edspec

@pe4all So sorry. It is very hard to do what you did today. Done it once, hoping I never have to make that choice again. 

I didn’t care for the wines available on the Plus package. If both are wine drinkers I’d definitely upgrade. DH is a rum and coke guy so we stick with Plus, it averages out. I’m too lazy to bring a bottle on board, And I like to try new things on vacation.

I understand liability but honestly, if I was iffy about even scheduling the test I’d use all the nonsense as a sign telling me to skip it. I’m the world’s biggest baby about any medical or dental procedure and don’t go in unless required to for prescription refills. Actually I shouldn’t say ALL medical procedures…if it’s plastic surgery I’m Miss Cooperative and of course I’ll get the blood work and other labs done. Yep, I’m a winner.

2 hours ago, sid_9169 said:

Another Monday morning at the 'ol salt mine... Slow here so far, but we've been staying busy cleaning up the disaster from last Friday. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do for dinner tonight. I'd considered Chop's, but do I really have two hundred bucks to spend on one meal? I might just walk over to Kyma, a nice Mediterranean place and get takeout. Their signature octopus is the best in all of Atlanta. Add in a few more items, and I can probably get out of there for $75... Much better than $200... Probably just going to be survival food for lunch if it ever gets here...

I don't know Sid, what was her favorite food?  Maybe go w/ that?

@dmet0225 Happy Birthday!

@BohJang I'm right there with you on the house de-cluttering.  Our new house is supposed to be ready between December and March so I have a lot of time but we may sell and move sooner if I start feeling edgy about housing prices.  We can do a short term rental in SC.  DH is loathe to get rid of anything but I told him last week that he might want to think about how much he really wants to pack things, load things into a truck or trailer, drive things cross country, unload boxes of things, and finally find a place for things.  I think that helped, he finally started a Goodwill pile. We don't plan on taking anything but clothing, cookware, a much pared down book collection, and china.  Hopefully I can get everything into one of the small trailers.  I'll get my Swedish death cleaning done 30 years early, yay for me 🙂

Congrats on March 31 retirement.  I have 10 months to go...theoretically. 

@pe4all Hope you're feeling better. 

Happy Birthday @TxTeach79!

Happy Retirement Day to your wife @Travelicious!  

@JamieLogical the lunch menu in Cartegna indicated Spanish food to me.  In Spain a tortilla is what is called a  frittata in other countries.  The description of yours looked great, many times they're made with just potatoes, onions, and eggs which is good, but not as good as something with chorizo.

14 hours ago, brookie848 said:

Our cruise buddy sailed Disney at the beginning of February and she does not have kids. She was not impressed. She texted me all week. She missed the drink package. And she didn't understand the group of adults dressed as Minions at breakfast. No...they were not employees.

This.  We cruised with DCL for the 9th time in late November.  This was a specific request by ASD DS or I would never have booked it.  No drink package, kids not in the clubs, entertainment with story lines originating from fairy tales, uh no, never again since DS didn't seem to enjoy it either.  He was much happier on our Sky Princess cruise last summer. 

DCL used to be innovative and I felt the high price was worth it, now they just seem tired.  

@graphicguy  I doubt you'll get much help from this group 🙂

12 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

A guy a the second birthday table pulled a harmonica out of his pocket and played happy birthday.

 

Now he’s taking requests.

 

 

This one got applause from the

chefs

 

 

And then he did house of the rising sun

 

 

 

No, just no.  I don't want to hear anyone sing, play an instrument etc... unless they're a paid performer w/ hopefully some talent and professional skills. 

As to the language I use the F word as every part of speech but I don't think I could manage 3x in one sentence.  I have a good vocabulary but very few words are as versatile 🙂

So sorry @dmet0225

58 minutes ago, dmet0225 said:

My Uncle was originally optimistic about him making it through this, but now is facing reality. 

I think sometimes we have to look at bad things in an optimistic light before we can move to acceptance of what actually is.  Sort of a way of cushioning the heart.

@Saint Greg the huevos rancheros didn't look good, was it?  I'm used to a saucier version and that looks like a flour tortilla rather than corn.  

Agreeing to disagree and moving on would be nice.  

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

Complementary moon pie. I was never big on moon pies. My mom always bought them. Now I wonder if she did it because she knew I wouldn’t eat them.

 

 

Okay, I love Moon Pies but not banana flavored 😞 

On 2/16/2024 at 1:34 AM, JulianB said:

Why do you need to set foot on Antarctica? By staying at sea 2,400 people get the chance to see whales, icebergs, penguins all kinds of other amazing wildlife while being a couple of hundred meters off the actual shoreline. By landing you risk the spread of diseases like bird flu and start physical damage. Expedition ships have to take huge precautions to preserve Antarctica, something that is just not practical to do for a ship with thousands of visitors. The more people who see Antarctica for real and see what an amazing place it is will hopefully understand and spread the word that makes it so important we preserve it. On the Star this year there was a full course of lectures and I came back feeling I knew so much more about the place and had seen it up close. It's not just a tick in the box trip.

Really great post. 

Happy Birthday @HelloItsMeB and many more!

We’ve never cruised Spirit class, interested in getting your take. Have fun!!!

Ick.  I keep an exceptionally clean house and one thing I love about a cruise is coming back to the cabin with everything just so.  I'd be a basket case with the above situation.  Lots of precaution, hubbub, and clutter with no guarentee of evading germs.  

4 hours ago, dmet0225 said:

Thank you for asking.  My cousin is showing small signs.  Occasionally opening his eyes.  Hasn’t had any seizures since Wednesday afternoon.  EEG showed small brain activity.  Still not responding to sounds or touch.  They’ll do more tests on Saturday to determine the extent of brain damage.   This guy has done nothing but fight his entire life.

Situations such as this make me hope for reincarnation.  His next life should be charmed, with everything coming easy and wonderful things dropping in his lap.

2 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

That means you won the game!

That's how I'm looking at it 🙂

1 hour ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

Yes, halfway between Tampa and Sarasota. Thirty minute drive to the Port of Tampa and two hours to Port Canaveral. I wonder if we will still cruise monthly if we have other activities to keep us busy. 

I think DH is counting on this with our move to Latitudes. Granted, we don’t cruise close to monthly but I think he’s looking at staying home more. I’m looking forward to a cruise type lifestyle but I’m not giving up cruising and plan on cruising more frequently. 

So not looking forward to everything that needs to be done to sell, finalize purchase, and move. Keep telling myself that this time next year I’ll be settled and be almost ready for my first b2b on Cunard. At this point it is solo but might book cabins for DS. DH wants to stay home the first few months and acclimate. DS is his mother’s child and I think he would adore Cunard. 

Also, whenever I’ve moved I need to go away and return to my new home, that is when it starts to feel mine.

@dmet0225 how are things?

God forbid we're allowed to celebrate an achievement...or go to school, or a movie, or a park.  So great that small children are learning this early, let's keep those expectations realistic.

 I would retire in Europe but DH refuses to even think about it so SC it is. 

I’m sorry @dmet0225