Happy 4th of July!!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!!! I hope everyone has a relaxing, fun day and finds their own way to celebrate our freedom!!!

We didn't do much today other than unpack and unwind after the trip. We normally celebrate the 4th with Walter's family in Waveland, but decided to stay home and enjoy a quiet weekend.

I have been having such a hard time figuring out how to answer comments that people leave on my page. Do people really go back and look for a response after leaving a comment? Sometimes I email the response to a question, but then I wonder if other people wonder what the answer was. I have decided to answer questions on the following post if anyone comments about something that I think other people might want to hear. There were 2 yesterday, so here is my response:

Mere suggested getting a wrist watch for Sean after the incident on the cruise. I would like to mention that not only did he not have his watch with him, he also did not have his cell phone, passport, or much money, so it would have been a disaster had he missed the ship. I will look into the watch, but am not sure he would wear it!

Kimi (Keykin) asked if I was scared to hold the monkey in the picture and the answer is YES!! The monkey didn't really want me to hold it and kept jumping back to the man. It was free to hold the monkey but $10 if someone wanted to take your picture with it!!! I made sure I held it long enough for a picture! And yes, I did freak about the incident with Sean. I had to go talk to the security people about where we last saw him and they made it very clear that we were sailing with or without him. We learned later that when someone doesn't make it back, they clear out their cabin and leave all their stuff with the Mexican security people so they will have it when they show up. You can imagine how our trip would have been ruined having to sail off without him.

As I expected, I gained my 6 lbs. back while on the cruise (or maybe it followed me there??), so I am back on my Atkins diet today. I intend to lose 15 lbs. (which I haven't managed to do in 5 or more years) and then try to maintain that weight. I am not really overweight except for my stomach and hips and just want to fit into my clothes without anything bulging out over the sides!!! I started off the day right with scrambled eggs and bacon.

Here are some more pictures from the cruise. It was incredible how beautiful and blue the water was, especially in Cozumel.

Claire celebrated her 4th birthday on our last night at sea! The waitstaff on the ship was incredible with the children in our group and really spoiled them rotten!!!
This is my sister-in-law, Mady & I sitting on the deck chillin.
This is the dessert section of the midnight buffet. I have to say that most of the food looked much better than it actually was, which is probably why I only gained 6 lbs. instead of 16!!
Ice sculpture.
Some cool looking squash bird thingies.
Me & Elvis in Progreso.
This is where we spent much of our time just hanging out!
Part of our group in the theater watching a show.
A conga line at dinner - notice Cameron is at the end of the line having a great time!
Cameron, Sean, & Walter.
Shannon & Addie got chosen to play "Sea Feud" which is like Family Feud. The crowd thought it was hilarious that they went up in their bathing suits!!
The staff singing to us on our last night at sea. Notice Shannon & Addie are up there with them!
A hammock that Walter bought for me!
Miniature golf course on the ship.
Blue, blue, blue water!
We docked in Progreso next to the Ecstasy (sailed out of Galveston).
And we docked in Cozumel next to the Triumph (sailed out of Miami). There were 4 cruise ships on the day we were there. They said in the winter, they get up to 11 per day!
Cameron & the monkey.