FromSea2ShiningSea

We made it here in Amsterdam. Checked into hotel the Doubletree, We got a room with a view. The sights on our walk to the Anne Frank Huis. We had a 4:00PM reservation. It was cloudy and dreary. It started to drizzle and rain while we walked there. We had to go over several canals This is the front of the Anne Frank Huis. It was a very moving tour to actually be where she and her family hid for two years and then what happened to them in the end. We got to learn and understand more about the history of the Jews in Germany and the Netherlands. When we came out, the sun was shining. More canals. Got ducks? The owner knows about hiding ducks on cruise ships. Looks like a fun duck pool party here.

Thank you, OB. The plane was fine. There were so many people boarding that I wasn’t sure if it was going to fit everyone. But it did and still had overhead bin spaces available. Thanks for posting the pictures of the plane. We were in the back for basic economy. Rows 50J & 51F. Both aisle seats. I need an aisle seat because of my left leg that I need to straighten out and stretch once in awhile. But then I could not see out the window to take pictures. There were some really nice shots of the peninsula as we were flying over it and some pretty clouds later on that I couldn’t take. The flight attendants were serving dinner and the options were vegetables with noodles or chicken. When this one lady attendant who was very serious and no smiles came around to our row, she said, “vegetables with noodles or chicken?” I said “I’d like the filet mignon please”. She said okay. I then ordered the Chicken. Then she had to search her cart for the chicken tray, I said, “Now I can get the filet mignon.” She was amused and smiled! The flight was supposed to be 11 hours but it was actually 9 1/2 hours. We were 1 1/2 hours delayed because they couldn’t find an available gate. Even the pilots were there waiting for the plane. It is a long flight for us folks from the west coast to fly to Europe kind of like you east coasters taking that long flying to Hawaii.

Starting our trip to Amsterdam for our B2B British Isles/Transarctic cruise. Fly the friendly skies of United…🎶 The plane…the plane! 787-9 Dreamliner

It’s been a really lovely day so far today. Had an orthodontist appointment and they got this birthday balloon for me. It was very nice of them. Got my free scoop of ice cream for my birthday. That’s Coconut Pineapple flavor. My nephew from New York drove out here on a road trip with his two daughters. We will meet up with them, my mom and all our families for dinner tonight. They will drive to Seattle this weekend and meet up with his DW (who will fly out from NY) and all their families to go on an Alaskan cruise. After the cruise, he will drive back to New York with his girls. So, it will be nice to see them tonight and hear about their road adventure.

Thank you, Dani! I say you have amazing memory. Did your DH paint this beautiful picture? Thank you, Marietta! Thank you, Bonnie! Thank you, Mark! Thank you, Jennifer! Thank you, Greg! Cheers! Thank you, Ken! Thank you, Andrew! Thank you, Arzeena! Enjoy the rest of your cruise. Thank you, Graham, and for the pretty card. Thank you, Lenny!

Oh, girl just wanna have fun! 🎶 🎵 🎶 As for the drinks though…I am a true lightweight. I ask for little, little alcohol or make it a virgin.

Don't look at me. I'm a lightweight in the alcohol department. 😆 🍹 But I like to try different drinks. I will bring @John&LaLa's Drink List with me. Can't wait to see you guys!

Thank you, Graham. Now I remember you gave me the information before along with suggestions on the Beatles museum and the Cavern club. I remember pictures that you posted, too. We have a tour that day that will include many of the Beatles sights such as the homes of John, Paul, George & Ringo; The Penny Lance Experience; Strawberry Fields; St. Peter's Church; Eleanor Rigby's Tombstone and Cavern Quarter. I'm sorry we will miss you this time. We will have to see what cruiselines dock in Newcastle Port of Tyne and the itineraries they offer. Meanwhile, I hope you and Pauline will be able join us on Bella 2. I know many people would love to meet you. On August 22 while we are in Liverpool or on the ship, we will raise a toast to you and Pauline for a very happy 42nd anniversary. 🥂 Sue, I checked the map. You are pretty far from Liverpool. We will enjoy our time there though. I hope you will consider Bella 2 also. It would be so nice to meet you.

What port are you near, Graham? I think I've asked you this before but have forgotten which town you live in. We will be in port in Liverpool August 22. Since we'll be in your part of the world, it would be awesome to be able to meet up with you and Pauline. Same goes for @sgmn . I'm not sure how far that is for you.

I made Blueberry Buckle Cake today. Mmm Mmmm good. Can you smell it? May want to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to it. @Jimbo Here is the recipe. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/7985/blueberry-buckle/ Some notes: ~I added a teaspoon of lemon extract to see how it would turn out. Can barely taste the lemon flavor. Maybe a little bit more next time. ~For the topping, to get a crumbly effect, instead of the smooth topping like I have, make sure the butter is cold and not softened. I use King Arthur’s All-Purpose Flour and their Blueberry Buckle Recipe turns out to be the same as the Allrecipes’ recipe.

I was going to do the same today. Make Blueberry Buckle Cake. Glad Susan is feeling better. Congratulations, Dani @dani negreanu for reaching Page 4000! 🎉 Happy Birthday to Lenny @lenquixote66 on Monday. It is my brother’s birthday also that day. My epidural injection appointment has moved up to this coming Tuesday. I face that big, long, fat needle again.

We also have an obstetrician - gynecologist here. 😊

Marietta, Charlie sure has gone through a lot. He is a trooper. I am lifting you and him up in prayer. I thought about you all night last night. I pray that he is well taken care of at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. My nephew’s DW is an anesthesiologist there. Great hospital but I’m sorry it’s not so convenient for you to get to. Take care of yourself, too. @jagsfan, I hope you get checked out, too. DH agrees with @Ocean Boy‘s opinion about getting to a doctor ASAP. @Sea Dog, I pray that Linda’s hand surgery will go smoothly and that your knee pain will be kept at a minimal. Will be thinking of you two. I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and take in as much Vitamin D as possible. For us, it’s going to be a warm/hot one this weekend. We may head out towards the coast. Maybe.

Happy Anniversary to you and Shelagh! I got you a cake to help you celebrate! @DaniDanielle I’m so sorry that your daughter and her kids are going through this grief and it pains you to watch go through it. I was wondering, do they belong to a support group for kids who have lost a parent or have they considered professional family counseling/therapy? It might help with the grieving process? Sorry, did not mean to pry.

🤦‍♀️ What was I thinking? My apologies, @Bailey & Sophie Nancy. I meant “you and John” (not Andy). So sorry for the mistake. Anyway, I’m excited that we’ll be able to see you and John on the Radiance in October. 😊

Dinner was going to be Mexican or Thai. We decided on Thai since it’s been awhile since we’ve had it. Green Curry with Chicken Pad See-Ew with Chicken Green Bean Basil with Tofu It was all very good. So thankful I was able to sit still. Maybe I was so focused on the food, I forgot about the pain.

Thank you, Renee! We can’t wait to see you and Mike, either. We’ll have to make sure we meet up and spend some time together. I’ve just been having sciatic pain again in my back and back of my leg with numbness. That nerve is being pinched and is inflamed. So just been dealing with this. Getting old is not for sissies. Thank you, Nancy! We are so excited that you and Andy will be on the Canal cruise, too. We will definitely have to have a drink or two together! @Coralc Me, too. I can finally wear shorts and summer clothes. Get ready for a scorcher of a weekend. Try to stay cool.

Thank you, Debbie and Maryann! We went out to dinner and I wasn’t sure how I would do with sitting. I actually made it through. Without fidgeting. 😀

Thank you! See the pale pink bunch on the top left, next to the yellow bunch? That was my pick. By the way, I'm really happy that you had a great time on your first cruise since the pandemic. You hung in there until you were ready and able to. Very proud of you! Can't wait to meet you on Bella 2.0.

Thank you, Jennifer! 🥂 Thank you, Andrew! 🥂 Thank you, Graham! 🥂 Thank you, Bonnie! 🥂 I hope you can stay cool in Dallas.

How fun and upbeat! Thank you for that, Greg! Love that song…It’s perfect for today! You know, I just found out a few days ago that Little Rive Band was from Australia. I did not know that. I love that band. Thank you, Deb! 🥂 Thank you, Marietta! 🥂 Great! Cheers to See’s! I picked Almond Truffle, Dark Almond and Dark Nougat. Enjoy yours!

Today is our anniversary. I get to pick my own roses And candy ` Me is one lucky gal, I am. LOL

HUGS, Greg. I’m so sorry for this disappointing news. You were so hoping for the bone marrow transplant. We all dread the “S” word but sometimes that might be the best route to go. Be hopeful. Be optimistic that you will have a better time with recovery this time. I wish you didn’t have to wait until November though but I understand scheduling. All your friends are here to support you and wish you and Linda all the best. Big hug 🫂 again.

Does this mean you are booked or going to book Bella 2? If so, then I’m really excited and looking forward to Bella 2. 😄

Debi, I would highly recommend the Jabbawockeez to them. They are at the MGM Grand. It is a high energy and fun show that the whole family would enjoy. And I think especially for the 21 year olds. BTW, there are no more live lions at the MGM. For eating, we like this place called Ocean One Bar & Grille in the Miracle Mile Mall. They have a $5.99 lunch special (it used to be $5.00) that runs from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There’s quite a few things to choose from on the menu. Food is pretty good. Sure beats the high prices of everywhere else on the strip. There is a pirate show in front of Treasure Island Casino & Hotel nightly. There is the Venetian Resort where you can ride the Venetian Gondolas. There are so many other hotels, resorts and shops that each is unique in their own way. And of course, not to miss is the Fountains of Bellagio, especially at night. You can find the schedule of show time and song list online for the week that your cousin and her kids are there. Beware though. There are a lot of girls walking in pairs, up and down along the strip in their showgirl costumes, wanting to take pictures with tourists walking by. They will ask if you want to have a picture taken with them. But once you take a picture with them, then they tell you you owe them x amount of $$. I’ve seen where they have become so desperate that they grab a male walking by by the arm and won’t let go. The guy has to say no and pull away.