Day one ~ Embarkation Day

We woke up nice and early at the hotel, went down for breakfast, and then headed back to the room to get organized.  We had a LOT of luggage.  Not only were we first time cruisers, but it was 10 nights, and I like options, and well, I packed a lot!  I ended up wearing almost all of my clothes, all but one pair of shoes even.  Doug took a little more than he used, but I think we can cut down at least 1 suitcase in the future ;)

We headed down to the lobby to meet Rita and Gary and wait for our driver.  He was picking us up at 10. Gary and Rita did not pack near as many things as I did.  Good thing since we picked up yet another family and their luggage, and both of them combined probably equaled ours LOL.  

I was a little anxious and didn't know what to expect.  I wish we had a picture of the first time we saw the ship.  She is enormous!!  Gorgeous and I couldn't wait. 

We stood in line what seemed like forever, showed all our paperwork, went through the metal detector and were ushered into the terminal.  We booked a grand suite, so were lead into the priority check in area and waited in a nice lounge.

I have been talking with lots of these people on the Cruise Critic forum, and when I walked around the corner, they all recognized me.  Very fun to go on a trip with people we knew, but didn't know until we met them.

We boarded a small shuttle bus to ride to the ship, and then bam!  I wish we had the camera out because it was such an awe inspiring sight!!  It was amazing to be on the ship after 1 1/2 years of dreaming about it and looking at pictures.  

It was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day!!  We were so blessed.

 We wandered around the ship taking pictures while waiting for our room to be ready.

 We went to the Wind Jammer and got some food.  They have a great selection with lots of fresh fruits and veggies.  But wow is it crowded with people that don't think they should wait in line because they are on vacation.  I avoided the WJ as much as possible. Although we did end up eating dinner there the first night, got breakfast twice (once taking it back to our room) and would get lunch in the off hours to take out by the pool.

We enjoyed the first of many drinks of the day!  Yummy, fruity things.  Although I preferred the frozen ones that we had by the pool later in the trip more.

We went to check out our room.  I had champagne and a cheese plate waiting for us when we arrived.  It was very tasty.

 We watched the fuel barge for a while.  We had a nice view of the Tear Drop Memorial and The Statue of Liberty.

We were able to get in our rooms about 1:30 by 1:45 we had all of our luggage.....all 7 pieces of it.  We were happy to see our case of water wasn't confiscated.  So we unpacked, took pictures of the room, called maintenance to come help us with the safe since the previous people didn't leave it open, and waited for muster drill.

We were thrilled with our room.  I am so glad we were able to upgrade to a grand suite.  It was very spacious, had a fabulous bathtub....a fabulous bathroom!  We enjoyed quite a few perks that came with the suite, including the reserved seats at the pool and Studio B, Barefoot Beach Club on Labadee, the ability to rent a Cabana and breakfast in Portofinos.  We also enjoyed being able to order anything from the main dining room menu to our room.  We enjoyed breakfast delivered to our balcony 7 days and dinner one night.  There was a TON of storage.  Every other day we'd have a little treat delivered.  Some days it was chocolate covered strawberries and other sweets.  Other days it was canapes or other savory things.  

I'll continue Day One in another post later on.

Day Zero

Day zero ~ Travel Day

Finally, finally it is time to leave for our trip.  We were up and out the door about 7:15.  First stop....Starbucks.  I didn't take time to make coffee before we left. I did make my oatmeal to bring with me because 6:30 is too early to eat!  And little did I know that it would be the last good, even decent, cup of coffee until we disembarked.

After coffee our next stop was State College, PA to drop Chevy at Puppy Camp.  My friend Jen and her kids graciously offered to keep my girlie.  My boys were beyond thrilled!  And so was I, frankly.  I knew I'd be leaving her in good, loving hands with people that would lavish her with attention instead of barely notice she was there.

After saying good-bye to my girlie, we were New Jersey bound!!

We noticed an oversize load truck ahead with all the escorts.  This was a pretty cool oversized load.  It was an enormous Christmas tree!  Doug and I decided it was either for the White House or Rockefeller Center.

It was the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!  Doug wanted me to take a picture, which didn't turn out.  So we stopped in the rest area to wait for it to pass by, but still didn't get the best shot.  So I tried again, this time with the camera, to get a shot running down the road beside it.  And I did.  I thought, "What's the big deal?  It's a tree."  But everybody we told thought it was so cool and wanted to see the pictures.

It was pretty cool seeing the NY City skyline for the first time, although it was very hazy and I had no idea what I was looking it.  Lots of traffic, at least I thought so.  Doug thought it was pretty smooth sailing.

We stayed at The Country Inn & Suites in Elizabeth, NJ near the Newark Airport.  Our travel agent got us a great deal.  It was $148, including tax, for the room, breakfast and 10 nights of parking.  It would have been $190 just to park at the pier!  We had the option of using the hotel transfer for an additional $70 round trip, but decided to make our own arrangements.

I belong to the Cruise Critic forums and am a member of the roll call for our cruise.  Lots and lots of great people and wonderful advice there.  I learned about Independent Driver and Doug called to make arrangements.  It's $40 for up to 4 people each way.  So I asked on the roll call thread who else was staying at our hotel and did they want to share a car making it $40 round trip for 2 of us plus tip.  And Gary and Rita said they'd love that!!  I can't believe we didn't get a picture of Gary and Rita.  Wonderful people and they really were a ton of fun the whole trip.  We ended up meeting them first thing after we checked in.  Well, Doug met Rita at the desk.  Doug met a whole lotta people on our trip....I'm sure you're all surprised about that ;)

We were going to go for dinner, but I was whooped from traveling all day, so we ordered pizza, watched Survivor, hung out on the computer and went to bed.  We were so excited and anxious and couldn't wait for the morning when we could head to the port.  

We took a cruise!!

I know it's been a while since I've blogged, but what the heck.  This is the best place to give a detailed report with lots of pictures.

Doug and I planned a 10 night cruise way back in April 2010.  It finally arrived (and went by way too fast!!).

We left out of Bayonne, NJ on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas.  It was a much anticipated trip and we were hoping our expectations weren't higher than our experience.  Not a chance!  It was a phenomenal trip!  I can't wait to do it again!!

So be watching....over the next few days I'll do a day by day review.  Please feel free to ask any questions if you are thinking of cruising.  

Such handsome guys!!

My last ever first day of school!

Today is such a bitter-sweet day.  It is the start of my 15th year home schooling.  It's also the start of my last year of home schooling.  In the spring, my youngest will graduate!

Where the heck did the time go?  Those years flew by I tell ya.....even when the days were never ending.

I'm feeling all sappy today.  This next season of my life doesn't look in reality how it looked when I'd dream about it.  Doug is only home on the weekends, and it's pretty lonely otherwise.  So I'm reinventing what it will look like.  I'm about to start training to be a leader for Weight Watchers.  I'm going to slowly work myself into a nice little amount of hours so that next fall I have things to do other than cry when it should be the first day of school (although I imagine I'll do that, too).

Here I am with Allen.  My baby!  How did he get so TALL?

 Allen working Hard

 I swear this was my life just last month!!

My goofy husband along with my favorite first day of school picture ever.  I cannot find just the school picture, so you're stuck with the collage.  But I like it :)

Testing

Slow Cooker Lasagna ~ WW

1 lb. 93% fat free ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 c. part-skim ricotta cheese
1 1/2 c. part-skim mozzarella cheese
6 dry lasagna noodles, no cook variety (I just used uncooked whole grain lasagna)
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese

Brown beef, onion and garlic.  Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, oregano, basil and pepper flakes; simmer 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

In a medium bowl stir together ricotta cheese and 1 c. mozzarella cheese.

Spoon 1/3 of beef mixture into a 5 quart slow cooker.  Break 3 lasagna noodles in half and arrange over beef mixture; top with 1/2 of ricotta mixture.  Repeat with another layer and finish with remaining 1/3 of beef mixture.

Cover slow cooker and cook on low setting for 4-6 hours.  Remove cover; turn off heat.

Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese over top of lasagna.  Cover and let set until cheese melts and lasagna firms up, about 10 minutes.

YIELD: 6 servings; 1 serving = 9 WW PP


**This is SO yummy!!  I double the recipe and bake it in a 9x13 pan in the oven (still with uncooked whole wheat lasagna noodles) because the boys think lasagna in the crock pot just isn't right.  A 9x13 makes 12 good size servings.**

So it has been a while since I've blogged, hasn't it?

Life is about the same.  Isaac is still touring with The 99.  Jordan is living at home again.  Doug is still gone all week and home on the weekends.  Allen is nearly finished with his junior year of high school.  One more year and he graduates and I retire LOL.  Crazy how I've been working myself out of a job.  Guess I should decide what to do next, huh?

I just had a birthday last weekend.  I'm 24 or 42 depending on whether or not you are dyslexic :p

So in 2009 Doug threw a surprise party for my birthday.  This is from that day:

This year we celebrated with lots of friends and it wasn't a surprise.  This is from that day:

WOW!  I can't believe the difference.  In the mirror and my mind, I still see the 2009 me.  In pictures though....I can really see the difference!  Doug is looking pretty amazing, too, don't ya think?

My goal this year is to reach my goal weight.  Not sure what that will be.  I am thinking 14-24 more pounds.  I have a size in mind more than a weight.  I'm hoping to reach that goal by Aug. so that I can buy warm weather clothes on clearance to wear on the cruise Doug and I will be taking in November :)

I'm hoping to get back into blogging.  Last year I was mostly funky.  Lots of changes at one time that I wasn't quite ready for.  I'm slowly climbing out of that funk.

So what's going on with all of you?

Today I become the mother of TWO teenagers!

Happy 20th Birthday Jordan!!

You've grown into a strong, responsible young man.  I am so proud of you!

His first picture.  Aren't you glad eye glass styles have changed since then, too?

Jordan age 2, Isaac 5 months

Jordan and Isaac Sept. 2010

Peach Crisp ~ Weight Watchers

3 (20 oz) bags frozen unsweetened sliced peaches
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. almond extract (did not use)
1 c. sugar
1 cup + 2 T flour (used white whole wheat)
1/2 tsp. ground ginger (used nutmeg instead)
1 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c. butter, cut into small pieces
1 T water

Preheat oven to 375F.  Spray 3-quart baking dish with nonstick spray.

Combine peaches, vanilla extract, almond extract, 1/2 c. sugar, 2 T flour and ginger in large bowl; mix well, transfer to baking dish and level.

Combine dry ingredients; add butter and mix until crumbly.  Mix in water.  Spread evenly over peaches.

Bake until filling bubbles and top is golden, 45-50 minutes.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  To reheat, place in 300F oven until heated through; 20-30 min.

YIELD:  12 servings
1 serving (about a cup) = 4 WW points

And he's off......

Saturday we said good-bye to Isaac.  It was a happy/sad kind of day.  We're very proud of Isaac and happy he has this opportunity.  But it was sad to see him go and know that he won't be knocking on my bedroom door in the evening to talk, won't be at dinner, won't be coming and going.  

My big guys!  

Doug had a hard time watching him leave.  I knew I would, so I didn't watch.  I don't even watch Doug leave for work, and he's home in 5 days.

Several have asked me what is "the 99".  

He is going to do a year long internship with a traveling ministry called "the 99".

This is from their website:

Quote:

THE 99 is a walkthrough theater that graphically reenacts the five leading causes of death in teenagers and young adults. Many of these deaths are influenced by drugs or alcohol and a vast majority of them can be avoided.

THE 99 is a state-of-the-art production designed to portray the very real consequences of poor decisions that claim almost 37,000 young lives every year. The production is not based on fear or scare tactics, but rather is based solely on reality with each room designed from real life situations.

They stay at one location for 6 weeks. They spend 1 1/2 weeks setting up, do the performance for 3 weekends, then 1 1/2 weeks tearing down and loading up before driving onto the next location.

His responsibilities will be to help with the set up/tear down, perform in the drama, go to churches and schools to speak and promote "the 99", help organize and train the 200 volunteers it takes to put this on, and whatever else they tell him to do. It is all voluntary.

He will be staying with host families; a different family every week or so.

During the week the interns are required to take classes from the Bible college affiliated with the church that is "the 99"s home church.

They were in our town last Aug. Our friend is in charge of their sound. My boys have helped Ron with sound at concerts for years and years, and also installing sound in churches. So Isaac and Jordan volunteered to help Ron with all of that. Isaac also performed in the drama every night each weekend. His friend's family hosted people, and he got to know a few of them and talk to them a lot. Isaac fell in love with it and said he wanted to spend a year with them when he graduated (next year). But in March they asked if he could come this year, and so he did.

Right now he is in Indianapolis. After that they'll go to Louisville, KY and then Grand Rapids, MI.

So that's what he's up to.

In other news, Jordan had his cast removed last Monday and returns to work tonight.

Mama's Kitchen

This looks like a fun little meme.  I stole it from my blog friend Sarah.


1. Do you have magnets on your fridge? Yes, on the side of it.  I like the front to be uncluttered.

2. Do you have a calendar in your kitchen, if so, what’s the theme of it? Yes, it's hanging inside the cabinet.  There are gorgeous waterfall pictures on it.

3. What is your favorite kitchen gadget? I love all my Pampered Chef stuff, which is a lot considering I sold it for a few years.  Too many to choose.  I like to cook and bake and love gadgets.

4. Are you lucky enough to have a pantry of some kind? I have a pantry cabinet, does that count?

5.What is your favorite appliance? Toaster oven

6. Do you have an eat in kitchen (table in it)? No

7. Do you have a bread box? No

8. Do you have a picture of your kids on the fridge?Yes, and also pictures of my friends' kids and nieces and nephews.  On the side, under the magnets ;)

9. Do you ever cook breakfast in your PJs? Yes.  Must have coffee and food before I am functional, and then get dressed.

10. Do you have a favorite cookbook that you use? I love cookbooks!  I have a Weight Watchers one that I love.  I also subscribe to Healthy Cooking magazine (by the Taste of Home people) and love that, too.

11. Are you lucky enough to have recipes that were passed down from your mom or grandma? Yes

12. What’s your favorite food? I like all food really.  Lately I've been craving lasagna so I'll pick that as my favorite.

13. What’s your favorite thing to cook? I love to cook and don't have a favorite.

14. Is your coffee pot electric or stove top? Neither. I use a French press with freshly ground beans.  I do have an automatic drip for when we have company.  It lives in the basement otherwise.

15. Do you ever make your own bread? Yes.  Love to make bread and have several favorite recipes.

16. Name one thing that you have hanging on your wall in your kitchen: Nothing.  Not much wall space in my kitchen.

17. Is there a clock in your kitchen? On the stove, on the microwave and on the under counter radio.

18. Do you have a bowl of fruit sitting on your table or counter? Yes, one with bananas and one with avocados.  The rest of the fruit is in the refrigerator (strawberries, pineapple, apples, lemons and lime).

19. What type of canisters do you have? Rubbermaid.  I keep them in the cabinet.

20. Does your kitchen have a theme? No.

21. What’s for supper tonight? Salmon on the grill, brown rice (pierogies for the boys) and steamed broccoli.

22. Do you have enough cabinet space? Yes.  I have fabulous storage in the built in buffet in the dining room.  Plenty of cabinets in the kitchen, too. What I don't have are enough drawers.

23. Does your family use paper plates? Yes

24. Do you have a good set of china? I have china that my grandma gave me, service for 12 or 16?  My every day dishes are Pampered Chef Simple Additions.  I have enough for 12.

25. Do you wear an apron to work in your kitchen? Yes, I hate getting food on my top.

26. Name one thing, if anything, that you would like to change about your kitchen. My kitchen is very old, has 3 different counter tops and not enough counter space.  I would like new cabinets, add a wall of cabinets to the empty wall (where the microwave stand and pantry cabinet are).  I would like drywall instead of 1" plastic tiles that have been duct taped and painted over numerous times.  I would like under the cabinet lighting and all one counter top.  In my dreams anyway......now it's functional and I'm happy to use it.

Now for the rest of the story.......

So much has been happening here this year!!

Doug's work schedule changed again.  He's not home anymore, but his off days are better than what he had.

Jordan moved into his own apartment and then promptly broke his ankle.  He's been off work since then.  He goes to the doctor on the 26th and hopefully gets the cast off and can return to work.  He is anxious to do that.

Isaac got a 10 point buck during gun season.  A friend of the family does taxidermy and let Isaac help mount the head.  It now proudly hangs in my living room where my wedding picture used to be!

Isaac is going to do a year long internship with The 99.  He leaves May 1st!  I am going to miss that boy!!

Allen got his driver's permit.  No picture of him with the permit, but a recent picture nonetheless :)

I do not do change well at all!  And these are a whole lot of changes at once for me.  So what did I do?  I convinced Doug that we should plan a cruise.  So we will be taking a Caribbean cruise in April of 2011!  I am so excited!

Doug and I have now lost 123 lbs. (at last count) together.
Before ~ June '08

Now ~ April '10

I have about 42 lbs. to go and Doug is 1/3 of the way to his goal!!

And a picture of Doug, Isaac and Allen just because :)

So what's been happening with you??

So much has been happening!!

The BEST news this week is..............

My Mom is CANCER FREE!!!!!!

We are all PTL!!!!!  She has an MRI next week on her brain to see if the cancer metastasized. 

I'll catch ya up on all the other happenings in the next day or so.  VERY MUCH stuff happening here!!

Mexican Lentils ~ Healthy Cooking

I made this today for the first time. It is yum!

1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. olive oil
1 1/2 c. vegetable broth
1/2 c. dry lentils, rinsed
3 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin (I also used PC SW seasoning)
1 c. frozen corn
1 c. salsa, fat free
1/4 c. tomato paste
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. white vinegar

In a large saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender.

Add the broth, lentils, chili powder and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until lentils are almost tender.

Stir in the corn, salsa, tomato paste, oregano and vinegar (I also added salt and pepper). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 min. longer or until lentils are tender.


Serve with brown rice and cheddar cheese.
YIELD: 4 cups lentils
1/2 c. = 1.5 WW points, 3/4 c. - 2.5 WW points; 1 c. = 4 WW points

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

The opportunity to go to the yummy yarn store with my sister, mom and gramma.

That tomorrow is Friday and Doug will be home. It's been a long week.

That school is going smoothly this year.

That it is above freezing, in January!! for several days in a row even!

And the sun is SHINING!!

How about you?  What are you thankful for today?

Happy Birthday Babe!!

Happy Birthday Doug!!

 

New Year's Eve

How do you celebrate New Year's Eve?

We celebrated by going to a fancy schmancy dinner dance with friends.  We've gone to this same event the past several years.  It was fun.  Great food, great friends and great music.

Last year Doug and I committed to getting healthy and losing weight.  Doesn't everybody do that in January?  Well, we actually followed through all year.  Between the two of us we've lost 102 lbs. this year.  We aren't finished yet, either.  We'll keep going.  I'm halfway to goal; Doug is about 1/3 the way there.

Here is photographic proof :)  I was excited to compare our last year's pictures with this years.

NYE '08

NYE '09

NYE '08

NYE '09

Next year I'll be able to post before/during/after pictures!  We both are working hard to reach our goal by the end of the year.

Do you follow through on the goals you set at the beginning of the year?  I don't usually, but this year, I am so glad I did!h

Happy New Year!!

2009 is almost over, can you believe it??  Not only the year, but an entire decade in the new century!

Remember 10 years ago when everybody was worried about Y2K?  It feels so long ago, doesn't it?

Ten years ago my boys were 5, 7 and 9.  They still wanted to hang out with me and thought I was da bomb!  I can't believe they are now 15, 17 and 19.  Two of them are driving and the 3rd is able to get his permit (as soon as I take him for the test), one of them have graduated and has a full time job. 

Ten years ago we were in our 3rd year of hs'ing.  We spent our days going on nature walks, doing game school, cuddling and reading aloud, teaching handwriting and reading.  Now our days are spent with geometry, biology, government.  Gone are the days of snuggles and short school days.  We're in our 13th year!  WOW!  In 2 1/2 short years, everybody will be graduated.  You know that time will fly before you know it.

Ten years ago I turned 30.  I thought I was so old.  Our marriage was in the toilet.  This year I turned 40.  I no longer think I'm old :-P.  Our marriage has done a 180.  God has really done in a miracle in our lives.  I am so thankful and blessed.

We've had so many changes in the past 10 years.  Doug lost a local driving job of 12 years and has been over the road for 3 1/2 years now.  It's stinky, but we are so thankful for a job.  I've had to learn to live with chronic health difficulties.  Another stinky thing.  I don't like limitations, but I've learned to live with them.  I've also learned a lot through them; such as I don't have to say yes to every single thing asked of me, it's OK to ask for help, if it doesn't all get done it really is OK.  I've had to learn to simplify, relax my house keeping standards, slow down, nap, cut my schedule way back, and life still goes in LOL!  I miss the days of napping because I wanted to and not because I had to.  I really miss the days of no pain.  On bad days I have to think about what clothes will hurt the least and not wear jewelry because it is too heavy!  But you know, God is still good.  He still loves me.  And I'm not a horrible Christian because my body has not been healed.  I've walked through big spiritual struggles while coming to terms with my health.

I am looking forward to the next decade.  At the end of it I will be 50!  My kids will be 25, 27 and 29.  I may have grandchildren :)  I pray my husband comes home at night.  And through it all God will be faithful.

Happy New Year!!!

Thankful Thursday

I love Thankful Thursday!!  Today I am thankful:

That Christmas is in 2 weeks and I get to go Christmas shopping on Sunday :)
My power didn't go out lat night (or today) during these strange high winds.
My outside ornaments didn't blow away in those same winds.
A great weekend with friends last weekend. 
My husband
My kids
My family
Starbucks

How about you?