Sea Dog

Well sitting on the tarmac waiting for a storm to blow through  good thing I have a 3 hour layover in Baltimore.

1 hour ago, sgmn said:

Talking about parents who have passed away , my mother's story as a child is terrible sad.  Her farm worker father died when she was about five and the family with three under 5's lost their tied farm cottage. Her mother married again in haste to a wrong'un and sadly took her own life when mum was 9.  There was no social services or government help in the '30s. It was either the workhouse or farmed out to other relatives.  She was lucky she was taken in by an aunt but didn't see her siblings again until she was an adult.  At 14 she had to earn her own living.  But she never complained and was the sweetest most loving mum anyone could wish for.

At 48 she achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. 

She inspires me so much and I miss her every day. 

This is her wedding day in 1955

Thank you for sharing this story with us.

15 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

Thank you, Greg.  You are so right about questions we wish we could ask.  I think that may be one of the reasons that our daughters gifted both Jim and I with the subscription to our own Storyworth book with question suggestions that we could write about.  For example, "what was your mom like when you were a child?  What was your 21st birthday like?  etc.  I finally finished my book with 52 stories for our daughters and grandchildren to read.

Thank you so much, Bonnie.😘

What a great idea. I am totally going to do this for Jonathan.

46 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

Who needs a little Lucy fix. This was her acting up about 30 minutes ago. Thankfully I still have all my fingers. 
 

 

 

Love this. What a great video.

1 minute ago, Luckynana said:

 

Today marks 43 years since my Dad died at the age of 61.  He was a Foreman working on the 2nd Avenue Subway project when he fell down 25 feet, head first.  He was a very healthy, strong man who never smoked in his life.  He remained in a coma for a week before finally passing, which was a Blessing, due to his extensive injuries.  

I’m sorry Maryann what a tragedy. It’s so tough to lose our parents. The one thing I have learned is that there are days that you have a question that you would like to ask them as they are the only ones who know the answer and you can’t get your question answered. I wished I would have asked more questions of my parents.

13 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

So we did get a Ricky update yesterday from his blood test.  Numbers were up over 30, so that was good.  
 

Now he gets his steroid dose cut in half, and he just has to finish antibiotics.  Then, another blood test next week to monitor how things are going.  
 

He does seem to be acting almost normal.  (Well, normal for him)

Great news for Ricky!

Well this is a first. Packed for a 5 day trip with just a soft duffle bag and backpack. Maybe I should try this for a 7 day cruise? Doubt I would have room but I could try.

53 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Planes fly the same way whether going to a land vacation or to a cruise port. No worries there. 🙂 

No worries at all. I just think it’s interesting that this is a flight that I am going on that  is not going to a cruise port in over 20 years.

1 minute ago, NHProud said:

And wishing you a good time with your guy friends.  Safe journey, tomorrow ! 
 

Am I having an episode of déjà vu ? Have you stayed there before with the same friends ? 
 

Anyway , don’t let anyone ruin your fun time .

 

Judy

No this is my first time to Hilton Head and our first time as a group together even though I have known these people for over 50 years and two of them lived on my block. 
 

Going to interesting to say the least. This will also be the first time I am getting on an airplane in 20 years where I am not heading to a cruise port.

@aussielozzie18 Wishing you a most wonderful cruise! 

Thank you Sue for your detailed explain the Casino. Congratulations on your wins!

37 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

 

@Sea Dog

 

Greg, my 2 cents about different POV with old time friends in those days' "climate" --

 

Apart from my HS "gurlz" group, we're part of a group of 7 couples going back some 40+ years, and a smaller group of couples whom we met while being relocated to Brussels.

 

The "gurlz" and the "Brussels" -- we're all on the same page regarding the "situation" in our country.

 

Of the 7 couples, one of the "founders" (actually, he's a widower and was set up with another widow, turns out they're on the same page...) is against any compromise and peaceful solution. He's very dear to all of us, and early on, we decided not to talk in our meetings about the "situation". When, somehow, he or his SO start on their views and try their best to "convert" us, we listen and do not reply.

 

Apart of this "fault", he's on the same very page with all of us regarding justice and human rights, so there is that...

 

During the years, there were "attempts" to add more couples, but we quickly discovered that we were not on the same page with the new "additions", and those who initiated the "additions" were kindly requested to see them in "private"....

That’s a good strategy. Thanks for sharing.

Just now, Coralc said:

I understand nervousness. My only advice would be to go and enjoy without anticipation of any problems. 

And to have a few drinks!😉

6 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

CROWN AND ANCHOR NUMBERS

 

 

 

Borrowed from fellow cruiser. 
 

 

Were Diamonds allowed in the Crown lounge on this sailing?

29 minutes ago, jmh2006 said:

Hi CC friends!  It has been a rough 10 days.  As some already know from that other site that shall remain nameless, I lost my dear father very unexpectedly on April 18th.  He was in good health up to the very end and would have been 88 this August.  I returned home today after a week down in North Carolina, where he lived, to help my sister take care of all the "things".  My sister moved down there from NJ last summer.  While I am still a little bit in shock that he is gone (my mother died in 2014), I am so thankful he was living life to the fullest up to the very end and we were all together the first weekend of April for a fun filled time.  My father had moved into a lovely independent living community in the fall of 2022 so he had downsized quite a bit which was very helpful this past week as were emptying his apartment.  I also urge everyone to have all their important papers organized in a file for your loved ones, should anything happen unexpectedly as did for us.  Even though we knew where all the "stuff" was he still had little post it notes all over his desk of passwords for his computer.  😃  We will be having a Celebration of Life in the summer down in NC for him.  

Oh Jennifer my heart breaks for you. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved father. Though it sudden I hope he did not have to suffer. I have no doubt that even though he may be physically gone his spirit will remain deep in your heart along with a lifetime of memories. Peace be with you!

58 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

 

As I was catching up on post I noticed we have the same clock and similar color wall!

 

As for Hilton Head,  I loved it there!  Lots to do. Have you been there?  Looking forward to pics.  Tell our friend I said hi.  He seems like a great person. 

 

As for your concerns, here is what helps me.  

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.   This has kept me from playing monopoly a few times.  Arguing rarely changes anything so why waste time.

Consider renting a bike while there.  We loved riding bikes there.  Easy to get around.  Also if a topic comes up and you want to avoid it say, Be back in awhile and go jump on the bike!  Try to enjoy the 5 days.  Lots to see and enjoy. 

Have a safe trip!

Great minds think alike. Love our clock. Also great advice for me. 
 

43 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

That place looks fantastic!  Why rent when you can buy? 😜  It's a much closer drive to PC from there (think of the airfare that you'll save), better year round weather, and if anyone misbehaves, you can kick them out. 🤣

If only we can win that lottery!

31 minutes ago, Momof3gurlz said:

@Sea Dog Greg your vacation rental is beautiful. What a great opportunity to get together with old friends and relive “the good old days” (at least that’s what happens when I’m with my high school friends).  Try not to let one person spoil the trip for you; why should your vacation be cut short because of one bad apple?  I like Ozark’s idea to be slow to anger, although that’s easier said than done.  Maybe just say you’ll have to agree to disagree on those topics and leave the room for a while.  I hope you have a great 5 days. 

Thanks Deb! Great advice.

Just now, George C said:

Have a great time , place looks great , the older I have gotten the less BS I am willing to put up with and I am almost a decade older . 

Yeah I have been a curmudgeon in my old age. I only come out and am social when I am on a cruise.

1 minute ago, helen haywood said:

@Sea Dog If you need a respite from friends who can’t avoid sensitive topics…tell them you need to get in touch with your stock broker (or whatever) and leave the room and come back here (your other home…😉)

I’ve already told Linda if it gets bad I will leave early and come home.

Well starting this Thursday I am going on a little adventure. Thursday morning I leave for Hilton Head Island SC to visit my life long best friend from high school and the best man at my wedding.  He is a great musician, singer and entertainer who plays at the Salty Dog cafe for over 25 years. Dave @Ozark_Kid has seen him and knows who I am talking about my best friend Dave Kemmerly.

What makes this trip interesting and a I'm little nervous is that I will be there 5 days with 7 other friends who I went to high school with. Two of which Mary and Steve lived on my street growing up and I have known for over 50 years. Two couples, one of which were in my class and got married right after high school and another couple a year behind us. 

We are staying a a great VRBO in Sea Pines a short distance from the Salty Dog. It's a six bedroom house so plenty of room.  Here are some of the pictures of it as it looks wonderful. And it should because it is also for sale for over $3 million.

I mentioned that I was a little nervous. Most of these people while friends I have not seen in over 5 years. A few of us have spent time together but none for 5 days. I like these people but they are extremely different from me in my view on most  things. I stated the only way I would go is that we not discuss politics or religion as I have had a couple of run ins with one of the guys over the years. Maybe as I gotten older, I don't put up with BS and I just rather cruise with my wife than do anything else.

Linda is going to stay home with the dogs and said go have fun with your high school friends. I hope it will be that way. I may not be around later in the week as much but I will try and post some pictures of our adventures. Wish me luck and as they say "Can't we all just get along?"

4 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Do any of you have a true home theater setup, and if so, what remote do you use?

 

I have an Onkyo 7.1 receiver (center channel, front L&R, side L&R, rear L&R, plus subwoofer). My Sony tv is connected to it, as is a dvd player, Apple TV box, and Roku box.  I have been controlling everything with a Logitech Harmony 650 programmable remote.  

 

The thing I liked about the Harmony is it made everything a one button operation.  Press watch a movie, and it would turn on the tv, change the source to the dvd, turn on the dvd player, turn on the surround receiver, and it would be ready to go.  Same with everything else, it would automatically switch inputs and power devices on and off. 

 

It always worked great when I had a cable box, but since switching to Roku and using the cable provider app, the remote occasionally gets confused.  I started looking for a new programmable remote, but it appears Harmony stopped making them.  Maybe with so many going with sound bars and smart tvs, there wasn’t a big enough market for programmable remotes.  

 

Just curious what others use.  

For ours I still have the Harmony and it still works great. It’s been so long with tech advances I’m not sure what’s best now. Sorry I couldn’t help.

4 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

A few house pics from today.  Paint is done (minus the inevitable touch-ups).  Doors, trim, and cabinets scheduled over the next couple weeks, then flooring and carpets.  We probably aren’t going to hit our June 1st goal, but it’s getting closer and closer.

 

Kitchen with accent wall

 

Master with accent wall

 

Master bath with accent wall

 

Living room from entryway (accent wall follows kitchen around to the right)

 

Not sure I mentioned, in the last pic you can see a column and the base on the floor to the right.  There was a column on each side of the living room that supported an arch that separated the living room from the entryway.  We always hated that because the columns took away from space that we would have used to put furniture, things on walls, etc.  So we had the reconstruction folks take it out.  Post-fire pic of the arch:

 

 

 

 

Love the color Larry. It looks similar to out living room color which is a Sherwin Williams color. It looks lighter in this picture but we love it.

Here are Jonathan's two.

Beans

Drave

And Kylar who was Jonathan's first cat you lives with us.

2 minutes ago, George C said:

They showed a old video of Kelce from i believe 2016 , he was supposed to choose to kill, marry or kiss - Taylor, Ariana Grande or Katie Perry , he picked Taylor to kiss and Katie to marry.

I heard that too. I bet he regrets saying that.😉

3 hours ago, Lionesss said:

But I have  a cruise.  I cannot be sick. 
 

We’re leaving Thursday.  Today’s Tuesday. I WILL get better.  

Wow that was a close call. So happy you got to cruise.

I can't believe the parents would allow their kid to say that. What a shame. Some people are just so pathetic.

14 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Is there a song that stands out to you? The only song I've heard on it is "Ioml". I can't get past it as I find it a bit haunting. I've never before heard a song of her's that I've wanted to learn to play and sing.😲

That's a good question. I really like most all of them but if I had to pick a couple it would "Florida" with it's big chorus. Also "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me" is great too. I had not really listened to her before she and KC player Travis Kelce started dating and I was curious about her. My son went to her Eras concert here and said it was incredible. Linda and I watched her Eras Concert movie and I was very impressed. Her songwriting skills are impressive as well as her performance. It helps also as I think she is incredibly beautiful.