Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[Sheal]

Another 30 pages to go and I will have almost caught up, almost because I'm guessing I will still be 10 pages behind.

 

Couple of things I wanted to say is that all the kitchen talk has been so helpful, particularly the info on the dual microwave/convection oven.  I have had the convection as part of my cheaper oven and yet I never bothered to figure it out.  I just started using it on frozen fries, lol.

 

On 3/6/2022 at 3:55 PM, Ozark_Kid said:

Whenever we consider redoing the kitchen we hit pause and go on vacation.  

This would be the reason why the kitchen still hasn't been redone, and ours is now 30 years old, and it needed a refresh 20 years ago when we moved in. 

On 3/7/2022 at 1:32 PM, Momof3gurlz said:

 

 

Right or wrong, I feel the same way about the news.  Andy says it’s not good to not know what’s happening in the world. My response is I’ll rely on him to let me know!  I’ll just bury my head in the sand and be more relaxed as a result. 

This +1.  My husband listens to the news non-stop with it playing in the background here at work.  I have to tune it out and look over the headlines and call it a day.  

On 3/9/2022 at 12:37 PM, Ocean Boy said:

It made me sad, too. This thread is not to just post happy stuff. It bothered me when I saw it so I posted it. Unfortunately, sometimes "pets" find themselves in exactly that position.

Unfortunately, this reminded me of an story I read about sometime in the past year or two.  I ran across a blip of someone leaving a dog next to a gate at some public land.  The dog was seen on a camera set up there, never wandering away, for over 8 hours until someone went and rescued it.  I just did a quick google and sadly, saw many similar stories, before I stopped looking.  

 

I think it really hits home for me because my dog is a rescue and he was skin and bones when I got him.  Hips protruding, missing/broken teeth, and the wood shavings the rescue used down south, still stuck in his fur.  Then 4 years ago I found out he had a pellet in his neck area.  He is the sweetest dog ever and thinking of the life he had before makes me sad.  He never deserved that treatment, just like all the other pets who had the unfortune to be owned by so many irresponsible owners who think nothing of their animals.

 

BTW, @Sunshine3601.  I hope you like that pump.  As soon as I saw it yesterday I had one ordered.  I bought blow up noodles (six pack) about 4 years ago after a trip to Mullet beach.  My DH went and "rented" one for me at the little shack there from this pretty Dutch girl.  Not even 2 hours later, he is waving me in.  I float in and he tells me I have to return my noodle???  Apparently the shack is only open for a few hours each day.  Geeze.

 

Then, last month, same beach, DH is blowing up the noodle for me.  Said he thought he was going to pass out.  Since we have another family cruising with us next month I jumped on the pump.  I wouldn't want to have to spend any beach time in the hospital if DH passes out.     

Edited March 17, 2022 by Sheal

[grapau27]

38 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

@NHProud

 

@dani negreanu   Celebrate your birthday with your favorite things ! 

 

How is the Beyond cruise planning coming along ? If I am correct you have it down to the tiniest detail.  What is your interest in Malta ? 

 

Thanks, Judy.

 

Not this time, no. After 5 cancellations and a new variant looming ahead, I'm afraid to "jinx" it...

 

Malta? It's a new port for us and very appealing. Heard it is beautiful and interesting. Not many direct flights between Tel-Aviv and Malta are available, so for us it's an opportunity to "taste" it.

 

Happy birthday Dani.

Edited March 17, 2022 by grapau27

[ownedbypets]

Happy birthday Dani!!

[lenquixote66]

Happy St.Patrick’s Day to all who celebrate the holiday.

 

Happy Purim to those who celebrate the holiday.

[Sea Dog]

4 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

 

I'm still here.  Thanks for your concern.  We've had mostly a great last week, but not without a few problems.  I'll give you the long story here, but I won't "bury the lead"...my 23 year old daughter Andie got engaged last night.  Everyone is extremely happy and excited.

 

We flew last Friday to Allentown, PA and then drove to Scranton from there for my wife's niece's wedding.  The wedding was at my sister in law's house which is an 8,000 square foot mansion that sit's high atop a hill in a rural area with gorgeous views for miles.  It's a beautiful setting, except for when there's a snow storm dropping 6-8 inches and blustery winds blowing drifts, and you need to get guests, caterers, flowers, etc. up their very long, driveway.  They had a few last minute cancellations due to weather but that's where one of the potentially good outcomes of Covid helped...we put a mobile phone on a tripod and scheduled a Zoom meeting so others could attend remotely.  The wedding and reception were otherwise perfect.  Here's a view of the weather outside our hotel window, and the main living room where the ceremony was held.

 

 

On Monday, we drove back to Allentown for our flight back to Jacksonville, meeting Andie and her boyfriend Kaleb in Atlanta on the way there.  They were coming to visit us for a week.  Kaleb had already asked for my permission to marry Andie a couple of weeks ago.  I don't know how common that still is but it was a nice touch.  It also allowed him to work with us in advance on how he could make the proposal a perfect setting.   He wanted to ask her on the beach, ideally at sunset.

 

Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling great on the flight from ATL to JAX, and that got progressively worse.  Stuffy head, chest cough, and then chills and body aches when we got home.  I tested myself for Covid on Tuesday and was negative, so I'm guessing it's just a run of the mill case of the flu.  I stayed in bed all day on Tuesday while Micheline, Andie, and Kaleb did a few things on the island.  Plan A had been that the 4 of us were to have dinner at our beach club on Tuesday.  Before dinner, we'd walk to the Ritz Carlton for a drink at their bar overlooking the beach.  Andie and Kaleb would walk to the beach at some point with us trailing behind.  He'd propose with us capturing the moment in video and pictures.  The 2 of them alone would then go to our club to have dinner as a newly engaged couple with champagne waiting at their table.  Between my sickness and rain Tuesday night, we had to cancel plan A.  Micheline also started getting the same symptoms that I had on Tuesday night.  She also tested negative for Covid.

 

Between DayQuil and NyQuil, we were able to function during the day.  We got a few hours of beach/pool time when the sun came out yesterday and then had an early 5:30 dinner together last night.  Plan B was to go to the Ritz bar for an after dinner drink and try again.  Andie however now had the same symptoms and was not feeling good.  She took some DayQuil when we got home and within a few minutes was up for going with us to the Ritz.  The timing worked out perfectly as the sunset was reflecting pink off the clouds over the ocean.  

 

They've been dating for 6.5 years and are both very practical.  They both knew they would get engaged but were waiting for Andie to finish grad school this spring and for some of their friend's weddings/engagements to get "out of their way".  Although Andie knew that a proposal was eventually coming, the timing caught her completely by surprise. 😁

 

 

 

 

Time for Andie and Micheline to start having fun with wedding planning...once we get this flu bug behind us.  

Wow this is so awesome. Congratulations to you and your family on the engagement. That mansion for the wedding looks amazing. Sorry the flu bug bit you but hopefully you are feeling better. Sounds like you have been quite busy. Take time for yourself and yes you gave great advice, “yes dear whatever you want.”

[aussielozzie18]

@bobmacliberty Congratulations on your daughter’s engagement.  The proposal photos are lovely.  Hope you all recover from the flu quickly.

[Ozark_Kid]

@bobmacliberty Congrats on the engagement.  I love the pics.  Reminds me of my middle daughter’s engagement at Destin.

The living room setting for the wedding was beautiful.  The marble columns are nice.

[dani negreanu]

My birthday celebrations today were low scale, it falling on a huge holiday, where everyone is out and about.

 

We opted for a take away lunch from a shawarma "shack".... it was delicious. They gave us huge portions, and added, on the house, fries, tahini/tehina and some salads. DH wiped out an eggplant dish.

 

We ate copiously, and we have left overs for tomorrow's lunch. In the evening, we're eating "out" with our boys and DIL for the first time since Covid.

 

[Sunshine3601]

6 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

 

I'm still here.  Thanks for your concern.  We've had mostly a great last week, but not without a few problems.  I'll give you the long story here, but I won't "bury the lead"...my 23 year old daughter Andie got engaged last night.  Everyone is extremely happy and excited.

 

We flew last Friday to Allentown, PA and then drove to Scranton from there for my wife's niece's wedding.  The wedding was at my sister in law's house which is an 8,000 square foot mansion that sit's high atop a hill in a rural area with gorgeous views for miles.  It's a beautiful setting, except for when there's a snow storm dropping 6-8 inches and blustery winds blowing drifts, and you need to get guests, caterers, flowers, etc. up their very long, driveway.  They had a few last minute cancellations due to weather but that's where one of the potentially good outcomes of Covid helped...we put a mobile phone on a tripod and scheduled a Zoom meeting so others could attend remotely.  The wedding and reception were otherwise perfect.  Here's a view of the weather outside our hotel window, and the main living room where the ceremony was held.

 

 

On Monday, we drove back to Allentown for our flight back to Jacksonville, meeting Andie and her boyfriend Kaleb in Atlanta on the way there.  They were coming to visit us for a week.  Kaleb had already asked for my permission to marry Andie a couple of weeks ago.  I don't know how common that still is but it was a nice touch.  It also allowed him to work with us in advance on how he could make the proposal a perfect setting.   He wanted to ask her on the beach, ideally at sunset.

 

Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling great on the flight from ATL to JAX, and that got progressively worse.  Stuffy head, chest cough, and then chills and body aches when we got home.  I tested myself for Covid on Tuesday and was negative, so I'm guessing it's just a run of the mill case of the flu.  I stayed in bed all day on Tuesday while Micheline, Andie, and Kaleb did a few things on the island.  Plan A had been that the 4 of us were to have dinner at our beach club on Tuesday.  Before dinner, we'd walk to the Ritz Carlton for a drink at their bar overlooking the beach.  Andie and Kaleb would walk to the beach at some point with us trailing behind.  He'd propose with us capturing the moment in video and pictures.  The 2 of them alone would then go to our club to have dinner as a newly engaged couple with champagne waiting at their table.  Between my sickness and rain Tuesday night, we had to cancel plan A.  Micheline also started getting the same symptoms that I had on Tuesday night.  She also tested negative for Covid.

 

Between DayQuil and NyQuil, we were able to function during the day.  We got a few hours of beach/pool time when the sun came out yesterday and then had an early 5:30 dinner together last night.  Plan B was to go to the Ritz bar for an after dinner drink and try again.  Andie however now had the same symptoms and was not feeling good.  She took some DayQuil when we got home and within a few minutes was up for going with us to the Ritz.  The timing worked out perfectly as the sunset was reflecting pink off the clouds over the ocean.  

 

They've been dating for 6.5 years and are both very practical.  They both knew they would get engaged but were waiting for Andie to finish grad school this spring and for some of their friend's weddings/engagements to get "out of their way".  Although Andie knew that a proposal was eventually coming, the timing caught her completely by surprise. 😁

 

 

 

 

Time for Andie and Kaleb to start having fun with wedding planning...once we get this flu bug behind us.  

Congratulations to Andie and Micheline.  She does look very happy and very surprised.   That is really nice that you were included in the plan and able to take photos for the beginning of their wedding album.

I hope everyone feels better soon😍

Edited March 17, 2022 by Sunshine3601

[Sunshine3601]

Apparently CVS in a 100 mile radius of our home is no longer offering the rapid antigen test.    I received a text in the last hour that our appointments for tomorrow are cancelled due to closure of the location.     Hoped on their website and they are offering PCR tests are limited locations now. 

Hoped onto Walgreens site and booked 2 appointments for their rapid Naat test but the earliest is 4:15 pm.    Eric didn't want to pack until he has results.     

Worst case scenario I still have 3 emed tst kits left but I am holding on them just incase Walgreens doesn't work out.  

[Sunshine3601]

15 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

My birthday celebrations today were low scale, it falling on a huge holiday, where everyone is out and about.

 

We opted for a take away lunch from a shawarma "shack".... it was delicious. They gave us huge portions, and added, on the house, fries, tahini/tehina and some salads. DH wiped out an eggplant dish.

 

We ate copiously, and we have left overs for tomorrow's lunch. In the evening, we're eating "out" with our boys and DIL for the first time since Covid.

 

Food looks delicious.    sounds like a perfect day - hope you enjoy your evening out 🥰

[NHProud]

4 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

@NHProud

 

@dani negreanu   Celebrate your birthday with your favorite things ! 

 

How is the Beyond cruise planning coming along ? If I am correct you have it down to the tiniest detail.  What is your interest in Malta ? 

 

Thanks, Judy.

 

Not this time, no. After 5 cancellations and a new variant looming ahead, I'm afraid to "jinx" it...

 

Malta? It's a new port for us and very appealing. Heard it is beautiful and interesting. Not many direct flights between Tel-Aviv and Malta are available, so for us it's an opportunity to "taste" it.

 

I hope you had a great day .  

 

Malta will be interesting with lots of art to keep you busy.   Looking forward to your pics.  

 

 

 

 

 

[akcruz]

21 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Apparently CVS in a 100 mile radius of our home is no longer offering the rapid antigen test.    I received a text in the last hour that our appointments for tomorrow are cancelled due to closure of the location.     Hoped on their website and they are offering PCR tests are limited locations now. 

Hoped onto Walgreens site and booked 2 appointments for their rapid Naat test but the earliest is 4:15 pm.    Eric didn't want to pack until he has results.     

Worst case scenario I still have 3 emed tst kits left but I am holding on them just incase Walgreens doesn't work out.  

 

Yikes, the testing is stressful enough as is, having this happen, ugh.  The emed tests definitely are the safest route but most pricey.  We had a test cancelled at Walgreens before the holidays, the pharmacists was sick, didn't know until, we showed up.  Fortunately had another scheduled.  Hopefully we won't need them too much longer.  Glad you were able to get another scheduled, as I am with Eric I didn't pack for our last cruise until I had negative results in hand.

[dani negreanu]

26 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Apparently CVS in a 100 mile radius of our home is no longer offering the rapid antigen test. 

 

Palpitations until the last moment.... But the cruise and Eric's surprise will be worth all the stress.

Fingers and toes crossed 😘

[Arzeena]

Happy Birthday Dani!

[Jimbo]

27 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Apparently CVS in a 100 mile radius of our home is no longer offering the rapid antigen test.    I received a text in the last hour that our appointments for tomorrow are cancelled due to closure of the location.     Hoped on their website and they are offering PCR tests are limited locations now. 

Hoped onto Walgreens site and booked 2 appointments for their rapid Naat test but the earliest is 4:15 pm.    Eric didn't want to pack until he has results.     

Worst case scenario I still have 3 emed tst kits left but I am holding on them just incase Walgreens doesn't work out.  

Wow, I thought you lived near civilization, just how far from Philadelphia are you?  Your shore house  is  on Long Beach Island right? just how far is your house from there?

[Sunshine3601]

8 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Wow, I thought you lived near civilization, just how far from Philadelphia are you?  Your shore house  is  on Long Beach Island right? just how far is your house from there?

Yes, I live in the suburbs of Upper Bucks County.  We have tested several times with CVS and once with Walgreens.      Something must be going on with CVS no longer offering the rapid antigen test anywhere near me.    

Out of curiosity I just checked the CVS on Long Beach island and they, too, are no longer offering the rapid test only the standard PCR.

Strange!   

I'm waiting to hear back from our Son who scheduled their appointments at CVS in Philadelphia.  

[Sunshine3601]

I made a nice big piece of corned beef with cabbage, carrots and potatoes today.     I don't eat it, but just sliced up some for Eric and he is loving it.    

Happy St. Patty's Day 💚

[brillohead]

44 minutes ago, akcruz said:

The emed tests definitely are the safest route but most pricey. 

Not exactly.... I had a friend who bought the emed tests, and they accidentally shipped him the wrong product -- just the home tests, not the proctored test.  (And yes, he showed me his receipt and the boxes he received, he did order them right and they sent the wrong one.) 

He didn't figure out it was the wrong test until he was in his hotel the night before the cruise.  He messaged me b/c he couldn't figure out how to do the online part of the test, and I called him and was able to figure out that he had the "regular" test.  Emed agreed to send him new tests, but that didn't do him any good for the cruise he was taking the next dady.  He ended up having to go out that afternoon and paid like $150 for a test at an urgent care center.  

Spending ~$35 on the home tests is WAY cheaper than paying emergency out of pocket urgent care prices!!!!

[Jimbo]

5 hours ago, Sheal said:

Another 30 pages to go and I will have almost caught up, almost because I'm guessing I will still be 10 pages behind.

 

Couple of things I wanted to say is that all the kitchen talk has been so helpful, particularly the info on the dual microwave/convection oven.  I have had the convection as part of my cheaper oven and yet I never bothered to figure it out.  I just started using it on frozen fries, lol.

 

This would be the reason why the kitchen still hasn't been redone, and ours is now 30 years old, and it needed a refresh 20 years ago when we moved in. 

This +1.  My husband listens to the news non-stop with it playing in the background here at work.  I have to tune it out and look over the headlines and call it a day.  

Unfortunately, this reminded me of an story I read about sometime in the past year or two.  I ran across a blip of someone leaving a dog next to a gate at some public land.  The dog was seen on a camera set up there, never wandering away, for over 8 hours until someone went and rescued it.  I just did a quick google and sadly, saw many similar stories, before I stopped looking.  

 

   

 I think we finally got a set plan on where all the appliances will be set. Fireplace brick picked, bricks on wall above upper cabinets and brick on flooring picked out.

 

Just waiting to get our final plans pictures from the designer.

[Ozark_Kid]

1 hour ago, dani negreanu said:

We opted for a take away lunch from a shawarma "shack".... it was delicious.

It looks like something I would love.  Was the meat cooked on a revolving spit then shaved off?  

[Sunshine3601]

9 minutes ago, brillohead said:

He didn't figure out it was the wrong test until he was in his hotel the night before the cruise.  He messaged me b/c he couldn't figure out how to do the online part of the test, and I called him and was able to figure out that he had the "regular" test.  Emed agreed to send him new tests, but that didn't do him any good for the cruise he was taking the next dady.  He ended up having to go out that afternoon and paid like $150 for a test at an urgent care center.  
 

OUCH!!!

[dani negreanu]

12 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

It looks like something I would love.  Was the meat cooked on a revolving spit then shaved off?  

 

Spot on 👍

[brillohead]

15 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

OUCH!!!

Yeah, he was NOT a happy camper!  

No idea if his insurance is going to reimburse him for the test or not.  He's like me and cruises on-the-cheap in order to cruise more often, so that was a HUGE hit to his cruising budget!

[BonTexasNY]

8 hours ago, Lionesss said:

@bobmacliberty

 

 

I am so excited and happy for you and your family and soon to be son.

I love your sharing of their life moment., yup I am crying happy tears.

 

Hope you feel all better soon.

 

Have so much fun coordinating the future wedding.  Oh the fun your wife will have.

 

My DH did it best.........................he  just handed me his wallet, the credit cards and all was great.

 

Be safe

@bobmaclibertyI echo my congratulations for your daughter and future son-in-law on their engagement.  An exciting time in their lives for sure!

 

My DH did it best.........................he  just handed me his wallet, the credit cards and all was great.

The above comment reminded me of when my ex=boss told me how to be a good mother-in-law: "Keep your wallet open and your mouth shut"

 

@dani negreanuDani, your lunch looks delicious.  I love shwarma filled inside pita bread with all the "fixins".  i'm sure your family dinner will be wonderful. 

 

One of my closest friends and her husband has still not eaten in a restaurant since covid started 2 years ago so you aren't the only one.