The Fleet Report and Daily for Saturday, December 23rd, 2023

[Nickelpenny]

Good morning from Half Moon Cay!!  We left FLL super late last night as they were still loading provisions. Consequently we arrived here late. 
 

Zuiderdam is lovely. Not too many kids - they said ~200. Met a familiar crew from Kdam. It is nice to see a familiar face. 
 

Happy Birthday to @kochleffel and @Sir PMP    @kazu Jacqui condolences on the passing of your DBIL’s Mom. 
 

Plan today is to get a tan!!!  LOL!!!

 

not sure when I will get on the internet again before Christmas so to all who celebrate Merry Christmas!

[kochleffel]

Many thanks for the birthday wishes! I woke at 6:00 a.m. to the sound of the doorbell, but I realized almost immediately that it was in a dream--the real doorbell sounds different and isn't that loud. I also noticed that I was in an extremely grouchy mood. Eating breakfast and going back to bed helped that.

 

I resent that today is Festivus, which I don't celebrate. In my family, the Airing of Grievances is a year-round pastime. One of the papers has an article today about the plots of Hallmark and Lifetime holiday movies, and yes, they are all essentially the same. I don't watch them but I recently binge-watched both seasons of Annika. I don't think I'll be having any Pfeffernüsse but you never know.

 

I might like the curry. A rye Old Fashioned would be OK and I'm ready for it now (10:50 a.m.). BTW, prior to prohibition, rye was the most popular spirit in the northeastern U.S. Most of it was made in Pennsylvania. Bourbon only took over because the rye distilleries had failed before repeal. I'm not really a fan of Tempranillo and it doesn't grow here. I'll suggest Luca Vineyards Reserve Red. I've never been to Santa Barbara but I have read all of the Kinsey Millhone novels.

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We were in Santa Barbara on March 26 and 29, 2022, on b2b California coastal cruises on Koningsdam.  Because of tendering, DH stayed on the ship.  The first day was an afternoon visit, and I went in and looked around the area near the tender dock.  I wanted to see if it would be feasible for DH to tender in on the second stop, but it wasn't.  The second day, I took the shuttle from the tender dock into town and walked part way up the pedestrian only street and then back to the tender dock. 

 

These first pictures were from our first stop.  This is Santa Barbara as we approached the anchorage.

 

The main road paralleling the coastline.

 

 

One of the streets leading into town.

 

These are from our second visit.  This is the beginning of the pedestrian street.

 

There are a lot of old, interesting buildings in this area.

 

 

 

An interesting mosaic above one of the doors.  It's too bad the large light blocks part of it.

 

A side street with open air dining.

 

The train station

 

 

 

This statue was at the traffic circle at the intersection of the main road, the coast road and a long pier.

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[richwmn]

Good morning from Volendam off Baja California.

Everything has been going just fine, the ship looks wonderful and I settled right in.

 

I don't look at the halfacts version of the Daily very often and didn't realize that the wrong ships were listed in the Eastern Hemisphere, I corrected that a few minutes ago.

 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend leading to Christmas Day on Monday.

 

 

[kazu]

50 minutes ago, richwmn said:

Good morning from Volendam off Baja California.

Everything has been going just fine, the ship looks wonderful and I settled right in.

 

I don't look at the halfacts version of the Daily very often and didn't realize that the wrong ships were listed in the Eastern Hemisphere, I corrected that a few minutes ago.

 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend leading to Christmas Day on Monday.

 

 

 

Thanks Rich.

[StLouisCruisers]

I just got some bad news this morning from DD.  She called to report that my DGD who lives in and goes to college in Tampa was robbed at gunpoint this morning going from the parking garage into the apartment where she lives.  I assume that means the stairwell.  She was on a cruise this past week down in Mexico/Central America on Enchantment of the Seas I believe and she and her friends were coming home from the cruise port.  She dropped them off at their floor, then parked on her level.  When she got to the stairwell, a guy dressed in black with a ski mask on (it's 72F there) pointed a gun at her and demanded her phone.  He made her open it because it had face recognition to unlock it, then ran off.  She is a wreck emotionally.  And we are so, so grateful he didn't do something else to harm her.  The police were called right away and she plans to stay in her friends' apartment tonight.  She has a 6 a.m. flight to Cincinnati in the morning so someone will drive her to the airport.  She is going to get the biggest hugs when we see her Monday!  She has a lease at the apartment and lives with other girls but they may be home already for the holiday.  She plans on moving out when she graduates next spring/summer and move closer to the Aquarium south of Tampa.  I hope it's a safer environment!  

 

She FaceTimed her Mom and was visibly upset (on someone else's phone).  She has already taken care of notifying AT&T and change all her passwords to her email, Venmo, etc.  I hope they find this guy and he's prosecuted fully.  The streets aren't safe anymore, but you can bet that young lady will be on the alert in the future.  

[quilty964]

@StLouisCruisersso sorry to hear that your DGD was robbed at gun point, how very scary for her and now your family....Give her a big hug when you see her!  

[Seasick Sailor]

Oh my gosh Sandi! Such a scary situation! Just thankful she was not injured! Give her an extra squeeze for me!!

[cruising sister]

How awful Sandi,

I am glad she was not harmed physically but those emotional hurts will be with her for a longtime. 

[superoma]

21 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

I just got some bad news this morning from DD.  She called to report that my DGD who lives in and goes to college in Tampa was robbed at gunpoint this morning going from the parking garage into the apartment where she lives.  I assume that means the stairwell.  She was on a cruise this past week down in Mexico/Central America on Enchantment of the Seas I believe and she and her friends were coming home from the cruise port.  She dropped them off at their floor, then parked on her level.  When she got to the stairwell, a guy dressed in black with a ski mask on (it's 72F there) pointed a gun at her and demanded her phone.  He made her open it because it had face recognition to unlock it, then ran off.  She is a wreck emotionally.  And we are so, so grateful he didn't do something else to harm her.  The police were called right away and she plans to stay in her friends' apartment tonight.  She has a 6 a.m. flight to Cincinnati in the morning so someone will drive her to the airport.  She is going to get the biggest hugs when we see her Monday!  She has a lease at the apartment and lives with other girls but they may be home already for the holiday.  She plans on moving out when she graduates next spring/summer and move closer to the Aquarium south of Tampa.  I hope it's a safer environment!  

 

She FaceTimed her Mom and was visibly upset (on someone else's phone).  She has already taken care of notifying AT&T and change all her passwords to her email, Venmo, etc.  I hope they find this guy and he's prosecuted fully.  The streets aren't safe anymore, but you can bet that young lady will be on the alert in the future.  

How scary. Hugs to her. Glad she got her info changed quickly

[ottahand7]

Good afternoon, a late check in for me.   A manicure and pedicure this morning then playing catch up at the house.  Sandi,  I am so sorry to read about your DGD was robbed in Tampa.  We loved sailing from that city but we never felt safe even in the downtown area.   

Jacqui, thanks for today's Daily and Fleet Reports.    @Quartzsite Cruiser thanks for the photos of today's port, it looks like a lovely stop. 

@JazzyV I hope you are not suffering so much and are getting some sleep.   Thank you so much for our Cares and Celebrations reports each day.   Prayers for everyone on our care list, continued improvement for Baby Murphy and for all in war zones.  Prayers for the safe return of the hostages.  

It is a slightly foggy day here but thankfully not enough to cause flight delays in Grand Rapids.   @0106 thanks for the photo of Rogers Forge, my late DMIL lived fairly close at Lake and Charles.  We always enjoyed going down to Hamden too to look at the homeowners decorations.   I did some prep work for dinner with my older DS tomorrow and now can just relax a while.  We are meeting our cabin neighbors for an early dinner at a restaurant in town.  It will be nice to see them as we haven't seen them since we said farewell after Labor Day.   Have a lovely Saturday!  Nancy 

Edited December 23, 2023 by ottahand7

[Himself]

Jacqui:

Thanks for posting this information.

[durangoscots]

30 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

I just got some bad news this morning from DD.  She called to report that my DGD who lives in and goes to college in Tampa was robbed at gunpoint this morning going from the parking garage into the apartment where she lives.  I assume that means the stairwell.  She was on a cruise this past week down in Mexico/Central America on Enchantment of the Seas I believe and she and her friends were coming home from the cruise port.  She dropped them off at their floor, then parked on her level.  When she got to the stairwell, a guy dressed in black with a ski mask on (it's 72F there) pointed a gun at her and demanded her phone.  He made her open it because it had face recognition to unlock it, then ran off.  She is a wreck emotionally.  And we are so, so grateful he didn't do something else to harm her.  The police were called right away and she plans to stay in her friends' apartment tonight.  She has a 6 a.m. flight to Cincinnati in the morning so someone will drive her to the airport.  She is going to get the biggest hugs when we see her Monday!  She has a lease at the apartment and lives with other girls but they may be home already for the holiday.  She plans on moving out when she graduates next spring/summer and move closer to the Aquarium south of Tampa.  I hope it's a safer environment!  

 

She FaceTimed her Mom and was visibly upset (on someone else's phone).  She has already taken care of notifying AT&T and change all her passwords to her email, Venmo, etc.  I hope they find this guy and he's prosecuted fully.  The streets aren't safe anymore, but you can bet that young lady will be on the alert in the future.  

That is really scary!! Just glad she is ok.

 

Susan

[Cruzin Terri]

2 hours ago, cruising sister said:

@Cruzin Terri my DH used to want me to read the test results for him. Unfortunately I knew what they meant. I found something positive like “ the blank was not as bad as I thought it would be” until we heard officially from his oncologist. I learned to compartmentalize. It was a long road and I could not ride the ups and downs.  He chose to live each day to the fullest and I went along for that ride. 

Thank you Lorraine for your sage advice.  We are taking one day at a time.  Since DH is not very computer savvy and does not even know that the report is available, I have chosen not to share that info with him.  I think it is better that he does not know.

Terri

[smitty34877]

I am so sorry to hear about this Sandi  @StLouisCruisers and I am glad she was not physically injured. I think it is wise to stay with a friend until she leaves tomorrow.

 

[Seasick Sailor]

Beautiful Zuiderdam anchored next to us!

 

[Nickelpenny]

Rotterdam and Zuiderdam at Half Moon Cay. 

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

First, Sandi @StLouisCruisers I'm SO sorry about your DGD -- how awful!  I'm glad she wasn't hurt physically but the emotional shock has to be overwhelming. 😞  

 

One Christmas movie I like to watch over and over is "Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase.  I've probably posted this before -- this shows up before Christmas every year and is a couple miles up the road from us.  This year we didn't see it as early as usual, so got worried that the people who live there were ill or moved away -- and then it showed up last weekend 🙂 So here's Cousin Eddie.

 

 

I'll pass on the drink, red wine and the meal.  We just had beef stew this week, I never use a recipe.  Debbie @dfish you wouldn't have liked it because it had a lot of carrots in it but we thought it was tasty.  😉  I was trying to make use of the carrots -- DH bought too many.  

 

Today is clean the family room day - in my quest to get the whole house deep cleaned one room at a time before we leave for the cruise.  

 

Happy Birthday @kochleffel and @Sir PMP!

Sandi @StLouisCruisers as a fellow counted cross stitcher, you have my admiration for the work you do on the Christmas stockings.  Beautiful!  I'll be bringing a large project on our cruise, something I do on every long cruise.  I'd post a photo, but it's already packed and gone to San Diego!  But here's the last project I did (before framing).

 

 

We've been to Santa Barbara once on a Celebrity Pacific Coastal cruise.  We rented a car and drove to our DS and DDIL's house in Simi so I don't have many photos of Santa Barbara.  They now live near us, so glad about that!

 

We walked to the rental car agency and I loved this view of our ship.

 

Santa Barbara shoreline

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cat shepard]

2 hours ago, richwmn said:

Good morning from Volendam off Baja California.

Everything has been going just fine, the ship looks wonderful and I settled right in.

 

I don't look at the halfacts version of the Daily very often and didn't realize that the wrong ships were listed in the Eastern Hemisphere, I corrected that a few minutes ago.

 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend leading to Christmas Day on Monday.

 

 

Thank you for keeping us straight, Rich!

[grapau27]

6 hours ago, puppycanducruise said:

@kochleffel  Happy Birthday!  🎂

+1 @kochleffel Happy birthday.

[cat shepard]

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

I just got some bad news this morning from DD.  She called to report that my DGD who lives in and goes to college in Tampa was robbed at gunpoint this morning going from the parking garage into the apartment where she lives.  I assume that means the stairwell.  She was on a cruise this past week down in Mexico/Central America on Enchantment of the Seas I believe and she and her friends were coming home from the cruise port.  She dropped them off at their floor, then parked on her level.  When she got to the stairwell, a guy dressed in black with a ski mask on (it's 72F there) pointed a gun at her and demanded her phone.  He made her open it because it had face recognition to unlock it, then ran off.  She is a wreck emotionally.  And we are so, so grateful he didn't do something else to harm her.  The police were called right away and she plans to stay in her friends' apartment tonight.  She has a 6 a.m. flight to Cincinnati in the morning so someone will drive her to the airport.  She is going to get the biggest hugs when we see her Monday!  She has a lease at the apartment and lives with other girls but they may be home already for the holiday.  She plans on moving out when she graduates next spring/summer and move closer to the Aquarium south of Tampa.  I hope it's a safer environment!  

 

She FaceTimed her Mom and was visibly upset (on someone else's phone).  She has already taken care of notifying AT&T and change all her passwords to her email, Venmo, etc.  I hope they find this guy and he's prosecuted fully.  The streets aren't safe anymore, but you can bet that young lady will be on the alert in the future.  

 

Sandi

 

Thank goodness your DGD was not hurt.

 

Still a super scary experience with  some post event trauma. Let’s hope the holiday gatherings help make her feel more at ease.

 

And she should definite alert the apartment complex too.  They can set up low/no cost options - such as volunteer escorts from the parking areas. 

[dfish]

OMG, Sandi @StLouisCruisers.  Calming hugs to your DGD.  I'm sure her mom is bundle of nerves as well.  That was scary!  

 

@Cruising-along Carolyn and @Quartzsite Cruiser Lenda, as long as the carrots are in big chunks I can easily eat around them.  I should try a beef stew with a better cut of meat than what mom used.  I don't think she used a recipe, either.  I think some of the roast beef and vegetable recipes look good and I liked the roast pork and vegetables recently.  Sue will eat all the carrots.  

 

I was true to form as a messy baker today.  I managed to explode butter all over the microwave even though I had it covered.  Then, I poured half of it on the counter.  I got flour all over the place.  All cleaned up now.  

 

@richwmn It sounds like your cruise is off to a good start.  We got a good chuckle about the woman who was missing her balcony off her ocean view room.  Some people should not go out alone.

[Haljo1935]

Interesting collection of holiday days, nice quote, pass on the meal (curry), maybe to drink and wine, not been to the port.

Finally got on internet - I'm sure it's my phone, not the ship. No idea of actual current temp as my phone thinks I'm still in San Diego, although it does acknowledge today as being Saturday. 

Prayers and positive thoughts for all. 

[JazzyV]

 Good afternoon. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily.

I've heard of Festivus, but never seen an episode of Seinfeld, so don't really know what it's about. I haven't watched any Christmas movies yet this year. I like pfeffernusse and have made them, but not recently. Good quote. Yes to the meal, pass on the drink, and yes to the wine. I haven't been to Santa Barbara. Poor Van Gogh probably had lead poisoning that altered his thinking. 

 

It's 50F and cloudy, with sprinkles. Not too much going on with me. I'm trying to clean the kitchen and do laundry. Coming up from the basement is tough as past a little landing, there are 3 steps that are taller than normal, that are very challenging. Using a cane helps me get up them. Football is also on; can't get used to Saturday games.

 

 

@kochleffel Happy Birthday Paul!

@kazu Thank you for starting us up today.

@StLouisCruisers The stockings are beautiful. Safe travels tomorrow. Oh no, on DGD getting held up by someone with a gun. So scary! I'm glad she's ok physically, but she must be a wreck emotionally. I got mugged once and my purse taken, but no gun involved, and that was bad enough. 

@cat shepard Safe travels to Boston.

@Sir PMP Happy Birthday!

@0106 I saw that heartwarming story on the Today Show.

@Cruzin Terri I'm glad you slept better. Hang in there.

@smitty34877 The baking and board games sound like fun.

@superoma You've got a lot going on. Enjoy!

@Quartzsite Cruiser It does permanently mention all contributors to the Daily in the Celebration List. Thanks for the Santa Barbara photos.

@Nickelpenny Enjoy HMC. Merry Christmas!

@Cruising-along I love that very intricate counted cross stitch.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers to those Celebrating.

Edited December 23, 2023 by JazzyV

[bennybear]

Good morning and thanks all! 
My late condolences to Jacqui, @kazu  and @1ANGELCATlosses are never easy but somehow they seem worse  this time of year!  
 

Happy birthday wishes to @kochleffeland @Sir PMP
Also an interesting time for birthdays, both my grandmother and granddaughter were born Christmas Eve! 

@StLouisCruisersyikes! Your poor DGD, so sorry that she experienced this!

 

We have enjoyed visiting Santa Barbara and area. 

Edited December 23, 2023 by bennybear