LIVE LIVE LIVE from the MARINER with MERION MOM for 53 DAYS!!!

[MilliesMom]

So much GREAT information that you are sharing with all of us Carol, THANK YOU so much.

[doris1930]

Carol,

Last cruise on Monarch, sitting next to Ira and Marsha. Ira asked, where I was from?

"Ca.", "Where in Ca?." "Near S.F.", "Exactly where?"

I said "Pleasant Hill". Marsha pipes up "That's where I was born".

 

To: IBOOKHEPAYS

Where in N.J. were you born? I am from Elizabeth. Came to Bay Area in 1952.

 

Doris

[rednancy1]

Carol,

Where in N.J. were you born? I am from Elizabeth. Came to Bay Area in 1952.

 

Doris

 

Doris,

I was born in Elizabeth NJ in General Hospital. We lived on Hillside Road until I was 2. Small world.:cool:

[doris1930]

Doris,

I was born in Elizabeth NJ in General Hospital. We lived on Hillside Road until I was 2. Small world.:cool:

 

Nancy!! It is indeed a small world. Glad your surgery went well and sorry you couldn't make this voyage. Hope to meet you one day and you can give me your memories of Elizabeth. (Surely at 2, you must have many:D)

 

My middle son lives in Henderson.

 

Doris

[megr1125]

Carol, if you weren't on a ship, I'd seen you a you know you are from Philly when... joke.

 

Included is the knowledge of how to pronounce Bala Cynwyd:p

 

i can i can!! i know how to say it..nah nah nah nah nah nah!

 

(ok, so i'm not THAT far from philly...and i think i ride THRU lower merion twp a couple weeks ago....well maybe a couple months ago!)

 

CAROL....hope you are still having fun...hopefully your "pals" at GR will stop with the eye rolls!:rolleyes:

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

[jd cruisers]

Have a wonderful time on the Mariner. What a great ship. Thanks for your reviews. Enjoy every minute of your cruise!!

[hobo1937]

Carol,

Last cruise on Monarch, sitting next to Ira and Marsha. Ira asked, where I was from?

"Ca.", "Where in Ca?." "Near S.F.", "Exactly where?"

I said "Pleasant Hill". Marsha pipes up "That's where I was born".

 

To: IBOOKHEPAYS

Where in N.J. were you born? I am from Elizabeth. Came to Bay Area in 1952.

 

Doris

 

Ok now this is unreal! I was also born in Elizabeth NJ...St Elizabeth's Hospital. Got married and moved to the SF Bay Area in 1973 and now in Henderson NV since 1996.

 

Barb

[doulaamy]

Ok, this is one of those weird truth-is-stranger-than-fiction stories.

 

On Monday, we were at sea, so the dining room was open for lunch. Liz and I decided to eat there.

 

For anyone who doesn't know: Lunch and breakfast are open seating in the dining room. Someone escorts you to an open table.

 

A crew member started to lead us to one table, then quickly realized that those people weren't English-speakers. She changed course, and led us to another table, over by the window.

 

We sat down, and started to get acquainted.

 

First, I noted that the man (it was a family of four) was wearing a cap that said "Ocean City, New Jersey" on it.

 

I asked if they lived there.

 

He said "no, but we had a boat there", or something like that.

 

I asked if they lived in New Jersey, and he said, "No, Pennsylvania."

 

I said, "Oh, where in Pennsylvania?"

 

He said, "Philadelphia.".

 

I said, "Where in Philadelphia?"

 

He said, "Well, not *in* Philadelphia.....we live in the suburbs."

 

I said, "WHERE?"

 

And he said "Bala Cynwyd."

 

People, Bala Cynwyd is so close to Merion that they are in fact almost the same place, just different zip codes. Neither really *exists*, except as zip codes. Both are just parts of Lower Merion Township.

 

They live about ten blocks from us! Their kids are in 10th & 8th grade, and attend the same schools that my kids did. They have many of the same teachers. We know many of the same people.

 

So, to summarize:

 

We are on a ship currently sailing with more than 3,600 passengers.

 

There are some 40 countries represented on this cruise.

 

Thousands were eating in the Windjammer at that time, hundreds in the main dining room.

 

And we were seated at a table with people whom I probably see around home every day without even realizing it.

 

How do you like THAT?!??!?!?!?

 

:eek: :cool:

 

Hey Merion Mom!

Just wanted to say that I'm in Norristown. :) First cruise EVER in June 2009. Just goes to show that it IS a small world.

I am following your thread! So happy for you!

[abpmillsww]

Merion Mom...I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying reading your post. It is almost like I am there with you (except that I still had to make my bed this morning, and make lunch and go grocery shopping).

 

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date!

 

Angela

[suziehmkr]

Carol - I am LOVING this thread! I soooo wish I was able to do what you are doing! A chance of a lifetime!!

 

Carol,

Last cruise on Monarch, sitting next to Ira and Marsha. Ira asked, where I was from?

"Ca.", "Where in Ca?." "Near S.F.", "Exactly where?"

I said "Pleasant Hill". Marsha pipes up "That's where I was born".

 

To: IBOOKHEPAYS

Where in N.J. were you born? I am from Elizabeth. Came to Bay Area in 1952.

 

Doris

 

So, we were in Kona before Christmas. Our 2nd day there, we drive down the the Place of Refuge to snorkel at Two Step. Park ranger at the front asks us where we are from... We say Santa Cruz, CA. SHE was BORN in the parking lot at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. LOL

[dirtgirl]

Congrats Carol on scoring the RFS!! I'm green with envy! Once upon a time, when you were looking for a 4th roomie, I tried to talk my DH into letting me go for 45 days, but he wouldn't go for it...darn it!:( Maybe next time.

 

I'm really enjoying reading your live reports...thanks for letting me live vicariously through you!:)

 

Have a great cruise and a great New Year...I look forward to your next report and eagerly await your photos!

 

Hi Michelle!:D Yeah, I think DH might have a teeny tiny problem with me being away for 46 days.:rolleyes: But hey - I'd be out of his hair!:D

 

Carol - I am LOVING this thread! I soooo wish I was able to do what you are doing! A chance of a lifetime!!

 

 

 

So, we were in Kona before Christmas. Our 2nd day there, we drive down the the Place of Refuge to snorkel at Two Step. Park ranger at the front asks us where we are from... We say Santa Cruz, CA. SHE was BORN in the parking lot at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. LOL

 

 

Hi Tina!:)

 

Hey Carol, Happy New Year! See you in April!

[glgolfer]

Small world: Build a house in Florida. Wife meets lady from Ohio a couple weeks later. Husband coming down over the weekend. We take them to dinner. In the car on the way find out he and I both graduated in 1959, went to high schools a few miles from each other, played football against each other our senior year and 40 years later build the same model house in the same development within 2 blocks of each other.

 

Small world: On a a cruise. Lady from Dayton, Ohio wins at bingo. Judy and I eating lunch. She and family come in and sit next to us. Find out they're really from Brookville, Ohio and her husbands father was a year behind me in high school. We played football and ran track together.

 

Amazing.

[rubrrick]

Our family settled in Pennsburg, PA........not such a long way from where they landed.........in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania........in September of 1734!

 

Rick

 

If it is of any interest.......they were Schwenchfelders!

[DavidJrandRichard]

I am sorry if this question is tacky or offensive..but Merion Mom-can you tell how much did this 53 day cruise cost? I hope you get more than just 2 cruise credits!

 

I am sorry for my tacky question...just had to ask..

[cruzr4vr]

Congratulations on the Royal Family Suite!!! I knew you could do it!!!!!!

We're in AL celebrating New Year's eve..whoopie!!!!!

 

We met a couple who sat at our same table on the Monarch 1 1/2 years ago that live about 1 mile from us. We now see them about 2 to 3 times a month to go out for dinner.

 

Thanks about the reminder about those lousy hairdryers with the buttons you have to hold..I think I'll buy one in Florida.

 

I'll see you on Sunday. Safe travels taking your daughter back to Orlando and your return to PC.

Letty

[suziehmkr]

Hi Tina!:)

 

Hi Carol! I see you have quite a few adventures booked!!!

[rubrrick]

Congratulations on the Royal Family Suite!!! I knew you could do it!!!!!!

 

We're in AL celebrating New Year's eve..whoopie!!!!!

 

We met a couple who sat at our same table on the Monarch 1 1/2 years ago that live about 1 mile from us. We now see them about 2 to 3 times a month to go out for dinner.

 

Thanks about the reminder about those lousy hairdryers with the buttons you have to hold..I think I'll buy one in Florida.

 

I'll see you on Sunday. Safe travels taking your daughter back to Orlando and your return to PC.

Letty

 

Len and Letty...........safe driving to your final destination!! Kerry and I have been communicating. What a sweet lady!!

 

I know that she has passed Bobbie's cabin number on to you.

 

The good news is..........that I will be aboard on the final leg..........and there will be a party in our cabin..........that I think you two will enjoy.

 

Happy New Year!!

 

Rick

[cruisenfever]

I hate that hairdryer button thing, Jane, and so I think that while my laundry is tumbling, I'll run to the CVS and buy a cheap hairdryer on Sunday.

Hi Carol......I know what you mean about that "gotta hold me down or I won't stay on" button on the hair dryer.:p

 

Here's a tip...........get a rubber band and put it around the handle close to the button (you can do this by slipping the rubber band up from the cord towards the hair dryer). Make sure it is a snug fit. When you want to turn the hair dryer on............just move the rubber band up and over the button and the work is done for you. When you want to turn the hair dryer off........move the rubber band down off the button.

 

Have a fantastic time.................and congratulations on the RFS!!!

[rubrrick]

Hi Carol......I know what you mean about that "gotta hold me down or I won't stay on" button on the hair dryer.:p

 

Here's a tip...........get a rubber band and put it around the handle close to the button (you can do this by slipping the rubber band up from the cord towards the hair dryer). Make sure it is a snug fit. When you want to turn the hair dryer on............just move the rubber band up and over the button and the work is done for you. When you want to turn the hair dryer off........move the rubber band down off the button.

 

Have a fantastic time.................and congratulations on the RFS!!!

 

 

Patti and Jim.........what an awesome couple!!

 

Have a very Happy New Year!!

 

Rick

[dirtgirl]

Hi Carol! I see you have quite a few adventures booked!!!

 

 

Yep!:) You should join us on one of them.;)

[suziehmkr]

Yep!:) You should join us on one of them.;)

 

Hmmmm will have to take a look! LOL

[glgolfer]

We just toasted in the New Year.

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

[ladylawyer]

The Monday night show, Spectrum singing MOTOWN, was FANTASTIC.

 

Lizzy and I got there early, as we had promised ourselves, and sat plunk in the middle of the front row.

 

These guys were FABULOUS. I knew every song and almost every word, and sang along and danced (in my seat - my daughter would have KILLED me if I had gotten up to dance!)

 

So, they see that I'm bopping along with them, and they started to sing "I'll Be There (Reach Out )"............

 

and we REACHED OUT to one another - one guy leaned all the way down from the stage and grabbed me!

 

Then they introduced themselves, and one said that he had lived in Philadelphia for a long time, and I, well, I whooped. Loudly. It was great!

 

What a wonderful show! Spectrum performs all over - afterwards this same guy told me that they had played last year with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops at the Kimmel Center.

 

Last night there were two ice shows, so no main theatre show. Just the auction and the Love & Marriage Show, which I already told you about.

 

Carol, were you wearing your t-shirt ... you know, the one that says "Embarassing My Children; Just Another Service I Offer" ... at the time. It sounds like Lizzie would have been enjoying that "service," then! ;)

[ladylawyer]

Hmmmm will have to take a look! LOL

 

Tina ... was I not just trying to get you to change to the November 2009 Radiance cruise that both Carol (DG) & I are on ... or was I proselytizing you for another cruise ... :rolleyes: ... O ya, it was the Oasis. Whatever ... change your Oasis cruise and book the 11-16-09 Radiance ... ;)

 

Hey Carol (MM), glad you're having a great time (like it would be possible for you to have a bad time). Love the posts! Miss you LOTS!!! ~ L

[doris1930]

Letty,

Would you email me please. doriemae @ hotmail . com?