Chicks at Sea Have a New Place to Hang out!

Hello! Sandy Wheeler here with the latest news on our Chicks at Sea ladies cruise group. Our spokeschick and world traveler, Chicklet, has developed a new group over on Facebook. As of this morning, she has 20 ladies in her discussion group, but would love to have you as well. Right now we are discussing our favorite vacation memories as well as anxiously awaiting the drawing for a custom made purse and checkbook cover to be given away on October 31, 2008. Come on over and join. It's fun, it's free and you just might meet a new friend or win a great prize!

Being One of Jerry's Kids

Labor Day is a holiday with mixed emotions at my house. Certainly it's great to have a final Monday off before beginning the school year. Of course, the idea of celebrating the spirit of the American worker and the freedom to succeed that have made our country a land of opportunity is significant. But, for me, the Labor Day weekend means the Muscular Dystrophy telethon hosted by one of my favorite people on the planet, Jerry Lewis.

I remember as a tween loving Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis movies. Could anything be more hilarious? Little did I know that I would grow up to put Jerry Lewis on a pedestal because of his work on my behalf. Yes, I am one of Jerry's kids. Diagnoised at age 33 with a wierd condition called myasthenia gravis, I have lived for 20 years with an incurable autoimmune disease. MG is not a form of muscular dystrophy, but is a "relative" if you will. It's incurable and can be deadly. It can also be controlled and can even go into remission and stay that way for a long period of time. It's not degenerative and it's not something that I passed along to my children--two things I am really grateful for.

Still, every year during the telethon I watch and cry. I don't want to, sometimes it's late into the 21 1/2 hour telethon that I even allow myself to turn it on. Sometimes, I don't know what I am crying about--is it joy because I am doing so well or some years so poorly; angry tears for the suffering the disease has caused; tears of relief that I am in better shape than some of the patients being interviewed; sadness at what my children have had to endure? And every year I have hope. As the tally goes higher and higher I think--this may be our year! The year that a cure is found. A year that I and so many others stop having to plan their lives around their disease. This may be the year that muscular dystrophy and all it's related autoimmune diseases go the way of polio and tuberculosis.

So, if you can--watch the telethon. Listen and learn. Pray for the people you see interviewed and for the researchers working to find a cure. Reach into your pocket and pledge. Last year, we raised a record 63.8 million dollars, but it wasn't enough. Another year has passed and we are still hoping.

An addition to our Chicks at Sea activities!

This year (2009) we have an additional opportunity that you don't want to miss. Due to popular request, we will be organizing a one or two day stay in the city of New Orleans after the cruise. More details are coming, so stay tuned.

First You Tube Commerical for Chicks at Sea--Gee I am a Star!

For a few laughs, and some good information about Chicks at Sea, check out my first attempt at You tube! It was fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULvUBLz3LQ0

Getting Crafty With Chicks at Sea!

We are looking for a crafter who has a skill to teach and can help bring in people interested in participating in their classes. Give me a call or email me if you have an idea. Things like crochet, knitting, polymer clay, line dancing, almost anything can be a class idea.

Added Interest For Chicks at Sea Ladies Cruise

Let's all plan on arriving in New Orleans the day before our cruise and get together for a relaxed dinner. We can get to know each other before we set sail and make sure everyone is in place before heading to the cruise terminal. Arrangements for a group rate for our overnight hotel stay will be coming soon.

Calling all women!

Our second annual Chicks at Sea Experience is now ready--just for women by women! We will be sailing on February 16th for five glorious, girls’ only days from New Orleans, LA visiting Cozumel, Mexico and Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico and then arriving back in New Orleans. If you like, we can help you arrange pre-or post-cruise one, two, or three nights stay in New Orleans, continue the fun!

Imagine sitting by the pool, sipping a cold beverage, and catching up on those chick books--or sharing the shows with your best girlfriends, sisters, or family. What about your bridge club? What a great place to play all day—whatever your idea of play may be. On a cruise, you can do as much or as little as you like!

We will be sailing on the Carnival Fantasy by Carnival Cruise Lines. Inside cabins start at $512.56 per person double occupancy—but you could treat yourself to an ocean view ($572.56). This price includes your fuel supplement, port charges, tips and gratuities, and government taxes. (Carnival does allow 3^rd and 4^th guests in these cabins which could reduce the price for all four of you.) Girls, you know you deserve this trip! Trip deposits of $200 per person are due on October 15^th with final payment due December 14^th. Guys what a great Christmas gift—we will wrap your cruise up to put under your tree!

You take care of everyone else all year long, now take care of yourself! Oh, did I mention the spa? Massages, facials, pedicures—does any of that sound good? When was the last time you sat and had a long soak in a hot tub with nothing to do but relax? Yum. Speaking of yum, how about gorgeous gourmet food ready anytime you are—no shopping, cooking, and cleaning. You are the guest, every meal you are pampered. And, if you overeat just a tad; there are well equipped work out facilities and a walking track with a view that you won’t believe.

If any of this sounds appealing to you, let’s get going! Bookings are now being accepted. A small deposit will reserve your little spot of heaven for February 16. To get you even more excited, we have a special offer just for “the girls”. We will offer extra surprises and fun activities compliments of Connie George Travel Associates. Come on ladies, the more girls we can pack on this ship, the more fun we can have! So get on the phone and rally together your group of friends.

For more information please email Sandy at sandy@cgta.com or call 252-339-9614. Let’s cruise!

Big News on the Way!

The announcement of our ship and sail date is nearly ready!!

That's right, our annual Chicks at Sea ladies cruise is almost ready to unveil this year's super destination and dates!

Stay tuned to this blog for more!

Memorial Day Tribute to the Troops

Memorial Day is about more than having a Monday off and backyard bbq's, although these things are great. It's a day to remember and pay tribute to those in the armed forces that served, and in many cases died defending our freedoms and our place in the world. It also makes me think about the men and women serving today and the sacrifices they are making--along with their families. As a Coast Guard wife, it was tough watching my guy sail away every 6 weeks or so. I can only imagine the hardships faced by wives of soldiers on the front lines. God bless and keep these loved ones and God bless America!

Royal Caribbean's Big WOW Sale Made for a Hectic Day

Yesterday, May 13th, Royal Caribbean had a great booking incentive they called WOW For one day you received a nice shipboard credit and a reduced deposit both for booking any future cruise on Royal Caribbean. The amount of the credit and reduced deposit depended on the length of your cruise. If you haven't sailed before, a shipboard credit is like money on your shipboard account to spend any way you choose. Of course the agency was really busy with customers trying to get in on this deal. One customer in particular was hard to get in touch with that day, so that made it even more hectic. Finally, everyone got booked up and all tucked in for the night. Just one more happy day in the life of a travel agent! Mission accomplished!

The Older Generation

I asked one of my piano students today if she intended to take lessons during the summer (she did last year, so I supposed she would) She said yes, she would and she was probably going to take until she was 18. You have to put this all in perspective as she is only 6. She asked me if I would still be alive then. I am dying laughing, then she says how old are you now? I tell her 50 and she goes like holy moly--that's old. I am rolling by now--then she starts counting on her little fingers--o my god she said, you will you 68 when I am 18--now are you SURE you are still going to be alive? O to be that young again!

Pictures from Chicks at Sea Adventure

All decked out for fun!

Our gorgeous dining room




An excursion to the turtle farm on Grand Cayman.



Making a new friend!

Back From Chicks At Sea Cruise-Awesome!

The cruise was awesome. Enchantment of the Seas has a lot to offer. I took a cha cha class, cooking class, ate lobster, had a waiter deliver a beautiful beverage as I lounged by the side of the pool. Visited a turtle hatchery and held a baby turtle, visited the town of Hell, visited a coral reef in Cozumel and bought a tanzanite ring. I was the oldest person doing the line dancing at the sail away party (and the best dancer I must say) and had a luxurious spa experience--facial and a massage. I played the nickel slots, bingo, trivia, and sampled some exotic food I had never tasted before. I attended the Captain's champagne reception and enjoyed a broadway show as well as a comedy routine that was out of this world. Not bad for five days, huh?

New and Exciting Items on my Website!

I am so excited to be a retailer for Amy Butler Patterns! They are awesome each and every one, but my favorites are the Lotus tunic and cami and cabo halter. Not only am I selling the patterns, but if you would like an outfit made from these patterns, visit the website and see how easy it is to be in style!






This is a shorter version of the lotus tunic that I can see myself wearing all summer long! Cool and relaxed, yet more professional looking than an old tshirt.

Visit www.Handmade-Heaven.com for more.

Tarheels Rule--on to the Final Four

Once again, the Carolina Tarheels move on to the Elite Eight in the NCAA basketball tournament. They will be playing Kansas Jayhawks next weekend in the Final Four. Kansas, by the way is the former team of Roy Williams, the Tarheels coach.



Kudos to Davidson, also from North Carolina, for reaching the Elite Eight. They only lost to the Jayhawks by 2 points and showed that dreams can come true.

More details for Operation Veteran's Cruise!

Save the date--December 7-14, 2008!

Operation Veteran's Cruise will be sailing onboard the Freedom of the Seas by Royal Caribbean International!

Departing from Miami with ports in Labadee, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel!

Open to all veterans, active military, and guests.

Price includes:
accomodations, meals, and entertainment
$200 RCI coupon booklet per cabin
prepaid gratuities
port-related fees, fuel surcharge and government taxes
bonus gifts for balcony and suite bookings
get-together party
Pearl Harbor Memorial service
many exciting surprises

Starting at only $881.12 per person based on double occupancy.

A donation to every cabin booked will be made to a veterans organization

Be there! It's going to be BIG!

http://www.HandmadeCruises.Com


http://www.VetsCruise.com

For more information or call me, Sandy, at 252-339-9614

New Cruise Gearing UP--IT'S GOING TO BE BIG!

We have a great new cruise booking now for next December and you don't want to miss it! Our cruise is named "Operation Veteran's Cruise" and we hope to have a group representing all of the branches of service. The cruise is especially for veterans and active duty military--but anyone can come along. We expect this to be a favorite among military families.

One awesome thing about this adventure will be our ship--Freedom of the Seas--Royal Caribbean's masterpiece at sea. This is one of two of the largest ships afloat and so appropriately named to honor our service men and women who have sacrified to ensure our Freedom.

Please visit my website: www.handmadecruises.com and click on the link for Operation Veteran's Cruise to learn more. Right now we have all categories of rooms available, but this won't last long. Pass the word--don't miss out.

More information is also available on the official web site for this project www.VetsCruise.com.