Cruising-along

Lenda, like minds think alike! We got the cooling towels and hand-held fans (one of them may attach around your neck, I'm not sure). We used similar cooling towels on another cruise (Panama Canal maybe?) and they worked great. After seeing photos of one of the world cruise bloggers using these fans, I'm not worried how I'll look I just want to be comfortable. 😉 Caron the company doing this tour is "Broome And Around". It should be on the roll call spread sheet. I've had my eye on that tour for awhile but had to wait for them to open up bookings for next year. Well the BLT Pasta Salad is finished and it looks SO good! DH has been drooling since he saw it. I'm sure it will be a hit at the BBQ today.

Thank you Lenda. Although I don't do well in heat (this will be mid-February so summer there), I intend to get out in all the ports to see as much as I can. I know we'll never get back to this part of the world, and it was canceled 3 years ago because of Covid so this is our last chance. I can always go back to the ship afterwards to cool off. 🙂

Good morning all! It's a cool 55 degrees F this morning, heading to the high 70's (about 10 degrees cooler than it has been). But still dry. Interesting collection of days, the quote is a good one. OMG is cilantro in everything now? I'll pass on the cilantro drink needless to say. The Chow Mein sounds good but I can't have it (carbs and sodium) but the white wine sounds wonderful so I'll just take a lot of that. 🤣 Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser for the photos from Broome! We'll be there on the Grand Australia -- we have a private tour planned to see some dino prints among other things. I do know it will be HOT! Today our DS and DDIL are hosting a big family bbq (21 of us) at their home. It will be the first time most of them have seen it since they moved up from CA and renovated the house. It should be a lot of fun! Yesterday I made the 2 apple pies I'm bringing, and today am making the BLT pasta salad that I'll bring too. I remember the hint to put in less pasta and more Romaine (sorry I don't remember who said that, but I remember the tip). Sandi @StLouisCruisers I hope your cold is short-lived and you feel better soon. Nancy @ottahand7 Thank you for sharing more photos of your gorgeous flowers. I'm thinking of all our Daily friends in Southern California -- stay safe. We lived in San Diego for a number of years in DH's Navy days, and I do remember a few torrential downpours (one of them was Halloween night when I still took DD trick or treating lol). I have no idea how it would compare, but know it wasn't the usual weather there. Maureen @RMLincoln Congratulations on the big decision about the retirement apartment unit. Jacqui @kazu Thank you for the photos of your beautiful flowers.

Good afternoon, We had a lovely brunch with my cousin and her DH before they boarded the Solstice (Celebrity) and the same ship we will be boarding 4 weeks from today! It was fun seeing the ship right by the restaurant. I sure wanted to go with them!! Since we'll be getting a ride to Seattle from our DD who has a morning meeting in the city that day, we'll have her drop us off at the same restaurant because it will be earlier than our 11:00 check in time. (strangely we can pick our own boarding time, wish HAL would do that). It's a short walk from the restaurant right onto the ship. I heard back from the kidney doctor, she said I can wait on those labs until November right before I see her. I'm curious how I'm doing, but I guess she could tell from the last tests that I'm doing better than before so she isn't worried. We stopped at Total Wine on the way home to restock, and now the afternoon is half gone. Time to make the 2 apple pies I'm bringing tomorrow to a family gathering! Ann @Vict0riann your Dahlias are lovely.

A quick good morning to all! We're getting ready to drive down to Seattle to say Bon Voyage and have brunch with my cousin and her DH. They're leaving on their first Alaska cruise this morning. I think this is their 2nd or 3rd cruise. Happy Birthday @Mr. Boston! Jacqui @kazu thank you for your dedication to CC for the last 10 years! I was pleased with my A1C diabetic labs yesterday, still in the "good" range and no change from 6 months ago. No kidney function test....so I sent a message to my kidney doctor asking if she wants me to do one. I think each doctor thought the other was doing it (?) I know she wants it done before I see her in November, I just don't know when to have it done. I hope everyone has a great day!

Thank you Jacqui, I love this photo of Soot too (and his sleek, shiny fur!)

Good morning all! I love most of my neighbors, donate regularly to thrift shops, and have known/had 4 black cats in my life. Only 1 is still alive, our DD's cat "Soot". I'll pass on the soup and save it for cooler weather, and will pass on the drink and red wine. Love the quote, and have been to Willemstad once. Last night I was in a bit of pain after the dental procedure, but today only my jaw still hurts (having to leave it wide open for 2 hours). At least the worst is over, now I wait a few weeks to get the permanent crown. This morning I drove to our clinic's new lab facility to get my 6-month labs done. Now to wait for the results on MyChart. I'm especially watching for any change in my kidney function, and of course diabetes labs. My blood sugar numbers have been good at home, but I've been surprised before and don't take anything for granted! Like Susan @durangoscots said, we've had yet more changes to our Grand Australia itinerary. Funny about your TA wanting you to get a Brazilian visa 😉 As Karen @luvteaching said, this is our last "hot" day here. It will be nice to get back down to our more comfortable temperatures. Debbie @dfish Keep getting better, good to hear there's been some improvement. Lorraine @cruising sister Good to hear that baby Murphy is holding her own, continued prayers. I have one photo of Willemstad that may be different from the great photos already shared. This was the outside of an art gallery. And the 4 black cats I've had in my life: Ebony, our stray who chose us. He was a sweet boy but very shy. ❤️ Jinx, our neighbor's cat who passed last year. He was my gardening buddy, here he's watching a mole hill. I'm sure he never caught anything in his life. 😂 Spek, our DD's cat who is no longer with us. And Soot, our DD's cat who is very much alive 🙂

I'm home from the dentist -- after 2 hours in the chair. A bigger piece of tooth broke off than I thought, so I was prepped for a crown today. I told them let's get this over with, I have a cruise in a few weeks 😉 Thankfully it didn't cost as much as I expected, so that's good -- well not good, but not too awful. Susan @durangoscotsThank you so much for letting us know about Diane's cats. I've been worried about them. Great news!

Good morning all! Well I hope Gerry @ger_77 and I haven't started a new trend. Last night I broke a tooth 😞 I was eating a great steak and must have swallowed whatever broke off (!) So I'll be calling the dentist as soon as they open this morning. I do hope this isn't the one day of the week that they aren't open... I'll pass on the spicy meal, drink and red wine. I love a good joke, especially @RedneckBob's jokes, but I'm not good at telling a joke. No roller coasters for me please. We were in Akureyri in 2018 on the VOV. We took a tour to the Botanical Gardens, Godafoss Waterfall and some recreated ancient manors. We had beautiful weather and it was a good day! Jack @Heartgrove Lily is indeed adorable! Thank you for sharing the photos. Terry @smitty34877 I hope that DH's bloodwork is good and that he can come home today. Debbie @dfish Dam about the sinus headache!! Sure hope you feel better soon. Here are some photos from our tour out of Akureyri The Botanical Gardens: Scenery The landing strip for the airport The oldest house (1795) Visit to the ancient manor Recreated thatched roof houses Period costumes One of the interiors Example of a bridal dress Farm equipment And Godafoss Waterfall

Bon Voyage!!

Good morning all! I have Acadian ancestors on my Mother's side. My great-grandfather came from France, settled in the Gaspe area in Canada, and then the family came down to the states. Today will be a day of relaxation, it will be too hot to do much else. Sure glad we had the A/C put in last year! I celebrated my best friend's birthday a couple weeks ago with her, and we'll be getting together again later this month. Good quote, but I would add "travel" to the list 😉 The meal would be yummy, but we just had chicken with balsamic last night so I think tonight we'll bbq a steak. Will pass on the drink and red wine. I'm not sure if we've seen Hubbard Glacier -- I get all the glaciers mixed up, and have only been to Alaska twice. Will be on another Alaska cruise (Celebrity) next month, but I don't think we'll see Hubbard. Thanks for the GREAT photos!! We have 3 more days of high-80's-low 90's, then it will cool off. I know that doesn't sound hot compared to what many of you are having, but we aren't used to that in the PNW. Yesterday I had to finally take down my Fuchsia hanging basket, it gave up the ghost in this heat. But it lasted a long time, so no complaints. On the other hand the tomatoes and peppers are doing great. 🙂 We had some more Bruschetta last night from the latest ripened tomatoes -- yum. Prayers for all on the care list and a big cheer to all who are celebrating!

Good morning all! Good collection of days and I love the quote. The drink and white wine sound good, but will pass on the meal. We will go to Noumea on the Grand Australia and plan on taking the Tchou Tchou train. Charlene @cunnorl great photos -- were these taken from the train or can you get on and off? Well I slept 9 1/2 hours last night but still feel like I was hit by a truck lol. DGS wore me out, he's a ball of energy. When we brought him home last night we went to dinner with DD and family, that was nice. DGS was regaling everyone with everything he had done with us the last 3 days. He told me he wished he could stay another night with us. I don't know if I could have taken it 😂 Today I'll be putting the house back together, washing sheets, and watering the yard. Our heat wave has begun and the A/C is working well. Very nice to hear good news about baby Murphy @cruising sister Lorraine!

Thank you Lenda, I’m going to look into getting an air fryer now. We really love lumpia so maybe we’ll have it more often!

Good morning all! Again I'm the first one up this morning so it's nice and quiet in the house. Today is our last day with DGS and it will be another full day. He had a ball yesterday at the Aquatic Center and can't wait to go back. Maybe next month when we have both boys here on the 9th. Today will be the Children's Museum and then an inflatable play center that the boys have been going to since they were toddlers. Then it will be dinner at his favorite spot and take him home. Then Nana will collapse! It's been a lot of fun but wow my stamina isn't what it used to be! BTW these weekends each boy had with us were their birthday presents from us. Doing everything they love to do and favorite foods, each one separately instead of always together. It seems to have been a big hit! I am left handed and don't understand when I hear that we have "problems" using things like scissors etc. I have never noticed any problem -- I guess I've just adapted and don't notice. There was only one person who tried to switch me to right-handed, a teacher. But when my mother found out she let him know what she thought of that! I'm the youngest girl of 3, and have never had a garage sale. Too much work! I'll pass on the meal, red wine and drink. Tina @0106 I've never had an air fryer either. I do have a deep fryer but only use it when making Lumpia -- which I make maybe once or twice/year. Would the air fryer do the same as the deep fryer for that? I would like to not use all that oil, and would get an air fryer for that reason alone. The next few days will be "hot" here (for us) up to 90. I'm sure we'll be turning on the new A/C we got last year! Then it will be back down to the 70's. It never stays hot here for long, thank goodness. Happy Birthday Dennis @StLouisCruisers!! Happy Anniversary John and Maria @Copper10-8!! Welcome home @AV8rix! Terry @smitty34877 I was so sorry to hear about your DH's chemo-related condition but happy that the doctors can treat it. I remember that my sister had lots of ups and downs with chemo too. Continued prayers. Now for another cup of coffee. I hear stirrings in the house...

OMG Vanessa that's terrible! And please be safe. Getting ready to leave for the birthday party, will check in later!

Good morning all! As usual I'm the first one up, so taking advantage of the quiet time to catch up here. We're having a great time with our youngest DGS and I know he's having a good time. Yesterday we took him to see "Elemental" and as DH said, it's a good thing we don't have more grandchildren, we wouldn't want to sit through that movie a 3rd time! 😉 Afterwards we went to dinner, home and to bed. Today will be full, Shep has a birthday party to attend in Edmonds. DH and I may try to get some research done at the Rick Steves Center there while he's at the party. Then this afternoon is swimming and water slides at an aquatic center nearby. He should be good and tired tonight! Happy Birthday Rich @richwmn!! Terry @smitty34877 I'm glad that your DH Lou is doing a little better, and also that you have family there.

Ray I learned that the hard way too -- and we were traveling.

Terry @smitty34877 Sending fervent prayers your way! I won't touch presidential jokes either, will send messages to DS and DD that this is their day! No playing in the sand today. I'll pass on the red wine and spicy meal, but would try the drink. Have not been to the port. This afternoon we'll pick up the youngest DGS and have him for the weekend. He's looking forward to having us to himself and having fun 😉 Today we'll go to a matinee (he wants to see Elemental). We just saw it with his brother when we had him here, but will sit through it again 😅 The problem is it isn't playing in many places now so that will be tricky. Of course if he wanted to see Barbie, that would be easy. Not going to happen lol. I was very relieved yesterday when BFF let me know that her step-daughter's home and her DH's business all made it through the fire! Apparently his business was one of the only that didn't burn down in that area. They're counting their blessings! I better get busy so we can pick up DGS on time. Prayers for all on the care list and cheers for those celebrating!

Good morning all! Today won't be a lazy day for me, although most of them usually are. I love s'mores and lions (not together) 😉 The last time I had s'mores was a few years ago with the DGSs. Joy @Seasick Sailor my marshmallow would be #3. Lightly toasted on the outside, but enough that the insides are oozing. Funny, I don't like marshmallows otherwise, only in a s'more melted over chocolate. Has anyone else ever heard them called Angels on Horseback? That's what my parents called them, I never heard the term s'mores until I was an adult. Love the funny quote, and I had the meal once while visiting my Southern DMIL. Can't say I'm a fan, but probably because I never have potatoes and corn together (too many carbs). Both the drink and wine sound good. Yesterday we were very excited because we got our first packet from HAL about the Grand Australia. It had the choices for our free excursion, and choices for our in-stateroom liquor set up. Funny thing, we spent a long time last night choosing everything. It said "call World Cruise Reservations right away to let them know which excursion you want"! So DH called this morning. They hadn't gotten any information about it, or the code # they need to do it. Surprised? No 😂 Said to call back tomorrow or Monday. Today I'll be baking cookies and we'll have the DGSs here tonight while DD has a night out with some high school friends. She went to high school here and has remained close friends with them. Then tomorrow we'll pick up our 8-year-old DGS and have him for his weekend here. We did the same for his older brother a few weeks ago. A chance to have us all to himself and do fun things of his choosing. There will be a movie, pool time, and museum. He also has a birthday party on Saturday, DH and I will use that time to revisit the Rick Steves center in the same town and do some research for a European cruise later next year. Prayers for Maui and very relieved that @DeeniEncinitas and her DH are safe. My BFF's DH has children there and they are very worried. I hope they've heard from them today. They have a home and business there. Thoughts and prayers for Gerry @ger_77's DH that he gets an appointment soon for the pacemaker and as he has his angiogram today. Also for Chuck @catmando as he begins immunotherapy today. Carol @mamaofami great news that your DH leaves the hospital today. Prayers there are no more falls! Happy Birthday @Tbay! Vanessa @JazzyV I hope your cardiology appointment goes well and a solution can be found without using statins. We've been to Grand Cayman once, in 2017. We went to some gardens and had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Cayman Sand Gardens map Bromeliad Cashew plant Plumeria Weird trunk water lilies

We were able to combine stockholders, AARP and military.

Good morning/afternoon all! I'm late today because of another night of sporadic sleep. Besides other times of wakefulness, I was wide awake from 2-5 am. No rhyme or reason for it. I think I did get close to 8 hours total, so not complaining (too much anyway lol)! 😉 We're getting some rain this morning! Very much needed and welcome. A good collection of days. The meal is one of our favorites and I printed off the first recipe. Can't go wrong with basil, balsamic, garlic and cheese! And my tomatoes are ripening quickly, so perfect timing. I'll pass on the drink and red wine, have not been to South Africa. In 5 weeks we'll leave for our Celebrity Alaska cruise. We haven't sailed that line since 2017 and like HAL, they've had a lot of changes. I was reading the Celebrity board last night to try to "catch up" before the cruise, and found that they now charge $9.95 for room service orders (only continental breakfast has no charge). Also 20% gratuity is added to specialty dining. I'm sure we'll find other changes too. A couple good things though, we can still bring 1 bottle of wine per person with no corkage fee, and we can use OBC to book shore excursions, dining etc. before the cruise. I think this will be our last Celebrity cruise though, I don't like the room service charges and some other things, plus we've always liked HAL's longer itineraries anyway. We sailed Celebrity mainly for local, shorter cruises. Yesterday I tackled a job I knew was coming up. I had a large wooden barrel with summer blooming perennials in it, and the barrel was starting to fall apart. I waited until the flowers had stopped blooming, and took it on. Getting all the bulbs and soil out took quite awhile, but I wanted to finish it because today the garbage and yard waste trucks will come. And it was humid yesterday, and all in-the-sun work. But glad to get it done! Thank you everyone for the awesome photos today! Lorraine @cruising sister I've had a fear of double booking something too! So many ports. Another reason I love having a personal spreadsheet, this way I can see at a glance what days we have something booked. I've never done an Amazon cruise, but can highly recommend the Voyage of the Vikings. We hope to do that one again some day -- a wonderful cruise!!

Have a wonderful time in my favorite place on earth! We get there every year preferably in the spring. Much fewer people and the babies are adorable! Recently our 10-year-old grandson bought this for me—he definitely knows what his Nana loves.

Annie, that's GREAT news! Thank you Tina. You know, I think I have had it before (can't remember where or when) and I really liked it. It was better than frozen yogurt.

Good morning all! Another cloudy morning, but the sun should break through later like it did yesterday and get to the mid 70's. I'm all for Cat Day and wish we still had one but long travels have taken precedence. Our last cat passed in 2011 at the age of 17. She was abandoned at only a few days of age and I raised her with a tiny kitten bottle. No surprise, she thought I was her Mama and we had a very close relationship! 🤣 Here she is with our DD who chose to have her in one of her high school graduation photos. If frozen custard is the same as yogurt, I'll take some. Will pass on the zucchini, drink, wine and meal. Enchiladas are one of the only Mexican dishes I don't care for. Love the quote, have never been to Japan. I hope everyone has a great day!

Interesting. I know DH was 74 when he was called and was told there is no age limit here...that's why his doctor wrote the letter. We're in Snohomish County. At the very least it's complicated. A Google search found this https://www.elderlawanswers.com/called-for-jury-duty-you-may-be-excused-based-on-your-age-15650 And WA state isn't even listed.