February 7, 2009 Western early check in!

[princessmeesh]

i cant wait to hear that toot!!

 

[pgsahm2]

Hey guys! I'm up and at 'em and headed to Walmart for hopefully the last grocery trip before leaving in a week. (who am I kidding? the boys eat A LOT and I know I'll be back there in two or three days...)

It's officially official... We're leaving at 4:00 am on Friday next week. That means waking the kids at 3:30. It's kinda a fun idea because it's like payback. All of these years they've been getting me up early EVERY morning. Now it's my turn!

I can mark the FE gifts off my list because I finally finished them up last night! Thank goodness because I was beginning to think that everyone was going to get a stick of gum if I didn't get my act together. Not that they're fancy or anything but at least everyone has their own personal something. They are even packed in a suitcase now! GASP! I was on a roll.

You guys and your late nights... Ouch! I'd be in for a long day, as would my family, if I stayed up all night. I'm a girl who needs sleep. If I don't get it I'm miserable to be around. I've dealt with insomnia before and it's no fun. I've been on medication for chronic hives since October and it's like my happy pill. It puts me right to sleep! LOL I guess there are some advantages to having hives!

Have a good day and I'll check back in later! (must.stay.off.facebook.today.)

 

[dceks cruisers]

Good morning,

....
Sabrina, I couldn't drink 'ritas at 10 am either.....well I could, but it wouldn't be pretty. I can't remember the details of the dolphins. We could probably meet at the park. I'm hoping to spend sometime there or go to the neighbouring beach but I really have no idea of travel times and what is reasonably possible.

Just wanted to pop in and say hi. ....

Marie

Marie: we are 1st time cruisers too & are doing the dolphins too...Dolphin Discovery at Cozumel from 9:45 - 2:55. We're thinking we'll just stay there after the dolphin encounter and snorkel there. It will cost extra but not sure how much. We were going to do our snorkeling at CC but I just canceled the Extreme Getaway with the snorkeling there since the water temp might be too cool w/ avg. temp. at 71 degrees at CC.

Are we doing the same dolphin excursion?

Anyways...the excitement of the trip keeps building up and everyone on the forum is adding value and length of enjoyment to my trip. Thank you everyone!
Connie

 

[patrsn]

i cant wait to hear that toot!!

Me too!!!!!!!!

 

[dceks cruisers]

http://www.keywestcyclerentals.com/#/harleys/4524297400

Susan...I think you were the one that was interested in the Harley rental at KW. I don't think we'll be doing this because I don't drive and the kids would be on their own if I ride along w/ DH. Maybe we do the electric cars or mopeds or just WALK around. We haven't called yet to check out prices but how awesome to ride a Harley there.

Maybe some day....ha, I just need to have something to tempt DH with for a future DCL trip! Oh, and I'll tempt him for next DCLs with fishing excursion, jetski rides, etc...you see I'm still working on converting him to be a true DCL lover even if it takes a few temptations! Even though I'm a 1st timer...I know I'll love it!

 

[mickchick6]

I, too am a girl who needs her sleep, but I am an early bird. In fact this morning, I opened the Jewel at 6:00 b/c we had no good lunch items for the boys.

pgsahm2, I hear ya...YES, they DO eat ALOT! That's why the cruise is so awesome, we definately get our money's worth!!

The official count for us is 6 days! The weather in Orlando looks like it'll be nice. High 71, which is a whole heck of alot better than 7 which is what we have here!

I think the pre-cruise excitement has really made this a super time for me, thanks everyone!

Have a good day

 

[Michellepooh]

Can I just say I love our happy little group? Like Sue, so many other meets I've been part of were just "eh". I really look forward to checking in with all of you each day and sharing the excitement. As strange as it sounds, I don't know what I'll do next week when I'm at WDW and can't check in with you and experience all of your last-minute anticipation and craziness. Maybe I'll have to sneak over to the time-share's business center to log on.

No major beautifications going on here. I'm getting a haircut this afternoon and that's about it. What you see is what you get!


Gotta go, screaming baby....

 

[princessmeesh]

im rather excited about our group as well, we've become friends and that is nice! group hug for all!

on the bad news front, COLDNESS coming to S. FL AGAIN this weekend, back into the 30's for a low so lets just PRAY that it gets it out of its system before we leave! we need gorgeousness and sunny fun! i know we will, just sick of cold weather in FLORIDA, after all, it IS paradise!

 

[deedeedubbs]

Last night I think I finally fell asleep after about 2 am. I forced myself to not come back out and get on the computer when I still found myself wide awake. Getting on the PC only leads to me getting lost in the DISboard Abyss.

Hey Michelle, I'm up early too, I cannot sleep anymore with so much on my mind. I'm hoping the motion of that ship will lull me to sleep every night.!!

I've only cruised two other times and each time I have had the best sleep ever! I'm lulled to sleep. I should probably move on a ship to ensure I have some rest in the future

Dee, I don't think you can bring liquid detergent unless it's sealed up and they can tell it hasn't been open. go for the powder I guess.]

Thanks . My DH said for us to just bring powder in a ziploc and said I don't think that would allowed at all because it isn't in original packaging and they'll have no idea what it is. I'll look to see if we can find a small enough powder brand.

UGHHH.....2 hour delay today.... great!]

Us also, 90 minutes though. My kids have never had so many snow days and delays before. They're all escited but I remionded them...the more days you miss now only means the shorter your summer will be. I think we've just eaten up our last built in snow day.

Hey, try this link, you'll get a tear in your eye I'm sure..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2odoQQ54U8A&feature=related

I teared up for sure and my voice broke when I called my kids over to watch!!! They got all excited and teary with me! I'm such a baby

We leave next Thursday at about 6pm for our drive down! It is sooooooo much crunch time!

QUICK TIP - New cruisers with kids - be sure you bring their autograph books and pens into the port. We will have visits from some special characters.

We still have to make ours . The kids made theirs last year, also. They were so proud and got so many comments it just made them even more proud. Really all I did was find 2 spiral bound thick, hard cover notebooks about 1/2 the size of a regular notebook. Found great Pirate and Tink stickers, matching markers and ribbons. They loved personalizing them. Definetly a keep sake for them.

 

[TinkerKat]

Dee, Target sells Tide travel size for 99 cents in the "travel" section.

 

[JRandAJsMom]

Starting off on a sentimental morning, haha I just got off a phone with a friend and was telling her about the boards. I have been on one cruise before (not Disney) and it was "nice" getting to know people while we were sitting at dinner and what not, but it's so great to get to know everyone before and look foreward to the fun together. I know we keep saying it, but thank you, thank you, thank you again to everyone organizing stuff. You all (everyone!) are making this such a great experience before we have even left for port!

I pulled the kids in for the toot too DS6 lit up, then we proceeded to spend an hour watching other youtube cruise videos We watched a pirate party one and he asked "do they have food after that???" (DH and I both work for a church and when theres a concert or event, the big question from the kids is always whether or not there is a food reception after...), so I showed him the buffet pics. My mouth is watering!!! But I MUST be good until the cruise!!! Only one week left-- I can do this!!!

Dee-- love the autograph book idea. I think I'm going to try to go see if we have anything around here to do something like that. The boys love crafts and projects, so this would be a good one. I saw somewhere (on here maybe?) to leave the left pages blank and have sigs on the right pages so you can put pics of the kids with those characters on the opposite page of their signature. I like that idea too

Ok-- Time to check facebook, then I pledge to work on stuff for the rest of the day... But you know I'll be back later, haha

 

[margolyn]

Happy noon y'all!

I've caught the insomnia - I avoid the laptop at night (don't laugh, its a conscious effort) but still I have so much to do!!!

Magnets are done, FEs are ready... we decided we have to buy another suitcase (but of course) and then we will actually start trying to put things into them and all of that this weekend.

I guess people start leaving SUNDAY this week? WOW! Not sure what I will do between Tuesday and Thursday as the traffic REALLY thins out, but Friday we will be on our way - YAY! Just gotta believe the weather will hold and behave!

We leave in 8 days! I am exhausted and excited.

Did someone say 4 AM coffee? I was thinking 6ish myself, but you never know!

Have a fabulous Thursday see you all soon!

Margo in Cinci

 

[deedeedubbs]

Dee, Target sells Tide travel size for 99 cents in the "travel" section.

awesome! I'll add it to my shopping list and be sure to stop at Target. Great tip!

 

[patrsn]

Thanks to everyone for all the tips!! I'm so excited...

got my haircut now I really need to do some more summer laundry, what I really want to do is go buy some new things for myself but I'm holding back, although my summer stuff all looks like crap! Hmm...maybe I'll squeeze a trip to Old Navy in this weekend, Iheard they've been putting all their spring and summer stuff out, shhhh.......

 

[margolyn]

Laundry soap - I bought a tiny tide liquid pack at WM in case.... I may get another this weekend...

AND, Target has summer stuff out. I think the stores are sick of winter too!

 

[JRandAJsMom]

Haha-- looks like a lot of us are on right now

Doorbell just rang with the FedEx man-- Pirate costumes are here!!!!! YAY!!! Just printed out my magnets too, and DH actually sugessted that we go to the mall tomorrow to do "cruise shopping." AND he initiated making shopping, carry-on and packing lists (I didn't tell him I had those a long time ago!!!). He's finally fully on board! To top it all off, I'm a travel nut and I mentioned to him some great deals they are having for Vegas in the summer on Travelocity, and he said something about not doing that if we were doing ANOTHER cruise. For that to come out of him is huge, haha

Ok-- Laundry is buzzing and suitcases are out with mouths open to be fed! Later!

 

[princessmeesh]

still waiting anxiously for my tiffany FE!! i am by the door everyday waiting for the mail so i know the excitement! awesome you got the pirate costumes, i am trying to find all of the booty the girls made me get when we did the wonder!

 

[JRandAJsMom]

still waiting anxiously for my tiffany FE!! i am by the door everyday waiting for the mail so i know the excitement! awesome you got the pirate costumes, i am trying to find all of the booty the girls made me get when we did the wonder!

lol-- did you get yours from a lady named Tiffany Harwood on eBay? She made mine and she does an AMAZING job!!! She's even sending me more fabric for the spot I messed up while doing the iron-on

 

[JRandAJsMom]

PS--

Got all ready to go to the Highlands this afternoon (where all of our shopping is)... Kids loaded, car running and me scraping the ice off my car... The ice actually broke my scraper... I still couldn't see out the windows, so I got the kids out and came back inside... I'm dying to go to Target and WalMart to see what they have out!!!! Oh well, it'll have to wait!

Good news is I had lost my license in the midst of the disaster that I call my van... While I was already out there, I decided to take one more dig... Guess what I found Now I have all I need for me in the document folder... DH just has to pick up the boys BC's from the safety deposit box and we're set to go Might not have anything packed to take WITH us at the rate I'm going, but we'll be able to get on the ship!

 

[brinalyn530]

my boss is going to be gone the 1st week of Feb, to an area wide emergency operations training in Maryland,

I feel bad for him, I going to were it is going to be warm and he has to go out and get a different weight coat for the cold weather.

If I handn't already had my vacation planned I would have had to go to MDfor the excercises also. A week long. I would love to go to MD, but not the 1st week of Feb and then do training outside.

That's funny, we're escaping from Maryland (and the Nor'easter that's apparently coming early next week) and he's coming from someplace much nicer to here. Hopefully, it'll warm up significantly by Thursday of next week and stay pretty uneventful until he (and we) get back home! We'll keep our fingers crossed anyways. If you do end up coming to MD someday give me a shout - there's surprisingly a lot of fun things to do here and close by in DC.

Amanda – “must.stay.off.facebook.today.” Didn't work, huh !

Well, I did do something productive yesterday - I packed most of my clothes! All that's left is the unmentionables and my dressy clothes - I'm picking up some extra bags with my dress pants from the dry cleaner this weekend for those. So, overall, we're pretty close to being ready. I have to finish up my suitcase, add DS's undies to his suitcase after laundry day on Sunday (I was going to pack these last night too, I was on a roll, but I figured he probably wouldn't be comfy going commando for the next three days so I held off !), pack our toiletry bag, and DS has to gather all of his stuff to keep him occupied on the trip. Everything else (FE stuff, door magnets, cameras - video and otherwise) is all done. I'm pretty comfortable with that.

Of course, I also have to clean the entire house this weekend . We moved into a house that's roughly twice the size of our old condo back in November, so I'm still trying to figure out how to stay on top of the cleaning without having to do it everyday. Last week I just said, forget it, I'll have a "Super Clean the House" day before we leave on vacation and figure out a better schedule when we get back. That day will be Sunday and I'm not looking forward to it. Hey, I just realized that's Super Bowl day - so I get to have a Super Bowl of Cleaning ! But I've got some special cruise music I'll be blasting to get me through it !

Also, I have changed my beauty day from Sunday to Tuesday so I don't ruin my nails cleaning and shoving the rest of the stuff in the bags! My mom also said she'd help me straighten my hair on Saturday before we board, so I don't have to schedule a blow out and spend time and money on that. I only pay for a blow out before vacation, but I could use one every week - it's not that I'm too lazy to blow dry my own hair, it's that I have about twice as much hair as normal humans and I look like a poodle with short hair so I have to keep it long. This means an average of an hour and a half of blow drying time, not including the wash, rinse, and condition time in the shower Please tell me I'm not the only one with this problem... Needless to say I will be bringing my own high powered hairdryer!

Well, Payton has a basketball scrimmage this evening, so I probably won't be back before tomorrow. Have a great night everyone - and try to get some sleep !

Sabrina