Sunny Sunday

[Twins' Mom]

After what seems like at least a full week of clouds and rain, the sun is shining here today. My energy level is much better! I'm going to enjoy the sun day and make the most of a sunny attitude and sunny energy.

If the sun isn't shining yet for you, what can you do to make your day sunny in spite of the weather?

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

After 48 hours aboard the Serenity, I shall take a moment from my reading and relaxation and write a note.

We are safe, still above the waves. The seas are calm. It is sunny.

Our family luck prevails. There was a cyclone due to hit Perth the day after we left but our positive power prevailed and it turned inland well north of the city, so we weren't affected at all.

The ocean is just beautiful, the aquamarine colour that Ken loves so much.

Goodness knows how long this will last but we'll take each day of it.

We are still settling into ship-board life. There are 603 World Cruisers on board and today they crossed the half way point of their journey. The ship is full and can hold over 1000 but I've heard there are only 800 some odd passengers. Singles would account for the discrepancy.

The ship never feels crowded at all, though. Lots of space, lots of seats around the pool, never difficult to navigate between tables.

The existence of an Ben & Jerry's ice cream bar is both wonderful and worrying! I've managed to avoid it so far. Dh is having a daily milkshake. I haven't eaten at the Bistro yet but it looks like an excellent place especially if I was tempted to eat 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large ones. There are options on Crystal that aren't available on SS.

The early dinner, means an early show, and then early bed. That makes things much less exhausting in general. On the other hand, because there is no open seating, I MUST be at the dining room at 6 or else I'm holding up the others at the table. That means if I'm running a bit late (as I was while trying to dress for formal night last night), I must rush, I can't just eat 10 minutes later.

The entertainment is phenomenal. They offer live music to back up the headline entertainers. which means the shows have an extra 'oomph' that recorded music can't match. The first night was a fun soprano, last night, an excellent fiddler/violin player. There is a string quartet who serenade us during afternoon tea and as much as I enjoyed the pianist on SS, I enjoy the strings more.

This afternoon as I 'not drowned' (as opposed to swam) in the pool, there was a band playing. The pool was sloshing dramatically, making it more like a water park ride than a pool. But I spent 20 minutes in it, then time in the hot tub to counteract the damage I did to my knees yesterday while walking too much on the walking deck (although the damage might actually be from too much walking around Perth on Friday and Thursday.)

The larger ship means there are clergy on board and there was a proper Protestant Sunday service today (along with daily Catholic Mass and a Rabbi for Friday services.) Pastor Ed is also leading a bible study, in the Saloon, on Tuesdays. Bishop Desmond Tutu was to have been a speaker on this cruise but canceled due to health reasons. I'm disappointed but since he was announced after we booked the trip, it wasn't as if he was the reason we selected this cruise.

We haven't really met anyone yet, which is quite different from SS where we've become close friends with many of our fellow passengers. In fact, the only people we really know on board, were on SS with us last year. We did have a delightful dinner tonight with an acquaintance of our friend in Perth and her traveling companion. She contacted me before dinner to meet for drinks tomorrow night. Since I knew we were 2 short at our table tonight, we asked the Maitre d' if anyone had been seated at our table. He rushed off to intercept the people he had just sent to our table and then asked me the name of the people we wanted to join us. It was the two he had just intercepted! We had a delightful dinner with them (along with our regular table mates. In general we find people are friendly, but not friends.

I have been skipping the lectures because there's a lot to do, and I don't want to get exhausted. Here I will watch the ones on topics that interest me either on my tablet or in the cabin on the TV and can do that when I have down time. On SS, lectures were a big part of the day just because there was so few other things to do. To give you an idea of the difference, on Crystal our activity schedule is 2 full pages and doesn't include the evening. On SS, it is one page including the evening activities.

Today's big event (since I skipped listening to Olympian Mark Schultz - the subject of the movie Foxcatcher) was the safety demonstration. We had a chance to go to the lifeboat deck and tour a lifeboat, pass through a theatre-smoke filled passageway with just the emergency lights to guide us, and watch them flip an emergency life raft in the pool. I was so fascinated with that, I missed the fire hose demonstration off the aft deck.

We have four more sea days before arriving in Mauritius. The day following that is Reunion and then some more sea days on the way to Madagascar. We have tours in every port because it felt silly to come all this way and not see at least some of the area.

[Twins' Mom]

I had a good day yesterday. Dh got home with ds late in the afternoon and we all just vegged out. Ds wanted to order a pizza so I indulged with him - weight is up this morning of course but it was a splurge. I had some stamping time while dh was away - made a masculine birthday card. I want to photograph some of my cards and put online at s plitcoaststampers like I used to. Last night I was looking at my old "gallery" there.

Think I said yesterday that I need to get on the plans for next Sat night here. I didn't do that yesterday so I will start my list today.

On Friday the vet suggested cutting back dMacs' newest meds to half the dosage, but knowing that we only started it a week ago and that these changes in him (loss of control, loss of appetite, lethargy) were recent I left the medication of yesterday and today. He does seem a little more energetic this morning - still needed some canned food as an appetite stimulant but he seems for alert and active. I know it's a matter of time but I like to see him feeling better. I almost think he wants a little walk this morning too.

I think that dh wants to go to the local "home show" today. He felt rough after driving yesterday - very tired and he seems to have a perpetual cold coming or going. I need to make a list for the day and get moving.....

PODA:
-home show with dh
-routines - a.m. and weekly
-list for Sat 21th event prep for here
-email temple member to whom RSVPS were directed, to see what numbers she has
-clean up front and back porches/patios
-planning for the week - I have a Wed night meeting, also need to take ds back to school on Wed

[Harriet]

Dove, it's so nice to see you here. Hoping you are having no trouble posting?

The boards seem to be extremely slow today. Wanted to delete some duplicate posts and it took so long. I imagine we are having duplicate posts because of the slowness. Hopefully it won't last.

[Dove]

Twins, I'm making my cloudy & drizzly day sunny by coming here!

Kathryn, I feel relaxed just reading about your cruise. Giggled at your water park ride-like swim .

Hi Harriet! I had some trouble posting in the members thread the first time but second post went through without a problem. I notice a slowness, too, both moving to different areas of the board & waiting for posts to go through.

So glad to have found you all again! I mentioned in the members thread that until I typed out www before shesorganized .org (without the http:/ the computer added automatically) I couldn't find our village. I assumed there had been a big glitch. I wasn't too worried; I figured when Kathryn got back from her cruise it would be resolved. So glad the board is here, & that Kathryn is enjoying her cruise without worrying about there being a problem here.

Off to make some lunch. Be back later to catch up a little. Waving ~~~~ to everyone!

[blessedw2]

cold took me out of commission for almost 2 weeks... but getting back into the swing of things.

I am going on a dejunking expedition this afternoon in my home. told dh that if he doesn't see me by tomorrow to have the dogs come after me.

[Twins' Mom]

Bw2, I am glad you are finally feeling better.

And I'm glad that Dove is here! Still wondering about FF, hoping she is well and finds us soon.

Dh and I had a good time at the home show - found a vendor that does beautiful custom cabinets that we want to talk to about our "built ins." We have gone back and forth so much about what to do on either side of our fireplace and here we are almost three years after moving here still trying to figure it out. Also spent quite a long time talking to dfriends we saw there. Their dd is finishing five years of college and I'm not sure her degree is in sight, but parents are ready to take her off "the family payroll" i.e. paying for the education.

I'm suffering from a headache again - it must be weather/pollen related.

I need to get busy on my list for today. Dh and ds went out for ds to get a haircut. We are having burgers on the grill for supper; dh also needs to get the propane tank refilled.

-sweep front porch
-get out spring pillows for front porch, see if they need washing etc.
-reboot laundry
-water plants
-clear window on front door, mount hook for spring wreath (men! My plan was to leave the clear command hook on the front door, however, dh took it down before I could stop him)

[Twins' Mom]

Finally through that round. The command hook on the front door is on, and I need to wait an hour before I hang the wreath. The green pillows look wonderful outside.

Have been sending Facebook messages a mile a minute to dd, who dropped her phone in the toilet yesterday. Ds let her know about Moses prognosis - he didn't realize we hadn't told her and were waiting until she got home. Of course, she's been very closed mouth about just when she is coming home.

I need to start another round, not sure when dh is starting burgers on the grill.

-email re RSVPS for March 21
-sweep back patio/porch
-get rid of dead plants out back
-move empty planters back to front porch, made note to get pansies
-dust back patio, neaten it up...

[Sunny]

It is a sunny day here in FL....80* and no clouds in the sky, with an occasional breeze. In fact, nice enough for dh and me to rake leaves in the front yard. Worked for a couple of hours and after we picked up two full large bags full came in to rest and get some lunch. I ended up taking a nap and woke to the sound of the lawn mower dh was running. Ds#2 mentioned that he would come one day this week to edge the driveway and sidewalk, so I guess dh wanted to get the mowing done so ds wouldn't have to do it.

Lilac, that is the most wonderful news in your post last night! So much relief for you, dh and your dfamily!

Nice to see you here, Dove! I'm glad you found your way home! I, too, am wondering about FFriend and hope she's okay!

Last Thursday I was just puttering about when around 3:30 pm I remembered we had told ddil we would come to our dgd13's solo/ensembles at the middle school. I hurried to tell dh, who had also forgotten, and we changed clothes and got a quick bite of supper before we left. We were there in plenty of time. This was not a full band performance rather like a recital. The students had to audition for a spot on the venue and dgd and her friend were doing a dance duet -- Cakewalk. I forgot my camera, but dgd20 recorded it and put it on FB; I shared it to my page if those who are on FB want to watch. Maybe I can figure out how to link that one thing here, hmmm. There were only 15 acts in all; I'm so glad we went!

Nice to hear about K & K's smooth sailing!

Twins, Moe and Macs are still in my thoughts!

Lucy, I wanted to say I liked your opening yesterday!

Looks like it is time to get some supper!

[lucylee]

My first chance to ci: since yesterday, so I don't know if the boards are slow or if it's just me.

Soooo soooo happy to hear Lilac's good news, for Mr. Lilac! That WAS so kind of the doctor to call you last night!

Y'all will never guess what dh did last night! Took me to see Cinderella. When I mentioned it, he couldn't believe I really wanted to see it, but when he realized I did, he said he wanted to go -- although I tried to play it off, b/c I could tell he thought it was so silly. It was VERY good. I mean, yes, predictable, of course... but I really enjoyed it. Some parts are sooo sad. But fortunately, we went to the 10:00 pm showing, so dh was NOT surrounded by teeny tiny little girls in Cinderella dresses. There were lots of older teen couples and adults there, and maybe a dozen little kids, boys and girls.

Today, church and naps and that about gets it. DS, DDIL, and DGS were back in church (although they did not stay for Sunday School, b/c they still don't know where their class has moved to, and they are too 'backward' -- or stubborn -- to ask.) * shaking my head * DDIL sang in the choir again, so I am hoping things are going a little better in re: to their attitude towards church. DH and I both enjoyed the sermon this morning very much.

Man is supposed to come get dmil's furniture tomorrow... hoping that goes as planned and goes well. DH is NOT much for "dickering" over prices, and our dfriend told us this man WOULD want to "dicker" -- but that he would pay what we asked... so I hope we don't let him take advantage of us too much.

Dmom did not need me today, said she could get her own lunch... and she is planning to drive tomorrow to next town (approx 20 min) to see her tax man and go by the doctor's office for lab orders. She suspects she has a bladder infection * AGAIN * ... and YES... the surgery was supposed to put an end to this problem... and yes, she started back on the Azo late last week when symptoms started... BUT... she says perhaps the surgery itself made her more suseptible to infection during the healing process, etc... so we are hoping the surgery is working right. She does feel that everything is still in place as it should be.

Oh my... (Twins' dd)))...

I was wondering about FF also. Does anyone have her e-mail? Also have been missing MT!

Grrrr... speaking of haircuts... I insisted the beautician cut "just a little more" last week and now, with all this rain and humidity we're having, I look somewhat like a mushroom cloud is on my head. Waaay too puffy. There is a perfect sweet spot that my hair needs to be, before the curl makes it spring up too much like this, and the beautician knows what it is, and I should have left well enough alone. DH grumbled as soon as I came home. I have put a sticky note on my 3x5 for haircuts, which reads: TRUST (BEAUTICIAN). * shaking my head some more *

So glad you're feeling better, blessed!

Waving to Dove... Harriet... Kathryn... Sunny... and EVERYONE!!!