Our Cruise was beyond Words!

The cruise was absolutely amazing! I had planned and researched and dreamed of how the cruise would be for months…and it was everything I’d hoped for and so much more! We left that Thursday around 4pm and drove to Gainesville and spent the night. Had planned to stay in Lake City but decided to go a little farther and make the drive time the next morning even less. Drove to Kennedy Space Center the next morning and spent about 5 or 6 hours there. It was a great day and we learned so much. The add-on special tour we bought was great and we got to go to the launch pads and things so the kids took a lot away from the experience. I don’t really have much interest in the space program, but I even enjoyed the day. We checked into our hotel after that, did a little running around, and spent the afternoon/evening chilling out and relaxing by the pool. Jess also got to work more on her homework. Saturday we boarded the shuttle at noon for the ½ mile ride to the Carnival Glory. We’d already driven down earlier and seen the ship while we were out for breakfast. =D Embarkation process went quite smoothly and we were on the ship in about 30 minutes or so. Headed up to the Lido deck for some lunch and then spent some time walking around the ship and checking things out. The Disney Magic was next to our ship in port so we got some neat views of it as well. Not as big as our ship but still impressive. Around 1:30 we finally got to head to our stateroom and while small, it was quite cozy and well laid out. We headed up to the Lido deck for the sail away party, went to the meet-and-greet for Circle C (the kids activity group), then went to our first dinner at 6pm. Our wait staff was amazing and the food was delicious! The Circle C activities started around 8pm and we didn’t see the girls until around 1am when Circle C ended for the evening. Gary and I went to the show that evening which was fun. Sunday was our first Day at Sea. Gary and I were up early and went up on deck to take a walk and enjoy the sights. We saw the kids off and on during the day but they were busy with Circle C and new friends. That evening was our first Elegant Dinner so we got all dressed up and had pictures made before we ate. It was shrimp and lobster night and it was delicious! Monday was our day in Cozumel and we had a blast. We did the Twister boat ride to Passion Island. Twister is a high speed boat that does fast turns and twists and 360’s in the water. You get soaked but it was a blast. Once we got to the Island we had a wonderful meal and then spent the day playing in the water, jumping off the water trampoline, kayaking, paddle boats, etc. Went back to the ship, cleaned up, and headed into Cozumel for some shopping. Tuesday we were in Belize. Went snorkeling at Goff’s Caye and had an amazing time and learned so much at the same time! We were snorkeling the 2nd largest coral reef in the world so that was a pretty awesome experience! Back to the ship to clean up and then grabbed a tender to Belize City for shopping. Also hate lunch at a restaurant called Mamasita’s. The food was tasty but a little more bland than I expected. Wednesday we were in Costa Maya where we did a Mayan Culture Experience tour. We rode a bus to Limones where we went to a Mayan ruin, spent some time touring the area, and then went to the home of a Mayan couple. There we had a traditional Mayan lunch prepared by them and learned a lot of things about their lifestyles. Again, we learned so much and the food was absolutely amazing! When we got back to the port city of Mahamaul we did some shopping before going back to the ship. The girls had a blast with the “game” of bartering for the things they wanted. Thursday was another sea day so we had time to relax a bit. It was also another elegant evening as well as our 16th anniversary. Gary had set it up with the room steward for our nightly towel animal to be a monkey which was a nice surprise. He also bought me a sapphire necklace/bracelet/earring set for our anniversary and it is beautiful. I wore them to dinner that night and loved them! Friday was our day in Nassau and the weather was quite nasty when we arrived. Thankfully it rained and thundered for about 30 minutes and then cleared up. We spent the day at Blackbeard’s Caye swimming/snorkeling/feeding/petting the stingrays and had a great time. What an experience! Afterwards we did a little shopping and then headed back to the ship. We decided to skip dinner in the dining room and instead ate the buffet. Saturday came and it was time for debarkation. Went smoothly again and we were off the ship by 9:30 and on our way home by 10am. Got to the house around 5pm that afternoon. I was afraid the week would fly by but was surprised that it didn’t. I think it was probably the best vacation we’ve ever had and definitely a 2nd honeymoon to remember! Now we’re already in the planning stages of a cruise next August and Gary said he’d liked to find a 3 day to do before that. We’re hooked now! Lol The kids program is excellent on Carnival! The girls stayed busy with dance parties, movie nights, scavenger hunts, sports activites, game parties, pizza making things, ice cream eating contests, etc. The Circle C activities went until 12:30 or 1am every night! Gary and I had time with them, but also had plenty of time alone as well. Definitely recommend!! Now the countdown has begun to Cruise #2 already being planned for next summer!

My younger daughter will her dress

This is the black dress my younger daughter (turns 12 on Thursday) picked out for the cruise. It comes to about mid-thigh I guess and looks adorable on her. She also loves the red one my older daughter picked and has visions of one day wearing it too.

My oldest in her first formal wear....

My oldest daughter picked this black formal for our cruise in September and we caught it half off at the mall after prom season and got it for just $85.

While it isn't my style by any means, I must admit it looks beautiful on her!

Of course, then a few weeks later when we were at our local Ross store at the mall, she found another one she loved (the red one). I reminded her that she already had her formal dress for the cruise (she'll be wearing another dress she already had for the 2nd formal night). She quickly said "but this one is ONLY $25 and I'll wear it to some of the formal dances in high school and you won't have to buy one for a lot more". This reasoning actually made me stop in my tracks and agree to go ahead and let her have the 2nd dress too. I also reasoned that my younger daughter likes it too and MAYBE, just MAYBE she'll want to wear it too. Plus I knew that I'd never get another deal like that and if for nothing else than future cruises, it would be worth the cost. Boy,,,they grow up so fast....

Its June and its HOT...but I'm still surviving...

It’s been awhile since my last post, but life has continued on much the same. I did write out a long post last week, but as soon as I hit "post", it disappeared into cyber space never to be seen or heard from again. I’ve been staying busy with work and enjoying the kids being out of school...as when THEY have no school it means mom has no school (i.e. no homework to check, no projects to assist with, etc.)! They are like babies with their days and nights mixed up...they stay up most (if not all) night watching tv and playing games, then sleep half the next day while dad and I are at work. Lazy bums! Lol We went camping over the weekend and had a blast. Now mind you, we live in Northwest Florida and the temps are already averaging in the high 90s every day with heat index pushing 110+! Two years ago the idea of me camping, in a TENT, in the middle of JUNE...well, I’d have thought you were nuts! And here I am now not only doing it, but having a blast! What wonderful memories we are creating with our children. I have such fond memories of camping at the beach when I was young, and its nice that my girls will have similar memories. My parents and brother’s family joined us so it was a lot of fun. I have noticed that once again I have gotten lax about my eating and notice I snack a lot more than I should. Today was my day to get back on track and cut all that crap out...yet another reminder of why the scale is my friend as when I saw that number this morning it was my reality check. Just the thing I need every once in awhile. Within a week or so I’ll be back to where I want to be so I’m not too upset. Paid the final cruise payment yesterday and we are down to 75 days until the cruise now! I cannot wait! I already have my formal dresses and the girls now have theirs as well. As promised I’ll be posting pics soon of us in them...I just keep forgetting. Hope you all are continuing to make progress on your own journey!

Still Maintaining...

It's been quite awhile since my last post, but all continues to go well. Had a scare last month with the work situation, as our company had layoffs. Thankfully they said seniority would NOT be considered, rather it was work quality and how much we do....they followed thru and I kept my job while someone with 18+ years did not. (I only have 8.5 years) I hate it for anyone who loses their job, but THANK GOD it wasn't me!!! For the most part I continue to maintain my 137/138 weight which I'm quite happy with. A couple of weeks ago I did stray from my normal routine and ate WAY more than I should at several family functions. I paid for it on the scale when I saw 144.6 for the first time in over a year. This was my mini-reality check and I quickly got back to basics and was back down to 138 within a week. This was again proof to me that the scale really is my friend, even if I don't always like the number. It helps me realize when enough it enough and I need to get more firmly focused back on staying away from too many snacks. The kids are keeping us busy with end of the year school activities and only have about 2-1/2 weeks left until summer vacation. No big plans, they are just looking forward to relaxing and spending a lot of time at the beach. We took them last night to find new swimsuits for the cruise, and they both have their eyes on a new formal at the mall for one of the cruise dinner nights. Told them we may go back in a few weeks and let them try them on and pick one out (after Prom season when they go on sale). Thats about it for us...hope you all continue to trudge along well on your own weight loss journey.

I'm Going Cruising!!!

Yep,,,,I booked our anniversary cruise on Carnival Glory for September and the countdown has begun. I am so very excited! 7 days on a beautiful ship with hubby and our girls with port visits to Nassau, Belize, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. I suspect the next 5 months will drag at a snail's pace! lol While I dread all the amazing foods the ships are known to have, I certainly will allow myself to indulge within reason. Hubby and I have made a vow to make use of the ship gym every day and also to do plenty of walking, both on the ship and in the ports. I told him that since I have been easily maintaining 136/137 for the past few months, I think I'd like to work hard to get back down to at least 130 if not lower before the cruise. I don't necessarily want to "maintain" that weight as I am happy with where I'm at, BUT I figure if I do it then I'll feel more comfy with the cruise splurges. lol In the coming months I"ll be on the lookout for a sexy little evening dress for one of the formal nights as I already have one for the second night. Have any of you been on a cruise...if so, please share your thoughts...what you liked, didn't like, things we "must do/see".

One of Many Reasons Americans are Overweight....

The Class A West Michigan Whitecaps have come up with possibly the most unhealthy ballpark food item in baseball history: the Fifth Third Burger.Named after the bank that sponsors the team, the Fifth Third features 26.7 ounces (five-thirds pounds) of beef, lettuce, tomato, salsa, sour cream, chili and Fritos on an 8-inch sesame seed bun. Total calories: 4,889.The burger costs $20, but the team points out it feeds one to four. A single fan who finishes the burger in one sitting will receive a Fifth Third Burger T-shirt.Mickey Graham, the team's director of marketing, told CNBC he thinks some fans will show up just for the feeding: "We've had people come just for dinner. We take our food pretty seriously."

Its simply unreal to me how I'm sure many people will be tempted to try to scarf down this burger to win a darn t-shirt...or simply because it sounds good to them. Never mind the 5000 calories they'll be consuming! At a time when you can look around our country and see so many overweight people, it annoys me to see businesses coming up with this sort of thing. Heck, even if four people split it, they'd each be consuming nearly 1250 calories.