Cruisin’

I’m getting ready to head off for another cruise! Yes this is my second cruise this year but I expect it will be very different from the first. Obvious difference is Alaska vs Caribbean. First cruise was with just my parents and sisters. This cruise is with my husband’s family. It will be loud, full of drinks and laughter and inappropriate jokes, you know, Italian style. Alaska had plenty of laughs and good memories but it also holds bad memories for me and sad times. That was our last family vacation and also the first indication of how rapidly my mom was going downhill, even just over that one week. I’m afraid I’ll hear her foot dragging when I’m on the lower deck running. I’m afraid I’ll see her cutting her food with a spoon while at dinner. That cruise was the last time I had any sort of somewhat comprehendible conversation with her and even that was a stretch. I miss her so much and it kills me every day.

But I’m going to try to focus on the good and enjoy myself and getting dressed up and eating a ton (hopefully not too much!). I had to try on each dress I plan to wear for dinner to see what actually fit. I was expecting several to be too big because I lost weight but I was surprised to find how they fit me. Apparently building muscles makes the dresses fit in an unexpected way. I might not have boobs but I have lats and back muscles now! And I might have a flat stomach but my midsection seems thick due to abs. All sorts of changes from the two years ago on my last Caribbean cruise.

I’m hoping this vacation will give me back some pep in my step. Well not really in my step since running is the one area I’ve been feeling pretty good about. But I’m desperately hoping my shoulder will feel all better with over a week of no swimming or at least no pool lap swimming. Let’s be honest, I can’t not swim when I have access to a crystal clear ocean. Especially when there’s a GoPro and my coach needs a new video of whatever mess my current stroke is in. I’m also hoping by the time I get home I’ll be itching to hit the road on my bike again. I’ve been going through a weird phase with the trainer. Historically I hate the trainer and although it’s good that I’m learning to not hate it, I’ve been spending way too much time on it. Partially because of horrible weather but I’ve been too lazy to take it off the trainer and actually face the world and cars and real hills which is absolutely ridiculous because we are finally getting gorgeous riding weather. So cheers to a good vacation and what’s to come after a week of relaxation!