Live4cruises

Good morning!  

We prefer the term “whimsical” over peculiar!

I always gulp when I see an email from HAL, I seem to be paranoid about those for some reason.  🤔  Today’s was actually a bit of relief - a small schedule change on our flight that made a very tight layover much more manageable.  It’s amazing what 30 minutes can do!

@marshhawk put me in the column of being very disappointed in your neighbor.  I could say some other things, but I won’t, except I’m GRUMBLING on your behalf!

My friend, who in my working life was my treasured assistant, is having a C-Section today.  I appreciate good thoughts for Jamie as she welcomes Cooper to her family.

Thank you and warm hugs to all!

Good morning!  I am loving all the beautiful photos and fun memes as always.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day brings back a happy memory.  Three years ago I was on a business trip and had an early flight from Detroit to Dallas.  While waiting for my Uber in Dallas, it dawned on me I didn’t have my computer bag - laptop, iPad, wallet, etc.  I was tired and preoccupied with the next very important meeting, and had left it hanging in a restroom stall.  What a disaster!  Thanks to one amazing and relentless ticket agent who tracked it down, we were successfully reunited.  I was told the security guard at a nearby gate would have it for me.  I grinned from ear to ear when I saw the rather large gentleman holding my slightly feminine bag.  I told him that if it weren’t inappropriate, I would surely give him a hug.  He told me it was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and it would be perfectly fine.  That is the best airline experience I’ve ever had!

We are also privileged to have a police officer and his wonderful family as next door neighbors.  We appreciate them every day!

@GTVCRUISER, Make sure you leave the Mighty K shipshape!  We will be aboard in only ELEVEN SHORT WEEKS!!  Can you tell I’m excited?

Wishing everyone firm footing, happiness, and the occasional miracle.

I hope I’m not being General Obvious (I outrank Captain), but Chewy has been wonderful for us.  We order once a month for our 3 cats.  The order is over the amount required for free shipping, and it appears on our front porch in just a few days.  They’re occasionally out of an item or two, but we’ve always been able to find plenty to keep them happy.

Jacqui, there are just no words.  I know people often discover they are brave because there is no other choice.  You are steadfast and courageous, and have all of us trying so hard to send you energy and love.

Oh Jacqui, if when it rains it pours, you must feel like Noah.  I’m sending you warm hugs and two good shoulders.  Know that this army is doing (what little) everything in its power to send strength and healing.  I so hope that you can see Jose this weekend.  

It’s cold and dry here in northeast Oklahoma.  Yesterday the high was in the low 20’s, but we’re warming to the 30’s today.  This new Covid strain is so sneaky contagious that we’ve hunkered down again.  I hope it wanes quickly.

We proudly have the Dr. Fauci bobble head that was introduced early in the pandemic.  He had a very ugly fall once, separating his legs from his body.  Fortunately, it was a clean break, and DH successfully performed orthopedic gluing.  Dr. F is good as new, and presides over the few baseball bobbles we have.

Thanks for those of you who take the time to post pictures and memes.  I’ve really enjoyed all the cats today.  I’m currently held down by two —-

Safe Friday everyone!

A late Happy New Year, but I wanted to drop in.  No hangovers here, and for an unknown reason, I enjoyed an epic night’s sleep.  Bliss.

We have been the definition of sloth today, watching football games all day.  We’re having better luck with the outcomes than we did yesterday.

It’s quite a lot colder, and a little snow today, but we are safe and warm, and have plenty of food for felines and humans.  Life is pretty good.

I really loved today’s quote, thank you Rich.

Best to all, and an extra hug for Jacqui.

Mark,

Thank you for your good natured chatter here, and thank you 10-fold for your informative and philosophical blog.  Wishing you and Clyde a happy (very) non-traditional NYE, and 7 healthy cruises over the next 2 years!

What’s that??  OH!  It’s the gentle swoosh of champagne in a paper cup.  🥂

@ger_77You had me worried as you told your traffic stories.  Very glad you were only spectators!  Sometimes it just doesn’t matter how good a driver you are if a bad driver is sliding your way.

@kazu SEVEN pills a day - argh!  It’s good that you have an effective dosing method.  We have one feline fur child who requires thyroid medicine twice a day.  I was elated to learn that there is now transdermal thyroid medicine!  Twice a day she gets a little snuggle and her “smear in the ear”.

We’re having DH’s delicious chili today at my request.  That will be just right for the next few days as the temperature drops.  70 today, 40 tomorrow.  Brrrr.  Canadians are laughing.  🙂 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy celebration of the new year

@marshhawk, no quitters allowed!  😉  You're a very welcome addition to the Daily.  

A foggy day here, and our temps have at last become more seasonal.  It will slide into the mid-teens for lows over the weekend, then moderate again.  I'm actually glad for something that doesn't feel like April!

I am having a sluggish morning as we were up until midnight watching football.  Boomer Sooner!  It was a fun game.

O Great Neptune, please keep passengers on ships!  I just made final payment a few days ago.

Stay safe, masks, obsessive hand washing.  Best to all!

@rafinmdI am doing a big virtual happy dance in your honor to salute the end of your treatments.  I hope all of us gave you just a little bit of help in plowing through.  Now, though, it is time for you to get on a ship, relax, and find new sunrises.  Best to you!

@kazuI laughed at the first picture you sent of your freshly assembled snow machine.  Is that an adult beverage in the foreground?  I find those better than a spoonful of sugar for getting through tasks.

Good boy, Marley, for keeping food down!  Jacqui, I love the pictures you occasionally post of your two handsome dogs.

Of course every single one of us is focused on getting Jose home where he belongs.

Our DDIL and DS, who also caught it, are both on the mend from Covid.  They are mainly just exhausted now.  Thank you to those who kept them in your thoughts.

Everyone - thank you for the stories of your families and travels, events and animals.  This is always a place to smile.

Jacqui, frustrating maddening all those ing's!  Go with your bad mood today, and this army will assail the universe with requests for a quicker reunion.  I'm glad you have your two big dogs who will help you.

We have been to China twice, one sea and one river.  We are grateful we have gone and been able to see such amazing things (the terra cotta warriors and the wall), but we do not have a desire to return.  We are generally quite healthy, but on our second return we were both terribly ill similar to a bad flu.

As for this miserable Covid, maybe it's not so bad that we were alone this Christmas.  We have a lot of food on hand!  Plenty of leftover turkey, and one DS & DDIL gifted us with a generous box of beef from Kansas City steaks.  As long as the bar holds out, we are good for several weeks I think!

Unfortunately (to say the least), the other DS & DDIL have visitors and there is now Covid in their household.  Our DDIL has more than a mild case, but seems to be managing.  Healing thoughts for her are welcome.

Celebrations and Concerns - I'm ready to sweep away 2021 and be hopeful for ALL to have a happy and peaceful 2022.

I expected a very light Daily this morning, boy was I wrong!  I should know better than to underestimate this group.  A very big thank you for those who take the time and effort to send pictures of your celebration, and of course everyone who keeps this ship underway.

Gerry, a very happy birthday to you!

Welcome to our new posters - converted lurkers.  I love that every new person comments on the warmth and positivity of this site.  And we all know how much that helps!

We are having a very quiet day, but also chattering by text with family and friends.

DH has the turkey in the oven, I did the day-before preparation of my mother’s dressing (we always did dressing rather than stuffing), and some cranberry sauce.  

Safe, happy, and loving Christmas to all.

Happy Christmas Eve!  A wonderful, festive group of posts today.  @bdrcole I laughed at “Hannah has never jumped on the table”.  She just got careless this time and was caught!

Thank you everyone who posted pictures from Athens, they brought back happy memories.  Absolutely, the climb to the top of the Acropolis was challenging, but we made it; not sure either of us could do it now.  We were there in 2004, a few months before the Olympics.  I believe the ancient race course was the finish line for the marathon, fittingly.

@mamaofami, good for you for having an N95 mask.  I’m trusting that it protected you.

@kazu, you and Jose are in my heart.

To the intrepid northern travelers, grateful that you all made it safely!

It’s going to be 81 in Tulsa today.  Bah Humbug!  I don’t like winter heat waves.  Next week looks more appropriate.

Happy celebrations to everyone!

@bdrcole Thank you for the stunning pictures and the wonderful story.  It’s heart-warming when all  involved can treat everyone else with trust and kindness.

We made final payment yesterday for our Pacific Coast cruises in March and April!  It will be 35 months between when we stepped off Prinsendam in 2019 and we step on Koningsdam in 2022.  After 7 cancellations, we have fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that this one actually happens!!  🤞

It will be a very quiet Christmas at our house - we have seen most of our family in the last month or so.  There is, however, a turkey waiting to be baked.  Not only for the Christmas tradition, but also because DH makes wonderful curried turkey salad with the leftovers.  YUM!

Cheers for six ships a-sailing, and all those fortunate folks who are aboard!

Warm thoughts for all who are hurting or bittersweet from a recent loss.

Good luck, Graham, with your surgery, and cheers for when it is over.

Peace, health, and Merry Christmas to all the Daily family 

Yes, exactly the same thing a few years ago.  We stopped using a TA all together.  I now go directly to the cruise line to book.  We don’t use a PCC, and the cruise line’s 800 number has worked well for help on demand.  We use cruise air some, and sometimes book directly with the airline.  

I know that by not using a TA, we may miss out on some OBC or other perks, but those aren’t enough to offset the convenience of managing our own bookings at our own convenience.

@dominicr let me see if I can help a little.  If you have “Have it All”, you’re entitled to  a meal in a speciality venue.  It depends on which ship you are on for your restaurant options.  The beverage package is good for drinks $11 or below - which covers most of the well drinks, and a fair number of wines by the glass.  Also specialty coffees and bottled water (although the water is served in something other than bottles now).  Total beverages for any one day is 15.

If you have signed up for access on Holland America’s website, you can make your dining reservations ahead of time.  In the process, there’s a check box along the way where you can specify that it’s for your comped meal.

I hope this helps, and you are welcome to ask any other newcomer questions.  Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you so much for checking in with us, Jacqui!  You and Jose are in my heart every day.  The news of happy recognition of you is just wonderful.  

Good morning, all.

@ger_77, a huge thank you for the small update from Jacqui.

@dfish, you are quite the sleuth!  Good work.

@tjcox9and @bennybearI too supported the sweater wall, and @ger_77 we had a lovely day there and some libation!

It is very warm and very windy in northeast Oklahoma today.  We have a moderate storm risk, but it looks as if Iowa is at higher risk.  Stay safe everyone.

Jacqui, holding Jose and you in my heart for healing and strength.

Jacqui, you and Jose are in the hearts and minds of everyone who posts and reads the Daily.  You have our love and respect, and any of us would do anything possible to ease your burden and fears.

Hi Jacqui,

We just booked Koningsdam 

7-Day Classic California Coast (3/27 - 4/3/22)

B2B with

7-Day Wine Country & Pacific Northwest (4/3 - 4/10/22)

Thank you!

Happy Thursday @ Dailyites!  I'm thankful to each and all for the sharing, joy, grief, and news.

I (not we) cruised to Jamaica once, um in the '90's.  My experience wasn't as confrontational as what some of you experienced, but I have no interest in returning.  Unfortunate, as it is a beautiful place with interesting history.

We have all the raw material for a feast for two on hand.  Right after we purchased the bird, we received an invitation to join some friends for their feast.  So, off we will go, and in a couple of days have it all over again.

@cat shepard and @cunnorl what great news you both have!  I can only imagine the jubilant Thanksgiving for your friends and relatives.

6 hours ago, Mr. Boston said:

My unique talent is this family’s travel planner and we flying to Minneapolis later this morning to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, go me.  

 

 

@Mr. Boston, my family has recently promoted me to the position of CIAO, a title I proudly hold!  Chief International Activities Officer.  😃