PTR for our 'Magic'al Adventure Oct, '11

[sullins5]

Do you use regular batteries for your camera or does it have a rechargeable battery? Ours is rechargeable so I have a charger that plugs in for that. I would take the phone charger just so you can charge it and it will be ready when you are in an area to use it even if it is just FL. I think some ports you can get a call out but I may be wrong on that?

Only 8 more days and we will be there!!

Hey Laura! Yes, I do use reg lithium batteries. Bought extra, just in case! And thanks, I will take the phone charger. It'll be interesting to know WHEN we can use that! I need to check on all our babies ,, ,rabbit,, etc at home, so hopefully somewhere?

 

[sullins5]

1 Week!!! or 7 Days!!!

And yet? I find myself a little on the 'sad' side that after next week no more countdowns!!! Unless.............we can rebook! Hoping dh loves, loves, loves this cruise!

~ and speaking of dh? So happy the doc gave him a medical clearance! He just doesn't need to 'jostle' his brain... Do any of us? I was wondering whether he'd be allowed to do our one excursion, and he can! Whoo hoo! No More Scooters!

~ My boxes made it to Orlando!! Now let's hope they all 3 make it on Saturday! We shall see..

~My mind is swirling today...can someone use a cattle prod to shock my other adults moving? OMG! Not one of my 'big' kids (dh included) have touched their packing... Can you tell who the planner is? This week, when this chik does the laundry, guess who WON'T be getting their clothes? I've done this before, they'll come down looking for a shirt/pants/shorts, and I'll say "must be in the wash"...when in reality? They WERE in the wash, but mom has her stock pile of favorite, clean clothes ready to put in a suitcase! See? Us moms are given a special talent...

~ Hope your Saturday's are Sweet! This chik is enjoying every minute, just with that expectation and looking forward to her first cruise!!! Are we there yet?

 

[sullins5]

5 Days until we see that beautiful ship! After counting down 10 months out, it's finally here!

We had a sad call Saturday, when a good friend called, she had gotten married in July very quickly due to her husband being deployed to Afghanistan, and said he'd been in an accident. I'm telling you, it ALWAYS reminds you of priorities doesn't it? It's severe, we're all praying, and their lives will never be the same. Puts a damper on things you know?

So, while i'm still excited, I feel a bit guilty when our lives are getting ready for a 'dream come true' and on the other side of the country, they are suffering. Whew...one word...Tough!

~ My packages arrived and were delivered to the dock of the warehouse..

~ Still haven't thrown everything in my suitcase..(ugh oh)

~ wrapped up last minute surprises (always fun)

Only 4 more days, my house sitter is ready (at least I hope, so that the 's don't drive her crazy), neighbors are available and watching, (got to love having 4 police as neighbors), ...and we're just about ready!

Hope your planning has been 'noneventful' and that you've enjoyed every second...we've enjoyed just the thought alone! See you soon Magic!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

We had a sad call Saturday, when a good friend called, she had gotten married in July very quickly due to her husband being deployed to Afghanistan, and said he'd been in an accident. I'm telling you, it ALWAYS reminds you of priorities doesn't it? It's severe, we're all praying, and their lives will never be the same. Puts a damper on things you know?

So, while i'm still excited, I feel a bit guilty when our lives are getting ready for a 'dream come true' and on the other side of the country, they are suffering. Whew...one word...Tough!

:

Three days !
The situation with your friend and her husband is yet another reminder to us to seize the day, and do our special family time now rather than wait .... Hope the word from Afghanistan is ok.
Lucky you found a housesitter for the cats! I am already worrying about my 2 kitties and we are 10 months away. We always get people to come feed them, but it's not the same, and the cats get so upset with our absence Maybe I'll try your method next year.
HAVE A BLAST!

 

[sullins5]

Three days !
The situation with your friend and her husband is yet another reminder to us to seize the day, and do our special family time now rather than wait .... Hope the word from Afghanistan is ok.
Lucky you found a housesitter for the cats! I am already worrying about my 2 kitties and we are 10 months away. We always get people to come feed them, but it's not the same, and the cats get so upset with our absence Maybe I'll try your method next year.
HAVE A BLAST!

Thank you so much! They are blessed with great care in Germany, however, he won't be coming home to DC until at least Friday. Just trying to stabilize him. As of Monday, he still didn't know his injuries. So, of course, we're all praying!

And you are SO right! I have friends who don't go on vacations, but spend their resources on their homes, cars, things, and I often tell them "Memories are what your kids will remember"...Carpe Diem!

And yes, feel SO much better for a house sitter! Find a responsible single (or married) person who 'needs a break', your cats will love you for it! Plus, I can't tell you how nice it is to know someone is living here day in and night. She'll check on things, spend time with the babies (I know, but they're our babies), and take care of our plants, rabbit, and fish! And I always (besides paying) leave meals, a sweet dessert for them and usually come home to a clean home where the pets are happy.

And we're amost off! Whew! If I can get through today and tomorrow with my 'to do' list, I'll be ready! Thanks again for the kind words! I'll look forward to following your excitement too!

Off in 2 days!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

:
And yes, feel SO much better for a house sitter! Find a responsible single (or married) person who 'needs a break', your cats will love you for it! Plus, I can't tell you how nice it is to know someone is living here day in and night. She'll check on things, spend time with the babies (I know, but they're our babies), and take care of our plants, rabbit, and fish! And I always (besides paying) leave meals, a sweet dessert for them and usually come home to a clean home where the pets are happy.
:

One more sleep??!!
Today I sent an e-mail to my neice who is studying abroad. I decided that she'd be my perfect house-sitter for August! She should be on a break from school, and being 28 years old she probably doesn't love the idea of staying with her mother for a few weeks (we will be away for 3 weeks, though the cruise is only part of it), and she loves cats.... cross your fingers for me!
Happy pre-cruise last minute finish all the details day!

 

[sullins5]

One more sleep??!!
Today I sent an e-mail to my neice who is studying abroad. I decided that she'd be my perfect house-sitter for August! She should be on a break from school, and being 28 years old she probably doesn't love the idea of staying with her mother for a few weeks (we will be away for 3 weeks, though the cruise is only part of it), and she loves cats.... cross your fingers for me!
Happy pre-cruise last minute finish all the details day!

That's perfect! Sounds like the perfect house sitter to me! I'll be crossing my fingers for sure for you! I went through this process 3x times until I found someone available. These young professionals are great! I've gotten mine some groceries, got her stocked up and loaded, she'll have a wii, books, chick flicks, probably some friends over, and some quiet time. She's excited she said just to be able to chill (since she normally has room mates).

And thanks for checking in with us. We'll really be pumped tonight and tomorrow. This week has been hard since our friends' news. Her husbands injuries were quite extensive, lost one leg above the knee, one below the knee and an arm above the elbow. It's been hard to be excited knowing we're on a trip of a lifetime, and their fighting for his life. Just tough. But thanks..you're last sentence "Happy pre-cruise last minute finish all the details" comment made me laugh..and I needed that!

One more day...we'll be jetting out to our favorite place on the earth. And then getting some 'Magic' on Saturday!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

This week has been hard since our friends' news. Her husbands injuries were quite extensive, lost one leg above the knee, one below the knee and an arm above the elbow. It's been hard to be excited knowing we're on a trip of a lifetime, and their fighting for his life. Just tough. But thanks..:

Wow that's a hard one. They're going to need a lot of support from friends and family - sounds like you are good for the task... What a way to start your newly married life. This may or may not be relevant, but if you want, can you tell us his name so those of us who are into stuff like this can say a prayer for him? It might just help, somehow, who knows

Will look forward to hearing from you after your trip! Have a great time and know that you can be there for your loved ones even on vacation, so no guilt needed

SHIP'S AHOY!!

 

[sullins5]

Wow that's a hard one. They're going to need a lot of support from friends and family - sounds like you are good for the task... What a way to start your newly married life. This may or may not be relevant, but if you want, can you tell us his name so those of us who are into stuff like this can say a prayer for him? It might just help, somehow, who knows

Will look forward to hearing from you after your trip! Have a great time and know that you can be there for your loved ones even on vacation, so no guilt needed

SHIP'S AHOY!!

Thanks so much! . We are praying, have tons of folks praying for him, as are many churches. And our hearts are so heavy, can't EVEN imagine what this young man and his new wife are facing. Just heavy. Will share more when they let his wife share more.

And on a great funny note this am? My big guy son comes down headed out to work in a hurry, so I asked "Are you packed yet?" I had asked him to pack yesterday. He said " No, mom..all my clothes must be in the wash"...and then this mom starts chuckling to herself. Nope! Not in the dirty clothes, I hid them in a clothes basket, nicely folded, ready to go, so he wouldn't find them, pile them in a pile, wear them again, and NOT have clothes...

Oh the fun us moms have! busy, busy, busy!

 

[sullins5]

1 More Day!!!!!

Well, almost! Had to go ahead and post, since it's 10pm my time, I figured it was midnight somewhere else! Actually, posting now since 4am is gonna come pretty soon and we won't be back on for a few....(I know, gonna miss us huh?)

It's been a great adventure to be sure. Today was filled. To the brim. Am I tired? O my word! Must say this week has been hard and hard to enjoy our joy about the cruise, but come tomorrow, hopefully the excitement will 'kick' back in... If not, I'll be drinking some mega caffeine! Think Caf Pow from NCIS!

Headed out early, hoping the 3 big suitcases do not make 50lbs each as we were close on one! I know, should have taken another one, but at this point, I'll leave something at home. Thanks for hanging with us, hope some of the tips I've learned and dealt with will help another newbie along the way! I can honestly say, I feel well prepared! We've done all we could except to have the great time..and that one is coming!

Safe Travels everyone! And keep counting down those days! It's been wonderful!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

WELCOME BACK!
Saw you're posting again so knew you were back - as much as one can be! Looking forward to hearing how it was. Remember that writing a TR is known to be good therapy for post-cruise blues!

 

[sullins5]

WELCOME BACK!
Saw you're posting again so knew you were back - as much as one can be! Looking forward to hearing how it was. Remember that writing a TR is known to be good therapy for post-cruise blues!

We ARE!!! We had a Wonderful time!!! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the ship!!! The cast and crew? The BEST! Everything couldn't have been more perfect...well almost: our Budget car rental experience was NOT good, coming or going, and YES, I'll do a trip report! Will try to get all my thoughts together today to start it, but all my thoughts, ideas, experiences are still just swirling!

And LOVED our sideways staterooms!

Can't wait to tell our favorites! Thanks for watching, will let you know when I get started (could be a long one )

Ok...started for fear I'd forget everything! Posting pics in the orders of the days! Look for it ... Whoo Hoo (our first cruise) and Boo Hoo (yep, it's back to life) for our Magic Trip Report Oct 8-15th!