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

[lenquixote66]

19 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

No, not at all!  It's funny though.  There were several firemen with the same exact name as Jim, so his paycheck always had his full name, with the #2 next to his name.😊

My friend Raymond had /has a very common name for firemen.I posted had/has because I lost touch with him in 1975.

[lenquixote66]

6 minutes ago, dbancroft said:

Today was our 39th wedding anniversary we usually cruise to celebrate but not this year. I am still home zooming the 2 grandkids while their parents work. Our next cruise is in January with Disney but we will probably switch that to 2023. We will finally be cruising August 2022 on the Oasis out of Jersey. 

Happy Anniversary.We have very good friends in Millersville,MD .

[h20skibum]

2 hours ago, Keksie said:

Do you have a wildlife rescue group you could call about the goose.

The ones we have are about an hour or more away, and you have to take the injured bird to them.  
 

The only one local just handles cats and dogs.  

[Lionesss]

First of all I must say My work history probably got me where I am today.

 

To begin, my father was a Mill  Laborer and worked at Republic Steel in Youngstown Ohio in the Blast furnace.  My mom was a stay at home mom.

 

We had enough to live a simple life, with no extra toots and bangles.

We went to Parochial school and back then the church sponsored schools were not that expensive.

First child $10, second $9 down the pecking order. I had two older brothers.

 

My father lost his job in 1975 when the mill closed.

 

Now to me

 

1966 I was 10 years old (to young to get a real job)so I was selling bingo cards.

$2 for 4 hours work.  If I sold over $100 I got $3.  and if I was the top seller I got $4.

I hustled and 90% of the time made the $4. 

When I earned enough money I bought my dream clothes a pair of bell bottom jeans and body shirt.

 

In 1970 when I was 14 I sold concessions at Pemberton Park in the summer as well as run the basketball game at Idora park.

 

In 1972 I was 16 and for 2 years I did inventory at two stores, Hills,  and Almart.

 

Because my grades were OK, not exceptional and our family income was below the poverty level I earned grants and scholarships for Nursing school.  It paid  tuition,   room and board, books, food, and uniforms.  I was lucky and saw the writing on the wall and graduated with honors.

 

Went back to Penn State, Sharon and Happy Valley Campus to get my BSN as soon as I could, working full time (paying my own way).  I graduated in 4  semesters with high honors.  At that time it did not matter how many credits you took you paid for 14 semester hours, no matter how many above you took.

I carried 28-32 hours and lived to talk about it.  Never missed a class, never called off a days work.

After we graduated they changed the rules now you pay for how many hours you take.

 

So after a few years doing the management Head Nurse role, I was bored.

 

Went back to Nurse Anesthetist school and worked 30 years before retiring on January 2, 2019.

 

When I went through this program I accepted a stiphen of $350 a month with one stipulation, if there was a job at time of graduation and I did not accept it I would have to pay back half of the two year stiphen.  I was released from this contract months before graduation.  I interviewed and was immediately hired at the "other " hospital.  They called and checked my references, and when I went back to clinical I was called  in and offered a job.  hmmmmmmmmmmmm  thought you were the only dance in town.

Stayed there for 30 years, was happy, loved what I did and the pay was great.

 

Now to graduate through a nurse anesthetist program  it cost close to $80,000 dollars                         (32 month program) but the starting salary in our area is $170,000

 

 

Now mind you, I was never used to making so much money.

When I retired, with OT, lets just say, it was great.

Maxed out my 401K for 25 years

Bought IRA's

Paid of our house in 15 years.

 

My DH and I knew how to save, and are enjoying the benefits now.

 

Currently I am the neighborhood nurse and volunteer and enjoy what I do when I do it.

 

That's my story and I am sticking too it..

 

Hard work paid off, and through it all I learned how to save.

And thankfully the DD and new SIL, are investing also.

 

Take care.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 3, 2021 by Lionesss

[h20skibum]

22 minutes ago, dbancroft said:

Today was our 39th wedding anniversary we usually cruise to celebrate but not this year. I am still home zooming the 2 grandkids while their parents work.

Happy 39th.  We did the home zooming with two of our grandkids last school year. 

[Lionesss]

@dbancroft

Congratulations on your great milestone, 39 years married.

 

I am sure you have many great memories.

 

Stay healthy

[George C]

55 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

Are you referring to Downtown Brooklyn?  I can't think of the name of the street where I had to go for finger printing when I began to work for the NYC Bd. of Ed.  I also was called for Jury Duty at the Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn.  

Yes , that was where A&S was, owner of the bar once took me and a buddy to see a New York Knick game in a private suite then to second avenue deli for pastrami, this was over 40 years ago. 

[BonTexasNY]

1 hour ago, ownedbypets said:

I have not. They have only sailed from the UK and the first US sailing in on Oct 6. I do know quite a few that have cruised on Scarlett and have all said the food is amazing.

I don't doubt that at all.

20 minutes ago, George C said:

Yes , that was where A&S was, owner of the bar once took me and a buddy to see a New York Knick game in a private suite then to second avenue deli for pastrami, this was over 40 years ago. 

The only time I attended a Knick's game at the Garden,  (Madison Square) they won in a double overtime game.  I screamed so much my throat was sore.  Phil Jackson, Earl the Pearl, Dave Dubusschere among others were players at that time.  That was approx. 45 years ago. I also remember eating at the original 2nd Ave. Deli on lower Manhattan before it closed.  

 

More sweet memories!

[Keksie]

58 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

The ones we have are about an hour or more away, and you have to take the injured bird to them.  
 

The only one local just handles cats and dogs.  

I understand.  Our refuge is all volunteer so we ask that people bring the animals to us if possible.  We do have a list of people who will try to catch, and transport animals if possible.  I am on the list for my part of the county but sometimes I am not available to respond.  Then there are the calls for the birds that I have watched fly away as soon as I arrive.  LOL

[George C]

5 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

I don't doubt that at all.

The only time I attended a Knick's game at the Garden,  (Madison Square) they won in a double overtime game.  I screamed so much my throat was sore.  Phil Jackson, Earl the Pearl, Dave Dubusschere among others were players at that time.  That was approx. 45 years ago. I also remember eating at the original 2nd Ave. Deli on lower Manhattan before it closed.  

 

More sweet memories!

Loved the Knicks in early 70’s , all you mentioned plus two of my favorites Dollar Bill Bradley and the captain Willis Reed , went to several games back then . Too bad they haven’t won another championship since. I also bowled on Madison square garden on its opening back in 1967 on my first job at U S Lines , first ball ever thrown was a gutter ball. 

[lenquixote66]

7 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

I don't doubt that at all.

The only time I attended a Knick's game at the Garden,  (Madison Square) they won in a double overtime game.  I screamed so much my throat was sore.  Phil Jackson, Earl the Pearl, Dave Dubusschere among others were players at that time.  That was approx. 45 years ago. I also remember eating at the original 2nd Ave. Deli on lower Manhattan before it closed.  

 

More sweet memories!

I never ate at the 2nd Ave Deli but I was at hundreds of basketball games in the old and new gardens.I went to college games,pro games and to see possibly the greatest high school game ever played there Wingate HS vs.Boys High.Roger Brown vs.Connie Hawkins.
It was March 15,1960,a game that I will never forget.

 

[BonTexasNY]

15 minutes ago, George C said:

Loved the Knicks in early 70’s , all you mentioned plus two of my favorites Dollar Bill Bradley and the captain Willis Reed , went to several games back then . Too bad they haven’t won another championship since. I also bowled on Madison square garden on its opening back in 1967 on my first job at U S Lines , first ball ever thrown was a gutter ball. 

Yes, of course. I forgot Bill Bradley and Willis Reed.  I was quite a fan back then.  I lost interest when those players we mentioned left the team. 

 

[MJSailors]

2 hours ago, Luckynana said:

Are you referring to Downtown Brooklyn?  I can't think of the name of the street where I had to go for finger printing when I began to work for the NYC Bd. of Ed.  I also was called for Jury Duty at the Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn.  

   I think the name of the street you are trying to remember was Livingston St.

The headquarters for the NYC Board of Ed was 110 Livingston Street.

i seem to recall that I went there for a physical and fingerprinting as the last of a three part process to get my NYC Teaching License.

   The other two parts of the process were a written exam and then an oral exam. The oral exam took place at Brooklyn Tech. The license candidate was asked questions pertaining to teaching and classroom management by three examiners in the room. It was quite a nerve wracking experience.

   I graduated from Queens College in 1974 with a BS degree in Elementary Education. It was a difficult time to find a teaching job. NYC was in a financial crisis ,causing the license exam process to be well  over a year,as I recall.

    Although I did earn the license, I never used it to teach in the NYC school system. 

My first teaching job was in a parochial school. Thirty five years later, I retired as a Reading Specialist from a school district on Eastern Long  Island.

     Having a NYC license was considered to be an asset as part of a teacher’ s resume. I was glad that I had it even if the process was long,tedious and a bit stressful.

 

[Ozark_Kid]

10 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

I’m guessing you’re on American?

No, we wanted to make sure we made it here. 😂 We flew SW.  You know, the ones are friends were booked on. 

[Ozark_Kid]

When I saw this boat parked in Miami today I thought of the gang here that watch Below Deck.  Probably smaller but still made me think of y'all. 

[Sea Dog]

4 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Hard work paid off, and through it all I learned how to save.

That is my mantra and congratulations to you for recognizing how important it is to set you up for life.

[Sea Dog]

So I am reflective tonight ( after a few good cocktails) and I am over whelmed as I near retirement to the outpouring of of love and support I have received from my co workers and management. I just received an incredible email announcement from my boss that really touched me. I am going to post this not to garner any ego gratification, but to say that there are people  in management who do value  employe's contribution.

It reads:

 

What’s the one thing that’s been delayed more during the pandemic than American Airlines flights?  Greg Steele’s retirement cruise! 

 

But the time has finally come.  Greg sets sail on November 1^st – a day after his retirement on Friday, October 29^th.  Despite all the delays caused by the pandemic, there has been a bright spot.  We’ve been able to keep Greg around and take advantage of his creativity and exceptional editing skills for several additional months.  

 

It’s been the icing on the cake for a career that’s spanned over 38 years.  Greg’s first full-time gig at KMBC started in 1983 as a photographer.  Since then, he’s covered hundreds of Chiefs games,  a Royals World Series, 3 KU Final Four’s, 2 presidential debates, and a Republican National Convention while traveling all over the US, parts of Europe, Asia, and Canada.  His work has been recognized with 6 Emmy’s and 2 regional Murrow awards.  His work on countless specials has helped KMBC & KCWE to be recognized nationwide for excellence.  To say Greg has contributed to the successes of our news department would be an understatement.  Greg’s creativity and skills have set a standard for all of us to work toward in the future.

 

Although I’ve only had the opportunity to work with Greg for a small part of his career – please allow me one personal memory.  Shortly after I came ashore here…. I asked people to share their thoughts on “who we were” as a television station.  Greg showed up with a two page written letter.  He wrote about our history.  He wrote about what we’ve meant to Kansas City.  He wrote about what working here means for many of you.  He offered idea after idea – many of which made their way into our planning.  I thanked him then.  And I thank him now for all he’s contributed over the years.  We can all hope for such an important legacy.

 

We’ll be celebrating his impressive career on Friday, 10/29.  We invite you all to join us in the newsroom to mark this milestone in Greg’s life.  More details to come on that.  Until then… please feel free to drop by the “Steele Suite”, keep your distance, and wish him good luck on his next voyage!

 

Congratulations, Greg.  And thank you for your service to our city.

DanO

[Coralc]

What a wonderful letter of recognition Greg! That is so nice of them to recognize your contributions and accomplishments. It is such a wonderful feeling.  Congratulations. 

 

I know it sounds weird, (and hard to explain) but my department dedicated the county crop report to me, when I retired. And I was really honored, because they have never done that before, in 120 years of Agricultural Commissioner's departments existence. 

Edited October 3, 2021 by Coralc

[grapau27]

7 hours ago, dbancroft said:

Today was our 39th wedding anniversary we usually cruise to celebrate but not this year. I am still home zooming the 2 grandkids while their parents work. Our next cruise is in January with Disney but we will probably switch that to 2023. We will finally be cruising August 2022 on the Oasis out of Jersey. 

Happy 39th wedding anniversary.

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

So I am reflective tonight ( after a few good cocktails) and I am over whelmed as I near retirement to the outpouring of of love and support I have received from my co workers and management. I just received an incredible email announcement from my boss that really touched me. I am going to post this not to garner any ego gratification, but to say that there are people  in management who do value  employe's contribution.

It reads:

 

What’s the one thing that’s been delayed more during the pandemic than American Airlines flights?  Greg Steele’s retirement cruise! 

 

But the time has finally come.  Greg sets sail on November 1^st – a day after his retirement on Friday, October 29^th.  Despite all the delays caused by the pandemic, there has been a bright spot.  We’ve been able to keep Greg around and take advantage of his creativity and exceptional editing skills for several additional months.  

 

It’s been the icing on the cake for a career that’s spanned over 38 years.  Greg’s first full-time gig at KMBC started in 1983 as a photographer.  Since then, he’s covered hundreds of Chiefs games,  a Royals World Series, 3 KU Final Four’s, 2 presidential debates, and a Republican National Convention while traveling all over the US, parts of Europe, Asia, and Canada.  His work has been recognized with 6 Emmy’s and 2 regional Murrow awards.  His work on countless specials has helped KMBC & KCWE to be recognized nationwide for excellence.  To say Greg has contributed to the successes of our news department would be an understatement.  Greg’s creativity and skills have set a standard for all of us to work toward in the future.

 

Although I’ve only had the opportunity to work with Greg for a small part of his career – please allow me one personal memory.  Shortly after I came ashore here…. I asked people to share their thoughts on “who we were” as a television station.  Greg showed up with a two page written letter.  He wrote about our history.  He wrote about what we’ve meant to Kansas City.  He wrote about what working here means for many of you.  He offered idea after idea – many of which made their way into our planning.  I thanked him then.  And I thank him now for all he’s contributed over the years.  We can all hope for such an important legacy.

 

We’ll be celebrating his impressive career on Friday, 10/29.  We invite you all to join us in the newsroom to mark this milestone in Greg’s life.  More details to come on that.  Until then… please feel free to drop by the “Steele Suite”, keep your distance, and wish him good luck on his next voyage!

 

Congratulations, Greg.  And thank you for your service to our city.

DanO

Well deserved Gregg.

Happy retirement and hope your cruise is amazing.

Graham.

[grapau27]

10 hours ago, derorim said:

 

Graham, what did Pauline have for lunch?

It was a Cumberland sausage on top of mashed potato with a side of green vegetables.

Edited October 3, 2021 by grapau27

[sgmn]

22 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

 

We were up in the dark at 4AM (!!) and finished by 7AM.

 

It was 3 hours less than the other "works", and I had more time to study. Beside, milking cows was not boring 😉

 

Imagine weeding for 6 hours 😢

My early shifts at work started at 5.30 so I was up at 3.45 to get there a few minutes early,  have coffee and get our ticket desk open and set up . I've heard that the earlies are now 5am start.  

Once I was on the road I liked the quiet dark roads , driving to work with the radio on.

But this body was ready to give up shift work when I retired last year 

[sgmn]

21 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Good afternoon.

It is 50°F and raining.

We have had a nice lunch.

Graham.

Looks yummy Graham,  what is Pauline's meal. The weather yesterday was awful. I managed a walk early in the day with Molly the Collie , then it rained nonstop all day 

[sgmn]

Up early this morning to make veggie version of the Greek tray bake I made for our anniversary a couple of weeks ago. This is for our vegetarian son and partner who had the baby a few months ago . Like all new parents they are finding parenthood very demanding 

Looking forward to seeing our grandson again 😍

 

[sgmn]

And a courgette and walnut cake