StanleyandGus

10 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

You are most welcome!  The funny Alligator is an old local with one blind eye.  He ran smack into the feeder and then just laid there for awhile.  😉 

I am amazed that you are so casual about alligators! 

You can absolutely order a drink and pay for it.

I love the refreshment package as well!

11 hours ago, singinalot said:

in a change of subject...I just downloaded all of Nate’s greek travel videos from his phone...feeling nostalgic

 

 

One of my best memories is being on the Acropolis with my daughter. There was an enormous crowd, but magically, a bench opened up, and were able to sit, let the crowd get filtered out, and focus on the buildings and the ancientness of the site.

We had an aft balcony (not a corner). For 2 people, it was fine, and the balcony was really nice. Maybe we’re undemanding, but we generally liked everything.

19 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

It is a habit of mine to get up before sunrise, go to the elevator and take a picture of the day that it says on the carpet. That helps to distinguish the photos that I take from day to day, otherwise, it’s all blurred together.  Then I get up to the deck and wait for sunrise to take pictures.  After that, it’s off to the gym to workout before I head to WJ for breakfast.  Then, I go to the DL for my cappuccino.  Sigh.  I miss this so much.

 

 

Sydney, Canada October 11, 2019

We take a picture of the Cruise Compass for the day to organize the pictures.

Our next cruise is supposed to be Rhapsody’s trans Atlantic this November. I guess it might go. 

18 hours ago, singinalot said:

Ok, now that the house is closed, I feel more comfortable posting about it. TBH my nerves have been fried for a couple of months. In case you couldn’t tell(HA). I was so worried I’d mess something up for us and it wouldn't happen. Managing selling our house here, finding a rental here, moving, and the whole offer process in Florida...all while working more than full time and still try to give quality time to family...

I slept like a baby last night 🤣

I got home from work tonight and our new landlord was in the driveway introducing himself to Nate. He is a nurse so as soon as i told him I work at the hospital, we were “in like flynn”.

 

On the topic of rentals, it turns out our realtor in FL was actually living in the house we bought and renting from the owner...today I drafted a new lease for her to keep renting from us for 13 months. I’m really truly honestly amazed at how it all worked out. 

 

And now...some pictures of the house:

 

Nate gets the garage, I get the wine fridge 😉

 

Congratulations on the lovely house! The kitchen looks great for entertaining.

My oldest turns 31 today. As a present, the army is giving him his first COVID vaccine!

Mom was heavily into hobbies- woodworking (she made very nice Danish modern furniture), stamp collecting, also stamp collecting, in the printing of stamps on paper, scrapbooking, photography, golf, reading, art, needle work, collecting music....She was good at everything. 

She left everything behind. It took some time to sort it out, but we have lovely momentos of her interests. And some stuff we haven’t been able to dispose of yet, because they were hers. 
 

However, the silver...she got tired of it, and I naively took it. Now I know why she didn’t want it!

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Uggh... I am with you there.  Moving gets to be more and more tedious the older we get...and unfortunately we seem to pack rat our stuff more as we age!  😮  

 

We did force ourselves into what we called the "five year plan" before we retired and moved into this smaller home.  Told ourselves to stop buying "precious stuff" and start to liquidate what we had.  When it got much closer, we had many trips to the Goodwill and one really huge garage sale,  of which we pretty much gave everything away to grateful buyers.  😉 

 

Good luck with the process, and in the end...it will all be worth it.  🤗

Even though the house we are in now (which we bought last year) is bigger than the last one, I am thinking about that too. Every time we moved, it was a military move, and the Canadian Forces make it as easy as it can be. Packers and the move itself are provided, but if we ever move again, it will be by ourselves.

Everything we buy will have to have a use, or be welcomed by the kids! 
As opposed to my great grandmother’s silver, which all of them are looking at with horror, and kindly offering to a sibling!

I have a trans Atlantic booked on Rhapsody of the Seas, in November/ December. Not really an American cruise, but it ends up in Tampa. 

23 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

Adding to my grilled cheese experiment.  My next test, using Hellman's Real mayo, will also use American cheese.  I prefer provolone when making a tuna melt but if it's a straight cheese sandwich, I prefer American cheese.  We didn't have any American cheese in the house and with my time being so valuable, I wasn't willing to go to the store to get some (i.e. I'm too lazy).  Is there such a thing as a grilled cheese sommelier?

Kraft Singles make the best grilled cheese! Unless you’re toasting it in the oven as an open faced sandwich, in that case, cheddar. With little bits of bacon....

I want grilled cheese. Supper is cioppino... maybe grilled cheese on the side?

Classic grilled cheese, although bacon sounds good!

8 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

Before picture

Thank God neither of you was in here!
 

It’s a beautiful bathroom!

1 hour ago, dani negreanu said:

 

You're waaayy behind me... only no. 11 in Maisie's series. I'm just planning to kindle my way with the newest -- no. 16.

 

I'm "delaying my gratification", as I enjoy this series very much 😁

I’m up to 13! It’s time to slow down, since there aren’t very many more!

I just realized that what I thought was guacamole in Graham’s picture of the fish and chips may have been mushy peas- I had never seen them before!

h2oskibum, your pictures are great! I just read a Jacqueline Winspear novel that takes place in Gibraltar, just before WW2.  Your photos make me think that more leg work is needed before a trip there.

8 hours ago, ollienbertsmum said:

But I would not mind cold weather - just a trip somewhere.  Gibraltar is veryyyy small.  

I guess I know what you mean- I drove to Medicine Hat and back to pick up my brother for Easter (he has health problems which mean no long distance driving). I was happy to not be in the house or going to the grocery store!

We have sailed by Gibraltar, but never been there. Some day!
 

1 hour ago, ollienbertsmum said:

Arrgggghhhhh folks are all talking about trips.   Not cruises but you are still going on vacations.  I am still going nowhere.  

 

On Monday we drove 20 minutes into Spain to go to a shopping mall.  That is the sum total of my travel since August.  😪

 

We have no cases of COVID, nearly everyone is fully vaccinated and we are still stuck because Spain currently has their 4th wave and not doing well at all.  

 

So I have to share my dream..  I had arrived at port on embarkation day for a cruise.  I could not pay for it, I kept trying different SIM cards in my bank card nothing would work.  I was about an hour away from sail away and I guess they told me to give up.  

 

That is how my life is at the moment.  

 

Granted we can go to restaurants, the curfew has lifted, shops open.  But we still cannot go on vacations.  

This should make you feel better. It’s our backyard, today. Ignore the horrible fence and gate; we’re having it replaced when the ground thaws, if it ever does!

It’s Spring here- we have apple buds, and the crocuses are coming up! It’s going to be 21 degrees today. (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit). The jackrabbits are changing their colours back to brown, and farming equipment is being moved along the TransCanada highway.

I realized we were supposed to be on a cruise. Suez Canal, and from Barcelona to Amsterdam on the Jewel. The next one is the TA on the Rhapsody in November, which may not go.
 

17 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Copied from Bella's thread

 

Ok Friends, the group cruise is in the books

 

March 12, 2023

Miami

Oasis of the Seas 

Western Caribbean 

 

Group dinner with Mac n Cheese 

Either Chops or Portside BBQ 

Or both

What a wonderful idea! 

Excuse me, if I might interject- Bella’s cruise? 
 
Is everyone cruising without me? 😥

6 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:

 

I personally find it easier to purchase a new refrigerator instead of cleaning the old one. Just sayin. 😁

We have a new fridge coming today! The old one was 30 years old, and came with the house. I didn’t dare take apart the crispers for cleaning, because they looked brittle, and it was leaking.

Eventually, the kitchen will have work done to it, but we’re not sure how extensive. We like the granite countertops, but unfortunately the floor is the original sheet vinyl, complete with “dirt dimples”. I have tried to get it clean, but failed. We may just tile around the cabinets. The cabinets are good quality, but dated, and in some cases, a bit worn. Probably we will re-stain or paint.

If anyone has ideas, we will welcome them! 

2 hours ago, island lady said:

Yaaaahhh!!   Quartz top and sinks were just installed in our main bathroom!!  😁  Bathroom has been months in the process.  Started with new tiled shower last year.  Then months to wait on custom cabinets.  Sheeezz....glad it is over.  And looks great!  😍

 

Now Bucky has to put on his plumber's hat and connect the plumbing.  

 

Won't know how to act being able to actually use our bathroom in full capacity now.  And can finally get all the stuff out of the closet to transfer to the new vanity.  

 

Next up...new carpet for walk in closet and bedroom.  🤗

Pictures please!
 

We have chosen almost everything for our main bathroom, except for the quartz countertop. I’m hoping for inspiration! 😁

2 hours ago, island lady said:

Yaaaahhh!!   Quartz top and sinks were just installed in our main bathroom!!  😁  Bathroom has been months in the process.  Started with new tiled shower last year.  Then months to wait on custom cabinets.  Sheeezz....glad it is over.  And looks great!  😍

 

Now Bucky has to put on his plumber's hat and connect the plumbing.  

 

Won't know how to act being able to actually use our bathroom in full capacity now.  And can finally get all the stuff out of the closet to transfer to the new vanity.  

 

Next up...new carpet for walk in closet and bedroom.  🤗

Pictures please!
 

We have chosen almost everything for our main bathroom, except for the quartz countertop. I’m hoping for inspiration! 😁

20 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

We are also Sleep Number freaks. We are on our third version. 

We bought a TempurPedic bed in August, due to Chris’s back, neck and shoulder issues. Chris is much more comfortable, and I sleep well.

Dani, are you tempted by the Haifa sailings of the Odyssey? 

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Pauline is a beautiful lady, and always so well turned out! 
Or, at least, you are smart enough not to post pictures of her when she isn’t!

16 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

Sigh.  Many days, this is the only CC thread that I'll look at.  Occasionally, I'll venture out and see what else is happening on CC.  Like looking at a car crash, there are some threads that I feel compelled to view, especially those that have been locked.  Why do I do that?  I think I'll just stay here for a while with discussions of day to day activities, pictures of food/pets/local sights, and well wishes for others.  Thanks again Dani for starting this thread.

I agree; I’m slightly afraid of the other conversations. They seem so mean and spiteful.