No, I don't have anything major to report. Yes,
DCL called me last night. Yes, I was very thrilled for about 30 seconds at the prospect of an upgrade. Why else would they call? There I was, dreaming about a category 5 or even better, a suite, because DON'T THEY KNOW WHO I AM???? And then the nice DCL employee burst my little big-imagination bubble by confirming my REAS reservations.
"Oh. Thanks."
As I hung up the phone, deflated and crushed, I added under my breath "for nothing!!!"
In the last week, I have gotten my bonine (just in case.....plus, the stuff I bought two years ago had expired), purchased a few extra items for the travel toiletry bag, and bought a small size hand sanitizing foam.
Lionel: what's that for?
Me: Mexico.
Lionel: why? because you think it's a dirty dirty place?
Me: no.....but just to be on the safe side.....
Lionel: ................
Me: we didn't get shots!
Lionel:
Husbands just don't get the whole "better safe than sorry" thing. Anyhow, if it were up to him all we would pack would be three outfits and maybe a pair of underwear. For a 7-day trip. TO MEXICO. Men.
I did manage to cross another item off the to-do list, and that was taking my dress up for alterations. I opted to have it dry cleaned as well, just in case. It IS from ebay. It will be ready for pickup later this week. Lionel's jacket, it turns out, fits him perfectly now! I guess two months of chest presses go a long way in filling out a sport coat. Hubba, hubba.
Last week, I nearly wore myself stressing out over - are you ready for this? Are you sure? Really sure?
80's t-shirts.
Yes, dear readers, I fell victim to the "I need something else" sickness, and when a few of my fellow DISers started looking for shorts for our mock 80's night, I tried to find some too. And then I tried finding a pirate shirt for Lionel. And then I discovered that not only are there no pirate shirts to be had in the greater Orlando area, but there are no 80's shirts that are not (a) kind of ridiculous or (b) less than $20. So, I took a little step back and reminded myself that this is exactly why I didn't get caught up in all of the logo merchandise phenomena of about a year ago. I made a magnet. That was enough for us. I guess we're just not T-shirt people, I don't know.
So yes, fellow Double Dippers, I am going to be a big old party pooper and attend 80's night in my regular clothing. Trust me, it's better this way. I might get cranky otherwise, and nobody wants that. Sarah can attest.
I did manage to make myself a list of things to do in the next 13 days, of which I will be working 11. Cripes. Anyhow, this is less for you and more for me, but here is the breakdown:
This week:
- pick up dress from cleaners
- wash my Crocs flip flops and sandals (someone suggested throwing them in with the towels, which I will try)
- print up FE cabin list and cruise plans spreadsheet (thanks nenner1!)
- get an appropriate sized Rubbermaid container for FE and SM stuff (to be used for packing any fragile purchases....like rum)
- finish 6/8 of my remaining writing projects
- call DCL to add our saved money to our OBC, and fill out our payment authorization forms online
Next week:
- haircuts for me and L
- pedicure (if I must, sometimes cruise prep can be very tough)
- finish last 2/8 articles
- send invoice for project with note stating I will be out of town for a week
- print and sign cruise forms
- pre-cruise laundry
- segregate cruise clothing (yes, even in this open minded world)
- PACK!!!!!!!
- say hello to Sarah when she arrives late late LATE Friday evening, and promptly fall asleep
That is my plan. Oh, crap. I still need ginger chews. Must remember to stop at Asian market on the way to meet Mat and his BFF at the bookstore this evening. You know, only Sarah will laugh at that. But I'm still leaving it in there. Ooooh, you know what else they sell at the Asian market? Pocky. Delicious, crunchy, chocolatey Pocky. And some pretty awesome teas. And sake. Oh dear. Maybe I should just order the ginger chews online......
Just because he's taking his courses seriously doesn't mean they have to infringe on MY cruise time! And i can say that..because he doesn't read anything! 
More soon.
Also, thanks to you I knew to get ginger chews and knew where to find the best alcohol! If hadn't read your trip reports I would have never known about the passporter that I read, reread, and tabbed at nauseam.
(actually it was the Cabo Crud we started coming down with after 11 days on board...) 
