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Cruise update

I need to vent my frustration over the cancelled cruise Gary and I were suppopsed to take, but had to cancel since they don't allow pregnant women. I cancelled the trip in September and have still not been able to get any money back.

I have been calling Norweigan cruise line (NCL) and DiscoverCard at least twice a week for the last few months. NCL says they authorized the credit for $2,100 in October and DiscoverCard says they have no documentation to credit my account. The accounting person at NCL says she can't fax me the documentation since it is "confidential." Also, I have had a hard time keeping continuity with contacts as every time I call I talk to a new customer service person. I mention the name and extension of the last person I talked to, but somehow the last person I told the story too isn't available. The new customer service agent then reads the notes on my account and promises to investigate, but I never hear back. NCL and Discovercard each seem to put the responsibility on the other, and feel like I am just going in circles.

As you can imagine I am sick and tired of the run around, but I do not want to give up - that is a lot of money! I am also worried that by not paying the charge on my credit card, I will rack up big finance charges, fees and/or interest rates. If you have any advise or know someone who could help, let me know.

4lbs7oz

According to Friday's measurements, the doctor estimated the baby wieghed 4lbs7oz ... and I still have 8 weeks more to go.

Hannuka

It is now the fifth day of Hannuka. Some families go crazy celebrating it, for example my Mom typically plasters her house with decorations that don't come down until spring. We have been pretty low key this year, although Gary and I have lit our menorah every night. I don't really like the way Hannuka has become a foil/substiture for Christmas with some Jews. My brother plans to come over and make us latkes tonight and that will be nice. Maybe we'll play some poker, and traditionally Hannuka is more about gambling than exchanging gifts.

Road Trip Bay Area

Gary and I got back from our six day road trip up to the Bay Area. We did some tourist things, like Alcatraz, the Winchester Mystery House, the Montery Bay Aquarium and Hearst Castle. We also got to hang out with friends and family upstate. It was a very nice time and I do not look forward to going back to work.

Baby book shower

Saturday, the book club had a mini-shower for me. In addition to talking about our recent read, I got some very sweet children’s books. It was very thoughtful of them and nice to get so many warm wishes. I continue to be impressed at the "cuteness" of baby related gifts. The cards and books I got were just dripping with sweetness. The blanket was unnaturally ultra-soft and the stuffed elephant was cartoonishly intensely adorable. I'm not really prepared by all the cutsy-wootsy power of it all.