Tuesday, November 04, 2014
Done and Dance -- for Josie's Two Shoes Tuesday
Dancing I will never forget
I will never forget that night, it was of all things, at my dance lesson for the day. We were taking a holiday, a Southern Caribbean Cruise on the ship, the HMS Queen Mary II. I was having some trouble with the Cha Cha Cha. My rubber soled walking shoes were a part of the problem as there is a lot turning to be done in that dance. At least the way we were doing it.
The dancing instructor took me aside and helped me as I had never been helped before. I don't remember a word she said. I do remember dancing with her. She followed my every move without my slightest nudge or pull. Never did she lead. I am sure she gave me good instructions because I really don't recall any troubles with my dance. I think we touched slightly quite often, why don't I remember that part better?
Besides her following my lead, I remember even better her build. She was short, of slight build, young, and very pretty. And Russian. My guess is that she weighed around ninety pounds. Very light on her feet, the best dancing partner I ever have had. She smelled good too, I don't remember any special perfume, body odor or smoker residue.
I won't forget that part of the night. Later there was a dance, the QM2 has a large ballroom with a dance floor as big as many roller skating rinks. Surrounding it are several rows of observation theatre-like chairs, behind those are many tables and chairs occupied by the dancers when they aren't dancing.
I have forgotten everything about the dance that night. And I don't remember how to dance the Cha Cha Cha. But I do remember my instructor and the events leading to the special lesson. I will always remember her and how good she danced.
I'm done with my story, let the chill bumps calm.
Day 2, January 4 (2009):
A day at sea. We ended with a dance in the ballroom. Full dress (formal) was required.
Day 3, still at sea
[click on any picture for larger size view]
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I wrote this for Josie Two Shoes. Her instructions, "The November 4th writing themes to choose from are done and dance." Check here to find other bloggers who have written of these themes.
Labels: Holiday Posts, Jim Does, Queen Mary 2, Two-Shoes-Tuesday
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
(Tuesday) Morning Post / MidWeek Blues
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No, this isn't San Francisco. Nor is it Kokomo or Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahama, Key Largo, or Montego either.
For my Midweek Blues I picked this picture I took of Grenada back in 2009 as we pulled into port. [Queen Mary 2 Cruise posts]
Now the news, sad in a way as we will miss this fellow:
Scott McKenzie, singer and song writer: Died Saturday, August 18, 2010 (born January 10, 1939) at the age of 73. His most famous song was "San Francisco (Be sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" [sung by Scott link][lyrics link]
Wikipedia link (picture courtesy of Wikipedia [link] from the same article]
Do you remember --
Scott McKenzie's 'Kokomo'
Sung by the Beach Boys in 1988?
Hear it sung (here)
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/beach+boys/kokomo_20013920.html ]
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take ya
Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Jamaica off the Florida Keys
There's a place called Kokomo
That's where you wanna go to get away from it all
Bodies in the sand
Tropical drink melting in your hand
We'll be falling in love
To the rhythm of a steel drum band
Down in Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
To Martinique, that Monserrat mystique
We'll put out to sea
And we'll perfect our chemistry
By and by we'll defy a little bit of gravity
Afternoon delight
cocktails and moonlit nights
That dreamy look in your eye
Give me a tropical contact high
Way down in Kokomo
.
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
Port Au Prince I wanna catch a glimpse
Everybody knows
A little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go
And get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast and then we'll take
it slow That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
Excerpted from Jim's Little Blog, Monday, February 16, 2009 (link):
No, this isn't San Francisco. Nor is it Kokomo or Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahama, Key Largo, or Montego either.
For my Midweek Blues I picked this picture I took of Grenada back in 2009 as we pulled into port. [Queen Mary 2 Cruise posts]
Rebecca runs the MidWeek Blues meme over here (click) .
This week my blue item is the Blue Caribbean Sea here ahead of the town.http://thedustycellar.blogspot.com/search/label/Midweek%20Blues
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
This week my blue item is the Blue Caribbean Sea here ahead of the town.http://thedustycellar.blogspot.com/search/label/Midweek%20Blues
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Now the news, sad in a way as we will miss this fellow:
Scott McKenzie, singer and song writer: Died Saturday, August 18, 2010 (born January 10, 1939) at the age of 73. His most famous song was "San Francisco (Be sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" [sung by Scott link][lyrics link]
Wikipedia link (picture courtesy of Wikipedia [link] from the same article]
Do you remember --
Scott McKenzie's 'Kokomo'
Sung by the Beach Boys in 1988?
Hear it sung (here)
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/beach+boys/kokomo_20013920.html ]
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take ya
Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Jamaica off the Florida Keys
There's a place called Kokomo
That's where you wanna go to get away from it all
Bodies in the sand
Tropical drink melting in your hand
We'll be falling in love
To the rhythm of a steel drum band
Down in Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
To Martinique, that Monserrat mystique
We'll put out to sea
And we'll perfect our chemistry
By and by we'll defy a little bit of gravity
Afternoon delight
cocktails and moonlit nights
That dreamy look in your eye
Give me a tropical contact high
Way down in Kokomo
.
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
Port Au Prince I wanna catch a glimpse
Everybody knows
A little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go
And get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast
And then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica ooo I wanna take you
To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go
Down to Kokomo
We'll get there fast and then we'll take
it slow That's where we wanna go
Way down to Kokomo
Excerpted from Jim's Little Blog, Monday, February 16, 2009 (link):
[This is a part of a work in progress, more will follow (I hope). Click here to read what else I have posted about our Holiday at Sea.]
This was a nice thing to do. Our ship was to be in the port at St. Thomas for about six hours. Follow me:
This was a nice thing to do. Our ship was to be in the port at St. Thomas for about six hours. Follow me:
First, turn the volume up and you can hear the little waves. What you see is 'Beach Bum Jim' of Jim1Jim1 walking the beach in front of the Westin Hotel, St. Johns Island. Then he picks up the camera and pans up and down the beach. Not much excitement but you can see and hear the action at the Westin Hotel Beach. (link to Jim1Jim1 YouTube) .
St. John's Island is mainly a tourist place. For the geography buffs, more than half of the island is a park. (link) With an area of 19.61 sq mi, it is smaller than our Galveston Island here in Texas. The population is only 4,197 permanent residents.
Labels: Midweek-Blues, Music, Queen Mary 2, Songs, YouTube
Monday, February 16, 2009
Aboard the Queen Mary 2 -- What to do in January? Go to St. John in the Virgin Islands -- Our holiday, or vacation from retirement life, Part Five
[This is a part of a work in progress, more will follow (I hope). Click here to read what else I have posted about our Holiday at Sea.]
This was a nice thing to do. Our ship was to be in the port at St. Thomas for about six hours. Follow me:
First, turn the volume up and you can hear the little waves. What you see is 'Beach Bum Jim' of Jim1Jim1 walking the beach in front of the Westin Hotel. Then he picks up the camera and pans up and down the beach.
Not much excitement but you can see and hear the action at the Westin Hotel Beach. (link to Jim1Jim1 YouTube) .
St. John's Island is mainly a tourist place. For the geography buffs, more than half of the island is a park. (link) With an area of 19.61 sq mi, it is smaller than our Galveston Island here in Texas. The population is only 4,197 permanent residents.
This was a nice thing to do. Our ship was to be in the port at St. Thomas for about six hours. Follow me:
First, turn the volume up and you can hear the little waves. What you see is 'Beach Bum Jim' of Jim1Jim1 walking the beach in front of the Westin Hotel. Then he picks up the camera and pans up and down the beach.
Not much excitement but you can see and hear the action at the Westin Hotel Beach. (link to Jim1Jim1 YouTube) .
St. John's Island is mainly a tourist place. For the geography buffs, more than half of the island is a park. (link) With an area of 19.61 sq mi, it is smaller than our Galveston Island here in Texas. The population is only 4,197 permanent residents.
.
(Click on any picture for larger size)
(Click on any picture for larger size)
.
We took this taxi to the Red Island Ferry. The views were nice, it rained on us a little all the way so the pictures weren't so hot.
The Red Island Ferry ride was uneventful except that we got to ride free.
We took this taxi to the Red Island Ferry. The views were nice, it rained on us a little all the way so the pictures weren't so hot.
The Red Island Ferry ride was uneventful except that we got to ride free.
.
We didn't know the beaches. Two other couples said they were going to the Westin Hotel Beach and that it was free. So we did that. On the left is the Westin stuff we had to walk through to get to the beach.
Their pool was very inviting but we were headed for the beach. Besides we didn't bring our bathing suits.
Where to sit, where to sit. "First walk around."
"No, lets get us our chairs first." As if they might run out.
The beach was nice, the water was warm, and we wished we had our swim suits.
Views are to the east on the left, to the west on the right.
We didn't have much time to look around before catching our ferry back. We rode one that got us to the port this time. Red Island Ferry which we took first was on the other side and end of the island. It was cheaper and somehow we rode for free.
We did ride the second one for half price at the senior rate. They only wanted to give that rate to the locals but we said we were U.S. citizens too. And that we sure didn't discriminate like that in Texas. The young lady got tired of fooling with us and the ferry was waiting for us, the last passengers. So she let us ride as seniors. Our fare was $five and change each.
This time since the ride was short, our 'taxi' fare was $2.00 each Here is a view down a side street.
We were happy to be at our ship almost an hour early. Three people were running late and the ship waited for them. Wasn't it nice that Queen Mary 2 would do that for them!
We decided to stop at the Internet cafe across the street to catch our e-mail and peek at my blog. This was all day for $4.00 or $1.50 an hour. We had used all of our package on the ship and were now paying 75ยข a minute.
We headed back to our cabin to change for our meal. The view is from our deck. Ladies don't miss much with their phones, Mrs. Jim discovered that our cell phone worked here at the St. Thomas port. She had missed a whole day of being on the phone except for this half hour or so.
We didn't know the beaches. Two other couples said they were going to the Westin Hotel Beach and that it was free. So we did that. On the left is the Westin stuff we had to walk through to get to the beach.
Their pool was very inviting but we were headed for the beach. Besides we didn't bring our bathing suits.
Where to sit, where to sit. "First walk around."
"No, lets get us our chairs first." As if they might run out.
The beach was nice, the water was warm, and we wished we had our swim suits.
Views are to the east on the left, to the west on the right.
We didn't have much time to look around before catching our ferry back. We rode one that got us to the port this time. Red Island Ferry which we took first was on the other side and end of the island. It was cheaper and somehow we rode for free.
We did ride the second one for half price at the senior rate. They only wanted to give that rate to the locals but we said we were U.S. citizens too. And that we sure didn't discriminate like that in Texas. The young lady got tired of fooling with us and the ferry was waiting for us, the last passengers. So she let us ride as seniors. Our fare was $five and change each.
This time since the ride was short, our 'taxi' fare was $2.00 each Here is a view down a side street.
We were happy to be at our ship almost an hour early. Three people were running late and the ship waited for them. Wasn't it nice that Queen Mary 2 would do that for them!
We decided to stop at the Internet cafe across the street to catch our e-mail and peek at my blog. This was all day for $4.00 or $1.50 an hour. We had used all of our package on the ship and were now paying 75ยข a minute.
We headed back to our cabin to change for our meal. The view is from our deck. Ladies don't miss much with their phones, Mrs. Jim discovered that our cell phone worked here at the St. Thomas port. She had missed a whole day of being on the phone except for this half hour or so.
Labels: Holiday Posts, Jim Does, Places, Queen Mary 2, Travel
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ruby (Red) Tuesday -- Another sampling of Curacao -- Our holiday, or vacation from retirement life, Part Four
This is a part of a work in progress, more will follow (I hope). Click here to read what else I have posted about our Holiday at Sea.
People are 'clamoring' for more cruise pictures. So Here are some pictures I took the day of our little visit to Curacao. Just so happens I could find four with nice red colors in them to post on this Ruby (Red) Tuesday.
Wandering around town, we'd been there before
"Somebody" thought I finally had found
someone who would make me look good(?)
Hint: not a self portrait here
A hearty breakfast should be had before any hard endeavor. I started at the waffle and omelet bar. The red stuff is ketchup. I generally drink two glasses of water with my meals as I take a lot of medicine. Getting two at the start means I don't have to spend precious effort getting refills taken care of.
Our first stop was Curacao. Click here to read about our trip. It is a work in progress, more will follow (I hope).
People are 'clamoring' for more cruise pictures. So Here are some pictures I took the day of our little visit to Curacao. Just so happens I could find four with nice red colors in them to post on this Ruby (Red) Tuesday.
Our greeting at Curacao
These fellows made sure we went
where we were supposed to go
These fellows made sure we went
where we were supposed to go
Wandering around town, we'd been there before
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Curacao is very colorful, the Dutch ordered that a long time ago. The reason was because people were saying it was a 'dull' town. So big government found a way to brighten things up. Maybe that would help brighten our country up right now, somebody please write our new pres.
Curacao is very colorful, the Dutch ordered that a long time ago. The reason was because people were saying it was a 'dull' town. So big government found a way to brighten things up. Maybe that would help brighten our country up right now, somebody please write our new pres.
"Somebody" thought I finally had found
someone who would make me look good(?)
Hint: not a self portrait here
A hearty breakfast should be had before any hard endeavor. I started at the waffle and omelet bar. The red stuff is ketchup. I generally drink two glasses of water with my meals as I take a lot of medicine. Getting two at the start means I don't have to spend precious effort getting refills taken care of.
Our first stop was Curacao. Click here to read about our trip. It is a work in progress, more will follow (I hope).
Click the Ruby Tuesday button if you want to see more Ruby Tuesday posts.
Mary is in charge there, you can post your own if you wish.
Labels: Caribbean, Food, Holiday Posts, Humor, Jim Bunch Eats, Jim Does, Queen Mary 2, Ruby Tuesday
Friday, January 23, 2009
Aboard the Queen Mary 2 -- Our holiday, or vacation from retirement life, Part Three
This is a part of a work in progress, more will follow (I hope). Click here to read what else I have posted about our Holiday at Sea.
Here are some pictures I took from the Queen Mary 2 of Port Everglades before we pulled the anchor up. I had them posted on my other blog, JIM'S LITTLE PHOTO AND POEM PLACE, and decided people here needed to see them also.
Finally we left and 'sailed' away towards the South Caribbean. Our first stop was Curacao. Click here to read about our trip. It is a work in progress, more will follow (I hope).
Eleven days later we returned to this port but the pretty skies weren't there in the morning.
Here are some pictures I took from the Queen Mary 2 of Port Everglades before we pulled the anchor up. I had them posted on my other blog, JIM'S LITTLE PHOTO AND POEM PLACE, and decided people here needed to see them also.
(click any picture for larger view)
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These pretty sky pictures are Fort Lauderdale pictures. We were on the Queen Mary 2 just hanging around until we left Port Everglades. Others were leaving, we were not.
These pretty sky pictures are Fort Lauderdale pictures. We were on the Queen Mary 2 just hanging around until we left Port Everglades. Others were leaving, we were not.
Finally we left and 'sailed' away towards the South Caribbean. Our first stop was Curacao. Click here to read about our trip. It is a work in progress, more will follow (I hope).
Eleven days later we returned to this port but the pretty skies weren't there in the morning.
Labels: Holiday Posts, Jim Does, Places, Queen Mary 2, Travel
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Aboard the Queen Mary 2 -- Our holiday, or vacation from retirement life, Part Two
This is a part of a work in progress, more will follow (I hope). Click here to read what else I have posted about our Holiday at Sea.
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Day six of an eleven day Caribbean cruise, January 3, 2009: Today we went to Barbados. Mrs. Jim had been there previously in 2001 for Mitch and Carmen's wedding. Then we took a taxi in the morning and rode around the island for about six hours. We felt we had seen enough then of Barbados.
So we took a quick trip down town (Bridgetown), checked the shops and the church, then walked back to the ship.
We did dance a little here after the 'dance lesson' session had finished.
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Day six of an eleven day Caribbean cruise, January 3, 2009: Today we went to Barbados. Mrs. Jim had been there previously in 2001 for Mitch and Carmen's wedding. Then we took a taxi in the morning and rode around the island for about six hours. We felt we had seen enough then of Barbados.
So we took a quick trip down town (Bridgetown), checked the shops and the church, then walked back to the ship.
The walk back was very pretty and we were not in a hurry. Mrs. Jim got a free charm for her bracelet at most of the Diamonds. She got the first ones during our Alaska Cruise. Diamonds International is at almost every port.
That evening we celebrated Mrs. Jim's birthday. The waiters from our section all sang the Happy Birthday Song to her. Her birthday was January 1 but we didn't take passage until the 3rd. No problem, it was Cunard's idea to celebrate it while we were aboard.
After supper had partially digested we headed off to the poolside deck party. The food was good, at left was the salad and h'orderves, the main course serving line is pictured on the right.
The band was loud and Caribbean style. They played Jimmy Buffet songs real well. Since people were dancing they played other types of music as well.
And no, we didn't order drinks from this drink cart.
The band was loud and Caribbean style. They played Jimmy Buffet songs real well. Since people were dancing they played other types of music as well.
And no, we didn't order drinks from this drink cart.
We did dance a little here after the 'dance lesson' session had finished.
Labels: Holiday Posts, Jim Does, Places, Queen Mary 2, Travel
Friday, January 16, 2009
Aboard the Queen Mary 2 -- Our holiday, or vacation from retirement life, Part One
This is a part of a work in progress, more will follow (I hope). Click here to read what else I have posted about our Holiday at Sea.
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Days one-five of an eleven day Caribbean cruise, January 3, 2009: Travel to Miami and registering on our ship, the Queen Mary 2. You can see there was a long line. After all that I had to rest my feet.
Notice my life preserver, not that I don't know how to swim, rather, we had just finished with our drill to find and wear those preservers after assembling at our point of egress from the ship in case of emergency.
[click on any picture to enlarge]
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Days one-five of an eleven day Caribbean cruise, January 3, 2009: Travel to Miami and registering on our ship, the Queen Mary 2. You can see there was a long line. After all that I had to rest my feet.
Notice my life preserver, not that I don't know how to swim, rather, we had just finished with our drill to find and wear those preservers after assembling at our point of egress from the ship in case of emergency.
[click on any picture to enlarge]
Day 2, January 4: A day at sea. We ended with a dance in the ballroom. Full dress (formal) was required.
Day 3, January 5: Still at sea. Every day we started our day with a good meal. Most every day I had raisin bran with skim milk, a stewed fruit compost, a glass half prune juice and half cranberry, an egg over hard, two blueberry pancakes, and coffee. Besides that I had some whole wheat toast and a roll, each of which I ate some or none.
This one pictured is not my typical breakfast noted above. On day three (3) we ate at the Kings Court, a buffet. These were plain pancakes, without the blueberries.
Oh yes, I didn't gain any weight.
This one pictured is not my typical breakfast noted above. On day three (3) we ate at the Kings Court, a buffet. These were plain pancakes, without the blueberries.
Oh yes, I didn't gain any weight.
This is the view from our bathroom door, looking toward the window. It was a sliding glass door onto our 'bulkhead balcony.'
Later we lounged around. There aren't any pictures of me swimming in my new swim suit. We didn't get into the pool this nice day. Instead we just laid around like those others.
Mrs. Jim and I attended a bridge lesson in the morning and she played bridge with some ladies in the afternoon.
Mrs. Jim and I attended a bridge lesson in the morning and she played bridge with some ladies in the afternoon.
Day 4, January 6: We made it to Curacao. Mrs. Jim and I had been there at this lovely Dutch island before so we didn't take any excursions. It was nice to get our feet on the solid ground and we just walked around town where we had gone before.
First, take a look at our view of the town as we docked. The homes are all painted bright colors. This has been a tradition since early on.
First, take a look at our view of the town as we docked. The homes are all painted bright colors. This has been a tradition since early on.
We walked around until lunch time. Of course we couldn't miss any of those good ship's meals.
Mrs. Jim never gets lost. I think women have an acquired sense of getting back from where their guy took them. Warning to all women, be sure you have enough mad money to get to where you need to be.
The fishing fleet is in. In our walk to the end of the street for this photo we passed a nice fish market where a person could buy a fish just off the boats.
We didn't get any fish as we weren't sure that our cook would cook them up for us. Did you see the BBQ grill on our deck? There wasn't any.
Mrs. Jim never gets lost. I think women have an acquired sense of getting back from where their guy took them. Warning to all women, be sure you have enough mad money to get to where you need to be.
The fishing fleet is in. In our walk to the end of the street for this photo we passed a nice fish market where a person could buy a fish just off the boats.
We didn't get any fish as we weren't sure that our cook would cook them up for us. Did you see the BBQ grill on our deck? There wasn't any.
Day 5, January 7: This day found us in Grenada. Since we hadn't been there before we took the 'Island Tour.'
To get ashore we had to tender.
Can you spot Mrs. Jim in the second picture? She says these guys are reggae singers. You couldn't prove it by me as that word wasn't in my vocabulary before.
To get ashore we had to tender.
Can you spot Mrs. Jim in the second picture? She says these guys are reggae singers. You couldn't prove it by me as that word wasn't in my vocabulary before.
As I said, this was a ten day cruise and we headed early for home on the eleventh day (January 13) I hope to put up something about the other five or six days soon. Then I may post more about some of our activities as (my) time permits.
I have started working on Mrs. Jim's annual performance evaluation (link). It seems to be fairly good, I thought it might.
This year I will include an examination of her body as I have noticed a few irregularities here and there.
I have started working on Mrs. Jim's annual performance evaluation (link). It seems to be fairly good, I thought it might.
This year I will include an examination of her body as I have noticed a few irregularities here and there.
Labels: Holiday Posts, Jim Does, Places, Queen Mary 2, Travel
