h20skibum

We had one of those square cabins booked on Anthem For April, 2020. It would have been our first sailing on that class ship, and a first out of Cape Liberty. Hmm, for some reason, we could not go on that cruise. I mean, it was after the two weeks to slow the spread thing.

I did notice that they talk kinda funny down here in NC. Fortunately I have watched Talladega Nights more than once, so I could unnerstan ‘em.

We made 4 states today. Pennsylvania, W Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. We usually break up our trips to Florida, and take 3 days. It is more relaxing for us that way. It is 46° in Elkin, NC, where we are staying. The weather app says it will get much colder overnight, so we will see what it looks like in the morning. As usual, the Fairfield we stay at here, is decorated to the nines. Maybe some more photos in the morning, but here is the Nutcracker army waiting when you get off the elevators. We had an early supper at the Pirates Landing. We have always had very good seafood there, but we were both disappointed with our shrimp tonight. I thought it was a little overcooked. I must have been doing something right, because one of my fuel loyalty cards started giving me $0.30 off per gallon.

Thanks. We have several different ones. I-79, I-77, I-26, then I-95. I hope you have good weather for your travels next week.

Reporting now from West Virginia. It is 46°, and we finally got out of the rain. Looks like we will be clear the rest of our drive today. Just crossed the New River Gorge Bridge. I know they used to have a bridge festival every year, and people could bungee jump off the bridge. I think they have stopped that now. Speaking of jumps, has anyone seen the latest stunt Tom Cruise did for the new MI movie? Pretty wild.

Your Highlander is all time AWD. No need to push anything. The snow button is if you get into some deep, nasty stuff. I have never had to use the snow button on ours, and we get lots more snow than you typically see.

Reporting from Pennsylvania. Weather was clear this morning, until we drove by the newly completed Shell Ethylene Cracker Plant. Then the rain started. I am always amazed at the scale of this multi-billion dollar plant that has been under construction for several years, and just started operating in September.

I feel like Jim Cantore, heading into the belly of the beast for live updates. On an unusual note, Pennsylvania looks like clear driving this morning. I guess those states south of us wanted to show us some Christmas colors. Our route for the next 3 days. Meanwhile, celebrating the winter solstice last night. Granddaughter added wishes for a better 2023 to the Yule Log.

According to their FAQ’s all cabanas at Coco Beach have them.

on Royal Caribbean’s web site. Just google Royal Caribbean Guest Conduct policy. Sometimes they do a good job of hiding things on their site.

I guess you need to print a copy of the guest conduct policy and give it to a staff member when you make your complaint. Those items are prohibited. Although, in typical Royal fashion, they also encourage use of Bluetooth speakers, since they provide them in some cabanas.

This would be a good Christmas card photo.

So, adding to the what else can go wrong story. Found out yesterday that our CA grandson has the flu. High temp and other symptoms. And, of course there is a nationwide shortage of Children’s Tylenol. Daughter-in-law was able to find the last bottle of a generic brand, out of dozens of stores she checked in the Bay Area. I know we have a shortage here, but we did get a bottle when granddaughter was sick. Hopefully he will be over it by the time they fly to meet us. Next, Ricky was playing with a door this morning, and managed to get his paw stuck and injured it. So he has been limping around, and is off to the Vet soon to get checked out. Just more things to put stress on Christmas travel plans.

I think I figured out where some of my Kraken went. What other explanation is there for driving a car into a tree? Oh, that Snowflake.

We do to put photos in our yearly Christmas ornaments of the kids and grandkids. But those are one offs that we print at home.

Congratulations @Lionesss Sue, on your beautiful granddaughter. Now, like the rest of us grandparents, you will add to those you worry about. But, you will also have joyful times.

I didn’t get time to post Snowflake the Elf this morning. Looks like she was getting lessons on how to be foxy. She was still relaxing when I got back with my daughter. Off to restock the Kraken now.

Yesterday was an enjoyable day with family, but it did end on a sad note. I have to remedy that today.

Susan did. They took their time opening them this year

Yes, all the presents from us were opened today. It has been pretty typical for us to celebrate with daughter and her family about a week before Christmas. We usually take 3 days to make the 1200+ mile drive to Ft. Lauderdale, then the kids and grandkids fly in to join us, and we have done this for several years now.

All of the presents for the grandkids are placed near the tree, because there isn’t room under. Eleven gifts for each. That isn’t spoiling, is it. I said 5 minutes for them to open all of them, and Susan says 10. I think I will be closer. So while food was cooking, we went out for a walk. We kept hearing sirens for about an hour. So, being curious, I drove toward the sirens and saw Santa. I also saw the grinch was riding shotgun.

Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate.

Very nice Dani. You have a very talented husband. @molly361 Ellen, let me add my wishes that you have a WONDERful cruise.

Here is something to put on your Christmas list for your granddaughter to be. Make sure her parents set up a 529 college account for her. Then you can add to it. We add to our grandkids accounts for Christmas, and every other holiday you can think of, plus their birthdays. Although ours are 10 years old for the two boys and 7 for our granddaughter, they all have significant amounts in their accounts for college already.

Safe travels for your trip. Christmas Day is supposed to be the coldest day for the next 10 days here. Our plan is to be somewhere warmer. We leave next week for Ft. Lauderdale. Our kids and grandkids will join us there at the house we have rented. Already have our reservations for our Christmas and New Years meals booked. Our grandson in California wrote to Santa and asked him to come early, since he wouldn’t be home for Christmas. It was an amusing letter.