Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.9

[bfayne]

Can anyone swap a 2 person 8:30 reservation for Palo on Pirate night. Since they changed the theme nights, We ended in Palo on that night and I spend weeks putting together a Jack Sparrow pirate costume for the party. Any night other than 11 is ok especially formal nights as we have decided to forgot those this time and eat in topsider. We needed room for other things rather than formal wear. Another option would see if changes could be made (website shows no reservations) or try to change on the ship. Does anyone have any suggestions.

We are looking forward to meeting you all. If we miss the 3:00 meeting, stop by the room and say hello. We are in 8042.

We loved the story about the naked man. I guess the photographer was a real crack shot!

Barry and Teresa

 

[TotallyAngelic]

You guys have been amazing in sending your prayers around the world. Well, I'm hoping you can send some prayers to the powers that be for a dear friend of mine. He went into the hospital today to have a stent placed in his heart to eliminate a blockage. Unfortunately, the procedure did not work and he has now been transferred to the Univ. of Penn Hospital and will undergo open heart surgery tomorrow. His name is Eric and his wife is Karen and they have two adorable little girls (Bonnie and Annabelle) who are 8 and 5.

Please send your prayers that everything turns out well.

Thanks.


.

Sending pixie dust to your friend and his family and hoping that the surgery goes well

We have been getting our pre-disney warm ups in with Emiel and Yvette. Let the party continue at you house. By the time we hit Barcelona we should be spinning out of control.

Jon

Have a wonderful time in the UK !! See you in Barcelona

Oh I have to write SINGLE DIGIT DANCE

wooooooo hooooooo !!!!!!

Anybody know if 'The Prince of Persia" will be playing on board?

Andrea

I don't think it was on the list that somebody posted a few weeks ago ... but I hope it is showing as I loved this film!

In one week I will be on a plane to Barcelona.

I had my follow up appointment today and I am cleared to go. It also means I am cleared to go back to work. So I have 4 days of work and then on to my trip.

I probably have tons to do in those four days. Plus I still tire easily and have some pain. I am only human and can only do what I can do. If it doesn't get done it will have to wait until after the trip or someone else will have to do it. I feel really guilty about it but I know I can only do so much.

I have lots to do for the trip as well. As long as all 4 of us make it to the ship and the entire trip and we remain healthy and our luggage makes it the whole way that is all I really care about at this point.

Pleased to ehar you have the all-clear to travel but please take care and don't overdo it in these last few days. As you say you can only do what you can do and the priority is to take care of YOU !!!

OK - so here is what I know on tastings. I have requested 2 swaps - and should have final confirmation on those tomorrow.


Sea day 1 - 19-Sep 2.30pm Animators Private Beer Tasting (40 ppl)
Sea day 2 - 21-Sep 12.30pm Animators Private Wine Tasting (53 ppl)
Sea Day 3 - 23-Sep 3.00pm Studio Sea Private Mojito Seminars (42 ppl)
Sea Day 4 - 24-Sep 2.30pm Sessions Private Tequila/Margarita Tasting (50 ppl)
Sea Day 5 - 25-Sep 3:00pm Studio Sea Private Mixology (42 ppl)
Sea Day 6 - 26-Sep 2.30pm Animators Private Martini Tasting (35 ppl)
Sea Day 7 - 27-Sep 2.30pm Animators Private Martini Tasting (35 ppl)
Sea day 8 - 30-Sep 4.30pm Sessions Private Cognac Tasting (35 Guests)

Due to conflicts with Tea I am trying to swap Beer and Mojito. i am also trying to swap one of the Wine with Mixology.

Sarah - I will PM you the final agenda as soon as I get confirmation.

Sorry I am late on this - was trying to hold out on the swapping being confirmed or denied, and gave up today...

Thank you so much for all of your hard work on this Sue .... but sorry it is causing so much last minutes stress which you could well do without.

Hi everyone,

I am settled in my new house and most of the boxes have been unpacked. The recycling guy almost had a heart attack when he saw all the stuff on the front lawn. I have just finished putting the last things in my suitcases and I fly out tomorrow to London to join the ABD Cities of Knights and Lights tour. Then off to Barcelona and then THE MAGIC. I am really looking forward to meeting all of you. I will will keep you in my prayers that you have safe and comfortable flights. Good luck with your packing and preparations. See you soon, Trudy

Wishing you all the best health and happiness in your new home Tru .... pleased to hear you are settling in. Have a wonderful time in London and on your ABD tour. Safe travels

 

[granmaz]

In one week I will be on a plane to Barcelona.

I had my follow up appointment today and I am cleared to go. It also means I am cleared to go back to work. So I have 4 days of work and then on to my trip.

I probably have tons to do in those four days. Plus I still tire easily and have some pain. I am only human and can only do what I can do. If it doesn't get done it will have to wait until after the trip or someone else will have to do it. I feel really guilty about it but I know I can only do so much.

I have lots to do for the trip as well. As long as all 4 of us make it to the ship and the entire trip and we remain healthy and our luggage makes it the whole way that is all I really care about at this point.

Excellent news. Take things easy at work though!!

Sorry to hear you took it so badly when he left!!

Thanks everyone for all the prayers. She's done better tonight than last night. So, praying through the night goes better. I can't take another 3 hr night of sleep! Thank God my DH comes home tomorrow night! She totally didn't want to take her medicine tonight and I told her this was the only way we were going to get to go on the cruise is if she took it so she got better. It worked! =) Then DS saw she was getting something and thought he was missing out. So, he was crying because he wanted the medicine. I was like I must be on a show where one is crying because they don't want the medicine. The other doesn't know what medicine is but is crying because he doesn't get any.

Just typical. My children would have been just the same. Watch out for some copycat behaviour though to try and get the attention!

Hi everyone,

I am settled in my new house and most of the boxes have been unpacked. The recycling guy almost had a heart attack when he saw all the stuff on the front lawn. I have just finished putting the last things in my suitcases and I fly out tomorrow to London to join the ABD Cities of Knights and Lights tour. Then off to Barcelona and then THE MAGIC. I am really looking forward to meeting all of you. I will will keep you in my prayers that you have safe and comfortable flights. Good luck with your packing and preparations. See you soon, Trudy

Glad your move went well. What a time for that!! Have a safe and good trip.

 

[granmaz]

Can anyone swap a 2 person 8:30 reservation for Palo on Pirate night. Since they changed the theme nights, We ended in Palo on that night and I spend weeks putting together a Jack Sparrow pirate costume for the party. Any night other than 11 is ok especially formal nights as we have decided to forgot those this time and eat in topsider. We needed room for other things rather than formal wear. Another option would see if changes could be made (website shows no reservations) or try to change on the ship. Does anyone have any suggestions.

Barry and Teresa

There might still be some dinner reservations online left to book as yet, but you would probably get it changed once onboard. Go straight to Rockin Bar D!!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Help !!!!! I just realised we leave just 1 week from today and I still have a fairly lengthy to-do list !!!


finish FE gifts
finish scrapbook gifts
buy choccy for choccy exchange.
make pirate skirt.
finish door magnets and print,
Call wdw to arrange Magical Express for retrun to airport
order water package and rainforest passes
load starbucks card for visits in Barcelona
clear camcorder of last trip's footage.
inform CC companies of travel dates.
check in on line
photocopy passports

Should hopefully finish my adult FE gifts today and then I just have a couple of things to finish / buy for the kids.

As far as shopping goes I think I am all finished apart from a pair of shorts to wear on my sailing regatta trip... but try buying shorts in the UK in September ..... it is nigh on impossible

I have also got to fit in 2 power-walks !!

 

[granmaz]

Help !!!!! I just realised we leave just 1 week from today and I still have a fairly lengthy to-do list !!!


finish FE gifts
finish scrapbook gifts
buy choccy for choccy exchange.
make pirate skirt.
finish door magnets and print,
Call wdw to arrange Magical Express for retrun to airport
order water package and rainforest passes
load starbucks card for visits in Barcelona
clear camcorder of last trip's footage.
inform CC companies of travel dates.
check in on line
photocopy passports

Should hopefully finish my adult FE gifts today and then I just have a couple of things to finish / buy for the kids.

As far as shopping goes I think I am all finished apart from a pair of shorts to wear on my sailing regatta trip... but try buying shorts in the UK in September ..... it is nigh on impossible

I have also got to fit in 2 power-walks !!

I got some shorts from Next online and they deliver very quickly. If you have ordered from them before you can have them delivered to a store for free, but I had to pay to have them delivered to home. You can pick a half day slot which is better than many online deliveries.

 

[paulasillars]

Still about 10 pages behind - just have had the time or energy to catch up at the moment. This earthquake has created a lot of work for us - someone asked what I do a good few pages back and I realised I didn't say but I work in IT so we have been working with our clients to get their IT systems back up again. Some clients are needing to work remotely due to difficult access to their buildings, some are having to relocate completely and for some, their staff are flatly refusing to work in the tower blocks too far from the ground.

I got brave today and visited a client briefly in the city (right in Cathedral Square for those that know Christchurch) and the city is like a war zone. While I was at this particular client, the found a gap in the floor between the two original buildings (now combined into one) that is now about 12" wide - under the freaking carpet! I couldn't leave fast enough! On leaving, my workmate and I ended up taking a different stair well out (lifts are off limits in the city due to aftershocks) and we ended up in a warren at the bottom of the building. We followed all the emergency exit signs and ended up in an alley that had "emergency police do not cross" tape across the entrance - there was no way back for us - we had to simply go under the two lots of tape to get back to the street! A little unsettling? Heck yes!

I haven't seen Sarah. I'm on early dining and at first was very resisitant to dining at Parrot Cay during the formals. But now, I just want to dine with my friends, no matter where they are.

I'm with you Steffy, we don't care which dining rooms for which nights, so long as we are with Disfriends

Terry's grandmother died on Sunday, It's OK, we have been expecting it for a while, So have been so busy and have in-laws staying until next Sunday after funeral.

Sorry for your loss!

I ordered a global phone too, but that's because I'll be in London on Friday. I leave tomorrow night!!!! Excited, scared, overwhelmed......

Have a safe trip!

I'm really curious - just how many of us on this cruise are using Tracy W as your TA? I know Mrs Mork and I are, but who else is booked through her? She said there were quite a few of her clients onboard.

We have Tracy too - met her on the EBPC and she was lovely so asked for her this time when we booked with Dreams.

And, on another side note: who else has a room (or two) in their house that looks like a tornado hit it because you're in the middle of a packing storm?!

Not a tornado but it looks like an earthquake struck and made a mess - thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it - just not sure how long I can continue using it for

Listening to the news and heard big aftershock in New Zealand - hope Paula and family are okay.

We are fine. Standing joke here is we are shaken but not stirred and this city really rocks! Our new greeting is - hey, what's shaking!?

Check out this animation of the earthquakes. Radio this morning said we have had 355 aftershocks and that doesn't include todays ones.

Being Brits, and knowing some don't tip, we go to some offsite restaurants in Orlando, and the service is disgusting sometimes because they have had experience of that and tar us all with the same brushh! So it is a self fulfilling prophecy - they don't get tipped from us either

We have experienced this also - we get mistaken for Brits - still could be worse, they might think we are Australians

Also, I read in some travel books that per person, lunch could cost 20 euros/27 dollars. Is that accurate?

The supermarket I read is a good option for cheap lunches and there are also many takeaway places that would be much cheaper than that. The market is also recommended for cheaper food.

Laura just saw the Naked Man of Barcelona

He technically wasn't completely naked, he was wearing flip flops

 

[granmaz]

Still about 10 pages behind - just have had the time or energy to catch up at the moment. This earthquake has created a lot of work for us - someone asked what I do a good few pages back and I realised I didn't say but I work in IT so we have been working with our clients to get their IT systems back up again. Some clients are needing to work remotely due to difficult access to their buildings, some are having to relocate completely and for some, their staff are flatly refusing to work in the tower blocks too far from the ground.

I got brave today and visited a client briefly in the city (right in Cathedral Square for those that know Christchurch) and the city is like a war zone. While I was at this particular client, the found a gap in the floor between the two original buildings (now combined into one) that is now about 12" wide - under the freaking carpet! I couldn't leave fast enough! On leaving, my workmate and I ended up taking a different stair well out (lifts are off limits in the city due to aftershocks) and we ended up in a warren at the bottom of the building. We followed all the emergency exit signs and ended up in an alley that had "emergency police do not cross" tape across the entrance - there was no way back for us - we had to simply go under the two lots of tape to get back to the street! A little unsettling? Heck yes!

We have experienced this also - we get mistaken for Brits - still could be worse, they might think we are Australians

I would be out of that building super sharp too, whichever exit my escape route took me!!! Obviously there were no police waiting at the tape when you came out!!!

Honestly Paula it all sounds like a nightmare. Well I guess it is, only you don't wake up and find everything just as it was. You will really need this holiday.

We get mistaken for Aussies too!!! I just get them back by mistaking the Americans for Canadians!! That gets their goat up!!!

 

[CustardTart]

In one week I will be on a plane to Barcelona.

I had my follow up appointment today and I am cleared to go. It also means I am cleared to go back to work. So I have 4 days of work and then on to my trip.

I probably have tons to do in those four days. Plus I still tire easily and have some pain. I am only human and can only do what I can do. If it doesn't get done it will have to wait until after the trip or someone else will have to do it. I feel really guilty about it but I know I can only do so much.

I have lots to do for the trip as well. As long as all 4 of us make it to the ship and the entire trip and we remain healthy and our luggage makes it the whole way that is all I really care about at this point.

Great news!!! Please, please continue to take care and not overdo anything...

Sorry to hear you took it so badly when he left!!

I think you can tell I was inconsolable...

OK - so here is what I know on tastings. I have requested 2 swaps - and should have final confirmation on those tomorrow.


Sea day 1 - 19-Sep 2.30pm Animators Private Beer Tasting (40 ppl)
Sea day 2 - 21-Sep 12.30pm Animators Private Wine Tasting (53 ppl)
Sea Day 3 - 23-Sep 3.00pm Studio Sea Private Mojito Seminars (42 ppl)
Sea Day 4 - 24-Sep 2.30pm Sessions Private Tequila/Margarita Tasting (50 ppl)
Sea Day 5 - 25-Sep 3:00pm Studio Sea Private Mixology (42 ppl)
Sea Day 6 - 26-Sep 2.30pm Animators Private Martini Tasting (35 ppl)
Sea Day 7 - 27-Sep 2.30pm Animators Private Martini Tasting (35 ppl)
Sea day 8 - 30-Sep 4.30pm Sessions Private Cognac Tasting (35 Guests)

Due to conflicts with Tea I am trying to swap Beer and Mojito. i am also trying to swap one of the Wine with Mixology.

Sarah - I will PM you the final agenda as soon as I get confirmation.

Sorry I am late on this - was trying to hold out on the swapping being confirmed or denied, and gave up today...

Don't worry, Sue - you have done a fab job!!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

We have experienced this also - we get mistaken for Brits - still could be worse, they might think we are Australians

He technically wasn't completely naked, he was wearing flip flops

No it couldn't be worse .... unless you actually ARE a Brit

Love the Flip Flop comment ..... 10 out of 10 for your observational skills ..... can't think why I didn't notice the flip-flops !!!!

 

[CustardTart]

You guys have been amazing in sending your prayers around the world. Well, I'm hoping you can send some prayers to the powers that be for a dear friend of mine. He went into the hospital today to have a stent placed in his heart to eliminate a blockage. Unfortunately, the procedure did not work and he has now been transferred to the Univ. of Penn Hospital and will undergo open heart surgery tomorrow. His name is Eric and his wife is Karen and they have two adorable little girls (Bonnie and Annabelle) who are 8 and 5.

Please send your prayers that everything turns out well.

Thanks.

P&PD coming your friend's way. Hope the surgery is a success...

Thanks everyone for all the prayers. She's done better tonight than last night. So, praying through the night goes better. I can't take another 3 hr night of sleep! Thank God my DH comes home tomorrow night! She totally didn't want to take her medicine tonight and I told her this was the only way we were going to get to go on the cruise is if she took it so she got better. It worked! =) Then DS saw she was getting something and thought he was missing out. So, he was crying because he wanted the medicine. I was like I must be on a show where one is crying because they don't want the medicine. The other doesn't know what medicine is but is crying because he doesn't get any.

Bless him... Hoping your DD gets better asap...

Hi everyone,

I am settled in my new house and most of the boxes have been unpacked. The recycling guy almost had a heart attack when he saw all the stuff on the front lawn. I have just finished putting the last things in my suitcases and I fly out tomorrow to London to join the ABD Cities of Knights and Lights tour. Then off to Barcelona and then THE MAGIC. I am really looking forward to meeting all of you. I will will keep you in my prayers that you have safe and comfortable flights. Good luck with your packing and preparations. See you soon, Trudy

Well done you!!! That's super-efficient!!! Safe flight to London - I'll wave in your general direction!!! And have a fab ABD tour...

 

[CustardTart]

Let's Boogie, Oogie, Oogie!!!!!!!!
It's time for my SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Let's Boogie, Oogie, Oogie!!!!!!!!
It's time for my SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!

 

[mdwoodman]

There was discussion a while back (probably 20,000 posts by now! ) about buying wine and liquor in the duty free shops in the port after going through security. Here's a first-hand report from Erik and Jason:

"We're on the ship and I did see that there is a "wine and spirits" shop right in the port. We didn't go into it, but it does did appear to have a wide selection of wines, some liquor (I think) and beer (cquick's husband bought beer and said it was reasonably priced). There are also stores not far from the port that have liquor, too-----renegade7 bought a lot of alcohol in Barcelona and brought it on the ship with her....and you ARE allowed to leave the ship after boarding as long as you're back on by 8pm."

 

[Buckeye Gal]

....I got brave today and visited a client briefly in the city (right in Cathedral Square for those that know Christchurch) and the city is like a war zone. While I was at this particular client, the found a gap in the floor between the two original buildings (now combined into one) that is now about 12" wide - under the freaking carpet! I couldn't leave fast enough! .....We followed all the emergency exit signs and ended up in an alley that had "emergency police do not cross" tape across the entrance - there was no way back for us...A little unsettling? Heck yes!....

....He technically wasn't completely naked, he was wearing flip flops

This is so terrible for all of you. I'm sure you'll be worried while you are away, but I hope that you'll find some peace and relaxation!

..Love the Flip Flop comment ..... 10 out of 10 for your observational skills ..... can't think why I didn't notice the flip-flops !!!!

Indeed she gets applause for her attention to detail, regardless how big or small it may be!

Let's Boogie, Oogie, Oogie!!!!!!!!
It's time for my SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

You guys have been amazing in sending your prayers around the world. Well, I'm hoping you can send some prayers to the powers that be for a dear friend of mine. He went into the hospital today to have a stent placed in his heart to eliminate a blockage. Unfortunately, the procedure did not work and he has now been transferred to the Univ. of Penn Hospital and will undergo open heart surgery tomorrow. His name is Eric and his wife is Karen and they have two adorable little girls (Bonnie and Annabelle) who are 8 and 5.

Please send your prayers that everything turns out well.

Thanks.


.

6 days folks, and my list is not shrinking... And, on top of my vacation list I also have work!! sheesh!! I still have about 20 things to do!!! Seriously - how the heck did I get so far behind?

So this weekend we will be working our tails off to make sure the house is in proper condition for our return as well as wrapping up the last minute stuff...

Wish us luck!!

Good luck

Sue, thank you very much for this! It looks like we may need to slide the time for the stateroom tour on the 24th.

Good catch!!

Oh Lynne.... Back to work my dear!!

Micheal can decide since he noticed

 

[UKANGEL]

Celebrate!!!! Be proud of yourself, girl! Look at how well you've done and all that you've achieved! It's okay!

Thank you!

I just looked at Laura's pictures of the Naked Barcelona Man or shall I say MEN!!!! All I can say is Oh Dear Lord I dont want to see all that


P.S. .... Got Palos straightened out.....

I know what you mean Pam Glad Palo is sorted!

Mandy that is such an incredible weight loss. You go girl!!!

Thanks Steffy!

You guys have been amazing in sending your prayers around the world. Well, I'm hoping you can send some prayers to the powers that be for a dear friend of mine. He went into the hospital today to have a stent placed in his heart to eliminate a blockage. Unfortunately, the procedure did not work and he has now been transferred to the Univ. of Penn Hospital and will undergo open heart surgery tomorrow. His name is Eric and his wife is Karen and they have two adorable little girls (Bonnie and Annabelle) who are 8 and 5.

Please send your prayers that everything turns out well.

Thanks.


.

Will be sending many prayers for the family and especially Eric, we'll keep him in our thoughts x

In one week I will be on a plane to Barcelona.

I had my follow up appointment today and I am cleared to go. It also means I am cleared to go back to work. So I have 4 days of work and then on to my trip.

I probably have tons to do in those four days. Plus I still tire easily and have some pain. I am only human and can only do what I can do. If it doesn't get done it will have to wait until after the trip or someone else will have to do it. I feel really guilty about it but I know I can only do so much.

I have lots to do for the trip as well. As long as all 4 of us make it to the ship and the entire trip and we remain healthy and our luggage makes it the whole way that is all I really care about at this point.

So pleased you've had the all-clear Becky! Do be careful and take it easy for a while though

 

[UKANGEL]

I call my credit card company now. I hit my Charles schwab card. As I'm telling him the places I'm going he ask if I was going on the Disney magic. I told him yes and ask him how he know. He said i was the 3 person calling him today with that itinerary. Then at the end of the call he said i will be seeing you in 10 days on the ship. What are the odds.

All together........"It's a small world after all....." How strange though.......

OK - so here is what I know on tastings. I have requested 2 swaps - and should have final confirmation on those tomorrow.


Sea day 1 - 19-Sep 2.30pm Animators Private Beer Tasting (40 ppl)
Sea day 2 - 21-Sep 12.30pm Animators Private Wine Tasting (53 ppl)
Sea Day 3 - 23-Sep 3.00pm Studio Sea Private Mojito Seminars (42 ppl)
Sea Day 4 - 24-Sep 2.30pm Sessions Private Tequila/Margarita Tasting (50 ppl)
Sea Day 5 - 25-Sep 3:00pm Studio Sea Private Mixology (42 ppl)
Sea Day 6 - 26-Sep 2.30pm Animators Private Martini Tasting (35 ppl)
Sea Day 7 - 27-Sep 2.30pm Animators Private Martini Tasting (35 ppl)
Sea day 8 - 30-Sep 4.30pm Sessions Private Cognac Tasting (35 Guests)

Due to conflicts with Tea I am trying to swap Beer and Mojito. i am also trying to swap one of the Wine with Mixology.

Sarah - I will PM you the final agenda as soon as I get confirmation.

Sorry I am late on this - was trying to hold out on the swapping being confirmed or denied, and gave up today...

Many thanks Sue!

Thanks everyone for all the prayers. She's done better tonight than last night. So, praying through the night goes better. I can't take another 3 hr night of sleep! Thank God my DH comes home tomorrow night! She totally didn't want to take her medicine tonight and I told her this was the only way we were going to get to go on the cruise is if she took it so she got better. It worked! =) Then DS saw she was getting something and thought he was missing out. So, he was crying because he wanted the medicine. I was like I must be on a show where one is crying because they don't want the medicine. The other doesn't know what medicine is but is crying because he doesn't get any.

Glad she's a little better

Hi everyone,

I am settled in my new house and most of the boxes have been unpacked. The recycling guy almost had a heart attack when he saw all the stuff on the front lawn. I have just finished putting the last things in my suitcases and I fly out tomorrow to London to join the ABD Cities of Knights and Lights tour. Then off to Barcelona and then THE MAGIC. I am really looking forward to meeting all of you. I will will keep you in my prayers that you have safe and comfortable flights. Good luck with your packing and preparations. See you soon, Trudy

Hi Trudy! Glad you're settled, now you can look forward to your holiday! Give us a wave just before you come into Heathrow (you should be right near our house then)

Help !!!!! I just realised we leave just 1 week from today and I still have a fairly lengthy to-do list !!!


finish FE gifts
finish scrapbook gifts
buy choccy for choccy exchange.
make pirate skirt.
finish door magnets and print,
Call wdw to arrange Magical Express for retrun to airport
order water package and rainforest passes
load starbucks card for visits in Barcelona
clear camcorder of last trip's footage.
inform CC companies of travel dates.
check in on line
photocopy passports

Should hopefully finish my adult FE gifts today and then I just have a couple of things to finish / buy for the kids.

As far as shopping goes I think I am all finished apart from a pair of shorts to wear on my sailing regatta trip... but try buying shorts in the UK in September ..... it is nigh on impossible

I have also got to fit in 2 power-walks !!

Good luck with all the prep!

Still about 10 pages behind - just have had the time or energy to catch up at the moment. This earthquake has created a lot of work for us - someone asked what I do a good few pages back and I realised I didn't say but I work in IT so we have been working with our clients to get their IT systems back up again. Some clients are needing to work remotely due to difficult access to their buildings, some are having to relocate completely and for some, their staff are flatly refusing to work in the tower blocks too far from the ground.

I got brave today and visited a client briefly in the city (right in Cathedral Square for those that know Christchurch) and the city is like a war zone. While I was at this particular client, the found a gap in the floor between the two original buildings (now combined into one) that is now about 12" wide - under the freaking carpet! I couldn't leave fast enough! On leaving, my workmate and I ended up taking a different stair well out (lifts are off limits in the city due to aftershocks) and we ended up in a warren at the bottom of the building. We followed all the emergency exit signs and ended up in an alley that had "emergency police do not cross" tape across the entrance - there was no way back for us - we had to simply go under the two lots of tape to get back to the street! A little unsettling? Heck yes!

We are fine. Standing joke here is we are shaken but not stirred and this city really rocks! Our new greeting is - hey, what's shaking!?

Check out this animation of the earthquakes. Radio this morning said we have had 355 aftershocks and that doesn't include todays ones.

Please take care Paula! It sounds totally scary and I can't imagine what it must be like....

Love the Flip Flop comment ..... 10 out of 10 for your observational skills ..... can't think why I didn't notice the flip-flops !!!!

Let's Boogie, Oogie, Oogie!!!!!!!!
It's time for my SINGLE DIGIT DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love the dancing girl.....she even looks a bit like you!!!!!

There was discussion a while back (probably 20,000 posts by now! ) about buying wine and liquor in the duty free shops in the port after going through security. Here's a first-hand report from Erik and Jason:

"We're on the ship and I did see that there is a "wine and spirits" shop right in the port. We didn't go into it, but it does did appear to have a wide selection of wines, some liquor (I think) and beer (cquick's husband bought beer and said it was reasonably priced). There are also stores not far from the port that have liquor, too-----renegade7 bought a lot of alcohol in Barcelona and brought it on the ship with her....and you ARE allowed to leave the ship after boarding as long as you're back on by 8pm."

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[orlandothebeagle]

So as you guys know I work nights, although I get to sleep around 5-6 hours if Im lucky, last night I went to bed with a sore throat, this am I woke up feeling like yuk, total full on cold....head,nose and I am so tired, been in bed all day, it sucks... now I have the dreaded D as well.
Dogs are doing my my head wanted walked and I cant go 10 mins radius of the toilet.
Better this week than next, but better not at all thankyou, and the worst is still to come cause I can promise you Len will catch it

 

[CustardTart]

So as you guys know I work nights, although I get to sleep around 5-6 hours if Im lucky, last night I went to bed with a sore throat, this am I woke up feeling like yuk, total full on cold....head,nose and I am so tired, been in bed all day, it sucks... now I have the dreaded D as well.
Dogs are doing my my head wanted walked and I cant go 10 mins radius of the toilet.
Better this week than next, but better not at all thankyou, and the worst is still to come cause I can promise you Len will catch it

Awww Lynne!!! I'm so sorry, hun - definitely sucks. Hope it's a 24 hour thing and you feel better asap..