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We’re all ready to go. Just hoping the snow expected for tonight thru Sunday will be a nonevent. We’re not taking the mobility walker but the cane is a definite. Les has agreed that if the 4-nighter is too much we’ll get a mobility scooter for the 10-night (this was a HUGE concession on his part). He’s doing considerably better. We do have an appointment with a robotic surgeon for the polyp on his gallbladder tge week we get back. I just want to get on the ship & relax on my balcony!!! Melody

Laurie, I love that dress!! we leave Tuesday morning!!! Hoping the snow expected today thru Sunday will be a nonevent! Les is so much better. We’re not taking the walker, just the cane. Les has agreed that if the 4-nighter is too much we’ll rent a mobility scooter for the 10-night. This was a HUGE concession on his part. His mri showed a polyp on his gallbladder so we have a robotic surgeon (I guess that’s a thing!) appt the week we get back. We also see the ortho surgeon for his shoulder (which has been great since the cortisone shot) 2 weeks after we get back these cruises are going to be interesting. First cruise has Super Bowl. Celebrity does a bang up job with a huge party in the theater with tailgate food & the game (no commercials tho. Our teams didn’t make it & we likely won’t even watch. The second cruise has Mardigras night & then Valentines!! I’m wearing black sequined tops & either palazzo chiffon pants or silk stovepipe pants with my Allegria sandals (Laurie, you need to try this brand, all adjustable straps & exceptionally comfy. Melody

Kat, you’ll outlast him (especially if the owners like you). We’re getting tomorrow night what you’re getting tonight. As long as I can get out of here on Tuesday morning!!! Melody

Kat, sounds like your GM doesn’t really trust/like your ‘new boss’. Your GM knows of your extensive hospitality experience & knows you’ll do the job right, the first time. Melody

I went to TJMaxx today to get socks (you know how this story ends). I found a Baggalini small purse (that fits my phone & wallet for $19! Had to go back in when I realized I forgot my socks!!! 6 pairs of CuddleDud socks for $5.99 & silk longjohns (top & bottom in my size) for $15 right next to the socks. I love the silk longjohns for pjs. Melody

Never heard of allbirds

The new Edge class ships have a very few solo cabins. I, personally, don’t like the infinite balcony at all. It’s not a balcony, it’s a window that opens from the top. We spend a lot of time out on our balcony

Next Tuesday

We’ll be on board ship for SuperBowl & won’t even bother to watch it. If the Lions had won we’d have watched. We have a specialty dinner booked for that night

Laurie, I’m still a big fan of Embassy Suites on 17th at Cordova. We’ll be there in 9 days. 2 room suites, cooked to order breakfast (omelet & eggs). Manager reception (couple of cocktails & snacks from 5-7). We never bother with shuttles in Ft Lauderdale (they’re way more expensive & crowded) than getting a taxi (or Uber/Lyft). Under $20 from Embassy to ship (shuttle was $30 per person). Embassy has great restaurants in less than a block surrounding the hotel (Kelly’s Landing for great seafood, Gilbert’s for wonderful burgers & homemade key lime pie); a TJ Maxx & a Ross & a Total Wine. Do the rooms need a refresh? Yes, it’s a busy hotel. & has 6-8 elevators. Melody fyi we stayed one at Renaissance a few years ago…they still haven’t fixed that elevator?

Lois, we’re Celebrity fans, but they’re starting to price themselves out of our market. Celebrity Constellation is homeported out of Tampa; she’s a smaller ship with fabulous crew. Silhouette is one of the SClass ships (others being Solstice, Eclipse, Equinox & Reflection) is homeported out of Ft Lauderdale…lots of specialty restaurants. Celebrity doesn’t have a large presence on the west coast. Best part of Celebrity for us is all nonsmoking casinos & very few kids (especially on the longer cruises). Melody

We purchased a monucular to attach to our iPhone (probably on Amazon) we’ll see in a couple of weeks if it actually works!! the included binoculars have never been very good

He’ll remember your ethics

First time on Silhouette. We’ve been on Reflection 4 times & love it

Janet, enjoy your cruise, we enjoy Reflection. Off on her sister Silhouette in 10 days!!.

You might want to try OOFOS. They are classified as recovery shoes. Flip flops, clogs, slip on shoes & new running shoes. I’ve had 20 foot surgeries & I cannot recommend these more! They have the large toe box & done cute styles!

Thanks Lois. I just came in from shoveling the 9” of our ‘rain expected’. I almost had to sit on Les to keep him inside! I told him we leave in 10 days, you’re not shoveling!!! He’s definitely feeling better, gallbladder surgeon appt right after we get back from the cruise. Cortisone shot is definitely helping his shoulder. Wish it was working as well with SI joint. His leg wants to give out quite often. At least he’s pretty good with the cane. Melody

Those sandals will be perfect

There were 5 others helping with the wine & there’s still a good litre left!!! I was impressed with it, the taste was lovely; good Bordeaux

The Bordeaux (3liter) we opened for my bday was superb! 5 of us made a big inroad into I!!

More than you expect. You will get reciprocal status to Elite from your Diamond status (not the points, the status)

I wear my black Keen water shoes (my heaviest) on plane, one pair of white OOFO slip-ons (weigh 4 oz), one pair of oofo flip flops, one black dressy sandal & maybe a sparkly flip flop. I need options after 20 foot surgeries

Early bday celebration. Our AF grandson surprised me!! So wonderful having everyone here. Excellent Bordeaux especially with a tuxedo cake (from Costco) Melody

Margaret, sorry to hear about your brother’s heart issues…that’s scary. Les is doing so much better since earlier in the week. He’s moving around house without walker & seldom uses the cane. We leave on 6 Feb (flying first class which will definitely be easier on Les). Son will get us to airport here, we’re being picked up in FLL & will be with friends to get to ship. Really hoping Luggage Valet is an option for getting home. He's bringing walker & cane on the trip & I’ve reserved a wheelchair in Atlanta (both ways). Just need to get him on board & relaxing on the balcony. First time I’ve been glad we didn’t get our normal aft balcony. We’re in a bump out balcony right by the elevators. Melody

It’s his left shoulder, he holds cane in right hand but uses walker more