Phew! A few notes for now...

No, you didn't miss our cruise blog. I've been swamped with my latest book release and some other things, so hopefully, maybe, possibly, this weekend?

Here's a synopsis of what's been up with us since we got back on Feb 12th (ten days - where did it go?):

• Uneventful drive back from Tampa other than a windshield chip
• Insurance covers windshields at 100%, got the chip repaired (yay!)
• Rain, then more rain
• Stu had a dentist appointment, one wisdom tooth extraction, two crowns
• Still raining
• I had a mammogram and was offered the new 3D mammography (Medicare pays for it)
• We both had doctor appointments. All is well with us both!
• A break in the rain, had two sunny, beautiful spring-like days!
• We closed on the sale of our property in Jamestown. Sold to RVing friends who plan to build a cabin for non-winter residency. In fact, their plans pretty much echo our original plans!
• Did all the usual daily stuff - shopping, laundry
• Watched the Olympics!
• We started a lo carb diet (lazy keto) on the 13th. We are both down six pounds!
• Raining again!

Speaking of rain - this is before it got really bad!

Stu initially thought he had either a cold or sinus issues (we've both had the allergies nail us since returning home). A week later and he's currently getting a root canal for an abscess beside the extraction. Hoping he will get to feeling better.

On the down side, our son-in-law had to have surgery to remove a brain tumor that was found when he suddenly suffered a seizure. It came back cancer but they feel they have it all removed. He is now undergoing treatment to be sure. Also, my old neighbor from back before I went full-timing let me know her husband was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, spread to the lymphs and liver. He is way too young. Another very good friend was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has spread into the shoulder area and is currently in rehab with a fractured collar bone and two more in the hip. Lastly, a friend from Florida passed a day after entering hospice, he had a head/neck cancer and had been fighting his battle for a while. Sigh...cancer SUCKS!

The 2doods? They're doing fine...as always. Cooper lost a little weight and Murphy gained too much weight while at doggy camp. We suspect Murphy was eating some of Cooper's food. Ten days of normal eating and Cooper is back up and Murphy is slowly decreasing. LOL! I know everyone is missing their dose of the Doods, so here is a little compilation video of their indoor play this morning.

Funny story from yesterday as we headed to drop the pups at doggy daycare off before going to the closing on the property. It was early and I hadn't had breakfast so I went through the McD's drive-thru to get a cup of coffee. This was a first for the pups.

~ They didn't like the voice in a box. They barked. 
~ They didn't like the lady taking my money. They barked. 
~ And they were still barking when the coffee lady spoke to me. 

LOL! Guess we need to get out more...

I snapped a couple of photos in the doctors office. I fell in love with this hedgehog in my examining room. I want one!

And had to save this one from the waiting room.

Ciao for now!

Post Cruise Update - Part IV - Hawaii

After his dive in Cabo, Stu started to feel like he was coming down with a cold. We had brought some DayQuil and NyQuil with us, but not enough. Online friends, Brynn & Andy Cruz, were joining us for the cruise to Hawaii so we asked if they could pick up more meds for him since he had dives scheduled in several ports. (Thank you, Brynn & Andy!!!)

Since this was a back to back cruise, we knew we would have to disembark and then get back on. We'd done this several times on other cruises and it had never been a hassle. This time it was terrible. Once off the ship, through immigration and holding our new sail & sign cards (room key/charge card), we were told to sit and wait. Almost 90 minutes passed before we were allowed to board. Never had this happen before, hope it never does again.

Before I forget, anyone cruising out of LA area in late fall or winter, be prepared for VERY cool days at sea. Fortunately we had heard this from others and had the clothes to be comfortable - long pants, long sleeved shirts and sweatshirts.

With four days at sea, Stu was feeling much better by the time we hit our first port in Maui, Hawaii. We had scheduled a helicopter tour. The day was overcast, cool and eventually rainy. But the worst part was now I was sick. VERY sick. While Stu was doing much better, it looked like it was my turn. We cancelled our tour and I rested while Stu took a trip ashore for a few items and a little sightseeing. Here are a couple of pics from the ship.











Next stop was Honolulu where Stu had booked a private dive.



This was my view from the library, the warmest spot on the ship. While I had been able to write a couple of chapters the previous week, now I was reading.


I took a little nap on the Serenity deck in the afternoon.


Stu really enjoyed his dive. White tip sharks!



...and sea turtles! (the other diver was a young girl from Australia getting her certification)


Goodbye Honolulu!


When we cancelled the Maui helicopter ride, Stu booked one on the island of Kauai. While not well, I was feeling well enough to give it a try, being only a two hour excursion and the weather was nice. We bought the video the company produced from our ride but here are a couple of shots. Many, many movies have been shot on this island and you can see why. (Most of our pics have reflections due to being inside the helicopter)















It was a great ride but I was done...back to the ship and back to bed. Sigh...

Next stop was the big island. Kona and the next day, Hilo. Kona was a tender port and needless to say, I stayed aboard and rested. Since it was rainy and chilly, Stu opted to do the same.





On to Hilo where Stu had another private dive scheduled. Turned out to be an amazing dive and here are a few photos taken off his video.







Me? I went to see the doctor, feeling worse than ever. Diagnosis - bronchitis. I walked out with $60 worth of antibiotics and $125 medical bill.



Several more days at sea and by the time we made it to Ensenada, Mexico, I was feeling well enough to do the MicroBrew and Taco tour. What a blast!















PS. You can see ALL our trip photos HERE.

Ciao for now!

Getting ready to hit the road....

It seems like we have gone non-stop lately, and actually, we have been. We made a quick trip to NJ to visit a childhood friend of Stu's, Tonia. Their parents were friends and the four kids stayed friends for years. But as it does, life intervened and they hadn't seen each other in well over 20 years. Since she was a four hour drive away, we popped up there and spent two fun days. I know this won't be the last time we will get together - life is too short!

Here is a quick photo I snapped on the drive back...

We did manage to see a couple more movies since our last post. First was Deep Water Horizon - excellent movie based on real facts. We really enjoyed the 'edge of your seat' action! Next was The Accountant - oh my!! The trailers were good but the movie was amazing (at least to us). We loved that they left it open for a sequel. The last was the new Jack Reacher movie. While we aren't huge Tom Cruise fans, we had heard the movie was pretty good. Well, it was. While Cruise is aging, so is his character; getting a bit fleshy and a little slower made for more realism. But the best part was the co-star, one kick butt female character who added a lot to the movie.

We also had one last night with Stu's daughters and family. Melissa had won a basket of crabs (already cooked). Toss in some burgers and hot dogs for those of us who don't eat them, some chips (Old Bay chips for the Maryland-ites) and potato salad/macaroni salad, and no one went hungry! Here are a few pics....

Last time I mentioned our current health status:

• Three vision done, one to go
• Two dental done
• Two GP done
• One hearing done
• One mammogram done
• One aorta ultrasound done
• One colonoscopy scheduled
• Two skin screening by dermatologist

The skin screenings were done, Stu ended up with three biopsies (still waiting on results) and I had several spot frozen. Had a nice scab on the end of my nose, it gets frozen every year thanks to many years of Florida living.

Stu got new hearing aids (thanks to Workmen's Comp) and he loves them. Much better than the old pair (which were failing frequently), and he can tune them with his iPhone. He also got his new driving glasses and sunglasses. He was amazed at how much more he was seeing. Mammogram, aorta screening and colonoscopy were all fine. Phew!

The only new thing is I will be getting cataract surgery next spring when we return to the area in May. We are opting for spring visits now for several reasons. More motorcycle riding weather here and enjoying the fall in Tennessee more. I will be getting both eyes done and can't wait. It's gotten really hard for me to drive and even the computer and reading is difficult. Sucks to grow old but it's still better than the alternative.

On our many trips across the Bay Bridge into the Annapolis area, we saw watched as several ships crossed under the bridge. Such a fun view, going over the bridge and seeing them cross under us.

Now we are packing up and heading south in the morning. If all goes well, we will spend two overnights before arriving on our lot at Bee's RV Resort in Clermont. We then have less than two weeks before we fly to California for our cruises. We get to spend a couple of days with our friends (and Stu's former partner), Dottie and Bill, before cruise number one - 7 day Mexican Riviera. When we return, we stay on the ship (in the same cabin) and head out for our 15 day Hawaiian cruise. So excited! Stu will be diving, I will be sightseeing and we both will be taking a helicopter tour over one island.

So we will try to post at least once before we leave but after that, it may be a while before you hear from us. Don't worry...we'll be having fun!

Ciao for now!