cruzn single

Good afternoon, fellow Dailyites! Thanks to all who make this the place to be. We can all rejoice with each other, and share the tears with those whose cares are shared! What a caring community. One piece of good news! I am watching a robin out my window. Of course, I know that doesn't make spring, as we have snow in the forecast for later today and the next two days! But I just had to share! Actually, there are two robins in the open space between units! I know so many areas are just like it is here - we want Spring to arrive and NOW. The date has now been set for my oldest DSSon's second surgery. If all stays the same his kidney will be removed April 12. Of course, it is one of the days that I will be "unavailable" as I will be in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on the Rotterdam TA. I have done some soul searching, but I am not going to cancel this cruise. Too long in the making and planning, and too close to sailing date! I will just be there in thought and prayer, and leave the hospital, etc. to my DDIL and DSDaughter. I hope I am making the right decision. @smitty34877, I understand your reluctance to leave Tana alone. I faced so many of those days, and unfortunately that is a disease that causes so many unexpected "curves in the road." You and your family are doing a great job in caregiving. My hats off to all the caregivers in whatever circumstances they are in. Hope the rest of the day is great for all! Mary Kay

As usual, late posting for me today. It has been a crazy week for me, with meetings, snow, closed roads, and just general uncertainty! Well, have made it to Friday evening. Sending prayers for all on the Cares list and best wishes for those celebrating! With @durangoscots, I wish our weather would make up its mind, and am hoping for a few days reprieve. Our "forecast" was not what happened for the last three days. Wish I could have worked for NWS, as I could have just made up what I told people. I have an answer for the topic of discussions yesterday about storing medicine. When I filled out the Special Info request for my late March cruise, I learned something! I was telling HAL about my shellfish allergy, and on the form there is a special section for Medicine Storage. It must be a routine part of the Special Needs Info. (And that is all the good info I have for today!) My plans for dinner include salmon and acorn squash - is that close enough to Halibut, etc? Have a good evening, everyone! Mary Kay

Add me to Rotterdam March 28 and b2b Rotterdam TA April 3

Happy Monday/President's Day. Yesterday was blue skies, and today is grey and overcast. Wish the weather would make up its mind. Guess snow coming for mountains, and rain for us later in the week. Of course, I have two county meetings (different counties) and it is supposed to rain. Rain usually doesn't bother me for driving, as I lived in Florida for 19 years! It seemed to rain almost every day as I got off work and had to drive home. Daytona 500 was enjoyable, and the driver who won was a surprise! All of my "favorite" drivers ended up with their car in a non-running/wrecked situation! Oh well, that is Daytona! Prayers for all on the Care List. I concur with having President Carter on the Cares List. It is an example to all that home hospice care can bring peace. So many in our world are hurting for so many reasons. My jobs for this week are a much needed haircut, and a much needed mani/pedi. After I returned from Hawaii I was sick for over a week, and then was out of town last week. Typing is hard with these long nails, and I can barely see through the hair almost covering my eyes! Have a great day, everyone! Mary Kay

Glad to be back to reading and posting here in the friendly world of the Daily! My trip to Denver area was busy., exhausting, full of bad weather, but very worthwhile in the sessions and interactions with Emergency Managers.. There was a bad snow storm Tuesday and Wednesday, and we weren't sure if we would get home on Thursday, but in true Colorado fashion, Thursday morning was clear blue sky, beautiful snowy mountains and clear roads!!! I am for sure home for about 5 weeks till my Rotterdam TA the end of March. I just want the time to decompress and slow down a little. Of course, my volunteer stuff will keep me busy! Have a great day, everyone! Mary Kay

@Cruising-along, in all honesty, there isn’t a plum anywhere next or near this particular recipe. It is a holiday dessert with similar ingredients to a fruitcake. Why it is called that is a mystery to me. Unfortunately, I am the oldest of my generation and the origin of the name is lost forever with myDM’s relatives.

Super Bowl is on, so it seems like a good time to at least say "Hello" for the day. NFL football hasn't held much interest for me anymore after DH passed! Still love college, though. It has been a bright, clear, cool day in Western Colorado. Hope the weather holds for our trip to Denver area. Last time we went to this particular conference (2020), the first part of the trip was through a blinding snow storm! Eisenhower Tunnel isn't fun in snow!!! I had a great Uncle who was a tremendous baker and owned his own bakery. Made wonderful plum pudding, and I cherish his recipe for it. I have made it several times around the holidays, in my younger years. I loved the pictures today of Cobh. Brings back so many memories of our visit in 1999 on a land tour. (pre-digital photo era). That trip was a tribute to my DM, as I took the small inheritance from her to fund the tour! Good time! Prayers for all on the Cares List, and a shout-out to those celebrating! Have a great evening. Mary Kay

Just a quick note of appreciation from me today! What a wonderful family there is here on the Daily! I marvel at how so many have stepped in to keep things going, and moving along. The sharing and caring is so joyful! Thanks to all. I m feeling a little stronger today, so am trying to get caught up on a few things that have been neglected since I returned from Hawaii! Finally got my brokerage statement via email this morning, so think my stuff may be ready to send to the CPA in NM. I need to get this done, because I need to tend to the taxes before I leave for my Rotterdam TA in March. Won't return til late April! Have a great day everyone. Thanks to all for sharing and caring. Prayers for all in need. Mary Kay

Many thanks to all for well wishes. Felt somewhat stronger today and actually "did" something. Trip to the grocery store and cleaners. Just worked around the house picking up stuff and trying to get a handle on the mail that piled up after being opened post-trip! Still coughing some, but definitely less! @durangoscots, yes, I am very aware of altitude. Even noticed it in Phoenix (1068") after being at sea level for almost 3 weeks. Dreading the trip Monday over Vail and then thru the Tunnel (11,000')!!!!

Good morning, Daily friends! It has been over a month since I have been a visitor! I know I have lots of reading to do to try and catch up. Been thinking of everyone and want to know I want to get caught up. Had a great time in Hawaii, and lots of wonderful memories created with long-time friends. But during the early part of my trip, the air quality was quite bad, thanks to the VOG. Air traffic patterns were even altered into/out of Oahu during the first 10-12 days. Thanks to that situation, my already compromised lungs got a big dose of bad air! Though I had a cold, although I tested negative several times for C-19! After I returned to the mainland, things got progressively worse! Ended up in the ER last Sunday, and follow-up with doc on Monday. Very bad exacerbation of my lung problems. I tested negative for C-19, RSV, Influenza A&B, and no pneumonia. So, after 6 days of strong antibiotics and high prednisone doses, I think I will live! I was aching up into my shoulders from the extreme coughing! I know my "troubles" are minor compared to others, but just wanted to give a short explanation as to the cause of my absence. I will be spending time trying to read many days of the Daily, and know that my thoughts and prayers go out to al in need. Have a great day, everyone. Now to try to get out a little today to get a few things done! I need to get my act together because I leave Monday for a 3-day conference in the Denver area for Red Cross. Wish me luck!

Good Sunday afternoon to all the faithful Dailyites! Many thanks to all who make this spot so very special. Special thanks to @rafinmdfor his "double/triple" work. Where would we all go for our daily knowledge, and friendship! I am enjoying the discussion of "salt brine." Here in Colorado the roads are treated with a solution of Magnesium/Chloride after the storm. It is also referred to as "Ice Melt." And just as an FYI, it makes a real mess of cars. That's the reason that car washes are in business anytime the temps are above freezing. It is just grey and overcast here today.. As long as the planes are leaving Grand Junction tomorrow I will be happy. I fly to Phoenix tomorrow and then fly to Oahu on Tuesday. Will be gone till 01/31. It is challenging to pack when I am in winter mode here and will be spending almost three weeks in a warm climate region. And, I want to take as little as possible, as handling heavy luggage isn't my style anymore. My prayers for all on the care list. I will check in as I can while I am gone! Keep celebrating all the good times. Mary Kay

Just was reading quickly through the posts. Prayers for @kazu. I understand her concerns about solo travel, and now ---??? We had two days of mostly sunshine, and woke up this morning to flurries. Hurry up Monday so that I can get to Hawaii!! Also early this morning got the call from the dermatologist. I get to have MOHS surgery for the two spots biopsied on December 22. No dates available till April, so will have the surgery when I return from my TA on the Rotterdam! So, between snow, and dermatologist call, it is not the best day. Got my car washed yesterday (yes, I was another one with horribly dirty windows). So the car will get dirty today, as I am leaving shortly for a mani/pedi. Will try to check back in later. Have a great day everyone! Mary Kay

Good "snowy", "rainy", gloomy morning to all! Our weather since the start of the year has been all of that and more. Yes, we need the moisture. Please remind me of this when I complain about the dry summer! Bon Voyage to all that are embarking on such amazing long cruises. Thankfully, we all get to tag along vicariously through the wonderful posts we can read. @durangoscotsI know I wouldn't like your weather as you get much more than we do. They have only plowed once in our seniors neighborhood . I see that now Red Mountain is the only closed pass of the three between our locations. @rafinmd, thanks for including me on the Cares List. But you can take me off as it is a condition I have lived with for over 40 years, and only have a bad episode once in a great time. Was about 7-8 years since my last bad one. There are others with more pressing needs that we can all pray for. I will make this quick for this morning. I have to leave shortly as the girl who cleans for me should arrive in a few minutes. Have a great day everyone! Mary Kay

A very belated Happy New Year to all the wonderful Dailyites!!! Yesterday was a very bad day for me, and all I could was read. My irregular heartbeat was rearing it's ugly head and I couldn't do much, but sit in the recliner. For me, the condition is caused by a leaky heart valve, but is not bad enough for a replacement. I haven't had such an episode in about 8-9 years. Today I am still worn out, but-----. It is another dreary cold day. We have snow, then rain, then freeze, then warming and thaw. As long as the weather is decent next Monday when I leave for Phoenix and then to Hawaii, I will just endure our unusual (for here) weather. All summer long I was noting how dry it was in Western Colorado. We ended up at the year's end with annual moisture about the annual average. I am sure the states downstream in the Colorado River Basin will be happy! On New Year's Eve I spent most of the day clearing out my filing cabinet of 2022 paperwork. I want everything ready when I return from Hawaii the end of January to get my 1099's , etc. ready to send to my CPA. Need to get my tax stuff asap because I am leaving for my TA on the Rotterdam the end of March and won't return till after tax filing date! Hope the day is great for everyone! Mary Kay

This may/may not relate, but I go to the pasta station frequently for lunch in the Lido. Since I have a shellfish allergy, I always ask for them to use a clean pan. I usually just get pasta with butter and sautéed mushrooms. I also can’t eat most red pasta sauces. Asking for the clean pan is no big deal for whatever reason.

Happy New Year's Eve and then, very shortly, Happy New Year 2023! Many thanks to all who keep this special place alive with the lists, and the F&B department for telling us about wonderful food and drink! Western Colorado is seeing the last vestiges of an overnight snow, but most has melted already! We have had off and on snow for the past three days, but there are only patches left on some lawns. Certainly not what has happened in the Durango area plus the Front Range. My DStep-daughter is having a get-together this afternoon from 4-6. Guess that tells you the age range of attendees. So, I will be home early enough to watch the last college football game of the day! I am on my 2nd game today. The College Football Bowl season is always bittersweet for me, as that was something my DH and I enjoyed together. My prayers for all on the Cares List, and a shoutout to those celebrating! Mary Kay

A very Merry and Blessed Christmas. Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Christmas Eve to all. Hope travels are safe and that families and friends cherish their tome together. And be sure to enjoy all the yummy foods.

I will enjoy your reporting on this cruise. Wish I could do this sometime. What an adventure you have ahead of you! Enjoy!

I am almost ashamed to post here. Like @durangoscotswe are having lovely, dry and warming weather! I live west of the mountains, and the whole bad storm seems to be Denver and East. Sorry. My prayers are for safe travel for all those on the move, constant electricity for those in the affected area, and just a general well wish for everyone! We lived in Florida for 19 years and never made it to Key West. We had these things called pesky jobs and when we traveled it was either to Colorado, Illinois, or on a BHB. I am "supposed" to go to Key West in April on the 5-day precursor to the Rotterdam TA (150th). There is so much I want to see, but I am waiting for a while to schedule, because so many sailings have had Key West cancelled. Yesterday's port of Hakodate was scheduled for our 2011 ill-fated Volendam cruise, so that was one of 4 Japanese ports that we didn't get to visit. Earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant made the decision for a re-routing of that cruise. While I was at the grocery store this morning (third time to get a prescription), I just went ahead and picked up my prime rib for Christmas Dinner. I just couldn't face the thought of going there tomorrow. I am having 4 for dinner, and I figured if I need anything else, dinner will go on without said item. Best wishes for a great day, and enjoy the visits with family and friends. Mary Kay

Update: Dermatologist took biopsy samples from 3 areas on/around my nose. Have had to have MOHS surgery once on each side of my nose! Biopsy might be back by 1st week in January. Guess I can only wait. My second piece of not so happy news is that I won't be able to get tickets for Nutcracker. It was just in paper today (hadn't seen anything before). Tickets are $72 for last row, which is the only seating available, so not going to do that. I have had seats in that area before, and it is not ideal seating. Oh well, it perked me up just to think about going. Will save that $$ for something fun in Hawaii. On a brighter note, my Step-son just had a good visit with oncologist, so I am anxious to hear more about the appointment. Guess everything is a go for the next surgery (kidney removal). Now return to your regular reading.

Many thanks to all who posted such caring thoughts yesterday. Guess my "funk" has been heightened with our cold weather! It is a bright blue sky with below freezing temps, which will continue all day. I just figured out how I am going to get in a better frame of mind. The Nutcracker is going to be performed today through Friday at a theater in Grand Junction. Since I know no one else will go with me, I am giving myself a treat and going by myself!!! This was an annual ritual that we did when DH was alive and well! Will get my ticket for above this afternoon after I get out of the dermatologist office. Want to see what he does to my body, if anything! This is the "annual" so hope all is okay by him! Have a great day, everyone! Mary Kay

Greetings and Good Morning, Friends! I haven't posted here since before Thanksgiving.. Lots has been going on, and two things stand out as reasons for me to have "shirked" on posting. My DStep-son (the one with 2 cancers) managed to expose most of the family and some friends to COVID on Thanksgiving! This after he was asked by his wife to test, and didn't!!!! I was one of the fortunate ones that didn't get it, but was doing extra cooking (soups, etc.). I was literally wanting to strangle him! Everyone except one neighbor seemed to have fairly light cases. The cancer news is encouraging. He has been having MRI's, cat scans in last week, and so far things are looking good for him. If the healing from 1st surgery continues on course they will start working on the date for the second (kidney removal) surgery after mid-January. @rafinmd, I think that for the present time he can be removed from the rotating Cares list. I'll let you know when he will be undergoing 2nd surgery! All prayers have been so appreciated and I know have been a plus for his current healing! This "pre-winter" time since the first part of November has really gotten me down. I know that we aren't as cold as our Northern neighbors, but the damp cold we have experienced has really bothered me this year. To further illustrate, I have done no decorating for Christmas, and don't plan to. I will be having family for Christmas dinner, and that is the extent of my holiday planning! I can't wait till I go to Hawaii for almost the whole month of January! Of course, I have been watching all the news coverage of the hard landing for the Hawaiian plane. That is the flight I will be taking - as there is only one flight daily from Phoenix each way! I have been following with interest all the lucky people on cruises. I have lifted in prayer those who have been on the Cares list. @smitty34877I am so happy for you that your hip replacement went well especially for you to return home. There will be continued prayers for all those in need. I still am keeping busy with various calls (Zoom, etc.) for Red Cross. Thank goodness my role doesn't require me to be gone from home that much. About a week ago, I got the latest booster and had no reaction whatsoever! Hoping my immunity continues. This has become too long, but just wanted to do a quick check-in. I read almost everyday, but am just not motivated to post. Just know I am thinking of all the very special posters who have landed in this wonderful spot! Have a great day! Mary Kay

Greetings from the cold Western Slope of Colorado! The weather people on TV are saying that we are having January temps. No wonder I don't like it, as I am usually In Hawaii in January! My posting here lately is so erratic. I have been working on cleaning out and tossing stuff, and then working on Christmas cards. It is usually very late when I get around to reading, and then almost too late to try to post! @Quartzsite Cruiserwere the pictures today from a place that is "close" to Bangkok? I was just looking at some of DH's pictures from Thailand from his Vietnam R&R, and some of the Buddas looked similar to those fading 1970 pictures. Thanks to all for making this such a friendly, supportive place to visit. Special to all who keep up lists, etc - @richwmn@rafinmd, @dfish, @summer slopeand @cat shepard. You all certainly help to keep us all informed so well. Special prayers for all in need. Bon Voyage to all those either aboard to about to board wonderful cruise ships! Mary Kay

Happy Day AFTER Election to all, except those in Georgia! My sympathies for you as you have another month of politics to endure!!!! Are the candidates allowed to "campaign" before the run-off? I loved that others mentioned the Medicare Open Enrollment period ads - in addition to those on TV, and all of the mailings, I also get 1-2 emails or snail mail weekly from AT&T. I don't take their insurance and haven't done so for at least 15 years, but they are constantly hounding me at this time of year. GEEZ, can't you people get the message that I don't want or need to participate? My prayers for all who are having health issues, and other problems. I would love it if the Cares list was smaller. @rafinmd, please put my step-son on the rotation, as this is going to be a long siege with healing and additional surgery. There are others with more pressing and serious needs and he is doing as well as possible during this healing process. My special prayers are for all those in the way of Nicole, who is a very unwelcome visitor. How much more can Florida endure - only about 3 more weeks of official hurricane season. For all those in N's path please take care and evacuate if told to do so!!! We have had terrible wind last night and this morning. Now we have had rain since noon, and the snow will come tonight! Thankful for the moisture, but I hate the cold, gray gloom. A friend and I went to a noon concert at the downtown Methodist Church which is held once a month! Fabulous guitar recital - classical Spanish music. I always love to hear this man perform. I also get to enjoy some of his music weekly as he is the music director at the Catholic Church I attend. Thanks to all who make this such a special place. Have a great rest of the day, everyone! Mary Kay