Any last minute words of advice?

[Tink]

Well, time draws near.

I'm working like a crazed woman today and tomorrow, and then will be working like a crazed woman on vacation getting the final things ready for our upcoming cruise and visitors.

We cleaned the house over the weekend, and let me tell you! SHEESH! How can two women, who are fairly neat and tidy have so much to clean? At any rate, the company will be able to eat from the floors and if so moved, drink from the commodes. :D OK, so that's a little over the top.

Have done all the laundry, and now need to decide what to wear. May seem an easy task, but I have one (count them ONE) pair of decent capris that I'll be seen wearing in public and no I'm not shopping for more before the cruise. :D

We have amassed what will probably be the best pirate outfits this side of the Caribbean. :yes: :D :D So that's done.

Need to collect up all the sundries, sunscreen, bug repellent, and the like.

The guests start arriving on Wednesday, but they are all staying at Disney until we return from the cruise.

I have to get out there and get a birthday gift for Herself. :sigh: She's the HARDEST person to buy a present for. :rolleyes:

I have this sense of growing anxiety that we are forgetting something really important, or heading off without knowing some essential fact... :unsure: :mental: I guess I just don't know what to expect with a Disney cruise (then I wonder why am I worried about it- it's not like we haven't cruised before).

The food for the night prior to embarkation (at the Grand Villa) has been ordered. We pick that up on Saturday, and bring it with us to Grand Villa. We'll be nearby in a studio. :yes: We have to pick up Herself's mother and aunt after mass on Saturday and bring them to the GV. We have to pick up three of the nieces/nephews Saturday afternoon at MCO and then return for two more at 6:00 ish PM ... once all that is done, we'll probably collapse and sleep and miss the vans we have coming for transport to the Port on Sunday morning! :eek:

So! Any last words of advice, or recommendations, or "don't forgets" or "need to knows" please tell me now!!! :mental: :mental:

[foreverducky]

Don't forget to have fun!!!


And don't forget the camera. I want to see proof of this cruise. :D

[piglet]

Passport, tickets, money. They're the ones that you really need. Everything else you can sort out on the credit card:yes: Tink, have the most fantastic time, don't fall overboard (or push anyone over :nono:) Just relax, eat, drink and be very merry. :hug2::hug2:

[Slowhand]

I`ve just sent you a looooong pm Tink. :lol:

[Tink]

Thank you for your excellent advice Slowhand!!!! :hug2:

For some reason, I'm totally nervous about this cruise/vacation. Too many people, I guess... too many chances to have missed planning/covering something that someone wants... :unsure: :mental:

Camera. Yes. Must remember the camera... do I have a camera? :unsure:

[Dorothy]

Please please try and relax or you will be a basket case by the time to board the ship :hug2: You both will have all sorts of fun and I want to hear all about it as soon as you get back :hug2: :hug2:

[Dawn]

Breathe...

[Mari]

How exciting!!!

Just have LOTS of fun!! enjoy the ship, take your time to stroll, visit the different decks and take part in the different activities...

pack lots of sunblock, sunhats, sunglasses... eveyrthing sun related :)

and get dramamine in case you get sea sick

[Tink]

OH MY GOSH!!! :mental: DRAMAMINE!!!! We nearly forgot the Dramamine!!! :mental: (HERSELF GETS SEASICK WITHOUT IT)!!!! HOW could we forget that??? :mental:

Thank you Mari!!!!

[Dawn]

Again with the breathe...

[Mari]

glad I brought it up then! :)

However, you can get some pressure bracelets on board the ship, they also seem to help, still, I couldnt have survived without dramamine!

[Tink]

NO TIME FOR BREATHING!!!!! We have to go get Dramamine!!!!! :mental: :mental:

[DisneyFreak]

Breathe...

Dawn, you stoled my suggestion.

[mumof2]

yes you have a camera! :lol:

In case i don't get the opportunity to speak with you before you leave, have *THE* best time on your cruise!!



AND DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!! :mental:

[Disneybumble]

and me Dawn
Please remember to take time for you both. It's going to be interesting with so many of you, but go with it. Because it's a finite time which may never happen again with all different family members around.:hug2:

[Shellyamc]

Pictures!! Pleeeeeeeeease bring us back pictures!!!

I'm sorry..that was selfish :slap:

I want you to have a good time! I want to you close your eyes and take in each moment because you will never have that same moment again :yes: There..that was better.

Oh and I always make sure I take along any medicine we might need for..umm..tummies and things along the way. :unsure:

[kazzaqld]

If you have money and passports you can get just about anything else!

(says one of the biggest pre-trip worriers around!)

I'm learning slowly! :wave:

Have a wonderful trip - I too would love to hear all about it when you get back - I love cruising (although I've only ever done the South Pacific!) :thumbsup:

[sunsetlakes]

Have a fantastic time both of you.:hug2:

My eldest DS worked on the Disney Cruise-liners a few years ago and was on the inaugral crossing from Venice to US - we were all so excited - The ships look absolutely wonderful :wave:

[Isafari]

No extra advice....just wishing everyone has a fantastic cruise. :sail:

[catrancher]

Just this!

<center>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UX-qYKyIg0</center>

Ohhh... and have fun! :eye:

Tom (:macwave:... wishing he were on Castaway Cay!)

[mumof2]

TOM! That's looks so fabulous....:yes:

[Tink]

Thank you all! All good things for me to remember. I'll have to work on that living for the moment though. I'm not very good at that and it's about time I learned how to be more appreciative of the minute I'm in instead of worrying about the hours to come, eh?

Tom, that was a really nice video! :yes: Thank you for sharing it with us.

Well, we've now got the house clean (upstairs needs a bit more done) the lawn mowed and all the edging done, and the pool corrected (don't ask :eek: ) so we are nearly ready for guests.

Feels funny to not be cooking up a storm, but since we won't be here, nothing to cook!

We'll probably do some small amount of cooking when we return and have some guests that stay after the cruise. :yes:

Just need to pack... do wish this low level anxiety would just GO away. :sigh:

[Tinkfan]

:wave: Tink, I knew in the back of my head you were going on a cruise but it just crept up i guess!!Have the best time. I always get nervous before a trip too. Laughed about the capris, sounds like me! I think my clothes were in 2 catagories, work and junk!!!! Pictures please. How cool that so many of your family can go too. Relax and enjoy the moment :hug2:

[SleepinCatz]

Have a blast :) Don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy enjoy enjoy every single minute :)

[Britchick]

i got the best advice..............


Have Fun!!! :wave::wave::wave::wave::wave:

[Ursula]

Oh no have I missed you? :( If I haven't then have a fabulous time XXXXXXXXX You deserve it XXXXXXXXXXXX

[Tink]

Oh no. I'm not gone yet. :D We don't leave until Saturday (where we'll go to OKW with the rest of them) and then leave for the actual cruise from OKW on Sunday. :yes:

I'm just trying to make sure that I've not forgotten anything (other than the dramamine)! :eek: Herself nearly croaked when I told her about it!

[Johnie]

ok darling, inhale and exhale....it is all going to be all right :hug2:

Remember to take the Dramamine and the passports....everything else can be purchased (and I'm pretty sure the Dramamine can be as well).

remember you are not there to be Party Planner Extraordinaire for everyone...you are there to relax and have a fabulous time! So make you do that missy :yes:

I know you don't do pictures, but please at least let us see what the pirate outfits look like ok? :worship:

[Tinkfan]

Tink will do pictures won't you Tink? Even if they're of every one else!!!!

[Tink]

I really, really will try. I've thought of any number of ways of trying to show you the pirate outfits, because we really have put some thought into them. I've thought of having them hanging on the hangar (in the manner that we'd be wearing them) and photographing them that way. That sounds kind of silly though?

Wait til you see the "jewels" though! LOL! GAUDY in the extreme! I have one ring that is so heavy and big it actually weighs my hand down! :lol:

As for being the planner, well we are. :yes: I know that everyone is going to keep looking to us to coordinate everything, but Herself has made it clear that once we hit the ship, everyone is on their own. :yes:

We've had a touch of personal problem for one family member so that will be a factor, and it's not an insignificant problem, but there really isn't a thing any one of us can do about it right now. We're all going try and keep the focus on the cruise and the fun that we all intended to have from the outset.

One grandchild has backed out. :sorry: She decided that she couldn't miss the first week of college. :( She wasn't going to college when we planned the cruise a year and a half ago, but Herself still feels as though it was her responsibility to have chosen a time frame that would have worked for everyone.

So, you see? Little bits of things here and there that are worrying in the back (not so very far back) of our minds. :sigh:

We are off to dinner tomorrow at California Grill for an early birthday dinner for Herself. (We couldn't get reservations anywhere on her birthday - the 27th). The first group of family comes in tomorrow too, but we are still going to dinner on our own.

We'll spend some time in a park on Herself's birthday with the early arrivals, and who knows what for dinner. Not sure what's up for Friday, and Saturday is filled with picking up food, runs to the airport, checking into OKW, etc...

Now, anyone want to tell me what I'm going to pack for clothes? Remember, I have ONE pair of decent capris... :sigh:

[Tinkfan]

How formal is your work attire? Do you have things that can mix and match? Or be able to be worn in a more casual way? Like white linen pants with a tank?? Cotton circle skirt with a tee? Hope those capris are either black or khaki!!! Sundress ( maxi length is back):yes:

[Shellyamc]

Now, anyone want to tell me what I'm going to pack for clothes? Remember, I have ONE pair of decent capris... :sigh:

Nothing :D

Oh..it isn't that kind of cruise??:unsure:

did I make you laugh at least?:wiggle:

[Tink]

LOL! Yes, Shelly you DID!!! :laugh:

My work clothes are pretty much a "uniform" (of my own creation). Trousers with button down oxford shirt and blazers. :sorry: I don't own a dress or a skirt.

I do have a pair of linen white trousers though, those could work for dinner...

My tanks are all Disney. :spring: Eeyore and Tinkerbell in various trims on white.

I'll have to dig up something to go with the white trousers for dinner... I think I have two tops/shirts that are Hawaiian style... that should work. If they fit. That's the problem. Everything is messy looking on me as it's a bit too big... but I don't want to buy new clothes until I'm finally where I want to be size wise...

Pain in the butt, aren't I? :sorry:

[Tink]

Oh and the one pair of capris are a weird blue gray color... (you didn't really think I'd have anything easy to work with, did you)? :mental:

[Shellyamc]

:mental:

Well you didn't give us much time here! We could have all worked together and shipped you a fitting wardrobe!!:yes:

[Tink]

:sorry: :sorry:

There's always overnight express. :D :D :wink:

[Shellyamc]

:sorry: :sorry:

There's always overnight express. :D :D :wink:

So true!! I am off to search the closet!!

[Ursula]

Sooooooooooooooo then... one person has dropped out, so that means there is a vacancy somewhere's... an empty bunk just needing to be filled?..... Looks at diary for Saturday....

[Tinkfan]

Do I dare ask how long the cruise is gulp.... take out your basics immediately. What do you have in black, white, khaki? You live in Florida, you must have shorts?!! Now I hate myself in shorts and rarely wear them but you must have them. How much did you lose for crying out loud? ( oh and don't forget to pack your meter and test srips BTW) Blue grey is a basic color (sort of) You can where white , light pink and maybe red. The Hawain shirts must be multi colored to match a few things, Today is Wednesday you still have time to go to Kohls!!!

[Slowhand]

Do I dare ask how long the cruise is gulp.... take out your basics immediately. What do you have in black, white, khaki? You live in Florida, you must have shorts?!! Now I hate myself in shorts and rarely wear them but you must have them. How much did you lose for crying out loud? ( oh and don't forget to pack your meter and test srips BTW) Blue grey is a basic color (sort of) You can where white , light pink and maybe red. The Hawain shirts must be multi colored to match a few things, Today is Wednesday you still have time to go to Kohls!!!
I think that Tink was referring to some suitable attire to wear for dinner seeing as shorts are really a no no for the main restaurants.

[Tinkfan]

I think that Tink was referring to some suitable attire to wear for dinner seeing as shorts are really a no no for the main restaurants.


LOL, The white linen tousers were for dinner, we were talking about a lack of capri pants which def. not be suitable for dinner!!!!:yes:

[Tink]

Well, I did manage to find three pair of capris (crop pants actually) one pair in black, one in brown, and one in a sort of window pane (black and white). They'll have to do for dinner too as the white linen trousers slid off when I tried them on. :sorry:

We don't intend to do the formal/semi formal stuff anyway and one night is pirate night, so I'm good for that.

No time left now. :sigh:

I do have my strips and meter. Never go anywhere without those! :eek:

So, it's packed or it's not going! We leave tomorrow morning to finish up picking up some odds and ends and then start the runs to the airport.

So, my dear friends take care, and have a wonderful weekend! I'll try my very best to get some photos... (how many do I owe you now?? :sorry: ).

Thank you all for your help! :wave:

[Tinkfan]

:thumbsup::dance: have a great time!!!!!! Lots of pictures please

[Shellyamc]

So, my dear friends take care, and have a wonderful weekend! I'll try my very best to get some photos... (how many do I owe you now?? :sorry: ).

Thank you all for your help! :wave:


A MILLION!!! But we love you, so we will let you slide on a few thousand. :yes:

Have a wonderful time :hug2:

[mumof2]

A MILLION!!! But we love you, so we will let you slide on a few thousand. :yes:

Have a wonderful time :hug2:


:yes: i'll go with a few thousand - that'll be a good number!

TINK!!" Your linen trousers slid off???!!! Just how much weight have you lost missy?



have a fabulous, fabulous trip Tink.....savour every single little moment and store it away in your memory forever :hug2:

[piglet]

Oh Tink, I think I've missed you but hope you all have the most fantastic time and look forward to TRs

[Tink]

Well, we are back. :yes: The capris were fine for all dinners. :yes: I was happy to not have to worry about dressing up, as it was optional for one of the nights. No one in our family did, so I didn't feel out of place at all.

So! Thank you all for your good advice and assistance with the wardrobe! :D

[foreverducky]

Capris can look really nice, especially when paired with something other than a t-shirt. :)

Bring on the photos!!!! :D

Welcome back my friend.

[Tink]

Yep, I didn't bring any t-shirts (well one, for a coverup for the swimsuit, but I never used it) only dressier tops that buttoned (for dinner). Shoes helped too, instead of sneakers or flops. :yes:

Thank you for the welcome home! :yes: :hug2: