BonTexasNY

I can see you need this Bella cruise desperately! You certainly have your hands full. I am so sorry how stressed things are for you but things WILL get better. Your grief is fresh and hopefully, one day you will think of them with smiles. Your cousin gave good advice. Take one "project" at a time.

Thank you so much for providing a great review and pictures. Waving hi to my fellow Bella cruisers. March 12 cruise, Spring Break, will be overrun with kids.😏

We'll take whatever come off the grill!

This picture reminded me something that happened over 30 years ago. My friend offered to babysit my daughter when I had a dentist appointment. My daughter, 4 at the time, thought my friend's dog needed artwork on the wall above the dog's bed so she drew a picture and taped it right near the doggie bed so the dog would have something nice to look at. So sweet. I taught her well. She did NOT color on the wall.

For us it was daily shrimp salad, always on our table waiting for us each night. I also miss the salmon to choose if nothing appeals to me on the daily menu.

On long road trips, we always stop every 2-3 hours whether we have to "go" or not. We keep a small cooler filled with ice so that we have plenty of ice cold drinks. Makes a difference! Our drive to Miami without stops is approx, 19 hours. We'll do it in 2 1/2 days.

Agree!

I am so happy that your DNA journey has brought you to your family who are welcoming you no matter what the final outcome will be. Well done.

Such a comfy look and I love the nautical blankie. Jimbo, I hit the wrong key and can't respond to your post in the usual manner. Nothing was damaged due to the storm and our electric is on poles. I read the cost to bury lines underground would be prohibitive. We never lost power for which I'm happy.

This is one major storm. When I looked outside about 30 minutes ago, I saw debris flying in the air. So windy, heavy rain was swirling in circles. Seems to have gotten a tiny bit better outside. Haven't seen strong T-storms in approx. 30 minutes which lit up the sky. Oh, those booms were loud! TX weather where I am can be very fierce and severe. I didn't detect any hail so I hope our car is ok.

Severe weather is imminent. T-storms, hail, tornadoes, typical TX weather. Uh oh, siren just went on. No worries, this is not an isolated incident. Happens lots. Severe weather advisory until 7:15 Central Time. Stay safe for those in the path of this storm. I'm out of here. See you in one hour!

I worked for Bank of America Field Services from 2008-2012, located on Corporate Drive in Plano across from JC Penny headquarters off Legacy Dr. They were bought over by Safeguard Properties. 80% of us over 50 yrs olds were laid off but that's another story. Age discrimination DOES exist in our great country. Pure perfection! Thank you for sharing this special day(s) with us. Congratulations on your MIL's special birthday. Wishing you the best and most wonderful lifecycle events to celebrate with your family. Looking forward to seeing you on Oasis soon!!

I THINK there is a group Live but not sure. Wish you were joining us!

When I worked for Bank of America regional office, all requests for maintenance/repairs had to be routed to Facilities in INDIA where someone there would take the request and send someone to respond to any issue. The maintenance guy who came to my cubicle to repair a broken desk lock had an office a few yards from where I sat. In TX, not India. I guess it's more cost effective to call India to arrange for someone who sits a few yards from me to fix my issue.......sigh.

So beautiful and the water background makes it perfect.

Deb, funny picture! I really try to be organized but in reality, I over obsess a lot on what I need to take. I find that rolling up knits is best for almost wrinkle free clothing. I used to place large sheets of plastic between items but I got tired of all that plastic. I notice at times that when I see pictures of female celebrities they often wear nude color shoes to match their legs, not their outfits. I really should try it. @dani negreanuDani had a great idea of packing like colors but my closet is a rainbow of color. Good luck with your packing!

I look forward to it!!

Maryann, I've gotten better. I used to pack a large duffle bag for just my shoes for a 7 night cruise. I try to narrow my outfits to the ones I have to wear for each day/night of the cruise. I just take one extra outfit just in case it's needed. I'm going nuts on what to take on our road trip plus a few days staying with friends pre cruise. So, we are packing 1 suitcase each for the cruise to remain closed until we board, and one suitcase for both of us, for the week before we board. We'll be on the road 6 days total back and forth Miami and 3 days with friends. 9 days of clothing we will keep in our car. No need to bring them aboard. And I'm THRILLED we aren't flying. Really. Jack not so much. 🙄

So RCI in its infinite wisdom has a new "upgrade" for us Emeralds+. We no longer have the choice of a welcome beverage to be placed in our cabin. There goes my can of diet coke to be replaced with water. I know it's such a minor thing but that was a perk we enjoyed. We’re thrilled to announce you’ll no longer have to pre-select your welcome beverage prior to your sailing. You will now receive additional complimentary water bottles in your stateroom in place of the welcome beverage benefit — so you can stay hydrated everywhere you go. The complimentary waters benefit will begin March 10, 2023. Another cost cutting measure. Water was always a choice as was soda. Now it's a given. They're "thrilled" taking away my diet coke. Rats!

Melissa McCarthy's character Meghan: "Look away, look away! It's coming out of me like lava" Jack found no humor in it and I couldn't stop laughing. See above.

The Boss is 73. Amazing.

Gorgeous pictures. Hope you post some of the wedding. Again, congratulations!

Today was fabulous. Tomorrow will be 80 and sunny. I've lived through enough NY winters to know how Leonard feels. If I forget the occasional ice storm, hail, tornado, it's delightful to wear a short sleeve t-shirt all day outside in February.

Dani, I inadvertently posted the comment above on the Bella thread. Not the first time I've done that.

Holding positive thoughts on Charlie's release soon.