June 18, 2009 3 night Wonder

[looking2cruise]

Dagy, Kerrie, Kim, Kay,,,,, I am updating you on all of the things that are going on here with us as it is not good. It is possible , as you will see, that we may not even come down for any part of the trip. First,,,, today, sparky the bassett hound,, whom I love very , very , much, became paralyzed. We are devastated!!!! He has ruptured a disk in his lower back as he wiggled around on the floor on his back after I gave him a bath. He presently is at a specialty clinic in Anderson Indiana where the surgeon does neurosurgery with the hope of recovery. I am closest to Sparky in this family. I spent all day today with him and taking him where he needed to be taken. Kristen went with me. Next,,, I am told that Mammaw , who is 103 and living alone 120 miles from us, is feeling very bad, much more forgetfull and now the phone is off the hook. She is refusing to go to the hospital and has infection on her legs and significant swelling. Since ANgela is the power of attorney, if she gets sick, it would be likely that we won't be there. The stress of Billy harrassing us for a car doesn't stop and the stress of the office is not even started. Nine days left.. I doubt that I will be able to participate in the FE exchange.. I just don't think I can do it(get it done) I'm sorry.. The surgery for Sparky is 1800-2500 dollars. He will get the myelogram in the morning. Right now he is on IV fluid and steroids and iv pain meds. I am having trouble dealing with it. This clinic has two specialty surgeons for ortho and neurosurgery,, two intensive care vets,,, six er specialty vets and one family practice vet. It is 45 minutes away and I will be going there daily. It will hurt Mammaw to tell her about sparky as she loved him too.
I'll try to keep up with you guys. We do have insurance for the trip, but I don't think it would cover a pet illness.
Just Mammaw.
Bill Notice the hound icon under my name to the left and up.

Oh Bill, I'm SO sorry about Sparky and Mammaw. I have been praying for him since I saw Kristen's message on Facebook. I had to put my 12 year old Siberian Husky to sleep a few years back and even though it was peaceful and I got to hold her....I cried until I had a headache!! Pets ARE a part of the family...only they don't talk back or harass you for a car =).
I don't blame Mammaw for not wanting to go to the hospital. At that age she should be able to die at home if that is what she wants....of course that doesn't make it easy for you and Angela!!
I hope everything turns out and you are able to cruise with us, but if not, we will send you lots of pictures and hopefully that trip insurance will allow you to have your MUCH needed vacation in the near future. You will be missed if you can't make it this time!!
(((((HUGS)))))))
Kerrie

 

[3DAN]

Thanks , Kerrie,,,, Let Dagny know about the FE exchange. WE're here at the office and I suspect that we will be here still for hours. 11PM, now. I was so tired after getting home that I fell asleep in Billys room as he was on the internet. He kept talking to me , but I was happy just being with him. So, I fell asleep. Now, time to work. Done a lot , but alot more is due.
Later,
Bill

 

[Dagny]

Dagy, Kerrie, Kim, Kay,,,,, I am updating you on all of the things that are going on here with us as it is not good. It is possible , as you will see, that we may not even come down for any part of the trip. First,,,, today, sparky the bassett hound,, whom I love very , very , much, became paralyzed. We are devastated!!!! He has ruptured a disk in his lower back as he wiggled around on the floor on his back after I gave him a bath. He presently is at a specialty clinic in Anderson Indiana where the surgeon does neurosurgery with the hope of recovery. I am closest to Sparky in this family. I spent all day today with him and taking him where he needed to be taken. Kristen went with me. Next,,, I am told that Mammaw , who is 103 and living alone 120 miles from us, is feeling very bad, much more forgetfull and now the phone is off the hook. She is refusing to go to the hospital and has infection on her legs and significant swelling. Since ANgela is the power of attorney, if she gets sick, it would be likely that we won't be there. The stress of Billy harrassing us for a car doesn't stop and the stress of the office is not even started. Nine days left.. I doubt that I will be able to participate in the FE exchange.. I just don't think I can do it(get it done) I'm sorry.. The surgery for Sparky is 1800-2500 dollars. He will get the myelogram in the morning. Right now he is on IV fluid and steroids and iv pain meds. I am having trouble dealing with it. This clinic has two specialty surgeons for ortho and neurosurgery,, two intensive care vets,,, six er specialty vets and one family practice vet. It is 45 minutes away and I will be going there daily. It will hurt Mammaw to tell her about sparky as she loved him too.
I'll try to keep up with you guys. We do have insurance for the trip, but I don't think it would cover a pet illness.
Just Mammaw.
Bill Notice the hound icon under my name to the left and up.

I am very sorry to hear about Sparky. I have been allergic to all animals that have fur since I was a small child so I have escaped the tragedy of the possibilty of losing a pet. I hope that the vet can help him and that he is able to recover.

As for Mammaw... I am extremely impressed that @ 103 she is still living on her own! She sounds just like my grandma, though... stubborn and refusing help.

I am keeping your family in my prayers. I know you have been looking forward to the trip and I hope it works out for you

 

[mimmykim]

I, too, am heartbroken for you Bill! Please know that you and your entire family are in my prayers at this difficult time!!

I am leaving today for my drive down to Florida.. so needless to say I will be without a computer until the cruise. I never received cabin numbers for those that are participating in the fe. If you can, you can always text me (443) 803-4291 and give me your cabin number. I am also on facebook, Kim Williams Kutchins. I am able to add friends on my phone and I can stay in touch with you that way.

Anyway, I am looking forward to meeting you guys and Bill, if you aren't able to make it on this cruise, I hope to meet you sometime in the near future. Take care!!

Kim

 

[looking2cruise]

I, too, am heartbroken for you Bill! Please know that you and your entire family are in my prayers at this difficult time!!

I am leaving today for my drive down to Florida.. so needless to say I will be without a computer until the cruise. I never received cabin numbers for those that are participating in the fe. If you can, you can always text me (443) 803-4291 and give me your cabin number. I am also on facebook, Kim Williams Kutchins. I am able to add friends on my phone and I can stay in touch with you that way.

Anyway, I am looking forward to meeting you guys and Bill, if you aren't able to make it on this cruise, I hope to meet you sometime in the near future. Take care!!

Kim

Drive safe Kim! See you in 11 days!

 

[3DAN]

Hi everybody,,,, Good news, I think. Sparky had the myelogram and it did indeed show a ruptured disk. Dr. Lee called me after the x ray and said that he needed the surgery. 30 minutes later, I get another call and the surgery is done ,,,,, with success!!!!!!!
Now, it remains to be seen if Sparky will walk again. Everyone seems to think that this WILL happen. We will see tonight. Angela and I stayed up until 4 AM working in the office and came back in with a full schedule for the day. Still have phone calls to return and then off to see Sparkus
No news on Mammaw. Looking like things may not be as bad as they appeared. Sure am lonely without Sparky.
Bill

 

[looking2cruise]

Hi everybody,,,, Good news, I think. Sparky had the myelogram and it did indeed show a ruptured disk. Dr. Lee called me after the x ray and said that he needed the surgery. 30 minutes later, I get another call and the surgery is done ,,,,, with success!!!!!!!
Now, it remains to be seen if Sparky will walk again. Everyone seems to think that this WILL happen. We will see tonight. Angela and I stayed up until 4 AM working in the office and came back in with a full schedule for the day. Still have phone calls to return and then off to see Sparkus
No news on Mammaw. Looking like things may not be as bad as they appeared. Sure am lonely without Sparky.
Bill

So glad Sparky is doing better! Prayin that he returns to his normal self. So maybe you can go on the cruise????

 

[bulldogdct]

Mr. Ocd is in charge at our house and man he dishes out so many rules before we even have packed that he might get left behind if he not careful. Any way my problem ..I want to wear my NICE flip flops to dinner w skirts ( he said women had to wear dresses) hE SAYS THE Alimighty book says NO FLIP FLOPS . Any one been and know excatly what the dress code . They are the little nicer cute fabric top kind not the $1.00 Old navy kind. Any one been and can help close the dispute would be great!!!!!!

 

[looking2cruise]

Mr. Ocd is in charge at our house and man he dishes out so many rules before we even have packed that he might get left behind if he not careful. Any way my problem ..I want to wear my NICE flip flops to dinner w skirts ( he said women had to wear dresses) hE SAYS THE Alimighty book says NO FLIP FLOPS . Any one been and know excatly what the dress code . They are the little nicer cute fabric top kind not the $1.00 Old navy kind. Any one been and can help close the dispute would be great!!!!!!

I would like to know the answer to this too. I have read that the 3 night cruises are MUCH more casual. I'm not into getting super dressed up so hoping the nice flip flops are an OK.

 

[3DAN]

Hi everybody,,, HI Bulldog,,,,, You have got to keep us company!!!!!
WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL,
about Sparky,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I didn't get to go up and see him today, but called a couple of times.
This evening, they took him outside and he was able to stand on his hind legs
I have lots of hope. The plan at present is still to come down unless something drastic occurs. I still need to reserve transport to the port. I'm leaning on a car rental for a week and one day and park at the port. That way, I don't have to worry when we get off the ship.
Bill

 

[looking2cruise]

Hi everybody,,, HI Bulldog,,,,, You have got to keep us company!!!!!
WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL,
about Sparky,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I didn't get to go up and see him today, but called a couple of times.
This evening, they took him outside and he was able to stand on his hind legs
I have lots of hope. The plan at present is still to come down unless something drastic occurs. I still need to reserve transport to the port. I'm leaning on a car rental for a week and one day and park at the port. That way, I don't have to worry when we get off the ship.
Bill

Glad Sparky is doing better. Have you heard from Mawmaw yet?
One week from today we will be flying to Florida!!! Woo Hoo.

 

[3DAN]

YO,,,,,,KERR REEEEE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WASSUUUUUUUUUUUP?
Stayed up to 4am again last night. Got to go and see the Sparky dog tonight.
They say he can stay at the surgical hospital until we get back. Don't know if I can afford it. Bill is already $2700. I am beginning to get a little nauseated!!!!!(where is the hurling smilie?) I will try to let you know about Parkus dog when I see him. I sure miss him. Too much to do and too little time. I don't know if they allow flip flops in the dining rooms. Probably at Beach Blanket Buffet it is okay. I got an email from the vacation club reminding me that there is a get together the first day of the cruise. I am guessing that it is around 2:30. We have to do the life boat drill before the sail away party and the sail away is at 5PM!!!!!!!! CAN,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,YOU,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,FEEL,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,IT??????????????? I think we're talking adrenalin surge. WELL,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,KERRIE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Are you getting excited????????????????


Bill

 

[looking2cruise]

YO,,,,,,KERR REEEEE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WASSUUUUUUUUUUUP?
Stayed up to 4am again last night. Got to go and see the Sparky dog tonight.
They say he can stay at the surgical hospital until we get back. Don't know if I can afford it. Bill is already $2700. I am beginning to get a little nauseated!!!!!(where is the hurling smilie?) I will try to let you know about Parkus dog when I see him. I sure miss him. Too much to do and too little time. I don't know if they allow flip flops in the dining rooms. Probably at Beach Blanket Buffet it is okay. I got an email from the vacation club reminding me that there is a get together the first day of the cruise. I am guessing that it is around 2:30. We have to do the life boat drill before the sail away party and the sail away is at 5PM!!!!!!!! CAN,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,YOU,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,FEEL,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,IT??????????????? I think we're talking adrenalin surge. WELL,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,KERRIE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Are you getting excited????????????????


Bill

Got an e-mail from "mimmykim" today. She is staying at Animal Kingdom and said it is "hot and humid and it was 95 today"....guess we will appreciate the ocean breeze. Is it usually that hot and humid in the Bahamas too?
Glad Sparticus is doing better. That bill would make me nauseous too!!!
YES....I,,,,,,,,,,CAN,,,,,,,FEEL,,,,,,,,,,IT!!!!!!!!!
Have to work Friday, Saturday and Sunday so have lots to get done tomorrow. Running.....out......of......time!!!!
Kerrie

 

[looking2cruise]

Dagny.....what are you up to???? Are you ready to cruise?

 

[3DAN]

777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777


days to go
Bill

 

[3DAN]

Helloooooooooo out there,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Anybody out there,(ere,,,ere,,,ere,,,ere,,,,,,,),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
echo,,,,,echo,,,,,echo,,,,,echo,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
plink,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,splash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it sure is quiet.
Maybe a herd of bananas will wake up the gang,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


YES,
That's right, a herd of bananas.
Bill

 

[3DAN]

KERRRRRRRRRRRRRIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Wherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre
Yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooou?
Dagny,,,,,,,,,,,,,, you hoo,,
sparky is at home. Not able to use his back legs. Some pain. We use a towel to take him outside and lift his back legs up with the towel. WE'll take him back to the surgeon Wednesday to stay while we are gone.
5 days until DCL, 4 days until Orlando.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Bill

 

[looking2cruise]

KERRRRRRRRRRRRRIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Wherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre
Yooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooou?
Dagny,,,,,,,,,,,,,, you hoo,,
sparky is at home. Not able to use his back legs. Some pain. We use a towel to take him outside and lift his back legs up with the towel. WE'll take him back to the surgeon Wednesday to stay while we are gone.
5 days until DCL, 4 days until Orlando.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Bill

Here I am!! I have been working. I just finished day #2 of (3) 12 hr shifts. Trying to get a million things done before we leave on Wednesday. Where do we go once we board the ship?
Glad Sparky is going to be ok. Sounds like a lot of work though.
Lets see...Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and it's off to Orlando!!!

 

[3DAN]

This is your first cruise, right? We are going to Parrot Cay restaurant on , I think , deck four in the aft(back) part of the ship. It is decorated like a tropical paradise. You can also eat at Beach Blanket Buffet on the aft of the ship on deck nine. I will Pm you with my cell phone number and if you wish , we can chat prior to the cruise. Kristen wants Parrot Cay and I think Angela and Billy will go wherever. I believe that the food is the same at both places. Kerrie, remember, when you eat at the restaurants, you don't tip. That happens at the end of the cruise. During meals at breakfast and lunch, you eat and then leave. Each of the waiters and waitresses are assigned to a station during the day or have that time off. You will meet your assigned serevers at your first dinner meal Thursday evening. They will follow you to the different dining room each day and they have appropriate clothing for each room. If you guys want to eat with us at Parrot Cay, let me know. It will probably require that we get on the ship at about the same time. Remember,,,,, You WILL BE STUNNED!!!!!!!! Just the sight of the ship is magical. We still get goosebumps when we see it. When we were first on the ship back in 2003 on the magic, we didn't know what we were allowed to do or where we were allowed to go. We were terrified, and it is now hilarious to think about it. I have made some really good friends onthese cruises and still have contact with them. After eating, you wander around the ship(with your jaw dropped in amazment). When your room is ready,, a few hours after noon, you go there and your luggage is outside the door in the hallway. You can lift up the mattress for storage space. We will have to. We have the vacation club meeting (with free hats, per the email) and then upstairs to check out deck nine and meet with Dagny , Kim and maybe Bulldog. Hey, you guys, you are also welcome to eat with us!!!!!!!!!
Bill

 

[Dagny]

I am here! Just trying to get all packed up. Things have been crazy at work (I know that none of you realize how that is, haha). Zachary and I did some last minute shopping for him (he grows like a weed) so he is all set, finally!

Parrot Cay is on Deck 3 aft.... If we get there in time, we will join you. They send people up to Deck 9 to Beach Blanet Bingo (that is what we call it, LOL) after PC gets full.


When and wehre is the DVC get together on Departure Day? I didn't get an email?! I definitely would like to do that though... Weird....