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MaryLou- I missed your post about the tips; thanks for confirming it. I went on TP Kellar's cruise tip calculator and it gave me around $250, but I had figured around $220. I just figured I added wrong; glad to hear I'm not as dumb in math as I thought! Wonder what the difference is..... We may pay for MTD Fri. and have it taken care of. Met the grandbabies at the mall and kept them so daddy could go to the Dr. with a bad back. Took them to see Santa and get ice cream..............yes, ice cream BEFORE dinner. I love being a grandma!!! Bought a large black purse so I can keep my blood sugar machine with me. It's big enough to be a weekender!!! Peggy- glad you had a productive day shopping. We always pack using a list. I'm too anal not to!! Will check in later.........

Good morning! Is it time to get on the ship yet?????? I am so ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mary Lou- Glad to hear you are feeling better! Yes, it is time to get into high gear. Today will need to try on some clothes and make decisions. Also have to do some errands. Thanks for letting us know about the packing list. Lee and I were discussing that last night. Not sure where our list is. Need coffee; will check back later.............

Sorry I didn't get on last night, but I was just toooooooooo tired!! Got some sleep, so I feel better. MaryLou- OH NO!!!!!!!!! I've had vertigo a couple of times, so I know how badly you feel. I am SO sorry. How is your face feeling? We are still planning to sign up for MTD- just trying to spread our money out for the next 2 weeks so we can get everything done. We may go ahead and sign up for it the end of the week; just not sure yet. Do you remember how much the total tip $$ was? I figure it will be about $270. The couple from England, Janet & Mike, gave up their cabin on the hump. Hope they got one of the afts and didn't just cancel. They seemed so nice. Funny story; at work yesterday, my PA opened the pt's door and asked me what port we are leaving from (she is a RCI cruiser, also). I told her Port of Miami. She laughed and said the pt's parents were on the same cruise!!!!!!! I went into the room to talk with her. I ended up with her parents' names and will try to find them!!! There is one night of the new menu I thought was pretty awful. I couldn't find anything I wanted to eat and actually ended up just eating the chicken noodle soup. It was the night they had the seafood in the pasta. Ordered it and the sauce wasn't very appetizing and I couldn't find the seafood!!! Lee enjoyed his meal (he had gotten something different), so it was just me. Wouldn't mind if we went to Chops/Portafino's that day!!! Better sign off now; have to go to work so we can cruise!!!

Hi- Up early; couldn't sleep again. Too much going thru my little mind!! MaryLou- glad Ashleigh got a good report. If you don't mind sharing, we will have to talk when we get together about her problem. Peggy- Yes, you are invited to our cabin for the PC. We can "accidentally" drop things on MaryLou together!! Boy, I wish we could win the lottery; maybe I would sleep better. The slot pull will do!! Got the girls presents out yesterday and put in piles. Have to make sure they each have the same amount. Alex counts, you know. Have a great w/e!! Martha

Thanks my friend. I knew I could count on you. That's what friends are for!!!!!! Will keep Ashleigh and ALL her family in our prayers today. Supposed to rain here all day and turn very cold. What a way to start a 3 day work w/e!

We still haven't even gotten our suitcases out yet. I guess we procrastinate but I have started pulling out things to try on.... I promise not to drop anything on your heads, but if I accidentally do, I will be sure to yell!!!

Hi MaryLou & Peggy- I didn't sleep well last night. I was up at 2 am on the computer. Just got home from my all day class. I didn't fall asleep so I guess it was good. Big News: We have changed our cabin. THANKS MARY LOU!!!! We are now in 1604; on top of you!! If we make too much noise, just bang on the ceiling!! Maybe we can work out a pulley system and send things back and forth. Seriously, I called my friend in Fla. and emailed my friend in Tx. Both have been on deck 10 and heard no noise from WJ. My friend in Fla. stayed in 1604 and loved it. My Texas friend stayed next door and said go for it so we did!!!! It will be our first aft! My Tx. friend sent us pictures and even Lee got excited. Mary Lou- please change the cabin crawl. I hope this doesn't mess you up..... Maybe the people from UK can show us their cabin; I think it's on the hump. The other good news: we got a letter welcoming us to Diamond!! It was a REALLY good day today! Martha

Hi- Woke up and couldn't go back to sleep so I thought I would check in for today. It's going to be a long day. Donated blood yesterday at work so I was going to be tired today anyway. Now I'll just be exhausted!! One day closer............ Have a great day! Martha

Hi- Good news! I am getting my glasses. The insurance company made the mistake. Corrected now. Got most of the "stuff" done today that we couldn't get done yesterday, so things are okay. Got Mom her flu shot. I will slow down after this week. If I can get thru this week, it'll be a breeze until we leave for vacation! Can't find a tabletop Christmas that is already decorated. Have to keep looking! Loaded my Christmas songs onto my IPOD so that's done. Have a good night.....don't know if I will be able to check in tomorrow. Depends on the hair!!!

Good morning, Mary Lou & Peggy! I am hoping today is a better day. Must have been tired yesterday. Just ordered Panama Canal by Cruise Ship by Anne Vipond. Should get it by the end of this week. Have to find a substitution for the stuff I use on my face. Lancome is always doing that; you find something and they discontinue it. That's why I stopped using their makeup! Whoops!! Have to run. Have a great day.

Hi- Urggggg; nothing went right today. Still don't have my glasses. Mixup with my insurance I am trying to get straight. Lee will get his tomorrow. Couldn't get what I wanted at the mall; my son went to play golf and didn't get home in time and the store wouldn't let Lee exchange my shampoo without a manager's approval and they were not there!!!! I am so frustrated I came home and had a glass of wine! Have to get up at 4:30 tomorrow to get ready for a 7 am meeting. I am going to bed; maybe tomorrow will be better.

Today I have a dental appt., have to go back to the glass place and get my sunglasses (Lee's will come next week), stop by my younger son's place and give him his flu shot, go by the mall to pick up 1-2 things, and then go to my mother's and pick her up. She is coming over to spend the night and tomorrow Lee will bring her to my work so she can get her flu shot. We live in North Charlotte, and will be going uptown, down south and then to east Charlotte before driving back up north.... The week from h@#l has begun!!

We usually have Thanksgiving at our house, but asked Scott to have it at his this year. Also, it will be a much smaller gathering. I have to work Tues, Wed. then Thanksgiving we have off. I then work Fri, Sat & Sun. Start vacation Mon. Dec 1. Leave Tues Dec. 2. Lee will help Scott cook, but just couldn't fit it in this year with the work schedule. My other son, Mark, will be there and that's it. Usually we have my sister, BIL, other sister, BIL, 2 nieces and 1 fiancee. This year they are on their own.

Good morning, Mary Lou & Peggy! I just can't believe it; 4 weeks!!! Actually, that means we leave in 3 weeks!!!! WOW! Need my coffee; will be back.

Shaunna- Welcome home!! I'm so glad you had such a good time for your first cruise. I know you will be "hooked" as we all are!!

Good morning! Aubrey is okay. They called us last night around 10:30 and said they were taking her home. The Dr. had mentioned keeping her overnight, but she had perked up by the time they were seen and passed her neurological exam. Talked with them this am, and said she is much better today! Talk about scaring me!! I felt so bad having to call Scott home from work, but knew that type of crying wasn't normal. Didn't sleep well last night so will probably just hang out today. There's just sooo much to get done. I'm not sure where to start. Lots of dribble going on "over there"; must be driving them crazy!! Will be back later.... Thanks for asking, Mary Lou!

Hi- Finally home!! Did some errands, got new sunglasses and went to Scott's to babysit. Aubrey went on the potty for the first time. She went running down the hall to tell Pop Pop and Ashley. Ashley bumped into her and knocked her into the side of the couch. You could hear her head hit from across the room. She fell last week and had a knot in the exact same place on her forehead. She cried and wouldn't stop; inconsolable for 20-25 minutes. Had to call Scott home from work. Monica finally arrived and made her call the doctor. They sent them to the ER to be checked for a concussion. She was acting pretty normal after 30 minutes but they want her checked. I am still upset about it. One of those things where you see it happening, but I just couldn't reach her in time. She has one .... of a knot in the middle of her forehead. Will be up until I hear from them.

Good morning!! Sorry I didn't get back on last night, but I was just too tired!! MaryLou- I think I have our meds figured out; some should be renewed while on the cruise, but usually the insurance companies approve early renewal for vacations once or twice a year without repercussion, so we will do that. I know I have to get serious about the cruise packing now that it is so complicated, but truthfully, I am feeling overwhelmed at the moment. Must be fatigue!! I still have to do Christmas cards, Christmas shopping, and then figure out the packing! HELP!!!!! Will check in later........................

Good morning! I had planned to use this w/e to do running around, but Lee informed me last night he volunteered us to watch the babies tomorrow for their mom for about 3 hrs. Oh well............ Lee's not doing so well today; he is very stiff and having trouble moving. Hope the new medicines get approved by the FDA soon. I have just been putting summer clothes in the other bedroom. I am going to seriously have to figure out what is going where!! MaryLou- Are the travel size things going to be enough? I am bringing regular size for shampoo, hair spray, etc. since we don't have to worry about flying. That's another thing I have to do..... pull out the suitcase I keep all the travel size things in and figure out what is going and what isn't. Also need to check medications and see what has to be ordered. Don't want to run out in the middle of the Gulf!! Have a great day and think of me working!!

Hi, Shaunna!!- Just found this; so glad you are having a good time. Can't wait to hear more when you get home. Martha

Just checking back in- told ya I'm getting excited!! Can't wait to meet ya both!

I'm back....................... I am finally on the downside......last flu clinic today. Next week will be busy; I work 4- 12 hr shifts and on Thurs (my day off) I am attending an all day class. After that, watch out; I'll be crazy trying to Christmas shop, address cards, and pack!! Mary Lou- it was 77 here today; told ya the weather is crazy!!

Hi- Am back for a short period of time then have to run errands. Yes, Peggy, thanks for explaining Flu Mist. It is a live vaccine, so Lee shouldn't be exposed. They are using it for children; it is not a shot, and immunity lasts longer. CDC wants more children vaccinated so they are trying to make it easier. I am not a hair person. Good days and bad days; mostly bad!! Need my hairdresser to come with me to cruise!! Later.............

Hi- Quick post before I leave. How is Deb this am? Will post more later....really have to run!! Martha

Hi MaryLou & Peggy- MaryLou- Are you okay? You ALWAYS post! I look forward to "talking" with you and Peggy. Had a bad hair day today and was late leaving for work. No time to check in. Tomorrow I have to be out of here early but should be home around 1 pm. Depending on how tired I am, I may run out to do some errands, but I will be back by late afternoon. Grandkids got the flumist which is a live virus. Lee is immunosuppressed so I had to call his rheumatologist. You guessed it ; he shouldn't be around them for 21 days!! He is their babysitter, so I did some research with the CDC and got some masks and he will be wearing the masks for the 21 days. Always something. How did Ashleigh's school visit go? Is she adjusting? I bet so, she sounds like she is well adjusted. Peggy- I never dream about cruising but I had a dream Lee & I got to the ship too late to sail. OMG, was I upset when I woke up!! Have a good night!