Sharon in AZ

Good evening. So much happening today. Planning a vacation sounds like a good day to celebrate. I’m still planning parts of my April cruise. After all the talk about problems with flights I’m wondering if I should travel to FLL two days early instead of the one day I’ve already scheduled. The sleep discussion is interesting. I’m similar to Carolyn @Cruising-along I sleep about 3-4 hours then am awake a bit, sometimes it’s a long time, then sleep about 3 more hours unless I have an early appointment. And as most of you know I am an avid nap taker. Always have been, even when I was a teenager and young adult. I couldn’t get by without a nap. When I was working I would live for my days off just for the nap. I love clam chowder and think I would like it with green chilies. I actually buy a huge container of Hatch green chilies because I use so many in my cooking that those little cans just don’t cut it. I’m almost out so need to restock. Graham @grapau27, nice to hear Sarah is feeling better. I’m really enjoying your food pictures and can’t wait to find out where you have been eating. Joy @Seasick Sailor, ouch on the oral surgery and that “pop” would sure startle me. I wish I was closer so I could deliver some white wine. Get better. Roy @rafinmd, it sounds like you are progressing even though it probably doesn’t seem like it to you. Take care and get better. Annie @marshhawk, I’ve been trying to think of something that would help Fawn’s ear but haven’t figured anything out. Could you just ask the vet for ear crud drops? I’m glad she feels good enough for belly rubs and loving. Have a great evening!

Good morning everyone and Happy Monday. I think our crazy freezing weather has moved on, that might be why Texas is so cold. Our low was 36F and warming up to the mid 60’s. Well, I had to reread Roy’s @rafinmd post three times to let it sink in what that nurse said. I just don’t believe that anyone can predict how your recovery will progress, especially since you were just recently diagnosed and hospitalized. I agree with everyone else that a discussion with your physician is in order. Gerry @ger_77, I’m not a ceramic expert by any means, but have you washed it in the dishwasher? It’s possible that it isn’t dishwasher safe. I bought a mug for Craig once that has a “C” on it not realizing it wasn’t dishwasher safe, I think it’s because of the decorative painting, and it now is sitting on top of the kitchen cabinets never used. @GTVCRUISER and @Heartgrove, welcome home! @kochleffel, congratulations on the upsell! Joy @Seasick Sailor, I’m glad that the worst part of the dental work is over. Take care. Have a great day everyone!

Annie, from the Know Before You Go area on the HAL website: If you do not want to use a credit or debit card, on the day of boarding, you will need to visit Guest Services and deposit $60 cash per person per cruise day. Any excess deposit will be refunded to you at the end of the cruise. Traveler’s checks may be cashed at Guest Services. Personal checks are not accepted on board.

Annie, as the others said it is a hold per day, even if you prepay for anything. I used to work with a lady who went on an Alaskan HAL cruise and had problems using her debit card because it wouldn't hold the daily full amount for the length of the cruise (I forget the exact amount) and had to call her bank to get it settled. So make sure to use a credit card. The Italian restaurant, Canaletto, is a charge per person, not per dish. And, yes, you can each order your own dish. I do have to say it isn't our favorite restaurant and we've only eaten there once in all our BHB cruising. My favorite specialty restaurant is the Pinnacle Grill but for lunch. On my upcoming cruise I have 3 specialty dinners and am not sure I really need them......

@HAL Sailer -- a very Happy Birthday, although belated, to you! Sure sounds like you have been busy, what a mess, but it sounds like you have things taken care of.

A few more pictures: Museum of Newport History: Craig remembers that one of the next two buildings are famous for having George Washington stay there but he isn't sure which one.

Good evening! We were in Newport on our wonderful Canada/New England cruise from New York to Quebec City in August 2009 on the Eurodam. DM was along for that cruise and we three had a great time. The day we were in Newport DM & I took a tour to the mansions and Craig went on a walking tour. He had the camera and since this was pre iphones I have no pictures of the mansions. The church where JFK and Jackie were married in 1953. On our mansions tour we saw the sprawling estate where she lived when she was younger (from a distance, not inside). Craig's tour didn't go inside the church but he did get this outside view. The day had turned cloudy.

I have had that same experience. Once, while anchored off Sitka, we ate in the PG. What a wonderful experience, it was rainy and dreary and eating a wonderful meal in the PG at a window table watching the mist was magical.

I have struggled with low sodium levels myself and still don’t know why. But I did find out that it is not necessarily anything to do with your salt intake. IIRC it can happen when you over hydrate.

That sounds like a great plan. I’m going solo on a longer for me cruise and am trying to figure out if I want one big suitcase or two small ones. Graham your pizza looks wonderful and on a white tablecloth to boot! Nice to hear that Sarah is feeling a bit better and getting much deserved rest.

@kochleffel I say pack light since you have so many transfers. Just plan on one day sending out laundry, it’s a wonderful thing to have someone else do it for you. About the observation vs inpatient thing. Back when I was a surgery scheduler and the doctor had to admit someone it was always observation for the first 23 hours, then the doctor could request them to be an inpatient. It was my understanding that it was cheaper for the hospital, not necessarily the patient. The doctors didn’t like it, more keeping track for them to make sure it was documented why the patient had to stay longer. Things may have changed since then though (but probably not). Sandi @StLouisCruisers, what an adorable picture of little Ellie! I think you and Vanessa @JazzyV will do a fantastic job with the lists and thank you both for offering to do them for Roy. Roy @rafinmd, thank you so much for keeping us posted about yourself. I’m sorry you’ve had so much pain and hopefully the meds will start helping. Jacqui @kazu (and not kazoo 😉), wow you have been through so much and in such a short time. I know pins are difficult especially if they are temporary ones. The body treats them like a foreign body and try to get rid of them. Craig has had several surgeries with pins for hammer toes due to an old motorcycle accident. Take care girl! Joy @Seasick Sailor, ouch on your fall and scraped knee. What did you use to wash your luggage?

Oh Gosh Roy! Pneumonia and low sodium, no wonder you’ve been off and feeling bad in the afternoons. Take care, get better quickly.

Good morning everyone and Happy Saturday. Goodness! I was off CC yesterday and so much has happened to our Daily family. I’m really concerned about Roy @rafinmd. I hope he is at the hospital right now getting checked out. I remember when I took a tumble (5 years ago) trying to straighten a rug and getting my little finger caught in a chair how awfully difficult it was to get dressed and ready to go to urgent care. And I had waited all day to do that thinking it would be okay but when it kept swelling I knew I shouldn’t put it off. So Roy, please get yourself checked. Yesterday was a busy day. I had a morning appointment and needed to go shopping for a birthday gift on my way home, took an early nap so I could shower before the birthday dinner last night. It was Amaya’s 16th birthday celebration, she’s our almost DGD. But I started feeling very nauseous because I forgot to take my Otezla and took it right before laying down. I won’t do that again! We still went but I really couldn’t eat much. Thankfully it always passes after a few hours. The party was well attended and the birthday girl wore a crown, she looked so cute. I need to get going and get some things done but I’ll check back often hoping for word about Roy. Have a great day everyone and be safe, watch your step.

@luvteaching, I’m so sorry your DH is back in the hospital but yahoo to you for being so diligent and observant of his condition. Prayers he recovers quickly. @erewhon, whoa about Noordam. I hope everyone and everything is okay. Yes, I need to stay on the Otezla for the psoriasis. The good thing is that I think it’s already helping after just 6 weeks, usually it’s months. The doctor will be able to tell from the X-rays if it’s psoriatic arthritis or not. I guess there is a classic appearance that the bone joints make. Seems like they said a cup and pencil appearance. Thank you Lenda. Black socks, slippers and pjs here. 🤣 Roy, how interesting but frustrating. Hopefully it’ll pass but do check out your carbon monoxide detector. My DSIL was hospitalized and almost died from exposure. Thank you @erewhon. Yes, we love our SB, Kim Crawford in particular. But, have you ever tried Ned? It is the only NZ SB at our pizza place and really good. Jacqui @kazu, OMG on the surgery! That bone fragment and pin must have hurt like crazy. I can understand why you have to cancel your upcoming cruise. Rest up and heal quickly. @cunnorl, a BCC on an eyelid isn’t as unusual as it would seem. You are in good hands if you are seeing an oculoplastic surgeon.

Good afternoon everyone and Happy Thursday. Our low temperature this morning was 27F. Getting really tired of this. One reason why I live in the desert. Wow! So much happening on the Daily today. I can’t keep up. I’ve read it in bits and pieces. Today was my long awaited appointment with the Rheumatologist. Good news is that he doesn’t think it’s psoriatic arthritis but won’t know for sure until tests are done. Bad news is I still have arthritis, osteoarthritis, and nothing can be done for that. At least the medicine I’m on is working. I love all the days but clashing clothes are a bit much sometimes. Stripes and plaids, decorative tops and a clashing pant, etc, does make one do a double take. I hope everyone has a great day today. I’m exhausted — it was a 50 minute drive both ways and a 2 hour appointment, and of course I didn’t sleep well in anticipation.

The Chinese New Year menu in the Lido looked wonderful!

Roy, sorry to hear you are under the weather. Take care and rest up.

Good morning everyone and Happy Wednesday. The low temperature this morning was 28F. Burrr. I’m getting tired of this cold. It’s unusual for Tucson to have so many below freezing temps in a row. Today I’m taking DM to run some errands. Then out to lunch where hopefully our friend Kim Crawford will join us. Have a great day everyone!

Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers for the links to our previous Kotor posts. This is what I posted on November 23, 2022: We missed Kotor when we were on the Oosterdam in June. The sea was too rough to anchor and transport people in the tenders. However, we did stay a while waiting for some new crew to arrive. The Captain said that it was really important for the crew to come through Montenegro because they don’t require visas. I have a few pictures from the Bay of Kotor that I’ll share in a separate post. *********************************** My next post: Scenes from the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro. I don’t really know what each picture is of but do know that it’s all beautiful. This is June 11, 2022 and also the day Craig lost his EarPods. The tracking on his phone never changed from location—Bay of Kotor, so I just think that the battery went out. The approach to Kotor is beautiful. Somehow this ship beat us. There were sailboats everywhere, this area was especially pretty with the little patch of beach. And sunset that evening. Gorgeous. Maybe someday we can return and make it to town. I really want to see the cat museum and store.

Good evening. The low temperature this morning was 25F and chilly all day. Blue had his final post op appointment today for his dental surgery and then I ran into two stores to buy some things DM needs while Craig stayed in the car with him. I’m taking DM to the bank tomorrow so wanted to get her shopping done. Like @SJSULIBRARIAN said yesterday we had snow flurries but in my area it lasted about 90 minutes. It wasn’t enough to get a good picture though. I’ve lived here since 1972 and we do get snow every few years. Sandi @StLouisCruisers, thank you for the correction yesterday about Patricia. I don’t know how I got mixed up. Carolyn @Cruising-along, I am so sorry about Patricia’s passing. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family at this time. Also, I used to have a video tape of GWTW but gave it to my DD. I really enjoyed it yesterday and couldn’t help but get choked up and teary when Melanie died. Graham @grapau27, congratulations on the new cruise booking! Now I need to catch up with today’s Daily. Have a good evening.

Terry @smitty34877:

Good morning everyone and Happy Monday. The low was 28F yesterday and today it was 30F. Sleet is expected for the next hour but it just looks dark and cloudy. I am going to watch Gone with the Wind on the big screen today. Not sure if I want to sit in a cold movie theater for 4 hours but I’ve been eagerly waiting to see it when I saw the preview back in December. Sandi @StLouisCruisers, I woke up thinking about Patricia and the very hard decision that the family had to make. Prayers for her soul and you and your family. @St Pete Cruiser, I lived in a small town in Colorado about 10 miles from where Glenn Miller was born and raised. I would have loved that concert. Thank you for the pictures. Have a great day everyone!

Yes it was that area. This is a cropped picture from my maps, however you probably know the area since you’ve been there before. Our sail away was after dark and the views of Mt Etna were amazing.

I find that the common areas onboard are always chilly no matter outside climate. I always carry a sweater just in case.

For me the common areas on the ship are always cold so I usually wear jeans and a short sleeve top on sea days plus I always have a sweater with me.