Another Step Closer

I'm so excited. We have checked off a huge event in the planning of our cruise. Jerry and I applied for our passports. Now, I know that we don't NEED a passport to travel on the cruise, but it's good to have one. So, we just went along and applied. I understand that if you travel out of the country, if something happens, you need one to return back to the country. We're definitely trusting that there won't be a need, but it's good to be prepared. Additionally, we hope to be traveling abroad again in the next few years. The passport is good for 10 years before it expires, so getting it now will be one less thing we'll have to do when we travel again (hopefully to Africa). We'll just have to get a Visa.
Here is a direct link to the U.S. Department of State with instructions and the application process for your passport. Click here.
Just a bit of advice. Get your documents in order first. I have my own birth certificate (certified copy with raised seal), but we never had Jerry's. So, I applied for a copy from Louisiana. Since we no longer live there, I couldn't just go to get it in person. I had to request it online, and that is done through VitalCheck. You can order from any state. Request it in a timely fashion because the passport process is currently very slow. You want to receive your passport in plenty of enough time ahead of your travel in case there are errors. We ordered yesterday (April 14th) and was told that we should receive the document in July. We are traveling in October. It is also sort of pricy, in my opinion. The passport cost for each is $130.00, but then there are additional fees. We paid an additional $50 each for the post office fee (the P.O. is the agency that has to process the application and documents and they send it to the State department. You can no longer mail the information yourself). That was for their fee, and we decided to have them take the passport picture. You may have a picture taken anywhere such as Walgreens, or even yourself (perhaps). But we chose the post office for convenience, and for accuracy. There are certain guidelines to be followed. I just wanted everything to be right. You also much be prepared to pay the $130.00 ($260.00 for us) via money order or cashier's check form. They do not accept credit cards. I missed that requirement and had to come up with cash (I ended up withdrawing a cash advanced against my credit card from the ATM and withdrawing from my debit card). I purchased the money order from the post office, but it could only be paid by cash (not a credit card). These are just "little" (but huge) things that are important.
Oh, we also had to make an appointment for the post office. There are (in my opinion) limited places where you can go to do this. The closest post office that handle the passports was in another city from us. We had to schedule with the PO in Jackson. I'm assuming this was their main PO. However, we learned that Jackson City Hall also does the passports and they accept walk-ins. No appointment necessary. Just check your options to plan where you're going. Well, Jerry and I had fun going through that process. He's so excited, as am I. But I'm more excited seeing him so excited! Here we are at the passport office. In my next entry, I will be sharing links of informative and fun videos that Jerry and I are enjoying about cruising. Bon Voyage!

Cruise Early Preparation

As I'm sharing our process of preparing for our first ever cruise, this is where we are this week.
1. We selected the date, cruise line/ship, port of embarkation, and destination. We will be sailing for my birthday and our anniversary. Will be visiting Cozumel.
2. We booked the cruise with our deposit.
3. I ordered our birth certificates. Must have certified official copies.
4. Although not required, I am still going to order passports for us once the birth certificates arrive. They're coming from two different states, so they may arrive at different times. Ordering the passports as soon as possible because the process is slow and I want them to arrive way ahead of sail time.
5. Of course I've begun shopping (smile). I'm a visual person, so I'm writing a list of the things I know I want/must bring. I can't rely on my memory. I also want everything to go smoothly and not be rushed. I like to have things together in advance. Items and clothing have begun arriving. I've also been getting small things from the store with normal shopping.
6. Continuing to engage in online cruising groups, reading blogs, and watching videos. This helps a lot.
Feel free to connect with me and/or ask any questions, particularly if you're a first time cruiser. I want to be for others what I need for myself. I enjoy being helpful.
See you soon!

Perusing and Researching

I will be sharing information and links that I find. I'm a creature of preparation by nature and I do a lot of research for things I'm interested in. I ask a lot of questions. I like to SEE what I'm getting into. It's helpful for me. Hopefully, it will be to you as well. I'm including a short video I found by the Johnson Krew. It's wonderful. Here they share their experience in Cozumel. This is the port we're going to as well, so it's good to see it in action.

And it begins!

My mind has been totally focused on our cruise! It's months away, but the planning has begun. I've been learning as much as I can about the process and the cruising itself. Here is where I am so far (my timeline):

1. Jerry agreed to the cruise.

2. I was first adamant about NOT going to Mexico. I believe I've watched too many movies where folks get hurt or killed in Mexico.

3. We obtained a travel agent as a result of my speaking out on Facebook that we were ready to plan the cruise. Actually, we received quite a number of agents offering their services. We selected someone we know, is local, and we want to give her the business. Feel free to contact me if you'd like their assistance. I'll be happy to refer them.

4. We decided on a date. It will be a 5-day cruise for my birthday and our anniversary.

5. We already knew that we would be sailing out of New Orleans. I smile as I think about seeing the cruise ships regularly from my home. We lived close to the Mississippi River on Flood Street before Hurricane Katrina. Also, our son worked by the Port and I often drove him back and forth to work. Many times as I sat out in the vehicle waiting for him to get off, I would see passengers walking to or from the Port entrance. I used to wonder if I would ever be one of those passengers!

6. Selection of destination. We are, afterall, going to Mexico!

7. Even before we made the selection, I began shopping for clothes. I made my first order and the outfit arrived this week. I'm so excited!

8. Now to make our down payment and begin paying for the cruise. We've decided on "packages" we'd like, prepaying gratuties, and I will begin looking to see if we're going to take any excursions. We have time to decide for that.

9. I'm beginning my checklists of things to do, things to buy, and things to pack.

10. Although we don't NEED a passport (which neither of us have ever had), we were advised to get one anyway. I'm working on that now. It's pretty pricy, and I'll finish the application process next month. We want to have enough time for them to arrive in time.

11. Meanwhile, I'm ordering certified copies of our birth certificates (which we do have to have).

12. That's about it for now. I will continue to watch videos, read blogs, and enjoy the cruising Facebook groups I've joined. Great places to learn and to ask questions. I will be putting together resources here on my blog as well.

Bon Voyage!

BACK AND BETTER

I'm back!!! Hello everyone! Wow, it's been 12 years since I last wrote a blog post here. I was so inspired as I was humbled, honored, and blessed to have reached and surpassed my 50th birthday. I was near 51 and I wanted to be an inspirational place for others who were also traveling on the 50plus road. Life has been good for me, however, it really became overwhelming and difficult. My job became extremely stressful, which I was actually able to handle, but my health became a huge issue. I experienced many physical challenges, which made it dangerous for me to continue on my job. Yet I worked, I pushed, I struggled, until I could not go any further. I nearly died as a result. I thank God for preserving my life. With the encouragement, agreement, and support of my husband, we knew that I had to step down from my paid job. I loved my work, but I had to put myself first and love me even more. God has been good to me. A lot has happened in my life since I wrote that last blog post. Overall, in loving on myself, taking care of myself, and focusing on my true gifts, I have flourished, bloomed, and blossomed. I continue to walk in my purpose and I have grown tremendously. I now have more time and opportunity to uplift, inspire, and empower others. I am reactivating this blog and will revamp it by relaunching it with a different name (I'm actually still trying to figure it out). I have the same purpose for my blog, and right now I'm motivated with a twist to get it started again. You will see me posting mostly as a journal of me, now at 61, medically retired, but living my life to its fullest by doing things I've ALWAYS wanted to do. I put so much on the backburner as being a wife, mother, and employee. I also have done a lot of ministry and leadership work. I don't regret none of it, but I put everything and everyone else ahead of me. My husband is now 65 and plans to retire next year. We definitely are not getting any younger and we both have some physical challenges. We've decided that we are going to enjoy these years and travel and do things we denied ourselves of. Our children are all now grown (37, 36, and 25). Very grown! It's our time now. You will see posts at this time mostly about our adventure of planning our very first cruise. We decided to celebrate my 62nd birthday and our 41st wedding anniversary at sea. I will share what's going on because I'm finding that as a first-time cruiser, there is so much we don't know and are learning. I'd like to share what we're experiencing with the hope of being a blessing to other first-timers and for enjoyment reading for others. Along the way, maybe those who are more familiar will chime in with tips and advice for me, which I will share. It is my plan to video-blog (V-log) when we're on the cruise ship. So, hunker down, enjoy this journey with me. I jokingly posted on Facebook that I ought to reference this blog about "old people" trying to figure this out! Be sure to come back to see what I end up titling it. And come back often for updates!