And they are here!

I was so excited last night to see the box from Creative Memories sitting on the kitchen counter. I am so impatient, and yet, these took less than a week to arrive. Here they are in their finished form!

Is it wrong that I now want all of my album covers to be customized?

Aloha!

Next year, my dear hubby and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage. We have been together much longer - just ask, he will tell you it has been at least 7 good years. lol!

I have been thinking the past few years about how we would celebrate our anniversary. I have always wanted to go Europe. I guess in my mind, I just assumed, I would try to fulfill that dream on our anniversary. Then came an announcement by Disney Cruise Line (surprise!).

Earlier this year, DCL announced an inaugural Hawaiian cruise, 15-nights on the Disney Wonder. My husband's favorite vacation has always been cruises. We were able to travel to Hawaii several years ago through a trip I earned from Creative Memories. It was one of our best vacations. Unfortunately, the cruise Disney announced was in late April/early May 2012. There was no way we could arrange that much time off just as our lovely daughter would be graduating from high school. Just when I had almost forgotten this perfect cruise, rumors were swirling that DCL would offer another cruise to Hawaii in October 2012. On Friday, DCL confirmed the cruise and opened reservations. We are booked and the new countdown is on!

Although it wasn't what I assumed we would do, I am absolutely thrilled. I can't wait for 14 (this one is a day shorter) relaxing days on board the Disney Wonder and on the Hawaiian islands. This will be the best way to celebrate 25 years with my best friend.

Time to remember

For several years now I have been addicted to scrapbooking. I wish I were able to scrapbook more often, but life seems to get in the way.

Scrapbooking was a natural progression for me. When I was 12, I cut out newspaper articles about the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. I would glue them into a notebook with regular loose leaf paper. When I didn't have articles to glue, I would draw uniforms, add notes about players, etc. It was only when I was older that I realized I was scrapbooking back then.

I was introduced to "real-life" scrapbooking in 1996 by a friend in Virginia. I was immediately hooked. What is not to love about colored markers, paper, stickers and photos of your favorite memories?

Over the years I have completed many albums for my family and as gifts. Scrapbooking supplies have come a long way! This week I am very excited about creating my first custom scrapbook covers.

I created two covers this week, one for our Dream cruises this year and another for my lovely dd for her senior year photos. I am so excited to get them in the mail. I will share the results!

It is just like Christmas, but then you have to pay for it...

I LOVE cruising, especially with Disney. Last fall I booked a new cruise for the first time in two years. I didn't realize until I booked it how much I had missed cruising. We vacation often (thank you Disney Vacation Club), but we tend to go on the same types of vacations. Cruising is always a different experience based on weather, ports, ships and your "community" once on board.

In May we set sail on the beautiful new Disney Dream. She is an amazing vessel and we enjoyed our time on board for the 5-night double-dip immensely. Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, is pure paradise (I am waiting for them to build DVC there) and one of the main reasons I love cruising with Disney.

While on board we booked two future cruises, including one for December (on the Dream again). Last night I was so excited. Anticipation was building, the cruise has been paid in full and last night was time to log-in to select my cruise activities. I logged in and subconsciously held my breath waiting for the screen to signal it was indeed after midnight and I could start my booking spree! I quickly booked a dinner at Palo, one of Disney's adults-only dining venues (I could eat here every night if they would let me). After selecting my date and time, I hopped over to the excursions booking to find a slot for my daughter to swim with dolphins in Nassau. I was tempted by the Cabanas at Castaway Cay, but I think I will save that for our next cruise (no thanks to Irene, there may not be Cabanas at Castaway Cay for a few months). Being able to book the activities you want and at the times you want is like the best present, but then of course, I will have to pay for it all in just a few months.

I love how Disney builds anticipation for you. You book the cruise and receive a confirmation, followed shortly in the mail with a planning booklet. Then you receive another confirmation when it is paid in full (happy day!). Once you reach your designated booking window you finally "open" the present. A few e-mails will come over the next few weeks reminding me of things I can do and see online with my reservation. In several weeks, I will receive a mailing with information and luggage tags. Very soon we will be enjoying our time on board, when I then have to pay for the rest of my present. However, it is very worth it!

For those who are sailing during Irene, I wish you smooth seas, blue skies and sunshine.