Two More Shipmates!

It's only three months and a few days before we take off for the Mediterranean. Alda and Melissa Mandell have taken the plunge and signed on as shipmates. That makes 7 of us all together at this point and still room for more. Jon would love to see some male types sign on so he isn't on a "chick cruise", as he says. I welcome anyone who wants to have this experience with me.



Choosing shore excursions has been quite an experience. There are so many to choose from and not having cruised before I am new to this and don't know all the ropes. At any rate for the time being we have chosen excursions at every port. Now I have to get in shape to be able to doing the required walking and hiking without huffing and puffing the whole way. I have invested in some good walking shoes and have started breaking them in around my neighborhood, which does not lack for hills. Being retired helps because I can get out in the morning before it gets too hot.



We've had some financial breaks on the cruise cost because of the economy. Those emails have been very welcomed. The savings are both for the cruise and the flight. I guess there has to be some benefit for a lousy economy.

Retirement Party #2 and #3

On May 30 my friend Lynn gave me a dinner party to celebrate my retirement. It was a winning combination of family and friends as we managed to have a wonderful time though many of the guests met for the first time that evening. Three colleagues from my office were there as well as three family members, myself and my friend Lynn. The dinner party was held at Patsel's, one of my favorite restaurants in the area.

As usual Lynn was the perfect hostess and everything was delightful, delicious, and endearing. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and such a special family, who are always so supportive of family events.

Event #3 was a catered dinner at our office hosted by the school board. It was a special event and made me feel like I have had a positive impact on the school system and the people I have worked with for the past five years. I was presented with a lovely sculpture engraved with "Thank you for nurturing each child's spirit for growth and achievement". A gift I will always cherish. It is a strange feeling to be at the end of a 40 year career, one that has given me much.

Now I am officially unemployed and have been home for a week trying to figure out "what's next?" I was in New York this past weekend for my grand nephews high school graduation party. The party was near Watertown, which is an hour from Ogdensburg where I used to travel with my father when he owned an airport there in the 50's. I balked at driving up there on Sunday as I dreaded the drive back to PA after my visit. Then I realized, "I don't have to be at work on Monday, so don't have to be home on Sunday." I guess this is something that will take some getting used to. I ended up driving back as far as Syracuse and spending the night with family. Much more relaxing than arriving home tired and then having to get up for work the next morning. I think I will get used to this pretty quick.

Cruise update coming soon. I may be adding a couple more shipmates soon. Right now am working on shore excursions. FOUR MORE MONTHS.