purduemom1

Sherri, if tour night cruise is half as good as the one that we did with AMA then you will certainly enjoy it. While we cruised the ship was playing Only Time by Enya. I have that song on my phone and each time I hear it I am reminded of that cruise. I hope you are able to keep us posted from time to time on your trip. I hope your cough subsides. Maybe you can try some peppermint candies, the red and white ones. They won’t smell like medicine. I always have one or two in my purse. Kat, I will have to take closer look at their pans. Oh wait, this assumes that I plan to cook. 🙀 Maybe I’ll need to rethink this😉 Lois, happy packing! You must have it down pat with all the traveling you have done. I hope you have really nice weather for Quebec although good weather all along will be the best. Hope you will check in when you can. Sharon

Good Morning, Wishing Sherri and Lois amazing cruises. Also wishing both of you uneventful flights. Sherri, yes, River cruising is very different compared to ocean cruising. Depending on your ports, you could dock right in “town” and when you are cruising, you will have scenery to look at along the way. We cruised a few weeks later than you and although we had a balcony, we usually spent our cruising time in the central “living room” with comfortable seating grouping and large windows. Oh, and a bar for refreshment. Because the number aboard is much smaller, it is easy to meet and get to know others. It’s a very different experience but one that we really enjoyed. BTW I hope your cruise will include an Illumination Cruise at night while you are in Budapest. That was an amazing experience. Melody, glad you are signed up for that class. Will look forward to hearing about your experience. Kat, sounds like you have some nice, new dinner/drink ware. Something to add enjoyment to your Stanley Tucci meals. I had never heard of Our Place until you mentioned it but night before last I saw a commercial for one of their pans and Our Place was mentioned at the end. Sharon

Hello Everyone, Lots going on here. Kat, love your Halloween decorations, I don’t think I’ve seen a dog skeleton in other displays. Good on you getting the new booster. Sherri, I know you will just love the river cruise. We were on AMA and they had bikes. Dress was casual. We went in early Nov so I took long sleeve tops and sweaters. Very easy to wear all day and then to dinner. I hope your flights go smoothly. How is the kitchen reno going? Lois, good sweater choice. Will be good on your cruise. Hope the weather improves. Melissa, good to hear that your treatment went well. Wishing you the same for the remaining ones. I really enjoyed time with the kids. Visit was just too short but we packed in a lot of activities. Our GD stayed on central time which meant waking up at 5:30 am. Grandma and grandpa got up with her and we played until breakfast while mom and dad slept in. Hated to see them leave but next trip will be in December. Went for a hair cut this morning and started on some projects that I had been putting off. I envy those who are already Christmas shopping. I really need to get organized! Sharon

Kat, wow you did an amazing job! Love your creativity. The Aspens are my favorite but the last picture is really beautiful.Red leaves are just so “fall”. We only have the one Apple store so will have to see if the mall can inspire some creativity. So SLC is coming up in the world-nice! Maybe more high end stores will appear at that mall?

Margaret, Love that picture of you and DH! It’s a keeper for sure! Sharon

Anita, I’m so sorry that you had to cancel your long awaited anniversary trip. Sending good thoughts that you and DH feel better soon and can hopefully plan another adventure. Sharon

Hi All, Kids are off visiting with the other grandparents. Will be back tomorrow. Gives us a chance to catch up a bit. Did do some shopping but certainly nothing as interesting as your purchases, Lois. We don’t have a OTR near by but I have purchased a few things at outlet malls. I love that top! Great choice and will look so nice with the gray pants. Sherri, I’m sorry that you are most likely positive. I hope that yours is a mild case. Good to hear that your DH is improving. Kat, love your pictures. I can see how valuable it was to take a walk around downtown for first hand experience. Our Apple store is in a mall and I doubt that there is nothing nearby as interesting as you have. As for leaf peeping, I love to look up at the mountainside with Aspen gold and the green pine when driving thru’ the Rockies. Sadly, no leaf peeping here yet:( Melissa, you have a great attitude and I just know your treatment will be successful. I am sending good thoughts your way. Good to hear that you are enjoying your time at the lake. Melody, I hope you finally got the results of your last scan. Oh, Lois, I second what Sherri said about Quebec. It is so charming and walkable. There are two levels to the old town and hopefully the funicular is still operating. Your itinerary sounds amazing-just wish I was going along! Sharon

Just binged and caught up on your review. I’ve read your other reviews and know your sweet Allie’s story. Your post about her visit brought tears to my eyes. Wishing you and Lisa an amazing cruise.

Sherri, glad you made it home safely but sorry about your DH and Covid. I agree, masking doesn’t spoil anything I do. It’s just a mask. . Bonus, I don’t have to spend as much time with make up. At least you weren’t quarantined during your cruise. Hope you stay well and DH has a mild case. Kat and Melody, good to hear that all is going ok with your family members after the hurricane. My Goddaughter said it was mostly wind snd rain but no damage or loss of power in Wilmington. As for BIL, he is still trying to assess his situation. So sad to watch all the reports of those who have lost everything and of course those who lost their lives. Lois, good decision to remain with your current doctor. Yay, you don’t have to pay that bill! Wonder how many patients will just go ahead and pay not knowing about the time rule? Wondering how Cynthia’s trip is going? Hopes she checks in when she can. DS, DIL and GD arrive tomorrow so we’ve spent some time child proofing. It’s been almost 2 months since we’ve seen them so really looking forward to this visit. GD is now 18 months and very busy all the time. Actually we should be resting so we can keep up with her. Wishing that our weather was more fall-like. No flannel sheets yet for us! Kat, I read that BB&B will be closing some stores and I’ve heard from friends that ours is not well stocked. Take care all, Sharon

Cynthia, wishing you an amazing adventure-without any issues. Kat, hoping your family in SC escapes the worst of Ian.My Goddaughter lives in Wilmington, NC and I hope she isn’t too impacted by this storm but tornadoes could be a problem. That fundraiser sounds like a fun event but certainly on the pricy side. Melody, how is your niece doing? Sherri, so glad your condo is ok. Now to get that kitchen renovation completed! Lois, ugh, you have a tough decision to make. It’s never easy to start over with someone new. Is it possible for you to try a new doctor and if it doesn’t work out as you’d like then go back to your current doctor? Of course there is always the drive to consider. Good luck with your decision. Our temps are not very fall-like. Still wearing summer clothes and a little tired of them. So OOTD is mostly just the same ole’ things and not much make up.

Melody, I hope your niece is ok. Looks like that area was hit hard. I see that a section of the bridge to/from Sanibel collapsed trapping all those who stayed on the island. My BIL knows it will be awhile until he has a good idea of his actual damage. He said that a few of the owners stayed so no telling how they are doing. Heard that most of the streets are flooded. Lois, how are you doing? I know you stocked up on essentials. Is your condo on higher ground? Stay safe!

Good to hear that your flight should depart as planned. Yes, this is a storm will set records and not in a good way. My BIL owns a condo in Naples, on the water. He lives in CT and isn’t in FL now. I can’t imagine the devastation those in FL are experiencing.

Melody, I wish the mall where our Apple store is located had better choices like yours does. Other than the Apple store, none of the other stores interest me. We used to have good choices there but those and newcomers have chosen to locate in newer centers. Wish Apple would do the same.

Lois, enjoy your new laptop! Nice that it’s all set up. I l hate it when questions pop up during a set up, upgrade etc. since I’m not always sure how to answer. Tonight, on the national news, Jacksonville was mentioned is in Ian’s path on Thursday. I know you stocked up and I hope your condo is not subject to flooding. The predicted storm surges sound really really bad. . Stay safe! Kat, just checked and our Apple store has the photography classes. I need to look into them. Cynthia, hoping that your flight won’t be impacted by Ian. Are you possibly in the storm’s path too? Would be great if all the unwanted water from this storm could be diverted to places that badly need it!

I’ve been thinking about those on here, incl relatives, who are awaiting more info on Ian’s path. Reading about prep suggestions and I will add one more. Since we are subject to power outages during really high temps, I bought 2 rechargeable fans. They are probably 8 or so inches across. I can also charge them with the Mophie portable charger. Hoping that Ian passes by without incident. Sherri, fingers crossed that you will be able to visit Quebec. It’s a favorite of mine. Kat, I need to look into those Apple classes. I’ve taken others at the store and have always learned a lot. Yes, lots of medical issues over the past 2+ years. We have all been really good support for one another but yes, a reprieve would be good.

Sherri, so glad your cruise is going well in spite of the changes. Interesting how the cruise lines figure out how to avoid the storms. Cynthia-the count down has begun We like the M class ships too. They are a good size compared to many of the newer ships. Melody, you have a bit of a wait for the results. Sometimes it seems as if doctors forget that waiting is stressful. Got up before dawn today, grabbed coffee in a commuter cup and went to watched the mini balloon festival. Stopped for a walk before returning home. Temps are again will be in the 90’s:( Wishing all a good week end. Sharon

Melody, sending good thoughts your way. Fiona is really causing lots of issues. I heard that she could make landfall at Halifax. I hope everyone in her path stays safe.

Sherri, looks like you may have some lively seas ahead. We dealt with Sandy when we did our Canada/New England cruise. It put a bit of a damper on the last part of the itinerary. Had to bypass Bar Harbor. In spite of that, that cruise is still one of my favorites. Lois, I hope you are enjoying your new laptop. I see the Geeksquad trucks from time to time. Kat, I’m going to look for that wine. Meant to look at TJ’s but got distracted when I noticed DH adding several pumpkin items to the basket🙄. I never got around to the Apple TV free trial and now the time has long passed. Maybe a good thing for me-I might not have wanted to cancel it at the end of the trial! OOTD. FALL! (Still trying tor that fall feeling in spite of temps)

Congratulations on another grandchild to love and enjoy! I agree with Sherri, grandchildren are the best! Fall is in the air here or rather I wish it was in the air. We are about to have a rin of 90+ days. wishing you continued good progress with your treatments. Sharon

Hi Everyone, I think I’m kinda behind here! Sherri and Cynthia, wishing you safe travels, good weather and amazing experiences. Mr T, I hope all is going well with your treatments. Melody, love the red dress-you look great! Sounds like lots of vaccinations happening. We got our bivalent booster a few days ago. I felt kinda yucky about 24 hrs later. Tired with a slight temp and the usual sore arm. All but the sore arm gone the next day. So now I’ve had flu and covid vaccinations. That should be it for awhile. Already had all the Shingles vaccinations. Lois, glad you got your first shingles vax and that your insurance covered it. BTW, the Medicare and You book is out for ‘23 so hopefully you will receive a copy soon. I can’t remember how far in advance of turning 65 that I received one. Thanks to all for the comments on the Half Ironman. DS is thinking about doing the NY Marathon. I’m not sure how he will fit that into his schedule along with all the other things he takes on in addition to family and work. It finally cooled down here and i couldn’t resist putting out the fall garden flag and fall wreath. Also picked up fall plants for the pots near the front porch. Not sure the hot weather is behind us so maybe I will have to pretend it’s fall? Needed a few things from TJ’s and they had the bagels along with some other pumpkin items. Needless to say we left with more than the few thipngs we stopped for🙄.. Kat , hope your next trip to TJ’s is more successful. BTW, can’t believe that it’s time for you to start planning for your “work” season. Again , Bon voyage to the cruisers. Would love to be going along! Wishing all a good week. Sharon OOTD yep, pulled out a fall tee and added some navy ankle pants. Just a bit of make up.

+1

Just had to share. DS finished the half IronMan today. For those not familiar with this competition, it’s swim(lake), bike and run. I’m guessing that he may be planning to try a full IronMan. He’s competed before (Marathon, Century Ride) but this was his first IronMan.

Lois, that itinerary was one of my favorite cruises. Loved Quebec. We were there in October and enjoyed all the Halloween decorating in the old city. Would love to return someday.

Sherri, I also had a problem posting the above post. It just disappeared when I hit submit reply. It said I was signed in at the top but at the bottom it was asking me to sign up for an account or sign in. I went to the too and signed out and then back in. My post then showed up in the box and I was able to submit it. . Crazy!

Good morning everyone. Well it’s in the 90’s today. Still warm but more tolerable. Actually had a bit of rain this morning. Apparently that hurricane off the coast of Baja did a number on SanDiego and vicinity. Rain also in Riverside county which is inland and east of Orange County. Kat, when you went thru’ the Central Valley you probably smelled our air pollution that builds from several sources. Unfortunately it isn’t easy to get the ocean breezes to reach the valley and clear out the air. When we in Cedar Rapids, IA visiting family, we really notice the odor. It comes from the manufacturing plants there. Much worse than anything we have here. As for painting your cabinets, we had that done when we redid the kitchen. They were medium dark stained and are now a creamy white. The painters took the doors off and did them separately. They had a crazy looking drying rack that they set up in the garage and hung the doors on the bars after spraying. It’s been 10 years and cabinets look great. Have touched up a few oops spots, that we caused.maybe 3 times over the years. Sherri, I hope your remodel will go more smoothly and quickly now that a new supervisor is on the job. We had our kitchen redone about 10 tears ago and it all went pretty much according to plan. I guess we were lucky. How are the River Cruise plans coming along? Oct is not far off and I bet you are really ready for a break. Cynthia, I found your food thread and will be following. I won’t have much to contribute but will be taking notes. Melody, hope you feel better soon. We have ours scheduled for next week. Just wish I knew for sure how long this one will last. Have read and heard differing opinions but I guess nobody really knows for sure. Sounds like you were fortunate to find a good contractor to work with. Lois, when is your next cruise and where will you be going? Mr T, I hope your treatment went well and you are feeling ok. Since we are no longer under an energy alert I’m going to tackle the laundry, I’ve put off running the dryer and things have piled up. Have a good week end everyone. Sharon