We were both wide awake at 4 AM (really 3 AM with time change). I decided it would be a good time to do the hot tub – perhaps relax us so we could get back to sleep. Carol reluctantly agreed and we got into our suits and up to the 16th level only to find they put nets over the pools over night. BUMMER. We sat out under the stars for a bit and then came back to room and fell back asleep. I did the hot tub when I woke up again at 730 AM and met a nice women Annie from San Francisco. She has attended the singles and solo mixer at 6 PM and has made some acquaintances. I will likely go this evening and check it out.
Carol’s eyelashes fell off and we lost one. We ate some left over chocolate mousse birthday cake for breakfast and Carol is on the balcony reading – her bliss.
Yesterday we talked about Carol’s birthdays during her childhood that she remembered. She first indicated that birthdays were not that big of a thing in her family because her mother put the emphasis on Christmas. She doesn’t really remember birthday gifts but her mother gave her several parties. As they lived in the country, one year her mother had arranged for everyone to get off the bus at their farm and have cake and ice cream and another year, they had birthday in the town hall and her entire class was invited.
Her birthday her senior year of high school (after her mother had died) she was able to invite all of the girls in there class to a slumber party at the farm. Her dad was downstairs and all of the girls were upstairs in the 4 bedrooms.
She recalled that her father did not have a curfew for her in high school but when she returned after her first year of college, he did give her a curfew. He didn’t have a good explanation why. She never tested it anyway – there was not that much to do.
He always told her to not do anything she would be ashamed to have him find out she did. When I asked her what she did that she would have been afraid for him to find out, she told me about a time when she and 3 girlfriends went with some guy friends to a strip show. Apparently prior to the strip show starting, they played 3 Stooges movies. The girls left after the 3 Stooges and never saw any of the strip show so I don’t really think that counts.
Several fellow travelers we have met during meals have suggested that now is a good time for Carol to stretch herself and try new things; that you do not have to be set in your ways at 80. I think she has heard it a bit and is trying. Last night for dinner, she had Black and Blue French Onion soup (black for Jack Daniels and blue for blue cheese). Her initial reaction was not to try it because it had alcohol and she had never tried blue cheese, but she ordered it and enjoyed it.
We have another game of cards this afternoon which does help to pass time. Perhaps we will have energy to see a show tonight.
Tomorrow is Kona and we will get off of the ship. Hopefully we will have cell service so I can spend time helping her learn how to use her phone. The Android does not do text messaging via internet and the delay in the internet with email is BAD on her phone. I got an email this morning that I initiated from her phone on Tuesday.
Veteran cruisers know that internet via ships is not great. I was not expecting it to be this difficult – now I know.
Tamara Unleashed 