May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 4

[endkaos]

Just got home from the meet and it was wonderful to meet everyone. Everyone was so nice...it was like we were all old friends! We had a great time and I will post pics soon...as will many other's I'm sure. DH commented he almost felt like he was on the cruise already...except we weren't moving!! The kids also enjoyed meeting the other children! Great fun!!!

Can't wait to hear more and see pictures. DH was commenting on how he misses having something to look forward to sooner than the Panama cruise. I said, "I can fix that!" Then he got a scared look on his face.

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

Just got home from the meet and it was wonderful to meet everyone. Everyone was so nice...it was like we were all old friends! We had a great time and I will post pics soon...as will many other's I'm sure. DH commented he almost felt like he was on the cruise already...except we weren't moving!! The kids also enjoyed meeting the other children! Great fun!!!

I had a great time too Lisa. Thanks for setting it all up. I think are DH's had a great time. Yours is a crack up. Now I really can't wait until the cruise. Everyone was so great.

 

[pjpoohbear]

Macbook question PJ . . .

My Macbook is a year old now . . .

All updates, including battery updates are installed.

The battery seems like it is going wacko on me. For awhile now, once it got to about 34% the computer would just go off! No sleep, just OFF! Tonight it did it at 50%! When I press the button on the battery, I get 3 out of 5 lights.

Any ideas? Have you heard of anyone having similar issues?

I started it up again, and it booted and then died right after boot again. I am right now plugged in and running fine. I uploaded a program called "coconut battery" that shows me that my battery has lost about 500 MA of charging capacity, but what is up with this?

Call the applecare line, I have been exchanging 1 or 2 batteries a day for the Macbooks via applecare, over the last 6 weeks or so. Did you buy the extended applecare or just have the standard warranty? If the standard, cheaper, phone call will cost $$, to head right to the Apple Store, they might do an exchange right on the spot.

 

[BubbaGrump]

Had a fun night at the "meet" tonight. Thanks for settin' it all up Lisa Wish you guys had early seating on the cruise. I think me and your hubby could have a good time together! Does he drink tequila by any chance? We could have a really good time if he does! I agree that it felt like lots of us had met before. Maybe in another life! Thanks again and see you all on the ship mateys!Oh, I almost forgot, a special thanks to mom of 2 princesses husband. We owe you one bro! Perhaps a DOD once we're finally on board the ship.

 

[BubbaGrump]

Oops!

 

[calmom]

Sorry, long....but have to vent. Tyler's party was fun for everybody, after I made it through the pizza fiasco. I had planned on ordering from Little Caesars Pizza and having it and breadsticks delivered to keep things simple. But when I called them this morning to place my order to be delivered at 1:00pm, they told me they don't do deliveries anymore. NONE of their locations deliver anymore (in our city at least)!!! Quick change of plans. I called quite a few other pizza places that I know deliver, but they all had recordings on their phone saying they don't open until 3pm or 4pm. Starting to panic slightly, trying to think of what to do, as I'm filling up helium balloons. I knew I wouldn't have time to go pick up pizzas because we still had lots of balloons to fill plus a couple other things. So I decided I'd call Little Caesars again (because they're the closest and cheapest place), order the pizzas, pay ahead of time over the phone with credit card, call the mom of one of Tyler's buddies (we've been friends a couple years), and ask her to pick up the pizzas on her way over. Little Caesars tells me they're not set up for credit card payments over the phone. Next I considered asking a neighbor if they'd go get our pizzas if I give them gas money. But then I remembered that my dad and stepmom are notoriously a 1/2 hour early for every occasion, so I figured I'd be able to do the pizza run when they got there. For the first time in my life, my dad was running late! Our first guest arrived 10 minutes early and must have seen my frazzled look because she asked if there's anything she could help with. So she was there to greet our guests while I did the pizza run. I was back in 15 minutes and the kids were all happily playing in the back yard. After that, everything was great and the kids all had a blast! Pics coming in a minute.

Wow. I was tired just reading that. Hope you had a chance to rest and enjoy - I'm sure you did. You don't seem like the type that would let little things like COMPLETE CHANGE OF PLANS get in your way! Happy B-day to the little one.
Lisa

 

[LiserAnn]

I had a great time too Lisa. Thanks for setting it all up. I think are DH's had a great time. Yours is a crack up. Now I really can't wait until the cruise. Everyone was so great.

Lori-Let's just call my DH "Mr. Social". He was even cracking me up! He enjoyed your DH!

Had a fun night at the "meet" tonight. Thanks for settin' it all up Lisa Wish you guys had early seating on the cruise. I think me and your hubby could have a good time together! Does he drink tequila by any chance? We could have a really good time if he does! I agree that it felt like lots of us had met before. Maybe in another life! Thanks again and see you all on the ship mateys!Oh, I almost forgot, a special thanks to mom of 2 princesses husband. We owe you one bro! Perhaps a DOD once we're finally on board the ship.

I was happy to set it all up!! DH enjoyed speaking with you! I think he could be coerced to have a tequila or two with ya.....

Yes, Lori....we all owe your DH a few DODs for getting us 20% off the meal! That was awesome!!!! Paid for the gas ride home!!!

Everyone was great, it was really nice to talk LIVE with everyone! Just super nice people!!!

 

[calmom]

yup...we have our name tags from a trip and people always ask us for directions or advice. The advice of course comes easy, ok directions too...we know our way around Dland.


One more Hotel to add to the list....

Grand Wailea Maui http://www.grandwailea.com/ fabulous lazy river, I have to say better than the one at BB imho

Did you make your name tags yourself? I seem to be focused on this one!

What is BB (re: hotel lazy river)?

I had a wonderful time at the Meals On Wheels Gala Fundraiser in SF. The food, the wine....it was just extraordinary. All the finest restaurants and wines. And for a good cause. But I am wiped out after two events in one week-end. Good-night all! Lisa

 

[BubbaGrump]

Just wanted to say hey to Conner, whom I sat next to at the "meet" tonight. Very cool kid! You should be proud Karen. No way he will ever become a "basket keeper"

 

[granmaz]

Glad you enjoyed the meet. Looking forward to reading more and seeing some pictures.

Holly, Tyler's party looked fab all those matching party bits n bobs!! You did good!!! Could have done without the pizza fiasco though.

Nice day here today.

 

[lillygator]

Well look at that!

My DW does a drive-by posting - only because I told her about the pictures!

drive bys are the best kind....and as far as your earlier question John....John2 has so many Gator shirts and jerseys - it's all the rest of the family and his parents know to get him.

Glad you enjoyed the meet. Looking forward to reading more and seeing some pictures.

Holly, Tyler's party looked fab all those matching party bits n bobs!! You did good!!! Could have done without the pizza fiasco though.

Nice day here today.

Holly - the party looks great!

Can't wait to see pics from the minimeet!

 

[katypop]

Warmest congratulations to Sara. I can't believe how many years my two older kids have been married and now the youngest DD is graduating from college next Sunday. I love being a grandmother as it is Soooooo much easier than being a parent. You get to watch one of your "perfect" grandchildren throw a tantrum just like their parents told you would never happen and just smile secretly!! Grandmothers fill them full of sugar and send them home!!

Thanks Noel ,yes, I am looking forward to being a Grandma too...but by the sounds of it I may have to wait a couple of years yet!


I have really enjoyed getting caught up here and viewing all the photos...you all have such cute kids Sounds like everyone is also keeping busy, between trips to disney, birthday parties and dismeets!

Kathe

 

[Tahoe]

Just wanted to say hey to Conner, whom I sat next to at the "meet" tonight. Very cool kid! You should be proud Karen. No way he will ever become a "basket keeper"

Thanks! You know, he has that Royals blood in him--that's what makes him so cool! (Can't forget he's also half Chargers, though....) He mentioned how cool and fun you were too!

No way he'd be a basket keeper! Even if he dove into a basket that wasn't his, he's so concientious that he'd want to find out who it was really meant for.

 

[pahrumpgirl]

We have only stayed onsite twice - the first time at POFQ which we loved so much we booked ther next time and added 3 nights at BWV to enjoy the closeness to Epcot. That was the only place we could get there for the first week of December last year when we tried to book - in October I think!. Everywhere booked up!!! We really loved the position and I would love to stay in the other resorts there. I think we are too old to benefit from DVC membership unfortunately.

Marilyn, you are never too old to get a DVC membership. DH and I got our first one last year on the 11 nt SC cruise (would love to get more points but have to wait for now). Looked into it in 2004 but didn't buy into it until last year. The nice thing about it is the ability to use it all over the world, not just Disney (although that is the real reason we bought into it). Our only regret (like so many other people have said) is that we did not buy in sooner. Be sure to attend one of the functions on your cruise. You will learn a lot. Oh, yeah, you can use points to cruise too. In fact that is what some friends of ours from the 11 nt cruise bought their membership for.

You will LOVE this then . . .We hooked up the computer to the new widescreen HD tv, and boy was it cool! You can actually use the software to run a telescope that takes commands from a computer (not ours) and to run a planetarium.

Have fun playing with it, it is really cool. You can do all kinds of what if's with it, and see the night sky in all kinds of different and neat ways.

John, thanks for the link. I have always loved the stars and am looking forward to using the site. Congrats to you and your son. You and Amy must be bursting at the seams with pride.

Loving all the pics although I am very jealous. Glad the weekend went well for everyone. Looking forward to more pics.

Carol

 

[Tahoe]

Just got home from the meet and it was wonderful to meet everyone. Everyone was so nice...it was like we were all old friends! We had a great time and I will post pics soon...as will many others I'm sure. DH commented he almost felt like he was on the cruise already...except we weren't moving!! The kids also enjoyed meeting the other children! Great fun!!!

I agree! It was so worth the time on a Sunday. We didn't get home until 9:40 (since the bill took forever). I don't want to be called a "basket keeper," but somehow I think he credited me too much (though maybe with the first bill I just looked at the meal total without the tip, so with tip he was correct). I questioned it, but he insisted he was right. I wasn't about to wait another half hour for a third bill!

Lori, DOD for your DH from us too--we'll buy you one as well!

Way too much to comment on right now when I'm trying to hurry the kids to school. I have a busy day, but I'll check back later in the afternoon.

Lisa, it was FABULOUS! Thanks for all your work!

 

[disneylover5]

I will tell you the quick story of my weekend.......I am so exhausted.....

Georgetown (DC) graduation was this weekend. (SAturday Morning) My nephew (who I have helped raise) graduated!! We were all so excited!!

Gretchen (DD10) had her dance competion. 3,000 kids competing!! OMG!!
It was so very overwhelming to me. My two older kids are "normal" kids. Gretchen is just different. She thrives on this stuff.....and it just about kills me.

Well, Saturday evening was good. It was pretty short (4pm -9pm) and Gretchen ended up with 2 gold metals!!

Sunday was so much longer. We got up and went to church (Drew's younger brother and sister, my niece DN19 and nephew DN17) showed up at my house at 11pm Sat wanting a place to sleep....they were leaving for SC by 8am.

We all went to Starbucks.....me and 5 children!! Had a grand time ....DN19 and DN17 off to SC and me and 3 kids off to church.

Me and DD10 Gretchen left church early and off to competion.....11am till
9pm last night......

First 2 dances went awesome!! Two more gold medals......then 4 hours of wait time......that did Gretchen in I am afraid.

The last dance was a duo tap. The little girl she dances with may be the best dancer I have ever seen.....everyone on the team was counting on them.

Gretchen went BLANK......she could not Dance....OMG......I felt so sorry for her up on that stage with about 1,000 watching her....(I could no more do that than the "man in the Moon". )

You know what, she put a great big smile on her face and started making something up, just doing the best she could. That was the longest 3 minutes of my life. I was sitting with her partners mom.....and she was just about to have a cow. Gretchen finished.....but boy was she upset.....it was 1 1/2 hours for awards.....she cried (and she NEVER cries.....nothing bothers her) just about the whole time.

I tried all my mom tricks....."you're only 10", "everyone messes up once and a while" and "I love you so much, that is all that matters" you guys all know the routine....did not really work...

Anyway, I was proud of her going for her awards..(she was like "we are going to get a bronze"......"I can't believe it...")

Well, the judges gave them GOLD and 1st place in their age group!! I guess her faking is pretty good......or the judges were just too tired to notice!!

 

[disneylover5]

Kaylee, what a sweet story. That is so lovely that the older kids would help to comfort Taylor I know exactly what you mean about where does the time go too. Yesterday, my dear and precious daughter, Sara, was married. I can't believe where the years have gone. Even my younger brother(by 8 yrs) commented at the reception that it seemed like only yesterday he came home from grade 9 class(how sweet he still has a vivid memory of this) to be told he was an uncle to a beautiful baby girl. I'm still very emotional today. Yesterday was a beautiful day in our lives, and the beginning of a new journey for my daughter. Her husband is a wonderful , caring, loving man and I know they will have a wonderful and happy future together, but it is still a little sad letting go. Where, oh where, did all those years go.
Kathe

How wonderful!! You brought tears to my eyes!! Time is just flying!!

I keep telling my younger two that I am not going to feed them anymore..so they will stop growing

 

[HollyTyler]

Wow. I was tired just reading that. Hope you had a chance to rest and enjoy - I'm sure you did. You don't seem like the type that would let little things like COMPLETE CHANGE OF PLANS get in your way! Happy B-day to the little one.
Lisa

Nope, I definitely didn't have a chance to rest at all, but it was fun!

Holly, Tyler's party looked fab all those matching party bits n bobs!! You did good!!! Could have done without the pizza fiasco though.

We also had camouflage table clothes on the picnic tables in the back yard (but no picture), and the living room, which I also didn't get a picture of, was decorated with tons of camouflage stuff. It looked really cool!

Holly - the party looks great!

It really was great, except for how cold it was. I think it only got up to 59 degrees. Brrrr!

Well, the judges gave them GOLD and 1st place in their age group!! I guess her faking is pretty good......or the judges were just too tired to notice!!

Such a busy weekend for you! But how great for Gretchen!

 

[HollyTyler]

I'm so glad everybody had a great time at the meet! Still patiently waiting for pictures.

 

[kimerinc]

Trying to catch up and just came across this.John and Amy, how proud you must be of Alex Congratulations to him and best wishes for his future in medicine.
Kathe

John,

I just saw those shots with everyone! How wonderful!!!! I am feeling all proud for you!!!

kim