THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

 

We spent our first of 6 days at sea. We left St Marten and are sailing our way across the Atlantic Ocean. We will not see land until we reach Tenerife in the Canary Islands. We walked around Phillipsburg however we didn’t stay because it was very hot and very humid. We did get off the tourist track and found the library so N this picture is for you.

Of course there was also a library bus.

And the casino.

No boatyard is complete without the yellow submarine.

The dock has been rebuilt for the big ships. Thankfully we were the only ones to use it.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

Hodgepodge Questions

 

Here are this week's Hodgepodge questions.

1. What's something you're dealing with that might be described as tricky?

Trying to fit Book Club and Knitting in while on the cruise.

2.  What's your treat of choice?

Anything chocolate.

3. Did you/will you carve a jack-o-lantern this month? Which real (living or dead) or fictional 'Jack' would you most like to meet in person? Why?

No we haven’t carved a pumpkin in years and we are not even home for Halloween this year. I would love to have met Jack Lemmon as I enjoyed most of his movies.

4.  In your opinion, what's the grossest sounding word in the English language?

Supercalifragilisticexpialidious!

5. When did your heart last skip a beat?

When I got an email from my sister saying my Mom had gone to the emergency in the hospital and I am on the ocean and can’t talk to her.

6. Monster Mash by Bobby 'Boris' Picket, Michael Jackson's Thriller, Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon, or Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters...your favorite 'scary' tune?

You forgot “Purple People Eater”

7.   It was a dark and stormy night when__I had my first date with my husband.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 

Our first Port of Call on this cruise was San Juan Puerto Rico. We took the open trolley around the city and caught the forts. Our ship was the only one to visit that day so we were the only tourists in town. Our next port was St Maarten. We walked around in the heat and sun.  The flowers were beautiful.

   

   

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

1. Do you have any special plans for this week? My plans include crossing the Atlantic Ocean for the next 6 days. There are lots of activities planned on the ship and we plan to dance every night.
2. What's the most relaxing thing you do? Read
3. Have you ever worn a wig?(play, dress-up, or for real) Yes but only as a dress up. I have an Eva Gabor wig.
4. Do you have an office or special place to use your computer? Yes
5. What are your favorite kind of socks? ankle socks. I wear them in my walking shoes.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced. 
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer

1. When you went trick or treating as a kid; what did you hope people were giving out?

Halloween kisses were the most popular. My mother collected the apples and made pie with them.

2. What radio station do you listen to while driving?

We have the only Canadian Jazz station on our radio in the car, Jazz 99.1 fm. They have internet access as well if you are a jazz fan. While on a long trip we use an MP3 player.

3. How much do you think should be the maximum one would spend on a three year old's birthday party?

Use Dollar store prizes and I think $5 per guest is good. A 3 year old’s party shouldn’t have more than 5 children at it.

4. When do you know that you trust someone?

I trust everyone until they prove otherwise.

Instead of a 5th question today I am providing an update to our cruise. We had 2 days at sea which have been wonderful. We danced until after 11pm last night to a wonderful band. Happy hour is now from 4pm to 5pm as well as 9:30pm to 10:30pm.  There was also dancing before and after dinner. Today we have landed and we will be visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is warm and sunny.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced. 
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer

1. When you went trick or treating as a kid; what did you hope people were giving out?

Halloween kisses were the most popular. My mother collected the apples and made pie with them.

2. What radio station do you listen to while driving?

We have the only Canadian Jazz station on our radio in the car, Jazz 99.1 fm. They have internet access as well if you are a jazz fan. While on a long trip we use an MP3 player.

3. How much do you think should be the maximum one would spend on a three year old's birthday party?

Use Dollar store prizes and I think $5 per guest is good. A 3 year old’s party shouldn’t have more than 5 children at it.

4. When do you know that you trust someone?

I trust everyone until they prove otherwise.

Instead of a 5th question today I am providing an update to our cruise. We had 2 days at sea which have been wonderful. We danced until after 11pm last night to a wonderful band. Happy hour is now from 4pm to 5pm as well as 9:30pm to 10:30pm.  There was also dancing before and after dinner. Today we have landed and we will be visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is warm and sunny.

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Our home away from home! Our first day on the Masdam. The ocean was a bit rocky and it took a while to get my sea legs however we had a good day. Here are some pictures of our day.

The wake of the boat.

Our cruise director Michael!

Our captain Ane Smit!

Our evening entertainment – Paperback Writer – A Beatle experience! They were fabulous!

Our bedtime towel animal!

I’ve shown you mine now show me yours!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

At sea, no land in sight!

FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

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

This week’s co-host is Carla from Random Rambings! she came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:

1) I wear the color black a lot. It goes with all of the other colours I have in my closet.

2) I think that grandchildren make the need for a gym membership unnecessary.

3) Ugh! long car rides are getting on my nerves! Time to get on the cruise ship and let someone else do the driving.

4) Retiring was a major accomplishment and taking lots of cruises in my spare time.

Speaking of our trip so far, today is the day we get on the ship for our 42 day adventure. We left home last Sunday and arrived in Fort Lauderdale yesterday. We stopped in Charleston to visit the grandchildren and their parents. We celebrated the fall birthdays with a dinner at Ruby Tuesdays on Tuesday. On Wednesday we took our usual walk in Caw Caw with grandson E as our guide. We were looking for the migrating birds who have not arrived yet because it has been so warm however I expect that will change very soon. Here are some pictures from the walk.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

 

Here are this week's questions to the Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. When it comes to good manners, what two top your list of most important?It is so easy to say “please” and “thank you” yet so many people don’t bother. I love it when I hear my youngest grandchildren say it. The other is simple courtesy especially on the roads and sidewalks.

2. Let's open a proverbial can of worms...Common Core.  Are you familiar with the term (talking education reform in the USA)?  If so, care to share your thoughts? In your opinion, what is one of the biggest issues schools (in your home country) face today?

I heard an announcer on the radio while driving in the US say that parents should be more responsible and should take a bigger part in their children’s educations. My only comment is that parenting is the only job that does not have courses and no training is needed. Maybe we should offer parenting courses no matter what country you live in.

(this comment was made after the shootings in Nevada by a 12 year old boy)

3. Name a celebrity whose fashion sense you admire and share why.

Sorry no celeb here. I dress to cover my body and to be comfortable.

4. How are you affected by the changing seasons?

I love the changes that take place in each season however I do look forward to a cruise especially in the winter and love to visit my daughter in the Southern US as well.

5. Scariest book you've ever read?

I don’t read scary books.

6. What time of day are you most hungry? What's your go-to snack?

Breakfast is when I am most hungry. It is one meal I could eat all day. When I was growing up it was a treat to have pancakes for supper. Someone in the egg industry actually used “breakfast for dinner” as a marketing tool. If we are in the car “trail mix” is our go to snack and of course popcorn before bed.

7. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent? Which do you find harder to deal with in others?

I prefer to be independent. I don’t mind helping needy people who can’t do for themselves.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We are on our way to the cruise port. The first day of driving was longer than we thought. The trip advisor said it would take 10 hours however it took 12 1/2 hours. We spent longer in construction and there was a truck fire that closed the highway for a time. Fortunately we had coffee to keep us going. DH managed to take a few photos through the car window. The good news is that the hotels have given us a free upgrade. We have a room near the front and don’t have to climb the stairs. The beds are also queen size.

   

MEET ME ON MONDAY

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced. 

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer:

1. This Wednesday is National Canned Food Day - do you eat canned food?  What is your favorite?

I love Campbell’s Tomato soup.

2. Are you dressing up for Hallowe'en next week?  Are you doing anything special for this holiday?

Yes! I brought our cat and mouse costumes to wear on the cruise. They better have a Halloween party. D H is taking his wine glass around to collect his treats.

3. Have you ever taught someone to drive? What advice do you have to give to Wayne who is teaching Robyn to drive?

No. I have no patience. As a matter of fact I don’t care to let anyone else drive. Wayne have lots of patience.

4. What bad habit do you need to break?

Interrupting and completing others sentences.

And here is my 5th Question:

Do you prefer to drive or be driven?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

We are looking forward to boarding the Holland American Masdam this Friday. It will be our home away from home for 42 days. We are very familiar with the ship and hope we have as much fun as we did last year.

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

Pack and ready for the cruise!

FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

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

This week’s co-host is Lisa from Lisa writes!she came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:

1) Help! I really want to spend more time with my grandchildren.

2) My family is my reason for being involved.

3) I cannot wait to get on the cruise ship next week.

4) The sentence has 21 letters.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

Here are the questions for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What was your biggest worry five years ago?  Is it still a worry?

My biggest worry 5 years ago was “would I be able to take early retirement”. As many of you know who read my blog it is not a worry anymore.

2. Yesterday (October 15th) was National Grouch Day...what makes you grouchy? What cheers you up when you're feeling grouchy?

Poor service makes me grouchy. Good service makes me happy.

3.  In one word, how does it feel to be photographed?

Frustrating!

4. Besides your parents, who would you say had the greatest influence on you in choosing your life path?  Explain.

My grandmother! As I have said many times before she was my rock.

5. The crisp days of autumn are here ...what's something you like to eat, but only if it's crisp?

Apple crisp!

6. What's the most useless object you own?

My iron.

7.  Share a favorite fall memory.

We love Halloween! One of our best years was the year a group of us wore costumes from “The Wizard of Oz”.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

This is a hectic week as we get ready for our cruise. To my blogging friends I may not be able to get around to all of the blogs I usually visit as my internet access will be limited. I will however try to post our 42 day cruise on line with pictures and hopefully a daily report. Please follow our adventures and I will get back to your blogs when I get back.

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Chats on the farmhouse porch!

A special thanks to Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm

Questions

1. How many animals do you have? I have none.
2. Have you begun Christmas plans, travel, decorations, crafts, menu, etc.? Christmas gifts as I make them for my grandchildren. I have started to write my Christmas cards for my daughter to mail as we will be on a cruise until December 13th.
3. Do you celebrate Harvest Season or Halloween? Usually! Harvest season is Thanksgiving for Canadians so we had the family for a big turkey dinner yesterday. Halloween is big however we will miss it this year since we are on a cruise however I am taking costumes with us and DH says he plans to carry a wineglass and trick or treat for wine.
4. How do you heat your house? We have natural gas heat.
5. Do you like dishes with white centers or centers with patterns? I have white dishes with gold trim. My grandmother started me on a set of dishes when I was 10 years old. Every birthday and every Christmas I got a 5 piece place setting of china so by the time I got married I had a complete set. I chose white because then I can use any colour tablecloth.

 

Welcome to the Coffee Chat!!

Write your post, in response to the following image/question:

I am getting old. To me health and family mean the most to me. Without your health you do not enjoy life to the fullest. Families can be hard work however they are also a blessing. I always say I don’t need a gym membership if I play with my grandchildren.

I have many older friends who have shown me the way. My grandmother was a huge influence on my life. When the going got tough she was my rock. She taught me that everything will work out and to have a cup of tea. She gave me a love of reading as well.

My mother is aging beautifully. In many ways I am following in her footsteps. She retired at 59 and so did I. She kept me grounded and is now showing me what it looks like to live in a retirement home.

My dad is suffering from Alzheimer’s and can remember the past better than the present however he taught me never to be afraid of taking a risk. He was a self-made man literally. He provided for his family and gave us opportunities that others will never get.

I am still learning and thankfully my children and grandchildren are around to show me the new things that are happening. I still can’t play “Angry birds” and I don’t have “Facebook” however I can play a mean game of cards and show them how to make bubbles.

I am delighted to have reached a stage in my life where I can stop and smell the roses.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced. 

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer:

1. A friend is the only woman in her department at work (and fairly new in her position).  She's single and all of her colleagues are male, older and married.  She wants to consider going to lunch with them or hang out in other social situations, but worries about "drama" - what advice would you give her?

I think she should have group lunches if they can. She may find she has nothing in common except work.

2. It's Fire Prevention Week - do you have fire extinguishers?  a family exit plan?

Yes and I hope we never have to use it.

3. It's also National Dessert Day - what is your favorite 'special' dessert?

I love ice cream especially if it has chocolate in it.

4. For all of the Canadians participating, it's Thanksgiving Day, so in honor of that, what are you thankful for?

I am thankful for my health. We may be looking for a new doctor when we get back from our cruise since our doctor is retiring. He is 82 years old and I have been with him since I was a little girl.

And here is my 5th Question:

If you could have one wish what would you wish for?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

 

  

   

   

   

We took a walk by the beach. We enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. It was warm for a Thanksgiving weekend. We found some beautiful fall colours.

I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Columbus Day! Wonderful!