July 2, 2018
Just returned from a Caribbean Cruise on the Caribbean Princess. Left out of Ft. Lauderdale and stopped at Princess Cay, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. We've cruised the Caribbean quite a bit, so no shore excursions necessary - just quick stops to purchase an item here or there. Weather was superb all days!
Traveled with three other couple on this trip. We spent sea days at the pool - sunning, reading, taking lots of dips in the pool, chatting and snoozing.
The star of the trip was our dinners. Let me just say that people approached us during the day asking if they could join our group at dinner since we seemed to be having such a wonderful time. Yes, loads of laughter - sharing stories - learning more about each other. Our servers were wonderful and quickly learned our quirks to make our evenings even more enjoyable.
Our friends are from very different walks of life - various ages - but are truly living life to the fullest. That's the tie that binds us together. They put up with my many hugs and returned them with vigor.
When I lost Jeff for two hours on the ship one day, they supported me and gave me the strength I needed to weather the storm. Good advice, lots of love, and just good old common sense to the rescue!
I love to travel - meeting people - having conversations with total strangers that bring smiles to all involved.
Looking forward to our next adventure - a month in Penang, Malaysia starting in September.
By the way, Mildred was with us - kept seeing beautiful butterflies whenever we were on land.
Life is Good!
Monday, July 2, 2018
Thursday, April 12, 2018
My Mother, Mildred, Is Always Watching - And I Love It!
Thursday, April 12, 2018
On Monday, April 9th, my cousin, Eleni, posted a photo of my Mother, Mildred, and Mildred's Mother (my Grandmother), Helen, which was taken in February, 1986.
In January, 1986, Mildred had been diagnosed with lung cancer and on January 1st had half her lung removed. She was recovering at home and my Dad had taken off time from work to stay with her. Finally, she convinced him to go back to work and she'd take a trip down to Florida to visit her Sister, Irene, and Grandma Helen.
What Eleni didn't realize, when she posted this photo, is that April 9th was the 32nd anniversary of Mildred's passing.
Mildred - the strong, intelligent, gorgeous woman that I was proud to call Mom, left us at the age of 58. Yes, much too young. But the legacy she left will stand proudly.
Purple - her favorite color
To know her was to feel her love - of family, of friends, of life
Psychic - absolutely and I always feel that she's watching us as our angel
On Tuesday evening, while watching the local TV news, Jeffrey mentioned that he was going to ask the VA medical staff if there was a way for him to get a Narcan pen - not for himself - but in case he could help someone else.
Wednesday morning, the phone rings and it's a nurse from Jeffrey's VA Primary Care Doctor's staff stating that since Jeffrey is on some powerful pain medications, the Doctor has recommended that Jeffrey be given a Narcan pen. WAIT A MINUTE - this is too much of a coincidence. Yes, of course, Jeffrey accepted, but I immediately stated that Mildred had been involved in the whole process.
It's said that when you see a red cardinal (the male), it means someone 'from the other side' is sending you a message. This week, a red cardinal has been visiting our deck for 'breakfast'. Never stays long enough for me to photograph, but definitely has been visiting.
Thank you, Mildred, for always watching over all of us with your love. It's not spooky, it's just proving that a Mother's love is endless.
Life is good.
On Monday, April 9th, my cousin, Eleni, posted a photo of my Mother, Mildred, and Mildred's Mother (my Grandmother), Helen, which was taken in February, 1986.
What Eleni didn't realize, when she posted this photo, is that April 9th was the 32nd anniversary of Mildred's passing.
Mildred - the strong, intelligent, gorgeous woman that I was proud to call Mom, left us at the age of 58. Yes, much too young. But the legacy she left will stand proudly.
Purple - her favorite color
To know her was to feel her love - of family, of friends, of life
Psychic - absolutely and I always feel that she's watching us as our angel
On Tuesday evening, while watching the local TV news, Jeffrey mentioned that he was going to ask the VA medical staff if there was a way for him to get a Narcan pen - not for himself - but in case he could help someone else.
Wednesday morning, the phone rings and it's a nurse from Jeffrey's VA Primary Care Doctor's staff stating that since Jeffrey is on some powerful pain medications, the Doctor has recommended that Jeffrey be given a Narcan pen. WAIT A MINUTE - this is too much of a coincidence. Yes, of course, Jeffrey accepted, but I immediately stated that Mildred had been involved in the whole process.
It's said that when you see a red cardinal (the male), it means someone 'from the other side' is sending you a message. This week, a red cardinal has been visiting our deck for 'breakfast'. Never stays long enough for me to photograph, but definitely has been visiting.
Thank you, Mildred, for always watching over all of us with your love. It's not spooky, it's just proving that a Mother's love is endless.
Life is good.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Birthdays are GREAT!
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Birthdays can be a great time to sit back and reflect on the life you've led to date and where you're headed.
Yesterday, I turned 65 and over a 36 hour period I received a huge amount of messages of love and good wishes.
From around the world
From friends and family
Via snail mail, email, text and Facebook.
From people who have known me my whole life to those
who I've just become acquainted this year.
From people who I see once in a lifetime, to once a week,
to every once in a while.
From people I met in school; through different jobs;
while traveling the world; to places I shop and eat.
I'm very far from perfect, but I do try to live a good life and treat others with respect. For me, I can say I get back 150% of what I give out.
This may sound trite, but I am truly blessed.
The crowning glory of this years' celebration was this morning. We went to our regular, neighborhood breakfast 'joint' - Uncle Charlie's Finer Diner - and not only did the whole staff (of loving wonderful women and men) bring me the special birthday (with candle) celebratory pancakes and sing happy birthday to me, but they also gave me a card that they had all signed with loving messages. And, of course, there were many hugs delivered as well.
Life is good💖
Birthdays can be a great time to sit back and reflect on the life you've led to date and where you're headed.
Yesterday, I turned 65 and over a 36 hour period I received a huge amount of messages of love and good wishes.
From around the world
From friends and family
Via snail mail, email, text and Facebook.
From people who have known me my whole life to those
who I've just become acquainted this year.
From people who I see once in a lifetime, to once a week,
to every once in a while.
From people I met in school; through different jobs;
while traveling the world; to places I shop and eat.
I'm very far from perfect, but I do try to live a good life and treat others with respect. For me, I can say I get back 150% of what I give out.
This may sound trite, but I am truly blessed.
The crowning glory of this years' celebration was this morning. We went to our regular, neighborhood breakfast 'joint' - Uncle Charlie's Finer Diner - and not only did the whole staff (of loving wonderful women and men) bring me the special birthday (with candle) celebratory pancakes and sing happy birthday to me, but they also gave me a card that they had all signed with loving messages. And, of course, there were many hugs delivered as well.
Life is good💖
Monday, January 22, 2018
Eden - Not The Garden, But A Lovely Town
January 22, 2018
Eden, Australia
About half way between Melbourne and Sydney is a lovely little town (of only @ 3,000 people) called Eden. The people are welcoming, the shops (including a shop selling local artisans works) are filled with lovely little items and we had a shuttle from the ship so we didn't have to walk up at a 70 degree angle up to the town from the dock.
Nice way to spend a morning.
Then we tackled the job of packing our bags (which need to be left outside our cabin by 10:00 PM this evening). No surprise - we bought TOO much stuff. I still have to weigh them to make sure they're not each too heavy, and then we'll have to move things around as necessary.
Said a lot of goodbyes to staff today. It really feel like I'm leaving parts of my heart here - such nice people. I truly hope we cross paths again. I've got quite a few new Facebook friends (staff members) from this trip, so I'll be able to keep in touch no matter what.
Tonight, we have dinner in the Toscana specialty restaurant with our new friend Mary Anne Sigal (soon to be from Toronto) who feels like an old friend that we just became reacquainted with. So nice when that happens.
Tomorrow will be our 'Groundhog Day'. We leave the ship @ 8:00 AM; flight leaves @ 11:15 AM; 16 hour flight from Sydney to LAX; two hour layover; then 6 hour flight to Boston arriving @ 5:00 PM. (Love fighting all the time zones...)
I hope this blog has given friends and family a peek into the fun to be had when you open your heart and mind to what is out there in the world.
Life is Good!
Eden, Australia
About half way between Melbourne and Sydney is a lovely little town (of only @ 3,000 people) called Eden. The people are welcoming, the shops (including a shop selling local artisans works) are filled with lovely little items and we had a shuttle from the ship so we didn't have to walk up at a 70 degree angle up to the town from the dock.
Nice way to spend a morning.
Then we tackled the job of packing our bags (which need to be left outside our cabin by 10:00 PM this evening). No surprise - we bought TOO much stuff. I still have to weigh them to make sure they're not each too heavy, and then we'll have to move things around as necessary.
Said a lot of goodbyes to staff today. It really feel like I'm leaving parts of my heart here - such nice people. I truly hope we cross paths again. I've got quite a few new Facebook friends (staff members) from this trip, so I'll be able to keep in touch no matter what.
Tonight, we have dinner in the Toscana specialty restaurant with our new friend Mary Anne Sigal (soon to be from Toronto) who feels like an old friend that we just became reacquainted with. So nice when that happens.
Tomorrow will be our 'Groundhog Day'. We leave the ship @ 8:00 AM; flight leaves @ 11:15 AM; 16 hour flight from Sydney to LAX; two hour layover; then 6 hour flight to Boston arriving @ 5:00 PM. (Love fighting all the time zones...)
I hope this blog has given friends and family a peek into the fun to be had when you open your heart and mind to what is out there in the world.
Life is Good!
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Burnie, Tasmania and the Last Sea Day
January 20, 2018
Burnie, Tasmania, Australia
Tiny town. Lovely Makers Workshop where a few artisans showed their wares. However, the actual town was like a ghost town. I understand small, but there were hardly anyone on the streets. Quick visit and back on the ship
January 21, 2018
Last Sea Day
We have only one more port, Eden, tomorrow and then we’re back in Sydney on Tuesday, January 23rd and start our flights home. It's a good day to start reflecting back on the journey we’ve had over the past month. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that the special tee shirts I gave Jeff for Chanukah were a huge hit with all the guests and crew. Everyone had to see what the shirts said each day and huge smiles ensued. (They were a great conversation starter...)
This one is probably my favorite.
Side chuckle: there is a crew member who stands at a lecturn, and greets each passenger when they go into the Terrace Cafe (buffet restaurant) each day. His name is Erick and he has an infectious smile. You can't help but smile back at him. One day last week, I stopped and asked him does he dreamt "Good morning, Mrs. XXX", Good afternoon, Mrs. XXX", etc. since he says it so many times a day? I suggested that he might get a button on his lecturn to say the Good Morning part and he could just add the name each time? We laughed and I think he respected that we appreciated his efforts.
Well, now when we go into the Terrace Cafe, we press the imaginary button and he says his greeting. (While in ports, we tried to find a joke gift of a button/buzzer, to give to Erick, but couldn't find one. We're going to try and find something when we get home and mail it to him...).
UPDATE: found a desk bell in Eden and gave it to Erick. He couldn’t believe we found something.
Special people that have served us during this trip - Jeffrey from the Phillipines (server and now my adopted son); Mahabat ((who we call Mahti) - who is multi-lingual/very intelligent and beautiful inside and out (assistant server who is from Kyrgyzstan); Natalia (server from Russia who has hair past her waist but is always in a neat bun while she's working); Felix (assistant server from India who we actually first met on our last Oceania cruise); Jacqueline (the stately and lovely maitre 'd at the Grand Dining Room who treats us like royalty); Marianna (a Jr. Head Waiter who was introduced to us by our dear Ukraine friend, Marina who we met on our first Oceania cruise); Ivan (Jr. Head Waiter from South Africa), Nikola (Maitre d' at Toscana specialty restaurant and Head Waiter from Italy), Georgous (Restaurant Manager and Greek who makes me remember all the lovely Greek foods and words of my youth); Sinisha (Maitre d' at Polo specialty restaurant/Head Waiter from Croatia); and so many more.
Life is good.
Burnie, Tasmania, Australia
Tiny town. Lovely Makers Workshop where a few artisans showed their wares. However, the actual town was like a ghost town. I understand small, but there were hardly anyone on the streets. Quick visit and back on the ship
January 21, 2018
Last Sea Day
We have only one more port, Eden, tomorrow and then we’re back in Sydney on Tuesday, January 23rd and start our flights home. It's a good day to start reflecting back on the journey we’ve had over the past month. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that the special tee shirts I gave Jeff for Chanukah were a huge hit with all the guests and crew. Everyone had to see what the shirts said each day and huge smiles ensued. (They were a great conversation starter...)
This one is probably my favorite.
Side chuckle: there is a crew member who stands at a lecturn, and greets each passenger when they go into the Terrace Cafe (buffet restaurant) each day. His name is Erick and he has an infectious smile. You can't help but smile back at him. One day last week, I stopped and asked him does he dreamt "Good morning, Mrs. XXX", Good afternoon, Mrs. XXX", etc. since he says it so many times a day? I suggested that he might get a button on his lecturn to say the Good Morning part and he could just add the name each time? We laughed and I think he respected that we appreciated his efforts.
Well, now when we go into the Terrace Cafe, we press the imaginary button and he says his greeting. (While in ports, we tried to find a joke gift of a button/buzzer, to give to Erick, but couldn't find one. We're going to try and find something when we get home and mail it to him...).
UPDATE: found a desk bell in Eden and gave it to Erick. He couldn’t believe we found something.
Special people that have served us during this trip - Jeffrey from the Phillipines (server and now my adopted son); Mahabat ((who we call Mahti) - who is multi-lingual/very intelligent and beautiful inside and out (assistant server who is from Kyrgyzstan); Natalia (server from Russia who has hair past her waist but is always in a neat bun while she's working); Felix (assistant server from India who we actually first met on our last Oceania cruise); Jacqueline (the stately and lovely maitre 'd at the Grand Dining Room who treats us like royalty); Marianna (a Jr. Head Waiter who was introduced to us by our dear Ukraine friend, Marina who we met on our first Oceania cruise); Ivan (Jr. Head Waiter from South Africa), Nikola (Maitre d' at Toscana specialty restaurant and Head Waiter from Italy), Georgous (Restaurant Manager and Greek who makes me remember all the lovely Greek foods and words of my youth); Sinisha (Maitre d' at Polo specialty restaurant/Head Waiter from Croatia); and so many more.
Life is good.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Melbourne On A 107 Degree Day
January 19, 2018
Melbourne, Australia
Lovely day at port. Took a local tram into the city to the Queen Victoria Market. We’d been there on our last trip to Australia and couldn’t wait to return. Sadly, more schlock than I recall but still had fun browsing.
The kicker was the 107 degree temperatures. In the sun, it felt like you were being burned alive. Spent just enough time that Jeff's legs and my feet were giving out and made it back to the ship for a late lunch. Jeff earned his nap and I'm enjoying the shade on the pooldeck and taking dips if I get too warm.
Life is good.
Melbourne, Australia
Lovely day at port. Took a local tram into the city to the Queen Victoria Market. We’d been there on our last trip to Australia and couldn’t wait to return. Sadly, more schlock than I recall but still had fun browsing.
The kicker was the 107 degree temperatures. In the sun, it felt like you were being burned alive. Spent just enough time that Jeff's legs and my feet were giving out and made it back to the ship for a late lunch. Jeff earned his nap and I'm enjoying the shade on the pooldeck and taking dips if I get too warm.
Life is good.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Hopping past Kangaroo Island and A Fine Time in Adelaide/Hahnsdorf
January 16, 2018
Kangaroo Island, Australia (To Tender Or Not?)
The ship has had a few mis-adventures (three medical emergencies where we had to turn around to drop off a passenger or a crew member to a medical facility - one person was even air lifted onto a helicopter for transport) and quite a few missed ports where we were supposed to anchor and use the tenders to get into port.
The most recent event was Kangaroo Island. We didn't have anything planned for this stop, but it was still disappointing to not get off the ship as planned. The ship anchor wouldn't hold and the seas were too rough for the tenders to operate.
January 17, 2018
Adelaide, Australia
Because of missing Kangaroo Island yesterday, we arrived in Adelaide last evening and had a planned privately booked excursion for this afternoon. In the morning, we just walked off the ship to see what was there and realized that the train station was right across the street.
Now you must realize that I planned all of our excursions back in August, 2017 and printed out my receipts and overview of the itinerary for each and wrote notes as to where to meet the tour, etc. on the front page.
For Adelaide, I clearly wrote "Meet At The Main Adelaide Bus Station at 12:45 PM". However, my brain said 'Meet at the train station at 12:45 PM'. So, just before 12:00 noon, we walked out to the Train Station and started to wait - - I kept re-reading my paperwork - - finally my brain and my eyes stated working together and I stated "*%&$# - we're at the wrong place". There were lots of security and volunteers around, so I snagged one and he said that the BUS station was about 45 minutes away. %&$# - now what.
There was one lonely cab sitting in the parking lot. The driving was dozing. We woke him up and asked frantically - can you take us to the BUS station and get us there within 45 minutes? He said it would be a tight fit, but he'd do his best. He was also nice enough to call the tour company and tell them we might be a moment or two late but that we were on our way.
50 Australian dollars and 42 minutes later, we arrived at the BUS station and found our tour. We were not the last ones to arrive - and when the 10 of us got going we had finally calmed down and were looking forward to a lovely day. (There was another couple from the cruise on the same tour and they had taken a TRAIN - from across the street from the ship - into town (for $0) and had then walked to the BUS station from there...)
The tour drove around Adelaide and then headed out of the city to a lovely town called Hahnsdorf (very German - lots of shops and eateries). There was a lot of traffic in the city since the Tour Down Under which is similar to the Tour de France. Thought of my son-in-law, Chris, and his Pan Mass Challenge participation of the past. Bicycles EVERYWHERE!
Overlooking the City of Adelaide from Mount Lofty
Pretty flowers in a parking lot...
Now, who can tell me why this photo is included?
Hint: Think of Jeffrey and his favorite 'Christmas' song...
Enjoyed browsing around the town of Hahnsdorf, made a few purchases (of course) and enjoyed the ride back into Adelaide.
Then (with the help of our fellow cruisers), we quickly walked from the BUS station to the TRAIN station and got a free train ride back out to the ship. They have amazing train service - it stops almost every mile or so.
Now, 'All-Aboard' (when you're supposed to be back on the ship) was 6:30 PM - we walked onto the ship at 6:30 PM - the last passengers to get checked back in for the day. It was a fun day and then we enjoyed a lovely buffet dinner (poor us - grilled lobster, shrimp, baby lamb chops and so much more) since we didn't feel like 'cleaning up' and getting dressed for the main dining room.
January 18, 2018
Day at Sea on our way to Melbourne, Australia.
We've met some amazing fellow travelers and crew on this journey. I will miss their daily interactions. The tee-shirts with funny sayings that I gave Jeffrey for Chanukah have been a huge hit. I should get a commission from the tee-shirt company for all the referrals. There's lots of love - there's lots of laughs - there will be some tears as our journey starts to wind down.
A special mention to a loving new friend that we met on this trip. Her name is Marianna and she is a Jr. Head Waiter (a Head Waiter in training). On our first Oceania cruise (January, 2014) we met an amazing woman named Marina Lada who I've stayed in touch with since that time. She no longer works on the ships, but keeps in touch with friends and former co-workers and has been kind enough to refer us to these friends on our subsequent trips.
Marianna is one such 'referal'... A lovely, intelligent, beautiful person who lights up when she greets you. She's from the Ukraine (as is Marina) and I know she will continue up the ladder on her quest to rule the seas!
NOTE: By the way - if you're reading this post and would like to leave a comment - I'd love to hear feedback. Be honest, please. I'm enjoying documenting the trip and know that it will be a useful tool as my few brain cells leave me clueless on what I've done in my life!
Life is Good!
Kangaroo Island, Australia (To Tender Or Not?)
The ship has had a few mis-adventures (three medical emergencies where we had to turn around to drop off a passenger or a crew member to a medical facility - one person was even air lifted onto a helicopter for transport) and quite a few missed ports where we were supposed to anchor and use the tenders to get into port.
The most recent event was Kangaroo Island. We didn't have anything planned for this stop, but it was still disappointing to not get off the ship as planned. The ship anchor wouldn't hold and the seas were too rough for the tenders to operate.
January 17, 2018
Adelaide, Australia
Because of missing Kangaroo Island yesterday, we arrived in Adelaide last evening and had a planned privately booked excursion for this afternoon. In the morning, we just walked off the ship to see what was there and realized that the train station was right across the street.
Now you must realize that I planned all of our excursions back in August, 2017 and printed out my receipts and overview of the itinerary for each and wrote notes as to where to meet the tour, etc. on the front page.
For Adelaide, I clearly wrote "Meet At The Main Adelaide Bus Station at 12:45 PM". However, my brain said 'Meet at the train station at 12:45 PM'. So, just before 12:00 noon, we walked out to the Train Station and started to wait - - I kept re-reading my paperwork - - finally my brain and my eyes stated working together and I stated "*%&$# - we're at the wrong place". There were lots of security and volunteers around, so I snagged one and he said that the BUS station was about 45 minutes away. %&$# - now what.
There was one lonely cab sitting in the parking lot. The driving was dozing. We woke him up and asked frantically - can you take us to the BUS station and get us there within 45 minutes? He said it would be a tight fit, but he'd do his best. He was also nice enough to call the tour company and tell them we might be a moment or two late but that we were on our way.
50 Australian dollars and 42 minutes later, we arrived at the BUS station and found our tour. We were not the last ones to arrive - and when the 10 of us got going we had finally calmed down and were looking forward to a lovely day. (There was another couple from the cruise on the same tour and they had taken a TRAIN - from across the street from the ship - into town (for $0) and had then walked to the BUS station from there...)
The tour drove around Adelaide and then headed out of the city to a lovely town called Hahnsdorf (very German - lots of shops and eateries). There was a lot of traffic in the city since the Tour Down Under which is similar to the Tour de France. Thought of my son-in-law, Chris, and his Pan Mass Challenge participation of the past. Bicycles EVERYWHERE!
 |
| Our ship in port |
Hint: Think of Jeffrey and his favorite 'Christmas' song...
Enjoyed browsing around the town of Hahnsdorf, made a few purchases (of course) and enjoyed the ride back into Adelaide.
Then (with the help of our fellow cruisers), we quickly walked from the BUS station to the TRAIN station and got a free train ride back out to the ship. They have amazing train service - it stops almost every mile or so.
Now, 'All-Aboard' (when you're supposed to be back on the ship) was 6:30 PM - we walked onto the ship at 6:30 PM - the last passengers to get checked back in for the day. It was a fun day and then we enjoyed a lovely buffet dinner (poor us - grilled lobster, shrimp, baby lamb chops and so much more) since we didn't feel like 'cleaning up' and getting dressed for the main dining room.
January 18, 2018
Day at Sea on our way to Melbourne, Australia.
We've met some amazing fellow travelers and crew on this journey. I will miss their daily interactions. The tee-shirts with funny sayings that I gave Jeffrey for Chanukah have been a huge hit. I should get a commission from the tee-shirt company for all the referrals. There's lots of love - there's lots of laughs - there will be some tears as our journey starts to wind down.
A special mention to a loving new friend that we met on this trip. Her name is Marianna and she is a Jr. Head Waiter (a Head Waiter in training). On our first Oceania cruise (January, 2014) we met an amazing woman named Marina Lada who I've stayed in touch with since that time. She no longer works on the ships, but keeps in touch with friends and former co-workers and has been kind enough to refer us to these friends on our subsequent trips.
Marianna is one such 'referal'... A lovely, intelligent, beautiful person who lights up when she greets you. She's from the Ukraine (as is Marina) and I know she will continue up the ladder on her quest to rule the seas!
NOTE: By the way - if you're reading this post and would like to leave a comment - I'd love to hear feedback. Be honest, please. I'm enjoying documenting the trip and know that it will be a useful tool as my few brain cells leave me clueless on what I've done in my life!
Life is Good!
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