JoeyandDavid

We will cross that bridge ...... he may be home schooled for the first year anyway..(bonding time) still lots of decisons to be made..as you know THIS is a work in progress Joey my brother and his wife have now adopted 7 children most of whom have medical challenges but all were either removed from their previous home from neglect or abuse.When you consider home schooling also please remember sometimes they need friends. I am unaware from where you will be adopting but I have seen so much pain with these children. ------------- Ruth Ruth I do appreciate your words of first hand knowledge ..and believe me when I say although we try to look at it from every possible angle I am sure that we are missing an angel or two. I am very very aware of the need for the young ones to develop social skills .. and in fact if we do choose that first year to home school .. that is where the YMCA will come into play as far as peer interaction. Our child will most likely come from the foster -care unit of the California Department of Social Services.. Thanks again Ruth...

Tonights Update 800 PM EDT THU AUG 14 2008 FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO... 1. THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE ASSOCIATED WITH A TROPICAL WAVE HAS CONTINUED TO MOVE WESTWARD ABOUT 15 MPH AND IS NOW CENTERED OVER THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. SATELLITE IMAGES AND AIRCRAFT DATA INDICATE THAT THE SYSTEM HAS NOT BECOME ANY BETTER ORGANIZED DURING THE PAST SEVERAL HOURS. HOWEVER...UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE FAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND A TROPICAL DEPRESSION COULD FORM AT ANY TIME DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS OR SO. REGARDLESS OF DEVELOPMENT...HEAVY RAINS AND GUSTY WINDS WILL LIKELY SPREAD OVER PORTIONS OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS...THE VIRGIN ISLANDS...PUERTO RICO...AND HISPANIOLA DURING THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. INTERESTS IN THESE AREAS AS WELL AS THE TURK AND CAICOS...SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS AND EASTERN CUBA SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM. 2. A BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED ABOUT 1000 MILES EAST OF THE LESSER ANTILLES IS ACCOMPANIED BY DISORGANIZED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. DEVELOPMENT...IF ANY...IS EXPECTED TO BE SLOW TO OCCUR AS THE SYSTEM MOVES WESTWARD ABOUT 10 TO 15 MPH.

I didn't care for the conch fritters but then again.... I am a beef guy...

we were able to walk around .. but most of the stores were closed except for that "candle or soap" shop right above the parking lot...do you know the one i am referring to?

After all it is that time of year!!

I am afraid i cant help you I don't sail Carnival....

David loved Celebrity's Escargot.. he looks forward to it every trip...

st Paul is where we picked up that lovely black truffle infused olive oil.. whew that was good!! We got to EZE late the sun had gone down.. so I really considered that we missed it.. just another reason to go back...

ANYONE up for a game of Bocce?

We will cross that bridge ...... he may be home schooled for the first year anyway..(bonding time) still lots of decisons to be made..as you know THIS is a work in progress

That is excellent I always wanted to do the railroad thingy..

That does sound nice....did it mention which port they will dock in?

Actually if everything works out as I hope ..I was planning to come into MIA/FLL 3 to 4 days before the cruise jump off the plane (when sailing out of the flordia ports..we always arrive in early afternoon)...rent a car.. drive straight to KW spend the night or two and then drive to the hotel drop off david and jr.. drive back to the airport to return the car and then get a shuttle back to the hotel.. at least thats the early game plan.. while in key west I thought we would rent the faboulous pink bikes (everything used to be pink the cabs ..the rental bikes..etc.. has that changed?) and go exploring like i did when i used to visit my boss during december when he live down there ...

Welcome Aboard!!

Thanks Steve for the confirmation...then if everything is everything that is what we will do..

In the August update to the Atlantic hurricane season outlook, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has increased the likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season and has raised the total number of named storms and hurricanes that may form. Forecasters attribute this adjustment to atmospheric and oceanic conditions across the Atlantic Basin that favor storm development - combined with the strong early season activity. NOAA now projects an 85 percent probability of an above-normal season – up from 65 percent in May. The updated outlook includes a 67 percent chance of 14 to 18 named storms, of which seven to 10 are expected to become hurricanes, including three to six major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. These ranges encompass the entire season, which ends November 30, and include the five storms that have formed thus far. In May, the outlook called for 12 to 16 named storms, including six to nine hurricanes and two to five major hurricanes. An average Atlantic hurricane season has 11 named storms, including six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. “Leading indicators for an above-normal season during 2008 include the continuing multi-decadal signal – atmospheric and oceanic conditions that have spawned increased hurricane activity since 1995 – and the lingering effects of La Niña,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Some of these conditions include reduced wind shear, weaker trade winds, an active West African monsoon system, the winds coming off of Africa and warmer-than-average water in the Atlantic Ocean.” Another indicator favoring an above-normal hurricane season is a very active July, the third most active since 1886. Even so, there is still a 10 percent chance of a near normal season and a five percent chance of a below normal season. NOAA’s hurricane outlook is a general guide to the expected level of hurricane activity for the entire season. NOAA does not make seasonal landfall predictions since hurricane landfalls are largely determined by the weather patterns in place as a hurricane approaches.Five named storms have formed already this season. Tropical Storm Arthur affected the Yucatan Peninsula in late May and early June. Bertha was a major hurricane and the longest-lived July storm (July 3-20) on record. Tropical Storm Cristobal skirted the North Carolina coastline. Dolly made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane at South Padre Island, Texas on July 23. And on August 5, Tropical Storm Edouard struck the upper Texas coast. The Atlantic hurricane season includes activity over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. The peak months of the season are August through October. NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources.

The orange is number one yellow is number two: 1. AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE...ASSOCIATED WITH A TROPICAL WAVE...IS CENTERED A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS. SHOWER ACTIVITY IS PRESENTLY LIMITED AND DISPLACED WELL TO THE NORTHEAST OF THE LOW CENTER. HOWEVER...UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE FORECAST TO GRADUALLY BECOME CONDUCIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS...AND THIS SYSTEM COULD BECOME A TROPICAL DEPRESSION ON THURSDAY OR FRIDAY AS IT MOVES THROUGH OR JUST NORTH OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS. 2. A LARGE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS LOCATED ABOUT 1400 MILES EAST OF THE LESSER ANTILLES. SHOWER ACTIVITY WITH THIS SYSTEM REMAINS DISORGANIZED AND DEVELOPMENT...IF ANY...IS EXPECTED TO BE SLOW TO OCCUR AS THE SYSTEM CONTINUES SLOWLY WESTWARD. ELSEWHERE.. TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

There are two tropical fronts forming in the Atlantic.. will the become Hurricanes or fizzile out?

Is that in case the ship goes down? /

we have never used snorkeling equipment... but have considered purchasing some.. is it expensive?

Can't help you with that but what a fun idea

so would the closet be Seattle, San Francisco, LA, some place else?

me too!

keno sandals??

Great minds.,...... hehhehe..