Cruising My Way Into 50

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Travel/Cruising

On December 1, 2019, I turned 50 years old. I was blessed to do one of my favorite things…a cruise to Mexico. There were 14 of us that went and it was so much fun.

I am a hobbyist photographer and LOVE photos. I have to be honest, I didn’t get as many photos as I normally do. I didn’t even get one of us all together. But, I made lots of memories and enjoyed being in the moment.

We left out the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was the lighting of the Christmas tree on the ship, the Carnival Dream, and the start of the Christmas season. We sang Christmas carols, Santa made a visit and we even got a little “snow” on our cruise. Thankfully it was fake because I am not a cold/snow person.

Sorry, not the best video.

It was so beautiful!

We even decorated our cruise door Christmasy (is that a word) and for my birthday, with lights, a mermaid Christmas stocking and of course the big 5 0 on it.

We had one of the best cruise directors, Gary. He made everything fun! On the first day I met him at the sail away party and every time I saw him after that, he called me the “birthday girl.” He even sent a special coupon to my room for a free photo album from the pixels department.

This was our very first time to have a cove balcony. That is a balcony room on deck 2 close to the water. Loved it! Here is a little glimpse of a video I made on December 1, 2019.

 

It was a blessing that my oldest son and his family were able to cruise with us. Our youngest son and his family will cruise with us next time.

There was a duck hunt one afternoon. Some of the cruise staff hid ducks around the ship. The team that returned with all of the correct places they were hidden, within 30 minutes, won.

Guess what?

We won!! 🎊

They all got a metal. They were so excited, so were the adults. It was all for fun but we are kind of competitive so it was awesome. 👏🏼

The weather was spectacular. The Lord answered my prayers with that. It was a wonderful cruise and lots of memories were made.

Hanging around the Lido deck with my Love on the actual day of my birthday. 😎 Might I add, sunny and 80 degrees. #perfect

I do use sunscreen but those freckles pop out in the sun. My Granny always told me they were beautiful sun-kisses. I sure miss her.

I hope you enjoy my iPhone pictures and a little glimpse of “Cruising into 50.” I’m proud of my age. I am not one to make a big deal out of my birthday (you can’t tell by this blog lol) but this time I did, it was a big one.

#aloha50

Funny story: My brother was cruising with us and he asked me on my birthday if I felt any different at 50… I told him yes, I actually felt better, the day/night before I danced so much that my feet and legs were hurting when I went to bed. So, I felt better on my 50th birthday.

This was a fun cruise and fun to write about. Nothing eloquent about it; just ME!!

This photo was at port in Cozumel.

Merry Christmas 🎄

❤️ Davilyn

If you have any questions about cruising or would like to book a cruise, I’d love to help you.

Lost at Sea Travels

New Orleans Style

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Travel/Cruising

This time we had a road trip, not a cruise or beach trip.

Our nephew got married in NOLA. This gave us an opportunity to go to New Orleans as a family and make a little vacation out of it. We don’t get to travel much as a whole family because of schedules. It was fun being in the same hotel, kids running back and forth to rooms.

This is our family! There’s a lot of us. We have two sons, two daughters-in-love, three grandsons and three granddaughters. We are very blessed!

Eberlan party of 12. We have our own hashtag #eberlanX12

We saw the family that we haven’t seen in a long time, it was great fun, loud time. Eberlan’s are loud. Lol

We went to the French Quarters on the first day. It was my first time to have beignets at Cafe Du Monde. Oh my goodness, delicious. We all LOVED them. We even got them the next day for breakfast, also.



We rode a carriage ride through the downtown streets of New Orleans site seeing and learned a lot of the history of the city.



St. Louis Cathedral



Bourbon street was quiet in the morning but not so much late in the evening.

Beautiful architecture

A lot of history in this city.



The French Market is a great place to shop. Everything from t/shirts, souvenirs, fruit, food, drinks and more.

The wedding was classy and perfect. Beautiful church, bride and groom.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Historic Church

The flower girls. My beautiful grand-daughters.

Yes, we were in Saints country but the groom had a Dallas Cowboys cake with a helmet signed by Jason Witten.



Dancing with the stars; my grand-babies.



We finished the night with a fun reception. We danced the night away, especially the kids.



This was our first trip to NOLA and we had an awesome time. We will be going back.

I love sharing our life with you. By the way, Snapshots not professional photos.

Forever Wanderlust,

Davilyn

If you read this blog give me a like, comment or share.

Thank you! 😊

Forever Wanderlust

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Travel/Cruising

Hi friends! It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog. I have been busy with my family and suffering from chronic migraines. The neurologist tried several medications and nothing worked for me. I finally received Botox injections for migraines (25 injections) and I’m feeling better. Anyway, this blog isn’t about that…

As you may know, I am a travel advisor, agent, consultant, whatever you want to call it. I’ve been doing this for a little over a year. I absolutely love it, it’s my passion to help others plan a vacation.  It’s not always an easy job and takes lots of time, but it’s all worth it.

I always like to get a picture with the Carnival tail.

When I first started and looking at all of the “stuff” it was kind of overwhelming. Then I was in a teaching webinar and the instructor said, “don’t try to do it all, find your niche.” She said if you were having a heart attack you would want a heart surgeon, a brain tumor, a neurosurgeon, etc. It made perfect sense to me. The specialist is more experienced in what they do and they also make more money.  I knew immediately what my niche would be, it would be what I love, cruising and beaches. I already knew a lot about cruises and beaches because that’s what we do so often. I’ve turned down booking trips to Italy, Vegas, New York, just to name a few, because that’s not my niche. I’m not experienced at that.

I have always loved the beach and after my first cruise, I was addicted. I love cruising because you get to visit so many places on one trip. I also love the ship and being on the seas.

I am a Forever Wanderlust!

While I didn’t get into this to get rich, I wanted to make enough money for my husband and I to cruise twice a year and to take other small trips throughout. We love to get away at any time we can. I have a lot of family members that also cruise. It didn’t take long to start booking, but I did have to wait a while for a paycheck.

I am so blessed and thankful for each and every one of my clients, friends, and family that I have had the privilege of helping with their vacation.

This is when I was in Mahogany Bay, Roatan. Loved the monkey, not to mention the beautiful water and beach.

  I have the BEST clients.

The best advertisement is referrals and word of mouth! I’m blessed to have great clients that do this for me.

 Sharing is caring!

I have other blogs on the best time to cruise, packing ideas, tips and why use a travel agent. I will link them at the bottom, great information in them.

I love my job, it’s hard for me to even call it that because I enjoy it so much.

It’s my desire to help my clients get the best deals, be prepared and have an awesome vacation.

If you are interested in a cruise or all-inclusive beach resort, it would be my honor to help you.

A big group of us that cruised together in April. This is in Cozumel.

No, I don’t do it all but I am a specialist/expert on cruises and resorts.

I hope you have enjoyed my pictures. I love to share them.

Travel is not about leaving our homes, it’s about leaving our habits.

Forever Wanderlust,

💜Davilyn

Lost at Sea Travels

Why Use A Travel Agent

Cruising on a Budget/Recent Cruise

Cruise Packing “Extras”

Galveston Island: Things to Do

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Travel/Cruising

Hello from Galveston Island!

We have been going to Galveston, Texas for over 30 years. When our children were growing up we went every summer for a week. It’s grown a lot since we first started going. My husband and I still go every couple of months, even if for a day or two.

Our first stop is usually Salsa’s Mexican Food. We love Mexican food, and to us, it’s the best. We order combo fajitas and share because it’s so much food for one person.

There are so many things to do in Galveston.

Pleasure Pier

Side view 

Schlitterbahn Water Park

Moody Gardens is a popular attraction with a large hotel, rain forest pyramid, Aquarium, 4D Special Fx theater, paddlewheel boat cruise. Too many things to list.

Moody Gardens

My FAVORITE seashell gift shop is Murdoch’s over the water. It has a nice Breezeway to sit in, have a drink, if you wish, and look out at the gulf. I’ve seen people during the summer hang a hammock underneath. I have several pictures and can’t share them all but if interested find out more here about Murdochs.

A popular place that tourist like to eat, and we’ve eaten there many times, is Fish Tales. It’s directly across from Pleasure Pier on the Seawall.

But, we have found where the locals eat seafood, and now it’s where we eat. Shrimp N Stuff. There are two locations, one downtown, more for tourist, and the original one, where we like to eat. It’s very casual. You go to counter to order and sit where you want.

They have the best crab cakes and fried oysters.

The Strand Historic District is located downtown, and it definitely needs to be on your to-do list. We love to walk the streets and visit the different boutiques and gift shops. It has a lot of mom and pop cafes, lively entertainment and of course, people watching.

You must go to LaKings for dessert. It’s an old fashion ice-cream and candy shop. You can have an old fashion milkshake, coke float, homemade candies or a latte.

Also, downtown is the cruise port. You can watch the cruise ships sail away or my favorite thing, wave at people as I sail away. Cruise lines with ships that sail from this port include Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. This port is rated as one of the top cruise ports (#4) in the country thanks to all of the activities Galveston Island has to offer. Usually, cruisers stay a couple of days in Galveston.

I took this photo from Pier 23 at the port. Unfortunately, I was not sailing away that day.

The Galveston Seawall is built along the beaches. The sidewalk adjacent to Seawall Boulevard on the south is claimed to be the longest continuous sidewalk in the world at 10.3 miles. All free beaches along the Seawall are kept by the city and have lifeguards. There are many hotels and restaurants up and down the sea wall.

Beach along the Sea Wall

A sunrise view from my hotel balcony

Stewart Beach is an excellent beach for a day trip. The beach is free, but you must pay to park. It has a big gift shop, showers, store, restaurant, and many activities.

Galveston is a great beach vacation. Many things cost money, but there are also many things, like the beach, the strand, cruise pier, Murdoch’s, riding the ferry, just to name a few, that cost nothing at all. It’s a great peaceful, relaxing place. We only live 3 hours away, so we’ve made the trip in a day or have stayed a week.

Galveston host many activities all throughout the year, everything from chili cook-offs, Mardi Gras, motorcycle rallies to a Festival of Lights during Christmas time and more.

Many people visit Galveston each year, either to vacation or cruise.

On the way home, we always stop at Buc-ees. It’s about 15 miles from Galveston, in Texas City. Actually, we stop going to Galveston and going home.

It’s a huge convenience store for snacks, BBQ, drinks, Texas-Themed T-shirts, beach decor and many gifts, not to mention the largest, cleanest restrooms around.

These are just a few things about my home away from home. Contact me if you have any questions or would like any information about Galveston Island.

I couldn’t leave you without at least one of our many pictures together at Galveston beach.

You can join my travel group below.

Lost At Sea Travels

All photos are pictures that I have taken.

Enjoying the Simple Life,

💜Davilyn

Seasons of Life

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Inspirational

There is a time for everything.

“For everything, there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Every cold season eventually turns warm. Every storm runs out of rain.

It’s the middle of January and we have experienced many seasons this month, at least here in Texas. This past weekend we had flooding rain, gusty winds, and cold temperatures. Yet today we have beautiful sunny skies and warmer temps. In such a short period of time, God has given us a break in the clouds.

The same is true for life, we have different seasons in life. Right in the middle of a hard season, God will give us a sunny, warmer day. It may not mean the season is completely over but he gives a little break and lets us know that HE is still there.

It’s inevitable that sometimes this life is going to let us down and things are not going as we wish. It’s important to remember that in these difficult times that God will bless us with moments of relief.  Just like winter gives way to Spring, every hard time gives way to better times.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

Sometimes these difficult seasons seem like they will never end but they will. A lot of times after the storm itself is over there is still much prayer, healing and work to be done.

I always try to remember Job. He had it rough and never cursed God or left God.

 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Job 2:9-10

Life may seem like you’re in the depths of winter, but your season will change and Spring will come forth. God is consistent and uses everything for good. If you’re struggling, going through a difficult season, remember God’s timing is better than ours.

We must learn and grow from our difficult seasons.

Think about it, if Spring comes to early it could get hit by a cool snap and kill all of the good.

Wait on the Lord’s timing, Your spring is coming!

I have been in a long difficult season and God has given me breaks with sunshine and relief for short times.

I am ready for a rainbow!🌈

Isn’t it something how even we as adults get excited when we see a rainbow in the sky.

God keeps his promises!

 

💜Davilyn

I BLOG DIFFERENT

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Motivational

I’ve come to realize that I BLOG DIFFERENT. I have read lots of blogs and realized that I’m different from everyone else. To be honest, at first, that bothered me. I thought I was doing everything wrong. I may have an inspirational post, lifestyle, travel, motivational or family blog, my blogs have a lot of MY pictures, and that’s ok. I’ve tried to change the way I do it, but I can never hit publish on those. I was comparing myself to others, and that’s a trap. I’ve read to find your “niche” and stick to that. I’ve seen that mine is variety and very different.

I’ve learned that’s me and this is how I’m supposed to blog. I don’t have to be like everyone else. My squares on Instagram don’t have to have a theme, or my Facebook page doesn’t have to be about one thing. I am different because God made me that way. We are all different. I’m thankful that’s how God made us. We don’t all look or think alike so why should we blog alike? I like things others don’t and vice versa. My goal is to do what God wants me to do and write, Instagram, Facebook what HE wants me to do. I am thankful for this opportunity and platform that he has given me. I’m grateful for you and accepting me the way I am.

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So when you read my blog, you never know what you’re going to get until you open it up. Lol. Reminds me of Forrest Gump, “Life’s like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get until you take a bite.” I never know what I’m going to write until it comes. I would like to blog at least twice or more a week, do more Facebook lives and Instagram stories but if it doesn’t happen, I’m not going to force it.

The things I do know is that I love Jesus, my family, to write, motivate to travel and to help you book your travels. Now I do have a niche in that, and it’s cruises and beaches/resorts. That’s my expertise!

Until the Lord says something different, I will continue to blog differently. I hope that’s ok. I’m learning to take one day at a time and take nothing for granted.

I hope you stick with me, follow and share my social sites, blogs and travel agency.

I love you all and so grateful for you. I encourage you to be YOU and don’t compare yourself with others.

I’m not fancy; I like t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, cheap sunglasses, and a good ocean view.

What about you; what do you like? Do you compare yourself to others?

Enjoying the Simple Life,

💜Davilyn

Goodbye 2018, Hello 2019

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Motivational

As quick as 2018 come, it left.

It was a year of new and exciting things and hard things. It’s one of my best years and worse years all in one if that makes sense. I started this blog, even though I didn’t get to write as many as I wanted, but I’m thankful I took the step and started.

I also become a travel agent, because I love to travel and help people plan their vacations. I’ve been in the business for 7 months and consider it to be successful thus far.

I am an introvert, and I’ve learned many things about myself, things I need to do and things I need to let go. I have met so many people all over the world, virtually. Even some in person through my travel agency.

This is my dream job!! Thank you for helping make it happen.

It was also a year of many struggles with my health. I’ve had a terrible year with migraines and have had every type of test and medicine available, it seems. I’m now on a preventive shot each month and pray that it works. I’ve only had one shot, as of now. I’m thankful for doctors and medicine, but I do know that my healer is Jesus.

I’m looking forward to 2019 with more blog post, more social media activity on my blog and business sites, a great year in the travel industry and most importantly, healed.

I have really stepped out of my comfort zone and want to do so even more in 2019. I’m also looking forward to helping plan more vacations for you and myself.

I hope you all have a great 2019 and pursue your dreams and passions.

If you make resolutions and/or goals or not, take one day at a time and don’t get upset with yourself if you’re not where you want to be. God’s timing for EVERYTHING is better than anything that we try to do on our own.

I have things in my heart that I want to do, but I will see what the Lord has for me. I’m not going to stress if I don’t meet my goals because I’m giving it to God and know it’s in his hands and timing.

I’m thankful for each one of you and much appreciate your support for both my blog and travel agency. Also, at the bottom of this blog you can “follow” it and leave your email address and it will be delivered right to your email so you never miss a post. Also, be sure to follow my social media sites. I share on them, especially on Facebook.

Southern Simple Blessed Blog and Travel

Lost at Sea Travels

None of this could be possible without you!

At the end of the year, it’s a time to reflect and refresh, even though I do this many times per year. I’m asking God what HE wants for me in 2019.

We make our plans, but the Lord directs our steps. Proverbs 16:9

Happy New Year, Friends and wishing you many blessings for 2019.

Enjoying the Simple Life,

💜 Davilyn

Leave me a comment on what your 2018 was like…

Merry Christmas

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Uncategorized

I just want you to know, from our home to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year❣️

I appreciate your support for the first year of my blog and travel business. I am thankful for every read, comment, like, and share on my blog and social media sites. It means the world to me. So grateful for everyone who allowed me to help plan their vacation and for the referrals. You made my first year successful.

I am honestly so grateful for YOU, and the countless blessings that God has given me, including my supportive husband.

Blessings to you and yours,

Davilyn & Mickey Eberlan

Lost at Sea Travels



Humble and Kind

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Inspirational

It’s a choice to be Humble & Kind!

We used to have on the entrance of our church, “friendly people inside,” it may still be there, I can’t remember since the remodel. I’ve been thinking about that, a lot, with the unfriendly world we live in. We SHOULD have friendly people INSIDE ANY CHURCH, but, we need friendly people OUTSIDE the church too. That may be more important. We need people humble and kind in the store, on the streets and even on social media. It seems people get bold on social media. We need to be careful and mindful of how we treat and talk to people. You never know what someone is going through or has been through and that they may need someone to be friendly to them.

We all have opinions, and not everyone’s is the same, and that’s ok. We are to measure ourselves by the Bible, not other people.

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life…

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭2:15-16

A smell or fragrance leaves a lasting impression. It can bring back a memory, good or bad, make you think of someone or something.

The sense of smell is my strongest sense. I can smell the slightest thing, a lot of times, before anyone else. I also have allergies to a lot of fragrances and have to take allergy medicine if I come in contact with them. My point, smells (aromas) are potent.

Have you ever smelled something and it took you back to a different time and memory? I can smell a particular fragrance, and it reminds me of someone or someplace. I’ve heard of people holding on to something of someone’s because the smell helps them to remember that person or makes them feel with them.

I love to smell my summer clothes after I’ve used sunscreen, even after they’ve washed I can still smell it.

Aromas can be a good or bad thing.

It doesn’t take much of something that gives off an odor to affect.

Not all smells are good. For instance skunks, you can smell them, especially if they’ve sprayed. Maybe one sprayed one of your animals, or you ran over one on the road. Yuck! It’s hard to get the stinky smell off.

Did you know that believers are called to be the fragrance of Jesus?

We are to be a pleasing, sweet aroma of Christ.

Smells, Aromas, Fragrances whichever you call it, leaves a lasting impression.  We have to be careful and not leave someone with a bad aroma of Christ and leave them with a bad fragrance of religion.

As the aroma of Christ, what fragrance do YOU bring with you?

Lord, please shape my thoughts and actions so people may sense that I have been with You.

Years ago there was a big thing going around WWJD…What Would Jesus Do? It’s something we should think of.  Jesus spoke, and either people believed him or not, he didn’t argue with them. We debate so many things that we can turn people away from God. We leave a bad aroma of Christ with them. Share Jesus with them, be Jesus to them.

How do we give a sweet aroma?

Be like Christ

To be like Christ means we share what people need…HIM

Be Jesus to them!

They need to know Jesus first and foremost.

Be Authentic

Be Consistent 

Our words and our deeds must line up with each other and the Bible.

We have to prepare our hearts and words for the effect they will have on people.

What does it mean to be the fragrance of Christ

Enjoying the Simple Life,

💜 Davilyn 

Carnival Vista: My Tour

by Southern Simple Blessed, posted in Travel/Cruising

As a travel agent, I got to tour the Carnival Vista. The Vista is one of the biggest ships that Carnival has. The ship set sail May 2016. Its new home port is in Galveston, Texas, only 3 hours away from my home.

This was my first ship tour as a travel agent. I was very blessed to be able to go on this ship inspection because they only allow so many per inspection/tour. I was happy to be approved but also had anxiety. Almost didn’t go. I am an introvert, and it’s tough for me to do things alone, where I know no one! Therefore, this was a big step out of my comfort zone.  I’m so glad that I stepped out. I met so many fellow agents and even stepped out and introduced myself to people. BIG deal for me!

Some of my new friends and fellow travel agents.

I have been on ten Carnival cruises and knew the layout of their ships pretty well. When I walked onto this ship, I was wowed! The lobby/atrium area was so different than the other ships. It was beautiful with the fiber optic aquarium fixture. There is also one in the casino bar area. Missing in the atrium is the glass elevators, that the other ships have.

Beautiful

The Vista is the first ship that has the Havana rooms. Kids must be at least 12 to stay in these cabins. You can choose between a Havana cabana with a patio which has a hammock and lounge chairs. A Havana suite or an interior Havana stateroom. These rooms have their own private pool, hot tub, and outside bar until 7 pm. The Havana restaurant, lounge, bandstand and the bar on the inside is available to all passengers.

Havana Cabana Patio

The Havana Lounge & Bar

The ship is big, and I was a little overwhelmed trying to see everything. I know that I missed some areas of it.

I love the big screen. As you can see the next stop was Montego Bay, Jamaica. This is my favorite route. It goes to Montego Bay, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. All Carnival ships have this big screen on the lido deck. At night, they show first-run movies, under the stars. Usually, the first show is a kid show and the second adult.

The main cabins, Lido deck, pool area, buffet, is about the same as the other ships that I have cruised.  The lido deck is where I live during the day while I’m cruising.

There is something for all ages, from camp carnival for young kids, circle C for young teens, club 02 for older teens, Dr. Seuss, waterworks, sports deck, sky ride.

A sports bar to watch games on so you won’t miss any while you’re out at sea.

 Guys Pig & Anchor BBQ and even though that wasn’t on our schedule, a couple of ladies and I ventured that way, and yes, we did have to taste it. Yummy!! We also got an ice-cream cone on the Lido deck.

The Seafood Shack located on lido deck aft. 

Carnival loves travel agents. They fed us in one of the main dining rooms and gave us a full course meal. The waiters put on a dance show. It was a great experience. They also had drawings for different carnival items, and I won a carnival mouse pad, small I know but I was excited because I never win anything.💙

The ship is big and beautiful, and I love the decor.

The staff was very friendly.

It seemed weird being on a cruise ship without my husband, if for only 4 hours. I would say it was hard to get off, but it wasn’t because he wasn’t with me. He went with me on the trip, dropped me off, and he went to the movies. He’s good like that.

I’ve always loved to travel and for the past 11 years cruise. I love helping others plan/book their vacations.

It’s never too late to start living your dreams. I’m proof of that. I just started my blog in January and my travel agency in May, at 48 years old.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord has blessed me with this blog and becoming a Travel Agent. I’m also a stay at home Gia (grandma). I love being able to help my kids out and spoil my grandbabies while doing this.

Travel, your money will return, your time won’t. Time is short.

I would love to help you plan your vacation. I know a lot of people ask why to use a TA instead of booking themselves online. I have a previous blog about that, you can read here to answer those questions.

Why Use A Travel Agent

 Facebook travel group  Lost At Sea Travels with Davilyn

I have videos of different areas of the ship on my  YouTube channel

Enjoying the simple, blessed & traveling life,

💜Davilyn