All Things EARTH... part 2

[awhfy]

Detached retina surgery went well, will have more news tomorrow at postop. Les is understandably tired & despises the pirate patch. Melody

[MJC]

Happy to hear that Melody.

[awhfy]

[MJC]

[laurspag]

Happy belated St. Patrick's Day to everyone!   We didn't do anything exciting, despite the fact that my husband is Irish and then some more Irish.  We always wondered if there might be something else mixed in, so we did an Ancestry test for him.  He is something like 98% Irish.  They even gave him the different regions of Ireland that his ancestors came from.

 

We went to the Home Show, which is essentially vendors lined up that you can talk to and get estimates for and so forth. We set up a few appointments for the coming week.  Then we went for brunch, something we really never do.  It was fun!

 

Melody, how is Les doing?  I hope he is feeling better.  I was just thinking about the domino effect all this must have with both of you needing surgery.  I hope you are able to stay on track with your traveling plans.

 

I was talking to my husband a bit about my cruise dresses.  One thing that came up was that I don't have a second formal night dress picked yet, and I was debating about one of the casual dresses.  I have a few options for the casual dress choice, and there is a dress I have that I have been wanting to alter, so I think I am going to go ahead and make the adjustments.  After that, I can decide which one I want to bring.

 

The second formal night though...nothing is really jumping out at me, and I know I've mentioned being bothered about my weight.  I have a red cocktail dress that would look great, but I am wearing a red dress on the other formal night so I really want a different color.  I've been toying with the idea of wearing the green dress.  It does have a bit of a shimmer effect, and feels rather elegant.  I know I could get away with it as people don't dress that formally any more, but I'm not sure I envisioned the dress that way.  I had a few thoughts on that, but I have time.  I have a few other things I can choose from, I'm just not getting that feeling when I look at them.  You know what I mean?  

 

I feel like I am so much more at home with my choices these days.  I just feel like I love what I am wearing and I really don't want to wear something that messes with that vibe.

[laurspag]

A reminder of the dress:

If I wore my gold sandals, I could easily do these her, which is a bit understated.

 

I'm leaning towards these earrings though, on the upper left. They have some metallic gold in them. I'm also bringing my bone colored sandals which might look better. 

 

 

[awhfy]

Laurie that green dress would be perfect for formal night. 
 

Thanks for the concern. Les still doesn’t have vision out of his left eye (which is his reading eye). We’re hoping as the gas bubble dissipates the vision will start to come back. He might have to have the close up eye converted to long distance & wear reading glasses. Thats best case scenario. His gall bladder surgery is 10 Apr & my shoulder replacement is now 17 Apr. hopefully he’ll be able to drive by then!  Melody

[awhfy]

Laurie, Chicos is showing several nice pieces in Brown (also lavender & greens) for spring

[awhfy]

Oofos is having a good sale. Good way to see if you like them. Melody

[MJC]

After a crazy couple of months, I'm finally able to  work on my cruise wardrobe for April... very last-minute for me! We leave from LA and cruise the Mexican Riviera, see the solar eclipse, go through the Panama Canal, and end in Fort Lauderdale, total 15 days. We will have a mix of weather from low 70s to 100s. So, I have a bit of a mix, with a couple sweaters and a couple tank tops for the extremes, but mostly comfortable favorites that you've probably seen before.

 

We have 3 formal nights, and I'm limited to what fits right now, and what shoes I'm bringing... so, black it is.

 

The first dress I've worn a lot, with my red suede pumps and some sparkly jewelry.  The middle sheath has a gold zipper in the back, so I'll wear my citrine earrings and black sandals. The last one is a fun swing dress. I'll wear my grandma's necklace and the black sandals again.

 

[MJC]

Shoes!

[laurspag]

As you all know, I love to see clothing and accessory choices.  I have been a bit under the weather with a cold, but I enjoyed paying with clothing options yesterday, and getting some input from one of my daughters and my husband.

 

I've been thinking a lot about how I try to limit shoes, but that I don't think I will this time. How do you pack yours?

 

I love you each of your dresses have a different vibe.  When trying on dresses yesterday, there was one I hadn't considered but after putting it on, I got to thinking how much I like it.  I've had it for a while but it has been a while since it went on a cruise.  I noticed immediately that it had a very different style than everything else.

 

I am really loving those dresses!  

[MJC]

These 4 dresses are for evening, but will also be daywear on the ship later in the cruise by changing shoes and jewelry.

For the navy dress:

I got this lapis set in Peru and it goes so well with the second dress.

Just earrings with the green dress.

Orange fun!

 

[laurspag]

Aaaahhh!  The jewelry!  😍  that last ne place is beautiful, as well as the set you have from Peru.

[MJC]

Laurie, I hope you feel better soon. 

 

I'll wear my sneakers, and then I'm good at nesting  my shoes in the bottom of my suitcase and filling them with stuff. But, since we're also bringing snorkel gear, I'll probably have to bring my small roll-aboard in addition to a checked bag. I'll see how it goes when I start packing, and what I'm willing to give up, before I make that call. 

 

I just spent two weeks in Michigan with one suitcase and bulky cold weather clothes, and our fall cruise was a cold weather one, so it's in my wheelhouse to do, but I just don't want to for this cruise. I look forward to dressing up, and wearing my nicer clothes, and taking what we need for the activities we've chosen. 

[awhfy]

10 hours ago, MJC said:

These 4 dresses are for evening, but will also be daywear on the ship later in the cruise by changing shoes and jewelry.

For the navy dress:

I got this lapis set in Peru and it goes so well with the second dress.

Just earrings with the green dress.

Orange fun!

 

Love the second dress from the left. Your jewelry is stellar!!

Edited March 26 by awhfy

[MJC]

I'm bringing 2 pairs of pants with matching sweaters, black or tan, and these are the tops I will wear with them for dinner. They also go with my black, tan, or navy shorts for daytime (except for the two satiny ones). A nice bonus is that all of these can be washed in the sink and hang dry quickly.

I'll wear my pearl earrings with the middle one. Then l-r here are my choices for jewelry.

 

Melody, there's definitely a celestial theme happening...

 

 

Edited March 27 by MJC
Add info

[laurspag]

I'm loving all your choices, Margaret. I know you said you were putting things together last minute, but it looks well thought out.  When you figure out your style and you get things that work together, it becomes so much easier to put a capsule wardrobe together.

 

I'm also very intrigued by your itinerary.  I very much want to explore some different itineraries that require longer cruises.  Someday!!

 

When do you leave?  I know you sail in April, I just wasn't sure what part of the month.

 

Melody, how is everyone feeling?

 

I hope to start putting together some outfits in a more meaningful way, and this weekend helped a lot with that.  

[awhfy]

Crazy times here. Son is moving to Omaha this weekend, he’s been in Dallas & Atlanta for the past month at a training class for his new job. Fits in Saturday night & gets his UHaul & empties his storage unit & drives out Sunday…hopefully missing the snowstorm coming Monday; starts new job on Monday. Whirlwind!!!

 

Les still can’t see out of the left eye, Dr appt tomorrow morning for that. I think he’s looking at more eye surgery. His gallbladder surgery is 10 April & my shoulder replacement is 17 April

 

In All that I totally forgot Easter is Sunday! Melody

[MJC]

The last of my clothes are lounging/workout shorts and Ts. The three shorts are along the top, blue and black bike shorts and one pair of lightweight khakis. One of the things I really like about Princess is Zumba on sea days. I have three quick dry workout tops, which will also work well for the very hot days we'll have during the middle of the cruise.

 

On port days we have plans for snorkeling, sailing, an elevated suspension forest canopy hike, a historic city walk, and a beach day with snorkeling. We have two scenic cruising days, for the solar eclipse and for the Panama Canal.

 

For the first time we have matching shirts for embarkation day photos!

 

 

[MJC]

Wishing everyone day of peace and hope tomorrow. ❤️

[awhfy]

Happy Easter to everyone. Son made it home from training last night & is packing his UHaul & moving to Omaha today  at least weather looks ok today 

 

Margaret what day do you leave for your solar eclipse cruise??  Melody

[laurspag]

Happy Easter!!! 🐇

 

I'm glad the weather looks okay for your son's move today, Melody.  

 

Margaret, I'm excited about your cruise.  I know it is a bit of a longer one, and you indicated a mix of weather.  I can imagine you probably have some pants and some sweaters mixed in.

[MJC]

Laurie, I do!  I have black and tan ankle pants with matching sweaters to go with my pretty tops for dinners. I find the dining rooms and theaters can be chilly at times so I like to have a cardigan handy.

 

Our boarding day is looking to be rainy and in the 60's. We leave here the day before and it may be raining then too, and cold. For the flight I'm wearing my black cardi with leggings and a long sleeved top, and my sneakers. I'll wear my rain jacket to the airport but stow it on the plane. 

 

[laurspag]

It is so interesting that I will be right in the path of the eclipse.  All the hotels motels, B&Bs are all sold out around here.  They say to expect very heavy traffic. I will report back after Monday and let you all know how it all goes. A lot of businesses, including my place of employment, are making adjustments for this.  We will be closed for a half hour, so that all of us can witness this.  As of right now, it is supposed to be good weather-wise.

 

Melody, how is Les doing?