Cruising-along

Rich that's exactly what we've done too. DH went in and talked to them (our "deal" will end March 31). Right now they don't have any deals, but the employee said they most likely will in the next month. You know he'll be watching. 😉

We would definitely be interested, the Med is our favorite sailing destination. But I've never seen a Grand Voyage to the Med 😞 If the last one was 10 or more years ago, we were still working too and weren't looking then.

Good morning all! Cloudy and high near 50F today. But yikes, I see that a week from today the low will be 18. I guess winter isn't done with us yet. I don't know any grouches personally but have certainly seen too many grouches on previous cruises. I'm always glad I don't have to be around them very often! Cut the cable reminded me that DH is going to look into changing our cable plan (he would never cut it off) 😉 It just went up again, good old Comcast. A big salute to innovators! The quote seems sad to me, will pass on the red wine and drink. The meal looks really yummy, but I know it would be too rich for me (heavy cream and I don't get along). So I have mixed feelings on that. I'm planning on making a big Crab Louis tonight with garlic bread. We've been to Barcelona a couple times, unfortunately one time was raining hard. The other time we took a great tour to Montserrat -- but I can't find my photos. 😞 Not much on the agenda today other than getting the house ready for 2 little kittens who will come tomorrow for 8 or 9 days. Also I need to wrap a gift for a baby shower I'll be attending on Saturday. Have a great day everyone!

DH and I had one of those! Gosh, I wonder what happened to it...🤔

Good morning all! I'm celebrating not having to get up before dawn for a doctors appointment today. 😄 It was so nice to sleep in a bit. And it's a beautiful sunny day! Jacqui @kazuwhat lovely flowers and kind friends! Katherine @Lady Hudsonbrag all you want, your DH is a keeper for sure. Joy @Seasick Sailorsafe travels! Karen @luvteachingThat had to be so traumatic to experience. 😞 Sharon @Sharon in AZwow on the snow!

I'm back from the ultrasound, it wasn't as bad as I feared. Drinking 32 oz of water and holding it for an hour+ didn't sound very appealing to me. Probably having to hold my breath over and over for WAY too long was the hardest part. But it went well and the results were on MyChart before I had even left the parking lot. As far as I can tell, there were no surprises -- no tumors, stones, etc. (good news!) It did show worsening chronic kidney disease, which we expected it would. Now I wait to hear the doctor's explanation. Jacqui @kazuThat's great that your physio appointment went so well! Sounds like you're doing everything right. 🙂 Also glad to hear that you escaped the 'Nor Easter. Karen @luvteachingGood to hear that your DH is making good progress. Vanessa @JazzyVwhat a great photo!!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Up early again today for my ultrasound appointment. I set the alarm for 6:30 but have been awake since 4:45. 🙄 It's 32 degrees F now, and we had a little snow last night. Now fog is rolling in...DH said he would drive me to my appointment, I'll see how the roads are when I have to leave in 90 minutes. We have a big hill to get down before the freeway entrance. Terry @smitty34877I'm sorry that you and Tana received depressing news yesterday and agree that how the news is relayed can make such a difference. @superomaHappy birthday to your twins! Thank you for sharing the photo again -- such cuties! Roy @rafinmdI hope you have a good visit today with your pulmonary doctor. Thinking of you too on the anniversary of your brother's death. The first few years are the hardest, I know. My sister passed 13 years ago on the 12th. @SuslorHappy birthday to your DH! I must have missed Sandi's @StLouisCruiserspost about her brother -- will go back and read yesterday's Daily now.

Good morning all! I'm later than usual this morning, I had an 8:00 appointment with my doctor that took an hour, and then 3 pages of the Daily to read. I'm feeling a bit relieved, I learned that I'm not in stage 4 kidney disease! I misunderstood her on the phone the other night (strong accent). I did go from stage 3a to 3b, which is bad enough, but at least not as bad as I thought. So what she probably had said was "we don't want it to get to stage 4". We have a plan, lots of medications changed, an ultrasound tomorrow morning, and an appointment in early March with a Nephrologist. And of course I'm still guzzling all that water. 😉 She definitely agreed that the severe illness I had in December is the cause of this, and some of my meds contributing. I should clean out my computer, don't plan on getting a different name, and don't think (?) I need a wingman. Lasagna sounds really good, especially if it's really cheesy. I don't have it very often because of the carbs. Will pass on the drink, (don't care for the flavor of coconut), the wine sounds great if someone else is buying. 😉 When we were in Le Havre we rented a car and drove to the D-Day Beaches. Otherwise on other trips we've spent many days in Paris, gone to Giverny, etc. @0106Thank you for the recipe for Dutch Plum Cake. It looks delicious! @marshhawkCongratulations on the visit from the telemarketing fairy! @JazzyVCould it possibly have been a small earthquake? We've had some that were just like that.

Well that shows how little I know about plum pudding! 🤣 Thank you for explaining. 🙂

It's been a quiet day here (other than the sound of fireworks since the big game started). 🤣 I got outside for a bit and did some weeding -- so nice to see more and more crocus and hellebore blooming. AND I finally finished the painting. So that's put away until I find something else to paint. The kittens now have names 🙂 The black one is Captain Soot (Soot for short) and the grey one is Smudge -- I'm sure the boys had a lot of input for the names. 😉 Mary Kay @cruzn singlecould you share your Uncle's recipe for plum pudding? DS and DDIL have a plum tree and it may be a way to use some of their plums.

Good morning all! Happy Birthday Mr. Lincoln! If I ever lost a penny I didn't know it, and have never had plum pudding but it sounds good. Will pass on the meal and expensive champagne (our bill at Total Wine yesterday was less than 1 bottle of this) 😉 The drink sounds very yummy but a big no-no for Diabetics. No big plans for today, and not being a football fan, I won't be watching the game. DH might watch some of it. Since yesterday's plans changed, I'll be doing what I planned to do yesterday (finish painting and fold laundry). Not too exciting. 😄 We've been to Cobh twice, in 2014 on the Eurodam British Isles cruise, and in 2019 on our 50th anniversary cruise on the Nieuw Statendam. In 2014 we took the train to Cork and went to Blarney Castle. In 2019 our Captain was Noel O'Driscoll. This is (near?) his home and the whole town came out to cheer the arrival of the ship! On that visit we took the ferry out to Spike Island, or as our guide calls it, the "Irish Alcatraz". Some photos of our visit to Spike Island, the "Irish Alcatraz" Entering the prison grounds Cell Block A, burnt in the 1985 riots. The punishment block from the 1850's Solitary confinement cell View of our ship and Cobh from Spike Island Love the colorful streets of Cobh These houses in the background going uphill are called The Deck of Cards. And a few of Blarney Castle from our visit in 2014. We did not choose to kiss the stone 😉

Yes they are brother and sister, rescue cats. The grey one is a girl and the black one is a boy. He's bigger than her but she holds her own! No names yet! Lots of ideas but nothing chosen yet. I love that legend!

We had a change of plan today, we went to meet our grand kitties today instead of tomorrow! Apparently the boys wanted to stay home with them instead of doing the day of skiing they had planned, so when DD asked if we wanted to come today I said yes!

Good morning all! Today will be sunny and high 40's F so I hope to get out to the garden. Now the Crocus are starting to bloom along with the Hellebore -- I love to see the first signs of spring! And they're predicting a little snow next week..... Also will paint that last wall in the entry. Yesterday I had to stop painting to get to the dentist by 2:30. The meal today looks so good. I printed off the first recipe and we'll have it tonight. Nice to have all the ingredients already. We're getting lots of photos from DD of the new kitties -- no names yet! Last night went well, the cats seem to have settled in quickly. Each of the boys had a cat in his bed again. DD said to hear the sound of purrs in the house again was so good. 🙂 Cannot wait to meet them tomorrow. Vanessa @JazzyVI'm so sorry to hear that your BFF's uncle was diagnosed with cancer. I hope you'll be able to see him when you visit in May. Prayers for all on the care list and cheers to all who are celebrating. Have a great day everyone!

You are so right, my mouth felt better immediately. So far I've been told to drink 64 oz (half a gallon) of water/fluids/day and I've been drinking a little more than that. I'll ask the doctor on Monday if she wants me to continue with that much. I'm sure I'll be posting more photos of my grand-kittens as time goes on. 🙂

Thanks for checking in Sandi, and Bon Voyage! Thank you so much Graham and Pauline! So glad to hear that you're back in your cabin! And your kitty was beautiful. These kitties are our DD's, but you can be sure I'll be loving them like they're mine 😉 The black one looks a lot like my buddy Jinx from across the street who passed away in December. I think so too 🙂 Can't wait to see them in person.

No more purple stitches in my mouth!! They said I was very patient to leave them in there so long and were surprised they were still hanging in there. I didn’t tell them I’ve had more pressing matters this week! And here are the newest members of our family! DD just brought them home. The boys will be thrilled when they get home from school.

Thank you Vanessa. I don't know, but would think she will. I guess I'll find out on Monday. Well I could have finished the painting today, but the dentist can squeeze me in at 2:30 to take a look at these stubborn stitches. So I have one more wall to paint -- that should go fast tomorrow. 🙂

Maxine mine lasted between 2-3 weeks -- I also heard about "stuff" going around. DH never caught it! Unfortunately this winter has been awful for everything, and strange "new" things too. I hope you feel better soon! And thank you for the encouragement! Mine had been steady at stage 3 for about 15 years -- then suddenly made a big jump to stage 4 😞 Right now I'd be happy to get back to 3 or at least not advance further. No it isn't, Ann. Thank you so much.

Good morning all! Today will get clear up to 50 degrees F, and no rain! I could hear birds singing when I got up this morning. Spring is coming! I own 2 umbrellas but rarely use them. There's a saying around here in "rain country" -- you can tell the tourists, they're the ones with umbrellas. 😄 Seriously though we do use them occasionally but I prefer just putting up the hood of my rain coat. I don't own any flannel, prefer sweat shirts and layers. Never have played cribbage. Love Lily Tomlin! Will pass on the drink and wine, most of the recipes sound delicious -- and yes, Debbie @dfishI will pass on those with cilantro! 🤣 The others sound good though. Yesterday I talked with my doctor, it was sobering. She's concerned, and said that it's possible my kidneys were damaged permanently and may never get better....She did agree that it's likely whatever I had in early December is the cause -- that plus the meds I'm on. I have an appointment to see her early Monday morning to talk more. Meanwhile I'm to stop one of my Diabetes meds and cut a blood pressure med in half. And continue drinking lots and lots of water of course. Trying to stay positive, but to tell the truth this has thrown me for a loop. Today I'll start painting the entryway downstairs. Yesterday I only got so far as prepping and taping the walls. Also have to call the dentist, because on day 10 the stitches are still in my lip. That doesn't seem right. They aren't the dissolvable type, but he said they could come out as early as a few days. Maxine @AncientWandererI sure hope you don't have what I had, and you'll be feeling better soon. Mine was all intestinal, is yours? Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiserthank you for posting your and Sandi's @StLouisCruisersvery interesting photos. Lorraine @cruising sisterI'm sorry you had such a bad night. That sounds so painful! Glad you got some pain relief.

Good (late) morning all! I guess I'm playing the waiting game too. So far I haven't heard from the doctor. Granted my test results came in late yesterday, so I'm not surprised. If I don't hear from her pretty soon I'll call this afternoon. Meanwhile I'm continuing to guzzle that water... DSIL said yesterday that one thing they should do is cut out my Metformin because one of my lab results is so low it requires cutting out that drug. As he said, it's deflating to do everything you should and still get poor results...so I'm bummed today. A1C and blood pressure are all good, this is just very puzzling to happen so abruptly. Thanks for the encouraging posts and Debbie @dfishthat's very encouraging to hear about your dear Dad's experience. We had pizza just a few days ago so will pass on that, like others I can't imagine celebrating a toothache, and no tub now to read in. We took it out and extended the shower. Will pass on the meal, drink and red wine. We've been to Athens several times and spent several days there before cruises. I won't post photos as they would be too much like those already posted. We always like going to that port! Jacqui @kazugreat news that you're out of the splint and no cast required! Hurray! Nancy @ottahand7I hope you're able to return to your own cabin today and even more I hope that the odor is gone. Paul @kochleffelvery sorry to hear about the positive Covid test. I hope your symptoms are few and mild. Sandi @StLouisCruiserssafe travels tomorrow and Bon Voyage!!

Thank you Vanessa. Yes, doctor has been keeping an eye on it with regular tests. Six months ago everything was closer to the normal range. No history of kidney stones and no new meds (although I'm guessing they will decrease/take away some I'm on).

Thank you Lenda, Vanessa and Sandi. Unfortunately the test results show the kidney function is even worse. 😞 This is so puzzling and maddening. Six months ago they were fine. The only change is how sick I was in Nov-Dec. I'm sure I'll be hearing from my doctor before the day is over. Meanwhile our DSIL (the PA) has been peppering me with texts and questions. So glad today is his day off, LOL. I had a wonderful time with BFF, and it was good to have her support and prayers when the results came in by email.

Good morning all! We actually will have a dry day here today -- amazing, since yesterday/last night the rain and hail came down so hard it sounded like it would come through the roof. Crazy! Both the grandsons are in Boy Scouts and their dad (DSIL) is their pack leader. I love to see kites flying, and my DBIL is an opera NUT. That is no exaggeration. He's in Europe most of the year and goes to operas every single day. He's always been a little bit different... 😉 I like the quote and drink, the wine is one of my favorites. I think I'll make the meal (not today though) because DH loves honey mustard. Not sure I'd like it, but it's worth a try. This morning I have an appointment for a blood test to see if there's any improvement in my kidney labs taken 2 weeks ago. I've been drinking more than the half-gallon of water/day my doctor told me to do, so I sure hope so. I will leave right from the clinic to meet BFF for lunch mid-way between our homes. I haven't seen her in months, so really looking forward to that. Terry @smitty34877That's wonderful that you were able to sleep 6 hours straight last night. Very sorry about your cousin's son's good friend. Prayers for his family. Katherine @Lady HudsonCongratulations on the weight loss! Lorraine @cruising sisterbest wishes for a successful surgery tomorrow and swift recovery. Joy @Seasick SailorI hope you hear from your doctor soon so you can get some kind of treatment. That sounds so painful!

Good morning all! I slept better last night (meaning that I was able to get back to sleep quickly after waking up a lot during the night). Any night I'm not awake 1-3 hours is a good night! In my case a full moon has nothing to do with it, since it happens all the time. No stress right now either, just the way I am. 🤷‍♀️ I try to send out birthday cards and always send Christmas cards -- today I should buy some Valentine cards for the grandsons. Always wave to my neighbors (with my whole hand) 😅 and other than Nutcracker Suite I've never been to a ballet. Will pass on the drink and red wine, the first recipe looks good. In fact I may have some in the freezer....better check! Never have been to this port. Today I need to get my hair cut, and pick up those cards and a few other things. Yes Debbie @dfishthe painting upstairs is done. I'm taking a couple days off before doing the entryway downstairs. Wouldn't you know, we bought a gallon of paint and I didn't need it...I'm sure I'll find something else that needs painting lol. I woke up to the good news that DD's family has been accepted to adopt the kitten siblings and they can get them this week. 🙂 Of course I'll get down there asap to meet them! Also they will be staying with us for about 10 days total the end of this month while DD and family are away. She didn't have to twist my arm....😄 @Cruzin TerriBon Voyage!! Roy @rafinmdI'm glad you slept well last night. Sleep is the best healer. Gerry @ger_77what a thoughtful gesture for your friend who lost her husband and is now going through radiation treatments. Debbie @dfishI hope the appointment with the surgeon goes well today. @tupper10Prayers that the antibiotics and drain work. So sad about the death and wounding of the police officers. And sad that it's happening more and more.