The Details

This is a copy of an email I sent Ruth, because I am feeling too lazy to write an actual post. I've got other things to do, like drink this gallon of coffee to try and wake up... and listen to the plumbers drill my house apart while the $$ meter runs. You know, I am back to my fun real life!


"It was absolutely great. Carnival has this reputation of being a less classy, lower-rung type of operation. I did not find any of that to be true. Our room was very nice, everything clean, the food and service awesome. I thought of you while we were there, and the fact that you had gone on a very culturally enriching type of vacation. A cruise is definitely more of a hedonistic, narcissistic experience! And you know what, I was completely OK with that!

We enjoyed the company of Bryan and Kari. They live in Austin now, and whenever we see them it is briefly, and all of our kids are running around. I haven't laughed so much in a long time.

The four of us plopped our butts on deck chairs, only rising to get something to eat or get more booze. I did my usual heavy drinking, and lived it up with TWO drinks on a couple of the days. We ate sushi for a snack every day at 5:30 when the sushi bar opened. Then we had formal dinner at 8:15. Eddie and I had a couples massage that was awesome. He had never had one before (and I had only done it once; this one was far better). I was thrilled to see how much he loved it. I also giggled when it was over, and I peeked over at my 6'2 husband laid out on the table, with a purple towel turbaned around his head, only his nose and lips visible. I got my hair done for formal night, which was kind of a disaster. But, Kari was able to take what the stylist had done and turn it into what I wanted.

Kari and I got temporary tattoos, and the ladybug is still on my left ankle.

We did not even bother going into Progresso, because there is not much there, and laying out on deck was more appealing.

In Cozumel we went to a beach resort called Paradise Beach that had gotten rave reviews. I was pleased with the facilities, clean restrooms, good food. But, the water near the beach that day was pretty murky and brown. But it was gorgeous further out. We rented a jet ski and zipped out over the beautiful part for half an hour. Then we went back to the pier, where there was a mall of sorts, and did a little shopping. The kids loved the little parrot toys we got. I got an opal and silver bracelet. It was originally priced at 200-something bucks. I told the guy (honestly) that I did not have that kind of money on me. We'd been out all day and spent it. So I got it for $50, which is probably still too expensive, but at least not ridiculous.

I found out, upon calling my dad when we hit land, that Eddie's mom had major dental work done one day while the kids were at school. She had an implant and a tooth pulled. She swore Dad to secrecy, knowing I'd worry. One day she even locked herself out of my house and had to call the locksmith. But she swears up and down she had a good week!"

We're Back

We had an amazing time on the cruise. It was probably the closest thing to a perfect vacation that I have ever had. Now I am back to the reality of dishes, bills, and a laundry pile that is as tall as my washing machine. A real post about the trip is soon to come.

Visit

I have just returned from Dallas and attending Brian's graduation ceremony. He is the proud recipient of a Master's of Science in Mental Health Counseling. He began this process three years ago, on a probationary status with the school, because he did not have enough psychology hours. He prevailed through job changes, working fulltime, penny-pinching, vehicles dying, and raising two kids.

So now he has this cool degree, and lots of important initials behind his name. This marks the beginning of some great new things for him.

Dad, Charlene, Whit, Kelli, and I were thrilled to be there!

I Have Not Abandoned the Blog

My brain is just off in a million different directions. So, I am pretty much in the same shape I was in for my last post from April.

I am getting everything ready so that Eddie's mom can take over the kids, house, and dog while we are on the cruise. I have just finished typing the (don't laugh at me) four pages of instructions for our kids. I still have beds to change, showers to scrub (so that MIL will think we are actually clean people) and groceries to buy.

The cool part of all of this is that I get to sneak off Friday night to attend Brian's graduation. And, my folks are well enough to go too!

The next update will probably include more about a cruise to Cozumel than you ever wanted to know.

I will leave you with a funny conversation our family recently had in the car.

When my son was born, he had this weak cry that sounded exactly like a lamb. He did this for about two months.

He was asking some questions about the circumstances of his birth, and Eddie told him that he said, "Baaaaaa" instead of really crying.

The girl added, "And when I was born, I sounded like a cow MOOOOOOOO!" And she was completely serious.