sgmn

On 8/28/2023 at 11:18 AM, Sunshine3601 said:

What are current interest rates for a home in your area?   

Last I heard our rates are around 7.50% and expect to be 8% by October for a standard 30 yr mortgage.

 

I bought a condo when I was 20 yrs old and The rate was 10%.  Eric's is 7 yrs older than me and his first home was 16%.

 

I think current 3 year fixed is between 5 and 6% compared to 1 or 2 % a few years ago. 

I got my first morgage when I was in my mid 20s and similar to Eric it was about 15%. 

But of course houses very vastly cheaper then. 

My tiny one bedded house with a postage sized garden was £23500 and the second home I bought, a little two bedded terrace house three years later, was £36,000

2 hours ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

 

On P&O Arvia at mo and she blows MSC and any Royal ship lower then Oasis class out of the water. Including Quantum class, Better all round, food, entertainment, costs, staff just as nice and friendly and dont have to tip for everything. 👍

That said i do love Oasis class 👍

Good to know about P&O, we are looking at other lines too, though Roysl is still our first choice 

3 hours ago, irishgal432 said:

Does the public bus stop at multiple places in case we do not want to do the whole six mile trek. Also do you have to have euros or can you use apple pay?

I don't recall the bus ever stopping, it is a hot and dusty trek with little shade. Take plenty of water 

Just been speaking to my neighbour who just did explorer 20th Aug. She was a first time cruiser travelling with multiple family members 

She enjoyed it and thought the food in MTD was good but got fed up with the constant demands for 10 in the surveys .

The kids enjoyed the kids club and water slides but she said the ship was packed and the one small swim pool was not enough.

She did say it's unlikely they will cruise again in the near future as she preferred a hotel or villa based holiday 

Just now, grapau27 said:

We had an aft balcony.

I used our Princess Elite loyalty to Status match to their top loyalty.

It's a huge balcony. We have an aft one on Serenade next month. Our first aft cabin 

9 hours ago, grapau27 said:

For my US friends.

Such a beautiful area. We've had a couple of land trips this year and it definitely has wetted my appetite to venture outside the normal West Country we do in the UK 

9 hours ago, grapau27 said:

We were on MSC Virtuoso from Southampton in April and the ship was very new and amazing.

Formula 1 simulators and Ten pin bowling.

Glad to hear a first hand report

 We're you in a normal cabin ? Everyone seems to say you have to be in the suite area, and as we can't afford that it's putting me off booking 

11 hours ago, mo&fran said:

Thanks.  My chemo is about over, but still have a lot of Radiation to go.  It is getting a lot more difficult to swallow. We are basically one day at a time.

They will do a cat scan day after Labor day to measure the progress of the treatment.

 

Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and good wishes for successful treatment 

11 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Why do u want to postpone this one? In those time, I wouldn't postpone anything....

 

We were supposed to cruise with my cousin and her DH this Saturday. I've mentioned last week that during a routine check-up, a "spot" was found in one of her lungs. Further tests negated TB, infection, funghi or spores. A lung CT assumes that 99% the "spot" is cancerous....

 

So, instead of cruising, my cousin will undergo an op (4-5 hours) to remove it, this Wednesday. Being in full penalty, we'll go on with the cruise, but our heart will not be in it.

 

 

Oh Dani, my heart breaks for you and your cousins family. Thank goodness its been spotted and hopefully she will make a full recovery and you can plan a holiday together next year . 

When I texted you yesterday I hadn't read this and had been wondering for a few days how things are .

Enjoy your holiday as best you can.  I'm sure your cousin will love to see all the amazing places you visit  especially as you plan another holiday together when she is better 

With love Sue

12 hours ago, jagsfan said:

We’re having a sad week and weekend. 
our daughter’s cat, Cooper, had developed diabetes, and Lisa spent 4 weeks giving him a special diet twice a day and keeping him away from Jasmine’s (their black cat) food. She gave him insulin injections every day, but his sugar never went down, and he was losing weight. 
last Sunday Lisa took Cooper to the emergency vet because he was obviously in distress. They gave him an iv, and ran blood tests. 
Cooper was diagnosed with acromegaly, which causes insulin resistance and other problems. 
She picked him up Thursday to let him have one more day and night at home. 
He spent the entire time in her lap. 
Friday morning she took him back and sat with him till it was over. 
Lisa is devastated and we’re all horribly sad. 
Cooper was one of a kind, mellow but frisky at the same time. Cats are intelligent, but most of them, if they understand what you’re saying, they don’t let on. Cooper was more like a dog, responding to words like go for a ride (which always meant to the vet or kennel), came running when you called him, just a super cat. 
We’ll all miss him so much!

My granddaughter Hannah posted the first two photos on Facebook. I had never seen either of them. 
The third one Lisa took on Cooper’s last day at home. 
 

So sorry Mimi for you and your family. Its devastating when a much loved family pet dies. It leaves a real hole in the home 

15 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

My neighbor that is selling her home, listed Thursday, has officially sold the home.     Traffic of prospective buyers has been crazy busy.    Definitely still a sellers market in our area.    She was getting exhausted with the non stop showings and told her Realtor to shut it down and tell everyone to make their best and final offers by 5 pm yesterday. 

She ended up accepting an offer for $45K over list price.    As she had so many people come through she has no clue who the buyer(s) are at this time.     We just hope it is a nice family and not someone that turns the home into a rental property.   

Overr here in the last 9-12 months it seems the opposite, a buyers market. Interest rates are high, something anyone under 35 hadn't seen before. My neighbour daughters have had their dad's house on the market for four months and have dropped it by £30,000 , then accepted an offer of another drop of £10,000. 

She told me yesterday that the buyers live abroad and will be renting it out 😧

It's a family home so hopefully it will be a nice family renting it out 

Finally after 8 days I got a clear test.  Looking forward to getting out and about now. 

At least its out of the way before littlest g/sons first birthday/christening and our holiday in a few weeks.

Coffee and wine still doesn’t taste quite right but hopefully my taste buds will be back to normal soon. 

11 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Just thought I'd drop a quick little review of Navigator right here if nobody minds. This isn't going to be a complete or exhaustive review, just a quick synopsis of last week with a few pics and I don't want to start a whole thread for that.  Especially since most of this will be the tale of getting to the cruise ship and not as much the actual cruise.

 

Just got off a 4 day on Navigator and we had a great time.  This was a unique cruise.  It was Papa (me) and my three Grandkids. (14F, 17M, 20F).  DW was spending the week with DD so they could spend some time together without the kids getting in the way of their Mommy/Daughter time.  

 

The plan was to meet in Santa Clarita right next to Six Flags.  DD and the kids were coming from home, just a little north of Fresno and we were driving from Phoenix were I had been working.  As Hurricane Hilary approached I started to get nervous.  Sunday, in between two speaking events I was glued to the weather.com app.  It was looking dodgy.  I was supposed to head out Sunday night, stay overnight in Palm Springs and finish the drive to the meet up Monday morning. I really questioned my intelligence when I decided to brave the drive.  There were all kinds of warnings and watches and dire predictions. My thought was I'm originally from Vancouver.  I can drive in the rain better than any Californian.  

 

God smiled on us.  The drive in was a piece of cake.  All along I 10 all we had was a little wind and the odd sprinkle and I congratulated my wise decision to strike out as planned all the way up until I got to the exit we took to our pre cruise hotel in Palm Springs. The highway was closed and everyone was being diverted off.  Rain was now coming down in buckets and there was a hint of flooding along the sides of the road.  Thankfully our Hotel, a Best Western Plus, was just off the interstate at that exit we were being forced onto.  Surely it will all be open and fine in the morning.  It was a brand new hotel, very nice room and we were fortunate because there wasn't a room to be had anywhere in the city apparently. Some areas had already been cut off and the and Hotels you could get too were completely sold out.  We were fine though and so at 12:45 am I laid my head down on the pillow and went to sleep with visions the Windjammer, the Promenade and the Bamboo Club in my head.

 

I got up early, showered and dressed quickly and by 7am we were on the road.  It was a mess.  Streets were flooded traffic was blocked all over and nobody could get anywhere, certainly not the interstate anyways.  We followed some truck traffic along a road that parceled the highway that had been flooded it looked like but the water had subsided.  Unfortunately, we could see off in the distance the highway was still closed.  As we got to the turn where you would turn to get to the interstate I saw three semi trucks, coming from the opposite direction,  turn onto the I 10 on ramp.  I took a chance and instead of heading down the side road that all of us had been creeping along to who knows where, turned towards the overpass and the onramp.  When I got there there were still cones there but someone had moved  a couple of them and you a single truck or car could pass through.  I took a chance and pulled down it.  For 5 miles it was all glorious.  Then we ground to a halt...  We sat and waited... I cursed my stupid decision to follow those trucks... But a few minutes later we started to creep ever so slowly forward.  I had no idea what lied ahead but we were westbound heading the right direction at 3-4 miles per hour in-between frequent stops.

 

Eventually I could see the obstruction. This must be what closed the highway last night.  I'm so thankful I wasn't driving in that.  A flash flood and completely shut the freeway down but even now with the water subsided the freeway was barely passible.

 

 

Once we cleared this we ran into a couple of other spots but nothing this bad.  It slowed us but didn't stop us.  They must have got things shut down again at the onramp after we and those few trucks came through because there was only a few dozen vehicles behind us.

 

We made it to Santa Clarita.  I traded a wife for three grand kids and we struck off for San Pedro,  

 

I had received an email the day before letting me know not to come to the port until 12:30. We had had a 10:30 checkin time but all of that had been scrapped because of Hilary.  When we got there, at about 12:15 there was a very long line waiting to get into the security tent and beyond to the check in point but to their credit they moved it along very quickly.  We were on board by 12:55.   

 

 

 We must have been in the first 25% to board because, except for the Windjammer, the ship felt empty.  Vacation had begun and life was good.

 

It was MDR every evening for us.  Lunch was Windjammer Day 1, MDR Day 2, Catalina Island Day 3, El Loco Fresh Day for Day 4.

 

1. C+
2. B
3. C-
4. B

 

Entertainment was good and mediocre.  The Ice show was great as usual ( we went two different nights) and the welcome aboard show was good.  They had the orchestra do a few numbers then a comedian.  He was funny and family friendly.   The house band who we sat and listened to a couple of times were very average.  We didn't go to the showgirls or ball room dancing show.  Ive been and am not a fan so usually skip them on this ship. 

 

Other evenings entertainment consisted of Karaoke.  There was some real talent on board and some very funny talent but it was great each night.         

 

Catalina island we did the Semi-submerged tour.  I've done but not with the kids.  They loved it so I loved it.  Ensenada we didn't leave the ship.  I booked a Casita  and we roamed back and forth between minigolf, the arcade, the waterslides and the Flowrider.  

 

There was some Papa only time in the Casino on Day 2 and then the evening of day 4.  I lost about $200 for the cruise.  An acceptable amount that allows me to say I was worth it because I had fun. 🙂 

 

The youngest granddaughter did the Spinkletime  cup cake decorating.  She had a lot of fun and enjoyed it.  She said it was worth the $35 but then it was my $35 and not hers so that might have biased her review. LOL. 

 

Pro tip...  Don't get any of that icing from the cupcake on anything or else be prepared to bleach it.  That stuff is almost indelible will nearly not come off your skin with soap and water and is nearly toxic on clothing.

 

 

A few random pics to follow...

 

We'll start with a room tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just over 100 days until we board Harmony for our first B2B

 

 

Looks like a great break after the trauma of getting to port.  And that cabin is great for family groups. I bet they get snapped up quickly 

13 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

The kids are over celebrating Sharon's birthday 🎂 They made her a homemade German Chocolate cake, her favorite.   And they brought her a bouquet 💐 of flowers from the best florist around 😃

Happy Birthday to Sharon. Those flowers are gourgous 

16 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Mystic Seaport is hosting a firefighters day. They have fire boats doing demonstrations....

 

 

 

 

My grandson would love to of been there 

Thanks to ART and bonsai for all the information on these ports and in particular Japan .

My DH has been wanting to do a far east trip for years and I've put off mainly because it seems so far from my comfort zone plus its such a long way. But I am definitely going to start investigating it more and maybe we will actually get there in the next couple of years 

8 hours ago, pugbeary said:

Thank you so much for the quick replies!!!  This is very helpful. We are really looking forward to trying a new cruise line.

Don't forget iced water, iced flavoured waters, tea, coffee and hot chocolate are all included in your cruise fare. 

You have to pay for freshly made special coffees and bottled water.

You can also bring on board one bottle of wine per adult. 

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

I was on this cruise July 23-30 and can agree on many of the conclusions in this report. 

Best advice for Mykonos is to go onshore early but not TOO early (shops don't open until 10) so say 9:00am. Go to see the windmills FIRST, then walk the town's winding streets and shops, try some snacks and coffee, and then if you're a beach goer go to the beach of your choice. 

Another easy DIY idea for Mykonos is to catch the boat over to Delos from the main harbour. You can buy your tickets at the booth there.

At Delos you purchase tickets to enter the ancient mythical birthplace of Apollo and major archaeology site.  There's  a cafe and museum on the island and depending on your port hours you should still have plenty of time to wander Mykonos and have lunch in a taverna 

3 hours ago, deliver42 said:

We love the Diamond lounge. Relaxing area, plus the coffee and snacks really hit the spot.

Same here , we usually have a drink and some predinner snacks in the DL lounge before a show then late dinner . We've met some lovely people, (which I agree you can at any bar ).

@GenerationXwho writes great blogs on Celebrity did a blog last month. I havent read it yet so not sure how it compares, but she has a great writing style if anyone is interested in MSC. Though it's Seascape not World

9 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

We have a neighbor selling their house since their Husband passed away in July and she cannot stand being in the home and passing by the bedroom where he died.     

The listing was posted online this morning and our street has been non-stop traffic all day.    Eric said there must have been at least 50 people walking thru the house while I was at work.    

She told another neighbor she wants to sell quick so she listed the house about $50K under market value.     With this many people checking out the home they will probably end up in a bidding war and sell for over market value.    

Hopefully the traffic slows down for the evening soon.

 

A sad reason to sell. 

When mum died in 2019 we had a tenant in (mum was in a care home) . By the time probate was granted we decided to wait till spring 2020 before selling as the garden and orchards would look their best with spring flowers and blossoms . Of course covid hit and to protect tenants there was a law passed that they could be not be asked to leave for six months.  There was huge pent up demand and we actually got a firm offer before it officially went on sale, and three other firm offers the first day it went on sale.

Now it's completely different, with high interest rates prices are falling, and its a buyers market

Thank you for all your good wishes for Isaac, he's safely home now and they've all had a good night. 

Sue

2 hours ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

My condolences to Bonnie @Bonteachesfor the loss of your dear friend   My thoughts and prayers are with you.  And for @sgmn ‘s grandson Isaac and for your recovery from Covid.

 

This morning’s gift to us as we approach our day in Waterford(Dunmore), Ireland

 

 

Thank you for your kind good wishes for Isaac and for your beautiful pictures 

I'm glad you're having a great holiday 

12 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

My heart is heavy today.  I found out this morning that one of my closest TX friends passed away suddenly a few days ago. Recently, she laughed when I told her she was a new friend of mine, of only 20 years.

 

 She was found on the floor by a friend who had her key.  She was rushed to the hospital and passed away 3 days later. The friend who found her did not have my contact info but she was able to call someone who alerted me today. 

 

The only chronic ailment she had was asthma (that I knew of).  I have no idea what the cause of death was but it really doesn't much matter.  She's gone forever. Tomorrow is a memorial service for her.  In life, she chose to be cremated when the time came, as was her husband a few years ago.  They had no children and doted on their nieces, nephews and their grandnieces and grandnephews. They were world travelers after retirement from gov't careers.  They also visited every single U.S. presidential library.   Asia, Scandanavia, Australia, France were their playgrounds.  True cultural history buffs. I love you Cheri. I'm devastated. I'll miss our many phone calls, our laughter, our yummy lunches.  YOU were the ultimate mah jongg queen. I'll miss you forever.

 

If you have a good friend you haven't spoken to in awhile, give her/him a call and smile together.

 

I knew this was a safe place to come in and "talk".

I'm truly sorry Bonnie for the sudden loss of your good friend. 

You wrote a beautiful loving eulogy to her, she sounds a lovely lady.

RIP Cheri 🙏 

14 hours ago, grapau27 said:

We went out tonight for anniversary dinner.

You choose the most wonderful restaurants Graham.  Do you research reviews,   personal recommendations? Or just luck