All Things EARTH... part 2

[Joby]

Laurie , If your husband loves cars He would be in heaven in Cuba . There were a lot of guys on our trip for that reason.

 

 

I know my DH would LOVE that! Maybe I can use it as leverage to get him to Cuba:D

 

 

Anita, Can't wait to hear all about Alaska and your thoughts and opinions. We have Ireland this August, next year hiking in Yellowstone and a year or 2 after that it's going to be Alaska we hope. I can't believe how expensive Alaska and activities are!!! We have to save up :eek:

 

 

Melody, Our DD was just out your way. She lived in Denver for 3 years and goes back most of her holidays from school. she LOVES it!

 

 

Margaret, Just a thought on photography practicing for Africa--make sure and practice your burst shooting mode for fast action and to be able to catch a decent shot of something while fast moving. Burst mode takes a lot of shots in a short period and maximizes chances of catching something interesting while it's in action. Another thought is to practice on moving objects in general. A good way to do that might be to take shots of moving boats on your lake and or moving cars on streets.

[awhfy]

We’re safely in Kansas City & waiting for the gates to open for the game. We left our house at 0230 my & arrived here at 1230 ct 600+ miles.

 

Laurie I laughed when you said you’d sit & look up things. I’m the one that does the long distance driving [emoji23]. No sitting for me. Melody

 

 

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[awhfy]

Our daughter’s SO has a commercial landscaping business. We had mulch delivered & he said to spray it with white vinegar before spreading. Soak it good. (Vinegar is cheap). We never got a single weed (& the deer& rabbits didn’t like it either)

 

 

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[MJC]

Melody, we have 400ft of mulched barberry bushes to keep the geese out and I don't think there is enough vinegar in town for us.:) That is an excellent non-chemical tip, though. We try to be eco-friendly to the lake.

 

Sally, I did some Pilates training after my knee surgeries. It is a common therapy for dancers because it builds strength in a way that doesn't interfere with the flexibility that we need. There are mat Pilates classes at my gym, but I find that grueling and boring, and the machine is more interesting to me.

 

I was sitting on the patio with my camera taking pictures until I dozed off. Woke up to see the fox running around the corner of the house. I think we spooked each other. Unfortunately, by the time I got the camera on she was gone.

 

Kim, I was practicing as you suggested when DH and friends were skiing on Thursday. I definitely need more practice with starting and ending points, and tracking with the camera when I can't see what the camera is doing. Also the save time is frustrating. Did some more practice with a jetskier and it's annoying that once I press the shutter, I can't see what it's getting until it's done. Not to mention there are ten crappy pictures for the one good one that's a keeper. But I suppose that is the point.

 

Not fashion related, but if you have Netflix you might like these travel shows:

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/t...Q0MDU3ODY4NwS2

[awhfy]

. Red Sox game last night after getting up at 0230 & driving to Kansas City (96 degrees & 90% humidity & I’m not used to humidity!). Skin looks great, hair not so much! Thank goodness for hats! Melody

 

 

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[laurspag]

What a game that was, Melody. I felt kind of sorry for KC. It sounds like Joe Kelly is fine, but Vazquez will be out for a little bit. That's rough weather!

 

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[RVRCLC]

. Red Sox game last night after getting up at 0230 & driving to Kansas City (96 degrees & 90% humidity & I’m not used to humidity!). Skin looks great, hair not so much! Thank goodness for hats! Melody

 

 

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You deserved to have your team win. I wouldn’t go across town for a ballgame in this weather! It’s been unusually miserable.

 

 

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[laurspag]

Today is a sad day...we had to put kitty down. She was a great cat, a rescue found in the parking lot at work. She was 17 years old, and was declining a lot as of late. We took her to the vet about 4 months ago, because she seemed to be coughing a lot. The vet said she was fine, and that it was probably just hairballs. She has been losing weight lately too, and not eating that well. Yesterday, I noticed labored breathing off and on, and when me and my daughter were checking on her today, I told her that I had a feeling that her age was catching up to her, and that she wouldn't be around much longer. When my daughter set her down, she fell over. The poor thing had pneumonia, and the vet noticed quite a few other things seemed to be going on as well. There was a lot of concern that treating the pneumonia would not be effective, as she was in bad shape. But they were very concerned that her liver was enlarged, and that the stress of trying to treat her and poke and probe to see what else was going on would be too much.

 

 

Our fur babies really are family, and it is so sad when we lose someone we love.

 

 

Melody, I hope that today's game was enjoyable for you. You were attending two games, right? I just love how they are playing this year. I believe it was very hot again, so I hope you were able to keep cool.

[Anita Latte]

Aw Laurie...Big Hugs. Not a happy day for you and your family. Absolutely, our pets are family. Their personalities and character enrich our lives. To lose someone you have had in your life for 17 years is hard. Very hard. I completely sympathize with your loss.

 

Melody...great photo of you and Les.

 

Margaret...must second practicing the burst mode. That's one thing that I didn't practice and didn't use on our trip. I was thinking about it during our whale watching, but oh well.

[Anita Latte]

I don't know if you are reading my trip report or not...

 

I'm only adding the briefest bit of clothing discussion to my report. I've only read one trip report where the cute solo traveler detailed her outfits. It was all part of her style and an integral aspect of her cruising. That doesn't feel like me, so I'm not going to be talking about my outfits and such in my report.

 

I'm saving that discussion for here!

 

Not that I love this right now. It's hard to be enthused to share fashion photos when you feel so very unfashionable. But I will take the advice of Julie Child...no apologizes! it is was it is!

 

So let's talk travel wardrobe.

 

For flying...my great concern regarding our duffle bags was first...would TSA want to open them? And if so, what was the likelihood that anything in the duffle would fall out in that process. I didn't want to risk losing anything. I did find some straps that helped bundle packing cubes and gear into a backpack centric bundle for my pack and DS'.

 

Next...I was concerned over the 61 linear inch restriction. The duffles themselves are exactly 61 inches. When packed though, they took on a whole new shape that could possibly measure out to more than 61 depending on how they were measured. To avoid any thought that these bags were oversized...and thus worthy of an oversized baggage fee...I wanted them to be well below the 50 pound weight limit.

 

This meant that we should fly wearing our heaviest shoes and clothing items.

 

For me, that meant my hiking boots and jeans. I also wore a green C9 shirt...high low hemline out of a rayon blend knit. And brought along a newer plaid button down flannel hoodie as I tend to be chilled on longer flights.

 

I didn't picture myself in this outfit because it was too early. I was too tired. And I didn't want to. ;p

 

We showered in Seattle in the Delta Sky Lounge.

 

The showers were WONDERFUL. Mom said that they helped her feel human after flying from Japan.

 

Really nice facility. I want a rain head shower! And the appeal of the scents in the supplied bath products. Peppermint. Cilantro. Sage. Really nice. Scent is important. It makes me want to figure out how to incorporate that at home...it contributed so greatly to my overall shower experience.

 

Anyway...I had thought that I just might shower...change underclothes, but basically put on the same outfit I had been wearing. But the idea of putting on new clothes was too appealing. The weather was too nice. The jeans were too heavy.

 

I ended up changing into my new Bamboo knit top. The Marsala color, IIRC. What I like about the top is the color and the V-neck. What I don't like is the shapelessness of it. I think I could have purchased the smaller size. The smallest part of my torso is completely camouflaged with loose fabric...so I may do a bit of alteration to it. LOVE the feel of it though. It's very comfortable...so long as I don't look at myself...I really enjoy wearing it!

 

I also put on my C9 capris. They are black...which is handy when you rewear clothing often...but I would prefer to find something similar in a different color. I did like the way black bottoms looked with my new trail running shoes (the black and purple ones). Which I changed into at the hotel. I did put my hiking boots back on in Seattle.

 

I also prefer the way that I appear when I have a high ponytail. I have a sad fallen pony tail in this picture...but here I am at the Gastown Steam Clock later in the day...wearing what I changed into in Seattle:

 

 

The next day started overcast with a bit of a wind chill. That chill was felt more in the earlier hours prior to the climbing temperature to the high of the day. I wore my green top that I first wore on the plane the day before. And brought along that same plaid flannel I mentioned. Same black capris. And I used my same bag that I first bought for the college visits we did over spring break.

 

Mom was wearing the cutest embellished jeans. I think they are Desigual? Or Chicos. A lovely purple sleeveless top with a draped neckline covered with an aqua cardigan sweater. You can just see her AWESOME super colorful walking shoes. I think these are her new Gortex ones. Merrill's?

 

Here we are in front of the Vancouver Public Library.

 

 

Dad is an Ice and he's wearing his white and black. DH is also an Earth and his pullover is a great green...totally matches me! (I'll have you know that I ALSO bought that same pullover because it's such a great color on both of us).

 

I haven't yet decided if these are going into the trip report. I haven't shared them there yet, but here we are at lunch. You can really see Mom's purple framed sunglasses and the effect of her lovely Fire colored tops. They are so flattering!

 

 

DH has removed the pullover because the weather has turned into a gorgeous sunny warm day. These are my new polarized sunglasses. If you look in their reflection, then you can see Mom taking the photo!

 

 

I didn't dig into my checked bag for anything while we were in Vancouver. I did what I do at home...just wore clothing again.

 

For embarkation day...the third travel day...I flipped back to the Marsala bamboo knit shirt. Same black capris. Same trail runners.

 

Here is DH and I from the Sunset Bar on deck 10 aft with Vancouver in the background:

 

 

I didn't change for dinner. I think I just changed into my black Birks to give my feet a break from all the sock wearing.

[awhfy]

Anita, you look so happy. Pam looks great & it’s nice to “meet” your guys

 

 

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[MJC]

Anita, great photos. I'm reading your trip report too and it's like a vicarious vacation. :)

 

 

 

I love my Yankees, but I haven't even driven the mere six miles to the Bronx to see a game in at least two years.

 

 

 

Laurie, I'm so sorry about your kitty, but I hope you find comfort that she had a wonderful life with you and your family. It's heartbreaking to see them be so sick and there is so little we can do. It's just a sad truth for us that they don't live as long as we do and we have to lose them. All the love they give us is so special, though, isn't it? Sending you a big hug, and thinking of you.

[MJC]

This is one of the sport mode shots I took on Sunday with a color filter. The camera has a menu of filters and special effects for posting to social media (but I haven't explored the wifi features yet):

 

 

 

That's DH annoying the neighbors. :cool:

[Sailor_Sally]

Laurie , Sorry about your kitty

 

Anita , I am loving your trip report . I really like those jeans your Mom has on and I also like your bamboo tops . Bamboo is like wearing pJ's .It is so soft ..

 

I am planning two trips right now . I am leaving next week to meet my daughter and grandkids in Buffalo . We are going to the zoo ,a ball game and lots of other fun activities .I found a hotel that has a two bedroom suite with a living room so we can all spread out . I am also planning our return to Cuba in October . We have so many more things we want to see there .

[awhfy]

Ah Laurie I missed your post about your kitty [emoji22]. Our pets are part of the family. She had a good long & safe life with you. Hugs.

 

We toured a bit around KC this morning & drove to Lindsborg KS (little Sweden) & are staying in Hays KS tonight & will have a 4 hour drive home tomorrow.

 

 

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[MJC]

Has anyone used Mobile Passport? We have Global Entry but I'm wondering if this might be quicker when we travel through JFK.

 

I travel domestic through LGA a lot, and there are so many TSA Pre customers now it doesn't even save time anymore.

 

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/mobile-passport-will-get-you-through-customs-and-immigration-in-under-60-seconds?mbid=nl_070818_Daily&CNDID=53507426&secondary_link=0&spMailingID=13834478&spUserID=MjY1ODU1MTg5NDgwS0&spJobID=1440649510&spReportId=MTQ0MDY0OTUxMAS2

[Joby]

Has anyone used Mobile Passport? We have Global Entry but I'm wondering if this might be quicker when we travel through JFK.

 

I travel domestic through LGA a lot, and there are so many TSA Pre customers now it doesn't even save time anymore.

 

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/mobile-passport-will-get-you-through-customs-and-immigration-in-under-60-seconds?mbid=nl_070818_Daily&CNDID=53507426&secondary_link=0&spMailingID=13834478&spUserID=MjY1ODU1MTg5NDgwS0&spJobID=1440649510&spReportId=MTQ0MDY0OTUxMAS2

 

We used Mobile Passport last summer returning from Cozumel. We went through DFW and it was easy. That's the only time we've used it though so.....

 

 

 

Today is a sad day...we had to put kitty down.

 

 

My heart breaks for you :( Our animals are indeed family!

[awhfy]

We used global entry when driving from Canada to US, saved about an hour sitting in traffic. This was 2 summers ago

 

 

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[Member123]

Has anyone used Mobile Passport? We have Global Entry but I'm wondering if this might be quicker when we travel through JFK.

 

I travel domestic through LGA a lot, and there are so many TSA Pre customers now it doesn't even save time anymore.

 

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/mobile-passport-will-get-you-through-customs-and-immigration-in-under-60-seconds?mbid=nl_070818_Daily&CNDID=53507426&secondary_link=0&spMailingID=13834478&spUserID=MjY1ODU1MTg5NDgwS0&spJobID=1440649510&spReportId=MTQ0MDY0OTUxMAS2

 

We've had Global Entry for ten years! I know this because we have to renew my DH's at the end of this year. I can tell you the ONE instance where I was a bit frustrated with Global Entry vs Mobile Passport, and that was at ATL. There were so many, many people in the TSA line and the way that ATL was handling things was to funnel everyone to a start point and then allow TSA-pre to branch off to a more expedited line; however, the majority of the time was spent in that congested line because TSA-pre had ONE open lane and everyone else was funneled amongst three open lanes... so, there you go.

 

I watched people using the kiosk outside of the TSA entry line. Those people then walked up to a stanchion and were escorted to the FRONT of the long, congested line of everyone else, including those of us with TSA-pre... so.... it just might be worth checking into Mobile Passport so that you could use it in a situation that might occur for you, like this one.

 

I have to say that I've never seen anyplace that handled the TSA-pre like that instance in ATL. I've also been in airports, gosh memory fails me on which one at the moment, where we had to literally walk the entire length of the gate entry area to get to the ONE area where TSA-pre was being funneled. i remember there was mass confusion and we also had to deal with an agricultural tagging so I'm thinking it may have been HNL, but (as they say) don't quote me on that because I don't have a strong memory on this location. Also, I didn't see Mobile Passport there so I'm wondering if it's at as many airports? Anyway, long response, but (as someone used to say) check it out! And, let us know if it worked better for you!

[Member123]

Sally, those are Chico's jeans. As I recall, you've "discovered" the Chico's world. They do have some really comfortable items, but I'm pretty partial to the older pieces in my wardrobe. It seems that Chico's has changed its sizing and its "look" to be more and more boxy and shapeless. There's no way IRL that I should be wearing the size that Chico's forces me into (I know, I know that Chico's has always had vanity sizing labels, but I'm talking about moving from a size 1 to a size 0.5 to a size 0 and thinking that I need to try a size 00... with NO weight loss! Seriously!)....

 

And, Chico's is so frustrating for me lately because their Travelers line has completely changed the quality of its fabric. It "used to be" that the fabric was truly wrinkle resistance; you could pack and pull out of the suitcase and wouldn't have a single wrinkle. Now, just folding the top and putting it on a shelf causes it to wrinkle. My last Travelers purchase (which might BE my LAST Travelers purchase) has a label that reads: Made from imported fabric. Made in USA. 96% Acetate 4% Spandex. My oldest piece of Travelers (which still looks newer than this latest, wrinkle prone purchase) has a label that reads: Made in Mexico. 95% Acetate 5% Spandex.

 

Could a 1% difference in Spandex make such a BIG difference in wearability? The only reason I kept this piece is its COLOR. I would have posted information on it for Kim and Debbie.... but I just don't like its wearability factor, and think that's important. Now that I'm talking about it, a part of me wishes I'd returned the purchase! For real.....

 

So, I don't think that there's going to be too much fashion posting from Anita where I'm concerned. As I recall.... because I can't even really recall... my outfits were NOT memorable!

[Sailor_Sally]

Pam ,I know what you mean about Chico's .I had to go to a zero which is crazy .I do love their longer shorts .I have lousy legs so they are more flattering for me .I never bought any Traveler's for that kind of clothes I stick with Jjill wearever and they never wrinkle .I keep adding pieces to my wardrobe .I went to chico's for some prints .My clothes were boring even me .It looks like you all had a great trip .I love travelling with my daughter .

[awhfy]

here’s a night shot from our KC trip. Here’s a day shot . Melody

 

 

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[Sailor_Sally]

https://www.jjill.com/product/seamed-sleeveless-knit-dress

 

 

I ordered this dress while on the search for the perfect all purpose dress . It arrived today and it is perfect . Gary saw me try it on and he said "You look great ". It was a bargain at $35.00.

[awhfy]

Pretty dress Sally. I tried it on but it just didn’t fit right at the chest & was too loose on the hips

 

I’m also frustrated with Chicos sizing lately. Yes I’ve lost considerable weight, but I still wear a size 2 top & 1 or 1.5 bottoms. Melody

 

 

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[MJC]

Sally, that's a really cute dress and I love the color. I got to visit a jjill store yesterday! So many cute dresses. I fell in love with this one:

 

 

https://www.jjill.com/product/floral-color-block-knit-dress?color=25N

 

Lands End is having a big swimwear clearance:

 

https://www.landsend.com/shop/womens-swimsuits/-/N-fxm