The Daily for Thursday 02/10/2022

[durangoscots]

Whhheeeeeeee!!! I did it. Booked the Australia Grand Voyage for 2024. Something to look forward to. I have thought about two other Grand Voyages, but this falls right in timing after I leave the Humane Society Board of Directors. Hope this old lady can keep up the pace.

 

Susan

[Suslor]

8 hours ago, marshhawk said:

 

.  If you have any ideas about how to make an empty house look lived in, let me know.

@marshhawk, I posted recently that our neighbor was in a nursing home for five years and neighbors made sure grass was cut, flowers out in a pot on porch, etc.  

We lived next to her for 30+ years and she only spoke Italian which we didn’t speak, but somehow we were able to help each other. If there’s a driveway you may want to park a car there periodically. Nice of you to do this for them. That’s what community is all about. 

[StLouisCruisers]

27 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Whhheeeeeeee!!! I did it. Booked the Australia Grand Voyage for 2024. Something to look forward to. I have thought about two other Grand Voyages, but this falls right in timing after I leave the Humane Society Board of Directors. Hope this old lady can keep up the pace.

 

Susan

 

That's great!  We can hardly tell how excited you are!  😂 

 

Glad the timing is working out for you.  Lots of time to plan for it too.  There are a lot of people on CC signing up for it too so you should have a great roll call.

[dfish]

32 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Whhheeeeeeee!!! I did it. Booked the Australia Grand Voyage for 2024. Something to look forward to. I have thought about two other Grand Voyages, but this falls right in timing after I leave the Humane Society Board of Directors. Hope this old lady can keep up the pace.

 

Susan

Wonderful!   Wishing you tons of fun.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

39 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Whhheeeeeeee!!! I did it. Booked the Australia Grand Voyage for 2024. Something to look forward to. I have thought about two other Grand Voyages, but this falls right in timing after I leave the Humane Society Board of Directors. Hope this old lady can keep up the pace.

 

Susan

 

Good for you!  I've been eyeing that cruise and it's a wonderful itinerary with no long flights.  Enjoy planning for the cruise.

 

Lenda

[Cruising-along]

42 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Whhheeeeeeee!!! I did it. Booked the Australia Grand Voyage for 2024. Something to look forward to. I have thought about two other Grand Voyages, but this falls right in timing after I leave the Humane Society Board of Directors. Hope this old lady can keep up the pace.

 

Susan

Welcome!  We have an active roll going already, and Rich has started a photo book. 🙂  

2 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

Good for you!  I've been eyeing that cruise and it's a wonderful itinerary with no long flights.  Enjoy planning for the cruise.

 

Lenda

Cabins are booking up fast, Lenda.  Someone on the roll call said that the lanais are all taken and the cruise hasn't been available more than 10 days. 

[durangoscots]

2 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

Welcome!  We have an active roll going already, and Rich has started a photo book. 🙂  

Cabins are booking up fast, Lenda.  Someone on the roll call said that the lanais are all taken and the cruise hasn't been available more than 10 days. 

 

[durangoscots]

It does seem to be booking fast. I was surprised to see that the lanais were gone. But I am happy with what I got.

 

Susan

[Overhead Fred]

We just got an email from HAL concerning our upcoming (Mar 27 - Apr 17) Nieuw Statendam cruise. Apparently, they will be doing maintenance on the azipods during turnaround (Apr 6). Everyone needs to be off the ship for 2 days. HAL will put us in a FLL hotel at their expense and toss in $100 OBC per person. The cruise would resume April 8th for 9 days instead of 11. St. Lucia and Barbados will be eliminated (the port stops, not the entire islands!). Our options are - go with this, move to the Feb 23, Mar 6, or Mar 16 Nieuw Statendam sailings, or cancel. We have until Feb 17 to decide. 

 

I have a call in to our PCC about cabin availability, flight ease, and cost differences for the Mar 16th cruise. Our current fare is quite low since it was carried forward from a series of previous cruises that HAL cancelled on us. I would hate to lose out on that deal! Mitzi is inclined to cancel, but might be convinced to move to the Mar 16th sailing as long as there were no cost increases. She is already bummed about missing Martinique since that was going to be the highlight stop of the cruise for us. Staying with the current cruise and sitting around the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West hotel (which didn't seem to be close to anything interesting) for two days is not going to be an option for us!

[Cruising-along]

6 minutes ago, Overhead Fred said:

We just got an email from HAL concerning our upcoming (Mar 27 - Apr 17) Nieuw Statendam cruise. Apparently, they will be doing maintenance on the azipods during turnaround (Apr 6). Everyone needs to be off the ship for 2 days. HAL will put us in a FLL hotel at their expense and toss in $100 OBC per person. The cruise would resume April 8th for 9 days instead of 11. St. Lucia and Barbados will be eliminated (the port stops, not the entire islands!). Our options are - go with this, move to the Feb 23, Mar 6, or Mar 16 Nieuw Statendam sailings, or cancel. We have until Feb 17 to decide. 

 

I have a call in to our PCC about cabin availability, flight ease, and cost differences for the Mar 16th cruise. Our current fare is quite low since it was carried forward from a series of previous cruises that HAL cancelled on us. I would hate to lose out on that deal! Mitzi is inclined to cancel, but might be convinced to move to the Mar 16th sailing as long as there were no cost increases. She is already bummed about missing Martinique since that was going to be the highlight stop of the cruise for us. Staying with the current cruise and sitting around the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West hotel (which didn't seem to be close to anything interesting) for two days is not going to be an option for us!

Wow, I would either switch or cancel.  I'd have no interest in staying at a FLL hotel. (and for those who do, they still have the cost of meals for those 2 days -- not good IMO) 

[USN59-79]

On one of our Grand Cruises we received as pillow gifts two cute Steif bears with sailor vests.  Here they are:

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

54 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

Welcome!  We have an active roll going already, and Rich has started a photo book. 🙂  

Cabins are booking up fast, Lenda.  Someone on the roll call said that the lanais are all taken and the cruise hasn't been available more than 10 days. 

 

I like the fact that there are no long flights, but we are also considering flying to Australia and doing a few cruises from there.  We also, until last year, rarely book cruises too far in advance.  I'd love the chance to meet all the Dailyites on the cruise.  I guess only time will tell, and before the cruise, there could always be people canceling and cabins opening up.  No big deal for us about the Lanai cabins, as they  don't appeal to us anyway.

 

48 minutes ago, Overhead Fred said:

We just got an email from HAL concerning our upcoming (Mar 27 - Apr 17) Nieuw Statendam cruise. Apparently, they will be doing maintenance on the azipods during turnaround (Apr 6). Everyone needs to be off the ship for 2 days. HAL will put us in a FLL hotel at their expense and toss in $100 OBC per person. The cruise would resume April 8th for 9 days instead of 11. St. Lucia and Barbados will be eliminated (the port stops, not the entire islands!). Our options are - go with this, move to the Feb 23, Mar 6, or Mar 16 Nieuw Statendam sailings, or cancel. We have until Feb 17 to decide. 

 

I have a call in to our PCC about cabin availability, flight ease, and cost differences for the Mar 16th cruise. Our current fare is quite low since it was carried forward from a series of previous cruises that HAL cancelled on us. I would hate to lose out on that deal! Mitzi is inclined to cancel, but might be convinced to move to the Mar 16th sailing as long as there were no cost increases. She is already bummed about missing Martinique since that was going to be the highlight stop of the cruise for us. Staying with the current cruise and sitting around the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West hotel (which didn't seem to be close to anything interesting) for two days is not going to be an option for us!

 

That's a bummer.  It's a hard decision, but I am confident that you will make the right one for you.

 

Lenda

[MISTER 67]

1 hour ago, Overhead Fred said:

We just got an email from HAL concerning our upcoming (Mar 27 - Apr 17) Nieuw Statendam cruise. Apparently, they will be doing maintenance on the azipods during turnaround (Apr 6). Everyone needs to be off the ship for 2 days. HAL will put us in a FLL hotel at their expense and toss in $100 OBC per person. The cruise would resume April 8th for 9 days instead of 11. St. Lucia and Barbados will be eliminated (the port stops, not the entire islands!). Our options are - go with this, move to the Feb 23, Mar 6, or Mar 16 Nieuw Statendam sailings, or cancel. We have until Feb 17 to decide. 

 

I have a call in to our PCC about cabin availability, flight ease, and cost differences for the Mar 16th cruise. Our current fare is quite low since it was carried forward from a series of previous cruises that HAL cancelled on us. I would hate to lose out on that deal! Mitzi is inclined to cancel, but might be convinced to move to the Mar 16th sailing as long as there were no cost increases. She is already bummed about missing Martinique since that was going to be the highlight stop of the cruise for us. Staying with the current cruise and sitting around the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West hotel (which didn't seem to be close to anything interesting) for two days is not going to be an option for us!

If you could get a deal on another cruise, I'd cancel the existing booking. That would be a pain leaving the ship for 2 days, packing and unpacking again. Who books the hotel and transfers and does HAL foot the costs. What happens with Covid protocols when you reboard? Too much of a hassle.

[kb4683]

Hello, again!

 

Since our tests came back NEGATIVE (whoo hoo),  been really busy putting the final touches on packing and getting the house ready.  Will be leaving tomorrow for Coconut Creek (FL) where we will meet up with old cruising buddies for dinner (2 of them will be joining us on Regal Princess Saturday).

 

I have requested a wave from the Port Canaveral webcam -- we will be in L104, one of the forward-facing balconies...hope it's warm!  

[kb4683]

Oh, something else -- we just got an upsell offer from HAL for our upcoming 10-day Nieuw Statendam cruise. It's from our verandah to Neptune, Signature or Vista suites.  The Neptune is more than we are willing to kick in, and we have been in Vistas before; but interested in what the advantages of a Signature are other than more space.  We are currently booked into VB4185 which appears to have a larger balcony and the Signatures we would be interested in are 5001 and 5002.

 

Thanks for any input.

[dobiemom]

13 hours ago, richwmn said:

 

Today is Umbrella Day, National Flannel Day, and Teddy Day

 

Hahaha I was thinking “Teddy Day” had something to do with lingerie. 😆
 

12 hours ago, kazu said:

It’s taken me a couple of days to be able to post this but Marley’s test results are in and sadly, there is no question that he has Multiple Myeloma (cancer).  It could be anywhere - small tumours that don’t show on ultra sound, in his blood, bones, or an organ somewhere.   

 

I could do a bunch of invasive tests and put him through Hell to see if we can figure out where it is but since there’s no cure…..right now, after talking to a couple of friends who love him, I don’t see the point.  He’s happy, doesn’t know he’s sick so why not give him quality of life and let him enjoy what time he has left?  Depending on where it is, he could live for 2 years or only for a short time.  

 

The vet agrees with me & is investigating with oncology specialists  to see if there is some non invasive treatment that could help him besides his prescription food and high blood pressure pills but right now, I plan on giving him the best life possible.  He’s 8 which is a senior for his breed. I keep trying to tell myself this:

Im sure you are giving Marley his best life. ❤️
 

9 hours ago, aliaschief said:

Didn’t sleep well last night and maybe it was because the body was busy shedding more weight! Not easy loosing 13 pounds but mainly it’s just no fun but sometimes necessary. With 25 days of cruising coming  up followed by 3 weeks in Kauai the struggle will surely continue.

 

Good job on the weight loss!  👍

 

7 hours ago, puppycanducruise said:

Lights on timers, so it looks like someone is home in the evening.

Radio on timer during the day so it sounds like someone is home.

This is what we do. 
 

This is my third try with multi-quoting.  I lost two and can’t remember whose they were. Sorry. 
 

We saw manatees today! We were SO excited!

 

Had a great lunch at Long Doggers, then went to Satellite Beach so I could touch the Atlantic Ocean. Beautiful sunset back at the timeshare. 

Edited February 11, 2022 by dobiemom

[Mr. Boston]

9 hours ago, Cat in my lap said:

Happy Thursday!  We are going to have homemade bean soup for lunch!

I love homemade bean soup.  That’s where the Christmas or Easter ham bone gets repurposed.

[*Miss G*]

Sometimes it’s hard to walk away and not respond.  😒

[kazu]

5 hours ago, Tbay said:

 Today is a good day.  The youngest grandson was diagnosed with a peanut allergy, and has now 'outgrown' it.  Such a relief. We are grateful. 

 

That is a really good day.  So happy to hear this good news 👍 

 

1 hour ago, kb4683 said:

Hello, again!

 

Since our tests came back NEGATIVE (whoo hoo),  been really busy putting the final touches on packing and getting the house ready.  Will be leaving tomorrow for Coconut Creek (FL) where we will meet up with old cruising buddies for dinner (2 of them will be joining us on Regal Princess Saturday).

 

I have requested a wave from the Port Canaveral webcam -- we will be in L104, one of the forward-facing balconies...hope it's warm!  

 

We will be waving back at you 🙂. Have a great time!

 

 

2 hours ago, Overhead Fred said:

We just got an email from HAL concerning our upcoming (Mar 27 - Apr 17) Nieuw Statendam cruise. Apparently, they will be doing maintenance on the azipods during turnaround (Apr 6). Everyone needs to be off the ship for 2 days. HAL will put us in a FLL hotel at their expense and toss in $100 OBC per person. The cruise would resume April 8th for 9 days instead of 11. St. Lucia and Barbados will be eliminated (the port stops, not the entire islands!). Our options are - go with this, move to the Feb 23, Mar 6, or Mar 16 Nieuw Statendam sailings, or cancel. We have until Feb 17 to decide. 

 

I have a call in to our PCC about cabin availability, flight ease, and cost differences for the Mar 16th cruise. Our current fare is quite low since it was carried forward from a series of previous cruises that HAL cancelled on us. I would hate to lose out on that deal! Mitzi is inclined to cancel, but might be convinced to move to the Mar 16th sailing as long as there were no cost increases. She is already bummed about missing Martinique since that was going to be the highlight stop of the cruise for us. Staying with the current cruise and sitting around the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West hotel (which didn't seem to be close to anything interesting) for two days is not going to be an option for us!

 

Yikes, I’m not keen on a lot HAL’s hotels and IIRC I didn’t care for their FLL ones.  Can’t blame Mitzi.  Hope you can find a way to make things work whether you switch, cancel, etc.  Agree on your hotel.  

If you can find a replacement cruise and things work, I’d sure be going for that.

 

3 hours ago, durangoscots said:

Whhheeeeeeee!!! I did it. Booked the Australia Grand Voyage for 2024. Something to look forward to. I have thought about two other Grand Voyages, but this falls right in timing after I leave the Humane Society Board of Directors. Hope this old lady can keep up the pace.

 

Old lady? With the work you are doing at the shelter, the multi tasking and the struggles for the shelter, I am sure there is nothing you can’t accomplish 😉. 

Sounds wonderful!  I hope you have a fabulous time and just go with the flow.

[Cruising-along]

2 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

No big deal for us about the Lanai cabins, as they  don't appeal to us anyway.

Me neither.  They seem to be really popular among many on this roll call though.  🤷‍♀️

[erewhon]

The quote of the day is so true,  some Teddy Bears live here, have three little ones that sit in the Christmas tree each year, once during a visit to Australia bought DH a bear labelled "genius at work". it hangs on the study door.

Thanks to @richwmn for the Daily, to @rafinmd for the Care and Celebration lists and to all who contribute. 

@kazu so sorry that Marley has been diagnosed with Multiple Myleloma, you are making the best decision for him, he looked very happy in the photo you posted the other day of him standing in the snow.  You are giving him a good life.  Have you told Jose of the diagnosis?

@marshhawkthe suggestions already posted for your neighbours house are good, timers for lights, and radios.  When a neighbour was away,  on a sunny day I would hang laundry on their clothesline, which was visible from their front door. 

@JazzyV pleased that your crown is secured again.

@aliaschief  Wishing Tilly a very Happy Birthday.

@kb4683Best wishes for a fabulous cruise.

 

Stay safe, take care everyone.

 

 

[*Miss G*]

25 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Yikes, I’m not keen on a lot HAL’s hotels and IIRC I didn’t care for their FLL ones.  Can’t blame Mitzi.  Hope you can find a way to make things work whether you switch, cancel, etc.  Agree on your hotel.  

If you can find a replacement cruise and things work, I’d sure be going for that.

 

 

I agree.  I am a Marriott person and I do not care for the Renaissance, nor do I care for the location.  I also agree with @MISTER 67 regarding the packing and the unpacking.  Not to mention the risk of exposure, and the impact from that, with no one wearing masks and the overcrowding.  All for $100?  No thanks.  Not my idea of a relaxing vacation at all.

Edited February 11, 2022 by *Miss G*

[kazu]

1 minute ago, erewhon said:

@kazu so sorry that Marley has been diagnosed with Multiple Myleloma, you are making the best decision for him, he looked very happy in the photo you posted the other day of him standing in the snow.  You are giving him a good life.  Have you told Jose of the diagnosis?

 

No, I haven’t told Jose.  Jose doesn’t even know Miko has gone over the Rainbow Bridge.  It’s hard every time he asks how the boys are and I tell him they are fine .

The doctor said the only benefit to telling him the news on Miko would be for me.  It would cause Jose huge distress, upset him and he could forget the next day and if he remembered, he could go into a depression.

My job right now is to keep Jose as happy as I can.  So, the burden is mine to bear so that Jose can have a bit of happiness in his memory of his boys and our home.  💔 

[*Miss G*]

Oops

Edited February 11, 2022 by *Miss G*

[JAM37]

Good evening. Yesterday was mostly spent trying to figure out if there is anything we can do for Laurie. This morning DMIL told us she's been thinking about selling her house which was a surprise so we've been talking with her about that throughout the day and DD and DGS came over for a few hours.

 

@kazu I am very sorry to hear about Marley. I know you will give him the best life possible.

 

@aliaschief happy birthday to Tilly.

 

@JazzyV hopefully your crown is fixed permanently.

 

I'll try to do better posting tomorrow.

 

Praying for our Dailyite family.