halloween cruise/ Magic: October 28th-nov..4th 2006

[Holly&Joesmommy]

Buckifan,

Your post was very touching, not a downer at all. These things are important to talk about, thanks for sharing.

 

[buckifan]

Buckifan,

Your post was very touching, not a downer at all. These things are important to talk about, thanks for sharing.

Thank you!

 

[Princess Olivia]

Crash. I'm glad I could add some inspiration. Things haven't been very easy for me in the last few years and the things I seem to cling to are the e-mails,phone messages, and letters I get from the one I love. He and I are fortunate to have an incredible connection, sensuality, spirituality and vocabulary that make many of our correspondency's good enough for Hallmark ( better I think)!

I understand your sadness. As I mentioned in my previous posts, my grandmother died. I had visited her the week before. I wrote the eulogy pertaing to our conversation that day. I said "in what I can only call a sense of desperation I began to prod my grandmother about our life together. Here are some of the highlights: Because of her I still watch Lawrence Welk and sing the goodnight and pleasant dream song to my children. In a crunch for a dessert she would serve me vannilla pudding with minnie marshmallows and I think it is as delicious today as I did when I was 6 years old. Because of her I knew that the wise man built his on the stone and that Jesus loves all the little children (I am catholic my mother was baptist before marrying my father so I was taught all the children's bible hymns)" there's more but my point is I talked to her and told her all the things she has been to me and how and why I love her. That was a gift for both of us.

on another topic
My life without love would be no life at all. I am a true romantic. I adore my children however that is different. A partner is a friend, confidant, often a comedian, intelligent, witty, loving etc...... I just love being in love. Who doesn't?

 

[sjcubedofct]

The most important thing you can do is PRAY for your friend's family.

Amen, Bucki, amen. Having been through so much in the last three years, including my grandma' alzheimers (and then her death, which was a blessing)...PRAYER WORKS!!! Evidence of that is my husband's life...but I won't go into that here. He would not be alive, we would not be married if not for an awesome God who hears and answers prayers.

So love your family, and pray for them. Captain, I'll be praying for you and your family, too.

God bless, Sherry

 

[kritter]

Captain,
Your friend's family is really in for some tough times with altzheimer's. They call it "the long goodbye" for a reason. We lost my BELOVED grandfather a year ago this past Christmas day (of all days). He had battled altzheimer's for about 5 years, and the last two and a half years were pretty grim. It tore my heart out to see him not recognize me. We had the very good fortune of growing up within walking distance to my grandparent's house, and my grandmother was our caregiver, as both of my parents worked full time. My parents also had VERY active social lives, and we kids spent the night at my grandparent's house constantly. I've always thought of my grandparents as my PARENTS! As my grandpa progressed with the disease, he didn't know any of us, yet every time Kylie came over, he got the bigget smile on his face, and loved to give her kisses. He didn't know her name, he would just say "that's my girl!" Well, Kylie happens to look like MY TWIN as a child, so we believe he may have thought Kylie was me.

The most important thing you can do is PRAY for your friend's family. Then offer help in any way you can. My grandma was very private when my grandpa was sick, so if they are also, respect that. But, my grandma cared for my grandpa 24/7 until the day he died, so we would come over whenever possible to stay with him and give my grandma some freedom to go shopping, get her hair done or whatever. I hated seeing grandpa sick, but I wouldn't trade the memories I have of helping care for him FOR ANYTHING. I helped feed him, shave him, dress him, and yes, even change his "diapers" WITH TOTAL LOVE! He cared for me and my brother and sister the same way all of our lives, and it was my pleasure to care for him in his old age. And my kids learned a valuable lesson too. They learned that elderly, sick & disabled people are still presious lives, and need to be treated with dignity. Kylie always tells me she will take care of me when I'm old.

Sorry if this post was a downer, but I do love talking about my grandpa!

oh Deanna,
that is soo sweet that you cared so much for your granfather..I too loved my grandfather. and miss him all of the time...I think it is so nice that grand kids can be so close to their grandparents....My kids call my parents their best friends.. not even grandma and grandpa..

YOu are not a downer great tohave you share with us...
kristin

 

[buckifan]

Kristin.........time for a GROUP HUG!

 

[captaincrash]

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts...

I was the primary caregiver for my mother when she developed multiple myeloma (a form of cancer in the circulatory system). It was a really difficult journey ... (I just erased everything I was going to write as it was a bit "too much"). But it suffices to say that my sacrifices along with everyone elses' contributions gained us an obvious improvement in survival and quality of life for most of the time. And for a while it was just a huge struggle. I do not look forward to whats to come... and I will be involved personally with this matter. The person with AD is only about 51... and that's very ... unfortunate given the rarity at such an early time. It brings back a mixture of feelings on what love and family should mean in difficult times. Your prayers and supportive thoughts are sincerely appreciated... my family is a quietly spiritual clan and as such, our prays for all of you will include heart felt thanks for your prayers, kind thoughts and pixie dust sprinkles.

I am trying to keep this brief in trying to express "muted concluding thanks" for your replies. This is after all a Disney Halloween Cruise thread for the most OVER THE TOP psychotic "wanna be" - and "gonna be" sorts... right? And I could be singled out for raising an off topic conversation by the monitors. <muted chuckles> Dear me... I gotta avoid that!

So... with that... I'm in the learning process right now. Also, I'm still hugely mixed in feelings. It's difficult to think about beyond a certain point yet I understand what's involved. Oh well...

So... sorry about the somber things I've stirred ...

Has anyone noticed.....

... that we are up to 45 people responding on the poll? However we have only about 35 posting to the thread. SO that implies we have about 10 silent lurkers out there without adjusting for errors (I know of at least one in catagory 1) and so on.

As such it seems reasonable to offer a warm invitation to any who ARE lurking silently who are booked on our sailing ... or who may be CONSIDERING our sailing .... who may or may not have voted above.

Also, with 8 months to go we seem to have roughly 5-6% of the ships passenger compliment represented here. I imagine that number can only go up (a lot) as more DIS enthusiasts discover us here!

OK... gotta go get more vittles for my 2 year old. She had 2 huge diaper "loads" in the last 30 minutes and it seems she's noticed her tummy has a slight vacume as opposed to the "stuffed feeling" she had 45 minutes ago. Plus I gotta git my lunch too. And today is an unusally nice day out - so I should run errands (and get some work done) before too much of the day light has been lost.

Thanks again.... if anyone has anything on AD to add - it is certainly welcome either in public here or as a private message. Whatever you feel is appropriate.

Warmest regards to all....

 

[kritter]

Kristin.........time for a GROUP HUG!

Group hug back at you...You guys are all great.....

 

[kritter]

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts...

I was the primary caregiver for my mother when she developed multiple myeloma (a form of cancer in the circulatory system). It was a really difficult journey ... (I just erased everything I was going to write as it was a bit "too much"). But it suffices to say that my sacrifices along with everyone elses' contributions gained us an obvious improvement in survival and quality of life for most of the time. And for a while it was just a huge struggle. I do not look forward to whats to come... and I will be involved personally with this matter. The person with AD is only about 51... and that's very ... unfortunate given the rarity at such an early time. It brings back a mixture of feelings on what love and family should mean in difficult times. Your prayers and supportive thoughts are sincerely appreciated... my family is a quietly spiritual clan and as such, our prays for all of you will include heart felt thanks for your prayers, kind thoughts and pixie dust sprinkles.

I am trying to keep this brief in expressing subtling concluding .... thanks for your replies. This is after all a Disney Halloween thread for the MOST over the TOP psychotic wanna be sorts... right? And I could be singled out raising an off topic conversation by the monitors. <muted chuckles>

So... with that... I'm in the learning process right now. Also, I'm still hugely mixed in feelings. It's difficult to think about beyond a certain point yet I understand what's involved. Oh well...

So... sorry about the somber things I've stirred ...

Has anyone noticed.....[/COLOR]

... that we are up to 45 people responding on the poll? However we have only about 35 posting to the thread. SO that implies we have about 10 silent lurkers out there without adjusting for errors (I know of at least one in catagory 1) and so on.

As such it seems reasonable to offer a warm invitation to any who ARE lurking silently who are booked on our sailing ... who may or may not have voted above.

Also, with 8 months to go we seem to have roughly 5-6% of the ships passenger compliment represented here. I imagine that number can only go up (a lot) as more DIS enthusiasts discover us here!

OK... gotta go get more vittles for my 2 year old. She had 2 huge diaper "loads" in the last 30 minutes and it seems she's noticed her tummy has a slight vacume as opposed to the "stuffed feeling" she had 45 minutes ago. Plus I gotta git my lunch too. And today is an unusally nice day out - so I should run errands (and get some work done) before too much of the day light has been lost.

Thanks again.... if anyone has anything on AD to add - it is certainly welcome either in public here or as a private message. Whatever you feel is appropriate.

Warmest regards to all....

Capt,

You did not need to erase anything it is never to much to share.. we are all here to support one another and help each other out in difficult times.....wow what a journey for you and your family wiht your mom...What an odeal for you having to care for her..But I am sure she appreciated it and all that you did for her,..

Wow we do have some lurkers and interseting you should point it out...woner why they have yet to surface..?? Maybe we are scaring them off???

When do you leave on the cruise???
Kristin

 

[captaincrash]

Crash. I'm glad I could add some inspiration. Things haven't been very easy for me in the last few years and the things I seem to cling to are the e-mails,phone messages, and letters I get from the one I love. He and I are fortunate to have an incredible connection, sensuality, spirituality and vocabulary that make many of our correspondency's good enough for Hallmark ( better I think)!

I understand your sadness. As I mentioned in my previous posts, my grandmother died. I had visited her the week before. I wrote the eulogy pertaing to our conversation that day. I said "in what I can only call a sense of desperation I began to prod my grandmother about our life together. Here are some of the highlights: Because of her I still watch Lawrence Welk and sing the goodnight and pleasant dream song to my children. In a crunch for a dessert she would serve me vannilla pudding with minnie marshmallows and I think it is as delicious today as I did when I was 6 years old. Because of her I knew that the wise man built his on the stone and that Jesus loves all the little children (I am catholic my mother was baptist before marrying my father so I was taught all the children's bible hymns)" there's more but my point is I talked to her and told her all the things she has been to me and how and why I love her. That was a gift for both of us.

on another topic
My life without love would be no life at all. I am a true romantic. I adore my children however that is different. A partner is a friend, confidant, often a comedian, intelligent, witty, loving etc...... I just love being in love. Who doesn't?

beautiful... I'm simply rereading this in muted awe (I'm almost without words to convey properly) and all I can say is .... thank you dearly...

 

[captaincrash]

Captain,
Your friend's family is really in for some tough times with altzheimer's. They call it "the long goodbye" for a reason. ...... As my grandpa progressed with the disease, he didn't know any of us, yet every time Kylie came over, he got the bigget smile on his face, and loved to give her kisses. He didn't know her name, he would just say "that's my girl!" Well, Kylie happens to look like MY TWIN as a child, so we believe he may have thought Kylie was me.

The most important thing you can do is PRAY for your friend's family. Then offer help in any way you can. My grandma was very private when my grandpa was sick, so if they are also, respect that. ..... I hated seeing grandpa sick, but I wouldn't trade the memories I have of helping care for him FOR ANYTHING. I helped feed him, shave him, dress him, and yes, even change his "diapers" WITH TOTAL LOVE! He cared for me and my brother and sister the same way all of our lives, and it was my pleasure to care for him in his old age. And my kids learned a valuable lesson too. They learned that elderly, sick & disabled people are still presious lives, and need to be treated with dignity. Kylie always tells me she will take care of me when I'm old.

Sorry if this post was a downer, but I do love talking about my grandpa!

Your post has NOT been a downer... not to me in the least bit. The afficted one is a family member (not my spouse - although it seems she is a bit forgetful when it comes to coming home instead of hitting Macy's for a pre-sale visit). They are very close to us. Your sharing has been very very supportive and inspirational. I can't thank you enough for your kind thoughts. I do embrace whats coming as an opportunity to reaffirm our committment to family, god and one self for doing the right thing. Or so it seems... I'm mildly confused on a lot of things. I had a headache last nite... and I never get headaches. Oh well... Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers!

 

[missyoh8]

As such it seems reasonable to offer a warm invitation to any who ARE lurking silently who are booked on our sailing ... or who may be CONSIDERING our sailing .... who may or may not have voted above.



Luker in the midst! I read and feel like I don't have time to get involved just yet. Last year our cruise thread became quite an addiction for me so forgive me if I hold off maximum "groupieness" for a while.

Prayers for all,

Missyoh9

 

[kritter]

As such it seems reasonable to offer a warm invitation to any who ARE lurking silently who are booked on our sailing ... or who may be CONSIDERING our sailing .... who may or may not have voted above.



Luker in the midst! I read and feel like I don't have time to get involved just yet. Last year our cruise thread became quite an addiction for me so forgive me if I hold off maximum "groupieness" for a while.

Prayers for all,

Missyoh9

WELCOME WELCOME..

NO need to be a lurker anymore..we are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy to have someone else join us....It has become and addiction for me to as you can tell if you have been lurking....I can not stay away from it....

What cruise did you go on last year..I am thinking Jen was on one in sept..maybe you two were on the same cruise???

Kristin

 

[buckifan]

Because of her I still watch Lawrence Welk and sing the goodnight and pleasant dream song to my children.

My grandma always watched Lawrence Welk, too! And-a one and-a two....
I remember her sitting and watching that show and just humming along. So sweet!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

Just wanted to hello to everyone

Crash- I hope you have a great cruise. Our first cruise was on the carnival Sensation. We just sailed on Carnival again January 8th on the Miracle. BIG DIFFERENCE. Hope you have a wonderful time.

Kristen-I know you are glad to finally have time to breathe after all the Birthday plans.

missyoh8- WELCOME

Tonight is Survivor!!!!
Teri

 

[captaincrash]

As such it seems reasonable to offer a warm invitation to any who ARE lurking silently who are booked on our sailing ... or who may be CONSIDERING our sailing .... who may or may not have voted above.



Luker in the midst! I read and feel like I don't have time to get involved just yet. Last year our cruise thread became quite an addiction for me so forgive me if I hold off maximum "groupieness" for a while.

Prayers for all,

Missyoh9

We're so HAPPY to make your aquaintence missyoh8(did I misspell that?)!!!

We know you'll be a really busy touch typing animal on this thread some time soon (before October... LOL!) down the road. No worries if you're not chattin' much now. Frankly, I sort of anticipate that as October draws near it might get pretty busy and truly difficult to follow conversations.

Crash- I hope you have a great cruise. Our first cruise was on the carnival Sensation. We just sailed on Carnival again January 8th on the Miracle. BIG DIFFERENCE. Hope you have a wonderful time.

Thanks Terri... I hope it goes well too... cuz even if it's not then I'm gonna make it as romantic as it can get... while keeping it family friendly, that is!



At any rate... I gotta run my older daughter over to her gymnastics class.

Welcome to our little "exercise in madness" here missyoh8!!!!

TTFN Terri!

 

[kritter]

Just wanted to hello to everyone

Crash- I hope you have a great cruise. Our first cruise was on the carnival Sensation. We just sailed on Carnival again January 8th on the Miracle. BIG DIFFERENCE. Hope you have a wonderful time.

Kristen-I know you are glad to finally have time to breathe after all the Birthday plans.

missyoh8- WELCOME

Tonight is Survivor!!!!
Teri

terri, we missed you thought you left us....
We will have to talk about survivor tomorrow...can not wait....

 

[missyoh8]

WELCOME WELCOME..

What cruise did you go on last year..I am thinking Jen was on one in sept..maybe you two were on the same cruise???

Kristin

OMG how do you know Jen? Just from here? Ask her she will tell you, we had a HOOT. Yes we were on the same cruise.

Yes, apparently I go by several names. I must have just added Missyoh9

Look for my sister Maryoh8 to join at some point as well.

Have a great day.

Missy

 

[kritter]

OMG how do you know Jen? Just from here? Ask her she will tell you, we had a HOOT. Yes we were on the same cruise.

Yes, apparently I go by several names. I must have just added Missyoh9

Look for my sister Maryoh8 to join at some point as well.

Have a great day.

Missy

Missy,

Hi I know Jen from her she is named Princess Olivia on here...She is great....that is too funny that you know her....
So excited that your sister will be joining us as well..
We are trying to keep the first page of the thread updated with all of our info...check to see if yours is there if nots could you give it to us and we will add it in...Do not think it is there... But I could be wrong...

Great to have you with us..
kristin

Anyone see survivor last night?? What did you think???

 

[Princess Olivia]

OMG how do you know Jen? Just from here? Ask her she will tell you, we had a HOOT. Yes we were on the same cruise.

Yes, apparently I go by several names. I must have just added Missyoh9

Look for my sister Maryoh8 to join at some point as well.

Have a great day.

Missy

Hi Missyoh. I'm thinking maybe it's another Jen. I was on the 7 day Western leaving Sept. 24th. Doesn't really matter, now you'll have another Jen to meet on the Halloween cruise! Welcome to our group