November 5th 2011 Eastern on the Magic

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Kathy,
Never seen that show. I have seen commercials for it but I have never watched a reality show yet.

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Good morning all,

We are half way through another week already. WOW time is sure flying by now.

Who has a question of the day today??

I will check back in a few minutes to see if anyone posts one.

Tanya I will send you a spreadsheet ASAP.

Kathy

 

[LovesToRun]

Good morning, everyone!!

Oh my goodness, I just feel so giddy that it's getting so close until we leave!! We fly to Florida in 16 days! wow!!!!! But, we are SO busy between now and when we leave... I'm going to be out of town this weekend (going to Vancouver BC with my close girlfriend for a "girl's weekend"... it's actually to celebrate my friend's birthday, which was in June, but this was the only weekend we could find where we could both get away... so we are now kind of turning it into a birthday celebration for both of us since my 40th is on Nov 10). So, it'll be a super fun weekend!!




Then, the following weekend, we are going on a retreat with our church up to Bellingham, which is about 1 1/2 hours drive north from Seattle (Bellingham is about 30 minutes from Canada).




Then, we come back Sunday the 30th, and the 31st is Halloween, and so there are all the kid's festivities that day (I just got our boy's halloween costumes, too... Tyler is going to be an airline pilot, and Ryan is going to be Yoda from Star Wars --- I'll get pictures and post them here).




And, then, the weekend after that, we are flying to Florida for our CRUISE , and then we don't get back until the weekend of Nov 12, so I won't be home for a full weekend now until Nov 18!




Today, my friend (the one I'm going to Vancouver with) is taking me to Costco (yes, we are probably the only family on this earth who does not have a Costco membership ) because on Saturday, November 19, I'm having a big party at our house for my 40th birthday!!! It's going to be a "wine and cheese" party (and adult only... except our kids will be there). At this point, we have 35 "yes's", but I'm expected about 45 people!! So, I'm getting everything for the party that we'll need before we leave for our cruise so the week between when we get back from our cruise on the 12th and the party, I'm not running around stressed trying to get everything I need! So, today, my friend is taking me to Costco and I'm going to buy all the wine for the party! I'll definitely have to explain to the checker that it's for a party, and not just for me!! I am probably going to have to get like 25 bottles!!



And, my friend (same friend I've mentioned) is originally from Wisconsin, and she is going back to Wisconsin while we are on our cruise, and she is going to buy all the cheese for our party from Winsconsin!!! If you haven't had Wisconsin cheese before, it's something you need to try! It's some of the best cheese in the USA, I think! So, I'm excited I will have Wisconsin cheese at my party!! Oh, and if you all lived here in Seattle, you'd all be invited to my party! But, what is even better is all of us will be on the Magic when I turn 40, so "technically" you all will be at my REAL 40th birthday party!


So, that is what I'm doing today!! And, I'm going to fit in a run outside before we head to Costco and I have to pick the kids up from school. (Wednesdays in our school district is "early release"), so normally, the kids get out at 3 PM, but on Wednesdays, they get out at 1:30 always! I don't really like that, but it is what it is! They do that so teachers can have time for meetings, planning, training, etc. So, Wednesdays are my "short" days when school is in session.



Hope everyone has a good day! Soon we'll all meet!!

Take care,
Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Kathy,
Also Tillamook cheese is excellant. They have several varities now too,so don't forget the northwest has some great cheeses too

Kathy

 

[scottjm]

Does anyone know what night is lobster night on the cruise.

And a huge THANK YOU to whoever it was that told the tip about lobster being on the adult buffet at Castaway Cay. That has made my DW's week! We cannot believe we have been there three times and not known that!

 

[flygrl]

Good morning all,

Tanya I will send you a spreadsheet ASAP.

Kathy

thank you very much for sending the Spread Sheet. Thank you Karen for making it.

Good morning, everyone!!

Then, we come back Sunday the 30th, and the 31st is Halloween, and so there are all the kid's festivities that day (I just got our boy's halloween costumes, too... Tyler is going to be an airline pilot, and Ryan is going to be Yoda from Star Wars --- I'll get pictures and post them here).


Today, my friend (the one I'm going to Vancouver with) is taking me to Costco (yes, we are probably the only family on this earth who does not have a Costco membership ) because on Saturday, November 19, I'm having a big party at our house for my 40th birthday!!! It's going to be a "wine and cheese" party (and adult only... except our kids will be there). At this point, we have 35 "yes's", but I'm expected about 45 people!! So, I'm getting everything for the party that we'll need before we leave for our cruise so the week between when we get back from our cruise on the 12th and the party, I'm not running around stressed trying to get everything I need! So, today, my friend is taking me to Costco and I'm going to buy all the wine for the party! I'll definitely have to explain to the checker that it's for a party, and not just for me!! I am probably going to have to get like 25 bottles!!

And, my friend (same friend I've mentioned) is originally from Wisconsin, and she is going back to Wisconsin while we are on our cruise, and she is going to buy all the cheese for our party from Winsconsin!!! If you haven't had Wisconsin cheese before, it's something you need to try! It's some of the best cheese in the USA, I think! So, I'm excited I will have Wisconsin cheese at my party!! Oh, and if you all lived here in Seattle, you'd all be invited to my party! But, what is even better is all of us will be on the Magic when I turn 40, so "technically" you all will be at my REAL 40th birthday party!

Hope everyone has a good day! Soon we'll all meet!!

Take care,
Kathy

Well I am glad we are around to join the festivities for your 40th birthday!!! We will P-A-R-T-Y like rock stars!!!

Can't belive you don't have a Costco card yet... I was just there at lunch time... Bought chocolate covered almonds... ate too many already!

Sean is going to be Rex I think from Star Wars and Meghan is going to be a dead bride... I didn't buy any costumes this year as we are so busy and have a ton at home so we are using what we have at home. Dennis my nephew is using one of Sean's costumes, i think we have all star wars costumes there are. I will post pictures after Halloween...


Tanya

 

[GreensboroKG]

You're welcome everyone for the spreadsheet. Thought numerical order might help as we each deliver goodies and explore the ship. Sorry I haven't posted in a few days - am coming down with a cold. I am hoping it doesn't get passed around the family as we leave 2 weeks from tomorrow to head to DisneyWorld MK first and then the cruise. I am keeping my distance and washing my hands raw.

Has everyone started packing? We need to get our big suitcases out this weekend and will start "organizing". Can't get Scott to pack until the weekend before we go -- and that is early to him. But I thought I could organize our FE stuff, all my shoes and some non-essentials. I like packing early because it makes it feel like we're really almost ready to go.

Hope everyone has a great day! 2 weeks to go!!

Karen

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Does anyone know what night is lobster night on the cruise.

And a huge THANK YOU to whoever it was that told the tip about lobster being on the adult buffet at Castaway Cay. That has made my DW's week! We cannot believe we have been there three times and not known that!

Sorry dont remember which night has lobster on the ship.
Just want to make sure you know its going to be steak or lobster at the adult lunch on CC. It depends on what is left over on the ship, however we have been there twice when both was featured there. I will keep fngers crossed it is lobster for her.

We never knew about it either until I read about it on the Dis boards and checked it out a few years ago. Now w a lways head there first for lunch to see whats cookin

Kathy

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Ok I have a question for everyone.

What do you do to keep your sanity the last 24 hours before getting to cruise. Also how do you keep the kids from bouncing of the walls with excitement the last few hours?


This year it's easy, we will be at WDW and that will keep us busy right up to the last minute, so no time to really think about how close the cruise is.
Kathy

 

[Agent555]

Nothing really calms me and my family down.... we are pacage and trying to think of anything we forgot. But I always watch a Disney movie the noght before the flight I watched Bednobs and Broomsticks last year... this year I'm leaning towards 101 Dalmations but I need a VCR to play it! Haha oh I can't wait much longer!

 

[Mulanrocks]

15 days and i'm on a plane to Disney for a real vacation. Boy do i need one. Seems this is a rough week for a few of us.
Karen so sorry to hear about your cold, praying for you that it doesn't make the family rounds.
Danielle that is so frustrating that they double booked your excursion. I would be hoping mad myself.
The last few days have been rough here as well. I ventured off this weekend by myself to see my best friend who was visiting from Colorado. Only to get home to find the air conditioner busted. After two days of repair ppl, we have been informed it is a locked compressor. Which means $$$$$$. Well luckily we were sent a wonderful cold front and right now i have decided that my vacation is far more important for my mental health than an air conditioner. So i am blissfully ignoring the problem until we get back. However i think i may be in the running for one of the nominations, if house falling down while gone counts. On top of that after spending the night trying to cool the house down when i got home, i got up the next morning to find that kira had been ill all over the dog room. Poor thing does this every now and then when she eats something different (in this case i'm guessing a dead animal courtesy of roaming stray dogs.) Its also why she is not allowed any treats at agility classes but mine. to quote a song: i need a vacation from my life. Me and my husband we need a wife.
Thank you Disney.
Kathy: you are not the last person on earth yet. I don't have a costco card either mainly bc i don't have a costco though.... Shopping choice by me: HEB or Walmart. welcome to hicksville.
Okay Question of the day answers:
Which cruise besides this one: So hard bc DH and I have different opinions. I have been ridiculously spoiled in my life thanks to my parents and traveling. I have actually done a tiger cruise on my dads ship from Hawaii to California. So i would go for the Transatlantic i think. 14 days of being spoiled, flying in early to play in another country always sounds fun to me. However DH is not into to many sea days (thinks he'd be bored) so Alaska or Mexican riviera, for him since he hasn't been to either.
How do you keep your sanity: Forget kids bouncing off the wall I think DH and are already going nuts. I'm keeping super busy until we board the airplane and can relax. The last 24hrs will be spent at disney enjoying everything i missed a few weeks ago too.
See ya real soon!
Alyssa

 

[clj1410]

Well i got a nice surprise today. My co-worker who said she would make my FE, said for my birthday that her and my boss will buy me a FE instead. That way i can get a personalized one instead. So i ordered it today and have been promised that i will recieve it before Nov 4 i hope it will be here or i will have to break out with the duct tape to make a last minute one!

 

[LovesToRun]

Kathy,
Also Tillamook cheese is excellant. They have several varities now too,so don't forget the northwest has some great cheeses too

Kathy

Yes, Tillamook is very good, too!!! That is all we eat here (because it's really hard to find Wisconsin cheese here in Seattle). I'll probably get some Tillamook cheese as well for the party... depends on how much Wisconsin cheese my friend brings back. But, Wisconsin cheese is very good.... it's really creamy.

My inlaws live 30 minutes from Tillamook, so I'm definitely biased toward Tillamook cheese!! It is very good.

Kathy

 

[SLM]

Happy Wednesday!
Just reading the schedules of some of you young moms with kids and younger working people makes me tired! I do remember those days, though. In less than three weeks we'll all be relaxing in St. Maartin!
I love Costco! We do not have one near us so I have a membership at Sam's Club.
Only two more weekends to organize myself until we leave for Florida-working up to the day we leave will help the time go faster-and we're very busy at school right now-so that's a good thing.

I have a question if you'd like to answer it. As a library employee I'm always interested in what people are reading.

Are you bringing something to read on board? Will you bring a book or an electronic device, like a Nook or Kindle?

I am bringing an English novel called South Riding by Winifred Hornby. It was written after WWI about life in a small rural village. I'm also interested in social history so my other book is called Singled Out by Juliet Nicolson. It's a study of women and their lives after WWI (again, in England) and how the war and it's aftermath affected them. My husband will be bringing his Kindle, but hasn't decided what to download yet.

Sandy

 

[LovesToRun]

Ok I have a question for everyone.

What do you do to keep your sanity the last 24 hours before getting to cruise. Also how do you keep the kids from bouncing of the walls with excitement the last few hours?


This year it's easy, we will be at WDW and that will keep us busy right up to the last minute, so no time to really think about how close the cruise is.
Kathy

Well, this year for us, it will be easy because Tyler's 11th birthday is on the 3rd, so we'll be celebrating his birthday the day before we leave, so that'll keep our sanity the last 24 hours... Hopefully!!!!

Kathy

 

[LovesToRun]

Does anyone know what night is lobster night on the cruise.

And a huge THANK YOU to whoever it was that told the tip about lobster being on the adult buffet at Castaway Cay. That has made my DW's week! We cannot believe we have been there three times and not known that!

Lobster night is the same night they have the Captain's Gala. I "think" this is Thursday night of the cruise, because Monday is formal night, and Thursday is Semi-Formal night, and I'm quite sure they do the Captain's Gala on Semi-Formal night... and they always serve Lobster on the Captain's Gala night. FYI, when they serve Lobster in the main dining rooms, they always offer it in Palo on the menu, too! So, if you have Palo booked for Lobster night in the main dining rooms, don't worry... you can get it in Palo, too!

I NEVER knew they had Lobster at the buffet at Serenity Bay! Oh my goodness! I probably didn't know that because we never go there because of our kids! Hmmmmm... might just have to get over there somehow for the buffet!

-kathy

 

[LovesToRun]

I have a question if you'd like to answer it. As a library employee I'm always interested in what people are reading.

Are you bringing something to read on board? Will you bring a book or an electronic device, like a Nook or Kindle?

I am bringing an English novel called South Riding by Winifred Hornby. It was written after WWI about life in a small rural village. I'm also interested in social history so my other book is called Singled Out by Juliet Nicolson. It's a study of women and their lives after WWI (again, in England) and how the war and it's aftermath affected them. My husband will be bringing his Kindle, but hasn't decided what to download yet.

Sandy

I don't have a book picked out yet, but need to do that before we leave! I like to read autobiographies, memoirs, and non-fiction the most. I also really enjoy reading books having to do with Sociology, where it's all about people, people groups, societies, etc. I just find stuff like that really interesting.

But, a friend of mine recently recommended a book she loved called, "Born to Run". It's a true story about a Mexican Indian Tribe (the Tarahumara Indians) who seem to have this superhuman athletic running ability where genetically, they are somehow able to run for hundreds of miles at a time, literally, without stopping, and they can even run as fast as some animals that they hunt for food...so they literally can chase down these animals. But, they all run barefoot! Anyway, many people (athletes, doctors, etc) have gone to observe this tribe to learn from them, because there is no other group of human beings like them in the world (that is known of), so many people are just facinated by this tribe and what makes them the way they are. But, it's supposed to be just a really really interesting (true) story about this tribe. I really enjoy reading about cultural things, too.

It's funny you asked this question because a friend recommended this book to me a while ago, and I had forgot about it, but just a couple days ago, I was out at the grocery store, and there is a Starbucks attached to the grocery store. There was a man sitting at the Starbucks reading this book, and it reminded me that I should get it! So, I'll probably be reading this book on the ship, unless I find something else.

But, this book is really interesting to me since I am a runner.

I don't have an electronic device for reading.... I just read the old fashioned way, and bring a real book with me.

-Kathy

 

[Switzert]

We don't have Costcos here, but when we visit our family in Atlanta, it is like a trip to WDW. We always make plan to there each time we visit.

I do shop at Costco.com with my parents membership. They have free shipping on about everything. I bought my DD playset from them, and it was delivered for same price as it was in the store.

I love Lobster. When I was deployed the Commanding General was from Maine and had a ton of lobster shipped to our location and served to all his troops. It was Awesome. Though after about three days straight of lobster it was getting old, but still tasted great!

 

[LovesToRun]

I do shop at Costco.com with my parents membership. They have free shipping on about everything. I bought my DD playset from them, and it was delivered for same price as it was in the store.

I didn't know someone could use another person's membership to shop online (in the store, at least from my experience, the member has to be with you in order to shop there, if you aren't a member).

When you shop online with your parent's membership, do you use your own credit card, or do you have to use their credit card (because it has their name on it?)

I've actually wanted to shop at Costco.com, but haven't because I assumed the member had to purchase the items for me online, and I didn't want to ask my friend to go through the hassle to do that for me.

Interesting!

I think once my boys are teenagers and eating a ton of food (like most teenage boys do), I'll renew our Costco membership because by then, the bulk food will totally be worth it!

Kathy

 

[mikeejay]

... because Monday is formal night, and Thursday is Semi-Formal night, and I'm quite sure they do the Captain's Gala on Semi-Formal night...

-kathy

Question from a first timer... is "Formal Night" and "Semi-Formal Night" for the whole family? Christine and I signed up for a dinner at Palo (no kids) and plan to bring some nice clothes... should I also have nice clothes for the kids as well?

I also heard something about Pirate night? Should we come prepared with pirate outfits as well or are those available on the ship for us to use?

I'm so glad I found this board... I'm learning so much from all of you! Thank you all!

- Michael