Part II: Out to Sea - December 15th and Costa Maya, Mexico December 16th

Day at Sea December 15th

The best part of cruising is the sleep. I know, ya'll are thinking it is traveling and sight seeing, however as an insomniac, good sleep is worth its weight in gold. I actually slept in until 9:30 am!! The motion of the ship was gentle and the seas calm, so I felt absolutely no seasickness. Professor and I discussed whether we wanted a cabin with a balcony, stateroom, or just an inside cabin. I voted for an inside cabin because they are pitch black when the lights are out. I also felt for the $200 difference a day, the balcony was not really a worthwhile investment. With the quality of sleep I was getting, I was glad we chose the inside cabin. 

The cabin was cozy and comfortable. 

After getting up and moving, we headed up to get breakfast. One thing that is not lacking on a cruise is food. Oh my, the selection was incredible. I went with poached eggs and Canadian bacon on an English muffin, bacon, a small waffle, and black coffee. 

This first day in the Gulf of Mexico was "at sea" meaning we would not hit a port until the following day. Professor headed off to the Casino and I went to find the library as I am not a gambler. I brought along my laptop with the plan to spend a good deal of time writing, but when I got to the library I discovered I needed a 220 plug converter as all the plugs in the library all required one. Of course I did not bring one. In fact, I couldn't even buy one on the ship. I was disappointed, but used my laptop until it would run low, would take it to the cabin to charge, and go find something else to do. That was how I discovered I am a lousy shuffleboard player. 

The ship  offered plenty of entertainment. That evening we went to the Bliss Ultra Lounge which offered Karaoke. Professor is an accomplished classical singer, so he belted out his best tunes and ended with The Impossible Dream. It was a fun evening and there were some folks who really sang very well. This gal, however, is not one of them. Watching and listening was enough for me. 

We called it a night around midnight and headed back to our tiny cabin. My first night of great sleep was an anomaly. I couldn't sleep well, so I got up quietly, grabbed my laptop, and headed to O'Sheehan's Pub, which was open 24 hours. I parked myself in a booth with view of the ocean (which I really couldn't see because it was dark) and set to writing. Sometime during the night the winds had picked up and I could feel a gentle sway in the ship. 

As the sun rose in the east, which just happened to be on the side of the ship I was sitting on, I could see fat rain clouds in the sky. The affect of the suns rays passing through the clouds was just gorgeous. I headed back to the cabin to try to get some rest until it was time to head into port at Costa Maya. 

December 16th Costa Maya, Mexico

Costa Maya is a typical tourist port. The assorted shops offered all the typical goods such as sugar skulls, Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) figurines, knock off purses, and over-priced jewelry. I browsed through the shops while Professor tried to find an internet connection to check his email. I luckily had free international on my cell phone, so I was up to date at each port. I found him camped out at a Starbucks with 25 - 30 other folks doing the same. 

We chose not to participate in an excursion at Costa Maya. The only real excursion of interest to us were the Mayan ruins. The excursion would have taken the entire day. I really did not want to be limited to one activity as I would prefer to people watch and enjoy the beautiful climate. It was actually pretty warm this day and being out in the sun for hours at a shot was not on my list of fun activities. 

A tender on its way to port.

After browsing the shops we headed back to the ship and ate a nice leisurely lunch while enjoying the views. Because so many people were still in the port, we found the ship to be pleasantly under populated. We finally pulled out of port around 4pm towards our next destination, Grand Cayman. 

Costa Maya, Mexico as seen from the ship.

My Tiny Life on the High Seas - Part 1

December presented me with an unprecedented opportunity - a 9 day Western Caribbean Cruise!!

Let me fill you in since it has been a bit since I have updated the blog. I started dating a very nice man in the autumn of 2017. Of course the topic of Tiny House Homestead came up which inevitably led to the topic of my bucket list. Intrigued, my boyfriend who I shall call Professor to keep his identity private, asked what else was on my bucket list. Of course I rattled off a list a mile long, but on that list was travel to other countries which would require me to use a Passport, taking a cruise, and visiting New Orleans.

Professor enjoys travel and travels frequently. He has traveled to many of the places I wished to travel and has yet to travel to some of the other places I wish to visit. Jumping into action, Professor booked us a cruise to the Western Caribbean which left from the Port of New Orleans. I was speechless. What an opportunity!

December 12th we flew to New Orleans and stayed the night in a LaQuinta Hotel close to the airport in Kenner, LA. It was a nice enough hotel, but it could have been a dive and we wouldn't have cared because we were so tired from traveling.  Early the next morning we dodged the traffic and ran across the road to a small restaurant for breakfast. Fanny's was fantastic! The food was delicious and the waitress was delightful. If you get a chance, stop in for breakfast, you won't be disappointed.

With our bellies full, we trotted back across the street to catch a shuttle to the Port of New Orleans. We shared the shuttle with another couple who were taking the same cruise. They were from Canada and cruising was their retirement lifestyle. That is certainly something to aspire to!

We were scheduled for a 2 - 2:30 pm embarkation, so we got drinks and sat outside people watching and observing all the luggage being loaded into the ship. Our cruise was with Norwegian Cruise Lines and our ship was the Pearl. Being next to such a behemoth of a ship really is incredible. I know there are bigger ships out there, but the experience was something else. I had to use panorama settings on my camera just to try to get the ship in one picture!


Finally it was our time to go through customs and I pulled my passport out with pride. I was worried when I sent for my passport in November that I may not have had enough time for it to be processed before the cruise. I was elated when I found it in my mailbox just two weeks later. Now I was was finally able to cross off getting a passport AND using my passport off my bucket list.

We boarded the ship and found our cabin. After living so long in a tiny house, the small cabin did not seem small at all. The cabinetry and storage was clearly well thought out. After dropping off our carry on items, we headed down to our safety drill.

Breaking in my unlimited drink pass, I stopped at a bar and ordered a Bloody Mary to enjoy as we pulled out of port. Professor and I headed off to the deck which would allow us to watch the ship cast off, however cast off was delayed and we got bored. Heading inside we found a buffet and seating located on the back of the ship. We watched the sunset as we pulled out of the Port of New Orleans and traveled down the mighty Mississippi River.

Follow along on part 2

Tiny House Homestead Episode #37

Life continues to be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

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5 Ways I Welcome Fall

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Well, for me at least. I adore Autumn. I love the sun setting earlier, the cool nights, the changing of the leaves, and most of all, as an Okie, I am grateful all the summer bugs die off or disappear. Here in Oklahoma we still have 80+ degree days, but the nights are cooler and temperature swings are common. For example, this upcoming week we are forecast to have a high of 88 degrees and a low of 47 degrees. It as if Mother Nature cannot make up her mind. But I still embrace the idea that soon I will not be hitting the wall of steamy humidity Summer offers up and can go back to wearing sweaters. Here are five ways I welcome fall.

1. I haul all my sweaters and jackets out of storage and get them cleaned. I locate all my gloves, scarfs, hats, earmuffs, etc. Now is the time I make any repairs or replacements. I also get my winter boots out. I put out my boot tray on the porch (if you don't have one of these yet, you gotta get one). I like to think I am sending a message to the universe that I am ready to be done with the heat.

2.  I hit the book store and find a couple of good books. This "me" time is something I always come back to in the Autumn. There is something about being inside a warm and snug home while the cold, and sometimes disagreeable. weather is outside. I pick one or two books for self improvement and one or two just for entertainment. When I read in the fall, I light some scented candles and make myself a nice cup of coffee or cocoa. I really enjoy spending time escaping into a book.

3. I make lists of unfinished projects which can be accomplished indoors when the weather outside turns bitter and cold. Autumn means more rainy days around here as well, so outdoor activities are more limited. Now is the time for me to nest and prepare for the long winter nights. This is the time of year I get painting and decorating jobs finished. It is also the time of year when I deep clean. Since I am going to be spending substantially more time indoors, I try to make the space as comfortable as I can. I consider it a form of nesting.

4. I cook crock pot meals more often. One of my standby recipes is my 3 Packet Roast. I love coming home to the delicious smells of a hot meal I didn't have slave over. I don't know about you, but I don't always enjoy spending time making a meal after a long day at work. An added bonus to utilizing a slow cooker is I always have left overs for the next night or take with me for a hot lunch. Another great (and oh so easy) hot meal if I don't use the slow cooker is whipping up a grilled cheese with tomato soup. Cut the sandwich into four pieces so you can dunk the slices in the soup. Simple, quick, and delicious!

5. I prepare for bad weather. This is a process, but I normally start by making sure I have ice scrapers, ice melt, I locate my snow shovel (by now buried somewhere in the barn), and buy a few bags of cat litter to keep in my vehicle. I also make sure I have a blanket (or two) to keep in the car as well. I buy Hot Hands in bulk keeping some in the house, some in my purse, and some in the car. I keep a change of clothes, two extra pairs of socks, and some basic toiletries in case I cannot get home due to poor weather. I put these items in a storage container to keep them clean and ready to go. To prepare for cold weather at home, I begin buying extra cans of soup and non perishables in case the power goes out at my house during the winter. I buy some Kerosene for my space heaters and make sure the heaters are functioning properly. I try to replace wicks now, instead of when it is really cold and I am without power. You can read more about my winter preparedness on my post from last year here.

In case you haven't figured it out, I adore this time of year and the anticipation it brings. I moved to Oklahoma because I wanted to see weather. This year it is predicted we will have a cold and wet winter. When it is 90 humid degrees outside it is hard to imagine the snow will come, but the cooling of the days and the chilly nights show signs of promise. Bring on Autumn!!!

What is your favorite time of the year? Are you as excited as I am by Autumn?

Loss of a Tiny House on Water

Photo Property of Windtraveler.com 

Hurricane Irma was frightening for many of in the US because we all had someone we knew and loved who was impacted by her path. Fortunately, my granddaughter, who resides in Florida, was able to get out of the way of the destructive storm she calls a "Horrorcane." I am grateful she was minimally impacted. However, a fellow tiny house dweller and her family were not so lucky.

Scott and Brittany Meyers along with their twin girls Haven and Mira, and big sister Isla, all lived the life of cruisers on their boat the Asante and had built up a thriving business, friendships, and a life they loved. Fortunately they were stateside visiting family at the time the storm hit, however it is sad to learn the fate of their vessels. Brittany blogged on September 6th how their boat, and home, sank in the marina.
The couple along with their children lived their wonderful life aboard their vessel in the British Virgin Islands. Their cruiser business was located in Tortola and catered to tourists.

Photo Property of Windtraveler.com

Brittany writes in her post, found here on her blog Windtraveler, of the loss of both homes and lives on the British Virgin Islands. Brittany has been told 90% of the island has been destroyed. Brittany blogged, "She (Irma) raked our island clean of all foliage. It looks like a nuclear bomb was dropped and friends on the ground are describing the scene as "post-apocalyptic." The life they worked so hard to build has been lost to the sea. Their other vessels were tossed into a pile of boats, now beached, which had been moored to ride out the storm. Their loss is 100% property and at this point they are grateful to have their lives. 

Currently Brittany reports they are trying to decide where to go from here. Thankfully they had insurance to cover their losses, but that doesn't ease the emotional pain of losing everything you have worked long and hard for. 

Scott has flown to Puerto Rico where recovery efforts are underway to help those who were not so fortunate. A fund has been set up to help with those efforts. If you would like to consider helping please go to the BVI Relief Fund and consider a donation. 

Please keep Scott, Brittany, and their children in your thoughts. As my mother would say, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

Traveling on Amtrak

I found a fantastic price on an airline ticket when I decided to go visit my folks. The only hitch in the giddy up was the departing airport was Dallas-Ft. Worth over 200 miles to my south. It can be expensive to fly out of Oklahoma City, but at less than $100 round trip, departing in Dallas Ft. Worth is well worth it! I could have driven the four hours to Dallas, fought the traffic, and paid to park my car for 8 days, but I decided to let someone else do the driving. I took the train to Dallas instead. If you live in big cities, traveling by subway or train is a convenient way to get from here to there, but in the more rural areas of the country it has become somewhat of a novelty.

www.heartlandflyer.com

The Amtrak  Heartland Flyer leaves for Dallas out of Oklahoma City and several other stops along the way. I chose to leave my car at a friend's house and she dropped me at the little depot in Norman.

The depot was quaint and historic. Built in 1909 by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, today it welcomes the Heartland Flyer outbound in the morning and inbound in the evening. There is only one platform at this small depot, but it is clean and comfortable while you await your train. I definitely felt a nod back to a different period in time when folks only traveled by train on rare or special occasions to visit loved ones who live far off. However, I used my cell phone to produce my ticket, something unthinkable when train travel was common.

The Heartland Flyer is a two story train and I had a seat on the second level. Climbing the narrow staircase with luggage was a no go for me, but the Conductor helped me out. I soon situated myself in a very comfortable seat next to an enormous window. Soon the train pulled gently out of the depot and I was on my way.

As we made out way south toward Dallas we wound through the Arbuckle Mountains and scenery I would never have been able to enjoy from the interstate. We made stops at several small depots like Norman's. We picked up and let off passengers at each stop, only stopping briefly.

I enjoyed the comfort of the train. The seat has an adjustable leg support and there was a foot rest, essentially turning your seat into a recliner. I leaned my seat back slightly and just watched out the window. I rarely am that relaxed. There was even an electric plug to charge my electronics and a drop down tray/desk to set my laptop up on.

Each of the stations I was in were clean and had security present. Clean restrooms and vending machines were in each station. Ft. Worth even had a Subway restaurant inside.

Traveling by train is relaxing and enjoyable, but there are some things you can do to help make your ride more pleasant:

1. Bring snacks and bottled water - food on the train is limited and expensive. Bring a variety of foods with you. 
2. Bring some disinfecting wipes to wipe the train tray and armrests down - I don't know how often the train trays are wiped down, but I do this on airplanes as well. 
3. Bring your electronics charger - some of the trains advertise they have on board wifi, but they don't. You electronics will need to be charged as they try to maintain their cellular connections. 
4. Bring a light sweater, sweatshirt, or light blanket - while I liked the cool air, several others around me pulled out blankets and sweaters. 

One more thing to keep in mind -  Amtrak trains share the tracks with cargo trains. It is not unusual to be running behind. My connection out of Dallas to Ft. Worth on the way home was delayed for more than an hour. Don't schedule connections via air too close or you may end up missing your flight.

I plan to take the train across the US at some point. How about you? Do you ever ride the train?

Tiny House Homestead Podcast #36

Podcast Title: Trials and Triumphs on the Farm

Podcast Episode 36 Show Notes

This episode covers….

Lots of happenings here on the farm lately. Learn about Cytauxzoonosis and the devastating affect it can have on your favorite feline. I battle it out with raccoons, and the latest critter that has come to live on the farm. Welcome to Tiny House Homestead.

Connect with Me:

Rate and review us in iTunes at:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tiny-house-homestead/id662921821?mt=2

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Shoot me an email at TinyHouseHomestead@gmail.com

Links from this episode:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/blood-parasites/cytauxzoonosis

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/what-you-should-know-about-cytauxzoonosis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytauxzoonosis

Frankie

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