Saturday, December 22, 2007

Cruise - Final

We finally made it back! Arrived home at 3:00 AM Thursday AM. Flight was delayed an hour. Of course Angela had to get stopped by security again in Ft. Lauderdale!

She tried to carry-on some seasonings she bought. 3 bottles each about the size of a hot pepper sauce size bottle. She forgot she had them. I had to take it back to the Skybus counter and put it my carry-on bag, pay another $5 and check my bag to Columbus. Angela was so shook up she forgot to take off her jewelry and got stopped at the metal detector. Finally made it.

The last day on ship was total wash out, rained almost all day. So overall the trip was just good, not great. Due to the weather we ended up taking a 5 day boat ride with only 5 hours off the boat in Jamaica. It was good to get away from cell phones and driving and cooking and cleaning, very relaxing.

Also, I can to appreciate 1 thing much more. My wife is a great cook! The desserts on the ship do not hold a candle to anything Angela makes. The ship may have food 24/7 (which is a good thing also!), but I will take Angela's key lime cheese cake over anything I had on the boat.

Already decided we will not take another cruise till more family or friends can go. That would make it more fun. Overall, if you have never taken a cruise, it is a good thing, maybe not in December.

Monday, December 17, 2007

cruise update #1

we have been sailing since Saturday, supposed to get off today at Grand Caymans but water was too rough, sailing on to Jamaica right now.

weather has been windy and overcast most of trip, but warm and no snow! Food is very good and the shows are great, but ready to get off boat tomorrow for the day.

met a whole host of characters, ask us about "grandma", "NY Couple" , some of the singers when we get back. Things going well, be back Thursday night to chilly OHIO.

only problem, to many Florida Gator fans!! stinking up the boat with the gator chomp, ugh!

that's all for now! gott a go put on some 50 spf sunscreen!!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Pre-Cruise Update

We had to stay up late last night to see our nephew Blake on 10TV news. He was interviewed as a high school athlete reacting to the baseball steroids report. So we went to bed about 11:30PM

Up at 4:00 AM to head to the airport in Brandon's truck. Checked 6 bags of luggage, guess who had 3 of the bags? Got to the airport fine, went over the security procedures with the family, Angela reminded the boys about not putting liquids in their carry on bags, and guess who got stopped at security for having 2 BIG bottles of sun screen? That's right, Angela. When stopped laughing, we went to Starbucks for coffee and a scone.

The plane ride was uneventful where Angela and I were, but ask Brandon & Corey about the guys in front of them. I kept falling asleep while reading my magazine, but otherwise no problem.

Landed, rented a car for the day, and went to the hotel. Got checked in early, it helps when you are a Marriott Silver Elite traveler because I travel so much, the room was even free. There was a huge Bass Pro Shop next door, so we walked over, ate lunch at a nearby seafood place, Corey did not get chicken tenders!.

It was time for a nap, so I went to room to lay down, while the rest of the family went to the pool, after awhile we drove down to the ocean. I am writing this at a computer in the lobby while everyone else is getting their shower.

It will an early night tonight, with the shuttle taking us to the ship at 11:00 AM in the morning. Not sure if I will get a chance to update while we are gone, but expect a full report when we return. I am off the rest of the year from work!!!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

When I talked to Angela yesterday during the day, I sensed in her voice things were not going well.

She had been doing lots of work around the house for the Christmas season, wrapping presents, decorating, etc. As a result, she overdid it and her back had been bothering her a lot. So much that I had to stop on my way home and buy her some medicine, because I am the best husband around. So as I was getting out of my car, standing in a snow covered parking lot, in the freezing cold, my cell phone rings, and she said, "never mind I found something in the medicine chest." UGH, I wen in anyway and bought myself a "Chunky" brand candy bar for my wasted effort.

Then I got home and Angela mentioned that there was water running down into the basement from under the sink area again, see previous posts for details. Went down in the basement and only saw water when dishwasher was on. So we called "Todd", yes that Todd, the fix it guy she goes bonkers over because he is sooooooooooo handy fixing things, makes me sick the way she talks about him. Todd and Corey pulled it out today and it sounds like the whole bottom fell out, so now we need a new dishwasher, UGH #2

While Todd was there he also looked at the toilets and they all need new "innards". He will have to come back later and fix that problem. UGH 3#, I am wondering if Angela is feeding him, he seems to take a longer than normal time to fix stuff when food is around.

Finally, my sweet baby doll mentioned that the "service engine soon" was on in her car. So we got in both cars, I drove hers, and that warning light and every other warning light came on, so I knew it would be $$$$$. Well Deke has not found the problem, which means it is more $$$$ UGH #4.

Now they are calling for 1" to 3" more snow tonight, all this week I have been getting up early for work, why do these classes happen on the coldest, snowiest days of the year, UGH #5.