Journey back to ME!!- I'm getting bugged!!

[kmp1191]

Hey Julie!!
Sorry I've been MIA from you're journal....no excuse!!
Hope you're having a great time!!!
Can't wait to read your TR!!

marie

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Julie, hope you are having a great time on the cruise!

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Julie you seem to have been gone for ages!!!
Bet its flown for you
Hope your having a great trip

 

[goldcupmom]

We got back last night about 6:30, home about 7:30. House is still standing after being left with DS21. Dogs are fine - Mia was depressed and ate the whole time - kind of looks like a pork roast with legs! Max hasn't limped since I've been home, so I think his leg has healed after 2 weeks in the kitchen.

We had a good flight from Tampa to Atlanta. In Atlanta, they moved our gate, then said they were getting out new equipment so the plane had to have a security search. Boarded about an hour late. Then the pilot killed the aux. power used at the gate & couldn't get the plane started. A wind came up & we sat on the runway for a long time as FAA said they needed a 30 mile clearance between takeoffs & only 1 runway was operating. After about 30 - 45 min the plane DROPPED a lot, suddenly. Half the plane was screaming. It was enough movement to wake DS17 up & he still felt it for a long while. We probably lost 100-200' in seconds. It was NOT fun! We figure this pilot was a fighter pilot as every movement he made was jerky and fast. Funny thing was, neither pilots or flight attendants ever mentioned the drop or explained it. Needless to say we were glad to get home.

I don't know why, but from ABQ to FL my feet don't swell, but EVERY TIME from FL to ABQ they swell up. Last night my Crocs sandals were tight!! Fine today, though, but I can tell I'm still really retaining water.

Good news is I just booked flights for the TOT - $89 each way on SW, so if we don't come, I can reuse the credit.

I'm almost done unpacking, but haven't started laundry, ran to Walmart for milk, but not much else, so need to do Groc.

Weight is not good, but not horrid. This morning I was up 8 lbs on my new scale and 6.5 on the old. I'll start posting trip details later tonight. Scary, but I wrote down what I ate & it wasn't pretty!

Hopefully I'll be able to catch up on journals by the weekend! I hope everyone is doing well!

 

[keenercam]

Julie -- Welcome back! We missed you. I am so glad we will finally meet at ToT!

 

[tbstein]

Hey Julie!

Glad you had a good vacation. Now, relaxed you can enjoy a bit of the summer! Good DS did well on his own! We will always worry.



Wendy

 

[CACruisin']

Welcome Back Julie!!

 

[mabenoab]

Julie:

Hope you had fun, fun, fun!! Don't worry about those 8lbs...just attack them right away and they'll just slip away.

yecch about such a big drop on your return flight...that'll play havoc with the tummy, won't it? Glad the house and everyone in it was fine when you got back. about Mia looking like a pork roast with legs! What a picture!

Glad you're back safe & sound, and looking forward to hearing more...

Beth

 

[traceycooper]

I would have been one of the screaming passengers on that plane!!!
I hate flying - wouldnt stop me going anywhere - but hate it

WELCOME HOME
Hope you had a great trip, cant wait to hear all about it, i'm sure the 6-8 lb's will come off as soon as your back in your routine!

 

[goldcupmom]

Ok, so I've been back almost a week and am SO FAR behind in everything!

DH didn't get our swamp cooler(NM/desert version of A/C - it just is a big fan that spins with water running over/under it that puts humidity in the air to cool it) up & running before we left. He finally did it Saturday afternoon. It was about 85 in the hallway where the thermostat is when we came in. The rest of the upstairs was MUCH hotter. So, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri nights, I barely slept. 20 min here & there was about it. About 4 a.m. it would cool down enough to really sleep & of course wake up time around here is about 5:45. So, I've been exhausted!

And, when I'm tired, I EAT!! Basically I've been alternating between salty chips & COLD ice cream. NOT A GOOD PLAN!!!!

Slowly my weight is coming down, but my body was just getting used to humidity and coming back to about 5% humidity, I'm retaining every drop I get. NOT good for the scale. I've been averaging about 130 - 160 oz liquid/day. Not thirsty, just drinking due to heat, and due to dryness, my body wants to keep it all!

Yesterday I went in Sam's & they were marking down summer stuff. I bought the screened in Gazebo for 1/2 price. DS17 arranged for a truck & then he & I went & got 1/3 of the 169 concrete blocks it will take for him to make a 'floor' for it. So, my exercise yesterday was helping to put them on the cart at Home Depot, push the cart uphill to the van, move them into the van, then unload them & carry them down the hill to the back yard. And it was 97 out. Today when I pick DD up at work, DS(who also gets off at 2) & I will go to Home Depot & get another 1/3. Fun, Fun.

But, I'm planning his Grad/18th bday party for 7/15 and having the Gazebo will help. Somehow in the next 3 weeks I have a LOT to get done!!

Tomorrow DS17 has dentist, DD works M-F and I have to drive her. Then Wed. is my dermatology appt. I'm getting a bit apprehensive as it gets closer. Praying that all goes well!

Tues morning(5/29) before our trip I woke up with a horrid sore throat that turned into congestion, sinus drips, & cough. I was hoarse & kind of icky until about the 5th. DH came home with something similar. He took Fri off sick, & is still yucky. But, he says he doesn't have allergies(although claritin helped some) & doesn't have a cold. hmmmm..... He has an appt. for his yearly physical on Wed, so I told him to tough it out. we'll see.

Well, I'm going to TRY to get some of my trip recorded here before I go pick DD up & buy more bricks. Hopefully I'll make more journals soon!

 

[goldcupmom]

Made it to bed about midnight Tuesday night & the alarm went off at 4:30. At 4:30 a.m., right on schedule, TOM arrived with a BANG! Wonderful!! The shuttle was to arrive at 6:30 to take us to the airport. At 6, DS17 comes upstairs & says his cell phone quit working. Since his is the 'backup' I had I-Dial put on, we called Verizon at 6:10. At 6:20 the shuttle showed up. At 6:45 we were STILL on the phone with Verizon. I finally interrupted, got info & told them we would have to finish in FL. So, we loaded & left. DD & DS17 were asleep in the shuttle before we'd made it 3 miles from home.

At the airport, DS17 plugged his headphones into his phone & for some reason they made it start working again! What a relief!! I bought a fruit cup in the airport & ate it w/ my fiber cake. Everyone else had breakfast burritos. I ate some sunchips enroute & in Atlanta we had only 1 hour since flight was delayed a bit, so I split a ham sandwich with DD in between flights. I made sure to ask for whole bottles/cans of drinks on the flights (much to the aggravation of DH who thinks it's a horrid thing to do) so I had plenty to drink.

DSis, the 2 DNieces & their babies picked us up in Tampa. All our luggage made it & we went to Westshore mall to kill time waiting for traffic on I-4 to clear a bit. For dinner in the mall I had a veggie burger & some baked fries from a chain called EVOS which is organic/healthy food. Really good!

DH bought a toy helicopter from Brookstone & played with it much of the trip, so he was entertained. DSis took Kylie(18 mo) to find some Crocs. The were really too big, but once on, Kylie didn't want to take them off.

Got to Dsis, unpacked, repacked for Orlando. Bed at around 11.

Thurs 5/31 -

Up at 6:30, DSis & I went to get our hair cut & highlighted. Had Starbucks SF Decaf Cinn. Dolce. The lady was supposed to alternate & get us done fairly quickly starting at 8:30. She got there at 8:45, did DSis completely, then me. We didn't get out until after noon. DH, DD & DS were anxious to get going so we loaded the truck(borrowed from Dniece1's hubby) & headed to Orlando. Lunch was BUrger King - I had a veggie burger, no mayo & sm onion ring. DH (you know, the one who had a heart attack???) had an angus burger w/ cheese, lg fries.

Once in Orlando(about an hour drive) we went to check in at the Hotel - Holiday Inn Sunspree - free night. Nice enough, room with a king & 2 twins, clean, near everything. Then it was off to the outlets - the ones near DTD. First stop Adidas Store. I had printed coupons online so DH & I both went thru checkout. DS17 got 2 pairs of shoes for about $75 which were over $120 each if I bought them in NM. I got 2 pr capris, 2 pr shorts & 1 top.

Next stop was Armani Exchange. DS17 got 2 pr jeans - $59 each, but had been $180 each. I told him 1 had to be for his Birthday. Also bought his GF a hooded wool zip sweater for $19.99 that had been $199, a t shirt for her for $15 reg $45, and one for him for $20 that had been $60. He was happy! He's never worn anything other than BAGGY cargo pants & gym pants, so for him to wear lower rise, well fitting jeans was WEIRD!!! But a good weird. Walked around a while, then headed up I-Drive to Prime Outlets to the Underarmour outlet. No really good deals this time. Guys stuff was reduced, but womens was all at full retail. DS17 got 2 ls shirts - think Christmas & DD got 1 heat gear compression shirt. I was hoping for more $9.99 sports bras, but no such luck.

By this time DD was needing food.....NOW!!....we were all tired & rather cranky. Ended up at Chili's for dinner. DH had a huge order of beef/chicken fajitas, DS a steak, DD quesadillas & I had an appetizer platter. I had 1 SW eggroll, 2 sm chicken crispers w/ honey mustard & chips w/ artichoke dip. DS17 ate the rest! Plus 3 baskets of chips & salsa. I ate a few, but tried to avoid them.

To appease DD while driving around arguing about where we would eat, I promised her ice cream. The hotel lobby has dippin dots in sm packages, so I had one of those w/ the rest of them when we got back. Then to bed around 10:30 - getting better.

6/1 -

Up at 8, checked out, went to Ponderosa on I-Drive for Breakfast buffet. I had kiwi, pineapple, 3/4 of an orange, melon, 1/4 piece wheat bread w/ jam & 1 pancake - & of course decaf. From there we went to SkyVenture. It was AWESOME!!!! But, if you decide to go, go to http://halfprice.ccorlando.com/cc-common/ddindex2.php & they usually have 1/2 price tickets. I pd $96 w/ shipping for 4 of us. It's normally $45+/person for the 20 min 'training' and then the 'experience'. In reality, you get about 2 minutes in the wind tunnel for that. Then they will let you buy extra minutes at $15/minute. It's worth it, I think it's one of those things everyone should try. Had it not been so expensive, we all would have done it again. DD & DS did it last summer & it was the one Orlando thing they wanted to do again. (Side note to Tracey - they don't ship outside US, but I bet any of us here would buy & mail to you if you wanted! )

From there we went to the cycle shop - got a bit lost, but made it. Unfortunately, they had none of the gear DS was wanting - which reminds me I need to order it as his bday is 7/11.

DD, DS & I wanted to stop at Millenia or FL Mall, but DH had had enough by this time, so we headed back to Lakeland. Dinner we ordered in Pizza for the 10 adults. I had 2 sm pieces little ceasars pizza, 2 cheese bread pieces and some of DS17 chocolate covered sunflower seeds - about 2 tbsp.

Once again, bed was about 11.

 

[goldcupmom]

Up at 6 & it was really rainy. DSis decided we were going to GSales anyway - she does it year round. Found some good sales for them. I bought a new PIT game for DS & a new brookstone wine opener for DH for $.50 each. They filled the entire van around us with floral decor, Fisher Price BB hoop & tons of 'dress up clothes' & stuff. Stopped at Panera & picked up bagels (gee, I wish we had one here...or maybe not!)

I ended up eating 2 bagels w/ ff crm cheese. Spent the day repacking again, doing some laundry. Did a Walmart run for 24 pk of water & 2-6 pks of 24 oz Mt Dew for DS to take on the cruise. Then I realized that I had never bought a memory card for my new camera! DSis & her DH left for Tampa to pick up DNephew & his girls. We went to DNiece1's house for dinner. I had 1/2 sm grilled pork chop, some rice & green bean casserole. Avoided dessert & all the Parrot Bay!

The 2 DNephew-in-laws then took me to Target to get a card for my camera. What an experience!! They're both almost as crazy as I am. Rode DNil1's 4 wheeler, played pool, played my Wii.

DSis arrived w/ DNephew & girls. Visited a short bit then all headed to bed. DS17 slept there as DNephew now had the bedroom DD had been using & the 2 girls (4 & 11) were going to 'camp' w/ DD on the floor of DSis playroom.

6/3 - Finally the cruise

Up at 7, ran to pick DS17 up. Organized all 7 of our bags to try to load in DBil's statioin wagon. Had 1/2 bagel & left for tampa about 9:15. With 7 suitcases & 4 carry ons & 5 people we were PACKED into the Dodge MAgnum, but we made it!

We arrived Tampa at 10:00, checked bags & were in line at 10:10. They opened the doors at 10:30, we were thru the line in under 10 min & onboard at 11:30. DH was adamant about not arriving Tampa until 1 p.m as was the posted boarding time, but I won that round & later he was thankful!

The ship was basically empty for the first hour we were on & DS17 took LOTS of pictures. Well over 1000 that he kept! I went to ask for the balcony dividers to be opened which they did at about 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Said they took requests on Sunday & opened starting on Monday.

Had lunch while we were waiting at the buffet. I had salad w/ some ham & a small square of chocolate cake.

We were allowed in our rooms at 1:30. DS17 immediately found 2 sets of Spiderman inflatable arm floaties that he proudly wore with his life vest to the muster drill.

We chose early/main dinner seating at 5:45 which worked out well for us & for DD who spent most of her time in the Teen Club. We had a booth for 4 and was the only booth on a small wall by the private dining room area. Very nice! Our waiter was Dennie & his 'helper' was Junyar. It took DS17 until the middle of the 3rd dinner to figure out that Dennie wasn't calling him 'junior' due to his being a helper.

Dinner I had shrimp cocktail, 1/2 of chicken a la grecque w/ pasta, 1/2 of a plaiin salad, & of course, warm chocolate melting cake. With DS later that night I had a small cone of frozen yogurt.

Did the spa tour & registered for the raffle. I won a facial. They said it had to be scheduled for MOnday, but Mon was full, so they scheduled it for 8 p.m. Tuesday. When I went for it they said it had been scheduled for 7 pm, & that since I was a 'no-show' they couldn't reschedule. Oh well. Went to the 'where to shop' talk for Grand Cayman & caught a Rum Cake for DH.

DH was tired & went to room to watch TV & do Sudoku. DS & I spent the evening walking & walking & walking & walking... and people watching....and taking pictures. DD wanted DS to go to the teen club. He was in.. and out...one time to get his free beach bag. DD didn't want to go in alone, but finally did & was glad of it.

About 11 p.m. DS17 ordered room service cookies & brownies, fruit tray, veggie tray & 4 chocolate milk - growing boy!


Off to pick up DD & get bricks. I'll keep adding later!

 

[goldcupmom]

DS & I got up at 5 to go enjoy the sunrise(which was we discovered at around 7:30). We wandered the upper decks, sat & talked, he ate breakfast & FINALLY the sun came up in a clear sky & calm ocean. DH & I went to breakfast in the dining room. I had egg beaters, chicken sausage, decaf,1 slice of wheat toast plain & 1/2 an orange.

DH & I went to another 'port' talk (better than watching TV) while DD got up, dressed & ready. Lunch we had at the buffet - I had a salad w/ ham and 5 small shrimp/calamari 'balls' (I forget what they called them) Also a piece of chocolate fudge cake of some sort - kind of a cross between fudge, mousse & cheesecake. REALLY REALLY good! I tried a bite of mango cheesecake, too, but Carnival cheesecake is really not good.

Had LOTS of crystal light & regular iced tea all day. It's a good thing I brought my 34 oz Nalgene bottle from REI or I would have been constantly filling cups!

This was an 'at sea' day & DH spent much time in the room, DS & I spent most of the time wandering & DD in the teen club (02).

This was formal night #1. DS of course used BLUE gel to spike his hair. We took pictures, none of which turned out very good. Everywhere he went DS drew the attention of every female in sight under the age of about 40 & DD did the same with the guys. Kind of scary! I'll attempt to post some pics at some point, but right now they're all on the laptop & the files are so huge I'm not sure how to transfer them. DS thought it would be a good college fundraiser to charge $5 to be in pictures with girls. Probably would have worked!

Had 1 small glass of champagne at the captains cocktail party.

Dinner I had the cold strawberry soup. Good, but not great. Tasted a lot like nestle strawberry milk with some salt. Caesar Salad, lobster & a baked potato, and key lime pie. DS had 2 lobsters, 2 things of sushi, salad & 2 desserts.

DH & I saw most of the show - pretty good, then I wandered with DS.

Then later he had pizza.... and ice cream!

I got DD some more key lime pie off the buffet & had a piece of chocolate cake.

6/5 - Grand Cayman

Got everyone up at 7, went to breakfast at 8 w/ our stuff to get off at 8:30. This was a 'tender' port. I had egg beaters w/ cheese & veggies, a spoon of potatoes, a croissant & unfortunately, I tried a cinnamon roll. Ate & DH needed to return to the room. He has a medicine that seems to, w/in 15 min of taking it, make him a bit ill. We finally got off at 9:30 - kids weren't too happy. We had no plans for Grand Cayman other than to walk, shop & relax. DS took some absolutely incredible pictures here, 1 of which he intends to enter into the next Carnival photog contest. He made good use of his new camera!! Here he bought Armani cologne & perfume for his GF. DD & I bought some perfume & she bought a tshirt from 'hell'. DS forgot his lanyard, so he bought an orange one here. We visited the Tortuga rum outlet & bought a bottle for DS20 for his 21 birthday & I got a chocolate rum cake. We boarded the ship again about 4:00. It was amazing the quantity of alcohol that were boxed being taken back on the ship (to be stored til the last day, of course). I saw at least 2 large delivery vans full!

Found a small 'grocery' & DD had a slushie, DS a powerade, DH a coke & I a cf diet coke. DH also had a candy bar & DS some slim jims. When we got back on the ship we ordered room service as we had skipped lunch. DS & I ordered pbj, DD ham & cheese & DH a BLT & whole milk. I also had veggies & DS had cookies, brownies & choc milk. I took 4 bites from the center of the pbj & left the rest. Too hot to eat & the veggies were cold & good.

Dinner was 1/2 of teriyaki beef, plain baked potato, shrimp cocktail, 1/2 of french onion soup - didn't want salad) a small piece of herb bread & ....warm chocolate melting cake. Tonight we tried(shared) the pumpkin soup. It was really good! Later when DS & I were wandering we tried to play shuffleboard, but the wind started to kick up & we could hardly stand up. Instead we went & each had an ice cream cone & I had coffee.

Spent the rest of the night walking & people watching.

 

[goldcupmom]

Cozumel -

Up at 7 - breakfast at 7:30 to give DH time to get back to the room for awhile before we had to leave. This was a docking port. We had a little time to walk around the port area shops before our excursions. DS, DD & I did the adventure park, rock climbing, zip line & snorkeling. DH did a 'jungle hike'(with 3 other people).

We were taken by taxi to the far side of cozumel to a very hurricane damaged hotel. Between the 2 hotels were 4 - 5 climbing towers (30, 45 & 60') After a brief instruction on how to put on the equipment we were able to rent a locker for all our stuff. Our group climbed towers first, then could go up inner stairs of the 60' tower to rappel down or go to the bridges/zip line. It was a lot of fun. The first tower they had me try the pegs were so far apart I couldn't come close to even jumping to reach them near the top. After that they realized I was short & I got areas where I could at least jump to the pegs. After that we took our climbing gear back in & walked to the beach to get snorkel gear. As a group we went off their dock & a 'guide' led us a good ways down a roped off area of water they said was just over a mile and then back. Good thing I'd been doing a lot of swimming. He pointed out fish & different coral and fed the fish to bring them closer. Several people both young & old had to be helped back to the dock area. They had several employees in the water with buoys, tow ropes & small boogie boards for this purpose. After this time we had the option of staying to snorkle, use their small pool or beach for as long as we wanted or they would call us a taxi (paid by them). We also each got a voucher for a beer or soft drink from their bar. Our wrist bands were good for 2 for 1 drinks at Carlos & charlies(?) all day long. After the excursion, we met up with DH & shopped. It was here that DH commented to DS17 that this was 'not my idea of a vacation'. DS bought some silver jewelry for friends, I bought for me, DD & I got grey mallorca pearls & she bought a ron jon cozumel shirt. DS used his spanish & got a good deal on 3 cuban cigars he managed to get home since his GF likes the smell. DH had bought 1 in Grand Cayman, & loved it - wished he could have brought a couple home - didn't know DS, with some ingenuity & tips from the CREW did!

Dinner was shrimp cocktail, spinach salad, salmon & baked potato. DD had some vegetarian Polenta dish that she said was just OK. Not a big fan of mush. Again we had Warm Chocolate Melting cake & also Creme Brulee the 4 of us shared. DH & DS had different stuff each night. DD & I opted for the most chocolate possible.

At dinner we started noticing the ship was beginning to rock a bit. The upper decks were closed off due to winds. Not a good sign.

After dinner DS told me he wanted to buy some rum to take home to GF sisters as they like it & it's really cheap. He had me go to the rum tasting. Me, who really doesn't drink, stood there & tasted like 14 different flavored rums. By about the 4th they all tasted the same, just rum, no flavor. Got a deal if you bought 4, so I bought 2 vanilla, 2 pineapple. Shortly after, DH came down & bought a 'stick' containing 5 sm bottles which they let him take up to the room. After additional tasting I had to go down & have them unbox the pineapple & exchange for mango.

It was this night that DH discovered that flavored rum is really good in Mt. Dew.!

6/7 - Belize -

Up at 6, breakfast at 7. DD, DS & I headed for the lounge at 7:45 where we were to assemble for our excursion - Discover Scuba. We sat, & sat, & sat. I got up for a potty break & heard Crew talking about refunds. At 8:45 they started calling excursions to leave. Just after 9 they called us (supposed to leave at 8). 12 of us left in a small boat for a 25 min ride to a private island. It was so rough a guy easily twice my size was being bounced off the seats. Boat was rocking, bouncing like crazy! Got to the island, watched an instructional video, took a quiz, potty break then back on the boat for another 20 min ride to Goff's Caye - an island about the size of my upstairs that sits over the barrier reef & has great snorkeling. There was a small open shelter, a porta potty on the end of a small dock & about 3 palm trees. That's it. They say it also has a shifting sandbar.

 

[goldcupmom]

So, we bounce around for about an hour total before I get off to do my instructional scuba. Basically suit up, get off from sitting, swim to a shallow area & kneel down under the water. Learn hand signals, how to exchange your tank to use someones auxiliary regulator for an emergency, etc. I was kind of uncomfortable sharing a regulator on the instructors tank with 9 other people, but I guess drinking the ocean water & what's in it is equally as disgusting, but we had to do it.

The ocean is getting rougher & rougher & they talk about taking us to an inlet area where it will be calmer to dive. Instead, we 'drive' around for 1/2 an hour & they decide to take us again back near Goff's Caye in the open ocean area of the reef. Wonderful. It's now almost 2 p.m., we had breakfast at 6:30 - 7 a.m. & my blood sugar is at 0 & I'm about to join the 20ish new bride who is worshipping the porcelain god in bucket form. Carnival told us not to take anything with us that couldn't be carried underwater as it would not be needed nor secure. WRONG! The guys on the boat finally pointed out a cooler full of some type of fruit juice which I drank 4 small dixie cups of which helped the sugar levels of DD & I, but not the nausea.

So, they drop anchor & begin getting the 1st group of 4 ready to go down with the 1st dive master. The water is so rough that 1st the front end goes all the way in the water, then the back end. This coupled with the side to side swaying was just 'ducky'! They then decide that it's too rough to sit & go in, we have to get ready, they will put our fins on & we have to hold the regulator in our mouth, our masks on & hold the weight belt with the other hand & JUMP. Then of course our buoy & line to the bottom is drifting, so once we jump we'll have to swim about 20' to it, wait for everyone in our group, then go down. This is when the 'Gilligan's Island' theme song started playing in my head. Everyone is in except DD, DS & I. We'll be under for about 30 min. And, by the way, we hoped for 25', we're actually at 34'. At this point I realized that I'm big, when I jump in, I'm going under , WAY under, the waves are now washing up on the top of the boat, & I will be unable to see due to not wearing my glasses. Water is clear, but when you can't see, it doesn't matter too much.

DD goes in, no problem. They start suiting DS up & decide I'm going to need more weights. Wonderful!! I'm suited up, ready & I ask "so, what happens if I get in & need to throw up" as I'm fighting it now. Their answer? Just throw up into your regulator, don't take your mouthpiece out. just hit the 'purge' button & it will come squirting out the sides. There's no freaking way! I also ask, 'so, if I can't do it & need to come up to the boat do I just signal & come up'. NO, the dive master has to come with you. 'so, what will happen to the others in the group. They have to come too & will be done'. It's then that I decided I wasn't going. I couldn't justify the possibility of making DD & DS miss their chance if I couldn't take it or got sick. So, I wimped out.

They loved it & DS got 119 great pictures while under. After they came up we took another 25 min ride back to the private island & even the dive guys were concerned about the waves. Had time to potty, regroup & then another 25 min ride back to the ship. Got back after 3:30, almost at time to set sail.

Went to the room where DH was napping. He instantly asked why we never came to get him when we came back to go into Belize City. I told him we just got back & we were disappointed it was too late to go. Our 3 hour excursion had taken pushing 8 hours. He said when he got back from his 'bus tour of the city', they announced that it was too dangerous for anyone to go ashore and that as soon as they could 'recover' all passengers we would be leaving. So, even if all had gone on time, we wouldn't have been able to go ashore.

I was absolutely starving at this point. They had had a bag of tortilla chips & a tupperware container of salsa along with a plate of some type of bread/cake covered in foil after the dive. Also, at the island we had time to get a snack in their bar/restaurant, but of course, we had no money with us. We ate a few chips & a bit of salsa before heading back to the ship - really good, but not the greatest on a sick tummy.

Once back, I got a reuben & fries at the buffet. Ate about 1/2 the reuben, DS ate the fries. DS & DD went for ice cream.

Dinner I had some kind of fried cheese (was one small triangle, but really good), shrimp cocktail, & some kind of grilled tiger shrimp in sauce that was probably my fav thing all week. Dessert was different.... Apple pie! After dinner we went to the lobby & I had a raspberry margarita - 1 of 2 drinks I had all trip (actually all year!- I'm such a lush!)

Tonight was the 'Bathrobes & Beers' party & a Mexican buffet at 11:30. DH wanted to rest, sleep, watch TV, etc. He was tired & tired of walking. And he wanted me to do the same. When I said I was going up to see the party & get something at the buffet - I was actually a bit hungry, he didn't want me to go. When I said I was he begrudgingly came along. Sat on the edge of a booth in the buffet, as DD would say, looking 'grumpy'. Then when I went out to see if I could spot DD, he came out, folded his arms & stood there rather surly. DS has some GREAT pictures taken from above. They opened the buffet & I tried a bite of 3 different tacos, a couple of chips w/ different salsas & about 1/2 of an incredible piece of some strawberry cream cake. Then I went & spent a short while with DS up above before going down to the TV. Not to sleep as I waited for DD to get back. Giving her free rein on the ship was NOT going to happen!

 

[toystoryduo]

Welcome Home, Julie!

 

[goldcupmom]

So this morning I decided to unload the rest of the concrete stones from the van that are going under the gazebo. It was only 68 out & to be 97 today, so why not get it done. For grins I decided to put on my garmin.

Each stone weighs 23 lbs. Get it from the van, walk down a sand hill, bend to set it down slowly so it doesn't get nicked or cracked, walk back up steep sand hill, repeat.... 55 times! The hill is steep enough it provides a good achilles stretch while walking up it.

took me 55:03 & I covered 1.61 miles doing it.

Yes, I'm tired!!

Hopefully it will make up for my meals yesterday a bit. They consisted of either cake, or salt & vinegar chips. What a wonderful diet!! I MUST get back in control!!!!

 

[goldcupmom]

Everytime I woke up all night I noticed subtle movement of the ship & could hear wind. Up at 6, breakfast at 7. While sitting at breakfast (I had croissant, all bran w/ yogurt) we could see very large waves breaking onshore at Costa Maya. We kind of did circles for awhile then they announced it was too dangerous to dock so we would miss Costa Maya & just head for Tampa slowly. We were disappointed, but I almost think DH was a rather happy about it. DD & DH went back up to sleep. DS & I walked & wandered. We ended up playing Bingo - didn't win. Later on, DH & I played slots for a short while. No luck there either.

Finally woke DD at noon so she could eat some lunch & be ready for the 02 afternoon activities. Lunch I had a Calzone & 2 of these really good meringue type cookies(lemon) with some kind of filling stuff on top. Probably the best dessert I had. I could have eaten a TON of them!

Unfortunately, later, DS & I discovered the ice cream parlor, so at 3:30 I had some ff froz yogurt with peanut butter chips & mini m&ms. Oops!

This was the 2nd formal night & since pictures weren't good the first, we did more....everyone REALLY enjoyed that....NOT!!!! Dinner I had some eggroll thing, shrimp coctail, tomato salad, some steak thing & baked potato. Didnt eat much of it, except Again warm chocolate cake.

Tonight was the Grand Gala Buffet. DH rather reluctantly went to take pictures w/ DS & I at 11:30, then DH & I got a bit to take to the room & shared with DS & DD when they came in. I had some meat rolls & an incredible bit of chocolate cake.

6/9 -

Even though I try to sleep in, it doesn't happen. I was up at 6:30, wandered for coffee & watched another sunrise. DS came up & we sat way top & read & talked. The water had finally calmed & it was smooth.

Breakfast I had a cinnamon roll, a croissant & a bit of egg beaters. Basically wandered the ship, did lots of walking, DD bought a shirt, did some more reading.

Lunch I ended up having a hamburger no bun (they had smelled SO GOOD all week) smothered in onions & mushrooms & some potato skins. Tried some more cheesecake, but it wasn't worth the calories. Besides, DS & I had already planned on ice cream. BAD BAD BAD!!!

DH napped while DS & I wandered more, I packed a bunch. Dinner was more shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, prime rib ( I eat only a tiny bit as it's too rich), baked potato plain. Dessert was a mocha ice cream cake.

Went to the final show & ended up getting to bed about midnight.

Sunday morning up at 6:30, breakfast & then went to gather our stuff. Ours was the first group called to disembark around 9:00. DBil arrived about 9:30 & we headed to DSis. I again repacked, did laundry & everyone else napped.

 

[goldcupmom]

Lunch at Dsis was 1/2 a bun with ham & ff cheese toasted on it.

Dinner we ended up going to Outback. I had a small bit of bloomin onion, a slice of bread & 3 buffalo chicken pieces.

Monday 6/11 I finished packing & the 'girls' went shopping while DS & DH went to see Oceans 13. No breakfast. Lunch was the other 1/2 bun w/ ham/cheese. Dinner we went to Alehouse. DD & I split (with the help of DH, DS, DSis & DNiece1) cheese fries & chicken nachos. Ate WAY TOO MUCH!!!

Tuesday up at 6, stripped beds as DSis was at work and had others coming on Wed to stay at her house, started laundry. DNiece1 arrived at 9 to take us to airport. In airport I had a sf decaf nf latte & a scone for breakfast. DS had a hot dog with sauerkraut, relish, cheese, jalapenos, & a pickle spear - with CHOCOLATE MILK! EEEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!

Lunch in Atlanta I had a grilled chicken sandwich. Didn't eat dinner when we got home as we were busy unpacking, etc.

And that's the trip! And yes, I want to take another cruise!

 

[CACruisin']

Julie, loved reading about your trip. I'm with you - I would get on another cruise tomorrow if I could! DS and the chocolate milk made me smile. On our cruise last month DD4 had chocolate milk with everything - french fries, pizza, fruit, cookies, all of it was accompanied with chocolate milk. She was so disappointed when we were off the ship and chocolate milk was no longer always available.