Days Five and Six

Hi All!

Well, so far Flea has guessed one of the places Hubby and I traveled to and Mental Mama has guessed one. So far some of the other places are still a mystery.

Let's see - a quick review. The first island we were at was named after a saint and is known for beautiful beaches. Next we went to an island named for a day of the week (hint: the name isn't in English!). Then it was on to an island on which American medical students were held captive. The fourth visit was to a little place which - I think - was named after its very good air (again - think in a different language!).

Now on with the next two days.

Friday

Today we docked in a beautiful spot and, since we are going to be here for a long day, Hubby and I decided to sleep in a bit. After waking up we did a bit of laundry in the ship's laundromat (we brought those neat little sheets with the detergent and the fabric softener all in one!). Then, when everything was dry, we went to the dining room for lunch. Again - one thing you can't say about a cruise is that they don't feed you!

Then it was finally time to hit the shore! On this day it didn't rain and didn't even look like rain - the first time all trip! On this island we wandered around the town looking for a bracelet for me. Despite having to look at many different shops and finding few that had anything I liked (I am unique that way, I guess!), we finally stumbled into a shop which had not ONE but TWO bracelets that I really, really wanted.

Over beer and cold water we went back and forth and back and forth and I tried (I really did try) to make up my mind. Finally, when it was obvious that Hubby wasn't going to take my hint and buy me BOTH bracelets, I chose one (I will post a picture later). It is BEAUTIFUL and I adore it.

Then it was more wandering - including a visit to a local grocery store to replenish our stock of Diet Coke and water (and to snag a big bag of potato chips for me!). This island was such fun to walk around on despite the sun.

Unfortunately, on this trip we were not able to visit any of the amazing beaches on the island. We didn't get to walk on the beach with the tide tickling our toes. We didn't get to build castles in the sand. We didn't get to find human jaw bones washing up on shore . . .

However, the trip was lovely and we topped it off by getting some shots of the entire town from the ship's top deck. The wind was blowing and it was nice and cool despite the sun!

After that it was time for a nice ice cream cone from the ship's ice cream shop and it was time to get ready for dinner.

Dinner was great! Well - at least they had all of the appetizers that I like! I had escargot - yes, I like snails and would eat them all the time if I could! Then I had gnocchi and then I had a lovely little goat cheese souffle. Yum!

We were both tired by the time we got back to the room but we did manage to stay awake long enough to watch a very peculiar movie. We didn't see the very beginning so we missed the name of the thing but . . . it was about a man who met an odd fellow named Barry. Barry recreated historic scenes using dead mice (which he mounts) dressed up as people in the scene.

The movie was just plain weird . . . and yet we watched it all and laughed!

Saturday

Today is a sea day so we are taking advantage and . . . sleeping in! Yeah! However, the long sleep means a trip up to the buffet for breakfast. Not my favorite things as I normally get run over in the buffet.

Today wasn't too bad. I made it through the line without incident and we actually had a nice breakfast.

Then we went back to the room where Hubby managed to watch the Ohio State game on television. This was a nice surprise since we weren't supposed to be able to see it! Ohio State won! OH! IO!

We had a nice lunch of room service pizza and chocolate chip cookies and now we are here in the internet cafe checking up on the "real world."

Tomorrow will be the disembarkation - my least favorite part of a cruise - and then a tour of the Puerto Rican rain forest before heading to our hotel for the night.

We have had a nice time!

Too bad it has to end!

Trisha

Voice Update: Well - I haven't been as "good" as I should be so my throat is a bit crunchy and my exercises have dropped off. I have been talking though so not all is lost! When we get home it will be back to the regular routine!

Days Three and Four

Hi All!

Well - some of you are very, very close to figuring out just where Hubby and I traveled. Keep guessing! Remember, you need three correct guesses to win the big prize!

Wednesday:

This morning was an early one for us (well, early for us on the cruise, anyway!). We got up and headed to the dining room for breakfast. This was the third breakfast "trial." We had already had breakfast in the room - Hubby wasn't happy with the "milk-in-a-box" (extended shelf life milk) he got to go with his cereal. We had also been up to the buffet for breakfast - the crowds of people who forgot their manners was too much for me to deal with. So - today we went with the more "formal" option of eating breakfast in the dining room.

Of course we were seated with other people and, luckily, they were pretty interesting. The food was good and the variety was better than in the stateroom and free of the obnoxious people the seem to follow me around the buffet.

After breakfast it was back to the room to pick up my purse and then we headed out. The day, like the rest so far on this trip, was looking rainy so we didn't really think I would need my hat. Bad prediction.

Today, instead of starting to rain as soon as we got off the ship, the sun started shining! Rats!

Well, there wasn't a whole lot to see on shore and we didn't get up enough nerve to ask to be taken to see the place where the American medical students were held captive (which was so nicely portrayed in the movie "Heartbreak Ridge") so we were back on the ship a bit early. We didn't even buy a pack of the spices that the island is so well known for. I contemplated buying some but I don't really know what I would do with them if I had them - I don't really use spices too much!

Anyway - the day wasn't all bad. I did finish the book I have been working on for the past several weeks - The Historian. I forget the author at this moment but . . .it was a good book while the subject was very, very scary. Dracula. I would recommend the book but don't read it late at night - it just gets spooky!

Another plus was our first "Elite" party with the ship's captain. Apparently, we are one of the top 40 most traveled people on board this time so we got to go to the fancy party with passed tapas (I liked the baked brie and the shrimp) and huge prawns. The third of my three prawns decided that it wanted to go back to the ocean and tried to jump out the window (with just a bit of help from me and my "Uncle Murphyesc" attempts to cut the prawn into smaller pieces!). After that (and a straw in my margarita that had a hole in it somewhere) Hubby and I settled down to have a nice time chatting with a couple from Canada.

Then it was on to dinner.

What a life!

Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Today we got to sleep in a bit because the ship didn't dock until around noon. We ate a lovely lunch in the Crown Grill which was transformed for the day into an English Pub (fish and chips, anyone?). Then we got our gear (I sprayed on the sunscreen and took my hat this time even though it looked rainy!) and hopped off the ship.

Can you guess what happened next?

No?

Let me tell you - it started to rain!

Luckily, the rain didn't last too long and we were off to traipse around this island which I am guessing means "good air." The island was controlled by the Dutch (as evidenced by the Dutch/German people who still live there and the numerous windmill trinkets you can purchase) and even though there weren't a lot of things to see in the town, Hubby and I found a nice spot to stop and cool off with bottled water (for me) and a Polar beer (for hubby).

Parrot fish swam near the shore all along the dock area and it was fun to watch the children get their first glimpse of the bright blue fish.

Currently, Hubby and I are back on board and are finding ways to keep busy before getting dolled up for the formal night tonight! Formal night means lobster!!

So - have I been giving you enough clues as to our stops or do you need more?

Flea actually guessed one of the places we stopped. Now she only needs two more to win so you can still catch up if you try really hard!

Trisha

Voice Update: I have been doing my exercises in the room while Hubby is in the shower. This morning he popped his head out of the bathroom to "Eeee" along. What a guy!

Day Two for Guessing

Hi All!

It is the second day of posts for you to guess from! This is the continuing saga of where Hubby and I have been. Again, if anyone can guess three of the places we traveled to you will win a prize!!

Tuesday:

This morning I didn't wake up early to read out on our spacious balcony. No. It was raining so I just rolled back over and went back to sleep. However, Hubby and I did get up and moving earlier than we did yesterday.

This morning we headed up to the dreaded buffet for breakfast and faced a mammoth line of people who seemed to be a little self-centered. I mean, why else would they stand in the middle of the walkway when a waiter with a HUGE stack of plates was trying to get by? And why else would they not move - not even a inch - while said waiter did a miraculous contortion to squeeze himself and the HUGE stack of plates safely by? Come on people - a little courtesy if you would please!

Anyway - Hubby and I shared our breakfast table with a delightful woman and her son who were from St. Croix. We had fun chatting and watching the rain. And chatting. And watching the rain.

After breakfast Hubby and I headed back to our room to map out our day. The rain made us think that we would not be heading outside but . . . things change. Before finalizing our plans we exited our room for a while to allow Philip to tidy things up. It is so nice not to have to do this myself! Such bliss!

Back to the room. We gazed out the window (and Hubby stepped out onto the balcony). The rain was stopped. So - out we went. Me. I forgot my hat (DUH!!!!!) and so I was worried most of the time about a return of my dreaded sun poisoning rash (I will keep you posted). Luckily, the sun was taking turns with the rain today and every time it got too hot the rain came with ocean breezes to cool us off.

Due to the weather we didn't venture into the rain forest and we didn't see the many wonderful waterfalls that grace this land named after a day of the week. We did wander around and looked at the local stands which were set up and we also ventured a little deeper into the city for a look beyond the touristy stuff. I found a nice little shop selling some CDs. When I asked the salesperson if they were local artists, I got a yes and then was guided to purchase a CD. After getting the email of this lovely woman (in case I don't like the CD when I get home) Hubby and I headed out and I asked several people if they liked the music I had just purchased. To my relief, many thought it was a good buy. Score!

Not to be confused with Skor - which is my furry little kitty whom I am missing a bunch right now.

Back to the day.

Hubby and I wandered through the sun and rain and then went back to the room for our required daily nap. Lovely!

Now we are doing some computer time while we wait for lunch.

Doesn't that sound like fun?

It is! It is!!

Trisha

Voice Update: Okay - still not doing really well with the whole exercise thing. I just can't seem to find a really good time. However, I am keeping up a minimal massage schedule. We will see how things go. So far. So good.

Guessing Game Time!

Hi All!

Well - it is that time to guess where Hubby and I have been! The first person to correctly guess three of the places we have visited(and I will be describing) over the next few days will get a wonderful prize from me in the mail!

Just a note: you must correctly identify the places we visit and NOT our method of transportation to said places!

Let's start.

Monday:

Today Hubby and I woke up deliciously late (we can sleep in with no four legged alarm clocks waking us at four in the morning!) and headed to the dining room for a nice luncheon with two other couples.

Then we headed down the gangplank and onto a "safari style" taxi for the jaunt into town. When we alit from the taxi we headed to a kind of a bazaar/flea market kind of a situations and then off to the "real" stores.

Joining another couple, we shouted "Cariloha" out into the street to earn a free bamboo necklace each. Then we bought some nice bamboo sheets and a bamboo towel set (for me) to be shipped to our home in about two weeks.

Then we wandered the gauntlet of jewelry and souvenir stores being told over and over that the "best deals" were just inside the door of whichever establishment was being passed at the time.

We paused in our wanderings to look out over the harbor and to contemplate a taxi ride up to Meaghan's Bay. Deciding that we should just finish out walk and head to the local grocery store to stock up on water and Diet Coke, we caught a passing taxi and were whisked back to our mobile hotel.

Tonight we woke from a lovely nap (again sans felines) and went to dinner. Yum!

Tomorrow we will be in a totally different place for you to guess.

By the way, the aforementioned felines are being well taken care of by our friends D and C who say that they have seen two sets of eyes but no actual cats so far.

Trisha

Voice Update: So far I have managed to get most of my massage in but I haven't done too well with the exercises. It is just tough to continue my routine of doing the exercises whenever I am in a vehicle when there are many other people in the same vehicle who would look at me oddly if I did my exercises! I will find a way!

Susan was pleased with how well I am doing with my voice. I had a bout with my back about four days before I saw her and that caused my neck to tighten up significantly. By the time I saw Susan I had managed to get most of the kinks worked out . . . not all but most!

Ignoring It Won't Make It Go Away!

Hi All!

My name is Trisha and I have ABductor Spasmodic Dysphonia.

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(Hello, Trisha)

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ABductor Spasmodic Dysphonia is a neurological condition in which the communication between the brain and the muscles controlling the vocal cords doesn't work correctly. This miscommunication causes the muscles controlling the cords to spasm uncontrollably.

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There are two main types of Spasmodic Dysphonia - ADductor and ABductor. ADductor is the most common kind of Spasmodic Dysphonia and in this type, the muscles which close the vocal cords are affected. This causes the vocal cords to slam shut making the voice sounds strangled. ABductor Spasmodic Dysphonia is rarer and in this type the muslces which open the vocal cords are affected causing the cords to remain open. This results in a very breathy voice. There can also be a combination of both ADductor and ABductor types as well as the addition of a tremor to either type or the combination of both types.

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Currently, scientists do not know what causes Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD) and there is no known cure. The only medically approved treatments are speech therapy and the injection of Botox into the spasming muscles.

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Like I said, I have ABductor SD (ABSD). It only stands to reason that I would have the rarest type of SD - what with my being related to Uncle Murphy and all! When ABSD first showed up in my life I was happy. I had my dream teaching job and life was good.

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Then, within the space of a month, my voice left me. And I do mean left me. I did not have a voice AT ALL for a little over a year. I struggled through a few months more of teaching before deciding to take a medical leave of absence which turned into a permanent leave of absence from teaching.

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I went to speech therapy and became pretty obsessed with doing my exercises (after all, I wasn't working any more so this was basically all I had to do!). I tried the Botox injections twice with very little results.

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I learned how to speak on the inhale (breathing in while speaking instead of the normal breathing out while speaking) and became very good at it. I started to build my endurance and suddenly started being able to say a few words normally. That led to even more intensive speech therapy and, after about eight months, I could speak "normally" even though it was very, very quiet. To counter the quiet voice, I wore a personal amplification device everywhere I went so I could be heard.

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After about another six months or so, my voice began to get stronger and eventually I could speak without the amplification device! This change led to a real struggle on my part to continue doing my exercises and learning that if I didn't, my voice went into a steep decline.

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Currently, my voice sounds pretty normal. In fact, if you don't know that I have a problem and/or you didn't know me before ABSD showed up, you might never think I have a vocal problem at all. Well - as long as I am faithful to my exercises!

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Throughout this long process of speech therapy and exercises, I found great comfort in the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association (NSDA). This is a group of people who have SD and who understand what it is like to not really have a voice. I threw myself into the NSDA and even started a support group with a friend of mine. I made a series of podcasts about living with SD. I tried to help others with SD as much as possible. All of this made me feel good about myself - voice or no voice.

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And then.

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My voice got better. It got better to the point that many people involved in the NSDA thought that I really didn't have SD. And many of these people told me about their disbelief.

gjkl

Suddenly, the NSDA felt less like a family of people who understood what I was going through and more like a place where I had to constantly prove myself "worthy" to be included.

gjkl

The friend who started the support group with me decided she didn't want to help anymore.

ghkl

I learned that I am horrible at organizing meetings.

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My life began to get busier with the classes I am taking to become a certified American Sign Language Interpreter.

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It seemed like everything was falling apart.

gkl

So - what did I do? Well, I simply tried to ignore everything related to the NSDA.

You may have guessed that ignoring the situation with the NSDA and the support group didn't work out too well. In fact, I am just starting to deal with the results of that now! I am getting emails from people who have SD and who need help. Because I am ignoring things, I am not responding. Not good.

gjkl

I guess I am going to have to get my gumption up and take care of things. I am going to tell the NSDA that I am no longer going to be involved in the support process. I am going to dismantle the website I had made for the support group. I am going to get out the correct way - instead of just ignoring things.

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Now - I do want to make something very, very clear! The NSDA is a WONDERFUL group of people dedicated to making life with SD better for everyone who has this terrible disorder. I have rarely met such dedicated and passionate people. I am going to continue to support the NSDA. It is doing a good job with research and support for people with SD.

hjkl;

My problems with the NSDA are NOT typical and are the result of my freaky situation. If I felt more confident with my own situations I am sure that I could still be a part of this great group. It is very possible that I will become involved again at a later day.

Perhaps this is just not the correct time.

hjl;

We will see.

hjkl;

Trisha

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Voice Update: Still doing very well. I have Speech tomorrow so we will see what Susan thinks soon!

Sometimes It Is Worth It . . .

Hi All!

Well, as you can guess I have had some early morning departures for observation purposes. These early mornings can really leave me tired but there are some up sides to leaving early.
You get to see the sun rise!

You can see the seasons creeping into the neighborhood . . .

You can take pictures of peaceful fields while driving so they get a bit weird but the idea is still there!

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So the early mornings can be totally worth it!

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Especially when you have 125 out of 200 of the required hours! YEAH ME!

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In other "news." Did you know that Amazon.com has some awesome FREE mp3 downloads for Christmas? I think I spent about twenty minutes the other day just getting free Christmas songs. Some are good - some are just okay - but they are all FREE and that makes them worth it in my book!

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In addition to free Christmas music, Amazon.com also has other kinds of music (classical, country, hip-hop, etc) available for free. I have fun looking through the lists of free music to see what they have. Yes, you do have to download the Amazon downloader but to get free musics . . . it is a small cost to pay!

dfhjdfj

Have I told you about our garbage disposal? The one that isn't working and hasn't been working for over a week? Yes, I found out that it wasn't working last week while on my cleaning binge around the house. Hubby and I bought a new one at Home Depot and then . . . the adventure began!

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We went and picked out the new disposal and then talked to the guy in plumbing about getting it installed. The guy in plumbing didn't know anything about installation and told us to talk to the front desk or to call the 800 number.

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Sooo . . . we went to the front desk. Only to find that they had no clue.

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They called back to plumbing.

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Who told them they had no clue.

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We were told to call the 800 number so we took the new disposal and headed home.

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At home we called the 800 number . . .. only to be told to call our local store! After actually getting a real person on the 800 number . . . Hubby then called the local store. He was transferred to the plumbing guy - who then transferred him to the front desk - who then disconnected him.

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Another phone call. After some wrangling he finally got on the phone with someone who knew that there was a guy you had to call (another phone call!) to arrange for installation. However, we were calling on the weekend and the guy only worked during the week so we would have to call on Monday . . . terrific!

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So - press forward to Monday. Hubby takes time at work and calls the guy. Who tells Hubby that he needs to call yet another number to arrange an appointment. The number Hubby is given doesn't answer any of the four or so times he calls it . . .

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Back to the guy. This time the guy says he will call the number himself and have them call. That was on Tuesday . . . .

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So Hubby didn't work yesterday (Veteran's Day). Instead he called the guy again. This time he said that if he didn't get a call from the other company by the afternoon we were going to return the disposal and try Lowe's!

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We got a call within minutes! The people are supposed to be coming today. Keep your fingers crossed!

dfgh

Trisha

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Voice Update: Still doing really well! I have a speech appointment next Wednesday so we will see how Susan thinks I have been doing!

It's Been a While . . .

Hi All!

It has been a while since I last posted . . . that means I have been busy, busy, busy. Which is a good thing, right?

I have had several observations and then, yesterday, class. And . . . some shopping!

There is a store near the college that I have passed for the past two years or so without going in. It is called $8 Fashion Outlet and has misses and plus size clothes at cheap prices. Well, between my morning observation and going to the lab I stopped in. Look what I found!

Two lightweight jackets - they have an interesting textured fabric that looks a bit tweedy. They are washable and everything! They obviously need a bit of ironing at the moment but I think they will be great! (The second jacket is orange and is peeking out from behind the blue jacket.)



Here is the rest of my "haul!" I bought two casual long sleeved shirts - both ned shortened but that is nothing new! Then I bought three lightweight sweater shells to wear under jackets. The white, brown, and grey will be perfect for any color jacket with brown or grey pants.

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I guess I should also tell you that every piece of this haul only cost $8.88 ( the pink shirt was on sale for $6!). Score!

Last Friday I stopped at Big Lots and checked out the kitty toys. There was a big "piece of cheese" that I just had to take home with me. It is wood covered in fuzzy fabric and has holes in the tops and sides which allow the kitties to see (and reach) into the "cheese." Inside the "cheese" are two jingly balls (which Skor has discovered can be removed with some effort). Attached to the corners are three little rattle mice.
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I was worried that the kitties wouldn't like it.
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From this picture, do you think I should still be worried?

This is the reason I was at Big Lots browsing through the kitty toys!
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It is a Domino's pizza three cheese mac and cheese bread bowl (well done) and it is a wonderful treat!
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I have included two videos of Skor playing with "Mr. Sparkly," his favorite toy. He is just so darn cute!

Hope you have been having a fabulous week!

sdhgsdgh

Trisha

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Voice Update: I have been a very good girl! I have been doing my exercises and massage EVERY DAY! My voice has been holding its own and I am so, so happy!