I am hoping my luggage will meet the weight requirements. I used to pack toiletries as carry on and with having to pack them now, weight is the problem. You guys can forget the blender for the BBC's. We'll just order them from the bar. But Cosmo Makings I will get while in FLL. Don, only one bottle of Veuve needed. I was thinking this was a longer cruise.

Oh wow, Kathy, I hadn't thought of the toiletries! I guess I will try to keep them to a minimum--if it was just a beach holiday, I could get by with sunscreen and moisturizer, but on the ship...hmm. I guess there's other things we could put in our carry-ons to compensate--like shoes, or mask and snorkel, but instance. This weekend I will think seriously about what to pack. Not sure what I'm going to wear during the day, since I don't have any shorts that fit me!

Since we were stopping in Arizona, I had to pack parkas to bathing suits for MUSH and didn't go over the weight limit. I also pack more hair products than Cher probably does and still didn't go over 50lbs per suitcase so I really don't think you will have a problem.

I always used to have a 70lb suitcase under the old rules and a 50 for me-no toiletries because they were carried on. Now I am traveling with more camera equipt so clothing can't go carry on. Going to Vegas for 4 nights my suitcase was 49 lbs. and there were no formal nights. For a cruise you need day clothes and night clothes. For Mush, we had 4 suitcases and we paid for weight overages. Karen - your clothes are a bit smaller than mine.

I am so far behind in my reading - that I pack a lot of magazines to get caught up and they can drive me over the weight limit. I think I am going to put the mags in a light weight backpack and carry them on the plane.

You will see me the whole cruise around the pool reading a magazine, a book or doing Suduko and listening to my mp3 player.

And I think many of us will be there next to you for most of it.

On the cruise in October I took 4 times the number of clothes I needed so I will exercise some restraint this time. With no formal nights I plan to wear a lot of Chico's stuff with a couple of sparkly things for the "informal" nights. I can totally relate to Wendy's comments re: shorts. Almost there......

Kathy, are you using hard sided suitcases?

No, we have some terrific light weight Tumi/Dakota and Kipling pieces. I just don't travel light but I have gotten better.

Kathy, you are talking to a girl who packs 25 pairs of shoes, lol.

True - I actually packed only 5 or 6 for MUSH - a new record low. Now If I can do that for SAND...

I love shoes as well. Bags too.....

Oh golly, you guys! I'm thinking in terms of a carribean holiday, sun and sand! I'll have sneakers or something like them (and I will tip-toe through the snow on the way to the airport!) I will have everyday sandals, flip-flops and nice sandals for dinner. C'est ca, as they say here in Canada.

Slacks and some nice tops, a pair of capris (maybe) several long summer dresses. A wrap or two. Some jewellery. That's me, on this cruise!

Okay, here's something to warm up the Northerner's until SAND.

El Sol para mi amigos

Love it. Thanks Kathy!!!!

Wendy, I like the way you think! Do you think these will work for informal night?

Funny Don! I'm betting David would rather wear those than the jacket he's going to be stuck with! ;)

Oh noooo! I woke up with a cold yesterday morning! Let's hope I can get rid of it in two weeks, I am notorious for loooong colds. I guess it's better than getting a cold the day before we are to leave, lol.

Karen -

You need plenty of Chicken Soup! That bright Carribbean Sun is curative!

Unfortunately, I am making Thanksgiving dinner for Mark and I today since we weren't at home on Thursday. I already burned the pumpkin pie while we were talking on the phone to Kathy! I don't think my mind feels like paying attention today.

I hope Denise sends you some of her homemade chicken soup -

That really is what I would rather be eating today!

Feel better soon, Karen! I am just getting over being sick, as well. It hit my office hard, with 5 people coming down with it.

FedExing Denise's Golden Elixir to you now!

Karen, feel better soon. Chester has had a cold, with a cough, for a week now. Hopefully you will both be better than SAND. If not, what a great place to rest and take care of yourself!

Julie, if Chester and I am not better by the cruise, we can stand together in a corner and watch the rest of the healthy SANDies having fun!

Oh no, Karen & Chester!!!!

You just gotta get better real quick! Chicken soup ~ yeah, that's the ticket!

Hope you are both feeling better soon. We need you well for SAND!!

Uh oh! Looks like it is making the rounds! Our new son-in-law had it at the wedding. Diana ended up with it but is just about through with it, and several of my co-workers have had it.

Y'all get well! Only two weeks to go!

Two weeks to go guys! So let's all get over our colds and flu!

Yes, Wendy, We are getting excited about SAND. I do sort of feel that I am in an "amazing race" to get stuff done before we go. LOL Doing pretty well, I think. The Christmas cards are in the mail, gifts are bought, and today I put up the tree. It's naked still, except for lights, but its standing up there. Hopefully, in the next day or so, I will get it trimmed.

Betty, you guys are miles ahead of us. I think Thursday is the day that we get the tree up and all the Christmas decorations started. I'm not sure how Diana is coming with the cards though.

Oh wow, you're putting a tree up before you go! I actually thought of that, but I know it would be dead by the time we got home, since my son would have to water it! We'll be going out and buying a tree the week we get home, and trying to get it decorated by Xmas morning--hardly seems worth it, does it?

Wendy, I guess since ours is plastic it is already dead! Our cats won't have to water it, but I know they will probably have fun knocking all the decorations off!

Yeah, and we're having 50 people here for dinner 5 days after we get back. No tree. Only Hannukah lights and my fake pine branches on the fireplace mantel with blinking baby lights on them Glass Ornaments go on top of various candle holders to hold them up. The lights reflect on the ornaments. A friend of mine bought these for me a long time ago. Will have to set up before the party. Will be sleep deprived between the return and Christmas Eve - when we have our annual Hannukah party - even if it's not Hannukah!
Thankfully, Frank's daughter, who has not wanted to really participate has come around (finally!) and we are going to have a real family holiday. She's coming to help - a first! And even my little Twins are coming. They are not going to my ex-es but to my house!

We are expecting the weather to change drastically here in Big D overnight. Today the highs will be mid 70's, then overnight the cold front moves in and we are going to be hit with snow and ice tomorrow and it won't get out of the 30's. This place shuts down when weather like that hits.

So, last night I got the exterior decorarations up, and the tree and decorations out of the garage and into the house. I guess after we get the tree up, we can start on our packing.

Sure hope we don't have this nasty weather a week from tomorrow, when we are flying out! I guess the cold weather will just make us appreciate this trip even more.

Never been to Fort Lauderdale before and have done some research. It looks like the Water Taxi is a convenient way to get around. It can take you to all the shopping places.

Having the not too senior moment. Cannot remember when we are meeting for drinks on Sunday night.

Is anyone else coming in on Saturday?

Not us, we don't come in until Sunday at 10am.

We're coming in on Saturday so we can visit with my closest friend. Spending the day with her on Sunday - she's probably going o join us a Bimini Boatyard. 5:00 Drinks in the outside bar - 6:30 dinner

Our flight lands at 10am on Sunday too. Maybe I'll see you at the airport Karen!

Yikes Julie, what time does your flight live CA to get you into Fla. at 10am??