May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 3

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

We are all settled in from our trip. It was strange to see those two folks that fell overboard just hours after we got off the ship. It was our first trip trying a different cruise line - and probably our last! We had a great time, but . . . . . it was just probably because we were spending quality time together as a family. Princess is NOT a family oriented line, at least if you have younger children. Their customer service is lacking. We ran into Ang who used to be on the Magic in the excursion department. We remembered her from our Mexico cruise back in 2005. We talked with her all trip. She loved Disney but was offered a better position with Princess. Long story, but she has better "perks". She did say that you will not find better customer service than on Disney (in the same class of cruise lines).

If interested, we can give a little summary of each port and show some pics. We did have a great time.

I'd love to hear a compare and contast and see some pics! Thanks!

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

I'd love to hear a compare and contast and see some pics! Thanks!

TRIP REPORT! TRIP REPORT! TRIP REPORT!

 

[ibouncetoo]

If interested, we can give a little summary of each port and show some pics. We did have a great time.

Yes, please!

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Congratulations!!

I found out today that (if all goes well) I'll have TWO new great-nephews in August. Two of my nephews' wives are due within a week of each other and they got the ultrasound results this morning.
More snips, and snails and puppy-dogs' tails!

I am getting so jealous of everyone talking about babies. My DH has one brother who is not married and I have one sister who is not married so no nieces or nephews for us and it looks like it won't happen at all. They are both our older siblings. I am so happy for you guys though that will be great. We will just have to adopt some nieces and nephews.

 

[granmaz]

Hi Marilyn!

Just wine on Saturday night, and not to much... Really!

No, it was the stomach flu that knocked me out starting yesterday (Sunday) morning and I am feeling better today, but not great!

Ok, still trying to catch up, I'm only on page 725!

Karen

Srry you were poorly Karen - I know you would have been here if you could have been. Take care.

So here's something really creepy: Yesterday, when we went in the back yard to play for about 15 minutes, as Tyler climbed up the rock wall part of his playset to the covered platform part to sit, I saw a plastic cup up there and grabbed it to move it out of the way before he knocked over and spilled whatever might be in it. I was picturing mud or something that would spill down the slide and then he'd be too grossed out to slide. As I grabbed the cup, I made the mistake of looking inside of it out of curiosity. There was a DEAD MOUSE lying in some unidentifyable goop (I didn't look close enough to determine what it was after seeing the mouse) AND there was a plastic lighter lying next to the cup. This was all sitting up on the platform where a couple of kids can sit and pretend to drive, etc. So I'm wondering WHO THE HECK was in my backyard, and WHEN?! Since last fall, we've only been out there once and that was maybe two weeks ago, and the stuff wasn't there then. I know I didn't put it there because I don't own a lighter and don't even have any plastic cups like that. All the neighbors surrounding our back yard are elderly, so I know it wasn't them. So somebody walked up my driveway to my fence, opened the gate which is right next to my bedroom, and went in my backyard to do who knows what!

Isn't that creepy?

Very strange that, and you must do something. Hope the police check it out.

Well, I got home....but NO time!! (Okay Holly, I am pretending to be you "quoting" myself!!

Godspell - HOW AWESOME!! Went so well!!

Annie - MY DD13 - left for FL on her weeklong field trip Sun morning. We passed in the air (she was flying south as we were flying north). Well, she got there and spiked a 103 degree fever......waiting to here from the teacher now if I should fly down tomorrow and get her.....She was so looking forward to this trip. She stayed in the hotel room all day today and slept while the other kids did there work. They left one of the adults (and three other sick kids!) with her.

The Breakers is wonderful...wish I could spend hours telling you guys about it.
The grounds are beautiful, the service is perfect and the food was great. We had an everglades party and they brought in alligators and snakes (yes, real ones!) one of the alligators was a baby and weighed about 20 pounds. We all got to hold him!! When I get the picture, I will post it.

My DS17 is going to be a HOKIE

He heard from VA Tech and was accepted on Sunday (e-mail has changed the whole college thing since I did this 30 years ago!!) We were in Balt/Wash airport when we got a call that the notices were online. We drove like "bats out of H**L" to get back home and we were both shaking so much it was hard to read the notice. So my first child is in the school of his dreams....Empty next has started at the Halterman Household!!

Glad you had a good trip to such a great hotel. Cool to hold a baby alligator!!

Tell your hubby well done with Godspell!

Now, I am presuming being a Hokie is going to a certain college, and that your son wanted to go and was successfull!!! Say congratulations to him!

Some of you have wondered what the white ties that we have included with the Fish Extenders are for so I thought I would post it so that everyone is aware. On the first cruise as well as the one I first made these for a couple extenders "walked" away from their fish. It was suggested that you take a tie and put it around the cord once it is over the fish. That way it can't walk off. When you are ready to take it down just cut the tie off. It was such a good suggestion we decided to just start adding the ties so that everyone would have one. Hope this clears up any confusion.

Also, some good news. We are now the proud grandparents of a little girl. Lily Ann was born last night at 5:15 PM PDT. She weighed 9 lbs 1 oz and has a bunch of dark brown hair and blue eyes. Our first girl after 7 grandsons. Can't wait to see her!

Congratulations Carol and Doug!! A granddaughter, so sweet. What a lovely name too.

Me, too, Marilyn. Maybe we can be "associate members" or even mascots! What do you think???

As long as they don't want us to sit in a big champagne glass like in the logo!!!

In my Cat 2, of course!

DH and I have been thinking about doing a wine tasting as well! We'll have to explore these options further when we find out how many people are involved!

Karen

Sounds wonderful.

Ok, I just had to share....police found over 100# of women's underwear in a man's apartment in seattle. Didn't hear the full story, but it make me laugh thinking of us throwing away undies on the ship and other vacations, maybe this guy was following us around?!

Now we know where they all go.

 

[LiserAnn]

I thought I was going nuts because by the time I got back everything had been fixed and Noel had snagged it. Oh well! I always miss all the fun! I think its funny!

I thought the same thing--I was wondering: "What...happened...while...I...was...off...the... DISboards?"

Lisa - you don't need to do that - we (most of us) really don't care - just no one cared for the "better board" comment, but she posted she was just kidding - so I think it is not a big deal.

We're all friends here on the DIS!

John's right....we're all good here on the DIS and this group is so laid back half the time we miss what's going on!

John, that wasn't Lorri's comment and now the other poster has requested that his posts be deleted as well. Noone wants any hard feelings between the two groups. I will just **** out the posts instead of deleting them though so that birkner keeps the pirate.

Thanks Lisa...what an avalanche that was started by pirating!

Ok, I just had to share....police found over 100# of women's underwear in a man's apartment in seattle. Didn't hear the full story, but it make me laugh thinking of us throwing away undies on the ship and other vacations, maybe this guy was following us around?!

100 pairs of undies...what a weirdo!

I'll let you all know what the police say after I talk with them tomorrow. I guess I shouldn't have moved anything, but since it was on Tyler's playset, I didn't want him grabbing the stuff.

Good luck Holly! And the lock suggestion is wise as well. We have two sets of gates (there's a utility area between the two gates, where we keep trash cans and other unsightly items) and both those gates have locks. DH travels a lot so between the alarm and the locks I feel very safe. And we live in a "bedroom", safe community....the District Attorney for Riverside County lives across the street, so we do have a nightly police presence on the street, which also keeps me calm! Let us know how it turns out, we're here for ya!

If interested, we can give a little summary of each port and show some pics. We did have a great time.

I'd love to see and hear about your trip!




Well, hope everyone who's ill is better soon!

Congrats Lisa on your son's college acceptance, that's wonderful!

Congrats Carol and Doug on the grandbaby.....wonderful!

Night all!!

 

[been2marceline]

Good morning, Marilyn!!

Hope you are having a lovely morning!

I am feeling better, but won't be up too late tonight.

Would love to have some of your home baked bread! My appetite is finally coming back!

Karen

 

[granmaz]

Morning Karen.

I used to have loads of tummy upsets for one reason or another. They are so awful.

How did your 2 wine days go? I would have been there if I could have been.

It was a lovely day yesterday but today looks a little grey out as yet. I really must get to the gym today - too much bread methinks!!

 

[granmaz]

The bread making machine is so easy - too easy I think! John is not keen on whlemeal bread s I make half wholemeal and half white for him. I make 70% wholemeal and all a good few tablespoons of mixed seeds in the raisin compartment. Too good, especiallyon the first day!

 

[UKANGEL]

Good morning Shipmates!

Hi Marilyn!

Just wine on Saturday night, and not to much... Really!

No, it was the stomach flu that knocked me out starting yesterday (Sunday) morning and I am feeling better today, but not great!

Ok, still trying to catch up, I'm only on page 725!

Karen

really sorry to hear you've been suffering from this Karen, both Becky and I had this last week...it's so awful! Glad you're feeling a bit better today though

Count me in!! (Big surprise there, I'm sure!)

I really like both white star and veuve, but my current favorite is Charles Heidsieck. We tried the "blue label" at Victoria and Albert's last December and have had it a couple times since! I will be bringing it into the shop when we move and have more space. It is really good!!

Of course, I have many other favorites too!!

Karen

The Charles H is another of our faves too

These are GREAT!!! Can't wait to see the mermaid one finished!

Thank you!

 

[UKANGEL]

Mandy,

These are so cool! Keep updating us on the mermaids progress!!

Karen

Thanks Karen, I'm a bit embarassed I put them on here now to tell the truth!

So here's something really creepy: Yesterday, when we went in the back yard to play for about 15 minutes, as Tyler climbed up the rock wall part of his playset to the covered platform part to sit, I saw a plastic cup up there and grabbed it to move it out of the way before he knocked over and spilled whatever might be in it. I was picturing mud or something that would spill down the slide and then he'd be too grossed out to slide. As I grabbed the cup, I made the mistake of looking inside of it out of curiosity. There was a DEAD MOUSE lying in some unidentifyable goop (I didn't look close enough to determine what it was after seeing the mouse) AND there was a plastic lighter lying next to the cup. This was all sitting up on the platform where a couple of kids can sit and pretend to drive, etc. So I'm wondering WHO THE HECK was in my backyard, and WHEN?! Since last fall, we've only been out there once and that was maybe two weeks ago, and the stuff wasn't there then. I know I didn't put it there because I don't own a lighter and don't even have any plastic cups like that. All the neighbors surrounding our back yard are elderly, so I know it wasn't them. So somebody walked up my driveway to my fence, opened the gate which is right next to my bedroom, and went in my backyard to do who knows what!

Isn't that creepy?

Holly, that is really horrible! Hope you manage to get it sorted out.

Have a good sleep and pleasant dreams of Champagne flowing by the pool on Mickey's ship!

btw, You are THE ORIGINAL Champagne Girl!

cheers Deb!

Also, some good news. We are now the proud grandparents of a little girl. Lily Ann was born last night at 5:15 PM PDT. She weighed 9 lbs 1 oz and has a bunch of dark brown hair and blue eyes. Our first girl after 7 grandsons. Can't wait to see her!

Congratualtions, and what a beautiful name!

Me, too, Marilyn. Maybe we can be "associate members" or even mascots! What do you think???

Love the idea of mascots!!!! what strange animals will you be??

 

[UKANGEL]

Your DH is right, you have a great talent and could sell them if you wanted. Please keep us posted on the 'work in progress' as it appears to be another gem!

You're very kind Deb.

I think I'm going to add our new CHAMPAGNE GIRLS logo. DH said HE CAN create an iron on - no glue guns, no sewing - and then HE CAN do the ironing too! Perfect!

That sounds fab Deb...but I only got the logo from the web so can we use it like that?...sorry if you thought I'd made it......I'll happily make our own if you like though!

Some more vacation photos - Hope I'm not boring you guys, but I am having fun.

Just kidding . . . that thing is called a Tidal Wave Sundae, and is supposed to be for two - all THREE of us could not finish it. It was full of ice cream, sauces, bananas (gotta love that), brownies, and cookies!

Yum!!!!!

You caught me!!! One minute Mandy and I were talking coffee then wine then champagne...and you know that "like minds" thing...and voila!....Mandy is a spark of inspiration and she came up with the idea and the logo, which is awesome!!!....I just jumped on the band wagon and started having some fun with it!!!

I really did start a list and I'm going to do logo badges for everyone and then I'll need to speak to the 'Powers That Be' and beg you and Noel for help...beg, beg... (the begging guy is gone!?!) and we'll see if we can possibly do a champagne tasing.

see my other post about the logo tho!!! I lvoe the way we went so swiftly from coffee to champagne, Deb!

 

[UKANGEL]

Maybe we can ask Karen to set something up if we all chipped in for some champagne? What do you think? Where were you thinking of holding the tasting?

Noel

That sounds great

In my Cat 2, of course!

DH and I have been thinking about doing a wine tasting as well! We'll have to explore these options further when we find out how many people are involved!

Karen

Yes, of course we opened a bottle tonight. We couldn't resist. We've been anxiously waiting for it to get here....we opened the Spencer Roloson 2003 Syrah. It was and still is DEVINE!!! The color is incredibly dark purple and the taste is extremely dry, almost evaporating as you swallow, which is the way I like my wines. The nose is full without fruit, which I love. I can't even drink a dry wine if the nose is sweet. This is perfect! I'll savor it until it's gone and then try another one. I love wine tasting and drinking, but, of course, CHAMPAGNE IS MY FAVORITE and I'm a member of THE CHAMPAGNE GIRLS!!!

That sounds lovely!

Nice work. I would love to see the blue one when it is finished.



Thank you

Congratulations!!

I found out today that (if all goes well) I'll have TWO new great-nephews in August. Two of my nephews' wives are due within a week of each other and they got the ultrasound results this morning.
More snips, and snails and puppy-dogs' tails!

 

[granmaz]

Love the idea of mascots!!!! what strange animals will you be??

That's what I'm worried about after seeing yellow slugs on here!

 

[UKANGEL]

That's what I'm worried about after seeing yellow slugs on here!

my thoughts exactly Maz!

 

[granmaz]

And you know one of the ways we kill slugs over here too!!

 

[UKANGEL]

And you know one of the ways we kill slugs over here too!!

oooooeeeerrrrrr!!!!


Maybe think of something much more cute and cuddly!

 

[disneylover5]

Oh . . .

And forgot to mention . . .

BUCKEYES WIN! AGAIN!

FINAL FOUR!

The final game is on Monday, April 2nd.

But the Buckeyes game against the East Regional winner is on Saturday, March 31st. Are you hoping to play North Carolina or Georgetown?

John, Want to make a friendly bet on the Georgetown/OSU game? Although I am a HOKIE! (VA Tech...in case I haven't made that clear ) I have helped raise one of my nephews. His mom and dad (my brother) live in SC and Drew has been at Georgetown for 4 years....he has lived with us most summers to stay and DC. I move him in and out of his dorms each year. He is going to the Disney Med with us this summer!!

So I am a Georgetown fan!!

How about a Speciality Coffee.......

Did you see Bill Clinton? I heard he was staying at the Breakers this weekend?

I don't think he was there. There was no security and being from DC, I go to events a lot with people who have security detail with them....nothing at all like that!!

Pick your poison . . . I guess since NC beat us Georgetown - which is who we are playing.

Go HOYAS!​

Some of you have wondered what the white ties that we have included with the Fish Extenders are for so I thought I would post it so that everyone is aware. On the first cruise as well as the one I first made these for a couple extenders "walked" away from their fish. It was suggested that you take a tie and put it around the cord once it is over the fish. That way it can't walk off. When you are ready to take it down just cut the tie off. It was such a good suggestion we decided to just start adding the ties so that everyone would have one. Hope this clears up any confusion.

Also, some good news. We are now the proud grandparents of a little girl. Lily Ann was born last night at 5:15 PM PDT. She weighed 9 lbs 1 oz and has a bunch of dark brown hair and blue eyes. Our first girl after 7 grandsons. Can't wait to see her!

Thanks for the update on the FISH EXTENDERS!! I think this will be so much fun!!

Congrats on Lily Ann!! What a cute name!! I just love babies.... You are so lucky!!

Well imagine that - no 10k, so they had to steal 11k - and none of us probably even paying attention, as we don't get hyped up too much about that.

Very strange events around this 11k.....I guess I just don't get it??

 

[disneylover5]

409 Days​

​

 

[UKANGEL]

409 Days​

​

woohoo! thanks for the update!!!!!!