~~~ May 16, 2009 ~~~ Western Magic ~~~

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

OK, so don't expect too much as I am the most un-artistic person on earth . . . but I had a go at a countdown today!! Didn't want to spend any money, so did it at work with their printers and paper - was on the internet all day looking for pictures of Mickey heads, I am such a good employee!! The heads all have numbers on, and as they are peeled off they will reveal the message underneath "Sonya and Tony fly to Florida today!". I officially made it for Tony, but I am far more excited than he is!!!!

 

[SpeedFigure]

HI Everyone..
First Off....I'm pretty sure Belinda is ok. She sent me a virtual Cupcake for my birthday on Tuesday. haha
Second, I paid you Amanda for my bracelets, but didn't look at the boards first. SORRY!! So I didn't add my name in the notes- OOPS! or add onto my total for the fees!! It came to $2.50. If you want to resend me the invoice, I can pay you some more to cover everything!!!

WOOO HOOOO!!!! 6 weeks!!!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Ok here it is!!!
Homemade Oreo Cookies

Cookies:
2 boxes of Devils Food Cake
4 large Eggs
1 1/2 cup Butter Shortening
(Batter will be greasy looking)

Bake at 350 degrees for 9 mins (or until tops crack) on an ungreased cookie sheet. They are better if they are SOFT so don't over bake.

Cool completely

Cream:
8 oz. plain Cream Cheese
1/2 cup butter (soft not melted)
3 1/2 cups Powered Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

ENJOY!!!! I can eat ALL of them in one sitting...and now I have to resist making them. haha

That photo looks utterly superb. Sadly (and at the risk of sounding bitter) devils food cake is something else we can't get over here ! Something else to add to my Walmart shopping list . . . we bring a whole suitcase home of food each year. Speaking of which - do you think it will be OK to leave the food in the trunk of the hire car while we are cruising rather than dragging it on board, or will it go a bit funny?

Well believe it or not I actually work out alot! (You wouldn't believe it when you look at my pics). I say that at least I'm "heart healthy". Here's my weekly workout routine:
Sunday- 20 minutes cardio with 45-60 minutes of weights
Monday- 60 minutes elliptical or stepper
Tuesday- 30 minutes cardio with 45 minute Zumba class
Wednesday- 60 minute kickboxing class
Thurdsday- 30 minutes cardio with 45 minute Zumba class
Friday- 60 minutes elliptical or stepper
Saturday- 60 minute Zumba class

You do some serious exercise! I do 45 minutes 6 times a week and thought that was quite good, but now I feel lazy!

Sonya -- I have a ton of muscle but unfortunately -- still have all the fat surrounding it . No seriously -- my trainer called me a "Powerhouse" on Monday while we were doing the circuits -- I was thinking ummm....do you really think a gal wants to be called a Powerhouse? hmmmmm....I would much rather go for dainty or delicate or petite but alas, I am just not a petite type of girl!

Yoni has the nice lean Finnish build. He has always said "Now how sexy are two bony people together -- seriously. Someone needs some curves!". Gotta love the man!

Me THREE!!! I have lifted weights all of my life and have SOLID tree trunks, errr, mean legs. Ah -- to only have legs like Kathy's!!!!
!

Yoni sounds absolutely lovely!! I am going to waddle up to him after 3 weeks of serious eating and just wait for a compliment!!!!

Powerhouse . . . bless you!!!

Have a lovely time in VIVA LAS VEGAS!

Kathy . . . you need to be wearing hot pants when we all meet up to show those beauties off!!!!!

Drum roll please...............

6 Weeks
Until We Take The West



Is it time to start packing yet??????​

Holy cow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And no! I can't park until we have been away for Easter as I need the suitcase You all have to wait for me before you start!!

Below is the proof they just emailed me.... what do you all think?



They should look like this (without the color filled wording). Ours is just de-bossed.
[/IMG][/URL]

I LOVE it! Going to pay you right now, thanks so much for doing this.

Whew! I'm officially PIF with Amanda for the wristbands! Boy, that was hard on the pocketbook! I was hoping I wasn't going to have to ask her to accept three monthly payments of $1.6833333...

:

Tammy,
I was starting to feel like a nut.... I have been packed for at least a week... I am now adding things like hair accessories, jewelry, bonine, sun block, kites, pales... I just don't want to forget anything.
:

Oh what hair accessories?! Fancy glitzy stuff for formal night? I was wondering, if i book to get my hair done that night will they have nice sparkly clips and stuff to put in it, or do I need to bring my own?! I kind of want to wear my wedding tiara, but feel that may be a bit over the top

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

Also... I got up the nerve to get the paint chips from Home Depot
I am working on my countdown calendar....

Did you think they would kick you out for taking too many FREE paint chips?!?! Just kidding!! I, too, was nervous the first time I walked up and grabbed about 20 LGMH!

OK, so don't expect too much as I am the most un-artistic person on earth . . . but I had a go at a countdown today!!

Looks GREAT!!! And FREE...even better!!!

do you think it will be OK to leave the food in the trunk of the hire car while we are cruising rather than dragging it on board, or will it go a bit funny?

I read somewhere (either here or PassPorter) that there might be problems with ants if you have food in a car parked at the port!! Will you have any time to make the stop between the cruise and your flight?

I kind of want to wear my wedding tiara, but feel that may be a bit over the top

GO FOR IT!!! If little girls can wear them with their princess dresses, why not?!?!

 

[mother_hen]

Amanda, thanks so much for doing the wristbands! They look terrific!
I've sent you $ via paypal.

Sonya, your countdown looks so cute! Love the peel-off Mickey heads!

Mati, sorry about the run of bad luck. The state troopers must be out in full force. Ugh!
Have fun in Vegas

Homemade Oreos: good grief! those look sinfully delicious!

Packing: We have a spare bedroom that I've designated the "packing room!" LOL! I've been throwing things in there all month. My DH thinks I've lost my mind, but he'll thank me later I am wayyyyy too excited about the cruise!

Has anyone tried the Bonine thing? I think we are going to give it a try one day before the trip to see if it makes us sleepy. I so do not want to get seasick on this cruise I was reading a trip report where the mom of the group said they took Bonine every morning as a preventative and it seemed to work?!

 

[Marcy Mouse]

OK, I know it is still too early, but I can't stop myself from checking every day to see if my GTY has been changed to a real cabin assignment. Along the same lines, although I know I have to wait now till I get onboard, I also am regularly checking Palo for an opening at Brunch. Obsessiveness is not pretty.

I'm waiting two. I wait with you!!

 

[shasess]

Shawan,
You are a great conversation starter, but I know there is no way you need any workout tips... you look awesome.
I have been working out since February for the cruise... last night I took a hip hop class at Lifetime Fitness.. it was fun but tiring which is GOOD.
I am still not where I want to be.... I am so not ready to put on a swimsuit..
:

Thank you!!!! I really want to join in on one of the classes offered at my gym. One of my friends keeps asking me to join her in her spinning class but I'm not so sure I can handle that yet. It looks intense !!!!!

OK, so don't expect too much as I am the most un-artistic person on earth . . . but I had a go at a countdown today!! Didn't want to spend any money, so did it at work with their printers and paper - was on the internet all day looking for pictures of Mickey heads, I am such a good employee!! The heads all have numbers on, and as they are peeled off they will reveal the message underneath "Sonya and Tony fly to Florida today!". I officially made it for Tony, but I am far more excited than he is!!!!

That's really cute! I love it!

Has anyone tried the Bonine thing? I think we are going to give it a try one day before the trip to see if it makes us sleepy. I so do not want to get seasick on this cruise I was reading a trip report where the mom of the group said they took Bonine every morning as a preventative and it seemed to work?!

I took the generic form of Bonine which is Meclizine during our cruise last May. I took it as a precautionary measure because I tend to experience motion sickness pretty easily on the ground so I can only imagine that it would be pretty bad on the ship. I started taking it on the plane ride over to Florida the morning of our cruise and I took it everyday until the cruise was over. I never felt any drowsiness but I'm sure it affects everyone differently. I purchased the Meclizine at Costco.

 

[Disgirl83]

Your workout schedule makes me tired. I can barely squeeze in 3-4 workouts a week and that is in between dropping the kids at school and work. I need to hook up with you on the boat to make sure I get at least a few workouts in!

Thank you, that soo nice of you to say! I would like as many workout buddies beacuse usually I would never work out on vacation!!!

OK, so don't expect too much as I am the most un-artistic person on earth . . . but I had a go at a countdown today!!

Very nice!

Has anyone tried the Bonine thing?

I've bought a pack but haven't tried any. We usually don't get motion sick but after deep sea fishing last year and being soo sea sick we don't want to take any chances! I've heard good reviews on Bonnie and I've not had the best of luck with dramamine.

Amanda- I also sent your paypal funds before I read everything on here, but if you will send me an invoice I'll be more than happy to pay the difference! Thanks!

 

[DevinDemi2]

Val,

I don't know what I was thinking home depot would do to me. I am such a rule follower and I know my face was red from the moment I walked in until I grabbed the paint chips.... I was so proud of myself afterwards

Sonya,

The hair accessories are for my 3 year old.... She has to have the matching bows with her little outfits. I put all of her complete outfits in ziploc bags, now I am adding her bows for her outfits... I just want to make this trip as relaxing as possible... Last time I felt like I was always searching for something
I planned on bringing some hair pins for myself for formal night..I don't think the hair stylist will have cute clips but I don't know for sure. I would suggest bringing them with you.
I would say wear the tiara.. If ever there was a time to be a princess THIS IS IT!!!

I love the countdown calender.... so cute

 

[mother_hen]

I took the generic form of Bonine which is Meclizine during our cruise last May. I took it as a precautionary measure because I tend to experience motion sickness pretty easily on the ground so I can only imagine that it would be pretty bad on the ship. I started taking it on the plane ride over to Florida the morning of our cruise and I took it everyday until the cruise was over. I never felt any drowsiness but I'm sure it affects everyone differently. I purchased the Meclizine at Costco.

that's great to hear! thanks for letting me know.
i had tried Dramamine once, but i was sleepy and still seasick
hoping the Bonine will be better - and it looks like it will! YAY!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

I am such a rule follower

ME, TOO!! It almost seemed like "stealing" since I wasn't actually picking out paint!! But every time we're in there anyway, my boys take their favorite colors anyway...and then they just get tossed when we get home. At least the LGMH have a purpose!!

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

For motion sickness--I think I'm going to bring along the MotionEaze that I mentioned last week (topical oil that is applied behind the ears), but the health center on deck 1 has a bucket full of FREE motion sickness meds right outside the door. I had read in PassPorter last time that it was generic Dramamine (dimenhydrinate--safe for kids), but it ended up being generic Bonine (meclizine). I didn't realize it was meclizine until after I gave it to the boys (wasn't the right dose for children!). So if anyone goes there to get some, make sure you give the right dose to your kids!

Maybe someone on the main board that has cruised recently can tell us which med they have so if it's the one that works for you, then you don't have to bring your own. It's free!! (Or more like "included" in the price of the cruise!)

 

[lucyddr]

Amanda: I know I need to pay via Paypal, but I didn't get the invoice yet. I did send an email, but please let me know if you didn't receive it and I'll send it again. I feel confident I can handle this payment! Thanks for the work you've done in this!

All of you "work-out" folks rock! I'm amazed at your dedication and may even be getting a little interested in doing more after seeing how good you all are! (For those who don't know....I'm NOT a work-our person though certainly need to be!)

I'm also doing the "spare bedroom" packing routine! I discovered that when I re-ordered my smaller sized LandsEnd swimsuits, I ordered the same pattern in two styles (which is not what I intended to do). So...I ordered the correct top today. Then...all I need is some new shorts and I'm good to go!

 

[texfinn]

All --- heard from Belinda. She is ok, just not in a happy place right now due to some family things. Sure she will be back on the boards soon and is looking forward to her vacation. Keep sending happy thoughts her way!

Now off to go pack!!!!

 

[lillygator]

can you send to my email? gatorlilly@msn.com

thanks! (the invoice)

 

[Hudson5&Lennon3]

All --- heard from Belinda. She is ok, just not in a happy place right now due to some family things. Sure she will be back on the boards soon and is looking forward to her vacation. Keep sending happy thoughts her way!

Thinking of you, Belinda, and hoping things turn around for you soon.

Mati, thanks for keeping us updated.

 

[2_Eagle_Mom]

paypal is fine...

I'll have Jim do the payment tonight! They look fantastic. I'll be bringing along some sharpie markers, bet we could fill in the lettering if we are really careful.

OK, so don't expect too much as I am the most un-artistic person on earth . . . but I had a go at a countdown today!! Didn't want to spend any money, so did it at work with their printers and paper - was on the internet all day looking for pictures of Mickey heads, I am such a good employee!! The heads all have numbers on, and as they are peeled off they will reveal the message underneath "Sonya and Tony fly to Florida today!". I officially made it for Tony, but I am far more excited than he is!!!!

I love it! I'm going to pass my countdown calendar duties to Brendan and his GF Charlotte (maybe even our niece Sarah) all of them are WAY more artistic than I am and we will seeing them all this weekend!

I haven't officially started packing, but I do have a collection spot (and a really long list).

I still have to work on the FE pouch, but need to have Charlotte do some artwork for me and get a printer that connects to my computer. Sigh....

It's suppose to be a chilly (ok in the high 60s but thats chilly for us) this weekend. We're going to my moms to do yard work tomorrow. Weeds are just choking her yard. Then on Sunday its off to a BBQ with Jim's Brother and Sister.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

J

 

[mariermac]

macdonald family

mom and dad first time cruisers from florida
bill and mary and 2 dd from mass
ken and michelle and 3 dd from arkansas

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

macdonald family

mom and dad first time cruisers from florida
bill and mary and 2 dd from mass
ken and michelle and 3 dd from arkansas

Welcome to the cruise!!

 

[tsarina13]

I wasn't bothered by motion sickness when I was younger, but old age has done me in! I'm not too worried on the ship for myself (i'm not consistent with it and big ships are different than little 6 person fishing boats), but my niece has always battled motion sickness.

Our medicinal arsenal:

Dramamine, Bonine, Sea Sickness Wristband, Lipton Ginger Twist teabags, ginger hard candies, and candied ginger. I also intend to get a ginger aromatherapy oil.

I've heard that the trick is to take this stuff before you start to feel queasy. Once you feel queasy it's hard to get back to normal.

I think we'll all take something to start off with and then hope we get our sealegs by the next day.

I looked into getting the prescription patch for my niece, but a lot of people have terrible problems AFTER they remove the patch. So I thought we'd go with the more OTC stuff.