New Year Greetings

7 - 6 - 5 count down to sailing day. Our luggage has GONE!!! It is nice to say when people ask, "when do you leave" the answer is Next Week.... Looking forward to be taken care by wonderful staff on the Amsterdam. No washing or ironing for 4 months, no cooking, and not having to make our bed. It does not get any better than this.

Leaving for the east coast of Florida tomorrow to bring in the year 2010. As everyone knows we have been celebrating New Years together with the Friedman's and the Steins for 45 plus years. It is very exciting to have spent so many New Years with special friends. Lots of laughing and crying along the way but we are here to enjoy another year together .Akron is my shettle and I have lived there for all of my 75 years. I have kept all my childhood friends and added many new cherished ones . Remember the saying "make new friends and keep the old, some are silver and the others gold.

We wish all our Family and Friends in Akron and Florida a very happy healthy New Year, filled with everything that is important to you..May the New Year bring joy to your heart.

Getting Ready

Six months of talking and now we are down to one week for our luggage pick up. Sounds like a simple chore but really it is monumental. Everything we need, medicine, casual clothes, dressy clothes, touring clothes, warm weather,cold weather, books, glasses,hats, sun tan lotion, has to fit in our suitcase and then in our stateroom.

I have read about the ports where we are stopping, and they are all very exciting. Picking shore excursions is very hard. I want to do them all.

Marcia and Don Stone introduced us to their cousins who are seasoned cruisers. Their suggestions have really been helpful. They told me to go on Cruise Critic and follow the thread to the Amsterdam World Cruise. I have met many people who will be on the cruise and we are joining them for 3 tours. Also going to have a meet and greet on the first sailing day. Of course we are the newbees, and I look forward to their travel skills to teach us along the way.