Cruising-along

Good morning all! I've never had Gazpacho, but think I would like a small amount of it for a taste. I salute miners and mitten trees, agree with the quote, and our Grand Australia/NZ will go to Waitangi not Russel. But we have a tour booked that will cruise to Russel. Yesterday we finished packing a 3rd bag for Luggage Forward to pick up. That takes care of the bulk of what we're bringing but we probably still will fill a couple more. The pick-up is next week, we should be ready by then. Happy Birthday @Cat in my lap!

I was going to suggest that you blame it on the pain meds 😉 😄 OH, she's just beautiful! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

Good morning all! 100% rain all day today, and it will be another 8 days before we have no chance of rain. Yes it does rain a lot here in the Evergreen State 😉 Interesting days -- we live in a very casual area and everyone wears blue jeans (I also have black jeans). When I'm home and if it's cold, I may even throw on some sweat pants. I'll pass on the meal and drink, but I've liked every Albarino I've ever had. Have not been to this port. Bruce @aliaschief I was confused this morning too, LOL. How on earth did you find a year-old thread? I hope you feel better soon. @GTVCRUISER Bon Voyage! Charlene @cunnorl Congratulations on the birth of your Grand-Niece! Lorraine @cruising sister I know how you feel. I'm not worried about forgetting to pack something, but more worried I'll forget to do something before we leave (like mail, garbage, bills, etc. etc. etc.) Thank you for the update on baby Murphy. She's a fighter!

Good morning all! I love cheetahs, we need and depend on our banks, and I'll be baking cookies in a few weeks but not yet. The quote is funny but mostly sad. You're right Debbie @dfish I wouldn't like the coconut and also not a big fan of curry unless it's very, very subtle. Tonight we'll be having marinated salmon, salad and baked potatoes. I'll also pass on the drink, but would love the Chenin Blanc. We were in Oranjestad only once, in 2009. We rented a jeep and drove around the island. I remember it was very dry, and bleak. We did find a beach that we had all to ourselves and made it a beach day. @seagarsmoker Good luck with the interview today!! Sandi @StLouisCruisers Yikes on the leak but wow they got it fixed quickly! Sorry you had that to deal with. @Heartgrove Good to hear that you and Sue are feeling much better. Roy @rafinmd It's wonderful to hear that you did well on your 20-minute walk! Have a great day everyone!

Looks that way to me too! And there's 2 of them -- double trouble!

Joy, I think this cocktail must have really impressed you! 😄 Well the pants are hemmed, the dress is a bit more challenging so I'll keep working on that. I went to Michael's (always dangerous this time of year!) and found some Christmas projects for the boys to do when they visit in a couple weeks. Meanwhile, here's a photo of one of DD's cats inspecting their tree. 😉 I haven't heard of any problems yet, but I'm not holding my breath!

I just realized I haven't added this to the future cruise listing 🙂 November 9, 2024 Volendam 42 days 42 day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage Thanks Jacqui!

Good morning from the rainy PNW! A good collection of days again. I guess I think of both the Lone Ranger and WTO. Lone Ranger because I'm a Baby Boomer, and WTO because my older sister was a pianist and it was something she played. Our family are big huggers so lots of hugging going on. Funny quote, will pass on the meal (mushrooms) and drink. But yes to another Viognier! Never can have too many. We've been to Costa Rica but not this port. Today I might start wrapping Christmas gifts, and also need to hem some pants and a dress for the cruise. Also I've been looking into different Christmas ornaments the DGSs can make when they're with us for 2 days in a couple weeks. Somehow the older they get the harder it is to come up with ideas. 🤔 When they were little we made the hand print Santas, and DD displays them every Christmas. Bon Voyage @RedneckBob!! Have a fabulous cruise.

Good morning all! More rain, and mid-high 40's F today. I was awakened at 5 this morning by a deafening downpour on our roof. It really sounded like it was battering the house. Then it stopped as quickly as it started. Strange weather! Three good days, I salute the hardworking bartenders everywhere and especially on BHBs. I would like the meal, drink and wine (love Viognier). But tonight I think we'll have tacos. We've had chicken a lot this week. Both DH and I are having minimal effects after getting our 7th (!!) Covid booster yesterday. Even our arms aren't very sore. Today I'll be getting the Christmas cards in the mail, and continue to work on packing. Oh, and some laundry and housework sometime today 😉 Prayers for all who are hurting and big cheers for all who are celebrating!

Vanessa @JazzyV I'm so sorry this may have been the worst day yet (and I know that's saying a lot!) Prayers that the MRI will finally give some answers so you can finally get some relief. Brenda @bennybear Cute puppy! Sandi @StLouisCruisers A big shout out and congratulations to DGS Ren!! I know you're proud, and rightfully so! @57redbird Doctors seem to always prescribe Metformin first. But it's usually a very good drug to lower blood sugar -- strange that it made yours go higher. That said, I never recommend it anymore since I found out it was harming my kidneys. Does it ever seem that when one thing goes wrong several follow? First the excursion cancelation -- and I didn't say before, but the email from Shore Excursion Group said that I hadn't been charged. Uh no, I paid for the excursion 8 months ago. Thankfully I got a swift apology to my rebuttal email, and the refund is already showing up on our Visa online. Yeah! Then I received the wrong item in the mail. I had ordered something for the cruise and the wrong item came. Now I'm hoping the right thing arrives before our luggage is picked up in 2 weeks. My gosh, sometimes it seems that nobody can do their job anymore. 😉 😅

Makes me crazy how much ignorance there is about that disease. I'm on Glipizide now, took me off Metformin. I tolerated it fine, but my kidneys didn't.

Good morning all! I'm happy to see that the forecast of frozen mix won't be happening. Instead it's rain, rain, rain. Too warm for frozen anything. All good days. I'll pass on the red wine and drink, and maybe on the meal but minus the dressing with the hard boiled eggs. We have not been to Brazil. We really enjoyed DGS's band recital yesterday. He plays in percussion, and their section was the best of the whole show (IMO) 😉 We got seats right near him, so had a good view and I could tell he was very pleased we were there. Especially because DD couldn't go, she's home with a bug so watched on Zoom. This morning we're getting the latest Covid booster, and then will be done. Yesterday I got an email from Shore Excursions Group telling me that the tour I booked last April in Akaroa, NZ has to be canceled due to tour provider issues! Now it's back to the drawing board for that port, and of course the good ones with HAL are full and so is the private tour with the roll call. GRR. Not happy at the late notice! We've used Shore Excursions Group several times in the past and had no problems. If anyone has any advice, I would appreciate it! I'm wondering which would be better, just stay in Akaroa (sounds like a delightful town) or to go into Christchurch and take the HOHO....any ideas? The tour that was canceled goes to Banks Peninsula -- something I really wanted to see... Lorraine @cruising sister thank you so much for posting the photos of sweet little Murphy. She's darling and truly a miracle! Also sorry to hear about the pre-Diabetes. I know how you feel, because it's in my DNA too. It runs through my family back generations. No matter how thin, fat, or active, every person has gotten it eventually. Hang in there! Eva @superoma Good to hear that the antibiotics are working for your friend Dena. Graham @grapau27 Very sorry about the water problems and I hope your garden wasn't too damaged.

Good! You've been much more patient than I would have been. I've never heard of scans taking so long!

Good morning all! Our beautiful sunny days are gone and rain has returned. Even a forecast of "frozen mix" tomorrow. I guess it's our turn, and it will be December tomorrow after all... The security system we have on our computers works well, and we always have our computer guru DS if we need help. I love chocolate mousse, but haven't had any in a long time. Congratulations to Barbados! I'll pass on the red wine and drink, but might like the meal. Not sure DH would care for it though. Thank you for all the lovely photos of Seydisfjordur! It wasn't on our VOV itinerary. Photos of Iceland really make me want to do the VOV again....we're booked through June 2025, hmm... Today will be another full day. This morning we're going to the DGSs school where the 5th grader will be in a musical program. Afterwards we'll probably get lunch out, and continue down to Seattle to pick up the last Christmas gift. Tomorrow I'm thinking of getting my Covid booster, the timing would be good between holidays and a few weeks before the cruise. Meanwhile the packing continues. When DH called World Cruise office at HAL yesterday they told him that this year's Grand Africa didn't receive the list of Theme nights until after Luggage Forward had picked up luggage. Not inspiring much confidence! So by looking at previous Grand Voyage Theme nights I'm just making an educated guess and winging it! Sharon @Sharon in AZ Thinking of you today as you have your cataract surgery. Both DH and BFF say it's a piece of cake. Roy @rafinmd Safe travels home! Eva @superoma Prayers for your friend.

It wouldn't be any trouble at all, Jane. But as @57redbird said, all that is needed is to either fill out the form under Special Needs or you can call Ship's Services and they handle it. I really don't have any inside information about how HAL specifically has reduced sodium diets. As for when you aren't cruising, and every-day life, Google has helped me a lot, plus just reading lots of labels. In general stay away from packaged and frozen meals, lunch meats, bacon (boo hoo) pizza (more boo hoo), soy sauce, pickles, canned soups, sausages things like that. You'd be surprised at how much sodium many things have.

Thank you Sandi, it was a great relief. Yes the meals are still tasty (we've done one shorter cruise with this dietary restriction). Probably not as low-salt as I make at home, but at least lower than the usual on the menu. I haven't eaten in the Canaletto yet with this restriction and I have to wonder how they would manage it since Italian food can have a lot of sodium.

I am home from my appointment with the Nephrologist and feeling relieved. She said I'm doing great! I was worried that the 2 point drop in my kidney function was serious, but she said it's normal to see fluctuations like this, and as long as it stays in the same range not to worry. Whew! She spent half the time asking me about cruising LOL -- and was thrilled to know that I've let the ship know I'm on a low salt diet. Now that's over, back to cruise planning!

Thank you Sandi, and no, I can't keep them straight either! Having never been to any of them yet it adds to the confusion. 😂 We do plan to take the local bus in Rarotonga, as has been mentioned here before by you and Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser. Like I said, there are no ship tours there. We won't be in Raiatea.

Good morning all! My parents were in a square dance group for a number of years when I was small. Good memories! I think the great granddaughters still have Mom's square dance skirts. And I had square dancing in the 5th grade -- fun! Every day is chocolates day for me, and Terry @smitty34877 and Jacqui @kazu I would be more than happy to take them off your hands. 😉 😄 Also like lemon cream pie! I'll pass on the drink and red wine, but the meal sounds yummy. Thanks for thinking of Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser and me, Debbie @dfish! We'll eat the carrots. I'd like all the recipes, but the first has more than a whole day's worth of sodium so will pass on that one. I think the 2nd and 3rd recipes are the same (?) but that's ok with me, I like that one LOL 😂 Today I'll be seeing my Nephrologist to find out what she thinks about my labs. Hoping she doesn't think the slight dip in kidney function is worrisome. Terry @smitty34877 I'm glad Tana is feeling somewhat better but very sorry her breathing is so difficult. Roy @rafinmd I hope you can be discharged today and back on the road to feeling better. Vanessa @JazzyV Very very sorry about the night you had!! As if you needed anything else. 😞 We all wish we could wave a magic wand and make everything better for you! Debbie @dfish I would be letting my realtor know about the electrical issues which were supposed to be all taken care of before you took possession of the house. Sandi @StLouisCruisers Interesting about the discussion of Rarotonga and the tour. We have that port on our GA itinerary and it's one of the few with NO excursions listed...wondering if any will still be added at this late date.

You weren't alone, Jacqui. Drove me nuts!

Good morning all! Another frosty sunny morning in the PNW. Tomorrow will be our last sunny day for awhile, rain is coming! Better than snow, no complaints 🙂 Before email I wrote lots of letters. That was also before my hands got so arthritic that it's painful to write. So now it's email, FB and Christmas letters. I love French Toast, will pass on the drink and red wine. I'd like to try the meal, but not sure about the spices. Gerry @ger_77 We have Tricare because of DH's military service. Between that and Medicare, I don't remember the last time we got a bill for medical services. If we do get a bill, it's always because the clinic made a mistake in billing codes 😉 I know we're very fortunate. Roy @rafinmd I'm very relieved that the tests showed no heart failure. Prayers for a swift recovery and thank you Jacqui @kazu for posting Roy's updates. Debbie @dfish I can't believe you still haven't gotten the results of your CT scan! That's nuts! Remember when DH had pneumonia recently he got a call from his doctor before he got back home? I'm sure you've called and asked, what do they say? We have been to Naples many times, but never spent any time in the city. Instead we went to Pompeii twice, Herculaneum once, spent a few days on the Amalfi Coast, and climbed the last mile up to the top of Vesuvius. Once we went to a buffalo cheese farm. 😂 We'll be in Naples again next year and plan to go back to Pompeii for a 3rd time. New discoveries are being made all the time. Here are some photos from some of our visits to Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius. Sunset over Naples Naples and Vesuvius at night from our ship At the top of Vesuvius looking down into the steaming crater View of Naples from the top of Vesuvius Victim in Pompeii.....tragic Cinque Terre The boat houses in Herculaneum People killed at the marina during the eruption Next 3 photos are scenes of Herculaneum

Good morning all! Another clear, frosty morning here. I've never thought pie in the face was funny. I love Bavarian Cream Pie but haven't had any in a long time. I had a box turtle when I was in my teens, as did our DD. I'll pass on the meal, red wine and drink, the quote is a good one. Have not been to this port. Luggage forwarding will be picking up our bags in a couple weeks. Yesterday I went through the closet choosing what to bring for the dressy and formal nights for the cruise. That involved trying on everything to see what still fits! Thankfully most of it does. I'm getting frustrated that HAL still hasn't let us know what the Theme Nights will be...hope to hear something this week. Meanwhile I'm just making educated guesses. The cruise may be a month off, but most of us are having our luggage picked up in mid December. DH is having a tooth pulled today, so I have no idea what we (I?) will have for dinner. Thank you Jacqui @kazu for sharing Roy's @rafinmd update. What a night! I hope it was all for good, and they can quickly get him feeling better. I also hope he got something to eat last night! @quilty964 I'm so sorry you've tested positive for Covid. Jack @Heartgrove I hope your DW improves quickly and sending good wishes on the job hunt.

Oh, Roy. I'm so sorry to hear this. Not good for anyone, especially a diabetic. Prayers that things improve quickly.

Good morning all! Another crisp, sunny morning, 28 F again this morning, now up to 34 heading for 45. I was awake for 4 hours give or take again last night -- absolutely no reason unless it was because I can't seem to turn off my brain. Vanessa @JazzyV I just don't know how you do it. At least I was able to get some sleep before and after that 4 hours, and I'm not in pain like you are. Sending (((hugs))) All good days, I'll pass on the red wine and the drink but the first 2 recipes look good to me. Last night the stuffed peppers were delicious and tonight we'll be having rotisserie chicken. That will probably make 2-3 meals for us. I haven't been to Jakarta, but my parents lived there for a few months when my Dad was there on business. I loved hearing their stories of living there. Our cruise is now only 37 days off, and HAL has yet to let us know what the Theme Nights will be....so it's a little hard to plan for those plus get ready for the holidays. Hoping they get busy this week and we hear something. Meanwhile our packing continues, I'm probably half finished. Yesterday we did a big grocery shopping, and should have enough to get us through the next 35 days other than needing to pick up milk and produce during that time. Roy @rafinmd I'm worried about you too -- please let us know what you learn at Urgent Care. @Haljo1935 Bon Voyage!