a) Kelly & I just paid the final/full payment for our cruise in February. What a deal we got … I wonder if folks might want to re-consider and join into this. I’m not sure why/how but we ended up at under $75 @day @person … with a $100 @cabin coupon added! Add to this the cost of getting to Miami … for Lisa, that could be FREE! Consider watching Geoff turn 60 … priceless (or depressing – you get to choose your attitude, see the fish philosophy for more).

b) I’m becoming a Facebook guy. So far (4 days), I’ve spent over 12 hours doing it … and I’m, like, out there! I asked Scott to be my friend (I can’t tell if he accepted or declined but I’ll figure that out). It appears that a major benefit is that you can throw snowballs at your friends … hmmm! Does anyone want to be my friend?

Don’t worry – be happy!
Love, R

We have lots happening:
Kelly’s aunt Kendra arrives tomorrow for a 2-week visit,
Kelly’s cousin & fiance, McKenna & Marshall, arrive Thursday for 4 days,
we have a community dinner at church Thursday – 85 people so far,
we have a family dinner at home Friday,
we’re making gingerbread houses Saturday,
we go cut a Xmas-Tree Saturday, …
I think thats it.

How about you?
Anyone going over the river and through the woods?

Remember when we went hunting on Thanksgiving (or is that myth)?

Oh, happy day.
Don’t worry – be happy.

Love,
R & K

Then, to hear that some folks had conspired to get her THE RIGHT PRESENT was a joy – a joy, I say.
A car that is safe and sound!

We need a photo, please!
Also … will the gold clunker be buried in Kansas?  Or, did they actually accept it as a trade-in?

Way to go – thanks.
Robert

I have used Snapfish. I think you can do some cool effects and albums – like what Robert did. However, I found it a little slow. But only slow because it is doing so much additional than displaying the pictures, so it is a trade-off. I have decided to go a different route use a product that does a great job maintaining all your pcitures on your computer and makes it easy to simply load them into albums on the web. It is a product from Google called Picasa. They are on version 2.7, but have a Beta 3 out, which I use with no problems. Links to both are available at that link.

Next, I am not sure if everyone thinks about this until it is too late, but it is a really good idea to save multiple copies of important files. There are several ways to do this including having a second copy on the same computer, but if the computer dies… another way is to have a external hard drive to store additional copies, however I am always worried if my computer can have problems, so can this other hard drive. So, I started using an online server. There are several different services, but I chose Mozy.com. They have a free part that they give you 2GB which is enough to have a few documents and pictures. And now through the end of November if you sign up using this link and perform at least one backup we both get an additional 25% space – 2.5GB for free – there is no limit to referrals either. Please use this link if you are interested: Kim’s Mozy Referral Bonus. (After 11/30, it goes back to their standard 256 MB per referral.)

I have a lot of pictures and music I don’t want to lose, so I started using the paid service also. It gives you unlimited space for about $5 per month – considering the cost of a hard drive, I figure it pays for itself for about 2 years.

Your packet shows 42 rentals, with many details. Most sleep 8-10 people, with some 12s. Rent-price varies widely based on place ($4,500, $3,200, $2,100) & date ($3,400 late June, $2,900 mid August, $1,300 early Sept).  Some times are already N/A (August is popular). There are duplex & close-by places described … all look nice … 1 includes 6 Beach tags & 3 bikes … all have kitchens … some have parking … one says yes internet & no pets … 3 have 36″ TV.

It would take one place for 10 people, 2 for 20 and 3 for 30 – generally. These counts are beds … given as guideline max … I’m not sure how babies & kids count … I know we can’t do backyard tents or sleep in cars … walking from place to place in pajamas seems ok …
As you may imagine, I have spreadsheets of details & analysis. Roughly, rental costs would vary from a low of $125 per person per week up to $385 @person @week, with $210 being average.
These cost$ don’t include food, fun, travel to PHL or at/to shore, etc.

Let’s talk about our counts.
Sandy & Lisa show 33 on list – it seems a desirable & optimistic #.
In Sept’07, we had a Madison party/reunion with 10 family folks attending (with party of 50 at our home – sorta like a wedding).
I made a rough guestimate, from email/blog talk, of 19 folks likely.

Let’s talk about dates, knowing counts & prices depend on when.
June 27 to July 4 seemed highest number of people (some NOs & MAYBEs) & highest price.
Aug 15 to Aug 22 seemed 2nd highest # & middle $ (hot ocean) .
Sept 5 to Sept 12 was 3rd # (school conflicts) & distant low price.

Let’s talk about our Sept’07 time … like wedding with some family … where a reunion was part of a personal birthday. That may be like what we’re thinking about here, where some of us are planning vacation at the shore & others are talking about a reunion. I don’t say these are in conflict but may have different time + cost + activity goals.

I’m imaging: ” Eeek – Stop - We’ll just … ” from you, the reader.
I’m imaging: if we delay much, N/A weeks/places will increase.
I’m imaging: we can brainstorm how to meet EVERYONE’s needs.

What if the folks wanting a week vacation with lots of fun+kids at the shore talk together to make plans & proposals & decisions … the others listen closely and then make plans & proposals to tie-in?
For example, Kelly & I can’t vacation a week in June but we can & want a 3-day weekend with those families during their time together.

What if we pick week (6/27 or 8/15 or ?) and re-think place?
For example, we have friends who moved to Charlotte,NC and tell us a visit there would be wonderful … a VRBO is $1,000/week.
For example, world-champion Phillies have series in St. Louis then … motels+VRBOs on Mississippi are $20 @nite @person (includes free breakfast – all stale donuts & bad coffee you want).
For example, there are rustic conference centers where families can gather in cabins with community time & meals … Kelly & I have done such things with her family & on church retreats … they seem cheaper & more nature focused (think nudist, canoeing, campfires & lanyards).

Ok, what is next step & who does it?
Please RSVP – a comment/reply would help muchly!
I hope you do the Poll in Scott’s Post above.

Love,
Robert