May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 7

[MrsMork]

I'm sitting here at work itching for it to be 715pm so I can head over to Epcot. There is a special Illuminations showing tonight to celebrate the 25th Anniversary.....supposed to rival the 4th of July show. Can't wait!

OH!! Jealous here too!

 

[katypop]

I'm sitting here at work itching for it to be 715pm so I can head over to Epcot. There is a special Illuminations showing tonight to celebrate the 25th Anniversary.....supposed to rival the 4th of July show. Can't wait!

Hi Monica,
It is just about 7:15 as I read this, and oh, how I wish I was there with you to see this. I just love the fireworks and Illuminations, they did a special "add-on" when I was there one Dec (maybe they do this every Dec?) and it was so beautiful I was teary. Can hardly wait to hear how they were, sure hope you are able to get pics.

Kathe

 

[gydell]

I'm sitting here at work itching for it to be 715pm so I can head over to Epcot. There is a special Illuminations showing tonight to celebrate the 25th Anniversary.....supposed to rival the 4th of July show. Can't wait!

Wish I could be there!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Did you guys know about this Year of A Million Dreams prize?

Reign at Disney’s Private Island for the Day: One winner will be awarded Disney’s private Bahamian paradise for the day. Castaway Cay, the Disney Cruise Line private island, will allow the winner and up to three guests to lounge in the lap of tropical luxury – all by themselves – with Disney amenities at their fingertips, including gourmet dining, recreation, beachfront cabana massages, entertainment and overnight accommodations on a private yacht.

Pretty darn cool!

 

[gydell]

Did you guys know about this Year of A Million Dreams prize?

Reign at Disney’s Private Island for the Day: One winner will be awarded Disney’s private Bahamian paradise for the day. Castaway Cay, the Disney Cruise Line private island, will allow the winner and up to three guests to lounge in the lap of tropical luxury – all by themselves – with Disney amenities at their fingertips, including gourmet dining, recreation, beachfront cabana massages, entertainment and overnight accommodations on a private yacht.

Pretty darn cool!

Didn't I tell you guys that's what I'll be doing the day before the cruise?

 

[katypop]

When is the Regional feast of Greece and how do I get in on it!

Nov 1st, my last night at disney At least I'll be going home happy It's held at epcot and is a little pricey...but oh so worth it, if it is anything like the others I've attended. I have not tried wine from Greece before but have heard there are some nice selections available. Last year, there were Peruvian musicians and dancers and a slide show, the ambiance was wonderful.I'm hoping for just as wonderful experience this year. I always want to know ahead of time what the food will be, but you don't know until you're served!

Lots to comment on this morning.
Not good!! Had it on low for 10 hours and much of it was still tough! I think I am going to give up on the thing. Yorkshires were not quite right either which is a disappointment as I could always cook wonderful ones. Tasted ok with the gravy though. I will keep trying with those though. Roasties and veggies were lovely!


Marilyn,
Sorry it didn't turn out like you were hoping.I haven't had a crock pot for years. I had one when I was first married, but was afraid to leave it plugged in while I was at work Kind of defeated the purpose of having one! One day I went to check on my meal and one of the rubber "feet" had melted right down and the counter was hot I never did get a new one. Of course, I'm sure they are made a lot better and safer today, but I just bring myself to get a new one.

Kathe

 

[endkaos]

Just doing a drive by to say HI!. I'm headed up to Payson for the next 3 days wtih a busload of Junior Highers going camping. I don't expect to have many brain cells left when I return, so I won't try to catch up. I'll just hop back in when I recover.

Go Diamondbacks!

 

[katypop]

We love Spoodles at Boardwalk. Yummy salmon!

I'm glad you posted this! I am trying Spoodles for the first time the day I arrive on Oct21st I love salmon, so maybe this is what I'll try. Any suggestions for an appetizer or dessert?

It's officially Oct 1st so I got on the scale....I lost 16 lbs....remember 13 of those are water weight gain from the fluids in the hospital...3 of them are real weight loss. For my first month, I'm very happy. I'll continue to do diettogo food because it really tastes good and it's so easy to do.....so hopefully, I'll have repeated success. Jackie if you decide to do it, PM me before you order because they give you a bonus for a referral.

Yay Congrats
I'm hoping to lose 5 lbs in the next three weeks 'cause I know I'll be putting at least that much back on

Kathe

 

[katypop]

Just doing a drive by to say HI!. I'm headed up to Payson for the next 3 days wtih a busload of Junior Highers going camping. I don't expect to have many brain cells left when I return, so I won't try to catch up. I'll just hop back in when I recover.

Go Diamondbacks!

Good Luck and have fun

 

[pjpoohbear]

Jackie, love the idea of the CC native for the day.

Since they are extending YofMD, they really need to come up with new prizes. Will be interesting to see what they do, I saw a commercial for the new DL, in park, suite and it says that the first stay will be in January '08.

 

[ibouncetoo]

This actually is one of the new prizes. I wonder how they'll work it? I wonder where they will be awarding it?

If they 'award' it at WDW, do they sail you down to CC on the previously mentioned private yacht? Do they award it to people in the middle of a cruise?. I know when someone wins the night in the castle...it's for THAT night. Hmmmmm.......

 

[Jhalkias]

Quiet night tonight . . .

Everyone must be watching MNF or the Rockies/Padres playoff . . .

 

[Ginamarie]

Three weeks from today I'll be at WDW
I'm trying to get caught up on this thread, but I'm really torn between here and the restaurant board, I want to read everything about the F&WF for this year. This will be my 3rd visit during the festival . My favourite time of the year to visit disney has always been late April early May but after my 1st Oct visit Until this year I solved the problem by doing both I'll be going to the PFTS with Monica and attending 2 F&W pairings. I also like to attend one of the special dinners. The 1st year I did the Aussie dinner at Citrocos, last year it was the Regional feast of Peru, and this year the Regional feast of Greece. I know a few of you are also going during the festival. Any one else doing some of the special events?

Kathe

Kath- It looks like we're going to WDW the same day! I'll be there the 22nd-27th (doing a mother daughter trip with Olivia). No special events for us, because I'll have the baby with me all the time, but I'm planning to test out a bunch of the F&W booths! Maybe we'll see you guys there!!!

As you all know my mom had her surgery on Thursday and wonderfully we learned that her lymph nodes were not involved.

She is now staying at the skilled nursing section of her retirement community. She is unable to keep track of what is needed thru out the daily care routine post-op due to her dementia, so until her drains are removed and she is back to “normal” we feel safer knowing she is under 24 hour care. We expect her to move back to her apartment toward the end of the next week.

She is having moments that are not so good. (she called me yesterday at 7am claiming all around her were crazy and she was packing up and leaving if I helped her or not, then hung up on me) Of course she doesn’t remember this when I and my sisters (#3 & #1) arrived within the half hour to make sure she was ok.

Next week she will have the drains removed and move back home.

With in the following 2-4 weeks I’ll meet with her cardiologist to try to sort out what we will do for the heart issues. Most likely Cumadin but that has it’s downside too for someone who is prone to falls, as she is.

I think I’ll need to continue to be involved with her care issues daily for the next period of time (who knows how long that is) and frankly I’m fatigued thinking about it. But such is my place and role in our family.

I’m reading along with you, but still finding it hard to join in the daily chatter, but I’m here so don’t forget to say hi when you think of me.

Nan

Nan- Hugs and prayers for you guys.

It's officially Oct 1st so I got on the scale....I lost 16 lbs....remember 13 of those are water weight gain from the fluids in the hospital...3 of them are real weight loss. For my first month, I'm very happy. I'll continue to do diettogo food because it really tastes good and it's so easy to do.....so hopefully, I'll have repeated success. Jackie if you decide to do it, PM me before you order because they give you a bonus for a referral.

Deb- Great news- water weight or not!

one more post....

I missed all those cool dates so here is my big list...

1963 DH comes alive
1964 (that's me and the last of the Baby Boomers)
1982 High School Graduation
1991 DH & I meet & fall in love (DH graduates from Law School too)
1996 DH & I get married (it took him time to realize he was in love )
1997 Miss Molly was born
2000 Wilson makes his entrance as the Millennium Baby
2005 1st DCL cruise & trip to WDW

okay that's about it. back to our regular schedule posts.

I love the timeline idea! Here is my (short) version:

1978 DH and I are born
1996 HS graduation
1999 I meet DH and ALMOST graduate early
2000 We both graduate from college
2002 I graduate from law school, we get married and go on our first DCL
cruise (for our honeymoon), I pass the bar exam and become a lawyer
2005 DH and I go through the Panama Canal the first time (and I become
pregnant with Olivia!)
2006 Olivia is born!



I seriously think I'm getting sick. I feel like my head is underwater (and it's not). Work is driving me crazy! I'm going to bed early tonight and hoping things are better tomorrow.

 

[ibouncetoo]

There are some pretty amazing prizes coming up!

http://www.2008disneydreamcatalog.com/

The Castaway Cay one has two days on the Wonder, then you are dropped at the island, spend the night on a private yacht and are picked up the next day by the Wonder again. Pretty cool.

ok. time to go home!

.

 

[figment52]

This gave me chills...good ones! How wonderful to find your father's photo there. And, yes, the Flying Tigers were true heros for the Chinese people. So, your nieces grandpa worked very hard for their native country. How cool it that!! When they are older they should go see the memorial and the photo.
We had a very, very dear friend that was a Flying Tiger also. He was a Nez Perz Indian. We met him here at the VA hospital where he and his wife volunteered 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. He and a group of the Tigers were honored at a Mariner's game one year. A gentle, loving soul who was very proud of his service and what they did for the Chinese. He became very attached to both Dennis and I. He passed away about 5 years ago and we still miss him so. I wonder if he knew your dad.

Wouldn't that be a small world?

After we returned from the second trip we tried to do some internet searching on my dad's outfit and we kept hitting dead ends - there apparently was a huge fire and lots of records were destroyed.

We did take lots of pictures outside the museum with the caretaker and the girls for them to have later. The caretaker was the cutest little old man; he didn't speak a word of English but our facilitator explained our story to him and he couldn't have been more gracious - bowing to us, smiling, bowing some more. And he was so attentve to the girls (who were 1 and 3 at the time) so we could take our time looking at all the rooms of photes. It is a great memory - thanks for prompting the reminder of that day.

 

[figment52]

Did you guys know about this Year of A Million Dreams prize?

Reign at Disney’s Private Island for the Day: One winner will be awarded Disney’s private Bahamian paradise for the day. Castaway Cay, the Disney Cruise Line private island, will allow the winner and up to three guests to lounge in the lap of tropical luxury – all by themselves – with Disney amenities at their fingertips, including gourmet dining, recreation, beachfront cabana massages, entertainment and overnight accommodations on a private yacht.

Pretty darn cool!

Pick me, Pick me, Pick me - where do I sign up?????

 

[gouodux]

Well, we guess we will come out of hiding after our very disheartening loss to Cal. Boy, we really are kind of depressed. Probably would be different if we weren't the better team and had lost. Four stupid turnovers! Cal had none and we still lost on a fumble at the goal line with 22 seconds left. Should have won, but most move on.

Really we have just been busy getting ready for our upcoming cruise on the Magic. Only three more days! Think we have pretty much finished packing, it just always seems like we are forgetting something. Guess as long as we are on the boat that is all that matters! The girls are really excited. Jenna has been telling everyone in class that she gets an extra day for Fall break. Which leads to this question - everywhere we have lived before, we didn't have a Fall break. Does Arizona have the only school system that does this? We can't be the only state! Not going to complain, allows for a great excuse for a family vacation.

Don't know if we mentioned this before, but THANK YOU for all the advice on Kayla getting her ears pierced. We decided to wait until we return - she is bent on having them done, so we made a deal!

 

[figment52]

Well, we guess we will come out of hiding after our very disheartening loss to Cal. Boy, we really are kind of depressed. Probably would be different if we weren't the better team and had lost. Four stupid turnovers! Cal had none and we still lost on a fumble at the goal line with 22 seconds left. Should have won, but most move on.

Really we have just been busy getting ready for our upcoming cruise on the Magic. Only three more days! Think we have pretty much finished packing, it just always seems like we are forgetting something. Guess as long as we are on the boat that is all that matters! The girls are really excited. Jenna has been telling everyone in class that she gets an extra day for Fall break. Which leads to this question - everywhere we have lived before, we didn't have a Fall break. Does Arizona have the only school system that does this? We can't be the only state! Not going to complain, allows for a great excuse for a family vacation.

Don't know if we mentioned this before, but THANK YOU for all the advice on Kayla getting her ears pierced. We decided to wait until we return - she is bent on having them done, so we made a deal!

Have a great trip. I am so homesick for a cruise - May is a long time off. I keep hearing that there is Med stuff still available on board the Magic ... would you look for something for me? Please PM me for details if you have space in your luggage for a couple little things. TIA

 

[nskjerven]

My single sister adopted a 6 1/2 month old girl in 2002 from Fuling in the Chongqing area (somewhat near the big Three Gorges Dam). We went early and spent a few days in Beijing - the Great Wall, T Square, Ming Tombs, the original Temple of Heaven and a few other places. The day befoe we left Chongqing we were touring around and our guide casually mentions that up the road was the headquarters of the Flying Tigers who the Chinese still revere for all they did for China in WWll. My sister and I look at each other in amazement- my father was attached to the Flying Tigers and was stationed in China for some time during WWll but you could never get him to talk about it. Darn, if we had only thought of that once after she received her referral (in the 2 1/2 weekes before we travelled - yeah right).

Fast forward to 2005 and my sister is waiting for the referral of her second child. I was hoping the referral would come out of Xi'an so I could see the Terra Cotta Warriors and she was hoping it would come from Chendu so she could hold a baby panda (her agency was real big on cultural experiences while you are there waiting for final paperwork to be processed). The referral came - from Liang Ping - Chongqing area again but opposite direction from Fuling. We entered in thru Hong Kong this time and toured for a few days, very cool stuff. Rode in A Chinese junk in Hong Kong Harbor among other things. - we went in March and HK Disney opened in September; we were so close!!

We had the same facilitator for the second trip and she remembered us so we asked if she could arrange a trip for us to the Flying Tiger Museum. I'm going to really shorten this but we get to the museum and are walking around, my sister, the facilitator, the museum caretaker and the girls got a bit ahead of me. I stopped and was staring at a picture and my sister dropped back and simple said "which one" and I pointed to a soldier and she said "me too". We found a picture of my father. Looked exactly like one my mother has of my dad in her house (and the only picture I rever remember seeing of my dad in uniform). My sister went ahead and got the others out of the room so I could take a picture for my mother (I didn't care about the no photography signs at this point and we were the only ones there but I wasn't going to ignore the sign in front of my hosts. They had been so gracious to us since we arrived).

Well, you asked about the girls and I'm went on about seeing a picture of my dad, who passed away 14 years ago, but it still is just as special to me as the girls are. Sorry to be so long winded.

Anyway, the girls are thriving and as different as night and day. One is a tomboy (6 in November) and could easily have done the Universal commercial (if I see one more princess I'm goign to hurl) and her younger sister will be 4 in January and is as girly as they come. They have brought such joy to our family. I can't wait to take them back to China for a cultural experience. Maybe I'll get to see the Terra Cotta Soldiers then.

Sandy

Sandy:

I loved your story. We saw the Flying Tigers and LOVED the musuem. Such a touching story. A part of our US history that I didn't even know about. How proud to have your dad be part of that greatness. My sister bought a piece of artwork from their museum of the Yangzee River, we crusied down it for 4 days. We saw the warriors...I have my own theory, a bit like a Disney discovery if you ask me lucky we got to do Hong Kong disney too. Our friend is from Chongqing saw some pandas too, but it was raining and we didn't think it was such a great experience. the pandas at San Deigo Zoo look in much better place than those in China.

Nan:

John and I want to express our warmest wishes for a speedy recovery for you mom. I know these are hard times with her and if there is anything I can do to help even in the smallest way, do not hesitate give me a call.

Wamest Regards,

Noel

Noel, thank you so much for your heart felt words. I know you are close in distance and heart to us and even sharing the news with my mom that we have another friend that has a house at the lake has been good for us.

oh, I just thought of a question, have you had any problems with bats up there? We have a big investation, I have a quote from one person to rid, but I need to get another, do you have any body you would recommend for that kind of stuff up there?

off to see The Kingdom tonight, our dear neighbor is giving us a babysitting night with the kids, so we're freeeeeee!!!!! can't wait!

 

[figment52]

Sandy:

I loved your story. We saw the Flying Tigers and LOVED the musuem. Such a touching story. A part of our US history that I didn't even know about. How proud to have your dad be part of that greatness. My sister bought a piece of artwork from their museum of the Yangzee River, we crusied down it for 4 days. We saw the warriors...I have my own theory, a bit like a Disney discovery if you ask me lucky we got to do Hong Kong disney too. Our friend is from Chongqing saw some pandas too, but it was raining and we didn't think it was such a great experience. the pandas at San Deigo Zoo look in much better place than those in China.

Amazing that we were in many of the same the same parts of China- again, small world isn't it. We went to the Chongquin Zoo both trips and saw many pandas, but no little baby panda's. We actually thought the landscaping at the zoo was beautiful but the hills and steps were awful with strollers and babies. I would like to do that river cruise too as Fuling was one of the cities that was flooded for the dam and moved to higher ground.