The Friday 15

“You sell off the kingdom piece by piece and trade it for a horse that will take you anywhere.” 
― Colin Wright, My Exile Lifestyle

Maybe that should be my eBay mantra. Sell off my junk and use it to buy my way onto a cruise ship. Maybe.

• eBay did well this week with five things sent off.
• Kiddo and I went through our duplicate pictures from the last 30 years. Shredded several hundred photos.
• I went through more fabrics and decided to discard the smaller boards I used to wrap the fabric. 100 boards are going away.
• A metal zipper, six plastic Easter eggs, and a leftover tutorial project are leaving.

Technically that's more than 15. Yay!

Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland

It's Wanderlust Wednesday! Today we're talking about the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland.

I'm not sure how our new black suitcase with colorful tape wrapped around the handle and the loud luggage tag could be mistaken for someone else's, but it was. They had our winter clothes with them and we didn't. And it was cold in Iceland during our Thanksgiving break.

At least it happened after our visit to the Blue Lagoon. Actually, technically it happened during our visit to the Blue Lagoon. A transfer from the airport to our hotel in Reykjavik included a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon. Very warm blue-looking geothermal pools were a super-nice way to get warmed up and relax after our long Idaho-to-Iceland flights. Many airport-to-Reykjavik city transfers add the Blue Lagoon so the place is prepared for tourists. They even have a baggage check right where the bus pulls up to drop you off.

We had read ahead of time that you are required to shower before entering the pools. Showering naked, that is. Nope, no swimsuits allowed during the shower. There are attendants in the locker rooms monitoring the showering. And monitoring that you are really dried off before stepping back to the locker room. Interesting.

But the water in the pools, oh my! Warm, bordering on hot. Full of minerals. Want super-soft silky skin? Try using some of the pots of silica found in the lagoon. Rub some of it on your face and body and you'll come away with skin feeling soft as a baby's bum.

The Blue Lagoon is one of those places that pictures where the pictures just don't do justice to the beauty of the place.

Such a relaxing day.

The relaxation ended when we went to pick up our luggage before catching the shuttle to our hotel. The luggage that had been taken by someone else. An extensive search of the luggage storage area came up empty. So off to the hotel with nothing but the clothes on our back. Let's call that an adventure.

Sew a Fabric Lanyard - Tutorial Tuesday

Tutorial Tuesday sometimes becomes more difficult than planned. On days like today when one of the kitties is sick and has to go to the doctor, on the same day when hubby had his home visit from a doctor, on the same day the three garbage trucks come through the neighborhood for the composting can, the recycling can, and the regular can. Trying to record a video and voice over is downright hard on days like these.

Today's project was a lanyard. Quick and easy.

Looking for more quick and easy ideas? Check out these projects!

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Find the step-by-step how to tutorial for making your own homemade fabric lanyard right here:

Sunday Sew-In: Project Preparation

“I feel like every project I work on is a dream project, so long as I am learning.” 
― Simeon Kondev

Today's Sew-In wound up being a preparation day. I sketched out measurements and directions for eight different projects. Even got the fabrics cut for them! Guess Tutorial Tuesday is going to be a busy one.

Why so many different projects each week? Because I have some new books in the works and I need some step-by-step photos and videos to accompany them. A fun time!

Cruise Ship Muster Drill

t's Cruise Ship Saturday! Today we're talking about Muster Drill.

“I am repeating... It's not a drill,... It's real....” 
― Deyth Banger

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires all passengers attend a muster drill within 24 hours of sailing. Like practicing a fire drill in school, a muster drill is a practice for an emergency. All passengers are required to attend. No matter how busy you think you are or how young your children are. No matter whether you are in a wheelchair or walk with a cane or dislike crowds. No matter how many times you’ve worn a life jacket in your life. No matter how many cruises you’ve been on before you must attend the muster drill.

Muster drills are held in the muster station, an area on the ship where passengers gather in case of emergency. Muster station information is located on the back of stateroom cabin doors and is printed on cruise cards.

Green signs around the ship indicate the way to muster stations.

An emergency broadcast alarm is sounded to call passengers to the muster stations for the drill and for a real emergency. This piercing alarm consists of seven short blasts followed by one long blast on the ship’s whistle. Upon hearing this alarm go to your designated muster station. Some cruise lines have life vests in cabins and require you to bring them to muster and some do not. Be familiar with the muster drill procedure on your specific ship by reading details in the first day's paper and listening to the directions of ship personnel.

When entering the muster station cruise cards are scanned by muster personnel. Scanning of cards by the electronic system assists crew in determining the attendance of passengers. At muster a presentation is made on what to do in case of an emergency. Do not even attempt to get out of the muster drill. We have had real-life emergency situations happen on cruise ships. In case of evacuation it is crucial for you to know where to go and what to do. It is in your best interest to take the muster drill seriously!

Other things to know:

• Elevators cannot be used during the muster drill or during a real emergency.
• If assistance will be needed in a real emergency let your cabin steward or the passenger services desk know so arrangements can be made. Special personnel are designated to assist passengers needing additional help.
• Depending on the ship your muster station may be located outside by the lifeboats or somewhere inside the ship. Some muster stations have no seating and others have limited seating. If you are unable to stand for a long period of time let personnel know. If yours is being held indoors consider going to the muster station a few minutes before the scheduled time so you can secure a seat. The elevators will also be working beforehand.
• Ships have enough lifeboats (and then some) to accommodate all passengers and crew.
• Cabin stewards are responsible for checking each cabin. Don’t dawdle in your cabin during the drill.

Muster drills are something to be taken seriously. What would you do if the captain came on the loudspeaker and told passengers there was a fire in the galley and ordered all muster crew personnel to the muster stations? Would you know to get back to your cabin and dress warmly and pack a small bag with your medications like we did? Would you then know where to go to evacuate the ship? Would you know how to put on your life vest?  Every cruise we see people talking to others, texting, taking pictures, and even sleeping during muster. Don’t be one of them. We’ve sailed enough and had enough emergency situations happen on the ship to know how important the drills are.

Excerpt from Cruising with Confidence: How to be a First Time Cruiser without Looking like One, 2nd Edition.