Cruisercl

Merry Christmas everyone!

Have a blessed Christmas Eve and a joyous and peaceful Christmas Day.

Enjoy the celebrations.  😊🎄🥂 🍻

@Haljo1935, a blessed Christmas Eve and a joyous and peaceful Christmas day to you.

Christmas at sea is a wonderful time, enjoy. 😊🌴

Good morning everyone!

Up early finishing up my baking; I made cranberry bread and chocolate chip mint cookies today. Also made a cheescake, with strawberry sauce, which I will bring to the celebration tomorrow.

Celebrating Christmas Eve with some family. My sister is having an afternoon get together to watch the Vikings game with appetizers and some 'cheer'. 😊 My job is to bring a tray of cookies I baked. And wine.

I love egg nog, will probably have some on Christmas day.

Christmas day will be the big get together with family at my niece's house. She just bought a new home and is already having the big family Christmas...bless her! Everyone contributes food and drinks so that helps out.

My wish for you all here is to have a very blessed Christmas Eve and a joyous and peaceful Christmas Day.

Caron

6 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

Mine is the week before which has me a little nervous about if they could put me on something that drags Into my cruise week.

I was called for jury duty right during the middle of a month long cruise. I let them know I would be out of the country and not available. They told me to choose a month when I would be in town, they were very flexible.

I chose July; here in MN everyone is on vacation in July so no court hearings at all and did not get called in. I lucked out. Talk to them and let them know what you have planned.

Hope that helps.

1 minute ago, Riles34 said:

Santa has a left handed stick coming to him. I out a ton of hours into the rink and so many people ask me why? My heart and smile are beyond full watching my kids enjoy the rink. I never had one as a kid but always wanted one. So my kids get to enjoy it and let’s face it, gets them outside and away from screens!! Added more time with the lights tonight!

We had a ice rink on our back yard growing up that my Dad made. Very common here in MN.

We were all girls so no hockey then but we loved it and had lots of skating parties. Fun memories...

Your kids are so cute.....😊

Here in MN we also have blue laws left on the books. One of them are the liquor laws too. Our liquor stores just began selling on Sundays, with limited hours, 11am -6pm, a couple of years ago.

The caveat is that MN does not sell wine, spirits and 'strong' beer in our grocery stores. I think we are the only state that still sells 3.2 beer and that is available in the grocery and convenience stores.

So back then we had no access to wine, real beer or any spirits on Sundays. Pathetic.

We have now have recently moved on and have legalized marijuana which is already a challenge because of laws that are attached to it. Not a bright legislature here.

Busy doing Christmas preps today....now having wine and cookies for dinner. 😁

Have a good evening all! 

@Haljo1935, so glad you made it on board safely!

Our minds were going to places of concern....☺

I have a question about the dogs; if they aren't service dogs why are they on the ship? Does HAL allow just any dog on board? Can you complain about the barking especially when people walk by them? I would be concerned about that.

I am relatively new to HAL so this is new territory for me.

Continued safe travels and have lots of fun! 🕶🌞🥂🌴

2 hours ago, Nickelpenny said:

I waved.  Did you see me?  LOL!!

Bon voyage @Nickelpenny!!! 😊🥂😎🌴

6 hours ago, cruising sister said:

Her first spa appointment 

@cruising sister, she is adorable! How fun  for both of you...😊

2 hours ago, SenatorsFan said:

I had my own issue with Canada Post last week. I was expecting a package and received an email that it couldn't be delivered since no one was home and a card had been left for me to use to go to the post office the next day to pick up said package. Hello, I was home and there was no card left. I tried their chat feature and 3 times I was cut off, so I called the 1-800 no. thinking I might get a human. No, but I was able to give enough info to have them email me the confirmation number I'd need to pick up the package. Crisis averted. On Tues. I got the card saying to pick up my package on Dec. 14th. 😆

I have called 1-800 numbers and got the worthless phone tree too. I have also tried the chat bots on a web site, worthless.

Glad you got some kind of resolution. 

5 hours ago, Funsince1983 said:

Be warned - it is now the dollar twenty five tree. Don't stretch yourself too thin. 😂

I have to say, when I go into Dollar Tree and only want to spend like $2.50 I feel bad and pick up other stuff I may or may not need.  

Guilt from where, IDK!

I do like my DT though...🙃

Oh my goodness, look at you girl, on a BHB again already! And to Hawaii no less...😊

Very jealous, Hawaii is one of my favorite cruises.

I enjoyed your last review and will be following along here.

Bon voyage, safe and smooth sailings...🍹🏄‍♀️🌞🕶👙🌴

So sorry it took a hurdle to get to SD, you are a patient person who well deserves a great cruise. 😎

36 minutes ago, Cruisercl said:

Good morning everyone!

 

Up early today to get caught up on Christmas and GV stuff which seems never ending...

Still have lists for both events ongoing but they are getting smaller and less lists, thank goodness.

 

Lots of very funny, LOL, memes so far this morning; had to be careful not to spit out the coffee on the computer! 😜

Big thanks to @kazu for just being you and all you do for us....

Thanks also to ALL contributors today.

 

Question for the AUS/NZ GV fellow travelers, can you remind me when the Dailyites are meeting on the ship?

I think it is Jan 5th, 2pm Crows Nest. I wrote it down but cannot find the notes...I may be losing it!

I may need a Sunday Funday Bloody Mary...yum.

 

Prayers for all especially those in need and in pain; we all deserve to live a comfortable and safe life.

Have a good day everyone and take care.🙂

Caron

I found the Dailyites meet info!!!

Jan 5th, 2pm, Crows Nest....😉

Thx

Good morning everyone!

Up early today to get caught up on Christmas and GV stuff which seems never ending...

Still have lists for both events ongoing but they are getting smaller and less lists, thank goodness.

Lots of very funny, LOL, memes so far this morning; had to be careful not to spit out the coffee on the computer! 😜

Big thanks to @kazu for just being you and all you do for us....

Thanks also to ALL contributors today.

Question for the AUS/NZ GV fellow travelers, can you remind me when the Dailyites are meeting on the ship?

I think it is Jan 5th, 2pm Crows Nest. I wrote it down but cannot find the notes...I may be losing it!

I may need a Sunday Funday Bloody Mary...yum.

Prayers for all especially those in need and in pain; we all deserve to live a comfortable and safe life.

Have a good day everyone and take care.🙂

Caron

7 hours ago, Stallion said:

It is. As an attorney I actually like to discuss complex legal issues face-to-face to make sure everyone is on the same page. These crazy- kids today only communicate with their typing digits these days. 

Agree! You can learn alot when talking to someone face to face, simple or complex issues, that does not come through in digital communications. 

Hi Everyone!

Time to get caught up here. My past week and weekend were busy with finalizing my GV luggage and getting that sent buy last Thursday (that was more of a struggle than I thought it would be) and then fitting in some Christmas social events. I was pretty tired on Monday; it shows how out of shape I am that I can no longer handle a rigorous social schedule! Sheesh!

Thanks to all contributors here, any contributions are well worth reading and often enlightening to me.

A big thanks to @StLouisCruisers and @kazu for taking up the baton from @richwmn while he is on his wonderful trip! Very jealous about that.🛳️ Bon voyage Rich, see you on the AUS/NZ GV.

I LOL quite a bit at the Memes, especially the Christmas/Holiday ones! They are a daily enjoyment for me.

I remember liking hard candy at Christmas; my favorite were the Raspberry round ones. We have evergreen trees in abundance here in MN so able to see them everywhere. Heros and heriones are common but often not recognized but we thank them with our hearts.💖

Prayers and thoughts for all going through health issues and procedures; healing well or currently being challenged.

Prayers and thoughts for all in gratitude and concern for our world; we need lots of prayers IMHO.

Bon Voyage to all starting their trips and continued safe travels to those traveling now.

Happy to report (I know it is not a big deal), my luggage for the GV is in Vernon, CA at the UPS facility; at least they are in CA and not stuck here in MN. Progress is good. 🤣

A busy week ahead for me with the Holidays and more social events coming up, in-between baking, finishing shopping and all the other things needed for the Holidays.

I wish everyone a safe and happy week.

Take good care all,

Caron

Thanks so much for the great review as I tagged along.

Welcome home!! 🙂

3 hours ago, durangoscots said:

Will go back and read the entire Daily later but I wanted to let you all know that my Luggage was picked up last night..... at 10:15pm. I was getting ready for bed and not in condition to see what was happening but I thought I heard a very faint doorbell ring....then slamming and banging in the hall.... then my doorbell rang followed by the slamming of the outside door. Dogs ran to my door but did not bark. By that time I got to where I could see the hallway and the luggage was gone. I think the UPS driver rang my downstairs neighbor's bell and she let him in.... he grabbed the luggage and fled. Anyway, LF says it has been picked up and is on its way. Geeesh!!! If they are going to do late night pickups they should let you know. I certainly was not going to leave the bags out on the porch overnight.

 

More later. Cold and sunny today. Weather looks good for the next few days. 

 

Susan

Yay!!!! 😊

Good evening everyone,

I dropped my LF luggage at the local UPS store without incident. I was notified it was on its way shortly after. Easy peasy. I was out for the day and did not want the luggage sitting on my front step for possibly 6 hours. Paranoid or being cautious not sure......

The funny part for me was that I was sure each piece of luggage was at least 50lbs but no, each was only 39lbs each. I could have packed more!!!! 😁

Glad everyone else getting their luggage picked up went well so far.

I met with friends for a Christmas cheer and lunch today, great fun as I had not seen them for a bit. They are all good, we are blessed indeed.

Hope everyone had a good day and has a good sleep tonight. 😴

Caron

@TxTeach79 thanks for your post. 

Different perspectives, my intention was not to blame or argue however it was brought up. When Title IX is brought it is usually a blame as an excuse for lacking in men's sports, but it is also a fact that it exists.

Different universities/colleges handled things differently depending their interpretation.  Here at the U of MN it was equal sport for sport if their was interest, swimming, diving, hockey, track, tennis etc. We have separate sports stadiums, arenas etc. just built for women's sports. As you said no women were interested in football though there was interest in wrestling. Our wrestling coach was livid because women wanted to try out.

Good discussion actually....thanks to you and @Saint Greg. ☺

@Cruising-along and @durangoscots, my luggage goes out tomorrow too. Very exciting to me that I finally got that part done!

I clicked on the link that said I will bring my luggage to my local UPS store. That way I don't have to wait all day for them. I will be out during the times and with all of the porch pirates now, I felt it was the best decision for me. We have not had issues in my neighborhood but don't want to be the first!

My horror would be getting to San Diego with no luggage!  My pick up times were from 1-5pm.

I only have 2 pieces of luggage for PU, so no issues for the drop off. Our weather is supposed to be good to.

Have a good evening all. Hope all sleep well tonight. 😴

Caron

7 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

 

I don't have the foggiest idea what any of this means... I assume something to do with sports.

It is a Federal equal rights law in education and everything involved with that. Therefore any money put towards a men's sport, there had to be equal money for a women's sport of the same kind, if there was interest. It passed in 1972.

Many people believe it took money away from the men's sports and that is why certain sports were elimnated for lack of  money.  Women's sports got blamed.

Usually the sports eliminated were not self sustaining but was very controversial and created lots of anger. It was a big thing and is still talked about and blamed to this day. 

7 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Then you’re putting words in people’s mouths. Sometimes a person can anticipate a response and go ahead and put it in there to eliminate that response.

 

I did ask.

Since there was no answer, perception is reality. 

Meant no offense but it is a common topic when men's college sports teams are talked about, which I believe was being discussed here.

To many women it comes across as whining, for a variety of reasons. 😊

I thought I recognized the title IX whine....lol 😊

2 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

Oh, I agree completely. It's just one of the excuses we tend to hear from the AD. I'm sure it's a title IX thing, but like you said, fire up women's equestrian and let's get it going. We got a new athletic director last year, so maybe things will change. 

What?