Cruising out of Miami : Hotels

If you are planning on passing through Miami, or even staying there for that matter, I would recommend considering the Embassy Suites Miami International Airport.

This is where we stayed when we first arrived and it was a good choice.

Check price and things like that, but for my money, this had everything we were looking for and I was not disappointed.

The pool was large enough to share and it was surrounded by palm trees, giving it a tropical feel, even though we were in the middle of the city. The room was large with two queen beds and bathroom, and a large living room with fold out sofa. This came in handy since my sister joined us for our second night.

The hotel has a free airport shuttle service with a car rental desk in the lobby. Also there is an Enterprise car rental across the street.

They put out a really large and impressive free hot breakfast with made to order omelets, sausage gravy and biscuits, the works. There was a less impressive Happy Hour, but for the love of God, how can anyone complain about free drinks in a beautiful garden atrium?

My husband stays at Hampton Inn and Suites Miami Airport, and I have enjoyed it there too, but I think when I have the children, I will be staying at the Embassy Suites if possible and the price is right.

I can't say enough about it for a budget hotel (of sorts). It has the beautiful Atrium for kids to explore, a lovely pool. We were not the only people on a lay-over before our cruise. I think it's a very good choice of places to stay.

Definitely look into it for yourself or a friend.

Norwegian Sky 3-day cruise Miami Fl

We're back.
We enjoyed the trip.
I would go again on this ship.
I would do a few things differently.

I will give more details in the days to come.

Norwegian Cruise Line Cruise

So as you know, I am about to leave for a 3 day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines.

This will be my first cruise, sort of, outside of a 5star Mediterranean cruise a number of years ago. That will be hard to beat. Sails, small intimate ship. All that was missing was Captain Jack Sparrow....but I was newly pregnant with my first child, and was starry eyed for The Warden, who went on the wagon with me...but I digress.

I am excited. We have booked into an Owner's Suite on the Norwegian Sky. It's a luxury stateroom, with butler service and concierge. I believe there are only 4 such rooms on the entire ship. We will have our own private deck with a hot tub. I am hoping for some quality pampering.

I promise to give you all of the details on how it went when I return. I will let you know how I booked it and which hotels we stayed at before and after. I've organized that all on my own. I understand NCL will assist with it, but I have this thing about getting value for money, and I really think I find the best deals on my own...we're about to find out.

So wish me well. I hate to fly and I picked up my fear of flying tablets today. I understand Chicago will be experiencing wind gusts tomorrow, so I am taking a sleeping pill tonight.

Please understand, I won't normally take even aspirin, so I am terrified.
But Norwegian Cruise Lines is promising me it will all be worth it.

I hope they are right.

I'm going on a cruise!

Yes, yes I am.

I'm headed for a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise out of Miami.
Three perfect days, beginning Friday. We leave Miami Friday
evening at 5pm, returning Monday early morning.

I however am leaving the Great White North Weds
returning next week Tuesday.

I need this time away.

There has been a lot of death and sadness around here.

Not in my immediate family, but my heart breaks for everyone who loses a loved one. This weekend, we attended the funeral of the mother of an acquaintance, the daughter of a friend.

Tomorrow we face the most difficult. A young woman has lost her battle with colon cancer and leaves behind three children the youngest daughter is just 10. This woman was my age, and the teacher to my children. My shock has not yet diminished though she was diagnosed nearly a year ago. My brain simply can not process the unimaginable.

So I will be paying my respects, then leaving for the sun and warmth and the comfort of my own family.

My mother is treating this adventure. It will be my mom, my girls, and my sister, whom I have not seen in nearly 6 years...so in the sadness there is excitement.

Hey you "Naked Boys" google searchers;

Here's hoping your sorry pedophile asses get caught!

Focusing on the Positives

As you may recall we are hosting a 30 year old Thai exchange teacher.
He is getting on my last nerve.

But for all of the frustration he causes me from his complete lack of purpose, involvement, or direction, he has given me one addition to my life:

Fried carrots and eggs.

This is good. Just peel and slice the carrot into thin rounds. Maybe 1/8 inch or so. Not so thin they melt. A little crunch is nice. They become sweet and add a great flavor.

Of course you can always add them to the established medley of green pepper, onion, and mushrooms, if you prefer to tiptoe into the new dish.

He tells me this is a common Thai combination, so you get to consider yourself an international chef, which always make the drudgery of cooking a little easier to take...if you think you are making something exciting.

Enjoy.

No crush for me

I don't really have a Hollywood crush at the moment.

It's kind of lonely.

Most people have the imaginary list of people your spouse is supposed to let you "do" for free if they ever come knocking. The Wardens is Beyonce.

I don't really have anyone I want to get naked with. It's so sad. No fantasy man. Nothing.

After watching The Reader, I was thinking I will crush over Ralph Fiennes. He is not hard to look at that's for sure.

So I got home and Googled him.

But I can not lust after anyone who shags a stewardess mid-flight that he's never met before. YUK!

To be fair, not knowing this about him...I may have shagged him mid-flight - and that would have been OK with me.

But now that I know this about him...that he is available to nearly any woman who will have him, makes me not want him.

So, I'm back to being Ms. Lonely.

Thank God for The Warden. Even though I don't always like him...he's not hard to look at either, and I know he's all mine because I have tried to give him away, and he won't go.

Ralph Fiennes will have to go with Bruce Willis and George Clooney and become just someone I would have drinks with, and maybe a nice dinner if they're paying.