All Things EARTH... part 2

[purduemom1]

Laurie, I read on another thread that Chadwick’s has closed along with Travelsmith-both owned by the same company. No word yet if either will reopen or why they closed. 

Sharon

[MJC]

Sharon, I read that too. I got the impression that it was issues with the parent company. Perhaps another company will buy them and they'll come back. It's a shame that they mismanaged such popular catalogs.

[MJC]

DH had a smooth transition home yesterday afternoon, and seems to be getting around ok but slowly. We're both tired so I expect there will be lots of napping today.

[awhfy]

2 hours ago, MJC said:

DH had a smooth transition home yesterday afternoon, and seems to be getting around ok but slowly. We're both tired so I expect there will be lots of napping today.

Naps are good. Les & I are right there with the naps

[purduemom1]

5 hours ago, MJC said:

Sharon, I read that too. I got the impression that it was issues with the parent company. Perhaps another company will buy them and they'll come back. It's a shame that they mismanaged such popular catalogs.

 

Margaret, I think you are right-problems with the parent company. Interesting that the websites are still up but with that “temporarily closed” message. We will just have to wait and see.

Sharon

[MJC]

Here is my thought for the day. I feel that as an EARTH, I look my best in the daytime. My coloring is most flattered by being outdoors, where my eye color is more vivid by reflecting all the blue in the sky, my skin looks smooth and creamy, and EARTH colors can enhance those two features. I think ICE is a night season -- all the black and red, with dark sparkling eyes and diamonds, makes for lots of nighttime drama. I feel like it takes more work to look my best at night. I wonder if there is a similar opposition with AIR and FIRE.

 

Thoughts???

 

 

[Anita Latte]

We are ONE WEEK away from our cruise!

 

Had thought it would be nice for DH to wear a suit for formal night...but then I discovered that DS left his super special custom made waistcoat (aka a vest by some) that we got for him for his suit...so he could have a 3-piece suit. BUT...that lovely, with collar waistcoat was in his closet...and it happens to fit DH fine...crazy enough...so DH is going to wear a waistcoat, button down and tie. Should be more comfortable and easier to pack. A bit more stylin' and in keeping with my little A-line cocktail dress.

 

I've decided to wear the same dress for both formal nights...DH will wear a different shirt and tie but the same waistcoat/slacks combo. I want to get over myself and take some fun photos and hope that at least one comes out.

 

The weather here has been feeling quite chilly...so it's hard to think about how it will be warm just a bit further south...but I did look at the weather forecast for San Juan and it is mid80s there...

 

DH's neck is actually still sore from the Flowrider falls on the post Thanksgiving cruise...so not thinking to indulge there...we've opted to go the route of true vacation with relaxation and taking care of ourselves be top priority...so we bought the couples thermal suite pass. I've been on the one in Allure...I'm aware of what is there and I think we will greatly enjoy the steam and sauna rooms...and hopefully we will get a lounger too.

 

DH started a new form of personal training called MAT...muscle activation therapy. We've discovered his lack of range of motion in his ankle...which we believe is a great contributor to his chronic knee pain...among other things. It's definitely going to be a process to get away from the daily pain he has dealt with for years but we feel like we have finally landed on something that will work...and that's another contributor to a more let's relax and take care of ourselves on this cruise.

 

We have this huge balcony...so I'm debating bringing our yoga mats, etc., so that we can do some yoga on the balcony. It might be weird...since we have a Central Park balcony but at the same time...could be fabulous. Yeah...think we're going to do that. We'll need to repair the handle on the one big bag that we still have (DS has the other one in London) and it'll be going somewhat against this idea of "less is more"...BUT...I think it would be great to take advantage of our vacation to start doing something rather than think of the vacation as a "Fat Tuesday" where we'll start something after it.

 

So with the thermal pass...will definitely be bringing extra swim wear. DH and I each got wet suit shorts/capris (DH/me)...and I am debating bringing them for CocoCay because the water has to be cool. Not sure about that though...we'll see.

 

Today is the day to be thinking about everything we want to take to make sure it is all cleaned and ready to go. UGH laundry...

[awhfy]

We finalized our suitcases today & closed them up. Our daughter, husband & granddaughter (& puppy) will be living in our house while we’re gone. They put their patio home on the market & it sold above listing price in a couple of hours. They found a fix it up house (with big yard for said puppy)  the same day & got it less than listing price. They close on both on 28 Feb. we’re gone 19 Feb - 13 Mar. so they’ll stay here & replace carpeting & paint the new place before they move their stuff in. This’ll work well for everyone. We’ll come back & they’ll be all settled in (& Les doesn’t have to move anything 😉). Melody

[MJC]

Melody, sounds like a great plan for all. Isn't it great when things work out that way? These last two weeks are going to fly by for you! There is always so much to do before leaving for so long.

 

Anita, I love your plan for your cruise. Have you done yoga on a ship before? It must be awesome for improving balance. I've done tai chi but never yoga. I say go for it with the wetsuit bottoms and a rash guard if it will let you stay in the water longer. Longer swim time is always better IMO!

 

I have been studying a bit about... Celebrity. I think when we go to the ABC's it will be on either Summit or Constellation, in 2021. The other cruise in the running for that year is a Northern Lights/Fjords on the Queen Victoria out of Southampton. It is a special cruise because they will have a photographer giving classes, including one about night photography, and most of the lectures will be related to science. So, quite a difference between the two choices, but both will be in October, so we would have to decide on only one.

 

The more I read about the Millenium class ships on Celebrity, the more I think they would suit us. As Princess keeps moving our favorite class of ships farther and farther afield, we have to expand our options. We don't like the Royal class very much.

 

DH is coming along great. Things will get busy this week since we've set up home PT, visiting nurse, and an aide. He hasn't had any painkillers other than EX tylenol today. Pretty amazing.

 

[alidor]

MJC - I saw your post about Celebrity and Cunard and I would advise taking Cunard.   We have been on them twice and they do a good job.   It still has a little bit of the formality left that most cruise lines have lost.   The ships are big and because of that, and knee problems, we probably won’t go on them again but they do a good job.  It is a little different from the American lines but enjoyable,

 

You can’t go wrong with the Cunard brand....

[awhfy]

Margaret, we sail mostly on Celebrity. We like the nonsmoking casino (or Les does),we also really enjoy their food. On M-class, Constellation is our all time favorite. It has a vibe that the others in the same class don’t have. Concierge class rooms are bigger than balcony room on M-class (including balconies). She goes in for a complete refit before she starts sailing out of Tampa next year. We’re on her for 8 March 2021 for the Touch Canal Cruise & possibly a b2b with Eastern Caribbean. M-class has a lovely lounge (Rendezvous) with an actual dance floor just before entering the main dining room. Melody

[MJC]

Melody, I see that Constellation will be doing the ABC cruise from Tampa in 2021. That sounds like a winner to me. Am glad to hear you like the Connie. I think Anita has been on her as well?

 

Sharon, we have a TA on the QM2 on the back burner. We'd love to do a week in London and then take the ship home.

 

I go back and forth on the Northern Lights cruises in Norway. I've been reading that Iceland might be a better choice to view them. I'm keeping the Windstar conventional fjords trip in mind as well. Their small ships can go deeper into the fjords, and they also have 2 for 1 sales on most of their cruises at some point. Their three yachts (not the sailing ships) are all suites and would be a good value during a 2 for 1. A big plus is they have their own zodiacs for close-up cruising.

 

This is my entertainment while I'm stuck at home with DH. 🙂

[Anita Latte]

Margaret, I have been on Connie. I've been on three of the four M-class ships. Connie, Millie (Millennium), and Summit. I haven't been on the bigger S-class ships with Celebrity...so my experience is all from those 3 sailings only. We like Celebrity...there are little touches that Celebrity does that are just nice. Little things like having damp wet hand towels when you come back to the ship from being in port. In the Caribbean, the towels were icy cold...like ahhhh...in Alaska, IIRC they were warm...again, ahhhh. There are cloth hand towels in the bathrooms on the ship and each bathroom has an attendant, which can be weird...if you let it be...but generally is nice.

 

I love the Sunset Bar or Oceanview Bar on the M-class ships. At least, I used to...I haven't been on the "revolutionized" M-class and they have changed the shade structure and it doesn't look as good to me...less shade...they've opted for a "pretty" and artsy kind of thing and it doesn't look like it does a good job. I've also heard negative about the chairs and furniture that has been used in the revamp. Mom can chime in more on the effect of the revolution because I think that the Summit was redone when she was on it. 

 

The M-class does have aft-facing balconies...but the categories for at least some of them have changed with the revolution so not sure what they are any longer.

 

Things about the ship itself that may of interest to you...like Melody said, the Rendezvous (in my family, we call this Ren-DESS-vows back from being funny when DS was much younger) has a dance floor...and this is where there may be more "couples" dancing. My favorite Celebrity activity is the Silent Disco...usually up in the Cosmos lounge, which is the forward facing lounge on one of the highest decks. That is usually very well attended and great fun. There's a dance floor up there too but it is usually a DJ for dancing up there.

 

The Solarium on M-class has the Thalassotherapy pool. Great pool. It's changed, but even after the revolution, there is a sauna in each changing room in the spa...so gender specific sauna. It used to have a port hole and it was one of the quiet places on the ship with a view...now the sauna is an interior space with no window, but still, sauna. The whole fitness/spa area was changed and they added staterooms to that area which decreased the square footage of the fitness/spa...so Mom can chime in on that. I can tell you to steer clear of those staterooms on Deck 10.

 

I like Celebrity...it's well suited for people who entertain themselves on a ship...whether that is personal pursuits...like reading a book, enjoying your balcony, etc., or gatherings...you see people playing games in the buffet, etc...because the ship itself doesn't have quite as many activities as other ships I've sailed...they have the typical trivia, etc., but they don't have things like the belly flop, sexiest man, queen of the sea, etc. And they don't have the water slides, etc., that can be a part of other ship design. That said, we've never felt a lack of things to do...I like the theater seating...very speakeasy feeling with the little tables and bench style plush seats instead of individual seats. The ships themselves make sense in their layout and are very easy to navigate...sometimes though...the one thing about Celebrity is that the evening activities can be lacking, definitely not a ton of nightlife on the ship...but again, depending on what you enjoy, not a big deal. You can definitely find bars/lounges to enjoy and still be able to have conversation...which is nice and sometimes a difficult thing to locate on a ship with a ton of night life.

 

I'd love to do that sailing...but September 2021 is supposed to be our Alaska Denali trip. DH couldn't take that time off work. BUT we could see you in Tampa! It's less than 2 hours...

 

 

[Anita Latte]

Question...what do you think of lip liner?

 

I was able to check out the Feb 2020 Vogue from the Library and there is an article in there about 90s lip liner making a comeback...that is to say...lip liner that is a standout, not trying to blend, against a lighter lip color.

 

A quick google search and I found the tweet from January:

 

 

 

Funny thing...today I was playing with lip color and I used my trusty lip liner...which is the recommended 1-2 shades darker than my natural lip color...and the lip gloss that I wanted to wear didn't blend...and I struggled because I wanted the lip liner so that my lips looked fuller and I didn't mind the look...but being the NOT fashion person that I am...I didn't realize that this was EVER a thing...and so I figured out a way to fix the look and not have the big contrast...

 

What do you think of the contrast though...it's kind of dramatic...and I'm wondering what it might be like to do it for photos on a formal night. Opinions? 

 

 

[awhfy]

Anita. This used to be a big thing. Dark liner & nude to almost white lips. It was ghastly on me. I do tend to put my lip liner all over my lips & gloss over. The shown model looks quite nice.  How many days now??  Melody

[Anita Latte]

3 days!! We sail Sunday. OMG...They say you can check in on line up to 3 days before sailing...and so today...I was so worried because we still hadn't checked in...so I checked in this morning, but DH was at work...so I took the selfie of a picture of him using a photo of him on my computer! OMG...it worked...I mean...It looks like him...and they accepted it...so...there you go. 

 

I showed DH that photo of the lips and the model and he liked it...so I might give it a go on one of the formal nights. I'm wearing the same dress for both nights. Think I will just play with my hair, etc...go for two different looks which will be a little challenging because the dress is distinctive with the black and dark blue lace.

 

I know you are all packed up but I'm still deciding what I'm bringing. We're taking a fair amount of "stuff" so I'm really wanting to have my clothing choices be streamlined. I have a few alterations that I'm going to work on today. I'm hoping that I can get this one Soft Surroundings dress to fit properly.

[Sailor_Sally]

While you all have been cruise packing I have been getting I.V. antibiotics . After months of testing so far I do not have NTM . I have an antibiotic resistant pneumonia . I go every day including week ends to have my treatment and then I give myself an IV at home later in the day . It does seem to be helping .

I hope everybody has a great cruise .

Anita , I never liked the lip liner look .

Laurie , I know you are thinking about what to pack . We have been having a crappy winter so I would  include a pair of jeans . It gets really chilly at night .Hopefully it will warm up when you arrive so you can wear shorts but it is not sleeveless weather .

[purduemom1]

14 minutes ago, Sailor_Sally said:

While you all have been cruise packing I have been getting I.V. antibiotics . After months of testing so far I do not have NTM . I have an antibiotic resistant pneumonia . I go every day including week ends to have my treatment and then I give myself an IV at home later in the day . It does seem to be helping .

 

 

Sally, i’m so sorry that you are struggling to get the pneumonia under control. Good to hear that it seems to be working. Sending good thoughts that you will soon be well.

Sharon

[Sailor_Sally]

3 hours ago, purduemom1 said:

 

Sally, i’m so sorry that you are struggling to get the pneumonia under control. Good to hear that it seems to be working. Sending good thoughts that you will soon be well.

Sharon

Thank you ! The good part is I pass Panera and Dunkin  on my way home and since I have 17 pounds to gain back I stop . I also have been reading tons .

[awhfy]

Oh Sally, that stinks!  Hopefully this treatment works!  Hope it is quick. 

i have an appt with the surgeons to discuss the surgery for the hernias (we now know there will definitely be surgery.) My appt isn't until 17 March (right after we get back). It’ll be with a cardio thoracic & general surgeon. I get two for the price of one  🙄. Just hoping it’ll be one surgery. 
 

I really need this b2b Cruise!  Melody

[MJC]

Sally, so glad to hear you have seen some progress after all these months. Hang in there and enjoy some donuts for all of us. 🙂  I hope you are reading some good books that you can recommend.

 

My little kitchen is getting quite a workout. I haven't prepared three meals a day plus snacks since the last hip surgery.  We have quite a schedule for the next two weeks with visiting nurse, PT, and an aide. Yesterday was the aide's first day, and I was so happy to get outside to the grocery store and take a long nap. 🙂  DH is coming along fine, though there are those moments late in the day when he's tired and sore and nothing is right. Today his dressing came off, and he's healing up just right. Plus we had our first walk outside, which was wonderful even though the weather is bad. In my spare moments I am squaring away some details and paperwork for our trip to Chile in December. It's one of those trips where everything will get done very early and then lots of waiting... waiting... waiting.

[Sailor_Sally]

Thank you everyone and Margaret so glad your husband is healing .I have been reading a lot and I just read "Then she was gone "by Lisa Jewel . if you like weird mystery . This is it . I also read "The Dutch House " by Anne Pachett . A great read .Gary has been beyond wonderful during all this . Hopefully the end is in site and we will also be on Celebrity out of Tampa.

[laurspag]

Sally, I was just about to ask you what you were reading.  Have you read any books by Ruth Ware?  There is something about her books that I love.  I have not that much lately, which I touch on recently.  I'm happy to say I took the time to read "The Death of Mrs. Westaway" and I'm really looking forward to starting another book.  My Nook is a bit older, and I have been having issues.  I'm good about updates, cleaning out unused files, etc.  I decided to splurge and get myself a new one.  My preference is not the basic e-readers...I find my Nook is great to bring along when I travel.   I have a few games on it, and a few other things.

 

So a new book is on the horizon...especially if we get the storm they are talking about.  It's going to be a mix of rain and heavy snow.   I'd love a snow day, but we don't get those, lol.  If I did get one, I'd be reading!

 

I hope you are feeling better, and keep eating lots!  It will help build your strength back up.

 

Anita, I wear a light amount (well, I think it is light) of foundation with a bit of blush and mascara.  For formal nights, I will throw on some eyeshadow and lipstick.  My skin is sensitive around my eyes, so I often have trouble with eyeshadow.  I currently have a wonderful palette from Tarte that my daughter got me.  Those are so much fun to wear, as I love the more natural colors.    I bring this up because you were mentioning lip liner, and I don't think I have ever owned any?  I wear lipstick to dinner on a cruise and maybe once or twice on other special occasions.  For whatever reason, I tend to forget all about it.

 

Margaret, your cruise choices sound great, and different.  A bucket list item for me is to see northern lights, so that immediately caught my attention.  I have heard you can see them in parts of Canada as well, but Iceland is supposed to be THE best place for them.  I never realized there were cruises that go to Iceland, so I think I am going to add this to my list.  

 

Alidor, how many different cruise lines have you been on?  I always love hearing people talk about the differences and similarities between them.  I do think that Celebrity will be something I try at some point for sure.  I have also heard that if you want to go to Alaska, Princess is one of the best.

 

I am so excited that I am just a month away from our little Florida trip.  

 

Margaret, I'm happy your husband is doing well.  I know that someday, I will have to address my hips but for now, I can deal with it.  I know if the pain gets worse, it will be sooner rather than later, but I find that exercise seems to help. When it gets a bit annoying, a few days of Naproxen helps.  I just can't take that all the time.  I have issues with bruising when I do.  I currently have a huge lump/bruise the size of a baseball on my leg from when a dresser drawer came off the track and fell on my leg...two weeks ago.  It would be gone by now if I wasn't taken the Naproxen, or at least close to it.

 

But anyway, it sounds like something to take care of before I retire from work, if I can wait that long.  

 

Anita, don't laugh, but I do the online check in as soon as RCI lets me.  I get that excited.

 

 

[Anita Latte]

Sally...I think I'm happy to hear that you might have an accurate diagnosis? I looked up that other lung thing and it sounded like rough business...and while this resistant pneumonia doesn't sound like a picnic...maybe the recovery will be quicker than what I had read about the other. I hope that with treatment targeted toward the actual situation that you can finally be on the road to recovery and put this whole situation behind you. Enjoy and eat! 

 

Laurie...I wouldn't ever laugh at checking in early. I think part of my reasoning for pushing it is because we are driving to the port...it's like I used to think about the vacation starting with the flight...nothing more to do...all packed and heading out...and that doesn't happen until you are literally in your car driving to the port if all you are doing is driving to the port...so the whole check in process is a bit like that signal that vacation is starting...

 

I do have another indicator this time...Debbie and family is coming to stay in our apartment and keep our Grace kitty company while we are on the cruise. I had been wondering what in the world we were going to do about Grace...she is a rescue kitty...and spent the early years on her own...found pregnant and guessed to be about 18 months old...and then we adopted her...she does seem to be sensitive to being left alone...and I just can't stand the thought of her in a kennel....and so...Debbie answered the call to help a Florida kitty have company! Woot woot! Yay Debbie!

 

It's a win win really. We have an empty apartment and Debbie's family is able to heed the call of Disney with the "grands" as she says. Our 3-bedroom apt is well suited for the trip she has planned and DH and I are absolutely thrilled. She is taking us to and from the port!! LOL...arriving on Saturday...whenever they drive into town...could be early Sunday...they'll pack in and adjust after we leave and hopefully everyone will have an excellent week...DH and I on the cruise...Debbie et al in Orlando/Disney/whatever else they decide to do!

 

Super fun stuff!

 

And while I know that Debbie doesn't want me to go to any trouble with them coming...it has been a great incentive for me to get some cleaning and organizing done. Something that I always relied on in the past (hosting family events, etc.) to help give that little bit of motivation that helps me do things that otherwise might slide...

 

I still haven't figured out exactly what I'm bringing. I'm wanting to NOT necessarily wear my activewear on the port days...but it'll be a lot of walking...so...

 

Tomorrow is an off Friday for DH but because of the timing of things...he will need to put in some hours tomorrow...which is just as well...I have things to do to prep for the cruise...not the least of which is doing all my nails after figuring out my travel wardrobe!!

[awhfy]

Margaret, so glad your DH is healing well. Anita, have a blast!  Great that the timing worked out for you & Debbie, a win-win!  Sally, continue to get better!  We’re having a true Colorado snowstorm so I put a pot roast in crockpot & I'm just going to enjoy it!  Melody