Two steps forward and one step back…..that phrase seems to really explain the last couple days. I had the wonderful experience of escaping the cold of an Iowa winter the last week. The upside…it was so much fun. The down side……I am now playing catch up on everything from housework and laundry to writing and reading blogs!
Last week, along with a daughter-in-law, 1 sister, 2 sisters-in-law, 2 nieces and 1 cousin, I was able to cross an item off my “bucket list”. I went on a cruise. The planning for this event started last summer already, after these same family members read one of my posts where I mentioned that if you really wanted; you could start down the road and end up anywhere.
One sister in law quizzed me as to where I would go……my answer was someplace warm with water and a beach. Another sister in law immediately began researching things like cruises as they were all inclusive and would fit our budgets. Our husbands seemed to have zero desire to go on a cruise so we invited all the women in our family. Eight of us chose to go and this past week we sailed from New Orleans, LA.
We had stops at Cozumel and Progresso (Yucatan Peninsula). We had opportunities to shop, spend time on the beach and just have a great time together. I did learn and relearn some things on this vacation…
I learned that it is good to laugh till you can’t breathe. It is good to smile at everyone you meet and be open to learning about those who serve your meals, clean your rooms and answer your many questions. People are people no matter what color or religion and generally will reciprocate when treated with respect.
I learned that most of us have the same fears, hopes and dreams. I learned (from watching some groups) that drinking to much will turn you into idiots and make you obnoxious.(It might also make you toss your lunch on the beach..it puzzled me to think a person would do that to themselves!) I found that playing Bingo, while fun, will not make you rich.
I learned that caramelized cheesecake is included on the breakfast menu and does, indeed taste delicious at that time of morning. I found that trying the “rare and interesting” appetizers on the menu should sometimes just be something you keep wondering about instead of ordering.
Another thing, I found was the non-drowsy Dramamine is indeed your friend on a cruise….especially when going through a storm. The storm, while making for a bumpy ride, was also amazing. I also learned that sunrises and sunsets are some of the most beautiful sights that God has gifted us with.
I found that the simple pleasure of wading in the surf and searching for sea shells is truly one of the great pleasures in life. I learned that the warmth of the sun, combined with a good book and the company of people you love is really all you need most of the time.
I also found that getting back home to the rest of those you love is a wonderful thing. It is a joyful thing to know someone is there waiting for you.
We came back to single digits for temperatures, snowstorms and all the things that make up day to day living in the Midwest…… some good and some not so fun.
I cannot speak for the rest of the gals that went, but I came back with a great appreciation for the relaxation of vacation and a greater appreciation for all those things that make up my day to day life here at home. It is good to go…but it is even better to come back.
A man travels the world over in search of what he needs
and returns home to find it.
George A. Moore
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/george_a_moore_205186?src=t_travel
It sounds like exactly what you needed! Winters can get long.
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It was such a good break and to spend it with other family members was wonderful.
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love this. (and miss the beach i grew up on 🙂 ).
I found that trying the “rare and interesting” appetizers on the menu should sometimes just be something you keep wondering about instead of ordering.
yes! i’m obsessive about what i put in my mouth and refuse to try things i don’t know about!
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I did not try escargot….just could not do it.
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What a wonderful trip! Warmth, water, and sand sounds brilliant! I am so happy you were able to enjoy yourself! Gorgeous photos 🌞
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It was great. I love the sound of waves on the beach.
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Awesome!!!! I am glad you had the opportunity to go on a cruise and what a wonderful reminder of the value of coming home to your loved ones. GREAT READ 😍
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Thank you so much. We drove to New Orleans as it was so much cheaper than flying. The road trip was also fun!
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Road Trip!!! I am so overdue for one. I love to drive.
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Took us 2 days to get there as it was a 20+ hour drive.
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Sounds amazing. How fabulous that you managed to do something that you’d longed to do for so long. Perfect. Loved reading about it.
Welcome home Chicken. ~ Cobs. xxx
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It is great to be home. The 8 of us were from Iowa…Nebraska…Texas…Missouri and Kansas. It was so good catching up.
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Oh Chicken I am so glad you had a grand time. I does sound like a fun time was had by all and I don’t doubt you were glad to get back home. The girls missed you as well as Mr. Chicken. But I will have to admit this is one of those trips I have never really had a hankering for. Give me a cabin in the mountains on a running stream and I would be a happy camper. I’m not much of a fishing person. I love the sound of running water,but not the kind from broken pipes in winter. lol
Welcome back!
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I love the mountain cabin as well. I think I might ne like the Grampa I never knew…..he loved to travel and see new things. The time on the beach was so quiet as we were not at peak season. It is good to be back ….even with the snow.
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That’s marvelous that you went on a cruise with wonderful relatives. The up side for your readers — we’re glad you are back.
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It was a great time to catch up as we were from 2 Iowa locations….Nebraska….Missouri…Texas and Kansas.
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It’s amazing you pulled everyone together!
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I think we would have had more along but we have a lot of teachers in our family and they could not take time off during the school year.
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I was wondering why you were dark. I guess those of us that live close to the ocean take it for granted, as beautiful as it is.
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I had planned to do a post on the Friday before I left to let people know. Life got in the way in the form of an uncle’s funeral and then two emergency surgeries that evening involving my mom-in-law. Once on board the ship the social plan I purchased did not have wordpress. It was probly okay as I really enjoyed the sun, water, sand and being with family I don’t get to see often.
It is good to be back….but the ocean was so beautiful and those sunrises and sunsets were something!
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What a wonderful memory you just made! I am so glad you had the chance to do just what you wanted to do. Glad you are back though. I love the things you learned some funny-some deeply touching. The quote, as always was perfect.Stay warm and safe! love Michele
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It was such a great time with family. We had time to catch up with each other.
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How cool to spend time with the girls in the family. I am getting so tired of winter. I’d love a short getaway.
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It was truly wonderful.
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I can see the local headline now, “No chicken she, Iowa farm girl tames tempest tossed and turbulent Gulf waters.”
So glad you had this opportunity with your extended family. Which of those two floating hotels were you on?
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The smaller one. We thought ours was good and wondered how amazing the Norwegian Cruise Line was!
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Don’t you wonder how those things even float, let alone move!
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Sounds like a great trip! We’ve been on a couple cruises, and much preferred the smaller ships when it came time to board and disembark!
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I told my husband that he is coming along the next time. It was great and so much to see and explore on and off the ship. I bet the bigger ships are really something when disembarking. We carried our luggage off ourselves as we were driving home and not flying.
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That sounds like a perfect example of how to check off a bucket list item! It’s nice to do a girls trip at any point in life. So glad you did it. ❤
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I have a feeling our group of 8 will spend a lot of time revisiting the fun memories made on this vacation. Some of them think we need to plan another one to go on in a couple of years….I think they may be right.
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I agree with them!
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Love this, wonderful post!!! I’m so glad you had an amazing time with the special ladies in your family. And I love what you learned/relearned! What a nice break!💜
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It was a wonderful week! It makes me smile every time I think of things we did.
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What a fun way to spend time together. I never, imagined where you could have gone and I was surprised that you took off to sunny locales. I think it is a good idea to go “girls alone”.
Imagine one day you were in the snow and the next you were in the sun. What a marvel and blessing ! Glad you are back, Faye.
Susie
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I had planned to do a post on the Friday before I left to let people know I would be “quiet” for a week. But we ended up at a funeral for an uncle on Friday morning and at the hospital in the afternoon for an emergency surgery for an in-law. Everything went good so we still got to go on vacation….just no Friday post!
It was so much fun with the women in the family and a great time to catch up with each other’s lives.
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I was just thinking you know – that the rich life of drinks and all you can eat is good for a while but it is great to be at home where you can eat your own food( food cooked to your taste by yourself). I wonder how celebrities do it-it must be difficult to live glamorous lives.
Susie
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You are so right Susie…it is so good to be back in the rhythm of life at home. I did enjoy the break from the cold…but I know our winter will not last forever and I will appreciate Spring more because of having gone through winter.
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What a treat and a delight to read your posts!! Happy you had such a good time and happy your happy to be home! Great post!! ❤
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Thank you so much! It was a great time away with family. I have never done something like that before.
We had a little extra time as we were to tight to purchase an airline ticket and instead drove from the midwest to New Orleans.
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That is so awesome! I never have either, and really enjoyed your post!! xx
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