May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 9

[mishoe01]

Still lots of snow in DC!! It is so pretty. Tonight we went to the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree. They place it in the Presidental Park rigth next to the White House. We were so close that your could almost throw a stone and hit the White House. Then each state (and DC and territories) has a tree. This years theme is the National Parks. Each state decorates the tree with National State Park stuff.

President and Mrs Bush were there and lit the tree. They have Sarah Evans and several proformers from NY Broadway. Santa and Mrs. Claus also made an appearance. It was so COLD!! All of our toes felt like they were going to freeze off!!

I will try and post some pictures tomorrow. It really was a special night. I would never have done this if Vanessa had not been here!! I have lived in DC for 50 years....kinda sad this is the first time I have made the effort to get the tickets and go.

This sounds great! Glad you had a good time. I know what it's like to live outside of DC (Montgomery County) and not take advantage of all it has too offer.

I'm sure this was fun for Vanessa too.

 

[disneylover5]

I'll chime in about my family.

As of right now, it is just me (Lisa) and my oldest son (Daniel) (18 years old and a freshman at VA Tech) cruising on this cruise. My other daughters are in 6th and 8th grade. They can't and don't want to miss school. I also have an Exchange Daughter this year from Norway (Vanessa).

My mom lives with us and of course my DH (Don).

We have been on 8-9 Disney cruises (lost count and plan to cruise again at Thanksgiving 08).

 

[DisneyRN1]

Thanks everyone for the welcome...sounds like a family here. Or maybe a party. I can see I have a lot to do in a short time. Looking forward to it already.

disneylover5...I worked at Roanoke Memorial Hospital for almost 30 years. I spent 20 years in the Emergency Department (level one Trauma Center), and during part of that time was a flight nurse with our helicopter. I spent the remainder of the time in outpatient surgery and doing conscious sedation in endoscopy. I am not working currently. I have fibromyalgia and all the associated problems. I haven't given up yet on work,and try to do what I can to stay active and minimize symptoms, and get on with life...like taking cruises Vicki

 

[HollyTyler]

You SO impress me!! We have had a broken faucet and basically just keep going to another room to wash our hands!

OH, don't be impressed! I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing....I just have to try! But I haven't gone out to buy the propane torch yet. I'm checking with all my friends who have husbands to see if I can find a husband nice enough to come do it for me....or at least let me borrow their stuff and tell me how to use it.

 

[mishoe01]

OH, don't be impressed! I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing....I just have to try! But I haven't gone out to buy the propane torch yet. I'm checking with all my friends who have husbands to see if I can find a husband nice enough to come do it for me....or at least let me borrow their stuff and tell me how to use it.

Good luck with this Holly.....I do miss those days of calling the landlord too!

 

[disneylover5]

This sounds great! Glad you had a good time. I know what it's like to live outside of DC (Montgomery County) and not take advantage of all it has too offer.

I'm sure this was fun for Vanessa too.

It is just so cold here right now.....even Vaneesa was really cold!! We were laughing at her as she is supposed to hardy and used to the cold as she is from Norway. She was thrilled to see President and Mrs. Bush. They were very close to us.

President Bush was thanking several people and he said to Santa (who had Mrs Claus next to him) "well Santa, one thing you and I have in common is that we both married great woman!" I thought that was a really nice thing to say!!

 

[disneylover5]

Thanks everyone for the welcome...sounds like a family here. Or maybe a party. I can see I have a lot to do in a short time. Looking forward to it already.

disneylover5...I worked at Roanoke Memorial Hospital for almost 30 years. I spent 20 years in the Emergency Department (level one Trauma Center), and during part of that time was a flight nurse with our helicopter. I spent the remainder of the time in outpatient surgery and doing conscious sedation in endoscopy. I am not working currently. I have fibromyalgia and all the associated problems. I haven't given up yet on work,and try to do what I can to stay active and minimize symptoms, and get on with life...like taking cruises Vicki

Didn't they take several of the kids who were shot in Blacksburg on April 16th to your hospital?

My Sister-in-law has fibromyalgia. I know it is so difficult to manage.

 

[mishoe01]

I'm going to sign off for the night....have a good evening!

And as Deb would say....sweet Mickey dreams!

 

[HollyTyler]

I'm going to sign off for the night....have a good evening!

And as Deb would say....sweet Mickey dreams!

Goodnight Monica! I'm off to bed too. 18 rolls of Smarties tonight and I suspect going to bed is the only way I can make myself stop eating them.

 

[Tigger1221]

Here is a picture of our Mickey wreath! We made it last year.

 

[HollyTyler]

Here is a picture of our Mickey wreath! We made it last year.

Oh, I love it! And I see your cat likes it too! Very cute!

 

[calmom]

Oh, Lisa, the tree lighting sounds so nice!

Ditto! It really makes me want to come back East...I love being in the snow for the holidays.

One other thought about the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree. We sang lots of Carols. one Carol surprised me..."Go Tell it on the Mountain" and one line is "that Jesus Christ is born"

I am thrilled they sang it. But it surprised me as this is Government property and how Politcally Correct our world is now.....

But I am surprised someone has sued, imagine a Christmas Tree on Government property........

This is such a good point! I am going to bring a tree to my work - what can they say if the government does it!!!

Great idea Lisa!

I'm Monica. This will be my 4th DCL cruise (no other cruise line). Live outside of Orlando *YEAH* 38yo. Corporate Travel agent and seasonal CM at Epcot.

I forgot with my intro to include Nan's DH as one of the nice attorneys too...I'm sure there are more out there, although I personally have met quite a few with the personality of a turnip! Not sure what a turnip's personality would be but for some reason it came to mind.

OH, don't be impressed! I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing....I just have to try! But I haven't gone out to buy the propane torch yet. I'm checking with all my friends who have husbands to see if I can find a husband nice enough to come do it for me....or at least let me borrow their stuff and tell me how to use it.

And if you find that type of husband, can you send him over my way??? He could teach my DH a lesson or two! He grew up with a family that always had other people come fix things...my dad was an hands on type, but I never paid much of attention. So now we are left with neither of us knowing how to change certain light bulbs! I'm serious, there are some complicated ones out there!!

Watching Tivo Amazing Race with my eldest DS. He loves this show. Lisa

 

[calmom]

Am I the only one still up? I think I'll go back and vote some more for DS...Lisa

 

[woody73]

My DH and I just returned today from the 4 night Wonder, and while on board we booked the Westbound Panama cruise.

Welcome!

Woody

 

[LisaG520]

WELCOME!

Not us! The pools are always so crowded. We walk around the ship and check things out. Being that my DH hasn't been on a DCL cruise my DGS is planning on giving him a tour. We are always in our cabin and unpacked by the LB drill so all we have to do after is to hit the deck for the party!

Not us either! Our last cruise we actually took a nap after lunch and before the lifeboat drill.

Hey to all.. I just booked this cruise yesterday.. so I am just stopping over to say hello to everyone...

Hi,
My DH and I just returned today from the 4 night Wonder, and while on board we booked the Westbound Panama cruise. They said the had just had a block of rooms open up. We are booked for main dining, Cat 5 room, and I think we got a special rate for booking while already on a cruise. I am new to this board, but found the Wonder board so helpful. Since I am late getting here, I don't know if I will get through all 1000+ pages. , but am wondering if there is any place to get a lot of the info anyhow. We are so excited about going thru the canal. I will appreciate any info anyone has. We have only been on the Wonder just now, and a Carnival cruise about 20 years ago. We are older..my DH is a young 60, and I am a sometimes young 52year old. Thanks.....Vicki

Welcome everyone!

This cruise is me (Lisa) and DH (Darrell). I turn 41 during the cruise and we celebrate our 17th anniversary during the cruise too. We currently live in San Diego, but are both from PA originally. DH is an archaeologist for the Navy and I'm a System Admin. This is our 4th cruise - all have been DCL.

 

[nskjerven]

if you are going to the Space Center why stay at the airport?

Hence my question, is it too much to do in one day?

We are staying at Hyatt MCO to take the Hummerzine to port with our Diser friends

 

[nskjerven]

We spent the entire day at the KSC, arriving directly after we disembarked from the Magic and picked up our car at the Radisson. The complex opened at 9:00 AM and closed at 6:00 PM. Depending on when the Pirate and Princess event starts, you may be able to do both as it takes about 45 minutes back to WDW.

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/visitKSC/index.asp

We purchased internet tickets at this site: http://www.kennedyspacecentertours.net/tours/tourDetail.cfm?tour_id=1904

There are so many things to do, such as tour Kennedy Space Center, visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame, have lunch with an Astronaut and take the NASA Up-Close guided tour.

The Complex admission tour includes This day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex includes the Kennedy Space Center Tour of NASA's Launch Headquarters, two IMAX films, all shows and exhibits, and a visit to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. The tour includes stops at the four-story LC-39 Observation Gantry where you get a bird's eye view of the Space Shuttle launch pads and parts of the world's busiest space launch facility.

The second tour stop is the acclaimed Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you will walk beneath a massive Saturn V rocket, relive Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon, and experience the thunderous rumble of a Saturn V moon rocket lift off.

Your day continues with IMAX movie screenings of "The Dream is Alive," where you experience life in space, or "Space Station 3-D," which takes you on a virtual trip to the International Space Station in a fully immersive big-screen environment.

You may also enjoy the many other shows and exhibits at the Visitor Complex, including a chance to meet a real astronaut at the Astronaut Encounter Show, and enjoy the zany live-action show "Mad Mission to Mars 2025."

The day is topped off with a visit to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, located at the entrance to the Kennedy Space Center. This attraction features the world's largest collection of personal astronaut mementos, historic spacecraft, one-of-a-kind space legacies, and hands-on activities. You may site in a mission control console, take a virtual moonwalk, feel the pull of 4 Gs in the G-Force Simulator, and land a Space Shuttle.

This ticket allows you to do everything in one day or break up your Kennedy Space Center experience over two consecutive days.

Each guided NASA Up Close tour is narrated by a space program expert, who shares in-depth and often little-known space facts during the 90-minute "mission" past the following areas: Space Shuttle Launch Pads A and B, The International Space Station Center, The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), Shuttle Landing Facility, Crawler Transporter and Crawlerway.

The GK's wanted to do lunch with an astronaut which we throughly enjoyed though the food was not as good as on board the Magic. This lunch includes the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Admission Ticket. What was the most fun was listening to all the questions the kids asked the astronaut who in our case was Tom Jones. We bought his book and had it autographed to both John and I.
http://www.thespaceagency.org/bios/jones.html

Hope this helps.

Noel

Thank you darling, just what I needed

You SO impress me!! We have had a broken faucet and basically just keep going to another room to wash our hands!

I see this for some reason and have to laugh....

I was referring to laundry that you send in...me personally, I have a hard time doing laundry at home let alone on vacation. Our nanny had to go to Mexico unexpectedly and I am looking at this pile of laundry and going WHAT?? My pet peeve...just can't do it. If it were up to me, I'd vote for disposable clothing - I know, not a good idea for the environment!!

I'm with ya, I think I see a new venture...disposable clothing for busy and laundry hating moms. Having the launfry done by the nanny was the best part of having a nanny...ok, just kidding but it was really high on my list too.


Never was in a sorority at Santa Clara University. Many of my friends were...something about not being able to have a beer in my home turned me off But they all said I could cheat, but didn't want to trust that!! Being a 20 year old and all...

Lisa

Did we already have the what year conversation? I'm getting really bad that I can't even remember what we talked about here less than a year ago....Paul when to Santa Clara, 1983-86 under grad and '92 Law school

Goodnight Monica! I'm off to bed too. 18 rolls of Smarties tonight and I suspect going to bed is the only way I can make myself stop eating them.

smarties...yum....I have a suprise for you I need you to pm me your address....might be our secret fishmail item...

I forgot with my intro to include Nan's DH as one of the nice attorneys too...I'm sure there are more out there, although I personally have met quite a few with the personality of a turnip! Not sure what a turnip's personality would be but for some reason it came to mind.

turnip, yup I've met those attorneys too


And if you find that type of husband, can you send him over my way??? He could teach my DH a lesson or two! He grew up with a family that always had other people come fix things...my dad was an hands on type, but I never paid much of attention. So now we are left with neither of us knowing how to change certain light bulbs! I'm serious, there are some complicated ones out there!!

Watching Tivo Amazing Race with my eldest DS. He loves this show. Lisa

Paul's grandfather was not impressed that 2 more grandchildren decided to follow their Uncle Dick (Paul's dad) into the field of law. When one of the nieces was getting married to yet an another attorney, Grandpa is quoted as saying can't we get a good mechanic in this family, we have enough darn lawyers.... Grandpa owned the local garage that was known in the farming town in North Dakota for always being able to get the tractor back on the farm. He could custom make whatever was needed in the way of parts. Paul often talks of wishing he could have gone to engineering school instead of law school. the grass is always greener...

Wilson just wandered in and asked if he could read me one page. so sweet. Paul and he read every night together. I'm so glad they have their special time together and once in a while I get to have a little glimspe of that.

Time for nite nite.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

love it! I got my Xmas dress from Coldwater creek for our Xmas 2005 cruise that looks kinda like it, but in green.

Here is my teal dress. It has a shawl overlay.

Nan, your dress looks beautiful, I especially like the shawl!

 

[HollyTyler]

Good morning everybody! Busy day ahead of me. My boss told me on my way out the door yesterday a bunch of things he wants done first thing in the morning. Then, still trying to get caught up from being off last week. This morning I had to shovel for the first time this winter! But, many of you have seen pics of my house and how close together the houses in my neighborhood are, so there's not much to shovel, so it wasn't a big deal. And we only got 2 inches. I really could go without shoveling because it's not going to be a problem to walk through or drive through, but my neighbors on each side did theirs before I woke up, so it would look silly if I left mine undone.

So, off to work in a few minutes. Then a bunch of running around afterwards. Have a great day all!

 

[lillygator]

good morning!!
I am working until about noon, then heading home to pack! Did all the laundry last night but no packing. I bet it is cold in Orlando...it's chilly here!