September 22, 2007 -- WESTERN

[CustardTart]

...Not long before we hit the 6 months mark!

I can't believe that I will be making ADR's for our stay after the cruise at WDW in just 18 days!

That feels good to know! I can't wait to start making some definite excursion plans...

I think I'll be making a few ADRs for DD and myself in 22 days - that's a nice milestone too...

 

[CustardTart]

Stunning photos, Mike!

 

[papa]

Thanks guys. Kathy is already saying that the grass needs cutting.

So looking forward to this cruise. We usually eat breakfast at the topsider's buffet. The eggs are soft scrambled and they have an omelet station. When ever we have soft scrambled eggs, we call them boat eggs. Mike

 

[eva]

Mike, we are the same way. On both our previous cruises we grabbed something at Topsiders for breakfast. If it is crowded, we take our plates down to our room and eat on the verandah and order an extra pot of coffee from room service. We can be late risers and may not make it to breakfast until 9:00 or later. If we have an excursion planned, I usually go up and grab some bagels and fruit for the both of us to munch on while we get ready. I don't think we ever eat much lunch on the cruise, except on CC. We might have stopped for some fruit or ice cream. A lot depends on how late we ate breakfast. But we've never gone to the restaurants for breakfast or lunch. Does anyone feel that we are really missing something? I'm usually in my swimsuit from 11:00 am till 3:00 or 4:00 most days. I just throw on a top and shorts if I want to go to a tasting or an activity. Then you will find me back out around the pool most of the day.

Or maybe sleeping it off in the room! Just kidding.

 

[Bareacuda]

OMG... Mike thanks for the pics!!!
Dh took pics of them at Grand California last month. No one knew what kind of tree they were! They are so beautiful. Thanks!


Marsha, we usually paddle on warn saturdays... we call it "we have a picnic and outrigger races breaks out!" we do just about anything for food

 

[CustardTart]

It's going to be tough with all those foodie temptations everywhere - an omelette station sounds very good! I don't think DD and I had breakfast once when we did our 3 day cruise and I'm pretty sure we didn't eat at Topsiders (or it's Wonder equivalent) at all!

I really like the idea of chilling on the verandah, eating breakfast and sipping coffee - my mouth's watering...

 

[CustardTart]

On Saturday morning a bunch of us are going to be paddling under the London Bridge. I think the head count is around 40 of us in kayacks, canoes, and outriggers.Then off to a local park for a picnic.

That sounds fantastic, Ann! I'd love to see London Bridge in it's current home - the photos I've seen look so dramatic. Have a wonderful day...

 

[papa]

The topsider's equivalent is called the beach blanket on the wonder. Our last Disney cruise was also our first on the wonder.

My mom used to call them tulip trees, and I had to look them up on the internet to find out what they were.

Cooler here today. Mike

 

[Lucky Penny]

Hi Penny! DH and I have just joined DVC - we've bought VWL through The Timeshare Store and I cannot wait to visit! The earliest I think I'll manage it is mid-December with my DS14 - it'll be his Christmas surprise...

Hi Karen - I'm WAY behind both reading and responding - a whole month away just taking care of work and life and neglecting the cruise planning - where have my priorities gone?

We LOVE Christmastime at WDW!! I'm sure your DS will have a great time! We're going next month (April) for a week to celebrate our second granddaughter's first birthday and staying at VWL, then after the cruise we're staying another week, probably at OKW but haven't booked it yet. We like the larger villas there, parking right in front of the villas, and Olivia's Cafe! Might even be more fun after we've been to the REAL Key West

 

[papa]

Welcome back Penny. Hope that you and the family have a great trip to the world. Mike

 

[Lucky Penny]

Whew! I have just finished catching up on reading all the posts - must not stay away so long next time!

Mike, thanks for the welcome back!

Bob and I are definitely up for meeting on the first day - I think the agreed time (as far as I can tell) is 3 PM? Group photo sounds great - and since it is just the two of us, we will show up where and when everyone else agrees - near a bar sounds like a winner to me!!

I'm also up for tasting margaritas, martinis, or both so hope to run into Karen, Eva, Sandi and anyone else at one of those.

So far, we have not made any definite excursion plans - still reading the PassPorter and everyone's posts and ideas - thanks to all for those - it's helping a lot! We'd like to do some spa time, but haven't narrowed that down either - again, thanks everybody for your thoughts and ideas!

I think I changed my signature to show a picture of the "real" us - from our annual "Thanksgiving At The Beach" week 2006 - we rent a house on the Outer Banks (off season - less expensive) and all our kids join us as their schedules allow. It's not WDW, but still one of our favorite places.

Eva, congratulations on kicking the habit!!

Counting down one more day ...

Now time to go do some chores and errands - catching up on those too after having a miserable upper respiratory "thing" all week (ugh). Hope everyone has a great St. Patrick's Day!!!

 

[eva]

Glad to see you back Penny. Sorry about the upper respiratory thing. DH had that about a week ago and was pretty miserable. Hope you are feeling much better soon.

Guess I'll be the first to say:

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For those of you who celebrate today, of course. We don't really do anything. Sometimes I make corned beef and cabbage. But, I think that I'm too lazy today.

 

[CustardTart]

Hi Penny - nice to have you back with us again! Sorry to hear you've been unwell - I hope you're on the mend now. Have a great time in VWL next month - it seems like ages since we were in WDW even tho' it was only last August. I've never been to OKW but I hear such good things - DD and I are planning a look around the resort in October...

...Bob and I are definitely up for meeting on the first day - I think the agreed time (as far as I can tell) is 3 PM? Group photo sounds great - and since it is just the two of us, we will show up where and when everyone else agrees - near a bar sounds like a winner to me...

Same here!

...I think I changed my signature to show a picture of the "real" us - from our annual "Thanksgiving At The Beach" week 2006 - we rent a house on the Outer Banks (off season - less expensive) and all our kids join us as their schedules allow. It's not WDW, but still one of our favorite places.

It'll be great to meet you on the cruise - I love your photo...

 

[CustardTart]

I meant to say Happy St. Patricks Day!

Tomorrow it's Mothering Sunday here in the UK, so my 3 lovely children are taking me out to lunch! Hope everyone has a fab day whatever you're up to...

 

[Lucky Penny]

Thanks, Karen & Eva - I'm feeling almost back to 100% now!

We're really looking forward to the week at VWL next month - we have a one-bedroom villa so we can be comfortable. One of our favorite things at WL is the Territory Lounge at the end of the day! If we've had lunch at the parks, we'll just share some nachos or pizza along with our beverages of choice and unwind. I love the boats too - not having to get on a bus to go everywhere.

Of course before that -- we have our DS Michael's WEDDING in two weeks!!! Bob says weddings are one of the main reasons it's better to have sons than daughters! We are hosting a rehearsal dinner Friday March 30th, and finished working out the buffet menu today - it's at an Italian restaurant near the church, and we'll be having fried calamari, fried zucchini and fried mushrooms (appetizers), antipasto platter and green salad, meat lasagna, chicken parmigiana, cheese tortellini (with mushrooms and broccoli in some kind of pink sauce), spaghetti with meat sauce and spaghetti with marinara, garlic bread, plain bread and for dessert a "sampler" of carrot cake, cheesecake, and homemade cannolli. We're also providing 400Swedish meatballs and sauce for the reception, and promised to help MOTB with decorations, cleanup, and whatever else she needs.

DS Shaun, DIL Jenn and our two granddaughters (from Orlando) will be staying with us for the week before the wedding They're arriving on Bob's birthday (March 26)

After the wedding, we can focus on getting ready for the trip to VWL ... and I think we're going to need it by then

Eva, I used to make corned beef & cabbage every year for St. Patrick's Day but never, ever dyed my beer green! Since it's just the two of us now, I think we're having hot dogs and cole slaw tonight!

Karen, Mothering Sunday sounds lovely - I hope your nice weather is holding, and have a great lunch tomorrow!!

 

[Bareacuda]

Hi Karen... when we make the cruise... I'll bring along some pics of the Bridge.
I dont care how many times I go over or under it... it's still beautiful to me.

Mike... thanks again for the name of the trees. The pics DH took are beautiful. Im surprised that the CM's didnt know the name of the trees.

Ann

 

[CustardTart]

One of our favorite things at WL is the Territory Lounge at the end of the day!

DH and I had had a fab evening there last August - we ended up being challenged by another couple to Disney trivia quizes and it was great fun...

 

[CustardTart]

Hi Karen... when we make the cruise... I'll bring along some pics of the Bridge.
I dont care how many times I go over or under it... it's still beautiful to me...

That would be fantastic, Ann!!! I totally look forward to it...

 

[Bareacuda]

Karen.. I'll bring a piece of London with me! Pics are no problem.

 

[papa]

Ann, I had forgotten that they moved the London Bridge to Arizona. Senior moment, I guess. Senior moments are when we old people forget things

Saw some Key limes in the store yesterday Marsha, and thought of you. Coming up to the six month mark shortly. Mike