Cruising-along

Good morning all! Our sunshine will last another several days, even up towards 80 today and tomorrow. I probably overdid yesterday and am aching all over today. Mowed and put down weed and feed, then emptied and refilled pots and planted my herbs (basil, lemon thyme and rosemary). Moving the heavier pots around probably did it. Happy Mothers Day to all Mexican Mothers. For our Mothers Day we'll be going to dinner on Sunday with all our kids grown and small. I loved Hostess cupcakes but haven't had any in decades. I never cared for Twinkies (not chocolate). Our DD had a hamster -- at one time or another she also had a turtle, a large goldfish, and a rabbit (not all at the same time). She did (and does) love all critters. Right now she has 2 cats and an aquarium of frogs. She also feeds the squirrels that come in their back yard. 😉 We used to call her Ellie Mae Clampett. To be honest, I was relieved when that hamster reached the end of his life. He always found ways to escape, and we found his whole nest behind the couch one time. It's really a wonder our cat hadn't found it. I'll pass on the drink and meal, but probably would like the Chardonnay. We've been to Sydney many times and always enjoyed that port. Last night we had the quiche, and it was a big hit. I hadn't made any in a long time, and it really was tasty. Homemade crust, bacon, sauteed spinach, onions, lots of mozzarella and parmesan. This afternoon we'll be picking up the Grandsons and spending the afternoon with them. The oldest is returning at noon from 2 nights at 5th grade camp (seems to be something the schools are doing now to celebrate nearing the end of the year and grade school before heading to middle school) and the 3rd grader will get out of school at 3:30. We plan to take the 5th grader out to lunch too. Should be a fun day. 🙂 I've been to Sydney 4 times, 3 of them with @richwmnand other CC friends. Twice northbound from FL and once southbound, then again on the Voyage of the Vikings. The first visit in 2012 we took a tour to the Fortress of Louisbourg, 2nd visit in 2016 a tour to Baddeck, 3rd visit in 2017 we rented a car with CC friends and Rich and drove part of the Cabot Trail. Our last visit on the VOV we walked around town in the rain. All good visits! Bagpiper on our arrival A sign at the pier Arrival at Louisbourg Fortress One of some of the reenactments at the fortress. This was the "lady of the house". This was the cook -- she grabbed DH out of the audience and had him help her make hot chocolate. And a few photos from our drive on Cabot Trail in the fall.

Jacqui if it's the same FCC we had, I wasn't impressed with her either. She gave different answers to different people, complained about the noise when the String Trio practiced (unprofessional IMO) Maybe I missed it, but what was your cabin #? I think you were on the 7th deck like we were. Thanks again for your great live-from!

Good morning all! The sun is shining brightly, we'll have another beautiful day in the PNW. Up to 80 tomorrow and Saturday. Yesterday 3 neighbor ladies and I had a 5-hour gab-fest in my yard -- fun! To celebrate our first get-together since getting home from the GANZ, I even served some of the NZ Sauvignon Blanc we had shipped home from the cruise. When that got near the bottom I brought out the Oyster Bay SB I had lol. The consensus was they preferred the one we can't get here (the wine we had shipped here). I would like to try the drink, but will pass on the red wine. Quiche sounds really good to me, so that's what we'll be having tonight along with a salad. I'll substitute parmesan and mozzarella and add a little bacon. Also I prefer to make my own crust, so will do that too. Sounds yummy! We've been to Norway but not to Flam. Thanks for all the photos! Sandi @StLouisCruisers Sorry to hear about the fridge problems, but it's good that it happened now when you can do something about it. Sounds like you did everything right! @Nickelpenny I hope the procedure helps -- sending hugs! I'll be out in the garden today enjoying this gorgeous day. Cheers to all on the celebrations list and prayers for all on the care list.

Good morning all! A great selection of days. I think I'll pass on the drink (don't care for grape flavor), the wine (Pino Noir) and the meal. I would like it with bacon, just not the eggs. I like eggs, but not with everything. I haven't been to Viet Nam -- DH was stationed in Phu Bai during the Viet Nam war and hasn't been back since. Annie @marshhawk That was interesting to learn about giving nursing mother cats kitten food -- I was skeptical so Googled it -- it's true! I learn something every day. And GRR about that careless (I'm being kind) driver who cut you off and nearly caused an accident. I've always said that stress raises blood sugar. I can take my blood sugar right before leaving for my labs and the number will be fine. After just driving to the clinic (in this crazy traffic) their result is much higher. They tested my glucometer so it isn't that. Debbie @dfish I like the plans you have for your yard. About Amber -- I learned that she's most likely had untreated high blood pressure for a long time, and had a lot of stress (money, etc.). She was one of those who didn't like going to the doctor 😞 (I'm sure that will change now). She's only 41, very scary. Lorraine @cruising sister Congrats on being only 5 points from 4 star! I miss seeing you every day and the other Dailyites on the GA. Hoping you do decide to do the '26 GWV -- we got Caron's cabin lol. Paul @kochleffel Yikes about the Norwegian crew member! It seems that maybe the cruise line didn't check him out well before hiring. 😞 Vanessa @JazzyV That's good that the surgeon told you the tingling is normal up to a year post surgery. Glad that your BFF is doing ok! This afternoon the neighborhood ladies and I will be getting together for our first afternoon chat this year. It's supposed to be a beautiful day, and will be in my yard. One of them didn't realize I'd been back for a month now, we have a lot to catch up on.

Definitely Lupines. Lovely! I think the 3rd flowers are Bachelor Buttons as Eva said, but I'm not positive. I was happy to see that the hail storm didn't do much damage in the garden, just a few lost leaves and blossoms. You'd never know by the weather today, it has been a lovely sunny day.

Wow! That's great 🙂 Now book a short cruise, then a long one so you can really make use of that free laundry! Our PCC gave a little push to the department that gives out cabin assignments, otherwise we still wouldn't know. Somehow it makes it all seem real now. 😉

The sun is shining brightly here now! What crazy weather. Yes, I'm looking forward to some days with no rain too. 🙂 I'll be heading out soon to see if there was any damage in the garden from that hail. That's so sweet that your great-granddaughter has the same birthday as your DD DH, a good thing to concentrate on for sure. Our grands have birthdays coming up this month and next also. Caron @Cruisercl We got "your" cabin! Just got word today. Thanks again for giving us the tour 🙂

Good morning all! Oh my, we had a terrific hail storm yesterday afternoon along with thunder. At least the hail was small (probably pea-size) but it lasted awhile and I'm almost scared to look out in the garden. The Sweet Peas had just come up, and all the pots of annuals....most everything else is hardy enough. Good selection of days. I'll celebrate the Cosmopolitan and Sauvignon Blanc, and thank you Graham for the explanation of Cystinosis. I hadn't heard of it before -- terrible disease. I love the Lennon quote and was lucky enough to see the Beatles in 1965 in CA. I think I'd like the drink, but pass on the red wine. I'd like the meal too but would substitute something (asparagus?) for the broccoli. Have never been to Japan. Yesterday Amber's DH (my BFF's son) posted an update, and it sounded more hopeful. 🙂 Baby steps forward. She's showing better movement on her left side, and was even able to get up and walk. Her nausea and lightheadedness are much improved. She'll have another surgery when they do replace the bone flap (when the swelling is done), so a lot still to overcome. He didn't mention if she's still sleeping too much, but I'm thinking that must have improved too. He and my BFF want to thank everyone again for all the prayers! Jacqui @kazu Prayers that the tests don't show infection in the bone, and that these antibiotics help you soon! Debbie @dfish Let us know how your appointment goes this afternoon and if they schedule the nerve ablation. Vanessa @JazzyV I'm so sorry about your BFF's broken ankle. Good that he's gotten help with the lawn, I know it must be hard for him, since he's independent. Happy heavenly birthday to your DM! Lorraine @cruising sister It was good to hear from you but not to hear about your dear friend's grandsons 😞 So sad! Prayers for her and the family.

I kept the 6 entertainment guides we got on the recent Grand Australia. (please ignore my notes on the entertainers) 😉 😂

Oh no!! I hope his ankle isn't broken. 😞 I think DS is the only confusing one, so I always try to use "he" when talking about my son, and "she" when talking about my sister. I just did something I rarely do, took a short afternoon nap (!) It's a dark, rainy day and I got up way too early. Fell asleep immediately on the couch.

Good morning all! It's another rainy day here, and storms are "possible". I do see the wind kicking up a bit. Looking at the forecast, this week will range from a high of 49 (!!) today to 80 on Friday. Oh boy. I know I would like the drink but will pass on the red wine and the salad with Kale. I would like it with something other than Kale though. We've been to Bar Harbor 3 or 4 times, I love that town. I don't diet so much as I just am constantly watching what and how much I eat. Between Diabetes and kidney disease, it's just a way of life. Blood tests coming up later this month, so I'm especially aware of it right now. Jacqui @kazu That nurse sounds like a gem! I hope the doctor can help, and that your foot will be good as new before long. We've been to Bar Harbor in the spring (early May) and fall (mid October). It would be hard for me to choose which I liked better, it's beautiful both times of year. My first photos were taken in October. We went to Acadia National Park and the area. I love the fall colors in October Thunder Hole The Jay Leno Rock 😉 I was determined to walk laps on the Promenade, but it was SO cold! The obligatory lobster roll And spring flowers

Hi Jacqui, Welcome home! At your convenience please add me (cruising-along) to the Westerdam - 08-Jun-25 - 28 day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice. Thank you!

Good morning all! It's another gloomy, cloudy, wet day here. I'm looking forward to Wednesday when we'll have a string of sunny days and into the 70's. 🙂 I'll pass on the drink (coconut) and red wine, but fajitas sound really good to me so that's what we'll be having tonight. We've had a lot of chicken lately, so it will be steak fajitas for us. I talked with BFF yesterday, their lives continue to be a roller coaster with not much progress. Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for keeping her on the Care List -- all the prayers are so very much appreciated. Amber is out of ICU but was denied intensive PT at Swedish because of her low score on alertness. 😞 So now they're trying to find a skilled nursing facility or rehab. Bon Voyage @Heartgrove and @YourWorldWithBill! Welcome home Jacqui @kazu! I'm sure Ivan is very happy to have you back, but I'm sorry you're having so much trouble with your foot. I hope the nurse helps you. Congratulations Morgan @StLouisCruisers! We were in Exmouth in February on the Grand Australia. Not a very pretty port IMO, so my photos are of the tour we did on a glass bottom boat on the Tantabiddi Reef. It was very, very hot (but blessedly cooler out on the water) and the area looked very dry and parched. We had a nice time on the boat and saw 2 different kinds of sea turtles and 2 different kinds of sharks. Our guides told us we saw more than any of their other tours that day. On the drive we passed lots of termite mounds like this one. Everything looked like this, dry and red. It was around 100 degrees F. And saw an Osprey nest on top of this pole. One of the turtles we saw And sharks Lots of coral, too much to post -- but here's one part All done and heading back to shore

Thanks for coming back and explaining. By the time I got online this morning it was gone. We had a bad experience with roaches in the early '80's at a hotel in FL. And not roaches, but there were tiny little bugs all over our room at the Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale a few years ago. The room was a disaster too. I couldn't understand why that hotel was so popular with cruisers and have never stayed there again. Lenda it's good news indeed. On a funny note, our SIL's sister lives in North Bend where the zebra escaped. She has a zebra costume and ran down a busy street the other day. Cars were honking and flashing lights as she ran by. 🤣 I did too, couldn't figure out where it was! 😉

Jacqui, thanks for bringing us along! It was fun reading your take on the cruise and the Volendam. Safe travels home!