Emily emailed that she will be bringing Ciera home. We still need to find the 2 missing pieces for Ciera's harness before the show.
Church was everything expected and more. Ken Hoerr had the service opening first to Psalm 2 and then Acts 20 starting at verse 17. When Ken started reminding us of Paul's life and sacrifice for the brethren it actually brought tears. One of the statements Ken said was really thought provoking. What would it be like if Paul came today and visited us here at the Peoria church. What would he think. This is a man that had joy in prison. Ken jumped to 2nd Corinthians chapter 12 verses 23-27 and read where Paul was beaten, stoned, left for dead, shipwrecked and then described what the beatings were like back then and how awful the prison was. Ken has actually visited the very prison Paul was kept. Ken reminded us that Paul was not a young man when he went through all of this he was probably in his 50s.
Today is going to be warm, We are so hoping the warmth will stay through the first week of March for the IL Horse Fair.
Izadora and her colt were shown yesterday afternoon. The man looking is a first timer which is probably not a good fit for her. He really fell in love with her colt but would need to board him out for a couple of years and that's not a good situation either. He was not encouraged to make the purchase but to go home and think it through. He was pretty impressed with the Friesians, we walked up to the Friesian paddock, Ylse was called and she came right up, Jenis was called and she came up for attention, then we walked over to Raven's paddock, he was at the far end and was called and he came and hung his head over the gate for petting. The guy makes the comment, "they are just like dogs, coming when called."
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Steven and the Boys
Steven was early and helped Mike move in 2 round bales for the middle paddock. He noticed Jewel was not in sight and had to go hiking through the mud to see her enjoying a nap in the sun. We finished up the walk just about the time he had both boys in the arena. Of course they need to run around before the training session.
Evan is in the blue halter and Valiant in the maroon halter. Steven showed off Evan's bow first then had me try. Evan did not listen to me very well, he minds Steven much better trying hard to please him.
Notice no lead rope, Evan would just stand on the pedestal waiting for the next cue.
Steven then showed off Valiant's Spanish walk training. OK, I was impressed, this was only the second day and that boy is getting it. These Friesian stallions are amazing. They have such good minds, want to please and love to show off. Valiant was led over to the pedestal for a picture.
Both boys are only 19 months old, so Steven doesn't make the training sessions long, just often. Friesians are different than other breeds and it is easy to do too much with the young ones as they try so hard to please.
Blessings to be counted today are so numerous one doesn't know when to stop. Just remembering that God is all powerful and all good is the blessing to start with today.
Even when our hearts are breaking we have the assurance that God IS GOOD! His ways are so far above our ways, His Word tells us in Luke 12 even the hairs of our head are numbered, we are more value than the sparrows that fall and as God does not forget the sparrow how much more will He care for us.
Evan is in the blue halter and Valiant in the maroon halter. Steven showed off Evan's bow first then had me try. Evan did not listen to me very well, he minds Steven much better trying hard to please him.
Notice no lead rope, Evan would just stand on the pedestal waiting for the next cue.
Steven then showed off Valiant's Spanish walk training. OK, I was impressed, this was only the second day and that boy is getting it. These Friesian stallions are amazing. They have such good minds, want to please and love to show off. Valiant was led over to the pedestal for a picture.
Both boys are only 19 months old, so Steven doesn't make the training sessions long, just often. Friesians are different than other breeds and it is easy to do too much with the young ones as they try so hard to please.
Blessings to be counted today are so numerous one doesn't know when to stop. Just remembering that God is all powerful and all good is the blessing to start with today.
Even when our hearts are breaking we have the assurance that God IS GOOD! His ways are so far above our ways, His Word tells us in Luke 12 even the hairs of our head are numbered, we are more value than the sparrows that fall and as God does not forget the sparrow how much more will He care for us.
YEAH Church Night
Bounding out of bed around 5:00am so excited, today is Wednesday and for the first time in over a week we can go to church. How we have missed the fellowship of the saints. By not attending for 2 Sundays and last Wednesday little problems that should be able to be glossed over get like a burr under a saddle pad and just irritate, bug and bother until one loses her temper. Really makes me think how the very self indulgent cruise makes a person selfish.
Steven is going to be at the farm this morning to work both boys, another reason to rejoice, we get to see how good they are doing. The weather has been warming up since we arrived home, instead of facing 10 below zero it is suppose to reach 50s today and 60s tomorrow. Can the day get any better?
Steven is going to be at the farm this morning to work both boys, another reason to rejoice, we get to see how good they are doing. The weather has been warming up since we arrived home, instead of facing 10 below zero it is suppose to reach 50s today and 60s tomorrow. Can the day get any better?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Back to the Real World
After the walk this morning it was down to TEMCO to pick up the mail but there wasn't as much as expected. Martha was asked if Eva Jean picked it up last week while we were gone and Martha said not that she knew of. By the time I arrived at Meister Brothers Eva Jean was already there with LOTS of opened Bible studies. She actually went on Thursday so between what was picked up today and Thursday there was close to 400 pieces of mail to process. We had to push it to finish on time for lunch.
At the farm the sheer amount of moisture coming from the melting snow is causing mud problems. We will need to move in bales tomorrow. Steven moved the horses off the cabin field back to the paddocks. Just can't have horses on the fields during the big melt down, they would have it so torn up no grass would grow this spring.
This first day back to work after vacation was exhausting. We were suppose to take mom out to Red Lobster tonight with Mike and Diane but Mark had a school board meeting and I begged off so as not to be late to choir.
Choir was fabulous! The singing so inspiring and beautiful and the lunch served topped all lunches so far. Dee Lehman, Carolee Unsicker, Holly and Dean Ramseyer, and Jim & Faith Carlson went all out tonight. Hot sandwiches, pizza dip, fresh vegetables with dip, fresh fruit, chips, bars and my favorite deviled eggs.
All you singers out there wanting to praise the Lord with your voice, enjoy wonderful fellowship AND have a fantastic dinner should join us on Tuesday evenings 7:15pm at the Peoria Fellowship Hall.
At the farm the sheer amount of moisture coming from the melting snow is causing mud problems. We will need to move in bales tomorrow. Steven moved the horses off the cabin field back to the paddocks. Just can't have horses on the fields during the big melt down, they would have it so torn up no grass would grow this spring.
This first day back to work after vacation was exhausting. We were suppose to take mom out to Red Lobster tonight with Mike and Diane but Mark had a school board meeting and I begged off so as not to be late to choir.
Choir was fabulous! The singing so inspiring and beautiful and the lunch served topped all lunches so far. Dee Lehman, Carolee Unsicker, Holly and Dean Ramseyer, and Jim & Faith Carlson went all out tonight. Hot sandwiches, pizza dip, fresh vegetables with dip, fresh fruit, chips, bars and my favorite deviled eggs.
All you singers out there wanting to praise the Lord with your voice, enjoy wonderful fellowship AND have a fantastic dinner should join us on Tuesday evenings 7:15pm at the Peoria Fellowship Hall.
Snoring Dogs
All went as planned last night, the kids came back from volley ball with Phil and Anna in the group just about the time the fire was going well.
We were all visiting in the playroom when Addyson sees what she believes is the best seat in the house and plops herself down on Mark's lap. Nothing like having comfortable grandparents.
Ralph and Jamie came over to show us their new puppy. He is a long haired Akita, 13 weeks old they have had him since he was 7 weeks old and it is about time we got to meet him.
Emma had the best time playing with him, isn't he fuzzy!
We all headed to bed around 10:00pm and were up at 6:15am. Taunya started telling me about her night. They started hearing noises every few seconds, loud snoring sounds and finally realized it was Darcy. Darcy was in her bedroom (really Rhoda's) which was directly above the living room. She was snoring so loud Ben and Taunya could hear it all the way downstairs. Funny we don't even notice anymore unless Darcy sleeps in our room which is very rare.
Breakfast was coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, bacon, pancakes and scrambled cheese eggs then off to the walk for the report from Rachel.
When I arrived home, Ben had the dishes done and the dishwasher running. What a great son!
We were all visiting in the playroom when Addyson sees what she believes is the best seat in the house and plops herself down on Mark's lap. Nothing like having comfortable grandparents.
Ralph and Jamie came over to show us their new puppy. He is a long haired Akita, 13 weeks old they have had him since he was 7 weeks old and it is about time we got to meet him.
Emma had the best time playing with him, isn't he fuzzy!
We all headed to bed around 10:00pm and were up at 6:15am. Taunya started telling me about her night. They started hearing noises every few seconds, loud snoring sounds and finally realized it was Darcy. Darcy was in her bedroom (really Rhoda's) which was directly above the living room. She was snoring so loud Ben and Taunya could hear it all the way downstairs. Funny we don't even notice anymore unless Darcy sleeps in our room which is very rare.
Breakfast was coffee, fresh squeezed orange juice, bacon, pancakes and scrambled cheese eggs then off to the walk for the report from Rachel.
When I arrived home, Ben had the dishes done and the dishwasher running. What a great son!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Company
The day went about as planned, visited the farm and heard all that went on while we were gone but still need Rachel Sauder's report. Checked over all the horses and all look well. Mom cooked a delicious breakfast, better than the cruise breakfast in some ways, really fresh ingredients and served hot right off the stove.
Once home groceries needed to be purchased and Mark's ties picked up. Mark came home for lunch very late, around 2:30pm then drowsiness hit and just barely had time for a short nap before Ben, Taunya and Addyson came over.
They left Addyson with us and took off for Herman's barn for family volley ball. Mark is going to get the fire started but there is not much wood left on the porch.
A really nice thing that happened today was a phone call that started with, "Have I told you how much I love your horses!" Steven called to report on the boy's training session today. He started Valiant on the Spanish walk and Evan is now bowing without the training hobble. Both boys have matured enough at 19 months old they are now considered stallions instead of just colts. Can't wait for new pictures by Rachel of them, the last pictures taken of them they were still obvious yearling colts.
Emily emailed this picture of Ciera in driving training. She reports Ciera is doing very well and is not nervous even when cars and trucks are passing.
Now it's time for some cute puppy pictures, just for my grand daughter Addyson.
Once home groceries needed to be purchased and Mark's ties picked up. Mark came home for lunch very late, around 2:30pm then drowsiness hit and just barely had time for a short nap before Ben, Taunya and Addyson came over.
They left Addyson with us and took off for Herman's barn for family volley ball. Mark is going to get the fire started but there is not much wood left on the porch.
A really nice thing that happened today was a phone call that started with, "Have I told you how much I love your horses!" Steven called to report on the boy's training session today. He started Valiant on the Spanish walk and Evan is now bowing without the training hobble. Both boys have matured enough at 19 months old they are now considered stallions instead of just colts. Can't wait for new pictures by Rachel of them, the last pictures taken of them they were still obvious yearling colts.
Emily emailed this picture of Ciera in driving training. She reports Ciera is doing very well and is not nervous even when cars and trucks are passing.
Now it's time for some cute puppy pictures, just for my grand daughter Addyson.
Room Service?
Ugh instead of a hot cup of fresh made strong coffee waiting for me Darcy comes bursting into our bedroom at 5:00am. That is not the room service nor the time my body feels is correct. Waking from sweet dreams of fresh fruit to the ugly reality of cold weather, high winds, no elevators, dogs that want attention, and no coffee was almost too much to take without moaning and feeling just a little sorry for myself.
Rhoda left a message that she took Cassie to a clinic with our truck and Cassie's trailer and that the trailer will need to be backed up and placed in the correct spot at Bridlewood this morning. Mark needs the truck to head down to work unless he takes the car but I want to head out to the farm to get my family and horse fix. There is no way to accomplish this without forcing myself to head outside in the darkness and fierce wind of the morning.
Rhoda left a message that she took Cassie to a clinic with our truck and Cassie's trailer and that the trailer will need to be backed up and placed in the correct spot at Bridlewood this morning. Mark needs the truck to head down to work unless he takes the car but I want to head out to the farm to get my family and horse fix. There is no way to accomplish this without forcing myself to head outside in the darkness and fierce wind of the morning.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Precious Memories
We made it home but barely. The airline was AGAIN offering to bump us but this time we turned it down, it was time to face reality and let this vacation end.
We will miss the towel animals waiting for us each night.
We will miss the colorful delicious fresh fruit all served so elegantly.
And we will miss our cruising companions, Dave and Sue, Amy and Ken, Ruth and Fedi, Beth and Greg, Diane and Mike, Beth and her son Trent. It was such a wonderful vacation. There was always someone available to play with. Thanks for coming everyone on Ruth and Fedi's anniversary cruise. Hopefully next year someone else will have an anniversary we can all join in.
We will miss the towel animals waiting for us each night.
We will miss the colorful delicious fresh fruit all served so elegantly.
And we will miss our cruising companions, Dave and Sue, Amy and Ken, Ruth and Fedi, Beth and Greg, Diane and Mike, Beth and her son Trent. It was such a wonderful vacation. There was always someone available to play with. Thanks for coming everyone on Ruth and Fedi's anniversary cruise. Hopefully next year someone else will have an anniversary we can all join in.
Dinner Pictures
The pictures below are of our dinners on the cruise. How we will miss THIS part!
Below is our very favorite dessert aptly named warm melting chocolate cake with 2 scoops of ice cream hmmm makes it hard to think we won't have any more of THAT!:(
Below is our very favorite dessert aptly named warm melting chocolate cake with 2 scoops of ice cream hmmm makes it hard to think we won't have any more of THAT!:(
Still Traveling
Jackpot AGAIN! Our entire group was offered free round trip airline tickets anywhere AirTran flies if we would agree to go on the next flight out of Ft. Lauderdale traveling to Atlanta. Amy & Ken turned it down, they just wanted to get home and Beth and Trent had to turn it down. The rest of us arrived in Atlanta around 11:00pm were given a hotel voucher and $20.00 worth of restaurant vouchers. We checked into the Clarion Hotel at midnight, tired but a bit euphoric thinking all 6 of us have another free trip to plan.
Today we do not leave Atlanta until 4:10pm but this is actually better than arriving at Bloomington around midnight last night and still needing to drive home.
We will be leaving the hotel around 2:00pm and check out is noon but they have a nice lobby, nice tables with enough room to play rook.
Now NATE about pictures, they will be posted once home but the Internet on the ship was expensive and the pictures were taking so long to download we decided to wait until we arrived home AND I am NOT going fishing for you EVER on a boat for chumming purposes!
Your dad went out for the big Tarpon or sail fish and if he would have caught one, he, Fedi and Ruth would have missed the time to get back on the boat. The last one caught took the crew 6 hours to pull it in. There is no way your dad would have let a big one go so we are very pleased no fish was caught on that trip.
We are pleased to be getting home today, looking forward to seeing our dogs again, I mean our FAMILY then the dogs.
Today we do not leave Atlanta until 4:10pm but this is actually better than arriving at Bloomington around midnight last night and still needing to drive home.
We will be leaving the hotel around 2:00pm and check out is noon but they have a nice lobby, nice tables with enough room to play rook.
Now NATE about pictures, they will be posted once home but the Internet on the ship was expensive and the pictures were taking so long to download we decided to wait until we arrived home AND I am NOT going fishing for you EVER on a boat for chumming purposes!
Your dad went out for the big Tarpon or sail fish and if he would have caught one, he, Fedi and Ruth would have missed the time to get back on the boat. The last one caught took the crew 6 hours to pull it in. There is no way your dad would have let a big one go so we are very pleased no fish was caught on that trip.
We are pleased to be getting home today, looking forward to seeing our dogs again, I mean our FAMILY then the dogs.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Our Last Day at Sea
We had a beautiful day yesterday for our last day at sea.
Hot 83 degrees with bright sunshine for our last day. The picture below is of our special meeting place on the boat. Cushions, hammocks, hot tubs and cool showers what more could we want.
We were all out on our our special deck the last day when Mike decides to take out his GPS to show the guys where we were. When he opens the GPS case he finds a bullet in the case and panics. Somehow this bullet traveled through the airports at Bloomington and Atlanta, then off and on the ship at Key West and Jamaica. He starts in on how this is a federal offense and how is he going to get rid of this bullet with all the cameras on board. He came up with a good plan, wait until dusk, put it in his drink then throw the left over drink overboard. He was very relieved once the job was accomplished.
We woke up to clouds, rain off and on and cool weather. We had a nice breakfast in the formal dining room then said our goodbyes to Joan and Tim. As a group we decided the best thing would be to get a shuttle to the airport, print off our tickets, then store our luggage before calling the shuttle for the everglades tour all 8 of us were on. At the airport we found out there are NO lockers anymore, but they will store your bags for $6.00 a bag, forget that! Then we called the shuttle and the man in charge tells us the tour is canceled because of the weather. He wants to take us to a boat to gamble and drink. Diane explains to him that is JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE so he offers to drive us to a 7 mile long mall again not acceptable. We finally called the hotel the tour was booked and arranged for a room for 5 hours for $129.00 plus tax which came to $18.25 each and all 8 of us crammed in the room. Diane tells us we are sleeping 4 to a bed but instead decided we COULD perhaps take turns. The hotel has a hot tub and nice restaurants near by so this is a better option then spending hours at the Ft.Lauderdale airport. Our plane leaves at 7:40pm.
Hot 83 degrees with bright sunshine for our last day. The picture below is of our special meeting place on the boat. Cushions, hammocks, hot tubs and cool showers what more could we want.
We were all out on our our special deck the last day when Mike decides to take out his GPS to show the guys where we were. When he opens the GPS case he finds a bullet in the case and panics. Somehow this bullet traveled through the airports at Bloomington and Atlanta, then off and on the ship at Key West and Jamaica. He starts in on how this is a federal offense and how is he going to get rid of this bullet with all the cameras on board. He came up with a good plan, wait until dusk, put it in his drink then throw the left over drink overboard. He was very relieved once the job was accomplished.
We woke up to clouds, rain off and on and cool weather. We had a nice breakfast in the formal dining room then said our goodbyes to Joan and Tim. As a group we decided the best thing would be to get a shuttle to the airport, print off our tickets, then store our luggage before calling the shuttle for the everglades tour all 8 of us were on. At the airport we found out there are NO lockers anymore, but they will store your bags for $6.00 a bag, forget that! Then we called the shuttle and the man in charge tells us the tour is canceled because of the weather. He wants to take us to a boat to gamble and drink. Diane explains to him that is JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE so he offers to drive us to a 7 mile long mall again not acceptable. We finally called the hotel the tour was booked and arranged for a room for 5 hours for $129.00 plus tax which came to $18.25 each and all 8 of us crammed in the room. Diane tells us we are sleeping 4 to a bed but instead decided we COULD perhaps take turns. The hotel has a hot tub and nice restaurants near by so this is a better option then spending hours at the Ft.Lauderdale airport. Our plane leaves at 7:40pm.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Jamaica
We had a very nice dinner last night getting to hear everyone's experience on the Grand Caymans. Some of the group (Amy & Ken) swam with the dolphins.
Some did the sting ray tour which both Mark and I did last year. The water was rough and the snorkeling was not good. Even at StingRay City the water was rough but still enjoyable. After dinner we listened to Johnny Cash on the Lido deck with the big screen TV, he sang some very nice spiritual hymns one being the Will the Circle Be Unbroken and one about a tree that was referencing Calvary. Dave Huetti, Mike, Diane, Greg and I played rook until the late night entertainment which was not so good so off to bed around 11:00pm and up at 6:00am so as not to miss anything.
We were able to watch the boat docked at Jamaica at 7:00am while eating breakfast this morning. We were to meet at 8:30am to walk off and head to the falls. Beth and Greg had decided to go in early as they had already done the falls. Most of us were sitting waiting when Greg (with his bum leg) runs up yelling, "Fedi, Fedi, I found someone to take us deep sea fishing!" That was the fastest most engaged we've seen Greg this entire week. He, Fedi and Ruth took off for the boat while the rest of us spent some time bargaining with taxis and buses to take us to the falls, a beach and back. Joan got a pretty good value, $18.00 to the falls, the rain forest, a beach and shopping for who ever wanted to go. When we arrived at the falls it was $15.00 per person but well worth it. The falls are gorgeous, fast, cool, refreshing and easy to negotiate. Joan's camera is waterproof so we will wait for pictures once she posts them on facebook. Trent, Beth's Stuber's son needed to rent water shoes, they rent them for $7.00 at the falls or we could help some poor lady with a lot of kids out and rent them from her for only $5.00. Of course he chose to help the poor. They took his shoes as collateral. Every place here they charge and every person wants a tip but of course it is always for a good cause.
The picture below was taken as the boat was pulling out of Jamaica. The blues are so beautiful!
Some did the sting ray tour which both Mark and I did last year. The water was rough and the snorkeling was not good. Even at StingRay City the water was rough but still enjoyable. After dinner we listened to Johnny Cash on the Lido deck with the big screen TV, he sang some very nice spiritual hymns one being the Will the Circle Be Unbroken and one about a tree that was referencing Calvary. Dave Huetti, Mike, Diane, Greg and I played rook until the late night entertainment which was not so good so off to bed around 11:00pm and up at 6:00am so as not to miss anything.We were able to watch the boat docked at Jamaica at 7:00am while eating breakfast this morning. We were to meet at 8:30am to walk off and head to the falls. Beth and Greg had decided to go in early as they had already done the falls. Most of us were sitting waiting when Greg (with his bum leg) runs up yelling, "Fedi, Fedi, I found someone to take us deep sea fishing!" That was the fastest most engaged we've seen Greg this entire week. He, Fedi and Ruth took off for the boat while the rest of us spent some time bargaining with taxis and buses to take us to the falls, a beach and back. Joan got a pretty good value, $18.00 to the falls, the rain forest, a beach and shopping for who ever wanted to go. When we arrived at the falls it was $15.00 per person but well worth it. The falls are gorgeous, fast, cool, refreshing and easy to negotiate. Joan's camera is waterproof so we will wait for pictures once she posts them on facebook. Trent, Beth's Stuber's son needed to rent water shoes, they rent them for $7.00 at the falls or we could help some poor lady with a lot of kids out and rent them from her for only $5.00. Of course he chose to help the poor. They took his shoes as collateral. Every place here they charge and every person wants a tip but of course it is always for a good cause.
The picture below was taken as the boat was pulling out of Jamaica. The blues are so beautiful!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Grand Cayman
Today was a Grand Cayman day, our tender left around 8:40am and we booked the grand tour of the island including the turtle farm and the dolphin sanctuary.
While we were waiting to get off the boat, this pirate ship came sailing up and shot at us. It made Mark jump, he was not expecting something that loud to come out of the pirate ship.
Once off the boat Mark and I loaded up into a van for our tour.
We stopped in the small town of Hell, took pictures of the small post office, then the rocks that the town was named for, as Mark said, "we went to Hell and back today."
While we were waiting for the van to load up this mother hen and her 3 chicks came to see if anyone was dropping food.
There were so many flowers and coconut trees. This picture was taken next to the Hell post office.
The turtle farm was very interesting, we were able to hold just hatched turtles and touch very old HUGE turtles. The turtles below are the biggest oldest HUGE females kept for eggs.
Next they took us through the hatchery to see the eggs incubating. Across the street was the dolphin sanctuary where we stayed to see people swim with the dolphins.
Then it was off to see the rest of the town. The entire tour took a little more than 2 hours. There are many chickens here as there were at Key West. They were brought in for cock fighting then when that was outlawed let loose causing thousands of colorful roosters strutting around like they own the place.
Our dinners each night were so much fun each of us trying different appetizers, then sharing.
Below is stuffed mushrooms
and a strawberry bisque.
While we were waiting to get off the boat, this pirate ship came sailing up and shot at us. It made Mark jump, he was not expecting something that loud to come out of the pirate ship.
Once off the boat Mark and I loaded up into a van for our tour.
We stopped in the small town of Hell, took pictures of the small post office, then the rocks that the town was named for, as Mark said, "we went to Hell and back today."
While we were waiting for the van to load up this mother hen and her 3 chicks came to see if anyone was dropping food.
There were so many flowers and coconut trees. This picture was taken next to the Hell post office.
The turtle farm was very interesting, we were able to hold just hatched turtles and touch very old HUGE turtles. The turtles below are the biggest oldest HUGE females kept for eggs.
Next they took us through the hatchery to see the eggs incubating. Across the street was the dolphin sanctuary where we stayed to see people swim with the dolphins.
Then it was off to see the rest of the town. The entire tour took a little more than 2 hours. There are many chickens here as there were at Key West. They were brought in for cock fighting then when that was outlawed let loose causing thousands of colorful roosters strutting around like they own the place.
Our dinners each night were so much fun each of us trying different appetizers, then sharing.
Below is stuffed mushrooms
and a strawberry bisque.
Hairy Contest
Yesterday was a day at sea, but it was actually longer than expected. A lady in the casino collapsed and the boat had to turn around and go back to Key West to take her to the United States. The captain explained she needed more medical attention than the doctors on the boat could give her but people that were near her when she collapsed told us they thought she died. They don't do burials at sea any more.
The hairy chest contest was announced and Ruth thought that would be a fun thing for Fedi and signed him up. Both Diane AND Joan knew what this contest was about and let her do it, not saying anything about how this contest was run. Well this one was kind of embarrassing for us, Ruth and I were standing near where the contest was going to be run to get pictures of Fedi, when the cruise director asked us to be judges, we looked at each other and thought why not, we can both vote for Fedi. They recruited 10 more women, had us stand facing each other with our hands touching, then made each of the men contestants run the gauntlet through the ladies while we were pretending to be a car wash and patted them down. The men had to come down the stairs, remove their shirt and dance their way through us, then back. First of all it was pretty gross touching their sweating hairy bodies so both Ruth and I started to air brush them, no touching, then Ruth tells all the other ladies the bald one is my husband, you can only pat him on the head except there was another contestant that looked JUST like Fedi and was bald.
Below is a very sheepish Ruth and Fedi after Fedi came in 4th. He won the beads and placed them on Ruth.
We were so glad he was not the winner and by the time he was voted out we made a very discreet vanishing act. Ruth was worried about how some of our group would take this having Fedi strut around with no shirt on until both Joan and Diane confessed they knew what this was going to be like and didn't stop her from entering Fedi.
Dinner was formal and all of our group came, afterall who wants to miss the lobster or prime rib except we decided not to pick and had both, hmmm all was delicious.
After dinner we went to the theater where the Beetles were being remembered with a troupe of singers and dancers. Watched some Karaoke later then headed to the cabin to finish a good book Greg gave me. Thankfully he brought a lot of extra books, Amy brought extra and both Mark and I have not needed to visit the library.
We will soon be arriving at the Cayman Islands, some of our group are going swimming with the dolphins, not sure yet what we have planned. We are thoroughly enjoying the hot beautiful sunny weather.
The hairy chest contest was announced and Ruth thought that would be a fun thing for Fedi and signed him up. Both Diane AND Joan knew what this contest was about and let her do it, not saying anything about how this contest was run. Well this one was kind of embarrassing for us, Ruth and I were standing near where the contest was going to be run to get pictures of Fedi, when the cruise director asked us to be judges, we looked at each other and thought why not, we can both vote for Fedi. They recruited 10 more women, had us stand facing each other with our hands touching, then made each of the men contestants run the gauntlet through the ladies while we were pretending to be a car wash and patted them down. The men had to come down the stairs, remove their shirt and dance their way through us, then back. First of all it was pretty gross touching their sweating hairy bodies so both Ruth and I started to air brush them, no touching, then Ruth tells all the other ladies the bald one is my husband, you can only pat him on the head except there was another contestant that looked JUST like Fedi and was bald.
Below is a very sheepish Ruth and Fedi after Fedi came in 4th. He won the beads and placed them on Ruth.
We were so glad he was not the winner and by the time he was voted out we made a very discreet vanishing act. Ruth was worried about how some of our group would take this having Fedi strut around with no shirt on until both Joan and Diane confessed they knew what this was going to be like and didn't stop her from entering Fedi.
Dinner was formal and all of our group came, afterall who wants to miss the lobster or prime rib except we decided not to pick and had both, hmmm all was delicious.
After dinner we went to the theater where the Beetles were being remembered with a troupe of singers and dancers. Watched some Karaoke later then headed to the cabin to finish a good book Greg gave me. Thankfully he brought a lot of extra books, Amy brought extra and both Mark and I have not needed to visit the library.
We will soon be arriving at the Cayman Islands, some of our group are going swimming with the dolphins, not sure yet what we have planned. We are thoroughly enjoying the hot beautiful sunny weather.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Feeding the Fish
We were to meet at 8:00am to visit Key West. The boat docked as we were eating breakfast at the buffet. The picture below is of the slide on our cruise ship.
We took the shuttle into town and found the catamaran tour we wanted to sign up for and 7 of us paid $38.00 plus tax for this. Below is on the cataraman with a nice picture of our boat, the Carnival Freedom
The catamaran took us 7 miles out into the ocean and anchored at the only living coral reef in the continental USA. We are standing around getting ready to get off the boat when Joan sees the first black triangle fin sticking out, SHARK was the call. That didn't stop us from getting into the water but it should have. The water was a cold 72 degrees but under the sea was worth getting into shark infested water, it was beautiful with many, many fish, lots of fish. Unfortunately the waves were a bit choppy. Mark swam over a shark bigger than he was, he was so shocked, he started swimming backward, never turning his back on that big hungry fish. Joan took the picture below of me in the water.
By this time, the waves were making me very queasy and I thought I'd better get back to the boat. After climbing up on the boat the rocking made me lose my breakfast violently into the sea. This brought lots of bright yellow fin fish up and the women left on the boat see the huge school of fish all coming right up to the boat and came running, just then a 4 foot barracuda comes swimming up to eat the fish that are eating my recycled breakfast.
Once everyone was back on the boat instead of heading back we went to the next reef. This one the waves were even worse and I just couldn't make myself get back in the water, instead anything that may not have come up the first time came up the second, third, fourth and you get the picture. Why did I pay $38.00 to torture myself? The rest of the group really did enjoy the snorkeling, Diane was the only other person to get sick. We finally made it back to the island of Key West by noon and headed to the state park beach via an electric 4 seater scooter Greg rented. He and Mike spent the afternoon shuttling us around in it.
Diane, Beth and Ruth enjoying the beach at the state park on Key West.
We all got too much sun. We made it back to the boat by 3:30pm giving us time for a shower and nap before going to our dinner.
We took the shuttle into town and found the catamaran tour we wanted to sign up for and 7 of us paid $38.00 plus tax for this. Below is on the cataraman with a nice picture of our boat, the Carnival Freedom
The catamaran took us 7 miles out into the ocean and anchored at the only living coral reef in the continental USA. We are standing around getting ready to get off the boat when Joan sees the first black triangle fin sticking out, SHARK was the call. That didn't stop us from getting into the water but it should have. The water was a cold 72 degrees but under the sea was worth getting into shark infested water, it was beautiful with many, many fish, lots of fish. Unfortunately the waves were a bit choppy. Mark swam over a shark bigger than he was, he was so shocked, he started swimming backward, never turning his back on that big hungry fish. Joan took the picture below of me in the water.
By this time, the waves were making me very queasy and I thought I'd better get back to the boat. After climbing up on the boat the rocking made me lose my breakfast violently into the sea. This brought lots of bright yellow fin fish up and the women left on the boat see the huge school of fish all coming right up to the boat and came running, just then a 4 foot barracuda comes swimming up to eat the fish that are eating my recycled breakfast.
Once everyone was back on the boat instead of heading back we went to the next reef. This one the waves were even worse and I just couldn't make myself get back in the water, instead anything that may not have come up the first time came up the second, third, fourth and you get the picture. Why did I pay $38.00 to torture myself? The rest of the group really did enjoy the snorkeling, Diane was the only other person to get sick. We finally made it back to the island of Key West by noon and headed to the state park beach via an electric 4 seater scooter Greg rented. He and Mike spent the afternoon shuttling us around in it.
Diane, Beth and Ruth enjoying the beach at the state park on Key West.
We all got too much sun. We made it back to the boat by 3:30pm giving us time for a shower and nap before going to our dinner.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
First Day Cruise
We didn't have to stay in line too long before getting on the boat and having lunch. It is a lot of fun going with first time cruisers Ruth and Fedi.
The day was sunny and warm, make that hot, and we lounged around in the sun most of the day. Some of the group decided to watch the super bowl while 6 of us went to the formal dining room for dinner then the super bowl. Joan sat down at the dining room, looks around and says,"I feel like a man, just sit down, eat, then walk away!" Dinner was fantastic as always, Joan even ordered 2 cups of hot chocolate.
She and Tim packed 2 huge duffel bags of groceries and had them checked to their cabin. We were teasing Tim that he must have been afraid the boat wouldn't have enough food for him. They bought this food to take back to Haiti with them at the end of the cruise as they won't have time after the cruise is over. Tomorrow is Key West.
The day was sunny and warm, make that hot, and we lounged around in the sun most of the day. Some of the group decided to watch the super bowl while 6 of us went to the formal dining room for dinner then the super bowl. Joan sat down at the dining room, looks around and says,"I feel like a man, just sit down, eat, then walk away!" Dinner was fantastic as always, Joan even ordered 2 cups of hot chocolate.
She and Tim packed 2 huge duffel bags of groceries and had them checked to their cabin. We were teasing Tim that he must have been afraid the boat wouldn't have enough food for him. They bought this food to take back to Haiti with them at the end of the cruise as they won't have time after the cruise is over. Tomorrow is Key West.
SuperSunday
We all seemed to meet for breakfast at the same time and were enjoying listening to Joan and Tim's Haiti stories when a man walks in takes one look at us and says, "weren't you all here last night?" The jokes started coming then. The chairs are cheaper than the beds. We aren't really staying at the hotel, we're squatters, the quips were coming faster than I can remember. Joan and Tim have now left for the grocery store, they want to buy food to take back to Haiti and won't have time after the cruise. The rest of us are thinking of starting to pack up.
We will be leaving for the cruise ship at 10:00am.
We will be leaving for the cruise ship at 10:00am.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Jackpot
When we arrived in Atlanta our plane was over booked by 4 seats. The airline offered a free round trip ticket to anywhere AirTran flys plus lunch and the best part was we would still arrive in Ft. Lauderdale just a couple hours later than our regularly scheduled flight. Diane, Mike, Mark and I jumped at the chance and were given a voucher for $10.00 lunch plus the vouchers for the free tickets. The plane was suppose to leave at 11:20am, left at 11:35am and BEAT the plane we were suppose to be on. AMAZING we have never had this work out and were pretty pleased. Diane and I spent the next flight going over all the destinations available.
The hotel sent a shuttle to the airport for us and we crammed 14 people in the 10 passenger van plus our luggage.
We were stacked 2 and 3 high with luggage piled high in the back. The afternoon was spent reading by the pool, shopping at the nearby stores and dinner at a very tasty Mexican restaurant.
Beth bought a half gallon of ice cream and is sharing it with the group now. The rook cards have been brought out, Let the games begin!
The girls are working on one of our tours, we would like to see the everglades by airboat.
The Tremont people had a couple come pick them up for dinner. Now they are sitting around the pool just enjoying the evening.
Beth Stuber cousin flew in from Texas to join us on the cruise.
The hotel sent a shuttle to the airport for us and we crammed 14 people in the 10 passenger van plus our luggage.
We were stacked 2 and 3 high with luggage piled high in the back. The afternoon was spent reading by the pool, shopping at the nearby stores and dinner at a very tasty Mexican restaurant.
Beth bought a half gallon of ice cream and is sharing it with the group now. The rook cards have been brought out, Let the games begin!
The girls are working on one of our tours, we would like to see the everglades by airboat.
The Tremont people had a couple come pick them up for dinner. Now they are sitting around the pool just enjoying the evening.
Beth Stuber cousin flew in from Texas to join us on the cruise.
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