Last Vacation

I do not know why I am writing this now, except that it has been on my mind for the last few days. Today is the day before we started our last vacation, exactly 3 years ago.  In 2016, February 20^th was on a Saturday and today it is on a Wednesday. I guess I am writing this now because the memories are so vivid for me.

Before I start, let me explain how this last vacation came to be. Connie was in the hospital for the first time and it was in June of 2015 and we did not know if she was going to make it, not even sure she would ever come home again. Anyway, I found out that the Travel Club here at Heritage Ranch was planning a cruise in February of 2016.  I was telling Connie about it and I told her one of the stops was Key West and she said I always wanted to go to Key West, so I said you want to go on the cruise, and she said yes. Maybe it was just to humor me, I am not sure because I think both of thought at the time, she might not make it.  She always said that if we ever take another cruise, we should do it with the travel club here as they provide transportation to and from the Houston / Galveston area.

Anyway, our next-door neighbor (Cookie) was in charge of planning this cruise as she is a cruise planner. I went next door in June of 2015 and made a deposit and bravely said she going to make it and we are going on that cruise. I am not sure if I really believed it, but I said it. When I told Connie the next day, she seemed excited about it too.  That is how this cruise came about.

Saturday, February 20^ht, 2016 — (preparing for the cruise) — The day before the cruise some last-minute shopping and packing was going on. I remember we went to mass that Saturday night as we would be leaving early Sunday morning.  The evening we took our showers as we were going to be getting up at 4:55 AM with someone picking us up at our house at 5:30 the next morning. One thing I remember distinctly we could only have one bag each to put in the bus bay and then we could have carry-ons. It turned out we had three bags. Connie thought we could carry one of them on and just have it sit in our laps, but I told her I did not think it would fit. We shall see how that turned out.

Sunday, February 21^st, 2016 – (Departure Day) It was time for the alarm to go off 4:55 AM but there was no need for the alarm as we both had not slept much during the night. We got up and got ready. By 5:20 we had our luggage in the garage and were just waiting for someone to pick us up and take us to the clubhouse to catch the bus. Cookie our next-door neighbor had her cousin pick us up and she came around 5:35. There were two buses and we were on the second one. I gave them our two bags to load into the bay of the bus and then we got on board. We were in the second seats on the bus and that was when we found out how close the seats were too each other. The third bag that we carried on was just too big. While we could have done it, it was going to be very uncomfortable for a 5-hour ride. So, I ask the person in charge of our bus if we could stow and extra bag in the bay and he said yes. The bus was supposed to take off around 6 AM and it did not run too late as I think we were pulling out of the parking lot around 6:05. We got on Central Expressway and headed south. I must have dozed for a few minutes because when I looked out, I was not sure where we were. It turns out that there had been an accident on Central Expressway, and we took the North Dallas Tollway to get around the accident and then got back on it.

They had given us a bag with a bottle of water a breakfast bar and a piece of fruit but neither Connie nor I were hungry. We talked for a bit about how we could not believe this was happening and how excited we were about our future. Remember at this time we thought Connie was in remission. We both dozed off and on till about 10 AM when we stop at a Buckee’s which is a huge store that has everything in it. I believe we had about 20 minutes. Connie and I went in used the bathrooms and got a croissant with eggs, bacon, and cheese. I remember it was so big that we split it. We were both amazed at how good it was. It was probably one of the best breakfast sandwiches we ever had.

Back to the bus and to finish the drive to the port of Houston. They were showing a movie on the bus, but I cannot remember what it was.   Connie had always been fascinated by the prison and we were looking for the Huntsville prison north of Houston but for some reason we missed it.   

We saw the port and all the ships about 10 minutes before we got there. We were getting off the bus around 11:40 to check-in. Supposedly they were not going to start check-in till noon but when we got inside the terminal they had already started. We were lucky as we found a short line and then we each got a person with a wheelchair to take us to our room. Connie was still weak from her chemo and I was still wearing a brace from my back surgery.  It would have been a very long walk otherwise and I am sure it would have been hard on us. Thank goodness for our neighbor Cookie as she had arranged everything to make it easier for us.

By 12:30 we were in our room and Connie unpacked the carry-on luggage we had with us. We decided to go to the floor of the ship where they were serving food and even though neither of us was very hungry, we got a little bit to eat. By the time we returned to our room around 3 PM all our luggage was there. Connie did the unpacking and then we sit out on the balcony. We were so happy that we had gotten a small suite. There was a practice for leaving the ship with your life vest but we both got excused from it because of our health. We were just enjoying relaxing after being up so early and not getting much sleep. Finally, the ship was pulling out of port and we were on our way. We had scheduled the early dinner which would be served at 5:30. We did not know who we would be at our table. We were at a table of 8 and it turns out it was a very nice group of people. I knew one of the ladies well as we were in the genealogy club together. It turns out Connie and I really liked them and saw them around the boat often. Their names were Ron and Toni.

After dinner, we strolled around the ship to get our bearings. We went up to the spa area to see about using all their stuff. I especially wanted to use the steam room as I had really enjoyed it on our last cruise. We then turn in early as we were very tired. One of the things we noticed is that we passed a lot of oil rigs in the Gulf that evening. 

Monday, February 22^nd, 2016 – (Our First day at Sea) I guess we must have been really tired as we got up late Monday morning and looking out our balcony things looked lovely as we had gotten past all the oil rigs in the Gulf and there was nothing but blue water as for as we could see. It was a beautiful day but still a little chilly as we wore a light sweater that morning.  It was almost 10 by the time we got up to the food deck to get breakfast. The place was packed even this late in the morning. I remember we sat with a couple from Canada and had a lovely fun conversation with them. They had been on this ship the week before when it had gone down the coast of Mexico. So, it was interesting to hear about their adventures in the preceding week. We must have spent about an hour just talking to them.

After breakfast, we headed down to the main deck where you could walk around it. We found a bunch of chairs just outside the casino and it was a beautiful place to sit and listen to music or read. I got Connie comfortable, while I took out badges into the reception area where they punched a hole in them and put a string around them so we could wear them around our neck. I took Connie’s back to here and I went to where they were having a big sale but could not find anything worth buying at that time.  Connie and I then took a little walk, we explored the ship and then went back to the room for a little rest. I do not remember much about that afternoon. That evening our whole table was there and the sea seemed a little choppy. Two of the guys were in the Navy and they started teasing me as I did not like the choppiness of the sea. Connie and my seat at the dinner table faced the window and we could look right out at the ocean and see every wave.

We spent some time wandering around the ship and Connie saw a place selling necklace chains and she wanted to get me some. I told her we would but not now.  It was such a great day and we were still enjoying ourselves. I just remember how happy we were.

Tuesday February 23^rd, 2016 – (Key West) Connie and I usually do not sleep real late but again this Tuesday, morning it was after 9 before we got out of the cabin. We looked out at a beautiful Key West. We watch for a few minutes as people disembarked from the ship to do some shopping or to go on tours that they had booked.  We decide to go to the main dining room and order our breakfast from the menu. As most of you know there is no assigned seating at breakfast, they just sit you at a table where there is room. Once again, we sat with some people from Canada and they were doing the same thing as the other Canadian couple. Only this was their first cruise and they were going to stay onboard the following week and go down to Mexico.  Connie once again went to sit outside and watch all that was going on. We spent some time wandering around the ship and then went back to the room to change clothes as it was very warm. It was in the low 80’s. We had booked a trolley tour of Key West that was supposed to start around 1:30. We arrived at the theater on the ship around one as that is where they told us to gather so we could join the correct tour group. It was quite a walk, at least it seemed like that to me. I had had minimally invasive back surgery about 5 weeks before and I could tell what a difference it made. Before I would not have been able to have walked that far without my ankles and feet go numb on me but now it was no problem.

The trolley was packed but all the people were in good spirits and very friendly. It was a very enjoyable trolley trip as in those two hours we saw a lot of the sight of Key West and learned a lot of the history about it. Unfortunately, those two hours went by fast and it was very hot that afternoon.

After the ride, we decided to do some souvenir shopping before we got back on the ship. Lucky for me my feet and ankles were still doing ok. After I do not know how many shops Connie bought some t-shirts for our friends and a couple of her doctors.

After getting back on the ship, we dropped off our purchases in our room and head up to the deck where they served food to get us a coke. That coke was really refreshing after that hot afternoon ride around Key West in an open trolley. I remember this time so well, as it was a time when we could use our cell phones. Connie wanted to call Lizzie and tell her about the trip. It was great because she was always so happy after talking to Lizzie. It was too late for both of us to take a shower and get ready for dinner. So, I let Connie have the shower and I went up to the steam room and used one of the showers up there.

It had been a busy day for both of us and we were ready to just sit down for a nice dinner. Luckily, we were still in port, so I did not have to worry about the choppy seas we had when we ate our previous two dinners.

I remember that night after dinner we spent some time talking to Ron and Toni as we listened to the music being performed by some of the ship singers. It was a wonderful day. It was top off by Princess Cruise’s Champagne waterfall where they stack the glasses so high that someone climbs on a ladder and starts pouring champagne that fills all the glasses below. I cannot imagine how many glasses they had stacked.  

We spent some time on the balcony that evening just enjoying the view as Key West disappears from our view.

Wednesday, February 24^th, 2016 — (Nassau, Bahamas) Connie and I again rose late that morning and as we looked out from our balcony, we could see people already disembarking the ship to go shopping and on the tours that they had booked. We decide again to go to the dining room and order from their menu. It was a wonderful breakfast and again we sat with some interesting people but this time no one from Canada.

Connie and I had previously planned on not getting off the ship, but we changed our minds. We went to the room to change clothes and headed down. Luckily everyone that wanted to get off the ship had mostly already left, so it was easy for us to disembark with almost no one in line.  

We were not looking for anything, but we just strolled the whole area looking for things that we might want to buy. We had been walking for over an hour when Connie and I realized again for the second day, I had done a lot of walking without my ankles and feet going numb, it was one of the last stores we looked at on our way back to the ship that Connie decided to buy some fragrance for her and me.  We were done and back on the ship around noon. We went up to the food deck and had a little snack.

We had been pretty much excited about our cruise up until now. Nothing had changed but we both said from now on we would not take a 7-day cruise again but at the most a 5 day. I think she was missing the comforts of home.

That afternoon we spent time sitting on the deck just talking and reminiscing feeling that we were going to be ok.  That night at dinner the seas were still a little choppy and we had just pulled out of Nassau about 30 minutes before. The guys were teasing me about the choppiness of the water when the captain got on to make a special announcement. They were having problems with one of the engines, so we would not be going to Princess Cays tomorrow for a cookout of hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, etc.  Instead, we were going to head back and would stop at Freeport for the day on Thursday. While I was disappointed that I did not need another day of tourism, I was glad to hear that it was not a big problem and we would make it back on time.

Again, Connie and I strolled for a little while and then went to see one of the shows, but it was so crowded we did not stay.

Thursday, February 25^th, 2016 – (Freeport, Bahamas) Connie, did not sleep well that night and it was my fault. I still blame myself for it. I was snoring and she could not wake me up to quit snoring or if she did, I would just fall back to sleep and start snoring again. Connie took a blanket and went and slept on the balcony for several hours that night, so she was really tired that morning.  We went up to the deck where they were serving food and had a nice breakfast and then looked out at all the people disembarking from the ship to go shopping. We decided that we had done enough shopping and decided not to get off the ship. We took a long stroll visiting several places on the ship that we had not spent much time at before. We then went and sat on the deck outside the casino just enjoying the sun and the nice day we were having. It was then we decided that a 7-day cruise was probably too long for our enjoyment and the next time we would take a 4- or 5-day cruise. I remember going to eat at a special place on the ship and it was near the piano bar. Before we got there, we stopped by this little place selling chains. Remember I had promised Connie I would buy a chain. It turns out I bought two and am now wearing one of them. We got something to eat and sat at the bar talking to a couple of the servers. It seemed like Connie and I always got to know the server where it was on a cruise, or one of our local restaurants or a fast food place like McDonald’s.

That afternoon we rested some as I think the lack of sleep for Connie was bothering her. Around 3 PM we headed up to get facials. Yes, we were both going to get a facial. The previous June when Connie was in the hospital, she asked me if I would go get a facial with her and I said yes. She was so sick in the hospital; I would have agreed to do anything for her.

We went to the sitting area to wait for our facials, Connie, kept telling me now listen they are going to try to sell us a lot of stuff and you need to say no because we do not need any of it. Sparkie do not let them pressure you into buying anything. I agreed.

The facial was wonderful. It was so nice and relaxing and the lady doing it was just so nice. I was in there for an hour and I felt so good after she had finished. Connie had gone in a few minutes before me, so she was chatting with the young lady who had done her facial when I and the lady that had done mine arrived at the checkout. Then it happened, I had kept telling the lady, I did not need any of the creams, etc. that they were selling when I found out Connie had a bag with two or three items in it that she was going to buy and convinced me to buy something from the lady that had done my facial. I have no idea what we bought but I do not know Connie was excited about it and was going on and on about why we needed this and how good it was going to be for our face. It should have been good because the 3 or 4 items we bought was almost $100. 

Since our facial had started late it was almost 5 before we got back to the room. We changed and made it to dinner at 5:30. Everyone comment on how well we looked that evening and I remember looking at Connie and her face was glowing. Oh, how happy we were that evening.

After dinner we went to look for a picture, they had taken on Wednesday night and found it. We then purchased it. Now it was getting late for us, but we decided to go to the casino around 8 PM. We each took $5 and stayed on the slot machine for almost an hour and a half. We would probably have made it two hours, but Connie used her $5 up first and I could tell she was tired, so I start betting large amount so I could finish up and we could head back to the room. Not a bad night as we spent $10 for about 90 minutes of entertainment.

At this point, I think we were ready to be home, but we had two more days at sea before we would arrive back in Houston on Sunday.  

Friday, February 26^th, 2016 — (At Sea) This day started as a relaxing enjoyable day. I am sure we just had something small for breakfast because I remember us going back to the piano bar area where they had a bar and a place that served lunch. It took us till Thursday to find this place but once we did, we loved it. Connie and I started up to the deck where they served food not to eat but to play a game. The game was called Phase 10. But when we got to the deck, I had lost the cards. We retraced our steps looking for them, but we never found them. I felt bad because we enjoyed the game and Connie had been looking forward to playing.

Since we had lost the cards, Connie, decided to go back to the room to rest and I went to the theater to watch a movie. It was one of the “Divergent” movies. Anyway, it must have not been too good as I fell asleep during the movie. We then strolled around the deck and sat on the balcony just enjoying ourselves.

But dinner that night is something that will be etched in my mind forever. I remember looking at Connie and thinking about how lucky I was that she chose me and that she was in remission. I had the biggest smile. Someone said something to me and when I turned around there were tears in Connie eyes, she was not crying but you could see the tears there. I was scared and said Connie what is wrong, and those next words live forever in my mind. She said “Sparkie am I dying” and I said of course not because of that what I truly believed. I said is there something going on and she said no. I truly believed that when I told her that. She had been feeling good and had been able to eat normally since December and the doctor had told us she was in remission. Only the next week when she went for a doctor visit would she tell him something that let me know why she asked that question.

I wish she had told me then, but she was more concerned about my happiness than hers. Which looking back on it she always was. She perked back up after dinner and we went and saw the people on the ship put on a show displaying their talents. I let the question go from my mind thinking that it was only a moment of concern on her part. How wrong I was.

Saturday, February 27^th, 2016 (At Sea) – You know there is not much I remember about Saturday.  I do have a picture that Connie took of me on the balcony. It was a joke to send to our friends. It was just a long relaxing day. We headed out to go to dinner that night. We had done most of the packing before we went to dinner. After dinner, we took one more stroll around the ship and then went back to the room to finish packing. By 10 PM we had our luggage outside the room, and we turned in knowing we want to get up a little early as we had to be down to a certain area to where our group would meet to disembark by 8:30.

Sunday, February 28^th, 2016 – (Our Trip Home) I was up very early that morning probably before 6 AM. I got ready and then went upstairs to get something to eat. Since Connie was still getting ready, I decided to bring coffee and pastries back to the room so we could eat there. Since I could not carry it all at once, I made two trips. Connie and I had a nice little breakfast and we were ready to go by 8 AM. Again when we got to where we were supposed to meet our group for disembarkation and wheelchairs waiting to take us off the ship.  Several people that needed wheel chairs, so they took the first group down and Connie was in that group. I waited till they came back and then went down. Connie had found all our luggage, so we had a porter take us through customs and then outside. The problem was it was only about 9:30 and the bus was not going to be there until a little after 10. We had him sit out luggage outside and we stayed with it. It was a little chilly outside but not too bad. Finally, when the buses arrived, they parked completely at the other end of the port from where we were. Thank goodness Ron and Toni, were there as they helped us get our luggage to the bus. By now we were tired and so glad to be on the bus and sitting down. The bus was not very comfortable, but we were so excited about going home we did not care.

The buses took off a little before 10:40 and again they showed us a movie, which I do not even remember what it was. A little before noon we stopped at the same Buccees we had stopped at coming down. They gave us 20 minutes to go to the bathroom and get something to eat. I remember Connie and I got barbeque sandwiches. She loved it and hate the whole thing, while I just thought it was ok. Seeing her eating so well just made me more confident she was going to be ok. Connie also bought some snacks, they were Buc-cee Trail mix.  We had a good nice ride home and we were both so tired. We got back to the clubhouse a little after 3 PM and there was a rush as everyone was trying to get their luggage as soon as it was taken off the bus. I also was in a hurry as, I was tired, and I knew Connie was too. I remember grabbing one of our bags and knocking a lady’s suitcase over and she said you have better not broken any of my things in the suitcase. Oh well. Cookie and Bob picked us up and took us home and their kids helped us get the luggage into the house.   We were home, we were happy, and we were tired, but we unpacked right away and just sat down and relaxed.

Monday, February 29^th, 2016 — (Doctor’s Visit) – I am going to continue writing for another day as it was a leap year. Connie had to go in for a PET scan that afternoon and she had to go so many hours before without eating. I was feeling good about it but looking back on it, I am not sure how Connie was feeling. Anyway, we went for the PET scan around 2 or 3 that afternoon. But I remember so clearly us stopping at Country Burgers afterward one of our favorite places to get a burger. Connie ate a big burger and all her fries, I felt good because when Connie was able to eat without throwing up, I thought everything was ok. We were going to see the doctor on Wednesday to get the results of the scan. I will pick up March on another page later not sure when.