January 8, 2006- 4 night Wonder- Anybody else coming with?

[branv]

So in order to distract myself from obsessing about my trip, I've moved over to obsessing about Christmas decorating For those of us who celebrate Christmas, when do you put up your decorations? We usually do it the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Speaking of, I don't let DH touch the tree. I've got a whole winter wonderland type thing going on, and my poor colorblind, decorating disable DH will pick up an ornament and plop it anywhere. We'd end up with 6 of the same ornament clustered into a circle like a bullseye Sooo, I'm glad he will now get to do his decorating share i.e. the outdoors....since I can't go 1 ft up a ladder without getting shakey legs and woozy head.

Since this is our first year in a house during Christmas, this is our first stab at outdoor lights...I am totally clueless. We got those little shingle hook thingers, thank goodness we're only a one story. However, we have these peaked roofs in front, so we have to rent a ladder. I have dread images of DH falling backwards from his ladder onto me as I offer up "helpful suggestions" , causing us to both sprain/break something right before our cruise Oh sure, you think I'm paranoid, but if you only knew how clutzy we both are. DH regularly falls going UP stairs and I can't even walk through a door without bouncing off the door frame half the time (and YES we are sober).

Almost done with my Christmas shopping. Discovered that you can by insanely cheap mag subscriptions on Ebay, so caught some really good stocking stuffer deals. Woo-hoo! The good thing is that this means I can avoid the Black Friday insanity. DH on the other hand probably doesn't even know what he's getting me yet, let alone finished his shopping

 

[VickiHD]

About Christmas decorations......We went crazy the first year in our house. Out door bunting, a couple of moving deer, nativity scene, lighted angels in the trees etc. Of course we did a lot of that because it was our first Christmas in our new house. This will be our third Christmas in our home and the displays get smaller and smaller each year. Mostly because we usually vacation right after Christmas through New Years. But since vacation isn't until Jan. maybe we do a bit more. I've got to see what DH is "willing" to do, he's so busy with work.

Branv.....Have fun decorating, go crazy and be careful with the ladder. This is your first Christmas in your new home. Decorate, let the "Martha Stewart" in you go wild.

I'm going to finish up shoping this weekend and get everything wrapped while listening to Christmas music. I'm creating a new wreath for the front door. But that will not go up until early Dec. along with the rest of the decorations and tree. I've got to start the Christmas cards too. I'm hoping if I get all the Christmas obligations done I could actually enjoy the season. And then focus on getting ready for the cruise.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Bad news ya'll...
I just wanted to let you all know that the DH and I won't be joining you in January. I just accepted a new job at work, which means I will be transferring (just moving to an office closer to home), and I will also have a lot of new responsibilites that I will be taking on, so I am going to have lots of training to do. I have to be prepared to go to training classes wherever they are going to be held, which could be VA, TN, WV, FL, KY, or GA.
I really, really hate that we are not going to be able to cruise, but I think it's for the best right now. The good news is that I am going to have a much closer commute to work once I get transferred. And not only that, but since we purchased the Vacation Protection Plan, we get 75% of the cancellation fee to put towards another cruise, which we fully intend on doing!
I really hope that you all have a great time on your cruise, and think of me!
It has been nice posting with you all, and I am sure that I will see you on the boards from time to time, but I am not going to be around quite as much. Even though I know we made the right decision by cancelling, it's still very hard to think about. The DH and I were very much looking forward to another cruise. And we will cruise again, just not as soon as I had thought!

 

[VickiHD]

UGAFan0829....Sorry to hear that you and DH will not be cruisin. You will be missed. It sounds like this was not a easy decision for you to make. But CONGRATS on your new job. It sounds like a great opportunity for you and you can't beat the commute. Best of luck to you can hope you still check in with us on the boards once in a while. Best wishes for you on your new job!!
Take care,
Vicki

 

[Cruisin]

Sorry that you won't be with us UGAFan but I'm happy for you about your new job.

Best of luck to you.

 

[UGAFan0829]

OK guys, I really need your help here. I am so torn right now, I really don't know what to do. My biggest reason for cancelling the cruise was because I was afraid that it would interefere with the training for my new job, even though I had already got the OK from my new manager to take vacation. The hard part for me is not knowing when my last day here is going to be. If I did, it would make things a lot easier. I really, really want to go on this cruise, and so does the DH. At first I had thought that maybe it just wasn't meant to be for us to be on this cruise, but I really want to be there. I had already had all my clothes picked out for everyday. We were completely ready, except for all the small things. My DH told me that if I really wanted to, to call back and re-reserve the cruise. The only thing is, now we are going to be losing money. I just don't know what I should do. I know that we really need a vacation, and we had even talked about going to WDW, but I just don't think it would be as fun. What would you do?

 

[attagirlx2]

UGAFan - if I were you, I would re-book the cruise. From what you are saying I get the sense that you want to go on the Disney cruise and that has been your mind-set for months now. I would think that if you went somewhere else, it wouldn't satisfy your true desire so you'll end up disappointed with whatever it is you decided to do. That's money wasted. I am sorry you're in this position. I know it isn't easy trying to second guess yourself!

Besides, we all want you to cruise with us

My DH starts a new job with a new company on Dec. 1st. When he accepted the job, he mentioned our vacation. He said they seemed a little surprised but agreed to it. Then he mentioned needing time off for when we finally get to move into the new house. Nothing like starting a new job and wanting 3 weeks off within the first month and a half

 

[UGAFan0829]

attagirl, Thanks so much for your advice...I really appreciate it, I really do. That's so sweet of you to tell me that you want us to cruise with you all!! I am still thinking it over, and I will post here when I decide on what we should do. I definitely agree with you, we will not be happy on another vacation. When I think about going anywhere else, I keep comparing it to all the things on DCL!

 

[attagirlx2]

Don't get me started on Christmas decorations! My kids are dying to start decorating, but I don't know where anything is in the stacks and stacks of boxes we have here at this rental house. Plus, not knowing when in December we might get to move, I don't want to decorate here and then have to do it all over again. Trying to convince DH to get a small fake tree for the kids to make all the decorations to put on it and that will be all we do in the rental.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Ok guys, I know this is so silly, and I really feel dumb after what I posted yesterday...but I wanted to let you know that I called DCL and had our cruise re-instated this afternoon. I am really excited. So I guess we will be onboard with you guys afterall...hope that's a good thing. Now I just have to try and get all of our ressies back! LOL

 

[VickiHD]

Welcome Back UGAFan0829!!! Glad you decided to rebook. Just think. after your cruise vacation you will be more "rested" to take on you new job and the training.

 

[attagirlx2]

Wahoo! Glad you are still crusing with us!!
:thewave: :thewave:

 

[JoyCrazy]

I'm glad everything worked out UGAFan0829. I got my fingers crossed for your rezzies.
I'm so glad that xmas is almost here and then our cruise yea!
I've gotta call my agent though and check about flight times. Since international flights have to be at the airport 3hr before their plane departs I really don't want a 6am flight. Not when it's going to be an 8hr flight to begin with. I'm thinking a 6pm flight the night before would be good. That way the kids could sleep for part of the flight.
We're prepared for boredom if they don't we have a gameboy for everybody. I'm bringing loads of books and the kids are getting a portable dvd player for xmas. Heck I might even bring a pack of cards. 8hrs is a full work day without any work. and I'm sure we'll all be wound up though. It's our first flight. Hey do ya think they'll let us scope out the airport before we go? Do a trial run of where we have to go and what we'll have to do before the flight. I hate going into something blind.

 

[branv]

Whew, UGA! Lots of changes! Good for you, and glad you're still with us!

Joy Crazy - ugh, 8 HOURS?! I hope you guys get some good movies on board Don't forget to bring your own headphones, otherwise they'll charge you up the wazoo. Be sure to stand up now and again to avoid leg problems - thrombosis. I can tell you in the US you can't do a trial run of any airport b/c after 9/11 they do not allow anyone without a ticket pass the ticketing area. They'd stop you at security before you could get to the gates. I can't of course say how it is in Canada, though I remember in December 2001 at the Calgary airport it was that way. You guys may have changed it since then. Cruisin', can you confirm?

 

[VickiHD]

JoyCrazy....I also hate long flights. It's going to take us around 12+ hours to make if from Calif. to Florida. I know how you feel. Just a thought, maybe it will help. make sure you wear something comfortable on the plane. When it's a long flight I make sure I wear a warm and cosy warm up outfit, sweats, or jogging suit. Something the softer the better and having a hood is a plus. To me it's like wearing P.J.'s. And you still look put together and after a long flight no wrinkles.
I do feel for you and the kids on the long flight. Is it a NON Stop? Or do you have to lay over and switch planes? Just a hint...if you do have a lay over try and make sure you have plenty of time between flights just in case your originating flight is delayed. Another tip we used when booking our flight to Orlando is...make sure where you connect or change planes that the location is not too proned to winter weather issues since that could result in delays arriving or taking off. I avoid the snow states and so far so good. Also ask the carrier what the on time percentage is for the flight. That always helps me to determine if I want that one or try for another. Hope this helps.

 

[UGAFan0829]

OK y'all, tell me again how to get my ticker back...not the Ticker Factory one, but the other...Please!

 

[Cruisin]

I can't of course say how it is in Canada, though I remember in December 2001 at the Calgary airport it was that way. You guys may have changed it since then. Cruisin', can you confirm?

Sorry can't help there because we always fly out of Detroit, Michigan.

The only time we have flown out of Toronto was when we went to Holland.

I'm thinking you can't get near the gates here either but you could check out the terminal if you wanted to I suppose and find out where to park etc.

 

[Cruisin]

OK y'all, tell me again how to get my ticker back...not the Ticker Factory one, but the other...Please!

This one:


http://v50.net/

 

[sapphire33]

Glad you are still able to cruise, UGAFan! I hope you can get all the ressies you need. Don't they hold some back for those booking on board? You could always do that.

I'm glad you have so much to look forward to in the coming year - a great vacation and a new position!

46 days to go!!

 

[UGAFan0829]

Thank you all for being so nice and welcoming me back to the cruise. I can't tell you how excited I am about cruising with you all!
Yes, they do hold some of the ressies back for embarkation. Hopefully we'll be able to get something then. I had brunch and dinner reserved, but as long as I can at least get dinner then I will be happy!
Has anyone given the "tag" idea any thought? I thought it might be fun if everyone wanted to participate.