Toothfairy754

Sorry I have been away for so long..really been doing a lot here around the old house.

Tonight of course I have been glued to the TV...I am hoping all are well and that no one has been affected by the terrible devastion in San Bruno.

I have a SIL in that area but all is OK

Barb

I have all the books for that series - so if you ever want to read them, let me know - my girlfriend says it's the dullest series and she got me started on the Miss Julia ones but I love the simple stories of Fr Tim and his town - easy, relaxing - and his fiance, who became his wife... I also like the Maisie Dobbs series.

 

Pies I cannot make - can't make a good crust - my Mom was an excellent pie maker - love the ones that are peach and blueberry combo - from a place in Lodi called Philipps Farm -yum... it's also a wine tasting place and they serve breakfast and lunch.

 

well, off to cook for tomorrow's picnic - carol

Hi Carol I would love to read the rest of the series of Father Tim.

Let me know and I will get together with you and get them.

I still do my pies and crusts out of my OLD Betty Crocker cookbook which is held together with duct tape. LOL

We like the pies from Tracella farms.They also sometimes have a good banana nut bread although they did not have it the last time I went there a couple of weeks ago.

We did go down to the Antioch Farmers market a couple of sundays but it is the same every week. I bought some breads from a girl named Michelle but they are too dry.

Yesterday my son took me to El Puelbo market in Pittsburg and we had tacos and tamales last night.They really have some nice produce and meats there.

WellI had better get moving around here. Have fun with your picnic :)

Barb

Are those books about the minister by Jan Karon? the father tim series?

 

I vegged out today - today is a full day with Narce and Sat too, cuz we plan to go to the Walnut Grove area - then on Sunday we are going to treat the nieces/nephews and their spouses to oyster in the Pt Reyes area. Guess auntie Carol will be cooking cuz we can't just have oysters... baking too - there will be 10 of us and two little boys - should be fun. carol

Hi Carol

Yes they are the father Tim series by Karon. I really enjoyed the 2 of them that I read.

Sounds like a usual you are busy. I did pick the peaches and grapes and made my GF a homemade peach pie. She called me Suzy home maker LOL

Have a great weekend

Barb

I have read one book titled *the Maze* which I passed off to my GF. I also read a couple of odd books I found at Big Lots about an Espiscopalian minister.(novels)

I am off to my GF's today to pick her peaches. I promised her I would make her a peach pie if she would share <G>

Take care and get some reading in...I know you are leaving on a trip soon so if I don't talk to you have a great time.

Barb

HI ALL

Well I am beginning to think this unemployment thing is going to kill me...... I may have to find a job to relax ;)

Monday I finished painting my bedroom.

I spent two days cleaning up the yard.. sweeping moving the table,weeding etc. I also put up a pool for Sascha...she goes in and I stick my feet in while I read. :) That is the one good thing about being off...I have caught up on my reading.

There is always yard work at my house.

Does anyone else remember how the women in the 50's had a schedule...

I know at our house

Monday was laundry (with the old wringer washing machine)

Tuesday was ironing (no steam we sprinkled them with a bottle)

and that is all I can remember...except for Mom listening to soaps (Ma Perkins) on the radio while the beds were made.

The weather here has been absolutely wonderful.

Hope everyone is doing well

Barb

That would be a fun lunch :)

Hi Carol

Yes the company at lunch was great. I really enjoyed it also. We do need to do another one. Let me know when your busy schedule allows for it.

It sounds like you had a lot of fun at the old CP. I once got to sit in the sound booth at the Curran theather in SF and see My Fair Lady.That wa a very interesting evening. :)

Glad to see the computer is back up an running.

Barb

I like the Radiance class myself - which is almost the same size as the Infinity = I think slightly larger - I like the feeling of seeing water when I am on the different decks - altho' it makes me sick - well, that's another story - I want to try the Freedom class and then the Oasis = I know they are big, but from the reviews and friends' experience, they are saying the Oasis is so large that everyone has a lot of places to go to and the lounges, etc are not that crowded - i guess I want to experience it for myself so I know what I really like and don't like.

 

Barb - I do hope you can still go on the Voyager, but I do understand; and even if you do get another job, hopefully, they will consider the april schedule - anyway, I just want things to work out for you -

 

just got home from a concert, local - from the Hannah Nicole Winery in Brentwood - a group that plays and tries to look like the Stones - lead looks exactly like Mick - they were good - not super excellent, but good. We paid $10 each/and had to buy a bottle (or more if you want) of their wine - good deal - we brought snax - kinda' like a super mini Concord Pavillion, really mini - we went to the concert there last month too.

 

Barb - did you ever go to the Concord P when it was the CP? I started going when it was new in the mid 70's up to the 90's - then it became totally different.

 

I hope to hook up with you next week.

 

carol

Yes I did go to the CP ..took my kids to their first concert there..The Beach Boys <G>

Barb

Where'd everybody go???

 

Carol, sorry to hear you didn't like the Infinity. I heard that she was just renovated but maybe not. My cousin just brought her entire family on her to Alaska last week and they all just loved it! She was my first ship I sailed on so I'm a little partial! I love her and the Millie, their size is perfect and I thought they were easy to navigate because of that! Now the Paradise was about the same size but that was crazy to figure out! The Mariner is okay as far as I love the Promenade but the rest is a lot of walking that I have a hard time with! And, our cruise in January will be a test for me as we're on the aft this time and not on the bulge. I don't think I would like anything bigger than the Mariner, too many people and too much walking! Oh, well, just thought I would stop by to say 'hi', but no one's been here in a while so I hope someone reads this! ;)

Glenda I am with you. I love the service and the size of the Infinity and Millie. Although I did think the Infinity was in better shape than the Millie... all are going to be totally revamped. They are going to Soltice them...erg

I really do not want to do a larger ship that that. I agree with you too many people and too much walking. I am booked on the Voyager but not sure right now if I will keep the booking. I got laid off and so it may become a question of finances as to whether we go.

Barb

back from our AK cruise - will try to get back into my posting routine soon -- carol

I was worried when we had not heard from you...glad you are home safely :)

Had a great time in Vegasthis past weekend.. took April as a late BD present and also it was her first time so we had a BLAST..... my feet do not like me much right now though<G>

Barb

Oh my goodness... if I had to find a station that still pumps gas or wait for a family member to do it I would never be able to go anywhere.

Carol is you need lessons in gas pumping let me know. I have become an expert LOL

I also found out through my DD mistake one morning.. if you hit credit (instead of debit) it takes a few extra days for the charge to be put through your account. Now that can be helpful <G>

Barb

Janice is right, we are the ones with the long coast line and RCCL is leaving? not right...

 

I would love to do SF, Monterey (and ships use to stop there), San Diego, Catalina, and Ensenada (only cuz it as to go to a foreign port)... and also up north to Vancouver - stopping at my favorite Astoria and Seattle!!

Well, I believe one of these days, we will get our wish.

 

carol

There is only one cruise I know of like that and it is the Infinity (ha ha Carol)

West Coast Wine Tour. Celebrity does it once a year from north to south (repositioning for winter). It is a 10 day and is the only cruise I know of that stops in Monterey. This year may be the last one though if they are pulling out of the west coast.It is in Sept.

Barb

What a beautiful day in the Bay Area. Started it with a massage then my DD and I had brunch in Berkeley. We drove up into the hills and checked out the Claremont. After that we did some shopping in Berkeley and then back home.

I know someone who is going to sleep good tonight. :D

What a difference from Wednesday when all went wrong... from opening the slider to a skunk first thing in the am.. to having the cruise cancelled later in the day. (I won't go into in between).:(

But all is well now and we even get more rain this week, but that's ok too because it will be nice on the weekend again. :)

Have a great week

Barb

Hi, Barb! Glad to see you're joining us next April! So you were on the Infinity in the So. Caribbean, I'm jealous! I'm another Celebrity lover! And, if they were still doing the Mex Riv cruises out of SF like the first one we went on, we would most definitely be on that one! Not to say I didn't like the Mariner last year, but I'm still not happy with RCI's treatment with our cruise and how it ended up. We're really only going again because of our group that is going. Most who were on last year's will not sail Royal again because of it. It was the cruise that got turned around after Cabo and went to SF in the wind, cold and rain. Princess and Carnival gave their customers a 50% future cruise credit and onboard credit. We got onboard credit that we all had to buy sweatshirts with! :cool:

Hi Glenda

Actually we sailed the Millie in the So Carribean... basically the same ship. However it was a livelier crowd.

As you know we had some of the same problems on Infinity last year with H1N1 as you did (we missed all the Mexican ports and got San Diego,Catalina and an overnight in SF). According to Celebrity they were NOT going to give us anything... it was an act of nature. I called and got nothing as did several of our other shipmates....

then Mr Martini (aka Jeff) got on the phone.... he told them how he did not think that *starring you* was being lived up too, and a few other things.We ended up getting 250.00 off our next cruise( hence the So Carribean). I did notice that shortly after they changed their slogan. <G>

I am a little hestitant about sailing RCL (X has spoiled me)...and these ports of call, (as I have done it three times now) BUT I want to sail with this group. :) I think this group is going to be the most fun I have sailed with yet! The best previously was on the Infinity. We still have the roll call going and keep in touch :)

Hope all is well with your wolves... my shepard is doing fine.

Barb

Barb: You cannot believe how excited we are to have you on the April 3 Mexico cruise!! yay! double Yay for the double Martini's...

 

Char - keep Nov 2011 open - my gang back east may decide to do an X cruise -

you will definitely fit in -

 

of course anyone interested are all welcome to join us on that Nov 2011 cruis= don't know where to - don't know what ship! ha!ha! just in the planning right now... well, we at least have the Month and the Year!!

 

carol

careful that is when Jeff's 35th BD month you never know who may show up LOL

Barb:

 

You mentioned that we would probably be invited to dine at the specialty restuarant on the Infinity the first night - free? why ? we are not in a suite - but we did sign up as concierge class plus Narce and I are elites... it would be nice if we could be invited to dine there - thanx - carol

I am not positive if it is only for Suite guests or if it is for elites also. But if it is offered take it!

I know many of the Elite perks are given to suite guests.. which is how we got them. :)

BTW Booked the Mariner today for April 3rd.. the *double Martini* is going to be back on the seas. ;)

whoa Barb! raining in our area! good thing we went to church early then Brunch at Las Montanas in Concord at the old Willow Pass Shopping Center.

 

stay dry!! carol

I ran outside and got some firewood for a nice cozy fire... but that is as far as I have been out all day :)

Barb

Barb...are you going on the Mariner April 3?

 

Jim and I have sailed on NCL Star and really loved her so he should have a great time. Their activity level is just a notch below RCCL's which is a big notch below Carnival. LOL

 

Char

Yep I will be there with Jeff.

We had a really bad experience on the Star so I am hoping Marty has a better time. (Really bad outbreak of noro).

I think most of us started out our first sailing with Carnival and moved on from there. :)

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE ON THIS THREAD TOO!! HAVE A GOOD DAY!

 

We already went to Church then Brunch - and now we are Resting til dinner! which I will have to cook - don't mind it -

 

Yes, Char, we are counting on Barb and her kids to be with us on The Mariner on April 3 2011 - it'll be really fun cuz her gang is pretty lively - two great adult kids who have fun.

 

Barb: Yep, I can just hear Jeff - he's pretty much an expert now with all his cruisin' experience - he did not steer you wrong re: Catalina! He said it's a nice place and it really is!

 

carol

I think at this point it will be Jeff and I coming. April says she has done that cruise and would rather see other places.

No he certainly didn't steer me wrong with Catalina.

Jeff and I have been cooking pretty much of the am. Scalloped potatos are ready to go,asparagus is ready to go and the ham is fully studded with cloves. Jeff ran out and got the ham this am as we were not planning on cooking....he got the last ham and it is a full sized one..I know what I will be eating all week. LOL

Trying to pay for things with cash.

Barb...welcome back from your cruise sounds like it was great...Jim and I want to try X sometime in the future and are looking at them for our anniversary cruise in 2013...will try to squeeze one in before if we can.

 

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

 

Char

Thanks for the welcome back. I am sure you will enjoy X. I am now reading all I can about Royal as I have not sailed them previously. It sounds like a much busier atmosphere than X. Any and all tips on the ship will be helpful. <G>

My sons partner is sailing next week on the NCL Star. It is rather funny as this will be his first cruise and that was my sons first cruise. Jeff has been playing TA with M's Mom telling her what to do and see in Mexico.:)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter :)

Barb

How was your X ship Barb? were you in Concierge class? or if you are in a suite, are you given concierge privileges?

 

Narce keeps asking me if X is really better than RCCL - i can't answer that but I told him I haven't come across any negative opinions yet - I am just glad that we are considered elite with X - that helps us a lot. I also signed all of us for the concierge class. carol

Hi Carol

As I have not sailed RCCL I cannot say for sure if X is better. Guess I will find out,next April. I do need to get onboard and make my reservations.

Anyway...

We booked a Royal Suite. We had all the privilegess of Elite. If you are Diamond on RCCL then you are Elite on X. There are only three tiers. I do not believe that Concierge class has all the same privileges as Elite.

Some of the reasons I have heard X is better... it is a more refined atmosphere...quieter. One announcement overhead per day at noon from the Captain.(no come to bingo etc). If it is a port day the Captain will make the announcement when you arrive and depart. If the Capt. is still Maragaritas we called him speedy Sam as we seemed to always get to our ports early. He is a also very nice as we got to meet him and do a private bridge tour with him.

Food... Jeff and I tend to stay away from the buffets. We ate breakfast in Michaels Club (Elite benefit). It is a very light contintenal breakfast.(Lox, rolls, fresh fruit,and coffee from the Cova..best coffee onboard),had room service (it is a complete beakfast menu), or the Aqua Spa. ALso try there waffles from the waffle station..very good.

For dinner we ate in the MDR or at the SS. It is their pay restaurant onboard and it has the best food I have ever had on a ship.It is 5 courses and 35.00 per person. Plan about 3 hours for dinner. You will probably be invited the dine there free the first night..take advantage of it. (we ate there three times this cruise). There is also the Aqua Spa grill back by the T pool on deck 10. They have light breakfasts and lunches. Jeff had a parfait for breakfast one mornig that he said was delicious. The same crew that runs the SS runs the Aqua Spa. Stay away from the Alternative restaurant for dinner (it is 2.00 and they are training there chefs etc. We returned our meal it was so bad and they comped it).

I will E Mail you the link to our photos,and answer any other questions you might have as I do not want to bore everyone here. <G>

Barb

do you still have to purchase a virus block? like McAfee or Symantec? or is it an automatic thing with the Macs? I mean built in? And yes, the older I get, the more I want things to be like in the 60's - like cars - just put the key in and the car will turn on!! instead of these remote dealies or door locks with combinations that you have to remember - and all those PIN #'s for everything we have to deal with these days - and Passwords! ha!ha!

 

carol

If I remember correctly from when we had a MAC you do not need virus protection. And MAC's are really simple to use. I remember how hard a PC seemed after a MAC but now it might be hard to use one. I think those brain cells died :eek:.

Barb

Hi all

I am back from yet another wonderful cruise on Celebrity. This one was very port intensive 8 islands in 11 days. The Souterhn Caribbean is beautiful . Our favorite island was Curacao and least favorite was Barbados.

Among our adventures were going to a lady home in Dominica and learning to cook Caribbean and then eat it. We also sailed on one of the ships used in Pirates of the Caribbean and it broke down and we have to *overtake* a party boat to get back :)

There were almost no Americans onboard this trip so we hung out with Brits and Canadians quite a bit. Although we did run into one couple from Livermore and another from San Ramon.

Hope everyone is well.

Barb

Thank You so much Cruisestitch!