October 22, 2005 Roll call

[pdarrah]

The Oceaneer's club is open most days from fairly early in the morning (I think the latest was 9:00am) For exact times you can probably check some of the on-line navigators. They are then open ALL DAY until around midnight or even 1:00am. There are some times when the club is in "transistion" which means they are moving from one location to another and during those times you cannot check in/out of the clubs. As long as you watch the kid navigators pretty closely, you can work around those times - they are usually only 15 minutes or so.

When you board (I've heard that you may be able to do it before boarding now) you go to the club and get them signed up. We went in the afternoon the first day (after Palo ressies & lunch) and it wasn't that crowded and only took a few minutes. They give you a pager for the trip and your child gets an arm band (which can also be used if they get lost on the ship to get them back to you!). Whenever you come to the club, you check them in at the front desk (unless it is a VERY busy time, this only takes a few minutes). When you come back to get them (or they page you) you just check them out at the desk - again it is usually only a few minutes.

My DS was in the 5-7 group so I can't tell you much about the 3-4 activities. There are some kid navigators on-line which would give you some idea what they do. In the evening (like 9pm or so) they put on a movie and put mats on the floor. Most of the kids settle down to watch and many of them fall asleep there. Kids that don't want to watch the movie can go into another small room where there are games.

If you have any other questions, just ask!

Pamela

 

[Timon]

I did some checking on hotels for the night prior to the cruise. The cheapest right now for the Radisson is $129 for a Caribbean Room or $159 for a King Whirpool suite.

I also e-mailed Ron Jon Resort and got these prices for Oct 21st:
Studio $150
1 Bedroom $200
2 Bedroom $240

We need two rooms so I may priceline it, seeming how there was talk of a new 4 star resort popping up soon.

Yup, pretty excited about the cruise!!!
I started Oprah's Bootcamp last week and I hope to shed some pounds ( okay, I hope to shed a LOT of pounds!)

Got my passporter ( although it doesn't have much more info than what I've learned on the DIS already, but the leather book is cool!) and I bought my friends one too, which will come in super handy since it's their first cruise and they have a million questions!

Welcome to those who posted recently...we're gonna have a great cruise! We got such a great bunch of DISers!!

American Scrapper,
Thanks for the heads up about the Rebel XT, looks like an awesome camera, here's hoping I can afford it before our cruise!

 

[afoss]

Thanks for the hotel rate info. At least they are cheaper than the Hyatt at the Orlando airport. I'm waiting to book my flights in hopes that the airfare will go down some. We were considering a later flight in and stay at the Hyatt but now I'm thinking an early flight and staying at the Radisson is a better deal.

My DH just laughs at me for doing so much for this vacation. He has no idea how much planning, negotiating and research it takes! Could you imagine what kind of vacation it would be without that?

Amy

 

[ThreeSmiths]

ThreeSmiths - where's Huntersville? We're in western NC in Sylva (right at the foot of the Great Smoky & Blue Ridge Mountains).
Diane

Hi Diane!

Huntersville is just north of Charlotte on I-77. I know Sylva...my brother attended the community college there...I don't remember the name. He lived in Otto while attending the school. He's also lived in Franklin, and different parts of Rabun County. He used to live in one of the little old cabins on Peek's Creek (sp?) that got washed away last fall from the torrential rains that the hurricanes brought. His friend's mom was still living in one of the cabins and was killed when the water smashed the cabins. I was so relieved that he was not living there. He is now living in Charlotte.

We go to Asheville to the Grove Park Inn and Biltmore Estate a couple of times a year and are only about 1 hr. 15 min. from Blowing Rock. We love the mountains....we just stayed at the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock last weekend.

We would love to live in your area, but my husband owns a swimming pool business, which might not be as profitable in the mountains! We've always wondered what people who live there do for a living?

Timon-- I read about the Oprah BootCamp in the recent "O" magazine. I would love to do it, but I don't think I'm disciplined enough to stick to it. Although it is obviously working for her....she looks FABULOUS! I've been doing the low carb thing, but kind of (okay, REALLY) fell off the wagon over the weekend....I need to get back on ASAP! Good Luck with it! Let us know what you think of it as you go! You might just inspire me!

But for now (since I'm still off the wagon) I must go enjoy some yummy Fannie May Trinidads that my dad sent me from Chicago...tomorrow's another day!

Stacy

 

[ThreeSmiths]

One thing I have noticed....I think we have a lot of cat lovers on board. At least I get that sense when I see the AVATARS...lol.

CaveCats....I am a cat lover for sure....3 indoor and 2 indoor/outdoor cats are members of our family.

I am so envious of your upcoming trip! It is a dream of mine to go to the Galapagos Islands! You certainly have bragging rights! Have a GREAT time!

Stacy

 

[American Scrapper]

"But for now (since I'm still off the wagon) I must go enjoy some yummy Fannie May Trinidads that my dad sent me from Chicago...tomorrow's another day!"

Oh Stacy - I have been staying away from Fannie May and it has not been easy. I drive right past one two times a day on my way to the train and back home from work, and Trinidads are my FAVORITE!! I have not been good at all, and really, really need to get my rear doing something. I have been really busy at work, so sitting at my desk for just about the whole day has really had my bottom spreading out even more than it was! UGH!!

Timon, you will have to let us know how the boot camp goes, I do WW but have not been good at all lately! I cannot wait to get my XT! I am just glad that I did not get the original Rebel when I first started to talk about it because I would have been upset that a new one came out right afterwards. Although the way the electronics business is, you can never get ahead. They are always coming out with something new before the old ones are even on the shelf.

Kathy

 

[pdarrah]

Yes - more cat lovers here! We now have 5 (yes five!) indoor cats!!! We had 3, but then one of DH's outside cats (ferile cats that roam the neighborhood - he catches as many as he can and gets them spade/neutered & then releases them - but there are always a few he can't seem to catch...) had kittens. He had trouble catching the first batch and didn't get them until early fall. The second batch were easy to catch since she got hit by a car in front of our house when they were only about 5-6 weeks old. Once he had the little ones, the 2 that had survived from the earlier batch were caught. He was able to get the little ones into one of the local shelters to be adopted, but couldn't find a spot for the 2 older ones. He kept them in the garage for about 6 weeks and then gave in and brought them in! They are sweeties, but it is a little crazy having 5 cats.

pdarrah

 

[Timon]

Stacy & Kathy,

This is my second week at Boot Camp and I love it! It is TOUGH but I already see results and normally it takes weeks for me to even lose a pound!
I've lost 2 pounds in 11 days and I feel really good. I just put on a pair pants that I couldn't do up 12 days ago! With this program, I've really challenged myself and it's hard some days but I think it's going to pay off for me in 12 weeks!

The toughest is the double workout days and using 8 pound weights for my strength training ( I was using 3 lbs & 5 lbs before I started this program!) but I actually look forward to my workouts now. Before I used to find every excuse in the book to avoid them!!

My goal is to be in good enough shape so that during our week at WDW before the cruise, my feet, back & legs don't kill me after a day of theme parking!

Oh and another cat lover here. We have two cats and one dog! You can see pics of all my boys HERE

 

[scrapperjill]

Only one cat here...but poor thing just broke his tail . The vet thinks he was up under a car sleeping when someone started their car...and his tail got caught in the fan...Now it just hangs there limp...with bald areas where the fur was scalped from the fan blade. Oh...I feel sooo bad for him..Now we have to give him antibiotics twice a day for the month...and just wait and see if his tail heals. Vet said it could take 2-3 months...and that he had a 70% chance of recovery Cross my fingers that he heals up well..

Yep only one cat...but now were expecting puppies. Well at least were hoping we are...

I know what you mean American Scrapper....about waiting for the XT...I could kick myself for getting the Rebel now. But I had an idea when I got it...that they may be changing it soon...since there were so many sales and rebates on it...and since it had been out in the market sooo long. But I thought when the D20 came out...that may have been it...didn't expect them to bring out another digital SLR this year.

Just wanted to add with the kids club...you don't need to rush in and sign your kids up...you can even wait to sign them up the first time you go to drop them off. And if you didn't know there are no additional fees for the lab or club like there is for Flounders.

 

[American Scrapper]

Great Job Timon! We are going through a conversion at work and it has been so hectic. I swear since taking this management job I have packed on pounds that I lost while on WW. I am eating on the run, at my desk or not at all then pigging out in the evening. UGH!! I am going to really have to get diciplined since this conversion is not going away anytime soon!!

Scrapperjill, I am sorry about your cat's broken tail. Poor thing!! So, since your dog is having puppies does that make you a grandma!! LOL!!

Kathy

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Poor Kitty! Sandi, I'm so sorry your cat is hurt. I would be devastated! However I have heard of cats getting hurt much more seriously in that same situation. Our backyard backs up to a nature preserve, and we have lots of wild critters and stray cats around (hence, I have 5 cats, Inky, Simba, Ginger, Dottie and Shawn). On cold mornings I'm always afraid that I'm going to start my car and hear a terrible scream! I hope I never have to be on either end of that experience. My cats and I will say a prayer for a speedy recovery for your kitty!

Cass,

You rock! I am so impressed that you have stuck to the boot camp for 11 days! I know it's tough, that's why I haven't decided to start it. I'm glad that you're seeing results....it really keeps the motivation up! Keep up the good work and report back soon!

TTFN!

Stacy

 

[scrapperjill]

LOL...I guess so... if Abby's (our dog) is having puppies I'm a granny...But then again that would mean I became a granny this time last year...when she had her first litter.

I just wonder with Mr. Whiskers (our cat)...if someone around here did start their car and he was up under it...did they see him, or hear him...and did they know where his home is? We don't have a whole lot of neighbors...and most of them park in their garages...so that leaves only a few. But then again it was Saturday evening when it happened...and someone could have been visiting someone..The strange thing..is it was fairly warm out...and it happened perty early in the evening...when the sun was still out...and the weather was good. We've been getting up to the 60's over this last week. So I just can't see him up under someone's car. And he's not one to really explore around...he got totaly freaked on night when he saw another cat across the road at the neighbors. But then again...he is growing up (almost a year old)....and maybe he's getting out more and seeing what else is around.

What's this Boot Camp? I haven't heard of it?

 

[American Scrapper]

Bump... we are were getting pretty far down on the list. Needed to bump us up again.

Kathy

 

[scrapperjill]

Hey..all...How's everything going... Our boards been real quiet lately. I guess everyones been busy. We've been enjoying the wonderful weather that we've been having...high 60's to low-mid 70's. It's been great...But I have a feeling well be paying for it this summer...HOT. HOT. HOT. And DRY!!! In case anyone is wondering...our cat, Mr. Whiskers, has been doing better. He's getting around just fine...not hiding out so much. But his tail still just hangs limp. But then again...it's only been a little over a week. From the sounds of it (according to the vet) He's pertty luck to still be alive...I guess most animals that get caught in car fans...don't make it out. Anyway...he's jumping all over and getting around real well. I haven't seen him outside the fence since then....but that's alright.

 

[American Scrapper]

That is good news about Mr. Wiskers, Sandi! Boy, I wish we would have some nice weather here. We did get in the 60s on Sunday, which was wonderful, but that was short lived. We have been back in the low 30s the last couple of days. Although it has been sunny which makes a difference.

Hope everyone is well!


Kathy

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Sandi,

I'm glad your cat is doing better. We live in a town and have always had our cats as indoor only - but there are a lot of ferile cats in the area and I always worry about one of them getting into the car engine. I'd feel terrible if one of them got hurt.

One of our cats (he just passed away at the age of 15) had a tail injury when we first found him. He was still a very young kitten and you couldn't see anything wrong, but 1/2 of his tail was totally limp. He lived with that his entire life and it never seemed to bother him much except that he was a little more "klutsy" than our other cats. He just wasn't quite as gracefull and agile as most!

I hope your cat continues to improve and hopefully he will never get into another car!

Pamela

 

[scrapperjill]

American Scrapper...I just had to let you know that the Mountian blew Yep tonight around 5ish. As soon as I heard...You popped into my thoughs. Now we have ash warnings through out the night. Our biggest concern is Sydney...and if we should keep her home tomarrow or what...Only thing with that is it's class picture day...I may just have to have the school call me...then run her down there when it's her classes turn. I'm sure if I just sent her to school...she wouldn't want to wear a mask all day ....but then again...maybe i'm getting ahead of myself. For all I know the ash plume could pass us by...or all drop before it gets here.

ThreeSmiths....I heard NC got some big wind Tuesday...did you guys get any of that or are you inland far enough? I hope all is well.

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Scrapperjill,

Just read your post about the mountain blowing is this the one that has been threatening for some time. Sorry to be vague but here in England we do not always get what I feel is the important news just political talk.
Hope all is well and your cat is improving. Wish we could have some of your warm sunshine it has been so bitterly cold and drab here with the snow and rain for over 2 weeks and we need some sun.

 

[scrapperjill]

Yep that's the one. It's been having activity for some time now....they thought for sure it was going to blow sometime in the fall (around October)...but over the last few months there hasn't been much activity at all. Actually they said yesterday after the fact....that they had no indication of any activity happening...until just as it went.

We didn't get much ash at all...just a VERY SMALL dusting. ...Nothing like in 1980 when we had FEET of ash everywhere.

Weather is still beautiful outside...I'd say were going to get up to low 70's today....And Mr Whiskers is improving everyday. I still have my fingers crossed that his tail will heal...and he'll be able to move it.

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Hi everyone!

Sandi, glad to hear that Mr. Whiskers is doing better! Sounds like he used up one of his 9 lives! I worry about my indoor/outdoor cats as well. Actually, only one of them really ventures away from the house.

Yes, we did have some high winds yesterday! Monday was very pleasant...70 degrees, warm and sunny. Then the cold front came through Tuesday morning and brought rain and really bad winds. There was speculation that a tornado might have touched down in Charlotte because there was some structural damage in one neighborhood, however the news is saying that it was probably caused by a powerful wind gust. On my way to work there were construction barrels rolling across the highway and the rain was coming down sideways! It moved in and out pretty quickly though. By 10 a.m. it was sunny again! However it has gotten chilly...back down into the 40's & 50's, and snow in the mountains. I am SO ready for spring. I'm hoping that this will be our last cold snap.

I'm glad to hear that you did not get burried in ash! I remembered all of the talk about it in the fall, and I just heard about it on the news. I hope Sydney made it to school for picture day!

Cass, I hope you're doing well on the bootcamp! I've fallen off the wagon and now it's so far off in the distance I'll never catch up!!!! If I can just get on my treadmill on a regular basis I'd be okay!

Kathy, I used to always think (when I lived in Chicago) "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." That helped me get through some brutal winters. Not much longer, hang in there!

TTFN!!!

Stacy