Ridiculous amount of time has passed!!!!!

I was going to be such a good blogger. But I really got lazy. However, maybe now I can get busy and try to catch this blog up with my plans.

Let's see...um....I have made reservations at the Casa Camper hotel in Barcelona, finally, and that is not a Disney sponsored hotel, but, it has been rated #2 on tripadvisor for hotels in Barcelona, and it has free breakfast and 24/7 drinks and snacks including beer and wine. Now, I don't really drink, but I do like soda and bottled water, especially when traveling. I also think it will be convenient to get snacks for the kids without have to pay a fortune to room service or leaving the hotel. It also has a two room setup with a bedroom and a lounge area, and two tv's. This is always handy on vacation with children.

I booked my airfare, British Airways, from Atlanta Georgia. My brother is going to take us and drop us off there and then pick us up on our return home. It was a chunk of money but it is paid and done, so there you go.

I did teach this summer so I could pay for the cruises, so I am glad that is over because I was really tired each day at the end of the day. But it was so worth it! I am taking the kids to Europe.

I have finally started medication for my rheumatoid arthritis and I am doing better though not cured by any means. I had an episode this summer where I couldn't walk for a couple of weeks or at least I hopped and hobbled for a couple of weeks. I had a leak of synovial fluid in my knee, a condition caused by the rheumatoid arthritis. I was on vacation at the time. I am planning on purchasing a travel scooter to take with me when I travel, in case I get in this position again, it won't ruin the trip and confine me to a wheelchair, which is tough on the old biceps. LOL. Check it out here: www.travelscoot.com. It appears to be really cool and easy to use.

My friend can only get time off work for one of the cruises so she is doing the Med with me and the kids. We have been friends since college and she didn't get to go to Europe with me in 1987 (Wow I am OLD) and has regretted it ever since. I am so glad she is coming.

I need to book transfers from the airport in Barcelona, to the hotel and then to the port two days later. Also, I need to book transfers from Dover to London, and then London to the airport three days later. So far, everything has cost a bit more than I expected but not too bad. Europe is expensive right now for Americans, due to the loss in value of the dollar.

I have decided that instead of booking private tours in the major sites, like Rome, Florence Naples, I am going to use the train and then the hop on hop off busses. They are most definitely the most economical and laid back way to get around. And, they are easy on the old shoe leather. However, I will book tours in St. Petersburg for sure, as you need a Russian visa to travel alone, and with a tour you don't. Other places are easily accessible from the port.

Well, enough for now, this is too long anyway. Classes start next week and I am working on research and having furniture delivered tomorrow. I am pulling my hair out! I will definitely do a better job on my blog in the future. Thanks for visiting.