tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43197295383219329512024-03-05T17:21:08.156-03:30A Walk In My Not-So-New ShoesKelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-69509086742861741022013-09-02T11:29:00.002-02:302013-09-02T11:30:11.186-02:30A Little Scare ...I know, I know ... no blogs in forever! I do have a good reason ... I did start my Masters program in Social Work September 2012 and it has been BUSY! That combined with working full time ... oh my, what was I thinking?? Nevertheless, I've started, have 1 year completed, and beginning year 2.<br />
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So what have I been doing since this time last year? Working, studying, working, life, working, studying, travelling, working, life, studying ... AND .... working!<br />
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My life is pretty much revolving around working, and I'm not liking that. It seems we are either at work or at home sleeping! I'm trying to figure out a new path for us ... not quite sure what that is right now ... but hopefully I will figure it out soon!<br />
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Other than working, we did take our 3rd cruise in April 2013! It was a great 8 days on the water and another 7 days in Florida ... Disney, pool and shopping all included! A fantastic time all around. Now it's preparing and gearing up for 2014!! </div>
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So what about this little scare ... since January 2013, my lung functions have been going down little by little. Nothing noticeable until the transplant clinic went back and took a look at the overall trend ... from 94% down to 83% ... that's a huge drop even though it was over a long period of time. So here I am, at clinic, with them asking me when there is a good time to visit Toronto again??!! WHAT!!?? It can't be rejection. But all the signs point to it. Five years in and this??</div>
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That was on a Friday ... August 23, 2013. I vowed that this would not be my time to face transplant again ... so I joined the gym on Monday. By Friday, August 30, 2013, I had worked by butt off ... and low and behold, my lung function test that morning showed it! Back up to 93%!!! YAY ME!!</div>
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Here's to exercising and getting my life back on track. We often think that the 'bad things' can't or won't happen to us, until we are faced with it again. I know my life is a million times better now; however I still have to realize this is not forever, and I need to keep working at ME!</div>
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Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-27183389996296110612012-08-14T00:47:00.003-02:302012-08-14T00:47:55.320-02:30One Beautiful Summer ... thus farSlack again on the blogging ... yes I know ;).<br />
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With that being said, since May of this year, we've been having one fantastic summer! Nothing at all compared to last year. We joked last year we had Junuary and Fogest for June and August ... July 2011 was just ok ... now this year we've been having beautiful weather, hot temperatures, and just an all around perfect summer!<br />
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Well ... except for us working all the time ... haha! Yes, I know it's something that has to be done; however it would be fantastic to be a teacher just about now :)! We haven't had much time ... well, no time, to relax or just get away. With both of us working all the time, and conflicting schedules, we haven't had a chance to do any travelling around the province. I know ... every year we always say we are going to do something, but it just doesn't seem to happen. Alas, someday ... :)!<br />
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As much as I LOVE summer, everything seems to be so unorganized and off track. Eating, exercising, just about everything is all out of whack ... but with Fall coming, there are lots of changes ...<br />
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September begins a new journey with my Masters degree in Social Work, a new exercise program, and more planning for our upcoming Cruise in April 2013!!!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-64591305932514200972012-05-12T20:53:00.002-02:302012-05-12T20:53:50.391-02:30Not-So-Happy Mother's DayDear Mom,<br />
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It's our special time of year again. Happy Mother's Day! xoxo<br />
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I thought that each passing year would get a little easier, but not so. It seems the longer you're gone, the more I long for you to be here. Mother's Day was always a special time of year ... and one that you loved dearly. We would shower you in gifts ... but you would still cook your infamous Sunday Dinner, no matter how hard we tried to get you away from the stove ;)!<br />
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I know you've been with me since 2006 in spirit, after all, I would not have made it through my transplant and continued good health without your strength and spirit being with me all the way. I understand it was your time; however I still question why ... a question I won't yet find the answer to. You know I don't usually question "why", but you leaving us does require an answer, I'm sure ... but alas, I will wait.<br />
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As you know, this past year has been rocky to say the least. Health-wise I've been fabulous ... and life-wise we were able to cruise again :)! But everything else ... well, it's gone to shit. I find it funny sometimes how people will say "don't sweat the small stuff" ... but when you can't see your way out of the dark, it does get a little scary!! I try to tell myself that everything will work itself out ... but I seem to be spinning my wheels over and over ...<br />
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Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and miss you terribly. There have been lots of things I've done since 2006 that I would have loved for you to be next to me to celebrate and experience ... but I do know you are with me.<br />
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Happy Mother's Day Mom! xoxoKelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-62495675388453636642012-05-09T21:07:00.000-02:302012-05-10T21:40:17.367-02:30Let's Eat Cupcakes!Today was a mixed bag of emotions. Starting with the insomnia (again) throughout last night, then waking to find that a dear teacher and one of my hometown residents has suddenly passed away, was pretty rough to deal with at 6:00 am! On top of that, I had to head into town to have my monthly blood work and PFT completed ... by 8:00 am. With a hour drive ahead of me, I started out on my journey with a heavy heart ... and ... really tired.<br />
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Luckily, my regular blood collection "depot" knows who I am and what I'm there for. So just a quick reminder that my blood work is timed, and needs to be taken between 8:00 and 8:30 am, I'm in and out within 15 minutes (now that's service)!! <br />
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So off I head to my lung function test at 9:00 am. Since I find it so difficult to arrange tests at my local hospital, my CF clinic in town has generously arranged to have my tests completed at the Janeway Child's Health and Rehabilitation Centre. Yes, I know it's a children's hospital, however they have agreed to do the tests and I'm thankful for no wait times! Boy, am I getting spoiled!<br />
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Normally, my PFTs (lung function tests) have been between 85 and 92% ... just absolutely fabulous. They've been this way for the past 4 years ... just hovering around those numbers. I wasn't expecting anything more or less today, and I've been feeling exactly the same ... perfectly fine :).<br />
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So I get weighted and measured, and sit in the little glass box. Plug my nose, and get ready for the test. Deep breath in ... Now blow it all the way out ... Keep blowing until you can't blow anymore ... Take a deep breath in ... Done. Nothing to it.<br />
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Only today things were a little different. The respirologist asked me what my numbers had been last time ... and to be honest, as much as I try and burn these things into my head, I just could not remember. She kindly looked up the last results and proceeds to tell me they were 84%. Perfect. However, she continues on to say that today's results are at 100%!!! WHAT!! I've always aimed to reach that magical number; however with being between 82 and 92%, I figured that was my new levels. Not that there's anything wrong with them ...<br />
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So I proceed to ask her to repeat herself ... and again she tells me they are 100%!! I'm giggling like a little girl at this point. We then start discussing my transplant and what my numbers were pre-transplant. I informed her that when I was initially assessed, I was at 25%; however I stayed at this level for almost 10 years! But in November 2007, I became ill, ended up on oxygen, and subsequently whisked off to Toronto. At the time of my transplant, I had dropped to 13% ... so 100% was pretty freakin' awesome!<br />
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So on I went to the second try ... and low and behold ... 102%!!! HOLY CRAP!! Finally the third try I was again at 102%, so I knew at this point there was no mistaking the test. I skipped out of the hospital, giggling all the way.<br />
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When I got back to my car and made the call to hubby, it again struck me, the sadness that I had learned about earlier this morning. So here I am, sitting in my car, crying, both in sadness and joyful bliss, and not knowing what to do with myself.<br />
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At 9:30 am, very few stores were open, so retail therapy was out of the question. My favorite Chinese restaurant, Song Hee's wasn't open yet. But I NEEDED something. And something GOOD. I remembered a friend of mine who had posted to Facebook about a fabulous little cafe in town ... so off I went in search of said cafe!<br />
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I ultimately found <a href="http://www.cupcakelaine.com/">Sugar Mamas</a>! Now, I knew this place was special; however I didn't really know what I was walking into. As I entered the store, I was struck with a beautiful little 50's style cafe/diner ... and CUPCAKES!!<br />
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After I pondered over what 6 I wanted to taste, I finally made the decision, and headed back home. Sitting in the car, I really didn't know what to do with myself ... still shaking from the excitement of my 102% and teary-eyed with the loss of a dear teacher ... I thought of crying, screaming, laughing, hitting something ... but in the end, I decided to ... just eat cupcakes :)!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBfGhzbmWa_QffFSMlk_LCisIcrEsjuP2-K8mPotCsl1W6A1qL1cuiuFvK8n5zKL6wv7grPCw28oPzujxXKIR9O9ZmT_qwYGK-xfMfHnipZSWabA8y4hbRRHfXyhoiz5KWQnhDfaGsRzE/s1600/IMG_0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBfGhzbmWa_QffFSMlk_LCisIcrEsjuP2-K8mPotCsl1W6A1qL1cuiuFvK8n5zKL6wv7grPCw28oPzujxXKIR9O9ZmT_qwYGK-xfMfHnipZSWabA8y4hbRRHfXyhoiz5KWQnhDfaGsRzE/s320/IMG_0302.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Drama, Give me M'oreo, Say Cheese (my fave), Black and White, Half Baked, Mars</td></tr>
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<br />Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-46584332577429638042012-05-06T20:45:00.003-02:302012-05-06T20:45:36.428-02:30Change, It's a Wonderful ThingI'm not really sure why I did not pursue a career in the IT field ... oh wait, now I remember. Although I love computers, learning new programs and even testing out the waters of HTML, I become VERY frustrated with the whole thing.<br />
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As you can see, I've change up my blog ... AGAIN! I enjoy changing things up (in all parts of my life) and my blog is, well, about the easiest and quickest thing I can change on a whim.<br />
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In any case, I've been quite slack on keeping my blog updated. I do have a few posts to upload ... particularly from our past vacation!<br />
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Also, my friend has played a part in renewing my blogging ... as he is a new blogger, please check out his site at <a href="http://jamiesjourneycanada.blogspot.ca/">Jamie's Journey</a> ... this is going to be one blog to watch! Congrats Jamie on you upcoming blogging adventure :)Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-51222963103190754802012-04-26T20:12:00.000-02:302012-05-07T20:14:39.423-02:30366 DaysLast year sealed the deal for us in traveling and cruising in particular. I've never been one to just sit around and "relax" too much ... I would rather be out going around, looking at the sights, taking in all a place has to offer. Unfortunately I could not do much of that (apart from sitting in a car driving) before 2008. Since that time, and with a little taste of traveling, I have found a new love ... traveling and exploring!<br />
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Most people vacation to relax and sit back on the beach. Me, I would rather visit a new place and explore. Now don't get me wrong, I do like to relax a little while on vacation ... but to be truthful, I don't really know how to relax that much :).<br />
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With that being said, and with our most recent cruise just behind us, I started to get the 'itch' to travel again (yes I know I just got back). Not that I need to travel, but that I can and want to! Knowing that we wanted to do another cruise, we began looking at what Carnival had to offer for this time next year.<br />
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One of my co-workers had overheard me talking about cruising next year and began asking questions about it. 2013 will be her 50th birthday, and her partner has always wanted to do a Caribbean cruise. Me being my convincing self told her all about it ... and before long she was hooked!<br />
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Well, before the day had ended, we had booked the cruise and were going to surprise our partners with it. Yup, booked again! We decided on Carnival's newest ship, the Breeze ... and can wait to see what she has to offer!<br />
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Happy Cruising ... and the countdown has begun ... 366 days ...Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-31359245240833505132012-04-08T20:50:00.000-02:302012-05-07T20:05:03.486-02:30Crusin' With CarnivalOur fist even vacation to the sunny south happened just a year ago. As I mentioned then, it was only at that point that I could actually travel as my health was horrible before my transplant. As soon as we arrived home last year, we knew we were hooked on cruising, and immediately booked again for this year. Crazy ... not really ... just very smart planning (so I keep telling myself) :)<br />
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We decided that we wanted to do something different than the Florida cruises and also wanted to see a few more places of our beautiful world ... so what better way than a 7 day Southern Caribbean cruise out of San Juan, Puerto Rico!<br />
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After waiting 371 days (from the time of booking), we were very much looking forward to this new adventure.<br />
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<b>San Juan, Puerto Rico</b> </div>
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March 21-24, 2012</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvy1ygwaBuRSitvVhWkKST_ASJxNZZJ_0A2h9W0DLO9fUq7V0xXv24pYBOhmIbdnIQSATvgL-zG223ZlvtKJhiKLzPw3sv1qCQhfwF5I59tZ-1JfTiMzLclJqLgXMLDj2hinKwS6J4AD9/s1600/P3250064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvy1ygwaBuRSitvVhWkKST_ASJxNZZJ_0A2h9W0DLO9fUq7V0xXv24pYBOhmIbdnIQSATvgL-zG223ZlvtKJhiKLzPw3sv1qCQhfwF5I59tZ-1JfTiMzLclJqLgXMLDj2hinKwS6J4AD9/s320/P3250064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Casita del Coqui</td></tr>
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We decided to fly into San Juan a few days earlier to begin our vacation. We found a beautiful home in the Santurce area and were quite surprise when we arrived. This quaint home was situated in the heart of the Arts & Culture District. Most all stores, restaurants, transportation, etc. did not speak English, and it was quite interesting and refreshing to be submerged in the Puerto Rician culture!</div>
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Our host, Richard was extremely helpful to the 4 Newfie's he had visiting and provided us with a wonderful place to stay ...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful 3rd floor balcony, with lots of vegetation and critters</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of our balcony</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of San Juan from our balcony. Beautiful old world feel.</td></tr>
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As we arrived later in the evening, we really didn't get a good look around the house or area until the next morning. We were beyond impressed and absolutely loved the area!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the relaxing water fountain and warm Caribbean air</td></tr>
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Our next adventure in San Juan was to explore a little, find some great places to eat and get ourselves to the local beach! Our host graciously took us on a short walking tour of the local area, showed us where the local transportation was and some of the fantastic sights of the Arts & Culture District. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us enjoying a tour of the nearby streets with our very own guide, thanks Richard! Some very beautiful stained glass! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Just on our street corner we were told about a little cafe which served only brunch. We couldn't really understand how a cafe could survive by just serving brunch. We later found out that they also had jazz nights on Friday's and a family brunch on Sunday's. Both were huge attractions to the cafe to the point that many people waited in line just to experience a little piece of this fabulous place.<br />
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Of course, us being curious, decided to try out the cafe our very first morning in San Juan ... and what a treat!! We totally understand why people would wait in line ... I could easily live on their food FOREVER! We started with the fantastic coffee (actually it was espresso), and let me tell you, I will never enjoy another cup of coffee as much as this!! Then on to the main meal!!<br />
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I was so preoccupied in eating that I didn't even take a picture ... so sad :(. But to help understand, I ordered their famous french toast. WELL, WELL, WELL ... after 3 huge home made slices of the best bread I have ever eaten, smothered in fresh fruit and whipped cream, I had to literally roll out of the cafe! We enjoyed it so much that we ended our stay with this fabulous meal again :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSV_MfFqzisDxk6TqzpzPDPOqhLYrf0Y1iTdFrAtd5UiGzZj7GwHKBytwPmKpupkpPmIgEiZDjJudnNtVNRchUuudsyPDXbUZFuN6uviFC-weZvLGZurvR1D65FuMx8tGIp7NM96_puY7/s1600/P3250062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSV_MfFqzisDxk6TqzpzPDPOqhLYrf0Y1iTdFrAtd5UiGzZj7GwHKBytwPmKpupkpPmIgEiZDjJudnNtVNRchUuudsyPDXbUZFuN6uviFC-weZvLGZurvR1D65FuMx8tGIp7NM96_puY7/s320/P3250062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abracadabra Cafe! Yum-o!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48lhyphenhyphenYEx2mGd_V6fo9drPAsNiOOy0vspqJEXh6mcaYUpEu1u890JNrtflOOG0W4WGUR3eBT-yn7VONAUXdxt2Te0yV9WBKjc6rRne4l6fqr1HdeKeYatKhgNgmNBBRir-RtaLZ9goA2G7/s1600/P3220021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48lhyphenhyphenYEx2mGd_V6fo9drPAsNiOOy0vspqJEXh6mcaYUpEu1u890JNrtflOOG0W4WGUR3eBT-yn7VONAUXdxt2Te0yV9WBKjc6rRne4l6fqr1HdeKeYatKhgNgmNBBRir-RtaLZ9goA2G7/s320/P3220021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local coffee ... I'll never enjoy another cup since leaving San Juan. It was unbelievable!</td></tr>
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Most of our time in San Juan was sprinkled with rain. Although very, very warm, walking in the rain day in and day out wasn't the most fun. But not to worry, we did do some shopping, sight-seeing, and relaxing. Finally, the day before we were leaving for our cruise, we decided to wander off to the beach. I found that most of our stay in San Juan involved us "wandering" around ... soooo much fun :)!<br />
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About a 15 minute walk and we found what we were looking for ... the beach! Beautiful white sand, warm water, and a warm breeze made the day perfect! Although a little cloudy on times, by the time were were cluing up to head home, we had a few sprinkles of rain ... and then it POURED! Luckily there were lots of trees on the beach where we all could take shelter ... and to top it all off, we had a local selling beer! Yes, of course we partook in the refreshments ... aaaahhhh!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTzee_6O5C47oUmN7pwkMG9gnETvfQd5F0DkL6aygQCkDfP7otPsp9reeaqM9LZenemstywJkeX9OHausaor5E5l-nAfaiLHyL7lH10zj7Ud9QnmoSxm9Q-wMEbmoMuS7VXtcVnNWNUPV/s1600/P3240043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTzee_6O5C47oUmN7pwkMG9gnETvfQd5F0DkL6aygQCkDfP7otPsp9reeaqM9LZenemstywJkeX9OHausaor5E5l-nAfaiLHyL7lH10zj7Ud9QnmoSxm9Q-wMEbmoMuS7VXtcVnNWNUPV/s320/P3240043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach! Yay, we made it!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yWojwKS7VxUpz4yIiptJz0TGG12Fgj3HArZHiT-GLNL8Lka5vixjthhuuuMNTSmkxIoqKlIRqbxLfG9CzL5tQCp4gKiliqzG5aKXeHV9H1L_0jS7jgM2JGGxviUeR8cMRjsNJtCid7mn/s1600/P3240051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yWojwKS7VxUpz4yIiptJz0TGG12Fgj3HArZHiT-GLNL8Lka5vixjthhuuuMNTSmkxIoqKlIRqbxLfG9CzL5tQCp4gKiliqzG5aKXeHV9H1L_0jS7jgM2JGGxviUeR8cMRjsNJtCid7mn/s320/P3240051.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby enjoying the warm, but rough ocean ... and of course we all had a splash around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After finding the local supermarket (in the rain) and enjoying a home cooked meal during our last night, we relaxed and geared up for the next journey of our vacation ... our cruise!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC43A4IZUDNsc-nlsM6L37TgieqXY8TP8DE3KzZF8U5RZcl5OwIs9xF7ccRJnNq3QeU90di4dktCNmSgb7fE-tMA6TiDkcmRXgNtA8DoKSs7jdL0IZVbdYCrntdJhF9KaAw0dB9Ba6AGG/s1600/P3250063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC43A4IZUDNsc-nlsM6L37TgieqXY8TP8DE3KzZF8U5RZcl5OwIs9xF7ccRJnNq3QeU90di4dktCNmSgb7fE-tMA6TiDkcmRXgNtA8DoKSs7jdL0IZVbdYCrntdJhF9KaAw0dB9Ba6AGG/s320/P3250063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye, bye Casita del Coqui :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Carnival Victory</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
March 25 - April 1, 2012</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
With us being familiar with cruising, we knew that we wanted to head to the ship as early as possible to embrace the luxury of Carnival! We arrived at the ship around 11:30 am and had the entire day to look around, grab some food, and enjoy the boat ... all before leaving the port! Our cruise was not scheduled to leave until 10:00 pm from San Juan.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVXklF1YrZRPSfB9JadA73Y8PtGuSBB-sSQ2g-ooU813BbQKobTd43Y6xWUrGKhstqRk8piBT9zAmyPC3farmC2448Xe30ifdOvCVIFNxspnhnGkf1Z5IOi5UI3Ud6cn1puRwdWYV7lW9/s1600/P3250077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVXklF1YrZRPSfB9JadA73Y8PtGuSBB-sSQ2g-ooU813BbQKobTd43Y6xWUrGKhstqRk8piBT9zAmyPC3farmC2448Xe30ifdOvCVIFNxspnhnGkf1Z5IOi5UI3Ud6cn1puRwdWYV7lW9/s320/P3250077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port of San Juan, PR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7HJhmh8mAhKqVgBLQTuzjBl7DPQ3Ctevf24BZL2DjBG6pMYNUY8wFhLEeSJGWPMpEp5v9IcsiFgW6_ObKsS0qRWMSbJQmWtDAuuwXeDL8AUG_KldHT8btrdcsVC54Rj2A6DrXXCRyedB/s1600/P3250081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7HJhmh8mAhKqVgBLQTuzjBl7DPQ3Ctevf24BZL2DjBG6pMYNUY8wFhLEeSJGWPMpEp5v9IcsiFgW6_ObKsS0qRWMSbJQmWtDAuuwXeDL8AUG_KldHT8btrdcsVC54Rj2A6DrXXCRyedB/s320/P3250081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby enjoying a walk around the Victory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_s10ezXaMF4rwrD_ycu7yM_66EvS3uiyxeIfQuLLk4f5k_d1Ipx3F7cGv0OPEddZbeI-hMy_7dCM45ylJwKeltJziOi0bWNPNriBr0yCLhQmHGSlgRhq5LP559iHEf0_AU64NqNTnDZ1/s1600/P3250065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_s10ezXaMF4rwrD_ycu7yM_66EvS3uiyxeIfQuLLk4f5k_d1Ipx3F7cGv0OPEddZbeI-hMy_7dCM45ylJwKeltJziOi0bWNPNriBr0yCLhQmHGSlgRhq5LP559iHEf0_AU64NqNTnDZ1/s320/P3250065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out our new home for the next 7 days! So beautiful!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Nlxh2Gqc9DV5IaM51aAdgKvPK5bnRPF3qw0sTBTDUBMM9f3IFSBcM8utaMQlSdWGSwo7MzQWwtQ21hix340KvKzhQbC6v7fzWpFZfvqNHTnp8hSnyQcFj82LDEtXPrSI4aJsaj-HLHvg/s1600/P3250088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Nlxh2Gqc9DV5IaM51aAdgKvPK5bnRPF3qw0sTBTDUBMM9f3IFSBcM8utaMQlSdWGSwo7MzQWwtQ21hix340KvKzhQbC6v7fzWpFZfvqNHTnp8hSnyQcFj82LDEtXPrSI4aJsaj-HLHvg/s320/P3250088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port of San Juan, PR as we leave for the next leg of our vacation</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_fRG9opUi8DozuYfVVOLrdDTKu7XWAubn7MjCSdIInQPrbqm5HER0d1KLoBzo056-Brsp19aQ3wWlbuEKc-sNtWxUipmPQlxHL-Jq_kX3l_NGe7wb77CErQuobiJqCJKZ7CTQd1Xo45P/s1600/P3250066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_fRG9opUi8DozuYfVVOLrdDTKu7XWAubn7MjCSdIInQPrbqm5HER0d1KLoBzo056-Brsp19aQ3wWlbuEKc-sNtWxUipmPQlxHL-Jq_kX3l_NGe7wb77CErQuobiJqCJKZ7CTQd1Xo45P/s320/P3250066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comedy Club and Karaoke Lounge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgga0mEwXvuWTNUgNHgGmDareo8duQOpyzQS3PKF0Nnae3I4un5R-xzdV0qarqGrAlAp85MfwqTtU8tvWtNBth8-72pkiOd3YbOosvGDXXQGlsJlMgDNjPeUzad-pVMgNSRHCcTsLrflRD1/s1600/P3250067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgga0mEwXvuWTNUgNHgGmDareo8duQOpyzQS3PKF0Nnae3I4un5R-xzdV0qarqGrAlAp85MfwqTtU8tvWtNBth8-72pkiOd3YbOosvGDXXQGlsJlMgDNjPeUzad-pVMgNSRHCcTsLrflRD1/s320/P3250067.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red & Black Club ... can't see where they came up with that name :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1D6jQCBRSvOmgm1UgG0-pYiUBvLyNzNJwRBJcE9GUZ7jimAxqyaoeqvQL8-zYJGmjf35RQYdcPTcW7G0xUXF0p2oH7SMqLyKcQ9GyS5S7XA9ETya4he3OxeAPZug7ZkAfqsHs6_2fpW0/s1600/P3250068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1D6jQCBRSvOmgm1UgG0-pYiUBvLyNzNJwRBJcE9GUZ7jimAxqyaoeqvQL8-zYJGmjf35RQYdcPTcW7G0xUXF0p2oH7SMqLyKcQ9GyS5S7XA9ETya4he3OxeAPZug7ZkAfqsHs6_2fpW0/s320/P3250068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish Piano Bar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NdjrbaSMDI0ce0hy8V9dGIu97evb5IHzAiIvVHWK6VIxjPfhxeogUOz3CnwSQ6SDfMhHcw1a14GQFZ5p0U4JJ8D0qXY5KBQ0e6o1U7ZNQSInR9aM9iiFQtbuPgXkPzSvKPUyvAN3mBdF/s1600/P3250069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NdjrbaSMDI0ce0hy8V9dGIu97evb5IHzAiIvVHWK6VIxjPfhxeogUOz3CnwSQ6SDfMhHcw1a14GQFZ5p0U4JJ8D0qXY5KBQ0e6o1U7ZNQSInR9aM9iiFQtbuPgXkPzSvKPUyvAN3mBdF/s320/P3250069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cigar Bar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvte1k3Xz9kJnr2v6aKWt6LRaOXTywLt6F89hxwxCC_rYjBQFzqTLfyqBP-Dfcw65MDr2QlFCwOpNw8bXrGWF8k-NTzyYZC8N0_jZUAXdVcoGlZ9HNYmgS977f3RKeAXB_6aAKRxw-8H_/s1600/P3250070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvte1k3Xz9kJnr2v6aKWt6LRaOXTywLt6F89hxwxCC_rYjBQFzqTLfyqBP-Dfcw65MDr2QlFCwOpNw8bXrGWF8k-NTzyYZC8N0_jZUAXdVcoGlZ9HNYmgS977f3RKeAXB_6aAKRxw-8H_/s320/P3250070.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance Lounge/Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgah_dWVmZZXf3qpGgJh0CSmJiZMM2udfYAtvL2yHNMPioaWuhidi37K0WdH5oFaqc7gGNC7DgM6ng7u3xsQHFw5qItsSDVb2lU-d2bTcr8qt50lE4Ftedb1vvs_NT7BWwwjgW8F-b58Qjs/s1600/P3250076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgah_dWVmZZXf3qpGgJh0CSmJiZMM2udfYAtvL2yHNMPioaWuhidi37K0WdH5oFaqc7gGNC7DgM6ng7u3xsQHFw5qItsSDVb2lU-d2bTcr8qt50lE4Ftedb1vvs_NT7BWwwjgW8F-b58Qjs/s320/P3250076.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main Theater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Although a little smaller than the Carnival Dream (which we went on last year), everything was still just as amazing and beautiful! If you've never been on a cruise, picture an extremely fancy hotel, with lots of glitz and glamor, sparkle and lights ... and you've got a cruise! I'm usually walking around in awe for the first day ... just taking it all in!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The itinerary for the Carnival Victory was an extremely busy one ... visiting 5 ports in 7 days! This was part of the reason we chose to book the Victory ... to see lots of new and exciting places. Onward to Barbados, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Marteen! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b>St. Thomas</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
March 26, 2012<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
St. Thomas still has to be my most favorite place on earth :)! Beautiful scenery! We decided to do an excursion from Carnival ... and to be exact, the same excursion we did last time ... Castaway Barefoot Sail and Snorkel! </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZUaIlGnZyR6Wjdkx27TYARkeDkoPtN4PqO79GOaOtPvj1Op-H7tn54u-0_Dd3DcNIl-MbSH18-6dAAl5yfaw2gMSVcU7oMf1ZriXo1DhyZk_aNE6pnEMk4U5IGyxgE0EuPmbsiaVACPn/s1600/P3260092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZUaIlGnZyR6Wjdkx27TYARkeDkoPtN4PqO79GOaOtPvj1Op-H7tn54u-0_Dd3DcNIl-MbSH18-6dAAl5yfaw2gMSVcU7oMf1ZriXo1DhyZk_aNE6pnEMk4U5IGyxgE0EuPmbsiaVACPn/s320/P3260092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port of St. Thomas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8OtzC4kNvUhPkR-3Gk0ibFsCCr13tNllIbY5g0n1pii4bOUNnI132WWPATvhjBpACC0t0nXPTASisCKqsWos-DP8QX59DM3vqTac9MpOOnn7ZUbS9uc6ljPPugnwKyU-gRPwUirWW7u_/s1600/P3260095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8OtzC4kNvUhPkR-3Gk0ibFsCCr13tNllIbY5g0n1pii4bOUNnI132WWPATvhjBpACC0t0nXPTASisCKqsWos-DP8QX59DM3vqTac9MpOOnn7ZUbS9uc6ljPPugnwKyU-gRPwUirWW7u_/s320/P3260095.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she is! Carnival Victory!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4R6LOdZEAhgqFdjRvE0dU2dkmTYdV0Wb5m2KFGAk-_iSIwXtTfOofW6LHN8x_X0MxAvvs2OUYVb8rAO1bWp_TZPqJ_NzA1hSyWP3X-bZopQLU43Dyk6JT8zgLMuvK5guQBdTjimyZcM5/s1600/P3260103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4R6LOdZEAhgqFdjRvE0dU2dkmTYdV0Wb5m2KFGAk-_iSIwXtTfOofW6LHN8x_X0MxAvvs2OUYVb8rAO1bWp_TZPqJ_NzA1hSyWP3X-bZopQLU43Dyk6JT8zgLMuvK5guQBdTjimyZcM5/s320/P3260103.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby snorkeling ... you would never say that he's not comfortable swimming :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzPfc46-Tn0gJc8uOjoxcqvEXL8llO-EaLvNrGxtFP32jTcKca559Q00QBjN40yj9K6UbysWh5KCbZEjfyWPSWUCKlTJkG2qkp1T8LbEOiDZsq_lfcBd4vsN4RaNbJgZN7ZnBs5D6sOm3/s1600/P3260105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzPfc46-Tn0gJc8uOjoxcqvEXL8llO-EaLvNrGxtFP32jTcKca559Q00QBjN40yj9K6UbysWh5KCbZEjfyWPSWUCKlTJkG2qkp1T8LbEOiDZsq_lfcBd4vsN4RaNbJgZN7ZnBs5D6sOm3/s320/P3260105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some fishies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW77-SWwh2kihQBjEfslNP_BQupoqRbEnDlKY69B_pRQ5vO4Up-KuVlY-GIAS9QKcnKiR0Es6PcrCrs_CbVGShfZ3idyiESn-t9J3vF7qK7M-Rb2MHyfyC5ZEpCv2xx3XRYByBvr5uiEAp/s1600/P3260137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW77-SWwh2kihQBjEfslNP_BQupoqRbEnDlKY69B_pRQ5vO4Up-KuVlY-GIAS9QKcnKiR0Es6PcrCrs_CbVGShfZ3idyiESn-t9J3vF7qK7M-Rb2MHyfyC5ZEpCv2xx3XRYByBvr5uiEAp/s320/P3260137.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some snorkeling at St. Thomas </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4xh7mZKNylCe7m43OlTAVYrq0Yvujg_v8P-y8OZinUFXIhP1Fp3RC5NdBJqm47TLtuwbEvMQaAI4TRvTInXjn6Nqg7zywcocWRiT-SRWl9JsUBDfhQh7A0zBLxRkWUvRaKDa9yKlUFLm/s1600/P3260141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4xh7mZKNylCe7m43OlTAVYrq0Yvujg_v8P-y8OZinUFXIhP1Fp3RC5NdBJqm47TLtuwbEvMQaAI4TRvTInXjn6Nqg7zywcocWRiT-SRWl9JsUBDfhQh7A0zBLxRkWUvRaKDa9yKlUFLm/s320/P3260141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and of course, the Bushwhackers ... yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV5HKC2gJzAc2jYHPidYEsQ8-WMcusRbVzc5cNYhyphenhyphenzOyKtcre-p-GPs8yDRi9n0aZDJ8bTjxBYlzcKvKku-PvMRChBIM4FKGPn-uyyNzUYSDe7HyXpJ9pvL4_W4u5XfEmAfWXTWZZHjCY/s1600/P3260147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGV5HKC2gJzAc2jYHPidYEsQ8-WMcusRbVzc5cNYhyphenhyphenzOyKtcre-p-GPs8yDRi9n0aZDJ8bTjxBYlzcKvKku-PvMRChBIM4FKGPn-uyyNzUYSDe7HyXpJ9pvL4_W4u5XfEmAfWXTWZZHjCY/s320/P3260147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite shot of St. Thomas and the Victory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEEiLghQZ2-wb8_psXVenHnrRBMD-_vBZwoKvWnfDjUJQHG7pYd9La3eQomhi4cyEq8VZdi_6oOS6X-wbQTMqfwHvvnpgu-ZmmoE2c5f0zz__nGxzNn4pI2jGoifcvHF6vE9-qpE-AU7r/s1600/P3260150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEEiLghQZ2-wb8_psXVenHnrRBMD-_vBZwoKvWnfDjUJQHG7pYd9La3eQomhi4cyEq8VZdi_6oOS6X-wbQTMqfwHvvnpgu-ZmmoE2c5f0zz__nGxzNn4pI2jGoifcvHF6vE9-qpE-AU7r/s320/P3260150.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang at Paradise Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqddlfrHnZXfjiCfDhW_8F_L0ot6CSDJsaOV1vheIudFAx3tTXNJvay0v4hAvp7tcW-ZwtRxJD-KXvNgoQXyQbMRt4TXF7SZHZW0vENoMxE4tNMNeSfs4dBpJlzr28reZGBvMS2nSUPXE/s1600/P3260153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqddlfrHnZXfjiCfDhW_8F_L0ot6CSDJsaOV1vheIudFAx3tTXNJvay0v4hAvp7tcW-ZwtRxJD-KXvNgoQXyQbMRt4TXF7SZHZW0vENoMxE4tNMNeSfs4dBpJlzr28reZGBvMS2nSUPXE/s320/P3260153.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towel animal tonight :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sea Day</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
March 27, 2012</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As our cruise was quite busy, we took advantage of relaxing on our one and only sea day ... Serenity Deck!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX8zQI81_clEtxVeWLdByuYA41oL37wZsDsr8LUQYtzagh5FxE7O6ACcxNpljQNkwwqwua3tvdpsqSiC2k85Bnf6pRAnJ9eF-UYm8Ezmemx9t0WgQuz6bdU8wKb8rdSBwVpzOhVDxEvvn/s1600/P3270156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaX8zQI81_clEtxVeWLdByuYA41oL37wZsDsr8LUQYtzagh5FxE7O6ACcxNpljQNkwwqwua3tvdpsqSiC2k85Bnf6pRAnJ9eF-UYm8Ezmemx9t0WgQuz6bdU8wKb8rdSBwVpzOhVDxEvvn/s320/P3270156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a relaxing day in the hammock on Serenity Deck ... with the yummy drink of the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFsNFmUm_Vn6brwzHe6kRG1I-lU3aMh-WKIZ-oB31ALt4UqcCJgDbtFURr299JVEIpw6CpL0FxKl-3yEJBRKjY8WF5pKcewpiKIoRhYxe6ZyhTbG7a8kXG7frGg6YwPp00OfWtGRtlcBM/s1600/P3270157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFsNFmUm_Vn6brwzHe6kRG1I-lU3aMh-WKIZ-oB31ALt4UqcCJgDbtFURr299JVEIpw6CpL0FxKl-3yEJBRKjY8WF5pKcewpiKIoRhYxe6ZyhTbG7a8kXG7frGg6YwPp00OfWtGRtlcBM/s320/P3270157.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towel animal for tonight :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Barbados</b><br />
March 28, 2012</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Barbados began our busy next 4 days. Although I thought no other place could top St. Thomas ... boy, was I wrong! Beautiful weather and a fabulous taxi tour around the island ... what could be better!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4Y0shW6drhcn0a1FJYWHAbekbQA5OyJXy1KENr6fYPoVjwPHAXYdknt4snF_JqN1ASqiV0Z35vHqemag9gEnPV2gZI8H0f4eFOtnYu0ndQ4f0w328NIEEUj6gOtLyJhW1st0MiLt5nD5/s1600/P3280164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4Y0shW6drhcn0a1FJYWHAbekbQA5OyJXy1KENr6fYPoVjwPHAXYdknt4snF_JqN1ASqiV0Z35vHqemag9gEnPV2gZI8H0f4eFOtnYu0ndQ4f0w328NIEEUj6gOtLyJhW1st0MiLt5nD5/s320/P3280164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXrSkvRlSLDh6dLlm9lhgMU2dl6ItZNzgUxmQCYU_Wan0BfvNnU75MVh3RDXNxtlBv6ZBkOflDY_EX1ht1pho9i67wtnH-QNjjEUEbChUzzY_hRWYu8we3hy6sTm3DqZfdKnJJn_BIk_d/s1600/P3280174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXrSkvRlSLDh6dLlm9lhgMU2dl6ItZNzgUxmQCYU_Wan0BfvNnU75MVh3RDXNxtlBv6ZBkOflDY_EX1ht1pho9i67wtnH-QNjjEUEbChUzzY_hRWYu8we3hy6sTm3DqZfdKnJJn_BIk_d/s320/P3280174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick stop to one of the beautiful beaches</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5tCNj5XtWju0ImcuLKE6UaAnIkmhwhmBsUs_tyZNOoRl983tzM1ChFlxCxk2Vy5DOkF7LORswuvbHjTtcciwR_869zsDRTpl57WTyv8Z4kyvLkGdGjrcciD2fZaMUex0pvf82TiPnyyg/s1600/P3280187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5tCNj5XtWju0ImcuLKE6UaAnIkmhwhmBsUs_tyZNOoRl983tzM1ChFlxCxk2Vy5DOkF7LORswuvbHjTtcciwR_869zsDRTpl57WTyv8Z4kyvLkGdGjrcciD2fZaMUex0pvf82TiPnyyg/s320/P3280187.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local Barbados beer, so good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjgcXxY-nJrkSNK2NgPsc_L9kZozDqRDzc0mFOHBdbbT85ElMc46M54NlqMr9URXwyNfwNsSSWeuP6JWRO4VLxVqxfLDa-DNhy-ANOFUXFDqgxnzdZdtxUJDy98coEgQxtaWJvYj4JfMv/s1600/P3280193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjgcXxY-nJrkSNK2NgPsc_L9kZozDqRDzc0mFOHBdbbT85ElMc46M54NlqMr9URXwyNfwNsSSWeuP6JWRO4VLxVqxfLDa-DNhy-ANOFUXFDqgxnzdZdtxUJDy98coEgQxtaWJvYj4JfMv/s320/P3280193.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of the beautiful shots of the country side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We decided to take the Harrison's Cave Tour and were blown away by the beauty and outstanding views within the caves. The pictures below do not even do justice to what we saw and experienced. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oJAr3cVToFHDHy-TpxBmbVX-gVuHwduZsOz-g4LJO_zMwBLeHxSZY50sdhI3lHeufyPgvSEH_TUm40fnLFTILl8rB8nStEJABK1uvjdPzzOApctBU2pUqNLIz8GIQXGUP6V_-zghiZY4/s1600/P3280235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oJAr3cVToFHDHy-TpxBmbVX-gVuHwduZsOz-g4LJO_zMwBLeHxSZY50sdhI3lHeufyPgvSEH_TUm40fnLFTILl8rB8nStEJABK1uvjdPzzOApctBU2pUqNLIz8GIQXGUP6V_-zghiZY4/s320/P3280235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4WOtrAwL5usJXsLYW7gYcYs4_cRaqultwYzYDxYr6k_Ni5AyqkxN7QnxFZLM1PWqJHjRjgLPO9tt1l0ifNVdukKWf9EAhUn0-1OjRWig5GC8to6wySIMAq4FBAbleBeXL8cFSrAxFx6j/s1600/P3280236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4WOtrAwL5usJXsLYW7gYcYs4_cRaqultwYzYDxYr6k_Ni5AyqkxN7QnxFZLM1PWqJHjRjgLPO9tt1l0ifNVdukKWf9EAhUn0-1OjRWig5GC8to6wySIMAq4FBAbleBeXL8cFSrAxFx6j/s320/P3280236.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many pools of water ... this one had 4 feet of water and 15 feet of silt!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyidq49arhYwsXoImIA1s4a55rz9LZDXytN_td8CR5UI0SiFzVx4dDGrtO7Lc_6Uc5qXtRrCDGbkwiIMTQH6YgNVP38qD_igP1ulV1taFGp9Avpapa4tOni3AvAq9KIL4luIF3RYcqALF/s1600/P3280237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyidq49arhYwsXoImIA1s4a55rz9LZDXytN_td8CR5UI0SiFzVx4dDGrtO7Lc_6Uc5qXtRrCDGbkwiIMTQH6YgNVP38qD_igP1ulV1taFGp9Avpapa4tOni3AvAq9KIL4luIF3RYcqALF/s320/P3280237.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby enjoying the scenes of the caves</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYaGyzFVPfv7S1rluHXVR9JGTIoDgfUjBe0vnBAwNGg-qHCt1DLZQCNkfQLbmxC97myaAk9voy80hf0xhwdECeTZUkawlhYeOYmGUTNJcm2TZZf11w0DwC4LWy3qbjwM8pdlqGSHSpVga/s1600/P3280251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYaGyzFVPfv7S1rluHXVR9JGTIoDgfUjBe0vnBAwNGg-qHCt1DLZQCNkfQLbmxC97myaAk9voy80hf0xhwdECeTZUkawlhYeOYmGUTNJcm2TZZf11w0DwC4LWy3qbjwM8pdlqGSHSpVga/s320/P3280251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
We so enjoyed the beauty of this pool ... the pictures below show
the pool with the flash of my camera on ... the other, with the flash
off! So spectacular!!<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPOsHciYY-T-AjgGl1rD_yWKjUjw7MVANmu4PhORN1rIan03Rq3w-k855I9M4wHEOATsbfi5u4m-QfrMuz9nm2YHPv_SkhlsPzHzdVsh2lHsPRWya9QmMO1BoKaMiYLBuaV2Ps_WLSQlr/s1600/P3280262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPOsHciYY-T-AjgGl1rD_yWKjUjw7MVANmu4PhORN1rIan03Rq3w-k855I9M4wHEOATsbfi5u4m-QfrMuz9nm2YHPv_SkhlsPzHzdVsh2lHsPRWya9QmMO1BoKaMiYLBuaV2Ps_WLSQlr/s320/P3280262.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash on ... not much to pick out here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CmpRhMyS8Q5cC64wj7aKENXYl3p-gZ-3VUbdPse5QMdf1cLW-MuYK8N5G0zWcpNeRZ9pDE-1h_1l_P5K1MTqfF6wguUOnRhB1lgjJ-70tv0q32j0oAEC83Tj09Yhn-I74zWmIYIQQlyk/s1600/P3280263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CmpRhMyS8Q5cC64wj7aKENXYl3p-gZ-3VUbdPse5QMdf1cLW-MuYK8N5G0zWcpNeRZ9pDE-1h_1l_P5K1MTqfF6wguUOnRhB1lgjJ-70tv0q32j0oAEC83Tj09Yhn-I74zWmIYIQQlyk/s320/P3280263.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash off ... beautiful glow underneath the water</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-p5eCfbdKCKriOe5yPf8wkEg9TLRukWoWfai_0f9SDioAuiCS3GCsea8sV4jGTawCj_cWkP8yj7kKNqTT1vd9e10SaKbol4JClqB7yCAMCBms8QqEazYQrWfYIDQJMk02KUvTn8epU-V/s1600/P3280281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-p5eCfbdKCKriOe5yPf8wkEg9TLRukWoWfai_0f9SDioAuiCS3GCsea8sV4jGTawCj_cWkP8yj7kKNqTT1vd9e10SaKbol4JClqB7yCAMCBms8QqEazYQrWfYIDQJMk02KUvTn8epU-V/s320/P3280281.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Monkey towel animal!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0cCZcyfiE6aEjHFQkQU4Nqc93g8bAxzoEb-dw3soWWZpJx3hbxc2Rg11Yooa0wxo9thHpHNgamP6oBul0VHrInCrvn-rKv3FyQowD3II6b-_KSmXyiVkXsRg6_epKGVfkZqYw7HkxYpz/s1600/P3280282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0cCZcyfiE6aEjHFQkQU4Nqc93g8bAxzoEb-dw3soWWZpJx3hbxc2Rg11Yooa0wxo9thHpHNgamP6oBul0VHrInCrvn-rKv3FyQowD3II6b-_KSmXyiVkXsRg6_epKGVfkZqYw7HkxYpz/s320/P3280282.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and of course, to top the night off ... Freddy Funship!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>St. Lucia</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
March 29, 2012<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
On to St. Lucia! I had always wanted to visit St. Lucia as the pictures all looked so beautiful and peaceful. Although the day started our a little cloudy (now mind you, it was about 6:00 am), it quickly cleared and turned out to be a beautiful day.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzeZGeSr92CQuQghTKyuS3enfunDZBCaJbnJA_rOSHPLPcCIV0cafn4lWboNxU8s0TKC-hplhc7abAcQk4vU9S2EnJ2d3NoMJiqOmW_1Z9zxlS70dSmh7ANJ_Pt7mHyIAoLedhvbRNUS5/s1600/P3290285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzeZGeSr92CQuQghTKyuS3enfunDZBCaJbnJA_rOSHPLPcCIV0cafn4lWboNxU8s0TKC-hplhc7abAcQk4vU9S2EnJ2d3NoMJiqOmW_1Z9zxlS70dSmh7ANJ_Pt7mHyIAoLedhvbRNUS5/s320/P3290285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Piton Mountains!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgnjj1gfEP_b97Nk0ljyVokNnh-OZfvhSn9uvgAH6dIf64MlQWj4wyeYTmSGgiVWPRfZizdM7yp5Cu8o6olo9cc5bd4kX0JQifq4_RH7tl3v5Q4j-PZAHVru-1oQE0-Hk589QlTWkw0Pz/s1600/P3290290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgnjj1gfEP_b97Nk0ljyVokNnh-OZfvhSn9uvgAH6dIf64MlQWj4wyeYTmSGgiVWPRfZizdM7yp5Cu8o6olo9cc5bd4kX0JQifq4_RH7tl3v5Q4j-PZAHVru-1oQE0-Hk589QlTWkw0Pz/s320/P3290290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port of St. Lucia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVtV4NFk4AxpVoFqCfYWxx3ruvhw6E9w298d-ATZ13VCAbvw7JbMAfhH2lsryuxDvtQyv3HpHhimMSLL4my86PBeLa6SI2wQoOx_NKgTa2Ixvt2aL20A5t8ZQNuIzkYtglNckTBBnA-zN/s1600/P3290302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVtV4NFk4AxpVoFqCfYWxx3ruvhw6E9w298d-ATZ13VCAbvw7JbMAfhH2lsryuxDvtQyv3HpHhimMSLL4my86PBeLa6SI2wQoOx_NKgTa2Ixvt2aL20A5t8ZQNuIzkYtglNckTBBnA-zN/s320/P3290302.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Rather than booking an excursion on the ship, we decided to try our luck
with a local taxi/tour company to take us around the island. We booked with James Tours, who turned out to be an OK tour, but found that many of the places he took us were in the northern part of St. Lucia, and not so pretty. We also quickly learned that many of the locals who he took us to visit along the way were actually looking for us to buy their products ... we didn't take the tour for this purpose and it put somewhat of a sour taste in our mouths. Nevertheless we had a great time sight-seeing and enjoying St. Lucia ... until ... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kYq-ewcGmPLl7jgiaj8ByiUZTyhPaSwM_zdx4iCTnGBkhVaEbvr1slsQeXm9oqGTFkZgu4va8lvfsxzmaieRqqNndaXcXatXEN55g-sCmOwM5ORTjkZxHhpRi0rkvVuHlw-hBySUhyphenhyphenLa/s1600/P3290306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kYq-ewcGmPLl7jgiaj8ByiUZTyhPaSwM_zdx4iCTnGBkhVaEbvr1slsQeXm9oqGTFkZgu4va8lvfsxzmaieRqqNndaXcXatXEN55g-sCmOwM5ORTjkZxHhpRi0rkvVuHlw-hBySUhyphenhyphenLa/s320/P3290306.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Victory from St. Lucia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0SLY3W7F0PX2xtNsTikSG1XiU7VdUMH-y-I2t9r5xGMkWaQLThdiH1kLsP8JoXFOmAeCM_fuScfdiNkFBYpNwt2uEfSkKROeT-4lKHUlCeJNaNVH6cK0kvb0yJHOMmetaNtFVmu2UaDT/s1600/P3290320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0SLY3W7F0PX2xtNsTikSG1XiU7VdUMH-y-I2t9r5xGMkWaQLThdiH1kLsP8JoXFOmAeCM_fuScfdiNkFBYpNwt2uEfSkKROeT-4lKHUlCeJNaNVH6cK0kvb0yJHOMmetaNtFVmu2UaDT/s320/P3290320.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful outlook onto St. Luci</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7-yF_NV26E2pB_lWU8qroY3yK62fT_5ff1TaRaprvHg4HxGBf17YrvPWv2sk_-oE3wnHLYqcPfK_FpqjRYtfuTEcmT_jwDy0ijWjQ9fqrlWRmA4vwEVQghofTZojNTJ0Msdc38m9ej0n/s1600/P3290323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7-yF_NV26E2pB_lWU8qroY3yK62fT_5ff1TaRaprvHg4HxGBf17YrvPWv2sk_-oE3wnHLYqcPfK_FpqjRYtfuTEcmT_jwDy0ijWjQ9fqrlWRmA4vwEVQghofTZojNTJ0Msdc38m9ej0n/s320/P3290323.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local housing ... it always amazes me how the houses are built on top of each other</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
... we were taken to one of the local beaches ... Rodney Beach. The beach was absolutely beautiful, apart from the panhandling! Now, I've been asked and tormented about buying things from locals before, but this took the cake! Everyone from 12 to 70 years were trying to sell something! It was not just the selling piece, but the constant nagging and rudeness that really bothered us. We did manage to find some local beer and have a taste :)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pl7tN6zfhMfV0ncw4bCUVG9Y88b7etsy2ScYgIUWgDMDIGLNvsghtGjXXh0nlkLOLfXP1UNTAgxGHBJ9B6LcOQS5ARtujQxwHXUZXyb2GRdP5fA0ev_aZwjG1IOvkj4bp9zay3tZoMKP/s1600/P3290331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pl7tN6zfhMfV0ncw4bCUVG9Y88b7etsy2ScYgIUWgDMDIGLNvsghtGjXXh0nlkLOLfXP1UNTAgxGHBJ9B6LcOQS5ARtujQxwHXUZXyb2GRdP5fA0ev_aZwjG1IOvkj4bp9zay3tZoMKP/s320/P3290331.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local St. Lucia beer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtH8H9KkxPSzve4RNmnsEI1_tgUgaK8TG0vmbTxKguvmqS_53Ygajwd9jzop1Z3vldvcgLTozZGkMiGwcg2yJ84e37l2xWJRTTIl0Cgfk0Crqxu6gprdYx5Ed-Dtf5TWX8iYRpOLowjjvw/s1600/P3290332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtH8H9KkxPSzve4RNmnsEI1_tgUgaK8TG0vmbTxKguvmqS_53Ygajwd9jzop1Z3vldvcgLTozZGkMiGwcg2yJ84e37l2xWJRTTIl0Cgfk0Crqxu6gprdYx5Ed-Dtf5TWX8iYRpOLowjjvw/s320/P3290332.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and of course towel animal swan for the evening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>St. Kitts</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
March 30, 2012<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
St. Kitts was another place on my list to visit, and this one did not disappoint! The weather was absolutely beautiful, so we decided to hire a local tour company to show us the real sights and sounds of St. Kitts!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBdsFT1__fYiXXOXcKOEKEH62sXZqzjZWX2LLE6t-TISP_4N3Jttp0pZwTdeIEoyo2duhABXhAvkMFjzw5xBkUk_jey5GA-TurmGayjM_o1DvN3dtCwrxD5S07dwxcTkXSvI412GUa1Ul/s1600/P3300336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBdsFT1__fYiXXOXcKOEKEH62sXZqzjZWX2LLE6t-TISP_4N3Jttp0pZwTdeIEoyo2duhABXhAvkMFjzw5xBkUk_jey5GA-TurmGayjM_o1DvN3dtCwrxD5S07dwxcTkXSvI412GUa1Ul/s320/P3300336.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port of St. Kitts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CNbZNx6RPMaHeD7KBXA0AUxQwX0Jxrqx8FBLVH4pW9YoBd6Y3yD1ovRpY8qIQsgLEq9y_7e52BkK2rZd3CGauOF8Ly0FPFyFrBWGg-q6fi7buabPj-thRe7sHypn_Zc07dvpJSOiGMyK/s1600/P3300338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CNbZNx6RPMaHeD7KBXA0AUxQwX0Jxrqx8FBLVH4pW9YoBd6Y3yD1ovRpY8qIQsgLEq9y_7e52BkK2rZd3CGauOF8Ly0FPFyFrBWGg-q6fi7buabPj-thRe7sHypn_Zc07dvpJSOiGMyK/s320/P3300338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great shot of the Victory and Miracle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
As soon as we were on the island, we knew this was going to be one of our favorites of this trip! Starting just a few feet from the ship, we were greeted with MONKEYS! They were so darn cute, I contemplated on how to get one back home :)! A word for the wise ... we being approached by the "monkey men", be prepared for them to take you camera and throw the monkeys on your ... all before you realize it's happening! Then they proceed to take the pictures and charge you $20 for your own camera LOL! Crazy I know, but for us ... well worth the money!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
From there we toured the island, visited the botanical gardens, and then spent a few hours on the beach ... fantastic day!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHz2Hxul_mBFrfNPIbFvmbEX_G7ybTriSg54031eRyAKM4hPsJyuUWViefiNY6TPnALtUkWi5rmlFiuNCgFUoom3ndqwikkrl7hbt-hhlnXcVO32ipb618B39yV_dQGfCmu00CGuO_Yjl/s1600/P3300342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlHz2Hxul_mBFrfNPIbFvmbEX_G7ybTriSg54031eRyAKM4hPsJyuUWViefiNY6TPnALtUkWi5rmlFiuNCgFUoom3ndqwikkrl7hbt-hhlnXcVO32ipb618B39yV_dQGfCmu00CGuO_Yjl/s320/P3300342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most favorite experience ... MONKEYS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JbbU8eWNyjPjKFHPcbYJCFUkDwUd0gGeRuMflF2jlRR3_2_mJbYj4YQsQnc4VlHH-W-D7qPUqaJsOEELZBAvfyqGWP1lu_x8MHa88C_gODZKp8Iqpow3NLAy5IpVLTuXD5swL8OkdbcC/s1600/P3300348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JbbU8eWNyjPjKFHPcbYJCFUkDwUd0gGeRuMflF2jlRR3_2_mJbYj4YQsQnc4VlHH-W-D7qPUqaJsOEELZBAvfyqGWP1lu_x8MHa88C_gODZKp8Iqpow3NLAy5IpVLTuXD5swL8OkdbcC/s320/P3300348.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local house with a poor puppy on the step ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToxx4ou__wk_ZpjzqulAcEInufNd6V7VEWQEuoVY7fwb1mig2tgZz53GBAqDelMF1CNfyq3XeBLPqgJ18Ghig4aHOwF3qhKHiVfn-7EhzL-YnmUvw6uTdXqVcISMBuzDVqkrBMkm4WM9K/s1600/P3300355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToxx4ou__wk_ZpjzqulAcEInufNd6V7VEWQEuoVY7fwb1mig2tgZz53GBAqDelMF1CNfyq3XeBLPqgJ18Ghig4aHOwF3qhKHiVfn-7EhzL-YnmUvw6uTdXqVcISMBuzDVqkrBMkm4WM9K/s320/P3300355.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centre of the city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm51npH5Oe9Ca7CYf1w4n6KDYHEcxTruMJPvpQlXea1oupawQdCuMZ1IOV3i0a7fVuza9VbAmYr5i6FDaY9rsIdvPu_RDDXtDWWPr23SxRUootzu2THCxDA2seGhfPdyYOnAktwew10nUt/s1600/P3300363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm51npH5Oe9Ca7CYf1w4n6KDYHEcxTruMJPvpQlXea1oupawQdCuMZ1IOV3i0a7fVuza9VbAmYr5i6FDaY9rsIdvPu_RDDXtDWWPr23SxRUootzu2THCxDA2seGhfPdyYOnAktwew10nUt/s320/P3300363.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Momma and baby birds resting for the day ... protected from the snakes and rats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrqgp3NyQM8Qkz0mXcciPNMsZTqYlNRsw0kx_rvokPchDBonluvpENhwOM8UTKQRc1iOWj2DFmo4wncTLYxVl1EoRk4YAUMrLFK9-G6agfq7_nkwmrVT71qBkoFQsVseP7szSnSsA9XMU/s1600/P3300370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrqgp3NyQM8Qkz0mXcciPNMsZTqYlNRsw0kx_rvokPchDBonluvpENhwOM8UTKQRc1iOWj2DFmo4wncTLYxVl1EoRk4YAUMrLFK9-G6agfq7_nkwmrVT71qBkoFQsVseP7szSnSsA9XMU/s320/P3300370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most beautiful shot of the Caribbean ocean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGECJUpJFZTxHGQZv5nN2FBz0SSkVQVqxiOv-MontanAfEC7ubsrB5lQ0-1fFVHHyVpd7aBtFjLzjc4BxAe2i8qO8eCkbOlyiib5CdcK4DPsnvXvCmanevRheYaSXn0wHnhx5BuLMvlqD4/s1600/P3300376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGECJUpJFZTxHGQZv5nN2FBz0SSkVQVqxiOv-MontanAfEC7ubsrB5lQ0-1fFVHHyVpd7aBtFjLzjc4BxAe2i8qO8eCkbOlyiib5CdcK4DPsnvXvCmanevRheYaSXn0wHnhx5BuLMvlqD4/s320/P3300376.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little did we know we would run into MORE monkeys! This little guy had the softest hands/feet :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOcPFT7payp_QMExjM0AyZj_aYHkdh_ObwHbE6so-gb3C3ZIqq5NeauRt43WzaeCSxVrFeM0kQ7EFT45uFqJxHMOtnmEqeYS4mQfmaw9AgQ5xsrmkn9tBML7InE-G5vDuMEVXXbakz4ol/s1600/P3300378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOcPFT7payp_QMExjM0AyZj_aYHkdh_ObwHbE6so-gb3C3ZIqq5NeauRt43WzaeCSxVrFeM0kQ7EFT45uFqJxHMOtnmEqeYS4mQfmaw9AgQ5xsrmkn9tBML7InE-G5vDuMEVXXbakz4ol/s320/P3300378.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the botanical garden ... so serene </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dXzk4BAvlW43MTBCj-YbYMSQmPd0FkVR7_RFRqmFr5-DYTN050Et_XfhyL6KdAX1SVCo3oMRm_8OKZM3TgrMYiCNu31H9KAbDeNi3zrkUsUo41cwZ8NgHMzUUPFYyX6AQa3kQD1yY0xx/s1600/P3300384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dXzk4BAvlW43MTBCj-YbYMSQmPd0FkVR7_RFRqmFr5-DYTN050Et_XfhyL6KdAX1SVCo3oMRm_8OKZM3TgrMYiCNu31H9KAbDeNi3zrkUsUo41cwZ8NgHMzUUPFYyX6AQa3kQD1yY0xx/s320/P3300384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... another shot of the gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEBQWNbMf79pPlMvOPQ1wWwOIZwnG4cqGaPNGW9-gioivI4K0FqoQ-QtksbVW6swLcY_hacbHWQFRUAYEyXa5HHik2aLsNwNbMk7iOipo48wnJgzU5rc14tjswwcXOF8ZJhefmXArrPR2/s1600/P3300385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEBQWNbMf79pPlMvOPQ1wWwOIZwnG4cqGaPNGW9-gioivI4K0FqoQ-QtksbVW6swLcY_hacbHWQFRUAYEyXa5HHik2aLsNwNbMk7iOipo48wnJgzU5rc14tjswwcXOF8ZJhefmXArrPR2/s320/P3300385.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us under a huge palm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSUJwcl489p3pcxWlD230-_igVM3ncMRHZU9V2a8sxRZGpZpg9PDOnkU9U_Ad4k2oo6-xNtcO_HcxSa3DIuxbXPh6p-LbsQ9azTjTj3FqYH_mRhHxF7CXkb56Wi3085NVdi-o_t_La5yF/s1600/P3300394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSUJwcl489p3pcxWlD230-_igVM3ncMRHZU9V2a8sxRZGpZpg9PDOnkU9U_Ad4k2oo6-xNtcO_HcxSa3DIuxbXPh6p-LbsQ9azTjTj3FqYH_mRhHxF7CXkb56Wi3085NVdi-o_t_La5yF/s320/P3300394.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Marriage Tree. Legend states if you get married under this tree, your marriage will last forever </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcrve_q0XIPddhQN6ByY1w2_RUuJzrcjEmCObWURtEniwKItzAv8HUS9r9dvH0u6Ate85dazWKqsM42Fze4fpFtcFG_mKciAhiGhZc3-BTVwCXt8UfAyk183NtAC0TBWhi4ah_LB7DRgg/s1600/P3300405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcrve_q0XIPddhQN6ByY1w2_RUuJzrcjEmCObWURtEniwKItzAv8HUS9r9dvH0u6Ate85dazWKqsM42Fze4fpFtcFG_mKciAhiGhZc3-BTVwCXt8UfAyk183NtAC0TBWhi4ah_LB7DRgg/s320/P3300405.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was so impressive ... the Atlantic Ocean meeting the Caribbean Sea! Can you tell the difference?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVnWnipfX6L8d7Btok5hjgKYGd7I10NMFltDeB0_qghC6y4shoTFPVic1zVU57oF8j8gReWO_8gYA_UQwjgnkH2m0zKrTjanFUSr-2bCx-BMRM2J_RaWwGBVaUaOZzqap1AbWQu9t1Ym8/s1600/P3300407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVnWnipfX6L8d7Btok5hjgKYGd7I10NMFltDeB0_qghC6y4shoTFPVic1zVU57oF8j8gReWO_8gYA_UQwjgnkH2m0zKrTjanFUSr-2bCx-BMRM2J_RaWwGBVaUaOZzqap1AbWQu9t1Ym8/s320/P3300407.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful beach where we strolled and even rented a jet ski! The sand was almost black due to the volcanic sediments!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After a day in St. Kitts we were convinced we would have to visit again! Our new favorite place :)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>St. Marteen</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
March 31, 2012<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We had visited St. Marteen during out last cruise, but it's always fun seeing such a beautiful island again! We decided not to do much of anything today ... just relax and take in the hot weather. It started off again a little cloudy ... but quickly turned into a HOT day!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc2Y07ptZehwnUNUdxPC4Z50a_C-6zyjd3LkeE_TPSiFUK7hgpvYu14Df7MMdMzfa3u3jOJUrDLtzBGZzkt9Ica7TRlYb8soLsIjdc9dghhJa4Ikj6Yku84Vl3kOgK_Ycu-R8O02IGICS/s1600/P3300410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxc2Y07ptZehwnUNUdxPC4Z50a_C-6zyjd3LkeE_TPSiFUK7hgpvYu14Df7MMdMzfa3u3jOJUrDLtzBGZzkt9Ica7TRlYb8soLsIjdc9dghhJa4Ikj6Yku84Vl3kOgK_Ycu-R8O02IGICS/s320/P3300410.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port of St. Marteen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbFO8omMEcDgscCKGOh3Q9qXHveWji2p1beJqumydLPHdd3TJvPYcM-9haClWgsgc_NCwFlhrhFgGKPfc3yyWw9JRgW7MKC-2b8BbHVgUjIRMviyS7VEXzQdOPxwo7l7YaxEYZ5AB9RCl/s1600/P3310414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbFO8omMEcDgscCKGOh3Q9qXHveWji2p1beJqumydLPHdd3TJvPYcM-9haClWgsgc_NCwFlhrhFgGKPfc3yyWw9JRgW7MKC-2b8BbHVgUjIRMviyS7VEXzQdOPxwo7l7YaxEYZ5AB9RCl/s320/P3310414.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful beach of St. Marteen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWtatkQv-NOcHpPnBT55V4Td8KA-Kx4-oEFdxz4Lkgt79FY6yLBZ1_P79Jr5NdjKD41BRJ59QVWQZdFjsMeAhqNyjhCW_ck9h6H9z_zza4vjyoikOduudMoCqHWXVcF0w0bLaCh2X2wJ4/s1600/P3310416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWtatkQv-NOcHpPnBT55V4Td8KA-Kx4-oEFdxz4Lkgt79FY6yLBZ1_P79Jr5NdjKD41BRJ59QVWQZdFjsMeAhqNyjhCW_ck9h6H9z_zza4vjyoikOduudMoCqHWXVcF0w0bLaCh2X2wJ4/s320/P3310416.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We decided to come back to the ship a little early today, and enjoy the serenity deck one last time. Luckily I found a huge bed and flaked out for a few hours ... sun bathing and just relaxing. Beautiful end to a fabulous cruise!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IbzO99A29fZ-SizZMuHsX-XZGHb_GzgVzZ5sra3wQF-6HU8nT3vo15Wgls-AEneLyZGZ5vASiGEjaB1MOfeTnbIDLZbDU7BIdcpBYRDOoFNqTGTvB-Wb0OXnZjExzcdyd42wL3DcIB_d/s1600/P3310421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IbzO99A29fZ-SizZMuHsX-XZGHb_GzgVzZ5sra3wQF-6HU8nT3vo15Wgls-AEneLyZGZ5vASiGEjaB1MOfeTnbIDLZbDU7BIdcpBYRDOoFNqTGTvB-Wb0OXnZjExzcdyd42wL3DcIB_d/s320/P3310421.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of St. Marteen from the Serenity Deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tUr24OwJNUxr1pMxT2xvbRm2XSuFw-1lnMKFVAEQHuJK4DJQ5BhUhARkKsnAaWCHCDRIvuCqWTbNW-nE-hmUecLF6pW1RMfhAZsrdpLvwrGgUdkS2ngD6W2wACBeBXnoXrC7BbRcEvUT/s1600/P3310423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tUr24OwJNUxr1pMxT2xvbRm2XSuFw-1lnMKFVAEQHuJK4DJQ5BhUhARkKsnAaWCHCDRIvuCqWTbNW-nE-hmUecLF6pW1RMfhAZsrdpLvwrGgUdkS2ngD6W2wACBeBXnoXrC7BbRcEvUT/s320/P3310423.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our final towel animal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>San Juan, PR</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
April 1/2, 2012</div>
<br />
Without seeing a picture of this hotel, we were a little concerned that we may be staying a not-so-nice place ... however when we arrived, we were totally shocked! The Courtyard by Marriott, Isla Verde, PR was well beyond our expectations!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknoJYbHt5RRbQaND5mWYKhvR7GSqeHiEWUL6vM5UwPR5w_YBb1xxYwgVdjVbRJ9JMITHIKRawA6sfP4miLW7JeOOAew4Ve9fhG_0vr_J4Q4mXEIa8yAdNJEeQ4Vwj8gO8fwzOG0M0FkNF/s1600/P4010429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknoJYbHt5RRbQaND5mWYKhvR7GSqeHiEWUL6vM5UwPR5w_YBb1xxYwgVdjVbRJ9JMITHIKRawA6sfP4miLW7JeOOAew4Ve9fhG_0vr_J4Q4mXEIa8yAdNJEeQ4Vwj8gO8fwzOG0M0FkNF/s320/P4010429.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Puerto Rician sky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYIrbDGKGOVDwNZxaZAPDLTNPiizjxs7wGqyg1_82OECzwERjWogu1k_X3D21VbQh-HPiFDCNujkFY54PbnK0p3JNwA4v3zOlZKPRrvw1mo6X3iQZkG-3BWV_NlMG5k2mZyAumDkDnLgF/s1600/P4010425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYIrbDGKGOVDwNZxaZAPDLTNPiizjxs7wGqyg1_82OECzwERjWogu1k_X3D21VbQh-HPiFDCNujkFY54PbnK0p3JNwA4v3zOlZKPRrvw1mo6X3iQZkG-3BWV_NlMG5k2mZyAumDkDnLgF/s320/P4010425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach, right at our feet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93rd3Xomaa5xSZridZb49MmjjiX8f1bISybntGVyZ3rbXUzLJIn78GMoF3qTsDt7mb2pz29KIBeq97JbSq_Crxoae0e_c5def1saCvGMgM5ukR9O0QyVmbT1Ddesc9VJ-5nSusVvRYoGn/s1600/P4010424.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93rd3Xomaa5xSZridZb49MmjjiX8f1bISybntGVyZ3rbXUzLJIn78GMoF3qTsDt7mb2pz29KIBeq97JbSq_Crxoae0e_c5def1saCvGMgM5ukR9O0QyVmbT1Ddesc9VJ-5nSusVvRYoGn/s320/P4010424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swim up bar ... mmmmm!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After relaxing for a little bit, all the fun started :)! 3:00 pm was the start of happy hour ... and boy were we happy!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV83BXAYbBa9TJvgsLvIkQxEP3LZxnj1kM2svBUpGWCoX4sOPWCfMEwS-Yv1siTnRCZzjstPMELiNljWCXh7EhkBRZ0Ig4L9poqEi9dXFSnE760M-gvge4JG8qpX1GU097w2eEdMlEtjV3/s1600/P4010428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV83BXAYbBa9TJvgsLvIkQxEP3LZxnj1kM2svBUpGWCoX4sOPWCfMEwS-Yv1siTnRCZzjstPMELiNljWCXh7EhkBRZ0Ig4L9poqEi9dXFSnE760M-gvge4JG8qpX1GU097w2eEdMlEtjV3/s320/P4010428.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby riding Shamu .... lol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zroBbkSxE1f37xx6FAMzybsFJSFQ-EEsx7pMJr5JhA2yH6d7yzII9PDNsa2xujUILBADyzO5y30He8R6ZTtuMrCaizCI7SLf4OeWsEVQ-CY9TpbgKRDjS4jaRLS74_DY_ugg7hMLdXri/s1600/P4010444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zroBbkSxE1f37xx6FAMzybsFJSFQ-EEsx7pMJr5JhA2yH6d7yzII9PDNsa2xujUILBADyzO5y30He8R6ZTtuMrCaizCI7SLf4OeWsEVQ-CY9TpbgKRDjS4jaRLS74_DY_ugg7hMLdXri/s320/P4010444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempting to surf ... with help!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NdqDjjSIXAmCeAIboVP9_DpTqoEcIrpfdO-qvkO314qe99JputMGGMpGqwnAXiQrDHncAsA06R14v8LU_hgzgwPOuKs3IgwrqhND3pVAS0mkp4Zf_wCpzYf8EqkNrSOHyZGkVV3mSl9N/s1600/P4010458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NdqDjjSIXAmCeAIboVP9_DpTqoEcIrpfdO-qvkO314qe99JputMGGMpGqwnAXiQrDHncAsA06R14v8LU_hgzgwPOuKs3IgwrqhND3pVAS0mkp4Zf_wCpzYf8EqkNrSOHyZGkVV3mSl9N/s320/P4010458.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a leisurely float in the pool</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX-tSWWALiyIyBibCTzcKHoAOdNVqm1N_IgM4Ekp8yk-LjgTvXKefApFKZ-wGaAPHjBx78GzcZoEj-s14B5C7usXNVr5y3tJ4mqXDsdv2uc4Xe4p7tQkw2NkNt5pZ536Fv-m36tJtW2MQ/s1600/P4010462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX-tSWWALiyIyBibCTzcKHoAOdNVqm1N_IgM4Ekp8yk-LjgTvXKefApFKZ-wGaAPHjBx78GzcZoEj-s14B5C7usXNVr5y3tJ4mqXDsdv2uc4Xe4p7tQkw2NkNt5pZ536Fv-m36tJtW2MQ/s320/P4010462.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rJ04WDt9SuFOyAHZ68eIyZQNSazQm7ovtfD85oY9i_8DSvfDDC1eXdA5Wp6S5ZrATlxBclFSKZ3PjGAW0bX_TDbC_eY9OQNYCHB3sjEbzLCjefprpTB-orMg_DRjvrzoCth2f_Vi8Wg4/s1600/P4010463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rJ04WDt9SuFOyAHZ68eIyZQNSazQm7ovtfD85oY9i_8DSvfDDC1eXdA5Wp6S5ZrATlxBclFSKZ3PjGAW0bX_TDbC_eY9OQNYCHB3sjEbzLCjefprpTB-orMg_DRjvrzoCth2f_Vi8Wg4/s320/P4010463.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93rd3Xomaa5xSZridZb49MmjjiX8f1bISybntGVyZ3rbXUzLJIn78GMoF3qTsDt7mb2pz29KIBeq97JbSq_Crxoae0e_c5def1saCvGMgM5ukR9O0QyVmbT1Ddesc9VJ-5nSusVvRYoGn/s1600/P4010424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPN0Y2mJGdAqfRJy8pCYbTpu-rdfobsIxfKU7h3rZdwiGJhEvaRaRx_1eSVudSdbervb43LV9Y2GevaL_RYodfWv3UDd0iJ3OlD4sSfNQn4x7qtzTI1-igBAiMsuQGpFLtudVdUIGOTVY/s1600/P4010432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPN0Y2mJGdAqfRJy8pCYbTpu-rdfobsIxfKU7h3rZdwiGJhEvaRaRx_1eSVudSdbervb43LV9Y2GevaL_RYodfWv3UDd0iJ3OlD4sSfNQn4x7qtzTI1-igBAiMsuQGpFLtudVdUIGOTVY/s320/P4010432.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So long San Juan ... till we meet again xoxo</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
All in all we had one heck of a time! New and wonderful cultures, beautiful weather, fabulous islands and scenery, and a suburb cruise to boot!<br />
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... so much fun ... that we're planning the next as we speak :)! </div>
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<br /></div>Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-54651542118017309382012-02-21T21:04:00.000-03:302012-02-21T21:04:00.261-03:304 YEARS!Receiving my second chance brought a lot of great feelings ... particularly when I realized that I could actually breathe! However, I didn't really understand the massive impact that a lung transplant would have on my life. Yes, I did think that things would be a lot better and I wouldn't have to be suffering to breathe, but I didn't understand the extent of that!<br />
<br />
Here I am, 4 years post-transplant, and all of the wonderful feelings and thoughts that came along with waking up and being able to breathe, have come flooding back. In actual fact, they haven't left!<br />
<br />
I've been enjoying life over the past 4 years and have been doing things I have NEVER done! I've traveled, played golf, hiked, walked for miles, and exercised! Yes, I'm excited to be able to exercise! Over the past 4 years, I have been struggling with weight gain (something that is almost unimaginable for someone with CF). With an increase in appetite, medications that cause water retention, and no struggling to breathe, my body wasn't burning off the calories to keep my weight down.<br />
<br />
In September 2011, I gave in and hired my friend. Kristen and her NUTRIFIT program was a perfect fit for me! Not only did I manage to loose 20 lbs in 12 weeks, but I've been able to come off my insulin and am able to eat properly. I feel absolutely fabulous!! I've continued Kristen's program and continue to feel great!<br />
<br />
So here I am, 4 years out, 25 lbs lighter and feeling fabulous! I've been able to get myself exercising ... absolutely loving Zumba and the gym! Imagine :)!<br />
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Happy 4th Lungiversary to me :D!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-54975424581849030182012-02-09T21:10:00.000-03:302012-02-21T21:30:25.221-03:30The Story Continues<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrqyIRTSwqffIRwO3y8yEpOv6tIu4zeYrQrjfBMdSaDaMEa1yzESUtN55Jkwa78zAckivfsc9U3KwXwxpgZwgiXwjnA1_-6_fIU7ffS85QeUdV1urp4FXa1Wf3wnicU9RNE6wzffGCttz/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrqyIRTSwqffIRwO3y8yEpOv6tIu4zeYrQrjfBMdSaDaMEa1yzESUtN55Jkwa78zAckivfsc9U3KwXwxpgZwgiXwjnA1_-6_fIU7ffS85QeUdV1urp4FXa1Wf3wnicU9RNE6wzffGCttz/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Scars" Tat - #9</td></tr>
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Here I go again! I am so totally addicted! A fellow TX friend posted this saying and I just HAD to have it permanently inked :D! It's been added right under my TX incision and above the 2 chest tube scars ... perfect placement!<br />
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Thanks again Chuck @ White Scorpion Tattoo!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-47372978573368230142011-12-09T21:23:00.000-03:302012-02-21T21:29:27.822-03:30Oops ... and #8 it is!Obviously, I have a huge problem with tattoos ... lol! Addicted just doesn't cover it! We've begun to complete an entire back piece, so in saying that, we've added another piece to finish it up ...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DZ05D3qny8Q33BH4ojrkvM3YDimARQtaif9KEKioQH4MbSNzEVBMVewYb9tlXaiy5OUjEU6HFzmoDEkH9r8dJAmHu7P0lRCsgckz3TKcSaMh0VtCPAa-lI9DRh5MgurntfMpTmx8KpBS/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DZ05D3qny8Q33BH4ojrkvM3YDimARQtaif9KEKioQH4MbSNzEVBMVewYb9tlXaiy5OUjEU6HFzmoDEkH9r8dJAmHu7P0lRCsgckz3TKcSaMh0VtCPAa-lI9DRh5MgurntfMpTmx8KpBS/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#8 - Fan w/ Cherry Blossoms</td></tr>
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We've added the fan with Cherry Blossoms under the Phoenix ... and it's turned out fantastic! We did another little bit of work on the coloring of the dragon and flowers. My previous tat is proving to be a pain to cover, and some of it is still showing through the Lotus ... but we have a few more trick to try to get rid of it.<br />
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I'm absolutely loving the coloring of the entire piece ... and no, this will not be the end of tattooing! I REALLY WANT a quarter sleeve (maybe even half sleeve) ... so that will be in the works at a later time.<br />
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I can't thank Chuck @ White Scorpion Tattoos enough for all the time and care he has put into me and my tats!<br />
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Stay tuned ... there WILL be more to come!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-4983545164668417992011-08-07T20:42:00.001-02:302012-05-06T20:46:11.861-02:30More Work ... and a Little ExplaningMy new tattoo is getting finished!! YAY!! It's not like me not to take pictures, but I noticed that I didn't take any of my last sitting in June. At that time a lot of the black shading was done. I also had to cancel my July sitting ... work got in the way ... so now we're a little behind in getting it completed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimN7xobMSIYrmI4hqkN1vSRE-ZZkVSApmQqnAxIcO2UOpnkOqpTxNs7XVUW7vSLt0y09PYLxndSvesP1-Kl_-dAZOCYAEHp00VctWhhpGbG9kkk9vJhIXKSLyfJoUxgNExbcSL_843tEbW/s1600/IMG_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimN7xobMSIYrmI4hqkN1vSRE-ZZkVSApmQqnAxIcO2UOpnkOqpTxNs7XVUW7vSLt0y09PYLxndSvesP1-Kl_-dAZOCYAEHp00VctWhhpGbG9kkk9vJhIXKSLyfJoUxgNExbcSL_843tEbW/s320/IMG_0002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
In this picture, it shows the work that was done yesterday, August 6, 2011. We are adding more to the bottom of the tattoo (underneath the phoenix and dragon ... stay tuned :), so we didn't do any more of the black shading. Instead, we started the coloring!!!! So far I have the lily completed, and the peony started (it stills needs to be completed and lots of shading done). We also decided to try a new technique with my old tattoo cover up ... whiting it out! As you can see (maybe not so clearly), white was used to color over the old tat. Sadly, the black lettering covered better than the actual pink and greens. I loved the design of my old tat, but after having it completed 2 times, it still turned out hideous! It was supposed to be a realistic lily ... instead it turned more into a pink, lumpy, splotchy blob with green things sticking out of it! I think my new lily looks a million times better!<br />
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I still have another 4 sitting at least to complete it. Next sitting we will be completing the peony, adding the rest of the piece under the dragon, and hopefully completing that. I'll need another sitting for the dragon and another for the rest of the shading ... and a final one to tighten it all up!<br />
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Can't wait to see the finished product ... I'm getting really excited now that there's coloring going it!! HE HE!<br />
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I know a lot of people don't like tattoos, and especially the size that I have, but I've been addicted since my very first one ... and this isn't the last. I get a lot of questions about why I would do something like this, and also lots of questions about tattooing post-transplant.<br />
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My reason for doing this is ALL FOR ME! I absolutely love tattoos and see them as a work of art. All of my tats have meaning to me, and none have been done just to have them (well, except for one which was done spur of the moment, and I just loved the design). The rest have been designed and well thought out.<br />
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The new one symbolizes everything I've been through since 2006, and when I look at it, I had great meaning to me. As for my transplant and having the tattoos ... my team was NOT in support of any tattoos; however there are a lot of things that they are against and warned me about. This being said, I wouldn't put myself in any blatant danger, as this has been the GREATEST gift ever. But in saying that, I also can't live in a bubble. I worked very hard to get where I am, and in thinking/getting my tattoo, I also did a lot of research and thinking about it. First off, I waited a year before even thinking about it (well, not really ... I thought about it all the time). I know a year is not a long time post-transplant; but at that point I did not have any rejection or signs of any issues *knock wood* and really wanted to do something for me and my donor.<br />
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I worked with my tattoo artist and we discussed what I wanted and how to eliminate any infection. We decided that doing the tattoos a little at a time and allowing extra time in between sittings to make sure everything was healed, would be the best route. So far, things have worked perfectly for me. He makes sure to clean the area really well before, during and after ... and I follow a strict cleaning routine.<br />
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It's still not something the docs want to see ... but I'm also not supposed to have plants/flowers in the house, pets, eat rare meat, sprouts or sushi ... just to name a few things. I'm not saying it's silly, as they all have reasons as to why, as a post-transplant patient, you shouldn't do/have these things ... but again, I've never been one to follow rules around my health very strictly ... and this has worked for me throughout my life thus far, and I don't plan on changing it.<br />
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We're put on this earth for a purpose, and for me I have a second chance to enjoy even more of my life (or experience 2 lives if you look at it that way) ... and I'm living it to the fullest! By no means am I ignoring my health or gift ... but I'm not isolating myself in spite of it. :)!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-50703004976627146732011-08-05T20:43:00.013-02:302012-05-06T20:46:31.188-02:30Another Boost of L-I-F-EAgain I find myself stuck in this mundane rut ... enjoying my new life, but not really doing much but working and living a "normal" life ... and by no means is my life normal!<br />
<br />
I find myself falling into this space where I'm like everyone else ... complaining about the weather, that I don't get to do things, work ... just complaining. I really hate to do this since my transplant ... but when you're around the general population, it just seems to swirl around you until you're engulfed in this depressing mood.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, I received some really great news ... and again, boosted me back into "my" reality! One of my transplant family members had an unexpected hospital stay during her transplant follow up, another had been waiting to hear if he could return home from his transplant, and yet another had received her gift, but was having a few bumps to get over. Well, within a day, I had heard that the hospital stay was over, the other was heading home, and our newest transplant family member had turned 25 and celebrated her 1 month lungivesary!<br />
<br />
Thanks for the boost back into reality ... nothing like hearing/seeing the miracles and things that REALLY matter, rather than dwelling on the little, insignificant stuff.<br />
<br />
YAY LIFE!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-25352768630116501392011-08-01T20:17:00.000-02:302012-05-06T20:46:43.513-02:30Yet Another New AdditionI'm a self proclaimed animal lover ... well, particularly doggies. Throughout my life time I've loved 6 pugs (currently have 2) and a Samoyed. Most recently I've gotten into rescuing doggies ... and well, I can't seem to stop!<br />
<br />
Just last year, we adopted a beagle, Willow into our home. She's been a handful to say the least, but she's a joy to have. I'm curious as to what kind of life she had before us, as she is quite scared of loud noises, etc. She's proven to be very hard to train ... but we're still working on it, and I'm sure she'll master it sooner or later.<br />
<br />
Just 2 days ago, we learned of a little pup (setter/lab mix) who was in need of a home. Well, I saw a picture of her and fell head over heels in love with her. I know it's a lot to take on ... but then again, what's another doggie in the mix??<br />
<br />
The pugs just love her (plus the pugs are couch potatoes ... so they're not any trouble at all). Willow does like her; however she constantly wants to play with Rosey ... and well, she just a tad too small to be push around, jumped on and bitten!! Willow can't get this through her head as of yet.<br />
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Nevertheless, Rosey is now a part of our family ... and one that we'll love as we love all our fur babies!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3Lcwh58HSSuhHjwi1LBHKNjo89VGW5LFSkujz0wSD6hqXP7eSYW65YKbvSSC9mvlIeewUFuILL8Tf9HF-nQ2iqThvXkMUcCsbDivLqObp7SjTUVeT29daOtwC-Amp19VQHTIqk31wseP/s1600/IMG_0132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3Lcwh58HSSuhHjwi1LBHKNjo89VGW5LFSkujz0wSD6hqXP7eSYW65YKbvSSC9mvlIeewUFuILL8Tf9HF-nQ2iqThvXkMUcCsbDivLqObp7SjTUVeT29daOtwC-Amp19VQHTIqk31wseP/s320/IMG_0132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little cutie taking a much deserved nap! Welcome home Rosey! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-78959042943484725572011-07-03T18:47:00.000-02:302012-05-06T20:47:02.535-02:30Finally, a Start to SummerI'll first apologize for not keeping my blog up-to-date ... however, I've been quite busy with work and home life that I just haven't had a chance to post ;)<br />
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The weather has been pretty nasty up until July 1! The entire month of June was rain, drizzle and fog (RDF) ... of the 30 days in June, we had 27 days of rain! Not once did the temps reach 20 degrees :S! YUCK! With all that being said ... July has come in full force!! The past 2 days have been 25+ degrees and sunshine ... YAY!<br />
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I haven't been taking many photos lately ... see above ... lol. But, as of today, I've taken my camera out and have it all dusted off and freshly charged.<br />
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Hubby and I are trying to plan a little weekend getaway ... sometime this summer. Depending on work schedules, it looks like its going to be hard to plan, but we'll attempt it. We're not looking for anything fancy ... after all, there are lots of places in Newfoundland we haven't even seen yet! We're actually looking to plan a trip to the Northern Peninsula ... that should be fun :)!<br />
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Happy Summer!!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-87808876352591232372011-04-17T18:48:00.014-02:302011-07-03T18:58:06.561-02:30Back Under the Needle ... Tattoo # 7 (and counting)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_yiWTaPvS44Uv55s71o3k2l-vsrIcdM1KBkZomx56Gfjxft82HxJy6At55mPTrjdc4zEC6hX4R-X9rWOt3yfDFT0pfSsnIkFO1OrouIm7LXKOtXyucUeRI-bDZy2U1CPZpjAhqF9187A/s1600/IMG_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6_yiWTaPvS44Uv55s71o3k2l-vsrIcdM1KBkZomx56Gfjxft82HxJy6At55mPTrjdc4zEC6hX4R-X9rWOt3yfDFT0pfSsnIkFO1OrouIm7LXKOtXyucUeRI-bDZy2U1CPZpjAhqF9187A/s320/IMG_0012.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April 16, 2011 - Tat #7</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I didn't lie when I said I was getting yet another tattoo :)! Yup, #7 has started ... and I can't wait to see the finished work of art! This will complete my back ... making it an entire piece!<br />
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I've decided to add the dragon to complement my phoenix. In Japanese and Chinese history, both resemble the yin/yang. My tattoo artist found a beautiful dragon and the colors are amazing! But everyone will have to wait until the color is added before I post any other pics :)!<br />
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As you can see, I've added the dragon and some Japanese flowers ... lily, water lily, etc. I'm actually covering up my previous lily tattoo ... I wasn't pleased with it right from the start, even after having it re-done. So the only thing I've asked my tattoo artist to do is incorporate the Stargazer Lily and the symbol for "inner strength". The outline above isn't complete as of yet ... as we decided (when the first sitting was done) that a tail and Japanese fan are in order ... lol! <br />
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Keep posted for the next sitting ... EXCITING!!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-80731906519696409822011-04-10T15:20:00.002-02:302011-04-10T15:27:42.303-02:30Welcoming ... Sally LittlefootI've always enjoyed exotic animals ... and have always been an animal lover. After all, I've had 6 pugs, a samoyed, and a beagle throughout my life ... currently loving 2 pugs and our beagle. So when I saw the beautiful pictures that my friend had posted ... I just fell in love all over again!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">HEDGEHOGS!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihivBRN8hTtlbkf8NRwbSuGoeFZ1lKeZhlWgcD5C2eSwZ6EU0B1vEwyBS-JTeWq8uL4pwMqO2YRr5i13H4ZVJMtAmZCSyOEKRi-X4W6jveTqtvVaHdSp7ufIoihTEv1odS79MVVsVJ-E69/s1600/042-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihivBRN8hTtlbkf8NRwbSuGoeFZ1lKeZhlWgcD5C2eSwZ6EU0B1vEwyBS-JTeWq8uL4pwMqO2YRr5i13H4ZVJMtAmZCSyOEKRi-X4W6jveTqtvVaHdSp7ufIoihTEv1odS79MVVsVJ-E69/s320/042-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Introducing ... Sally Littlefoot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After seeing this beautiful little creature, I immediately contacted my friend and arranged to get me one of these little beauties! I then picked out our little darling ... Sally!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj41w3gdm8jgijoXlr3TgZnUsdj2dDh5wBp6-MjDZmmEk-UydzqjZA5leozvipymwJfLluJgSD0zubJx91-sVGG5CiLWTLnfdr5Q-CSws_kxseVzYVmfc2q5xq898WdM1SLkWwxt6Nm4J6/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj41w3gdm8jgijoXlr3TgZnUsdj2dDh5wBp6-MjDZmmEk-UydzqjZA5leozvipymwJfLluJgSD0zubJx91-sVGG5CiLWTLnfdr5Q-CSws_kxseVzYVmfc2q5xq898WdM1SLkWwxt6Nm4J6/s320/043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's our little girlie enjoying a bowl of food all to herself ... hehe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZWE3Vq0r8WQDcmkTnjpq4hvNSKOHUoQWWptzFSoq6S00UG8ktrQKJj8ngKKJUIH0SBLW5kukBRQy11uQnNc3clCrivFUnwPo_-ziZDswOSryaQRKkRcLKOl-m1tm6hb-u0wZ2D6FVTqi/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZWE3Vq0r8WQDcmkTnjpq4hvNSKOHUoQWWptzFSoq6S00UG8ktrQKJj8ngKKJUIH0SBLW5kukBRQy11uQnNc3clCrivFUnwPo_-ziZDswOSryaQRKkRcLKOl-m1tm6hb-u0wZ2D6FVTqi/s320/063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And enjoying her wheel ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63pZM3ATg1WfPPHpEwMKmOZXtMzTI6h-ObjTH6IazX1mtRs0vAVlClPWixVw2gaE5gYpqD1or-FOUgll0sV87Y6tTIoC8QddvEP347_B0lQm92S4zoGenjFKj1k_z5i6aWGFDySjaup7W/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63pZM3ATg1WfPPHpEwMKmOZXtMzTI6h-ObjTH6IazX1mtRs0vAVlClPWixVw2gaE5gYpqD1or-FOUgll0sV87Y6tTIoC8QddvEP347_B0lQm92S4zoGenjFKj1k_z5i6aWGFDySjaup7W/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Finally a pic of our little darling ... as of today, April 10, 2011 at almost 6 weeks ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItSQrjr09drvJkzZX1xyc5dTdTtBrOx14-RHWnEEwFZcbpk6Rc2QLhKsPjO83Ns1LLkR5MJBOxoou7vEN8a_yD1LB0f8f0BIhDaEo2uXGCnwoQxIucpDrKh_7Y1HgaMEjCqnFUUoLJten/s1600/202036_10150218513916605_654686604_9049479_5258355_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItSQrjr09drvJkzZX1xyc5dTdTtBrOx14-RHWnEEwFZcbpk6Rc2QLhKsPjO83Ns1LLkR5MJBOxoou7vEN8a_yD1LB0f8f0BIhDaEo2uXGCnwoQxIucpDrKh_7Y1HgaMEjCqnFUUoLJten/s320/202036_10150218513916605_654686604_9049479_5258355_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can't wait to meet her in person on the 15th!! Thanks Paulette for the opportunity to fall in love with and love this little darling!</div>Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-58800431534926343122011-04-09T18:16:00.013-02:302011-04-10T18:28:49.181-02:30Design Time AgainIt's been a little while since I've been under the needle getting tattooed ... so, time to change that. As we speak, I'm getting tat #7 designed. It's going to almost complete my back piece :)! I've decided on something to complement my phoenix and to symbolize my new life.<br />
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I know a lot of people hate tattoos, and to each his own. But I absolutely love them, especially when they have significant meaning; which all of mine do. There's really only one of my tattoos that don't actually "mean" anything, but it was something that I fell in love with. Other than that, the others all have significant meaning.<br />
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I'm getting pretty excited ... first sitting is April 16!!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-53361898957924734092011-04-08T13:44:00.000-02:302012-05-06T20:47:17.855-02:30Up to My Old Tricks AgainWell, well, well ... looks like I've fallen right back into my old rut again ... on all levels!<br />
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The only thing I dislike about living in Newfoundland is the winter weather. I'm not the real "out doorsy" person and don't really enjoy the baffling wind and snow. Hence, I keep myself isolated inside, be it at work or home ... resulting in me feeling like crap. Well, good news is, the weather seems to be getting better and as with anyone, the sunshine is always welcomed!<br />
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So, guess my next step is to get myself back into shape ... AGAIN! Now, not that I was really in shape before, but at least I was moving and doing something. It's this rut that I hate the most. I feel so guilty for not be as active as I can be ... after all, these new lungs were not only a new life, but a very precious gift. But as of TODAY, I've made a new commitment to my "buddies" ... healthy living. Oh boy, do I ever had my work cut out for me!<br />
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First on the list is eating right and getting my sugars under control. Then I need to add in the exercise. It doesn't sound so threatening when you look at it, but coming from someone who ate WHATEVER I wanted for 30 years, and didn't do a whole lot (if any) exercising ... this is a daunting task. And to add insult to injury, my mind and lungs are going full force, but my body can't keep up ... frustrating!!!!<br />
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Nevertheless ... it's time to get myself out of this rut! Wish me luck :)!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-88032350172477079262011-03-17T20:23:00.015-02:302011-08-01T20:32:02.315-02:30Hooked on Cruising!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyz0yrsLkwGT290g1-x9m8EcPbK451u1RTTeDhqzzbS7lfVs_kIjF8TD0PEQpsJoGZQgwpv1CBihZgEJogbrxoWS_4RfrKwdCOyRLkUZRncXKxe_c50KmUP4HOAanz4MwnolFzbKM9_Y2/s1600/victory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyz0yrsLkwGT290g1-x9m8EcPbK451u1RTTeDhqzzbS7lfVs_kIjF8TD0PEQpsJoGZQgwpv1CBihZgEJogbrxoWS_4RfrKwdCOyRLkUZRncXKxe_c50KmUP4HOAanz4MwnolFzbKM9_Y2/s320/victory.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she is ... Carnival Victory!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As you can tell from my previous post ... we had a BLAST on our cruise! Not something I thought I would ever do ... now I can't picture another vacation outside of cruising!<br />
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Well, we've only been home a few weeks ... aaaaannnnnddddd, I've done it! We've booked again for 2012! YAY!<br />
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We absolutely loved the Carnival Dream and sailing out of Florida ... but we wanted to do something different this time. There are a lot of places in the southern Caribbean that I want to visit and have always dreamed of ... St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados ... and guess what???!!! We found a cruise that visits not just one or two of the ports ... but all three!! And on top of that, we begin our journey at San Juan, PR!<br />
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The more I think of visiting San Juan, the more nervous I become. I don't know what it is ... maybe it's the fear that everyone will speak Spanish and we'll be stuck not knowing how to communicate. After all, I could handle Florida :D! Nevertheless, the cruise is booked, fights are on watch, and the countdown begins!!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0San Juan, Puerto Rico18.4663338 -66.105721718.390504800000002 -66.1746522 18.5421628 -66.03679120000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-41157892776618881852011-03-01T19:00:00.002-03:302011-04-10T16:58:42.370-02:30Fantastic Vacation!!What a fabulous vacation!<br />
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First of all, myself and hubby have never been on an actual vacation ... not even a honeymoon. So when we booked our cruise back in August, we didn't want to say a whole lot ... afraid we would jinx it :)! Thankfully we were able to go and without a hitch!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe50qf1ZH28Cwcgx8Y0_xTM9jbpUdP_zaWyglDFY0ekQ-7WHOe49_ZoVyiDRsv-KMKoGungCNutzTagx488NwIb9GqsDcgmqvW1H_rHIhIIoRLS8CkPAyMkYmG-DUo5NlQ8Q0IdMWKkNB/s1600/P2080003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe50qf1ZH28Cwcgx8Y0_xTM9jbpUdP_zaWyglDFY0ekQ-7WHOe49_ZoVyiDRsv-KMKoGungCNutzTagx488NwIb9GqsDcgmqvW1H_rHIhIIoRLS8CkPAyMkYmG-DUo5NlQ8Q0IdMWKkNB/s320/P2080003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We first arrived in Orlando, FL for a few days ... the weather was great; however we did have a few cooler days. Of course, we had left freezing temperatures and about 3 feet of snow ... needless to say, we didn't mind the cooler weather :)!<br />
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We rented a fabulous house with some great friends ... and had a ball! Even had our own heated pool - which made for some late night fun ... haha!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U14DA3Y2_w02G2Fj_L_ADXpVVmy4dwr8uqnwK-466fu1d85cJ9aPspQosEAtLHawj1HnVUTup4gDTR2xphjPpkcvYdPQmit2PfIqK8VPWRHgdXltn_XcEBKT-RsFcDuOYYBL5kwkQZT0/s1600/P2080002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3U14DA3Y2_w02G2Fj_L_ADXpVVmy4dwr8uqnwK-466fu1d85cJ9aPspQosEAtLHawj1HnVUTup4gDTR2xphjPpkcvYdPQmit2PfIqK8VPWRHgdXltn_XcEBKT-RsFcDuOYYBL5kwkQZT0/s320/P2080002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pool was fabulous, well, then again, everything was fabulous!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkKqxMjFyIyJBQvtcvX0hUl7msmD4GQFLQKe7r1C3QFTY6V0sGOXo30DtL3pl06q0aRyUXtYOLdqh-y3mJ-3kPWsTMwZYNC-mTrfkPYFhwcjch2F-YDszB3dbGbuZ1S9dEWKWCAyRTCyd/s1600/P2090023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkKqxMjFyIyJBQvtcvX0hUl7msmD4GQFLQKe7r1C3QFTY6V0sGOXo30DtL3pl06q0aRyUXtYOLdqh-y3mJ-3kPWsTMwZYNC-mTrfkPYFhwcjch2F-YDszB3dbGbuZ1S9dEWKWCAyRTCyd/s320/P2090023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby and I enjoying a late night swim ... can't do that in NL!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Following our stay in Orlando, we heading for our cruise ... the Carnival Dream! We had never cruised before and I was a little hesitant as I wasn't sure if I would suffer the week being sea-sick ... that thought quickly left me when I saw the beautiful ship we would be sailing on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoSVXeGWCJokftpVsY0efEe8agYZPiVl40Yzow0zn5nWzydIN9P9E67Zggyxt9sXe_0i9Gwjig0wTvN9iIu9z8OXVuinEgwUoOsYa64hFl33U1ga_ATIobFgsdP4WdHlFe1dNR2FWTSGG/s1600/P2120042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoSVXeGWCJokftpVsY0efEe8agYZPiVl40Yzow0zn5nWzydIN9P9E67Zggyxt9sXe_0i9Gwjig0wTvN9iIu9z8OXVuinEgwUoOsYa64hFl33U1ga_ATIobFgsdP4WdHlFe1dNR2FWTSGG/s320/P2120042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnival Dream, Port Canaveral, Florida<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</tbody></table>The boarding process was so quick, before we knew it, we were sitting on this beautiful wonder, taking it all in ... and enjoying our first cruise beverage! Life is definitely great!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0NeiM76X38sdxG_xkDtm04Q9HrWx1625aRzXwCRO-8d7sWp2QKwWzC9yjMIhXhMg4iwNTkRA6YbOnI7J1tuiJWNIBwuXsdZot1tz4yDujUR5sZNpjXuU9ktOReaPPmfp3TRypy1iAlqR/s1600/P2120045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0NeiM76X38sdxG_xkDtm04Q9HrWx1625aRzXwCRO-8d7sWp2QKwWzC9yjMIhXhMg4iwNTkRA6YbOnI7J1tuiJWNIBwuXsdZot1tz4yDujUR5sZNpjXuU9ktOReaPPmfp3TRypy1iAlqR/s320/P2120045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY_8017Nx9R3qYIGhrp-0u7UJ5L1Xwj8Kw1EEvO7G4nuh225XanRRapccOi68nQGUYes7NLuW0QWHfmombMqsSEuicSWvm9FQYWmcQgkEME8xrdvJ1IpIkb8FHk6BwIG0pq8AtRpZ2XSW/s1600/P2120051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY_8017Nx9R3qYIGhrp-0u7UJ5L1Xwj8Kw1EEvO7G4nuh225XanRRapccOi68nQGUYes7NLuW0QWHfmombMqsSEuicSWvm9FQYWmcQgkEME8xrdvJ1IpIkb8FHk6BwIG0pq8AtRpZ2XSW/s320/P2120051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Our 7-day cruise began on February 12, 2011 ... yes, we got to enjoy Valentine's Day on board! We actually had a lot to celebrate during February 2011 ... Valentine's Day, our first vacation, first honeymoon, and my 3 years post-transplant!!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>FIRST PORT ... BAHAMAS (February 13, 2011)!</u></b></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT5bPbf8IixX5UZ-mPyiBsQ4PMiC5qA8l92ly-GW6BsbwMBJXVGRR9ILyGpM-6hdHohGonmmgblQj2wH2krqui5JskZO8cW7W1qG8cYmpC5xmjIk4opflNUHGxpFtA7VU-C4hyphenhyphenMb1oNRR/s1600/P2130066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT5bPbf8IixX5UZ-mPyiBsQ4PMiC5qA8l92ly-GW6BsbwMBJXVGRR9ILyGpM-6hdHohGonmmgblQj2wH2krqui5JskZO8cW7W1qG8cYmpC5xmjIk4opflNUHGxpFtA7VU-C4hyphenhyphenMb1oNRR/s320/P2130066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse & Buggy Ride, Bahamas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We only had a few hours at Bahamas, so we decided to do a little sight-seeing ... complements of the local people! We had fantastic horse and buggy ride around town ... with lots of sights and sounds!<br />
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Following Bahamas, we decided to do a little investigating around the ship. There was absolutely EVERYTHING to do ... including eating 24 hours a day. Of course, we had to enjoy some late night ice-cream and frozen yogurt :)! YUMMY!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-txqOdbMXu7usPopLlRkkx5MXBoo8g-wiI2OdgNVqyRiSFb4CnQqnqmShLU7X-vcVvd2bo7IdWLY5t9__My9kx8CrZSfvGa5T9vU8DPcI3GVosFSGpREFAmJ6M9DTpVxsnAhp7rzCdSQd/s1600/P2140006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-txqOdbMXu7usPopLlRkkx5MXBoo8g-wiI2OdgNVqyRiSFb4CnQqnqmShLU7X-vcVvd2bo7IdWLY5t9__My9kx8CrZSfvGa5T9vU8DPcI3GVosFSGpREFAmJ6M9DTpVxsnAhp7rzCdSQd/s320/P2140006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying frozen yogurt midnight, Valentine's Day 2011</td></tr>
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</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u>SECOND PORT ... ST. THOMAS (February 15, 2011)</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a well rested night and a day at sea, we arrived at St. Thomas! I absolutely fell in love with this place and do plan on visiting again ... sometime in my life. We were greeted with beautiful weather and hot temperatures. The scenery was stunning!!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1lHQ9okEyCHhauxJzLqh8KQ_UZr60-cc2K9su2x-QuGjhWexE4yPxYBrRGQRSBrFhNEXn6rTJe3Y-kFE_qR2ajY1POa3lc3GX4Ssg3-gD-vZy7JPFRyNlHnKmCAztSeF9SzJgCg9M6dL/s1600/P2140019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1lHQ9okEyCHhauxJzLqh8KQ_UZr60-cc2K9su2x-QuGjhWexE4yPxYBrRGQRSBrFhNEXn6rTJe3Y-kFE_qR2ajY1POa3lc3GX4Ssg3-gD-vZy7JPFRyNlHnKmCAztSeF9SzJgCg9M6dL/s320/P2140019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming into port</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynidGmR7AD33SLezn4qy740ODuJEdUoPiGDhexUUpm7pF4UUzKvOBJpqZaTaNHmmOgEk9cuM52JVZYkedccTXhBYe8IE1J6NVeACQEphiITbayyqh36zFZwUvPhCO7bdJLpNWYES0UjV7/s1600/P2140023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiynidGmR7AD33SLezn4qy740ODuJEdUoPiGDhexUUpm7pF4UUzKvOBJpqZaTaNHmmOgEk9cuM52JVZYkedccTXhBYe8IE1J6NVeACQEphiITbayyqh36zFZwUvPhCO7bdJLpNWYES0UjV7/s320/P2140023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We decided to do our first excursion on St. Thomas ... snorkeling! Neither of us have snorkeled before. I am a have decent swimmer, but not the strongest. Hubby on the other hand can't really swim at all ... not something we really worried about ... haha! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTWjYeUXC2CAYpbSAB1L8k5Mhq5_ldhWWUn89qKoSdfTFbiIN6DiaiEjlhONEesPSR7pOT45TfNiOG8ANdIqst2mlPVkcsJkG-FExhtR7H7vdajR5ueIHahz0Co9znW803smkY63LeYDk/s1600/P2150043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTWjYeUXC2CAYpbSAB1L8k5Mhq5_ldhWWUn89qKoSdfTFbiIN6DiaiEjlhONEesPSR7pOT45TfNiOG8ANdIqst2mlPVkcsJkG-FExhtR7H7vdajR5ueIHahz0Co9znW803smkY63LeYDk/s320/P2150043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hehe, underwater shot of us enjoying out excursion! We even got to see a wreck!! Not the clearest picture, but it was fantastic!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MyGlqyi8Gf7gMB2zGG1O8WsGnMmz7dXiTuzotO62H2CZKUR6ABrUKTZ_UgKD8KnUjm1AW_oqa2PUPJnZTcqiBdPRI0hy8u-_bpG-uVDbS4ijbQQQypoAVRjb57Jj8VZb_gqujkYoPVvM/s1600/P2150070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MyGlqyi8Gf7gMB2zGG1O8WsGnMmz7dXiTuzotO62H2CZKUR6ABrUKTZ_UgKD8KnUjm1AW_oqa2PUPJnZTcqiBdPRI0hy8u-_bpG-uVDbS4ijbQQQypoAVRjb57Jj8VZb_gqujkYoPVvM/s320/P2150070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBqW5JXzdtmI694IzejxnVmFOxtCMYQs5xVIQjb1plrEXbBl_TpfOlGAmFcOU7OsUqTlpxnOZ5-DypeI3OTLtLjBEdElYo-LIt6qHB2oH836KPWfKBjVqNqpeAbSa_IIpLdlDzdQk-aXg/s1600/P2150076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBqW5JXzdtmI694IzejxnVmFOxtCMYQs5xVIQjb1plrEXbBl_TpfOlGAmFcOU7OsUqTlpxnOZ5-DypeI3OTLtLjBEdElYo-LIt6qHB2oH836KPWfKBjVqNqpeAbSa_IIpLdlDzdQk-aXg/s320/P2150076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ship Wreck!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
To end our day, we travelled up to Paradise Point ... we didn't really want to leave at this point. I was quite happy to stay in St. Thomas ... forever :)! Of course, the drinks helped that along a little ... well, A LOT hahaha!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxGtdhDGjTQCZgiBpmiwRi17ps2Z2HidUxGT0ibhtQslW3LvQL9pIzgvZ2FaIPMt1sa2dD_MqJFehBaVT4oLodkvFxuNzLzH-IkLssuO_D1reuEHVUwYdZN7sOx_Fq_y7DnbhxDFrAnM3/s1600/P2150091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxGtdhDGjTQCZgiBpmiwRi17ps2Z2HidUxGT0ibhtQslW3LvQL9pIzgvZ2FaIPMt1sa2dD_MqJFehBaVT4oLodkvFxuNzLzH-IkLssuO_D1reuEHVUwYdZN7sOx_Fq_y7DnbhxDFrAnM3/s320/P2150091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself and good friend becoming a part of the show! <br />
Thanks to the Bushwackers!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBIFbfKnyRm3h490WqHxnFgu3cHxhDrrtIVpBE82wkVaQTsoe1IHQ7IxinzOA1gGfh-oHR9N6EqvruCZHXlaYgB-vC4gNMHxcH27ManJpl6Z27onhTeXwO9W3Wic9BQ1IiGhG3rKTQ17n/s1600/189717_10150149628181411_643316410_8803260_6189574_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBIFbfKnyRm3h490WqHxnFgu3cHxhDrrtIVpBE82wkVaQTsoe1IHQ7IxinzOA1gGfh-oHR9N6EqvruCZHXlaYgB-vC4gNMHxcH27ManJpl6Z27onhTeXwO9W3Wic9BQ1IiGhG3rKTQ17n/s320/189717_10150149628181411_643316410_8803260_6189574_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnival Dream from Paradise Point, St. Thomas</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u>THIRD PORT ... ST. MAARTEN (February 16, 2011)</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBjAoUTzSp9UTfyrPrTAV4UKKfUgkYTCVGTp3EX4BvjaO8OvN3n0YH0kx_glEPssRm6A4i1du11Bqj9ro_nAjiLcQEB_-o0As41zdKjbNmACjZjm-u5N9N5SVY0JGKDNPLsqxcLKyNSaQ/s1600/P2150094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBjAoUTzSp9UTfyrPrTAV4UKKfUgkYTCVGTp3EX4BvjaO8OvN3n0YH0kx_glEPssRm6A4i1du11Bqj9ro_nAjiLcQEB_-o0As41zdKjbNmACjZjm-u5N9N5SVY0JGKDNPLsqxcLKyNSaQ/s320/P2150094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bright and early the next morning we were off to explore St. Maarten. It was extremely hot that day ... not that we were complaining, so we headed off to another snorkeling adventure. This one was a little more laid-back and relaxed, compared to our adventure in St. Thomas. We didn't have a lot of luck with being able to see many creatures as the visibility was poor. Nevertheless, we enjoyed dabbling in the water and relaxing at the Tiki Hut!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZqPXzvynvsVdQooxRJg67uTQH3_IiZmE_FZv_yu6johsGNqZgfvKywkvNsKaev_BtX7SNFjkNjMLg94Hcl8UiUQJ7y0_Oq0ggzfkyoNxszVLGl2QoyJg8-rkvKNTDHGXVVj6HEJBYbry/s1600/P2150110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZqPXzvynvsVdQooxRJg67uTQH3_IiZmE_FZv_yu6johsGNqZgfvKywkvNsKaev_BtX7SNFjkNjMLg94Hcl8UiUQJ7y0_Oq0ggzfkyoNxszVLGl2QoyJg8-rkvKNTDHGXVVj6HEJBYbry/s320/P2150110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiki Hut Adventures</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The views at St. Maarten were gorgeous as we the beautiful beaches and towns! We again called upon a local taxi/sight-seeing company to take us around the island. In 3 hours we had travelled the entire island ... both the French and Dutch side. Even a stop at the nudist beach :)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduSax0RjzaDcr8UpdnVgZSWuKRrjvomQI8TD85K_GX7n4ZA_uKAvugg4B32nTQ6juSeucnAgR0EdYUZrStebOBVKK2w-WGggxTQcRnmiZv5xPesd_Kbm1Ua1Bo3Hqr4OBQK1kCgzd1nB-/s1600/P2150132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduSax0RjzaDcr8UpdnVgZSWuKRrjvomQI8TD85K_GX7n4ZA_uKAvugg4B32nTQ6juSeucnAgR0EdYUZrStebOBVKK2w-WGggxTQcRnmiZv5xPesd_Kbm1Ua1Bo3Hqr4OBQK1kCgzd1nB-/s320/P2150132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a casual walk down a street in St. Maarten</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizIKyue6HpSaWd3n2UYcuf7yeL3qWAlIFck3k-N4KDohzX9-tcGufbOGFOOujITdKtPSKUiaL7L5b18lZAfXnahCpLqDT0F0YfKilg5gVcLO78CwLKLR8mJCT-bZ7a4_oaFYyvLVBaALY/s1600/P2160174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizIKyue6HpSaWd3n2UYcuf7yeL3qWAlIFck3k-N4KDohzX9-tcGufbOGFOOujITdKtPSKUiaL7L5b18lZAfXnahCpLqDT0F0YfKilg5gVcLO78CwLKLR8mJCT-bZ7a4_oaFYyvLVBaALY/s320/P2160174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving port at St. Maarten</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our next two days were at sea ... we enjoyed lunchtime BBQs, elegant evening dining, and just some relaxing. Caught a few comedy shows, did a little dancing, and lounged in the Piano Bar. Even did a little gambling and WON!! WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNij6nA40v-edcq2-VZD6X_SQTDHmw6mGnhrCZIuiovSdnsQVf7eAvEo5RDrIcv1tYj1YxFbusRPtR_nKC-bHrJX_ABm77OnfaVig-Q1Ye13tVRb9qA6QXmQstwSBU2AOMzapwbv8-OR19/s1600/P2180194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNij6nA40v-edcq2-VZD6X_SQTDHmw6mGnhrCZIuiovSdnsQVf7eAvEo5RDrIcv1tYj1YxFbusRPtR_nKC-bHrJX_ABm77OnfaVig-Q1Ye13tVRb9qA6QXmQstwSBU2AOMzapwbv8-OR19/s320/P2180194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ship was just beautiful ... nothing I could even imagine, until we boarded! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDTD1Bngc4_GpaAKVDGOjM-Wi2crbZDiVCHH4DsKxWgqUDy73PRr8nW9BfHRXb0qnqYm7su047tf_sh1Po9XIVeNQix3IQ13MlveeHUF9IYmsF7hWB3fd3rVKnA869DwS6dAyr2Ab9zNu/s1600/P2180199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDTD1Bngc4_GpaAKVDGOjM-Wi2crbZDiVCHH4DsKxWgqUDy73PRr8nW9BfHRXb0qnqYm7su047tf_sh1Po9XIVeNQix3IQ13MlveeHUF9IYmsF7hWB3fd3rVKnA869DwS6dAyr2Ab9zNu/s320/P2180199.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lido Deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>PORT CANAVERAL ... (February 19, 2011)</u></b></div><br />
To end our vacation, we decided to spend our last few hours exploring and touring the Kennedy Space Centre. I think hubby took more pictures of the Space Centre than all of our vacation :)! But he loved it!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbjLPab-VGHfchALPxKpRNNzBlaHTt9a-p7sIBdiIiFOZDIr1otfwg9Dqhb-dM-tP4Yy0VxAg2WfZQvroUbNhX3VLF0V_MzoRMzCsb8DQ7_ZaQYJT9fvd7aYd_3lzncHgNmjFhBwdA_C-/s1600/P2180219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbjLPab-VGHfchALPxKpRNNzBlaHTt9a-p7sIBdiIiFOZDIr1otfwg9Dqhb-dM-tP4Yy0VxAg2WfZQvroUbNhX3VLF0V_MzoRMzCsb8DQ7_ZaQYJT9fvd7aYd_3lzncHgNmjFhBwdA_C-/s320/P2180219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were a little depressed to have to come back home to all the snow and wintery weather ... but we're definitely hooked and will be cruising again! We even have our next cruise picked out :)!</div></div>Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-28681857287260248642011-02-21T21:58:00.000-03:302012-02-21T22:03:26.474-03:30Happy 3rd!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kXjLHBkFBnSu8xgJuCQ9fsowP8I7fyCfBQG0zSL75RpGGe3NX37iAT-7NQddvwL2dKleDJbBxSAkZA8WlI6izUFtXeoX0rRFC7A1LPnMje6L54PZ5Lizj6HQ93mRDluK1UeELq_MkbVq/s1600/P4020325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kXjLHBkFBnSu8xgJuCQ9fsowP8I7fyCfBQG0zSL75RpGGe3NX37iAT-7NQddvwL2dKleDJbBxSAkZA8WlI6izUFtXeoX0rRFC7A1LPnMje6L54PZ5Lizj6HQ93mRDluK1UeELq_MkbVq/s320/P4020325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy 3rd Lungiversary</td></tr>
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Time has come again ... to celebrate!!! It's LUNGIVERSARY time again ... YAY! I decided to make some fabulous "lungs" for my cake and I think it turned out pretty darn good :D!<br />
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We decided to have yet another party. Although not a huge turn out, we had all of our favs surrounding us ... couldn't ask for anything more!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pWSXxsSUwLyiYTmz-T9oDli7n8qYhFmSdq8w0IFrkvBcMZxbI27OLowEZj6cWPn5sdRZBGn5OqCXlKZheHNc3fnyPfmDOX-NOmpIcJaYgJI0V6IeAEajm6fKUiDP25SVwDL7d0wB31Xh/s1600/P4020328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pWSXxsSUwLyiYTmz-T9oDli7n8qYhFmSdq8w0IFrkvBcMZxbI27OLowEZj6cWPn5sdRZBGn5OqCXlKZheHNc3fnyPfmDOX-NOmpIcJaYgJI0V6IeAEajm6fKUiDP25SVwDL7d0wB31Xh/s320/P4020328.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lungiversary Gal</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqS_Mx8tGqZd1cieUBXku-IrI1ht-fmFeenRLs6oTmuQINzvJ852dTI-2gQXec-9MwBtuE0lt_chwzmCQGJ7uJiipVG_OaBdzEk4_xT29bfdwjzo0UE_1nM5xSCB6rbtsDRlYCdofFMNST/s1600/P4020335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqS_Mx8tGqZd1cieUBXku-IrI1ht-fmFeenRLs6oTmuQINzvJ852dTI-2gQXec-9MwBtuE0lt_chwzmCQGJ7uJiipVG_OaBdzEk4_xT29bfdwjzo0UE_1nM5xSCB6rbtsDRlYCdofFMNST/s320/P4020335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's to many, many more!! xoxoKelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-37552618067682464192011-02-12T19:00:00.024-03:302012-02-21T21:58:03.591-03:30AshleyI had posted back in September a wonderful story about Ashley. I had met Ashely through her mother, Caroline when she contacted me terrified for Ashley's life. Ashley had CF and was nearing the end of her life at that time. Thankfully she was listed for transplant and received her gift in 2010.<br />
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I was totally blown out of the water when I received information that Ashely had passed. I was saddened that my only encounter with Ashely was when I was diagnosed as a <i>b. cepacia</i> contact and was battling if I was in rejection, in February 2010. Unfortunately, at that time, I couldn't really wrap my head around socializing, and even if I could, I really couldn't as I was "contact". I do remember seeing her from a distance and briefly saying "hi".<br />
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I had been following Ashley via Facebook, and things seem to be going great. When I received this information I contacted Caroline, only to find that Ashely was in perfect physical health; however post-transplant proved to be too much for her to manage, emotionally.<br />
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Ashely, you will be sadly missed, but I know you're free from all your troubles now. Breathe easy friend xoxoKelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-40771877810511826952011-01-04T20:23:00.000-03:302011-01-04T20:23:15.539-03:30Just a little dose of reality ...Having a transplant changes everything ...<br />
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One often forgets the "bad" things that CF brought to your life. Fortunately it's easy to forget the trouble breathing, struggling for air, coughing day and night, coughing until you loose your breath, etc ... that's until you're reminded of it again.<br />
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I often read about and follow other CFer's who are waiting for transplant, and remember the agonizing wait, the nights spent praying that "the call" would come, and the realization that life was ending. The problem with reading about this, is that it often times is quickly forgotten.<br />
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As the old saying goes ... " a picture is worth a thousand words". It wasn't until tonight when I saw one of Eva's videos, that my old CF life came roaring back ...<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/6847284" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/6847284">nights like these</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1222376">Eva Dien</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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As easy as it is to forget or block out the painful things in life sometimes, just one little glimpse of what reality use to be like, brings one right back ...<br />
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After watching this video, I remember myself in the same situation ... gasping for breath, wanting to be "normal", being frustrated to no end ... and it's scary! Unfortunately, Eva didn't have the opportunity to live her life over for the third time, but I thank her tremendously for being tough enough and having the compassion to record her most trying times. Most of us with CF have been there, or are there now. <br />
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Our looks can be so deceiving ... until we're laden with the oxygen tank, or until someone hears us coughing or trying to catch our breath. CFer's usually "look" healthy ... and we CAN put on a great facade! But remember, looks can be deceiving!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-57916579118745050372010-12-08T20:02:00.000-03:302010-12-08T20:02:33.739-03:30Christmastime's a-comingSorry that I haven't posted for some time. Work and life seem to have that effect sometimes. Nevertheless, I thought that I'd write a little blurb to acknowledge that I'm still here :)!<br />
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Well, Christmas is fast approaching! I tried to get ahead of the game this year, and was doing pretty good, however it's now 17 days away and I still have loads of things to do - including lots of shopping for gifts.<br />
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I used to absolutely love Christmas, but it seems that each year it becomes more commercial and more materialistic, that the entire meaning of Christmas is lost. Yes, I know we can have some control over that, and really make Christmas what we want it to be ... but it's just not that fun when everyone else on the planet is out trying to buy the perfect gift, or see how many gifts they can stuff under the tree.<br />
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Rather than get myself worked up of this, I've attempted to at least keep the Christmas spirit in our home ... which is still a work in progress :)!<br />
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Time to do some more decorating ... Season's Greetings!!Kelly's Venturehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07517329524058561154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4319729538321932951.post-27609086065934673452010-10-02T22:00:00.002-02:302010-10-03T12:50:09.603-02:30... and here I go again ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qbWyJRqenxw0ARmfN5JG7xxeWn3pjpnHheokdQDtxiQETXOuatH8i9UJxu3lK3HjyAtRYkx4W2TOw1mvZFafRYsNZq_WPCrhlORjMcZU8FZ1IbMo_7423XXuo34E-LwjjDa5HgjFsS08/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qbWyJRqenxw0ARmfN5JG7xxeWn3pjpnHheokdQDtxiQETXOuatH8i9UJxu3lK3HjyAtRYkx4W2TOw1mvZFafRYsNZq_WPCrhlORjMcZU8FZ1IbMo_7423XXuo34E-LwjjDa5HgjFsS08/s320/IMG_0120.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I knew that I wouldn't last too long without getting another tattoo ... I think that I'm officially ADDICTED!! This will be number 6 ... and I'm still not finished!!<br />
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</div><div>I've wanted something to both memorialize and honor my puppies that I've had throughout my life ... mainly my puggers. I wanted an actual portrait of each baby, but unfortunately, my pug family has grown throughout the years to include 6 to-date ... so puggies faces, as much as I wanted them, wasn't possible.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Then came the decision as to what I actually wanted and how I was going to distinguish between them all :)! I didn't want names, initials, or birth dates tattooed, so I decided on birth month colors!</div><div><br />
</div><div>As you can see, each paw print is distinguished by a colored butterfly representing each doggie's birth month ... ending with our newest addition, Willow the beagle on top :)!</div><div><br />
</div><div>This tattoo gives me more room to add to the design - as I add to the family :)!</div><div><br />
</div><div>I absolutely LOVE IT! Thanks Chuck, <a href="http://www.whitescorpion.piczo.com/?cr=1">White Scorpion Tattoos</a>!!<br />
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