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

[Bailey & Sophie]

On 11/19/2022 at 9:35 AM, Jimbo said:

Panama Canal October 2023 on Radiance of the Seas.

 

I think we're on that one!

[aussielozzie18]

Tonight, I’m in the kitchen using the laptop and I see a huntsman spider scuttle from under the table across the floor to under the dishwasher.  Spray it and it comes back out and dies.  Discover it’s a baby huntsman.  Now I am wondering where mum & dad huntsman are 😱.

 

Because I got distracted by the spider, I managed to book travel insurance for me and me.  Sigh.  I’ll be making a phone call to the insurance company tomorrow.

[Sunshine3601]

8 hours ago, Coralc said:

What do you think about having renters in your beach house? People keep wanting to rent our mountain house, (especially during the winter for skiing) and we keep declining. We would have to remove more personal things from our bedroom, and isn't there a lot of wear and tear? And I suppose you would have to have contracts and everything? 

We have been renting the shore house out for about 20 yrs.   We bought it with the plan of renting it every summer and we would use in the spring and fall.   I handle all the lease agreements myself as I like to personally speak with prospective tenants instead of using a management company.   

For several years now, we are at the point that we have the same renters every year so we no longer have to advertise the rental.

We have been very fortunate that all our current renters are respectful and take care of the home and leave it clean when they leave.

We have a good friend that cleans between renters and if she is not available our good friend/neighbor will go in and clean.  They both tell us they hardly have to do anything, maybe 1 or 2 hours to clean bathrooms, kitchen and mop or vacuum.   I pay them $100 per cleaning.   

So we really don't notice notice wear and tear anymore than our main home.   

We have the house fully stocked with cleaning products, laundry products, dishwasher soap, hand soaps, toilet paper, paper towels, bedspreads, blankets, pillows, throw blankets, etc for each and every renter.

The only thing we don't keep there is our clothes and my favorite pillow😀

 

Neither of us have had jobs with pensions so we look at it as our retirement plan.  

 

Edited November 28, 2022 by Sunshine3601

[Keksie]

For some reason I couldn't get this picture to load yesterday.  Rocco was worn out from Thanksgiving and then decorating the house.  

 

[Momof3gurlz]

21 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!

 

 

My annual Christmas music mix is ready to download.

 

Most of you know not only am I a Christmas freak but I also collect Christmas music. You would be surprised how many people all over the world do collect Christmas music. I have over 30,000 songs in my collection from the very firsts songs ever recorded to now and I collect the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

Every year for the past 22 years I make an annual Christmas mix for my friends and family and my other collector friends. Most of the music are songs you probably have never heard. My goal was introduce people to the great Christmas songs out there so they don't have to listen to that awful Mariah Carey song. Each year I scan an old Christmas album cover and repurpose it for this years mix. This years album cover was from an old 1959 by George Melachrino And His Orchestra called Christmas Joy.

 

As you listen you will hear that I have several themes throughout. Listen and see if you can pick out the themes. I always start out with some vintage material then proceed into modern day and some comedy mainly secular and finish with non secular carols and I always end with a lullaby.

 

Disclaimer:

This mix is suppose to fun and not to be taken too seriously. Some may not enjoy my humor and if I offend anyone I am sorry as I do not intend to do so.

 

So download from the link below, unzip and play in your favorite media player or transfer to a usb drive to play in your car or wherever.

 

 

I have included the cover art, track listing, and insert art if you want to burn your own mp3 file on a disc. The mix is a whopping 1 hour and 46 minutes long so hopefully it will keep you entertained.

 

Please enjoy this holiday gift from me to you. The joy of Christmas music can always make your season brighter. Note I may repost this later to make sure everyone see's this post as this thread moves very quickly.

 

DOWNLOAD LINK:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gbz9gwe93lvd1x7/2022 Gregs Swank Pad Lounge Presents Christmas Joy.zip?dl=0

 

Cheers and enjoy!!

This is great Greg! Thank you for sharing with us. 

[Momof3gurlz]

We’re back from our weekend in PA.  The bathroom project is 99% done and our SIL can finish it up on his own.  
The drive home yesterday afternoon was hellish.  It took 7.5 hours to make a 5 hour drive.  The majority of traffic was from the Mario Cuomo Bridge (still TappanZee to me) up to New Haven CT.  But by then it was raining heavily so still slow going.  
Today starts a few weeks of healthy eating & wine only on the weekend.  Between our recent cruise, Thanksgiving and a second Thanksgiving dinner this past weekend, my clothes are feeling a little snug!  
 

[dani negreanu]

18 hours ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

We then had a chance to talk about our upcoming family cruise that’s in two weeks on the Allure out of Galveston.  This will be our first time on an Oasis class ship.  The kids are SO excited about the cruise.  My son said he and his fiancé are so excited about the cruise that they talk about it everyday,.  This will be her first cruise ever.  They want to do everything on the ship.  

 

Helen & Co, wishing you ALL a very enjoyable cruise on beautiful Allure. One of the fun things we've done on Allure on a sea day, was looking for the "little wonders". Here's the list, courtesy of Harry @harryfat1.

 

Deck FWD/AFT/MID Type Area Description

 

3 Forward Conference center, right at the entrance

4 Forward Pedestal Main Theater

4 Aft Pedestal Two in the elevator lobby right before the casino entrance

4 Forward Entertainment place, right in front of Blaze when you come down the spiral stairs

5 Forward Royal Promenade, right in front of Boleros

5 Midship Royal Promenade, Inside the pub, on top of the ledge next to the kissing couple

5 Midship Royal Promenade, at the stairs that lead down to the Casino

5 Aft Royal Promenade, at the end of the Rising Tide Bar, starboard side

5 Forward Pedestal Royal Promenade, right by staircase leading down to entertainment place

5 Midship Pedestal Royal Promenade, starboard side at the embarkation entrance

5 Aft Wall Two in the elevator lobby right before casino entrance

6 Forward Wall Port-side elevator lobby, overlooking Royal Promenade

6 Aft Pedestal Two in the hidden elevator lobby niches

6 Aft Pedestal Aquatheater, port-side behind seating, by angled wall

6 Forward Elevator lobby, starboard side, right by the Diamond Club

6 Midship Schooner Bar, Against the glass railing in front the bar, overlooking the Royal Promenade

6 Aft Elevator Lobby, just before going into the Boardwalk

7 Forward Elevator Lobby, port side by Balcony

7 Aft Pedestal Port-side elevator lobby

8 Midship Pedestal Central Park, right in front of the marketplace

8 Midship Pedestal Central Park, Starboard by trellis walkway

8 Forward Elevator Lobby, starboard side

8 Forward Inside Art Actually Gallery

8 Aft Elevator Lobby, port side

10 Forward Pedestal In the elevator lobby, starboard side

10 Forward Elevator Lobby, port side

11 Aft Entry to concierge lounge

14 Aft Pedestal In the elevator lobby, starboard side

15 Forward Pedestal Beach pool area, right by towel stand

15 Aft Pedestal In the corner of the Deck 15 RCCL ship tribute area

15 Midship In front of the Teen Arcade

16 Aft Inside the Lobby, port side

16 Aft Inside the Lobby, starboard side

16 Forward Pedestal Solarium, starboard side, right by the beach chairs

16 Midship Pedestal Behind pool bar on starboard side, overlooking Central Park

16 Aft Pedestal Sports deck area, in between both flowriders (up the ramp)

17 Aft Wall Two inside Viking Crown

 

 

14 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

I love fruitcake.

 

Same here. It's the only thing I prefer to order and not bake, since their pecans taste amazing (a bakery in Corsicana, Texas). The large one....

 

 

14 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

My friends have returned from their Ovation cruise.  They booked a guarantee balcony.  

 

"aussie", in looking at the pic, I think I "detect" our "roaming" grounds in Sydney... Coming from CQ, we were going up to George street, and there was a Waffle house at the corner. Such fond memories, thank you.

 

[BonTexasNY]

55 minutes ago, Momof3gurlz said:

The drive home yesterday afternoon was hellish.  It took 7.5 hours to make a 5 hour drive.  The majority of traffic was from the Mario Cuomo Bridge (still TappanZee to me) up to New Haven CT.  But by then it was raining heavily so still slow going.  

 

I lived approx. 10-15 mins from the TZ bridge.  It will always be the TappanZee bridge to me, just like Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan will always be 6th Avenue.

 

Off to breakfast with friends.  Delightful day today, bright sunshine mid to high 60s.

Edited November 28, 2022 by BonTexasNY

[Ozark_Kid]

12 hours ago, h20skibum said:

She is feeling better, thanks.  
 

That one was a pastrami and cheese.  All their sandwiches are loaded with slaw, fries and tomatoes.  Very good. 

I had my first sandwich with fries on it at a Cleveland Cavaliers game years ago.  It was surprisingly good.  

[Ozark_Kid]

12 hours ago, Luckynana said:

Sounds delicious!  I'll have to try putting cole slaw on a sandwich.😊

In the south it is common to be served Cole slaw on a BBQ pork sandwich.   I grew up mostly in northern Ohio.  I still remember visiting W Virginia and getting my 1st sandwich with Cole slaw on it.  I was surprised.   It was good.

[Arzeena]

All the sandwich talk is making me hungry! Still two more hours to lunch time if I am lucky. 😁🥪🥪🥪

[h20skibum]

We are watching our grandkids at their house today.  We started putting together the Lego gingerbread house.  Ricky tried to fit in the box, but it wasn’t quite big enough.  So he decided to just lay on it. 

 

I guess it is break time for a rub. 
 

 

[lenquixote66]

13 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Yes, they're all on you tube.

What isn’t on You Tube ?😀

[Keksie]

14 hours ago, Luckynana said:

Sounds delicious!  I'll have to try putting cole slaw on a sandwich.😊

 I use coleslaw in my fish tacos and on BBQ sandwiches.

[Ozark_Kid]

1 hour ago, Keksie said:

 I use coleslaw in my fish tacos and on BBQ sandwiches.

When we were in Miami last year I had the best fish tacos and they had coleslaw on them. Sooooo good.  Now off to make a bacon 🥓, cheddar cheese🧀 and tomato 🍅 sandwich.

 

Last week I was experimenting again.  I roasted some garlic, mixed it with some soft philadelphia cream cheese and spread the mix on some Ritz crackers.   It was a great snack.

[aussielozzie18]

2 hours ago, h20skibum said:

We are watching our grandkids at their house today.  We started putting together the Lego gingerbread house.  Ricky tried to fit in the box, but it wasn’t quite big enough.  So he decided to just lay on it. 

 

I guess it is break time for a rub. 
 

 

Ricky is a smart cat.  He just wanted to be the centre of attention.  Handsome kitty.

[aussielozzie18]

@dani negreanu that Texas pecan fruitcake looks superb. 
 

Yes, my friends took the photo from their Ovation balcony whilst they were docked at OPT.  

[TravelGirlinDallas]

5 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

Same here. It's the only thing I prefer to order and not bake, since their pecans taste amazing (a bakery in Corsicana, Texas). The large one....

Right after I read this post, I looked up and saw this. We are passing through Corsicana right now! We love their fruitcakes and other baked goods! Didn’t stop this time, though.

[dani negreanu]

5 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

Right after I read this post, I looked up and saw this.

 

Amazing, what a coincidence !!! That's the one...

 

The cake costs us 60$ and the shipping -- a whopping 30$. Splurging once in a year, since pecans are my favorite nuts, hard to get them here in good quality.

 

[TravelGirlinDallas]

5 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

since pecans are my favorite nuts

Same here! The best!

[jmh2006]

18 hours ago, Luckynana said:

Sounds delicious!  I'll have to try putting cole slaw on a sandwich.😊

That is a New Jersey thing and the sandwiches are called "sloppy joes" and they are nothing like the Manwich kind 😀

[Luckynana]

7 hours ago, Momof3gurlz said:

We’re back from our weekend in PA.  The bathroom project is 99% done and our SIL can finish it up on his own.  
The drive home yesterday afternoon was hellish.  It took 7.5 hours to make a 5 hour drive.  The majority of traffic was from the Mario Cuomo Bridge (still TappanZee to me) up to New Haven CT.  But by then it was raining heavily so still slow going.  
Today starts a few weeks of healthy eating & wine only on the weekend.  Between our recent cruise, Thanksgiving and a second Thanksgiving dinner this past weekend, my clothes are feeling a little snug!  
 

Sorry your trip home was horrendous, Deb!  We left West Hartford around 10:30 am and made it home in the normal 3 and a half hours it usually takes us.  I was happily surprised, since it's the end of the Thanksgiving weekend.  I have to say though, any time we are heading home from Ct., there's always much more traffic heading North in the opposite direction than us,

Absolutely Tappan Zee...never will be Mario Cuomo Bridge in my book!

6 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

I lived approx. 10-15 mins from the TZ bridge.  It will always be the TappanZee bridge to me, just like Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan will always be 6th Avenue.

 

Off to breakfast with friends.  Delightful day today, bright sunshine mid to high 60s.

Always, always, always will be the Tappan Zee, Bonnie!😉

We'll be going to dinner with 8 of our dear friends this coming Wednesday!

5 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I had my first sandwich with fries on it at a Cleveland Cavaliers game years ago.  It was surprisingly good.  

Jim and our daughters had a Wawa Gobbler sandwich the day after Thanksgiving.  It consists of turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry, and mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, on a hoagie roll.  They said it was delicious!

[h20skibum]

Since you can’t spend the entire day, entering grandkids with Legos, we moved on to games and artistic endeavors.  
 

I have been really impressed with how my grandson has developed his artistic abilities.  I really liked this one he did.  
 

 

 

I think I will caption it….. The look you get when you score an $18 drink package!!!

 

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Luckynana]

8 hours ago, Keksie said:

For some reason I couldn't get this picture to load yesterday.  Rocco was worn out from Thanksgiving and then decorating the house.  

 

Rocco looks exhausted!  

5 hours ago, h20skibum said:

We are watching our grandkids at their house today.  We started putting together the Lego gingerbread house.  Ricky tried to fit in the box, but it wasn’t quite big enough.  So he decided to just lay on it. 

 

I guess it is break time for a rub. 
 

 

Does the Lego Gingerbread house get taken apart and put back in the box each year, or does it stay all together once it's been constructed?  I think Ricky hit the jackpot the day he became part of your grandchildren's family!

[Luckynana]

1 hour ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Amazing, what a coincidence !!! That's the one...

 

The cake costs us 60$ and the shipping -- a whopping 30$. Splurging once in a year, since pecans are my favorite nuts, hard to get them here in good quality.

 

That pecan cake sure looks delicious, Dani!