LAST POST UNTIL AUG 31

NORTH TO ALASKA

Sadly to say, this is my last post for 14 days. I hope you will miss it as much as I will miss doing it. But, just think of all the tales and pictures I'll be able to share with you, on our return.

We are all 'OVER"packed and just have last minute incidentals to throw into our small suitcase. It's been exhausting to get to this point, and look forward to stepping aboad the Zaandam, where rest and relaxation abounds!!

The house and cat sitter have arrived and Batman is friends with them and I'm sure he will be well looked after.

The house is a mess, but that and cleaning out the fridge is my next job. So, bye for now, love to you all and think of us now and then.

Remember for anyone interested, you can look for us leaving port around 5pm our time at the web address below. We'll wave at you so wave back!

The ship in there now, will be leaving also near 5pm and Toms sister Isabelle and Ken will be on it for a one week cruise to Alaska.

http://vancouver.com/webcam/

I know we are no where near the North Pole, but I heard Santa moves to warmer climits in the summer so will maybe run into him in Alaska. We'll put in a good word for you, so BE GOOD!

Love Linda and Tom

OH WHAT A DAY

What a day this has been!! It started off with a Dr. Appointment at 9am in Horseshoe Bay. Had my ear flushed out, and prescription refills. Then we went to breakfast at the White Spot. Tom went off to his Chiro appointment and I went in to look for a yellow shirt for him at Park Royal. Then we met up later, and I drove him home, and went on to the drug store to get the prescriptions filled. When I took out my credit card holder to pay for the purchase, my credit card holder that also holds my life, was not there!!! I went into panic mode and called from the drugstore, the last store I was in to see if it had been turned in. It hadn't!! I retraced all my steps and it wasn't anywhere!! Here we are going away on vacation and our credit cards are GONE!!! I called Tom to ask him to check the bag the shirt I bought was in, but it wasn't. Tom was also now going into panic mode!! He's so good though, as he told me to sit down, take it easy and think where I may have put it! How can one sit down when everything we need is gone. To cancel the cards we wouldn't have anything to use on holidays!! I was just feeling sick. He told me to go back to the car and check it again. Guess what....it was there, on the floor, when I threw in my purse into the back seat, it must have fallen out. Talk about relief!!! I called Tom back and he was pretty happy too!!!

It's been a real busy day, packing and doing last minute things, which I still have a lot to do. Men just don't get it!!!! I say how tired I am, and he ask's WHY? That's when I wonder or not if I could murder someone!!! Men just don't get how much work it all is to get it ready and I don't get much help!! HEAR THAT TOMAS!!! (I'm afraid to let him lift anything heavy just after his cortisone shot in the back, so he is being treated with special care!)

This is my moment to relax for a few moments before getting back at it.

I sure wish I knew how to pack light!! The suitcase is going to be straining when I try to zip it up. Two suitcases, one carry-on and all full to the brim! I need to take a packing course or something.

All the school stuff is out and I see parents already buying binders and such. Where did summer go?? Gosh, even the Halloween decorations are out for sale! Incredible!! No wonder our life goes by so quickly!

Don't forget when I come home we have to celebrate the half way point to St. Patrick's day!! Right now it's exactly 213 days, 6 hours, 13 min, andd 43 seconds away!!!! That should call for a St. Patty's Day party!! Any excuse will do with us eh?

Was it me that just said we rush time with Halloween Stuff and such? Yeah, but this is important stuff to us Irish people!!
On that note....so long for tonight and ONE more blog before I sign off for 14 days.

TAP YOUR TOES AND SING ALONG

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC

How about that eh? I got music on my site!! Many thanks to Camille, a friendly blogger, who helped me!! Many thanks!

I was in quite a hurry to get the music to work on here this morning, and had just a little time before I had to be at the hairdressers, so I just quickly added a few songs that I like....you may not, but if not, just turn the sound down. I'll add and change them now and then. I think it's soon about time to change the template on here too and give you something new. This one is easier to show pictures, which there will be quite a lot when we return from holidays, so will leave it for now.

The time is getting close before we sail away from here, and I'm very excited.

The suitcase is packed with most of my things. Tom's clothes will go in on Saturday, if there is any room left. If not, he may have to wear what he's got on eh?

Batman is sniffing around our suitcase and knows we are heading off somewhere again, but he's in good hands. Our house and cat sitter will be here on Saturday, so he'll be fine!

Tom walked a little today, and his leg hurt, but it's suppose to improve day by day, up to 10 days. We have our fingers crossed it will get better each day. He' full of positive thoughts, which is the best attitude.

Another beautiful day on the west coast. Sunshine and HOT! Our sail day is suppose to be full sunshine and HOT!! Hip, Hip, Hooray!! What's in Alaska is another story! We are bringing some raincoats and sweaters.

14 Night Alaskan Cruise on Zaandam
To experience the real Alaska, come to where the mountains are taller, the rivers mightier and the wildlife more plentiful than any place else on earth. This is cruising Alaska. A rugged, untamed wilderness where the forests go on forever and the summer days never end. Alaska is a pristine wilderness of ice-blue glaciers, snow-capped mountain peaks and huge whales breaking the surface of crystalline waters.
DAY
PORTS OF CALL
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Vancouver, British Columbia
--
05:00 PM
Monday, August 18, 2008
At Sea
--
--
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Ketchikan, Alaska
07:00 AM
03:00 PM
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Juneau, Alaska
07:00 AM
10:30 PM
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Skagway, Alaska
07:00 AM
09:00 PM
Friday, August 22, 2008
Glacier Bay
07:00 AM
04:00 PM
Saturday, August 23, 2008
College Fjord
05:00 PM
08:00 PM
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Seward (anchorage) Alaska
07:00 AM
08:00 PM
Monday, August 25, 2008
College Fjord
06:00 AM
09:00 AM
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Glacier Bay
10:00 AM
07:00 PM
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Haines, Alaska
06:30 AM
09:00 PM
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Juneau, Alaska
08:00 AM
06:00 PM
Friday, August 29, 2008
Ketchikan, Alaska
02:00 PM
08:00 PM
Saturday, August 30, 2008
At Sea
--
--
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Vancouver, British Columbia
07:00 AM
--

Just threw the itinerary in there, in case anyone was wondering where our ports of call where.

I had a new hairdresser today, and had my hair cut in a "wedge". It's very short, and feels so much better off my neck. The red in my hair is fading away fast, and when she started to blow dry it, I was shocked at how faded it really is. A perm always lightens it too. Somehow, I got water all down the back of my blouse and came out of there with it all stuck, soaking wet to my back. But, I was walking quite a distance, so it felt cool on my back, which made the walk not so hot.

Well, that's my blog for tonight. I have to go make dinner now. Asparagus...again, steamed, then cooked in onion and garlic with a little cheese on top...mmmmm good!! Then I picked up a BB chicken on the way home, so that's supper.

See you tomorrow!! I'll be emptying my camera, so will have some pictures. Roxanne sent me some good ones, but I'm having trouble getting them from the mail to Picassa. I'll work on that later!!

Have a good evening!!

Let me know how you like the music please!

SORRY

I'm really sorry, but I'm just too tired to do the blog tonight!

I'm beat!!!

I've been running around all day getting last minute things done for our trip and now I have to drag myself into the kitchen to make dinner, and I'm too tired to even eat! However, there is a hungry husband!!

Talk to you tomorrow!

Nighty night!!

CHUBBY FELLOW EH?

PURRRRRRRRRRRR

Our weather has changed, but promises to return to sunshine for the rest of the week, so Ontario, eat your heart out!

It's just a tad cooler today and we had a few drops of rain earlier, but it's gone now. Really though, I do feel bad for all the rain back east this year. We all seem to have those bad seasons when somewhere else is basking in sunshine. I dread the winter months here, when there is hardly any sun, just that miserable rain!! That's when I miss home and the sun sparkling on the snow. I guess there is a plus to everything!

Tom had his epidural this morning but it's too soon to tell if it's going to work or not. It's suppose to be a gradual improvement over 10 days, with hopefully each day an improvement. We are just hoping it works!! He could possibly need another one, but we'll keep our fingers crossed.

And our arms would help!

We had a lovely lunch after at a Gourmet Restaurant, which was good, but I just can't cotton on to all those different mixed greens in a salad. For years, I hated salad, then got to eating lettuce salad, and lately have discovered I love spinach salad. It's going to take me forever to like mixed green!!

We stopped at The Quay for Thia Shrimp Soup, and bought home containers of it frozen, so Tom can have it for dinner when I'm gone to Ontario. It's so delicious, we are having some for supper too. It's FULL of delcious shrimp!! Yummy.

Well, that's my blog. I haven't had the camera out anywhere lately, but will get on it soon.

I gave you a web site yesterday for the Vancouver Live Cam for the cruise ship port. This is a better one, if you are interested.

http://vancouver.com/webcam

You will be able to see us pulling out on Sunday at 5 or shortly there after.

We'll wave!!!!

I'M TIRED AND IT'S ONLY MONDAY

See those suitcases under the bed, well, they are out and sitting to be filled with all the ironing I did this morning! I'm pooped and hate...detest ironing!! I can't stand leaving the house a mess or any ironing or dirty clothes around when leaving on a vacation. It's so horrible to come home to, so by the time the big day arrives, I won't recouperate until about the 2nd day of vacation.

I've been wearing the same clothes since Saturday, trying to conserve. So far, I can't smell myself and I'm not going anywhere, so Tom will just have to put up with me if I do smell! Tomorrow, I'll change to new ones! Good Lord, I tell you guys everything!!!

Today, we are looking after another little dog that looks like TJ. Batman, our cat had his back up and I think she couldn't believe THAT dog had returned when I walked in with the wee pup, who by the way is deaf. Once Batman got over the shock, she tried to check out little Abby, to see if it was TJ or not. She actually stalked the poor dog, and Abby was terrified. She was so restless (she's a hyper dog), that I just took her back downstairs and put her in her cage as told to do, so she could have her afternoon sleep. I'll go get her in another hour or two and see if she will settle down back here again.

The weather continues in the beautiful pattern it's been in for weeks. Sunshine and lovely out. The long range forecast on our sailing day is sunshine and 25C. I looked at the weather in Alaska this week coming up and it's rain and quite windy, so hopefully it gets into another sunny weather pattern next week. However, we will bring raincoats for our tours!

Meals this week are whatever I can use up in the fridge. They may be some odd combinations! It will just make Tom think he's died and gone to heaven when we get served all that gourmet food on board.

Tomorrow at this time, he will have completed having his epidural in the spine and I have my fingers crossed so hard that it helps him. So, please, cross your's also!!

This is the Holland America's Zaandam and the same ship we went to Hawaii on that we will be going to Alaska on. It has two pools and hot tubs. One pool you can see on the top back of ship. The other is inside. The wraparound windows in the back is the Rotterdam dining room. We have no idea yet where our stateroom is, and won't know until we go to board. The ship was pretty well full when we booked, so we take what we can get. Just hope it's not down in the engine room!! We don't really care anyway, as we only go to our rooms to change and to sleep. The rest of the time, there is always something to do on the ship. We love to meet all the people from all over the world that travel and it's like we are one big community, so it's very friendly. Holland America ships are more for the age 40 plus people, and hardly any kids. Carnival is the kids ship!

http://www.northvancouver.com/webcams/cruisecam/ This a site of the live cam of the ships leaving. There is a ship in there now, when I just looked, but I think it's a Celebrity Cruise ship and it will be leaving tonight about 5 pm our time. So, if you just may be interested....or not....you can watch this site starting about 5-5:30, this SUNDAY 10th and you will see our Zaandam (blue hull), and we will wave at the cam...however you may have to look hard to find us. I want to be up at the front of the ship as we go under the Lion's Gate bridge. Don't forget to wave back!!

LAZY SUNDAY

The weather has cooled off a little and there are some very dark clouds that could be heading our way. It's one of those snoozing type of days, which Tom is taking advantage of now, according to the snores I hear coming down the hall. I guess, I kept him awake most of the night with my snores...."I never knew I snored!

I just came up from our locker downstairs and brought up the big suitcase, and a smaller one. Next week at this time, we'll be on board the cruise ship to Alaska! I've got so much to do this week, I can't even get it straight in my head! Every day is filled with something or other that has to be done, but the prize at the end of the week is worth it. Two wonderful weeks of pampering!

Poor Batman is going to miss us, but we have a cat and house sitter, so it won't be all bad for him. He may have to share a few days with a dog though, which may set him on edge just a little!

Yesterday, Toms sister and husband, Belle and Ken, came over last night and they had been up near Green Lake, where Tom's cottage was and which was sold last year. The new owners demolished it, and a huge new house is being built on the site. However, they found a leftover brick that Tom had built the fireplace with, so they had a plaque engraved with the name "Cliffin" and the date Tom built it to when it was sold. It's a wonderful momento and Tom was thrilled. Very thoughtful idea eh? He loves it!!

That's about all the news from here. I'm heading now to change the bedding set now that Tom is up. I'm tired of looking at the same old thing and need a change of colour.

It's taken me about two hours to write this, as I got interested in a TV show. I'm afraid it's not very good reading!

Those big dark clouds went away, the sun is out, and the Harmony festival continues down by the water. I can hear music and could also hear music coming from down there at 4 am this morning. I should be taking a nap!!