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

[lillygator]

Kathe, I am too looking forward to 2008....I hope you and your mom are able to come together and work things out.

 

[fourmcds]

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We just got home from my sister in laws and we had a great time but it was filled with mishaps. First it started with my BIL, Eric...he was sitting on the couch, took a big stretch, which caused him to knock a lamp over on a sofa table that was behind him. The lamp fell onto the table which had protective glass on it. The glass broke and then gouged the cherry table top. OK, we get that cleaned up and Eric promises to replace the glass and have a professional refinish the table. Next my DH's nephew has some new toy and while we're all distracted we find him scraping it on the floor...normally would not be big deal but my BIL and SIL just had brand new wood floors put in, to the tune of $8K and they really didn't appreciate the nice new scratches he just put on them. So, what else could go wrong?! Well, my MIL puts her cup of eggnog on their grand piano so that she can put her jacket on....somehow she spills it and it goes everywhere INTO the piano...the felt hammers, the cords, everything. And since my DS had just finished playing Jingle Bells, the top was open. So we then we realized it's also in the electronic componentry (it's also personless piano player, not sure what they're called, all I know is it cost about $15K). At that point I'm catching the vibe that my BIL is just wanting us to all leave. It was awful. To add insult to injury on the way out, my DH trips on a sprinkler head in their front yard and breaks it. A minor thing, but adding it to the rest, it just made the whole evening more painful for our hosts. Needless to say, the rest of us had a great time!

Well, I hope everyone had a blessed and happy Christmas!!! Looking forward to seeing you all in the new year!!!!

Lisa...sounds like one of those days! How awful.

Tonight Scott actually told me we should look through the excursion list and see if we want to do any Now that the girls know, I think he is getting more excited. I know these next months are going to fly by and before we know it we will all be actually meeting!

So, is anyone doing anything great for New Year's? We are climbing a small Mountain (or hill) here (about an hour hike each way) so we can be at the top when it is New Year's in England (we do this with friends from England). We have a little picnic and then head back down for dinner at friend's. Nothing exciting but nice time with friends.

 

[gydell]

and who cancelled list

Have a lot cancelled?

 

[lillygator]

for anyone who watched HSM2 on Disney and then has the DVD...is it my imagination or what?
When it premiered on DC there was no scene with the tiki/fish song but on the DVD there is? The song is also an "extra" on the CD.....

 

[gydell]

So, is anyone doing anything great for New Year's?

I'm going to be at WDW!

 

[katypop]

Kathe, I am too looking forward to 2008....I hope you and your mom are able to come together and work things out.

Thanks V, I know you've gone through some tough times with your mom too
Kathe

 

[katypop]

I'm going to be at WDW!

Lucky you! I'm so tempted to get away, but only have two days off and need to save up ALOT of money for this cruise and all of the excursions I want to try

Kathe

 

[katypop]

So, is anyone doing anything great for New Year's? We are climbing a small Mountain (or hill) here (about an hour hike each way) so we can be at the top when it is New Year's in England (we do this with friends from England). We have a little picnic and then head back down for dinner at friend's. Nothing exciting but nice time with friends.

That sounds like fun Kaylee, very original!

Kathe

 

[lillygator]

gydell, that will be a fun New Year's.....

my mom is having another party and we are invited but not sure if we'll be going.

 

[gydell]

Lucky you! I'm so tempted to get away, but only have two days off and need to save up ALOT of money for this cruise and all of the excursions I want to try

Kathe

I understand that! I got lots of money and Disney gift cards for Christmas so I should have enough for the cruise and the days after at DL.

 

[lillygator]

in reality, how much cash do you think will be enough to bring?

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Have a lot cancelled?

There are some cancellations that we know of now and I'm sure there will be more after the final payment is due. Then there are others that have posted only a few times and have just disappeared....we're not sure what their status is....hence the coming or cancelled list.

 

[gydell]

in reality, how much cash do you think will be enough to bring?

Good question! I always end up with too much since I try and put most on a credit card. In Mexico some of the entrance fees have to be paid in cash. Tips, snacks and small things off the ship we pay cash for.

 

[katypop]

I understand that! I got lots of money and Disney gift cards for Christmas so I should have enough for the cruise and the days after at DL.

I was considering staying in LA for a couple days after the cruise, then thought maybe SF , now I'm considering flying from LAX to Alberta instead to visit my son, his GF and my GD on the way home for a few days, so I will have to save up extra for that! Not sure yet though, as I don't want to take a 3rd week of vacation time right then if my son has to work while I'm there. He works 15 days (often away for a few days at a time) then gets 6 days off, so he's going to see if he can arrange for those days off.

Kathe

 

[disneylover5]

We always (at least for the last 11 years) had a HUGE NYE party with 100-150 people. In order to be invited, you have to live close enough to walk home.

We are not doing a party this year. I am just wiped out with my mom and Frank. There are 5 families that are very very close and we are talking about a progressive dinner......not too sure yet.

 

[katypop]

in reality, how much cash do you think will be enough to bring?

Good question! I always end up with too much since I try and put most on a credit card. In Mexico some of the entrance fees have to be paid in cash. Tips, snacks and small things off the ship we pay cash for.

Seeing as this is my first cruise, I have no idea on how much cash to bring either Gydell, any idea how much entry fees might be and to where? Guess I should look up some of the ports and attractions available. Do you just need to tip servers off the ship? Is it still the customary 15-20%? Do you tip on CC?
Thanks!
Kathe

 

[katypop]

We always (at least for the last 11 years) had a HUGE NYE party with 100-150 people. In order to be invited, you have to live close enough to walk home.

We are not doing a party this year. I am just wiped out with my mom and Frank. There are 5 families that are very very close and we are talking about a progressive dinner......not too sure yet.

Wow Lisa, 100-150 people I don't think I'd ever have the energy for that big a group LOL. Sorry you're feeling wiped out but it's no wonder. I think spending time with a few close families sounds like a great idea. What is a progressive dinner, is it planned what everyone will bring rather than potluck
Kathe

 

[lillygator]

for those who frequent DL...are Chip and Dale's Treehouse and Goofy's playhouse worth seeing or are they skipable? Also, is Tarzan's Treehouse the same as the Robinson?

 

[lillygator]

gosh Lisa....50 is my limit...that was bad enough!! 150 yikes!!!

 

[lillygator]

John is getting off work soon and he'll be going to work out. I am not leaving until 5:30 as I didn't get here until almost 9!
I am going to have the girls pick what they will be wearing for tomorrow and lay it out tonight so there is no arguements in the morning regarding clothes.