THE ONE-ARMED BANDIT

August 31, 2017

One more night like this and we will have to join Gamblers Anonymous.

The ship gave each guest a $5 coupon to play the slot machines, hoping, of course, that they would put in more than the free five bucks.  We went to the Casino before supper tonight and took advantage of the freebie. We each played a slot machine with a real pull down handle that was 25 cents minimum. You could play in 25 cent increments up to $2.00.  We played 25 cents at a time so it would last longer. Bonnie got up to $6 twice before it all went away. I was down under $3 when I hit something, and by the time the machine stopped clicking I was $21.50 to the good.  I played down to an even $21 and cashed out. Take that Royal Casino! Winners!

Oh, I lost the $1 to the claw machine, trying to grab a pack of 100 dollar bills and drop them in the chute, like the machines that harbor stuffed animals.  Luke, I don’t think there is any way to beat that machine – the jaws snap back without any attempt to grab the packet.

Well our toilet isn’t working properly so we have called maintenance to check it out.  Keep those sly remarks to yourselves, please.

I did the last of my pirate talks today and will conclude tomorrow, as we sail for the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore Harbor, with “Maryland, My Maryland.” It’s about all the things that Maryland has led the nation in. A fun talk.

I don’t know how much of Bonnie’s thunder I am going to steal with this next paragraph, but here goes.  Our table is by the rail on Deck 5. We can look down into Deck 4.  Right below us is a table for 6 occupied by the Fat Family. I know I am overweight, but these people are really, really round – all 6 of them from Grandma and Grandpa, to Mom and Dad, to the two daughters.  E-nor-mouse.  Tonight was the last formal night which means it is also Prime Rib and Lobster night.  We counted:  the six of them had 21 plates of appetizers – that’s 3 each, plus two cheese plates, and one plate of shrimp.  Then they had two entries each – both prime rib and lobster.  And then they had two desserts each.  Oh, and I forgot, their weighter (pun intended – waiter/weighter – get it) brought them three extra lobsters.  I gained 5  pounds just watching them eat.  And their plates were clean – no left overs.

The Captain’s Table was filled tonight with people, not just fancy decorations.  All cruise long there have been special plates, elaborately folded napkins, and no people. Tonight it was occupied by folks having dinner with the ship’s captain. Duh! What else do you do at the Captain’s Table? I don’t know if they are selected from the Frequent Floaters or if they pay for the privilege of having two floors of their fellow diners watch their every fork full journey from plate to mouth.

Well, let’s see if this thing will post.

TTFN

We do have so much fun!! Up at 6:30 and off to walk. 2 miles this morning then, back to the room to shower and head to the talk. I am busy crocheting during the talks on a scarf and hat for the winter (haha). Maybe we will have some this year. Then, off to a bite of breakfast and then, some cards and lunch. Afterwards he headed to the room  to work on his talk and I headed to deck 5 to crochet, nap and enjoy the sea air. I get to people watch too. There is a sign of deck five that says no jogging!! But evidently there are people who can’t read.

After a while he came up to join me and we sat till 4. Then, off to the room to dress for formal night. Then, off to the casino, where I lost!!, and he won. Then, we played a game of rummy and I lost again. But I did win this morning.

The food was good tonight. I had the prime rib and he had the lobster. I had baked Alaska for dessert. Our waiter is one of the best we have ever had. He is a lot of fun.

The show tonight was very good. Three guys singing songs from Frank Sinatra and the 70's and more. They were fun to listen to and nice to look at, too. I rate this show as the best of all the shows we have seen this cruise.

Well, the toilet finally did flush so we will probably be okay tonight. It is time to brush the teeth, take the meds and head to bed. One more day to get up at 6:30. I will walk in the morning.  It is a good thing our cruise is almost over. I have no clean shorts or pants and no clean t-shirts. I have worn everything many times. Packing less means I have to be creative in my daily attire.

Well, Mac I hope you are doing okay!! Granny has had a scan before. Luke you will have to play something for us sometime. Miss you all. Love you all. We are scheduled to arrive back at 233 Woodland on Sept 4, Labor Day.

Love, Mom, Granny and Bonnie