Hello today I felt like posting a few of my latest pictures.
 I have been taking some Chinese brush painting classes and enjoying them. Meeting new friends and learning a new style

I also did a few for the Weekend Drawing Event on Wet canvas and did this on Yupo

and this is just a watercolour from this week

Hope you enjoy looking at them

Life

LIFE

When I was little,
days were so long,
As I got older,
that was all wrong.

Now time is precious,
there's never enough,
Guarding each moment,
is sometimes tough.

Life now seems long,
but not quite like before,
Will that all be wrong,
when I go out its door.

Eternity now
I can't quite comprehend,
Where is the beginning,
and where's its end.

When life is eternal,
why do we fuss,
We're not disappearing
just leaving this muss,

Christ is the doorway,
To things not yet seen,
Things more wonderful,
than even our dreams.

We'll be there forever,
and life is so short
It may be tomorrow,
when we too are caught.

Why do we worry
when loved ones go on
It'll only be moments
till we are the one.



Astrid Beyleveld

This is one of the poems I wrote sometime back and thought I should add them here as well

Free Painting give a way

Give a way

I am having a giveaway

Here is an original watercolour painting done by me it measures 7 ½ by 6 inches without the mat and was matted in the picture to fit a regular 5 x 7 holed mat.

The give a way will take place on September the 5^th.

 

To be in the drawing please leave a comment that gets you one chance

Become a follower and let me know gives you chance number 2.

 Placing a link to my blog/ give a way on your blog gets you a third chance.

 Have fun and hope you enjoy this. There will be a small surprise added when I mail it. So that will be an added bonus.

 Hope you enjoy this

Micro cruise

The micro cruise

Well it was time to escape and well he couldn’t take enough time off for a cruise sooooooo

We did a micro cruise.

We went to the IHOP which is of course the International House of Pancakes so was not surprising to find our server was from Belarus. His name was Andrei and he had a few friends that obviously worked there too a guy from France and a young lady who I presume was his girlfriend sitting at a table near by cruising the net. I think they are part of the international school thing that seems to happen with the restaurants in Galveston.

 Yes we had pancakes or crepes as the American folks know them and yes they were very yummy, all while looking out at the beach and pretending I was in the windjammer or Sur le Mer on the ship, looking out over the port.

 Then we went and did a shore excursion next. We went and played in the rain forest, ok it was the rain forest pavilion at Moody Gardens in Galveston but still.

 As we entered there were gorgeous orchids to greet us right at eye level, three of them then we roamed along the tree top level and looked down at the gorgeous Macaw’s and plants as we looked for the sloths I had heard were in there. And I had missed them on the Panama canal cruise sooo. A very colourful bird blessed Mark poor dear. We roamed among the butterflies and got some cute pictures then out looking for sloths again. I was so excited to find one sleeping on a bar right next to the walkway and took some lovely photo’s and was very excited. Then we raomed a bit more and went through a few exhibits of delightful things like itty bitty frogs that were bright orange and poison dart frogs and such fun weird things. Then downstairs right next to the alligator I noticed the sloth was now sitting up on the railing soooo

Back up we dashed and the poor girl in the display was totally confused at people goignt he wrong way. None the less we dashed upstairs and took some more photos and then another couple came looking for the sloth so I showed them and they said um no that is a white faced Saki oops my bad but he sure is cute. Anyway they had seen the sloths earlier and were tracking then so we followed and nope they were hiding so back down we went.

 This time the poor girl was still there and we said oops it wasn’t the sloth so she said well maybe Rose is here where she often hides so we searched a bit and Mark found her and took pictures and then the lady says you only have 15 minutes left oops. So on we went and I stopped and turned around and there was another sloth. He finally got up and moved and Mark got some more good pictures and I was very happy. Then we saw the ocelot who when he saw us went and hid silly thing. I was kinda fascinated by the scarlet Ibis’s

 Well they were closing so out we went.

Then we went on the cruise part

We had to stand in line to get on and wait for them to open the gangway. Then we had to present our entry cards and have our bags searched. They then allowed us to go up the gangway and lo and behold there was the photographer waiting to pounce hee hee so we did the photo thing. Then onto the “ship” WE checked out the dining room  and then went up on deck. WE strolled the deck and sat up there for sail a way. Then I went to browse the shop but didn’t buy anything. Then I tried doing a painting and made a mess but hey it was fun. And we sat on deck and watched the fireworks  from the beach at Moody gardens. Right after that the photographer came around selling his photo packages and a young man had a “Special” glass with flashing lights in it.

 Then back to the dock for debarkation.

 We laughed so hard at our micro cruise that had all the usual elements of a cruise yet lasted all of 45 minutes.

 Well we drove home and crawled into bed having had a fun evening.

What more could you ask for Foreign servers, good food, exotic animals and a fun cruise with fireworks. It was a delightful day all round. Too bad the painting was a mess oh well there is always another day.

the sloth that wasn't

the real sloth

our cruise "ship"

Tea Time

Tea

 What it is and what it isn’t

Tea is different in many cultures and countries but for me this is Tea.

Some of my earliest memories are of tea

 Being allowed to finish mom’s tea that she didn’t have time to drink before heading off to work. Cold lemon tea it would be by then but oh so sweet and special as it was “mom’s” tea.

 Then there was Tea with Gran. If we went to town we might just might stop at the T room and have tea and a toasted bun. Oh my, that was a special treat.

 Gran would order a pot of tea and a toasted bun and ask for an extra cup and plate. My tea would be mostly milk with a “drop” (That was what Gran called about a ¼ cup) of tea in it and sugar, hers was always black like she liked it, but with sugar. We would share the toasted bun and oh how wonderful it was with the butter dripping off it and down my chin and the slightly sweet taste and the raisins here and there.

 Sometimes we would go to a friend for tea. Gran and I would take the bus to her friends house and we would have tea with her. This was a very special occasion.

Later there would be tea time at Diana’s house. We would all ( Diana, Jeremy and I and sometimes Glenalea too,) be out and about playing in the “woods” Yes there was 27 acres for us to play in and with the dogs we were quite safe. Sallie the Doberman and Snappy  hmm wonder what Snappy was. Anyway we would all be out and about playing and suddenly think it must be nearly tea time and off we would go back to the house where tea was to be had. Always in china cups and always with a snack of some sort. Maybe some cake or a biscuit. Mom would always laugh that Jeremy, although the youngest was also the biggest and fastest, but he would be in the lead and would screech to a halt at the door and let the girls go first and then follow at break neck speed.

Gran had tea every day at 11am and 3pm. She would say what is the time? and I would later say Gran who cares lets have tea anyway. Gran would not have “dry” tea. There had to be something with it even if it was dry bread she would say.

 When Gran was at Aunty Billie’s we would go next door to Tannie Marta for tea at 10am and we would have to be quiet while Gran and Tannie Marta listened to the Radio. It was the equivalent of the daily soaps for about 30 minutes. Funny thing was Tannie Marta could not speak English and Gran didn’t speak Afrikaans but they had tea together and listened to the radio ever morning. Then back to the housework for both of them. Some days Tannie Marta was busy mopping and would stop mid mopping to have tea and listen. I wonder which language the program was.

Then there was the visiting family and friends for tea. If someone stopped by the first words after hello were, do you have time for a cup, and the kettle would go on and tea would happen.

 Sometimes it was organized before and was a real visit, sometimes it just happened that way.

Special occasions were often marked by tea.

Baby showers were almost always a tea and of course there was the Kitchen Tea.

 This was a magical time when the bride to be was surprised with a shower by her mom and her bridesmaids. It was the equivalent of the bridal shower in America. There are a few differences of course like the way they would not list who the gift was from but would give a clue as to what it was and the bride had to guess. Someone would take notes and read it back later. Obviously there were just words taken here and there to make it sound funny and entertaining. Like of it is soft and squishy and then they would stop and never finish the sentence but leave it hanging.

 Birthdays for grown up were usually teas. Then there was the tea party, a good excuse to just get together with friends and have a good visit.

 When you moved to a new neighborhood tea was there. Often if the neighbors were kind they would appear soon after the “truck “ or cars and say Hi I live over there and my name is and it would be a way of introducing themselves but usually accompanied by a tray with a pot of tea and maybe even coffee and sugar and milk and some cups and maybe some “biscuits”. They would say I’ll be back in about half an hour so don’t worry about washing the cups or such you have way too much to do today. This was a sure sign that this was the neighbor you could count on in a crunch. Occasionally it was also the nosy neighbor who would drive you crazy later.

 When we were young and a moving truck arrived our job was to count people so we knew how many cups to take over. We always added a couple in case.

When the guys had headed to work and you were hanging out washing or watching for the “postman” a neighbor might lean over the fence or gate and say would you like to come and have a cup of tea, I just made one? This was often the beginning of a great friendship. You would usually end up being back door neighbors here and would spend many an hour sitting at the kitchen table having a cup of tea and solving the problems of the world.

A real friend would arrive at your door with something evil to eat or a wonderful bit of news like a new baby that was expected or a wedding and would say put the kettle on and tea would be had.

 When the world was coming apart you would call your neighbor and say put the kettle on and you would put your shoes on and when you got there the tea was half made and she would sit and listen and cry or whatever was needed.

It also worked when you thought you were going to have to kill someone, you know like when your hubby was helpful and cleared out the boxes of your stuff to the “Rubbish”  (garbage) yesterday and the “rubbish men” had just been when you found out. Or your oldest child just cut the lace off your wedding dress to make grandma’s card. Tea would help with that.

 When you were sick in bed and someone brought you a nice cup of tea it was the best comfort in the world. In fact should any disaster happen to happen someone close by would immediately say has someone put the kettle one and tea would be made. Sometimes you needed to make the tea yourself as the ritual of doing the usual things to get it made was in and of itself calming and soothing.

 One of the most amazing treats of all was “ tea in bed” to awaken you this is usually saved for such momentous occasions as Birthdays or Mothers day. There is no better way to face the day than with a sweet person handing you a nice cup of tea just ready to be drunk. Armed with that you could face the world and conquer it.

Church what is it?

Church what is it

I just read a friend Robin’s blog and it sparked a serious thought

I don’t have a church building or denomination that I belong to BUT

I do have a church family. Being weird the way I am it is not surprising to find there are many denominations in my family some I am not sure of even but I know what they believe.

I think it is very important to have both fellowship and accountability and that is often the main reason we need to be sure to be plugged into a church.

But I have friends in many countries, who are Spiritual mentors to me. Some are missionaries and some pastors and pastors wives and then prayer warriors. I also have favorite teachers some of whom range from Baptist to Church of Christ and one or two I am not even sure which denomination they are but you see, I have learned we can’t cage God. God can and does speak through many folks in many denominations. As I commented on his blog my local Methodist church has things I don’t really like how they do. In fact I disagree completely yet one of my mentors is Methodist just not in this country so the beliefs are a tad different there. Less permissive shall we say.

These folks do hold me accountable and are not afraid to ask the hard questions in my life. Not all are far away some live very close, some half a world away but all are faithful and lovingly watch and call me on things.

Then there is the fellowship aspect and yes I go to bible studies locally and so get face to face and hug to hug fellowship. But I also have fellowship on Skype and even through emails and Facebook.

 I guess I am learning that God is more flexible than we give Him credit for. We shouldn’t be surprised as if He was willing to die for us why wouldn’t HE be willing to use a computer.

 Music is a big way of how God talks to me as well. A song will “bite” me and get my attention and send me searching for what God has to say on that score. One such incident was when I was searching and feeling very frustrated at how bible studies often show what God does for us. In other words I was feeling they were all about us, not so much about God. Then “I was made to Love” by Toby Mac, which says, “I was made to love You, I was made to find You, I was made just for You, made to adore You,” and I was suddenly hit by those words and said yes that is the right way around. Then a friend pointed me to the book by Max Lucado called “it’s not about me” and it all started making sense and God and I went searching and finding where He wanted me to be.

I love a few bible teachers and many authors mostly the ones that send me digging deeper into Gods word.

  Then I have the local group of sisters who are so precious to me some in my bible study and some from other churches and my Tea ladies. Friends who are too close to just be friends. So all in all I am blessed and feel I am where God wants me mostly because He is still working in me and teaching me so therefore as the word says He must love me.

It does say He disciples those he loves

(Pro 3:12)  The LORD corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud.

Therefore I am content to be here for now until God leads me to another place.

Ministry

Thoughts on me and the ministry.

Maybe I should call it ministry and our excuses thereto

 I was thinking Wrongly of course but still

 Here I am a wife so I don’t really get to choose where I live and such. I mean I might want to be a missionary in a foreign land working with kids in an orphanage or maybe with folks needing help as a nurse or whatever.

But that’s not really true. Firstly Mark and I always make decisions on where we are going to live together even if his work does dictate to that somewhat. He doesn’t have any more choice than I do as to where the work is etc.

Then as Mother Teresa said you don’t have to go anywhere to be a missionary you can be one on your street.

You see it seems it will be easier if you are labeled a missionary and so are expected to do missionary work right?

Wrong. In fact taking some friends of mine as good examples yes they are missionaries in what is to us a foreign land but it is their home now or they would not be good missionaries to it as they wouldn’t understand the culture and language etc.

 Then again yes he is the missionary that goes out to tribes and such but she ministers to the leaders and their wives in her home all the time and then he has to do mundane things like get the oil changed and car fixed. So tell me what is the real difference. And by the way yes her first job was and is to raise her kids and take care of him.

 So Back to me and my mess. God said have tea parties for the folks on your street. That is your mission field.

SO I said I can do that but did it sort of and only for a while

 I mean we were about to go on a cruise or I had a sore hand or the kids were coming or the house wasn’t clean or I couldn’t vacuum you name it I had excuses

Then I had the thought if I was a real missionary I could do it as it would be my job right?

Then I remembered My friend still has to clean her house and go “home” to raise support and has been way more ill than me and somehow she manages and oh oh there went the excuses. In the meantime God said and by the way and sent some Jehovah’s witnesses who come often and we talk and pray together and then he sent some Mormons and lo and behold I didn’t mind if the house wasn’t that clean and just apologized and went about the business. So then I realized it’s not God it’s me who doesn’t want to get serious about it.

 So I need a plan of action

I need to pick a day a month it doesn’t matter if some folks can’t come on that day if God wants them here they will get here.

And I need to just set that time aside and then I will know when it is coming up and can plan to clean or get help. Hey every time I ask for help with things like vacuuming or the like someone always very willingly helps and Mark often even offers to do things if he knows I am having a tea. SO having a set date will help that and if I am out of town it can be moved.

 Then there is the question of traveling we love to travel and well God said so what is wrong with that can you not shine for me there too. SO now I just have to realize I am there and let him use me when and how he wants I just have to remember I am not allowed to act all yucky and entitled. (which when I think about it I don’t want to anyway so it is a good time to work on that flaw and I get prissy way too much) The main thing is just to remember these folks working in the shops or ship or bus or whatever are folks God loves and they need to know that. SO it is not my job to preach to them or try and convert anyone. It is my job to love them, now how about that for a fun assignment. My job to see if I can do something to show them how special they are how important they are. I mean God loves them enough to have sent Jesus to die for them I can at least let them know thy are loved by Him. No I don’t have to preach either just love them maybe treat them like they are a human instead of a robot. Listen if they are having a bad day give a hug now and then Hey this is the biggest fun thing I can think of and if God can use it Go for it.

 SO I am going to get more serious about it. I have been taking a few things as specials for the “kids” on the ships and such but maybe I can do more. Maybe I can include folks around me like in the pharmacy or maybe the grocery store why wait for a cruise to try make someone smile. Then about those kids in the orphanage, How about being more diligent with the kids in my life writing to our sponsored child more often. Maybe just making more contact and time for the kids on my street. Teaching kids to knit or paint from time to time. Ahhh and then there are all kinds of fun stuff like the tea towel lady who buys those cute cheap tea towels and hands them out from time to time with a ribbon around them and a smile.

 The worst thing is all these things bring me great joy to do them. SO why am I not doing them more often and more diligently. Hey that way God can laugh and say see I told you so I knew you would love doing this so why didn’t you. Sort of like when I had to drag my son to the birthday party when he was young and he had so much fun when he got there.

 SO the key is really realizing this and making some concrete plans so

 How about  a tea every second Friday

How about making up some cute things like the tea towel bundles or a stock of love boxes ready to go. Maybe even just pick up a few extra things like the cute rose soap’s and take them to the Pharmacy or even buying some cookies or a special box of coffee’s or tea’s Maybe having a few non melting things like tea towels in the car so when you notice someone having a bad day you can dash and grab one. And most of all how about buying an extra treat at the grocery store or two and giving it to the checker and the bagger on the way out the store.

 Sorry Lord I am such a slug and you had to use the 2 x 4 to get my attention.

But thanks for your patience with me and your love to and for me

Tink

Tink

 Yesterday Tink arrived.

 Tink is Alex and Chaz’s little baby girl. She is adorable and is so tiny.

 She was born on Friday morning at 1.40am and weighed 4pounds 14 ounces.

 She is so cute and just like a doll and decided to come in some what of a hurry so they tell me. I got to go see her Friday morning around 10 when they brought her to mom.

 I got to hold her and cuddle and then Mom was doing stuff like feeding and changing and I tried painting her. No silly I didn’t put paint on her I tried painting her portrait.

She was born on a Friday so according to the rhyme she will be Loving and giving.

 She is an angel lent to us from God and we hope and pray it is for a very very long time.

I gave her the nickname Tink which was given to me by my great grandmother when I was so tiny and she called me Tink Tinky after the tiny Bird which is like a Hummingbird.

 The poem is a Mother goose Rhyme

Mondays child poem

Mondays child is fair of face,
Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

 Funny we learned it as the child that is born on the Sabbath day is good and kind and meek and Gay

Yucky stuff

Yucky stuff

 I have learned that stuff happens and the way to deal with it is often to stop and take stock and then ask a very important question.

 Is this a lifelong or long term problem Like diabetes or is it a short term problem like a bad drug reaction or allergy reaction.

I mean if it is short term you have to figure Ok It is really lousy right now BUT and think like with a drug reaction or allergy thing the next question is how long will it last or how long do I have to tough it out for. Overall this helps me not freak out and feel like I am dying especially with short term ones. I mean a migraine will last 24 hours so take the meds and just keep ding the best you can weather hiding under the eye shield or hot cloth whatever. Yes it is awful but keep thinking it ain’t forever. With allergic reactions keep vigilant for serious side effects and for the rest count the hours but try find something to distract you like a movie or game

On the long term stuff well that is a whole other matter with something like a life long disease you have to ask what do I need to do to make this have the least lousy impact and then go from there

 I know this is probably common sense to some folks but when I am feeling yucky I need someone else to think for me.

the Ring

The Ring

I have been married to the most amazing man for 30 years now.

Well for our anniversary I decided I wanted to have an Alexandrite of some sort. SO being the angel who spoils me rotten we went to the Gem and Jewelry show and got me a ring.

He gave it to me on the anniversary and I was thrilled. I did mention it felt a bit rough on one end and he looked and said nah it’s fine.

Well the next morning in the shower the ring caught on my scrubby glove and I unhooked it and off I went. Well later I looked down and OH NO I was missing a stone. Well I happened to be SMSing to my sister in South Africa and so we prayed right there and then to find it.

 I went upstairs and checked everywhere even the drain hole and yes the glove. Told Mark and he went off and searched to no avail. Well I nap most days if I can and so off to nap I go. As I lay down God says you know you stuck your hand down behind the bed to make it last night check there soooo. Being as it is a King sized bed and the base is on the floor, I can’t actually scoot it or anything so I look as well As I can and no stone so I lay down and God says uh hmmm I said look there did you look right up against the bed. Well no God I can’t see around corners and can’t move the bed. Well how about over the top then say He. SO I get Marks torch and stand on the bed like you tell kids not to and look over the top. Suddenly there is a sparkle and I think surely not. I mean why would God tell me to look where it wasn’t right? Anyway I get down and scrabble along the carpet with my finger and brush towards the wall and lo and behold the stone appears.

 Well I am thrilled and Thank the Lord and write to my sister and tell Mark and folks. Well today I took it down to see if the jeweler I know can fix it and off she goes into the back and 5 minutes later it is fixed for a very reasonable amount and back on my finger. I was sure I would have to leave it for a week or so. I mean they are just one technician and Lisa and she doesn’t actually do the work just knows what needs doing and how much to charge.

 SO I am a very happy little spoiled rotten girl. Thank you Lord for many Blessings the biggest of all being your Son and my family. Then stuff like rings and things

the Tabernacle

Tabernacle

Well it’s 2am Isn’t that a good time to blog

 I am awake and hot and scratchy so here goes nothing

Today I went and saw a reproduction of the Tabernacle that Moses made in the dessert.

It was much smaller than I imagined it would be. I mean I thought all those hundred of people would need to get into it obviously not all at the same time.

It was interesting to see it from the outside and then get the headset and go through it listening to the commentary. Each step of the way they tell you where you are and what happens there. They even have a few things for you to do to see a bit what it what like to maybe be a priest in those days.

You start with a description f the clothes the priests wore and get to take a small bit of linen with you. You are asked to imagine you are putting on your robes and going abut the work of the temple or tabernacle. Then you go to the altar of sacrifice. There you hear what happened there and you get a small piece of wood and are encouraged to throw it into the fire and pray a prayer to represent your sacrifice or confession of your sin remembering that Jesus was the sin offering for all of us. So this could be a prayer of thanks too.

 Then you go to the Laver and wash your hands and then there is a description of the actual Tent of meeting and how everyone was to give the same offering for the bases of the walls to show God sees us as all the same worth not richer being worth more or poorer being worth less. Then you go into the tent .

There inside is the table of bread offering and you can take communion there. Then you go to the lamp stand and can light one of the lights of the menorah. Then you go to the altar of incense and hear about that then you go through the veil that was split when Christ died on the cross. Inside is a replica of the Ark of the Covenant and you hear what it represents and get to spend some quiet time with God.

 This is the whole tour. It was beautifully done

http://tabernacleexperience.com/

 This is the website about it. It was a fun day

this is a 2 minutes sketch of the altar of sacrifice with the fire burning

cruising and things to know

Handy stuff to know if you are cruising soon

Things to pack that you might not think of

Backpack for on shore

Lunch bag soft sided coolers for water bottles

Water Bottles with a wide mouth

Over the door shoe holder for the bathroom door to hold all those odd small things you won’t know where to put. Like sunscreen, toothpaste tubes, camera batteries, MP3 player earphones etc.

Quart sized baggies if you need very cold water on shore I use them to carry ice so must be the double seal type

Shower cap if you don’t wash your hair every time

Make up mirror

Some ships have them but they are only for tall folks about 5foot 9 and up

Laundry bag type that hangs so you can hang it behind the door and be done.

Highlighter pens, possibly one colour for each member of the family

When you read the daily “what to do sheet” you can mark who wants to do what, at what time and know at a glance

Lysol spray and once you are in your cabin spray the door handles and phone and TV control lightly. Hey they have different folks every week in that cabin just be a bit cautious and you will be fine. You only have to do it the first day and you are done

Once you are on the ship the only thing you have to do, is the lifeboat drill, everything else is optional.

Relax and have fun. DO the stuff you want to do and don’t hassle if you miss something.

When you fill your water bottle don’t do it from the spout, fill a glass and then use that otherwise you have actually done the same thing as putting your mouth over the spout. The cruise lines really don’t mind washing the extra glasses but you will be glad not to get sick from someone who didn’t use a glass as much as they don’t want your germs

Use the hand sanitizers and wash your hands often. Hey there are thousands of folks on that ship and if one is sick you don’t want what they got and chances are someone is sick that is just the way the numbers go.

Think of going to the mall. You don’t eat after running your hands on the escalator rails do you?

That said the cruise should be a breeze and a wonderful healthy time.

They have water, tea Hot and cold, coffee, lemonade and hot chocolate available 24/7

 Usually there is pizza and maybe sandwiches available 24/7 and on some ships soft serve ice-cream is also available 24/7 other ships it is at certain times

And that is apart from room service

 They have room safes on Carnival it is a good idea to take an old gift card and use it as the lock you just need something with a magnetic strip they suggest you use your driver license but I like to lock mine up in there along with my purse as, as it is a cashless society and your room card is your key and cash card you don’t need it except for video games. On RCL they have a code so you don’t need the card.

If you drink soda’s buy the drink package as soon as possible and you are set, if you don’t drink lots of them, them don’t bother but know they are way expensive.

If possible don’t expect the kids to eat with you they usually have a basketball tournament or something they are itching to do so if they are young take them to the buffet before you go eat and drop them off at the kids club. If they are teen let then find their own food at the buffet or eat Pizza. Most male teens eat pizza and burgers all week and think they have died and gone to heaven hey it’s only one week.

This way you get to eat in peace and they get to play and eat on the run.

 The first day we usually roam the ship and try find certain things. Dining room, theatre, for me the shops, different lounges as, as we don’t do a lot of sunbathing we are looking for quiet spots to chill later in the week. If you sunbathe and don’t have small kids go find the adult only pool and that is where you probably want to be.

Roam the main deck inside with dining rooms and theatres and such and then up to the pool deck and the one above and see what is to be seen. If you have kids find the kid centre and check it out.

WE love the shows and they usually have 2 shows an evening so pick which suits you and enjoy. There is usually a large variety that appeals to most folks

The Vulture escapade

It all began with a challenge.

Paint in plien aire and try for 100 paintings. Well that is a bit more tricky than it seemed I hate the heat and temps are around 95-100 most days and humid soooo. I am trying to paint through a few windows.
Well I was on the way to the store and lo and behold almost ran over a silly Vulture snacking on the edge of the road. It hopped to safety but my little devious brain said picture! SO I turned the car around and went to see if I could park somewhere reasonably safe and do a quick sketch from there. Well as I drove back and turned off the main road I was out of sight so, chucking a U I went back to forget the whole thing when the silly bird flew across my path and landed on a telephone pole. SO I cruised past and noticed it was opposite a cul de sac in the neighborhood.
 Well another U turn and back we go By ow there was a poor gent totally confused as to what I was doing and so he followed me to make sure I was harmless I guess.
 Anyway I found I could happily sit in my car and draw except the wind kept blowing and the bird kept moving so the sketch was rather dreadful but the escapade was fun and hey I learned a bunch. Like how a vulture has a tiny head and looks sort of like a duck with a deformed head from the bottom of a pole.