NEW...DOLPHIN/SWAN..."questions and answers"...tips and hints!

[dreamflight99]

DD's prospective minor...

"CAL" stadium...

Sacred ground...

Home of the "GOLDEN BEARS"...

Just west of the Stadium...near the soccer field...

Berkeley Space Science center...

Double helix and Pilot whale in parking lot of science bldg.

More of the City...to come...^_^

 

[dreamflight99]

Crossing the BAY bridge *(Oakland to SF)...

The view from the Bridge...

Getting closer....

The waterfront...from the Bay Bridge over Treasure Island...

The CITY by the BAY...skyline...

Entering downtown...

Landmarks...

Feels like HOME...

My Manhatten of the WEST! Skyscrapers...

H~O~M~E for the HOLIDAYS! Like my decorations and TREE in the window? (LOL)

Hope you all enjoyed the TRIP to SAN FRANCISCO!

TTFN...DF99

 

[jgates]

What a wonderful photo tour!

DF - I have been trying to look thru ebay quick for directions on ending an auction, but am trying to pack too. I don't think I will get it cancelled tonite - so it will end up running the course, but if no one buys it, it will be yours!!

Just wanted to say good-nite to you all - talk to you at the end of the week. Tomorrow afternoon DS, DD & I head to Nashville - GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm taking the laptop and have a local dial-up number for our ISP, but no guarantees. Just wanted to wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Trying to get as much driving time in after we leave at 4 tomorrow - hopefully to Terre Haute or somewhere below Champaign/Urbana (C/U was sold out of motels!!!-glad I checked online!!). That will put us in a motel around midnite probably. Then it won't be so bad into Nashville on Tuesday.

PS - DF - I went & booked 3 nites at the Royal Pacific - FAN rates of $164/nite, standard view. Didn't figure it would get any better than that - ACK!!! If I bat my eyes and smile nice, maybe that Loew's card will get me the waterview. (I had a waterview last time and didn't realize it was normally more - we paid the same). Budget didn't cut it for conceirge so we'll have to figure out a reasonable breakfast situation - we will have (hopefully) a rental car so we could go shop for room food if we wanted.

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF~ Thanks for the trip to San Fran via your pix. It invoked memories for me of my 2 trips to that beautiful city. I particularly loved seeing "green" since we are in the season of bare and brown! Although, today and through New Year's, we are in a very mild temp pattern - unseasonably mild for late December. The ice sculptures in Boston for First Night celebrations are melting!

jgates~ Have a wonderful time! Hopefully, you can post some details.

...thinking of Disbug, the Zurgs and Muffy in the World!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Good Morning Everyone Finally getting around to the computer after days of hiding under all the wrapping paper and gifts. I have finally gotten our house back organized and the kiddos are playing. We all had a wonderful Christmas

We are all looking foward to our upcoming trip to Disney. We watched some of the parade and it really made us ready to go again. I am going to take Mousteachers idea and tape it next year, and watch it on Christmas night. We are always to busy to watch it much on Christmas morning. We were at the Disney Christmas parade in December of 2001. We all sat by the Tv excited to watch it that year and sure enough we were on it 2 different times. We have that year on tape and enjoy watching it. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We are getting ready to celebrate the New Year. My New Year's resolution is to loose my extra baby weight, its been 6 months and its time to go on a "diet"

I hope those in the world right now are having a wonderful time... I am sooooooo jealous......

Waving to the room I am going to get a cup of coffee in my S/D mug

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I just saw my countdown clock, down to 59 days...finally less than 2 months away ...

 

[Mouseteacher]

for you and your countdown, Mom Poppins!

 

[Muffy]

Hi everyone! We are having a great time at Universal, IOA and PBH! The weather is perfect (70's). Yesterday I went on the Hulk and Dueling Dragons! Never thought I would but it really wasn't bad. We ate lunch today at Emeril's. We also ate at Tchop Chop on our first night. Tonight we are playing it by ear! Going back to City Walk for dinner. Tomorrow we check into the Dolphin! As much as I love Universal, it pales when compared to WDW. I can't wait to get back there! We have the Candlelight Processional dinner package tomorrow AND a breakfest PS at Fresh. To much food! Good thing for all the walking! Yesterday I clocked 12 mi. on my pedometor (sp).

I will post again tomorrow from the Dolphin!

Muffy

 

[ozziewags]

Hi,
Recovering from Christmas and the visits, etc!

Muffy, I envy you, but love hearing about your trip! Two of Emeri's restaurants....lucky you. Forgot to tell you to eat at Mythos in IOA...we loved it. Be sure to tell us about your room at PBH. Was it what you expected?

MomP....your clock is getting there. I can't believe how fast that time went by. How cool you got to be at MK when they taped the parade. Last year everyone said they looked for us on Christmas morning when they watched the parade, not knowing that it was taped a few weeks early. How dare Disney lie to so many people!

DF....loved your pics! Now, do tell, is that really a second home you have in SF? I am impressed. UC looks cool too. We visited Stanford when we were out there and were very impressed. Too far and too much $$$ for us! But it was beautiful and one of the top colleges in the country. UC almost looked like it belonged out east, right mouseteacher?

Here's hoping the rest of our group is having a wonderful time in the world. I am having a great time relaxing at home, finally!

 

[Muffy]

Originally posted by ozziewags

Muffy, I envy you, but love hearing about your trip! Two of Emeri's restaurants....lucky you. Forgot to tell you to eat at Mythos in IOA...we loved it. Be sure to tell us about your room at PBH. Was it what you expected?

Hi Ozzie! We have a Portofino Parlor Suite. It's huge! I've taken a few digital pics of the suite and hope to post them. Plat Loews are upgraded to a suite at the time of reservation now! What a great perk! Just something to think about since you are Plat Loews too! We did eat lunch at Mythos a couple of days ago. I had the wrap of the day (great)!

Glad to hear things are returning to normal for you and your DH. Take care!

Muffy

 

[#1hockeymom]

Great pictures DF! I love the way you give everyone a "feel" for the area with your captions!

Glad everything is going smoothly at the JGates household!

Ozzie>> good to hear from you!

MP>> Less than two months! I can't wait to see the new family picture in front of the castle!

Muffy>> I envy your vacation! I especially would like to know how the vouchers work out with your family at DW. I just purchased some for DS and I.

Mouseteacher>> Sending more warm weather to the East! Seems the white Christmas has turned into a soggy end of the year. It feels like ice storm weather to me... I am keeping my fingers crossed for an uneventful NYE.

My countdown is going down! *jumping up and down*

Tonight is our 19th wedding anniversary... My how the time flies! DH had to work today, so I am letting naptime commence before we head off for a nice dinner... ALONE! Seems we eat out all the time, mostly due to work schedules/ hockey practices, but we're never alone! DD just made dinner for her boy friend and her brother. I am not worried about leaving them here alone since I know what the wrath of a ten year old brother can do to a sister! We're debating between two places... I just know that escargot MUST be on the menu as I have been craving them for weeks now!

Happy Monday!
Debbie

PS Waiting for more in the action posts from our other sisters!

 

[Loubon]

Happy Anniversary! I'm about 7 weeks away from 20 (I got married when I was 12!)

 

[#1hockeymom]

at 12? WOW, us too! That means my 31st birthday is in just a few days! Oh I loved, I mean I will love being 31!

 

[Loubon]

BTW Nice shameless plug on not only your anniversary but on your birthday too!

Good, gives me a few extra days to look for a "special" picture......

 

[ozziewags]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HOCKEYMOM!

 

[#1hockeymom]

I thought it was common knowledge that my 29th birthday, I mean 31st was coming up soon! and... when you have your first born's birthday (yeah I knew better but babies sometimes just show up!) LOL, Christmas, your anniversary and your own birthday all in the same few weeks.. YOU MUST shamelessly plug away!

Thanks Loubon and Ozzie for the greetings! I have a house full of teenagers now, they multiplied in our absence.... I think we'll call it an early night as DH still has work in the morning. AHHH I love Christmas vacations! Everyone should have one!

Debbie

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Muffy
Hi Ozzie! We have a Portofino Parlor Suite. It's huge! I've taken a few digital pics of the suite and hope to post them. Plat Loews are upgraded to a suite at the time of reservation now! What a great perk! Just something to think about since you are Plat Loews too! We did eat lunch at Mythos a couple of days ago. I had the wrap of the day (great)!

I can hardly wait to see the photos! Also...any info on the CLub Level Lounge, and offerings? I've already secured this perk, with our villa suite. To give you a reference/comparison...here's some pics of the Villa suite we reserve:

Our suite comprises the three balconies beginning with the covered arches and moving right...(Are you close to here?)

Our view of the resort...

Under the arches...this is the nicest balcony. So private and cozy...

The bedroom under the arched balcony...w/feather pillows for a princess (& the pea!)...

Formal dining...

Dining & living...even though these flow together inside, the exterior balconies are separated by a wall/barrier...

Standing on the dining room balcony...(see what I mean by separate?)...

evening in the same area...see the pantry off to the right? Just before you enter the bedroom?

Another angle...

Yet...another, out to the Foyer (left)...

The foyer...with office/fax/laptop, etc. to the left....PLUS, a gorgeous huge marble ROMAN bath/shower, walk-in closet...etc.~

Our view of the Hard Rock Hotel...

Night time at the PBH...

Home...sweet away from home...(LOL)

 

[dreamflight99]

Ozzie...I sometimes work in the Bay Area, and am considering staying there (permanently) in the future. I'm also always looking for real estate (additional) in Maine, or the Cape. My folks love the Hamptons, & the Cape. I enjoy sailing, so somewhere on the East Coast is ideal. I also adore Grand Cayman, French Poly, and New Zealand. It's difficult to choose. This world is so beautiful...every place I see entices me~!! Did I tell you my DD is attending a "Wellesley" Tea in Santa Monica on the 10th? It's one of the Seven Sisters she is considering. Should be very interesting.

Berkeley is astoundingly beautiful...and definitely looks like a school out of the East! The profs are incredible, (N. Laureate, etc.), and the rep. can't be beat. It's the oldest UC in the state, and accepts less than 22% of all applicants. Stanford, is just as lovely, and a bit more $$$. It's the only Ivy League West of the Rockies! She is considering Davis too. I just LOVE Berkeley, and told her I may pursue another advanced degree there (she laughed, and told me she would transfer OUT if I did this!!).

Debbie!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY...BIRTHDAY...AND NEW YEAR!!! (DH & I celebrate 19 this summer! We too were married as very young children, part of our parents planning...etc.) .

MomP~WOW...time is FLYING past, it seems just yesterday Baby Kirk was born! Are you starting to make the lists and pack essentials?

mouseteacher~happy you enjoyed the pics! Yes, everything is Bright GREEN in San Francisco. The weather is cool, but temperate. It rains enough to fool the foliage! I was taken aback by the beauty of the campus and the landscaping. Amazing place.

jgates~glad you also liked the trip to SF! Thanks for the attempt on the auction. If no one buys it...save it for moi. Drive safely on your trip. YES...batting of the eyes will do it everytime! I know you'll get the waterview. Tell them you are allergic to every other type of view...that should do it!

TTFN...DF99

 

[Bobump]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE DIS BOARDS BROTHERS & SISTERS

MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS AND WISHES COME TRUE

THIS A TRUELY SPECIAL AND CARING GROUP

As you can see below we are about on the way to WDW!!!!

Once again my wife and I are lucky enough to have both daughters and soninlaw/boyfriend with us.

We are going to drink around the SHOWCASE on Wednesday. AT the first illumination I will salute this board with a TOAST!!!!

Hopefully we may see some of you at the Japan pavillion around 1am dancing in the NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Once again

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

[Mouseteacher]

Bobump~ Enjoy your journey around the "World" (in Epcot that is!).

DF~ choose the Cape - that will bring you to MA and DD could choose Wellesley as her college of choice! It would be nice to have you in the neighborhood!

1HM~ Happy Anniversary! ...and happy #31, too! LOL WOW - what a coincidence you, Lobon and DF all married as children ----> ROFLOL

Hi, Muffy - love hearing what you're doing. I agree that as fun as US is, it pales in comparison to our beloved WDW. On my one day visit to US a few years ago while on a Disney trip (staying at POR), I couldn't wait to get back to WDW! I would return to US if we can muster a more lengthy stay so I don't feel like I'm short changing my WDW time.