NextOne

Good news!

Checking in! The birds in FTL seem happy!

We had heavy rain last night. When I went to the lab this morning at 7:00 to get blood drawn for next week's physical, it wasn't raining. When I came out 1/2 hour later, there was a heavy mist. After I got home (5 mins.) it had started to snow. The roads stayed wet and just accumulation on the grass & cars. But they delayed schools for 2 hours!! By 10am, the sun came out & all the snow is gone. Weird weather day! I'm making pancakes & sausage for dinner tonight. I wonder how that would go with today's pinot noir?? Prayers raised for all in need and cheers for all who are celebrating! Edi

Hi Jane -- I had mitral valve replacement (pig valve - oink oink!) last October and I've got to say that the recovery has been much smoother than I expected. I, too, didn't feel it in advance, but I also had AFib that was repaired in the same procedure. I would strongly recommend starting cardio rehab as soon as your MDs think you're ready. It definitely has helped the recovery! Best wishes for a successful outcome! Edi

Nice to see some familiar faces!!

Rabbit, Rabbit, White Rabbit! I've been through the canal, but the first trip was a partial transit, where we took the ship's excursion on a small boat to the Pacific entrance and took the bus back to meet the ship. We were so glad we had been warned that this was one of the times it was a good idea to take the ship's tour -- we got back to the ship 2 hours late! Today would have been my late DH's birthday. I so miss having him as my travel partner! Thanks to everyone who make the Daily such a warm, caring & safe spot. Prayers raised for all who need them, and cheers for all who are celebrating!

One of my favorite things to do on a BHB is to have an after-dinner Brandy Alexander at the Ocean Bar. It just seems like such a grown-up and elegant thing to do!!😉

Oh no! I took my son there last year and he fell in love with Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. I hope they re-open soon!

You're correct - apparently I never added it. I must have been uncertain from the beginning! But this one will be lovely, with all those sea days!

Hi @kazu! As I reported on the Daily, to scratch my itch for a BHB this year, I've booked the Rotterdam's 15-day Atlantic Sojourn for October 12, Rotterdam to Ft. Lauderdale. Thanks for keeping the list! Edi

Hi friends! Well, I made the decision over the weekend to cancel the B2B cruises in June for Norway on the Rotterdam - still looking at replacing the HVAC system this Spring, plus the work with my ladies group will be very busy then. Best that I cancel. BUT I booked the 15-day Rotterdam TA in October as a replacement -- I need a BHB in my future! And I'm very curious to check out the Rotterdam. Edi

Phew! Got in just in time to hear 3 good toots! Phew! Thanks Leanne!

Tuned in just in time!!

Well, the new year is starting off with good news/bad news from the HVAC technician. The good news -- The furnace is 17 years old and "should make it through the winter "as long as we don't have sustained temps in the low 20s. Hmmm. The bad news, obviously, is that I'm probably going to have to replace the system before next winter. $$$$$! I'll have to seriously decide whether I should cancel my Rotterdam cruise in June.... Decisions, decisions! I had planned to take down the Christmas decorations outside on Saturday (Epiphany), but the weatherman says this afternoon will be blustery, so I want to get the ornaments off the front tree before they blow off. Plus it looks like snow/rain on Saturday -- not a good day for working outdoors! So I'm going to bundle up now & get the job done. Have a good day, friends!

A salute to Ellis Island and its importance to the history of immigration. My DM used to talk about how, in the early 1920s, as a child her father used to take her from Brooklyn to Ellis Island. He was the president of a German Lutheran congregation and would go to welcome the families that the congregation sponsored. While he talked with the adults, Mom would play with the children. She didn't speak german, so I'm not sure how they communicated, but it was one of her fond memories.

Rabbit, Rabbit, White Rabbit! Happy New year! Wishing our Daily family a happy, healthy and safe 2024!

Bon Voyage for your "mystery trip"! As always, thanks for taking us along!

Hi friends! Thank you Jacqui @kazu for keeping us afloat while Rich has some well-deserved R&R! Yesterday my DS decided that we needed to see more Christmas lights, so as soon as it turned dark, off we went. It seemed like there were many more than in past years, and some were really over the top! I'd hate to see their electric bill!! I got an early Christmas present this morning -- no morning services at church! Can't remember the last time that happened. Of course, there will be 5 later in the day & the choir will sing at 4 of them. When I get home just before midnight I plan to have a nice "seasonally adjusted" glass of eggnog! Tomorrow we'll have dinner at my DSIL's & I offered to bring sides, so I'll be up early making those --creamed onions, sweet potato souffle (from Honey Baked Ham -- can't beat it!), and the traditional green bean casserole. It will be fun to have the family together. So Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating. And a huge Thank You to everyone that keeps the Daily such a welcoming and caring spot! Edi

Checking in!

Friday was graduation day with the heart surgeon! I'm happy that I won't have to make that trip to the hospital in Baltimore anymore. On Monday I saw my cardiologist and he called me a "model patient" and eliminated three of my meds! Woohoo! I've been paying an $85 monthly co-pay for the Eliquis, and I won't miss that one bit! My mother always insisted that we have lentils on New Year's Eve to bring good luck for the next year, but I've never been a fan. Sorry, Mom.....

Hi friends! Today was an outstanding day. I went for my post-op exam & the PA was very happy with my progress. Now I'm allowed to drive AND drink wine!! Woohoo! On the way home, the tire monitor came on for my back passenger side tire. Second time in 2 weeks. So I called the locally owned tire shop in town & they said to bring it right up. Half-hour later I had the car back, nail removed, tire patched, air added AND the front floor mats cleaned. All for free. They said, "That's just what we do." I told DS he's going there when he needs new tires! All-in-all, a VERY good day!

Bon Voyage, Roy!

Thanks Leanne!

Where are all the passengers??

Hi friends! In honor of our veterans, DS & I went for lunch to a local (I think) chain called Mission BBQ. It is owned by veterans, and helps support veterans' programs. At noon every day, they stop everything & ask people to rise as they play the National Anthem. I was surprised afterwards when a server stopped by and complimented me for singing along -- apparently few people do! Members of the local VFW were there passing out poppies, instead of forget-me-nots.