Sunday

Our first day at sea was a busy one!  Between getting our selves straight I did a lot with the DIS family with regards to tastings.  I had my massage with Boris at 1030, and while I was getting kneaded Glenn took Becca to the Mickey Pool to do the slide!  We made it to a late lunch of Pizza with Becca, had some photos taken, scheduled hair braiding and then it was off to our first of many private tastings – Mojitos.  Benjamin was great!

Captains gala tonight!  Everyone looked great!  Pictures when we get home…

Sunday

Embarkation Day!!

Our bus arrived at the Praktik early, and the poor driver looked at our group and asked me "Dees-ney?"  Of course, the answer was YES!!!  He was a bit shocked I think.  We kept bringing more and more luggage out!  We managed to fill the under bus luggage area, but we didn't need to bring anything into the bus itself.

Unfortunately, the Bus driver didn't follow directions.  Or, fortunately, depending on how you look at it!  The driver only went to our hotel and not the Praktik Barcelona.  So, Stephen (Nacho – who organized the whole thing) was left behind!  They did finally get to the port, and since we were sneaking Hayley and her family in with us she passed her #3 boarding card to him and Becky so that they could board earlier.

After boarding, we left the Littles and headed to the Concierge reception.  We met Lynda (SHE IS AWESOME!!!), got our stuff straight, grabbed a drink and a snack and before we knew it, the rooms were available.

We had the kids watch the doors, and they found ours.  Still oblivious to what was about to happen, we entered the room.  Stephen went first and exclaimed "This is different…This is really different…There are 2 rooms!!!".  He is much better with the surprise this year!

We went to the DIS meet, got most of the shirts handed out, picked up lanyards, met more of our DIS Family and got a few group shots,  and then headed up for sail away party.  First time we made it there.  We grabbed streamers and proceeded to have a great time!  Becca got into the dancing as did the Little girls!  A good time was had by all.  After sail away we headed down to the room to unpack.

I was a bit worried as the hall was not filled with cases, but upon opening the door, we found all of them in the suite.  A nice perk, totally unexpected!  Got unpacked, met Marilo, Lynda popped in and then we set off to see Maricar!  (Who says  HI! To Mark, Lynn, Scott and the rest of the family!!  It is nice to be remembered!)

We finally made it to dinner, and found Depesh to be our server with Hector as assistant server.  Not impressed with Hector straight off, and made mention to Ivo our head server.  We shall see…  Stephen headed to Ocean Quest after dinner, and Becca, Bella and Lucy headed off to the lab. 

All in all a wonderful start to our trip!

Rain, rain go away don't come back until after sail away...

It poured all day, but that’s OK - we still saw a lot.

We did Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, as well as getting to Disney store 2 of 3. Tons of walking, and I was again reminded that a tired 6 year old is a miserable thing!
If you ever get a chance to go to Sagrada Familia - jump on it. I was awe struck. I am not normally a church tourist, but come-on.... This is amazing. We did the audio tour and we learned so much. Cool thing is that Becca for kids audio and the rest of us got standard versions. She stayed with it for quite a while and then that was that. Did I mention that tired 6 year olds that get hungry are more than miserable? The church was, again, amazing! Have pictures - will try and post them tomorrow.

We stopped at a small sandwich shop near the bus stop for a quick bite. OK, we are in Spain - there is no such thing as quick, unless you are in a cab... Anyway, we chose it for because they claimed to have hotdogs. Well, the menu said hotdogs and there was a picture of a hotdog, and our 6 year old will eat hotdogs... Guess what? Yep, tired, miserable, hungry, more than miserable and we told her she could have a hotdog - so I was dubbed the one that never loved her... UUGH!!! Finally got her to eat the standard fare - ham and what appears to be a tomato spread.

After lunch we jumped back on the HOHO bus and headed to Park Guell. HEY - here’s a tip... IF you take the HOHO bus, do NOT take it to Park Guell. Take the standard metro. HOHO = very bottom of a fairly steep hill. Standard Metro line = TOP of hill... Let’s just go with my calves hurt and if KERMIT ROCKS is right, I am not going to wake up pain free in the morning...  Oh, outside of the hill, it is an amazing place.  We didnt'do it justice.  They say it takes hours.  We just didn't have hours...  We just really need to come back!!

This evening was the HRC meet. TONs of our new DIS family there! It was great, but I was running near empty, and there were so many and poor Becca was a bit overwhelmed... We grabbed a table with Hayley, Terry and the girls and let the girls get acquainted. I can't wait to really meet Lynne and Len! I was flitting around so much that I think I kind of blew her off - and that was not at all intended!!!
Post HRC it was the magic Fountain display. Wish I could say it was wonderful, but to be brutally honest, it was cold, windy and wet. A total bust. We got some cool pics of the museum though, but any pics of the fountain show in my scrapbook will be from GOOGLE!!!

Getting up early tomorrow to gventure out and see if we can get breakfast somewhere.  We need to meet the bus griup  here at 830ish to get a group photo.  Then we board the bus around 9 and we are off to the Magic!!!

Cant wait!!!

We have arrived!!!!

Words can not describe how bad clothing worn for 40 hours smells!!!  Especially after one tours for a day in hot, humid weather...  UUGH!!!  I will be doing a load of wash right off...

Obviously by this time you have figured out that we have arrived in Barcelona.  It is an awesome, gorgeous city, with ancient, old and modern feels to it.  Absolutely wonderful.  Saw the Futball Staduim, port, the Diagonal and the platform diving stadium today in addition to the rest of the Barcelona City HOHO Orange line.  OMG - the arcitechture!!!

Was really kind of PO's at the Futball Mega Store....  Nothing says BAD customer service like telling the last person in line tha the line closed and they will have to wait in yet another line to spend money....  We tossed our purchases down and were heading out when I noticed that upstairs there were cashiers BORED!  Sent Stephen racing down the escalator to gather our shirts from the bin of soccer balls (where we tossed them) so Glenn and Stephen have shirts...

Luckily this was overcome by going to the DISNEY Store at stop 14 or so.  I love great customer service, and Disney Barcelona did it!!! 

Overall, the city is great - and we are having a riot!!!  Want to see the scrap book page for day 1 post airport?  Look here...  https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B5sI02Bp3EwTM2Q2YjFlYjctNmY0OC00Nzc3LTgxNzctNThkZjg2NjQzODhi&hl=en&authkey=CKfXwMwG

Loose ends...

Well, we are getting down to the loose ends of preparing to leave.  Really, the last of the packing can be done in under an hour, so it is all about the house...  I hate to come home to a messy house...  So...  This morning I cooked the last of the breakfast food that is in the house.  Cleaned out the fridge, and now it looks like I don't buy food.  I cleaned the washer (front loader) so it is done.  I have 3 or so loads of laundry to do before we leave - including sheets and towels, so we are in good shape there.  If I could get the kids to stop making messes I would be ready to go!  unfortunately at 13 and 6 messes are abundant, and their idea of cleaning them up isn't always on par with mine...

We are also making the last entries to the website (www.transatlanticpirates.com) to show everyone in the tastings that I set up.  So, that is that.  now DH needs to step away from baseball and concentrate on getting the last minute to do list knocked out.

If all goes as planned, I am three posts away from leaving for the airport!  I can text and email to the blog, so hopefully I can give frequent updates.  Heard that blogging on the ship may be blocked - but they can't stop my emails from going - so there is a way!  Just not sure how we will do photos...  I hope to test this as well.  I think worst case I will have to upload pictures to my photobucket and then imbed the links into my email...  With internet fees so $$ on the ship I will have to type everything I can into word first.  Somehow we need to work it out as Stephen will be blogging for school as well...

Most Cheerful!!

Well, as luck would have it Becca won Most Cheerful at today's football game!  We didn't win, but we did score, and we didn't fumble so that was great!  Becca now has one of the coveted cheer sticks in her possession!  She gets to keep it for the entire time we are gone, and we were asked to get pictures with her and it everywhere we go!  So, I am trying to find room for her uniform...  Hope to get pictures of her in uniform with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and the rest of the gang!  I am aiming for uniform pics in one afternoon, and then just any old picture with it as we go.  I guess the stick will be a permanent part of the excursion bag!

Took 4 things off the to do list today as well.  Not a bad morning so far!  Still need to do about 15 more, but we are getting there!  Hopefully we knock most of it out the rest of today and tomorrow so that Monday and Tuesday night can be spent cleaning up the house and getting as much homework done as possible.  Wednesday will be packed with last minute details so the more we get done now the better!

Off to do something cruise related...  Just not sure what yet...

Last weekend to prep!

It is getting so close now!!  5 more sleeps until we leave!  2 more work days, 1 football game to cheer for and that is it!!

Ive been reading Erik and Jason's blog and they are knocking my socks off!  I need to get better at this and fast.  They did point out that blogging from sea will be a challenge.  We need to figure that out as well as Stephen needs to do this for school...

lots to do and so little time!

5 DAYS before we had out!

Hi ho everyone!  Thins time next week we will be ensconced in Barcelona!!  I am so excited!!  

Lots to do before then, and as fate would have it DCL made changes that threw me for a loop on Tuesday and I spent too much time on getting my cruise mojo back.  So, we ended up doing an about face and changed our philosophy about where we dine on Pirate night, and moms desire to do formal night in the most formal restaurant won out.

All that aside, the to do list is getting down tot he nitty gritty.  there are roughly 22 things to do for the cruise - including packing lists, pictures and actually packing!  In addition to that there are 6 things to do at the house, 1 more cheer practice and one game.  Then it is just making sure that my mom is good to go, and we can try to knock out the list.

OK - anyone reading that has a good idea for a gift from Georgia?  I am stumped and need something special for my Secret Mickey recipient!!

Later!

T-10 and counting!

So, today is the 7th and we are leaving on the 15th.  So much to do and only 9 (partial and full) days left to get it all done.  We are getting there, but I have to say that this is a lot harder than I thought.  I am worried about the luggage weights and this could be the thing that blows it all out of the water.  We get 50LBS per person, and one would think that with 200 lbs of checked luggage that we would be OK - however, I am starting to worry as we get closer to the date.

As it stands right now, my daughter, the Diva is 100% packed.  Her Disney dresses arrived on Saturday and they fit perfectly!!  Thanks to Mickie for doing an awesome job!!  She also has 11 other dresses - yes, you read it right - 11!, to wear for dinners, etc.  She couldn't decide and I got tired of the battle, so I gave in.  And, as she will change clothes 2-3 times a day I also have 14 outfits for her packed.  Hope she still likes them - she picked them all out, but its been a month...  In addition to all of that there are 4 pairs of shoes packed for her, plus whatever she wears to school that day!  How I got her to agree to NOT wear the clothing, but to leave it all in the suitcase is beyond me, but she agreed and her case including about a dozen t-shirts for our extended DIS family all come in at under 50lbs.  And the case is full.  I think that the weight was 43 lbs, so I may space bag her dresses and put in more of the DIS shirts to get the case to 48 lbs.  Oh - and I need to pull clothing for Barcelona out...  Oy Vey!! 

Like I said, so much to do and so little time!

And, while all of this last minute stuff is happening, my better half is trying to finish up a myriad of last minute stuff around the house so when we get back we don't have to do it all...  Stuff like baseboards. window casings, etc.  Yes, that right, he is trying to finally finish the basement project! 

So, in addition to all of this, did I mention that there is still laundry to do, cheer practice, gymnastics and wrestling is about to start?  Oh - and yes, I did do laundry over the weekend!  5 loads or if...  I love my washer and dryer!!  It holds double what the old ones did.  So, all the sheets went in one load!  3 twin sets, a king set and a double set, and one mattress pad.

All I need to do tonight is get Becca to cheer, grab stuff for my other (who I blew off all weekend) and get it to her.  Wish me luck!!

Can you say 18 days?!?!?

Yes folks, that's right!  Just 18 days until we leave.  I guess that technically it is 19, but today is about over, so I am not counting today!!!


I just went back and looked at some of my old posts...  I started this in April.  School year was still in, Stephen was recovering from a broken foot, and playing baseball, Becca hadn't broken her arm and we were 20 weeks away from the cruise!  Here we are, weeks and weeks later, and we are just days away from leaving!


Today was a pretty cool day!  Concierge wrote to tell me that our magnets had been received.  I thought that this meant in the warehouse, and that they would move to the ship in 8 days.  Nope!  They are on the ship!!!  And they are in Lynda's hands for decorating our door! 


So, it is now decision time.  Send another package to the ship or not...  This would be for the kids FE gifts.  I guess I need to figure out how we are on space and weight pretty fast!  if I get them sent before Friday they should make it in time.  If they don't, then I am out the gift, and the kids don't get something really really cool!  Of course, if I can get in gear I can weight tonight, and make the call....  Guess that is what I need to do!  


later!!

Sunday, Sunday....

Here it is, Sunday August 22nd.  22 days until we leave for Spain...  15 days until I hope to have everything we need to bring with us in suitcases...  18 days until panic sets in...  So much to do and so little time.

OK, so remember back a while my rant about VAT?  Well, it may have been all for naught.  Seems that Gibraltar is a VAT free zone!!  No schemes there!!  Needless to say, I will only get the few Barcelona things that we find, and will leave the majority of wine and spirit shopping for Gibraltar.

I printed out, and trimmed up more magnets yesterday.  They are rather sharp looking, and I am now just about done.  I think one more batch, but before I go there I am going to gather all the Ziploc bags of magnets together and see what I think I am missing...

There is a bit of distress setting in at this point.  I am a bit worried about my mom.  I haven't mentioned her on the blog before, so here goes...

About 16 months ago my mom was a totally independent woman.  She drove, shopped (and WOW could she shop), played golf, volunteered at the library - the whole 9 yards.  The on the night on march 21, 2009 she had a freak accident and life as she knew it ended.  All she did was fall out of bed.  Unfortunately, the way she landed she did a lot of damage to C2-C5 and is now a paraplegic.  She was taken to the ER at the local hospital - which is not a trauma center which was a HUGE mistake.  The doctor that was there was not trained in emergency medicine, and wanted to dispatch her when she couldn't move.  When I refused that he  sent in the next doctor that was available who talked to me a bit, learned how fully functioning my mother had been, noted that she was severely dehydrated and got her a room.  Over the next 36 hours they almost killed her.  The Hospitalist that saw her in ICU told me that we had to get her moved, or she would die.  So we moved her.  Luckily she was accepted at a great hospital - Northside Atlanta.  She was seen by one of the best neurologists in the country, but the damage was too severe and there was no guarantee that she would survive the surgery.  So, we waited, prayed and waited some more.  She went from there to a rehab facility, but she was too mad at those around her to want to partake in the offerings, and she is now in a nursing home.  That is the pretty picture, and it isn't good.  The fully story is much much more awful.

Anyway. the lady across the hall from mom is not doing well, and is fading fast.  I was at moms today and the son and DIL of the lady were there.  It was not pretty.  They don't think that she will make it to next weekend.  Get me thinking...  While my mom is doing well, I won't see her for 3 weeks, and a lot can happen in three weeks... We have insurance, so if I got a call that she was not well, I could leave the cruise and fly home.  It isn't what I would want - and she wouldn't either, but it could be done.  I guess it is just something that I am going to worry about...

Well, I guess that is about it for tonight!  I need to go and create a blog for my son who has to post stuff daily while we are gone.  I am not so good at the daily stuff, so I am hoping to get him into the habit early, and who knows.  Maybe I will catch on and post more often as well!  HA HA HA HA

The docs arrived!!!

It is a red letter day here!  And across the lands as well...  Unless you are in So. California or Montana, or you reside in Celebration Florida - go figure...  Cruise docs have arrived, and in a very cool book compared to last years docs...

Confirmation of Ducky Don Williams being on board, confirmation of excursions, spa, Palo (all 3 times)!!  29 more sleeps until we leave...

But...  You had to have known that was coming...

I am sick...  Sore throat, achy, post nasal drip...  Could all be allergies as we were at the football / soccer park on Saturday and all those weeds...  Or it could be worse...  I am hoping it is allergies as I have no fever...  I just can't get sick...  I am allergic to penicillin and erythomyacin (SP - back off, I am not feeling well...) so, if I have strep for instance, I could be ill until we are on our way to Spain...  That would not be good at all...

On a positive note, work is looking up.  Boss A has agreed to post of r a replacement, and Boss B has a job for me!!  Wahoo!  looks like it is all starting to work out for...

That's all for today, I am heading to bed...

5 weeks from NOW we will be sailing away!!!

Overwhelming isn't it?  I don't mean the cruise - I mean that I have managed to post 2 times in a week!!

So, since it is my blog, I will vent first and then get to the good stuff...  I heard a word on the board today that I really like!  While it isn't something that I feel I will use often, it has its place.  See if you can pick it out...

I talked to my boss about going back to my prior position as I really enjoyed it, and frankly I slid to where I am as a favor.  He of course couldn't believe that I was unhappy, and told me to stop working while I was not in the office.  So, just to be very clear - this is not possible as none of the other managers have made an attempt to get involved with the retail business product, and DON'T want to.    So, I sent him a follow up email documenting it, complete with a successor plan and sent it off.  In the mean time I got an email from one of the other managers stated that I needed to move my vacation because he was not comfortable covering my segment of our business.  Seriously?  Really?  What a twat!

I almost immediately got an answer to the email I sent my boss that we would discuss it on Monday.  not sure what to read into that.  So, I responded by forwarding the other email about moving my vacation, and a note that transatlantic crossings didn't happen every week, and I had fully paid for the vacation and  that there was no freaking way I was going to move, change, alter my vacation plans.   I haven't heard back on that one yet...  Should make for an interesting Monday to say the least.

If all goes well, I will move back to our Hosting team, in an operations role, doing contract compliance and planning.  Fingers crossed, but realistically I will not know for certain until after I am back from vacation...

Which leads me to VACATION!!!

I am starting to panic a bit...  The to do list hasn't shrank enough, and the boys don't seem to care if they have clothes for travel or not...  Now, I know that the girls are god to go (well, I need about 3 pair of capri's, but I will knock that out this week).  I do have all that I can do with FE, scrap and candy swaps figured out and sorted.  I have the scavenger hunt prize, I have taken care of gifts, I ordered Stephens Tux. 

So I have done well, but am a bit worried that I haven't put enough thought into Barcelona.  If all goes well, we will be fairly rested upon our arrival.  I have the taxi/van arranged, and they will meet us at arrivals complete with a sign.   Have confirmed that the hotel will hold our luggage for the day, and that they have a rest room so we can change into fresh clothing.  So, I am set for arrival...

I have pre paid the bus, which will arrive at 9:15 to take us to the port.  We should arrive by 10.  I will go to check in by myself so the surprise is kept from the kiddos.  We are meeting Hayley, Mr. Hayley (AKA Terry), Lucy and Bella at the port.  I have concierge doing welcome magnets, and have a meeting with them at 1 - just not sure where.  Once on board, we have pre arranged Madeira and St. Maarten.  We have planned for Gibraltar.  Booked tours with DCL to Tortola and CC.  So, I think I am good once we are heading to the ship.

What is left you ask...  BARCELONA!!  What to do, what to see, where to eat, and the list goes on and on...

I do have plans for Friday night - we have a DIS meet at the Hard Rock Cafe, and then we are going to the Magic Fountains.  But, really, this is it!! 

Anyone? I Need ideas!!  We want to do a tapas dinner - no clue as to where.  Would like to do this on Thursday evening.  Has to be kid friendly (i.e. have some food that they won't wrinkly their noses at) and has to be open for business at 8 or so - oh and what about needing reservations...  YIKES!!  I didn't consider this...  What about a place for breakfast?  Oh, we want to do the hop on hop off bus - but where can we buy our tickets??

See so much to do!!!  That's it, I need a nap...

Yep, first post in August...

So, a number of people have mentioned to me that I haven't posted for a while, so this is for you...  Its my blog - so leave me alone!  Back off!  Let me be!


Phew!  Now that this is out of my system I can carry on!


We are 34 sleeps until we head to Spain!  Since I am not counting, I can only tell you that this is 24 work days - 7 of which I am on call.  It is also 4 more meetings that I HATE to attend every week, 13 cheer practices, games and jamboree, 1 picture day full of screaming kids and not enough time to sit back and smell the roses!  See, not counting!!


Things have been very hectic around here!  As I posted in July (yeah, yeah) camp ended with ice cream and some tears.  School has started and the kids are settling into routines again.  However, their new routine, means a new routine for the parents as well.  As Glenn and I used to carpool to work together it was so easy!  Heck, we worked together, so it was extra time to vent about kids, or work, depending on which direction we were driving at the time.  however, now that he has gone and gotten a new job, there is a kink to the I get to nap on the way home plan.  If I were to nap now, there may not be a tomorrow...  Same for him and his adding a 45 minute nap to his morning.

Anyway, we are back to getting up earlier and getting the little one on the bus at 7am.  The bigger kiddo gets to sleep extra, and he gets himself to the bus at 810.  He has it made, but the bus is crowded... 

What was I getting around to?  Shoot, I don't remember!  Maybe work...  Work pretty much sucks right now.  Why is it that you can go out of your way and be nice to someone and help them advance their career and you just get pooped on?  I mean, I put the rest of my team in a bind to help this person and every issue that has escalated to above me and then back down is from something that he has done.  nice way to treat the person that HELPED YOU!!!  Notice, no names mentioned - but if you are reading, you know who you are and I think you are treating me like crap and being a schmuck.  not to worry - all those tickets you can't  seem to be bothered with will follow you...

Enough about work.  It is pretty depressing right now...  I really want to get back to my old job.  The job I loved to go to because I saw progress and success.  The job I loved and sacrificed for my bosses boss - to do him a favor...  That's right folks - I DID NOT ASK for my current position.  I WAS ASKED TO LEND A HAND!  Why is this important?  It is only important if you are the afore mentioned schmuck!  See, jerk, I didn't take your job... 

OK - I think it is out of my system now...  Have I mentioned the one thing that is keeping me going these days?  Yes, the cruise we are taking with the second "family"  we have found!  We are so excited!!  35 days from now we will be on a plane jetting to Spain, and 38 days from now we will be boarding the Disney Magic!!  WOHOO!!!! 

I still have a lot to do, but after cataloging what everyone was taking, and getting half the family packed up, I am no longer suffering the anxiety attacks!  Our cruise shirts are in transit from Captain Jack, and once they arrive I can get down to the brass tax of packing the odds and ends.  I still need to separate out the clothing for Barcelona, but I have gotten a big jump on things for this cruise.

Well, off to get homework checked, and make sure that the kids are ready for school tomorrow.  For those of you that are curious, yes, I am still going to try and build a trio report with a daily post to this blog.  Spread the link around if you want - it should prove to be good reading in 35 days!!!    Oh, and if it matters, yes, I will try and post more before we leave as well!'

later gator!

I think I am floundering...

In a sea of back to school, work and DIS cruise planning!  There is so much to do and time is getting away from me. 

I have come to believe that our customers at work know when I am leaving and they are trying to get everything done NOW.  So a word or two to them, specifically... 
RELAX!  There are other Technical Services managers that will be available while I am gone.
RELAX!  If you have an open ticket it will still be worked on - after all it is ME going away not my entire team!
RELAX!  i promise to consider coming back!

Then there is back to school.  Which really means the end of summer camp.  And while my kids have had a great time - neither one of them is an emotional about it as I am!  It isn't so much Becca's camp at the gym that I get emotional about - sorry HOH in Canton - you girls are great!  See ya MONDAY!!!  It is the Cherokee County Outdoor YMCA that chokes me up.  Stephen has been going for 6 summers now, and all I can say is THANKS!!!  Thanks for making summers great.  Thanks for helping my kid grow up - for being my community!  Thanks for looking out for him and keeping him in positive places.  Thanks for the experiences.  I don't recall - I may have blathered on about the group of young adults that work there before - but if not, here are some special call outs...

Kristine - you rock!!  Ice cream Friday was my pleasure!!!  Lets do it again next year!!
Jenny - Thanks for keeping the lake safe - and for being a BFF!
David - You rock for making camp great!
Rob - KSU?  OK, you rock anyway!
Daniel - You survived Survivor multiple weeks!
Ben C - Teen X wouldn't be the same with out you! Where where you for Ice Cream???
Ben - you were everywhere!
Will - While Stephen did 't mountain bike - he says you are GREAT!
Tom - Camp wouldn't be the same without you!!  No matter what age, you have been there for Stephen through it all!!!  ROCK ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF!!!

And, as you have to put the blame in the right place...  Lets not forget Eric!  Eric as the camp director got all of these great people signed up and committed!  Eric Bullock rules the YMCA world in my eyes!  If you ever get a chance to visit the Cherokee Outdoor YMCA facility - ask for him and tell him I sent you!  Seriously - if you are ever afforded the chance to send your kids to Eric's camp - jump on it!!  He runs a great summer day camp!!

So, with camp ending, that means school starts...  shopping for back to school clothes, supplies and everything else you need to be an 8th grader or a first grader. 

That is what is filling my days and nights!  There is almost no time to plan...  And, really, that is OK as I am on track for total chaos the weekend before like every other time I try and really plan...  I should do something about it, but the reality is IF I get my lists knocked out we are golden!  The big challenge is that we are not driving ourselves - so when the limo arrives, we gotta load up and go!  No last minute run inside, no stopping at Target for one more of anything...  What we have packed is what we will take...

Truth be told, if you told me I could leave in 4 weeks, I would be fine.  If you told me it was 2 weeks I would be scared!!  Lucky for us, I have 6 weeks to get it all done!!  WAHOO!!!

Holy cow - where is the time going??

Seriously, last time I posted I had all the time in the world to get ready for the cruise  Now,  it is time to do a bunch of stuff to be ready to go.  What you ask, well, finish magnets for one (for the love of GOD  the ever loving magnets.  While I want to do them they are now a crux to my very existence!  Stuff in general...  Get tuxedo fittings - yeah, not necessary really, but hey I love my kid and he LOVES how he looks and feels in his tux, so a fitting we will go!  Power converters...  Don't get me started...  You saw/read how I was with VAT (which I still am unclear about - but will get receipts EVERYWHERE so I can participate in the scheme).  Oh, what else you ask...  Well there are documents to print, tastings and adult entertainment to arrange and MY entertainment too!  I am seriously worried that I will not enjoy my time in Barcelona because I am trying to make it perfect.  Quick - someone come and slap me!  My kids do NOT have to have perfect vacations, and truth be told - they have never had one!  But it is OK that they know it isn't perfect.  I need to repeat that over and over.  This is the last big vacation I think we will have with Stephen - who is entering 8th grade.  Once in HS, I have the feeling that we have lost this time, and fall break will be filled with wrestling or baseball and family vacations will be a thing of the past.  And that sucks.  I want him and Becca to enjoy vacationing together.  UUGH...

Oh - have I mentioned how proud I am of my big kid?  Stephen has been a CILT and has done the teen X program at our outdoor YMCA.  He has grown to a level that I didn't think was possible at this age.  He actually tells me the best part of summer was seeing younger kids succeed. Somewhere along the line I did something right.  I'm not sure where it happened, but hearing my kid talk about 8 year old catching fish and being able to complete a long hike - and seeing the pride in his eyes makes me proud to be his parent.  God has smiled on us, and I have never felt so proud of him.



Becca is also amazing me.  She broke her arm and didn't really skip a beat.  She broke it goofing off at the gym and still managed to go each day (camp) and learn more.  She has become a better person for it - and has opened up to others.  It has been a good summer.  I can't explain it, but if you are on the WBTA and you see me shed a tear while watching my kids, think back to this and understand...  They are either getting along and being great, or my bubble is bursting as they are fighting and being awful...

My kids are great - just not always to each other...

More later int he week - I need to tuck in a 6 year old and hug a 14 year old...  School starts in a week...  UUGH!

Seriously? Really? Ya sure?

Warning, I think this will turn into a mini rant about taxation…



So talk on the DIS thread whipped through VAT and I am a bit perplexed… We can get money back if a purchase is over a certain amount – and it might take 2 months best case – but one person on the WWW stated 18 months to get a refund! ?! Really? What’s with that? And Dude, seriously I hope that the refund was worth it!! Oh, and, is it if all purchases add up to that amount, or is it purchase by purchase? Store by store? Are there certain stores? I am way out of my element here… I guess I need a VAT for dummies book… I guess I need to give my co workers in our Global offices a call and get the scoop… Sounds confusing, yes? Well thanks to the WWW I was able to clear it all up (NOT)…

Anyway, I did some reading and searching on the WWW and these little tidbits come from others - I'm sorry - no links here.  What did I read somewhere else?  Oh yeah its my blog take it or leave it...  And I don't participate in the Scheme called VAT, so no need to send me anything...  Oh - and why is it a scheme anyway?  Whats the deal with that? 

So, what is VAT? America, where sales tax is (mostly) a state-by-state phenomenon that gets added on at the cash register, in Europe sales tax is included in the price tag . That is nice, in that there's no math to do in your head, but it's awful for two reasons. One is that the tax rate—universally called VAT (for "Value Added Tax") though each country also has its own acronym—tends to be anywhere from 4% to 33% . (The E.U. is supposed to eventually settle on a common rate of around 18%, but it's already years past the original implementation date of that plan.) The other bummer is that you end up paying this VAT automatically, even though, as a tourist, you are not obligated to pay the VAT . Now the good news. Since non-E.U. residents technically do not owe VAT, a system has been set up to refund these ill-gotten taxes to you. Now for some more bad news, the refund system doesn't kick in it unless you drop a big chunk of change all at once in one store. This amount ranges from as low as £30 ($50) in the U.K and $80 in Belgium to €154.94 ($200) in Italy and €175.01 ($230) in France (and it's always the amount before taxes are counted). The actual amounts in each country—as well as lots of VAT shopping advice—are listed at the website of Global Refund (www.globalrefund.com). Barcelona is 16% folks…



And now the ever loving REFUND process… Getting the VAT refunded involves telling the store clerk you're going to be asking for the VAT back (they'll give you receipts and forms to carry with you) then filling out more forms at the airport.



Leaving Barcelona via cruise, car or train? If you are not leaving Barcelona by plane the reclaim procedure is a little different because you cannot cash your VAT refund cheques in Barcelona. If you are leaving Barcelona by any other means of transport ask for a VAT Reclaim envelope in the shop in which you buy your goods. The Spanish name for this is "Sobre" You then collect your VAT cheques as normal from the shops. Before you leave Barcelona e.g. on your cruise you have to visit the customs at the port terminal (or wherever the customs point is for you departure from Spain) and present them with your VAT cheques and they will stamp them for you. You must do this before you leave Europe. When you return to your country send the cheques back to the VAT claim office in Madrid in the Envelope that you picked up from the shop/s. Unfortunately if you are not actually flying out of Barcelona you cannot just go to the airport and cash your cheques. The cashing of the VAT cheques in Barcelona is a service only available for those that leave Barcelona by plane. When you send back your VAT claim you have a number of options for obtaining your money. You can opt to receive a cheque, or choose a bank transfer or wire. These options are available on the form that you send back to the VAT reclaim office. It's best to opt for the direct transfer to your account as most banks charge a substantial fee for cashing international cheques - around 30 Euros in Spain. It will take approximately 3 months to process your claim and for you to receive your refund. You follow the same procedure as for the cruise if you are leaving Spain by any other means e.g. train or car. But in these situations your cheques are stamped at the customs office before you leave Spain.


Summary


You are entitled to claim a VAT refund on goods purchased in Spain if you meet the following criteria


1) Your domicile (permanent residence) is outside the European community)


2) You spend more than 90.15 Euros on your items


3) You intend to take the items back to your country. This therefore excludes restaurant and hotel bills and general food.


4) You have all the correct paperwork completed - this is provided by shops that run the Tax Free Shopping Scheme - look for their logo in the shop window or ask in the shop (some shops do not run the tax free scheme)


5) You follow all the procedures detailed above in our article for claiming your VAT back before you leave Spain.


6) If you have any more detailed questions on Tax free shopping visit their website and postquestion directly. They have people that can respond to you in English.
 Bottom line here, I think, is that one has to shop in the right stores, bulk purchases together so you meet the minimum and then make sure you get the checks and forms before you leave. Weird, one would think you could fill out a form at the store and avoid the checks all together.



Happy shopping or not…

It was one of those days...

So, ever have one of those days where noting is quite as it seems? Well, yesterday was one of those for me! I don’t get it – all started out well, but somewhere around 3PM it all went to hell…
So, to be fair, this is just life again getting in the way… I get it, but come on, enough!! It’s almost an ethical dilemma for me. See, we are GIVING away a set of white kitchen appliances. Yep – giving them away. OK, no, I guess that isn’t right – we are giving them to someone that needs them and will in return for getting them will move a stove and fridge up a flight of stairs for us. This is one of 2 remaining things that needs to be done before we can get t he condo on the market.
So, are we asking too much? Here were the requirements… Promise that you need the appliances, and that you will not profit off of getting them (so donate your old ones…) and have the guys that carry the set you are getting down the stairs, bring the other set up the stairs… not a hard thing, yes?? Well, apparently it is, because yesterday I get the call that they have hired the mover and want to get the appliance done tonight. Well, sure, we can hold off on letting the kids get cleaned up from camp and all that – shouldn’t take long… Well, the people they got to move the stuff want to charge them extra to move stuff up stairs – and the people we are giving appliance to don’t want to pay it. Um, really? Seriously? Here is $2,000 worth of appliances, and the only thing you have to do is move my stuff up the stairs and you don’t want to cover it?

So, maybe I am/was reading too much into it – but I am irked… I have been through a lot in the past 18 months, and I have had so many people bend over backwards to help me – but I have never asked or expected someone to be out of pocket for me. So, I was trying to pay it forward or back, depending on how you look at it, and now this… It is a lesson learned… If you want to just be rid of something, take the first offer, be done with it. Had we done that a friend would have hauled the old stuff out, put the new stuff up and then sold the old stuff. We all would have been happy, end of story… UUGH! Really took the Disney breeze out of my sails… Made it hard to work as well, and I really needed to get more done last night, but I couldn’t focus…

As a side note, we did get the appliances moved and in the end we were not out of pocket.  It was bittersweet, but it is done...

OK, venting and ranting over… Happy Thursday everyone!! Come on weekend!!

You knew it wouldn't last...

Life got in the way again!  I'm not even sure it was one thing, or a bunch of things, but that is what happens when one plans...

And speaking of plans, a lot has happened in the past week or so!  Stephen spent two weeks in "Teen Expedition" with out Outdoor YMCA which is located right on Lake Allatoona.  It is a gorgeous camp and if anyone reading this is in the area, and your kids need a great summer day camp - THIS IS IT!!!  Look no further!!  We found it 6 years ago and while Stephen was mad as a hatter about having to go to camp at all, his mind was quickly changed!  He has gone every summer and Eric Bullock is "The Man!"  Anyway - the Teen X program is awesome.  The kids spend a week together at the lake learning about each other, themselves and all the skills they will need for the following week.  The second week they ship out on Monday morning go caving, hiking, rafting, and more.  Not that my kid is shy, because he isn't, but he does lack some self confidence.  Well at the Nanahayla River facility he was the kid that the scared kid wanted to ride the river with!  I have never been so proud!!  Needless to say, he had a great week, came home dirty, stinky and smiling ear to ear!!  I missed him, and am now wondering where my baby boy went.  He has really grown up this summer between this and the CILT program.

Other than Stephen, other things have been happening too!  Rebecca got her cast off, and is starting to use her arm without a splint or warp.  She is pretty cautious still, but the HOH gym staff is great and have really been encouraging her to participate.  The splint/wrap is history as of tomorrow, so we shall see.

All of this and yes, still more...  We are finally about done with our condo flip.  Hope to get it on the market this weekend.  Want it sold fast, and I think it will happen.  We now have the best looking unit in the complex.  everyone we have shown it to is very impressed.  Glenn and I worked our tails off for it, so we are glad to know that it should pay off.

Oh, and for those wondering, yes I still have tons to do for the cruise!  Although the formal dress is in the works, magnets are just about done, the FE gifts are completed and I know that I can pack all of our swap stuff in one suitcase!!  It is pretty full mind you!  I hope that everyone is OK with our FE gifts!  We did more for the kids than for anyone else, I didn't know when to stop!  LOL!!  Oh, and I got our Euro order today!!  o turning back now  I have local money to spend!  HA HA HA HA HA!

Well, back to work for me!

Sunday Sunday…

Well, Saturday was almost a bust. Stephen and Glenn got into it, and Stephen almost lost the privilege of getting to go to the Teen Expedition camp Expedition… What is it with 13 year olds anyway? Anyway, long story short, they made up and we were able to head out. We started the day with lunch out – which was a challenge with the sore mouth, but ended up OK. We then got all of our shopping done.


Made it back home and I was all set to print more magnets. Speaking of magnets, I went all out and bought 50 sheets of magnet paper a while ago. I got it on line and it is awesome! So easy!! Then I took all of the images from the DISigners and trimmed them down so that I wasn’t printing backgrounds. Then it is just patiently trimming everything. The kids have seen some of the magnets, but we are sending a set to Barcelona to the Concierge Manager and they will do our welcome aboard door for us! I am so excited!! The kids haven’t seen any of those but they each have license plates so their names will be on the door. In addition there is on that tells them that the door they are looking at is indeed theirs – and that it is a suite.


So, I said was ready to print, but as normal things got in the way, and the printing still needs to be done, maybe this week while we only have one kiddo to juggle… We did manage to pack Stephens gear for the week and get make sure that the pack isn’t too heavy for him. This was a feat as 13 years olds don’t like to plan, don’t like to listen and don’t like to pack… And this is also a hint to me that I will have to do all of his packing so that we are sure we get the bare minimums in the suitcases for him so that we are not doing laundry all of the time… Like I would let him pack… LOL!! If I could buy him a wardrobe for the trip I would… 10 days of new clothing for him… now that is something to ponder… no back to school stuff – just a vacation wardrobe… Wonder what that would cost?

More later!

2 days in a row...

I know, I know...  Will wonders never cease...  Keep laughing - it is with me not at me me..

So, yesterday was bad...  painfully bad, but with the help of some well prescribed drugs I was able to sleep and all is much better today.  The throbbing is very slight, and I think that Advil will take care of it.

We have a busy day ahead of us.  Stephen is going to his first sleep away from home camp starting Monday and we need to get all of his gear packed, as well as get the missing pieces for him. 

I must admit that I am a bit sad to see this day arrive.  He is growing up and I want to stop time for a bit and enjoy him.  Becca too for that matter.  They are such good and caring kids when you peel back the stubborn and irritating layers...  I know that this sounds like the typical mom attitude, but both Glenn and I are constantly being told what great kids we have.  More so with Stephen as he has started to fill a different roll at camp.  He did a couple weeks as a CILT (counselor in leadership training) and ever since then we have had people at the camp that we don't know tell us what a great kid he is. All I know is that when the camp director says he has a paid spot for when he is 15 something has to be going right!!

As for the cruise, I have to figure out how to wrap up our FE cabin gifts and I need to finish the craft that I started ages ago.  I also need to get lollipop bags for the candy exchange.  If I can get that done this week then I am a bit ahead of the game.  I need to print a bunch of magnets and then cut them out, but I have started those as well.

I also need to spend time with my mom tomorrow.  I didn't get there last weekend, due to Fathers  Day and Glenn's Birthday, so I have to go this week!!  I also need to bring her some stuff and get some stuff ordered for her.

Then we need to start watching for sales for Stephen and Glenn.  Oh - and I need pirate costumes for them as well...  But I am not sure what they decided to do...  The one costume that Stephen liked is back in stock - so I might just order it for him...  Then it is just Glenn that we need to figure out - but I think he is capable of that!

OK, gotta run!  More later!

Bad things come in threes....

I have heard that, I have said it and now I am starting to believe it.

1.  February - Stephen breaks the growth plate in his foot at the big toe, 2 weeks prior to baseball season starting, and he is a catcher.  So, he was in a boot, a cast and a boot again...  Not healed until mid April

2.  June - Rebecca breaks her arm.  A distal-radial buckle - which if you are going to have a break, this is the kind to get.  They heal fast.  She was put in a cast (6 more days) that looks like the Cheshire Cat.  Very cute, but not very fun...

3.  June - I break a tooth.  Was all set for a root canal and crown, but no.  I broke it all the way to the pulp of the tooth, infection was setting in (it was 2 days!!  not like I waited 2 months to have it looked at) and I had to have it pulled.  And to top it off on the same side of my mouth there were 2 other cracked teeth, so I have to get crowns.  Now I have to go and get evaluated for an implant - OR get another crown and bridge the tooth.  I don't want a bridge, so I am hoping that I can get the implant.  Did I mention that the dentist found 2 other teeth that need crowns?  Yes - for a total of 4!!!  They are starting to fracture...  Oh, and did I also mention that I see my kids dentist more than I see one for me?  Do as I say, not as I do, yes?!

So, here I sit - hoping that this is the three.  I don't think I can take much more than this... So, no cruise update for today...  :(

More tomorrow!

Slacking yet again... A habit I need to break and fast!

So, when we last left off I was suring up excursions.  As we are doing alot without DCL,  it is all in the details.  And the pocketbook, as in ours!  In working with another family we found that we could do what we wanted to and save lots of money!  A big plus to all of us.  I am actually surprised at the amount of people that don't look into doing things on their own.  Although we didn't go that route on our first cruise, i was able to save over 50% of the excursion fees second time around, and this time is no different.  Our private tours right now are at about a 70% savings, which will go right to my D&B bag!  LOL!

OK, so here are the plans...

Gibraltar - private tour of the rock, and a possible ride on the cable car - up and down - if the line is short and the little kids are up for it.  With both families we will have 3 little girls under the age of 10, a 13 year old boy and then the big kids.  So we are trying to be very aware of the limits that each can tolerate.

Madeira - private tour here as well.  We have arranged a jeep tour of the island.  It is geared to the East side, and was highly recommended.  The tour also includes a 3 course lunch at a local restaurant which should be fun.  The big kids are looking forward to it, the little ones don't know about it.  It will hopefully be a nice change from mac and cheese, chicken fingers, hot dogs and all the other standard little kid foods.  However, we also plan to bring stuff the little ones like so we are not dealing with that obstacle.

Our next stop is St. Maarten and we are doing a private tour there too!  We have a van /SUV (not sure which) booked for the day and are planning to see the islands best - including a stop at Orient Beach where  my boys will parasail, a stop at Maho  beach to see the Planes come in.  Looking forward to seeing the 12:20 KLM flight buzz the beach.  We may get to Paradise Point (Pic?) to look down on things - but we are not sure that our tour guide will take us there.  It is supposed to be an amazing view, but is also known for its high crime rate - specifically mugging tourists.  This would be bad...  however we are a group of 8 plus a driver and a guide, so we may be OK.  We are also looking for a short stop (hour and a half or so) at the Butterfly Farm.  I have great memories of my little boy when he was 8 (we saw a moth with a wing span as big as his head) but my little one doesn't remember the stop (she was 15 months old).  However, as I hand the Christmas ornament with all the butterflies she always asks if she will get to see them.  Now she will!!  It isn't expensive to get in, and it is incredible to see all of them!  The rest of the day will be filled in by the tour company, hopefully it will be a great day!!

We also go to Tortola.  At present we have snorkeling and an island tour booked.  DH is looking to try out snorkeling, so he may go there with our son and I will take Becca on the island tour.  It should be a good day. 

Last stop is Castaway Cay.  We are booked for Parasailing here as well as the catamaran and snorkel tour.  I want to drop the parasail as it is about double what we will pay at Orient Beach.  If we do that I hope that we can get the kids settled and then head over to the adult beach for a nice lunch.  If the kids wont settle in, then we will do the family beach for lunch and then the snorkeling time.  I will snorkel this time as I really enjoy watching Stephen and how excited he gets!

And that is it.  It sounds intense, nut as there are 6 sea days in there separating the European and Caribbean ports we should have plenty of time to relax and enjoy some family time.

More later!

So, I would say that I have been remorse in not posting, but to be quite honest, I haven't had the time.  despite tryingt o runa tight ship and keep a schedule it just isn't working for me...  :)  I am hopeful that there are others out there like me...

I really did have good intentions to do more on the ports, but my little girl broke her arm at the end of last week.  Can you say lost time?  I think that I literally lost about 2 full days days as well as hours outside of them for emergency rooms, doctors and orthopedic docs.  While very worthwile, she is cute afterall, it really zapped me completely.  Come the weekend we were exhausted and just wanted to sleep.  So we vegged around the house and didn't do a darned thing...

Where was I?  Oh, yes...  Planning a cruise...

I need to sure up St. Maarten and figure our Tortolla.  With regards to St. Maarten we are pretty sure that we will do the provate tour with  our AU DIS family, and build in the butterfly farm to the tour if all will agree to it.  For tortolla I am certain that I want to go snorkeling and there is a morning tour for that.  Since that is out for both DH and DD, I am not sure how they will spend the morning, but a request to go to the beach has been raised by DD, so we might do that in the afternoon (along with the posibility of shopping.

Speaking of shopping...  My little 2lb printer arrived today and I can't wait to try it out!  I also found a formal as well as one for Becca.  We are now all set for prince and princess night!  Well, we don't have tiara - but oh well...

well, signing off for today, will try and get more out here tomorrow of Thursday!

Sue

I am such a slacker!  So, where to start...  Lets go back a week...  Stepping into the way back machine,..

Last Thursday we headed to lady Lake Florida to see my in laws.  It was their 50th wedding anniversary and all the kids flocked to see them.  That is a pretty big feat as we are in Ohio, Calgary, Baltimore and Atlanta.  We headed down after work on Thursday.  We didn't hit the road until 7PM, and it was 2AM or so when we arrived.  We chatted with family for a bit and then hit the sack.  We had to be up early to help with the party.

Friday morning came pretty quick, and we were up and running by 8.  The kids did very well with this and fell right into place with all the cousins.  Becca is one of 6 (yes, SIX) girls (21, 15, 6, 6, 6, and 3)  The other 6 year olds are twins and are 3 months older than Becca.  They were like long lost friends and got along fabulously.  The three year old named me Aunt Nobody...  Something is amiss about that...  There were just the 2 boys - 13 and, well, 13. 

The big surprise was at 11:30, and guest started arriving at 12:30.  There weren't many couples that came, but it was fine - Jack and Diane loved it, and a good time was had by all.  We cooked out that evening and then managed to get a great group photo with all  of us as Deb's mom was also in from Canada and served as photographer.

Saturday we headed to Cocoa Beach...  more on that  adventure later tonight or tomorrow...

So, lets talk ports…

Where are we going…
Once onboard the Magic, this is the plan…

Day Port Arrival Departure
Saturday Barcelona, Spain — 4:00pm
Sunday At Sea — —
Monday Gibraltar, U.K. 7:30am 6:00pm
Tuesday At Sea — —
Wednesday Madeira, Portugal 8:30am 9:30pm
Thursday At Sea — —
Friday At Sea — —
Saturday At Sea — —
Sunday At Sea — —
Monday At Sea — —
Tuesday St. Maarten, NA 7:15am 5:30pm
Wednesday Tortola, BVI 7:30am 3:45pm
Thursday At Sea — —
Friday Castaway Cay 11:15am 4:30pm
Saturday Port Canaveral, FL 7:30am —

Here is our schedule for before we land on the Magic…

Tuesday, 9/14 4:00PM – vacation starts! Most of the packing should also be done by now, but we will be ordering out for dinner and finishing up the loose ends tonight.

Wednesday, 9/15 10AM – mom is due for a pedicure and manicure – complete with Mouse designs on the nails. Becca will have hers done over the weekend – and I am bringing polish to redo hers if needed. I am hoping that Daddy will also go for a pedicure as it is very relaxing!!

1:00PM – mom or dad will go and get the kiddos from school! First stop is Liberty Elementary to sign Becca out. Then it is on to next door to sign Stephen out of Freedom Middle. Grab and run as we have o drop book bags a home and get the kids into travel clothes.

2:00PM – Car arrives to take us to the airport. Off we go to Atlanta’s Hartsfield airport. We should be on the road by 2:15 – 2:30 and at the airport by 3:30

Wednesday, 9/15 depart Atlanta for Barcelona 5:55PM! We are on a flight with another family from Atlanta and a family from Texas that are on the first leg of the flight.

Thursday, 9/16 arrive Barcelona 8:55AM – plan to get through customs and head to hotel to check in and drop luggage. We are going to get 2 day passes for the HOHO bus, and spend the day sightseeing a bit. Not sure how long we will last, but home to see part of the city. We are also meeting up with our DIS family at 5PM local time at the Hard Rock Café.

Friday 9/17 Barcelona. We are planning on using the HOHO bus to see all sorts of stuff. Stephen is picking out what he wants to see, and so far it aligns very well with what I hope to see. For meals, I am hoping to find a grocery with prepared meals so we can do tapas in the park or something, and be surrounded by the culture. Also think that this will be good for the kids as there will be many many days of having to sit in a dining room. So, why not cop a sqat and people watch a bit? Also – it is my understanding that dinner time in Spain is very late. While we do have late seating on the magic, I am not sure I want to start dinner at 9pm or later where there may not be anything on the menu that both kids want… So, casual it is. Now, if it is raining, we are in trouble… I don’t have a contingency plan…

So, more on the planning, less on work…

Before I share...  Happy Memorial to all my US friends.  and thank you to all that have served, are serving, or that lost a loved one who was serving so that others could enjoy the freedom that we have become accustomed to.  My heart goes out to those that have lost, please know that you are in my prayers.


And onto something very frivolous in comparison...

Last week I was able to book stuff for the cruise. I did some dining, and that was about it. Too many questions. So, I started to look at what all we wanted to do, what all I needed to do an I gave up and sent the list off to DCL Concierge! I didn’t hear back right away, but hey, I sent three pages of stuff, so I wasn’t really expecting much in the way of speed.


That said, on Wednesday I was a bit worried that I had heard nothing. By Thursday (with all the work stuff) I just wanted a yes, we have it, but instead I got a bunch of sure we can do that’s!! Needless to say Autumn is a wonder!!


So, I have my massage (when I wanted it – which wasn’t even a listed time), we got High Tea for 16 (Yep, me and the DIS ladies!!), we expanded brunch to 4 people, got an exception on the galley tour so that Stephen can come and see the galley, and the list goes on. We did not get a bridge tour, but the way they said no makes me think that they just don’t do these anymore… We may try again on the ship though…


We also found out that the requested servers are either not on board (Eva didn’t resign her contract) or are not in dining (Laura – where are you?). We also learned that Pascal will be on vacation – spending time with his 6 year old, versus ours – which is great! Although we will miss seeing him again! And we learned that Maricar will be on board. We have requested her as our stateroom hostess, and if that pixie dust hits us the kids will be in heaven!! (Me too, she is AWESOME!!)


So, I was waiting on the bad news – thinking it was coming, but it never did (well, for work it did, but we are not going there again!). We learned that if we send our magnets ahead of time that they will decorate the door for our arrival! This is very exciting as I was wondering how to get all the surprises to really be surprises…


Still need to figure out some of the ports, so more on those later!

Grrrrr... backspace is NOT a good thing...

So, can I rant a bit? I hope so as it is my blog and I will rant if I want to, rant if I want to... You get the picture... Why rant you wonder? Because I have been trying to post for 3 days and every time something happens… Tonight I had written a long post about this past week, and did spell check, and then tried to manually correct a word using the backspace key and poof... post gone... What’s up with that??? Good grief! I guess I really do need to remember to do my posts in word and then copy paste to here... It will be good practice to do that now as I will have to do this on the ship or I will go broke on Internet fees!!


OK, where to start… Legs get into the way back machine for a moment and go back to Tuesday… Tuesday night is where the week went South and it never really recovered until now…

Tuesday at work all was fine, but after hours (as in after midnight) was ugly. I should point out that Tuesday after work was AWESOME!! My sons baseball team took the championship for his age group. He had a rough start to the season as he broke his foot, but he finished strong and the team is a great group of boys! So, I think I have mentioned that I work for a software development company. I am currently in support (which is another story) and when things are bad they are really bad… Ugly bad even… Tuesday night was ugly bad… So, I was up at 0-dark 30 and never made it back to bed. So, I was very tired and grumpy at work on Wednesday. Thursday I am expecting company in the form of a VP, so I am working like a dog to be ready. I didn’t have a presentation or anything – but since I wanted to transfer to another department, I needed to appear (at a minimum) to have my stuff together.

Back to work… Wednesday seemed to fly by and I was so looking forward to getting a good night sleep. Can you guess what happened? Yes indeed folks, same customer, ugly ugly bad again. I am steering away from details, but trust me, it was bad the first night and worse the second night – and later on Thursday we would find that we caused the issue while trying to prevent it. Just goes to show that no good deed goes unpunished. So, I was up all night on Wednesday as well. I didn’t get to see my potential new boss, as he heard I was getting killed with work stuff, so he kept up his house hunt as he is moving here. I tried to leave at 2, finally got out at 3 and was home by 4. I did manage to get some sleep but had to be up by 8 to make sure that all was well. It was not… So, I was up all night again. If you haven’t heard me say it – I am too old to do a 72 hour stretch of time with only 7 hours of sleep. But, alas that is exactly what I did… Friday was no fun either, but I did get out early.

I also learned that I need to remember that just because I sit next to the Sr. Director that my on paper boss is the one that people need to talk to if I want to change departments. I learned this as my on paper boss denied my transfer to training, even though he is aware that I am unhappy. I guess my Sr. director sees the unhappiness more as he talked to me (note to self – never talk to boss while over tired and upset as I cry every time) and noted that he needed to find a different position as I was so unhappy. Thing is I really wanted the training job and now I can’t have it. I lived my prior job and would go back to it in a heartbeat, but it isn’t available anymore, so I am stuck.

WAH!

OK, I feel better now… but this is getting too long. As I need to get back into posting daily, I will stop now and try to have a happy post tomorrow… Wow, that sounds a little Scarlet Ohara… Fiddle dee dee… I can’t think of that today…

made it through the week...

Well, I certainly got behind... Lets see, catch up on the week or just move forward? how about some of both...

To say that I am happy I made it through the week is an understatement. Every time I thought I was getting ahead, it all came crashing down... I am now further behind in work stuff than before... UUGH! And to top it off I am working the whole weekend - monitoring and reporting - on a critical issue, that there is no fix for. That really isn't true... The fix is to either get the customer to clean up configuration data (not as easy as it sounds) or to do a massive software upgrade which really isn't an option this weekend as it very possibly could take a week to upgrade... So, no way out...

The other thing is that I was supposed to learn about the new job - could they afford me or not by Friday and of course, heard nothing... Figures... Oh well. I did tell my boss that I was interested and that the new department was as well. So, I am continuing to play the waiting game - and this is a game I don't appreciate at all.

Well, I can dream Disney for a while that's for certain!!! 116 days until we head to Spain. This week brings more magnet planning and starting to print as well. I have the day one and gift magnets all figured out, now I just need to print those and design day 2's door. I also am printing magnets for a Friends door! I think that these have me more excited than my own as they are a surprise!!

So, 116 days until we fly, that means 117 days until we are walking Las Ramblas, seeing the architecture, and getting immersed in the culture! This also means 119 days until we sail, and 119 days until we surprise the kids with a very cool upgrade! They are totally in the dark about the room upgrade. I almost blew it a couple of times, i hope that I can keep it quiet.

Thursday night brought the ability to book on board things - Palo dining, Spa, excursions. I could have called the concierge on Friday and done it all - but the reality is that I am a bit anal and really wanted to go and book stuff! So, of course, I did!! I have brunch, tea and dinner reserved, a massage (although I will have to have the concierge move it to a morning slot).

We have decided to do our own thing in Gibraltar. We and another family will get off the ship in the morning and head to get a car (van) and driver and do the ROCK! We are going to see the apes, explore the caves and see the museum. We might also try and ride the Cable Car - but it depends on the lines. We should end up in town so that we can see what the shops have to offer.

haven't figured out our other stops as yet, so today I need to look at Madeira and present the options to the family! hopefully they will like my choices.

I hope to either book them all, or easier yet, email the list to the concierge team and have them do it for me! I must say - having that option is nice, especially after the week I have had and having to work this weekend!

More later!!

And another day is gone...

Well, it was an exciting Sunday for us. Becca had her Gymnastics end of year program. This is her 2nd year in instruction and she has moved up a class, so we were not sure what to expect. We were wowed to say the least. She was one of 2 advanced girls in gymnastics, and one of 4 advanced overall. There were about 15 girls and 1 boy in the program. The gym did 4 individual programs this year, and I really liked the smaller class size.

Becca surprised us with back handsprings on the trampoline, on the "cheese mat" (which is shaped like a wedge of cheese) and on the floor. She has come so far in such a short time. She was also good on the bars and great on the beam. Despite it all, she finished with her favorite two tricks... running cartwheel and then a one handed cartwheel.

From there it was out to a late lunch at the place of her choice. She chose Hooters, so we went out for wings, and she spent half the time hula hooping with a hoop as tall as her! Quite a sight!

Got some of my magnets laid out, and I am looking forward to getting the printing started. I think I said I would need 5 weekends to do it all and I am guessing that I am right on the money. It is a time consuming thing to download them and lay them out in a word doc. i am hoping that they will print OK. As a test, I will need to just print in color first and see if they are what I want... Such decisions!

I also got a bit ahead on things, and did a mini packing test with all of my dinner clothing and some of my shorts and a couple of Becca's dresses. This (my dressy stuff)is what will take the most room, and weight (I think). I filled half of the large suitcase and was under 30 lbs. The suitcase weighs in at 14 pounds, so I am doing good. We will check 4 bags of clothing, carry on a bag with 2 days of clothing just for Barcelona and 3 other carry on bags of stuff... I am much less worried about space now that the first test is done.

More later!

18 weeks until we sail!

So, it has been a pretty hectic week at work as you may have guessed / read. It is very odd as I went down a road and tried to position someone for something and instead 4 people told me that they wanted me instead. I feel bad, and while I like the opportunity and want to put myself out there as the right person, I still want to Champion my team member that would be good as well. Definitely torn on this one... Have to wait until end of this next week before I hear anything. If I get it, great. If not, I hope that my team member gets it and that he is successful in it.

But beyond all of this there is so much more going on. 18 weeks until we sail. 18 weeks sounds like a really long time, but now I am looking at what all needs to be done - and I have stuff for every week! Considering that I really only have the weekends, this could get hairy.

I have baseball for the next two weekends, and while this doesn't take the whole weekend, it does eat a good part of it. So, very little cruise prep will get done until we get past it.

I have 14 days worth of magnets to print. This sounds simple, but, I think it will take quite a few weekends to accomplish. I have to plan the door layouts, separate into daily folders in my photobucket, download them to a local machine. Not to mention that I still need to customize many of them. I am saying 5 weekends for that one alone. It is a very long process, probably one full weekend of moving and downloading, a weekend of customizing, a weekend of printing and 2 weekends of cutting and trimming them.

I have to do a dry run on packing (not looking forward to this at all) to make sure we are within the weight restrictions. UUGH to this one as it will take a whole weekend and if we are over weight, then it will be 2 weekends just to really get it nailed down. I have come to the conclusion that it is better to take the time to do this so that we don't have issues or additional fees at the airport.

We are taking an extended weekend to celebrate my inlaws 50th anniversary. We will be heading to Lady Lake on a Thursday night, and not returning until Sunday. I can't believe I will be an hour or so from WDW and will not be able to go for even a day!! WAH!!!! Might have look into that, and see if it can be done... I am guessing the answer will be no as we are doing a huge Disney vacation, but it never hurts to ask!

So, with just those few things I am 9-10 weekends gone, and while we have 18 weeks until we sail - I really only have 16 weeks to get ready and then a full weekend to pack. AACK!!! so many things, so little time!!!

Then there is packing... That is a whole topic of its own... maybe tomorrow... Oh, and have I mentioned that we are trying to sell a condo? It is a lovely 2BR/2BA in the Towne Lake area of Woodstock GA. Know anyone that is looking? Send them my way!

Off to ball...

Thursday the 13th...

Sounds ominous, but I guess it really isn't... Just another day... Interesting day, indeed!

So we are 125 days until we are leaving for Spain. My current job is like a ton of bricks on my chest and out of the blue a new opportunity dropped in my lap. Training. Yep, standing at a desk, in front of a class of people training on how to use our software. Its almost a flashback to when I was the client! So, maybe "its just another manic Thursday" is more like it... Oh, except that the manic day is supposed to be Monday. :) Now I just need to figure out how to position myself as the best person for the job. And, I need to make sure that I am not signing up for a crap-ton (very technical term) of travel. Looking at other people in product instruction, it looks like 8 weeks a year. I don't think that is a lot, my wonderful husband is worried. I guess I am too - I have a teenager and a 6 year old (who wants to be a teenager) at home. I can't be gone all the time. I can't afford to be gone. And, as much as I want the opportunity, I need to make sure that I can sell that training in our start of the art training center in Alpharetta, GA is the place to be! The other thing I need to figure out is how do I deal with the consulting group? Now that my gentle readers could be the biggest challenge...

So, enough about work. Lets talk Spain! I can't believe how fast the time is going now. I am so far behind in what needs to be done - I have the basics, but that is it! Air arranged, check. Hotel in Barcelona, check. PIF for the cruise, check. Rental car to get home from PC, check. OBC confirmed, check (800.00 as planned). Anniversary noted on ressie, check. Magnets? nope. Packing lists? nope. Plans for Barcelona? nope. FE gifts? Yep - the last of it came today! Candy for exchange? Yep - bagged and ready to travel. Pirate outfits? Yep for the girls, nope for the estrogen challenged. :)

So, getting there. Luckily I have some help available in 8 days! I have pulled a list of things the concierge could do for us (and hope they will) together. And, I hope that they can make some magic happen for us!!

Have I mentioned that we are about 125 days until we fly to Spain and 128 days until we sail? WAHOO!!!!

UUGH!

Ever have a moment where you think that you will never get back on track, and you want to be angry at the world, but you can only be angry at yourself? Well folks, it is starting out to be that kind of day!

It really started at the gym last night with Rebecca, my darling 6 year old that at times seems like she is going to turn 18 before my eyes. She attends gymnastics classes, and has for 2 years. She really loves it and if I can brag for a moment, she is quite good for a little squirt. Well, she missed class 2 weeks ago due to being sick. We just didn't want to take a chance that she was indeed over the stomach bug. So, while I set up a makeup class for her I didn't have the fore site to remember it was the end of the class year and that I needed to sign her up for the show, rehearsals and all that... So, i asked about it last night and was told I was too late. So in class while the other girls were talking about the big show, Becca was left out. Being the mom I am, I asked about getting her into the show. I am told that there is a makeup rehearsal on Friday (we can do that)and then in front of my 6 year old I am told that it is too late to get a trophy for her and that she can perform, they will call her name but she will get NOTHING.

Seriously? Why would anyone say that in front of a child?

So, my kid is devastated. I am mad at everyone, and we pretty much leave in a huff. I get home and call the gym owner at home. Helps to know these guys really well. She is going to try and get another trophy engraved. So I can be mad at the girls at the gym, but it really boils down to I need to keep better track...

So, all that aside, I then break a bunch of rules that I didn't even know existed. Really bothers me - alot. I stewed all night and then finally figured out that there was no sense in stewing any longer. I apologised to the person that had no clue of what I did, am seeking permission to do what I had planned and have put myself in the doghouse to site a spell. Again, I would like to be mad at whoever wrote the rule as it is a bit strict - but in the end I can only be mad at myself. Its like a Jimmy Buffet song gone wrong...
(Excerpts from Margaritaville)


"Now I think
Hell, it could be my fault

Yes and some people claim that there's a woman to blame
And I know it's my own damn fault

Off to work... Hopefully I won't do any more harm...

Just another Tuesday...

Except it isn't starting out so great... Why is it when you need to get into the office early you can't seem to get out the door? Kids... Need I say more? Luckily we did get to the bus on time, unluckily the bus was late. So, I missed running into the person I really wanted to see... Who and why? Well, the who isn't as important as the why... I am trying to get out of my current position and into something with less stress... So, there is talk of new positions opening up, and while they are not posted, I want a look-see at them before they are! :) Trying to stay a step ahead of the game...

So, 127 days give or take a few hours until we are on a plane heading to Spain. I know you must all be tired of my countdown! But, I am starting to panic a bit. What is the deal with the ever erupting volcano? I read that this thing will sit dormant for 100 years and then erupt on and off for 2-3 years? Seriously? I know I have a 2 day cushion to make the boat, but I want my 2 days in Spain... And I really don't want to get bumped. Can the airlines bump us just because? I mean, really - I have had our tickets since November - they can't just bump me right? I will need to try and figure that one out...

OK, off to work now...

127 days...

And there is so much to do! I never would have thought it. last September we went on the magic for a week and it was so easy. Pack, load car, meet kids at bus, drive, bet on boat, sail...

Then there is this year... Find DIS, join a meet, host a website, organize everything I can (because I am a bit anal about stuff), make FE gifts (which is a post in itself), put baggies of candy together for a candy swap and, wait, there has to be more... Oh yeah... Everything that we did last year still has to be done!

So, where am I with my to do list? Well, as of now, we are 131 days until we sail , but only 127 until we leave Georgia and fly to Spain. So, with that in mind, I started making lists... I have completed a few things but still have so much to do. It can be overwhelming at times, but then I go and read on our meet thread of the DIS and I feel so much better. I think that going on a DIS cruise is a bit like cruising with family that doesn't drive you batty... Of course, I am partial to this group - they are all great!! So, we are a lucky bunch.

Where was I? Oh yeah, where am I with my list. Well, I have stopped adding to it, and I have 2 things completed. I hope to finish 4 more this week. These are the fun things - magnets, gifts and Pirate stuff... I can't say what I am making for our FE gift because I might open my blog to other cruisers, but lets just say that I have bought more than what I am making because as creative as I am, I still only get 24 hours in a day, I work and drive back and forth for 12 of those and I do have to spend time with the kids as well as sleep. I will tell you that the goodies include something that I think every cabin will need, and fun stuff that I hope people will like!

So the agenda for the week is 2 secretive items, printing door magnets and making decisions about excursions and what to see in Spain. That should keep me busy!

I will check in later and provide an update... Of course, I could be escaping the reality of not being Able to do it all, but the good thing is that there are more weeks until we cruise than there are items on the to do list!

Later!

131 days and counting...

So, have you ever had one of those days where you have tons to do and just can't focus? Well, today was one of those days that I had tons of work to do and my mind kept wandering to the cruise. I think it is because we are 11 days from being able to book things - ad since we have the concierge I don't have to sty up until midnight and scramble to get my PALO reservations and all that... matter of fact, I have a list of things that I want them to do for me...

So, if I have all that help what does that say about my inability to stay on track? I think it is because I finally figured out the problem with my job... When I first started with my company I was a TAM (Technical Account manager) and I LOVED it. not only did I solve problems for my customers, but, in addition, I was able to see them grow and progress and evolve in how they used our products. It was very satisfying. Then I was passed over for a promotion, finally promoted into a support manager job. This is also the job I have now - but I took a 14 month break to learn something new. And now, I realize that I get no satisfaction out of being a support manager. This really stinks because people tell me I am good at it.

So, there it is... Lots of decisions that I need to make...

134 days from now...

We will on our way to Hartsfield International Airport, passports and paperwork in hand! Well, we may still be waiting on Stephen to get out of school - it all depends on his teachers and how they treat the trip. This years teachers were all for it - great learning experience, trip of a lifetime, all that. You just never know about next years teachers...

So, today also marks the day that the girls of the house can be pirates as we have our attire for Pirate night aboard the Disney Magics Pirates IN the Caribbean party!

Will have to get pictures taken and post them!

Edit: Here is a picture... Hope this works...

Sunday...

So, it is Sunday, it is hot, humid and we have baseball. So, it will go without stating too loudly that it will be miserable on the field. The boys are in black socks, black shirts and black hats... But, we are in first place so that helps a bit.

So, cruise thoughts are coming to mind... What to do in Spain... What to do in Gibraltar... What to do at any of the ports... I read the excursions and I just don't know what to do. For Gibraltar we want to do the Under Siege tunnels, see the Apes, and go up the cable car. There is an excursion that covers all of that - but it is a short trip (4 hours to do it all). according to folks that have been there you can get in a cab right at the port for about 25 Euro per person (less than half of the child rate with DCL) and do all of it except the cable car. But, you can do just the cable car as well... So many decisions... Good thing I am not trying to figure it all out today...