Jewel of the Seas - Dec. 8, 2008

[waf125]

Sorry to vent; I'm over it!! See???

I think we are leaving the earliest; we leave Tues, Dec. 2. What will I do without a computer for that long???? Will have to go to the library to get on here!!

Yes, I am still going for my precruise hair....can't be having roots showing, now can we??

Part of the problem is Lee is having a pretty major flare of his rheumatoid arthritis right now, poor guy. He can't sleep for the pain and stiffness. Then he is grumpy during the day (with me). Been doing this long enough, I know he is in a flare. His IV treatment is not until next Wednesday. I just convinced him to bump up his prednisone to see if that will help.

How was the party last night? Did you attend? Hope the kids had a good time!

Be safe driving to NJ. Is Jim going with you?

[cruisetarp]

Martha - so sorry Lee is having a bad time with his rheumatoid arthritis. Does the change in weather seem to affect him? I hope he gets some relief soon. How long does his flare up usually last?

Yes, Jim & I went to the dinner last night. We were one of the top 5 individual fund raisers this year. The kids had a great time - I think they are sorry the publicity is over. In case you didn't read it on the daily dock they had professional pictures taken for the campaign and the Heart Assoc. presented Deb & Mike with a beautifully framed enlargement of the picture. Remind me to show it to you. (the small wallet sized version)

Kind of hit a glitch on going to the wake this evening. Deb is down in Lancaster for work and in order for her to have tomorrow off for the funeral, she will have to finish everything before she leaves tonight. If she's not on the road by 5PM (and she has 1 1/2 hr. drive) we won't get to the wake but will be going to the funeral in the morn ing. She really really needs to get a babysitter other than Jim & I.

Just got back from the mall - my new cell phone was not holding a charge. They very nicely gave me a new battery from a new phone box and then put the battery they removed from my phone into the box as new. Great!! No wonder mine didn't work. That same battery must be working the rounds.

[peggyg]

Hi Marylou & Martha

I am late again today - still Xmas shopping LOL - the phone I got for Nick at Target we thought was too much per minute so we found another phone that cost 20.00 more but mins. are cheaper and they give you 300 mins. when you activate it - it seemed like a better deal but makes me do more running around.

Marylou - Our think our kids do need other babysitter rather than us - Lisa kind of made me feel guilty about going on the cruise because she was having a problem with one day - she was working and had no sitter but I worked it out for her. Sorry that you have to go to a wake -

Can't wait to see the kids picture

Martha - Hope Lee feels better I have some arthritis and I know this cold weather is killing me. I hope he gets some relief uping his meds.

Nothing else going on around here Lisa is off to work and I will be here with Nick doing the usual homework and screaming = get in the shower NOW LOL

Peggy

[waf125]

Hi-

Yes, the weather seems to affect him. He is worse in cold weather. Called his doctor to move up his treatment, so I know he's bad. Not sleeping due to the pain. Only had 3 hrs sleep last night. That's with half a sleeping pill.

Here is my woe of the day: I have 3 really good shirts/blouses. Lee took them to the dry cleaner. One has a halter neck of black "stones" and they broke one of the stones and glued it together- right in the front! They must have used a press on it; all the black on the little doo dads in the front have been melted and there is something white now on the black beads. The second top is a lightish pink and that and the creme colored top both have large brown stains on them!!

The Heart Association sounds like they did a very nice presentation to Deb. I am very impressed. I know Ashleigh and TJ and you and Deb all deserve it. Glad you got to go, also.

Will be back later..........

[waf125]

Had trouble getting on here this am.

Hope today is a better day for me!!

Mary Lou- I will be thinking of you and your family today at the funeral.

They said some areas have a sprinkling of SN@# this am. Afraid to look out the window!

Not much else new today; oh yeah, kids asked us to babysit on Sunday evening so they can go out; not in my plans, but of course, we said "yes!"

I promise I will pack before we leave!!

Actually, I think I made a lot of headway yesterday.

Have a great day!

Martha

[cruisetarp]

Good morning ladies. Martha - I also had a problem getting on here. Typed a big long entry in the dock and couldn't get it to post. Was afraid we would have to get on the road before I had my morning CruiseCrazies fix. Wouldn't be a pretty sight. lol Sorry the cleaners messed up your blouses. Will they be able to do anything about the stains?

Peggy - glad you got a phone for Nicholas that is restricted. Deb's nephew has an unrestricted one and that little #*&^# is having a field day but as long as mommy and daddy only say "don't do that" it won't change.

Gotta run - need to be on the road in an hour and really need to get myself together and find something warm to wear.

[peggyg]

Hi Marylou - I will be thinking of you today too. It was cold out this morning but a little better this afternoon.

Martha - I hope the cleaners can do something about the stains but I guess they can't do anything about the beads - did they at least offer to pay for the 3 shirts - hopefully they will give you what you paid for them and you can find something else - what a mess

Lisa, Nick and I had to go to Target and return a couple of things and then to Toys R Us and buy something - while we were out there we stopped at Sams Club and had lunch LOL - lots of free samples today - the best was the Cheesefactory cheese cake.

Peggy

[cruisetarp]

Back home after an exhausting day both physically and emotionally. Now I can concentrate on Thanksgiving and then leaving for Florida but today reminded me that we need to squeeze in a trip to Staten Island to the Cemetary before we leave for Florida. I can't not have a wreath on my parents grave for the holidays and since we won't be home til the night of the 22nd it will have to get done before we leave. I have a feeling there will not be enough hours in the days for the next 13 days.

Martha - How is Lee doing today? I hope he is doing a bit better. How does he manage on such a long car drive to Fl? I know since my back surgery several years ago I can't go more than 2 hours without stopping and getting out to stretch for a bit. Son Dave bought me one of those massaging car seats which I will try this time to see if it works.

Peggy - I love to "eat" at Sams Club. Found some really good things there and other things that I'm glad I didn't waste my money on - but the Cheesecake Factory cake is a definate keeper. YUM!!!

Time to get dinner started - I am starving. Got so busy visiting with my cousins that I sort of forgot to eat before. My cousin Pete is one of 11 (10 still living) and they were all there with their 27 children - makes you kind of sad that it takes something like this to get everyone together.

Be back later - any big weekend plans for either of you?

[waf125]

Hi Peggy & MaryLou-

Latest update on my tops: No, they didn't offer to reimburse me for any of them, but Lee took the receipt for my black halter top and copied it and handed it to them since I bought it in May and had just worn it once. We're waiting to hear back. Just got my other 2 back. Don't think I can wear any of them. One at least has a tag saying we are sorry we can't remove the stain. DUH!!! They are the ones that put the stains on it in the first place. So I am out my 3 best tops. Oh well, onto other things.

Switched to MTD today and prepaid the gratuities. That is done!!

Mary Lou- Lee has to stop every 2 hrs and get out and walk around. That has been the rule since he had his first surgery and he really follows it conscientiously. That's why it usually takes us so long on the road to get anywhere. I'm just worried he won't be able to drive he is so bad right now. That would not be a good thing because I will be exhausted and I hate driving distances.

Doctor's office never called him back today.

Only 5 more working days until I start my vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peggy- I love Cheesecake Factory cheesecake!! Have you tried their pumpkin cheesecake? I don't like pumpkin, but I can eat that!!

I think I will go to bed; am really tired.

Talk to you tomorrow!

[cruisetarp]

good morning and happy weekend. Let the packing begin. I have to begin packing this weekend so the dining room table is cleaned off by Thursday.

Martha - Hope you enjoy MTD - Jim & I are looking forward to it. Peggy are you still doing MTD or did you switch back? I know you said Elaine wasn't happy with it. I sure hope the cleaners do right by you.

I know what you mean Martha about having to stop often. My brother keeps telling me we should just go straight through. He used to do it every year to drive my Mom's car down to Ft. Myers for her. I told him if we did Jim would have to carry me around Fl. in a sitting position as I would never straighten up again. lol Hope Lee does OK on the trip. I also hate driving in highway traffic but I will give Jim a break once we get thru the DC area. Around here I can get to just about anywhere without getting on a major highway. Deb thinks it hysterical but I just don't like fighting with the trucks.

Time to get things done - be back later. Think I am going to need a nap later. Very rough night here - went to sleep much too early then was up most of the night.