Cruising-along

No, this did help, I didn't know their rugby team's colors are yellow and black. They also could be trash containers. I tried Googling it and didn't find out anything, so you said more than Google. 🤣

And usually "that s word" comes down to us from the north! This must be coming from the South. Please don't send the wind this way, I'm very nervous now after that tree came down on my neighbor's house. I can see the evergreens across the street slightly waving, hope it doesn't get any stronger.

Me too. We agreed that this last one was our last (we added 2 weeks in the Caribbean to a 2-week Quebec City-Fort Lauderdale cruise). We couldn't see flying across the country (to another country) for only 2 weeks. But it was SO hot and humid! No more for us.

I live in the Seattle area and also recommend staying at an airport hotel. They're much more reasonable in cost and you can always use the light rail and monorail to see Seattle if you wish. Living here, the only time we stay in a hotel is the night before an early flight TO a cruise. Here is where we stayed last time -- #3 on Trip Advisor for SeaTac, breakfast starts at 5 am, free airport shuttle. We were very happy with it. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g58732-d2460074-Reviews-Hampton_Inn_and_Suites_Seattle_Airport_28th_Ave-SeaTac_Washington.html

Good morning all! My parents were part of a square dancing club for many years when I was a child. Good memories of watching them dance, and playing with other members' children. Mom's dresses also made for good dress up clothes. 😉 I also had to take square dancing and folk dancing in junior high. I think I enjoyed folk dancing more. I'm all for Giving Tuesday, and lemon cream pie -- is that the same thing as lemon meringue pie? Either way I'll take it. 😉 Will pass on the cauliflower pizza, whether it's the crust or not. I prefer cauliflower raw in salads or with dip. But pizza does sound good for tonight. Will pass on the drink too, but the wine sounds good. Have never been to La Rochelle but would love to see it. Thanks for all the great photos! Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiserin your first two photos I'm curious about the large, round yellow "ball" wearing a hat.....is that supposed to be a lemon? Well the predicted snow has begun, just since I got up this morning and is coming down hard. We never know how much accumulation we'll get, it doesn't usually stay cold enough to last long. I'm just glad I don't have to get out and drive in it. Karen @luvteachingit may be headed your way. As it turns out, I did buy something yesterday for Cyber Monday after all. On Thanksgiving my sister was raving about her "Eufy" robo vacuum and was urging me to get one. I said I'm happy with my vacuum, it's fairly new, and couldn't see spending upwards of $300 for something I don't really need. Well....as I was looking at my DDIL's Amazon Wish List, I happened to see that the same Eufy my sister has was 48% off yesterday.....guess who is getting one for Christmas. 🤣 I plan to use it downstairs on the hardwood floors and keep my other vacuum upstairs for the carpet. Today will be another day of Christmas and birthday party prep -- happy that I made a good size dent in the prep yesterday!

Good morning all! It's warmed up (ha) to 36 this morning, but will get down to 26 tonight. Some frozen mix/snow in the forecast. A good day to stay in and try to get ready for Christmas. I got started on the decorating yesterday but didn't get very far. With DSIL's visit coming up soon I know I have to get as much done now as I can. I'll probably be doing some Cyber Monday shopping, but would have even if it was just any old Monday. The kids are starting to give me their Christmas lists so I'm trying to get that done. I like French Toast but don't have it often. Will pass on the meal and red wine, the drink sounds good but may be too sweet. Debbie @dfishgood luck today with the new doctor. We love our gas log fireplace, it's double-sided and really heats up the whole house. In fact it's so warm I don't have it on long if we're downstairs near it. Vanessa @JazzyVmy deepest condolences to you and all of your BFF's family. What a blessing that you and he were able to be with him all day. Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiserhurrah on your DH's progress and that he'll be able to come home soon! Melisa @HAL Sailersending prayers for your DSIL. Karen @luvteachinggreat news about your DH's improvement!

The update seems to have taken care of it. 🙂 Much better now.

Thanks! 1. Will check on that 2. Yes, forced restart to reboot. 3. DH thought of that too and it's now installing most recent update. It aggravates me because it supposedly is on "automatic" for updates but he said there's one that has been there for a few weeks. I don't even get notifications anymore like I did in the past, so I forget....anyway hoping that will take care of it. 4. Will do that too. 5. Definitely have enough storage. Again, thank you!

Good morning all! I'm a little late today (even for West Coast time). It took me awhile to read through 3 pages and to gather my photos of Limassol. The meal sounds very good today, I'll have to see what I have on hand. Will pass on the wine and drink though. I'd much rather have pie in my mouth/stomach than my face, love all cream pies, and DD had a pet turtle when she was in high school. One day after having him for years she had him (Bill) in the back yard and lost him....(!) We never did find out what happened to him, our yard is small, fenced, and no dogs or cats to get him... Yesterday DH and I got our flu shots, and for the first time I had no after-effects not even a sore arm. We had a freakish storm come through that woke me up at 2am -- pounding rain that sounded like hail but wasn't, and thunder and lightening. Of course I started worrying about those trees in the greenbelt behind us (like the one that came down on my next door neighbor's house) and couldn't get back to sleep for a couple hours. And here's a question for any of our techie posters here. My iphone 12 mini just within the last couple days is giving me trouble. Often it won't load when I'm on CC, FB, etc. If I turn the phone off and back on it seems to work ok until it goes to sleep, and then it starts all over again. I think DH is going to take it over to TMobile today, but I was just wondering if anyone else has had the problem. It was working fine a couple days ago. Debbie @dfishI'm sorry about the fireplace trouble! Seems like buying a different house usually comes with a few unwelcome surprises. 😞 Vanessa @JazzyVI'm so sorry to hear that your BFF's Dad isn't doing any better. Prayers that he can be made comfortable and hugs to you and your BFF. We were in Limassol on an overnight a year ago on the Eurodam. We took two different half-day tours and loved it. As usual what we chose was different from what Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiserhas already posted (great photos, thank you). The first thing I noticed about Cyprus is how dry it is. We learned that they have 340 days of sun. The second thing I noticed (of course) was the number of friendly cats 🙂 We learned that years ago they brought in lots and lots of cats to take care of their snake problem. The first day we took a tour to the Kourion Theater, the Temple of Apollo, Omodos Village, Eustolios House and we visited a winery. Kourion Theater with its beautiful views Approaching the Temple of Apollo The Temple of Apollo An ancient water pipe near the temple This cat was extremely friendly and sooo cute. Waiting for a belly rub. A few scenes in the village of Omodos. And views from the winery This is supposed to be the birthplace of Aphrodite. She was born out of the foam and carried by the sea to Pafos. We visited the Eustolios House from the early Roman period. The 2nd day we went to Pafos, the Tombs of the Kings, and the Mosaics of Dionysos. Overhead view of the Tombs of the Kings. And we went down into the tombs And the mosaics of Dionysos 3 panels of hunting scenes

1. The Med -- anywhere in the Med but Greece is probably my favorite. 2. Prime Rib in the MDR, lamb chops in the Pinnacle, any duck dish. 3. Not less sparkly, but I don't bring the long dresses anymore.

Good morning all! I didn't get here yesterday, but we had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my sister, DBIL, and one of their daughters and her DH. After stuffing ourselves with a huge Thanksgiving dinner, we had a rousing game of Scrabble, watched a movie, and laughed ourselves silly. The next morning was a delicious breakfast and more laughs before we headed home. We brought a box of leftovers to DS and DDIL -- they're still moving into their "new" home, have on-going renovations still, and are training their new pup Pepper (who is doing VERY well). She's adorable, and Rogue, their 7-year-old dog, seems to be accepting her very well. They play together in the yard until they both fall asleep exhausted. DD, DSIL and the DGSs are still at Whistler with his family, they'll come home tomorrow. Our youngest grandson isn't 100% yet, whatever this is (not Covid) really knocked him down. 😞 Nobody else has gotten it, but it will be a miracle if they don't. Today is my Dad's heavenly birthday. He passed in 2018 at the age of 101 and I miss him every day. Today DH and I plan to get our flu shots, and I need to catch up on the laundry. In 2 weeks DH's sister will arrive from Savannah and we'll have DH's surprise birthday party. I need to work on those plans too and get the guest room ready for her. Lots to do! Snow is predicted here next week, I've warned her to get some long johns! She feels cold when it goes below 70F so this will be quite a shock for her. @seagarsmokerI'm so glad you're feeling better! Lenda @Quartzsite CruiserOh no about the roof leak! Thank you for the great photos of Ha Long Bay and Cai Lan. @Horizon chaser 1957Fabulous photos! Thank you for sharing them. Vanessa @JazzyVI hope you get better news today about BFF's DF's condition. Sandi @StLouisCruisersyou must be so proud of Ren and Colton! Wonderful about the scouting! Caat and David @Ichiban NekkoBon Voyage and enjoy my favorite ship!! Rogue and Pepper

I'm sure they decided to pick that one because they knew it would tick you off more than anyone else. Good grief. 🙄

Good morning all and Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow US citizens! (Vanessa @JazzyVI just saw your post, I'm SO sorry for many reasons. I hope your BFF's DF will be ok. I'm rushing this morning as we should be leaving in an hour and a half for my sister's house. I'm looking forward to staying there today and tonight, always a good time! There will just be 6 of us, our "kids" can't make it -- DD is in Canada on their yearly week in Whistler with her DH's family, and DS has a new puppy who wouldn't do well on that long car ride. So missing them, but I'll be bringing them leftovers tomorrow. 🙂 I'll just add a few photos from San Juan...we've been there twice I think. The first time DH and I walked to the fort, and this last time (just last month) we took an excursion to El Yunque Rain Forest to beat the heat. It was extremely hot, "felt like" 97F. The rain forest was delightful and beautiful.

That's because they're going so fast you don't see them! (just kidding!) 😉 Seriously though, this surprises me. As I said earlier there was one on our cruise just this month, and usually but not every cruise I've been on. It is also my primary form of exercise so I'm out there often.

Well, the pies are in the oven, and I nearly had a catastrophe. I almost forgot to add the sugar to the pumpkin mixture...😱 That's a first! Thank goodness I caught it, I would never have been forgiven. Now the fruit salad, I don't think there's anything I could do to ruin that...I hope!! Thank you Jake for your quick answer. I'll ask for larger cups if we don't have any. 🙂

Thank you. So it sounds like nothing has changed, only espresso supplied. I'm wondering, were you given the tiny espresso cups? Dumb question, but that's all we had, so I'm wondering how I would run more water into the tiny cups -- or did you discard the first cup and use it the second time on a 2nd cup?

There is a difference between jogging and powerwalking and also a difference in how careful people are. It sounds like you're more careful than some. I do a lot of fast walking (not powerwalking) on the promenade deck and have seen both. On our last cruise a man was jogging (more like a fast run) through the walkers. It was on the NS, a Pinnacle class, and there really is barely room to walk much less run past people in a lot of areas.

Good morning all! It's a beautiful sunny day, our rain is gone for a couple days. 🙂 I'm kind of dragging this morning, as I probably got 4-5 hours' sleep last night. Oh to be on a rocking ship again! Too much rattling around in my head, I guess. Only 1 cranberry? I like Espresso once in awhile but prefer a Latte. That reminds me of the Neptune Suite First World Problem I had in our first and only NS last year. The Eurodam Concierge tried but said they could only get Espresso pods for the coffee maker. I don't want Espresso every morning, so just didn't use the coffee maker. We'll be in our 2nd NS on the Koningsdam in the spring, and this time (in case they still only have espresso) I think I'd like to bring my own coffee pods that would be compatible with that machine. In a search on CC someone said the kind of coffee maker is a "Mocoffee" -- can anyone help me with this? Love Jukeboxes, the quote is a good one, will pass on the meal but the drink and wine both sound good. I adore Kotor! We've been there several times. Of course there are cats galore in that town, which adds to the appeal for me, but the beauty is astounding. Definitely in my top choices in the Med! Well the puppy is fitting in very nicely with DS, DDIL and her "big sister" Rogue. She's having a great time playing with Rogue and looks very happy. Our youngest DGS (7) has been sick since their first night at Whistler. 😞 I do wonder if it may be RSV, he has all the symptoms other than trouble breathing (thank goodness for that). Needless to say, he's very sad not to be able to be skiing and having fun with the others. I'm also worried it, whatever it is, will spread through the family there. Jacqui @kazuOMG about your luggage! Unbelievable that they want to deliver it between 11pm and 1 am. I think I would just say let me come pick it up at the airport. I know we were tempted when ours sat at SeaTac for a day longer than they said it would. @seagarsmokerI'm very sorry to hear you both have Covid. I hope you feel better soon. Annie @marshhawkI'm probably not the best one to comment on your boss' demands about fund raising. My antenna goes up when I feel pushed to buy/donate/spend $$ when I know what I can afford or not. Too bad the boss doesn't know there are people like me who get turned off very quickly by pushy people. As an example, we have donated to Yellowstone Foundation for decades. When they were taken over by a different group, their mailings became more and more pushy. We still are donating, just because it's a cause near and dear to us. But I do notice the change and am not happy about it. At least they aren't calling, but still... I know you aren't pushy (bless you!) I wish you could find a different job. Again, sorry for being blunt, but it's really too bad your boss doesn't see that a lot of people get turned off by that. Brenda @bennybearI'm sorry about the biopsy results but thank goodness it was caught early. Nancy @ottahand7Good news that your DB's prognosis is better! Sharon @Sharon in AZhow are you feeling today? Better I hope! Bruce @aliaschiefThank you for the photos of Hearst Castle. I went once as a teenager when we lived in the Bay Area but at that age I didn't fully appreciate it 😉 I know I would love it now. Here's a photo from last night. Pepper tuckered out on DDIL's lap after playing non-stop with Rogue. And here are the photos of Kotor that I shared last time. Sailing into Kotor It's an easy town to just wander around in. I could easily post dozens of cat photos from Kotor, but will just leave this one here. This was just outside the Cat Museum. I had vowed not to buy any more souvenir magnets, but this one captured my heart. We took a boat excursion to the Skrpjela Baroque Church. View of our ship from the boat. We passed this monastery on St. George's Island Just a couple photos of the church -- Part of the ceiling I have procrastinated long enough, time to get those pumpkin pies started. Have a great day everyone!

Oh no about the hand mixer and circuit! Sounds like it's all worked out though and you can put a new hand mixer on your Christmas list. 😉 My kitchen smells good right now too, and I still have pumpkin pies to bake tomorrow. Today was dinner rolls in the bread maker, and my favorite, absolutely necessary Thanksgiving dish, my Grandmother's corn casserole. Here's a photo of half the rolls and one of the two corn dishes (after I cleaned all the flour off the counter LOL).

Thank you all! All their pups have been rescue, DS and DDIL are animal lovers and such good fur-baby parents. Lenda @Quartzsite CruiserI do have to add that this photo was taken off the rescue site, they won't get her until later today. 🙂 Hopefully she looks a lot less scared soon.

Good morning all! It's a rainy morning here, but warmed up to the mid 40's F and heading to close to 50. I'll take rain over snow any day, but we're supposed to get some of that "frozen mix" next week so colder temps ahead. I think I had a few freckles when I was a child, but not many. Love cranberry relish, and will save my ride for Thursday when we drive to Lynden to my sister's house. The quote is humorous, will pass on the meal and drink, but the wine sounds very good. Never have been to the port. Today starts my 2-day kitchen marathon. I'll be making the dinner rolls in the bread maker, and the corn casserole today. Not sure what will be for dinner, but it may be take-out. 😉 We're taking advantage of the Black Friday sale on both HAL and Celebrity, and making out very well on our next 2 cruises! Still waiting for our new HAL PCC to respond (I really miss our last PCC who retired this year) 😞 If she doesn't "shape up" soon, there will be no more bookings with her! On the other hand, we book our Celebrity cruises with the Big Box store, and they handled everything quickly with no delay. Jacqui @kazuwe also had priority tags and air tags on our luggage and the airline managed to misplace them. Flying has gotten ridiculous. I hope yours turns up soon. @1ANGELCATHappy Birthday! Today our DS and DDIL will get their new puppy and they're beyond excited. It will also mean that most likely they won't be able to join us in Lynden on Thanksgiving, but I understand. I plan to bring them some left overs on Friday if they can't come. They went through a rescue/foster program called Dog Gone Seattle. She isn't trained at all, so they understandably don't want to bring her on a long car ride yet. I'm sure by Christmas they'll have her travel-ready. All their other dogs have been well-trained. Here's a photo of her from the rescue place. Her new name will be Pepper.

Debbie I'm seriously thinking of doing some painting after the holidays.....I may need my head examined. But I kept putting it off (first because the grandsons were still toddlers and may just mark up the walls, then because the carpet was new and, well, I'm messy) 😉 But it's time....wish me luck. January will be a good time, no traveling until May!

And yet on our Oct. 8-Nov. 5 NS cruise(s) we got 6 tiles. Wish I could share, we really didn't need more!

Yep, flour everywhere! 🤣

Good morning all! It's warming up a bit and now the clouds and rain have started. I'll take the warmer temperatures, 39 now instead of the low 30's we've had. I'm not a fan of gingerbread, just never have been. I guess I just don't like the taste of ginger. I have a couple favorite TV shows, but otherwise don't watch a lot. Oh yes, odd socks. We all have a dryer that "eats" socks don't we? Will pass on the meal, drink and wine and have never been to the port. Thank you for the photos! Today is the calm before the storm, before I spend 2 days in the kitchen non-stop. I thought of cleaning the kitchen floor today and then thought "you crazy woman, why do that the day before baking pies"??? I admit it, I'm a messy baker besides being a messy painter! 🙂 So I'll get my hair cut today, and just do other holiday prep. @RedneckBobwhat is the female sommelier's name? I'm wondering if it's the same one we have enjoyed on HAL. Have a great day everyone!