Sisterhood of the Traveling "Pee Your Pants" - Part 3

Well, I could go on and on with what happened our first few hours on the ship. From trying to locate our cabin (picture the sisters with their rolling suitcases, carry bags, purses and bookbag) across the lounge area, up the elevator, only to find out that it was not ready yet so going all the way back down to the lounge area where we started; to giggling over the abundance of naked "artwork" all over the ship (a Renaissance theme) while sipping on our "drink of the day". Needless to say we were exhausted at the end of the day, so after dinner we hit the beds early.

Let the snoring begin. Each of us claimed to be "awake all night" hearing the other two snore! Not really sure how that is possible!

Enter...Day 2.

It's my birthday!!! Happy birthday to me! My honey made sure to send all kinds of fun things to our cabin to help celebrate like...chocolate covered strawberries and petite fores...a box filled with teeshirts, visors, champagne, glasses, and coupons for free drinks and discounted photos on board...and a yummy chocolate cake. So, we decided to raid the refrigerator for the orange juice and have mimosas and cake to celebrate the day.



A great way to start any day!!!!!! Highly recommended!!!

The day was sunny and a perfect day to relax on deck reading a book and sipping a cocktail or two. We searched for three empty chairs by the pool but everyone else on board had the same plan. So we headed to the upper deck where it was much more peaceful...still crowded...but warm and sunny, none the less. And relax we did!!

Dinner time was the first of two "elegant dining" dress attire evenings. It was fun getting all dressed up and heading out for pictures on the way to dinner. One thing they do a lot of on cruise ships is take your picture! Good thing I had that coupon for discounted photos!

After dinner we stopped at one of the many bars located on board. We had seen a display of martini "samplers" and thought we would stop and check it out. Now, my sisters have never been martini drinkers until I introduced them to a blueberry martini at one of our favorite restaurants back home. I thought "this should be fun!"

The martini sampler consisted of 4 mini martinis...our choice of flavors from a menu of eight different concoctions. We made our choices...watched the bartender work his magic...and the sipping began. The bartender...by the way...was closing this particular bar for the evening...so there we sat...just the three of us...celebrating my birthday with a little tini...or two...or three...or four. Yummmmmmm!

The best part of all of this was watching M3...the one that hardly ever drinks...quickly down three of her tinis and then say some pretty silly things. There is no sense trying to write them here because they were all "in the moment" and the humor would be lost in translation. Rest assured, there were lots of giggles and "pee your pants" moments!

So my birthday came and went...the first one that I ever spent without my honey since we have been married. It was a little strange for sure. But the sisters did a great job making it a fun day.

The thing that stands out the most about this day and the event that made the most vivid memory was that this was the day that Osama Bin Laden was killed.

I will always remember what I was doing when I got that news...that's for certain!

Stay tuned...Day 3 is on the way!

Sisterhood of the Traveling "Pee Your Pants" - part 2

Before I continue with day 2 of our adventure I did want to talk a little about the first few hours once we boarded. As always, my sisters continued to make me laugh, leaving me with some great blog material!

A few days before our travels began we had a "sister meeting" over dinner to discuss what we were going to bring with us...mostly how many evening meals would require dressy attire. Although we chose to dine using "open seating"...we still wanted to "dress up" on the "elegant dining" evenings.

During this discussion Sissy piped up with..."OK, so we each take one pair of sandals, one pair of sneakers, and one pair of dressy shoes!" M3 and I looked at her like she was a stranger from some other family, and I replied..."well, sorry "Mom", but I plan on bringing as many shoes as needed to complete as many outfits as I think necessary for a 7-day cruise!" So...as we are unpacking...which I will give a little more detail on below...Sissy digs out her "three pairs of shoes" from one of her four bags and places them in the bottom of the closet.



Guess she liked my idea better. She actually brought more shoes than I did!

So the unpacking process had begun. As I may have mentioned in previous blogs, I tend to be a bit organized. There is a term for this behavior that I never really liked...so I'll stick with "detail oriented" and "properly prepared". After all, I was once a Girl Scout!

After determining whose clothes would be on which shelf and hung in which closet we proceeded to place our giant overstuffed bags on the beds and dig in. I opened my bag, took out all of my "dressy things"...which I packed on the hangers...walked over to my designated hanging area and put everything away. I returned to my suitcase where I had folded neatly and paired together all of my outfits for the week. I reached in and retrieved the pile...went to my assigned section in the wardrobe and placed them neatly on the shelf. Next were my P's and B's, and of course PJ's.... my perfectly coordinated shoes...and last but not least...my health and beauty aids...coined by Sissy as "haba daba". Done! That was it...in a record 5 minutes...I had put my suitcase under the bed and was relaxing...reading a book...totally on vacation.

Sissy and M3 were plugging along for the next 40 minutes unpacking...untangling (M3 packed her hangers separate)...back and forth...back and forth...from bed to closet. Exhausting to watch! Then there was the designated pill drawer where the two of them stuffed their gallon size baggies full of medicine bottles. I will mention here that my pills were in one of those 7-day pill containers, tucked away in my purse.

It was definitely an adventure...and quite entertaining to watch! And yes, another "pee your pants moment", at least for me!

Stay tuned for day 2!

Sisterhood of the Traveling "Pee your Pants" - part 1

Day one of our adventure started off with a road trip to Baltimore to meet our cruise ship. The three hour drive was filled with teasing and laughing, much like the rest of the trip. I would have expected nothing less.

When I picked up my sisters they were "fully loaded" and ready to go. I described my packing process to you in my P's and B's blog, and mentioned how my suitcase was stuffed...and "padded". Well, their suitcases put mine to shame! They both had a very large suitcase like mine...you know the super duper one that you are always afraid will take you over the 50lb limit on an airplane...and some how managed to put even more in there than I could have imagined.

Now, I also brought a small tote...more like an over sized purse...in which my purse nestled quite nicely...along wih two books, my jewelry...which I always carry with me, cell phone charger and a few snacks to keep my blood sugar in check. I also had my camera and case, which I carried separately.

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia (M3) brought, in addition to her super duper suitcase, a smaller overnight rolling bag, and a very large tote in which you could not have fit a toothpick even if you wanted too!...and her purse.

Sissy brought, in addition to her super duper suitcase, a smaller overnight rolling bag, a very large overly stuffed tote, her purse, AND a back pack that was as heavy as your bookbag on the first day of school when you brought all your books home to cover in brown paper bags. (Just had to throw that in there! LOL!!)

Fitting all of that in the car was challenging. Sissy shared the back seat with her super duper suitcase and one ton bookbag. Not only were the suitcases stuffed, but so was the car. The adventure begins!

Sissy works at a job that stresses her to the max...she is so looking forward to retirement!! Anyway, I think she needed this trip more than any of us, which was so obvious just a few miles down the road. I looked in my rearview mirror...and there she was...well relaxed...reading her morning newspaper. There was no reading for me until I got to the ship. Have you ever tried getting into a good novel while navigating the PA turnpike??? Not recommended!! And so, for the rest of the car ride we referred to Sissy as "Miss Daisy".

I peeked on her again when the shuffling of the paper had stopped. She had finished her reading and was sound asleep...enjoying a much needed nap. My eyes, on the other hand, in spite of the early hour, were wide open and watching the road...except for the occasional peek in the rearview mirror.

Now, M3 was not reading or napping either, as she was busy filling the position of copilot. Copilots need to stay alert for any detour signs that the GPS won't let the driver know about. And also to keep talking in case the driver feels at all like shutting her eyes!

So...we are driving along, making great time I might add, when suddenly there is a familiar odor...one that I had smelled just a few days before while preparing for the cruise...coming from the back seat. There sits "Miss Daisy" painting her fingernails! Her vacation had started for sure!

When we finally reached the port we unloaded our overstuffed bags and proceeded to the area to go through customs in order to board the ship. I was walking quite comfortably with my tote in hand, and camera bag on my shoulder. The sisters were lollygagging along...rolling their overnight bags behind...while juggling their very full tote bags, purses...and ahhhhh...yes...one ton bookbag. They needed to stop every so often to "switch hands" or "reshift the load". They needed a bellman...that's for sure! Hmmmmmmmm....

I breezed along...and boarded the ship first. Now who's vacation had started!

Stay tuned...the adventure continues!

Sisterhood of the "Pee Your Pants"...the laughter continues

A while back (Feb. 10, 2010) I blogged about my sisters and how we try to take trips together...always paired with tons of "pee your pants" laughter. Our latest trip, of course, was no exception to this practice. My sister, Carol(Sissy), shows how it all begins...and from this point forward it's nonstop!



Over the next few days I will be describing some of the things that made us "pee our pants" as we traveled together on a cruise to the Bahamas.



Bon Voyage!! Stay tuned!

P's and B's

Lately I have been thinking a lot about Alzheimer's. I am hoping that my temporary loss of memory for simple words when I am making a statement is due more because of menopause than the other more frightening and sad disease. Sometimes I just get so mad and frustrated when I can't think of what it is I am trying to say. And even more upset when I forget to do something that should be second nature to me.

Hopefully I can also contribute this to an overloaded brain. I am told that our brains are much like a computer so it stands to reason that they can crash on a moment's notice.

This past week has caused major short circuiting with my brain. I had 25 people for dinner on Easter Sunday, then went to work Monday morning with two church bulletins to prepare because I am on vacation next week. I also had to pack up and relocate to another office in the church while my office is being renovated. Needless to say I don't know where anything is and feel quite disconnected at work. This is not good for someone known to be such a stickler for details and order!

So...today I began packing for my vacation, a cruise to the Bahamas with my sisters. I had most everything laid out and ready to go, but had to pack it in the suitcase. I had finished the laundry this morning, so after putting all of that away, I was good to go.

After about an hour and a half I had completed the task. I could not fit another thing in my bag...or my carry on. Both were stuffed full!

My honey and I had plans to go to dinner with some friends so I went to take a shower. I opened my drawer to get out some fresh undies. Even though I am forgetful, I do remember my mother telling me that you should never leave the house without wearing clean underwear. After all, you never know if you will be in an accident. Thanks for the advice, Mom!

Well, I stood there looking in my drawer and burst into laughter. There neatly folded and freshly laundered was every pair of Panties and every Bra I own. I had not packed even one in my suitcase!

So.....I unpacked the fully loaded suitcase a bit, refolded a few things, and squeezed in my precious Vic's attire. Now, for certain, my suticase is stuffed, even padded! ;)

Now let's just hope I remember to set my alarm to get up in the morning...and especiallly to put the suitcase in the car.

I'll fill you in with the details of the trip when I get back.

Where am I going again?

The Flower Guy

There are all types of guys out there. Ladies, you know that it's true!

Valentine's Day is one of those times that a guy's true self shows up. Here are a few kinds of guys that I am certain you can relate to...

The "candy guy" who goes straight for the sweet tooth...hoping you will at least share your treat with him.

The "perfume guy" who apparently likes you to smell a certain way that he finds pleasing.

Then there's the...

"sexy lingerie guy" who we know is telling you how he likes you to look!

Finally... there is the "flower guy" who really just enjoys seeing the smile on your face.

I am so glad that I married a "flower guy"!

An Empty Nest Keeps Happening Over and Over and Over and Over...

Sometimes I think I am living the movie "Groundhog Day". You know that movie...where he lives the same day over and over...every time he wakes up it is the same day...Groundhog Day...again and again and again.

Mine is more about kids leaving and returning and leaving and returning and leaving...the hinges on the door are worn out!

Honestly I am very happy that...#1...they even want to come back home while they are figuring out their lives...and #2...they really do want to be on their own so each stop is never "forever".

I love my nest to be full. It warms my heart. But I get even more excited when one of my littlebirds takes flight...even if it is for the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time!

Each time has been a growth experience for them...and for me. Each time it is easier to let go and watch them set up their own nest. Each time my honey and I breathe a sigh of relief and "go a little crazy" with our new found freedom!

I look forward to waking up each morning with my honey by my side in a house that may be a tad empty, but full of love none the less.

I could do that every day for the rest of my life...over and over and over and over!