Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 10/13/07 (or Give Me Both!)

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oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Thanks for that Jim. I am still trying to figure out that very important aspect of my cruise! And lucky Bobbie - how many girls can say they have personalized craftsman tools? What a dad you are!

Regina - you are right you have to live your life to the fullest. And also remember to tell your friends and family how much youlove them. It's important to do, and life is precious.

I am looking forward to the weekend. Today was a really unusual day. I spent the first couple of hours fixing mistakes made by others. Now that part is not terribly unusual, but we've had some changes in our health system and no one really knows what they are doing - or they are using the cop out answer "oh, I thought so and so was supposed to do that." So we've had at least 6 employees who have not received their final paychecks with their vacation payouts. And everyone is pointing the finger at someone else, but who gets the phone calls? You guessed it, me! I'm not involved at all. Everyone who is involved in not on-site. But, they remember my name and number and I am still on-site, so I can't hide the way the involved parties do because I am not 20 miles away like they are! Grrrr. Then we had this bizarre man who came in and wanted to borrow our phone book while he was using the men's room across the hall. Um, no! As it turns out he was just discharged from the psych ward, conveniently located 4 floors up from my office. Not a joke folks, I am that close, and sometimes it feels like I am getting closer by the minute!

I met Greg at Cracker Barrel after work. I can't even remember the last time I ate there. It had to have been a couple of years ago or more. I've got a happy tummy. After that I went over to the local GFS store and bought my favorite margarita mix just in case I need it this weekend!

Well, that's it for me. I am going to try to investigate the menus and the order of the themed nights, and then maybe we can discuss which night we are going to Chops. Is everyone okay with Chops rather than Portofino for our group dinner night? We love Chops.....

Have a good weekend everyone, but remember to post often!

Sheree
 
D

dutyfree4me

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

I like chops. Do not care for the other one.

Regina
 
B

baby love Jim

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Chops is good for us too, Hope and I might go to portofineos (sp) one night we will have 2 nights for the supper clubs because we have 2 cabins. we will see.
 
B

baby love Jim

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Sheree,
My girls will have 12 diffrent colors with them and I am sure they would be more than glad to share...if yould like..see I don`t know much about nail polish so I don`t know if it is cool to share nail polish..is it like using someones hair brush??? just thought I would ask I realy don`t know.
:)
 
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oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Jim - you are a cool dad and a cool dude!

I don't think there is nail polish taboo like sharing a brush.

I'd much rather get a manicure and pedicure before the cruise and then just forget about it during the cruise. That'll probably be my plan!

Sheree
 
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Tired2000

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Regina, I am sorry to read/hear about the loss of your friend! He is in a better place and PLEASE keep your head up! My grandfather used to say "REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES!!!"

Where is George?
 
O

oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Yes, where is George?
:)P)

It's about time for another Anne update! How is she doing?
:S

I'm off to shop.
:D


Sheree
 
S

StudMuffin

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Good morning all,

Regina, so sorry to hear about your friend. Certainly much life was still ahead of him. Like you wrote, you just never know when it's your time and should live life to the fullest. A friend that used to work with me passed away at the age of 51 a few years ago, very similiar story to your friend. He was a health nut, fantastic shape, great father/husband. He was a 20 year retired Phoenix cop, starting a second career with the parks dept. One day he walked into the yard talking about a small lump he noticed in his throat while shaving. After prodding him a lot, he finally went to the Dr. who told him it was fatty tissue and put him on a medication...a week later the lump was the size of a golf ball...a week after, the twice that size. This "fatty tissue" quickly prevented him from eating, drinking, even breathing! His Dr. assured him it was nothing and to give the meds time to work! We finally convinced him to seek out a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic....within 24 hours of going he learned he had a very aggressive form of throat cancer. Within a month he was gone; he left behind a wife, 3 young children, and an endless number of friends. The one thing I took my friends death, is don't be so proud or macho to seek out medical attention for something you assume will just go away. And most certainly don't play the insurance game, get a second opinion, your life may depend on it!

Regina, I went ahead and signed up for the meet and mingle on the old neighborhood. Like you we are going to be Pirates for a few hours and buy the t-shirts for it. I sent the email and copied all who might be interested. The last order is going in on Monday though, you must order this weekend.

Anne is doing fine. She went to work part time last week for 3 days and starts back full time on Monday. She had her first follow-up this past wednesday and everything is coming along great. Some of the stitches came out and the rest will come out this Wednesday.

Arrielle starts school on Monday!!!! Like the girl in Porky's....Yessssssssssss....Yessssssssss! We had her orientation yesterday, I'm hoping she has a great year at this new school.
 
S

StudMuffin

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Almost forgot, Chops for us as well.
 
O

oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

The Browns won and Brady Quinn warmed the bench....
 
O

oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

I just saw something cool in the old neighborhood. Someone is blogging through his trip on the Liberty and he posted pictures from his window at the Intercontinental the night before the cruise. He also said that they made a quick trip to the CVS which was 2 blocks away. That's good for me because I plan to get some Diet Coke and bottled water before we cruise. He also said to get Chops reservations quickly because it fills up fast.

Sheree
 
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Tired2000

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Hey George, welcome back!!! Glad to hear Anne is doing well!!! Did you see my post about visiting Arizona? I think it is on the previous page! What grade is Arrielle going into? Good luck to her!!!


Everyone: Hope you are having a GREAT weekend!!!
 
C

cruise-girl

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Hey Cats...

Glad to hear you are doing so well Anne!!

Regina, so sorry to hear about your friend but like everyone has been saying better times ahead!!

Cris and Julie closed on their house and booked the cruise with Doris and I. I so badly can't wait until the cruise!!

As far as booking on board and getting the onboard credit Royal, Celeb, and Princess all do that now. I have a feeling that NCL will be following suit soon. It is a great way to lock in a future cruise and they are totally transferable to a TA (Don't forget me!) Actually Cris is on to something that you all may be interested in and will never need a TA. We will have to chat via email or on the phone about this but you will give up group perks to travel for much less!

My Mom and Dad have been here for a week and they are getting ready to go to Ocala to visit with my older sister for a week. We had my sister for two weeks prior to them coming. It has been so nice. I have been taking my dad to the pool everyday when I get home from work. We have talked alot, it has been really nice. I think we are taking them to Pensacola the weekend you all leave on your cruise to meet my sister and neice to spend the night together and then they are taking them home to TX. This is if they don't decide to stay until we get back from our cruise. Allegiant air stops service between Orlando and Shreveport from Aug. 5th to Nov. 8th. When they landed in Orlando I had to break the news that they could not get a flight home until Nov. My mother will never make being away from her home that long.

Well all have a great day! Jim I am going to be cutting the girls bags this week so we will be seeing you all soon!

:wave
 
O

oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Hi Dee - I was wondering where you've been since we haven't heard much from you lately. But it sounds like you've had good quality family time latey which is wonderful. My Mom and Dad are here next weekend for a visit and I was just "plotting" with my mother. We're trying to figure out where we are going to run around next Saturday and Sunday! She wants to go shoe shopping. Twist my arm!

Good to hear about Cris and Julie's house - I want to hear about the garage sale too!

What ports is your ship going to?

It's hot and humid again here today after a one day break from it yesterday. Luckily later this week it'll be in low 80's again.

Sheree
 
S

StudMuffin

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Good afternoon all,

It's a hot and humid one here as well. Unfortunately the pool pump is on the fritz and I spent a large part of the morning trying to remotely clean the pool for swimming today. It's funny how I can look at our semi clear pool today and think it's not swimmable and yet in comparisson to some of the pools and lakes I swam in as a kid, it's five star resort like.

Denise, good to hear from you. Give our best to your folks. How has your dad been getting around since the surgeries? Can't go home until November now? I love my mom but we couldn't co-exist that long. Glad to hear everything is finalized on the housing issue for Cris and Julie, tell them we said hi and to stop by and post once in a while.

Dan, don't fret, I did see your post. Summers are brutal here in the valley of the sun. Typical day right now is 110-115 degrees and 70+ humidity. Summer rates are good at the local resorts, if you can handle the heat...most can't!! I would suggest Sedona or Flagstaff this time of the year. The red rocks in Sedona are a must if you have never seen them. And of course who can argue with seeing the Grand Canyon. The canyon actually has a new way to see the canyon, call the skywalk. It's a glass bridge in which you walk out a considerable distance over the canyon with a clear view to the bottom. I want to try it, Anne won't have any part of it. The Grand Canyon Railroad out of Williams is also an option, but I would do in the winter when snow is down and the polar express is operating. Otherwise you have Tombstone, Karson caverns and many other sights to the south of the valley. Avoid summers if you can, but if on budget they are the best time of year to get great rates for some of the best resorts in the USA...especially if you like to golf. Arrielle is going into the 6th grade.
 
O

oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

George - we were talking with our friends last weekend about that skywalk. Can I tell you that the thought of it totally terrifies me? I never used to be like this, but I think I've become afraid of heights. That has totally no appeal to me anymore, but 10 years ago I would've thought it was the coolest thing.....

Sheree
 
B

baby love Jim

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Hi All
Dad the motor fixer is not doing so well on the vw motor went in on saturday ran nice for a wile sounded real good BUT STARTED THE OIL LEAK again. I am at wits end. Motor came out today and started to disassammble it for all new gasketsand seals. here is a link if anyone would like to see what we have been going through.
http://fullmoonbusclub.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?84161
Littles is the guy that is helping us
I need to go fishing or something I need a day off.
just an update
Hope all is well with everyone
 
O

oriolesfan22

Guest
Re: Give Me Liberty or Give Me the Big Cats 9/15/07 (or Give Me Both!)

Regarding which night at Chops....I am trying to find out if it is accurate that the menus are the same each night on each ship. If so, this could be the rotation of the menu. This is what I read in the old neighborhood. Anyone have any idea if this is right? if it is, day four or day five would be the night that get my vote for Chops.

Day One

Starters
Melon and Mango – Drizzled with ginger syrup
Melon and Proscuitto
Smoked Fish Tapenade – Smoked fish, onions, capers, fresh herbs, served with crostini coulis
Vidalia Onion Tart – sweet onions and gruyere cheese baked in pastry with red pepper
Tuscan Tomato Soup – Thick rustic soup swirled with basil pesto
Saigon Chicken Noodle Soup – Chicken broth with lemon grass, ginger, noodles and julienne vegetables
Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho – Garnished with chopped celery and cucumber

Salad
Spinach Salad – with plum tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and toasted pine nuts
Traditional Caesar Salad

Entrees
Shrimp Ravioli – In a cream coconut lime lobster sauce with wilted spinach and crispy fried leeks
Stuffed Chicken Breast – filled with prosciutto and brie, served with red pimento relish
Slow Roasted prime Rib – with baked potato and horseradish au jus
Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Quesadilla – Folded in a flour tortilla with Manchego cheese and tomato and cilantro salsa

Chef Signature Entrée
Royal Herb Crusted Fillet of Atlantic Cod – with light cream saffron champagne sauce, red skinned mashed potatoes and scallions

Deserts
Ivory Chocolate Fondue – full of mixed berries with a crunchy biscuit
Apple pie a la Mode – Slices of spiced golden delicious apples baked in a double crust pasry topped with vanilla ice cream
Savarin – rum soaked yeast cake filled with banana cream, finished with orange wedges, kadota figs, and chocolate chips
Low Fat Tropical Fruit salad – marinated in grand marnier
Sugar Fee Swan Chantilly – a pastry swan filled with sugar free whipped cream served with apricot puree



Day 2 - Formal Night
Starters
Orange Carpaccio – orange slices, red onions, watercress, feta cheese and cumin mint yogurt
Shrimp Cocktail royal – with cocktail sauce
Escargots Bourguignonne – baked snails in garlic herb butter
Lobster Bisque – finished with cognac and whipped cream
Oxtail Broth – beefy broth and aged sherry, served with a crispy cheese twist
Chilled Golden Pear – Garnished with dried cranberries

Caesar salad

Entrees
Truffled Wild Mushroom Linguini Alfredo – Linguini pasta folded in a creamy wild mushroom and white truffle sauce
Golden Sea Bass – Pan Seared fillet, Spanish sofrito, black olive polenta and fried capers
Roasted Duck – with black currant sauce, red cabbage and croquette potatoes
Eggplant Mozzarella Tower – with chunky plum tomato sauce and balsamic glaze

Chef Signature Entrée
Filet of Beef – creamy whipped potatoes and crimini mushrooms with green peppercorn sauce

Deserts
Grand Marnier Soufflé
Double Strawberry Cheesecake
Cherries Jubilee
Low Fat Double strawberry Cheesecake
Sugar Free Coconut Vanilla Layer Cake


Day 3
Starters
Caprese Salad – fresh mozzarella and tomatoes drizzled with olive oil
Antipasti – Cured Italian ham, seasonal melon, grilled vegetables, marinated Portobello mushrooms, baked caramelized garlic
Scallop Risotto – Sauteed sea scallops over Charred sweet corn and mascarpone risotto
Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup – with rye bread croutons
Minestrone – A rich Italian soup of vegetables, tomato, and pasta
Chilled Strawberry Bisque – garnished with fresh mint

Salad
Insalata Mista – Mixed greens, zucchini, red bell peppers and black olives
Traditional Caesar Salad

Entrees
Rigatoni Pasta – with spiced chorizo sausage, red and green peppers, grilled corn, olive oil and basil
Garlic Tiger Shrimp – Garlic herb baked with seasonal vegetables
Chicken Marsala – Marsala mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables
Vegetarian Chili – With jalapeno corn bread, grated cheese and sour cream

Chefs Signature Entrée
Lamb Shank with Rosemary – Slowly braised with garlic mashed potatoes and oven roasted vegetables

Deserts
Warm Chocolate Cake
Raspberry Panna Cotta
Tiramisu
Low Fat Angel Food Cake
Sugar Free Chocolate Mint Cake

Day 4

Starters
Mozzarella Salad – over arugula with a tomato basil salsa
Melon with Proscuitto
Chilled Shrimp Cocktail
Scallop and Mussels Gratin – seared with Pernod
Bouillabaisse
Tuscan White Bean Soup
Vichyssoise
Mesulun and Fennel Salad


Entrees
Ravioli Mare Monte – filled with cheese in a crabmeat mushroom sauce
Baked Perch – with sautéed spinach, balsamic and parmesan roasted potatoes and lemon sauce
Royal Sirloin – on a baked eggplant, zucchini and vegetable medley with Sicilian onions and pepper olive salsa
Vegetable paella – saffron rice with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and asparagus tips, garnished with black olives and chopped scallions

Chef Signature Entrée
Coq au Vin – with mushrooms, bacon, caramelized baby inions, grilled polenta and crispy pancetta


Deserts
Crème Catalan
Spanish Orange Almond Cake
Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Tart
Low Fat French Apple Flan
Sugar Free Chocolate Panna Cotta


Day 5

Starters
Fired Roasted Red Pepper Hummus – with roasted marinated zucchini and toasted pita
Shrimp Cocktail
Melon Proscuitto
Spinach Sweet Potato Dip – served warm with crisp tortilla chips
Roasted Pumpkin and Apple Soup – with crème fraiche and fried sage
Onion Soup – Caramalized onions in beed broth with Gruyere toast
Chilled Forest Berries and Buttermilk soup – a combination of fresh berries blended with buttermilk

Salad
Greek Salad for the Table

Entrees
Grey Goose Vodka and Smoked Salmson Cream Pasta
- Creamy sauce tossed with orechhiette pasta, finished with mushrooms and crushed tomatoes
Roasted Turkey – with apple bread dressing, pan gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce
Grilled NY Strip Steak – Bearnaise sauce, fried potato wedges and zucchini
Indian Vegetable Curry – braised spiced garden vegetables with steamed rice and a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce

Chef Signature Entrée
Mahi Mahi Tempura – Lightly battered and fried with homemade sweet and sour sauce, stir fried vegetables

Deserts
Brownie Madness
Key Lime Pie
Banana and Crunchy Nut Parfait
Sugar Free Key Lime Pie
Low Fat Strawberry Shortcake



Day 6 – Formal Night

Starters
Sun Ripened Pineapple - Sliced Pineapple, Sun dried apricot ricotta and black pepper
Citrus Cured Salmon - Thinly Slices with a dill cucumber salad
Creamed Wild Mushrooms in Puff pastry – crimini and oyster mushrooms in flaky pastry
Cream of Asparagus – Garnished with crunchy almonds
Double Duck Consomme – with julienne vegetables and aged port
Roasted Peach Soup – Finished with fresh strawberries

Entrees
New England Bay Scallops and Ziti – topped with Portobello mushrooms and fire roasted red pepper pesto
Fisherman’s Plate – A broiled lobster tail and garlicky shrimp with broccoli florets
Slow Roasted Aged Prime Rib – cut thick served with baked potato
Asian Fried Tofu – with sautéed bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and red curry sauce

Chef Signature Entrée
Thai BBQ Chicken Breast

Deserts
Desert Sampler – a trio of exquisite tastes
Low fat Berry Mousse
Sugar Free Red Berry Tart


Day 7

Starters
Exotic Fruits
Crab and Shrimp Salad
Melon Proscuitto
Beef and Veal Tortallacci
Jalapeño Potato Soup
Chicken consommé
Chilled Cranberry and Mango soup
Seasonal Greens
Caesar Salad

Entrees
Penne Tarantina – tossed in chunky tomato-garlic sauce, with mussels, shrimp and scallop
Parmesan Crusted Turkey Tenderloin with sage mustard Sauce
Slow Roasted Beef Shoulder Fillet – with marscapone roasted potatoes and Shiraz reduction
Asparagus and Brie Tart – grilled plum tomato, arugula, red pepper essence and chive oil

Chef Signature Entrée
Cornmeal Dusted Talapia with Japanese ratatouille and garlic wasabi aioli

Deserts
Choco-Chino Trilogy
BBB
Magic Mango Parfit
Low Fat Exotic Pineapple and Coconut Cake
Steamed Sugar Free Vanilla and Berry Custard




Alternative Selections always available
Ziti with Marinara Sauce
Broiled Fillet of Norwegian Salmon
Grilled Chicken Breast with seasonal herbs
Grilled Black Angus Top Sirloin with herb butter

Ice Cream, Sugar Free Ice Cream and sherbet selections
Cheese selection
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