As I’ve mentioned before, I’ll be away for the next few days on a cruise with my Mom, my sister, and my aunt. It’s a “Girls-Only Getaway”, and something I’ve been looking forward to for a while now. I fully expect my father to be there with us in spirit, and I’m hoping he sends us some unmistakable signs of his presence during the trip.

I’m not sure if I’ll have internet access there–the prices for internet time are a total rip-off, usually–so I’ve scheduled some blog posts ahead of time. There’s something wonderfully comforting about knowing that my blog will still be cooking away and updating, even while I’m out there sailing the high seas–sorta like fixing up dinner in the crockpot and have it simmering all day long. In fact, I believe that having a crockpot is the closest I’ll ever get to knowing what it’s like to have a wife. After an entire day of running errands and shuttling my kids hither and yon, there’s nothing like walking in the front door and immediately being greeted by the heavenly aroma of one’s evening meal, all lovingly prepped and ready to eat. Aaaaahhh…..

Oops, sorry–I digress. More about my love affair with my crockpot another time.

So this evening, I leave from New York City, on a 5-day Carnival Cruise to Canada aboard the Victory:

My mother-in-law took a cruise on this same ship last year, and said it is one of the most gaudy cruise ships she’s ever seen in her life. Judging from her pictures, it looks like Liberace, Elton John and Cher drew up the design scheme. I can’t wait!!!

I’ve scheduled this entry to post precisely at 5pm, right when I’ll be setting sail for Canada, celebrating my birthday in grand style. I’ll be taking lots of pictures and video, and will post them, along with a review of the cruise, when I get back.

The Great White North, here we come!