Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Cruise Critic Video Blog

Some of my blog followers who are taking this same trip later in the summer are probably already aware that the Editor in Chief of cruisecritic.com is on the Disney Magic Mediterranean this week. She is creating a video blog. Here is the link... http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1107

My observations from her posting today - looks a little chilly, so I will be making sure we have enough sweatshirts. I am going to add rain jackets for the boys and swapping some of the shorts for pants.

Preparing to be away from work for two weeks is challenging for both Scott and I. Too much to do this week.

Here are other bloggers from the April 24th DCL Magic Med sailing... (some are better at updating than others).

http://garnerfamilycruise.blogspot.com/
http://deliriouslydemented.blogspot.com/
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Dicecatt/
http://teamskoi.wordpress.com/

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Packing

A big shout out to the in-laws for taking the little guys out for lunch so I could pack this afternoon. My blood pressure (which I am supposed to be monitoring) is rising. I am listening to classical music and making piles of clothes. I guess, instead of packing, I am really blogging... so you can see how anxious I am about this process.

The boys did help this morning by collecting all of their pirate and Buzz Lightyear paraphernalia. Half of one bag is going to be costumes and Mickey Mouse stuff.

As for my recent purchases... add two white pillowcases and two Sharpie pens to the list for autographs. Someone on the disboards mentioned that you can drop off pillowcases or tshirts at the desk and let them know which characters should "sign" your items. Makes me wonder how you get the job on the ship to "sign" for Mickey, Donald, Minnie, and Pluto? Is there an official template they have to follow for each signature? Why do we buy-in to this stuff? Is it our job as parents?

Add to the list... TootsieRoll Pops, glow in the dark swords, a small magnetic white board for our door for messages, magnetic clips to hang things on our door,and Washington, DC items to show spirit for our locale.

Mission accomplished with finding a replacement battery charger for our camcorder.

Received our Euros yesterday. The buy rate was 1.41 and a $15 flat fee from Wacchovia Bank.

You will all be intersted to know that the boys completely understand the concept of flying red eye. Max has announced that he will not be sleeping on our flight to Hethrow. He plans to stay up all night and watch the TV on the plane. Say a special prayer for me on this one. How do they think of these things?

Friday, April 23, 2010

Moment of Truth - Packing

We watched anxiously this week as volcanic ash closed down most European airports. We considered our alternate routes and the number of airline transfers we could endure. We were thrilled when things simmered down. With nine days to go, we have a bit of work to do. Looks like the trip is a go.

You won't be surprised to hear that Scott had emergency hearings with his client at court this week. This is turning up the heat on me to pack for the entire Mirsky crew. I have two large piles accumulating in the dining room and extra bedroom. I am going to work this weekend to get things organized in bags and try a first attempt at a weigh in (for the bags, of course...).

We have one more item to buy for our fish extender gifts. Mirskys are gifting on sailing day #8.

Monday, April 12, 2010

To Blog or Not To Blog

The decision was made Sunday evening to blog. It was one of those married couple moments... can't sleep Sunday night thinking about work and all of the things on our to do list. What would be the best way to keep in touch with family and friends while away for two weeks? International cell phone calls - ouch - and how can we truly capture the special moments of this trip we have been planning for nearly a year? Let's share the great moments of this wonderful trip and capture our memories as we travel. How hard can it be to set one of these things up? So, here we are. We hope you enjoy. Please send us messages and comments as we travel. Let the fun begin.

First order of business... make sure I know how to run spell check. Love to write, but can't spell. I apologize in advance.

Next - fill you in on our current activities planning and preparing for our upcoming voyage...

On our cruise to do list this week...
1) Estimate a budget for spending money and private excursions so we can order Euros at the bank
2) Buy over the counter US medications to bring with us. Inevitably, someone will get sick with something. Keep your fingers crossed and antibacterial lotion at hand. This weekend I did a major drive by of CVS. Here is the list of purchases... Adult and Children's Motrin, Adult and Children's Mucinex, Immodium, TSA Compliant size of contact solution, Day and Night Sudafed, cough drops, vitamins, hand sanitizing spray, and detoxifying cleansing towelettes.
3) Find charging cable for video camera.
4) Cancel newspaper and mail service

Other random to dos for the upcoming weeks
-Pack - I started a bit this weekend, but have a long way to go. For some reason, packing has also turned in to cleaning out the closet and switching from winter to summer clothes.
-Find gifts for Fish Extenders (I will have a blog dedicated to FEs at some point)
-Erin to find comfortable, yet stylish shoes for our trip. I spent some time on this over the last few weekends (online and in the stores). I am three new pairs of shoes richer for the trip (and a new over the shoulder Tumi travel bag - love it), but have not found the perfect, comfortable - euro-stylish, wedge walking shoe. Does this shoe exist outside of my imagination? Plan B is to wear the stylish shoe and pack an extra bag to bring on the buses with my tennis shoes when things go bad. Major accomplishment for the trip would be to NOT break my ankle while walking cobblestone streets in Rome.

More to come.