Cruising-along

Good morning all! It's a cool 47 degrees and will get up only to the low 50's today. Tomorrow starts a warming trend and looks to be very nice this week. I'll be putting the rest of the seedlings out (have been hardening them off) because I won't be here most of the first half of May to water them. I don't really care for pigs in a blanket, so sad about the terrible loss of life in the Armenian genocide. Thank you @Denise T for sharing your family history. I can't think of many times I've actually screamed out loud, other than if I was suddenly startled in a spooky place. The quote is funny, I'll pass on the meal (not a fan of eggplant), the red wine, but the drink is one of my favorites. I thought the name of the port sounded familiar, and sure enough we were there in April of 2015 on the Statendam. We took an all-day tour "Mayan Cosmology and Ancient Ruins". It was a long ride there and back, through fields and past volcanoes. @Ichiban NekkoWelcome back! Your tour in France sounds amazing. Here are a few of my photos from our tour out of Puerto Quetzal to the Mayan ruins. One of many volcanoes in the area. Passing workers in a field And at the ruins

(Not lobsternight) but it looks like he's sailing on the NA on the 30th. 🙂

Not much longer now! I guess we won't be having a Meet & Greet on this cruise. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary celebration! I've posted my photo here enough times -- if you see me please say hello. 🙂 That does look like a lot of food Sharon. What time is the brunch offered?

I agree, Roy. Apparently the wife didn't want to do that because she was alone. For some reason they couldn't use the ship's morgue and the body was put where they keep drinks cool (not cool enough). Edited to add the news link https://abc7chicago.com/cruise-ship-celebrity-equinox-decomposed-body-do-ships-have-a-morgue/13170894/

Good morning all! It's slowly, finally warming up here, it will be 20-30 degrees warmer by Friday (mid 70's F). And sunshine after tomorrow. We did luck out yesterday though, no rain at the tulip fields so we were all happy about that! And the ground wasn't even wet. Karen @luvteaching you are so right about the traffic yesterday. I'm so sorry you have to put up with that to visit your DH. Of course I warned DD and DS about the tulip festival traffic on a weekend, but DD's family was still about half an hour late getting to lunch at Il Granaio. (they also live furthest away). It took all of us double the time to get there. Good days today, I'll give DH a kiss and say happy lover's day. English muffins are ok, but I rarely think to have one. I do like them with apricot jam. No picnics here today, it's raining. I'll pass on the meal (not a fan of mac and cheese), the drink and red wine. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Annie @marshhawk! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Charlene @cunnorl! Terry @smitty34877I agree with everyone that what happened with the oxygen company was unforgiveable. I'm so sorry you, Tana and everyone had that added stress. Lorraine @cruising sister sending hugs today as you attend your friend's son's celebration of life. Joy @Seasick SailorI read about what happened on that ship (it was a Celebrity ship). How awful! Sharon @Sharon in AZ Thanks for posting the menu for the Sunday brunch. Is there an added charge for that? I'm hoping we'll have several on our Grand Voyage next year. Karen @luvteaching I'm glad your DH is doing better and hope you won't have to make that long drive much longer. Here are a few of my photos from yesterday's visit to the Tulip Festival. Everyone agreed that we won't be making this a yearly tradition anymore because the traffic on weekends in April is just terrible (and none of them can go during the week). But we had fun and I loved the whole day. After being quarantined for several weeks with Covid it was just what I needed. 🙂 I loved this pattern with Grape Hyacinth and tulips Another favorite, I loved these tulips. This is DGSs with their cousins. One of the reenactments from the photo taken 6 years ago. They're a lot taller now!

Good morning all! I will celebrate Earth Day by going to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival today. 12 of the family will be there! DDIL has found that the house they bought has no spring bulbs in the yard, so she's hoping to buy a lot of tulip bulbs today. I have plenty, including some I brought from Amsterdam a few years ago. I was never a Girl Scout, love jelly beans but don't buy them because they're like chips (you can't eat just one). 🤣 I've always liked that quote. I will be having ravioli for lunch today (no mushrooms) when we all meet at our favorite Italian restaurant -- but will be walking a lot so I refuse to think about the carbs. 😉 😅 Have never been to Falmouth, will pass on the drink and red wine. Happy Birthday Sue @Rowsby! Love the cake. 🙂 Terry @smitty34877I'm so sorry about the oxygen scare and hope it has been delivered by now. Katherine @Lady Hudson Safe travels and Bon Voyage! Congrats on the weight loss too! Carol @mamaofami I'm sorry your DH has pneumonia and hope the antibiotics help quickly. Vanessa @JazzyV Bon Voyage!!

Thank you Graham. I hope to get more tomorrow. 🙂

No, but I should do that! He's my sweetie 🙂

Well I feel so much better after getting my hair cut. The stylist said it had been 7 weeks, it seemed longer. But that makes sense, because I was due back when Covid hit. Also picked up some things I'll need for the cruise in 10 days. Here's a photo of the oldest DGS with me in one of the tulip fields 6 years ago. He was 3 then. I told DD we should reenact this photo tomorrow. 🤣 I think that's his little brother crouching next to me, I can just see the top of his hat.

Good morning all! Three good days. My school didn't offer kindergarten, not sure why because my older sisters had kindergarten. Anyway, I did like my 1st grade teacher (Mrs. Williams) so that's good. I'll pass on the drink, red wine and the meal (not a fan of ginger). We'll be at the port on the Grand Australia next year, it will be our last port before sailing back to San Diego. Thanks for the great photos! Today I need to get my hair cut, top priority! Tomorrow the family is planning a day at the Skagit Tulip Fields, a yearly tradition for us. So I should have some colorful tulip photos to post. This time there will be 12 of us...4 children under the age of 10 and 8 adults. I made reservations for lunch at our favorite Italian restaurant in Mount Vernon. Should be a fun day, and though cloudy, 0% chance of rain! Yay! I haven't seen anyone since before I got Covid, so really missing everyone. Laura @dobiemom Wow, I'm so impressed that you could sleep at all -- I agree with Annie @marshhawk, maybe you can get enough sleep by taking little cat-naps here and there. Eva @superoma Great job on the Cares and Celebrations list today! We will be sailing May 1-6 on the Koningsdam, as will @HAL4NOW. Jacqui @kazu I hope the trial run with Ivan goes well! Terry @smitty34877 It sounds like Tana's aide is a keeper, so glad you're happy with her. Brenda @bennybear Happy 50th Anniversary!! Bruce @aliaschiefand Sharon @Sharon in AZ We took that same cooking class in Puerto Vallarta and enjoyed it a lot. I remember having a lot of laughs!

Thank you. I am thankful that I was sent to see a Nephrologist as soon as it became apparent that things took a sudden downturn after being sick. She changed another med I'm on (besides the changes my regular physician had made already). So right about reading labels and yes, some will blow your mind! Thank you for your response. 🙂

I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm glad they're doing better now though and hope they can go home soon. Thanks for letting us know.

We have had only Whirlpool appliances ever since a relative/appliance repairman told us that Whirlpool is the best. An acquaintance recently told me that she was told "they're all about the same now" --- I don't agree. We've been very happy with all our Whirlpool appliances. The latest one to replace was our washer, it was about 25 years old.

Thank you! I know Tamarind especially is good about asking about restrictions and making adjustments. Since this cruise is just a lazy, short cruise, I shouldn't have any problem being able to let them know the day before. Thank you! I always get salad in the Lido too, and dressing on the side. Smart idea to watch out for the sauces. Do you mind me asking how you improved your kidney function? Mine was 3a, then last fall I was very sick with the flu for 2 weeks and became dehydrated. That put me down into 3b, almost 4. The doctor tweaked and discontinued some meds, told me to drink at least 64 oz of water/day, and watch sodium intake. So far I've gotten it up now, almost back to 3a. Roy I think you're right, we do have someone in Quebec. I can't think of her name though.

Thank you so much! I already contacted Ship Services and they made note of it, but it's so good to hear from someone who has been through it and knows how it works. Question: The first time I'll be putting this to the test will be a short 5-day Pacific Coastal starting May 1. We have reservations the first night in the Tamarind, then the 2nd night will be dining in Club Orange. Each night will be a different venue. Should I then contact Club Orange on the 1st day, (and so on and on)? Or the day of? In other words, I need to give them a day's notice -- right? DH picked up our free tests yesterday -- we had quite a pile but used a lot of them when we had Covid. Here you go! https://seasaltsavorings.com/balsamic-glazed-salmon-with-strawberry-relish/

I noticed that! Funny because the Pole to Pole Grand Voyage is actually longer than the World Cruise. 😄

Good morning all! The balsamic/strawberry/basil salmon last night was a BIG hit! We'll be having that again and again, definitely. Easy to do too! Neither of us knows any Chinese, I think I've only been told once that I looked exactly like someone the person knew, and I salute all volunteers. Will pass on the drink, the wine sounds great, and like Debbie @dfish, my blood sugar does not like pasta so I have to limit that. That said, the first recipe looks the best to me, but again, between the pasta (blood sugar) and feta (kidney disease) I shouldn't have it. Tonight we'll be having salmon cakes to use up the rest of the salmon. It was previously frozen so I don't want to freeze it again. We will be in Milford Sound in March, but not the national park. Yesterday I was able to get the lawn mowed, it actually turned into a beautiful afternoon and the grass miraculously was dry even with all the rain we've had. Now I really need to get my hair cut, it's overdue because of being quarantined for a couple weeks. That may not happen until tomorrow though. Sharon @Sharon in AZ Thanks for the tip about open dining. We usually have that because that's what we prefer. But a few months ago when I learned about my kidney disease and need to limit sodium, we requested to be put into set dining. The best they could do was put us on the wait list. So that's where we are now. Sandi @StLouisCruisers Thanks for the heads up about the 2025 world cruises. Vanessa @JazzyV Safe travels and Bon Voyage!

Thanks! I’m sure we’ll love it too!

Good morning all! I love garlic and use it a lot in recipes. In the past I always hung out the laundry, but that was when we lived in sunnier places like CA. I can't remember the last time I rode a bicycle. Will pass on the red wine and pineapple drink, but do like the meal. But tonight we'll be having salmon, and I'll be making the "Balsamic Glazed Salmon with Strawberry Relish". Yum. Has anyone else made it? It was the meal of the day a few weeks ago. We've been to Norway a few times but never to Flam. I do remember it was on an itinerary of a cruise we had to cancel. Today I have a few errands and shopping to do, and IF it stops raining maybe some gardening. Last night I got an email from Netflix. After 25 years, they are discontinuing the DVDs as of the end of September. We were grandfathered in and got 2 discs/month for $5, and have gotten them for 22 years. Makes me sad, because I just don't like the idea of going to streaming -- Oh well, there are worse things! Annie @marshhawk Is today your birthday or is it Saturday? If it's today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Good morning all! Another drizzly, cool day here in the PNW. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLAND AMERICA!! The drink looks good (of course it does, it has chocolate!), will pass on the red wine, and I think I would like the meal. We have not been to Kralendijk. To join the recycling and yard waste discussion, we have 2 large bins (one for recycling and one for yard waste) and a small garbage can. Garbage is picked up every week, as is the yard waste year-round. Our recycling is picked up every 2 weeks, which with that large bin is perfect for us. I have 2 composters for the garden and a kitchen composter. Because of having the composters, our yard waste usually only has lawn clippings so is never very full. Yesterday DH and I were still testing positive....faint red line but there. So DH called his doctor's office just now and asked "what the heck"?? Basically he was told to stop testing. Now. It can show positive up to 90 days (we're at 2 weeks). So that was a relief! She said we're not contagious. We will continue to wear masks inside on cruises or in crowded situations but will stop worrying about it now. Whew! Jacqui @kazu Ivan looks so sweet. I hope you have a very good meeting! @Cruzin Terri Happy Birthday to your DH Jim. Tony @sailingdutchy Happy Birthday to your DW Martha. Sharon @Sharon in AZ Happy 42nd birthday to your DD! Marcia @dobiemom Good thoughts for your eye surgery tomorrow. Good idea to have the help holding your head in one position. Bruce @aliaschief I hope your head cold passes quickly. @rothbury Welcome to the Daily and thank you for the great photos! Annie @marshhawk I hope your appointment with the doctor goes well. Caron @Cruisercl Thank you for your post on our roll call re "taking discussions off the roll call". It has always been a pet peeve of mine when people suggest discussing things off the roll call. Goes against the point of a roll call IMO and sometimes can even make people feel left out.

@Mr. BostonMy deepest condolences on the sudden loss of your brother. Debbie @dfish Sounds like the perfect time to paint that guestroom. Vanessa @JazzyV Yay about the "lost" money on its way to you. I don't have a lot on the agenda today, other than the usual cruise planning. That's what I'd rather be doing than working on unfinished projects (blah blah blah day). Actually there's only one project that I keep putting off, and that's going through my dear Dad's photo albums I've had since his death 5 years ago. My sister and I divided up his albums, there were a lot of them. It's hard to know what to hang onto and what to toss...and so I put it off. I hope everyone has a good day!

I would much rather have it too cold than too hot, but that’s just me. I agree about the duvets!

Good to hear! Yes, it was A/C problems in cabins that people talked about, and all I would care about too. And even then only at night when trying to sleep. I'm so glad you're doing this, I didn't realize you'll be on that long!

Thanks Jacqui. Hard to believe, but it's been 5 years since we've sailed on an R Class (the old Rotterdam). Like this cruise, the itinerary was the reason we booked it -- and loved it. I'm sure I'll be fine.

Thank you Sharon, and yes, please keep me updated. I'm so glad you're loving the ship! I also love the Pinnacle Class (more restaurants and entertainment) so it will be an adjustment to spend 94 days on a smaller ship -- but I plan to bring a lot of projects for the sea days, I know I'll never get bored. 🙂 Unfortunately the posts I saw about A/C problems were real. Apparently it isn't ship-wide or even large blocks of cabins -- but enough people had the problem that I don't think it was nitpicking. 😞 This will be a hot-weather cruise, so it got me worried -- but not enough to think of not going!