Marcie, I remember Dick and Jane. Do you remember their dog, Jip?

I remember Dick and Jane. I thought the dog was SPOT! But I am up to the Z in Alzheimer's!

I remember Spot too - Joanna

Yes..."See Spot run"

and they had a cat too named Puff (I named one of my cats after him when I was little!)

I remember Dick, I remember Jane, I remember Spot!

Betty

Marcie-

You are going to have the most amazing time. Like so many others, I really look forward to hearing all about it. Like Denise said, we'll be living vicariously through all of you. :)

Have a WONDERFUL trip (and doc dance).

By the way, I also remember Dick, Jane and Spot. And I'm (only) 43!

Kathy

I wonder if Dick, Jane and, possibly, Spot, ever cruised :D

My mother had three old maid sisters, all school teachers, much older than my mother...she and my father would leave me with the "girls" every weekend and I would read Jane, Dick, Spot when I was 3 years of age a prodigy to the "girls' (so they thought)- of course if you added in Fran, Phil, and Fido I was lost - Joanna

Marci...you must be in high gear now...planning, packing and perusing those document!

Oh how we envy you and Tom. Don't worry about your writing style, just give us the scoop on what you're up to. You're going to places many of us haven't been, so just be our eyes and ears (and sometimes nose and tastebuds) while you're there.

The nicest part will be when you get back and reread your notes - it will be like returning to BAIL anytime you'd like to!

Primer on how to fit into the same formal attire outfits throughout your 108 day cruise: "Here is Marcie. See Marcie run. Run Marcie, run."

Wishing you and Tom and all the others who will be on all or portions of your cruise a wonderful time.

I confess to brain fade (and an intense day of holiday decorating). Yes, the dog was Spot. But I do remember a Jip - or maybe I'm just losing it!

Anyway, Marcie, you must be so excited. Like Margo said, just keep your notes and don't worry about perfect writing. You'll be glad you did and so will we! Can't wait to go on this World Cruise through you :) .

Marcie,

You should never apologize for your writing. Your posts are always great and so much fun. :) We will all be waiting for your reports.

Betty

All I can say is WOW! I can't imagine being on a ship for 3 months - although I'd sure love to give it a try!!! When we went on Mariner May of 2003 Panama Canal, there were 36 people still on from the World - some of them were very interesting and we enjoyed meeting them. One of the couples was from Manhattan Beach CA, where I grew up, so we talked a lot - but they were supposed to get off in Ft Lauderdale, but said they decided to stay on for the Canal segment because it was cheaper than shipping all their stuff home from FLL!!! I thought that was funny!
Anyway - I'm sure you and Tom will have a most wonderful time and we will all be waiting to hear your various reports.
Woooooohooooo!!

ONE WOULD THINK!! Actually, the only thing I've done is look through excursion options. Packing? What's that! I think I'm depending upon just taking the same clothes I take on every cruise and throwing in a bit more "outerwear" for varying temperatures. I spent more time and effort getting ready for our 1 week VOF cruise than this one.

I've got everything arranged to pay all our bills on line...to me this was my biggest conern. I also have everything set up with my pet's Vet so in case of any emergencies they have credit card info etc. I've also been stocking up on pet food to make things easy for Jill...you should see our garage! It looks like a Costco warehouse!

I do promise to post though...not sure about internet access in some of these far away places??

They're here! They're HERE!!!

We're officially ticketed and not-so-ready to go --

:hello1: :hello1:

Betty

Congratulations Betty!! I'm so happy they arrived!

Now we can both be officially ticketed and not-so-ready to go! I got my Visas back today (China and India)...we're getting there!

Kathy ROTFL.........

Marcie,

This is so exciting to hear from someone who will be aboard a first class cruise ship for so many days and seeing so many exotic ports! I can't wait to read your emails.

Bon Voyage,

Ginny

Thanks Ginny! Hopefully... Betty, Paul and I (and maybe others) will be able to keep you all up-to-date. Thanks for your good wishes!

Betty - congrats!!

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Masaki

Thanks, Masaki! This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Just want you to know that with your new baby on the way, I'm an experienced Grandma!! Just had my third on Thanksgiving Day and Al has nine more that we both love dearly. Just got back ten minutes ago from babysitting two of mine tonight. I must admit, 'Grandma' is the BEST JOB EVER!!!! I absolutely adore them all -- it's SO much more fun than being a parent!!

SO .... anytime you would like an extra Grandma, just let me know!!

Luckily, your baby isn't due before we get back from BAIL. There ARE priorities!!

Betty

Was Jip the dog in the Bobbsey Twins?

A belated congratulations from me as well on your doc dane, Betty! And especially on your third grandbaby!

Marcie, I don't remember a cat with Dick and Jane. Then again, I didn't remember that Snoopy had a sister either but you did!

Oh yes Amanda...my whopping contribution to Trivia knowing Snoopy's sister's name was Belle!

Apparently, I'm the only one who remembers a cat named Puff in the Dick & Jane books....maybe Puff was only in the OKLAHOMA edition where I grew up! :eek:

I remember Puff, but then look where I grew up. Marcie - you & me against the world.

Betty - I think you should just volunteered for the job of backup grandma! :)

Masaki

Masaki,

I most definately did! No kid can have too many people to love him/her, and I absolutely adore every grandkid -- surrogate or otherwise -- that I have!

Besides, a little jaunt to Hawaii to play Grandma wouldn't be too painful ....

Ever go to Molokai? Our favorite island!

Betty

Hey guys. All packed here. Set for the pre world cruise depature on Dec 19th from ft Lauderdale. Marice, I'm up to 7 suitcases. Two of them are Suite decorating only. Yikes. BTW, my TA called RSSC and they sent me 5 more luggage tags express mail.
I remember Dick, Jane, Spot and Puff. But in the back of my mind I see a little brother. Did they have one and does anyone remember his name?
Happy Holidays.

Such a thrilling adventure....we're ALL with you, every luxurious, exciting step!!!

ps....it's Spot the dog, Puff the cat....and I betcha don't remember there was even a GARDENER! Yup, it's how we learned the last letter of the alphabet! His name was ZEKE!!! :p :p :p

WOW Paul...7 suitcases for 1 person! I don't think I could fill up that many if I brought everything I owned. What type decorations did you pack? You are way ahead of me. I need your help! Are you having all these bags picked up or are you bringing some with you?

Back to D & J books....I think there was a little sister too? Funny what little bits and pieces we remember. Bonnie, you've got me with a Gardner?? I'm glad other remember Puff besides just me and Betty (us "Oklahoma kids")

Little sister was Sally.

You beat me to it, Betty! Sally it is! Though I don't remember any little brother.

Thank you Betty. It was a little sister not a little brother. Sally!. I got that confused with my own family; have a younger brother.
Marcie, pillows and a throw blanket for the sofa, a cordless mission style lamp for the desk and balcony, a 24" high fully decorated Christmas tree, a weight scale for the bathroom, framed fotos of the family, books, laptop, printer, photo paper and ink cartridges for my printer, a map of the world, a calendar, etc. I think I am moving in for life!!! They may not be able to get me off the ship at the end of the four months. I will leave most of that stuff behind and will probably sell or give away one of my trunks at the end of the cruise. Am I out of control? Since I am driving to and from Fort Lauderdale, I quess I though I could bring all the comforts of home.... :rolleyes:

I don't remember a brother. When the African American neighbors were introduced in the 1960s - way after my time - they had a brother. Are you thinking of Tim, Sally's little sidekick and security blanket.

Well, anything we forget...I know where to find it, I'll go shopping in Paul's cabin! :banana:

Paul, you have the right idea since you are leaving and arriving at the same port. Four months is a snapshot of a year in the scheme of things. I earlier said I would pack the basics, then just pack and pack and pack till I met the limit! I can never have too much of "my" stuff with me. You will love Marcie. I have now been on two cruises with her. Promise, she will only knock on your door after she calls, and won't ask for your treasured possessions. Maybe just a needle and thread or something like that. Now, if she asks you to to iron a blouse for her that night.....just remember that when Tony and Joanna are aboard, she will delegate that duty to dear Tony. Don't be jealous, as he is the "expert" Rowenta user.

Paul: Paul I may come over without calling first - you don't have to let me in - and if you do I will NEVER ask for a needle and thread - glass of wine yes - I will be alone as Tony will be ironing on the Rowenta - Joanna

Paul

You have thought of everything. How about a nice quilt for the bed for "nap time?" Will you have room for Marcie & Betty's shoe collection if they need extra closet space? And where in the world are you going to put all your purchases?
Your room sounds so homey. All you need now is a fireplace!!!

Betty --

What a GREAT idea -- offsite shoe storage!! I'm sure Paul wouldn't mind ... would you, Paul? :D

(another) Betty

Great idea (to both) Bettys since Paul has a suite to himself....hmmmm....could the cat have Paul's tongue? Yes, a fireplace would be the perfect touch!