Tuesday November 28th, 2023 -- The Fleet Report and Daily

[summer slope]

@dfishmy 77 year body and bad hips says we will watch you and Sue. 

[rafinmd]

Part of This may be duplicated when @kazu returns but it doesn’t appear to be heart failure 

 

Roy

[RMLincoln]

Thanks for the updates Roy. Keep resting although hospitals are terrible places to get much rest!  We’re all pulling for you!  Hoping you hear some encouraging news soon. 
Maureen 

Edited November 28, 2023 by RMLincoln

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

 

Good morning from a chilly Quartzsite where it is 47F and feels like 45F with a 4mph wind.  It is cloudy  Our high is supposed to be 69F, and we should have a few sun breaks.  The main item on the agenda is laundry.  Right now the washer is acting up at times.  It is very noisy when it spins like the load is unbalanced, but at other times is spins quietly.  I just hope it's from not being used for 19 months.  At first, I thought it might be from a very full load, but it still was noisy after taking about half the load out.  I just hope I get the laundry done.

 

I used to write letters often, but now I write them as email except for the Christmas letter.  We also enjoy French toast, but I haven't made it in a while.  Mauritania independence is an important day.

 

I still am not fond of today's quote even after the explanation from Tina @0106.  Thank you for giving us the background of the quote.

 

The meal might be good on another day.  The drink is a big no, but the wine sounds interesting.

 

We have been to Naples many times and enjoyed our visits.  I'll look for my pictures in a few minutes.

 

In 1520, Magellan made history.

I'll definitely celebrate the anniversary of women getting the vote in NZ in 1893.

The Grand Ole Opry has had a big impact on Country Music.

 

@seagarsmoker  That is good news you were able to change your cruise to next month.

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, I was sorry to read that Scott has Covid, and that Susan has been feeling bad for a while even though she is testing negative.  I hope they are all better soon.  Yeah for their daughter pushing the doctor for Paxlovid.  Thanks for the pictures from Capri.

@aliaschief  Bruce, I hope all goes well with your PCP visit.

@Seasick Sailor   Joy, I'm glad you are enjoying the cruise.  Thanks for the great picture of the two of you.  If you will be in Grenada on your cruise, it is a good place to find spices.

@kazu  Jacqui, thank you for sharing Roy's @rafinmd update.

@rafinmd   Roy, I hope you are feeling better and the doctors can have you healthy and on your way home soon.  That is good news that it appears you are not in heart failure.

@ger_77  Gerry, we have traditional Medicare and a top tier supplemental policy, and do not have to reenroll each year.  We have not had to pay out of pocket for any of our medical expenses since we got Medicare.  The only time we had to get a referral was when the doctor required it.  I hope your DH has a good report from the dentist and that he can get the tooth put back on the bridge soon.

@kochleffel  Paul, your explanation of Medicare vs Medicare advantage, which is really private insurance, was very good.

@marshhawk  Annie, I hope you can get some much needed help today at the lung doctor.  BTW, your secret ingredients for French toast aren't so secret.  That's what I add to my French toast.  

@StLouisCruisers  The commercial I don't like is with the woman named Karen.  I put all the Medicare commercials in the same category as political ads,  The only difference is we only get the Medicare ads from October 15 to December 7.

@RedneckBob  RNB, some of the best people watching is on cruise ships.

@dfish  Debbie, I hope Sue gets some help with whatever it is she has.  It has been way too long since your CT scan to not have the results.

@RMLincoln  Maureen, it sounds like you are settling in and enjoying your new home.

@smitty34877  Terry, thanks for the heads up about the NPH article.  We subscribe to WaPo on line, and I'll look for the article.  DH was lucky that when he mentioned constant dizziness and pressure on one side of his head, our PA immediately order a CT scan of his head.  The results showed the classic signs of NPH.  Looking back, we realize the NPH was causing some of the symptoms attributed to his spinal stenosis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Hopefully, these are some different pictures of Naples.  In 2019, on the Veendam, we were in Naples three times, and the fourth we had to dock in Salerno.  The second time we were in Naples, we took the Ho-Ho as we'd never really spent time in Naples.  That year, the streets were crowded but not littered with trash.  I think in the past 20 years or so, Italy has cleaned up its act so to speak.

 

These pictures are of the area in the next little bay to the left of the Castel Nuovo as you're looking at it from the dock.  It is more of a residential area and not as crowded with people, but the  buildings are densely packed together..  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

[RedneckBob]

9 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

Good morning from a chilly Quartzsite where it is 47F and feels like 45F with a 4mph wind.  It is cloudy  Our high is supposed to be 69F, and we should have a few sun breaks.  The main item on the agenda is laundry.  Right now the washer is acting up at times.  It is very noisy when it spins like the load is unbalanced, but at other times is spins quietly.  I just hope it's from not being used for 19 months.  At first, I thought it might be from a very full load, but it still was noisy after taking about half the load out.  I just hope I get the laundry done.

 

I used to write letters often, but now I write them as email except for the Christmas letter.  We also enjoy French toast, but I haven't made it in a while.  Mauritania independence is an important day.

 

I still am not fond of today's quote even after the explanation from Tina @0106.  Thank you for giving us the background of the quote.

 

The meal might be good on another day.  The drink is a big no, but the wine sounds interesting.

 

We have been to Naples many times and enjoyed our visits.  I'll look for my pictures in a few minutes.

 

In 1520, Magellan made history.

I'll definitely celebrate the anniversary of women getting the vote in NZ in 1893.

The Grand Ole Opry has had a big impact on Country Music.

 

@seagarsmoker  That is good news you were able to change your cruise to next month.

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, I was sorry to read that Scott has Covid, and that Susan has been feeling bad for a while even though she is testing negative.  I hope they are all better soon.  Yeah for their daughter pushing the doctor for Paxlovid.  Thanks for the pictures from Capri.

@aliaschief  Bruce, I hope all goes well with your PCP visit.

@Seasick Sailor   Joy, I'm glad you are enjoying the cruise.  Thanks for the great picture of the two of you.  If you will be in Grenada on your cruise, it is a good place to find spices.

@kazu  Jacqui, thank you for sharing Roy's @rafinmd update.

@rafinmd   Roy, I hope you are feeling better and the doctors can have you healthy and on your way home soon.  That is good news that it appears you are not in heart failure.

@ger_77  Gerry, we have traditional Medicare and a top tier supplemental policy, and do not have to reenroll each year.  We have not had to pay out of pocket for any of our medical expenses since we got Medicare.  The only time we had to get a referral was when the doctor required it.  I hope your DH has a good report from the dentist and that he can get the tooth put back on the bridge soon.

@kochleffel  Paul, your explanation of Medicare vs Medicare advantage, which is really private insurance, was very good.

@marshhawk  Annie, I hope you can get some much needed help today at the lung doctor.  BTW, your secret ingredients for French toast aren't so secret.  That's what I add to my French toast.  

@StLouisCruisers  The commercial I don't like is with the woman named Karen.  I put all the Medicare commercials in the same category as political ads,  The only difference is we only get the Medicare ads from October 15 to December 7.

@RedneckBob  RNB, some of the best people watching is on cruise ships.

@dfish  Debbie, I hope Sue gets some help with whatever it is she has.  It has been way too long since your CT scan to not have the results.

@RMLincoln  Maureen, it sounds like you are settling in and enjoying your new home.

@smitty34877  Terry, thanks for the heads up about the NPH article.  We subscribe to WaPo on line, and I'll look for the article.  DH was lucky that when he mentioned constant dizziness and pressure on one side of his head, our PA immediately order a CT scan of his head.  The results showed the classic signs of NPH.  Looking back, we realize the NPH was causing some of the symptoms attributed to his spinal stenosis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

Ms Crystal, or watching people in port.

 

Several years ago while off the Zuiderdam in Key West, I was shopping in Key West at the “Everything is $5” store. Picked up several items and proceeded to clerk to pay for items. There was a person in front of me with several items and the first thing I heard this person say to the clerk was, “How much was this shirt.” Which I replied, “everything is $5”! Can’t make this stuff up!

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, RedneckBob said:

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info from all contributors.

 

Today is National Letter Writing Day.

 

To: Cruise Critic Management                         Date: November 28, 2023

      1234 Internet Drive

      Oceans Way, Anycontinent

 

From: RedneckBob

          4321 Miller Lite Drive

          Pumpkin Creek, FL 00000

 

Dear CC Management,

 

This letter is to put you on notice that since joining the Cruise Critic I have experienced many issues that you should be aware of. Before joining this site I was just known as Bob. So to hide my identity I had to add Redneck to my name. Just cause I grew up in Alabama didn’t mean that I was one. Then started the sleepless nite, waking up at midnight or 2 am to try and come up with new materials each morning. Then I became addictive to this site and had to join CC anonymous. This effected family life as the Misses complained that I was spending too much time on the CC site. Then this lead to drinking an excessive amount of Diet Cokes and eating too many Moonpies. To control this uncontrollable habit I plan to go a cruise on Sunday with no Wi-Fi. I guess I can say this cruise is a form of rehab!
Hopefully when I return I will return to my original name, plan old Bob.

 

Sincerely, best regards and Happy Holidays,

 

RNB

I hope you have an amazing cruise Bob.

Looking forward to your post's when you can.

[grapau27]

56 minutes ago, smitty34877 said:

Good morning. I had an early appointment at the orthopedic office to check on my almost one year old new hip. I am happy to say the replacement is “perfect” and the other side is ok for now. It was nice to be told good news.

The first chicken and rice dish will appear on our table tonight, thank you Debbie @dfish! Please nag your sister to get checked out. Two weeks is a long time to feel like that.

Bruce, @aliaschief, I am glad that you do not have to have a surgical repair but sorry about the fracture of such long duration. Is there still pain?

Lenda, @Quartzsite Cruiser, there was an interesting article in the Washington Post today about NPH and shunts. If I were technologically smart, I could send it to you but it had a lot of interesting comments from others who have had the condition. Essentially it took many doctors and years to figure out the diagnosis.

I am making spinach and tortellini soup for lunch and my vegetarians can have it for dinner. It is a soup day for Tana and myself as it is cold and blustery outside.I am so glad our oil tank issues were fixed before the cold weather set in.

Thanks to all who are here !

Excellent news Terry.

[kazu]

A mid day update from Roy:

 

 

This morning is somewhat better but not great.

 

The doctor came in about 9:30.  We talked about the echo results and said it doesn’t look like heart failure but will consult with the cardiologist.  This loosens up my fluid restriction, good as I feel somewhat dehydrated.  Breakfast was a bit late but I got to eat it hot.  Still no discharge plan.

[grapau27]

44 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Part of This may be duplicated when @kazu returns but it doesn’t appear to be heart failure 

 

Roy

That is good news Roy.

Maybe Pleurisy or Pneumonia but hopefully antibiotics can sort those conditions if it is that and make you better.

Take care.

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning from Seattle, our last day out here before we fly home this evening.  Thanks for the daily updates.  Nice collection of days, especially letter writing.  Not sure that I’m liking the quote much.  I am liking the meal and drink suggestions though. I was in Naples in September, a very interesting city.  We thought it was very real.  Prayers for all on our prayer list today with thoughts for @rafinmd’s speedy recovery.  Cheers to those of you who are celebrating happy events today!

[dfish]

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

Part of This may be duplicated when @kazu returns but it doesn’t appear to be heart failure 

 

Roy

That is good news.  Hang in there, Roy.  

 

@summer slope Maybe you and I will be watching Sue and Sharon @Sharon in AZ

[durangoscots]

Good morning. Need to dash around and get ready for the arrival of my new microwave!! My handyman had to drive 80 mlles round trip to pick it up, but he did it!!!

 

Maybe will have French toast for supper.... sounds good.

 

Weather is still sunny and very cold. While it may make it up to 40 today temps will be dropping and possibly more snow is on the way. Hope to get all errands done the next few days so I can stay in except for the dog walks.

 

Best wishes to all. Was glad to see Roy's most recent update.

 

Off to the races.

 

Susan

[marshhawk]

Before I attempt French Toast, I need my Maple syrup.  But if I can talk DH into stopping at the store after my appointment, I can get syrup  and milk!  And maybe some breakfast meat.  hmmmm.

 

Why do I always remember what I dont have when I am at the store?

[Seasick Sailor]

2 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Does anyone else hate the Medicare commercial with Martha in it, whining about she already has Medicare, why do I need to call, I'm not going to call !!!!  Wow, I hated that commercial.  I haven't seen her lately so they must have gotten too many complaints about how awful it was to watch her commercial.  Now we have a reasonable lady named Ellen, I think  I will be so glad when Dec. 7 arrives and we don't have these interminably long commercials urging us to CALL!☎️

 

We still see PIA Martha, Joe Namath and now Karen. Thankfully she doesn't speak. 

[Sharon in AZ]

Deleted—ooops. That’s what happens when you have too many windows open looking at different websites!

Edited November 28, 2023 by Sharon in AZ

[Sharon in AZ]

8 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

Before I attempt French Toast, I need my Maple syrup.  But if I can talk DH into stopping at the store after my appointment, I can get syrup  and milk!  And maybe some breakfast meat.  hmmmm.

 

Why do I always remember what I dont have when I am at the store?

Annie, my secret ingredient is nutmeg. I also add the vanilla and cinnamon. And for a special occasion I add some Grand Marnier and top with sliced strawberries marinated in Grand Mariner. I know you don’t drink alcohol but you could substitute with a little orange juice. 

[bennybear]

Good morning and thanks all!  @kazu thanks for the update on Roy!  Hoping he feels better soon, so glad it’s not heart failure.  Sending wishes for healing to all those in need. 

We’re enjoying lovely weather but  O snow,  so a bit of a worry. 

@0106 thanks for the information about Alanis Morrisette.  

We love visiting Naples,  so many things to see and do.  We enjoyed visiting the beautiful palace in Caserta where they filmed The Empire Strikes Back.  Also the lovely island of Ischia is worth a visit as well as of course Capri where we’re been several times.   Or perhaps a visit to the Swiss clinic?  
 

We also enjoy just visiting Naples, and having great pizza.  Last time we enjoyed visit the lesser explored UNESCO Heritage site of Villa Poppi, Oplontis,  Neros wife’s villa. 
 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2023 by bennybear

[Seasick Sailor]

2 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Does anyone else hate the Medicare commercial with Martha in it, whining about she already has Medicare, why do I need to call, I'm not going to call !!!!  Wow, I hated that commercial.  I haven't seen her lately so they must have gotten too many complaints about how awful it was to watch her commercial.  Now we have a reasonable lady named Ellen, I think  I will be so glad when Dec. 7 arrives and we don't have these interminably long commercials urging us to CALL!☎️

 

We still see PIA Martha, Joe Namath and now Karen. Thankfully she doesn't speak. 

[Seasick Sailor]

Roy prayers being said again. I hope you are stronger and better soon!

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Well, the laundry is at a standstill.  DH guessed we were getting unbalance load errors and noisy spinning because our water pressure is very low and there was not enough water in the washer.  We just got a boil water advisory and learned there is a water main break one street over.  They will be shutting down the entire system while they repair the break.  It looks like I'll be doing laundry tomorrow too.  I'm just glad we filled the water tank on the motorhome last week.

 

The good news is we got a call this morning that the tree trimming guy and his helper, probably his wife, will be here this afternoon.  Two years ago, we had the mesquite tree trimmed back drastically, but the large tall branch was not cut off because the man only had a ladder.  Hopefully, today, it can be cut back, once they get to it.  These are pictures from April 2022 and a couple of days ago.

 

 

Besides hanging over the shed and the trailers, it is also hanging over the fence into our neighbor's yard.

 

2 hours ago, smitty34877 said:

Good morning. I had an early appointment at the orthopedic office to check on my almost one year old new hip. I am happy to say the replacement is “perfect” and the other side is ok for now. It was nice to be told good news.

The first chicken and rice dish will appear on our table tonight, thank you Debbie @dfish! Please nag your sister to get checked out. Two weeks is a long time to feel like that.

Bruce, @aliaschief, I am glad that you do not have to have a surgical repair but sorry about the fracture of such long duration. Is there still pain?

Lenda, @Quartzsite Cruiser, there was an interesting article in the Washington Post today about NPH and shunts. If I were technologically smart, I could send it to you but it had a lot of interesting comments from others who have had the condition. Essentially it took many doctors and years to figure out the diagnosis.

I am making spinach and tortellini soup for lunch and my vegetarians can have it for dinner. It is a soup day for Tana and myself as it is cold and blustery outside.I am so glad our oil tank issues were fixed before the cold weather set in.

Thanks to all who are here !

 

Terry, I forgot to say I'm very happy the new hip is "perfect" and the other one is not too bad.  DH and I looked at the article you mentioned.  That is typically what happens before NPH is diagnosed.

 

1 hour ago, kazu said:

A mid day update from Roy:

 

 

This morning is somewhat better but not great.

 

The doctor came in about 9:30.  We talked about the echo results and said it doesn’t look like heart failure but will consult with the cardiologist.  This loosens up my fluid restriction, good as I feel somewhat dehydrated.  Breakfast was a bit late but I got to eat it hot.  Still no discharge plan.

 

Jacqui, thanks for sharing Roy's @rafinmd update.

 

26 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

 

We still see PIA Martha, Joe Namath and now Karen. Thankfully she doesn't speak. 

 

Joy, Karen may not speak, but the way the announcer says her name really grates on me.  It's so condescending.

 

25 minutes ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Hi Sandi @StLouisCruisers!  Your links today were both for Maputo Mozambique. Any way you could double check and post the Naples links?

 

Sharon, I found my Naples pictures using Sand's @StLouisCruisers link today.

 

I forgot to mention earlier that the pantry was pretty much restocked too.  There are just a few things I chose not to get as they weren't really needed.  I'll pick them up in a few days.

 

Lenda

Edited November 28, 2023 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[Sharon in AZ]

Good morning everyone and Happy Tuesday. My first thought about the quote was that Alanis Morrisette was being sarcastic. I’ll pass on the meal suggestion but French toast sounds really good, just wish I had some bread. My DM asked for bread on Thanksgiving to take home a Turkey sandwich but that didn’t happen, sorry Mom. Next year I’ll make sure that I have bread for her. I might just make some no knead bread today. 
 

We have been to Naples twice, on the Rotterdam in May 2001 and the Oosterdam in June 2022. I’ll gather some pictures and post in a bit. 
 

Craig got out the Christmas tree and working on fluffing it up. It usually takes several days to finish. 
 

Roy @rafinmd, my thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery and that you will be able to travel home soon. 
 

Joy @Seasick Sailor, great picture of you and Allen!  So good to see you having a great time on your cruise. 
 

Debbie @dfish and Dixie @summer slope, I’ll be watching the hula from the audience also!  I’m so uncoordinated that I’d be on my face or going the opposite direction from everyone else. 
 

I started my eye drops yesterday, paid the doctor fee and preregistered at the surgery center but still need to pay the surgery center. I’m almost ready for Thursday. 
 

Have a great day everyone!
 

 

[StLouisCruisers]

1 hour ago, ClippyJoe said:

I also hate the ad with the shrieking woman yelling about Medicare. It stereotypes older women .Not many of us dress this way or yell like banshee's. But then again I also dislike Joe Namath's ad too.

 

Good points about the stereotyping of mature women.  That voice!  I don't care for Joe Namath's ad either.

 

 

 

52 minutes ago, kazu said:

A mid day update from Roy:

 

 

This morning is somewhat better but not great.

 

The doctor came in about 9:30.  We talked about the echo results and said it doesn’t look like heart failure but will consult with the cardiologist.  This loosens up my fluid restriction, good as I feel somewhat dehydrated.  Breakfast was a bit late but I got to eat it hot.  Still no discharge plan.

 

Thanks for posting Jacqui.  Roy @rafinmd, I hope you can be hydrated soon, and the consultation results in a simple treatment to help you feel better.  I'm very glad to hear they don't feel you have heart failure!

 

 

 

18 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

 

We still see PIA Martha, Joe Namath and now Karen. Thankfully she doesn't speak. 

 

I'm not sure if the new actress I saw was Ellen or Karen.  I don't pay any attention to it so have forgotten her name.  Have you really seen PIA Mean Martha's commercial lately?  I haven't seen her all week, thankfully.  Remember the Jimmie Walker ones from a couple years ago?  Whyyyy would they want to use such annoying voices?

[Sharon in AZ]

10 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Sharon, I found my Naples pictures using Sand's @StLouisCruisers link today.

I realized this after I posted and deleted my post. Oops!  I had too many windows open in Safari on my phone and was looking at yesterday’s Daily. 
 

Your mesquite tree really filled out. They do grow fast. We had to remove the mesquite in our front yard after we had lived here for about 10 years. It was about 15 years old and too huge for the space and was starting to mess up the sidewalk. We replaced it with a fruitless olive. 

[Vict0riann]

Good morning, Dailyites.  Hope things go well for Roy today, and also for all the Dailyites ailing!  Thanks for the Daily News...  We might just have French toast for supper tonight, if DD doesn't make the tempura that she has been threatening.   

 

It seems like we have visited Naples on every Med cruise we have ever done, so many times.  The Archaeological Museum is a highlight, and has so many artifacts from Pompeii, it's a must-see.  The Blue Grotto of Capri was a treat, too.  

 

The last time we were in Naples, Vesuvius seemed to have moved even closer and was looming over the city (taken from the ship).

 

 

The museum - lots of animal sculptures and mosaics, especially dogs!

 

 

 

 

 

Entrance to the Blue Grotto - you are put into a little rowboat and have to crouch down to enter, the boatman may sing to you in the grotto.