mousey

Just off Splendor. Steward never asked us what we wanted- just cleaned room 2x a day as usual.

Same thing with us on our Miracle cruise. It was never brought up.

I was worried there for a minute...I thought I'd been left behind...LOL!

I've been really busy with guests for the Grammy Show. I was driving up and back from the airport several times and making huge breakfasts every morning as I hosted the DS and his new "girlfriend that isn't a girlfriend", one of his fraternity brothers, and one of my BFFs that came from AZ to go to the Grammy Show with us.

Next up is a trip to AZ for the DS's fraternity's "Mom's Weekend". Then it's off to San Diego in early April for my niece's Engagement Party and dress fitting. I'm hoping to go back to FL for Mother's Day in May.

So what is everyone else up to?

Cute cats ladies!

Melody...you scored big time...congratulations!

Lauire...I believe you are right. I would have had much more fun had we gone to FL and spent the holidays with my family or to New York to spend it with the DH's family. But money was an object and as I said our cruise was practically free. I did have a good time...it wasn't a disaster or anything like that it just wasn't what I wished it could have been. This Christmas come whatever...it's off to FL for the Christmas holidays.

So happy that the Broncos won the Superbowl! Yea! This coming weekend it's the Grammys! Visitors will start arriving Friday morning and will be with us through Tues. Can't wait to see the DS again!

Hope everyone has a great week!:D

Unfortunately no, I still haven't learned to post pictures. :eek: We didn't take a lot of pictures this trip. I think we're kind of getting jaded in that we've done the Mexican Riviera cruise a couple of times and have traveled to Cabo so much that we're just not taking pictures there anymore because we have so many already. We did take a couple of pictures with the cruise photographer but I wasn't really happy with them and we only bought two of them. The DS took pictures of his friend and him and we have those.

I think there was just so much "negative stuff" that was happening leading up to our cruise that I just didn't get into it that much. Being on the cruise was repetitive...you know..."been there done that" that it just wasn't all that exciting. My head just wasn't in the best space though I tried to get it there. Also, the Christmas cruise wasn't what I thought it would be. I guess I expected more of a holiday vibe and I didn't get that at all. In hind sight, I realized that the reason the cruise was so different was because most of the people on it..including us...where there because of the casino deal. So most of the action was in the casino and I'm not a casino person.

I'm not saying I didn't have a good time because I did...it's just that it wasn't what I was expecting and I just didn't have the energy going into it to change the vibe. There will be other cruises and next time I hope to make a point of going somewhere different and special. I do love Mexico...but I'm ready for something more exotic.

I've kind of lost track...so where is everyone going this year? Who has cruises coming up and to where?

Formal nights on Alaskan cruises are the most casual I've even seen. Even more so than on Caribbean ones! So you don't need to skip formal nights.;)

The last time I saw a pair of True Religion jeans...when the DS was home for Christmas Break! LOL! He went nuts and bought two pair and took them on our Christmas cruise to the Mexican Rivieara!:D

There are high-end designer jeans but I think, as do most on this thread, that as long as your jeans are clean and are not distressed in any way, it doesn't really matter who makes them. I wore Gloria Vanderbilt jeans on our recent Christmas cruise (because they fit me the best) that I got at Costco! Her jeans were considered to be "designer jeans" in the 80s! LOL!

Most cruise lines allow "nice jeans" in their MDRs these days. I wear them with sparkly tops, blazers, or tunic tops and low-heeled shoes or wedgies.

Wow! So much stuff going on here! Don't know where to start and I only read the posts on the last two pages!:eek:

First off, Melody...hope all goes well with the DH's surgery.

Margaret...I totally understand exactly what you're going through with the destruction of your car. As you might remember, our DS recently went through having his condo broken into twice and having his car vandalized twice. So hang in there and all will be well. It's taken us all a while to get past the DS's unfortunate situation. But thank goodness...at least for now...it's over and done.

Our Christmas cruise was fun...not the best and not the worst of our cruises. The highlight was meeting our friends and having dinner with them in PV. We're getting kind of bored with Carnival although we'd never rule them out. We did meet some nice people and did some fun things...it just wasn't as exciting as I would have hoped it would be. Still...we did enjoy our cruise.

Just got back from two weeks in FL with the folks. They are so funny. Health-wise they are doing as well as can be expected given their many ailments. I had a great time with them. Mom and I got into watching all the political stuff on CNN...debates, town halls, etc. She never was much into politics but for some reason her and I just had a blast watching some of those guys make fools of themselves. Kind of scary in a way.

This coming weekend we have brunch plans with the DH's cousin who is visiting from upstate New York and Super Bowl Sunday. Usually I'd be hosting a party at the house but this year given I've been traveling so much...it's just going to be the DH and I so I'm going to make some of my homemade pizza and some snacks. We'll have fun just the two of us.

Lauire...we are going for the Broncos as we would love to see Payton Manning win and hopefully quit football before he hurts himself too badly. It's time. I was so freak'n excited when they beat the Patriots!!!! I was jumping up and down in my parent's living room and my Dad was like...so did you bet money on this game or what? LOL! No...just not a Brady fan. Sorry to any Brady/Patriots fans but I was ecstatic when they loss..I know it's mean...sorry.

The following week is Grammy weekend and we're in the midst of making airline reservations for the DS and his three friends (the DS gets 4 tickets just like the DH as they are both songwriters and are in the songwriters' union). Not only are we hosting three of the DS's friends but I'm also hosting my BFF from Arizona. Should be a busy weekend and lots of fun as my BFF and another BFF from here in CA have never been to the Grammys before. The DH and I love taking our friends to the Grammy show that have never been before.

Next up is the Academy Awards...my BFF has been hosting that party for the last several years and I'm lucky to have won the last two betting pools. I've been told that they may exclude me from the pool this year. LOL! I promised to bring my Mac n Cheese dish and they've relented! Ha! Ha!

One exciting thing...during his Winter Break at home, the DS had to write a paper about visiting a Buddhist temple for a religious class he was taking. So we, the DH and I, went with along with him on the afternoon of New Year's Eve. What a wonderful, amazing experience that was. It was a wonderful way to start off the New Year.

Here's hoping everyone has a great New Year with lots of cruising, traveling, and fashion. Let the Good Times roll!

Don't have time to read all the posts but I did want to wish Margaret's DH a speedy recovery!

Okay so...we just added one of the DS's friends to the cruise at the 12th hour, last possible second, and I just finalized the whole thing...Thank Goodness! Now I don't have to worry about the DS not having someone to hang with. Yea!

We'll we're cruising out tomorrow!!! I can hardly believe it. Just spoke with Mom and Dad and they're doing well and are happy for us. So that's all a relief!

Here's a surprise...I haven't packed yet! Can you even believe it?!! I had a bad allergy attack but I'm fine now! So I just have to throw stuff in the bag and zip it up...and I'm out of here!

I wish all of you and yours a very Wonderful, Safe, Happy Holiday! Have fun everyone!!:D

If you check the internet for Cruise Packing Lists...you'll get a ton of them. I actually got mine years ago off the board. Regardless of what other's say I'm sure you're smart enough to know what to pick from any list what you specifically need and don't need off of it.

I hope you have a great cruise!!!:D

Sally,

I cannot imagine losing my son so my heart goes out to you. Nothing I or anyone can say can make things better, therapist or not, so I won't say more. Love and hugs to you.

I hope your TA is the best ever! It is a dilemma planning for different temperatures. Our cruise leaves out of Long Beach for the Mexican Riviera this Sat. and the temps going and returning are in the mid 60s (which for a FL native/Cali gal is COLD LOL!). In Cabo and PV it will be in the 80s! I'm sure the first and last days of the cruise will necessitate my wearing something warm. And evenings on the ship will be cool as though it's in the 80s during the day in MX...the temperature goes down into the 60s at night.

I'm in the middle of trying things on and most of what I thought I was going to take is now out the window. I'm having fun putting it all together and will narrow it down by Thurs. when I want to be done and packed to go. The hard part is that I have so many clothes that I would love to take but not enough days/nights to wear them all. LOL! I know, it's such a terrible conundrum I have. All my problems should be so trivial. LOL!

Okay, so back to the bedroom where there are clothes and accessories scattered all over the place. The DH is being very patient with me. ;)

Happy Holidays to All! Can't wait to sail!

Hi ladies,

I spent all weekend cleaning out my closets, well at least 1 1/2 of two isn't bad. The DH and I cleaned out the coat closet downstairs the other day. Anyway, I can't believe how much clothing I'm giving away to my girlfriend's charity. Clothing, shoes, hats, costume jewelry, etc. I'm even more surprised at how many things I found in the guest room closet that I've never worn. Talk about shopping your own closet...I found about 1 dozen pair of pants that are brand new, never worn! Yea! I don't have to go shopping for anything new! This just proves that I have way too much stuff!!! But I love my stuff and now I have all new things to wear on the cruise!

Anita,

It's funny that you posted those beautiful items from the Oscar De La Renta exhibit because just two days ago I clipped an article about the exhibit out of the latest Glamour magazine. It was about the San Francisco show which I'm planning on flying up to see next year. So thanks for that. I too was blown away by the beautiful coats and the black lace jacket/dress. So thanks again for sharing.

Laurie,

I really liked the square-necked gown the best. I've always been attracted to that type of neckline. I love how it looks on me. I have small breasts so I think that's why.

I always want to be like my dear MIL. She used to bake like a gazillion Italian Christmas cookies every year. She had these large tins that she would put them in and she would layer them in these tins with the most loving care. There would be a piece of bread at the bottom to absorb some moisture to keep the cookies fresh and crisp. Then she would use parchment paper between the layers. She was an awesome baker! Pies, cakes, cookies...you name it, hers were the best ever on the planet. I have mastered her apple pie recipe and make it on the holidays or special events and it's always a hit. But alas...I don't have her fine touch as a baker. I am going to make her pignoli (pine nuts), almond paste cookies this week as a surprise for the DH on the cruise. Those are his favorite ones.

Melody,

Your DGD is so adorable! What a cutie!

Well, today is the day I start to put outfits together for the cruise. I'm late getting started because of all that's been going on with my parent's health. First Mom was in the hospital (which I don't think I mentioned to you before...or did I? Can't remember I've been so frazzled.) then Dad so I just wasn't into it. But now I have to hustle big time! I'm looking on this cruise to dress more comfortably. I just want to be able to throw things on and get out the door with ease. I can't deal right now with complicated outfits. It's going to be in the 80s in Cabo and PV so I'm thinking Capri pants and light airy tops and comfortable sandals. For our Anniversary dinner I'm thinking my crushed velvet pants (while it's going to be warm during the day it's going to get down into the low 60s/high 50s at night) with a tunic length, shirt style top. I'll wear it with this beautiful long black jet beaded necklace that has a rhinestone ball (bead) and tassel at the end of it. I'll pair that with a pair of black velvet, low-heeled sandals and my vintage rhinestone, studded earrings. A couple of cocktail rings and I'm good to go.

I'm repeating an outfit I wore to my friend's daughter's wedding this past summer for the first "fancy" night. It's a black/white print high/low skirt with a black, heavy-duty, cotton sweater that has long sleeves and is shredded down the sides. Sounds weird I know but it's really quite beautiful. I wore that with my black patent gladiator sandals (you know my favorite shoes of all time) and my black velvet clutch (another favorite). I wore a necklace that is made up of gross grain ribbon (very long) with large, black teardrop-shaped jet beads. It's really quite pretty. Anyway, I'm repeating this outfit as I got lots of complements on it at the wedding. My favorite compliment was that I looked so "artsy" LOL!

I haven't decided what to wear for the second "fancy" night as that falls on Christmas Eve. I'm thinking something red. I also haven't decided what to wear for Christmas (our last night on the cruise). Then there's the five casual nights...so I have lots to do and I'd better get started!

If I don't get back here before the cruise...here's wishing all of you and your families and friends the Best Holidays ever!!!

Anyone have plans for New Years Eve/Day yet? It's my least favorite holiday of the year so I have no plans yet.

Laurie,

Hope the hip is better and same with Margaret's DH.

Good News!

Dad is going home tomorrow! They broke up the blockage and he's doing very well now and will not need surgery! Yea! So, it looks like I'll be doing some packing this weekend!

Thank you all again for your support! Trust me it helps to know people are sending positive thoughts your way. :D

Thanks for all your support as usual. Just playing a waiting game right now. We'll know more by tomorrow hopefully. It's so hard being so far away and not being able to help. Ugh.

Margaret...here's hoping the DH is doing well.

Thanks for the review. We'll be on the Miracle Christmas week.

Not a good day here. Dad's in the hospital and if things go well he should be home by, hopefully...fingers crossed, Sat. If things don't go well he will require surgery and that would be the end of our cruise. Thank goodness I anticipated that something could go wrong given my mom and dad's health issues so for the first time ever we bought travel insurance through Carnival so I would be able to get our money back if, worst case scenario, we have to cancel. Much as I would hate to have to cancel the cruise...dad comes first.

I'll keep everyone posted as I should hear something by the end of tomorrow as to how things are going.

Thanks for all your support and prayers, which are much needed right now.

On Carnival it would be fine for the outdoor dining venues and for the buffet. I don't know about Hal as I've never sailed that line before.

JLee thanks. I will have to try some frog balls. I'm always willing to try something new.

 

Spaniel lover thanks for the info and I will definitely be reading your review! I'm always looking for things to read waiting for the cruise. I'm excited and can't wait. I'm not going to let anything like late boarding or anything ruin my cruise. Just excited to have a week at sea and all the food I can eat! I'm not a picky eater and usually love the food on the ship. Yep, even the buffet :)

Love your attitude!:D

How about booking an excursion that he would really love to do but might not be something you're crazy about but are willing to do for him? You could go on the internet and download a picture of the excursion and give it to him.

Or book a dinner at the steakhouse and then download a picture of the steakhouse from Carnival and give it to him with a nice holiday card.

I love the idea of future tickets to an event of some kind that is something you know he would to attend.

We are opening a few gifts before our cruise and afterwards. I'm only taking our Christmas stockings with us and some fun things to put in them. Mainly, the DH's and DS's favorite candy, cookies, and gum. Just some little fun stuff. I'll decorate the doors of our two cabins and that's it for us.

Hope you have a great cruise! This is our first at Christmas! Can't wait!:D

Don't take anything of value with you that isn't 100% necessary. All you need is some ID and your card to get back on the ship maybe a couple bucks for tips. That's not much to take with you. Get yourself, if you don't already have one, a waterproof thingy for hanging around your neck or waist for when you're in the water. Seriously though, it's not a place where people are stealing stuff. It's mostly the cruise ship people and people that work for Carnival that are on the island. Hope you have a great cruise!:D

Well, moving right along...

I got my Thanksgiving stuff put away and took out a few Christmas things. I did 4 loads of wash and got the house lightly decorated for Christmas. It's just enough because as you know we're off on the cruise on the 19th - 26th. We'll open a few gifts before we leave and then some when we get back from the cruise. I can't wait!

Margaret,

It's a long haul to recuperate so I hope your DH has a lot of patience (and you too...LOL!) My cousin's husband got cabin fever and is just now getting out of the house and driving. It took him about 2 1/2 months to get to where he is. He's still not able to walk for too long of a time. The DH and I went with him and my cousin to a couple of estate sales on Sat. Then we went to lunch and took a short stroll (about 1/2 hour) around a new outdoor mall in our area...then he was done for the day. Here's hoping the DH recovers quickly and completely. Try to find some time for yourself too. I took my cousin out to lunch once a week during her DH's recuperation and the DH and I visited him and brought some pizza and salad (his choice). He and the DH grew up together as did my cousin and I so we go back a long way and have many many great shared memories of fun times throughout our lives.

Laurie,

I can't believe it...your outdoor trees are exactly like two that I bought a couple of years ago at an after Christmas sale. I gave one to my niece for her first apartment and I kept the other one and put it up every year on a credenza by the stairs going up to our bedrooms. I mean they are identical...LOL. I just put mine up yesterday. I decorate it with red ribbons and these adorable hand-crocheted snowflakes that my Mom made for me. I top it off with a hand-tied, red and green plaid bow. Your decorations are lovely...love the cute deer.

I got all my Christmas shopping done and wrote up all my Christmas cards. We average about 100 a year. Whew! Today I'm off to the post office to mail the cards and the SIL's (DH's sister) birthday and Christmas gifts. We have a few things to get for the DS and then we're done! Yea! I'm sending gift cards for the kids to my SIL (my DB's wife) so she can buy my nieces and nephews whatever it is they are wanting this season. I do that for all my niece and nephews when I'm not in town. Works great as the SIL loves loves loves the holidays and loves to shop and wrap gifts. She's a peach!

I also got our donations for the Vietnam Vets bagged up and listed and now I just have to finish pulling items to donate to my friend's non-profit organization. After that it's time to put outfits together for the cruise and decide on which excursions we'll take...yea! This trip is going to be extra fun because two of our dear friends are going to be at their house in PV so we'll be meeting them for lunch while we're docked there. Can't wait...such a special treat to have them there while we are.

Wishing everyone the best of whatever holidays you observe!:D

It's hard to pick out one instance because there have been so many, but I would have to say that the first act of kindness that came to my mind was back in the summer of 2012 when we cruised on the Pride out of Baltimore. Just before the cruise I tripped and fell and hurt my lower back very badly. It was nothing serious, just a soft tissue injury, but the pain was so intense I could barely move without screaming. It got a little better and on the day of the boarding the ship I was able to walk...but just barely (I don't know why I didn't get a wheelchair). Anyway it was quite obvious to everyone that I was in pain as I could hardly walk without grimacing.

The first staff member to help me was the young man that was letting people into the ship. There was a very long line and he was monitoring how many people could go in at one time. I walked up to him and asked if I could just stand by him to wait until my family got to the front of the line and I could go in with them. He asked me where my family was and I said they're walking to the back of the line. He then caught up with them and told them to come back to the front of the line and he let us all go in right away. That was so kind of him.

Our room steward knew that everyday at some point I would lie down and rest. He would always bring me water and a snack. I don't know how he knew when I was doing this but he just was always there everyday when I was going to lie down. He even helped me sit up one day and put an extra pillow behind my back so that I could comfortably sit up. He also would make me an ice pack everyday. He was extraordinarily kind and thoughtful. It was my SIL's first cruise and we were sharing a room...she was so impressed that she's sailed on Carnival twice since then! We've sailed several times with them since then also and have another trip planned in 3 weeks on the Miracle.

In all the years we've cruised only once did we get paired up with a couple that were pretty boring. Since we started cruising with the DS (he was 9 and is now 20), we have always been seated at a table that had kids his age. He's made lots of friends to hang out on cruises with because of that. I do not like anytime seating at all.

Only 19!:D

Hi Everyone,

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We had a really great time hosting our friends and the DH's cousin. The DS was quite impressive making conversation with all the adults. Everyone was so happy to see him as some of the friends hadn't seen him since he was in high school as he rarely comes to our all adult gatherings. Understandable at his age. But he really was a hit at our Thanksgiving dinner and charmed everyone. We are quite proud of him. My turkey was a hit with the DH, he loved it. I've came up with my own recipe using lemon flavored-olive oil for basting instead of butter or pan drippings. I also rubbed grated lemon peel all over the turkey along with the oil. Even the DS who doesn't usually like turkey was impressed with how moist it was. So yea for me! LOL! We've been eating leftovers for days now. I'm kind of turkeyed out! And forget about eating anymore sweet potatoes or cranberry sauce...pie however...its another story?

On to Christmas! Can't wait for our upcoming cruise!

Margaret,

I too won't be putting up a big tree this year, but for a different reason. Since we're going to be going on the cruise I'll only be putting up a small table-top tree using only some of the decorations that my mom has made for me over the years. I'll be thinking of you and your DH and wishing him well when he has his surgery.

Laurie,

Love the dress on you!

We are never 100% safe anywhere in the world but I don't really think about that most days. Just seems lately what with Paris and what's happened in Colorado Springs recently that it's getting kind of scary out there. Sometimes I'd like to just stay on our mountain top and not go out anywhere. But then I'd miss our cruise so that's not going to happen! LOL!

Speaking of Colorado Springs,

I thought of you Melody and was wishing you and yours safe as I did for my friends and family that were spending Thanksgiving there. What a tragic situation.

I know I'm late but Happy Anniversary!

Anita,

Loved the picture you posted of you and Kim.

Well, it's on to Christmas. I'm thinking of what gifts to get the DH and DS. I know I'm giving the DS cash and taking him on a shopping spree at his favorite clothing stores and I think I'll also add a new GoPro and some attachments to the list as it's one of the things he did not replace after he had his apartment burglarized. As for the DH...I think I'll get him some clothes, some comfy bedroom slippers, and I'll let him pick out a watch as a 30th Anniversary gift on the cruise. For some reason, I have no idea why, the three of us are watch freaks and it's become a tradition that the DS and I get watches on our cruises. This time it will be the DH's turn as he's never gotten one while the DS and I have gotten several. As we live far away, all the young nieces and nephews get Target gift cards (we give actual gifts when we're back home). We decided long ago in our family that only kids under 16 get gifts. There are just too many of us. My DB and I do buy gifts for Mom and Dad.

So that's it. Oh yeah, I forgot...I have to send out our Christmas cards before the cruise. Boy...I better get started. LOL!

We made a rule early on when we first started cruising with the DS when he was 9 (he's now 20)...he needs to be with either the DH or me or with both of us on all shore excursions. It's never been negotiable. On our upcoming cruise, if he wants to go off on his own, we'll set a specific time and place to meet about an 1 1/2 hrs. before we're to re-board so that I won't be in a panic waiting to see if he gets to the ship on time. I'll ask it of him...not demand it. I'm sure he'll be fine with it...if not...we won't be cruising together again for a long while to come. We have always, the three of us, discussed and planned our excursions for every port we've ever cruised to so he's always had a say and been happy with what's planned. We've never forced an excursion on him that he didn't want to do. We'll be planning our excursions while he's home from college for Thanksgiving and will include his friend that is traveling with us in the discussion also (it's what we've done in the past with other friends of his that have cruised with us over the years). I know my DS and if I ask him to please not be late meeting us if he decides to go off on his own...he won't be.