December 2024 Travel: Regal Princess

The main reason we traveled to Galveston, TX was for Dickens on the Strand.  But…being so close to a cruise port meant Wanda and I had to get on a ship.  We found the Regal Princess sailed from Galveston, TX the weekend we were in town.  Destination: Western Caribbean, which we have visited once before on our YouTube Vlogger Extravaganza Group Cruise.  We didn’t love these ports, and this cruise redeemed itself because we signed up for excursions vs. just walking around the port.

 

This was our first Princess cruise, and we were told several times the layout was almost identical to P&O Britannia.  It almost felt comfortable boarding this ship and I made instant friends with several staff members.  Time and time again, the BEST thing about cruising is the staff.  This cruise I handed out some glo bracelets during the 80s night and the staff loved it.  It made my day!

 

The food was good, and we enjoyed the main dining room restaurants.  The Princess Plus comes with the drink package, crew appreciation tips, specialty desserts, and a few casual dining, which is like the specialty dining on NCL.   While the extra dining venues were nice, the desserts were a lot of sugar and not necessary when you really gauge the extra cost.  So, we only partook in those a few times.

 

The entertainment was good and many times there was something happening in the atrium.  This is such a great venue space to hold parties, and I really like this concept.

 

We gambled…a lot…and earned free play for a future cruise. 

 

Overall, a very nice ship and a cruise line we would sail again in the future.

Weekly WI: Headed Back Down

Hello and Happy Wednesday. 

 

My days are all scrambled as I get closer to my much needed and well-earned break from adulting. 

 

I didn’t sick to my commitment of exercise like I had planned so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I checked in with the scale on Tuesday.  The scale came down this week for my Weekly WI, which I had hoped would happen.  I spent last week balancing my social situations and eating meals from home as much as possible.  I continue to reduce my alcohol consumption ahead of our vacation, which will be filled with many alcoholic beverages.

 

I’m still struggling with that overwhelming feeling when it comes to my mental health.  My appointment with a therapist is tomorrow.  I found this on Facebook, and it resonated with me.

 

I had wanted to go to a move this week, but my plans got jumbled with work sick leave and console coverage needs.  I had a Regal unlimited movie pass, but it started to feel stressful to try and plan moves on top of so many overtime hours.  I was able to schedule a pedicure appointment tomorrow which will be some nice selfcare and get me one step closer to vacation ready.

 

I’m pretty much just hanging in there the best I can.

 

Weekly WI: Things Are Rough Over Here...Menatally

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Between work, overtime shifts, Weight Watcher workshops, and my commitments at the Nampa Elks Lodge #1389, it is going to be a very long stretch of 11-days, all packed to the gills.  The 12th day my much needed vacation starts.

I am stressed.  I am rundown and exhausted.  I am burnt out and my mental health has taken a hit.  I made and appointment with a therapist next week so I can talk through some of what has been making me feel super emotional with the plan to get some coping strategies.  

In the meantime, I’m doing my best to try and keep my head above water when it comes to my WW program. 

I gained a little last week, which I had known that week wasn’t as successful as the prior one.  It has made me feel anxious about the time I have left before vacation.  I’ve practically tuned into a drill sergeant with my food.  I’m trying to work on balance as all this stressing about is making me feel hangry.  

Turning 45, I suspect I am not feeling any different than other women my age and this is only the start.  I hope to get back into better balance where I can start to regain control of my anxiety.  I honestly can’t tell sometimes if I’m just feeling a little depressed.  

Mental Health is important.  Put your oxygen mask on first.  Here is a cute photo a friend took of us at a winery event birthday party last weekend.

December 2024 Travel: Galveston, TX

Our next vacation is about three weeks away which means I should probably recap our December 2024 vacation when we visited Galveston, TX and took our first Princess cruise.

 

In early December, Kenyon and I, along with our friends Wanda and Michael traveled to Texas to take part in Dickens on the Strand before we boarded the Regal Princes for a Western Caribbean cruise.  I’ve been to Texas but not to Galveston, which was a neat island, and I’d love to visit again.  Especially since we didn’t have favorable weather for Dickens on the Strand. 

 

Upon our arrival, we had dinner at Pappacito’s Cantina to meet Wanda’s friend Katherine.  The happy hour margaritas were delicious, and they have the best chips and salsa.  We loved our dinner.

 

No trip to TX is complete without a stop at Buc-ee’s and had we not just eaten, I would have gone for the brisket.  It is so hard to go to Buc-ee’s and not spend a fortune on all the fun stuff. 

 

It was late when we arrived at our AirB&B which made me excited to explore the following day so we could see all the sights.  Getting to our destination at night wasn’t the easiest but we found the location along with a possum sighting!  It freaked me out the remainder of the stay.

Our first full day in Galveston was exploring using the trolley.  We had good eats and drinks.  We visited the Sunflower Bakery & Café, Naked Iguana Brewery, Queen’s Bar-B-Q, Stuttgarden Tavern, and Shipley Donuts.  We also had THE BEST ice cream, Blue Bell, which we picked up several gallons at H.E.B. 

 

We toured the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa and rode along the waterfront on the trolley.

 

We were in town during the Mountain West Championship and needed a place to watch the football game while we cheered for our Boise State Broncos.  I called the Galveston Elks Lodge #126 who said we could watch the game.  OMG what hospitality!  They had great food and such friendly members not to mention an impressive lodge. 

 

Our second day in Galveston was Dickens on the Strand.  This is an annual Charles Dickens festival that has so much to see and do.  Our weather didn’t cooperate which impacted the amount of time we spent on The Strand.  A huge downpour started the day, and it stays overcast and chilly. 

We will have to make a repeat trip to try this festival again in the future.

Weekly WI: Effort = Reward

Good Morning and Happy Thursday!

My commitment to my WW program paid off last week and I saw the scale results I desperately needed.  It gave me an extra boost and a reminder that I am resilient and I CAN do this!  

I zoomed out to my three month weight chart and it makes me feel even better.  The day-to-day and week-to-week can feel hard but when you are past it and widen your focus, it is easier to see all those small behavioral changes add up.

This week is busier than last and I’m not as prepared as last week when it comes to meals at home.  I have had little time to swing by the grocery store and desperately need to get to Trader Joe’s soon.  I also have not been able to squeeze in as much activity this week as last week.  It was beautiful day so I skipped the indoor EGYM and went for a 1.6 mile walk around my neighborhood.  I will make a trip to the gym today to keep up with my weight routine.  

There is a wee bit more of a struggle this week with social settings and alcohol temptations.  I am working through how I want to see the week play out so I am better prepared in the moment.

Work stress has been OFF THE CHARTS!!  I am struggling bad.  I’ve made an appointment with a therapist and have a new patient appointment with a general practitioner to start building a relationship.  Until now, I’ve only had my annual physical lady doctor and my thyroid doctor, both whom I love.  It is time to seek out a general doctor to help with this new stage of life…perimenopause.  Oh the joys of this stage of life.  It has not been easy and I’ve only just begun.

Weekly WI: Holy Cow...I'm Really Behind

How does life get so busy it can feel out of control so quickly.  It has been quite the week, which went quickly, and it has been a successful week as far as Weight Watchers and consistency, my word of the year.

 

I failed to check in last week with the world wide web and my only report was a small loss.  What had me feeling good about that small loss is that it stopped the gains over the last few weeks which meant I didn’t meet my goal of losing 2 pound per month.

 

I was chatting with my bestie Dawny setting my intentions for the week and working hard to show up for myself. 

• I prioritized meal planning and made several crockpot recipes.
• I exercised several days this week, including some strength training.
• I pre-planned alcohol consumption and prepared myself with mocktail options when the urge for alcohol creeped up.

 I saved my weekly points for planned meals out Friday and Saturday.

 

I feel very successful this week and would be elated if my dedication showed up at the scale.  I need to get my employee weigh-in for the month completed this week or next.