Cruising-along

I'm sorry to hear that Sharon! At least you liked the dinner...it looks delicious! Red wine gives me a headache, so I can't drink it. Who knows, if I did it might keep me awake too. Truthfully I don't sleep well ever unless I'm sick (that's how I knew I was getting over Covid, I wasn't sleeping well again) or on a rocking BHB.

Good morning all! I'm glad I posted 7 hours ago (just to get on the first page) when I couldn't sleep, because now this may not post until page 4. 🤣 Yes, it was "one of those nights" and strangely DH was having a hard time sleeping too. Not sure why. It took a l o n g time to get back to sleep, but then slept until after 8. I don't know any Australians to hug unfortunately, and can take or leave pretzels which is good because I shouldn't have the salt anyway. Whenever the Richter Scale is mentioned in our local news it isn't good news because it always means we've had an earthquake. We don't get many, but can get some real shakers. I'll pass on the tofu (but love PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps made with meat). Also will pass on the drink but would like the wine. I took the quote at first to be insulting to all women, but then I Googled Hedy Lamarr and the photos of her looked just like her quote so I hope she was including herself in that description! Yesterday afternoon was very nice because I sat outside in the sunshine and chatted with neighbors for 4 hours. We definitely got all caught up on the news! Today will be laundry and finishing the packing for Monday's cruise. Thinking of Jacqui @kazuand Brenda @bennybear today as they have their surgeries. I hope they both have successful surgeries and positive outcomes. Laura @dobiemomthat's great that you were finally able to sleep longer than a couple hours last night! Hugs to Nancy @ottahand7on the anniversary of her DH's passing. Karen @luvteachingThat's great news about your DH's progress!

Good early morning Sandi. It’s 2:45 am here and yes, I’m awake. 🥴 just popping in here so for once I can get on the 1st page lol! See you in a few hours IF I can get back to sleep. 😉

Annie I've never heard of anyone getting a boarding time before 11:00...so the 10:00 seems strange. Anyway, I have noticed that people who book their hotel and transfer through HAL do seem to get the earlier times. Besides that, 4 & 5-stars, Neptune Suites, Pinnacle Suites (and I guess Orange Club) get priority boarding times. Our boarding time for our cruise next week is 12:00, and marked priority. 😉 Everyone gets the tiles. You should each get 1 left on your bed during the cruise. Yes, I've seen that you can get wake up calls. We've never had to do it, DH sets the alarm on his watch.

Praying for you Brenda.

Good morning all! We're finally heading into a dry stretch. April has broken records for the amount of rain we've gotten (and it's always a lot anyway). My neighborhood gals and I have chosen today for an outdoor pow-wow, lots to catch up on. We'll light up the firepit if it's cool enough, not sure yet. So good to see that the Koningsdam (our next ship) has left Hawaii and headed this way for our cruise on the 1st! We are packed and ready! Interesting collection of days, the drink actually sounds tasty to me, will pass on the meal (and stick to my own stir-fry) and red wine. Tina @0106 Thank you for giving the context to the quote. Like Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser I still find it a bit odd though... We have been to Manta once, on our S. America cruise on the Statendam in 2015. Photos to follow. Happy 82nd birthday to Gerry's @ger_77 DH! Jacqui @kazu Thinking of you as you have your surgery tomorrow. Prayers for a swift and full recovery. Lorraine @cruising sister Ouch on the fractured and infected toe! It's good you have a week before your cruise. Mary Kay @cruzn singleBest wishes for a successful MOHS surgery tomorrow. Great news that your stepson's large tumor was non cancerous, but I'm sorry to hear about the adrenal gland malignancy and melanoma. Prayers that all will be resolved successfully. Here are a few photos from our tour out of Manta in 2015. We also went to see a family-run Panama hat business. As said before, Panama hats originated in Ecuador, not Panama. DH did buy one. Terry @smitty34877 I'm glad to hear that Tana's oxygen problem has been solved. She's been through so much. Annie @marshhawk Thinking of you as you made the hard but necessary decision about Irving. Sorry to hear about the cut in your hours too. Hugs!

Have a great time, Bon Voyage!

Thanks Jacqui. That is a good idea. I can't do anything yet until after mid-May, we'll be going to Yellowstone for a week after getting home from the cruise. I will keep this in mind!

Very pretty! I'll have to enjoy others' hanging baskets. I made the sad decision this year to not put any up. The reason is that the last few years the birds build nests in them and then I can't water the flowers. I'm not going to go to any more expense and work just to have to let them die. Last year I did put pokey things in the nest and they stayed out of it, but it's just a lot of trouble. They also nest in a small tree I have, but that's ok -- I'm just baffled though why they would nest so close to the ground where cats can easily get to them (??)

Good morning all! It's a cool 47 degrees and will get up only to the low 50's today. Tomorrow starts a warming trend and looks to be very nice this week. I'll be putting the rest of the seedlings out (have been hardening them off) because I won't be here most of the first half of May to water them. I don't really care for pigs in a blanket, so sad about the terrible loss of life in the Armenian genocide. Thank you @Denise T for sharing your family history. I can't think of many times I've actually screamed out loud, other than if I was suddenly startled in a spooky place. The quote is funny, I'll pass on the meal (not a fan of eggplant), the red wine, but the drink is one of my favorites. I thought the name of the port sounded familiar, and sure enough we were there in April of 2015 on the Statendam. We took an all-day tour "Mayan Cosmology and Ancient Ruins". It was a long ride there and back, through fields and past volcanoes. @Ichiban NekkoWelcome back! Your tour in France sounds amazing. Here are a few of my photos from our tour out of Puerto Quetzal to the Mayan ruins. One of many volcanoes in the area. Passing workers in a field And at the ruins

(Not lobsternight) but it looks like he's sailing on the NA on the 30th. 🙂

Not much longer now! I guess we won't be having a Meet & Greet on this cruise. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary celebration! I've posted my photo here enough times -- if you see me please say hello. 🙂 That does look like a lot of food Sharon. What time is the brunch offered?

I agree, Roy. Apparently the wife didn't want to do that because she was alone. For some reason they couldn't use the ship's morgue and the body was put where they keep drinks cool (not cool enough). Edited to add the news link https://abc7chicago.com/cruise-ship-celebrity-equinox-decomposed-body-do-ships-have-a-morgue/13170894/

Good morning all! It's slowly, finally warming up here, it will be 20-30 degrees warmer by Friday (mid 70's F). And sunshine after tomorrow. We did luck out yesterday though, no rain at the tulip fields so we were all happy about that! And the ground wasn't even wet. Karen @luvteaching you are so right about the traffic yesterday. I'm so sorry you have to put up with that to visit your DH. Of course I warned DD and DS about the tulip festival traffic on a weekend, but DD's family was still about half an hour late getting to lunch at Il Granaio. (they also live furthest away). It took all of us double the time to get there. Good days today, I'll give DH a kiss and say happy lover's day. English muffins are ok, but I rarely think to have one. I do like them with apricot jam. No picnics here today, it's raining. I'll pass on the meal (not a fan of mac and cheese), the drink and red wine. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Annie @marshhawk! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Charlene @cunnorl! Terry @smitty34877I agree with everyone that what happened with the oxygen company was unforgiveable. I'm so sorry you, Tana and everyone had that added stress. Lorraine @cruising sister sending hugs today as you attend your friend's son's celebration of life. Joy @Seasick SailorI read about what happened on that ship (it was a Celebrity ship). How awful! Sharon @Sharon in AZ Thanks for posting the menu for the Sunday brunch. Is there an added charge for that? I'm hoping we'll have several on our Grand Voyage next year. Karen @luvteaching I'm glad your DH is doing better and hope you won't have to make that long drive much longer. Here are a few of my photos from yesterday's visit to the Tulip Festival. Everyone agreed that we won't be making this a yearly tradition anymore because the traffic on weekends in April is just terrible (and none of them can go during the week). But we had fun and I loved the whole day. After being quarantined for several weeks with Covid it was just what I needed. 🙂 I loved this pattern with Grape Hyacinth and tulips Another favorite, I loved these tulips. This is DGSs with their cousins. One of the reenactments from the photo taken 6 years ago. They're a lot taller now!

Good morning all! I will celebrate Earth Day by going to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival today. 12 of the family will be there! DDIL has found that the house they bought has no spring bulbs in the yard, so she's hoping to buy a lot of tulip bulbs today. I have plenty, including some I brought from Amsterdam a few years ago. I was never a Girl Scout, love jelly beans but don't buy them because they're like chips (you can't eat just one). 🤣 I've always liked that quote. I will be having ravioli for lunch today (no mushrooms) when we all meet at our favorite Italian restaurant -- but will be walking a lot so I refuse to think about the carbs. 😉 😅 Have never been to Falmouth, will pass on the drink and red wine. Happy Birthday Sue @Rowsby! Love the cake. 🙂 Terry @smitty34877I'm so sorry about the oxygen scare and hope it has been delivered by now. Katherine @Lady Hudson Safe travels and Bon Voyage! Congrats on the weight loss too! Carol @mamaofami I'm sorry your DH has pneumonia and hope the antibiotics help quickly. Vanessa @JazzyV Bon Voyage!!

Thank you Graham. I hope to get more tomorrow. 🙂

No, but I should do that! He's my sweetie 🙂

Well I feel so much better after getting my hair cut. The stylist said it had been 7 weeks, it seemed longer. But that makes sense, because I was due back when Covid hit. Also picked up some things I'll need for the cruise in 10 days. Here's a photo of the oldest DGS with me in one of the tulip fields 6 years ago. He was 3 then. I told DD we should reenact this photo tomorrow. 🤣 I think that's his little brother crouching next to me, I can just see the top of his hat.

Good morning all! Three good days. My school didn't offer kindergarten, not sure why because my older sisters had kindergarten. Anyway, I did like my 1st grade teacher (Mrs. Williams) so that's good. I'll pass on the drink, red wine and the meal (not a fan of ginger). We'll be at the port on the Grand Australia next year, it will be our last port before sailing back to San Diego. Thanks for the great photos! Today I need to get my hair cut, top priority! Tomorrow the family is planning a day at the Skagit Tulip Fields, a yearly tradition for us. So I should have some colorful tulip photos to post. This time there will be 12 of us...4 children under the age of 10 and 8 adults. I made reservations for lunch at our favorite Italian restaurant in Mount Vernon. Should be a fun day, and though cloudy, 0% chance of rain! Yay! I haven't seen anyone since before I got Covid, so really missing everyone. Laura @dobiemom Wow, I'm so impressed that you could sleep at all -- I agree with Annie @marshhawk, maybe you can get enough sleep by taking little cat-naps here and there. Eva @superoma Great job on the Cares and Celebrations list today! We will be sailing May 1-6 on the Koningsdam, as will @HAL4NOW. Jacqui @kazu I hope the trial run with Ivan goes well! Terry @smitty34877 It sounds like Tana's aide is a keeper, so glad you're happy with her. Brenda @bennybear Happy 50th Anniversary!! Bruce @aliaschiefand Sharon @Sharon in AZ We took that same cooking class in Puerto Vallarta and enjoyed it a lot. I remember having a lot of laughs!

Thank you. I am thankful that I was sent to see a Nephrologist as soon as it became apparent that things took a sudden downturn after being sick. She changed another med I'm on (besides the changes my regular physician had made already). So right about reading labels and yes, some will blow your mind! Thank you for your response. 🙂

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm glad they're doing better now though and hope they can go home soon. Thanks for letting us know.

We have had only Whirlpool appliances ever since a relative/appliance repairman told us that Whirlpool is the best. An acquaintance recently told me that she was told "they're all about the same now" --- I don't agree. We've been very happy with all our Whirlpool appliances. The latest one to replace was our washer, it was about 25 years old.

Thank you! I know Tamarind especially is good about asking about restrictions and making adjustments. Since this cruise is just a lazy, short cruise, I shouldn't have any problem being able to let them know the day before. Thank you! I always get salad in the Lido too, and dressing on the side. Smart idea to watch out for the sauces. Do you mind me asking how you improved your kidney function? Mine was 3a, then last fall I was very sick with the flu for 2 weeks and became dehydrated. That put me down into 3b, almost 4. The doctor tweaked and discontinued some meds, told me to drink at least 64 oz of water/day, and watch sodium intake. So far I've gotten it up now, almost back to 3a. Roy I think you're right, we do have someone in Quebec. I can't think of her name though.

Thank you so much! I already contacted Ship Services and they made note of it, but it's so good to hear from someone who has been through it and knows how it works. Question: The first time I'll be putting this to the test will be a short 5-day Pacific Coastal starting May 1. We have reservations the first night in the Tamarind, then the 2nd night will be dining in Club Orange. Each night will be a different venue. Should I then contact Club Orange on the 1st day, (and so on and on)? Or the day of? In other words, I need to give them a day's notice -- right? DH picked up our free tests yesterday -- we had quite a pile but used a lot of them when we had Covid. Here you go! https://seasaltsavorings.com/balsamic-glazed-salmon-with-strawberry-relish/

I noticed that! Funny because the Pole to Pole Grand Voyage is actually longer than the World Cruise. 😄