May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 4

[HollyTyler]

hee hee I knew you'd giggle over our ribbing

how's school going?

Very busy, but holding my attention so far!

 

[HollyTyler]

Do you think it will be there in December???? I have a secret wish that I'm going to attempt with a jet ski while I'm there...

Sounds very James Bond-ish!

 

[HollyTyler]

At Kim's request (Kimerinc) she wanted me to let you guys know that she is not ignoring everyone - their family too is going through some health issues that are keeping her very occupied.

Please keep Kim, Steve, and Savannah in your thoughts and prayers as well as our friends in the UK.

As Tyler would say, "Yessirootie possitootie"!

 

[LiserAnn]

Kaylee-those pics are great! How cool it must have looked in person!

 

[HollyTyler]

Although the pictures do not do it justice, I thought I would share pics of the moon last night over Mt. Rainier. It was breathtaking...

My neighbor and I went for a walk to find a good shot without a roof or tree in the way, but we didn't succeed. Scott had gone into the kitchen and noticed how bright and clear the moon was over the mountain and of course that started me on the perfect picture hunt....which I never did get. But, I tried.... The moon was actually yellowish and the sky was a great color blue. The pics just look blurry. sorry

Wow! How amazingly beautiful! You're so lucky to have a view like that!

 

[Tigger1221]

Do you think it will be there in December???? I have a secret wish that I'm going to attempt with a jet ski while I'm there...

I wish I could go! We got some cool pics of the dutchman so I hope it doesn't go away UNLESS we can get on the new one!!!

 

[nskjerven]

First - the cab lets you off at one end of the airport and you have to drag your luggage to the other end. No porters anywhere and we had been gone 3 weeks and a 5yo is not much help.
Second - the Delta line was over an hour long.
Thirdand most important - when we finally made it through the line(no air condition) the agent told us we were not on the flight. I had confirmations and seats and all. She said we would have to go and buy tickets. I sent my dd because i was not lugging luggage across the airport agin and then standing in line again. I then called Delta in Atl and talked to them. There was no problem with our tickets. The agent refused to give me her name and refused to call the suppervisor and kept telling me to go to the end of the line, which I refused to do. They called head of security and another security person to the desk who told me to go to the end of the line. I refused. I was still on the phone with the lady fron Delta headquarters who could not believe what was going on. Still could not get supervisor or agents name even though I knew it was breach of contract not to give it to me. They would not page my dd so I could tell her not to buy more tickets. 45 minutes later my dd came back with new tickets, and guess what they found - our reservations! I guess I raised enough h... that another agent finally called the supervisor who told me to get the agent name. I now have a phone at both ears since Atl said not to hang up until we had boarding passes in hand. Once again the agent refused to give me her name so the other agent told the supervisor the name who then gave it to me. I will do all I can to make sure that agent will not be working for Delta! An hour later when we finally got to the gate we met others that had the same problem. 2 couples had missed their flight 2 days running. Never in all my travels have I had such a bad experience. We now have to sent the other tickets back and get a refund. And I am sure that my phone bill is going to be outrageous!

Nightmare story for sure...it sounds like a problem with Delta not Barcelona. I guess by default Barcelona isn't any fun in your eyes now. That's too bad, we found the city and people wonderful and want to go visti again.

Noel:

Glad you're back and I'm sure you will have a good story to share with us about the graduation once you are caught back up.

Kaylee:

I saw that moon last night too, and thought how beautiful it was. It's always touched me as wonderful that we can be in different far away places from our friends, family and loved ones but sharing a look at the same moon in the sky. Kinda makes me feel a bit closer to those so far away.

With that I'm back to cleaning my desk...I have a 20 day count down on the trip to China and I'm trying to clean off and out stuff everyday.

I made our HK Disneyland ressies and saw the hit on my credit card today online... that makes it feel very real and close at hand!

Check back with you guys later tonight,

Nan

 

[gydell]

Nightmare story for sure...it sounds like a problem with Delta not Barcelona. I guess by default Barcelona isn't any fun in your eyes now. That's too bad, we found the city and people wonderful and want to go visti again.

Noel:

Glad you're back and I'm sure you will have a good story to share with us about the graduation once you are caught back up.

Kaylee:

I saw that moon last night too, and thought how beautiful it was. It's always touched me as wonderful that we can be in different far away places from our friends, family and loved ones but sharing a look at the same moon in the sky. Kinda makes me feel a bit closer to those so far away.

With that I'm back to cleaning my desk...I have a 20 day count down on the trip to China and I'm trying to clean off and out stuff everyday.

I made our HK Disneyland ressies and saw the hit on my credit card today online... that makes it feel very real and close at hand!

Check back with you guys later tonight,

Nan

The city of Barcelona was fine. I just do not want to see the airport again!

 

[katypop]

Although the pictures do not do it justice, I thought I would share pics of the moon last night over Mt. Rainier. It was breathtaking...

My neighbor and I went for a walk to find a good shot without a roof or tree in the way, but we didn't succeed. Scott had gone into the kitchen and noticed how bright and clear the moon was over the mountain and of course that started me on the perfect picture hunt....which I never did get. But, I tried.... The moon was actually yellowish and the sky was a great color blue. The pics just look blurry. sorry

Wow, great pics,thanks for posting these

At Kim's request (Kimerinc) she wanted me to let you guys know that she is not ignoring everyone - their family too is going through some health issues that are keeping her very occupied.

Please keep Kim, Steve, and Savannah in your thoughts and prayers as well as our friends in the UK.

Sending prayers and for Kim, Steve and Savannah

Just checking in as about 40 pages behind. Graduation went well but now trying to get Samantha moved back home...back to reading a bit but probably won't post too much for awhile.

Noel, congrats to you and to Samantha So glad everything went so well! Wish I was busy moving someone in, I just moved my last "child" out Sure glad I have this cruise to help keep me occupied

Ok, so we are booked for this trip! YEAH!

Our last cruise was so fun and we are looking forward to getting to know all of you and to meet you next year!

Congrats and welcome aboard

First - the cab lets you off at one end of the airport and you have to drag your luggage to the other end. No porters anywhere and we had been gone 3 weeks and a 5yo is not much help.
Second - the Delta line was over an hour long.
Thirdand most important - when we finally made it through the line(no air condition) the agent told us we were not on the flight. I had confirmations and seats and all. She said we would have to go and buy tickets. I sent my dd because i was not lugging luggage across the airport agin and then standing in line again. I then called Delta in Atl and talked to them. There was no problem with our tickets. The agent refused to give me her name and refused to call the suppervisor and kept telling me to go to the end of the line, which I refused to do. They called head of security and another security person to the desk who told me to go to the end of the line. I refused. I was still on the phone with the lady fron Delta headquarters who could not believe what was going on. Still could not get supervisor or agents name even though I knew it was breach of contract not to give it to me. They would not page my dd so I could tell her not to buy more tickets. 45 minutes later my dd came back with new tickets, and guess what they found - our reservations! I guess I raised enough h... that another agent finally called the supervisor who told me to get the agent name. I now have a phone at both ears since Atl said not to hang up until we had boarding passes in hand. Once again the agent refused to give me her name so the other agent told the supervisor the name who then gave it to me. I will do all I can to make sure that agent will not be working for Delta! An hour later when we finally got to the gate we met others that had the same problem. 2 couples had missed their flight 2 days running. Never in all my travels have I had such a bad experience. We now have to sent the other tickets back and get a refund. And I am sure that my phone bill is going to be outrageous!

Yikes, sorry you had such a bad experience. Not the way you want to end a vacation

 

[lillygator]

evening all!

Prayers and many thoughts out to you Kim, Steve and Savannah! Please keep us posted!


John has a ball game tonight so it's just me and the girls. Tomorrow we are going to Punta Gorda (don't ask me why) the owners of John's store are taking all the managers families down for the weekend so everyone could get family time....which includes activities to do as a "family" - I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but here are the choices:
round of golf
8 hr deep sea fishing excursion
5 hr pontoon boat ride

ok, now considering most have young children, how could these be done with a "family"? I would have rather have a $100 and call it a day. And it can't even be considered a team building thing as each manager can choose their activity....so John chose the deep sea fishing which would be cool...so I will either hang at the hotel or come home and he can catch a ride with someone. We could have done the pontoon boat - but no bathrooms and I can imagine the first thing Samantha would want to do is potty.

It is a nice thought and gesture but really - a nice cookout here on Siesta would have been fine.

 

[lillygator]

I am sorry to see people canceling....

hope all is well and we can join you on a cruise in the future.


Samantha has bounced back! I offered her the option to go to Kids Under the Weather or to school and she wanted to go to school and when I picked her up she was running all over the playground. Tomorrow is water play day and she can't get her ear wet!! Not sure what to do about that one.

The class has lost 4(maybe 5?) children already that will be going to K in the fall...most are teachers children but this means a few more are moving up and Samantha's Gavin is included....they have both gone to the school since they were 6 weeks...and Gavin is a few weeks older than her but was not moved up for whatever reason until now. They have been (should I be worried?) boyfriend/girlfriend forever....they adore each other. I am so happy they are able to be in the same room once again. I may have posted this prior but there was a new girl in Samantha's class and she would not speak, at all during the day, literally at all. Samantha's teacher pulled me aside one day and said how proud she was that she had taken her by the hand, walked her around all day and finally by the end of the day she was talking and felt comfortable with the class. (this wasn't today btw) She's only 4 and we haven't really had any type of huge conversations about life but I have always told her to be nice to everyone no matter what, sure there will be cliques - and hard to believe - there are in preschool! I made absolutely sure I was nice to everyone, everyone throughout public school. I hope she will continue to carry this throughout life.

I guess, I had such an odd upbringing that I really have no clue what is "right" for parenting....I wish there was a manual. But all in all, I feel my choices have been right so far...some people feel we spoil them by going to WDW so much...that I can't help. It's more me than anything else...or other parenting issues...my Grandma likes to chime in a lot....my mother however refrains quite a bit.

and speaking of my mom....she just got a job offer in Sarasota and accepted! So this means she as well as my sister will be moving down here. This will be great for us, as my sister and I love game night and we just really have a love hate relationship (we are 10 yrs apart) and I feel I can step up and be what she needs at this point in her life. She is going through a lot right now and with the threat of being .02 inches away from having to deal with heart surgery, she is under the impression she will opt not to have surgery and live a short life. I don't want that.

So - enough with the long post....my Nyquil must be kicking in!!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Sounds very James Bond-ish!

Knowing my sister...it WILL be. Hope she doesn't get thrown in the brig!

 

[katypop]

So with DD newly married and DS moved out west, I have now become an "empty nester" Now wouldn't you think I'd be jumping for joy and thinking of all the ME time ? So I am trying to keep busy, and working 6 days a week certainly takes up some of my time LOL . And I have had some fun...booked my airfare to Orlando for this cruise, decided to arrive on the 8th of May and will stay at WDW for 2 nights, just have to decide which resort. I have also finalized my plans for my WDW trip this Oct. Going from Oct 21-Nov2. Hoping to go to PFTS on Oct27 and at least a couple of other F&W events. If anyone is there the same time and wants to meet up let me know
That only leaves me with the return trip from LA after the cruise to still plan, can anyone help me out with this I thought I might spend a couple extra days in LA before flying home since I'm not likely to see California again for a long time, and I've never been before. I've been researching a little though and think I might enjoy SF area more, and it looks like airfare from LA to SF could be booked for $100.00 or so? So any suggestions on airlines or places to stay or any advice about the area would be truly appreciated I wondered about staying one or two nights in SF then maybe a tour of wine country with one night's stay somewhere? There are tour companies right? I will NOT want to drive myself Maybe I'm trying to plan too much?
Just so you know, this isn't occupying all of my time LOL. I did spend 4 hrs planting in my "garden" yesterday in 30C degree heat (I think that's close to 90 F?) I ache everywhere today
Kathe

 

[katypop]

Samantha has bounced back! I offered her the option to go to Kids Under the Weather or to school and she wanted to go to school and when I picked her up she was running all over the playground. Tomorrow is water play day and she can't get her ear wet!! Not sure what to do about that one.

The class has lost 4(maybe 5?) children already that will be going to K in the fall...most are teachers children but this means a few more are moving up and Samantha's Gavin is included....they have both gone to the school since they were 6 weeks...and Gavin is a few weeks older than her but was not moved up for whatever reason until now. They have been (should I be worried?) boyfriend/girlfriend forever....they adore each other. I am so happy they are able to be in the same room once again. I may have posted this prior but there was a new girl in Samantha's class and she would not speak, at all during the day, literally at all. Samantha's teacher pulled me aside one day and said how proud she was that she had taken her by the hand, walked her around all day and finally by the end of the day she was talking and felt comfortable with the class. (this wasn't today btw) She's only 4 and we haven't really had any type of huge conversations about life but I have always told her to be nice to everyone no matter what, sure there will be cliques - and hard to believe - there are in preschool! I made absolutely sure I was nice to everyone, everyone throughout public school. I hope she will continue to carry this throughout life.

I guess, I had such an odd upbringing that I really have no clue what is "right" for parenting....I wish there was a manual. But all in all, I feel my choices have been right so far...some people feel we spoil them by going to WDW so much...that I can't help. It's more me than anything else...or other parenting issues...my Grandma likes to chime in a lot....my mother however refrains quite a bit.

and speaking of my mom....she just got a job offer in Sarasota and accepted! So this means she as well as my sister will be moving down here. This will be great for us, as my sister and I love game night and we just really have a love hate relationship (we are 10 yrs apart) and I feel I can step up and be what she needs at this point in her life. She is going through a lot right now and with the threat of being .02 inches away from having to deal with heart surgery, she is under the impression she will opt not to have surgery and live a short life. I don't want that.

So - enough with the long post....my Nyquil must be kicking in!![/QUOTE]

Glad to hear Samantha is feeling better. Sounds like she definately has learned from her mom's kindness How nice that your mom and sister will be moving near by, sounds like your sister really needs you, how nice that you will be there for her

 

[Jhalkias]

Although the pictures do not do it justice, I thought I would share pics of the moon last night over Mt. Rainier. It was breathtaking...

My neighbor and I went for a walk to find a good shot without a roof or tree in the way, but we didn't succeed. Scott had gone into the kitchen and noticed how bright and clear the moon was over the mountain and of course that started me on the perfect picture hunt....which I never did get. But, I tried.... The moon was actually yellowish and the sky was a great color blue. The pics just look blurry. sorry

Wow, how I would like to be able to leave my house and have that view in my neighborhood.

Beautiful Kaylee!

 

[Jhalkias]

evening all!

Prayers and many thoughts out to you Kim, Steve and Savannah! Please keep us posted!


John has a ball game tonight so it's just me and the girls. Tomorrow we are going to Punta Gorda (don't ask me why) the owners of John's store are taking all the managers families down for the weekend so everyone could get family time....which includes activities to do as a "family" - I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but here are the choices:
round of golf
8 hr deep sea fishing excursion
5 hr pontoon boat ride

ok, now considering most have young children, how could these be done with a "family"? I would have rather have a $100 and call it a day. And it can't even be considered a team building thing as each manager can choose their activity....so John chose the deep sea fishing which would be cool...so I will either hang at the hotel or come home and he can catch a ride with someone. We could have done the pontoon boat - but no bathrooms and I can imagine the first thing Samantha would want to do is potty.

It is a nice thought and gesture but really - a nice cookout here on Siesta would have been fine.

V - I get everything you said, and agree completely. It is nice that they are doing something though - we would never see that in a million years here.

 

[disneylover5]

I am so glad I am not the only one!

I am more disappointed in Disney then anything there. They were no where to be found. It was horrible!

That is why I am looking forward to flying into FL and being done in LA.

Where did you finally find them? I was worried about getting off the plane in Barcelona and having not a clue how to speak Spanish and looking for Disney??

At Kim's request (Kimerinc) she wanted me to let you guys know that she is not ignoring everyone - their family too is going through some health issues that are keeping her very occupied.

Please keep Kim, Steve, and Savannah in your thoughts and prayers as well as our friends in the UK.

I will put this family on my prayer list.....keep us up to date, please

 

[disneylover5]

Hi Holly,
I have been thinking about you since 4:30pm. I had to go to Gretchen's school to pick her up at 5pm from Talent Show practice. I pulled into the left turn lane and look at the school.....SIX fire engines with the lights flashin sitting in front of the school.

Did I think "OMG I hope Gretchen is okay" ?(NOPE DID NOT THINK THAT)

I thought "Gee, I wish Holly was with me!!"

Boy, there were some VERY cute fireguys!! They were there because the Kindergarden pod was overtaken by fumes after everyone (except the talent show kids) had gone home.....

Upon reflection, I am ashamed!! (but I still wish you had been with me!!)

 

[Jhalkias]

I am sorry to see people canceling....

hope all is well and we can join you on a cruise in the future.


Samantha has bounced back! I offered her the option to go to Kids Under the Weather or to school and she wanted to go to school and when I picked her up she was running all over the playground. Tomorrow is water play day and she can't get her ear wet!! Not sure what to do about that one.

The class has lost 4(maybe 5?) children already that will be going to K in the fall...most are teachers children but this means a few more are moving up and Samantha's Gavin is included....they have both gone to the school since they were 6 weeks...and Gavin is a few weeks older than her but was not moved up for whatever reason until now. They have been (should I be worried?) boyfriend/girlfriend forever....they adore each other. I am so happy they are able to be in the same room once again. I may have posted this prior but there was a new girl in Samantha's class and she would not speak, at all during the day, literally at all. Samantha's teacher pulled me aside one day and said how proud she was that she had taken her by the hand, walked her around all day and finally by the end of the day she was talking and felt comfortable with the class. (this wasn't today btw) She's only 4 and we haven't really had any type of huge conversations about life but I have always told her to be nice to everyone no matter what, sure there will be cliques - and hard to believe - there are in preschool! I made absolutely sure I was nice to everyone, everyone throughout public school. I hope she will continue to carry this throughout life.

I guess, I had such an odd upbringing that I really have no clue what is "right" for parenting....I wish there was a manual. But all in all, I feel my choices have been right so far...some people feel we spoil them by going to WDW so much...that I can't help. It's more me than anything else...or other parenting issues...my Grandma likes to chime in a lot....my mother however refrains quite a bit.

V - I know I sound like a broken record, but keep giving them lots of love, stay involved in their lives and friends, and let jealous people keep being jealous about Disney. You're doing a great job, as is John.

Amy did not feel well yesterday - coughing and sneezing. She thought she had another cold, and went to the doctor today. Well, guess what? The only member of our family that did not have allergies now has allergies.

She is now accusing me of giving them to the kids AND to her!

 

[woody73]

. . . I have a secret wish that I'm going to attempt with a jet ski while I'm there.

Cool!

Woody