Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[TravelGirlinDallas]

10 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

 Do you get a choice of either AM or PM service?

 

Very unpleasant seeing all of those dirty dishes lining the hallways. 😒

 

I'm enjoying your pictures. What a handsome young man Andrew is becoming!  Not that he wasn't a cute kid before. 😃

 

Technically, you can choose either morning or evening, but it seems that the stewards prefer morning and try to steer people in that direction. 
 

Thanks, we are pretty proud of him. It’s a whole new world having a teenager.

 

Final sea day today, then we disembark tomorrow. Andrew says the 5-hour drive home is the worst excursion. 😂 I’m not ready to leave.

[jagsfan]

@lenquixote66 I know you’re busy all weekend, so maybe you won’t even see this till Monday. 
So, either way, pretend you’re reading it on your birthday!

Happy Birthday, sent with heartfelt wishes for many more. 
May your memories never dim, and your new ones be happy. 
Mimi

[TravelGirlinDallas]

18 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

If it weren’t for cruises, I never would have tried escargot. I guarantee it!

Only  the fact that I could send them back and get something else convinces me to try them. 

I’m sure I had the same look on my face as Andrew did that first time. 

I wouldn’t have, either! I tried them for the first time on my very first cruise. I thought it was like eating pencil erasers cooked in delicious butter. Once was enough for me. 😂

[jagsfan]

On 7/17/2023 at 1:03 AM, aussielozzie18 said:

Superb high tea/brunch  at the newly opened Midden restaurant at the Sydney Opera House.  Indigenous Chef specialises in native ingredients. Everything tasted as good as it looks.

 

Prior to this had done a 3 1/2 hrs Hidden House tour of the Sydney Opera House with 2 guides + 3 specialised staff - Stage Manager, stage & lighting.  Only 9 of us in the group so very personalised tour.  The High Tea was included in the tour & the staff & guides joined us (in the photos).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standing on the stages of the Joan Sutherland Theatre & the Concert Hall, plus going up and seeing all the behind the scenes electronic staging equipment, seeing where the semis dock with the stage equipment, climbing up many narrow circular stairs high up into the ceiling and going up and down tiny lifts and into large lifts designed to lift extremely heavy staging equipment, getting up close to the Grand Organ and sitting in the stool.  All was fascinating. Expensive tour but worth every cent.

We were shown every nook and cranny back when I was there. What amazed me most was that the architect took his plans and went home like a bratty kid. 
They had to figure out the interior, the different auditoriums (theaters?), the acoustics for the various needs, the whole works. 
It was an immense undertaking, and from the two shows, one play and one musical I saw, they did a miraculous job. 
No food included, though. 

[helen haywood]

I’ve had a week of trying to find a new cat sitter.  Before we moved here I had searched out cat sitters and found a very conscientious lady and she has now looked after them four times.  I had no issues with her services at all.  Then back in May I saw someone asking on the NextDoor app if there was any interest in her starting a pet sitting service…she was new to the area but used to do this where she previously lived.  I replied that we would be interested.

 

Well, my original cat sitter saw my May post last Saturday (no idea) and sent me a text saying since I was obviously unhappy with her services she would be returning my key.  I was flabbergasted and shocked and texted her back that I was perfectly happy with her services and was only looking for a backup person should she ever be unavailable.  That I don’t know anyone here I could ask as a favor.  I believe in planning ahead for every possible contingency.  
 

She proceeded to tell me how I should have worded my response to the new person…😳 and continued on the line that I (the client) had clearly breached some line in the sand…. I realized as we were texting back and forth that even if I got her off the ledge I was still going to have to find another sitter because clearly she’s nuts.

 

So that’s what I’ve been doing this week.  I now have two different sitters lined up for our two trips later this year…and two more names so four reliable (hopefully saner) sitters.  Whew!  Our cats are incredibly important to me so finding dependable sitters is my top priority here.

 

Will now text original sitter and say upon further reflection I think it would be best for her to return my key.  And heave a sigh of relief!

[jagsfan]

15 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

I wouldn’t have, either! I tried them for the first time on my very first cruise. I thought it was like eating pencil erasers cooked in delicious butter. Once was enough for me. 😂

I think of them as garlicky mushrooms. 
The only time I had a problem was in Sausalito. 
The escargot were giant, in the shell, and we could see them for what they were. Expensive mistake, because we couldn’t eat them. 
Garlicky little mushrooms on a cruise ship? Bring ‘em on!

[BonTexasNY]

1 hour ago, jmh2006 said:

Here is a picture of where I had lunch yesterday for all of the NY/NJ people on Dani’s thread!  The Tick Tock Diner!

Oh how I miss those NJ diners!  How was your lunch?

[Etta1213]

5 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Good morning.

It is currently 11.50am 57°F and it has been raining for several hours and it is forecast to rain all day today and tomorrow.

I hope everyone is safe and well and looking forward to the weekend and 100k posts on Dani's @dani negreanu excellent thread.

 

I think I'd love to live where it rains so often. It's soothing to me.

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

 

I was going to do the same today.  Make Blueberry Buckle Cake.  

 

Glad Susan is feeling better.

 

Congratulations, Dani @dani negreanu for reaching Page 4000!  🎉

 

Happy Birthday to Lenny @lenquixote66 on Monday.  It is my brother’s birthday also that day.

 

My epidural injection appointment has moved up to this coming Tuesday.  I face that big, long, fat needle again.

Happy birthday wishes for your brother on Monday.

I hope your epidural injection appointment is okay on Tuesday.

Good luck.

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, helen haywood said:

I’ve had a week of trying to find a new cat sitter.  Before we moved here I had searched out cat sitters and found a very conscientious lady and she has now looked after them four times.  I had no issues with her services at all.  Then back in May I saw someone asking on the NextDoor app if there was any interest in her starting a pet sitting service…she was new to the area but used to do this where she previously lived.  I replied that we would be interested.

 

Well, my original cat sitter saw my May post last Saturday (no idea) and sent me a text saying since I was obviously unhappy with her services she would be returning my key.  I was flabbergasted and shocked and texted her back that I was perfectly happy with her services and was only looking for a backup person should she ever be unavailable.  That I don’t know anyone here I could ask as a favor.  I believe in planning ahead for every possible contingency.  
 

She proceeded to tell me how I should have worded my response to the new person…😳 and continued on the line that I (the client) had clearly breached some line in the sand…. I realized as we were texting back and forth that even if I got her off the ledge I was still going to have to find another sitter because clearly she’s nuts.

 

So that’s what I’ve been doing this week.  I now have two different sitters lined up for our two trips later this year…and two more names so four reliable (hopefully saner) sitters.  Whew!  Our cats are incredibly important to me so finding dependable sitters is my top priority here.

 

Will now text original sitter and say upon further reflection I think it would be best for her to return my key.  And heave a sigh of relief!

I agree finding a good pet (cat) sitter is a challenge.   Luckily I am very fortunate to have a lovely neighbor that enjoys caring for our three cats when we travel.    I am not sure what I would do without her.   

I cannot believe the current sitter called you out because of your post on the nextdoor neighbor app.  Probably is best to ask for your key back.       Good luck😻

[George C]

4 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I agree finding a good pet (cat) sitter is a challenge.   Luckily I am very fortunate to have a lovely neighbor that enjoys caring for our three cats when we travel.    I am not sure what I would do without her.   

I cannot believe the current sitter called you out because of your post on the nextdoor neighbor app.  Probably is best to ask for your key back.       Good luck😻

We are really happy with our cat sitter she sends us pictures daily of our big ragdoll.

[grapau27]

Congratulations Dani @dani negreanu.

Proud to be posting on your friendly thread.

Graham.

[h20skibum]

Out for a walk this morning, and I may have spotted OB

 

Did find some nice daisies. 
 

And just like that, we hit 100,000 posts. 

 

 

Edited July 22, 2023 by h20skibum

[Keksie]

1 hour ago, helen haywood said:

I’ve had a week of trying to find a new cat sitter.  Before we moved here I had searched out cat sitters and found a very conscientious lady and she has now looked after them four times.  I had no issues with her services at all.  Then back in May I saw someone asking on the NextDoor app if there was any interest in her starting a pet sitting service…she was new to the area but used to do this where she previously lived.  I replied that we would be interested.

 

Well, my original cat sitter saw my May post last Saturday (no idea) and sent me a text saying since I was obviously unhappy with her services she would be returning my key.  I was flabbergasted and shocked and texted her back that I was perfectly happy with her services and was only looking for a backup person should she ever be unavailable.  That I don’t know anyone here I could ask as a favor.  I believe in planning ahead for every possible contingency.  
 

She proceeded to tell me how I should have worded my response to the new person…😳 and continued on the line that I (the client) had clearly breached some line in the sand…. I realized as we were texting back and forth that even if I got her off the ledge I was still going to have to find another sitter because clearly she’s nuts.

 

So that’s what I’ve been doing this week.  I now have two different sitters lined up for our two trips later this year…and two more names so four reliable (hopefully saner) sitters.  Whew!  Our cats are incredibly important to me so finding dependable sitters is my top priority here.

 

Will now text original sitter and say upon further reflection I think it would be best for her to return my key.  And heave a sigh of relief!

Finding a competent, compassionate and sane pet/house sitter is what keeps me up at night.  Right now we have a lovely couple who I trust completely.  I worked with them at the refuge so I know how they work.  We have several trips planned for this year and next so I hope they do not move away anytime soon.  I agree with having a backup just in case and think getting your key back is a good idea.  

[Keksie]

@Jimbo Thank you.  We now have a Greenland cruise booked next year.  I definitely need your ideas on the ports once you have taken your cruise.  

[CrzLvr2]

Congratulations 🎉🍾 on 4,000 pages of messages and 100,000 posts for Dani’s thread!! 

Thank you Dani @dani negreanu for bringing this “Family of Friends” together by starting this thread back in April of 2020!  🥰

 

Sue

 

Edited July 22, 2023 by CrzLvr2

[Arzeena]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

We have gotten used to the critters. The mosquitoes can be a problem but we have added a mosquito repellent machine. It works ok. When we have guests over I put out a fan. It not only keeps us cool but keeps the bugs away as they are lousy fliers. We do have some mice occasionally but our huge 4 foot long black snake takes care of them. It’s unnerving when you see him but I’ve only seen him twice. We also have a family of chipmunks that live under the patio. Charlie goes crazy when he sees them but luckily has never caught one. We have a lot of deer that come through but they always stay behind our retaining wall. We have become used to life living with a wooded backyard. Good times.

I am shivering as I read. I have to learn to get used to the woodland also!😁

[DaniDanielle]

Yay for our thread!!

[Ozark_Kid]

2 hours ago, jagsfan said:

If it weren’t for cruises, I never would have tried escargot.

I was thinking the same but then I remember visiting Cambodia a few years ago.  There were some snacking on roasted crickets. 😳 I thought should I?  Thinking this might not go good I tossed one in my mouth.   I was so surprised! They tasted good.  

[BonTexasNY]

20 minutes ago, CrzLvr2 said:

Congratulations 🎉🍾 on 4,000 pages of messages and 100,000 posts for Dani’s thread!! 

Thank you Dani @dani negreanu for bringing this “Family of Friends” together by starting this thread back in April of 2020!  🥰

 

Sue

 

Well said.  "Family of Friends", I like that!  This reminds me.  I have to clean out my fridge! 😉

[helen haywood]

@Ozark_Kid  

Yeah, people say that about chocolate covered insects.  🤮

Edited July 22, 2023 by helen haywood

[Ozark_Kid]

3 hours ago, Arzeena said:

 I am freaked out in my yard and we are getting the patio screened.

You will love the screened patio.  The mosquitoes have gotten much worse since we first moved here.  Screening in half of our deck last year has been a true blessing. We use it much more than we used to use it.

[Ozark_Kid]

9 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

@Ozark_Kid  

Yeah, people say that about chocolate covered insects.  🤮

I am glad they didn't have chocolate on them.  It would of taken away from the great taste and I probably wouldn't of tried them.  The teenagers that were there were eating it like popcorn!

[jmh2006]

2 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Oh how I miss those NJ diners!  How was your lunch?

Lunch was good.  Today we went to my hometown, Montclair and drove around.  Growing up there was wonderful.  The first house is where I grew up and the second house is where my parents moved to when I was in college.  We had lunch at a deli and had a delicious Sloppy Joe sandwich (which is different than one might expect)!  Fond memories!

Edited July 22, 2023 by jmh2006

[grapau27]

5 minutes ago, jmh2006 said:

Lunch was good.  Today we went to my hometown, Montclair and drove around.  Growing up there was wonderful.  The first house is where I grew up and the second house is where my parents moved to when I was in college.  We had lunch at a deli and had a delicious Sloppy Joe sandwich (which is different than one might expect)!  Fond memories!

Nice houses.