Cruising-along

I was disappointed on our cruise last fall. It was our very first Neptune Suite and I was really looking forward to that coffee first thing in the morning in our cabin (our usual routine is to get some from the Explorations Cafe after getting dressed). But the only thing available was espresso....the Concierge tried his best to get coffee during the cruise (24 days) but wasn't able. First World Problem, I know. I'm hoping it was because cruising hadn't been started up for very long yet, Covid, etc. etc.

Good morning all from a very smoky PNW. The ash is literally falling from the sky and it smells like an ashtray. 😞 In some small way it reminds me of when Mt. St. Helens blew in 1980 and we had (a lot more) ash. On 9-11 2001 our son called us early that morning and asked if we'd been watching the news. It was early here, and we hadn't turned on the TV. He waited as I turned it on...horrific, surreal and sad ... I will never forget. His wedding was 6 weeks later and we flew to IL for the wedding. People asked if we were nervous to fly, but it really was one of the safest times to fly. I'm sure we'll hear from the grandsons today, DD is always good about that. Youngest grandson and I had a fun day yesterday making his GAK, playing hide and seek, and eating popcorn and cookies 😉 I realized last night after he left that I pulled something in my leg, most likely when trying to fit into small spaces when we played hide and seek. When will I learn that I'm not 30 anymore??? It's better this morning thankfully. I'll pass on the drink, no pumpkin spice for me unless it's pumpkin pie and only pumpkin pie. The "meal" sounds delicious, but it would take quite a few to make a meal 🤣 Will pass on the red wine and have never been to Brest. Thank you Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiserfor the photos! Terry @smitty34877thank you for the new photo of "our" Camilla -- she's as adorable as ever. Ann @Vict0riannsafe trip and Bon Voyage! Jacqui @kazuI'm glad that Jose's Celebration of Life went well yesterday. When and if you care to, I would like to see any photos you'd care to share. Annie @marshhawksafe travels!

Lenda I will and I'm so sorry your mother had the worst form. 😞 This disease can affect people so differently, we just never know. DH's sister had a bad form, so did my great-uncle and a cousin. My niece has a mild form thank goodness. Part of that could be the new treatments, as hers is the most recent. DGS and I have finished making his new GAK (oh how much easier it is to have one boy vs both at once) 😉 He requested aqua with glitter this time and is very pleased with how it turned out. Getting just the right color. All done!

Good morning all! DD and DSIL left early this morning for the 60-mile MS Bike Ride. And today is the warmest of all week (87F) plus the first hazy day of smoke here. They've participated every year and I'm very proud of them. MS is a disease that has touched both sides of our family. DGS is still sleeping, I hope his brother had a good time at the sleepover last night. The drink and meal both sound great, will have to hear about the wine before I decide. I think the port will be on our Grand Australia '24, I look forward to any photos shared. Debbie @dfishit's encouraging that the owners countered your offer. The open house had probably been set up for a long time, and it's natural they're hoping for better offers. Gerry @ger_77I can only imagine how hard it was to officiate at a good friend's funeral. ((hugs)) Thinking of Jacqui @kazu today. Well DGS just got up, now I get busy!

A few weeks ago it wouldn't have felt like a heat wave, but lately it's been cooling off. But this weekend it will get up to 77 today and 87 tomorrow! Then back down again, as low as into the high 60's. So this won't last long. Our Septembers can be like that. I would have rather had a twin go with me 😉 I remember being so scared....My Mom told me later that she stood outside my hospital room that night, I think she said she was making little noises so I would know she was there -- but I have no memory of that, just of being scared. I do remember the milkshakes I got afterwards though. 🙂 I think my older sister's tonsils were taken out "just in case" too. I had had problems like you had. You are right about that!

Good morning all! I think we have around 15 teddy bears here, they come out every Christmas as part of my decorations. DD has the teddy bear I had as a child, he's safely at the top of the DGSs closet because with much handling I'm sure he would fall apart. I have memories of him coming with me when I stayed overnight in the hospital to have my tonsils removed at age 6. I like weirdos, keeps life interesting. I'm like Debbie @dfish, and have never had any interest to do Sudoko. I think the quote is funny, will pass on the wine and hard pass on the meal. I'm putting a roast in the crock pot. The drink sounds yummy though. Have been to Crete but not this port, thank you Brenda @bennybearfor the great photos and I LOVED that clip about the queen!! Tonight DD, DSIL and one of the DGSs will be spending the night here (the oldest DGS will be at a sleepover. Then tomorrow while DD and DSIL are doing the MS bike ride, DGS and I will have fun here at home. We plan to make new GAK (one form of slime). He has requested Aqua with glitter this time. Sandi @StLouisCruisersour temperatures will be the same today! Except for you it's a cooling trend and for us a mini heatwave LOL! Ann @marshhawkHappy Anniversary to you and Chuck and Bon Voyage! Some of the Christmas bears. Others were spread around the house. And the real reason to put them out

Ah, so glad to hear that things are improving and you're in a hotel. I didn't realize that you're so close to Savannah. Savannah is DH's hometown and where most of my in-laws live. Good to hear that you have a trip to Barbados planned too, you need it! 🙂

Good morning all! Today DH will do more pressure washing. That should finish it and then hopefully in a few days when everything is dry I can repaint the post that my Sweet Peas climb every year, and put stain on the front porch. Literacy Day goes along with our discussion of authors the other day. Not a fan of date nut bread, I'm strange but just don't care for nuts in bread, cookies, or cakes. I use Sweet/Sour Sauce for chicken nuggets, Lumpia, and Stir Fry. Will pass on the drink but the wine sounds very good. Prayers for the Queen, it must be very serious. I was 18 months old when she took the throne. Yesterday our DSIL's dear Grandmother passed away, she was the same age as the queen. She was a remarkable woman, survived living in a concentration camp in WWII. Her family will miss her deeply, especially our DSIL. Gerry @ger_77here in the states Grandparents Day is not until Sunday the 11th.

How awful, I'm so sorry you're going through this! Would it be possible to go to a hotel? When this happened to my neighbor their insurance paid for them to stay in a hotel until their home was more livable. Would that be a possibility?

Thank you Vanessa. This is what my SIL, a PA, just told me too. Makes sense.

Thank you, this is what I'm trying to find out. Wouldn't it make sense to wait for the one that protects against the current surging variant? Why would someone choose the Moderna, am I missing something?

Exactly. Actually I have never needed even one pair of boots in Alaska and the last time we went was in May. Unless you plan to hike in the snow there really is no need.

Interesting how different parts of the country are doing it. I haven't heard that our clinic has started charging for travel testing, but I'll check to be sure. Yes, definitely getting the latest booster because of this variant -- I'm guessing it won't matter which one we get, Moderna or Pfizer. Maybe I'll ask our SIL PA --

Thanks to all! Adding all of these to my list. I have read some of Baldacci, Grisham and Archer but good to have a reminder.

Good morning all! Another lovely fall morning here in the PNW. Low 70's, heating up to the mid 80's this weekend, then back down again. DH will be getting the last of the pressure washing done today, and once things dry out I'll be doing a little painting (wine after painting, not during LOL) I've never been a fan of salami, just don't like the flavor. Right now we have a great mail person, but we sure had a bad one for a few years. Suffice it to say, he should have been fired, but according to his supervisor they couldn't get rid of him. 😡 The only beer I like is Guinness. Not a fan of lighter beers. Will pass on the meal and drink, and this Riesling sounds a bit sweet for me. We will visit Port Canaveral for the first time next month on our Quebec City-Fort Lauderdale cruise that many from the Daily will also be aboard. We'll be taking the tour to The Kennedy Space Center. I have a couple questions about testing and the latest booster. Many people here in the states have mentioned that testing isn't free like it was in the past. They were referring to the testing done at pharmacies etc. We've always had our testing done at our clinic, they have a drive-thru 7 days/week for that purpose and we have never, ever been charged. The last time we did it was a couple months ago for travel. Have things changed recently? I know either Medicare or our Tricare picked up the tab those times. The other question is if you know which booster, Moderna or Pfizer, we should get this time. Our initial vaccines were Pfizer, as was the first booster. The second booster we chose Moderna because we'd heard it can be good to mix and match. As far as I know, the only difference with the latest one is at what age it's recommended -- am I wrong?

Oh yes, Jonathan Kellerman! Thank you! Adding this to my list. 🙂

Thank you, what a kind offer! The one who comes to mind first is Ann Rule. She was a local author/ celebrity and I have all her books. I like mystery, historical fiction, and true crime (not the gory kind, but like Ann Rule's books). I have met sister Sue and can vouch for her. I think she would bring lots of humor to the group and fit in nicely. 😄

Good morning all! Another beautiful day. I'm enjoying the lower temperatures and sunny days -- Saturday and Sunday show 85F degrees -- what's up with that? I guess one last blast of summer. I think I'll celebrate Fight Procrastination today by doing something I've been putting off for a few months. I still haven't framed my large counted cross-stitch of the European bistro scene. I have everything laid out to do it, but have really been procrastinating. I think it's because once it's done it can't be changed. I need to remind myself that then I can hang it up! I don't read as much as I did in the past, and I realized it's because my favorite authors have died 😞 I need to find new favorite authors. Have no idea what an egg toss would be like, it sounds horribly messy. Good quote, and the meal sounds great. I love mango salsa and always look for it on cruises. I know they had it at the taco bar in the past, but not sure if they still do. Will pass on the drink and wine. We visited Portree on the VOV in 2018. We took a tour to the 13th century Eilean Donan Castle. We weren't allowed to take photos inside, but really the exterior was much more interesting anyway. Yikes @RedneckBobabout lightening striking twice!! I think I would move! Sandi @StLouisCruisersHappy Anniversary!!! Graham @grapau27thank you for the clip of the Beatles tribute show. I don't usually care for tribute bands of bands and singers I have seen in person, but this was good. I saw the Beatles in California when I was 14. One of our tenders going into Portree On our way to the Eilean Donan Castle we see our ship anchored out. Sheep in the beautiful highlands And a cottage in the highlands Our first view of the Eilean Donan Castle We walked a little ways to get to the castle. The surroundings were gorgeous. We explored the whole exterior.

Good morning all! Happy Labor/Labour Day. Nothing to be late for today, this will be an at-home day for me, catching up on some housework. I like cheese pizza, but prefer Hawaiian pizza. It's a good day to gather items for charity. The quote is good (IMO something remarkable doesn't have to be earth-changing, it could be something remarkable to only you). I'll pass on the meal but both the drink and wine sound great. Have never been to this port. @Cruzin TerriI'm so sorry about the leak and damage to your house!! What a nightmare. The same thing happened to a neighbor -- in fact we found out that all the houses in our neighborhood have that potential. Most of us have replaced that piece on every sink and toilet since then and pray it won't happen. Joy @Seasick Sailorprayers for your DH. Gerry @ger_77so glad you and your DH are safe. @HAL4NOWI don't get migraines, but do get headaches if there's even one tiny bit of cilantro in a dish (and so many have it). For me it's a bitter taste, not soapy -- and one little flake will ruin the whole dish.

It was good, wasn’t it. I bought the book today and will bring it next month on our cruise. If the popcorn here had been $9 I wouldn’t have gotten any either. It was only $3 here!

Good morning all! Another lovely fall morning here in the PNW. Today we'll be going to DD and DSIL's house to check on their kitty and a few other things for them while they're on a 3-day camping trip. I think I'll also pick up the book "Where the Crawdads Sing" to bring on our cruise next month. I was going to put it on my Kindle, but I admit I'm really not a Kindle gal and prefer a book to hold. The movie was very good, and I'm eager to read the book now. Oh, and besides the $3 movie tickets yesterday, they also were selling large bags of popcorn for $3 and large drinks for $3. $12, wow. We should bring our manners everywhere, our son was a newspaper carrier in his early teens, and hurray for spices. I would try the meal, but pass on the red pricey wine and the drink. I love rum, but not coconut or pineapple. Not sure about the quote, and haven't been to the port. Sharon @Sharon in AZHappy Birthday to your Dear Mom! Sandi @StLouisCruiserslove your DD's Autumn Tree 🙂 Gerry @ger_77that's a great house key!!

And @0106we just got home and loved the movie. I'm sure there will be some award nominations. Now I'm going to read the book and you're right, more detail is better.

Ditto. I have the Fall 2022 Issue, which I haven't even opened yet.

I will! I haven't read the book but my sister has and says the movie was well done. I seem to do things backwards, so I'll probably be reading the book now lol.

Good morning all! It will be a pleasant 72 F here today. Our early September is living up to its good reputation for weather. Have never been to a tailgating party, and the nearest skyscrapers would be half an hour south in Seattle. Thank you @0106for letting us know about the $3 cinema tickets for National Cinema Day. I checked, and there's one movie I would take the time to see, "Where the Crawdads Sing". I've heard good things about that movie and our theaters are honoring the $3 tickets. Now I'll see if DH wants to go. Maybe a late afternoon movie and then take-out for dinner. I'll pass on the drink, but the wine and meal both sound great. Have never been to the port, and the quote is so true. Our son has had a life-long deep hatred for all geese ever since he was about 3 years old. He was out to a park with his aunt and one chased him. Apparently he had to jump onto a picnic table to escape it 😞 @luvteachingKaren my condolences on the loss of your good friend Wayne. @aliaschiefBruce your new phone takes great photos.