August 20, 2005 - L.A. to Port Canaveral - Eastbound Repo Cruise - The SHIP OF FOOLS Part 2

[rsschneck]

The photos are BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing!

 

[DonnaDavid]

Hi, everyone.

I've been having technical problems with the DIS on my computer and am unable to read (or respond, of course) to posts, so I've just caught up with about two weeks of posts to this thread. I apologize for revisiting the change in itinerary thing, but I just found out about it. I really don't like the idea of so many consecutive days at sea. I checked expedia.com to see what other ships going through the Panama Canal do; I wish DCL could do their itinerary. RCL and Celebrity both do trans-canal repositioning cruises that don't involve nearly as many sea days. I did send DCL an e-mail, but I don't think they're going to be very motivated to respond as the ship is sold out at this point. I'm not changing cruises right now because I've cruised on other lines and for us, DCL is worth the extra money; but it is something to think about.

Hey, look, Paul. I'm posting!

Donna

 

[paulcrsb]

Hi Donna!

It's good to see that you are back on the boards. I thought that we scared you away at the DIS meet!

Paul

 

[mark & sandra]

Now that Grumbo's back, he and Jazzman have decided to add a new wrinkle removing spa treatment from JGE. I'm not sure it will work...Mark

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Estelle and Phil...have a great trip and hopefully the weather will hold out for you! We are off to Colorado/Utah for two weeks for a vacation that we had scheduled in February...with DH losing his job, we considered cancelling but it was paid for already and I really do need to get away from the real world for a few weeks and relax. Hate to see how many pages I'll have to catch up on!! Mary Jo

 

[ehtpnt]

Mary Jo, hope you have a great two weeks. At least I'll only have one week of posts to catch up with. Still knowing this bunch that could be 10 or more pages.
Take care and everyone try to have a lovely week.
This time I really mean it. I will be back on the 16th. We are getting up at 6 tomorrow and much as I like all of you I am not posting between then and 7:30 when we leave.
Estelle




PS. Thanks Mary Jo for telling us to have a good time. That would be a right back at you. Estelle

 

[izzinmac]

Boy, this has been a bummer! I just got back from Tulsa. Had to leave my wife there since my mother in law is still hanging in there, and I have to go back to work. I got in about two hours ago and decided to raise my spirits by getting caught up here!

Seems like all I read about was lost jobs, people cancelling, lousy weather and sickness.

I appreciate my daughter's (Gassmandy's) comments about our situation with Mary's mom, and all the kind comments that followed. Like I said, Martha is still alive as I write this, but when I left today, she was very weak and virtually unresponsive. We did get to move her from the hospital back to her home, and now have hospice care. She should have died days ago, but like Mandy said, she is a fighter. Hopefully, hospice will give her the peace she needs to let go. The whole experience certainly changes one's perspective on priorities in life. My wife's hope was that her mom would go quickly and peacefully. Hasn't happened, but you start to see meaning in the small things that happen, even with some laughter.

One little story - as Amanda stated my mother in law had a very sad marriage, and to put it bluntly, is still mad at her ex. She transformed her anger into independence - especially when it came to the old dollar. She has managed her finances well - but if we were to give her a Disney character name, it would have to be Scrooge. As a result, one thing she managed to do was to save in jars around her apartment (mostly hidden in the refrigerator) more money than most of us keep on hand. This was just her "emergency money". Well, anyway, when she moved to assisted living, she put it all in a purse in a zillion different envelopes, and had my sister in law keep it in her safe. When we arrived Wednesday, it was clear she wasn't going to survive, but she was still awake. She told my sister in law to bring the purse to the hospital - she wanted to give her daughter's something. My SIL did, and the three of them sat there and counted out the money - $3800. She also had two rings in the purse. She gave each daughter one ring. They asked - what do you want to do with the money. Her reply - "Put it back in the safe - I may need it!!"

The kind of story we will need later.

The other good that comes from this situation is the importance and closeness of family. Amanda shared our situation- she didn't share how much she helped us while we were gone. She "baby sat" our two German Shepherd dogs and two Ragdoll kittens, while taking care of her own two kids - husband Shawn and little Addie. All the kids were with us in spirit and providing emotional support.

Rambled long enough. Good to "talk" to someone. Keep Mary and her Mom in prayer. She came "home" today - hopefully soon she will really Go Home!

 

[Verandah Man]

Bob, We will put your entire family on our church prayer list this morning, our family went through this a few years ago with my grandmother, we know what you are dealing with. Keep strong, and keep the faith.

 

[mississaugamom]

Bob: You and Mary, her mother, and your entire family are in our prayers today as well.

God bless.

Arlene

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Bob,
Wanted you to know you and the family have been in our prayers. It's tough to say goodbye. Stay strong and hold on to your faith. Your MIL sounds like quite a character, and a true blessing in your lives. Love, prayers and pixie dust coming out to you and yours. Thanks for the update!!

 

[izzinmac]

Thanks again to all! Mary just called. Her Mom passed away about 1/2 hour ago.
Lots of tears - but we know she is at peace and home at last!

 

[Grumbo]

izzinmac I'm sorry for your loss, but having gone thorugh this with family members who have languished know the blessing of being able to spend time with her and that she is no longer suffering.
My thoughts are with you and your family,

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Verandah Man]

Bob, our deepest sympathy to Mary, you and the rest of your family.

 

[twhipple]

Bob and Amanda, and the rest of the family...

Our deepest sympathies to all of you. I know Martha is in a better place now and at peace. Remembering that will make things easier to understand and get through.

Tracy

 

[Scratch42]

My deepest sympathies to you and your family.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

She is with God now and at peace.

Scratch

 

[Jazzman]

This kind of thing is so tough on a family... I wish all of you healing and future happiness. I know it's a tough time, but at least her suffering is over. Our sympathies to all involved.


-Pete and Denise

 

[gassmandy]

Thank you all for the support. While it is extremely sad--I have to say I was so relieved to hear she had passed away when my mom called with the news. I know it was hard for my mom watching her in pain and struggling for air. Thank you for all the prayers!

 

[sandygirl]

Bob, Mary and Family...the peace that passes all understanding be yours in your loss.
I loved the story about the purse. Reminded me of my very independent Scottish Granny. I'm sure you have many more stories! Have fun sharing them with each other.

Darlene

 

[Grumbo]

I have been remiss in updating/adding/deleting changes to the list of cruisers on the first page. If you know or see any that need changing can you let me or Jazzman know so I can bring it up to date.

Back to work today
Noon hour almost and finally got all the crap out of the way now start to do some actual work.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[mickeyfan1]

Welcome back, Grumbo.

I only had a couple of pages to catch up on here after being off the net for 3 days. It was kind of nice actually to travel with out the laptop for a change. Of course, when I got to the room they had high speed access and even provided the ethernet cable. I am glad you all behaved so well tho.

I can't believe we are approaching the one year mark. It will be hare before we know it.

Amanda, Bob, Mary........... I am sad to read of your loss, but as others have said, she is no longer suffering.