Cruising and other things!!!

Wow, It’s been 2 years!

suemuller — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:52:31 +0000

Not sure why I finally decided to start blogging again, after being away for 2 years. Maybe it has to do with the fact that my Dad recently passed away (June 10th.) I guess I never thought that it would ever happen. He was 89, and still getting around pretty well. In fact that was sort of our family joke… That Grandpa Abruzzese would live forever, or at the very least, to be 100. I realized about a week after the funeral, just how much I missed having him around . I think I mentioned once before, that my dad was afraid to die…but those last several days before he showed such bravery. I think he knew ( in the back of his mind) that he might die, but he put up such a good fight. He wasn’t going without making sure every detail was taken care of, including us, his children. He loved having all 4 of us there by his bedside ( he told us so). My dad was not a big talker, or a very openly affectionate man. But those last 2 weeks, he made an exception. He kissed us everyday that we went to see him, and told us that he loved us. I’d always known that, but it was so sweet to hear. He talked a lot about my mother,Stella. He told us a lot of war stories, that we had never really heard before. He was from a generation that found it hard to talk about all the horrors of World War II. But I guess he figured that he’d better tell us things that he’d always wanted too, but never got around to telling us. My favorite story was about how the ship that he’d been on ( in the south Pacific) had almost been bombed and destroyed by Kamikazi (sp?) pilots. He said that they were ordered to go below deck, when the battle started. But my dad thought to himself that he would surely die if a pane hit the ship, and he was below deck. so he fought with whoever it was giving the orders and he and a pal of his went back up on deck. Well he told us that he saw the Kamikazi plane come so close that he could see the pilot’s face, and that then at the last second the plane turned and hit the ship next to his. He actually told this story to my son, Thomas first, then Tom made him tell the rest of us. He had several stories like that one… I loved him , and was proud to have him as my Dad. Well, that’s all for now…goodnight

Facebook…

suemuller — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:02:32 +0000

Well I have been enjoying facebook, and Becky and I have finally convinced Ted to join. So a few days ago, he tried it, and he is now officially addicted..(tee hee, told you so!) I came home from work the other night to find Ted, busy “friending ” people. I was surprised, because my husband does not usually like to try new things, and especially things that everyone tells him he should try! He has 44″ friends” already…although I have twice that many (na na na na na… Lol!!) But enough with the free advertisement for facebook (FB).

My daughter, Rebecca recently had her Confirmation at St. Pauls. It was a really nice ceremony, officiated by our Pastor. Three other kids, (Remember that I told you all that we live in a very “small” town) and Becky, all stood up at the altar, and reaffirmed their Baptismal promises that were made for them as babies. I was very proud of Becky. She looked very pretty in a white Sundress, and heels…you know, so grownup…Afterwards, we went next door to our Church hall, and coffee, cake and some other goodies, that us Moms had made. My sis and her hubby, and the kids were there, my Dad, a few friends, my brother, Ted’s Aunt, and some of the parishioners. It was a special day for Becky, just like last year for Thomas , when it was his Confirmation…love my kids!!

I am trying to convince Ted to go on a road trip this summer. It would be to Cinncinati, OH, for a long weekend. Becky and I definetely want to go, but I don’t think that I would drive that far, without a second driver. It would probably be our only trip this summer.I know that he will enjoy himself if we go to Ohio. I have slowly convinced him that

travelling, seeing new things, and having new adventures is a GOOD thing!( as you’ll see if you read my “Dolly” Blogs, and the ones about our cruises). I will keep you posted.

We had a real nice visit with my BIL, Erik, SIL Mandie, and nephew, Ethan the Sunday before Becky’s Confirmation. They came up from KY(Kentucky) where Erik is stationed right now. They hope to be going back to Georgia to live, though not in Savannah, one day , in the not too distant future. It was good to see them, and Mandie got to go to the city again , and do some shopping.

Well, I guess that’s it for now. Going to Bed…I will blog again soon.

3 Month Vacation

suemuller — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:26:11 +0000

Well… I’m back after 3 months. I’ve actually been having a blast on FB. I see someone has been checking almost everyday for a post from me on here. Whoever it was, is, sorry for seemingly abandoning my blog, and thanks ! I sort didn’t really have any motivation to come back here…I’m sort of lazy too…what can I say? I honestly don’t know how my friend John, “Best Cruise Director in the World” Heald blogs on every single day. BTW, for anyone who doen’t know, John’s wife, Heidi, had a beautiful baby girl…Kye…on May 15th. She is just gorgeous, and John is beside himself, and home in England right now, of course! Hi John, Heidi and Kye!!!

Also, today is a some what sad, albeit, special day too. Today would have been Catherine’s 42 nd Birthday. Catherine was my friend, of course, who left us (in Dec)way before it was her time to go…Still think about her EVERY single day. Saturday was her son Nicholas’ 6th Birthday, also. I can’t imagine what it was like for him, without her being there… What was left of the house, has been bulldozed and the hole filled in now…The hole left in all of our hearts has not been though…Damn…..I told myself that I had no more tears left…I was wrong…sorry. I have been, occasionally leaving flowers by what was the house, and today I will do the same thing. I think that I wil call Catherine’s mom tonight. Well, as those of you who are regular readers of my blog know, I am somewhat technologically and internetly (I know, not a real word) challenged. So the scan below, did not come out as large as I had hoped. Can anybody help me…oh well if not here, maybe somebody on FB or Big Ed’s krewe can tell me what I did wrong!! I will try to get a better copy of the article below, about Catherine (written lovingly by her mom in honor of her daughter’s first Birthday in Heaven). Well that’s all for now. Have to go to work in a little while…But I shall return .

As promised…Some Pictures

suemuller — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:59:04 +0000

Ilda, Sir Lancelot, princess Susan. princess Barb

at sea somewhere betw. Progresso and Cozumel

princess Laura and me

me and princess Elaine

tired in Cozumel

in the pianobar(pic taken by Mark) ...and no I am not tipsy!!

with Owen, Lance, and Ilda

Paul and Stephanie Eckert

Lisa K. and me after being presented with tiaras

Canal St,New Orleans

Burbon St

Part3 The Fantasy Is Really Over…Can’t Wait For The Next One!

suemuller — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:16:07 +0000

Well, it,s been about 3 weeks since we came home from the bloggers cruise. I wanna(whine) g o back! As I am typing this, the kids are yelling at each other, I am yelling too,a song by the rapper TI is playing over the computer,and UGLY BETTY is starting on abc. How’s that for multi media tasking?!

Well, now I’m watching the office, be back later. I promised that I would put up some more pics from the cruise.

Mardi Gras

suemuller — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:27:50 +0000

(I’m typing right now on my new mini laptop,that we just got today. It was free frm our phone co. We signed up for one of those deals. We got all 3: DSL,phone,and Dish Newtwork for one “low ” price and it included this laptop. So far,so good, except everything about it is mini…not very good on my old eyes. Someone get me some bifocals, quick!!!

OnTuesday we had a little Mardi Gras party at St. Paul’s. Our pastor, Phyllis, and Charlie, a fellow parishioner, got some really nice decorations on Mardi gras.com There were apple cider donuts, hot cider,cupcakes inMardi gras colors,a King cake(that Charlie made), and of course, lots, and lots of beads. We had wild music, an even wilder parade, and…the film crew from “Girls Gone Wild” was there, Just kidding…just kidding about the wild parade and the ” Girls Gone Wild” stuff. It was fun, and as soon as we figure nout what’s wrong AGAIN with the Gate way, I will put up a couple of pics from our “wild” church party, and as I promised, some more “Bloogers” cruise pics too.

Well goodnight, Buona notte e ciao!!!

Sue

What a Week/the Ship part2

suemuller — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:53:48 +0000

I don’t usually like the way pictures of me come out lately, but this picture of me with john (Heald) really came out very nice, don’t you think!?! It was taken on the stage of the universe lounge on the Fantasy. The ship is kind of small (70.000 tons) compared to the ships that are now being built (about 150,000 tons), but I prefer it to the new mega ships. I have been on Fantasy 3 times now, and I really love her. She is now also Carnival’s oldest ship in the fleet , according to John Heald.

The time on this ship and went way too fast, it always does…I love cruising. But meeting everyone , and having such a wonderful, fun time, made it go even quicker. The Krewe, I have to say, is a very special group of people, brought together by John, and Big Ed, and for that I say THANKS to both of them. Oh yeah, some of the highlights of the week: When John made fun of and kept ragging on poor Anita Dunham Potter for missing the First coctail thingy of the cruise, and then blaming everything that happened, on her, LOL!, for the rest of the week!! ADAM: What can I say about Adam’s talent at piano playing, and singing? Brilliant, and he was born to be a PIANO Man. Did you HEAR that Carnival? Adam is a sweetheart of a guy too! The Male Nightgown Contest: It was Hilarious, and the winner, was our own Kevin McVeighh(the Celebrity Chef), who looked great, and also pretty comfortable as Princess Pinky, I think they were calling him! The Princesses: They made several PUBLIC appearances, with their Tiaras on. They hammed it up and were very gracious, at all times and displayed proper decorum…well most of the time !!! (Princesses Sallie and Laura, especially, you know what I’m talking about… ) The Teatime/Shower for John (and Heidi, and baby thingy), it was very emotional, especially for Pat and Big Ed, Barb,Lance, John, etc., etc.

There were lots of other highlights, and special times, that Ted and I will never forget, ever. HEIDI (John’s wife) was missed by all, especially by John, as he kept saying it…, and saying it, and saying it, (Only kidding John!), as were all the other members of our group who could n;t make it, for various reasons. We were treated like “mini’ celebrities all over the ship.Big Tex, or Tex, as he is now known , is my favorite Cruise Director. (besides John Heald, who I now think I will have to fight over with >>>Nanni, …like the Pricesses fight over Lance!!!

me and our waiter, Fredrick

Well. I think that’s it for tonight. I will be putting part 3 on here soon. It will be mostly comprised of pictures. I think. Ciao!

Adam and Ted

What a Week

suemuller — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:24:49 +0000

Princess Laura, Ken & Pat Kern

: Big Ed,Pat,John, Lance&Ilda at tea party/shower thingy

me and Ted-Fantasy

Well, what a time we had, BTW, this first pic ture may be the last one posted, if I don’t figure out how to upload some more pics the right way. It was taken in New Orleans, as some of you may have guessed, on Bourbon St., at a little store called Jazz Funeral…a cool place.I would have loved to see more of NO, but the Fantasy was awaiting us. Cleaning up the Park on Friday was a lot of fun, met lots of great people. I met one lady, Angela, who works for Carnival and was helping out on her day off, a very nice woman…Hi Angela . We were chatting and she was so friendly, she was telling me about working for Carnival and about Lake Ponchartrane, which was the Lake right across the street from the park. I guess the Lake overflowed when Katrina hit and wreeked havoc on the park and the pond there.

On Thursday night at the Welcome Party athe the hotel, the Maison St Charles (which was a very nice, clean hotel. I would stay there again!) Ted and I got to meet an awful lot of bloggers. It was fun, but overwhelming! Then finally John arrived, and I had a haard time convincing him to try the Cannoli that I had brought all the way from NY. I had lugged those things in the car, on a shuttle bus, onto two airplanes, and finally a taxi from the airport to the hotel, at least take bite, I begged him. Which he did, and he said they were delicious. I took my first trolleyor street car ride in New Orleans…was a lot of fun. Next night after arriving we ate at a Rib place, The Voodoo Barbeque, with Lance and Ilda, and Barb and Carl. It ws pretty good, and the dining company was excellent, we enjoyed ourswelves, thanks guys! Let’s try another pic, here goes***

OOps, well at least the pic showed up… Well, I think I ‘ll stop here and tell you in my Next EXCITING installment about the SHIP, ANITA DUNHAM POTTER, the 2 Stephanies, and the rest of the Highlights of the cruise. Hold on to your SEATS, folks…

Our FANTASY is almost here!

suemuller — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:52:37 +0000

So we went down for my appointment last Thursday, and the verdict is …that I seem to have asthma and that my heart appears to be ok for now. So the Doctors gave me there blessing to go on vacation and”take it easy and have a great time.”Which is exactly what I intend to do. Thank you Dr. Squire!

Another Wednesday, another snowstorm

suemuller — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:27:05 +0000

Yes, we were supposed to go down to the city today. I had and appointment with the transplant docs and possibly the cardiologist down there too,but chances are if you look outside you window, you will see the same white, fluffy stuff coming down also. Wow , do I need a warm, mexican cruise right now. Are we on our Fantasy cruise yet?!!?!!! Hey Big Guy Up There, could I be so bold as to make a BIG request? PLEASE… if you could, try not to schedule any “unusual ” weather for next Weds.or Thursday? I say unusual, meaning no tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, hail, ice, etc,.because (ths is whispered), becausse , you see I need to get to New Orleans, LA. Oh…Lord help us, really, LOL!!!

Anyway, getting back to my appointments, we are going tommorrow, and wish me luck. I am hoping that we can work out the whole issue of whether or not I am going to have the Cardiac Cath., and when. Some of my Drs are having , what I would call a disagreement, about whether I need it or not, and if it could harm my transplanted Kidney. Does anyone know anything about this procedure, Cardiac Catheterization? I have had it done before(yeah, i know I am young to have had it done), so I know what they will do to my heart, but…I know alot of people have had itdone. Does anyone know what the issues are with the Dyes that are used? Well, I have to go make some phone calls about getting my medical info. faxed down to Mt. Sinai Med. Ctr. Meantime if anyone has any possible answers or ideas about the procedure, please comment, thanks!

Be back later,

Sue