March 10, 2007 - 7 Day Western Magic

[I'mWong]

John, I didn't realize they had brunch on Sunday. I thought that it was only on the sea days. We are going on Thursday, I think. I need to check all of those dates and get them written down or something.

Suz and Shannon, that is great about having your dining together. It will make for a great opportunity to get to know each other. Do you have early or late dining? I think you had said you had early, but I'm not sure I remember correctly.

Kim, I will have Sarah email Roxanna and Erica this weekend.

I know what you mean about the cruise coming on so quickly. I am really far from being ready. My goal is to not be able to say that after the weekend ends, though. Of course if I stay on the computer all weekend, I will still be able to say it!

Not sure if we are going to be wearing green shirts. I got them last year, but this year it doesn't seem like the color of the year. The color was everywhere last year. We might just have to look for the green. We do have those Disney shirts that are lime green with the four ball characters on them. This description is not too great, I know. I bet someone knows what I am talking about, though.

 

[kperkins0407]

Hello Everyone!
Meeting on Sunday works for us. We do not all have green shirts. Most days we will be in our bathing suits with cover ups on. I have found this is much easier than having to change for each activity during the day. I do know what ball character shirt you are talking about--I have one. Tried to get the lime green, but they were sold out and had to settle for white.

This may seem like a crazy idea, but thought I should at least mention it. What do you think about everyone printing up their information on paper (business size cards) to pass out at the meet & greet. That way we will know everyone's stateroom numbers and names so that we can leave voice mail if we decide to all meet up again during the week.

Another suggestion to meet sometime during the week is on deck 7 at the back of the ship. Most people do not know this deck exists. Most people believe that it is a private balcony, but it is not. Last year--my family of 12 would meet up their for drinks late at night. It is a very large area.

I kept thinking that I had such a long time to get ready for this trip & now I am beginning to get nervous about running out of time.

Shannon...thanks for the call. It was really great to talk to you!

Laura...I have been to 2 workshops that Cindy Joor has done. Both times I have learned several new ideas or tricks. She is one of the district techs. I attended a scanner workshop with her and movie maker with her. We do not have a computer teacher on our campus. We have one person that works at approx. 6-8 schools. Each teacher is required to take their own students to the computer lab 1 x week and have them on the wireless lab 1 x per 9 weeks. I really wish we had someone like you on our campus.

Suz...what scrapbook business do you have? I love to scrapbook and stamp. I just bought a new photo printer and 2 new cameras. Looking forward to taking lots of pictures and working on our Disney scrapbook. I went to a class Thurs. night and did a 2 page Disney layout. The instructor was telling me that she went on the Disney Cruise (4 day) last year and when she got home her husband was doing something with her camera and erased all of her pictures! I would be crushed.

FYI: be sure to contact your credit card company to let them know that you will be out of the country and will be using your credit card. I had read somewhere to do this on our first cruise. I was glad that I did because a couple at our dinner table didn't and he had to spent a chunk of time one night having the staff at the front desk contact his credit card company and have him on the phone, as well. Save yourself some time and call ahead.

Kim

 

[Suz D]

This may seem like a crazy idea, but thought I should at least mention it. What do you think about everyone printing up their information on paper (business size cards) to pass out at the meet & greet. That way we will know everyone's stateroom numbers and names so that we can leave voice mail if we decide to all meet up again during the week.

Kim, you probably won't believe this, but I was thinking of the business card type thing this morning. It wasn't the same as what you've thought of (yours is much better) but I was thinking about the kids exchanging information. Then I thought of how in one of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books the big thing was "name cards" and how exciting that was for everyone to pass out their card with their name and a little design. Then I thought, "duh, we have e-mail, no need to get home addresses to keep in touch". Isn't technology great? Anyway, I think having everyone's information is a really nice idea.

Another suggestion to meet sometime during the week is on deck 7 at the back of the ship. Most people do not know this deck exists. Most people believe that it is a private balcony, but it is not. Last year--my family of 12 would meet up their for drinks late at night. It is a very large area.

I also love this idea. I've read about this area but have never found it. Are there any tables? If so, that would be a GREAT place to do the scrapbook project. If not, we'll stick with the previous idea of crafting by the pool.

Laura...I have been to 2 workshops that Cindy Joor has done. Both times I have learned several new ideas or tricks. She is one of the district techs. I attended a scanner workshop with her and movie maker with her. We do not have a computer teacher on our campus. We have one person that works at approx. 6-8 schools. Each teacher is required to take their own students to the computer lab 1 x week and have them on the wireless lab 1 x per 9 weeks. I really wish we had someone like you on our campus.

For all of you teachers, I just got elected to our school board. I don't want you to "do business" on the cruise, but if there is something that your district does really well, would you mind sharing?

Suz...what scrapbook business do you have? I love to scrapbook and stamp. I just bought a new photo printer and 2 new cameras. Looking forward to taking lots of pictures and working on our Disney scrapbook. I went to a class Thurs. night and did a 2 page Disney layout. The instructor was telling me that she went on the Disney Cruise (4 day) last year and when she got home her husband was doing something with her camera and erased all of her pictures! I would be crushed.

My business is "Close To My Heart" and I love it. We're definately scrapping and stamping. We carry all acrylic stamps, and in the last 5 years we've really transitioned to TONS of scrapbooking kits, paper, stickease die cuts etc. Last year we came out with some wonderful "Disney" themed kits and I was SO excited. I did a 6x6 ABC album for our Jan 2005 WDW trip. I'm planning on doing the same for this trip. It's so much fun. I'd love to brainstorm with all of you to come up with things for each letter. I may post a list when I get one started and you can help us fill in the blanks. (How awful that she lost her pictures. I wouldn't even know what to do).

Fun story.... I was giving a demo/workshop in a small town about 75 miles from here. I was giving the "this is a great business, you should try it" talk and was saying that this "hobby" supports my other "habit" and then showed my WDW ABC scrapbook. Then I mentioned that our next venture was the NYE 2005 cruise. One of the ladies there said "Oh my gosh, we're on that same cruise". Okay everyone, all together now, "It's a small world after all, It's a small world after all" (as the dolls are dancing around in my head).

FYI: be sure to contact your credit card company to let them know that you will be out of the country and will be using your credit card. I had read somewhere to do this on our first cruise. I was glad that I did because a couple at our dinner table didn't and he had to spent a chunk of time one night having the staff at the front desk contact his credit card company and have him on the phone, as well. Save yourself some time and call ahead.
Kim

Thanks for that tip. I never would have thought of that. No time to waste on the cruise. There's too much relaxing to do.

Suz

 

[ShannonR]

3 weeks from today!

Today is house cleaning day! The kids are totally disgusted with me that they are having to spend their weekend cleaning, but to get to the fun stuff (packing on Sunday) they have to clean the house!

Mitchell has a basketball ball game at 1:00pm today which totally throws a wrench into the all go, no quit attitude of house cleaning. But what can I say? The kid loves his sports!

Did I tell everyone that we gave up on the whole potty training thing with our little one, Melissa? She has absolutely NO interest in using her baby toilet so we just gave up. Morgan potty trained quickly, but Mitchell too forever! She will be three in May and my goal is set for her birthday. She won't be able to do as much on the ship, but I still think she will a great time!

I will go to Michael's today and get the green t-shirts for Sunday's meet and greet. Have we finalized the time and place? Like I was saying to Kim yesterday, we seem to be the only people of the bunch that this is our first ever cruise, so we will need some guidance as to where things are located!

Shannon

 

[Suz D]

John, I didn't realize they had brunch on Sunday. I thought that it was only on the sea days. We are going on Thursday, I think. I need to check all of those dates and get them written down or something.

Suz and Shannon, that is great about having your dining together. It will make for a great opportunity to get to know each other. Do you have early or late dining? I think you had said you had early, but I'm not sure I remember correctly.

Kim, I will have Sarah email Roxanna and Erica this weekend.

I know what you mean about the cruise coming on so quickly. I am really far from being ready. My goal is to not be able to say that after the weekend ends, though. Of course if I stay on the computer all weekend, I will still be able to say it!

Not sure if we are going to be wearing green shirts. I got them last year, but this year it doesn't seem like the color of the year. The color was everywhere last year. We might just have to look for the green. We do have those Disney shirts that are lime green with the four ball characters on them. This description is not too great, I know. I bet someone knows what I am talking about, though.

We're scheduled for Palo on Thursday as well! We have early dining throughout the cruise. It squeezes us a bit for shore excursions, but we're only doing things on our own so we won't have to worry about things.

We were going to rent a car in Cozumel and then I thought EEEEEEK! What if we have car trouble? They'll leave without us and we'll spend the rest of our lives in Mexico." It's my understanding that for about $70.00 you can get a driver (with a car of course) for an entire day to take you anywhere. That's our latest plan. We're going to tour the little ruins (San Gervasio) and then just tour the island. We'll probably go to Coconuts on the eastern shore and then shop downtown.

Sorry my latest posts have been wordy. I'm so excited to get away and also to meet everyone. We've been dreaming Disney and cruise for about 3 weeks now. Everyone conversation that is non-essential is devoted to the subject. Thanks for putting up with me?

Suz

 

[ShannonR]

Same here Suz! Every other conversation we have is regarding this cruise! We have been obsessed lately. We (or at least I do)need a vacation soooo bad! I mean, we are the ones that have had our suitcases packed for over a month!

The way I see it, you can never have too much Disney in you life!

Shannon

 

[Suz D]

I just quickly skimmed this thread and there are a few families that have posted once but haven't posted anything else. These families have girls who might want to scrapbook...

Jara

Kath1210

Michellej2000

Let me know if your daughters would be interested in making the craft with the other girls from the "Dis". The more the merrier and we'd love to meet all of you.

Suz

 

[Marsh Family]

I am happy to say Shannon that we are finally finished the house cleaning and the grocery shopping! Hope your voice is back, and that Mitchell has the cold or is NOT going to to get it.... Enjoy the rest of your days off..


The girls went outside to enjoy the balmy minus 17 weather (i think that is about 10 in your temps) I am so hoping that by the time we come back home March 26th, that the snow will be gone, when we went 2 years ago, that was the case and it was so nice to have missed the spring thaw, no salt and sand all over the van, and clean streets too. I hope i hope i hope.

We are going to finish packing this week and then just waiting,

I look forward to seeing everyone at the brunch Sunday. putting faces to names. I think the time was 10Am is that right? and was it at the buffet on the same deck as the pools right? This is our first time on the Magic, and i know the names of some of the resturants are different than the wonder.. also are we meeting inside or out (weather permitting)... I hope there is not rain...

Has anyone ever had any salon services, was thinking of getting hair done (cut) as i need a trim but then chickened out thats all i need is a butcher job .... but thinking of getting nails done, anyone have this done on board? would love to hear if it is good... or what you thought.

Talk to you all soon and I am going this week to see if i can find any of those books (authors) at the library, thanks so much for the suggestions.




Take care all...
Erin

 

[kperkins0407]

I did alot of running around today, too! Scott and Erica went to a UT baseball game and dinner tonight with one of Erica's good friends. She is trying to see everyone before she flies back home Monday. It gave me a chance to get some errands that I needed to do. My parents will be in town next weekend so I am frantically trying to get everything done since I really only have one more weekend without guests.

Suz...i have never seen tables on that back deck. Sometimes there are chairs or lounge chairs. It is not covered and can be slightly windy so I don't know that it would work well for an art project. I do Stampin' Up, but have bought plenty of close to my heart things. Are you going to bring a new catalog and can items be shipped directly to me?

I have never had any spa or salon stuff done on the ship. My sister-in-law had a stone massage last time and enjoyed it. The prices are higher than they are at home. I just figured that while on the cruise I would do things that I can't do back home.

Seems like everyone is rushing around trying to get everything done! All of our conversations revolve around the "cruise" subject, as well. 3 weeks from today it will all be worth it.

Kim

 

[Suz D]

Suz...i have never seen tables on that back deck. Sometimes there are chairs or lounge chairs. It is not covered and can be slightly windy so I don't know that it would work well for an art project. I do Stampin' Up, but have bought plenty of close to my heart things. Are you going to bring a new catalog and can items be shipped directly to me?

Kim, after I sent that message I was thinking that there probably weren't tables out there. We'll definately stick with the previous plan of meeting by the pools. I can bring a new catalog if you'd like. This current one is really nice. Yes, things can be shipped directly to you. I have a website and you can just order right online. Are you a Stampin' Up consultant? I love so many of their things too. I am especially loving the punches and stamps that go together! I have 2 Stampin' Up consultants who are in my monthly clubs.

Everyone, when I looked at a navigator (for those who don't know, it's a daily itinerary that you receive) from January there is actually a memory book class thing for the 10-12 year old kids late in the week. I wonder if they will offer that on our cruise? If so, the girls will just have two! You can never have too many scrapbooks right?

Can you believe that three weeks from tonight we'll be just settling into the cruise routine? We spent our lunchtime today looking over those January navigators and dreaming. So many fun things to do, yet lots of time for R&R.

I think we were looking at 9:30 for breakfast at Topsiders Sunday morning, but I know that our family will probably stay for at least an hour just to relax and eat fruit. YUM! I wouldn't worry about getting there right at 9:30. It's nice to be able to just come and go. I would love to meet outside, weather permitting. Otherwise, inside it will be.

I just got next week's Michael's ad and the T-shirts are still going to be on sale next week. I wish they were more "lime-y" but they'll do in a pinch. I was bummed to find out that the 60's party is for adults only. We were going to do tie dyed Mickey T-shirts for the three of us. If it's adults only, I'm not going to dress alike with just Jeff and I. I hope I don't offend anyone who loves to dress like their spouse, but it's one thing to dress alike as an entire family, and a completely different thing to dress alike as a couple .

Suz

 

[MECH8T7]

John, I didn't realize they had brunch on Sunday. I thought that it was only on the sea days. We are going on Thursday, I think. I need to check all of those dates and get them written down or something.

I'm sure you know this but you can go on-line to the DCL site and print out a summary of all the bookings you made for your cruise.

Sunday will be a "double dip" of Palo for us -- brunch at 11:00 and then dinner at 9:00 pm. There weren't very many time slots available for Palo when we booked...You guys must have taken all the Thursday time slots! In any event, we had the additional restriction of having to co-ordinate a Palo meal with availability at Flounder's Nursery for our 2 year-old.

 

[ShannonR]

Good morning all!

My housecleaning is almost done!!! I smell like Clorox and Comet! I now have to fold all the laundry that I did yesterday (it's amazing what comes out of a teenager's room when she cleans).

Today we are going to finish packing! Morgan is sooo excited!!
We went to Mitchell's basketball game yesterday (they won!) which put a dent in my housecleaning momentum.

I never got a chance to go to Micheal's yesterday for the shirts but I am definitely going today or Monday after taking the kids to school.

Our 2 year old is having surgery on Tuesday and I hope she recovers well. She is having a second set of tubes put in her ears and her tonsils out. She has been plagued with chronic ear infections since she was an infant and when the ENT put her first set of tube in, like was GREAT! Not one ear infection. Then the tubes fell out and she has had 3 ear infections in 3 months. The same thing happened with Mitchell. He had 3 sets of tubes placed and finally at the age of 5, the ENT took out his tonsils and he has been fine ever since. So the ENT suggested we do the same with Melissa and we jumped at the chance to make her healthy. We just are not looking forward to the painful week she is going to have following the surgery. Thank God we have 3 weeks for her recuperation!! I remember Mitchell being in so much pain for the first few days, I felt like all I was doing was feeding him full of pain medicine! Poor kid! Oh well, it was soooo worth it and I know it will be again with Melissa!

So is it now official? 9:30am at Topsiders on Sunday? If so, we will be there!! Can't wait to meet all of you! I'll be the one with a constant coat or sweatshirt on (yes even in the Bahamas). Rick laughs at me because I am wearing a coat and/or sweatshirt until the weather hits about 90 degrees! I am ALWAYS cold!

Shannon

 

[chiefs kids]

We have myself, Lex, Nicole and two kids Jack 8, Samantha 9, this is our first cruise ever and it seems amazing with all the activities available and the discussion on here about sail away, pirates night, formal night, semi-formal night, door decorations - we booked it thinking we were going to do nothing for a week - sounds like everyone is very busy, hope to meet some of y'all and have some fun

Let me know if anyone from the new york area is going

 

[Marsh Family]

Welcome, Lex, Nicole Jack and Samantha

If you want to do nothing that is always an option, but if you want to keep busy with activities you will find there is so much to do, I am sure you will enjoy your first cruise.

Happy sailing

Erin

 

[Marsh Family]

9:30am at Topsiders on Sunday.
thanks Suz and Shannon for the clarification on the time. Been so busy (as we all are getting ready, cleaning and packing etc)

Looking forward to those little mickey mouse waffles, the girls and Chris and I can't stop talking about the fun we had and the wonderful food, I am looking forward to the Butternut squash soup... YUMMY!! Since the last cruise, i have looked it up on the net and tried a few recipies but nothing is quite the same, just like those Parmasean potatoes previously posted about.

Suz do we have a final date and time and place for the scrapbooking party? the girls are looking forward to meeting everyone. I am going out this week to look for some fun stickers and get the glue stickes for the girls. Will make a wonderful memory for them. Planning on brining my camera and then i can email you all the pictures when we get home so you can print them off to add in the books if they turn out.

Have a great Sunday everyone! Happy packing !

Erin

 

[kperkins0407]

Good Morning Everyone!

Today is going to be a wonderful and very productive day. Scott and Erica just left for Austing (UT baseball game) and Roxanna is at her dad's and she took the dog. So....the house is soooo quiet! Plan on getting lots done around here before we all go to dinner at Scott's parents.

Our dog is a picky eater and has lost too much weight. The vet will not give her shots until she gains some weight back. She is due for her shots the week we are gone. So no shots means that she can't go to the kennel. Trying to fatten her up quickly. She better get fat soon because the prescription dog food is 1.60 a can and she has to eat 2 a day. Never thought that I would have to be concerned about this along with packing and everything else to get ready for the trip.

Suz...I am a SU consultant. I do not do home shows. Sometimes I do catalog parites, but mostly place orders for those at school. Because of grad school, I haven't been able to do much the past 2 1/2 years but am excited about getting to pick up the hobby again. Approx. 4 years ago, one of my parents brought me a scrapbook magazine because 2 of my students were featured in it. I looked through that magazine every night for a month and decided that I should try it and have been HOOKED every since. This mom actually works for Scapbooks, ETC and is in it every month. She is also in most of the Creative Memories Idea books. Do you ever get Scrapbooks, Etc. magazine? She did a layout of her daughter and her 3 teachers in the magazine back in the July issue--I was one of the teachers in the picture.

Shannon...sorry to hear about Melissa's surgery. At least she will have 3 weeks to recover. Kids always bounce back quickly. I am also like you--always cold. Never leave home without a sweatshirt or a jacket. I am probably the only person that uses their car seat warmers in the summer in Texas. But the rest of the family freezes me with the AC so I have to.

That also reminds me...be sure to take a sweatshirt or light jacket. When we sailed on the E. Carrib. we were not cold--the ship was comfortable. But when we did the West Coast, we were soooo cold on board. It was cloudy most of the time and it was freezing. I didn't pack any sweatshirts because the year before we had not needed them. We ended up having to buy everyone a sweatshirt in the gift shop to stay warm. If you don't like being cold then the West Coast Cruise is not one that I would recommend for you. The days at Sea were cold outside on deck and inside due to AC. The water at each excursion was freezing! I am actually disappointed that they are going to the West Coast again next summer.

I went to Michael's yesterday to look at the t-shirts. Lime green is not a big color this year. I have gone all over town looking for a lime green shirt for Erica--she needs it for the tropical print skirt that she is going to wear to the Pirates of the Carib. Party. Guess what! Michael's had the lime green t-shirt. Thank you for sending me in that direction.

As for the Pirates of the Carib. Party--we are just dressing "tropical". I am not much into dressing up in costumes.

Is anyone going to ship anything to themselves early? I just read that you can ship something to yourself. I am thinking about sending somethings that I could do without if it didn't show up, but would help with the packing space.

Also, at Michal's I found something to put on the stateroom door for the girls. They had the large foam cut-outs. Got each girl a large princess crown and used letter stickers to put their names on it and attached magnetic tape on the back. This way their friends will be able to find their stateroom. There were large palm trees that would work for boys. It was quick, simple and cheap.

I am making the girls' autograph books this week. It will also be something quick and inexpensive.

Better go and take advantage of everyone being gone. Looking forward to chatting with you all more.

Kim

 

[kperkins0407]

Good morning everyone!
I just sent a long reply to everyone but it seems to have gotten lost somewhere. Will check back later to see if it shows up. If not, then I will respond to everyone again. Need to get going (cleaning, laundry, errands, etc.) Everyone here is gone for the day (including the dog) so I really need to take advantage of this time.

9:30 at Topsiders is great.

Chat with you soon.

Kim

 

[Suz D]

Erin, we don't have a specific time, but we'll be doing the craft project on our 1st at sea day (Monday). Looking at an old Navigator, there is a time that is listed as "free time" for about an hour. When we get the Navigator for Monday we'll plan on having that "free time" be our scrapbook time. This is definately a reason for us to exchange cabin numbers so we can confirm the time. Again, that was a great idea Kim!

Lex, Nicole, Jack and Samantha...welcome. Like Erin said, you can be as busy or as laid back as you want on this cruise. I love that it's your first. What a magical time you will have. Please let us know if you have any questions. You've got a lot to think about in a short amount of time. It's been fun with a long period of anticipation for the cruise, but there's something to be said for booking yesterday and only having to wait three weeks.

Suz

 

[jpilgrim]

9:30 Sunday morning is great for us. Went to Michael's today and got t-shirts for the two girls. John and I already have green shirts that are not exactly the same.
Can't believe that we are so close to the time to go away.

To our friends in Winnipeg. You said it was a balmy -17 yesterday. Did you wash the car yet?

 

[I'mWong]

Hi Everyone,
I am sad to say I am just as far behind as I was on Friday. I had grand plans to get stuff done, but as I have already told Shannon, my husband's uncle is very sick with liver cancer. They called early yesterday and told us they didn't think he would make it through the day, so we spent most of the day there. Luckily, he did make it through and we went back and spent today there as well. It is so sad. They thought he had pneumonia, so he has been taking heavy duty antibiotics to try and clear it up so he can breath easier, but now they are thinking the cancer has traveled to his lungs. They are going to do a biopsy tomorrow or Tuesday to know for sure and then they will be able to make some more informed decisions. My MIL and her brother are very close, so this has really been hard on her. My DH is really worried about her. He turned 83 about two weeks ago and his kids gave him a party and he looked pretty good. Today he looked so bad. It is really heartbreaking. My heart aches for his kids and my MIL. Her and her brother have lived through some really hard times together and have a strong bond. They lived through the depression as well as the death of their parents at a really young age. Additionally they have both survived their spouses dying. I guess we are all worried about how she is going to take it. If you are the praying type, please remember them all. It is going to be so hard. Sorry to rattle on.

9:30 sounds great on Sunday. What do you think about posting pictures of our families or ourselves? I have never been able to get one to post, but I am willing to try. I also love the idea of the card exchange. Great one! I will try to get those printed up this week so I won't forget.

Welcome Lex, Nicole, Samantha and Jack! I will update the roll call tomorrow to reflect your as our newest members! Glad to have you.

I gotta go to bed. I will talk to you all later! Enjoy your week. Hope you are all ready to hit the ocean!