RMLincoln

👏👏👏 for Sandi! You’re leaving big shoes for Rich to fill 🤣! Thanks to all the contributors for your research and your dedication! You brighten or day every day! Welcome home to the Workd Cruisers! 🌎🌍🌏 Cheers for @smitty34877 and DH! Excellent news! We’re SO happy for you! Paul, @kochleffel Hoping the wedding is grand! Glad the fridge is gone! May Davinci and Mona Lisa be a great happiness! Our tonometer home eye pressure machine has shipped! Should be here Tuesday. Soon we’ll be able to monitor for trends as the glaucoma meds get changed. It feels like a looongtime till August 1when tge surgery is scheduled to open the eye drainage system and implant a stent. Prayers for Alberta and all the help arriving, firefighters and military! And for all in need of healing, comfort or hope! Cheers for all the celebrations! Life is Good! Smooth travels for all who are away, especially thinking of our cruising friends. (Hoping Annie and Chuck can have a good time now….). Thanks to all for your heartfelt sharing. Maureen

A few years ago I bought one of those! $10 at a big box sporting goods store, maybe Cabelas. Mine has a shoulder strap, very lightweight. And we use it in the cabin as a footstool. Love mine! m—

Checking in. I have written many books! All by hand, my last 30+ years of journals, ever since by divorce in my mid30s! The quote is very true. I have less and less interest in an Amazon cruise. Used to think I’d do it someday but no longer. I might be willing to put up with hot in the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, or even the Caribbean. Thanks for the interesting pictures! To me, bourbon is better without much else. Busy here with general life stuff. DH again getting eye exam for new glasses. And working on ordering a tonometer, eye pressure machine. Not covered by insurance, foreign purchases have way cheaper prices but other complications. Not straightforward. Warranty, how to order extra probes, calibrations, software updates connection to doctor’s office…. it’s hard enough hoping they’ll respond to a message in their portal! I’m consolidating files. Now have 2 empty file drawers! Will be able to get rid of a 2-drawer file cabinet at some point. Would like to get rid of the 4-drawer file cabinet if I could figure out what to do with the Taxes and Medical archives. But I’m making progress. Starting a process to see if we qualify for independent living in a retirement community closer to the grandkids (married) in NY. Only have lived here in Maryland 2 years, but the older we get the faster time goes and the slower the work gets done. So now is the time to begin formulating what the next chapter might be. We’d be close to the NY ports with a lot more options than Baltimore… might have to learn more from Graham about MSC and Royal Caribbean! But not yet- first priority is to stabilize DHs glaucoma progression and his allergic reaction to the meds. So far we’re on a manageable track. Blessings to all in need of healing, hope or comfort. And Alberta! Cheers to all celebrating, traveling or cruising! m—

Oh my, I’m just reading @Crew News live thread on Nieuw Amsterdam to Alaska and the high winds they’ve struggled through… and thinking of Annie @marshhawk 😱! The embarkation sounded brutal, and now 70 knot winds causing listing and shutdown of the elevators! They’ll have stories to tell! m—

Great news! Beautiful kitties! They don’t look too frightened of you. They will relax in your loving care!

Blessings to all in need, those traveling. Great to hear of those celebrating and recovering. It’s a beautiful day here! Another good day to be happy! DH remembers Malaga better than I. He went on a hiking excursion, 5 miles with some narrow ledges and swinging bridges… not for me. Hoping @kochleffel got to meet the kitties! We’re still working on snags with getting new glasses after the cataract surgery. The prescription was apparently not complete enough to make progressive lenses. The glaucoma specialist docs leave it to the techs to do the refractory exams and at least this one wasn’t right. So gotta get another appt… etc. Learning that home eye pressure machines are tons cheaper from other countries but we’re probably going to order one domestically to be better assured of support if there are problems. And getting the right replacement probes. And software connections to the eye clinic. In the long run I hope money well spent! 🙏 for Alberta! May everyone get a good sleep tonight and continue healing! m— Great news on the balcony Jake @Crazy For Cats just saw your news! 👍

So late but that’s the day it’s been here! When my 2 step sons came to live with me at ages 9 and 12 they had a tub of soccer socks, including 31 odd socks! No 2 had the same stripes. I tossed them and started over. Moscato is about all I can drink anymore. I’ll never find out when $400 champagne tastes like. Sorry for the misery Mary Kay, Ann and Vanessa! Hope it passes soon. Erewhon, cheers for the good report! May Ivan enjoy his new do! Blessings all! Maureen

So very happy for you that this special cruise is taking you to beautiful places! Thanks for the excellent pics, some good memories for me and new places too. Hope resting your toe helps. And how great to hear your special song. Tears of love! Always in your heart! And you are not alone, we’re all right there with you, waiting for a taste of the chocolate bollen ! Enjoy! Maureen

On Rotterdam recently we were a party of 8 although most nights 1 or 2 had other plans. After 2 nights of trying to arrange an open dining reservation we decided to request a table in fixed dining main/late. That turned out to be great. Getting tables for 5 or 6 can be hard, often grouped in with another couple and seated at an 8-top. That dynamic can be awkward for your 5 and for the 2, JMHO. Reservations were taken for 5, 5:15 and 5:30 (which they would let slip 15 mins before they gave the table away) up to 2 days out. So if you want to reserve, do it well ahead. If you want to be spontaneous accept the likelihood of a wait because larger tables take longer for the diners to finish- expect 90 minutes…. so 6-top tables that began around 5:30 will become open for you around 7, some maybe earlier, but it depends then on how many groups are waiting before you. Or go for fixed dining. Main seating sometimes called late seating was 7:30 on Rotterdam in the Caribbean March. That seating time varies by ship. It’s usually not full and easy to request the change after you board. Early fixed seating is harder to get. Hope you find an option that suits you. m—

@kochleffel Oh Paul, that’s exciting about the cats! 🤞that you all hit it off together. I’m glad it’s a few days beyond your sad days. m—

Good news on the eye pressure! I once was told no looking up or down for 6 weeks due to neck disc issues. DH had to wash the dishes! We had to make some changes in the kitchen so I could keep cooking, and he bought me an adjustable music stand so I could continue studying for my EMT class! But I was much younger then and more adaptable! Wishing you the best! @Vict0riann happy to hear Pat is doing well! While he’s being well cared for, you need to take care of you! When he gets home there’s a lot more work! m—

What a great collection of days to celebrate! Happy Nurses Week. DHs daughter is a hard working in-hospital RN. She loves it but I think she works too many hours - 6 13-hr shifts a week! Used to be 3 or 4 per week but that was pre-pandemic. There just aren’t enough nurses. Our NM mountain home was in an area where we’d get wild mountain iris. DH loved photographing them. Here’s one that’s on our wall. Hat’s off to “Give ‘em hell Harry!” and his great desk plaque, “The buck stops here”. V-E Day gives me chills! Can’t say anything that captures the profoundness. The white chili is a fun idea! Thanks @dfish Debbie. Jacqui, can’t wait to see how grand Ivan will look when he’s out from under all the “toppings”. Amazing the vets could do in-home ultrasound. Hoping all his results are good. 🤞 We’ve been in Fort-de-France multiple times, most recently in March and that’s what’s on this phone, but its is a video of the port area from the ship. The others’ pictures are much more interesting! Thank you! Good memories. My heart 💔 goes out to Alberta! Both the magnitude of the widespread fires, and the depth of each person’s angst being evacuated. Been there, done that! It’s all grueling. Last I saw, close to 30,000 people have been evacuated. And last night fire-spread acreage was over 300,000 which is twice the size of the biggest fires I was involved in, although those were single landscape fires in my locale. Many days just living on adrenaline. Horrible trauma for everyone. Prayers for the safety of the firefighters - ground-pounders and air-attack - and clarity for the decision makers. 🙏. And for rain. And for the winds to drop! Makes me cry! m—

Catching up late! It’s heartwarming to be with all of you!! Did get out for a short walk. Hips not as good as I’d like but I’m walking short walks so that is something! @Cruzin Terri 🙏 for a breakthrough! @JazzyV 🙏 for less pain. Maybe an Urgent Care type clinic could get you a 6-day tapering steroid pack for a burst of relief, if you can take those. Or maybe NSAIDS like Aleve or Advil. Hoping you are guided to some relief. Adjusting my thinking to recognizing that travel will put off till later in the year…. Not bad if we can make progress on stabilizing eye issues and some long-term planning. Then celebrate with a cruise!! Thank you for all the flower pix. I live in a 6th floor condo… but the grounds around a nice. Never was good at gardening but I do enjoy visiting them. @dfish Debbie, thanks for all your fun food ideas. I figure I’ve made over 20,000 suppers! New ideas are more welcome now than ever! 🙏 Blessings to everyone in need! 🥂Cheers to those celebrating! Life is Good! 🚢 Bon Voyage to @marshhawk et al. And smooth travels to all away, especially those cruising. May we all have a good rest tonight! And those soon awakening in the other hemisphere, have a great day! Maureen

More info might be had on the Cruise Critic Ports of Call board. I haven’t been to these places since several years ago so I’m not up to date on payment methods, but I’d love to get back to Amsterdam, there’s so much to enjoy there! We used the train from AMS into Amsterdam by buying tickets at a staffed window - she charged us senior rates; our hotel was within east walking to train station, canal boats and tram. We enjoyed using the canal boats within Amsterdam for transportation to museums etc; used the surface tram one night to return to hotel after a symphony concert - paid in cash with what euros we had, with no change available but what we had was close enough. Visited Kinderdijke by river cruise. It is a very special place to visit, learn about and experience the windmills as such an essential part of the Netherlands’ reclamation of land from the sea. Again, check out the Ports of Call forum. Happy planning!

Complicated. Depends on the sources of the credits such as if they are from a HAL offer or from a TA. Some is refundable some is non-refundable. HAL will debut onboard charges against the non-refundable first. One suggestion I’ve read but not used because I’ve never had any leftover on HAL, is if you have some non-refundable credit left, you can have it assigned to additional Gratuity/Hotel Service Charge. It will help the crew! Enjoy it all! Maureen

@kazu, I missed thanking you for encouragement on my decision to stay close to DH these days and not risk possible unforeseen troubles on making a trip to N M now, like bringing home COVID.. always lurking to disrupt medical schedules! And so hope you are bouncing back from your sad days, Life is Good even as we feel our losses! Maureen

@cruzn single So sorry for the misery but glad you are on a track forward and this part is behind you. Thanks for updating us! Hope you can get some rest. m—

Interesting to hear that there was a quartet in Lincoln Center Stage. Please report if they stay onboard and play most days or they are more of a visiting performance. Thus could be encouraging! Enjoy the advantages of the Pinnacle class, roll along with the downsides…. Stay well and safe! Maureen

@durangoscots Susan, congratulations on your retirement and all the best for your next chapter. @Vict0riannMany thanks for letting us know. Hoping you can get to Pat’s room soon. Continuing to lift up blessings for you both and the Care team. Get some rest whenever you can. m—

Safe travels Gerry. I list 3 cousins in 7 months, likely many more of that to come as I am the youngest. My condolences to you and your family. m—

Thanks for the Fleet Report, special days, quote, food, wine, history and heartfelt sharing! @grapau27 that breakfast board looks smashing! We’ll check in on the recording if the coronation later on. And probably check in on the Derby too. More importantly will check in on our Kentucky friend, with whom we’ve shared Derby Day and Derby Pie, who lost her partner recently. Special days suddenly alone… my heart goes out to all making that adjustment. @smitty34877 Nice Terry that you and Tana could enjoy watching the ceremonies together. Great that she is doing better with the meds and the aide. I was very torn today looking at plane tickets to fly back to NM for the Celebration of Life gathering later this month for a fire dept member. Tough decision with having deep ties to my previous chapter but the calendar is chock full then of new fun things going on here to share with DH between medical stuff! I haven’t bought the tickets so I guess my vote is with enjoying what I still can with DH! I look at my excuses to not make the trip and I’m not sure they’re all that meaningful individually, so I guess the bottom line is that I’d just rather not go away now, I want to be here, and that’s enough reason… so there it is, decision made! Blessings to all in need of healing, comfort or hope! So many in my heart near and far! Thinking of Pat and Mary Kay, hope they got through last night ok. Cheers to all celebrating 🥂. Life is Good! Hoping @marshhawk Annie and Chuck enjoy their day in Vancouver and don’t have a long embarkation tomorrow. And those flying home today make it back easily. @kazu Jacqui, thanks for the photo of Ivan resting, so comfy in his bed with a toy. We’ll look forward to his cleaned up look! Hoping you are healing strong! Smooth travels to all away, especially Fr David and all our friend aboard! Today is a good day to be happy! m—

That’s very interesting to hear… thanks for that alert, because we have called up a bottle of our wine to enjoy in the Ocean Bar during a local Spanish guitarist’s performance. That was pre-pandemic. Curious what others have experienced lately.

Wow that chocolate looks worth crossing an ocean for! Thanks for “sharing” it with us! Bon Voyage, onward to a new adventure! m—

Busy morning, finally getting to read the Daily. Thank you to all here! No internet this morning! Rare event here but I guess it happens. Then hours dealing with finding out about a home device to measure eye pressure for DH, especially while he’s taking fewer glaucoma meds. His ophthalmologist would like us to monitor so we can see trends and not get damaging pressure spikes. This is all NOT as straightforward as one might think but maybe we’re making progress. The details would take pages, and I’m sure most of you have your own versions of these run-arounds that you’ve come through, which gives me hope! Blessings to @Vict0riannand Pat; also Mary Kay; and lots of happy cheers to Carol @mamaofami! And blessings to all in need! Cheers to those celebrating and on cruises. 🍹 I invited my old (meaning long time) NM friend who lives near me to come over for Cinco de Mayo tonight. She’s had a lot on her plate, and I thought she could use some pampering. She agreed! So I’m cooking …. First was tres leches cake, next marinated shredded chicken for quesadillas, shrimp tacos, homemade salsa and now for mixing up some rum drinks (sorry no margarita-makings and I’m not running out to the store, we’ll enjoy what’s on hand!). We’re not exactly celebrating the Battle of Puebla as much as we are celebrating that Life is Good! 👍 We do have the recorder set to capture the ceremonies of tomorrow. 👑. Curiosity I guess. I’m certainly not in a position to say what another country should or shouldn’t do, heck, I live in the USA and we’re a mess! But DH and I are too old and too augured in to emigrate. Not sure either Canada or Australia or New Zealand would want us, and rightfully so, they have their own to take very good care of! Adelante! Onward… m—

Thanks for taking us along. (You’re not really alone😉, we’re right with you!) Wishing you smooth travels. Staying tuned…. Maureen