tip about the stingrays swarming you saved me a world of grief!!

Needless to say, we didn't get any packing done today, but we will. I am generating lists and I always take way too much so I know that we will be fine. I just like being very prepared.

I have another busy week ahead, but don't we all? I help organize an extended Arts program at my kids school and that kicks off tomorrow. Between that, work, packing and my plumbing saga!! oh take me away Magic....

I can feel the tension of the day draining away.... Thank you all for providing a place to make that possible.
Till next time, take care all,
Marie

 

[MyLove4Disney]

PUP's Listing

OK, not sure I have everyone. Please let me know if I left anyone off...

Patrsn(Michelle)8566
Princessmeesh(Michelle)6568
Mylove4Disney(Susan)6511
Newbies08 (Kath)6054
JRandAJsMom (Jen)6041
Pgsahm2(Amanda)5022
Cdnstitchfan (Pam)2098
TinkerKat(Kathy)2018
DeeDeeDubbs(Dee)6556

Meet at 10:45 at the cab stand just off the ship???? To share rides...

 

[dceks cruisers]

I booked Rum point beach for Grand Cayman, last time we were there we did the stingray swim, very very hysterical. That tour took us to the turtle farm and "Hell", which is a post office with some crazy rock formations. Then we went to some touristy flea market type place....

Stingray swim...hysterical in a good way or bad? I'm just thinking that if my only snorkeling is at CC and the water is cold, I might do snorkeling at Cozumel and not do stingray...we are an adventuresome family but want to choose wisely since who knows when I'll get another cruise after this first one.
Thanks for any insight!

 

[dceks cruisers]

Oops...I've been listing stingrays as being at Cozumel...I just glanced at my booked excursions and I guess it's Dolphin's at Cozumel and stingrays at Grand Caymen.

I went out today and got some underwater one time use cameras, an over the door shoe holder with the clear pockets, a new swimsuit, some footless leggings for DD outfits and a few other misc. items for the trip. I want to keep plugging away at my list of "before we leave" items and keep tossing things in the suitcase pile.

Goodnight all!

 

[Billinaz]

We are doing the stingray excursion at Grand Cayman as well!

Here is a photo I like, first up the escalator!

and look at all these poor people getting OFF the ship!

 

[princessmeesh]

i love the shots bill, though oddly enough my heart does feel sad for the downtroddin folks lugging suitcases to their chosen mode of transport.....i wont spend too much time thinking about the end of the cruise right now!!


soooo i told DH that i was in the PUPS and here was his only legit issue, he is taking the ruins and beach tour so he could end up at the same beach as us, which i guess would be playa mia, the very beach i was trying to AVOID.....so what if i did the first 2 hours with the pups and then cart us over to mia?? is that just dumb??

 

[patrsn]

Stingray swim...hysterical in a good way or bad? I'm just thinking that if my only snorkeling is at CC and the water is cold, I might do snorkeling at Cozumel and not do stingray...we are an adventuresome family but want to choose wisely since who knows when I'll get another cruise after this first one.
Thanks for any insight!

yes very exciting in a good way, be prepared for tons of rays! If your family is adventursome there won't be any problem.

michelle

 

[patrsn]

i love the shots bill, though oddly enough my heart does feel sad for the downtroddin folks lugging suitcases to their chosen mode of transport.....i wont spend too much time thinking about the end of the cruise right now!!


soooo i told DH that i was in the PUPS and here was his only legit issue, he is taking the ruins and beach tour so he could end up at the same beach as us, which i guess would be playa mia, the very beach i was trying to AVOID.....so what if i did the first 2 hours with the pups and then cart us over to mia?? is that just dumb??

Michelle, do what you have to do. How far is Playa Mia from Uvas?

michelle

 

[TinkerKat]

We're doing StingRay City, Turtle Farm and Hell.

 

[patrsn]

Kathy, it's a good tour, it will be lot's of fun. Have money for Hell, there's a post office there and postcards to mail from "Hell".

 

[pgsahm2]

Good Monday to you guys!

Today is a no school day for the boys because of a teacher's workday. They have 8 days of school left before we head to Florida!

I was thinking yesterday... Who else is NOT visiting the World while in FL? I hate thinking we'll be SO close and then not stopping by. Originally we'd thought about staying one night after the cruise and eating at Boma for dinner, but then we started talking about doing the $99 bounceback and adding in a trip to the World along with it. So that's where we stand. No WDW this time, but hopefully by the end of the year. DS2 has never been and I'm hoping we'll make it there before he turns 4 March of next year. The chances are looking good at least!

I still can't believe it's next week. I feel like it's been forever since booking but that it hasn't been long enough at the same time.

I'm washing ALL dirty clothes today in the hopes of catching up a little before needing to do last minute laundry next week. With 3 boys we go through a ton of clothes. Dh is just as bad!

I'm also planning on finishing up all FE stuff today so I can finally pack it and forget about it. One more thing to mark off the list!

AND it looks like we might be leaving VA earlier than expected. My FIL said that we might be better off leaving at 4 instead of 6. Oh joy. Can't wait to wake up the kids at 3:30 in the morning!! Such happy children they'll be!

 

[patrsn]

Pg, we are visiting wdw for just a few days before cruise, I have dvc points that needed to be used and coming from New England, I want to be there a few days eary, you never know what the weather will do. Unfortunately my park passes are all used up so I'll need to buy new ones, not an expense I'm looking forward to, the prices have gone up so much since we bought passes last. Oh well...I'll have 7 days of cruising to get over it. What day are you leaving? You are driving right? We are flying but jetblue changed our flight to 7 am! I will also be getting my children up very early to make that flight, probably not as early as you though, as we aren't too far from the Boston Airport but with traffic and stuff it will still be a very early morning. The only thing that stinks about flying, is the one bag per person rule.

 

[pgsahm2]

We thought about flying but couldn't justify it for 5 people when the cost to drive is not bad now that gas prices have come down. So, yep, we're driving....... Not looking forward to it but that's how we always vacationed when I was a kid. The first time I ever flew was two years ago on our last family trip to WDW. It should probably take us (with stopping) about 13 hours to get from home to Port Canaveral. But then we've also made the 11 hour trip to WDW in like 9.5 hours......... LOL

For anyone who hasn't backtracked a bit on the thread -- do you have Facebook? I love Facebook and always like having new friends!

 

[mickchick6]

Good Morning.
Not too much to report, just thought I'd jump on and say Hi!

Today officially begins "Crunch time" for me at work. Leaving my own business for 10 days in the hands of my staff, requires ALOT of organization. SOmething I am not really used to.

So busy, busy and then....VACATION!

We are also staying in WDW for 3 days and agree that the park passes are kicking our vacation budget in the behind!~ Problem is...we have to go, who can be that close and miss it? Disney sure knows how to make a buck!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Michellepooh]

Good morning Valentine Voyagers!!! Well, I am officially under a week until departure!!!! I managed to finish ironing and packing about 95% of our clothing yesterday - what a chore! Thank goodness we'll have laundry facilities, or I would have needed 4 times as many suitcases as I have!!

Sounds like you will all have a great time at Playa Uvas. I'd say to have a margarita for me, but wouldn't want any of you to have to drink the water.

I'm really looking forward to meeting all of you. We seem to have a really good group. Some of the other cruises I've been on got a little "clique-ish" with the meets, but everyone here seems really friendly!

Have a great day!!!!

 

[MyLove4Disney]

For anyone who hasn't backtracked a bit on the thread -- do you have Facebook? I love Facebook and always like having new friends!

Got facebook and myspace too.

facebook sue errington, I have a picture in white and red
myspace myspace.com/mylove4musicsue

one week from today, I will be flying to WDW.

 

[marieeb]

Good morning all,

A good nights sleep, a laugh with a friend and the day looks brighter!! I have Dory's mantra going through my head as I deal with plumbers and wait for the guy with the backhoe to stop by and size up the job. For those who didn't see my earlier post, I'm in the midst of a 'Plumbing Adventure'. See the difference a day makes, yesterday it was a 'plumbing tragedy'.

We are going to Orlando but not Disney for a number of reasons. Firstly, we went last year with close friends who have since moved to British Columbia. If we went this year it would be just the three of us and we would pine for them. Secondly, it wouldn't be as much fun without a playmate for dd9. Finally, and probably most significantly, I have never figured out how to do Disney at a relaxed pace. Last year the man in the couple we were traveling with said, "Marie should have been a Drill Sargeant and I know; I was in the army!!!" Things are quite frantic for us right now and I would like a couple of days to 'relax' into a vacation mode so that we can enjoy the cruise from the very begining. I love Disneyworld but it isn't really relaxing for me. We may go to Downtown Disney and wander around, or to Medieval Times (DD9 is studying that at school) or, maybe we will just sleep in and hang out by the pool. I would like to take in a day at the Space Center in Cape Canaveral but I am trying to just making it up as I go along.

So I just keep swimming and time will pass, the clothes will be in suitcases our 'adventures in plumbing' will unfold and in two weeks we will be enjoying a day at sea and be thinking about getting tarted up for formal night.

Whoa am I wordy today!! You can tell that I haven't been posting!! It's like I am getting a fix! I'm looking forward to meeting you all and putting faces and families to online names.

Take care all,
Marie