Day 18/9 - Back Home - At 2 AM Today

 Yesterday was a day of travel. What is there to say about that. We were off the ship by 9 am. They had it so well done, that it was easy to leave. We got on the bus to Houston Airport. That driver was spooky!! He was tailgating as well as passing everyone! I believe he was speeding a good 10 miles over. We did get to the airport at a good time. But we couldn't change our flight to an earlier one. So, we had to WAIT 3 hours before we could drop off our luggage. Patrick found a place down with the luggage return area for us to sit...and sit....and sit. When the time was up, we went to the Southwest area AND it was CROWDED! People barking at each other! It took about 20 mins to get through the center line - which everyone was trying to cut into. We loaded the suitcases and then went through security. Good thing we has Pre-check. Then we sat some more. We couldn't leave till 6 pm. I played games and Patrick did what he does - read a little. 

We went through Houston's airport to find some supper. I have traveled all my life and I will tell you, Houston is the WORST airport I have ever been to! It's not updated! It's not easy to get around. It's a major pain in the rear! If I was President Bush, I would be embarrassed to have my name on an airport like that!

It was time to load on the plane - Patrick paid the Business Class price. DON'T DO IT! We were supposed to have first choice on seating. YEAH, NO! There were over 18 people who were "early pre boarding." We ended up in isle 7! That's the farthest I've ever been on Business class. We were number 2 and 3 to board!! There wasn't a seat available till row 7! Some of the pre-boarding people were older but could walk fine!! They have figured out how to work the system. 

We arrived in Las Vegas around 7 pm. We were due to leave around 9 pm. Time was changed to 9:20 pm. So we had time. We played slots for a bit. I won another $150, but we spent it by playing that out. So, we only spent $40 in the beginning. We didn't wait long after we were done. Patrick picked up a pretzel and we had that before it was time to board. We were 2 & 3 again. We did get to row 3 this time. There were still people ahead of us in the pre boarding. Some of them are people with children - which could walk on like everyone else. One was a mom and her daughter. Nothing wrong with either of them. They got on the plane before everyone else. Oh, well. We know better to spend extra money on trying to get the front seats. NOT WORTH it!

We were finally on the plane out of Las Vegas! We arrived in Portland at 11:30 pm. Leaving the parking lot at about 12:15 pm. Having to wait on luggage and then the Red Line to get to the car. It was $190 for parking 2 weeks. Not bad considering. 

This was Patrick trying the bugs! That was Mexico I think. It was surprising to see him try those!!

Two sisters from Ukraine that played on the ship the whole time. They were in different places each time. Really good!! Worth listening to.

 Getting our photos done after the formal night. It was funny doing this! We had a few jokes going around! lol 

Me swimming behind Patrick in Mexico! That was the day I jumped in with my clothes on! I was getting a little sick and needed to get in the water to calm my stomach! It was fun though. 

We did have a good time and would do it again. The only down side is the traveling to get to the ships. If we could just do like some of the older people do, and be close to the docks, it would be easier to just go. But I know we will do it again. It's too much fun not to! Plus we met some really nice people that were awesome to spend time with!

The best people to be spending time with! We played games and did things together as well as separately. It's an awesome group of people!

Now, tomorrow I need to get busy and get my ornaments done! I have to have at least one done for Christmas if not 2. I also need to get Kim's ornament done. Trouble is, it's doctor appointments for the next 2 days. I will get moving on getting them done. It wasn't a day to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day 14 - Almost Done

 This morning we went up to the buffet to get breakfast.  I generally get q bran muffin with some bread and sausage.  Really not a breakfast person. Patrick gets eggs and bread or oatmeal.  Today he tried the cereal. Said it wasn't a name brand that is good.

We then went to meet up with Donna and Gerald.  We played games till about 11 and the broke for lunch. Patrick and I got candy bars. Then to the casino. We lost what money we had from my big win. We played till about 1 pm and met back up with Donna and Gerald.  We did dominoes.  Mexican train. I won. Broke at 3 pm. It rained in the middle of the game. The captain warned us but a few people stayed by the pool reading till the rain made them move. 

We were back at the casino before heading to supper.  Lobster was on the menu. Yes please! It was good!

Patrick went to the show and I came back to our room. Then went down to the Marriage game show. Patrick met up with me there. It was hilarious! Loved it. After we headed back to the casino.  

When we were done we came back to the room to find a cute little dog. 

Waiting for us. This was the only time. Love it!! 

I didn't put in anything as far as beading goes. I did work on my embroidery before the Marriage game though. But I can't say Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day 11-13 - Oops

The last 3 days flew by.  Day 11 was just walking around and going through the gates. We reach the Panama Canal. We waited to get into the locks. We started going through the locks around 8 am and reached the other side by 5 pm. 

The water dropped in about 5 to 10 mins. Went a lot faster than I expected.  The tugboat were with us the whole way.

I took a video of the gate closing on the last lock. It was fun to watch. 

The next day - yesterday  - we were in Columbia.  Do not recommend going there!! Too many people in my face to sell me stuff. Our tour was all walking and shopping,  not what we signed up for.  I don't recommend Columbia.  Dirty and smelly as well as being harassed. One of our guys was lost for awhile.  He showed up at the boat. He found an oriental who was crying.  She lost her husband and didn't know what ship she was on or where she was. Hevtook her to a tour guide to help her.

Today we played in the casino.  I won $970 which we have been playing on most of the day. We still have half that. I  have been beading every chance I get. Need to finish my ornaments. 

I finished the blue Santa and started the second one today.  I hope to get one more done. It's keeping me busy. The water was rough yesterday and today so dramamine is working for me. Didn't do good last night but today is better. At least I can play games and be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting  !!

Day 9 & 10 - Things Get Busy

 The last 2 days flew by. Day 9 was pretty much on board. Passing time. We did play dominoes with one of the couples we dine with. The tugboat captain and his wife tried something else for dinner that night. It was another formal night. I ware the dress I borrowed from Sandy V. There wasn't much going on. I  did finish my first Santa panel and started the next one. 

Day 10 was going ashore.  We were up at 6:15 am. Picked up some breakfast and headed to the theater to go ashore. We took a trip to the orchids garden. Then we were off to the coffee plantation.  We were supposed to visit a church and cocoa place but the church was closed due to a festival going on. We went to a shop that paints wagons and carts. Two of the hand painters were hard at work.  One was painting ornaments.  We picked up a couple things to bring home. Got back on the ship 10 mins before dinner. We dinner and then a show. Suzanne O. Davis preformed songs from the 60's. It was good. We were beat and went to bed when we got back.

Maybe today I can get back to my beading. It keeps me grounded and Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day 8, Half Way

 This morning we were up and on our way to the theater.  We listened to Bill Fall's about Panama. I was still tired and was falling asleep during his talk. 

Afterwards we went upstairs to grab breakfast. They have good food here. We were trying to see if we could do laundry but the machines were full. It was that way all day. 

We went to a lecture on the DaVinci Code. Really interesting but again, I was falling asleep during it.  I did work on my embroidery though.

Getting closer!

Came back to our room and relaxed. Went to dinner and half our group was gone. Me a couple more couples though. After dinner we got together with the couple we have dined with most of the trip. We played dominoes and I won.

Wanted to get some beading done. So I worked on the first Santa. Almost done but it's late and I need sleep. It turned out to be a good day of Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day 7 - checking Out The Locals

 This morning Patrick and I were up by 6:30 am to get breakfast. Then we grabbed the backpack.  Went to the lounge to get moving on our trip.  We did the "The Flavors of Mexico" excursion.  We took a bus 45 mins to Piedra de Moros. They were to see the medicine trees. The garden was not kept like other countries but it was easy to go through.  We went to Santa Marie Huatulco and enjoyed having tortilla making demonstration as well as having so to eat. The garden area had a lot to check out.

We visited an old church.  Amazing church. 

Our last stop was at the local tapestry place. Beautiful works of art. We even bought a table cloth. They showed how a cactus has the bugs that make die. He took one and smashed it in his hand.  It was bright red. Then he added lemon juice and it changed to another color. He then added something else to the color and it went to purple.  

They were demonstrating how they use sheep's wool. The process from the sheep to the looms. Tons of beautiful pieces.

We came back to the ship around 1:30. We were a little behind because the lady in front of Patrick and I fell. She hit her head on the cement. Our guide cleaned her up and we waited for someone from the ship to collect her and take her back to get stitches above her eye. 

Patrick and I  stayed in the cabin till it was time to eat. Our group of 8 ate at the same table as last night. We told them to hold the table for us.  

After supper we went to the show.  It was a tribute to Carol King. It was good.

Came back to our room and I beaded some more. 

I have a few more stitches to do. If I can finish it by tomorrow,  then I will be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day 6 - At Sea

 Today we slept in. I needed it after last night. We didn't get up in time for breakfast when we planned to attend Bill Fall's information on the next port. That will be early tomorrow.  Wevwent to the lecture and then went to the buffet to eat. Afterwards we came back to our room and spent a little bit of time there. We then went to thev7th floor to walk on deck 7. It goes all the way around the ship. 

I stopped at the jewelry store and bought a necklace with earring and another set of earrings. 

Then we went down to a bar where I worked on my embroidery and Patrick read a book. 

I was able to get more than I thought done. I wanted to bead but was missing a color. This is coming along nicely.  

We went back upstairs to our room. I swear our room cleaner must come in every single time we leave! Every time we get back there is something moved or cleaned up. 🙄 

After supper we saw David Kilinburg (sp). Second time we saw him. Came back to our room to call it a night. I can save I have been able (aboard the ship) to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day 5 - Out On The Water

Realized I didn't post yesterday's events. We went to breakfast in on of the dinning hall. Patrick loves a good breakfast. Me not so much. I just had a croissant,  and bagel. Patrick had a bigger breakfast.  Then we headed down to level 5 to disembark.  We were taken to the docks and loaded on a crooner boat. There was about 25 of us. 

We rode out a good distance. I really was having fun for a little bit. We were able to see the whales and dolphins. We were given a snack as well. 

We had fish tacos. I eat most of the guacamole.  It was good. 

We were able to watch the whales for awhile.  When the boat started rocking, I started turning green. The patch didn't help, so took it off and did dramamine. It helped. I  didn't eat lunch, it just balled in my mouth.  

This is what we were on. Patrick ad I were next to the center sail. 

They stopped and let us take an hour to 🏊‍♀️.  I wasn't planning on it and didn't bring my swim suit. Decided to go in since I was feeling sick.I jumped in in my jeans and shirt. Yep, all in. Forgot to take my glasses off so gave them to the crew after I was in. When we headed back, I still wasn't up to it. I tried laying down but the gal behind me was making sure that wasn't going to happen.  Finally laid behind Patrick and got a 10 min nap. That helped tons! Took half an hour to dock us because another boat was in the spot we needed. 

Looked at shops on the way back. Picked up 2 magnets. Had supper in the Steak house.  Then went to a comedian show. After that needed to sleep the motion sickness away. Ended up getting up and taking another dramamine.  Called it a night.  No one stitch in anything yesterday.  It was a day I could call Happy anything let alone Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Day 4 Having Fun

 We were up early today to go to the dining room.  We went to a bar. Patrick read and I beading.  I even got to listen to my book. My ear piece worked on my table but I ran out of battery.  I didn't have the charger.  Patrick let me borrow his, and I had to use my phone instead.

Our balcony is great. We spent some time in here today. Then headed to the dinner for supper. We were with the other couple from the other night. After dinner we went to the theater for an Elton Jone tribute.  It was awesome. 

I'm finding time to ve Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

One More Day

 This morning Patrick and I both slept in. We forgot about the time change, and realized we had 15 minutes to get downstairs for breakfast. I order the punishment and apples with cinnamon.  I am paying for eating all the prunes!😅

We keep meeting a lot of Californian's. Haven't found anyone from WA yet. One guy used to live in Puyallup but he moved closer to his daughter in IL. We had supper with a couple guys and a gal on her on. 

We have been getting a lot of walking in. Saw 2 more shows today.  One was a comedian and the other was singers and dancers. It was really good  !

After breakfast and before the shows we stayed in the room. I beaded out on the deck. At least I didn't spill beads again. I  did take out 7 row to start over on the Santa ornament. 

I had to start over. lol

Lighting in this room isn't the best. My Santa has a head so far. Will work on him tomorrow. 

We went to listen to a piano 🎹 conductor.  He was good. Not my kind of music, but it's something Patrick likes. I took my embroidery down with me to get something going.

I finished most of the left side. It's coming along nicely.

We keep busy. Plenty to do and keep us happy.  We got our pictures 📸 taken after supper. We were in formal garb. It's been fun and I am finding time Tobe Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!

Another Day Behind

 Yesterday we woke early and headed downstairs for breakfast.  We didn't get a lot. Wasn't that hungry. Then we waited in the room till about 11:30 am. Went downstairs to get an Uber to take us to the ship. We were not told about loading our luggage, so we followed everyone up the stairs. It was security check. Our biggest suitcase barely fit in the machine. 

We walked about.  Find a buffet and got lunch. After that we walked all over the ship. Still have places to find. We watched the dancers and singers just before we sailed. Took photos of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Later we had supper with 2 other couples.  We enjoyed it. They seem like fun! 

It was a long day. We are now heading to Mexico.  I didn't even think of doing anything crafty. 😕 Doesn't help me to be Happy Stitching/Happy Quilting!