May 4, 2008 4 Day--- Official Cruise Meet--- Anyone out there???

[CSwan1]

Thanks for all the warm wishes everyone Everything happened so fast I'm still kinda in shock. Last Monday is when I had the ultrasound and they discovered the cyst and the other 'unusual spot'. Friday they called to tell me I would definately need surgery and Monday they called to set up the surgery....for Tuesday. Once they started the surgery, they realized the cyst had actually ruptured and the other spot was endometrosis. So.... they burned the endometrosis as much as possiable to stop the growth and will recheck it soon. They were able to get the cyst out, though. This was my very first surgery so I was very nervous. And to top it all of, we got another 12 inches of snow yesterday! It took us 1 hour and 45 minutes to get home and normally it takes 35 minutes. You know what they say,when it rains.... Mindy I wish Ihad some of your creativity! I bought a dress for my DD for formal night (no sewing for this girl)! I don't know if any ofyou have checked lately but Disney shopping.com has quite a bit of stuff in their outlet. I ordered Pirates shirts for DH and me (DD has a costume). I can not believe how closeit is getting!!

 

[mindy327]

Glad to know you are okay. I only think I pretend to have creativity. Its all about patters in my mind. If I think of it and how it goes I can make it, but to follow a sewing pattern!!!! Forget it.
Our family is going ALL OUT for pirate night. We did a pirate sewing and craft party to make our hair pieces, belts, Pirate jewerly, etc. I bought a pair of boots at Savers for 5$ to complete the ensemble! DH Brandon, has these funny pants (like balloon pants) but hes all up for it. Again, he is just as much as a Disney person as I am! DS has a Jack Sparrow costume and DD is going as a girly captains pirate. We were going to go as the "Peter Pan Characters". Us against the pirates. We even bought all of the Peter costumes. Wendy, Michael, John, Tink etc. I dunno, perhaps we'll take the kids' costumes to "play in".
We got our ticket issue fixed! our TA gave us extra days after all. Not just a 4 day pass. I wish we could stay longer but duty call. DH and I own 3 financial service offices and a lot of people need us back home. Its good to being a business owner and bad. So that is why we take very very frequent trips to Disneyland. Its a 5 hour drive for the weekend! Its our home away from home. Wish we lived closer to Florida though.

 

[CSwan1]

Just thought I would post some photos of what I have been up to lately.... recovering from surgery and laying around just isn't my thing! I am so ready to go back to work!


Here is one of our 3 fish extenders. Remember, I have no sewing skill so it was all done with that iron on stuff. The other 2 are almost done but very similar. All the pockets are different colors and we each have a different character on our pocket.

Here is our Disney trip count down that we have on our fridge. DD and I used the Mickey heads from Home Depot to trace and cut out 1 Mickey head for every day we have left before we go. DD loves getting up and taking down 1 head every day! 61 days left today!

This is outside my house this morning! The snow just wont stop... another 5 inches last night! We will probably still have snow in the yard when we leave in May!

 

[Frequent Flyer]

Crystal, glad to hear you are on the mend.

Two months to go!!! It's been a little hard to get ready. We have a trip next week to Washington state. My husband has a conference there and DD and I are tagging along. We're planning to drive over to Idaho and Montana as well. So, with that trip coming up, I can't quite put all my focus on the cruise. But I have been doing some things here and there. I bought an outfit for the cruise today and I finished my door signs. I just need to print them out. We still need to get outfits for pirate night. Our friends and fellow DISers Brack and Annette gave us some things last week as well. Thanks guys!! Emilie already wore her Jack Sparrow shirt. She couldn't wait until May!!

Hope everyone is doing well. Happy packing!!

 

[mindy327]

Crystal, glad to hear you are on the mend.

We have a trip next week to Washington state. My husband has a conference there and DD and I are tagging along. We're planning to drive over to Idaho and Montana as well. QUOTE]

WOW! Sounds like fun! DH is from Montana (Missoula). Family says its REALLY cold there right now. 2 feet of snow on the ground in the valley. Mountains are covered. Im from Arizona, so snow is really something I dont do well with. Infact, I have never driven in snow before. Personally that is. Its about an average 72 right now and lovin it. I just layed out yesterday to work on a tan. Although from Arizona, I have some stark white legs right now. Winter skin I guess. Crystal, what are you talking about!!! Your fish extender is awesome!! What a cool idea. Do they all look like that? Just counting down the days now. Its coming soon.

 

[Frequent Flyer]

WOW! Sounds like fun! DH is from Montana (Missoula). Family says its REALLY cold there right now. 2 feet of snow on the ground in the valley. Mountains are covered.

We will probably go to Missoula!! We are staying in Spokane, and we plan to drive East on 90 through Idaho and over to Missoula, Montana. We don't know exactly what's out there so we don't have any real plans except that we want to go snowmobiling and maybe horseback riding. If you know of anything cool to do over that way, let me know. We're just kind of winging it!!

Snow covered mountains in March and then sandy beaches in May!!

 

[CSwan1]

Crystal, what are you talking about!!! Your fish extender is awesome!! What a cool idea. Do they all look like that? QUOTE]


Thanks Mindy! Yeah, they all look like this. Different colors and character patches but the same design. Because my DMom, DSis and DNiece are sharing aroom, I wanted a way for them to be able to keep their part of the fish extender after the cruise. I was having a hard time coming up with a way to attach the pockets to each other and ended up using links ofchain- THANK YOU HOME DEPOT SALESMAN! He must have sensed that I was walking around aimlessly trying to come up with an idea! I have to say that I am very jealous that you were laying out yesterday. I don't think it got above 20 today!
How is everyone else doing? Heather, I hope you have a great time on your trip! Has anyone else started packing yet? We have! I'm trying to get things sorted out as to what I will be sending ahead of time to the ship. The box should be no larger than 12X12X6 but that seems small. I may have to ship 2..... or 3 boxes.
I havea situation and could use some advise from my wonderful fellow cruisers! I posted this on the main forum under another thread but I thought I woulsd see what ya'll think. 6 of us are using private transportation from WDW to the port and back. We have had a reservation with FL Tours for about a year now. 1 month ago, I called just to confirm things and they told me there was a problem with my pick up time. I had planned on being picked up at 8:15 AM, 30 minute grocery stop, 1 hour 15 minutes to the port would get us there at 10 AM (when the terminal opens). FL tours basically refused to pick us uo this early because "Disney doesn't allow or like passengers there this early". I told them I know that people get there this early all the time and they said they would pick us up around 9 abd have us there at 10:30. This is not what I want! Should I press the issue with them or just get a different transportation company? I don't want to have bad feelings with them and take the chance of them not showing up at all. I really want to be to the port early. Our last cruise, we use DCL transportation and got there late. I want to enjoy the first day this time! Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[mindy327]

Crystal-
I really wouldnt mind myself being late, but we take DCL transportation. I guess that I feel there is something about a bunch of DCL guests sitting on a bus full of anticipation and excitement. Last time our bus was singing Disney songs. Lots of fun and the going over the bridge to see the Cruise Line in sight was amazing. Sooo we plan on it again. BUT in your situation, If was going to pay someone to take me on my own and arrange transportation myself- YOU BET I would be making a phone call to someone about this. IF I said 8, it better be 8. What do they care? Their getting paid. Anywho, see if they will change it for you. Ask for a manager, and explain the details. Im sure they would listen. After all the customer is always right!!!!

 

[CSwan1]

Well, I really haven't decided whatto do about the transportation yet... Decisions, decisions We took DCL transportation last cruise but felt so rushed when we got to the terminal. Part of it was due to the wedding.. we had to check in, board, eat lunch (quickly), get off the ship for the civil ceremony, reboard, meet with wedding coordinator for the wedding, safety drill, party, dinner, bed. It was a crazy first day! I am looking forward to the first day this time! Thanks for the input Mindy. I will definately make sure things are resolved soon and I will let you know!

 

[Frequent Flyer]

We're back from Washinton/Idaho/Montana. We had a great time. Here are just a few pictures.

Here's the snow on top of Mt. Spokane

More snow in Montana

Mindy, here is DH & DD on the Carousel in Missoula. They got the gold ring!!

DD snorkeling in the hotel pool. Practicing for the cruise!!

We had a great time. And now it's full steam ahead for cruise planning!!

 

[CSwan1]

WOW!! I thought we had alot of snow! Glad to hear you had a great time! Can you even believe how quickly our vacation is approaching! 52 Days! I finished our fish extenders tonight! Now to work on our door signs! We are having a pre cruise party a few weeks before we go to finish door signs, compare packing lists, (there is a great list on the WDW tips forum)etc. Between my scrapbooking business, my full time job and family get togethers, I have something going on every weekend until we go. The weekend of April 5th, I am going to an all weekend scrapbooking event. Hopefully I can finally complete my 2006 Disney trip and Disney wedding before this trip. I am also making my DD an autograph book using a 7X7 Disney scrapbook. I thought this would be a great project for her and I do to to fet really excited abou the trip (not like we need any help getting excited!) I know Judy scrapbooks; how about everyone else? I just got into it 2 years ago and have been selling it for 1 year. My sister was a Creative Memories consultant when my DD was born and she tried really hard to get me int oit but I was not interested at all. Then came our 2006 Disney trip and ACMoore Craft store and I was hooked. My sister wasn't selling anymore but I found a consultant and after having 1 get together, I has sold. I signed on to be a consultant within 6 months. I have gotten all my coworkers into it and we scrap together all the time! So what is everyone else doing for the next 50 something days? Packing, shopping, planning?? Any precruise beauty rituals? I know Mindy is already working on her tan (LUCKY) Any tan I have prior to the cruise will be from a bed or a bottle!

 

[Frequent Flyer]

Can you even believe how quickly our vacation is approaching! 52 Days!

It is coming quickly. My DN told me today that he made a count-down chain. He said, sadly "It touches the floor". I know he will be suprised how fast those links come off!!

 

[mindy327]

Scrapbooking!!! wow. I used to scrapbook a lot. 7 years. BUT I found it to be really time consuming. I wish I had the time to do it. So Now I scrapbook with photoshop and a digital camera with a kit. Looks just the same, but you watch it on DVD instead. Tan is doing well. Try a tanning salon. They do the spray tans now that work great. I dont really have much more to do till the vacation, so perhaps I can have DD make a chain link too. That sounds like fun. I am really trying hard to get my son pottytrained completely for the trip. He is for some reason afraid to go poo in the potty. EEEEEKKKKSS. It is sooo frustrating. So as of Thursday, no more pull ups for poo. He is completly pee trained and he knows when he has to go poo. He tells us. So I let yall know how it goes. Oh and I have 18 pounds to lose!!! Working on that one.

 

[CSwan1]

I may do the spray tanning; we actually do airbrush tanning at the school where I work. I have had it done before and like it, so maybe. Other wise I'm sure a tanning bed will be calling my name.
Mindy, I was reading thru all the posts on our thread today and realized that Cecily just had a birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY CECILY!! She shares a birthday with mynephew that will be cruising with us as well, only he is 10. Good luck with the poo training!
I wish I only had 18 pounds to go. The surgery put a major damper on my exercising! I'm still trying though! I just keep saying... bathing suit, bathing suit, bathing suit!

 

[Frequent Flyer]

Ok, unfortunately no tan for me. My husband calls me "melanoma girl" for a reason.

And as I sit here with my bag of Doritos you are both reminding me of my vow to get in shape as the trip gets "closer". It has now reached and gone a bit past that "closer" point so I guess I better get started. . . tomorrow

 

[Honeibee]

Crystal - You're funny! Me? Scrapbook? You have no idea how I struggled with DH's scrapbook! It was my first and I'm pretty sure my last! I am no good at it at all!!! It ended up being 31 pages, but I think I made about 131 pages and threw most fo them out! Kudos to anyone who is creative and talented and makes gorgeous scrapbooks!

I won't be tanning either, Flyer. I get dark spots on my face and have to use about a 98SPF all the time.

 

[CSwan1]

Good Morning Everyone! Just sitting here watching DCL on the Travel Channel for the 854th time and thought I would check in and say HI.
Mindy, how is the poo training going?? I have my fingers crossed for you!
Judy, I'm sure your scrapbook was great! I still throw out/ redo pages all the time! I am getting into the digital scrapbooking like Mindy. But I do love geting down and dirty and getting right into a scrapbook.
So, since our vacation is rapidly approaching, I have been thinking about meet times for everyone on our meet thread. This is what I was thinking...
Day 1- 3:00 @ Promanade Lounge for a quick hello and after the safety drill at the sail away banana: ( maybe in front of the stage)
Day 3- Maybe a pirate night photo of our group??
Any other suggestions or ideas??

 

[mindy327]

The meet time sounds good to me! Sounds like fun. Besides us meeting we can have our kids meet too. Cec is too anxious to meet the girls. The pooh training is NOT going well at all. In fact he is pretty sick today. I think he started to get dehyrated. Vomiting and diareah to the max. So we'll give it a day or two.
But he has been running around the house without pullups or undies. Just a long t shirt. Weve been reading a book on the potty to relax him but slow is the process. Kaden is (not handicapped but very behind) slow with comprehension. He goes to Special Education Speech therapy (is at like a 2yr old level) so its been hard as a mom to cope. I dunno. I feel like its my fault but what can I do. Love him. Encourage him, and hope for the best. So I know with the education program he is in will work well. He just started 3 weeks ago, and already we see improvement with his speech. I just wish he would improve in the potty department too. Do you think it would be still okay to get him into the club? He is potty trained. He even goes pee all by himself. But for some reason, he thinks a pull up or even undies is where he needs to poo. Weve had the "mickey wont let you swim talk". nothin!. So we work at it.
Counting down the days now. It seems like yesterday we all met. Now we get to meet very soon and say hi to our new friends!!! I LOVE this board! Oh by the way, I lost 5 more lbs!!!!! So I have 13 to go. Well more like 30 but Ill take 13 to make me feel better. I know I will gain on this vacation! Not what I want, but who can pass up the yummy food on board. Full meals all day long can sure add on some pounds! DH and I are SNATCHIN us up some (my favorite desserts) Chocolate covered strawberries from the pirate dessert buffet and celebrate with them in our room!

 

[CSwan1]

Keep your chin up, Mindy! I'm sure things will work out in the end (end, no pun intended!! ) I'm sure he will be fine in the clubs; I mean accidents happen, right? I wouldn't worry too much about it.
I'm glad those meet times sound good to you. I hope everyone will join us! DD can not wait to meet all the girls, either. She has been talking non stop about her new best friends!
Congrats on the 5 lb loss!! I am still trying really hard but man it isn't easy!! I did my first pilates class this past Friday and really enjoyed it. It didn't feel like I was working out but then the next morning.... I felt it!! I'm hoping that all the walking around Disney before the cruise will compensate for all the food I am going to eat on the cruise. Ohhh, we are getting close!!!

 

[CSwan1]

SO, I got my new DCL Passporter in the mail this afternoon and am almost done with it!! Really great info! SOOOOO...... did ya'll see all the talk on the main forum about shipping boxes and about bringing liquids onboard??? No more shipping boxes to the port ahead of time!!! This is a major bummer. Now I have to choose between bringing extra beach stuff, extra shoes, etc or bringing stroller for DD ( I will rent one at Disney if I have to) Decisions, decisions. Also, it is very unclear on whether or not you can bring liquids onboard anymore. We were planning on bringing on a case of water and a case of beer. Hopefully Shirley will have a clear answer for us tomarrow.