May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[disneyfool_1202]

I assume everything went well, then?? I'm so sorry that you are in such pain, but I hope you'll feel better now! At least you have the trip to look forward to and focus on while you recover!

Everything went well - I guess I had some adhesions pulling my ovary way up where it shouldn't be so he 'fixed' it - so I'm in a bit more pain than I would be if it was just the gallbladder, but I've been up most of the day and walking around as much as possible. Not much appetite but that's okay. I think I'll be back to normal in a day or two.

I bought the boys new clothes also. They need them for the summer, and should not need them before we leave, so I washed them and packed them up already. Now I just need to get some things for the girls and some organizational things.

Speaking of organizational things- did anyone get one of those over the door shoe organizers and do you find them helpful? This is our first cruise with more than DH and I (our kids are 2 and 4) so I'm anticipating needing a lot more 'little' things and want to try and keep things as neat as possible. I haven't been able to find one and I saw something similar that hooked into a closet but it was over $10. Where should I look and how much should I expect to spend?

 

[momof4ngls]

Speaking of organizational things- did anyone get one of those over the door shoe organizers and do you find them helpful? This is our first cruise with more than DH and I (our kids are 2 and 4) so I'm anticipating needing a lot more 'little' things and want to try and keep things as neat as possible. I haven't been able to find one and I saw something similar that hooked into a closet but it was over $10. Where should I look and how much should I expect to spend?

So glad for the good report! I hope the pain eases quickly and you are indeed back to your normal schedule quickly.

My husband and I use an over the door shoe organizer at home. We keep it on the bedroom side of the bathroom door and DH keeps socks and undies in it. We don't have a lot of space, so that really works out well for us. I've also used one when staying with my mother while pregnant (DH is in the military and was deployed). My two daughters, son, and I were all cramped into two bedrooms for about 6 months, with all our stuff and the coming baby's. I kept all kinds of things in the shoe holder I used there: brush, curling iron, hair clips, nail clippers, socks, makeup, etc. It kept my bedroom from getting too cluttered with both boys' things and mine. I found the shoe organizers at Walmart, but I really don't remember how much they cost. I have heard that you can sometimes find them at the dollar store, though.

I DID find some magnetic hooks and clips at Target last night. I think they were $3 for 4. I don't know how strong they are, though, so I don't know how much weight they'd hold.

I'm also going to find either an over the door laundry bag or a pop-up one for each stateroom, I think. The boys' outfits are all in individual bags, so we'll just put the dirty clothes back in those bags for packing. I've made labels with their names and a picture of each of them, so they know which bags hold which boy's clothes. I also made a sheet of labels that says "DIRTY" so we can put that on each bag after they've worn the outfit. It really cut down on the suitcase space used, since they can be kind of compacted. It should make it quick for them to get dressed each day also. I'd do that with everybody's outfits, but I can only find 1 gallon bags and those are just too small for our clothes. LOL

 

[branv]

I also went and got them shoes yesterday morning before I went into surgery (I had my gallbladder out around 3pm).

OK - time for more Percocet to get through the evening!!

Hope you're feeling better today! I'm amazed at how many people I know who've had gallbladders removed. I remember when my sister had her gallbladder taken out, she often waxed poetic about her pain meds. Or as she said, "wow, I can see why so many soccer moms get hooked on this stuff"

Congrats on the weightloss btw. It's hardly an easy out. I've looked into it (lets just say my thighs are at maximum density ) and there is nothing easy about the whole thing. For pete's sake, it seems like you are required to practically eat air only for weeks at first. Yikes!

Yesterday was my birthday also, but we didn't celebrate in the same way. I did hope to try a Kir Royale, but couldn't find any Creme de Cassis. DH took me out to our favorite Vietnamese restaurant; he got something new, but I got my favorite and we both enjoyed every bite! Then we went to buy stuff for the cruise. LOL New socks for everybody and undies for the 4 year old. I'm already packing up their outfits in Ziploc bags, and thought he needed new undies to go with his new outfits. We also found watersocks for everybody, so that's another mark off my checklist. I know everybody swears by Crocs, but I just can't do it.

Got word from Make a Wish today... they were able to get our four year old on the dolphin excursion with his sisters and dad (four year old is THRILLED), and they got us reservations for brunch! WOOHOO!!! Question about brunch... Our reservation is at 10:00, how long does the meal tend to take? I need to reserve babysitting.

Well a HAPPY BIRTHDAY (belated) to you as well! How funny that you share a bday! It seems to be a common theme on here! If you read back in the early post, many of us are June babies, and Yvonne's son and Karen's daughter share a bday! Very funny!

Sorry you couldn't find any C d' C! But that will just make you look forward to the cruise even more That and you just HAVE to have a B&BB (Baileys Banana Colada). OMG! Despite their girly status, even DH loved them, and he's a red-wine/scotch/whiskey kinda guy. One drink and suddenly there goes the budget, Oy!

I am just going to have to forgive you for your anti-Croc status, though it is difficult. But have you seen the new deck shoes they're coming out with? Very cute, and canvas uppers...i.e. no clown shoes. I'm verrrrry tempted. If they release them for sale before cruise, well..they ARE deck shoes http://shop.crocs.com/pc-818-4-sant...=41p&subsectionname=footwear&section=products

And congrats about the dolphin excursion and brunch! It's just all coming together! I think we took less than an hour at brunch, but we're not really dining lingerers. It is a little harder this time knowing that we've got a CC beach to get to!

Oh dear, Brandi!!! Hope you're back in bed now and sleeping off the effects of your decadent dining experience - it's a bit like the DDE but you don't get 20% less hung over!!!

Too funny! I think I've forgiven the Kir. I might give it a pleasant nod as I pass, but not yet ready to resume our more intimate relationship.

Speaking of organizational things- did anyone get one of those over the door shoe organizers and do you find them helpful? This is our first cruise with more than DH and I (our kids are 2 and 4) so I'm anticipating needing a lot more 'little' things and want to try and keep things as neat as possible. I haven't been able to find one and I saw something similar that hooked into a closet but it was over $10. Where should I look and how much should I expect to spend?

We didn't use ours, but like you said, we're sans kiddos, so I can only imagine how necessary the storage gets with more than 2 people. I bought mine at a dollar store. That way I had no problem leaving it behind and freeing up packing space (minimum, but man we could use every bit by the end of the trip!)

 

[momof4ngls]

Well, my newly discovered Disney obsession has now spread to my hubby. We have set meal schedules to make menu planning easier and to help with the budget. On Mondays we always have burgers or hot dogs to go with the chili we have left over from Saturdays, etc. Well, DH made a trip to Safeway yesterday for last minute basket fillers and returned with MICKEY BURGERS for tomorrow night!!! I've never even SEEN these before!!! He's definitely crossed to the dark side.

 

[momof4ngls]

I am just going to have to forgive you for your anti-Croc status, though it is difficult. But have you seen the new deck shoes they're coming out with? Very cute, and canvas uppers...i.e. no clown shoes. I'm verrrrry tempted. If they release them for sale before cruise, well..they ARE deck shoes http://shop.crocs.com/pc-818-4-sant...=41p&subsectionname=footwear&section=products

And congrats about the dolphin excursion and brunch! It's just all coming together! I think we took less than an hour at brunch, but we're not really dining lingerers. It is a little harder this time knowing that we've got a CC beach to get to!

Thank you for the birthday wishes! I had a good day, really. A friend brought her daughter over for my girls to babysit and she brought me some tulips and a candle for my birthday. Then DH came home with a sweet card that made me cry (he normally gets dorky funny cards that make me smack my forehead in frustration) and Easter Lillies!! I LOVE lillies! Actually, lillies are my fave flower, but tulips are my second fave, so I was really spoiled in the flower department Friday!

Yeah, I'm just not a croc person, I guess. I TRIED to be one, but I just couldn't get past paying that much for a shoe that I really don't like. LOL Those deck shoes are pretty cute, though!!!

 

[disneyfool_1202]

Hope you're feeling better today! I'm amazed at how many people I know who've had gallbladders removed. I remember when my sister had her gallbladder taken out, she often waxed poetic about her pain meds. Or as she said, "wow, I can see why so many soccer moms get hooked on this stuff"

Yup- I can see that too! The's be very addicting if they weren't so damn constipating! I'm so bloated I looke like a starving child from a 3rd world country.

Congrats on the weightloss btw. It's hardly an easy out. I've looked into it (lets just say my thighs are at maximum density ) and there is nothing easy about the whole thing. For pete's sake, it seems like you are required to practically eat air only for weeks at first. Yikes!

Well not exactly air but close too it! I'm considered a "success" story (kudos for me!) so if you have any questions about or or want the real deal, just PM me. And I totally understand "maximum density" (which is a fantastic way to put it - I wish I'd thought of that!!).

OK - hubby is home today so I'm getting him to drive me to the mall so I can walk off some of this abdominal gas (why they have to put gas in there during surgery is just cruel) and find him a new bathing suit for our trip. I find if I do one little thing every few days for our cruise it keeps me satisfied!!

I start my new job next week so I know those last 4-5 weeks are going to just FLY!!!!

The big 'decision discussion' this week is whether or not to prepurchase our photopass CD. I'm also still working on the PPP (convincing DH).

 

[CustardTart]

Melissa, belated birthday wishes...

 

[CustardTart]

...Got word from Make a Wish today... they were able to get our four year old on the dolphin excursion with his sisters and dad (four year old is THRILLED), and they got us reservations for brunch! WOOHOO!!! Question about brunch... Our reservation is at 10:00, how long does the meal tend to take? I need to reserve babysitting...

Great news! It's going to be a fab cruise for you all!!! When we did the brunch, I think we spent a leisurely 1.5 hours in Palo's - you could be much quicker tho', methinks...

 

[CustardTart]

...Am I the only one who has started packing?

DH retrieved the luggage from the attic today and sorted out his vacation clothes for Barbados. Tomorrow I shall examine what cruisin' couture delights I have hidden in my closet before making the usual mercy dash to the local mall!!! Then I plan to simply wash and re-pack my vacation clothes upon returning from the Caribbean in readiness for WDW/DCL in May. For once in my life, I shall be super-organised!!!

 

[CustardTart]

Everything went well - I guess I had some adhesions pulling my ovary way up where it shouldn't be so he 'fixed' it - so I'm in a bit more pain than I would be if it was just the gallbladder, but I've been up most of the day and walking around as much as possible. Not much appetite but that's okay. I think I'll be back to normal in a day or two...

Excellent news, Denise!!!

 

[CustardTart]

Well, my newly discovered Disney obsession has now spread to my hubby. We have set meal schedules to make menu planning easier and to help with the budget. On Mondays we always have burgers or hot dogs to go with the chili we have left over from Saturdays, etc. Well, DH made a trip to Safeway yesterday for last minute basket fillers and returned with MICKEY BURGERS for tomorrow night!!! I've never even SEEN these before!!! He's definitely crossed to the dark side.

Good man!!!

 

[CustardTart]

...If you read back in the early post, many of us are June babies, and Yvonne's son and Karen's daughter share a bday!

I've decided that this cruise will be my unofficial birthday celebration - I'm going to be 45 in June so I think that's a good enough reason to need a celebratory cake and free-flowing champagne!!!

 

[CustardTart]

Hope all my fellow Double Dippers are having a good day!!!

DD Sophie and her boyfriend Dr Joe came over for Easter Sunday lunch yesterday and we had a Wonderful time talking over our cruising plans - she is blithely unaware of a couple of treats I've got stuffed up my sleeve and I cannot wait to see her face when all becomes clear in the not-too-distant-future - she's a very special girl and I love surprising her...

Any more thoughts about the fish extender thingy?

 

[momof4ngls]

Any more thoughts about the fish extender thingy?

I haven't heard from anybody, but I got fabric to make my fish extenders. We have two staterooms, so I figure we need two FEs, right??

So, anybody interested in the FE gift exchange (just something small, not huge and expensive) please pm me with as much info as you feel okay sharing with the others who decide to participate. I will definitely need stateroom number, but if you want to share names/ages of those in your stateroom, that is great too.

Do you all want to do a theme for the gifts, such as something specific to where each of us lives? Any other ideas?

 

[wwoodles]

I have been booked for only a month, but have wanted to take a disney cruise FOREVER. We are going to be double dipping on the May 11th Disney Wonder. I wanted to first introduce myself and family. I also was motivated to sign up today when you started mentioning Fish Extenders. I wanna take part. Sounds so fun. Im Wendy and I am married to Mike and have 2 lil ones 2 sons 4 and 3. Let me know how I can participate in FExtender thing. Even if its a small group it will be a cute thing. I can't wait. I do things spur of the moment so I don't have to wait as long for them. Can't wait and talk/type to yall soon. Wendy

 

[momof4ngls]

I have been booked for only a month, but have wanted to take a disney cruise FOREVER. We are going to be double dipping on the May 11th Disney Wonder. I wanted to first introduce myself and family. I also was motivated to sign up today when you started mentioning Fish Extenders. I wanna take part. Sounds so fun. Im Wendy and I am married to Mike and have 2 lil ones 2 sons 4 and 3. Let me know how I can participate in FExtender thing. Even if its a small group it will be a cute thing. I can't wait. I do things spur of the moment so I don't have to wait as long for them. Can't wait and talk/type to yall soon. Wendy

Welcome, Wendy!! I'm going to make up a list of all who want to participate, as well as their stateroom #s and any other info they want to share, and then I'll pm that to everybody before the cruise. If you want to send me your email addy as well, then I can email the info as well. So, just pm your info to me, and I'll get you added. If you have any ideas about a theme you'd like the group to consider, or anything having to do with the FEs, please feel free to share. I've never done this before, haven't even been on a Disney Cruise, so I am kind of feeling my way around with this. LOL

 

[CustardTart]

I have been booked for only a month, but have wanted to take a disney cruise FOREVER. We are going to be double dipping on the May 11th Disney Wonder. I wanted to first introduce myself and family. I also was motivated to sign up today when you started mentioning Fish Extenders. I wanna take part. Sounds so fun. Im Wendy and I am married to Mike and have 2 lil ones 2 sons 4 and 3. Let me know how I can participate in FExtender thing. Even if its a small group it will be a cute thing. I can't wait. I do things spur of the moment so I don't have to wait as long for them. Can't wait and talk/type to yall soon. Wendy

aboard Wendy and family!!!

I'll add details of your little ones to the first post...

 

[momof4ngls]

Melissa, belated birthday wishes...

Thank you so much!!

 

[CustardTart]

Thank you so much!!

You're very welcome!

I'm still puzzling over the exchange - I know, I know, someone just put me in a dark corner!! Is it only for children?? I'm travelling with my DD but she's 25 so hardly a little 'un!!! Or is it per stateroom???

 

[momof4ngls]

You're very welcome!

I'm still puzzling over the exchange - I know, I know, someone just put me in a dark corner!! Is it only for children?? I'm travelling with my DD but she's 25 so hardly a little 'un!!! Or is it per stateroom???

My thinking is: Definitely not just for children! It will be up to the giver if gifts are left for each person in the stateroom or just for the stateroom as a whole. Small gifts, like figurines or magnets, maybe... Maybe something the gifter wants to make... in reading threads about this, I've seen all kinds of gifts, limited only by the imagination (and perhaps budget) of the person giving the gift. Cruises are expensive enough, I'd not want this to be a strain on anybody's pocketbook. Just a little fun thing, to come back to your stateroom and find a note or a small surprise in the FE.

I feel odd because I haven't done this before, so I feel like I'm going into it a bit blind. SO, if anybody has any ideas for guidelines they'd like, etc., please share.