How do we liven up this board?

[corkey]

Originally Posted by janeyzee

Wasn't that show great? We went on a behind the scenes tour of Liberty of the Seas but would love to do one on Allure or Oasis. I know it would be fun. I'll be on Allure this year, Oasis next year, so hopefully I can do a tour on one of them.

Another fun thing to do, according to other cruisers, is take the free tour through Central Park and learn about all the trees and plants. We love Central Park, so peaceful.

Just found this board, I'm 58, it's nice to chat with people who know that it's great to be over 55 and how to really enjoy life!

thanx for joining us = come in often and anytime!! yes, the years fly by and they are only numbers - just continue to enjoy life and think young - will be back later - need to pay some bills!!ha!ha!
yeah, that task never ends too!!

Carol

[corkey]

Originally Posted by Tom47

Hi Carol
I hope you enjoy your trip to Hawaii.
Mary, congrats to your daughter.
Beshears, I'm pleased that your grandson can talk. I know very little about Spina bifida. I had a colleague(US Customs Inspectors) who had a child w. Spina Bifida. He was stationed at Sault Ste. Marie,Michigan. I worked at Buffalo/Niagara Falls and we were in Washington, DC for a weeks training before going to Europe(me to Bulgaria, him to Romania) to serve as SAMs(Sanctions Assistance Monitors) during the Bosnian war.
He told me that he made the 4 hr drive from Sault Ste. Marie to Detroit Children's hospital once a month for a treatment session. I hope that your grandson is closer than that to a Children's hospital.

We have just returned from N. Carolina. While we were there Pat came down w. a fever and a horrible rash. Our DD and DSIL took him to the local hospital ER after talking to his CF doctor. His CF doctor, after seeing initial test results, had him transferred by ambulance to Charlotte Children's hospital--about 45 minutes.

Pat went home after 24 hrs and back to school 3 days later. Pat was given medication to reduce the rash that caused him to sleep most of the time. At 1 point his CF doctor was examining him and looked inside his mouth for the rash. Pat, sleep talking, said very distinctly;"If you do that again, I will bite your finger off." He later told his mom that he dreamt a giant robot had stuck his finger in his mouth.
Pat's CF doctor diagnosed the rash as a severe, delayed reaction to PICC line antibiotics. He came home from his sinus surgery w. PICC line and Gin did twice daily antibiotics for 2 wks. A visiting nurse stopped by twice a week to check on Pat. The PICC line had come out 3 days before the rash appeared.

Tom

Hi Tom - so glad Pat is better - that's funny about his dream!!

Yes, I'll have fun in Hawaii - I will be surrounded by Ocean like on a cruise, but not sailing on it!! heehee!
carol

[corkey]

Originally Posted by janeyzee

They are amazing. I had been on one short cruise with a group of ladies, but hubby and I decided on the Allure for our first cruise together. We liked it so much we went on the Oasis the next year. We'll be on Allure in November this year, Western route, then we're taking the Oasis Trans Atlantic cruise from Rotterdam in 2014. Can't wait for that one. So much to do on those ships, 8 days at sea will fly by.

Before going on the Allure last Dec 2012, I always wanted to go on those mega ships but hubby thought they would be too big and too crowded... not so, he found out - and after Allure, he told me to book for the Oasis, which will happen on Feb 2014 - I am glad he liked that mega ship - and they are so big that we never felt that it was crowded at all - esp if you can make rezzies ahead of time and all we did was breeze thru the lines and get to our seats for the shows.

Now I am looking forward to the new Quantum - my friends and I are trying to go Spring 2015...

The TA of the Oasis is so popular - seems like it was booked during the first day the schedule for the TA came out!

Carol

[janeyzee]

Originally Posted by corkey

Before going on the Allure last Dec 2012, I always wanted to go on those mega ships but hubby thought they would be too big and too crowded... not so, he found out - and after Allure, he told me to book for the Oasis, which will happen on Feb 2014

Now I am looking forward to the new Quantum - my friends and I are trying to go Spring 2015...


The TA of the Oasis is so popular - seems like it was booked during the first day the schedule for the TA came out!

Carol

I know, that is exactly how my hubby felt. He didn't want to go cruising at all, then I convinced him to try it and our first was the Allure. We tried a few other lines and he said, let's go back on the big ones!

Quantum looks interesting, especially the big pod that takes you out over the ocean. I'll love that if we go on the Quantum. I wonder if the Anthem will be based in Florida since the Quantum is in NY. I could wait for that one instead of having to fly to NY for the Quantum.

I booked the TransAtlantic the first day and wanted a Junior Suite. They didn't have any but then, as I was talking to the Rep, one popped back into the inventory. So we grabbed it! Figure for a trip that long, the extra room is nice. There are cabins still available, but some are only available from Southampton rather than Rotterdam. We found out that a lot of Travel agents are taking the ship from Rotterdam to Southampton, then they'll get off and the Southampton cruisers will get on. We're going all the way from Rotterdam to Fort Lauderdale. Can't wait.

[corkey]

Just noticed you are a Pink Boa cruiser - was with a gang of them on the Navigator last Feb - fun people - very nice and friendly -

What is the route of the Oasis's TA?

I forgot about the other new ship - Anthem - if we sail from NJ, we are ok since we have family in NJ -- i'd rather sail from Fl tho' - we love Ft Lauder...

Carol

[corkey]

JaneyZee - I just saw the route -- I didn't notice your signature and it's right there!! will be fun !

carol

[janeyzee]

Originally Posted by corkey

Just noticed you are a Pink Boa cruiser - was with a gang of them on the Navigator last Feb - fun people - very nice and friendly -
I forgot about the other new ship - Anthem - if we sail from NJ, we are ok since we have family in NJ -- i'd rather sail from Fl tho' - we love Ft Lauder...

Carol

I have 3 pink boas since I'm a flamingo collector and my flamingo collecting friends and I wear boas when we get together. But I'll also be a Pink Boa Cruiser in November, on the Allure cruise, haven't met any of them yet other than on the Trans Atlantic message thread. At least one of the ladies from the TA will be on the Allure in November so I'll meet her then. Our Allure M&M just got approved, we now officially have 25 who signed up for it which means we'll be meeting at least 23 people during that event, some of them boa ladies.

We're really looking forward to 8 days at sea, nice and relaxing. I'm also interested in Vigo, Spain. Sounds like a nice place, I'm sure we'll plan an excursion there. And we'll be in Bruges, Belgium for 2 days before leaving Rotterdam. We love that silly movie In Bruges so we want to see the town where it was filmed.

Yes the Anthem should be being built while we're in Rotterdam. The Quantum is making its debut around the time of the Oasis TA sailing. Some of the people are talking about taking a tour to the shipyard before the TA, to see the Anthem being built, but we won't have time for that since we'll be in Bruges.

We sail out of Ft. Lauderdale quite a bit, even though we're 25 minutes from Port Canaveral. We like the big ships and that's where they live, so we drive a little over 2 hours to get to them. Well worth it!

[corkey]

JaneyZee:

I know Wendy (breezy) of the PBC -- she's a hoot - you'll love her - lovely gal and fun.

In our town here, I never noticed until someone pointed it out to me, there is a very stately home in one of the neighborhoods, and if you look at their front lawn, there are about 40 pink flamigos all over!! really cute! I think I got your cruise all messed up, I mentioned to you and Wendy that you'll be on the Oasis-- WRONG, "I" will be on the Oasis in Feb... you guys will be on the Allure - doesn't take much to get me all confused!! ha!ha!

carol

[beshears]

Tom47, I'm so glad that they found out what had caused Pat's problem. This will seem strange, but I have been in/out of the hospital for 6 times within the past two years. It has always been hard for them to find my veins, and I hated it, as they kept pokeing, and pokeing and digging, trying to find my veins. Finally, the 5th time at the hospital, someone came up with the idea of putting a picc in me, and that was the BEST thing they could have done. What a difference it made for me while in the hospital.

Yes, we are so thankful that Declan who has Spina Bifida, finally started talking. We have a Children's Mercy Hospital not too far (it is one of the 10 best children's hospitals in the USA) not to far from where we live, and it has been a God send through these past 4 years.

[janeyzee]

Originally Posted by corkey

JaneyZee:
In our town here, I never noticed until someone pointed it out to me, there is a very stately home in one of the neighborhoods, and if you look at their front lawn, there are about 40 pink flamigos all over!! really cute! I think I got your cruise all messed up, I mentioned to you and Wendy that you'll be on the Oasis-- WRONG, "I" will be on the Oasis in Feb... you guys will be on the Allure - doesn't take much to get me all confused!! ha!ha!

carol

Carol, I'm perpetually confused so don't worry about it. Wendy and I will be on the Allure together this year and Oasis next year for the TA. So I can see where you got confused. And I think that house with the flamingos must be the best house on the block!!!

[corkey]

Originally Posted by beshears

Tom47, I'm so glad that they found out what had caused Pat's problem. This will seem strange, but I have been in/out of the hospital for 6 times within the past two years. It has always been hard for them to find my veins, and I hated it, as they kept pokeing, and pokeing and digging, trying to find my veins. Finally, the 5th time at the hospital, someone came up with the idea of putting a picc in me, and that was the BEST thing they could have done. What a difference it made for me while in the hospital.

Yes, we are so thankful that Declan who has Spina Bifida, finally started talking. We have a Children's Mercy Hospital not too far (it is one of the 10 best children's hospitals in the USA) not to far from where we live, and it has been a God send through these past 4 years.

Will keep your grands in my prayers - hate it when kids have health issues - when I see some of our bratty nieces/nephews run around being wild, I have to be thankful that they are just that - and not ill -- I support and give minimal donations to St Jude Childrens Hospital - even tho' I never had kids or grands, I love our nieces/nephews and their kids and other peoples' kids... so for sure, you have my moral support...
carol

[Tom47]

Originally Posted by corkey

Will keep your grands in my prayers - hate it when kids have health issues - when I see some of our bratty nieces/nephews run around being wild, I have to be thankful that they are just that - and not ill -- I support and give minimal donations to St Jude Childrens Hospital - even tho' I never had kids or grands, I love our nieces/nephews and their kids and other peoples' kids... so for sure, you have my moral support...
carol

Hi
Thanks Carol. Liz and I have learned how to do physical "clapping" therapy, PICC line antibiotics and feeding tube procedures. Now that they are in NC, we don't have to do any of these. Actually, we never had to do PICC line antibiotics. We learned when Gin was 8 and 1/2 months pregnant w. Donny and Julia had her 1st PICC line. Gin did not give birth until after the PICC line came out.
Pat no longer has a feeding tube and Julia does her own overnight. They now have a machine for the "clapping" therapy
Tom

[corkey]

Jane - I am always confused!!!ha!ha!
carol

[Tom47]

Originally Posted by beshears

Tom47, I'm so glad that they found out what had caused Pat's problem. This will seem strange, but I have been in/out of the hospital for 6 times within the past two years. It has always been hard for them to find my veins, and I hated it, as they kept pokeing, and pokeing and digging, trying to find my veins. Finally, the 5th time at the hospital, someone came up with the idea of putting a picc in me, and that was the BEST thing they could have done. What a difference it made for me while in the hospital.

Yes, we are so thankful that Declan who has Spina Bifida, finally started talking. We have a Children's Mercy Hospital not too far (it is one of the 10 best children's hospitals in the USA) not to far from where we live, and it has been a God send through these past 4 years.

Hi
Yes PICC lines are good. Julia used to get stuffed animals as a reward before the 1st PICC line. After a while, she used them as a weapon to stop them from poking her.
I'm pleased that Declan has a high quality Children's hospital nearby.
Tom[

[beshears]

Corkey, you are right. We must think YOUNG! I am 70, and still working for a large corporation, where several people younger than I, are retireing now. I love my job, and most people think I am younger than what I am, which I'm thankful for. I have been in the hospital 6 times within these past two years, and during that time, I'm feeling like I'm in my 80's, but thank God, I am getting better.

[corkey]

Originally Posted by beshears

Corkey, you are right. We must think YOUNG! I am 70, and still working for a large corporation, where several people younger than I, are retireing now. I love my job, and most people think I am younger than what I am, which I'm thankful for. I have been in the hospital 6 times within these past two years, and during that time, I'm feeling like I'm in my 80's, but thank God, I am getting better.

70 is NOT old - good for you - keep thinking young - 80 is not old either!!

I am leaving now - Hawaii bound - chat with you all when I get a chance!! carol

[beshears]

Corkey, the stately home you mentioned in your area, you said there were about 40 flamigos? Were they REAL, or statutes? That would be something if they were real.
We live in a village of pretty expensive homes, some more than others. Just a couple houses down, a couple move in, and redid the home, and they have (I'm sure a few (maybe not around us) others may have this too) ice/snow free driveway. What a way to go in Missouri, especially if you have long driveways like we do.

[beshears]

Yes, it sure makes a difference when you see children running around and are "healthy."

I was young when we had our twin boys. I didn't think how well off we were until I took one of them to the hospital (he was around 5 or 6) to have stitches taken out. While leaving, we seen twin boys around 8 years old. They both had polio. I knew then God had really blessed us with healthy boys, even thow they were small, but NOT now.