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

[lillygator]

almost quitting time!! Now what's for dinner?

 

[kimerinc]

For our last visit at the Ritz in SF, I thought it would be extraordinary fun to stay on the concierge level. It was the worse mistake. I just hated the concierge lounge - people were so snobby. It wasn't any of the staff - it was just the guests! They would look at me and my boys and literally their nose would go up in the air! Ok, one time we did deserve the looks b/c I dragged the kids in the lounge in their bathing suits just to grab the free soda. [my mom didn't raise no fool! free soda is free soda]. But even when I had them totally dressed up, we would get extremely dirty looks and unkind words. I spoke to the management about it because it was so uncomfortable (I overhead guests saying how they shouldn't allow children, etc). The manager said they have struggled with the decision as to whether to forbid kids in the concierge lounge. He said other Ritz do not allow children but they have decided to allow them although they do not "encourage" it. I told him I wish someone would have told me their philosophy before paying the premium price. They ended up giving us a whole night free (which saved us quite a bit). I felt justified because we stopped going to the lounge at all so I didn't feel we should have to pay for the difference. That being said, I would go there again with the kids in a heartbeat - just would NEVER ever stay in any Ritz concierge level again. I don't want to be with those type of people!
Lisa

Ok, I have a funny. On our flight home from Disneyland, DH gave me his upgrade (yes that was sweet) and I sat in first class. There are always the super snooty obviously never had a child type people there and 2 infants were seated in first class. You would have thought the plauge had decended. I laughed and laughed the whole flight. Didn't bother me one bit.

 

[kimerinc]

Kaylee - I would love those two! I was checking out the suites at the Biltmore...wow! To me, a hotel can be a destination in itself.
Lisa

The Biltmore is one of my very very favorite places. AND in July and August it is CHEAP! (yes it was very hot)

 

[kimerinc]

V- Loved the pictures of you all and your kids!! You can do the most amazing things with bows!

We got dream fast passes both days we were in Disneyland. DD said I cannot get any more because I am too crazy about them. They look just like the ones your DD's were wearing!

I had the most wonderful time, I just felt bad our flight was during the DIS Meet.

 

[fourmcds]

Ok, I have a funny. On our flight home from Disneyland, DH gave me his upgrade (yes that was sweet) and I sat in first class. There are always the super snooty obviously never had a child type people there and 2 infants were seated in first class. You would have thought the plauge had decended. I laughed and laughed the whole flight. Didn't bother me one bit.

We flew first class to Florida this trip. On our flight home, the girls started out sitting next to each other and as one man walked onto the plane, he looked at my girls and said "humph (or however you spell an unhappy growl), what a waste...no wonder I couldn't upgrade this trip" Luckily I did not hear him or I would have had some words to say to him , DH said he almost said something but the woman he was with saw my DH's face and made a point of saying something sweet to my girls. People can be so rude and unbelievable sometimes.

 

[granmaz]

Oh, I have been out and had hoped for some reports of last night's minimeet but????? Ah well, perhaps by the time I am online again in the morning.

CONGRATULATIONS GRETCHEN!

 

[LiserAnn]

Okay...I'm still waiting to hear back from a few folks to make sure it's OK to post their pics but here are a few to get started with....

BubbaGrump (standing) and NoSoLittleMermaid (seated)

mom_of_2_princesses and family

tink1963 (far left), LisaG520 (middle) and her DH

 

[fourmcds]

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

Congratulations to Gretchen (and you for surviving the weekend )

 

[Ginamarie]

Holly- It looks like the party turned out beautifully, despite all the issues you had getting everything together! Tyler is one lucky little guy!

John- Hooking up the telescope to the TV sounds like fun!

Disneylover5- Those dance competitions can be exhausting. My sister used to do a lot of that, but thankfully she’s too busy in High School and looking for colleges now. Congrats on all the gold medals!


I had lots of family over yesterday for DH’s birthday party. We had a big Italian dinner (fresh mozzarella, dried sausage, pasta with braccioles and chicken francese). It was a lot of work getting all the food done, but we pulled it off. Today we finally planted out in the garden area. OMG there was a lot of weeding and soil turning to do! Now I have a rose garden area, and a vegetable garden with tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, herbs and peppers. We set up the flower beds for the berry plants too, but I still have to pick those up from my mom’s house. Now I think we need a day off from our days off!!

 

[tink1963]

Lisa, We had such a great time. Thanks much for planning our gathering.
I will try to upload some of our photo's as well tonight.

 

[mom_of_2_princesses]

I was so bummed when we got home so late last night because of the check issues. I missed DH. I watched it this morning online and it was great. I won't say anything because some might not have seen it yet but I liked it.

 

[amesmom]

I had my mom's 50th bday at the Ritz and did the high tea (in 2004 I believe.....??)....it was nice, but wow, we've been to the Ritz (here in Sarasota) several times and that will probably be the last I spend money there...it was nice, but everyone seemed to just feel the need to oooooze the need to flaunt the fact they had money ...it just isn't for me. There are plenty of snobby places here in SRQ ---as small a town as this is, it oooozes money around every left turn. That aspect I hate.

When we lived in Sarasota, I was the public relations director for the Asolo Theater. We were always trying to pry open the wallets of some of those wealthy folks. Some were very gracious and generous and others flaunted the fact that they were donors, and were extremely obnoxious. Rarely were the patrons as obnoxious as some of the actors, however.

 

[endkaos]

BubbaGump (standing) and NoSoLittleMermaid (seated)

Thanks for the great pictures. I love the matching nail polish, NotSoLittleMermaid.

 

[amesmom]

Sigh. Our Canadian and UK friends and those of us stuck in the midwest will have to wait and wait and wait to meet everyone. Glad the DISmeet was fun. Looking forward to more pics.

 

[LiserAnn]

Okay gang, here's a few more...

These are almost all the pics I have. DH was being more sociable than he was taking pictures (I don't blame him) so hopefully someone else will have pics cuz I know A LOT were being taken!



FirstTimeCruiser and her family (her son is such a cutie pie)!!!

FirstTimerCruiser's parents and DH

Me and the family

DS and Gaylean's son...havin' fun!

Table shot...everyone was enjoying each other's company!!!

Disneyland's prices...WOW!

 

[disneylover5]

Congratulations to Gretchen (and you for surviving the weekend )

I am not too sure I did survive. I am exhausted. I am too old for this!!

Gretchen has 3 hours of dance on Mondays and she cried not to go....I gave in and let her stay home.....not sure if that was the right or wrong thing to do....

Sigh. Our Canadian and UK friends and those of us stuck in the midwest will have to wait and wait and wait to meet everyone. Glad the DISmeet was fun. Looking forward to more pics.

Don't forget about those of us on the East Coast!!

It sounds like fun....pictures are great.....can't wait to see more!!

 

[LiserAnn]

I was so bummed when we got home so late last night because of the check issues. I missed DH. I watched it this morning online and it was great. I won't say anything because some might not have seen it yet but I liked it.

What was the deal with that? I guess we were an overwhelming group, I was surprised they only had one waiter for all of us!!!

 

[LiserAnn]

I had lots of family over yesterday for DH’s birthday party. We had a big Italian dinner (fresh mozzarella, dried sausage, pasta with braccioles and chicken francese). It was a lot of work getting all the food done, but we pulled it off.

I'm half Italian and half Greek....right now you've made me so hungry but to eat would accomplish nothing because it won't fulfill the taste of those wonderful things. When we lived in NY my grandparents would have the entire family over for Sunday dinner. Such fond memories (and they'd be in the kitchen arguing in Italian over how to make this or that). Yummy....

Lisa, We had such a great time. Thanks much for planning our gathering.
I will try to upload some of our photo's as well tonight.

Venetia-I'm so glad you had a nice time. It was really great to finally meet you and Bubba! I was happy to plan it!!!

 

[Jhalkias]

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.

OK, I give up. Can someone explain to me what a "basket keeper" is?

 

[Jhalkias]

John,

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

kim

Thanks Kim, and everyone else for the well wishes!