Sept 17 2005 Magic - am i alone on the ship?

[PrincessLKMiller]

Happy Labor Day all! It is beautiful here today...actually it has been beautiful all weekend

We had our cook out last night...we had about 10 people over. It was nice. When the sun went down we lit the fire pit and made smores. Sat around the fire until about 11pm...then the guys decide to start a game of poker The girls watched some episodes of Sex in The City...I have all six seasons on DVD You can make fun of me any time...but I that show! The guys finally wrapped up the poker game around 1:30am!

Today DS(15) has another baseball game..we have to leave in about 10 minutes

 

[donaldsgal]

Hi everyone!

Glad you enjoyed the pictures. That was their purpose.

Every day DSis is giving me the countdown for what we'll be doing two weeks from today or in one week in 4 days. I think she has reached an excitement phase.

Oh, how could I forget! WELCOME LINDAHOPE!

Check out post 1250 on page 84 of the thread for links to our website, our group's name, DIS meets on board, etc. How many cabins are in your group (I'm making a DIS reminder sheet for each cabin so everyone knows where and when we're getting together)? Feel free to PM me with any questions.

By the way, per Donna (ragdoll's) suggestion, is everyone okay with using the promenade lounge on deck 3 as our back-up meeting place in case of inclimate weather on embarckation day? If so, I'm going to put that on the DIS signs, which I'll start handing out as soon as I start seeing people!

And don't forget your green yarn for your wrist!

 

[deege24]

I sent you a couple of pic. I hope you received them. I also hope they are not larger than you pc monitor screen. Ok, gotta run for now but hello to all.

Happy Labor Day All!!!!

 

[jennat]

David, I received one picture and......updated the website with it.....

SOooooo....Check out our resident comedian on page two....I also updated quite a few kids (tybus) (10yrann) and don't forget 10yrann on page 11?10?

 

[ragdoll]

Doesn't it just seem like yesterday that we were all trying not to rush summer away so we could go on our cruise? Well summer is over and our cruise is almost here. Where did the time go???

 

[jennat]

Who cares





Tried to amend my carnivorous habits.
Made it nearly seventy days,
Losin' weight without speed, eatin' sunflower seeds,
Drinkin' lots of carrot juice and soakin' up rays.

But at night I'd have these wonderful dreams
Some kind of sensuous treat.
Not zucchini, fettucini, or bulgar wheat,
But a big warm bun and a huge hunk of meat.

Cheeseburger is paradise.

It's almost time It's almost time

 

[missyoh8]

Who cares





Tried to amend my carnivorous habits.
Made it nearly seventy days,
Losin' weight without speed, eatin' sunflower seeds,
Drinkin' lots of carrot juice and soakin' up rays.

But at night I'd have these wonderful dreams
Some kind of sensuous treat.
Not zucchini, fettucini, or bulgar wheat,
But a big warm bun and a huge hunk of meat.

Cheeseburger is paradise.

It's almost time It's almost time

We sat out over several cocktails last night and listened to JB live from Wrigley Field! The only concert ever performed there. He is wrapping up todays show as I type! We do that all the time now. We used to hit several shows a year, now we just get drunk in the back yard and listen live! We love it!! Don't have to drive!

Missy

 

[nursegardener]

OK, everyone, I have a question. Is anyone (who has cruised with Disney before) considering NOT dressing up for the dining rotations and maybe going to Topsider's for dinner??? We have only done this once, on the Western - Key West night when we were too exhausted to "dress up" and me do the pantyhose thing. The dinner was wonderful. We had a window table to watch the sunset (which we wouldn't have had in the dining room), and the service was excellent! The waiter who seated us even had on a tux!
Just curious - we would not want to do this every evening, but maybe once or twice. I read a trip report from March and the gentleman writing it said that you can request the same food that is served on the regular rotational dining menu. He said he liked dining there better because of the more attentive service and better views.

So, anyone else opposed to dressing up on a few occasions?? Please don't flame me either!! (HAHA)

Karen (#3)

 

[missyoh8]

Karen #3

Whatever floats your boat! It is your vacation so do what makes you happy! I would do that too, if I could talk everyone else into it.

Missy

 

[ragdoll]

No flames here Karen. As I've said before, don't want to buy a formal, don't want to pack it, and don't want to wear it. I was beginning to think i was the only one who was not into formal night. DH and I are going to Topsiders on formal night and at least one other night. It is turning into our favorite restaraunt. The food is delicious and the service is great. It is also quiet. We love the atmosphere. We really could eat there every night and be perfectly happy. It is nice not to have to be at a restaraunt at a certain time and nice not to have to change clothes if you are tired.

Donna

 

[jennat]

There is nothing wrong with that. I was thinking of eating at topsiders on Wednesday. By the time we get back from St Thomas and get to the party, we are going to have to leave for dinner (I know Sue has reservations at Palo) but maybe we want to keep hanging out and then go up for dinner when we want. I realize this doesn't address the dress up question. I am bringing one dress and NO pantyhose. You are on a cruise for goodness sakes women...JUST SAY NO!!!!

 

[nursegardener]

Ok Jen, you've convinced me! I'm sure I'll look lovely in my black cocktail dress (whatever night I might wear it) and white legs (with NO pantyhose)!!
The white might really frighten someone!! (Although I never wear hose to church -- I either wear sandals or a long enough dress that cover the knee-highs underneath!!)
Just haven't been in the much and never found the time to go to the tanning salon this trip. On the Western trip I was very brown, but am very white now!

ragdoll - glad to hear someone else is not dressing up. I plan to take the dresses but I will follow the mood of the day. My DH says he doesn't care either way! He is soooooo easy to get along with - except he did say NO to the pirate thing (other than eye patch).

I just want to GO!!!!!! Come faster, faster, faster!!

Oh yea, Jen, I just heard on the news that the storm possibly to be named Nate, is heading towards NC but will turn to the north way before landfall due to the westerly winds. Isn't that nice???

Karen

 

[baward]

Good Evening.
Shirts are done. Turned out great. Thanks Jen for the iron on!!
Karen#3- that was going to be our back up plan for dinner. If we could not get early seating. But we got it.
We probably still try it one night anyway.

Jenny- I love the pics also. It is funny how seeing other people makes me chuckle. . Thanks for the reminder of the green yarn, almost forgot.

to everyone else. I am going to eat some more. Thats all I have been doing today. I did manage to squeeze in a nap.

BRAD

 

[nursegardener]

Goodness - I'm full of questions tonight - another one-- What if someone ate at Topsider's every night?? What about tips?? The suggested tips go to the dining room servers, etc. and Palo servers get extra tips --- what happens at Topsiders?? Are we supposed to tip them extra?? I know we don't tip at breakfast or lunch. Does anyone know the answer to that question??

No, I don't plan to eat there every night but was just curious if tips should be divided among the places that you do eat.

Now let me go so I can think of more questions. ( At least that will keep your mind off the storms Jen.)

Karen

 

[TeaforWendy]

N. Carolina Karen -- Say no to hose -- they have a great new product out there, air stockings -- Sally Hansen makes a brand that can be purchsed at Walgreens, etc. One of my friends swears by it. There is also a brank called "Air Stockings" I think. Can be purchased at salons, etc. It is NOT self tanner, just an aerosol spray on that give a hose look with out the hose discomfort! waterproof too, so don't have to worry abt sweating 'em off, etc.

Ciao, W.

 

[nursegardener]

W. - Sounds like a great idea! I don't care for the self-tanners - I always find someway to look like a skunk with them. I will see if I can find the spray and hopefully not screw it up!

I really do HATE hose so anything to keep from wearing them is fine by me! I usually have such swollen ankles anyway that my dress shoes have a hard time fitting anyway. The salt air really does a number on me even if I don't eat salt!! Thank God for Lasix!!

Karen

 

[jennat]

I'd say no to it all!!! Life is to short. We love ya, white legs and all. They won't be white for long....do you wear hose with shorts, skirts, capris....so why wear them with your dress. NO TO HOSE>>>>NO TO HOSE>>>>NO TO HOSE....they were invented by the devil you know....or maybe man. Just wear so much bling noone is looking at your legs!

I saw that that tropical storm is on the way out. Let's just hope it doesn't pull a Jeanne and make a 180! Won't happen. Hopefully nothing else will show up! IT won't (I'm like psychotic talking to myself and answering my own questions.

As far as dinner and tipping, (please read in the manner it is intended) I have thought on this and....I feel sorry for the people sitting with people who never (on any night) show up and for the waiters who don't have any other way of earning tips if people don't show up. This is absolutely not meant as a judgement, I have actually pondered this before you asked it. I don't know the answer. I guess if someone is not going to eat in the dining room at all they could let them know and not have a table. I'm sure it happens and that there is a good answer but don't know what it is. Last time my kids hardly ever ate with us but I tipped full for them anyway. I operate on full guilt most of the time but am working hard to correct it. The other part of me says, that's why they offer dining upstairs and it's not your problem man. Life's to short! Speaking of tips.... how about Palos....it never occured to me to tip before (ooopppss) what do you tip?

 

[nursegardener]

Jen - I also operate on full guilt - I already have the tips in separate envelopes in cash ready to hand out. I really don't plan to eat at Topsiders every night but I was just pondering what would happen if somebody did - and who tips the servers in Topsiders?? or are their salaries higher because it is not customary to tip there?? Questions, questions!!

At Palo, we usually add on tips comparable to what the meal might cost at a restaurant. I understand that the $10 fee is not given to the servers as I had originally thought on our 1st Disney cruise. I believe they do add a gratuity to the drinks if you order them. We also tip the same way at Palo brunch.

Could get complicated if we let it - right?? I am also so anal that I have separate envelopes for Palo, tips to room service, tips for the porters at embarkation and debarkation, and on and on and on. Can anyone think of anything I've missed????



Stay happy,
Karen

 

[donaldsgal]

Sounds like everyone's enjoying their Labor Day (or Anti-Labor Day for you, David! )

As far as tipping for Palo goes, there have been some threads on this, and people seem to get all in a tizzy when someone starts a new thread (as if - duh! - this has been discussed BEFORE! You should do a search before you start a thread here!). Anyways, the general consensus on Palo tipping seems to be that people tip $10-$15 pp besides the $10 pp surcharge (rumor has it that the server only gets $.40 to $.50 of that charge - one poster says she knows this because her daughter is a server in Palo). I think DSis and I will probably tip $20 total because that's probably what you'd pay in a comparable non-ship restaurant in our area.

I agree - no hose! Who cares how white my legs are?! I don't care how white your legs are, so I forbid you to care about mine. This never bothers men with wearing shorts, so I won't stress about it for my dresses. So there!

I mowed the lawn today. Glad that's done. Tomorrow I have to go to the post office to get info to have our mail stopped, take the formal DSis is wearing to the dry cleaner's, and start printing out your door signs!

 

[Tia]

Don't let the h*******e come to NC! Don't need that worry while I'm sipping daquiris by the pool!! Hopefully it will go north and stay at sea. This has been a true "LABOR" day. I am exhausted, but my house looks good. Me and ds have been working all day. Do they have cranberry juice on board? I sure hope so or else I'm gonna have leave something behind and bring some. DS teases me that I wouldn't be able to go 7 days without it. (he's right!) It's good to see I'm not the only one that gets the tip $ separated in tip envelopes before I leave. It just seems easier for me that way. Oh well, my dryer buzzer is calling. Good night.-Donna