I am still unpacking from our trip and I hate it.  Why does it seem to take an hour or so throw everything in a suitcase but an entire day to unpack it.  And I came home with all CLEAN clothes.  Now I just have to find a place to put all these new toys.
Also, I now have another broken suitcase.  So much for my great deal on a new set of luggage!

Let me let you in on a little secret … STAY HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.  We didn’t and I am still exhausted.  So I thought I would share my holiday with you so you can see how staying home is an option worth considering.
I would like to say, however, that we really enjoyed seeing family.  We only get to go home once a year but this year seemed especially hectic for some reason.
Dec 23rd – I worked a 10 hour shift and packed some
Dec 24th – I worked an 8 hour shift and packed some
Dec 25th – We flew to …read more

I am so excited!  When I started looking for airfare for Christmas, I was mortified!  Leaving my home town, going to Missouri, then Texas, and back home again was going to cost us $3000 for 3 tickets.  It didn’t surprise me but it did tick me off.  So I called the travel center we belong to.  I thought, “What the heck.  It’s an exclusive travel membership.  Why not use it?”  So I did.  And do you know how it turned out?

My hubby and I have worked a very long 10 days straight.  We’re ready for some rest and relaxation.  He found us a B&B on the coast, not too far from where my parents live.  We’re taking the kids to my parents’ house today and then we’ll head to our relaxing destination.
For our family, timeshares just don’t work.  The fees each year cost more than we typically spend on a hotel.  Along with their fees, you have to pay around $10,000 for the property, rights, whatever they’re called. 
So I’m curious . . . do you have a timeshare?  Do you …read more

OK, so I have a Travelocity fair alert notification so that if the prices drop $50, they email me.  It’s much more convenient this way than to worry about going online to check prices every day.  Right now, I could get tickets to see my dad and sisters for less than $300.  Now that is cheaper than I have seen it in a while.  the kicker is that you have to travel before the holidays.  So that knocks me out.  But you can get good deals right now if you are going to travel any time soon.   Just make sure …read more

 
Many of us will be traveling over the holidays.  If you’re like me, you just about dread riding in a car (or flying) with your children.  I try to have an assortment of tricks up my sleeve to keep my kids happy and entertained.  Here are some tips that you can try to keep your children occupied and quiet somewhat amused.
 1.  DVDs – Don’t you just love technology?  Back in my day (no, I’m not that old) we just had to tough out the boredom while traveling and we had better not whine about it.  Today, kids have the luxuries of …read more

Did you know . . . One in four travelers say they’ve had a dispute over a hotel minibar charge, according to a recent study conducted by TripAdvisor.com.
I was clueless on the fact that many hotels are using automatic motion and weight sensors that register your purchase.  Just simply moving the items in the refrigerator around to make room for your snacks or take out food can register that you have purchased something.  It seems to me that these special refrigerators would cost more than they’re worth, but that just shows how much hotels are making off of this stuff.
You know …read more

Here is a thrifty way to get your family to your house.  LOL 
An elderly man in Phoenix calls his son in New York and says, “I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.”
“Pop, what are you talking about?” the son screams.
We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer” the old man says.  “We’re sick and tired of each other, and I’m sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her.”  And he hangs up.
Frantic, the …read more