Julie's 365 Day Journey

 Yesterday was embarkation day on my 7 night cruise. Of course the ship was beautiful. Aren’t all cruise ships amazing?  My room was perfect and in a great location. I’ll just throw a bunch of photos on here of my first and second days.  View before leaving the port  My traditional Caesar Salad for embarkation day There was a bottle of champagne waiting for me in my room! This bar is at the back of the ship Afternoon coffee. The best. It’s better than Starbucks or any I could make at home.  I can see the command deck used for day to day activities of the Captain and his team. The Captain is on the left. He is watching 2 people running back to the ship to make it back in time for our sail away from the Bahamas.  It’s someone’s job to collect all the lost shoes around the pool at the end of the day.  Lunch served at the beach on Blue Lagoon Island If you ever go to the Bahamas make sure to visit Blue Lagoon Island. It’s very special. 

 I had a very odd and super modern hotel last night. It was new which is always a bonus. Each floor had a water bottle filling station, the pool was pristine and the lobby music matched the uber modern decor. In my room I had one painting/photo. To me, this looks like an inside view of a heating duct. It was dirty. I know this is art. I may have appreciated it more if I wasn’t viewing it from my hotel room where I want things to be neat and tidy.  I’m now on my cruise ship, the Celebrity Reflection. I have already had my embarkation day Caesar salad and now I’m drinking my afternoon coffee. Life is good. 

 I’m now in Dania Beach and getting ready to cruise tomorrow.  Before I sail away I get to meet my friend Betty.  I wish I had taken pictures. She lives on the ocean side of Florida and I could easily live where she does. She is right by the beach and in clear view of the waves. We had a blast!  I’m exhausted from all the fun I’ve had visiting friends and cousins along the way. They all convinced me I should live in Florida someday.  

 More talking with Nancy led me to think I must move here someday. SOON. I have lots of opportunities ahead of me. I’m waiting to find out if the house I want to buy will be available in my price range. It’s new and not even built. I never thought I could do this but I truly can. I have already moved in my furniture and decorated it in my imagination. I have an excellent realtor and I’m glad she has everything under control. Stay tuned…

 Longboat Key. This is my new favorite place. Actually Florida is generally becoming my new favorite place. My old friend Nancy was a wonderful hostess. Spa and food and tons of talking kept us busy for hours and hours! Her condo is ON THE 🏝️ BEACH!!!!

 South Florida is probably my favorite so far. The weather was lovely and I got to visit and play golf with Ginny and Eric. We ate great food and saw the wildlife living right outside their doors.  The alligator relocated as I was leaving.  My new best friend  A common site in Naples

Feb 20 - I like counting off the days of the year but I’m starting to get confused with where I am on my trip. I’ll add the date every so often to remind myself.

  It’s already 50 days into the year 2023! I’m driving very far south today to Bonita Springs, Florida. Along the way I have seen the craziest billboards to see live gators and eat boiled peanuts. The latter seems like the most disgusting thing I could ever eat. I stopped for gas and saw that the boiled peanuts are kept warm in a crockpot-like vat. There were 3 different varieties and they were horrible. The station attendant scooped out 1 for me to try and said boiled peanuts are an acquired twist. Slimy and soft are 2 words to describe them.  A little further south I stopped at the Citrus Welcome Center. It was actually a gas station but it was packed with tourists buying oranges and Florida souvenirs.  From far away these look real.  Glorified gas station but very popular More tempting fake fruit  Citrus bouncy balls Coconut candy - I bought this. It was delicious.  For the bargain price of $26.99, you too can have an authentic alligator head. 

 Driving south is funny. I got to stop at 2 Buc-ee’s locations. They have unique food and over 80 gas pumps.  Buc-ee has his own brand of soft drinks with lots of flavors.  Buc-ee greets guests while they buy spiced nuts, fudge and brisket sandwiches.  Gas was cheap. 

 Today I landed in Atlanta for a wonderful day with my cousin and her sweet girls. Her house is like a magazine! I’ve ate and drank and talked. She even made homemade eggs Benedict for breakfast. How did she know it was my favorite?

 My hobby is needlepoint. I love it and I’m pretty good at it. The best things I have ever created are my golf club covers and the purse I made for my daughters’ weddings.  Today I stopped at a store in Louisville,KY. It was fantastic!  The owner and her best friend were working and we had so much fun chatting. They are planning a retreat and I will definitely go! If you’re In Louisville you must go to Stitch - a needlepoint shop. 

 Today I’m packing. This trip will be one that requires lots and lots of organization with many nights in many different locations. I’m driving all over and the planning has been loads of fun. The great part is that I’m not too rigid. If one of my plans doesn’t work out, I can easily change it and not get upset. Take a wrong turn? No problem just try again! I don’t have to make anyone happy but me. 

 Yesterday I wrote about death. I’m a matter-of-fact kind of person. Hey, I can’t write about Super Bowl food and travel all the time!

 I couldn’t decide what to write for the 44th day of the year.  I have a TON of things to get done today. But the most important task is meeting with my lawyer to sign my Will.  Wills are a funny thing. Do I really care what happens to all my stuff? I’ll be dead and gone - buried, burned or recycled. I think the purpose is to make sure there is peace for the rest of the family. No arguments and no fighting. My girls and their spouses can say that Mom put her ultimate and final wishes in writing so that is how we will move forward. The paperwork itself is very formal but it doesn’t get into the things I’m most concerned about. Could I add a note at the end about how they should feel? I don’t think that is legal but if I could add that I would. Here is what I would write…  Be kind to each other forever. Respect the lives your sisters lead and the decisions they make. Be happy for their successes and be there for them when they fail. Don’t be sad about my departure. I worked hard to get t

 What is the worst part about being the only one in your house? Go ahead and think hard… There is no one to bring you toilet when you’re stranded and only have one square!! 

 Great Super Bowl gathering yesterday! It’s too bad the Eagles lost. 😦