The Day Before 6:02 PM

Surprisingly, the work day flew by, so the wait wasn't as terrible as I expected. I am excited to be heading on the cruise and looking forward to the trip. Pretty much of everything is set and ready to go, bags packed, boarding passes printed. Going to have a relaxing evening, hang out, save the energy for tomorrow. It was the SU Spooktacular today, Marti and I made chili to go with all the other good food to eat. I ate plenty. Judy's cupcakes and Christine's taco roll-ups were my favorites. Janice, I'm thinking about you, we have saturday morning coffee and book browsing to do, so hang in there. I've been playing games online and watching a Fear Factor marathon on TV. Plenty to keep me occupied until I head out.

Counting The Days 7:16 PM

3 days and counting. . .

Doug and I did some last minute running around tonight, stopped and grabbed a bite to eat. I am pretty much set to go, bags are packed, so anything else is adding to the baggage. I won't close the suitcase until I leave for the airport, just to be sure.

Weekending 12:34 PM

I am set with everything to take on the cruise now. Just have to start organizing and packing. Six days to go. Got the clothes washed, shopped for the essentials. Been a busy, yet laid back weekend. Friday night, Doug and I went and saw Char sing, one of my favorite things to do. I shopped, I lounged, I washed clothes, played word games, watched TV, scary movies, ate pizza, had breakfast at Mom and Dad's with Pat, Toni, Scott, Mike, Erin, and Tim and Julia. What a nice way to end the week. Now I'm reading and contemplating what to do next.

I Should Have Won Half The Jackpot 5:31 PM

Powerball irks me. For the first time ever, I got three numbers on the last drawing. I won $7. Since it takes six numbers to win and I got three, I think I should have gotten so much more. I could have used it. I think it's only right, half the numbers, half the jackpot. I ended up getting a ticket for the next drawing.

It's All In The Delivery 5:40 PM

The UPS man just dropped off my packages. Snorkel and mask, aquatic socks, and a passport holder. Outside of a couple of other purchases, I have all I need now to start preparing for the cruise. The clothes are ready to be laundered and packed, each day I get a little more excited. 10 days. I can not wait!!!

Cruise Mode 11:55 AM

Getting ready to hit the outlet mall with Tim and Julia this afternoon. Starting to actually prepare for the trip. Have a list of things to get. Yesterday, I got myself groomed, Kim gave me a spiffy haircut, then ran about town with Doug buying necessities. I have a number of things to get yet, some will be last minute, others I'd like to have now, just to make sure I have them. My brain is on Cruise mode at this point.

Land And Sea 5:04 PM

Now the excitement kicks in. Received my travel documents for the cruise, verandah suite, stateroom 5650, at the very back of the ship. It is exactly one level down from the stateroom Doug and I had on the first cruise. Countdown is at 15 days. Tonight, going to be heading to the Zoo for Boo at the Zoo. It should be a fun, fright filled experience. A great start to the weekend!

(Absent) Civic-Minded 6:40 PM

Since I will be traveling on Election Day, I have gotten an absentee ballot and cast my vote. The process was relatively simple, fill out an application for a ballot, they verify your registration, and you are all set. I have done my duty as an American citizen and made my voice heard.

The Sties That Blind 6:16 PM

This morning my eyes started to get irritated and by 8:00am the right one was red, inflamed, itchy, watering. I pulled out my contacts, but that didn't help. I thought I had come into contact with something that I was allergic to. I repeatedly rinsed my eye throughout the day until I got home. I noticed a white bump on the lid in the corner of my eye. After a call to Mom and a search on the Internet, I realized it is a stye. Warm compresses, saline rinses, and glasses for me the next couple of days. Oh the drama, the trauma, the burning!

Seven Flags - Frightening 2:39 PM

Heading down to Six Flags for Fright Fest, going to get a couple of coaster rides in, maybe renew the pass for next year, and get scared out of my wits. It's such a nice day, it shouldn't go to waste. Cleaned a little, read a little, watched the ANTM marathon a lot, now it's time to get out and around for a couple of hours.

24 Hours Later 9:19 PM

Still psyched about the cruise, all ready checked in on the ship, have clothes set to be washed and pressed and packed, list of items to bring, excursions planned. I'll be busy the next three weeks getting ready. It's only been a day since the trip was booked and I feel like I'm prepared to leave now. Well, I'd like to leave now any way!

What A Wonderful Day 7:24 PM

I just got back from Doug's house. We booked another Disney Cruise for the first week in November. As it turns out, it will be the third one in exactly a years time. We left on November 7th, 2007 for the first cruise and will be returning on November 6th, 2008 from the latest one. I am excited (and that is an understatement)!

Days Gone By 5:41 PM

It was back to work after a weekend of lounging. I spent quite a bit of time reading, doing puzzles, laundry, hanging out by Doug's, watching movies, and napping. It was a nice unstructured weekend. Met up with Kim for lunch, nice to sit and talk with her, wanted to spend more time with her, but I did have to get back to work.

Feeling The Heat 4:11 PM

When I got home from work, I could tell that the heat had been turned on. I am sitting here in a t-shirt and jeans, comfortable. It was cold the last couple of nights, glad to have the heat on, feeling the warmth. Glad that my nose isn't running either.

Heat Please 6:35 PM

It is freezing in my apartment. I want the heat turned on. I am wearing layers of clothes and am still chilled. My nose is running and I am shivering. I made chicken strips and pasta just to heat up the place. Brrrrr.

Too Much Time And Information 1:18 PM

I like bleu cheese, I used to smoke, I own a gun, I like tropical punch Kool-aid, I do not get nervous at Doctor appointments anymore, Chicago Dogs are awesome, Emmett Otter’s Jug Band Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas specials, Café Mocha on a Sunday morning is the best, I do not like doing push ups, I don't like wearing jewelry, I feel naked if I do not have a watch on, I think I have ADHD, undiagnosed of course, I get extremely shy when meeting new people, I tell people Jared is my middle name, Tinkerbell is my favorite Disney Character, Java Monster is my current addiction, I hate cleaning the apartment, I mourn the loss of Summer, I'd rather be at Disney World, I eat chicken strips/tenders at least three times a week, Every six months I submit a resume to Disney, Spinach is my favorite vegetable, I hate wearing socks, Snapping gum is a pet peeve of mine, I do not like satin sheets, I can whistle, Most of my shirts are white, I would be a pirate, Arrrr!!!!, I do not sing in the shower, There is only one TV show I must see on a weekly basis, I watch Grease anytime I run across it on cable, no matter at what point the movie is, I carry a gratitude rock, I laugh at myself daily, I drive a Jeep, I once tried out to be on Survivor, I do not like where I live, I have two TVs, I want to make rock candy, I want to paint a series of pictures called natural disasters, I certainly hope somebody has a crush on me, I have read the book Nightswimmer over 100 times, I will not vote for anyone running unopposed in an election, I still cry watching the Lion King, I want to be cremated, I have too much time on my hands.