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

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Luckynana

Luckynana

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

Christmas in our house has been put away. With the cold snap and snow the outside lights will remain out and on until it gets a bit milder. 
 

Shrimp with avocado on a slice of cucumber. 

7EB2AAD4-98FF-4D68-918D-84E97298F083.thumb.jpeg.012f78f303612ff0697605071ce21c2a.jpeg

 

More shrimp.

 

5FCAD6C5-CC27-45DC-873B-905CE10A004C.thumb.jpeg.3d2cc6b4d117259f1117da70c5c65dde.jpeg

 

The shrimp with avocado on cucumber look divine!!!  Thank you for sharing all of your food porn!

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Momof3gurlz "Live from...." Rare

Momof3gurlz

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Posted
2 hours ago, HBE4 said:

Posting of both Dani and Bella threads.

 

I had posted last week about how this year, my step daughter and I had decided this would be the year of “Christmas Different”, meaning that instead of trying to recreate that special Christmas feeling that my wife could somehow magically and effortless create, we would try to come up with new traditions while holding on to just a few of the precious old ones.   Also, I had posted on the Bella thread about losing power last week and somehow the two became intertwined in an unexpected and touching way. Bear with me as I try my best to explain.

 

First off, some background. Growing up, Christmas Eve was the main holiday. Even as little kids, my parents would wake us up in the middle of the night usually around midnight give or take an hour to let us know that Santa has JUST visited and if we hurry we might catch a glimpse of him before he leaves. Of course, we never did but the tray of cookies left by the fireplace would be gone, nothing left but crumbs. And presents under the tree that were not there when we went to bed.  We’d spend the rest of the night tearing open presents, snacking on sandwiches and appetizers before finally crashing to sleep shortly before sun rise. As a child, staying up all night as a big deal as it made us feel very adult! And as an adult, this worked out beautifully. My side of the family celebrated Christmas Eve - first at my parents and when they passed away, we hosted – and Christmas Day was always at my in-laws.

 

We were basically going to follow the same schedule until we lost power for roughly 40 hours on Dec 23 and 24th. Outside temps plunged to 2 degrees while temps inside the house fell to the mid-40’s. We spent the night at a friend’s house. With an estimated time to restore power at 11:00 pm in Christmas Eve and not wanting to overstay our welcome, we decided to spend the day doing some last minute shopping at Kohl’s (open until 6:00 pm), followed by dinner at the Applebee’s in the Kohl’s parking lot (open until 8:00 pm) and finish up the night at a local bar (open until 10:00 pm).  And if the power was not back on by 11, then back to a friend’s house.

 

Now, I don’t know if this is a guy thing or a me thing, but I’m pretty much a solo shopper. I prefer to go on my own. I can’t remember the last time I shopped with someone else, much less my step daughter. To both of our surprise, it was more enjoyable than expected. So things were really becoming "Christmas Different". Was a new tradition born?  Maybe.  We’ll wait and see.

 

But it was while dining at Applebee’s that things got interesting. The place was pretty quiet and we sat at the bar, engaging the bartender in small talk. There was a guy at the other end of the bar, by himself and looking kinda down-on-his-luck, kept glancing our way. He approached us, said we looked like nice people and offered us $20 to drive him to his house 5 minutes away.  I declined as I didn’t want to be robbed and left for dead on the side of the road on a frigid Christmas Eve. He was persistent and I tried to be dismissive hoping he would get the hint and go away. Finally, I told him I would order him an Uber or Taxi, whichever could get here first. He was thankful, bought us a round of drinks and while waiting we started to talk. Turns out, he was recently separated from his childhood sweetheart and this was the first Christmas he would not be spending without wife and his kids.  This of course tugged at my heartstrings for obvious reasons and I immediately regretted being so dismissive earlier. He showed us pictures of his kids and we had the loveliest of conversations. By the time the taxi showed up, he was smiling, looking more upbeat and while not wanting to leave, when he did, he said he felt like we were brought together for a reason.

 

But there’s more. I had gotten a text message from NYSEG (the electric company) that power was restored a few hours early. Knowing that it would take a few hours for the house to warm up, we decided to linger a little while longer when two very exhausted guys, wearing power company vests walked in & sat at the bar.  Little Miss HBE4 and I look at each other and in unison said those are the guys that restored our power. Well, maybe not the exact guys but least they are part of the team. Beginning to feel the Christmas spirit, we offer to buy them a round of drinks and engage them in some amazing conversation for the next hour.  Turns out, one is from Iowa and the other from Missouri and they were brought it to help out the local power crews.  They are spending the holidays thousands of miles away from family, working around the clock in frigid temperature, all so we can be warm and cozy for Christmas.  And while they assured us they are being well-compensated, they genuinely did appreciate the 2 rounds of drinks we bought from them but declined the offer from us to buy them dinner (they get reimbursed for food). While police, firemen, nurses and military all get the accolades they richly deserve, I asked those guys if they ever feel thankless. Their response was diplomatic but the message was they get more complaints than compliments. After thanking them a few more times, we left to figure out how to rearrange our plans, throw away spoiled food and scramble with last minute gift wrapping and other pre-Christmas chores.

 

I know this might sound like I’m patting myself on the back but that’s not my intent. I think going forward, for me “Christmas Different” will be trying to find a way to either help those in need or finding a way to thank those to give back that those that are helping us. I just need to find a better venue to channel that energy  than an Applebee’s bar. 😉

I really can’t say it any better than my fellow posters have.  Touching, heartwarming and truly captures the spirit of Christmas.  

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Momof3gurlz "Live from...." Rare

Momof3gurlz

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, h20skibum said:

It is 61°, and going up to 69° today.  My daughter and her family just landed, so I will pick them up as soon as they get off the plane. 
 

Nice that we will now have our kids and grandkids together for the week.  

I’m very glad your daughter and her family made it there with all the flight issues. Enjoy your week together!

 

@A&L_Ont a great looking feast!

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bobmacliberty "Live from...." Rare

bobmacliberty

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We drove halfway home today from Cincinnati to Florida, stopping in Spartanburg, SC. I-95 didn’t look very good on Google Maps today so we plan to leave here tomorrow around 6am to see if we can beat the heavy traffic. 
 

Today reminded me of both the best and worst of winter. I love the sunny, bright days with pristine white snow after a storm. Although very cold, it was like that in Cincinnati a couple of days ago. Today though was the gray, overcast, misty kind of day with dirty, slushy snow. Yuck. 

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Luckynana

Luckynana

Posted
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5 hours ago, HBE4 said:

Was a new tradition born? 

 I think going forward, for me “Christmas Different” will be trying to find a way to either help those in need or finding a way to thank those to give back that those that are helping us. I just need to find a better venue to channel that energy  than an Applebee’s bar. 😉

What an amazing and awesome "Christmas Different" that you and Little Miss HBE4 experienced on your Christmas Eve together.  You both showed and shared so much kindness and generosity to those three gentlemen.  A wonderful memory for all 5 of you!  There is no shortage in finding those in need, especially around the holidays as well as all year round.  God Bless you both!  💕

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DaniDanielle

DaniDanielle

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Posted
1 minute ago, Luckynana said:

WHAT???????  I couldn't find it in Shop Rite last week, now I know why!  Say it isn't so!!!  This is my go-to when I don't feel so great...

I know, I am so upset.  My mom always made pastina for us, sometimes she would throw an egg in!!!

Barilla has it but who knows for how long.  ShopRite told me it was supply chain issues but I guess not.😢

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Luckynana

Luckynana

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@jagsfanWhat a wonderful and super busy Christmas with your family!  Your great grandchildren are precious.  How great that you all got to sing your traditional songs together!🎄

 

 

@Ozark_KidThank you for sharing your pictures of Kenzie's Christmas.  She sure is one beautiful little love!💕

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Luckynana

Luckynana

Posted
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1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

We drove halfway home today from Cincinnati to Florida, stopping in Spartanburg, SC. I-95 didn’t look very good on Google Maps today so we plan to leave here tomorrow around 6am to see if we can beat the heavy traffic.  

Aaaaaargh!!  I guess there's no way to avoid it for Jim and I.  🤨Heading that way on Thursday...

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aussielozzie18 Great Review Rare

aussielozzie18

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It’s a beautiful 32C (89f) in Sydney today.  Had a family member made a quick visit to our place this morning.  He normally comes down in one of his cars.  Being on holidays, he decided to ride his motorbike.  He is very safety conscious.  The 32C today feels like 35C and he rode in full motorcycle leathers.  He said Riding through the tunnel was like riding through an oven.  I honestly don’t know how motorcyclists who do the right thing for themselves - wear full leathers for protection - do it in our Australian summers.

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John&LaLa "Live from...." Rare

John&LaLa

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3 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

That made me giggle.  Should we get aisle seats in the back to make a quick getaway?

 

Speaking of Cats, does anyone know where  @John&LaLaJohn is?  On another cruise?

 

Stuck in Atlanta traffic🤣

 

Headed south tomorrow, then Jewel for NYE cruise. Then back to Atlanta

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