Cactus527

I hate saying good bye to Black Lightening and The Potato, but at least everyone else will still be here to play with them. It was apparently too chilly this morning.

Packed and ready to go! It all fit, and I LOVE my new Monos medium suitcase! Ocean Blue is the way to go. When I was traveling back from LA last time, I almost attacked a guy I saw with a headphone case for his cans asking him where he got them. Amazon, of course. So, I asked for a case for Christmas, got it, and now can use it. I love that I can just hang it outside my backpack instead of taking up precious inside space! A bit concerned about the flights now. I only put 45 minutes between my first and second flights, and they've already delayed my first flight. Not TOO terribly concerned because I know there are 3 more flights from LAS to LGB this afternoon after mine, but...I'd rather not get shuffled.

IT'S TRAVEL DAY!!!! The hotel already sent me check in stuff, now I've just got to drag suitcases downstairs after the girls head off to school. Flights are still listed on time! I'm definitely in a good mood. Best news: it's 34° here this morning, but it's 52° right now in LA. WARMTH! Can't wait.

I laughed so hard at this.

It has bothered me so much all my life that when we named our children, we went with very simple, straightforward names that no one would have issues spelling. However, humanity continues to prove me wrong.

Safe travels today back to port. I was just looking at the sea report and they are forecasting gale force winds around the Los Angeles/ Catalina Island area. Hopefully the seas don't get too rough for you!

Did she make it? Or did she wait for you to be back??? #stalkertendencies

I just saw your brother's name. I LOVE it! What a great way to uniquely spell a more common name. Mine is the same - regular name, unique spelling. I wonder if he gets tired of saying "[Name] with a [letter]" like I do...

Is that a 45 in there? If so, I'm wondering what the significance is.

I HAVE MINE PACKED!!!! Love that thing. My kiddos just got a whole slate of stickers of things with butts/in butt shapes for Christmas (thanks, Santa). Like a toaster in a butt shape, or a marshmallow, or even a laptop. Magnets like those would be awesome to stick on your door.

LMAO now I'm picturing all the A boarding group as Marines getting ready for a sortie. I used to have that anxiety with my kiddos once we got past age 6 too; however, we're also more comfortable toward the back of the plane. There's ALWAYS seats toward the back of the plane. As long as we can score something B30 or earlier, it's always fine.

I feel like you need to be warming up to sing with your barbershop quartet with this shirt. Just add a straw hat!

In your photo of the casita, the orange round barrel thing is actually the cooler. You pull the top off and all of the water and other things that you want to put in there to stay chill would go there. There's also a button on one of the posts that you can push and it will call somebody from the pool bar area to come over and assist you. That's if they're paying attention to it. *shrug*

I always love seeing people take advantage of simple pleasures that are 100% legal, easy, and enjoyed by many people.

SACRILEGE! How dare you forgo the cave suite!

Not too shabby for a solo traveler. I can definitely get my desired aisle seats! It's always a miracle when I can actually score the A boarding group. Let the cattle call commence!!!!!!

Suitcases packed! Now to just fit a few last-minute items in tomorrow morning. Now awaiting check-in time for Southwest...

....aaaaaand I totally read this as Patron the alcohol.

I did a casita on a port day and regretted it. I'm glad I only paid $150 for it. There were open seats all around until about 2pm, then it was packed in until 5pm (the end time for those casitas). I wish I hadn't done that. The service was mediocre too (this was on Freedom). One thing that REALLY bothered me in the afternoon was that all the college students on spring break kept putting their dirty dishes and glasses on my tables in the casita. WHAT. Idiots. However, on a sea day, if you're going to maximize your time out there, it might make a lot more sense to have that space. I'm with you though on the cost - if it was $150 like I paid, I'd say go for it. $350 definitely would give me pause as to whether I could use it better elsewhere!

I literally went "ooo, shiny pants....OMG LIQUID SOAP!" and laughed loud enough to startle my dogs. You look amazing!

I *LOVE* that there are new ship options coming to the West Coast. I've got Quantum booked in April 2026 at this point (had to change my Ovation one in September this year), but...OPTIONS!!!! It's glorious. Now if only they could add some more interesting ports!

There's something wrong with that woman... I get being proud of what you've done, but using it as a weapon of selfishness? Sorry, no can do. Ugh.

More mother shenanigans might be in store if you do this!

3 DAYS TO GO!!!!!! I actually packed up a majority of my stuff last night, now I just have the nicer stuff that I don't want to get wrinkled and things I'm still using to do on Wednesday/Thursday. All the emails have started coming in, so the excitement is definitely building. Now it's just a game of What Have I Forgotten? So far it is water bottle, liquid detergent, and yoga mat...

I love Indy and I love the JS on there. I think I had one on Deck 9 on the bump out starboard - it was absolutely delightful. Excited for you and your family to thaw on this cruise!