Conga Line Friday

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Cathy: dh and I each have a single duvet. When there is disagreement over the temperature in the room, we can adjust what is in the duvet cover. So at various times of the year, I'll have a light blanket, summer duvet, winter duvet. Dh is happy with just the duvet cover in the summer, I need more weight on me. The bonus, if I roll over and 'steal' the covers, only my duvet moves so he remains covered.

I'm up but not moving productively. Have just done 400 steps so far (normally, I like to be over 4K by lunch.)

I've been thinking and planning a lot about the March cruise and travel these past few days. Two days ago I booked our flights. Will fly through Dubai in each direction. Airfare on Emirates was 40% cheaper than the next most expensive routing and the timing is pretty good too. We have to stay on 2 extra days in Cape Town but I liked it there and still haven't been down to the Cape itself, nor Robben Island so was happy for the extra days. This morning and email came with the news that our guide friend won't be off the West Coast of Africa at that point because his cruise (he's guiding on it) has been rerouted due to Ebola. So he's being dropped in Namibia and will be back in Cape Town when we arrive. We are joining with a group of his friends for a tour of the townships. And then he'll take us to the Cape the following day. He's also arranging accommodation for us.

As for the cruise itself, I've finally booked all our excursions. Found out I have to book our dining reservations as well but have left it too late (it should have been done in September) so we'll be dining late a lot of the time. Sigh.... Things may be juggled once we are on board. One night we have an 8:30 formal dinner and a 7:30 the next morning tour. Dh doesn't like to miss formal nights so we'll have to suck that one up. The first 90 minutes of the tour is on the bus so we'll grab a nap if we can. Then 3.5 hours of safari, lunch, and the 90 minute ride back to the ship. We'll be exhausted that night!

This cruise line, Crystal, has an incentive program for newcomers. If an experienced Crystal passenger sponsors us, we both get $200 ship board credit. The internet connected me with a couple from Oregon so that's been arranged. I've also signed up for the meet & mingle on board so will meet other people I've got to know online. There was an older couple from last year's cruise that will be on this cruise so we'll know one couple from IRL, and I know a couple of others from online forums.

Dh is busy planning his trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar. The same guide is arranging for dh and ds's trips (both the climb and the diving in the Indian Ocean after.)

We are lucky to know people from around the world.

I still have to book Perth accommodations. In that case we have close cruise friends north of Perth to visit and close industry friends in Freemantle, where the ship departs from. Thankfully the area isn't too spread out so we'll pick a place to stay and rent a car. Ds had a great drive south to the Southern Ocean Shore and we might try and get there if time allows. I don't think it will, though since we arrive on the 11th and depart just 48 hours later.

With all this, I've been tied to my keyboard for several days. I'm still not yet dressed today. Will s2s now. The weather is improving so I think I might walk to the post office today as well since I failed to mail the letter I wrote yesterday.

[Sadie]

Hello Dear Ladies,

Another COLD day here but looks like the temps are warming.

Stayed in bed later again today, the cold mornings make it hard to leave a warm bed. figure Dbrother could use the extra time of warmth too so just start my day late.

Have a chicken roasting in the oven for a late lunch.

Had oatmeal with blue berries for breakfast with stevia, a little smart balance and soy milk.

I have been replacing my plastic storage bowls with pxrex bowls. I cooked green beans in the microwave with one, will serve them in it and then leave the remaining ones in it , pop the top on it and refrigerate it. Makes life so easy! Was getting so I hated my plastic bowls, seems like they never came clean. DH likes to put his leftover Chinese in one and then just pop it in the microwave when he wants to reheat. Great for when I'm at work.

Going to do my pulley work and then shower. It has been a year now since shoulder surgery. It was certainly an improvement but I'm not to where I wish I was. Still can't get my arm behind my back. I keep trying but it may never happen. I can use the arm for everything so that is a big improvement.

[blessedw2]

I am waving to all of you before I head out again!

I went to the container store and got the few things I wanted

soon.. heading over with dd younger to get her prescriptions from neurologist and set up an appointment
she said she felt like she had a nightmare where she had a seizure in her sleep when in florida - and then had a horrible headache all the next day... mmm

then for market for a few things
and william sonoma for king arthur flour

4 degree's - we are getting warmer

[lucylee]

I don't think I'm going to be getting in that conga line today...
* sigh * Don't know if it's laziness or justified tiredness resulting from still being congested and coughing or just meaness.

Harriet -- Don't know if I kinda over-stated the case for California Baby Super Sensitive Body Wash & Shampoo or not, LOL, but honestly -- I was in pretty bad shape when I got that dermatologist appt in November, and even my hairdresser commented on how much healthier my skin and hair looked and felt only a week later. It just seems to have washed away all the build-up from the old shampoo, and my skin feels softer and clearer, and UNTIL just this week, the itching was completely gone.
This week, I have noticed my inner elbows and behind my knees are itching again. Could be (and most likely IS) the extreme cold temps. Plus, I've gotten a little bit lax about using the rx lotion, except on my face. So that could be the problem, too. In addition to the body wash-shampoo, the doctor gave me a rx liquid to mix with Cerave moisturizer, so that was part of my remedy, too.
Also, last Tues-Sat, I just used the hotel soaps, and I'm sure none of them were as gentle as this baby wash. (I didn't even try to wash my hair while we were gone -- it is VERY thick and VERY coarse and dry, so I can get by with that.)
My only complaint w/the new body wash is that it doesn't really lather as well as I'd like, being used to bar soaps, but I can deal with it.
Around here, it is only available at Target, and the large bottle lasts me about 5-6 weeks, it seems. (Normally, I wash my hair every third or fourth day.)
My own dgs could REALLY use it, too, but you can't tell ds/ddil anything... dgs has very bad excema also. Their pediatrician gives them lotions and creams, but dgs has not been to the doctor in several months now -- and ddil hates to take him in just for skin, b/c there is so much flu going around. But she thinks he might prescribe something else, now that dgs is older. (She should just call and ask for a phone-in rx.)

(((blessed & dd))) I am so sorry she's having to interrupt schooling b/c of the therapy... so sorry she's having to go through all this...
Hope she loves the banjo!

(((Lilac))) and (((Cathy))) for difficult phone calls w/difficult men.

[Nancy]

Lunch is over toddlerN has arrived. Mail processed. I had a slow start today still have not done my jouraling. Bed needs made.
so far exercise has been 3 trips up and down the stairs I do have a plan for dinner. Need to make the bed still floors not done.

[blessedw2]

I assure you that you are not at all Lazy d Lucy! You are exhausted after being sick and its a good thing to get rest.

[Elizabeth]

Hi everyone! I WAS the main presenter at the meeting yesterday. In fact, these will probably be MY meetings now. Meeting result = database changes (in progress) and changes in the training video emphasis (to something easier for me). The meeting did not run late, and I got DD12 on time. Which was good because she had homework, which we got done at the Chinese place. I had wanted to go elsewhere (we go every Tuesday), but I realized with the stress oozing off of DD, that this would be the best. After that, we did crafts with Hogan. After I dropped her back off at the X's, I had to get cat food. I did not find the signed paperwork the mortgage company wanted, did send the unsigned version. Since it is the NM standard child support worksheet, I would not expect problems. The agent is going to send it in and see what happens (this is the only outstanding item on their document request). One of the new foster cats finally got the nerve to go in the MBR. Of course, two others growled and he left again. Very much a pacifist, despite having possible desert bobcat ancestry according to the vet.

This morning, I confirmed that Elizabeth's Own Plumbing Company has a job to do in the master bath. I had to drive in today, because there is a church event and the train would not get me back in time. It took 1/8 of a tank of gas! Before I drive home, I must get more. So much cheaper on the train (and easier to crochet, too). Since I have more time by taking my car, I was able to eat lunch out (more Chinese). After the church event, I must get some car parts, and I have several tasks at home.

Good news: it's payday! One of my tasks will be to update Quicken, including a few future expenditures. Whatever is left in my account will go to Master Card, which is high due to car repairs, house appraisal, and an expense I have not yet identified. (The latter is likely something I did and forgot).

[Nancy]

Elizabeth good for you thinking of meeting changes to something easier I think most folks do enjoy a mtgs with a better flow and shorter time!

We decided on lasanaga for dinner the heat and eat kind easy peasy. I have gotten the coop nearly ready to turn on the light.

I heard it is better to micrwave in glass dishes rather than plastic ones. Got the dishes rinsed and loaded.

I am going to indulge in some how to sweater u tubes in a bit.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Had a good 2 hour walk/shop with dh. We walked to the post office. On the way there he asked if the weather report had said anything about wind and I said no, and wasn't it lovely out. He thought I was being facetious but I meant it. Turns out we were walking single file and he was breaking a significant wind! We changed places since I was so well kitted out that the wind didn't bother me. I'm loving using the Buff as a facecover. It breathes better than a scarf so my glasses don't fog up as much when I cover both my nose and mouth.

Dh needed to shop for gloves, hiking boots and outer layers for the climb up Kilimanjaro so we went to all three outdoor shops on the way home. Returned the non-functioning gloves. Didn't buy a thing because he hates to shop but we did get ideas and he'll go back next week and pick up everything he needs so he can start the training. Thankfully we live next to hills now that are a national park so he can start his training in winter and then continue on with the rock scrambling in the summer. Ds will train with him so I have nothing to worry about.

I'm heating up the second tortiere for dinner tonight but we got home later than we planned so dinner will be much later.

[Elizabeth]

Hi everyone! It's 4 pm and my database changes are checked in. In time for the night's deployment.

No work done on the videos. Must get at least an outline done.