February 7, 2009 Western early check in!

[dceks cruisers]

Good morning! Overnight lows of 20 in FL, YIKES. We have -4 and a colder windchill temp. in MPLS. Local weather man just said FL is experiencing the coldest overnight since about 50 years. It's supposed to get warm in MPLS (35) tomorrow so maybe the warm will change overnight in FL too.

Yeah, today is my last day of work before the cruise! I'm not bringing my laptop so I will feel big withdrawals once we leave but I'm sure it will be OK...we'll be with each other in person and we'll be in warm weather having a blast!

Gotta run and head off for the day...

I'll check in tonight. Have a great day everyone and have fun where ever you are!

 

[allears]

Do they heat the pool adequately on the ship? Someone DH works with or came across said they only had a so so time on Disney cruise and the pools were cold. I don't think I'll care but I do like a warm pool. Anything will be better the long cold snap we've had.

I'm hearing 40's for Friday we fly out of MPLS. Tonight I had to fill the tank on my SUV and it was cold and I kept thinking happy thoughts of WARM weather and that it's only days away.

Connie

The pools are heated, and they acutally report the temps on one of the state room tv channels. The weather is looking better for Saturday and the rest of the week is looking really nice. It may be a little cool on deck Saturday, but we'll see a big change as we head to Key West.

We've sailed a few times this week in February and it is very summer like once we hit the southern climates.

 

[marieeb]

So we are getting ready to leave in about 1-2 hours. I'm thinking that I need to take out the snorkel fins and put in some fall clothes. But at least there will be no snow and it will be an improvement over what we have hear -30 celcius with the wind chill.

Take care, I'm off to pack, unpack, repack then be the family bulldozer and get everyone out the door!

See you all in a few days,
Marie

 

[deedeedubbs]

Bye Marie! You bulldoze away!! Safe travels!

Dee

 

[margolyn]

Is anyone besides me waking up really early because they have so much to do every day? LOL. I wish I could always do this though because I get so much done and have time for LOOONG workouts (yay!)

8 inches of snow between about 3 PM and 6 PM. NO kidding... I have more to do today because I could not get ANYTHING done last night....

Margo

 

[GPLarge]

only a couple hours till I'm off work. Then I need to finish packing, clear the driveway, and load the van. We'll be hitting the road sometime in the wee hours of the morning to start our road trip. I'll pop in before we go to try and get the post count up.

 

[JRandAJsMom]

Thanks for all the support everyone I really appreciate it DH even said today that she is probably better adjusted to the idea than we are. He got really depressed today when he had her in the car and she wasn't climbing up on him to look out the window. On the up side, she's way more snuggly, and I love that-- I'll give her all the snuggles she needs

Safe travels to all who are leaving/have left. Everyone better give that weather fairy a good talking to!!! It does look like it's going to be good by Saturday-- 72 and dry in Canaveral on Sat and 74 and dry in KW on Sunday... And it looks like we're dodging rain so far (knock on wood). They have scattered showers ahead of us, but clear on our scheduled port days. Keep those fingers crossed!!!

We got snow here today too. They said no more than an inch... Well, it's been snowing all day. Lightly, but all day. And it's FREEZING!!! So that 72 sounds like heaven right now!!!

 

[pgsahm2]

Margo, that's a lot of snow! Oy!

Not much new here. Just fingers crossed that we can all stay well prior to leaving. I thought about quarantining my boys from school but figured the teachers might not like that.

 

[JRandAJsMom]

Margo, that's a lot of snow! Oy!

Not much new here. Just fingers crossed that we can all stay well prior to leaving. I thought about quarantining my boys from school but figured the teachers might not like that.

Haha-- same thought crossed my mind. DS4 had his last day today, but he's going to playgroup tomorrow so I can catch up on stuff before we go. DS6 still has one more day to go. I realized halfway through planning that we had the 16th off, so I scheduled a really late flight on the 15th to give us that extra day to play. We won't be home til about 2am on the 16th and I was talking to DS6's teacher about it and how they'd have all day the 16th to recuperate and she got this look. Then she let me know that a letter is coming home today to let everyone know that they are re-scheduling school for the 16th due to all the snow days. UGH!!! I don't think my kids will make it... Besides, after 5 days missed, what's one more???

I'm such a bad mom, lol

 

[pgsahm2]

Yep. What's one more? lol I completely agree! Especially when you take into account he's SIX! Not sixteen!

We have the 16th off also and I'm pretty sure it'll stay that way because we haven't had any snow! lol

If my kids were struggling in school I might feel differently. But they aren't. They are straight A students and seem to catch on to new things very quickly. I'll keep pulling them out when necessary until that changes. Which it better not! LOL

 

[JRandAJsMom]

Yep. What's one more? lol I completely agree! Especially when you take into account he's SIX! Not sixteen!

We have the 16th off also and I'm pretty sure it'll stay that way because we haven't had any snow! lol

If my kids were struggling in school I might feel differently. But they aren't. They are straight A students and seem to catch on to new things very quickly. I'll keep pulling them out when necessary until that changes. Which it better not! LOL

lol-- exactly I swear though-- this kindergarten class does more work than I've ever seen. I do love the program and the teacher is amazing-- but those kids WORK. It's great in teaching them to work hard and stay on top of things, but I'm dreading the homework folder that awaits us when we get back!!! Last time we took stuff with us, so it worked out great-- did a little each day on the trip. This time, the teachers are so flustered with catching up with missed days that I don't think THEY even know what they're doing next week, haha. Oh well- 'tis the price we pay for a week in paradise

Speaking of paradise-- checked that weather again Getting a little more nervous. When I checked a couple days ago, GC and Coz were both clear on the days we were there. Now both show occasional showers and GC shows wind. Tenders get the best of my nerves on SMOOTH days. I might just stay on the boat if it's rocky!!!

 

[deedeedubbs]

Looks like the weather fairy has been looking out for us during everyone's travel time down and our port days. You go weather fairy!

I don't know if I'm going to get everything done! I just can't seem to get my act togther. Obviously, I'm on the thread when IO should be doing more packing I'm feeling every emtion about now!

Kindergarten isn't what it used to be. When DS was in K he came home all upset saying, "We never get to play!" We have 1/2 day K still and they cram so much into only a few hours...all academics.

26 hours and counting until we are in our family truckster and on our way (assuming we get out on time - doubtful)

Dee

 

[JJCJFL]

Hi all,

It is cold here! Fl is supposed to be warm!

I may not pack as many shorts as I was originally thinking.

The lights are still on here. I will post until Sat AM when we leave about 10AM. I need to go get green ribbon for my suitcases and my carry ons. (aka...alcohol)

Hope you have safe travels and I will see you soon!

Jill

 

[pgsahm2]

So who is packing jeans for their kids or themselves? Anyone? I've packed only shorts but now I'm wondering if I should rethink that.... Help!!!!

 

[JRandAJsMom]

So who is packing jeans for their kids or themselves? Anyone? I've packed only shorts but now I'm wondering if I should rethink that.... Help!!!!

I'm packing jeans-- I'm a jeans girl, and I love to be outside, so I'm figuring that will be nice for mornings and evenings out on deck...

Question about the alcohol-- can we have it in a carry on or does it have to be packed?

GUESS WHAT!!! We had been toying with the idea of sneaking a day in at the parks. I thought that once I transferred 2 old child paper tickets that I would lose the second day (each had 2 days and we are only able to go for one). But when I called, they said that the ticket will remain non-expiring, which means we wouldn't lose the second day... Which means:

I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!

But SHHHHHH-- we're not telling the boys. I already told them they WEREN'T going because we went last year and we're going next Feb. We're just going to check into our hotel, and head for "lunch." What they don't know is that "lunch" is in Magic Kingdom, haha

 

[GPLarge]

Well the shuttle launch was delayed till at least the 19th. Oh well guess I'll have to wait for another time to see a launch.

 

[JJCJFL]

I'm packing jeans-- I'm a jeans girl, and I love to be outside, so I'm figuring that will be nice for mornings and evenings out on deck...

Question about the alcohol-- can we have it in a carry on or does it have to be packed?

GUESS WHAT!!! We had been toying with the idea of sneaking a day in at the parks. I thought that once I transferred 2 old child paper tickets that I would lose the second day (each had 2 days and we are only able to go for one). But when I called, they said that the ticket will remain non-expiring, which means we wouldn't lose the second day... Which means:

I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!

But SHHHHHH-- we're not telling the boys. I already told them they WEREN'T going because we went last year and we're going next Feb. We're just going to check into our hotel, and head for "lunch." What they don't know is that "lunch" is in Magic Kingdom, haha

I am bringing jeans and will probably wear them on Sat to the ship. It may not be warm enough for me to put on shorts. We are forecast for 74*.

I always pack my alcohol in my carry on. That way if it gets broken, I know who did it. I am a control freak and this way I can make sure it is handled with care.

Magic Kingdom is a great place for lunch!

Jill

 

[pgsahm2]

Congrats on the impromptu WDW trip! I'm jealous!

I'm stuck on the jeans dilemma. I don't know what to do! We're wearing one pair from home. Maybe I'll try and sneak in one more pair for everyone. Crikey. I shoved everything in the suitcases today and prayed as I zipped them shut. Now I guess I'll be trying to jam in more.

Six pieces of luggage for 5 people isn't bad though.

We're up to page 94 VVs!!!

 

[pgsahm2]

Forgot to mention that I picked out a bottle of wine from my bazillion that I own and have set it with my carryon items. Yay for wine!

 

[deedeedubbs]

I'm jealous about your last minute trip to WDW also, but also happy for you

I'm bringing jeans for our Florida bag. It will stay behind. We're packing clothes for colder weather in a separate case. Maybe incorrectly, I hoping and expecting it to be warm once out of port.

Everytime I think I can get started and hunker down and get some packing done I'm pulled away or realize I have another errand to run for the trip, for the family for my Biz or for the PTO. I'm tired and just can't wait to be alseep Friday night at the Radisson. That will probably be the 1st time I'm able to really get some sleep.

22 hours and counting!