princess_n_thep

Oh my gosh! Well he is indeed in our thoughts! Tell him we are thinking of him!

No, the band is not permanant. Inamed states that the band is designed for LONGTERM not LIFELONG. It is designed to be placed between 5-10 years. Some shorter depending on the person. Some maybe longer? However, I think their point is to teach new eating habits for "after" expiration of the band. Or, you can have a new one placed.

Carol, We are still signing people up. There are about 10-14 cabins that are confirmed. Some are bringing family, some are single traveling, some are going with spouses. So I am guessing we will have around 20 cabins (40-50 people?) booked by the time we reach our deadline to sign up at the end of Sept. Just a guess at this point. Those of you signing up first and confirming are getting the pick of the cabins, the best locations available, roommates you request, categories requested, etc etc. We will be taking reservations until the end of September as long as space is available. So come one, come all.... JOIN US!!! Its gonna be a blast.

More Onboard the ship questions: Thousands of pieces of luggage come onboard at roughly the same time. Don't panic if your luggage isn't in your cabin when you arrive. It may take a few hours to get to your room. Also, it is wise to place a card with your info in it just in case. Try and put something on your luggage at the end of the cruise to find your luggage easily. At the end of the cruise it will be located with everyone else's luggage for you to walk and claim. The first night in the dining room is VERY casual, you may wear whatever you need to. But it is a good idea to pack a change of clothing on your carry on as sometimes the suitcases may not get to your cabin until late evening. DO carry on all medications and documents. Items to pack in your carry-on bag include: perishables, liquor (hee hee hee), cash, credit/debit cards, jewelry, business documents, travel and health insurance information, laptops, computer disks, cell phones, cameras, binoculars, film, videotapes, CD's and cassette tapes, change of clothing for the night. Two-way walkie-talkies are a great way for family members to keep in touch while onboard the ship. If you don't have your own, many ships rent them for the duration of the voyage but they generally go VERY fast to those with children. Many ships sell an "unlimited soft drink" cup for kids or adults. If you're traveling with young ones, this can be a wise investment and save you some significant cash. Plan to spend an average of $10 USD a day per person for all tips at the end of the cruise. Plan on giving those above mentioned tips to waiters, headwaiters, shore guides, spa and salon experts, cabin stewards and other staff who display exceptional service at the END of the cruise. Double-check that bill. Many services add a 15% gratuity automatically to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs if you order a drink from the waitors in the theatre, bars, etc. It's never wise to leave valuables out in the open in your cabin. Lock them in your luggage or in the cabin safe. Many cruise lines offer in-cabin babysitting. Take advantage of this service if you need it. They also have a FANTASTIC kids program that is fully run by staff with degrees in education. **Sign up for spa services, sporting events, salon appointments and other activities as early as possible as they can get sold out or booked completely. However, if you are the gambling kind, there are many times deals and specials offered when openings haven't been filled if you can do last minute decisions. If you have any issues with your cabin, report them immediately or contact your group liasion. At first, you may wish to carry the deck plan with you. Take a walk and familiarize yourself with the layout of the ship, and learn how to reach your cabin from the main stairways. The first few hours are really spent figuring out the layout of the ship. And ship personnel are always very helpful if you can't find your way. By the end of the cruise you will be know where almost everything is! Items that are not included in your cruise fare : alcoholic beverages, soft drinks not consumed at dinner, laundry, phone calls and casino/bingo gaming. Most ships have powerful air conditioning. A sweater or sweatshirt may come in handy. Most ships have exercise facilities and classes. If you plan on working out, don't forget gym clothes and shoes. Come on bandsters, we need to exercise!!! Got your eye on that something special in the onboard mall? Resist the urge to buy until the last day of the cruise. Many items inevitably go "on sale." towards the end of the cruise. Remember, if you book "cruise only", you are responsible for arriving at the port in time for check-in, security and departure. (ie you didn't purchase cruise transfers from airport/ship) Check-in and security procedures can be involved. Be sure to arrive at the embarkation area at least two hours prior to sailing. If you board early, there are plenty of activities that begin before the ship leaves port. Don't purchase duty-free alcohol to drink onboard. It is confiscated until the last day of the cruise. If you want it for taking home, this works well. There is a mandatory fire/emergency drill that is done before the ship can leave the dock. We all hate it, we all are uncomfortable and crammed into areas, we all just want to dig in and have fun, but.... EVERYONE must participate or the ship does not leave and it is important. Take your camera because we all look a bit silly in the life vests, trust me.

He is my choice for my revision surgery when I need one. When the band "expires" i am all over going to him to have a conversion surgery.

It can puncture the TUBING, causing leaking.

Wow... that is sad! We just bought our 13 year old son a quad and I am scared to death. However, since he is learning, he is very slow and careful on it. Plus, I make him wear a helmet. Man, your story makes me concerned though. I hope he is feeling better. It is sweet though that he wants to get back on and ride again. Shows drive and determination.

This reason is exactly why I will ONLY do a fill under flouro.

I love my band. The only thing I regret or wish was that the band was lifelong rather than longterm and requiring more surgeries. I just wanted something permanant.

What? Are all those Gemini's skinny bitches or what?

I use applesauce or yogurt.

Geez, this is fun... I am so shameless in posting him on the world wide web and loving him to pieces!!! Here is a more recent picture of him.... Melissa, I know I know. And the worst of it is that he doesn't really consider himself "cute". I am going to beat them off with a stick!!! Gosh help the girl that tries to be his girlfriend because I will have a watchful eye over him. He is such a sweetie too and very sensitive and caring, I just know he will get his heart broke a few times, not looking forward to that at all.

Gotta share my son's (he is now 13) baby picture. This is my favorite all time picture of him!

Here is my angel......

I had the same fear. I think we all did. In my case, it was a do or die situation (emotionally). If I didn't lose the weight I would be lost and dead anyways. I took the leap. I am glad I did.

Maybe when we have our get-together the first night we can start a sign up sheet for those interested?...it might be fun to go as a small (or large) group! I think this is definitely something that when we meet up for that first night, that this can be planned out between any of us that want to. I am not a big port fan, but I am sure there are others that want to buddy up and go in a big group. Is there an additional fee for housekeeping that is not included in the package price? I remember seeing an expose some time ago and for some reason this sticks with me. There are tipping guidelines aboard the ship. They can be adjusted according to how you feel it is necessary. For example, I think the Matre'd tip is stupid, therefore I don't tip them. I feel the dinner waitor and the cabin steward are the most important, therefore I up them up a little. You will get a statement of what is customary and then you can change it by going to the pursurs desk to make it how you want to. Do you recommend bringing travelers checks instead of cash? Is either one easier to exchange than the other? I have always used cash. I have never in cruising had to exchange my money in the ports either. Most vendors and shops deal in american money too. The cruise ships deal in american money. If you want to do travelers checks that is fine. If you want to do small bills of american money, that is fine too. The smaller bills will spend easily. I recommend taking 1's, 5's, 10's and 20's. There is a safe in your cabin for you to store extra money, credit cards, documents and jewelry. Also, most of the "shops" in town take a credit card. Everything aboard the ship will be placed on your "sea card" (none of the places will take cash) and you will pay the balance at the end however you wish (credit card, cash, etc)

bumping because there is still time for others to join.

Well, as many of you know I resigned from being a police officer after 6 years and I am going to be teaching 6th grade. I have already made business cards for parents regarding my contact info as well as important school information for them to have handy. I would like to draft an introduction letter for "open house" night. But I really don't know what to say in it. Does anyone have a rockin' intro letter for parents and will share with me???? Hugs! And btw, if you ARE a 6th grade teacher and have lesson plans that you are itching to share.... send them my way!!

good point, I didn't distinguish from packing it in the beginning and bringing it on from the port. I always pack it in my luggage. They WILL get it if you bring it on from the port and then they will keep it until the end of the cruise. If you are caught packing it in your luggage they take it completely and you don't get it back. Ahhhhh, lost a bottle of bacardi that way ((sigh)).

Okay, so I love Schwans. I like their fat free yogurt ice cream. I love their pre made food that tastes like I cooked for hours. BUT!!! Now they have this new thing called Dough Crazy Bars. OMG! They are EVIL I tell you! They are vanilla ice cream bars with a layer of cookie dough on top and dipped in chocolate. Uhhhhhhhhhhh, can be say NON BAND FRIENDLY??? AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!! I don't "fight" too much with food but these I am CRAVING. And I WAAAAAAANT them.

Just out of pure curiosity... Any more pics of the lessons and the kids doing tasks?

I would be concerned, yes. Not only are they using the WAY wrong instructional tool, but they are loose fitting and could either slip off, or turn. Those floaties are certainly letting them enjoy water and they are acclimating them to being in water. If that is what you want, then this is fine. Sometimes it is necessary if children are freaked or scared of the water. But if they are at a point that they are comfortable being IN water, then no, this is not a good idea. If they love the water and are comfy being in/near water then they need to be swimming, plain and simple. I have seen a 2 year old swim like a fish! I have also seen a 50 year old deathly afraid of letting go of my neck! It all depends on the child I guess. But if they are comfy with water, they should be doing survival water techniques and beginning to swim. Your boys are progressing yes, but may not be properly. Just the exposure to water will show progress in most cases. Honestly want my opinion? Since the Y is your only option and this is how they do it....Do it yourself.

I agree. An older dog. And if I may suggest... greyhounds adopted after they have raced are AWESOME laid back pets!!

Okay, I will be brave enough to admit it. I do love my band and I am working with it. But I wish i had just done the bypass for the lifelong option. I am not looking forward to the "longterm" band option resurgery. I feel a bit like a ticking timebomb. When will I lose it? So yes, for ME... I would have paid the extra money to do bypass. And when I do need a revision surgery on my band I will convert to the bypass.

Hmmm, I am a panty/bra freak and they must match and must be cute. I guess I never got big enough to not be in cute at Lane Bryant. And ALL of my bras and panties were Lane Bryant. I hate to throw them away but I do. Then I go buy another sexy set!