Cruising-along

That is so nice!

I agree, what a lovely and beautiful gesture. When we had to put our last kitty down the vet sent a sweet personalized letter and put her paw print on it. I treasure it!

Good morning all and Happy Canada Day to our Canadian friends! We visit Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo often with the DGSs, but the best one I've ever visited is the San Diego Zoo. We would all love to have financial freedom! 😉 The drink sounds good, but will pass on the meal and wine. Sarande was on our itinerary for our last cruise in 2021, but it and some ports in Turkey were replaced because of Covid. Thanks for all photos!! I think I *may* have gotten 4 hours' sleep last night so today will be difficult. I've already dumped a whole box of cereal on the kitchen floor.....I think I should stay away from heavy machinery LOL! Napping isn't in my DNA, but I may make an exception today.

Good morning all! I haven't seen a good meteor shower in years, but remember watching them as a child. My sisters and I would lie on our backs and gaze at the sky for hours. Since Covid I don't do much hand shaking, and CC and FB are the only social media I use. I'm more of a wine gal, but Mojitos are my favorite drink. Not a fan of strong curry, but I'd probably like the second and last recipes today. The port will be on our 2024 Grand Australia so I'm hoping there will be photos! Will pass on the red wine. Roy @rafinmdBon Voyage!! Terry @smitty34877Happy 74th Birthday to your DH! Jacqui @kazuyour flowers are gorgeous as always. Gerry @ger_77enjoy that family time! I like your idea for hamburgers and small hands, very clever. Our youngest grandson loves hamburgers (just catsup please) and we just cut it in quarters for him. Many times one of his parents ends up eating what he can't finish. Today is supposed to be sunny and up to 72 F -- sounds perfect to me. 🙂 Have a great day everyone!

DH called today and talked to them about getting just supplemental medical. He's pleased with what they offer and the price, seemed very reasonable. After looking at a few other companies we'll make a decision.

@1ANGELCATI'm so sorry about Jaguar. Sending hugs.

Good morning all! Good collections of days. DH has a camera and all the fancy attachments -- I just use my iPhone and am happy with that. Our family are all big huggers, haven't "enjoyed" mud since I was a child and made mud pies. I fell in love with Lumpia back when DH was in the Navy and a Filipino friend taught me how to make it. Lots of work!! I still love it, but have found that our Navy Commissary carries an excellent frozen product that is just as good. The Filipino employees agree. We have it often for family get-togethers, and there never seems to be enough because everyone loves it so much. Debbie's first recipe is closest to the one I got from our friend. Will pass on the wine, the drink sounds really good but if I had any I would be awake for 4 days! I can't even drink decaf in the evening. On the agenda today is lunch with my BFF. We try to get together mid-way between our towns once/month, but I think we missed a month or two this time. @kazuWe're all happy you're finally on that plane! Even on a good day I detest flying, and really wish we could drive to our next cruise....just looked it up and it would take us 47 hours 😞 DH would never go for that. @TiogaCruiserthank you for the photos from the Grand Canyon. Excellent photos! We were there last year and also to the Cameron Trading Post. And yes, someone here did recommend stopping there.

I will! DH worked today but will be home tomorrow and he plans to contact them then. Debbie I love it just the way it is now! Beautiful color. OMG Jacqui! I hope you can get some rest tonight.

Thank you, Ray. We are indeed members and have had all our car and home insurance through them for 40+ years. I'll mention it to DH! We're getting the HAL Platinum, but need to look at getting extra medical.

Good morning all! Our mini heat wave is over (it reached 93 F yesterday) and we're having a sunny, breezy day in the high 60's. I finished staining the deck, and have enough stain left to do a bench that also needs it. But since it's breezy, I may wait for another day to do that and go to the nursery to buy flowers instead. 😄 Funny that it's insurance awareness day, as we're in the midst of researching insurance for our next cruise. The drink, meal and wine (from our local winery) all sound good to me. We were in Akureyri on the VOV with @richwmnin 2018. We did an excursion that went to the Botanical Gardens, Godafoss Waterfall, and an ancient manor farm. @mamaofamigreat news that your DH is out of the hospital, prayers he has a negative test. @kazuDam about the airline problems!! Here are some of my photos from our day in Akureyri. First from the botanical gardens. Everything grows big in Iceland! The landing strip for the airport Oldest house from 1795 Views from our excursion Ancient manor houses Some interior shots These "Cotton Flowers" fascinated me. We saw fields of them. Old farm equipment Godafoss Waterfall

It does, and is called Voyage of the Vikings. You can do round trip Boston, which we did in 2018 and loved it!

I'm so sorry to hear this, but glad you're doing better! About 7 years ago I found out I'm allergic to all bee stings, especially wasps. It took six wasp stings on my arm and allergy testing to find out.

Good morning all! Today is our last hot day for awhile, then it's back to cooler, wet days. It's been a good trial run for the new A/C and I love it. 🙂 I like onions in moderation for added flavor in dishes -- too much doesn't agree with me though. I wear sun glasses all year, even on some of our cloudy days. Since I wear contacts, the sun really bothers my eyes. In the past we played Bingo on BHBs every time it was offered. Then the casino took it over and got very chintzy. In the past it wasn't unusual for me to win hundreds of dollars but not anymore so we rarely play now. It's a shame, we really enjoyed it. Will pass on the drink (not a fan of coconut) and red wine. The meal sounds good, but high in carbs. Today I'll finally finish staining the deck -- just in time, as the weather is changing! We've been to Korcula at least 3 times. Once we took winery tours, once we took the "Dalmatian Riviera Cruise" excursion, and once we enjoyed walking, browsing and shopping. It's a beautiful port as are most of the ports in Croatia. Approaching Korcula A church seen from our Riviera cruise through 20 islands in the Korcula Archipelago I loved this private courtyard with apartments Gorgeous peeks of the water through the alleys We saw this same cat twice on two different visits. She belongs to a man who sells jewelry, she has her own chair near him. Korcula market Mosaics in the sidewalk On one tour we also visited Vela Luka Another time a winery Where we saw old grape growing and harvesting tools The last tender returning to the ship

Good morning all! Cheers to all beauticians. Forgiveness is important, sometimes hard to do though. Have never been in a canoe, but have been kayaking several times. We'll be in Cairns on the Grand Australia in '24, I look forward to all photos. Will pass on the wine, the drink sounds good as does the meal with less spice. Jacqui @kazuenjoy your time with your friends, what a lovely home they have. Carol @mamaofamiHappy Birthday! Debbie @dfishI can't believe it's only 3 more weeks until your cruise!! Excited for you! I'm rushing to get started on putting more stain on the deck, and getting an earlier start than yesterday. Slept well last night unlike the night before. 🙂

@SusieKIslandGirland @57redbirdtwo more Washingtonians 🙂 Our bedroom faces the west, so we get the hottest sun in there. We also have sun-blocker shades and love them. All my in-laws live in the South too, hot and humid. They can tolerate heat much better than I do. Our house feels hotter above 75 too. Of course next week will be 10-20 degrees cooler, but this will just be a good test run. Sounds like a good system you have there! LOL -- right now it's only 82 outside, I don't think I should set it at 62. 🙂 But I can see how that works when the temperatures get really high! Thanks, Roy -- I asked mainly out of curiosity. I know different parts of the country get more hot weather than we do, and people in those areas can tolerate it better than I can. Our DS and DDIL both grew up in cold(er) areas, but then lived in Southern CA enough years that their blood thinned out and now they feel cold at 75 😉

Welcome @ktbraun and @Nickelpenny. We're happy to see you here! Everyone is welcome. As others have said, most of us have never met but after a couple years of chatting here, I feel like I know everyone I hadn't already met. RED LETTER DAY! We're using our new A/C for the first time today and I love it!! Living here in WA state we don't need it often, but because of that most of us are wimps when it does get hot (and for me that's anything over 80 degrees F. 😉 Question: what temperature do you set yours at? We're trying 75, and that seems to be fine. I asked DD and DS -- she sets hers at 70 (native Washingtonian) and DS and DDIL, who just moved up from Southern CA, are happy with 80. I guess we're taking the happy medium!

Good morning all! I'm rushing this morning, and getting a late start. I was awake from 1-4 am this morning for absolutely no reason at all. I had planned to get an early start on putting some stain on the lattice part of our deck, but now it won't be so early after finally sleeping until 8:30. It's heating up here, to low 80's today and high 80's by Monday. I want to work on it in the early mornings because the sun comes around that side of the house in the afternoon. I love log cabins and when given the choice, will always choose that when traveling. Catfish is ok, but not my favorite fish. 3 cheers to bartenders and mixologists. Will pass on the turkey sloppy joes, I prefer beef and my turkey prepared other ways. Will also pass on the red wine and drink. Sandi @StLouisCruisersYAY that your DH has been sprung! Melissa @HAL SailerI'm so sorry that your nephew has mental difficulties along with the physical ones. Sending hugs and prayers. Ann @Vict0riannprayers that your DH can get help quickly and that you're able to get to your cruise. Well, DSIL's sister got a bunny recently, not knowing that she was pregnant. Six babies were found -- and now DD and the DGSs want a couple bunnies (to join their cat, frogs, Stick bugs and future dog.) 😂 She assured me that they will get 2 males! DSIL's sister is a photographer -- here's a photo of the babies. They were in an underground nest, so by the time they were found they weren't newborn anymore!

Thank you, I learned something today! I had heard about it in general terms, but didn't know that it actually beeps at you. That's what I need 😉 Although it could be embarrassing when out in public 😉 I wish my Mother had had something like this, she was a brittle diabetic (and not at all careful).

So sorry to hear this, Vanessa. Was it diagnosed as cellulitis? I hope you can find a way to elevate your leg even though you don't have a recliner, and also that you feel much better with the antibiotic. Ann, what is a diabetes scanner? Is that the thing you wear and it records blood sugar over the day? I have such a habit of when I take my meds, it's hard for me to forget (although I have sometimes!) As my coffee is brewing in the morning I take my morning meds. As I'm making dinner at night I take my evening meds. I feel your pain, I'll be going for my A1C in a little over 3 weeks. And I agree about which carb to give up lol! It's all a balancing act. For me I can easily give up bread, harder to give up chocolate!

Good morning all! Summer has finally arrived here, the temperatures will gradually rise to the mid-high 80's F by Monday (and then drop down again, but at least warm). Interesting days today. I agree with the quote and living with DH, there are plenty of laughs every day. Pass on the wine and drink, hard pass on the meal. Have never been to Brazil. The plan today is to take advantage of the dry, hot weather and DH will finish pressure-washing. I hope to finally finish staining the deck. Sharon @Sharon in AZHappy Birthday!! Terry @smitty34877thank you for the adorable photo of Miss Camilla 🙂 🙂

I'll say it again, I'm eternally grateful that we get all our prescriptions free of charge, as well as nearly all our medical needs. All because of DH's service in the military plus Medicare. I don't remember the last time we got a bill. Of course we had to also be apart for months at a time (a year when he was in Viet Nam). And I guess we lucked out with our doctors and clinic, never a long wait for appointments. If one doctor isn't in, another will fill in.

Good news, DGS tested negative so I guess it's "just" a cold. As DSIL the PA says, his symptoms are similar to Covid symptoms, so I did the right thing by alerting him. I just feel bad that he had to miss more work (he stayed home when DD and the younger DGS had Covid a few weeks ago). Debbie @dfishI love your hair blonde! Your theory about the pain could very well be right -- let us know what you learn. Now to catch up on laundry and yardwork!

Good morning all! We returned home last night after a full, fun, and tiring time at the beach with the 2 grandsons. It really went very well, but oh my I do feel my age trying to keep up with them. 😉 We did Go-Carts, lots of pool time, beach time, bonfire with s'mores, games and movies. Thank goodness for iPads, giving Nana and Pa some down time! Rather than going to restaurants, I cooked all our meals so there was that too. One concern, the 9-year-old (who is the size of an 11-year-old) developed some concerning symptoms on the 2nd and 3rd day. On the first day his appetite was the usual (huge) but on the 2nd and 3rd day he barely ate anything (very unusual), slept more, and he was congested. It could just be a cold, but his Dad got him tested when we brought him home yesterday. Waiting for the results. DD is away for 5 days on a girls' trip and we and the other grandparents are helping out so DSIL can work. DSIL canceled the other grandparents' babysitting duties last night until the test results come in. DD will be home tomorrow. Sadly I know several widows, sending hugs to them and the widows here. I try to "let it go" but sometimes it's easier said than done. I also thought Pink Day was for breast cancer, but see it can also be for stopping bullying. I don't agree with the quote, would like the meal but with very little spice, will pass on the drink and wine. That reminds me, in the news I saw that Chateau Ste. Michelle will be moving from Woodinville (very near us) to Eastern WA! That was a big surprise. For a couple days my iPhone had a strange blurring in the top left corner of the screen. Has anyone else had this happen? Last night I Googled it and lo and behold, it's some ridiculous change Apple has decided we need. 😕 Good news is it told how to get rid of it, and now it's gone. I couldn't see the time or the first part of the top line on the screen, kind of aggravating! Roy @rafinmdHappy Birthday! Colin @VMax1700Happy Birthday on a BHB! Carol @mamaofamiI'm so sorry to hear that your DH and his aide have Covid and prayers that your test is negative. @bennybearI'm very sorry to hear that your DH has melanoma. Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiserprayers that your DH gets relief soon. My Mother also suffered from spinal stenosis. Jacqui @kazuyikes about your phone being run over!

Home made Belgian Waffles have been consumed, and we're packing up and getting ready to leave for the beach. Our car looks like we're bringing supplies for an army, and for much longer than 3 days. 😉 Nana is tired already! Have a happy and safe week everyone. 🙂

Good morning all! Night 1 of 3 with the DGSs went well, "Despicable Me" was the movie last night. Half of us are up, the other half still sleeping. Older GDS and I were awakened at 7:30 when the alarm on his iPad went off.....the boys were up until 10:30 last night so I was hoping for a later morning for them! Once younger DGS is up, the noise and activity level rises to high. Thankful he's still asleep. 😉 I love root beer and orange sodas, we have many bald eagles here, and we were in Souda (Chania) on our last cruise. I remember we took the shuttle and went to the market, also got fresh flowers for our cabin. DD has had to take her cats to work ever since Covid started, as she works from home. Will pass on the wine and drink, but the meal sounds good. We'll be having hamburgers and S'mores tonight at the ocean, our first night there. Maybe it helped that I mentioned our cooler than ever spring, because we're finally getting predictions of 80 degrees F this weekend! Finally getting some warm weather here. Sandi @StLouisCruisersfingers crossed that your next test will be negative! Debbie @dfishwonderful news about the new baby in the family!