Quick Bytes of Cruisin' details... Some Oddities of Stella's World

Continuation of yesterday's activities... and some ... "oh yes... that's Sandy" stuff.

Toni (aka Mom/Mimi) had her own massage with "Harry" and is actually feeling so much less stress in her aching body. Good news on that front. Sheis thoroughly enjoying her time in the warmth.
Seamus is eating all the french fries on the ship and loving the fresh fish... oh... and the cookies! He went in the kiddy pool last night (no other kids around) and had a total blast going down the pink elephant slid! and the under two room is a fun place to hang. He has already made friends with some other little tikes.
Me... Well, Patricia, you will be happy to know that Greta has taken over as the "stop staring police". I can't help myself ... the is THE PLACE to watch people! And there are all sorts of odd folks on this cruise!
Greta and Jim... NanaBanana did some babysitting so the "rents" could get some quality time. They returned refreshed and smiling. They will have one night for dinner alone as well.
Cliff... you can guess where he has most of his fun.... THE GYM! He and Grets did spinning with a gorgeous South African specimen (so says grets.. not cliffie!). Me? I am sticking with the treadmill and flirting with the captain every chance I get! Hey I'm on vaca!

well that's it for now.
Today is 1st island... St. Thomas.
more reporting to follow!
Enjoy the snow!

Warm Bliss has ascended upon us!

Hey Land people!
Wanted to send a glorious hello from all of we asea folks.
So what have we done so far?
Well...
Sunday was a day of total and complete disorientation and getting settled.
The entire ship was that way... well passengers mostly!
Greta and Jim have their own "story from hell". Let me say that at least on of my coworkers will know what I mean when I say how they found the toilet had on of my favorite words (phrases) on it upon their entering their cabin. And so ensued about 24-36 hrs of back and forth discussions with the crue until we (Jim) spoke with one of the uppity-ups and got some sort of resolution.
Monday was a bit easier for all we cruisers and we began to settle into the idea that it would indeed get warmer soon. We attended the Cruise Critics reception and everyone (abouit 40 people) sang Happy Birthday to Toni who turned 90 in December and the reason we are on this cruise! Seamus was gleefully running amuck the entire time. Even on perfect que cheered when the head guy introduced the captain! Jim has been running back and forth all over the ship keeping Seamus from actually getting to the forward to shout "I'm King of the World!" We are all exercising fullswing and enjoying every moment. I did 350 cals, 2.5 mi, 45 mins of treadmill yesterday... Grets did a spin class... Cliff did his usual over the edge workout... Jim ran on the treadmill... and then we had fun eating later! Cliff had an awesome massage with "Harry" yesterday and recommended it to all of us.
Tuesday... that's today... has been one of pampering. The pool area is full to the max. I had my massage with "Harry" at 8:00am and boy was it worth it. Could just about get back to the cabin I was floating with no stress at all. Mom is now having her massage as I type. I watched Seamus so Greta and Jim could have some alone time. They ran 2 miles on deck. So... we are on our 2nd full day at sea and relaxing and enjoying the trip.

More to follow.. gotta go have more fun in the sun!
Tootles!

24 Hours Left and So Much To Do Yet!

OR NOT!
For some reason, I am not in my usual mode of being on the ball and ready for action.
Time for some Calm's Forte and regrouping.
What's the worst thing that can happen?
Show up at the ship with something missing?
Isn't that what credit cards are for on vacation?
Thanks to a recommendation from sweet/fiesty Danielle I and Greta are off to a much needed manicure and pedicure.

ROAD TRIP!

BON VOYAGE!
Well? In 48 hrs I, and part of my family, will be on our way to the Southern Caribbean Islands for a much needed vacation and anticipated celebration(s). We will be celebrating some birthdays, one of which (the reason for the cruise) is my mom's 90th birthday!
There will be 4 generations on this journey of fun in the sun.

The itinerary is as follows: NYC >> St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) >> St. John's Antigua >> Barbados>> St. Maarten >> Tortola >> NYC.
Now to get ready! ahhh!!!
I will do my very best to keep you all in the loop of many of the activities or lack there of. Hoping to come back with a very nice tan and tons of stories to tell that only Towanda would end up being part of!
So keep on the look out for my updates.

Good Vibes for Anne B.

A friend of the family will be having surgery soon and am posting a silly, yet heart felt, image for her to view as she journeys toward healing her body.

Her words from a recent email:
Some of you may be familiar with "sending an emotion", for those who need some guidance please look at the following sentences.

See me wrap me in a pink blanket of love.

Anne is healthy, whole, vibrant and full of restoring energy RIGHT NOW. She is comfortable, relaxed and peaceful. She is comfortably resting and rejuvenating. Her voice is even more beautiful, expressive, resonant and melodious. She speaks and sings easily and effortlessly. These are the healing thoughts and intentions I am holding for myself and would like you to hold them with me.

So... Please send Anne good juju vibes so the collective energy we create helps usher into a safe and healing place for surgery.

YES WE CAN

As I mentioned in a previous post, this blog is about my grandchildren.
The future of all our children depends upon our vote... their future is in our hands.

That said...
I am admittedly not a savvy political person.
I don't usually discuss politics, nor tell many who I am going to vote for.
But I am very clear that we need to begin to create a POSITIVE CHANGE and feel that Barack Obama is our best chance for that CHANGE IN OUR COUNTRY.
This is my contribution towards Super Tuesday.
Each of us need to listen to our hearts... and follow that...
It is my understanding that this is what our country was build upon... CHOICE.
Above all vote tomorrow whatever your choice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xG2Z0rMGRs
I want to thank Rosa DeLauro for her words that prompted me to create this post.
She said...

One of the causes of my life of which I am most proud and most passionate has been, from my years at EMILY's List to the halls of Congress, fighting to protect, defend, and advance the rights of women, including the right to choose.
In recent years, I am sorry to say that most of our efforts have had to be spent defending women's rights against a Bush Administration absolutely determined to roll back the hard earned progress women made in the last decades – fighting to hold on to what we won together, rather than moving forward to address problems for our mothers, sisters, and daughters.
That is why when I made my decision about who I believe the next President should be, I thought first and foremost about who could who could bring people together to make progress in addressing health care for women, equal opportunity in education for women, and help close that pay gap between men and women, as well as the right to choose.
I decided that Barack Obama was the person who could best move America forward on those issues I care about most.
Today, though, Barack is under attack – he's being unfairly and wrongly criticized for voting "present" in the Illinois state legislature. Make no mistake, where there are differences on policy, we can debate them, but no one should mislead anyone here in Connecticut about one central fact: Barack Obama has a 100% pro-choice voting record.
The facts are clear – in the Illinois state senate, choice advocates asked strong pro-choice legislators like Senator Obama to vote "present" on Republican-designed bills like a ban on partial birth abortion to protect a woman's right to choose.
Senator Obama has always had a 100% pro-choice rating, and he is the only candidate running for President who stood up and spoke out when South Dakota passed an incredibly restrictive ban on abortion.
How do I know? Because I read and listened for myself to strong, independent women who knew Barack in Illinois. Women like Lorna Brett, the former president of Chicago NOW, who supports Barack Obama because she believes the attacks on his record are unacceptable. Don't take my word for it – watch this video from Lorna about why she believes so strongly in Barack's commitment to women:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OVuMYKs8iJs

Lorna isn't alone.
Just today, my friend Kate Michelman, Former President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, spoke out and endorsed Barack. Her words were powerful: "Barack Obama is also calling our nation to the greatness that we all want but that we're uncertain we can still achieve. Others talk about greatness and they even say all the right words, but they do not bring those words to life. Their words do not grab us by the arms and pull us along together. ….Many who had given up on politics are re-engaging. Many who had grown tolerant of the intolerable are now ready to demand more and not just from themselves but others. And many who had given up believing that the ideals of equality, dignity and justice would ever again be as politically important as money and power, now believe again. And this too is why I'm endorsing Senator Barack Obama."
The praise for Barack goes on and on. Lisa Madigan, Illinois' Attorney General who served with Barack in the state legislature told the New York Times that "It's just plain wrong to imply that voting present reflected a lack of leadership...in fact, it was the exact opposite." [New York Times, 12/20/07]
Karen Mulhauser, a former national Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice America, put it, "the record is clear. Barack Obama is 100% pro-choice -- always has been, always will be. That's why he made sure that FDA-approved contraceptives were covered by insurance plans for women in Illinois as a State Senator. That's why Obama spoke out against South Dakota's attempt to outlaw all abortions. And that's why Obama has worked so hard to make sure that low-income and college women can access affordable birth." [Huffington Post, 1/30/08]
Steve Trombley, CEO And President Of Planned Parenthood/Chicago Action said that "Senator Obama has been a consistent supporter of reproductive rights while in the legislature and we worked closely with him in developing and implementing legislative strategies to protect the rights of women in Illinois.'" [Chicago Tribune, 12/4/07]
Libby Slappey, a former 13-year board member of Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa sad that "Senator Obama is one of America's strongest and most loyal defenders of women's rights on issues of reproductive health care."
We've seen too many misleading attacks and too much division in our country during the last seven Bush years. I support Barack because he is best able to bring us together as one country – but to do that, we need to first overcome the efforts to falsely attack and artificially divide us as Super Tuesday approaches. Nancy Keenan, the President of NARAL Pro-Choice America has talked about the dangers of dividing our community and creating "tension where none should exist" – and asked for the tactics to stop. I'm joining her in that call today.
Lets have an honest debate – and on Tuesday, I hope you will join me in supporting Barack Obama for President – for Connecticut, for families, for women, and for our country.
Thanks, Rosa DeLauro

Rosa DeLauro helped me remember and embrace what Obama is telling us:

"I'M ASKING YOU TO BELIEVE:
Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington ...
I'm asking you to believe in yours."

FREE ADVERTISING... and... Happy Birthday Grampy!

"You are the weakest link. Goodbye."

It appears that I, all too quickly, put a link on my blog for a site called Simple•ology. I choose not to give it free advertising any longer. Mark Joyner, Founder of Simpleology, may be a savvy entrepreneur, in my humble estimation, his site is no more than one more place that sucks our good earned money up, claiming some miracle process that will change our lives forever. Ain't no such animal! Mark, I wish you well in your endeavors. I am sure you will be successful. But you are not for this puppy. Live and Let Live...



So... I have removed their link below in a previous blog entry...

Lesson learned NanaBanana...
this blog is ONLY for the FREE and PROUD expression of my experiences with and around my 3 Grandsons!
Kudos and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Best Grampy
these 3 boys could have!
WE LOVE YOU GRAMPY!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY SEAMUS!

Dear Seamus... A note from Nana and Grampy to you...








How fast Seamus's first year has gone, with many milestones along the way. Seamus has grown leaps and bounds.

One of his first photos... and birthday announcement.








to...

this week!


We
love
you
Seamus!

HAPPY
1st
BIRTHDAY!



p.s. Greta and Jim are STILL tired!
BUT HAPPY!

Nana's Back!

It's been a long long time since I have posted on this NanaBanana blogspot.
Seamus is about to turn (not churn!) ONE!
Salvatore has informed us that he will go to Med School.
Antonio played football this past Fall and is on track working towards his eagle status in scouting.

more photos and blogging to happen in the future.
Off to a day of joy and creation.
NanaBanana

Seamus says a Quick Hello from New Home

Well kids? I made it to CT.
Once I figure out how to get down from the shelf my Dad put me on so I would not get hurt by the movers, I will tell you all about my move from being a Metro Kid in "the city" to becoming a Country Bumpkin! Anyone know any climbing tricks? Um Dad? Mama? Kitties? Yoohoo! It's me Seamus ... up here!

A Message From Seamus

Hi everyone!
I asked my Nana to type this message to you all.

We (me and my mama and dad and kitties) are moving to a place, they have told me, that has sun and happy birds and green grass and flowering trees. I have never see such things. They even told me there is this stuff called "sand" on the beach. "Hey Dad? What's a beach?" I am told there will be NO horns from taxis and no meter maids! That will make my Mama really happy!

So there have been lots of odd noises and crunching sounds going on in our little apartment all week. Mama says that is called "packing". Dad said a big truck will come and put all the boxes in it and drive it to our new home. I guess that is how they will ge me there too?





















Not sure...
but I think Dad was sizing me up for a box just yesterday.


Wish me luck!
Seamus
:o)

Here Comes Antonio Cottontail....

Beautifully dyed Easter eggs specially made by Antonio...





wrapped by mama bunny.

"W"happened?

All my photos disappeared from a previous blog entry!
Hopefully you will see them here.
Just photos kids. And not in the right order for the captions below in the original post.
Captions...
Having fun with Mimi.
Flowers for Mama.
Reaching out for his "fav" toy.
Hanging with "the Meemster".
Alfred Hitchcock or what? Bathtime!
But you get the drift... a happy baby... more love in the family.

Antonio Gets a 95!

Proud of Antonio for all the effort and time he put into his latest school project...
Antarctica.
And may I say... we all (even Jim!) learned new "stuff" about that continent.
THANKS ANTONIO!

Photos Photos Photos! Or not (Updated)

This post WAS mostly photos of Seamus' latest stay at the Milford Powell Inn. Some how they disappeared and have been posted in an entry above.

It was wonderful to see his smiling face each morning... a most curious child already.
So glad they are moving to CT.
Happy viewing.

Packing to leave... well.. playing while mama is packing to leave for the return home to NYC.



Just think of the wonderful photos of Seamus this summer! Off to charge my camera battery!

Seamus "Mc"Blau meets Antonio "F." Sodaro

Saturday, Tony had the pleasure of meeting Seamus, face to face. There were a few 12 yr old comments about "noisy babies" and one needing ear muffs offered by Tony upon hearing Sir Seamus' call for food. Only wish I had a recording of Tony at that age to let him hear his own calls for this and that!

While Seamus was taking one of his "catnaps", Tony drew a Blau family picture for Seamus.






Of course, laundry was done while visiting... NO idle moments for new parents... the first "depairing sock" incident occured... how does that happen anyway? JIM! We found the MIA socks!

And a new kind of pacifier (and hopefully useful tool) was introduced to Seamus. "Hey Mom? There's nothin' coming out of this thing! "

Before taking Tony home,
his one request was to hold Seamus.

Captured, here are some bonding moments.
So the cousin journey begins.

I think it will be a good one.

Out and About with Seamus McBlau! and a Thank You!

Friday night I trained to NYC to spend the day with Greta and Seamus on Saturday. Saturday, after doing some chores (you know me... gotta do those chores!) we (Greta and Nana) set out for an afternoon stroll with Seamus. At first, it was stressful for both Mama and baby. But we continued on, saying... "this is an experiment...let's just try and see". Good things happened!

By the time we got to the end of the block Seamus had stopped crying... and brave MamaBear was relaxing a bit as well. Internally, I was saying a big "phew"!

There was a bit of a breeze, yet it was warm in the sun. We did discover (and I remembered from way back when) that when baby is small... it is better to have them facing mama then facing forward. This way mama does not have to stop every few feet to check on said baby. A big thank you should come here, but it will later.. want to stay on course with the stroll story. About 1/2 way home, Greta said, "I can do this". Yeah for Greta!
Struggling with hormonal swings and then trying to get a baby out and about in the winter can feel like a daunting ordeal. But I give Greta full credit for pulling her "YOU-GO-GIRL" socks up and ACTING AS IF. That's my girl. BRAVO!

As that it was a short day visit... PapaBear and Seamus escorted me back to GST for my train home. I had to take a photo of Jim holding the blankie over Seamus (as ordered by Greta!)... "Make sure you put that blanket on MY baby, it's getting cold out there!" Papa wisely granted her wish and did just that. Photo is "proof" so he gets admission back home!

Here is where the THANK YOU comes in. Megan, a coworker and mother of one of the cutest redhead girls I have ever seen, is a continual source of "been there done that" when it comes to baby products.
Thanks Meg for your never ending help... and always promptly!
So all in all, it was a successful weekend. Progress each day... things falling into place for family Blau.

Belated One Month Birthday to Seamus!

Sunday was Seamus' one month birthday.

We ALL LOVE YOU Kiddo!

Getting To Know You

Sunday, Seamus met his Auntie Carol... his mama's sister.
I do believe that they hit it off. He fell asleep in her arms while she was "bonu-izing" him.
Confirmation that he felt comfy and safe.
In hand, came a fun and cheerful basket of goodies that she and Lizzie had put together for everybody. Carol's card to Greta speaks the truth.
"Greta, I love you... What a lucky little man to have you as his Mom!"

Ain't that the truth!
Seamus is one lucky kid to have Greta Ann as his mommy!
And Jim as his Papa, of course!

Here are a few photos of the wonderful basket of goodies... some for Seamus... some just for Mama (forgot to take pix of those lovely shirts).
Comment on the Chicken Book from PapaBear Jim... Oh! My Mother would love this book!

And how can you not smile when greeted by this "clucker"!
And his pal. the NYC pet.

A still very tired PapaBear is getting a lesson as to how to put on the sling.

Hmmm... not sure how successful that venture was.

One day at a time, all things are falling into place.