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…
6.01.2010
5.31.2010
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!
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!
5.29.2010
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…
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…
5.22.2010
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!!
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!!
5.16.2010
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!
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!
5.15.2010
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...
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...
5.13.2010
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!!!!
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!!!!
5.12.2010
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...
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...
5.11.2010
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...
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...
5.10.2010
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!
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!
5.06.2010
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...
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...
5.04.2010
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...
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...
5.02.2010
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...
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...
5.01.2010
20 weeks from now...
We will be tucking the kids in on the Disney Magic. Hard to believe that we went from a three day Wonder cruise to a 14 day Westbound transatlantic crossing. I keep telling myself that this is a trip of a lifetime, and it really is.
So, for now we are planning everything. As we are under 20 weeks until we head to Spain, we need to at least start to get an idea of what we want to do while we are there. I have a list in my head - but there is so much to see and so little time.
Our itinerary...
Date Day Port Arrival Departure
15-Sep Wednesday Depart Atlanta, GA USA 5:55PM
16-Sep Thursday Arrive barcleona, Spain 9:00AM
17-Sep Friday Barcelona Spain
18-Sep Saturday Embarkation, Barcelona, Spain 1:00PM 7:30PM
19-Sep Sunday Sea Day
20-Sep Monday Gibraltar, U.K. 7:30AM 6:00PM
21-Sep Tuesday Sea Day
22-Sep Wednesday Madeira, Portugal 8:30AM 9:30PM
23-Sep Thursday Sea Day
24-Sep Friday Sea Day
25-Sep Saturday Sea Day
26-Sep Sunday Sea Day
27-Sep Monday Sea Day
28-Sep Tuesday St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles 7:15AM 5:30PM
29-Sep Wednesday Tortola, British Virgin Islands 7:30AM 3:45PM
30-Sep Thursday Sea Day
1-Oct Friday Castaway Cay 11:15AM 4:30PM
2-Oct Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida USA 7:30AM
So, as of last week we were booked into cabin 8002. We picked the cabin, and were very excited about being at the bow of the ship. We were in a perfect spot to see the flying bridge, and to watch for dolphins. And then things changed... We got the call on Thursday that our name was up on the waitlist for a suite. We were not really thinking that a suite was in the plans because of cost. Seeing as we started ot in a cat 6 cabin and had a great deal and then took the great deal to a cat 4 - suites were just not in the plans. But, we were curious. Disney didn't advertise the suite pricing at that time, so... Wait listed we were. Like I said, right up until noon on Thursday. Then we had to decide... Move to a suite or stay put. Needless to say, it was a hard decision. Literally - it was. It wasn't the money - it was the is it really worth it. In the end GLenn and I decided it was, so we reached out to Dreams Unlimited (Kelsie ROCKS!) and took the upgrade.
Well we have decided to NOT tell the kids. They still think we are in 8002 - but we have relocated to 8548. We are looking forward to seeing their faces as we go to the special boarding area and then board first.
So, for now we are planning everything. As we are under 20 weeks until we head to Spain, we need to at least start to get an idea of what we want to do while we are there. I have a list in my head - but there is so much to see and so little time.
Our itinerary...
Date Day Port Arrival Departure
15-Sep Wednesday Depart Atlanta, GA USA 5:55PM
16-Sep Thursday Arrive barcleona, Spain 9:00AM
17-Sep Friday Barcelona Spain
18-Sep Saturday Embarkation, Barcelona, Spain 1:00PM 7:30PM
19-Sep Sunday Sea Day
20-Sep Monday Gibraltar, U.K. 7:30AM 6:00PM
21-Sep Tuesday Sea Day
22-Sep Wednesday Madeira, Portugal 8:30AM 9:30PM
23-Sep Thursday Sea Day
24-Sep Friday Sea Day
25-Sep Saturday Sea Day
26-Sep Sunday Sea Day
27-Sep Monday Sea Day
28-Sep Tuesday St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles 7:15AM 5:30PM
29-Sep Wednesday Tortola, British Virgin Islands 7:30AM 3:45PM
30-Sep Thursday Sea Day
1-Oct Friday Castaway Cay 11:15AM 4:30PM
2-Oct Saturday Port Canaveral, Florida USA 7:30AM
So, as of last week we were booked into cabin 8002. We picked the cabin, and were very excited about being at the bow of the ship. We were in a perfect spot to see the flying bridge, and to watch for dolphins. And then things changed... We got the call on Thursday that our name was up on the waitlist for a suite. We were not really thinking that a suite was in the plans because of cost. Seeing as we started ot in a cat 6 cabin and had a great deal and then took the great deal to a cat 4 - suites were just not in the plans. But, we were curious. Disney didn't advertise the suite pricing at that time, so... Wait listed we were. Like I said, right up until noon on Thursday. Then we had to decide... Move to a suite or stay put. Needless to say, it was a hard decision. Literally - it was. It wasn't the money - it was the is it really worth it. In the end GLenn and I decided it was, so we reached out to Dreams Unlimited (Kelsie ROCKS!) and took the upgrade.
Well we have decided to NOT tell the kids. They still think we are in 8002 - but we have relocated to 8548. We are looking forward to seeing their faces as we go to the special boarding area and then board first.
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