NextOne

Good morning, friends! I'm here earlier than usual today because I'm prepping for this afternoon's entertainment -- a colonoscopy! My home office is quite close to the other necessary facility - lol! Praying for Baby Murphy and her family. Also praying for all the others on the list, including @mamaofami's friend Judi. It's hard to lose those who have been so close to us for so long. I'm a fan of chocolate, thinking that global forgiveness isn't impossible but unlikely, and miss those walks with my Dad. He was a lovely and kind man. I've been to Civitavecchia twice, but only to board ships after visiting Rome. My pictures would all be repeats of those already posted. In two weeks I fly to Boston, so I can board the Zuiderdam the next day for the Voyage of the Vikings! This will be my first really long solo trip, but I'm very excited about it, particularly since I was able to snag a reasonable upgrade from inside to verandah. We have a very active Roll Call, so there will be lots of new friends to make!

That was a fun day, Sharon, from beginning to end! I agree about the winery - I didn't buy anything ,but had a nice chat with the owner about aging techniques. The Dailyite dinner was the highlight of the day, though!

Very late in the game, but -- Rabbit, Rabbit, White Rabbit! DS & I had a nice day of memories -- going for a ride to visit some of the places my late DH used to love. A good chance for us to talk and share. It's been 2 years & 1 month, but I know DH was with us!

Hi friends! I always try to be myself, and I'm smiling powerfully today because I just snagged an upgrade from inside cabin to verandah on the VoV next month! On which we will visit Lerwick! Prayers raised and cheering where appropriate!

Greetings, friends! I've been off for a while because I traveled to NC for my great-niece's high school graduation. Got to spend some quality time with the family. Now I have to go back & catch up on the days I missed. I love the quote - there have been a number of moments in my life that I wanted to freeze and keep forever. While in NC, my sister kindly lent me a head net to use on this year's Voyage of the Vikings. Now I feel prepared for Newfoundland and Labrador! Maybe Greenland, too? Although I don't remember a bug problem on my last visit there. My prayers are raised for all who need them, and happy to join in the celebrations, too!

Hmmm - food for thought!

Rabbit, Rabbit, white rabbit! It's going to be a busy day, but I just wanted to wish all my friends here a Happy June, May it be safe and blessed for all of you! Got to run, but I'll check back in later. Getting my covid booster today, among other things. See ya!

Thanks to all the kind people that are dedicated to keeping this thread such a nice place to visit! Belated Happy Birthday, @kazu Jacqui --you are blessed to have such nice neighbors! @marshhawk I hope you & your DH are better soon. I'm saying prayers for everyone on the concerns list and cheering for all that are celebrating! I had an appointment with the cardiologist this morning and he agrees with the cardiac surgeon that the valve replacement can wait until I'm done with traveling in October, as long as I remain asymptomatic. Yay! So @JazzyV Vanessa, I think you can remove me from the concerns list. But I appreciate the prayers from everyone & I'm positive that they made the difference! I'm getting my covid booster tomorrow - not taking any chances! Edi

This is true -- it IS their side!! LOL!

Hi friends! I have to tell you what wonderful neighbors I have! I came home from playing bridge this afternoon and found the next-door neighbors power-washing the north side of my house that never gets direct sunlight. Over the years, my blue siding looked a yucky shade of green, but now it's blue again! I love my neighbors and I am NEVER moving! ❤️

Hi friends! Thank you for tolerating my anxiety attack on Wednesday. I was convinced that I was going to have to cancel the cruise. What a difference a day makes... in many ways! Another PA called yesterday (while my friend & I were doing our weekly Meals on Wheels run) and said the surgeon was back from vacation and had looked at the echocardiogram again. Good news and bad news! As long as I stay asymptomatic, he has no problem with my travels. Yay!! However, when I get back from my October trip (10-days, England/ Scotland, land-based) he wants to do the surgery -- now a full valve replacement, i.e. open heart. Was NOT expecting that!! But if that's what needs to happen, so be it! Thanks again! P.S. Yesterday I also got an offer to upgrade to a verandah cabin from an inside. Of course, I have to pay the 200% single charge ($4000), but still.... Decisions, decisions!

Hi friends! I need some advice from the many voices of experience here. My surgeon is supposed to get back from his vacation this week, and will make the official decision about my heart procedures. From the reaction of his PA last week when I told her of my plan to go on the VoV this year, I suspect he's not going to want me to go. Of course, final payment was last month. So, in the spirit of "plan for the worst" I have a question. Yes, I have insurance (HAL's standard), but has anyone ever been able (outside of covid times) to transfer the amount paid to a future cruise after final payment? I'm booked for the 28-day Ultimate Alaska in 2024 and would like to move the $$ to that cruise, if I can't do the VoV. Thanks for your thoughts! As always, prayers for those that need them and cheers for all who are celebrating! Edi

Looks like a pretty day in Juneau. Thanks for posting this & hope you're feeling better!

Welcome back Rich and thank you for taking us along on your trip. That's probably as close to a GWV that I'll ever get! Happy anniversary to @aliaschief and @DWAliaschief! Have a safe trip home. I love trees, and our yard has quite a few -- I finally hired someone to do the leaf clean-up last fall -- without DDDH, it's just too much for me. But I was very upset last week when the neighbor behind me took down a beautiful, old, healthy oak tree that reigned over the rest of the ones in the area. I couldn't complain since it was on their property, but I feel sad about it. We need more trees, not fewer! Oh well. My cardiologist's assessment that I wouldn't need a procedure may have been premature. I finally saw the surgeon last week and he suggested the possibility of a 2-day ablation procedure to get the AFib under control, which might also help the mitral valve issue. The staff did a very detailed echocardiogram while I was there, and he'll base his recommendation on those results. Of course, he's away from the office this week..... The colors for my church women's group are purple & gold, so I have lots of purple shirts to choose from. It will be a sea of purple when we have our national convention at the end of next month -- maybe we'll get some aliens to visit??? Have a good day, friends!

Thanks for the pictures, Rich and welcome back! See everyone again in the fall. Edi

Checking in!

Hi friends! A beautiful day here today, and warm - finally! Yesterday I checked off something on my bucket list that I didn't even know was on the list! My church choir sang the National Anthem before a local AA baseball game. Lots of fun, and stayed to watch the game -- my first minor league game ever! Prayers for all who need them, and cheers to everyone celebrating!

Late in the day, but I'm finally catching up. I was supposed to have an echocardiogram and a consult with the heart surgeon today, but he (!) call at 7:19 this morning and left a message explaining there was an emergency and he would have to reschedule. His scheduler called just before 8 am, & I caught that call. So now we're on for next Friday. I'm impressed that he actually tried to contact me, but annoyed that I still have to wait for another week! I had to go up to that area anyway because I left my cosmetic bag in the hotel when I checked out last weekend. My 50th college reunion was fun - glad I went - but who were all those old women????😋

I'll be right over!! LOL!

You had me at rouladen!! That's been my family's special treat for as long as I remember. Last year I taught my DS how to make it, so the tradition survives! Thanks for the smile!

Rabbit, Rabbit, white Rabbit -- or since it's so late in the day, does that make it a Gray Rabbit? - lol! I had a series of very busy days, but I hope to catch up tomorrow. Best wishes for a good month to all!

I'm pleased to say I got some good news yesterday: "Edi, fortunately at this point time we do not need any procedures." I also thought this note was interesting! Apparently, communication isn't great between the departments! "I am disappointed that you are not contacted by the surgical team at the **** Hospital I will forward a message to Dr. B*** who is an excellent structural heart specialist at ***** Hospital. I am sure he will contact you within the next few days." I'm just happy that this doesn't threaten my July cruise & I was right to be concerned that no one had contacted me! @marshhawk Annie - I'm sorry to hear the news about Irving. You are a good pet parent! @kazu Jacqui - good luck tomorrow with the elbow surgery.The new dog toys are adorable! Prayers raised all that need them, and cheers for those celebrating! I, too, was sadden by the news about Harry Belafonte. He was such a remarkable man.

My mother was born in 1914. While all my friends' mothers guilted them with the "starving children in China", she reminded us of the starving Armenians, even though this was in the 1950s. She never explained. It wasn't until the late 1990s when I finally learned the history. @kazu Jacqui and the rest of the Garden Club, these are for you. My iris have popped in the last day or so.

I celebrated Earth Day this morning by working out in the garden, before the storms rolled in. We had some t-storms and heavy rain during the afternoon, but it seems to be winding down now. I grew up with the Girl Scouts -- my Mom was a leader for my two older sisters' troops. I got to go on all the camping trips and excursions with the older girls. When it was my turn, she handed me off to another leader and retired. Hmmmmmm... Easter is the only time I have jelly beans -- purple is my favorite. Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

So far, this has been an interesting week. After church on Sunday, I decided to wash some clothes. Everything into the washer, including detergent, and turned it on. Nothing - not a whisper! I thought the Dailyite appliance curse had finally arrived! Made a fast trip to BestBuy, purchased a Whirlpool & made all the arrangements for delivery tomorrow. Got home & something made me go to the garage and check the circuit panel. Yup, it was a thrown switch! Okay, this is when DH would certainly have come in handy - he would have known to do that first! Luckily I was able to cancel the order without any problem. So, now to figure out what tripped the switch. DS & I installed a window AC unit the week before - that's the only thing different. Now, why an outlet on the second floor and one in the basement are on the same circuit is beyond me! Yesterday, the electrician came checked things out and determined a new outlet on its own switch should be installed for the AC unit. That happens on Friday, when we're supposed to have record heat - hope it doesn't take too long! In between all this, I had the pleasure of taking some friends visiting from Alabama to see George Washington's Mount Vernon - their first visit. It was beautiful, and they said it was the highlight of their trip to DC! Besides the mansion, the museum there is wonderful. Highly recommend it if you ever visit here. Tomorrow is the first ever reunion of retirees from the federal agency where I used to work. Supposedly around 90 people will attend. I hope there's someone I know! As I said, it's been quite the week! Edi