July 28, 2007 - "Rome-ancing the Mouse Cruisers" -11 days! Part 2

[danfromca]

We're all fine here - no fires in Northern California at the moment (and we've started having rain, so we should be ok for this year). Had a nice little earthquake tonight, but no real damage.

California is surely one of the most beautiful places in the world to live, and does have perfect weather - the combination of which seems to attract almost every other natural disaster possible

I hope everyone is doing well - didn't have a chance to read too much. Life has gotten busy (as it so often does). Oh, to be on the cruise again and be pampered and be able to just lay out on deck and read. Just 10 months to go....

All my best to everyone from me and Teddy Bear (who is even busier than I).

Dan

Yes, our hearts also go out to our CA friends, and all others affected by those terrible fires.

MJ, does this affect you? What about Dan? Haven't heard from him. Hope all is well.


Maryann

Happy Halloween.

 

[AnnaS]

Hi Anna,

We're planning to get together in NYC on Dec. 8th. Would you and Gaspar like to join us? Can you contact Wendy, we haven't heard from her for a while.

Hope Gaspar is feeling well. You have been in our prayers.

Maryann

We can certainly try - no promises though.

We are waiting for insurance approval (which they do for every treatment) so Gaspare can go in for another catherization (to check on the current artery (?) w/stent and check how the other two semi-blocked ones are doing also.

He will also have to have a defibrellator (sp?) put in and start a 7 week stocking therapy treatment. (Not sure which order but catherization is first).

I will mention it to Wendy - she is leaving tonite for WDW.

Our lives are literally on hold for now (no planning/spending, etc.). It's only termporary. Sometimes I feel like saying "I'll be back" like the Terminator did, lol.

Thanks for thinking of us and keeping us in your prayers. Much appreciated.

 

[jlawall]

The more the merrier!!!!!



Where will you be watching the marathon? It runs right outside our windows (but 5 floors down!). As a matter of fact, we have to decide every year whether to stay or go, because once the runners start up we are trapped between First Avenue and the East River until the bulk of the runners move past this point at 3 or 4 in the afternoon . . . this Sunday I am going to a B'way matinee so will have to be out of here by 9 or 10 at the latest or can't get out!

Thx Julie........keep us posted about the 8th.............

I am staying at the Marriott Marquis..........where do you think we should watch it from.......it's my first time!!! I also have to get to the finish line to make sure my DH gets back! PM me if you can!!

 

[Pixie Dust II]

Thx again, Harole Ann.......what a pleasant surprise......it makes it seem like yesterday!!! Wow, what a great trip! We actually bought the picture of Ken and I so I have that one on my mantle!! So, where, exactly did you get this DVD? So neat, many of us are on it!!!

JoAnn--This DVD was made from the show at Animator's Palate at dinner the second night we had dinner there. It was on the big screens in the dining room.

So what's everyone going to be for Halloween this year???

Garry had great fun wearing his Pirate hat. The kids in our neighborhood really loved it! We had over 100 Trick or Treaters and Princess Jasmine dressed as Snow White!

My kids have been wanting new pirate costumes for pirate night on the cruises, so I'm saving money by getting them for this Halloween and then they can be reused for a while on the cruises . . . the funny thing is that I got a terrific pirate costume for myself, black pants and boots with a black captain's jacket over it. I didn't really think it was THAT lowcut and it only showed a TINY bit of my stomach, but my two younger girls have asked if I can wear a black t-shirt underneath the jacket to cover all the offending areas . . . too bad, maybe if I get invited to an adult party with no kids I can have fun with it but I don't want to embarrass the kids (it's easy enough to do that anyway!).

Julie---can't wait to see this on the next cruise

HI Everyone​

So sorry for the long silence, I have been so busy the past two months I didn’t even realize how fast time was wizzing by! I am so tired when I get home from work; I make dinner, clean up and head for the couch! I can’t even bear to go near the computer. I have checked in a few times to make sure everyone is OK, especially with the sickness, fires, etc. I was so happy to hear that Anna's husband is doing better and that Wendy's family is healing. Babies are the best medicine for those dark times in our lives- congratulations Wendy!​

Everything on my end is fine. Jimmy and Carley are both working hard at both school and at work. They are great. I love my class this year- they are very sweet and so are the parents. ​

I thought I would try writing from school before I left, and maybe I will stay in touch better this way- I miss everyone so much!​

Do any East Coasters want to meet in NYC for dinner one day? I would love that. Or I would love to have everyone over if you’re willing to drive or fly ou t o Long Island. Im only 25 -30 min. from (NYC w/o traffic)​

Maybe if everyone starts posting possible dates out there, we can fine a day to meet or to come to my house. ​

Oh well, got to get home and cook- I will try to check in more regularly from now on!​

Love Me ​

So glad to hear from you Sallie---we will be thinking of all of you when you have your get together on December 8 while we are in WDW!​

Hi guys,
I hope you are all ok, Happy halloween to all.

Here in the UK I dont do anything special for halloween- but boy are the children excited at school.

Halloween always signals the start of a diffeicult couple of weeks for me as on November 5th, here in the uk we celebrate Guy Fawkes night. (Bonfire night). It dates back from the 17th Century when some Catholics tried to blow up the houses of Parliment (see http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Guy.html)

Well its on this date that people celebrate by setting off fireworks. However my dogs do not cope very well. Infact the last 2 years we have nearly lost Sally our old dog due to the stress that she has. Last year she had a small stroke. So from tomorrow night, the dogs are fed early, all curtains are drawn and classical music is played in the kitchen.

Not sure whether I've told you, but starting this week I am job sharing a class whilst my friend goes on maternity leave. I am really looking forward to this as I've missed having my own class. I will be working in Year1 (5-6yr olds)

I've also had some news today regarding my mam. March 06 my mam had a fall and had a collies fracture in her wrist. After manipulation and 6 weeks the fracture healed, however my mam developed something called sudex atrophy (sp?) Basically she lost her mobilty in her hand. The doctors have tried anumber of different treatments to try and get her some use back but nothing has worked and her condition is still very painful. We have been waiting for some time for the 'last stance' treatment. They want to take her back into hospital and anthaetise (sp?) her, whilst she is under they want to force her fingers to move. Now she wouldn't let them do a general anaestic and has requested for them to do a local so that she is awake during the procedure.

Well we have found out today that she is going to be admitted on Nov 7th. I am so worried for her. It has taken her a long time to accept her condition and whilst I am pleased they are trying this to get her some mobilty back, I am fearful that it will cause more pain and set her back mentally. My mam was a very independant women who has found it very hard to cope with just one arm.

I'm so sorry for rambling on, but just talking /typing about this is helpful. Please keep my mam in your thoughts next week.

Take care and have a special fun time with your families - BTW is it thanksgiving soon in the USA?

Helen--You know I can relate to the dogs and fireworks!! I will be thinking about you and your mam. I do hope all goes well.

We're all fine here - no fires in Northern California at the moment (and we've started having rain, so we should be ok for this year). Had a nice little earthquake tonight, but no real damage.

California is surely one of the most beautiful places in the world to live, and does have perfect weather - the combination of which seems to attract almost every other natural disaster possible

I hope everyone is doing well - didn't have a chance to read too much. Life has gotten busy (as it so often does). Oh, to be on the cruise again and be pampered and be able to just lay out on deck and read. Just 10 months to go....

All my best to everyone from me and Teddy Bear (who is even busier than I).

Dan

So good to hear from you Dan and know all is well!

We had perfect weather for trick or treat and all neighbors were in their driveways and it was more like a block party! . Hope everyone is well and happy November on the way!

 

[MrsG]

It would be great if you could join us JoAnn!! I'll be bringing my hubbie.

Good to hear from you Dan. We were worried for our CA "family". Glad all is OK.

Harole Ann, we will miss you but would love to have a meet with you in WDW!!

Anna, we're still praying that all will be OK.

Anyone else like to join us in NYC on Dec 8th??

Maryann

 

[bellelinus]

Thx Julie........keep us posted about the 8th.............

I am staying at the Marriott Marquis..........where do you think we should watch it from.......it's my first time!!! I also have to get to the finish line to make sure my DH gets back! PM me if you can!!

JoAnn, I sent you a PM about marathon Sunday . . .

 

[jlawall]

JoAnn, I sent you a PM about marathon Sunday . . .

Thx so much for the info........this should be a hectic w/e!!

 

[jlawall]

It would be great if you could join us JoAnn!! I'll be bringing my hubbie.

Good to hear from you Dan. We were worried for our CA "family". Glad all is OK.

Harole Ann, we will miss you but would love to have a meet with you in WDW!!

Anna, we're still praying that all will be OK.

Anyone else like to join us in NYC on Dec 8th??

Maryann

Thx Maryann! I'm psyched to relive some memories with us East Coasters!!

Keep me posted on the details!!

Yes, thx for stopping in Dan and giving us some updates about the fires....

Best wishes, Anna!

Halloween was pretty fun around here..........we had about 95 trick or treaters.......I wore a huge cowboy hat!!! It was a nice evening and of course, we're beat today!!

 

[MrsG]

Good luck to your Hubbie at the marathon, JoAnn!!! The weather is supposed to be perfect for running. Luckily it's not tomorrow. Wind and rain, ugh.

Maryann

 

[salliep]

It would be great if you could join us JoAnn!! I'll be bringing my hubbie.

Good to hear from you Dan. We were worried for our CA "family". Glad all is OK.

Harole Ann, we will miss you but would love to have a meet with you in WDW!!

Anna, we're still praying that all will be OK.

Anyone else like to join us in NYC on Dec 8th??

Maryann

Good luck to your Hubbie at the marathon, JoAnn!!! The weather is supposed to be perfect for running. Luckily it's not tomorrow. Wind and rain, ugh.

Maryann

My thoughts exactly on all points Maryann . JoAnn Im so excited you will be in !! Yes for me on the husbands attending if everyone else does-
I hope Anna and Wendy can make it and anyone else who can travel in.
Thanks for doing the planning Julie.
Harole Ann please tell Mickey We Miss him!!

 

[AnnaS]

Good Luck to your husband on Sunday's Marathon - Joann!

Has he ever entered in Disney's Marathon?

Regarding the 8th - If Gaspare has not had any treatments (catherization/defribellator) and he is not Upstate (keeping the hunters company), we might be up to it. Again, nothing definite here and thank you again for thinking of us.

 

[jlawall]

Thx to all on Ken's behalf.........he ran his first marathon and finished in February in Fort Lauderdale.........he lost his dad (you may remember in March).........he qualified for the NYC marathon and he is very nervous right now as you may guess.......last Janurary, he ran his first half-marathon at WDW........this January, we will all be running it (walking it, in my case!).....I walked/ran the FL half marathon in February with Ken (to keep an eye on him) and we finished at about the same time (yikes!) After this, I hope he just sticks to half-marathons........the marathons make me nervous, too!! ..........

It will be fun to relive our summer memories at the dinner we should bring all our scrapbooks (I don't have one!) It's on the internet!!!

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hey all

Joann, just wanted to wish ken all the best for his marathon !

Maryann - Dave and I will open a nice red wine in your honor on Dec 8th!

Take care

XX

 

[jlawall]

Hey all

Joann, just wanted to wish ken all the best for his marathon !

Maryann - Dave and I will open a nice red wine in your honor on Dec 8th!

Take care

XX

Thx Helen! He did finish, but what a day! I saw him at the 16 mile (and he looked like he was hurtin' alittle) ....apparently after that point, he started to have knee trouble so he ran/walk to the finish, he finished a hour later than I expected, it was alittle nerve-racking! He is fine, I had a bottle of wine last night from the stress!

Thx again to Julie for your suggestions! The worst part was trying to get him a taxi back to the hotel (which we finally did!)

Trust me, it's better to visit NYC AND NOT RUN THE MARATHON!!!

 

[bellelinus]

Thx Helen! He did finish, but what a day! I saw him at the 16 mile (and he looked like he was hurtin' alittle) ....apparently after that point, he started to have knee trouble so he ran/walk to the finish, he finished a hour later than I expected, it was alittle nerve-racking! He is fine, I had a bottle of wine last night from the stress!

Thx again to Julie for your suggestions! The worst part was trying to get him a taxi back to the hotel (which we finally did!)

Trust me, it's better to visit NYC AND NOT RUN THE MARATHON!!!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!

I should have told you that from the meeting place you would have been better taking the subway there on CPW (the A or C train) downtown to 42nd Street . . . fast and cheap compared with competing with everyone for a taxi. Oh, well.

I'm glad he finished, though . . . quite an accomplishment! The next time you are in NYC hopefully it will be less stressful, though.

 

[MrsG]

Hey all

Joann, just wanted to wish ken all the best for his marathon !

Maryann - Dave and I will open a nice red wine in your honor on Dec 8th!

Take care

XX

We'll be thinking of you both, too.

How is your Mam??


Maryann

 

[MrsG]

Glad it worked out for your Hubbie at the Marathon, JoAnn! I sense your relief.

Maryann

 

[bellelinus]

In today's mail I received a thank you card from DCL for cruising on the Med cruises . . . also, if you go to the castaway club site on disneycruiseline.com you can download some lovely pictures and screen savers . . . I posted this on a thread on the main board as well.

The pictures really bring it all back!

 

[salliep]

In today's mail I received a thank you card from DCL for cruising on the Med cruises . . . also, if you go to the castaway club site on disneycruiseline.com you can download some lovely pictures and screen savers . . . I posted this on a thread on the main board as well.

The pictures really bring it all back!

Yes I got it too- so nice!!!

 

[jlawall]

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!

I should have told you that from the meeting place you would have been better taking the subway there on CPW (the A or C train) downtown to 42nd Street . . . fast and cheap compared with competing with everyone for a taxi. Oh, well.

I'm glad he finished, though . . . quite an accomplishment! The next time you are in NYC hopefully it will be less stressful, though.

Thx anyway for all your help!!!!