Not So Fat Tuesday

Every night on the cruise, in the wee hours of the morning, cruise ship staff changed the rugs in the elevators to reflect what day it was.  It reminded me of those day-of-the-week panties that were so popular when I was a kid.  I wish we had this in the truck because when we're working I really lose track.  If I didn't have an phone that displayed the date and time, I'd never know what day it was.  

Yesterday was our first full day back at the house and boy was I busy.  We've been off since Christmas Eve, but thirty-four of those days were spent on pre-cruise, cruise, and post-cruise, and I even though I wrapped up everything before I left, now that I'm back I still have quite a bit of stuff to do.  How is that even possible??

I'm not fully able to sit and do nothing until I take care of all the luggage, go through all our mail, return emails, do laundry, etc.  I unpacked today while Ed did some stuff on the truck to get it ready to get back on the road.  Our 120-day inspection is due and some of the reflectors on the back of the sleeper fell off from being parked in the sun for over a month (weird).  He has another appointment today that will likely take most of the day, and only when he brings the truck back to the house will I be able to tidy up the inside and pack it for the road again.
And in reference to the title of this post, we also weighed ourselves.  I was certain with all the eating we did that we each would have packed on ten pounds, easily.  Surprisingly, I'm actually a half-pound lighter (don't even ask how that happened) and Ed stayed the same.  It's not like we came back skinny or anything, so Ed said we're going back on his salad wagon immediately.  It's probably best.

I have to say, I am looking forward to going back to work.  I just hope I remember how to shift gears.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Dinner And A Show
2013: Everything You Need To Live A Bountiful Life Is Inside Of You
2012: From A Bodyguard, To Men Of Honor, To Good Deeds
2011: Just What I Need
2010: Waterfront Dining
2009: The Best Is Yet To Come
2008: It’s Not Just A Medicinal Oil After All
2007: Tracy Hilltop
2006: Calming The Flatulent Tiger
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Ed Travels Light

The steepest escalator I've ever been on in my life.

Last night Ed received a few perplexed looks as he strolled through the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta in his Hawaiian-print shirt, cargo shorts, flip-flops and Columbian-made fedora while the majority of people rushing by were in winter clothes; heavy coats, hoodies and hats, a scarf or two.

I'm happy to say he made it home.
 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: La Ventanita
2013: Big Fat Proof Of Your Weight
2012: This Could Be Very Confusing For Men
2011: The King Of Thrift
2010: Dances With Sheepskin
2009: The Seat You Offer Your Arch Enemy
2008: The Man With The Silver Handbag
2007: Silver Snowscape
2006: Let Go Let Flow
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Adiós

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Well, we're done with our 32-day-cruise vacation.  We visited Hawaii, Central America and South America.  We're back in the states now and will be on our way back home soon.

Since I didn't have adequate internet on the ship to post photos - the wait time for uploading was painful - I've caught up on the last ten days or so by posting a few teaser photos of some of the places we visited.  I'll post more photos and details when I get settled back in to my normal groove.

Thanks for sticking around and I hope you come back for more!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Shades Of SOBE
2013: Set In Stone
2012: How To Make A Mustache Famous
2011: Homemade Dessert Is The Bombe
2010: Olga And Eddie Travel The Country Viking Style
2009: They Say
2008: Eddie Lounges In Cozumel Friday
2007: I Think I’m Dating A Narcoleptic
2006: Groundhog Surprise
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Lido Line

Our last day on the ship.  As we finished lunch and headed to the gangway, I took one last shot of the service side of the buffet line in the restaurant on the Lido Deck.

The staff was getting ready for a whole new group of passengers to arrive.

It was time for us to go.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Puttin' On The Fritz
2013: Proof That A Snowball Does Have A Chance In Hell
2012: I Just Want Tiny Little Elephants To Massage My Earlobes
2011: App-solutely Crazy
2010: NCIS Investigates The Kitchen Aftermath
2009: Sometimes There Are FOUR Sides To A Story
2008: Made With Pride
2007: Coke Crushes The Competition
2006: Tired And Mute
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Sea Day

Another day at sea.  There isn't much that stands between the water and the deck chairs.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Art Deco Color
2013: Formed Around A Grain Of Sand
2012: Pinwheels, Cartwheels, What’s The Difference?
2011: Maybe You Left It On Mars
2010: The Art Of A French Cooking Friend
2009: Eddie Supervises Friday
2008: Squeaky Clean
2007: Rushing No More
2006: My Constant Gardner
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Tied Off

Docked in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Seek And Ye Shall Find
2013: Frantically Trying To Get Back To Indonesia
2012: I’d Like Some Snow For Dessert
2011: Getting A Little Carried Away
2010: On A Need To Know Basis
2009: Something Has Gone Terribly Wrong
2008: Flying Into The Sun
2007: Riding The Rails
2006: Keeping Me Quiet With A Chocolate Snap
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Inside The Walls

A view of a colorful colonial building inside the walled city of Cartagena, Colombia.
 




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: What A Difference A Day Makes
2013: The Inner Path To The Outer Banks
2012: The Greatest Love Of All
2011: Step It Up
2010: It May Not Be EVERY Day You Learn Something New, But It’s Certainly True Of THIS Day
2009: Dreams Of Do-It-Yourself Dolloping Come True
2008: Rest In Peace Sweet Green Eyed Beauty
2007: George And Ira
2006: Zip It Up!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Almost There

A view of the Panama Canal, entering the Gatun Locks, heading toward the Atlantic Ocean.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Winter Water Running Through Watertown
2013: The Pretty Pink Sailor
2012: Many Thanks To Those Of You Who Come To Peer Through My Window
2011: And I Thought My Feet Were Big!
2010: ABC. Easy As 123. As Simple As Do Re Mi, ABC, 123, Baby You And Me
2009: Under The Black Palm Tree
2008: The Zoo In Stateroom 7377
2007: Pillars
2006: Fiori Di Como
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Pre-Colombian Toothlace

A toothy artifact  (toothlace - tooth necklace) at the Chorotega Museum in Chinandega, Nicaragua.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Who Needs Sochi? We've Got Watertown.
2013: Pit Stop At Home
2012: Adding A Few More Wheels To The Big Rig
2011: Again And Again And Again
2010: Hood Ornament
2009: Eddie Out Of Control Friday
2008: My Boyfriend Simon Is Back In Town
2007: A Little Taste Of Miami Beach
2006: Ooooohhhhhh, Jabra!
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Spiky On The Outside, Sinfully Delicious Inside

The Guanabana, also known as soursop, growing on a tree in the rainforest of Costa Rica.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: The Most Awkward Descent Down A Snow Covered Hill. Ever.
2013: At The Top Of My Favorite Cities List
2012: Not Looking Anymore
2011: There Is Hope
2010: Where The Bunnies Of The Desert Hang Out
2009: The Marion County Shirt Factory Incident
2008: Eddie Roams The Mayan Ruins Friday
2007: Self Service Antiques
2006: Begin At Once
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Grand And Important

León Cathedral, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, this one located in León, Nicaragua.  It is the largest cathedral in Central America.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Winter Is A Table Set With Ice And Starlight
2013: The Romance Of The Road
2012: Celebrate With A Wild Desire
2011: Powerful Stuff
2010: Falling In Love With Ugly
2009: A Love Like This Can Know No Death
2008: Peace To This House
2007: The Sultan Of Love
2006: It’s Even Better Than Arbor Day
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Hustle And Bustle In Ancient Guatemala

Antigua, Guatemala.  A UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: The Flakes Got Up Early And Stayed All Day
2013: Headed For A Slow Boat To China
2012: A Roaring Forties Tasmanian Devil Of A Blue
2011: Waiter! There’s A Beer In My Soup!
2010: I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Wolf
2009: Eddie Getting His Licks Friday
2008: The Place Is In Ruins
2007: Winter Shadows
2006: The Angels Of The New York D.O.T.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Waiting For Turistas

An inner harbor area in Huatulco, Mexico.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: The Still Before The Storm
2013: Sizzle, Drizzle, And Pour
2012: Dreams Explored Over Dinner
2011: I’m In Love And It’s Not Even Valentine’s Day Yet
2010: Eddie As Fisherman Friday
2009: Birds And Barbells On Muscle Beach
2008: A Girl On The Shores Of Cozumel
2007: I’m Not Exactly Sure What You’re Proposing Here
2006: The Blizzard Of 2006
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

La Bufadora And Almejas Gratinadas

Beautiful clams and oysters fresh from the sea.

Before leaving on our trip, my friend Marlaina sent me a New York Times article on Ensenada, Mexico.  It was one of our port stops.

We didn't have a plan for Ensenada.  Originally we thought we'd go see La Bufadora but decided just to walk into town instead.  Once we got into town, plans changed once again.  The trip to La Bufadora through the ship's excursion was $50.00 per person which seemed a bit steep and one of the reasons we initially decided to skip it.  Do I really need to see a spout of water in a Mexican tourist town?

Well, when we got to the center of town, a local tour company approached us.  $15.00 to go see La Bufadora.  That was more like it.  It is one of the largest marine geysers in the world, with sprays of up to sixty feet in the air.  For that price, I couldn't miss it.

While there, Ed and Steve stopped at the restaurant mentioned in the article, Cocos Vista El Mar, and had the almejas gratinadas - grilled clams, gratin-style, with melted cheese, butter, and white wine.  I am told they were delicious, as I opted for the churros and they were amaaazing.

At $7 per clam, which were the size of a man's hand, it was a great deal for lunch.

Almejas Gratinadas topped with delicious fresh shrimp.

After lunch we browsed the shops, bought a few more food treats, and headed back to the ship.  Best excursion deal so far.

La Bufadora blew just as predicted.

And it was impressive.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: In The Nick Of Time
2013: This Business Means Business
2012: A Nodding Donkey On The Hill
2011: What A Croc
2010: Flash Of Pole
2009: They Hire ‘Em Young These Days
2008: Setting Sail At Sunset
2007: Happy Bee
2006: It’s Not Unusual
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Ancient And Mysterious

We met Steve the first night on the ship, outside on the Promenade Deck.  We wound up spending most of the cruise together.  We played Scrabble (he kicked our ass), Ping-Pong (he kicked Ed's ass), and Name That Tune (I kicked both their asses).  We also took in several of the evening shows and were together on a few excursions.

He's originally from Philadelphia but now resides in Southern California.  He owns a shop called Laguna Tattoo, which is located right on Pacific Coast Highway.  The shop has been there for over 30 years.  Steve has owned it for 27 of them.

We had a great time hanging out and meeting nightly for dinner - lobster formal night was one of the best.  By the end of the eighteen days, we knew each other's "bio" well enough to recite it to the newcomers at our table.

I don't have any plans to get a tattoo (you can breathe now, Mom) but we do look forward to seeing him in the future - we're close enough for him to drive and visit us in Arizona, and he's already got another Hawaiian cruise planned. Who knows, we might even be seeing him in Maui this year!

Check out the ancient history of tattoos here.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: The New Rest Area
2013: Sidestepping Nemo Wasn't All That Hard
2012: Fun, Fresh, Fabulous Little Neighborhood
2011: What Do You Get When The Daily Rant Meets The Plum Trucker? A Plum Crush!
2010: Industrial Morning
2009: Sunset On Venice
2008: Knots And Nautical Miles
2007: What Is The World Coming To When The Girls Next Door Think They Are Fat??
2006: T.T.D.L.I.T.H.A.T.I.F.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Heading To Shore

A shot of our ship from the tender boat as we were being brought to shore in Maui.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Chocolate And Gnocchi - The Best Of Any World
2013: Looking And Smelling Good Behind The Wheel Of A Big Rig
2012: Necessary Evil
2011: Getting Drunk On Summer Fun
2010: How Is It The Fish Don’t Freeze???
2009: A Meal Even 300 Year Old Monks Would Love
2008: Not A Knock Knock Joke
2007: Eddie Shades Friday
2006: The Idiot And The Box
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Animals Came In Two By Two

I don't know how old one has to be when they stop being delighted by animals made from towels.

Whatever age it is, I know I'm not there yet.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: The Jolly Green Giant Lives In Blue Earth
2013: My Man's Got More Than A Million
2012: He Might Not Be Able To Move A Rubber Tree Plant, But He Can Certainly Get Transportation In California To Come To A Screeching Halt
2011: Business As Usual In America
2010: Teeny Tiny Cows Are So Delicious With A Side Of Teeny Tiny Tortellini
2009: Sleeping Atop Signal Hill
2008: Eddie Reads A Book Friday
2007: Finally! Someone Who Thinks I’m God’s Gift To Man
2006: Pool Shark
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

True Civilization

This morning we left our room - still decorated for Ed's birthday - and headed into San Diego.

I can't tell you how good it feels to be back to internet.

We've been aboard the ship for eighteen days, ten of them spent at sea.  The sea days are relaxing, and we've done some of the things we don't do when television and internet are at our fingertips, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it.  In fact, it's probably the only thing I miss about "civilization".

Nowadays, internet is part of our daily lives.  I really can't do much without it.  I can't do the blog.  Can't post pictures to Instagram.  Can't text.  Can't email.  Can't watch the shows I've missed.  Can't communicate with my friends who are currently in India.

I don't like it.

We bought a data package through Verizon for checking email, and phone calls and texting are billed by the minute or per text - fifty cents to send, five cents to receive.  But the service is abysmal.  I even broke down and bought the ships internet service, which wasn't much better.  And it's expensive.  I thought I'd pay "any amount" when it came to staying connected, but I found that I could do without for a few days.

This next leg of the cruise is going to be worse.  We hit Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia.  In three of those countries there is no data plan through Verizon, it's pay as you go at $20.48 per megabyte.  I won't be using it.

I'm going to schedule a few posts to go through while we're back at sea but it'll only cover a few days and will be mostly photos.  I doubt I'll have anything for Instagram, but feel free to check in.

We don't hit the United States again for more than fourteen days.  So I guess I'll see you when I get back.  At that time, I'll write more detailed posts about our trip and include more photos.

See you then!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Late Afternoon In South Dakota
2013: Farm To Market
2012: Providence Silhouette
2011: We Got Fatter But We Lost Weight
2010: Stripping, Vitamins, And Cheesecake
2009: Ocean Front Crowd
2008: He Wouldn’t Recommend His Wife To Anyone He Knows
2007: Spring Has Sprung In My Hotel Room
2006: High School Hottie
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Celebration At Sea

Today is Eddie's 40th birthday.  He celebrated on board, at sea, eating his cake while seated among new friends.

It's pretty safe to say he's likely the youngest passenger on the ship.

By thirty years, at least.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Winter Baby
2013: Let Me Count The Ways
2012: He’s Been Waiting For This Day For Thirty-Seven Years
2011: Twisted Raoul
2010: The Spring Chicken Celebrates His Big Day
2009: Eddie It’s My Birthday! It’s My Birthday! Friday
2008: As Pisghetti Gains Another Year, I Lose Eight
2007: Happy Birthday My Sweet Eddie!!!
2006: The Many Faces Of Ed
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Water Is Precious

Surrounded by water, conservation is still requested.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Who's That Behind Those Foster Grants?
2013: Where Are The Cushy Couches And Fat Laps?
2012: The Stealth Trucker
2011: Aisles Filled With Q-Tips
2010: Lights, Camera, Action!
2009: Desktop Material
2008: C’mon In
2007: Eddie Hits The Bricks Friday
2006: Built With The Organization Gene
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Tenderly

Tender boat staff.

Two ports we went to on our Hawaii trip - Maui and Kauai - used the ship's tender.  When they kept saying it was a "tender port", I had no idea what they meant.  For those of you in the dark like I was, a tender is a smaller boat that transports people (or supplies) to and from the larger vessel.

The tender from the cruise ship holds about 60 people and was used because they do not have deep water ports for the ship to dock in. Smaller boats have tenders too, but they're usually called dinghies.  If they had used that word I might have known what they were talking about.  Although dinghies in my mind screams "rubber raft" and not "capable boat" to take you ashore.

Whadya know, I learned something new.  



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: What Else Is There To Do When It's One Degree Outside?
2013: Packing Up
2012: A Man Can Do All Things If He Will
2011: Spinning Our Wheels
2010: It Takes Two
2009: Buona Sera King Louis
2008: The Newest B & B Trend Might Not Take Off As Expected
2007: Pirelli
2006: Classic Sal
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

Place Of Refuge

Ed standing on the lava shore of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on the coast of Honaunau Bay in the south Kona region on the Big Island of Hawaii.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: A Story Told In Stone
2013: Eddie Sandwich
2012: Finally – Freight To Buzz About!
2011: For The Crybabies
2010: Chillin’ In Utah
2009: Taking The Peas For A Ride In A Cozy Little Shell
2008: Wyth Jane’s Kin In Wytheville
2007: Color In Architecture
2006: Living On
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Gods Are Angry. Or Laughing.

At the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, on the island of Oahu, Ed does his best impression of whatever the hell that thing is behind him.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: These Four Guys Always Have The Same Expression On Their Faces
2013: Save Money On Sandwiches, Buy Nice Car
2012: Big Money Needed For A Relaxing, Feel-Good Experience
2011: The Original Metrosexual And The Petting Zoo
2010: Cribs For Corn, Not Celebrities
2009: LL Cool E
2008: Hunt On Hold
2007: The Blondes Come Marching In
2006: Thank You Is Not Enough
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Hawaiian Memorial

The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: We Do Not Remember Days, We Remember Moments
2013: Sharing The Long Haul Lifestyle
2012: Love, Peace, And Soooouuulll
2011: Taste The Fire
2010: Finally, A Shot At Playmate Of The Month! (Sorta)
2009: Remembering
2008: Eddie Gets His Eyes Checked Friday
2007: Shifting The Sun
2006: My Daddy Is Gone
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Clooney Was Not At The End Of The Pier

Pier from "The Descendants"

In Kauia we went on a movie location tour.  We saw locations from  The Descendants, Six Days and Seven Nights, Gilligan’s Island,  The Amazing Race, Fantasy Island, Blue Hawaii and Pirates of the Caribbean, Jurassic Park and more.  Some of the locations are easily recognized, others it takes a clip of the movie to refresh your memory.  When we got back to the ship, they were playing Six Day and Seven Nights in the room and we watched it to see if there was anything we recognized.  We did, which made it that much more interesting.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Where They Build Palaces Out Of Corn
2013: Modern Market Girl
2012: A Berry Good Time
2011: Traveling Through Mountain Ranch
2010: Backroads
2009: If Only I Could Fit All Of This Information On A Bumper Sticker…
2008: Gambling Haze
2007: Published
2006: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Valley Of The Temples

Yesterday we visited the Byodo-In Temple located in Kahaluu, on the island of O'ahu in Hawaii.  It was built in 1968 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii.  It's a smaller-scale replica of the over 950-year-old Byodo-in Temple in Uji, Japan.

The temple is a non-practicing Buddhis temple but welcomes people of all faiths to worship.  The grounds are beautiful and serene, and among the lush greenery we found a black swan, hundreds of Koi - which were the biggest I've ever seen - and flocks of birds that will land on your hands if you extend your arm toward them.

I will have a picture of Eddie, The Bird Whisperer, at some point in the very near future.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: The Day The South Fell Apart...Again
2013: Island Graffiti
2012: Four Seasons Of Food To Conquer
2011: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
2010: As Seen On TV
2009: Eddie Polishing His Chrome Friday
2008: Traveling With Your Cat
2007: Getting Wet In The Next County
2006: Down With O.P.P.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

North Shore Surfin'

We caught a few surfers on the North Shore today waiting for the perfect wave.  We were on a very regimented bus tour so could not stay to see if they actually caught one.

Aloha, wave riders!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Calling It A Day
2013: Eight Ways To Take It Easy
2012: Dinner With Friends
2011: This Is What Sheer Joy Looks Like
2010: I’ll Have The Tootsie Rolls And The Butterfinger And The Lollipop And The Gummi Bears And The Hershey Kisses And The Snickers Bar And The M&M’s And…
2009: Meals On Wheels
2008: Mercury Dropping
2007: James Cameron For $79.99 A Night
2006: The Town That Big Tobacco Built
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Aloooooooha

One of the most shopped stores in Hawaii is probably Hilo Hattie's.  It's Hawaii's largest Hawaiian retailer and manufacturer of Hawaiian, resort and casual fashions.  And, to add to the history of the attraction, I think it helps to know that Hilo Hattie was an actual person.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: Better Than No Touch Freight
2013: The First Step Is To Admit You Have A Problem
2012: The Top Five Sweet Scents In My World
2011: A Weekend Full Of Bright Stars And Not Much Else
2010: I’m Floored
2009: Two Worlds Collide
2008: Girl Crush
2007: Silly Boys
2006: It’s Nowhere Near Mexico, Y’all
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Mighty Mo

Today we visited Pearl Harbor and toured America's Battleship, the U.S.S. Missouri, also known as The Mighty Mo.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: We Work A Lot, We're Fat, And You Can't Get By Without Us
2013: Domestic Cat Life
2012: Being Appreciated
2011: Just A Phone Call Away
2010: A Practically Perfect Circle
2009: My Frozen Kentucky Home
2008: On Tour And Collecting Paper As We Go
2007: Finding Your Way
2006: Trivia From The First Tsar Of Russia
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Deck Walkers

At home, we have mall walkers.  Here, we have deck walkers.

Four laps around the Lower Promenade level equal one mile.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: The Land Of The Blue Angels
2013: Taking A KW For A Spin
2012: New York And Snow – My Two Favorite Things
2011: Doin’ The Math
2010: Well, Butter My Butt And Call Me A Biscuit
2009: I Even Have Time To Go On Strike
2008: Teaching Them Young
2007: You Gotta Be In It To Win It
2006: Cinema Stupido
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Ed Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa

Ed at the Ukelele class.  He looks like a natural, doesn't he?

And just in case you think I made up the word humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, I did not.

It's a fish.  Seriously.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: NOT An Oasis
2013: Drop The Flag And Take Me Home
2012: Cottonwood Trading Company
2011: Service With A Smile
2010: Getting The Red Out, One Barn At A Time
2009: Obamaduck!
2008: How A Four Year Old Can Make You Feel Like Crap For Trying To Get Out Of Doing Yard Work
2007: Florida Fro
2006: Hail To The McGriddle Gods
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Three Squares And A Midnight Snack

This is a table in the casual dining room.  They serve three meals a day and also open for an hour just in case you're in the mood for a late-night snack.

The dining rooms are situated on each side of the ship so you have a water view from any seat you choose.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2014: They Were Five
2013: Wake Of Imagination
2012: Woman With Cat
2011: From Blue Grass To Wine Country
2010: Plump With Fat Quarters
2009: Eddie Out With The Old, In With The New Friday
2008: You Can Get Them At Home Depot??
2007: There Are Never Enough Hours In The Day To Do Anything When You Have A Baby
2006: Tequila Sunrise
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

King (And Queen) Of The World

We left San Diego in a flurry of excitement.  A 32-day cruise!  No driving of anything for over a month.  We walked the decks, taking pictures as we went, ending up on the very top deck accessible to us and looked down at the small boats assisting our departure from the channel, dropping us when we were able to go it on our own.  Well, not our own, the captain's own.

We were four-and-a-half hours into the Pacific, just finishing up dinner when the captain came on the P.A. system with a very important announcement.

Turns out there was a guest on board that had a medical emergency and needed to return to San Diego to receive immediate medical attention.  We were turning around and going back.

What???  Ed and I looked at each other with that, are you serious? look.  As we finished up dinner we debated about what the emergency was.  And when we got on deck, we ran into another guest and the three of us discussed what should be done, what might be done, what we would do.  Why would they send the ship back, considering we move at a crawl?  Why aren't they sending the Coast Guard?  Or a smaller boat that could reach us faster than we could get back.  What about a helicopter?  Don't they drop that metal basket, like in the movies, to retrieve people in emergencies?  And where's the turnaround cutoff point?  How far does a ship go before they decide they've passed the point of no return?

Regardless of what we thought, we were going back.

We were asleep when we hit San Diego harbor, dropped off the guest in need, and then turned around to head back out to sea.  I didn't hear or feel a thing.  We also learned that the passenger was going to be just fine and he was resting comfortably.

I knew it was a man.

I told Ed that I bet his wife said, "Honey, you don't look well.  Maybe we shouldn't go on the cruise.  We should go see a doctor."

He, of course, said, "I'm fine.  The damn trip is paid for and we're going."

Now he's in the hospital, and she's giving him the 'I told you so' eye.  Bu only after she regained her composure and knew he was going to be fine.

Because you can't tell a dying man that you could kill him for not listening to you if he's actually dying.



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2014: Winding It Up Before Leaving Town
2013: Who Is A Bahamian?
2012: Pay No Attention To The Cat Behind The Curtain
2011: Papa Can You Hear Me?
2010: The Err Erudes Them
2009: Sorry, no post for this date.
2008: Addicted
2007: When You Just Can’t Decide Between Dinner And Breakfast
2006: Purple Industrial Skies
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!