Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 10/13/07 (or Give Me Both!)

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oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Hi gang - just enjoying a day off from work here. I had to work Wednesday and Thursday, but now our office is closed today and on the first, so I have a nice long weekend going on.

I am glad to hear that it sounds like all of you Floridians survived the winds and storms. I didn't hear anything about it until the day after Regina's post. The weather people are saying that we'll be getting Denver's storm, but as rain, beginning Sunday night. I'd rather have snow, just to see some over the holidays, but it sounds like that isn't going to happen. We had snow for Columbus Day, but not Christmas. Go figure!

Can I just say that the gift card is the single most wonderful gift idea of the last few years? I'll tell you, I am just loaded with gift cards, and so is Greg. We've probably got about 15 dinners out and we each have a few hundred dollars in gift cards that'll be making us happy when we shop for a few months! Greg has almost $300 in Best Buy cards alone, from his birthday and Christmas and he just can't wait to figure out what he wants to buy with them. I'll be going out tomorrow and attempting to use a couple of mine if there are some good sales out there. I have to say I was a little disappointed with the sales on the day after Christmas. I only picked up cards, a few gift bags and name tags, and a few things from Yankee Candle. Nothing great was on sale.

George - I see you are already on the hunt for travel deals. I truly can't remember if we got the Hyatt on Priceline or not. We did stay there once and it was nice. We also stayed at another hotel twice - it was the one that did pre-check in for Carnival. I think it was a Sheraton - or a Marriott. The first time we were there it was horrible, then the second time it was fine when we got it really cheap through Priceline. The first time somehow hotel staff didn't know that the room was taken and several employees tried to enter the room in the evening. We even complained to the manager and they didn't even apologize. And the construction noises were horrible. The next time, when we got it on Priceline for around $40, we almost passed on staying there, but decided that the same things couldn't happen twice. And it was a fine stay. I haven't paid attention to the Best Western/Holiday Inn (where Greg and I first met George and family in the lobby!) lately, but we never had a problem with that place. And you can't beat the location for dinner at Bayside or a cheap cab ride to the port. I'll start checking into this as soon as my vacation is approved, which should be later in January. Of course, George will probably have all the research done by then!

Well, need to do a little cleaning around the house, then we're going out for a nice dinner tonight. Then poor Greg is back at the station for 24 and I'll be enjoying peace and quiet here at the house after shopping tomorrow!

Sheree
 
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baby love Jim

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Hi all,
Christmas was nice (I didn`t get coal on my stocking this year) we are in the planning stages for Bubbas Eagle court of honor.. thay told us it was like planning a wedding (I think it is worse) we plan to have it on Jan 20th. Everyone here is doing good we have all had the flu like 2 times now.
George,
I think we are just going to take my xterra I think we can fit all of us and the luggage in it, and about a hotel I am not sure if we will be comming the day before yet, I would like to but we will have to see how things work out.

Anyway I just wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!:party
 
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oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Happy New Year Big Cats!
 
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StudMuffin

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

:party Happy New Year All :party
 
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DeckDiva

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Happy New Year everyone.

Sounds like everyone had a really nice holiday.

Jim you have all had terrible luck with the flu. I hope Bobbie is doing much better.

Sheree, I want to come have xmas at your house next year......Lots and Lots of gift cards!!!! lol. They truly are the best for shopaholics like us.

Christmas was very low key around here this year. With everything that was going on there was really no time to get into the spirit and shop and bake. Julie and I and Doris and my sister went to the movies on xmas day, we saw Dreamgirls, loved it. After the movies we went back to my sisters and I cooked and we exchanged presents, it was great but we missed Dee, it felt weird not to have her here. I got a guitar for xmas, I have been wanting one and I am going to start lessons on Monday of next week, maybe Bubba and I can do a duet on the next cruise...lol

Dee's dad is doing well, he is home and trying to get stronger so they can put in a defibulator and a pacemaker. We should find out this week when they are going to schedule the surgery. Dee will stay in Texas if they schedule the surgery for next week, if not she is considering coming home for a week if they do not do it until the following week and then go back. She found this awesome airline, Alegian Air, she can fly one way for anywhere between $39 and $59. They fly into smaller airports but the rates are great.

Julie, me, my sister and Doris went miniature golfing on new years eve and then i made dinner and we played poker, it was fun.

Today is my birthday!!!! Happy B-day to me!!!! :party :party Last night a few friends came over, I made a fabulous birthday cake if I do say so myself, I made a dark chocolate cake with chocolate chunks with homemade chocolate icing made from dark chocolate needless to say I was in my glory. I love to cook and bake and be creative so making my cake was fun. Everyone loved it, even those who are not huge chocolate lovers.

We had closed the store last week, so when i came in today, I took down all the xmas stuff and decorated for Valentines. I am getting organized so i can start cutting bags by the end of the week. Last week flew by but I am happy to be back at work. Tonight Julie, my sister and I are going to the cheesecake factory for dinner, I love it there.

Well, I think I have filled you all in on the latest scoop. I will check back soon.

Cris
 
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baby love Jim

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Happy Birthday Cris:party:party:party
 
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oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Yes - happy birthday to Cris!
 
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StudMuffin

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

=docdance:party:daisy:wave;)

Happy birthday Cris
 
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tommyjeepster

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Happy Birthday Cris:party:)-D
 
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tommyjeepster

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

OK we are official now.:party :)o :party :)o

We had to wait til after the holidays. I would like to say hello to our new neighbors Sheree and Greg :)-D and our down the hall neighbors Jim and family :thumb . And our step up and over neighbors George and family :wave .
 
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oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

That aft is going to be the place to be! I told Greg last night when he was at work and he said "great - I hope Regina brings the blender!" I need to get approval on my vacation and then we'll start looking at airfare and rooms. George - I think you mentioned something about going down there 2 days early, but I think we are going to just go down one. We'd love to stay near Bayside the night before, but really we are open as long as it's a reasonable cab ride to the port. I think we are going to have a great time this year!

Not much is new here. It seems like things are kind of boring now that the holidays have past, which is quite fine if you ask me! I am getting out of the house so Greg can take the tree down this morning. I'm headed out with my gift cards again - let's see if I can spend them this time!

It's also unseasonably warm here. We haven't seen any snow, not even a flurry, in a month. Yesterday it hit 60 - we're normally half that in January here. Today it'll be in the 50's but it's kind of gray and dreary. After Monday it's supposed to be cold and possibly snow, so I'll let you know. Our weather is strange here!

Ok - off to get ready to shop. Hope everyone has a great Saturday and congrats to Tommy and Regina for getting booked!!!

Sheree
 
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DeckDiva

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

hey cats!!!!

Congrats Regina and Tommy for confirming your attendance in the nut house on the aft side of the ship.

It has been ridiculously hot here, 80's this week. They promise a cold front is coming but until than, jelly fish are invading the warm waters here and stinging people by the dozens. Can you imagine how hot the water must be for jelly fish to be everywhere, very scary to think of the upcoming hurricane season. Might have to think about abandoning Florida all together.

Dee is coming home today for a week. Her dad is getting stringer and the surgery won't be for another couple of weeks so she is coming home for a week to regroup and than head back next saturday. It will be good to have her back for a few days.

Nothing else is happening, just working at the store, Maybe going to the movies tonight, we'll see.


I have been dissapointed by the posting around here, I always look forward to hearing whats going on and since before xmas we have really been slacking. Get with it people, I need some distraction while I am here by myself.....lol

Have a fab weekend.....

Cris
 
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baby love Jim

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Hi all,
Congrats Tommy and Regina don`t think the aft of the ship will be the same after we cruise LOL
We are all good here. Bubba`s Eagle Scout court of honor is on the 20th of january... we have lots to do but it is comming together ok so far.The other boy that is getting his eagle went on vacation with his parents..what a nice time to leave us to do everything :( We are getting it all to come together.
The kids are all doing good Calum is getting big... walking and starting to talk. it has been busy at work seems like all the crazys come in this time of year.
I hope everyone is doing well
 
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oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Cris - sorry to disappoint! If it helps, I seem to be getting the cruise bug and now I am starting to do research on hotels and stuff. My director hasn't asked for vacation requests yet, and I won't do the airfare or anything until she gives me the ok on my vacation time, but for some reason this morning I started doing searches on hotels and stuff. Which leads me to this question......who plans on staying in Miami the night before the cruise? Tommy and Regina, do you plan on doing that, or will you drive to Miami in the morning? Jim, it sounds like you might drive down in the morning. I am just curious. I found an interesting package on the internet this morning (George check your e-mail!) that includes transportation from the airport to the hotel, to the port the next morning, and includes breakfast, for $159. If the Floridians are not driving down the night before, it might be a nice place for us tourists to stay! But if the Floridians are thinking of driving down to Miami, perhaps we should find someplace more acceptable for everyone. Anyway, just a thought!

We've got a birthday party for our five year old niece this afternoon. Tomorrow night we'll be glued to the TV watching Ohio State. Other than that, not much is planned here in tropical Cleveland.....Sheree
 
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baby love Jim

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Sheree,
I would be intrested in the hotel (could send me the link) if that includes parking for the week like port canaveral it just might be worth looking into for us.
Thanks
 
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baby love Jim

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Sheree,
"Tomorrow night we'll be glued to the TV watching Ohio State."
sorry I be a Gators fan :)
ROFLMAO
 
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oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Jim - last night I thought about the Big Cats and the National Championship.....It's Ohio State vs Florida, being played near Phoenix. Isn't that interesting??? Everyone around here has the flags up in the yards and on the cars. I'll be wearing scarlet and gray to work today. The news stations are already at the bars (before 7AM) showing the parties that have begun. Go Buckeyes!

I'll check out the hotel website again later to see if there is a parking special. It's the Embassy Suites near the Miami airport. The only thing that I couldn't find yesterday was a grocery store or Walgreens near the hotel, and of course, I need to be able to walk somewhere to get my Diet Coke for the cruise!

Hope everyone is off to a good week! Sheree
 
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StudMuffin

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Good evening all,

Sheree & Jim, never really thought about the game connection last night, funny though.The valley of the sun has been overrun with fans for Boise State, Oklahoma, Florida and Ohio State the entire last month...great for the local economy though. While one of my favorite Ram players is a OSU alumn (Orlando Pace), I'm not really a fan of the team. And while my dad was a graduate of U of F, I don't care for the Gators either. With that, like Boise State, I found myself pulling for the underdog. Little did I know the real underdog was OSU...does speed kill or what! You would think OSU, Michigan and Notre Dame would finally get it and start recruiting speed on defense. Needless to say the Rose Bowl and National Championship games did not live up to the hype...big disappointments.

On the hotel front, we are game for whatever the group wants to do. Sheree, I agree, the Holiday Inn seems pricey for such an old hotel. The one good thing is the close proximity to the port. I also like the view of the ships coming into the port early AM. The rate at the Embassy Suites seems like a good deal when you take into account the shuttle service and grub included. Like you we would also want to find a store for packing "spirits/Caf. Free Diet Coke". Jim, I didn't see anything on parking, but that doesn't mean they don't offer it. I'm sure it's quite a common request, just need to call. The rate I seen actually showed $149.00.

Here is the info...

Embassy Suites Hotel Miami - International Airport Email a Friend

3974 NW South River Drive, Miami, Florida, United States 33142
Tel: +1-305-634-5000 Fax: +1-305-635-9499






Miami Cruise Package

Embassy Suites Hotel® Miami - International Airport

Enjoy a pre or post cruise stay at the Embassy Suites Hotel® Miami International Airport, just 10 minutes from the Port of Miami. Package includes a spacious two-room suite, daily cooked-to-order breakfast, nightly Manager's Reception, round trip airport transfers, and one-way transfers to or from the Port of Miami. Hilton HHonors members earn Points & Miles.
Special Offer Dates:

Dec. 01, 2006 - Dec. 10, 2007

Rates:

From 149.99 USD



Certainly this is an option and any other suggestions can be considered. Please post anything you find.
 
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StudMuffin

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Another for consideration by the port...

Hyatt Regency Miami Lowest avg rate $119.00

Miami, FL Area: Downtown

Convention-center hotel overlooking Biscayne Bay
This 24-story hotel is located on the Miami River, adjoining the convention center and the James Knight International Center, and five blocks from Bayside ...
 
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