Cruising-along

On our recent Grand Australia/NZ cruise they closed down the Pinnacle Grill one day (lunch and dinner) because the President's Club wanted the waiters for a special occasion. All reservations were canceled that day.

Good morning all! We'll have 3 days of beautiful sunshine and temps up to the mid 60's -- yay! Yesterday I had to laugh -- I always hang a windsock and change it for the season/holiday. After hanging it yesterday, it set off the security camera every time the breeze made it move.....hanging them involves getting up on a ladder, so out came the ladder again so I could move it (DH was working) Thankfully he'll be home to help me hang the heavy Fuchsia this week. That's something I won't do alone. 🙂 I don't think anyone in our family has ever had a Mustang. Will pass on the drink, red wine and Rhubarb pie. I would love pie for a meal, just not Rhubarb. We've been to Taormina a few times and have a lot of photos, but they would be too much like Sandi's and Lenda's so will pass on posting them. The latest I heard about Amber is that she had a stroke while in the hospital -- no other news yet today. But BFF is overwhelmed, I'm sure, with the Grandkids and just everything. Those poor kids 😞 I appreciate the prayers! Jacqui @kazu I'm SO sorry to hear that your foot isn't any better and that you may have to cancel your cruise 😞 Prayers that everything gets much better and you get better news from your doctor. @LambKnuckles Glad to hear you're feeling better! Those coughs can certainly linger on. Annie @marshhawk Yikes about your fall! I'm sorry you had a rough night with the aches and pains, and join you in the relief nothing is broken. Gerry @ger_77 My condolences on the death of your best friend from high school and your classmate. Welcome to the Daily @Gsel!

Thank you Lenda. No, it doesn't sound good. 😞 I agree, which makes me wonder if this came on more recently, or maybe is Encephalitis (?) I'm pretty certain she saw her doctor regularly. I'll learn more, but right now my BFF is so busy helping out with the Grandkids so their Dad and Amber's parents can be with her, that I'm learning piece-meal.

Thank you so much, Vanessa. She needs lots of prayers... I heard from BFF this morning. Amber was transported from the Bellingham hospital down to Seattle late last night/early early morning where she can get better neurological care. She said the main thing right now is to pray that Amber will come out of this without permanent organ damage due to untreated high blood pressure for who knows how long and now brain swelling. 😞 I don't know if they've been able to get an MRI done, apparently when they tried before, she became too agitated and they had to stop. I hope to hear something more today. The sun has come out, so I'm headed outside for some garden therapy.

Good morning all! Today will only get to the low 50's and wet this morning, but tomorrow will warm up and we'll have a string of sunny days. At least the bulbs I planted are getting watered-in. I'll celebrate Emancipation Day and Bean Counter Day (DH was an accountant), will pass on the red wine and meal but would like the drink. Have not been to Whitehorse. I haven't heard any more news from BFF about her hospitalized DIL, I'll contact her later today if I don't hear more. I'm afraid it sounded very bad and I'm worried for them. 😞 Prayers for all on the Care List and cheers for all who are celebrating today.

We have used Luggage Forward several times, most recently before and after the Grand Australia/NZ. Bags were picked up at our home in mid December '23 and delivered to our home last week after the cruise. Absolutely no problems, I would (and will) use the service again in a heartbeat! They do have some restrictions such as no alcohol, no food, no medications OTC or prescribed, no lithium batteries...

In 2019 on the Nieuw Statendam our wonderful stewards made towel animals every night of the 39-day cruise. Here are a few of my favorites. Watching TV Giant lobster Under the bed near the end of the cruise.

Thank you Lenda, I hope so too. Today has been busy, but I feel like I'm finally getting caught up on everything that needs doing. It did hurt to send out the payments on both our county taxes and IRS all the same day though. 😲 And I got some alarming news from my BFF. Her DIL is in the hospital -- extremely high blood pressure and now brain swelling (!!) I'm so worried about her, and of course her family are all in shock. She's only in her early 40's and always seemed to be in good health. She has had some stress lately, I do wonder if that's the reason. 😞

Good morning all! Very cynical and shallow quote, would try the drink, but pass on the red wine. Also would try the meal (as a side dish) but add the beets. We have been to Manzanillo once, and I agree with others that McDonald's isn't good for anyone, especially those with heart problems, Diabetes, or on low sodium diets for kidney issues. It has been kind of a stressful morning. We've booked a get-away with the DGSs for their birthdays next month, going to a well-known indoor water park. Today we tried adding on a cabana for the day and the person (who obviously doesn't live here) could not understand what we wanted. Every confirmation email he sent was incorrect. We finally gave up and will settle it when we get there -- at least we have some sort of confirmation we have the cabana. It would have been easily done if only we could have booked it online, but that isn't possible. Also our electric bill is all messed up. We're on the budget plan, paying the same amount every month. We paid ahead for the 3 months we were gone, and they've put it in as a credit....and now our new budget payment is $5.....Again, the person didn't "get it". Our neighbor's bill was also messed up, so I think they're having a billing problem and don't know it. Looking forward to getting some gardening therapy this afternoon after the rain stops! Yesterday I got some of the bulbs planted, now I need to get the rest done. Annie @marshhawk you were asking what I'd do with all that NZ sheep's wool that our wine bottles were wrapped in -- my neighbor is an excellent seamstress and is excited to have them. She already has ideas about what to use it for. 🙂 Sandi @StLouisCruisers Prayers for a full and easy recovery for your twin Linda.

Thank you for re-posting for me, it's gorgeous and I like the difference from the usual red colors! 🙂 Well we're home from Costco, and tonight we'll be having Australian Lamb Chops! Yes, I had lamb as often as it was offered during the cruise, so it really sounds good. Also they had their hanging baskets out so I got a Fuchsia and some summer bulbs (as if I needed them) LOL.

I'm sure I didn't see it, Sandi -- I missed a lot while we were gone. If you'd like to re-post it (or let me know what day you posted it, I'd love to see it). BTW, I brought my big counted cross stitch project on the cruise and only got a tiny bit done on it LOL! One reason was the lighting wasn't as good as I have at home (thinking of getting one of those little light/magnifier thingies to put on my head and bring on cruises!) and another reason was there was always something going on so there wasn't a lot of time to work on it.

Good morning all! We have another sunny day heading to 60 (I'll take it!) but "frozen mix" is predicted on Tuesday....looking forward to warmer night-time temperatures. DH and I have many moments of laughter every day, and no ex-spouses here thank goodness. Here's a video I took of an amazing show some dolphins put on for us as we left Komodo Island heading back to Australia: Hmm, not sure why this posted as a photo, it should be a video... Will pass on the meal, drink and red wine and haven't been to Japan. Thanks for the photos! Lorraine @cruising sister Good to hear from you! I know what you mean about getting teary at the love and excitement from the grands. 🙂 And thank you for the update about Murphy -- she's a fighter! @Denise T Oh my about that neighbor 😞 We have a similar neighbor but thankfully he's at the end of the street so doesn't bother us. I'm so sorry, you shouldn't have to live in fear or go to the trouble of moving -- but I agree, the police won't do anything. 😞 They tell us here that their hands are tied. Bad situation. Bon Voyage Lisa @LAFFNVEGAS! @LambKnuckles Sorry to hear you have bronchitis -- get well soon 🙂 Sandi @StLouisCruisers Another great tree, love it! On the agenda today is more gardening and a trip to Costco to get seafood and steak. Most likely I'll see other things we "need" too. 😉

That's great Sandi! (I'm on meds and it still goes higher at the doctor's office -- "white coat syndrome" 😞) I was on for much longer than a month, never stopped until I stopped that medication. My sister has been on it for years (and still has a cough but I guess it doesn't bother her) 😉 DD, DSIL and the grandsons are in San Diego this week for spring break. They just sighted the Zaandam and sent me this photo. 🙂

Good morning all! When I woke up this morning I heard a noise downstairs. Unfortunately it was the Eufy Robovac running around again (when we came home from being away for 3 months we found it in the middle of the living room with a dead battery). 😉 It's only the 3rd time it's done this since we got it last year, so not sure what to do. After Googling it, I found that others have had the same problem. I only bought it because my sister raved about hers...but I'm thinking it's more trouble than it's worth! 😅 Good selection of days. My sister and I play Scrabble at family gatherings, and it can get quite rowdy. 😉 Will pass on the food, drink and red wine. Not a big fan of the Caribbean, we've been to Oranjestad only once. Thank you Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser and Sandi @StLouisCruisers for the great photos. Yesterday I got all 4 bags unpacked other than DH's clothes (he's working yesterday and today at the Mariners games) and got the laundry done. So today it's gardening! Today and tomorrow are supposed to be very nice -- I may even visit the nursery to pick up some annuals. Welcome to the Daily @ORTravelGal! We're happy to have you here. Sandi @StLouisCruisers do you take Lisinopril for blood pressure by any chance? It's well-known to cause a cough (I won't take it because I had an annoying cough when taking it). Bon Voyage Maxine @AncientWanderer! @Cruzin Terri I'm very sorry to hear about the death of your friend Anita. Bruno @atexsix Condolences on the death of your Dad. You were an amazing, loving caregiver. Melanie @puppycanducruise Condolences on the death of your friend. Welcome home @ocean sounds, @SusieKIslandGirl and @Heartgrove!

Bruno, my deepest sympathy on the loss of your Dear Dad. You were such a good caregiver. Thank you for letting us know, sending you virtual hugs and sympathy.