Finally, I have the time to properly introduce myself.

This southernlady married her westernman 3 years ago and our cruising days began. Whopee!! I'm from Atlanta but spent my "previous life" as a railroad wife moving around the South (Atlanta, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Columbus, Knoxville) ending up in Roanoke, Virginia for about 15 years. And, ok, I'll admit it...I'm 53. Alan (55) grew up in LA, ran a business there, sold it and moved to Eugene, Oregon for 10 years. We both have two children (a boy and a girl each). Mine are grown (28 and 25) and Alan's are almost grown (16 and 20). Our girls are the oldest and both of our sons are named Brian. See, we were meant to be!

After our marriage, we began to look for a city we could call our own (and a compromise between his children in Oregon and mine in Indiana and Atlanta) and we came up with Tucson. I guess you could say that we are semi-retired. Alan manages his business interests from our home and I am a freelance writer (when I'm not playing tennis).

In 2000, Alan's parents introduced him to cruising and to Radisson. Lucky guy, he went on a Song of Flower trip that began in Tel Aviv, Petra, Syria, Egypt, through the Suez Canal and on to Turkey and Greece. Due to current political upheavals that trip is no longer a possibility.

Our first cruise together (with his lovely parents who are in their 80's and also his sister) was to the Baltic on the Song. The next year we all sailed on the Song again from Venice to Rome. We had such fun meeting each evening in the Observation Lounge to discuss the day over glasses of champagne!

This year, we sailed on the Mariner around the tip of South America (and yes, I am still working on my review). Unfortunately, Alan's parents aren't able to travel that far anymore. So, to keep it in the family, his sister and her southern husband (he's from Bama) went along with us.

This board is great! Thanks Ngaire. Our trip was even better after the advice I received from some of you (when you were on that other board). I only regret that none of you were on my cruise. Maybe next time, since we booked an open booking while still on the Mariner. We're waiting for the 2005 schedule to determine where to go next.

Anyway, that's me, WORDY!