THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Pondering with a Purpose - Stretch

I am going to start this ponder with a stretch of the topic. I am going to reach out and talk about my cruise. I will apologize in advance that I have not been visiting any blogs. I will return when I get better internet access.

Even though the cruise is 14 days long we stretched our vacation to add a week on each side. We are trying to avoid stretching our clothes by exercising. We participate in Aqua Aerobics, Sit and be fit as well as dancing every night. The challenge we face is the buffet table that is stretched from one end of the ship to the other.

We stretched our budget to include a tour of St Lucia as well as purchasing some t-shirts. I have my eye on some Bella Perlini jewellry. It goes on sale on Friday. I also stretched out my birthday celebrations.

Have a good day and whatever you do stretch your mind!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–FURTHER CRUISE SHOTS

 

          

 

Touring St Lucia and Curacao

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. When were you last facing an ocean?  In ONE word describe how you felt when you faced that ocean.

I am currently on the ocean. Love it!  Almost hate the thought of having to return to our dull routine.

2. What are three sounds you hate to hear?

A baby crying, chalk on a blackboard and me singing out of tune.

3. This question comes to you courtesy of some real life friends. Hi real life friends! When you shop for clothes do you try everything on in the store or do you buy, try on at home, and then return what you don't like or what doesn't fit?

When I shop for clothes I try it on in the store. If I find something that fits i buy it every colour.

4. February 26th is National Pistachio Day...are you a fan of the little green nut?  Do you use them in cooking and baking or prefer to eat them right out of the shell?

Love them and actually had pistachio ice cream the other night.

5. When did you last have to compromise with someone? Were you happy to reach a compromise or slightly irritated it came to that?

I am a go-with-the-flow kind of person and I generally let hubby do the planning. We are travelling with N & M on this cruise and have compromised for their enjoyment.

6. Have you ever written a letter to an elected official?  Did you get a response?

No.

7. We 'March' into a new month at the end of the week...what is something on your March calendar guaranteed to make you smile?

Very busy month! I have a baby shower, a theatre date as well as M & M’s family’s birthdays.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I have not been visiting many blogs because we only have ship internet so I would like to thank all those who have commented on my blogs this past week. We are having a wonderful time and almost hate to go home and back to the real world. My knee is getting better as I have been participating in Aquafit as well as Sit and be fit. I even danced a tango the other night.

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

Welcome to Tuesday Coffee Chat!
I am your host Rory

Tuesday, Feb. 26th, 2013

"Some Kind of Wonderful"
What's the most romantic thing you've ever done, had done for you, or witnessed?

I have to say that I am married to “Mr. Wonderful”. We will be celebrating 40 years of marriage this year. To think I almost threw him away. My only confession is that I was very young at the time.

The first time we dated he was my math tutor in Grade 11. My mother paid him to help me pass Math. We dated and I let him go. I was too young for him at the time.

I met him again when I was 18 and grown up a little. I thought he was the best thing since “sliced bread”. He almost threw me away when I told him I wanted 12 children and a big house. He asked me to marry him when I conceded to 4 children. We have 3 however I was literally pregnant for 2 1/2 years. I am sure I am the only person to wear out maternity clothes.

Has it been easy? Not by a long shot! however I am treated like a princess and can’t ask for anything better.

I found the best and I am keeping him.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:

Here are the Questions:

1.  If you could go to any festival or event in the world; which one would you choose?

D H and I are very fond of Jazz festivals. Fortunately we have several around home.

2. What is the first sign you see that tells you spring is near?

I am firm believer in the Robin coming. I also look forward to the red-winged blackbirds.

3. When you were in school did you do your projects as soon as they were assigned or as close to the last minute as possible?

School was a very long time ago however I used to do all of my homework in the morning before school.

4. Would you rather have the power to be invisible or the power to read minds?

Oh definitely the power to read minds. I am too loud to be invisible.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

My 5th question is:

Would you rather vacation in the winter or the summer?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Check out what else is happening around the world at:

Pictures of our travels while cruising the Caribbean.

Our home away from home. A night shot!

San Juan Puerto Rico by day and by night!

 

 

N’s favourite greeter! They love tourists! St Thomas!

Supervising the Men at work!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Fabulous Cruise, Wonderful People, Beautiful Places!

FRIDAY FILL IN FUN

1. I can’t believe I am cruising the Caribbean again

2. I never liked the TV Show Star Trek as I am not a science fiction person.

3. If I were richer   I would most definitely be living on a cruise ship.

4. I  love cruising so when I get home I will plan our next one.

FRIDAY FILL IN FUN

1. I can’t believe I am cruising the Caribbean again

2. I never liked the TV Show Star Trek as I am not a science fiction person.

3. If I were richer   I would most definitely be living on a cruise ship.

4. I  love cruising so when I get home I will plan our next one.

THRIVING THURSDAY

Pondering with a Purpose - Stress

Today's prompt is: Stress

I am stress free at the moment. Being on a cruise ship helps. Being retired has also removed a lot of stress.

I would stress the importance of planning for retirement. Like planning for a wedding or for having children lifestyle changes are involved.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

A Road Trip Through the Hodgedpodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Hodgepodge.  I'm glad you joined the fun today...be sure to add your link to the end of my post, then go see what some of the other players had to say. I have a busy week, but will do my best to visit everyone.

1. When was the last time you were on a mountain top (literally or figuratively)

I was on a mountain in Molde Norway last summer. I was also on top of a mountain in Bergen as well.

2. Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household?  What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own?

D H is in charge of the budget and he says “I try! I try!”. We are on a fixed income since being retired with no opportunity for the extra perks I used to get from work. We are frugal and prefer not to waste money so that we can cruise more often.

3. Cherries-yay or nay?  Cherry pie-cherry cola-black forest cake-or a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one.

I like cherries however if I could only pick one it would Cherry Ice Cream because I love ice cream.

4. Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?

No! We meet a lot of people on our cruises and have learned the hard way not to even ask how long people have been married so now we ask “how many cruises have you been on?”. That way we easily find out about the many .marriages and good friendships that are on board. As far as politics as soon people hear that we are Canadian we are asked about our healthcare system.

5. When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger?  Where were you headed on your last road trip?

I am usually the driver for 2 reasons. I get car sick and I can’t read a map. Our last road trip was to Tampa via Charleston to join up with the cruise ship. We also drove around Tampa enjoying the aquarium and the outlet mall.

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?

Right now my closet is on a cruise ship and the prevalent colours are black and white because I bring black and white pants and shorts then add a coloured shirt or sweater. I love colour so I have nearly every colour of the rainbow in my closet at home. Yellow may be the least likely colour to be found in abundance.

7. Who's your favourite senior citizen and why are they special?

My parents. My mother first and then my father. I talk to my mother every day on Skype and wish I could visit more often. She has been a role model my whole life. In many ways I have followed the same path she has taken. I might not have listened to her when I was younger but I do now.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We are on board the Holland America Ryndam at the moment. We are sharing this cruise with M and N. So far we have enjoyed every minute. The staff is getting to know us so that they can take care of all of our wishes. N and I participated in the Aquafit the first morning. There was only one other brave lady because the water was freezing. It did help my knee and we are looking forward to “Sit and be fit” today. I have been able to dance some and we walked around the private island yesterday. D H and M played beach volleyball for their exercise.

The food on the ship is very good and I have already made friends with the ice cream lady Tari. N and I are participating in the book club and are reading a book out of the library. We are looking forward to San Juan Puerto Rico which is our next Port of Call.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

 

Not so wordless as I show some of the pictures of our travels.

Our visit to the Tampa Aquarium

The atrium of the cruise ship. Looking up!

 

The Galley tour. Good cookies!

 

The Captain welcomed us on board.

The ship from the private island of Half Moon Cay.

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT–FEB 19

Since this is the month of love, tell me who is the Most Romantic Character?   It can be literary, film, in a song.....you decide.   Just convince me he/she is the one.

Welcome to another edition of Coffee Chat with Rory.

 

"The Most Romantic Character... Ever?"
In a book, a film, a TV show, a song.....who's The One that carries you away?

I fell in love with Clark Cable as a young girl. I thought he was so handsome. He had big ears like my Dad and he was a man of few words. I loved “Gone with the Wind” and thought Rhett should have gotten the other girl instead of Scarlett.

My next love was Paul Newman. He got to be known as the silver senior and grew old beautifully. The first date  with hubby was to see the movie “Cool Hand Luke”.

Unfortunately as I grew older I watched less and less movies so I have very few new favourites. I still like Richard Geere and of course Gary Sines.

The romantic man in my life now is D H. I don’t need a movie hero when I have one in real life.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:

Here are the Questions:

1. Who was the last person you said 'I love you to?'

Hubby before we went to bed last night.

2. What was the last non-kid friendly movie you saw?

Years ago. We don’t watch movies.

3. When was the last time you got angry about something that you felt silly about later?

On Saturday when I was driving the car and hubby told me I was going the wrong way.

4. Where is your favourite object at this moment?

A cruise ship. We just boarded one yesterday.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

How are you coping with the wild changes in the weather?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Check out what else is happening around the world at:

Charleston in Bloom

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Thanks to Cate for hosting Six Word Saturdays...

Vacation started! Tampa today! Cruise Tomorrow!

FRIDAY FOUR FILL-IN FUN

 

Welcome to the weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop!       by hilaryg

 

This week’s statements:

1. Sometimes I wish I had more money so that is why I can take more cruises.

2. All I need for happiness is my family.

3. I am a talker and an extrovert therefore I talk to everyone even on elevators

4. McDonalds’ is not a place I visit and I can honestly say I have never eaten one of their hamburgers.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Pondering with a Purpose - Live

Welcome to Pondering with a Purpose -

 

today's prompt is: Live

One of my favourite mottos is “Live life to the fullest”.  There is so much to see and do. There are people to meet and places to see. I think that is why we love cruising so much. We can do both at the same time.

Being alive and waking up each morning to see what new ventures are in store for us. I love to watch the changes as the grandchildren grow up. I have the time now that I didn’t have when my own children were growing up. It seems living got in the way.

The invention of the computer has certainly changed our lives. Now I can see my parents every day even though they live in a city 4 and 1/2 hours away. I see my grandchildren in South Carolina as well as those that live 1/2 hour away.

Thankfully I have the time now that I am retired. I can take the time to smell the roses. It has all been worth the journey to get here.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

 

Love is in the Air and in the Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So glad you joined the party today... Here we go~

1. This week marks the beginning of Lent...will you be giving something up or adding anything to your life during this season of the year?

No. I am not a follower of religious activities.

2. The day before Lent is Shrove Tuesday...tradition states you eat pancakes on this day. In some parts of the world Shrove Tuesday is actually known as 'pancake day'.  How do you like your pancakes?  Or don't you?

I don’t eat pancakes very often anymore since the children left home. D H is allergic to eggs so I don’t have them in the house very often. If I have a choice I prefer French toast.

3. I'm sure there are many, but what is one love song you really love?

I love too many to think of just one.

4. What are some things you do to let others know you love them?

I try to give a little of myself.

5. Roses...red, pink, or some other color?  Can you recall the last time someone gave you flowers?  Given your choice would you like to open the door and see a dozen red roses, a dozen purple tulips, or a dozen pink peonies?

My granddaughter gave me flowers for babysitting her. I am allergic to tulips and peonies when they come inside so I will stick with roses and my favourite are yellow.

6. President's Day will be celebrated next Monday. Does Presidential history and trivia interest you?  Many Presidential homes are open to the public and offer guided tours...Monticello (Jefferson's home), Mount Vernon (Washington's home), Montpelier (James Madison's home), Hyde Park (FD Roosevelt's home) and The White House (home to the sitting President), to name just a few.  Of those listed, which would you be most interested in touring?  Why?

Canadians will celebrate “Family Day” instead of President’s Day. I probably will never tour any of the houses.

7. Are you good at keeping secrets?

No! Have you heard of telephone. telegraph and telejudy!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

D H and I are so glad we left Canada before the big storm last week. We love being in South Carolina with H and family. Our grandsons L and E are growing like bad weeds. Our granddaughter R brought home a backpack full of homework. The backpack had to weigh more than 20 pounds. H and W managed a quick date until they were called home by the boys.

It has been raining the last few days so we have been shopping. I am bringing home lots of funky wool as well as some T-shirts and sweaters. Apparently I find more things in Van Husen than D H.

We leave for Tampa on Friday and will meet up with our good friends N and M. Hopefully the cruise ship is completely void of the “Norwalk virus”.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–VACATION TIME

 

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

Welcome to another edition of Coffee Chat with Rory.

 

Tuesday, Feb. 12th, 2013

"Early Bird or Night Owl?"

I am the early bird in the family. I like to get up and get to work as soon as possible. i think I get this from my father who was from farming stock. he used to get up at 5 in the morning to look after the livestock.  Breakfast would be after they had been fed.

When the children came along I would go to bed early so that I could get up with them and hubby took the late shift. I even caught him napping while the oldest watched “Johnny Carson” in his lap.

When I worked I originally had the night shift so we didn’t need a babysitter. Once I went full time I wanted the early shift which I worked until I retired.

Now I am a victim of my own needs. I sleep when I want and get up when I want. The hardest thing to do these days is to have an early morning appointment because I don’t like to move too fast in the morning. I now want at least an hour to get going.

While I am on the cruise I will probably have a nap so that I can stay up late on the boat.

Either way I won’t catch many worms.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! Grab the badge for your post if you like:

Here are the Questions:

1. Do you tend to be more logically or emotionally driven in your decision-making?

It would have to emotionally since according to D H I don’t have a logical bone in my body.

2. Do you take vitamin or other supplements?  Do you feel that they actually work? 

I take a multi vitamin as well as vitamin D. Even if they don’t they can’t harm us.

3. Have you ever kissed someone and just knew they were not the right person or vise versa?

You have to kiss a lot of frogs until you find your prince. I found my prince over 40 years ago.

4. Why shouldn't the woman pay for a Valentine's Day date?

I don’t see why women can’t pay for anything. Women wanted equal rights so they should be equal in all things.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

My 5th question is:

What is your favourite colour?

My favourite colour is purple. Can you tell?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting

As you know if you  follow this blog is that D H and I are starting on another cruise. We left a day early to beat the massive snowstorm on the East Coast.

This is where we were:

and this is where we came to: