BonTexasNY

I am sitting here calmly under a tornado, hail storm watch. Been there, done that. I just yawn and wait for things to get back to normal. Hope all our Dallas area friends stay safe.

When I moved to TX from NY almost 20 years ago, the only white gravy I heard of was served with turkey. Brown gravy was served with beef. The first time we had breakfast out in TX I asked the waitress what the white stuff was for. Her response "ma'am that's gravy for your biscuits. I asked confused: gravy with biscuits???

I did something dumb. I failed to notice when the kindle book I was reading was automatically due back at the library. Well, yesterday was the day my Sandra Brown's Public Secrets book went poof, returned to the library. It was 85% read and I was about to find out "who dunnit". I put a new hold on the book and now I have 4 weeks until I'll get it placed back on my kindle. I jotted down what part I was into and started reading Harlan Coben's newest book. AND I have 12 days to read Robin Cook's Night Shift. Sigh....so many books!

I would like to offer my thanks to @dani negreanuDani for starting one of the most awesome threads on CC exactly 3 years ago today. A place where we can connect, learn, laugh and cry, supporting each other in times of joy and sorrow. Here's to many more years of sharing our lives. Peace, good health and love to all.

Wonder of the Seas February 2, 2025. Be there or be square! Your photos and videos never disappoint. Beautiful pool!

I was one of them! At faux sail away, ship was late leaving, up near the flowrider, Owen walked right up to me, shook my hand, smiled and started to chat. Amazing confidence for one his age!

We're all hoping with you!

@Ozark_Kid Stay safe!

An epic girls day: A few of my friends and I were invited to use my friend's daughter's pool today (daughter and family were away) and we decided to make it a "girls" only day. I'm sorry I didn't take pictures of the pool. It's an oasis resort type pool complete with a 2 level rock waterfall, gorgeous plantings, swim up umbrella table and chairs, loungers in the pool and it's large! Lots of munchies. I had a few glasses of Moscato and one of LaLa's favorite, Beringer White Zin. So good. Beautiful sunny skies mid 80s temps. However, one problem. No handrail to get in or out of the pool. We 5 seventy something gals got in ok but we were doubled over with laughter trying to get out. Oh, the fun we had holding onto each other! After, home to Jack where we relaxed with ice cream on the patio. Breezy and so comfy I almost fell asleep. The wine and sun did me in.

Thanks for sharing your story which thankfully had a good outcome. So glad your mother insisted!

Happy Birthday to Eric and congrats on his casino win! What a chore picking out a free cruise! Continue to enjoy everything with calm seas and sunny skies. I'm fine, thanks for asking. I was worried about the elevated results of my kidney lab work last week. I'm in remission for kidney disease that I battled in 2015. Results scared me but my doctor assured me it's under control and my kidney function is nowhere near what it was years ago. I am relieved. Jack and I were fortunate that the only doctor not in network for our new insurance is our Podiatrist. That is one doctor that we can switch without any problem. I hope your good luck continues!

Ouch! So glad you're ok. I never had pain. One time I said to the nurse "let's blow this joint and play hookey at the mall". She said "if only". Oh yes, lots of medication affects kidney function. I can't take Advil or Motrin. I'm sure there are others. Aww thanks. I wish I could thank everyone individually in here but one time I thought I copied everyone but missed one person who got a tad offended I missed him/her. I don't want to make that mistake again so everyone, again, please accept my heartfelt group thanks and hugs.

Thank you all for your good wishes. I love how we can share private issues and feel comfortable doing so, since all of you are friends and not strangers. I loved how Ellen Degeneres always ended her show with "be kind to one another". Isn't that what we do in here? This and FOB are my comfort zones.

He's the only doctor that I cared about when changing health insurance plans. If he wasn't in-network I would never have switched. OY!!!! I'm sorry DH can't see another doctor until yours returns. I dealt with Israel's health "groups" when we lived in Israel for 1 year after our marriage. I hated it because it was so difficult to make an appointment with one specific doctor. I honestly felt like I was dealing with a clinic, waiting so long in the waiting room. This was over 50 years ago, and I can't imagine it's stayed the same. Wishing DH a constant refuah shlema.

@dani negreanu Dani, how is your DH doing? I hope his pain has been identified and taken care of.

I never mentioned before how totally scared I was to keep my kidney doctor appointment today. I had lab work last week and results were not good. I won't go into detail but my kidney numbers in one area are not where they should be and have been increasing (should be decreasing) for my last 3 visits. l was in the hospital in 2015 for 10 days with kidney disease, biopsy, large mega doses of prednisone which thankfully brought my numbers way down. I was actually very close to needing dialysis. I was one sick puppy. Thankfully prednisone and the 21 different pills I took did the trick. Today when he walked into the exam room I burst into tears fearful of what he would say. He came over, hugged my shoulders and told me the news was not terrible, said there are other ranges that show kidney function that actually have been normal for quite a while. So, low sodium, more water, less protein, new prescription and I was good to go. No kidney biopsy, no prednisone (I had horrible side effects...shudder), no hospital stay. Sometimes life can be so good! I wish good health to all of you and your families. The rest is just icing.

Marietta, never stop believing. Never!

@A&L_Ont Andrew I read your cc review introducing us to your precious Allie, totally choked up. That sweet picture of Lisa holding her is totally unforgettable. Mother love at its finest. I will forevermore think of Allie whenever I see butterflies and rainbows. Her essence, her spirit, her love is with you, Lisa and Owen always. Those dimes she sends you proves it.

@brillohead Debi, congrats on your new job! Maryann, congrats on Erin's graduation. I hope she gets the job she wants and deserves.

King crab legs................salivating.

Good advice! I called RCI and reserved a wheelchair upon check in. @Ozark_Kid No problem transitioning to a wheelchair from a rolator to check in. The "pusher" is experienced in getting you checked in and on board with little problem. The best was in Galveston where they have a special handicap check in counter. No pushing ahead of other passengers waiting to check in. If needed, you can also ask Special Needs for a raised toilet seat in your bathroom cabin. I know you can request all of this on-line but I prefer to speak to a human on the phone.

"What's right for you" is how you feel comfortable. Nothing to debate.

Happy Birthday to William! Safe travels home. I assume to NJ?

I think it would be more convenient to fill a heavy pot of water directly on the stove than carrying it from the sink to the stove. I always use cold water, never hot. Have I been cooking wrong? If you do get one, make sure it has a seat and brakes. I requested a wheelchair from Special Needs Dept. for the Oasis Bella cruise just for check in, and I was wheeled right through check in and up to the Windjammer. It's quite a bit of walking and even with a rollator it might be a challenge. I know it would have been with my cane. If you do get a rollator, make sure it's the proper height for you.

We missed the entrance also on our Oasis cruise on March 12. We kept driving around among all the cargo boxes and it took us a long time to get to Terminal A parking. Our GPS was going crazy recalculating to streets we couldn't find. We found our way out of the cargo area on our own and checked our luggage quickly and without problem. We were not asked to tip but did anyway. Very rude of that porter not helping you.