Celebrity Edge

 Hi.  This post is all about the Celebrity Edge, the ship I sailed on to Alaska.  This is the description from the internet: The Celebrity Edge is widely considered an excellent, innovative cruise ship for travelers seeking a modern, upscale, and resort-style experience. 

Throughout the cruise, it seemed like a boutique hotel to me because of it's attention to design and art.  I wanted a nice cruise ship for this trip and we loved it.  It was the easiest embarkation/debarkation I ever had.  It has 4 complimentary restaurants onboard.  It also has a few paid restaurants, but we ate at the complimentary restaurants and the buffet.  The food was good and a few things stood out to me, but honestly, I don't go on a ship with the highest expectations of food.  As long as it is good, I am perfectly content with someone else doing all the work, having options and with no clean up afterwards!  

Here are some pictures:

I love the feeling of walking on a ship on embarkation day!

I was able to snap this picture when we first boarded of one of the main bar/sitting areas.  We sat in this area to play cards one day, have a drink, I did a dance lesson here and we went to a dance party here too.  They also hosted a silent disco in this area.  We opted to get the non-alcoholic drink/internet package on this cruise and I had no regrets.  Typically I totally disengage from my phone on a cruise.  It was nice that the 3 of us were able to text one another on the ship to find out our location, what we were doing, & where we got a table in the buffet area.  The drink package included sodas, bottled water, specialty coffees (regular black coffee is free), smoothies, mocktails, and hot chocolate.  

Cool art display in a hallway

A mirrored walkthrough to the other side of the ship

Ping pong area

Solarium with inside pool and hot tub that was for adults only, except for one hour a day.  There were kids on the ship, but not tons.  The ship doesn't have a waterslide or other things that would normally attract parents with kids on a carribean cruise.

In the picture below, you can see the walking path. This path went around a section of the ship and you walked between 2 levels.  I did this every day a few times and the views never got old whether you were looking at Alaska or only water.

Hot tub

The Alaskan cruises have such a different feel with not as many people in/near the pool.  It was used, but just a different vibe.

There was an area at the end of the ship called Eden.  It was 3 levels of seats, glass windows with great views.  People played cards in this area, worked puzzles and there was a musician that played a lot and there was dancing too.  It was a fun place to sit and watch people and the water!

There were lots of food options in the buffet area, including gluten free items.  I took this picture for my sister.

My Alaskan moose I bought on my bed with chocolate each night :)

There is an area of the ship called the Magic Carpet.  It is an area that extends over the side of the ship and can go up and down between a higher deck and a lower deck.

I am glad to have this post to remember this beautiful ship!

Hodgepodge ~ September 9, 2026

 Good morning!  Happy Hodgepodge day on 9/9!

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  On a scale of 1-10 how much of a fan are you? (10 is never miss a game and 1 is I'm just here for the snacks). Who's your team? If you're playing along today, but live outside the US feel free to sub your feelings about futbol for the more American sport of football. 

I am happy college football is here!  I don't sit and watch all the games, but I do love having football on tv in the fall on Saturdays. This is new in the last few years for me.  I also like to check all the scores Saturday night or Sunday mornings.  I would rate me at maybe a 5? I do enjoy going to a game live, but that rarely happens. I did go to one college game last year, so maybe I will go to one this year.  I cheer for University of Memphis but then I also cheer for mostly SEC teams.  I cheer for University of Tennessee but also Ole Miss.  Is this possible?? I do not cheer for Alabama or Mississippi State though.  

2. What's something you currently have a game plan for managing? 

I feel like I need to have a game plan to keep walking most days considering I always feel like I eat more in the fall because baking/cooking just seems more fun this time of year. Thankfully with the recent heat, I have a shaded path I can still manage to walk outside most days.

3. Do you like chicken wings? Hot, mild, or some other flavor? What's a must have food for you on a tailgate menu? I know tailgating isn't as big of a thing outside the US of A as it is inside the US of A, but you can also answer the question this way-what's a must have food for you at a sporting event viewing party? 

I am not a chicken wings girl.  I prefer chicken off the bone.  My favorite tailgating food/sport party would consist of dips and good protein appetizers.  

4. Teams typically have strict playbooks they follow. What is one unwritten rule or piece of advice in your 'life playbook' you think everyone should know?

My life saying is adapted from air travel:  Put your own oxygen mask on first.  Take care of yourself so that you can give to others.  

Communicate when plans change or you will be late. It happens, but let the other person know.

Acknowledge kindness when it is given to you at home, while driving, or in other public places.

Don't talk on your phone in a public bathroom. Also, use headphones in a public space when listening/watching things.

Oh, and wear sunscreen!

5. This is the week we remember and mourn all that was lost and changed on September 11, 2001. I always include a spot for bloggers to share anything they'd like to share about 9/11. Share as much or as little as you like. 

Like all of you, it so hard to imagine this was 25 years ago.  My goodness how the world has changed.  I remember being in shock and my heart hurting for NYC and the country.  I had a 7 month old baby.  I remember being at an exercise class and seeing it on the tv at the place afterwards then calling my husband.  I came home and we watched tv in disbelief like so much of the world.  I have been to the memorial and to the 9/11 museum, which I recommend for everyone to do if you get the chance at least once. I have a picture of my sister and I at the top of World Trade Towers taken in 1998, but it is in a scrapbook at my parents house.  That was the only time I went in the towers.  Saying a prayer for those families affected this week.  

Freedom Tower

This is a fire truck on display in the museum.

6.Insert your own random thought here. 

I screenshot things from time to time and here are some recently:

Hope you all have a great day & thanks for reading!

Fashion Files ~ September 8, 2026

 Hi.  I hope you all had a lovely Labor Day.  Today I am sharing a few recent beauty finds.

Cover Girl Tru Blend Skin Enhancer Blush Balm Stick

This is roll on blush is a vegan formula, glides on effortlessly, & doesn't crease.

It is currently on sale for $8!

This new eye shadow palette is a favorite!

e.l.f. Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palette, & the color is: I Love You a Latte

Sacheu Lip Liner STAY-N Peel Off Lip Stain, Longwear

I was so curious to try this lip liner that actually stays!  The color is Low Key.  After you apply it, you peel it off in 10-15 minutes.  I really like this.

This is a new item I got from Trader Joe's I am excited to try.

This is one of my favorite products!  

MEDITHERAPY Retinal Skin Booster Serum

This targets unevenness and dullness at the source. This retinal serum helps to improve the appearance of discoloration for a naturally even glow. I use this on my face and also on my neck.

I have loved using this as a sunscreen this summer. This liquid foundation combines foundation, SPF 50 sunscreen, concealer and moisturizer! It self-adjusts to match your skin tone which

 contains shade-sensing beads which can deliver shade transformation upon blending into skin & matching your natural skin tone, and providing instant hydration.

I have been using this combination of products for my brows.  I love the e.l.f. products for the brows!

e.l.f. laminating brow gel

e.l.f instant lift brow

Have a great day!

Hello Monday ~ September 7, 2026/Labor Day

 Good morning and Happy Labor Day 2026!  Today I am doing a re-cap of last week and the weekend with a little life lately.

Last Monday on a spur of the moment, Jen called and asked if I wanted to join her for dinner and a drink. I finally tried a soft serve margarita, which was pretty good. Time spent with Jen is always fun!

Tuesday night last week, I made dinner for Brook, Wade and I.  I bought these Congrats Grad plates back in May and yes, I am just using them.  We ate off them Tuesday night, even though Brook graduated from university the end of May.  It seemed like a good time to use them since we also were celebrating she will start a new job soon.

Wednesday night I had dinner with one of my dear friends, but no photo was taken.  This is the friend whose daughter got married this summer.  

Thursday after work, I drove to my sister's house for family dinner and saw 11 of her 12 grandchildren.  Needless to say, my heart was full of hugs and smiles from my greats!

Friday, I met a friend from church at Salad Station and had missed eating here! This is where Jen and I have shared many a meals together. 

Jen dropped by Friday night and we ate at my place. She brought some food and I had a salad.  I bought lettuce for the first time in a while last week.  I also had fun toppings, so it encouraged me to eat more salads last week.  My toppings for the salad were avocado, pecans, feta cheese, broccoli and bacon bits.

After eating, we walked around Costco where I spotted a snowman and a skeleton on the same aisle!

Saturday I did a few household things, went to the grocery store and then went to a few museums in Memphis with a friend.  It was hot, but I loved getting out to the museums and bonus, they were both free this day! One is an art museum and the other is a metal museum, which was having a grand opening in a new location.

Jen and I talked on the phone Saturday evening and then she said she was coming over.  I am so thankful we live close (about 9-10 minutes, based on red lights if you're wondering)!

Sunday, I went to church with Jen, got a pedicure, met Jen and some friends at a pool, and then went on a walk.  It was a fun weekend!

How was yours?