May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[Mousermom]

The photos look great, Karen!!!!

Add another brunette to the group, too!!!

I just dyed my hair about a week ago to get all the premature GREY out of it!!!

I have this horrible skunk line at the top of my head wth grey hair and I hate it!!!

I mean, I'm only 34...I should look it, dont'cha think?

Anyway, next week DH and I are going to the Pocono Mountains for the weekend. One of those cheesy places with the pool in the room and all that.

I really need two days to decompress. We are renting the house we are in right now and the owner just got in a car accident. He called and said he'll be laid up for a few months and, since he's self-employed, he'll have to sell the house to have some money. We just moved here a year ago and I hate the thoughts of having to pack up and move all over again.

Also, I hate to say this, but the Archdiocese of Philadelphia should shorten the summer vacation. DS is getting "bored". He has all this summr reading to do and he just won't do it. He said he'll "forget" everything by the time school starts. It's very frustrating...especially when you're paying over $3000.00 for a catholic education. I don't even want to think about when he gets to hight school...in two short years!!!

Guess that's why I have the grey hair!!!!!

Anyway, that's my rant for the week.

Hope everybody has a good weekend!!!

MB

 

[branv]

I guess I am the only natural blonde on the ship this time!

Ok..ok...sort of.

And by "sort of," I mean...kind of.

OK, ALRIGHT, you got me! I am a natural blonde...or at least I was before I started dying my hair a MORE natural blonde. Let's just say that not all natural blondes are bright and shiny. Nope...there is a reason they call it dishwater blonde. Dull dull dull as dirt. I've been L'Oreal "Golden Blonde" since 11th grade. I think that's a long enough dedication to just go with "natural blonde," don't you? If they discontinue that product I am so scr..errr...in trouble. I did try to grow my hair out once to see if I'd finally lapsed into brunette, but apparently I am still that same old yechy blechy dirty water color. Vive la L'Oreal!

Though these days I'm thinking about going RED. And by these days I mean I've been thinking about it for ten years but I'm too scared I'll end up looking like a fat raspberry.

Alecsmom - "little souvenir"...that's hilarious! I loved that commercial too, I wish they'd bring it back. We're still hugely on the fence about children. I keep waiting for that moment of revelation (and no not that false one you get when you see the little infant dresses at Target). I've just never been gooshy about children...though I love love babies, before cooing and fussing turn into "NO!" and "Mine!" Enjoyed my nieces, but they are just DEVILS!! There I said it! I was both sad and relieved to hand them back to their mom. Can you believe one spit her partially chewed red gum out on my beautiful club chair and I only found it after I pushed the ottoman away from it and saw goo hanging down? (Stupid Aunt Brandi for letting her have a tiny piece of bubble gum to start with, right?) I think I simply hadn't finely tuned my look of death. Though I truly doubt these children fear anything. All I can say is that if ALL children are like this, noooo thank you Though I do know my sister, and I can see where my nieces might be a little...errr.. more "special" than your average child I'm starting to get why I hear parents say so often, "I love my children, it's other people's children I can't stand"

Mousermom - I just heard someone talking about how with the later start so many schools are taking, the kids aren't even taking their mid-year finals until AFTER Christmas break! Oh sure, of course they remember everything after 2 weeks off!

So sorry about your troubles with the house Twice in my life I've had to turn around and move again after 2 months or so (job relo's) so I know how awful it is to barely get unpacked before you have to start over. Hopefully your landlord will change his mind or you will find an even better place.

P.S. If I had my druthers (i.e. if I won the lottery) I'd spend summer in Banff and winters in N. California. What a hard life that would be.

 

[CustardTart]

Hey guys! Giving us a *bump* as we were at the bottom of page 2!!!!

Hope you're all doing OK. I'm not feeling too brilliant at the mo - got some stupid cough/headcold that's giving me grief! So I'm sitting on the sofa with my laptop and the DIS for company...

 

[branv]

Hope you're all doing OK. I'm not feeling too brilliant at the mo - got some stupid cough/headcold that's giving me grief! So I'm sitting on the sofa with my laptop and the DIS for company...

Hope you're feeling better today A summer cold is just the worst...sort of seems against nature Allergies are just ROTTEN around here now, but no colds going around, thank goodness. Take care of yourself - my favorite treatment is a hot bath with a cold towel on your forehead. Helps with the headache.

 

[inkkognito]

I was just poking around to see if there were any transatlantic thread updates and this one caught my eye...we will be onboard too!!!! It will actually be Disney cruise #52 for us. We did two double dip 7-days so we HAD to do this on the Wonder. May should be lovely weather for CC!

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks Brandi, I do feel a little better today - have finally stopped counting the hours to my next paracetamol fix...

Hey Barb! I'm so delighted you'll be onboard so I can thank you in person for your excellent website!

Wow cruise no. 52! That's one for every week of the year...

 

[inkkognito]

Oops, I meant #62! My brain is set in the 50s as we've been there for a while.

We're breaking out of the mold a bit next year, tho'. A month before the cruise we will be going to Disneyland on an Adventure by Disney.

I just LOVE the double dip cruises; I hope that DCL keeps them up in 2009.

 

[CustardTart]

Oops, I meant #62! My brain is set in the 50s as we've been there for a while.

This will be my 3rd - I've got a looong way to go!

...We're breaking out of the mold a bit next year, tho'. A month before the cruise we will be going to Disneyland on an Adventure by Disney...

Which one are you doing, Barb? We've had a nosey at those as we can book 'em with DVC points - we particularly like the look of the Costa Rica tour and the Californian Wine Country bike tour. Ah, so many vacations, too little time...

 

[branv]

Great googlymoogly, we've got a bonafide expert cruising with us!! YAY!!! Now what we need you to do is throw some of your frequent cruiser weight around and tell DCL to decide already about giving us a Palo brunch!

(BTW: every single time I see your monkey/quote I smile )

That's great that you're going on one of the Disney Adventures. Very exciting! Personally, on one hand I really want to see Disneyland...on the other hand I'm afraid I might go into a stupor once I see how really small that castle truly is. Sort of like the first time I saw the Alamo ("That's IT?!")

Karen - I am so glad you're feeling better. On the positive side at least this happened now instead of before or during one of those trips you have planned! Not that there really is such a thing as a convenient cold

Okay people...I just want to remind all of you that no matter how good an ice cream is, even if it is called "Brownie Overload", and even if you skipped lunch, that two bowls will cause bad bad lactosey type things in even the strongest of dairy-happy tummy's. Ummm...like mine. Ugh. Urrrrrgh.

 

[inkkognito]

Custard Tart, we're doing Backstage Magic, which includes a tour of Hollywood and some backstage experiences at DL (the main reason we're booking it). They haven't released the full itinerary, but so far I've heard that you visit Imagineering and Jim Henson Studios. Should be very cool!

Branv, I always wonder if anyone actually understands that quote. I am a total Simpsons geek, so my running joke with DH at every sailaway is, "Are we far enough out for the money knife fights yet?!"

 

[alecsmom]

Hi Barb! Welcome to our group! I'm sure we can learn a lot from you! Man I can't wait for the day when I can say "I've been on 62 cruises"......I better get hoppin'

So glad you're feeling better Karen. You know, for some reason, after a great vacation I always wind up getting sick when I get back home. What is it - all the germs in the airplane???? Yuck.

Brandi - I'm glad you made it thru the four days with the little devils. Don't feel bad, my nephews are BIG devils, but you gotta love 'em - especially cause you give them right back. (it is different with your own!)

Mary Beth - sorry to hear that you're going to have to move. Let us know how it all works out.

Everyone have a great Thursday - we are that much closer to Friday!!

 

[branv]

Since many of us have expressed interest in the martini tastings, I have a recipe to start off the liver exercises

Wonderful Tex-Mex place in Austin called Trudys (Alecsmom, ever been?) serves a famous Mexican Martini...they just bring out the whole shaker and you pour and pour and pour into a teeny little martini glasses. In the real world of martini glasses, one recipe makes about 2 medium sized martinis. They limit you to two shakers As CRAPTACULAR as August has turned out to be, I may just have to make this a regular recipe in the household.

The ingredients surprised me...but ooooh, mmmm, goooooood.

Trudy's Mexican Martini
2 ounces tequila (the best you're willing to pay for)
1 ounce Grand Marnier (we used Bauchant...just as good, but much cheaper. Or just use Triple Sec)
1 ounce orange juice
½ lime, juice of
Splash of Sprite (or any Lemon Lime soda)
Splash of olive juice
sweet and sour cocktail mix
3 green pimento-stuffed olives , for garnish

1) Pour first six ingredients into a shaker with ice.
2) Fill shaker with Sweet & Sour.
3) Shake well to mix and chill.
4) Pour into glass and garnish with olives

To be "authentic" you can salt the rim of the glass you use. Another twist is to use olives stuffed with Jalapenos. I usually stick to the regular but eat about a dozen instead of just 3

Adjust booze and sweet and sour mix to the strength or sweetness level you like best.

 

[CustardTart]

...a famous Mexican Martini...

Sounds intriguing, Branv! I'll pass it onto my DD as she's always on the lookout for a great martini recipe...

A little off topic but I just wanted to let you guys know that I've completed a pre-trip report for my upcoming September cruise - please feel free to click on the link in my sig...

And with the shameless self promotion out of the way, I'll bid you goodnight...

 

[branv]

Karen, GREAT pre-trip report! What a talented writer you are! But YOU, little Miss Tart-of-the-Custard-Variety, left out that little bit about a CAT THREE when I posted some months ago about misreading that you were in the Disney Suite. Now I have to do what I said I would do before, b/c Cat 3 is still QUITE exciting.

Here we go...are you ready for it?



There, it had to be said...or..errr...clip-art'ed.

I cannot wait to read what it was like; you must take tons of pictures!

 

[Mousermom]

Hey Ladies!!!

Hope all is well.

Karen, glad you are feeling better. I can relate to that. I have allergies and really bad headaches all the time. STRESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

WOW.....62 cruises!! This is our first cruise...gotta catch up!!!

Getting ready to go up the Poconos tommorow.

As for the move, the landlord called and gave us first option to buy the house.

We have some things to think about.

But...the next 2 days, I'm just gonna RELAX for a change. Sit in the cheesy heart-shaped jacuzzi and CHILL OUT!!!

BTW, on top of everything, DS broke his toe last night. We only spent 2 hours in the ER... not bad.

I am so tired right now. I could fall asleep right at this computer.

Talk to you when I get back.

MB

 

[alecsmom]

Brandi - never heard of Trudys but after your post I am telling DH it's time for a road trip again! (by the way are you getting bomarded by rain?? We're ready to build an ark right now...)

Karen - oh my gosh - what a wonderful report! I LOVED reading it!!! I am so envious - you all are going to have a blast!!! Full report is mandatory of course after you get back.

Mary Beth - have a wonderful trip - sometimes it's best to get away and get your mind OFF of things and when you come back you are thinking much clearer. and a heart shaped jacuzzi doesn't sound so cheesy

Have a great Friday everybody!

 

[branv]

Brandi - never heard of Trudys but after your post I am telling DH it's time for a road trip again! (by the way are you getting bomarded by rain?? We're ready to build an ark right now...)

Yeah, you should! I mean it's not like Austin is all that far from you, right I think we're going out towards Fredericksburg, etc this weekend to take the Hill Country wine tour. Not that it's all that different than the rest of the year, but you can get a few more free things at the wineries. Mandola Wineries just opened a restaurant in Driftwood (Mandola's are the family that owns Carino's) next to their winery, so..y'know..mmmmmm.

And yes, we are completely getting drowned out! Though it's good b/c we have failed to water in way too long. Got too used to mother nature doing it for us this summer

So I was thinking about you today when I saw a post about the Chip and Dale Campfire and movie at Ft. Wilderness. Have you thought about taking your little man to that? I'm really curious about it.

Ok people, I freely admit that I used above said recipe tonight and am having a curiously hard time typing. Go figure..

 

[disneyfool_1202]

I am SO bad about popping in here to keep up to date with all of my fellow cruisers (I posted ONCE)
I have just been so busy between work and the kids (I have a 4 and a 2 year old) that by the time I get here at night I'm too tired to read, never mind post.
I am glad all seems with everyone and we are s...l...o...w...l...y... getting closer to our cruise!!!

I don't even know if during my introduction I posted anything about us. So sorry- this will be DH and I's 3rd Disney cruise - we did the 4 night and then the 7 night on our honeymoon 6 yrs ago and haven't cruised since then (kids too small).

We're traveling with my mom and dad (adjoining rooms so we can slip out at night and enjoy the evening while nana watches the kids) and them 2 other couples with their kids so there will be 13 of us total. We and my mom are the only seasoned DCL cruisers and we are SO looking forward to it! It's just like no other cruise experience out there (IMO, but I haven't cruised too much).

We're DVC owners so we're following the double dip with a 5 night stay at VWL so the kids should have Mickey Mouse overload by the time we are ready to head home.

Our big delema right now is trying to decide whether or not we should purchase transfers or just rent a car for the post cruise portion of our vacation.
Everyone else has 2 way transfers included in their stay, but as DVC members it's not included for us. We'd have to do airport to port, port to hotel, and hotel to airport- which is approx $120 per person. Then once there we're at the mercy of the Disney buses- which I've done many many times, but I've never tried it with two toddlers, strollers, etc.... It makes me nervous.

If we just buy a one way transfer to the port it will cost us about $160 just for the 4 of us. We can rent a full size car for one day, drive to the port and return the bloody thing there for about $50 total. Renting a car post cruise will run us about $400. I just think it's way more convenient but my husband is having this huge issue trying to figure out how to coordinate it (must I tell him everything). I saw on Mousesavers.com that the two closest rental car companies are Budget and Thrifty so I told him we could take the shuttle to the car rental place after we dock or he can take the shuttle and I'll stay at the port with the kids and the bags.

Anyone know how early we can get off the ship and if we need to all get off together and first thing? I'm wondering if I can hang on the ship with the kids for an hour and let him get off and go get the car. It's been so many years since I've done a DCL I forget dise mbarkation procedures.

 

[CustardTart]

Hey all! TGI Friday!!!

With only 5 weeks to go until DH and I leave for Orlando, I thought I'd do this quiz to find out the truth about myself! Anyway, it turns out I am agile, matured and senseless! Now if that doesn't make me the ideal cruise mate, I don't know what does...

Can anyone else handle the truth about themselves..?

 

[branv]

Well, given it's your anniversary cruise, I'm quite certain your husband appreciates that you are not only playful and agile, but that now he can call you Bambi.

Hmmmm...thanks for the quiz link. I think.

Stubborn?? Irritable?! NEVER! Ok...maybe sometimes... It's not my fault everyone won't just accept that I know best and do exactly what I think they should.

My mom sent me a forward yesterday with one of those goofy astrology personality things. Hmmm, and yet...this is what it said about my sign:

"Extremely random and proud of it. Freak. Loves to tell great stories."

Who...me?!