Happy Halloween!

Cape Cod forest, October 2013

Sheets, posts, rags, rope, lights + darkness

Surprisingly effectively spooky.

Happy Halloween ween eve!

 Don't lose your head!

 

It's just the ...

  NEVER MIND! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! 

 That walking, top-hat-wearing, serial killer looking, pumpkin man is scarey. Look at her run.

 I think the birds are waiting to swoop in for the kill.

After the initial fright, things were a little less scarey.

 Just goofy.

 And maybe a bit air-headed.

Just BEWARE OF THE BEARDED BOSTON STRANGLER.

I mean ... pardon me ...

Superfan scarecrow.

I'm gonna git you - you Yankees!

Vacation Settings = Buried in Paper

Although you can change your out of office message on your voice mails and e-mails, they -- and the snail mail -- do not stop while you are away.

It's going to probably take me 5 days to catch up on being away for 5 days.

Please be patient.

Retroblogging: Serenity NOW!

Besides our deck, this was one of our most favorite places on the ship. But, it was hard to find some empty chairs when all the other adults were also trying to find serenity. (Also note to designers: do not put the serenity lounger over the kids area and/or near the entrance to the pool slide - and turn down the incessant music a decibel or two. Thanks, a cranky adult.)

 

 

The Serenity Deck at sunset was beautiful, but it was seriously windy.

 

 I know! A photo. What the heck? 

I was so relaxed I took a selfie (of my double chins) of this hair-raising, wind-swept vacation  return day at day.

No, thank YOU!

Retroblogging: Cozy Cabin with a View for Two

I don't know why people complain about cabin sizes on cruises. OBVIOUSLY they have never lived in a dorm or in a New York apartment. Honestly, it was quite spacious compared to one of my college rooms, and is actually bigger than some NYC studios. Though for two people, for an extended period of time, I could see the issues.

Here's a quick overview. The stragetic placement of the communication center and mirrors are key.

There was a mini fridge tucked under the counter on the left there. This is the view from my bunk.

The bathroom was up a step from the foyer, with a lip in the shower to contain the water. It was bigger than the bathroom in my first apartment, and frankly, probably bigger than the one in my last one. 

 The other key to small spaces is keeping everything ship shape and tucked away. Neatness also counts.

It's like a cozy little nest that ever so gently rocks you into relaxation.

Necessary navigational and information placards on the back of the door and throughout the ship.

The most important thing is getting a balcony - which makes your room seem bigger and gives you somewhere else to go. It's lovely, as long as your neighbors don't smoke, aren't loud, and resist banging the balcony door. There will be limited successes with these issues depending on  your neighbors.

 

 My next apartment needs to have a balcony. Please and thank you.

And a steward.

And room service.

Thank you again.