Cruise in a week 5/19
 

Got the forum link Mari, thanks it has so much info.
I am hoping for nice weather, no rain, and not too humid. I was so excited about the trip for months. Worried about leaving older son and grandson home without contact. But, I wanted to have a once in a lifetime memory making trip...

For me I did buy two coverups. I have two nice bathing suits.

dh really did not care to go.
I am wondering why it ment so much for me to take the trip.....and means nothing to him, although he hates the shore, heat and sun...I did not tell him he had to go.
dd with her anxiety did not want to travel, especially that far, without daddy. So be a daddy and suck it up stop sulking.
On recent trips away, he knows how she can get anxious about being away from home. (I am not much better, but hide it)

You would think with our 20th anniversay coming up it would be a get away we normally could not take. We have been together 33 years though...instead he is scrooge and grumpy all in one.....

I am sad enough under the circumstances,

Wonder what the end result will be in two weeks...I know he really does love me. When we are driving and our song comes on he holds my hand and sings, but then minutes later if I ask if we can make a pit stop, he huffs and puffs,
With the water pills for BP I need to go when I need to go....
Well enough whining. This is not new behavior, just has gotten worse this year.(settlement money in my name)

One way or another I will give my children a nice trip. Even if it means he sits on board sleeping and drinking, while we do some budget excursions.

I will see what kind of help I get from him tomorrow for packing, making arrangements, get the car ready. All I asked tonight was to keep the luggage scale handy....he looked around at my packing disarry and screeched WHERE?
I took it off him and put it in my med bag....
Oh joy, what fun.....It is like this everyday...
Something better give, or the downstairs will look like a nice apartment for him to veg his self away.
If the romance can't be rekindled, then I need to make some distance between us.

Dear Di,

These are a lot of expectations for the trip. I hear you putting a lot of meaning into it.

This is one trip on a nice boat. You don't have to make it into a test with lots of pressure.

M

You have alot on your plate with this trip coming ukp.
I agree with mari, you are placing alot of expectations.
my only hope is that you create some good memories and have some fun with whom ever is there. Happiness is a decision and you get to decide to have fun. Your children will have fun with you. cruising can be a lot of fun.
I do remember drinking a bit and that was fun! no driving to worry about.
bizi

Dear Di

i hear that the travel is stressing you out even if it is meaningful for you Di.

Maybe hubby is confused about the whole thing... like apart from not being into it himself, he is aware not only of your child's but your own anxiety more than you know and that is stressing him. the fact he has agreed to go is meaningful, if you ask me, but then i am partnerless, what to i know.

i am wondering here myself, are you making it into a test? ... for who... for hubby... your bond... or is it about you, about being away, about being free to do something you love and not let the anxiety win and keep you from it.

(((hugs)))

i hope you manage to get things all together, and to have a good time.

i have travelled a LOT, and i the prep is always the most stressful period. around my teens, i would get so hyped before a trip ... not necessarily anxious but... well just hyped, and kinda anxious... it became a given i would not sleep the night before. meaning i wouldn't even attempt to go to bed.
i also know ppl who stress over the actual checking in/out/gates/terminals etc .... that part i always enjoyed. it was packing that did me in - the DECISIONS.... arghhh. what if it rains, is cold, is terribly hot the whole time. abject fear of leaving something i just COULD NOT do without and COULD NOT replace at home.... it did happen with clothes/outfits from time to time where i was abroad and had an oh geez i needed the OTHER belt.....

one thing i always did was make an essentials list before - well before - day before - leaving:
passport
ticket
extra cash
credit card
atm card
keys

then i made another list that was more about personal needs - 1 change of clothes in carryon, etc...

the lists helped me both organize the process and not forget things. thoughts are transient. lists are cumulative. when i put something down in my head, it is forgotten. when i put something down on the list, it adds up with whatever was already there. they take pressure off.

and finally..................

just think about that cabin and the nice servers at the pool ready to bring you a pina colada while you soak up the sun.... :sunchair:

~ waves ~ from the ocean blue

free styling
 

Dear Di,

I looked up free style. I like that you don't have set times and tables for dinner or for what you wear. Having to be at dinner at a certain time would stress me a little.

How long will you be on the ship? Have you done a cruise before?
I hope that you will have a good time. Being away from everything and out on the water is freeing.

Does your ship have phones in the room? A friend of mine recently went on a cruise. They could not use their cell phones and they had no phones to find each other on the ship. The ship offered a sort of walkie talkie for a price.
She did a lot of walking and climbing stairs because it took a while to get anywhere.
If you have already been on a cruise before then you know all this already.


M

Cruise can be a lot of fun, have gone with my family a few times. the last time we went, my hubby and I were not on good terms. After dinner he would want to go back in the cabin. Kids were old enough and wanted to do their own thing. I decided I was not going to let his behavior ruin my trip. So I went to shows, casino, lounge by myself. Afraid at first but after the first night I have a good time. Met a lot of people and didn't have to worry if my husband was having a good time. A real stress relief. Have fun, relax, have a cocktail and enjoy yourself. Also, I never held it against my husband that he wanted to go in at night. We enjoy our days for the most part.

Dear Di,

Here are two more links.

One about safety:
http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguid..._cruise_safety


http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguid...rkation_advice
Keep covered to project your self from too much sun.

You will have fun. It is great to get a way and do something different --- even if all the preparation for the trip feels like a hassle while you are in the middle of it.

M

we did the ship excursions because I was chicken to go a bit down the road to pick up another agency's tour...we had fun but you pay more for the excursion thru the ship then on your own. since you will have a man with you you might want to bookon your own...wait till you are there maybe?
have fun!!!!!!!
bizi
sorry that your back is flared up...bad timing, rest tonight.:hug:

Dear Di.

It makes sense to me that you plan one or two excursions now. You can decide later if you want other excursions once you get on the ship.~~ kind of play it by ear so you can choose to rest if you want.

M

Dear Di,

Good luck on taking care of your house, your family, your trip, your packing, . . .

'Sorry that you have pain. Take care of yourself.

M

Aw dear Di !!!!

I felt so excited since I reaad this !!! I feel like Im going with you !!! I have never been into a cruise, but would love to !!! Im sure you will have a great time and will take wonderful photos I will then enjoy !!

Aw, Im sure you will enjoy it... dont know about you, but for me, water is so relaxing !!! even a small pond... haha just imagine the sea... the sky... aw ! wonderful landscapes Im sure !!! :)

Enjoy it since the moment when you start to pack.... I too stress ALWAYS before a trip, but that is silly, we should enjoy everything, even the bad/odd/funny/unconfortable things... it is HOLIDAY ! :D

Will be thinking about you and family. Everything will be alright. You enjoy !!

Love you lots,
Blue.

So the ups and downs
Good signs and ugh
dd still has a portfolio and final exam in Algebra and is not at all recalling. I am no help and she may not pass.

Work has been crazy, I had assignments everyday this week, plus preparing my son to cover what he can while I am gone. He would love the income and keep from hiring someone in our area.

Mari, got the excursions out of the way. I booked a bus trip to the beach and one for tour around the island.One day we will play as it goes.

As far as DH, we were walking through the store, picking out some clothes for him, found out his waist went up not by 2" but 4". So he got pants, shorts, an added top, sneakers...There are still shirts from last years trip we never got to take.
Pinched my butt as we were walking through the store.

I drove out on a claim myself, got back and now two days I can not walk without excurtiating pain, the back, hips, legs, butt. My pcp is still gone. My only resort is the ER tomorrow for shots for flare, and spasms.

ds is taking an assignment 3 hr drive each way because I can't, I just can't. But the man never called me back to set the appointment. He needs to know how to do the paper work and internet file uploads.

dd is all packed last night. I have to iron shirts, taking a steamer for the pants, little hand held one.

I am excited, I should be thrilled, now I wish there were two more weeks until I go.
Off to do the bathrooms, and kitchen floor before I get to bed.
I took pain meds this week, nothing is helping.
Has to be a priority. Maybe early AM.

Dear Di,

Your plans for getting ready to travel are falling into place.

I hope that the mdoc can help with your pain issues.

M

every thing is fall,ing into place
please see the mdoc for your injections,
you need to take care of you!
bizi

Di
Have a great time. Sending many hugs.

Donna:grouphug:

Dear Di,

I hope you can get those injections so your back feels better and you can really enjoy your trip. :hug::hug::hug:

You sound stressed out (the vacation will help)! Please try to be good to yourself... and take a little time out to relax.

All the doc's and specialist I see, not one to get the injections. Unless I go to ER, I hate to do that. Going to see if I can get a massage at the chiro.

I have not even packed our things, well except dd. I have another insurance call 2 hrs away tomorrow morning.
Need to get litter, another box, and food for the cats. My son will be up to care for them.

dgs says, I will miss you mamma. I will miss him too. He asked me when his vacation is, gotta love them. I am going to save for a Disney trip for him.

I am finishing laundry, will iron tomorrow. Went to the bank, need to refill one of my meds...the pain one of course...
Also have to get the camcorder back I lent out for graduation.
Should make a list....
thanks for getting me to the finish line..D-day just hrs away now.
If I don't get back on tomorrow night, have a great week all, hugs and stay well.
di

Have a great time Di
 

Dear Di

Yes, i too am wishing you a wonderful trip. i hope you get to feel laid back... and off the hook from many of your usual family duties will help with that. i hope the others are all "OK" and hubby makes with cheer and dd is able to go with the flow ;) so you can all get into the rest and relaxation and recreational stuff.

i hope you got in with the chiro and either way that your pain de-flares.

yes make a list, make a couple if it helps. sometimes i use paper. and physically scratch things out or check off. other times i use excel when things are more complicated. then i can make notes, reorder the list easily, change colors for items... etc. (i don't print it i just use it directly on the laptop.)

~ waves ~

Everyone is packed but me, my back gave out, and I had work photos to send for a claim...
So exhausted. ds friend was in ER for a kidney stone and we do not have travel insurance on the boys. I did on dh, dd and I because not sure if Katie would be deathly sea sick, and my back and pain issues.

But, one way or another we will be packing the car in six hours. Off to send work photos and pack.
I will be thinking of you all, and think of me finally relaxing. My little grandson is so sad missing me already, I will have to use Internet time to chat with him.

Let you all know what a wonderful trip soon, I promise to do plenty of r and r.
di
Love you guys,
di:grouphug:

Have a wonderful time di!!!!!!!!
bizi

Bon Voyage!
 

Dear Di,

Have a good trip. 'Wishing you peace and relaxation.

M

:sunchair:

I know you will get the little grandson something special to bring back.

Donna:grouphug: