The last Cruise Port

The last cruise port was Cozumel and we were supposed to go helmet diving.  We were very excited, however it started raining and all water excursions were canceled.  Disappointing to say the least.  So we shopped at the port stores and then went back to the ship.  The dock was so very long and I barely got started leaving the ship, I was exhausted. After all joint replacements my legs are not strong and had walked everywhere which includes all the walking on the ship all week.  So my friend hailed a wheel chair and I was happy to pay the tip going and coming from Cozumel.

Here are the girls that went on this cruise also.  I just want to say how very wonderful they are.  Bless them for I know I slowed them down a lot with my legs getting so tired.  They are the best you could ever have.  They have done so much for me and I can't thank them enough.  Thanks girls for making my cruise so very enjoyable. Love ya this much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Grand Cayman Here We Come

Our next Port stop was Grand Cayman.  There we waited for our shuttle bus and went to swim with the sting rays.  Here I struggled first by getting on bus.  The steps into it were too high for me with my four joint replacements, but my wonderful friends and others helped.  As for the stingrays they were huge.  There too friends helped me because I float so easily, they hung on to me or I probably would have floated to who knows where.  LOL  I knew it would be hard to get in the water, but with the boatman's help I made it.  Then there was the reality of getting back up on the boat.  And again the boatman and his brother were there to save the day.  The  wind was blowing and the waves were a little strong.  Then we were back on the bus headed for the dolphins.  There it was fun, but I knew I could not stay on the surf board So I watch my friends being pushed by a dolphin.  However I did get to pet, kissed and got a kiss back from the dolphin.  From there we went to Tiki Beach to soak in some sun.

The ship could not dock at Grand Cayman because the water is too shallow.  All kinds of boats came to the ship to pick us up.

The next pictures show us going back to the ship the same way.

Once we were back on the ship, I saw the Disney Cruise Ship.  The water was beautiful with so many blues.

Port Arrival

Jamaica was in view.  We were to have docked at Falmouth, Jamaica, however the sea was too rough to dock.  The Captain announced that he would be docking at Montego Bay, which was about two hours away.  There was a hustle to get everything arranged for those that were doing excursions.  It was successful as shuttles were waiting for us.  We did get to do our excursions which was "Taste of Jamaica" in Falmouth.  It took an hour drive going and coming, but the lunch was very good. 

The water was so blue.  It was different trying to walk or stand on the ship as you either walked like you were drunk or swayed when standing still.  I surprised myself because I never got nauseated.

After about two hours, Montego Bay, Jamaica  came into our sights.  We were so excited, because we were going to get off the ship. The water was so blue.

As I mentioned above we were driven to our lunch destination.  I think it was called Hope Great House and it has a history back to the 1800's.  The furniture was beautiful inside.

Third Day On Cruise

On this day we got our second step to the mystery quilt to work on from 9 a.m. till noon.  Then it was off to lunch.  There is so much food and one does not even get a chance to be  hungry. In the afternoon there was a quilt design class.  Before you know it it was time to eat dinner. In the evening McCalls  gave us a cocktail party. The drinks and food were flowing.  My friends and I had a good time laughing and relaxing. In other words the champagne was very good.  We happy.

The Cocktail Party

Second Day on Cruise

On Sunday, which was our first full day at sea we had wool penny rug to work on and it fit the theme of  sea shells.  A great memory to make of our good times at sea.  Just a reminder from my last post that this was "McCall's Quilt University School At Sea".   In the afternoon we got our first steps and fabric to start our Mystery Quilt.  It was so much fun meeting quilters from all over the US.  Janome Sewing Machines were provided and "bobbin boys" to go with them.  They were there to thread, change bobbins and fix any other machine problems.  To say the  least we really got spoiled.  Beth Hayes, Editor of McCall's Quilt Magazine, was always smiling and helpful, along with the rest of her staff. This evening was free if you wanted to sew or explore what was on the ship.  So the four of us went exploring.  I must say it is a long walk from one end of the ship to the other.  My legs were already getting a workout. That evening Vickie and I took in a show of Ballroom dancing and it was wonderful.  Due to copyright laws, however, we were not allowed to take pictures.

We brought blocks with the theme of "Winter Break" as a challenge.

This was our wool penny rug  class

Mystery Quilt Classroom

Home from Cruise to the Caribbean

My friends and I got home on Sunday about noon from our cruise to the Caribbean.  We had a marvelous time and our seven days went by so very fast.  Before I start rambling about the cruise, I want to thank my friends Vickie, Carol and Sue for always helping me, for without them my trip would have been so much harder.  We left Blanchard, OK on Fri Jan 25 about 6 a.m. heading for Baton Rouge, LA.  We spent the night there. We got up early the next morning and headed on to New Orleans. This was set sail day to head for the Caribbean.(my first cruise)  We were to start boarding the "Navigator Of The Seas Ship at 1:00 p.m., however they started early about 10:30 a.m. and we were first in line.  Our excitement was building.  We went through security and of course I set off bells.  (I have 4 joint replacements)  I was told to go in a room to be scanned.  All was OK'd and on the ship I went.  It was huge and my eyes were soaking in the vastness of this ship.  Our rooms were ready about 1 p.m. We had 2 to a room and we had a balcony.

The housekeeper pulled the bed apart to  make 2 small twin size and remake the bed.

That first night we had a welcome parade on Deck 5 where the promenade to the shops are.  Our excitement was building more and more. It was so much fun watching the welcome parade.

This was our first day at sea.  Oh, did I mentioned that this was a quilt cruise?  Yes, and that evening we had our McCall's Quilting Class At Sea Orientation.  Our enthusiasm was building even more.

I will post more about my Journey later.  To be continued.

Here we Come

Two days till four us leave for New Orleans to get on our ship for the McCall's Quilting at sea cruise to the Caribbean (7 days).  We are so excited and it seemed like so long ago that we booked this Cruise.  Now to think it is just a couple of days away.  My bags have been packed for one and a half weeks now.  In the mean time I have kept myself busy with Quiltville's mystery quilt "Easy Street".  I plan to quilt it when I return from the cruise. I have also played with Bonnie's scrappy flying geese and have two rows done there.  I need to decide what fabric I will use in between the rows of flying geese.  No pictures for this post, but plan to post some from our cruise when I return. So here's to having a blast on the cruise.

Easy Street Mystery Quilt Done

This evening I finished Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt from Quiltvillle.  I just love it Bonnie.  I have decided not to go with a border as it is going on a double bed and it already hangs over my queen size bed.  It's quite colorful and it will brighten up the room.  This was my first quilt of Bonnie's and mystery for that matter.  I have enjoyed her quiltcams and I just may have to do more of her quilt patterns.  For this quilt I had all of the fabric except for the gray.  That I bought from a friend.  So it was nice not to have to pick out most of the fabric for Easy Street.  My goal for 2013 is to use my scraps and what I have on hand.

It's not quilted yet, but plan to do it in February.  I quilt my quilts on my sewing machine.

Easy Quilt

I thought I would be able to finish Easy Street Quilt top this week, however it just was not going to happen. So I am going to post what I have done which is only 3 rows on the diagonal. I wanted to get this posted as I read the link will close tonight.  I will keep working on it as I can to complete it..  Everyone has done such a great job on theirs.  I am happy for those that got it done completely.

The yellow in the last picture is a sunflower quilt on the bed.  So itis not part of Easy Street.  I use one of the beds to lay my quilt tops on as I get them pieced.

Changed Blog Again

I know-when will I settle down with my blog.  I have been restless on how it looks.  So I have tried something else in hopes of making it more interesting.  I see other blogs that are so cute and maybe I can reach that thought with mine.  I am still working on my Easy Street.  I may have to take a picture this evening, finished or not as I see the linky thing will close tonight. Beautiful day here with sunshine.

Changed Blog Template

I liked my Frog template, but I had it for several years now.  I needed a change so I now have the pink background and if I get tired of it I may change again.  I think this current template gives me more room for pictures and words.  But for now it works.  I am working on Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street and I got a "little" distracted changing my blog.  I hope it is pleasant to look and everyone will enjoy reading my blog.