Lady on the High Seas

That's right, I said "high seas." Where are those seas? Oh, those would be the ones between Miami and the Bahamas...the same seas my cruise ship will sail in May! Woo hoo! My girlfriends from work and I are celebrating our 30th's a little early this year. We're sailing Royal Caribbean to Coco Cay and Nassau, with a stopover in Miami first at the Mandarin Oriental. You might have read recently that Kate Hudson and Jennifer Aniston have been staying there while Jen and Owen Wilson film their new movie, "Marley & Me." Hopefully we'll spot some more celebs while we sip our own lychee martinis on the beach. I'll keep you posted.

Easter lunch on Sunday was fabulous, mainly because (step away if you don't want to get hit by the lightening) I didn't go to church first. Gasp! I know, I know. It's Easter. But in my defense, I really haven't felt well for last couple of weeks and I missed every service during Holy Week. That aside, I did feel good enough to eat with the family, or some of them, and we had such a good time. I'm not sure if that's because of who I was with, or because of the entire bottle of champagne I drank mostly by myself. Either way, good times.

Sunday before last BB and I were also treated to a marvelous meal. My MIL took us over to the Umstead for their Sunday champagne brunch (are we seeing a pattern here?) and while it was trés chic, we were there with my SIL and her two daughters. Oh, me (as my Nana used to say when we told her something shocking, interesting or not-so-interesting but which needed a response). Let's just start with the facts: the hotel on the outside is pretty, but looks like an office building. Inside, it's gorgeous and is filled with millions of dollars worth of art (and tulips and orchids). The food...well, it was a little "eh." I mean, it was good, but it was a little boring and while the service was impeccable, brunch took over two hours. Is that really necessary? I think not. Especially when Carolina is playing Clemson for the ACC title.

Overheard at the table during our Umstead experience:

Niece: "Mom, can I go play outside?"
SIL: "No, you may not. You need to tell this nice man what you want for lunch."
Niece: "Mo-om, you KNOW what I want to eat. I want chicken fingers with fries, a steak and a fruit plate."
SIL: "Sir, is that possible? I know steak isn't on the children's menu, but can she have one?"
Waiter: "Uh, let me check with the chef."
Chef: "She wants a steak? Like a filet? I can find one for her, if that's what she wants."
Niece: "Yes! That's what I want! And I'm hungry NOW, so can you bring the bread, too? My mom didn't give me any breakfast and I'm starving."

Needless to say, the plateful of petite filet, chicken fingers, french fries and fruit went mostly untouched, until SIL ate some of it. Instead, Niece #1 and Niece #2 spent their time in the ladies room, where they used a hotel notepad to require guests to "sign in" when they arrived in the ladies room and "sign out" when they left. I wouldn't have believed this unless I had seen it with my own two eyes - Rachel Jenkins and Amy Stephenson, whoever you are, thanks for signing. You saved us all from some horrendous tantrum.

Tips on how to pack for a cruise? Let me know...I only have two months to narrow down my choices!