There's something utterly satisfying about sleeping in one's own bed, I've discovered. In fact, it's so satisfying that I've defied the alarm clock for the past two mornings and slept in – much to my detriment. It's taken me nearly two days to dig through all the mail stacked up on my desk – and yes, I do read every guestbook entry and every message sent my way. Why wouldn't I? You're my friends. Yesterday, I started Chapter One of 50 HARBOR STREET (September 2005), and it's like visiting old friends, although I have to tell you, the folks from Cedar Cove were a bit cranky and demanded to know what took me so long to get back to them. Not to worry; they've forgiven me, but I'm not entirely sure my editor will be nearly as forgiving.

Ahoy Mates,

I think I've been to sea a bit too long. I don't have my land legs quite yet. Wayne and I arrived home late Sunday night. It was even later for us, because we'd come from a different time zone. We're both exhilarated and exhausted. After a week with some of the most wonderful readers on the high seas, I'm ready to go again.

The highlights of the cruise included swimming with the dolphins in Cozumel, Mexico, shopping in Progreso, and having an entire dining room of 600+ sing me happy birthday—which I understand is Carnival Cruise ship history. It's the first time an entire room has sung to one person. The room steward decorated my room with birthday streamers, and my editor and others had a bottle of cooled French champagne waiting for me. As you might guess, this was the trip of a lifetime. Now it's back to work . . . I start 50 Harbor Street this morning.

Under duress, Wayne lugged up four large suitcases from the basement last night so we could start packing for the Get Caught Reading at Sea cruise. I insisted on four because of what happened after attending the yarn conference last week. (I ended up paying a penalty because my suitcase was too heavy.) Who knew yarn weighed that much? Hey, I carried it – one would think those burley guys loading luggage onto the plane wouldn't have a problem – but I digress. Apparently, if you have the same amount of weight evenly spread over two suitcases, everyone is happy, and it's not a problem.

At this point one large suitcase is entirely filled with yarn. I want to share with my cruise knitting class some of the fabulous yarns I've found. I've also tucked in some examples of the projects I've knit, and the twenty or so projects I hope to knit during the week at sea. Then, of course, there's another entire suitcase for the three or four absolutely lovely evening gowns for the formal dinner – okay, there's only one formal meal, BUT I can't be forced to decide which one to wear until that very night. They're bulky – all those sequins. I needed one of Wayne's suitcases for all my other clothes and the fourth one for the beach towels, swimming gear, goggles, fins and such.

I don't know what Wayne was complaining about when he noticed there wasn't room for any of his stuff. Okay, okay, he could put his swim suit in with mine. As for everything else, there's always carry-ons.

Wayne and I are getting ready for the Get Caught Reading at Sea Cruise, and we're excited. It isn't everyday we get this kind of getaway. It's actually a working vacation for me, but you'd be hard-pressed to prove it by me.

I do have one concern. I volunteered to teach knitting classes while on board. Those of you who know me realize I'm an avid knitter. This does not mean, however, that I'm an expert knitter. I tried to teach my granddaughter, Jazmine, to knit, but she didn't take to it as easily as I thought she would. Of course, she was only three at the time. As for the cruise, I didn't really think many would be interested in my knitting class; after all, we'll be in the tropics. When I called to find out how many people had signed up, I discovered there were 116 people in my class. One hundred and sixteen! This should be interesting. (I'm just hoping no one tars and feathers me when they realize all I know how to do is knit and purl.)

Have a great day and I'll check in tomorrow before we leave for the lovely Caribbean.

When Wayne was taking flying lessons, he practiced what he calls touch-and-go. That's when he'd touch down on the runway and then immediately take off again. This week I feel that I'm on one of his touch-and-go trips. After a full week away from the office, I'm here for four days and then off again for the Get Caught Reading at Sea Cruise. Although I'm home, I'm barely in the office because of a number of different tasks awaiting me. I'm off to a book warehouse to sign stock for WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES. (I saw the cover for the first time, and it's fabulous!) Then on Thursday I'm driving into Seattle for a radio interview with NPR –sorry I don't know when it'll be aired.

My time in Alabama and in New Jersey was fabulous. I spoke at the banquet for Stitches East, a huge knitting conference. I purchased enough yarn to fill the house. One night I phoned home and discovered Wayne and his best friend Norm listening to ‘60s music and singing at the top of their lungs. They were feeling no pain, and when I asked my dear husband if he was having a good time without me, he said, "What happens in Port Orchard stays in Port Orchard." Then he asked me if I was having a good time and I told him. "What happens in Atlantic City is getting shipped to Port Orchard."

The yarn should start arriving any day now.

Debbie