Sept. 11, 2011 It's never too early to Dream

[tjbaggott]

Yes, it's the Magic, and we're doing the western tour. One of our meets friends did a check on a web site to find out which and how many other ships will be in port on our day in Cozumel. Turns out, our date there seems to be the rarer time when there will be a total of 6 cruise ships in port! THats 15,000 passengers. We were originally going to go to paradise beach as were others in our group. But with the new knowledge we decided it's going to be INSANE at that beach. The older kids could probably still have fun, but the younger ones would probably not go on the water toys as they might feel too intimidated by the mounds of people.
Then someone mentioned Nachi Cocom. It's a private Beach that is limited to 100 people on the beach. The price (total $136.00 for my family of 4) includes a free open bar (DH was hooked when I mentioned that perk), and a 3 course lunch meal, and beach chairs, a pool and a beach. Now from my meets board there are 50 some of us with reservations! We're thinking we just might get the place completely booked out with just Magic Cruisers!

Grand Cayman another big group of us are going with Captain Marvins for a 1/2 day snorkeling and STing Ray City tour. There's so many of us that we have an entire boat to ourselves ( no non dis strangers).
Getting totally excited about this trip, and when we are back, I'll start wrapping gifts to surprise 4 people with the Dream Cruise! I think my boys will be totally freaked as they won't expect another cruise so soon again!

And I totally can't wait to see my mothers expression when she figures out she's going on a cruise. She made a comment to me after my brother took her to Punta Canta this past January, "I don't know if I'd like to go on a cruise ship, I think I might feel I was "Stuck On A Boat"" She wants to go back to Punta Canta. I dont' know about the rest of you, but when talking about Disney Cruising, "I" think it's a SIN to suggest that one might feel Stuck On A Boat!!!
So she'll open a bottle of water with a rubber Ducky attached to it, open a package of sunblock (do they have expiry dates on them?), open a coupon for a Bahama Mama (something she REALLY Enjoyed in Punta Canta), open our Castaway Members gift that we'll get this fall (how many Bags and water bottles do we need?, so we'll give our 3rd set to her), open a postcard from Castaway Cay, Open some pirate wear paraphernailia, open the DCL cruise planning DVD, and then open the big envelope which will have the Mickey Invite onto the Cruise and inside will be all her cruise documents. I think that should all be a huge surprise! Can you all think of anything else I can confuse her with before all the puzzle pieces come together?

 

[Retroloco]

Hey guys! Thanks for the welcome! Sorry I have been absent, as I am sure a few of you can understand I had totally forgotten I posted on here! I remembered a few days ago!!! We are looking forward to getting to know all of you! Talk soon.

Tina

 

[ragdoll]

I had totally forgotten I posted on here!

Tina

Now that is funny! Unfortunately, I understand all to well.

Donnna

 

[UGAFan0829]

Yes, it's the Magic, and we're doing the western tour. One of our meets friends did a check on a web site to find out which and how many other ships will be in port on our day in Cozumel. Turns out, our date there seems to be the rarer time when there will be a total of 6 cruise ships in port! THats 15,000 passengers.

Grand Cayman another big group of us are going with Captain Marvins for a 1/2 day snorkeling and STing Ray City tour.

So she'll open a bottle of water with a rubber Ducky attached to it, open a package of sunblock (do they have expiry dates on them?), open a coupon for a Bahama Mama (something she REALLY Enjoyed in Punta Canta), open our Castaway Members gift that we'll get this fall (how many Bags and water bottles do we need?, so we'll give our 3rd set to her), open a postcard from Castaway Cay, Open some pirate wear paraphernailia, open the DCL cruise planning DVD, and then open the big envelope which will have the Mickey Invite onto the Cruise and inside will be all her cruise documents. I think that should all be a huge surprise! Can you all think of anything else I can confuse her with before all the puzzle pieces come together?

Judy, I think y'all will love the Western. We did it this past September and really enjoyed it!

I think there were a total of 4 or 5 ships docked the day that we were in Cozumel as well. We did the Jeep Excursion, so we couldn't really tell that it was crowded.

I bet Captain Marvin's is going to be so much fun! I really wanted to do the stingrays when we were in GC as well, but the DSIL wasn't too into it, so we did the Island Tour w/ the Butterfly Farm instead.

It sounds like you've pulled out all the stops with the surprise for your Mom! I can only imagine what her reaction is going to be! What a sweet daughter you are for going to all the trouble. I'm sure she's worth it though!

 

[Goofydad24]

Vegas is just not my thing. Just didn't like the atmosphere. I prefer a family type atmosphere. I don't gamble and feel if you've seen one casino you've seen them all. To top things off our DGD got sick for most of the vacation. High fever and vomiting. Poor baby. And the "Welcome to Vegas" sign should read "Welcome to Vega$$$". Everything was horribly expensive.

At least our son's ten minute wedding went well. It was a simple but beautiful ceremony. The other highlight of the trip was going with DD Shannon, Mike and DGD's (before Jade got sick) to Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon. The scenery was gorgeous.

As much as I enjoy teasing Mike I have to admit that his great easy going attitude and sense of humor is what made the vacation bearable. How many guys would willingly stay in a hotel room with a sick kid and put up with a constantly complaining future mother-in-law? Good grief, I know I am going to regret putting that in writing.

Note to Mike...we did NOT get to the airport too early!

What is this my eyes are reading????

As Much as I harrass, annoy, and bug the crap out of you, your writing this? I really have to step up my game a little better. I thought I was doing pretty good until THAT Reality check!! (And yes, way too early to the airport....)

Hello Everyone! And Welcome all the newbies! This has been a great group, and were all glad your here to join us!!

How the Sunshine David? My deal with trading houses still stands, just so you know. To up the deal a little, we got some tornados through here last weekend, so, the house is ready when you are! (It missed us by 50 miles or so) You just let me know. TJ, I love your pictures! Congrats on the Graduations and Good luck with the college fund account.. I'm sure Shannon will be on here writing soon too, we have just been so busy since we got back from Vegas, (Which was an awsome time, just ask Ragdoll) Very glad to be back, and chatting with everyone again.

Gotta get back to work now, I think they actually pay me to do something here. I'm not sure though. I think I'm gonna go figure it out right now..

 

[davidls]

Well, off to home in a few minutes!!

Hey Goofydad24 the sunshine is great down here!!! It's been in the low 80's at 4:30 in the morning and around 94 degrees during the day!!! And, hurricane season is now in full swing. Those pesky ol' hurricanes!!!! Sure am glad to hear those tornados missed you. Missed you by 50 miles huh, that still seems to be too close for me!!! Sorry to hear your Vegas trip didn't turn out well. DW and I have never been there. Like you we enjoy the family kind of vacations. So not sure we will ever make it there.

Hey to Tina. I guess you posted on here before I started posting. But back. Glad you are rejoining us.

Well buckaroo's it's about time for me to be headn' home. You be good and we'll talk again real soon.

 

[tjbaggott]

Ragdoll, I've been to Vegas once in my lifetime. Although I didn't have a Bad experience, I can understand your centiments!
Back in 1998, we had the bad ice storm here that cut power to our rural home and surrounding area for 12 days. SISinL and her DH lived in our Neighbourhood, and gave up trying to stay home. They packed it in and headed to her mom's (my mominlaw) for the remainder of the no power time. Her DH at the time worked for Cognos and got a transfer offer to move to Orange County California! They moved there two months later. Sisinlaw was expecting her 2nd child who was born two months after they moved. We missed them terribly! and Dear Sisinlaw became VERY home sick. So as a gift to her and me, her DH got me plane tickets with his air miles and flew me and my 11 month old out to good old California. We had a Fabulous time. On my 2nd last night there, She and her DH thought it would be fun to take me to Vegas. So off we went! Drove all night. Spent the next day touring around a few casinos. Gambling is NOT my thing at all, and the HEAT outside? I've NEVER felt anything like it before! Oh and it was early July that we were there. I did enjoy the sights and the entertainment. Had DS's photo taken with some characters from Star Trek (if I recall, he was SCREAMING in that photo!).

My most favourite memory from that trip though was from when my DS, 11 months old discovered toilet paper in our hotelroom bathroom! He was crawling around exploring and we adults were busy chatting when I thought maybe I should check on the little tyke. Well, there he was in the middle of the bathroom floor, with a HUGE smile on his face. He was COVERED in toilet paper, the end of which was still on the roll attached to the counter and there was his little hand hitting that roll and making it spin and to him, this was the greatest thing EVER in his little life!
Funny how from the whole trip, that is my fondest memory to this day!
OK, I'll admit, I'm weird!
We had to rush back to Californina that night as I had an early a.m. flight out back to Ottawa.
(4th of July in Orange County was pretty awesome to experience!) You Americans get SO Partriotic for that, I only wish most Canadians could get as Patriotic Here too!

 

[davidls]

Hey Goofydad24, after careful thought and consideration, and talking it over with the boss, (DW), we've decided to stay here in FL thru the hurricane season. You can keep your tornados - not interested. But this winter when it's nice and warm and sunny down here in ol' FL and the cold wind is ablown' and your having snow, sleet, ice storms and the infamous blizzards, we just might consider a change. NOT!!!!We kinda like it down here where we are, but we want to thank you for your kind thoughts. We know you are only looking out for us, thinking of our best interests. Everyone says what a thoughtful man you are.

Well, it's lunch time and I need to run an errand. So...........talk to ya'll later!!!

 

[Goofydad24]

Hey Goofydad24, after careful thought and consideration, and talking it over with the boss, (DW), we've decided to stay here in FL thru the hurricane season. You can keep your tornados - not interested. But this winter when it's nice and warm and sunny down here in ol' FL and the cold wind is ablown' and your having snow, sleet, ice storms and the infamous blizzards, we just might consider a change. NOT!!!!We kinda like it down here where we are, but we want to thank you for your kind thoughts. We know you are only looking out for us, thinking of our best interests. Everyone says what a thoughtful man you are.

Well, it's lunch time and I need to run an errand. So...........talk to ya'll later!!!

That's right....I'm just trying to look out for your best intrests...NOT mine. Yep, thats it!! If you have a change of heart let me know..As long as you don't have an in-law suite, I'll still be interested.

And our family had the same feelings TJ, it wasn't that we had a miserable time or anything, The Entertainment was VERY good, the sight seeing was awsome! I actually wish I would have rented a car again and went through the desert for awile (At the posted speed limit of course), I think I would have enjoyed that. But its not too much of a family atmosphere. One day, when I'm independently wealthy and all the kids are moved out and gone (I already know none of this will happen by the way) I may return and try my luck with just Shannon and myself... But as for now, I am REALLY looking forward to this cruise!!! Thats more of a Vacation for us!! And I'll drink to that!

 

[davidls]

Is everybody awake this morning??? Or are you still trying to have that first cup of coffee to wake up??? I;ve been awake since 4:15 this morning...................so come on guys WAKE UP!!!!! This is your morning wake up call!!!

Well, I have to get busy working here in a minute, but thought you guys might be interested in seeing some fantastic videos a fellow Disney fan did of his family's Med cruise they took last month. The name of the thread is "Phil Emma and Ben's Med Cruise back on the trip reports section. This guy from the UK did a great job with his videos. So far he only has 2 days done but will have his complete cruise posted when he finishes. You need to check it out. I tried providing you with a link..............I'm computer challenged here and can't seem to provide you all with the link.

Well, better get busy here at work. Check out his videos and see what you think. See ya!!

 

[tjbaggott]

Well, seeing as you are slightly computer challenged, I'll give you hand and post the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ7J8edOw8E It really is a great set of videos, I LOVE the beginning! I watched this earlier this morning.
I've been hired to do video and photo taking at my mothers friend's 80th Birthday Bash, this Sunday. My mother told this lady about the video's I've done for my daycare children's parents, and for friends and relatives 25th Anniversay Party's, but I did those as a gift, my own way, not hired. Well being hired, means you do it their way, and I'm getting a lot of bad anxiety from it. (it's in two more days). I don't have a professional video camera, and this lady wants the entire hour or so of entertainment filmed. My own camera won't tape for THAT long. I put together my videos the way this guy PHIL did in the link above, bits here, bits there, but no segment too long. I bought a panasonic video recorder last week, tried it out last weekend, and the indoor video quality SUCKED! So I returned the camera. NOW, I have a friend's husband willing to lend me his new CANON REBEL XTI that has HD video recording (can't believe he trusts me with that). It will help tremendously as long as the video quality is pretty good, and that will leave me free to use my own CANON Rebel XSi to take photos with.
WISH ME LUCK ON THIS VENTURE! This lady is VERY particular that this turn out well, and it would if she'd just let me do it my way. It's important to her though because this is her Celebrating her life with her Family and Friends instead of Family and Friends doing a celebration of life, once she's passed away. I honestly feel sick to my stomach about this thing now, I hope my nerves ease instead of getting worse!! BUT, no matter what, I'll be DANCING on Monday, When it's ALL OVER!!!!!

 

[davidls]

Well, seeing as you are slightly computer challenged, I'll give you hand and post the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ7J8edOw8E It really is a great set of videos, I LOVE the beginning! I watched this earlier this morning.
I've been hired to do video and photo taking at my mothers friend's 80th Birthday Bash, this Sunday. My mother told this lady about the video's I've done for my daycare children's parents, and for friends and relatives 25th Anniversay Party's, but I did those as a gift, my own way, not hired. Well being hired, means you do it their way, and I'm getting a lot of bad anxiety from it. (it's in two more days). I don't have a professional video camera, and this lady wants the entire hour or so of entertainment filmed. My own camera won't tape for THAT long. I put together my videos the way this guy PHIL did in the link above, bits here, bits there, but no segment too long. I bought a panasonic video recorder last week, tried it out last weekend, and the indoor video quality SUCKED! So I returned the camera. NOW, I have a friend's husband willing to lend me his new CANON REBEL XTI that has HD video recording (can't believe he trusts me with that). It will help tremendously as long as the video quality is pretty good, and that will leave me free to use my own CANON Rebel XSi to take photos with.
WISH ME LUCK ON THIS VENTURE! This lady is VERY particular that this turn out well, and it would if she'd just let me do it my way. It's important to her though because this is her Celebrating her life with her Family and Friends instead of Family and Friends doing a celebration of life, once she's passed away. I honestly feel sick to my stomach about this thing now, I hope my nerves ease instead of getting worse!! BUT, no matter what, I'll be DANCING on Monday, When it's ALL OVER!!!!!

Thanks Judy, I knew if anyone could help out an ol' computer challenged fool like me it would be you. I knew there had to be an easy way to do it, but my mind just ain't what it use to be. Thanks Judy, I knew if anyone could help out an ol' computer challenged fool like me it would be you. I knew there had to be an easy way to do it, but my mind just ain't what it use to be. Hey...............wait a minute didn't I just write that!!!!!!! I guess my mind ain't what it use to.....................hey.............what's going on here. Who am I anyways...........what's a nice guy like me doing in a place like this!!!! Hello, MacFly, any one home?????
Awwwww, Judy you'll just fine on your friend's video. Don't worry, it will turn out great!!! I know you don't need it............but Good Luck!!
Well, It's back to work for me. Ya'll have a great afternoon. Talk again soon.

 

[davidls]

Well, I hope everyone is haveing a GREAT week-end. I did my weekly mowing of my yard yesterday. Fighting 95 degrees of hotness!!! Luckly there was a decent little breeze blowing, or I would have melted away to nothing!!!
I guess DW and I are going shopping for some new cruise clothes today, for our up coming cruise on the Oasis. We have most of what we need, but there are always some things you need to buy. So............I better get going a get ready to SHOP!!! Ya'll have a great Sunday. Talk to you later.

 

[Shannon1984]

Hello all and to all our new cruisers! I finally finished getting caught up since we got back from Vegas. I've been too busy with work and the end of the school year. Now it's time for fun that school is finally out!

I hope your party is going well Judy. I'm sure it will be a beautiful video.

Now I need to find time to check out those youtube videos of the Med cruise.

Off to a cook-out! Have a good day everyone!

 

[tjbaggott]

What A Night!!! (of course there is no smily for "tired, exhausted, my feet are killing me).
But like I said, I'm GLAD it's over! And now that I've used my friends Canon next step up from my own, I'm going to SELL mine and upgrade! Great thing is, for what I can probably sell mine at and what I was paid for this evenings work, I have ENOUGH for that upgrade!!!! But I've learned that taking HD video's takes up a TON of room on a card. So if in just 3 hours, I filled 16 GB worth of card space on class 6 cards, oh my, how many cards am I going to need for a 7 night Cruise???????

 

[pixidustmom]

Well I hope you are all doing well and that you had a nice weekend.
Today I go back to work. Been out of working for a year and half. Well some side work from home but that too was slow. So will be making some money for this trip so this is a good thing.

 

[tjbaggott]

Well, now that the weekend is gone and done with, I decided to finish editing a video I started 5 1/2 months ago. Our Family's New Years Day! This was more of a practice run for the big Birthday one I have to put together but feel much more confident about it now that I know my program as video cutting and splitting and slowe and fast play capabilities! ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbLcO95tZKA

 

[davidls]

What A Night!!! (of course there is no smily for "tired, exhausted, my feet are killing me).
But like I said, I'm GLAD it's over! And now that I've used my friends Canon next step up from my own, I'm going to SELL mine and upgrade! Great thing is, for what I can probably sell mine at and what I was paid for this evenings work, I have ENOUGH for that upgrade!!!! But I've learned that taking HD video's takes up a TON of room on a card. So if in just 3 hours, I filled 16 GB worth of card space on class 6 cards, oh my, how many cards am I going to need for a 7 night Cruise???????

I hope all are having a nice week this week. Been busy,busy,busy here. You know, works gets in the way of having fun!!!

Well, Judy how did your video turn out. I'll bet you are glad it's over, but honestly....................tell the truth..............it was fun wasn't it!!! Now you are going to break the bank............or is it rob a bank................to buy yourself one of those cameras like your neighbors. I just got one of those simple Kodaks. Kinda point a shoot. It takes pretty good pictures but nothing as fancy as the one you just used. Simple camera for a simple mind as DW likes to say!!! I'm not sure what she means by that!!! (If you figure it out...............please let me know. Goofydad24..............any ideas??? You seem likea smart man.)

Well, I better get back to work. Hope everyone has a nice day!!

 

[tjbaggott]

WOW, it's been quiet here for a while! Pixiedustmom, I LOVE your avatar picture (the foot with a Mickey head on it), very cute!

I went to a huge dinner event last night for a friend who is running for a City Councillor position in this falls municipal elections. There was a band there playing music during the before and after, dinnner time. It was Inndonesian (ok, I KNOW I didn't spell that right), food being serverd and was DELICIOUS! The band started playing some Jimmy Buffet songs (Brown Eyed Girl and Margaritaville) and it really got me thinking and dreaming of our upcoming cruises!

 

[pixidustmom]

WOW, it's been quiet here for a while! Pixiedustmom, I LOVE your avatar picture (the foot with a Mickey head on it), very cute!

I went to a huge dinner event last night for a friend who is running for a City Councillor position in this falls municipal elections. There was a band there playing music during the before and after, dinnner time. It was Inndonesian (ok, I KNOW I didn't spell that right), food being serverd and was DELICIOUS! The band started playing some Jimmy Buffet songs (Brown Eyed Girl and Margaritaville) and it really got me thinking and dreaming of our upcoming cruises!

Well thanks. I't my foot. I have the mickey on my right and minnie on my left. I had just gotten my Disney toes done too.