Robert just called me from the party and I got to talk to LeeAnne, Todd, Olivia and Denise!! They sound like they are having a blast!

I think it is time for them to call it a day so they can come home and post their pictures :)

Here is the first picture that was just sent to me by Robert's cell phone.

Thanks Karen, sure wish I knew how to send photos from my phone! Can't wait to hear about the get together, I'm sure they all had a wonderful brunch. Nancy

Like Nancy and Karen, I'm waiting for the full report.

Great resolution on the picture. How many folks were there, 15?

We are all waiting - it is 4:20 PM LA time - where are they????

Well I see Denise - where are Kathy and Frank, Margo and Tom - no wait, maybe I just don't recognize them all since they are having so much fun --- don't mind me, one of those wine nights - probably wouldn't recognize my own Father if he were there, OMG, I need to call him maybe he is!!! :pass: <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

OK, you guys have been in suspense long enough. I guess I'm the first one able to post so here it is.

The brunch went extremely well. There were 18 of us. Margo's husband, Tom, had a cold and decided to stay on the ship. We were sorry we were unable to meet him. Claudia was unable to attend, unfortunately. And, Cyndi had to cancel at the last minute due to car problems. We were so sorry she couldn't make it. All were really missed, as well as the rest of our LCT friends.

Alan and I got there at 10:45 to ensure that everything was in place. It was and the staff could not have been more accommodating and helpful. The patio was very large, private and reserved just for our group. It was a perfect setting for 18 of us.

This is the first time (for Alan and I) meeting Margo, Leeanne, Robert and his partner, Paul, Michele and Don. All really great people who were so much fun. We all felt as if we knew each other from the start.

Good to see old friends, Todd, Olivia, Dena and her husband, Grant (our first time meeting Grant), Don and Diana, Suzanne, Kathy and Frank and Marcie. All in all, a really nice and fun day.

I know the owner and staff of the restaurant very well and they really took great care of us. The owner, Franco, waived the corkage fee for our champagne and also gave us coffee and tea, which is not included in the buffet. The food was excellent, too. Champagne/mimosas flowed and the food was very plentiful and tasty. We did finish off the entire case of champagne. Don (Michele's husband) then bought another bottle of champagne that he shared with the rest of us.

We had a very nice gift exchange of travel-related items. Frank, Kathy's husband, got the real prize of the day - a package of disposable travel toilets. It's sort of a pouch you wear. I don't know how it "attaches." It must stick on some way. The waste then turns into a gel within the pouch. It sounds horrible, but I guess it serves a valuable purpose in an emergency.

Don and Diana were flying back home late this afternoon. Olivia and Suzanne will be leaving tomorrow. I hope to see them both in the morning before they go.

There were lots of photos taken, so I'm sure they'll be up for you all to see soon. Kathy had taken that photo; therefore she was not in that one, JoAnn. We wanted everyone in the shots, so we got the manager to take a few, which you will all see.

The MIMOSA event has come and gone. Looking forward to another great one in the near future.

Karen, it was terrific speaking with you! Sorry you were not there!

To all who attended the brunch - Alan and I spent a wonderful day with you all!

Sounds like a great time Denise. So many of us wish we could have been there. And you finished off the case of champagne? I'm shocked! Shocked! This group?
Anxiously awaiting those photos.

Betty said it all, I can't add anymore except glad you had such a good time.

OK, you guys have been in suspense long enough. I guess I'm the first one able to post so here it is.

Denise what do you mean ABLE TO POST????? Too much champagne????? It has been a quiet bunch for posting -

Okay - I had to check in. First, we arrived at Claudia's office to carpool and take our stretch white limo down to Irvine/Orange County which from my house is pretty close to 100 miles away, hence, Champange + Driving = WE NEED A DRIVER and who wants to be the Designated Driver for 100 miles and who has a 10 passenger car?

Anyway, we finally all arrived (we won't tell you who we had to call to see what time they'd be there) but it really worked perfectly. Margo was not able to debark at the original pickup time - so it was timed just right and we arrived at the restaurant exactly on time! Todd, Michele and Don, LeeAnne, Margo, Frank and I all carpooled down together. We brought a bottle of OJ and Piper Heisdick, cups and all to start our preparty for the long haul!

I really missed Claudia, Donna and Alan, and Cindy's presence, but, had the company of Don and Diana, Margo, Frank (duh!) Allen and Denise at my end of the table. It was set up as a big long table.

I was nice to finally meet Robert and Paul, Don and Diana, Dena and Grant and Margo too! I was happy to see Suzanne (Suzette stayed back at the Crowne Plaza), Olivia, Marcie, Michelle and Don, LeeAnne and Todd - what a fun way to spend a Sunday.

Food and conversation were terrific - all travel and social - with mostly talk of where we were all headed next - MUSH, ROAR, PENGUIN, PARTY, WAVE, SNAP and the PG were popular destinations with a few Silverseas in there too. I used my cellphone and was able to instant message Karen and I took a photo on it but I don't know how to send it, so we had Robert take and send the one that Karen posted live for us!

Denise did a great job of putting it together and gave us a good chuckle at the end. She was short the cost of two people, but, I figured out who didn't pay and it all turned out just right. A perfect LCT Day.

I'll get the photos up shortly so you can all share our day.

Everyone sounded like they were having soooo much fun! Pictures, pictures pictures!!!!

Oh, how I wish I brought my camera! Oh well, we'll just have to wait for all the photographers there to post their shots.

What a wonderful day! I got home about 75 min. ago, and I immediately took a nap. I just dragged myself out of bed (reluctantly) because I have to make dinner for the family. Bleh.

This was a huge event for me, since I'd only met Kathy before, and haven't cruised with any LCTers yet. I have to agree with Denise that it felt like I'd known everyone for ages! Denise did such a terrific job of putting this all together, and the staff gave us such great service that I could have sworn we were on a Radisson ship. ;) And the food was splendid. Well, except for the horseradish sauce that was alongside the roast beef, which should have come with a warning sign. Turns out, it wasn't really *sauce*, but rather straight horseradish at maximum power. I foolishly took a huge bite of it along with a tiny piece of meet, and immediately thought I was going to die! Like I said in the limo later, it was a bigger rush than anything I ever did in the 70's. Whew!

I was lucky to be able to take Claudia's place in the "party limo" from the Valley, which was quite the stylin' way to arrive. We had mimosa's starting at 9:30 am! So we arrived already in the party spirit. That was also a great way to get to know a few more people.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect. We pulled up to the ship just moments after Margo got off it. I too am sad that Tom couldn't be there -- Margo is such a delight, I can imagine how wonderful her husband must be.

So much more to write about, but I have to go cook for the fam. Why am I hungover at 5:30 in the afternoon? :pass:

Hey, Kathy! I thought that was our secret!

Blame it on too much champagne - I forgot to add in Alan's and my money! DUH!

Now that's funny.

You just had to be there, Betty! Clearly, I was not thinking clearly! But, boy that champagne was good!

She was short the cost of two people, but, I figured out who didn't pay and it all turned out just right.

This secret is out?????????????????????

Hey Denise - excuses, excuses.

Actually it sounds like something I would do. It's still funny! But I promise to never mention it again.

And LeeAnn - order pizza for your family. They'll survive.

Just checking in from the Navigator...sharing a cruise ship with two other passengers is quite odd, but really sort of neat!

But first, MIMOSA was so much fun....thank you to Denise and Alan for all of their planning, and Kathy and others for springing the limo surprise on us - it was perfect.

It was like meeting old friends...for the first time. I'm just sorry that I didn't have enough time to talk to everyone as much as I hoped for, but it's a great reason to come again. Honestly, it was the warmest group, you can't find better people than right here on LCT!

I hope Kathy will be able to post the photo for all of you, but you can trust me, a fine time was had by all! We had the local version of the RSSC bottomless glass!

Now I hope that I will see all of you again....on a cruise ship!

Poor Tom is really suffering from his cold...it came on like a freight train. I just left him napping. Trust me when I say you should be grateful he didn't come with me - you'd all hate him sometime later this week if you caught the same thing. It's odd, but when ever we do a long cruise everyone seems to get a cold sometime or another - Marcie, did that happen on the world cruise? Most of our friends that left today were over it, so hopefully Tom will be fine soon...and I'm now living on Airbourne!

Many of the crew are just leaving for their evening of fun...the stewardesses are going to Disneyland and others are headed to the Laker's game. One of them told me they don't have tickets but they're prepared to have fun no matter what!

We'll order room service for dinner and snuggle in and wait for all the Panama Canal passengers boarding tomorrow.

Thank you again for the MIMOSA fun. It was wonderful to meet all of you!

Oh boy I guess you have to be careful with this group about "talkers" - remind me never to NOT pay my bill!!!!!! or end up being discussed anonymously - Joanna

Margo,

We were so looking forward to meeting you, after years of posting back and forth. It was a pleasure to finally meet you!

Please send Tom our best. Sorry to hear that his cold has worsened. Chicken soup might be just the thing for him.

Take care. Hope to see you again, very soon! Hope you both have a wonderful time on the next leg of your cruise!

Betty and Joanna - Who better than me to laugh at myself over such a stupid thing?! I'm blaming it on the champagne. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

We've all done similar Denise - sounds like you did a stupendous job of pleasing the group with your restaurant selection etc - I am so happy you all had a great time - just hard for the wannabees to be at home:

Wishin' and hopin'
And thinkin' and prayin'
- Joanna

I am SOOOOO disappointed that I couldn't be part of the fun today at MIMOSA. I was so looking forward to seeing ALL of you. It sounds like a typical PERFECT LCT gathering. With Denise & Kathy and Dena at the helms, it couldn't have gone any other way. Can't wait to see more pictures. This first one is just great. I can make out many of you. The ones I can't must be those I haven't met yet. Next time!!!

Margo, I'm so sorry Tom was not feeling well and not only missed the party, but is sick to boot. He needs a long rest from all the fun you've been having on your cruise. Your restful evening in your cabin sounds just like what you need. I am so sorry I missed meeting you. I was really looking forward to it.

At least I didn't miss out on the grab bag travel gift - I kept the one I was bringing :D :D . But not nearly as much fun as exchanging. I also missed the MIMOSA's. But had 2 glasses of wine. Helped a little. You all made us proud of your enthusiastic feet of finishing off all the bottles of bubbly. Good for you!!!

I ended up getting a new car today. So it wasn't a total loss. (but a lot more expensive than lunch). Nothing too fancy but it is new and hopefully will last for awhile. It's a silver '06 Toyota Camry LE. Only 13 miles - much better than the 114,000 I had on my old Saturn - Ha!!!

I'm so glad you all had lots and lots of fun. Thanks for reporting in. Next time I promise I will make it!!!

See if you can access the photos from here:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=12awgtom.9i86v24i&Uy=du7ibb&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0


Or from here!


You can view them without signing in - just click on the bottom right of the Kodak Gallery Screen

We're all so social that we hate to miss anything!

I really want to thank Amanda and Masaki for sending those delicious Mauna Loa goodies with Margo for all of us to enjoy! Thanks so much for thinking of us in such a nice way! Hopefully, our next gathering will find you joining in on the fun! THANK YOU!!!!

Kathy,

GREAT photos!!!! Everyone looks MARVELOUS darlings!!!!

Cindy - good thing you had two glasses of wine because quite a few of my pix were out of focus from people (or the camera) moving! I put them up anyway, since, they still convey some of our day!

Great pictures!

Good photos, Kathy! Thanks for posting. There were so many cameras clicking. I'm sure there'll be more to follow.

I'm glad to read that the photos were fuzzy. I thought it was the champagne!

Congratulations on the new car, Cyndi. Hopefully, you will drive down our way in it real soon!

I LOVE the photos! Margo is beautiful, just as I had expected!!

We had so much fun today, I have that warm and fuzzy feeling and I don't think it's from the champagne!

Thanks for sharing the pictures! Looks like everyone had a great time. Well, the Houston contingent, Betty and Nancy will be getting together sometime in the near future...please join us. Nancy

Well, MIMOSA kind of turned into 2 parties...the morning group and the afternoon group. (I seem to have fallen into BOTH) I just walked in the door @6:30pm. Spent the entire afternoon with Robert, Paul, Suzanne and Oliva. We bonded and had a good 'ole time! It's around 6:30, need to say hi to Tom and reconnect! Great day seeing everyone and meeting such wonderful friends! Denise did a WONDEFUL job organizing all of this, what a doll! Cyndi and Claudia, WE MISSED YOU BOTH! More tomorrow after I talk my way out of the dog house! hehe!

More tomorrow after I talk my way out of the dog house! hehe!

WELL we know who NOT to depend on for our reports - and what were the 5 of you doing????? afternoon tea????? (Long Island ice tea I bet)

P.S, we'll have some more photos to add to Kathy's tomorrow!)

It was so hard to leave.....! That's why we all took so long in communicating.... We had such a great time meeting everyone! Denise, thanks so much for arranging such a wonderful luncheon. We loved meeting you and Alan. Thanks for the warm welcome. Thanks, Kathy & Frank, for arranging the transportation for all of us from the "north". It was great fun meeting Margo at the port.
The food and the champagne (Yes!) were terrific! Thanks to all, for your gracious warmth and friendship! - Michele & Don

Glad those in the limo group and the afternoon group have all checked in! How did I miss out on the afternoon group?? I guess it was for the best anyway, lots to do and have been busy trying to get things done this afternoon.

Can't think of much to add that hasn't already been said - it was such a pleasure to meet those I hadn't met before and to see Don, Diana, Denise, Alan, and Marcie again. Spending time with this group is really like getting together with long-time friends.

Let's see, we came home with some great travel gifts from the exchange, mac nuts from Masaki & Amanda, and lots of great tips for our upcoming trip!

Grant may be converting to a "real" LCT'er - soon after we got home, he asked me for the url of the site so he could look up the pictures!! Speaking of pictures - Kathy - you have lots of nice ones in there!

A really fun day - and I can only imagine what cruising with this group for 7+ days will be like!

Dena

Oops! I also meant to say - Cyndi - congrats on the new car! Sounds great. We missed you today - we'll see you next time, for sure!

Dena

Great shots, Kathy! I loved your comment about "just like Compass Rose" -- I have so many pictures from Compass Rose that look pretty much like that.

Speaking of getting out of the doghouse, that's why I had to cook and not order pizza. ;) I made some pasta and broccoli (another recipe I learned at the castle in Italy). I wasn't particularly hungry myself...gee can't imagine why!

I'm still floating on a high after this amazing day. (Or perhaps it's just the after-effects of the amazing horseradish rush.) I feel so fortunate to have been included. I haven't participated on the board as much as I would like to, especially since I started writing for a living. And I haven't cruised with anybody from LCT yet! I swear, I am going to talk SOMEBODY from in here into going on the PG on Nov. 11 next year. And someday I promise I'm going to taste one of Todd's cosmo's -- while on a cruise.

Dena, I'm glad that Grant felt welcomed and wants to see the site. I'm sure he'd fit right in.

As y'all can see from the photos, Alan built himself a regular ol' harem. Alan you charmer! :cool:

Marcie, I swear someday Charlie and I are going to be accompanying you on a World Cruise. There isn't anyone else I'd rather go on one with!

It was a blast talking with Denise and Alan, given that we all three are originally from the East Coast. Within moments you woulda thought we were all from Queens! Or the Bronx, or Brooklyn...

Oh, and yes thanks to Masaki and Amanda for the Macadamias! They were a real treat in the limo on the way home.

Don and Michelle, I'm glad you ended up with electricity this morning. How's the power holding out?

Kathy and Frank, thanks for bringing the mimosas on the limo -- what a great start to a great day. That has got to be the earliest I've ever had champagne!

So many more thoughts...I just want to give everyone another big hug!