Originally posted by Mouseteacher
DF~ Did you feel the quake while in SF? Glad to have you back on board. I remember visiting the St. Francis when I was in my 20s on a trip to SF and was in awe of the grandeur of the lobby. Of course, being that young, the St. Francis was not affordable but one can visit - it didn't cost a penny!
*raising my S/D mug with my Dunkin Donuts vanilla coffee to toast all of you* You are the best cyber friends - may we meet someday in our fav place - the Swan/Dolphin in WDW!
mouseteacher...YES! (Thank you for asking), it was "mild" compared with what was felt farther south near to our home. We are between Los Angeles and San Simeon (the epi-center). It was a "long" rolling one, which lasted a (seemingly) LONG time, more than 60 seconds. The last time we felt one like this in San Francisco...we were at the Palace Hotel, (A Starwood Gem), on the 8th floor...and I was awakened by the faint sound of the DND tapping the handle of the door (And the gentle soft "swaying" of the bed). I immediately sat up in bed (we were upgraded there to a lovely suite (PLAT PERK!)...and called to DD). DH was STILL asleep beside me! LOL. He awoke, and said, "What's wrong?" I replied, "Look at the huge glass chandalier atop the center of this room." It was SWINGING wildly. DD came into the room, and asked me WHAT was causing the movement of the bldg., and I told her I was calling the front desk. He confirmed it was indeed and EARTHQUAKE...and a doozy at that (about 7.3). He reassured me this hotel made it through the '89 quake, and many, many others. Like the St. Francis...it was built with QUAKES in mind. It was very difficult for me to get back to sleep...with the thought of AFTERSHOCKS on my mind. Ugh. Thank you, so very much...for your concern. You are so sweet, and I too, look forward to the day we are able to meet and "hug" one another. Have a wonderful Christmas, dear cyber "sister" of mine.
XO
*The ceiling is hand-painted 24k gold, and is warm and wondrous. You would love our suite, and are welcome to stop by anytime you are in San Francisco while we are at the St. Francis!
Starbucks is IN THE ROOM...with STARBUCKS logo mugs too (just like the Horton Plaza in San Diego!).
Ozzie~Thank you, too...dearheart...for thinking of us. ^_^ The blackout was terrible, and most folks in the city are skeptical of the actual "cause" of the outage. It was the largest in this country since 911, and after this problem, washington declared a heightened alert for terrorism. :-(
DD and I were in the SONY METREON theater (Loews & IMAX), to see a showing of "Mona Lisa Smile", (as DD received an invitation to a private tea in Santa Monica in January for a winter admissions/informational afternoon for prospective students of Wellesley College). ^_^ DD secured a nice seat for us in the top of the theater, and I went to grab some popcorn and bevs for us. Just as I paid for the items...the theater hallways went BLACK. I walked back to the theater, where the safety generator had operated emergency lighting. I locked eyes with DD, just as the air-raid siren sounded, and the automated voice declared, "an emergency has been reported. Please exit the building in an orderly fasion, using the stairs. Please do not use the elevators." This would repeat every few seconds. As we exited via the halls, it was complete darkness again. DD was unsettled, and clung to my arm in fear. I reassured her it was okay, as we were together and heading for the exit. Once outside, I phoned DH...whom was in the suite preparing to leave for the shops. (He planned to shop Sonoma Williams, Sharper image, Macy's and *Tiffany's....my personal FAV...LOL). He confirmed he would call as soon as he arrived. Within minutes, we were reunited and on our way to dinner atop Macy's at the Cheesecake factory. We sat on the patio, under the heater...with stunning views of the City. The hot topic was the Blackout. Most folks still believe it was the work of terrorists. It was the largest blackout since 911, and Washington declared a heightened alert as soon as the blackout occurred. I quietly thanked the good Lord, for permitting us to be together, and have another day. I do this each day, but especially after any crisis. It was so good to sit and watch DD & DH interact about the details of this event, their faces illuminated by the moon and the soft candelight of the table lamp. ^_^ Therefore, YES...we also experienced this event. Never a dull moment in this thing called LIFE. Thank you, for thinking of us. May your DH continue to thrive, and enjoy a wonderful and blessed Christmas Day with all of you. XO Have a WONDERUL Holiday!
Valentine~WELCOME, KATHY! It's always nice to see someone come out of lurking and join us on this forum. We are a lively bunch, and enjoy exchanging and sharing ideas. Feel free to ask anything in regards to your upcoming trip. With so many folks on this thread, you are sure to receive an answer to any query! ^_^
Muffy~HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Please post when you are able, and stay safe. Enjoy!!
Debbie~Thanks for the link! Enjoy the Holidays with your family, and keep warm (I'm SURE you have Snow!). Travel safely...Merry Christmas!
Mom Poppins~oh Robin...You have a truly wonderful family, and many, many blessings to give thanks to the almighty for this Holiday season (& each day). Thanks for sharing the pictures, they are lovely. The "little lamb" in the center...dressed in green, is a MIRACLE...from the beginning. Like a star in the center of the sky, or atop the Christmas tree...he adds the finishing touch to your family. Enjoy your Holiday together. You'll be in my thoughts. XO
Bobump~So good to hear from you, dear friend. From your lips to God's ears, I too dream/wish DD always desires to travel with us to the MAGIC...for many years to come. You and your wife must be very special people, indeed. ^_^ Enjoy the Holidays, and the planning of your trip together. Stop by more often if you are able. Take care...HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Disbug....Jgates...LOU~What can I SAY? OTHERTHANBESURETOSTASHTHEOVERFLOWOF$$INTHESWISSACCOUNTANDMAKERESSIESINTHEPREZSUITEFORALLOFUSINCLUDINGMOUSETEACHMOMPOPPINSOZZIEANDEVERYONEINTHEINNERSANTUMOFTHISPLOTBESURETOPLANTHENEXTSCHEMEINVOLVINGTHEINGENIOUSCHARDONNAYMOUTHWASHANDRINSEFORTHESORORITYSISTERSANDBROTHERSITISASUREWINNERWEDONOTWANTEVERYONETOKNOWABOUTTHELITTLETINYEXTRAREWARDSWERECEIVEASTHEREARENOTENOUGHPREZSUITESTOGOAROUNDLOLSOWEMUSTKEEPITALLUNDERWRAPSINOPERATION"WHITEGRAPE"OKAY?
jgates...YES! Glad to read you obtained the CAM, and are in the process of garnering the extra BATT and cam bag. Keep checking buy.com, as this could become available anytime. The overnight bag sounds fabulous too. I have the $10 cert from Penny's, and am using it today. ^_^ My DH had some lodging tips for your DH (during his training)...if you would like to hear these, just let me know. I'll pm you with them. ^_^ HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Disbug~You are a HOOT! You keep me on my TOES with your quick wit and humor. ^_^ Thanks for all the laughs. I hope you enjoy the holidays, and have a wonderful time in the MAGIC. Anytime you are serious about running the Concierge dept. at the Swan/Dolphin...just let me know. I'm RIGHT THERE with you! Take care, and relax...you are in for a wonderful time. XO
jmcross~always nice to hear from you, Joanne! Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas. ^_^
Now...I MUST go and pack (oops...I MEAN "WRAP"). But...before I do, I'll add a couple more pics of SAN FRAN...and our wonderful journey. You are the BEST folks on this board, and I feel BLESSED to be part of the "inner circle" with all of you. Thank you, for your dedication and devotion to all things DISNEY, DOLPHIN and SWAN. You...truly MAKE the MAGIC HAPPEN! TTFN....DF99
Union Square...Holiday style!
Union Square...PALMS and CHRISTMAS TREE!
Sunset...on the Square...
Dusk...over the Square...
The LOBBY Tree...
My CITY by the BAY....
I'll post more later....XO DF99
Here is a picture of my children by our Christmas tree, the picture below it is a bit dark. I have a lot to do today, my Mom and Dad and sisters and families will all be over around 4. Have a Merry Christmas Eve everyone 
but I do enjoy having veryone at my house and I do get lots of help.
You are just right and too much all at the same time! Thanks for keeping us in a merry state of mind!
