Oct 30 2010 7 Night Western

[eyes4mickey]

Wow, scary minute here this afternoon! Almost an hour ago, we had an earthquake. As we just don't tend to get them here experiencing one like this was VERY scary! The report is that it was a 5.5 and for this part of North America, that is quite strong considering we just don't get them. In the past 30 years, I remember two others but those weren't as intense as this one seemed to be. A little rumbling, a little vibrating, that was all in the others, and years apart. This one, we felt and saw our whole house shaking, heard it making cracking noises, a photo fell off the piano, my son came running up from the basement saying his walls were moving! WOW.
Now it's huge news on TV! Ran up to check on my little ones who were down for their nap, they were peacefully still sleeping!
It will be interesting to see when my little guy comes home from school, weather or not the school evacuated as our Government offices downtown did. Not a devestating quake obviously, but scary nonetheless as we have seen and heard enough in the world over the years to know how bad quakes can get, and when your whole house is visible shaking and all you hear from Everywhere is this LOUD Rumbling, you just don't know if it's going to stop or get stronger.

OK that news aside,

Fastpaks, Our first cruise, I think we spent $200.00 on incidentals on incidentals and souveniers (and that was for all 6 of us!) That was a few fancy drinks, something from the gift shop for each of us, hairbraiding, and some photos from shutters. As easy as it is to spend, there is also so much to do and see thats included, that I find it also easy to NOT spend on board.

WOW!!!! That is scary. I'm glad to hear that you guys are all safe!!!

 

[eyes4mickey]

OMG, that is crazy! I'd never heard of earthquakes in Canada! Glad everyone is OK and no damage!

I looked at the Kino site, would love to go!!!! Please let remind us to call when it's closer.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

At first I thought it was my washing machine in the basement. We had a new machine delivered late this afternoon, but earlier I tried to do a load of blankets in my old one. It gets off kilter so easily and then the thing makes a HORRIBLE racket as it's spinning (old style top load machine), and the thing actually starts walking away from the wall it starts out at. I'm sure this machine came from the MONSTER HOUSE Movie! Well, thats what I thought it was at first, but then quickly realized, that load was LONG done! And instantly the rumbling and the shaking got more intense. "I" was shaking for a while afterwards, lol.
Interestingly, downtown offices and Government buildings were evacuated for a time, but none of the kids schools were! Honestly, it didn't take more than a few seconds to realize it was an earthquake, but this is the strongest one my generation has every experienced, so you'd think the schools would have at least treated it like a fire drill, just to be safe. Though DS6, says he felt no shaking, but says he heard "Thunder". Maybe the schools didn't feel it as much because they are better built than the houses? LOL. And here I was at home wondering if he was Scared, and wondering if I should go get him.............
Well, it definately made for an interesting day!

Oh and the new machine, A German made HE Front load, is SOOOOOO Quiet! NIIIIICE! However the delivery men scratched up the thing on the bottom right edge. I noticed this after they left. 5 noticeable scratches. I called the store about it, they offered either to replace it or give us a $50.00 gift card for their store (Future Shop, Electronics and Appliance Store). HMMMMM, what would you do? I didn't pay this much for a scratch and dent machine. I'll take photos, and think about it.

I work for the government here in Toronto and we were evacuated about 10 minutes after the quake. Of course, I work in a tall office building so it gets kind of scary being that high up plus with the G20 here this week-end, no one was absolutely sure it was *only* an earthquake. Down 11 flights of stairs and then outside for an hour and a half in the sunshine. One of my co-workers commented that I should put some sunscreen in my "emergency kit".

Oh, take the gift card. You could easily find something at Future Shop and chances are you'll end up with 5 scratches on a new washer within the first few months anyways.

 

[tjbaggott]

I work for the government here in Toronto and we were evacuated about 10 minutes after the quake. Of course, I work in a tall office building so it gets kind of scary being that high up plus with the G20 here this week-end, no one was absolutely sure it was *only* an earthquake. Down 11 flights of stairs and then outside for an hour and a half in the sunshine. One of my co-workers commented that I should put some sunscreen in my "emergency kit".

Oh, take the gift card. You could easily find something at Future Shop and chances are you'll end up with 5 scratches on a new washer within the first few months anyways.

Tall office building? Yes, I can see how that could be even scarrier! Especially like you said with the G20, there was reason to believe it could have been activits acting up. I suppose you heard about the 3 men arrested here in Ottawa for firebombing a Bank last month? Those men had made a threat about being at the G20 too. Glad they were caught though. Those actions are well beyond the realm of protesting. That was out and out domestic terrorism!
One of my daycare kids mom had her new baby delivered via C-section today. A little boy born just after 1pm. They had just entered into the recovery area with a nurse when the earthquake hit. The nurse, terrified, ran from the room, leaving mom with fresh stitches and still frozen, and a newborn. The Dad says he will complain to the higher ups, because mom and he were scared too. Being a professional especially in nursing, means you should care for your patient first. She had said nothing too them, just ran from the room and didn't go back.

Oh and as for that new washer, I absolutely love it! I"ve done a few loads already and you can barely hear the thing when you are in the same room. Big difference from the old one. As for the scratches, yes, it's likely to get marked up from use. I guess my issue is, if it's gonna get marked up, it will be by us, and not prior to that. The machine is black, so the white marks are very noticeable. I told DH I'm liking the sound of the gift card, and I'll take a permanent black ink marker and cover those scratches on the machine.
I'm wanting a hand held video camera for our cruise, so maybe I'll put it towards that.
Tomorrow.... DS's High School Graduation Ceremony! I get emotional at such events, better remember to pack some tissue!

 

[kristieuk]

I'm sure she has it. I had seen your request to be added, so I've already written your family into my spread sheet I printed off, that Isjones emailed to me. How do you pronounce your youngest daughters actual name? That's very different, and I LOVE the "Tiger" nickname you have for her.

Fantastic, thank you so much! Tegeirian is pronounced tay-gay-ree-ann. It's the welsh word for orchid, although Tiger suits her much better

 

[kristieuk]

Tomorrow.... DS's High School Graduation Ceremony! I get emotional at such events, better remember to pack some tissue!

Have a wonderful time! I will be a wreck when it's our turn

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Just catching up on this thread. Great news about Nachi and everything everyone has planned.

We would love to participate in the fish extender. I have pm'd lsjones but not sure if maybe she is away as I haven't had anything back. Also the TH at Nachi and the Trick or Treat, but not sure what we need to do to help out? Let me know, we are geared up to go

We'd love to have some help with the Treasure Hunt! We are in need of some fun activities that the "10 and unders" do in their quest for clues. Right now we've got them 1) working together to build a sandcastle, 2) having them devise with their own pirate song to sing to the adults (3) having them teach each other how to count to ten in Spanish (thanks to Dora and Diego many of them might already know), etc. etc. We are in need of about 10 activities so any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Anyone planning on staying in port canaveral at a hotel who has not booked yet should do so immediately!

From my research, there is very little availability left in the immediate port area.

The air show is on the week-end our cruise leaves and it's taking up a lot of the rooms.

 

[JKSWonder]

Anyone planning on staying in port canaveral at a hotel who has not booked yet should do so immediately!

From my research, there is very little availability left in the immediate port area.

The air show is on the week-end our cruise leaves and it's taking up a lot of the rooms.

Is the air show something that will be visible from the ship? Cause that would be kind of cool! Makes me worry about traffic getting to the Port that morning though...we are staying at WDW pre-cruise.

 

[nenner1]

Is the air show something that will be visible from the ship? Cause that would be kind of cool! Makes me worry about traffic getting to the Port that morning though...we are staying at WDW pre-cruise.

I'm not sure if we'll be able to see anything, but yeah I am thinking it could affect traffic.

I'm not exactly sure where the beach they list as the viewing location is in relation to the actual port area. It's got to be pretty close as they are holding events at Fishlips on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Here's the website: Cocoa Beach Air Show

Would be great if we could watch the Thunderbirds from deck 9 or 10 as we sail away!!!

 

[kristieuk]

We'd love to have some help with the Treasure Hunt! We are in need of some fun activities that the "10 and unders" do in their quest for clues. Right now we've got them 1) working together to build a sandcastle, 2) having them devise with their own pirate song to sing to the adults (3) having them teach each other how to count to ten in Spanish (thanks to Dora and Diego many of them might already know), etc. etc. We are in need of about 10 activities so any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

No problem, I will get my thinking cap on Great ideas btw!

 

[mvlimmex]

Anyone planning on staying in port canaveral at a hotel who has not booked yet should do so immediately!

From my research, there is very little availability left in the immediate port area.

The air show is on the week-end our cruise leaves and it's taking up a lot of the rooms.

Yikes! You are so right about the availabilty. I was just on the internet the other day and there were still rooms at the Country Inn and Suite, but not anymore. I did some research and finally found a place in Cocoa Beach to stay at...but you are right...availabilty is very limited. Thanks so much for the heads up!

Vicki

 

[mvlimmex]

Does anyone know when they offer the morning character breakfast on the Western cruise? My kids might enjoy that and wouldn't want to schedule something during the same time it is

Thanks,

Vicki

 

[Pudo]

Does anyone know when they offer the morning character breakfast on the Western cruise? My kids might enjoy that and wouldn't want to schedule something during the same time it is

Thanks,

Vicki

Character Breakfast is scheduled on sea days, the one exception on the Western is Key West, but then you will notice that we don't disembark until 11:30 AM which is plenty of time to eat breakfast first.

Your dining rotation will determine whether your CB is Sunday, Monday or Thursday.

 

[mvlimmex]

Character Breakfast is scheduled on sea days, the one exception on the Western is Key West, but then you will notice that we don't disembark until 11:30 AM which is plenty of time to eat breakfast first.

Your dining rotation will determine whether your CB is Sunday, Monday or Thursday.

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

What characters are likely to appear at the breakfasts and when do we find out our dining rotations?

 

[dizney-cruiser]

What characters are likely to appear at the breakfasts and when do we find out our dining rotations?

we have yet to make it to the breakfast - so i can't help you with that - but you get your dining rotation when you check in - it will be on your kttw card

 

[Pudo]

What characters are likely to appear at the breakfasts and when do we find out our dining rotations?

Yes, the key to the world card will have a series of letters on it: PLA (Parrot Cay, Lumieres, Animators) LAP or APL

The characters are usually the Fab 4 (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto) plus Chip and Dale.

 

[kristieuk]

We'd love to have some help with the Treasure Hunt! We are in need of some fun activities that the "10 and unders" do in their quest for clues. Right now we've got them 1) working together to build a sandcastle, 2) having them devise with their own pirate song to sing to the adults (3) having them teach each other how to count to ten in Spanish (thanks to Dora and Diego many of them might already know), etc. etc. We are in need of about 10 activities so any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

A couple of ideas I had, one is to give them a task to find a list of things within maybe 5 minutes, say for example something blue, something shiny, something that floats, a shell, something you can balance on your head.....

Another idea is to get them to take the first letter of their name and think of an animal, a country, and a food beginning with that same letter. The older kids can help out the younger ones if they get stuck.

I will keep thinking....

 

[kristieuk]

Another one, draw a line in the sand say 50 yards away, and they each have to jump once to reach the finish line. The first child goes, then the second starts at the point the first child jumped to, and jumps as far forwards as they can, the third child starts in that spot, and they have to reach the finish line by each child taking one jump forwards. If that makes any sense??! They all have a to shout a pirate 'ooo-arrrr' when they jump!

I am trying to think of things they will be able to contribute to no matter what their age!