Thanksgiving Day went well. We ate at Chad's aunt. It sucked not having any leftovers to make sandwiches though. My favorite part is the turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing. Yum.

I couldn't stand it anymore so I went to the grocery store today and I bought a turkey. I'm cooking it today. I plan to make a turkey pie and turkey stew with dumplings with the leftovers. It pays to go to the grocery store after Thanksgiving. All of the veggies that I bought were marked down. I got two packages of these lovely portabella mushroom caps for 95 cents per package. There are 5 caps in a package and they were originally priced at $5.99. Chad loves them but I've never prepared them before so I'll be looking online for a recipe as soon as I'm done blogging. I also bought a couple of bags of "stop light" peppers, red, green and yellow. I'll cut them up and freeze them. We inherited a refridgerator from my grandparents which we've put in our basement for good deals like this.

The Friday Five

1. Do you like to shop? Why or why not?
If I'm in the mood then I like to shop. If not, I'm a miserable shopper. I don't like to shop at the last minute and I like to find bargains. I'm lucky that K is true to size so I'm able to buy off of clearance racks for the following year. I hardly ever buy her (or I) anything at full price.

2. What was the last thing you purchased?
The last things that I purchased was a cork bulletin board, some push pins and some paper clips from Staples.

3. Do you prefer shopping online or at an actual store? Why?
I prefer shopping in an actual store. I'm the type of person that can't shop online or in catalogs. I need to use all of my senses when I purchase something, not just my sense of sight. Plus, I can never ever buy clothes online because I like to try them on first.

4. Did you get an allowance as a child? How much was it?
I can't say that I ever received an allowance. Both of my parents worked once we were old enough to care for ourselves. We were expected to do certain chores around the house but we didn't get allowance. When my parents would go out on Saturday nights to dinner and a movie they would pay me to babysit my brother and sister.

5. What was the last thing you regret purchasing?
I can't say for sure but it was probably something that I shouldn't be eating from the grocery store.

Day 4 - Grand Cayman

We arrived in Grand Cayman by 6:30am and we had to meet for our excursion by 7:30am with our ID's and birth certificates. In Grand Cayman we had to tender because there are no piers available to dock at. The ocean was nothing like I had ever seen before. It was the color of aquamarines and it sparkled so beautifully. We boarded the bus for the Stingray City Observatory and Island tour. Our bus driver dropped us off at the marina and we boarded a catamaran type of boat. Then we transferred to a glass bottom boat. It felt like we were in the ocean with the stingrays. We all enjoyed this, especially the kids.

Then we headed back and boarded the bus for a trip to Hell. We can say that we've been to Hell and back! It was a tacky touristy place which was a bit run down. Very odd!

Then we made our way to the Cayman Turtle Farm. It was very sad to see so many turtles climbing on top of each other because there was no room to move in these tanks. It was hotter than hell (hee hee) so we didn't stay long. We opted to get back in the air conditioned bus.

We grabbed the next tender back to the ship and took a nap.

Day 3 - A Day At Sea

Kaelyn and I slept late on this day. Chad was up before the sun to get coffee and go sit on the deck and relax. Chad also went to get us tickets so that we could attend "Tea with Wendy Darling". We spent most of the day relaxing and swimming with the kids. Kaelyn took a nap and then we got dressed for formal night. The food was delicious and the entertainment in the theater was fascinating. This was my favorite night in the theater. We saw Darren Romeo, The Voice of Magic. He had an amazing voice and his magic had me scratching my head. He received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Day 2 - Key West

This was the only day that we had a set time for breakfast. We had to be to Parrot Cay by 8:00 am for the Character Breakfast. While we ate the characters came to visit in record speed. Just enough time to take a picture and then they were on their way to the next table. The girls didn't seem to notice though. In fact, Kaelyn more for breakfast on this day than she did all week.

We didn't arrive in Key West until noontime. The men took the kids swimming and mom and I went to the Art of Entertaining Series. We got to meet Winston, who is the head chef in the Animator's Palate. It reminded me of a foodtv episode. Big television sets were set up all around and you were able to see everthing that he did. He made some sort of shrimp and scallop appetizer. Mom said it was good but I'm not fond of either one of those things so I didn't try it.

We hadn't booked any excursions for Key West. We decided that we would just wing it! We got off the ship and started walking and decided that a trolley tour would be a good way to see the sites. Wrong! It would have been a good idea if there wasn't so much damn traffic. The trolley was full and we were held up in traffic. The trolley driver apologized and said that the tourist season wasn't suppossed to start yet and Key West definitely wasn't ready for this. He must have said a million times that they had been caught with their pants down and didn't have enough trolley drivers. He advised us not to get out at the trolley stops because all of the trolleys were full and we might not be able to get on another one. Needless to say, not one of us was happy that we had to spend 2 hours on the trolley in the heat. We had wanted to get out at Ernest Hemingway's House and the lighthouse but we didn't dare.

When our trolley ride came to an end we shopped at the open air market and then headed to Duval Street. If there was one thing that Chad wanted to do on this trip it was to go have a drink at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Kaelyn had fallen asleep on the trolley tour so she was easy to deal with. Even though she's four, we brought a stroller along and it was much easier to see the sights. We got a table and Dad bought us a round of drinks. On the walk back to the ship we stopped in many little shops and we got to see what Key West is all about.

Our ship sailed away from Key West at 10:15pm and our next destination was Grand Cayman, 532 miles away.

Today was my last day of work. Well, I'll be working but it will all be done from home. I'm trying to tidy up the computer room so that I can use it as an office. It still seems too good to be true.

I got together with a friend of mine who was in town for the holiday visiting her mother. It was so nice, our kids got to play together. She's invited us to come visit them in Connecticut now that my time is much more flexible. I think that after the holidays I'll make it a point to go visit.

I set up a fotolog and I'll try to keep up with it. We don't have a digital camera and sometimes it takes me awhile to develop our film. I'm apologizing in advance if you don't see our Christmas pictures until next summer!

Tomorrow we are eating at Chad's aunts home and I feel guilty saying this but I'm not cooking a thing. I offered, honestly, I did. His aunt is a total control freak and likes to do it all herself. So instead we gave her the $25 gift card that Chad received from work. I usually bring desert (from a bakery) but she insists on baking her own recipe. She seemed genuinely happy that we passed that gift card along to her.

Only 3 days left of work. It doesn't seem real at all. I'm having a hard time turning over my work to the others to handle until they hire and train someone to replace me. I told Kaelyn this morning that starting Thursday we don't have to leave the house early morning in the cold weather. She said to me, "I'll be able to spend the mornings with my best friend in the whole world. That's you mom!" That kid just melts my heart.

I got some sad news yesterday. My cousin and his wife split up. I knew that it was going to come to this but its still sad. He's been trying to help her through her problems but she's mentally ill and having a hard time dealing with life. I spoke with my cousin yesterday and he was crying hard. I cried with him and its so hard to see him go through this. They have a child, who is one month younger than Kaelyn. She has given him sole custody of Nick. He's been able to change his shift at work so he'll work 2nd shift so that he can care for Nick during the day. His younger brother is going to move in with them so that he'll be able to watch Nick while K is at work. I've offered my assistance now that I won't be working.

I think what hurts the most is that she's talking about moving to Florida which is exactly what her mother did to her. Her mother left her at a young age and picked up and moved and her grandparents raised her. She's never forgiven her mother for doing that and now she's going to do the same thing to her child. I know that she's ill but I just don't understand it.

I know, I know, I still have to finish writing about our vacation. I'll get to it, I promise.

Kaelyn was invited to sleep at my parents house last night and she accepted. I wasn't sure that she'd actually make it through the night without wanting to come home but she did.

Chad and I used the time wisely. We went out for dinner and then went Christmas shopping. I hadn't bought one gift yet but now I'm well on my way. We made a pretty good dent in it. My gift exchange list isn't huge but it still requires some effort and thought. In our immediate family (my siblings and a few of Chad's cousins which are like siblings to him) we only give gifts to the children. Then, of course, I buy for my parents and grandparents and Chad's aunt and uncle. Over the years I've been able to trim down on the gift giving and it makes the holidays so much more manageable.

After the power shopping trip we stopped in at Panera Bread for a pastry and I had hot chocolate and Chad had a coffee. I don't drink coffee at all and I wasn't in the mood for tea. It was a nice change. I didn't have to rush because Kaelyn was getting antsy and I was able to be involved in some adult conversation. We need to do those things more often.

My parents and my sister have always made me feel guilty that I don't hand my child over to them often enough. They are right, I don't but I hate to be without her. They think its because I don't trust them to care for my child. While that may be slightly true its really because I miss her when she's not with me. It's definitely not because they aren't trustworthy people its just because I feel more in control when she's with me. Ya know? I'm not sure how I've survived working all these years with her being out of my control for the whole day. Will my feelings ever change? Everyone thinks that once I have another child I'll be more willing to have free time to myself but I doubt it.

Today I'm feeling better than I did yesterday. A girl that I work with told me that her husband experienced the same thing for a few days after their cruise.

I'm going to start a trip report but I'm not sure how far I'll get.

We had a 7:30pm flight from TF Green Airport in Providence on Thursday night. When we got to the airport we discovered that there was a delay. Finally after about an hour delay we got on the plane and we buckled Kaelyn's carseat in. I got her settled in and she slept during the whole flight. I couldn't get comfy because there isn't much room with 2 adults and a carseat. We rented a car through Budget because they had a good price and they also have a location close to Port Canaveral where we would be leaving for our cruise. David, from Budget, at the Orlando Int'l Airport was a complete asshole. He was pushing the optional insurance and he wouldn't give up. At one point when I thought that everything was resolved I left Chad alone at the counter so I could calm down a little. I see Chad walking over to me, saying that David told him that I need a copy of my insurance policy. I went over and told David that I had called beforehand and was assured that I didn't need the policy with me. I told him that it was midnight and I really didn't want to be there any longer than I had to. I was pissed.

We finally leave there. We head to the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa which I got on Priceline.com for $60.00 per night. I researched before I bid, at biddingfortravel.com. I knew that it was an expensive hotel but my jaw dropped when we walked in the lobby. Simply gorgeous. Kaelyn was awake by this time and we found our way to our room. The room was very spacious with two queen size beds, a desk and a balcony! I was pretty happy with my priceline.com experience.

Friday we woke up early and headed to the Magic Kingdom. We grabbed some pastry from the bakery and ate in the warm sun. We paced ourselves but didn't push ourselves to see everything. Kaelyn fell asleep in her stroller and I did some people watching while my parents, Chad and Serena went on Splash Mountain. I decided that it would be a good time for a potty break, for myself. I glide the stroller into the handicapped stall and that's when I discovered that Aunt Flo has decided to join us for vacation. That bitch! Kaelyn was sleeping and I knew I had time to spare before the others got off of the ride so I had myself a good cry. We left the MK about 6:45 and went back to the Wyndham and the kids swam for awhile.

Sat morning we woke up, took showers and headed to Port Canaveral. As we approached the Banana River we spotted the Disney Magic. The men dropped us off at the terminal and took the rental cars back to Budget. When they got back to the terminal, we checked in and got in line to board. It still seemed like a dream. As we crossed the gangplank into the atrium we heard a hostess say "Welcome the "B" family from Massachusetts on the Disney Magic". Then all of the crew members clapped and we caught the sight of Mickey Mouse waving to us from the balcony above the atrium. It still felt like a dream.

It was already 1pm by this time so we headed up to Topsiders buffet for the Welcome Aboard meal. The food was plentiful and delicious. The men (Chad and Dad) spent most of their time eating shrimp while I engorged myself with fresh fruit. I've never tasted pineapple so good in my life. The rest of the day we spent signing the kids up for the Oceaneer Lab and Club and letting the girls go swimming.

Our dinner time was 6pm and we were eating at Animator's Palate on the first night. We dressed up and found our way. We met our server, Putu from Indonesia and our assistant server Adrienn from Hungary. They were awesome and over the course of the week we learned so much about them, their families and their cultures. They treated us like royalty and this made me feel a little uncomfortable. At one point I explained to them that I was a little overwhelmed because we are normal people who live simple lives and aren't used to such treatment. They understood but explained to us that we were on vacation and we deserved to be treated well.

Oh, I failed to mention that I had to take some Bonine tablets because I was feeling a little queasy while I walked around the ship. It was nice to sleep and feel the ship rocking though. It felt like I was in a hammock or something. I'll continue with my trip report tomorrow.

We arrived home yesterday. The trip was fabulous but I cannot write about it now. Some people did warn me that I might feel a little funny after leaving the ship. They were right, its pretty bad. I left work early today because I felt like the room was spinning.

Oh, and I'm not pregnant. Aunt Flo arrived the day we started vacation.

It was 72 degrees today and I wore sandals to work today. It's November 3rd and I wore capris and a short sleeve shirt. The weekend weather was great too. We spent alot of time outdoors. Kaelyn played with the neighbor and I washed windows and did yard work.

I have so much packing left to do. I was suppossed to finish tonight but an old friend called and we chatted for over an hour. So much for finishing. So, I'll try to finish tomorrow.

First off, Andrea is the queen. She's fixed my blog so that people can't "google" me and she's added links and even a spot on the sidebar for art. I'm hoping that once I'm home, Kaelyn and I will be able to take a ride to visit her.

It seems like I'll have plenty of work at home. One of the salesmen on my "team" has asked if I would be willing to work for him from home. Some weeks it will be full time and some weeks part time depending on the season. Winter is the busy season with summer being very slow. He's willing to pay me a fixed weekly salary which is equal to what I currently make. Even during the busy season I'll be able to be very flexible with my schedule. I wish that I could have made this move long ago but I didn't know that this would all turn out for the best and we weren't financially ready.

We leave on Thursday night for our trip. We've been waiting for the trip for over a year and I can't believe its finally here. This will be a busy week. I found out today that I ovulated this month so I'll probably be going for a pregnancy test before we leave for the airport on Thursday. How exciting.