Cruising-along

I will be making it this weekend! I know everyone will love it. Susan I'm so, so sorry. It isn't only the frustration, but having to sit at home waiting....

Do it Lorraine!

I'll start with a Lemon Drop, then Caesar Salad, Fried Chicken, and the Pavlova. Thanks!

Well our luggage has been picked up now, 1:30 PST. When he saw all the bags he asked if we were moving LOL. @CrabbyPatti Sending hugs -- 3 months isn't long -- it does get better with time but we'll always miss our Dads. It's been 5 years for me and I still can't believe he's gone. Happy birthday to your daughter! Glad to hear your FIL is doing better after having Covid.

Bruno @atexsix It's good to hear from you, but I'm sorry you and dear Dad are having health issues. Thank goodness your stroke was mild with no new deficits. The views from your townhouse must be wonderful on a clear day! Hope to hear more from you but understand about the limitations on free time. Hope to hear you're able to take that cruise next fall.

Good morning all! Good collection of days. We recently got our "report card" from the utility company and got "Good". I was horrified to see that our usage was up over 100% from a year ago ---- until DH reminded me that we were gone all that month last year. 😅 No wonder it was so low a year ago! Whew! I love the quote and is how I live too. Will pass on the meal, drink and wine today. We've been to Sweden but not Visby. Like others, we're waiting for Luggage Forward to arrive. Our original pick up time was 1-5, then 10-5. It's after 11 now. We're sending a bit 😉 Happy Anniversary Sharon and Craig @Sharon in AZ! Sandi @StLouisCruisers My sincere condolences on the death of your cousin. Jake @Crazy For Cats Safe travels! @Niagarawine Sincere condolences on the death of your FIL. Vanessa @JazzyV I hope the meds will kick in and help you get some much needed sleep (and relief!)

Good afternoon everyone, I was able to get out in the garden and do a lot of clean-up. Kind of silly, I know, since there will be storms making a mess this winter while we're gone, but I feel better knowing it looks good before we leave. And it just felt good to be doing something outside after all the rain we've had. Meanwhile, DH has gotten all the bags and one box all ready for Luggage Forward tomorrow. I doubt they'll show up at 10, probably more likely 5 after we've sat home all day. But that feels good too, to have everything ready to go. Roy @rafinmd I'm happy you got a good report from the cardiologist! Susan @durangoscots That's great that your handyman is helping out and being extra "handy"! Yay! Maureen @RMLincoln Safe travels @Niagarawine I'm sorry your father in law is in the hospital with Covid. Prayers for a full recovery.

Oh boy, dinnertime! I'd like Baby beets Crab cake Prime rib Hazelnut mousse cake

Thanks POA! I was just answering @erewhon who asked if it was available on the ship. Didn't mean to step on any toes! I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog. 😀

It showed on Tamarind's menu that Lisa posted last night (I remember because it's what I would order) 😉

Good morning all! We're enjoying a second day of sunshine because the rain will be back tomorrow....and stay.... I did get some yardwork done yesterday even though it was wet, maybe I'll do more today. I'll celebrate all 3 days today, especially cocoa. The drink sounds good, and I'd drink the Chardonnay, even though I do prefer just a touch of oak in mine (not too much, just a touch). I doubt we'll ever get to Dubai, thanks for all the great photos! I'm laughing here because the meal today has everything I do not like (cilantro, dill and cumin). Needless to say I'll pass. 😂 Lorraine @cruising sister there will be some who pack a lot and some like Rich @richwmn who pack very, very little. Because we got free unlimited luggage forwarding (and only because of that) we're sending 4 large bags, checking 1 bag of OTC meds, sunscreen etc. that LF won't take, and have 2 carry-ons. So we're bringing more than we usually would -- and a lot of that is books, crafts, puzzle books etc. for all the sea days. Susan @durangoscots Oh my on the message from LF! No, don't even think of hauling those suitcases somewhere. Our pick-up time is between 1-5 pm tomorrow. But only rain here thank goodness. (edited: just got an email from LF, our time was changed to 10-5).... Vanessa @JazzyV I hope the meds will help you sleep tonight -- and/or at least a nap this afternoon. The fact you feel sleepy is encouraging that it will help you sleep. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Since this is all wishful thinking on my part, I'm going to go all out. 😅 I'll start with a Cucumber Mojito, Then a glass or two of Villa Maria SV with dinner Shrimp Tempura, Jewels of the Sea Mongolian bbq lamb chops w/Dungeness crab fried rice on the side and finish with the Exotic Fruits. And now I'm stuffed. 😂

Good morning all! (barely still morning here anyway!) I'm very late today, not a good night for sleep (absolutely no reason other than too much to think about). Upcoming 2-night sleep-over with the DGSs, our early Christmas gathering, and the cruise. I'll pass on the gingerbread and ambrosia, love Poinsettias. The quote is good, will pass on the meal (BLTs sound really good but I think we need to work through the freezer meat first) and pass on the red wine. The drink sounds pretty good. Have not been to Ravenna, almost but it was canceled. Lots to do, DH has been on the phone all morning getting things put on vacation hold -- garbage pick-up, car insurance, etc. etc. Plus we're paying everything ahead or putting on auto-pay. We finally have sunshine here! So today is the day for yard/garden cleanup. Rain will be back soon. Debbie @dfish We watched "Don't Look Up" last night and enjoyed it. I do wish Hollywood would stay out of politics, but oh well. Meryl Streep was a hoot, as you said, as Madame President. It may be one reason I couldn't sleep though, visions of that asteroid.....😲 Vanessa @JazzyV I so hope these meds will help you sleep. You NEED it. Honestly, I don't know how you can even function much less do all that you do. Have a good day everyone!

I'd like the Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay, shrimp cocktail, filet with shrimp newburg, and the apple pie ala mode please. 🙂 Yum!

I love Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence so I have high hopes. 😀

Good morning all! Good collection of days -- I'm like @kazu, I guess I'm not crazy about apps and just "tolerate" the apps on my phone. One of my pet peeves is that our phones come with apps you cannot delete -- whether you use them or not. 😞 I've deleted all I can, and still have too many. The meal sounds good, as does the drink. I like the quote, will pass on the red wine. I was surprised to see Portland, OR on the port of the day list, I didn't know it has a cruise port -- and especially since it's so close to Astoria, which is used a lot by HAL. We lived in Portland for a couple years (around 1980 when Mt. St. Helens blew) and our daughter was born there. So we have some memories of that city! But all my photos are predigital so no photos. Annie @marshhawk I didn't know Leave the World Behind was produced by the Obamas. Also I've never watched Friends (gasp!) so didn't catch the "I'll be there for you". It did make me think, but other movies have done a better job -- just my opinion -- but it was entertaining, and that's fine. Edited to add that I Googled the movie and apparently the book it was based on had an ending that I would have liked better. 😉 I can understand why Debbie @dfishand Sue gave up on it, the music in the beginning was hard to take. Tonight we'll be watching "Don't Look Up" -- we'll see how that one is. Prayers for all on the Care List and cheers for all celebrating!

We watched that last night! Even though I've never been a fan of Julia Roberts, it sounded good....I have mixed feelings about it. The ending was a letdown, for one thing (I won't say why, at risk of giving it away). But we were like "huh"???

I'll have the croquette, pot roast and lemon torte please.

Good afternoon from a cloudy, wet PNW. Thank you @durangoscots, @bennybear, @Sharon in AZ, @aliaschief and @JazzyV for the birthday wishes for DH. He says Thank You! We're looking forward to PF Chang dinner tonight!

Good morning all! First of all, DH and I want to say thank you for all the birthday wishes! @grapau27, @StLouisCruisers, @kazu, @Cruisercl, @rafinmd, @ger_77, @dfish, @puppycanducruise, @RMLincoln, @Quartzsite Cruiser, and @cunnorl all very much appreciated. 🙂 After last year's "big birthday" and celebration, this year will be low-key. We'll celebrate his birthday more on our family's early Christmas a week from today (early because we'll be kinda self-isolating before the cruise). This year is definitely not the usual. 😉 But he's been wanting dinner from PF Chang, so that's what we'll do tonight. I'll pass on the meal today -- I do love lamb, but it would be ruined for me if it had coconut and curry. The drink sounds good, will pass on the red wine. I don't think we've been to this port. We have distant relatives in TN who thank goodness are OK even though the tornado came through their town. It was a stressful time for them! Prayers for all affected. Bon Voyage @LAFFNVEGAS, @POA1, @dobiemom and @lindaler!

I look forward to following along, have a GREAT cruise! The NS is my favorite ship, hope you love it!

Lenda please tell your DH how much we appreciate his photos. They're amazing! I also want to thank everyone who posted photos today of Funchal. If I tried to name everyone, I know I would leave someone out -- so thank you all! Great photos and gives me ideas of what to see if we get back again.

Good morning all! Mid 30's F this morning and more rain in the forecast. We're supposed to get a few sunny days next week, I hope to do some garden/yard clean up before we leave. A neighbor's grandson will come mow the lawn in the spring if needed while we're gone, but I'd like it looking good before we leave at least. Our Christmas cards went out last week and we've already gotten 2 in the mail. There are fewer every year, sadly. A few are from old Navy friends going back more than 40 years. They're always the most faithful in sending. I will celebrate lost and found and genocide prevention. If only it could be eradicated forever. The meal sounds very good, as does the drink but will pass on the red wine. Today will be more cruise planning and Christmas prep. I still haven't wrapped the presents, need to do that before the DGSs visit next week for a couple days. I've been to Funchal only once, it was at the end of our 50'th anniversary 65-day Med cruise(s) Nov. 2019. We started on the Nieuw Statendam and ended on the Koningsdam. I'd love to get back to see more, we toured the town and did a wine tasting in an old fort. I bought flowers at the market for our cabin, the last flowers I bought on the trip. Would love to see some of the outlying areas too. 200 doors have been painted, a project started in 2010 We went to the Farmers Market Flowers from the market for our cabin Lots of leather and cork products Some of the many flower arrangements at the market And the fish

I think all of us except Rich (who will already be on the ship) will be at the same hotel! We won't arrive until the afternoon of the 2nd though.

Sounds good to me! See you all onboard!