purduemom1

Wow, glad you mentioned this thread on the other thread. I had no idea it existed. Thanks to cruisemom42 for starting it. May take me a little while to catch up!

Kat, 👍 on the dental report! Our TJ’s had the pumpkin cream cheese but no pumpkin bagels yet. We bought 2 of the cream cheese (no judging 😉). As for the heat, it cooled down today……to 110. Actually when the temp is over 100 or so it all seems the same-HOT! We are used to it and I get that, after the 2 months you spent in Europe, you are adjusted to the higher temps. Lois, 90 with humidity does not sound good to me. As long as the power stays on here and our a/c keeps working, could be that that our heat might be easier to handle than yours🤷‍♀️? 90’s are predicted here this weekend and next week. Will seem really nice. Going for our flu shots tomorrow-oh boy, can’t wait. Then errands and hopefully home before the predicted 108 degrees sets in. OOTD for tomorrow-the coolest thing I can find and very little make up-it Will just run off.

LOL yes I live in the valley and no, no cow aroma here in the cities. Earlier the alert function on my phone went off warning that power reserves were low and asking for conservation. That request has been made constantly over the last few days but this was the first phone alert. All of CA received it. Sac reached 115 and Death Valley 125. 3 more days of this until it starts to cool down. sigh Stay cool when you head to SLC.

Italy is still in the discussion stages right now. Once we decide snd plan the itinerary I will be back with more questions. If we do this, we know we will spend time in the Abbruzo region. That is where my dad was from and we love the non touristy aspects that each of the little cities offer. Lois, you must be relieved to finally know what happened with your meds. Good that you happened to run into the maintenance person while shopping. Mr T ( hope it’s ok to use the short version),I hope you enjoy tour stay at the lake and that your treatments go well. As for capris, I have a friend who looks great in them. However, they just don’t work for me. Thankfully we have other choices so something for everyone. Today will be our hottest day ever. I’m worried about the power capacity and just hope that our a/c will be ok. It is on the roof so in full sun. My sister in So Cal called to say that her a/c isn’t working and she isn’t sure when someone can come out to see what is going on. Her unit isn’t that old so hopefully she won’t need a new one. Take care, Sharon

Melody, loved the pictures and your new cardigan/ duster. That will be a great addition to your cruise wardrobe! Kat, wow no additional Woolx pieces needed! They are now sending emails 2X a day. Well, I have a short torso and short legs-cloths shopping can be frustrating! Usually need to shorten or otherwise alter to fit. Hope you found good stuff st TJ’s Sharon

Kat, on the use of drawers, you aren’t weird, I don’t use the drawers. I do use packing cubes and just find it easier to keep them in my case. I do hang up some things, however.

Hi Everyone, Wow, lots to catch up with on this thread.we are in the middle of a ridiculous heat wave. PGE asking for power conversation especially between 4 & 9 pm. so that means I certainly can’t cook-right? Just hoping the power stays on. Cynthia, thanks for the hotel info. I looked at their website and liked what I saw especially their location and types of rooms. It is now bookmarked and in my Italy folder. Sherri, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. My mom also was determined to stay in her home……and then there was the kitchen fire. She had to move out while repairs were being done so my sister and I convinced her to stay “temporarily in an assisted living facility. Because mom was in her late 80’s the insurance company agreed to pay for her stay instead of the large furnished apartment complex that they originally suggested. Long story short. We convinced mom to make it a permanent move. By this point , she had made friends and liked it there. We consider that fire a blessing in disguise. As for seeing our GD again, that will be in Oct. only for a few days as kids will split their time between both sets of grandparents. My policy is, I need to know when I will see her again before the current visit ends. So far it’s working. Melody, I’m sorry to hear about your medical issues and hopefully all the tests will bring good results while the acid reflux meds do their job. The balloon launch picture is so pretty. We used to have a yearly balloon festival here but no longer. Not sure why. So much fun going out just before dawn to watch them take off. Kat, I can see why you are postponing that cruise. Adding it all up must have been a bit of a shock. I second Cynthia’s recommendation about HAL and agree their entertainment is not as dynamic as some other lines. We did enjoy the different music venues when we sailed Nieuw Statendam. Nice to enjoy an adult beverage and listen to the music. Thanks for the Pitaya bowl info. Will have to look for that. I do like açaí bowels Mr T, how did the cruise line survey go? Sounds like you have some fun trips ahead. Glad you are recovering well. Lois, I hope you get that prescription delivery issue resolved. Doing without meds must being concerning. BTW when is your next cruise and what is the Itinerary? Woolx is offering 22% off thru 9/5. The discount code is on their web site. Saw a few pumpkin products at Trader Joe’s. Fall must be just ahead although you wouldn’t know it if you are anyplace in the West. Take care all. Sharon .

Lois, sounds like it’s a good trip so far and I agree with Kat,do as you please-it’s your vacation. I know you have cruised AK before so enjoying some ports from your balcony is perfect. Cynthia, must be fun planning your next trip and figuring out how to make the most of your free time. You mentioned staying at a favorite hotel in Rome. Do you mind sharing the name and why you like it. My family is considering another trip to Italy possibly sometime next year so I’m on the look out for good suggestions. Restaurants too are welcome. Kat, yikes, so many nights without a/c! You deserve some cooler temps. We are having a bit of a cool spell here today-it’s in the 90’s. OK don’t laugh. After so many days over 100, I’ll take and like it! PH, Bon Voyage, and I too hope that all goes smoothly for you. Lots of time to relax on the sea days. Sharon

Thanks, Melody. That helps. Also good to know that you and Anita like them and that they wear well. I know that the Amazon reviews are really good but you and Anita have confirmed it. Sharon

Lois, good to hear that your trip is going well, Thats too bad about your not so great horel experience. We stayed at the Princess Hotel when we visited Denali and there were problems for us also. Most of the guests were from a Princess cruise but we had booked our land portion on our own and had been on Celebrity so maybe our room was not one of the better ones. We couldn’t close and lock our door even after maintenance spent about an hour working on it. We had to tape it shut. Also saw employees carrying, not rolling, guest luggage up stairs using the telescoping handles so they could haul more at a time. Wonder how many bags didn’t survive that treatment. Anyway, would never stay at Princess Lodge again. Hope your last hotel was a better experience. Kat, I remember when you told us about your travel schedule ending with “fall on sofa…..” When you posted that it seemed like a long way off. Thanks again for taking us along on your amazing adventures. Sharon

Melody, size wise, do you have the 20L or the 33L?

OMG, Anita, I was just looking at that back pack earlier today. I added it to my shopping list so I could think about it. It looks like you have the 20L? I haven’t had a chance to get out our old backpack and compare measurements. I want something about the same size that we currently have but a bit more durable. For our recent trip I packed our 2 light jackets, a 3-1-1 bag and my small purse (while going thru security only) and a few small items. Just want to be sure the new one will hold the same. Glad yours is still going strong as that was another question I had. Thanks for posting! I saw your post on the Cunard thread. Can’t believe that your DS is already graduating. I remember your trip to London to get him set up and it seems like it wasn’t that long ago. Congratulations to your DS and to you and your DH. It’s a family celebration and a cruise is a nice reward. Sharon

Lovely choices. I have been curious about how one dresses on a Cunard cruise. Thanks for taking the time to share. I doubt I could pack as many choices in a 21 inch roll aboard which is the only size bag I travel with. I would be the one with black as a base, different tops and accessories depending on the evening’s requirements. Would a Cunard cruise be for me? Don’t know.

Sounds like a nice way to finish your trip, yummy donut treat and all. I’ve never seen an albino squirrel, in fact didn’t know that they existed. Safe, uneventful travels home. Sharon

Kat, sounds like everyone really enjoyed the wedding reception. Your grand niece’s dress is beautiful. Her great aunt looked pretty darn good too. BTW you have great legs. Love the Bar Menu design. Great memories for all.

Welcome to this great thread that Kat started. Good to know that you enjoyed our posts while recovering. We all worry about Debbie and miss her posts. Hoping that she will drop by and say hi. Sharon

Hi Girls, We are back from MPLS. We had really nice weather and no problem with mosquitoes so spending time outdoors worked out well. Flight home was uneventful and we arrived early. Decided to stop at IKEA before heading home. Always good for some leg stretching and walking. Kat, love the pictures and as Cynthia said, the 13 Pro does a great job. Visiting Amish country is always fun. We have visited the Amish communities in northern Indiana a few times. Always enjoyed those visits, well except when we were behind a buggy on a one lane road. That produce looks so inviting along with the baked goods. You have had an amazing summer! Lois, wishing you a wonderful cruise. Alaska is beautiful. I especially like the Inside Passage and the glaciers. Fingers crossed that the weather is good and all your plans go smoothly. . Christie, wishing you a wonderful TA and visit to London. Packing for 2 seasons takes some planning but I guess layering can help out. Melody, your grand dog is a cutie. Your flowers are lovely. I don’t have much of a green thumb so I am content to enjoy the talents of others. Sherri, I’m sure your dad is looking forward to your visit. Wishing you safe travels and many happy memories. Cynthia, also wishing you safe travels and many happy memories. Happy 90th birthday to your mom-that is a milestone for sure. Looking forward to reading about everyone’s trips. As for ours, we spent every day taking our GD on an adventure. Parks, lakes, playgrounds, splash pads, the zoo and a children’s nature center. She loved it all but boy oh boy did she wear us out! We also saw 2 Fringe Festival performances-just adults for these. We ate at a variety of restaurants all with really nice outdoor patios-Italian, Venezuelan, American, Cuban, a food hall with many different food stalls with serve your self adult beverages and a brewery where you can bring your own food. For this we picked up pizza and salad from a favorite place. It we trivia night so lots happening there. Best part of all of this for me was no planning and no cooking:) Take care all. Sharon

Kat, glad you all had a really good time. Good memories I’m sure!

Greetings from coolish and not humid Minneapolis. Having a really good time. Honestly my 17 mo GD is busy every waking minute and keeping up with her is giving us a good workout! Maybe might even drop a few lbs? If so maybe I might find some great things at Nordstrom Rack too? Lois, you found some great purchases! Really good choices for your upcoming itinerary. Our store always seems messy and disorganized so it’s not usually my first choice to shop for clothes. However, I am going to check out Democracy. I know you have mentioned that brand before and that you really like them. So time to take a look for myself. Like the shoes too because they look comfy. Sherri, good to hear that your new kitchen is progressing. Cynthia, thanks for the reminder about the Orzo salad and the burritos. Going to look for them next TJ trip. Kat must be having a great time on her GF trip. Hope flights went ok for her. OOTD. Ankle pants and very light tee. May have to add a jacket when we go to dinner.

First full day in Minneapolis and the weather was beautiful! Not hot or humid. We did outdoor stuff with our granddaughter-visited a nature center that is set us especially for children and then a park. Then had dinner outdoors. DS and DIL enjoying a night out attending Fringe performances. Tomorrow night is our turn. Our daughter also arrives tomorrow night for a few days Unfortunately, not expecting this weather to continue for our entire stay. The flight was uneventful, we arrived early and no issues with luggage. All flights should be so easy. Lois, I hope the new meds are successful and you can enjoy all aspects of your cruise. That’s a nice weight loss. Does this mean that you will be shopping for some new clothing for the cruise? Sherri, wow, October will be here before you know it. You should have nice fall weather to enjoy. Sharon

Sitting at the Sac airport. Plane is here and it’s a NS so all should go smoothly-right?🤞 Will catch up on posts. Am anxious to read Kay’s most recent post about her completed and upcoming packing decisions. Sharon

Kat, thanks for the additional info and personal experience. You know, if I had paid attention I might have one of the shirts with me for this trip. Heat and humidity ahead-yay!

Lois, I’m sorry to hear about another ulcer but very happy that you will be able to cruise. I hope you will soon find out what is causing them but in the mean time let the anticipation begin! Sharon

So excited to find another Jim and Lain live review. Looking forward to following your adventures. Thanks for taking the time to share it all with us.