LUVINMYHUBS

Happy Memorial Day, Crazies!  Hot hot hot here:  97 degrees actual temp with a very hot breeze!  We are supposed to get some remnants of Alberto by Wednesday, though, so I am sure that will cool things off.  We decided against the cookout, but have stocked in some deli meats/cheese, potato salad, melon and corn on the cob to have....inside, lol!  A fairly light week ahead, which means I should head upstairs to get more "weeding" through things done.
Jackie - I know what you mean about the jobs like painting and my sorting/rearranging/cleaning of rooms...harder than it used to be, that is for sure!  You are right to take a break in between jobs.  As my Mother often said, growing old is not for sissies!  Alberto looked like it was withering a bit, so hopefully all will be well.
Kelly - Congrats on your newest Grandson!  Being a Grandparent is the absolute best, isn't it?!  Each age just gets better and better.
Shari - Sounds like your weather is going to temper a bit as well.  Hopefully you can get out a bit and enjoy the nicer temps; especially like here, I like to be out at this time of year, before the humidity builds and the bugs really start flying, lol.
Jan - Hope everything is going weatherwise there; your Epic cruise is coming up really fast - have you packed yet?  I'm hoping we can make some progress on a 2019 cruise soon....I'm getting antsy to book something.....
Ray - I'm hoping that all that flash flooding I'm seeing on the Weather Channel is NOT anywhere near you?!
Miranda - Thanks for the location; now I see where you are in relation to our starting point in Amsterdam!
Hope everyone has a great holiday and week ahead!

Jackie. unfortunately. no. One lives in West Palm, and the other in Indianapolis. But I'm sure they'll be close, as my daughters are, and we all "facetime" a lot, and spend holidays together whenever possible, as well as a couple weeks in summer. I lived near Ocala Florida for 32 years. I've only lived in Indiana for 7 now, but absolutely love it, and having all the seasons again, even if winter was a little long winded this year ? What part of Florida do you live in. Also, wishing I'd discovered the joys of cruising while I still lived there....I'd save a ton of $ on flights!
 

Kelly, Congratulations on the birth of your precious little Liam.  I know exactly how you feel ..... grandbabies are the BEST!!!  Oh ..... how blessed you are, going to be Grandma again in 6 weeks ...... Wow, awesome!  Do your daughters live close by to each other? It will be awesome for the two cousins to be able to grow and play together as they get a little older, being super close in age.  We have two 9 year old grandsons here in Florida, they are 6 months apart in age, one lives in Tampa and one in Melbourne, but when they get together they just pick up from where they left off at the last visit ..... great buddies!!!  Enjoy all the cuddles and kisses with the new little one ......

Congratulations on all counts, and wishing joy and happiness to Babies' Families and the proud Grandparents!?

Hi Everyone...hope you are all having a good day!
Miranda...hope those thunderstorms don't come as badly as last time.  Stay safe!  I was also wondering what part of the Netherlands that you lived in.  Thanks for sharing.  Hope the weather doesn't get that bad there.
Jackie...good idea to stop and rest for awhile...it's too hard on the back to keep on going, even when we really want to.  Sorry that your husband had to go through the surgery and still have troubles.  I feel exactly like you.  I have known too many people who have gone through the same thing...had surgery and then still had pain and troubles, and then had another surgery, and still not good.  Even my neurologist, when I asked about surgery, said, "we hate surgeons."  I thought he was kidding, but then thought, "maybe not"...they just know it doesn't always help.  Glad that Alberto is behaving so far...hope things don't get worse.  Stay safe!
Kelly...Congratulations!  Grandchildren are the greatest!  So very special.  And one more coming for you...so wonderful!  Also a cruise coming for you...yes...God is Good!  So happy for  you!
Jan...hope your weather isn't too bad there...and hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend.
Hi to ALL CruiseCrazies...hope you are all enjoying the holiday weekend.  Off to have my one Mai-Tai.  LOL

Hi Everybody! My beautiful youngest daughter just gave birth to my 4th grandbaby night before last! Liam is his name, and boy is he a cutie pie!! ❤️ My only other daughter is also due in 6 weeks, so lots of blessings coming my way. God is good. And as a great side note, our cruise just went down to double digits....95 days and counting....Yay! Life is so  good!! Happy Memorial Day Everybody! ? 

What was I thinking? Painting is definitely for younger people .... sheesh what a workout and I spent the evening using heat and ice alternately on my back........ and we still have another room to paint, the bigest one yet, but I guess we'll wait awhile until we forget the pain involved ? ? 
Miranda, How wonderful that you live in the Netherlands, were you born there?  We were there last month, spent 5 days ..... really enjoyed Amsterdam but it was lovely getting out of the city and driving to Keukenhof .... so, so pretty.  It was also pretty nice for Tony and I as we are originally from South Africa and speak Afrikaans (a derivitive of Dutch - our second language), so we could understand  everything Dutch, which was great, even had some great conversations.
Shari, you are right, I have not had back surgery. I have given it some thought but my husband had back surgery 15 years ago and he was good for a few years and then all the problems started up again ...... so my attitude has been, why the heck would I put myself under the knife for something that is not going to be totally rectified. 
Andi, it seems like Alberto hasn't developed into much of a system.... yet.  We are getting a few rain bands, just breezy and light to moderate rain so far.  Hope it stays that way.
Have a great weekend Crazies!!!

Happy Weekend, Crazies!  How DOES the week get away from me - I can't believe I did not get a post on here, although, since I get the email alerts whenever anyone posts, I am keeping up with all of you!
Shari,  you are not the only night person so time for me to weigh in on that discussion, lol:  I am unapologetically, a night person - always have been.  And of course, since the world is NOT geared toward night owls, I was perpetually sleep-deprived during my working years; it did not matter that I had to get up at 6:30 to go to work, I simply could not get to sleep before 1:00 most nights.  And since most days at work extended into the evenings...8 or 9 pm, I could not get any naps in either.  So I caught up on the weekends (exactly what they tell you not to do, lol!)  BUT - even now, I do get as much done at midnight that you morning people get done at 5 or 6 a.m.   Interestingly, though, I also tend to go to bed earlier on cruises; I wonder if it is the subtle motion, or maybe because I am less stressed so able to just relax and go to sleep easier.  And of course, getting up in the morning on a cruise is much more exciting than getting up to go to work, ha ha! 
Miranda - Your storm sounds terrible - sorry about your television, but so glad YOU are okay!  We have had a heat wave like some others here, and it is scheduled to continue for at least the next week.  The pools opened today for the summer - perfect timing!  I do love the heat, so am quite content.
Jan - Your cold snap must be coming up from the south since we are scheduled to stay hot all week.  That's too bad that you had to cancel your BBQ. 
Jackie - Hope that Alberto just veers off into oblivion and leaves you alone.
Ray - Congrats to the Caps.  We are rooting for them in the finals - go teach those upstart Knights a lesson or two!
Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend planned...somehow I have to work up the desire to go upstairs and work on getting ready for new carpet, rather than go outside and enjoy the heat.   Hi to Kelly, Falina, Debbie, and all the other Crazies!

Kelly and Jackie - 
My husband is a bubbly, happy guy early mornings, and thinks by 10:00 am "the day's half over!" Once up, I do love early mornings, but I'm no where near bright eyed and bushy tailed, but awake in a quiet, contemplative kind of way. Once I've had coffee, I can be social! ? On the other end of the scale, the only way to make it through the night's festivities is to take a power nap in the afternoon.?

HaHa Kelly, yes exactly like us.  I've often wondered why non-morning people waste so much gorgeous daylight, one can get so much accomplished in the light, but that's what makes the world go around - not everyone is bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6am ...........

OOOhhhh!! Naps are the BEST!! Love me some Sunday afternoon naps ❤️
 

Kelly - David and I are the opposite. He is the morning person, and I don’t generally talk until I’ve had my first coffee. Cruises, though, are very different. It’s hard to get my butt out of bed early, but when I do, the rewards are great. Sunrise, for one. Yes, that early! The ship in the early morning hours is quiet, peaceful and uncrowded. I always make a point of working out, even if for only 20 minutes, first thing in the morning. Later in the day I get busy or too tired. We’re doing mostly resistance training at the gym, working muscles we forgot we had! Using ropes, bands and kettlebells, we do a lot of pushing, pulling, lifting, squatting, some floor stuff. The session always ends with a weighted “sled” that we push back and forth over the length of the room. We’re pretty exhausted when we’re done, but it’s getting easier each time. Arm fat blowing in the breeze? ? OMG, too funny! Yes, I can definitely identify!

Wow it's quiet around here .... everybody is busy I guess.
We have had a week of on and off rain and are expecting more over the long weekend, just as well we don't have any major outdoor plans.  We have spent the last 2 days gardening.  First vegetables and then flowers etc.  One thing the copious amounts of rain has done is germinate the vegetable seeds in double quick time.  It's always exciting to see the new plants peek through the soil.
Yvonne is doing really well.  She had half of the staples out of her skull yesterday and the remaining ones next Thursday.  She is not allowed to drive or go back to teaching until the Dr clears her in August....... that will also give her time to grow back her hair somewhat.
Shari I seem to have lost a large portions of everyones lives on here - do you mind me asking why you are needing a cane?  Sorry don't want to be sounding nosey just out of concern my friend.
Jan & Kelly, Tony and I are both morning people, which is such a wonderful time at sea. Quiet on the ship and the sun rises are magic. I know morning people are night owls worst nightmares ...... so chipper and chatty early in the morning when we are energized from a nights sleep  ..... haha!  Then again, we're the party poopers wanting to be in bed by 10. Lol.
Have a great day everyone!!

Wowwee Jan!! That's very impressive, 8 am workout! Jim and I don't do our workouts until like 7pm, twice a wk. (sometimes 3 times a wk), and we recently started walking around the neighborhood the other nights. He's definitely not a morning person (except on our cruise he was up before 7am...it was like he was a different person! ? ) and although he's never been rude to me or anything, he's kind of like a zombie and just stares blankly for an hour with his coffee, blinking occasionally so I know he's alive. I can talk and he doesn't even register what I'm saying. So not holding out too much hope for morning workouts, unless I go by myself to the gym, and I still work 4 days a week, so we'll probably just stick to what we're doing. What kind of stuff are you all doing? Any light weights? That's what we do, mine lighter than his, but I see muscles on my arms where they used to be saggy, and that thrills me to no end. I'm horrified by the fact that my arms used to blow in the wind when the car window was down....true story ?

Good morning!
I have to say that Monday mornings go down a little easier now that David and I are starting the week off with our trainer at 8 a.m. As one who has always hated Mondays and any morning before 9 am, this is quite an achievement!?
Jackie - I am so happy to hear that Yvonne is back home and out of the woods, with no neurological damage. I can imagine how relieved you all must be, and I hope she continues to make good progress!?
Miranda - Antarctica sounds like a dream come true, but I think in order to make a group cruise attractive to more Crazies, we should limit it to 7-12 nights. Also, as much as I’ve always wanted to cruise over Christmas, I don’t want to miss the holiday fun with family and grandkids. 
Shari - I hope your cane arrives in time. I gave mine to my brother, and didn’t have time to order one before my last trip, so went over to the local pharmacy and picked one up. I never need it, but pack a folding cane “just in case”.
Have a great day, all!

Friday, May 18th 
Hi Everyone...another warm day, very nice weather.  Nice to have the windows open.
Jan and Kelly...your actions on the being healthy, and also losing weight sound really good.  I really need to do something...have been on and off diets for a long time now.  Seems like when I get off I just start gaining again.  I was just thinking today that I need to step up on the water.  Have read books about how important water is to us, and especially seniors.  It's also great to help get the weight off.  Trouble is I really don't feel thirsty so much of the time...the books say that is normal for seniors, and why so many are dehydrated.  Also need to cut down on the carbs, and sugar.  I also love pasta and breads, and potatoes...so...very hard, but have to make some changes...need the fiber in carbs, so, that is one issue, but don't need the sugar and bad carbs for sure.  Gonna try and cut down on the carbs, and drink more water.  I used to keep a pitcher of water on the kitchen counter and make sure I drank it all.  Will have to start doing that again, I think.  Exercise is a big thing, also.  Sadly that is very hard for me with my "issues."  Can't even walk around a store  without extreme spinal pain, but, am not giving up.  Going to get back on my exercise bike and strengthen my back and legs so I can walk better, and farther.  I feel encouraged by listening to you both...thanks...I needed that.  

Shari, I don't think it made it any harder....just mostly feel thankful that I got that time, you know? ❤️

All this low carb chatter is getting me highly motivated, thanks ladies.  I put on way too much during our TA and then 2 weeks in Europe, and have been going overboard on carbs especially bread and rice, they're my favorites.  I think I will start on Monday because our daughter Candice is taking us to brunch on Harbor Island for my belated Mother's Day gift on Sunday.  My life seems to follow a pattern .... on the wagon, off the wagon ? 

Agreed on all points....except the Milano cookies one, because 10 minutes seems kinda slow, don't ya think? ?

Thursday, May 17th 
 
Hi Everyone...nothing exciting to talk about today....just finishing up on some easy things at home.  Weather here seems more like summer now rather than Spring.  Will be 85 tomorrow.  Possible rain on Saturday, and Sunday morning.  In the high 70s next week for most of the week.
Kelly...I'm so sorry that I missed the first part of your post yesterday.  I actually was falling asleep at the computer...long day, and only 4 1/2 hours of sleep before the day started.  I'm so sorry that you lost your little girl also.  It had to be even harder for you since you got to see her and spend time in the hospital with her.  My little one was only 1-1/2 pounds, and just didn't make it.  Doctor said she looked perfect, just too small.  I didn't even hold her since I had to have another surgery, and ended up with clots on my lungs...ended up in intensive care on a respirator.  Had a 50/50 chance of living or dying.  Long story.  My heart breaks for the little one I lost, but I thank God that I made it to raise the daughter that I have.  Yes...time does help us.
Andi...so nice that you have a weekend that will give you a little rest time, except... that with new carpeting coming  you may not get so much rest.  Congrats on the new carpeting!  Hope by Sunday you will have some time to rest up and lay around with one of your interesting books.  Marc and I sailed on the "Oosterdam" a few years back with some friends.  It wasn't our favorite, but then again it was a bad time for us since Marc had just been diagnosed with his bladder cancer, and I just kept thinking I was going to lose him....having our friends on the ship with us really helped.  They also had some kind of strike, or something going on, with the entertainment, so there was very little, but that was just our luck at that time.  Have heard very good things about Holland America otherwise.  The best thing about that time for us is that Marc made it through, and the cancer is gone.  Glad  you made it through the storms and hope everyone is OK there in the East Coast.  Haven't heard about the news on the new preventative for migraines...hope it works, and with NO side effects.  That's a dream, isn't it?  Will have to check it out. Thanks for the info.
Jackie...so glad that Yvonne made it through the surgery...hoping and praying that she will be healed.
Hi to all CruiseCrazies! Have a great weekend.

Happy Thursday, Crazies!  Was up really early today to attend a United Way breakfast and then got to relax with an appointment for my manicure/pedicure.  And that is the extent of my scheduled obligations through the weekend, yay!  I have to make some serious headway on the upstairs so that I can get the new carpeting, so this will be a good time to tackle it.
We've switched out our November cruise - sorry, Miranda - instead of the Regal Princess we are doing the HAL Oosterdam; the switch saved us about $400 and goes to a few more places that we really love, so....  I do want to sail on the Regal sometime (we loved the Royal,) but the deal on this one was just too good to pass up.
Sounds like the East Coast got the horrid storms that had blown through here - hope everyone made out okay.
The weather now here is absolutely beautiful - makes it hard to work inside on days like this, lol! 
Kelly - so sorry to hear of the loss of your little one - I'm sure those three months were life-changing for you.
Jan - If we weren't already booked on our river cruise we would be tempted to join you in Bermuda - have to figure out how to get back there soon!
Ray - Good luck to your Caps tonight!
Shari - Did you read about the new Migraine preventative that got approved by the FDA today?  I know it is an injection but don't know much else about it.  Might be worth looking into - hoping Medicare would cover it!
Hi to Falina and Debbie and all the Cruise Crazies!

I will let you know if we watch it.  The picture...no worries about it being 6- years-old .  Mine is at least that.  Think that a lot of us do that. Not especially to look younger either, that is nice, but... sometimes we just don't have a newer picture we like.  I know that I don't.  LOL  Reddish sounds pretty...mine is getting more grayish...LOL  Always good to wear it like hubby likes it.  ?

Hi Kelly...grandchildren are truly a  special gift, how great that you have three, and two more on the way...so exciting.  My hubby and I have eleven all together, and two great grandchildren,...of course that is on Marc's side since I'm not old enough...LOL I have one daughter, (lost one little girl, came too soon, and too small) and Marc has two girls and one son.  My stepdaughters are wonderful, son we don't see often enough.  Lives in Illinois. My daughter also has three, all girls.  Oldest is 14, middle girl is 11, and the youngest is 9.  Love them so much also.  Just had them overnight a couple of weeks ago...so fun.  We do have Netflix and, "The Magic Pill," sounds interesting.  Thanks for the info on that.   I will check it out.  You're very welcome on the nice words.  Love your hairstyle on your picture.  Looks so nice, also.

Hi Everyone...having some great weather here...mostly warm and sunny...looks good for next week also...mostly warm and sunny, but may have a couple of rainy days.  Have been really busy...taking care of THINGS...LOL  Had to cancel a wedding this weekend...it's up North, and I just will not be able to do it.  Feel so bad...it's for my sweet niece and I hate to miss it.  Just my health issues. Also on Monday eve we are going to our granddaughter's Confirmation.  We are both her sponsors, but I am kind of freaking out trying to figure out how I will get around the huge St. Paul Cathedral, and other issues.   Need to stop worrying. Got out to the store yesterday and some other places that I needed to stop at, and got home and could hardly move anymore, and terrible pain. Need to keep exercising those back and leg muscles.  LOL
Jan...and Kelly...eating healthy seems so easy, but it sure isn't, especially with all the division in what the "experts" say about what is and what is not healthy these days.  I remember when they all said no eggs, bad for you, and now say eggs are great, then the butter. etc.  Now chocolate is good for us...I like that one...LOL  Marc is reading a book about how bad wheat and grains are for us so he doesn't want to eat bread.  Guess the veggies and fruits are still good....LOL
Jason...thank you for the Mother's Day wishes!
Dentru...thank you so  much for letting us know how the funeral went.  The nice comments are comforting.  Continued prayers for Jim and family.
Jackie...I'm so sorry for all that Yvonne is going through, and also you and family.  Saying lots of prayers.
Debbie...that's so nice that you got to meet MaryLou  on the CruiseCrazies cruise in 2009, and then again in NY.  I do remember the cruise in 2009....I remember that I had wanted to go on that one so bad...the Mediterranean one, wasn't it?  It had every port that I really wanted to visit and also lots of Italy.  And we like Celebrity.  And I really wanted to meet up with all of the Crazies. Can't remember why I didn't make that one...thinking that it was expensive, or... that I already had another one booked with friends.  Think that it was that I already had one booked very close to that.
Ray...hope this summer will give you a little time to rest up.  I know we all want to use that extra time to catch up on projects or other things we want to get done, but it is important to take a little time to rest also, especially as we get a little older.  Totally understand that Yuki wants to save a little for the special cruises coming up.
Miranda...haven't gotten to the emoji site yet...have been pretty busy, but yours are so cute, I will have to go and check it out...especially if there is no charge...LOL Mine won't be as cute as yours though...LOL
Falina...I'm so sorry about your mom...my mom has been gone for 8 years now, and I still think that I want to call her and talk for awhile...still miss her so much.
Kelly...congrats on being a grandma...such a special gift to us.  You do look like a very young grandma...very pretty.
Andi...so nice that you had a nice Mother's Day and birthday party for Lucas. Sorry about the weather. It has been very nice and warm here lately, so hope some of that weather will come your way.  This week also looks good  70's and low 80's and maybe only two days with a chance of rain.
Hi to all CruiseCrazies...have a wonderful day!
 
 

Wow Kelly, are you over 50. Your profile picture must not be recent then? If it is then I have to say you look amazing! That's what you get from eating healthy and working out. Keep up the good work. You go girl!