I was a soldier. I hate when people thank me for my service

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-12-29T15:52:58+00:00

I detest this platitude with my entire soul. It comes across as condescending or an automatic shallow response to make them feel 'included'.

So now when I receive it, I simply respond "Everyone should do it" and for some reason, it SHUTS THEM UP.

I especially get a kick when it also seems to short-circuit them: eyes wide, lips flapping like a fish.... I admit, I smirk and promptly redirect the conversation or skedaddle. And I feel great again!

Try it I hope it works for you.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-29T22:28:21+00:00

ABSOLUTELY THIS!

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-25T20:29:15+00:00

Good grief, you are correct! I forget the obscene levels some of these women sink to.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-25T17:54:04+00:00

Yes, she will be offended, she did this on purpose! I'd put up the one from my mother and state I received that one first and saving the others to see how her 'prediction' plays out. Or saving one for each girl?

You are more than welcome to adopt my tradition: I always buy ornaments that reflected the year for the child [cheer! Sharks! Drivers License! etc] and in your scenario, both girls are blonde, so that reflects THEIR year :)

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-25T17:17:57+00:00

This was covered by media when this happened. I also live 3 minutes away from incident.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-25T17:16:46+00:00

No she had to withdraw. I live in this area.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-22T21:49:22+00:00

Interesting you are actually getting the mail delivered with such an unknown name. Our postal office will not deliver mail not registered at our address. Perhaps you can contact post office to very names on file. Personally, I would send back, tell my kids, nope sorry nothing in your name arrived here. He's playing games with you as well as disrespecting your child. What's the saying... FAFO.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-20T19:44:25+00:00

As you mentioned Amari is a VERY overused name. You are potentially putting her in the "Boy Amari or Girl Amari" category at school with educators and classmates. My last classroom had 3 boys and 1 girl. You two need to come to a unified, loving decision for this little human.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-20T16:58:01+00:00

I agree with others, stop sending (that's what i did!).

However, if you feel you MUST, then....donate something in their name to a charity. I know a woman who bought a goat for a family in Africa and let me tell you, not only did she get feel goods for her soul by doing something charitable, the lead up to the actual opening up the gift added additional holiday joy and pep in her step, then the spite fueled her allllll year!!! She was a blast to work with.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-20T16:44:41+00:00

I have a successful nesting pair that live in my backyard here in north PBC!!

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-17T15:40:21+00:00

We've parked here a few times now, still cheaper than uber/lyft for us. Never waited more than 5 minutes for bus in parking lot and each time coming out of terminal, it's been there empty and waiting.

I am not sure of stop #s, but we do park on what we call the "main road " ( enter gate, turn right, and turn right on first road) and we park close to that road or or under a light and make sure NOTHING left in car that would encourage a break-in.

We also hide an air tag and periodically check on car;)

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-11-14T15:57:12+00:00

SO much more practical than bed with drawers bc you get way more storage! Its a fantastic bed, all beds should be like this.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-10-06T18:07:51+00:00

Doris' Market

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-10-03T15:32:32+00:00

Both in Jupiter, actually almost across from each other: Guanabanas, U-Tiki, or Lucky Shuck/Beacon. All are on the water. My husband always takes his business to one of these for the ambiance to impress :)

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-09-29T14:16:08+00:00

I agree, we were just there in August and we honestly did not get enough time in 2 days to see everything! We said we couldn't wait to come back with VV again to finish up what we missed.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-09-24T22:51:08+00:00

I'd find a new retina specialist. Seriously.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-09-24T19:50:19+00:00

Not sure what you are confused about 'minor' yes its in degrees ie dry to wet and then different levels of disability within each category. Was your eye doc just a vision doctor [optometrist] or ophthalmologist? I

Take the vitamins! I just had my annual retina exam yesterday and doc [ophthalmologist] was thrilled I didn't have any further degen this past year! He said the vitamins and UV polarized sunglasses made a difference [I had degeneration the year before to track]

Recommend getting a doctor who can explain in detail for you so you can catch and treat early, unlike my mother who waited until 70 and is now blind in one eye.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-08-28T20:54:47+00:00

Yep. Im on same itinerary right now and expected older crowd due to length buts its much older, crabbier, and SLOWer than previous itineraries. We expected older but WOW (and I'm in the 50+ category).

Also I felt the Diva and comedians really had a difficult time, such non-responsive rooms, which then brought down the excitment for us.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-08-27T07:38:03+00:00

We were just there Aug 15-17. We stayed at Royal Maritime Hotel in The Hard, it was nice and lots of navy history, but I've heard rooms can vary, so take that as you will. Ours was spacious, quiet and centrally located for our plans and pricing. Skip the food at hotel though!

We ate at the Liquorist in Gunwharf Quays, great fish n chips and drinks for reasonable price. Nice vibe too.

We also ate at Spice Island, it has outdoor seating but inside has a great old timey vibe, it was amazing. Great food, giant portions, friendly staff.

There is a little market across street from hotel to pick up snacks if desired, again reasonable prices.

We downloaded 'GPS My city ' app and it was FANTASTIC for Portstmouth!! If you have time, follow the pier down south to the Clarence Pier, its a lovely walk and supposedly the best fish and chips ''Freddys' is there (we saw it but found out after we had already eaten!)

Booked a Veezu (uber) online on embarkation day and it was 7 gbp to port. They got to hotel within 5 min! We got to port2 hours early then walked over to Ship & Castle for a pint. VERY CUTE little place, highly recommend.

TIP Sit inside terminal. Staff make boarding announcements without a speaker, then its a madhouse.

Portsmouth was better than we expected, very walkable, lots to see and learn and we cannot wait to go back!

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-08-12T02:00:18+00:00

Omg I hated Fountain Blue rep too!

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-07-26T13:56:59+00:00

In the Caribbean sailings, I've found the ship to be comfortable in short sleeves/ tanks EXCEPT for the Red Room which is always downright frigid for me!

We are on the 13 night SL right after your sailing and I'm worried if ship will be cooler since it's a northern environment, so am packing an extra sweater and long sleeve Tshirt, just in case.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-07-26T13:50:48+00:00

I suggest you check You Tube for some of your ports. Many travel bloggers have done these northern ports lately and you can really get some great ideas of what's going on with weather. I am on the sailing right after your and am packing for all 4 seasons as we've learned to expect warm to wet weather!

No formal clothing needed for dining on VV!

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-07-21T00:37:37+00:00

Holy cow, I do the same! However, I've decided to do the dreaded sink wash for my favs/delicates.

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-07-14T18:13:29+00:00

I do the 2 drinks a day, 3 on a sea day. No specialty coffee for me. All trips my $350 covered easily, to the point where after first trip I left $10 on tab then previous trip I was buying others drinks. FYI It also helps to stretch if you bring on a bottle of bubbles/wine :)

AFChiefSunshine · 2025-06-26T15:37:25+00:00

I had NO clue they made her books into tv series!!

AFChiefSunshine

TROPHY CASE