BonTexasNY

@singinalot Crystal, let me add my prayers for all to be well with Nate, your house and all who are impacted. Stay safe in my old hometown!

My sister and brother in law just got back from their 11 night Med. cruise on Beyond. They were in a 2 bathroom suite that comes with butler service. They were a bit overwhelmed but got into the butler life easy. It was brutally hot and with only 2 sea days they decided to make one port stop a "sea day". They loved everything about Beyond from the entertainment, decor, to the food in the suite dining room, but they usually are easy to please. I'm looking forward to seeing their pictures. They cruised with good friends of over 60 years. Ken, you did good!

Glad you made it to the airport on time. Will you be highlighting any adventures in NYC? Most importantly, I hope Idalia stays away from your home in FL.

Crazy pricing. Our Adventure 5 night cruise in March was approx. $500 less for our PR cabin compared to what Voyager's (same class) rate is for the same time period in 2024. Yes, work was outsourced to India and at one point there was a computer glitch which necessitated mandatory 10 hour daily shifts for approx. 2 1/2 months, including 1/2 days on Saturdays. PLUS there was an evening staff that came in when we ended our day shift. Work was being knocked out from 7am to approx. 11pm daily. The only time I saw light of day those 2 1/2 months was weekends. My time and a half paychecks were nice benefits. Was your office in Plano on Corporate Drive across the road from JC Penney? That's where I worked. Such a beautiful location and only 8 minutes from my house. I love this story: My key got stuck in the lock on my desk. I had to call facilities which was located in India. I gave all the info and a short time later, the maintenance guy came to fix it. His office was a few feet from mine. 🤣

I'm not surprised at all. Way to go, Sue!

I'm so happy to see Simone Biles, still the GOAT, win her record breaking 8th U.S. National Championship. She's back on top! Continuing mortgage chat: I started working for Countrywide for a few short months until Bank of America took over. I was at a luncheon once and when one of my tablemates found out I worked for them, he lashed onto me as if I were personally responsible for the mortgage debacle. He was personally insulting to me and although Countrywide might have been to blame, I wasn't. I ignored him, turned the other way and started to chat with another tablemate totally cutting him off. To be clear, I didn't work in the mortgage department. It got very uncomfortable, and I was glad when the luncheon was finally over. His wife was a good friend of mine at the time and her face was red the whole time during his rant. She kept looking down at her plate probably hoping she (or he) would disappear.

Chicken casserole for Nate!

That too! So sorry for your family's loss. What a sweet kitty! Refuah Shlema to your cousin, a swift full recovery. Hopefully, you'll be able to have some enjoyable moments on your cruise even though it won't be as you planned. I understand totally the feeling of having grandkids far from you that were once close by. I'm sure they are settled in and enjoying new adventures. I know you're anticipating your visit with them soon.

Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors as well. Off to brunch with friends soon. We'll finally end the consecutive 100+ degree days. Today will be 96! We love driving to Galveston, approx. 6 hours with a stop at Buc-ees. Very relaxing and love the anticipation of finally getting there, closer and closer. We've driven quite a few times to NJ to visit the kids, at times quite scenic. We drove to Miami in March for Bella 01 and did not enjoy that trip. Not scenic at all. Furthest we will now drive will be to Galveston which will be in April for our first b2b.

Thanks, Renee! Mystic Seaport was always a favorite day trip when we lived in NY. Happy Birthday Sharon! Beautiful flowers and yummy German Chocolate cake make it extra special.

WOW, just WOW!

Beautiful family and I bet worth enduring all that heat to be together.

@DaniDanielle Marietta, forgive me, I forgot if I wished your grandson a Happy Birthday. I hope his 13th birthday was wonderful, filled with the special joy of becoming a teen.

Wo Hop had the best Chinese food I ever had. We had to wait on line to get in. Real physical on line, NOT on a computer. 😉 I never heard of Peking Duck House but I know Chinatown never disappoints for fabulous food. Have you ever been to Little Italy for the famous San Genarro Festival also in Lower Manhattan? I was there twice and it was amazing. I grew up so close and after I moved, I often wondered why I didn't get there more often.

It did, Debbie, thank you for asking. Dentist said he should have taken care of it sooner and now thankfully no chance of further infection. Maryann thank you so much and how wonderful you keep in touch with your dear friend. Birthday calls are so special. I hope her dementia medication works and slows the memory loss progression. Anyplace, anywhere, anything!! Have a blast. If you get to Chinatown, Wo Hop on Mott Street is not to be missed. I remember you posted a wonderful NYC report some time ago. I'm ready for more. You never disappoint.

Dumdums were a staple in our house when our daughter was growing up. I myself am a lollypop snob and prefer See's lollys and Chocolate Tootsie Roll Pops. I have to admit to sneaking in a butterscotch dumdum when it pops up.

Thanks, John. Much appreciated, Mimi Thank you so much. True words for sure. I'm glad you have such a loving, supportive team. I saw people at the Memorial I hadn't seen in at least 5 years. After it was over, we stood and chatted reliving wonderful, oftentimes funny memories. We laughed and I so loved that! We promised to stay in touch since we live relatively close to each other. I'm going to be sure that happens!

Thank you so much for your kind words @FromSea2ShiningSeaHelen, @sgmnSue and glad Isaac is home where he belongs, @MJSailorsMary, @LionesssSue Let me tell you what just happened. Jack has a 3pm dentist appointment that he can't cancel. He has a bad tooth with bacteria and it has to be worked on today. No other time frame available. So, I was either going to Uber to the memorial or Jack would have gone with me and we would have to cut out after 1 hour. So, his dentist JUST texted to ask if he can move his appointment to 4pm! I firmly believe Cheri had a hand in this to be sure we both could attend without worries.

Many thanks, Sue!

You all deserve a personal thank you for your thoughtful comments of condolence for Cheri who btw was 72 years young. @dani negreanuDani, @bobmaclibertyBob, @A&L_OntAndrew, @h20skibumMark, @akcruzApril, @grapau27Graham, @NHProudJudy, @Sea DogGreg, @derorimJoy, @TravelGirlinDallasBethany, @KeksieKaren, @DaniDanielleMarietta, @LuckynanaMaryann, @aussielozzie18, @lenquixote66Lenny, @jmh2006Jennifer, @singinalotChrystal, @HBE4, @Sunshine3601Debbie, @Arzeena, @#55worktoplayDorothy

My heart is heavy today. I found out this morning that one of my closest TX friends passed away suddenly a few days ago. Recently, she laughed when I told her she was a new friend of mine, of only 20 years. She was found on the floor by a friend who had her key. She was rushed to the hospital and passed away 3 days later. The friend who found her did not have my contact info but she was able to call someone who alerted me today. The only chronic ailment she had was asthma (that I knew of). I have no idea what the cause of death was but it really doesn't much matter. She's gone forever. Tomorrow is a memorial service for her. In life, she chose to be cremated when the time came, as was her husband a few years ago. They had no children and doted on their nieces, nephews and their grandnieces and grandnephews. They were world travelers after retirement from gov't careers. They also visited every single U.S. presidential library. Asia, Scandanavia, Australia, France were their playgrounds. True cultural history buffs. I love you Cheri. I'm devastated. I'll miss our many phone calls, our laughter, our yummy lunches. YOU were the ultimate mah jongg queen. I'll miss you forever. If you have a good friend you haven't spoken to in awhile, give her/him a call and smile together. I knew this was a safe place to come in and "talk".

@sgmnSue from me too!

I love the bits of history you include with your fabulous pictures. Looking forward to seeing more. Instead of clicking the "like" button to your every entry, please know in advance that I like them all!

I was in a restaurant with Jack's cousin and a friend, a nice girly girl lunch. I popped a cherry tomato in my mouth and it exploded with such force that Jack's cousin, the fashionista, sitting across from me, found herself drenched in tomato juice and probably bits of tomato. And no, I was not talking at the time. We only booked one non-refundable cruise since it was so close to final payment. I think years ago, final payment was closer to sail date than it is now.

Lymphedema causes swelling all of the time, not just specific times like on cruises. It sounds like your swelling is limited to the food you eat. Unfortunately, almost everything has sodium. Who knew bread and cheese had sodium. If you know, you know. I didn't but I know now. How is your knee doing? Hope the injection is kicking in.