moinab

That's an AMAZING deal, Morgan! I could easily spend two weeks on the Mariner, regardless of the ports! We had such a great time on Robb's Birthday cruise!

Lose. Their. Minds. Christian may actually explode. ETA - for those who are interested in cruising, after reading this thread, but may be a bit more *ahem* budget conscious, the Freedom and Voyager class ships can be tremendous bargains. Obviously, you won't get all the amazing amenities of the Allure, but you will still get a fantastic vacation for several hundred dollars less (which adds up, if you have 5 people in your party, like we do!)

If my kids get to have a character breakfast with the Madagascar Penguins in October, they will lose their freaking minds!!!!!

OMG IS IT OCTOBER YET!?!?!?!?!?

Oh yeah, that does look like the escargot. I want the mushrooms.

I think you hit the nail on the head. People are insecure and envious of Robb's lifestyle. They see all of these amazing trips and think he just has the cushiest life. If you spend any time around Robb, however, you know that he is ALWAYS working - even when he's having fun, he's busy filming/photographing/uploading/organizing/parenting. I don't think he ever sleeps! Anyone who truly knows how hard both he and Elissa work at providing TPR FREE for all of us appreciates the hell out of what he does. I'm freaking lazy. I know I couldn't do it.

I'm really hoping that Russell is eating the yummy mushroom dish that I was salivating over, reading the menu. We have yet to cough up the extra cash for upcharge restaurants on a cruise, because the dining room food is so good! (Not that much of a foodie.) These new ships are AMAZING!!!! I can't let the kids see these photos, because they will be demanding a trip. (Huge Madagascar penguin fans! ) And, of course, Charlotte just wants to be with Kristen. Cupcakes would be, literally, the icing on the cake.

^Agreed!!!! My favorite Queen song, and they did Freddy proud!

We had a zoo membership, when we first moved here, and really enjoyed it. It just got old, after a while.

^^Frankly, most zoos seem to be copies of each other, these days. They all have trains, gardens, children's play areas, etc. The Jacksonville Zoo is nice, and all, but not terribly interesting, in an Oddventure sort of way. I'm bored to death, every time we get dragged there for field trips.

I was meh about it. Didn't care for the songs. Liked the storyline about Will and Bieste working together to bring the team together. Thought the Sue storyline was way over the top, in a bad way (although it did give me a true laugh out loud moment, when she talked to Brittany about the mommy cannon having fibromyalgia! ) I find that, generally, I don't like the big "stunt" episodes. I'm interested in seeing where they go with the bully. I miss Kurt.

My parents visited Parrot Jungle on their honeymoon, in 1955. My father took me there during our 1978 Florida trip, when I was 10. I have pictures of both my mother and myself, posing with a bunch of parrots on our arms. Other than that, I don't remember much about it. Oh yeah, they had flamingos, too.

We'll have to start saving now, and hoping for some sort of natural disaster that will scare people away and bring down the prices.

I was afraid to open this thread, with good reason! This ship looks AMAZING!!! I don't even want to look at the pricing, though.

There is no dignity in death. Believe me, as a progressive care RN, I've seen plenty of people die, unfortunately, and it's never pretty. (We have to call in all of our deaths for organ donation screening, too.) I'm still reeling from the death of one of my patients, last week - younger than me, from complications following an elective surgery. I was at the bedside with the family all night, as he suffered a slow, painful death (that no amount of narcotics could ease,) before passing in the morning. His family chose to donate his organs. It helps ease their pain, to know something good can come out of something so tragic. I've also been an organ donor since I first got my license, and I know my family is on board. I even have a "Recycle Yourself - Be an Organ Donor" bumper sticker on my car. Interesting that you brought up the willed body topic. My friend's mother, a retired nurse, just passed away, suddenly, from lymphoma/leukemia, last week. She made the decision, several months ago, to donate her body, with her family's support. I would definitely consider it. I've never understood why anyone would want to be embalmed and buried in a box - talk about undignified!

Did you all notice that WDW is adding a marathon relay, for the 2012 Marathon? Could be a great option for TPR people who want to experience the marathon without training for the full distance.

"I'll tell you later." I knew there was a reason I love you guys!

It's like Christmas, all over again!

Tried to talk my daughter into doing the Run 5 to Keep Kids Alive race, this Saturday, for her birthday weekend, but she chose the overnight mommy/daughter outlet shopping trip in St. Augustine, instead. I'm signing myself and my older two kids up for the 26.2 with Donna 5K, on February 12. Hope the time off has given your knee a chance to heal, Renee! Going to try for a long run, today, and then I have to work on my beach running.

I'm sure, in the miserable annals of the Earth, you shall be duly enshrined!

I took it easy, the week after WDW, but got back into training, last week. I have one more long run, this week, and then the 26.2 with Donna, three weeks from today. I think that will probably be my last race this "season," until next fall. I was looking for a spring race, but nothing was working out with our schedule. I'd like to run the Georgia Marathon, but wish it were one week later, to coincide with my kids' spring break. I was thinking about the National Marathon half in DC, but my step-brother warned me that spring break + start of Cherry Blossom Festival = worst possible time to go to DC, so that's out. Then I was looking at the Flying Pig Marathon, but we have another school conflict.

We're in line behind jray, amyzoo, and CoasterMatt! I have to go to work, though, so Todd will have to play.

The photo of the woman about to beat the peacock with a stick is one of my all time favorites!

I'm thinking the first winners from here should be receiving their prizes within the next week or so. Can't wait to see what people get!

I agree, Bill! Love her! Wish I had seen Chris Colfer's win. I was at work, last night, and only caught bits and pieces, in patient rooms. I think my patients who had the Globe telecast on got a little extra attention.