Email Hacked!

Email hacked! A couple of days ago I began to get a lot of texts, messages and phone calls asking me if I had emailed them asking for a favor. I also got a kick out of the fact that several mentioned my email came in at 6 am. Bottom line – no it was not from me. So began a busy day of researching and changing passwords. I discovered that it was my Yahoo email that was hacked- got an IP address from Nigeria! Boy did I want to lash out at “them”. But not really sure how and it is probably best I just try to safeguard my accounts and move on. It appears that “they” changed my yahoo to hot mail extension. Any replies went back to them. And it might appear that it was a legit email with my name, who’s going to pay attention to the email extension. If you replied to their request, you would then get an email back telling you I needed help and would you buy me an apple gift card. Next, they would ask you to send them a copy of the card which then allowed them to get the cash off that card and you would be out the money. It’s probably a small enough amount that no one pursues the theft and done enough times, the bandit makes out pretty well. The lesson might be that we all need to use caution and question any odd sounding email requests. I ran a virus scan and none were found on my computer. I have no idea how they got into my email. And have since changed my passwords and no longer duplicate them across apps. The silver lining on this is I appreciated and enjoyed all who contacted me asking if I’d sent the request. Seriously, between texts, messengers, phone calls my afternoon was filled. I got to catch up with folks I hadn’t heard from in quite some time. This was nice. I also finally decided I would delete David’s email. It was still attached to a couple of our on-line bills so I had to change those first. And then I deleted his email address. But I forgot that his email account had pictures attached and all his contacts. Hadn’t thought about that but I almost feel that it was another step that needed to be taken and it almost done for me rather than by me. This activity has kept me busy which is nice as my mind was beginning to dwell on all the upcoming significant dates: my birthday – I’ll be 71; David’s age; Thanksgiving- 3 years since David passed; his birthday and then Christmas; New Years and our wedding anniversary! My focus is going to be on the many significant dates we were able to share together! I may have lost some photos but with or without them, they and David are forever in my memory. Watch out for the Bad Guys! Don’t get caught by tricky scams. Good things are coming down the road, don’t stop walking!

Great Lakes Cruise

 It’s been awhile since I’ve posted to my blog so here is a brief update, especially if you aren’t on FB. Well I just got back from – yep, a cruise. This was the Great Lakes, Michigan and Superior. With port stops along the way. What beautiful country. I was not real familiar with this whole area so I enjoyed this trip. This was a new way to cruise, capacity of ship only 202 guest and only 135  on board. The ship was small, obviously, which is nice for docking but not so much for cruising. I felt a little claustrophobic on “sea” days. Otherwise, we were in very walkable areas and I was able to walk and wander quite a bit.

I was solo and there were other solos on board. However, there were many couples and several times I felt especially alone and noticed the absence of David more than previously. But I did not dwell on this and instead focused on where I was and what could I go explore. It’s mainly due to David that financially and emotionally I can do this traveling so I felt somewhat obligated to push myself to get out and about. Each time I took a small step outside my comfort zone, I felt more empowered and able to take bigger steps. And I’ve got to admit, it is fun to do only the museums I want to see, read only the exhibits I want to read, turn in early or stay up late and no one counted how many deserts I ate!

This is not a travel log in that I’m not describing all the places I visited. I did do photo highlights and post most on FB. As usual learned interesting history and thoroughly enjoyed all the new sights. Met many new people as I ate with different folks at the open dinner seating.

I’d say Mackinac Island was the highlight, enhanced by meeting cousin Scott and Heather there. That made for an extra special day of exploration. The locks and lift bridges were all fascinating. I walked across at least 2 lift/draw bridges and was only a little nervous they might need to go up before I got across. LOL. Interesting learning about different bridges, engineering feats for raising in different ways to allow large ships to pass. The traffic quickly backed up as cars had to stop until the bridge was back functioning as a “road”.

Some photos of us passing under a double decker lift bridge. 

First view of the ship as we prepare to embark in Milwaukee (not Chicago as originally planned).

Some of Chicago buildings as seen from my architectural boat trip  before my Great Lakes cruise.
My airplane lunch. It was really quite tasty. I love airplane food, mostly for the unique plating and the ideal of meals on a plane.

I'll end here, I have many more photos but I need to figure out why not all my photos are available to me to upload to this blog. I want to find them as I had a lot of fun with daily selfie of my outfits. If I do say so myself, I had several cute outfits. And its all about how you look, right? I did it for future packing purposes and it became a fun challenge to find a way to photo myself in my tiny stateroom.

Hope you enjoy reading and perhaps I'll post more photos soon. It's hard to play catch up after 16 days on the water but I wanted to enjoy my trip and blogging is a bit tricky for me still. Until next time!

Galveston Cruise

 

I don’t know what’s harder, packing or unpacking?! No I’m not complaining about either one. I think it is a requirement to cruise/travel often so that you stay mentally alert and up on all the details required these days for travel.

So along with the job of unpacking; I also came home to some tax forms, my “free” (in quotes because you know they are not really free free) covid test kits and a new Safety Third face mask from Mike Rowe Works Foundation. His safety third idea is interesting and makes a good read if you are interested. And I got the money bags from the events held while I was away so I have a lot of money counting and reporting to do for the Cactus Gardens Activities fund.

This was a fun relaxing cruise out of Galveston, ports of call – Cozumel; Belize City; Costa Maya. Belize was the only new port of me. I was a little disappointed. We took a trolley city tour and there was not much to see and their street venders were very aggressive. This cruise was on Royal Caribbean a line I have not cruised in several years. Holland America (HAL) is my favorite and most cruised line. I was mentally comparing them, even wrote up a list of differences. (you have time for this while cruising 😊) It was really minor and mostly insignificant things. We had about 1600 passengers on board with a capacity of about 4400, almost as many crew as passengers. We were all treated “Royally”! I now need to cruise Celebrity to add those comparisons but I am not sure I want to cruise again as long as masks are a mandate. Leaving the ship about 8am yesterday; arriving home about 12 hours later and wearing a mask the entire time is just not fun. If I really thought it kept me and you safe I’d be more willing. (ties in with safety third)

The start of the cruise was not so good. After flying out of Yuma at about 7am we arrived in Houston, got on our shuttle. First issue what door are we really to wait. We could have gotten the 2 o’clock shuttle but when I booked I wasn’t sure how quickly we’d get our baggage and find the pick up place. So we had time to wait – and thank goodness moved over to the other door around the corner. Our shuttle driver was quite funny, he was early and let us get in and wait in the van which was nice as we were now seated and out of the cool breeze. One other gentleman got on and then the joking and laughing began. We wanted to stop for coffee the addnl passenger wanted to stop for gin. First we had to stop at Hobby airport (BTW that is named after a person William P. Hobby – not Hobby Lobby!) On to our hotel, we were the first dropped off. All laughter ceased. There was not going to be a hotel breakfast as promised. And no restaurants within walking distance. We later called for pizza but we were outside of their delivery area. No brochures in the room about the area and restaurants. Next morning when we check out this gal is very helpful, tells about pizza that does deliver and vending machines in the hotel! That first clerk had a lot to learn about customer service. There were several other issues but the food or lack of was my priority. Coffee was almost an issue but after a trip downstairs and requests for coffee, cups and sugar got that squared away.

Originally two other couples were to be traveling with us, they were driving in so would have had cars which would have made a difference but still could have been much better customer service.

Port arrival. It actually went quite smoothly and we were on board and eating! I had been concerned that this was a huge ship and I’d have trouble navigating. However that was not the case. Once on board the ship did not seem that large and they had a wonderful interactive map that was great directing you to whatever venue or your room. Great use of technology in my opinion.

Going into dinner the first night, the hostess asked us where was Charlie. It took me a minute but I figured out since there were 3 of us gals, she was referring to Charlie’s Angels! And she called us that every night. I think it is fun when they personalize your experience. And I will add I think we 3 got along very well and enjoyed each other’s company and the cruise.

And I could go on but will end it here. Thursday I will use one of my covid tests, not because I’m worried but just to check and then can assure everyone (since it will be negative) that I had a fun safe cruise. They recommend testing 5 days after the cruise.

Dang it - I can't get my photos to load, it seems to work different every time!! so sorry as I know photos can make it more interesting.