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

[lillygator]

Everyone gets along fine but my mother. And she is married now, to my stepfather but they have been trying to sell their home so they can officially divorce. That makes for some tensioned atmosphere at best!

 

[tink1963]

We had talked about that. If we stay at the Hyatt, which I'm pretty sure we will - we have to decide soon -I was going to try and arrange a DIS breakfast real early on that Saturday. Mimosa, continental type of thing. They have a room we can rent. I know we will all want to leave early, so it would have to be an early breakfast. Not sure if there is interest in that. I had called awhile ago to see about group rates but they said it was too soon. Should I try now? Lisa

Has anyone made their hotel ressie for the night before the cruise (if you're flying in the night before)? I thought I might try for the Hyatt MCO on Priceline.
Has anyone done this for this cruise or recently? When I look at biddingfortravel.com it seems that the MCO Hyatt does come up often.

I know some time ago there was talk of trying to obtain a group rate at the Hyatt but I haven't been able to keep up with the posts to know if anything ever become of that. ????

Anyone trying to plan ahead like me? I hope to have everything already booked so I can sit back and really start looking forward to the cruise.

Hi! We made our ressies at the Hyatt MCO for the night before. I think there's a bunch from the thread that are staying there. Using our AAA card I got a rate of $159 and I think the regular rate is $199.

We are also staying at the Hyatt MCO. We are arriving very early on friday. 6am early. We also got the AAA rate of $159.00. And I plan on paying with GC I'm earning through MyPoints.com. Early breakfast sounds good too. We are using DCL transfers to get to the port. No having to mess with luggage when we check out.

Thanks to everyone on the kind words regarding my mother. It was a great day. I didn't think I could make it through without falling apart, which only happend once. I didn't even have to open my box of kleenex.

 

[lillygator]

Venetia - I just noticed your ticker - we are lamost under 200 days!

 

[1Grumpy John]

Ok here are some pics from the Life Celebration we held for my mom yesterday.

This is where we held the bbq. Me in the background cleaning the tables

My DBIL getting the fire ready.

Mmm good

Some of the flowers I used for decorating

The photo display that my brother and his family put together.

Thats my Mamma

The memorial table with some of her favorite things.

Heading out to release the butterflies

Some butterfly shots. I don't have any of them all flying away, which all but one did. My cousin Karen had one who was not ready to leave so we were able to get some close up shots.

There were a couple of cakes. One we got for her birthday which was the Oct 10th and one from her work. She worked in parking services at UCSB.

Some of my family. Bubba & I and my DB's and their families.

My mom's family

My DB's and I

for Holly, who has met my moms all time favorite person.

We did have an awesome day. I didn't sleep to well the night before for worrying about the rain. But it turned out great. Thanks again to Nan for the suggestion on where to get the butterflies. It was amazing. I hope some one in my family got some shots as they flew away. I can only hope that I did Mamma proud.

Venetia WOW that was just perfect. (I'm sure your Mom loved it to) let the butterflies take our prayers with them.

 

[lillygator]

Venetia WOW that was just perfect. (I'm sure your Mom loved it to) let the butterflies take our prayers with them.

I agree, the pics are fabulous - you did a great job!

 

[lillygator]

wow - I just read the writer's for network shows may go on strike on 11/1....that means many no new episodes...Grey's was one on the list!

 

[MrsMork]

My mom called yesterday to inform me that she is hosting Thanksgiving and anyone on her side of the family is invited (nice, huh). And then we are picking names for Christmas, which is fine with me - $75 limit.

So - I highly doubt that we will go for Thanksgiving - I like to cook Thanksgiving dinner and John really doesn't want to go anywhere near her house. Plus, it leaves John's parents and my dad and Pat out of the equation as well. Why the heck can't she just suck it up and get along with everyone? It makes it so hard on me, and my stomach just starts to get upset anytime the holidays come around.

Pack up Johnny, the kids, your Dad and Pat, and the in-laws and come to our place! All are welcome. We are planning one last Thanksgiving bash this year then we will pass the torch to my niece.

 

[tink1963]

Venetia - I just noticed your ticker - we are lamost under 200 days!

I know, I can't believe that we are almost to 6 months. Now if we only had info on excursions. Or what the schedule is for formal,semi and pirates night.

wow - I just read the writer's for network shows may go on strike on 11/1....that means many no new episodes...Grey's was one on the list!

NO say it isn't so.

 

[LiserAnn]

I would just show up. Ask step mom where it is. You need to be there.

Holly - I agree! I would just show up...and if you don't show up, at a minimum I would mail or drop off what the school has given you. He's your child also and you have every right to be there, it's critical that you be there.

 

[lillygator]

Holly - I agree! I would just show up...and if you don't show up, at a minimum I would mail or drop off what the school has given you. He's your child also and you have every right to be there, it's critical that you be there.

I think you should just show up as well Holly. You are his parent as well.

 

[lillygator]

I know, I can't believe that we are almost to 6 months. Now if we only had info on excursions. Or what the schedule is for formal,semi and pirates night.

I know, I want to know everything now!! I did copy some excursions down from the last trip, I figure they may be similar. We won't be doing too much that the girls can't be included so I see lots of beach trips - although I do want to go to the Los Arcos (or what ever it is called) rock formation.

 

[tink1963]

I think you should just show up as well Holly. You are his parent as well.

I fourth this too. It is your right as his parent to be involved. Yes, crash the appointment.

I know, I want to know everything now!! I did copy some excursions down from the last trip, I figure they may be similar. We won't be doing too much that the girls can't be included so I see lots of beach trips - although I do want to go to the Los Arcos (or what ever it is called) rock formation.

I bought the passporter book for the $1.00 special so I have been studying this when I have free time. (which isn't often).
Are you the one who is arranging the jeeps in Aruba? If so could you let me know what's up and if there is still any spaces left.

 

[fourmcds]

I think you should just show up as well Holly. You are his parent as well.

I'll "4th" this thought as well, I think you should just show up too!

 

[birkner]

My mom called yesterday to inform me that she is hosting Thanksgiving and anyone on her side of the family is invited (nice, huh). And then we are picking names for Christmas, which is fine with me - $75 limit.

So - I highly doubt that we will go for Thanksgiving - I like to cook Thanksgiving dinner and John really doesn't want to go anywhere near her house. Plus, it leaves John's parents and my dad and Pat out of the equation as well. Why the heck can't she just suck it up and get along with everyone? It makes it so hard on me, and my stomach just starts to get upset anytime the holidays come around.

My sister-in-law Terry has the same problem with her mother-in-law Doris. Last Thanksgiving she invited all of us to her house and Doris announced she would not come as she wanted to spend Thanksgiving ONLY with HER family. Terry hosted all of us that day and then the next day had to go to ANOTHER Thanksgiving dinner at Doris and Bob's house. The father, Bob is extremely sarcastic so they were not missed!!

I have never understood why people can't just at least be pleasant for one or two days a year. Doris revels in making everyone upset. I guess that is her way of celebration!!

I did the Thanksgiving and Xmas holidays for many, many years as my parents didn't like having big parties. Now that they have passed, my sisters and I get together in the summers so I don't have the big holiday bashes any more. My DD, Terry and I trade off as instead of 30+, we only have about 15.

As for Xmas gifts, we ONLY give gifts to the kids under 18. We started that tradition many years ago. I would rather have fun with family than buy more stuff they really don't need.

 

[lillygator]

gifts under 18 would be great!! I think it would be Samantha and Haley only - not that these two need another darn thing!

 

[birkner]

gifts under 18 would be great!! I think it would be Samantha and Haley only - not that these two need another darn thing!

I think for us it is the joy of giving to the kids. We enjoy the time we spend with the family and don't want more stuff!!!

This year with the WDW and NYE cruise, we will be giving one present each to the GK's as the trip is most of the present.

 

[lillygator]

Venetia - yes I have the Jeeps....I will know exact cost closer to sailing but what I have been quoted is around $70 rental for the day including insurance and gas.

 

[lillygator]

I think for us it is the joy of giving to the kids. We enjoy the time we spend with the family and don't want more stuff!!!

This year with the WDW and NYE cruise, we will be giving one present each to the GK's as the trip is most of the present.

really that's what I feel the holidays should be about - spending time with family and others and giving oif yourself in ways that are not presents! My mom and sister can't see this.

But luckily my in-laws are ok with it as well as my dad.

 

[birkner]

really that's what I feel the holidays should be about - spending time with family and others and giving of yourself in ways that are not presents! My mom and sister can't see this.

But luckily my in-laws are ok with it as well as my dad.

We are on the same wave length. However, I just give the under 18 set and if someone has a problem, well, they can get mad, get glad and get over it!!

Life is too short to cater to those family members you can never satisfy anyway. I want to spend time with family members that share our same feelings not those who have petty grievances. We all have those members in our respective families but I don't give them any time or thought.

My mother and I had our differences but I marched to my own drum. When I had the holidays, I did them my way. She learned to adapt.

 

[tink1963]

Venetia - yes I have the Jeeps....I will know exact cost closer to sailing but what I have been quoted is around $70 rental for the day including insurance and gas.

Cool. I think this might be something we would like to particpate in. I'll keep an eye open for more info as we get closer to sailing. Thanks