October 9, 2005, Wonder

[iwynlea]

Hello cruise buddies! I can now officially say "No more work days until vacation!!!" Of course, because it's the last day, everything blows up, nothing goes as planned, and I had to spend the whole day doing damage control and crisis management. Whew -- am I glad that's over! Our Asst. Coordinator is on his own for the next week (he'll be fine - he knows more than I do about technical stuff) -- as of 5pm today, I'm "unreachable" (meaning I'm not answering the work cellphone between now and Monday when we get back!)

I'm trying to keep myself calm, so I'll sleep tonight & tomorrow, but I'm downloading a whole bunch of Disney podcasts onto my new toy (I bought myself an iPod as an early b-day present) so I'm sure I'll get excited as I listen to those as I pack and clean the house tonight/tomorrow morning. At least it gives me something to think about other than how big the dust bunnies are under the bed!

This will probably be my last post before the cruise, since I'm sure tomorrow will be completely insane as we finish the last minute "oops I forgot" errands before heading to Houston tomorrow afternoon/evening. We're going to try to hit Six Flags down there for a couple of hours tomorrow night to check out their Halloween party (we have season passes). We'll see if we make it or not -- depends how tired the DH is after working all night tonight and only getting a small nap before we leave.

I wish everyone a safe trip, ease of travel (however you're getting there!), and lots of laughter and smiles!! I can't wait to meet everyone Sunday!!

Erica

 

[ktpbell]

Hi All. I am so sorry I missed the meeting. I got there about 3:30 and I didn't see anyone. I'm sure I ran into some of ya'll over the cruise and it would have been so fun to have known your faces. I was just wondering if anyone wanted to share about the cruise.
Karen

 

[auntie k]

ktpbell - we wondered where you were! We only chatted for about 15 minutes....everyone had things to do before the drill....Lori had to find her kids..I think her mom lost them! LOL!

I am struggling to get back in the routine this morning...I did not want to return to the REAL world!

Our entire trip was fabulous, we will cruise again, but hubby said the next one is to Alaska...brrrrrr.....

 

[auntie k]

HHHEELLOOOO out there.....what's up???? Where's the posts from everyone about their trip? Our thread was buried, I had to dig it up!!!

Would love to hear an update (brief or long) about your trip!

 

[momm2four]

Whew! I'm finally home. We pulled in around 10:00 tonight, and I must say, "There's no place like home." (Although, DCL is close, lol)

I did find my kids. Evidently, when my mom said, "I'll watch them", they didn't know that she was watching them, so they just ran. I was really proud of my 10 year old. He managed to keep everyone together and got them back to the room. It was not, however, a good feeling for me for about 5 minutes.

I do want to write later with my thoughts on the cruise, but right now, I'm going to bed. We didn't even take the time to unload the van. I sat down and checked my email while watching ER, then my DH and I sat on the couch and looked at our vacation pics on my laptop until the battery went down.

I'll just end by saying that we are planning on taking a 7 night cruise in two years. We enjoyed ourselves at WDW as well, but nothing close to the cruise.

I'll talk to you guys later!!!
Lori P.

 

[auntie k]

Oh, Lori I feel bad, I thought you were kidding about the kids 'being lost" and therefore I was kidding in my comment. Glad all is well!
Man, you had an awesome LONG vacation!! How was doing WDW & the cruise? too much?

Did everyone else become a "Castaway" and not return to work/home? LOL!

Did anyone have "land legs" (feeling like you were still moving)? DH and I both did for about 4 days....that was an odd feeling! I thought you didn't get that on the short cruises.

Remember my comment earlier in the thread about un-packing not being fun? Yeah, I still have stuff stacked on my dresser! How about you guys?

What did everyone think about MNSSHP that went?

 

[momm2four]

Keri...You shouldn't feel bad...it was almost funny that we had been on the ship only 3 hours and the kids went MIA, lol.

As far as having such a long vacation, it went pretty well. I think the cruise spoiled us. We went from having freedom while the kids were in the clubs and eating anything we wanted (at no additional cost) to having the kids with us 24/7 and feeling nickeled and dimed to death over every little thing.

I did enjoy the MNSSHP, but my favorite time last week was one night when my two oldest and I went to Epcot until 9, then went to MGM for extended hours. That place was DESERTED! We were able to do everything we wanted and then some until midnight. When we left the park, there were only about 25 cars in the parking lot.

Some of the costumes that night were remarkable. Many looked professional.

I didn't experience land-legs, but I did end up getting sick the last night of the cruise. I missed the last show, as well as dinner. I thought that it was strange to get sick then instead of the first night, since I felt the motion so much more then.

I went over to my school today to check my mailbox and send off for my college transcripts. If I don't get those into the state of TN by Nov. 1 (in order to renew my teaching certificate), I could cause my school system to get a $25,000 fine. I'm not really sure that I'm ready to get back into the "real world" or not.

Oh... I did want to share one thing with you, which I'll probably share with the board later, but I thought it was funny. Our room steward was wonderful...How wonderful was he? He was sooo wonderful that he folded our pile of dirty laundry, lol. We started a dirty laundry pile under one of the desks, and I guess it bothered him that there was clothing on the floor, b/c we came "home" one night and he had folded every bit of it and laid it on the back of the couch.

I'm not trying to make fun at all. He really did do a perfect job, but I just thought that was funny.

Well, my battery is going down, I'll write more later!!!

What were the highlights of your trip?

Lori P.

 

[iwynlea]

Hey gang! We got home Monday about noon, but it's just been tooooo insane around here for me to pop online here.

My car (a Toyota Prius) was recalled while we were on vacation, so I spent all Tuesday dealing with the car dealership and then I called in sick on Wednesday to work with a headache (and slept all day) and work has been insane. Whew - glad it's Friday and I can catch my breath!

I hope everyone had as great a trip as we did! We'll be doing a 7-night in 2007 (not sure when yet, didn't rebook on ship, so we probably won't book until sometime next year when we have a little cash)...4 nights just doesnt seem long enough anymore!

I have lots of stories to share...need to compose my trip report this weekend, I suppose.

AuntieK...you have stuff on your dresser, but I still have stuff in 3 of our 4 suitcases! LOL! I have them all open and spread out in the entry way area of the house so I can get to stuff but I haven't actually gotten around to unpacking yet. Yikes! (I did, at least, get laundry done!) I guess I'd better hurry, since I leave next Saturday for a business trip and I'll need one of those bags for that trip!

Anyone know how to post a picture on here?? I wanna post the one DH took of us all...and if you want the full-size picture, please private mail me your email address and I'll send the pic directly to you (full size file is 720KB).

Ok, I'm gonna go read the help file and I'll be back soon with a picture (hopefully!).

Erica

 

[iwynlea]

Ok, here we go....I hope this works!

PS - Ronda, please PM me and I'll pass on the pic I took of you and your kids pin trading - it came out great!

 

[momm2four]

I made a little progress today. My suitcases actually made it from the van to the garage today. Who knows...maybe by Sunday, they'll actually get into the house, I absolutely HATE (with a capital H-A-T-E) unpacking. Normally, I just bring all the luggage into my room and we just live out of the suitcases until they're empty, lol.

I got all my pictures developed today. I would love to put those online for viewing. I'll have to look into that.

Erica, Good to hear from you! I know you mentioned cruising again in 2 years. That would be neat to end up on the same cruise again.

Well, it's late, and I guess I need to hit the hay, so goodnight all!

Lori P.

 

[rwaller]

Hello Everyone, It was great meeting everyone on the ship. I wish we had more time. Just as everyone else, our trip was Most Excellent!!! I know we'll cruise again in the future.

As soon as we returned on Thurs. the 13th ( around 10:00 pm ) Kasey and I had to reorginize and leave on Tues. the 18th for a 3 day hospital stay for some Chemo. I am glad I took the time to get pics. developed on Fri. the 14th & had them in our Disney Cruise album by Sunday night. This ONLY happened b/c I knew her Dr. and nurses would've given me a lot a grief if we'd shown up w/nothing.

Our stateroom guy was wonderful as well. Everything was wonderful!!! Erica great job on the picture. I will e-mail you for the pic of the girls. All the kids had a gret time with the pin trading ( so did I)! I'm going to try and post my picture on a kodak web site. If anyone is interested i'll e-mail the site you all may be familiar already??? I think we need to definitely try and keep the thread going!!!!

 

[auntie k]

Whew! Glad to see everyone posting again...you had me worried!!

Great photo Erica! - THANKS!

Yes, send links I want to see everyone's photos!!!

Looks like everyone had a good trip - I'm so glad!! Hopefully, we will cruise again in '07 too, but doubt it will be with Disney. Totally enjoyed the Disney experience, but would like to venture out and try others and save a little money too.

 

[rwaller]

Hi, I was successfull in getting the photos posted. The only way I know for them to be viewed is by sending an invite to the site. So, if anyone would like to see them, send me a private e-mail with your e-mail address. This is also a site where we can leave messages and chat!!! I hope to see more photos posted.

Lori, I'm with you on venturing out with a different cruise. I'm really bad, I've started prelimenary plans for a vacation in Oct.-Nov. 2007 to the islands (Hopefully) of Hawaii!!! I've heard they have a great Island hopping cruise!This will be the 2 year mark for Kasey to be finished with her treatment for Leukemia. I have a friend who's father has given our family a weeks time share anywhere! Of course this is all talk as of now, I have been accused of planning entirely to much!!! We can ALWAYS dream!!!!
Rhonda

 

[momm2four]

We'll probably stick with Disney while the kids are still young. I love not having to worry about what they're exposed to on the ship. It's just such a family friendly ship. I had heard that other cruises charge you for kids' clubs after a certain hour. Maybe I'll look into others just for informational reasons. If my DH and I go on one alone, we'll try a different one.

I went back to work today. My students were so sweet welcoming me back. I had one young man say, "It's nice to actually learn something again." It made me feel good

Well, I'm going to go get the kids ready for bed. Talk to you ladies later!

Lori P.

 

[rwaller]

Sorry Lori, I was thinking of Auntie K's thoughts on venturing out. I had addressed you

 

[momm2four]

Sorry Lori, I was thinking of Auntie K's thoughts on venturing out. I had addressed you

That's okay, I knew what you meant

Lori P.

 

[iwynlea]

What happened to our lovely lively discussion board? *sniff* I guess we're all still coming back to the real world...a world without planning a Disney vacation.

I know I've been swamped at work and too tired once I get home to even think about logging on. Had a little time at lunch today, so I've emailed the pictures to everyone who PM'd me...please let me know if you don't receive them.

I'm headed to Pittsburg this weekend for a conference, so I'll be out of touch for about a week. See everyone when I get back!

Erica

 

[momm2four]

Erica, thanks for the picture. I pulled it up after school, and my student teacher thought it was so neat that we had all I talked to each other before the cruise began. I'm with you on being busy. Sometimes I just want to take a sick day just to catch up on everything at home. By the time I get home from school and get the boys to finish their homework, all I want to do is sit on the couch. When I do get on the computer, I usually end up nodding off.

Did anyone else get their Castaway Club mail today. There was a CD with "beachy" music on it, along with our Castaway cards. My DH didn't get one, I wonder if it makes a difference.

I will be planning another cruise for Oct. 07, but the prices aren't out yet, so I guess I'll wait. At least we can pay off our last bit of credit card debt before then, so I won't feel guilty about putting down a deposit.

Well, it's dinner time, so I'm going to run for a bit. Have a great evening everyone!

Lori P.

 

[rwaller]

Erica, I got the pics.!! Hopre you have a safe trip.

My friend Carrie that was cruising with us got her castaway cay stuff. She just called tonight & we were saying how it 's amazing how LONG you plan for these trips and when it's over it's all a blurr. I do know my girls will have great memories of the cruise, that's ALL they talk about.

Happy Halloween!! Rhonda

 

[momm2four]

Rhonday, I agree about it being over so quickly. I planned for 20 MONTHS for our trip, and now it's over. Kinda sad, except for the fact that we're planning on going again in 2 years.

I was actually glad to be home when we got here, but now that I've gotten back into civilization, I am REALLY missing the ship. I keep looking back at my pictures and feel almost homesick. That probably sounds a little silly, but it was as close to a perfect vacation as I've had.

I need to eat and head back home. I've been in a class today since 9 this morning, but I wanted to stop and eat before I drive the 2 hour trip home. I'll talk to you later,

Lori P.