Almaplena Eco Beach Resort in Costa Maya, Mexico

It's Wanderlust Wednesday! Today we're talking about Almaplena Eco Beach Resort in Costa Maya, Mexico.

“Sand lines my soul which is filled with the breath of the ocean.” 
― A.D. Posey

Almaplena Beach Resort knows how to draw cruisers in. Words and phrases on their Beach Break website make it difficult to resist.

*Powdery white sand and turquoise-blue water
*Secluded area away from the crowds
*Beautiful pristine beaches
*Sipping refreshing tropical drinks lying on the beach
*All you can eat
*All you can drink
*Free transportation to and from the port
*Reserved umbrellas and lounge chairs

We booked the day for the two of us. The resort sent detailed directions on how to catch the free transportation (local taxi). Exit the port area, walk a few minutes, and let the taxi stand know that Almaplena is your destination.

After an adventurous taxi ride from the cruise port we arrived at Almaplena. We were handed off to the owner and had some quick decisions to make.
*What time do you want to return to the ship? The taxi driver needed to know, as he would be the same one taking us back to the ship.
*What time do you want lunch? There are only a limited number of tables outside.
*Do you want something to drink? Open bar here. Alcoholic, nonalcoholic, soda, bottled water.

We soon came to realize the descriptions were spot on.

Food. (I can't find my food pics. Boo hoo.)

Loungers and palapas and beach and sand and water.

And a friendly dog, Bella to boot.

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How to Organize and Store Fabrics on Comic Book Boards - Tutorial Tuesday

It's Tutorial Tuesday and today we're talking about comic book boards. And fabric.

I used to read some comic books when I was a kid (mostly Richy Rich - boy, what I would have given to live that life!), but had no idea what a comic book board was. Now I know it's a piece of thick cardstock-like acid free paper that collectors use to help maintain the shape of the comic book. Like these here on Amazon.

Looking for sewing and crafting projects? 

Click here to see all my tutorials!

Every single yard of my fabrics is wrapped on the boards. I wouldn't keep my fabrics organized any other way.

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.

You can find the step-by-step how to tutorial for wrapping, storing, and organizing your fabric stash on comic book backer boards right here:

Looking for even more sewing room ideas? Check out these tips on creating a sewing room.

The Almost Tutorial Tuesday

“To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.” 
― T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with "The Divine Presence"

It was the Tutorial Tuesday that wasn't. After filming a tutorial and editing and doing a voiceover for it and exporting it and getting it ready to upload to YouTube...it didn't happen. The "free" video editing software I was using put a big old watermark across the screen. Ugh. That led me to finding another free editing software download. That wouldn't work. So onto the third free download. We'll see where I end up by the end of the night. So frustrating!

Otherwise the day was pretty darn good. Other than those two broken front windows. One broke last month and now this morning another one? How does a double-pane window crack on the inside pane - on two different windows - on the same side of the house - in two consecutive months? I so DO NOT get it. Yesterday's new packaging tape came in handy. It might look cheap but we now have clear packaging tape holding both of the windows together.

Not cheap? The tires I bought today. They look so pretty!

But the best part of the day happened before 8 a.m. I got a message from a crew member friend from India which inspired me to get my YouTube channel cleaned up - and motivated me to get back to the tutorials. And then within a few minutes of those messages going back and forth I got a call from a crew member friend who is living in Kuwait. We are so blessed to have dear friends from around the world.

And blessed that I was up early to get the message from India and the phone call from Kuwait and see the sunrise out my window in Idaho.

Motivated Monday

“When you start to do the things that you truly love, it wouldn't matter whether it is Monday or Friday; you would be so excited to wake up each morning to work on your passions.” 
― Edmond Mbiaka

Thus I was up at 4 a.m. on a Monday. There was too much to do and I needed to get an early start. I needed to:

• get some writing done.
• box up some eBay items.
• take those packages to the post office.
• buy some sewing supplies.
• buy packaging tape.
• price tires.
• take hubby for a haircut.
• take hubby to the doctor.
• go to the bank.

All those to-do thoughts lasted for only a couple hours. The cold 55 degree house had me heading back to bed before 6 a.m. Once I got warmed up in bed it was no surprise that I fell back asleep.

But I still got most of the day done. Even got a couple things done at the same time - writing in the car while hubby was in the doctor's office. I must be nuts.

Sunday Sew-In: Coupon Organizer

“Death, taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them.” 
~ Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind

Every year I don't spend Superbowl Sunday watching the game or the pregame or the halftime show or the commercials. I use the time to sit down at the computer and do taxes. Every single year.

I have always done our taxes. And it's always a pain. I long for the simpler days of being able to use the EZ forms! But I am also ever-so-thankful for tax preparation software. So while I'll be using that software during today's game I have other business to attend to first.

My Sew-In Sunday.

Several years ago I made a coupon organizer.

Now that I'm working on my next book (the upcoming one is a craft one) I'm needing to put together step-by-step directions for many of my creations. Except there is a bit of a problem. I didn't take good notes last time around.

So today's Sew-In Sunday is me trying to figure out what the heck I did and how the heck I'm going to do it again.

And just like last Sunday I came away with a page (and pile) of mess.

But I think I finally figured it out. I'll be using these fabrics for the instructions. But that's for another day. Since the Superbowl just now started I need to switch to tax time.

Packing for a Cruise

It's Cruise Ship Saturday! Today we're talking about packing for a cruise.

When other passengers ask us about what we pack for a cruise they don't understand how it's possible we use just one suitcase. Then when we tell them hubby and I share the one suitcase they think it's impossible.

One of the biggest misconceptions a first-time cruiser has is that everyone wears dressy clothing all the time. Remember, these perfect photos are an advertisement. The ideal. They don’t represent the majority of passengers on today’s cruise ships. Go to your local movie theater, mall, or restaurant to see who you will find on a ship. Average people. Some are smaller, some are larger. Some wear sharply pressed clothing and some wear wrinkled clothing. Some look like they are heading to a wedding and some look like they are ready to mow the lawn. Even packing lists promote a mentality of it all having to be perfect. Do an internet search for cruise packing list and what you find will be overwhelming.

And not necessary.

Packing for a cruise isn’t much different than packing for a land-based vacation. There is no need to pack something just in case. With only paperwork, a passport, medications, a clean pair of undies, and some deodorant anyone could survive on a cruise. (But you’ll probably be more comfortable with more.) Bring a couple pairs of shoes with one dressier to wear into the dining room, a couple pairs of slacks, and a few tops. Reduce the amount of clothes by sticking with the same color scheme. Don’t forget to wear what you’re comfortable in! Wear the bulkiest of the clothes on the plane.

Whether going on a cruise or land vacation we subscribe to the belief of packing half as many clothes and twice as much money as we think we’ll need. Since we frequently take our trips last minute we keep a basket of our must-haves ready to go.  After all these years of traveling our list is about right. For us.

Our list:

• Medications - Prescriptions, vitamins, pain relievers, antihistamines, cold medicine, anti-nausea, antacids.
• Toiletries - Toothbrush and toothpaste (ask dentist for extras), deodorant, hair gel, powder, sunscreen, disposable razor, shaving cream, lip balm.
• Adhesive bandages, travel size sewing kit, nail clippers, small scissors. We keep all of these in a glasses case.
• Fabric freshener that can double as an air freshener. Remember the bathroom is small.
• Reclosable bags in a variety of sizes. Keeps money dry and sand out of electronics while at the beach. Larger size bags can be used for sandy/muddy sandals and shoes.
• Windbreaker, hat, cheap rain poncho.
• Electronics, headphones, charger. We rotate electronics for charging.
• Slippers. Comfy for a quick trip to the buffet.
• Undergarments and socks. Bring old ratty ones and toss them out as the trip goes along. Leaves more room in the suitcase for trip purchases. We don't buy souvenirs but we sure like coming home with a lighter suitcase!
• Cross body bag or drawstring backpack to use when going ashore. Holds ID and money, camera, on-shore purchases, sunscreen, beach towels. If not a beach day I use a waist wallet under my clothes. 
• Magnetic clip to keep paperwork organized on the cabin wall.
• Pocket sized hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray.
• For warm weather trips - snorkeling equipment and underwater camera, swimsuits and cover-up, sandals. 
• We don’t own binoculars but if we did we would take them on voyages to Alaska.

Bald eagles and calving glaciers will be easier to see with binoculars.

The Friday 15

“The numerous choices you have around yourself are often superficial; they don’t matter. The art lies in doing more with less. Minimal requirements, more work.” 
― Vishal Ostwal, Pocket Productivity

Doing more with less. Less notepads and binders and office organizers. Add in the five things I sold on eBay this week and there is my 15 for the. Buh Bye to crap.