We're BAAA-aaack

David and I got back from our cruise this morning. We docked in Galveston yesterday morning, and after a LONG wait through Customs, we got in the van and headed home.

The cruise was absolutely amazing. We left Friday afternoon after I got off work and drove through a snow storm to get to Galveston Saturday morning. We had one day at sea, then a day at Progresso (on the Yucatan peninsula), a day at Cozumel, and then another day at sea. We docked Thursday morning, and then dealt with 2 detours, a sleeping break because neither of us could stay awake anymore, and a slight van break down! (Spark plugs and a coil pack needed replaced - lucky that my husband is handy with cars!)

So, here are a few pictures... We took 244 pictures, so obviously I'm not going to show you them all. But, here are a few highlights that aren't in any order because the Blogger uploader reverses them and I'm too lazy to change it!


On the beach at Progresso


Captain's Celebration night - this was in the Blue Saphhire lounge before the nightly show.


Together at dinner.


Out on the sun deck!

Love my toes, love the water.

David and I waiting to get off the boat on Thursday (told you this was out of order!)


Drinking at Cozumel - we did the Mexican Cuisine excursion. Beach time and cooking lesson with completely open bar!


David and the assistant chef, Moises


David and I before getting started on our cooking lesson

David and I at the beach in Cozumel.

Our last night on the ship. David bought me roses and chocolate covered strawberries. What a nice surprise and an awesome evening.


My handsome husband on our last evening.

I didn't get down to my goal weight of 190 but I was comfortable and that's what matters. Also, my knee was great! I only did the exercises the first night and morning at sea. I also had to do them the night at Cozumel because we did alot of walking and I was sore. But, really, I did pretty well overall.

David has already decided we are going to go again - I'm hoping we can go again next year over spring break! We had a blast, and it was great to be able to reconnect with my husband again. We haven't had a week together, stuck together with no interruptions, in so long. I honestly don't remember the last time that happened - maybe last summer? But there are always phones and computers... this week, those weren't even available! How perfect could it be???

Anyways. I'm scared to get on the scale tomorrow. I know that I gained weight - one of the skirts I took on the trip did not fit by Night 4! Oops! I will get on the scale tomorrow and will begin fighting the battle again. Hopefully I can get down to 190 and stay there!!!!

Merry Christmas!

One more Christmas has passed and we don't have our tiny miracle yet. I know, I know.. It will come. But damn it, I'm sick of waiting!

So, if you watch the news, you know that the midwest is being pelted! We've already gotten a foot of snow and are getting up to 6 inches more tonight/tomorrow. This is on top of the 10 inches we got 2 weeks ago that has yet to melt. Yeah, great times. Ready for the Snowed In crowd:
* 11 adults - me, David, my mom, and his family (including the fertile sister in law)
* 3 children under 4 - the 3 of the above fertile sister in law.
* 10 dogs - mine, my mom's, my mother in law's.
* Wine, wine, wine

It's definitely been an interesting few days... We celebrated Christmas last night - dinner, presents, etc... - because David was supposed to go to work this morning but couldn't get out of the neighborhood. So, he left at 5:00 pm - it took him 2 hrs and 15 min to get to work. But, he made it safe. And that's what matters. Jazzy and Max are not dealing with the people/kids well - they are stuck to my side no matter what and Max is being more protective than usual.

We all enjoyed opening gifts together. Our 2 yr old nephew is just learning how to open gifts - he usually gets in trouble for ripping so he had a hard time with learning that this was "okay" for the night. Once he got it figured out, it was hilarious!

And the last gift of the night was one from David to me.... A cruise!!!!!! We had been thinking about doing something over Spring Break, but "we" (me) didn't think we could afford a cruise this year. David found a really good deal on a 5 day Carnival cruise leaving from Galveston, TX the week of my Spring Break!

That also means that I need to get my butt in gear and lose the 15 lbs I've gained... Monday is a new day - the family will be gone, and I will be able to get back on the Weight Watcher's band wagon strict! I need to go to a meeting - I know I will have to pay, but I'm okay with that. Well, not really, but I need to face the scale and make myself accountable. The NICE sister in law and I already have a Cruise Shopping Day set in February!

So, I need help! Keep me accountable. My goal is to get the 15 lbs down by early February and then maintain until the cruise - I want to get down to 185, and the last time I got on the scale I was 201. I need to weigh myself in the morning, and then I'm going to make a ticker ~ I know how to gain the weight, I know how to lose the weight... Now how do I maintain it? Help!