Dream until your dream comes true.......

Our cruise this year was aboard the newest Carnival ship, DREAM. We were scheduled to stop in 4 ports, but only made 3 of them as the weather was too severe to stop in the last port of Costa Maya.
So, with 3,999 other passengers we set out for a week's cruise.......

This ship was amazing....water slide....

swimming pools and hot tubs.....

basketball court....

18 hole miniature golf course....


Outside movie theater......

and the top deck has a wonderful spa and hideout for adults only......

Friends at our table....Susie and Terry Muldoon

Gene and Ruth Starcher.....

Jim and Carolyn Hart.....

and of course us!!!

The 24 hour pizza parlor.....where Salt and I were introduced to Portabella mushroom and goat cheese pizza.....yummmy AND healthy!!!

Susie and I enjoying the "Serenity" deck.........

And of course we had to watch the "Hairy Chest Contest"!!

One of the formal nights.....

Our waiter.....

Captain's Dinner....prime rib, lobster and shrimp....the food was SO good. This was the only night I didn't have fish. They had the best fish, as well as delicious "diet" desserts. Managed to eat like royalty and not gain weight!!

And of course all the waiters sang and danced for us.....

One of my favorite things on Carnival is going into the room at bedtime and finding what kind of animal is awaiting us......

Lost some money at the Casino, but sure had fun playing....

Will continue the journey tomorrow.

We're packing a suitcase for places we have never seen....

Busy day today....spent a good share of the day packing for the cruise. Except for a few last minute items, we are packed and ready to go. We are all looking forward to a week of being spoiled and exploring the different ports.

We joined a bunch of friends for dinner at the "Golden Corral" (aka...Golden Trough)...and then went to do a little bowling.

Home now watching American Idol. Will probably not be posting for about 10 days. Since we will be out of the country, we are not taking the computer. There is an Internet cafe on the ship, but I am sure there won't be a lot of time for much of that!!

We are all a family.....

Today was a very relaxing Sunday....slept in and spent most of the day finishing a book, reading the paper and catching up on some bookwork.

We attended a "Pork Chop Dinner" which was put on by the local American Legion, with the proceeds going to the families of deployed military men and women. I love the way the crowds turn out to support the causes in our community.

Below is Ernie Lyons, an active member of both the American Legion as well as the church here at the resort. If anyone needs something, Ernie is available. Here he is getting ready to draw the tickets for both the door prizes and the 50/50 tickets.

After dinner, Salt and I headed for Leesburg to see the movie The Lovely Bones. I finished the book earlier in the day....although we enjoyed the movie, the book was much better; no surprise.

I reminisce about the days of old....With that ole time a rock 'n 'roll

Tonight was our "50's" dance at the clubhouse. We missed it last year, as it was held while we were on our cruise. We made up for any missed fun this time around. I love the "oldies" and this group is so much fun when they start playing their games and just having a lot of laughs!!

My friend Carol and I get a laugh from Pearl......

Carol flashing her newly acquired "ponytail".....

Buck and Jerry trying desperately to win the pass the noodle contest.......

I swear it is a noodle!!! The noodle is passed using only the knees....when the music stops whoever is holding the noodle is OUT!

This was the "dress up" game....Whoever held the bag when the music stopped, had to dress in whatever was in the bag and stand in the middle of the circle. This is me kissing the guy with the beautiful (?) face!!! I couldn't resist!!

Oh yeah....we're just a normal bunch of retirees.....and this my friends is what they are talking about when they refer to the the golden years!!!

Tom Nickerson donning his outfit.....

And here we are....Salt says this wasn't really his era.....I told him I could dress him in a diaper and hang a pacifier around his neck cuz he was still in the crib back then. I'm just glad I was a "Cougar" before it became the "in" thing.....Have been with this boy toy for 22 years now!!!

Swear to God it's gonna take you real far....I'm just a real small man in a real big car.....

After bowling this morning (where I had my first "turkey" of the season), we headed to Daytona for "Fan fest".

Having been at the track before and doing the whole "Daytona Experience", we were kind of bored in the first part of the program. We went over and had dinner at the Cracker Barrel and then attended the last half or the fest. This was when it got interesting and fun. A bunch of the drivers came on stage for interviews. They all seem to have a wonderful sense of humor so the interviews were pretty funny, and quite informative.

Below were the first group, which included Mark Martin, Paul Menard and Ron Hornaday, Jr.

followed by Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano (who is only 19), Travis Kvapil and Todd Bodine (who was just married New Year's Eve).

Some of the cars doing laps.....

I guess this puts a whole new spin on "Brown".

And of course this group got the crowd roaring....always lots of enthusiasm when Dale Ernhardt , Jr takes the stage..... Joining him, Kelly Bires and Mmichael Annett.

Dale, Jr.

Salt, Carolyn, "me", Gene, Ruth and Jim.....

We were SO tempted to buy tickets to the "500" but really don't want to go unless we can get our Motor Home in. I think I will probably try and get a space for the first available race. I am so spoiled now, I hate being at any big events without the refuge of my "home".

Having said this, we will be heading to our granddaughter Sarah's boot camp graduation in South Carolina and staying in a motel....oh well!!

Tonight heading to the 50's dance in my new "poodle" skirt........Love that ole time rock'n'roll!!!

Tomorrow night Dinner at the clubhouse with the proceeds going to families of our military men and woman who are deployed. Then off to see "The Lovely Bones"....

Take a look all around...here are some of the shops I have found....

Haven't posted in awhile....lots going on AGAIN! Mostly working on the house and preparing for the cruise (shopping).


Sunday night was the ice cream social....I was mostly social!! Just a little dip of vanilla; no toppings. So hard to maintain a healthy weight if one chooses to indulge in all the eating events going on here. Saturday night is the 50's dance....After 50 years of "longing" for a Poodle skirt, I ordered one....should be lots of fun!!


Tomorrow after bowling we are headed to Daytona and the "Fan Fest" to be held at the speedway.


Here are the workers lined up to serve.....


Gordie had the works....

The cold weather is finally on it's way out....we had 71 degrees this afternoon. Thank goodness!

We did however, get a lot accomplished during the cold spell. We redecorated the bedroom and bathroom...

Phil and Yvonne have arrived safely in Leesburg. We will be getting together with them as soon as we return.

We had a note from Elsbeth the other day with this picture of her beautiful little "Kitty". I just love this kid....it is going to be such fun watching her grow and change from summer to summer.

Now turn around baby....let's stroll once more....

Greetings from sunny, warm Florida....NOT! This is our car windshield this morning...sleet, wind and cold. Florida weather is breaking all kinds of records for cold. The forecast for tonight is somewhere around 20 degrees. It was only 24 when we returned from the Opry at 10:00 this evening. URGH...and it is supposed to last for at least another week.

Salt and I worked the Pancake Breakfast this morning. Here is Salt on applesauce and orange juice duty. He later ended up mixing pancakes and doing dishes.

Sally, Pat and Pearl enjoying a cup of coffee before the rush starts.....

Buck collecting money and we girls are ready to serve. Another great turnout!

I came home after breakfast and curled up in front of the fireplace with a good book, took a nap and then made a BIG pot of vegetable beef soup. Tonight we went with Gene, Ruth, Carolyn and Jim to the Orange Blossom Opry, in Weirsdale. The feature act was the Diamonds (of Little Darlin, the Stroll fame). What a great show they put on. They did a ton of 50's and 60's music. I could hardly stay in my seat....then I looked around and saw the whole gang, clapping, singing, and swaying in their seats. Now I am super psyched for the 50's dance next weekend.

All four of the guys were extremely talented....this guy on the sax was fabulous!

The group....

Tonight was Emma's Girl Scout Snowflake Ball......Doesn't she look angelic?????

With some of her friends....

No alarm clock tomorrow....absolutely nothing planned ....yet!