May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 8

[tigger137]

This poem is currently 'doing the rounds' on e-mail. Don't know if you've already seen it, or perhaps a version of it, but I thought I'd post it. Hope no-one minds.


ITS CHRISTMAS DAY ALL IS SECURE

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
HE LIVED ALL ALONE
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE
NO TINSEL NO PRESENTS NOT EVEN A TREE
NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES AWARDS OF ALL KINDS
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT IT WAS DARK AND DREARY
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING SILENT ALONE
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER
NOT HOW I PICTURED A LONE BRITISH SOLDIER
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO THE FLOOR FOR A BED

I REALISED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT
SOON ROUND THE WORLD THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY

THEY ALL ENJOY FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY ALONE
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME

THE VERY THOUGH BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE
'SANTA DON'T CRY THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM I DON'T ASK FOR MORE
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY. MY CORPS'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT I CONTINUED TO WEEP

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SAT AND SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHTS CHILL
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD DARK NIGHT
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR SO WILLING TO FIGHT

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE
WHISPERED 'CARRY ON SANTA ITS CHRISTMAS DAY ALL IS SECURE'
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT'

 

[mishoe01]

Here's some info on Tortola....


http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=16

 

[nskjerven]

We're inland which would explain our higher temp. There were kids at school today in shorts!!! December?!?!

Wilson wears shorts to school almost everyday

Even in the rain. Which isn't cold here ya know...

 

[mishoe01]

Just had to add about the 2009 Tortola cruise....I got a reconfigured Cat 7 - used to be a Cat6 but is now classified as a Cat 7, so less $ but with the clear verandah. WOOHOO!

Where is everyone today???

 

[mishoe01]

Hi Nan!!

 

[lillygator]

I'm reading, but up to my eyeballs in close.
I keep the window open though!

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Not as bad as you but I don't have favorable feelings toward SIL so hate having to spend time with him but have to pretend on holidays for the sake of the DGS. Long. long story......maybe we can compare notes on the cruise! I hope you enjoy Christmas with John and enjoy the quiet time.

At least I'm not alone in this....would love to compare notes while sipping on a BBC!!! Hope your Christmas will be special and bright.

 

[calmom]

Send some of that heat up to the Bay area!! It was cold and cloudy today.

It sure has been cold! I can't wait for our January Hawaii trip!! Get some sun.

I voted for him - cute pic!!

Thanks!!

i voted several times. i will continue to vote for Jack!! He is so cute!!

Thanks!!

BTW - I Voted for Jack - no time to do it more than once this morning though!

Thanks!! My sister has her team at work voting now! They took off my post from the CB thread and gave me a warning. They said I need to have the "owners" permission to post a vote request but I'm not sure what they mean. I'm sure I can have our season ticket account manager write an email saying I can solicit votes....I wonder why they have that rule. Seems pretty harmless, not like I'm asking people to vote for particular Presidential candidate or something!

I don't know how you guys survive with so little time off.

I've just checked online and the legal minimum here in the UK is now 24 days (if you work a 5-day week). Depending on your employer this can include bank holidays though, and we have 8 of those, so the absolute minimum is 16 days plus bank holidays. From 1 April 2009 this will increase to 28 days (again, the 8 bank holidays can be included).

I think most office workers get at least the 24 days PLUS the 8 bank holidays. A few years ago the usual amount of holiday was 4 weeks, but most places now get 5 weeks (both plus BH). I get 6 weeks plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days, plus I work flexi-time so can take flexi-days too.

A fortnight is definitely the norm for people's main holiday of the year.

I'd love to have 2 weeks off...that is why I am SO excited about this trip. This will be our first family vacation for that long. Last time my DH and I took extended time off was about 13 years ago when he was in law school. He took a semester to study in England so we took 6 weeks off over the summer prior and traveled around Europe. So much fun. Since then, only 1 week vacations...until May 08!!!

Not as bad as you but I don't have favorable feelings toward SIL so hate having to spend time with him but have to pretend on holidays for the sake of the DGS. Long. long story......maybe we can compare notes on the cruise! I hope you enjoy Christmas with John and enjoy the quiet time.

Calmom - Jack's a cutie! I voted and will try and vote often.

Thanks for the vote.

Sounds like a lot of us have some sort of in law issue. My BIL wrote me that very long apology for sending a hateful email to me, but I don't know...it will be tough over the holidays as I really don't think he is stable and I'm concerned about the interactions. Noel suggestioned some mental issues, and I really think that is the case. I wish he would see someone. My DH has really encouraged him to do so, but no such luck yet.

Ok, back to voting...my nanny had to go to Mexico because her father is dying (very sad) but this means I'm at home with the kids for the next few days. I envisioned during all this work but instead I'm sitting watching TiVo and playing on the computer. Oh well, might as well try to enjoy myself some! Lisa

 

[calmom]

Wilson wears shorts to school almost everyday

Even in the rain. Which isn't cold here ya know...

Owen is the same way - he actually wore shorts in Tahoe over Thanksgiving and it was freezing!! Well, not freezing but freezing by CA standards!

 

[birkner]

This poem is currently 'doing the rounds' on e-mail. Don't know if you've already seen it, or perhaps a version of it, but I thought I'd post it. Hope no-one minds.


ITS CHRISTMAS DAY ALL IS SECURE

'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
HE LIVED ALL ALONE
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE
NO TINSEL NO PRESENTS NOT EVEN A TREE
NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES AWARDS OF ALL KINDS
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT IT WAS DARK AND DREARY
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING SILENT ALONE
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER
NOT HOW I PICTURED A LONE BRITISH SOLDIER
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO THE FLOOR FOR A BED

I REALISED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT
SOON ROUND THE WORLD THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY

THEY ALL ENJOY FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY ALONE
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME

THE VERY THOUGH BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE
'SANTA DON'T CRY THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM I DON'T ASK FOR MORE
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY. MY CORPS'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT I CONTINUED TO WEEP

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SAT AND SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHTS CHILL
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD DARK NIGHT
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR SO WILLING TO FIGHT

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE
WHISPERED 'CARRY ON SANTA ITS CHRISTMAS DAY ALL IS SECURE'
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT'

Thank you for that beautiful rendition. I forwarded it on to both of my cousins who are serving in the Navy.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Just had to add about the 2009 Tortola cruise....I got a reconfigured Cat 7 - used to be a Cat6 but is now classified as a Cat 7, so less $ but with the clear verandah. WOOHOO!

Where is everyone today???

Thanks for sending the info on Tortola....I sent an email to DU last night asking them to quote that cruise also. So far, I haven't heard back from them yet.....I hate waiting......when they do quote, I will book Tortola too!!!

 

[mishoe01]

Thanks for sending the info on Tortola....I sent an email to DU last night asking them to quote that cruise also. So far, I haven't heard back from them yet.....I hate waiting......when they do quote, I will book Tortola too!!!

Sue Ellen has been a dear....thanks Lisa for giving me her name! I do think she may get tired of me though . When asking for the quote I asked for a Cat 9 and Cat 6....then I remembered the reconfigured Cat 6 to 7 with clear verandah and was able to get her to confirm that. It only saves $200 but that's $200 that can be spent elsewhere

 

[lillygator]

Sue Ellen is wonderful!

 

[disneylover5]

Sue Ellen is wonderful!

I love Sue Ellen too. This time last year we planned a cruise together and had a blast!!
Lisa

 

[ragdoll]

Hi everyone! I have not posted in a while because I was too busy trying to keep up with the cruise thread for my Magic cruise that leaves this Saturday. I am hoping to post more and get to know you all better after this cruise.

I just booked the 9/12/09 Tortola cruise. I see that several of you have booked it too. I went with the cat. 12. I would love a porthole but the cat. 12 price was to good for me to pass up. We have a cat. 12 for our cruise this week so I will see how it goes. We were in a cat. 12 for a four day cruise and really didn't mind it. More money saved for future cruises! Because I moved an existing dummy ressie I will get my $200 OBC plus the extr $50 for CC members. Not a bad deal!

Donna

 

[lillygator]

John isn't closing tonight but does haev to work until 8. Not sure what to make for dinner. I do however plan to attck the kitchen and living room tonight...it needs a mopping!

 

[mishoe01]

Good to see you again, Donna!

Have a wonderful time on the Magic! I'm envious!

 

[LiserAnn]

Wilson wears shorts to school almost everyday

Even in the rain. Which isn't cold here ya know...

That's funny...I have noticed some kids wear shorts all the time.

 

[calmom]

Good to see you again, Donna!

Have a wonderful time on the Magic! I'm envious!

Me too! Doesn't that sound wonderful? I'd love to take a vacation right now. I keep looking around the house at all the things I could be doing since I'm home from work today but I just don't feel like doing anything. Anyone have one of those days?? I think I might take the kids to Dave & Busters after school - have them run around and play some games. It usually is pretty quiet there in the middle of the afternoon. We would leave before the adults start to come as then it gets a bit crazy. Lisa

 

[EllaEnchanted]

OK....just booked Tortola also....I got SR # 5122....my home!!! Now you all know where to find me!

Monica, I hope you don't end up having to cancel. We'll have a blast together! Is Will going to be on this cruise too with Mickey?