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

[lenquixote66]

17 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Aaron Judge just signed  a Contract with the NY Yankees for $247,000 a game.

 

$40 Million per season for 9 years......... $360 Million Guaranteed.

When I was in college I recall a guy saying that if he ever earned ten thousand dollars in a year he would be the happiest person on earth.How things have changed.

[lenquixote66]

17 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

 

 

 

That was a good  Survivor.   I feel like I know the one that will get voted off next week but could be surprised again.

 

Now back to Amazing Race. 

I was rooting for the team that came in third but they all seem to be very nice people.

[lenquixote66]

14 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

@lenquixote66Lenny, I hope your daughter had a great birthday today.  Best wishes for Toby to have a successful outcome.

 

@Sunshine3601It looks like you and Eric are having a wonderful cruise.  Carry on!

 

@JimboYour beach pictures are so beautiful and tranquil.

 

Loved the Sinatra chat.  There will never be another quite like him.

 

I had an eye doc appointment today and both eyes look gorgeous.  His exact words.  Amazing how well I see now.

 

2 months until our Adventure OTS cruise.  It's been 4 years since our last cruise!

Thanks,Bonnie .

[lenquixote66]

12 hours ago, HBE4 said:

Rest In Peace, Mrs HBE4.

 

Last month, about a week before Thanksgiving, my wife joined the angels in heaven. It’s been a long 19-month journey that I’ve mentioned in the past, I know some here remember the story, others might have missed it and perhaps a few more might not remember all the details.  As I find talking and writing about it to be therapeutic, I’m going to summarize it. For those that are not into that kind of thing, now might be a good time to hit the Page Down button a few times. No hard feelings, I promise.  

 

Easter Sunday Morning, 2021, I was awakened by my wife to call 911 as she could not breathe. I did and the operator had me perform CPR while awaiting the paramedics. Medically speaking, I’m pretty sure my wife died in my arms that morning as when the paramedics arrived, she was not breathing and they could not find a pulse. Through their heroic efforts, they were able to revive her but too much time had passed. My wife suffered a irreversible Anoxic Brain Injury (oxygen deprivation to the brain cells) due to a massive blood clot in her lungs that also caused a heart attack. She was left in an “unaware and unresponsive state”, basically one step above a coma and a nice way of saying a vegetative state.  My fingers still cringe when typing that.

 

The injury to her brain would be permanent. I consulted at least a half-a-dozen neurologists and brain injury specialists from a half-a-dozen different hospitals and brain injury rehabilitation centers but the conclusion was always the same. There was no pathway to a “meaningful recovery”.  Oh, there would be a glimpse of a sliver of hope once in a while.  While 90% of the time her eyes would be closed, when they opened, sometimes there would be a flicker of recognition, of life behind those eyes. Most of the time, a blank stare at the ceiling. Still, I visited 5-6 days a week, 1-3 hours at time, talking, reading, playing music or just holding her hand while watching our favorite TV shows.   I’m not sure there was ever a “conscience awareness” but maybe an emotional one. When whispering sweet nothings in her ear, tears would flow from her eyes. The last time this happened was this past Sept when I told my wife that her daughter was going to take me out to NYC for my birthday, for dinner and a Broadway play and drinks afterwards. I’m sure that warmed her heart and the tears of happiness flowed that night.  That as the last time I saw any kind of response.

 

With recovery no longer a consideration, thoughts turned to comfort care and dignity which quickly turned to thoughts of how to end this. (Tangent: in New York State, not many options).  On Nov. 6^th, on what was our 29^th wedding anniversary, I told her she was free to join her parents and older sister in heaven. Less than 2 weeks later, she took the worse, most heart-breaking choice a spouse could make out of my hands and slipped away, on her own terms and time line. The best gift she could have possibly given me.

 

I was out of town when it happened and was beside myself when I got the call. But the next day, an amazing sense of calm and serenity came over me. I can’t call it relief but just sense of peacefulness.  The outpouring of support I received from close friends and family, as well as people I’ve barely spoken to in 20+ years and those that I hardly know, is a true testament to her and her life.

 

Thank you all here for your concern and good wishes. I know I’ve been tagged in several posts which many people in turned acknowledged via the “like” button or by replying to said post. I read the discussion about respecting a person’s privacy vs finding out what happens to a poster when they suddenly no longer post. Speaking only for myself, it is heart-warming to know that my absence was noticed and felt and people I’ve never met were concerned for my well-being. So again, thank you, It’s been a whirlwind 3 weeks and just now being able to catch my breath. I’m here & I’m okay-ish.

 

  Side note: Should I ever purposely decide to stop posting here, I will definitely post a farewell message.

 

@Tree_skier @grapau27 @Coralc @dani negreanu @reallyitsmema @Sunshine3601 @lenquixote66

So sorry for your loss.Even though I have never met you I believe you to be a truly good human being ,one of the nicest people who ever posted on a message board.

[lenquixote66]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Getting a little nervous for my big debut tomorrow as Santa for the videotaping of my television station's annual reading of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" played back on Christmas eve and read to station employee's children by long time retired anchor Larry Moore. I got the suit and some extra padding since I lost weight. The wig and beard are kinda weird, I hope they don't itch me to death. Don't worry Linda will come along to take some photos that I will post. I just hope I can get a deep enough Ho ho ho.

Last December I happened to read a story in a NY newspaper about a guy who every December dresses as Santa and reads “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”.He had the same first and last name as somebody who I knew in Elementary School and last saw when I was 11 years old .I called the newspaper and said that I would like to get in touch with the guy .I left my phone number and a few days later “Santa” called me.

[Ozark_Kid]

25 minutes ago, lenquixote66 said:

I was rooting for the team that came in third but they all seem to be very nice people.

I agree, all 3 were good teams.  I enjoyed the story of the 2 sisters who didn't know each other growing up.

[Ozark_Kid]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

I just hope I can get a deep enough Ho ho ho.

To bad Kenzie isn't there to help.  She was practicing her Ho Ho Ho while eating yogurt. 

 

[lenquixote66]

2 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I agree, all 3 were good teams.  I enjoyed the story of the 2 sisters who didn't know each other growing up.

That is amazing re the sisters.I have 2 sets of great nephews who are identical twins ,so much so that I can never tell who is who .They are always together.All 4 graduated HS this past June and decided to go to different colleges.For the first time I. Their lives they will be separated.

[DaniDanielle]

I have my dad’s Al Jolson 78’s, lucky me

[h20skibum]

Our granddaughter had to FaceTime us early this morning, because this showed up. 
 

 

I never saw anyone so excited to have something watching over them to make sure they were good. 🤣🤣

 

She even goes to the Santa cam and talks to it every day.  Guess she isn’t taking any chances. 
 

 

 

 

 

[h20skibum]

We were out, walking around an exercise trail this afternoon, when these crossed our path. 
 

 

 

[DaniDanielle]

My granddaughter loves looking for the elf, here and at her house.  Go figure!

[Luckynana]

@Sea DogI bet you're a natural!😉  (Santa, that is)  How could you not be?🎄

 

 

[Sunshine3601]

5 hours ago, DaniDanielle said:

Debbie, don’t have the chicken sandwich!!!!!!

I chickened out🤣

[Sea Dog]

2 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

To bad Kenzie isn't there to help.  She was practicing her Ho Ho Ho while eating yogurt. 

 

This is priceless! She is adorable.

[Sunshine3601]

2 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

To bad Kenzie isn't there to help.  She was practicing her Ho Ho Ho while eating yogurt. 

 

Kenzie is such a sweetie🥰  

Note to self. Do Not Let Kenzie eat while driving.😇

[FromSea2ShiningSea]

😢 @HBE4 😢 I am so sorry for the passing of your beautiful wife.  Thank you for sharing your sorrow with us.  I send you my sincere condolences as we grieve with you.  Please take comfort in knowing that she is in loving arms of the angels now.  Also, thank you for sharing your family photos from your last cruise together.  I can tell from her warm smile that she was a wonderful person.  May she rest in peace. 

[Momof3gurlz]

Busy week here, like most of you I’m sure. We have a Christmas Party tomorrow night at a friends house, then I’m having a party here Saturday night for a bunch of my friends.  We’ve done it every year for about 20 years, but the last one was 2019 due to you know what.  So I’ve been busy finishing up decorating, lugging all the holiday dishes & glasses up from the lower level.  Certainly got my exercise!  
 

@Sunshine3601 I’m so glad to hear you and Eric are having a nice relaxing cruise, seems like great weather too.  
 

@Sea Dog You’re going to make a great Santa! I look forward to seeing the pictures.  

[A&L_Ont]

@HBE4 I’m so sorry to read about your loss. You and Little Miss HBE4 will be missing a wonderful and treasured woman. Thank you for taking the time to share this difficult news with us. If you need us, we are here. 
 

Angels come in all ages, and I truly believe that your wife will be right beside our Allie. 

[Ocean Boy]

4 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

I think she may just win this season 

Because guys are a pushover when a woman lets go of the tears.

[Ozark_Kid]

@Sea Dog I was going to surprise you that I finally got the insta360 x3 but I couldn't help to comment on annother thread.  I wanted to post an example for you to let you know but figuring out the editing is a challenge. 

 

The whole family met Monday afternoon at my oldest daughter's house.  Santa came over to see the Grandkids.  He read them a story and gave them a gift.  I set the 360 up and recorded.  I will try to post it later.

 

Good luck tomorrow. 

[Ozark_Kid]

4 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Because guys are a pushover when a woman lets go of the tears.

I think they fell for it at first but now knows she was faking it.  That's why I think she is the next one out.

[lenquixote66]

15 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Because guys are a pushover when a woman lets go of the tears.

Process of elimination.The jury should be voting for the person who won the most challenges.Karla has impressed me by doing really well in very difficult things.The only person I am saying should definitely not win is Gabler.

[Ocean Boy]

14 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I think they fell for it at first but now knows she was faking it.  That's why I think she is the next one out.

I wouldn't mind seeing her go. Though I'm not really sure I care which one of the remaining people wins.

[lenquixote66]

15 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

@Sea Dog I was going to surprise you that I finally got the insta360 x3 but I couldn't help to comment on annother thread.  I wanted to post an example for you to let you know but figuring out the editing is a challenge. 

 

The whole family met Monday afternoon at my oldest daughter's house.  Santa came over to see the Grandkids.  He read them a story and gave them a gift.  I set the 360 up and recorded.  I will try to post it later.

 

Good luck tomorrow. 

When I was 9 years old my friend John was going to a local department store to see Santa and his parents took me .Every kid got a 5x7 picture of them and Santa in glorious black and white.I still have my picture,John does not.