May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 5

[MrsMork]

My sis said that Santa will arrive in a helicopter! Did anything like that happen on your trip? What did they do on Xmas Eve/Xmas Day?

Forgive that I don't have too many details. We had no children with us and I had a kidney stone on Christmas Eve. I spent from around 4pm to around 9:00 in the sick bay. But, the good news is I got good care and the stone passed and I was ok by Christmas morning, just pretty tired. I do know that Santa was there to pass out some candy canes or something, but I don't think he came by helicopter. We were in the middle of the Caribbean Christmas Eve, got into St. Thomas wee hours of Christmas morning. Mrs. Clause of course read The Night Before Christmas. There was a traditional Christmas Dinner - which we missed. DrHug went to the buffet for a bite after I got settled into bed.

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

Well, for any Harry Potter fans I just finished Deathly Hallows and all I can say is J.K Rowling lied, and make sure you have some kleenex!

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

When we have been at some of those ports I come away amazed at the blessings of my life that I have by the accident of my birth.

Some people think I should bargain down the street vendor when I buy my homemade souviners because if I pay their first price they will think I am a stupid American. I do not care if they think I am a stupid American. I am providing more money for their meals and their children's school expenses. In some of those countries kids can only go to school if they have their own uniforms, paper, pencils, etc. Maybe overpaying on a necklace will enable the kids to have a better diet or a better education. Just my way of leaving gentle footprints instead of being an ugly American.

Jan

I'd never thought of it like that--good point!

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

Forgive that I don't have too many details. We had no children with us and I had a kidney stone on Christmas Eve. I spent from around 4pm to around 9:00 in the sick bay. But, the good news is I got good care and the stone passed and I was ok by Christmas morning, just pretty tired. I do know that Santa was there to pass out some candy canes or something, but I don't think he came by helicopter. We were in the middle of the Caribbean Christmas Eve, got into St. Thomas wee hours of Christmas morning. Mrs. Clause of course read The Night Before Christmas. There was a traditional Christmas Dinner - which we missed. DrHug went to the buffet for a bite after I got settled into bed.

Oh no! What a way to spend Christmas! That's OK, whatever they do, I'm sure it'll be special. I'd love to go with them, but right now it just seems impossible, with our cruise only a few months after.

 

[granmaz]

Good afternoon from here!

Just back from our 2 day trip to see John's mum. She too has lost a load of weight, though as she has also lost her appetite that may be the main reason. She is very down and has decided to stay at a Residential home for 2 week's break. Hopefully the food will build her up and she may feel a little more cared for too!

We had major floods again in England on Friday/Saturday, so it has been a dreadful year.

 

[Tigger1221]

Well, for any Harry Potter fans I just finished Deathly Hallows and all I can say is J.K Rowling lied, and make sure you have some kleenex!

I finished it last night! It was great until the Epilouge. I think she could of done much better but at least the main part was awesome!!!

 

[MrsMork]

Good afternoon from here!

Just back from our 2 day trip to see John's mum. She too has lost a load of weight, though as she has also lost her appetite that may be the main reason. She is very down and has decided to stay at a Residential home for 2 week's break. Hopefully the food will build her up and she may feel a little more cared for too!

We had major floods again in England on Friday/Saturday, so it has been a dreadful year.

We have been seeing your flooding on the news and of course have you all in our prayers.

 

[granmaz]

Hi Angie, seen you and Dr. Hug on the other cruise threads!!! Well done on the !! I'm nosey and this thread is soooo quiet I have to do something!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Fortunately for us we are not in the areas of flooding, but it is awful. Some large towns are going to run out of fresh water tonight as a water pumping works is flooded. They will be sending in bottled water and tankers, but that in itself is a difficult task too. Also, we are talking about over 300,000 people!! Electricity will go too. There is no way the authorities could have forseen this, but some mistakes were made.

We are a rather soggy country at the moment.

 

[birkner]

Well, for any Harry Potter fans I just finished Deathly Hallows and all I can say is J.K Rowling lied, and make sure you have some kleenex!

I finished it yesterday also after we got home from the Muggles party I attended with the kids. I too was quite suprised with the story and the ending. The epilogue was very strange too....

 

[calmom]

Just a quick note on the job front . . .

After meeting with a good friend who is also an attorney, I have decided to pursue a slightly different tack . . .

I have decided to start a small side solo practice - doing simple things like wills, etc. My goal is to get this off the ground sometime shortly after the first of the year. I want to spend time researching what I will need, and also possibly converting Alex's bedroom once he is moved in for Med school into a small home office. I am not going to aggressively look for any other job, as I decided the prospect of finding something that I will be REALLY happy with and working for someone else is not what I really want to do (of course, I will leave myself open to any incredible offer that may come along). I plan on doing this around my current job on nights and weekends. We'll see how it goes.

I think I will be happier having something I can call my own, and who knows where that could go in the future? I am excited thinking about it, and thought I should have done this a long time ago.

Hi John,
My DH started his own law firm last year. It has been a great year - ups and downs. I'm sure the two of you will have lots to chat about on the cruise.

Speaking of, I'm getting so excited. Before we know it, school will be starting, the holidays will be here and then just a few short winter months! Does anyone know when they should have the tours up on the website?? Lisa

 

[calmom]

Busy week-end! We started the week-end with a Harry Potter party. It was so chaotic! Hundreds of people in a small area outside a bookstore. Around 10:30pm, I dropped of a couple of the boys and then me and my eldest went back and stood in line. We are still reading Book 6 so I keep closing my eyes and covering my ears when I see or hear something about Book 7. It will probably be impossible to avoid hearing about it.

Then yesterday I joined my sister and some friends for a wine and art fair. Lots of fun. Today we went to the A's baseball game with a bunch of family. They lost (of course!) but it was fun. Now I just want to sleep! Next week-end we will be doing the Safari - www.safariwest.com. Lisa

 

[MrsMork]

Hi Angie, seen you and Dr. Hug on the other cruise threads!!! Well done on the !! I'm nosey and this thread is soooo quiet I have to do something!

Yes, we stay active on the 12/09/06 Geek thread and then we also are getting to know the folks we will be sailing with this Dec 8.

 

[HollyTyler]

Busy week-end! We started the week-end with a Harry Potter party. It was so chaotic! Hundreds of people in a small area outside a bookstore. Around 10:30pm, I dropped of a couple of the boys and then me and my eldest went back and stood in line. We are still reading Book 6 so I keep closing my eyes and covering my ears when I see or hear something about Book 7. It will probably be impossible to avoid hearing about it.

Then yesterday I joined my sister and some friends for a wine and art fair. Lots of fun. Today we went to the A's baseball game with a bunch of family. They lost (of course!) but it was fun. Now I just want to sleep! Next week-end we will be doing the Safari - www.safariwest.com. Lisa

Wow! The safari looks awesome!

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

I, too, just checked out the Safari website. It looks very cool!

I went to see Hairspray today. It was great! I couldn't wait to get home and downloaed the soundtrack onto my new iPod! Speaking of which...

I'm now on my second iPod--had to take the first one back to Costco. Something happened to it and it wouldn't stop "synching" even though all the new files had downloaded... So I called Apple tech support and after trying some things I was told it was DOA and they would send me a box to return it in. But I just took it back to Costco instead. They're so great about returns.

Hope everyone has a nice Monday--it's rained again today so I'm a HAPPY CAMPER!

 

[granmaz]

This is an aerial view of Tewkesbury, a historic town where two rivers meet. The Abbey is clearly visible, but the town is cut off.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2007-07/23/content_5441345_6.htm

This is Upton upon Severn. We were walking around the river back in January. Lovely place. They were hit with the floods a few weeks back too, but not as bad as this.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/weather/Story/0,,2132621,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Deb,

Let me restate what everyone else said. Take care, and I hope things go better for you in the near future!

Your upbeat enthusaism is spite of all the difficulties you and John are facing is an inspiration to us all. My prayers are with you and your family facing difficlut tijmes.

Thanks John and Noel....we do the best we can with what we've got.....we make jokes and try to laugh about it too because you can't take life so seriously....you have to remember to have some fun along the way no matter what the situation....kind of like laughing through the tears. I've always referred to my mom as Doris for Doris Day (her name is Diana)....all she ever wanted in life was to be a mother....she likes to shop and cook and feed you and she has always mothered all my friends....a very nurturing soul. When I talk to friends and family, I tell them....I bought a dress for Doris today in her favorite cornflower blue color and I'm going to pick out some lipstick for her to wear and I don't want any eye shadow on her.....etc., after all, she'll be dressed for eternity, so she has to look good....my family thinks I'm nuts, but they always get a good laugh out of it....then we reminice about all the good memories we have and laugh some more.....it helps.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Prayers and pixie dust that things smooth out soon. You have been missed on the thread, now we know why. Take care of yourself! Thanks from us to John for his contributions!
Jan

Thank you Jan for thinking of us at this hard time....it's good to be missed and I miss being here chatting with you too. I still read everything and keep up with everyone's lives....just a little busy now, have lots on my "to do" list. Things will get back to normal again soon, I hope.

 

[granmaz]

Thanks John and Noel....we do the best we can with what we've got.....we make jokes and try to laugh about it too because you can't take life so seriously....you have to remember to have some fun along the way no matter what the situation....kind of like laughing through the tears. I've always referred to my mom as Doris for Doris Day (her name is Diana)....all she ever wanted in life was to be a mother....she likes to shop and cook and feed you and she has always mothered all my friends....a very nurturing soul. When I talk to friends and family, I tell them....I bought a dress for Doris today in her favorite cornflower blue color and I'm going to pick out some lipstick for her to wear and I don't want any eye shadow on her.....etc., after all, she'll be dressed for eternity, so she has to look good....my family thinks I'm nuts, but they always get a good laugh out of it....then we reminice about all the good memories we have and laugh some more.....it helps.

That is sweet Deb. What a lovely daughter you are thinking about this future(if sooner than you would like) event and buying her a new dress and lipstick. How lovely too that your mother has been the kind of person to give you these lovely memories.

Keep taking care of yourself too. I hope the leg is improving.

 

[tom31b]

From the EB Repo thread

Has anyone received correspondence from DCL regarding an additional $100 per person and a revised balance due?

Per letter from DCL:

The Panama Canal has recently adjusted the per person amount charged for Government Taxes and Fees to transit the canal. As a result, there is a need to collect an additional $100.00 per person for your party. We have enclosed a new confirmation, which reflects the revised balance due.

I have been keeping up with this thread as best I can but don't recall anyone discussing this. That is an additional $500 for our family

Michelle

Just curious if anyone on this Repo has received similar letter....

 

[pjpoohbear]

The $100 per hasn't shown up on our confirmation as of yet.