Our Bermuda Cruise. Part 1

Last week we did a family cruise from Boston to Bermuda. The entire family went (with the exception of my brother and his family. They're in Texas and couldn't make the trip. We missed them). The first thing that struck me as we pulled up to the cruise terminal was the chaos. I'm not a fan of lines or chaos. Who is, really? I had to flag down a porter to take our bags and then we waited in line for security. After security, we waiting in another line to check in. After that, we finally boarded the ship. We immediately went to the buffet for some lunch. I was a little overwhelmed with all of the people. This ship holds over 2,000 and I think they were all getting lunch at the same time.

Soon after we finished eating we went to our cabins (or as my nephews called them, our "apartments"). The room was actually bigger than I expected. Don't get me wrong, it was small, but it could have been a lot smaller. We had a window in our cabin, which is a good thing. It's nice to have some natural light in such a tiny space.

Here are some shots of our cabin.

Here's a picture of the pool deck:

I went to the pool area on our first day aboard the ship. They had a DJ playing really loud music and about 15 young adults (18 year olds that were so excited that the legal drinking age on a ship is 18) in each of the four hot tubs. I thought for a minute that I was on a spring break cruise. I truly felt my age. I actually thought to myself, "turn that racket down, will ya!?". I know, I'm a total old fart. Oh well, the pool area got better as the days went on. Most times we'd just sit up there and hang out as a family. It was nice to just relax and completely unplug for a few days.

Here are some more pictures from our trip:

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

After careful consideration, I got my lip waxed for the first time. It hurt. A lot.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

My Favorite Song Lyrics

Do you have lines in a song that you love? You wait for the perfect moment and turn the volume up really, really loud when that part comes on?

Well, here are a few of mine:

"I have my own life and I am stronger than you know." Stevie Nicks, "Leather & Lace"

"Well there's a light in your eyes that keeps shining, like a star that can't wait for a night. I hate to think I've been blinded baby, why can't I see you tonight" Led Zepplin, "Fool in the Rain"

"I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro's hood." Pearl Jam, "Wish List"

"Couldn't take the blame, sick with shame, must be exhausting to lose your own game." Evanescence, "Call me When You're Sober"

"Can you imagine no love, pride, deep fried chicken? Your best friend always stickin' up for you, even when I know you're wrong" Train, "Drops of Jupiter

"Dear Marcus, you rocked my world.." Alanis Morissette, "Unsent"

"I'm warning you, don't ever do, those crazy, messed up things that you do. If you ever do, I promise you, I'll be the first to crucify you." Barenaked Ladies, "Call & Answer"

"Stars shining bright above you. Night breezes seem to whisper I love you. Birds singing in the sycamore tree" The Mamas & The Papas "Dream a Little Dream of Me"

"You know I'm a dreamer, but my heart's of gold. I had to run away high, so I wouldn't come home low." Motley Crue, "Home Sweet Home"

"Feel the rain on your skin. No one else can feel it for you, only you can let it in. No one else, no one else can speak the words on your lips." Natasha Bedingfield, "Unwritten"

"We skipped a light fandango, turned cartwheels 'cross the floor." Procol Harum, "A Whiter Shade of Pale"

"Hey Ramblin' Boy why don't you settle down, Boston ain't your kinda town, there ain't no gold and there ain't nobody like me" Dave Loggins, "Please Come to Boston"

"Think I'd leave your side baby, you know me better than that. Think I'd leave down when you're down on your knees, I wouldn't do that." Sade, "Lovers"

"Lucky that my breasts are small and humble, so you don't confuse them with mountains." Shakira, "Whenever, Wherever

"I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night. I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're about to cry. I know all your favorite songs and you tell me about your dreams" Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me"

"There is no past, there's only future. There's only here, there's only now." Van Morrison, These Are The Days"

"Two feet they come a creepin' like a black cat do. Two bodies laying naked, a creeper think he got nothing to lose" Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Saturday Night Special"

"I want a girl with extensions in her hair, bamboo earrings, at least two pair, a Fendi bag and a bad attitude" LL Cool J, "Around the Way Girl"

"Vodka and a packet of cigarettes, that's all it used to be. But now you're sniffing on snow when you're feelin' low" Joss Stone, "You Had Me"

"I never loved her. I never needed her. She was willing and that's all there is to say." 38 Special, "Second Chance"

So it's more than a few. Do you have any favorites?

Got Books?

It's that time of year again.

Are you looking to get rid of some books? Tired of keeping them in your attic, basement or crammed into your book shelf?

Well, I have the solution....I'm going to be holding my sixth annual book sale on Saturday, August 13 and all proceeds will go directly to the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

If you're interested in donating some books please let me know. If you're local, I'll even come and pick them up.

I'm Back!

I've been gone for a whole week. Did you miss me? Wait, did you even notice I was gone? I went on a lovely vacation with the family. We had a great time (more on that later). I missed a few things...technology being one of them. We all unplugged for a whole week.

If you know me in real life, you know where I've been, if you don't, well, here's a hint:

My Hero

I've decided to start a series called "My Hero." I will showcase a different person (or people) that I consider a hero(s).

My hero is my nephew Joshua.

He was born in 2001, shortly after 9/11.

He's a twin.

He's very outgoing and has a great personality.

He also has Crohn's Disease. He was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when he was 3 years old. His diagnosis changed to Crohn's when he was 8. He's now 9 and has to endure medication transfusions every few weeks. True to form, he goes through it with a smile.

He's so brave.

Josh lives in Texas with his mom, dad (my brother), twin brother Justin and little sister Jessica. I miss them all terribly. I miss them even more when I know that Josh has to go through all of this.

Even though he's only 9, he is a hero to me.

I love you Josh!

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night to cut my toenails.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

Trip to New York City

*The following was written by Kelly, part-time contributor to this blog and Loopy's sister*

Meg's 8th grade class went to New York City and Philly for a four day field trip. It was a little bumpy for Meg at first. She got a little sea-sick on one of the tour boats that took them around Manhattan. After the first night she was feeling much better and had a great time. Their first stop was Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Meg did a great job taking pictures.

I think her favorite part of the trip was Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. As you can see from the picture above she had her picture taken with her biggest crush! **swoon - Justin Bieber**

At night Meg would call and tell me all about her day. I kept asking her if she picked anything special up for herself. She had plenty of money to buy souvenirs and her lunch each day. She kept saying she would get something.

When we got home and unpacked everything, she gave me the extra money back. I counted it and did some quick math. She was gone for four full days and spent a total of $64.00! When I asked her why she didn't get an "I love New York" sweatshirt or t-shirt her response was, "Mom - why would I spent $40.00 on a sweatshirt that I know you could buy me for like $5.00?"

I guess my frugal/couponing ways have rubbed off on Meg. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.

What Time Is It Anyway?

I never truly know what time it is.

Let me explain:

My bedroom clock is set 22 minutes fast. I like doing math first thing in the morning.

The clock in my car is 20 minutes fast. It causes panic for passengers when they think they're running late.

My computer clock is two minutes fast. I keep fixing it and it keeps going back.

My kitchen and living clocks are the correct time, as is my cable box.

Sometimes I wish I paid more attention in basic math.

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

Sometimes I forget to wash behind my ears.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

The 5 Year Old Philosopher

As you may know, my nephew comes up with some wild things. His 5 year old brain seems to be in overdrive sometimes. Lately I've been noticing that he's a pretty philosophical kid. Here are some of our recent conversations:

B: Auntie Laura, can you BUY friends?

Me: Well, no, because then you would never know if they liked you for you or if they just liked the money that you gave them.

B: Does it really matter?

Brief pause

B: Do ants like peas?

B: Auntie Laura, is there a ruler of the world?

Me: No, each country has their own ruler.

B: There IS a ruler of the world: God

Brief pause

B: Can I have another Hoodsie?