Loretta Connected

 I'm trying to plan my upcoming nomad days and making lists. It started with just a few lists like necessities, but little did I know. that list would expand depending on who you talk to and what they feel is a must.  I have a huge notebook full of plans. For instance: foods to have. Then that expanded to foods to have if no way to cook but can boil water, no electricity so can't brew coffee, no way to build a fire...you get the picture.  Then there is the list of survival must. I had maybe 10 absolutes and now, that has grown to 22 and counting.  Then there is the list of things that are creative such as a large bug sprayer to use as a shower when boondocking. That has grown quite considerably. I have to remember, starting out will be in my truck with a camper shell. A trailer will come later and allow more room. Sure, I can store things in the shell, but I also have a cat and she will need space back there and be able to climb through the back window in and out and room for h

 Here's the thing. I'm procrastinating with my blog. I killed my last blog even with a lot of followers since I just couldn't keep up. There were some really hard life lessons since 2018 and I gave up. I began this one to connect with others, share tips, awesome sites, blogs and just chatter...and then, I let it sit.  Sitting down to talk about my current situation isn't easy but I know, I need an outlet. Whether someone even reads this or not, instead of my head being full of rambling cloudy craziness, maybe it should go on paper.  Maybe I should blog daily about what is happening on the nomad plan. Is it even interesting or worth it? I don't know. I do need an outlet.  😐 Why in the world would I tell the world my business? I'm trying to make sense of where my life is going, especially at my age (63), and disabilities. Maybe someone else is affected by today's recession (yes, I believe we are in one), and may help them knowing they are not alone.  I have s

 Royal Caribbean Sailing Date August 29, 2022  Please excuse any grammatical and other errors. I'm slowly getting better and not quite up to editing. It's been quite a while since I've blogged and want to get back to it. Before sailing, it's required to answer questions and do prechecks on the RC app. Your sea pass will be loaded with your muster station and time for arrival. You will upload your covid vaccination, passport and answer health questions. A final email with your travel information will come with luggage tags showing your room number/deck, required to go on your suitcase(s) so they will know which rooms to drop them off. We opted to pre-pay for parking to the tune of $208! at the terminal (for RC, it's pier 91), since there are only 1,000 spots. A shuttle picked us and our luggage up and dropped us off at the terminal entrance. Our luggage was taken before getting into line. We went through three check points and then security somewhat similar to airpo

 Free samples are always welcome. Maybe you don't need the sample but a friend would appreciate trying the item.   Please keep in mind samples may run out-of-stock or the offers may end.  Enfamil is offering a Toddler Nutritional Drink  Free Sample . Fill out the form and the child's birthdate. They do not sell your information to others. They only use your information to send you gifts, discounts and information and you can opt out anytime.  sisalrugs  recommends ordering samples before ordering a rug and the first six samples are free. Just click on  Style Profile  and fill out a style profile telling them what you are looking for in a rug. They will send you six curated samples of sisal rugs they feel are the right fit. No obligation but if you love them, you can purchase on their site or give them a call.  Carpet Bargains  will give free carpet samples with a toll free call 1-833-383-0581. They offer over 150 styles of luxury vinyl flooring too.  Recycle carpet samples: Wh

 I'm embarrassed. I was ready for my blog and then let it sit. There's been a lot going on the last three months and it was all I could do to function. It's crazy when one gets over stressed, grieves and/or just overwhelmed, the brain just doesn't function as well.  With that said, I have a few delicious high protein/low carb recipes to share, a couple great offer links, free sample links, and will be adding a birthday (mine!), giveaway soon. Tonight, I'll begin and hope to add something every day to catch up.  In the meantime, enjoy the referral for a Capitol One card. You can be pre-approved without it affecting your credit score. I like my Capitol One for secure online shopping and travel. Did you know you can use your rewards on Amazon and many other stores? No longer do you have to request a gift card. Click on the link below.  https://capital.one/3oLT5ue Have a wonderful blessed day.

  I’m still battling my insurance to cover bariatric surgery. I’ve been in a program since May and gone through months of support groups, mandatory testing, psychology, eating changes etc. and they keep saying I’m not obese enough. I started at 39 BMI, one number away from the magic 40. Now I’m 35 BMI but they have to go by the 39. However, they are saying my comorbidities aren’t serious enough. Not sure why total knee replacements from being fat too long is not considered (though in my insurance brochure it is.)   In the meantime, I recently lost 24.5 pounds since September to get to my pre-surgery requirement. I have been asked “ why are you taking the lazy way out? If you have the discipline to lose that, why can’t you just have more willpower and continue to lose weight instead of this surgery?”    First, it’s not a lazy way. What someone has to go through before and after surgery is one of the hardest ways to lose weight.   Surgery is not a cure and you have to work hard to ke